DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
LAND SALES PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED ................................. 1
CONTRACT SIGNED FOR WIDENING CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST .... *......... 3
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF JANUARY RETAIL SALES SURVEY.............. 4
AFFECTED FARMERS URGED TO APPLY FOR ALLOWANCE................... 7
CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT CONDUCT GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY........................................................ 7
SAI KUNG DB TO HOLD FIRST MEETING............................... 8
WAN CHAI PUTS TP "WELCOME" SIGNS ............................... J
FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 1988
1
LAND SALES PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED *****
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO OFFER 44 SITES IN THE URBAN AREA AND THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION AND TENDER IN THE 1988-89 FINANCIAL YEAR, THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PROVISIONAL LAND SALES PROGRAMME WAS OUTLINED BY THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR DUNCAN SCOTT-WILL.
"FOLLOWING THE RECENT AGREEMENT OF THE LAND COMMISSION TO THE DISPOSAL OF 94.5 HECTARES OF LAND FOR 1988-89, A TOTAL OF 25 HECTARES OF LAND HAS BEEN INCLUDED IN THE SALES PROGRAMME, 31.5 HECTARES FOR CONTAINER TERMINAL 7 AND THE REST FOR HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEMES, HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY, VILLAGE HOUSING, PUBLIC UTILITIES, EDUCATIONAL , WELFARE, RELIGIOUS AND RECREATIONAL USES," HE SAID.
FOCUSSING ON THE DETAILS OF THE PROGRAMME FOR THE COMING SIX MONTHS, MR SCOTT-WILL SAID 22 SITES COMPRISING MORE THAN 9.5 HECTARES WOULD BE PUT UP FOR SALE BY AUCTION AND TENDER.
NINE OF THEM WILL BE DISPOSED OF AT THREE AUCTIONS IN MAY, JULY AND SEPTEMBER; NINE BY CASH TENDER AND THE REMAINING THREE BY LETTER A/B TENDER.
TWO COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL SITES OF 6,000 AND 2,090 SQUARE METRES AT CARPENTER ROAD AND PO ON ROAD WILL BE AUCTIONED IN SEPTEMBER.
THE TERMS FOR BOTH SITES WILL REQUIRE THE PURCHASER TO PROVIDE PUBLIC CAR PARKING IN THE DEVELOPMENT.
A MEDIUM-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL SITE WITH AN AREA OF 1.2 HECTARES AT TAI WO TSUEN, KWAI CHUNG, WILL ALSO BE SOLD AT AUCTION IN THE SAME MONTH.
SIX INDUSTRIAL SITES TOTALLING 2.02 HECTARES WILL BE AUCTIONED DURING THE PERIOD.
THEY ARE IN CHAI WAN, TUEN MUN, FANLING AND SHEUNG SHUI.
TURNING TO THE TENDER SIDE OF THE PROGRAMME, MR SCOTT-WILL ANTICIPATED THAT THE MOST ATTRACTIVE ONE WOULD BE A 4,328-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT MA ON SHAN.
IT WOULD BE DEVELOPED TO PROVIDE 530 PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME UNITS.
ALSO FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES, TWO SITES AT PENG CHAU AND CHEUNG SHA ON LANTAU ISLAND HAVE BEEN INCLUDED FOR SALE BY TENDER IN THE PROVISIONAL LAND SALES PROGRAMME IN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS. THEY MEASURE 660 AND 1,110 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
/THREE PETROL
FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 1988
2 -
THREE PETROL FILLING STATION SITES AT FANLING, TAI PO AND KAM TIN WILL ALSO BE SOLD BY TENDER DURING THE PERIOD.
FOUR SITES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE DISPOSED OF BY LETTER A/B TENDER.
TWO OF THEM ARE COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL SITES, ONE OF 1.58 HECTARES AT KWAI CHUNG AND THE OTHER A KEY CENTRAL SITE OF 1.1 HECTARES WITHIN THE FANLING DEVELOPMENT AREA.
MR SCOTT-WILL SAID PURCHASERS OF THE LETTER A/B TENDER SITES WOULD HAVE THE OPTION OF SUBMITTING EITHER A ’’VINTAGE” OR A ’’MONETISED LETTER B” TENDER, WITH PRIORITY BEING GIVEN TO THE FORMER.
IT WAS PROPOSED TO OFFER FOR SALE BY AUCTION A COMMERCIAL SITE IN HARBOUR ROAD ON THE WAN CHAI RECLAMATION OPPOSITE THE NEW EXHIBITION CENTRE IN THE LATTER HALF OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR, MR SCOTT-WILL SAID.
HE EXPECTED THAT THE SALE OF THE 7,100-SQUARE-METRE SITE WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY ATTRACT KEEN BIDDING.
THREE FURTHER PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME SITES IN JUNK BAY, TAI PO AND FANLING ARE LIKELY TO BE PUT UP FOR SALE LATER IN THE YEAR.
TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR INDUSTRIAL LAND, 10 SITES TOTALLING 3.3 HECTARES WILL BE PROVIDED AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY DURING THE COURSE OF THE YEAR.
MR SCOTT-WILL SAID 11.4 HECTARES OF LAND FOR COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AND 3.5 HECTARES OF HIGH DENSITY HOUSING SITES WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE OCTOBER-MARCH PERIOD LAND SALES PROGRAMME.
THE SITES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WOULD BE OFFERED BY THE LETTER A/B TENDER SYSTEM.
”IN ADDITION TO THE PROGRAMMED SALES, A SUPPLEMENTARY AREA OF UP TO FIVE HECTARES COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE, AS AGREED BY THE LAND COMMISSION, SUBJECT TO THE DEMANDS OF THE MARKET WITHIN THE COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL USER CATEGORIES,” MR SCOTT-WILL ADDED.
HE STRESSED THAT THE SALES PROGRAMME WAS PROVISIONAL AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
’’FURTHER DETAILS AND DATES WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE AND MAJOR NEWSPAPERS IN THE USUAL WAY," MR SCOTT-WILL SAID.
COPIES OF THE TENTATIVE LAND SALES PROGRAMME FOR THE APRIL-SEPTEMBER PERIOD ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, THIRD FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, OR FROM ANY OF THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 1,
19 83
- 3 -
CONTRACT SIGNED FOR WIDENING CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST
* * * «
THE GOVERNMENT HAS AWARDED A $79 MILLION CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A DUAL CARRIAGEWAY ON CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED BY THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR KWEI SEE-KAN, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF LEIGHTON CONTRACTORS PTY LTD, MR JOHN TOMSEN AND MR JOHN MCNAUGHT.
"CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST IS CURRENTLY ONE-WAY EASTBOUND BETWEEN ITS WESTERN AND EASTERN JUNCTIONS WITH DES VOEUX ROAD WEST," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
"WITH THE COMPLETION OF THIS PROJECT, CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST WILL HAVE A DUAL THREE LANE CARRIAGEWAY. MOTORISTS WILL THEN BE ABLE TO TRAVEL WESTWARDS ALONG THIS SECTION OF THE ROAD FROM CENTRAL TO SHEK TONG TSUI, WESTERN."
THE LENGTH OF CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST TO BE DUALLED UNDER THE CONTRACT WILL BE ABOUT 1.2 KILOMETRES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
CONSTRUCTION WORKS WILL START SOON AFTER EASTER AND BE DUE FOR COMPLETION IN ABOUT 19 MONTHS.
THE CONTRACT COVERS CONSTRUCTION OF A DUAL THREE LANE CARRIAGEWAY (A TOTAL OF SIX LANES) ALONG CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST, AND A SOUTHERN TWO LANE SERVICE ROAD FOR LOCAL TRAFFIC BETWEEN WILMER STREET AND WESTERN STREET.
«
IT ALSO COVERS SOUTHERN LAYBYS FOR SERVICE VEHICLES BETWEEN WESTERN STREET AND WHITTY STREET AND ANCILLARY ROADWORKS.
I
OTHER WORKS INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF FOOTBRIDGES ACROSS CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST AT WATER STREET, WESTERN STREET AND EASTERN STREET.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE CONTRACT IS THE THIRD AWARDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE UPGRADED CONNAUGHT ROAD PROJECT, ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS PUT FORWARD IN A ( 1984 STUDY INTO TRANSPORT REQUIREMENTS IN MID-LEVELS AND CENTRAL*.
THE FIRST CONTRACT WAS AWARDED IN SEPTEMBER 1986. IT WAS FOR $197 MILLION AND COVERS THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HARCOURT ROAD FLYOVER AND PEDDER STREET UNDERPASS.
THE SECOND CONTRACT WAS AWARDED IN NOVEMBER 1986. IT COVERS THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE RUMSEY STREET FLYOVER AT A COST OF $187 MILLION.
THE OVERALL LENGTH OF THE UPGRADED CONNAUGHT ROAD PROJECT IS 4.5 KILOMETRES.
/THE FOURTH........
FRIL J, APRIL 1, 1988
4
THE FOURTH AND LAST CONTRACT OF THE UPGRADED CONNAUGHT ROAD PROJECT HAS YET TO BE AWARDED.
IT INVOLVES THE EASTERN EXTENSION OF THE CONNAUGHT ROAD ELEVATED WALKWAY ALONG THE NORTHERN SIDE OF CONNAUGHT ROAD FROM PEDDER STREET TO HUTCHISON HOUSE.
1
WORK ON IT IS PROGRAMMED TO START IN 1990, AFTER THE FIRST THREE CONTRACTS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.
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PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF JANUARY ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
RETAIL SALES SURVEY
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN JANUARY 1988, ESTIMATED AT $8,056 MILLION, WAS 11 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN JANUARY 1987 WHILST THEIR VOLUME WAS 2 PER SENT HIGHER, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THIS COMPARISON WAS, HOWEVER, AFFECTED BY THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS, WHICH OCCURRED IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR BUT IN JANUARY LAST YEAR, RESULTING IN A HIGHER BASE OF COMPARISON FOR THE YEAR-ON-YEAR PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN RETAIL SALES.
ANALYSED BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS, RETAIL SALES OF FUELS INCREASED BY 15 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 6 PER CENT IN VOLUME IN JANUARY 1988 WHEN COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1987. FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO HAD A NEGLIGIBLE CHANGE IN SALES VALUE AND A DROP OF 6 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS INCREASED BY 18 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 7 PER CENT IN VOLUME. ’’OTHER CONSUMER GOODS" AND CONSUMER DURABLES ROSE BY 14 PER CENT AND 12 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN SALES VALUE AND 4 PER CENT AND 5 PER GENT RESPECTIVELY IN SALES VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, WHICH FORM PART OF THE RELEVANT MAJOR TRADE GROUPS, SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 25 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 14 PER CENT IN VOLUME. SALES BY DEPARTMENT STORES ROSE BY 23 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 12 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 7 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 1 PER *CENT IN SALES VOLUME. SUPERMARKET SALES DECREASED BY 9 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 15 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
<
/WHEN COMPARED ........
FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 1988
5 -
WHEN COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1987, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON IS AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RETAIL SALES FOR JANUARY 1988 DROPPED BY 4 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 3 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO DECREASED BY 3 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 1 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. FUELS WENT DOWN BY 6 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 7 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS ROSE BY 5 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 7 PER CENT IN VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES INCREASED BY 1 PER CENT IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME. "OTHER CONSUMER GOODS" FELL BY 9 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 8 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 3 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 2 PER CENT IN VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 1 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED IN SALES VOLUME.
SUPERMARKET SALES WENT DOWN BY 8 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 9 PER CENT IN VOLUME. SALES BY DEPARTMENT STORES DROPPED BY 11 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 10 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL RETAIL SALES FIGURE FOR DECEMBER 1987 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR JANUARY 1988.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES IN DECEMBER 1987 AND JANUARY 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 1981 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 TAKEN AS 100.
COMPARISONS OE JANUARY 1988 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR DECEMBER 1987 AND WITH THOSE FOR JANUARY 1987 ARE ALSO GIVEN.
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OF THE JANUARY 1988 SURVEY RESULTS IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AT $1 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. 5-8234941).
FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 1988
TABLE 1 ; TOTAL RETAIL SALES
Total Retail Sales for January 1988 (Provisional figure) ■ HXI8.O56 alllion for December 1987 (Revised Figure) ■ KKI8,384 Billion
TABLE 2 : VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES _____________FOR DECEMBER 1987 AND JANUARY 1988 (Monthly average of Oct. 84 - Sept. 85 ■ 100)
Item Index of Retail Salos December 1987 January 1988 January 1988 compared with December 1987 January 1988 compared with January 1987
(Revised figures) (Provisional figures) Points < Points
U) FOR ALL RETAIL TRADES Valus 150 144 -6 -4 ♦14 ♦11
Volume 129 125 - 4 - J ♦ 3 ♦ 2
(B) BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS
Foodstuffs, alcoholic drinks and tobacco Value 134 130 - 4 .J • •
Volume 121 120 - 1 - 1 - 8 - 6
Fuels Value 105 98 1 o* 1 O' ♦13 ♦15
Volume 114 106 - 8 - 7 ♦ 6 ♦ 6
Clothing, footwear and allied products ■ Value 179 l8? ♦ 8 ♦ 5 ♦29 ♦ 18
Volume 147 157 ♦10 ♦ 7 ♦10 ♦ 7
Consumer durables Value 139 141 ♦ 2 ♦ 1 ♦ 16 ♦ 12
Volume 117 118 ♦ 1 ♦ 1 ♦ 6 ♦ 5
Other consumer goods Value 163 149 -14 - 9 ♦18 ♦ 14
Volume 138 126 -11 - 8 ♦ 5 ♦ 4
(C) 3Y 3ELS3TSD TRADES (see note 1 below) Supermarkets Value 159 145 -13 - 8 -15 - 9
Volume l4l» 131 -13 - 9 -23 -15
Motor vehicles Value 192 197 ♦ 6 ♦ 3 ♦39 ♦25
and parts Volume 144 146 ♦ 2 ♦ 2 ♦ 19 ♦ 14
Consumer durables other than motor Value 123 124 ♦ 1 ♦ I ♦ 9 ♦ 7
vehicles end parts Volume 109 109 • • ♦ 2 ♦ 1
Departwent stores Value 211 187 -24 -11 ♦35 ♦23
Volume 176 159 -17 -10 ♦17 ♦ 12
Notes : 1. In order to analyse the sales of certain trades within major trade groups, the value and volume Indexes in respect of the following selected trades are compiled :
(a) "Supe markets" - a trade in the "Foodstuffs, alcoholic drinks and tobacco" group.
(b) "Motor vehicles and parts" - a trade in the "Consumer durables" group.
(c) "Consumer durables other than motor vehicles and parts" - a trade in the "Conauaer durables" group.
(d) "Department stores" - a trade in the "Other consumer goods" group.
2. Figures denoting changes are derived from the unrounded index figures.
3. denotes change of less than 0.5-
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FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 1988
7 -
AFFECTED FARMERS URGED TO APPLY FOR ALLOWANCE t * t t %
THS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) URGED LIVESTOCK FARMERS IN THE LIVESTOCK WASTE PROHIBITION AREAS TO APPLY FOR AN EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE A3 QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. a
IN EARLY FEBRUARY. THE DEPARTMENT SENT OUT 800 LETTERS TO FARMERS IN THE PROHIBITION AREAS INFORMING THEM THAT THEY COULD APPLY FOR AN EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE WHEN THEY CEASE THEIR LIVESTOCK-KEEPING OPERATIONS.
SO FAR, THE DE' .r.TiNT HAS RECEIVED 280 REPLIES.
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 SHUI WAI AND JUNK BAY NEW TOWNS.
WITH EFFECT FROM JUNE 24 THIS YEAR, LIVESTOCK KEEPING WILL BE PROHIBITED IN THE ABOVE AREAS. AFFECTED FARMERS CAN RECEIVE AN EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE.
ANY FARMER WHOSE FARM IS LOCATED IN THE PROHIBITION AREA BUT HAS NOT REPLIED YET IS ASKED TO INFORM THE DEPARTMENT OF THE DATE HE OR SHE WILL CEASE LIVESTOCK-KEEPING OPERATIONS.
THREE TO FOUR MONTHS WILL BE REQUIRED FOR PROCESSING APPLICATIONS FOR AN EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE.
THE DEPARTMENT IS SENDING OUT A SECOND LETTER, BY REGISTERED MAIL, TO FARMERS WHO HAVE YET TO REPLY, REMINDING THEM OF THE EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE SCHEME AND THE COMMENCEMENT DATE OF PROHIBITION OF LIVESTOCK KEEPING.
CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT CONDUCT GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY t ♦ t * *
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO CONDUCT THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY IN APRIL TO JUNE THIS YEAR.
THE SURVEY, CONDUCTED MONTHLY SINCE AUGUST 1981, COLLECTS INFORMATION ON EMPLOYMENT, UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT, AND THE GENERAL SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION. — •
FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 1988
8
IN ADDITION, QUESTIONS ON HONG KONG RESIDENTS’ EXPENDITURE ABROAD; DEMAND FOR OPEN EDUCATION; PLACE OF WORK AND PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT OF THE EMPLOYED PERSONS; PLACE OF SCHOOL OF THE FULL-TIME STUDENTS; LOCAL STUDENTS STUDYING OUTSIDE HONG KONG; AND HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE ON RENT WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE SURVEY FOR THIS QUARTER.
SOME 5,000 HOUSEHOLDS ARE SELECTED AT RANDOM EACH MONTH FROM ALL DISTRICTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE SURVEY.
ABOUT HALF OF THE HOUSEHOLDS INTERVIEWED THREE MONTHS AGO WILL BE SURVEYED AGAIN TO MEASURE MORE ACCURATELY THE CHANGES THAT HAVE OCCURRED SINCE THEN.
AN OFFICIAL LETTER, IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, HAS BEEN SENT TO TRE SAMPLED HOUSEHOLDS TO EXPLAIN THE PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY AND TO SEEK THEIR CO-OPERATION.
ASSISTANT CENSUS AND SURVEY OFFICERS, EACH CARRYING AN IDENTITY CARD ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT, WILL VISIT THESE HOUSEHOLDS TO COLLECT THE REQUIRED INFORMATION.
ALL INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL BE TREATED WITH CONFIDENTIALITY AND WILL NOT BE REVEALED TO ANY PERSON OR ORGANISATION OUTSIDE THE DEPARTMENT.
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SAI KUNG DB TO HOLD FIRST MEETING
« * » t «
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE THE FIRST AMONG THE 19 DISTRICT BOARDS TO HOLD ITS FIRST MEETING FOR THE NEW TERM.
AT ITS MEETING ON APRIL 6 (WEDNESDAY), THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD WILL ELECT A NEW CHAIRMAN AS WELL AS CHAIRMEN FOR ITS FIVE COMMITTEES.
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KEVIN HO, WILL BE THE PRESIDING OFFICER. MR WILLIAM WAN HON-CHEUNG IS THE SOLE NOMINEE FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMANSHIP.
ALSO AT THE MEETING, THE BOARD WILL ELECT ITS REPRESENTATIVE TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL’S SAI KUNG DISTRICT COMMITTEE.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 4.30 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN. IT WILL BE A CLOSED-DOOR MEETING.
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/9........
FRIDAY, APRIL 1,
1988
- 9 -
WAN CHAI PUTS UP "WELCOME" SIGNS
*****
NEW "WELCOME" SIGNBOARDS HAVE RECENTLY BEEN ERECTED AT TWO BUSY ROAD JUNCTIONS IN WAN CHAI.
THE SIGNBOARDS, BEARING THE WORDS "WELCOME TO WAN CHAI DISTRICT" AND THE LOGO OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, WERE ERECTED UNDER AN ALLOCATION OF $32,000 FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE.
THESE STAINLESS STEEL SIGNBOARDS ARE PROMINENTLY LOCATED AT THE JUNCTION OF HENNESSY ROAD AND ARSENAL STREET AND THE JUNCTION OF QUEENSWAY AND QUEEN’S ROAD EAST.
THE SIGNBOARDS SERVE TO PROMOTE THE IDENTITY OF THE DISTRICT AS WELL AS TO WELCOME VISITORS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT OFFICE SAID.
THREE SIMILAR STRUCTURES WERE PUT UP IN THE DISTRICT IN 1986.
THEY ARE AT THE JUNCTION OF CAUSEWAY ROAD AND TUNG LO WAN ROAD; JUNCTION OF WONG NAI CHUNG GAP ROAD AND DEEP WATER BAY ROAD; AND AT HARCOURT ROAD NEAR THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARIS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SOFTWARE PACKAGES TO PROMOTE COMPUTER TEACHING ............ 1
NEW PROCEDURES AT IDENTIFICATION PARADES .................. 2
CNTA PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES PROVIDE DECLARATION SERVICE ... J
SEMINAR ON MORAL DEVELOPMENT OF SECONDARY STUDENTS ........ 4
DANCE CONTEST WINNERS TO PERFORM .......................... 4
PREQUALIFICATION OF TENDERERS FOR REFUSE CONTRACT ......... 5
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR YUEN LONG SYP .................... 6
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 1988
SOFTWARE PACKAGES TO PROMOTE
****■»
COMPUTER TEACHING
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS ABOUT TO CONTRACT OUT THE PRODUCTION OF 14 SOFTWARE PACKAGES IN THREE STAGES TO ENHANCE THE TEACHING OF COMPUTER LITERACY IN JUNIOR SECONDARY FORMS, THE ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR JOHN WINFIELD, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY HELD AT THE MICROCOMPUTER IN EDUCATION CONFERENCE.
MR WINFIELD SAID THE PACKAGES WOULD COMPRISE LOGO PROGRAMMING, COMPUTER GRAPHICS, COMPUTER APPLICATIONS, CHINESE CHARACTER LIBRARY, CHINESE WORD PROCESSING AND DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMMES ON COMPUTER ASSISTED LEARNING IN A NUMBER OF COMMON SUBJECTS.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THROUGH THE USE OF THESE PACKAGES, STUDENTS WILL GRADUALLY UNDERSTAND AND ACCEPT THE AVAILABILITY OF COMPUTERS AS PROBLEM-SOLVING AND PRACTICAL TOOLS.
MR WINFIELD ALSO SAID THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S COMPUTER EDUCATION CENTRE HAD RECENTLY PROCURED SUFFICIENT COPIES OF POPULAR SOFTWARE IN THREE APPLICATION AREAS.
"THEY ARE WORD PROCESSING, ELECTRONIC SPREADSHEET AND DATABASE MANAGEMENT," HE SAID.
"COURSES TO TRAIN SCHOOL HEADS AND TEACHERS IN THEIR USAGE HAVE NOW BEEN PLANNED AND THE FIRST COURSE, WHICH HAS BEEN SPECIALLY ARRANGED AT THE REQUEST OF THE ASSOCIATION OF PRINCIPALS OF CHURCH OF CHRIST IN CHINA SECONDARY SCHOOLS, WILL TAKE PLACE IN JUNE," HE ADDED.
NOTING THAT COMPUTERS WERE NOW QUITE WIDELY USED FOR VARIOUS ASPECTS OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION INCLUDING STUDENT RECORDS AND EXAMINATION RESULTS IN THE FORM OF COMPUTER PRINT-OUTS, MR WINFIELD SAID A SURVEY WAS RECENTLY CONDUCTED TO IDENTIFY WAYS IN WHICH SUCH PROCESSES MIGHT BE FURTHER DEVELOPED.
THE RESPONSE RATE TO A QUESTIONNAIRE IN AROUND 160 SCHOOLS IN THE SURVEY HAD BEEN EXCELLENT AND THE RESULTS WERE BEING ANALYSED TO DETERMINE POSSIBLE DIRECTIONS IN THIS REGARD. CAREFUL THOUGHT WOULD BE REQUIRED.
BEFORE PRESENTING PRIZES TO STUDENT WINNERS IN THE COMPUTER CREATIVE CONTEST, MR WINFIELD SAID THE ENTRIES IN 'HIE CONTEST INDICATED THAT COMPUTER EDUCATION WAS BEARING FRUIT.
NOTING THAT THE JUDGES HAD A DIFFICULT TIME IN DECIDING THE WINNERS AMONG THE 120 ENTRIES, HE SAID MANY ENTRIES DISPLAYED COMPLEX PROGRAMMING SKILLS AND INGENUITY.
/"THEY WERE
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 1988
2
"THEY WERE PARTICULARLY IMPRESSED BY THE USE OF ANIMATION, COLOURFUL GRAPHICS, AND SOUND AND MUSIC TO COMLEMENT THE PRESENTATION OF THE THEME - A TOOL FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND ADMINSTRATORS."
"THE CONTENTS OF THE ENTRIES RELATE CLOSELY TO THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM, COVERING A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS FROM CONVENTIONAL SUBJECTS LIKE PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY AND GEOGRAPHY TO SUCH TOPICS AS REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN CIVIC EDUCATION AND COMPUTER LITERACY," MR WINFIELD SAID.
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NEW PROCEDURES AT IDENTIFICATION PARADES ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE POLICE HAVE ADOPTED NEW PROCEDURES WHICH ARE AIMED AT ENCOURAGING MORE SUSPECTS TO ATTEND IDENTIFICATION PARADES.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID Till PROCEDURES WERE INTRODUCED FOLLOWING ADVICE I ROM THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL THAT ATTENDANCE AT IDENTIFICATION PARADES should not be made COMPULSORY in HONG KONG.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROCEDURES WERE ALONG THE LINES OF ONE OF THE OPTIONS PUT FORWARD IN Till-: DISCUSSION DOCUMENT "OPTIONS FOR CHANGES IN THE LAW AND IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LAW TO COUNTER THE TRIAD PROBLEM" WHICH WAS PUBLISHED IN MAY I 986 .
THE OPTION WAS THAI REFUSAL TO ATTEND AN IDENTIFICATION PARADE SHOULD BE THE SUBJECT OF COMMENT AT ANY SUBSEQUENT TRIAL OF THE SUSPECT.
"UNDER THE NEW PROCEDURES, THE POLICE WILL EXPLAIN TO THE SUSPECT THAT REFUSAL TO GO ON PARADE COULD RESULT IN THE FACT OF THIS REFUSAL BEING INTRODUCED BY THE PROSECUTION IN COURT," HIE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE POLICE WOULD ALSO EXPLAIN THAI IF THE
ATTEND AN IDENTIFICATION PARADE THE POLICE MIGHT IDENTIFICATION SUCH AS USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS OR
SUSPECT REFUSED TO ADOPT A METHOD OF HAVING THE SUSPECT
CONFRONTED BY A WITNESS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE OPTION TO MAKE ATTENDANCE AT 1DENT1 F1CATION PARADES COMPULSORY WAS I NCLUDED IN Till' DISCUSSION DOCUMENT.
"FOLLOWING CONSULTATION OF THE PUBLIC BY WAY OF THE TRIAD DISCUSSION DOCUMENT AND AFTER CONSIDERING RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE FIGHT (’RIME COMMITTEE, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ADVISED AGAINST THE INTRODUCTION Ol COMPULSORY I DENT I I- I CA T I ON PARADES, * HE SAID.
- 0 - -
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 1988
- 5 -
CNTA PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES PROVIDE DECLARATION SERVICE *****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO CANNOT PRODUCE THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTARY PROOF TO SUBSTANTIATE THEIR APPLICATIONS AND CLAIMS FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS CAN MAKE USE OF THE DECLARATION SERVICE PROVIDED AT THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION’S PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
A CNTA SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE 67 PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES HANDLED 733,219 CASES OF DECLARATIONS AND OATHS LAST YEAR.
MANY OF THESE WERE DECLARATION OF TRUE COPIES OF DOCUMENTS AND APPLICATIONS FOR EDUCATION, EXAMINATIONS AND SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS, HE SAID.
NOTING THAT THE DECLARATION SERVICE WAS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE ONLY DOCUMENT REQUIRED TO BE PRODUCED WAS THE DECLARANT’S IDENTITY CARD OR EQUIVALENT IDENTITY DOCUMENTS.
HE EXPLAINED THAT A DECLARATION COULD BE MADE, TAKEN OR RECEIVED EITHER IN ENGLISH OR CHINESE. THE DECLARANT HAD TO FILL IN HIS STATEMENT IN A SPECIFIED DECLARATION FORM AVAILABLE AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES. AFTER COMPLETING THE FORM, THE DECLARANT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO SWEAR IN FRONT OF A COMMISSIONER OF OATHS.
HE ADVISED THAT AS NOT EVERY CENTRE PROVIDED DECLARATION SERVICE THROUGHOUT THE DAY, A DECLARANT SHOULD CHECK WITH THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT OFFICE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE SERVICE WOULD BE AVAILABLE.
ANYONE WISHING TO SEEK ADVICE OR OBTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT THE DECLARATION SERVICE CAN APPROACH AN) Ol THE 67 PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES LOCATED AT THE 19 DISTRICT OIF ICES AND THEIR SUB-OFFICES, AS WELL AS THE CNTA HEADQUARTERS IN TSIM SHA TSUI.
ENQUIRIES CAN ALSO BE MADE ON 3-692255.
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SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 1988
- 4 -
SEMINAR ON MORAL DEVELOPMENT OF SECONDARY STUDENTS
*****
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD A SEMINAR NEXT MONTH ON THE MORAL DEVELOPMENT OF SENIOR SECONDARY STUDENTS AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO MORAL EDUCATION FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
ORGANISED BY THE RELIGIOUS/ETHICAL EDUCATION SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT’S ADVISORY INSPECTORATE, THE SEMINAR AIMS TO ACQUAINT TEACHERS WITH VARIOUS PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORIES OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT AND WAYS OF APPLYING THESE THEORIES AND RESEARCH FINDINGS IN DESIGNING LESSON PLANS FOR MORAL EDUCATION.
THE SEMINAR WILL ALSO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR TEACHERS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON PROMOTING MORAL EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS.
A LECTURER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, DR MA HING-KEUNG, WILL TALK ABOUT THE ’’PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORIES OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT" AND "PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORIES OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH FINDINGS ON DESIGNING MORAL LESSONS."
SECONDARY TEACHERS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE SEMINAR TO BE HELD AT THE TEACHERS’ CENTRE AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT, ON MAY 7 (SATURDAY).
SCHOOL HEADS SHOULD SUBMIT NOMINATIONS TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT BEFORE APRIL 18.
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DANCE CONTEST WINNERS TO PERFORM * * * * ♦
WINNING TEAMS IN THE 17TH OPEN DANCE CONTEST WILL RECEIVE PRIZES AND GIVE A PERFORMANCE AT THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL ON MONDAY (APRIL 4) EVENING.
THE 14 TEAMS BEAT 93 OTHERS IN THE TERRITORY-WI DE CONTEST HELD IN JANUARY.
THE CONTEST WAS ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT CULTURE AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION, WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE URBAN COUNCIL AND SPONSORSHIP FROM THE KWUN TONG ROTARY CLUB.
OFFICIATING AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR PAUL LEUNG; KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR EDDY CHAN; VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MRS ELSIE TU; AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR POON CH1-FAI.
/ALSO OFFICIATING
SATURDAY, APRIL 2t 1988
- 5
ALSO OFFICIATING WILL BE THE PRESIDENT OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT CULTURE AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION, MR NG PING-TAK, AND THE FOUNDING PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION, MRS NG CHU LIN-FUN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE 17TH OPEN DANCE CONTEST PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AND WINNERS* PERFORMANCE AT THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL ON MONDAY (APRIL 1). THE FUNCTION WILL START AT 7.30 PM.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE EVENT SHOULD COLLECT ADMISSION TICKETS FROM THE RECEPTION TABLE OUTSIDE THE VENUE.
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PREQUALIFICATION OF TENDERERS FOR REFUSE CONTRACT ♦ ♦ * ♦ t
THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO INVITE TENDERS FROM PREQUALIFIED CONTRACTORS FOR THE DAILY TRANSPORTATION OF CONTAINERISED REFUSE FROM CHAI WAN REFUSE TRANSFER STATION TO JUNK BAY LANDFILL FOR TIPPING.
DETAILS OF THE PREQUALIFICATION EXERCISE WERE PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST GAZETTE.
CONTRACTORS SEEKING TO PREQUALIFY MUST SUBMIT THEIR PROPOSALS BY NOON ON APRIL 29.
COPIES OF A BRIEF SPECIFICATION OF THE WORK AND DRAWINGS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE CONTRACTS SECTION OF THE ELECTRI CAI AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ON THE EIGHTH FLOOR OF 9B CAROLINE HILL ROAD, HONG KONG.
MEANS OF TRANSPORT TO BE EMPLOYED WILL INCLUDE DERRICK BARGES, ROUGH TERRAIN VEHICLES, MOBILE (’RANES, AND IN SPEC IAL OCCASIONS, ARTICULATED VEHICLES AND TIPPING LORRIES.
SUITABLY QUALIFIED STAFF WILL BE EMPLOYED BY THE SUCCESSFUL CONTRACTOR FOR THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE Oi HIE ABOVE VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT.
FORMAL TENDERS FOR THE REFUSE TRANSPORTATION CONTRACT FOR CHAI WAN REFUSE TRANSFER STATION WILL BE INVITED FROM PREQUALIFIED CONTRACTORS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.
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/6
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 1988
6
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR YUEN LONG SYP
* * * « »
DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS AND YOUTH CENTRES IN YUEN LONG WISHING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME LOCALLY SHOULD SEND IN APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE MAIN THEME OF THIS YEAR’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME IS "SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THE COMMUNITY".
THE PROGRAMME AIMS AT PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO ENRICH THEMSELVES DURING THE SUMMER THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN MEANINGFUL SOCIAL, RECREATIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES.
THE PROGRAMME IN YUEN LONG WILL BE ORGANISED BY A LOCAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB WILL DONATE $190,000 TOWARDS IT.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE. THEY SHOULD BE RETURNED BV APRIL 16.
THOSE INTERESTED IN JOINING THE PROGRAMME MAY CALL 0-792261, EXT.137, TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION.
- - O - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNMENT MAINTENANCE GRANTS FOR MATRICULATION STUDIES .... 1
WAN CHAI PUBLISHES PAMPHLET ON CULTS ........................ 2
VARIETY SHOW FOR YOUNG INMATES .............................. 3
WIDER RANGE FOR SPEEDPOST TO INDIA .......................... 4
ENTRIES INVITED FOR ABERDEEN DRAGON BOAT RACES .............. 4
TENDERS INVITED FOR WATER WORKS ............................. 5
CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST RESTRICTION ............................. 5
ROAD RE-ROUTED, CARPARK CANCELLED ........................... 6
SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 1988
GOVERNMENT MAINTENANCE GRANTS FOR MATRICULATION STUDIES
*****
GOVERNMENT MAINTENANCE GRANTS ARE AVAILABLE TO NEEDY SECONDARY FIVE SCHOOL LEAVERS WITH GOOD RESULTS IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION (HKCEE) TO PURSUE FULL-TIME HIGHER LEVEL EXAMINATION STUDIES.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE MAINTENANCE GRANTS WILL BE OBTAINABLE FROM JUNE 1 AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT'S OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS SECTION AT LEE GARDENS, FIFTH FLOOR, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY.
APPLICANTS MUST HAVE OBTAINED RESULTS OF A SUFFICIENTLY HIGH LEVEL IN THE HKCEE IN THE YEAR OF AWARD AS PROOF THAT THEY ARE LIKELY TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE HIGHER LEVEL EXAMINATION.
IN DETERMINING THE AMOUNT OF THE MAINTENANCE GRANTS, THE FINANCIAL NEED OF THE RECIPIENTS AND FUNDS AVAILABLE WILL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT. GRANTS FOR 1987-88 ARE IN THE REGION OF $180 PER MONTH.
THE GRANTS WILL BE TENABLE FOR ONE YEAR AT ANY SECONDARY SCHOOL APPROVED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION. THEY WILL BE PAID FOR 10 MONTHS IN THE YEAR THROUGH THE SCHOOL HEADS.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS ARE EXPECTED TO COMPLETE FULL-TIME HIGHER LEVEL EXAMINATION STUDIES FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR FOR WHICH THE GRANTS HAS BEEN AWARDED.
"A GRANT SHALL BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME IF IN THE OPINION OF THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION THE RECIPIENT HAS FAILED TO MERIT THE AWARD BY REASON OF LACK OF PROGRESS OR UNSATISFACTORY CONDUCT," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
SHOULD A STUDENT WHO HAS BEEN AWARDED A GRANT LEAVE SCHOOL BEFORE THE COMPLETION OF THE HIGHER LEVEL COURSE, HE MAY BE REQUIRED TO REPAY THE GOVERNMENT THE AMOUNT HE HAS RECEIVED.
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SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 1988
2 -
I
i
WAN CHAI PUBLISHES PAMPHLET ON CULTS
*****
A PAMPHLET OUTLINING THE GENERAL FEATURES OF RELIGIOUS CULTS AND OFFERING ADVICE ON WAYS TO DEAL WITH THEM IS NOW AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE TO WAN CHAI RESIDENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT CULT ACTIVITIES.
THE PAMPHLET, WHICH IS WRITTEN IN CHINESE, IS PRODUCED BY THE WORKING GROUP ON RELIGIOUS CULT ACTIVITIES OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE POSSIBLE HARMFUL INFLUENCES OF RELIGIOUS CULTS.
THE WORKING GROUP WAS FORMED UNDER THE DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR FOLLOWING NEWS REPORTS THAT HERETICAL ACTIVITIES WERE RE-EMERGING IN HONG KONG.
PART OF ITS WORK IS TO MONITOR SUCH ACTIVITIES IN WAN CHAI AND SUGGEST MEASURES TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM.
APART FROM DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, THE GROUP COMPRISES REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE, POLICE, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, YOUTH GROUPS, AND RELIGIOUS WORKERS AND EDUCATIONISTS.
SINCE ITS FORMATION, THE GROUP HAS BEEN COLLECTING INFORMATION ON RELIGIOUS CULTS, AND HAS ACQUIRED A TELEVISION DOCUMENTARY ON THE SUBJECT FOR LOAN TO SCHOOLS AND INTERESTED BODIES.
THE PAMPHLET, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND PUBLISHED BY A DISTRICT BOARD WORKING GROUP, CONTAINS MATERIALS INCLUDING FACTS ABOUT RELIGIOUS CULTS, THEIR FEATURES, TACTICS, TARGETS, AS WELL AS WAYS TO DEAL WITH THEM AND WHERE CONSULTATION CAN BE SOUGHT.
THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALLAN CHOW, SAID ALTHOUGH THE OFFICE HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY COMPLAINTS ON CULT ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT, HE BELIEVED THE PAMPHLET WOULD BE A VERY USEFUL REFERENCE FOR RESIDENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, PARTICULARLY YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WERE USUALLY MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CULT INFLUENCE.
"RESIDENTS SHOULD MAKE FULL USE OF THE COUNSELLING SERVICE OFFERED BY THE ORGANISATIONS LISTED IN THE PAMPHLET SHOULD THEY HAVE DOUBTS OVER THE CONDUCT OF ANY RELIGIOUS GROUPS IN THE DISTRICT," HE SAID.
)
"THE DISTRICT OFFICE IS IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH THE POLICE AND THE DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER IN MONITORING ANY REPORTS OF UNUSUAL RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES IN WAN CHAI," HE ADDED.
THE PAMPHLET IS AVAILABLE FROM THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, AND A NUMBER OF RELIGIOUS BODIES AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN THE DISTRICT.
I
1
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SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 1988
- 3 -
VARIETY SHOW FOR YOUNG INMATES ♦ ♦ * * *
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL ORGANISE A JOINT VARIETY SHOW FOR YOUNG INMATES IN ITS TRAINING CENTRES TOMORROW (MONDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE ’’EASTER LOVE AND CARE VARIETY SHOW” WILL BE HELD AT THE LAI KING TRAINING CENTRE AND IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR YOUNG MALE AND FEMALE INMATES IN TRAINING CENTRES.
THE SHOW IS INTENDED TO PROMOTE A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND TEAM SPIRIT AMONG INMATES.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID INMATES WERE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO PLAN AND PRODUCE PROGRAMMES FOR THEIR OWN ENTERTAINMENT.
”IT IS HOPED THAT ACTIVITIES OF THIS KIND WILL HELP TO PROMOTE SELF CONFIDENCE AND FACILITATE SUCCESSFUL REHABILITATION, WHICH IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR WORK,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE VARIETY SHOW PROGRAMME INCLUDES SOLO AND GROUP SINGING, DRAMAS, DANCES AND A TALENT SHOW BY INMATES AS WELL AS A PERFORMANCE BY DEPARTMENT STAFF.
AS AN INCENTIVE TO THE PARTICIPATING INMATES, A COMPETITION WILL BE HELD AND PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO THE BEST PERFORMERS.
THE PANEL OF JUDGES FOR THE CONTEST WILL BE MR ANDREW SO, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS; AND MISS ANN LAM AND MR GARY CHAU OF TVB.
A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR YEUNG PO-KWAN, WILL BE THE GUEST OF HONOUR AND WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNERS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE VARIETY SHOW WILL START AT 2 PM TOMORROW (MONDAY) AT LAI KING TRAINING CENTRE, WAH TAI ROAD, OFF SIX-AND-A-HALF MILESTONE, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, KWAI CHUNG.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT. PRESS TRANSPORT IS ARRANGED AND MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WHO WISH TO USE THE SERVICE SHOULD GATHER AT THE ENTRANCE TO WAN CHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT 1 PM.
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A....
SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 1988
WIDER RANGE FOR SPEEDPOST TO INDIA ♦ » » ♦ ♦
THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO INDIA WILL BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE SAMPLES AND MERCHANDISE FROM WEDNESDAY (APRIL 6), THE POST OFFICE HAS ANNOUNCED.
AT PRESENT, SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO INDIA IS RESTRICTED TO DOCUMENTS.
THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE IS A FAST AND RELIABLE MEANS FOR FORWARDING DOCUMENTS, SAMPLES AND MERCHANDISE OVERSEAS AND A FREE PICK UP SERVICE IS AVAILABLE.
FURTHER DETAILS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM POSTAL SERVICES REPRESENTATIVES ON 5-8683868.
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ENTRIES INVITED FOR ABERDEEN DRAGON BOAT RACES ♦ » » ♦ ♦
BUSINESS FIRMS, FACTORIES, REGISTERED ASSOCIATIONS AND RESIDENTS ARE INVITED TO FORM TEAMS FOR DRAGON BOAT RACES TO BE HELD IN ABERDEEN ON JUNE 18 TO CELEBRATE THE TUEN NG FESTIVAL.
THE ABERDEEN DRAGON BOAT RACES, WHICH HAVE A LONG TRADITION IN THE OLDEST FISHING PORT IN HONG KONG, WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN 9 AM AND 5 PM ON A 330-METRE COURSE OFF THE ABERDEEN WATERFRONT.
THE RACES WILL BE DIVIDED INTO MEN’S OPEN AND WOMEN'S OPEN SECTIONS AS WELL AS A MEN'S AMATEUR SECTION. EACH TEAM SHOULD CONSIST OF 22 MEMBERS, INCLUDING COX AND DRUMMER.
THE ORGANISERS WILL PROVIDE THE DRAGON BOATS, OARS AND DRUMS.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ABERDEEN DRAGON BOAT RACES ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR LIU LIT-FOR, CALLED UPON DISTRICT RESIDENTS AND ORGANISATIONS TO GIVE THEIR FULL SUPPORT TO THE RACES IN ORDER TO PRESERVE THE TRADITIONAL ART OF ROWING DRAGON BOATS.
THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRY IS MAY 6, AND NO ENTRY FEE IS REQUIRED.
ENTRY FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES IN ABERDEEN CENTRE, WAH FU ESTATE, LEI TUNG ESTATE AND STANLEY VILLAGE ROAD.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-540271.
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/5........
SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 1988
- 5 -TENDERS INVITED FOR WATER WORKS * ♦ » ♦ ♦
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR PROJECTS IN TSUEN WAN AND WAN CHAI.
THE TSUEN WAN PROJECT INVOLVES LAYING OF 2,100 METRES OF FRESH WATER MAINS AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS, FORMING PART OF THE SCHEME TO IMPROVE THE EXISTING WATER SUPPLY TO TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG DISTRICTS.
THESE LOCATIONS ARE AT CASTLE PEAK ROAD (TSUEN WAN), TAI WO HAU ROAD, KWAI SHING CIRCUIT, TWO BACKLANES BETWEEN KWAI CHUNG ROAD AND TAI LIN PAI ROAD, AND AT KWAI FUK ROAD.
WORK ON THIS PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START IN MAY AND BE COMPLETED IN 12 MONTHS.
THE PROJECT IN WAN CHAI INVOLVES THE LAYING OF SALT WATER MAINS FOR FLUSHING PURPOSES.
ABOUT 5,000 METRES OF SALT WATER MAINS WILL BE LAID IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN THE CAUSEWAY BAY AND HAPPY VALLEY AREAS.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN JULY AND BE COMPLETED IN 16 MONTHS.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS FOR BOTH PROJECTS IS NOON ON APRIL 22.
-----O-----
CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST RESTRICTION
♦ » ♦ ♦ ♦
A SECTION OF THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL BE DESIGNATED A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY ESTRICTED ZONE FOR GOODS VEHICLES FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 6).
THE SECTION RUNS FROM A POINT ABOUT 85 METRES WEST OF THE JUNCTION WITH MORRISON STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 130 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO GOODS VEHICLES WILL BE PERMITTED TO STOP WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE FOR GOODS OR PASSENGERS.
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SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 1988
- 6 -
ROAD RE-ROUTED, CARPARK CANCELLED * * » ♦ t
THE SECTION OF BROADWOOD ROAD BETWEEN VENTRIS ROAD AND WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD IN HAPPY VALLEY WILL CONTINUE TO BE RE-ROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TRAFFIC INTO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 6).
THIS MEASURE WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS BECAUSE OF ROAD WORK.
IN TURN MUN, THE EXISTING 96 METERED CAR PARKING SPACES AND 10 MOTORCYCLE PARKING SPACES AT THE KIN ON STREET CARPARK WILL BE CANCELLED FROM 8 AM ON WEDNESDAY.
THE AREA WILL BE CONVERTED LATER INTO A CARPARK OPERATING UNDER A SHORT-TERM TENANCY.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
MONDAY, APRIL 4, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FIN.iL STAGE OF TUEN MUN TOWN P.JIK ........................ 1
MORE SEEK aDVICE FRCM kNTI-DRUG HOTLINE .................... 2
STUDY ROOMS OPEN TO SCHOOL CHILDREN......................... 2
DANCERS SHOW WINNING STYLE ................................. 3
OPENING OF SEAFRONT ROAD EASTBOUND .........................
TRAFFIC CHANGES LN SHEK WAI KOK ............................
MONDAY, APRIL 4, 1988
FINAL STAGE OF TUEN MUN TOWN PARK
» » » »
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE FINAL STAGE OF TUEN MUN TOWN PARK, A NULLAH PROMENADE AND OTHER WORKS RELATED TO DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NEW TOWN.
WORKS FOR THE FINAL STAGE OF THE TOWN PARK INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF GAMES AREAS, CHANGING ROOM, TOILET, A MAINTENANCE DEPOT AND COMPLETION OF LANDSCAPING.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NULLAH PROMENADE ALONG YAU OI ESTATE ALSO FORMS PART OF THE PROJECT.
COVERING AN AREA OF 11.5 HECTARES AND SITUATED IN A CENTRAL LOCATION IN THE NEW TOWN ADJOINING THE TOWN CENTRE, THE TOWN PARK HAS BECOME A POPULAR PLACE.
BUILDING OF THE PARK HAS BEEN DIVIDED INTO TWO PHASES, AND PHASE I WAS COMPLETED IN 1985.
PHASE II A, WHICH PROVIDED A LARGE WATER FEATURE WITH CASCADES AND POOLS, A CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA AND A ROLLER SKATING RINK, WAS COMPLETED LAST YEAR.
WORK ON THE FINAL STAGE (PHASE 11 B) IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN JULY AND BE COMPLETED IN LATE 1989.
IN ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT IN TUEN MUN, A NEW ROAD (Dll) WILL BE BUILT TO LINK UP THE SOUTH-EASTERN AND SOUTH-WESTERN PART OF THE NEW TOWN .
THE PROJECT ALSO INCLUDES FORMATION WORKS FOR A LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT RESERVE AND THE ASSOCIATED STORMWATER AND FOUL DRAINAGE.
A NULLAH BRIDGE FOR THE NEW ROAD AND A LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT BRIDGE WHICH FORMS PART OF LRT STAGE II EXTENSION (PIER HEAD TO YAU Ol) WILL ALSO BE BUILT.
WORK IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN JUNE AND SHOULD TAKE ABOUT TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECTS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BY NOON ON APRIL 29.
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MONDAY, APRIL 4, 1988
MORE SEEK ADVICE FROM ANTI-DRUG HOTLINE *****
MORE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN MAKING USE OF THE TELEPHONE HOTLINE SET UP BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN) TO SEEK ADVICE AND INFORMATION ON ANTI-DRUG ISSUES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NARCOTICS DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE NUMBER OF CALLS MADE TO THE DRUG ABUSE TELEPHONE ENQUIRY SERVICE HOTLINE, 3-668822, INCREASED FROM 1,620 IN 1986-87 TO 1,720 IN 1987-88.
"ABOUT HALF OF THE CALLS ASKED ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION FACILITIES WHILE THE OTHERS SOUGHT GENERAL INFORMATION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ON THE PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY WORK OF ACAN," HE ADDED.
THE HOTLINE WAS PREVIOUSLY LOCATED AT THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS AND WAS RELOCATED TO THE NARCOTICS DIVISION IN OCTOBER 1986.
*
THIS WAS DONE WITH A VIEW TO SUPPLYING A MORE COMPREHENSIVE AND IN-DEPTH SERVICE TO CALLERS MAKING COMPLICATED ENQUIRIES OR SEEKING COUNSELLING.
THE HOTLINE IS MANNED BY EXPERIENCED STAFF DURING OFFICE HOURS.
THERE IS A PRE-RECORDED REPLY TO CALLS RECEIVED OUTSIDE OPERATING HOURS. THIS \SKS THE PERSONS To CALL AGAIN AND ALSO GIVES THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES’ ANTI-NARCOTICS HOTLINE FOR REPORTING DRUG PEDDLING ACTIVITIES.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT ALL INFORMATION RECEIVED ON THE HOTLINE WOULD BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE.
- - 0 - -
STUDY ROOMS OPEN TO SCHOOL CHILDREN *****
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL PROVIDE STUDY ROOM FACILITIES AT 68 SCHOOLS TO STUDENTS WHO NEED A QUIET SURROUNDING TO STUDY AND DO HOMEWORK FROM APRIL 6 (WEDNESDAY) TO JUNE 30.
THE FACILITIES AT 11 PRIMARY SCHOOLS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR BOTH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL CHILDREN BETWEEN 7 PM AND 9 PM FROM < MONDAY TO FRIDAY EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
/STUDY HOCHS
MONDAY, APRIL 4, 1988
- 3 -
STUDY ROOMS WILL ALSO BE OPEN AT 27 SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO SECONDARY STUDENTS ON WEEKDAYS BETWEEN 7 PM AND 10 PM.
STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE IDENTIFICATION PAPERS FOR ADMISSION TO A STUDY ROOM MANNED BY A SUPERVISOR.
THE STUDY ROOM SCHEME HAS PROVED POPULAR AMONG STUDENTS, PARTICULARLY TOWARDS EXAMINATION PERIODS.
IT IS AN EXTENSION OF THE NORMAL STUDY ROOM FACILITIES PROVIDED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AT ABOUT 200 LOCATIONS.
THIS IS DONE UNDER THE CO-ORDINATION OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
ADDRESSES OF THESE STUDY ROOM CENTRES TOGETHER WITH THEIR OPENING HOURS ARE AVAILABLE AT INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS.
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DANCERS SHOW WINNING STYLE t ♦ * » »
WINNING TEAMS IN THE 17TH OPEN DANCE CONTEST DISPLAYED THEIR SKILLS AT THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL THIS (MONDAY) EVENING.
DURING THE TWO-HOUR SHOW, THE APPRECIATIVE AUDIENCE WAS ENTERTAINED BY A VARIETY OF DANCING, INCLUDING WESTERN, ORIENTAL, CLASSICAL AND MODERN.
THE 14 WINNING TEAMS RECEIVED THEIR PRIZES IN A CEREMONY HELD BEFORE THE PERFORMANCE. ALTOGETHER, 107 TEAMS HAD TAKEN PART IN THE TERRITORY-WIDE CONTEST.
THE GUEST SPEAKER AT THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY WAS THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR PAUL LEUNG.
HE SAID THE CONTEST HAD OFFERED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR DANCE ENTHUSIASTS TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES, AND HAD PLAYED AN IMPORTANT PART IN PROMOTING A WIDER INTEREST IN DANCING.
WORK IN PREPARING THE CONTEST WAS IN ITSELF A COMMUNITY-INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITY, MR LEUNG ADDED.
THE CONTEST WAS ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT CULTURE AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION, WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE URBAN COUNCIL AND SPONSORSHIP FROM THE KWUN TONG ROTARY CLUB.
MONDAY, APRIL 4, 1988
- 4 -
OPENING OF SEAFRONT ROAD EASTBOUND ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
SEAFRONT ROAD EASTBOUND BETWEEN FENWICK STREET AND FLEMING ROAD, WAN CHAI, WILL BE OPEN TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 7).
AT THE SAME TIME, VEHICLES TRAVELLING EASTWARDS ALONG SEAFRONT ROAD WILL BE BANNED FROM TURNING INTO TONNOCHY ROAD SOUTHBOUND.
VEHICLES FROM FENWICK PIER STREET IN WAN CHAI NORTH HEADING FOR CAUSEWAY BAY AND NORTH POINT CAN TRAVEL VIA SEAFRONT ROAD, HUNG HING ROAD FLYOVER TO JOIN VICTORIA PARK ROAD.
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TRAFFIC CHANGES IN SHEK WAI KOK ♦ ♦ * »
SPECIAL TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN SHEK WAI KOK, TSUEN WAN, FROM 7 AM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 9).
THESE ARRANGEMENTS WILL FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A VEHICULAR UNDERPASS BETWEEN WAI TSUEN ROAD AND SHEK WAI KOK ROAD AND THE IMPROVEMENT WORK TO SHEK WAI KOK ROAD IN CONNECTION WITH THE ROUTE 5 PROJECT.
THE ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT 12 MONTHS. UNDER THEM, A NUMBER OF ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE CLOSED, RE-ROUTED, OR DESIGNATED AS URBAN CLEARWAYS.
OPERATIONS OF BUS AND GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES WILL ALSO BE AFFECTED WITH CHANGES IN TERMINI AND ROUTINGS.
SHEK WAI KOK ROAD BETWEEN THE ESTATE ROAD AND TEXACO ROAD NORTH, AND THE VEHICULAR UNDERPASS LEADING FROM TEXACO ROAD NORTH ON TO NORTHBOUND SHEK WAI KOK ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
TEXACO ROAD NORTH BETWEEN TSUEN KAM INTERCHANGE AND SHING MUN ROAD WILL BE PARTIALLY CLOSED, WITH TWO-WAY TRAFFIC MAINTAINED, FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH.
AFTER ONE MONTH, THIS SECTION OF TEXACO ROAD NORTH WILL BE COMPLETELY CLOSED, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME, WAI TSUEN ROAD BETWEEN TSUEN KAM INTERCHANGE AND MIU KONG STREET, CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR ROAD WIDENING WORK, WILL BE RE-OPENED TO TRAFFIC.
/SHEK WAI
MONDAY, APRIL 4, 1988
- 5 -
SHEK WAI KOK ROAD BETWEEN CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD AND THE ESTATE ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TO ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND, WHILE THE •STATE Hoad BETWEEN SHEK WAI KOK ROAD AND CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD, WILL BECOME ONE-WAY WESTBOUND.
WESTBOUND VEHICLES ON TEXACO ROAD NORTH HEADING FOR SHEK WAI KOK ESTATE WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TSUEN KAM INTERCHANGE, CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD AND SHEK WAI KOK ROAD.
VEHICLES LEAVING SHEK WAI KOK ESTATE WILL HAVE TO USE SHEK WAI KOK ROAD, THE ESTATE ROAD AND CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD TO GO TO TEXACO ROAD NORTH.
PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES ON WESTBOUND CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD HEADING FOR SHEK WAI KOK ESTATE WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SHEK WAI KOK ROAD, THE ESTATE ROAD AND WESTBOUND CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD. THEY WILL ONLY BE ALLOWED UP TO PICK UP OR SET DOWN PASSENGERS AT A LAYBY NEAR THE ESTATE CAR PARK.
THREE ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE MADE URBAN CLEARWAYS OPERATING FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY. THEY ARE:
♦ SHEK WAI KOK ROAD BETWEEN CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD AND THE
ESTATE ROAD LEADING TO THE ESTATE CAR PARK.
♦ THE UNNAMED ESTATE ROAD BETWEEN SHEK WAI KOK ROAD AND
CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD.
♦ WESTBOUND CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD BETWEEN SHEK WAI KOK ROAD
AND THE ESTATE ROAD TO THE WEST OF THE ESTATE CAR PARK.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE FOLLOWING ROADS WILL BE BANNED TO VEHICLES EXCEEDING 10 METRES IN LENGTH OR OVER 4.3 METRES IN HEIGHT AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY:
» SHEK WAI KOK ROAD BETWEEN CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD AND THE ESTATE ROAD.
♦ THE ESTATE ROAD BETWEEN SHEK WAI KOK ROAD AND CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD.
IN ADDITION, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE ESTATE ROAD EAST OF THE ESTATE CAR PARK.
IN BUS SERVICES, THE EXISTING SHEK WAI KOK BUS TERMINUS WILL BE CLOSED AND A TEMPORARY BUS TERMINUS WILL BE PROVIDED AT WESTBOUND CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD OUTSIDE THE SHEK WAI KOK ESTATE CAR PARK.
KMB ROUTE NO. 32 (SHEK WAI KOK TO TAI KOK TSUI FERRY) WILL BE RELOCATED TO TERMINATE AT THE TEMPORARY TERMINUS.
/ON ITS
MONDAY, APRIL 4, 1?88
6
ON ITS JOURNEYS TO TAI KOK TSUI FERRY, IT WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD, TSUEN KAM INTERCHANGE AND CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD BEFORE RESUMING NORMAL ROUTING.
FROM TAI KOK TSUI FERRY, IT WILL OPERATE VIA WESTBOUND CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD TO THE TEMPORARY BUS TERMINUS.
ROUTE NO. 32B (CHEUNG PEI SHAN TO TSUEN WAN FERRY) WILL BE DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD AND TSUEN KAM INTERCHANGE ON ITS JOURNEYS TO AND FROM TSUEN WAN FERRY.
THE EXISTING TERMINUS OF GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE NO. 94 IN SHEK WAI KOK ESTATE WILL BE RELOCATED ABOUT 200 METRES NORTHWARD TO A TEMPORARY TERMINUS ON THE ESTATE ROAD LEADING TO THE ESTATE CAR PARK.
IT WILL BE DIVERTED TO USE THE ESTATE ROAD, CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD AND TSUEN KAM INTERCHANGE BEFORE RESUMING NORMAL ROUTING ON ITS JOURNEYS TO KWAI SHING.
THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE IN ROUTING ON ITS JOURNEYS TO SHEK WAI KOK ESTATE.
WHEN HEADING FOR TSUEN WAN, GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES NO. 81, 8 IM, 82 AND 82M WILL HAVE TO TRAVEL VIA THE ESTATE ROAD, CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD, TSUEN KAM INTERCHANGE AND TEXACO ROAD NORTH BEFORE RESUMING NORMAL ROUTINGS.
ON THEIR JOURNEYS TO LO WAI OR SHING MUN RESERVOIR, THEY WILL BE DIVERTED VIA WAI TSUEN ROAD, TSUEN KAM INTERCHANGE AND CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD BEFORE RESUMING NORMAL ROUTINGS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
STUDY ON ECONOMIC IMPACT OF POLLUTION CONTROL REGULATIONS .. 1
CUSTOMS IMFORCIMENT OF TEXTILES EXPORT CONTROL ............... 2
MODIFICATION OF HALLS AT AIRPORT ............................. 2
GRANTS AVAILABLE FROM SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND .................. 3
COMPLAINT OFFICER ON HIGHWAYS MATTERS ........................ 4
HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT COLOURING THE URBAN LANDSCAPE ............ 5
SIMINARS ON NURSERY CLASS ACTIVITIES ......................... 8
PARK AND GARDEN TRAINING GROUND IN SHAM SHUI PO .............. 8
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN NORTH POINT ............................... 9
URB/iN CLE.-iRW.kY RESTRICTION ON CASTLE PE.J0 ROAD........... 9
TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 1988
STUDY ON ECONOMIC IMPACT OF POLLUTION CONTROL REGULATIONS ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT HAS COMMISSIONED THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL (HKPC) TO CONDUCT A STUDY OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL (GENERAL) REGULATIONS ON INDUSTRIES IN THE TOLO HARBOUR AREA.
FIELDWORK FOR THE STUDY WILL COMMENCE TOMORROW, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
HE SAID ABOUT 150 FACTORIES IN THE TOLO AREA WOULD BE SELECTED FOR INTERVIEWS BY HKPC’S CONSULTANCY STAFF BETWEEN APRIL AND JUNE THIS YEAR TO ASSESS THE ECONOMIC COSTS OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE REGULATIONS IN HONG KONG’S FIRST WATER CONTROL ZONE.
THE FINDINGS OF THIS SURVEY WILL SERVE AS A BASIS FOR ASSESSING THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CONTROLS ON INDUSTRIES IN OTHER AREAS OF HONG KONG WHEN THEY ARE DECLARED WATER CONTROL ZONES.
"ALL INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM INDIVIDUAL COMPANIES IN THE SURVEY WILL BE TREATED IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENCE AND WILL ONLY BE REPORTED IN GENERAL STATISTICAL TERMS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IT WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE TO IDENTIFY INFORMATION FROM INDIVIDUAL COMPANIES FROM THE REPORT."
THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES OF INDUSTRY WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE STUDY: FOOD MANUFACTURING; BEVERAGE INDUSTRIES; MANUFACTURE OF LEATHER; MANUFACTURE OF TEXTILES; MANUFACTURE OF PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS; MANUFACTURE OF CHEMICALS AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS.
OTHER INDUSTRY CATEGORIES TO BE INCLUDED ARE MANUFACTURE OF NON-METALL1C MINERAL PRODUCTS (EXCEPT PRODUCTS OF PETROLEUM AND COAL); BASIC METAL INDUSTRIES; MANUFACTURE OF FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INVOLVING METAL FINISHING; REPAIR SERVICES (MOTOR VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES); LAUNDRIES AND PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSING ESTABLISHMENTS.
-----0------
TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 1988
- 2 -
CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT OF TEXTILES EXPORT CONTROL
*****
AS A RESULT OF THE INCREASING TRANSFER OF MANUFACTURING ACTIVITIES TO CHINA, THERE WAS A 60 PER CENT INCREASE LAST YEAR IN CUSTOMS INVESTIGATIONS INTO FALSE DECLARATIONS OF ORIGIN AND THE VALUE OF GOODS INVOLVED.
IN ENFORCING TEXTILES EXPORT CONTROL, THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT LAST YEAR CARRIED OUT A TOTAL OF 34,932 INSPECTIONS ON TEXTILES CONSIGNMENTS, RESULTING IN A SIGNIFICANT RISE IN THE NUMBER OF DETECTIONS OF FRAUD FROM 222 IN 1986 TO 326 LAST YEAR.
DURING THE YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT ALSO CONDUCTED 1,116 FULL INVESTIGATIONS INTO TEXTILE FRAUD, AN INCREASE OF 41 PER CENT OVER 1986. OF THESE, 320 WERE CONNECTED WITH ALLEGED FALSE CHINESE TEXTILE EXPORT VISAS COVERING SHIPMENTS OF CHINESE TEXTILES EXPORTED FROM HONG KONG TO THE U.S.
THE REMAINING 796 CASES WERE RELATED TO CIRCUMVENTIONS OF THE QUOTA SYSTEM, INCLUDING FALSE REPRESENTATION AS TO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN, BREACH OF QUOTA SUPPLY CONDITIONS, CIRCUMVENTION OF FREE QUOTA SCHEMES AND CIRCUMVENTION OF SAMPLE 1 CENSING CONDITIONS.
THEY LED TO 182 PROSECUTIONS AND 224 CASES WERE DEALT WITH BY ADMINI STRATIVE SANCTION.
MOREOVER, THE NUMBER OF OFFENDERS PROSECUTED FOR TEXTILE FRAUD HAD ALSO INCREASED BY 40 PER CENT TO A TOTAL OF 459 LAST YEAR.
TOTALLING $9.8 MILLION, THE FINES IMPOSED WERE QUITE HEAVY, REACHING $953,000 IN ONE PARTICULAR CASE. OFFENDERS WERE FURTHER SANCTIONED ADMINISTRATIVELY BY THE TRADE DEPARTMENT.
--------0-------
MODIFICATION OF HALLS AT AIRPORT *****
MODIFICATION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO THE ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE HALLS OF THE AIRPORT PASSENGER TERMINAL BUILDING TO INSTALL COMPUTERISED IMMIGRATION PROCESSING SYSTEMS AND TO IMPROVE TERMINAL FACILITIES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT SAID THAT OVER A TWO-MONTH PERIOD THE EXISTING IMMIGRATION COUNTERS WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW DESKS WHICH COULD HOUSE THE COMPUTERISED TRAVEL RECORD AND IMMIGRATION CONTROL SYSTEM.
THE NEW CONTROL SYSTEM IS SCHEDULED TO BE OPERATIONAL BY AUGUST THIS YEAR.
/THE MODIFICATION
TUESDAY, APRIL 5i 1988
- 3 -
THE MODIFICATION WORK WILL BE CONDUCTED IN THREE PHASES. DURING EACH PHASE ONE THIRD OF THE TOTAL AVAILABLE COUNTERS WILL BE DECOMMISSIONED.
AT THE SAME TIME, WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT TO CARPET THE ARRIVAL IMMIGRATION HALL.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE ABOVE WORK ITEMS ARE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUING PROGRAMME TO UPGRADE THE FACILITIES AND IMPROVE IMMIGRATION PROCESSING EFFICIENCY AT THE AIRPORT.
TO MAKE UP FOR THE REDUCED NUMBER OF CONTROL POINTS, THE AIRPORT IMMIGRATION WILL DEPLOY ADDITIONAL STAFF AT BOTH THE DEPARTURE AND ARRIVAL LEVELS TO DIRECT PASSENGERS TO THE APPROPRIATE IMMIGRATION DESKS.
’’RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS AND AIRLINE OPERATORS WILL ALSO WORK CLOSELY TOGETHER TO MINIMISE THE INCONVENIENCE CAUSED TO AIR PASSENGERS,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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GRANTS AVAILABLE FROM SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND t ♦ » ♦ ♦
THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT (CRS) IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS FROM THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION FOR BOTH CAPITAL WORKS AND NON-CAPITAL WORKS PROJECTS IN 1988-89.
ORGANISATIONS WISHING TO APPLY SHOULD INITIATE PROJECTS WHICH WILL OFFER CONSTRUCTIVE, PERMANENT OR LONG-TERM BENEFIT TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
THE FUND, ADMINISTERED BY THE CRS OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH, IS INTENDED TO ENCOURAGE RECREATIONAL AND RELATED PROJECTS AIMED AT PROMOTING PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, PURPOSEFUL USE OF LEISURE AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, PARTICULARLY OF YOUNG PEOPLE.
PREFERENCE SHOULD BE GIVEN TO INITIATION OF NEW PROJECTS OR PROJECTS FROM NEW AGENCIES WHICH HAVE DIFFICULTY IN OBTAINING GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION OR ASSISTANCE FROM OTHER MAJOR SOURCES.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES, OFFICES OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE INDOOR GAMES HALLS OF URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS, THE SPORTS DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES SECTION OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH AND THE COUNCIL FOK RECREATION AND SPORT.
ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED IN DUPLICATE AND FORWARDED TO THE SECRETARY, COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT, 11TH FLOOR, WING ON CENTRE, 111 CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS IS MAY 20 WHILE APPLICATIONS FOR NON-CAPITAL WORKS PROJECTS WILL BE RECEIVED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
------o-------- A....................
TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 1988
COMPLAINT OFFICER ON HIGHWAYS MATTERS
» * » * »
THE NEWLY CREATED POST OF COMPLAINT OFFICER IN THE INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT OF THE TRANSPORT BRANCH WILL COME INTO BEING FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE OFFICER WILL HANDLE PUBLIC COMPLAINTS ON ROAD MATTERS WHICH ARE CURRENTLY HANDLED BY THE COMPLAINT OFFICER OF THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH.
AT THE SAME TIME, A NEW HIGHWAYS COMPLAINT TELEPHONE NUMBER, 5-8103333, WILL COME INTO OPERATION.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY USE IT TO LODGE COMPLAINTS OR TO MAKE SUGGESTIONS TO THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT ON ROAD WORKS.
THE COMPLAINT OFFICER IS MR FELIX LEUNG. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY ALSO MAKE COMPLAINTS IN WRITING TO MR LEUNG AT THE TRANSPORT BRANCH, SECOND FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF ALL PUBLIC ROADS AND PATHS IN HONG KONG.
COMPLAINTS ON THE FOLLOWING MATTERS CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE COMPLAINT OFFICER OR THE RESPECTIVE REGIONAL OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT:
* CARRIAGEWAYS, FOOTPATHS;
t VEHICULAR TUNNELS AND FLYOVERS;
» PEDESTRIAN SUBWAYS AND FOOTBRIDGES;
» DAMAGED RAILINGS, CRASH BARRIERS, PARAPETS;
♦ DEFECTIVE TRAFFIC SIGNS, ROAD MARKINGS, STREET NAME PLATES;
» ROAD SURFACE DEFECTS SUCH AS BROKEN AND DISPLACED MANHOLD COVERS, FRAMES, AND GULLY GRATINGS;
» BLOCKAGE OF ROAD SIDE SLOPE DRAINS, OPEN CHANNELS AND CATCHPITS;
* SUBWAY FLOODING;
» ROAD EXCAVATIONS (SUCH COMPLAINTS SHOULD ALSO BE LODGED DIRECTLY TO THE RESPONSIBLE ORGANISATIONS, SUCH AS UTILITY COMPANIES AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS).
/THE TELEPHONE
TUESDAY, APRIL 5f 1988
5 -
THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE REGIONAL OFFICES OF THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT ARE LISTED AS FOLLOWS:
DURING OFFICE HOURS:
HONG KONG REGION 5-8958473
5-8958456
KOWLOON REGION 3-7145211 EXT. 08 AND 09
NT REGION 3-7145211 EXT. 59 AND 64
OUTSIDE OFFICE HOURS:
ALL REGIONS 5-8481111
WHEN TYPHOON SIGNAL NO.3 OR ABOVE IS HOISTED, EACH HIGHWAY REGION WILL SET UP AN EMERGENCY CONTROL CENTRE TO DEAL WITH BLOCKED OR DAMAGED PUBLIC ROADS, LANDSLIPS, AND SO ON. TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE EMERGENCY CONTROL CENTRE ARE:
HONG KONG REGION 5-778434, 5-8958485-7
KOWLOON REGION 3-7145211, 3-7155964
NT REGION 3-7145222, 3-7156842
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HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT COLOURING THE URBAN LANDSCAPE ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN A DULL LOOKING CONCRETE WALL STANDING ON THE WESTERN RECLAMATION HAS NOW BEEN TURNED INTO AN ARTISTIC STRUCTURE PLEASING TO THE EYE.
THIS RESULTS FROM THE IMAGINATIVE EFFORTS OF THE STAFF IN THE LANDSCAPE UNIT OF THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT WHO HAVE FOR MANY YEARS BEEN MAKING DESIGNS AND CARRYING OUT EXPERIMENTS IN ENHANCING THE ENVIRONMENT SURROUNDING PUBLIC ROADS.
TODAY, THERE ARE FEW MAJOR CAPITAL WORKS UNDERTAKEN THAT DO NOT INCLUDE SOME FORM OF LANDSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS.
"THE 300-METRE-LONG WALL AT WESTERN RECLAMATION IS DESIGNED TO SCREEN A NEW CARGO HANDLING BASIN FROM A FUTURE PARK," HIGHWAYS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT, MR HERMAN LINDEYER, SAID.
/’’IT IS
TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 1988
6
"IT IS A FREE STANDING CONCRETE WALL WITH THE COLOUR AND TEXTURE OF TIMBER ALTERNATING WITH THE TEXTURE OF WASHED PEBBLES IN A PLEASING COMPOSITION OF SHAPES AND AREA SIZES.
"THE APPARENT COLOUR CHANGES WITH THE ANGLES OF THE SUN. THEY ALSO VARY AS ONE WALKS PAST, EACH PANEL PRESENTING A DIFFERENT ASPECT WHEN VIEWED FROM A DIFFERENT ANGLE DUE TO ITS MODULATED SURFACE.
"IT IS MADE POSSIBLE BY INTRODUCING A NEW TECHNOLOGY IN FORM CASTING CONCRETE, THE PATENT FOR WHICH IS OWNED BY A FRENCH ENGINEERING FIRM CALLED PROCEDES ROUSSET.
"NOT ONLY HAS THE FIRM USED COLOURED CONCRETE SUCCESSFULLY IN LARGER RETAINING WALLS BUT IT HAS ALSO ACHIEVED DECORATIVE AND GRAPHICALLY EXPRESSIVE FINISHES IN UP TO THREE DIFFERENT COLOURS ON THE SAME PANEL."
FOLLOWING THIS SUCCESS, THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT AWARDED ANOTHER CONTRACT TO THE SAME FIRM TO PRODUCE DECORATIVE CONCRETE FACING PANELS FOR A 12-METRE-HIGH AND 96-METRE-LONG RETAINING WALL AT GASCOIGNE ROAD, IMMEDIATELY BELOW QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL.
"THE DESIGN CALLS FOR A DETAILED PATTERN OF ANGULAR LINES IN AN EXPOSED AGGREGATE FIELD TINTED TO PRESENT A SOFT EARTHY COLOUR," MR LINDEYER SAID.
"TO CREATE SPECIAL INTEREST, A SENIOR GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER WITH THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT (CESD), MR STANLEY AU, WHO IS AN ACCOMPLISHED PAINTER, PRODUCED FOUR CHINESE PAINTINGS AS THE BASIS FOR LARGE SCALE PANELS INTENDED TO COMPLEMENT THE OVERALL COMPOSITION OF THE WALL FACE.
"ALL PANELS HAVE NOW BEEN SUCCESSFULLY CAST AND ARE EXPECTED TO BE PLACED IN POSITION IN JUNE OR JULY THIS YEAR ONCE THE CAISSONS ARE COMPLETE."
THE COSTS OF THE WALLS AT WESTERN RECLAMATION AND GASCOIGNE ROAD ARE ABOUT $1.3 MILLION AND $1.6 MILLION RESPECTIVELY.
MR LINDEYER SAID THE TECHNIQUE IS EXPECTED TO BE USED AGAIN IN A MAJOR PROJECT BEING UNDERTAKEN BY THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE OF THE CESD AND THIS ALSO INVOLVED THE LANDSCAPE UNIT.
"THIS TIME A RETAINING WALL IS GOING TO RISE UP TO 22 METRES ABOVE KING’S ROAD OPPOSITE TAI KOO SHING," HE SAID.
"THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD ORGANISED A COMPETITION FOR THE DESIGN OF TWO GRAPHIC PANELS TO BECOME PART OF THE FACING COMPOSITION.
"THE WINNING ENTRY HIGHLIGHTS SPECIAL FEATURES SERVICING THE EASTERN DISTRICT IN A GRAPHIC DISPLAY SUCH AS THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY, EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING AND ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR."
/MR LINDEYER
TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 1988
MR LINDEYER POINTED OUT THAT PRECASTING WALLS OF THAT SIZE HAD OPENED A NEW FIELD IN DESIGN, FREE OF THE USUSAL RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY TRADITIONAL CAST IN-SITU PRACTICES.
"AS SHOULD BE EXPECTED IT IS MORE EXPENSIVE BUT NOT TO A PROHIBITIVE LEVEL AS THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS SUCH AS ELIMINATION OF ON-SITE FORMWORK AND LABOUR COSTS.
"EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT THE GREATER QUALITY CONTROL ACHIEVES A BETTER QUALITY CONCRETE AND THERE IS LESS WASTAGE OF TIME," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE LANDSCAPE UNIT HAD LONG CONSIDERED THE USE OF COLOURED CONCRETE AS AN ADDITIONAL TOOL TO SOFTEN THE APPEARANCE OF CONCRETE STRUCTURES.
"THERE ARE, OF COURSE, MANY WAYS IN WHICH EXPOSED CONCRETE SURFACES ARE FINISHED IN OTHER MATERIALS, BUT APPLIED FINISHES USUALLY HAVE A SERVICE LIFE THAT IS MUCH SHORTER THAN THE CONCRETE ITSELF. THEY THEREFORE TEND TO INCREASE AN OWNER’S MAINTENANCE COMMITMENT."
MR LINDEYER SAID THE ROUSSET METHOD SEEMS TO BE THE ONLY EFFECTIVE TECHNOLOGY CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO SURMOUNT THE PROBLEMS OF APPLYING COLOURS AND ACHIEVING THESE SPECIAL EFFECTS ON CONCRETE WALLS.
THE LANDSCAPE UNIT GAINED SOME PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH COLOURING CONCRETE 'HEN DEVELOPING AND TESTING CONCRETE UNIT PAVERS, WHICH ARE CURRENTLY REPLACING IN-SITU CONCRETE ON FOOTPATHS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
"THESE PRE-CAST UNIT PAVERS LAID ON A SAND BED CAN BE REMOVED MANUALLY, THUS MAKING ROAD EXCAVATIONS EASIER AND SOLVING THE PROBLEM OF NOISE NUISANCE CAUSED BY JACKHAMMERS," HE SAID.
"IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT COLOURED CONCRETE WAS INTRODUCED ON A LARGE SCALE IN HONG KONG. UNITS ARE MANUFACTURED BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN A RANGE OF COLOURS UNDER FACTORY CONTROLLED CONDITIONS.
"IT IS QUITE COMMON TODAY TO FIND THE FOOTPATH PAVED IN AN INTERESTING PATTERN WHICH DISPLAYS VARIATION IN UNIT SIZES AS WELL AS COLOURS."
MR LINDEYER SAID COLOUR ALSO OFFERED AN OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.
"FOR INSTANCE, IN THE TSIM SHA TSUI EAST AREA THE RUN-INS TO CARPARKS AND FIRE STATION ENTRANCES ARE PAVED WITH RED COLOURED CONCRETE UNITS WHICH STAND OUT IN A BROWN COLOURED FOOTPATHS OF THE SAME TYPE," HE EXPLAINED.
"VARIATION IN COLOUR AS WELL AS LAYING PATTERN WARNS PEDESTRIANS OF THE SHARED USE OF THAT SECTION OF FOOTPATH AND POTENTIAL DANGER FROM VEHICLES."
-------o--------- /8........
TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 1988
- 8 -SEMINARS ON NURSERY CLASS ACTIVITIES ♦ » » * »
MORE THAN 300 KINDERGARTEN HEAD-TEACHERS WILL ATTEND THREE HALF-DAY SEMINARS ON NURSERY CLASS ACTIVITIES AT GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY (APRIL 7 AND 8).
THE SEMINARS, ORGANISED BY THE KINDERGARTEN SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, WILL PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE HEAD-TEACHERS TO SHARE THE EXPERIENCE OF THE SCHOOLS WHICH HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE PILOT SCHEME ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ’’GUIDELINES ON NURSERY CLASS ACTIVITIES".
THE SEMINARS ALSO AIM TO GIVE AN INTRODUCTION CONCERNING THE PROPOSED SCHOOL-BASED CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT SCHEME.
THERE WILL BE TALKS, GROUP DISCUSSIONS AND OPEN FORUMS DURING THE SEMINARS.
AN EXHIBITION ON "NURSERY CLASS ACTIVITIES" WILL BE MOUNTED BY SCHOOLS TAKING PART IN THE PILOT SCHEME.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN TO ALL KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY (APRIL 7 AND 8) FROM 9.30 AM TO 4.30 PM AT GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION IN GASCOIGNE ROAD, KOWLOON.
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PARK AND GARDEN TRAINING GROUND IN SHAM SHUI PO ♦ t ♦ * ♦
RESIDENTS IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL HAVE A MODERN PUBLIC PARK TO ENJOY THEIR LEISURE NEXT YEAR AT LAI CHI KOK BAY.
AN $18.47 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PHASE I OF THE PARK HAS JUST BEEN AWARDED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
WORK WILL COMMENCE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AND TAKE ONE YEAR TO COMPLETE.
UPON FINAL COMPLETION OF THE THREE-PHASE DEVELOPMENT, THE PARK WILL COVER AN AREA OF ABOUT 3.15 HECTARES. PHASE I, HOWEVER, WILL TAKE UP ONLY ABOUT 26,500 SQUARE METRES.
FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE A SPECTATOR STAND FOR ABOUT 400 PEOPLE, TWO MINI-SOCCER PITCHES, FIVE TENNIS COURTS, PAVILIONS, A "PAI-LAU", ARBOURS AND FLOWER BEDS, AND SERVICES BUILDINGS WITH TOILETS, OFFICE, A BOOKING OFFICE AND A KIOSK.
/THERE WILL
TUESDAY, APRIL 5t 1988
- 9 -
THERE WILL ALSO BE A PRACTICAL GARDEN TRAINING GROUND FOR THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT TRAINING SCHOOL.
IT WILL INCLUDE FACILITIES SUCH AS A GARDEN WORKSHOP, A PROPAGATION HOUSE AND POTTING SHED, WHILE A PLANT NURSERY WILL INCLUDE FACILITIES SUCH AS A GREEN HOUSE, ANOTHER POTTING SHED AND PLANTATION AREA.
THE PARK WILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE URBAN COUNCIL FOR MANAGEMENT UPON COMPLETION OF PHASE I IN APRIL NEXT YEAR.
------o------
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN NORTH POINT
*****
TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN NORTH POINT WILL BE DESIGNATED 24-HOUR DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 9).
THE RESTRICTIONS WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT FIVE MONTHS TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS.
THE TWO ROAD SECTIONS ARE:
» JAVA ROAD FROM A POINT ABOUT EIGHT METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TIN CHIU STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 35 METRES EAST OF THAT JUNCTION, AND
* THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TIN CHIU STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH JAVA ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 12 METRES SOUTH OF THAT JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP WITHIN THE URBAN CLEARWAYS FOR GOODS OR PASSENGERS.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, THE EXISTING RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY ON THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF JAVA ROAD, FROM A POINT ABOUT EIGHT METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TIN CHIU STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 35 METRES EAST OF THAT JUNCTION, WILL BE RESCINDED.
-------0---------
URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD
*****
FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 8), THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD IN TSUEN WAN, FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH HOI HING ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 250 METRES FROM THE SAME JUNCTION, WILL BE MADE A 7 AM TO 7 PM URBAN CLEARWAY.
NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP WITHIN THE URBAN CLEARWAY FOR GOODS OR PASSENGERS.
-----0------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
S4- .J9 BILLION FOR CONTAINER TERMINAL 7 ................ 1
WOMEN COUNCILLORS NOW CHAIRING THREE SELECT COMMITTEES .... 2
APPOINTMENT OF NEW DEPUTY POLITICAL ADVISER ANNOUNCED ... 3
EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES, PAYROLL SURVEY BEING CONDUCTED ... 4
TRAFFIC PLAN FOR TWILIGHT RACE MEETING ...............
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED ................................ 5
TENANCIES SOUGHT FOR TWO GOVERNMENT SITES ............... 6
PROPOSED RECLAMATION, RE-ALIGNMENT OF MARINE SPOIL GROUND . 6
WATER STORAGE FIGURE .................................... 7
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC RESTRICTION IN NORTH POINT ............ 7
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN YnU MA TEI ........................... 7
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 1988
$4.39 BILLION FOR CONTAINER TERMINAL 7 * ♦ * ♦ ♦
CONTAINER TERMINAL 7 AT KWAI CHUNG HAS BEEN AWARDED TO HIT LIMITED FOR A PREMIUM OF $4.39 BILLION, THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HIT LIMITED IS AN ASSOCIATED COMPANY OF HONGKONG INTERNATIONAL TERMINALS LIMITED.
THE NEW TERMINAL, ADJACENT TO TERMINAL 6 NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION, WILL BE BUILT ON LAND TO BE RECLAIMED FROM THE SEA. IT WILL HAVE AN AREA OF 31.5 HECTARES.
THE PURCHASER WILL BE GIVEN 12 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF SIGNING THE AGREEMENT TO SUBMIT HIS PLANS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE TERMINAL INCLUDING DETAILS OF ROADS, ANY BUILDINGS, QUAYS OR STRUCTURES TO BE CONSTRUCTED ON THE SITE AND THE TIMING OF DEVELOPMENT WORKS.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL MAKE AVAILABLE A BORROW AREA ON THE SOUTHWEST OF TSI NG YI ISLAND FOR HIT LIMITED TO OBTAIN FILL FOR THE RECLAMATION WORKS IF REQURIED.
UNDER THE SALES CONDITIONS THE TERMINAL WILL BE BROUGHT INTO OPERATION IN PHASES OVER A PERIOD OF 60 MONTHS.
WITHIN 18 MONTHS HIT LIMITED WILL BE REQUIRED TO DEVELOP THE LOT SUFFICIENTLY TO BE ABLE TO OPERATE ONE CONTAINER BERTH AND, AFTER 54 MONTHS, TO BE ABLE TO OPERATE TWO BERTHS.
THE THREE-BERTH TERMINAL WILL NEED TO BF FULLY OPERATIONAL BY 1993 WHEN IT SHOULD BE CAPABLE OF BERTHING THREE CONTAINER SHIPS SIMULTANEOUSLY AND MAINTAINING A HANDLING CAPACITY OF 750,000 TEU’S (TWENTY-FOOT EQUIVALENT UNITS) PER ANNUM.
STRINGENT ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS WILL BE APPLIED DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD AND AFTER THE TERMINAL IS OPERATING.
• THESE REQUIRE THE PURCHASER TO ENSURE THAT NUISANCE OR ANNOYANCE TO OWNERS OR OCCUPIERS OF PREMISES IN THE VICINITY OF THE LOT AND BORROW AREAS IS AVOIDED.
IN THE EVENT THAT THE LAND BORROW AREA IS USED, THE FILL WILL BE LOADED DIRECTLY ON TO BARGES ’’’HEREBY AVOIDING THE USE OF' ROADS ON TSI NG Y I .
O -
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 1988
2 -
WOMEN COUNCILLORS NOW CHAIRING THREE SELECT COMMITTEES
THREE OF THE URBAN COUNCIL’S 13 SELECT COMMITTEES ARE NOW CHAIRED BY WOMEN FOLLOWING ELECTIONS HELD AT TODAY'S MEETING OF THE COUNCIL’S STANDING COMMITTEE.
THE VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL, MRS ELSIE TU, TAKES OVER AS CHAIRMAN OF THE MARKETS AND STREET TRADERS SELECT COMMITTEE WHILE MISS CECILIA YEUNG BECOMES CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT RELATIONS SELECT COMMITTEE.
IN ADDITION, MRS NELLIE FONG WAS RE-ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF THE ENTERTAINMENT SELECT COMMITTEE, WITH MS FOK PUI-YEE REMAINING AS VICE CHAIRMAN.
FOLLOWING ARE FULL DETAILS RESULTING FROM TODAY’S ELECTIONS. THE NEW CHAIRMEN AND/OR VICE CHAIRMEN ARE DESIGNATED WITH AN ASTERISK:
ADMINISTRATION SELECT COMMITTEE:
CHAIRMAN, MR STEPHEN M.L. LAU;
VICE CHAIRMAN, MR MARVIN CHEUNG.
CAPITAL WORKS SELECT COMMITTEE:
CHAIRMAN, MR PAO PING-WING;
VICE CHAIRMAN, MS VICTORIA CHAN*.
CULTURE SELECT COMMITTEE:
CHAIRMAN, MR LO KING-MAN;
VICE CHAIRMAN, MR MAN SAI-CHEONG.
DISTRICT RELATIONS SELECT COMMITTEE: CHAIRMAN, MISS CECILIA YEUNG*;
VICE CHAIRMAN, MR LAM CHAK-PIU*.
ENTERTAINMENT SELECT COMMITTEE: CHAIRMAN, MRS NELLIE FONG; VICE CHAIRMAN, MS FOK PUI-YEE.
ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE: CHAIRMAN, DR RONALD LEUNG;
VICE CHAIRMAN, MR TONG KAM-BIU.
FINANCE SELECT COMMITTEE:
CHAIRMAN, MR WALTER SULKE;
VICE CHAIRMAN, MR HILTON CHEONG-LEEN*.
FOOD HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE:
CHAIRMAN, MR KWAN LIM-HO;
VICE CHAIRMAN, MR CHAN KWOK-MING.
/LIBRARIES SELECT
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 1988
- 3 -
LIBRARIES SELECT COMMITTEE:
CHAIRMAN, MR JOSEPH CHAN; VICE CHAIRMAN, MR PAUL YOUNG*.
LIQUOR LICENSING BOARD: CHAIRMAN, MR PETER C.K. CHAN; VICE CHAIRMAN, MR LEE CHIK-YUET*.
MARKETS AND STREET TRADERS SELECT COMMITTEE: CHAIRMAN, MRS ELSIE TU» ;
VICE CHAIRMAN, MR LAM CHAK-PIU.
MUSEUMS SELECT COMMITTEE:
CHAIRMAN, DR PHILIP KWOK;
VICE CHAIRMAN, MRS CHOW CHEUNG WAI-PING.
RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE:
CHAIRMAN, MR SAMUEL WONG; VICE CHAIRMAN, MR FAN KAM-PING.
-------0----------
APPOINTMENT OF NEW DEPUTY POLITICAL ADVISER ANNOUNCED » » » ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT MR STEPHEN BRADLEY WILL REPLACE MR BOB PEIRCE AS DEPUTY POLITICAL ADVISER LATER THIS MONTH.
MR BRADLEY STUDIED CHINESE AT OXFORD UNIVERSITY, AND CONTINUED STUDIES AT FUDAN UNIVERSITY IN SHANGHAI BEFORE JOINING THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE IN 1981.
HE ALSO SPEAKS JAPANESE, AND WORKED AT THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN TOKYO UNTIL OCTOBER 1987.
HE HAS RECENTLY BEEN ON LEAVE OF ABSENCE FROM THE FOREIGN OFFICE, WORKING FOR A PRIVATE COMPANY IN HONG KONG.
MR BRADLEY, WHO IS MARRIED AND HAS TWO CHILDREN, WILL BE JOINING THE POLITICAL ADVISER’S OFFICE ON APRIL 18.
-----0------
A....
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 1988
- U -
EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES, PAYROLL SURVEY BEING CONDUCTED
*****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS CONDUCTING THE MARCH 1988 ROUND OF THE SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL IN MAJOR ECTORS OF THE ECONOMY.
THIS SURVEY COVERS ABOUT 94,000 ESTABLISHMENTS WHICH ARE DRAWN FROM VARIOUS SECTORS INCLUDING THE DISTRIBUTIVE TRADES SECTOR (WHOLESALE, RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS), AND THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR (MINING AND QUARRYING; MANUFACTURING; ELECTRICITY AND GAS)
THERE IS FULL ENUMERATION OF ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE SERVICES SECTOR (TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION; FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE ANDBUSINESS SERVICES; COMMUNITY, SOCIAL AND PERSONAL SERVICES).
QUESTIONNAIRES WERE MAILED TO INDIVIDUAL SAMPLE ESTABLISHMENTS AT THE END OF LAST MONTH. REMINDERS ARE NOW BEING SENT TO ESTABLISHMENTS NOT RESPONDING TO THE INITIAL QUESTIONNAIRES.
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, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
INFORMATION IS BEING SOUGHT ON THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED AND EXISTING VACANCIES ON MARCH 30, 1988, FROM EACH SAMPLE
ESTABLISHMENT.
SOME 10,000 ESTABLISHMENTS HAVE BEEN RANDOMLY SELECTED FROM THIS SAMPLE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PAYROLL IN EACH OF THE THREE MONTHS DURING THE REFERENCE PERIOD JANUARY TO MARCH 1988.
ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE SERVICES SECTOR ARE REQUESTED TO FURTHER 7OVIDE INFORMATION ON MAJOR KIND OF ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS ENDING MARCH 1988.
SHOULD RESPONDENTS FIND DIFFICULTIES IN COMPLETING THE FORMS, THEY ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT FOR ASSISTANCE ON 5-8235076.
0
/5........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 1988
- 5 -
TRAFFIC PLAN FOR TWILIGHT RACE MEETING *****
MOTORISTS SHOULD NOTE THAT SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN HAPPY VALLEY ON SATURDAY (APRIL 9) BECAUSE OF THE TWILIGHT RACE MEETING THAT DAY.
THE ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE SIMILAR TO THOSE IN FORCE FOR NORMAL DAY MEETINGS ON SATURDAYS.
HOWEVER, THEY WILL COME INTO EFFECT AROUND 2.30 PM TO COINCIDE WITH THE LATER START OF THE FIRST RACE, WHICH WILL BE AT 4.30 PM INSTEAD OF THE USUAL 1.30 PM.
UNDER THE ARRANGEMENTS, TRAFFIC ON A NUMBER OF ROAD SECTIONS IN HAPPY VALLEY, WAN CHAI AND CAUSEWAY BAY WILL EITHER BE DIVERTED OR RE-ROUTED.
LEARNER DRIVERS WILL BE BANNED FROM LEIGHTON ROAD, SHAN KWONG ROAD, VILLAGE ROAD, PERCIVAL STREET, CANAL ROAD EAST AND THE SERVICE ROADS LEADING TO CANAL ROAD FLYOVER BETWEEN 2.30 PM AND 10 PM.
ALSO FROM 2 PM TO 10 PM, PARKING SPACES IN WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD, SPORTS ROAD, VILLAGE ROAD, OI KWAN ROAD AND YIU WA STREET WILL BE SUSPENDED.
IN ADDITION, A SPECIAL CMB ROUTE NO. IM WILL OPERATE BETWEEN ADMIRALTY MTR STATION (WEST) AND HAPPY VALLEY FROM 2.30 PM AT 15-MINUTE INTERVALS.
ROUTINGS OF BUSES AND GREEN MINIBUSES WILL ALSO BE DIVERTED TO AVOID THE RE-ROUTED ROADS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD ALSO NOTE THAT SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IN FORCE FOR TRAM, TAXI AND PUBLIC LIGHT BUS SERVICES IN THE AREA.
THE RACE MEETING WILL FINISH AROUND 8 PM AND THE SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE CROWDS HAVE DISPERSED.
-------o ---------
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED * * *
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF CHUANG'S CREDIT LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE AT ITS OWN REQUEST AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY (APRIL 6).
_______0 ------- /6.......................
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6,
1988
- 6 -
TENANCIES SOUGHT FOR TWO GOVERNMENT SITES t * ♦ * t
TWO SITES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ARE BEING LET BY TENDER ON SHORT TERM TENANCY BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
ONE OF THE SITES IN DEMARCATION DISTRICT NO. 51 AREA 25, ON LOK TSUEN, FANLING, MEASURING ABOUT 1,540 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR OPEN STORAGE.
THE TENANCY IS FOR 18 MONTHS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
TENDER FORMS AND NOTICES MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, NORTH, PIK FUNG ROAD, FANLING; THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
THE OTHER SITE AT TAT LAM KOK, TUEN MUN, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,046 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR OPEN STORAGE (INCLUDING DISTRIBUTION AND SALE OF NATURAL SAND AND AGGREGATE) PURPOSES.
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE ON A QUARTERLY BASIS AFTERWARDS.
TENDER FORMS AND NOTICES MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, TUEN MUN; THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT; AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOLWOON.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON APRIL 22.
-----0-----
PROPOSED RECLAMATION, RE-ALIGNMENT OF MARINE SPOIL GROUND ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ t
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CARRY OUT DREDGING AND RECLAMATION IN SHA TAU KOK AND RE-ALIGN AN EXISTING GAZETTED MARINE SPOIL GROUND TO THE SOUTH OF CHEUNG CHAU ISLAND.
IN SHA TAU KOK, THE DREDGING AND RECLAMATION WILL BE CARRIED OUT WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 4.9 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED.
THIS WILL PROVIDE LAND FOR RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, A MARKET, CAR PARKING AREAS, ROADS, A WATERFRONT PROMENADE, A MAIN DRAINAGE OUTFALL AND BREAKWATER AS PART OF THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT OF SHA TAU KOK.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN JULY AND TAKES ABOUT TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.
/IN ANOTHER........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 1988
IN ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO RE-ALIGN AN EXISTING GAZETTED MARINE SPOIL GROUND WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 535.6 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED SOUTH OF CHEUNG CHAU ISLAND.
THE MARINE SPOIL GROUND WILL BE USED FOR THE DUMPING OF DREDGED OR EXCAVATED SPOIL AT A LEVEL NOT HIGHER THAN 11 METRES BELOW CHART DATUM.
THE EXTENTS OF THE AREAS AFFECTED IN THE TWO PROJECTS HAVE BREN PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE GAZETTE.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABEDS INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS BY MAY 30.
------0-------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ♦ * t
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (WEDNESDAY) STOOD AT 39.9 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 233.630 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 295.266 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 50.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
------0 ------
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC RESTRICTION IN NORTH POINT t * t t *
FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 9), THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF NORTH VIEW STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH FORT STREET TO A POINT ABOUT SIX METRES NORTH OF THAT JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY FOR ABOUT FIVE WEEKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP WITHIN THE URBAN CLEARWAY FOR GOODS OR PASSENGERS.
------0 -------
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN YAU MA TEI ♦ t t t
TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION, THE SECTION OF NING PO STREET IN YAU MA TEI BETWEEN SHANGHAI STREET AND TEMPLE STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 8) FOR ABOUT 11 WEEKS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE LEFT TURNING MOVEMENT FROM WOOSUNG STREET SOUTHBOUND TO NING PO STREET WILL BE BANNED. MOTORISTS MAY USE PAK HOI STREET OR JORDAN ROAD FOR ACCESS TO YAU MA TEI AREA EAST OF SHANGHAI STREET.
-----0------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG TEL.: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF TWO DEVELOPMENT STUDIES ... 1
GOVERNOR TO LEAD DELEGATION TO EUROPE........................... 3
GOVERNOR VISITS ELECTRONICS FACTORIES .......................... 4
ANTI-SMOKING EFFORTS WILL BE MAINTAINED ........................ 5
REMINDER GIVEN ON PAYMENT OF RATES ............................. 6
TEMPORARY RESTRICTED ZONE TO QUEEN VICTORIA ST ................. 7
SHEK WAI KOK TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CHANGES ......................... 7
THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 1988
1
GOVERNOR STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF TWO DEVELOPMENT STUDIES
*****
IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STUDY AND THE COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY SHOULD BE TAKEN FORWARD AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID AT THE ANNUAL DINNER OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING.
REFERRING TO THE TWO MAJOR STUDIES, SIR DAVID SAID THERE WAS A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE NEED FOR PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT, THE UPGRADING OF THE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE, AND THE CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT OF THE TERRITORY AS A WHOLE.
’’MANY QUESTIONS, NOT LEAST THOSE ABOUT THE FUTURE DIRECTION OF OUR ECONOMY, NEED TO BE ASKED AND ANSWERED,” HE SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE AMOUNT OF TRADE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA HAD GROWN DRAMATICALLY IN THE LAST FEW YEARS - 235 PER CENT IN FOUR YEARS OR AN AVERAGE OF 35 PER CENT EVERY YEAR FOR FOUR YEARS.
“WE MUST MAKE SURE WE ARE PREPARED AND ABLE TO COPE WITH THESE NEW DEMANDS," HE SAID.
"FROM THE TALKS WE HAVE HAD WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES, IT IS CLEAR THAT WE CAN EXPECT FURTHER VERY SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN THE EXTENT TO WHICH ALL OF HONG KONG’S MEANS OF TRANSPORT - SEA, AIR, ROAD AND RAIL - WILL BE USED FOR THE TRANSHIPMENT OF GOODS TO AND FROM CHINA.
"WE NEED TO PLAN FOR A MAJOR EXPANSION OF OUR PORT FACILITIES.
"WE NEED TOO TO ENSURE THAT OUR TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE HAS THE CAPACITY TO MEET THE DEMANDS WHICH WILL BE PLACED UPON IT."
NOTING THAT AN INCREASING AMOUNT OF HONG KONG’S EXPORTS, AND OF RE-EXPORTS FROM CHINA, WERE NOW BEING TRANSPORTED BY AIR, SIR DAVID SAID A VERY CLOSE EYE HAD TO BE KEPT ON THE CAPACITY OF THE AIRPORT.
"KAI TAK HAS SERVED US WELL OVER THE YEARS. BUT ITS CAPACITY IS FINITE," HE SAID.
"WE ARE THEREFORE LOOKING CAREFULLY AT WHETHER WE NEED TO BUILD A NEW AIRPORT ELSEWHERE - AND IF SO WHEN, AND WHAT THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WILL BE."
SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT EXPECTED TO HAVE ANSWERS TO THE QUESTION OF HOW TO DEVELOP THE PORT BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR.
IT SHOULD THEN BE IN A POSITION TO MAKE A DECISION WHETHER AND IF SO, WHEN AND WHERE, TO RELOCATE THE AIRPORT.
/SIR DAVID
THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 1988
2 -
SIR DAVID SAID THAT, ON A WIDER CANVAS, THERE WAS ALSO A NEED TO EXAMINE HONG KONG’S FUTURE ROLE IN THE REGION, BOTH IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS AND AFTER 1997.
"NEITHER PLANNING NOR DEVELOPMENT CAN STAND STILL. FOR THE SAKE OF HONG KONG AND ITS PEOPLE WE MUST THINK, PLAN AND ACT LONG TERM,” HE SAID.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT CHINA’S PEARL RIVER PORTS WERE CONTINUING TO IMPROVE THEIR FACILITIES.
"HUANGPU, NOW WELL SERVED BY ROAD AND RAIL, CAN ACCOMMODATE VESSELS UP TO 20,000 TONNES," HE SAID.
"INDUSTRIAL CAPACITY IN GUANGDONG, AND ESPECIALLY IN SHENZHEN, IS BEING EXPANDED.
"THE AUTHORITIES THERE ARE ANXIOUS TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE GOOD PORT FACILITIES TO SERVE THEIR ECONOMY.
"FROM ALL THAT WE SEE OF THESE DEVELOPMENTS, IT IS CLEAR THAT SOUTH CHINA WILL CONTINUE TO GROW IN ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE."
THEREFORE, IT WAS NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT THE FACILITIES IN HONG KONG WOULD REMAIN ATTRACTIVE AND COMPETITIVE, SIR DAVID SAID.
"OUR GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION; OUR TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE; AND OUR EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE, GIVE US A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE HONG KONG NOT ONLY A MAJOR REGIONAL CENTRE FOR SOUTHERN CHINA, BUT A CATALYST FOR DEVELOPMENT IN A REGION WHICH COULD WELL BE ONE OF THE KEY AREAS OF GROWTH IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD OVER THE NEXT FEW DECADES," HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE ^ROPER HOUSING FOR ALL WHO NEEDED IT AND, AT THE SAME TIME, TO1 MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO BOTH THE OLDER URBAN AND THE RURAL AREAS, SIR DAVID SAID BOTH OF THESE LAGGED BEHIND THE STANDARDS OF THE NEW TOWNS.
"MANY OF THESE REQUIREMENTS COME TOGETHER IN AND AROUND THE HARBOUR, IN THE SO-CALLED ’METROPOLITAN AREA’ WHICH STRETCHES SOME 20 KILOMETRES FROM TSUEN WAN TO CHAI WAN," HE SAID.
"IT IS PREDOMINANTLY IN THIS AREA, THEREFORE, THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS NOW FOCUSSING ITS ATTENTION - IN A STUDY CALLED ’METROPLAN’.
"WORK ON THIS IS NOW WELL UNDER WAY TO SEE WHAT OPPORTUNITIES THERE ARE FOR CHANGES, AND TO PRODUCE A PLAN FOR THE METROPOLITAN AREA."
HE SAID THE ’METROPLAN’ WOULD GIVE THE FRAMEWORK NEEDED TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS ABOUT HOW TO MANAGE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT SO AS TO REDUCE POPULATION DENSITIES IN OLDER OVER-CROWDED AREAS.
/"THIS WILL
THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 1988
or. WILL PR0VIDE THE FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH NEW DEVELOPMENT
TUB ,LnEV™0PHEfJT CAN TAKE PLACE, including urban renewal schemes by CORPORATION, THE POSSIBLE EXPANSION OF THE ENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT, AND NEW MASS-TRANSIT FACILITIES.
nrvui IT WIbL ACCOMMODATE STRATEGIC PORT AND TRANSPORT
qp AS WELL AS THE RELOCATION OF THE AIRPORT, SHOULD THAT
BE DECIDED," HE ADDED.
RR gmi? wuL,uILL N0T BE A RIGID PLAN," SIR DAVID EXPLAINED, "IT WILL WILlj ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO ADAPT ITS PROGRAMMES ACCORDING TO NEED AND THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE."
i?MnT„Dr,FUR^H®BM0RE’ SIR DAVID SAID MEMBERS OF THE INSTITUTION ,,,XrNEERS WOl,,jD HAVE A MAJOR ROLE TO PLAY IN ALL OF THESE AREAS -ov rL.JN THE PRESENT STUDIES, BUT IN THE DEVELOPMENT RE-DEVELOPMENT WHICH WOULD FOLLOW.
OF NOT AND
riBMAur. ®TRONR AND EFFECTIVE PROJECT MANAGEMENT WILL BE MUCH IN DEMAND. SO WILL FIRST-CLASS PLANNING AND ENGINEERING SKILLS," HE SAID.
mauti,THE INSTITUTION ITSELF WILL HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY Ati S,JRE THAT WE MAINTAIN A HIGH DEGREE OF PROFESSIONALISM IN
AREAS AND THAT WE HAVE THE TALENT AVAILABLE TO TACKLE THESE
VERY IMPOR7.'ANT AND CHALLENGING DEVELOPMENTS."
- - - - 0------
GOVERNOR TO LEAD DELEGATION TO EUROPE t * ♦ » »
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL BE LEADING TO VISIT WESTERN EUROPE IN EARLY AUTUMN THIS YEAR TO AND HONG KONG IN GENERAL.
A DELEGATION PROMOTE TRADE
THIS FOLLOWS SIMILAR VISITS HE HAS MADE PREVIOUSLY TO THE UNITED STATES, JAPAN AND 'THE UNITED KINGDOM.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING TWO ELECTRONIC FACTORIES IN KWAI CHUNG THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON, SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG HAD TO COMPETE WITH OTHER PLACES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE FAR EAST WHERE LABOUR COSTS MIGHT BE CHEAPER.
"THE ANSWER FOR US MUST BE TO GO UPMARKET, TO HAVE A HIGHER DEGREE OF AUTOMATION AND TO PRODUCE HIGHER QUALITY OF PRODUCTS TO KEEP OUR PLACE IN THE WORLD MARKET," HE STRESSED.
THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT THE ELECTRONIC INDUSTRY IS CRUCIAL TO HONG KONG.
/HE SAID:
THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 1988
HE SAID: "IT IS OUR SECOND LARGEST EXPORT EARNER. THE TWO FACTORIES I HAVE SEEN THIS AFTERNOON ARE VERY GOOD EXAMPLES OF A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTOMATION OR SEMI-AUTOMATION AND, IN BOTH CASES, A VERY HIGH DEGREE OF QUALITY CONTROL WHICH PUTS THEM RIGHT UP IN THE WORLD MARKET.
“AND THAT SURELY IS THE WAY IN WHICH HONG KONG INDUSTRY HAS TO GO.”
REPLYING TO A QUESTION ON IMPORT BARRIERS IN THE U.S., SIR DAVID SAID HE WAS GLAD TO SEE THAT THE GEPHARDT AMENDMENT HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM THE TRADE BILL.
"I HOPE IT MEANS THAT UNITED STATES POLICY IS NOT GOING TO BE RESTRICTIVE. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US THAT THE IDEA OF FREE AND UNFETTERED TRADE SHOULD BE ACCEPTED WORLDWIDE,” HE SAID.
’’BECAUSE WE ARE THE CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF AN OPEN TRADING ECONOMY, WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE OTHER COUNTRIES DOING THE SAME SORT OF THING," THE GOVERNOR ADDED.
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GOVERNOR VISITS ELECTRONICS FACTORIES *****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (THURSDAY) VISITED TWO ELECTRONICS FACTORIES IN KWAI CHUNG TO FAMILIARISE HIMSELF WITH LATEST DEVELOPMENTS.
HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, AND THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR K.Y. YEUNG.
SIR DAVID FIRST WENT TO ELECTRONICS DEVICES LIMITED WHICH PRODUCES SMALL SIGNAL TRANSISTORS, POWER TRANSISTORS, SURFACE MOUNT TRANSISTORS, AS WELL AS HIGH FREQUENCY TRANSISTORS AND DIODES.
AFTER BEING RECEIVED BY THE COMPANY’S MANAGING DIRECTOR, MR TOMMY ZAU, SIR DAVID WAS TAKEN TO SEE THE ASSEMBLY LINES, THE ESTING DEPARTMENT AND FINAL TESTING AND MARKING OF TRANSISTORS.
SIR DAVID NEXT VISITED S. MEGGA TELECOMMUNICATIONS LIMITED WHERE HE MET THE COMPANY’S PRESIDENT AND MANAGING DIRECTOR, MR LEUNG RAY MAN.
HE TOURED THE PLANT WHICH MANUFACTURES CORDLESS PHONES, FEATURE CORD PHONES, MEDICAL DEVICES AND OTHER TELECOMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT.
HE WAS SHOWN THE SURFACE MOUNTING FACILITIES, THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, THE HANDSET ASSEMBLY, THE BASE ASSEMBLY AND THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD INSERTION.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 1988
- 5 -
ANTI-SMOKING EFFORTS WILL BE MAINTAINED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL MAINTAIN ITS EFFORTS IN EDUCATING THE YOUNGER GENERATION NOT TO SMOKE, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY HELD TO MARK THE WORLD HEALTH DAY, MR CHAMBERS SAID THAT A HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED IN 1986 SHOWED THAT FOUR PER CENT OF TEENAGERS WERE DAILY SMOKERS.
"IF WE INCLUDE THOSE WHO SMOKE LESS FREQUENTLY, THE FIGURE IS EVEN HIGHER, AND THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF UNDER REPORTING," HE SAID.
"MOREOVER, IN ANOTHER SURVEY ON SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS DONE EARLIER, ABOUT THREE-QUARTERS OF THOSE WHO ADMITTED SMOKING STARTED THE HABIT BETWEEN THE AGES OF 10 AND 14.
"FINDINGS FROM OVERSEAS INDICATE THAT A MAJORITY OF THESE YOUNG SMOKERS WILL CARRY ON THE HABIT WHEN THEY GROW UP AND THERE IS NO WONDER THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN PUTTING MUCH EMPHASIS ON EDUCATING YOUNG PEOPLE NOT TO SMOKE."
IN ORDER TO PRODUCE A MORE EFFECTIVE ANTI-SMOKING CAMPAIGN, MR CHAMBERS SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD SET UP THE COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH TO CO-ORDINATE THE PROMOTION OF ANTI-SMOKING EFFORTS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE YOUNG.
AS PART OF THE ANTI-SMOKING CAMPAIGN AIMED AT THE YOUNGER GENERATION, THE GOVERNMENT HAD PRODUCED PAMPHLETS, HELD EXHIBITIONS AND HELPED ORGANISE YOUTH PROJECTS TO PROMOTE THE ANTI-SMOKING MESSAGE.
A TEACHING KIT HAD BEEN DESIGNED FOR USE BY SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS TO PASS INFORMATION ON SMOKING DANGERS TO THEIR STUDENTS.
POSTERS AND TELEVISION ANNOUNCEMENTS HAD ALSO BEEN PRODUCED TO WARN PEOPLE OF THE DANGERS OF SMOKING. MOST RECENTLY, EMPHASIS HAD BEEN PUT ON THE HAZARDOUS EFFECTS OF PARENTS’ SMOKING ON THEIR CHILDREN.
MR CHAMBERS POINTED OUT THAT THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION HAD DESIGNATED TODAY AS WORLD HEALTH DAY, WHICH IS ALSO THE FIRST WORLD NO-SMOKING DAY. /
THE COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH, THE KWUN TONG COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT AND THE SMOKE-OUT DAY STEERING COMMITTEE HAVE TAKEN THIS OPPORTUNITY TO JOINTLY ORGANISE A PARADE AND AN EXHIBITION TO CELEBRATE THE DAY AND TO CONVEY THE MESSAGE THAT SMOKING IS HAZARDOUS TO HEALTH.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 1988
6
REMINDER GIVEN ON PAYMENT OF RATES
*****
RATEPAYERS SHOULD BY NOW HAVE RECEIVED DEMAND NOTES FOR RATES FOR THE SECOND QUARTER ENDING JUNE WHICH ARE DEMANDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RATING ORDINANCE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
ANY RATEPAYER WHO HAS NOT RECEIVED A DEMAND NOTE SHOULD APPLY FORTHWITH FOR A COPY AT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
* THE TREASURY RATES SECTION, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, (WEST WING), NINTH FLOOR, 11 ICE HOUSE STREET, HONG KONG;
♦ THE NORTH POINT SUB-TREASURY, ODEON BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR, 28 SHU KUK STREET, HONG KONG;
* THE YAU MA TEI SUB-TREASURY, FOURTH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD, (MARKET STREET ENTRANCE), KOWLOON;
* THE KOWLOON CITY SUB-TREASURY, MAN SANG COMMERCIAL BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR, 348-352 PRINCE EDWARD BUILDING, (CORNER OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD AND JUNCTION ROAD), KOWLOON.
NON-RECEIPT OF THE DEMAND NOTE DOES NOT ALTER THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE RATES MUST BE PAID BY NOON ON APRIL 30, 1988 AND UNLESS SO PAID RATEPAYERS MAY BE SUBJECT TO A SURCHARGE OF FIVE PER CENT IMPOSED UNDER SECTION 22 OF THE RATING ORDINANCE, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
A FURTHER SURCHARGE OF 10 PER CENT MAY BE ADDED TO AMOUNTS (INCLUDING THE NORMAL FIVE PER CENT SURCHARGE) WHICH REMAIN UNPAID SIX MONTHS AFTER THE DUE DATE.
RATEPAYERS WHO HAVE SUBMITTED A VALID DIRECT DEBIT AUTHORISATION SHOULD NOTE THAT PAYMENT SHOULD BE MADE BY POST OR IN PERSON AS STIPULATED IN THE DEMAND NOTE UNLESS THE WORDING "PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY AUTOPAY" IS SHOWN IN THE DEMAND NOTE.
IN THIS CASE THEIR PAYMENT OF RATES WILL BE MADE BY DIRECT DEBIT TO THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS ON APRIL 30, 1988. RATEPAYERS SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS CONTAIN THE NECESSARY FUNDS ON THAT DATE.
RATEPAYERS ARE ALSO ADVISED THAT THE AMOUNT PAYABLE ON OR BEFORE THE ABOVE-MENTIONED DATE IS INDICATED ON THE DEMAND NOTE BY AN ARROW-HEAD IN THE "TOTAL AMOUNT DUE” BOX.
RATES ARE PAYABLE ON VACANT PROPERTIES BUT ARE REFUNDABLE UNDER THE CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 30 OF THE ORDINANCE.
/UNDER SECTIONS
THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 1988
UNDER SECTIONS 30(1A) AND (2A) HOWEVER, NO REFUNDS WILL BE PAYABLE IN THE CASE OF A VACANT TENEMENT LAST USED OR INTENDED TO BE USED WHOLLY OR PRIMARILY FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES OR FOR THE PARKING OF VEHICLES (UNLESS VACANT BY REASON OF AN ORDER OF THE GOVERNMENT).
TO AVOID THE POSSIBLE INCONVENIENCE OF QUEUEING, THE SPOKESMAN URGED RATEPAYERS TO PAY BY CHEQUE OR MONEY ORDER SENT BY POST OR BY EARLY PERSONAL ATTENDANCE AT ANY OF THE OFFICES LISTED ON THE BACK OF THE DEMAND NOTE.
- - 0 - -
TEMPORARY RESTRICTED ZONE IN QUEEN VICTORIA ST
* « » » »
THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF QUEEN VICTORIA STREET, FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL TO A POINT ABOUT 26 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION, WILL BE DESIGNATED A RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT ON SUNDAY (APRIL 10) FOR ROADWORK.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
AT THE SAME TIME, BUS ROUTES 10, 20, 101, 104 AND 105 ON THEIR WESTBOUND JOURNEYS WILL OMIT DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL AND QUEEN VICTORIA STREET AND BE DIVERTED VIA QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL.
- - 0 - -
SHEK WAI KOK TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CHANGES I t * t
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT REMINDED MOTORISTS THAT SPECIAL TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN SHEK WAI KOK, TSUEN WAN, FROM 7 AM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 9).
THE ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A VEHICULAR UNDERPASS BETWEEN WAI TSUEN ROAD AND SHEK WAI KOK ROAD AND THE IMPROVEMENT WORK TO SHEK WAI KOK ROAD IN CONNECTION WITH THE ROUTE 5 PROJECT.
/UNDER THE
THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 1988
8
UNDER THE ARRANGEMENTS, SHEK WAI KOK ROAD BETWEEN THE ESTATE ROAD AND TEXACO ROAD NORTH; AND THE VEHICULAR UNDERPASS LEADING FROM TEXACO ROAD NORTH ON TO NORTHBOUND SHEK WAI KOK ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
TEXACO ROAD NORTH BETWEEN TSUEN KAM INTERCHANGE AND SHING MUN ROAD WILL BE PARTIALLY CLOSED, WITH TWO-WAY TRAFFIC MAINTAINED, FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH.
AFTER ONE MONTH, THIS SECTION OF TEXACO ROAD NORTH WILL BE COMPLETELY CLOSED, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME, WAI TSUEN ROAD BETWEEN TSUEN KAM INTERCHANGE AND MIU KONG STREET, CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR ROAD WIDENING WORK, WILL BE RE-OPENED TO TRAFFIC.
SHEK WAI KOK ROAD BETWEEN CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD AND THE ESTATE ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TO ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND, WHILE THE ESTATE ROAD BETWEEN SHEK WAI KOK ROAD AND CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD WILL BECOME ONE-WAY WESTBOUND.
WESTBOUND VEHICLES ON TEXACO ROAD NORTH HEADING FOR SHEK WAI KOK ESTATE WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TSUEN KAM INTERCHANGE, CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD AND SHEK WAI KOK ROAD.
VEHICLES LEAVING SHEK WAI KOK ESTATE WILL HAVE TO USE SHEK WAI KOK ROAD, THE ESTATE ROAD AND CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD TO GO TO TEXACO ROAD NORTH.
PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES ON WESTBOUND CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD HEADING FOR SHEK WAI KOK ESTATE WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SHEK WAI KOK ROAD, THE ESTATE ROAD AND WESTBOUND CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD. THEY WILL ONLY BE ALLOWED TO PICK UP OR SET DOWN PASSENGERS AT A LAYBY NEAR THE ESTATE CAR PARK.
SECTIONS OF SHEK WAI KOK ROAD, THE ESTATE ROAD AND CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD WESTBOUND WILL BE MADE URBAN CLEARWAYS OPERATING FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE SAME SECTIONS OF SHEK WAI KOK ROAD AND THE ESTATE ROAD WILL BE BANNED TO VEHICLES EXCEEDING 10 METRES IN LENGTH OR OVER 4.3 METRES IN HEIGHT AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY.
IN ADDITION, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE ESTATE ROAD EAST OF THE ESTATE CAR PARK.
IN BUS SERVICES, THE EXISTING SHEK WAI KOK BUS TERMINUS WILL BE CLOSED AND A TEMPORARY BUS TERMINUS WILL BE PROVIDED AT WESTBOUND CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD OUTSIDE THE SHEK WAI KOK ESTATE CAR PARK.
ROUTINGS OF KMB ROUTES NO. 32 AND 32B AND GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES NO. 81, 81M, 82, 82M AND 94 WILL ALSO HAVE TO BE DIVERTED TO COINCIDE WITH THE ROAD CLOSURE AND TRAFFIC DIVERSION MEASURES.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 19^8
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ENVIRONMENT OF TAI TAX AND SHEK 0 TO BE PRESERVED............... 1
ACTIVITIES TO CELEBRATE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY................... 2
THREE FOREIGN BANKS GRANTED HK BANKING LICENCES ..............
MORE BRIEFINGS FOR LIVESTOCK FARMERS .........................
ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF POLICE RETIRES ....................... 5
THEN MUN CHILDREN'S CHOIR GIVES CONCERT ........................ 6
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR EVENING COURSES ....................... 6
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN KWAI CHUNG INDUSTRIAL AREA .................. 7
FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1988
ENVIRONMENT OF TAI TAM AND SHEK O TO BE PRESERVED » ♦ ♦ t »
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD HAS TAKEN ANOTHER MAJOR POSITIVE STEP TO PRESERVE SOUTHERN HONG KONG ISLAND WITH ITS HIGH AMENITY VALUE AND IMPORTANT RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES BY ISSUING A DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN FOR THE TAI TAM AND SHEK O AREA.
A DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN WHICH PRESERVES THE PLEASANT AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT OF SHOUSON HILL AND REPULSE BAY WAS GAZETTED IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR.
WITH A TOTAL LAND AREA OF 1,124 HECTARES, THE TAI TAM AND SHEK O AREA IS BOUNDED BY THE TAI TAM COUNTRY PARK TO THE WEST AND CHAI WAN TO THE NORTH.
THE MAJOR PURPOSE OF THE DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN IS TO MAINTAIN THE EXISTING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AREA THROUGH DESIGNATING EXTENSIVE GREEN BELT ZONES OF SOME 950 HECTARES AND BY INTRODUCING STRICT CONTROLS ON THE AMOUNT OF BUILDING DEVELOPMENT PERMITTED.
MOST OF THE AREA COVERED BY THE PLAN IS RELATIVELY UNDEVELOPED WITH 53 PER CENT OF THE LAND LOCATING INSIDE THE SHEK O COUNTRY PARK.
FOUR POPULAR BEACHES - TURTLE COVE, BIG WAVE BAY, ROCKY BAY AND SHEK O BEACH - ARE INCLUDED IN THE PLAN.
THESE BEAUTIFUL BEACHES, TOGETHER WITH THE WELL-WOODED SLOPES, CREATE A PLEASANT SCENIC SETTING AND MAKE IT A RECREATIONAL ASSET FOR THE TERRITORY.
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA IS MAINLY CONFINED TO LOW TO MEDIUM DENSITY. HIGH-RISE APARTMENTS ARE PERMITTED ONLY IN THOSE AREAS ALREADY COMMITTED TO SUCH DEVELOPMENT.
BUILDING HEIGHT CONTROL IS ALSO INTRODUCED IN SHEK O VILLAGE TO ENSURE THAT FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OR REDEVELOPMENT IS COMPATIBLE IN SCALE.
ALSO INDICATED ON THE PLAN IS A PROPOSED TRUNK ROAD, ’’ROUTE 81”, WHICH WILL CONNECT CHAI WAN TO ABERDEEN VIA TAI TAM, STANLEY, REPULSE BAY AND DEEP WATER BAY. THIS LONG TERM DEVELOPMENT SCHEME, HOWEVER, IS UNLIKELY TO BE IMPLEMENTED BEFORE 1992.
THE PLAN AREA CONTAINS A SMALL POPULATION OF ABOUT 4,300 AT THE TIME OF THE 1986 BY-CENSUS. THE FORECAST POPULATION UPON FULL DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING 1,600 SQUATTER POPULATION, WOULD REACH AROUND 9,600.
/DETAILS OF .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1?88
2
DETAILS OF THE PLAN, ISSUED TO CONTROL AND DIRECT DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA APPROPRIATELY, WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN CAN BE INSPECTED AT THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, SHOP 25, GROUND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN; PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICE, WEST WING ENTRANCE; THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE, SIXTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
OBJECTIONS TO THE DRAFT PLAN SHOULD BE MADE IN WRITING AND SENT TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD BY JUNE 7.
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ACTIVITIES TO CELEBRATE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY
HONG KONG HAS LINED UP A WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES TO CELEBRATE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY (WED) 1988 WITH THE CENTRAL THEME OF PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AMONG THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
ANNOUNCING THIS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (FRIDAY), THE SECRETARY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE, MR PETER MANN, SAID THESE ACTIVITIES WOULD BE HELD BETWEEN THIS MONTH AND OCTOBER BY VARIOUS COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS, PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND DISTRICT BOARDS.
"A WORKING GROUP UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF MR S.L. WAN HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED TO RAISE FUNDS AND TO CO-ORDINATE THE ACTIVITIES," HE SAID.
MR MANN SAID THE WED, DESIGNATED TO FALL ON JUNE 5, WAS ADOPTED BY A SPECIAL RESOLUTION DURING A UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT HELD IN STOCKHOLM IN 1972.
"SINCE THEN WED HAS BEEN AN ANNUAL EVENT CELEBRATED IN MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD," HE SAID.
UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE, HONG KONG WILL KICK OFF THE CELEBRATIONS THIS YEAR WITH AN OFFICIAL OPENING BY THE GOVERNOR AND AN ENVIRONMENTAL PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION AT NOON ON JUNE 4 AT THE GROUND FLOOR PLAZA OF THE HONGKONG BANK HEADQUARTERS BUILDING.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY WILL OFFICIATE AT A TREE PLANTING CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT 1 PM ON JUNE 5 AT THE KWUN TONG GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL TO SIGNIFY THE GOVERNMENT’S FIRM INTENTION ON PROTECTING AND IMPROVING HONG KONG’S ENVIRONMENT.
/ENTRIES ARE .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1988
ENTRIES ARE BEING INVITED FOR A PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION AND A POPULAR SONG CONTEST WITH THE CENTRAL THEME OF PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AMONG THE GENERAL PUBLIC. ENTRY FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PHOTOGRAPHIC.COMPETITION WILL BE THE FIRST OF ITS KIND TO BE HELD IN HONG KONG. CONTESTANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT ENTRIES IN PAIRS - ONE PHOTOGRAPH SHOWING "BEAUTIFUL HONG KONG", AND THE OTHER SHOWING "POLLUTED HONG KONG".
ENTRIES WILL BE JUDGED IN PAIRS. THE BEST ENTRIES WILL BE DISPLAYED AT THE ENVIRONMENTAL PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION TO BE HELD BETWEEN JUNE 4 AND 13 AND WHICH WILL BE OPENED BY THE GOVERNOR.
CONTESTANTS FOR THE POPULAR SONG CONTEST WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT AN ORIGINAL COMPOSITION WITH LYRICS ON AN ENVIRONMENTAL THEME.
THE FINAL OF THE CONTEST WILL BE HELD ON MAY 20 IN A SPECIAL "ENJOY YOURSELF TONIGHT" PROGRAMME ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ON TVB-JADE. THE PROGRAMME WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE.
THE WINNER OF THE CONTEST WILL REPRESENT HONG KONG IN AN INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL, ORGANISED BY THE UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME, ON JUNE 5 IN BANGKOK.
OTHER ACTIVITIES INCLUDE VARIOUS SYMPOSIA AND EXHIBITIONS ORGANISED BY PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS, TREE PLANTING AT SCHOOLS, A TV QUIZ PROGRAMME, A CHILDREN’S LITERATURE COMPETITION AND ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY DISTRICT BOARDS IN SUPPORT OF WED.
IN ORDER TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF WED AND ITS VARIOUS ACTIVITIES, TWO CARTOON CHARACTERS, MR RAINBOW AND POLLUTION MONSTER, HAVE BEEN CREATED.
A WED THEME SONG HAS ALSO BEEN COMPOSED TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1988
- *+ -
THREE FOREIGN BANKS GRANTED HK BANKING LICENCES ♦ * » * *
PKBANKEN, SVENSKA HANDELSBANKEN AND BANK OF IRELAND HAVE BEEN GRANTED BANKING LICENCES TO CONDUCT BUSINESS IN HONG KONG, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
PKBANKEN AND SVENSKA HANDELSBANKEN ARE RESPECTIVELY THE SECOND AND FOURTH LARGEST BANKS IN SWEDEN.
PKBANKEN HAS OPERATED A REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE AND A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY IN HONG KONG SINCE 1980. SVENSKA HANDELSBANKEN HAS ESTABLISHED A REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE HERE SINCE 1984.
BANK OF IRELAND IS THE SECOND LARGEST BANK IN IRELAND. IT HAS HAD A PRESENCE IN HONG KONG IN THE FORM OF A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY SINCE EARLY 1986 AND IS THE FIRST IRISH BANK TO OPEN A BRANCH IN HONG KONG.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE CONTINUING INTEREST OF FOREIGN BANKS IN OBTAINING HONG KONG BANKING LICENCES REFLECTED HONG KONG’S ROLE AS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE.
THE GRANTING OF THESE LICENCES BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF LICENSED BANKS IN HONG KONG TO 159 OF WHICH 124 ARE INCORPORATED OUTSIDE HONG KONG. FOUR LICENCES HAVE BEEN GRANTED SO FAR THIS YEAR.
-------o --------
{
MORE BRIEFINGS FOR LIVESTOCK FARMERS * I * t »
THREE BRIEFING SESSIONS ON THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME HAVE BEEN ORGANISED FOR LIVESTOCK FARMERS IN TAI PO AND SHA TIN NEXT WEEK, A CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE BRIEFINGS WILL BE HELD IN THE TAI PO KAU VILLAGE OFFICE ON APRIL 12, LAM CHUEN VILLAGE OFFICE ON APRIL 13 AND KWUN YUM SHAN ANCESTRAL HALL ON APRIL 15.
MORE BRIEFING SESSIONS WERE BEING ARRANGED FOR LIVESTOCK FARMERS IN OTHER AREAS, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE BRIEFING SESSIONS ARE PART OF AN ONGOING EXERCISE BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT AND THE LIAISON SECTION OF CNTA TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LIVESTOCK FARMERS TO CLARIFY THEIR DOUBTS ABOUT THE CONTROL SCHEME.
/THE SESSIONS .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1988
- 5 -
THE SESSIONS ARE ALSO A CHANNEL FOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO EXPLAIN THE DETAILS AND LATEST DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONTROL SCHEME TO LIVESTOCK FARMERS IN TOLO HARBOUR/CHANNEL, ANGLER’S BEACH AND MUI WO WHO WILL BE AFFECTED WHEN THE CONTROL SCHEME IS IMPLEMENTED IN THESE AREAS FROM JUNE 24 THIS YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT TWO SUCH BRIEFINGS HAD BEEN ORGANISED FOR LIVESTOCK FARMERS IN ANGLER’S BEACH AND MUI WO AT THE END OF LAST MONTH. MORE THAN 60 FARMERS ATTENDED THE SESSIONS.
IN ADDITION TO DETAILS OF THE CONTROL SCHEME, FARMERS WERE INFORMED ABOUT HOW TO APPLY FOR EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES, CAPITAL GRANTS AND LOANS AS WELL AS THE PROGRESS OF THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ON PRIVATE FARMS. PAMPHLETS WERE ALSO DISTRIBUTED.
MEANWHILE, EIGHT TECHNICAL SERVICES TEAMS OF THE EPD HAD VISITED 150 LIVESTOCK FARMS IN THE THREE CONTROL AREAS TO ADVISE FARMERS ON LIVESTOCK WASTE TREATMENT METHODS.
CNTA LIAISON TEAMS HAD ALSO VISITED OVER 400 FARMS AND THE DEPARTMENT’S HOTLINE SERVICE HAD RECEIVED SOME 200 ENQUIRIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONTROL SCHEME, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF POLICE RETIRES * » * * t
MANY FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES TODAY (FRIDAY) ATTENDED A TRADITIONAL GUARD OF HONOUR CEREMONY TO SAY FAREWELL TO THE FORMER HEAD OF SUPPORT WING, MR GORDON JACK, WHO IS RETIRING AFTER A 30-YEAR-LONG CAREER WITH THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE.
THE ASSEMBLY, WHICH TOOK PLACE IN THE POLICE HEADQUARTERS COMPOUND, WAS LEI) BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR RAYMON ANNING. IT WAS ATTENDED BY REGULAR AND AUXILIARY POLICE OFFICERS, CIVILIAN STAFF AND THEIR FAMILIES.
THE GUARD WAS DRAWN FROM THE BASIC TRAINING WING OF THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL, UNDER THE COMMAND OF SUPERINTENDENT STUAR’i WRINGE.
MR JACK JOINED THE FORCE IN 1957 AS A PROBATIONARY SUB-INSPECTOR AND HAD SERVED IN VARIOUS FORMATIONS AND UNITS, INCLUDING SPECIAL BRANCH, POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL, POLICE TACTICAL UNIT AND MARINE DIVISION, BEFORE HE WAS PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF POLICE IN 1985.
DURING HIS CAREER, MR JACK WAS AWARDED THE COLONIAL POLICE MEDAL FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE AND THE LONG-SERVICE MEDAL AND CLASPS FOR HIS DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE POLICE FORCE. HE WILL DEPART FROM HONG KONG LATER THIS MONTH, ON LEAVE PRIOR TO RETIREMENT.
-------O---------
/6........
FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1988
- 6 -
TUEN MUN CHILDREN’S CHOIR GIVES CONCERT ♦ * ♦ ♦ *
THE TUEN MUN CHILDREN’S CHOIR WILL GIVE A CONCERT IN THE CONCERT HALL OF TUEN MUN TOWN HALL TOMORROW (SATURDAY) EVENING TO CELEBRATE EASTER.
THE CHOIR WILL PERFORM SUCH HYMNS AS ’’LARGO”, "LITTLE STAR”, ’’EVERYBODY SHOULD KNOW”, ’’JESUS IS A WONDERFUL SAVIOUR’, EVERYDAY EVERY HOUR” AND ’’SEEK YE FIRST”.
SOLO PERFORMANCES WILL INCLUDE ’’THE LORD’S PRAYER” AND "WISH”.
THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE PROGRAMME WILL BE “RESURRECTION OF THE LORD” AND “THIS SONG”, JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE CHOIR AND A POPULAR GROUP, THE EQUATOR.
THE CONCERT IS ORGANISED BY THE TUEN MUN CHILDREN’S CHOIR AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND SPONSORED BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD.
LIMITED TICKETS AT $5, $10, AND $15 ARE STILL AVAILABLE FROM THE TUEN MUN TOWN HALL AND ALL URBTIX OUTLETS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JOHN WAN, AND REGIONAL COUNCILLOR, MR TSANG KWONG-YUEN, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EASTER CONCERT AT 8 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) IN THE TUEN MUN TOWN HALL. YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
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\PPLICATIONS INVITED FOR EVENING COURSES ♦ » * ♦ ♦
THE EIGHT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL ARE NOW INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR 126 PART-TIME EVENING COURSES THAT WILL START IN SEPTEMBER.
THE COURSES ARE MAINLY AT CRAFT AND TECHNICIAN LEVELS.
THE1! COVER THE AREAS OF HOTEL-KEEPING AND TOURISM STUDIES, COMMERCIAL STUDIES, CONSTRUCTION, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, GENERAL STUDIES, INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY, AND PRINTING.
/THEY ALSO........
FRIDAY, APRIL 8, iegB
THEY ALSO COVER TEXTILE INDUSTRIES, CLOTHING INDUSTRIES, MARINE ENGINEERING AND FABRICATION, DESIGN, MOTOR VEHICLE ENGINEERING, APPLIED SCIENCE AND COMPUTING STUDIES.
WORKING PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRIAL AND SERVICE SECTORS WHO WISH TO UPGRADE AND UPDATE THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS MAY APPLY.
EVENING COURSE STUDENTS ARE NORMALLY REQUIRED TO ATTEND CLASS MEETINGS ONE TO FOUR EVENINGS A WEEK. THE LENGTH OF THE COURSES RANGES FROM ONI TO THREE YEARS.
DET MLS OF ALL PART-TIME EVENING COURSES WILL BE ADVERTISED IN THE PRESS TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
APPLICATION FORMS AND GUIDES TO APPLICANTS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND DISTRICT OFFICES TOMORROW.
CLOSING DATE OF APPLICATION IS SATURDAY, APRIL 23. FORM 5 STUDENTS SITTING FOR THE 1988 HKCE EXAMINATION MAY ALSO APPLY.
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TRAFFIC CHANGES IN KWAI CHUNG INDUSTRIAL AREA
*****
TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW IN THE KWAI CHUNG INDUSTRIAL AREA, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL INTRODUCE A NUMBER OF TRAFFIC CHANGES ON KWAI CHEONG ROAD AND TAI LIN PAI ROAD.
THE MEASURES, TO BE EFFECTIVE AS STATED BELOW FROM EITHER APRIL 10 (SUNDAY) OR APRIL 24, WILL INCLUDE THE DESIGNATION OF NIGHT-TIME PARKING SPACES FOR GOODS VEHICLES, URBAN CLEARWAYS AND PROHIBITED ZONES.
FROM APRIL 10, KWAI CHEONG ROAD BETWEEN HOUSE NOS. 18 AND 98 WILL BE MADE NIGHT-TIME GOODS VEHICLES PARKING SPACES OPERATING DAILY BETWEEN 8 PM AND 7 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
IN ADDITION, THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WAH SING STREET AND THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF KUNG YIP STREET WILL ALSO BECOME NIGHT-TIME GOODS VEHICLES PARKING SPACES FROM APRIL 24.
THREE SECTIONS OF KWAI CHEONG ROAD WILL BE MADE 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 10 AM ON APRIL 10. THEY ARE:
/* THE EASTERN ........
FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 1988
- 8
« THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF KWAI CHEONG ROAD FROM ITS NORTHERN JUNCTION WITH TAI LIN PAI ROAD TO A POINT OPPOSITE HOUSE NOS. 90-98 KWAI CHEONG ROAD.
* THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF KWAI CHEONG ROAD FROM ITS
NORTHERN JUNCTION WITH TAI LIN PAI ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT
80 METRES FROM THE SAME JUNCTION.
♦ THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF KWAI CHEONG ROAD FROM ITS
SOUTHERN JUNCTION WITH TAI LIN PAI ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT
90 METRES FROM THE SAME JUNCTION.
FROM 10 AM ON APRIL 24, THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF TAI LIN PAI ROAD AND ITS ASSOCIATED ROADS WILL ALSO BECOME URBAN CLEARWAYS OPERATING DAILY BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM :
* THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TAI LIN PAI ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH KWAI SAU ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 90 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH KUNG YIP STREET.
* THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TAI LIN PAI ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH KWAI ON ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 130 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
* THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TAI LIN PAI ROAD BETWEEN KWAI WING ROAD AND ITS NORTHERN JUNCTION WITH KWAI CHEONG ROAD.
» THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TAI LIN PAI ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH KWAI ON ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 100 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
» KUNG YIP STREET BETWEEN WAH SING STREET AND TAI LIN PAI ROAD.
* WAH SING STREET NORTHBOUND.
» WING YIP STREET NORTHBOUND.
NO VEHICLES OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP WITHIN THE ABOVE URBAN CLEARWAYS FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
ALSO FROM 10 AM ON APRIL 24, ALL VEHICLES EXCEEDING 12 METRES IN LENGTH WILL BE BANNED FROM ENTERING THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TAI LIN PAI ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH KWAI CHUNG ROAD TO ITS NORTHERN JUNCTION WITH KWAI CHEONG ROAD AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY.
- O - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR VISITS MAI PO MARSHES.............................. 1
AMENDMENTS TO LETTERS PATENT AND ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS GAZETTED 2
EFFECTS OF THE 1988 ThS. GSP ON HONG KONG ..................... 3
APPLICATION OPEN FOR JOINT UK-HK GOVERNMENT FUNDING SCHEME .. U DOUBLE PLEASURE FOR TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER .................. 6
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR ARTS GRANTS ................i....... 7
ROAD CLOSURES AND PLB RESTRICTED ZONE..................•••••
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SUN SING STREET............................ 9
WATER CUT IN NGAU TAU KOK.................................... 9
SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 1988
1 GOVERNOR VISITS MAI PO MARSHES * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (SATURDAY) STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF JOINT EFFORT BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN PRESERVING NATURAL RESOURCES AND HABITATS FOR BIRDS AND ANIMALS IN HONG KONG.
SIR DAVID WAS SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING MAI PO MARSHES, HONG KONG’S FIRST WILDLIFE AND BIRD SANCTUARY.
THE GOVERNOR TOURED A WILDLIFE EDUCATION CENTRE AND MET PARTICIPANTS OF THE ANNUAL BIG BIRD RACE ORGANISED BY WORLD WIDE FUND FOR NATURE HONG KONG (WWF HK) TO RAISE FUNDS FOR NATURE CONSERVATION WORKS.
HE SAID THE GOVERNFMENT IS VERY MUCH INVOLVED IN THINGS LIKE THE PARK AREA OF HONG KONG — ABOUT 40 PER CENT OF THE TERRITORY IS COUNTRY PARKS.
"IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE COMMUNITY AS WELL SHOULD BE INVOLVED THROUGH THE PRIVATE SECTOR. AND FOR THAT REASON THIS SORT OF FUND RAISING FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS VERY IMPORTANT TO SHOW THE PEOPLE HAVE A REAL INTEREST AND THEY DON’T JUST LEAVE EVERYTHING TO THE GOVERNMENT," SIR DAVID SAID.
HE SAID THAT NATURE CONSERVATION IS IMPORTANT IN THIS HUGH AND DEVELOPING CITY SO THAT THERE IS A CHANCE TO EDUCATE PEOPLE WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE NOT KNOW ABOUT THE NATURAL HABITAT.
IT WAS PRECISELY WHAT WWF HK HAD BEEN DOING IN DEVELOPING THIS RESERVE AT MAI PO, BOTH PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SPECIALISTS TO COME AND LOOK AT BIRDS BUT ALSO PROVIDING AN EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN, HE NOTED.
SIR DAVID IS THE PATRON OF WWF HK.
ASKED TO COMMENT ON THE DECISION BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO CONSTRUCT THE SHENZHEN AIRPORT AT HUANG TIAN, SIR DAVID SAID THAT IT WOULD BE GOOD NEWS FOR THE NATURE RESERVE AT MAI PO AND FOR THE ONE JUST CLOSE TO SHENZHEN.
"I THINK IT WOULD BE A MORE APPROPRIATE PLACE FOR AN AIRPORT BECAUSE OF THAT," HE ADDED.
ASKED TO SAY A FEW WORDS ON TODAY’S ANNIVERSARY OF HIS BEING THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID SAID: " TO COME BACK TO HONG KONG AND TO BE WORKING FOR HONG KONG IS A TREMENDOUS PRIVILEGE. I CAN’T THINK OF A JOB WHICH IS MORE INTERESTING, MORE IMPORTANT OR MORE WORTHWHILE. I VERY MUCH ENJOY MY FIRST YEAR HERE.
"I HAVE BEEN SPENDING A LOT OF TIME LEARNING ABOUT HONG KONG. I HAVE STILL GOT A LOT TO LEARN. IT HAS BEEN A VERY INTERESTING AND VERY WORTHWHILE YEAR AND I HOPE THERE WILL RE MANY MORE OF THEM."
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/2.......
SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 1988
2
AMENDMENTS TO LETTERS PATENT AND ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS GAZETTED
* « * * *
AMENDMENTS TO HONG KONG’S CONSTITUTIONAL INSTRUMENTS, THE LETTERS PATENT AND ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS, WERE PUBLISHED IN A GAZETTE NOTICE TODAY (SATURDAY).
THESE AMENDMENTS WERE APPROVED BY THE PRIVY COUNCIL ON MARCH 23 THIS YEAR.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE INTENTION TO MAKE AMENDMENTS HAD BEEN ANNOUNCED IN A STATEMENT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ON MARCH 9.
HE SAID THE FOLLOWING CHANGES TO THE LETTERS PATENT HAD BEEN MADE:
» FIRSTLY, TO IMPLEMENT THE DECISION ANNOUNCED IN THE WHITE PAPER ON "THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT: THE WAY FORWARD" TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF APPOINTED MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FROM 22 TO 20 AND TO MAKE A CORRESPONDING INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF ELECTED MEMBERS FROM 24 TO 26.
AS ANNOUNCED IN THE WHITE PAPER, THIS WOULD BE ACHIEVED BY THE ADDITION OF ONE SEAT IN THE EXISTING MEDICAL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY (WHICH WILL BE RENAMED THE "MEDICAL AND HEALTH CARE" CONSTITUENCY) AND BY THE ADDITION OF ONE SEAT IN THE FINANCIAL CONSTITUENCY (WHICH WILL BE RENAMED THE "FINANCE AND ACCOUNTANCY" CONSTITUENCY); AND
» SECONDLY, TO IMPLEMENT CHANGES IN RETIREMENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR JUDGES ANNOUNCED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE IN HIS ADDRESS AT THE OPENING OF THE LEGAL YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE CHANGES IN THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS WAS TO ASSIST THE WORK OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THE MAIN CHANGES WERE:
* FIRSTLY, TO PROVIDE FLEXIBILITY IN SETTING THE DATE OF THE DISSOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHICH NEXT FALLS DUE IN AUGUST THIS YEAR.
PRIOR TO THE AMENDMENT THE DISSOLUTION HAD TO TAKE PLACE ON A FIXED DATE (THE 90TH DAY BEFORE THE THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST SITTING OF THE COUNCIL FOLLOWING THE LATEST ELECTION).
UNDER THIS PROVISION LEGCO WOULD HAVE DISSOLVED ON AUGUST 1, 1988. NOT ONLY HAD THIS ARRANGEMENT BEEN FOUND UNDULY RIGID, BUT, FOR VARIOUS REASONS, IT WOULD HAVE ENTAILED AN UNACCEPTABLY LONG DISSOLUTION OF NEARLY THREE MONTHS.
/THE AMENDMENT .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 1988
- 3 -
THE AMENDMENT WILL NOW PERMIT THE GOVERNOR TO CHOOSE A DAY FOR THE DISSOLUTION OF BETWEEN 30 AND 60 DAYS BEFORE THE THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF THE LATEST ELECTION.
AS ANNOUNCED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IN HIS STATEMENT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MARCH 9, IT WAS NOW PLANNED THAT LEGCO SHOULD DISSOLVE ON AUGUST 25, THAT THE ELECTIONS SHOULD TAKE PLACE ON SEPTEMBER 22, AND THAT LEGCO SHOULD RECONVENE ON OCTOBER 12; AND
» SECONDLY, TO PROVIDE THAT ANY BILL BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHEN THE COUNCIL IS DISSOLVED SHOULD LAPSE.
THIS CHANGE, WHICH BRINGS HONG KONG PRACTICE INTO LINE WITH PRACTICE ELSEWHERE, HAS BEEN MADE ON THE GROUNDS THAT IT IS UNREASONABLE TO EXPECT A NEW LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FORMED FOLLOWING ELECTIONS TO COMPLETE THE UNFINISHED WORK OF THE OUTGOING COUNCIL.
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EFFECTS OF THE 1988 U.S. GSP ON HONG KONG
*****
CHANGES TO THE U.S. GENERAL SYSTEM OF PREFERENCE (GSP) PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED ON APRIL 1 WILL COME INTO EFFECT FROM JULY 1 THIS YEAR.
THEY WILL BE APPLICABLE UNTIL JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR, AFTER WHICH HONG KONG, TOGETHER WITH TAIWAN, KOREA, AND SINGAPORE, WILL BE GRADUATED FROM THE GSP AS A RESULT OF THE U.S. ADMINISTRATION’S DECISION IN JANUARY THIS YEAR.
COMMENTING ON THE CHANGES, A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THEY AROSE FROM THE 1988 REVIEW OF THE GSP PROGRAMME.
THE REVIEW DECIDES THE ELIGIBILITY STATUS OF INDIVIDUAL PRODUCTS BASED ON 1987 TRADE DATA, MEASURED AGAINST THE COMPETITIVE NEED LEVELS SET FOR EACH PRODUCT UNDER THE PRESIDENTIAL REVIEW OF THE PROGRAMME.
ELABORATING ON THE EFFECTS OF THE NEW GSP PROGRAMME ON HONG KONG, THE SPOKESMAN SAID 14 NEW ITEMS, INCLUDING CERTAIN "TALKING DOLLS" AND FIREWORKS, HAD BEEN ADDED TO THE GSP LIST. U.S. IMPORTS OF THESE ITEMS FROM HONG KONG LAST YEAR AMOUNTED TO US$22.2 MILLION.
/HOWEVER, HONG .......
SATURDAY, APRIL % -988
HOWEVER, HONG KONG HAD BEEN GRANTED DE MINIMUS WAIVERS IN RESPECT OF 17 PRODUCTS, INCLUDING IVORY ARTICLES AND LIGHTER PARTS. IMPORTS OF THESE PRODUCTS AMOUNTED TO US$32.1 MILLION LAST YEAR, HE ADDED.
ALSO, HONG KONG WOULD LOSE ELIGIBILITY IN TWO OTHER ITEMS -TRANSCEIVERS AND ELECTRICAL ARTICLES USING PRE-PROGRAMMED DIGITAL INTEGRATED CIRCUIT, HE SAID. U.S. IMPORTS OF THESE TWO ITEMS LAST YEAR WERE US$40.9 MILLION.
LASTLY, ONE ITEM, NAMELY CAST IRON FITTINGS, HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM THE GSP LIST FOR ALL BENEFICIARIES. LAST YEAR, U.S. IMPORTS OF THIS ITEM FROM HONG KONG WERE VALUED AT US$ 1.0 MILLION.
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APPLICATION OPEN FOR JOINT UK-HK GOVERNMENT FUNDING SCHEME
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE JOINT FUNDING SCHEME FOR THE 1988-89 ACADEMIC YEAR WILL BE OPEN TO APPLICATION FROM MONDAY, APRIL 11, THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE SCHEME IS JOINTLY FINANCED BY THE HONG KONO AND UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENTS TO HELP NEEDY HONG KONG STUDENTS MEET THE HIGH TUITION FEES CHARGED ON OVERSEAS STUDENTS IN THE UK.
IT IS OPEN TO HONG KONG STUDENTS PURSUING FULL-TIME FIRST DEGREE OR HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA COURSES AT UNIVERSITIES, POLYTECHNICS AND MAINTAINED COLLEGES IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR IN THE UK, SUBJECT TO THEIR HAVING RESIDED CONTINUOUSLY OR BEEN DOMICILED IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO COURSE COMMENCEMENT.
THE SCHEME IS MEANS-TESTED AND THE MAXIMUM LEVEL OF ASSISTANCE IS THE FULL DIFFERENCE OF TUITION FEES PAYABLE BY AN OVERSEAS STUDENT AND A BRITISH HOME STUDENT STUDYING THE SAME COURSE.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OFFERED TO SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE IN THE FORM OF GRANTS. BUT IF THE TOTAL REQUIREMENT EXCEEDS THE JOINT CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE TWO GOVERNMENTS, THEN EACH SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT’S SHARE OF GRANT WOULD BE PROPORTIONATELY REDUCED, WITH THE BALANCE MADE UP BY AN INTEREST-FREE LOAN SOLELY FINANCED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
/APPLICATION FORMS .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 1988
- 5 -
I
APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE 1988-89 ACADEMIC YEAR WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM MONDAY AT THE STUDENT FINANCE SECTION, EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AT QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOW BLOCK, GROUND FLOOR, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
APPLICANTS SHOULD BRING WITH THEM DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE OF THEIR HAVING BEEN ACCEPTED BY AN INSTITUTION IN THE UK FOR ONE OF THE COURSES COVERED BY THE SCHEME (PROOF OF CONDITIONAL OFFER WILL BE ACCEPTABLE). TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE ON 5-8622741.
STUDENTS ALREADY IN THE UK MAY OBTAIN APPLICATION FORMS DIRECT FROM THE REGISTRAR’S OFFICES OF THEIR RESPECTIVE INSTITUTIONS, OR FROM THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE AT 6 GRAFTON STREET, LONDON W1X 3LB, ENGLAND (TEL. NO.: 01-499-9821).
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS MUST BE RETURNED BY HAND TO THE STUDENT FINANCE SECTION. THE CLOSING DATES FOR APPLICATIONS ARE JULY 1 THIS YEAR FOR ON-COURSE STUDENTS AND OCTOBER 1 THIS YEAR FOR NEW STUDENTS.
TO MEET THE DEADLINE, ON-COURSE STUDENTS (THAT IS, THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY STARTED THEIR FIRST DEGREE OR HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA COURSES IN THE UK) SHOULD NOT WAIT FOR THE RESULTS OF THEIR ANNUAL EXAMINATIONS.
THEY SHOULD APPLY FIRST ON THE STRENGTH OF AN ENDORSEMENT BY THEIR INSTITUTIONS THAT THEY WILL BE PROMOTED TO A HIGHER YEAR OF STUDIES IN 1988-89, SUBJECT TO SATISFACTORY EXAMINATION RESULTS.
LIKEWISE, NEW STUDENTS INTENDING TO START THEIR COURSES IN 1988-89 SHOULD APPLY ONCE THEY HAVE BEEN OFFERED ADMISSION BY AN INSTITUTION EITHER DIRECTLY OR THROUGH THE UNIVERSITIES CENTRAL COUNCIL ON ADMISSIONS OR THE POLYTECHNICS CENTRAL ADMISSIONS SYSTEM, EVEN IF IT IS ONLY'A CONDITIONAL OFFER.
APPLICATION RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINES BUT ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 1 THIS YEAR MAY BE ACCEPTED BUT WILL BE PROCESSED FOR THE PURPOSE OF INTEREST-FREE LOANS ONLY.
THESE LOANS WILL BE OFFERED SOLELY BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND SUBJECT TO THE SAME MEANS-TESTING CRITERIA.
AS THE AMOUNT OF GRANT PAYABLE IN EACH CASE CAN ONLY BE DETERMINED AFTER ALL APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED AND PROCESSED, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT PAYMENT OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CAN BE MADE BEFORE TERM COMMENCEMENT.
STUDENTS ARE THEREFORE ADVISED TO EXAMINE DISCREETLY THEIR OWN MEANS BEFORE PROCEEDING TO STUDY IN THE UK, AND TO BE PREPARED TO PAY THE FULL TUITION FEES LN THE FIRST INSTANCE WHILE AWAITING THE RESULTS OF THEIR APPLICATIONS.
/AFTER SUBMISSION .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 1988
- 6 -
AFTER SUBMISSION OF HIS APPLICATION, EACH APPLICANT AND/OR AN ADULT MEMBER OF HIS HOUSEHOLD WHO KNOWS THE FAMILY’S CIRCUMSTANCES (PREFERABLY THE PERSON WHO DECLARES HIS APPLICATION) WILL BE INVITED TO ATTEND AN INTERVIEW AT THE STUDENT FINANCE SECTION, EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH, TO CLARIFY THE VARIOUS PARTICULARS REPORTED IN THE APPLICATION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE STUDENT FINANCE SECTION REMINDED APPLICANTS THAT INCORRECT OR INACCURATE INFORMATION NOT ONLY WILL LEAD TO REJECTION OF AN APPLICATION BUT MAY ALSO GIVE RISE TO CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE DECLARANT.
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DOUBLE PLEASURE FOR TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JOHN WAN, SAID OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TUEN MUN CHILDREN’S CHOIR’S EASTER CONCERT AT THE TUEN MUN TOWN HALL TONIGHT (SATURDAY) HAD BROUGHT HIM DOUBLE PLEASURE.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, MR WAN SAID IT WAS THE FIRST TIME FOR HIM TO OFFICIATE AT A COMMUNITY ACTIVITY IN TUEN MUN SINCE HE ASSUMED DUTY AND THE FIRST TIME FOR THE CHOIR TO PERFORM IN THE TOWN HALL. BOTH OF THESE WERE MEANINGFUL.
IN FACT, HE WAS AMAZED AT THE STARTLING GROWTH OF THE NEW TOWN AND THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHILDREN’S CHOIR.
’’THE RECENT COMPLETION OF PROJECTS SUCH AS THE TUEN MUN TOWN HALL, TOWN PARK AND LAW COURTS, TOGETHER WITH THE COMING INTO SERVICE OF THE TUEN MUN HOSPITAL, LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM, POST OFFICE AND CENTRAL LIBRARY OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS, WILL PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE AND INTEGRATED COMMUNITY FACILITIES FOR RESIDENTS,” MR WAN SAID.
HE SAID THE IMPROVEMENT OF RESIDENTS’ LIVING STANDARD DID NOT ONLY HINGE ON THE PROVISION OF VARIOUS FACILITIES.
’’MORE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE ORGANISED FOR THE 300,000 INHABITANTS IN TUEN MUN TO ENRICH THEIR SPIRITUAL AND CULTURAL LIFE,” HE SAID.
MR WAN NOTED THAT TONIGHT’S CONCERT HAD SUCCEEDED IN ATTRACTING AN AUDIENCE FROM DIFFERENT AREAS, HOUSING ESTATES AND VILLAGES TO ENJOY A PERFORMANCE PRESENTED BY A CHOIR NURTURED FROM THEIR OWN DISTRICT.
/’’THIS SHOWS..........
SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 1988
- 7 -
"THIS SHOWS THAT IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING MUSICAL TRAINING FOR THE YOUNGER GENERATION, THE TUEN MUN CHILDREN'S CHOIR, TOGETHER WITH OTHER LOCAL CULTURAL ORGANISATIONS, HAVE ALSO TAKEN UP THE RESPONSIBILITY OF HELPING TO ENRICH RESIDENTS’ CULTURAL LIFE AND PROMOTE COMMUNITY UNITY."
MR WAN ALSO HOPED THAT THE CHOIR AND OTHER DISTRICT CULTURAL GROUPS WOULD MAKE FULL USE OF THE EXCELLENT PERFORMING VENUES IN THE DISTRICT FOR THEIR PERFORMANCES.
AT TONIGHT’S CONCERT, THE CHOIR PERFORMED A NUMBER OF HYMNS, INCLUDING "LARGO", "LITTLE STAR", "EVERYBODY SHOULD KNOW", "JESUS IS A WONDERFUL SAVIOUR", "EVERYDAY EVERY HOUR" AND "SEEK YE FIRST".
SOLO PERFORMANCES INCLUDED "THE LORD’S PRAYER" AND "WISH".
THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE PROGRAMME WAS "RESURRECTION OF THE LORD" AND "THIS SONG", JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE CHOIR AND A POPULAR GROUP, THE EQUATOR.
THE CONCERT WAS ORGANISED BY THE TUEN MUN CHILDREN’S CHOIR AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND SPONSORED BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD.
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APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR ARTS GRANTS * » » « *
REGISTERED NON-PROFIT MAKING CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS AND ARTISTES CAN NOW APPLY FOR PROJECT (AND OTHER) GRANTS FROM THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS (CFPA) FOR 1988-89.
INTRODUCED IN APRIL 1985, THE GRANTS ASSIST LOCAL PERFORMING ARTS GROUPS AND ARTISTES IN MOUNTING SPECIFIC PERFORMANCES AND PROJECTS.
A COUNCIL SPOKESMAN SAID THERE HAD BEEN A VERY GOOD RESPONSE TO THE GRANTS DURING THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR WHEN 21 PROJECTS FROM 16 LOCAL PERFORMING ARTS GROUPS WERE AWARDED GRANTS.
"UNDER THESE GRANTS, MORE THAN $1.5 MILLION WAS GIVEN TO SUBSIDISE 580 LOCAL PERFORMING ARTS EVENTS, AND THIS BENBFITTBD 420,000 PEOPLE," HE SAID.
"OF THE $1.5 MILLION GRANTED, $475,000 WAS AWARDED TO MUSIC ORGANISATIONS, MAINLY TO HELP IN STAGING 11 CONCERTS; AND $153,500 WAS AWARDED TO DANCE ORGANISATIONS TO HELP MEET EXPENSES FOR BIGHT DANCE PERFORMANCES, 75 DANCE EDUCATIONAL VISITS AND A SERIES OF DISCUSSIONS IN THE HONG KONG DANCE FORUM.
/"ANOTHER $320,000 .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 9, ^988
- 8 -
’’ANOTHER $320,000 WAS ALLOCATED TO EIGHT DRAMA ORGANISATIONS TO STAGE 45 PERFORMANCES; $575,000 WAS GRANTED TO SUBSIDISE THE HONG KONG FESTIVAL FRINGE LIMITED TO ORGANISE ITS FRINGE ’88 AND OTHER PROJECTS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE COUNCIL’S SECRETARIAT ON THE 10TH FLOOR OF HARBOUR CENTRE, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ALL APPLICATIONS WILL BE ASSESSED AT MEETINGS TO BE HELD EVERY TWO MONTHS STARTING FROM MAY AND APPLICANTS WILL BE INFORMED OF THE RESULT WITHIN THREE MONTHS.
APPLICATION FOR THE PROJECT (AND OTHER) GRANTS WILL BE ACCEPTED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND APPLICANTS ARE REMINDED TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS THREE MONTHS BEFORE THE ACTUAL PERFORMANCES.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE ON 5-735878, 5-735426 OR 5-735569.
-----O-----
ROAD CLOSURES AND PLB RESTRICTED ZONE *****
TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF KWUN TONG BY-PASS, YAU HONG STREET BETWEEN ITS NORTHERN JUNCTION WITH CHA KWO LING ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 80 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR ONE YEAR FROM MONDAY (APRIL 11).
MOTORISTS WILL HAVE TO ENTER YAU HONG STREET VIA ITS SOUTHERN JUNCTION WITH CHA KWO LING ROAD.
IN TSUEN WAN, THE SECTION OF SAI LAU KOK ROAD BETWEEN CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND MEI WAN STREET WILL ALSO BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 1.15 AM TO 5.45 AM ON APRIL 12 (TUESDAY) AND 13.
THE MEASURE WILL FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOOTBRIDGE. MOTORISTS WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TAI HO ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
MEANWHILE, FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY, THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CHING TAK STREET IN WONG TAI SIN, BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH SHEUNG TAK STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 150 METRES BAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION, WILL BECOME A PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONE OPERATING DAILY FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM.
PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PICK UP OR SET DOWN PASSENGERS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE.
- 0 -
/9........
SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 1988
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SUN SING STREET ♦ ♦ ♦ » ♦
SUN SING STREET IN SHAU KEI WAN BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN ROAD AND NAM ON STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT SIX DAYS FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 12).
THE MEASURE WILL FACILITATE CABLE LAYING WORKS
- - 0
WATER CUT IN NGAU TAU KOK *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN NGAU TAU KOK WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 13) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY NGAU TAU KOK ROAD, JORDAN VALLEY NORTH ROAD AND CHOI HA ROAD, INCLUDING LEE KEE BUILDING, AMOY GARDENS AND BLOCKS NO. 10 TO 16 OF JORDAN VALLEY ESTATE.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN JANUARY ........ 1
WORKING LEVEL TALKS ON DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT ADJOURNED .... 6
PRESENTATION OF INSIGNIA ....................................... 6
NEW DISTRICT OFFICER FOR SOUTHERN .............................. 7
LABOUR HOTLINE RECEIVES OVER 650 COMPLAINTS .................... 7
YOUNG MUSIC LOVERS INVITED TO JOIN '88 MUSIC CAMP............... 8
DRAWING COMPETITION FOR THE YOUNG .............................. 9
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF YUE FUNG STREET IN ABERDEEN................ 9
NEW AMBULANCE DEPOT, FSD STAFF QUARTERS FOR WONG TAI SIN .... 10
SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 1988
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN JANUARY t * » » *
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS GREW BY 13 PER CENT AND 47 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN JANUARY 1988 AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME MONTH IN 1987, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (SUNDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
HENCE, THERE WAS AN OVERALL INCREASE OF 29 PER CENT IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS. IMPORTS INCREASED BY 34 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, BOTH THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 4 PER CENT, SO THAT FOR TOTAL EXPORTS, PRICES ALSO ROSE BY 4 PER CENT.
PRICES OF IMPORTS, ON THE OTHER HAND, ROSE BY 5 PER CENT. AS A RESULT, THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX (EXPRESSED AS A RATIO OF THE TOTAL EXPORT PRICE INDEX TO THE IMPORT PRICE INDEX) DROPPED BY 1 PER CENT.
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 COMP I LED.
THE VOLUME OF TRADE IS DERIVED FROM TRADE VALUES BY DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES.
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 MONTH MAY BE SUBJECT TO CONSIDERABLE FLUCTUATIONS.
IN PARTICULAR, THE TRADE FIGURES FOR THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THE YEAR WERE USUALLY AFFECTED BY THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS, WHICH OCCURRED IN LATE JANUARY LAST YEAR, WHILE IN THIS YEAR THEY OCCURRED IN MlD-FEBRUARY.
COMPARING THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1988 WITH THE THREE NTHS ENDING JANUARY 1987, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 15 PER CENT, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 44 PER CENT, SO THAT FOR TOTAL EXPORTS, A GROWTH OF 27 PER CENT WAS RECORDED IN VOLUME TERMS. THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 31 PER CENT.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 3 PER CENT AND 4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. IMPORT PRICES INCREASED BY 6 PER CENT.
/EXTENDING THE........
SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 1988
2
EXTENDING THE PERIOD OF COMPARISON TO THE 12 MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1988 WITH THE 12 MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1987, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 22 PER CENT WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 47 PER CENT, GIVING AN INCREASE OF 32 PER CENT IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS. THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 33 PER CENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 3 PER CENT AND 2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THOSE OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 4 PER CENT.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP FOR JANUARY 1988 AS COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1987 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
AS CAN BE SEEN FROM TABLE 1, THE DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME OF MANY COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED IN JANUARY 1988 COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1987, INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+38 PER CENT); WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+31 PER CENT); METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+26 PER CENT); METAL MANUFACTURES (+17 PER CENT); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (+15 PER CENT); CLOTHING (+6 PER CENT) AS WELL AS TEXTILE FABRICS (+5 PER CENT).
NEVERTHELESS, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED IN RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-30 PER CENT); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (-15 PER CENT); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (-2 PER CENT); FOOTWEAR (-1 PER CENT) AS WELL AS TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (-1 PER CENT).
PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF MOST COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED IN JANUARY 1988 COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1987.
THESE INCLUDED METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+9 PER CENT); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+7 PER CENT); RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (+7 PER CENT); METAL MANUFACTURES (+6 PER CENT); CLOTHING (+6 PER CENT); FOOTWEAR (+6 PER CENT); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (+6 PER CENT); TEXTILE FABRICS (+6 PER CENT); TEXTLES MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (+5 PER CENT); WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+3 PER CENT) AS WELL AS DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (+3 PER CENT).
THE PRICES OF ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR JANUARY’1988 AS COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1987 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
AS PRESENTED IN TABLE 2, IMPORTED FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 10 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS IN JANUARY 1988 COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1987.
SIGNIFICANT GROWTH WAS RECORDED IN VEGETABLES; CEREALS AND CEREAL PREPARATIONS OTHER THAN RICE, WHEAT AND FLOUR AS WELL AS SUGAR. HOWEVER, DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE REGISTERED FOR SOYA BEAN OIL, PEANUT OIL AND LARD AS WELL AS LIVE POULTRY.
/OVER THE .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 1988
- 3 -
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 47 PER CENT. THE COMMODITY ITEMS WITH MORE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES INCLUDED TOBACCO MANUAFACTURES; PASSENGER MOTOR CARS; FOOTWEAR AS WELL AS WATCHES.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES ROSE BY 28 PER CENT IN JANUARY 1988 COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1987.
THE MAJOR INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS; CLAY AND REFRACTORY CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, BUILDING MATERIALS, AND SO ON, EXCEPT GLASS; PLASTIC MOULDING MATERIALS AS WELL AS FABRICS OF WOOL AND MIXTURES.
DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR COTTON YARN AND THREAD AS WELL AS WOVEN COTTON FABRICS.
IMPORTS OF FUELS INCREASED BY 84 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS IN JANUARY 1988 AS COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1987.
IN THE CAPITAL GOODS CATEGORY, THE IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 29 PER CENT IN JANUARY 1988 OVER JANUARY 1987.
THERE WERE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL MACHINERY AS WELL AS SCIENTIFIC, MEDICAL, OPTICAL, MEASURING AND CONTROLLING INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS. A DECREASE IN IMPORT VOLUME WAS RECORDED IN INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY OTHER THAN TEXTILE AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY.
IMPORT PRICES OF ALL END-USE CATEGORIES ROSE IN JANUARY 1988 AS COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1987, RANGING FROM 3 PER CENT FOR FOODSTUFFS TO 10 PER CENT FOR FUELS.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR JANUARY 1988 AS COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1987 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
AS DEPICTED IN TABLE 3, THE RE-EXPORT VOLUME OF ALL END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED IN JANUARY 1988 WHEN COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1987, RANGING FROM 10 PER CENT FOR FUELS TO 51 PER CENT FOR CONSUMER GOODS.
PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF FUELS INCREASED BY 7 PER CENT IN JANUARY 1988 WHEN COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1987. THOSE OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES ROSE BY 5 PER CENT. THE PRICES OF CONSUMER GOODS, FOODSTUFFS AS WELL AS CAPITAL GOODS ALL INCREASED BY 2 PER CENT.
FURTHER DETAILS ARE CONTAINED IN THE JANUARY 1988 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS" AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AROUND APRIL 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 ON 5-8428802 AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE INDEXES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 5-8234918.
/TABLE 1s ......
SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 1988
TABLE 1: INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP
COMPARING JANUARY 1988
WITH JANUARY 1987
UNIT
COMMODITY GROUP VALUE VALUE VOLUME
% % %
CLOTHING 12 6 6
TEXTILE FABRICS 10 6 5
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD 6 7 -1
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES 2 5 -2
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS -26 7 -30
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS 38 » 38
FOOTWEAR 4 6 -1
METAL MANUFACTURES 25 6 17
METAL ORES AND SCRAP 37 9 26
WATCHES AND CLOCKS 35 3 31
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES -11 6 -15
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES 18 3 15
ALL COMMODITIES 17 4 13
NOTES FOR TABLES 1 TO 3:
» INSIGNIFICANT, I.E. LESS THAN 0.5 %.
PERCENTAGE CHANGES ARE CALCULATED FROM TRADE INDEXES TAKEN TO MORE DECIMAL PLACES THAN THOSE TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE "HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS". THEY MAY THEREFORE DIFFER FROM THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES TO BE COMPUTED DIRECTLY FROM THE FIGURES TO BE PUBLISHED.
/TABLE 2: .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 1988
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TABLE 2: INCREASES IN IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY COMPARING JANUARY 1988
WITH JANUARY 1987
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
FOODSTUFFS 13 * 3 10
CONSUMER GOODS 53 4 47
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 35 6 28
FUELS 102 10 84
CAPITAL GOODS 39 8 29
ALL COMMODITIES 41 5 34
TABLE 3: INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY COMPARING JANUARY 1988
END-USE CATEGORY WITH JANUARY 1987
VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
FOODSTUFFS 31 2 28
CONSUMER GOODS 54 2 51
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 59 5 50
FUELS 18 7 10
CAPITAL GOODS 43 2 41
ALL COMMODITIES 53 4 47
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/6........
SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 1988
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WORKING LEVEL TALKS ON DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT ADJOURNED * « * *
WORKING LEVEL TALKS ON THE DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT ADJOURNED ON FRIDAY WITH THE HONG KONG TEAM RETURNING TODAY (SUNDAY) TO RECEIVE FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS.
ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON ANNOUNCED AFTER HIS RECENT LONDON TRIP THAT A SATISFACTORY BASIS FOR A NEW AGREEMENT HAD BEEN REACHED, MR JACOBS SAID DETAILS HAD TO BE AGREED UPON FOR INCLUSION IN THE FINAL DOCUMENT.
HONG KONG’S WORKING TEAM, LED BY DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ROBERT UPTON, FLEW TO LONDON LAST WEEK AND HAD THREE DAYS OF TALKS WITH THEIR BRITISH COUNTERPARTS.
MR JACOBS SAID THAT IN LIGHT OF PROGRESS MADE IN LAST WEEK’S TALKS HE NOW WISHED TO CONSIDER SOME ASPECTS PERSONALLY. THE TALKS WILL RESUME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
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PRESENTATION OF INSIGNIA
*****
INSIGNIA FOR 92 PEOPLE WILL BE PRESENTED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, AT A CEREMONY AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE AT 6 PM TOMORROW (MONDAY).
SEVENTY-SEVEN RECIPIENTS WERE DECORATED BY THE QUEEN FOR SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC, WHILE 15 WERE AWARDED THE GOVERNOR’S COMMENDATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A LIST OF THE RECIPIENTS AT THE INSIGNIA PRESENTATION MAY BE COLLECTED FROM THE GIS NEWS DIVISION AT 4 PM TOMORROW (MONDAY).
ONLY PHOTOGRAPHERS AND CAMERAMEN WITH SPECIAL PASSES WILL BE ADMITTED TO GOVERNMENT HOUSE. THEY SHOULD MEET GIS OFFICERS IN THE GUARD ROOM NOT LATER THAN 5.30 PM.
NEWSPAPERS WITHOUT SUCH PASSES WILL BE ABLE TO OBTAIN PHOTOGRAPHS BY ARRANGEMENT WITH CAMBRIDGE’S STUDIO, 802, YIP FUNG BUILDING, 2-12 D’AGUILAR STREET, CENTRAL, TELEPHONE 5-223314.
SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 1988
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NEW DISTRICT OFFICER FOR SOUTHERN » ♦ ♦ ♦
MRS MAUREEN CHAN LEUNG MONG-LIN WILL SUCCEED MR SIMON LORD AS THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER WITH EFFECT FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY).
MRS CHAN JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN 1972 AS AN ASSISTANT HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR IN THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
SHE BECAME AN ASSISTANT TRADE OFFICER IN THE TRADE DEPARTMENT IN 1976 AND WAS PROMOTED TO PRINCIPAL TRADE OFFICER IN 1982.
IN DECEMBER 1987, MRS CHAN JOINED THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE AND WAS POSTED TO THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AS THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER OF SHAM SHUI PO.
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LABOUR HOTLINE RECEIVES OVER 650 COMPLAINTS
» * t * *
MORE THAN 650 COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT THROUGH ITS HOTLINE - 5-8152200 - DURING 1987.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE MAJORITY OF THE COMPLAINTS INVOLVED THE EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS FOR LONG WORKING HOURS AND ON REST DAYS IN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS.
OTHERS CONCERNED ILLEGAL EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN, EMPLOYERS FAILING TO TAKE OUT INSURANCE POLICIES FOR THEIR WORKERS AGAINST ACCIDENTS AT WORK, AND EMPLOYMENT OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
THERE WERE ALSO SOME COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE DEPARTMENT’S WORK.
FOLLOWING INVESTIGATIONS BY LABOUR INSPECTORS, OVER 56 PER CENT OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE SUBSTANTIATED AND PROSECUTIONS WERE TAKEN OUT AGAINST THE OFFENDERS WHERE APPROPRIATE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE HOTLINE ALSO WELCOMED COMPLAINTS ABOUT OTHER IRREGULARITIES SUCH AS EMPLOYERS FAILING TO GRANT MATERNITY LEAVE AND TO KEEP EMPLOYEES RECORDS.
THE HOTLINE, IN USE SINCE 1978, OPERATES 24 HOURS A DAY.
"AS IT IS SWITCHED ON TO THE AUTO-RECORDING SYSTEM AFTER OFFICE HOURS, THOSE MAKING USE OF IT SHOULD STATE CLEARLY THE CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING TO THEIR COMPLAINT AS WELL AS THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE ESTABLISHMENT CONCERNED,” HE SAID.
“ALL COMPLAINTS WILL BE HANDLED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND IDENTITIES WILL ONLY BE DISCLOSED WITH THE COMPLAINANTS’ CONSENT.”
SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 1988
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YOUNG MUSIC LOVERS INVITED TO JOIN ’88 MUSIC CAMP
*****
YOUNG MUSIC LOVERS WHO WISH TO JOIN THIS YEAR’S YOUTH MUSIC
CAMP ARE BEING INVITED TO APPLY TO THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL
SERVICES BRANCH.
SPONSORED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, THE 1988 HONG
KONG YOUTH MUSIC CAMP WILL BE HELD AT THE PO LEUNG KUK PAK TAM CHUNG
HOLIDAY CAMP IN SAI KUNG FROM JULY 16 TO 31.
"AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, PROMISING YOUNG MUSICIANS WILL BE RECRUITED BOTH LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS TO JOIN THE CAMP TO HELP FOSTER INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL EXCHANGE THROUGH MUSIC,” A MUSIC OFFICE SPOKESMAN 8AID.
"SINCE THE SUMMER OF 1980, THE CAMP HAS BEEN BRINGING TOGETHER LOCAL YOUNG MUSICAL TALENTS FOR INTENSIVE MUSIC TRAINING IN A SUMMER CAMP ATMOSPHERE," HE SAID.
RENOWNED MUSICIANS WILL BE INVITED TO CONDUCT MASTER CLASSES, WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS. OTHER PROGRAMMES INCLUDE FILM SHOWS AND HI-FI MUSIC APPRECIATION. RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES WILL ALSO BE ARRANGED.
THE CAMP WILL ORGANISE FIVE ORCHESTRAS AND ONE BAND FOR CAMPERS. A FINALE CONCERT WHICH HAS BEEN REGARDED AS THE CLIMAX OF THE CAMP WILL BE HELD AT THE ACADEMY COMMUNITY HALL ON JULY 30.
APPLICANTS SHOULD BE UNDER 25 YEARS OF AGE AS AT JULY 15 THIS YEAR AND BE ABLE TO PLAY AT LEAST ONE CHINESE OR WESTERN ORCHESTRAL OR BAND INSTRUMENT. ORCHESTRAL EXPERIENCE WILL BE AN ADVANTAGE.
FEES INCLUSIVE OF TUITION, THREE MEALS A DAY AND ACCOMMODATION ARE $480 FOR MEMBERS OF THE STRING ORCHESTRA AND THE BAND WHO WILL STAY THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE CAMP PERIOD.
AS FOR CAMPERS WHO JOIN THE JUNIOR STRINGS AND THE CHINESE ORCHESTRAS, THEY WILL STAY FOR EIGHT DAYS AND THE FEES ARE ONLY $224.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE. CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS APRIL 28. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-8235341 AND 0-750465.
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/9........
SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 1988
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DRAWING COMPETITION FOR THE YOUNG * * *
A DRAWING COMPETITION AIMING TO ENHANCE CHILDREN’S CREATIVITY AND INTEREST IN ART WILL BE HELD ON APRIL 24 (SUNDAY) AT THE URBAN COUNCIL CENTENARY GARDEN IN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
PARTICIPANTS IN THE "1988 INTERNATIONAL DRAWING COMPETITION" WILL HAVE TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR PERCEPTION THROUGH PAINTING ON THE THEMES OF "MY HOMETOWN", "DAYS THAT I CHERISH" AND "THE FUTURE WORLD THAT I DREAM OF".
THE COMPETITION IS DIVIDED INTO THREE SECTIONS: SECTION A FOR THOSE AGED BETWEEN FOUR AND SIX, SECTION B FOR THOSE BETWEEN SEVEN AND NINE AND SECTION C FOR THOSE BETWEEN 10 AND 13.
THREE WINNING ENTRIES WILL BE SELECTED FROM EACH SECTION AND AWARDED CASH COUPONS OF $1,000, $700 AND $500 RESPECTIVELY IN ADDITION TO OTHER PRIZES.
THERE WILL ALSO BE SEVEN OUTSTANDING AWARDS AND 100 CONSOLATION PRIZES FOR OTHER ENTRIES IN EACH SECTION.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE COMPETITION CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE AT 490 NATHAN ROAD; ITS TSIM SHA TSUI SUB-OFFICE AT 40 CARNARVON ROAD; AND THE HARBOUR JAYCEES AT 272 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, 15TH FLOOR, BLOCK C, CENTRAL.
THE CONTEST IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, URBAN COUNCIL, HARBOUR JAYCEES AND SING TAO LIMITED. IT IS SPONSORED BY THE TSIM SHA TSUI EAST PROPERTY DEVELOPERS ASSOCIATION.
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TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF YUE FUNG STREET IN ABERDEEN » » * » »
YUE FUNG STREET NORTHBOUND BETWEEN YUE WOK STREET AND SHEK PAI WAN ROAD IN ABERDEEN WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 13) FOR ROADWORKS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS SHOULD USE YUE WOK STREET FOR ACCESS TO SHEK PAI WAN ROAD.
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/10........
SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 1988
- 10 -
NEW AMBULANCE DEPOT, FSD STAFF QUARTERS FOR WONG TAI SIN
*****
AMBULANCE AND FIRE SERVICES IN WONG TAI SIN AND SURROUNDING AREAS WILL BE IMPROVED UNDER A NEW BUILDING WORKS PROJECT BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE PROJECT WILL INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN AMBULANCE DEPOT AND TWO 25-STOREY BLOCKS OF FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT RANK AND FILE MARRIED QUARTERS.
BOTH THE AMBULANCE DEPOT AND THE STANDARD DESIGN MARRIED QUARTERS WILL BE LOCATED WITHIN THE SITE BOUNDARY OF THE EXISTING WONG TAI SIN DIVISIONAL FIRE STATION.
DETAILS OF THE WORK REQUIRED CAN BE SEEN IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE GAZETTE.
CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN JULY AND TAKE ABOUT 20 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT ARE BEING INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT. THEY MUST BE SUBMITTED BY NOON ON APRIL 29 THIS YEAR.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
»
MONDAY, APRIL 11, 1988
CONTENTS PaGE NO.
HIGH PRIORITY PLACED ON TRAINING TO MEET ECONOMY'S DEMAND . 1
STUDY ON REPLACEMENT AIRPORT SITES ........................
GOVERNOR PRESENTS INSIGNIA TO 91 ..........................
GOVERNOR COMMENDS RESIDENTS ...............................
EMPLOYERS URGED TO ENSURE ELECTRICAL SAFETY ............... 9
BALANCED BLUEPRINT FOR NORTH DISTRICT ..................... 10
VIEWS SOUGHT ON REVIEW OF ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS........... 11
WATER STORAGE FIGURE .................•.................... 12
WATER CUT IN TUEN MUN ..................................... 12
ROUTE 86C RE-ROUTED TEMPORARILY ........................... 15
MONDAY, APRIL 11, 1988
HIGH PRIORITY PLACED ON TRAINING TO MEET ECONOMY’S DEMAND
* * » » »
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IS EVIDENCE OF GOVERNMENT’S INTENT OF PLACING A HIGH PRIORITY ON ENSURING THAT SUFFICIENT NUMBERS OF PEOPLE ARE EDUCATED AND TRAINED TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF OUR ECONOMY.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WHEN HE ADDRESSED THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WHICH MARKS THE FORMAL BEGINNING OF THE NEW UNIVERSITY.
SIR DAVID SAID THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY, WHICH WOULD CONSIST OF A GROUP OF PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS EMPHASISING SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, MANAGEMENT AND BUSINESS STUDIES, WAS A DELIBERATE DECISION.
"A DYNAMIC ECONOMY IS VITAL TO HONG KONG’S CONTINUED SUCCESS AND PROSPERITY. TO MAINTAIN A BUOYANT ECONOMY WE HAVE TO BE HIGHLY COMPETITIVE IN THE GOODS WE PRODUCE AND IN THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE.
"PUT SIMPLY, WE MUST KEEP UP WITH, AND WHERE POSSIBLE KEEP AHEAD OF, OUR COMPETITORS. WE MUST ALWAYS BE CONSCIOUS OF ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGY AND IN MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES, PARTICULARLY IN THE INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL FIELDS," SIR DAVID SAID.
NOTING THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WERE ONE OF HONG KONG’S FEW NATURAL RESOURCES, SIR DAVID SAID WHEN THE UNIVERSITY’S FIRST STUDENTS GRADUATED IN SIX YEARS TIME, HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL SECTORS COULD LOOK FORWARD TO A LARGER AND CONSTANT FLOW OF GRADUATES AND POST-GRADUATES WITH THE SKILLS AND RESEARCH CAPABILITY THAT THEY NEEDED.
SIR DAVID PAID TRIBUTE TO THE PLANNING COMMITTEE FOR THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF SIR S.Y. CHUNG FOR THE IMMENSE AMOUNT OF WORK THE COMMITTEE HAD DONE FOR THE FORMAL SETTING UP OF THE NEW UNIVERSITY.
"THE UNIVERSITY HAS ACQUIRED A MARVELLOUS SITE FOR ITS CAMPUS; ITS OWN ENABLING LEGISLATION; AN OUTSTANDING SCHOLAR AND ADMINISTRATOR AS ITS FIRST VICE-CHANCELLOR; A MAGNIFICENT DESIGN FOR ITS BUILDINGS - AND A VERY APPROPRIATE NAME; THE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.
"OUR NEW UNIVERSITY IS NOW SET TO ADMIT ITS FIRST BATCH OF STUDENTS IN OCTOBER 1991, THREE YEARS AHEAD OF THE ORIGINAL SCHEDULE.
"THESE ARE CONSIDERABLE ACHIEVEMENTS BY ANY STANDARD. THE PLANNING COMMITTEE CAN TAKE JUSTIFIABLE PRIDE IN THEM. I CONGRATULATE YOU, SIR SZE-YUEN, AND YOUR COLLEAGUES ON A JOB WELL DONE, SIR DAVID REMARKED.
/IN RESPONSE
MONDAY, APRIL 11, 1988
IN RESPONSE TO THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH, SIR S.Y., CHAIRMAN OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE AND NOW CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OF THE UNIVERSITY, SAID ONE OF THE TOP PRIORITIES OF THE UNIVERSITY DURING THE NEXT TWO YEARS WAS THE RECRUITMENT OF TOP CLASS SENIOR STAFF WHICH WAS CRUCIAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THE UNIVERSITY.
"IT IS OUR HOPE THAT THE OPPORTUNITY AND CHALLENGE OF STARTING A NEW MODERN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY IN A PLACE AS DYNAMIC AND EXCITING AS HONG KONG WILL APPEAL TO ACADEMICS OF EXPERIENCE AND DISTINCTION.
"ANOTHER TOP PRIORITY," SAID SIR S.Y., "IS THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CAMPUS AT CLEAR WATER BAY IN TIME FOR THE FIRST INTAKE OF STUDENTS IN 1991."
HE THANKED THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB FOR ITS DONATION OF $1.5 BILLION TO MEET THE MAJOR PART OF THE CAPITAL COST OF THE UNIVERSITY AND FOR PROVIDING THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT.
THE COUNCIL OF THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INCLUDES SOME FORMER LOCAL MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE.
MR CHENG HON-KWAN HAS BEEN APPOINTED VICE-CHAIRMAN, MR LAU WAH-SUM, AS TREASURER, AND MR STEPHEN CHEONG KAM-CHUEN, DR CHAN NAI-KEONG, MRS ALICE LAM, MR STEPHEN K.L. POON, MR GORDON M. MACWHINNIE AND MR IAN MACPHERSON HAVE BEEN APPOINTED MEMBERS.
THE GOVERNOR HAS ALSO APPOINTED THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, AND THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, TO THE COUNCIL.
PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, PROFESSOR DAVID GARDNER, WILL JOIN OTHER OVERSEAS ACADEMIC MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE - PROFESSOR L.M. BIRT, DR G.R. HIGGINSON, PROFESSOR P.G. MOORE AND PROFESSOR DAVID J. TEDFORD - TO SERVE ON THE COUNCIL.
SIR S.Y. POINTED OUT THAT BECAUSE OF THE TERMS OF THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ORDINANCE 1987, IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO INCLUDE ALL MEMBERS OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE IN THE COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP.
"TO THOSE WHO ARE STEPPING DOWN 1 WISH TO EXPRESS MY WARMEST THANKS FOR THEIR VALUABLE WORK.
"IT IS MY FERVENT HOPE THAT THEY WILL CONTINUE NOT ONLY TO TAKE AN INTEREST IN THE UNIVERSITY, BUT THAT THEY WILL IN FACT AGREE TO SERVE ON COMMITTEES OF THE COUNCIL TO ASSIST IT IN VARIOUS ASPECTS OF ITS WORK," SIR S.Y. SAID.
-------O----------
/?.......
MONDAY, APRIL 11, 1988
3 -
STUDY ON REPLACEMENT AIRPORT SITES *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ENGAGED A 15-MONTH STUDY ON ALTERNATIVE SITES FOR AIRPORT IN THE WESTERN HARBOUR AREA.
CONSULTANT TO CARRY OUT A A REPLACEMENT INTERNATIONAL
THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, MR TREVOR THORPE, HAS SIGNED A >14.4 MILLION CONTRACT WITH THE NETHERLANDS AIRPORT CONSULTANTS B.V. WHO WILL COMMENCE WORK NEXT MONDAY (APRIL 18).
THE LATEST STUDY IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF A SERIES OF CONSULTANCIES TO INVESTIGATE THE FUTURE AIR TRANSPORT NEEDS AND THE ULTIMATE CAPACITY OF THE EXISTING AIRPORT.
THE APPOINTED CONSULTANT WILL INITIALLY IDENTIFY AREAS IN THE WESTERN HARBOUR CONSIDERED SUITABLE FOR A MAJOR AIRPORT, BASED ON THE PRESENCE OF PHYSICAL OBSTRUCTIONS ALONG THE PLANNED FLIGHT PATHS.
LATER IN THE PROCESS, ADDITIONAL OBSTRUCTIONS CREATED BY POSSIBLE ADJACENT CONTAINER PORT DEVELOPMENTS AND CONSEQUENT SHIP MOVEMENTS WILL ALSO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.
"THE VARIOUS POSSIBILITIES FOR AIRPORT LOCATION AND AIRCRAFT APPROACH AND DEPARTURES PATH ADJUSTMENTS WILL BE EXAMINED JOINTLY WITH THE PROPOSED PORT DEVELOPMENTS OPTIONS PRESENTED BY THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY CONSULTANT, SO THAT AN OPTIMUM COMBINATION OF BOTH FACILITIES CAN BE DETERMINED BY EARLY NEXT YEAR," THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, MR TREVOR OLIVER, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
"THE OPTIMUM COMBINED SCHEME WILL FORM THE BASIS OF FURTHER DETAILED CONSIDERATION.
"THIS TOGETHER WITH OTHER DATA ON THE BUILDING COSTS AND THE EXTENT OF RECLAMATION AND GROUND ACCESS WORKS, WILL EVENTUALLY HELP GOVERNMENT SETTLE ON A PREFERRED SITE FOR THE AIRPORT," HE ADDED.
FOLLOWING THIS, THE ALTERNATIVE REPLACEMENT AIRPORT SITES STUDY WILL CONCENTRATE ON THE PREPARATION OF THE AIRPORT LAYOUT PLAN, THE PRELIMINARY DESIGN OF THE MAJOR FACILITIES AS WELL AS THE COMPILATION OF COST INFORMATION.
SINCE LAST OCTOBER, AN 11-MONTH STUDY ON KAI TAK HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT BY RMP ENCON, A LOCAL SUBSIDIARY OF THE U.S. RALPH M. PARSONS CONSULTANCY COMPANY. THE OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY IS TO FORECAST THE TRAFFIC TREND UP TO 2010, AND TO DEFINE THE ULTIMATE CAPACITY OF THE EXISTING AIRPORT AS WELL AS TO EXPLORE ITS FURTHER DEVELOPMENT POTENTIALS.
/A THIRD
MONDAY, APRIL 11, 1988
A THIRD STUDY IS PLANNED TO START IN MAY, BY THE RALPH M. PARSONS COMPANY, TO REVIEW AND UPDATE THE SHELVED CHEK LAP KOK REPLACEMENT AIRPORT PLAN PREPARED BY THE COMPANY BETWEEN 1979 AND 1982.
THE ORIGINAL PROPOSALS WILL BE REVISED AGAINST THE LATEST TRAFFIC TRENDS AND IN STEP WITH THE INFRASTRUCTURAL PLANNING UNDER THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY.
THE REVISED SCHEME WILL THEN BECOME ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE IN THE GOVERNMENT'S FINAL SELECTION OF THE FUTURE AIRPORT SITE, EXPECTED TO BE MADE BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR.
"WITH THE PRESENT RATE OF A GROWTH IN BOTH PASSENGER AND CARGO TRAFFIC, THE EXISTING AIRPORT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN THE INCREASING DEMAND WITHOUT INTRODUCING SOME CONSTRAINTS IN THE FUTURE," MR OLIVER COMMENTED.
"CONSTRUCTION OF A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT IS THE MORE DESIRABLE ALTERNATIVE TO KEEP UP WITH THE FUTURE NEEDS AND THUS MAXIMISE THE BENEFITS OF AIR TRANSPORT TO HONG KONG.
"THE COMMISSIONING OF THESE STUDIES IS AN ESSENTIAL STEP TO HELP GOVERNMENT IN REACHING ITS DECISION ON WHEN AND WHERE TO BUILD AN AIRPORT TO REPLACE KAI TAK," HE SAID.
- 0 - -
GOVERNOR PRESENTS INSIGNIA TO 91 » * * * *
INSIGNIA FOR 91 PEOPLE WERE PRESENTED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, AT A CEREMONY AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE THIS (MONDAY) EVENING.
SEVENTY-SEVEN RECIPIENTS WERE DECORATED BY THE QUEEN FOR SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC, WHILE 14 WERE AWARDED THE GOVERNOR’S COMMENDATION.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE LIST OF INSIGNIA RECIPIENTS:
C.B.E. (HON. )
THE HON ALLEN LEE PENG-FEI
O.B.E.
MR CHAN SUI-KAU
MR LEONARD CHIU KUNG-PHOO MR RAYMOND CHOW TING-HSING THE HON RITA FAN HSU LAI-TAI MR KENNETH KWOK WAI-KAI THE HON YEUNG PO-KWAN
MONDAY, APRIL 11, 1988
- 5 -
I.S.O.
MR GORDON PENRHYN BLENKINSOP DR SYLVIA CHAN CHUI SAI-HUN MR PATRICK SHAM PAK
M.B.E.
LADY AKERS-JONES
MR LEE WINQ-TAT DR JUDITH MARY LONGSTAFF MACKAY MR YIP KWOK-HUNG
M.B.E. (HON.)
MR FONG KING-WAH MRS CHIN-KWA KELLER-LIM
M.B.E. (MILITARY DIVISION)
WING COMMANDER ROYSTON WEBB BROOKS
B.E.M.
MR CHAN WAI-CHAN MR HUNG NGOK-HUNG MR KWAN KONG MR KWOK SUI-TONG MR LAM BEE-CHEUK MR LAU SHIU-NIN MR LEUNG PARK-MING MR LUI PUI-PING MRS GANITH BUX NG MISS LUCY TANG MR TING CHU-KAN MR TSE SIK-KEE MR WAN CHAT-TONG MR WOO MAN-KAI
B.E.M. (MILITARY DIVISION)
WARRANT OFFICER CLASS 1 SIVA LIMBU
STAFF SERGEANT PRAKASH RAI
STAFF SERGEANT PAUL JOHN BLACKHURST
STAFF SERGEANT AINE MAIN GODFREY
SQUADRON QUARTERMASTER SERGEANT TAM WING-CHU
FLIGHT SERGEANT ALAN JAMES DAY
MONDAY, APRIL 11, 1988
6
I.S.M.
MR CHAN WAN MR CHEUNG YEE-FAI MR CHEUNG YUK-LAU
Q.P.M.
MR HUI KI-ON
C.P.M.
ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE
MR NG CHING-KWOK MR TERENCE ORSLER MR JOHN CHRISTIE DUNN MR EDWARD JOSEPH STEVENSON MR JAMES HENRY WALKER MR WU SH1U-CHEUK MR GERARD NIGEL FRITH MR KEITH BRAITHWAITE MR DAVID MICHAEL WRIGHT MR RONALD ARTHUR WHITLEY MR GREGORY LAM KWAI-BUN MR CHENG KOON-KWAN MR LI SHU-FUNG MR RAB NAWAZ MR LO KEI MR LAM CHO-KIN MR CHAN MING-CHIT MR CHU KWOK-WAI
FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT
MR LAI YUN-SHAN MR LAM PAK-KIT MR LEUNG CHI
/BADGE OF HONOUR
MONDAY♦ APRIL 111 1988
BADGE OF HONOUR
MR CHAN SZE-BUN MR CHENG SING-YIP MR STEPHEN CHENG WUI-YAU MR CHUNG WAI-PING MR FU YUEN-PING MR HO KWONG-HUNG MR HSU CHUNG-CHI MR LAW KWEI-CHUNG MR LO YUK-TING MR NG KWOK-POON MR WAN HO-KAN MR WAN SEK-LUEN MR WONG WAI-KWAN MS YEUNG KAM-CHUN MR YUE HUI-KWONG
GOVERNOR’S COMMENDATION
MR HARRY LAU WAH-ON
MR ALBERT WILLIAM RICHARD BROOKS MR CHENG SUNG-NGAR MR CHENG YAN-CHEE MR JOSEPH FUNG KWOK-HIM MR MICHAEL HO CHUNG-WAI MR LEUNG YIU-CHUNG MR LUI TAT-KAN MR NG KAH-KIN MR NG KAI-KAI MR YAN KAM-FUN MR RODNEY JOHN STARLING MR MALCOLM JOHN MACKAY MR CHAN KAI-SUEN
-----0------
GOVERNOR COMMENDS RESIDENTS
♦ ♦ t t ♦
A TOTAL OF 15 RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN COMMENDED BY THE GOVERNOR THIS YEAR FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING AND VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY.
AT A CEREMONY AT THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON, THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, MR PETER TSAO, PRESENTED CERTIFICATES OF THE GOVERNOR'S COMMENDATION FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES TO FIVE OF THE RESIDENTS.
/THEY are
MONDAY, APRIL 11, 1988
- 8 -
THEY ARE MR LEE MAN-BAN, MR TO FUK-TIM, MR YIM KWOK-BUN, MADAM CHAN KIU AND MR HUI YU-FAT.
MR LEE MAN-BAN WAS COMMENDED FOR HIS ACTIVE PARTICIPATION AND LONG TERM SUPPORT IN PROMOTING REHABILITATION SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
MR TO FUK-TIM WAS COMMENDED FOR HIS ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN TRADITIONAL VILLAGE MATTERS SINCE 1949.
MR YIM KWOK-BUN WAS COMMENDED FOR HIS VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE WORK OF THE WAN CHAI WEST AREA COMMITTEE SINCE 1974.
MADAM CHAN KIU WAS COMMENDED FOR HER EXEMPLARY VOLUNTARY SERVICE TO THE ELDERLY, THE INFIRM AND THE HANDICAPPED AND FOR SETTING A MODEL FOR OTHER ELDERLY PEOPLE TO FOLLOW.
MR HUI YU-FAT WAS COMMENDED FOR HIS UNTIRING EFFORTS SINCE 1973 IN ORGANISING A LARGE NUMBER OF COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES IN YAU MA TEI, ESPECIALLY THOSE RELATING TO THE GIRL GUIDE MOVEMENT AND TO SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY.
ANOTHER GROUP OF FIVE RESIDENTS WILL RECEIVE COMMENDATIONS ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 13). THEY ARE MR MIU KAM-TOA, MR MAN CHI-KONG, MR CHAN MING-FAI, DR MICHAEL LEE YUK-KWAN AND MR FU HOP.
MR MIU KAM-TOA HAS BEEN COMMENDED FOR HIS ACTIVE PARTICIPATION ND MOTIVATION OF OTHERS IN CARRYING OUT VOLUNTARY COMMUNITY SERVICE IN SHA TIN.
MR MAN CHI-KONG HAS BEEN COMMENDED FOR HIS OUTSTANDING MEDIATORY WORK IN THE CLEARANCE OF THE SHAU KEI WAN FOOTHILL SQUATTER AREA AND HIS ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT IN PROMOTING THE WELFARE OF THE SQUATTER VILLAGERS.
MR CHAN MING-FAI HAS BEEN COMMENDED FOR HIS DEDICATION TO THE PROMOTION OF YOUTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICE AND FOSTERING A SENSE OF BELONGING AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AMONG RESIDENTS IN YUEN LONG.
DR MICHAEL LEE YUK-KWAN HAS BEEN COMMENDED FOR HIS OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF VARIOUS COMMUNITY HEALTH PROMOTION ACTIVITIES IN WONG TAI SIN.
MR FU HOP HAS BEEN COMMENDED FOR HIS SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES IN SHAM TSENG AND TSUEN WAN.
THE LAST BATCH OF FIVE RESIDENTS WILL RECEIVE COMMENDATIONS ON FRIDAY (APRIL 15). THEY ARE MR YEUNG KA-SHU, MADAM KWONG MAN-NUI, MR WONG WING-ON, MR DUN CHI-KONG AND MADAM YAU SUI-FONG.
MR YEUNG KA-SHU HAS BEEN COMMENDED FOR HIS OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT.
/MADAM KWONG
MONDAI, APRIL 11, 1988
MADAM KWONG MAN-NUI HAS BEEN COMMENDED FOR HER ACTIVE PARTICIPATION AND SUPPORT IN PROMOTING VARIOUS GOVERNMENT COMPAIGNS AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS.
MR WONG WING-ON HAS BEEN COMMENDED FOR HIS SIGNIFICANT
CONTRIBUTION TO THE WORK OF THE LAI CHI KOK AND UN CHAU AREA
COMMITTEE SINCE 1976.
MR DUN CHI-KONG HAS BEEN COMMENDED FOR HIS SIGNIFICANT
CONTRIBUTION TO BUILDING MANAGEMENT WORK AND IN PARTICULAR FOR HIS
EFFORTS IN FACILITATING THE CLEARANCE OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AROUND CHUNG KING MANSIONS IN 1985.
MADAM YAU SUI-FONG HAS BEEN COMMENDED FOR HER UNTIRING EFFORTS IN PROMOTING THE WELFARE OF THE ELDERLY IN THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY.
THE GOVERNOR’S COMMENDATION SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED IN 1982 TO RECOGNISE CITIZENS FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING AND VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THEIR PHYSICAL EFFORTS OR INNOVATIVE IDEAS.
-----0----------
EMPLOYERS URGED TO ENSURE ELECTRICAL SAFETY
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS CALLED ON EMPLOYERS TO GUARD AGAINST HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DISTRIBUTION AND USE OF ELECTRICITY AT CONSTRUCTION SITES AND IN FACTORIES.
THE PLEA WAS MADE FOLLOWING A RECENT COURT CASE IN WHICH A PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR WAS FINED $20,000 BY A CENTRAL MAGISTRATE.
THE CONTRACTOR HAD FAILED TO ENSURE THAT THE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT THAT WAS EXPOSED TO WEATHER, WATER CORROSIVE ATMOSPHERE OR OTHER ADVERSE CONDITIONS WAS INSULATED, PROTECTED AND SAFEGUARDED TO PREVENT ELECTRICAL HAZARD OR OTHER DANGER.
THE CASE INVOLVED A WORKER WHO WAS ELECTROCUTED AFTER FALLING INTO A POOL OF WATER TOGETHER WITH AN ELECTRODE HOLDER AT A CONSTRUCTION SITE IN QUARRY BAY IN JUNE LAST YEAR.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT DURING LAST YEAR, 10 PERSONS DIED FROM ELECTROCUTION - SIX AT CONSTRUCTION SITES AND FOUR IN FACTORIES.
THE MAJOR CAUSES WERE DUE TO LEAKAGE OF CURRENT FROM FAULTY EQUIPMENT WITHOUT PROPER EARTHING AND WORKING ON "LIVE" WITHOUT TAKING THE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS.
/"AS FAULTY
MONDAY, APRIL 11, 1988
10 -
"AS FAULTY EQUIPMENT CAN LEAD TO FATAL ACCIDENTS, IT IS ESSENTIAL TO HAVE ALL EQUIPMENT PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND EFFECTIVELY EARTHED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IF WORKING ON ’LIVE’ IS NECESSARY, WORKERS SHOULD REFRAIN FROM WORKING ALONE AND SUITABLE PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT MUST BE USED."
EMPLOYERS WHO FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (ELECTRICITY) REGULATIONS ARE LIABLE, ON CONVICTION, TO A FINE OF $30,000.
THE DEPARTMENT HAS PUBLISHED A GUIDE TO THE REGULATIONS WHICH IS AVAILABLE FREE TO THE PUBLIC.
ANYONE SEEKING FURTHER ADVICE SHOULD CONTACT THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
-----0------
BALANCED BLUEPRINT FOR NORTH DISTRICT * * * * *
THE BLUEPRINT OF NORTH DISTRICT PROVIDED A BALANCED APPROACH FOR BOTH THE DEVELOPMENT OF FANLING/SHEUNG SHUI NEW TOWN AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT OF RURAL AREAS, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR MATTHEW CHEUNG, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE 19TH TERM OF OFFICE-BEARERS OF THE FANLING RURAL COMMITTEE, MR CHEUNG STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD NEVER OVERLOOKED THE IMPORTANCE OF IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN RURAL AREAS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
HE CITED THE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME OF THE BORDER TOWNSHIP OF SHA TAU KOK WITHIN THE FRONTIER CLOSED AREA AND THE PLANS FOR A RURAL CENTRE IN TA KWU LING AS EXAMPLES OF IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMMES UNDERTAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT.
HE SAID: "THE SHA TAU KOK RURAL PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECT, ON COMPLETION, WILL UPGRADE THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF RESIDENTS IN THE TWO SQUATTER SETTLEMENTS OF YIM LIU HA AND TSOI YUEN KOK."
WORK ON A SERIES OF URBAN FRINGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY STARTED LAST YEAR, HE ADDED.
AS FOR THE FANLING SUB-DISTRICT, VARIOUS PROJECTS HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT, HE SAID.
/THEY INCLUDED .......
MONDAY, APRIL 11, 1988
11
THEY INCLUDED THE IMPROVEMENT TO THE RIVER COURSE OF MA WAT AND TO A TRACK AT TSUNG HIM TONG VILLAGE, CONSTRUCTION OF A VAN TRACK AT SIU HANG TSUEN IN LUNG YEUK TAU,PLAYGROUNDS, SITTING-OUT AREAS AND RAIN SHELTERS, AS WELL AS THE INSTALLATION OF VILLAGE LIGHTING AND THE PROVISION OF POST BOXES TO IMPROVE MAIL DELIVERY.
MR CHEUNG NOTED THAT PLANS WERE BEING MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT TO ALLOCATE MORE FUNDS FOR RURAL AREA IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, AND A COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR RURAL AREAS HAD BEEN FORMULATED.
SEVERAL WORKING GROUPS HAD BEEN FORMED TO STUDY DETAILS OF THE VARIOUS PROPOSALS.
THESE STUDIES, WHEN COMPLETED, WOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL AND FUNDING, HE ADDED.
HE SAID THAT CONSULTATION WOULD BE MADE WITH THE HEUNG YEE KUK, RURAL COMMITTEES AND DISTRICT BOARDS BEFORE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS WERE FINALISED.
MR CHEUNG PRAISED THE FANLING RURAL COMMITTEE FOR PROVIDING ASSISTANCE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF FANLING/SHEUNG SHUI NEW TOWN AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO DISTRICT AFFAIRS.
HE WELCOMED A PROPOSAL BY THE FANLING RURAL COMMITTEE TO INVITE NON-INDIGENOUS PEOPLE WHO WERE DEVOTED TO PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS TO SIT ON THE COMMITTEE.
’’THIS WOULD IMPROVE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN VILLAGERS AND NEW TOWN RESIDENTS, THUS STRENGTHENING THE REPRESENTATIVENESS OF RURAL COMMITTEES AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL,” HE SAID.
-----0-----
VIEWS SOUGHT ON REVIEW OF ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS
* * « * *
THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED TO FORWARD BY THE END OF THE MONTH THEIR VIEWS, AND SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT, ON THE CURRENT ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS, THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER (ELECTORAL SERVICES), MR WAN YIU-SING, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
”AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING PARTY WILL START REVIEWING THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE RECENT DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS IN MAY,” MR WAN SAID.
"VIEWS ARE SEPARATELY BEING SOUGHT FROM THE CANDIDATES.
/"IT WILL .......
MONDAY, APRIL 11, 1988
12 -
"IT WILL BE OF FURTHER ASSISTANCE IF THE PUBLIC WOULD SEND IN THEIR SUGGESTIONS BY APRIL 30 TO THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, HARBOUR CENTRE, 10TH FLOOR, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI."
MR WAN INDICATED THAT THE REVIEW WOULD PROBABLY BE COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER AND GAVE THE ASSURANCE THAT ALL SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE GIVEN CAREFUL CONSIDERATION.
"WHERE APPROPRIATE, IMPROVEMENTS TO ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS COULD BE INTRODUCED AT THE 1989 URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS," HE ADDED.
_ _ 0----------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
» * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 38.1 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 223.209 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 309.214 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 52.8 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
-------0----------
WATER CUT IN TUEN MUN * ♦ t
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TUEN MUN WILL BE CUT ON FRIDAY (APRIL 15) FROM 8 PM IN THE EVENING TO 8 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR WATER MAINS WORK.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES ALONG CASTLE PEAK ROAD INCLUDING AREA 23, LAU YUEN, AREA 25, HO FUK TONG COLLEGE, FUK TONG LAU, BUT SAN SCHOOL, AREA 26, OLD MARKET, CHENG TAU TSUEN, AREA 36, SAN HUI TSUEN, WONG KAR WAI, AREA 4B, HO SING BUILDING, KWONG CHOI MARKET, KAM BO BUILDING, HO FAT BUILDING, LAK SHORE BUILDING, KAM FAT BUILDING, COMMON BONG BUILDING, DOR BOA BUILDING, ELITE GARDEN, KAM MEN MANSION, WAH LEE BUILDING, SZE PO BUILDING, HIP BOND BUILDING, LUK YUEN, MAN CHEUNG BUILDING, ON LAI BUILDING, CHEUNG LUNG BUILDING, TUNG WAI COURT, AREA 4A, PRIME VIEW GARDEN, AREA 22, GRANDEUR GARDEN AND ELEGANCE GARDEN.
-------0 - -
/13
MONDAY, APRIL 11, 1988
- 15 -
ROUTE 86C RE-ROUTED TEMPORARILY « * » * «
TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS CARRIED OUT BY HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT AT THE JUNCTION OF CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD AND NAM CHEONG STREET IN SHAM SHUI PO, KMB ROUTE NO. 86C (CHEUNG SHA WAN TO HENG ON) ON ITS JOURNEYS TO SHA TIN HAS BEEN DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TAI PO ROAD, PAK TIN STREET, WOH CHAI STREET AND NAM CHEONG STREET.
THE MEASURE, IMPLEMENTED TODAY (MONDAY), WOULD BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS.
A TEMPORARY BUS STOP FOR ROUTE 86C HAS BEEN PROVIDED AT WOH CHAI STREET OUTSIDE BLOCK 30, SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE. AT THE SAME TIME, FOUR BUS STOPS OF ROUTE 86C IN SHAM SHUI PO HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED TEMPORARILY. THESE BUS STOPS ARE LOCATED AT:
* YEN CHOW STREET SOUTHBOUND NEAR FUK WING STREET.
» CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD EASTBOUND OUTSIDE HOUSE NO. 236.
» CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD EASTBOUND OUTSIDE HOUSE NO. 172.
» NAM CHEONG STREET OUTSIDE HOUSE NO. 175.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 192*
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
APPEAL FOR DONATIONS TO NEW UNIVERSITY........................ 1
NEW CROSS-HARBOUR BUS ROUTE TO START IN JUNE.................. 2
HK DELEGATION ATTENDS ESCAT SESSION .......................... 3
WSD STAFF DONATE OVER 570,000 TO BEREAVED FAMILIES ........... 4
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR FEBRUARY RELEASED .............. 5
DECEMBER EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS PKT EASED..................................................... 12
NOMINATIONS FOR SOCIAL SERVICES AWARDS CLOSE FRIDAY .......... 17
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES RAISED .................. 18
COOL AND CLOUDY IN MARCH...................................... 20
SATISFACTORY JOB SITUATION FOR TECHNICAL GRADUATES ........... 23
SEMINAR FOR CATERING, RESTAURANT INDUSTRY ORGANISED .......... 23
FIRE SERVICES WORKSHOP FOR KOWLOON BAY ....................... 24
DEATH SENTENCES COMMUTED...................................... 25
ADJUSTMENT OF GMB ROUTE 30.................................... 25
MA TAJ WAI ROAD FLYOVER TO OPEN .............................. 26
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1988
1 APPEAL FOR DONATIONS TO NEW UNIVERSITY ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OF THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, SIR S.Y. CHUNG, THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING APPEALED FOR DONATIONS TO BE MADE TO THE NEW UNIVERSITY.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURAL DINNER OF THE COUNCIL.
SIR S.Y. SAID THE COUNCIL HOPED THAT IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO ATTRACT ADDITIONAL FUNDS BY WAY OF DONATIONS TOWARDS EQUIPMENT, RESEARCH AND ENDOWMENTS BESIDES THE RESOURCES ALLOCATED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE GENEROUS CAPITAL DONATION FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
"UNIVERSITY EDUCATION IS EXPENSIVE AND MORE SO IS RESEARCH," SAID SIR S.Y.
"1 DO NOT THINK THAT I AM TOO GREEDY IN THIS APPEAL FOR THERE IS NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT AND WORTHWHILE THAN INVESTMENT IN PEOPLE," HE SAID.
SIR S.Y. SAID THE PLANNING COMMITTEE OF THE UNIVERSITY, WHEN DEVELOPING ITS PLANS, HAD TAKEN THE VIEW THAT THE MAIN THRUST OF THE WORK OF THE UNIVERSITY MUST BE TOWARDS PRODUCING FIRST-DEGREE GRADUATES IN THOSE AREAS OF TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT WHERE THE^ WERE MOST NEEDED IN THE COMMUNITY.
BUT IT WAS ALSO OF THE VIEW THAT THE UNIVERSITY SHOULD SEEK TO DEVOTE A SUBSTANTIAL PART OF ITS RESOURCES TO POST-GRADUATE WORK FOR HONG KONG’S ADVANCED DEVELOPMENT IN THE 21 ST CENTURY.
"IT IS ALSO THE PLANNING COMMITTEE’S VIEW THAT THE NEW UNIVERSITY SHOULD SEEK TO DEVELOP CLOSE LINKS WITH COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY AND THAT THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF WOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO DO WORK OUTSIDE THE CONFINES OF THEIR NORMAL TEACHING DUTIES.
"WE HAVE, THEREFORE, INCLUDED IN THE CAMPUS MASTER PLAN A RESEARCH CENTRE AND A TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTRE, WHICH WILL BE OPERATED BY THE UNIVERSITY AS A NON-PROFIT-MAKING BUT BUSINESS CORPORATION," SIR S.Y. SAID.
HIE COUNCIL AIMS TO COMPLETE THE FIRST PHASE OF THE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS IN TIME FOR AROUND 600 STUDENTS TO BE ADMITTED IN OCTOBER 1991, AND TO BUILD UP THE STUDENT NUMBERS OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS TO MEET THE TARGET OF 7,000 IN 1996.
"IN OTHER WORDS, THE WHOLE PROGRAMME HAS BEEN BROUGHT FORWARD in THREE YEARS. I AM CONFIDENT THAT WITH THE CO-OPERATION AND SUPPORT OF ALL CONCERNED, THESE AMBITIOUS TARGETS ('AN AND WILL BE MET," SIR S.Y. SAID.
/ALSO SPEAKING .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1988
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY, THE VICE-CHANCELLOR DESIGNATE OF THE UNIVERSITY, PROFESSOR CH1A-WE1 WOO, SAID THE UNIVERSITY WAS BY MANDATE DEDICATED TO THE PROMOTION OF THE REGION’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
OUR SPECIFIC TASK IS TO FURTHER ENDOW HONG KONG’S HUMAN
RESOURCES WITH TALENTS IN THE SCIENCES, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY, AND BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT, AND TO DO SO IN CLOSE COLLABORATION WITH HONG KONG’S MANY ECONOMIC FORCES," HE SAID.
"AS SIR S.Y. POINTED OUT, THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WILL HELP GENERATE WEALTH FOR THIS SOCIETY," HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WHO IS ALSO THE ( HANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY, AND LADY WILSON ATTENDED THE DINNER.
- 0 - -
NEW CROSS-HARBOUR BUS ROUTE TO START IN JUNE * * * ♦ *
A NEW CROSS-HARBOUR BUS ROUTE WILL BE INTRODUCED IN JUNE BETWEEN KWUN TONG AND CENTRAL AND FURTHER FREQUENCE IMPROVEMENTS ARE PLANNED ON (’ROSS HARBOUR ROUTES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE IMPROVEMENTS WOULD PROVIDE ABOUT 2,000 MORE PASSENGER
SEATS DURING PEAK HOURS, HF SAID IN ANSWER TO PRESS ENQUIRIES ON WHAT MEASURES HAVE BEEN PLANNED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO RELIEVE PEAK-HOUR TRANSPORT NEEDS OF THE PI BL I ( .
OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS, THE CARRYING CAPACITY OF
CROSS-HARBOUR BUSES HAD BEEN INCREASED BY OVER 10 PER ('ENT -- TWO NEW CROSS-H ARBOl R SERVICES WERE INTRODUCED AND FREQUENCY IMPROVEMENTS AND CAPACITY INCREASES WERE MADE TO A FURTHER FOUR BUS ROUTES, HE SAID.
AS FOR FERRY SERVICES, A NEW WAN ( HAI TO TSJM SHA TSUI SERVICE WAS STARTED ON APRIL I.
VERY SOON, THE FREQUENCY OF THIS SERVICE WILL BE INCREASED," HE SAID.
COMMENTING ON THE PEAK-HOUR TRANSPORT DEMAND, THE SPOKESMAN
SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN AWARE Ol* THE GRADUALLY INCREASING CONGESTION ON THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY WHICH PARTICULARLY AFFECTS TRAFFIC ALONG THE NATHAN ROAD CORRIDOR AND ACROSS 'HIE HARBOUR TO CENTRAL.
/’’IN RECENT
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1988
"IN RECENT YEARS, THE NUMBER OE PASSENGERS ON ALL CROSS-HARBOUR MODES OF TRANSPORT HAS RISEN SIGNIFICANTLY. THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN WATCHING THE SITUATION AND HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE BUS AND FERRY COMPANIES TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY AND FREQUENCY OF CROSS-HARBOUR SERVICES," HE SAID.
"HOWEVER, THERE IS STILL A GOOD DEAL OF SPARE CAPACITY ON THE CROSS-HARBOUR FERRY ROUTES WHICH THE PUBLIC COULD USE AND SO AVOID THE OTHER MORE CONGESTED SERVICES.
"TO AVOID THE DISCOMFORT OF EXCESSIVE CONGESTION AT PEAK HOURS, PARTICULARLY BETWEEN 8 AM AND 9 AM, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ENCOURAGED TO TRAVEL EITHER A LITTLE EARLIER OR A LITTLE LATER.
"CONSIDERABLE RELIEF TO THE CONGESTION CAN BE EXPECTED WHEN THE ROAD AND RAIL SERVICES IN THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING BECOME OPERATIONAL AT THE END OF NEXT YEAR. BY THAT TIME, FOUR NEW CROSS-HARBOUR BUS ROUTES WILL ALSO BE OPERATING."
-------0----------
HK DELEGATION ATTENDS ESCAP SESSION * » » » *
A HONG KONG DELEGATION, LED BY EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE OUNCILLOR, DR DANIEL TSE, IS ATTENDING THE 44TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC (ESCAP) WHICH IS BEING HELD IN JAKARTA FROM TODAY (TUESDAY) TO APRIL 20.
THE THEME OF THE SESSION IS "THE INTEGRATED PLAN OF ACTION ON HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT".
THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION ARE THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, AND THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (TRADE), MR K.F. LEE.
ADDRESSING THE SESSION TODAY, DR TSE STRESSED THE THREAT TO TRADE POSED BY PROTECTIONIST SENTIMENT IN HONG KONG’S MAJOR MARKETS.
HE URGED ALL CONCERNED TO JOIN IN EFFORTS TO COUNTER PROTECTIONISM AND TO WORK TOWARDS A FREER TRADING ENVIRONMENT.
DR TSE SAID THAT HONG KONG AND MANY DEVELOPING ECONOMIES IN THE REGION RELIED ON EXPORTS TO PAY FOR VITAL IMPORTS REQUIRED FOR THEIR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT.
/IF PROTECTIONIST .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1988
IF PROTECTIONIST MEASURES WERE PUT INTO EFFECT, THEY WOULD RESULT IN ADVERSE ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES FOR ALL.
’’AND THEY WOULD UNDERMINE THE EFFORTS OF OUR NEGOTIATORS AT THE NEW ROUND OF MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS TO BRING ABOUT A MORE LIBERAL AND EFFECTIVE MULTILATERAL TRADING REGIME," HE ADDED.
DR TSE ALSO SAID THAT IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES TEMPORARY PROTECTION MIGHT BE JUSTIFIED UNDER THE GATT, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT PROBLEMS SUCH AS WIDE FLUCTUATIONS IN EXCHANGE RATES, HUGE TRADE IMBALANCES AND HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT IN DECLINING INDUSTRIES WHICH THE WORLD’S TRADING ECONOMIES WERE FACING.
BUT HE BELIEVED THAT A PROTECTED INDUSTRY IN THE LONG TERM BECAME WEAKER, NOT STRONGER, \ND PROTECTION WAS, IN THE END, NOT THE SOLUTION.
"WE ARE LIVING IN X WORLD OF INCREASING INTER-DEPENDENCE," DR TSE ADDED.
-------0 ---------
WSD STAFF DONATE OVER $70,000 TO BEREAVED FAMILIES * ♦ ♦ * * *
A DONATION OF OVER $70,000 WAS MADE TODAY (TUESDAY) TO FAMILY EMBERS OF THREE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT WORKERS WHO WERE KILLED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT AT LEI YUE MUN ROAD ON MARCH 30.
THE MONEY WAS RAISED BY COLLEAGUES OF THE VICTIMS.
THE VICTIMS WERE MISS LEUNG SUI-SUM, MADAM MAK HOP-NUI AND MR HO SING-KEUNG.
THE DONATION, WHICH WAS SHARED EQUALLY AMONG THE FAMILIES, WILL HELP TO DEFRAY FUNERAL AND OTHER EXPENSES.
THE MONEY WAS HANDED TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FAMILIES BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR CHAN YAN-KEE, IN A CEREMONY HELD IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT AT LEIGHTON CENTRE.
---0------
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1988
- 5 -
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR FEBRUARY RELEASED » » * * »
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) RELEASED TRADE VALUE STATISTICS FOR FEBRUARY 1988.
COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1987, TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN FEBRUARY 1988, AT $58,025 MILLION, GREW BY 30 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS.
COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1987, DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 37 PER CENT TO $13,641 MILLION IN FEBRUARY 1988 WHILE RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 50 PER CENT TO $15,914 MILLION, BRINGING TOTAL EXPORTS IN FEBRUARY 1988 TO $29,555 MILLION, WHICH WAS 43 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN FEBRUARY 1987.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, IMPORTS INCREASED BY 18 PER CENT TO $28,470 MILLION IN FEBRUARY 1988.
CARE SHOULD BE EXERCISED IN INTERPRETING THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE 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 THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THE YEAR ARE USUALLY AFFECTED BY THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS, WHICH OCCURRED IN LATE JANUARY LAST YEAR, WHILE THIS YEAR THEY OCCURRED IN MID-FEBRUARY.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO ALL MAJOR MARKETS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS BETWEEN FEBRUARY 1987 AND FEBRUARY 1988.
SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH WAS RECORDED IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO FRANCE (+92 PER CENT), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+84 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (+50 PER CENT), CANADA (+46 PER CENT) AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (+46 PER CENT).
A 25 PER CENT GROWTH WAS RECORDED FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO HONG KONG’S LARGEST MARKET, THE USA.
ON THE OTHER HAND, A RELATIVELY MODERATE GROWTH RATE OF 7 PER CENT WAS RECORDED FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA.
IMPORTS FROM MOST MAJOR SUPPLIERS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS IN FEBRUARY 1988 OVER FEBRUARY 1987, ESPECIALLY THOSE FROM THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+34 PER CENT), JAPAN (+22 PER CENT), CHINA (+22 PER CENT), FRANCE (+20 PER CENT), TAIWAN (+19 PER CENT) AND SWITZERLAND (+19 PER CENT).
ON THE OTHER HAND, IMPORTS FROM SINGAPORE AND THE USA DECREASED BY 13 PER CENT AND 7 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
/RE-EXPORTS TO .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1988
RE-EXPORTS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, JAPAN, AUSTRALIA AND THE REPBULIC OF KOREA INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN VALUE TERMS, OVER THE SAME PERIOD, BY 114 PER CENT, 106 PER CENT, 87 PER CENT, 61 PER CENT AND 55 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN JANUARY TO FEBRUARY 1988, AT $126,016 MILLION, INCREASED BY 34 PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 25 PER CENT TO $30,117 MILLION WHILE RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 52 PER CENT TO $34,278 MILLION.
THUS, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 38 PER CENT TO $64,395 MILLION.
IMPORTS INCREASED BY 29 PER CENT TO $61,620 MILLION.
COMPARING JANUARY TO FEBRUARY 1988 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987, DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO ALL MAJOR MARKETS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS.
THE MARKETS WITH THE FASTEST GROWTH IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCLUDED FRANCE (+54 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (+48 PER CENT), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+43 PER CENT), THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (+36 PER CENT) AND CHINA (+26 PER CENT).
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO HONG KONG’S LARGEST MARKET, THE USA, GREW BY 13 PER CENT.
IMPORTS IN JANUARY TO FEBRUARY 1988 FROM ALL MAJOR SUPPLIERS 1 CREASED IN VALUE TERMS WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1987. SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN IMPORTS FROM SWITZERLAND (+51 T1ER CENT), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+45 PER CENT), FRANCE (+32 PER CENT), CHINA (+31 PER CENT) AND SINGAPORE (+28 PER CENT).
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RE-EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, JAPAN, THE UNITED KINGDOM, AUSTRALIA AND TAIWAN INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN VALUE TERMS BY 97 PER CENT, 89 PER CENT, 85 PER CENT, 65 PER CENT AND 55 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
EXTENDING THE PERIOD OF COMPARISON TO THE 12 MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1988 WITH THE 12 MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1987, DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 26 PER CENT TO $201,326 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS AT $194,438 MILLION WAS 50 PER CENT HIGHER. TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, TOTAL EXPORTS ROSE BY 37 PER CENT. IMPORTS INCREASED BY 36 PER CENT TO $391,934 MILLION. AS A WHOLE, TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE INCREASED BY 37 PER CENT.
/ALL TRADE .......
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 FEBRUARY 1988 WILL BE RELEASED IN EARLY MAY.
THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO HONG KONG’S 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMPARING THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 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 CLOTHING (BY $2,129 MILLION OR 26 PER CENT); PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $780 MILLION OR 43 PER CENT); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $503 MILLION OR 28 PER CENT); AS WELL AS OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $497 MILLION OR 43 PER CENT).
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN ELECTRIC CURRENT (BY $14 MILLION OR 15 PER CENT); AS WELL AS VEGETABLES AND FRUIT (BY $8 MILLION OR 31 PER CENT).
TABLE 2 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION.
THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS FROM HONG KONG’S 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE SUMMARISED IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 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 $1,817 MILLION OR 42 PER CENT); ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, AND CELLULOSE ESTERS AND ETHERS (BY $1,082 MILLION OR 91 PER CENT).
THERE WERE ALSO INCREASES IN VALUE TERMS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $997 MILLION OR 39 PER CENT); AS WELL AS FOR MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $937 MILLION OR 40 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT OTHER THAN ROAD VEHICLES (BY $555 MILLION OR 67 PER CENT); AS WELL AS OIL SEEDS AND OLEAGINOUS FRUIT (BY $22 MILLION OR 26 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 THE .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1988
- 8 -
COMPARING THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 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 $1,548 MILLION OR 85 PER CENT); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $1,305 MILLION OR 74 PER CENT); CLOTHING (BY $894 MILLION OR 30 PER CENT); AS WELL AS TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $869 MILLION OR 70 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN OIL SEEDS AND OLEAGINOUS FRUIT (BY $22 MILLION OR 29 PER CENT); AS WELL AS MISCELLANEOUS EDIBLE PRODUCTS AND PREPARATIONS (BY $6 MILLION OR 6 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 FEBRUARY ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE STATISTICS SUMMARY” WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AROUND APRIL 15, AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT $9.50 PER COPY.
A MORE COMPREHENSIVE REPORT, "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE”, WITH A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS IN FEBRUARY 1988 WILL BE AVAILABLE IN EARLY MAY AT $17.50 PER COPY.-
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 JAN-FEB JAN-FEB 88 FEB FEB 88 1988 OVER 1988 OVER JAN-FEB 87 FEB 87 (HKD MN.) (%) (HKD MN.) (X)
USA 10,152 + 13 4,557 + 25
CHINA 4 , 190 + 26 1,711 + 7
FR OF GERMANY 2,808 + 36 1,254 + 46
UK 2,039 + 43 981 + 84
JAPAN 1,320 + 26 570 + 43
CANADA 939 + 25 426 + 46
/NETHERLANDS .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1988
NETHERLANDS 702 + 22 326 + 39
SINGAPORE 658 + 48 298 + 50
FRANCE 635 + 54 296 + 92
AUSTRALIA 586 + 20 281 a* 4- 26
TABLE 2: DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION
COMMODITY DIVISION JAN-FEB 1988 (HKD MN.) JAN-FEB OVER JAN-FEB (%) 88 87 FEB 1988 (HKD MN.) FEB 88 OVER FEB 87 (%)
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 10,181 + 26 4,618 + 50
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 3,914 + 11 1,743 + 20
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 2,610 + 43 1, 189 + 57
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF » 2,317 + 28 1,028 + 20
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 2,225 + 14 1,088 + 22
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 2, 172 + 8 • 959 + 1 1
/TABLE ..........
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1988
10
TABLE 3: IMPORTS FROM 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS
MAJOR SUPPLIER JAN-FEB 1988 (HKD MN.) JAN-FEB 88 FEB 1988 (HKD MN.) FEB 88 OVER FEB 87 (%)
OVER JAN-FEB (%) 87
CHINA 18,787 + 31 7,853 + 22
JAPAN 11,382 + 26 5,906 + 22
TAIWAN 5,357 + 26 2,433 + 19
USA 5,086 + 16 2,431 - 7
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 3,088 + 45 1,439 + 34
SINGAPORE 2,434 + 28 933 - 13
UK 1,876 + 22 839 + 7
FR OF GERMANY 1,661 + 25 791 ♦ 18
SWITZERLAND 1,267 + 51 636 + 19
ITALY 998 + 32 463 + 20
TABLE 4: IMPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION FEB 88 OVER FEB 87 (%)
COMMODITY DIVISION JAN-FEB 1988 (HKD MN.) JAN-FEB 88 FEB 1988 (HKD MN.)
OVER JAN-FEB (%) 87
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 7,250 + 5 3,299 5
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 6,113 + 42 2,979 + 32
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 4,167 + 21 1,717 + 11
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 3,580 + 39 1,746 + 24
/TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1988
11
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 3,381 + 30 1,519 + 16
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 3,301 + 40 1,478 + 29
TABLE 5: RE-EXPORTS BY 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET JAN-FEB JAN-FEB 88 FEB FEB 88
1988 OVER 1988 OVER
JAN-FEB 87 FEB 87
(HKD MN.) <%) (HKD MN.) (%)
CHINA 10,354 + 43 4,572 + 32
USA 6,536 + 44 2,988 + 49
JAPAN 2,062 + 89 967 + 87
TAIWAN 1,870 + 55 887 + 47
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 1,737 + 45 947 + 55
SINGAPORE 1, 165 + 35 517 + 27
FR OF GERMANY 1,116 + 97 526 + 106
UK 695 + 85 331 + 114
AUSTRALIA 557 + 65 266 + 61
MACAU 546 + 24 244 + 8
TABLE 6: RE -EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION
COMMODITY JAN-FEB JAN-FEB 88 FEB FEB 88
DIVISION 1988 OVER 1988 OVER
•• JAN-FEB 87 FEB 87
(HKD MN.) (%) (HKD MN.) (%)
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND
RELATED PRODUCTS ' 4,233 + 24 1,976 + 19
/ARTICLES OF ......
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1988
12
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING + 23
ACCESSORIES 3,882 + 30 !• 1,700
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 3,373 + 85 1,663 + 83
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 3,071 + 74 1,416 + 79
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 2,112 + 70 1,009 ♦ 78
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS, AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS 1,344 + 88 584 + 103
-----0-----
DECEMBER EMPLOYMENT,
VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS RELEASED » * * » *
THERE WERE 867,900 PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN DECEMBER 1987, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 0.3 PER CENT IN COMPARISON WITH DECEMBER 1986, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AT 657,900 IN DECEMBER 1987, WAS 6.1 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN DECEMBER 1986.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, AT 212,200, WAS UP BY 9.3 PER CENT.
EMPLOYMENT ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES INCREASED BY 2.4 PER CENT COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1986.
A DEPARTMENTAL SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE STATISTICS FOR SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY IN DECEMBER 1987 WERE DERIVED FROM THE SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL CONDUCTED EVERY QUARTER BY THE DEPARTMENT.
/THESE SECTORS .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1988
THESE SECTORS COVER THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR; THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR; AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR. ,
THERE IS A SEPARATE EMPLOYMENT SURVEY COVERING BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES. ♦
THE OVERALL EMPLOYMENT FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1987 IN THESE SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS, BY COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1986 AND SEPTEMBER 1987, ARE AS FOLLOWS:
PERSONS ENGAGED
(EMPLOYMENT) IN PERCENTAGE CHANGE*
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY DEC. 86 SEPT. 87 DEC. 87 DEC. 87 ON DEC. 86 DEC. 87 ON SEPT. 87
MANUFACTURING 865,600 875,300 867,900 + 0.3 -0.8
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION (MANUAL WORKERS ON SITES ONLY) 70,800 71,300 72,500 + 2.4 + 1.6
WHOLESALE AND 620,100 RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 647,600 657,900 + 6.1 + 1.6
FINANCING, 194,300 209,900 212,200 + 9.3 + 1 . 1
INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES
* BASED ON UNROUNDED EMPLOYMENT FIGURES.
COMPARING DECEMBER 1987 WITH SEPTEMBER 1987, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON IS INFLUENCED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR DECREASED BY 0.8 PER CENT.
ON THE OTHER HAND, EMPLOYMENT IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR INCREASED BY 1.6 PER CENT AND 1.1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, EMPLOYMENT ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES INCREASED BY 1.6 PER CENT.
/THE SURVEY .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1988
THE SURVEY ALSO PROVIDES VACANCY STATISTICS FOR THESE SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS, OTHER THAN FOR BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION. THE OVERALL FIGURES BY SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS, TOGETHER WITH A COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 1986 AND SEPTEMBER 1987, ARE AS FOLLOWS:
NUMBER OF REPORTED
VACANCIES IN PERCENTAGE CHANGE*
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY DEC. 86 SEPT. 87 DEC. 87 DEC. 87 ON DEC. 86 DEC. 87 ON SEPT. 87
MANUFACTURING 1 25,800 53,900 41,700 + 61.9 -22.6
WHOLESALE AND 10,850 25,620 24,060 +121.8 -6.1
RETAIL, IMPORT
AND EXPORT TRADES
AND RESTAURANTS
AND HOTELS
FINANCING, 3,300 7,610 6,870 +108.2 -9.7
INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES
♦ BASED ON UNROUNDED VACANCY FIGURES.
RELATIVE TO DECEMBER 1986, THE NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR INCREASED BY 61.9 PER CENT.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR EXPERIENCED AN INCREASE OF 121.8 PER CENT AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR AN INCREASE OF 108.2 PER CENT.
THE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN VACANCIES REFLECTED THAT THE TIGHT CONDITIONS IN THE LABOUR MARKET CONTINUED DURING THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1987.
COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1987, THE NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES IN THE ABOVE THREE SECTORS DECREASED BY 22.6 PER CENT, 6.1 PER CENT AND 9.7 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN DECEMBER 1987.
ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE SURVEY ARE STATISTICS ON MONTHLY PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR; THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR; AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR.
/QUARTERLY TOTALS .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1988
QUARTERLY TOTALS FOR EACH OF THESE SECTORS FOLLOWING TABLE: ARE % SHOWN CHANGE* IN THE
TOTAL QUARTERLY PAYROLL IN
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY 4TH QUARTER 1986 4TH QUARTER 1987 4TH 4TH QUARTER ON QUARTER 1987 1986
HK$ MN HK$ MN
MANUFACTURING 8,390 9,284 + 10.6
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 6,459 7,613 + 17.9
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 3,679 4,335 + 17.8
» BASED ON UNROUNDED PAYROLL FIGURES.
COMPARED WITH THE SAME QUARTER A YEAR AGO, PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN THE ABOVE THREE SECTORS INCREASED BY 10.6 PER CENT, 17.9 PER CENT AND 17.8 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1987.
AFTER ADJUSTMENT FOR VARIATIONS IN TOTAL MONTHLY PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN DECEMBER 1986 AND DECEMBER 1987, ARISING FROM CHANGES IN THE LEVEL OF EMPLOYMENT, A NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IS OBTAINED.
TO ALLOW FOR THE EFFECTS OF PRICE CHANGES, THE NOMINAL INDEX IS DEFLATED BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) TO GIVE THE REAL'INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED.
THESE TWO INDICES FOR DECEMBER 1986 AND DECEMBER 1987 ARE GIVEN IN THE TABLES BELOW
/NOMINAL INDEX
TUESDAY, APRIL 1?., 1988
16
ft A
% CHANGE
NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED (JUNE 1980 = 100)
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY DEC. 86 DEC. 87 DEC. 87 ON DEC. 86
MANUFACTURING 242.4 263.4 + 8.7
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 264.9 288.5 + 8.9
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 305.8 327.7 A + 7.2
REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED (JUNE 1980 = 100) % CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY DEC. 86 DEC. 87 DEC. 87 ON DEC. 86
MANUFACTURING 147.2 148.8 + 1 . 1
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS
AND HOTELS 160.8 163.0 +1.4
FINANCING,
INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS
SERVICES 185.7 185.1 -0.3
BETWEEN DECEMBER 1986 AND DECEMBER 1987, AN INCREASE
8.7 PER CENT WAS REGISTERED IN THE NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PERSON ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
OF PER
/FOR THE
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1988
FOR THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, THE INCREASE WAS 8.9 PER CENT AND FOR THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, THE INCREASE WAS 7.2 PER CENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE INCREASES IN THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED WERE 1.1 PER CENT FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND 1.4 PER CENT FOR THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR.
A DECREASE OF 0.3 PER CENT WAS RECORDED FOR THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR.
DETAILED BREAKDOWNS OF THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE QUARTERLY REPORT OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS, DECEMBER 1987 , WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $ 11 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG; AND AT THE SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT 19TH FLOOR, WAN CHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
-----0-----
NOMINATIONS FOR SOCIAL SERVICES AWARDS CLOSE FRIDAY
LOCAL RESIDENTS, SCHOOLS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, RESIDENTS ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTAL OFFICES IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT WISHING TO NOMINATE CANDIDATES FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES AWARDS SCHEME HAVE BEEN REMINDED THEY SHOULD SEND IN THEIR NOMINATIONS BY FRIDAY (APRIL 15).
"THE SCHEME AIMS AT GIVING DUE RECOGNITION TO THOSE WHO HAVE RENDERED COMMENDABLE VOLUNTARY SERVICES TO THE DISTRICT," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT OFFICE SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION AND SOUVENIRS ARE PRESENTED TO SUCCESSFUL NOMINEES.
ALL NOMINATIONS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN CENTRE, 7-11 NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN, BY 5.30 PM ON FRIDAY.
THE SCHEME IS DIVIDED INTO THREE DIVISIONS-GROUP, STUDENT, AND OPEN DIVISION.
/THE STUDENT .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1988
THE STUDENT DIVISION IS SUB-DIVIDED INTO PRIMARY SCHOOL, AND SECONDARY AND POST-SECONDARY SECTIONS WHILE THE OPEN DIVISION COMPRISES WORKING PEOPLE AND NON-WORKING PEOPLE SECTIONS.
THE NOMINEES MUST EITHER LIVE, WORK OR STUDY IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT AND SHOULD HAVE GIVEN VOLUNTARY SERVICES TO THE UNDERPRIVILEGED OR HAVE PROVJ ED ASSISTANCE TO ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, WELFARE BODIES, AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
"ALL NOMINATIONS WILL BE EXAMINED BY AN ADJUDICATION PANEL APPOINTED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE FINALISTS WILL BE INTERVIEWED IN MAY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
WINNERS OF THE VARIOUS DIVISIONS WILL BE AWARDED BOOK COUPONS AND SOUVENIRS WHILE ALL FINALISTS WILL GET A CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO THE DISTRICT OFFICE ON 5-540271.
- - 0 - -
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES RAISED * * * * ♦
THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE PUBLISHED YESTERDAY (MONDAY) 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 (WEDNESDAY), THE NEW ANNUAL RATE OF INTEREST WILL BE 3.36 PER CENT (TAX FREE) AS AGAINST THE CURRENT RATE OF 2.76 PER CENT (TAX FREE).
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES IS CALCULATED IN MONTHLY STEPS AND THE NEW RATE WILL BE $0.28 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 IC^RR APRIL 13, 1988.
/CERTIFICATES WHICH
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1988
- 19 -
CERTIFICATES WHICH WERE ISSUED BEFORE APRIL 13, 1988 WILL
CONTINUE TO EARN INTEREST AS FOLLOWS:-
4.08% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER MAY 14, 1986 AND BEFORE AUGUST 19, 1986;
3.36% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER
AUGUST 19, 1986 AND BEFORE JANUARY 19, 1987;
2.52% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER
JANUARY 19, 1987 AND BEFORE MARCH 4, 1987;
3.00% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER MARCH 4, 1987 AND BEFORE APRIL 9, 1987;
3.36% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER APRIL 9, 1987 AND BEFORE JUNE 4, 1987;
3.84% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER JUNE 4, 1987 AND BEFORE JUNE 24, 1987;
4.32% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER JUNE 24, 1987 AND BEFORE OCTOBER 14, 1987;
5.28% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 14, 1987 AND BEFORE OCTOBER 28, 1987;
4.32% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER
OCTOBER 28, 1987 AND BEFORE OCTOBER 30, 1987;
3.24% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER
OCTOBER 30, 1987 AND BEFORE DECEMBER 2, 1987;
3.00% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER
DECEMBER 2, 1987 AND BEFORE DECEMBER 9, 1987;
2.04% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER
DECEMBER 9, 1987 AND BEFORE FEBRUARY 20, 1988; AND
2.76% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER
FEBRUARY 20, 1988 AND BEFORE APRIL 13, 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 APRIL 14, 1988,
MAY 14, 1988 AND JUNE 14, 1988 RESPECTIVELY,
SURRENDERED IN PAYMENT OF TAX DUE ON JULY 13, 1988
WILL HAVE INTEREST CALCULATED AS FOLLOWS -
/ON 11,000, .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1988
- 20 -
ON $1,000, APRIL 14, 1988 TO JULY 13, 1988
= $8.40
3 COMPLETE MONTHS AT $2.80 PER MONTH
ON $1,000, MAY 14, 1988 TO JULY 13, 1988
= $5.60
2 COMPLETE MONTHS AT $2.80 PER MONTH
ON $1,000, JUNE 14, 1988 TO JULY 13, 1988
= $2.80
1 COMPLETE MONTH AT $2.80 PER MONTH
-------0 ---------
COOL AND CLOUDY IN MARCH *****
IT WAS RATHER COOL AND CLOUDY IN CLOUD AMOUNT OF 90 PER CENT WHICH WAS ACCORDING TO A REPORT RELEASED BY (TUESDAY).
$16.80
MARCH WITH A MONTHLY MEAN 14 PER CENT ABOVE NORMAL, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY TODAY
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF BRIGHT SUNSHINE OF 37.1 HOURS WAS ONLY PER CENT OF THE NORMAL AMOUNT FOR MARCH AND IS THE EIGHTH LOWEST RECORD FOR THE MONTH. '
37
ON
THE MEAN TEMPERATURE OF 16.8 DEGREES DEGREES BELOW THE NORMAL FOR MARCH.
FOR THE MONTH WAS
1.7
ALTHOUGH RAIN WAS REPORTED ON 26 DAYS
RAINFALL AMOUNT WAS ONLY 40.6 MILLIMETRES, NORMAL AMOUNT FOR MARCH.
IN MARCH, THE MONTHLY
26 PER CENT BELOW THE
DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1988, THE RAINFALL AMOUNT TOTALLING 53.5 MILLIMETRES WAS 57 PER CENT BELOW NORMAL.
FOR THE FIRST EIGHT DAYS IN MARCH, THE WEATHER WAS CLOUDY TO OVERCAST WITH OCCASIONAL RAIN.
AN INTENSE SURGE OF THE WINTER MONSOON REACHED THE COAST DURING THE DAY ON MARCH 2, CAUSING THE TEMPERATURF JUST ABOVE 10 DEGREES EARLY NEXT MORNING.
SOUTH CHINA
TO DROP TO
/SOME RAIN
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1988
- 21 -
SOME RAIN SHORTLY AFTER MIDNIGHT ON MARCH 4 BROUGHT THE TEMPERATURE FURTHER DOWN TO 9.5 DEGREES WHICH WAS THE LOWEST FOR THE MONTH. THIS WAS ALSO THE LOWEST TEMPERATURE SO FAR THIS YEAR.
CLOUDY XND COOL WEATHER hJ TH SOME LIGHT RAIN PATCHES PREVAILED FROM MARCH 5 TO 8.
THE CLOUDY CONDITIONS GAVE WAY TO SUNNY SKIES ON MARCH 9 WHEN THE WINTER MONSOON WEAKENED AND FINE WEATHER CONTINUED ON MARCH IO.
WARM AND MOIST AIR FROM THE PACIFIC BEGAN TO AFFECT THE SOUTH CHINA COASTAL AREAS ON MARCH 11. MIST AND FOG DEVELOPED, LIMITING VISIBILITY AT WAGLAN ISLAND TO 100 METRES THROUGHOUT THE DAY ON MARCH 12. WINDS TURNED SOUTH TO SOUTHWESTERLY ON MARCH 13 XND THE TEMPERATURE ROSE TO A MAXIMUM Ob 27.2 DEGREES THAT DAY, WHICH WAS THE HIGHEST FOR THE MONTH. GENERALLY MISTY XND FOGGY CONDITIONS PREVAILED UNTIL MARCH 15. THE FOGGY WEATHER BETWEEN MARCH 12 AND 15 CAUSED TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF FERRY SERVICES BETWEEN CENTRAL AND TUEN MUN, TSUEN WAN AND THE OUTLYING ISLANDS.
SEVEN PEOPLE WERE INJURED WHEN TWO DISCOVERY BAY FERRIES COLLIDED ON MARCH 14.
A SURGE OF THE NORTHEAST MONSOON REACHED THE SOUTH CHINA COAST EARLY ON MARCH 16. FRESH GUSTY WINDS WERE EXPERIENCED AND THE TEMPERATURE Al’ THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY FELL SHARPLY BY ALMOST 5 DEGREES BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 1 AM.
THE SURGE ALSO BROUGHT COOL AND CLOUDY WEATHER WiTH OCCASIONAL LIGHT RAIN WHICH PERSISTED UNTIL MARCH 20.
UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF A HUMID AIRSTREAM, FOG DEVELOPED ON MARCH 21.
DURING THE DAY ON MARCH 22, A REPLENISHMENT OF THE NORTHEAST MONSOON BROUGHT THE FIRST THUNDERSTORM OF THE YEAR TO HONG KONG. OVERCAST AND RAINY CONDITIONS PREVAILED THROUGHOUT THE DAY.
WINDS FRESHENED ON THE NIGHT OF MARCH 23 , AND A SCAFFOLDING IN WAN (HAI COLLAPSED IN STRONG GISTS.
WINDS MODERATED ON MARCH 25. SOME BREAKS IN THE CLOUD COVER OCCURRED AND THE TEMPERATURE ROSE TO OVER 23 DEGREES.
HOWEVER, THESE WARM CONDITIONS LASTED FOR ONLY ANOTHER DAY. DURING THE EARLY HOURS OF MARCH 27, COOLER AIR FROM THE EAST REACHED THE SOUTH CHINA COAST, FORCING TEMPERATURES IN HONG KONG TO BELOW 20 DEGREES AGAIN.
WINDS TURNED SOUTHEASTERLY ON MARCH 28 AND RESULTED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF FOG. MEANWHILE, A COLD FRONT FORMED OVER CENTRAL CHINA AND MOVED SOUTHWARDS.
/THE COLD.......
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1988
- 22 -
THE COLD FRONT PASSED HONG KONG SHORTLY AFTER MIDDAY ON MARCH 29, GIVING RISE TO SOME HEAVY SHOWERS AND A DROP IN TEMPERATURE.
PRIOR TO THE ARRIVAL OF THE COLD FRONT, HEAVY FOG ON THE MORNING OF MARCH 29 RESULTED IN TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF FERRY SERVICES BETWEEN CENTRAL AND CHEUNG CHAU AND THOSE IN TOLO HARBOUR.
OVERCAST CONDITIONS PREVAILED AFTER THE PASSAGE OF THE COLD FRONT. AS A RESULT, TEMPERATURES STAYED ON THE LOW SIDE FOR THE LAST TWO DAYS OF THE MONTH.
DURING THE MONTH OF MARCH, NO TROPICAL CYCLONE OCCURRED OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA.
THIRTY-EIGHT AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED FROM HONG KONG DUE TO
HEAVY FOG. A THUNDERSTORM WARNING WAS ISSUED ON MARCH 22.
THE YELLOW FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON MARCH 6, 13
AND 27 AND THE RED FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON MARCH 9 AND
10.
THE STRONG MONSOON SIGNAL WAS NOT HOISTED DURING THE MONTH.
THE MONTH’S FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WERE:
TOTAL BRIGHT SUNSHINE 37.1 HOURS ; 64.3 HOURS BELOW NORMAL
MEAN DAILY GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION 6.58 MJ/SQ.M ; 4.84 MJ/SQ.M BELOW NORMAL
TOTAL RAINFALL 40.6 MM ; 14.2 MM BELOW NORMAL
MEAN AMOUNT OF CLOUD 90 PER CENT ; 14 PER CENT MORE THAN NORMAL
MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY 84 PER CENT ; 2 PER CENT HIGHER THAN NORMAL
MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE 18.9 DEGREES ; CELSIUS 2.4 DEGREES CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE 16.8 DEGREES ; CELSIUS 1.7 DEGREES CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE 15.2 DEGREES ; CELSIUS 1.1 DEGREES CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
MEAN DEW POINT 14.1 DEGREES ; CELSIUS 0.9 DEGREE CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
TOTAL EVAPORATION 49.6 MM ; 46.3 MM BELOW NORMAL
---------0-----------
/25........
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1988
- 2? -
SATISFACTORY JOB SITUATION FOR TECHNICAL GRADUATES
* * * * *
THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION OF TECHNICAL INSTITUTE GRADUATES OF 1981 WAS VERY SATISFACTORY WITH THEIR AVERAGE SALARY INCREASING MORE THAN THREE TIMES OVER THE LAST SIX YEARS, A VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
A TRACER STUDY CONDUCTED LAST YEAR BY THE COUNCIL ON THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION OF 1,700 FULL-TIME 1981 GRADUATES SHOWED THAT THEIR AVERAGE MONTHLY INCOME RANGED FROM $3,800 TO $6,600 AS COMPARED WITH THEIR INITIAL INCOME RANGE OF $1,000 TO $1,800 IN 1981.
THE SURVEY FOUND THAT ABOUT 94 PER CENT OF THE GRADUATES WERE IN EMPLOYMENT AND ABOUT 85 PER CENT OF THEM WERE IN JOBS RELEVANT TO THEIR COURSE OF STUDY IN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.
IT IS ALSO REVEALED THAT 85 PER CENT OF GRADUATES HAD TAKEN UP SOME FORM OF FURTHER EDUCATION AFTER GRADUATION, MOSTLY IN PART-TIME STUDIES, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
-------0----------
SEMINAR FOR CATERING, RESTAURANT INDUSTRY ORGANISED
******
MORE THAN 600 MANAGERS AND SENIOR EXECUTIVES FROM THE CATERING AND RESTAURANT INDUSTRY WILL ATTEND A SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE EVENT WILL PROVIDE PARTICIPANTS WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON MODERN MANAGEMENT AND TO DISCUSS HIDDEN PROBLEMS BEHIND LABOUR TURNOVER IN THE INDUSTRY.
A NUMBER OF EXPERTS FROM THE TRADE HAVE BEEN INVITED TO ADDRESS THE GATHERING.
THEY INCLUDE MR TOMMY CHEUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE ASSOCIATION OF RESTAURANT MANAGERS, AND MR CHAN WING-TSAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE EATING ESTABLISHMENT EMPLOYEES GENERAL UNION.
THE CHIEF LABOUR OFFICER OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, MR CHOW TUNG-SHAN, WILL ALSO SPEAK.
THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR HAROLD KWOK, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
/THE EVENT .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1988
- 24 -
THE EVENT IS SPONSORED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF RESTAURANT MANAGERS, THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON CHINESE RESTAURANT AND EATING HOUSE MERCHANTS GENERAL ASSOCIATION, AND THE OCEAN PALACE RESTAURANT AND NIGHT CLUB LTD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE OCEAN PALACE RESTAURANT, OCEAN CENTRE, HARBOUR CITY, TSIM SHA TSUI, AT 3 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
-----0-----
FIRE SERVICES WORKSHOP FOR KOWLOON BAY * » * t ♦
WORK HAS BEGUN ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FIRE SERVICES WORKSHOP AT KOWLOON BAY.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) AFTER AWARDING A $25 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE PROJECT TO BE COMPLETED BY JUNE 1989.
THE WORKSHOP, LOCATED IN LAM HING STREET, WILL INCLUDE A MAIN BLOCK AND ANNEX BLOCK WITH A TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF ABOUT 4,000 SQUARE METRES.
TWELVE VEHICLE SERVICING BAYS, PAINT SHOPS, ELECTRICAL SHOPS, HYDRAULIC SHOPS, ANCILLARY OFFICES, A CANTEEN AND STORAGE AREAS FOR EQUIPMENT, HOSES AND UNIFORMS WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE THREE-STOREY MAIN BLOCK.
THE ANNEX BLOCK, WHICH WILL ALSO HAVE THREE STOREYS, WILL HOUSE A DUTY DORMITORY AND LIBRARY.
-------0 ---------
/25........
TUESDAY, APRIL 12,
1988
- 25 -
DEATH SENTENCES COMMUTED ♦ * * ♦
THE GOVERNOR, AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HAS DECIDED THAT THE DEATH SENTENCES PASSED ON LO PUN-MAN AND HO WING-SUM ON JUNE 13, 1986 AND OCTOBER 6, 1986
RESPECTIVELY SHOULD BE COMMUTED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT.
LO WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF MADAM CHENG KAU. HO WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF MR TANG TUNG-SENG.
---------0----------
ADJUSTMENT OF GMB ROUTE 30 t ♦ * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE SERVICES OF GREEN MINIBUS (GMB) ROUTE 30 BETWEEN CAUSEWAY BAY AND THE PEAK WILL BE ADJUSTED FROM FRIDAY (APRIL 15).
THE SERVICE BETWEEN CAUSEWAY BAY (LEE GARDEN ROAD) AND WATFORD ROAD WILL ONLY OPERATE DURING PEAK HOURS ON WEEKDAYS AND WILL BE RE-NUMBERED AS ROUTE 30A. THE FARE WILL BE $2.50 PER SINGLE JOURNEY.
FOLLOWING IS THE TIMETABLE OF GMB ROUTE 30A:
ROM CAUSEWAY BAY (LEE GARDEN ROAD) FROM WATFORD ROAD
MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS (EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS)
7.30 AM
7.45 AM
5.30 PM 6 PM
8 AM 8.15 AM
6 PM
6.30 PM
SATURDAYS (EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS)
7.30 AM 8 AM
7.45 AM 8.15 AM
12.30 PM 1 PM
/AT THE ......
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 1988
- 26 -
AT THE SAME TIME, THE FREQUENCY ON THE EXISTING SERVICE BETWEEN CAUSEWAY BAY (LEE GARDEN ROAD) AND HAPPY VALLEY (KWAI FONG STREET) WILL BE IMPROVED FROM 10 MINUTES TO EIGHT MINUTES.
THIS SERVICE WILL BE UPGRADED AS AN INDEPENDENT ROUTE BUT WILL RETAIN THE ROUTE NUMBER 30.
THE NEW GMB ROUTE 30 WILL OPERATE BETWEEN 7 AM AND 10.30 PM FROM MONDAYS TO SATURDAYS AND BETWEEN 8 AM AND 10.30 PM ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AT A FARE OF $1 PER SINGLE JOURNEY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT ADJUSTMENT TO THIS GMB ROUTE IS NEEDED IN VIEW OF THE LOW PATRONAGE DURING OFF-PEAK HOURS.
HE ADDED THAT THE DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SERVICE AND MAKE IMPROVEMENTS WHERE NECESSARY.
--------0 ---------
MA TAU WAI ROAD FLYOVER TO OPEN
*****
THE MA TAU WAI ROAD FLYOVER IN HUNG HOM, LINKING FAT KWONG STREET AND HUNG HOM ROAD, WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 15).
LEARNER DRIVERS, PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE FLYOVER.
AT THE SAME TIME, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE FLYOVER FROM FAT KWONG STREET.
- 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1J, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR VISITS HOUSING DEPARTMENT ....................... -j
PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON SUMMER TIME PROPOSAL .............. 2
CONSULTANT ON FARM PROJECT TO BE APPOINTED................ 4
NEW CHAIRMAN FOR KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD ............... 5
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT IN CATERING TRADE IMPROVED ...... 6
NEW EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD TO MEET ....................... 7
BOE MEMBERS VISIT SHA TIN PRIMARY SCHOOL ................. 8
TUEN MUN EXHIBITION TO BEGIN ON SATURDAY.................. 8
TWO GOVERNMENT SITES TO LET BY TENDER .................... 9
TENDERS INVITED FOR WORK ON MUSEUM SUPERSTRUCTURE ........ 10
TEMPORARY-ROAD CLOSURE IN REPULSE BAY................... 11
RESTRICTED ZONE IN WONG CHUK HxNG ........................ H
TRAFFIC CHANGES FOR FLYOVER CONSTRUCTION ................. 11
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1988
GOVERNOR VISITS HOUSING DEPARTMENT
» * » » »
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, VISITED THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS THIS AFTERNOON TO KEEP ABREAST OF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN PUBLIC HOUSING.
SIR DAVID WAS WELCOMED ON ARRIVAL BY THE NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES AND BY THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR PANG YUK-LING.
SIR DAVID TOURED THE DEPARTMENT’S EXHIBITION HALL, WHERE HE WATCHED AN AUDIO-VISUAL PRESENTATION DEPICTING THE EVOLUTION OF PUBLIC HOUSING IN HONG KONG.
HE WAS THEN GIVEN A BRIEFING ON ALL ASPECTS OF PUBLIC HOUSING BY MR PANG AND THE SENIOR DIRECTORATE STAFF.
BEFORE LEAVING, SIR DAVID SAW A DEMONSTRATION OF COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN AND DRAUGHTING.
FOLLOWING HIS VISIT, SIR DAVID SAID THAT THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY MEANT THAT HONG KONG HAD SET ITSELF THE AMBITIOUS TARGET OF PRODUCING OVER A MILLION NEW FLATS BY 2001.
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR BUILDING MORE THAN HALF OF THESE. TO ACHIEVE THE TARGET, IT WOULD BE ESSENTIAL TO MAINTAIN CLOSE LIAISON BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS, HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID ALSO SAID THAT PLANS TO REDEVELOP THE OLDER ESTATES WERE PROCEEDING WELL.
THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOW WORKING OUT HOW TO PROVIDE THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WITH THE NECESSARY ADDITIONAL LAND, INCLUDING SOME SITES WITHIN THE URBAN AREA SO THAT FAMILIES FROM REDEVELOPED OLDER ESTATES COULD CONTINUE TO LIVE NEAR THEIR PRESENT LOCALITY.
"THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC HOUSING WILL IN NO WAY BE DIMINISHED BY THE RECENT REORGANISATION," HE SAID.
"RATHER IT HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT OUR PROGRAMMES CAN BE ACHIEVED MORE EFFECTIVELY."
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1988
2
PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON SUMMER TIME PROPOSAL ♦ * * * ♦
THE GOVERNMENT WILL SOON START SEEKING VIEWS FROM THE PUBLIC ON THE MERITS OF A PROPOSAL TO ADOPT SUMMER TIME (GMT+9) IN HONG KONG.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, MR MIKE ROWSE, FOLLOWING A DECISION BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
MR ROWSE SAID THE CHIEF SECRETARY, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN JANUARY, HAD UNDERTAKEN TO CONSULT THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND OTHER INTERESTED GROUPS SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT DECIDE TO TAKE THE MATTER FURTHER.
’’THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS CONSIDERED THE ISSUE AND DECIDED THAT THE MATTER SHOULD BE PUT FORWARD FOR PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE A FINAL DECISION IS MADE,” MR ROWSE SAID.
CONSULTATIONS WILL START EARLY NEXT MONTH AND WILL CONTINUE FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS.
THE ADMINISTRATION WILL APPROACH THE DISTRICT BOARDS, SCHOOLS, TRANSPORT OPERATORS, POWER COMPANIES, AIRLINES, TRADE BODIES AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES FOR THEIR VIEWS ON THE ISSUE.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO MAKE COMMENTS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, FIRST FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, BEFORE THE END OF JULY.
IN A CONSULTATION PAPER SOON TO BE TABLED FOR DISCUSSION AT THE DISTRICT BOARDS, THE ADMINISTRATION OUTLINES THE FOLLOWING ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF INTRODUCING SUMMER TIME:
ADVANTAGES OF SUMMER TIME
(I) THERE IS AN EXTRA HOUR OF DAYLIGHT IN THE EVENING WHEN IT CAN BE USED FOR WORK, LEISURE OR SPORTS;
(II) IT MAY HELP SAVE ELECTRICITY. FOR EXAMPLE, GMT+9 WAS INTRODUCED AS A FUEL ECONOMY MEASURE DURING THE LAST TWO OIL CRISES IN 1973 AND 1979. IT HAS BEEN ESTIMATED THAT THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS COULD SAVE CONSIDERABLE SUMS EACH YEAR; AND
(III) BY ADOPTING GMT+9 DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, HONG KONG WOULD MOVE IN LINE WITH MANY OTHER MAJOR COUNTRIES, FOR EXAMPLE, THE UNITED STATES, EEC MEMBERS, AUSTRALIA AND CHINA. CROSS-BORDER TRANSPORT OPERATORS WOULD PROBABLY APPRECIATE THE CONVENIENCE OF MOVING INTO LINE WITH CHINA.
/DISADVANTAGES OF .........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1J, 1988
5
DISADVANTAGES OF SUMMER TIME
(I) IT IS TROUBLESOME TO HAVE TO ADJUST CLOCKS TWICE PER YEAR AT THE BEGINNING AND END OF THE SUMMER TIME PERIOD;
(II) MANY PEOPLE GET UP EARLY - HOUSEWIVES, STUDENTS, WORKERS AND EARLY MORNING WALKERS - AND APPRECIATE THE EXTRA HOUR OF DAYLIGHT IN THE MORNING;
(III) OWING TO LATER SUNSET, THE REMNANT OF AFTERNOON HEATING LINGERS ON INTO THE EARLY PART OF THE NIGHT - AN UNPLEASANT EXPERIENCE FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN CROWDED CONDITIONS; AND
(IV) SOME DIFFICULTIES COULD ARISE IN CONNECTION WITH THE RE-SCHEDULING OF FLIGHTS INTO AND OUT OF HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
THE URBAN COUNCIL AT ITS MEETING ON DECEMBER 8 LAST YEAR UNANIMOUSLY PASSED A RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING TO THE GOVERNMENT THE REINTRODUCTION OF SUMMER TIME IN 1988.
THE GROUNDS FOR THIS WERE THAT SUMMER TIME WOULD HAVE A DIRECT BEARING BOTH ADMINISTRATIVELY AND FINANCIALLY ON THE COUNCIL’S WORK IN MAINTAINING ONE OF ITS STATUTORY FUNCTIONS, FACILITIES FOR RECREATION, INDIRECTLY AFFECTING THE CITIZENS OF HONG KONG WHO WISH TO ENJOY SUCH FACILITIES.
ON MARCH 1 THIS YEAR, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL’S ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE COMMITTEE CAME OUT IN SUPPORT OF SUMMER TIME, AS DID THE COUNCIL’S RECREATION AND CULTURE SELECT COMMITTEE ON MARCH 8.
THE TWO REASONS MOST WIDELY QUOTED WERE THE CONVENIENCE OF MOVING IN LINE WITH CHINA, AND THE BETTER UTILISATION OF SPORTS GROUNDS AND PARKS IN THE EVENINGS.
WHEN THE FULL REGIONAL COUNCIL CONSIDERED THE SUBJECT ON MARCH 31, A MAJORITY OF MEMBERS EXPRESSED DISAGREEMENT WITH SUMMER TIME WHILE EMPHASISING THAT THEY WERE SPEAKING IN THEIR PERSONAL CAPACITIES.
THE SYSTEM OF ADOPTING GMT+9 IN SUMMER WAS FIRST INTRODUCED IN HONG KONG IN THE 1940’S. DURING THE OIL CRISIS IN 1973, GMT+9 WAS INTRODUCED IN WINTER AS ONE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ENERGY SAVING MEASURES.
IN JANUARY 1977, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL DECIDED THAT GMT+8 INSTEAD OF GMT+9 SHOULD BE ADOPTED IN THE SUMMER COMMENCING FROM APRIL 1977 FOR A TRIAL TO GIVE THE PUBLIC DIRECT EXPERIENCE OF IT.
TOWARDS THE END OF THAT SUMMER, THE GOVERNMENT UNDERTOOK A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW TO FIND OUT WHICH TIME SYSTEM THE PUBLIC PREFERRED.
/THE RESULTS ..........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1J, 1988
THE RESULTS INDICATED THAT THE MAJORITY PREFERRED GMT+8 THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
A BILL WAS THEN PASSED IN DECEMBER 1977 SETTING GMT+8 AS THE STANDARD HONG KONG TIME.
GMT+9 WAS AGAIN INTRODUCED FOR A BRIEF PERIOD FROM MAY TO OCTOBER 1979 BECAUSE OF THE OIL SHORTAGE AT THAT TIME.
-------0----------
CONSULTANT ON FARM PROJECT TO BE APPOINTED * » * t *
AN INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANCY FIRM WILL BE APPOINTED BY THE END OF NEXT MONTH TO SET UP DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ON PRIVATE FARMS, A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A MEETING OF THE STEERING GROUP OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE THIS AFTERNOON, AN EPD OFFICIAL SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD APPROVED $8.2 MILLION FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.
"THE CRITERIA FOR SELECTING THE CONSULTANT ARE BEING WORKED OUT AND HOPEFULLY, AN INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANCY FIRM WILL BE APPOINTED BY THE END OF MAY," HE SAID.
HE EXPLAINED THAT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE APPOINTMENT, THE CONSULTANT WOULD PROCEED TO CARRY OUT FURTHER ASSESSMENT AND SITE INVESTIGATION TO IDENTIFY 12 TO 15 LIVESTOCK FARMS FOR DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.
THE STEERING GROUP HAD SO FAR RECEIVED 60 NOMINATIONS AND A TOTAL OF 24 PIG AND POULTRY FARMS IN TOLO HARBOUR/CHANNEL, ANGLER’S BEACH AND MUI WO HAD BEEN SHORTLISTED FOR DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.
MEMBERS OF THE STEERING GROUP ALSO AGREED TO THE TERMS OF AN UNDERTAKING ON THE PARTICIPATION IN THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS WHICH WAS BEING DRAFTED. THE DOCUMENT WOULD SPELL OUT THE CONDITIONS WHICH THE PARTICIPANTS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO OBSERVE.
0--------
/5 ■.........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1988
- 5 -
NEW CHAIRMAN FOR KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD *****
AN ELECTED MEMBER OF THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD, MR LEE WING-TAT, WAS ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AT A SPECIAL MEETING HELD TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR LEE, AGED 32, SERVED THE COMMUNITY AS A MEMBER OF THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD IN 1985-88 AND WAS RE-ELECTED IN THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS HELD IN MARCH.
i
KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD HAS A TOTAL OF 26 MEMBERS, OF WHOM 16 ARE ELECTED MEMBERS, NINE APPOINTED AND ONE EX-OFFICIO MEMBER WHO IS THE CHAIRMAN OF TSING YI RURAL COMMITTEE.
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BRIAN COAK, CONVENER OF TODAY’S MEETING, CONGRATULATED MR LEE ON BEING ELECTED CHAIRMAN.
MR COAK SAID THAT IN TERMS OF POPULATION, KWAI TSING WAS THE LARGEST DISTRICT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND WAS MADE UP OF THE DEVELOPING TSING YI AND LONG ESTABLISHED KWAI CHUNG.
THIS CONTRASTING FEATURE OF OLD AND NEW GAVE THE DISTRICT BOARD AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS WIDE VIEWS ON THE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS IN THE CONSULTATIVE PROCESS ON DISTRICT AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT POLICIES, HE ADDED.
SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1985, THE BOARD HAD GIVEN VALUABLE OPINIONS ON VARIOUS ASPECTS SUCH AS ENVIRONMENT, TRAFFIC, CULTURE AND RECREATION, ADMINISTRATION AND PUBLICITY AND INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE, MR COAK SAID.
"I BELIEVE THAT MEMBERS OF THE NEW BOARD WILL CONTINUE TO WORK CLOSELY TOGETHER IN THE COMING THREE YEARS TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON THIS RAPIDLY DEVELOPING DISTRICT," HE SAID.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS ENDORSED A PROPOSAL THAT THE NUMBER OF COMMITTEES BE INCREASED FROM SIX TO SEVEN BY SPLITTING THE CULTURE AND RECREATION COMMITTEE INTO AN ARTS AND CULTURE COMMITTEE AND SPORTS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE.
MR COAK EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS NECESSARY TO SPLIT THE CULTURE AND RECREATION COMMITTEE AS THE NUMBER AND SCALE OF ACTIVITIES ORGANISED IN THE DISTRICT HAD BEEN EXPANDING IN THE PAST FEW YEARS WITH INCREASED GOVERNMENT FUNDING AT THE DISTRICT BOARD’S DISPOSAL.
ARTS AND SPORTS DESERVED THE ATTENTION OF TWO SEPARATE COMMITTEES SO THAT THE ACTIVITIES COULD BE ORGANISED AND RUN CONCURRENTLY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE TWO RESPECTIVE DISTRICT ASSOCIATIONS, HE SAID.
/THE BOARD'S
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1J, 1988
6
THE BOARD’S SEVEN COMMITTEES ARE: ADMINISTRATION AND PUBLICITY COMMITTEE, ARTS AND CULTURE COMMITTEE, SPORTS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE, COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE, AND TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE.
ANOTHER SPECIAL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY (APRIL 18) TO ELECT CHAIRMEN OF THE COMMITTEES AND TO SELECT REPRESENTATIVES ON REGIONAL COUNCIL.
-----o------
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT IN CATERING TRADE IMPROVED
*****
THE SITUATION IN RESPECT OF THE PROVISION OF REST DAYS AND SICK LEAVE FOR WORKERS IN THE CATERING AND RESTAURANT INDUSTRY HAS BEEN GENERALLY IMPROVED, THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR HAROLD KWOK, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS FOLLOWS THE SETTING UP OF A TRIPARTITE COMMITTEE IN MAY LAST YEAR WHICH COMPRISES REPRESENTATIVES OF THE EMPLOYERS’ AND EMPLOYEES’ ASSOCIATIONS IN THE TRADE AND OFFICERS FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, HE ADDED.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE MANAGEMENT SEMINAR FOR THE CATERING AND RESTAURANT INDUSTRY ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, MR KWOK SAID THE COMMITTEE HAD MET FREQUENTLY TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND EXPLORE WAYS TO IMPROVE WORKING CONDITIONS.
■THEIR EFFORTS HAVE BROUGHT ABOUT VERY GOOD RESULTS AND IT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY THOSE IN THE TRADE THAT ARRANGEMENTS TO PROVIDE REST DAYS AND SICK LEAVE FOR WORKERS HAVE NOW BEEN IMPROVED," HE SAID.
THE TRIPARTITE COMMITTEE HAS ALSO DISCUSSED THE IDEA OF DRAWING UP A CODE OF PRACTICE TO STANDARDISE THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT IN CONFORMITY WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.
"IT IS SUPPORTED BY BOTH THE EMPLOYERS' AND EMPLOYEES’ PRESENTATIVES IN THE COMMITTEE," MR KWOK SAID.
"THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ALSO ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THIS IDEA AND WILL TRY ITS BEST TO ASSIST IN THE PUBLICATION OF THIS CODE."
ON THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE LEGISLATION, MR KWOK NOTED THAT THE MAXIMUM FINES UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE WOULD SHORTLY BE INCREASED FROM $5,000 TO $20,000.
/IN ADDITION
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1J, 1988
7
IN ADDITION, A SPECIAL ENFORCEMENT TEAM MADE UP OF LABOUR INSPECTORS WILL ALSO BE SET UP WITHIN THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TO ENFORCE THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.
"THEY WILL PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO BLATANT OFFENDERS AND I AM SURE THIS ENFORCEMENT ACTION WOULD BE WELCOMED BY THOSE IN THE TRADE AS IT WOULD HELP IMPROVE THEIR IMAGE," MR KWOK ADDED.
TODAY’S SEMINAR WAS ATTENDED BY MORE THAN 600 PARTICIPANTS AT THE MANAGERIAL LEVEL IN THE CATERING TRADE THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
SPEAKERS INVITED TO ADDRESS THE GATHERING INCLUDED MR TOMMY CHEUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE ASSOCIATION OF RESTAURANT MANAGERS; MR CHAN WING-TSAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE EATING ESTABLISHMENT EMPLOYEES GENERAL UNION; AND MR CHOW TUNG-SHAN, CHIEF LABOUR OFFICER OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
THEY SPOKE RESPECTIVELY ON THE MODERN MANAGEMENT AND HIDDEN PROBLEMS BEHIND LABOUR TURNOVERS IN THE CATERING AND RESTAURANT INDUSTRY, LABOUR LAW AND LABOUR RELATIONS.
THE EVENT WAS SPONSORED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF RESTAURANT MANAGERS, THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON CHINESE RESTAURANT AND EATING HOUSE MERCHANTS GENERAL ASSOCIATION, AND THE OCEAN PALACE RESTAURANT AND NIGHT CLUB LTD.
0--------
NEW EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD TO MEET
» « * t
MEMBERS OF THE INCOMING EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL APP°™TMENT of committees and the apportionment of funds at FIRST MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
DISCUSS THEIR
DURING THE MEETING, HOUSING DEPARTMENT OFFICERS BOARD MEMBERS OF THE ARRANGEMENTS CONCERNING TENANTS OF CHAI WAN ESTATE WHO ARE AFFECTED BY BALCONY MAINTENANCE.
WILL
BLOCK
INFORM
15 IN
THIS "TENANT-IN-SITU" SCHEME WILL NOT TENANTS AWAY FROM THE BLOCK WHILE DEMOLITION RECONSTRUCTION ARE BEING CARRIED OUT.
REQUIRE MASS MOVEMENT OF THE BALCONY AREA
OF AND
THREE MEMBERS HAVE ALSO SUBMITTED A PAPER CALLING ON THE DEPARTMENT CONCERNED TO RECONSIDER MATERIALS IN PAVING KING'S ROAD.
TO USING
MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE INFORMED OF THE PROGRESS COUNCIL DISTRICT WORKS PROGRAMME FOR 1987-88.
OF
THE BOARD, BITUMINOUS
THE URBAN
NOTE TO EDITORS:
nMTK1 INVITED TO COVER THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD
2,30 PM TOMORROW IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, 880-886 KING'S ROAD.
MEETING TO
0 -------
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1988
- 8 . BOE MEMBERS VISIT SHA TIN PRIMARY SCHOOL *****
THE CHAIRMAN AND SEVEN MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (BOE) TODAY (WEDNESDAY) VISITED THE BAPTIST LUI MING CHOI PRIMARY SCHOOL IN SHA TIN TO FAMILIARISE THEMSELVES WITH THE GENERAL SETTING AND FACILITIES OF A STANDARD ESTATE PRIMARY SCHOOL IN SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
THE PARTY COMPRISED MRS RITA FAN (CHAIRMAN), MR CHAN YING-LUN, MISS BOW SUI-MAY, MR ERIC K.C. LI, MR ANDREW SO, MR DOMINIC WONG, MR DAVID CHEUNG AND MR TAM MAN-KWAN.
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR RON BRIDGE, JOINED THE PARTY IN MAKING THE VISIT.
ACCOMPANYING THEM WERE THE PRINCIPAL EDUCATION OFFICER (NEW TERRITORIES), MR Y.P. CHAN, AND THE BOE SECRETARY, SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER MISS ROSE LAU.
DURING THE VISIT, MRS FAN AND HER COLLEAGUES AND MR BRIDGE WERE BRIEFED ON ALL ASPECTS OF THE SCHOOL’S OPERATIONS.
THE SCHOOL IS AN AIDED, CO-EDUCATIONAL AND BI-SESSIONAL PRIMARY SCHOOL WITH 26 CLASSES IN EACH OF ITS AM AND PM SESSIONS.
IT ADOPTS THE ACTIVITY APPROACH FOR ITS PRIMARY 1 TO 3 PUPILS AND OFFERS PUTONGHUA LESSONS TO PRIMARY 3 AND 4 PUPILS.
CIVIC EDUCATION IS PROMOTED THROUGH ACTIVITIES SUCH AS EXHIBITIONS, INTER-SCHOOL COMPETITIONS, THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB AND CHARITABLE FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES.
SCHOOL CHILDREN ARE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE PART IN VARIOUS INTER-SCHOOL COMPETITIONS SUCH AS ATHLETIC MEETS, ART AND DESIGN CONTESTS, HANDBALL TOURNAMENTS AND THE HONG KONG SPEECH AND MUSIC FESTIVAL IN WHICH THE PUPILS HAVE ACHIEVED COMMENDABLE RESULTS.
--------0 ---------
TUEN MUN EXHIBITION TO BEGIN ON SATURDAY *****
TUEN MUN RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEIR DISTRICT THROUGH A COLOURFUL TOURING EXHIBITION FEATURING 100 PHOTOGRAPHS, CARTOONS AND INTERESTING CAPTIONS ON VARIOUS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTS.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE MOUNTED IN THE YAN 01 TONG TIN KA PING SECONDARY SCHOOL AT SHAN KING ESTATE ON SATURDAY (APRIL 16) AND AT DIFFERENT VENUES IN THE DISTRICT THEREAFTER.
/A COLLABORATION ..........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1J, 1988
3
A COLLABORATION OF THE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS OF A DISTRICT SECONDARY SCHOOL, THE EXHIBITION PROVIDES LOCAL RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY NEWCOMERS, AN OPPORTUNITY TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THEIR LIVING ENVIRONMENT AND HOW TO MAKE FULL USE OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES.
THE EXHIBITION CONSISTS OF 30 PANELS DISPLAYING PHOTOGRAPHS ON TWO MAJOR THEMES - THE HOUSING ESTATES IN TUEN MUN, AND SOCIAL SERVICES AND DEVELOPMENTS.
THESE ARE PRESENTED BY THfi FORM 1 AND FORM 4 STUDENTS RESPECTIVELY.
DETAILS OF THE EXHIBITION AT THE OTHER VENUES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
DATE TIME VENUE
APRIL 16 (SAT) 10 AM
MAY 7 AND 8 10.30
(SAT AND SUN)
MAY 15 (SUN) 10.30
MAY 29 (SUN) 10.30
- 4 PM YAN 01 TONG TIN KA PING SECONDARY SCHOOL, SHAN KING ESTATE
AM - 6 PM TUEN MUN TOWN PLAZA
AM - 6 PM BUTTERFLY ESTATE SHOPPING ARCADE
AM - 6 PM YAN 01 SQUARE
TO PROMOTE PUBLIC INTEREST, A VIDEO FEATURING THE WORK OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE SHOWN DURING THE EXHIBITION AND A QUIZ WILL BE HELD WITH PRIZES GIVEN TO THE WINNERS ON THE SPOT.
THE EXHIBITION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE YAN 01 TONG TIN KA PING SECONDARY SCHOOL, YAN 01 TONG GROUP AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION, AND THE YOUTH AND COMMUNITY DIVISION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT. IT IS SPONSORED BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE EXHIBITION MAY BE MADE TO 0-862854 (EXT. 39) OR 0-843731.
-----o------
TWO GOVERNMENT SITES TO LET BY TENDER
*****
TWO GOVERNMENT SITES IN KOWLOON ARE BEING LET BY TENDER ON SHORT TERM TENANCY BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
ONE SITE AT THE JUNCTION OF NAM CHEONG STREET AND CORNWALL STREET IN KOWLOON TONG, MEASURING ABOUT 1,800 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR OPEN STORAGE (EXCLUDING CONTAINERS) PURPOSES ONLY.
/THE TENANCY ...........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1J, 1988
10 -
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE OTHER SITE AT THE JUNCTION OF KWEI CHOW STREET AND KING WAN STREET IN TO KWA WAN, HAVING AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,850 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR OPEN STORAGE EXCLUDING CONTAINERS, CONTAINER VEHICLES WITH THEIR TRAILERS/CHASSIS ATTACHED, SAND, CEMENT AND AGGREGATE.
THE TENANCY IS FOR THREE YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
TENDER FORMS AND NOTICES MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON WEST, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250, SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON AND THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON APRIL 29.
0
TENDERS INVITED FOR WORK ON MUSEUM SUPERSTRUCTURE * » * » *
WORK ON THE FOUNDATION FOR THE HONG KONG MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IS NEARING COMPLETION AND TENDERS ARE NOW BEING INVITED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SUPERSTRUCTURE.
*1 o *i jji Jr? Ji n i 1J1 vj /1 1 .1 v’ 1 .. » • • .zi • 1 1 .» (
THE LIAISON ARCHITECT OF THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR TONY LIEM, SAID PILING FOR THE MUSEUM WILL BE COMPLETED IN JULY AND THAT IT SHOULD BE POSSIBLE TO BEGIN WORK ON THE FOUR-LEVEL EXHIBITION BUILDING IN AUGUST.
THE MUSEUM WILL OCCUPY A 28,000-SQUARE-METRE SITE IN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST BOUNDED BY CHATHAM ROAD TO THE WEST, GRANVILLE ROAD TO THE SOUTH, SCIENCE MUSEUM ROAD TO THE EAST AND CHEONG WAN ROAD TO THE NORTH.
IT WILL PROVIDE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF 17,000 SQUARE METRES.
THE MUSEUM WILL HAVE AN INDOOR EXHIBITION AREA OF 6,500 SQUARE METRES AND TEMPORARY EXHIBITION AREA OF 1,000 SQUARE METRES, AND SPACE FOR LECTURE ROOMS, WORKSHOPS, OFFICES AND ANCILLARY FACILITIES.
THERE WILL BE A PLAZA IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING. THE PLAZA WILL BE ELEVATED TO MATCH; THE HEIGHT OF THE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES WHICH WILL CROSS CHATHAM ROAD, GRANVILLE ROAD, AND SCIENCE MUSEUM ROAD.
TENDERS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE FOUR-STOREY SUPERSTRUCTURE MUST BE SUBMITTED BY NOON ON MAY 20. ...
MAWMHO') (IZA THMHT8 DHOHH) MAZ ■<<> ’.iC I !"WJ(. 3HT IA MTJ.8 IZO _________________________________________, _ _
. Y.lkn HHHO'IHUq ( HHaHI ATHO'.) W, I(|:MOXH ) 3OAHOTP. MS'?
/11 ...........
......... YDHAHUT WHT\
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1988
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN REPULSE BAY *****
THE CUL-DE-SAC OF SOUTH BAY CLOSE LEADING TO THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL IN REPULSE BAY WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR THE SCHOOL CARNIVAL.
THE CLOSURE WILL BE IN FORCE FROM 3.30 PM TO 7.30 PM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 15) AND FROM 9 AM TO 4.30 PM THE NEXT DAY.
RESTRICTED ZONE IN WONG CHUK HANG *****
THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF YIP KAN STREET BETWEEN HOUSE NOS. 33 AND 35 WILL BE DESIGNATED A 24-HOUR DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 16).
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP WITHIN THE URBAN CLEARWAY FOR GOODS OR PASSENGERS.
0 - -
TRAFFIC CHANGES FOR FLYOVER CONSTRUCTION
*****
TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FLYOVER ON KWAI CHUNG ROAD BETWEEN KWAI ON ROAD AND KWAI FOO ROAD, A SERIES OF TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN KWAI CHUNG NEAR THE KWAI HING MTR STATION FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 16).
THE MEASURES WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT 16 MONTHS.
UNDER THE ARRANGEMENTS, HING FONG ROAD BETWEEN KWAI HING ROAD AND THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO KWAI HING MTR STATION WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TO ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
VEHICLES TRAVELLING ON NORTHBOUND HING FONG ROAD BETWEEN TAI WO HAU ROAD AND KWAI HING ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO KWAI HING MTR STATION.
AT THE SAME TIME, ALL VEHICLES EXCEEDING 10 METRES IN LENGTH OR 3.5 METRES IN HEIGHT WILL BE BANNED FROM ENTERING THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO KWAI HING MTR STATION AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY.
IN ADDITION, HING FONG ROAD BETWEEN THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO KWAI HING MTR STATION AND KWAI HING ROAD; AND THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO KWAI HING MTR STATION WILL BE MADE PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONES, OPERATING DAILY BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM.
0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL.. 5-8428777
THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
DECISIONS ON PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT LIKELY NEXT YEAR : GOVERNOR ...................................................... 1
GOVERNOR VISITS KWAI CHONG CONTAINER PORT .................... 2
SECOND STUDY ON ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY IN PIPELINE ............. J
$20,000 PENALTY IMPOSED ON TV STATION ........................ 5
BUSINESS GRADUATES IN SHORT SUPPLY ........................... 6
UK/HONG KONG AIR SERVICES: BA/BCAL MERGER .................... 7
NEW SECONDARY SCHOOL FOR YUEN LONG ........................... 7
TWO VIE FOR KWUN TONG DB CHAIRMANSHIP ....................... 8
KOWLOON CITY DB MEETS TOMORROW............................... 8
YAU TSIM DB GETS DOWN TO BUSINESS ........................... 9
NEW TAI PO DB TO MEET TOMORROW............................... 9
SPECIAL VALLEY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR PRESIDENT'S VISIT ... 10
OUTREACH DENTAL TEAM MOVES TO PO TOI ......................... 11
SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO ISRAEL EXTENDED.......................... 12
ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS FACE DEMOLITION ....................... 12
TUEN MUN RESIDENTS TO LEARN ABOUT' FINANCIAL SERVICES......... 1}
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR SAI KUNG DRAGON BOAT RACES........... 14
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC RESTRICTION IN CENTRAL...................... 14
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CHANGES IN YUEN LONG ....................... 15
THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1988
DECISIONS ON PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT LIKELY NEXT YEAR : GOVERNOR
THE GOVERNMENT WAS AIMING AT MAKING DECISIONS ON THE FURTHER EXPANSION OF THE CONTAINER PORT AND THE LOCATION OF A POSSIBLE NEW AIRPORT BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR, THE.GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINALS, SIR DAVID SAID THAT THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY STUDY WOULD LOOK INTO THE SHORT TERM AND LONG TERM DEVELOPMENTS OF THE CONTAINER PORT.
"THERE IS THE LONGER TERM DECISION. HOW DO WE EXPAND THE WHOLE PORT; IF WE NEED A NEW AIRPORT, WHERE DO WE PUT THE NEW AIRPORT; AND HOW TO TIE THOSE TWO THINGS TOGETHER? THE AIM IS TO GET THOSE DECISIONS BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR," HE SAID.
ON THE SHORT TERM, SIR DAVID SAID THAT RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD BE MADE BY THE END OF THIS YEAR ON WHERE THE NEXT PHASE OF CONTAINER TERMINALS SHOULD GO.
THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT HONG KONG’S CONTAINER PORT HAD OVERTAKEN ROTTERDAM AS THE BUSIEST PORT IN THE WORLD.
"WE’VE GOT TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE BECAUSE THE AMOUNT OF THROUGHPUT THROUGH THE CONTAINER FORT HERE IS BOUND TO INCREASE AT LEAST AT THE RATE THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON IN THE LAST FEW YEARS," SIR DAVID SAID.
NOTING THAT THE FIRST BERTH OF TERMINAL 6, WHICH WOULD COME INTO OPERATION NEXT MONTH, AND THE SUCCESSIVE SERIES OF NEW BERTHS SHOULD ENABLE HONG KONG TO KEEP UP WITH THE I.IKEiA DEMAND FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS UNTIL 1993/94, SIR DAVID SAID WE WOULD HAVE TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE AFTER THAT.
PLANNING ON AN ESTIMATED 12 PER CENT INCREASE EACH YEAR CONTINUING, THERE WERE DISPUTES ABOUT WHETHER THAT WOULD PROVE TO BE PESSIMISTIC, IN OTHER WORDS, THAT THERE MIGHT ACTUALLY BE MORE THAN THAT, OR WHETHER IT MIGHT BE LESS THAN THAT, HE SAID.
"BUT A 12 PER CENT PER YEAR GROWTH IS WHAT WE ARE PLANNING ON. ON THAT BASIS, THE EXPANSION WE ALREADY HAVE IN HAND WILL CARRY US THROUGH TILL 1993," HE ADDED.
ASKED HIS FEELINGS ABOUT A PROPOSAL TO HOLD AN EXPO 1997, THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT IN LIGHT OF THE MASSIVE DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG, IT WAS A VERY INTERESTING AND ENCOURAGING IDEA TO LOOK AT THE QUESTION OF 1997 IN A POSITIVE WAY.
/"WHETHER IT
THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1988
"WHETHER IT WILL TURN OUT TO BE PRACTICAL OR NOT NEEDS A GREAT DEAL OF FURTHER INVESTIGATION, BUT IT’S A VERY INTERESTING IDEA WHICH HAS BEEN PUT FORWARD WITH A LOT OF ENTHUSIASM BY THOSE CONCERNED AND WE NEED TO LOOK AT IT IN DETAIL," SIR DAVID SAID.
HE ALSO SAID IT WAS A VERY POSITIVE WAY TO LOOK AT 1997, AND TO TRY TO THINK OF THINGS WHICH WOULD ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO COME TO HONG KONG AND SEE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN AT THAT TIME.
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GOVERNOR VISITS KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER PORT
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (THURSDAY) VISITED THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER PORT AND MET THE OPERATORS THERE.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR DERICK HALL, SIR DAVID TOURED THE MODERN TERMINALS LTD, THE ASIA TERMINALS LTD, THE SEA-LAND ORIENT LTD AND THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL TERMINALS LTD.
THE GOVERNOR LEARNT ABOUT THE VARIED ASPECTS OF TERMINAL OPERATIONS AND THE IMPORTANT ROLE THESE FACILITIES PLAY IN THE GENERAL ECONOMY OF HONG KONG.
LAST YEAR, THE TERMINALS IN KWAI CHUNG HANDLED A TOTAL OF 2.61 MILLION TEU’S OUT OF THE TOTAL OF 3.46 MILLION TEU’S FOR HONG KONG.
IN ADDITION TO LOCAL IMPORTS AND EXPORTS, ABOUT 30 PER CENT OF THE CARGO HANDLED WAS TRANSHIPMENT CARGO. OF THIS SOME 50 PER CENT WAS CHINA ORIENTATED WITH THE BALANCE TO/FROM THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN REGION.
NEW TECHNOLOGICAL CONTAINER HANDLING EQUIPMENT HAD BEEN INSTALLED BY THE OPERATORS SO THAT HONG KONG HANDLED ALMOST TWICE AS MANY TEU’S PER HECTARE AS ITS NEAREST RIVAL AND WAS ABLE TO DESPATCH VESSELS IN THE SHORTEST POSSIBLE PORT TIME OF 12 TO 14 HOURS.
WITH HONG KONG SURPASSING ROTTERDAM LAST YEAR IN TERMS OF CONTAINER THROUGHPUT, SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS AT THE PORT KEEP PACE WITH THE EVER INCREASING DEMAND.
IN ADDITION TO THE RECLAMATION OF THE KWAI CHUNG CREEK, COMPLETED IN MID-1987, WHICH INCREASED CAPACITY BY ABOUT HALF A MILLION TEU’S, SIR DAVID WAS TOLD THAT THE MODERN TERMINALS LTD IS RECLAIMING AN AREA OF SOME 1.9 HECTARES ADJACENT TO TERMINAL 5 TO FURTHER BOOST THEIR CAPACITY BY SOME 10 TO 12 PER CENT.
/AT THE
THURSDAY, APRIL U, 1988
- 3 -
AT THE ASIA TERMINALS LTD, THE SECOND PHASE OF A MULTI STOREY CONTAINER FREIGHT STATION ON SEA-LAND’S TERMINAL 3 WAS OPENED LAST MONTH. THIS HAS INCREASED STORAGE CAPACITY BY ALMOST ONE MILLION SQUARE FEET AND MAINTAINS THE TERMINAL’S POSITION AS THE LARGEST CONTAINER FREIGHT STATION IN ASIA.
SIR DAVID WAS ALSO TOLD THAT TERMINAL 6 AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL TERMINALS, COMPRISING A RECLAMATION OF 29 HECTARES FROM THE SEA, IS DUE TO RECEIVE ITS FIRST VESSEL ALONGSIDE THE FIRST BERTH NEXT MONTH.
WITH THE COMPLETION OF TERMINAL 6 SCHEDULED FOR THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR, THE CAPACITY AT KWAI CHUNG PORT WILL BE APPROXIMATELY 3.5 MILLION TEU’S.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT CAPACITY WILL BE INCREASED TO APPROXIMATELY 4.5 MILLION TEU’S ON THE COMPLETION OF TERMINAL 7 IN 1993.
ON CURRENT GROWTH RATES, IT IS FORECAST THAT THESE FACILITIES SHOULD MEET HONG KONG’S DEMAND UP TO 1993-94.
AS FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT AND THE LOCATIONS OF THE NEXT PHASE OF CONTAINER TERMINALS, THEY ARE BEING UNDERTAKEN BY THE ’’PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY” (PADS) STUDY.
THE PADS, WHICH COMMENCED LAST MONTH, IS DUE TO MAKE PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR.
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SECOND STUDY ON ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY IN PIPELINE * ♦ ♦ » *
THE GOVERNMENT WILL COMMISSION A SECOND STUDY OF THE LOCAL ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY THIS YEAR WITH THE AIM OF ASSESSING PROSPECTS FOR FUTURE GROWTH FOR THE INDUSTRY, THE OBSTACLES THAT LIE IN THE WAY AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO REMOVE THEM.
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, SAID THIS TODAY (THURSDAY) WHEN SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE HONG KONG COMPUTER CONFERENCE.
MR YEUNG SAID THAT WHILE THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY WAS HONG KONG’S SECOND LARGEST EXPORT EARNER, THE LEVEL OF TECHNOLOGY THAT HONG KONG HAD ATTAINED IN THE USE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS WAS FAR HIGHER THAN IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SUCH EQUIPMENT.
/’’AGAINST THIS.........
THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1988
"AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND, THE GOVERNMENT, IN CLOSE CONSULTATION WITH THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY AND THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY 'COUNCIL (HKPC), HAS BEEN ACTIVELY PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING A SERIES OF MEASURES THAT WOULD ENABLE THE INDUSTRY TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES TO GROWTH," HE SAID.
i) L
HE NOTED THAT THE HKPC WAS BEING FUNDED TO OPEN UP TWO NEW LABORATORIES - THE SURFACE MOUNT TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY AND THE RADIO FREQUENCY AND DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS LABORATORY - BY THE END OF THIS YEAR TO PROVIDE A VARIETY OF BUREAU, CONSULTANCY AND TRAINING SERVICES FOR THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY.
HE ALSO SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT STANDARDS AND CALIBRATION LABORATORY, WHICH KEPT A LARGE VARIETY OF PRIMARY ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC STANDARDS THAT WERE TRACEABLE WORLDWIDE, PROVIDED CALIBRATION SERVICES TO ENABLE MANUFACTURERS TO ACHIEVE THE DEGREE OF PRECISION THEY NEEDED IN MOVING UPMARKET.
IN THE AREA OF EDUCATION AND MANPOWER TRAINING, HE SAID COMPUTER TRAINING HAD BEEN INTRODUCED INTO SECONDARY SCHOOLS WHILE ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING COURSES NOW AVAILABLE AT THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS HAD BEEN BROUGHT MORE CLOSELY INTO LINE WITH DEMAND.
"THUS, IN THE FIELD OF MANPOWER TRAINING AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT, MUCH IS ALREADY BEING DONE TO PREPARE THE GROUND FOR THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY FOR FRESH INVESTMENT, IN ORDER THAT THEY MAY MOVE FORWARD FROM THE RELATIVELY LOW END OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TOWARDS ITS MIDDLE AND UPPER REACHES," HE SAID.
AS TO THE USE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, MR YEUNG SAID THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WAS AWARE, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE LARGE MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS, THAT INVESTMENT IN AUTOMATION SYSTEMS WAS SOMEWHAT PATCHWORK.
HOWEVER, THERE WAS AMPLE EVIDENCE TO SHOW THAT MANUFACTURERS WOULD INVEST HEAVILY IN THE EXPANSION OF PRODUCTION CAPACITY WHEN EXPORT PROSPECTS WERE FAVOURABLE.
TO FIND SOFTWARE THAT MET SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS, MR YEUNG SUGGESTED THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD SEEK EXPERT ADVICE, WHICH WAS AVAILABLE FROM BOTH THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND THE HKPC'S AUTOMATION UNIT AND CAD/CAM WORKSHOP.
LAST YEAR, THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY ACCOUNTED FOR ABOUT 22 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS AT A VALUE OF $42 BILLION.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 14,
1988
- 5 -
$20,000 PENALTY IMPOSED ON TV STATION » » » »
AT ITS MEETING TODAY (THURSDAY), THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY DECIDED THAT A FINANCIAL PENALTY OF $20,000 SHOULD BE IMPOSED ON TVB FOR HAVING EXCESSIVE VIOLENCE IN ONE OF THE EPISODES OF THEIR RECENT DRAMA SERIES "THE FINAL VERDICT".
THE DECISION WAS MADE AFTER THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY HAD CONSIDERED THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF ITS COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE ON THE COMPLAINTS LODGED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AGAINST THE DRAMA SERIES.
SO FAR A TOTAL OF 97 COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED.
THE SCENE IN QUESTION, WHICH DEPICTS THE BRUTAL KILLING OF A FAMILY OF SIX AT THE BEGINNING OF EPISODE 6 OF THE SERIES, WAS FOUND TO HAVE CONTRAVENED THE PROVISIONS OF THE CODES OF PRACTICE RELATING TO PROGRAMME STANDARDS.
IN REACHING THE DECISION, THE AUTHORITY TOOK INTO ACCOUNT THAT TVB HAD RECENTLY BEEN WARNED ON THREE OCCASIONS FOR HAVING EXCESSIVE VIOLENCE IN ITS DRAMA PRODUCTIONS, AND CONSIDERED THAT REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY HAD BEEN AFFORDED TO TVB TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION BEFORE THE CASE IN QUESTION OCCURRED.
APART FROM VIOLENCE, A LARGE NUMBER OF THE COMPLAINTS ON "THE FINAL VERDICT" WERE RELATED TO THE PORTRAYAL OF THE POLICE FORCE IN THE SERIES.
THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY, WHILE TAKING THE VIEW THAT PROPER REGARD SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE NEEDS OF CREATIVE WORK IN DRAMA PRODUCTIONS, WAS OF THE OPINION THAT THE APPROACH ADOPTED IN THE SERIES COULD HAVE BEEN MORE BALANCED.
ACCORDINGLY, IT WOULD REMIND TVB THAT A PROPER BALANCE SHOULD BE MAINTAINED IN THE CONTENTS OF ITS PROGRAMMES.
THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1988
6
BUSINESS GRADUATES IN SHORT SUPPLY
* * » « *
THE PRESENT SUPPLY OF LOCALLY TRAINED BUSINESS GRADUATES FALLS SHORT OF THE SUBSTANTIAL DEMAND FOR MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL IN MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS, ACCORDING TO A VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL (VTC) SURVEY.
THE COMMITTEE ON MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISORY TRAINING FORECAST IN ITS RECENTLY RELEASED MANPOWER SURVEY REPORT THAT LOCAL LARGE COMPANIES IN THE INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCE AND SERVICES SECTORS WOULD ANNUALLY REQUIRE AN ADDITION OF 5,200 MANAGERS AND SUPERVISORS IN ALL FIELDS (OTHER THAN PRODUCTION) OF MANAGEMENT.
TAKING ACCOUNT OF THE RECRUITMENT PATTERN, THE COMMITTEE NOTED THAT HALF OF THESE VACANCIES, ABOUT 2,600, WOULD BE FILLED BY BUSINESS GRADUATES; AND YET LOCAL TERTIARY EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS COULD ONLY SUPPLY SOME 1,600 GRADUATES A YEAR.
IN VIEW OF THE IMBALANCED SUPPLY AND DEMAND, THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED THAT TERTIARY EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS AND THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD GIVE SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE STRONG DEMAND AND ALLOCATE SUFFICIENT RESOURCES FOR COURSES ON BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT.
THE SURVEY CONDUCTED IN LATE 1986 SHOWED THAT THERE WERE ABOUT 63,000 MANAGERS, 110,000 SUPERVISORS AND 18,000 OWNER-MANAGERS IN 1,900 MEDIUM-SIZED, LARGE AND CORPORATE COMPANIES.
THE COMMITTEE CONSIDERED THAT EVEN A SMALL PROPORTION OF THESE MANAGERS AND SUPERVISORS WHO NEED UPGRADING TRAINING WOULD REPRESENT AN ENORMOUS DEMAND FOR POST-EXPERIENCE MANAGEMENT TRAINING.
THIS WOULD BE SEPARATE FROM THE DEMAND FROM THOSE MANAGERS AND SUPERVISORS IN SOME 180,000 SMALLER COMPANIES NOT COVERED IN THE SURVEY.
APART FROM EXPANDING SHORT UPGRADING MANAGEMENT COURSES PROVISIONS BY EDUCATION AND TRAINING INSTITUTIONS, THE COMMITTEE CONSIDERED THAT DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAMMES COULD BE A MAJOR AND EFFECTIVE WAY TO MEET THE VAST DEMAND FOR MANAGEMENT TRAINING.
THE MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT CENTRE OF THE VTC COULD PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THIS RESPECT, THE COMMITTEE SAID.
THE 300-PAGE REPORT CONTAINS MANY FINDINGS AND DETAILED ANALYSIS ON THE MANPOWER SITUATION AND TRAINING NEEDS OF MANAGERS AND SUPERVISORS. IT IS NOW AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE IN CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AT $36 A COPY.
_ _ _ _ o-----------
THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1988
- 7 -
THE FOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENT IS MADE SIMULTANEOUSLY BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE UK DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT:
UK/HONG KONG AIR SERVICES: BA/BCAL MERGER
» » * * »
THE MERGER BETWEEN BRITISH AIRWAYS AND BRITISH CALEDONIAN AIRWAYS BECOMES FULLY EFFECTIVE FROM TODAY (APRIL 14).
HOWEVER, IN THE INTERESTS OF THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC, ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO ALLOW BRITISH AIRWAYS TO CONTINUE TRADING ON THE HONG KONG ROUTE FOR THE TIME BEING UNDER THE NAME OF BRITISH CALEDONIAN AIRWAYS.
THIS WILL BE ON A TEMPORARY AND TRANSITIONAL BASIS PENDING THE COMPLETION OF A REVIEW OF ARRANGEMENTS FOR UK/HONG KONG AIR SERVICES WHICH AIMS AT ENSURING A BALANCED CIVIL AVIATION RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN UK AND HONG KONG.
THIS REVIEW IS NOW BEING CARRIED OUT JOINTLY BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE UNITED KINGDOM DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT, AND IT IS EXPECTED THAT IT WILL BE COMPLETED LATER THIS YEAR.
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NEW SECONDARY SCHOOL FOR YUEN LONG
* * * *
WORK ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SECONDARY SCHOOL IN YUEN LONG HAS STARTED FOLLOWING THE AWARD OF A $20.2 MILLION CONTRACT BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE SCHOOL IS BEING BUILT TO MEET THE GROWING NEEDS OF THE YUEN LONG NEW TOWN.
SITUATED ON A 5,637-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT TOWN PARK ROAD SOUTH, THE SCHOOL WILL HAVE 24 CLASSROOMS, A NUMBER OF SPECIAL ROOMS AND AN ASSEMBLY HALL.
OTHER FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE A BASKETBALL COURT, A COVERED PLAYGROUND, STAFF QUARTERS AND CAR PARKING SPACES.
THE PROJECT WILL BE COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR.
- 0 -
/8........
THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1988
8
TWO VIE FOR KWUN TONG DB CHAIRMANSHIP *****
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NEW TERM KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE ELECTED IN AN OPEN MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.
AT THE CLOSE OF NOMINATIONS ON APRIL 11, TWO BOARD MEMBERS HAD BEEN NOMINATED FOR THE CHAIRMANSHIP.
THEY ARE MR LAM HANG-FAI AND MRS WINNIE POON YAM WAI-CHUN.
AFTER THE ELECTION, MEMBERS WILL ENDORSE THE DISTRICT BOARD STANDING ORDERS AND CONSIDER REORGANISING COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUP UNDER THE BOARD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FIRST MEETING OF THE NEW TERM KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD TO BEGIN 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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KOWLOON CITY DB MEETS TOMORROW
*****
THE FIRST MEETING OF THE FOURTH TERM KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO ELECT THE BOARD’S CHAIRMAN FOR THE NEW TERM.
THE INCUMBENT CHAIRMAN, MR WONG SIK-KONG, IS THE SOLE NOMINEE.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS THE FORMATION OF DISTRICT BOARD COMMITTEES; THE PROCEDURE FOR THE ELECTION OF COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN AND VICE-CHAIRMEN; SCHEDULE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS FOR APRIL AND MAY; AND THE DISTRICT BOARD STANDING ORDERS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BEGIN AT 2.15 PM TOMORROW IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, TO KWA WAN.
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/9........
THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1988
- 9 -
YAU TSIM DB GETS DOWN TO BUSINESS
*****
THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD ITS FIRST MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO ELECT ITS NEW CHAIRMAN AND CHAIRMEN OF ITS THREE COMMITTEES.
THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MR AUGUSTINE CHENG, WILL BE THE PRESIDING OFFICER.
MR YIP WAH IS THE ONLY NOMINEE FOR CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE BOARD.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS ARRANGEMENTS FOR BOARD MEETINGS AS WELL AS ITS BUDGET THIS FINANCIAL YEAR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FIRST MEETING OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, 490 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
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NEW TAI PO DB TO MEET TOMORROW ♦ * * *
THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD ITS FIRST MEETING FOR THE NEW TERM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ELECT A CHAIRMAN AND THE BOARD’S REPRESENTATIVE ON THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
NOMINEES FOR THE BOARD CHAIRMANSHIP ARE MR HO YUNG-SANG AND MR LEUNG WO-PING.
CANDIDATES FOR THE POST OF REPRESENTATIVE ON THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ARE MR CHENG CHUN-PING, MR LEE HO-FAI AND MR TANG PU1-TAT.
ALSO AT THE MEETING, THE BOARD WILL NOMINATE UP TO FOUR OF ITS MEMBERS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR APPOINTMENT BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AS CO-OPTED MEMBERS OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT COMMITTEE.
THE MEETING WILL BE HELD IN PRIVATE 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, TAI PO. IT WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM.
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/1O........
THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1988
- 10
SPECIAL VALLEY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR PRESIDENT’S VISIT
« * » « *
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN HAPPY VALLEY ON SUNDAY (APRIL 17) WHEN PRESIDENT CORAZON AQUINO OF THE PHILIPPINES WILL ATTEND MASS AT ST MARGARET’S CHURCH.
THESE ARRANGEMENTS, UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 6 AM TO 1 PM.
BROADWOOD ROAD BETWEEN VENTRIS ROAD AND WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES; AND BROADWOOD ROAD BETWEEN LINK ROAD AND VENTRIS ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY UPHILL.
MEANWHILE, FROM 10 AM TO 1 PM, VENTRIS ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC EXCEPT FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES AND THOSE VEHICLES REQUIRING ACCESS TO LOCAL PREMISES AND TO UPPER BROADWOOD ROAD AND LEIGHTON HILL AREA. THE UPHILL LANE OF LINK ROAD WILL ALSO BE CLOSED EXCEPT FOR LOCAL ACCESS.
VEHICLES ON CAROLINE HILL ROAD HEADING FOR HAPPY VALLEY WILL BE DIVERTED VIA LEIGHTON ROAD AND WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD.
VEHICLES ON WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD HEADING FOR UPPER BROADWOOD ROAD AND LEIGHTON HILL SHOULD USE BLUE POOL ROAD AND VENTRIS ROAD.
VEHICLES EMERGING FROM UPPER BROADWOOD ROAD MUST TURN RIGHT ON TO LINK ROAD, WHILE THOSE COMING FROM LEIGHTON HILL MUST TURN LEFT ON TO LINK ROAD.
IN ADDITION, SPORTS ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY WESTBOUND IF NECESSARY FOR CROWD DISPERSAL.
ALL ON-STREET PARKING SPACES IN VENTRIS ROAD AND THE CARPARK ON WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD OPPOSITE BROADWOOD ROAD WILL BE SUSPENDED.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 14,
1988
11
OUTREACH DENTAL TEAM MOVES TO PO TOI
*****
A TEAM OE MEDICAL PERSONNEL UNDER THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OUTREACH DENTAL SCHEME, AFTER BEING STATIONED AT PAK MONG ON NORTHERN LANTAU FOR 10 WEEKS, MOVES TO PO TOI TODAY (THURSDAY) TO PROVIDE FREE SERVICES TO ISLANDERS THERE.
THE DENTIST-IN-CHARGE, DR PETER TREPPER, SAID THE SCHEME WAS WELCOMED BY ISLANDERS, PARTICULARLY THE ELDERLY PEOPLE IN REMOTE AREAS, AS IT ENABLED THEM TO GET PROPER DENTAL TREATMENT CONVENIENTLY.
"DURING OUR STAY IN PAK MONG, WE PROVIDED DENTAL TREATMENT TO 50 ELDERLY RESIDENTS FROM THE THREE TINY VILLAGES OF PAK MONG, NGAU KWU LONG AND TAI HO," HE SAID.
"WE HAVE CARRIED OUT 50 RESTORATIONS AND FILLINGS, 33 EXTRACTIONS AND PROVIDED DENTURES FOR SOME PATIENTS WHICH MEANS $29,000 WORTH OF SERVICES HAD BEEN PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE TO THAT SMALL COMMUNITY," DR TREPPER SAID.
"IN SOME OF OUR VISITS, PHYSICIANS FROM OUR HOSPITAL ALSO CAME ALONG TO PROVIDE OTHER FREE MEDICAL TREATMENT TO THE ISLANDERS," HE ADDED.
THE SCHEME WAS INITIATED ABOUT A YEAR AGO BY THE ADVENTIST HOSPITAL WHICH PROVIDED DENTAL PERSONNEL AND EQUIPMENT. IT WAS ORGANISED BY ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE WHICH WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR LOGISTICAL SUPPORT.
FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, THE MEDICAL TEAM, WHICH COMPRISES A DENTIST AND TWO DENTAL ASSISTANTS, WILL BE STATIONED AT PO TOI VILLAGE OFFICE EVERY THURSDAY FROM 10.30 AM TO 3 PM TO PROVIDE FREE SERVICE TO ISLANDERS THERE.
"PO TOI IS OUR THIRD STOP AFTER TUNG CHUNG AND PAK MONG. AS THE SCHEME IS APPROACHING ITS FIRST ANNIVERSARY, WE HOPE THAT IT WILL BE A CONTINUOUS ONE SO THAT OUTREACH SERVICES CAN BE FURTHER EXTENDED AND MORE PEOPLE CAN BENEFIT FROM IT," DR TREPPER ADDED.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1988
12 -
SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO ISRAEL EXTENDED * * ♦
THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO ISRAEL, WHICH IS AT PRESENT AVAILABLE TO 20 CITIES, WILL BE EXTENDED TO ALL PLACES IN THE COUNTRY WITH EFFECT FROM MONDAY, APRIL 18, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
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 MAY CONTACT THE POSTAL SERVICES REPRESENTATIVES ON 5-8683868.
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ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS FACE DEMOLITION ♦ » ♦ ♦ »
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING THE CLOSURE OF ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS ON THE ROOF OF A BUILDING AT 67-71 NAM ON STREET, SHAU KEI WAN, SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS OR TO THE PUBLIC.
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF THE EXERCISE TO ENFORCE AN ORDER ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE IN JUNE 1987 REQUIRING THE DEMOLITION OF THE ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS.
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 AM ON JUNE 15 WAS POSTED ON THE ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS TODAY (THURSDAY).
DEMOLITION WORK WILL START ONCE A CLOSURE ORDER IS MADE.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 14,
1988
TURN MUN RESIDENTS
TO LEARN ABOUT FINANCIAL SERVICES
» « » » »
TUEN MUN RESIDENTS WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COMMON TYPES OF FINANCIAL SERVICES AVAILABLE TO THEM BY ATTENDING A SEMINAR AND EXHIBITION ON SUNDAY (APRIL 17) ON PERSONAL INVESTMENT AND MONETARY SERVICES.
PREPARED BY THE HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION, THE EXHIBITION WILL COVER FIVE SPECIFIC AREAS OF FINANCIAL SERVICES -RETAIL BANKING, INSURANCE, INVESTMENT BANKING, STOCK EXCHANGE AND REAL ESTATE.
IT WILL BE HELD ON THE PODIUM NEXT TO THE MUSIC FOUNTAIN IN TUEN MUN TOWN PLAZA, AND WILL RUN FOR A WEEK.
TO COMPLEMENT THE EXHIBITION, A SEMINAR ON MODERN RETAIL BANKING SERVICES, INSURANCE FOR BUSINESSES AND PROPERTIES, SAVINGS-RELATED LIFE INSURANCE SCHEMES AND UNIT TRUSTS WILL BE HELD IN THE TUEN MUN TOWN HALL CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HALL ON SUNDAY. IT WILL START AT 10.30 AM.
THE SEMINAR AND EXHIBITION IS JOINTLY PRESENTED AS A PUBLIC SERVICE BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE, HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION, TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE AND TUEN MUN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION ON PERSONAL INVESTMENT AND MONETARY SERVICES WILL BE HELD AT 12.30 PM ON SUNDAY (APRIL 17) ON THE PODIUM NEXT TO THE MUSIC FOUNTAIN IN TUEN MUN TOWN PLAZA.
OFFICIATING WILL BE THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK; CHAIRMAN OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE, MR YIP HING-CHUNG; AND LEGCO MEMBER, MR LAU WONG-FAT.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO TAKE GOVERNMENT TRANSPORT TO THE TOWN PLAZA ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT 11 AM AT THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER, TSIM SHA TSUI.
--------0 ---------
THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1988
14
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR SAI KUNG DRAGON BOAT RACES
******
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR TEAMS WHICH WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SAI KUNG DRAGON BOAT RACES CELEBRATING THE TUEN NG FESTIVAL ON JUNE 18.
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, NON-PROFIT MAKING ORGANISATIONS, COMMERCIAL FIRMS, BANKS AND POST-SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN AND OUTSIDE SAI KUNG DISTRICT ARE ALL WELCOME TO ENTER.
THE DRAGON BOAT RACES, SPONSORED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, ARE ORGANISED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT DRAGON BOAT RACING ASSOCIATION.
EVENTS WILL START FROM 9 AM OVER A 1,000 METRE COURSE OFF THE SAI KUNG TOWN WATERFRONT.
BOATS AND EQUIPMENT WILL BE PROVIDED TO TEAMS AND THEY WILL BE ALLOCATED PRACTICE TIME.
THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS MAY 18. APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SAI KUNG COMMUNITY CENTRE, SHA HA PUBLIC SPORTS FIELD, SAI KUNG TOWN. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 3-7921762.
-------0 ---------
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC RESTRICTION IN CENTRAL
*****
THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF QUEEN VICTORIA STREET, FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL TO A POINT ABOUT 26 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION, WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT ON SUNDAY (APRIL 17).
THE RESTRICTION, WHICH WILL FACILITATE THE LAYING OF CROSS ROAD DUCTS, WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ONE DAY ONLY.
NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP WITHIN THE URBAN CLEARWAY FOR GOODS OR PASSENGERS.
AT THE SAME TIME, BUS ROUTES NOS. 10, 20, 101, 104 AND 105
WILL BE DIVERTED VIA QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL.
-------o----------
/15........
THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 1988
• 15 -
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CHANGES IN YUEN LONG
» » * * »
TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TUEN MUN-YUEN LONG LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM, NO VEHICLES ON SAN HEI TSUEN STREET WILL BE ALLOWED TO TURN LEFT ON TO THE TUEN MUN-BOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD (PING SHAN SECTION) FROM 10 AM ON SUNDAY (APRIL 17).
THE MEASURE WILL BE IN FORCE UNTIL JUNE 30.
MEANWHILE, FROM 10 AM ON JUNE 1 AND UNTIL JUNE 30, THE LEFT-TURN MOVEMENTS FROM THE TUEN MUN-BOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD (PING SHAN SECTION) ON TO SAN HEI TSUEN STREET WILL ALSO BE SUSPENDED.
AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TONG YAN SAN TSUEN ROAD.
-------0 --------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGCO VOTER REGISTRATION BEGINS TODAY .......................... 1
LEGCO ELECTORAL PROVISIONS AMENDMENT BILL GAZETTED......... 3
FEASIBILITY STUDY ON TECHNOLOGY CENTRE ......................... 6
FIRE SERVICES KEEPS ABREAST OF DEVELOPMENTS .................... 7
EDUCATION COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS .............................. 8
MUNN APPOINTED SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER ....................... 9
UNEMPLOYMENT, UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR DEC.-FEB. RELEASED ...................................................... 9
YUEN LONG TO GET SECOND CLINIC ................................ 11
SUBSIDIES FOR CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECTS .................... 12
KWUN TONG BYPASS PHASE III PROJECT TO BEGIN ................... 1J
LAI CHI KOK OUTLINE ZONING PLaN APPROVED ...................... 14
EDUCATION HEAD ATTENDS WINNERS' CONCERT ....................... 15
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBER ................................. 15
WORK OF SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE PRAISED........................ 16
BRITISH EDUCATIONAL DELEGATION VISITS VTC ..................... 17
BANKING LICENCE TRANSFERRED...............................• • 17
NEW IDENTITY CARDS FOR MEN BORN IN 1955-56 .................... 18
TENDERS INVITED FOR VICTORIA ROAD IMPROVEMENT ................. 19
ROADWORKS TO IMPROVE hCCESS TO SHa TAU KOK..................... 20
hawking in chung mei village under control .................... 20
WATER CUT IN TSUEN WAN ....................................... 21
RESTRICTED ZONES IN WAN CHAI ........................»......... 21
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL, WAN CHAI........ 22
FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1988
1
LEGCO VOTER REGISTRATION BEGINS TODAY
*****
THE FIRST PHASE OF VOTER REGISTRATION FOR THE COMING LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS BEGINS TODAY (FRIDAY) AND WILL LAST UNTIL MAY 6.
FOR THOSE PERSONS WHO FAIL TO MEET THE CLOSING DATE, THEIR APPLICATIONS MAY BE ACCEPTED UP TO JULY 1 IN THE SECOND PHASE FOR INCLUSION IN THE FINAL REGISTER.
ANNOUNCING THIS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY, THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER (ELECTORAL SERVICES), MR WAN YIU-SING, APPEALED TO ALL ELIGIBLE PERSONS TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS WITHOUT DELAY.
"APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN FOR REGISTRATION AS ELECTORS IN BOTH ELECTORAL COLLEGE CONSTITUENCIES AND FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, AND ONLY THOSE WHO ARE NOT ALREADY ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTORAL ROLL NEED APPLY," MR WAN SAID.
"TO REGISTER AS AN ELECTOR FOR THIS MAJOR EVENT IS A PRIVILEGE WHICH NO RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUAL OR ORGANISATION SHOULD GIVE UP," HE ADDED.
NEWLY ELECTED OR APPOINTED MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS WILL RECEIVE REGISTRATION FORMS FROM THE SECRETARIATS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNCILS AND DISTRICT BOARDS.
AS REGARDS FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, THERE WILL BE A TOTAL OF 13 CONSTITUENCIES AND ELECTORAL DIVISIONS, INCLUDING TWO NEW ELECTORAL DIVISIONS COVERING THE ACCOUNTANCY AND A NUMBER OF NURSING AND SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS.
MR WAN SAID THAT TO ENSURE THAT THOSE WHO WERE ELIGIBLE WOULD HAVE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO BE REGISTERED, THE DISTRIBUTION OF REGISTRATION FORMS WOULD BE TARGET-ORIENTED.
"THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION WILL POST FORMS TO ALL THOSE WHO ARE QUALIFIED AND WHO ARE ALREADY ON THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL.
"AT THE SAME TIME, FORMS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED THROUGH REPRESENTATIVE ORGANISATIONS AND HOSPITALS FOR STAFF OF THE MEDICAL, . LNTAL, NURSING AND SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS. ELIGIBLE PERSONS MAY ALSO OBTAIN COPIES OF THE FORM AT DISTRICT OFFICES AND DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICES," HE SAID.
MR WAN ALSO OUTLINED THE BASIC QUALIFICATIONS FOR BECOMING AN ELECTOR.
TO BE A CORPORATE ELECTOR, A CORPORATION MUST BE A MEMBER OF A SPECIFIED ORGANISATION FORMING THE CONSTITUENCY AND MUST APPOINT AN AUTHORISED REPRESENTATIVE TO VOTE ON ITS BEHALF.
/THE PERSONS
FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1?88
THE PERSONS APPOINTED SHOULD HAVE ATTAINED THE AGE OF 21 AND MUST NOT BE REGISTERED, IN HIS OWN RIGHT, AS AN ELECTOR IN THE SAME CONSTITUENCY AS THE CORPORATION HE IS REPRESENTING.
AN AUTHORISED REPRESENTATIVE IS NOT ALLOWED TO REPRESENT MORE THAN ONE ELECTOR.
TO BE AN INDIVIDUAL ELECTOR, A PERSON SHOULD BE ALREADY REGISTERED ON THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL FOR THE URBAN COUNC1L/REGIONAL COUNCIL AND DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS AND MUST BE A MEMBER 01* THE SPECIFIED PROFESSION OR ORGANISATION.
’’HOWEVER,” MR WAN SAID, "TO ENABLE MORE PERSONS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 1988 ELECTIONS, IT IS PROPOSED, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, TO ALLOW THOSE PERSONS WHO ARE ENTITLED TO BE, BUT NOT YET REGISTERED, ON THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL TO SEEK REGISTRATION AS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTORS ON THIS OCCASION.”
FOR THIS PURPOSE, HE ADDED, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVISIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, WHICH WAS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, WOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY.
"IT IS HOPED THAT THE BILL CAN BE ENACTED BEFORE THE FINAL REGISTRATION PERIOD (JUNE 17 - JULY 1). IN THE MEANTIME, APPLICATIONS WILL BE RECEIVED BUT WILL NOT BE PROCESSED UNTIL THE LAW IS AMENDED," MR WAN SAID.
SUCH PERSONS MUST REGISTER ON THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL AT THE NEXT OPPORTUNITY, THAT IS, WITHIN 1988, IF THEY WISH TO REMAIN ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTORAL ROLL AFTER THE SEPTEMBER ELECTIONS.
REGISTRATION FORMS FOR THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL ARE DISTRIBUTED AT THE SAME TIME AS THOSE FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTORAL ROLL.
THE BASIC QUALIFICATIONS FOR ENTRY ON THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL ARE:
(A) HOLDING A HONG KONG ID CARD;
(B) HAVING ATTAINED THE AGE OF 21 YEARS; AND
(C) HAVING ORDINARILY RESIDED IN HONG KONG FOR THE SEVEN YEARS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING APPLICATION OR BEING A HONG KONG PERMANENT RESIDENT WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE.
ON THE FRANCHISE FOR SOME OF THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS OF THE NEW HEALTH CARE ELECTORAL DIVISION, MR WAN EXPLAINED THAT IN THE ABSENCE OF FORMAL PROFESSIONAL REGISTERS, THE REGISTRATION OF ELECTORS WOULD FOR THE TIME BEING BE BASED ON MEMBERSHIP OF REPRESENTATIVE ORGANISATIONS.
/HE SAID
FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1988
HE SAID THIS WAS A TEMPORARY EXPEDIENT TO THESE PROFESSIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COMING ENSURE THE REPRESENTATIVENESS OF THE SUCCESSFUL HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONS.
ENABLE MEMBERS ELECTIONS AND CANDIDATE IN
OF
TO THE
"ONCE PROFESSIONAL REGISTERS ARE COMPILED, PROBABLY IN EARLY 1989, REGISTRATION OF ELECTORS WILL BE BASED SOLELY ON SUCH REGISTERS.
"PERSONS WHO FAIL TO OBTAIN ENTRY TO THE PROFESSIONAL REGISTERS, INCLUDING THOSE WHO ARE ALREADY REGISTERED ELECTORS ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTORAL ROLL, WILL BE DISENFRANCHISED," HE SAID.
NO ELECTOR, WHETHER AN INDIVIDUAL OR A CORPORATION, MAY BE REGISTERED IN MORE THAN ONE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY OR ELECTORAL DIVISION. IF THE ELECTOR IS ELIGIBLE FOR REGISTRATION IN MORE THAN ONE CONSTITUENCY, HE OR IT MUST STATE HIS/ITS OPTION ON THE REGISTRATION FORM.
TO FACILITATE BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, A LEAFLET HAS BEEN PRODUCED AND WILL DISTRIBUTED WITH REGISTRATION FORMS.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE WAS MR LAI KWAN-TAT, REGISTRATION OFFICER.
IN
BE
THE
HE INDICATED THAT A PROVISIONAL REGISTER WOULD BE PUBLISHED ON JUNE 17 AND LATE APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SENT IN BY JULY 1. ANY OBJECTIONS TO THE APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE LODGED BY JULY 6.
-------0---------
LEGCO ELECTORAL PROVISIONS AMENDMENT BILL GAZETTED « » » * *
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO PROVIDE A SPECIAL ONE-OFF CONCESSION TO POTENTIAL ELECTORS IN FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES TO BE REGISTERED AS ELECTORS FOR THE 1988 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVIS1ONS)(AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, IF PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WILL ENABLE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ENTITLED TO BE BUT ARE NOT YET REGISTERED AS ELECTORS ON THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL (GER), TO BE REGISTERED AS ELECTORS ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTORAL ROLL FOR THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES.
IN A STATEMENT ISSUED LAST MONTH TO ANNOUNCE THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO INTRODUCE SUCH SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS, THE ADMINISTRATION HAD MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE PROPOSED ARRANGEMENTS WERE ON A ONE-OFF BASIS, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
/INDIVIDUALS WHO
FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1988
INDIVIDUALS WHO BENEFITTED WOULD HAVE TO BE PROPERLY REGISTERED ON THE GER AT THE NEXT OPPORTUNITY IF THEY WISHED TO REMAIN ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTORAL ROLL AFTER THE SEPTEMBER 1988 ELECTIONS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT, AS ANNOUNCED EARLIER, THE PROPOSAL WAS MADE FOLLOWING RECEIPT OF REQUESTS FROM ORGANISATIONS REPRESENTING PROFESSIONAL BODIES TO BE INCLUDED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE EXPANDED MEDICAL AND HEALTH CARE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY.
THE BILL IS SCHEDULED TO BE TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON APRIL 27. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT ON THE BILL SHOULD WRITE TO OMELCO, 8 JACKSON ROAD, HONG KONG OR TO THE DEPUTY CHIEF SECRETARY, FIFTH FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL.
"WE HOPE THAT THE NECESSARY LEGISLATION CAN BE PASSED BEFORE THE FINAL REGISTRATION PERIOD FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS, WHICH RUNS FROM JUNE 17 TO JULY 1," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE AMENDMENT BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE AUTOMATIC ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE BY THE ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND TO REDUCE FROM 30 DAYS TO SEVEN DAYS THE PERIOD DURING WHICH SUCH MEMBERS MAY DECIDE NOT TO ACCEPT OFFICE.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT ONE OF THE AMENDMENTS TO THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS GAZETTED ON APRIL 9 WAS INTENDED TO GIVE GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN THE SETTING OF A DATE OF THE DISSOLUTION FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"PRIOR TO THE AMENDMENT THE DISSOLUTION HAD TO TAKE PLACE ON A FIXED DATE (THE 90TH DAY BEFORE THE THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST SITTING OF THE COUNCIL FOLLOWING THE LATEST ELECTION).
"NOT ONLY HAD THIS ARRANGEMENT BEEN FOUND UNDULY RIGID, BUT, FOR VARIOUS REASONS, IT WOULD HAVE ENTAILED AN UNACCEPTABLY LONG DISSOLUTION OF NEARLY THREE MONTHS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE AMENDMENT TO THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS PERMITS THE GOVERNOR TO CHOOSE A DAY FOR THE DISSOLUTION OF BETWEEN 30 AND 60 DAYS BEFORE THE THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF THE LATEST ELECTION.
"THE PROPOSAL TO PROVIDE FOR AUTOMATIC ACCEPTANCE UNLESS NON-ACCEPTANCE IS NOTIFIED TO THE GOVERNOR WITHIN SEVEN DAYS OF PUBLICATION OF ELECTION RESULTS IN THE GAZETTE, WILL MAKE IT EASIER TO KEEP TO THIS TIMETABLE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE (AMENDMENT OF SCHEDULES) ORDER 1988 ALSO GAZETTED TODAY WAS MADE FOLLOWING THE PRIVY COUNCIL’S APPROVAL TO MAKE THE NECESSARY AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE VI OF THE LETTERS PATENT.
/THE AMENDMENT........
FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1988
- 5 -
THE AMENDMENT CAME INTO FORCE IN HONG KONG ON APRIL 9, 1988 WHEN PUBLISHED IN A GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY.
THE ORDER PROVIDES FOR THE CREATION OF A NEW ACCOUNTANCY ELECTORAL DIVISION WITHIN AN EXPANDED FINANCE AND ACCOUNTANCY FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY, AND THE CREATION OF A NEW HEALTH CARE ELECTORAL DIVISION WITHIN AN EXPANDED MEDICAL AND HEALTH CARE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY.
UNDER THE ORDER, DENTISTS REGISTERED UNDER THE DENTISTS REGISTRATION ORDINANCE ARE INCLUDED WITHIN AN EXPANDED MEDICAL ELECTORAL DIVISION.
THE ORDER SPECIFIES THAT THE HEALTH CARE ELECTORAL DIVISION INCLUDES NURSES REGISTERED OR ENROLLED UNDER THE NURSES REGISTRATION ORDINANCE, MIDWIVES REGISTERED UNDER THE MIDWIVES REGISTRATION ORDINANCE, AND PHARMACISTS REGISTERED UNDER THE PHARMACY AND POISONS ORDINANCE.
THE FRANCHISE FOR ALL THESE IS BASED ON STATUTORY REGISTERS PROVIDED FOR UNDER THEIR RESPECTIVE GOVERNING ORDINANCES.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE FRANCHISE FOR ALL THE PARAMEDICAL PROFESSIONS LISTED IN THE ORDER IS BASED ON MEMBERSHIP OF THEIR RESPECTIVE PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS, NOT ON STATUTORY REGISTERS UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS ORDINANCE AS STATED IN ANNEX B TO THE WHITE PAPER.
’’SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS HAVE HAD TO BE MADE FOR THIS GROUP SINCE THE STATUTORY REGISTERS TO BE DRAWN UP UNDER SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION TO THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS ORDINANCE ARE NOT EXPECTED TO BE IN PL XUE UNTIL EARLY 1989.
"IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES, THE ONLY VIABLE ALTERNATIVE WHICH WOULD ALLOW ALL THESE PROFESSIONS TO VOTE IN THE FORTHCOMING LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS IS FOR THE ELECTORATE TO BE DEFINED BY REFERENCE TO THE MEMBERSHIP LISTS OF THE VARIOUS PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS LISTED IN THE ORDER.
’’THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE VARIOUS ASSOCIATIONS TO OBTAIN UPDATED MEMBERSHIP LISTS. THE FRANCHISE WILL BE AMENDED ONCE THE STATUTORY REGISTERS COME INTO LEGAL EFFECT, PROBABLY IN EARLY 1989," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
UNDER THE TERMS OF THE FRANCHISE SET OUT IN THE ORDER, ONLY INDIVIDUAL VOTING MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATIONS LISTED WILL BE ENTITLED TO VOTE: THIS WILL EXCLUDE CORPORATE OR COMPANY MEMBERSHIP. ALSO "AFFILIATED", "HONORARY" AND "STUDENT" MEMBERS ARE SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDED IN CERTAIN ASSOCIATIONS.
"CARE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT THE FRANCHISE IS RESTRICTED TO QUALIFIED PRACTISING MEMBERS OF THE VARIOUS PROFESSIONS, THOUGH THIS HAS NOT BEEN POSSIBLE IN ALL CASES."
THE ORDER ALSO PROVIDES A TRANSITIONAL PROVISION TO PRESERVE THE EXISTING FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES UNTIL THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS ON SEPTEMBER 22, 1988, IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT OF A PY-ELECTION BEING NECESSARY BEFORE THAT DATE.
------0-------- /6..................
FRIDAY, APRIL 15,
1988
- 6 -
FEASIBILITY STUDY ON TECHNOLOGY CENTRE ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD (IDB) HAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT COMMISSION CONSULTANTS TO INVESTIGATE THE FEASIBILITY OF A TECHNOLOGY CENTRE IN HONG KONG.
AT ITS MEETING TODAY, CHAIRED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, THE BOARD ACCEPTED IN PRINCIPLE A PROPOSAL FROM ITS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT COMMITTEE THAT CONSULTANTS SHOULD BE ENGAGED TO DRAW UP A FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR A TECHNOLOGY CENTRE.
THE BOARD ALSO APPROVED AN EXTENSIVE SET OF RECOMMENDATIONS AIMED AT KEEPING HONG KONG'S TEXTILES AND CLOTHING INDUSTRY COMPETITIVE.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS STEMMED FROM A STUDY COMMISSIONED FROM KURT SALMON ASSOCIATES TO INVESTIGATE THE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THE INDUSTRY AND THE STEPS THAT HAD TO BE TAKEN IN THE FUTURE.
THIS REPORT WAS SUBMITTED TO THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY IN FEBRUARY 1987 AND A TEXTILES SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE IDB WAS ESTABLISHED TO STUDY ITS FINDINGS.
AT TODAY'S MEETING, THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE SUB-COMMITTEE WERE ENDORSED BY THE MAIN BOARD.
THEY INCLUDED A SUGGESTION THAT THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE CORPORATION BE ASKED TO CONSIDER PROVIDING ADEQUATE LAND FOR USE BY WATER-INTENSIVE INDUSTRIES, INCLUDING THE FINISHING INDUSTRY, WHICH INCLUDES PROCESSES SUCH AS THE BLEACHING, DYEING AND FINISHING OF TEXTILES.
THE BOARD WELCOMED A DECISION BY THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL TO ESTABLISH A NEW TEXTILES DIVISION, AND SAID THAT IT SHOULD PROVIDE A FULL RANGE OF CONSULTANCY AND ADVISORY SERVICES TO MANUFACTURERS IN THE TEXTILES AND GARMENTS INDUSTRIES.
ON MARKETING, THE BOARD CONCLUDED THAT THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL'S PRESENT TRADE PROMOTION ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF THE TEXTILES AND GARMENTS INDUSTRIES WERE HELPFUL AND SHOULD (ONT I NUE.
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/7
FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1988
7
FIRE SERVICES KEEPS ABREAST OF DEVELOPMENTS ♦ » * *.»
RAPID STRIDES IN MODERNISATION HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN ORDER TO MEET THE EXTRA WORKLOAD CAUSED BY DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TOWNS IN THE NEW OFFICER OF THE CIVIL AID SERVICES, (FRIDAY).
TERRITORIES, THE CHIEF MR JOHN FORTUNE, SAID
FIRE
THE STAFF TODAY
ADDRESSING A PASSING-OUT PARADE
„„„--- ---------- OF 56 RECRUIT FIREMEN HELD AT
THE FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL IN PAT HEUNG, NEW TERRITORIES. MR
™E BUILDING BOOM IN HONG KONG HAD REALLY NEVER
SLACKENED•
HE N0TED ™AT TO KEEP UP WITH THIS DEVELOPMENT, AND THE GREATER STRAIN ON SERVICES, RAPID STRIDES IN MODERNISATION, IN NEW !?nIWPMT15™n^tI2ING TECHNIQUES, COMMUNICATIONS AND IN MANAGEMENT HAD BEEN INTRODUCED OVER THE YEARS IN THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT
•rnr AS HONG KONG INDUSTRIES BECOME MORE AND MORE SOPHISTICATED, 1S AN EVER INCREASING NEED FOR SKILLED, DISCIPLINED
DEDICATED FIREMEN AND YOU HAVE CHOSEN A TOUGH AND WHAT WILL BE OFTEN HAZARDOUS PROFESSION," MR FORTUNE SAID.
AND AN
"BY
ONE OF THE THROUGHOUT
JOINING THE HONG KONG FIRE SERVICES, YOU HAVE ENROLLED BEST EMERGENCY SERVICES, NOT ONLY IN HONG KONG THE WORLD.
IN
BUT
BE
PROUD OF THE SERVICE YOU ARE JOINING, BE PA I I ENT AND HELPFUL, AND WHEN PERFORMING AND EXECUTING OPERATIONAL DUTIES, REMAIN CALM, COOL, BRAVE AND CONFIDENT."
COURTEOUS,
YOUR
URGING THE GRADUATING FIREMEN HE STRESSED THAT THEY SHOULD ALWAYS PREPARED TO LISTEN AND LEARN.
AFTER REVIEWING THE PARADE, RECRUIT AWARD TO FIREMAN KWAN SIU-KI.
NOT TO STOP ACQUIRING KNOWLEDGE, MAINTAIN AN OPEN MIND AND BE
MR FORTUNE PRESENTED THE BEST
- - 0 - -
/8
FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1988
- 8 -
EDUCATION COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THE RE-APPOINTMENT OF ALL EXISTING MEMBERS OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION UNTIL DECEMBER 31 THIS YEAR.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE RE-APPOINTMENT WOULD PROVIDE CONTINUITY AND WOULD ENABLE THE COMMISSION, UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF MR Q.W. LEE, TO COMPLETE ITS WORK ON THE THIRD REPORT DUE TO BE PUBLISHED IN JUNE.
FOLLOWING IS THE LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION: MR LEE QUO-WEI (CHAIRMAN) SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER (VICE-CHAIRMAN) MISS KATHLEEN ESTHER BARKER MR LAU WAH-SUM MR PETER LEE SHUNG-TAK PROFESSOR BRIAN LOFTS MISS MARIA TAM WA1-CHU MR BRIAN HENRY TISDALL MR PETER C. WONG DR RAYMOND WU WAI-YUNG MR YEUNG PO-KWAN CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF EDUCATION (EX OFFICIO) CHAIRMAN, UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE (EX OFFICIO) CHAIRMAN, VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL (EX OFFICIO) DEPUTY FINANCIAL SECRETARY (EX OFFICIO) DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (EX OFFICIO) --------------------------0-------
/9........
FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1988
- 9 -
P MUNN APPOINTED SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER » * * »
THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT MR CHRISTOPHER MUNN WILL TAKE UP THE POST OF DISTRICT OFFICER IN SAI KUNG FROM MONDAY (APRIL 18).
HE WILL SUCCEED MR KEVIN HO, WHO WILL BE POSTED TO THE GENERAL DUTIES BRANCH.
MR MUNN JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN AUGUST 1980 AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER. HE WORKED IN SOCIAL SERVICES BRANCH AND CNTA BEFORE BEING APPOINTED CHIEF ASSISTANT SECRETARY (MEMBERS) OF OMELCO.
ALSO ON MONDAY, MRS AGNES ALLCOCK WILL TAKE OVER FROM MRS RITA LAU AS PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (NEW TERRITORIES).
MRS LAU WILL BE POSTED TO THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH.
--------o---------
UNEMPLOYMENT,
UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR DEC.-FEB.
*****
RELEASED
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT REMAINED AT A VERY LOW LEVEL IN THE THREE MONTHS DECEMBER 1987-FEBRUARY 1988, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THESE FIGURES INDICATE THAT THE LABOUR MARKET CONDITIONS HAVE REMAINED TIGHT, WITH THE LOCAL WORKFORCE FULLY EMPLOYED.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR DECEMBER 1987-FEBRUARY 1988 WAS 1.6 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH 1.9 PER CENT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING NOVEMBER 1987 AND 2.0 PER CENT FOR THE SAME PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER.
THE DECREASES OF 0.3 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTH PERIOD AND 0.4 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW THE SAME PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER ARE BOTH STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
THE LOWER UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR DECEMBER 1987-FEBRUARY 1988 WAS DUE TO THE RATHER LOW RATE FOR THE MONTH OF 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 .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1988
10
THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS IN DECEMBER 1987-FEBRUARY 1988 WAS ESTIMATED AT 44,600, COMPARED WITH 53,400 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING NOVEMBER 1987 AND 52,600 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1987.
THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR DECEMBER 1987-FEBRUARY 1988 WAS 0.8 PER CENT, WHICH COMPARES WITH 1.1 PER CENT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING NOVEMBER 1987. THE RATE FOR DECEMBER 1986-FEBRUARY 1987 WAS I.0 PER CENT.
THE DECREASES OF 0.3 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTH PERIOD AND 0.2 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW A YEAR EARLIER ARE BOTH STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS FOR DECEMBER 1987-FEBRUARY 1988 WAS 22,700, COMPARED WITH 29,800 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING NOVEMBER 1987 AND 27,400 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 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 (FOR EXAMPLE, 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 THREE-MONTH PERIOD COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE WITHIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE SURVEY.
THESE PROVIDE AN EARLY INDICATION OF THE LATEST TREND IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT SITUATION.
THE PROVISIONAL SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR JANUARY-MARCH 1988 WAS 1.6 PER CENT AND THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 0.9 PER CENT.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS WERE OBTAINED FROM A CONTINUOUS GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THIS SURVEY COVERS A QUARTERLY SAMPLE OF SOME 14,000 HOUSEHOLDS OR 50,000 PERSONS, SELECTED SCIENTIFICALLY TO REPRESENT THE LAND-BASED CIVILIAN NON-INSTITUTIONAL POPULATION IN HONG KONG.
/PERSONAL AND
FRIDAY, APRIL 1?, 1988
11
PERSONAL AND LABOUR FORCE DATA WERE OBTAINED IN THE SURVEY BY INTERVIEWING EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER AGED 15 AND ABOVE IN THE HOUSEHOLDS SAMPLED.
IN THE SURVEY, THE DEFINITIONS USED IN MEASURING UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FOLLOW CLOSELY THOSE RECOMMENDED BY THE ILO.
DETAILED ANALYSIS OF LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS IS GIVEN IN THE REPORT ON THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY WHICH IS PUBLISHED FOUR TIMES A YEAR. THE NEXT REPORT COVERING THE QUARTER ENDING MARCH 1988 SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AROUND JUNE 20 AT $10 PER COPY.
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YUEN LONG TO GET SECOND CLINIC * * * *
A SECOND MEDICAL CLINIC FOR YUEN LONG IS TO BE BUILT TO MEET THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR THE SERVICE IN AND AROUND YUEN LONG TOWN.
IT WILL BE BUILT ON A 2,600-SQUARE-METRE SITE IN SAI CHING STREET.
THE FOUR-STOREY BUILDING WILL HAVE A GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINIC, A DENTAL CLINIC AND A COMMUNITY NURSING SERVICE CENTRE.
FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED INCLUDE CONSULTATION ROOMS, DENTAL SURGERY ROOMS AND AN OPERATION THEATRE FOR THE OPHTHALMIC CLINIC.
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT WHICH WILL START IN JULY AND BE DUE FOR COMPLETION IN JANUARY 1990.
TENDERS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY MAY 6.
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/12
FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1988
- 12
SUBSIDIES FOR CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECTS
*****
A TOTAL OF $600,000 HAS BEEN SET ASIDE BY THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION TO SUBSIDISE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION PROJECTS IN CIVIC EDUCATION THIS YEAR.
"APPLICATIONS FOR THE SUBSIDY ARE NOW OPEN TO REGISTERED COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS AND THE MAXIMUM GRANT PER PROJECT IS $50,000," THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION GROUP OF THE COMMITTEE, MR MAK HOI-WAH, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE AIM OF THE SCHEME IS TO ENCOURAGE ORGANISATIONS FROM VARIOUS SECTORS TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION AND ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS, HE SAID.
"IT IS ALSO HOPED THAT THESE PROJECTS, IN FORMS SUCH AS EXHIBITIONS, PRODUCTION AND TRAINING, WILL ENABLE PARTICIPANTS TO UNDERSTAND AND PRACTISE 'RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP’ AND TO UNDERSTAND AND UPHOLD CIVIC RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES," HE SAID.
EACH APPLICATION WILL BE ASSESSED ACCORDING TO THE CONTENT OF THE PROJECT, WHICH SHOULD BE IN LINE WITH THE SCOPE AND OBJECTIVE OF CIVIC EDUCATION AS ADOPTED BY THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION.
THE BASIC CONTENTS OF THESE PROJECTS SHOULD ENABLE PARTICIPANTS TO NURTURE A SENSE OF CIVIC-MINDEDNESS AND SHOULD BE PERTINENT TO THE NEED OF HONG KONG’S OVERALL DEVELOPMENT.
"CONSIDERATION WILL ALSO BE GIVEN TO THEIR INNOVATIVENESS AND EFFECTIVENESS IN SPREADING THE CIVIC EDUCATION MESSAGE AMONG THE PUBLIC," MR MAK ADDED.
THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS MAY 31 AND THE CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECT MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE JANUARY 15 NEXT YEAR.
EACH APPLICATION WILL BE VETTED AND ASSESSED BY THE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION GROUP WHICH COMPRISES UNOFFICIALS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTAL REPRESENTATIVES.
ALL PROJECTS SUBSIDISED WILL BE INCLUDED IN AN OUTSTANDING PROJECT AWARD SCHEME TO BE HELD IN MAY NEXT YEAR.
APPLICATION FORMS, WITH DETAILS OF APPLICATION PROCEDURES, ARE OBTAINABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES.
MEANWHILE, IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THESE CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECTS, ORGANISATIONS IN THE CIVIC EDUCATION FIELD WILL BE INVITED TO NOMINATE A MEMBER TO ATTEND A SEMINAR TO BE HELD ON APRIL 30 (SATURDAY).
THE SEMINAR WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN 9.15 AM AND 12.30 PM IN THE MING AND CHING ROOMS OF THE SHERATON HOTEL.
/ABOUT 80
FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1988
ABOUT 80 PEOPLE WHO ARE INVOLVED IN ORGANISING CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECTS OR ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR TRAINING ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND.
THE SEMINAR WILL INCLUDE TALKS ON THE REQUIREMENTS OF A FUNDING PROPOSAL, PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES IN CARRYING OUT CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECTS AS WELL AS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS.
FURTHER DETAILS OF THE SEMINAR AND THE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION PROJECT MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE GENERAL DIVISION OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS, 13TH FLOOR, WORLD SHIPPING CENTRE, 7 CANTON ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, OR BY TELEPHONING 3-693950 OR 3-669074.
--------0----------
KWUN TONG BYPASS PHASE III PROJECT TO BEGIN *****
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO CARRY OUT THE KWUN TONG BYPASS PHASE III PROJECT WHICH WILL LINK THE KWUN TONG BYPASS PHASE II WITH THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL SOUTHERN APPROACH.
A FREE FLOW TRUNK ROUTE IN KOWLOON EAST CONNECTING THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL WITH THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING AND THE JUNK BAY TUNNEL WILL BE FORMED UPON COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT.
THE WORKS WILL MAINLY COMPRISE A 1.45-K1LOMETRE DUAL TWO-LANE ELEVATED CARRIAGEWAY WITH AN UP-RAMP AT KAI FUK ROAD NEAR THE INTERFACE WITH KWUN TONG BYPASS PHASE II.
SOME GROUND LEVEL ROADWORKS ALONG KAI FUK ROAD, MINOR DRAINAGE WORKS AND LANDSCAPING WORKS WILL ALSO BE INVOLVED.
CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN MARCH 1989 AND BE COMPLETED BY AUGUST 1991.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL WERE PUBLISHED IN A NOTICE IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
PLANS 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.
THEY MAY ALSO BE SEEN AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE/KOWLOON EAST, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON; AND AT THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE, KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, TUNG YAU STREET, THIRD AND FOURTH FLOORS, KOWLOON.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT NOT LATER THAN JUNE 14 THIS YEAR.
-----0-----
/14........
FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1988
- 14 -
LAI CHI KOK OUTLINE ZONING PLAN APPROVED
*****
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBLISHED THE APPROVED OUTLINE ZONING PLAN FOR LAI CHI KOK AREA.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID THAT THE DRAFT PLAN FOR THE AREA WAS FIRST GAZETTED AND EXHIBITED FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION ON NOVEMBER 8, 1985.
FOURTEEN OBJECTIONS WERE RECEIVED, TWO OF WHICH WERE SUBSEQUENTLY WITHDRAWN.
THE PLAN WAS APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL ON JANUARY 5 THIS YEAR.
THE PLAN COVERS AN AREA OF 229.35 HECTARES SITUATED ON THE NORTHWESTERN PART OF KOWLOON PENINSULA. THE EXISTING CHARACTER OF THE PLANNING AREA - THE RESIDENTIAL AREAS IN MEI FOO SUN CHUEN AND CHING LAI COURT WOULD BE PRESERVED.
AN EXTENSIVE RECLAMATION AREA IS EARMARKED FOR CONTAINER TERMINAL NO. 6 AND POSSIBLE FUTURE CONTAINER PORT AS WELL AS THE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY.
IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF THE CONTAINER PORT EXTENSION AND THE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY, A 150-METRE OPEN SPACE BUFFER BETWEEN THESE DEVELOPMENTS AND THE RESIDENTIAL AREAS HAS BEEN PROPOSED.
THE SPOKESMAN FURTHER EXPLAINED THAT THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE PLAN IS TO PROVIDE A STATUTORY LAND USE PATTERN AND ROAD NETWORK AS A BASIS FOR DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT OF LAND IN THIS AREA.
THE PLAN CAN BE INSPECTED AT THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, SIXTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD AND CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG.
COPIES OF THE APPROVED PLAN ARE AVAILABLE AT THE MAP AND PLAN SALES SECTIONS OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
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/15
FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1988
- 15 -
EDUCATION HEAD ATTENDS WINNERS’ CONCERT *****
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, TONIGHT (FRIDAY) ATTENDED A CONCERT AT THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL IN WHICH PERFORMANCES WERE GIVEN BY WINNERS IN THE 24TH SCHOOL DANCE FESTIVAL.
MR LI ENJOYED A SELECTION OF CHINESE, ORIENTAL, WESTERN AND CREATIVE DANCES PERFORMED BY THE WINNING TEAMS AND HE PRESENTED PRIZES TO THE WINNERS.
THE EVENT WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE HONG KONG SPORTS COUNCIL.
THE 24TH SCHOOL DANCE FESTIVAL ATTRACTED 388 TEAMS FROM 253 PRIMARY, SECONDARY AND SPECIAL SCHOOLS WITH THERE BEING A TOTAL OF 3,861 DANCERS.
A SERIES OF PRIZE PRESENTATION AND WINNERS’ PERFORMANCES HAS BEEN HELD SINCE APRIL 1 AT SHA TIN TOWN HALL, TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL AND THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL.
THE FINAL SHOW WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY EVENING AT THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL.
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBER * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR REGISTRATION NUMBERS TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT 10 AM IN THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL.
A TOTAL OF 40 SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING. THEY ARE:
DT117 DP280 DAI CGI
DS3268 DR8828 DD78 DD28
DP1663 1632 DS3882 DU930
DR8798 DS1628 CC1238 DS2838
DS179 AP823 AK166 BT313
XX58 DT3378 DR7388 DS248
DT333 DS140 HK170 DB60
BB7828 AA933 DS168 AS308
DD2211 DT428 DS1189 DT2881
DS 138 DS1623 DS1368 DS8288
/SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS
FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1988
- 16 -
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MUST PAY IN CASH OR BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
A TRANPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED BIDDERS THAT THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER WOULD BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE AUCTION.
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION WILL AS USUAL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
THE COMING AUCTION WILL BE THE 123RD ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
-------o---------
WORK OF SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE PRAISED * » « * *
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VICTOR YUNG, TODAY (FRIDAY) PRAISED THE SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE FOR ITS MANY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DISTRICT.
MR YUNG WAS SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE 25TH EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE, HELD AT THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL.
HE SAID THE RURAL COMMITTEE HAD FOR MANY YEARS PLAYED AN IMPORTANT CO-ORDINATING AND COMMUNICATING ROLE IN DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, AND AS A RESULT GOVERNMENT MEASURES THAT WERE CARRIED OUT COULD BETTER SERVE THE PRACTICAL NEEDS OF RESIDENTS.
"IN THE WAKE OF THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF SHA TIN IN RECENT YEARS, THE RURAL COMMITTEE HAS ALSO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATED IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE GENERAL WELL-BEING OF THE WHOLE DISTRICT WHILE LOOKING AFTER THE NEEDS OF THE RURAL SECTOR," HE SAID.
"THIS HAS DONE MUCH TO HELP NEW RESIDENTS CULTIVATE A SENSE OF BELONGING."
MR YUNG NOTED THAT THE SHA TIN RURAL COMMITTEE WAS CONCERNED WITH THE VARIOUS PROBLEMS WHICH OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE FAST DEVELOPMENT OF THE DISTRICT.
"I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED WILL DO THEIR BEST TO FIND AND IMPLEMENT WAYS TO RESOLVE THEM," HE SAID.
IN THIS REGARD, HE URGED THE RURAL COMMITTEE AND ALL INDIGENOUS RESIDENTS TO CONTINUE TO GIVE THEIR SUPPORT AND ADVICE TO MAKE SHA TIN AN EVEN BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN.
------o------- /1?..................
FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1988
BRITISH EDUCATIONAL DELEGATION VISITS VTC
*****
A SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM FROM THE BUSINESS AND TECHNICIAN EDUCATION COUNCIL (BTEC) OF THE UNITED KINGDOM ENDED ITS WEEK-LONG VISIT TO HONG KONG TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE TEAM, LED BY MR ERIC MEATS, THE BTEC'S CHIEF OFFICER (STANDARDS AND REVIEW), VISITED THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL AND THREE OF ITS TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.
THE VISITORS ALSO HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE COUNCIL’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MR HORACE KNIGHT, ON REVALIDATION OF STUDY PROGRAMMES AS WELL AS THE BTEC’S LATEST DEVELOPMENTS.
BTEC, A VALIDATION BODY, WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE BRITISH SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EDUCATION AND SCIENCE TO ADVANCE THE QUALITY AND AVAILABILITY OF A WIDE RANGE OF EMPLOYMENT-RELATED EDUCATION TO THE MUTUAL BENEFIT OF STUDENTS AND EMPLOYERS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
MOST TECHNICIAN-LEVEL COURSES OFFERED BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL’S EIGHT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES ARE VALIDATED BY THE BTEC WHOSE AWARDS ARE RECOGNISED BY MANY PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND INSTITUTIONS AS SATISFYING THE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP.
- - 0 - -
BANKING LICENCE TRANSFERRED *****
THE BANKING LICENCE OF DEUTSCHE BANK (ASIA) AG HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO DEUTSCHE BANK AG, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
DEUTSCHE BANK AG WAS GRANTED A BANKING LICENCE IN HONG KONG IN 1979. THIS WAS REVOKED IN SEPTEMBER 1987 AFTER ITS ACQUISITION OF DEUTSCHE BANK (ASIA) AG TN MAY 1987.
THE UNDERTAKING OF DEUTSCHE BANK (ASIA) AG WAS SUBSEQUENTLY MERGED INTO DEUTSCHE BANK AG ON APRIL 5, 1988, THE DATE ON WHICH THE MERGER WAS REGISTERED WITH THE COMMERCIAL REGISTER OF THE DISTRICT COURT OF FRANKFURT AM MAIN.
TO PUT THE MERGER INTO EFFECT IN HONG KONG, THE DEUTSCHE BANK (MERGER) ORDINANCE 1988 WAS ENACTED ON MARCH 16, 1988. THE TRANSFER OF LICENCE ENABLES DEUTSCHE BANK AG TO CONTINUE TO CONDUCT BANKING BUSINESS IN HONG KONG.
"DEUTSCHE BANK AG IS THE LARGEST BANK GROUP IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY. ITS CONTINUING PRESENCE REFLECTS THE IMPORTANCE OF HONG KONG AS AN INTERNATIONAL BANKING CENTRE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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/18
FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1988
- 18 -
NEW IDENTITY CARDS FOR MEN BORN IN 1955-56
*****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT MEN BORN IN 1955 AND 1956 WOULD BE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS FROM APRIL 25 TO JUNE 4.
"MEN OF THE ABOVE AGE GROUP CAN CALL AT ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICES DURING THIS PERIOD," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE OFFICES ARE OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM DAILY, EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
"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 ADVISED TO GO TO THESE OFFICES IN THE MORNINGS AND AFTERNOONS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
APPLICANTS MAY ALSO MAKE USE OF 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:
HONG KONG : BASEMENT, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI. TEL. 5-747070
EAST KOWLOON : AMOY PLAZA, SECOND FLOOR, 77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD. TEL. 3-7553679
WEST KOWLOON : CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, YAU MA TEI. TEL. 3-7232424
TSUEN WAN : EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 29-37 TSUEN FU STREET. TEL. 0-4981259
SHA TIN : SHA TIN CENTRE, PODIUM FLOOR, 2-16 WANG POK . STREET. TEL. 0-6059108
YUEN LONG HOP YICK CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 31 HOP Y1CK ROAD. TEL. 0-793291
TUEN MUN CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, ('HI LOK FA YUEN. TEL. 0-1580862
SHEUNG SHUI ! TSUEN WO TAI LAU, GROUND FLOOR, 82-84 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI. TEL. 0-927155
/THE SPOKESMAN
FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1988
- 19 -
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO REMINDED MEN BORN IN 1957 AND 1958 WHO HAVE NOT APPLIED FOR THEIR NEW IDENTITY CARDS TO COME FORWARD WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY AS THERE IS ONLY ONE MORE WEEK LEFT BEFORE THE CURRENT PHASE CLOSES ON APRIL 23.
HE POINTED OUT THAT FAILURE TO APPLY FOR A NEW IDENTITY CARD WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD IS AN OFFENCE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF 13,000.
HE REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
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TENDERS INVITED FOR VICTORIA ROAD IMPROVEMENT » * » » »
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF VICTORIA ROAD AT THE SECTION BETWEEN SANDY BAY ROAD AND TELEGRAPH BAY.
THE PROJECT INVOLVES THE PROVISION OF A 7.3-METRES WIDE CARRIAGEWAY WITH FOOTPATHS ON BOTH SIDES AND BUS BAYS AT SUITABLE LOCATIONS.
THE SCHEME ALSO INCLUDES THE ELIMINATION OF FIVE DANGEROUS BENDS, IMPROVEMENT OF THE JUNCTION WITH SASSOON ROAD, CONSTRUCTION OF EXTENSIVE LANDSCAPING FEATURES ON THE SLOPES AND ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE ALONG THIS SECTION OF VICTORIA ROAD.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN JUNE AND BE COMPLETED BY MAY 1990.
DETAILS WERE PUBLISHED IN A NOTICE IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM REGIONAL HIGHWAYS ENGINEER (HONG KONG), EIGHTH FLOOR, 500 HENNESSY ROAD, HENNESSY CENTRE, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.
COMPLETED TENDERS MUST BE PLACED IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT TENDER BOX SITUATED IN THE LIFT LOBBY ON THE LOWER GROUND FLOOR OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (EAST WING), LOWER ALBERT ROAD (AT ITS JUNCTION WITH GARDEN ROAD), HONG KONG BY NOON ON MAY 13.
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/2O........
FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1988
- 20 -
ROADWORKS TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO SHA TAU KOK
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS PLANNING TO CARRY OUT ROADWORKS IN SHA TAU KOK TO PROVIDE VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS BOTH TO NEW AND EXISTING DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREA.
THE PROPOSED WORKS, WHICH ARE PART OF THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF SHA TAU KOK, INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF ACCESS ROADS, FOOTPATHS, CAR AND LORRY PARKS, AS WELL AS A BUS AND PUBLIC LIGHT BUS TERMINUS.
THEY ALSO INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN EMERGENCY ACCESS RAMP.
PERMANENT ALTERNATIVE ACCESS WILL BE PROVIDED TO CATER FOR THE EXISTING ACCESSES THAT HAVE TO BE CLOSED. DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS WILL BE MAINTAINED TO MINIMISE INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT 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 BE SEEN AT THE NORTH DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE; AND AT THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT NOT LATER THAN JUNE 14 THIS YEAR.
-------0----------
HAWKING IN CHUNG MEI VILLAGE UNDER CONTROL
*****
JOINT OPERATIONS CARRIED OUT BY THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE HAVE HELPED DETER ILLEGAL HAWKING IN CHUNG MEI VILLAGE, TSI NG YI, THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE WAS TOLD AT ITS FIRST MEETING OF THE NEW TERM TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE OPENING OF THE TSING TSUEN BRIDGE, WHICH ENABLED SWIFTER OPERATION BY GENERAL DUTIES TEAM OF THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF SHOPS AND MARKETS IN THE HOUSING ESTATES, HAD ALSO DISCOURAGED ILLEGAL HAWKING ACTIVITIES THERE.
PREVIOUSLY, HAWKERS NORMALLY GATHERED AT CHUNG MEI ROAD TO SELL FRESH FISH, VEGETABLES, FRUITS, MEAT AND ASSORTED KINDS OF DRY GOODS.
/While most
FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1986
- 21
WHILE MOST OF THEM USED HANDCARTS, BASKETS OR BAGS, SOME MADE (USE OF VANS OR LORRIES.
AS A RESULT, SHOPKEEPERS IN THE ESTATES HAD MADE REPRESENTATIONS OVER WHAT THEY CONSIDERED TO BE UNFAIR COMPETITION BECAUSE THEY HAD TO BID FOR THE SHOPS. AND PAY RENT.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, MR BRIAN COAK, SAID HE WAS GLAD TO HEAR THAT THE HAWKING SITUATION HAD NOW IMPROVED.
AT THE MEETING, RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS WERE ASKED TO CONTINUE THEIR EFFORTS TO CONTAIN THE PROBLEM, PARTICULARLY TO ELIMINATE ILLEGAL COOKED FOOD STALLS WHICH COULD BE A SOURCE FOR CONTRACTING HEPATITIS.
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WATER CUT IN TSUEN WAN * * t t
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 19) TO 7 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR WATER MAINS WORK.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES AT CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD, LO WAI ROAD, HILL TOP ROAD, YI PEI CHUN ROAD, LO WAI, HILL TOP COUNTRY CLUB, SAN TUNG UK, CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE, CHEUNG SHAN TEMPORARY-HOUSING AREA AND HOI PA CHUEN.
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RESTRICTED ZONES IN WAN CHAI * » » » ♦
TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN WAN CHAI WILL 7 PM DAILY RESTRICTED ZONES FROM 10 AM ON
BE DESIGNATED MONDAY (APRIL
AS 18) .
AM TO
I
LOCKHART ROAD WESTBOUND BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES EAST OF AND
WITH FENWICK THAT JUNCTION;
♦
FENWICK STREET NORTHBOUND BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH LOCKHART ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT FIVE METRES SOUTH OF THAT J UNCTION•
FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1988
AT THE SAME TIME, TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN WAN CHAI NORTH DESIGNATED AS PEAK HOUR (7 - 10 AM AND
ZONES.
WILL BE RESTRICTED
4 -7 PM) DAILY
THEY ARE THE EASTBOUND SECTION OF THE UNNAMED ROAD ALONG THE SEAFRONT LINKING FENWICK PIER STREET AND FLEMING ROAD, AND THE UNNAMED ROAD FRONTING THE WAN CHAI FERRY PIER LINKING FLEMING ROAD
, - NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
TO STOP
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TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL, WAN CHAI » » * * »
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN CENTRAL AND WAN CHAI FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (APRIL 18) FOR ROADWORKS.
IN CENTRAL, STAUNTON STREET BETWEEN OLI) BAILEY STREET SHELLEY STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS.
AND
VEHICLES HEADING FOR STAUNTON STREET FROM CAINE ROAD WILL BF DIVERTED VIA ABERDEEN STREET, HOLLYWOOD ROAD AND SHELLEY STREET.
IN WAN CHAI, ALL VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN HEARD STREET TO WAN CHAI ROAD EASTBOUND.
LEFT FROM
IN ADDITION, VEHICLES EXCEEDING FOUR TONNES GROSS WILI BE BANNED FROM ENTERING THE SECTION OF HEARD STREET BETWEEN JOHNSTON ROAD AND WAN CHAI ROAD.
AT THE SAME TIME, WAN CHAI ROAD WESTBOUND BETWEEN ITS WITH WOOD ROAD AND HOUSE NO. 173 WILL BE DESIGNATED AS A MIDNIGHT DAILY RESTRICTED ZONE WHERE NO VEHICLES EXCEPT BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
JUNCTION
7 AM TO FRANCHISED
THESE MEASURES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN WAN CHAI WEEKS.
FOR ABOUT SIX
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PUTTING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TO GOOD USE ..................... 1
FURTHER ALLOWANCE PROPOSED FOR STUDENT TRAVEL .................. 2
WAGE INDEXES FOR DECEMBER 1987 PUBLISHED........................ 4
NEW VTC CENTRE TO MEET TRAINING NEEDS .......................... 8
ISLANDS DB TO BE BRIEFED ON EXPLOSIVES COMPLEX STUDY........ 9
SONG CONTEST TO MARK ENVIRONMENT DAY ........................ 10
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD BY AUCTION ........................... 11
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR SUMMER ACTIVITIES GRANTS ............. 12
NEW PHASE STARTS AT TUEN MUN POOL ............................. 13
URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION IN SHAM SHUI PO............i..... 14
CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD TO BE CLOSED AT NIGHT ................... 11*
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 1988
PUTTING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TO GOOD USE t » » *
THE DEPUTY CHIEF SECRETARY, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT ONE OF THE MANY AREAS IN WHICH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY WOULD BE USEFULLY EMPLOYED IN THE RUN UP TO 1997 WAS THF PREPARATION OF THE LAWS OF THE TERRITORY.
’’THE 31 VOLUMES OF THE LAWS OF HONG KONG WILL NEED TO BE REVIEWED AND, WHERE NECESSARY, AMENDED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE NEW POSITION OF HONG KONG AFTER 1997.
'THIS EXERCISE IS ONE OF THE PRIORITY TASKS OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT FOLLOWING THF SIGNATURE OF THE SI NO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION," MR (’HAN SAID WHEN SPEAKING AT THE 18TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER OF THE HONG KONG COMPUTER SOCIETY.
HE SAID THAT IN PARALLEL WITH THE REVIEW OF THE LAWS OF HONG KONG, THE GOVERNMENT WAS ATTEMPTING TO TRANSLATE THE EXISTING ORDINANCES AND REGULATIONS INTO AN AUTHENTIC CHINESE VERSION AND TO START BILINGUAL DRAFTING OF NEW LEGISLATION.
"A GLOSSARY OF CHINESE LEGAL TERMS IS BEING PREPARED TO ASSIST THE TRANSLATION AND DRAFTING PROCESS, WHICH WILL BE COMPUTER-AIDED FOR BETTER EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCY. EXPERT SYSTEMS WILL ALSO BE EMPLOYED IF THEY PROVE TO BE VIABLE," MR CHAN SAID.
"FURTHERMORE, SINCE HONG KONG WILL NEED TO SET UP ITS OWN COURT OF FINAL APPEAL, IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO ESTABLISH A DATABASE Ol LOCALLY-TRIED CASES. THERE WILL ALSO BE A NEED TO RESEARCH INTO Illi LOCAL STATUTE BOOKS MORI FREQUENTLY, FOR WHICH /A COMPUTERISED TEXT RETRIEVAL SYSTEM WILL BE A MANDATORY TOOL," HF SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THE IMPACT OF ALL THESE CHANGES WAS NOT LIMITED TO THE GOVERNMENT.
"IT EXTENDS TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR AS WELL. ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD, THE LEGAL PROFESSION HAS BEEN EFFECTIVELY AIDED BY INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR SOME TIME NOW. NO DOUBT HONG KONG WILL BENEFIT FROM ADOPTING SIMILAR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY AT AN FARIA STAGE," HE SAID.
MR CHAN POINTED OUT THAT ANOTHER AREA IN WHICH HONG KONG WOULD EXPERIENCE (TIANGF. IN Till RUN UP TO 1 997 WAS THE GROWING IMPORTANCE OF THE CHINESE LANGUAGE.
’’THIS DIMENSION MUST NOT BE NEGLECTED IN THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN HONG KONG," HE REMARKED.
ON THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND MR CHAN SAID THAT Illi COMM ITTEF HAD ALREADY IDENTIFIED TECHNOLOGY AS ONE OF KEY AREAS FOR (’LOSE EXAMINATION.
TECHNOLOGY, INEORMATION
/’’THE COMMITTEE
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 1988
’’THE COMMITTEE HAS RECOGNISED THAT HONG KONG’S SUCCESS IS DUE, IN NO SMALL MEASURE, TO ITS HIGH PRODUCTIVITY AND ITS EXCELLENT COMPUTER INFRASTRUCTURE.
’’THEREFORE, IT WILL BE ONE OF THE PRIORITIES OF THE COMMITTEE TO ENSURE THAT GOVERNMENT POLICIES FACILITATE AND ENCOURAGE MORE WIDESPREAD USE OF COMPUTER FACILITIES IN HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
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FURTHER ALLOWANCE PROPOSED FOR STUDENT TRAVEL ♦ ♦ * t *
THE PROPOSED STUDENT TRAVEL ASSISTANCE SCHEME WILL NOT AFFECT STUDENTS’ PARTICIPATION IN EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, AS IT PROVIDES A GENEROUS ALLOWANCE FOR TRIPS IN ADDITION TO THOSE BETWEEN HOME AND SCHOOLS FOR NORMAL LESSONS, THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR CHRIS GODWIN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
FOLLOWING DISCUSSIONS WITH THE OMELCO EDUCATION PANEL AND THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, 14 TRIPS PER WEEK DURING SCHOOL TERMS ARE PROPOSED.
ORIGINALLY IT WAS THOUGHT THAT 12 TRIPS A WEEK WOULD BE SUFFICIENT : 10 TRIPS TO AND FROM SCHOOL, AND TWO ADDITIONAL FOR EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.
"HOWEVER, SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE EDUCATION PANEL AND THE BOARD SUPPORTED A LARGER NUMBER OF ADDITIONAL TRIPS IN VIEW OF THE WIDE RANGE OF EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES THAT STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE PART IN,” MR GODWIN SAID.
"IT IS THEREFORE PROPOSED TO ALLOW FOR FOUR ADDITIONAL TRIPS EACH WEEK.
"SINCE THE ASSISTANCE WILL BE PAID DIRECT TO INDIVIDUALS INSTEAD OF TO CERTAIN TRANSPORT OPERATORS, THERE WILL BE NO RESTRICTION ON THE MODES OF TRANSPORT USED, OR THE TIMES AT WHICH THE STUDENTS MAY TRAVEL USING THE ASSISTANCE."
UNDER THE EXISTING SCHEME, THE STUDENT TRAVEL CARD IS NOT ACCEPTED ON SEVERAL TYPES OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT, SUCH AS CROSS HARBOUR BUS ROUTES, EXPRESS COACH SERVICES, EXPRESS BUS ROUTES, RECREATIONAL BUS ROUTES, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES, AND SECOND-CLASS TRAVEL ON THE STAR FERRY.
/IN ADDITION, ........
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 1988
- 3
IN ADDITION, THE TRAVEL CARD CANNOT BE USED ON SUNDAYS AND MOST SCHOOL HOLIDAYS.
"FOR EXAMPLE, A LOT OF STUDENTS, PARTICULARLY AT THE TERTIARY LEVEL, WOULD FIND TUNNEL BUSES VERY CONVENIENT FOR GETTING TO CLASSES," MR GODWIN SAID.
"AT PRESENT THEY EITHER HAVE TO PAY FULL FARE ON A TUNNEL BUS, OR USE THE STUDENT TRAVEL CARD ON A LESS CONVENIENT MEANS OF TRANSPORT."
THE ALLOWANCE FOR EXTRA-CURRICULAR TRIPS UNDER THE PROPOSED NEW SCHEME WILL ENABLE STUDENTS TO USE THE TRAVEL ASSISTANCE FOR EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES ON SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS AS WELL. THIS PROVIDES MORE FLEXIBILITY THAN THE PRESENT SCHEME.
ALSO, THE PRESENT SCHEME DOES NOT COVER STUDENTS AGED OVER 25. THERE WILL BE NO AGE LIMIT UNDER THE NEW SCHEME.
UNDER THE NEW SCHEME, THE AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE WILL BE DETERMINED ON THE BASIS OF THREE CRITERIA : THE DISTRICT IN WHICH THE STUDENT LIVES; THE DISTRICT IN WHICH THE SCHOOL IS LOCATED; AND THE AVERAGE FARE BETWEEN THESE TWO DISTRICTS AS DETERMINED BY TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SURVEYS.
MR GODWIN NOTED THAT GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE ON EDUCATION IN THIS FINANCIAL YEAR IS ESTIMATED TO REACH $11,300 MILLION, OR 18 PER CENT OF TOTAL EXPENDITURE.
"SOME TERTIARY STUDENTS HAVE SUGGESTED THE CHANGE TO THE STUDENT TRAVEL SCHEME MEANS THAT GOVERNMENT IS SHEDDING ITS RESPONSIBILITIES TO EDUCATION," MR GODWIN SAID.
"GIVEN THE ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF RESOURCES DEVOTED TO EDUCATION, IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE HOW A REDUCTION IN THE TRAVEL SUBSIDY FOR BETTER-OFF STUDENTS COULD BE INTERPRETED IN THIS WAY.
"MONEY MUST BE FOUND TO MEET THE EVER-INCREASING DEMAND FOR NEW AND IMPROVED SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY. THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE AND THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ARE CONCERNED THAT, UNDER THE PRESENT SCHEME, SOME MONEY IS BEING SPENT WHERE IT IS NOT NEEDED.
"IF THE NEW SCHEME IS APPROVED IN FULL, WE ESTIMATE THAT IT WOULD RESULT IN SAVINGS OF OVER $80 MILLION A YEAR OVER THE PRESENT SCHEME. THE MONEY SAVED WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR OTHER MUCH-NEEDED SERVICES."
AS FOR STUDENTS IN UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE INSTITUTIONS, A PART OF THEIR FULL-YEAR TRAVELLING EXPENSES IS ALREADY INCLUDED IN LOANS UNDER THE STUDENT FINANCE SCHEME.
UNDER THE PROPOSED TRAVEL SCHEME, THE STUDENT FINANCE SCHEME WILL TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE WITHDRAWAL OF STUDENT TRAVEL CARDS IN CALCULATING ANNUAL TRAVELLING EXPENSES.
"UNDER THE NEW PLAN, THE TRAVEL ASSISTANCE WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ALL WHO NEED IT. THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY UNDUE BURDEN ON ANY FAMILIES," MR GODWIN SAID.
------o-------- A ....I..
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 1988
- 4 -
WAGE INDEXES FOR DECEMBER 1987 PUBLISHED * ♦ * »
THE OVERALL NOMINAL WAGE INDEX FOR DECEMBER 1987, AT 151.2, INCREASED BY 9.8 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1986 AND BY 1.2 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1987, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
A COMPARISON OF THE DECEMBER 1987 AND DECEMBER 1986 INDEXES SHOWS THAT THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX F&R THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR INCREASED BY 9.3 PER CENT.
FOR THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR THE INCREASE WAS 12.6 PER CENT; FOR THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR 8.3 PER CENT; FOR THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR 8.5 PER CENT; AND FOR THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR 10.1 PER CENT.
A COMPARISON OF THE DECEMBER 1987 AND SEPTEMBER 1987 INDEXES SHOWS THAT THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR INCREASED BY 0.7 PER CENT; FOR THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR BY 3.5 PER CENT; AND FOR THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR BY 0.6 PER CENT.
THAT FOR THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR DECREASED BY 0.1 PER CENT; AND THAT FOR THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR REMAINED UNCHANGED.
THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES FOR THE PERIOD DECEMBER 1986 TO DECEMBER 1987 FOR SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 1. DETAILED BREAKDOWNS FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 2.
THE OVERALL REAL WAGE INDEX, AT 106.8 IN DECEMBER 1987, WAS 2.2 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THAT IN DECEMBER 1986 AND 0.8 PER CENT LOWER THAN THAT IN SEPTEMBER 1987.
FROM DECEMBER 1986 TO DECEMBER 1987, THE REAL WAGE INDEX FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR INCREASED BY 1.6 PER CENT; FOR THE WHOLESALE/ RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR BY 4.7 PER CENT; FOR THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR BY 0.7 PER CENT; FOR THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR BY 0.8 PER CENT; AND FOR THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR BY 2.5 PER CENT.
COMPARING DECEMBER 1987 WITH SEPTEMBER 1987, THE REAL WAGE INDEX FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR DECREASED BY 1.2 PER CENT; FOR THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR BY 2.1 PER CENT; FOR THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR BY 2.0 PER CENT; AND FOR THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR BY 1.3 PER CENT.
THAT FOR THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR INCREASED BY 1.5 PER CENT.
THE REAL WAGE INDEXES FOR THE PERIOD DECEMBER 1986 TO DECEMBER 1987 FOR SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 3.
/THESE NOMINAL
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 1988
5 -
THESE NOMINAL AND REAL WAGE INDEXES ARE DERIVED FROM THE SURVEY OF WAGES, SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CONDUCTED EACH QUARTER BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY COVERS BOTH MANUAL AND NON-MANUAL WORKERS (EXCLUDING WORKERS AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROFESSIONAL LEVELS) IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR, THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR AND THE PERSONAL SERVICES SECTOR.
SUCH INDEXES MEASURE CHANGES IN WAGE RATES BY HOLDING THE STRUCTURAL PATTERN OF THE LABOUR FORCE WITH RESPECT TO INDUSTRY, OCCUPATION, SEX AND MODE OF PAYMENT THE SAME AS THAT OF MARCH 1982, WHICH IS THE BASE PERIOD OF THE WAGE INDEXES.
WHILE THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX MEASURES CHANGES IN WAGE RATES IN MONEY TERMS, THE REAL WAGE INDEX, WHICH IS OBTAINED BY DEFLATING THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A), MEASURES CHANGES IN THE PURCHASING POWER OF THE WAGES RECEIVED.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT DREW ATTENTION TO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE WAGE INDEXES AND THE INDEXES OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED WHICH ARE ALSO PUBLISHED AT QUARTERLY INTERVALS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT WHILE WAGE RATES PROVIDE A MEASURE OF THE UNIT PRICE OF LABOUR, PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IS A MEASURE OF PER CAPITA EARNINGS.
WAGE RATES REPRESENT THE AMOUNT OF REMUNERATION FOR NORMAL HOURS OF WORK, AND ARE DEFINED TO INCLUDE BASIC WAGES AND SALARIES, COST-OF-LIVING ALLOWANCE, MEAL BENEFITS, COMMISSION AND TIPS, GOOD ATTENDANCE BONUS AND NIGHT SHIFT ALLOWANCE.
IN ADDITION, YEAR-END BONUS AND OTHER GUARANTEED AND REGULAR BONUSES AND ALLOWANCES THAT ARE PAID LESS FREQUENTLY THAN MONTHLY, ARE CONVERTED TO AN EQUIVALENT MONTHLY RATE WHEN COMPILING THE WAGE RATE INDEXES.
TOTAL PAYROLL, ON THE OTHER HAND, IS THE AMOUNT OF DIRECT CASH PAYMENTS THAT EMPLOYEES RECEIVE FROM EMPLOYERS. APART FROM THE ABOVE MENTIONED CASH RECEIPTS, IT ALSO INCLUDES OVERTIME PAY AND OTHER NON-GUARANTEED AND IRREGULAR BONUSES AND ALLOWANCES.
HENCE, STATISTICS ON PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED TEND TO BE SENSITIVE TO CHANGES IN THE NUMBER OF HOURS ACTUALLY WORKED, THE TIMING OF THE PAYMENT OF BONUSES AND BACK-PAY, AND THE COMPOSITION OF THE LABOUR FORCE.
AS A RESULT, MOVEMENTS IN WAGE RATES DO NOT NECESSARILY CONFORM WITH THOSE IN PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED.
/THE SURVEY
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 1988
6
THE SURVEY FINDINGS ARE PUBLISHED IN A REPORT OF WAGES, SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS STATISTICS VOL. I, DECEMBER 1987 WHICH WILL BE ON SALE SHORTLY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
THE VOL. II ISSUE OF THE REPORT CONTAINING DETAILED OCCUPATIONAL STATISTICS, SUCH AS WAGE RATES, NUMBER OF NORMAL HOURS OF WORK AND NUMBER OF STANDARD WORKING DAYS IS EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS' CENTRE IN EARLY MAY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE WAGE INDEXES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WAGES AND LABOUR COSTS STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 5-8235024 OR 5-8234747.
TABLE 1: NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES BY SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS INDEXES (MARCH 1982 =100)
DEC. 1986 MAR. 1987 JUN. 1987 SEPT. 1987 DEC. 1987
MANUFACTURING 136.8 142.1 146.2 148.4 149.5
WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 130.1 135.2 137.5 141.5 146.5
TRANSPORT SERVICES 157.3 164.0 166.6 170.4 170.3
BUSINESS SERVICES 143.6 148.6 152.6 155.8 155.8
PERSONAL SERVICES 133.1 136.7 141.0 145.7 146.6
ALL SECTORS ABOVE 137.7 142.9 146.5 149.4 151.2
/Table 2: .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 1988
NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES FOR MAJOR INDUSTRIES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR
TABLE 2:
INDUSTRY INDEXES (MARCH 1982 = 100)
DEC. 1986 MAR. 1987 JUN. 1987 SEPT. 1987 DEC. 1987
GARMENTS 127.0 128.3 132.2 132.5 133.1
GLOVES 145.7 149.1 152.2 154.3 153.9
HANDBAGS 131.9 135.9 136.7 141.9 142.8
COTTON SPINNING/WEAVING 148.1 161.8 163.0 164.6 165.5
KNITTING 138.5 140.8 146.5 148.3 148.2
BLEACHING AND DYEING 150.0 160.3 167.2 168.3 169.3
PRINTING 142.6 145.2 160.6 162.4 164.1
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 136.7 144.8 146.4 146.8 146.4
METAL PRODUCTS 140.8 145.6 151.4 153.0 154.3
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES 151.5 159.2 163.0 165.6 168.6
ELECTRON ICS 143.5 153.2 155.6 162.3 165.0
WATCHES AND CLOCKS 147.9 156.9 171.8 174.9 176.1
MANUFACTURING 136.8 142.1 146.2 148.4 149.5
/Table y. .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 1988
- 8 -
TABLE 3: REAL WAGE INDEXES BY SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS
INDEXES (MARCH 1982 =100)
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS •
DEC. 1986 MAR. 1987 JUN. 1987 SEPT. 1987 DEC. 1987
MANUFACTURING 103.9 106.0 106.3 106.9 105.6
WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 98.8 100.9 99.9 101.9 103.4
TRANSPORT SERVICES 119.4 122.4 121.1 122.8 120.2
BUSINESS SERVICES 109.1 110.9 110.9 112.2 110.0
PERSONAL SERVICES 101.1 102.0 102.5 105.0 103.6
ALL SECTORS ABOVE 104.5 106.6 106.5 107.7 106.8
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NEW VTC CENTRE TO MEET TRAINING NEEDS t t ♦ *
A TRAINING CENTRE OFFERING TAILOR-MADE COURSES TO MEET THE STRONG TRAINING NEEDS FOR WHOLESALE/RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES WILL BECOME OPERATIONAL IN 1990, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
IT WILL PROVIDE BASIC TRAINING FOR ABOUT 2,100 NEW ENTRANTS AND UPGRADING TRAINING FOR 1,400 IN-SERVICE EMPLOYEES A YEAR.
THE HEAVY TRAINING DEMAND HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIATED IN A SURVEY REPORT PUBLISHED RECENTLY BY THE COUNCIL'S WHOLESALE/RETAIL AND EXPORT/IMPORT TRADES TRAINING BOARD.
/IT ESTIMATES
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 1988
IT ESTIMATES THAT THE ANNUAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE TRADES /.'I 400 AT MANAGERIAL LEVEL, 2,200 AT SUPERVISORY LEVEL AND 17,000 AT CLERICAL LEVEL.
SINCE THE EXISTING EDUCATION AND TRAINING INSTITUTIONS Ar UNABLE TO EXPAND AND PROVIDE MORE RELEVANT COURSES, THE BOARD THEREFORE CONSIDERS THAT A TRAINING CENTRE IS ESSENTIAL TO PROVIDE FOR SUFFICIENT FLEXIBILITY AND EXPERTISE TO MEET THE ENORMOUS DEMAND FOR TRAINING BY THE TRADES.
THE SURVEY CONDUCTED IN DECEMBER 1986 FOUND THAT THE TOTAL WORKFORCE OF THE TRADES HAD INCREASED TO 400,000, REPRESENTING A MODERATE GROWTH RATE OF 4.7 PER CENT WITHfN TWO YEARS.
THE MANPOWER SURVEY REPORT ON THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE IN CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AT $22 A COPY.
-----0------
ISLANDS DB TO BE BRIEFED ON EXPLOSIVES COMPLEX STUDY
» * * < «
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE INFORMED OF THE PROGRESS OF A FEASIBILITY STUDY INTO A NEW EXPLOSIVES COMPLEX AT CHI MA WAN ON LANTAU IN ITS FIRST MEETING OF THE NEW TERM ON MONDAY (APRIL 18).
MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE STUDY WHICH BEGAN FIVE MONTHS AGO TO EXAMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF DEVELOPING AN EXPLOSIVES COMPLEX AT THE EAST HEADLAND OF CHI MA WAN PENINSULA, TO REPLACE THE EXISTING ONE AT STONECUTTERS ISLANDS, BY THE EARLY 1990'S.
AT THE MEETING, THE DISTRICT BOARD WILL ELECT ITS CHAIRMAN AS WELL AS CHAIRMEN FOR ITS FIVE COMMITTEES.
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JONATHAN NG, WILL BE THE PRESIDING OFFICER.
THE INCUMBENT CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, MR LAM WAI-KEUNG, IS THE SOLE NOMINEE, AND WILL THUS CONTINUE IN THE CHAIR.
THE BOARD WILL ALSO ELECT ITS REPRESENTATIVE TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL’S ISLANDS DISTRICT COMMITTEE.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA CONCERN AN OVERSEAS STUDY TOUR TC SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA IN JUNE, REVISION OF THE BOARD’S STANDING ORDERS, AND ROAD WORKS PROPOSED FOR SIN YAN TSENG RURAL PUBLIC HOUSING ON CHEUNG CHAU.
/MEMBERS WILL
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 1988
10
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THEIR PARTICIPATION IN WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 1988, THE 1988-89 KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN AND ALLOCATION OF DB FUNDS.
THEY WILL ALSO BE INFORMED OF THE ANNUAL RECREATION AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES PROGRAMMME ORGANISED BY REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS THE WORK PLAN FOR ICAC LIAISON ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FIRST MEETING OF THE 1988-91 ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD TO BEGIN AT 2 PM ON MONDAY (APRIL 18) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD, 14TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
-----0------
SONG CONTEST TO MARK ENVIRONMENT DAY » » * » »
APPLICATIONS ARE BEING INVITED FOR A POPULAR SONG CONTEST WHICH WILL BE ONE OF THE MAJOR ACTIVITIES HELD TO CELEBRATE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY (WED) 1988 IN HONG KONG.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WORKING GROUP SET UP UNDER THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EPCOM) TO CO-ORDINATE THESE ACTIVITIES, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE SONG CONTEST HAS BEEN ORGANISED TO PUT ACROSS THE CENTRAL THEME OF WED OF PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AMONG THE PUBLIC.
"THE WINNER OF THE SONG CONTEST WILL REPRESENT HONG KONG IN AN INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL TO BE HELD IN BANGKOK ON JUNE 5 AND ORGANISED BY THE UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME," HE SAID.
CONTESTANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT AN ORIGINAL COMPOSITION WITH LYRICS IN CHINESE OR ENGLISH OR BOTH TO PROMOTE WED’S CENTRAL THEME.
EACH SONG IS TO BE SUBMITTED IN A DEMONSTRATION CASSETTE TAPE AND ACCOMPANIED BY THREE COPIES OF SHEET MUSIC AND LYRICS.
ENTRIES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE, C/O HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH, ROOM 708, MAIN WING, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
/ENTRY FORMS
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 19*88
11 -
ENTRY FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-8102650.
THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRY TO THE POPULAR SONG CONTEST IS APRIL 30.
LIST OF FINALISTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON MAY 3 AND THE FINAL WILL BE HELD ON MAY 20 AND BROADCAST LIVE BY TELEVISION BROADCASTS LIMITED IN ITS "ENJOY YOURSELF TONIGHT" SHOW.
IF THE SONG IS SELECTED TO ENTER THE FINAL, THE ORGANISER WILL ASSIST IN ARRANGING THE MUSIC FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF THE SONG IN THE TELEVISION SHOW.
THE PANEL OF JUDGES WILL CONSIST OF REPRESENTATIVES OF EPCOM, THE COMPOSERS AND AUTHORS SOCIETY OF HONG KONG (CASH) AND TVB.
WINNER OF THE POPULAR SONG CONTEST WILL BE AWARDED A TROPHY AND A CASH PRIZE OF $6,000.
RETURN AIR TICKETS AND HOTEL ACCOMMODATION FOR THREE PERSON: THE COMPOSER, LYRICIST AND SINGER - WILL BE PROVIDED FOR THE WIN: L ' TO TAKE PART IN THE INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL IN BANGKOK.
THE FIRST RUNNER-UP WILL BE AWARDED A TROPHY AND A CASH PRIZE OF $2,500. THE SECOND RUNNER-UP WILL BE AWARDED A TROPHY AND A CASH PRIZE OF $1,500.
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SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD BY AUCTION » » » »
FORTY SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE PUT UP FOR AUCTION THIS MORNING (SATURDAY) FOR A TOTAL OF $848,500 WHICH WILL GO INTO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES.
THE AUCTION HELD AT RECITAL HALL OF THE CITY HALL, EIGHTH FLOOR, SAW THE REGISTRATION NUMBER DAI FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $180,000.
ANOTHER NUMBER, CGI , WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $90,000 , WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1,000 EACH FOR DS179, DT428 AND DR7388.
/FOLLOWING ARE .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 1988
12
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY'S AUCTION:
DTI 17 $ 6,000 DP280 $ 7,000 DAI $ 180,000 CGI $ 90,000
DS3268 5,000 DR8828 30,000 DD78 60,000 DD28 80,000
DP1663 2,000 1632 51,000 DS3882 4,500 DU930 4,000
DR8798 2,000 DS1628 11,000 • CC1238 * 10,000 DS2838 5,500
DS179 1,000 AP823 7,000 AK166 6,500 BT313 16,000
XX58 10,000 DT3378 3,000 DR7388 1,000 DS248 4,500
DT333 63,000 DS140 2,500 HK170 18,000 DB60 15,000
BB7828 5,000 AA933 22,000 DS168 52,000 AS308 10,500
DD2211 10,000 DT428 1,000 DS1189 3,000 DT2881. 4,000
DS 138 19,500 DS1623 3,500 DS1368 11,000 DS8288 11,500
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WERE REQUIRED TO PAY IN CASH OR BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
THE NUMBERS AUCTIONED ARE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF \UCTION.
TODAY’S SALE, THE 123RD ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CHARITY REALISED SO FAR TO $59,073,532.
-------o----------
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR SUMMER ACTIVITIES GRANTS
» » » t «
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS IN KWUN TONG ARE BEING INVITED TO APPLY FOR FUNDS TO ORGANISE YOUTH ACTIVITIES THIS SUMMER.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE ’88, MADAM YEUNG KAM-CHUN, SAID THE THEME FOR THIS YEAR’S PROGRAMME IS "SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THE COMMUNITY".
/"ORGANISATIONS APPLYING
Ml .
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 1988
- 13 -
"ORGANISATIONS APPLYING FOR FUNDS ARE EXPECTED TO ORGANISE ACTIVITIES WITH THE AIM OF ENHANCING PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, THE MEANINGFUL USE OF LEISURE, AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT BY YOUNG PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 25," SHE SAID.
LETTERS HAVE BEEN SENT TO VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS IN THE DISTRICT INVITING THEM TO ORGANISE ACTIVITIES.
APPLICATION FORMS AND GUIDELINES ON FUNDING ARE AVAILABLE AT THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE, THIRD FLOOfi, IN TUNG YAN STREET.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS MAY 18. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 3-416315.
-------0 ---------
NEW PHASE STARTS AT TURN MUN POOL » » ♦ ♦
CONSTRUCTION OF THE TUEN MUN SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX PHASE II EEGAN THIS WEEK UNDER A $18.5 MILLION CONTRACT AWARDED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE WORK WILL INVOLVE BUILDING ONE SECONDARY POOL, ONE DIVING POOL, ONE TRAINING POOL, TWO TEACHING POOLS, A SHELTERED SITTING OUT AREA AND LANDSCAPING.
THE JOB SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY JULY 11 NEXT YEAR.
EXISTING FACILITIES COMPLETED UNDER THE $38.7 MILLION PHASE I INCLUDE ONE MAIN POOL, TWO PADDLING POOLS, AN ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, A SPECTATOR STAND AND FOUR SQUASH COURTS.
THE COMPLEX, MANAGED BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, IS LOCATED ALONG TUEN MUN NULLAH AT TUEN MUN AREA 16.
0--------
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 1988
- 14 -
• URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION IN SHAM SKUI PO
* » » « «
FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 19) : TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL BE MADE URBAN CLEARWAYS OPERATING DURING PEAK HOURS (7 AM TO 10 AM AND 4 PM TO 7 PM) ONLY. (
THESE TWO ROAD SECTIONS ARE:
« CAMP STREET BETWEEN UN CHAU STREET AND PO ON ROAD.
» THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF PO ON ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH CAMP STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 10 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
WITHIN THE URBAN CLEARWAYS, NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING PEAK-HOUR DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS ON THREE ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE LIFTED.
THESE ARE THE SECTION OF CAMP STREET BETWEEN SHUN NING ROAD AND UN CHAU STREET, THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CAMP STREET BETWEEN SHUN NING ROAD AND PO ON ROAD, AND THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CAMP STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH SHUN NING ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
-------0----------
CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD TO BE CLOSED AT NIGHT ♦ t ♦ ♦
TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO FOOTBRIDGES FOR THE ROUTE 5 PROJECT, TWO SECTIONS OF CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC IN THE EARLY MORNINGS BETWEEN APRIL 19 (TUESDAY) AND 22.
FROM 1.30 AM TO 5.30 AM ON APRIL 19 AND 21, THE SECTION OF CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD BETWEEN LO WAI ROAD AND SHEK WAI KOK ROAD WILL BE CLOSED. AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SHING MUN ROAD.
THE SECTION OF CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD BETWEEN SHEK WAI KOK ROAD AND TSUEN KAM INTERCHANGE WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 1.30 AM AND 5.30 AM ON APRIL 20 AND 22. AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL ALSO BE DIVERTED TO USE SHING MUN ROAD.
AT THE SAME TIME, MOTORISTS ON TEXACO ROAD HEADING FOR SHEK WAI KOK ESTATE WILL HAVE TO TP VTA TSUEN KAM INTERCHANGE, TEXACO ROAD, SHING MUN ROAD, CHEUNG SHAN ESTATE ROAD WEST, CHEUNG PEI SHAN ROAD AND SHEK WAI KOK ROAD.
-----0------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
REVIEW OF OVERSEAS TRADE IN 198? PUBLISHED .................... 1
SMALL INVESTORS SHOULD MAKE CAREFUL ASSESSMENT ................ k
FEBRUARY ORDERS-ON-HANDS, EMPLOYMENT, PAYROLL FIGURES
RELEASED .................................................... 5
NEW TECHNOLOGY AIDS CENSUS ANALYSTS ........................... 9
HEIGHT RESTRICTION FOR VILLAGE HOUSES RELAXED ............. 10
NEW CUSTOMS LOGO FOR A NEW ROLE .............................. 11
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF QUARTERLY SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS, PURCHASES .......................................... 12
SCHOOLS INTERPORT A WORTHY VENTURE ........................... 15
PAMPHLET ON YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES PUBLISHED .............. 16
MUSIC OFFICE RECRUITS NEW CHOIR MEMBERS ...................... 16
EXTENSIONS TO 12 SCHOOLS ..................................... 1?
ENROLMENT FOR CHILDREN'S CHOIR BEGINS ........................ 17
BIRD STAMPS ISSUED ON WEDNESDAY .............................. 18
LEISURE SPOT FOR SQUATTER VILLAGE IN SOUTHERN ................ 19
TWO WATER CUTS, DOWER PRESSURE ............................... 19
SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 1988
1
REVIEW OF OVERSEAS TRADE IN 1987 PUBLISHED ♦ * » ♦ »
THE HONG KONG REVIEW OF OVERSEAS TRADE IN 1987 WILL BE ON SALE FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY).
IT CONTAINS A BRIEF TEXT ON HONG KONG'S EXTERNAL TRADE PERFORMANCE IN 1987, 13 GRAPHS AND 39 STATISTICAL TABLES WITH COMPARATIVE FIGURES FOR 1987 AND EARLIER YEARS.
THE REVIEW PRESENTS A SUMMARY ACCOUNT OF THE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN THE DIRECTION AND COMPOSITION OF HONG KONG'S EXTERNAL TRADE IN 1987.
A CONCISE AND COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF TRADE BY MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS AND BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY CATEGORIES, AND STATISTICS ON HONG KONG'S EXPORTS PERFORMANCE IN WORLD TRADE AND IN PRINCIPAL OVERSEAS MARKETS COMPARED WITH OUR MAJOR COMPETITORS, ARE INCLUDED IN THE PUBLICATION.
STATISTICS ON EXCHANGE RATES OF PRINCIPAL FOREIGN CURRENCIES AND THE EFECTIVE (TRADE-WEIGHTED) EXCHANGE RATE INDEX FOR THE HONG KONG DOLLAR ARE ALSO PROVIDED.
ACCORDING TO THE REVIEW, IMPORTS ROSE BY 37 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS IN 1987 OVER 1986, WHICH WAS MUCH HIGHER THAN THE 19 PER CENT INCREASE RECORDED IN 1986 OVER 1985.
SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE RECORDED DURING 1987 IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM CHINA (BY $35,724 MILLION OR 14 PER CENT) AND JAPAN (BY $15,507 MILLION OR 27 PER CENT), WHILE DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN IMPORTS FROM THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA (BY $179 MILLION OR 7 PER CENT) AND BURMA (BY $94 MILLION OR 35 PER CENT).
DOMESTIC EXPORTS GREW BY 27 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS IN 1987, AS COMPARED WITH THE 19 PER CENT INCREASE IN 1986.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORT TO CHINA INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY BY $9,849 MILLION OR 55 PER CENT WHILE THAT TO THE UNITED STATES GREW BY $8,598 MILLION OR 13 PER CENT.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO IRAQ DECREASED BY $176 MILLION OR 91 PER CENT.
ANALYSED BY COMMODITY CATEGORIES, SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH LN VALUE TERMS WAS REGISTERED FOR IMPORTS OF TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS (BY $14,731 MILLION OR 35 PER CENT) AS WELL AS ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $11,404 MILLION OR 48 PER CENT).
/HOWEVER, DECREASES
SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 1988
2 -
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN COFFEE, TEA, COCOA, SPICES, AND MANUFACTURES THEREOF (BY $48 MILLION OR 4 PER CENT) AS WELL AS PROCESSED ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS AND FATS, AND WAXES OF ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE ORIGIN (BY $33 MILLION OR 57 PER CENT).
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED IN CLOTHING (BY $13,159 MILLION OR 25 PER CENT) AS WELL AS IN TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS (BY $5,050 MILLION OR 46*PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF VEGETABLES AND FRUIT (BY $83 MILLION OR 38 PER CENT) AS WELL AS TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT OTHER THAN ROAD VEHICLES (BY $17 MILLION OR 13 PER CENT).
RE-EXPORTS GREW SIGNIFICANTLY BY 49 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS IN 1987 AS COMPARED WITH THE 16 PER CENT IN INCREASE 1986. RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA AND TO THE UNITED STATES INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY BY $19,277 MILLION OR 47 PER CENT, AND BY $10,092 MILLION OR 45 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN RE-EXPORTS TO AFGHANISTAN (BY $44 MILLION OR 22 PER CENT) AND TO IRAN (BY $32 MILLION OR 65 PER CENT).
THE COMMODITIES WITH SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH IN VALUE TERMS INCLUDED TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS (BY $8,238 MILLION OR 41 PER CENT) AS WELL AS MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $7,541 MILLION OR 73 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE REG1STERD FOR TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT OTHER THAN ROAD VEHICLES (BY $318 MILLION OR 46 PER CENT) AS WELL AS COFFEE, TEA, COCOA, SPICES, AND MANUFACTURES THEREOF (BY $220 MILLION OR 24 PER CENT).
IN 1987, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY BY $32,669 MILLION OR 63 PER CENT, WITH THE LARGEST INCREASE RECORDED IN MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $6,680 MILLION OR 87 PER CENT).
THE UNITED STATES REMAINED THE LARGEST MARKET, ABSORBING 33 PER CENT OF ALL RE-EXPORTS OF ('HINA ORIGIN THROUGH HONG KONG.
THE MAJOR GROWTH IN THIS MARKET WAS RECORDED IN MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $3,459 MILLION OR 71 PER CENT).
THE VALUE OF AIRBORNE TRADE IN 1987, REPRESENTING 22 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE, INCREASED BY $39,722 MILLION OR 32 PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH 1986.
/IN TERMS
SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 1988
IN TERMS OF TONNAGE, AIRBORNE TRADE CONTINUED TO CONSTITUTE ABOUT 1 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL TRADE IN 1987.
SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN AIRBORNE TRADE WERE REGISTERED FOR IMPORTS FROM THE UNITED STATES (BY $3,827 MILLION OR 37 PER CENT), DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES (BY $3,550 MILLION OR 16 PER CENT) AND RE-EXPORTS TO TAIWAN (BY $1,955 MILLION OR 63 PER CENT).
ANALYSED BY COMMODITY CATEGORIES, AIRBORNE IMPORTS OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF INCREASED BY $5,944 MILLION OR 45 PER CENT; WHILE DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY AIR OF CLOTHING INCREASED BY $4,227 MILLION OR 23 PER CENT.
AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF GREW BY $3,243 MILLION OR 56 PER CENT.
AS REGARDS SEABORNE TRADE, WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 55 PER CENT IN VALUE OF TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN 1987, AN INCREASE OF $104,299 MILLION OR 34 PER CENT WAS RECORDED.
IN TERMS OF TONNAGE, 89 PER CENT OF TOTAL TRADE WAS CARRIED BY SEA IN 1987 AS COMPARED WITH THE SHARE OF 91 PER CENT IN 1986.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM JAPAN (BY $12,046 MILLION OR 28 PER CENT) AS WELL AS IN SEABORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND SEABORNE RE-EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES (BY $5,021 MILLION OR 12 PER CENT AND BY $8,345 MILLION OR 50 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY).
ANALYSED BY COMMODITY CATEGORIES, THE VALUE OF SEABORNE IMPORTS OF TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS INCREASED BY $8,230 MILLION OR 29 PER CENT AND SEABORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF CLOTHING INCREASED BY $8,419 MILLION OR 26 PER CENT.
AN INCREASE IN SEABORNE RE-EXPORTS WAS RECORDED IN MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $6,465 MILLION OR 81 PER CENT).
THE REVIEW ALSO PRESENTS UNIT VALUE INDEXES AND QUANTUM INDEXES WHICH ARE USEFUL IN ASSESSING THE PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE.
DURING 1987, IN TERMS OF VOLUME, IMPORTS INCREASED BY 32 PER CENT, DOMESTIC EXPORTS ROSE BY 23 PER CENT, WHILE RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 46 PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH 1986.
SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUMES OF METAL ORES AND SCRAP (BY 54 PER CENT); TEXTILE FABRICS (BY 43 PER CENT); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (BY 28 PER CENT) AS WELL AS METAL MANUFACTURES (BY 27 PER CENT).
/SIGNIFICANT INCREASES
SUNDAY, APRIL 1?, 1988
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE ALSO RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUMES OF CONSUMER GOODS (BY 36 PER CENT); CAPITAL GOODS (BY 35 PER CENT) AS WELL AS RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES (BY 33 PER CENT).
AS FOR THE VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS, SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR CONSUMER GOODS (BY 53 PER CENT); CAPITAL GOODS (BY 49 PER CENT) AS WELL AS RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES (BY 43 PER CENT).
BASED ON UNIT VALUE INDEXES, IMPORT PRICES ROSE BY 4 PER CENT WHILE TOTAL EXPORT PRICES INCREASED BY 3 PER CENT.
AS A RESULT, THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX, DEFINED AS THE RATIO OF THE TOTAL EXPORT PRICE INDEX TO THE IMPORT PRICE INDEX, DECREASED BY 1 PER CENT.
WITHIN TOTAL EXPORTS, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 3 PER CENT AND 2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
ACCORDING TO THE COMPARATIVE INTERNATIONAL STATISTICS PROVIDED UP TO 1986 IN THE REVIEW, HONG KONG WAS THE LARGEST WORLD EXPORTER OF TOYS AND GAMES AS WELL AS IMITATION JEWELLERY IN 1986.
HONG KONG WAS ALSO THE SECOND LARGEST EXPORTER OF CLOTHING (FOLLOWING ITALY) AND THE THIRD LARGEST EXPORTER OF COMPLETE WATCHES (FOLLOWING SWITZERLAND AND JAPAN).
HONG KONG RANKED FOURTH REGARDING EXPORTS OF RADIO-BROADCAST RECEIVERS (FOLLOWING JAPAN, TAIWAN AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA), AND FIFTH REGARDING EXPORTS OF TRAVEL GOODS AND HANDBAGS (FOLLOWING TAIWAN, ITALY, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND FRANCE).
THE REVIEW WILL BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AT $20 PER COPY. ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 5-8234915.
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SMALL INVESTORS SHOULD MAKE CAREFUL ASSESSMENT
*****
SMALL INVESTORS NEED TO BE VERY CONSCIOUS OF THE RISKS INVOLVED IF THEY DECIDE TO ENGAGE IN SHORT-TERM SPECULATION IN- STOCKS AND SHARES, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION ON CONSUMER FINANCIAL SERVICES AT THE TUEN MUN PLAZA, MR NENDICK SAID IT WAS OFTEN A MUCH SAFER AND BETTER STRATEGY TO REGARD THE STOCK MARKET AS A MEANS OF MEDIUM OR LONG-TERM INVESTMENT.
/A DECISION
SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 1988
5 -
A DECISION TO INVEST IN THE STOCK MARKET SHOULD NOT, THEREFORE, BE A CASUAL DECISION, HE SAID.
"THE POTENTIAL INVESTOR SHOULD ASSESS, FIRST AND FOREMOST, HIS FINANCIAL POSITION, HIS EXISTING AND FUTURE COMMITMENTS, HIS INCOME PATTERN AND CASH FLOW," HE SAID.
MR NENDICK ADDED THAT THE CHOICE OF THE STOCKS OR SHARES IN WHICH TO INVEST REQUIRED CAREFUL THOUGHT AND EVALUATION.
♦
HE SAID THE DECISION SHOULD NOT BE DETERMINED BY MARKET RUMOURS OR BY THE "SHEER EBBS AND FLOWS OF THE MARKET TIDE".
"THE INVESTOR SHOULD AIM TO OBTAIN ADEQUATE INFORMATION ON THE COMPANIES IN WHICH HE PLANS TO INVEST; TO DETERMINE WHETHER THEY ARE RELIABLE AND WELL-ESTABLISHED, THEIR PERFORMANCE RECORD, PROJECTIONS, NET ASSET VALUE AND HENCE THE EXISTING AND EXPECTED WORTH OF THEIR SHARES," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT BECAUSE OVERALL RISK COULD BE REDUCED BY SPREADING THE RISK OVER A NUMBER OF UNCONNECTED INVESTMENTS, THERE WERE OFTEN ADVANTAGES IN MAKING A NUMBER OF MODEST PURCHASES OF DIFFERENT STOCKS AND SHARES RATHER THAN PUTTING ALL THE MONEY IN THE SHARES OF A SINGLE COMPANY.
TURNING TO THE WORK OF THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE, WHICH WAS SET UP FOLLOWING EVENTS IN THE MARKETS LAST OCTOBER, MR NENDICK SAID THE COMMITTEE WAS HARD AT WORK AND AIMED TO SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE GOVERNMENT BY THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR.
"1 BELIEVE ITS RECOMMENDATIONS WILL PROVIDE USEFUL GUIDANCE FOR FUTURE ACTION TO ENSURE THE INTEGRITY OF THE MARKETS AND TO PROTECT INVESTORS SO THAT HONG KONG CAN MAINTAIN ITS REPUTATION AND STANDING AS ONE OF THE MAJOR FINANCIAL CENTRES OF THE WORLD," HE SAID.
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FEBRUARY ORDERS-ON-HAND,
EMPLOYMENT, PAYROLL FIGURES RELEASED *****
IN FEBRUARY 1988, THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND REPORTED BY THE 200 LARGEST FIRMS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR INCREASED SLIGHTLY OVER JANUARY 1988 BUT SHOWED A DECREASE COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1987, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (SUNDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND, MEASURED IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF MONTHS, REFERS TO THE POSITION AS AT THE END OF THF REFERENCE MONTH.
/COMPARED WITH
SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 1988
COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1988, THE VOLUME OF ORDERS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY AND SLIGHTLY IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES. ON THE OTHER HAND, A DECREASE IN ORDERS WAS RECORDED IN THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRY.
COMPARING FEBRUARY 1988 WITH THE SAME MONTH IN 1987, THE ORDERS POSITION DROPPED IN MOST INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, PARTICULARLY IN THE TEXTILES AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES AND TO A LESSER EXTENT IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND WEARfNG APPAREL INDUSTRIES.
THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY, HOWEVER, REPORTED A SLIGHT INCREASE IN ORDERS COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1987.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR DECREASED IN FEBRUARY 1988 WHEN COMPARED WITH BOTH JANUARY 1988 AND FEBRUARY 1987.
PARTLY AFFECTED BY THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOD, EMPLOYMENT IN ALL INDUSTRIES SURVEYED RECORDED DECREASES IN FEBRUARY 1988 OVER JANUARY 1988.
WHEN COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1987, EMPLOYMENT IN FEBRUARY 1988 DROPPED IN MOST INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, EXCEPT THE FOOD AND DRINKS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES IN WHICH SLIGHT INCREASES IN EMPLOYMENT WERE RECORDED.
IN FEBRUARY 1988, BOTH PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR SHOWED SOME DECREASES WHEN COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1988 BUT INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY OVER FEBRUARY 1987.
CAUTION SHOULD BE EXERCISED IN INTERPRETING THE FIGURES ON PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THE YEAR.
THESE FIGURES WERE AFFECTED BY THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS, WHICH OCCURRED IN LATE JANUARY LAST YEAR BUT IN MID FEBRUARY THIS YEAR.
THUS, THE TIMING FOR THE ISSUE OF DOUBLE PAY AND ANNUAL BONUSES BY EMPLOYERS TO THEIR WORKERS DIFFERED.
COMPARING FEBRUARY 1988 WITH JANUARY 1988, SIGNIFICANT DECREASES IN PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS WERE RECORDED IN SOME OF THE INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, MAINLY DUE TO THE AWARD OF DOUBLE PAY AND ANNUAL BONUSES IN JANUARY 1988.
ON THE OTHER HAND, PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE TEXTILES AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES, AS SOME OF THE FIRMS ISSUED DOUBLE PAY AND ANNUAL BONUSES IN FEBRUARY 1988 .
/COMPARED WITH
SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 1988
COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1987, BOTH PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN ALL INDUSTRIES SURVEYED IN FEBRUARY 1988, WITH THE LARGEST INCREASES RECORDED IN THE TEXTILES AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, EMPLOYMENT IN FEBRUARY 1988 DECREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH BOTH JANUARY 1988 AND FEBRUARY 1987. PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1988 BUT INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY OVER FEBRUARY
IN THE SERVICES SECTORS SURVEYED, THE OVERALL LEVEL OF EMPLOYMENT IN FEBRUARY 1988 REMAINED ABOUT THE SAME AS IN JANUARY 1988 BUT INCREASED SLIGHTLY COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1987.
SIGNIFICANT DECREASES IN PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS WERE RECORDED IN FEBRUARY 1988 COMPARED WITH JANUARY 1988, FOLLOWING THE AWARD OF DOUBLE PAY AND ANNUAL BONUSES IN SOME FIRMS IN JANUARY
HOWEVER, BOTH PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS SHOWED SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES OVER FEBRUARY 1987, WITH PARTICULARLY LARGE INCREASE RECORDED IN HOTELS.
THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS ARE SHOWN IN TABLES 1 AND 2 BELOW.
THE SURVEY COVERED A PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES AND THE 50 LARGEST COMPANIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND SELECTED SERVICES SECTORS, CHOSEN BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT SIZES IN SEPTEMBER 1986.
AS THE SAMPLE WAS NOT DRAWN ON A RANDOM BASIS, THE DEPARTMENT CAUTIONED THAT THE MAGNITUDE OF CHANGE INDICATED BY THE SURVEY MIGHT NOT REFLECT THE EXPERIENCE OF THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE.
NEVERTHELESS, THESE RESULTS ARE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE A USEFUL INDICATION OF THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE FOR A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ECONOMY IN THE SHORT TERM.
THE SURVEY REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 1988 IS ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING AND AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALE COUNTER, 19TH FLOOR, WAN CHAI 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 •••••••
SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 1988
8
Table 1 : Orders-cn-hand in manufacturing industries
Industry Qrders-cn-hand
for February 1938 Change when compared Jan. 88 87
(months) “ (35) &)
All Industries 4,36 4.1 -a -a
bearing apparel 4.64 -a
Textiles • 2.34 * -7
Plastic products » 3.53 *12 •12
Fabricated metal products t 4.28 +1 -3
Electrical and electronic products 5.01 *1 +1
Others «** 4.20 • -4
Table 2 : Staployment and warnings
Industry/Serrices Persons engaged at the 1
end of February 1989 Fer tacita
Change vhen compared ri th in February 88 -large when compared
van. 38 Feb. 37 i%) v?) Jan. 38 Feb. 87
\HK3)
rxuni * ac turin g •2 -4 u,375 -2 +45
feed and drinks -2 +1 4,4^6 —23 +14
bearing apparel -3 -9 5,398 -4 +50
Textiles -1 -a 5,023 +;j? +79
Plastic products Fabricated -2 -5 5,554 -35 +75
seta! products -5 -*-2 -,372 •s +53
Electrical and
electronic products —2 -2 “,240 -lit +53
Others -1 -5 6,568 -6 +44
Construction^ -2 -1 o,0U3 -8 +54
Services • +2 7,715 -15 +29
Banks -1 +3 6,338 -23 . +12
Hotels -3 3,919 -4 +137
Public utilities • -1 7,177 -21' +21
Others • +9 9,885 -1 +39
• Changes within ^0.5^
# Persons engaged corer company employees only; site workers employed sub-contractors are not included. by labour-only
Note ; Unlike "orders—on-ha nd,T and "per capita earnings ” which are average figures amongst
-he firms surveyed, the total number of persons engaged by the firns surveyed is
not meanxngiul informal: -here fore not shown. ion on its own (because this is a panel ; survey) and is
-------0--------- /9...................
SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 1988
- 9 -
NEW TECHNOLOGY AIDS CENSUS ANALYSTS * * » » »
DATA FROM THE 1981 POPULATION CENSUS AND 1986 POPULATION BY-CENSUS CAN NOW BE RETRIEVED AND ANALYSED TO PRODUCE TAILOR-MADE TABULATIONS AND MAPS AT THE WISH OF MICROCOMPUTER USERS.
A NEW TECHNOLOGY ON THE USE OF DATA STORED ON A CD ROM (COMPACT DISK READ ONLY MEMORY) FOR MICROCOMPUTER USERS WILL BE DEMONSTRATED AT A SOFTWARE/HIGH TECHNOLOGY DISPLAY TO BEGIN ON TUESDAY (APRIL 19).
THE CD ROM, WHICH IS ABOUT 12 CM IN DIAMETER, HAS A LARGE STORAGE CAPACITY OF 540 MEGABYTES AND STORES THE DATA COLLECTED FROM THE HONG KONG 1981 POPULATION CENSUS AND 1986 POPULATION BY-CENSUS AGGREGATED TO TERTIARY PLANNING UNIT LEVEL.
IT ALSO CONTAINS DIGITAL BASE MAPS OF HONG KONG AND A SOFTWARE CAPABLE OF PROVIDING TABULATION AND MAPPING FACILITIES.
WITH THIS NEW TECHNOLOGY, DATA FROM POPULATION CENSUSES ON DEMOGRAPHIC, HOUSEHOLD, HOUSING, EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION CAN BE MANIPULATED AT THE HANDS OF END USERS TO FACILITATE PLANNING, DECISION MAKING, FORMULATION OF MARKETING STRATEGY, AND SO ON.
THE PRODUCT IS PRODUCED JOINTLY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AND SPACE-TIME RESEARCH PTY LTD, AN AUSTRALIAN HIGH-TECH COMPANY, AND WILL BE SHORTLY MARKETED IN HONG KONG TO PROVIDE USE OF POPULATION CENSUS DATA.
THOSE PERSONS INTERESTED CAN ATTEND A DEMONSTRATION OF THE PRODUCT IN THE AUSTRALIAN SOFTWARE/HIGH TECHNOLOGY DISPLAY.
THIS WILL BE HELD ON THE 21ST FLOOR, HARBOUR CENTRE, 23 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI FROM 11 AM TO 5 PM DAILY ON TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY.
-------0----------
/10........
SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 1988
10 -
*
HEIGHT RESTRICTION FOR VILLAGE HOUSES RELAXED *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS RELAXED THE HEIGHT RESTRICTION OF VILLAGE HOUSES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
A PAMPHLET EXPLAINING THE NEW CRITERIA UNDER WHICH THE HEIGHT OF SMALL HOUSES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES CAN BE EXTENDED FROM THE EXISTING 7.62 METRES (25 FEET) TO 8.23 METRES (27 FEET) HAS JUST BEEN PUBLISHED.
THE PAMPHLET HAS BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO THE PUBLIC THROUGH VARIOUS OFFICIAL AND COMMUNITY OUTLETS.
SUMMARISING THE NEW REGULATION UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE (APPLICATION TO THE NEW TERRITORIES) ORDINANCE 1987, GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR ROGER NISSIM, SAID THE RELAXED HEIGHT RESTRICTION IS BASED UPON CERTAIN CRITERIA.
"OF PARTICULAR SIGNIFICANCE IS THE INCREASE IN THICKNESS OF THE LOAD-BEARING WALLS WHICH SHALL NOT BE LESS THAN 175 MILLIMETRES (6.89 INCHES) IN CASE OF REINFORCED CONCRETE WALL AND NOT LESS THAN 340 MILLIMETRES (13.39 INCHES) FOR GROUND FLOOR; OR 225 MILLIMETRES (8.86 INCHES) FOR UPPER FLOORS IN CASE OF BRICK WALLS," HE SAID.
"NO DOORWAY, ARCHWAY, WINDOW OR OTHER OPENING, SHALL BE ALLOWED IN THE LOAD-BEARING PARTY WALLS SEPARATING ONE UNIT FROM ANOTHER.
"CERTIFICATES OF EXEMPTION FOR BUILDING WORK, SITE FORMATION AND DRAINAGE WORK MUST BE OBTAINED FROM THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF ANY BUILDING WORKS."
MR NISSIM EXPLAINED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WISHED TO IMPROVE THE OVERALL ENVIRONMENT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THAT THIS WAS A PIECE OF A WIDER RANGE OF PROPOSALS THAT IT WISHED TO IMPLEMENT.
THE EMPHASIS IS TO ENSURE THAT NEW HOUSES ARE BUILT WITH ADEQUATE SAFETY STANDARDS AND WITH ADEQUATE SANITATION.
MR NISSIM WARNED THAT FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS NEW ORDINANCE WILL RESULT IN STRICT ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS, INCLUDING LEASE ENFORCEMENT AND RE-ENTRY ACTIONS BEING TAKEN AGAINST OFFENDERS.
COPIES OF THE PAMPHLET OUTLINING THE MAIN PROVISIONS OF THE NEW ORDINANCE HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO THE HEUNG YEE KUK, VARIOUS RURAL COMMITTEES AND VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
COPIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ON REQUEST FROM THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE ORDINANCE AND REQUESTS FOR COPIES OF THE PAMPHLET MAY BE DIRECTED TO 5-296125 OF THE VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT SECTION, THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
O -
/11
SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 1988
11
NEW CUSTOMS LOGO FOR A NEW ROLE ft ft ft ft ft
THE HONG KONG CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE HAS JUST ENTERED A NEW BRA WITH THE ADOPTION OF A NEW DEPARTMENTAL LOGO AS FROM APRIL THIS YEAR.
THE PRESENT CUSTOMS ANU EXCISE SERVICE HAS ITS ROOTS IN THE PREVENTIVE SERVICE ESTABLISHED IM 1909 UNDER THE THEN IMPORT AND EXPORT DEPARTMENT.
SINCE THEN IT HAS UNDERGONE MANY SIGNIFICANT STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT, EACH CHARACTERISED BY MAJOR RE-CONSTRUCTIONS AND REFORMS.
NEVERTHELESS, THE SERVICE STILL RETAINED THE STYLE OF RANK INSIGNIA AND LOGO USED BY THE ROYAL NAVY AND THE FORMER WATERGUARDS IN THE UK.
THE CHANGE IS TO GIVE THE DEPARTMENT AN IDENTITY BEFITTING THE ROLE IT PLAYS AS THE CUSTOMS SERVICE OF HONG KONG.
THE DIRECTORATE AND JUNIOR OFFICERS OF THE SERVICE HAVE LONG BEEN USING MILITARY RANK INSIGNIA AND THIS HAS NOW BEEN EXTENDED TO THE INSPECTORATE AND SUPERINTENDENT RANKS.
THE CHANGES ALSO BRING THE SERVICE IN LINE WITH ALL OTHER DISCIPLINED FORCES IN THE TERRITORY, ALL OF WHICH USE MILITARY RANK INSIGNIA.
HOWEVER, THE MOST INNOVATIVE OF THE CHANGES IS THE NEW DEPARTMENTAL LOGO WHICH IS ALSO USED FOR THE CAP BADGE.
ACCORDING TO ITS DESIGNER, CUSTOMS OFFICER LIU SAI-WAH, THE NEW LOGO IS UNIQUE AND SHOULD CLEARLY BRING OUT THE DEPARTMENT’S STATUS AS AN INDEPENDENT CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATION, MINDFUL OF THE FACT THAT HONG KONG HAS BECOME A FULL MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION CUSTOMS CO-OPERATION COUNCIL SINCE LAST YEAR.
HENCE, THE WORDS "HONG KONG" ARE INCLUDED IN ADDITION TO "CUSTOMS".
THE CENTRE OF THE LOGO IS A DIAMOND-SHAPED SILVER PIECE BEARING THE CHINESE NAME OF THE DEPARTMENT, SURROUNDED BY A GOLDEN RING INCORPORATING THE DEPARTMENT’S ENGLISH NAME, MAKING THE DESIGN Three-dimensional.
THE USE OF BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE CLASSICAL LETTER TYPES INDICATES THE' IMPORTANCE OF CUSTOMS WORK IN HISTORY AND THE HISTORICAL MISSION THE DEPARTMENT HAS TO FULFIL, AS DISTINCT FROM OTHER "MODERN" DEPARTMENTS.
THE OUTERMOST SILVER RAYS AROUND THE GOLDEN RING STAND FOR CONTINUOUS PROGRESS, ACHIEVEMENTS AND A BRIGHT FUTURE, A GOAL THE DEPARTMENT IS CONSTANTLY STRIVING FOR.
-------0----------
/12........
SUNDAY, APRIL 17,
1988
- 12 -
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF QUARTERLY SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS, PURCHASES » » * » »
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE ENTIRE RESTAURANT SECTOR IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1987, ESTIMATED AT $6,533 MILLION, WAS 17 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME QUARTER OF 1986, WHILE THE VOLUME WAS 10 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME QUARTER OF 1986.
THIS IS SHOWN BY THE PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (SUNDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE PROVISIONAL ESTIMATE OF TOTAL PURCHASES BY RESTAURANTS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1987 WAS $2,769 MILLION, WHICH WAS 14 PER CENT HIGHER IN VALUE TERMS THAN IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1986.
ANALYSED BY TYPE OF RESTAURANT, ’’OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES”, COMPRISING HERB TEA SHOPS, CREAMERIES AND OTHER OUTLETS SELLING BEAN CURD JELLY AND SO ON RECORDED THE LARGEST PERCENTAGE INCREASE (20 PER CENT) IN THE VALUE OF TOTAL RECEIPTS WHEN ' COMPARED WITH THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1986.
THESE WERE FOLLOWED BY NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS (17 PER CENT), CHINESE RESTAURANTS (17 PER CENT), FAST FOOD SHOPS (16 PER CENT) AND BARS (5 PER CENT).
IN VOLUME TERMS, THE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF ’’OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES”, NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS, CHINESE RESTAURANTS, FAST FOOD SHOPS AND BARS WENT UP BY 11 PER CENT, 10 PER CENT, 9 PER CENT, 12 PER CENT AND 2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING THE YEAR OF 1987 WITH THE YEAR OF 1986, TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS ROSE BY 18 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 12 PER CENT IN VOLUME; AND THE TOTAL VALUE OF PURCHASES BY RESTAURANTS INCREASED BY 20 PER CENT.
IN VALUE TERMS, CHINESE RESTAURANTS RECORDED THE LARGEST GROWTH IN TOTAL RECEIPTS (19 PER CENT), FOLLOWED BY FAST FOOD SHOPS (15 PER CENT), NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS (14 PER CENT), ’’OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES” (14 PER CENT) AND BARS (10 PER CENT).
IN VOLUME TERMS, THE GROWTH IN THE TOTAL RECEIPTS RECORDED BY CHINESE RESTAURANTS, FAST FOOD SHOPS, NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS, ’’OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES” AND BARS WERE 13 PER CENT, 11 PER CENT, 8 PER CENT, 7 PER CENT AND 5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
/COMPARING THE........
SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 1988
COMPARING THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1987 WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER - AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON IS AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS - TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS WENT UP BY 7 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 6 PER CENT IN VOLUME; AND THE VALUE OF PURCHASES BY RESTAURANTS INCREASED BY 4 PER CENT.
TOTAL RECEIPTS OF BARS INCREASED BY 13 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 12 PER CENT IN VOLUME; AND THOSE OF CHINESE RESTAURANTS BY 12 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 10 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
HOWEVER, TOTAL RECEIPTS OF "OTHER fiATING AND DRINKING PLACES" DECREASED BY 1 PER CENT IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME; THOSE OF FAST FOOD SHOPS BY 2 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 3 PER CENT IN VOLUME; AND THOSE OF NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS BY 5 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 6 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED FIGURES FOR THE TOTAL RECEIPTS AND TOTAL PURCHASES OF THE ENTIRE RESTAURANT SECTOR FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1987 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1987.
• TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF TOTAL RECEIPTS BY TYPE OF RESTAURANT, WITH THE QUARTERLY AVERAGE FROM OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 TAKEN AS 100. ALSO TABULATED ARE COMPARISONS OF THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1987 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1987 AND FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1986. COMPARISONS OF TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE YEAR OF 1987 WITH THE YEAR OF 1986 ARE ALSO GIVEN.
THE REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1987 IS ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, AT $1 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ON THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. 5-8234941).
/table 1 : .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 17,
- 14 -
r«U I : TOTAL RESTAOMST RECEIPTS AKO PWKHASES'
3rd qtr. 1987 (Revised figures) ♦th qtr. 1937 (Provision! figures)
total restaurant receipts (in HKI tillioa) 6 079 b 533
Total purchases by restaurants (in UKi tillion) ‘ : 4si 2 769
TABU Z : VALUE ANO VOL'jfiE INCHES (IF TOTAL RESTSttAMT R£CEIPTS*FCH 3R0 WARIER L9S7 AND <TH JUARiER IW
(Juu-tirly iveriAt oT October SA - Septeoher S5 • IM)
। j Index of ———-—-—
» । • Type al restaurant ; total • restauran ; receipts 3rd quarter 1967 • Ith . 4th qtr. 1987 • quarter . coepared with ; 1997 . 3rd qtr. 1987 4th qtr. 1987 collar with 4th qtr. 1986 lst-4th qtr. 198 compared th llt-4th qtr. 19 I
■ । • A A (Revised Figures) (Provisional। Points I Figures) ; Points I Points I
■ ; Chinese restaurants A : Value 130 A 143 15 12 21 17 21 19
1 1 i ! Volute 119 130 12 10 11 9 14 13
1 *- e
« Mon-Chinese restaurants । I Value 131 : -4 -5 19 17 15 14
। * • I I Voluse 1 116 110 J -7 -6 । 10 10 8
। ; Fast food shops • I Value 147 144 -3 -2 1 20 16 19 15
; » ! Volute 138 134 j -4 -3 15 12 13 H
• I • •
• 9ars • Value 120 135 15 !3 7 5 ll 10
• • ■ ■ । I Volute • 106 119 13 12 • e 2 2 6 5
I 9 ;0ther eating and drinking places A : Value 138 136 -• -t 22 20 16 14
I A 1 5 Volute 123 121 : -2 -1 12 11 ‘ 7 7
• • • ; Entire restaurant sector • 1 • 131 • , • • 141 IO 7 20 17 • 19 18
• • • • • ’ ! Volute u? : 1 126 ! 7 6 A 11 10 13 12
• • t • । • •a >
Mote: Figures denoting changes are derived froe unrounced figures.
— — — - 0 /15
SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 1988
- 15 -
SCHOOLS INTERPORT A WORTHY VENTURE *****
THE HONG KONG AND MACAU SCHOOLS INTERPORT BADMINTON AND HOCKEY COMPETITION AND DANCE EXCHANGE PROVIDED A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND EXPERIENCES AND TO LEARN FROM ONE ANOTHER, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
MR LI WAS SPEAKING AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, HELD AT THE HONG KONG HOTEL, TO MARK THE END OF THE EVENTS.
HE SAID HE FIRMLY BELIEVED THAT THESE EVENTS WERE MOST CONDUCIVE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A BETTER REGIONAL UNDERSTANDING AND BETTER RELATIONSHIPS AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE.
"SCHOOLS INTERPORT SPORT COMPETITIONS BEGAN IN 1974 AND THERE WAS ONLY A HOCKEY COMPETITION AT FIRST BUT BY NOW EIGHT OTHER SPORTS HAVE BEEN ADDED," MR LI SAID.
THE SPORT COMPETITIONS INCLUDED ATHLETICS, BADMINTON, BASKETBALL, CROSS-COUNTRY, FOOTBALL, SWIMMING, TABLE-TENNIS AND VOLLEYBALL.
DANCE HAD BEEN FEATURED AS A CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMME SINCE 1981 .
THESE EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES WERE EXTENDED TO GUANGDONG IN 1985.
THE SPORT COMPETITIONS AND DANCE EXCHANGE WERE CONCLUDED YESTERDAY.
"BY PARTICIPATING IN THE SPORTS AND DANCE EXCHANGE, OUR ATHLETES AND DANCERS HAVE A MEANINGFUL GOAL TO WORK TOWARDS AND IN THE PROCESS THEIR STANDARDS ARE■CONSTANTLY RAISED," MR LI SAID.
HE CONGRATULATED PARTICIPATING STUDENTS FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES AND ALSO THANKED THE OFFICIALS FOR THEIR EFFICIENT ORGANISATION.
"1 AM CONFIDENT THAT THE SPIRIT OF SPORTSMANSHIP AND FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN US WILL CONTINUE TO THRIVE AND PROSPER," HE ADDED.
-------0 ---------
/16........
SUNDAY, APRIL 17, 1988
- 16
PAMPHLET ON YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES PUBLISHED
* » * » »
THE YOUTH ACTIVITIES PROMOTION COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH HAS PUBLISHED A PAMPHLET TO INFORM YOUNG PEOPLE OF THE YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG.
THE COLOUR PAMPHLET, ENTITLED "TO SEE THE WORLD", IS PRESENTED IN FOUR CHAPTERS-STUDENT EXCHANGES, INTERNATIONAL GATHERINGS, STUDY TOURS, AND SPORTS.
EACH CHAPTER PROVIDES INFORMATION ON THE NAMES OF PROGRAMMES, THE NAMES, ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE ORGANISING BODIES, THE AIMS, APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND DURATIONS OF THE PROGRAMMES, AS WELL AS THE FEES FOR PARTICIPANTS.
COPIES OF THE PAMPHLET, WHICH IS IN CHINESE, CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE 19 DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS CONCERNED.
IN A FOREWORD, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, MRS ROSANNA TAM, POINTS OUT THAT PARTICIPATION IN CULTURAL EXCHANGE ACTIVITIES PROVIDES YOUNG PEOPLE WITH AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH DIFFERENT CULTURES.
THIS WILL WIDEN THEIR HORIZON, AND SHE SAYS THAT EFFORTS SHOULD BE MADE TO ENCOURAGE MORE YOUNG PEOPLE TO TAKE PART IN SUCH ACTIVITIES.
"THEREFORE THE YOUTH ACTIVITIES PROMOTION COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH HOPES THAT, BY MEANS OF THE PAMPHLET, YOUNG PEOPLE WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SYSTEMATIC INTRODUCTION TO THE VARIOUS YOUTH ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG, AND THAT THE CONCERNED BODIES WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO ORGANISE OR SPONSOR MORE YOUTH ACTIVITIES," SHE SAYS.
"THE COMMITTEE HOPES TO MAINTAIN CLOSE LIAISON WITH THE ORGANISATIONS CONCERNED SO THAT MORE SIMILAR PUBLICATIONS WILL BE PUBLISHED, AND REFLECT SOCIETY’S CONCERN AND LOVE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE."
-------------------0------- MUSIC OFFICE RECRUITS NEW CHOIR MEMBERS » » ♦ » ♦
THE MUSIC OFFICE IS NOW INVITING TALENTED SINGERS AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 23 TO JOIN ITS YOUTH CHOIR.
SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1980, THE MUSIC OFFICE YOUTH CHOIR HAS PERFORMED WITH RENOWNED MUSICIANS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS.
/IT REHEARSES
SUNDAY, APRIL 17t 1988
IT REHEARSES EVERY SATURDAY AFTERNOON AT THE MONG KOK MUSIC
CENTRE FROM 4.30 PM TO 7 PM.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE. COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD REACH THE YAU MA TEI MUSIC CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, GOLDEN GATE COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 138 AUSTIN ROAD, BEFORE MAY 14.
QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND AN AUDITION. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 3-7226240.
- - 0 - -
EXTENSIONS TO 12 SCHOOLS
*****
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR BUILDING CLASSROOM EXTENSIONS TO 12 SCHOOLS IN THE NEW TOWNS.
THE WORK WILL INVOLVE CONSTRUCTING ONE ADDITIONAL SINGLE STOREY TWO-CLASSROOM EXTENSION TO EACH OF FOUR HALF INTERLOCKING SCHOOLS AND EIGHT FULL INTERLOCKING SCHOOLS.
DETAILS OF THE WORK REQUIRED ARE GIVEN IN THE LATEST
GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT, SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED BETWEEN JULY AND NOVEMBER THIS YEAR, MUST BE SUBMITTED BY NOON ON APRIL 29.
- - 0 - -
ENROLMENT FOR CHILDREN’S CHOIR BEGINS
*****
CHILDREN WHO ARE LIVING OR STUDYING IN YAU TS1M DISTRICT AND ARE INTERESTED IN SINGING CAN NOW APPLY TO JOIN THE CHILDREN’S CHOIR OF THE YAU MA TEI AND TSIM SHA TSUI CULTURE AND ARTS ASSOCIATION.
SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1982, THE CHOIR HAS MADE NUMEROUS SUCCESSFUL PUBLIC PERFORMANCES AT DISTRICT FUNCTIONS AND AS PART OF TELEVISION PROGRAMMES. IT ALSO PERFORMED BEFORE THE QUEEN DURING THE ROYAL VISIT IN 1986.
APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN TO THOSE AGED TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS AND ABOVE, AND AN AUDITION WILL BE ARRANGED LATER.
/training SESSIONS
SUNDAY, APRIL 17* 1988
- 18 -
TRAINING SESSIONS FOR CHOIR MEMBERS WILL BE HELD EVERY SATURDAY AFTERNOON IN THE HENRY G. LEONG YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE. THE TRAINING FEE IS $50 PER MONTH.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE AT 490 NATHAN ROAD, AND THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS APRIL 30. FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 3-323791.
----0------
BIRD STAMPS ISSUED ON WEDNESDAY * * » t
A SPECIAL SET OF FOUR STAMPS FEATURING FOUR SPECIES OF BIRDS FOUND IN HONG KONG WILL BE ISSUED BY THE POST OFFICE ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 20).
THE STAMPS ARE IN DENOMINATIONS OF 50 CENTS, $1.30, $1.70 AND $5.
"POSTCARDS SHOWING AN ENLARGEMENT OF THE BIRD DESIGN AND OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVERS ARE ALREADY ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES," A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ALL POST OFFICES ARE EXPECTED TO BE CROWDED WITH CUSTOMERS ON WEDNESDAY.
IN ORDER TO ASSIST THE PUBLIC TO TRANSACT NORMAL POSTAL BUSINESS, ADDITIONAL SPECIAL COUNTERS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE AT THE MAIN POST OFFICES.
EXTRA STAFF WILL BE ON DUTY AT MOST POST OFFICES ON WEDNESDAY.
BUT QUEUES ARE NEVERTHELESS EXPECTED TO FORM AND THE PUBLIC ARE REQUESTED TO SHOW TOLERANCE AND, IF POSSIBLE, TO TRANSACT THEIR NORMAL POSTAL BUSINESS ON THE PRECEDING DAY OR THE DAY FOLLOWING THE DATE OF THE SPECIAL STAMP ISSUE.
------0---------
/19........
SUNDAY, APRIL 17,
1988
- 19 -
LEISURE SPOT FOR SQUATTER VILLAGE IN SOUTHERN
*****
A SQUATTER VILLAGE IN POK FU LAM NOW HAS A PLEASANT SITTING OUT AREA, THANKS TO THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD.
LOCATED IN THE CENTRE OF TAI WAN NEW VILLAGE, THE 270-SQUARE-METRE OPEN SPACE PROVIDES THE 1,000 RESIDENTS IN THE AREA WITH ARBOURS, BENCHES, CHESS TABLES AND FACILITIES FOR TABLE TENNIS.
THE SPACIOUS SETTING ALSO MAKES IT AN IDEAL PLACE FOR MORNING EXERCISES AND FOR HOLDING VARIOUS VILLAGE FUNCTIONS.
♦
THE PROJECT WAS CARRIED OUT BY THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AS PART OF ITS MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT SCHEME, AT A COST OF OVER $100,000.
THE COMMITTEE COMPLETED A SIMILAR PROJECT FOR RESIDENTS IN POK FU LAM VILLAGE LAST MONTH.
A TOTAL OF 27 PROJECTS, COSTING $590,000, WERE COMMISSIONED BY THE COMMITTEE TO IMPROVE THE AMENITIES, ACCESSES, AND SQUATTER AREA ENVIRONMENT IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE DISTRICT.
-----0------
TWO WATER CUTS, LOWER PRESSURE ♦ ♦ *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KWUN TONG WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 20) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY HIP WO STREET, SHUI NING STREET AND WAN HON STREET.
AT THE SAME TIME, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN NORTH POINT WILL ALSO BE TURNED OFF FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY KING’S ROAD, HING FAT STREET, WHITFIELD ROAD, ELECTRIC ROAD AND MERLIN STREET, INCLUDING WATSON ROAD, KING MING ROAD, GLASS STREET AND USD DEPOT.
IN ADDITION, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN WAN CHAI WILL BE REDUCED IN PRESSURE FROM 10 AM TO MIDNIGHT ON WEDNESDAY FOR MAINS WORK.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY GLOUCESTER ROAD, LEIGHTON ROAD, MORRISON HILL ROAD, HENNESSY ROAD, FLEMING ROAD AND THE SEAFRONT.
-----0-----
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
MONDAY, APRIL 18, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR TO VISIT FUJIAN, ZHEJIANG ............................ 1
RTHK TO BROADCAST GOVERNOR'S PRESS CONFERENCE ................. 1
DANIEL TSE APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF CIVIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE 2
MTRC CHAIRMAN TO MEET OMELCO TRANSPORT PANEL .................. 2
TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW ................... 3
FARMERS INVITED TO VISIT DEMONSTRATION CENTRE.................. 3
FIRST MEETING OF WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD....................... 4
WONG TAI SIN DB TO ELECT CHAIRMaN ............................. 5
KUN LUNG GATE TOWER TO BE RESTORED............................. 5
MORE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR CHAI WAN ..................... 6
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED ...................................... 7
RENOWNED FLAUTIST TO GIVE MASTERCLASS ......................... 7
WATER STORAGE FIGURE .......................................... 7
MONDAY, APRIL 18, 1988
- 1 -
GOVERNOR TO VISIT FUJIAN, ZHEJIANG
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL VISIT FUJIAN AND ZHEJIANG FROM MAY 22-27 AT THE INVITATION OF THE GOVERNORS OF THE TWO PROVINCES.
THE GOVERNOR WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY LADY WILSON, THE POLITICAL ADVISER, MR DICK CLIFT, AND HIS PRIVATE SECRETARY, MR RICHARD HOARE.
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RTHK TO BROADCAST GOVERNOR’S PRESS CONFERENCE *****
RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG WILL BROADCAST LIVE THE PRESS CONFERENCE TO BE GIVEN BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
IT WILL BE CARRIED ON BOTH RADIO 1 (CHINESE) AND RADIO 3 (ENGLISH), STARTING AT 4.30 PM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO COVER THE PRESS CONFERENCE WHICH WILL BE HELD IN THE G1S PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, CENTRAL.
OWING TO LIMITATION OF SPACE, YOU ARE REMINDED THAT ATTENDANCE WILL HAVE TO BE RESTRICTED TO ONE REPORTER FROM EACH PRINT MEDIA ORGANISATION.
AS FOR THE ELECTRONIC MEDIA, EACH STATION IS REQUESTED TO SEND A CREW OF NO MORE THAN TWO PEOPLE (EXCLUDING THE REPORTER). THEY ARE ADVISED TO ARRIVE AT LEAST 30 MINUTES EARLIER TO SET UP THEIR CAMERAS AT FIXED POSITIONS.
THERE WILL BE A TWO-MINUTE PHOTO-CALL FOR STILL PHOTOGRAPHS BEFORE THE START OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
PLEASE ALSO NOTE THAT CLEAN SOUND OUTLETS WILL BE PROVIDED FOR RECORDING PURPOSES AT THE BACK OF THE CONFERENCE ROOM.
-------o---------
MONDAY, APRIL 18, 1988
- 2 -
DANIEL TSE APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF * * * * *
CIVIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE
THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPOINTED AN EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, DR DANIEL TSE, AS CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION FOR TWO YEARS WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
DR TSE REPLACED MRS RITA FAN WHOSE CHAIRMANSHIP EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 1988.
MEANWHILE, FOUR NEW MEMBERS HA^VE BEEN APPOINTED TO THE COMMITTEE TO BROADEN ITS REPRESENTATIVENESS.
THEY ARE MR NG WAI-CHO, AN ELECTED MEMBER OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD; MR CHAN CHUN-FAT, AN APPOINTED MEMBER OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD; MR CHENG KAI-NAM, A SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHER; AND MR MICHAEL KWAN CHING-KIT, AN ARCHITECT AND POPULAR SINGER.
FOUR OTHER MEMBERS WHO PREVIOUSLY SAT ON THE COMMITTEE HAVE ALSO BEEN OFFERED ANOTHER TWO-YEAR TERM. THEY ARE MR IP KING-MAN, MR K.T. POON, MR JUSTEIN C. WONG AND MR YEUNG KWOK-HUNG.
THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION WAS ESTABLISHED IN MAY 1986 TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS ON THE OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF CIVIC EDUCATION OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.
IT ALSO ENCOURAGES COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND ASSISTS IN THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC AWARENESS AND GOOD CITIZENSHIP.
OTHER MEMBERS ON THE COMMITTEE ARE MR CHAN WING-TAI, DR C.Y. HUANG, MS KO SIU-WAH, MR MAK HOI-WAH, MRS PAULINE NG CHOW MAY-LIN, MISS NORA YAU AND MR LUKE YIP JING-PING.
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MTRC CHAIRMAN TO MEET OMELCO TRANSPORT PANEL » » » ♦ »
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION, MR WILFRID NEWTON, WILL MEET THE OMELCO TRANSPORT PANEL ON APRIL 25 AT 9 AM TO DISCUSS MATTERS CONCERNING THE MTR FARE INCREASE, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY).
ON THE SAME DAY, MR NEWTON WILL CHAIR A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE MTRC BOARD TO CONSIDER THE VIEWS AND SUGGESTIONS MADE BY ALL CONCERNED ON THE FARE ISSUE.
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/3........
MONDAY, APRIL 18,
1988
- J -TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW *****
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS THE FINAL REPORT OF THE TAC SUB-COMMITTEE ON TAXI POLICY REVIEW.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE IDENTIFICATION OF A SUITABLE FERRY PIER IN KOWLOON FOR RECREATIONAL FERRY SERVICE TO AND FROM MUI WO.
THE COMMITTEE WILL LOOK fNTO THE .PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES ORDINANCE AND THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS.
ALSO ON THE AGENDA ARE THE LEGISLATION FOR PRIVATE ROADS AND THE PRIVATE STREETS RESUMPTION PROGRAMME.
THE MEETING WILL BE HELD AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES AT 2.30 PM.
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FARMERS INVITED TO VISIT DEMONSTRATION CENTRE
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) IS ORGANISING FOUR VISITS FOR LIVESTOCK FARMERS OPERATING IN THE FIRST THREE CONTROL AREAS TO SEE WASTE TREATMENT METHODS AT THE TA KWU LING DEMONSTRATION CENTRE.
THE VISITS ARE ORGANISED IN COLLABORATION WITH THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD) AND THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA).
THE TREATMENT METHODS INCLUDE A DRY MUCK-OUT AND TWO WET MUCK-OUT SYSTEMS. A P1G-ON-L1TTER SYSTEM DEVELOPED BY AFD IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR DEMONSTRATION.
THE VISITS ARE SCHEDULED ON APRIL 20 FOR FARMERS FROM SILVERMINE BAY AND ANGLER'S BEACH AREAS (PAI MIN KOK AREAS); ON APRIL 22 FOR FARMERS FROM TAI PO NORTH, THAT IS, LAM TSUEN AND WAI TAU AREAS; ON APRIL 27 FOR FARMERS FROM TAI PO KAU VILLAGE, TOLO HARBOUR AND TAI PO AREAS; AND ON APRIL 29 FOR FARMERS FROM SAI KUNG NORTH, KOON YAM SHAN, MAU TSO NGAM AND SHA TIN AREAS.
SUBSEQUENT VISITS WILL BE ORGANISED FOR FARMERS OPERATING IN OTHER CONTROL AREAS.
/FOLLOWING THE
MONDAY, APRIL 18, 1988
FOLLOWING THE PASSAGE OF THE WASTE DISPOSAL (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1987 IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR, EPD HAS STARTED A PROGRAMME TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ADVICE TO LIVESTOCK FARMERS IN THE CONTROL AREAS ON WAYS TO COMPLY WITH CONTROL REQUIREMENTS.
IN THIS CONNECTION, A DEMONSTRATION FARM HAS BEEN SET UP AT TA KWU LING. SINCE DECEMBER LAST YEAR, MORE THAN 200 FARMERS HAVE VISITED THIS DEMONSTRATION CENTRE.
TO FACILITATE THE FARMERS’ VISITS TO THE CENTRE ON APRIL 20, 22, 27 AND 29, A COACH HAS BEEN ARRANGED TO TAKE PARTICIPANTS TO AND FROM THE CENTRE. ♦
INTERESTED FARMERS CAN CONTACT EPD ON 3-321242 OR CNTA ON 3-7241771 .
THEY CAN ALSO CONTACT AFD’S TAI PO OFFICE ON 0-6577111 EXT 126-129, KO PO OFFICE ON 0-940533, HO CHUNG OFFICE ON 3-7198242 OR MUI WO OFFICE ON 5-9848330.
-------o----------
FIRST MEETING OF WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD
* » t * t
THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD WILL ELECT ITS NEW CHAIRMAN AT THE FIRST MEETING OF THIS TERM TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE BOARD WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE ADOPTION OF ITS STANDING ORDERS, THE FORMATION OF DISTRICT BOARD COMMITTEES, THE MEETING SCHEDULE FOR 1988-89, AND THE APPORTIONMENT OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS.
THE MEETING WILL CONSIDER A MEMBER’S REQUEST FOR A REPORT FROM ITS REPRESENTATIVE TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR LEE YU-TAI.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE URBAN COUNCIL CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME (1987-88 TO 1991-92); PROGRESS REPORTS FROM THE VARIOUS DISTRICT BOARD COMMITTEES; REPORT OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE; AND A LETTER FROM A MEMBER CONCERNING THE PROPOSED MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY PEAK-HOUR FARE SURCHARGE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, EIGHTH FLOOR, TUNG WAH MANSION, WAN CHAI. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
- - 0 - -
/5
MONDAY, APRIL 18, 1988
- 5 -
WONG TAI SIN DB TO ELECT CHAIRMAN
« « » »
MEMBERS OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD WILL ELECT A CHAIRMAN FOR THE NEW TERM WHEN THEY MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
TWO CANDIDATES HAVE BEEN NOMINATED — CHAN KAM-MAN AND MR MICHAEL LEE YUK-KWAN.
AFTER THE ELECTION, MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS THE ADOPTION OF THE DISTRICT BOARD STANDING ORDERS AND WILL DECIDE ON THE NUMBER OF COMMITTEES TO BE ESTABLISHED. •
THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES FOR COMMERCIAL OPERATORS AFFECTED BY CLEARANCE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION'OF TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT THE FUNG MING HALL OF WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE.
-------0 ---------
KUN LUNG GATE TOWER TO BE RESTORED
* t » »
WORK ON THE RESTORATION OF THE KUN LUNG GATE TOWER IN SAN WAI, A WALLED VILLAGE IN FANLING, HAS STARTED WITH THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OF $0.3 MILLION FROM THE GOVERNMENT.
THE RENOVATION PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT FIVE MONTHS’ TIME.
SAN WAI VILLAGE WAS ORIGINALLY KNOWN AS KUN LUNG WAI WHICH IS ONE OF 11 TANG VILLAGES IN LUNG YEUK TAU IN NORTH DISTRICT.
ALTHOUGH THE VILLAGE WAS REPORTEDLY SETTLED BY MEMBERS OF THE TANG CLAN DURING THE 14TH CENTURY, ITS WALLS WERE BUILT AT A MUCH LATER DATE.
THE STONE LINTEL ABOVE THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO THE VILLAGE IS ENGRAVED WITH THE DATE "JIA-Z1 OF THE QIAN LONG REIGN", WHICH EQUATES TO 174 4 A. I).
/THE VILLAGE
MONDAY, APRIL 18, 1988
6
THE VILLAGE WAS ORIGINALLY ENCLOSED BY FOUR BRICK WALLS. FIVE ROWS OF HOUSES WERE LOCATED INSIDE THE WALLS, TOGETHER WITH A VILLAGE TEMPLE AND A GATE TOWER AT THE SOUTHWESTERN AXIS.
ALTHOUGH THE WALLS ARE RUINED, THE GATE TOWER IS STILL IN A REASONABLY GOOD STATE OF REPAIR.
IT HAS A UNIQUE FEATURE OF TWO TOWERS, AS COMPARED TO THE TRADITIONAL SINGLE TOWER DESIGN FOUND ELSEWHERE IN THE TERRITORY.
BOTH TOWERS ARE FREE-STANDING, UNLINKED STRUCTURES. THE TALL, NARROW OUTER TOWER IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND HAS A FINE FACADE OF GREEN BRICKS AND WELL-DRESSED* GRANIT& BLOCKS SURMOUNTED BY A BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED BOAT-SHAPED RIDGE.
THE KUN LUNG GATE TOWER WAS GAZETTED AS A MONUMENT ON MARCH 11 THIS YEAR UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS ORDINANCE.
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MORE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR CHAI WAN « * * »
WORK WILL START ON CREATING AN OPEN SPACE IN CHAI WAN LATER IHIS MONTH 1'0 PROVIDE MORE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR RESIDENTS.
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A $9.6 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE PROVISION OF THE OPEN SPACE ADJACENT TO HENG
IT WILL HAVE A MINI SOCCER PITCH AND SPECTATOR STAND, A SMALL OPEN AIR THEATRE WITH SEATS AND TWO CHILDREN’S PLAY AREAS.
OTHER FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE A FOUNTAIN, PAVILIONS AND ARBOURS, COVERED WALKWAY, SEASIDE PROMENADE AND TOILETS.
THE 9,000 SQUARE METRE SITE WILL BE FULLY LANDSCAPED.
THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN MARCH NEXT YEAR.
HENG FA CHUEN DEVELOPMENT LTD HAS CONTRIBUTED $3 MILLION TOWARDS CONSTRUCTION COSTS.
---o---------
/7
MONDAY, APRIL 18, 1988
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED
♦ » * « »
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE REGISTRATION OF THE HIBERNIA PACIFIC (ASIA) LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED TODAY AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
RENOWNED FLAUTIST TO GIVE MASTERCLASS » » » ♦ * •
THE MUSIC OFFICE WILL PRESENT A MASTERCLASS BY A WORLD RENOWNED FLAUTIST, MISS JUDITH HALL, AT THE YAU MA TEI MUSIC CENTRE ON SUNDAY (APRIL 24) FROM 10 AM TO NOON.
MISS HALL MADE A HIGHLY ACCLAIMED DEBUT IN LONDON IN 1975 AND WAS IMMEDIATELY ENGAGED BY THE ORCHESTRA OF THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE, WHERE SHE WAS PRINCIPAL FLUTE FOR SEVEN YEARS.
SHE NOW PLAYS WITH THE LONDON ORCHESTRAS, AND WITH MANY SMALL GROUPS, ON A FREELANCE BASIS.
HER TRAVELS AS A SOLOIST AND CHAMBER MUSIC PLAYER HAVE TAKEN HER TO FESTIVALS AND VENUES IN NEARLY ALL EUROPEAN COUNTRIES, SOUTHEAST ASIA AND AUSTRALIA, AND TOURS ARE PLANNED FOR RUSSIA AND SPAIN.
AT THE MASTERCLASS, SHE WILL LECTURE ON THE VARIOUS TECHNIQUES OF FLUTE PLAYING.
ADMISSION TO THE MASTERCLASS IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. RESERVATIONS AND ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-8235321 OR 3-7226240.
WATER STORAGE FIGURE t » ♦ ♦
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 35.5 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 208.072 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 309.005 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 52.7 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TAC ENDORSES FINAL REPORT ON TAXI POLICY REVIEW ............ 1
HK USEFUL AS A BASE TO OVERSEAS COMPANIES .................. 2
LEGCO TO DEBATE BUDGET PROPOSALS ........................... 5
FUNDS SOUGHT FOR EXTENDING POLICE SECONDMENT SYSTEM ........ 6
PRINCESS ROYAL TO VISIT HK ................................. 7
TRAVEL ASSISTANCE SCHEME TO BE EXPLAINED TO STUDENTS ....... 7
CIVIL SERVICE PAY ADJUSTMENT 1988 .......................... 9
NEW C&W DB CHAIRMAN TO BE ELECTED .......................... 10
VIEWS ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS REPORT BEING STUDIED ........... 11
EIGHT NEW INSURANCE COMPANTES GIVEN APPROVAL ............... 11
TAI PO COUNTRY TRAIL PAMPHLET PUBLISHED .................... 13
water cut in tai iung ...................................... 1*+
GOODS VEHICLE RESTRICTED ZONE aT aIRPORT ................... 11*
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1988
TAC ENDORSES FINAL REPORT ON TAXI POLICY REVIEW
* * « t t
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) TODAY (TUESDAY) DISCUSSED AND ACCEPTED THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FINAL REPORT OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE ON TAXI POLICY REVIEW.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION SHORTLY.
THE TAC ALSO SUPPORTED THE USE OF THE KOWLOON POINT PIER FOR RECREATIONAL FERRY SERVICES BETWEEN KOWLOON AND MUI WO ON SATURDAY AFTERNOONS, SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS FOR THE COMING SUMMER PEAK SEASON COMMENCING IN MID-JUNE.
THE SERVICE, TO BE OPERATED BY THE HONGKONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY, WILL BE ON A TEMPORARY BASIS AND THE OPERATION WILL BE REVIEWED IN OCTOBER.
MEMBERS LOOKED INTO THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES ORDINANCE AND REGULATIONS WHICH AIM TO CODIFY THE EXISTING ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTY PROVISIONS FOR BUS PASSENGERS INTO REGULATIONS AND BY-LAWS, AND MAKE THEM CONSISTENT WITH OTHER TRANSPORT-RELATED LEGISLATION.
THE COMMITTEE ALSO EXAMINED THE MEASURES RECOMMENDED BY THE WORKING GROUP ON ROADS TO EXTEND THE SAFETY PROVISIONS OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE TO PRIVATE ROADS AND TO REGULARISE THE ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES OF PRIVATE DEVELOPMENTS IN CONTROLLING UNAUTHORISED PARKING.
A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE ROAD (WORKS, USE AND COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE TO SIMPLIFY PROCEDURES FOR SERVING NOTICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE RESUMPTION OF PRIVATE STREETS WAS ALSO NOTED BY THE TAC.
THE TAC DISCUSSED THE IMPLICATION ON INTER-MODAL CO-ORDINATION CAUSED BY THE MTRC’S DECISION TO INTRODUCE A SURCHARGE AT PEAK HOUR. THE COMMITTEE IS PARTICULARLY CONCERNED WITH THE PROVISION OF TRANSPORTATION TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AT THE PEAK HOUR TO COMMUTE TO WORK.
/THE FOLLOWING .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1988
THE FOLLOWING POINTS WERE MADE BY MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE:
(1) THE EXISTING POLICY OF INTER-MODAL TRANSPORT CO-ORDINATION WHICH SPECIFIES THAT WHERE THERE IS SPARE CAPACITY ON THE (RAILWAY OR MTR) FIXED TRACK SYSTEM, IT SHOULD BE MAXIMISED IN ITS UTILISATION AND THEREFORE NO NEW BUS ROUTES SHOULD DUPLICATE OR RUN PARALLEL TO SUCH RAIL SERVICES.
NOW THAT THE MTR HAS NO SPARE CAPACITY AT PEAK HOUR, IT SHOULD BE POSSIBLE TO INTRODUCE OR OPERATE NEW BUS ROUTES PARALLEL OR DUPLICATING THE MTR ROUTES. EXISTING BUS ROUTES DUPLICATING OR PARALLEL TO MTR SERVICES CAN INCREASE ITS FREQUENCIES WITHOUT SUFFERING FROM THE EXISTING POLICY RESTRICTION.
TAC WISHES THE MTRC TO NOTE THAT SUCH NEW OR EXISTING SERVICES ONCE IMPLEMENTED WILL BE DIFFICULT TO BE WITHDRAWN.
(2) THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SHOULD DO ITS BEST TO UTILISE AVAILABLE RESOURCES TO GIVE RELIEF AND SERVICES TO THE COMMUTING PUBLIC AFFECTED BY THE MTRC’S DECISION.
(3) TAC WILL TAKE A LOOK AT THE POLICY IMPLICATIONS ON INTER-MODAL CO-ORDINATION IN THE LIGHT OF THIS DEVELOPMENT.
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HK USEFUL AS A BASE TO OVERSEAS COMPANIES t » » » »
OVERSEAS COMPANIES ('AN USE HONG KONG AS A BASE TO GAIN THE EXPERIENCE OF WORKING WITH THE CHINESE PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, AND TO ASSESS AT A CLOSER RANGE THE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN CHINA, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR ANDREW LEUNG, SAID IN OSAKA TODAY (TUESDAY).
ADDRESSING THE OSAKA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, MR LEUNG SAID BY USING THIS ’’SOUTHERN ROUTE” TACTICAL APPROACH THEY COULD, AT A LATER STAGE, MOVE THE MORE LABOUR INTENSIVE OPERATIONS TO CHINA, LEAVING SUCH OPERATIONS THAT DEMAND HIGHER QUALITY, INNOVATION AND SOPHISTICATION AS WELL AS MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SUPPORT FACILITIES IN HONG KONG.
HE SAID JAPANESE BUSINESSMEN WERE KEEN TO INVEST IN CHINA AND
THEIR INVESTMENT IN CHINA FROM APRIL TO SEPTEMBER IN I9R7 WAS NEARLY FIVE TIMES THE TOTAL OF APRIL I9B6 TO MARCH 1987.
/HONG KONG
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1988
HONG KONG ENTREPRENEURS HAD MADE IMPRESSIVE INROADS IN EXPLORING THE CHINA MARKET AND HONG KONG WAS NOW CHINA'S LARGEST TRADING PARTNER, HE SAID.
SINCE HONG KONG WAS JAPAN'S FIFTH LARGEST EXPORT MARKET, THERE WAS A STRONG CASE TO SET UP MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS IN HONG KONG FOR SUPPLYING THE MARKET DOMESTICALLY, HE ADDED.
’’ALTHOUGH UP TO THE PRESENT THE MAIN OBJECT OF DIRECT JAPANESE INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG'S MANUFACTURING SECTOR HAS BEEN TO ACHIEVE A SHARE OF HONG KONG'S EXPORTS TO THIRD COUNTRY MARKETS, THERE ARE ALREADY SIGNS THAT A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE OUTPUT OF THIS INVESTMENT IS BEGINNING TO BE AIMED AT DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION.
”BY ESTABLISHING JAPANESE FACTORIES IN HONG KONG, THE TRADE IMBALANCE BETWEEN US CAN ALSO BE IMPROVED,” HE ADDED.
MR LEUNG POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT'S ROLE WAS TO PROVIDE A FAVOURABLE LEGAL AND PHYSICAL FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH PRIVATE ENTERPRISE COULD OPERATE SUCCESSFULLY AND TO SEEK WAYS OF IMPROVING HONG KONG’S OVERALL COMPETITIVENESS.
’’THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER PORT IS NOW THE LARGEST IN THE WORLD IN TERMS OF ANNUAL THROUGHPUT AND PROBABLY THE MOST EFFICIENT.
"WE HAVE ONE OF THE LARGEST AIR (’ARGO TERMINALS IN THE WORLD, Will (’ll IS CURRENTLY (’APABLE OF HANDLING GRO, ODD METRIC TONNES ANNUALLY AMD IS BEING EXPANDED," HE SAID.
HF NOTED THAT HONG KONG’S EXCELLENT INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC TELEPHONE AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES OPERATED AT PRICES AMGNG THE LOWEST IN THE AS I A-PAC I FI (’ REGION, ADDING THAI’ HONG KONG WAS AN INTERNATIONALLY-RENOWNED FREE PORT WITH NO EXCHANGE CONTROLS.
H
WITH REGARD TO INCENTIVES FOR INVESTMENT, MR. LEUNG SAID THAT IN LINE WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S BELIEF IN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL, IT DID NOT OFFER ANY SPECIAL DEALS FOR EITHER LOCAL OR OVERSEAS INVKSTORS.
NOTING THAT ALL THE MOST ESSENTIAL FACTORS FOR BUSINESS TO OPERATE SUCCESSFULLY WERE ALREADY IN EXISTENCE IN HONG KONG, HE GAVE EXAMPLES OF THE RELATIVELY MILD AND STABLE TAX REGIME AND THE FREE ENTERPR ISE ENVIRONMENT.
’’OVERSEAS INVESTORS WOULD NOT HAVE TO SIGN TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CONTRACTS OR TO MEET CERTAIN LOCAL CONTENT REQUIREMENTS," HE SAID.
"FOR THE OVERSEAS INVESTOR, INVESTMENT INCENTIVES MIGHT OFFER SHORT AND MEDIUM TERM ATTRACTIONS BUT, IN THE LONG RUN, THEY MAKE FOR INEFFICIENCY AND THIS LEAVES A FIRM ILL-PREPARED FOR THE DAY WHEN THE INCENTIVES RUN OUT," HE ADDED.
/IN THE........
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1988
IN THE FIELD OF MANPOWER TRAINING TO ASSIST IN THE UPGRADING OF HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIES, THE GOVERNMENT HAD ADOPTED CONTINUOUS MEASURES TO HAVE MORE TECHNICALLY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL TRAINED, HE SAID.
ALONGSIDE WITH THE TWO LOCAL UNIVERSITIES AND TWO POLYTECHNICS WHICH ARE PRODUCING NEARLY 20,000 GRADUATES EVERY YEAR IN DISCIPLINES OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, A NEW UNIVERSITY FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WILL BE SET UP IN 1991.
THERE WAS ALSO A SCHEME TO ENABLE PRACTISING ENGINEERS TO GO ABROAD (INCLUDING JAPAN) TO OBTAIN TRAINING IN THE DESIGN AND USE OF APPLICATIONS SPECIFIC INTEGRATED CIRCUITS IN AN ATTEMPT TO ACQUIRE RECENT TECHNOLOGIES WHICH WERE NOT YET TAUGHT IN OUR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, HE SAID.
"SIMILAR TRAINING SCHEMES MIGHT BE EXTENDED INTO SUCH OTHER PROCESS TECHNOLOGIES AS SURFACE MOUNTING, AND SUCH PRODUCT TECHNOLOGIES AS DIGITAL ELECTRONICS, COMMUNICATIONS, PATTERN RECOGNITION AND NETWORKING," HE ADDED.
MR LEUNG WENT ON TO SAY THAT ONE OF THE MAIN THRUSTS' OF THE GOVERNMENT’S CURRENT INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES HAD BEEN TO PROVIDE THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR WITH AN ADEQUATE RANGE OF SUPPORT SERVICES.
"WE ARE EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITY OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE JAPAN INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION AGENCY (JICA) TO SET UP A SHEET METAL PROCESSING TRAINING CENTRE.
"THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL NOW PROVIDES A FULL RANGE OF METALS CONSULTANCY SERVICES," HE SAID, ADDING THAT A PLASTICS TECHNOLOGY CENTRE WOULD BE ESTABLISHED ON THE CAMPUS OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC THIS YEAR.
HE SAID THE INFLUENCE AND DEMANDS OF JAPANESE FIRMS IN HONG KONG ATTRIBUTED TO THE IMPROVEMENT IN HONG KONG’S LINKAGE INDUSTRIES.
"MANY OF THEM HAVE SHIFTED FROM A PURE ASSEMBLY OPERATION USING PARTS AND COMPONENTS PREVIOUSLY IMPORTED FROM JAPAN, TO A NEW FORM OF PRODUCTION, WHEREBY THESE PARTS AND COMPONENTS ARE EITHER MADE BY THEIR HONG KONG SUB-CONTRACTORS OR PRODUCED BY THEMSELVES IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
WITH REGARD TO INDUSTRIAL LAND, MR LEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD PROVIDED LAND IN TWO INDUSTRIAL ESTATES, EACH ABOUT 70 HECTARES, AT PRICES REFLECTING FORMATION COSTS ONLY, FOR QUALIFIED INDUSTRIAL USERS WHO BROUGHT NEW PROCESSES OR PRODUCTS TO HONG KONG; AND A THIRD ONE WAS BEING PLANNED AND WAS LIKELY TO BE AVAILABLE FOR OCCUPATION BY 1993.
/OTHER INFRASTRUCTURAL .......
h
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1988
- 5 -
OTHER INFRASTRUCTURAL SUPPORT COMMITTED BY THE GOVERNMENT INCLUDED THE DEVELOPMENT OF STANDARDS, CALIBRATION, LABORATORY ACCREDITATION AND OTHER QUALITY-RELATED SERVICES, TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING FACILITIES, HE SAID.
NEW LABORATORIES WOULD ALSO BE ESTABLISHED IN THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY CENTRE TO PROMOTE THE USE OF SURFACE MOUNT AND RADIO FREQUENCY AND DIGITAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES.
"WE ARE ALSO CONSIDERING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TECHNOLOGY CENTRE OR SCIENCE PARK, IN CLOSE ASSOCIATION WITH TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS TO PROVIDE CENTRALISED FACILITIES FOR COMPANIES ENGAGED IN INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, PRODUCT AND PROCESS IMPROVEMENT AND INNOVATION, TECHNOLOGICAL SERVICES AND VENTURE CAPITAL OPERATIONS," HE ADDED.
UP TO THE END OF 1986, JAPAN CONTINUED TO BE HONG KONG’S SECOND LARGEST SOURCE OF OVERSEAS INVESTMENT AND ITS INVESTMENT IN MANUFACTURING TOTALLED HK$4,009 MILLION, WITH AN INCREASE OF 23 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
THE NUMBER OF WHOLLY-OWNED JAPANESE FACTORIES ROSE FROM 60 TO 76 AND THE JOINT VENTURES WITH JAPANESE INTEREST INCREASED FROM 57 TO 58.
IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF PROJECTS, HONG KONG ACCOUNTED FOR THE GREATEST SHARE AMONGST ASIAN COUNTRIES AND THE THIRD LARGEST SLICE AMONGST ALL COUNTRIES, MR LEUNG CONCLUDED.
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LEGCO TO DEBATE BUDGET PROPOSALS t ♦ t ♦ ♦ Mt
FORTY-THREE MEMBERS WILL SPEAK TN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AND THURSDAY WHEN DEBATE ON THE 1988 APPROPRIATION BILL RESUMES.
TWENTY-FOUR MEMBERS ARE LISTED TO SPEAK TOMORROW AND 19 ON THURSDAY.
OFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL SPEAK ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 1.
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/6........
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1988
- 6
FUNDS SOUGHT FOR EXTENDING POLICE SECONDMENT SYSTEM *****
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL RE ASKED TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO APPROVE AN ALLOCATION OF $23,928,000 TO MEET EXPENDITURE ON THE EXTENSION OF A SYSTEM OF MUTUAL SECONDMENTS BETWEEN THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE AND VARIOUS POLICE FORCES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM FROM 1988-89 TO 1995-96.
THE SYSTEM WAS FIRST INTRODUCED IN EARLY 1984 WHEN THE RHKPF WAS BEING EXTENSIVELY REORGANISED AND NEEDED ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCED OFFICERS TO IMPROVE ITS COMMAND STRUCTURE.
THE AIMS OF THE SYSTEM WERE THREE-FOLD: TO ALLOW HONG KONG SUPERINTENDENTS TO BENEFIT FROM THE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE AVAILABLE THROUGH WORKING IN THE UK POLICE FORCES; FOR HONG KONG TO BENEFIT FROM THE SERVICES OF THE UK POLICE OFFICERS WITH DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING BACKGROUND; AND TO HELP EASE THE SHORTAGE OF MATURE AND EXPERIENCED OFFICERS IN THE MIDDLE MANAGEMENT LEVELS OF THE RHKPF.
A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE SCHEME HAS BEEN' CONDUCTED RECENTLY TO SEE WHETHER IT HAS MET ITS ORIGINAL OBJECTIVES AND WHETHER THERE IS A NEED FOR FURTHER EXTENSION.
FINDINGS SHOWED THAT THE SCHEME, WHICH WAS INTRODUCED TO RESOLVE PROBLEMS CREATED BY INEXPERIENCE AT MIDDLE MANAGEMENT LEVELS, HAS DEVELOPED INTO A KEY COMPONENT OF THE LOCALISATION STRATEGY. IT WAS THUS CONSIDERED ESSENTIAL THAT THE SCHEME SHOULD CONTINUE.
OTHER ITEMS ON TOMORROW’S AGENDA INCLUDE:
» APPROVAL OF A NEW PROJECT FOR STABILISING THE NORTHWESTERN BOUNDARY SLOPES AT THE METHODIST COLLEGE, GASCOIGNE ROAD AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $2,321,000;
* AN INCREASE IN COMMITMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF SEVEN REPLACEMENT ARMOURED PERSONNEL CARRIERS BY $1.7 MILLION TO $13,210,000; AND
* APPROVAL OF REVISED SALARY SCALES FOR THE SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE AND ACADEMIC STAFF OF THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ESTABLISHMENT SUB-COMMITTEE AND THE PUBLIC WORKS SUB-COMMITTEE.
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1988
- 7 -
PRINCESS ROYAL TO VISIT HK
*****
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, THE PRINCESS ROYAL, WILL VISIT HONG KONG FROM SEPTEMBER 15 TO 18 THIS YEAR, BUCKINGHAM PALACE ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
PRINCESS ANNE WILL UNDERTAKE ENGAGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH ORGANISATIONS OF WHICH HER ROYAL HIGHNESS IS PRESIDENT OR PATRON.
DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS FOR HER VISIT ARE BEING WORKED OUT AND WILL BE ANNOUNCED AS SOON AS THEY ARE FINALISED.
IT WILL BE THE PRINCESS’S THIRD VISIT TO HONG KONG. SHE VISITED THE TERRITORY TN OCTOBER 1971 AND IN APRIL 1983.
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TRAVEL ASSISTANCE SCHEME TO BE EXPLAINED TO STUDENTS
*****
«
<1 MCERS OF THE TRANSPORT BRANCH AND THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH WILL MEET REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF STUDIC I S ON SATURDAY (APRIL 23) TO FURTHER EXPLAIN THE PROPOSED STUDENT TRAVEL ASSISTANCE SCHEME.
THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER. MR CHRIS GODWIN, SAID THIS TODAY (TUESDAY).
IN RESPONSE TO THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF STUDENTS’ EARLIER REPRESENTATIONS TO OMELCO AND COMMENTS BY THE STUDENTS AS REPORTED IN THE MEDIA, MR GODWIN WROTE TO THE FEDERATION TODAY TO EXPLAIN IN DETAIL THE REASONS FOR THE PROPOSED CHANGE IN THE SCHEME.
HE REITERATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S OBJECTIVE IN PROPOSING A NEW SCHEME WAS TO FIND A WAY TO SUBSIDISE STUDENT TRAVEL WHICH WAS AN EFFECTIVE USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS AND AS FLEXIBLE AS POSSIBLE FOR THE STUDENTS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ON ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS WAS THAT PUBLIC MONEY SHOULD GO TO THOSE WHO NEED HELP TO CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION.
"THE STUDENT TRAVEL SUBSIDY, FOR HISTORICAL REASONS, WAS AT PRESEN’I AVAILABLE TO ALL STUDENTS REGARDLESS OF NEED AND IT MADE GOOD SENSE TO GIVE PUBLIC MONEY TO ONLY THOSE WHO DO NEED IT, WHEN THERE WERE MAN\ DEMANDS FOR NEW AND IMPROVED SERVICES.
/’’SOME COMMENTS.......
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1988
8
"SOME COMMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS SIMPLY I ' II.'Q TO SAVE MONEY BY INTRODUCING A NEW SCHEME. THIS IS NOT :! ! R.RLY TRUE, THE GOVERNMENT IS ALSO CONCERNED WITH THE RATIONALE INVOLVED.
"IN THEORY, IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO SAVE THE ENTIRE AMOUNT OF THE SUBSIDY BY FORCING TRANSPORT OPERATORS TO ALLOW ALL FULL TIME STUDENTS TO TRAVEL HALF-FARE. ONE RESULT OF THIS WOULD BE FARE INCREASES FOR ALL PASSENGERS.
"WE BELIEVE IT IS MORE EQUITABLE TO PAY THE SUBSIDY FROM PUBLIC FUNDS, RATHER THAN PUTTING THE BURDEN ON THE LESS-AFFLUENT MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO FORM THE BULK OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT PASSENGERS," MR GODWIN SAID.
HE EMPHASISED THAT THE PROPOSED NEW SCHEME WAS IN LINE WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S EDUCATION POLICY.
"THE PROPOSED TRAVEL SUBSIDY WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ALL STUDENTS UI TO SECONDARY THREE IRRESPECTIVE OF FAMILY FINANCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES. BEYOND SECONDARY THREE, THE SUBSIDY WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ALL WHO REALLY NEED ASSISTANCE."
GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE ON EDUCATION IN 1988-89 IS ESTIMATED TO REACH $11,300 MILLION, OR 18 PER CENT OF TOTAL EXPENDITURE.
THE DEMAND FOR NEW AND IMPROVED PROGRAMMES IS INCREASING ALL Till TIME. THIS IS WHY THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE AND THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ARE CONCERNED THAT MONEY SHOULD NOT BE SPENT WHERE IT IS NOT NEEDED.
"IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE HOW A REDUCTION IN THE TRAVEL SUBSIDY FOR BETTER-OFF STUDENTS COULD BE INTERPRETED AS GOVERNMENT SHEDDING ITS RESPONSIBILITIES. THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT THE CASE," HE ADDED.
HE ASSURED STUDENTS THAT THE APPLICATION PROCEDURES WILL BE SIMPLE.
' THE FORM FOR STUDENTS UP TO SECONDARY THREE WILL NOT BE ANY MORE COMPLICATED THAN THE EXISTING APPLICATION FORM FOR THE STUDENT TRAVEL CARD.
"FOR STUDENTS ABOVE SECONDARY THREE, EXISTING FORMS WILL BE USED TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY.
"WE DO NOT PROPOSE ANY NEW TYPES OF FORMS IN ORDER NOT TO COMPLICATE MATTERS FOR INDIVIDUAL APPLICANTS AND FOR THE GOVERNMENT," HE STATED.
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TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1988
- 9 -
CIVIL SERVICE PAY ADJUSTMENT 1988
» ♦ t » «
THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR HARNAM GREWAL, MET THE STAFF SIDES OF THE SENIOR CIVIL SERVICE COUNCIL AND THE MODEL SCALE 1 STAFF CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON IN CONNECTION WITH THEIR PAY CLAIMS FOR 1988.
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH ALSO MET THE POLICE FORCE COUNCIL.
"THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL CONSIDERED THIS MORNING THE RESULTS OF THE 1987-88 PRIVATE SECTOR PAY TREND SURVEY, THE COST OF LIVING INCREASES, THE PAY CLAIMS SUBMITTED BY THE STAFF SIDES OF THE SENIOR CIVIL SERVICE COUNCIL AND THE MODEL SCALE 1 STAFF CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL, AGAINST THE GENERAL BACKGROUND OF THE 1986 PAY LEVEL SURVEY RESULTS AND THE NEED TO MAINTAIN STAFF MORALE", MR GREWAL SAID.
"WE WERE AUTHORISED TO MAKE AN OFFER OF A PAY AWARD TO THE STAFF SIDES WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, 1988 BASED ON THE 1987-RB PAY TREND INDICATORS, THAT IS, AN INCREASE OF 6.54 PER CENT FOR THE UPPER BAND, 7.28 PER CENT FOR THE MIDDLE BAND AND 8.50 PER CENT. FOR THE LOWER BAND."
THE UPPER BAND OF SALARIES IS FROM $16,000 TO $29,910 A MONTH, THE MIDDLE BAND FROM $5,000 TO $15,999, AND THE LOWER BAND IS UP TO $4,999.
THE OFFER WAS MADE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISION OF FUNDS BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
IN MAKING THE PAY OFFER, MR GREWAL NOTED THAT THE PAY TREND INDICATORS HAD NOT BEEN AGREED RY THE STAFF SIDES.
"THE PAY TREND SURVEYS AND THE PAY TREND INDICATORS REFLECT PRIVATE SECTOR ANNUAL SALARY INCREASES IN RESPECT OF
T CHANGES IN MARKET RATES
(’OST OF LIVING
GENERAL PROSPERITY
COMPANY PERFORMANCE
AND HAVE BEEN USED AS A BASIS FOR MAKING CIVIL SERVICE ANNUAL PAY ADJUSTMENTS FOR MANY YEARS. THESE INDICATORS DO NOT INCLUDE SALARY ADJUSTMENTS OF AN INDIVIDUAL NATURE, FOR EXAMPLE THOSE RELATING TO MERIT," HE SAID.
/’’FOR THE..........
V
N
TUESDAY, APRIL 1% 1988
10
"FOR THE LAST 14 YEARS, INCLUDING THE CURRENT SURVEY, TH8 METHODOLOGY HAS BEEN AGREED IN ADVANCE WITH THE STAFF SIDES IN EACH CASE."
"IT IS THEREFORE APPROPRIATE TO CONSIDER THE 1988 PAY AWARD UN THE BASIS OF THE 1987-88 PAY TREND INDICATORS," MR GREWAL SAID.
"IN THE LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT THE PAY TREND INDICATORS ARE CLOSELY IN LINE WITH THE COST OF LIVING INDICES FOR THE PERIOD COVERED BY THE SURVEY, THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT AT THIS STAGE INTEND TO MAKE ANY ADJUSTMENTS TO REFLECT THE RESULTS OF THE 1986 PAY LEVEL SURVEY."
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NEW CAW DB CHAIRMAN TO BE ELECTED * * « » »
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD FOR THE NEW TERM WILL BE ELECTED AT THE BOARD’S FIRST MEETING ON THURSDAY (APRIL 21).
AFTER THE ELECTION OF A NEW CHAIRMAN, THE MEETING WILL CONTINUE AND MEMBERS WILL GIVE VIEWS ON THE DISTRICT BOARD STANDING ORDERS AND THE COMPOSITION OF COMMITTEES UNDER THE BOARD.
THE BOARD WILL ALSO DISCUSS MATTERS CONCERNING ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR THIS FINANCIAL YEAR AND ORGANISATION OF AN OVERSEAS STUDY TOUR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FIRST MEETING OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 21) AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM, I4TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
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/11........
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1988
11
VIEWS ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS REPORT BEING STUDIED t ♦ ♦ » *
THE GOVERNMENT IS STUDYING THE VIEWS OF THE HONG KONG TELECOMMUNICATIONS LIMITED AND HUTCHISON CABLEVISION LIMITED ON A CONSULTANCY REPORT ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAI) NOT YET FORMULATED ANY VIEWS ON THE FINDINGS OF THE REPORT WHICH WAS SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNMENT LAST MONTH.
"CAREFUL CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO THE FINDINGS TOGETHER WITH COMMENTS FROM THE TWO COMPANIES BEFORE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE CONSULTANCY STUDY ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG WAS ORDERED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN JULY LAST YEAR.
IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR THE GOVERNMENT APPOINTED BOOZ, ALLEN AND HAMILTON (FORMERLY KNOWN AS COMMUNICATIONS STUDIES AND PLANNING INTERNATIONAL) TO UNDERTAKE THE STUDY COVERING SUCH ISSUES AS THE BENEFITS Ol COMPETITION, POSSIBLE EFFECTS ON CONSUMERS AND DISRUPTION TO THE PUBLIC.
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EIGHT NEW INSURANCE COMPANIES GIVEN APPROVAL ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
EIGHT NEW INSURANCE COMPANIES - FIVE OVERSEAS AND THREE LOCAL -WERE AUTHORISED TO CARRY ON INSURANCE BUSINESS IN OR FROM HONG KONG DURING THE 1987-88 FINANCIAL YEAR, THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, 18 EXISTING INSURERS CEASED TO BE AUTHORISED FOLLOWING THE CESSATION OR ORDERLY RUN-OFF OF THEIR INSURANCE BUSINESS IN HONG KONG.
AS AT MARCH 31 THIS YEAR, THERE WERE 279 AUTHORISED INSURERS OPERATING IN HONG KONG, REPRESENTING A NET DECREASE Ol 10 SINCE MARCH 31 LAST YEAR.
OF THESE, 127 WERE HONG KONG INSURERS, FROM OVERSEAS, INCLUDING HIE UK (13), USA (27), (8), SINGAPORE (7), SWITZERLAND (7), CANADA (6)
THE RENA I NDER BERMUDA (11), AND FRANCE (5).
('OMI NG
JAPAN
/HR GLEESON........
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1988
MR GLEESON COMMENTED THAT THE NUMBER OF AUTHORISED INSURERS HAD REMAINED AT ABOUT THE 280 LEVEL SINCE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE ON JUNE 30, 1983.
THIS COULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO TWO FACTORS.
FIRSTLY, THERE WERE THE MORE STRINGENT CRITERIA APPLIED BY THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY IN DETERMINING APPLICATIONS FOR AUTHORISATION UNDER THE ORDINANCE TO ENSURE THAT ONLY INSURERS OF GOOD FINANCIAL STANDING AND WHO WERE ABLE TO MEET THE CRITERIA OF THE AUTHORISATION GUIDELINES WERE ADMITTED.
SECONDLY, THERE WAS THE CONTINUAL REVIEW MADE BY THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY OF THE AUTHORISATION STATUS OF EXISTING INSURERS WITH A VIEW TO WITHDRAWING THOSE AUTHORISATIONS THAT HAD BECOME DORMANT.
HE ENVISAGED THAT THE NUMBER OF AUTHORISED INSURERS WOULD REMAIN STABLE IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.
AS AT MARCH 31, THERE WERE NINE PENDING APPLICATIONS FOR AUTHORISATION FROM NEW INSURERS, SIX OF WHICH WERE FROM OVERSEAS COMPANIES AND THREE FROM HONG KONG.
THIS AGAIN DEMONSTRATED THE KEEN INTEREST OF OVERSEAS INSURERS IN ENTERING THE HONG KONG INSURANCE MARKET AND THEIR CONTINUED CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG’S FUTURE AND ITS GROWING IMPORTANCE AS AN INSURANCE CENTRE.
MR GLEESON ALSO SAID THAT DURING THE FINANCIAL YEAR HE HAD EXERCISED HIS POWER OF INTERVENTION AS INSURANCE AUTHORITY ON 33 OCCASIONS IN RESPECT OF 18 INSURERS FOR THE BETTER PROTECTION OF POLICYHOLDERS.
HE ADDED THAT HE HAD TAKEN INTERVENTIONAL ACTION AGAINST A TOTAL OF 61 INSURERS SINCE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE ORDINANCE IN JUNE 1983, INCLUDING THE PETITION FOR THE WINDING-UP OF FIVE INSURANCE COMPANIES BETWEEN 1983 AND 1987.
COMMENTING ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ORDINANCE, MR GLEESON SAID THAT THE LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK IT PROVIDES FOR THE REGULATION OF INSURANCE COMPANIES CARRYING ON BUSINESS IN HONG KONG HAD BEEN GENERALLY EFFECTIVE.
NEVERTHELESS, THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE INSURANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY, CONTINUALLY REVIEWED THE ORDINANCE TO SEE IF LEGISLATIVE CHANGES WERE NEEDED FOR THE BETTER PROTECTION OF POLICYHOLDERS OR THE IMPROVED APPLICATION OF THE ORDINANCE.
A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS HAD AS A RESULT BEEN MADE BETWEEN 1985 AND 1987, THE MOST RECENT BEING ONE WHICH GAVE THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY WIDER DISCRETIONARY POWER TO REFUSE APPLICATIONS FOR AUTHORISATION.
/ANOTHER CHANGE
TUESDAY, APRIL 1% 1988
ANOTHER CHANGE IN THE LAW, CURRENTLY BEING PROPOSED, IS ONE WHICH WOULD ENABLE THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY TO MAINTAIN CLOSER LIAISON WITH OVERSEAS REGULATORY AUTHORITIES IN THE EXERCISE OF PRUDENTIAL SUPERVISION OVER AUTHORISED INSURERS.
MR GLEESON SAID THAT AS THE IMPORTANCE OF HONG KONG AS AN INSURANCE CENTRE CONTINUED TO GROW AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF CONTINUED DEVELOPMENTS IN ALL ASPECTS OF INSURANCE UNDERWRITING, THE CO-OPERATION OF THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY IN DEVELOPING DISCIPLINE AND HEALTHY COMPETITION IN THE MARKET WAS ESSENTIAL.
HE WAS GLAD TO SEE THAT THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY HAD FORMED A WORKING GROUP TO EXAMINE WAYS OF SETTING UP A SELF-REGULATORY SYSTEM DESIGNED TO ENABLE INSURERS TO WRITE BUSINESS IN HONG KONG WITH FLEXIBILITY AND ENTERPRISE WHILE AT THE SAME TIME AFFORDING PROPER PROTECTION FOR POLICYHOLDERS.
HE UNDERSTOOD THAT THE WORKING GROUP HAD PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS FOR SELF-REGULATION TO THE GOVERNMENT AND THESE WERE CURRENTLY BEING STUDIED.
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TAI PO COUNTRY TRAIL PAMPHLET PUBLISHED » * * » »
A PAMPHLET INTRODUCING THE TAI PO COUNTRY TRAIL, ITS SCENIC VIEWS AND FACILITIES, HAS BEEN PUBLISHED.
THE PAMPHLET IS PRODUCED BY THE PUBLICATION WORKING GROUP OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S PROMOTION AND PUBLICITY COMMITTEE WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM A SPORTS GOODS COMPANY TO PUBLICISE THE TRAIL AND ENHANCE ITS USAGE.
THE 32-KILOMETRE TRAIL FOR HIKING AND COUNTRY WALKS RUNS ALONG AT THE FRINGE OF TAI PO NEW TOWN.
A MAJOR RECREATIONAL FACILITY FUNDED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE TRAIL WAS DEVELOPED JOINTLY BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, NEW TERRITORIES NORTH EAST DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, TAI PO DISTRICT SURVEY OFFICE, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AND REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE COUNTRY TRAIL FOLLOWS MAINLY EXISTING FOOTPATHS AND RIDGES OVERLOOKING THE NEW TOWN FROM THE WEST AND THE NORTH AND IS SET AGAINST BACKDROPS OF NEARBY COUNTRY PARKS.
/DEVELOPED IN
TUESDAY, APRIL 1% 1988
DEVELOPED IN TWO STAGES, STAGE I OF THE TRAIL COVERS ABOUT 25 KILOMETRES LEADING FROM TAI PO KAU TO PUN CHUNG.
STAGE II, WHICH IS ABOUT SEVEN KILOMETRES LONG, BEGINS AT TAI PO TAU AND FINISHES AT FUNG YUEN VALLEY.
COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION ON THE TRAIL IS INCLUDED IN THE TAI PO COUNTRY TRAIL PAMPHLET WHICH IS ILLUSTRATED WITH COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHS AND A MAP.
A TOTAL OF 63,000 CHINESE COPIES AND 25,000 ENGLISH COPIES HAVE BEEN PRINTED.
THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT THE TAJ PO DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES, THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, THE OTHER 18 DISTRICT OFFICES, VISITOR CENTRES OF COUNTRY PARKS AND OUTLETS OF MARATHON SPORTS LIMITED.
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WATER CUT IN TAI HANG ♦ * ♦
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TAI HANG WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 10 PM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 22) TO 7 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR MAINS WORK.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT 83-113 (ODD NUMBERS), TAI HANG ROAD, TAI HANG DRIVE, WANG FUNG TERRACE, CHUN FAI ROAD, WOODEN HUTS BEHIND THE TUNG WAH EASTERN HOSPITAL AND LUNG WAH GARDEN.
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GOODS VEHICLE RESTRICTED ZONE AT AIRPORT t * ♦ t *
FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 22), A SECTION OF THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF THE DEPARTURE CIRCUIT, HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, WILL BE MADE A 24-HOUR GOODS VEHICLE RESTRICTED ZONE.
THE ROAD SECTION RUNS FROM A POINT ABOUT 40 METRES WEST OF THE EASTERN END OF THE DEPARTURE CIRCUIT TO A POINT ABOUT 145 METRES WEST OF THE SAME END.
NO GOODS VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL; 5-8428777
(SUPPLEMENT)
Tuesday* April ^983
TRANSCRIPT OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE GIV^? BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, ON APRIL 19, 1988
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1988
1 GOVERNOR GIVES PRESS CONFERENCE * * » ♦ »
FOLLOWING IS A FULL TRANSCRIPT OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE GIVEN BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (TUESDAY): 4
H.E.: GOOD AFTERNOON. THIS IS THE THIRD OCCASION SINCE I’VE BEEN IN HONG KONG FOR JUST OVER A YEAR WHEN I HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO MEET PUBLICLY WITH YOU ALL. I’VE MET MANY OF YOU IN BETWEEN TIMES EITHER INDIVIDUALLY OR COLLECTIVELY. A GOOD DEAL HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE WE LAST HAD A PUBLIC SESSION OF THIS SORT AND I WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET YOU ALL AGAIN AND I WILL ENDEAVOUR TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS AS BEST I CAN.
SALLY BLYTH, FROM RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG: THE FIRST QUESTION I THINK 1 WILL MAKE A LITTLE BIT MORE GENERAL. HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE ACHIEVED DURING YOUR FIRST YEAR AS GOVERNOR AND HAVE YOU MET THE OBJECTIVES WHICH YOU SET YOURSELF? AND, IN YOUR VIEW,HAVE YOU SUCCEEDED IN PROJECTING A POSITIVE IMAGE OF YOURSELF TO THE PUBLIC?
H.E.: IT SOUNDS LIKE ONE OF THOSE SELF-ASSESSMENT FORMS THAT PEOPLE MAKE YOU FILL IN! THE FIRST THING I’D LIKE TO SAY IS THAT THE YEAR SEEMS TO HAVE GONE VERY QUICKLY INDEED. THERE IS SO MUCH GOING ON IN HONG KONG THE WHOLE TIME AND THERE IS SO MUCH TO DO THAT TIME PASSES VERY RAPIDLY BUT FOR ME IT HAS BEEN A FASCINATING YEAR DOING A JOB WHICH IS FOR ME THE MOST IMPORTANT AND THE MOST SIGNIFICANT I COULD POSSIBLY BE DOING. I DON’T DO A SELF-ASSESSMENT FORM. J SEE THINGS MUCH MORE IN TERMS OF WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE COMMUNITY OF HONG KONG, SO LET ME TRY TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION BY LOOKING AT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN HAPPENING IN HONG KONG.
TAKE FOR EXAMPLE THE ECONOMY WHICH IS THE BASIS OF EVERYTHING WE DO. THE LAST YEAR HAS SEEN REAL GROWTH OF OVER 13 PER CENT, AFTER A PREVIOUS YEAR OF DOUBLE DIGIT GROWTH. IT’S SEEN OUR EXPORTS GOING UP; THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THIS YEAR OUR EXPORTS WENT UP BY 25 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS, RE-EXPORTS BY MORE THAN 50 PER CENT. THAT THEN GIVES US A BASE FOR DOING ANYTHING ELSE THAT WE WANT TO DO. SO TAKE THE NEXT THING WHICH IS INFRASTRUCTURE. WE’VE SEEN THE CONTINUATION OF THE SECOND HARBOUR CROSSING. WE’VE SEEN THE START OF WORK ON TATE'S CAIRN TUNNEL, A MASSIVE PROJECT. WE’VE SEEN THE DECISIONS TAKEN ON THE CONTAINER TERMINAL, ANOTHER ENORMOUS PROJECT. SO ALL THOSE THINGS ARE GOING ON WELL.
THEN TAKE SOCIAL WELFARE, THINGS THAT MATTER TO THE INDIVIDUAL. WE’VE SEEN THE OLD AGE ALLOWANCE INCREASED FROM THE BEGINNING OF APRIL THIS YEAR, PUBLIC ASSISTANCE INCREASED FROM THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR. IN HOSPITALS AND HEALTH CARE WE HAVE THE NEW HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITALS AUTHORITY, BEING SET UP LATER THIS YEAR. WE HAVE A VERY LARGE BUILDING PROGRAMME FOR HOSPITALS, THAT INCLUDES ONE AT TUEN MUN FOR INSTANCE WHICH HAS GOT 1,600 BEDS. SO THAT IS GOING ALONG WELL.
/EDUCATION, OPEN .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1988
2
EDUCATION, OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE SET UP, FIRST STUDENTS NEXT YEAR. I ATTENDED THE FIRST SESSION OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE THIRD UNIVERSITY, THE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, JUST THE OTHER DAY; FIRST STUDENTS IN 1991. I ATTENDED THE OPENING OF A TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AT CHAI WAN THE OTHER DAY, AND THAT IS THE COMPLETION OF A PROGRAMME FOR TECHNICAL INSTITUTES. 1 COULD GO ON AT GREAT LENGTH ON THIS.
LET ME TAKE TWO OTHER THINGS THOUGH. ONE POLITICAL; WE’VE BEEN THROUGH A HUGE EXERCISE OF CONSULTATION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM. MANY DIFFERENT VIEWS EXPRESSED. FIRM DECISIONS TAKEN ON AN IMPORTANT CHANGE IN OUR SYSTEM IN 1991. LET ME TAKE ONE LAST ONE, PROBLEMS; BECAUSE WE ARE NOT FREE FROM PROBLEMS IN HONG KONG, CERTAINLY NOT. THE STOCK MARKET, A SERIOUS PROBLEM IN OCTOBER, LIKE THE REST OF THE WORLD, BUT WITH ACTION TAKEN TO DEAL WITH IT WITH THE REVIEW COMMITTEE WHICH IS DUE TO REPORT AT THE END OF NEXT MONTH.
SO ON ALL THESE FIELDS I FEEL THAT HONG KONG HAS BEEN GOING AHEAD WELL. IT’S BEEN VERY ACTIVE, BASED ON A GOOD ECONOMY. WHERE THERE ARE PROBLEMS WE ARE TAKING STEPS TO TRY TO DEAL WITH THOSE PROBLEMS.
CLAUDIA MO, FROM AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE: SIR, THERE’S BEEN A SUGGESTION THAT HONG KONG'S EMIGRATION BRAIN DRAIN PROBLEM HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE AND WORSE. HOW WOULD YOU ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM?
H.E.: IT IS A PROBLEM, QUITE CLEARLY IT IS BECOMING A PROBLEM. WHEN I AM ABROAD I AM ANXIOUS TO PUT THIS INTO CONTEXT BECAUSE AS EVERYBODY HERE KNOWS EMIGRATION FROM HONG KONG IS SOMETHING THAT HAS GONE ON THE WHOLE TIME, SO I TRY TO PUT IN THE BACKGROUND. PEOPLE HERE KNOW THAT BACKGROUND. WE HAVE TO FACE THE FACT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH THE NUMBERS HAVE NOT PERHAPS GONE UP ENORMOUSLY AND THEY HAVE BEEN ROUGHLY AT A HISTORICAL NORM IF YOU TAKE 1986 AND 1987 TOGETHER, NEVERTHELESS THE TYPE OF PEOPLE WHO ARE MOVING HAVE PROBABLY CHANGED SO THAT THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE FROM THE KEY MIDDLE MANAGEMENT SECTOR LEAVING HONG KONG. IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO PIN DOWN THE REALITY OF THIS PROBLEM.
1 WAS PLEASED TO SEE A DETAILED SURVEY DONE THE OTHER DAY WHICH TRIED TO PIN DOWN SOME OF THE FACTS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS TRYING TO DO THE SAME THING, BUT IT IS ONLY WHEN WE CAN PIN DOWN EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS THAT WE CAN TRY TO THINK OF REMEDIAL MEASURES. LET ME SAY THAT ONE REMEDIAL MEASURE WILL NOT BE TAKEN. THERE IS NO QUESTION OF TRYING TO STOP PEOPLE LEAVING HONG KONG. IF PEOPLE WANT TO LEAVE, THEY MUST BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE.
/BUT IF .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1908
3
1
BUT IF WB ARE LOSING PEOPLE FROM PARTICULAR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY LIKE MIDDLE MANAGEMENT, WE MUST TRY TO TRAIN UP MORE PEOPLE {TO TAKE THOSE PLACES. WE MUST ALSO TRY TO RUN A SOCIETY AND AN «0MY WHKiCE PEOPLE WANT TO STAY IN HONG KONG AND THOSE WHO RAVE IN ORDER TO GET AN INSURANCE POLICY DO ALSO WANT TO COMfc BACK AGAIN.
MA MIU-WAH, FROM HONG KONG ECONOMIC TIMES: ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF BRAIN DRAIN. AROUND 10 DAYS AGO CHINESE VICE-PREMIER WU XUEQIAN HAS BLAMED THE HONG KONG MEDIA AS EXAGGERATING THE PROBLEM OF BRAIN ..DRAIN. SIR David, do you regard HIS COMMENT AS MISUNDERSTANDING the PROBLEM OF HONG KONG AND HAVING A DISCREPANCY OF THE FEELING BETWEEN HONG KONG PEOPLE AND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT?
H.E.: I NEVER BLAME THE HONG KONG PRESS MYSELF. 1 THINK THE PROBLEM IS EXACTLY AS I’VE STATED IT. PEOPLE LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM FROM DIFFERENT ANGLES. AS I SAY, WHEN I AM ABROAD, I TRY TO EXPLAIN THE BACKGROUND OF IT. THE FACT THAT EMIGRATION FROM HONG KONG HAS BEEN SOMETHING WHICH HAS ALWAYS GONE ON FOR THE LAST 35, 50, IT MAYBE 100 YEARS. PEOPLE LOOKING AT IT FROM PEKING MAY ALSO LOOK AT IT WITH A CERTAIN BACKGROUND. I DIDN’T ACTUALLY SEE THAT COMMENT BY MR WU XUEQIAN MYSELF BLAMING THE HONG KONG PRESS. WHAT WE HAVE GOT TO DO IS TRY TO ASSESS EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, TRY TO GET THE FACTS RIGHT SO THAT WE ARE NOT JUST SPECULATING IN THIN AIR, AND THEN TO THE EXTENT THAT IT IS POSSIBLE, TRY TO WORK OUT WAYS OF DEALING WITH THE PROBLEM THAT THEN IS SHOWN UP BY THE FACTS.
CLAUDIA MO: I THINK THE QUESTION WAS, DO YOU THINK THE SENIOR CHINESE LEADER HAS SHOWN A MISUNDERSTANDING OF HONG KONG BY MAKING THAT STATEMENT?
H.E.: I DON’T THINK IT’S USEFUL FOR ME TO COMMENT ON WHETHER OTHER PEOPLE SHOW AN UNDERSTANDING OR A MISUNDERTANDING OF WHAT’S GOING ON IN HONG KONG. MY JOB IS TO TRY TO FIND OUT MYSELF WHAT IS GOING ON IN HONG KONG AND COMMENT ON IT AS I SEE IT.
ANN QUON, FROM SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST: CAN I MOVE ON TO ANOTHER PROBLEM FACING HONG KONG, VIETNAMESE REFUGEES. A HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL SUGGESTED THAT THE PRESENT POLICY TOWARD REFUGEES, OF PUTTING ARRIVALS IN CLOSED CAMPS WHILE A WAITING RESETTLEMENT, MAY NEED TO BE CHANGED. CAN YOU ELABORATE WHAT OPTIONS THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING AND WHETHER ONE OF THOSE OPTIONS MIGHT INCLUDE REVOKING THE RIGHT FOR REFUGEES TO LAND?
H.E.: LET ME FIRST OF ALL SAY SOMETHING ON THE PROBLEM ITSELF, BECAUSE IT IS BECOMING AN INCREASINGLY SERIOUS PROBLEM - SUMMED UP IN JUST THE TWO PHRASES THAT ARRIVALS ARE INCREASING AND DEPARTURES ARE DECREASING. WE’VE HAD CLOSE ON 800 ARRIVALS ALREADY THIS YEAR. THAT IS WAY UP ON THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR. WE’VE HAD I THINK IT’S 650 DEPARTURES, WHICH IS AN INCREASE ON LAST YEAR IN THE SAME PERIOD, BUT STILL YOU CAN SEE THE GAP, AND SO THE POPULATION HERE IS GOING UP THE WHOLE TIME AND NOW HAS REACHED ABOUT 10,000.
/ANOTHER SIDE .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1988
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ANOTHER SIDE OF THE PROBLEM. THE PEOPLE WHO ARE COMING NOW, UNLIKE IN 1979 WHEN THE PROBLEM FIRST STARTED, ARE ALMOST ALL OF THEM ETHNIC VIETNAMESE FROM NORTH VIETNAM. THE REASONS FOR MOVING SEEM TO BE ESSENTIALLY ECONOMIC RATHER THAN POLITICAL. OTHER PART OF THE BACKGROUND, WHEN WE FIRST OF ALL STARTED ACCEPTING LARGE NUMBERS OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN 1979, THAT WAS PART OF AN INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING THAT PLACES IN THIS AREA WOULD ACT AS A PLACE OF FIRST ASYLUM. OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD, RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES, WOULD RESETTLE PEOPLE FROM HERE. WHAT WE’RE FINDING NOW IS THAT, THAT HORRIFYING PHRASE ’COMPASSION FATIGUE’ IS ALL TOO TRUE, AND THAT WHEREAS WE HAVE A CONTINUING FLOW OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES COMING HERE, THE RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES ARE NOT PREPARED TO TAKE SO MANY.
THE OPTIONS FOR US ARE, FIRST OF ALL, TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT RESETTLEMENT CONTINUES TO DEAL WITH THE PEOPLE WE’VE GOT HERE NOW. SECONDLY, TO TRY TO FIND A LONG TERM SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE EITHER NOT LEAVING VIETNAM OR IF THEY'RE ESSENTIALLY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TRAVELLING FOR ECONOMIC REASONS THAT THEY GAN BE RETURNED. AND I WOULD SAY THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF VIETNAM BEARS A VERY HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE APPALLING SITUATION IN WHICH THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE CONTINUE TO RISK THEIR LIVES AT SEA TO .GET AWAY FROM VIETNAM.
NOW IF WE CANNOT FIND CONTINUING RESETTLEMENT, IF WE CANNOT IN THE SHORT TERM FIND A WAY OF SENDING PEOPLE BACK, THEN WE FACE A LOT OF VERY DIFFICULT PROBLEMS. DO WE CONTINUE OUR POLICY OF FIRST ASYLUM? IF NOT, WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES? WE WOULDN’T WISH, I’M SURE AS A COMMUNITY, TO WANT TO DO ANYTHING WHICH WOULD PUT PEOPLE’S LIVES AT RISK WHEN THEY’VE ALREADY PUT THEIR LIVES AT RISK CROSSING THE SEA. SO YOU CANNOT SEE PEOPLE JUST SINKING THEIR BOATS IN FRONT OF HONG KONG AND WATCH THEM DROWN. THAT IS NOT A VIABLE OPTION. IF, ON THE OTHER HAND, YOU LAND PEOPLE BUT YOU SAY THEY WON'T BE RESETTLED, YOU HAVE A PRACTICAL PROBLEM THAT YOU’VE GOT TO LOOK AFTER THOSE PEOPLE MEANWHILE. THOSE ARE THE PROBLEMS. THERE ARE NO EASY ANSWERS TO THEM.
THE GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING AT THESE VARIOUS OPTIONS AGAINST THE BACKGROUND THAT I'VE TRIED TO SKETCH OUT, BUT WE HAVE NOT AT THE MOMENT COME TO POLICY DECISIONS. WE ARE ALSO TRYING TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH COUNTRIES IN THIS AREA WHICH FACE SIMILAR PROBLEMS.
/STUART PALLISTER, .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1988
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STUART PALLISTER, FROM ASIA TELEVISION: WOULD YOU SAY IT'S NO LONGER APPROPRIATE THEN THAT ALL BOAT PEOPLE WHO COME HERE ARE TREATED AS REFUGEES?
H.E.: THAT'S PART OF THE PROBLEM THAT WE'RE FACING. AS I SAID WHEN WE STARTED THIS IN 1979, THERE WAS AN UNDERSTANDING THAT THOSE LEAVING VIETNAM BY BOAT WOULD ALL BE TREATED AS THOUGH THEY WERE REFUGEES. THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT UNDERSTANDING WAS THAT PEOPLE WHO WERE TAKEN IN BY PLACES OF FIRST ASYLUM WOULD ALSO HAVE A CHANCE TO BE RESETTLED ELSEWHERE. YOU HAVE TO HAVE BOTH SIDES TO THAT. SO IN CONSIDERING OUR FUTURE POLICY, WE HAVE TO LOOK TO SEE WHETHER THAT ARRANGEMENT IS STILL WORKING EFFECTIVELY.
STUART PALLISTER: BUT WOULD YOU SAY IT WAS NO LONGER APPROPRIATE?
H.E.: IT ONLY BECOMES NOT APPROPRIATE WHEN YOU HAVE DECIDED TO CHANGE THE POLICY. I'VE TRIED TO SET OUT THE BACKGROUND TO THE PROBLEM AND TO SAY ALSO THAT WE HAVE NOT MADE THE DECISION TO CHANGE POLICY AT THE MOMENT. WE ARE LOOKING AT THE VARIOUS OPTIONS. AND I WOULD LIKE TO EMPHASISE AGAIN THAT NONE OF THESE OPTIONS ARE EASY OPTIONS.
DAVID DODWELL, FROM FINANCIAL TIMES: I'D LIKE TO RAISE A POINT THAT YOU TOUCHED ON WITH VIETNAMESE REFUGEES A MOMENT AGO. I JUST CAME BACK THIS MORNING FROM CHI MA WAN AND EVIDENTLY THE INFLUX FROM VIETNAM OVER THE LAST MONTH HAS BEEN VERY HEAVILY SKEWED BACK IN THE DIRECTION OF SOUTH VIETNAMESE. THOSE IN QUARANTINE THIS MORNING WERE 160 OUT OF 174 ACTUALLY FROM SOUTH VIETNAM AND AS PEOPLE GROPED AT EXPLAINING WHY THIS REVERSAL HAD OCCURRED, THEY WERE WONDERING WHETHER IT WASN’T BECAUSE NEWS HAD GOT BACK TO VIETNAM OF THE POSSIBILITY OF A REDEFINITION OF REFUGEES AND THAT THE POSSIBILITY THAT IN THE NEAR FUTURE THEY ARE GOING TO BE CALLED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS OR DISPLACED PERSONS AND TO BE RETURNED IS ACTUALLY GENERATING A RAPID EXODUS TO TRY AND BEAT THE GUILLOTINE.
H.E.: YOU ARE MORE UP TO DATE ON SOME OF THE DETAILS THAN I AM. IF YOU HAVE JUST BEEN BACK FROM CHI MA WAN, COULD I ASK YOU, WERE ANY OF THE PEOPLE SAYING THAT THE REASON FOR LEAVING WAS THAT THEY WERE TRYING TO BEAT SOME SUPPOSED BAN?
DAVID DODWELL: THIS WAS SIMPLY PEOPLE TRYING TO MUSE OVER WHAT THE REASONS WERE, BUT IT WOULD SUGGEST THAT IF THERE IS GOING TO BE A CHANGE IN THE DEFINITION, THEN THAT DECISION OUGHT TO BE TAKEN QUICKLY RATHER THAN TO DRIFT AROUND, MUSING AND CONSULTING.
/H.E.:
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1988
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H.E.: THE ONLY COMMENT I WOULD MAKE ON THAT IS THAT THERE IS AN INCREASE AT THE MOMENT AFFECTING OTHER PLACES IN THE AREA. THERE WAS A GREAT INCREASE AFFECTING THAILAND. AS THAILAND TOOK A MORE RESTRICTIVE POLICY, SO THERE HAS BEEN AN ENORMOUS INCREASE IN THE NUMBERS ARRIVING IN MALAYSIA OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS. SO IT IS NOT SOMETHING WHICH IS JUST AFFECTING US, IT DOES SEEM TO BE AFFECTING THE REST OF THE REGION. WE DO TRY TO ANALYSE THE WHOLE TIME REASONS WHY PEOPLE COME. I ASKED YOU THAT QUESTION BECAUSE I HADN’T SEEN YET ANY ANALYSIS SUGGESTING THAT PEOPLE WERE COMING HERE BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT THERE MIGHT BE A CHANGE OF POLICY HERE.
BARBARA BASLER, FROM NEW YORK TIMES: SIR, ARE THERE ANY PLANS FOR A REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON THIS PROBLEM?
H.E.: DISCUSSIONS WITH COUNTRIES IN THE REGION HAVE BEEN GOING ON. WE’VE HAD A MEMBER OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, MR FRENCH, WHO HAS BEEN VISITING COUNTRIES IN THE AREA TO DISCUSS WITH THEM HOW THEY SEE THE PROBLEM AND TO EXCHANGE VIEWS WITH THEM ON HOW WE SEE THE PROBLEM. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF A SEMINAR TAKING PLACE IN THAILAND NEXT MONTH TO DISCUSS THE QUESTION AMONGST COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES IN THE REGION. THERE ARE NO IMMEDIATE PLANS FOR AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AS SUCH.
STEVE VINES, FROM THE OBSERVER: COULD I ASK ABOUT THE BASIC LAW, TWO THINGS. DO YOU THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE THAT LEGCO SHOULD DEBATE THE DRAFT BASIC LAW AND DO YOU THINK THAT BOTH APPOINTED AND ELECTED BODIES IN HONG KONG SHOULD HAVE SOME INPUT INTO THE DECISIONS ABOUT THE BASIC LAW?
H.E.: THE FIRST POINT THAT HAS TO BE MADE IS THE BASIC LAW IS A CHINESE DOCUMENT TO BE PASSED BY THE NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS. IT HAS TO REFLECT WHAT IS IN THE JOINT DECLARATION SO THAT GIVES THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT A STANDING IN RELATION TO THE BASIC LAW.
AS FAR AS LEGCO IS CONCERNED, IT WOULD BE FOR MEMBERS OF LEGCO TO DECIDE WHETHER THEY WISH TO DISCUSS WHAT’S IN THE BASIC LAW AND TO PUT FORWARD A MOTION IF THEY DID WISH TO DISCUSS IT. SINCE IT IS A MATTER WHICH SO CLOSELY AFFECTS PEOPLE IN HONG KONG FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME TO COME, J WOULD EXPECT SOME MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO WISH TO DISCUSS IT BUT THAT MUST BE A MATTER FOR THEM. AS FOR THE OTHER BODIES IN HONG KONG LIKE DISTRICT BOARDS, THERE TOO IT MUST BE A MATTER FOR THEM TO DECIDE WHETHER THEY WISH TO DISCUSS IT.
THE OTHER POINT I WOULD MAKE ON THIS IS THAT SINCE THIS IS A DOCUMENT WHICH DOES SO CLOSELY AFFECT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME TO COME, I’D HOPE THAT AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE WILL PUT FORWARD THEIR VIEWS ON THE BASIC LAW WHEN THE DRAFT IS PUBLISHED IN HONG KONG.
STEVE VINES: DO YOU THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE FOR THESE BODIES TO HAVE AN INPUT IN THE DRAFTING OF THE BASK’ LAW IF DURING THE CONSULTATION PERIOD, THESE OFFICIAL BODIES...?
/H.E.:
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1988
H.E.: THEY AS BODIES DON’T HAVE AN INPUT INTO IT BECAUSE IT IS A MATTER FOR THE NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS. MEMBERS OF THE VARIOUS BODIES, BECAUSE THEY ARE PEOPLE LIVING IN HONG KONG, HAVE THE SAME RIGHT AND ABILITY TO PUT FORWARD VIEWS ON WHAT SHOULD BE IN IT AS OTHER PEOPLE IN HONG KONG. AS I SAID, I WOULD EXPECT MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO WISH TO DISCUSS IT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. WHETHER THEY WILL ACTUALLY PUT FORWARD A MOTION TO DO SO I DON’T KNOW AND I DOUBT IF THEY WILL DECIDE UNTIL THE BASIC LAW DRAFT HAS BEEN PUBLISHED.
STEVE GLAIN, FROM KNIGHT-RIDDER FINANCIAL NEWS: YOU MENTIONED ONE WAY TO HALT THE SO-CALLED BRAIN DRAIN IS TO RUN A SOCIETY AND AN ECONOMY THAT PEOPLE WILL WANT TO STAY AND ENJOY OR RETURN TO. THE GOVERNMENT NOW SEEMS TO BE SITTING ON WHAT IS REPORTED TO BE UP TO 10 BILLION DOLLAR BUDGET SURPLUS. CAN YOU COMMENT ON WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BEST WAYS TO INVEST THAT MONEY OR DISTRIBUTE IT IN ORDER TO CREATE AND REACH THOSE GOALS?
H.E.: I WAS DISCUSSING THIS THE OTHER DAY WITH A BRITISH MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT AND HE SAID HE THOUGHT THAT THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER AND MOST FINANCE MINISTERS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO FIND THEMSELVES WITH SUCH A SURPLUS!
BUT IT’S NOT THAT EASY, YOU CAN'T SIMPLY RUN A HAND-OUT ECONOMY BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A VERY SUBSTANTIAL SURPLUS THIS YEAR, AND I SEE THERE ARE PRESS REPORTS ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY THAT IT MAY BE GREATER THAN PREVIOUSLY ESTIMATED, NEVERTHELESS YOU HAVE TO PLAN YOUR EXPENDITURE FOR THE LONG TERM. YOU CAN’T SIMPLY USE THE SAVINGS OF A GOOD PERIOD AND BLOW THEM ON POLICIES WHICH WILL HAVE LONG TERM IMPLICATIONS FOR CONTINUING HIGH EXPENDITURE. IT MAKES SENSE TO BE PRUDENT WITH THE MONEY THAT YOU’VE GOT WHEN YOU ARE DOING WELL SO THAT YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO TIDE OVER PERIODS WHEN YOU ARE NOT DOING SO WELL.
NOW, THAT SAID, AS IN SOME OF THE THINGS I DESCRIBED AT THE BEGINNING, THERE ARE MASSIVE PROGRAMMES GOING ON IN HONG KONG TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ECONOMY REMAINS BUOYANT WHICH IS CRUCIAL TO EVERYTHING WE DO AND TO TRY TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN HONG KONG.
LEUNG CHAU-YIN, FROM COMMERCIAL RADIO (IN CANTONESE): RECENTLY, SIR DAVID, THE MTRC RAISED A PROPOSAL OF INCREASING FARES. ACCORDING TO MISS LYDIA DUNN, YOU, SIR, HAVE THE FINAL RIGHT TO RULE OUT THIS FARE INCREASE. WILL YOU DO SO? AND DO YOU FEEL THAT THE PRESENT ORDINANCES GIVE TOO MUCH POWER TO THE MTRC TO DECIDE ON MATTERS OF THIS SORT?
/H.E.:
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1988
- 8 -
H.E.: FIRST OF ALL THE PROBLEM. MTRC IN A WAY IS TOO SUCCESSFUL AND IT HAS A PROBLEM OF FAR TOO MANY PEOPLE TRAVELLING AT PEAK HOURS AND THEY’VE PUT FORWARD THEIR PROPOSALS FOR DEALING WITH IT. THERE’S JUST ONE COMMENT I'D MAKE ON MTR BEING SUCCESSFUL. I WAS LOOKING AT THE FIGURES THE OTHER DAY AND COMPARING THE COST OF TRAVELLING IN HONG KONG WITH THE COST IN LONDON. AND THERE IS AN INTERESTING COMPARISON BETWEEN HEATHROW AIRPORT IN THE CENTRE OF LONDON AND TSUEN WAN AND THE CENTRE OF HONG KONG. TSUEN WAN TO THE CENTRE OF HONG KONG IS LONGER THAN HEATHROW TO LONDON. HEATHROW TO CENTRAL LONDON COSTS FIVE TIMES AS MUCH AND TAKES 15 MINUTES LONGER THAN THE HONG KONG JOURNEY. SO WE HAVE AN EFFECTIVE MASS TRANSIT SYSTEM AND A REASONABLY CHEAP ONE, BUT THEY’VE GOT A PROBLEM OF OVERCROWDING AT PEAK HOURS.
ON THE GOVERNOR’S POWERS, THEY ARE LIMITED TO GIVING GENERAL DIRECTIONS TO MTR ON MATTERS WHERE A PUBLIC INTEREST IS INVOLVED. IT WOULD NOT, I THINK, MAKE SENSE FOR THE GOVERNMENT, BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT IT WOULD BE, TO INTERVENE IN THE DETAILED MANAGEMENT OF THE OPERATION, BECAUSE THE PURPOSE OF SETTING UP AN MTR IS TO GIVE THEM THE JOB OF RUNNING IT AS A COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE. BUT THERE ARE OTHER FACTORS INVOLVED, FOR INSTANCE, IF PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO BE TRAVELLING ON THE MTR AT PEAK HOURS, THEN THEY’VE GOT TO BE USING OTHER FORMS OF TRANSPORT. HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE THAT THE OTHER FORMS OF TRANSPORT ARE THERE AND AVAILABLE, AND THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE IS LOOKING AT PRECISELY THAT PROBLEM THIS AFTERNOON.
THE LAST PART OF YOUR QUESTION, I THINK, WAS THE ORDINANCE ADEQUATE. THE ANSWER AT THE MOMENT I THINK IS YES, AND THAT IS BECAUSE IT’S PART OF THE PHILOSOPHY TO GIVE THE RUNNING OF THIS OPERATION TO A CORPORATION, SO THAT IT CAN DO IT EFFECTIVELY AND ECONOMICALLY, TAKING BUSINESS DECISIONS AND NOT WITH BUREAUCRATS CONSTANTLY LOOKING OVER THEIR SHOULDERS.
FANNY WONG, FROM ORIENTAL DAILY NEWS: SIR, DO YOU THINK THAT IT IS FAIR FOR US TO PAY MORE THAN 60 PER CENT OF DEFENCE COSTS IN THE COMING YEAR, AS WE HAVE TO PAY A LOT MORE TO PAY FOR AN EXPANDING POLICE FORCE FOR THE REST OF THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD?
H.E.: WE’VE BEEN PAYING A LARGE PART OF OUR DEFENCE COSTS FOR A LONG TIME, WE’VE BEEN PAYING PART OF OUR DEFENCE COSTS FOR EVEN LONGER. AS YOU KNOW, WE’VE HAD A LONG PERIOD OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE IN LONDON ON THIS. SOMETIMES, QUITE DIFFICULT NEGOTIATIONS. WHERE WE ARE NOW AT IS THAT WE HAVE THE BASIS FOR A NEW AGREEMENT. THE DETAILS OF THAT HAVE STILL GOT TO BE WRITTEN DOWN. AND UNTIL THE WHOLE PACKAGE WITH THE DETAILS ARE COMPLETE, I THINK IT WOULD BE MISLEADING FOR ME TO GIVE YOU ANY PART OF THE PACKAGE. BUT WHAT I CAN SAY IS THAT IN THE PAST, EACH NEW DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT HAS FINISHED WITH HONG KONG PAYING MORE THAN BEFORE. THIS TIME HONG KONG WILL FINISH UP PAYING LESS THAN BEFORE.
/FANNY WONG: .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 19. 1988
FANNY WONG: SO YOU ARE SAYING THAT OVERALL WE CAN GET A BETTER AGREEMENT THAN WHAT WE GOT IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR?
H.E.: I’M SAYING THAT THIS AGREEMENT... WHAT WE HAVE I’VE DESCRIBED AS BEING THE BASIS FOR A NEW AGREEMENT, IN OTHER WORDS, THE OVERALL FRAMEWORK IS AGREED BUT THE DETAIL HAS STILL TO BE WRITTEN DOWN. AND THAT OVERALL FRAMEWORK WILL GIVE US A BETTER ARRANGEMENT THAN WE HAD BEFORE.
ANNIE LAM, FROM SING TAO JXH PAO: DO YOU THINK THAT THE LOCALISATION POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT IS TOO RAPID TO CAUSE DAMAGE IN MORALES OF HIGH RANKING EXPATRIATE CIVIL SERVANTS. AND ALSO HOW DO YOU BALANCE THE NEED OF LOCALISATION AND THE NEED TO RAISE THEIR MORALES?
H.E.: WE’VE HAD A LOCALISATION POLICY GOING ON FOR, I SUPPOSE, ABOUT 20 YEARS, AND IT’S BEEN GOING ON AT A VERY STEADY PACE. I DON’T THINK IT IS TOO RAPID. WE'VE GOT TO PUT OURSELVES IN A POSITION WHERE, BY 1997, THE TOP POSTS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE, 1 HAT’S THE SECRETARY POSTS, ARE FILLED BY LOCAL PEOPLE. IT WOULD MAKE SENSE TO ENSURE THAT THERE ARE A LARGE NUMBER OF LOCAL PEOPLE IN THOSE POSTS BEFORE 1997. SO THAT HAS TO BE ONE OF THE AIMS. THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THAT, THE NUMBER OF EXPATRIATES ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THAT, IS ACTUALLY VERY SMALL. THE REST OF THE LOCALISATION POLICY IS GOING ON VERY MUCH AS IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. I DON’T THINK IT IS SUCH THAT IT SHOULD DAMAGE THE MORALE OF EXPATRIATES. THE NUMBER OF EXPATRIATES IS STILL VERY LARGE IN THE CIVIL SERVICE AS A WHOLE. AND 1 WOULD HOPE THAT THEY DON’T FEEL THAT THEIR MORALE IS DAMAGED BY THE POLICY BEING CARRIED OUT.
WONG KWOK-KONG, FROM RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG: WILL THE GOVERNMENT SET UP MORE INDEPENDENT AUTHORITIES TO RUN VARIOUS GOVERNMENT SERVICES APART FROM HOUSING AND MEDICAL?
H.E.: AS YOU SAY, WE’VE SET UP THOSE TWO. THE HOSPITALS AUTHORITY AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY. WE DO LOOK AT OTHER AREAS, WHERE, TO SEE WHETHER IT MIGHT BF A MORE EFFECTIVE WAY AND A MORE ECONOMIC WAY OF PROVIDING SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITY. THERE ARE NO IMMEDIATE PLANS TO SET UP ANY FURTHER AUTHORITIES, BUT WE CONTINUE TO LOOK AT THE POSSIBILITIES IN A NUMBER OF OTHER AREAS.
CHEUNG KIT-FUNG, FROM PAI SHING: SINCE THE GOVERNMENT SET UP SO MANY AUTHORITIES IN RECENT YEARS, AND THEN SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT IT IS ANOTHER WAY TO CHANGE THE POLITICAL STRATA OF HONG KONG - DO YOU THINK SO?
/H.E.:
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1988
10
H.E.: NOT TO CHANGE THE POLITICAL STRUCTURE. THE OBJECTIVE IS TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES, AS 1 PUT IT, MORE EFFECTIVELY AND MORE ECONOMICALLY THAN BEFORE, BUT TO KEEP THE SITUATION WHERE THE GOVERNMENT HAS OVERALL CONTROL OVER POLICY. THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS A VERY GOOD EXAMPLE OF THAT. THERE NOW IS A SEPARATE CHAIRMAN OF IT, WHO IS NOT AN OFFICIAL, SO THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING IS NO LONGER THE : CHAIRMAN OF IT. OVERALL POLICY AND THE PROVISION OF FINANCE REMAINS WITH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, BUT THE IMPLEMENTATION, THE DETAILED IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POLICY, GOES TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WITH A LARGE INPUT FROM THE PRIVATE COMMUNITY.
TSANG SUK-WA, FROM ASIAWEEK: SIR DAVID, WILL YOU ASSURE THE HONG KONG PEOPLE OF THAT WE ARE GETTING A FAIR DEAL IN THE DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT, AND YOU KNOW, WHEN IN THE RUN-UP TO 1997, WE REQUIRE LESS SERVICE FROM THE BRITISH GARRISON?
H.E.: I CAN ASSURE THE HONG KONG PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATING VERY HARD TO GET THE BEST POSSIBLE DEAL FOR HONG KONG, THAT’S THE KEY THING. THE COSTS THAT WE HAVE TO PAY FOR OTHER SIDES OF SECURITY, LIKE THE POLICE FORCE IN ORDER TO TAKE OVER THE ROLE OF THE GARRISON DEALING WITH ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, WILL BE GOING UP OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS. THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, HAD BEEN ANXIOUS TO TRY TO REDUCE OUR SHARE OF THE DEFENCE COSTS PAYMENTS. WE’VE BEEN ARGUING OVER THAT FOR A LONG TIME. AS I SAID TO AN EARLIER QUESTIONER, WE HAVE COME OUT WITH AN OVERALL PACKAGE WHICH WILL BE BETTER FOR HONG KONG THAN PREVIOUS DEFENCE COSTS ARRANGEMENTS.
WILSON WONG, FROM HONGKONG STANDARD: TURNING TO CIVIL SERVANTS, DO YOU FIND THE MORALE OF THE ENTIRE CIVIL SERVICE IS NOW DECREASING AND IS THE POSSIBLE VACUUM LEFT BY THE, SAY, MASS EVACUATION OR MASS EMIGRATION OF THE CIVIL SERVANTS IN THE RUN-UP TO 1997, ANY SOLUTIONS TO THAT?
H.E.: WELL, CAN I PUT THE FACTS RIGHT. THERE IS NO MASS EMIGRATION OF CIVIL SERVANTS. FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH, THE WASTAGE RATE -THAT IS NOT AN AWFULLY NICE WORD, BUT IT IS THE ONE USED - THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE LEAVING THE CIVIL SERVICE IS RUNNING AT ABOUT THREE TO FOUR PER CENT WHICH IS THE NORM THAT IT HAS BEEN OVER THE YEARS AND COMPARED WITH PRIVATE EMPLOYERS THAT IS AN EXTREMELY GOOD WASTAGE RATE.
NOW WHETHER MORALE IS GOOD OR NOT, MORALE I AM SURE VARIES FROM LEVEL TO LEVEL AND DIFFERENT PART OF THE CIVIL SERVICE TO OTHER DIFFERENT PARTS. I TRY TO MEET CIVIL SERVANTS. I AM PERSONALLY VERY STRUCK BY THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE, BY ITS ABILITY TO CARRY OUT POLICIES AND TO DEAL WITH CRISES. JUST TO TAKE ONE EXAMPLE OF THAT, THE WAY IN WHICH THE CIVIL SERVICE HANDLED THE SUDDEN INFLUX OF VIETNAMESE EX-REFUGEES FROM CHINA ARRIVING SUDDENLY IN HONG KONG LAST SUMMER WAS A REMARKABLE PERFORMANCE, VERY EFFECTIVE.
/ON THE .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1988
11
ON THE WHOLE, I FIND MORALE IN THE CIVIL SERVICE GOOD. OF COURSE THEY HAVE GOT THEIR WORRIES. THEY WORRY ABOUT PAY, THEY WORRY ABOUT FUTURE PROSPECTS IN THE SAME WAY AS EVERY OTHER MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY DOES, BUT ON THE WHOLE THEIR MORALE IS GOOD.
WILSON WONG: CAN I MAKE A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION. DO YOU FIND THERE IS A POTENTIAL DANGER OF A, SAY, VACUUM, I MEAN IN THE COMING YEARS?
H.E.: NO SIGN OF THAT AT THE MOMENT AND THAT IS BASED I THINK ON YOUR ASSUMPTION THAT THERE IS A MASSIVE OUTFLOW AND, AS 1 HAVE TRIED TO EXPLAIN, THERE IS NOT A MASSIVE OUTFLOW OF CIVIL SERVANTS SO THERE IS NO SIGN OF A VACUUM COMING UP IN THE CIVIL SERVICE AT THE MOMENT.
WILSON WONG: THAT MAY NOT BE SO. BUT DO YOU FIND, OR DO YOU HAVE ANY SOLUTIONS TO, SAY, DEAL WITH THE POSSIBLE, SAY, TALENTS BECAUSE OF THE EMIGRATIONS IN THE CURRENT YEARS?
H.E.: YOU SEEM TO GO BACK TO THE EMIGRATION POINT. I AM TRYING TO EXPLAIN THAT THE RATE OF PEOPLE LEAVING THE CIVIL SERVICE IS NOT HIGH AT THE MOMENT, IT IS THREE TO FOUR PER CENT. WE CONTINUE TO RECRUIT FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE AND IT MIGHT INTEREST YOU TO KNOW THAT RECRUITING, FOR INSTANCE FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE BRANCH OF THE CIVIL SERVICE, IS GOING VERY WELL. THE LAST RECRUITMENT EXERCISE WE DID, WE HAD A HUNDRED APPLICANTS FOR EVERY PLACE. THERE WERE ABOUT 30 PLACES ON OFFER, AND A HUNDRED APPLICANTS OF HIGH CALIBRE FOR EACH PLACE. SO NO SHORTAGE OF RECRUITS. IF YOU THINK YOU ARE GOING TO FACE A PROBLEM IN THE FUTURE, THEN OF COURSE YOU RECRUIT FOR IT. AT THE MOMENT WE DON’T HAVE THIS VACUUM THAT YOU ARE WORRYING ABOUT. WE DO HAVE GOOD RECRUITS COMING INTO THE CIVIL SERVICE.
WILSON WONG: ONE MORE FROM THE STANDARD. YOU ARE RIGHT IN SAYING THAT THE PERCENTAGE IN THE WASTAGE RATE IS LOW BUT THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE THREE TO FOUR PER CENT IS THOSE WHO ARE EXPERIENCED CIVIL SERVANTS.
H.E.: IT IS SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE CIVIL SERVICE. IF YOU TAKE THE DIRECTORATE; THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE LEAVING THE DIRECTORATE IS NOT AT A HISTORICAL HIGH AT THE MOMENT. IT IS LOWER THAN IT HAS BEEN, IF YOU TAKE A PERIOD IN THE EARLY 1980’S FOR INSTANCE, IT IS LOWER THAN THAT. SO WE HAVEN'T GOT THE VACUUM PROBLEM THAT YOU ARE WORRYING ABOUT. 1 AM NOT SAYING WE WILL NEVER HAVE A PROBLEM. I AM SAYING WE HAVEN’T GOT IT AT THE MOMENT.
WILSON WONG: THANK YOU.
/SALLY BLYTH, .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1988
- 12
SALLY BLYTH, FROM RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG: I WOULD LIKE TO GO BACK TO THE EMIGRATION PROBLEM WHICH YOU ADDRESSED EARLIER AND YOU SAID THAT WAYS TO TRY TO OVERCOME THIS IS TO ENSURE THAT THE ECONOMY IS BUOYANT AND TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE. BUT SURELY THE BASIC PROBLEM IS ONE OF CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE. WHAT MORE DO YOU THINK YOU CAN DO TO ADDRESS THIS?
H.E.: I SAID THAT THE ECONOMY AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE BECAUSE THESE ARE THINGS THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY TACKLE. YOU CAN SEIZE ON THE PROBLEM AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. CONFIDENCE AND PRECISE REASONS WHY PEOPLE DECIDE THAT THEY WILL MOVE OR STAY ARE VERY MUCH HARDER TO GRASP. I DON’T THINK THERE ARE ANY SIMPLE MOVES THAT ONE CAN MAKE TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE DON’T DECIDE THAT THEY WILL LOOK FOR AN INSURANCE POLICY ELSEWHERE. THEY TAKE THOSE DECISIONS FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS. WHAT YOU CAN DO IS TRY TO SEIZE ON THE CONCRETE VISIBLE PROBLEMS AND DEAL WITH THEM AS BEST YOU CAN.
SALLY BLYTH: SURELY PEOPLE AREN’T JUST LOOKING FOR AN INSURANCE POLICY. THE RECENT SURVEYS HAVE SHOWN THAT IN FACT LESS PEOPLE THAN IN FACT THE GOVERNMENT ANTICIPATED ARE ACTUALLY RETURNING TO HONG KONG; PEOPLE ARE MOVING OUT FOR GOOD.
H.E.: I DON’T THINK THERE IS ANY FIGURE FOR "LESS THAN THE GOVERNMENT ANTICIPATED."
SALLY BLYTH: WELL, LESS THAN WAS THOUGHT. THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALWAYS SAID THAT THEY THOUGHT THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE RETURNING TO HONG KONG. IN FACT IT SHOWS THAT PEOPLE AREN’T.
H.E.: WELL, TO THE EXTENT THAT YOU CAN PIN DOWN FIGURES, AND THE FIGURES ARE VERY UNRELIABLE, BECAUSE WE DON’T KEEP STATISTICS ON WHO GOES AND WHY, TO THE EXTENT THAT YOU CAN PIN IT DOWN AT ALL THE NUMBER OF, THE PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE RETURNING IS ABOUT 17 PER CENT AND I SAY THOSE FIGURES WITH A GREAT DEAL OF CAUTION BECAUSE THEY CANNOT BE PRECISE.
ROBERT COTTRELL, FROM THE INDEPENDENT: IS THERE ANY QUESTION OF. . .?
H.E.: SORRY, I FAILED TO ANSWER ... TELL ME WHAT THE OTHER PART OF YOUR QUESTION WAS, I DIDN’T ANSWER IT.
SALLY BLYTH: I CAN’T REMEMBER! I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY, ARE GOVERNMENT HAPPY WITH THAT 17 PER CENT?
H.E.: WE WOULD BE HAPPY IF WE HAD 100 PER CENT COMING BACK, MUCH HAPPIER. BUT THE ONLY POINT I WOULD MAKE IS THAT THE MORE THAT COME BACK, THE BETTER. IF PEOPLE GO BECAUSE THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE FUTURE AND IT IS NOT SURPRISING AFTER ALL THAT SOME PEOPLE SHOULD BE WORRIED ABOUT THE FUTURE AND THAT SOME PEOPLE SHOULD WANT TO GET AN INSURANCE POLICY IF THEY CAN, WE WOULD LIKE AS MANY PEOPLE, MANY OF THOSE PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE, TO COME BACK AND HELP TO CONTRIBUTE TO HONG KONG LIFE.
/ROBERT COTTRELL: ........
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1988
ROBERT COTTRELL: GIVEN THAT PEOPLE ARE BASICALLY FILLING ANY QUOTAS THAT ARE AVAILABLE, IS THERE ANY QUESTION OF HONG KONG OR BRITAIN ASKING DESTINATION COUNTRIES TO RESTRICT THE QUOTAS?
H.E.: I DON’T THINK WE WOULD WANT TO GO TO OTHER COUNTRIES AND SAY WILL YOU PLEASE NOT TAKE PEOPLE FROM HONG KONG. I DON’T THINK PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WOULD APPRECIATE THAT.
ROBERT COTTRELL: NOT FORMALLY OR INFORMALLY?
H.E.: NO.
LO WING-HUNG, FROM HONG KONG ECONOMIC JOURNAL: IN THE WHITE PAPER FOR POLITICAL REFORM, I THINK THAT, I SEE THAT THE ADMINISTRATION STATE THAT THEY WANT TO SEE THE POLITICAL SYSTEM CAN SMOOTHLY TRANSIT AFTER 1997. I WANT TO ASK WHETHER THIS MEANS THEY WANT THE FIRST SAR GOVERNMENT HAVE A HIGH CONTINUITY WITH THE LATEST HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND LEGCO, DO YOU MEAN THAT?
H.E.: WHAT IT MEANS IS THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO AIM FOR A SITUATION IN WHICH WHEN WE COME TO THE FIRST OF JULY 1997, THE CHANGE IS AS SMOOTH AS POSSIBLE IN TERMS OF INSTITUTIONS. OF COURSE THERE HAS TO BE ONE MAJOR AND FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE, THAT IS THE TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY, BUT IF YOU CAN DEVISE ARRANGEMENTS BY WHICH OTHER BITS OF THE STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT AND THE LEGISLATURE, ETC, ARE BEFORE 1997 SIMILAR TO WHAT IS LAID DOWN FOR AFTER 1997, THEN YOU CAN AIM TO HAVE THAT PART OF THE TRANSFER AND THE TRANSITION AS SMOOTH AS POSSIBLE. THAT WOULD SEEM TO BE TO THE BENEFIT OF HONG KONG.
LO WING-HUNG: DOES THAT MEAN THE GOVERNMENT WILL ACTIVELY TRY TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE, MAYBE THE PROMULGATION OF THE BASIC LAW, THE REGULATION, OR THE STRUCTURE OF THE BASIC LAW STATED?
H.E.: IT MEANS THAT DEPENDING ON WHAT THE BASIC LAW LAYS DOWN, IF THE BASIC LAW LAYS DOWN A CERTAIN STRUCTURE FOR AFTER 1997 AND THAT LOOKS LIKE A FEASIBLE ARRANGEMENT TO TRY TO MIRROR IMAGE BEFORE 1997, THEN WE WOULD SEE ADVANTAGES IN TRYING TO BRING IN THAT SORT OF STRUCTURE BEFORE 1997 SO THAT YOU COULD HAVE A SMOOTH CHANGE, SO THAT YOU COULD HAVE THE MAXIMUM OF CONTINUITY, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME HAVING THE MAJOR CHANGE OF THE TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY.
LO WING-HUNG; HAVE YOU TRANSMITTED THIS MESSAGE WITH CHINA, THAT YOU WANT TO DO IT IN THAT WAY?
H.E.: WE HAVE EXPLAINED TO CHINA THAT WE DO SEE GREAT ADVANTAGE IN THE MAXIMUM DEGREE OF CONTINUITY AND SMOOTH TRANSITION.
/PETER SEIDLITZ, .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 1988
PETER SEIDLITZ, FROM HANDELSBLATT: SIR DAVID, THE POLICE, THE SECURITY ORGANS, AND THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION MUST HAVE QUITE A LIBRARY ON FILES OF PEOPLE FROM HONG KONG. DO YOU INTEND, IN 1997, TO HAND OVER ALL THESE FILES TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT OR ARE YOU GOING TO TAKE THEM BACK TO LONDON?
H.E.: THE ANSWER IS NO, WE DON'T HAND THEM OVER TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT. THERE IS THE HONG KONG SAR GOVERNMENT AFTER 1997 AND THE HONG KONG SAR POLICE FORCE. NOW PRECISELY WHICH POLICE FILES ARE APPROPRIATE TO STILL BE IN EXISTENCE IN 1997 IS A QUESTION I WOULDN'T EVEN DREAM OF TRYING TO ANSWER. MOST POLICE FILES HAVE A LIFE SPAN OF THEIR OWN, THEY DON'T NECESSARILY GO ON FOR DECADE AFTER DECADE.
MA MIU-WAH, FROM HONG KONG ECONOMIC TIMES: WE HEARD THAT SOME GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WILL Bl- INTERESTED IN MAKING OPEN COMMENTS ON THE BASIC LAW IN THE FUTURE. IF IT SO HAPPENED THAT SOME GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, ESPECIALLY SOME FAMOUS ONES, MADE OPEN COMMENTS ON THE BASIC LAW DRAFT, THE QUESTION IS HOW WILL YOU LOOK AT THIS ACTION? AND THE SECOND QUESTION IS THAT IS THERE ANY POLICY REGARDING, IS THERE ANY POLICY WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT REGARDING CIVIL SERVANTS MAKING COMMENT ON THE BASIC LAW°
H.E.: WHAT WE'VE SAID WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT IS THAT INDIVIDUAL CIVIL SERVANTS SHOULD FEEL FREE TO PUT FORWARD THEIR INDIVIDUAL VIEWS ON THE BASIC LAW BECAUSE THEY, LIKE OTHER PEOPLE, ARE HONG KONG PEOPLE WHO HAVE A RIGHT TO PUT FORWARD THEIR VIEWS ON THE BASIC LAW. BUT THEY SHOULD DO IT AS INDIVIDUALS AND NOT AS A GOVERNMENT VIEW.
MA MIU-WAH: BUT IT'S QUITE DIFFICULT TO DIFFERENTIATE HIS STATUS OR HIS ROLE, HE'S AN INDIVIDUAL IN HONG KONG - AN INDIVIDUAL, BUT ALSO HE IS ALSO A WELL KNOWN GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL?
H.E.: IF YOU ARE PUTTING IN YOUR OWN VIEW TO SAY THE BASIC LAW CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE, I DON’T THINK IT SHOULD BE DIFFICULT. IT IS NOT DIFFICULT AFTER ALL FOR A CIVIL SERVANT TO VOTE AS AN INDIVIDUAL. HE IS NOT VOTING AS THE GOVERNMENT.
MA MIU-WAH: SORRY, BUT DO YOU RESTRICT THEM TO MAKE OPEN COMMENTS?
II.E.: WE WOULDN'T BE ENCOURAGING THE WHOLE CIVIL SERVICE TO MAKE OPEN COMMENTS AS PART OF THE CIVIL SERVICE. WHAT WK ARE SAYING IS THAT IF THEY AS INDIVIDUALS WANT TO PUT IN THEIR VIEWS TO WHATEVER BODY IS SET UP TO COLLECT THOSE VIEWS, THEN THERE IS NO REASON WHY THEY SHOULDN’T DO SO, BUT IT IS AS INDIVIDUALS, NOT AS THE GOVERNMENT.
DAN BIERS, FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS: SIR DAVID, GETTING BACK TO THE VIETNAMESE QUESTION. GIVEN THE DECLINE IN THE RESETTLEMENT, IS THERE ANY QUESTION IN YOUR MIND THAT A HUGE OR LARGE NUMBER OF THE VIETNAMESE NOW IN HONG KONG WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE TO BE SENT BACK TO VIETNAM?
/H.E.:
TUESDAY, APRIL 19» 1988
H.E.: WHAT AT THE MOMENT WE ARE LOOKING AT IS ARRANGEMENTS BY WHICH NEW ARRIVALS WHO WERE NOT DEFINED OR DECIDED TO BE REFUGEES BUT WERE SOMETHING ELSE LIKE ECONOMIC MIGRANTS COULD BE RETURNED IN THE SAME WAY AS YOU WOULD RETURN AN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT FROM ANYWHERE ELSE. IT IS TO MY MIND VERY ODD, TO PUT IT AT ITS MILDEST, THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF VIETNAM IS NOT AT THE MOMENT PREPARED TO CONTEMPLATE THAT. ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT WOULD BE PREPARED TO AND WOULD ACCEPT THIS AS A NORMAL PART OF LIFE. WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THOUGH IS NEW ARRIVALS, NOT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE AT THE MOMENT.
DAN BIERS: BUT IF YOU CAN’T FIND ENOUGH RESETTLEMENT POSITIONS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE, DOES THAT MEAN THAT EVENTUALLY THEY WILL BE BROUGHT INTO HONG KONG SOCIETY?
H.E.: IT MEANS THAT WE HAVE A PROBLEM WHICH WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH IN SOME WAY. THE OTHER PART OF THE POLICY I WAS SAYING WAS TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT RESETTLEMENT DOES GO ON. I MEAN WE WOULD LIKE TO RESETTLE ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE. WE HAVE OUR OWN RESETTLEMENT PROGRAMME IN HONG KONG RUNNING AT A RATE OF ABOUT, PLACES OFFERED ABOUT 20 A MONTH, BUT WE DO FIND, INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, THAT MOST OF THE REFUGEES DO NOT WANT TO SETTLE HERE, THEY ARE WANTING TO GO ON ELSEWHERE.
ROBERT COTTRELL, FROM THE INDEPENDENT: SIR DENYS ROBERTS SPECULATED THAT THE RIGHT OF APPEAL TO THE PRIVY COUNCIL MIGHT TERMINATE IN 1992. IS THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION?
H.E.: IT WILL TERMINATE BEFORE 1997 OR PERHAPS I COULD REPHRASE THAT; AFTER 1997 THE FINAL COURT OF APPEAL WILL BE IN HONG KONG. IT WOULD THEREFORE MAKE SENSE TO BRING IN THAT CHANGE BEFORE 1997 SO THAT PEOPLE WOULD GET USED TO IT AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM WOULD GET USED TO IT. NO PRECISE DATES AT THE MOMENT BUT DURING THE 1990’S, SUFFICIENTLY IN ADVANCE OF 1997, SO THAT THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND THE JUDICIARY CAN GET USED TO IT IS THE AIM OF THE GOVERNMENT.
H.E.: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
-------0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING :
SALES TAX WOULD REQUIRE CAREFUL STUDY ...................... 1
ALLOCATION OF aNTI-CRIME PUBLICITY FUNDS NEEDS REVIEW .. 3
DUE REGARD TO UNCERTAINTIES AHEAD PRAISED .................. 5
•BRAIN DRAIN' MUST BE TACKLED .............................. 8
STEADY APPROACH THE RIGHT COURSE .......................... 10
EARLY INTRODUCTION OF SEPARATE TAXATION ADVOCATED ......... 11
GOVT SHOULD ACCEPT SEPARATE TAXATION PRINCIPLE ............ 13
INTRODUCTION OF SALES TAX OPPOSED ......................... 1^
EMIGRATION FACTOR REQUIRES ACTION ......................... 17
WORKING SPOUSE ALLOWANCE MORE EQUITABLE ................... 19
PRUDENT aPPROaCH DESERVES SUPPORT ......................... 23
STRONG RESERVATIONS ON SALES TAX IDEA ..................... 25
IMPORTANCE OF BUSINESS CONFIDENCE STRESSED ................ 27
TAX CUTS TO PROMOTE BUSINESS COMPETITIVENESS URGED ........ 31
BEaCH AT ROCKY BaY NOT SUITaBLE FOR SWIMMING ................. 33
KWAI TSING DMC'S REPORT CH CONTAINER TRiDE COMPLETED ........ 3*+
SHAM SHUT PO SUPPORTS COMMUNITY CHEST ....................... 3**
MONG KOK DB TO ELECT CHAIRMAN ................................ 35
SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOaRD TO MEET TOMORROW ..................... 35
BEST YOUTH COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS ON DISPLAY ............. 36
ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS FACE DEMOLITION ....................... 37
GOVERNMENT LaNDS TO LET BY TENDER ............................ 37
RESTRICTED ZONES IN WaN CHAI NORTH aND WESTERN DISTRICT ... 38
HEAVY VEHICLE BAN IN WAN CHAI ................................ 39
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988
I
1
SALES TAX WOULD REQUIRE CAREFUL STUDY ♦ * * * *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SHOULD NOT ACTIVELY CONSIDER INTRODUCING A SALES TAX AS A MEANS OF INCREASING REVENUE UNLESS HE INTENDED TO CHANGE THE EXISTING TAX STRUCTURE, THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE HON LYDIA DUNN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"UNLESS THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS IN MIND A MAJOR SWITCH FROM DIRECT TAXATION TO INDIRECT TAXATION, I THINK HE MIGHT AS WELL PUT HIS 'FORM OF SALES TAX’ ON THE BACK BURNER," MISS DUNN SAID WHEN LEADING OFF DEBATE IN THE COUNCIL ON THE BUDGET PRESENTED ON MARCH 2.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG HAD BEEN ABLE TO SUSTAIN A HIGH LEVEL OF EXPENDITURE WITH A LIMITED RANGE OF TAXES, A RELATIVELY SMALL NUMBER OF DIRECT TAXPAYERS AND LOW RATES, AND THERE WAS NO SELF-EVIDENT CASE FOR CHANGING THIS SUCCESSFUL FORMULA NOW.
"BUT IF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IS LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL WAYS OF INCREASING REVENUE, LET US AT LEAST HAVE A THOROUGH REVIEW OF ALL POSSIBLE SOURCES OF REVENUE (NOT JUST A SALES TAX)," SHE SAID.
ANY FAR-REACHING CHANGES IN THE TAX SYSTEM SHOULD BE PROPERLY CONSIDERED AND FULLY ARGUED IF THEY WERE TO OBTAIN PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE.
SUCH A REVIEW SHOULD INCLUDE NON-OFFICIAL REPRESENTATION, SHE ADDED.
MISS DUNN SAID SHE WAS CONFIDENT THAT HONG KONG WAS MAKING GOOD PROGRESS UNDER FULL SAIL THROUGH CALM WATERS IN THE SHORT TERM. BUT SHE WARNED THAT THE TERRITORY MIGHT BE ENTERING "MORE CHOPPY SEAS" IN THE MEDIUM TERM.
SHE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE FORECAST TRENDS OVER THE PERIOD UP TO 1991-1992 WHICH WERE "NOT ALTOGETHER HEALTHY".
A NUMBER OF KEY INDICATORS IN THE FORECAST SEEMED TO SHOW THAT THE INFLATIONARY PRESSURES IN 1988-89 WERE LIABLE TO BE EVEN GREATER THAN EXPECTED.
THE INDICATORS ALSO SUGGESTED THAT OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WAS PLANNING TO LET CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT EXPENDITURE RUN AHEAD OF ECONOMIC GROWTH.
BUT THE MOST DISTURBING FEATURE OF THE MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST WAS THAT THE GROWTH IN THE CIVIL SERVICE WAS EXPECTED TO REMAIN WELL ABOVE THE TARGET.
"WE SHALL NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO INCREASED SPENDING ANY MORE THAN HAS ALREADY BEEN PLANNED UNLESS THE GDP GROWS MUCH FASTER," SHE SAID.
/SHE WARNED .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988
SHE WARNED THAT HONG KONG MIGHT BE HEADING BACK TOWARDS EXPENDITURE-LED BUDGETS FROM THE MUCH HEALTHIER REVENUE-LED BUDGETS.
MISS DUNN SAID SHE BELIEVED THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WAS KEEN TO INTRODUCE A NEW INDIRECT TAX NOT JUST TO BROADEN THE TAX BASE BUT ALSO TO INCREASE TOTAL REVENUE IN ORDER TO MEET DEMANDS FOR INCREASING SPENDING.
’’BUT WHETHER WE CAN AFFORD TO SPEND MORE IS NOT JUST A QUESTION OF WHETHER WE HAVE, OR CAN RAISE, THE REVENUE OR RESOURCES TO PAY FOR IT,” SHE SAID.
"EVEN IF WE HAVE, WE MUST TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE EFFECT ON THE ECONOMY IF SPENDING PRE-EMPTS A HIGHER PROPORTION OF THE ECONOMY’S RESOURCES.”
TURNING TO TAX CONCESSIONS IN THE BUDGET, MISS DUNN SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD PROPOSED SOME WIDENING OF THE TAX BANDS AND SOME REDUCTIONS IN THE RATES APPLIED WITHIN THEM, HE HAD NOT DISTINGUISHED BETWEEN THE ADJUSTMENTS FOR INFLATION AND THE GENUINE REDUCTIONS.
”1 BELIEVE THAT OUR ENTITLEMENT TO ADJUSTMENTS FOR INFLATION SHOULD BE RECOGNISED AND THAT THEY SHOULD BE DEALT WITH SEPARATELY FROM ANY OTHER CHANGES TO THE PERSONAL TAXATION SYSTEM WHICH MAY BE CALLED FOR BY THE NEED TO INCREASE OR REDUCE TAXATION GENERALLY,” SHE SAID.
AS A LONG-STANDING SUPPORTER OF THE PRINCIPLE OF SEPARATE TAXATION FOR MARRIED COUPLES, MISS DUNN SAID SHE FOUND IT INDEFENSIBLE THAT THE LAW SHOULD GIVE A SPECIAL TAX ADVANTAGE TO THE FAMILY IN WHICH THE WIFE RECEIVED A SALARY BUT NOT TO THE FAMILY WHERE THE WIFE STAYED AT HOME TO WORK WITHOUT PAY.
’’HOUSEWIVES ARE WORKING WIVES,” SHE SAID. THEY ARE NOT PAID A SALARY FOR THE WORK THEY DO, BUT WHAT THEY DO AT HOME IS AT LEAST AS VALUABLE TO THE COMMUNITY,” SHE SAID.
"A TAX ALLOWANCE FOR A PARTICULAR GROUP OF WORKING WIVES MERELY REPLACES ONE ANOMALY WITH ANOTHER AND PUTS THE FAMILY IN WHICH THE WIFE WORKS AT HOME AT A DISADVANTAGE.”
MISS DUNN ALSO COMMENTED ON THE PRESENTATION OF THE BUDGET.
WHILE COMMENDING THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND THE ARMY OF ’’BACKROOM BOYS AND GIRLS” FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN IMPROVING AND AMPLIFYING THE INFORMATION GIVEN TO THE PUBLIC IN THIS YEAR’S BUDGET DOCUMENTS, MISS DUNN SAID THAT MORE ATTENTION SHOULD BE PAID TO THE QUALITY OF INFORMATION.
SHE REPEATED HER CALL FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A SINGLE EDITOR FOR ALL THE BUDGET DOCUMENTS. AN EDITOR SHOULD ALSO REMOVE AS MUCH JARGON AS POSSIBLE FROM THE BOOKLETS ON THE "ECONOMIC BACKGROUND” AND "PROSPECTS" SO AS TO ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO READ THEM.
/’’IF THESE............
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 201 1988
"IF THESE TERMS MUST BE USED, THEY SHOULD BE CLEARLY DEFINED IN A GLOSSARY," SHE SAID.
MISS DUNN ALSO CRITICISED THE ABUNDANCE OF FOOTNOTES IN THE TWO BOOKLETS.
"YET I HAVE NOT FOUND ANYWHERE A NOTE ABOUT THE MARGIN OR MARGINS OF ERROR IN OUR MASSES OF STATISTICS," SHE SAID.
SHE FELT THAT THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE TOLD WHAT THE MARGINS OF ERROR WERE AS WELL AS WHICH OF THE CALCULATIONS WERE BASED ON ACTUAL FIGURES AND WHICH WERE EXTRAPOLATIONS FROM SAMPLES.
MISS DUNN ALSO ASKED FOR A CLEAR DEFINITION OF THE SIZE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR, GIVEN THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PUBLIC SECTOR SPENDING AND THE GDP TO THE ECONOMIC HEALTH OF HONG KONG.
"BOTH THE PRESENT MEASURES - NAMELY THE CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNT EXPENDITURE AND THE ’NATIONAL ACCOUNTS’ DEFINITION - EXCLUDE LARGE ITEMS THAT ARE CLEARLY IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR AND THAT ARE PART OF THE DEMANDS THE PUBLIC’ SECTOR MAKES ON THE ECONOMY," SHE SAID.
TWENTY-FOUR MEMBERS WERE LISTED TO SPEAK ON THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1988 TODAY AND 19 TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
OFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL SPEAK ON MAY 4.
--------0----------
ALLOCATION OF ANTI-CRIME PUBLICITY FUNDS NEEDS REVIEW ♦ » » * »
THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN ASKED TO CONSIDER INCLUDING A SEPARATE SUBHEAD IN THE ANNUAL ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) FOR ANTI-CRIME PUBLICITY PROJECTS ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES.
DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI MADE THIS CALL DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DR HO SAID FUNDING FOR A DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES CAME FROM TWO SOURCES - THE DISTRICT SERVICES VOTE OF THE CNTA AND THE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES VOTE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD.
HOWEVER, EACH OF THE FUNDING SOURCES HAD TO FINANCE A WIDE SPECTRUM OF ACTIVITIES.
/THESE INCLUDED .......
WEDNESDAY APRIL 20, 1988
THESE INCLUDED DISTRICT FESTIVALS; CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES; CIVIC EDUCATION; ROAD SAFETY; KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN; FIGHT CRIME; ANTI-NARCOTICS; FIRE PREVENTION AND OTHER COMMUNITY BUILDING PROJECTS.
FURTHERMORE, THE CHAIRMEN OF THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES MIGHT NOT BE MEMBERS OF DISTRICT BOARDS, WITH THE RESULT THAT THE URGENCY OF FUNDING FOR COUNTER-CRIME CAMPAIGNS MIGHT NOT BE ADEQUATELY CHANNELLED TO THE CNTA AND THE DISTRICT BOARDS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT UNDER SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES AND HAVING REGARD TO A MULTITUDE OF COMPETING OBJECTIVES, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO ENSURE THAT PROVISION FOR FIGHT-CRIME PROJECTS WAS GIVEN PROPER PRIORITY AND WEIGHT.
HE THEREFORE ASKED FOR AN IMMEDIATE REVIEW OF THE MATTER.
DR HO ADDED THAT IN A REVIEW OF THE ALLOCATION FORMULA, PARTICULAR REGARD SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE DISTRICT’S POPULATION AND DEMOGRAPHIC STRUCTURE, GEOGRAPHICAL SIZE AND SPREAD OF POPULATION, AND ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES AS WELL AS THE GENERAL STATE OF LAW AND ORDER IN A DISTRICT.
PRIVATE SPONSORSHIP ON A MODERATE SCALE SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE ENCOURAGED AND FOSTERED, BECAUSE SUCH CIVIC INVOLVEMENT WAS THE MOST POTENT INSTRUMENT IN NURTURING AND AROUSING PUBLIC SUPPORT AND PARTICIPATION IN ANTI-CRIME PUBLICITY AND ACTIVITIES, HE ADDED.
COMMENTING ON THE INCREASE IN THE PERSONAL TAXATION ALLOWANCE PROPOSED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, DR HO SAID THAT TO BENEFIT MIDDLE INCOME EARNERS THE $2,000 INCREASE FOR A SINGLE PERSON AND THE $4,000 INCREASE FOR A MARRIED COUPLE SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE BASIC ALLOWANCE RATHER THAN TO THE ADDITIONAL ALLOWANCE.
HE POINTED OUT THAT SINGLE PEOPLE WITH AN ANNUAL INCOME BETWEEN $36,000 AND $106,000 OR MARRIED COUPLES WITH AN ANNUAL INCOME BETWEEN $74,000 AND $214,000 WOULD RECEIVE BENEFITS OF VARYING AMOUNTS FROM THIS FORM OF TAX CONCESSION.
HOWEVER, FOR THE UP-AND-COMING, ENTERPRISING INDIVIDUALS, THE INCREASE IN THE ADDITIONAL ALLOWANCE DID NOT YIELD A LONG-LASTING ADVANTAGE, HE NOTED.
HE THEN SUGGESTED THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SHOULD DISPENSE WITH THE ADDITIONAL ALLOWANCE AND SHOULD REVIEW THE BASIC ALLOWANCE TO PERMIT A MINIMUM BUT DECENT STANDARD OF LIVING WITHOUT TAX LIABILITY AND CONSISTENT WITH THE LEVEL OF OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND AFFLUENCE.
TURNING TO THE PROPOSED REDUCTION IN STAMP DUTY ON PROPERTY PURCHASES, DR HO SAID THE MEASURE WOULD NO DOUBT STIMULATE THE PROPERTY MARKET. BUT, AT THE SAME TIME, IT WOULD TRIGGER SPECULATIVE TRANSACTIONS, THUS INFLATING THE PRICES OF FLATS.
/"WHEN THIS
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988
- 5 -
WHEN THIS SPECULATION OCCURS, THE ADVANTAGE TO BE ACCRUED FROM THE REDUCED DUTIES WOULD BE TRANSFERRED FROM THE HOME PURCHASERS TO THE PROPERTY DEVELOPERS," HE SAID.
DR HO SAID HE THEREFORE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER TAX EXEMPTIONS OR PARTIAL TAX CONCESSIONS ON MORTGAGE PAYMENTS FOR OWNER-OCCUPIERS.
HE SAID THERE WERE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL MERITS IN INTRODUCING SUCH A PROPOSAL.
"GIVEN THE ESTIMATED SIZE OF THE POTENTIAL HOME-BUYERS OF 100,000, THE CONSTRUCTION AND THE RELATED INDUSTRIES WOULD BE BOOSTED CONSIDERABLY," HE SAID.
"HENCE, CORPORATE AND INCOME TAXES AND OTHER FORMS OF REVENUE ARISING FROM THESE STIMULATED INDUSTRIES AND TRADES FOR THE COFFFRS WOULD BE SUBSTANTIAL."
FURTHERMORE, HOME OWNERSHIP WOULD CERTAINLY STRENGTHEN A SENSE OF BELONGING, WHICH WOULD TN TURN ACT AS A HEDGE AGAINST THE BRAIN DRAIN, HE ADDED.
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DUE REGARD TO UNCERTAINTIES AHEAD PRAISED » ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE BUDGET THIS YEAR HAS FULLY REFLECTED THE PRINCIPLE THAT IN THE MANAGEMENT OF HONG KONG’S FINANCE, PUBLIC SERVICES HAVE TO BE PLANNED CAREFULLY IN THE LIGHT OF WHAT WE CAN AFFORD IN THE LONGER TERM, THE HON F.K. HU SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR HU HIGHLY PRAISED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY FOR GIVING DUE REGARD TO THE UNCERTAINTIES AHEAD AND ADHERING TO A PRUDENT APPROACH.
NOTING THAT BUILDING UP MONEY WAS ONE OF THE SAFE METHODS IN PREPARING FOR FUTURE UNCERTAINTIES, HE SAID IT WAS, HOWEVER, NOT THE KIND OF MENTALITY A MODERN GOVERNMENT SHOULD ADOPT.
"A POSITIVE WA^ IS TO INVEST IN NECESSARY AND APPROPRIATE AREAS TO STRENGTHEN THE TERRITORY’S POTENTIAL, ’ HE SAID.
HE SAID THAT THE LARGE-SCALE INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS HIGHLIGHTED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, WHICH WERE INDEED POSITIVE STEPS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, REPRESENTED ONLY THE PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF INVESTMENTS.
/There were
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988
6 -
THERE WERE OTHER ASPECTS LIKE EDUCATION, SOCIAL SERVICES, SPORTS AND RECREATION WHICH DESERVED SERIOUS ATTENTION.
"FURTHERMORE, HONG KONG’S MAJOR ASSET IS ITS PEOPLE, NOT THE HUGE RESERVES IT HAS PUT IN STOCK," HE COMMENTED.
"TO ENSURE HONG KONG CAN SURVIVE AND MEET THE CHALLENGES AHEAD, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE IS READY AND FULLY EQUIPPED," HE ADDED.
MR HU REGRETTED THAT NO EFFECTIVE MEASURES HAD BEEN TAKEN TO TACKLE THE SHORTAGE OF LABOUR, WHICH HAD BECOME A CONTROVERSIAL TOPIC.
HE SAID IF NO PRACTICAL SOLUTION WAS DEVISED IN TIME, THERE WOULD BE LONG-TERM ADVERSE EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY.
"THE QUALITY OF SERVICES AND PRODUCTS WILL DETERIORATE WHILE COSTS WILL GO UP. AS A RESULT, THIS WILL HAMPER OUR COMPETITIVENESS AND ULTIMATELY AFFECT HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC WELL-BEING," HE SAID.
TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM, MR HU SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER TAKING BOLDER STEPS SUCH AS IMPORTING WORKERS FROM NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES ON A CONTRACTUAL BASIS.
HE EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THIS ARRANGEMENT HONG KONG WOULD ALWAYS HAVE A SUFFICIENT SUPPLY OF LABOUR FOR ITS INDUSTRIES.
FURTHERMORE, THE CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENTS COULD MAKE SURE THAT THE FOREIGN WORKERS CONCERNED WOULD NOT STAY HERE WHEN DEMAND FOR THEM HAD FALLEN.
TURNING TO THE PROPOSED INTRODUCTION OF A SALES TAX, MR HU AGREED THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO DEVELOP A BROADLY BASED TAX SYSTEM AND TO SPREAD THE TAX BURDEN MORE WIDELY ACROSS THE COMMUNITY.
HOWEVER, HR WARNED THAT CAUTION MUST BE EXERCISED IN DETERMINING WHICH KINDS OF COMMODITIES WERE TO BE TAXED, TO AVOID INCLUDING BASIC NECESSITIES AS IT MIGHT LEAD TO RISING COSTS AND FUEL INFLATION.
MR HU WELCOMED THE CHANGE OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY INTO A STATUTORY BODY, SAYING THAT THIS WOULD ALLOW THE AUTHORITY TO HAVE A GREATER DEGREE OF FLEXIBILITY AND INDEPENDENCE LN OPERATION, AS WELL AS A FREER HAND IN CO-OPERATING WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN DEVELOPING MORE COMPREHENSI VE HOUS I NG PROGRAMMES.
"HOWEVER, THE GOVERNMENT MUST TAKE INTO ACCOUNT CONCERN THAT THE AUTHORITY’S FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE MIGHT COMPEL IT TO IMPOSE HIGHER RENTS," HE SAID.
/TURNING TO........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988
7
TURNING TO THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY WHICH AIMED TO REDEVELOP OLDER PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, MR HU POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO LEAVE SOME OF THE MARK 3 AND 4 ESTATES UNCHANGED TO ENSURE THAT THE LESS FORTUNATE PEOPLE WOULD HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE IN AT AN AFFORDABLE COST.
ALSO, IN REDEVELOPING AREAS LIKE KWAI CHUNG, TSUEN WAN AND EAST KOWLOON, WHICH WERE PREDOMINANTLY OCCUPIED BY PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD DRAW UP A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO PROVIDE FOR MIXED USAGE, HE SAID.
’’INSTEAD OF MERELY A PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE AREA, THERE SHOULD ALSO BE HIGH, MIDDLE AND LOWER RANK HOUSING, TOGETHER WITH PROVISION FOR INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL USE,” HE SAID.
ON THE PLAN TO REIMBURSE PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS IN SUBSIDISING FULL-TIME STUDENTS WHO USE THEIR TRANSPORT, WHICH WOULD INVOLVE MEANS-TESTS FOR THE APPLICANTS, MR HU SAID THE ISSUE MIGHT BECOME TOO COMPLICATED AND MIGHT BOOST ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS TREMENDOUSLY.
HE SUGGESTED THE ADOPTION OF A USE-ORIENTED METHOD BY WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ONLY PAY THE SUBSIDIES WHICH WERE ACTUALLY INCURRED.
MR HU SUPPORTED THE MAKING OF GREATER USE OF STATUTORY AUTHORITIES, AS DEMONSTRATED BY THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
HE NOTED THAI’ SETTING UP STATUTORY AUTHORITIES DID NOT MEAN THAT IHE GOVERNMENT COULD SHRUG OFF ITS RESPONSIBILITIES.
BESIDES BACKING UP THESE AUTHORITIES WITH FINANCE, THE GOVERNMENT HAD TO PLAY AN ACTIVE PART IN CO-ORDINATING THE WORK OF THESE AUTHORITIES TO ENSURE THAT THERE WAS NO CONFLICT OR OVERLAPPING, AND THAT THE AGREED PROJECTS WOULD BE EFFECTIVELY AND EFFIC IENTLY IMPLEMENTED.
ON THE CULTURAL FRONT, MR HU MAINTAINED THAT THERE SHOULD BE ADEQUATE Fl NANI’I AL SUPPORT TO UPGRADE THE STANDARDS OF PERFORM I NG ARIS AND TO ENSURE THAT TALENTED ARTISTS WOULD HAVE AMPLE SCOPE TO REALISE THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL.
HE WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT SUBVENTIONS FOR THESE ACT I V IT IES REMAINED ON THE LOW S I DE WITH ONLY $2 I MILLION PROVIDED FOR. THE COMING YEAR.
HE NOTED FURTHER THAT SPORTS ACTIVITIES WERE IN THE SAME DEPLORABLE SITUATION, WITH FUNDS FOR !9«K-p9 TOTALLING ONLY $11 MILLION, INCLUDING THE $1 MILLION TO BE SPENT ON THE OLYMPIC GAMES.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988
8 -
HE SAID THAT, UNDER THE PRESENT CONDITION, SPORTS BODIES COULD NOT POSSIBLY IMPROVE THEIR ADMINISTRATION AND IMPLEMENT DEVELOPMENT PLANS WITHOUT CUTTING BACK EXPENDITURE ON REGULAR ACTIVITIES.
NOTING THAT THERE WERE ALSO UNNECESSARY RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED ON THE USAGE OF FUNDS BY THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORTS, MR HU CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO REVIEW THE SITUATION AND INCREASE SUBSIDIES FOR SPORTS AND RECREATION.
FINALLY, MR HU SAID THAT HONG KONG WOULD BE CONFRONTED WITH MANY UNCERTAINTIES IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS.
THE ONLY WAY THAT THE TERRITORY WOULD COME OUT ON TOP OF THESE UNCERTAINTIES WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE INHABITANTS FELT THAT THEIR TERRITORY WAS NOT A BATTLEGROUND FOR SURVIVAL, BUT A PLACE WHICH THEY AND THEIR FUTURE GENERATIONS COULD CALL HOME. A
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’BRAIN DRAIN’ MUST BE TACKLED t ♦ t ♦ »
THE GOVERNMENT MUST ACT TO TACKLE THE ’’BRAIN DRAIN" PROBLEM, THE HON CHAN KAM-CHUEN SAID DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
BY ACKNOWLEDGING THE FACT AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS BRAIN DRAIN AS REFLECTED DAILY IN NEWSPAPERS WITH OVER 100 PAGES OF JOB VACANCIES, HONG KONG HAD TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM, MR CHAN SAID.
IN THE SHORT TERM, EXPATRIATE CONTRACT STAFF MIGHT DO THE JOB LEFT BY THOSE WHO HAD EMIGRATED, HE SAID.
BUT THESE EXPATRIATE STAFF MIGHT WISH TO RETURN TO THEIR HOME COUNTRY WITHIN NINE YEARS BEFORE THEY FOUND THAT THEY WERE AT THE END OF A QUEUE AND LOST SENIORITY, STATUS AND PAY.
"FOR THE LONGER TERM, WE MUST EXPAND OUR TRAINING FACILITIES IN ALL FIELDS, AND THE NEW GRADUATES HAVE TO COME IN AS JUNIORS AND USE THE NINE-YEAR TIME GAP TO GAIN THE NECESSARY WORKING EXPERIENCE," HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE WHO HAD EMIGRATED SHOULD NOT BE FORGOTTEN.
"EMPLOYERS SHOULD KEEP IN CONTACT WITH THEM AND OFFER THEM EXPATRIATE TERMS AFTER THEY HAVE OBTAINED THEIR PASSPORTS," HE SAID.
/’’THEY MAY..........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988
- 9 -
"THEY MAY FIND IT REWARDING AS THESE EX-EMPLOYEES MAY HAVE NEW WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF ONE MORE COUNTRY WHICH MAY BE BENEFICIAL TO THE EMPLOYER AND OF MUTUAL BENEFIT TO BOTH COUNTRIES IN SUCH AREAS AS TRADE PROMOTION," HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE ECONOMY, HE SAID THAT THE DOLLAR’S LINKED EXCHANGE RATE WITH THE U.S. CURRENCY HAD ATTRACTED MORE ORDERS THAN HONG KONG COULD COPE WITH, AND ORDERS WERE SPILLING OVER INTO CHINA AND CREATED OVER ONE MILLION JOBS THERE.
BUT, IN THE LONG TERM, INFLATION AND COMPETITION WITH CHINA MIGHT ERODE HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS’ PROFIT MARGIN, HE NOTEt).
"WE MUST INVEST MORE IN EQUIPMENT, TRANSFER OF TECHNCLOGY AND TRAINING OF STAFF TO BOOST OUR ECONOMY FROM A LABOUR INTENSI'E ONE TO A CAPITAL INTENSIVE ONE WITH HIGHER TECHNOLOGY," HE SAID.
HE ALSO CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY STEPS TO RESTORE THE CONFIDENCE OF INVESTORS IN THE STOCK MARKET, WHICH PE SAID WAS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE.
MR CHAN EXPRESSED STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE $7.8 LINKED RATE WITH THE U.S. DOLLAR, SAYING THAT IT NOT ONLY BENEFITTED THE ECONOMY BUT ALSO PROVIDED STABILITY.
HE NOTED THAT BEFORE THE LOCAL CURRENCY WAS LINKED TO THE U.S. DOLLAR IN OCTOBER 1983, THE FREE-FLOWING HONG KONG DOLLAR HAD AT ONE STAGE REACHED $9.6 AGAINST THE U.S. DOLLAR.
THIS SHOWED THAT THE HONG KONG DOLLAR HAD APPRECIATED BY $1.8 OR 18.75 PER CENT SINCE OCTOBER 1983. THIS FACT SHOULD BE MADE KNOWN TO HONG KONG’S TRADING PARTNERS WHO SAID THAT THE HONG KONG DOLLAR HAD NOT APPRECIATED ALONG WITH THE CURRENCIES OF OTHER DEVELOPING AREAS IN ASIA.
ON VIETNAMESE REFUGEES, MR CHAN NOTED THAT HONG KONG H'D ALREADY SPENT SOME $900 MILLION ON THE UPKEEP OF REFUGEES SINCE JANUARY 1979.
IF HONG KONG CONTINUED TO SPEND THE ESTIMATED $126 MILLION PER ANNUM UNTIL JUNE 30, 1997, THE FINANCIAL BURDEN WOULD BE LARGE.
"BESIDES THE GOOD NAME OF BEING HUMANE, WHAT OTHER BENEFITS DO WE DERIVE FROM SPENDING THIS HUGE SUM OF MONEY?" HE ASKED.
HE SAID HONG KONG PEOPLE HAD AT FIRST BEEN SYMPATHETIC TO THE PLIGHT OF THE REFUGEES, BUT HE FELT THAT THIS SYMPATHY WAS NOW BEING ABUSED, AND AS A RESULT THERE HAD BEEN A SHIFT IN PUBLIC OPINION.
ON INDIRECT TAX, MR CHAN SAID HE STRONGLY SUPPORTED INDIRECT TAX FOR UNNECESSARY ITEMS. BUT HONG KONG MUST BE CAREFUL NOT TO TAX DAILY NECESSITIES AS THIS WOULD CAUSE INFLATION AND HIT THE LOW INCOME GROUP.
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/1O........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988
10 -
STEADY APPROACH THE RIGHT COURSE *****
THE PERFORMANCE OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMY IN THE PAST YEAR DEMONSTRATED THE ABILITY OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN TAKING FULL ADVANTAGE OF CONTINUED GROWTH IN THE ECONOMY OF DEVELOPED NATIONS, THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SUPPORTING THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1988, MR CHEONG SAID THAT THE SITUATION ALSO REFLECTED THE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC GROWTH ARISING FROM INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES FOR TRADE WITH CHINA.
NOTING THAT THE OUTLOOK FOR AN EIGHT PER CENT GROWTH IN THE GDP THIS YEAR WAS GOOD, MR CHEONG WARNED, HOWEVER, THAT WE MUST NOT IGNORE THE POSSIBILITY OF A DOWNTURN IN THE UNITED STATES ECONOMY IN 1989, WHICH WOULD AFFECT HONG KONG’S EXPORT AND RELATED SERVICES.
"WHAT IS EVEN MORE WORRYING IS A POSSIBILITY THAT SUCH A SLOWDOWN WOULD NOT BE CONFINED TO THE YEAR 1989. WE MAY WELL BE FACED WITH SIMILAR SITUATIONS FOR ANOTHER TWO TO THREE YEARS," HE,SAID.
MR CHEONG SAID HE FULLY SUPPORTED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S STEADY APPROACH IN MANAGING PUBLIC FINANCE AND IN GIVING SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES A MUCH WELCOME BOOST.
HE THOUGHT THAT THE CONCEPT OF MEANS TESTING SHOULD BE AN ACCEPTABLE GUIDELINE TO ADOPT IN THE DESIGN OF MOST WELFARE SERVICES AND STRONGLY URCED THE GOVERNMENT TO BEAR THIS CONCEPT IN MIND WHEN DESIGNING NEW PROGRAMMES OR REVIEWING OLD ONES.
MR CHEONG STRESSED THAT SPENDING WISELY AND COST-EFFECTIVELY HELPED TO PRESERVE SCARCE RESOURCES AND TO ACHIEVE A BALANCED TREND IN THE EQUATION OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE.
MORE IMPORTANTLY, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT MUST MAINTAIN ENHANCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY TO CREATE WEALTH.
AND
CALLING ON THE GOVERNMENT TO PRESERVE THE ENVIRONMENT, WHICH WAS CONDUCIVE TO FURTHER WEALTH-CREATI NG ACTIVITIES, MR CHEONG ALSO SAID SUFFICIENT LAND SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.
HE POINTED OUT THAT INDUSTRY, WHICH HAD BEEN RELATIVELY LABOUR INTENSIVE IN NATURE, HAD GRADUALLY BECOME CAPITAL INTENSIVE, EMPLOYING A GREATER DEGREE OF AUTOMATION, PARTICULARLY IN DESIGN AND PRODUCTION.
"THE NEW INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES WILL INCREASINGLY CALL FOR LONGER UNINTERRUPTED FLOOR AREAS WITH HEAVY FLOOR LOADINGS, AS WELL AS VIBRATION-, HUMIDITY- AND PARTICLE-CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENTS," HE SAID.
/"UNDER SUCH
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988
11
"UNDER SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, THE INDUSTRIAL ACCOMMODATION SHOULD IDEALLY BE DESIGNED AROUND THE PRODUCTION PROCESS, INSTEAD OF BEING COMPROMISED BY THE CONSTRAINTS POSED BY CONVENTIONAL FLATTED FACTORIES."
MR CHEONG NOTED THAT LAND AT THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES IN YUEN LONG AND TAI PO COULD CONCEIVABLY RUN OUT BY THE END OF 1989. AT THE SAME TIME, SEVERAL MULTINATIONALS, PRIMARILY IN THE CHEMICAL PROCESSING AND STORAGE INDUSTRIES, HAD SOUGHT SITES NEAR THE WATERFRONT WHICH WERE CAPABLE OF BERTHING OCEAN-GOING VESSELS.
"THESE INDUSTRIES WILL NOT ONLY PROVIDE VITAL RAW MATERIALS, NOTABLY PLASTICS, FOR HONG KONG’S PRIMARY EXPORTING INDUSTRIES, BUT ALSO INTRODUCE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE IN THE USE OF NEW MATERIALS WHICH CAN UNDERPIN HONG KONG’S DRIVE FOR BETTER QUALITY, HIGHER VALUE PRODUCTS," HE SAID.
SUPPORTING THE DEMAND FOR SITES BY THESE MULTINATIONALS, AND NOTING THE SCARCITY OF LAND AVAILABLE AND THE "BUREAUCRATIC MACHINERY" INVOLVED IN LAND FORMATION THROUGH RECLAMATION, MR CHEONG URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO ACT WITH SPEED TO IRON OUT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRAINTS, SO AS TO REINFORCE DIVERSIFICATION AND THE BROADENING OF HONG KONG'S INDUSTRIAL BASE.
I
EARLY INTRODUCTION OF SEPARATE TAXATION ADVOCATED
t » » »
I
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WAS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) URGED TO COMMIT HIMSELF TO AN EARLY INTRODUCTION OF SEPARATE TAXATION FOR WORKING COUPLES.
THE CALL CAME FROM THE HON PETER POON DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
I
MR POON SAID THAT WHILE GRANTING A WORKING WIFE ALLOWANCE WOULD ALLEVIATE CONSIDERABLY THE UNFAIR TAX BURDEN ON WORKING COUPLES, IT WAS THE PRINCIPLE OF SEPARATE TAXATION THAT HAD TO BE DECIDED.
HE BELIEVED THAT WITH THE EFFICIENT COMPUTER FACILITIES, THE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES IN IMPLEMENTING SEPARATE TAXATION COULD BE OVERCOME WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME.
”1 BELIEVE THAT EFFICIENT AS WE ARE IN HONG KONG, WE CAN INTRODUCE SEPARATE TAXATION, HOPEFULLY, IN 1989-90,” HE SAID.
i /HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1?88
- 12 -
HE SAID THAT IF CONSULTATION WAS NEEDED, HE WAS SURE THAT THE OMELCO TAXATION PANEL, OF WHICH HE IS CONVENER, AS WELL AS VARIOUS PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND OTHERS CONCERNED WOULD BE PLEASED TO ASSIST IN SUGGESTING HOW SEPARATE TAXATION FOR WORKING WIVES MIGHT BEST BE INTRODUCED.
MR POON ALSO NOTED THAT IN BRITAIN, THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER, MR NIGEL LAWSON, HAD PROPOSED IN HIS 1988-89 BUDGET THAT SEPARATE TAXATION BE INTRODUCED IN THE UK IN APRIL 1990.
TURNING TO THE $2,000 INCREASE IN THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX ALLOWANCE, MR POON SAID THE INCREASE MERELY COVERED INFLATION IN THE PAST YEAR AND HAD NO REGARD FOR THE EFFECT OF INFLATION OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS.
FURTHERMORE, SUCH ADDITIONAL PERSONAL ALLOWANCE WAS SUBJECT TO THE "CLAWBACK" PROVISION WHICH MEANT THAT IT WOULD BE REDUCED AS THE TAXPAYERS’ INCOME INCREASED UNTIL IT WAS TOTALLY WITHDRAWN. MR POON SUGGESTED THAT THE CLAWBACK PROVISION BE ABOLISHED.
MR POON FURTHER SUGGESTED THAT THE BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR PERSONAL INCOME TAX OUGHT TO BE REVISED MORE OFTEN TO BRIN& IT INTO LINE WITH INFLATION.
THIS WAS AN AREA OVER WHICH A LOT OF GRIEVANCES HAD BEEN EXPRESSED, HE SAID, BECAUSE A PERSON WITH MUCH LOWER REAL INCOME THAN ONE WHO DID NOT HAVE TO PAY TAX 10 YEARS AGO WAS NOW CAUGHT IN THE TAX NET.
"SINCE NOT MANY PEOPLE NOWADAYS HAVE A GREAT NUMBER OF CHILDREN, IT MAY BE BETTER TO INCREASE THE CHILD ALLOWANCE FOR THE FIRST TWO BY A BIGGER AMOUNT AND ABOLISH ANY ALLOWANCE AFTER THE FOURTH CHILD," MR POON ADDED.
1
ON THE QUESTION OF INDIRECT TAXATION, MR POON NOTED THAT THE TAX BASE IN HONG KONG WAS EXTREMELY SMALL. IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT ONLY ABOUT 100,000 MIGHT BE PAYING MORE THAN 65 PER CENT OF ALL DIRECT TAXES.
"SINCE MANY PEOPLE ENJOYING THE STABILITY, PROSPERITY, AND IMPROVEMENT OF ENVIRONMENT OF HONG KONG ARE NOT PAYING ANY DIRECT TAXES, SOME FORM OF INDIRECT TAX MAY BE CONSIDERED ESPECIALLY IN CASE OF BUSINESS DOWNTURN WHEN DIRECT TAXES ON A SUCH NARROW BASE CAN NO LONGER BE RELIED UPON TO FINANCE OUR FUTURE BUDGETS," HE SAID.
HE SAID HIS FEELING WAS THAT TO HAVE A PLAN ALONG SUCH LINES FOR RAINY DAYS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED, BUT HE SAW NO NEED OR JUSTIFICATION TO IMPLEMENT IT IF THE GOVERNMENT’S MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST OF HAVING SURPLUSES OF OVER $2 BILLION THROUGH 1990 COULD BE MET.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988
- 13
HE SAID IT WAS EASIER SAID THAN DONE TO HAVE A NEW INDIRECT TAX WHICH WOULD PRODUCE A STABLE AND WORTHWHILE REVENUE AT A LOW TAX RATE AND WHICH WOULD CAUSE ONLY MINIMAL DISTORTION TO THE ECONOMY AND WOULD BE SIMPLE AND CHEAP TO ADMINISTER.
’’THOUGH 1 AGREE THAT WE SHOULD CONSIDER IT AS A CONTINGENT SCHEME, I WOULD ASK FOR EXTREME CAUTION IN ITS INTRODUCTION WHILE WE HAVE SUBSTANTIAL SURPLUSES,’’ HE ADDED.
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GOVT SHOULD ACCEPT SEPARATE TAXATION PRINCIPLE ♦ » ♦ * »
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ACCEPT THE PRINCIPLE OF SEPARATE TAXATION FOR MARRIED WOMEN AND LEAVE DETAILS TO BE WORKED OUT, DR THE HON KIM CHAM SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE, DR CHAM SAID IN TERMS OF EQUITY SEPARATE TAXATION WAS AN IMPORTANT PRINCIPLE WHICH SHOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO THE TAX REGIME.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THERE WOULD BE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS OF PRINCIPLE TO BE LAID DOWN WHICH WOULD FORM AN INDISPENSABLE PART OF THE BASIS OF SEPARATE TAXATION, HE NOTED.
DR CHAM SAID THE OMELCO TAXATION PANEL HAD OFFERED TO ASSIST THE ADMINISTRATION IN ASSESSING AND ANALYSING THE DIFFICULTIES AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH SEPARATE TAXATION.
MATTERS OF IMPORTANCE WHICH MUST BE ADDRESSED INCLUDED QUESTIONS ON THE TREATMENT OF RELATED ALLOWANCES, EMERGING ANTI-AVOIDANCE DEVICES, THE NECESSARY CHANGES TO BE INTRODUCED IN TERMS OF COMPUTER PROGRAMMING AND THE IMPACT ON TAX LEGISLATION AS WELL AS TRANSFERABILITY OF ALLOWANCES, HE POINTED OUT.
’’WITH THESE COMPLICATIONS, I THINK THAT WE SHALL NEED TIME TO WORK OUT ALL TECHNICALITIES,” HE SAID, ADDING THAT NEVERTHELESS, THOSE DIFFICULTIES WERE NOT INSURMOUNTABLE.
IN ADDITION, DR CHAM URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER THE INTRODUCTION OF A SINGLE PARENT ALLOWANCE.
HE SAID IN SOCIETY TODAY, THE RAISING OF CHILDREN BY A SINGLE PARENT WAS ADMIRABLE, DESPITE THE STRAINS AND STRESSES THE PARENT HAD TO FACE.
/’’AS THESE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988
1U
MAS THESE PARENTS WOULD NOT BE ENTITLED TO THE MARRIED COUPLE ALLOWANCE, ADDITIONAL ALLOWANCE FOR SINGLE PARENTS WITH CHILDREN IS APPROPRIATE,” HE SAID.
ON THE REDUCTION OF THE AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX FROM $120 TO $100, DR CHAM SAID HONG KONG HAD NOW BECOME THE THIRD MOST EXPENSIVE AIRPORT IN THE WORLD IN TERMS OF DEPARTURE TAX BUT IT WAS STILL SOME 23 PER CENT MORE EXPENSIVE THAN TAIWAN WHICH WAS IN FOURTH PLACE.
"SURELY, HAVING ATTAINED THE REPUTATION OF A SHOPPERS’ PARADISE, WE DO NOT WISH TO CHARGE TRAVELLERS EXORBITANTLY SO AS TO HAMPER OUR REPUTATION. NEVERTHELESS, I MUST INSIST THAT FULL COSTS SHOULD BE RECOVERED,” HE SAID.
POINTING OUT THAT THE PRINCIPLE OF NO SUBSIDIES FOR NON-ESSENTIAL SERVICES MUST BE MAINTAINED IN LINE WITH OUR BALANCED BUDGET APPROACH, DR CHAM SAID ONLY STRICT FINANCIAL DISCIPLINE WOULD ENSURE SOUND PUBLIC FINANCE MANAGEMENT.
"WE CAN’T EXPECT AND AFFORD LAVISH SUBSIDIES," HE ADDED.
TURNING TO THE DRAFT ESTIMATES, DR CHAM PRAISED THE »FINANCIAL SECRETARY FOR THE IMPROVEMENTS MADE IN PRESENTATION.
HE SAID THE OBJECTIVES WERE CLEARLY IDENTIFIED WITH THE RELATED EXPENDITURE AND ACTIVITIES, AND THAT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WOULD HAVE THEIR TARGETS CLEARLY SPECIFIED FOR THE COMING YEAR TOGETHER WITH THE BUDGETTED EXPENDITURE.
"IN THE COMING YEAR, WE SHALL BE ABLE TO ASSESS THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF EACH DEPARTMENT AND THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF DEPARTMENT HEADS IN MEETING THEIR SPECIFIC TARGETS," HE ADDED.
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INTRODUCTION OF SALES TAX OPPOSED * ♦ ♦ ♦
PLANS TO BROADEN THE GOVERNMENT’S REVENUE BASE THROUGH IMPOSITION OF A SALES TAX WERE OPPOSED BY THE HON CHENG HON-KWAN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE, MR CHENG SAID THAT A SALES TAX - BE IT AT THE MANUFACTURING, WHOLESALE OR RETAIL LEVEL - WOULD BE UNFAIR TO CONSUMERS AS THEY WOULD BE THE ONES TO SHOULDER THE FINAL BURDEN.
THIS, IN TURN, WOULD LEAD TO HIGHER INFLATION AND WOULD DEFINITELY HIT PEOPLE’S LIVELIHOODS.
/HE WARNED .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988
- 15 -
HE WARNED THAT THE IMPOSITION OF A SALES TAX WOULD NOT ONLY JEOPARDISE HONG KONG’S REPUTATION AS A SHOPPER’S PARADISE BUT WO^ ALSO ENCOURAGE VISITORS TO TURN TO OTHER ASIAN COUNTRIES WITH CHEAPER CONSUMER GOODS.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BEWARE OF ANY ACTIONS WHICH MIGHT BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE TOURISM INDUSTRY, WHICH HE SAID WAS THF LARGEST EARNER OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE LAST YEAR, BRINGING IN 125,400 MILLION.
’’ALTHOUGH THE OUTLOOK FOR HONG KONG’S ECONOMY IS REASONABLY BRIGHT, WE MUST BEAR IN- MIND THAT THIS INTRODUCTION OF A SALES TAX WOULD HAVE AN ADVERSE BACKLASH ON OUR BUOYANT ECONOMY TN THE LONG RUN,” HE SAID.
HE THEREFORE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO THINK THRICE ABOUT WHETHER IT WOULD BE WISE TO IMPLEMENT SUCH A PROPOSAL.
TURNING TO COMMUNITY SERVICES, MR CHENG SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD MADE THE RIGHT MOVE IN CONTINUING TO DEVOTE A SENSIBLE SHARE OJ EXPENDITURE TO COMMUNITY SERVICES.
HOWEVER, IN VIEW OF THE EXPANSION IN COMMUNITY SERVICES, INCLUDING LAND AND ENGINEERING, HE SAID THERE WAS A NEED FOR A REGISTRATION SYSTEM FOR ENGINEERS TO MAINTAIN HONG KONG’S PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS.
THERE WAS AT PRESENT NO SYSTEM FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ENGINEERS FOR STATUTORY PURPOSES, APART FROM THE ONE FOR STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS, HE SAID.
THOUGH THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALREADY TAKEN THE INITIATIVE TO START A DIALOGUE WITH THE FOUR RELATED PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTIONS ON THE FORMULATION OF A REGISTRATION SYSTEM, PROGRESS WAS FAR FROM SATISFACTORY.
"IT IS HIGH TIME THAT THE GOVERNMENT SPEED UP THE PROCESS AND SET UP A REGISTRATION SYSTEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS ARE INDISPENSABLE IN MAINTAINING HONG KONG’S REPUTATION AS AN INTERNATIONAL CITY,” HE SAID.
”A HIGH STANDARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICE IS VITAL NOT ONLY IN THE TRANSITION PERIOD BUT BEYOND 1997 AS WELL.”
MR CHENG HOPED THAT THE REGISTRATION SYSTEM COULD BE LEGISLATED DURING THE TRANSITION PERIOD TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF LOCAL PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS, ARCHITECTS, SURVEYORS AND PLANNERS AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THE SERVICES GIVEN TO THE PUBLIC WERE OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY.
/TURNING TO .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1^88
16
TURNING TO BUILDING MANAGEMENT, MR CHENG SAID THERE HAD BEHN LONGSTANDING COMPLAINTS THAT OWNERS CORPORATIONS AND MUTUAL A J COMMITTEES WERE NOT PROPERLY SUPERVISED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND 7: F THE DECISION-MAKERS OF BOTH BODIES WERE NOT PROPERLY PROTECTED FR-u LIABILITIES.
’’WITH MOKE AND MORE BUILDINGS IN NEED OF REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE, THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE TREATED AS A MATTER OF URGENCY 50 THAT A SOLUTION COULD BE WORKED OUT WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY,” HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ALSO STRENGTHEN ITS MANPOWER TO TACKLE THE SERIOUS PROBLEM OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES, IN PARTICULAR THOSE WHICH POSED IMMINENT DANGER TO LIFE OR PROPERTY, HE ADDED.
ON THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEE ISSUE, MR CHENG SAID HE SUPPORT:D THE VIEWS OF THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP ON VIETNAMESE REFUGEES THAT HONG KONG SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN AS A PLACE OF FIRST ASYLUM.
MR CHENG POINTED OUT THAT REPEATED CALLS HAD BEEN MADE TO THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO HELP TACKLE THE PROBLEM BUT "TO OUR TOTAL DISAPPOINTMENT", NO POSITIVE ACTIONS HAD BEEN TAKEN SO FAR.
"BRITAIN SHOULD RESPOND TO HONG KONG’S NEEDS AND ACQUIESCE TO HONG KONG RELINQUISHING THE ROLE OF A FIRST PORT OF ASYLUM. AND IT MUST RESPOND QUICKLY," HE URGED.
COMMENTING ON THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY'S FIRM STANCE IN REFUSING TO INTRODUCE SEPARATE TAXATION FOR MARRIED COUPLES THIS YEAR, MR CHENG SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO ECHO THE CALL BY SOME OTHER COUNCILLORS FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO INSTIGATE SEPARATE TAXATION FOR MARRIED COUPLES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
HE SAID MARRIED COUPLES SHOULD BE OFFERED AN OPTION TO CHOOSE WHETHER TO PAY THEIR TAXES JOINTLY OR INDIVIDUALLY.
MR CHENG SAID HE NOTED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S WORDS THAT HE WAS NOW PREPARED TO CONSIDER FURTHER HOW SEPARATE TAXATION FOR WORKING WIVES MIGHT BEST BE INTRODUCED.
HE ADDED THAT HE, LIKE THE GENERAL PUBLIC, WAS ANXIOUSLY AWAITING "THE GOOD NEWS" FROM THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
MR CHENG ALSO COMMENDED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY FOR PRODUCING A BUDGET THAT PLEASED ALL SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.
HE SAID THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S DECISION TO DECREASE THE STANDARD TAXATION RATES, INCREASE PERSONAL ALLOWANCES AND REDUCE STAMP DUTY HAD UNDOUBTEDLY BEEN WELL-RECEIVED BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC, IN PARTICULAR THE MIDDLE AND LOWER INCOME GROUPS WHO FORMED A VERY IMPORTANT SECTOR OF OUR ECONOMY.
-------0----------
/17........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988
> 4
- 17 -
I EMIGRATION FACTOR REQUIRES ACTION
» » t » t
THE CENTRAL THEME OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S BUDGET SPEECH COULD BE SUMMED UP IN A FEW WORDS - ’’CAUTIOUS CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG’S FUTURE AS A VIABLE ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CENTRE”, THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE BUDGET DEBATE, MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID, HOWEVER, MANY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WERE NOW WORRYING ABOUT A BRAIN DRAIN OF TALENT SO VITAL TO OUR ECONOMIC GROWTH.
"THE BRAIN DRAIN, I MIGHT ADD, IS BEGINNING TO GATHER MOMENTUM. I DO NOT THINK THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD JUST GLOSS OVER THE PROBLEM, IT IS TOO SERIOUS FOR THAT,” HE SAID. ’
’’INSTEAD THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOW PLAN A LONG-TERM CONCERTED EFFORT TO ATTRACT BACK TO HONG KONG THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY EMIGRATED AND HAVE OBTAINED THEIR CITIZENSHIP OVERSEAS.
”IF THE GOVERNMENT, WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS, DO NOT VIGOROUSLY SEEK TO FACE UP TO THIS ISSUE, WE WILL HAVE A CONFIDENCE CRISIS ON OUR HANDS IN REGARD TO HONG KONG’S CAPABILITY TO EXPAND ECONOMICALLY DURING THE REST OF THE TRANSITION PERIOD.”
MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID HE AGREED WITH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY THAT HONG KONG, WITH ITS FREE PORT STATUS AND OPEN ECONOMY, REMAINED AS VULNERABLE AS EVER TO EXTERNAL FORCES.
NO MATTER HOW WELL THE ECONOMY WAS DOING IN ANY GIVEN YEAR, HONG KONG SHOULD NOT LET ITS GUARD DOWN AND BECOME DANGEROUSLY EXPOSED TO ADVERSE SHIFTS, WHETHER ABRUPT OR SLIDING, IN THE WORLD ECONOMY.
F
HE SAID HONG KONG WAS STILL VERY MUCH AN EXPORT-LED ECONOMY AND ONE OF ITS MAIN CONCERNS HAD TO DO WITH KEEPING THE SPECTRE OF PROTECTIONISM AT BAY.
MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID HE SUPPORTED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S POLICY OF FISCAL PRUDENCE, COUPLED WITH MODERATE TAX CONCESSIONS, PLUS STEADY INCREASES IN EXPENDITURE ON SOCIAL WELFARE, PUBLIC HOUSING, MEDICAL AND OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES SO AS TO RAISE LIVING STANDARDS AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE.
ON SEPARATE TAXATION FOR MARRIED WOMEN, HE SAID THE PRINCIPLE OF SEPARATE TAXATION HAD TO BE ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT SOONER OR LATER, AND THE EARLIER THE BETTER.
"ONCE THE PRINCIPLE IS ACCEPTED, THE MANNER OF AND TIMING OF IMPLEMENTATION IN AN EQUITABLE WAY CAN THEN BE CAREFULLY INVESTIGATED,” HE SAID.
F
/QUOTING A ........
*
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988
- 18 -
QUOTING A STATEMENT BY THE SINGAPORE FINANCE MINISTER, MR CHEONG-LEEN SAlb IT SHOULD COME AS A RUDE SHOCK TO ALL IN HONG KONG THAT THE MIDDLE INCOME GROUPS WERE PAYING HIGHER TAXES THAN THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN SINGAPORE.
ON ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH CHINA, HE SAID THAT IN ORDER TO STAY COMPETITIVE IN EXPORTS, HONG KONG WOULD HAVE TO KEEP ON EXPANDING ECONOMIC INTEGAT1ON WITH THE MAINLAND, THROUGH MORE SUB-CONTRACTING OF MANUFACTURE OF GOODS IN LABOUR-INTENSIVE INDUSTRIES.
’’HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC FUTURE IS ALREADY INEXORABLY LINKED WITH CHINA’S ECONOMIC REFORMS, AND THE FASTER CHINA OPENS UP, THE FASTER WILL BE THE ECONOMIC INTERFACE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE CITIES IN CHINA WHICH ARE SEEKING TO EXPORT THEIR PRODUCTS TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD,” HE SAID.
"AS A REGIONAL COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, COMMUNICATIONS AND FINANCIAL CENTRE, HONG KONG IS PLAYING AN INDISPENSABLE ROLE IN CHINA’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE 21ST CENTURY.
"AS THE HUB OF ASIA AND AN IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL CITY IN THE REGION, HONG KONG IS ALREADY CHINA’S STRONGEST ECONOMIC LINK. WITH THE REST OF THE WESTERN INDUSTRIALISED WORLD."
MR CHEONG-LEEN ALSO SAID THAT WITH THE OPENING OF THE CONVENTION CENTRE THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD REVIEW EXISTING POLICIES RELATING TO EASTERN BLOC COUNTRIES BOTH IN TRADE AND TOURISM.
TOURISM WAS A MAJOR AND EXPANDING SERVICE INDUSTRY FOR HONG KONG, WITH VISITOR TRAFFIC EXPECTED TO RISE THIS YEAR TO ABOUT FIVE MILLION.
HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO REDUCE THE AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX AND HE SPOKE AGAINST THE INCREASE IN RATES WHICH AFFECTED HOTELS, AND ALSO AGAINST THE POSSIBILITY OF A SALES TAX.
ON DEFENCE COSTS, MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID ALTHOUGH THE TERMS OF THE NEW AGREEMENT HAD NOT YET BEEN FINALISED, IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT BRITAIN WAS ONLY PREPARED TO REDUCE HONG KONG’S CONTRIBUTION TO 70 PER CENT FROM THE PREVIOUS 75 PER CENT, AS AGAINST HONG KONG’S PROPOSAL THAT THE COSTS SHOULD BE SPLIT ON A 50-50 BASIS.
"AS THE BORDER CONTROL FUNCTIONS CURRENTLY PERFORMED BY THE BRITISH ARMY WILL IN FUTURE BE TAKEN OVER BY HONG KONG POLICE, I BELIEVE IT WOULD BE FAIRER TO HONG KONG IF THE PERCENTAGE WERE TO BE PROGRESSIVELY REDUCED YEAR-BY-YEAR BY FIVE TO 10 PER CENT UNTIL PARITY FOR SHARING THE COSTS IS REACHED," HE SAID.
ON REFUGEES, HE SAID WITH EACH PASSING YEAR THE PROBLEM OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES COMING TO HONG KONG SEEMED TO GET MORE INTRACTABLE WITH NO LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.
/HE SAID
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988
X
19 -
HE SAID THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEE PROBLEM WAS AN INTERNATIONAL ISSUE, BUT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT SHOULD ASSUME THE MAJOR FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN CARING FOR THE 10,000 REFUGEES NOW IN HONG KONG.
"THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD START NEGOTIATING WITH THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO PAY FOR HALF OF ALL THE 1988-89 EXPENDITURES TO BE SPENT BY HONG KONG ON VIETNAMESE REFUGEES. SHOULD A FOURTH CLOSED CAMP BE BUILT, HALF OF THE COST OF CONSTRUCTION SHOULD BE PAID FOR BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
MR CHEONG-LEEN ALSO SUGGESTED THAT IN ORDER TO MINIMISE THE COST OF MANAGING SUCH CLOSED CAMPS WHILE STILL MAINTAINING A REASONABLE LEVEL OF SECURITY AND EFFICIENCY, CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO TRANSFERRING THE MANAGEMENT TO THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE CIVIL AID SERVICES.
ON HOUSING, HE SAID AS HONG KONG WAS FEELING THE EFFECTS OF A BRAIN DRAIN, IT SHOULD BE THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO MAKE IT ATTRACTIVE AND WORTHWHILE FOR MIDDLE INCOME GROUPS TO STAY IN HONG KONG.
"ONE FURTHER STEP COULD BE A ONE-OFF TAX DEDUCTIBLE- ALLOWANCE OF UP TO $50,000 ON ANY DOWN PAYMENT ON THE PURCHASE OF THE FIRST HOME BY ANY HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD," HE SAID.
MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID HE DOUBTED WHETHER THE NEW CONCESSIONS ON STAMP DUTY ALONE WOULD BE AN INCENTIVE FOR A PROFESSIONAL TO PURCHASE A HOME IN HONG KONG RATHER THAN EMIGRATE.
ON CULTURE, MR CHEONG-LEEN SAID THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ENCOURAGE MUSIC TRAINING AND APPRECIATION AND CONSIDER OVERSEAS TRAINING AWARDS FOR ARTISTS.
HE SAID THAT AS REGARDS VISUAL ARTS, "WE ARE STILL PATIENTLY AWAITING" THE GOVERNMENT’S WORKING PARTY TO SHOW THE WAY FORWARD.
0
WORKING SPOUSE ALLOWANCE MORE EQUITABLE
■» * » * *
A WORKING SPOUSE ALLOWANCE IS A SIMPLER AND MORE EQUITABLE SCHEME THAN SEPARATE TAXATION, THE HON ANDREW WONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE, MR WONG SAID HE WELCOMED THE INTRODUCTION OF A WORKING WIFE'S ALLOWANCE.
/BUT HE .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988
- 20
BUT HE REGRETTED THAT APPARENTLY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD ALREADY CONCEDED DEFEAT WHEN HE SAID HE WAS PERPARED TO CONSIDER FURTHER HOW SEPARATE TAXATION FOR WORKING WIVES MIGHT BEST BE INTRODUCED.
MR WONG SAID HE INSIST D ON NOT ONLY THE SANCTITY OF THE FAMILY BUT ALSO THE SOCIALLY EQUITABLE ARRANGEMENT OF REGARDING THE HOUSEHOLD, NOT THE INDIVIDUAL, AS THE TAX UNIT.
"AFTERALL, IF MARRIED LIFE IS A LIFE OF SHARING, WITH LOVE SHARED, JOYS AND SORROWS SHARED, EXPENSES SHARED, WHY SHOULD INCOME NOT BE REGARDED AS SHARED,” HE SAID.
HE ADDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE OUGHT TO BE AMENDED TO THE EFFECT THAT WIVES WERE NO LONGER APPENDAGES TO THEIR HUSBANDS FOR TAX PURPOSES AND THAT BOTH MEN AND WOMEN AS MARRIED COUPLES OUGHT TO BE REGARDED AS SPOUSES TO EACH OTHER.
ON THE IDEA OF A GENERAL SALES TAX, MR WONG SAID THAT AS AN INDIRECT TAX, IT WAS BY DEFINITION REGRESSIVE AND CONTRARY TO THE PRINCIPLE OF ABILITY TO PAY AND WAS THEREFORE OBJECTIONABLE.
ON EXPENDITURE, MR WONG SAID HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE GROWTH OF THE CIVII. SERVICE DURING THE LAST 10 YEARS.
"IN 1977, THE ESTABLISHMENT WAS 114,000 OR JUST OVER 100,000 REPRESENTING 25 CIVIL SERVANTS PER THOUSAND POPULATION. TEN YEARS LATER, IN 1987, IT WAS 183,000 OR NEARLY 200,000, REPRESENTING 33 CIVIL SERVANTS PER THOUSAND POPULATION.
"THIS CIVIL SERVANT PER THOUSAND POPULATION FIGURE HAS BEEN CREEPING, NAY CLIMBING, FROM 25 IN 1977, TO 26 IN 1978 THROUGH 1980, TO 31 IN 1982, TO 32 IN 1983 THROUGH 1986, AND TO 33 IN 1987.”
HE SAID THE CIVIL SERVANTS PER THOUSAND POPULATION FIGURES AT FIVE-YEAR INTERVALS BETWEEN 1962 AND 1987 WERE EVEN MORE TELLING.
"THE LEVIATHAN HAS GROWN FROM 17 PER THOUSAND IN 1962, TO 20 IN 1967, 24 IN 1972, 25 IN 1977, 31 IN 1982 AND 33 IN 1987.
"I AM AWAITING THE RELEASE OF THE 1989 EDITION OF THE PAMPHLET (HONG KONG IN FIGURES) TO BRING THIS TABLE UP TO DATE. THE FIGURES GIVEN ON PAGE 245 OF THE ’DRAFT ESTIMATES SUPPORTING DETAILS SECTION 1’ SHOW A LOW FIGURE OF AROUND 193,000 AND A HIGH FIGURE OF 201,000.
"ALTHOUGH THEY DO NOT STRICTLY SUIT THE PURPOSE OF UPDATING THE TABLE, THEY DO POINT OUT THE FACT THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT IS SET TO INCREASE FROM 183,000 IN 1987 TO 193,000 OR 201,000 OR IN OTHER WORDS TO EXPAND BY 10,000 TO 18,000 CIVIL SERVANTS WITHIN A YEAR.
"1 WONDER IF ALL THE INCREASES ARE NECESSARY," HE ADDED.
/MR WONG
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988
- 21 -
MR WONG SAID THAT AS A MEMBER OF THE ESTABLISHMENT SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S FINANCE COMMITTEE, OBVIOUSLY HE WAS TO BLAME.
"WILL THE GOVERNMENT SHARE MY BLAME? PLEASE DON’T TELL ME THAT EVERY REQUEST FOR EVERY ADDITIONAL POST RECEIVES THE UTMOST CAREFUL SCRUTINY AND VETTING.
"JUST REMEMBER ONE OF C. NORTHCOTE PARKINSON’S FAMOUS LAWS THAT ’CIVIL SERVANTS CREATE WORK FOR EACH OTHER’," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID IN THE DEBATE ON THE WASTE DISPOSAL (AMENDMENT) BILL ON OCTOBER 14, 1987, HE SPOKE OF THE 125 ADDITIONAL POSTS REQUIRED FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ANIMAL WASTE CONTROL POLICY.
"AND I SAID TO THE EFFECT THAT HAD AN ALTERNATIVE POLICY BEEN ADOPTED, POLLUTION PROBLEMS COULD BE TACKLED WITH A VERY SMALL ESTABLISHMENT."
MR WONG SAID VERY OFTEN, MISGUIDED, MUDDLED OR CONVOLUTED POLICIES WERE AT THE ROOT OF UNBRIDLED GROWTH IN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE.
"THE ANIMAL WASTE CONTROL POLICY IS A VERY GOOD CASE IN POINT.
"AT THE SAME DEBATE, I ESTIMATED THAT HAD THE POLICY BEEN A TOTAL BAN ON LIVESTOCK KEEPING, WITH THE EX-GRATIA COMPENSATION BOOSTED BY 100 PER CENT, THE TOTAL EXPENDITURE WOULD BE IN THE REGION OF $573 MILLION INSTEAD OF AN ESTIMATED TOTAL EXPENDITURE OF $609 MILLION UNDER THE POLICY ADOPTED.
"THE $573 MILLION COULD BE LOWERED IF WE DECIDE FOR A LESS THAN 100 PER CENT BOOSTER, AND TO THE $609 MILLION UNDER THE PRESENT POLICY, WE SHOULD ADD A PERSONAL EMOLUMENTS BILL OF $180 MILLION FOR THE 125 POSTS MENTIONED EARLIER."
MR WONG SAID HE WONDERED WHAT HAD GONE WRONG DURING THE POLICY-MAKING PROCESS AS NEGOTIATIONS WERE STILL CONTINUING BETWEEN THE FARMERS AND THE ADMINISTRATION.
"SINCE THE PASSAGE OF THE AMENDMENT BILL, GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY COMMITTED A FURTHER SUM OF $8 MILLION TO CARRY OUT DEMONSTRATIONS IN PRIVATE FARMS IN ORDER TO CONVINCE OR APPEASE THE FARMERS, AND I CANNOT IMAGINE WHAT THE FINAL BILL LOOKS LIKE."
ANOTHER CASE OF CONVOLUTED POLICY, HE SAID, WAS THE STUDENT TRAVEL SUBSIDY SCHEME.
"IF MY UNDERSTANDING IS CORRECT, THE EVOLUTION OR CONVOLUTION STARTED IN 1971 WHEN THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO REIMBURSE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS FOR LOSS IN REVENUE ARISING FROM CONCESSIONARY FARES GIVEN TO STUDENTS ABOVE THE AGE OF 12.
/"THE SCHEME
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988
- 22
"THE SCHEME WAS LATER EXTENDED TO OTHER PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID HAD THE POLICY BEEN TO REQUIRE AND ALLOW PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS TO BALANCE THEIR BOOKS BY ABSORBING THE LOSS IN REVENUE THROUGH INCREMENTAL INCREASES IN GENERAL FARE LEVELS, THERE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN PUBLIC CRITICISM THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS MISUSING PUBLIC FUNDS, THAT THE SUBSIDIES FROM PUBLIC FUNDS WERE DISPROPORTIONATELY HIGH, OR THAT THE SUBSIDY SHOULD ONLY GO TO THE NEEDY.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ALL TRIPS WERE EDUCATIONAL IN ONE SENSE OR ANOTHER FOR THOSE WHO WERE STILL IN THEIR LEARNING, AND FORMATIVE YEARS, THAT EDUCATION WAS SUBSIDISED AND HEAVILY SO EVEN IN THE VOLUNTARY STAGE OF EDUCATION, THAT IS FROM FORM FOUR THROUGH TO UNIVERSITY, THAT THERE WAS CROSS-SUBSIDISATION BY OTHER PASSENGERS TO THOSE BELOW THE AGE WHICH HAD NEVER BEEN OBJECTED TO IN PRINCIPLE.
"WHAT IS SO WRONG WITH THIS ALTERNATIVE POLICY WHICH INVOLVES NO PUBLIC EXPENDITURES WHICH SAVE ALL OF THE $265 MILLION INSTEAD OF $106 MILLION AND WHICH INCIDENTALLY, ALSO REDUCES THE SIZE OF THE BUREAUCRACY?" HE ASKED.
"HOW DO WE COMPARE THE EXISTING AND THE REVISED POLICY WITH THIS ALTERNATIVE POLICY, WHICH IN A WAY IS AKIN TO AN INDIRECT TAX BUT FOR AN EAR-MARKED PURPOSE AND NOT INVOLVING ANY TAX COLLECTION AND ADMINISTRATION COST?
"AND HOW DO WE COMPARE THIS ALTERNATIVE WITH THE CONTEMPLATED INTRODUCTION OF A GENERAL SALES TAX?
"I SUGGEST WE HAVE NOT BEEN IMAGINATIVE ENOUGH IN OUR POLICY-MAKING."
MR WONG SAID HE REALISED THERE WERE CONSTRAINTS AND, AMONG THEM, POLITICAL CONSTRAINTS LOOMED LARGE.
"HOWEVER, LET US NOT FORGET WHAT POLICIES ARE FOR - THEY ARE FOR THE SOLUTION OF PUBLIC PROBLEMS.
"POLITICALLY FEASIBLE POLICIES ARE NOT NECESSARILY PROPER SOLUTIONS, AND PROPER SOLUTIONS ARE NOT NECESSARILY INFEASIBLE POLITICALLY.
"LET US NOT FORGET THAT THE CART SHOULD NEVER BE PUT BEFORE THE HORSE," HE ADDED.
- - 0 -
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988
- 25 -PRUDENT APPROACH DESERVES SUPPORT * « * « »
THE VARIOUS MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS NOW IN THE PIPELINE WOULD PLACE A VERY HEAVY DEMAND ON HONG KONG’S RESERVES, AND THEREFORE THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY'S PRUDENT APPROACH IN CONTROLLING EXPENDITURE GROWTH SHOULD BE SUPPORTED, THE HON EDWARD HO SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR HO NOTED THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST INDICATED A SATISFACTORY LEVEL OF RESERVES FOR THE PERIOD UP TO 1991-92.
"YET, IF ONE EXAMINES BOTH THE FORECAST ON CONSOLIDATED CASH SURPLUS AND ON RESERVE BALANCES AS A PERCENTAGE OF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE, ONE WOULD NOTICE THAT THE AMOUNT WILL BE ON A DECLINING TREND AFTER 1989-90," HE SAID.
THE MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST DID NOT INCLUDE THE VERY MAJOR CAPITAL INTENSIVE INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS THAT WERE LIKELY TO START RIGHT AFTER THE FORECAST PERIOD, IN THE EARLY 1990’S.
HE THEREFORE SUBSCRIBED WHOLEHEARTEDLY TO THE PRUDENT APPROACH THAT WAS EVIDENT IN THE BUDGET.
MR HO SAID THAT VARIOUS DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS WERE VITAL TO HONG KONG IF IT WAS TO MAINTAIN ITS POSITION AS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL, COMMERCIAL AND TOURIST CENTRE.
"IT IS NOW QUITE CLEAR THAT THE HANDLING CAPACITY OF KAI TAK AIRPORT FOR PASSENGERS AND CARGO HANDLING WILL BE OVERSATURATED BEFORE A NEW REPLACEMENT AIRPORT CAN BECOME OPERATIONAL.
"HONG KONG’S ALREADY PRIME POSITION AS A CONTAINER TERMINAL PORT, ITS RAPIDLY INCREASING TRADE WITH CHINA AND THE ASSOCIATED GROWTH OF RE-EXPORTS ALL MEAN THAT WE WILL NEED TO CONTINUE TO INCREASE EXTENSIVELY OUR PORT FACILITIES," HE SAID.
MR HO NOTED THAT SOME PEOPLE, WHEN DISCUSSING INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT, HAD SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT RELY ON PRIVATE CONSULTANTS AND SHOULD INSTEAD SHOULDER MORE OF SUCH WORK ITSELF.
HOLDING A DIFFERENT VIEW, HE SAID IF SUCH CONSULTANCY STUDIES OR PROJECTS WERE ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY AND IF THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT POSSESS THE MANPOWER OR EXPERTISE TO CARRY OUT SUCH WORK, THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG IN ENGAGING CONSULTANTS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
TURNING TO THE QUESTION OF A "BRAIN DRAIN" OF THE PROFESSIONAL AND MANAGERIAL CLASSES FROM HONG KONG, MR HO SAID HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND YET HE DID NOT KNOW WHETHER IT WAS SERIOUS OR NOT AND HOW IT WOULD EFFECT THE ECONOMY.
/"IT IS .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988
- 24 -
"IT IS NOT SOMETHING OVER WHICH WE SHOULD BURY OUR HEADS IN THE 8AND AND TRY TO CONVINCE OURSELVES AND OTHERS THAT EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE FINE, AT LEAST NOT UNTIL WE TRY TO FIND OUT THE TRUE SITUATION,” HE SAID.
IT WAS ONLY WHEN WE KNEW OF THE FACTS THAT WE COULD DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM, HE ADDED.
HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO CONDUCT, WITH THE HELP OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR, A STUDY OF FUTURE MANPOWER SUPPLY AND DEMAND.
THIS SHOULD BE CO-ORDINATED WITH THE VARIOUS PLANNING STUDIES AND PROJECTS FOR INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT, THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY AND THE WORK OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
HE SAID THE AMBITIOUS PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME AND THE CURRENT CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAD CONTRIBUTED TO AN ACUTE LABOUR SHORTAGE, UNUSUAL CONSTRUCTION COST INFLATION AND UNDESIRABLE WORKMANSHIP.
THERE WAS A SHORTAGE OF EXPERIENCED CONTRACTORS ANb SKILLED LABOUR TO PROVIDE HEALTHY COMPETITION IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, HE SAID.
MR HO WAS ALSO WORRIED WHETHER LAND PRODUCTION COULD KEEP PACE WITH DEMAND TO CATER TO THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME AFTER THE MID-1990'S.
”1 STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THE FULL DEMAND CAN ONLY BE MET BY MAJOR HARBOUR RECLAMATION SCHEMES, THE WORK ON WHICH SHOULD COMMENCE IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS IN ORDER TO GENERATE THE NECESSARY LEAD TIME IN PRODUCTION,” HE SAID.
TURNING TO TAXATION, MR HO SAID THAT THERE WERE ONLY 700,000 TAXPAYERS IN HONG KONG AND 7.6 PER CENT OF THEM, OR 0.94 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL POPULATION, CONTRIBUTED TO 56 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL SALARY TAX YIELD.
CLEARLY IT WOULD BE DESIRABLE TO BROADEN THE TAX BASE, WHICH INEVITABLY WOULD MEAN THAT THE NUMBER OF TAXPAYERS WOULD INCREASE.
SUCH A MOVE MIGHT BE UNPOPULAR BUT IT SHOULD BE RECOGNISED THAT THE INCREASES IN SOCIAL SERVICE PROVISIONS COULD ONLY BE ACHIEVED AT A PRICE, HE SAID.
MR HO ALSO SUPPORTED THE CALL FOR SEPARATE TAXATION FOR WORKING COUPLES.
HE FOUND THAT AT LEAST FIVE OF HIS STAFF HAD DECIDED TO DEFER THEIR MARRIAGE REGISTRATIONS UNTIL THEY COULD REACH THE FLAT RATE TAX BRACKET OR WHEN THEY HAD A CHILD, WHICHEVER WAS THE SOONER.
’’CLEARLY, TO THEM, THE ADDITIONAL TAX BURDEN WAS CONSIDERED SO SIGNIFICANT THAT IT INFLUENCED THEM IN THEIR DECISION ON SUCH AN IMPORTANT EVENT IN THEIR LIVES,” HE SAID.
---O---------
/25........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988
- 25 -
STRONG RESERVATIONS ON SALES TAX IDEA * * » » »
THERE IS NO COMPELLING REASON THAT JUSTIFIES THE NEED TO DISCUSS AT THIS TIME THE INTRODUCTION OF A SALES TAX, WHICH WOULD HAVE AN EXTENSIVE AND FAR-REACHING EFFECT ON THE COMMUNITY.
THE HON WONG PO-YAN SAID THIS DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
EXPRESSING STRONG RESERVATIONS ABOUT SUCH AN IDEA, MR WONG SAID HE WAS DISMAYED THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SHOULD MENTION IT IN THE BUDGET WHICH PROVIDED FOR A SURPLUS AND A REDUCTION OF ONE PER CENT IN THE STANDARD RATE OF TAXATION.
I
HE SAID THE ECONOMY HAD HAD ITS UPS AND DOWNS. BUT PAST EXPERIENCE HAD PROVIDED SUFFICIENT ASSURANCE THAT EACH ECONOMIC EBB WOULD LAST NO LONGER THAN TWO TO THREE YEARS AND THAT HONG KONG WAS RESILIENT.
ON THE OTHER HAND, HE NOTED THAT IT WAS NECESSARY TO ‘MAINTAIN A CERTAIN RATIO BETWEEN DIRECT AND INDIRECT TAXES.
"IT IS MY PERSONAL VIEW THAT EVEN WHEN THERE IS A GENUINE NEED FOR INCREASING REVENUE, THE IDEA OF A SALES TAX SHOULD BE THE LAST THING FOR CONSIDERATION," HE SAID.
FURTHERMORE, MR WONG SAID THE INTRODUCTION OF A SALES TAX WOULD PUT A HEAVIER BURDEN ON THE POOR AND THE "SANDWICH CLASS", HAVE NEGATIVE EFFECT ON THE TOURISM INDUSTRY AND REQUIRE HIGH ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.
TURNING TO HOUSING POLICY, MR WONG PRAISED THE GOVERNMENT FOR ITS DETERMINATION TO DEAL WITH THE HOUSING PROBLEM.
HOWEVER, HE HOPED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD EXPEDITE THE GROWTH RATE OF BOTH THE HOME OWNERSHIP AND PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEMES AND SET THE ULTIMATE TARGET THAT 50 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL PUBLIC HOUSING UNITS PRODUCED ANNUALLY SHOULD COME UNDER THESE SCHEMES.
HE SAID THE APPROACH TO STEP UP EFFORTS TO SOLVE THE HOUSING PROBLEM ON THE ONE HAND, AND TO ADJUST THE PROPORTION OF PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS IN THE OVERALL POPULATION ON THE OTHER HAND, WOULD IN THE LONG RUN BE BENEFICIAL TO ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT.
ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S INFRASTRUCTURE, MR WONG SAID IN THE LAST DECADE OR SO, SUBSTANTIAL ACHIEVEMENTS HAD BEEN MADE.
/HOWEVER, HE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20t 1988
26
HOWEVER, HE FELT THAT THERE WAS STILL A SIGNIFICANT GAP WHICH NEEDED TO BE FILLED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BY THE SETTING UP OF A "SCIENCE PARK".
"THE DEVELOPMENTS IN VARIOUS TERRITORIES HAVE GRADUALLY MADE THE LOW VALUE-ADDED, LABOUR-INTENSIVE INDUSTRIES OUT OF PLACE TN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
"THERE IS A PRESSING NEED TO DEVELOP HIGH-TECH INDUSTRIES. AS SUCH, INFRASTRUCTURAL SUPPORT IN THIS REGARD MUST BE MADE AVAILABLE.
"THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SCIENCE PARK CAN MAKE POSSIBLE NOT ONLY THE CARRYING OUT OF CERTAIN RESEARCH WITHIN OUR ABILITY.
"IT CAN ALSO SERVE AS A CENTRE FOR THE INTRODUCTION AND APPLICATIONS OF SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENTS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES AND DEVELOPMENT IN THIS RESPECT."
HE THEREFORE HOPED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD HELP MOTIVATE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SCIENCE PARK WITH THE DETERMINATION AND SPEED IT HAD SHOWN IN SETTING UP THE THIRD UNIVERSITY.
TURNING TO EDUCATION, MR WONG SAID THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE THE BEST POSSIBLE USE OF OUR POTENTIAL IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
IT SHOULD TAKE AN ACTIVE, SYMPATHETIC AND SUPPORTIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS NON-SUBVENTED TERTIARY INSTITUTES WITH A VIEW TO FURTHER IMPROVING THEIR ACADEMIC STANDARDS.
THEY SHOULD ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE NET OF SUBVENTION SO AS TO ENHANCE THEIR CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS HIGHER EDUCATION.
IN ADDITION, HE SAID, COMPARING THE SIZE OF ITS POPULATION AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES WITH SOME OF THE ADVANCED COUNTRIES, HONG KONG SHOULD HAVE SEVEN TO EIGHT UNIVERSITIES.
HE THEREFORE HOPED THE GOVERNMENT AND THE EDUCATION SECTOR WOULD PAY HEED TO THIS POINT.
MR WONG ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE RATE OF EXPANSION OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.
HE SAID THE TARGET OF A 2.5 PER CENT STAFF GROWTH A YEAR AFTER 1989-90 WAS DEEMED TO BE TOO HIGH, AND HE HOPED THAT THE GROWTH RATE COULD BE BROUGHT DOWN TO A LOWER LEVEL IN A FEW YEARS.
HE ALSO SAID THAT ALL POSSIBLE MEANS SHOULD BE INTRODUCED TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20,
1988
- 27 -
IMPORTANCE OF BUSINESS CONFIDENCE STRESSED
« » » » *
ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT CANNOT BE EASILY DIVORCED IRON POLITICAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, THE HON THOMAS CLYDESDALE SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THERE WERE CERTAIN FUNDAMENTAL FACTORS WHICH AFFECTED AND OFTEN HAD A STRONG INFLUENCE ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS.
"ONE OF THESE IS THE LEVEL OF CONFIDENCE SHOWN BY PRINCIPALS, INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS, THAT IS THOSE WHO FINANCE, DEAL WITH AND OTHERWISE SUPPORT THE BUSINESS FUNCTION," MR CLYDESDALE SAID DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE.
"IF CONFIDENCE IS SUSTAINED AT A HIGH LEVEL, A GREAT DEAL MORE CAN BE DONE BY THE BUSINESS ENTERPRISE," HE SAID.
"I AM SURE THIS SIMPLE OBSERVATION WILL NOT BE REFUTED. CONFIDENCE IS THE BASIS FOR ALL GENUINE GROWTH IN ANY ENTERPRISE.
"HONG KONG IS A VERY LARGE BUSINESS ENTERPRISE INDEED. AGAIN I AM SURE THAT NO MEMBER OF THIS COUNCIL WILL DISAGREE WHEN I SAY THAT BUSINESS, AND PARTICULARLY INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS, IS THE CORE, THE VERY NUCLEUS, OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMY, PERHAPS TO A GREATER EXTENT THAN VIRTUALLY ANY OTHER TERRITORY IN THE WORLD, EXCEPT SOME OF THE OPEC COUNTR1ES."
MR CLYDESDALE SAID HONG KONG’S REMARKABLE ECONOMIC, TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL SUCCESS, WHICH HAD FUELLED EQUALLY REMARKABLE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, HAD BEEN ACHIEVED BECAUSE LOCAL AND FOREIGN BUSINESSMEN HAD HAD CONFIDENCE IN THE TERRITORY'S VITALITY, POTENTIAL AND FUTURE.
"THIS HAS ENABLED INVESTMENT DECISIONS TO BE MADE IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF STABILITY AND TRUST," HE SAID.
"INVESTORS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COMMIT THEIR COMPANIES AND THEIR RESOURCES TO LONG TERM DEVELOPMENT IN THE SURE AND CERTAIN KNOWLEDGE THAT GOVERNMENT POLICIES AFFECTING THEIR INVESTMENT WOULD NOT CHANGE, THAT PROMISES GIVEN BY THE HONG KONG AUTHORITIES WOULD BE KEPT AND THAT THEY WOULD BE OPERATING WITHIN A FREE ENTERPRISE, LOW TAX ENVIRONMENT, WITHOUT ANY FORM OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THEM."
BUT HE SAID HONG KONG NOW HAD A SITUATION WHERE ITS CONSTITUTION AND POLITICAL FUTURE WAS PLACING STRESSES AND STRAINS ON LOCAL CONFIDENCE IN PEOPLE’S ABILITY TO MAINTAIN THEIR ECONOMIC SUCCESS AND THEIR EXISTING LIFESTYLE.
/"IT IS .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988
- 28 -
"IT IS NOT DIFFICULT TO SEE WHY THERE IS A CONSIDERABLE BRAIN DRAIN FROM HONG KONG, ONE WHICH IS LARGELY CONCENTRATED IN THE MIDDLE MANAGEMENT GROUP AND THEREFORE ONE WHICH WE CAN ILL AFFORD," HE SAID.
"NO MATTER HOW WELL CHINA IS PROGRESSING ECONOMICALLY AND DESPITE CHINA'S OBVIOUS AND SINCERE EFFORTS TO ALLAY FEARS IN HONG KONG AS TO THE FUTURE UNDER THE PRC, IT IS INEVITABLE THAT SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE A CHOICE WILL EXERCISE IT IN FAVOUR OF DEPARTURE.
"QUITE APART FROM THE QUESTION OF ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF HONG KONG, THERE IS THE VERY REAL AND PERSONAL QUESTION OF THE FAMILY."
MR CLYDESDALE SAID ALTHOUGH MANY PARENTS MIGHT BE PREPARED TO ACCEPT CHINA'S ASSURANCES AND STAY FULLY COMMITTED TO HONG KONG, THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO COMMIT THEIR CHILDREN.
"THAT IS A NATURAL AND COMPLETELY PREDICTABLE POSITION TO TAKE. SO WE WILL CONTINUE TO LOSE PEOPLE FROM OUR MIDDLE CLASS AND THIS IN TURN WILL PLACE SOME STRAINS ON MIDDLE MANAGEMENT THROUGHOUT OUR BUSINESS SECTOR AND ALSO ACADEMIA AND GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
"THESE EFFECTS ARE ALREADY APPARENT AND THEY MAY GROW PROGRESSIVELY MORE DIFFICULT."
IN ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES, HE SAID, HONG KONG COULD NOT PERSUADE THOSE WHO WISHED TO LEAVE TO STAY AND TAKE THEIR CHANCE, AS IT WERE. THEY WOULD MAKE PERSONAL AND FAMILY DECISIONS BASED ON THEIR OWN PERCEPTION OF THE FUTURE.
"WHAT WE CAN DO AND WHAT CHINA CAN STRONGLY SUPPORT US IN DOING, IS TO SPELL OUT AS OFTEN AS MAY BE NECESSARY THE MANY GOOD REASONS FOR BELIEVING THAT HONG KONG HAS A SECURE, SAFE, AND HAPPY FUTURE AS AN SAR WITH A UNIQUE AND LASTING RELATIONSHIP WITH, AND WITHIN, CHINA," HE SAID.
"FEARS OF CHANGES IN PRC LEADERSHIP AND POLICIES CAN BE LAID TO REST ONLY OVER A PERIOD OF TIME AND WITH AN ESTABLISHED TRACK RECORD WHICH SUPPORTS THEIR GENERAL CONTENTION THAT OUR LOCAL POPULATION HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR."
MR CLYDESDALE SAID CHINA HAD A HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS HONG KONG AND IN GETTING THIS CONSTRUCTIVE AND REASSURING MESSAGES ACROSS.
"QUITE APART FROM ENSURING THAT FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONAL AND OPERATIONAL POLICIES AFFECTING HONG KONG ARE ENLIGHTENED AND APPLIED WITH SENSITIVITY, (’HINA MUST ALSO REMEMBER THAT GOOD PUBLIC RELATIONS ARI NECESSARY TO EXPLAIN THESE POLICIES IN LAYMAN’S TERMS," HE SAID.
MR CLYDESDALE SAID HONG KONG WAS NOW MOVING INTO AN I N( I >’!• AS I NGLY SENSITIVE PERIOD IN ITS CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
/"WE CANNOT
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988
- 29 -
WE CANNOT AFFORD TO MAKE MISTAKES AND ESPECIALLY MISTAKES THAT COULD UPSET AND WORRY LOCAL PEOPLE AS WELL AS INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS AND BUSINESSMEN," HE SAID.
’’THE LOSS OE MANY TRAINED EXECUTIVES AND THEIR EAMILIES IS WORRYING ENOUGH AND COULD BE TAKEN AS A KIND OE BAROMETER OF LOCAL CONFIDENCE.
’THE LOSS OF INVESTORS WOULD RE VERY MUCH WORSE BECAUSE THAT WOULD SIGNAL A CORPORATE RATHER THAN A PERSONAL VIEW."
FORTUNATELY, HE SAID, AS THE BUDGET DEMONSTRATED, HONG KONG APPEARED TO BE DOING THE THINGS WHICH CONTINUED TO APPEAL TO CORPORATE INVESTORS, AT LEAST AS FAR AS COULD BE JUDGED BY ECONOMIC, TRADE AND INDUSTRI Al STAT I ST ICS, AND ALSO BY THE PRICES ACHIEVED AT AUCTION FOR RECENT LAND SALES AND THE MANY MAJOR NEW LONG TERM PROJECTS STARTED OR ABOUT TO START IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
THERE SEEMS NO DOUBT THEREFORE THAT CORPORATE HONG KONG, BOTH LOCAL AND FOREIGN, HAS ACCEPTED THAT THERE IS EVERY CHANCE OF CONTINUED ECONOMIC SUCCESS," HE SAID.
"I BELIEVE THAI III IS IS A TRUE PICTURE AND THAT PART OF THE CONFIDENCE DISPLAYED BY INVESTORS IS PREDICATED ON THE BELIEF THAT HONG KONG WILL CONI’INUI' TO HAVE AN EXECUTIVE-LED ADMINISTRATION WITH A RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE LEGISLATURE AND WITH AN ABSENCE OF DISRUPTIVE AND CONFRONTATIONAL PARTY POLITICS."
MR CLYDESDALE REITERATED THAT BUSINESS PREFERRED TO WORK IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHICH WAS FAMILIAR AND STABLE AS BUSINESS PLANNING RELIED ON CONTINUITY OF SUCCESSFUL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.
"Till WHITE PAPER SEEMED TO MF TO RECOGNISE THIS ESSENTIAL INGREDIENT FOR OUR FUTURE AS DID THIS BUDGET PRESENTED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY," HE ADDED.
HE SAID IT WAS I) I FFI CULT AND, INDEED, IT WOULD BE MOST UN! BAR I TABLE. NOT TO TAKI* A BULLISH VIEW TOWARDS THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY *S PACKAGE OF TAX PROPOSALS.
"ANY FINANCIAL SECRETARY WHO REDUCES THE LEVEL OF DIRECT TAXATION, WHATEVER ELSE HE DOES, IS BOUND TO BE LOOKED UPON WITH FAVOUR," HE COMMENTED.
\ FINANCIAL SECRETARY WHO DID SO IN TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS TOOK ON THE MANTLE OF A FINANCIAL GURU.
MR CLYDESDALE SAID WHILE JOINING THE HAPPY THRONG OF BUDGET ADMIRERS AND SUPPORTERS HE DID, HOWEVER, HAVE SOME OBSERVATIONS TO MAK E.
/’FIRSTLY, AND........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988
"FIRSTLY, AND AT LEAST TO GET TO THE POINT, I STRONGLY SUPPORT THE OBVIOUS INTENTION TO PROVIDE SEPARATE TAXATION FOR WORKING WIVES IN THE NEXT BUDGET."
HE SAID HE ACCEPTED THAT THIS ISSUE REQUIRED VERY DETAILED ASSESSMENT AND CONSIDERATION BUT THIS WORK SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE ALREADY AND THE SYSTEM INTRODUCED THIS YEAR.
HE SAID THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, IN REFERRING TO THE SUBJECT IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH LAST YEAR, SAID VERY MUCH THE SAME THING AS HE DID THIS YEAR.
"IT SOUNDS TO ME AS IF THERE HAS BEEN VERY LITTLE FURTHER WORK DONE IN THE MEANTIME. IT IS TIME, IN THE RESPONSE BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE POINTS NOW BEING MADE IN THIS COUNCIL, TO CONFIRM THAT HE WILL INTRODUCE SEPARATE TAXATION FOR WORKING WIVES NEXT YEAR."
MR CLYDESDALE SAID IT WAS ALSO TIME FOR SOME STATEMENT BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ON HIS INTENTIONS IN REGARD TO THE DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN THE PROFITS TAX ON CORPORATIONS AND OTHER PAYERS OF PROFITS TAX .
"THE ONE AND A HALF PER CENT DIFFERENCE WAS THE RESULT OF ACTION, ONE COULD ALMOST SAY UNNECESSARY ACTION, TO OBTAIN COMPENSATION FOR REVENUE THAT WAS INTENDED TO BE OBTAINED FROM THE HIGHLY UNPOPULAR DIVIDEND WITHHOLDING TAX PROPOSED BY A FORMER FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
"THERE IS NO REAL JUSTIFICATION FOR MAINTAINING THE DIFFERENTIAL AND WE SHOULD BE AIMING, AS A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE, TO RETURN TO A STANDARD TAX RATE OF I 5 PER CENT FOR ALL."
ON INDIRECT TAXATION, MR CLYDESDALE SAID HE HAD NO OBJECTION TO DETAILED CONSIDERATION OF' THE APPLICATION OF A SALES TAX AT SOME FUTURE STAGE, BUT HE WOULD OBJECT VERY STRONGLY, HOWEVER, IF SUCH A TAX WAS INTRODUCED WITHOUT ANY REAL NEED FOR IT AND AS THINGS STOOD AT PRESENT, HE COULD NOT SEE ANY NEED ARISING WITHIN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.
"IT WOULD BE A NEW CONCEPT FOR HONG KONG, QUITE DIFFICULT TO GET STARTED AND TO HAVE ACCEPTED WITHIN A SOCIETY NOT ACCUSTOMED TO SUCH A REGIME," HE SAID.
"IT WOULD HAVE TO INCLUDE MANY EXCEPTIONS AND IT WOULD BE OPEN TO MANY ABUSES. Till' COST OF ADMINISTRATION WOULD PROBABLY BE QUITE HIGH. IT WOULD IMPACT MORE ON THE POORER MEMBERS OF OUR SOCIETY."
HF SAID AN EXPANDING ECONOM1 WOULD PRODUCE ADDITIONAL REVENUE IN REAL TERMS EVERY YEAR OR AT I.EXST WOULD SHOW AN AVERAGE REAL GROWTH OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS.
/"THE GREATEST
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988
- 31
"THE GREATEST CONTRIBUTION TO THE MAINTENANCE OE AN EXPANDING ECONOMY IS A SIMPLE AND LOW BASE TAXATION SYSTEM. THAT HAS BEEN A MAJOR STRENGTH EOR HONG KONG AND IT SHOULD ONLY BE ALTERED TO AN EXTENT ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY," HE COMMENTED.
MR CLYDESDALE ALSO SAID THAT LT WAS LIKELY THAT THERE MIGHT WELL BE A REPEAT PERFORMANCE AS REGARDS GOVERNMENT’S SURPLUS AND THIS LED HIM TO SUGGEST THAT, BESIDES THE ONE AND A HALF PER CENT PREMIUM RATE OF TAX ON CORPORATE PROFITS, THE DUTIES ON SOFT DRINKS AND COSMETICS SHOULD BE REMOVED.
"THERE IS REALLY NO NEED FOR DISCRIMINATORY LEVIES OF THIS NATURE GIVEN THE PRESENT HEALTHY STATE OF GOVERNMENT FINANCES," HE NOTED.
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TAX CUTS TO PROMOTE BUSINESS COMPETITIVENESS URGED ♦ ♦ ♦ t ♦
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD LOOK FOR WAYS TO CUT TAXES TO PROMOTE BUSINESS COMPETITIVENESS AND GROWTH, RATHER THAN ADD ON UNNECESSARY IRRESPONSIBLE TAXES, THE HON DAVID LI SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE BUDGET DEBATE, MR LI DESCRIBED THE SECRETARY’S INCLINATION TOWARDS INTRODUCING A SALES "BUREAUCRAT I < • IDEOLOGY RUN WILD”.
FINANCIAL
TAX AS
HE SAID THAT SINCE I982 PER CAPITA INDIRECT TAXATION HAD MORE THAN DOUBLED, AND THE PROPORTION OF TOTAL TAX REVENUE COMING FROM INDIRECT TAXES HAD ALREADY INCREASED BY MORE THAN A THIRD TO 40 PER CENT.
IT WAS NOT CLEAR THAT INDIRECT TAXES WOULD PROVIDE A STABLE REVENUE BASE. WHAT WAS OBVIOUS, THOUGH, WAS THAT THE COST OF A SALES TAX WOULD BE ENORMOUS.
"EVEN IF A SALES TAX WERE LEVIED AT THE NON-RETAIL LEVEL, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD HAVE TO ESTABLISH A WHOLE NEW BUREAUCRACY,' HE SAID.
"IN FACT, IF SUCH A TAX WERE APPLIED TO A WIDE RANGE OF PRODUCTS, INCLUDING NECESSITIES, A HORDE OF NEW CIVIL SERVANTS WOULD HAVE TO BE HIRED TO ASSESS, COLLECT AND POLICE IT."
ALSO, SUCH A TAX WOULD FUEL INFLATION, DEVASTATE THE TOURIST INDUSTRY, FORCE MANUFACTURERS AND WHOLESALERS TO SPEND MILLIONS JUST TO HANDLE THE ACCOUNTING FOR THE LEVY, AND EXACERBATE THE SHORTAGE OF SKILLED LABOUR,” HE SAID.
/Mr li .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988
- K -
MR LI SAID THAT A FULL-SCALE SALES TAX WOULD BE REGRESSIVE — TOTALLY CONTRADICTING THE GOVERNMENT’S OFT-REPEATED COMMITMENT TO SOCIAL EQUITY IN THE TAXATION SYSTEM.
TURNING TO OTHER TAXES, MR LI MAINTAINED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE THE INITIAL AND ANNUAL DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCES FOR MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT INTERNATIONALLY COMPETITIVE, AND SHOULD ABOLISH THE WITHHOLDING TAX ON HONG KONG DOLLAR DEBT INSTRUMENTS, WHICH BLOCKED THE DEVELOPMENT OF A BROAD-BASED CAPITAL MARKET.
THE RECOMMENDATION THAT ANNUAL LICENCE FEES FOR BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES BE INCREASED BY EIGHT PER CENT WAS
POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND CERTAINLY UNFAIR,” AS THE LAST ROUND OF INCREASES FOR THESE FEES WAS ONLY TWO YEARS AGO.
URGING THE GOVERNMENT TO HELP THE FINANCIAL SECTOR, MR LI SAID IT SHOULD TAKE A MORE SYMPATHETIC VIEW OF THE DEDUCTIBILITY AND THE METHOD OF EVALUATION OF LOANS BOOKED THROUGH HONG KONG.
IN SETTING TAX POLICY, THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD ALSO PAY CLOSER ATTENTION TO THE WISHES OF THE PEOPLE, HE SAID.
HE REGRETTED THAT THE QUESTION OF SEPARATE TAXATION FOR MARRIED COUPLES HAD BEEN STONEWALLED, TIME AND AGAIN, AND THAT THE PRESENT SYSTEM DISCOURAGED MARRIED WOMEN FROM GOING TO WORfc, AT A TIME WHEN HONG KONG NEEDED TO KEEP MARRIED WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE.
"IT FALLS PARTICULARLY HARD ON THE MIDDLE CLASS — THE VERY PEOPLE WE WANT TO STAY IN HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
MR LI SAID THAT HONG KONG NEEDED MORE THAN HALFWAY MEASURES TO PROMOTE HOME OWNERSHIP, FOR EXAMPLE BY MAKING MORTGAGE INTEREST TAX DEDUCTIBLE FOR HOME OWNERS.
ON EXPENDITURE, MR LI CALLED FOR A LIBERALISING OF THE SOCIAL SERVICE SUBVENTION SYSTEM, SAYING THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S SHORTSIGHTED APPROACH LIMITED THE QUALITY AND EXTENT OF THE SERVICES THAT VOLUNTARY AGENCIES COULD OFFER.
HE ALSO CALLED FOR MORE INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG’S HUMAN CAPITAL, IN VIEW OF THE BRAIN DRAIN THAT EXISTED.
"THE NEW HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE ARE STEPS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION,” HE SAID.
’’BUT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT IGNORE THE IMPORTANCE OF ON-THE-JOB TRAINING, SUCH AS THAT BEING PROVIDED BY THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL AND THE HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION.”
"SUCH PROGRAMMES DO MUCH TO FILL THE EXPERIENCE GAP CAUSED BY EMIGRATION AND IMPROVE OUR INDUSTRIAL COMPETITIVENESS.”
MR LI ALSO QUERIED THE PROPOSED FOUR PER CENT GROWTH SET FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, AND ARGUED THAT A BIGGER CIVIL SERVICE WOULD AGGRAVATE AN ALREADY ACUTE LABOUR SHORTAGE AND HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE ECONOMY BY PUSHING UP SALARIES AND THUS FUELLING INFLATION.
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/35
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988
- 55 -
BEACH AT ROCKY BAY NOT SUITABLE FOR SWIMMING
» ♦ » » »
PHI’ URBAN COUNCIL TODAY DECIDED TO PUT FORWARD ITS CONCERN iiils ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE OVER THE SITUATION WATER QUALITY AT SOME OF ITS BATHING BEACHES.
TO OF
THE COUNCIL ALSO DECIDED TO ERECT WARNING SIGNS AT ROCKY BAY BlsA( H ADVISING THE PUBLIC NOT TO SWIM THERE, AND TO WITHDRAW THE MINIMAL LIFEGUARD SERVICE CURRENTLY PROVIDED AT THE BEACH AT WEEKENDS AND ON PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
HIE DECISIONS WERE MADE AT A MEETING BY THE COUNCIL’S RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION ON A REPORT BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) ON WATER QUALITY AT BFACHES IN HONG KONG.
THE COMMITTEE, ('HAIRED BY MR SAMUEL WONG, WAS TOLD THAT WATER Q’ I ITY AT ROCKY BAY BEACH WAS CLASSIFIED UNACCEPTABLE BECAUSE OF 1 ‘ LI । I’ION THERE AND THE EPD HAD ADVISED THAT IT WAS UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING.
MEANWHILE, WARNING SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED AT ROCKY BAY BEACH W,,! 11 1 s N()T A POPULAR BEACH AS IT ESSENTIALLY SERVES AS AN OVER-SPILL FOR SHEK O BEACH.
SWIMMERS ARE ADVISED NOT TO SWIM AT ROCKY BAY BEACH BUT TO GO TO 1111- OTHER GAZETTED BEACHES MANAGED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL.
AT TODAY’S MEETING, THE SELECT COMMITTEE WAS TOLD THAT THE MAJOR CAUSE OF THE STEADY DECLINE IN WATER QUALITY AT SOME URBAN < OUN('I I. GAZETTED BEACHES IN RECENT YEARS WAS THE RAPID GROWTH IN POPULATION ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF HONG KONG ISLAND.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS EXPRESSED GRAVE CONCERN THAT THIS POPULATION GROWTH HAD NOT BEEN MAT('HEI) BY PROVISION OF ADEQUATE SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITIES BY THE GOVERNMENT.
THE COMMITTEE FELT THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ADDRESS ITSELF TO THIS BASIC PROBLEM AND FIND SUITABLE SOLUTIONS.
IT WAS DECIDED TO PASS THE CONCERN AS EXPRESSED BY THE COMMITTEE TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR ITS CONS J DERATION AND DISCUSSION.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988
KWAI TSING DMC’S REPORT ON CONTAINER TRADE COMPLETED *****
A WORKING GROUP OE THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE HAS COMPLETED A REPORT ON THE SHORT-TERM POSITION OF THE OFF-TERMINAL CONTAINER TRADE IN THE DISTRICT, MEMBERS OF THE DMC WERE INFORMED AT A RECENT MEETING BY THE COMMITTEE’S CHAIRMAN AND KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BRIAN COAK.
THE REPORT’S FINDINGS CONFIRMED THE REMARKABLE AND RAPID GROWTH IN THE THROUGHPUT OF CONTAINERS AND THE UNPRECEDENTED INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF TRACTORS AND TRAILERS OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS.
MR COAK SAID IT WAS A CREDIT TO THE TRADE AND ALL PEOPLE CONCERNED THAT HONG KONG HAD MANAGED TO GO, WITHOUT ANY MAJOR HICCUPS, FROM THE WORLD’S THIRD BUSIEST CONTAINER PORT IN 1986 TO THE BUSIEST IN 1987, DESPITE MUCH PRESSURE ON THE TRADE.
THIS DEMONSTRATED ONCE AGAIN THE TERRITORY’S FLEXIBILITY, HE SAID.
MR COAK SAID CONSULTANTS HAD BEEN APPOINTED TO CONSIDER THE LONGER TERM NEEDS OF THE CONTAINER TRADE. THIS WOULD BE DONE UNDER THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY STUDY BEING MANAGED BY THE STRATEGIC PLANNING UNIT OF THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH.
AS FOR THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE’S WORKING GROUP, ITS NEXT S'l’EP WOULD BE I’O DISC’USS ITS FINDINGS W 1'1’11 THE CONTAINER TRADE. THIS WOULD BE DONE SHORTLY, MR COAK ADDED.
-------0-----------
A E
SHAM SHU1 PO SUPPORTS COMMUNITY CHEST *****
THE SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT’S "ORGANISING COMMITTEE FOR COMMUNITY CHEST CAMPAIGN" HAS RAISED OVER HALF A MILLION DOLLARS IN THE PAST YEAR THROUGH VARIOUS FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES.
THE COMMITTEE’S CHAIRMAN, MR LAM CHING, PRESENTED A CHEQUE FOR $602,071 TO A COMMUNITY CHEST REPRESENTATIVE AT A CEREMONY TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY).
THE VARIOUS FUND-RAISING PROJECTS HELD INCLUDED CHARITY SALES AND BAZAARS, A SPECIAL LANTERNS SALE DURING THE SPRING LANTERN FESTIVAL AND THE POPULAR "WALK FOR MILLION" WHICH RAISED MORE THAN 30 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL PROCEEDS.
K
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/55........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988
- 55 -
MONG KOK DB TO ELECT CHAIRMAN ♦ * » » »
MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL ELECT A CHAIRMAN FOR THE NEW TERM AT THEIR MEETING TO BE HELD AT THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THERE ARE TWO CANDIDATES - MR CHOW CHUN-FAI, WHO IS SECOND TERM AS CHAIRMAN, AND WONG YUEN-WEI.
SEEKING A
THE BOARD WILL ALSO ELECT NEW CHAIRMEN OF ITS COMMUNITY BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEES.
MEMBERS WILL BE INVITED TO APPROVE A BUDGET FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN 1988-89.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD.
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SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD TO MEET TOMORROW » ♦ ♦ * t
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD ITS FIRST MEETING FOR THE 1988-91 TERM TOMORROW (THURSDAY), DURING WHICH THE BOARD CHAIRMAN WILL BE ELECTED.
AFTER THE ELECTION, THE MEETING WILL DISCUSES THE TERMS OF REFERENCE, STANDING ORDERS AND SCHEDULE OF DB MEETINGS AS WELL AS FORMATION OF COMMITTEES UNDER THE BOARD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY), BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM AT THE BOARD’S CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN CENTRE, 7-11 NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN.
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/56........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988
- 56 -
BEST YOUTH COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS ON DISPLAY *****
OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS, ALL WINNING DISTRICT ENTRIES UNDER THE "OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME 1987-88" ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT THE NEW WORLD PLAZA, TSIM SHA TSUI, ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY (APRIL 23 AND 24).
UNDER THE SCHEME, YOUTH GROUPS ARE ALLOCATED SUBSIDIES TO ENABLE THEM TO IMPLEMENT INNOVATIVE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS.
THROUGH THIS PROCESS, THEY CAN BROADEN THEIR SCOPE OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE, ACHIEVE A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING ABOUT PEOPLE AND THE COMMUNITY, AND ATTAIN SATISFACTION IN PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.
THE ENTRIES WERE IN TWO CATEGORIES.
ONE FOCUSSED ON THE PROMOTION OF THE MOTTO OF THE . SCHEME -"ACTUALISE YOUR IDEALS, SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY".
THE OTHER, CO-SPONSORED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND THE 19 DISTRICT BOARDS, INCLUDED PROJECTS ORGANISED IN RESPONSE TO THE "INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS", AS 1987 WAS DESIGNATED AS SUCH BY THE UNITED NATIONS.
THE MOST OUTSTANDING PROJECT FROM EACH CATEGORY WILL BE PRESENTED WITH THE HONG KONG BEST AWARD AT A CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT THE EXHIBITION SITE AT 2.30 PM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 23).
THE OFFICIATING GUEST WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, MRS ROSANNA TAM.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN FROM 3 PM TO 6 PM ON SATURDAY AND FROM 10 AM TO 6 PM ON SUNDAY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AND EXHIBITION OF THE 1987-88 HONG KONG BEST AWARD OF THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME TO BE HELD AT THE NEW WORLD PLAZA, 20 SALISBURY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, AT 2.30 PM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 23).
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/37........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988
- 37 -
ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS FACE DEMOLITION
* * « « »
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING THE CLOSURE OF THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ON THE ROOF OF THE FOURTH FLOOR OF 248 TUNG CHAU STREET, KOWLOON, SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS OR TO THE PUBLIC.
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF THE EXERCISE TO ENFORCE AN ORDER ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE IN MAY 1985 REQUIRING THE DEMOLITION OF THE SAID UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS.
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER IN THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 AM ON JUNE 22 WAS POSTED ON THE TWO-STOREY STRUCTURE TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DEMOLITION WORK WILL START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS MADE.
-------O----------
GOVERNMENT LANDS TO LET BY TENDER
» » » «
FIVE PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND ARE BEING OFFERED TO LET BY TENDER BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
TWO OF THEM ARE OFF PO LAM ROAD IN SAU MAU PING.
MEASURING ABOUT 6,000 AND 7,000 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY, THE SITES ARE FOR STORAGE OF NON-DANGEROUS GOODS INCLUDING TENANT’S EHICLES, REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLES AND BUILDER’S YARD.
TENANCIES FOR THE SITES ARE FOR ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE THIRD SITE IS AT AREA 30 IN THE KWAI CHUNG CREEK RECLAMATION IN KWAI CHUNG.
MEASURING ABOUT 2.64 HECTARES, THE SITE IS FOR A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC CARPARK FOR PARKING OF CONTAINER TRACTORS AND TRAILERS.
TENANCY FOR THIS SITE IS FOR THREE YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE FOURTH SITE, WITH MARINE ACCESS, IS FOR OPEN STORAGE PURPOSES.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 22,840 SQUARE METRES, IT IS LOCATED IN AREA 38 IN TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.
/Tenancy for
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988
- 38 -
TENANCY FOR THIS SITE IS FOR ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE LAST SITE IS IN FUK LO TSUEN IN LAU FAU SHAN, YUEN LONG.
IT MEASURES ABOUT 69 SQUARE METRES AND CAN ONLY BE USED FOR STORAGE OF THE TENANT’S GOODS AND/OR EQUIPMENT.
TENANCY FOR THIS SITE IS FOR ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
TENDER FORMS, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS ARE AVAILABLE AND TENDER PLANS CAN BE INSPECTED AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD; THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON; AND THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON MAY 6.
-------0----------
RESTRICTED ZONES IN WAN CHAI NORTH AND WESTERN DISTRICT « * » « «
TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN WAN CHAI NORTH WILL BE DESIGNATED 7 AM TO
7 PM DAILY RESTRICTED ZONES FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 23).
THEY ARE HUNG HING ROAD EASTBOUND BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH
TONNOCHY ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 325 METRES EAST OF THAT JUNCTION, AND
HUNG HING ROAD WESTBOUND BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH TONNOCHY ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 200 METRES EAST OF THAT JUNCTION.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS IN WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BE DESIGNATED 24-HOUR DAILY RESTRICTED ZONES FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH FOR ROADWORKS:
» THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST FROM A POINT ABOUT 70 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH WATER STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
t A 10-METRE STRETCH ALONG WATER STREET SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
- - 0 - -
/59
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1988
- 59 -
HEAVY VEHICLE BAN IN WAN CHAI ♦ ♦ * » »
NO VEHICLE EXCEEDING FOUR TONNES GROSS WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER CROSS STREET IN WAN CHAI BETWEEN TAI YUEN STREET AND WAN CHAI ROAD FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 23).
THIS MEASURE WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS TO FACILITATE ROADWORKS.
0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING: PRAISE FOR BALANCED BUDGET ................................ 1
BUDGET GIVES POPULATION THEIR SHARE OF HK'S SUCCESS..... 3
LACK OF ACTION IN IMPROVING QUALITY OF EDUCATION ....... 5
INDIRECT TAX STABLE SOURCE OF REVENUE................... 7
EDUCATION, TECHNOLOGY VITAL INGREDIENTS FOR FUTURE ..... 9
FS COULD BE MORE GENEROUS .............................. 12
AVOID UNREALISTICALLY CONSERVATIVE REVENUE ESTIMATES ... 17
WAYS TO IMPROVE MEDICAL SERVICES SUGGESTED ............. 19
SCOPE FOR MEDICAL CARE AT NEIGHBOURHOOD LEVEL........... 20
•S10 BILLION SURPLUS NOT A GIFT BUT A DEPRIVATION' ..... 22
FAIR SHARE FOR SOCIAL WELFARE........................... 25
CHANGES IN TAXATION MUST MEET STATED OBJECTIVES......... 28
MORE DETAILS NEEDED ON HOSPITAL AUTHORITY .............. 30
FILM CENSORSHIP BILL DESIGNED TO REDUCE CENSORSHIP........ 32
SELF-REGULATION OF INSURANCE INDUSTRY FAVOURED ........... 33
COUNSELLOR FOR BRITISH JLG OFFICE IN HK................... 3^
DONATIONS TO SAF NOW TAX-DEDUCTIBLE....................... 35
SAI KUNG DB TO DISCUSS HANG HAU TOWN CLEARANCE............ 35
SHAM SHUI PO DB MEETING .................................. 56
PRAISE FOR PO LEUNG KUK'S SERVICES ....................... 37
INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF SHAM SHUI PO AREA COMMITTEES..... 38
END OF ERA FOR AUXILIARY MARINE POLICE.................... 38
LONG-SERVING POLICE OFFICERS HONOURED .................... **0
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
1
PRAISE FOR BALANCED BUDGET * * * *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WAS PRAISED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) FOR PRODUCING A BALANCED BUDGET FOR HONG KONG, WHICH WAS DESCRIBED AS ONE OF THE VERY FEW PLACES IN THE WORLD WHERE A GOVERNMENT COULD CUT TAXES WHILE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVING VARIOUS SERVICES.
SPEAKING ON THE SECOND DAY OF THE BUDGET DEBATE, PROF THE HON POON CHUNG-KWONG ALSO CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO GIVE SUFFICIENT FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SO THAT THE COMMITTEE COULD IMPLEMENT ITS RECOMMENDATIONS.
HE SAID THAT THE COMMITTEE, OF WHICH HE WAS CHAIRMAN, WOULD HOLD A ’’BRAINSTORMING” SESSION LATER THIS MONTH TO IDENTIFY AREAS WHICH SHOULD BE EXAMINED WITH SOME PRIORITY.
’’THE RESULTS OF THE BRAINSTORMING EXERCISE MAY TAKE THE FORM OF AN IDENTIFIED NEED FOR DETAILED STUDIES INTO CERTAIN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ISSUES, OR AN IDENTIFIED NEED FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO AN EXISTING SITUATION, OR AN IDENTIFIED NEED FOR SEEKING A SOLUTION TO A PROBLEM, OR A COMBINATION OF THESE," HE SAID.
"IT IS OBVIOUS SOME FINANCIAL RESOURCES WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOW-UP WORK ARISING FROM THESE IDENTIFIED NEEDS."
ON INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, PROF POON WELCOMED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S PROPOSAL TO REDUCE THE RATE OF TAX ON CORPORATE PROFITS FROM 18 PER CENT TO 17 PER CENT, SAYING THAT THIS WOULD HELP ENCOURAGE INVESTMENT.
HOWEVER, HE WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT NO PLANS HAD BEEN MADE TO INCREASE THE CAPITAL ALLOWANCE FOR EXPENDITURE INCURRED ON PROCUREMENT OF PLANT AND MACHINERY.
HE STRESSED THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT INDUSTRY SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO INVEST MORE ON NEW TECHNOLOGY IN ORDER TO IMPROVE BOTH THE QUANTITY AND THE QUALITY OF PRODUCTION.
POINTING OUT THAT A HIGHER LEVEL OF CAPITAL ALLOWANCE WOULD DEFINITELY STIMULATE MORE INVESTMENT IN NEW PRODUCTION TOOLS, ESPECIALLY IN THE CASE OF SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZE INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS, PROF POON STRONGLY URGED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO CONSIDER AN INCREASE IN THE CAPITAL ALLOWANCE.
HE FURTHER SUGGESTED THAT THE INCREASE SHOULD BE A SUFFICIENTLY LARGE ONE IN ORDER TO PRODUCE THE DESIRED EFFECT.
/PROF POON .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
2 -
PROF POON WARNED THAT HONG KONG MUST NOT BE COMPLACENT OVER THE REPORTED 26.8 PER CENT GROWTH IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN 1987, AS THERE HAD BEEN A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF PROCESSING WORK DONE IN CHINA AND, CONSEQUENTLY, THE REAL MONETARY BENEFIT TO HONG KONG ARISING FROM EXPORTS HAD BEEN DIMINISHED.
SAYING THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD A RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE AND FAVOURABLE CONDITIONS TO HELP INDUSTRY TO ADOPT HIGH TECHNOLOGY, PROF POON URGED THAT MORE BE DONE IN ENCOURAGING THE USE OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY.
HE SAID MANY COUNTRIES HAD ADOPTED COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN AND COMPUTER AIDED MANUFACTURI NG TECHNIQUES.
"THEY HAVE FOUND THAT NOT ONLY THE SPEED OF THEIR PRODUCTION HAS INCREASED DRAMATICALLY, AND THE COST OF PRODUCTION HAS DECREASED, BUT THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO PRODUCE HIGH-QUALITY, PRECISION PRODUCTS THAT MEET THE PRESENT DAY DEMAND OF THEIR COMMUNITIES," HE SAID.
HE ALSO CALLED FOR GOVERNMENT SUPPORT IN ESTABLISHING "SCIENCE PARKS" AND "TECHNOLOGY CENTRES".
HE SAID BY INTEGRATING INDUSTRIAL OPERATORS, ENTREPRENEURS, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTIONS AND ACADEMICS TOGETHER IN A "SCIENCE PARK" OR "TECHNOLOGY CENTRE", THERE WOULD BE A MORE READY TRANSFER OF NEW TECHNOLOGY FROM THE LABORATORY TO THE FACTORY.
THIS WOULD ENCOURAGE MORE PRODUCT INNOVATION AND FACILITATE TH! COMMERCIAL APPLICATION OF NEW IDEAS.
PROF POON THOUGHT THAT INITIALLY HONG KONG COULD START WITH A MULTI-STOREY BUILDING "TECHNOLOGY CENTRE" RATHER THAN A LAND , ITENS1VE "SCIENCE PARK", AND UTILISE THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EXPERTISE IN TERTIARY EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS.
ON THE ENVIRONMENT, PROF POON WAS PLEASED THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSED TO ALLOCATE REMARKABLY LARGE SUMS OF MONEY TO COMBAT ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION.
HE NOTED THAT MANY USEFUL TECHNIQUES AND FACILITIES HAD BEEN DEVELOPED IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES TO MINIMISE THE LEVEL OF POLLUTANTS AT SOURCE, AND SOME OF THESE MIGHT BE APPLICABLE TO HONG KONG.
0
Z5........
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
- 5 -
BUDGET GIVES POPULATION THEIR SHARE OF HK ’ S SUCCESS *****
THE BUDGET HAS COMBINED CAUTION WITH AN EFFORT TO ALLOW THE POPULATION AT LARGE TO ENJOY THEIR SHARE OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC SUCCESS AND THE VERY MUCH LARGER THAN ORIGINALLY PREDICTED FISCAL SURPLUS, DR THE HON HELMUT SOHMEN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
DR SOHMEN WAS SPEAKING DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE SAID REDUCTIONS IN DIRECT TAXES, INCREASE IN TAX ALLOWANCES, CUT IN STAMP DUTY TO ENCOURAGE HOME OWNERSHIP, AND INCREASES IN SOCIAL SERVICES SPENDING ALL POINTED TO A BUDGET THAT ATTEMPTED TO ALLOW THE POPULATION TO ENJOY THEIR SHARE OF HONG KONG’S SUCCESS.
TURNING TO THE POSSIBILITY OF WIDENING THE TAX BASE, DR SOHMEN SAID HE WAS PLEASED THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD SHOWN BOTH THE COURAGE TO PURSUE HIS VISION, DESPITE THE NEGATIVE COMMENTS ON THIS SUBJECT, AND THE PATIENCE NOT TO RUSH INTO WHAT WAS ALWAYS PRONE TO BE A POLITICAL MINEFIELD.
DR SOHMEN SAID THAT BECAUSE OUR CURRENT TAX BASE WAS SO NARROW, WE WERE MORE VULNERABLE TO POSSIBLE ADVERSE FACTORS.
HE THEREFORE HOPED THAT BOTH LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND Till- PUBLIC AT LARGE WOULD SUPPORT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S CONTINUED If. EST 1 GAT I ON INTO A SCHEME FOR A BROADENED TAX BASE THAT WOULD ACHIEVE THE STATED OBJECTIVES.
ON THE TIGHT LABOUR MARKET SITUATION, DR SOHMEN SAID THIS WAS A HEADACHE THROUGHOUT THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
"IT HAS POTENTIALLY VERY WORRYING LONGER-TERM CONSEQUENCES FOR HONG KONG’S REPUTATION AS A SUITABLE SERVICE CENTRE AND BASE LOCATION IN THE REGION, FOR OUR COMPETITIVE TRADING POSITION, AND EVEN FOR THE QUALITY OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES," HE SAID.
DR SOHMEN NOTED THAI' THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE SO FAR TO THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN ONE OF "HEAD IN SAND".
THE GOVERNMENT ARGUED THAT PRODUCTIVITY INCREASES, RELOCATION OF MANUFACTUR1 NG ESTABLISHMENTS ACROSS THE BORDER, MORE TRAINING, ADDITIONAL CAPITAL INVESTMENT, LARGER FEMALE PARTICIPATION IN THE WORKFORCE, THE ATTRACTIONS OF HIGHER WAGES, AND THE EXPECTED SLOWDOWN IN ECONOMIC GROWTH WOULD EASILY TAKE CARE OF MATTERS, HE SAID.
"HUT THESE REMEDIES TAKE TIME, EVEN ACCEPTING THEY ARE READILY APPLICABLE, AND THEY ALSO COST MONEY AND THUS INCREASE THE COSTS OF PRODUCTION," HE SAID.
/DR SOHMEN .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
DR SOHMEN SAID THAT WHILE THERE WAS A SERIOUS LABOUR SHORTAGE, HONG KONG IN THE MEANTIME KEPT ABOUT 10,000 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN CLOSED CENTRES AT A COST OF $1 BILLION OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS. AND HONG KONG REFUSED THE SELECTIVE IMPORTATION OF FOREIGN LABOUR BECAUSE OF FEARS OF SOCIAL CONSEQUENCE.
"THE ADMINISTRATION IS STILL NOT KEEN ON A MORE WIDESPREAD INTERCHANGE OF PERSONNEL BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO CREATE MORE FLEXIBILITY, SUCH AS I HAVE REPEATEDLY RECOMMENDED," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT INSTEAD OF SHOWING IRRITATION AT THE RISING BUT NOT SURPRISING INCLINATION OF CIVIL SERVANTS TO CONSIDER FILLING THE MANY VACANCIES IN THE COMMERCIAL ARENA, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE A VIRTUE OUT OF THE NECESSITY TO ATTRACT LOCAL EXPERTISE INTO THE CIVIL SERVICE, AT LEAST FOR TEMPORARY PERIODS.
THIS MIGHT ALSO HELP TO OVERCOME THE INCREASING INCIDENCE OF "GOVERNMENT BY CONSULTANCY" WHICH HONG KONG WAS NOW WITNESSING AND WHICH WAS ALSO QUITE EXPENSIVE, HE SAID.
DR SOHMEN ALSO QUERIED WHY PRACTICALLY ALL MAJOR POLICY DECISIONS NOW HAI) TO BE PRECEDED BY OUTSIDE CONSULTANCY STUDIES.
REFERRING TO THE PROBLEM WHICH THE U.S. TAX REFORM ACT 1986 POSED FOR HONG KONG-BASED SHIPOWNERS, DR SOHMEN SAID THE TECHNICAL QUESTION WAS WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WAS WILLING TO EXCHANGE A RELATIVELY INSIGNIFICANT SOURCE OF REVENUE FROM THE TAX ON U.S. SHIPS LOADING IN HONG KONG HARBOUR, AGAINST AN AMERICAN EXEMPTION FOR FREIGHT TAXES ON HONG KONG-REGISTERED AND/OR HONG KONG-BENEFIC1ALLY OWNED VESSELS TRADING TO U.S. PORTS.
THE MORE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION WAS WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WAS WILLING TO CONSIDER THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY AS ONE DIFFERENT ENOUGH TO MAKE CERTAIN ALLOWANCES WHICH RECOGNISED ITS INTERNATIONAL CHARACTER AND MOBILITY, AS WELL AS THE ECONOMIC AND FISCAL CONTRIBUTION A STRONG SHIPPING ESTABLISHMENT AT LEAST INDIRECTLY MADE TO HONG KONG.
HE SAID THAT IF THE ANSWER TO THESE QUESTIONS TURNED OUT TO BE IN THE NEGATIVE, HE BELIEVED THAT ANY ENTHUSIASM NOT ONLY FOR THE HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER BUT FOR THE TERRITORY AS A PLACE OF OPERATIONS FOR SHIPOWNING AND SHIP MANAGEMENT WOULD QUICKLY DISSIPATE.
"1 CAN ONLY STRONGLY URGE THE GOVERNMENT YET AGAIN TO WEIGH ALL FACTORS IN THE BALANCE AND EITHER SEEK AN ACCOMMODATION WITH THE AMERICANS, OR TO TAKE THE UNILATERAL ACTION OPEN TO IT BY REMOVING THE TAX ON FOREIGN SHIPS IN THE PORT HERE WHICH WOULD ACHIEVE THE SAME RESULT WITHOUT THE NEED FOR THE FEARED COMPLICATIONS OF A TAX AGREEMENT," HE SAID.
ON AIR SERVICES, DR SOHMEN SAID HE BELIEVED THAT THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DELAYS IN THE PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION OF A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT WOULD BE HELD TO TASK AT THE LATEST BY 1993 WHEN RUNWAY CAPACITY LIMITS WOULD BE REACHED AT KAI TAK.
/"LIKE THE .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
- 5
"LIKE THE CURRENTLY APPLIED SO-CALLED HONG KONG AVIATION POLICY OF ONE AIRLINE PER ROUTE, THIS MISCALCULATION AS TO THE FUTURE GROWTH OF AIR SERVICES, AND THE ARBITRARY AND UNWARRANTED CURTAILMENT OF DOMESTIC COMPETITION, DESPITE THE MANDATE OF EXISTING LEGISLATION, ALL PREVIOUS PRECEDENT AND THE RAPIDLY CHANGING INTERNATIONAL SCENE, WILL PROBABLY COST HONG KONG DEARLY IN MISSED OPPORTUNITIES IN THE YEARS TO COME," HE SAID.
ON THE BUDGET PROPOSAL TO INCREASE THE BANK AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES LICENCE FEES BY EIGHT PER CENT, DR SOHMEN SAID THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD OFFERED NO JUSTIFICATION AT ALL FOR THE NEED TO IMPOSE THESE HIGHER FEES.
DR SOHMEN ALSO QUERIED WHY, CONTRARY TO THE PRACTICE SINCE THE TIME OF THE PASSAGE OF THE HOTEL ACCOMMODATION TAX BILL IN 1965 UNTIL LAST YEAR, WHEN THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION RECEIVED THE RECEIPTS FROM THE SPECIAL LEVY ON HOTEL ACCOMMODATION, IT WOULD IN FUTURE ONLY BE GIVEN AN AMOUNT DEEMED REQUIRED FOR ITS ACTIVITIES AND ONLY AFTER THE GOVERNMENT HAD VETTED AND APPROVED ITS BUDGET.
HE NOTED THAT THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF THE 1965 BILL WAS TO RAISE THE FUNDS REQUIRED BY THE HKTA BY A SPECIAL TAX RAISED THROUGH THE HOTEL INDUSTRY. NOW IF THE LEVY TODAY RAISED GENERATED MORE REVENUE THAN THE HKTA REQUIRED, SHOULD NOT THE SOLUTION BE A REDUCTION IN THE TAX? HE ASKED.
TURNING TO ARTS, DR SOHMEN BELIEVED THAT AS A COMMUNITY HONG KONG SHOULD BE WELL ABLE TO AFFORD AT LEAST A PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA, A CHAMBER MUSIC ENSEMBLE, AND ONE OR MORE PROFESSIONAL DANCE COMPANIES WHICH HAD A FIRM BASIS OF PUBLIC SUBVENTION, TO AVOID LETTING THEM SKIRT THE EDGE OF BANKRUPTCY YEAR AFTER YEAR.
-------0 ---------
LACK OF ACTION IN IMPROVING QUALITY OF EDUCATION
« * t » t
. THE GOVERNMENT WAS ACCUSED OF DRAGGING ITS FEET IN UPGRADING THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS BY THE HON SELINA CHOW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE, MRS CHOW SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD SIDE-STEPPED A NUMBER OF MEASURES NECESSARY FOR BRINGING ABOUT A DISTINCT IMPROVEMENT.
THESE MEASURES INCLUDED THE POLICY OF WHOLE-DAY SCHOOL AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS FROM WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO BUY FORM 1 - 3 PLACES.
/MRS CHOW
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
6
MRS CHOW SAID THAT LITTLE PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE SINCE 1981 WHEN THE THEN SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION ASSURED THE COUNCIL THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ADOPTED WHOLE-DAY SCHOOL AS POLICY.
SEVEN YEARS HAD PASSED, BUT THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS WERE STILL Bl-SESSIONAL AND CONVERSIONS HAD ONLY TAKEN PLACE WHEN SPARE CAPACITY IN SCHOOLS HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED.
TO MRS CHOW, THE FACT THAT ONLY 0.3 PER CENT OF THE EDUCATION PROVISION THIS YEAR WAS EARMARKED FOR THIS PURPOSE REFLECTED A LACK OF ENTHUSIASM AND WILL FOR THE POLICY.
"THE TIME HAS COME FOR MORE POSITIVE ACTION TO BE TAKEN IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS VERY WORTHWHILE POLICY, AND I HOPE A TIMETABLE WILL BE DRAWN UP FOR IT VERY SOON," SHE SAID.
ON THE POINT OF IMPROVING PRIVATE SCHOOLS, MRS CHOW SAID THAT SINCE A NUMBER OF NEEDS HAD BEEN ANTICIPATED EARLIER, THE GOVERNMENT COULD HAVE WORKED TOWARDS THE REALISATION OF THESE IMPROVEMENTS THIS YEAR. I
IT COULD HAVE CONSULTED THE EDUCATION COMMISSION ON THE ISSUE AND ASKED THE SCHOOLS THEMSELVES TO MAKE PROPOSALS WELL IN ADVANCE.
TURNING TO TAXATION, MRS CHOW SAID SHE HOPED THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WOULD MAKE A FIRM COMMITMENT TO INTRODUCE SEPARATE TAXATION FOR MARRIED COUPLES IN 1989.
MRS CHOW SPOKE AGAINST THE INTRODUCTION OF A GENERAL SALES TAX.
"AT PRESENT, WE HAVE A RELATIVELY SIMPLE SYSTEM, AND THERE IS NO NEED TO COMPLICATE IT," SHE SAID.
"BUT MORE IMPORTANT, WE ARE FACING A SURPLUS OF MORE THAN $10 BILLION THIS YEAR."
MRS CHOW MAINTAINED THAT HONG KONG DID NOT NEED ANY NEW TAX FOR SOME TIME. ON THE CONTRARY, SHE MENTIONED THREE AREAS WHERE LESS REVENUE SHOULD BE RAISED.
SHE PROPOSED THAT STAMP DUTY SHOULD BE WAIVED FOR ALL HOME PURCHASES UNDER $500,000 TO FURTHER ENCOURAGE HOME OWNERSHIP AND TO ASSIST THE MIDDLE INCOME GROUP.
HOWEVER, SHE SAID THAT SAFEGUARDS HAD TO BE BUILT IN TO ENSURE THAT CONCESSIONS WERE ONLY EXTENDED TO HOME PURCHASES AND NOT SPECULATIVE ACTIVITIES.
MRS CHOW ALSO OBJECTED TO THE IMPOSITION OF TAX ON SOFT DRINKS AND BEVERAGE, AND ADVOCATED A REDUCTION IN THE AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX TO BRING ITS LEVEL INTO LINE WITH OTHER AIRPORTS IN THE REGION.
-----0 ---------
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
- 7 -
INDIRECT TAX STABLE SOURCE OF REVENUE *****
INDIRECT TAX IS A RELATIVELY STABLE SOURCE OF REVENUE WHICH WILL BE LESS VULNERABLE TO THE UPS AND DOWNS OF THE ECONOMY BECAUSE IT IS A LEVY ON THE BASIS OF CONSUMPTION AND NOT ON THE AMOUNT OF PROFITS MADE, AND IT IS ALSO A MORE EQUITABLE FORM OF TAX.
THE HON YEUNG PO-KWAN SAID THIS DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) WHEN SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE PRINCIPLE OF BROADENING THE BASE FOR INDIRECT TAX.
MR YEUNG SAID THE INCREASE OF INDIRECT TAX COULD HAVE OTHER POSITIVE EFFECTS SUCH AS PROMOTING THE SPIRIT OF FRUGALITY, REDUCING AN OVERHEATED DOMESTIC ECONOMY AND PRE-EMPTING DIFFICULTIES THAT MIGHT ARISE WHEN ECONOMIC’ DEVELOPMENT SLACKENED.
HE DESCRIBED THE BUDGET AS ONE THAT HAD TAKEN CARE, OF THE INTEREST OF EVERY SECTOR IN THE COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY THOSE IN THE MIDDLE INCOME GROUP.
THE CONCESSION ON STAMP DUTY WOULD DEFINITELY BOOST THE INTEREST OF PROPERTY BUYERS, AND ENCOURAGE PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE INCOME GROUP TO BUY HOMES.
"IT WILL NO DOUBT GIVE OUR PROPERTY MARKET ’A SHOT IN THE ARM' AND ACT AS A STIMULUS TO THE DEMAND IN PROPERTIES. HENCE, IT IS NEGATIVE EVIDENCE THAT OUR ECONOMY WILL SLOW DOWN NEXT YEAR," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, HE CRITICISED THE BUDGET FOR PROVIDING VERY FEW INCENTIVES TO NEW INVESTMENT AND FOR DOING LITTLE TO ACCELERATE THE PACE OF BOTH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS INVESTMENT.
MR YEUNG BELIEVED THAI’ ADDITIONAL ALLOWANCES FOR WORKING WIVES WOULD ENCOURAGE MORE WOMEN TO WORK, WHICH WOULD IN TURN HELP ALLEVIATE THE LABOUR SHORTAGE PROBLEM AND MAINTAIN THE PRINCIPLE OF EQUITY IN TAXATION.
A MORE "VIGOROUS" APPROACH SHOULD BE ADOPTED IN THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ON PROFITS TAX, HE SAID.
"AS OUR
WILL BE MORE
ASSISTANCE FOR
PROFITS TAX HAS ALWAYS REMAINED
REALISTIC IF THE GOVERNMENT THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMERCE AND
AT ,A LOW LEVEL, IT WOULD PROVIDE FURTHER INDUSTRY," HE SAID.
TURNING TO LAW AND ORDER, MR YEUNG REMINDED THE GOVERNMENT THAT SINCE THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE WOULD GRADUALLY TAKE OVER THE DUTIES OF THE BRITISH GARRISON IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, IT HAD TO STRENGTHEN ITS ABILITY IN MAINTAINING SECURITY AND IN MEETING SUBSEQUENT ANNUAL INCREASES IN EXPENDITURE ON SECURITY.
/HE SUGGESTED ........
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
8
HE SUGGESTED THAT HONG KONG’S COMMITMENT TO THE DEFENCE COSTS SHOULD BE REDUCED IN ORDER TO MAKE UP FOR THE INCREASE IN EXPENDITURE ON THE POLICE FORCE.
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ALSO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER AN APPROPRIATE ADJUSTMENT IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY POLICE FORCE AND A RISE IN THEIR DAILY DUTY HOURS SO THAT THE AUXILIARY FORCE COULD EFFECTIVELY PROVIDE THE REGULAR FORCE WITH MAXIMUM ASSISTANCE.
ON THE QUESTION OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES, MR YEUNG SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER GIVING MORE VOCATIONAL TRAINING TO INMATES IN THE REFUGEES CENTRES SO THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WOULD NOT FEEL THAT THE MONEY SPENT ON THE REFUGEES WAS WASTED.
"THIS WILL NOT ONLY PROVIDE THEM WITH A SKILL TO MAKE A LIVING, BUT ALSO KEEP THEM OCCUPIED. IT WILL ALSO BE BENEFICIAL TO HONG KONG AS THE 1,000 ADULT REFUGEES IN THE CENTRES MAY BECOME AN ADDITIONAL WORKFORCE FOR HONG KONG IN DUE COURSE," HE SAID.
ON EDUCATION, MR YEUNG CONSIDERED IT NECESSARY FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO STRENGTHEN AND PROMOTE COMPUTER EDUCATION IN bRDER TO KEEP UP WITH PRESENT TRENDS.
HE SAID THAT BEFORE COMPUTER EDUCATION WAS EXPANDED, A SUFFICIENT SUPPLY OF WELL TRAINED TEACHERS MUST BE MADE AVAILABLE.
IN THE LONG TERM, COMPUTER EDUCATION SHOULD BE EXTENDED FROM FORM 1 TO THE MATRICULATION LEVEL.
HE ALSO CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER EXTENDING THE DURATION, AND INCREASING THE CHANCES, OF TRAINING FOR TEACHERS IN COMPUTER EDUCATION, AND ATTRACTING UNIVERSITY GRADUATES IN COMPUTER STUDIES TO THE TEACHING PROFESSION.
ON THE QUALITY OF LANGUAGE TEACHERS, MR YEUNG SAID THAT IN ORDER TO RAISE THE STANDARD OF CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHING IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS, THE HEAVY WORKLOAD OF THE CHINESE LANGUAGE TEACHERS MUST BE ALLEVIATED SO THAT THEY COULD AFFORD THE SPARE TIME TO ATTEND TRAINING COURSES OR SEMINARS.
"AS THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISES THAT OUR SOCIETY MUST DEVELOP A YOUNGER GENERATION PROFICIENT IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, IT SHOULD TYKE UP THE RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE EFFECTIVE USE OF THE BUDGET SURPLUS AND PROVIDE FUNDS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE CONSTRUCTIVE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE EDUCATION COMMISSION," HE SAID.
MR YEUNG WAS REFERRING TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE EDUCATION COMMISSION IN THE NO. 1 AND 2 REPORTS IN OCTOBER 1984 AND AUGUST 1986 RESPECTIVELY.
TURNING TO MED I (’AL SERVICES, MR YEUNG SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT COULD CONSIDER INCREASING THE NUMBER OF POSTS FOR CONSULTANTS, IMPROVING THE TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT, AND PROVIDING BETTER. OPPORTUNITY FOR FURTHER TRAINING AND RESEARCH.
/IT COULD .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
- 9 -
I
IT COULD ALSO ALLOW FOR MORE FLEXIBLE CONDITIONS OF SERVICE IN ORDER TO EASE THE PROBLEM OF DOCTOR SHORTAGE.
I r
”IN THE LONG TERM, TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF MANPOWER SHORTAGE AS A RESULT OF BRAIN DRAIN, WE CANNOT SIMPLY RELY ON THE LAUNCHING OF RECRUITMENT EXERCISES.
"IT IS MOST IMPORTANT THAT WE SHOULD LET THE MEDICAL AND CARE PROFESSIONALS HAVE A CLEAR PICTURE OF THE OPERATION OF THE FUTURE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, AND ENABLE THEM TO HAVE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT IN THEIR CAREERS AND PROFESSION," HE SAID.
REGARDING SEPARATE TAXATION FOR MARRIED COUPLES, MR YEUNG URGED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO MAKE A FIRM COMMITMENT CONCERNING THE POSSIBILITY OF INTRODUCING THE NEW MEASURE IN 1990 OR 1991 SO AS TO PUT THE PUBLIC AT EASE.
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EDUCATION, TECHNOLOGY VITAL * » » ♦
INGREDIENTS FOR FUTURE » ♦
HONG KONG PEOPLE SHOULD LOOK FORWARD TO THE FUTURE, ADDRESS THEMSELVES TO WAYS OF MAINTAINING AND STRENGTHENING THE TERRITORY’S COMPETITIVENESS AND CORRECT ANY WEAKNESSES, THE HON ALLEN LEE SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE, MR LEE SAID AT A RECENT DINNER HELD IN HONOUR OF MRS CORAZON AQUINO, THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES HAI) REMARKED THAT SHE RANTED TO LEARN FROM HONG KONG AND SEE WHAT MADE HONG KONG SO SUCCESSFUL.
WHEN SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT HONG KONG AND ITS ACHIEVEMENTS, MR LEE SAID, HE COULD NOT STOP THINKING ABOUT THE INGREDIENTS OF ITS PAST SUCCESS.
"WHAT ARE THE AREAS IN WHICH WE MUST PAY ATTENTION AND INVEST IN ORDER TO ENHANCE OUR SUCCESS IN THE FUTURE?" HE SAID.
MR LEE SAID HE BELIEVED EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY WERE TWO TOPICS WHICH WERE DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FUTURE AND FUTURE ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE.
1
"NOT ONLY IS EDUCATION A SOCIAL NECESSITY, IT IS ALSO AN INVESTMENT. AN INVESTMENT WHICH CANNOT BE MEASURED IN MONETARY TERMS BECAUSE THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT IS IN THE FUTURE; WHETHER IT IS THE FUTURE OF A NATION OR A TERRITORY," HE SAID.
/MR LEE ......
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
10
MR LEE SAID IN PROVIDING A GOOD EDUCATION FOR OUR PEOPLE, WE WERE ASSURING OURSELVES OF OUR FUTURE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY.
"TODAY, I WOULD LIKE TO FOCUS PARTICULARLY ON TERTIARY SECTOR EDUCATION AS I BELIEVE THIS IS WHERE WE TRAIN THE PROFESSIONALS, THE MANAGERS AND THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW," HE SAID.
"FOR MANY YEARS, I HAVE BEEN OBSERVING THE PROGRESS THAT WE HAVE MADE IN THE TERTIARY EDUCATION SECTOR."
<>
MR LEE SAID ALTHOUGH HE COMMENDED THE ACHIEVEMENTS MADE IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, HE FELT THAT WE HAD NOT PAID MUCH ATTENTION TO RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, MAINLY BECAUSE IT WAS VERY EXPENSIVE AND HIGH RANKING CIVIL SERVANTS-COULD NOT SEE THE RETURN.
"THIS PHILOSOPHY TN MY VIEW, fs SHORT-SIGHTED AND WILL HURT HONG KONG IN THE LONG TERM," HE SAID.
"WE HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED THE EFFECTS OF LAGGING BEHIND OUR COMPETITORS IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND, IN FACT, WE ARE BEHIND IN EVERY ASPECT OF TECHNOLOGY."
MR LEE SAID HE WELCOMED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND BELIEVED THAT IT WAS THIS TYPE OF COMMITMENT TO HIGHER EDUCATION WHICH WAS THE BEST GUARANTEE OF THE FUTURE.
"I WANT TO STRESS HERE THAT I BELIEVE WE SHOULD TARGET OURSELVES A MUCH HIGHER PERCENTAGE IN POST-GRADUATE STUDIES FOR THIS UNIVERSITY AND SUGGEST THAT WE SHOULD SET THE GOAL AT 50 PER CENT," HE SAID.
TO ACHIEVE THIS, STRONG RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT WAS REQUIRED AND THIS INVESTMENT WOULD BRING HONG KONG TO ANOTHER PLATEAU IN THE FIELD OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
MR LEE SAID THAI' WHILE WE MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THAT A BRAIN DRAIN WAS A FACT AND A PROBLEM FOR HONG KDNG, HE DID NOT BELIEVE THAT ANYONE HAD THE SOLUTION TO STOP IT.
"WHEN WE ARE FACING A MAJOR PROBLEM OF A BRAIN DRAIN, WE MUST SPEED UP THE PROGRAMME OF TRAINING OUR YOUNGER GENERATION TO FILL THE GAP.
"ALTHOUGH I REALISE THAT THERE WILL BE A TIME LAPSE IN THE WHOLE PROCESS OF PERHAPS AS LONG AS 10 YEARS, IF WE HAVE A SOUND PLAN, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN OUR PROSPERITY AND STABILITY WHICH I BELIEVE WE WILL."
IN THE MEANTIME, HE SAID, WE MUST INCREASE THE INTAKE OF OUR CURRENT EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS AND SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASE THEIR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FUNDS.
"WE MUST ENCOURAGE THEM TO DO MORE IN EDUCATING AND TRAINING OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.
/"MY EXPERIENCE........
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
11
"MY EXPERIENCE AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC TELLS ME THAT THERE IS NO LACK OF TALENT IN OUR YOUNG PEOPLE. LET US DEVELOP THEM SO THEY CAN FILL THE GAP AND BECOME LEADERS OF TOMORROW."
MR LEE SAID TECHNOLOGY WENT HAND IN HAND WITH EDUCATION.
"I AM GLAD TO SEE THAT AFTER 10 YEARS OF URGING THE GOVERNMENT TO DO SOMETHING ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAS BEEN SET UP.
"I HOPE TO SEE THE COMMITTEE GET ON WITH ITS WORK OF ADVISING GOVERNMENT ON HOW TO UPGRADE THE TECHNOLOGY BASE OF OUR LOCAL INDUSTRIES.”
MR LEE SAID HONG KONG NOW STOOD ON THE THRESHOLD OF A NEW PHASE OF ECONOMIC EXPANSION, A PHASE IN WHICH THE RATE AND PATTERN WOULD BE INCREASINGLY DEPENDENT ON OUR TECHNICAL CAPABILITY.
HE SAID HE WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT AFTER SUCH A LONG TIME, THE SUBJECT OF A SCIENCE PARK WAS STILL IN THE PRIMITIVE STAGE bF STUDY.
"THIS TYPE OF ATTITUDE IS CERTAINLY CONTRARY TO THE USUAL HONG KONG TRADITION AND I FAIL TO UNDERSTAND WHY.
"PERHAPS IT MAY BE DUE TO A LACK OF EXPERIENCE WITHIN OUR GOVERNMENT OR PERHAPS THERE IS A LACK OF COMMITMENT.
"LET ME SAY IT AGAIN THAT WE ARE LAGGING BEHIND IN TECHNOLOGY AND WE MUST CATCH UP. WE NEED A FIRM COMMITMENT FROM OUR GOVERNMENT."
MR LEE SAID THAT ON THE OTHER HAND, THE QUICKEST WAY TO ACQUIRE TECHNOLOGY WAS THROUGH TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER.
"AGAIN, IN THIS ARENA, WHATEVER GOVERNMENT HAS DONE HAS BEEN ON A VERY LIMITED SCALE.
"IN THE CASE OF OTHER COUNTRIES, AND MORE RECENTLY THAILAND, THEIR GOVERNMENTS HAVE SET UP A BOARD OF INVESTMENT IN ORDER TO PROVIDE CENTRALISED SERVICES FOR FOREIGN INVESTORS AND TO PROMOTE FOREIGN INVESTMENT AND TECHNOLOGY TO INVEST IN THEIR COUNTRY.
"WHAT HAS HONG KONG, AS AN INTERNATIONAL CITY AND A GATEWAY TO AND FROM CHINA, DONE IN THIS RESPECT?" HE ASKED.
MR LEE SAID HE HAD ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT IF WE INVESTED OUR MONEY ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR HUMAN RESOURCES, WE WOULD SUCCEED AND ALL THE REST WOULD FALL INTO PLACE.
"I AM GLAD TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE HAD A SURPLUS OF OVER $10 BILLION LAST YEAR AND OVERALL THE BUDGET PRESENTED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IS A GOOD ONE.
"1 WOULD LIKE TO SEE OUR MONEY SPENT WISELY IN ORDER TO ENSURE A BETTER FUTURE 'OR HONG KONG.”
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/12........
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
12
FS COULD BE MORE GENEROUS
» ♦ * » »
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SHOULD UNDERTAKE TO REVIEW THE POSSIBILITY OF FURTHER TAX CONCESSIONS IF IN 1989 THERE IS NO CLEAR EVIDENCE OF AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN, THE HON RITA FAN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE, MRS FAN SAID ALTHOUGH THE BUDGET HAD BEEN WELCOMED BY MANY AS BALANCED AND REASONABLE AND THAT THE ONE PER CENT UNEXPECTED TAX CUT WAS GOOD NEWS TO MANY TAXPAYERS, SHE BELIEVED THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD BEEN LESS GENEROUS THAN HE COULD AFFORD TO BE.
SHE SAID THE TAX CONCESSIONS WERE EXPECTED TO REDUCE REVENUE FOR 1988-B9 BY $1.31 BILLION, AGAINST A NET ESTIMATED SURPLUS OF $5.5 BlLLTON.
’’THE FINANCIAL SECRI LARY INDICATED IN III S’ BUDGET SPEECH THAT AN AVERAGE OVERALL SURPLUS OF $2.7 BILLION WILL LEAVE A COMFORTABLE MARGIN TO MAINTAIN THE REAL VALUE OF OUR RESERVES AND PROVIDE A CUSHION FOR UNFORSEEN EVINIS.
"WITH AN ESTIMATED SURPLUS OF $5.5 BILLION, WHICH IS TWICE THAT OF Illi' NECESSARY AMOUNT, AND AN EXPECTED SURPLUS Ol $10 BILLION IN 1987-R8, IS THE BUDGET PROPOSAL SUITABLY CAUTIOUS OR IS IT OVER-CONSERVATIVE?
"HAS HIE OPPORTUNITY FOR IMPLEMENTING SOME LONG OVERDUE TAX MFASURIS, SUCH \S TAX EXEMPTION FOR SEVERANCE PAY FOR WORKERS BEEN ALLOWED TO SLIP AWAY BY DEFAULT?”
MRS FAN SAID THAT IE THERE WAS A SERIOUS DOWNTURN IN OUR ECONOMY IN HIE NEAR FUTURE, THIS CAUTIOUS APPROACH MIGHT PROBABLY BE JUSTIFIED.
’’HOWEVER, IF THE PREDICTION IS WRONG, IS IT FAIR FOR THE AFFECTED PARTIES, FOR EXAMPLE THE WORKERS, TO KEEP ON PAYING TAX ON THE COMPENSATION WHICH THEY RECEIVE WHEN THEY LOSE THEIR JOBS?
”1 BELIEVE THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS BEEN LESS GENEROUS THAN HE CAN AFFORD TO BE, SO I WOULD WELCOME AN UNDERTAKING FROM HIM THAT IF IN 1989 THERE IS NO CLEAR EVIDENCE OF AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN, HE WOULD REVIEW THE POSSIBILITY OF GRANTING TAX EXEMPTION FOR SEVERANCE PAY, INCREASE THE ALLOWANCE FOR MACHINERY DEPRECIATION, AND REMOVE THE 10 PER CENT CLAWBACK ON PERSONAL ALLOWANCE.”
MRS FAN SAID SHE WELCOMED THE INTRODUCTION OF A WORKING WIFE ALLOWANCE AS AN INTERIM MEASURE FOR SEPARATE TAXATION.
HOWEVER, SHE BELIEVED THE TIME HAD COME FOR THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO MAKE A FIRM COMMITMENT ON THE DATE FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF SEPARATE TAXATION AND THAT THE DATE SHOULD BE AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.
/’’IN 1970, ..........
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
- 13 -
"IN 1970, A WORKING WIFE ALLOWANCE WAS INTRODUCED ONLY TO BE REMOVED THREE YEARS LATER," SHE SAID.
"I WOULD NOT WISH TO SEE THE PRESENT INTRODUCTION OF THE ALLOWANCE FACE THE SAME FATE. BUT IF THE FINANICAL SECRETARY ACCEPTS SEPARATE TAXATION AS A FEATURE OF OUR TAX SYSTEM, THEN I CAN BE MORE CONFIDENT OF ITS CONTINUATION."
SHE NOTED THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD SAID THAT OWING TO THE COMPLEXITY OF THE SUBJECT, IT WOULD NOT BE FEASIBLE TO INTRODUCE SEPARATE TAXATION OVERNIGHT.
SHE ALSO NOTED THAT PRESS REPORTS HAD QUOTED THE FINANCIAL Secretary as saying that if people wished to influence the budget THEY REALLY NEEDED TO START AT LEAST SIX MONTHS AHEAD, AND THAT THE REPRESENTATION FROM LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS ON SEPARATE TAXATION CAME ABOUT THREE MONTHS BEFORE THE BUDGET AND WAS THEREFORE TOO LATE TO HAVE ANY IMPACT.
"FOR THE SAKE OF THE RECORD, I WISH TO POINT OUT THAT THE FIRST WRITTEN REPRESENTATION FROM THE OMELCO TAXATION PANEL URGING SEPARATE TAXATION WAS SUBMITTED TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN FEBRUARY 1987, AND THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A PERSONAL VISIT TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO CONVEY THE STRENGTH OF THE PANEL’S VIEW BY THE HON PETER POON, CONVENOR OF THE OMELCO TAXATION PANEL, AND MYSELF," SHE SAID.
"OUR VIEWS AND REQUEST WERE RELATED TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY 12 MONTHS IN ADVANCE OF THE PRESENT BUDGET. THE REPRESENTATION REFERRED TO BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WAS IN FACT THE SECOND ONE.
I
"ARE WE TO BELIEVE THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND HIS TOP AIDES HAD FORGOTTEN ABOUT THE FIRST REPRESENTATION?
"IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THEY DID NOT HEAR THE 12 COUNCILLORS ON MARCH 18, 1987 URGING FOR SEPARATE TAXATION, THE SPEECH OF THREE MEMBERS ON NOVEMBER 5, 1987 ALONG THE SAME LINE, NOT TO MENTION ALL THE PREVIOUS SPEECHES IN PRECEDING YEARS?"
SHE SAID THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY REFERRED TO THE COMPLEXITY AND DIFFICULTIES IN ENSURING BROADLY EQUITABLE TREATMENT IN SEPARATE TAXATION.
"WE KNOW WHAT THEY ARE, BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO MANY TIMES BY THE TOP AIDES OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
"BUT MANY, LIKE ME, REMAIN UNCONVINCED THAT SUCH TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES SHOULD NECESSARILY DELAY THE IMPLEMENTATION FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS. IN ORDER TO BE FAIR, THE TAXATION PANEL REQUESTED IN DECEMBER 1987 A PAPER OUTLINING THE DIFFICULTIES.
"THE ADMINISTRATION UNDERTOOK TO PREPARE SUCH A PAPER. WHEN THE PANEL MET WITH THE ADMINISTRATION IN FEBRUARY 1988, THERE WAS NO PAPER NOR COULD THE ADMINISTRATION CLEARLY INDICATE WHETHER THEY HAD STARTED WORKING ON THIS."
/MRS FAN .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
- 14
MRS FAN SAID THE WHOLE EPISODE WAS SO DIFFERENT FROM THE USUAL EFFICIENCY OF THE ADMINISTRATION THAT SHE COULD NOT HELP WONDERING IF SUCH DELAY AND LACK OF RESPONSE MIGHT BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE PERSONAL CONVICTION OF CERTAIN OFFICERS.
"IN CONTRAST TO SEPARATE TAXATION, THE HIGHLY COMPLEX AND SENSITIVE SUBJECT OF WIDENING THE INDIRECT TAX NET IS PROCEEDING WITH FANTASTIC SPEED," SHE SAID.
"WHILE THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD STRESSED BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THIS COUNCIL THAT MANY FACTORS REMAINED TO BE CONSIDERED AND HE WANTED COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR THIS MEASURE, WITHIN ONE MONTH OF HIS SPEECH, A SENIOR OFFICER OF THE FINANCE BRANCH INDICATED TO THE PRESS THAT $5 BILLION IS EXPECTED FROM WHOLESALE TAX AND SERVICE TAX AND THAT IMPLEMENTATION CAN BE AS EARLY AS NEXT APRIL.
"THE ENTHUSIASM AND DETERMINATION SHOWN BY OFFICIALS TO PUSH AHEAD ON WIDE BASED INDIRECT TAX, WHEN THERE ARE CONSIDERABLE RESERVATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY, MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO RESULT IN RUSHING SUCH MEASURES THROUGH AN UNWILLING PUBLIC."
SHE REQUESTED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO EXERCISE FAIRNESS AND OBJECTIVITY IN DEALING WITH SEPARATE TAXATION AND INDIRECT TAX, REGARDLESS OF THE PERSONAL PREFERENCES OF HIS ADVISERS.
MRS FAN SAID ONE ARGUMENT AGAINST THE INTRODUCTION OF SEPARATE TAXATION WAS THAT SOME TAXPAYERS ACTUALLY HAD TO PAY MORE. BUT THIS COULD BE REMOVED SIMPLY BY GIVING TAXPAYERS THE OPTION OF INDIVIDUAL TAXATION.
"A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES, UK, SINGAPORE, MALAYSIA, PHILIPPINES AND GERMANY PRACTICE THIS APPROACH.
"I BELIEVE SEPARATE TAXATION NEED NOT BE MANDATORY FOR EVERY ONE, COUPLES SHOULD HAVE THE CHOICE, AND THE BENEFIT SHOULD BE TO THE TAXPAYERS."
ON EXPENDITURE, SHE SAID THE FOUR PER CENT GROWTH IN THE SIZE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE FOR 1988-89 IN TERMS OF HEAD COUNT MEANT OVER 7,000 ADDITIONAL STAFF AND THIS INCREASE, EVEN THOUGH WARRANTED, COULD NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY, NOR SHOULD IT BE ALLOWED AS A CONTINUED TREND.
"1 FULLY AGREE WITH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ON THE IMPORTANCE OF DETERMINING PRIORITIES AND ENSURING EFFECTIVE DEPLOYMENT OF RESOURCES.
"CONSTANT VIGILANCE AND TIMELY REVIEW WILL NEED TO BE EXERCISED OVER ALL SECTORS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE SO THAT VALUABLE MANPOWER IS NOT DEVOTED TO FUNCTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN PERFORMED AS A TRADITION BUT MAY NO LONGER BE NECESSARY DUE TO CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES.
/"I LOOK .......
t
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
"I LOOK FORWARD TO A REASONABLE BUT FIRM CONTROL OVER THE GROWTH OF THE CIVIL SERVICE BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY."
ON EDUCATION, IN PARTICULAR SECONDARY AND PRIMARY EDUCATION, MRS FAN SAID IT DID NOT RECEIVE MUCH ATTENTION IN THE BUDGET.
"WHILE I AM PLEASED TO SEE A START MADE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCHOOL BASED CURRICULUM, I AM DISAPPOINTED BY THE OMISSION OF TWO ITEMS.
"THEY ARE THE ADDITIONAL GRADUATE TEACHER OF CHINESE FOR EVERY SECONDARY SCHOOL WITH 18 CLASSES OR MORE, AND THE RECURRENT GRANT TO SCHOOLS FOR STRENGTHENING CIVIC EDUCATION," SHE SAID.
MRS FAN SAID THE ADDITIONAL GRADUATE TEACHER OF CHINESE FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE EDUCATION COMMISSION IN ITS FIRST REPORT PUBLISHED IN 1984.
THE COMMISSION RECOGNISED THE NEED TO STRENGTHEN THE TEACHING OF CHINESE AND THE HEAVIER WORKLOAD OF TEACHERS OF CHINESE SHOULD BE SUITABLY REDUCED TO ENSURE QUALITY AND PROFESSIONAL UPDATING.
THE RECOMMENDATION WAS ACCEPTED, AND THE EDUCATION COMMISSION IN ITS NO. 2 REPORT PUBLISHED IN AUGUST 1986 INDICATED THAT THIS WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED IN SEPTEMBER 1988.
"REGRETTABLY, NO FUNDS WERE PROPOSED IN THE 1988-89 BUDGET FOR EMPLOYING THIS ADDITIONAL TEACHER OF CHINESE ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM WAS LONG RECOGNISED AND THE COMMITMENT WAS MADE WITH A TARGET DATE,” SHE SAID.
"SURELY THIS CANNOT BE DUE TO A LACK OF FUNDS IN 1988-89 WHICH HAS AN ESTIMATED SURPLUS OF OVER $5 BILLION."
MRS FAN SAID IT WAS LOGICAL THAT WHEN WE WERE ENCOURAGING SCHOOLS TO USE CHINESE AS THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION, WE SHOULD ENSURE THAT STUDENTS’ SKILLS IN READING AND WRITING CHINESE WERE UP TO THE STANDARD SO THAT THEY COULD FULLY BENEFIT FROM THE CHANGE IN MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION.
ON CIVIC EDUCATION, MRS FAN SAID THAT IN AUGUST 1985, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ISSUED A SET OF "GUIDELINES ON CIVIC EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS", AND SINCE THEN, CONSIDERABLE EFFORT HAD BEEN DEVOTED BY SCHOOLS TO STRENGTHENING CIVIC EDUCATION.
SHE SAID IWO EVALUATION EXERCISES WERE SINCE CONDUCTED AND IN THE LAST EVALUATION, IT WAS IDENTIFIED THAT SCHOOLS NEEDED ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT, IN THE FORM OF RECURRENT GRANT, FOR STRENGTHENING CIVIC EDUCATION.
"SUCH GRANT WILL BE USED TO FINANCE CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECTS CARRIED OUT BY STUDENTS AND ENABLE THEM TO ACHIEVE A HIGHER LEVEL OF CIVIC AWARENESS THROUGH ACTUAL PARTICIPATION."
/"I AM .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
- 16
"I AM VERY MUCH IN FAVOUR OF THIS IDEA. BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE IN PROMOTING CIVIC EDUCATION IN THE COMMUNITY IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, PARTICIPATION IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY OF ACHIEVING BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND MOTIVATION TOWARDS PUBLIC SERVICE.
"IF WE WANT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO HAVE A SENSE OF BELONGING TO HONG KONG, THEN THEY MUST BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO ’TRY THEIR HANDS OUT’ IN THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
"BUT THE FUNDS WHICH WILL MAKE THIS ’PARTICIPATION’ POSSIBLE FOR ALL STUDENTS IN THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY LEVELS IS NOT FORTHCOMING. I HOPE THEY CAN BE MADE AVAILABLE IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR."
ON VIETNAMESE REFUGEES, MRS FAN SAID SHE FELT THAT FURTHER ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED IN THIS AREA.
SHE RECALLED THAT THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, WHEN ANSWERING A QUESTION IN THE SPECIAL FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING LAST MONTH, INDICATED THAT HE DID NOT KNOW THE SHARE PAID BY UNHCR IN OTHER COUNTRIES OF ASYLUM AS COMPPARED TO UNHCR’S SHARE IN HONG KONG, BUT HE THOUGHT THE SHARE PAID BY EACH COUNTRY DEPENDED ON THEIR ABILITY TO PAY.
"HONG KONG IS A PROSPEROUS PLACE. DOES IT FOLLOW THAT WE HAVE BEEN PAYING MORE IN THE PAST AND ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE DOING SO OR PAY EVEN MORE IN FUTURE? SURELY THIS IS UNFAIR," SHE SAID.
"HONG KONG PEOPLE WANT A FAIR DEAL AND INDEED DESERVE A FAIR DEAL AFTER SPENDING NEARLY $1 BILLION ON THIS. THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD NO LONGER SEEK TO USE MORE TAXPAYERS MONEY TO IMPROVE THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES.
"THEY SHOULD BE ASKING THOSE WHO URGE IMPROVED FACILITIES FOR THE VIETNAMESE TO PUT MONEY WHERE THEIR MOUTH IS. UNHCR, WHICH IS WELL SUPPORTED BY INTERNATIONAL FUNDS, SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO MUCH MORE IN FINANCIAL TERMS.
"I STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT THE ADMINISTRATION NEGOTIATES A BETTER DEAL WITH UNHCR, AND BE MORE PERSISTENT AND FIRM IN THEIR PERSUASION. IN THIS, THE ADMINISTRATION CAN BE ASSURED OF THE FULL BACKING OF HONG KONG PEOPLE," MRS FAN ADDED.
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t i
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
- 17 -
AVOID UNREALISTICALLY CONSERVATIVE REVENUE ESTIMATES t » » » »
UNREALISTICALLY CONSERVATIVE REVENUE ESTIMATES MUST BE AVOIDED IN ORDER TO ALLOW THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH PUBLIC SPENDING TO BE COMMENSURATE WITH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, DR THE HON DANIEL TSE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE, DR TSE EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE GROSS INACCURACIES OF THE GOVERNMENT’S PROJECTIONS IN THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) FIGURES IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.
HE NOTED THAT IN 1986, THE GOVERNMENT PROJECTED A GDP GROWTH OF 4.5 PER CENT, AND IT TURNED OUT TO BE 16 PER CENT.
IN 1987, IT PROJECTED A GROWTH OF LESS THAN NINE PER CENT AND NOW IT WAS 13.6 PER CENT OR POSSIBLY HIGHER, DESPITE THE STOCK MARKET CRASH LAST OCTOBER.
"A PRACTICE OF OVERLY CONSERVATIVE REVENUE ESTIMATE, WHEN CARRIED OUT AS A MATTER OF COURSE, WOULD IN THE LONG RUN RENDER THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMMUNITY INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY OF THE TERRITORY," HE SAID.
DR TSE SAID THAT IF A CONSERVATIVE APPROACH IN BUDGET ESTIMATES MUST BE CONTINUED ON ACCOUNT OF THE OPEN NATURE OF OUR ECONOMY, WHICH WAS SUBJECT TO DIRECT INFLUENCES FROM THE OUTSIDE, A MID-YEAR BUDGET REVISION EXERCISE SHOULD BE ADOPTED.
THIS WOULD ALLOW SOME BADLY-NEEDED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT POLICIES OR PROJECTS, WHICH WERE LEFT OUT IN THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATES, TO BE RECONSIDERED FOR IMPLEMENTATION IN THE LIGHT OF THE MID-YEAR GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY.
"ALTERNATIVELY, PART OF THE SURPLUS OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR COULD BE TRANSFERRED TO THE NEXT YEAR AS AN ADDITIONAL SOURCE OF INCOME DESIGNATED FOR A SPECIFIC PURPOSE."
TAKING FOR INSTANCE THE HUGE SURPLUS OF OVER $10 BILLION IN 1987, DR TSE SAID A PART OF THIS COULD BE SET ASIDE FOR SPECIAL PROJECTS DESIGNED TO BRIDGE THE GAPS IN THE ONGOING DEVELOPMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY, WHICH COULD NOT BE CLOSED BY THE INCREMENTAL FUNDING PROVISION.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS ALSO A WELL-RECOGNISED GAP BETWEEN THE PRESENT RESEARCH STRENGTH IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND THE NEED FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY IN OUR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, AND SAID THAT A VERY SUBSTANTIAL INJECTION OF RESEARCH FUNDS WOULD BE NECESSARY IF THIS GAP WAS TO BE CLOSED WITHOUT MUCH DELAY.
ANOTHER GAP HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE CLOSED WAS THE GAP BETWEEN
THE QUANTITY AND THE QUALITY OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION.
/"AREAS SUCH .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
- 18 -
"AREAS SUCH AS EFFECTIVE LANGUAGE TEACHING, PERSONAL ATTENTION TO STUDENTS’ INTELLECTUAL AND SOCIAL GROWTH, PROVISION OF PROPER ACTIVITIES fO CULTIVATE THE SENSE OF CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES, ARE ALL IMPORTANT AND MANPOWER INTENSIVE," HE SAID.
HE SAID THAT BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT MADE ITS COMMITMENT IN LARGE AND REGULAR RESOURCE TERMS TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM, IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY USEFUL IF A PILOT SCHEME WAS CARRIED OUT IN A SELECTED NUMBER OF SCHOOLS TO IDENTIFY THE BEST AND MOST COST-EFFECTIVE WAYS OF ACHIEVING THE DESIRED LEVEL OF QUALITY IMPROVEMENT.
"THIS KIND OF EXPERIMENT, WHEN CAREFULLY CONDUCTED WITH SUFFICIENT FUNDING IN A LARGE ENOUGH SAMPLE OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF SCHOOLS, WOULD GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS SOLVING THE TOUGH PROBLEM OF ENSURING PROPER QUALITY IN OUR MASS EDUCATION SYSTEM," HE SAID.
HE ALSO SAID THAT IN RECENT CONSULTATION WITH SOME DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS OF HIS DISTRICT, IT WAS SUGGESTED TO HIM THAT ANOTHER GAP THAT SHOULD BE CLOSED QUICKLY WAS THE GAP BETWEEN THE PRESENT SOCIAL SERVICE TO THE AGED AND THE ACTUAL NEEDS OF THE OLI) PEOPLE DUE TO THE CHANGING STRUCTURE OF THE CHINESE FAMILY.
HE POINTED OUT THAT MANY OLD PEOPLE WERE LIVING ALONE, WITH OR WITHOUT ADEQUATE FINANCIAL MEANS, BUT CERTAINLY LACKING IN SOCIAL SUPPORT IN A COMMUNITY IN WHICH THE SOCIAL SERVICE POLICY VERY MUCH REFLECTED THE TRADITION OF THE OLD CHINESE EXTENDED FAMILY.
THEREFORE, A QUANTUM JUMP IN THE CARING OF THE OLD WAS NECESSARY IF SOCIAL SERVICE FOR THE OLD WAS TO CATCH UP WITH THE CHANGING FAMILY TRADITION.
DR TSE SAID THAT THERE WERE OTHER AREAS WHICH COULD BE IDENTIFIED FOR SIMILAR ASSISTANCE, BUT HIS MAIN CONCERN WAS THAT
WHILE WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO EXERCISE PRUDENCE IN SPENDING WITHIN OUR OWN MEANS, WE MUST NOT BE TEMPTED TO THINK THAT THE LARGER THE
SURPLUS, THE BETTER IS THE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT.
"ON A LONG TERM BASIS, OUR. RESOURCES MUST BE PROPERLY DEPLOYED
SO THAT THE WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY WILL BE COMMENSURATE WITH THE
STATE OF OUR ECONOMIC HEALTH," HE SAID.
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THURSDAY, YPRIL 21, 1988
K
- 19 -
I*
WAYS TO IMPROVE MEDICAL SERVICES SUGGESTED ♦ ♦ * * ♦
A NUMBER OE PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE MEI) 1 ('Al. AND HEALTH SERVICES WERE PUT FORWARD BY DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE, DR IP SAID THE FIRST STEP SHOULD BE TO CONTAIN THE PUBLIC EXPENDITURE ON MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES.
TO ACHIEVE THIS, SHE SUGGESTED THAT A POLICY SHOULD BE MADE ON CHARGING THE PUBLIC A FIXED PI RC ’ENTAGE OF Till- ACTUAL COST WHICH MUST
BE AFFORDABLE OE COURSE. CHILDREN, THE ELDERLY, THE HANDICAPPED AND
THE POOR SHOULD BE EXEMPT.
SHE FURTHER SUGGESTED THAT MEDICAL INSURANCE SHOULD BE ACT IVELY PROMOTED.
TAX CONCESSIONS FOR COMPANIES WITH MEDICAL INSURANCE SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO THE PERSON AS WELL. PUBLIC HOSPITAL SHOULD THEN BE ABLE TO RECOVER FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANIES THE FULL COST FOR THE SERVICES THEY PROVIDED.
“THE CHARGES FOR NEWLY - J NTRODI CED TYPE OF MEDICAL SERVICES, NOT PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED AND NOT CATERING FOR LIFE THREATENING SITUATIONS, SHOULD NOT BE SO HEAVILY SUBVENTED AND SHOULD BE PROVIDED PERHAPS EVEN AT COST,” SHF SAID.
DR IP ALSO PROPOSED THAT A HEALTH CENTRE, PRIMARILY GEARED FOR ADULTS, SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED TO PROMOTE HEALTHY LIVING, PREVENTIVE HEALTH AND EARLY DETECTION OF DISEASE.
THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE HEALTH CENTRE SHOULD INCLUDE ANNUAL CHECKUPS FOR ADULTS OVER 30 YEARS OF AGE, PHYSICAL ASSESSMENTS, ADVICE ON PHYSICAL RECREATION TO PROMOTE HEALTH, AND CLASSES TO EDUCATE THOSE WITH SPECIFIC DIAGNOSED CHRONIC DISEASE ON HOW TO LOOK AFTER THEMSELVES.
SHE SAID THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THIS CENTRE WOULD BE TO KEEP OUR WORKING COMMUNITY STRONG AND HEALTHY, AND OUT OF HOSPITALS.
SHE ADDED THAI' Till'. CENTRE SHOULD BE SELF-SUBVENT I NG. AND IN ORDER TO EFFECTIVELY BENEFIT THE WORKING COMMUNITY, IT MUST OPERATE BY APPOINTMENT EVEN XT NIGHT YND ON WEEKINDS.
TURNING TO SUBVENTED HOSPITALS, DR IP SAID THAI IN ORDER TO FULLY UTILISE THEIR POTENTIALS, X WORKING PARTY CHAIRED BY A NON-OFFICIAL, WITH RICH HOSPITAL EXPERIENCE, MUST BE SET UP IMMEDIATELY TO STUDY THE STATE OF HOSPITAL EQUIPMENT IN SUBVENTED HOSPITALS WITH THE AIM OF UPGRADING THE EQUIPMENT THERI.
/SHE SUGGESTED .......
I
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
20 -
•j
ii
SHE SUGGESTED THAT A FUND OF NO LESS THAN $18 MILLION SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO SUBVENTED HOSPITALS BEFORE THE CLOSE OF 1989, TO MATCH THE EXPENDITURE FOR GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS ON EQUIPMENT.
TURNING TO THE PROBLEM OF OVERCROWDING IN THE QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL, DR IP SUGGESTED THAT THE ADJACENT BRITISH MILITARY HOSPITAL SHOULD BE PULLED DOWN AND REPLACED BY A WOMEN’S AND CHILDREN’S ANNEX FOR THE QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL.
ON THE $350 MILLION EXPENDITURE ON LOOKING AFTER HANDICAPPED ADULTS WITHOUT A JOB, DR IP SAID TOP PRIORITY SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF LARGE-SCALE INNOVATIVE PROJECTS TO SECURE JOBS FOR THESE PEOPLE.
THIS WOULD IN Till' LONG RUN SAVE THE UNNECESSARY GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE ON SUSTAINING A LIFE WITHOUT MEANING, SHE SAID.
||
FINALLY, SHE SAID THAT BEFORE SHE FOLLOWED THE FOOTSTEPS OF SENIOR LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR MISS LYDIA DUNN AND PLUNGED INTO MARRIAGE, SHE WOULD ('ONT I NUE TO AWAIT THE MATERIALISATION OF SEPARATE TAXATION FOR MARRIED WOMEN.
-------0----------
SCOPE FOR MEDICAL CARE AT NEIGHBOURHOOD LEVEL ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
IN THE COMING YEARS, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD DEVOTE MORE EFFORT AND RESOURCES TO DEVELOPING PERSONAL AND CONTINUING MEDICAL CARE AT THE NEIGHBOURHOOD LEVEL SO THAT THE HEAVY DEMANDS ON HOSPITAL SERVICES CAN BE RELIEVED.
HOSPITALS WOULD THEN BE ABLE TO ASSUME A SUBORDINATE ROLE, PROVIDING ONLY HIGHLY TECHNICAL AND SPECIALISED SUPPORT WHEN IT WAS NEEDED, DR THE HON CHIU HIN-KWONG SAID DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
N
DR CHIU POINTED OUT THAT IN RECENT YEARS HOSPITAL COSTS HAD BEEN SOARING AND DEMANDS FOR COSTLY IN-PATIENT SERVICES HAD BEEN INCREASING.
HE ATTRIBUTED THE INCREASING DEMANDS TO 1'HE GENERAL HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE, INADEQUACY OE FAMILY MEDICINE, ADMINISTRATIVE AND MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS IN THE EXISTING HEALTH INSTITUTIONS AS WELL AS TO INDUSTRIAL AND TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS.
DR CHIU SAID HE BELIEVED THAT THE HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE WOULD BE IMPROVED BY PUBLIC AND PERSONAL HEALTH AND INTENSIVE HEALTH EDUCAT I ON PROGRAMMES.
/HE ALSO........
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
- 21
III-: ALSO EXPECTED FAMILY MEDICINE, AFTER UNDERGOING A REVIEW EXERCISE IN THE NEAR FUTURE, TO PLAY A MORE IMPORTANT ROLE IN KEEPING PEOPLE OUT OF HOSPITALS.
ACCORDING TO DR CHIU, PREVENTIVE MEDICINE COULD BE DIVIDED INTO THREE LEVELS -- PRIMARY, SECONDARY AND TERTIARY, AND THE IDEAL FORM WAS PRIMARY PREVENTION.
BY THAT, HE MEANT "THE AVOIDANCE OR REMOVAL OF Till: CAUSE OF DISEASE".
OPPORTUNISTIC PRIMARY PREVENTION LAY MAINLY IN HEALTH EDUCATION, HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT HAD TWO IMPORTANT ROLES TO PLAY IN THAT AREA -TO EDUCATE THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE CAUSE, NATURE AND COURSE OF VARIOUS DISEASES, AND TO DEVELOP PUBLIC HEALTH.
HE POINTED OUT THAT SIGNIFICANT MATTERS IN HEALTH EDUCATION INCLUDED (’LEAN WATER, CLEAN AIR, AN ACCEPTABLE LIVING ENVIRONMENT, A BALANCED DIET, APPROPRIATE EXERCISE, GOOD SLEEP, HYGIENE, MENTAI HEALTH, IMMUNISATION, AND WOIDANCI OF ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ADDICTION.
HE HOPED THAT HEALTH EDUCATION ACTIVITIES, AT PRESENT UNDERTAKEN BY THE CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WOULD BE FURTHER INTENSIFIED WHEN MORE RESOURCES BECAME AVA I LABLE.
REFERRING TO INDUS TRI AI HAZARDS, DR CH IU SAID THAT THERE WAS STILL SCOPE FOR IMPROVING THE SITUATION BY W\Y OF LEGISLATION.
HE CALLED FOR "TRIPARTITE CO-OPERATION" IN THE PROMOTION OF INDUSTRIAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, INVOLVING THE GOVERNMENT, THE EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES.
■(
HE CONSIDERED IT IMPERATIVE FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TO PLAY "A MORE AGGRESSIVE AND REGULATORY ROLF BY STEPPING UP IIS INSPECTIONS AND INCREASING THE PENALTY SO \S TO POLICE THE OBSERVANCE OF SAFETY STANDARDS IN HUNDREDS OF ESTABLISHMENTS.
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ALSO STRENGTHEN ITS PUBLICITY AND EDUCATION ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY, EMPHASISING THE RESPONS IBILIT IES OF BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES.
I
TURNING I’O MED I (’AL ADMINISTRATIVE YND MANAGEMINT PROBLEMS, DR CHIU EXPRESSED CONCERN AT THE HIGH WASTAGE RATES OF DOCTORS IN GOVERNMENT AND SUBVERTED SECTORS, WHICH WERE NINI- PER (’ENT YND 23 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
HE WAS WORRIED THAT MANY OF THE UURRENT 350 VACANCIES IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR WERE SENIOR POSTS WHICH COULD NOT BE EASILY FILLED.
h
/DR CHIU .....
»*•
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
•\i
- 22 -
i-N
DR CHIU SAID THAT SINCE 89 PER CENT OP IN-PATIENT CASES WERE HANDLED BY PUBLIC HOSPITALS, THE OUTFLOW OF EXPERIENCED DOCTORS FROM THE PUBLIC SECTOR TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR WAS DEFINITELY NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE WHO MAINLY RELIED ON THE SERVICES OF PUBLIC HOSPITALS.
"HOW THE CREAM OF MEDICAL PERSONNEL IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS CAN BE RETAINED IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR DESERVES OUR SERIOUS CONSIDERATION,” HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ALTHOUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY IN 1989 MIGHT HELP RETAIN DOCTORS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, THE QUESTION WAS: "HOW MANY OF OUR EXISTING EXPERIENCED MEDICAL PERSONNEL WILL LEAVE IN THE MEANTIME?”
- - 0------------
'$10 BILLION SURPLUS NOT A GIFT BUT A DEPRIVATION’ ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE $10 BILLION SURPLUS IN THE 1987-88 FINANCIAL YEAR IS NOT A GIFT BUT A DEPRIVATION BECAUSE SUCH AN UNEXPECTED SURPLUS MEANS IN PRACTICE THAT TAXPAYERS ARE REQUIRED TO PAY TOO MUCH WHILE THE PUBLIC IN GENERAL HAVE BEEN GIVEN TOO LITTLE, THE HON MARTIN LEE SAID IN THE IEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE, MR LEE SAID THAT TO THE UNWARY PUBLIC, THE RECENT REVELATION THAT THERE WOULD BE A $10 BILLION SURPLUS SEEMED TO BE A WINDFALL.
BUT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SHOULD NOT BE CONGRATULATED FOR IT: INSTEAD HE SHOULD BE EMBARRASSED BY IT.
THE PUBLIC OF HONG KONG SHOULD APPRECIATE THAT IT WAS NOT A WINDFALL BUT A MISCALCULATION.
MR LEE SAID THAT WHILE THE GOVERNMENT PREACHED THE GOSPEL OF CAUTION, IT SHOULD BE REALISED THAT THERE COULD BE A DOWN-SIDE TO OVER CAUTION WHICH HAI) RESULTED IN SUCH A HUGE SURPLUS.
"FOR INSTANCE, HOW CAN WE EXPECT OUR NEGOTIATING TEAM ON DEFENCE COSTS TO BE ABLE TO PERSU\DE ITS COUNTERPART REPRESENTING THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT THAT OUR CONTRI BUT I ON TOWARDS THE DEFENCE CQSTS SHOULD DECREASE WHEN IT IS KNOWN TH XT WE HAVE SUCH A LARGE AND UNEXPECTED WINDFALL?" HF ASKED.
MR LEE SAID THAI' HONG KONG SHOULD NOT BE REQUIRED TO PAY ANYTHING AT ALL TOWARDS THE DEFENCE COSTS BETWEEN NOW AND 1997.
/THE DEFENCE........
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
- 23 -
J-
THE DEFENCE OF A COLONY WAS THE DUTY OF THE SOVEREIGN STATE. WHEN A SOVEREIGN STATE MAINTAINED AN ARMY IN A COLONY, THE COLONY SHOULD NOT BE EXPECTED TO PAY FOR IT AT ALL, HE SAID.
REFERRING TO THE ARGUMENT THAT UNTIL VERY RECENTLY HONG KONG HAD BEEN PAYING 75 PER CENT OF THE DEFENCE COST, MR LEE SAID HIS COMMENT WAS THAT THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AT THE TIME SHOULD NEVER HAVE ALLOWED THE DEFENCE COST TO REACH SUCH A "RIDICULOUSLY HIGH LEVEL".
HE ADDED THAT NO MATTER HOW MUCH HONG KONG HAD AGREED TO PAY IN THE PAST, THE POSITION HAS COMPLETELY CHANGED WITH THE SIGNING OF THE JOINT DECLARATION WHICH STIPULATED IN CLAUSE 4 THAT "THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG WITH III I OBJECT OF MAINTAINING AND PRESERVING ITS ECONOMIC PROSPERITY AND SOCIAL STABILITY" UNTIL 1997.
IT WOULD BE A BREACH OF THIS CLAUSE FOR THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO WITHDRAW ITS TROOPS FROM HONG KONG BEFORE 1997.
FOR THIS REASON, EVEN IF HONG KONG WERE TO REFUSE TO CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE DEFENCE COSTS, MR LEE SAID HE WAS THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT WITHDRAW ITS TROOPS FROM BEFORE 1997.
MAKE ANY SURE THAT HONG KONG
TURNING TO THE HONG KONG BAR ASSOCIATION’S CALL FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN THE GOVERNMENT’S TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR LOCAL JUDGES AND LAWYERS, IN RELATION TO HOUSING, MR LEE SAID THAT LAWYERS NORMALLY ALREADY HAD THEIR OWN FLATS TO LIVE IN, AND SO THE OTHERWISE ATTRACTIVE FRINGE BENEFIT OF HOUSING WOULD NOT BE AN INCENTIVE TO THEM.
"INDEED IT MAY TURN OUT TO BE A DISINCENTIVE BECAUSE CONTEMPLATING TO JOIN GOVERNMENT SERVICE WILL KNOW THAT HF BE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS RATHER SUBSTANTIAL FRINGE HE SAID.
A LAWYER WILL NOT BENEFIT,"
THE BAR ASSOCIATION HAD THEREFORE SUGGESTED THAT SUCH A FRINGE BENEFIT SHOULD Bl CONVERTED TO A CASH ALLOWANCE. MR LEE SAID HE SUPPORTED THIS IDEA AND URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO STUDY THIS PROPOSAL PROMPTLY.
HE ADDED THAI’ ON A MORE GENERAL LEVEL, IT SEEMED TO HIM THAT Till FRINGE BENEFITS AT PRESENT ENJOYED BY CIVIL SERVANTS WERE ENTIRELY EXPATRIATE-ORIENTED: FOR EXAMPLE SCHOOL FEES FOR THE CHILDREN OF CIVIL SERVANTS STUDYING ABROAD AND AIR PASSAGES FOR SUCH CHILDREN.
HE SAID THE OBJECTIVE SHOULD NOT BE TO ENCOURAGE THE CHILDREN OF CIVIL SERVANTS TO STUDY ABROAD BUT TO STUDY AT HOMI.. ANY STUDENTS STUDYING ABROAD MIGHT DEUI DE NOT TO RETURN TO HONG KONG, AND THIS WAS NOT GOOD FOR Illi LONG-TERM FUTURE OF HONG KONG. ‘•V
/HE SUGGESTED........
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
24
VI
HE SUGGESTED THAT A COMMISSION BE SET UP TO STUDY THE MATTER AND TO CHANGE THE EXPATRIATE-ORIENTED PACKAGE TO A LOCAL-ORIENTED PACKAGE, THEREBY NOT ONLY ENCOURAGING MORE LOCAL PEOPLE TO JOIN GOVERNMENT SERVICE BUT ALSO ENCOURAGING AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE THEIR CHILDREN TO STUDY AND WORK IN HONG KONG.
ON THE QUESTION OF A SALES TAX, MR LEE SAID IT WAS EVIDENT THAT THE IMPOSITION OF ANY SALES TAX WOULD HURT THE POOR MORE THAN THE RICH. AND IT WAS THEREFORE A TAX WHICH SHOULD BE IMPOSED ONLY AS A LAST RESORT.
BUT HE GAVE QUALIFIED SUPPORT TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY'S PROPOSAL TO CONTINUE WITH HIS RESEARCH INTO THIS AREA OF TAXATION.
FIRSTLY, THERE WERE ONLY VERY FEW PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WHO HAD TO PAY ANY TAX, AND SECONDLY, THERE WAS A RATHER SERIOUS EMIGRATION PROBLEM. AND MOST OF THE EMIGRANTS CAME FROM THIS SMALL BRACKET OF TAXPAYERS.
’’SUPPOSE THIS EMIGRATION TIDE WERE TO CONTINUE, THEN NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE, THERE MAY COME A TIME WHEN THERE WILL MANY TAXPAYERS LEFT IN HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
IN THE
NOT BE
AND IF THE ECONOMY SHOULD CEASE TO BE VIBRANT AS NOW, THE GOVERNMENT MIGHT FACE A VERY DIFFICULT PROBLEM OF HAVING EITHER TO INCREASE TAXATION - WHICH WOULD CAUSE AN EVEN HEAVIER BURDEN ON THE VERY FEW TAXPAYERS LEFT IN HONG KONG - OR TO REDUCE THE SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMMES NOW UNDERTAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT.
IN THAT SITUATION, AND AS A LAST RESORT, IT MIGHT BECOME NECESSARY FOR THE SALES TAX TO BE IMPOSED, HE SAID.
WHEN THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S MOTIVES WERE PROPERLY UNDERSTOOD, WHAT HE WAS PROPOSING WAS LAUDABLE. HE WAS DOING NOTHING MORE THAN MAKING PREPARATION FOR A POSSIBLE RAINY DAY, MR LEE ADDED.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
- 25 -
FAIR SHARE FOR SOCIAL WELFARE t » * * t
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S MIDDLE CLASS BUDGET THIS YEAR, HIGHLIGHTING TAX CONCESSIONS AND INCREASED SOCIAL SERVICES EXPENDITURES, HAS OWN HIM ROUNDS OF PRAISE FROM ALMOST ALL SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY, THE HON HUI YIN-FAT SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) WHEN SUPPORTING THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1988.
MR HUI SAID THE BUDGET SURPLUS, WHILE MAINTAINING THE CONTINUITY AND PRUDENCE OF PREVIOUS BUDGETS, HAD ENABLED THE GOVERNMENT TO FULFILL ITS PROMISE OF APPROPRIATING A FAIR SHARE FOR SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES.
"INDEED, THE $3.9 BILLION ALLOCATION, REPRESENTING 6.3 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL BUDGET, COMPARES FAVOURABLY WITH ALLOCATIONS IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, AND GIVES REASON FOR THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR TO REJOICE,” HE SAID.
BUT HE NOTED THAT SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS STILL ABSORBED 83 PER CENT, OR $584 MILLION, OF THIS YEAR'S $702 MILLION INCREASE OVER THE 87-88 ESTIMATES FOR SOCIAL WELFARE.
ALSO, THE INCREASE IN SOCIAL WELFARE EXPENDITURES THIS YEAR WAS ONLY ADEQUATE FOR PROVISIONS TO CATCH UP ON PAST SLIPPAGE.
MR HUI SAID THAT SOCIAL WORK TRAINING REMAINED AN AREA THAT REQUIRED A MORE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES.
UNTRAINED WELFARE WORKERS WERE CURRENTLY PROVIDING DIRECT SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC, OFTEN LOOKING AFTER THEIR EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS, AND THE NATURE OF THEIR WORK WARRANTED PROPER PRE-SERVICE TRAINING THAT WAS STILL NON-EXISTENT IN HONG KONG.
RECENT TRAGIC CASES EMPHASISED THE NEED FOR QUALIFIED SOCIAL WORKERS TO HAVE IN-DEPTH KNOWLEDGE OF SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE IN ADDITION TO THE GENERIC TRAINING THEY RECEIVE.
MR HUI REGRETTED THAT NO EFFORT HAD BEEN MADE TO EQUIP SOCIAL WORKERS TO DEAL WITH THEIR NEW RESPONSIBILITIES ARISING FROM THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MENTAL HEALTH ORDINANCE. '
"WITH THE STRENGTHENING OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT'S TRAINING DIVISION IN THE COMING YEAR, 1 MUST URGE THE DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE THAT THE TRAINING NEEDS OF THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR, WHICH EMPLOYS TWO THIRDS OF OUR SOCIAL WORKERS, WILL BE ADEQUATELY MET."
HE SAID THAT THE REGISTRATION SYSTEM, SET TO ENSURE THAT SOCIAL WORK TASKS WOULD BE PERFORMED BY QUALIFIED SOCIAL WORKERS, SHOULD RECEIVE FULL SUPPORT FROM THE GOVERNMENT.
/ON FRINGE .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
- 26 -
on fringe Benefits for employees of subverted organisations, MR HUI NOTED THAT EFFORTS WERE CONTINUING TO NARROW THE DISPARITY IN SALARIES AND FRINGE BENEFITS BETWEEN THESE EMPLOYEES AND CIVIL SERVANTS DOING THE SAME WORK.
HE SAID THE ARGUMENT ADVANCED BY THE GOVERNMENT, THAT
DIFFERENT PERSONNEL PRACTICES AND SYSTEMS RENDERED STANDARDISED TREATMENT IMPOSSIBLE, WAS INCREDIBLE FOR THREE REASONS. I
"FIRSTLY, SUBVENTED ORGANISATION STAFF ARE PAID QN A PAR WITH THEIR CIVIL SERVICE COUNTERPARTS -- CHANGES IN THE LATTER’S SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE DIRECTLY AFFECT THE FORMER.
"SECONDLY, WHERE THE STAFF QUALIFICATION, JOB NATURE AND WORKLOAD ARE EQUAL, PAY PACKAGES SHOULD IN ALL FAIRNESS BE THE SAME FOR BOTH IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PRINCIPLES OF EQUALITY.
"THIRDLY, SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS STAFF ARE LOOKED UPON BY THE PUBLIC AS EQUALS TO CIVIL SERVANTS. THEREFORE, IT IS UNREASONABLE THAT THEY SHOULD BE PAID LESS WHEN PUBLIC EXPECTATIONS F.OR BOTH GROUPS REMAIN THE SAME."
MR HUI SAID THAT, ALL ALONG, SOCIAL WORKERS EMPLOYED BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES HAD ACQUIESCED IN A SMALLER PAY PACKAGE, WITH LITTLE OR NO CONCOMITANT FRINGE BENEFITS AS ENJOYED BY CIVIL SERVANTS.
HF WAS CONCERNED THAT THE 1986 PAY LEVEL SURVEY, WHICH SET OUT TO BRING ABOUT A SMALLER PERCENTAGE OF SALARY ADJUSTMENT THIS YEAR, WOULD M IN IMPOSING A DOUBLE PENALTY ON VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, WHOSE "LOSS" OVER THE YEARS HAD NOT BEEN REMEDIED, WHILE THEIR ACTUAL PAY PACKAGE WOULD BE FURTHER REDUCED.
TURNING TO Till' LOTTERIES FUND, MR HUI SAID THAT UNDER THE RECENTLY AMENDED BETTING DUTY ORDINANCE, THE MEAGRE 3.5 PER CENT ALLOCATION TO THE FUND COULD ONLY BENEFIT THE GOVERNMENT TREASURY AND THE JOCKEY CLUB AT THE EXPENSE OF SOCIAL WELFARE PROJECTS.
HE SAID THAT IN VIEW OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF CAPITAL PROJECTS APPLYING TO THE FUND ANNUALLY, IT WOULD NOT BE AVARICIOUS TO ASK FOR A 10 PER CENT ALLOCATION OF LOTTERIES PROCEEDS.
"I WISH ALSO TO POINT OUT THAT THE PIVOTAL QUESTION OF INVOLVING THE GOVERNMENT IN PERMANENT COMMITMENT OF ADDITIONAL RECURRENT EXPENDITURES COULD BE RESOLVED BY SPLITTING THE PROPOSED 10 PER CENT LOTTERIES FUND ALLOCATION INTO TWO PARTS.
"FIVE PER CENT COULD BE USED TO FINANCE CAPITAL PROJECTS, AND THE OTHER FIVE PER CENT COULD BE PUT ASIDE TO SET UP A REVOLVING FUND, GENERATING INTEREST TO COVER IMPROVEMENT COSTS FOR EXISTING SERVICES WHICH HAVE BEEN GIVEN LOW PRIORITY," HE SAID.
/ON TAX .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1?88
ON TAX CONCESSIONS, MR HUI SAID THAT WHILE THIS YEAR’S BUDGET HAD BEEN HAILED AS A BONANZA FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS, NO PROVISION HAD BEEN MADE FOR THE SO-CALLED SANDWICH CLASS PEOPLE WHO WERE MAINLY NON-OWNER OCCUPIERS OF PREMISES AND WERE NOT QUALIFIED FOR PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING.
"THESE PEOPLE CANNOT BENEFIT FROM THE ONE PER CENT TAX CONCESSION IN STAMP DUTY FOR PREMISES COSTING $500,000 TO SI.5 MILLION WHICH ARE QUITE BEYOND THEIR MEANS TO PURCHASE."
MR HUI MAINTAINED THAT WAIVING THE ONE PER CENT STAMP DUTY FOR PREMISES COSTING LESS THAN $500,000 WOULD COST THE GOVERNMENT LESS THAN $500 MILLION, AND WOULD INDUCE MORE MIDDLE-LOWER INCOME EARNERS TO PURCHASE THEIR OWN HOMES, FOSTERING IN THEM A SENSE OF BELONGING TO HONG KONG.
ANOTHER AREA OF CONCERN TO MR HUI WAS THE MENTION OF A SALES TAX, WHICH HE SAID WOULD HIT HARD THE LOWER INCOME GROUP AND WIDEN THE GAP BETWEEN THE RICH AND THE POOR.
ON THE OTHER HAND, HE NOTED THAT THE TOKEN ONE PER CENT REDUCTION IN PROFITS TAX, WHILE NOT MAKING MUCH IMPACT ON THE BUSINESS CIRCLE, COULD HAVE BEEN RETAINED, AND THE MONEY COLLECTED COULD BE SPENT ON SOCIAL SERVICES WHICH WOULD BRING IMMEDIATE BENEFIT TO THE LOWER INCOME GROUP.
SIMILARLY, HE FULLY SUPPORTED THE CALL FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO REVIEW THE OUTDATED SCALE OF INCOME TAX WHICH SHOULD BE ADJUSTED ACCORDING TO INFLATIONARY TRENDS IN ORDER TO EASE THE HARDSHIPS OF LOW INCOME TAXPAYERS.
SAYING HE WAS TAKING THE GRASSROOT POPULATION'S INTERESTS INTO CONSIDERATION, MR HUI PROPOSED THE INTRODUCTION OF’ TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR EMPLOYERS TO ADAPT THEIR MACHINERY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF DISABLED WORK ERS.
THERE SHOULD ALSO BE TAX CONCESSIONS FOR FACTORY OWNERS WHO OPERATED DAY CRECHES FOR WORKING MOTHERS ON THEIR PAYROLL, CHILD ALLOWANCES FOR WORKING HOUSEWIVES AND ALLOWANCES FOR FAMILIES WITH ELDERLY AND INFIRM MEMBERS.
MR HUI ALSO SAID THAT IN ANTICIPATION OF A POSSIBLY LESS BOUYANT ECONOMY AND LIKELY EXPENDITURE CUTBACKS IN 1989, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ACT NOW TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES.
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/28........
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
- 28 -
CHANGES IN TAXATION MUST MEET STATED OBJECTIVES
♦ » ♦ » ♦
THE MOST STRIKING POINT ABOUT THE SECOND BUDGET PRESENTED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY LAY IN THE MENTION OF STRUCTURAL CHANGES TO THE TAXATION SYSTEM, THE HON ROSANNA TAM SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
I- .
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1988, MRS TAM SAID THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD ON THE ONE HAND INTRODUCED REFORMS TO ARRANGEMENTS CONCERNING DIRECT TAXATION.
ON THE OTHER HAND, HE HAD SHOWN AN INTENTION TO ADJUST THE RATIO BETWEEN DIRECT TAXATION AND INDIRECT TAXATION, BY WAY OF BROADENING THE INDIRECT TAX BASE AND INTRODUCING NEW FORMS OF INDIRECT TAXES.
”1 DO NOT OPPOSE STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN OUR TAX SYSTEM BUT I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THESE CHANGES SHOULD MEET THE OBJECTIVE AS STATED -- TO MOVE TOWARDS A MORE ROBUST AND EQUITABLE FISCAL REGIME,” SHE SAID.
ON SALARIES TAX, MRS TAM SAID SHE WAS PLEASED THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE INTERESTS OF THE MIDDLE INCOME GROUP.
HE HAD INCLUDED IN HIS PROPOSALS A REDUCTION IN THE STANDARD TAX RATE, A REVISION OF MARGINAL TAX RATES, AN INCREASE IN THE PERSONAL ALLOWANCE AND A RISE IN THE CHARGEABLE INCOME LIMIT FOR THE MAXIMUM MARGINAL RATE.
SHE SAID THAT THE ONLY DRAWBACK WAS THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD NOT GIVEN ANY DEFINITE ANSWER TO THE REQUEST FOR SEPARATE TAXATION FOR MARRIED COUPLES, OR MADE ANY COMMITMENT TO IT.
’’SEPARATE TAXATION DOES NOT ONLY SERVE THE PURPOSES OF BRINGING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE TAX SYSTEM AND PROMOTING THE WORKFORCE, IT ALSO HAS GREAT SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCE IN HELPING TO ESTABLISH WOMEN’S SOCIAL STATUS,” SHE MAINTAINED.
SHE SAID THE INTRODUCTION OF A WORKING WIFE ALLOWANCE AS AN EXPEDIENT MEASURE WAS NOT A BAD IDEA, BUT IT DEFINITELY SHOULD NOT TAKE THE PLACE OF SEPARATE TAXATION.
URGING THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE A CLEAR COMMITMENT ON THE EXACT DATE OF IMPLEMENTING SEPARATE TAXATION, MRS TAM SAID SHE FULLY BELIEVED THAT SEPARATE TAXATION, ON TOP OF THE NEW SALARIES TAX ARRANGEMENTS TO BE IMPLEMENTED THIS YEAR, WOULD MOVE THE PERSONAL TAX SYSTEM TOWARDS A MORE ROBUST AND EQUITABLE SHAPE.
REGARDING THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE RATIO BETWEEN DIRECT AND INDIRECT TAXES, SHE STRESSED THAT THE RATIO ADOPTED SHOULD BE IN LINE WITH THE CHANGES OF THE COMMUNITY.
/SHE NOTED .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1$fc3
- 29 -
SHE NOTED THAT THERE DID NOT SEEM TO BE ANY URGENT NEED EOR A WIDER TAX BASE, AND THAT IN THE ABSENCE OF PROPER ARRANGEMENTS, THE SUGGESTED SALES TAX, EVEN IF INTRODUCED AT THE WHOLESALE LEVEL, WOULD INCREASE THE TAX BURDEN ON THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
CALLING ON THE AUTHORITIES TO CAREFULLY CONSIDER HOW SALES TAX COULD BE INTRODUCED TO ENHANCE THE STABILITY OE' REVENUE YIELD WITHOUT SERIOUSLY AFFECTING THE PUBLIC’S LIVELIHOOD, SHE PROPOSED, FIRSTLY, THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CHOOSE ONLY UP-MARKET CONSUMER GOODS FOR THE LEVY OF SALES TAX.
"SECONDLY, THE GOVERNMENT MAY CONSIDER APPLYING DIFFERENT RATES FOR DIFFERENT KINDS OF CONSUMER GOODS."
THIRDLY, CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO GRANTING GREATER CONCESSIONS TO SALARIES TAX UPON THE INTRODUCTION OF SALES TAX," SHE SAID.
NOTING THAT THE HARDEST HIT WOULD BE THE MIDDLE INCOME GROUP, MRS TAM ALSO SUGGESTED THAT, IN CONSIDERING THE INTRODUCTION OF SALES TAX, THE AUTHORITIES SHOULD GIVE THIS GROUP FURTHER CONCESSIONS IN RESPECT OF THEIR SALARIES TAX, OR WIDEN THE INCOME LEVELS FOR MARGINAL TAX RATES, OR ABOLISH THE CLAWBACK ON ADDITIONAL PERSONAL ALLOWANCES.
ON SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES, MRS TAM SAID THAT THE IMPROVED ARRANGEMENT WERE ENCOURAGING. HOWEVER, WITH THE HUGE SURPLUS IN PUBLIC FINANCES, THE AUTHORITIES COULD NOW LOOK POSITIVELY INTO THE NEED FOR BETTERING THE QUALITY OF SERVICES.
"TAKE CAMPS AND HOSTELS SERVICE FOR EXAMPLE, THE QUALITY IS EXPECTED TO IMPROVE WHEN MANAGEMENT IS TRANSFERRED FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH.
"HENCE, THE FUNDS ALLOCATED TO THE SERVICE THIS YEAR HAVE ONLY BEEN INCREASED BY $800,000 WHICH IS FAR BELOW THE AMOUNT REQUIRED FOR IMPROVING THE CAMPS AND HOSTELS FACILITIES."
SHE ALSO CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO GIVE FULL CONSIDERATION TO THE SHORTAGE OF SOCIAL WORKERS WHEN PLANNING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES.
ON PLANNING FOR SERVICES, SHE HOPED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD FIRSTLY MAKE A THOROUGH STUDY ON THE IMPACT OF THE CHANGE IN POPULATION DISTRIBUTION ON THE PROVISION OF EXISTING SOCIAL SERVICES.
"SECONDLY, THE AUTHORITIES SHOULD ADOPT A MORE FLEXIBLE APPROACH IN PLANNING FOR THE PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL SOCIAL SERVICES AND MAKE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS IN LINE WITH THE DEMOGRAPHIC STRUCTURE OF EACH DISTRICT," SHE SAID.
SHE NOTED THAT WHILE THE PLANNING ON YOUTH CENTRES HAD BEEN GIVEN A DEGREE OF FLEXIBILITY, THAT ON OTHER SERVICES LIKE CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY AND CHILD CARE CENTRES WAS NOT FLEXIBLE ENOUGH.
/MOREOVER, OWING .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
"MOREOVER, OWING TO THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TOWNS, MANY PLANNED SOCIAL SERVICES, IN TERMS OF QUALITY AND QUANTITY, CANNOT COPE WITH THE ACTUAL DEMAND."
MRS TAM ALSO ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO CONSIDER DEVELOPING SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED SERVICES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF TARGET GROUPS SUCH AS THOSE COMING FROM SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES, TEENAGE GIRLS WHO RAN AWAY FROM HOME FREQUENTLY AND YOUNG MARRIED WOMEN WHO REQUIRED HELP AFTER MOVING TO THE NEW TOWNS.
ON THE FUNDING FOR WELFARE SERVICES, MRS TAM NOTED THAT ORGANISATIONS THAI’ DONATED PARI' OF THEIR PROFITS TOWARDS CHARITABLE PURPOSES COULD ONLY ENJOY A TAX-DEDUCTI BLE ALLOWANCE OF NOT MORE THAN 10 PER CENT OF THEIR TOTAL PROFITS.
SHE SAID THAT SUCH PROVISION DISCOURAGED ORGANISATIONS FROM MAKING MORE DONATIONS FOR’ USE ON SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES.
AS LONG AS MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS WERE WILLING TO CONTRIBUTE, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SHOW ENCOURAGEMENT BY RAISING SUBSTANTIALLY THE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE ALLOWANCE FOR CHARITABLE DONATIONS.
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H MORE DETAILS NEEDED ON HOSPITAL AUTHORITY t ♦ t ♦ ♦ I
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE THE INITIATIVE NOW TO GIVE MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND ITS FINANCIAL PROVISIONING.
THE HON TAI CHIN-WAH MADE THIS CALL DURING THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR TAI SAID IT WAS DISAPPOINTING THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY MADE NO MENTION OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH.
OWING TO ITS IMPORTANCE, THE PUBLIC SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE INFORMED OF ITS COMPOSITION AS WELL AS THE BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS, HE SAID.
COMMENTING ON THE FORECAST SHORTFALL OF DOCTORS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR FROM 1988 TO 1996, MR TA I SAID THE MAIN REASON FOR THIS WAS THE HIGH WASTAGE RATE IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR.
/THE PRESENT .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
THE PRESENT CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES WERE INADEQUATE FOR RETAINING DOCTORS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, HE ADDED.
HE THEREFORE APPEALED TO THE COUNCIL AND THE FUTURE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY TO EXAMINE SUCH AN ACUTE SITUATION AND CONSIDER PROVIDING SUFFICIENT FUNDS TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES.
TURNING TO THE LOWERING OF THE STANDARD TAX RATE TO 15.5 PER CENT, MR TAI POINTED OUT THAT ONLY 53,000 OF THE 700,000 ELIGIBLE TAXPAYERS PAID AT THE STANDARD RATE BUT THEY CONTRIBUTED 56 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL TAX YIELD. "THIS TAX BURDEN CONCENTRATES ON A SMALL NUMBER OF TAXPAYERS. THIS SITUATION IS NEGOTIABLE AS THE SOCIETY OF HONG KONG OWES SO MUCH TO SO FEW," HE SAID.
"BACKED BY THE CUMULATIVE SURPLUS IN BUDGETTING FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS, THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD GIVE CONSIDERATION TO THE POSSIBILITY OF GRANTING AN INCREASE IN THE PERSONAL ALLOWANCE AND A TAX CONCESSION TO THOSE IN THE MIDDLE INCOME BRACKET AS AN ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THEIR DILIGENCE AND CONTRIBUTION TO THE ECONOMY OF HONG KONG," HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE IDEA OF WIDENING THE TAX NET, MR TAI SAID THAT CHANGES TO THE INDIRECT TAX SYSTEM WOULD AFFECT MUCH MORE OF SOCIETY THAN DID DIRECT TAX. "ANY CHANGE WITHOUT STRONG JUSTIFYING GROUNDS WILL ONLY DISTRESS A WIDE SECTION OF THE PUBLIC. THEREFORE EVERY MOVE TOWARDS INDIRECT TAX SHOULD BE VERY CAREFULLY SCRUTINISED IF SOCIAL RESENTMENT AND DISTRESS IS TO BE AVOIDED."
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THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
- 32 -
FILM CENSORSHIP BILL DESIGNED TO REDUCE CENSORSHIP
* « » * »
THE NEW FILM CENSORSHIP BILL NOW BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IS DESIGNED TO REDUCE CENSORSHIP, THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, MR PETER TSAO, SAID THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING.
MR TSAO SAID THE BILL "REPRESENTS A LIBERALISATION OF CENSORSHIP STANDARDS BY PERMITTING AN 'ADULT FILM’ CATEGORY; IT PROVIDES FOR DIRECT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE CENSORSHIP PROCESS; AND IT REMOVES CENSORSHIP ON ADVERTISING MATERIALS".
SPEAKING AT THE DINNER OF THE MBA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THE THREE-YEAR MBA (CUHK) ASSOCIATION LIMITED, MR TSAO SAID THE BILL "DOES PROVIDE FOR FILMS TO BE SHOWN TO RESTRICTED MATURE AUDIENCES WHICH OUR PRESENT LAW DOES NOT" .
"SEXY OR VIOLENT FILMS WHICH HITHERTO WOULD HAVE BEEN BANNED MAY, II THE LAW IS PASSED, IN FUTURE BE SHOWN TO ADULT AUDIENCES.
"THIS IS A TANGIBLE LIBERALISATION AS COMPARED WITH THE PRESENT SYSTEM WHERE, IN THE CASE OF MANY MARGINAL FILMS, THE BABY GETS THROWN OUT WITH THE BATH-WATER," HE SAID.
MR TSAO SAID THE BILL ALSO PROVIDED FOR A GREATER COMMUNITY INPUT INTO THE PROCESS OF FILM CENSORSHIP IN THAT A CENSOR MIGHT VIEW A FILM WITH LAY ADVISERS DRAWN FROM A CROSS SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY.
HE ADDED THAT ANYONE AGGRIEVED BY A CENSOR’S DECISION WOULD BE ABLE TO APPEAL TO A BOARD OF REVIEW COMPRISING A MAJORITY OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND WITH AN UNOFFICIAL CHAIRMAN.
"IN MY OPINION," HF. SAID, "THIS WILL PROVIDE ADEQUATE SAFEGUARDS AGAINST ANY UNJUSTIFIABLE ACTIONS BY THE CENSORING AUTHORITIES," HE SAID.
A FURTHER IMPROVEMENT IN THE NEW BILL WAS THE ENDING OF ADVANCE CENSORSHIP OF ADVERTISING MATERIALS FOR FILMS WHICH, MR TSAO SAID, WOULD PUT SUCH MATERIALS ON A PAR WITH THE TREATMENT OF OTHER PUBLICATIONS.
ON THE SO-CALLED "POLITICAL CENSORSHIP" CLAUSE IN THE BILL, MR TSAO SAID HE HAD NO DOUBT THAT THE CLAUSE WAS NECESSARY FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY.
"HONG KONG IS AFTER ALL NOT A SELF-SUFFICIENT TERRITORY, AND OUR COMMERCE AND PROSPERITY ARE CLOSELY LINKED TO THE GOODWILL, AND UNDERSTANDING OF NATIONS ALL ROUND THE WORLD.
"IT SIMPLY DOES NOT MAKE SENSE TO ME TO JEOPARDISE OUR GOOD RELATIONS WITH ANY TERRITORY FOR THE SAKE OF SCREENING THE ODD FILM WHICH DISRESPECTS ITS POLITICAL SENSITIVITIES," HE SAID.
/MR TSAO .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 1988
- 33 -
MR TSAO POINTED OUT THAT THE CENSORING AUTHORITIES HAD HAD THE POWER TO CENSOR FILMS ON SUCH GROUNDS SINCE 1953 AND THE NEW CRITERION WAS TIGHTER ON THE CENSOR THAN THE PRESENT ONE.
TURNING TO TELEVISION, MR TSAO SAID THERE WAS AN EVEN GREATER COMMUNITY INPUT IN THE SUPERVISION OF TELEVISION BROADCASTING THAN FILMS WITH THE RECENT SETTING UP OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY WHICH HAD A MAJORITY OF NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS AND A NON-OFFICIAL CHAIRMAN.
"THE EXISTENCE OF THIS AUTHORITY ENSURES THAT THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF DOES NOT ACT AS THE GUARDIAN OF THE COMMUNITY’S MORALS: THAT JUDGEMENT IS LEFT TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE APPOINTED TO, AND FORM A MAJORITY ON, THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY," HE SAID.
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SELF-REGULATION OF INSURANCE INDUSTRY FAVOURED
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, SAID THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING THAT HE FAVOURED SELF-REGULATION AS AN ASPECT OF REGULATION OF THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY, SUBJECT TO ADEQUATE SAFEGUARDS AND AN APPROPRIATE LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK TO ENSURE THAT IT WORKS EFFECTIVELY.
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL DINNER OF THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE OF HONG KONG, MR NENDICK HOWEVER SAID THAT THERE MUST BE PROPER MONITORING AND STRICT COMPLIANCE BY THE INDUSTRY TO ITS OWN RULES OF CONDUCT.
"A PROPER BALANCE CAN ONLY BE STRUCK IF THERE IS PROPER DIALOGUE AND CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT BASED UPON MUTUAL TRUST.
"THIS, I HOPE, IS THE BASIS UPON WHICH WE WILL BE ABLE TO CARRY THE SUBJECT FORWARD HERE IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
MR NENDICK SAID THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY’S WORKING GROUP ON SELFREGULATION HAD RECENTLY SUBMITTED ITS BROAD PROPOSALS TO GOVERNMENT ON THE INSURANCE CONTRACT LAW AND THE REGULATION OF INSURANCE INTERMEDIARIES.
WHILE WELCOMING THE INITIATIVE OF THE MR NENDICK SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOW EXAMINING SEE WHETHER THEY COULD FORM A SOLID FOUNDATION CONTROL OF INTERMEDIARIES. INSURANCE INDUSTRY, THESE PROPOSALS TO FOR THE EFFECTIVE /HE SAID
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
HE SAID THIS WAS AN IMPORTANT AREA OF CONSUMER PROTECTION AND IT WAS TOO EARLY TO SAY WHETHER THE PROPOSALS WERE PRACTICABLE OR TO IDENTIFY THE EXTENT TO WHICH THEY WOULD NEED TO BE BACKED UP BY A LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK.
"WE INTEND TO CONTINUE OUR DIALOGUE WITH THE INDUSTRY IN THE HOPE OF ACHIEVING AN OUTCOME WHICH IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF ALL THE PARTIES CONCERNED,” HE SAID.
MR NENDICK POINTED OUT THAT ONE AREA IN THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK CAPABLE OF IMPROVEMENT WAS IN THE FIELD OF CO-OPERATION BETWEEN REGULATORY AGENCIES IN HONG KONG AND OVERSEAS.
THIS WAS TAKEN ACCOUNT OF IN THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL WHICH WOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT WEEK AND WOULD, HE HOPED, BE PASSED IN THIS SESSION.
THE BILL’S MAIN OBJECTIVE IS TO CLARIFY THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY IN THE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION OBTAINED IN THE COURSE OF HIS STATUTORY DUTIES.
THE BILL WILL ALSO MAKE TWO TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS. IT WILL GIVE THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY A DISCRETION TO DETERMINE AT WHAT TIME CONDITIONS IMPOSED AT THE TIME OF AUTHORISATION OF AN INSURANCE COMPANY SHOULD BE REVOKED AND EMPOWER THE AUTHORITY TO WITHDRAW AUTHORISATION FOR PART OF ANY CLASS OF INSURANCE BUSINESS.
- - 0
COUNSELLOR FOR BRITISH JLG OFFICE IN HK
MR DOUG MARTIN, CURRENTLY HEAD OF CHANCERY AT THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN LISBON, HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO A POST AS COUNSELLOR IN THE BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP OFFICE WHEN THIS OPENS IN HONG KONG ON JULY 1.
MR MARTIN WILL BE IN DAY-TO-DAY CHARGE OF THE OFFICE, ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE BRITISH SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE, MR ROBIN MCLAREN, WHO RETAINS HIS POST AS ASSISTANT UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE (ASIA) IN THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE.
- 0 - -
/55
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
- 35 -DONATIONS TO SAE NOW TAX-DEDUCTIBLE *****
DONATIONS TO SPORT THROUGH THE SPORTS AID FOUNDATION ARE NOW TAX-DEDUCTIBLE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SPORT AID COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE SPORTS AID FOUNDATION WAS SET UP RECENTLY WITH A DONATION OF $10 MILLION FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB. IT AIMS TO ASSIST TALENTED INDIVIDUAL ATHLETES TO REACH ASIAN OR INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS.
"WITH THE TAX INCENTIVE, IT IS HOPED THAT INCREASED CONTRIBUTION FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR WILL BE FORTHCOMING FOR THE PROMOTION OF SPORT,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"ALSO, A NEW PREFERRED DONATION SCHEME UNDER THE FOUNDATION WILL ENABLE BUSINESS CORPORATIONS, THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO DONATE MONEY TO A SPECIFIED SPORT," HE SAID.
THE SPORTS AID COMMITTEE WHICH ADMINISTERS THE FUND WILL NORMALLY COMPLY WITH THE WISH OF THE DONORS, IN WHICH CASE THE TOTAL AMOUNT, OR PART OF THE "PREFERRED DONATION", WILL BE GRANTED TO THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CONCERNED SPORT.
"IF THE DONOR DOES NOT HAVE A PREFERENCE, THE COMMITTEE WILL ALLOCATE THE FUND AS IT CONSIDERS APPROPRIATE," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE FOUNDATION’S FUNDS ARE NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATION. LOCAL AMATEUR ATHLETES WISHING TO APPLY SHOULD COMPLETE AN APPLICATION FORM WHICH IS AVAILABLE FROM THEIR ASSOCIATION OR FROM THE SPORTS AID COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT, 11TH FLOOR, WING ON CENTRE, 111 CONNAUGHT ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-458511.
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SAI KUNG DB TO DISCUSS HANG HAU TOWN CLEARANCE «»*»»*
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO DISCUSS THE PROPOSED RESUMPTION AND CLEARANCE OF PART OF HANG HAU TOWN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF JUNK BAY NEW TOWN.
THE PROPOSED ENGINEERING WORKS FOR THE RESUMPTION AND CLEARANCE ARE SCHEDULED TO COMMENCE IN DECEMBER THIS YEAR. A TOTAL OF 159 LOTS COMPRISING BOTH BUIID1NG AND AGRICULTURAL LAND WILL BE RESUMED AND CLEARED.
/REPRESENTATIVES FROM .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WILL BE PRESENT TO GIVE DETAILS ON THE PROJECT AND TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ON REHOUSING MATTERS.
THE PROJECT MANAGER OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SOUTH DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, MR C.K. CHOW, WILL ALSO BE PRESENT TO BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF A BREAKWATER AT PACKAGE 5 RECLAMATION WORKS.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE ’’MEET THE PUBLIC” SCHEME, THE PROPOSED DISBURSEMENT OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS, DEPARTMENTAL ANNUAL PROGRAMMES FOR 1988-89, APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARDS FUNDS AND THE PROGRESS REPORT OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, ('HAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM.
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SHAM SHUI PO DB MEETING ♦ t ♦
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON TO APPOINT COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD, ELECT COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN AND DISCUSS THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS TO THE COMMITTEES FOR 1988-89.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROVISIONAL TIMETABLE OF MEETINGS AND THE DISTRICT BOARD STANDING ORDERS.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE A REPORT FROM THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMM ITTEE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF DISTRICT BOARD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE DISTRICT ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, 37-39 TONKIN STREET, KOWLOON. BEGIN AT 2 PM.
THE SHAM SHUI PO OFFICE CONFERENCE THE MEETING WILL
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THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
- 37 -
PRAISE FOR PO LEUNG KUK’S SERVICES
* t t *
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, IS PLEASED THAT THE PO LEUNG KUK HAS PUT EMPHASIS ON OFFERING MULTI-FACETED SOCIAL SERVICES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.
MR LIAO SAID THIS WHEN THE PO LEUNG KUKrS BOARD OF DIRECTORS PAID A COURTESY CALL TO HIS OFFICE TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR LIAO ALSO COMPLIMENTED THE KUK ON THE STEPS IT HAS TAKEN TO IMPROVE ITS SERVICES.
THE KUK PLANS TO BUILD AN INTEGRATED CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY, TWO CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY, A DAY CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY AND A CARE AND ATTENTION HOME.
MR LIAO TOLD THE DIRECTORS THAT THESE PROJECTS WOULD HELP MUCH IN THE PROVISION OF COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE.
THE KUK ALSO PLANS TO BUILD SEVERAL NURSERIES AND WILL PUT CONSIDERABLE EFFORT INTO EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION WORK.
MR LIAO SAID THESE PROJECTS, NOW UNDERWAY IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE TERRITORY, WOULD BENEFIT PEOPLE FROM ALL SECTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY.
"THE KUK’S EFFORTS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY ARE MUCH
A PREC1ATED,” HE SAID.
REGARDING THE KUK’S PROPOSED SECOND YOUTH HOLIDAY CAMP IN TAI 1’ONG, YUEN LONG, MR LIAO SAJD THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION WOULD TRY ITS BEST TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE SO THAT THE HOLIDAY CAMP COULD BE COMPLETED AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.
MOREOVER, THE CNTA WOULD GIVE ITS ALL-OUT SUPPORT TO THE "PO LEUNG KUK AND THE COMMUNITY" CAMPAIGN ORGANISED BY THE KUK THIS YEAR TO ESTABLISH CLOSER TIES WITH THE COMMUNITY AND TO PROMOTE A THOROUGH UNDERSTANDING OF THE KUK’S WORK, HE ADDED.
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/38........
THURSDAY, APRIL 21,
1988
- 58 -
INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF SHAM SHUI PO AREA COMMITTEES
« » * » »
AN INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE 1988-89 TERM OF AREA COMMITTEES IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT 8 PM AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE.
THE CEREMONY WILL START WITH AN OPENING SPEECH BY THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY (HONG KONG AND KOWLOON), MR PAUL LEUNG, TO BE FOLLOWED BY THE PRESENTATION OF APPOINTMENT LETTERS TO K .PRESENTATIVES FROM THE 10 AREA COMMITTEES IN SHAM SHUI PO.
THE 10 AREA COMMITTEES ARE NAMELY SHEK KIP MEI; LEI CHENG UK AND SO UK; PAK TIN; NAM SHAN AND YAU YAT CHUEN; LAI CHI KOK AND UN CHAU; CHEUNG SHA WAN; LAI WAN; NAM CHEONG EAST; NAM CHEONG WEST; AND NAM CHEONG NORTH.
)
THE CEREMONY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A TEA RECEPTION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF SHAM SHUI PO AREA COMMITTEES TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE, 55 FAT TSEUNG STREET, KOWLOON. THE CEREMONY WILL START AT 8 PM.
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END OF ERA FOR AUXILIARY MARINE POLICE ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
MODERN TECHNOLOGY LAST MONTH CAUGHT UP WITH ONE OF THE FORCE’S OLDEST ESTABLISHED AUXILIARY UNITS. MARINE HARBOUR UNIT OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY POLICE WENT ON DUTY FOR THE LAST TIME TO END OVER A CENTURY OF SERVICE IN SUPPORT OF THE REGULAR FORCE.
THE TIME AND COST OF TRAINING THE PART-TIMERS IN THE USE OF NEW SOPHISTICATED MARINE POLICE LAUNCHES LED TO A REVIEW WHICH BROUGHT THE GOVERNMENT DECISION TO DISBAND THE UNIT.
BUT THE LOSS OF THE HARBOUR UNIT HAS ALLOWED FOR ADJUSTMENTS AND IMPROVEMENTS IN OTHER BRANCHES OF THE AUXILIARY FORCE.
SAID MR DENNIS COLLINS, CHIEF STAFF OFFICER, AUXILIARIES: "BY LAST MONTH WE HAD 71 HARBOUR AUXILIARIES REMAINING OUT OF AN ESTABLISHMENT OF 255.
/’’ALL BUT..........
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
- 39 -
’’ALL BUT A FEW HAVE TRANSFERRED TO OTHER UNITS."
A TOTAL OF 215 OF THE FORMER HARBOUR POSTS HAVE BEEN ABSORBED BY OTHER AUXILIARY FORMATIONS.
THE DEMISE OF THE HARBOUR UNIT STEMS FROM THE MARINE FLEET EXPANSION AND REPLACEMENT PROGRAMME.
BECAUSE OF THE INTRODUCTION OF MORE SOPHISTICATED VESSELS TO EXPAND THE FLEET AND TO REPLACE OBSOLETE VESSELS THE PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS TO OPERATE THE NEW VESSELS AND THE TRAINING REQUIREMENTS TO MEET THE NEW STANDARDS WERE COMPLETELY REVISED AND NEW SYSTEMS WERE INTRODUCED.
THE NEW SYSTEM FOR TRAINING REGULAR FORCE MARINERS CONSISTS OF PROGRESSIVE ACADEMIC TRAINING AND EXAMINATION LINKED WITH SEA TIME TO PROVIDE NECESSARY PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE.
FOR AUXILIARY PERSONNEL OF THE AUXILIARY MARINE HARBOUR UNIT TO OPERATE OR BE DEPLOYED UPON THE NEW VESSELS THEIR TRAINING, QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE ARE REQUIRED TO MATCH THEIR REGULAR COUNTERPARTS.
MR COLLINS COMMENTED: "EVEN IF THE HARBOUR AUXILIARIES WERE TO DEVOTE ALL THE TIME AVAILABLE TO SEA TIME THEY WOULD STILL NOT ABLE TO QUALIFY FOR THE NEW LAUNCHES."
CALCULATIONS SHOWED, SAID MR COLLINS, THAT IT WOULD TAKE 24.9 YEARS FOR AN AUXILIARY TO BECOME FULLY QUALIFIED AND PERMITTED TO COMMAND A VESSEL THROUGH THE PROGRESSIVE TRAINING, EXAMINATION AND EXPERIENCE PROGRAMME.
TO QUALIFY AS A DECK HAND/LOOKOUT WOULD TAKE THE AUXILIARY MORE THAN EIGHT YEARS; AS A DUTY COXWAIN, OVER 14 YEARS.
WHILE THERE WAS SORROW AT THE DISBANDMENT OF A HISTORIC AUXILIARY POLICE UNIT, MR COLLINS POINTED TO OTHER DEVELOPMENTS TO IMPROVE AUXILIARY SERVICE.
"WE'VE INCREASED TRAFFIC, DECENTRALISED AND MADE AN EVENLY BALANCED DISTRIBUTION OF WOMAN OFFICERS AND INTRODUCED THE RANK OF WOMAN STATION SERGEANT FOR THE FIRST TIME.
"EACH UNIT WILL GET AN ADDITIONAL STATION SERGEANT; WE’VE INCREASED CHIEF INSPECTOR POSTS BY DELETING SOME SUPERINTENDENT POSTS AND INCREASED STATION SERGEANTS BY DELETING SOME INSPECTORATE POSTS.
"WE’VE RATIONALISED THE WOMEN'S ESTABLISHMENT, INCREASED THE SIZE OF THE BAND AND ESTABLISHED A TRAINING UNIT.
"THE AUXILIARY FORCE HAS BEEN GENERALLY TIDIED UP IN THE PROCESS."
- - O ----------
/UO
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1988
UO
AUXILIARY TRAINING WILL PLACE MORE EMPHASIS ON PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE, MORE ON-THE-JOB TRAINING.
"ALL AUXILIARIES WILL NOW GET CONSIDERABLY MORE PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE AND WILL BE BETTER PREPARED TO RELIEVE THEIR REGULAR COUNTERPARTS.
"ON-THE-JOB TRAINING WILL BE DONE IN UNITS OF THE MINIMUM SIZE OF HALF A PLATOON AND BE USED TO SUPPORT OR RELIEVE THE REGULARS," SAID MR COLLINS.
"SOME DISTRICTS REQUIRE ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL AT WEEKENDS AND THEY WILL NEED MORE FLEXIBLE ARRANGEMENTS."
THE PLAN WAS TO MAKE THE AUXILIARIES MORE EFFICIENT AND TO IMPROVE MORALE.
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LONG-SERVING POLICE OFFICERS HONOURED
*****
LONG-SERVICE INSIGNIA WERE AWARDED TO 35 VETERANS BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS, MR PETER WEBB, AT A CEREMONY HELD AT THE POLICE HEADQUARTERS TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR WEBB PRAISED THE OFFICERS FOR THEIR LONG AND DEVOTED SERVICE TO THE FORCE AND COMMUNITY.
CHIEF STAFF OFFICER OF THE TRAFFIC WING, MR TED TAYLOR, WAS AMONG THE EIGHT OFFICERS TO RECEIVE THE SECOND CLASPS TO THEIR LONG SERVICE MEDALS. THE AWARD IS GIVEN TO POLICE OFFICERS WHO HAVE SERVED IN THE FORCE FOR 30 YEARS.
THREE SENIOR INSPECTORS, A SERGEANT, A WOMAN SERGEANT AND FOUR SENIOR POLICE CONSTABLES WERE PRESENTED WITH FIRST CLASPS, IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR SERVICE IN THE PAST 25 YEARS.
SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT PHIL LAYTON, SUPERINTENDENT HUGH HEALY-BROWN, CHIEF INSPECTOR TAM KWOK-LEUNG, AS WELL AS 15 RANK-AND-FILE OFFICERS RECEIVED LONG SERVICE MDEALS SIGNIFYING 18 YEARS' SERVICE.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
THOROUGH ASSESSMENT OF PUBLIC VIEWS ON RUMMER TIME .......... 1
PARENTS WARNED AGAINST MEASLES OUTBREAK ..................... 2
'PLANT FOR CHARITY' ACTIVITY TO END PLANTING SCHEME.......... 4
CIVIL SERVANTS PRAISED FOR IDEAS ON EFFICIENCY............... 5
PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS TO CHANGE CLASS STRUCTURE ............. 6
AUXILIARY POLICE PASSING OUT PARADE ......................... 7
STAGE THREE OF TAI FO ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME TO BEGIN ... 7
TRUNK ROAD SYSTEM FOR YUEN LONG, TUEN MUN ................... *
TSING YI BRIDGE IMPROVEMENTS PROPOSED .......................
ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORK IN KWUN TONG ....................... 12
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR ISLANDS' SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME ......... 12
GOVERNMENT PROPERTY TO LET BY TENDER......................... 1?
EXHIBITION ON PSYCHOTROPIC DRUG ABUSE ....................... 1^
SEMINAR ON OPTIMUM USE OF MANPOWER RESOURCES ................ 1^
MANUAL OF TRAINING PROGRAMMES PUBLISHED ..................... 15
SIXTY-THREE HONOURED FOR LONG SERVICES WITH WSD ............. 16
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN KWAI CHUNG INDUSTRIAL AREA................ 16
URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS IN SHA TIN ...................... 17
RESTRICTED ZONES IN CAUSEWAY BAY ............................ 18
TRAFFIC CHANGES IN FANLING .................................. 18
ROADS IN WO HOP SHEK TO BE CLOSED ON SUNDAY.................. 19
FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1988
THOROUGH ASSESSMENT OF PUBLIC VIEWS ON SUMMER TIME
*****
THE GOVERNMENT’S MOVE TO SEEK PUBLIC VIEWS ON THE DESIRABILITY OF A PROPOSAL TO ADOPT SUMMER TIME (GMT + 9) IN HONG KONG WILL BE A GENUINE CONSULTATION EXERCISE, THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, MR PETER TSAO, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCH MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON NORTH, MR TSAO STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD NO PRECONCEIVED IDEAS ABOUT THE OUTCOME OF THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE.
MR TSAO POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG ONCE HAD DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME IN WINTER AND THIS GMT + 9 IN WINTER WAS VERY UNPOPULAR BECAUSE IT MEANT THAT LARGE NUMBERS OF WORKERS AND SCHOOL CHILDREN HAD TO LEAVE HOME IN THE DARK.
"JUST TO PROVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT DOES SOMETIMES LEARN FROM ITS MISTAKES, THIS TIME WE ARE ADOPTING A DIFFERENT APPROACH," HE SAID.
"FIRSTLY, THE GOVERNMENT IS AVOIDING TAKING ANY DECISION OF ITS OWN BEFORE IT HAS EXPLAINED CLEARLY THE CHOICES AND CONSULTED PUBLIC OPINION AS WIDELY AS POSSIBLE.
"WE ARE GOING TO TAKE AS THOROUGH A READING OF PUBLIC VIEWS ON THIS SUBJECT AS WE CAN BY GOING TO ALL DISTRICT BOARDS, ALL SCHOOLS AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, TRANSPORT OPERATORS (INCLUDING AIRLINES), POWER COMPANIES, BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS AND SO ON.
"BASICALLY, WE ARE SAYING TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG: TELL US WHAT YOU WANT."
MR TSAO NOTED THAT THE SECOND THING THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD DONE DIFFERENTLY THIS TIME WAS TO RULE OUT ADOPTION OF DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME, THAT IS, GMT + 9, DURING THE WINTER MONTHS.
"UNLESS THERE IS SOME EMERGENCY INVOLVING ELECTRICITY OR FUEL SUPPLIES AT ANY TIME IN THE FUTURE, I CANNOT SEE THAT PARTICULAR OPTION BEING CONSIDERED AGAIN," HE SAID.
THEREFORE, MR TSAO SAID, THE PRESENT DEBATE WOULD FOCUS ON TWO CHOICES. THE FIRST WAS TO MAINTAIN THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF GMT + 8 THROUGHOUT THE YEAR; THE SECOND OPTION WAS TO STAY ON GMT + 8 DURING THE WINTER BUT TO SWITCH TO GMT + 9 FOR THE SUMMER MONTHS.
MR TSAO SAJI) THAT THE PROPOSED ADOPTION OF SUMMER TIME WOULD ALLOW AN EXTRA HOUR OF' SUNLIGHT IN THE EVENING WHEN VIRTUALLY EVERYBODY WAS AWAKE.
ALSO, HE SAID, THERE WAS SOME EVIDENCE THAT SUMMER TIME RESULTED IN A SAVING IN ELECTRICITY AND FUEL CONSUMPTION.
/"HOWEVER, I .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1988
2
’’HOWEVER, I WOULD NOT WISH TO OVER-STRESS THIS POINT BECAUSE THERE IS SOME DOUBT AS TO WHAT EXACTLY THE SAVING IS.
’’ANOTHER BENEFIT SOMETIMES QUOTED RELATES TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT STATISTICS BECAUSE MORE PEOPLE ARE RECKONED TO BE ON THE ROAD BETWEEN 7 PM AND 8 PM IN THE EVENING THAN BETWEEN 5 AM AND 6 AM IN THE MORNING.
"ONE OF THE THINGS WE WILL BE DOING THIS SUMMER IF WE CAN IS MONITORING THE TIME AT WHICH TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS OCCUR COMPARED TO THE TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD AT A PARTICULAR TIME TO SEE IF WE CAN DRAW ANY FIRM CONCLUSIONS.
"FINALLY, THERE MAY BE ADVANTAGES FOR SOME IN MOVING INTO LINE WITH MOST OF THE MAJOR COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD INCLUDING USA, ALL EEC MEMBER COUNTRIES, RUSSIA, AUSTRALIA AND CHINA,” MR TSAO SAID.
HE SAID THAT ON THE OTHER HAND THERE WERE ALSO SOME DISADVANTAGES.
"SOME PEOPLE FIND IT IRKSOME TO HAVE TO CHANGE THEIR CLOCKS TWICE A YEAR AND WOULD RATHER NOT BE BOTHERED.
"IN ADDITION, THERE WOULD BE SOME RE-SCHEDULING INVOLVING THE AIRLINES."
MR TSAO CALLED ON THE PUBLIC TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DEBATE DURING THE NEXT FEW MONTHS AND TO FEEL FREE TO SUBMIT THEIR VIEWS IN WRITING TO THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT DIRECTLY OR VIA VARIOUS BODIES.
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PARENTS WARNED AGAINST MEASLES OUTBREAK ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) URGED PARENTS TO IMMUNISE THEIR YOUNG CHILDREN AGAINST MEASLES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IN VIEW OF THE CURRENT OUTBREAK.
BETWEEN JANUARY 1 AND MARCH 31, A TOTAL OF 787 CASES OF MEASLES WERE RECORDED. THREE CHILDREN, AGED ONE, FOUR AND 13, DIED FROM COMPLICATIONS.
TODAY, 76 PATIENTS ARE BEING TREATED AT PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL,.
BY FAR THE MAJORITY OF THE CASES HAD NOT RECEIVED VACCINATION PREVIOUSLY.
/THE DEPARTMENT .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1988
- 3 -
THE DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT SINCE DECEMBER 1967 IT HAS OPERATED A VACCINATION PROGRAMME AGAINST MEASLES FOR BABIES, AS PART OF ITS CHILDHOOD COMMUNICABLE DISEASES IMMUNISATION PROGRAMME.
UNDER THIS VACCINATION PROGRAMME, PARENTS ARE ADVISED TO TAKE THEIR CHILDREN, WHEN THEY REACH 12 MONTHS, TO THE NEAREST MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRES FOR VACCINATION.
TO DATE, THE MEASLES VACCINATION PROGRAMME HAS COVERED OVER 80 PER CENT OF THE CHILDREN BORN IN HONG KONG.
HOWEVER, SOME PARENTS HAVE NOT MADE USE OF THE IMMUNISATION PROGRAMME.
IN VIEW OF THE CURRENT OUTBREAK, THE DEPARTMENT HAS ADVANCED THE AGE OF VACCINATION TO SIX MONTHS INSTEAD OF 12 MONTHS.
PARENTS WHO WISH TO HAVE THEIR BABIES VACCINATED SHOULD TAKE THEM TO THE NEAREST MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRES.
AT THE SAME TIME, SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE BEING MADE FOR VACCINATION OF CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 14 WHO HAVE NOT RECEIVED A MEASLES VACCINATION OR HAVE NOT HAD MEASLES BEFORE.
THEY CAN NOW BE GIVEN A VACCINATION AT FIVE SPECIALLY
DESIGNATED CENTRES STARTING FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THESE VACCINATION CENTRES ARE THE OUTPATIENT CLINICS AT : TANG SHIU KIN HOSPITAL, YAU MA TEI JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC, KWUN TONG JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC, LADY TRENCH POLYCLINIC AND LEK YUEN HEALTH CENTRE.
PARENTS ARE ALSO ADVISED THAT CHILDREN WHO WERE VACCINATED BEFORE THEY WERE ONE YEAR OLD SHOULD BE GIVEN A BOOSTER VACCINATION -AT THE MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRES IF THEY ARE UNDER FIVE YEARS, OR AT THE SPECIALLY DESIGNATED CENTRES IF THEY ARE OVER FIVE.
THE LAST OUTBREAK OF MEASLES IN HONG KONG OCCURRED IN 1982 WHEN A TOTAL OF 1,863 CASES WERE REPORTED, WITH FIVE DEATHS.
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A ...
FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1988
- 4 -
’PLANT FOR CHARITY’ ACTIVITY TO END PLANTING SCHEME *****
THIS YEAR'S COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME WILL DRAW TO A CLOSE ON SUNDAY (APRIL 24) WITH A MAJOR "PLANT FOR CHARITY" ACTIVITY TO BE HELD IN THE PLOVER COVE COUNTRY PARK.
ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG AND THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, THE EVENT AIMS AT RAISING MONEY FOR THE GROUP’S DEVELOPMENT FUND REQUIRED FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ITS FIRST SHELTERED WORKSHOP, MORE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY AND MORE SCHOOLS.
OFFICIATING AT THE EVENT WILL BE CHAIRMAN OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY, MR ALLEN LEE. HE WILL BE JOINED BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (COUNTRY PARKS AND CONSERVATION) OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR K.C. IU; THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING, MR SIMON LUN; AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, MR PAUL YU.
PARTICIPANTS IN THE EVENT WILL INCLUDE A GROUP OF 150 CELEBRITIES, COMPRISING OMELCO MEMBERS MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, PROFESSOR C.K. POON, MR ANDREW WONG, MRS PAULINE NG, MR YEUNG PO-KWAN, DR CHIU HTN-KWONG, MR HO SA1-CHU AND MR CHAN YING-LUN AS WELL AS POPULAR ACTORS AND ACTRESSES, TV ARTISTES, SINGERS AND DISC JOCKEYS.
THEY WILL LEAD SOME 400 BOY SCOUTS AND GIRL GUIDES IN PLANTING SEEDLINGS TO RESTOCK TREES RECENTLY DAMAGED BY FIRES.
THE SENIOR COUNTRY PARKS OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR C.C. LAY, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE DEPARTMENT WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE GOOD RESPONSE TO THE EVENT WHICH WAS INDICATIVE OF THE DEGREE OF PUBLIC SUPPORT TO THE TREE PLANTING SCHEME, THE 31ST SINCE 1957.
UP TO LAST SUNDAY, MORE THAN 13,600 PEOPLE HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE PROJECT TO PLANT 16,300 TREES. ANOTHER 2,500 FROM 50 SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC ORGANISATIONS ARE AWAITING THEIR TURNS TO PLANT TREES IN GROUPS.
MR LAY REMINDED INTERESTED RESIDENTS THAT THIS SUNDAY (APRIL 24) WOULD BE THEIR LAST CHANCE TO TAKE PART IN THIS YEAR’S TREE PLANTING SCHEME.
"THEY SHOULD GO TO THE EIGHT DESIGNATED PLANTING SITES AT TAI MO SHAN, TAI TONG, BRIDE’S POOL, CLEAR WATER BAY, PAK TAM CHUNG, QUARRY BAY, POK FU LAM AND MUI WO," HE SAID.
"AFD STAFF WILL BE ON DUTY BETWEEN 9 AM AND 4 PM TO PROVIDE TREE SEEDLINGS, TOOLS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.”
WITH THE PREVAILING PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR TREE PLANTING ACTIVITIES TO CONSERVE THE COUNTRYSIDE ENVIRONMENT, MR LAY HOPED TO SEE A NEW RECORD FOR THIS YEAR’S SCHEME WHEN IT ENDS ON SUNDAY.
/LAST YEAR'S ........
FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1988
TREES.
LAST YEAR’S TURNOUT WAS 17,300 PEOPLE PLANTING SOME 21,000
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE "PLANT FOR CHARITY" EVENT TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY (APRIL 24) AT 11 AM AT THE FUNG HANG FAMILY WALK IN THE PLOVER COVE COUNTRY PARK.
TRANSPORT FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL LEAVE AFD HEADQUARTERS, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON AT 9.30 AM.
- O -
CIVIL SERVANTS PRAISED FOR IDEAS ON EFFICIENCY *****
THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR HARNAM GREWAL, TODAY (FRIDAY) PRESENTED CERTIFICATES OF COMMENDATION TO 10 CIVIL SERVANTS FOR SUGGESTIONS MADE TO THE CIVIL SERVICE STAFF SUGGESTIONS SCHEME ON WAYS OF IMPROVING EFFICIENCY.
IN ADDITION TO EACH RECEIVING A CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION, THREE Of HIE 10 OFFICERS ALSO RECEIVED CASH AWARDS RANGING FROM >250 TO $2,000.
THE HIGHEST CASH AWARD WENT TO MR PAU MAN-HO, A SENIOR DISPENSER OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WHO SUGGESTED A CHEAPER MEANS OF SUPPLYING TUBERCULIN PURIFIED PROTEIN DERIVATIVE FOR USE BY GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND CHEST CLINICS.
HIS SUGGESTION HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED BY THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND WILL RESULT IN SAVINGS OF SOME $90,000 A YEAR.
OTHER RECIPIENTS OF THE AWARDS WERE MR C.H. ALLISON, A SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT; MR KONG CHARN-LEUNG, A SENIOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT OF THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT; AND
MR P.E. HALLIDAY, A SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE; MR LAU CHING-YUE, AN ARTISAN OF THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERIVCES DEPARTMENT; MR CHEUNG PAK-KEUNG.AN ESTATE CARETAKER OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT; AND
MR NG TO-WUT, A VEHICLE TESTER OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT; AND MR FUNG PO-WO, A HOUSING MANAGER OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, AND TWO OTHER OFFICERS FROM THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND THE SENIOR STAFF COURSE CENTRE.
./SPEAKING AT
FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1988
- 6 -
SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, MR GREWAL PAID TRIBUTE TO THE OFFICERS FOR HAVING DEMONSTRATED KEEN OBSERVATION IN AREAS OF WORK WHICH FELL OUTSIDE THEIR NORMAL SCOPE OF DUTIES.
HE COMMENDED THE CIVIL SERVICE STAFF SUGGESTIONS SCHEME AS A FORUM FOR CIVIL SERVANTS "TO PROPOSE IMPROVEMENTS IN WORK PRACTICES AND TO SUGGEST WAYS BY WHICH SAVINGS CAN BE ACHIEVED".
ALSO PRESENT AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WERE THE HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS OF THE AWARD RECIPIENTS, SENIOR OFFICERS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH AND MEMBERS OF THE STAFF SUGGESTIONS COMMITTEE WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ADMINISTERING THE SCHEME.
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PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS TO CHANGE CLASS STRUCTURE » » » »
PREVOCATIONAL STUDENTS WOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY COMPARABLE TO THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN GRAMMAR SCHOOLS TO FURTHER THEIR STUDIES IN SIXTH FORMS AND TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS WHEN THE CLASS PATTERN IN PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS WAS MODIFIED IN STAGES STARTING NEXT YEAR, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
ADDRESSING A GATHERING AT A CEREMONY TO MARK THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE C.C.C. MADAM FUNG LEUNG KIT MEMORIAL PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL IN TAI PO, MR LI SAID THE CLASS STRUCTURE OF A PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL WOULD BE MODIFIED FROM THE EXISTING 77722 TO 6664422.
THE NEW CLASS PATTERN WOULD PROVIDE TWO MORE CLASSES FOR EACH OF SECONDARIES 4 AND 5 AND CREATE TWO CLASSES FOR EACH SECONDARIES 6 AND 7 IN PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS.
"PREVOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROVIDES STUDENTS NOT ONLY WITH A GOOD FOUNDATION OF GENERAL EDUCATION, BUT ALSO SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE OF A SPECIFIC TRADE OR OCCUPATION.
"STUDENTS WHO HAVE COMPLETED SECONDARY EDUCATION IN A PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL WILL STAND A BETTER CHANCE TO FURTHER THEIR STUDIES IN THE POLYTECHNICS AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OR TO SECURE A JOB," MR LI SAID.
MR LI ALSO NOTED THAT PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS WOULD PLAY AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ROLE IN SOCIETY.
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FRIDAY, \PRIL 22, 1988
- 7 -
AUXILIARY POLICE PASSING OUT PARADE ♦ I ♦ ♦
FREQUENTED BY TOURISTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, THE TWO MAIN AREAS IN KOWLOON — YAU MA TEI AND TS I M SHA TSUI -- WHERE NUMEROUS BANKS, GOLDSMITH SHOPS AND BOUTIQUES ARE SITUATED, FORMED POPULAR TARGETS FOR CRIMINALS, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE YAU MA TEI NORTH AREA COMMITTEE, MR WONG YICK-KEE, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
ADDRESSING A PASS 1NG-OUI PARADE AT THE AUXILIARY POLICE HEADQUARTERS IN KOWLOON BAY, MR WONG, ON BEHALF OF THE LOCAL DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, PAID TRIBUTE TO THE POLICE FOR THEIR PAINSTAKING EFFORTS IN MAINTAINING LAW AND ORDER IN THE DISTRICT.
HE ALSO THANKED THE PART-TIME OFFICERS FOR GIVING UP THEIR LEISURE TIME FOR A MEANINGFUL SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.
ON PARADE WERE 111 Oil HERS FROM THE YAU MA TEI DISTRICT (AUXILIARY) WHO HAVE JUST COMPLETED A WEEK-LONG REFRESHER TRAINING COURSE.
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STAGE THREE OF TAI PO ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME TO BEGIN
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO CARRY OUT IMPROVEMENTS TO A SECTION OF TAI PO ROAD BETWEEN SHA TIN AND TAI WO PING INTERCHANGE, TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW AND ENHANCE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.
THE SCHEME IS TO BE CARRIED OUT IN THREE STAGES.
PHASE I OF STAGE III WILL INVOLVE THE WIDENING OF THREE SELECTED SECTIONS OF TAI PO ROAD BETWEEN GOLDEN HILL ROAD JUNCTION AND MEI TIN ROAD FLYOVER IN TAI WAI.
THE WORK WILL ALSO INCLUDE IMPROVED JUNCTION LAYOUT AT CHIK WAN STREET; IMPROVED PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES INCLUDING A FOOTPATH, PEDESTRIAN REFUGES AND TWO FOOTBRIDGES; STABILISATION AND LANDSCAPING WORK TO EXISTING CUT SLOPES; AND IMPROVED ROAD SURFACE.
PHASE 2 OF STAGE 111 WILL INVOLVE THE REALIGNMENT AND WIDENING OF TAI PO ROAD BETWEEN KENG HAU ROAD AND SHA TIN HEIGHTS ROAD.
OTHER WORK WILL INCLUDE REALIGNMENT OF A SECTION OF SHA TIN HEIGHTS ROAD; IMPROVED PEDESTRIAN FAC IL IT IES INCLUDING FOOTPATH AND PEDESTRIAN REFUGES; STAB I L I SAT 1 ON AND LANDSCAPING WORK I'O EXISTING CUT SLOPES; AND IMPROVED ROAD SURFACE.
It
/DURING CONSTRUCTION, ........
FRIDAY, APRIL Z?, 1988
- 8
DURING CONSTRUCTION, TWO LANES FOR TWO-WAY TRAFFIC WILL BE MAINTAINED. HOWEVER ONE OF THE LANES MAY BE CLOSED AT NIGHT TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED WORK WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLANS AND SCHEME SHOWING PHASE I OF THE PROPOSED WORK CAN BE SEEN DURING OFFICE HOURS AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE.CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY; AND AT THE KOWLOON WEST DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 1OTH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
THEY CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE SHA TIN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 2 TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD, SHA TIN; THE SHAM SHU I PO DISTRICT OFFICE, HANG SHUN BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, 37-39 TONKIN STREET, KOWLOON: AND THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION.
THE PLANS AND SCHEME SHOWING PHASE 2 OF THE PROPOSED WORK CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY; THE SHA TIN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 2 TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD, SHA TIN; AND THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION, DURING OFFICE HOURS.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE WORK MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT BEFORE JUNE 21.
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TRUNK ROAD SYSTEM FOR YUEN LONG, TUEN MUN
*»♦»**
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT IS PLANNING AND DESIGNING A YUEN LONG TRUNK ROAD SYSTEM BETWEEN TO YUEN WAI IN TUEN MUN AND AU TAU IN YUEN LONG TO FORM PARI' OF THE MAJOR ROAD SYSTEM FOR THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT.
AS PART OF THIS YUEN LONG TRUNK ROAD SYSTEM, THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE YUEN LONG-TUEN MUN EASTERN CORRIDOR AND YUEN LONG WEST LINK WILL BEGIN AROUND THE ENI) OF THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED TN EARLY 1992.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE YUEN LONG SOUTHERN BYPASS, WHICH FORMS ANOTHER PART OF THE TRUNK ROAD SYSTEM, WILL START IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1989 WITH COMPLETION SCHEDULED FOR 1992.
/UPON COMPLETION, ........
FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1988
UPON COMPLETION, THE YUEN LONG TRUNK ROAD SYSTEM WILL PROVIDE A FAST AND SAFE VEHICULAR CORRIDOR THROUGH THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES.
’’TRAFFIC THIS TRUNK ROAD 49,000 VEHICLES 46,000 VEHICLES TODAY (FR1DAY).
PREDICTIONS FOR THE YEAR 1996 HAVE INDICATED THAT WILL BE REQUIRED TO HANDLE A TRAFFIC FLOW OF ABOUT PER DAY AND THE EXISTING CASTLE PEAK ROAD ABOUT PER DAY," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT SAID
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE YUEN LONG TRUNK ROAD SYSTEM IS PLANNED TO MEET THE ANTICIPATED FUTURE TRAFFIC REQUIREMENTS ALONG THE THEN MUN-YUEN LONG CORRIDOR BY THE YEAR 1992.
"AT PRESENT, THE EXISTING SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD FROM TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG FORMS THE TRAFFIC CORRIDOR BETWEEN THESE TWO NEW TOWNS, AND PROVIDES ACCESS TO VILLAGES AND DEVELOPMENTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, WITH THE GROWTH OF TH® TWO NEW TOWNS INCLUDING DEVELOPMENTS ON AREAS BETWEEN THEM, THE COMPLETION OF LOK MA CHAU BORDER CROSSING BY 1988, AND THE OCCUPATION OF TIN SHUI WAI DEVELOPMENT COMMENCING IN 1992, CASTLE PEAK ROAD WILL NOT HAVE ADEQUATE CAPACITY TO MEET THE FUTURE TRAFFIC REQUIREMENTS.
MEANWHILE, THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT) SYSTEM, WHICH WILL START TO OPERATE IN MID-1988, WILL CREATE LEVEL CROSSING POINTS ALONG CASTLE PEAK ROAD, THUS REDUCING ITS CAPACITY.
IN ADDITION, BECAUSE OF THE LOCAL ACCESS PROVISIONS AND THE LRT OPERATION NEEDS, ('ASTLE PEAK ROAD WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE UP THE ROLE OF A HIGH SPEED AND HIGH CAPACITY ROAD.
THE PROPOSED YUEN LONG TRUNK ROAD SYSTEM WILL COMPRISE AN INTERCHANGE NEAR TO YUEN WAI VILLAGE IN TUEN MUN FOR TRAFFIC FLOWS BETWEEN THE TRUNK ROAD AND THE ROAD NETWORKS OF TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.
TWO INTERCHANGES IN YUEN LONG, ONE NEAR TONG YAN SAN TSUEN AND THE OTHER IN SHU I PIN WAI AT THE WEST END OF YUEN LONG TOWN, WILL ALSO BE CONSTRUCTED.
THE FORMER WILL ALLOW FOR TRAFFIC FLOWS BETWEEN THE TRUNK ROAD AND THE YUEN LONG WEST LINK WHILE THE LATTER WILL PROVIDE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE YUEN LONG WEST LINK AND THE ROAD NETWORKS OF YUEN LONG TOWNS AND TIN SHU I WAI DEVELOPMENT AREAS.
THE YUEN LONG-TUEN MUN CORRIDOR, A 5.5-KI LOMF.TRE DUAL TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY BETWEEN TO YUEN WAI VILLAGE AND TONG YAN SAN TSUEN, AND THE 1.5-KILOMETRE YUEN LONG WEST LINK FROM TONG YAN SAN TSUEN TO SHUI PIN WAI WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED.
/DETAILS OF........
FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1988
10
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL WERE PUBLISHED IN A NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE YUEN LONG TRUNK ROAD SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO TRUNK ROAD STANDARD, WITH A DESIGN SPEED OF 100 KILOMETRES PER HOUR.
THERE WILL BE A ONE-METRE WIDE MARGIN ON BOTH SIDES OF EACH CARRIAGEWAY, WHILE ALONG THE SLOW LANE THERE WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL TWO-METRE WIDE SHOULDER TO BE USED BY VEHICLES IN AN EMERGENCY.
THE TRUNK ROAD WILL BE BUILT MOSTLY ON EMBANKMENTS AT THREE TO FOUR METRES ABOVE THE ORIGINAL GROUND LEVEL.
"THIS WILL PROVIDE SEGREGATION FROM THE EXISTING LOCAL ACCESSES, AND HELP REDUCE THE POSSIBLE NOISE POLLUTION, GENERATED BY THE EXPECTED HIGH TRAFFIC DENSITY, ON NEARBY LOCAL VILLAGES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ALSO ADDED THAT TO MINIMISE THE IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, THE DESIGNS OF THE TRUNK ROAD HAVE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION THE EXISTING FEATURES AS WELL AS THE NEEDS OF VILLAGERS LIVING IN THE VICINITY.
THE SCHEME WILL ALSO PROVIDE ALONG THE NORTHERN SIDE OF THE TRUNK ROAD A 3.5-METRE WIDE VILLAGE ACCESS FOR CYCLISTS AND PEDESTRIANS. THIS ACCESS WILL BE CONNECTED TO THE AREA ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE TRUNK ROAD BY SUBWAYS AT APPROPRIATE LOCATIONS.
DRAINAGE CULVERTS ACROSS THE ROAD AND CHANNELS ALONG THE SIDES OF THE ROAD WILL BE PROVIDED FOR THE COLLECTION AND DISCHARGE OF RAINWATER. IT IS EXPECTED THAT THESE DRAINAGE FACILITIES WILL REDUCE THE RISK OF FLOODING AT THE AREA NEARBY.
PLANS SHOWING THE PROPOSED SCHEME CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG; AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF YUEN LONG AND TUEN MUN; AND AT THE YUEN LONG AND TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICES.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT BY JUNE 21.
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/11 .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1988
11 TSING Y1 BRIDGE IMPROVEMENTS PROPOSED » » ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO CARRY OUT IMPROVEMENT WORK TO THE TSING Yl BRIDGE FROM AUGUST.
THE IMPROVEMENT WORK, WHICH WILL LAST UNTIL AUGUST NEXT YEAR, WILL INCLUDE STRUCTURAL IMPROVEMENT, INSTALLATION OF EMERGENCY TELEPHONES AND TRAFFIC SIGNALS, AS WELL AS REPLACEMENT OF SURFACING MATERIAL.
THE BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED DURING THE FOLLOWING PERIODS TO FACILITATE THE IMPROVING WORK:
» THE BRIDGE INCLUDING FOOTWAYS WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 PM TO 6.30 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR ABOUT FIVE MONTHS.
» ONE TRAFFIC LANE INCLUDING THE ADJACENT FOOTWAY WILL BE CLOSED FOR FIVE MONTHS.
♦ THE WHOLE BRIDGE INCLUDING FOOTWAYS WILL BE CLOSED FOR ABOUT FIVE WEEKS.
A NOTICE CONCERNING DETAILS OF THE WORK WAS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S (FRIDAY) GAZETTE.
THE PLAN AND SCHEME MAY BE INSPECTED BY THE PUBLIC AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG.
THEY MAY ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE/KWAI ISING, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 10TH AND 11TH FLOORS, I 74-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN; AND AT THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG, DURING THE FOLLOWING HOURS EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:
MONDAY TO FRIDAY 9 AM TO 4.30 PM
SATURDAY 9 AM TO 12 NOON
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE WORK MUST WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, TRANSPORT BRANCH, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN JUNE 21.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1988
12 -
ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORK IN KWUN TONG * » » » *
THE GOVERNMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE ROADS AND FOOTWAYS IN THE KWUN TONG TOWN CENTRE AND INDUSTRIAL AREA.
THE SCHEME WILL ALSO INVOLVE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT AND LANDSCAPING WORKS TO ENHANCE ENVIRONMENT IN THE AREA.
THE WORK WILL BEGIN IN JUNE AND TAKE 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
A NOTICE CONCERNING DETAILS OF THE WORK WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE REGIONAL HIGHWAY ENGINEER/KOWLOON, GOVERNMENT BRANCH OFFICES, ANNEX BUILDING, 11 FARM ROAD, SECOND FLOOR, KOWLOON.
COMPLETED TENDER FORMS MUST BE PLACED IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT TENDER BOX SITUATED IN THE LIFT LOBBY ON THE LOWER GROUND FLOOR OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (EAST WING), LOWER ALBERT ROAD (AT ITS JUNCTION WITH GARDEN ROAD), HONG KONG BEFORE NOON ON MAY 20.
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FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR ISLANDS’ SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME ♦ » » » »
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, SCHOOLS AND YOUTH CENTRES IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT WISHING TO ORGANISE ACTIVITIES FOR THIS YEAR’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME SHOULD SEND IN APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
’’SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE AIMED AT PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 25 AND SHOULD FOCUS ON THE THEME OF ’SHARING THE FUN AND SERVING THE COMMUNITY’,” HE SAID.
THE PROGRAMME AIMS AT PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO ENRICH THEMSELVES DURING SUMMER THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN MEANINGFUL SOCIAL, RECREATIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES.
ACTIVITIES PLANNERS ARE ADVISED TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNGSTERS’ SKILLS AND POTENTIAL, THE UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIP, AS WELL AS THE CULTIVATION OF A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY TO THE COMMUNITY.
/THE PROGRAMME........
FRIDAY, APRIL , 1988
THE PROGRAMME WILL BE ORGANISED BY A CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB WILL DONATE >91,000 TOWARDS IT.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE. THEY SHOULD BE RETURNED BY APRIL 30.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-8524311.
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GOVERNMENT PROPERTY TO LET BY TENDER
* « » »
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING A GOVERNMENT PROPERTY TO LET BY TENDER ON SHORT TERM TENANCY BASIS.
THE PROPERTY, MEASURING ABOUT 7.72 SQUARE METRES, IS AT THE FRONT PORTION ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF NO. 1 LUN FAT STREET, WAN CHAI.
IT IS FOR NON-1NDUSTRIAL PURPOSES ONLY AND EXCLUDING
RESIDENTIAL USE.
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR CERTAIN AND THEREAFTER MONTHLY.
THE PREMISES WILL BE OPEN FOR VIEWING FROM 10.30 AM TO NOON ON APRIL 29 AND MAY 6.
5
TENDER DOCUMENTS AND CONDITIONS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SECTION OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1OTH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR ACCEPTING TENDERS IS NOON ON MAY 13.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1988
14
EXHIBITION ON PSYCHOTROPIC DRUG ABUSE
* * * »
A "COMBAT PSYCHOTROPIC DRUG ABUSE" EXHIBITION WILL BEGIN TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE CITYPLAZA (WEST BRIDGE) IN TAIKOO SHING.
AS PART OF A JOINTLY ORGANISED PROJECT BETWEEN THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS AND THE QUEENSWAY JAYCEES, THE EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD FROM TOMORROW TO MAY 1.
THE PROJECT ALSO INCLUDES THE RECENTLY-COMPLETED POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION AND AN OPEN FORUM ON MAY 1 AT THE SAME VENUE.
AMONG THE EXHIBITS ON DISPLAY WILL BE THE WINNING ENTRIES OF THE POSTER COMPETITION. A VIDEO CARRYING ANTI-DRUG MESSAGES WILL ALSO BE SHOWN AT THE EXHIBITION.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR GARETH MULLOY, THE ACTING NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, MR KING WONG, AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE QUEENSWAY JAYCEES, MR DAVIS KWONG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION AT 2.30 PM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD AT THE CITYPLAZA (WEST BRIDGE), TAIKOO SHING, AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY). YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
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SEMINAR ON OPTIMUM USE OF MANPOWER RESOURCES * * » * t
AROUND 80 PERSONS WITH BACKGROUNDS IN MANAGEMENT, SOCIAL WORK TRADE UNION WORK AND ACTUAL EXPERIENCE AS NEW IMMIGRANTS WILL TAKE PART IN A SEMINAR TOMORROW (SATURDAY) ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG HARBOUR.
THE SEMINAR, ENTITLED "NEW IMMIGRANTS - ADDITIONAL RESOURCES" AIMS TO ASSIST NEW IMMIGRANTS TO OVERCOME EMPLOYMENT-RELATED PROBLEMS AND TO ADVISE EMPLOYERS ON TECHNIQUES IN MAINTAINING GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIPS WITH NEW IMMIGRANT WORKERS.
IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PARTICIPANTS TO EXPLORE WAYS AND MEANS TO MAXIMISE THE USE OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY AND PRODUCTIVITY OE THE LABOUR FORCE.
/A NUMBER .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1?88
A NUMBER OF EXPERTS IN THE FIELD HAVE BEEN INVITED TO SPEAK.
THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR HAROLD KWOK, WI LI OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU MIE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY AT THE HOLIDAY INN GOLDEN MILE, TSIM SHA TSUI, AT 10 AM TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
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MANUAL OF TRAINING PROGRAMMES PUBLISHED
*****
THE BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL HAS PRODUCED A MANUAL OF TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR PRINCIPAL TECHNICIAN JOBS IN THE INDUSTRY TO ASSIST EMPLOYERS IN ORGANISING PROPER PRACTICAL TRAINING FOR THEIR STAFF.
THE MANUAL CONTAINS DETAILED TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR NINE PRINCIPAL JOBS AT TECHNICIAN LEVEL IN THE BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING INDUSTRY SUCH AS SITE AGENT, CONTRACTOR’S FOREMAN, QUANTITY ESTIMATOR AND SURVEYING TECHNICIAN.
THESE PROGRAMMES ARE DESIGNED TO SERVE AS GUIDELINES FOR EMPLOYERS IN DRAWING UP TRAINING PLANS FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TRAINING BOARD, MR JOHN LOK, RECOMMENDED THAT A TRAINEE SHOULD RECEIVE ADEQUATE TRAINING IN MOST, IF NOT ALL, OF THE LISTED ACTIVITIES.
THE MANUAL ENTITLED "MANUAL OF TRAINING FOR PROGRAMMES FOR THE PRINCIPAL JOBS IN THE BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING INDUSTRY VOLUME TWO” IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AT $9 A COPY.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1988
16 -
SIXTY-THREE HONOURED FOR LONG SERVICES WITH WSD
» « »
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) HONOURED 63 OF ITS STAFF FOR THEIR LONG SERVICE, WHICH AMOUNTED TO A TOTAL OF 1,824 YEARS.
AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY, THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR K.L. WONG, SAID THOSE HONOURED INCLUDE ARTISANS, MOTOR DRIVERS, CHAINMEN, WORKMEN AND WATCHMEN.
AMONG THEM, NINE HAD SERVED MORE THAN 37 YEARS AND MOST MORE THAN 25 YEARS. EACH WAS PRESENTED WITH A LONG SERVICE CERTIFICATE BY MR WONG.
TROPHIES AND SOUVENIRS WERE ALSO AWARDED TO WINNERS OF VARIOUS DEPARTMENTAL SPORTS COMPETITIONS AT THE CEREMONY.
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TRAFFIC CHANGES IN KWAI CHUNG INDUSTRIAL AREA
t * » * »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT REMINDED MOTORISTS THAT NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON KWAI CHEONG ROAD AND TAI LIN PAI ROAD IN KWAI CHUNG FROM SUNDAY (APRIL 24).
THE MEASURES, WHICH INCLUDE THE DESIGNATION OF NIGHT-TIME PARKING SPACES FOR GOODS VEHICLES, URBAN CLEARWAYS AND PROHIBITED ZONES, AIM AT IMPROVING TRAFFIC FLOW IN THE KWAI CHUNG INDUSTRIAL AREA.
UNDER THE ARRANGEMENTS, THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WAH SING STREET AND THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF KUNG YIP STREET WILL BE MADE NIGHT-TIME GOODS VEHICLE PARKING SPACES OPERATING DAILY BETWEEN 8 PM AND 7 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
FROM 10 AM ON SUNDAY, THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF TAI LIN PAI ROAD AND ITS ASSOCIATED ROADS WILL BECOME URBAN CLEARWAYS OPERATING DAILY BETWEEN 7 AM AND 7 PM:
» THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TAI LIN PAI ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH KWAI SAU ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 90 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH KUNG YIP STREET.
* THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TAI LIN PAI ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH KWAI ON ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 130 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
/* THE WESTERN ........
FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1988
* THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TAJ LIN PAI ROAD BETWEEN KWAI WING ROAD AND ITS NORTHERN JUNCTION WITH KWAI CHEONG ROAD.
» THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TAI LIN PAI ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH KWAI ON ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 100 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
» KUNG YIP STREET BETWEEN WAH SING STREET AND TAI LIN PAI ROAD.
♦ WAH SING STREET NORTHBOUND.
» WING YIP STREET NORTHBOUND.
NO VEHICLES OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP WITHIN THE ABOVE URBAN CLEARWAYS FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
AT THE SAME TIME, ALL VEHICLES EXCEEDING 12 METRES IN LENGTH WILL BE BANNED FROM ENTERING THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TAI LIN PAI ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH KWAI CHUNG ROAD TO ITS NORTHERN JUNCTION WITH KWAI CHEONG ROAD AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY.
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URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTIONS IN SHA TIN » * » »
TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW, THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF SHA TIN CENTRE STREET IN SHA TIN WILL BE MADE 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (APRIL 25):
* THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY FROM A POINT ABOUT 25 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TAM KON PO STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 160 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
* THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY FROM A POINT ABOUT 210 METRES
SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TAM KON PO STREET TO ITS JUNCTION
WITH PAK HOK TING STREET.
* THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY FROM A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES
SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TAM KON PO STREET TO A POINT
ABOUT 100 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
* THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY FROM A POINT ABOUT 235 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TAM KON PO STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 315 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP WITHIN THE ABOVE ROAD SECTIONS FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
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/18 .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1988
- 18 -
RESTRICTED ZONES IN CAUSEWAY BAY * * *
THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS IN CAUSEWAY BAY WILL BE DESIGNATED AS 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY RESTRICTED ZONES FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (APRIL 25):
* HENNESSY ROAD EASTBOUND BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH YEE WO STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 100 METRES WEST OF THAT JUNCTION;
AND
* HENNESSY ROAD EASTBOUND BETWEEN HOUSE NOS. 499 AND 503.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
MEANWHILE, THE PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONE IN SUGAR STREET BETWEEN GLOUCESTER ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH YEE WO STREET WILL BE LIFTED FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS FOR NEARBY ROADWORKS.
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TRAFFIC CHANGES IN FANLING t t t
THE SECTION OF ROAD D6 IN FANLING BETWEEN TIN SAM TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA AND FANLING KCR STATION WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (APRIL 25).
TO COINCIDE WITH ITS OPENING, ROAD D6 BETWEEN THE EASTERN END AND WESTERN END OF ROAD LI 00 WILL BE RE-ROUTED INTO ONE-WAY EASTBOUND.
ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE BANNED FROM ENTERING THIS NEW ROAD AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE NEW SECTION OF ROAD D6 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.
MEANWHILE, TO FACILITATE THE DEMOLITION OF A TEMPORARY BRIDGE AT PAK FUK TSUEN, THE BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED AND TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED VIA WO HOP SHEK ROAD AND ROAD D6.
IN ADDITION, THE SUBWAY CONNECTING FANLING KCR STATION AND PAK FUK TSUEN WILL BE OPENED FOR USE BY PEDESTRIANS.
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/19........
I
FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1988
- 19 -
ROADS IN WO HOP SHEK TO BE CLOSED ON SUNDAY » » t »
ACCESS ROADS TO THE WO HOP SHEK TRAFFIC ON SUNDAY, APRIL 24, TO MEET GRAVE-SWEEPERS.
CEMETERY WILL BE THE EXPECTED LARGE
CLOSED TO
NUMBER OF I
FROM 4 AM TO 8 WO HOP SHEK CEMETERY, THOSE ACCOMPANYING VEHICLES AND HEARSES.
PM ON SUNDAY, KIU TAU ROAD, WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL HEARSES) EXCEPT FRANCHISED
THE EAST VEHICLES BUSES,
ACCESS TO (INCLUDING EMERGENCY
AT THE SAME TIME, NO VEHICLES OTHER THAN EMER' ™JL™ARSES W1LL BE AbL0WED TO ENTER THE ACCESS ROAD TO CEMETERY FROM WO HOP SHEK SAN TSUEN.
EMERGENCY
WO
VEHICLES HOP SHEK
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FRESH LOOK AT PRODUCT SAFETY LEGISLATION - SIR DAVID .......... 1
CALL TO MAXIMISE USE OF HUMAN RESOURCES ....................... 2
YOUNG PEOPLE URGED TO SERVE COMMUNITY ......................... 3
FIRE SERVICES MEET-THE-MEDIA SESSION .......................... 5
HARMFUL EFFECTS OF PSYCHOTROPIC DRUG ABUSE PUBLICISED ......... 5
ENTRIES INVITED FOR WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY SONG CCNTEST .... 6
MEETING CN TUEN MUN BRIDGE CLOSURE............................. 7
KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING ............... 9
POSITIVE STEPS TO REDEVELOP NORTH MARKET TOWNS ................ 9
SHA TIN DB HANDLED 6U2 'MEET THE PUBLIC' CASES LAST TEEM .. 10
IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSES FOR TECHNICAL TEACHERS ........... 11
CHILDREN COMPETE IN INTERNATIONAL DRAWING CONTEST ............ 12
WATER CUTS IN THREE ..REAS.................................... 1?
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF WATERLOO ROhD ........................... 13
NEW SECTION FARE FOR GMB ROUTE 71 ............................ 14
RESTRICTED ZONES IN SHAU KEI W^N ............................ I1*
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES IN SHA TIN ........................... 15
SATURDAY, APRIL 23,
1988
FRESH LOOK AT PRODUCT SAFETY LEGISLATION - SIR DAVID
« « * « *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO SET UP AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING COMMITTEE TO LOOK AT THE NEED FOR NEW PRODUCT SAFETY LEGISLATION.
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID THIS WHEN ADDRESSING THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL’S CONSUMER EDUCATION CAMPAIGN TODAY (SATURDAY).
"THIS WORKING COMMITTEE WILL ALSO CONSIDER WHETHER GOODS ON SALE SHOULD BE LEGALLY REQUIRED TO HAVE LABELS OR OTHER MARKS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON SAFETY AND USAGE,” SIR DAVID SAID.
"SUCH INFORMATION IS AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN THE CONSUMERS’ RIGHT TO KNOW."
AT PRESENT, ONLY FOOD AND DRUG PRODUCTS WERE REQUIRED BY LAW TO PROVIDE A MINIMUM AMOUNT OF INFORMATION.
SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NOW BE SEEKING THE CONSUMER COUNCIL’S ADVICE ON WHAT OTHER PRODUCT AREAS SHOULD RE COVERED, AND ON WHAT INFORMATION SHOULD BE GIVEN.
TURNING TO THE CONSUMER COUNCIL'S "THE CONSUMERS’ RIGHT TO KNOW” CAMPAIGN, SIR DAVID NOTED THAT ITS OBJECTIVE WAS TO MAKE BOTH MANUFACTURERS AND CONSUMERS MORE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF USING ACCURATE, FACTUAL INFORMATION IN THE PROVISION OF GOODS AND SERVICES.
"CONSUMERS NEED THIS INFORMATION SO THAT WHEN THEY BUY THINGS THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE BUYING," HE SAID.
"WHEN DECISIONS TO BUY, OR NOT TO BUY, ARE BASED ON FULL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PRODUCT, THE RESPONSIBLE MANUFACTURER, AND THE MANUFACTURER OF GOOD PRODUCTS, BENEFITS AS MUCH AS THE CONSUMER."
NOTING THAT THE CAMPAIGN WOULD CONCENTRATE ON THE FOUR NECESSITIES OF MODERN LIFE -- FOOD, CLOTHING, TRANSPORT AND SHELTER, SIR DAVID SAID THE AIM WAS TO REACH AS MANY CONSUMERS AS POSSIBLE.
BESIDES TODAY’S EXHIBITION AND THE CELEBRITY SHOW WHICH WOULD FOLLOW, THE CAMPAIGN WOULD INCLUDE ADVERTISING BOTH ON TELEVISION AND IN MTR STATIONS, AS WELL AS A CONSUMER EDUCATION SEMINAR.
"ALTHOUGH THIS YEAR’S CAMPAIGN IS THE FIRST FORMAL CAMPAIGN ON THIS THEME, IT IS A THEME WHICH THE CONSUMER COUNCIL HAS BEEN EMPHASISING FOR MANY YEARS," SIR DAVID ADDED.
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SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 1988
- 2
CALL TO MAXIMISE USE OF HUMAN RESOURCES * * * * »
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CONTRIBUTION OF SOME PART OF THE LABOUR FORCE IS OFTEN OVERLOOKED, THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR HAROLD KWOK, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
HE SAID MANY WORKERS WERE RESTRICTED FROM EXERTING THEIR UTMOST CAPABILITIES DUE TO THE LACK OF SUFFICIENT GUIDANCE AND PROPER COUNSELLING.
"SOME OF THE RESIDENTS, BEING NEW IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA, ARE KNOWN TO HAVE ENCOUNTERED SUCH DIFFICULTIES," HE ADDED.
MR KWOK WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE EMPLOYMENT SEMINAR ON "NEW IMMIGRANTS - ADDITIONAL RESOURCES" JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG HARBOUR.
HE TOLD A GATHERING OF ABOUT 80 PARTICIPANTS THAT SOME 27,000 PERSONS HOLDING ONE-WAY EXIT PERMITS CAME FROM CHINA TO SETTLE IN HONG KONG EACH YEAR IN THE PAST TWO YEARS.
THESE IMMIGRANTS WERE FACED WITH THE PROBLEMS OF FINDING JOBS SUITABLE TO THEIR OWN SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS AS WELL AS ADAPTING THEMSELVES TO THE NEW WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND SYSTEM.
LOCAL EMPLOYERS WERE ALSO CONCERNED OVER THE ISSUES OF HOW TO TRAIN AND MAINTAIN A HARMONIOUS RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR NEW IMMIGRANT WORKERS, AND TO HELP THEM TO ENHANCE THEIR WORK PERFORMANCE, HE SAID.
"IN A WIDER CONTEXT, IF MANAGEMENT CAN APPLY THE THEORIES OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT AND INDUSTRIAL PSYCHOLOGY WITH FLEXIBILITY, IT SHOULD HELP TO REDUCE THE TURNOVER OF EMPLOYEES, RAISE THEIR MORALE, ENHANCE THE CO-OPERATION AND COMMUNICATION BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES," MR KWOK SAID.
THESE WOULD HELP ACHIEVE THE AIM OF MAXIMISING THE USE OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND IMPROVING THE QUALITY AND PRODUCTIVITY OF THE LABOUR FORCE, HE SAID.
MR KWOK ALSO NOTED THAT THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN HONG KONG CONTINUED TO STAY AT A VERY LOW LEVEL OF 1.9 PER CENT IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF LAST YEAR.
AND FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR, THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE TIGHT LOCAL LABOUR MARKET HAD RELAXED.
HE CALLED ON EMPLOYERS TO MAKE USE OF APPROPRIATE MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES AND SUITABLE EMPLOYMENT COUNSELLING TO ENABLE THE EXISTING LABOUR FORCE TO MAXIMISE ITS WORKING CAPACITY.
/THE SIMINAR
SATURDAY, APRIL 2J, 1988
I
3
THE SEMINAR WAS AIMED TO ASSIST NEW IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA TO OVERCOME EMPLOYMENT-RELATED PROBLEMS AND TO ADVISE EMPLOYERS ON THE TECHNIQUES TO BE ADOPTED IN MANAGING AND ESTABLISHING GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR NEW IMMIGRANT EMPLOYEES.
SPEAKERS AT THE SEMINAR INCLUDED THE SUPERVISOR (EMPLOYMENT SERVICE) OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE, MS CHUNG LICK LAI; PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER OF KADER INDUSTRIAL CO, LTD., MR PETER CHIU; CO-ORDINATOR OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD ADVICE-ACTION COUNCIL, MR MAK HOI-WAH; LECTURER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, LINGNAN COLLEGE, MR KWOK HONG-KIN; LECTURER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY (INDUSTRIAL PSYCHOLOGY), CHINESE UNIVERSITY, DR LEUNG KWOK; AND SENIOR LECTURER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, DR NG SHEK-HONG.
-----0------
YOUNG PEOPLE URGED TO SERVE COMMUNITY * » * » ♦
MORE EFFORTS SHOULD BE MADE TO CULTIVATE THE SPIRIT OF SERVING OTHERS AND THE COMMUNITY AMONG OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND TO OPEN MORE AVENUES FOR THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE, LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR MRS ROSANNA TAM SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH WAS SPEAKING AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AND EXHIBITION OF THE 1987-88 HONG KONG BEST AWARD OF THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME AT THE NEW WORLD PLAZA, TSIM SHA TSUI.
THE SCHEME, KNOWN AS OYS, IS OPERATED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO INITIATE AND IMPLEMENT INNOVATIVE SERVICE PROJECTS THROUGH GRANTS.
MRS TAM NOTED THAT VOLUNTEER TRAINING AND SERVICE USED TO BE A POPULAR ACTIVITY AT YOUTH CENTRES AS WELL AS AN IMPORTANT CHANNEL FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE.
HOWEVER, SIGNIFICANT CHANGES HAD APPEARED IN RECENT YEARS IN THAT THE TRAINING COURSES HAD DRAWN A POOR RESPONSE, WITH THE RESULT THAT SERVICE IMPLEMENTATION WAS AFFECTED BY A LACK OF VOLUNTEERS, SHE SAID.
SHE BELIEVED THAT AMONG YOUTHS STILL AT SCHOOL THE LACK OF INTEREST MIGHT BE DUE TO PRESSURE OF SCHOOL WORK AND EXAMINATIONS WHILE AMONG WORKING YOUTHS IT MIGHT BE A PREFERENCE TO TAKE COURSES THAT WOULD BETTER THEIR WORK SKILLS RATHER THAN TO SERVE OTHERS.
/APART FROM
SATURDAY, APRIL 2J, 1988
APART FROM THESE CIRCUMSTANTIAL REASONS, MRS TAM SAID THE SITUATION ALSO REFLECTED A CHANGE IN VALUES AND THE EMERGENCE OF MORE MATERIALISTIC AND INDIVIDUALISTIC SOCIAL TRENDS.
AS TO SOLUTIONS, SHE SUGGESTED THAT FIRSTLY THE MASS MEDIA COULD PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN COUNTERING THE TRENDS BY GIVING MORE REPORTS ON YOUNG PEOPLE’S PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY SERVICE.
"THEY SHOULD POINT OUT THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY SO AS TO FOSTER YOUNG PEOPLE’S UNDERSTANDING AND CONCERN," SHE SAID.
SECONDLY, SHE SAID, IT WAS IMPORTANT TO FURTHER DEVELOP CIVIC EDUCATION.
"THIRDLY, IN OPENING CHANNELS FOR PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY SERVICE, JOINT EFFORTS SHOULD BE MADE BY SCHOOLS, FAMILIES AND YOUTH CENTRES,” SHE SAID.
"ALL IN ALL, IT REQUIRES THE CO-OPERATION AND EFFORTS OF EVERY SECTOR OF THE COMMUNITY TO ENCOURAGE AND TO ENABLE YOUNG PEOPLE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY," SHE ADDED, NOTING THAT THE OYS WAS A VERY GOOD EXAMPLE.
EARLIER, IN WELCOMING THE GUESTS AND THE YOUTH GROUPS, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID THAT ALLOCATION FOR THE "OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH SCHEME" WOULD BE INCREASED TO $420,000 THIS FINANCIAL YEAR IN ORDER TO MEET INCREASED DEMAND.
SHE NOTED THAT MORE THAN 1,200 PROJECTS HAD BEEN IMPLEMENTED BY 38,000 YOUNG PEOPLE, BENEFITTING SOME 1,600,000 PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE SCHEME 14 YEARS AGO.
"THESE PROJECTS COVERED MANY AREAS, SUCH AS SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY AND THE POOR, CIVIC EDUCATION, RURAL VISITS AND HELPING THE DISABLED.
"IN OTHER WORDS, THE SCHEME PROVIDES YOUTHS WITH AMPLE OPPORTUNITIES TO ACTUALISE THEIR IDEALS, THUS MAKING THEIR FIRST STEP IN SERVING THE COMMUNITY," SHE SAID.
"I BELIEVE MANY FORMER PARTICIPANTS HAVE NOW BECOME THE MAINSTAY OF OUR COMMUNITY," SHE ADDED.
SHE HOPED THAT THE EXHIBITION WOULD ENABLE THE PUBLIC TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE SCHEME AND, AT THE SAME TIME, ATTRACT MORE YOUNG PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE.
MRS WONG THANKED THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND THE 19 DISTRICT BOARDS FOR SPONSORING THE SECOND ROUND OF THE 1987-88 OYS.
SHE ALSO THANKED MRS TAM AND THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR BOWEN LEUNG, FOR OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY.
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/5
SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 1988
FIRE SERVICES MEET-THE-MEDIA SESSION *****
THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR JOHN MARCH, WILL HOLD A MEET-THE-MEDIA SESSION AT THE FIRE SERVICES HEADQUARTERS IN KOWLOON ON MONDAY (APRIL 25).
THERE WILL BE A DEMONSTRATION ON THE USE OF A NEWLY-PURCHASED DISTRESS WARNING SIGNAL UNIT AFTER THE SESSION.
A NEW MOBILE COMMAND UNIT, A NEW DIVING TENDER AND OTHER EQUIPMENT WILL ALSO BE DISPLAYED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE MEET-THE-MEDIA SESSION WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 3 PM ON MONDAY (APRIL 25) ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE FIRE SERVICES HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, 1 HONG CHONG ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, KOWLOON. INFORMATION OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
- 0 - -
HARMFUL EFFECTS OF PSYCHOTROPIC DRUG ABUSE PUBLICISED * * » * »
THE GOVERNMENT WILL KEEP UP ITS EFFORTS IN PUBLICISING THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF ABUSE OF PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES, THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR GARETH MULLOY, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE "COMBAT PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES ABUSE" EXHIBITION, MR MULLOY SAID THIS YEAR’S ANTI-NARCOTICS PUBLICITY ALSO ATTACHED EQUAL IMPORTANCE TO AROUSING PARENTAL AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT IN PREVENTING DRUG ABUSE.
THE EXHIBITION, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS AND THE QUEENSWAY JAYCEES, IS HELD AT THE CITYPLAZA (WEST BRIDGE), TA J KOO SHING.
IT FOCUSES ON HONG KONG’S OVERALL ANTI-DRUG POLICIES AND PSYCHOTROPIC DRUG ABUSE AND AIMS TO PASS ON TO THE PUBLIC A PROPER KNOWLEDGE ON THESE DRUGS AND THE ADVERSE EFFECTS CAUSED BY MISUSE OR ABUSE.
MR MULLOY STRESSED THAT ABUSE OF THE DRUGS COULD HAVE UNDESIRABLE AND DANGEROUS EFFECTS ON THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.
/"WHEN SUCH
SATURDAY, APRIL 2J, 1988
6
"WHEN SUCH DRUGS TAKE EFFECT, THEY CAN PRODUCE HALLUCINATIONS, BEHAVIOURAL DISORDER AND CAUSE DISTORTIONS OF THE SENSES.
"ALSO, UNDER SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, A DRUG ABUSER MAY JEOPARDISE HIS LIFE BY COMMITTING SILLY ACTS," HE ADDED.
THE COMMISSIONER URGED YOUNG PEOPLE NEVER TO GET INVOLVED IN DRUGS AND CALLED UPON PARENTS TO PROVIDE PROPER GUIDANCE FOR THEIR CHILDREN.
THE EXHIBITION IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC UNTIL MAY 1 (SUNDAY). ALSO ON DISPLAY ARE WINNING ENTRIES OF A RECENTLY-COMPLETED ANTI-NARCOTICS POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION.
A FORUM ON PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES ABUSE WILL BE HELD ON MAY 1 AT THE EXHIBITION VENUE.
SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MRS ROSANNA TAM, ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR FREDERICK TONG, AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THE POLICE AND THE HONG KONG CHRISTIAN SERVICE.
OTHER GUESTS ATTENDING THE OPENING CEREMONY TODAY INCLUDED THE ACTING NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, MR KING WONG, AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE QUEENSWAY JAYCEES, MR DAVIS KWONG.
-------0 ----------
ENTRIES INVITED FOR WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY SONG CONTEST
*****
ENTRIES TO A POPULAR SONG CONTEST ORGANISED TO CELEBRATE THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 1988 (WED) IN HONG KONG SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BY APRIL 30.
THE REMINDER CAME TODAY (SATURDAY) FROM A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WORKING GROUP SET UP UNDER THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EPCOM) TO CO-ORDINATE THE VARIOUS WED ACTIVITIES.
ENTRIES SHOULD BE SENT TO EPCOM, C/O HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH, ROOM 708, MAIN WING, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
/THE SPOKESMAN
SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 1988
*
THE SPOKESMAN SAID CONTESTANTS FOR THE POPULAR SONG CONTEST WOULD BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT AN ORIGINAL COMPOSITION WITH LYRICS IN CHINESE OR ENGLISH OR BOTH TO PUT ACROSS THE CENTRAL THEME OF WED OF PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AMONG THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
EACH SONG SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN A DEMONSTRATION CASSETTE TAPE AND ACCOMPANIED BY THREE COPIES OF SHEET MUSIC AND LYRICS.
ENTRY FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND CAN ALSO BE OBTAINED BY CALLING 5-8102650.
"THE WINNER OF THE SONG CONTEST WILL REPRESENT HONG KONG IN AN INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL IN BANGKOK ON JUNE 5 ORGANISED BY THE UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME,' THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ENTRIES WERE ALSO BEING INVITED FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION - ANOTHER MAJOR ACTIVITY IN CELEBRATION OF WED.
CONTESTANTS ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT ENTRIES IN PAIRS - ONE PHOTOGRAPH SHOWING "BEAUTIFUL HONG KONG" AND THE OTHER SHOWING "POLLUTED HONG KONG". ENTRIES WILL BE JUDGED IN PAIRS.
THE THREE WINNERS OF THE CONTEST WILL RECEIVE A FUJI PHOTOGRAPHIC COUPON OF $5,000, $3,000 AND $1,000 RESPECTIVELY. THERE WILL ALSO BE 10 CONSOLATION PRIZES OF A FUJI GIFT SET EACH.
THE BEST ENTRIES WILL BE DISPLAYED AT AN ENVIRONMENTAL PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION TO BE HELD BETWEEN JUNE 4 AND 13. THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPENED BY THE GOVERNOR.
ENTRY FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND AUTHORISED FUJI DEALERS. ENTRIES SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BEFORE MAY 15.
- 0 - -
MEETING ON TUEN MUN BRIDGE CLOSURE
*****
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JOHN WAN, WILL CONVENE A SPECIAL MEETING ON TUESDAY (APRIL 26) TO FURTHER EXPLAIN TO DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION TO CLOSE CHOY YEE BRIDGE TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC.
THE BRIDGE WAS BUILT ACROSS THE TUEN MUN NULLAH LINKING TAI HING ESTATE AND THE INDUSTRIAL AREA WITH THE TOWN PROPER OF TUEN MUN.
/IT SERVED
f
SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 1988
8
IT SERVED AS AN ALTERNATIVE NULLAH-CROSSING CHANNEL TO THE HEAVILY USED PUI TO ROAD AND A SHORT CUT FOR VEHICULAR TRAFFIC HEADING FROM NORTHWEST TUEN MUN TO THE TOWN CENTRE.
HOWEVER, UNDER THE OUTLINE ZONING PLAN, THE BRIDGE WAS DESIGNATED AS A PEDESTRIAN CROSSING ONCE THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT WAS COMPLETED. {
WHEN THE PROPOSAL TO CLOSE THE BRIDGE TO VEHICULAR TRAFFIC WAS PRESENTED TO THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD AND THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE IN MID-1985, MEMBERS GENERALLY ENDORSED THE CLOSURE WHILE SOME EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT HEAVY TRAFFIC ON PUI TO ROAD.
ON CLOSURE OF THE BRIDGE LAST YEAR, OBJECTIONS WERE RAISED BY SOME DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS BECAUSE OF THE INCONVENIENCE CAUSED TO COMMUTERS LIVING IN TAI HING ESTATE AND OTHER FACTORS.
AFTER CONSIDERING MEMBERS’ VIEWS, THE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED RE-EXAMINED THE ISSUE AND SUBMITTED A REPORT TO THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE FOR DISCUSSION EARLY THIS YEAR.
THE COMMITTEE MAINTAINED THAT THE EXISTING ROAD CAPACITY SERVING BOTH SIDES OF THE NULLAH WAS ADEQUATE TO COPE WITH THE TRAFFIC GENERATED BY THE INDUSTRIAL AND RESIDENTIAL AREAS AND SHOULD TRAFFIC DEMAND INCREASE IN FUTURE, MEASURES INCLUDING CONSTRUCTION OF FOOTBRIDGE AND ROAD WIDENING WOULD BE ADOPTED TO SOLVE TRAFFIC PROBLEMS.
HOWEVER, AT THE SUBSEQUENT DISTRICT BOARD MEETING THESE MEASURES WERE REJECTED BY SOME MEMBERS.
AT TUESDAY’S MEETING, * REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT WILL BE PRESENT TO SPEAK ON THEIR DECISIONS AND TO SEEK VIEWS OF DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 26) IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM, THIRD FLOOR, GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, NO. 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 1988
- 9 -
KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING ♦ » » * *
THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE WILL MEET ON MONDAY (APRIL 25) TO REVIEW THE TERRITORY-WIDE CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS CONDUCTED LAST MONTH.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO TALK ABOUT AN EXTRAVAGANZA TO LAUNCH THIS YEAR'S CAMPAIGN IN MAY, AN APPEAL DAY, AND A RADIO MUSICAL PROGRAMME ON THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING WHICH WILL START AT 2.30 PM IN THE NO. 2 COMMITTEE ROOM, FOURTH FLOOR, URBAN COUNCIL CHAMBERS, EDINBURGH PLACE, HONG KONG. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
-----0------
POSITIVE STEPS TO REDEVELOP NORTH MARKET TOWNS ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT IS TAKING POSITIVE STEPS TO CREATE A FAVOURABLE CLIMATE AND PROVIDE THE NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE WITH A VIEW TO STIMULATING REDEVELOPMENT OF LUEN WO HUI AND SHEK WU HUI, THE TRADITIONAL MARKET TOWNS IN FANLING AND SHEUNG SHUI RESPECTIVELY.
THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER, MR MATTHEW CHEUNG, SAID THIS AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE EIGHTH-TERM OFFICE-BEARERS OF THE SHEK WU CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING.
MR CHEUNG SAID THAT FOLLOWING CONSULTATIONS WITH THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD, A REVISED DRAFT FANL1NG/SHEUNG SHUI OUTLINE ZONING PLAN WAS GAZETTED IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR.
"AS DEVELOPMENT OF THE TWO 'HUIS’ RELIES ON LOCAL PRIVATE INVESTMENT, THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD CONSIDERS IT UNDESIRABLE TO CONTINUE THE SIX-STOREY HEIGHT RESTRICTION CURRENTLY IMPOSED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE, WHICH WILL STIFLE REDEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES," HE SAID.
"TO ENCOURAGE AMALGAMATION OF SITES FOR BETTER BUILDING FORMS AND MORE ECONOMIC SCALE OF DEVELOPMENT, IT HAS BEEN DECIDED TO RELAX THE HEIGHT RESTRICTION OF BUILDINGS IN THE TWO 'HUIS'," HE ADDED.
/FOR SITES .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 25i 1988
10
FOR SITES OF LESS THAN 340 SQUARE METRES IN AREA, A MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT OF 20 METRES, WHICH IS ABOUT SIX-STOREYS HIGH, WILL BE ALLOWED.
FOR SITES WITH AN AREA OF 340 SQUARE METRES AND ABOVE, THE BUILDING HEIGHT LIMIT WILL BE EXTENDED TO 81 METRES, WHICH IS ABOUT 25 STOREYS HIGH.
THE 81-METRE HEIGHT LIMIT WAS TO ENSURE SOME CONSISTENCY WITH OTHER HIGH-DENSITY PRIVATE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NEW TOWN ADJOINING THE TWO TOWNS, HE EXPLAINED.
MR CHEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO DECIDED TO INTRODUCE A MAXIMUM DOMESTIC PLOT RATIO OF FIVE OR A MAXIMUM NON-DOMESTIC PLOT RATIO OF 9.5 IN THE TWO TOWNS.
THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH THE EXISTING PRACTICE IN RESPECT OF PRIVATE DEVELOPMENTS IN OTHER NEW TOWNS.
TO BRING ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT, HE SAID, SOME MINOR LAND RESUMPTION IN THE TWO TOWNS WAS REQUIRED FOR ROAD WIDENING AND AMENITIES IMPROVEMENT.
NOTING THAT LAND OWNERSHIP IN SHEK WU HUI WAS FRAGMENTED, MR CHEUNG CALLED ON THE SHEK WU CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO TAKE THE LEAD IN ENCOURAGING LANDOWNERS TO TAKE PART IN THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE HUI.
HE PRAISED THE CHAMBER FOR ITS IMPORTANT ROLE IN ACTING AS A COMMUNICATION LINK AMONG SHOPOWNERS IN SHEK WU HUI, PROMOTING COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT, AS WELL AS MAINTAINING CLOSE CONTACT WITH THE GOVERNMENT AND VARIOUS LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
-------0 ---------
SHA TIN DB HANDLED 642 ’MEET THE PUBLIC’ CASES LAST TERM t t t t ♦
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S ’’MEET THE PUBLIC” SCHEME HAS BEEN WELL ACCEPTED BY RESIDENTS AS A CHANNEL FOR EXPRESSING THEIR VIEWS ON GOVERNMENT PROJECTS IN THE DISTRICT AND FOR SOLVING THEIR PROBLEMS, A SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
“BETWEEN APRIL 1985 AND MARCH 1988, A TOTAL OF 642 CASES WERE HANDLED UNDER THIS SCHEME,” HE SAID.
"THE MAJORITY OF THESE WERE RELATED TO HOUSING (26 PER CENT), TRAFFIC (20.3 PER CENT), ENVIRONMENT (14 PER CENT), LAND (9.6 PER CENT) AND PERSONAL PROBLEMS (6.5 PER CENT).”
/"MOST OF .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 2J, 1988
"MOST OF THE CASES WERE RESOLVED EITHER DURING THE INTERVIEWS OR THROUGH REFERRALS AND FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE CONCERNED DEPARTMENTS AND ORGANISATIONS."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED IN MARCH 1982 TO PROVIDE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS TO MEET PEOPLE WORKING OR LIVING IN THE DISTRICT.
"IT PROVIDES AN EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION CHANNEL BETWEEN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC, ENABLING MEMBERS TO OBTAIN THE OPINIONS OF LOCAL PEOPLE ON EXISTING POLICIES THROUGH DIRECT CONTACT AND TO UNDERSTAND THEIR PROBLEMS.
"IT ALSO HELPS TO ENHANCE RESIDENTS’ SUPPORT TO THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT APART FROM THE "MEET THE PUBLIC" SESSIONS, THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT ALSO HANDLED 399 COMPLAINT CASES THROUGH VARIOUS OTHER CHANNELS.
-------0---------
IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSES FOR TECHNICAL TEACHERS
*****
ACADEMICALLY QUALIFIED TECHNICAL OR COMMERCIAL TEACHERS EMPLOYED BY THE GOVERNMENT, AIDED OR PRIVATE SCHOOLS OR OTHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS WHO HAVE NOT YET POSSESSED TEACHING QUALIFICATIONS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND A TWO-YEAR PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE OR A TWO-YEAR PART-TIME EVENING IN-SERVICE COURSE.
SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE COURSES, FOR TECHNICAL TEACHERS, RUN BY THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’• COLLEGE, WILL LEAD TO THE AWARD OF A CERTIFICATE ACCORDING "QUALIFIED TEACHER" STATUS TO A PARTICIPANT.
APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS A DIPLOMA OR HIGHER CERTIFICATE OR HIGHER DIPLOMA AWARDED BY A POLYTECHNIC OR A TECHNICAL INSTITUTE AND HAVE A MINIMUM OF ONE YEAR EXPERIENCE IN TEACHING TECHNICAL OR COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS.
AN APPLICANT WHO IS OFFERED A PLACE WITH THE IN-SERVICE COURSE SHOULD CONTINUE TO TEACH THROUGHOUT THE COURSE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TEACHING REQUIREMENTS OF A MINIMUM OF 25 PERIODS PER CYCLE FOR SCHOOLS OPERATING ON A SIX-DAY WEEK OR A MINIMUM OF 22 PERIODS PER WEEK FOR SCHOOLS OPERATING ON A FIVE-DAY WEEK.
THE COURSES WILL BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR AND NO TUITION FEES WILL BE CHARGED.
/APPLICATION FORMS .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 2J, 1988
- 12 -
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS' COLLEGE AT 373 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION JOINT SELECTION BOARD C/O THE COLLEGE THROUGH THE SCHOOL HEAD OF THE APPLICANT BEFORE MAY 7 (SATURDAY).
-------0----------
CHILDREN COMPETE IN INTERNATIONAL DRAWING CONTEST
» t ♦ * ♦
MORE THAN 1,000 YOUNGSTERS WILL COMPETE IN THE 1988 INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN DRAWING COMPETITION TO BE HELD IN THE URBAN COUNCIL CENTENARY GARDEN, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THEY WILL TACKLE THEMES SUCH AS 'MY MOTHERLAND’, 'DAYS THAT I CHERISH' OR 'THE FUTURE WORLD THAT I DREAM OF’.
PARTICIPANTS WILL BE DIVIDED INTO THREE SECTIONS: SECTION A FOR THOSE AGED BETWEEN FOUR AND SIX, SECTION B FOR THOSE BETWEEN SEVEN AND NINE, AND SECTION C FOR THOSE BETWEEN 10 AND 13.
CASH COUPONS OF $1,000, $700 AND $500, TOGETHER WITH OTHER PRIZES, WILL BE AWARDED TO THE THREE BEST ENTRIES IN EACH SECTION, WHILE TOYS AND FREE MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS WILL BE AWARDED TO SEVEN OUTSTANDING ENTRIES TN EACH SECTION.
THESE ENTRIES WILL LATER BE EXHIBITED LOCALLY AND IN JAPAN.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY TOMORROW WILL BE THE YAU TSIM ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS MARY CHOW, AND URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR KWAN LIM-HO.
THE CONTEST IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, URBAN COUNCIL, HARBOUR JAYCEES AND SING TAO LIMITED AND SPONSORED BY THE TSIM SHA TSUI EAST PROPERTY DEVELOPERS ASSOCIATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE 1988 INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN DRAWING COMPETITION WHICH STARTS AT 9 AM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE UC CENTENARY GARDEN, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
/15........
SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 1988
WATER CUTS IN THREE AREAS ♦ * ♦ * ♦
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN REPULSE BAY WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 10 PM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 26) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES IN CHUNG HOM KOK ROAD, CHING SAU LANE, CAPE DRIVE, CAPE ROAD, HORIZON DRIVE, BEACH ROAD SOUTH BAY ROAD, SOUTH BAY CLOSE, HEADLAND ROAD AND BETWEEN HOUSE NO. Ill, REPULSE BAY ROAD AND CHUNG HOM KOK ROAD.
IN ADDITION, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TUEN MUN WILL BE CUT OFF FROM 10 PM ON TUESDAY TO 8 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR
MAINS WORK.
THE AREA AFFECTED COVERS TSING CHUNG KOON ROAD, CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL, CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL NURSES AND STAFF QUARTERS, KONG SHAN rSUEN, SIU HANG FSUEN, PO TONG HA TSUEN AND CASTLE PEAK AGRICULTURAL
IN KWUN TONG, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 27) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE PREMISES AFFECTED WILL BE BLOCKS NO. 15 TO 24, LAM TIN ESTATE, INCLUDING ST PAUL’S SCHOOL AND SING YIN SECONDARY SCHOOL.
- - 0 - -
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF WATERLOO ROAD ♦ ♦ t t t
TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS WATERLOO ROAD AT DURHAM ROAD IN KOWLOON TONG, WATERLOO ROAD NORTHBOUND BETWEEN LANCASHIRE ROAD AND DURHAM ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICLES EXCEPT FOR LOCAL ACCESS FROM 1 AM TO 5.30 AM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 26).
VEHICLES IN CENTRAL KOWLOON HEADING FOR SHA TIN WILL HAVE TO USE WATERLOO ROD, ESSEX CRESCENT, CUMBERLAND ROAD, RUTLAND QUADRANT, WATERLOO ROAD AND LION ROCK TUNNEL, OR TRAVEL ALONG TAI PO ROAD, LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND LION ROCK TUNNEL.
AT THE SAME TIME, WATERLOO ROAD SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN HEREFORD
ROAD AND DURHAM ROAD WILL ALSO BE CLOSED EXCEPT FOR LOCAL ACCESS.
/VEHICLES FROM
SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 1988
VEHICLES FROM LION ROCK TUNNEL HEADING FOR CENTRAL KOWLOON MAY USE WATERLOO ROAD, HEREFORD ROAD, LA SALLE ROAD, LANCASHIRE ROAD AND WATERLOO ROAD, OR DIVERT VIA LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND TAI PO ROAD.
IN ADDITION, DURHAM ROAD WILL BE CONVERTED INTO A CUL-DE-SAC AT ITS JUNCTION WITH WATERLOO ROAD. THE LEFT-TURNING MOVEMENTS FROM CAMBRIDGE ROAD ON TO HEREFORD ROAD WESTBOUND AND THE RIGHT-TURNING MOVEMENTS FROM RUTLAND QUADRANT ON TO WATERLOO ROAD SOUTHBOUND WILL BE BANNED.
-------0----------
NEW SECTION FARE FOR GMB ROUTE 71 *****
FROM MONDAY, APRIL 25, A NEW SECTION FARE WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR NEW TERRITORIES GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE NO. 71 PLYING BETWEEN YUEN LONG AND HO PUI TSUEN IN SHEK WU TONG, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE NEW SECTION FARE IS FOR JOURNEYS BETWEEN YUEN LONG AND CHEUNG PO TSUEN IN SHEK WU TONG.
PASSENGERS TRAVELLING FROM YUEN LONG, KAM TIN AND TIN SUM TSUEN IN SHEK WU TONG TO CHEUNG PO TSUEN WILL BE CHARGED A FARE OF $2.5, $2, AND $1.5 RESPECTIVELY.
THE REVISION WILL ENABLE VILLAGERS OF CHEUNG PO TSUEN TO ENJOY A LOWER FARE ON JOURNEYS TO AND FROM YUEN LONG.
-------0 ---------
iSTRICTED ZONES IN SHAU KEI WAN
*****
TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN SHAU KEI WAN WILL BE DESIGNATED AS RESTRICTED ZONES FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 26).
SHAU KEI WAN ROAD WESTBOUND FROM A POINT ABOUT 47 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH NAM HONG STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 48 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED AS A 24-HOUR DAILY RESTRICTED ZONE .
MEANWHILE, NAM ON STREET WESTBOUND BETWEEN ALDRICH BAY ROAD AND NAM HONG STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED AS A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY RESTRICTED ZONE.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
0 -
/15
SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 1988
- 15 -
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES IN SHA TIN ♦ ♦ t * »
THE FAST LANE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD NORTHBOUND BETWEEN THE TUNNEL TOLL PLAZA AND HUNG MUI KUK INTERCHANGE WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 0.01 AM AND 6 AM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 26).
DURING THE SAME PERIOD ON FRIDAY (APRIL 29), THE SLOW LANE OF THE SAME SECTION OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD NORTHBOUND WILL BE CLOSED.
THE TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES ARE REQUIRED TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORK.
-------0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 1Q8S
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TECHNICAL INSTITUTE ANNEX PLAN APPROVED ..................... 1
STUDENTS TO EXPERIENCE REAL WORLD OF WORK.................... 2
SHA TIN'S COMMUNITY HALLS WELL PATRONISED ................... 3
LEARN TO SWIM SCHEME FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN ............ 3
NEW DISTRICT OFFICER FOR KWUN TONG ...................... 4
TWO NT SITES OFFERED FOR LETTERS A/B HOLDERS ................ 5
BUSY DAY FOR KWUN TONG DB MEMBERS ........................... 5
QUIZ FOR SAI KUNG RESIDENTS ................................. 6
NEW IDENTITY CARDS FOR MEN BORN IN 1955-56 .................. 7
ENTRIES INVITED FOR TUEN MUN BONSAI COMPETITION ............. 8
TEMPORARY RESTRICTED ZONE IN HAPPY VALLEY ................... 9
LAND CLOSURE AND PLB RESTRICTED ZONE
10
SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 1988
TECHNICAL INSTITUTE ANNEX PLAN APPROVED » » » » »
AN ANNEX FOR THE KWAI CHUNG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE WAS AMONG NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE IN FEBRUARY.
A TOTAL OF 64 PLANS WERE APPROVED DURING THE MONTH - 25 ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 14 IN KOWLOON AND THE REMAINING 25 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
ALSO APPROVED WERE PLANS FOR FIVE FACTORIES - TWO IN TSUEN WAN, ONE EACH IN SHAM TSENG, TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AND SHA TIN.
OF THE APPROVED PLANS, 27 WERE FOR APARTMENT, APARTMENT/COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS, AND 13 WERE FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS.
APPROVAL TO START WORK WAS GIVEN TO 44 PROJECTS. THE TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF THESE PROJECTS WAS 198,128 SQUARE METRES, OF WHICH 47,621.9 SQUARE METRES WERE FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES AND THE REMAINDER FOR NON-DOMEST1C USES.
THE TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH WAS 522,952 SQUARE METRES, OF WHICH 100,735.3 SQUARE METRES WERE FOR DOMESTIC USE AND THE REMAINDER FOR NON-DOMESTIC PURPOSES.
THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH WAS ABOUT $1,331 MILLION.
ALSO DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE ISSUED 45 OCCUPATION PERMITS - EIGHT ON HONG KONG ISLAND, SEVEN IN KOWLOON AND 30 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN ADDITION, THE OFFICE ISSUED 33 DEMOLITION ORDERS AFFECTING 88 BUILDINGS.
THE CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT DIVISION RECEIVED 382 COMPLAINTS REGARDING ILLEGAL BUILDINGS AND ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS DURING THE MONTH, CARRIED OUT 600 INSPECTIONS AND ISSUED 82 REMOVAL ORDERS.
THE DANGEROUS BUILDINGS SECTION INSPECTED 423 BUILDINGS.
0
SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 1988
- 2
STUDENTS TO EXPERIENCE REAL WORLD OF WORK
*****
MORE THAN 1,100 STUDENTS FROM 45 SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN WAN CHAI, EASTERN, KWUN TONG, WONG TAI SIN AND MONG KOK WILL TAKE PART IN A WORK ORIENTATION PROGRAMME NEXT MONTH.
THE EVENT IS PART OF A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME ORGANISED BY THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TO HELP STUDENTS TO ACQUIRE FIRST-HAND INFORMATION ON VARIOUS SPECIALISED FIELD OF WORK AND TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES THE ACTUAL WORKING ENVIRONMENT.
"IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH SUCH CAREERS-ORIENTATED ACTIVITIES, THE STUDENTS WOULD BE ABLE TO DEVELOP A MORE REALISTIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPORTANCE OF FINDING JOBS BEST SUITED TO THEIR POTENTIAL," A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"AND IN THE LONG TERM, OUR SOCIETY WILL BENEFIT FROM BEING ABLE TO OPTIMISE ITS USE OF HUMAN RESOURCES."
THIS YEAR, THE PROGRAMME WILL START ON MAY 2. IT INCLUDES VISITS TO VARIOUS ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS COVERING PUBLIC UTILITIES COMPANIES, CARGO TERMINALS, TRAINING CENTRES OF DISCIPLINARY FORCES, TELEVISION STATIONS, BANKS, AND HOTELS.
THE VISITS WILL BE CONDUCTED BY SPECIALLY ASSIGNED PERSONNEL OF EACH ESTABLISHMENT AND AUDIO-VISUAL AIDS WILL ALSO BE USED WHERE NECESSARY.
THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ADVISORY SERVICE PROVIDES CAREERS GUIDANCE TO YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH A WIDE RANGE OF PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES.
AT PRESENT, THE SERVICE OPERATES THREE CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRES WHICH ARE EQUIPPED WITH A REFERENCE LIBRARY AND AUDIO-VISUAL RECORDINGS OF INFORMATION ON EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES. SUCH INFORMATION IS PARTICULARLY USEFUL TO PROSPECTIVE SCHOOL LEAVERS.
DURING 1987, OFFICERS OF THE SERVICE DELIVERED 529 CAREERS TALKS TO SOME 96,000 YOUNG PEOPLE IN 375 SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND FIVE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
IT HAD ALSO ORGANISED A NUMBER OF CAREERS CONVENTIONS, THE ANNUAL CAREERS QUIZ AND CAREERS EXHIBITION.
TO FURTHER PROMOTE CAREERS EDUCATION, THE SERVICE ORGANISES ANNUALLY A CERTIFICATE COURSE AND A SEMINAR FOR CAREERS TEACHERS IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS AND GUIDANCE MASTERS.
- 0----------
SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 1988
- 5 -
SHA TIN’S COMMUNITY HALLS WELL PATRONISED
COMMUNITY HALLS MANAGED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE WERE WELL PATRONISED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, WITH SOME 132,355 PEOPLE MAKING USE OF THE FACILITIES IN THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR, A SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
"THE COMMUNITY HALLS PROVIDE CONFERENCE ROOMS, HALLS AND DRESSING ROOMS FOR USE ON TWO-HOUR SESSIONS, AND BADMINTON COURTS AND TABLE-TENNIS FACILITIES ON HOURLY BASIS," HE SAID.
"BETWEEN APRIL 1987 AND MARCH 1988, THE HALLS WERE HIRED FOR 6,739 SESSIONS, CONFERENCE ROOMS FOR 3,505 SESSIONS AND DRESSING ROOMS FOR 1,162 SESSIONS, SHOWING CONSIDERABLE PUBLIC DEMAND FOR THESE FACILITIES."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THERE WERE NOW EIGHT COMMUNITY HALLS IN SHA TIN, OPENING FROM 9 AM TO 10 PM BETWEEN MONDAYS AND SATURDAYS AND FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
"THEY ARE THE LUNG HANG ESTATE, SUN TIN WAI, WO CHE, LEK YUEN, SHA KOK, POK HONG, CHUN SHEK AND HENG ON ESTATE COMMUNITY HALLS," HE SAID.
"IN PARTICULAR, THE HENG ON ESTATE COMMUNITY HALL, WHICH WAS OPENED LAST MONTH, PROVIDED THE MUCH NEEDED RECREATIONAL AND CONFERENCE FACILITIES FOR THE FAST DEVELOPING MA ON SHAN AREA.
"IN MARCH ALONE, THIS COMMUNITY HALL WAS PATRONISED BY 5,170 USERS, AND INCREASING PATRONAGE IS EXPECTED IN THE FUTURE."
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT ACCORDING TO A SURVEY, THE AVERAGE UTILISATION RATE OF COMMUNITY HALLS IN SHA TIN WAS ABOUT 95 PER CENT.
-------0----------
LEARN TO SWIM SCHEME FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S PHYSICAL EDUCATION SECTION WILL AGAIN ORGANISE THE "LEARN-TO-SWIM" SCHEME FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN DURING THE SUMMER VACATION BETWEEN JULY 18 AND AUGUST 27.
A TOTAL OF 207 FREE CLASSES WILL BE HELD FROM MONDAY TO SATURDAY BETWEEN 9 AM TO 5 PM IN THREE SERIES AT 12 PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORIES. NO ADMISSION FEES WILL BE CHARGED.
/THIRTY-THREE CLASSES .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 1988
THIRTY-THREE CLASSES WILL BE ORGANISED AT PAO YUE KONO SWIMMING POOL CENTRE AND CHAI WAN SWIMMING POOL ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
NINETY-NINE CLASSES WILL BE HELD AT SIX PUBLIC POOLS LOCATED
AT KWUN TONG, LAI CHI KOK PARK, SHAM SHUI PO PARK, LEI CHENG UK,
MORSE PARK AND TAI WAN SHAN IN KOWLOON.
ANOTHER 75 CLASSES WILL BE CONDUCTED AT FANLING SWIMMING POOL,
KWAI SHING SWIMMING POOL, SHA TIN JOCKEY CLUB PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL
AND YUEN LONG SWIMMING POOL IN THE NEW TOWNS.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL PROVIDE QUALIFIED SWIMMING INSTRUCTORS TO TEACH SCHOOL CHILDREN, MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHILDREN TO ENTER THE POOL AND REPORT TO INSTRUCTORS AND ASSESS THE PARTICIPANTS’ SWIMMING ABILITY.
EXPERIENCE IN THE PAST YEARS SHOWED THESE CLASSES WERE OVER SUBSCRIBED. «
IN ANTICIPATION OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS, A SERIES OF DRAWING OF LOTS WILL BE HELD AT THE NEW TERRITORIES SCHOOLS SPORTS ASSOCIATION, OXFORD COMMERCIAL BUILDING, BETWEEN JUNE 2 AND 7. SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO ATTEND THE DRAWING OF LOTS.
EACH SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL WILL BE ALLOCATED A CLASS OF 30 PLACES AND SCHOOL CHILDREN NOMINATED TO TAKE PART IN THE COURSE OF 12 ONE-HOUR LESSONS MUST BE BEGINNERS AND OVER 10 YEARS OLD.
- - 0 - -
NEW DISTRICT OFFICER FOR KWUN TONG * * ♦ » ♦
A SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, MR CHRIS WAN CHUNG-CHU, WILL SUCCEED MR EDDY CHAN YUK-TAK AS DISTRICT OFFICER IN KWUN TONG ON TUESDAY (APRIL 26).
MR WAN PREVIOUSLY WAS AN ASSISTANT SECRETARY IN THE SECRETARIAT OF THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE.
MR WAN JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE AS AN EXECUTIVE OFFICER II IN
JANUARY 1971, AND WAS PROMOTED TO EXECUTIVE OFFICER 1 IN JANUARY 1979.
HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE FORMER HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT UPON BEING APPOINTED AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN APRIL, 1981. HE WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN APRIL, 1987.
MR WAN HAD PREVIOUSLY SERVED IN THE FORMER HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION BRANCH.
- - 0 -
SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 1988
- 5 -
TWO NT SITES OFFERED FOR LETTERS A/B HOLDERS *****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING REGISTERED OWNERS OF LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS (LETTERS A/B) TO TENDER FOR TWO SITES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
A 15,800-SQUARE-METRE SITE NEXT TO THE KWAI FONG MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATION IN KWAI CHUNG AREA 10L, IS FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING GODOWN AND HOTEL) PURPOSES.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 64,462 SQUARE METRES HAS TO BE COMPLETED WITHIN 48 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF POSSESSION.
IN TUEN MUN, A 12,390 SQUARE METRES SITE NEAR BUTTERFLY ESTATE IN AREA 44 IS USED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.
A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 22,200 SQUARE METRES HAS TO BE COMPLETED WITHIN 48 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF POSSESSION.
APPLICANTS FOR THE SITES CAN SUBMIT EITHER A "VINTAGE" TENDER OR A "MONETISED LETTER B" TENDER CALCULATED BY REFERENCE TO A LIST OF CURRENCY VALUES PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE ON MARCH 25.
"VINTAGE" TENDERS WILL BE GIVEN PRIORITY.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS NOON ON MAY 20.
-------0 ---------
BUSY DAY FOR KWUN TONG DB MEMBERS * * *
KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL HAVE A BUSY DAY WHEN THEY MEET ON TUESDAY (APRIL 26) AFTERNOON.
A NUMBER OF TOPICS RELATING TO THE STRUCTURE AND OPERATION OF THE NEW-TERM DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE RAISED FOR DISCUSSION AT THE MEETING.
THEY INCLUDE SPENDING GUIDELINES AND WORKING PROCEDURES, ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES, A PROPOSAL TO FORM A CIVIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE, PROCEDURES FOR ELECTION OF COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN, AND STANDING ORDERS FOR THE NEW TERM.
/IN CONNECTION .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 1988
IN CONNECTION WITH THE STANDING ORDERS, THE BOARD WILL CONSIDER A MOTION PUT FORWARD BY A MEMBER, MRS WINNIE POON, SUGGESTING THE OPENING OF ALL COMMITTEE AND WORKING GROUP MEETINGS TO THE PUBLIC.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY, A PLAN FOR AN OVERSEAS STUDY TOUR, AN EYE-CARING CAMPAIGN FOR THE ELDERLY, AND PRINTING OF A REPORT ON THE UNITED CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL EXTENSION FUND-RAISING CAMPAIGN.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE A REPORT BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND A PROGRESS REPORT OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE PROGRAMME - "OPERATION FAR-FL1NG".
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 26) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, TUNG YAN STREET.
- - 0 -
QUIZ FOR SAI KUNG RESIDENTS ♦ t t * ♦
SAJ KUNG RESIDENTS ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A QUIZ TO BE HELD AT THE SAI KUNG JOCKEY CLUB TOWN HALL.
THE AIM OF THE COMPETITION IS TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEIR DISTRICT AND TO BE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF ANTI-CORRUPT ION WORK.
SPONSORED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, THE QUIZ IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION PROMOTION COMMITTEE AND THE REGIONAL OFFICE (KOWLOON EAST/SA1 KUNG) OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION.
THE COMPETITION IS BE DIVIDED INTO THREE SECTIONS. LOCAL RESIDENTS, SCHOOLS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS CORPORATIONS AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS ARE WELCOME TO TAKE PART.
IT WILL TEST PARTICIPANTS’ KNOWLEDGE ON ANTI-CORRUPTION LEGISLATION, COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND CIVIC EDUCATION.
/THE ORGANISING
SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 1988
THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE WILL INTRODUCE THE RULES OF THE QUIZ TO PARTICIPANTS ON MAY 17 AT 8 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING.
WINNERS OF THE PRELIMINARY ROUND, TO BE HELD ON MAY 24, WILL TAKE PART IN THE FINAL COMPETITION ON JUNE 4 AT THE TOWN HALL. THE CHAMPION AND RUNNERS-UP WILL BE AWARDED PRIZES AND PENNANTS.
THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS MAY 11.
ENTRY FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 3-7921637.
-------0----------
NEW IDENTITY CARDS FOR MEN BORN IN 1955-56 * ♦ » » »
MEN BORN IN 1955 AND 1956 ARE REQUIRED TO APPLY IDENTITY CARDS FROM APRIL 25 TO JUNE 4.
FOR NEW
MEN OF THE ABOVE AGE GROUP SHOULD CALL AT ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICES DURING THIS PERIOD.
THESE OFFICES ARE OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM DAILY, EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS," AN IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID,
AS THESE OFFICES ARE VERY CROWDED IN THE EVENINGS, APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED TO GO IN THE MORNINGS AND AFTERNOONS TO AVOID THE QUEUES OR HAVING TO COME BACK ON ANOTHER DAY,” HE 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 GARDEN PLAZA, SECOND FLOOR, 77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD.
TEL. NO. 3-7553679
/WEST KOWLOON : .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 1988
- 8
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
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 CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, CHI LOK FA YUEN. TEL. NO. 0-4580862
SHEUNG SHUT TSUEN WO TAI LAU, GROUND FLOOR, 82-84 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI. TEL. NO. 0-927155
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
-------0 ---------
ENTRIES INVITED FOR TUEN MUN BONSAI COMPETITION t » * t »
POTTED PLANT ENTHUSIASTS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A COMPETITION FOR THE 1988 TUEN MUN DISTRICT BONSAI SHOW WHICH WILL BE HELD FROM MAY 14 TO 23 AT THE TAOIST CHING CHUNG KOON MONASTERY.
THE COMPETITION IS JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE TAOIST CHING CHUNG KOON MONASTERY, TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE AND VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN THE DISTRICT, AND SPONSORED BY THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION, THE HONG KONG AND YAUMAT1 FERRY CO. LTD., AND KOWLOON MOTOR BUS CO. LTD.
IT IS DIVIDED INTO THE OPEN SECTION AND SCHOOL SECTION.
IN THE OPEN SECTION, EACH PARTICIPANT CAN SUBMIT NOT MORE THAN TWO BONSAI WORKS AND EACH CONTAINER SHOULD NOT EXCEED 75 CM IN DIAMETER.
/STUDENTS FROM .......
SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 1988
STUDENTS FROM THE TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG DISTRICTS CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE SCHOOL SECTION, WHICH IS DIVIDED INTO PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CATEGORIES.
THEY SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR BONSAI OR FLOWER PLANTS THROUGH THEIR SCHOOLS AND AGAIN, THE BONSAI CONTAINER SHOULD NOT EXCEED 75 CM IN DIAMETER WHILE THAT OF THE FLOWER PLANTS SHOULD BE BETWEEN 15 AND 30 CM.
INTERESTED PERSONS CAN OBTAIN ENTRY FORMS FROM THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND THEIR SUB-OFFICES. STUDENTS CAN OBTAIN FORMS FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE SCHOOLS.
ALL ENTRIES MUST BE SENT TO THE MONASTERY BY 11 AM ON MAY 13. THEY WILL BE DISPLAYED TOGETHER WITH OTHER POTTED PLANTS OF TSING CHUNG KOON UNTIL THE END OF THE EXHIBITION.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 0-851954 OR 0-851925.
-----0-----
TEMPORARY RESTRICTED ZONE IN HAPPY VALLEY
*****
THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF YIK YAM STREET IN HAPPY VALLEY BETWEEN SING WOO ROAD AND SHAN KWONG ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED A RESTRICTED ZONE FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 27).
THIS MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT ONE MONTH FOR WATER MAIN LAYING WORK.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
-------0---------
/10........
SUNDAY, APRIL 24, 1988
- 10 -
LANE CLOSURE AND PLB RESTRICTED ZONE
» » » » »
TO FACILITATE ROADWORKS ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD IN SHA TIN, A 200-METRE LONG SLOW LANK OF THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD OPPOSITE WORLD-WIDE GARDENS WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 9 PM ON TUESDAY (APRIL 26) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO
DRIVE WITH EXTRA CARE AND PATIENCE.
IN SHAM SHUI PO, FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY, THE EXISTING 7 AM MIDNIGHT PUBLIC LIGHT BUS RESTRICTED ZONE ON A 50-METRE STRETCH OF CHAU STREET SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH HING WAH STREET WILL EXTENDED SOUTHWARDS FOR ABOUT 15 METRES.
TO UN BE
ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE BANNED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE.
- 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ANALYSIS OF HONG KONG'S RE-EXPORT TRADE IN 1987 ....... 1
EPCCM SUPPORTS DECLARATION OF SOUTHERN WATER CONTROL ZONE . 5
PARTS II, III OF NT LEASES EXTIMSION LAW TAKE EFFECT .. 6
LABOUR SUPPLY AND MOBILITY SURVEYED ................... 7
1987 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION COMMENCED ........ 10
GOVERNMENT TO PROMOTE QUALITY ASSURANCE ............... 12
3166 M CONTRACT SIGNED FOR TIN SHUI WAI DEVELOPMENT ... 13
SHA TIN DB TO ELECT COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN................. 13
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE TO ELECT CHAIRMAN . 14
TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER LOOKS AT MmJOR DEVELOPMENTS . 14
AGENCY FINED FOR OVERCHARGING ......................... 15
TECHNICAL INSTITUTE STUDENTS AVAILABLE FOR SUMMER WORK .... 16
REGIMENT TO HOLD FIELD TRAINING EXERCISE .............. 17
WATER CUTS IN TAI KOK TSUI, WANG TAU HCM .............. 18
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
18
MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1988
ANALYSIS OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORT TRADE IN 1987 ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) RELEASED A SUMMARY ANALYSIS OF HONG KONG'S RE-EXPORTS IN 1987 BY MARKET AND BY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN. THIS SHOWS THAT HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS AMOUNTED TO $182,780 MILLION IN 1987, A RISE OF 49 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 1986.
RE-EXPORTS BY MARKET
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 1.
CHINA AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CONTINUED TO BE THE TWO LARGEST MARKETS FOR HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS, ABSORBING 33 PER CENT AND 18 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OF THE TOTAL RE-EXPORTS IN 1987. JAPAN, TAIWAN AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA EACH ACCOUNTED FOR ANOTHER 5 PER CENT.
COMPARING 1987 WITH 1986, RE-EXPORTS TO ALL MAJOR MARKETS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS, WITH THE MORE SIGNIFICANT INCREASES RECORDED FOR THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (+106 PER CENT), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+72 PER CENT), TAIWAN (+63 PER CENT), AUSTRALIA (+59 PER CENT) AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+53 PER CENT).
RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA, THE LARGEST MARKET, INCREASED BY $19,277 MILLION OR 47 PER CENT IN 1987 AS COMPARED WITH 1986.
ANALYSED BY COMMODITY, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN TEXTILES (BY $3,576 MILLION OR 32 PER CENT); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $1,882 MILLION OR 73 PER CENT); AND ARTIFICIAL RESINS, PLASTIC MATERIALS, CELLULOSE ESTERS AND ETHERS (BY $1,712 MILLION OR 147 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN IRON AND STEEL (BY $388 MILLION OR 23 PER CENT); AND ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE OILS AND FATS (PROCESSED) AND WAXES OF ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE ORIGIN (BY $45 MILLION OR 88 PER CENT).
RE-EXPORTS TO THE USA, THE SECOND LARGEST MARKET FOR HONG KONG'S RE-EXPORTS, INCREASED BY $10,092 MILLION OR 45 PER CENT.
COMMODITIES WITH SIGNIFICANT INCREASES INCLUDED MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, INCLUDING MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $3,182 MILLION OR 67 PER CENT); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $1,336 MILLION OR 188 PER CENT); AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $1,209 MILLION OR 94 PER CENT).
/HOWEVER, DECREASES ........
MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1988
2 -
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN COFFEE, TEA, COCOA, SPICES, AND MANUFACTURES THEREOF (BY $20 MILLION OR 31 PER CENT); AND POWER GENERATING MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT (BY $17 MILLION OR 19 PER CENT).
RE-EXPORTS TO JAPAN INCREASED BY $3,096 MILLION OR 46 PER CENT. ANALYSED BY COMMODITY, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN CLOTHING (BY $732 MILLION OR 113 PER CENT); AND TEXTILES (BY $384 MILLION OR 59 PER CENT). A DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $37 MILLION OR 10 PER CENT).
RE-EXPORTS TO TAIWAN RECORDED AN INCREASE OF $3,746 MILLION OR 63 PER CENT. SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $1,389 MILLION OR 67 PER CENT); AND CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS (BY $547 MILLION OR 118 PER CENT). HOWEVER, A DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN DAIRY PRODUCTS AND BIRDS’ EGGS (BY $22 MILLION OR 51 PER CENT).
RE-EXPORTS TO THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA GREW BY $3,126 MILLION OR 53 PER CENT. SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN TEXTILES (BY $1,202 MILLION OR 74 PER CENT); AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $516 MILLION OR 51 PER (’ENT). A DECREASE WAS REGISTERED FOR VEGETABLES AND FRUIT (BY $14 MILLION OR 25 PER CENT).
RE-EXPORTS BY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
RE-EXPORTS FROM 10 MAJOR COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 2.
GOODS FROM CHINA, JAPAN, THE USA, TAIWAN AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA CONTRIBUTED 46 PER CENT, 13 PER CENT, 7 PER CENT, 7 PER CENT AND 3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS THROUGH HONG KONG IN 1987.
COMPARING 1987 WITH 1986, ALL THE MAJOR ORIGIN COUNTRIES SUPPLIED MORE IN VALUE TERMS TO HONG KONG FOR RE-EXPORTS, PARTICULARLY THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+72 PER CENT), CHINA (+63 PER CENT), TAIWAN (+46 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (+45 PER CENT), FRANCE (+44 PER CENT) AND JAPAN (+32 PER CENT).
CHINA CONTINUED TO BE THE LARGEST SOURCE OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS IN 1987. A GROWTH OF 63 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS WAS RECORDED IN THE RE-EXPORTS ORIGINATING IN CHINA AS COMPARED WITH 1986.
ANALYSED BY COMMODITY, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $6,681 MILLION OR 87 PER CENT); TEXTILES (BY $5,274 MILLION OR 54 PER CENT); AND CLOTHING (BY $4,654 MILLION OR 37 PER CENT).
/HOWEVER, DECREASES ........
MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1988
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN COFFEE, TEA, COCOA, SPICES, AND MANUFACTURES THEREOF (BY $102 MILLION OR 18 PER CENT); AND FEEDING STUFF FOR ANIMALS, NOT INCLUDING UNMILLED CEREALS (BY $16 MILLION OR 26 PER CENT).
JAPAN REMAINED THE SECOND LARGEST SOURCE OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS IN 1987. COMPARED WITH 1986, THERE WAS AN INCREASE OF 32 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS IN THE RE-EXPORTS ORIGINATING IN JAPAN.
INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $1,274 MILLION OR 42 PER CENT); PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $856 MILLION OR 28 PER CENT); AND MACHINERY SPECIALISED FOR PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES (BY $822 MILLION OR 79 PER CENT).
DECREASES WERE, HOWEVER, RECORDED IN MANUFACTURES OF METAL (BY $33 MILLION OR 11 PER CENT); AND IRON AND STEEL (BY $28 MILLION OR 4 PER CENT).
RE-EXPORTS ORIGINATING IN THE USA INCREASED BY 30 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS IN 1987, PARTICULARLY THOSE OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $934 MILLION OR 54 PER CENT); AND OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $622 MILLION OR 13 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, A DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT OTHER THAN ROAD VEHICLES (BY $380 MILLION OR 77 PER CENT).
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS OF TAIWAN ORIGIN INCREASED BY 46 PER CENT. COMMODITIES WITH SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE TEXTILES (BY $1,317 MILLION OR 32 PER CENT); AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $423 MILLION OR 47 PER CENT). HOWEVER, A DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN IRON AND STEEL (BY $35 MILLION OR 46 PER CENT).
RE-EXPORTS ORIGINATING IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA INCREASED BY 72 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS, PARTICULARLY TEXTILES (BY $803 MILLION OR 61 PER CENT); AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $677 MILLION OR 94 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, A DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN IRON AND STEEL (BY $45 MILLION OR 35 PER CENT).
FURTHER DETAILS REGARDING THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE CONTAINED IN THE COMPREHENSIVE REPORT "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE, DECEMBER 1987" WHICH IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, IN CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AT $15 PER COPY. ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 5-8234915.
/Table 1: .......
MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1988
TABLE 1: RE-EXPORTS BY 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET JAN-DEC JAN-DEC INCREASE PERCENTAGE
1987 1986 INCREASE
(HKD MN.) (HKD MN.) (HKD MN.) (%)
CHINA 60,170 40,894 +19,277 + 47
USA 32,454 22,362 +10,092 + 45
JAPAN 9,772 6,676 + 3,096 + 46
TAIWAN 9,685 5,939 + 3,746 + 63
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 8,969 5,843 + 3,126 + 53
SINGAPORE 6,481 5,259 + 1,222 + 23
FR OF GERMANY 5,533 2,688 + 2,845 + 106
UK 4,271 2,489 + 1,782 + 72
MACAU 3,326 2,584 + 742 + 29
AUSTRALIA TABLE 2: RE 2,913 -EXPORTS BY 10 1,830 + 1,083 MAJOR COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN + 59
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN JAN-DEC 1987 JAN-DEC 1986 INCREASE PERCENTAGE INCREASE
(HKD MN.) (HKD MN.) (HKD MN.) (%)
CHINA 84,266 51,597 +32,669 + 63
JAPAN 24,599 18,579 + 6,020 + 32
USA 13,586 10,411 + 3,174 + 30
TAIWAN 12,680 8,681 + 4,000 + 46
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 6,188 3,596 + 2,592 + 72
FR OF GERMANY 2,979 2,424 + 556 + 23
UK 2,463 1,920 + 543 + 28
SWITZERLAND 2,389 1,862 + 528 + 28
FRANCE 2,119 1,476 + 643 + 44
SINGAPORE 1,567 1,080 + 487 + 45
MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1988
- 5
EPCOM SUPPORTS DECLARATION OF SOUTHERN WATER CONTROL ZONE » » » t *
MEMBERS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EPCOM) TODAY (MONDAY) SUPPORTED THE DECLARATION OF THE SOUTHERN WATER CONTROL ZONE AS A MEDIUM-TERM MEASURE TO PREVENT THE MICROBIAL WATER QUALITY OF THE BATHING BEACHES IN THE SOUTHERN AND ISLANDS DISTRICTS FROM FURTHER DETERIORATION.
UNDER THE PROPOSAL, THE WATER CONTROL ZONE WILL COVER A TOTAL OF 21 PUBLIC BATHING BEACHES . AND SIX NON-GAZETTED BEACHES IN THE SOUTHERN WATERS - IN HONG KONG ISLAND SOUTH AND ISLANDS DISTRICT, WHICH ARE CALLED WATER CONTROL SUB-ZONES.
MEMBERS NOTED THAT THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF THE BEACHES WHERE 12 GAZETTED BEACHES IN HONG KONG ISLAND SOUTH AND SIX OUT OF A TOTAL OF NINE BEACHES IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT HAVE BEEN PROGRESSIVELY DETERIORATING.
THE CAUSE OF MICROBIAL POLLUTION OF BATHING BEACHES IS FAECAL WASTE.
IF THE PRESENT TRENDS CONTINUE, MORE BEACHES WILL ACCEPTABILITY LIMIT WITHIN THE NEXT TWO OR THREE YEARS.
EXCEED THE
THE LONG-TERM SOLUTION FOR THE SEWAGE POLLUTION PROBLEMS AT THESE BEACHES WILL REQUIRE THE PROVISION OF FULL SEWERAGE AND PROPER SEWAGE DISPOSAL FACILITIES TO MATCH THE GROWTH IN RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE AND IS STILL TAKING PLACE NEAR THESE BEACHES.
IN THE MEDIUM-TERM, IT IS NECESSARY TO TACKLE AT SOURCE THE SEWAGE POLLUTION PROBLEMS OF THESE BATHING BEACHES USING THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE.
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SUCH CONTROLS - TOGETHER WITH OTHER PLANNED ACTIONS, NAMELY THE INTERCEPTION AND DIVERSION OF POLLUTION STORMWATER DRAINS RUNNING INTO THE BEACHES; BANNING OR CONTROL OF LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL; AND CLEARANCE OF SQUATTERS - WILL HELP IO ABATE THE MICROBIOLOGICAL POLLUTION OF THE BEACHES IN THE SOUTHERN AND ISLANDS DISTRICTS.
MEMBERS SUPPORTED THAT THE FIRST APPOINTED DAY FOR THE PROPOSED WATER CONTROL ZONE SHOULD BE OCTOBER 1, 1988 AND I HAT rill'. SECOND APPOINTED DAY SHOULD FOLLOW SIX MONTHS LATER ON APRIL I, 1989.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH SAID AFTER THE MEETING THAT Till' URBAN YND REGIONAL COUNCILS, AND THE SOUTHERN AND ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARDS, WOULD BE CONSULTED ABOUT THE PROPOSED DECLARATION OF THE SOUTHERN WATER CONTROL ZONE.
MEMBERS AGREED THAT ALL SEWAGE DISCHARGES IN THE WATER CONTROL ZONE, FROM WHATEVER SOURCE, SHOULD BE CONTROLLED.
/HOWEVER, INDUSTRIAL
MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1988
6
HOWEVER, INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS, WHICH WERE NOT A SERIOUS CONTRIBUTION AT THE MOMENT TO BEACH POLLUTION IN THIS ZONE, SHOULD BE EXCLUDED UNTIL THE REVIEW OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE ON INDUSTRY IN THE TOLO WATER CONTROL ZONE WAS COMPLETED.
MEMBERS ALSO HOPED THAT THE EXISTING WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE COULD RE REVIEWED TO MAKE IT MORE EFFECTIVE IN CONTROLLING POLLUTION AND ALSO THAT EVERY EFFORT BE MADE TO USE EXISTING LEGISLATION TO CONTROL THE PROBLEM.
AT TODAY’S MEETING, MEMBERS APPROVED THE NOISE CONTROL BILL 1988 FOR SUBMISSION TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AFTER CONSIDERATION OF THE AMENDMENTS ARISING FROM THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION WHICH FOLLOWED PUBLICATION OF THE BILL IN MARCH 1987.
MEMBERS NOTED THAT AFTER EIGHT YEARS AND 15 DRAFTS OF THE BILL, IT WAS ABOUT TIME THAT SOMETHING WAS DONE TO CONTROL NOISE IN HONG KONG, WHICH HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS THE NOISIEST CITY IN THE WORLD.
DURING THE CONSULTATION PERIOD BETWEEN MARCH AND JUNE LAST YEAR, A TOTAL OF 69 SUBMISSIONS WERE RECEIVED. THESE SUBMISSIONS CAME FROM DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, INDIVIDUALS, INDUSTRIAL AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS.
MEMBERS ALSO EXAMINED VARIOUS OPTIONS FOR THE DISPOSAL OF SLUDGES GENERATED BY THE TREATMENT OF WATER AND SEWAGE IN THE SHA TIN AREA.
IT WAS AGREED THAT IN THE SHORT TO MEDIUM TERM A MARINE DISPOSAL SITE EAST OF WAGLAN ISLAND WAS THE MOST PRACTICABLE OPTION BUT THE OPERATION WOULD BE CAREFULLY MONITORED.
SHOULD THE MONITORING PROGRAMME GIVE ANY SIGN THAT THE CAPACITY OF THE SITE WAS BEING EXCEEDED THEN AN ALTERNATIVE METHOD WOULD NEED TO BE ADOPTED.
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PARTS II, III OF NT LEASES EXTENSION LAW TAKE EFFECT t ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
PARTS 11 AND III OF THE NEW TERRITORIES LEASES (EXTENSION) ORDINANCE COME INTO OPERATION TODAY (MONDAY).
THE APPOINTED DATE FOR SECTION 6 OF THE ORDINANCE, WHICH AUTOMATICALLY EXTENDS THE TERM OF MOST NEW TERRITORIES LEASES TO THE YEAR 2047, EXCEPT SHORT TERM TENANCIES AND LEASES FOR SPECIAL PURPOSES, IS APRIL 25, 1988.
/FOR LEASES .......
MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1988
FOR LEASES DEEMED TO BE LEASES FOR SPECIAL PURPOSES, A NOTE HAS BEEN MADE BY THE LAND OFFICER IN THE LAND OFFICE REGISTER BEFORE THE APPOINTED DATE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 4 OF THE ORDINANCE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT AN UPDATED AND FINAL LIST OF ALL THE LEASES WHICH ARE DEEMED TO BE FOR SPECIAL PURPOSES HAS BEEN DRAWN UP.
THIS LIST IS EXHIBITED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION AT THE REGRANT SECTION OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT ON THE 1OTH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
ANY QUESTIONS AND ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE LIST OF SPECIAL PURPOSE LEASES AND THE NEW TERRITORIES LEASES (EXTENSION) ORDINANCE SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT ON 3-884111, EXT. 367.
THEY MAY ALSO BE MADE IN WRITING TO THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
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LABOUR SUPPLY AND MOBILITY SURVEYED t ♦ » * t
IN THE LIGHT OF THE LABOUR SHORTAGE SITUATION DURING 1987, THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS CONDUCTED AN AD HOC ENQUIRY INTO LABOUR SUPPLY AND MOBILITY VIA THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY DURING THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1987.
IT AIMS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE NUMBER AND CHARACTERISTICS OF :
(1) ENTRANTS TO AND LEAVERS FROM THE LABOUR FORCE;
(2) WORKERS WHO HAD CHANGED JOBS;
(3) EMPLOYED PERSONS WORKING LESS THAN 35 HOURS PER WEEK WHO WERE AVAILABLE FOR ADDITIONAL WORK;
(4) UNEMPLOYED PERSONS; AND
(5) ECONOMICALLY INACTIVE PERSONS WHO WOULD BE WILLING TO TAKE UP JOBS IF SUITABLE EMPLOYMENT WAS AVAILABLE.
/THE MAJOR
MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1988
8
THE MAJOR FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY ARE SUMMARISED AS FOLLOWS:
(A) OF THE 2,792,800 ECONOMICALLY ACTIVE PERSONS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1987, 139,900 (5 PER CENT) WERE
ENTRANTS, THAT IS, THEY HAD JOINED THE LABOUR FORCE SINCE OCTOBER-DECEMBER 1986.
(B) 52,000 PERSONS (1.9 PER CENT) HAD DROPPED OUT FROM THE
LABOUR FORCE SINCE OCTOBER-DECEMBER 1986. AMONG THEM, 27 PER CENT LEFT THE LABOUR FORCE FOR REASON OF INCREASE IN THE VOLUME OF HOUSEWORK, 22 PER CENT FOR REASON OF POOR HEALTH, AND 18 PER CENT FOR RETIREMENT.
(C) DURING THE 12 MONTHS TO OCTOBER-DECEMBER 1987, 313,100
(11.4 PER CENT) OF THE EMPLOYED PERSONS REPORTED THAT THEY HAD CHANGED JOBS BUT WERE STILL WITHIN THE SAME INDUSTRY (THAT IS, INTRA-INDUSTRY MOBILITY).
ANOTHER 102,000 (3.7 PER CENT) OF THE EMPLOYED PERSONS REPORTED THAT THEY HAD CHANGED INDUSTRY (THAT IS, 1NTER-INDUSTRY MOBILITY).
(D) FOR INTRA-INDUSTRY MOBILITY, CONSTRUCTION HAD THE HIGHEST MOBILITY RATE (36.3 PER CENT), FOLLOWED BY MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES (12.3 PER CENT) AND WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS (9.8 PER CENT).
FOR INTER-INDUSTRY MOBILITY, ALL INDUSTRIES EXCEPT SERVICES INDUSTRIES HAD LOST WORKERS DURING THE 12 MONTHS TO OCTOBER-DECEMBER 1987.
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, THE LARGEST NET LOSER, LOST 9,600 WORKERS (REPRESENTING I PER CENT OF WORK FORCE IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES) WHILE SERVICES INDUSTRIES GAINED 13,800 WORKERS (REPRESENTING 1.5 PER CENT OF THE WORK FORCE IN SERVICES INDUSTRIES).
(E) A MAJORITY (59 PER CENT) OF JOB-CHANGERS HAD CHANGED JOBS VOLUNTARILY, MAINLY BECAUSE THEY WERE DISSATISFIED WITH THEIR EARNINGS FROM THEIR PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT OR BECAUSE THEY DISLIKED THE TYPE OF WORK THAT THEY WERE DOING, THEIR COLLEAGUES OR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE ESTABLISHMENTS CONCERNED.
ON THE OTHER HAND, ABOUT 37 PER CENT OF THEM HAD TO CHANGE JOBS DURING THE 12-MONTH PERIOD BECAUSE THEY WERE EITHER DISMISSED OR HAD COMPLETED CONTRACTS, OR FOR REASONS OF SLACK WORK AND CLOSEDOWN OF ESTABLISHMENTS.
(F) THERE WERE 17,800 PREVIOUS EMPLOYED PERSONS OR FIRST-TIME JOB SEEKERS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1987 WHO WERE LOOKING FOR WORK. THEY WERE A SOURCE OF FULL-TIME LABOUR.
/(G) THERE WERE ........
MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1988
9
(G) THERE WERE 112,300 EMPLOYED PERSONS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1987 WHO WORKED LESS THAN 35 HOURS PER WEEK AND CLAIMED THAT THEY WERE AVAILABLE FOR ADDITIONAL WORK. OF THESE, 28,500 WORKED SHORT HOURS BECAUSE OF SLACK WORK OR BECAUSE THEY COULD FIND ONLY PART-TIME WORK.
THEY WERE, BY DEFINITION, UNDEREMPLOYED AND THEREFORE REPRESENT A SUPPLY OF ADDITIONAL LABOUR, IN TERMS OF MORE HOURS OF WORK.
(H) THE REMAINING 83,800 OF THE 112,300 PERSONS VOLUNTARILY WORKED SHORT HOURS BECAUSE OF NON-ECONOMIC REASONS. THEY WERE NOT, BY DEFINITION, UNDEREMPLOYED BUT THEY CLAIMED TO BE AVAILABLE FOR ADDITIONAL WORK.
IF THEY WERE PREPARED TO WORK EXTRA HOURS, THEY COULD BE REGARDED AS A FORM OF MARGINAL LABOUR THAT MAY BE DRAWN.
(1) THERE WERE 49,900 ECONOMICALLY INACTIVE PERSONS WHO WOULD BE WILLING TO TAKE UP JOBS IF THEY WERE OFFERED SUITABLE EMPLOYMENT.
THESE PEOPLE MAY REPRESENT A POTENTIAL SOURCE OF ADDITIONAL LABOUR, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN MAJOR CONDITIONS BEING MET. ABOUT 78 PER CENT OF THEM WERE MARRIED FEMALES.
OF THEM, 15,500 CLAIMED FLEXIBLE WORKING HOURS AS THE MAIN CONSIDERATION TAKING UP JOBS; ANOTHER 13,900 WOULD BE WILLING TO TAKE UP JOBS IF THEIR CHILDREN COULD BE TAKEN CARE OF.
ABOUT 7,600 WOULD TAKE UP JOBS IF PAY WAS HIGH ENOUGH FOR THEM.
THUS, EVEN THOUGH THE NUMBER OF PERSONS WHO VOLUNTARILY WORKED SHORT HOURS BUT CLAIMED TO BE AVAILABLE FOR ADDITIONAL WORK, AND OF PERSONS WHO WERE ECONOMICALLY INACTIVE BUT WILLING TO TAKE UP JOBS UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, MAY APPEAR LARGE IN ABSOLUTE TERMS, UNDER THE PREVAILING TIGHT LABOUR MARKET CONDITIONS THE ADDITIONAL LABOUR RESOURCES THAT CAN BE TAPPED FROM SUCH GROUPS ARE LIKELY TO BE LIMITED.
MOREOVER, MANY OF THESE RESOURCES MAY ONLY BE USED IN EXISTING JOBS OR FOR FILLING PART-TIME JOBS, RATHER THAN MEETING ADDITIONAL FULL-TIME JOB VACANCIES.
THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED ON A SAMPLE OF THE POPULATION. A TOTAL OF 13,818 HOUSEHOLDS WAS SUCCESSFULLY ENUMERATED IN THE SURVEY. THE RESPONSE RATE WAS 99.5 PER CENT. SOME 38,664 PERSONS AGED 15 AND ABOVE WERE INTERVIEWED.
/AS THE .......
MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1988
10 -
AS THE ESTIMATES DERIVED FROM THE SURVEY WERE BASED ON A SAMPLE, THEY WERE SUBJECT TO SAMPLING ERROR. CAUTION IS REQUIRED IN INTERPRETING THE SURVEY RESULTS.
THE REPORT ON THE SURVEY IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AT $13 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE TECHNICAL DETAILS OF THE SURVEY CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE SOCIAL ANALYSIS AND RESEARCH SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. 5-8234692).
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1987 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION COMMENCED ♦ * » » »
THE SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR 1987 HAS JUST COMMENCED, THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY).
THE SURVEY IS CONDUCTED ANNUALLY AND REPRESENTS PART OF A CONTINUOUS PROGRAMME IN THE DEPARTMENT TO COLLECT ECONOMIC STATISTICS ON THE STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE OF THE VARIOUS INDUSTRIAL SECTORS IN HONG KONG.
THE AIMS OF THE SURVEY ARE TO OBTAIN DATA FOR EVALUATING THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE VARIOUS SECTORS TO HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, AND FOR ASCERTAINING THE COST STRUCTURE, OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS AND OUTPUT LEVELS OF DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES.
RESULTS OF THE SURVEY WILL PROVIDE ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS TO FORMULATE POLICIES AND MAKE DECISIONS.
ABOUT 8,000 ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE ENUMERATED IN THE PRESENT ROUND OF THE SURVEY, COVERING THE SECTORS OF MANUFACTURING, MINING AND QUARRYING, AND ELECTRICITY, GAS AND WATER.
INFORMATION SOUGHT IN THE SURVEY INCLUDES: TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, COUNTRY OF ORIGIN OF INVESTMENT, FLOOR AREA, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES (THAT IS WAGES, SALARIES AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFITS), PAYMENTS FOR SUB-CONTRACT WORK, VALUE OF PURCHASES AND OTHER EXPENSES, SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS, AS WELL AS CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND STOCKS.
/THE SURVEY .......
MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1988
11
H
THE SURVEY IS CONDUCTED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS (ANNUAL SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION) ORDER 1984, WHICH WAS MADE UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 316) AND ISSUED AS LEGAL NOTICE NO. 15 IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ON JANUARY 13, 1984.
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES ARE BEING SENT BY REGISTERED MAIL TO THE ESTABLISHMENTS SAMPLED FOR THE SURVEY.
THESE ESTABLISHMENTS ARE LEGALLY REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THE QUESTIONNAIRES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT BY JULY 31 THIS YEAR.
IF REQUIRED, OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT WILL VISIT INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS AND ASSIST THEM IN COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRES. THESE OFFICERS CARRY THE GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD AND THE CERTIFICATION FOR THE SURVEY WHILST ON DUTY.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS APPEALED TO THE MANAGEMENTS OF ALL SAMPLED ESTABLISHMENTS TO RETURN THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES PROMPTLY AND TO CO-OPERATE WITH OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT IN THE COURSE OF ENUMERATION, SO AS TO FULFIL THEIR LEGAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.
HE STRESSED THAT INFORMATION RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WOULD BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE UNDER THE PROVISION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE.
ONLY AGGREGATE INFORMATION, WHICH DOES NOT REVEAL DETAILS OF INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS, WILL BE RELEASED.
THE COMMISSIONER ALSO POINTED OUT THAT AUDITED ACCOUNTS ARE NOT ESSENTIAL FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION RELATING TO INCOME AND EXPENDITURE REQUIRED IN THE SURVEY.
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ACCEPTS FIGURES BASED ON PRELIMINARY ACCOUNTS OR ESTIMATES WHICH ARE CORRECT TO THE BEST OF RESPONDENTS* KNOWLEDGE AT THE TIME OF SUBMISSION OF RETURNS.
THIS APPROACH IS NECESSARY TO AVOID THE DELAY THAT WOULD OTHERWISE RESULT FROM THE NEED TO WAIT FOR AUDITED ACCOUNTS.
ANY FURTHER ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 5-8234818.
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/12........
MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1988
- 12 -
GOVERNMENT TO PROMOTE QUALITY ASSURANCE *****
CONSULTANTS EMPLOYED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT EARLIER THIS YEAR TO ADVISE IT ON A QUALITY ASSURANCE PROMOTIONAL STRATEGY HAVE RECOMMENDED, WITH THE AGREEMENT OF THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD (IDB), THAT THERE WOULD BE MERIT IN MAKING PI,ANS FOR A SUSTAINED, TERRITORY-WIDE QUALITY DRIVE IN MANUFACTURING.
THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR K. Y. YEUNG, SAID THIS AT THE OPENING OF THE SECOND SYMPOSIUM ON ADVANCED QUALITY MANAGEMENT ORGANISED BY THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES AND THE HONG KONG Q-MARK COUNCIL THIS (MONDAY) MORNING.
MR YEUNG ADDED THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD FORMED A COMMITTEE, CALLED THE QUALITY ASSURANCE COMMITTEE, TO HELP IT FORMULATE PROPOSALS FOR A PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED NEXT YEAR.
HE EXPLAINED THAT QUALITY ASSURANCE WAS A MANAGEMENT CONCEPT WHICH DESCRIBED ALL THOSE ACTIONS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE CONFIDENCE THAT A PRODUCT WOULD SATISFY' GIVEN REQUIREMENTS FOR QUALITY.
"A SOUND QUALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEM IN A FACTORY REQUIRES ITS MANAGEMENT TO HAVE ACCESS TO RELEVANT SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS; TO OPERATE A SYSTEM OR PROCEDURE DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT QUALITY IS ACHIEVED IN ALL AREAS OF ACTIVITY; AND TO HAVE A PRODUCT TESTING AND CERTIFICATION PROCEDURE.
"BEFORE WE COULD ACTIVELY PROMOTE QUALITY ASSURANCE, WE MUST HAVE IN PLACE AN ADEQUATE RANGE OF SUPPORT SERVICES.
"GOVERNMENT SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDE THOSE PROVIDED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT’S PRODUCT STANDARDS INFORMATION BUREAU WHICH HAS PROVED TO BE INCREASINGLY USEFUL TO MANUFACTURERS.
"IN ADDITION, THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT’S STANDARDS AND CALIBRATION LABORATORY AND THE HONG KONG LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME ARE ALSO GAINING WORLDWIDE RECOGNITION.
"MOREOVER, A FEW MEMBER ORGANISATIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABORATORY ACCREDITATION CONFERENCE HAVE APPROACHED US WITH PROPOSALS FOR ENTERING INTO BILATERAL AGREEMENTS."
AS MANUFACTURERS INTERESTED IN INTRODUCING QUALITY ASSURANCE INTO THEIR FACTORIES WOULD NEED HELP AND ADVICE, MR YEUNG SAID THE IDB HAD ENDORSED PROPOSALS FOR ALLOWING THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL TO CREATE A CAPABILITY FOR GIVING MANUFACTURERS ADVICE ON SETTING UP APPROPRIATE QUALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEMS.
"WITH THE GOVERNMENT'S ACTIVE SUPPORT FOR THE PRACTICE OF QUALITY’ ASSURANCE, IT IS NOW POSSIBLE FOR MANUFACTURERS TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THEIR QA SYSTEM IS COMPETENT," HE SAID.
- 0 -
/13
MONDAY, APRIL 25,
1988
$166 M CONTRACT SIGNED FOR TIN SHUI WAI DEVELOPMENT
*****
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) AWARDED A $166 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE FORMATION OF SOME 240 HECTARES OF LAND FOR A LAND BANK IN TIN SHUI WAI.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED THIS AFTERNOON BY THE DIRECTOR OF TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT, MR W.K. KWOK, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF A JOINT VENTURE COMPANY.
THE JOINT VENTURE COMPANY COMPRISES CHINA STATE CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING CORPORATION AND A WEST GERMAN CONTRACTOR - BILFINGER, BERGER BAUAKTIENGESELLSCHAFT - WHICH IS CURRENTLY UNDERTAKING THE FORMATION OF LAND FOR THE INITIAL DEVELOPMENT OF TIN SHUI WAI.
WORKS ON THE INITIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMENCED IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR FOLLOWING THE AWARD OF A $820 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE FORMATION OF ABOUT 240 HECTARES OF LAND, AND WITH THE INCLUSION OF THE WORKS IN THE NEWLY-AWARDED TENDER, THE TOTAL WORKS WOULD TAKE ABOUT 42 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
ALTOGETHER SOME 480 HECTARES OF LAND WILL BE FORMED TOGETHER WITH ASSOCIATED MAIN DRAINAGE. THE WORKS WILL INVOLVE THE EXTRACTION OF UP TO 20 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF SAND FROM A MARINE BORROW AREA LOCATED IN URMSTON ROAD TO THE NORTH OF LUNG KWU CHAU.
THE FILL MATERIAL WILL BE TRANSPORTED BY SEA TO A REHANDLING BASIN OFF LAU FAU SHAN I ROM WHERE IT WILL BE PUMPED ON TO SHORE AND DEPOSITED WITHIN THE TIN SHUI WAI LANDHOLDING TO FORM THE LAND.
-----0-----
SHA TIN DB TO ELECT COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN
*****
CHAIRMEN OF THE SIX COMMITTEES OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE ELECTED AT THE BOARD’S MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 27).
THE SIX COMMITTEES ARE: FINANCE AND GENERAL AFFAIRS, TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, CULTURE AND SPORTS, DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING, AND HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WELFARE.
THE MEETING WILL ALSO DISCUSS A PAPER ON THE "DB MEMBERS MEET THE PUBLIC" SCHEME FOR THE NEW TERM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BEGIN AT 9.30 AM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 27) AT THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, S'HA TIN STATION. PLEASE NOTE THAT REPORTERS MAY BE REQUESTED TO LEAVE THE CONFERENCE ROOM WHILE AND ELECTION IS IN PROCESS.
-------0-------- /1*» .....................
MONDAY, APRIL 25,
env1NONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE TO ELECT CHAIRMAN
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD WILL ELECT ITS CHAIRMAN AT THE FIRST MEETING FOR THE NEW TERM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON.
MEMBERS WILL CONSIDER REQUESTS FOR SUPPORT TO THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 1988 AND THE 1988-89 KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE EIGHTH STREET MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME FOR THE DISTRICT AND THE PROPOSED BUDGET OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS THIS YEAR.
A MEMBER WILL RAISE A QUESTION ON THE PROBLEM OF GUEST HOUSES OPERATING IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, EIGHTH FLOOR, TUNG WAH MANSION, WAN CHAI. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 4 PM.
-----0----------
TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER LOOKS AT MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS
*****
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JOHN WAN, WILL VISIT SOUTHWEST TUEN MUN ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 27) TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AND FACILITIES IN THE AREA.
THE VISIT IS ONE IN A SERIES MADE BY MR WAN SINCE HE ASSUMED OFFICE RECENTLY. THE VISITS WILL LAST UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF NEXT MONTH.
ON WEDNESDAY, MR WAN WILL FIRST MEET REPRESENTATIVES OF LUNG KWU TAAN VILLAGE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE LIFE OF THE VILLAGE PEOPLE.
HE WILL PROCEED TO THE BUTTERFLY BEACH RECREATION AREA AND MELOD1 GARDEN, AND WILL VISIT A FEW DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AT THFIR WARD OFFICES ON THE WAY.
/THE FINAL
MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1988
I HE FINAL STOP OF THE VISIT WILL BE BUTTERFLY ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE WHERE MR WAN WILL HOLD A RECEPTION FOR MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE TURN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JOHN WAN, WILL HOLD A MEDIA RECEPTION AT 4.30 PM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 27) IN THE BUTTERFLY ESTATE THFMDISTRICTNTRE' IIE WIl‘L TALK ABOUT HIS FAMILIARISATION VISITS IN
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE RECEPTION.
-------0----------
AGENCY FINED FOR OVERCHARGING * * t *
THE LICENSEE AND A DIRECTOR OF AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY WERE FINED A IOIAL OF $19,000 AT THE NORTH KOWLOON MAGISTRACY RECENTLY FOR OVERCHARGING THE COMMISSION OF TWO FILIPINA MAIDS.
IN ADDITION, THE AGENCY WAS ALSO FINED $500 FOR FAILING TO MAINTAIN RECORDS SHOWING PARTICULARS OF EVERY PERSON WHO REGISTERED WITH THE AGENCY FOR EMPLOYMENT OR PROCUREMENT OF EMPLOYEES.
THE CASE REVEALED THAT THE TWO FILIPINA MAIDS WERE OFFERED JOBS BY IHE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY AT A MONTHLY SALARY OF $1,900 EACH. HOWEVER, THEY WERE CHARGED $6,850 AND $1,500 RESPECTIVELY BY THE AGENCY AS COMMISSIONS.
UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, THE MAXIMUM COMMISSION WHICH MAY BE RECEIVED BY AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY FROM EACH JOB-SEEKER UPON SUCCESSFUL PLACEMENT IS 10 PER CENT OF HIS FIRST MONTH’S WAGES
IN MITIGATION, THE AGENCY AGREED TO REPAY THE MAIDS THE OVERCHARGED AMOUNTS, THAT IS $6,660 AND $1,310 RESPECTIVELY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD TAKEN OUT PROSECUTION AGAINST A DIRECTOR OF AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY.
DIRECTORS OF EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES ARE WARNED THAT UNDER THE LAW THEY WILL BE PERSONALLY HELD RESPONSIBLE IF THERE IS EVIDENCE TO SHOW I HAI' I’HE OVERCHARGING OE' FEES OR COMMISSIONS IS COMMITTED WITH THEIR CONSENT," HE SAID.
/I’HE SPOKESMAN
MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1988
- 16
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED EMPLOYMENT AGENCY OPERATORS THAT THE FEES CHARGEABLE TO A JOB-SEEKER ON FIRST REGISTRATION, OR SUBSEQUENT RENEWALS, ARE LIMITED TO $5 PER REGISTRATION; AND THAT TO AN EMPLOYER ARE LIMITED TO $35 FOR EACH TYPE OF VACANCY REGISTERED ON FIRST REGISTRATION AND $20 ON RENEWAL OF SUCH REGISTRATION.
"HOWEVER, THE COMMISSION CHARGEABLE FROM AN EMPLOYER ON SUCCESSFULLY OBTAINING FOR HIM AN EMPLOYEE IS A MATTER OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE EMPLOYER AND THE AGENCY," HE SAID.
"OTHER THAN THE PRESCRIBED FEES AND COMMISSIONS, A LICENSEE IS NOT PERMITTED TO RECEIVE ANY REWARD, PAYMENT OR ADVANTAGE IN CONNECTION WITH THE PLACEMENT OF A JOB-SEEKER."
OPERATORS OF EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO DISPLAY THE FEE SCHEDULES AND THEIR LICENCES IN THE PLACE OF BUSINESS, TO SUBMIT QUARTERLY RETURNS TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, AND TO MAINTAIN FOR INSPECTION BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR REGISTERS BEARING PARTICULARS OF EVERY PERSON WHO REGISTERS WITH HIS EMPLOYMENT AGENCY FOR EMPLOYMENT OR PROCUREMENT OF EMPLOYEES.
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TECHNICAL INSTITUTE STUDENTS AVAILABLE FOR SUMMER WORK
*****
0
THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL IS ASKING EMPLOYERS IN THE INDUSTRY, COMMERCE AND SERVICE SECTORS TO OFFER ATTACHMENT PLACES FOR AROUND 3,250 TECHNICAL INSTITUTE STUDENTS THIS SUMMER.
FULL-TIME TECHNICIAN STUDENTS FROM THE COUNCIL’S EIGHT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES WILL BE SENT TO GAIN WORKING EXPERIENCE IN ESTABLISHMENTS RELATED TO THEIR FIELDS OF STUDY.
THESE INCLUDE APPLIED SCIENCE, CLOTHING AND TEXTILES, COMMERCIAL STUDIES, COMPUTING STUDIES, CONSTRUCTION, DESIGN, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, AND PRINTING.
"PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE IS A VITAL PART OF THE CURRICULUM IN TECHNICAL EDUCATION. EXPOSURE TO INDUSTRIAL OR REAL-LIFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT WILL HELP STUDENTS TO APPLY WHAT THEY HAVE LEARNED," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COUNCIL SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
"IN THE LONG RUN, THE EMPLOYERS WILL BENEFIT BY EMPLOYING THE WELL-TRAINED STUDENTS," HE ADDED.
O
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
MONDAY, APRIL 251 1988
- 17 -
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO NOTED THAT OUTSTANDING STUDENTS, UPON COMPLETION OF THEIR STUDY, OFTEN RECEIVED PERMANENT EMPLOYMENT FROM THE EMPLOYERS WHO OFFERED THEM ATTACHMENT PLACES.
EMPLOYERS WHO ARE ABLE TO OFFER WORKING OPPORTUNITIES TO THE STUDENTS FROM MID-JULY TO MID-SEPTEMBER ARE URGED TO CONTACT THE TECHNICAL INSTITUTES DIRECTLY.
THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS ARE: MORRISON HILL (5-745321), KWAI CHUNG (0-246221), KWUN TONG (3-7274331), HAKING WONG (3-615161) LEE WAI LEE (3-383611), TUEN MUN (0-830066), SHA TIN (0-6066227) AND CHAI WAN (5-8971011).
-----0------
REGIMENT TO HOLD FIELD TRAINING EXERCISE ♦ ♦ * ♦ t
THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) WILL HOLD A FIELD TRAINING EXERCISE FROM APRIL 28 (THURSDAY) TO MAY 1 (SUNDAY) IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE NORTHERN NEW TERRITORIES.
OUTLINING THE EXERCISE, A REGIMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY): "THE EXERCISE WILL START OFF WITH TROOP MOVEMENT AND SOME MINOR ACTIVITIES DURING THURSDAY NIGHT IN THE AREA BETWEEN TUEN MUN AND TAI LAM CHUNG RESERVOIR, AND ALSO IN THE AREA SOUTHEAST OF YUEN LONG.
"ON FRIDAY MORNING, MINOR MOCK BATTLES WILL TAKE PLACE IN VARIOUS PLACES IN TAJ LAM COUNTRY PARK, INCLUDING THE AREA NEAR THE DAM AT TAI LAM CHUNG RESERVOIR.”
FROM LATE MORNING TO EARLY AFTERNOON TROOPS WOULD BE CONCENTRATED AROUND TAJ MO SHAN, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"ON ANOTHER FRONT, THE EXERCISE WILL PROCEED WITH TROOP CONCENTRATION AND MOCK BATTLES AROUND WONG SHEK PIER AT SAI KUNG EAST COUNTRY PARK STARTING FROM FRIDAY.
"TROOP PRESENCE WILL REMAIN AT THE PIER AND THE IMMEDIATE SURROUNDINGS UNTIL MID-MORNING ON SUNDAY."
AMPHIBIOUS LANDING AND TROOP ACTIVITIES WOULD TAKE PLACE ON DOUBLE ISLAND IN PLOVER COVE COUNTRY PARK FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON TO SATURDAY AFTERNOON.
EVERY EFFORT WOULD BE MADE TO AVOID UNDUE INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
--------O----------
/18........
MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1988
- 18 -
WATER CUTS IN TAI KOK TSUI, WANG TAU HOM
» » » » «
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TAI KOK TSUI WILL BE CUT OFF FROM 10 PM ON WEDNESDAY (APRIL 27) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY FOR WATER MAINS WORK.
THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY CHERRY STREET, TONG MEI ROAD, LAI CHI KOK ROAD AND FAT TSEUNG STREET.
IN ADDITION, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN WANG TAU HOM WILL BE TURNED OFF ON THURSDAY (APRIL 28) FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM FOR WATER MAINS WORK.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT JUNCTION ROAD BETWEEN WATERLOO ROAD AND WANG TAU HOM EAST ROAD, KAM SHING ROAD, OSBORN BARRACKS, BLOCKS 25 AND 26 OF WANG TAU HOM ESTATE, WANG TAU HOM JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC, LOK FU MTR STATION AND LOK FU SHOPPING CENTRE.
-------o - -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
» » »
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 32.9 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 192.850 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 298.114 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 50.9 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO»
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR MARCH 1988 .................. 1
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR MARCH PUBLISHED ................ 4
APPOINTMENT OF NEW DIRECTOR OF PROTOCOL ANNOUNCED ......... 7
EMERGING MIDDLE CLASS OF SIGNIFICANCE TO HK'S FUTURE ...... 7
MEMBERS TO ASK 15 QUESTIONS IN LEGCO ...................... 9
1JTH AIDS CASE CONFIRMED.................................. 10
13 SENIOR POLICE OFFICERS PROMOTED ....................... 13
HK'S FIRST INFIRMARY HOSPITAL TO BE BUILT ............... 11*
REGIONAL SECRETARY TOURS LaNTAU .......................... 15
ONE MORE WEEK FOR EMPLOYER RETURNS ....................... 16
TENANCY SOUGHT FOR GOVERNMENT LaND ....................... 16
COURSES FOR TEACHERS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION ................ 1?
REMINDER ON EMPLOYMENT OF YOUNG PERSONS .................. 18
'aN OUTLINE OF STATISTICAL DEVELOPMENT' PUBLISHED......... 19
COURTESY CALL ON DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE .............. 20
PRIMaRY SCHOOL TO BE BUILT IN SHEK WU HUI ................ 20
TEMPORARY ROaD CLOSURE AND URB,iN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION ... 21
LANE CLOSURES IN LION ROCK TUNNEL ........................ 21
TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1988
1 PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR MARCH 1988 » * « * »
HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS RECORDED A SMALL DECLINE IN MARCH THIS YEAR OVER THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR. HOWEVER, GIVEN THE STRONG PERFORMANCE IN FEBRUARY, THE CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1988 AS A WHOLE WAS STILL SIGNIFICANT.
THIS IS SHOWN IN THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATE OF RE-EXPORTS IN MARCH, WHILE STILL SUBSTANTIAL, WAS CONSIDERABLY LOWER THAN IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY.
AGAIN ON A YEAR-ON-YEAR COMPARISON, THE GROWTH RATE OF IMPORTS ROSE ABOVE THAT IN FEBRUARY, BUT WAS MUCH BELOW THAT IN JANUARY.
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.
FAIRLY WIDE FLUCTUATIONS HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCED DURING THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, REFLECTING IN PART THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN MARCH 1988 WAS $14,052 MILLION, THREE PER CENT OR $431 MILLION LOWER THAN IN MARCH 1987, WHILE THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 34.1 PER CENT OR $4,726 MILLION TO $18,590 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS (DOMESTIC EXPORTS PLUS RE-EXPORTS), AT $32,642 MILLION IN MARCH 1988, WAS 15.2 PER CENT OR $4,295 MILLION HIGHER THAN IN MARCH 1987.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS GREW BY 21.2 PER CENT OR $6,515 MILLION OVER THE YEAR, TO $37,246 MILLION IN MARCH 1988.
AS THE VALUE OF IMPORTS IN MARCH 1988 WAS LARGER THAN THAT OF TOTAL EXPORTS, A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $4,604 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 12.4 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN THAT MONTH.
THIS COMPARES WITH A DEFICIT OF $2,384 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 7.8 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN MARCH 1987.
PUTTING THE FIGURES FOR MARCH INTO PERSPECTIVE, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1988 WAS $97,037 MILLION, MADE UP OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF $44,169 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS OF $52,868 MILLION.
/COMPARED WITH
TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1988
2
COMPARED WITH THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1987, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS GREW BY $22,025 MILLION OR 29.4 PER CENT, THAT OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY $5,641 MILLION OR 14.6 PER CENT, AND THAT OF RE-EXPORTS BY $16,384 MILLION OR 44.9 PER CENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS GREW BY $20,501 MILLION OR 26.2 PER CENT, TO $98,867 MILLION.
A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $1,830 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 1.9 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1988.
THIS COMPARES WITH A DEFICIT OF $3,354 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 4.3 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1987.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE SETBACK IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS WAS GREATER THAN MIGHT HAVE BEEN EXPECTED. THIS SETBACK MAY BE ATTRIBUTABLE TO A SLOWER GROWTH IN THE DEMAND FOR IMPORTS IN HONG KONG'S MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS, AND TO A GRADUAL REDUCTION OF THE EFFECT OF THE DEPRECIATION OF HONG KONG DOLLAR DURING THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
GIVEN THE SLOW GROWTH IN RETAINED IMPORTS SINCE JANUARY, THE PERFORMANCE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS SEEMED LIKELY TO REMAIN MODERATE IN THE COMING MONTHS.
HOWEVER, MORE OBSERVATIONS OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS ARE REQUIRED BEFORE ANY TREND CAN BE SAID TO HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE PRESENTS THE PROVISIONAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FIGURES FOR MARCH 1988:-
1ERCHANDISE: DOMESTIC EXPORTS $14,052 MILLION
RE-EXPORTS TOTAL EXPORTS IMPORTS TRADE BALANCE $18,590 $32,642 $37,246 $ 4,604 MILLION MILLION MILLION MILLION [IN DEFICIT]
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
LATEST 3 MONTHS JAN 88 TO MAR 88 HK$ MN. JAN 87 TO MAR 87 HK$ MN. INCREASE
HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 44,169 (45.5%) 38,528 (51.4%) 5,641 14.6
RE-EXPORTS 52,868 36,484 16,384 44.9
/TOTAL EXPORTS .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1988
TOTAL EXPORTS IMPORTS TRADE BALANCE 97,037 98,867 -1,830 75,012 78,366 -3,354 22,025 29.4
20,501 26.2
1,524
MARCH MARCH INCREASE
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR 1988 1987
HK$ MN. HK$ MN. HKS MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 14,052 14,483 -431 -3.0
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (43.0%)( 51.1%)
RE-EXPORTS 18,590 13,864 4,726 34.1
TOTAL EXPORTS 32,642 28,347 4,295 15.2
IMPORTS 37,246 30,731 6,515 21.2
TRADE BALANCE -4,604 -2,384 -2,220
MARCH FEBRUARY INCREASE
LAST MONTH 1988 1988
HK$ MN. HK$ MN. HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 14,052 13,641 441 3.0
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (43.0%) (46.2%)
RE-EXPORTS 18,590 15,914 2,676 16.8
TOTAL EXPORTS 32,642 29,555 3,087 10.4
IMPORTS 37,246 28,470 8,776 30.8
TRADE BALANCE -4,604 APR 87 1 ,085 APR 86 -5,689
TO TO INCREASE
LAST 12 MONTHS MAR 88 MAR 87
HK$ MN. HK$ MN. HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 200,895 163,365 37,530 23.0
RE-EXPORTS 199,164 135,026 64,138 47.5
TOTAL EXPORTS 400,059 298,391 101,668 34.1
IMPORTS 398,449 298,648 99,801 33.4
TRADE BALANCE 1,610 -257 1,867
TUESDAY, APRIL 26,
1988
- 4 -
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR MARCH PUBLISHED *****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) PUBLISHED THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR MARCH 1988.
THE CPI (A) AND CPI (B) (OCT. 84/SEP. 85 = 100) FOR MARCH 1988 WERE BOTH 114.5, REPRESENTING INCREASES OF 7.1 PER CENT AND 7.0 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER MARCH 1987.
COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1988 AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, THE CPI (A) INCREASED BY 0.5 PER CENT AND THE CPI (B), BY 0.4 PER CENT.
THE AVERAGE CPI (A) AND AVERAGE CPI (B) FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED MARCH 1988, AT 111.2 AND 111.3 RESPECTIVELY, WERE 6.1 PER CENT AND 5.9 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGE FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED MARCH 1987.
DURING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED MARCH 1988, THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CPI (A) INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 0.3 PER CENT PER MONTH AND THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CPI (B), AT 0.4 PER CENT 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 .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1988
CHANGES IN THE INDEXES FOR MARCH 1988 IN RESPECT OF THE COMMODITY/SERVICE SECTIONS IN THE TWO CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1988 AND MARCH 1987, ARE GIVEN BELOW
NINE AS
(OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 AVERAGE = 100)
SECTION INDEX FOR MAR.88 CPI(A) % CHANGE OVER FEB.88 % CHANGE OVER MAR.87 INDEX FOR MAR.88 CPI(B) % CHANGE OVER FEB.88 X CHANGE OVER MAR.87
FOODSTUFFS 112.9 + 0.7 + 9.2 113.7 + 0.8 + 9.3
HOUSING 111.7 + 0.1 + 2.9 109.2 + 0.1 + 2.4
FUEL AND LIGHT 93.2 -0.3 + 1.5 93.7 -0.4 + 1.4
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) 122.9 + 4.7 + 6.0 123.4 + 4.6 + 6.5
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 117.6 + 0.4 + 9.2 118.8 + 0.4 + 9.8
DURABLE GOODS 115.6 + 0.9 + 6.2 114.8 + 1.2 + 6.1
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 119.6 + 0.1 + 6.4 119.7 + 0.2 + 6.8
TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 118.0 + 0.3 + 4.3 117.2 + 0.4 + 4.8
SERVICES 124.1 -0.5 + 8.4 123.8 -0.7 + 8.9
ALL ITEMS 114.5 + 0.5 + 7.1 114.5 + 0.4 + 7.0
COMPARED INCREASED BY 0. WITH FEBRUARY 7 PER CENT IN CPI 1988, THE (A) AND BY INDEX 0.8 PER FOR FOODSTUFFS CENT IN CPI (B).
THIS WAS MAINLY DUE TO INCREASES IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH FRUIT AND RICE AND IN THE AVERAGE CHARGE FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING PLACES, WHICH MORE THAN OFFSET THE DECREASES IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES, LIVE POULTRY AND FRESH-WATER FISH.
/THE INDEX ........
TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1988
6
THE INDEX FOR ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) INCREASED BY 4.7 PER CENT IN CPI (A) AND BY 4.6 PER CENT IN CPI (B) DUE TO INCREASED DUTIES ON ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO.
THE' INDEX FOR DURABLE GOODS INCREASED BY 0.9 PER CENT IN CPI (A) AND BY 1.2 PER CENT IN CPI (B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER PRICES OF FURNITURE, PERSONAL COMPUTERS, TRAVEL AND SPORTS GOODS.
THE INDEX FOR SERVICES DECREASED BY 0.5 PER CENT IN CPI (A) AND BY 0.7 PER CENT IN CPI (B) DUE TO LOWER CHARGES FOR HAIRDRESSING AND PACKAGE TOURS AFTER THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
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 MARCH 1988, WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED AT $3.50 PER COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG.
IT CAN ALSO BE OBTAINED FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WAN CHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG; OR FROM THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MAILINGS.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE INDEXES MAY BE MADE TO THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 5-8235089.
THE HANG SENG CPI WAS 118.3 IN MARCH 1988, UP BY 0.8 PER CENT OVER FEBRUARY 1988 AND UP BY 7.8 PER CENT OVER MARCH 1987.
THE HANG SENG CPI IS BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF THE 10 PER CENT OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG THAT SPENT $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.
-------0----------
/7........
TUESDAY, APRIL 26,
1988
- 7 -
APPOINTMENT OF NEW DIRECTOR OF PROTOCOL ANNOUNCED
» ♦ » » ♦
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF AIR COMMODORE VIVIAN LLOYD WARRINGTON AS THE NEW DIRECTOR OF PROTOCOL SUCCEEDING SIR MARK HEATH.
SIR MARK WILL PROCEED ON END-OF-AGREEMENT LEAVE FROM MAY 18.
AIR COMMODORE WARRINGTON WAS BORN IN SWANSEA, UK, AND IS 53 YEARS OLD.
HE OBTAINED A M.A. DEGREE FROM MAGDALENE COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY IN 1960 AND IS ALSO A GRADUATE OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE STAFF COLLEGE, THE NATIONAL DEFENCE COLLEGE AND THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF DEFENCE STUDIES.
HE JOINED THE ROYAL AIR FORCE IN SEPTEMBER 1957 AND HAS BEEN DEPLOYED THROUGHOUT EUROPE, THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, THE NEAR AND FAR EAST, AFRICA AND AUSTRALIA.
HIS CURRENT APPOINTMENT WITH THE ROYAL AIR FORCE IS DIRECTOR OF PERSONAL SERVICES WHERE HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROTOCOL AND CEREMONIAL FUNCTIONS IN THE ROYAL AIR FORCE. HE LAST VISITED HONG KONG IN 1982.
AIR COMMODORE WARRINGTON IS MARRIED WITH ONE SON AND ONE DAUGHTER. HE WILL ARRIVE IN HONG KONG ON MAY 13.
-------0---------
EMERGING MIDDLE CLASS OF SIGNIFICANCE TO HK ’ S FUTURE ♦ ♦ ♦ * »
THE SINGLE MOST SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG SOCIETY DURING THE PAST 20 YEARS HAS BEEN THE EMERGENCE OF A LOCAL HONG KONG CHINESE MIDDLE CLASS, THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AFFAIRS OFFICE IN SAN FRANCISCO, MR PETER JOHNSON, SAID YESTERDAY (APRIL 25 SAN FRANCISCO TIME).
ADDRESSING A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ASIAN BUSINESS LEAGUE AND THE CALIFORNIA EXPORT FINANCE OFFICE IN SAN FRANCISCO, MR JOHNSON SAID HE BELIEVED THIS SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT HAD GONE LARGELY UNNOTICED UNTIL RECENTLY.
”IT IS, HOWEVER, OF PROFOUND SIGNIFICANCE FOR HONG KONG’S FUTURE, FOR THIS IS THE GROUP WHO ARE ALSO GOING TO PROVIDE THE MOTOR AND THE BACKBONE FOR HONG KONG’S FUTURE PROGRESS.
’’THEY ARE ALSO THOSE WITH EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS WHICH ARE MARKETABLE ELSEWHERE," HE TOLD HIS AUDIENCE OF FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS, BANKERS AND BUSINESS EXECUTIVES.
/REITERATING THE
TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1988
- 8 -
REITERATING THE VIEWS EXPRESSED RECENTLY BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, MR JOHNSON SAID THE FUTURE POLITICAL SYSTEM SHOULD TAKE FULL ACCOUNT OF THEIR VIEWS AND THEIR ASPIRATIONS.
WITH THE PUBLICATION SOON OF THE FIRST DRAFT OF THE BASIC LAW FOR PUBLIC COMMENT, DEBATE OVER CURRENT AND FUTURE CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG WOULD NO DOUBT CONTINUE AND EVEN INTENSIFY, MR JOHNSON SAID.
"WE HAVE SEEN IN THE RECENT PAST THE EMERGENCE OF INCREASING SUPPORT AMONG THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF MORE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT. THIS IS NATURAL AND RIGHT. IT IS BOUND UP WITH, AND A NATURAL OUTCOME OF PROGRESS IN OTHER AREAS.
"HONG KONG PEOPLE TODAY ARE SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER PAID, BETTER FED, BETTER EDUCATED, BETTER HOUSED AND BETTER TRAVELLED THAN THEY WERE, SAY, 20 YEARS AGO.
"THIS ALL MEANS THAT THEY ARE MORE AWARE OF WHAT GOES ON ELSEWHERE, MORE AWARE OF THEIR RIGHTS, MORE CONSCIOUS OF THEIR ASPIRATIONS, MORE ARTICULATE AND MORE READY TO MAKE THEIR VIEWS HEARD BY THE AUTHORITIES. THIS AGAIN IS TO BE EXPECTED," MR JOHNSON SAID.
NOTING THAT THIS EMERGENCE OF A POLITICAL AWARENESS IN HONG KONG IS A VERY RECENT DEVELOPMENT, MR JOHNSON SAID: "ALTHOUGH IT SEEMS STRANGE TO SAY SO TODAY, THE INITIATIVE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MORE REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEM IN THE EARLY 1980’S CAME AS MUCH, OR MORE FROM THE GOVERNMENT AS FROM THE PUBLIC."
HE POINTED OUT THAT OVER THE PAST SEVEN YEARS HONG KONG HAD MOVED FROM A SITUATION IN WHICH THERE WAS NO ELECTED MEMBERSHIP IN ANY OF THE MAJOR ORGANS OF GOVERNMENT (EXCEPT FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL) TO ONE IN WHICH THERE WAS AN ELECTED ELEMENT IN THE 19 DISTRICT BOARDS, IN THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS, AND IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"THE CHANGES IN 1991 WILL NOT BE THE END OF THE STORY," MR JOHNSON CONTINUED.
"THE JOINT DECLARATION ON HONG KONG’S FUTURE LAYS DOWN THAT ALL LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS WILL BE ELECTED AFTER 1997.
"ALTHOUGH THE PRECISE METHOD OF ELECTION IS NOT SPECIFIED, AND WILL NO DOUBT BE THE SUBJECT OF MUCH DEBATE IN THE COMING MONTHS, THIS ALONE IMPLIES FURTHER CHANGES."
/HE NOTED .......
TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1988
HE NOTED THAT THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID RECENTLY THAT ’’WHATEVER THE SYSTEM AFTER 1997 IT MUST MEET THREE REQUIREMENTS IF IT IS TO WORK EFFECTIVELY.
♦ IT MUST BE CONSISTENT WITH HONG KONG’S FUTURE STATUS AS A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF CHINA.
* IT MUST BE DESIGNED TO PRESERVE THE PROSPERITY AND
STABILITY ON WHICH HONG KONG DEPENDS.
♦ AND IT MUST COMMAND CREDIBILITY IN AN INCREASINGLY WELL EDUCATED AND POLITICALLY AWARE SOCIETY; IN OTHER WORDS, IT MUST TAKE ACCOUNT OF HONG KONG’S SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT.”
- - 0 - -
MEMBERS TO ASK 15 QUESTIONS IN LEGCO » * * * *
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 15 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER EIGHT BILLS AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
OF THE EIGHT BILLS, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVISIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE SECURITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 AND THE POST OFFICE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READING.
THE REMAINING TWO BILLS - THE HEUNG YEE KUK (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 AND THE EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 - WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR SECOND READING AND ALSO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING.
IN ADDITION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL MOVE FIVE MOTIONS COVERING THE MATRIMONIAL CAUSES ORDINANCE, MAGISTRATES ORDINANCE, CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ORDINANCE, COMPANIES ORDINANCE AND BANKRUPTCY ORDINANCE.
HE WILL ALSO PRESENT THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION ANNUAL REPORT 1987, WHILE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR THE HON SELINA CHOW WILL PRESENT THE CONSUMER COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 1986-87.
THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE FUND ANNUAL REPORT 1986-87 AND THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT’S REPORT NO. 11 WILL BE TABLED AT THE MEETING.
- - 0 - -
/10
TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1988
- 10 -*
13TH AIDS CASE CONFIRMED
» » » *
ANOTHER MAN HAS BEEN CONFIRMED TO BE SUFFERING FROM AIDS (ACQUIRED.IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME), BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF AIDS CASES IN HONG KONG TO 13.
THE LATEST CASE IS A KNOWN CARRIER WHO WAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE AIDS ANTIBODY LAST AUGUST.
AT PRESENT THERE ARE THREE SURVIVING AIDS PATIENTS - ALL MALE AND TWO ARE NON-CHINESE. ONE OF THE PATIENTS IS UNDER TREATMENT IN HOSPITAL.
IN MARCH THIS YEAR, 3,378 PERSONS WERE TESTED AND ONE WAS FOUND TO BE A CARRIER.
ANNOUNCING THE LATEST STATISTICS OF THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME, THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAID THAT UP TO THE END OF LAST MONTH, A TOTAL OF 118 PERSONS HAVE BEEN FOUND TO BE INFECTED BY THE AIDS VIRUS. THIS FIGURE INCLUDES THE 13 CONFIRMED AIDS CASES.
OF THE 118 CARRIERS, 52 ARE HAEMOPHILIACS, NINE WERE PATIENTS OF THE SOCIAL HYGIENE CLINICS, 28 WERE REFERRALS FROM PRIVATE PRACTITIONERS AND 29 WERE REFERRALS FROM GOVERNMENT CLINICS AND HOSPITALS.
UNDER THE SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME WHICH WAS STARTED IN 1985 TO MONITOR THE AIDS SITUATION IN HONG KONG, A TOTAL OF 85,908 PERSONS HAVE BEEN TESTED.
THE HIGH RISK GROUPS COVERED IN THE PROGRAMME INCLUDE INTRAVENOUS DRUG ABUSERS, SEXUALLY PROMISCUOUS PERSONS AND PEOPLE WHO USE BLOOD PRODUCTS.
SINCE AUGUST 1985, THE HONG KONG RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE HAS ALSO TESTED 387,381 BLOOD DONORS FOR THE AIDS ANTIBODY. SO FAR, SIX BLOOD UNITS HAVE BEEN FOUND TO BE POSITIVE.
UP THE TO ENI) OF LAST MONTH, A TOTAL OF 26,533 CALLS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED BY THE AIDS COUNSELLING AND EDUCATION SERVICE OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT SINCE IT WAS OPENED IN NOVEMBER 1985.
/AIDS Virus
TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1988
11
AT23 Virus (HT7) Antibody Testing < Medical k Health Donartmerrt •^14.
Virus Unit
April 8^ - Feb 88 Mar 88 Total Ko. tested Ko. -we
tested +ve Kb. tested Ifo. -FVO
Referrals from Govt. 4 300 28 322 1 5 122 29
hospitals and cl inics Referral* from private 1 520 28 38 0 1553 28
practitioners and subvented hospitals Attendances at social 73 494 9 2 377 0 76 371 9
hygiene clinics Haemophiliacs 301 52 9 0 310* 52
•1TW IV drug abusers 1 359 0 117 0 1 t!6 0
Referrals from Pbaaily 123 0 0 0 123 G
Planning Association Hehl th care personnel 433 0 15 0 448 0
Totality. 82 530 117 3 378 1 85 ?08 118
♦ This indicates the number of epecicens and not persons as
tests
are repeated for certain individuals. ,A . . . «
*1+ *
Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service
April 8? - Feb 88 Kar 88 Total
Kb. No. No. Ifo. No. Ko.
tooted +V8 tented 4ve tested 4VC
373 198 6 14 183 0 387 381 6
/Analysis of
TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1988
12 -
Analysis of AITS oases in 3orj? Kong
, .?± , > -?i.
1„ Toral no. of oases u
2* Total no. of deaths ic -
3. Risk factor
sexually acquired *r *t
unJcicwn 5iX
6. Mattonality 9% Chinese f'$j MoD-Chlneee $}
is of
29.3.38
12
10
Q
3
12
11
1
12
12
5
7
12.
as of
26.4.38
13
10
10
3
13
12
1
13
13
6 T
13
-------o----------
/1>........
TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1988
- 13 -
13 SENIOR POLICE OFFICERS PROMOTED
» * » ♦ »
POLICE TODAY (TUESDAY) ANNOUNCED THE PROMOTION OF 13 SENIOR OFFICERS WHO HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF THE FORCE.
AT A CEREMONY IN THE POLICE HEADQUARTERS, THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR RAYMON ANNING, PERSONALLY PRESENTED LETTERS OF PROMOTION TO 12 OF THE OFFICERS AND CONGRATULATED THEM ON THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS.
THE PROMOTED OFFICERS INCLUDED FOUR ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF POLICE. THEY ARE PEDRO CHING OF THE TRAFFIC WING; MR TOBY EMMET OF THE INSPECTION SERVICES WING; MR BRIAN WIGLEY OF THE SUPPORT WING; AND MR BOB STEELE OF THE SPECIAL BRANCH.
NINE OFFICERS WERE ADVANCED TO THE RANK OF CHIEF SUPERINTENDENTS. THEY ARE MR MIKE HARPER; MR EVAN EVANS; MR PETER FERRY; MR JIM WALKER; MR DAVE HODSON; MR PETER HALLIDAY; MR CLIVE BUTLER; MR MARCUS PELLY AND MR MICHAEL BALL.
MR MIKE HARPER IS ON VACATION LEAVE AT THE MOMENT.
AT ANOTHER CEREMONY, MR ANNING PRESENTED A COMMENDATION AND A ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY BRONZE MEDAL TO INSPECTOR RICHARD HARDING OF THE MARINE REGION, IN RECOGNITION OF HIS BRAVERY IN RESCUING HIS COLLEAGUE WHO WAS IN IMMINENT DANGER OF DROWNING IN ROUGH SEAS OFF SAI KUNG IN JANUARY 1987.
THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON JANUARY 28 IN PORT SHELTER WHERE TWO EXPATRIATE INSPECTORS IN A 'SEA RIDER’ WERE THROWN OVERBOARD WHEN THE INFLATABLE CRAFT TURNED SHARPLY. ONE OF THE OFFICERS WAS FATALLY INJURED BY THE PROPELLER AS HE ATTEMPTED TO RE-BOARD THE UN-MANNED DINGHY, WHICH WAS STILL POWERING ON A CIRCULAR COURSE. ANOTHER OFFICER ATTEMPTED TO HOLD ON TO THE BODY OF HIS COLLEAGUE BUT SOON BECAME EXHAUSTED IN THE COLD WATER.
INSPECTOR HARDING, WHO WAS ON DUTY IN A POLICE LAUNCH SOME 200 METRES FROM THE SCENE, WITNESSED THE MISHAP AND IMMEDIATELY JUMPED INTO THE WATER AND SWAN TO RESCUE THE OFFICER IN SERIOUS DIFFICULTIES. THE BODY OF THE FATALLY INJURED OFFICERS WAS RECOVERED LATER.
- - 0 - -
/14
TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1988
- 14 -
HK’S FIRST INFIRMARY HOSPITAL TO BE BUILT
*****
CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE SUPERSTRUCTURE OF THE FIRST INFIRMARY HOSPITAL IN HONG KONG WILL START NEXT WEEK IN SHA TIN.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE DIRECTOR OF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES, MR JOSE LEI, WHO WILL SIGN A $183 MILLION CONTRACT ON FRIDAY (APRIL 29) TOWARDS BUILDING THE 10-STOREY, "H" SHAPED HOSPITAL BUILDING.
PILING ON THE SHA TIN CONVALESCENT AND INFIRMARY HOSPITAL WAS COMPLETED IN JANUARY THIS YEAR ON A SITE LOCATED NEAR THE PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL ON THE EASTERN SIDE OF MA ON SHAN ROAD.
FACING THE SHING MUN RIVER CHANNEL AND SHA TIN JOCKEY CLUB RACECOURSE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE RIVER CHANNEL, THE SITE IS RELATIVELY LONG AND NARROW BOUNDED BY THE ROAD TO THE WEST AND SLOPES TO THE EAST.
THIS FIRST INFIRMARY HOSPITAL TO BE CONSTRUCTED BY THE GOVERNMENT WILL PROVIDE 700 BED SPACES TO ALLEVIATE THE SHORTAGE OF INFIRMARY BEDS AND REDUCE THE OCCUPATION OF ACUTE BEDS IN DISTRICT AND REGIONAL HOSPITALS BY CONVALESCENT AND INFIRM PATIENTS.
THE WARDS, DESIGNED TO CATER FOR THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF LONG-TERM PATIENTS, WILL BE ARRANGED IN THE SHAPE OF AN "H".
THEY WILL BE ORIENTATED TO PROVIDE VIEWS TO THE SEA IN THE NORTH AND COUNTRYSIDE TO THE SOUTH, AND UTILISING A CENTRAL SERVICE ZONE TO SERVE THE WARDS ON EACH FLOOR.
THE CONTRACT ALSO PROVIDES FOR EXTENSIVE LANDSCAPING THAT WILL BE CONDUCIVE FOR THE RELAXATION OF PATIENTS IN GARDENS AND PLANTED AREAS.
A SECOND CONTRACT WILL BE AWARDED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF STAFF QUARTERS AND RELATED FACILITIES, WHICH WILL COMMENCE IN ABOUT 12 MONTHS, WITH BOTH CONTRACTS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED AT THE SAME TIME IN MAY 1990.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE $183 MILLION CONTRACT SIGNING
OF THE PROJECT SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE AT 10 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 29) IN THE TRAINING ROOM OF THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 11 ST FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES.
THE DIRECTOR OF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES, MR JOSE LEI, WILL SIGN ON BEHALF OF HIS DEPARTMENT. HE AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MAIN CONTRACTOR - SHUI ON CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED - AND THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL MEET MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA AFTERWARDS.
- - 0 - -
/15
■ ' "f ■ 1 i *
TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1988
- 15 -
REGIONAL SECRETARY TOUR8 LANTAU « » » t t
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR MICHAEL SUEN, TODAY (TUESDAY) VISITED MUI WO AND TAI O ON LANTAU AND HAD A MEETING With islands district board members on matters of general interest To the district.
MR SUEN STARTED OFF TO LANTAU IN THE MORNING AFTER A BRIEF
Inspection of the islands district office in central.
HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JONATHAN NG, SOME MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND SENIOR STAFF OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
ON ARRIVAL AT TAI O, MR SUEN WAS GREETED BY THE TAI O RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR YU YUEN-HEI.
THE PARTY TOURED THE STILTED STRUCTURES ON BOTH SIDES OF TAI O CREEK TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT OF RESIDENTS THERE.
MR SUEN LEARNT THAT DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR TAI O ARE ALREADY IN THE PIPELINE. THESE INCLUDE THE COMPLETION OF THE LUNG TIN ESTATE PHASE II AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SHELTERED ANCHORAGE IN THE EARLY 1990’S.
THE PARTY THEN WENT TO MUI WO WHERE THEY WERE GREETED BY THE MUI WO RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR TSANG LIN.
MR SUEN VISITED THE RECENTLY COMPLETED NGAN WAN ESTATE WHICH WOULD START TAKING IN RESIDENTS IN A FEW MONTHS’ TIME. HE NOTED THAT THIS IS THE THIRD RURAL PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE IN THE DISTRICT PROVIDING MORE THAN 430 FLATS FOR ABOUT 2,200 PEOPLE.
IN MUI WO, MR SUEN WAS ALSO BRIEFED ON THE POLLUTION SITUATION AT SILVERMINE BAY AND THE MEASURES BEING TAKEN TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM.
AFTER THE TRIP TO LANTAU, MR SUEN RETURNED TO THE DISTRICT OFFICE IN THE AFTERNOON AND HAD A MEETING WITH DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS.
--------o ---------
j
TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1988
- 16 -
ONE MORE WEEK FOR EMPLOYER RETURNS ♦ » » »
EMPLOYERS ARE REMINDED THEY MUST SUBMIT THE COMPLETED EMPLOYER’S RETURN OF REMUNERATION AND PENSIONS TO THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT BEFORE MAY 5 THIS YEAR.
" i i
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (fUESDAY) THAT MORE THAN 81,000 RETURNS FOR 1987-88 HAD BEEN ISSUED to Employers on april 6.
"FAILURE TO SUBMIT THE COMPLETED RETURNS BEFORE MAY 5 IS AN OFFENCE AND MAY RESULT IN THE IMPOSITION OF PENALTIES," HE POINTED OUT.
"MAKING AN INCORRECT OR FALSE RETURN WITH A FRAUDULENT INTENT TO EVADE TAX, OR TO ASSIST ANY OTHER PERSON TO DO SO, IS ALSO AN OFFENCE.
"ON CONVICTION, AN OFFENDER SHALL BE LIABLE TO HEAVY PENALTY, THE MAXIMUM BEING IMPRISONMENT FOR THREE YEARS AND A FURTHER FINE OF TREBLE THE AMOUNT OF TAX UNDERCHARGED.
"THE COURT OF APPEAL HAS WARNED THAT, ON CONVICTION, THE DEFENDANT SHALL BE LIABLE TO AN IMMEDIATE CUSTODIAL SENTENCE."
THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT IT WAS THE EMPLOYER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO GIVE NOTICE IN WRITING OF THE COMMENCEMENT OR CESSATION OF ANY EMPLOYMENT, OR THE DEPARTURE FROM HONG KONG, OF ANY EMPLOYEE, WHO WAS OR WAS LIKELY TO BE CHARGEABLE TO SALARIES TAX.
HE REITERATED THAT UNDER THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE ANYONE WHO FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS ABOVE WOULD BE LIABLE TO HEAVY PENALTIES.
ANY EMPLOYER WHO HAS NOT YET RECEIVED THE RETURN FORMS OR WHO HAS ANY ENQUIRY IS ADVISED TO TELEPHONE 5-8942030, OR WRITE TO GPO BOX 132, HONG KONG.
------0 ------
TENANCY SOUGHT FOR GOVERNMENT LAND
*****
A PIECE OF GOVERNMENT LAND ON HONG KONG ISLAND IS TO BE LET BY TENDER ON SHORT TERM TENANCY BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
THE LAND AT POK FU LAM ROAD, MEASURING ABOUT 2,140 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR STORAGE OF GOODS/VEH1CLES AND/OR WORKS AREA, EXCLUDING THE OPERATION OF CONCRETE BATCHING PLANT.
/The initial........
TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1986
- 17 -
THE INITIAL TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON MAY 13.
TENDER FORM AND NOTICE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG SOUTH, 12TH FLOOR, HARBOUR CENTRE, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG; THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
------0 -------
COURSES FOR TEACHERS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION
*****
THE SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION WILL OFFER TWO IDENTICAL IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSES FOR TEACHERS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION STARTING SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
THE TWO-YEAR COURSES WILL BE CONDUCTED BOTH IN THE COLLEGE’S MAIN CAMPUS AT 6 CALDECOTT ROAD, PIPER’S HILL, KOWLOON, AND IN ITS ANNEXE AT 8 YUEN CHAU KOK ROAD, SHA TIN.
THERE WILL BE A 16-WEEK BLOCK-RELEASE PERIOD IN WHICH THE TRAINEES WILL BE RELEASED FROM NORMAL SCHOOL DUTIES TO ATTEND THE COURSES ON A FULL-TIME BASIS.
THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A PERIOD OF 18 MONTHS’ SUPERVISED TEACHING PRACTICE IN THE TRAINEES’ OWN SCHOOLS. DURING THIS PERIOD THERE WILL ALSO BE LECTURES, SEMINARS AND DISCUSSIONS.
THE CURRICULUM OF THE COURSES WILL INCLUDE STUDIES IN PSYCHOLOGICAL AND MEDICAL ASPECTS OF HANDICAPPED CHILDREN, SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICES AND PROVISION, LEARNING AND BEHAVIOURAL ASPECTS AND NEEDS OF VARIOUS TYPES OF HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AND THE ORGANISATION AND OPERATION OF SPECIAL SCHOOLS AND SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSES.
IN ADD1TON, EACH TRAINEE WILL BE REQUIRED TO STUDY IN DEPTH, ON AN ELECTIVE BASIS, ONE AREA OF SPECIALISATION IN SPECIAL AND ADAPTED CURRICULA AND TEACHING TECHNIQUES FOR ONE TYPE OF HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.
THE AREAS OF SPECIALISATION OFFERED ARE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES, MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, VISUALLY HANDICAPPED, HEARING-IMPAIRED, MALADJUSTED AND SOCIALLY DEPRIVED AND PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN, AS WELL AS MANAGEMENT OF CHILDREN WITH SPEECH AND LANGUAGE PROBLEMS.
/A CERTIFICATE
TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1988
- 18 -
A CERTIFICATE FOR TEACHERS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS WILL BE AWARDED ON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE COURSE.
QUALIFIED NON-ORADUATE TEACHERS WITH A RECOGNISED INITIAL TEACHER TRAINING QUALIFICATION AND AT PRESENT TEACHING HANDICAPPED CHILDREN IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS OR SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSES ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR ENTRY.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AT LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, AND ITS SUB-OFFICE AT THE KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 406 NATHAN ROAD, SEVENTH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI; AND THE SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AT 6 CALDECOTT ROAD, KOWLOON, AND ITS ANNEXE AT 8 YUEN CHAU KOK ROAD, SHA TIN.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION IS MAY 31 THIS YEAR.
-------o ---------
REMINDER ON EMPLOYMENT OF YOUNG PERSONS * * * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS OF THE LAW GOVERNING THE EMPLOYMENT OF YOUNG PERSONS.
THE CALL WAS MADE FOLLOWING A COURT CASE IN WHICH THE PROPRIETOR OF A HAIR-DRYER MANUFACTURING COMPANY WAS FINED $6,000 FOR EMPLOYING THREE CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN 12 AND 14.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN IN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS WAS A VERY SERIOUS OFFENCE AND OFFENDERS WERE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000.
UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS, PERSONS BELOW 15 YEARS OF AGE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO WORK IN FACTORIES OR INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS.
HOWEVER, CHILDREN WHO ARE AGED 13 OR ABOVE MAY, WITH THE CONSENT OF THEIR PARENTS, BE ENGAGED ON PART-TIME BASIS IN NON-INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS.
"THESE RESTRICTIONS ARE TO ENSURE THAT CHILDREN WHO HAVE NOT COMPLETED SECONDARY THREE EDUCATION SHOULD NOT BE EMPLOYED DURING THEIR NORMAL SCHOOL HOURS AND THAT THEIR HOURS OF WORK BE LIMITED TO TWO HOURS ONLY ON ANY SCHOOL DAY OR FOUR HOURS ON ANY OTHER DAY DURING THE SCHOOL TERM," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/"THE REGULATIONS
• TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 198?
- 19 -
.. <-^dFX.C L.sU- -_______ -- . u4
"TUB REGULATIONS ALSO STIPULATE THAT CHILDREN WHO HAVE Attained 13 years of age but have not completed secondary three are NOT ALLOWED TO WORK IN CERTAIN OCCUPATIONS INCLUDING THE KITCHEN OF AN EATING PLACE, HAIR-DRESSING SALOON AND MASSAGE PARLOUR.
i. ? '
"LABOUR INSPECTORS WILL PAY ROUTINE INSPECTIONS TO THESE ESTABLISHMENTS TO DETECT ANY ILLEGAL EMPLOYMENT OF CHILD WORKERS."
. ENQUIRIES ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE EMPLOYMENT OF YOUNG
PERSONS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON 5-8524144.
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'AN OUTLINE OF STATISTICAL DEVELOPMENT’ PUBLISHED
*****
AN ANNUAL BOOKLET ENTITLED "AN OUTLINE OF STATISTICAL DEVELOPMENT, 1988", HAS BEEN PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE BOOKLET CONTAINS TWO PARTS. PART I DESCRIBES THE ORGANISATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, WHILE PART II DELINEATES THE MAIN LINES OF CURRENT STATISTICAL ACTIVITY AS WELL AS FORESEEN DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MATERIAL DESCRIPTIVE OF THE PAST IS ALSO
INCLUDED.
THE REPORT, WHICH INCLUDES INFORMATION ON THE DISPOSITION OF STATISTICAL STAFF AND A LIST OF STATISTICAL PUBLICATIONS, IS A USEFUL REFERENCE FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO KNOW MORE ABOUT GOVERNMENT STATISTICAL SERVICES.
THE PUBLICATION GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS
IS NOW CENTRE,
ON SALE AT GENERAL POST
FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AND AT COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT,
$12 PER COPY AT THE OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND THE PUBLICATIONS SALES
WAN CHAI TOWER I,
19TH FLOOR, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
--------o ---------
/20
TUESDAY, APRIL 36, 1988
- 20 -
■i.
COURTESY CALL ON DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE * « * *
MEMBERS OF THE NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PO LEUNG KUK TODAY (TUESDAY) PAID A COURTESY CALL ON THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, TO DISCUSS WELFARE SERVICES PLANNED BY THE KUK IN THE COMING YEAR.
KUK CHAIRMAN, MR CHAO KING-LIN, SAID THESE PROJECTS INCLUDED A SMALL GROUP HOME IN TAI PO, THREE NURSERIES IN TAI KOK TSUI, POK FU LAM AND HUNG HOM AS WELL AS A NUMBER OF WELFARE FACILITIES FOR THE ELDERLY.
MRS WONG COMMENDED THE KUK FOR ITS UNCEASING EFFORTS IN PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY AND ASSURED BOARD MEMBERS THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WOULD WORK CLOSELY WITH THEM TO IMPLEMENT THESE SERVICES.
--------o---------
PRIMARY SCHOOL TO BE BUILT IN SHEK WU HUI » * * * »
TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF FANLING, NEW TERRITORIES IS BEING SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
A STANDARD PRIMARY SCHOOL IN INVITED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL
THE SCHOOL WILL BE LOCATED AT A 4,700 SQUARE METRE SITE IN AREA 29, SHEK WU HUI, FANLING.
OF A SCHOOL BLOCK
PROVIDING TEACHING
ASSEMBLY HALL AND
THE DESIGN CALLS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING 24 CLASSROOMS AND THREE SPECIAL ROOMS FACILITIES ON THE UPPER FLOORS AND AN ADMINISTRATION OFFICES ON THE FIRST FLOOR.
ON THE GROUND FLOOR WILL BE A COVERED PLAY AREA WITH CHANGING ROOMS.
OTHER ANCILLARY FACILITIES INCLUDE MENIAL STAFF QUARTERS, A BASKETBALL COURT, CAR PARKING AND PLANTING AREAS.
THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START IN JULY AND TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE NOON ON MAY 13 (FRIDAY).
- - 0 - -
/21.........
TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1988
- 21 -
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE AND URBAN CLEARWAY RESTRICTION
« * * » »
TO FACILITATE ROADWORKS, THE SLIP ROAD ADJACENT TO BLOCK 6 OF SAN PO KONG FACTORY ESTATE IN WONG TAI SIN LEADING FROM KING HONG STREET TO EASTBOUND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (APRIL 28).
THE CLOSURE WILL LAST UNTIL MAY 12.
MOTORISTS ON KING FUK STREET HEADING FOR EASTBOUND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST WILL BE DIVERTED VIA KING FUK STREET, KINO TAI STREET AND EASTBOUND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST.
MEANWHILE, FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 29), THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF KAU HUI CHIK STREET IN TAI PO FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH WANG TAU KAI TO A POINT ABOUT 35 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE MADE A 24-HOUR DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
THE MEASURE IS TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW. NO VEHICLES OTHER THAN FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP WITHIN THE URBAN • CLEARWAY FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
-------0---------
LANE CLOSURES IN LION ROCK TUNNEL
♦ ♦ ♦ » ♦
TO FACILITATE THE LAYING OF ANTI-SKID MATERIAL, THE SLOW LANE OF THE KOWLOON-BOUND TUBE OF THE LION ROCK TUNNEL WILL BE CLOSED FROM 10.30 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO 5 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD ON BOTH THURSDAY (APRIL 28) AND FRIDAY (APRIL 29), THE FAST LANE OF THE TUNNEL’S KOWLOON-BOUND TUBE WILL BE CLOSED.
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO DRIVE WITH EXTRA CARE.
-------0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
.ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
♦ *•••• . . I .. I I ■■■ ■» -
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING :
BILL AIMED AT ENCOURAGING ELIGIBLE PERSONS TO VOTE ..... 1
SECURITIES BILL GIVEN SECOND READING ................... 2
OBJECTS OF INSURANCE COMPANIES BILL OUTLINED ........... 4
MEASURE AIMED AT AVOIDING UNNECESSARY TRIAL DEUY ....... 6
DETERRENT EFFECT OF FINES REQUIRES STRENGTHENING ....... 7
POSTAGE STAMPS TO RaISE MONEY FOR CHARITY .............. 8
BILL ENHANCES KUK'S CAPABILITY ......................... 9
TWO BILLS'PASSED........................................ 10
TIME TO REVIEW SCOPE OF CONSUMER COUNCIL'S WORK......... 11
MTR EASTERN HnRBOUR EXTENSION WILL HELP USE CONGESTION 12
LONG ,iND 'SHORT-TERM MUSURES TO TACKLE WnTER POLLUTION . 14
LEGISUTION SOON TO CONTROL PRIVATE HOMES FOR ELDERLY .. 15
PRISONER TRANSFER A COMPLEX ISSUE ...................... 16
COMPUTERISATION WITHIN GOVERNMENT BEING REVIEWED ....... 17
BOO ISSUES 746 ORDERS FOR STRUCTURAL REPAIRS ........... 17
/Use cf .......
USE OF EXCHANGE FUND IN PUBLIC'S BEST INTERESTS.......... 18
MAGISTERI.JL APPOINTMENT ARRANGEMENTS UNDER STUDY .......... 19
CONTROL MEASURES CM BUSINESSES INVOLVING ILLEGAL GOODS ADEQUATE.................................................... 21
DISCUSSIONS HELD ON EASING MTR CONGESTION ............... 22
TRANSPORT PLANNING aIMED «T REDUCING CONGESTION ............ 24
MEASURES T..KEN TO IMPROVE ISSUE OF VISIT PERMITS........ 27
OPERATION OF SOCIAL CENTRES FOR ELDERLY BEING STUDIED .. 28
CRITERION FOR ICAC INVESTIGATION EXPLAINED.................. 28
REQUIREMENT PROTECTS INTERESTS OF LOCAL WORKERS.......... 29
MERGER OF SALARY SCALES A LONG-TERM OBJECTIVE .............. JO
CS TO VISIT CHINA ............................................. 32
NENDICK TO aTTEND ASIAN DEVELOPMENT B.JIK MEETING.............. 32
PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE TO HOLD OPEN HEARING ................ 32
HONG KONG aCHIEVES SUCCESS IN TALL BUILDINGS .................. 33
NEW HOME FOUND FOR RJRE ANIMALS ............................... 34
CHAIRMEN OF SHA TIN DB'S COMMITTEES ELECTED ................... 35
KWUN TONG PROGRAMME TO PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH .................. 35
SCHOLARSHIP TO HELP PROBATIONER ............................. 36
ENTRY DEADLINE FOR TAI PO DRAGON BOhT RACE .................... 37
BOE MEMBERS VISIT CCC NIM TSI SPECIAL SCHOOL .................. 38
TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS ON HONG KONG ISL/ND AND LitNTAU .......... 39
RESTRICTED ZONES IN CiNTRAL WESTERN DISTRICT .................. 39
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1988
BILL AIMED AT ENCOURAGING ELIGIBLE PERSONS TO VOTE » t » » »
THE PRINCIPAL PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVISIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 IS TO ENCOURAGE AS MANY ELIGIBLE VOTERS AS POSSIBLE TO VOTE IN THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL.
"TO THIS END, THE BILL SEEKS TO MAKE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS TO ENABLE THOSE WHO ARE NOT YET REGISTERED AS ELECTORS ON THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL, BUT WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO DO SO, TO BE REGISTERED AS ELECTORS ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTORAL ROLL," HE SAID.
"THIS WILL IN TURN MAKE THEM ELIGIBLE TO NOMINATE, OR BE NOMINATED AS CANDIDATES.
"THESE ARE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS BECAUSE, UNDER EXISTING LEGISLATION, A PERSON IS NOT ENTITLED TO BE REGISTERED AS AN ELECTOR FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS UNLESS HE IS ALREADY REGISTERED ON THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL."
SIR DAVID SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD BE EXAMINING, IN THE LONGER TERM, WHETHER IT SHOULD REMAIN A REQUIREMENT FOR A PERSON TO BE INCLUDED ON THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL BEFORE HE MIGHT BE REGISTERED ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTORAL ROLL.
IN THE MEANTIME, THE BILL MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE SPECIAL DISPENSATION - NAMELY THE DISPENSATION FROM PRIOR REGISTRATION ON THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL - WAS ONLY GOOD FOR THIS YEAR’S LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
"PERSONS WHO BENEFIT FROM THIS DISPENSATION WILL HAVE TO BE PROPERLY REGISTERED ON THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL AT THE NEXT OPPORTUNITY, IF THEY WISH TO REMAIN ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTORAL ROLL AFTER THE FORTHCOMING SEPTEMBER ELECTIONS,” HE SAID.
"THOSE CONCERNED ARE THEREFORE BEING ADVISED AND ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION ON THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL AT THE SAME TIME AS THEY SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTORAL ROLL."
SIR DAVID SAID THE SECOND PURPOSE OF THE BILL WAS TO PROVIDE FOR THE AUTOMATIC ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE BY THE ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND TO REDUCE FROM 30 DAYS TO SEVEN DAYS THE PERIOD DURING WHICH SUCH MEMBERS MIGHT DECIDE NOT TO ACCEPT OFFICE.
/••THE PURPOSE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1988
2
"THE PURPOSE OF DOING SO IS TO SHORTEN THE ELECTION TIMETABLE, AND TO MAKE IT EASIER TO MEET THE REQUIREMENT IN THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS WHEREBY THE PERIOD BETWEEN THE LAST SITTING OF A SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE FIRST SITTING OF THE NEXT SESSION IS NOT TO EXCEED THREE MONTHS," HE SAID.
"THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT, TO PROVIDE FOR AUTOMATIC ACCEPTANCE I. (LESS NON-ACCEPTANCE IS NOTIFIED TO THE GOVERNOR WITHIN SEVEN DAYS OF PUBLICATION OF ELECTION RESULTS TN THE GAZETTE, WILL MAKE IT Simpler to keep to this timetable.
"SEPARATE CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO WHETHER SIMILAR ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD BE INTRODUCED FOR MUNICIPAL COUNCIL AND DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS."
SIR DAVID SAID THE BILL ALSO AMENDED THE POST OFFICE REGULATIONS, BY ADDING REFERENCE TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVISIONS) (PROCEDURE) REGULATIONS, SO AS TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT CANDIDATES IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS QUALIFIED FOR FREE POSTAGE UNDER THE POST OFFICE ORDINANCE.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
- - 0 -
SECURITIES BILL GIVEN SECOND READING
* » * » *
A BILL EMPOWERING THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES TO RELEASE TO SPECIFIED PERSONS INFORMATION OBTAINED IN THE COURSE OF HIS DUTIES WAS READ A SECOND TIME IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE SECURITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID THAT AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 19 OF THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE WOULD PERMIT GREATER ASSISTANCE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES CONCERNED WITH SECURITIES MARKETS IN HONG KONG.
IT WOULD ALSO PERMIT INCREASED CO-OPERATION WITH OVERSEAS REGULATORY AUTHORITIES AND WOULD BRING THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE INTO LINE WITH THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE, HE SAID.
/MEMBERS OF
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1988
3 -
MEMBERS OF THE SECURITIES COMMISSION, THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES AND HIS STAFF, AND INSPECTORS APPOINTED UNDER THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE WERE REQUIRED TO OBSERVE THE SECRECY PROVISION IN SECTION 19.
"THE RESTRICTIVE NATURE OF THIS SECTION HAS MEANT THAT THE COMMISSION AND THE COMMISSIONER HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO OFFER THEIR FULL ASSISTANCE TO .LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN HONG KONG AND TO OVERSEAS REGULATORY AUTHORITIES," MR JACOBS SAID.
"NOR HAS IT BEEN POSSIBLE FOR THE COMMISSION TO RELEASE INFORMATION OBTAINED BY INSPECTORS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN HONG KONG.
"THIS SITUATION IS UNSATISFACTORY.
"AS THE FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY BECOMES INCREASINGLY INTEGRATED, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE COMMISSIONER AND ANY INSPECTORS APPOINTED UNDER THE ORDINANCE SHOULD BE ABLE TO CO-OPERATE FULLY WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.
"MOREOVER, WITH THE INCREASING INTERNATIONALISATION OF SECURITIES MARKETS, IT IS BECOMING ESSENTIAL FOR REGULATORY AUTHORITIES IN DIFFERENT JURISDICTIONS TO BE ABLE TO CO-OPERATE FULLY WITH EACH OTHER IN THE GENERAL INTEREST OF INVESTORS."
MR JACOBS SAID THAT THESE CHANGES IN THE MARKET HAD LED TO THE RELAXATION OF THE SECRECY PROVISIONS IN THE BANKING ORDINANCE IN 1986, WHICH ALLOWED THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING TO CO-OPERATE WITH DOMESTIC AND OVERSEAS AGENCIES.
HE PROPOSED THAT THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS IN THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE BF BROUGHT INTO LINE WITH THOSE IN THE BANKING ORDINANCE SO AS TO PERMIT GREATER DISCRETION IN THE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION IN SPECIFIED CIRCUMSTANCES, WHILE PRESERVING THE GENERAL OBLIGATION OF SECRECY.
THE BILL WOULD SPECIFY THE PERSONS TO WHOM AND, IN SOME CASES, THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH SUCH INFORMATION MIGHT BE DISCLOSED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES.
SUCH PURPOSES WOULD INCLUDE ANY INVESTIGATION OR CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS IN HONG KONG, OR CIVIL PROCEEDINGS UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
INFORMATION MIGHT ALSO BE DISCLOSED TO THE INSIDER DEALING TRIBUNAL AND TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, AND THE REGISTRAR GENERAL.
/IT MIGHT
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1988
IT MIGHT ALSO BE DISCLOSED TO ANY PUBLIC OFFICER AUTHORISED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE COMMODITIES TRADING COMMISSION, THE FUTURES EXCHANGE, OVERSEAS REGULATORY AUTHORITIES AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS CONCERNED WITH THE SECURITIES AND COMMODITIES MARKETS, AND TO PROFESSIONAL AND SEMI-PROFESSIONAL BODIES SPECIFIED BY THE SECURITIES COMMISSION.
PROVISION WOULD ALSO BE MADE TO ALLOW THE DISCLOSURE OF NOTES AND INFORMATION OBTAINED BY INSPECTORS IN THE COURSE OF INVESTIGATION TO SPECIFIED PUBLIC OFFICERS AND BODIES.
TO ENSURE THAT PERSONS RECEIVING SUCH INFORMATION WOULD NOT FURTHER DISCLOSE WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE PROPER AUTHORITIES, MR JACOBS SAID A NEW PROVISION WOULD STATE THAT THE ORIGINAL RECIPIENT OF INFORMATION AND ANY THIRD PARTY MIGHT NOT DISCLOSE WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR COMMISSIONER AS APPROPRIATE.
A SUB-SECTION OF THE ORDINANCE WOULD ALSO BE AMENDED TO MAKE ANY SUCH UNAUTHORISED DISCLOSURE AN OFFENCE, HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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OBJECTS OF INSURANCE COMPANIES BILL OUTLINED
*****
THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 19«8 HAS THREE MAIN OBJECTS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR JACOBS SAID FIRSTLY IT CLARIFIED THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY ON THE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO DOMESTIC AND OVERSEAS REGULATORY AUTHORITIES.
SECONDLY, IT GAVE THE AUTHORITY A DISCRETION TO DETERMINE WHEN CONDITIONS IMPOSED AT THE TIME OF AUTHORISATION OF AN INSURANCE COMPANY SHOULD BE REVOKED.
THIRDLY, IT EMPOWERED THE AUTHORITY TO WITHDRAW AUTHORISATION WHERE AN AUTHORISED INSURER HAD CEASED TO CARRY ON ANY CLASS OR PART OF ANY CLASS OF INSURANCE BUSINESS.
/MR JACOBS
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27» 1988
5 -
MR JACOBS SAID THAT THERE WERE CURRENTLY NO PROVISIONS IN THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE GOVERNING OFFICIAL SECRECY OR THE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION.
’’THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY'S POSITION IS THEREFORE UNCERTAIN AND THIS CAUSES PROBLEMS FOR THOSE INVOLVED ON THE REGULATORY SIDE,” HE SAID, ADDING THAT “CLAUSE 6 INSERTS NEW PROVISIONS ON SECRECY, DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION AND EXAMINATION BY OUTSIDE AUTHORITIES.”
MR JACOBS EXPLAINED THAT THESE NEW PROVISIONS CREATED A GENERAL PROHIBITION AGAINST THE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION OBTAINED UNDER THE ORDINANCE AND, NOTWITHSTANDING THAT PROHIBITION, SPECIFIED IN WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES AND TO WHOM SUCH INFORMATION MIGHT BE DISCLOSED.
THIS WOULD ENABLE THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY TO EXCHANGE INFORMATION ON AUTHORISED INSURERS WITH REGULATORY BODIES IN HONG KONG AND INSURANCE SUPERVISORY AUTHORITIES OVERSEAS IN THE INTERESTS OF POLICY HOLDERS OR POTENTIAL POLICY HOLDERS.
IT WOULD ALSO BRING THE ORDINANCE INTO LINE WITH THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
“ANY COMPANY WISHING TO CARRY ON ANY CLASS OF INSURANCE BUSINESS MUST FIRST SEEK AND OBTAIN AUTHORISATION FROM THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY,” HE SAID.
HE FURTHER POINTED OUT THAT SECTION 8 OF THE ORDINANCE ENABLED THE AUTHORITY TO IMPOSE CONDITIONS, AS NECESSARY, FOR THE BETTER REGULATION OF THE INSURER AND THE PROTECTION OF POLICY HOLDERS, WHEREAS SECTION 12 PROVIDED THAT ANY SUCH CONDITIONS WOULD AUTOMATICALLY CEASE TO HAVE EFFECT FIVE YEARS AFTER THE DATE OF AUTHORISATION.
HOWEVER, THE AUTHORITY DID NEED TO IMPOSE CONDITIONS WHICH WERE OF A CONTINUING NATURE FOR THE PROTECTION OF POLICY HOLDERS.
MOREOVER, CLAUSE 3 AMENDED SECTION 12 TO GIVE THE AUTHORITY A DISCRETION TO DETERMINE WHEN CONDITIONS IMPOSED UNDER AUTHORISATION SHOULD BE REVOKED.
THIS WOULD ALLOW A DISTINCTION TO BE DRAWN BETWEEN CONDITIONS IMPOSED FOR AN INITIAL PERIOD AND THOSE INTENDED TO BE OF A CONTINUING NATURE.
IN ADDITION, HE SAID THAT SECTION 40 OF THE ORDINANCE EMPOWERED THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY TO WITHDRAW AUTHORISATION WHERE AN AUTHORISED INSURER CEASED TO CARRY ON ANY INSURANCE BUSINESS, OR INSURANCE BUSINESS OF ANY CLASS, OR HAD NOT COMMENCED TO CARRY ON INSURANCE BUSINESS OF ANY CLASS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF HIS BEING AUTHORISED FOR THAT CLASS.
/•’AS THE...........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1988
6
"AS THE LAW NOW STANDS, THE AUTHORITY HAS NO POWER TO WITHDRAW THE AUTHORISATION OF A TYPE OF INSURANCE BUSINESS WHICH IS NOT A 'CLASS' OF INSURANCE WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE FIRST SCHEDULE TO THE ORDINANCE. THIS HAS CAUSED PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES," MR JACOBS ADDED.
THEREFORE CLAUSE 5 AMENDED SECTION 40 TO ENABLE THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY TO WITHDRAW AUTHORISATION FOR A PART OF A CLASS OF INSURANCE BUSINESS IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES SET OUT IN THE ORDINANCE.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-------o - - - -
MEASURE AIMED AT AVOIDING UNNECESSARY TRIAL DELAY
*****
THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 ADDRESSES A PROBLEM WHICH CAN LEAD TO UNNECESSARY DELAY IN CRIMINAL TRIALS, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR MATHEWS EXPLAINED THAT SECTION 65B OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ORDINANCE ALLOWED THE ADMISSION INTO EVIDENCE OF WRITTEN STATEMENTS IN A CRIMINAL PROCEEDING, OTHER THAN A COMMITTAL.
CERTAIN CONDITIONS MUST BE MET. ONE WAS THAT UNDER SECTION 65B(3)(C) A STATEMENT IN A LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH, MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ENGLISH TRANSLATION CERTIFIED BY THE COURT TRANSLATOR.
"THE REQUIREMENT THAT AN ENGLISH TRANSLATION BE CERTIFIED BY THE COURT TRANSLATOR CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS AT THE TRIAL,” HE SAID.
"A STATEMENT MAY BE AGREED BY THE PARTIES AND A TRANSLATION AVAILABLE, BUT IT CANNOT BE ADMITTED IN EVIDENCE UNTIL A CERTIFIED TRANSLATION IS OBTAINED.
"DELAY IS EXPERIENCED WHILE THE COURT TRANSLATION SERVICE PRODUCES A CERTIFIED TRANSLATION.
"THE USUAL LENGTH OF TIME REQUIRED FOR CERTIFICATION OF TRANSLATIONS TO BE USED BY THE HIGH COURT IS 21 DAYS. IN CASES WHERE THERE ARE LENGTHY AND BULKY DOCUMENTS THE CERTIFICATION OF TRANSLATION TAKES MUCH LONGER."
/MR MATHEWS
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1988
MR MATHEWS SAID THE BILL AMENDED SECTION 65B(3)(C) TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT FOR A CERTIFIED TRANSLATION WHERE THE PARTIES AGREED.
HE SAID THE SECTION, AS AMENDED, WOULD PROVIDE THAT IF A STATEMENT TENDERED IN EVIDENCE WAS MADE IN A LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH, IT SHOULD BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ENGLISH TRANSLATION, WHICH SHOULD BE CERTIFIED, UNLESS OTHERWISE AGREED BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE PROSECUTOR AND THE DEFENDANT (OR, IF MORE THAN ONE, ALL THE DEFENDANTS).
"WHERE ALL THE PARTIES ARE IN AGREEMENT THAT AN AVAILABLE TRANSLATION IS SATISFACTORY, NO USEFUL PURPOSE IS SERVED BY REQUIRING THE COURT TO CERTIFY THE TRANSLATION, AND TIME MAY BE LOST AND COST INCURRED WHILE WAITING FOR IT TO DO SO," HE SAID.
MR MATHEWS SAID THE AMENDMENT WAS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDED BY A COMMITTEE, WHICH INCLUDED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE LAW SOCIETY, SET UP BY THE FORMER CHIEF JUSTICE TO EXAMINE QUESTIONS OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
- - 0-----------
DETERRENT EFFECT OF FINES REQUIRES STRENGTHENING
* * » » t
THE DETERRENT EFFECT OF PENALTIES UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION HAS DECLINED OVER THE YEARS, AND A REVIEW LAST YEAR SHOWED THAT FINES NEEDED TO BE INCREASED TO MAINTAIN THEIR VALUE IN REAL TERMS.
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988.
MR BRIDGE EXPLAINED THAT THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED IN 1968 AND THE MAXIMUM PENALTIES FOR CONTRAVENTION OF ITS PROVISIONS WERE SET AT $5,000.
A NUMBER OF NEW PROVISIONS HAD BEEN ADDED TO THE ORDINANCE OVER THE YEARS, MOST NOTABLY PROVISIONS FOR SEVERANCE PAY, MATERNITY PROTECTION, ANNUAL LEAVE WITH PAY, SICKNESS ALLOWANCE AND LONG SERVICE PAY.
MAXIMUM PENALTIES UNDER THESE PROVISIONS HAD BEEN SET BETWEEN $1,000 AND $5,000.
/IN 1973
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1988
8
IN 1973 A NEW PART WAS ADDED TO THE ORDINANCE TO COVER EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES AND THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY REGULATIONS WERE MADE.
MAXIMUM PENALTIES UNDER THIS NEW PART OF THE ORDINANCE RANGED FROM *5,000 TO $10,000 AND UNDER THE REGULATIONS WERE $2,000.
THE EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS WERE MADE IN 1979 AND THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (INDUSTRY) REGULATIONS IN 1980.
OFFENCES RELATING TO THE ILLEGAL EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN CARRIED MAXIMUM FINES OF BETWEEN $5,000 AND $10,000 AND BREACHES OF THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (INDUSTRY) REGULATIONS CARRIED FINES OF BETWEEN $1,000 AND $5,000.
MR BRIDGE SAID THAT IN PROPOSING THE NEW LEVELS OF FINES ACCOUNT HAS BEEN TAKEN OF INFLATION OF ABOUT 400 PER CENT AND WAGE INCREASES OF ABOUT 700 PER CENT OVER THE PERIOD SINCE 1968.
"THERE ARE NOW FIVE MAXIMUM LEVELS OF FINES, AND IT IS PROPOSED TO REDUCE THESE TO THREE: $5,000, $10,000 AND $20,000," HE SAID.
"WHEN REVIEWING THE LEVELS OF FINES WE HAVE ALSO CONSIDERED INTRODUCING CUSTODIAL SENTENCES FOR VERY SERIOUS OFFENCES. PROPOSALS ARE BEING DEVELOPED AND 1 HOPE TO PUT THESE TO THIS COUNCIL BEFORE THE END OF THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION."
THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL WAS TO INCREASE FINES SO AS TO RESTORE THEIR ORIGINAL DETERRENT EFFECT, AND THE MEASURE HAD THE SUPPORT OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD, HF. ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
--------o----------
POSTAGE STAMPS TO RAISE MONEY FOR CHARITY » « » » »
THE EFFECT OF THE POST OFFICE (AMENDMENT) BILL IS TO PERMIT THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, WITH THE PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL, TO ISSUE POSTAGE STAMPS WHICH INCIDENTALLY ALSO RAISE MONEY FOR CHARITY.
THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, THE HON PETER TSAO, SAID THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL.
HE SAID IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION THAT IF THE BILL WAS PASSED THERE SHOULD BE A SPECIAL ISSUE OF CHARITY STAMPS LATER THIS YEAR TO RAISE FUNDS ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST.
/"1988 IS,
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1988
- 9
"1988 IS, AS MEMBERS WILL BE AWARE, THE CHEST’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY AND THE CHEST IS THE UMBRELLA ORGANISATION FOR MANY OF HONG KONG’S MOST DESERVING CAUSES," HE SAID.
THE IDEA WAS THAT STAMPS SHOULD SHOW BOTH THE POSTAGE AMOUNT AND, SEPARARTELY, THE DONATION ELEMENT.
HE SAID THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WOULD HAVE THE CHOICE OF BUYING THE SLIGHTLY MORE EXPENSIVE CHARITY STAMPS OR STAMPS AT NORMAL PRICES.
"THERE WILL BE NO PRESSURE ON PEOPLE BUYING STAMPS TO OPT FOR THE CHARITY ONES," HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE MOTION WAS ADJOURNED.
-------0---------
BILL ENHANCES KUK’S CAPABILITY
* t * » *
THE HEUNG YEE KUK (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 ENHANCES THE CAPABILITY OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK IN COPING WITH THE CHANGING NEEDS AND ENABLES IT TO DRAW FROM A WIDER POOL OF AVAILABLE TALENTS TO IMPROVE ITS EFFICIENCY IN SERVING THE COMMUNITY, THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE AMENDMENT BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR CHEUNG NOTED THAT THE 15 ADDITIONAL CO-OPTED COUNCILLORS OF THE KUK PROPOSED IN THE BILL COULD NOT BE MEMBERS OF A RURL COMMITTEE BUT WERE OTHERWISE UNRESTRICTED AS TO THEIR ELIGIBILITY FOR OFFICE.
"THIS IS A CLEAR INDICATION OF THE KUK’S DETERMINATION TO CHANGE ITS RULES," HE SAID.
"IF TALENTED PEOPLE ARE TO BECOME CO-OPTED COUNCILLORS ONLY BY WAY OF ELECTION OR NOMINATION ON A DISTRICT BASIS, IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT FOR THE HEUNG YEE KUK TO DRAW BENEFIT FROM THE TALENT OF INDIVIDUALS OF HIGH CALIBRE.
"HOWEVER, IT IS NECESSARY THAT THESE CO-OPTED COUNCILLORS SHOULD HAVE CERTAIN LINKS WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.”
/AS REGARDS .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27» 1988
10 -
AS REGARDS THE INTRODUCTION OF THE OFFICES OF NON-VOTING PERMANENT ADVISERS AND THE NEW PROVISION TO DISQUALIFY MEMBERS WHO FAIL TO REGULARLY ATTEND THE KUK1S MEETINGS, MR CHEUNG SAID THAT THESE WERE CONSIDERED AS TANGIBLE MEASURES TO ENHANCE THE KUK’S EFFICIENCY AND RESPONSIBILITY, IN A BID TO PREVENT MEMBERS FROM HOLDING THEIR POSITIONS MERELY IN NAME.
HE SAID THAT CONSEQUENTIAL UPON THE EXPANSION OF MEMBERSHIP BY 15 CO-OPTED COUNCILLORS, AMENDMENTS TO THE PROVISIONS REGARDING THE KUK’S MEETINGS AND ITS ELECTION PROCEDURES WERE ALSO NECESSARY.
MR CHEUNG SAID HE WOULD, THEREFORE, MOVE SOME AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE TO ENSURE THAT THESE PROCEDURES WOULD BE CLEARLY PROVIDED TN LAW.
-----0------
TWO BILLS PASSED ♦ ♦ *
THE HEUNG YEE KUK (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 AND THE EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SIX OTHER BILLS WERE READ A SECOND TIME AND DEBATE ON THEM WAS ADJOURNED.
THESE WERE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVISIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE SECURITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988, THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 AND THE POST OFFICE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988.
THE COUNCIL ALSO APPROVED FIVE MOTIONS, ALL MOVED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND RELATING TO THE RAISING OF CERTAIN FEES.
THE MOTIONS CONCERNED THE MATRIMONIAL CAUSES (FEES) RULES 1988, THE MAGISTRATES (FEES) REGULATIONS 1988, THE CRIMINAL APPEAL (AMENDMENT) RULES 1988, THE COMPANIES (FEES AND PERCENTAGES) (AMENDMENT) ORDER 1988 AND THE BANKRUPTCY (FEES AND PERCENTAGES) (AMENDMENT) ORDER 1988.
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/11
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27,
1988
11
TIME TO REVIEW SCOPE OF CONSUMER COUNCIL’S WORK
» * « » »
THE TIME HAS COME TO REVIEW THE SCOPE OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL’S WORK TO SEE WHETHER IT ADEQUATELY COVERS THE AMBIT REGULARLY AFFECTING CONSUMERS, THE HON SELINA CHOW SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IT WAS ONLY WITH CONSTANT ASSESSMENT AND ALIGNMENT THAT THE CONSUMER COUNCIL WAS ABLE TO MEET THE DEMAND MADE ON IT BY THE COMMUNITY, MRS CHOW SAID WHEN TABLING THE 1986-87 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNCIL, OF WHICH SHE IS CHAIRMAN.
APART FROM THE ONGOING RESPONSIBILITIES IN PRODUCT TESTING, RESEARCH AND SURVEY, SCHOOL AND PUBLIC EDUCATION, INFORMATION AND COMPLAINTS MONITORING, DISTRICT SERVICE AND LEGISLATION STUDIES, THE CONSUMER COUNCIL’S WORK HAD EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS WITH THE CHANGES THAT CHARACTERISED HONG KONG, SHE SAID.
"MORE EXPECTATION HAS BEEN GENERATED, AND WE HAVE HAD TO MOVE INTO NEW AREAS OF ACTIVITIES," SHE SAID.
WITH IMPROVEMENT OF STANDARD OF LIVING CAME LOCAL ENQUIRIES AND COMPLAINTS CONCERNING NEW AREAS OF ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES FOR WHICH THE CONSUMER COUNCIL WOULD HAVE TO ADOPT NEW APPROACHES AND ACQUIRE OUTSIDE EXPERTISE, SHE ADDED.
MRS CHOW SAID HONG KONG'S BUOYANT ECONOMY HAD STIMULATED MORE VIBRANT CONSUMER ACTIVITIES, AND THIS HAD IN TURN LED TO MORE Cf> II’ETITION IN THE MARKET PLACE.
"BOMBARDED BY IMAGES AND JARGONS OF ADVERTISING, THE CONSUMER MUST BE SURE OF HIS RIGHT TO CORRECT INFORMATION AT ALL TIMES," SHE SAID.
ON CONSUMER LEGISLATION, MRS CHOW SAID THERE WAS NO DOUBT THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOWADAYS MUCH MORE SENSITIVE TO THE NEED FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION LEGISLATION.
SHE NOTED THAT APART FROM THE RECOMMENDATIONS INITIATED BY THE CONSUMER COUNCIL’S LEGISLATION COMMITTEE CHAIRED BY THE HON CHUNG PU1-LAM, THE CONSUMER COUNCIL WAS ASSISTED IN ITS EFFORTS BY THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS THE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.
"IT IS FAIR TO SAY THAT THE TIME TAKEN FOR THE PASSAGE AND ENACTMENT OF SUCH LAWS IS CONSIDERABLY SHORTER THAN THREE OR FOUR YEARS AGO," SHE SAID.
/SHE ADDED
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2?, 1988
12
SHE ADDED THAT A MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION TO PROCEED WITH PREPARATIONS TO INTRODUCE CONSUMER SAFETY LEGISLATION, WHICH HAD BEEN ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WHEN HE OPENED THE ’’CONSUMERS’ RIGHT TO KNOW” CAMPAIGN LAST SATURDAY.
"ALTHOUGH IT IS ENVISAGED THAT SUCH A LAW WOULD ONLY BE USED IN RARE CIRCUMSTANCES WHEN THE SALE OF PRODUCTS POSING AN IMMEDIATE HEALTH AND SAFETY THREAT WOULD BE CONTROLLED OR BANNED, ITS IMPORTANCE NEVERTHELESS WARRANTS PRIORITY TREATMENT,” SHE SAID.
-----0------
MTR EASTERN HARBOUR EXTENSION WILL HELP EASE CONGESTION
* * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, DUE TO OPEN BEFORE THE END OF NEXT YEAR, WILL EXTEND THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY SYSTEM FROM KWUN TONG TO QUARRY BAY, PROVIDING RELIEF FOR MORNING PEAK HOUR PASSENGERS ON THE CURRENTLY OVERCROWDED NATHAN ROAD CORRIDOR.
THIS WAS SAID BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, WHFN TABLING THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION ANNUAL REPORT 1987 AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR JACOBS NOTED THAT IN 1987, THE FIRST FULL YEAR OF OPERATING IHb COMPLETED NTH SYSTEM, THE CORPORATION CARRIED 593 MILLION PASSENGERS, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 11.4 PER (’ENT OVER THE 532 MILLION CARRIED IN 1988.
'THE CORPORATION’S TOTAL REVENUE FROM FARES ROSE BY 18 PER (’ENT TO $1,85(1 MIU ION, AND ADDITIONAL REVENUE, FROM ACTIVITIES SUCH AS ADVERTISIN'; AND INVESTMENT PROPER’!’I ES , ROSE BY 20 PER CENT IO $202 MILLI ON.
’THE CORPORATION’S PROFIT BEFORE INTEREST AND FINANCE CHARGES INCREASED BY 38 PER CENT FROM $472 MILLION IN 1986 TO $651 MILLION IN 1 987 .
’’SUCH RETURNS DEMONSTRATE THAT THE CORPORA’!’I ON CONTINUES TO KEEP TIGHT CONTROL OF ITS (’OSTS,” HF SAID.
MR JACOBS POINTED OUT THAT THE CORPORATION’S MAJOR INVESTMENT IN THE 'THREE RAILWAY LINES, FUNDED PRINCIPALLY. BY DEBT, WAS COMPLETED.
/’•LAST YEAR
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1988
’’LAST YEAR THE CORPORATION'S AGGREGATE DEBT REDUCED BY $1,000 MILLION TO $18,179 MILLION.
’’HOWEVER, INTEREST AND FINANCE COSTS FOR THE YEAR AT $1,400 MILLION WERE LITTLE CHANGED FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR,” HE SAID.
’’THE RECEIPT OF PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT PROFITS OF $720 MILLION FOLLOWED THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF SEVERAL JOINT VENTURES, INCLUDING THAT OF THE KORNHILL DEVELOPMENT AT QUARRY BAY."
HE CAUTIONED THAT WHILST PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT PROFITS HAD BEEN AN IMPORTANT SOURCE OF FUNDS FOR THE CORPORATION, THEY WERE NOT A SECURE FORM OF RECURRENT REVENUE.
"THEY CONTINUE, HOWEVER, TO MAKE A VERY USEFUL CONTRIBUTION TO THE CORPORATION'S FINANCIAL POSITION."
NOTING THAT THE CORPORATION’S NET LOSS FOR 1987 WAS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED TO $78 MILLION COMPARED WITH $470 MILLION IN 1986, MR JACOBS SAID THE CORPORATION'S PROJECTIONS LOOKED FORWARD TO A GROWTH IN OPERATING PROFITS WELL ON SCHEDULE TO COVER INTEREST COSTS IN THE EARLY NINETIES AND THEREAFTER TO RETIRE PROGRESSIVELY THE CORPORATION’S DEBT.
"BUT EVEN WITH A REDUCING DEBT, AN ACTIVE FINANCING PROGRAMME WAS NECESSARY DURING 1987, MAINLY TO REFINANCE MATURING AND EXISTING FACILITIES AT LOWER COST AND FOR LONGER PERIODS.
"THIS WAS MATERIALLY ASSISTED BY THE CORPORATION’S SUCCESS IN OBTAINING VERY FAVOURABLE CREDIT RATINGS FROM INTERNATIONAL RATING AGENCIES.
"THESE RATINGS ARE IMPORTANT, BOTH FOR THE CORPORATION AND FOR HONG KONG, IN DEMONSTRATING THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL COMMUNITY’S CONFIDENCE IN THE CORPORATION AND ITS ECONOMIC WELL BEING AS A PRINCIPAL PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATOR IN HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
"FOLLOWING THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL'S AGREEMENT TO INCREASE THE CORPORATION'S AUTHORISED SHARE CAPITAL BY THE ISSUE OF SHARES WITH A NOMINAL VALUE OF $5,000 MILLION IN PARTLY PAID FORM, $1,500 MILLION WAS PAID IN DECEMBER 1985 AND THE SECOND TRANCHE OF $1,000 MILLION ON MARCH 31, 1988, IN ACCORDANCE WITH FINANCE COMMITTEE'S APPROVAL.
"ON THE BASIS OF CURRENT FORECASTS, BOTH THE BOARD OF THE CORPORATION AND I HOPE THAT IT WILL NOT BE NECESSARY TO REQUEST FINANCE COMMITTEE TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF THE REMAINING $2,500 MILLION," HE NOTED.
ON FUTURE PLANNING, MR JACOBS SAID THE CORPORATION WAS ALSO CONSIDERING PROPOSALS FOR A POSSIBLE EXTENSION TO JUNK BAY NEW TOWN.
-----O---------
r
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1988
14
LONG AND SHORT-TERM MEASURES TO TACKLE WATER POLLUTION
*****
THE GOVERNMENT REMAINED VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONDITION OF HONG KONG’S BATHING BEACHES AND MEASURES RANGING FROM SHORT TO LONG TERM WOULD BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT BEACHES AND COASTAL WATERS WERE PROTECTED AGAINST POLLUTION.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, MR CHAMBERS SAID THE POLLUTION WAS M'.TNLY CAUSED BY DISCHARGES OF SEWAGE FROM INADEQUATE OR’ BADLY OPERATED TREATMENT FACILITIES AND THE PROBLEM WAS COMPOUNDED BY RAPID POPULATION INCREASES IN CERTAIN AREAS.
"THE LONG TERM SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM IS THE PROVISION OF PROPER SEWAGE DISPOSAL FACILITIES SO THAT EXISTING AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS CAN BE CONNECTED TO MAIN PUBLIC SEWERS.
"TO ACHIEVE THIS END, AN OVERAL SEWAGE STRATEGY FOR THE WHOLE TERRITORY, AND MASTER PLANS FOR DIFFERENT AREAS (SUCH AS THE SOUTH OF HONG KONG ISLAND) ARE BEING DEVELOPED UNDER SEPARATE CONSULTANCIES.
"TO IMPLEMENT THESE PLANS WILL REQUIRE AN ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE OF SOME $10 BILLION AND A PHASED PROGRAMME OF WORKS OVER 10 YEARS."
ON THE MEDIUM TERM SOLUTION, MR CHAMBERS SAID IT WAS NECESSARY TO TACKLE AT SOURCE THE SEWAGE POLLUTION PROBLEMS OF BATHING BEACHES USING THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE.
"THE ORDINANCE IS CURRENTLY IMPLEMENTED ONLY IN THE TOLO HARBOUR AREA, WHICH IS AT PRESENT HONG KONG’S ONLY WATER CONTROL ZONE," HE SAID.
"WE PLAN TO DECLARE THE SOUTHERN WATERS AS THE SECOND WATER CONTROL ZONE LATER THIS YEAR, AND THIS WILL COVER ALL OF THE 22 BATHING BEACHES IN THE SOUTHERN AND ISLANDS DISTRICTS.
"INITIALLY, ALL SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITIES IN THIS PROPOSED WATER CONTROL ZONE, INCLUDING SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS AND SEPTIC TANKS, WILL BE CONTROLLED. LATER, INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED."
SIMILAR CONTROLS WOULD EVENTUALLY BE EXTENDED TO THE REST OF THE COASTAL WATERS OF HONG KONG, FOLLOWING THEIR DECLARATION AS WATER CONTROL ZONES, MR CHAMBERS SAID.
"IN ADDITION, SHORT TERM WORKS TO INTERCEPT AND DIVERT THE STORMWATER DRAINS RUNNING INTO REPULSE BAY, STANLEY MAIN AND TUNG WAN BEACHES ARE PLANNED TO BE CARRIED OUT THIS YEAR, AT A TOTAL ESTIMATED COST OF $6.2 MILLION," HE CONTINUED.
/"THESE SURFACE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27 » 1988
’’THESE SURFACE WATER DRAINS ARE POLLUTED BY IMPROPERLY TREATED SEWAGE DISCHARGED BY BUILDINGS IN THE BEACH HINTERLANDS, AND THESE WORKS WILL DIVERT POLLUTING DRAINS AWAY FROM THE MAIN SWIMMING AREAS.
"OTHER BEACHES ARE BEING INVESTIGATED WITH A VIEW TO DEVELOPING SIMILAR SHORT TERM SCHEMES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE WATER."
MR CHAMBERS ADDED THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INITIAL PHASE OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME IN JUNE WOULD HELP TO IMPROVE THE WATER QUALITY OF STLVERMINE BAY AND ANGLERS’ BEACHES, WHICH WERE AT PRESENT SERIOUSLY POLLUTED BY LIVESTOCK WASTE AND CONSIDERED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING.
-----0------
LEGISLATION SOON TO CONTROL PRIVATE HOMES FOR ELDERLY
* * » » *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED, FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH VARIOUS BODIES INCLUDING THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE OMELCO WELFARE PANEL, TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE TO CONTROL ASPECTS OF THE OPERATION OF PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE EDLERLY.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT.
MR CHAMBERS SAID THE TARGET DATE WAS TWO YEARS FROM NOW, IN MID-1990.
"INITIALLY THE STANDARDS REQUIRED WILL BE SET AT A REALISTIC LEVEL, TO AVOID AS FAR AS POSSIBLE SITUATIONS WHERE HOMES ARE FORCED TO CLOSE OR REDUCE NUMBERS, MAKING ELDERLY PEOPLE HOMELESS," HE ADDED.
MR CHAMBERS NOTED THAT THERE HAD BEEN CONCERN, BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE GOVERNMENT, ABOUT STANDARDS IN THESE PRIVATE HOMES.
"TOWARDS THE END OF LAST YEAR, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED A REVIEW OF THE EXTENT OF COMPLIANCE BY OPERATORS OF SUCH HOMES WITH THE VOLUNTARY CODE OF PRACTICE WHICH WAS INTRODUCED IN 1986 ON THE ADVICE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE," HE SAID.
/THE REVIEW
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1988
THE REVIEW ALSO ADDRESSED THE QUESTION OF THE BEST MEANS OF ENSURING THAT APPROPRIATE OPERATING STANDARDS WERE MET IN FUTURE.
IN THE INTERIM, MR CHAMBERS SAID A VOLUNTARY REGISTRATION SCHEME TO BE RUN BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WAS PLANNED. UNDER THIS, HOMES WHICH MET THE VARIOUS REQUIREMENTS WOULD BE ISSUED WITH A REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE.
’’THIS WOULD AMOUNT TO RECOGNITION OF THE STANDARD OF SERVICE PROVIDED.
"IT WOULD ACT AS A GUIDE TO CONSUMERS AND IN TURN AS AN INCENTIVE TO OPERATORS TO BECOME REGISTERED," HE SAID.
"I HOPE THAT IT WILL BE POSSIBLE TO IMPLEMENT THIS VOLUNTARY REGISTRATION SCHEME BY OCTOBER THIS YEAR," HE ADDED.
IN ADDITION, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WOULD STEP UP VISITS TO PRIVATE HOMES AND CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE TO THE OPERATORS WHERE NECESSARY.
SUITABLE PUBLICITY WOULD ALSO BE CARRIED OUT TO ENCOURAGE FAMILIES OF ELDERLY PEOPLE LIVING IN THESE HOMES TO VISIT THEM MORE OFTEN AND TO DISCUSS MATTERS RELATING TO THEIR WELFARE WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF THE HOMES, MR CHAMBERS SAID.
- - 0 - -
PRISONER TRANSFER A COMPLEX ISSUE ♦ t ♦ ♦ ♦
THE QUESTION OF MAKING ARRANGEMENTS WITH CHINA SIMILAR TO THOSE IN THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE ON THE TRANSFER OF SENTENCED PERSONS IS A VERY COMPLEX ISSUE WHICH HAS NOT YET BEEN FULLY AND FORMALLY ADDRESSED, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, MR BARNES SAID NO DECISIONS HAD THEREFORE BEEN REACHED.
"HOWEVER, THE MATTER WILL BE PURSUED AND GIVEN VERY CAREFUL CONSIDERATION," HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
/17
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1988
COMPUTERISATION WITHIN GOVERNMENT BEING REVIEWED
* * * « t
n xon Mr vunouLXftnio nrto vunnisnvBU AN JB1 Util-HUNT H MTKATKGAC REVIEW OF COMPUTERISATION WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT TO EXAMINE ITS STRATEGIC GOALS FOR COMPUTER USAGE, THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, THE HON PETER TSAO, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY PROF THE HON POON CHUNG-KWONG, MR TSAO SAID PARTICULAR ATTENTION WOULD BE GIVEN TO OPPORTUNITIES PROVIDED BY TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN DATA PROCESSING AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS.
"THE CONSULTANTS WILL CONSIDER THE POTENTIAL FOR INFORMATION EXCHANGE, THE NEED FOR NETWORKING BETWEEN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THE CONDITIONS NECESSARY FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION.
’’CONSIDERATION WILL ALSO BE GIVEN TO DATA SHARING AND
EXCHANGE
WITH THE PUBLIC, INCLUDING THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR, WITH DUE EMPHASIS UPON THE NEED FOR DATA SECURITY AND PROTECTION OF PRIVACY,” MR TSAO SAID.
- - 0 - -
BOO ISSUES 746 ORDERS FOR STRUCTURAL REPAIRS » » t » »
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT ISSUED A TOTAL OF 746 ORDERS LAST YEAR REQUIRING STRUCTURAL DEFECTS TO BE REPAIRED.
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON EDWARD HO.
MR BARNES SAID OF THE 746 ORDERS, ABOUT 85 PER CENT WERE FOR POST-WAR BUILDINGS, WHILE SIX POST-WAR HIGH-RISE CONCRETE BUILDINGS FROM THE FIFTIES WERE IN SUCH POOR STATE THAT DEMOLITION WAS NECESSARY.
HE SAID THAT TO INDICATE THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM WOULD REQUIRE A SYSTEMATIC SURVEY OF THE WHOLE POST-WAR BUILDING STOCK OF SOME 60,000 BUILDINGS.
/MR BARNES
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1988
- 18
MR BARNES SAID THAT CONCRETE DETERIORATION OF BUILDINGS IN THE SIXTIES PERIOD USUALLY OCCURRED FIRST IN KITCHEN AREAS, THEN IN EXTERNAL STAIRCASES AND IN THE BUILDING FACADE. DETERIORATION OF THE CONCRETE STRUCTURE OCCURRED AT A MUCH LATER STAGE.
"WHERE A BUILDING HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS SHOWING SIGNS OF STRUCTURAL DETERIORATION, THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE SERVES AN ORDER ON THE OWNERS TO APPOINT A QUALIFIED PERSON TO INVESTIGATE THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM AND FOR APPROPRIATE REMEDIAL WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT.
"IF THE OWNERS DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE ORDER, THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE CARRY OUT THE INVESTIGATION AND WORKS THEMSELVES AND RECOVER THE COSTS FROM THE OWNERS.
"ACTION IS USUALLY ONLY INITIATED FOLLOWING A COMPLAINT, BUT IT IS INTENDED TO STRENGTHEN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE DURING THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1989-90," MR BARNES SAID.
THE OFFICE COULD THEN SURVEY BUILDINGS SYSTEMATICALLY, AND IDENTIFY POTENTIAL PROBLEMS AT AN EARLY STAGE WHEN REPAIRS COULD BE DONE MORE EASILY AND LESS EXPENSIVELY, THEREBY AVOIDING THE NEED FOR POSSIBLE CLOSURE AND DEMOLITION AT A LATER STAGE, HE ADDED.
-----0------
USE OF EXCHANGE FUND IN » » »
PUBLIC’S BEST INTERESTS » ♦
THE PRACTICE OF DEPOSITING
FISCAL RESERVES THE PUBLIC, THE THE LEGISLATIVE
WITH THE EXCHANGE
THE MAJORITY OF THE ACCUMULATED
FUND IS IN
FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE BEST INTERESTS OF PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON THOMAS CLYDESDALE, MR JACOBS SAID IT WAS TRUE THAT THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT ACCOUNT PUBLICLY FOR THE INVESTMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE ASSETS AND LIABILITIES OF THE EXCHANGE FUND.
"BUT THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT THERE IS NO ACCOUNTING TO THE PUBLIC FOR THE INVESTMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE ACCUMULATED FISCAI RESERVES," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS EXPLAINED THAT FISCAL RESERVES WERE TRANSFERRED TO THE EXCHANGE FUND AGAINST THE ISSUE OF DEBT CERTIFICATES.
/’’THESE DEBT
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1988
- 19 -
L
"THESE DEBT CERTIFICATES ARE INTEREST-BEARING AND ARE HELD BY THE TREASURY," HE SAID.
"IN OTHER WORDS, FISCAL RESERVES ARE INVESTED IN DEBT CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY THE EXCHANGE FUND AND THESE INVESTMENTS EARN INTEREST AS IF THE MONEY WERE DEPOSITED WITH A BANK.
"INTEREST EARNED IS CREDITED TO THE GENERAL REVENUE AND IS CLEARLY, FULLY AND PUBLICLY ACCOUNTED FOR AS INTEREST INCOME UNDER THE REVENUE HEAD, ’PROPERTIES AND INVESTMENTS' IN THE SAME MANNER AS, FOR EXAMPLE, PROFITS TAX UNDER THE HEAD, 'INTERNAL REVENUE'."
STATING THAT THE RATIONALE UNDERLYING THE PLACING OF FISCAL RESERVES ON DEPOSIT WITH THE EXCHANGE FUND WAS SIMPLE, MR JACOBS SAID: "FIRST, THERE IS THE SECURITY OF THE PRINCIPAL SUM;
"SECONDLY, THE REASONABLENESS OF THE RATE OF RETURN OFFERED; AND LASTLY, THERE IS SIMPLY NO OTHER SINGLE 'AVENUE FOR HONG KONG DOLLAR INVESTMENT OF COMPARABLE QUALITY CAPABLE OF ABSORBING THE LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY INVOLVED WITHOUT ADVERSELY AFFECTING MONETARY CONDITIONS."
MR JACOBS SAID IT WAS POSSIBLE FOR FISCAL RESERVES TO BE INVESTED BY THE TREASURY IN FOREIGN CURRENCY ASSETS, BUT THEN THE GENERAL REVENUE WOULD BE ASSUMING EXCHANGE RISKS.
"THE ASSUMPTION OF SUCH RISKS WOULD BE IMPROPER," HE SAID.
"THIS WAS RECOGNISED IN 1976 AND AS A CONSEQUENCE THE MANAGEMENT OF THE FOREIGN CURRENCY ASSETS OF THE GOVERNMENT WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE EXCHANGE FUND."
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MAGISTERIAL APPOINTMENT ARRANGEMENTS UNDER STUDY
» « « t
CONSIDERATION IS NOW BEING GIVEN TO THE ARRANGEMENTS UNDER WHICH MAGISTRATES ARE APPOINTED AND REMOVED, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"A NUMBER OF MEASURES, WHICH INCLUDE CHANGES TO THE COMPOSITION AND PROCEDURES OF THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION AND ITS MOKE FORMAL INVOLVEMENT IN DISCIPLINARY CASES, ARE PROPOSED FOR INTRODUCTION SHORTLY," SIR DAVID SAID WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TAI CHIN-WAH.
/"CONSIDERATION IS
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1988
- 20
"CONSIDERATION IS ALSO BEING GIVEN TO WHETHER ANY CHANGES NEED TO BE MADE IN THE PRESENT SECURITY OF TENURE ARRANGEMENTS OF MAGISTRATES."
SIR DAVID EXPLAINED THAT WHILE APPOINTED UNDER DIFFERENT PROCEDURE, ALL JUDICIAL OFFICERS, INCLUDING BOTH JUDGES AND MAGISTRATES, WERE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
ALSO, ALL SUCH APPOINTMENTS WERE MADE ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION WHICH WAS AN INDEPENDENT STATUTORY BODY.
HE SAID: "AS REGARDS REMOVAL, A JUDGE MAY ONLY BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE FOR INABILITY TO DISCHARGE THE FUNCTIONS OF HIS OFFICE OR FOR MISBEHAVIOUR.
"MOREOVER, SUCH INABILITY OR MISBEHAVIOUR MUST BE INVESTIGATED BY A TRIBUNAL OF JUDGES APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR AND, IF REMOVAL IS RECOMMENDED, THE CASE MUST BE REFERRED TO THE JUDICIAL COMMITTEE OF THE PRIVY COUNCIL.
"IN THE CASE OF MAGISTRATES, THOSE ON PENSIONABLE TERMS MAY ONLY BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE ON DISCIPLINARY GROUNDS BY THE GOVERNOR AFTER CONSIDERATION OF THEIR CASE BY A BOARD HEADED BY A SUPREME COURT JUDGE APPOINTED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE AND INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE OTHER JUDGE.
"AS FAR AS MAGISTRATES ON AGREEMENT TERMS ARE CONCERNED, DISCIPLINARY CASES ARE, AS A MATTER OF PRACTICE, REFERRED TO THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION."
SIR DAVID ADDED THAT IN CONSIDERING ANY CHANGES, REGARD MUST BE HAD TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION.
SECTION III OF ANNEX I TO THE JOINT DECLARATION PROVIDED FOR JUDGES TO BE REMOVED BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF A TRIBUNAL OF JUDGES APPOINTED BY THE CHIEF JUDGE OF THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL.
THE REMOVAL OF PRINCIPAL JUDGES ALSO REQUIRED THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE LEGISLATURE.
FOR OTHER JUDICIAL OFFICERS INCLUDING MAGISTRATES, THE SECTION PROVIDED FOR THE PRESENT SYSTEM TO BE MAINTAINED.
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/21
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27,
1988
21
CONTROL MEASURES ON BUSINESSES INVOLVING ILLEGAL GOODS ADEQUATE
*****
THE MEASURES TO CONTROL BUSINESSES DEALING HABITUALLY IN SMUGGLED, COUNTERFEIT OR PORNOGRAPHIC GOODS ARE GENERALLY ADEQUATE, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HELMUT SOHMEN, MR BARNES SAID OFFENCES INVOLVING SMUGGLED, COUNTERFEIT OR PORNOGRAPHIC GOODS WERE DEALT WITH UNDER THE IMPORT AND EXPORT ORDINANCE, THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS ORDINANCE, THE COPYRIGHT ORDINANCE AND THE CONTROL OF OBSCENE AND INDECENT ARTICLES ORDINANCE.
HE POINTED OUT THAT PENALTIES FOR THESE OFFENCES WERE REVIEWED REGULARLY.
"DEPENDING ON THE NATURE OF THE OFFENCE AND THE GOODS INVOLVED, EITHER THE POLICE OR THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT TAKE ACTION.
"ANY SUCH ACTION IS USUALLY DIRECTED AGAINST THE INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED RATHER THAN AGAINST A BUSINESS."
THEREFORE, MR BARNES SAID, HE WAS NOT SURE THAT THE REVOCATION OF A BUSINESS REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE WOULD BE AN EFFECTIVE MEASURE IN THIS CONTEXT.
HE SAID: "THE REQUIREMENT TO HOLD A BUSINESS REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE IS TO ENSURE THAT THE INLAND REVENUE HAS A RECORD OF ALL BUSINESSES FOR TAXATION PURPOSES.
"IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THE REVOCATION OF BUSINESS REGISTRATION CERTIFICATES WOULD PREVENT SUCH BUSINESSES CARRYING ON ILLEGALLY, AND OF COURSE THERE WOULD BE NOTHING TO PREVENT THE PRINCIPAL RE-REGISTERING UNDER A DIFFERENT NAME.
"I FEAR THAT THE EFFECT WOULD BE A WEAKENING OF OUR REVENUE CONTROL WITHOUT A SIGNIFICANT STRENGTHENING OF OUR ABILITY TO CONTROL BUSINESSES DEALING IN SMUGGLED, COUNTERFEIT OR PORNOGRAPHIC GOODS."
MR BARNES SAID HE WOULD BE HAPPY TO CONSIDER ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS.
"I HAVE ASKED THE DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED WITH THIS MATTER TO CONSIDER WHETHER FURTHER MEASURES ARE NECESSARY.
"AND IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR RESPONSES, I SHALL CONSIDER REFERRING THE MATTER TO THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, TOGETHER WITH ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS."
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27,
1988
- 22 -
DISCUSSIONS HELD ON EASING MTR CONGESTION *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS HELD INITIAL DISCUSSIONS WITH THE FRANCHISED BUS AND FERRY OPERATORS ON PROVIDING AN ADDITIONAL CHOICE OF MODE OF TRANSPORT FOR MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY PASSENGERS IN THE MORNING PEAK PERIOD.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON SELINA CHOW.
MR LEUNG SAID THE SOLE PURPOSE OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION’S PEAK CONGESTION FARE WAS TO INDUCE ABOUT 5,000 TO 6,000 PASSENGERS TO TRAVEL OUTSIDE THE HEIGHT OF THE MORNING PEAK - BETWEEN 8 AM AND 8.45 AM - TO ENSURE PASSENGER SAFETY ON TRAINS AND IN STATIONS.
THE PURPOSE WAS NOT TO RAISE REVENUE, HE EMPHASISED.
TAKING FULL ACCOUNT OF PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REACTIONS, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CORPORATION HAD DECIDED TO DEFER IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PEAK CONGESTION FARE UNTIL MAY 30, HE NOTED.
THIS WAS TO GIVE SUFFICIENT TIME FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO ARRANGE THE DEPLOYMENT OF ALTERNATIVE MODES OF TRANSPORT TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL CHOICE FOR THE 5,000 TO 6,000 PASSENGERS.
"THE BUS COMPANIES HAVE INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO MOBILISE 30 EXTRA BUSES IN THE MORNING PEAK IN MAY IF REQUIRED," HE SAID.
"MORE RESOURCES COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS WHEN THE BUSES NORMALLY HAVE SPARE CAPACITY.
"THESE ADDITIONAL BUSES WILL BE DEPLOYED ON CERTAIN EXISTING PRIORITY BUS ROUTES; NAMELY, ROUTES ORIGINATING IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVING JORDAN ROAD AND TSIM SHA TSUI; AND FROM KOWLOON TO CENTRAL, WAN CHAI AND CAUSEWAY BAY."
THE BUS OPERATORS WOULD MONITOR THE LOADING SITUATION ON THESE ROUTES IN THE PEAK PERIOD AND INCREASE CAPACITY WHEREVER NECESSARY.
THE FERRIES GENERALLY HAD SPARE CAPACITY IN THE PEAK, BEING ONLY 60 PER CENT OCCUPIED.
LARGER VESSELS COULD ALSO BE DEPLOYED SHOULD THE NEED ARISE.
MR LEUNG SAID THAT ONE OF THE REASONS FOR PUBLIC DISCONTENT OVER THE PEAK CONGESTION FARE WAS A LACK OF UNDERSTANDING.
/THE MTRC .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1988
23
THE MTRC HAD THEREFORE DECIDED TO USE THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS TO EXPLAIN MORE FULLY TO THE PUBLIC THE REASONS FOR THE FARE.
THE POINT WAS THAT THE PRESENT LOADING OF 81,000 TO 82,000 PASSENGERS DURING THE CRITICAL HOUR HAD RESULTED IN THE OVERLOADING OF TRAINS BY UP TO 40 PER CENT.
WHILE TRAIN SAFETY WAS NOT IN ANY WAY AT RISK, OVERCROWDING HAD REACHED SUCH AN INTOLERABLE STAGE THAT PASSENGER SAFETY COULD BE COMPROMISED.
HE SAID THAT ALL POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS TO DEAL WITH THE OVERCROWDING PROBLEM HAD BEEN EXPLORED BY THE CORPORATION.
THESE INCLUDED INCREASING THE FREQUENCY OF TRAINS TO LESS THAN TWO MINUTES, ADDING MORE CARS, ('LOSING CERTAIN NORTH KOWLOON STATIONS, REQUIRING PASSENGERS TO QUEUE UP AT DESIGNATED POSITIONS, RUNNING THROUGH TRAINS FROM KWUN TONG TO CENTRAL, AND REDUCING NON-PEAK FARES.
HOWEVER, NONE HAD BEEN FOUND TO PROVIDE PRACTICAL OR ACCEPTABLE SOLUTIONS.
IN ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES, THE CORPORATION CONSIDERED THAT APPLYING A PRICING MECHANISM IN THE FORM OF HIGHER FARES FOR TRAVELLING DURING THE PEAK CONGESTION PERIOD WAS THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND PRACTICAL MEASURE TO ACHIEVE A BETTER BALANCE BETWEEN SUPPLY AND DEMAND.
THE SOLE PURPOSE WAS TO ENCOURAGE PASSENGERS TO TRAVEL EARLIER, BY NO MORE THAN 15 MINUTES OR SO, TO AVOID SERIOUS OVERCROWDING.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE MTRC HAD TAKEN STEPS TO ADVANCE THE TWO-MINUTE FREQUENCY SERVICE TO BEGIN AT 7.40 AM, THUS ENSURING THAT THERE WAS ADEQUATE CAPACITY TO COPE WITH THOSE PASSENGERS WHO CHOSE TO TRAVEL EARLIER.
THIS WAS IN ADDITION TO THE CHOICE OF OTHER TRANSPORT MODES XLREADY MENTIONED.
MR LEUNG SAID THE DECISION TO INTRODUCE A PEAK CONGESTION FARE WAS MADE BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MTRC IN FULL RECOGNITION OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
THEIR DECISION TO POSTPONE IMPLEMENTATION WAS ALSO TAKEN IN FULL REGARD TO THE NEED TO EXPLAIN MORE FULLY TO THE PUBLIC THE REASONS FOR THE PROPOSAL.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAD ACTED IN A RESPONSIBLE MANNER AND HAD BEEN RESPONSIVE TO PUBLIC CRITICISM.
HE SAID, HOWEVER, GIVEN THAT THE BUILD-UP OF PASSENGERS USING THE MTR NORMALLY STARTED IN MAY AND ESCALATED DURING THE SUMMER, IT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE FOR THE MTRC TO FURTHER POSTPONE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PEAK CONGESTION FARE.
/TO DO .......
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 271 1988
- 24 -
TO DO SO WOULD BE PUTTING THE SAFETY OF MTR PASSENGERS AT RISK.
ON FARE POLICY, MR LEUNG SAID THAT UNDER SECTION 6(2) OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION ORDINANCE, THE CORPORATION HAD THE POWER TO DETERMINE THE FARES PAYABLE BY ITS PASSENGERS.
SINCE THE OPENING OF THE MTR IN 1979, THE CORPORATION HAD ADOPTED A CONSISTENT POLICY OF SMALL ANNUAL INCREASES IN AVERAGE FARES WHICH ROUGHLY MATCHED RISES IN THE PURCHASING POWER OF PASSENGERS.
THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERED THIS PRACTICE OF REGULAR BUT MODERATE REVISIONS TO BE ACCEPTABLE.
HE SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT ALSO RECOGNISED THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFEGUARDING PUBLIC INTEREST.
THIS WAS DONE THROUGH THE ORDINANCE WHICH REQUIRED THE CORPORATION TO OPERATE ACCORDING TO PRUDENT COMMERCIAL PRINCIPLES, HAVING REGARD TO THE REASONABLE REQUIREMENTS OF THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM OF HONG KONG.
CONTROL WAS FURTHER EXERCISED THROUGH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WHOSE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS WERE ALL APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL MIGHT, IF HE CONSIDERED THE PUBLIC INTEREST SO REQUIRED, GIVE DIRECTIONS IN WRITING OF A GENERAL CHARACTER TO THE CORPORATION, MR LEUNG ADDED.
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TRANSPORT PLANNING AIMED AT REDUCING CONGESTION t » ♦ ♦ ♦
THE SECOND COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY, SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION LATER THIS YEAR, SHOULD PROVIDE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF OVERALL CONGESTION AND A RANGE OF POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE IION MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING, MR LEUNG SAID AN INVESTMENT PROGRAMME FOR MAJOR NEW ROADS, RAILWAYS AND OTHER TRANSPORT FACILITIES SHOULD BE ABLE TO MEET THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR TRAVEL UP TO THE YEAR 2001.
/HE POINTED
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1988
- 25 -
HE POINTED OUT THAT MUCH OF THE GOVERNMENT’S TRANSPORT PLANNING WAS DESIGNED TO REDUCE CONGESTION AND TO IMPROVE THE MOBILITY OF PEOPLE AND GOODS.
"AS THE DEMAND FOR MOST TRANSPORT FACILITIES IS AT A MAXIMUM DURING THE MORNING AND EVENING PEAK PERIODS, MOST OF OUR PLANNING EFFORTS ARE DIRECTED TOWARDS ENSURING THAT TRAVEL DURING THESE PEAK PERIODS IS AS EFFICIENT AS POSSIBLE," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG SAID THAT PEAK HOUR CONGESTION, WHICH INCLUDED BOTH TRAFFIC CONGESTION AND CONGESTION ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT, WAS AN ON GOING PROBLEM AND COULD BE ADDRESSED THROUGH THE ADOPTION OF A VARIETY OF MEASURES MOST APPROPRIATE AT THE TIME.
ONE OF' THE MEASURES WAS PROVIDING ADDITIONAL TRANSPORT FACILITIES FOR BOTH VEHICULAR TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT.
"EXAMPLES OF NEW TRANSPORT FACILITIES ARE THE NUMEROUS ROAD AND PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES BUILT OR UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
"THE BETTER KNOWN EXAMPLES ARE THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING AND TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL. THEIR COMPLETION IN 1989 AND 1991 RESPECTIVELY WILL BRING LONG TERM RELIEF TO THE CONGESTION PROBLEM AT THE CROSS HARBOUR AND THE LION ROCK TUNNELS.
"OTHER HIGHWAYS AND TRUNK ROADS WHICH ARE BEING BUILT INCLUDE ROUTE 5 AND THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD," HE SAID.
THE PROBLEM COULD ALSO BE ALLEVIATED BY THE PROVISION AND CO-ORDINATION OF A RANGE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES, WHICH CARRIED SOME NINE MILLION PASSENGERS EVERY DAY.
MR LEUNG POINTED OUT THAT THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY NOW CARRIED A DAILY AVERAGE OF 1.8 MILLION PASSENGERS AND TRAINS WERE ALREADY RUNNING AT TWO-MINUTE FREQUENCY TO COPE WITH DEMAND DURING PEAK PERIODS.
"WITH THE EXTENSION OF THE MTR THROUGH THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING BETWEEN KWUN TONG AND QUARRY BAY, THERE SHOULD BE MUCH NEEDED RELIEF ALONG THE NATHAN ROAD CORRIDOR," HE ADDED.
AS REGARDS THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY SERVICE, IT CARRIED OVER 400,000 PASSENGERS A DAY, AND ITS CAPACITY WOULD BE FURTHER INCREASED THROUGH THE ACQUISITION OF NINE ADDITIONAL SETS OF SIX-CAR UNITS FOR INTRODUCTION BY STAGES BEFORE 1992.
IN ADDITION, PHASE I OF THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM BETWEEN TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG WOULD BE COMPLETED IN AUGUST THIS YEAR, AND FIVE ADDITIONAL REGIONAL EXTENSIONS OF THE SYSTEM WERE ALSO PLANNED OVER THE NEXT SIX YEARS.
/MEANWHILE, THE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1988
I
- 26 -
MEANWHILE, THE STANDARD AND LEVEL OF BUS AND FERRY SERVICES, WHICH CARRIED ABOUT 4.3 MILLION PASSENGERS PER DAY, HAD CONTINUED TO BE IMPROVED THROUGH MORE EFFECTIVE PLANNING AND MONITORING OF THE FIVE-YEAR PLANS OF THE FRANCHISED BUS AND FERRY COMPANIES.
"STUDIES ARE ALSO UNDERTAKEN ON A REGULAR BASIS TO IDENTIFY DEFICIENCIES OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES. ONE EXAMPLE IS THE FURTHER STUDY OF CROSS HARBOUR PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES TO COMMENCE LATER THIS YEAR," MR LEUNG SAID.
THE SECRETARY ALSO STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT MAINTAINED AN INTERMODAL CO-ORDINATION POLICY WHICH AIMED AT MAXIMISING THE USE OF THE VARIOUS TRANSPORT MODES, AND ALLOWED FOR ADJUSTMENT OF SERVICES TO COPE WITH THE CHANGING CONGESTION SITUATION.
FOR EXAMPLE, TO COPE WITH PASSENGER DEMAND AT CERTAIN MTR STATIONS ALONG NATHAN ROAD CORRIDOR DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE MORNING PEAK, ALTERNATIVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES HAD BEEN AND WOULD BE PROVIDED.
THESE INCLUDED AN INCREASE IN THE FREQUENCIES OF CROSS HARBOUR BUS SERVICES AND FEEDER BUS SERVICES TO FERRY CONCOURSES AS FAR AS NECESSARY.
MR LEUNG SAID ANOTHER METHOD WAS THE ADOPTION OF TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES TO INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY OF EXISTING FACILITIES.
"EXAMPLES ARE GRADE SEPARATION ACCESS FACILITIES FOR THE WAN CHAI RECLAMATION TO HELP ALLEVIATE CONGESTION AT THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL AND THE PROPOSED TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME FOR KWUN TONG TOWN CENTRE AND KWUN TONG INDUSTRIAL AREA TO COINCIDE WITH THE OPENING OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING.
"MOREOVER, COMPUTERISED AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS ARE NOW BEING EXTENDED TO KWUN TONG AND TSUEN WAN. MORE ADVANCED AND EFFECTIVE PROGRAMMES ARE ALSO BEING EXPERIMENTED ON HONG KONG ISLAND," HE SAID.
FURTHERMORE, POLICY INITIATIVES COULD ALSO BE USED TO MAKE THE MOST ECONOMIC USE OF THE TRANSPORT SYSTEM GIVEN THAT DEMAND ALMOST ALWAYS EXCEEDED SUPPLY.
THESE INCLUDED THE INCREASES IN CAR REGISTRATION TAX AND LICENCE FEES IN 1982 AND THE INTRODUCTION OF A PASSAGE TAX FOR USERS OF THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL IN 1984.
"PRICING CAN BE AN EFFECTIVE MEANS OF CONTROL AS PROVEN BY THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE CONGESTION SITUATION AT THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL FOLLOWING THE IMPOSITION OF THE PASSAGE TAX IN 1984. CONGESTION LEVELS TOOK NEARLY THREE YEARS TO RETURN TO LEVELS COMPARABLE WITH THE PRE-TAX SITUATION.
/"HOWEVER, IT
' 4 1
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1988
"HOWEVER, IT IS GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO AVOID USING CONGESTION PRICING IF OTHER ALTERNATIVE MEANS ARE AVAILABLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM," MR LEUNG STRESSED.
"FOR EXAMPLE, TIDAL FLOW AND BUS ONLY LANES ARE USED TO ALLEVIATE THE CONGESTION PROBLEM AT THE LION ROCK TUNNEL AND HAVE PROVED TO BE EFFECTIVE, AT LEAST IN THE SHORT TERM."
- - 0 -
MEASURES TAKEN TO IMPROVE ISSUE OF VISIT PERMITS » t » » »
THE GOVERNMENT WELCOMES THE INCREASE IN TOURISM FROM TAIWAN AND IS AWARE THAT COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN MADE OVER DELAYS IN PROCESSING APPLICATIONS FOR VISIT PERMITS, 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 HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, MR BARNES SUBMITTED A TABLE OF MONTHLY STATISTICS OF TAIWAN VISIT APPLICATIONS TO THE COUNCIL.
APPLICATIONS RECEIVED IN MARCH 1986, 1987 AND 1988 WERE 17,460, 35,130 AND 89,670 RESPECTIVELY.
"THE UNEXPECTED LARGE UPSURGE IN THESE APPLICATIONS, CURRENTLY RUNNING AT 150 PER CENT ABOVE THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN 1987, RESULTED IN A DETERIORATION OF SERVICE WHICH THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION HAS TAKEN STEPS TO RESTORE," HE EXPLAINED.
"MEASURES WHICH HAVE BEEN TAKEN INCLUDE THE STREAMLINING OF PROCEDURES AND A DOUBLING OF THE STAFF FROM 39 TO 81.
"AN ADDITIONAL 48 STAFF ARE BEING SOUGHT TO RESTORE THE SERVICE TO ITS FORMER LEVEL, THAT IS, TO DESPATCH PERMITS WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF THE RECEIPT OF APPLICATION. THE COSTS WILL BE COVERED BY THE REVENUE FROM FEES.
"MEANWHILE, PERMITS ARE BEING ISSUED WITHIN THREE WEEKS FOR GROUP TOURS AND WITHIN FIVE WEEKS FOR INDIVIDUALS," HE ADDED.
FINALLY, MR BARNES SAID FEASIBILITY OF COMPUTERISING THIS ACTIVITY WAS NOW RECEIVING URGENT ATTENTION.
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/28
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27,
1988
- 28 -
OPERATION OF SOCIAL CENTRES FOR ELDERLY BEING STUDIED * » » « t
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS NOW EXAMINING THE MODE OF OPERATION OF SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY WITH A VIEW TO PROVIDING SERVICES ON A MORE FLEXIBLE BASIS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF A GREATER NUMBER OF ELDERLY PEOPLE, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION RAISED BY THE HON ROSANNA TAM, MR CHAMBERS SAID THE CURRENT PLANNING RATIO WOULD BE REVIEWED IN THE LIGHT OF THE RESULTS OF THIS STUDY.
THE CURRENT PLANNING RATIO FOR THE PROVISION OF SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY IS ONE CENTRE FOR 30,000 GENERAL POPULATION.
"THIS IS A BROAD GUIDELINE AND IS USED, FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE PLANNING OF SERVICES AND RESERVATION OF PREMISES IN NEW PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WHERE THE DEMOGRAPHIC STRUCTURE WILL NOT BE APPARENT UNTIL THE ACTUAL INTAKE OF POPULATION," MR CHAMBERS SAID.
"IN PRACTICE, HOWEVER, THIS STANDARD IS APPLIED WITH FLEXIBILITY (WITH A DEVIATION OF PLUS OR MINUS 20 PER CENT) TO TAKE ACCOUNT, FOR EXAMPLE, OF AREAS WITH A CONCENTRATION OF ELDERLY PEOPLE OR OF REMOTE AREAS OF SCATTERED POPULATION."
TURNING TO THE MULT I-SERVICE CENTRES AND DAY CARE CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY, MR CHAMBERS SAID BOTH OF THESE SERVICES WERE PROVIDED ON A DISTRICT BASIS AND PROVISION WAS NOT CALCULATED BY REFERENCE TO A SPECIFIC PLANNING RATIO.
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CRITERION FOR ICAC INVESTIGATION EXPLAINED * « « * t
THE CRITERION FOR DECIDING WHETHER THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION OR ONE OF THE OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES SHOULD INVESTIGATE A CASE INVOLVING CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD OR TRAFFICKING IN DANGEROUS DRUGS DEPENDS ON WHETHER THERE IS AN ALLEGATION OF CORRUPTION OR AN INDICATION THAT CORRUPTION HAS TAKEN PLACE.
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HELMUT SOHMEN.
/MR BARNES
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1988
- 29 -
MR BARNES POINTED OUT IN HIS WRITTEN CORRUPTION OFFENCE WAS SUSPECTED THE ICAC UNDERTAKE THE INVESTIGATION.
REPLY THAT IF A
WOULD INVARIABLY
"IF THERE IS NO INDICATION OF CORRUPTION, THE POLICE OR CUSTOMS AND EXCISE WILL CARRY OUT THE INVESTIGATION," HE SAID.
"IF IN THE EARLY STAGES OF AN INVESTIGATION BY THE ICAC, THE COMMISSION IS SATISFIED THAT NO CORRUPTION IS INVOLVED, THEN IT INVARIABLY REFERS THE CASE TO ONE OF THE OTHER AGENCIES.
"EQUALLY, IF THE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A CASE AND DISCOVER THAT CORRUPTION OFFENCES MAY BE INVOLVED, THEY NORMALLY REFER IT TO THE ICAC. THE ICAC WILL THEN ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE INVESTIGATION."
MR BARNES SAID THAT THE "INTERFACE" BETWEEN THE ICAC AND THE POLICE IN HANDLING CORRUPTION CASES WHICH WERE CONNECTED WITH CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD OR TRAFFICKING IN DANGEROUS DRUGS LAY IN THE CLOSE LIAISON THAT EXISTED BETWEEN THE ICAC AND THE POLICE AND ALSO WITH CUSTOMS AND EXCISE AND WITH THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
HE SAID THAT WHERE THE ICAC HAD BECOME HEAVILY ENGAGED IN A CASE BEFORE IT APPEARED THAT THE CORRUPTION ASPECT WAS LACKING, OR INSUFFICIENT FOR PROSECUTION PURPOSES, IT WOULD BE A WASTE OF TIME AND MANPOWER FOR THE ICAC TO HAND THE CASE OVER TO ANOTHER AGENCY TO START THE INVESTIGATION AGAIN.
"SO, FOLLOWING CONSULTATION, INCLUDING THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT, IT WILL CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE THE CASE IN CLOSE CO-OPERATION WITH THE APPROPRIATE AGENCY, SOMETIMES IN WHAT IS DELIBERATELY DESIGNED AS A JOINT OPERATION," HE SAID.
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REQUIREMENT PROTECTS INTERESTS OF LOCAL WORKERS I » » » t
WHEN A FOREIGN NATIONAL IS PERMITTED TO ENTER HONG KONG TO WORK, ONE OF THE CONDITIONS OF ENTRY IMPOSED BY THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION IS THAT THE SALARY TO BE PAID SHOULD NOT BE LESS THAN THE CURRENT MARKET RATE FOR THE JOB TO BE PERFORMED.
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO THE HON POON CHI-FAI WHO INQUIRED ABOUT THE RATIONALE FOR ADOPTING "A POLICY OF STIPULATING A MINIMUM MONTHLY SALARY FOR FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS".
/MR BARNES
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1988
- 30 -
MR BARNES SAID THE RATIONALE BEHIND THE SALARY CONDITION WAS TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF LOCAL EMPLOYEES, WHO WOULD SUFFER A LOSS OF REAL EARNINGS IF CHEAPER SOURCES OF LABOUR WERE READILY AVAILABLE FROM OVERSEAS.
"THE GOVERNMENT THEREFORE ASCERTAINS WHAT THE CURRENT MARKET RATE IS FOR A PARTICULAR JOB, SO THAT IT CAN BE SATISFIED, WHEN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS ARE PRESENTED FOR APPROVAL, THAT THE SALARY TO BE PAID IS NOT LESS THAN THE MARKET RATE," HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT INFORMATION ABOUT CURRENT MARKET RATES WAS PROVIDED BY RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WITH EXPERT KNOWLEDGE OF THE TYPES OF EMPLOYMENT CONCERNED.
"IN THE CASE OF DOMESTIC HELPERS, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SURVEYS THE SALARIES OFFERED TO LOCAL EMPLOYEES, AND INFORMS THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION OF CURRENT SALARY LEVELS."
MR BARNES ADDED THAT IT WAS NOT THE NORMAL PRACTICE TO CONSULT EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS ABOUT THESE MATTERS WHICH WERE PART OF IMMIGRATION ENTRY POLICY.
"THE PURPOSE OF ANNOUNCING PUBLICLY THE CURRENT SALARY LEVEL FOR DOMESTIC HELPERS IS TO ASSIST THE LARGE NUMBERS OF EMPLOYERS WHO PRESENT EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TO OBTAIN SPEEDY APPROVAL," HE SAID.
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MERGER OF SALARY SCALES A LONG-TERM OBJECTIVE *****
A COMPLETE MERGER OF TWO EXISTING SALARY SCALES FOR CIVIL SERVANTS SHOULD BE A LONG-TERM OBJECTIVE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG, SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ACCEPTED THE ADVICE OF THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE IN 1980 THAT STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN GRADUALLY TO REDUCE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MODEL SCALE 1 AND MASTER PAY SCALE STAFF.
MASTER PAY SCALE HAS EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AS THE MAIN DETERMINANT FOR ENTRY INTO THE GRADES CONCERNED WHEREAS MODEL SCALE 1, WHICH COMPRISES WORKMAN AND ARTISAN GRADES, REQUIRES OPERATIVE SKILL RATHER THAN EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT BEFORE 1971, CIVIL SERVICE GRADES WERE REMUNERATED ON 10 MODEL SCALES - FROM SCALES 1 TO 10 - ACCORDING TO ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS AND OCCUPATIONAL GROUPING.
/FOLLOWING THE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1?d8
FOLLOWING THE 1971 HAD BEEN REPLACED BY THE
SALARIES COMMISSION CONSOLIDATED MASTER
, MODEL SCALES 2 TO 10 PAY SCALE, HE ADpBD.
SINCE 1980, SIR DAVID SAID, SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS HAD MADE TO THE PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE FOR MODEL SCALE 1 STAFF.
BEEN
"THE MORE RECENT OF THESE HAVE ARRANGEMENTS IMPLEMENTED WITH EFFECT FROM HAVE BROUGHT THEM CLOSER INTO LINE WITH MASTER PAY SCALE.
BEEN THE IMPROVED PENSION
JULY 1 LAST YEAR, WHICH PENSIONABLE STAFF ON THE
THE IMPROVEMENT PACKAGE COMPRISES A SALARY INCREASE REDUCTION IN WORKING HOURS WHICH WAS IMPLEMENTED IN MARCH 1988 REFLECT THE RESULTS OF THE 1986 PAY LEVEL SURVEY," HE SAIDr
AND TO
-----------o----------------
I I
c
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1988
- 32 -CS TO VISIT CHINA » » « «
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, WILL PAY A VISIT TO PEKING AND SICHUAN FROM MAY 3 TO 8.
IN PEKING HE WILL MEET CHINESE OFFICIALS IN CHARGE OF HONG KONG AFFAIRS.
IN SICHUAN HE WILL BE RECEIVED BY SENIOR PROVINCIAL OFFICIALS.
SIR DAVID WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE POLITICAL ADVISER, MR DICK CLIFT.
-----o------
NENDICK TO ATTEND ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK MEETING
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, LEFT FOR MANILA TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO ATTEND THE 21ST ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK.
THE MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE FROM TOMORROW (APRIL 28) TO APRIL 30. MR NENDICK IS EXPECTED TO ADDRESS THE MEETING AT A GOVERNOR’S SESSION.
MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG DELEGATION ALSO INCLUDED THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MS MARIA KWAN, AND THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR EARNEST CHEUNG.
THE DELEGATION WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON APRIL 30.
------o-------
PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE TO HOLD OPEN HEARING * * * * »
AN OPEN HEARING OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY, MAY 2, FOLLOWING THE TABLING OF THE REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE HEARING WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER, STARTING AT 10 AM.
CONTROLLING OFFICERS WILL APPEAR BEFORE THE COMMITTEE IN RELATION TO POINTS MADE IN THE REPORT.
0 - -
/33
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1988
- 55 -
HONG KONG ACHIEVES SUCCESS IN TALL BUILDINGS * * « *
HONG KONG’S BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN TALL BUILDINGS IS THAT IT HAS BUILT MANY VERY TALL RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS FOR ALL SECTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY AND HAS MADE THEM WORK WELL AS FAMILY HOMES, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HOWEVER, HONG KONG HAS NOT YET SUCCEEDED IN SELLING TALL . BUILDINGS TO OLD PEOPLE, PROBABLY BECAUSE MOST OF THEM WERE BROUGHT lUP IN LOW BUILDINGS WITHOUT LIFTS, HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID IT IS FAIRLY OPTIMISTIC THAT EVEN OLD PEOPLE CAN BE SATISFACTORILY HOUSED IN TALL BUILDINGS IN THE FUTURE BECAUSE HONG KONG’S FUTURE OLD WOULD HAVE BEEN ACCUSTOMED TO LIVING IN SUCH BUILDINGS.
MR BARNES SAID THESE WHEN HE OPENED THE FOURTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TALL BUILDINGS AT THE SHANGRI-LA HOTEL.
HE NOTED THAT THERE WAS NO SOCIAL STIGMA ATTACHED TO HIGH-RISE LIVING IN HONG KONG.
"WITH VERY FEW EXCEPTIONS MOST OF US LIVE IN HIGH RISE AND THE RELATIVELY SMALL NUMBER OF FLATS SHARING EACH FLOOR AND THE SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS WHICH CAN BE ARRANGED AT GROUND LEVEL IN THE VERY TALL RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PROBABLY MAKE PEOPLE FEEL MORE SECURE," MR BARNES SAID.
IN ADDITION, HE NOTED THAT HONG KONG HAD ALWAYS HAD THE ADVANTAGE OF CASH FREE TELEPHONES TO MAKE LIFE IN A HIGH FLAT LESS LONELY.
THE WEIGHTING WHICH SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THIS SHOULD NOT BE UNDERESTIMATED, HE SAID.
"IN MY VIEW IT IS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS WHY WE SEEM TO HAVE SUCCEEDED WHERE OTHERS HAVE FAILED," HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID HE WAS ALWAYS CONCERNED ABOUT THE VULNERABILITY OF TALL BUILDINGS DURING TIMES OF ENERGY SHORTAGE.
ANOTHER AREA OF CONCERN WAS THE LAW REGARDING THE MAINTENANCE OF TALL BUILDINGS, HE SAID.
"AS REGARDS THEIR CONSTRUCTION I BELIEVE THAT THE HONG KONG BUILDINGS ORDINANCE WITH ITS INSISTENCE ON PROFESSIONAL DESIGN AND OFFICIAL CHECKING OF PLANS AT VARIOUS STAGES OF CONSTRUCTION IS THE MINIMUM NECESSARY CONTROL.
/"BUT AT
• C++-
WEDNESDAY t APRIL 2?f 1$88 - -
_^r ... . •'•: -' _iva • e
’’BUT AT THE MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT STAGE THE LEGAL ARRANGEMENTS TO ENSURE THESE ARE DONE PROPERLY ARE BY NO MEANS AS SATISFACTORY.
"CERTAINLY THIS APPLIES TO ALL MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS, TALL OR LESS TALL, BUT THE INADEQUACIES ARE EXAGGERATED BY HEIGHT.
"THESE ARE JUST THOUGHTS, BUT THEY ARE ONES WHICH HAVE WORRIED ME," MR BARNES SAID.
ON THE CONFERENCE, MR BARNES SAID IT HAD VIRTUALLY ALL PEOPLE WHO WERE INTERESTED IN ANY ASPECT OF TALL BUILDINGS AND EACH PERSON WOULD BE CONTRIBUTING HIS OWN POINT OF VIEW.
"BY THE TIME WE HAVE FINISHED I THINK THAT THE WHOLE FIELD WILL BE AS FULLY COVERED AS IT HAS EVER BEEN BEFORE,” HE SAID.
------o-------
NEW HOME FOUND FOR RARE ANIMALS * » * * ♦
A CONSIGNMENT OF 29 RARE ANIMALS AND BIRDS SEIZED BY THE GOVERNMENT AS A RESULT OF ENFORCEMENT ACTION OVER THE LAST THREE MONTHS WILL BE SENT TO PEKING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) MORNING.
AMONG THEM ARE SIX SLOW LORIS, ONE PYTHON, FIVE INDIAN ROOFED TURTLES, TWO SEA EAGLES, ONE SPOTTED EAGLE, ONE BLACK KITE, NINE PARAKEETS AND FOUR RHESUS MONKEYS INCLUDING THE ONE CAPTURED IN LEI CHENG UK ESTATE EARLY THIS MONTH.
THE ANIMALS, PROTECTED UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE, WILL JOIN THE BREEDING COLONIES IN THE "BEIJING ENDANGERED ANIMALS BREEDING CENTRE".
THE HOMING EXERCISE IS ORGANISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH CHINA’S ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA IMPORT AND EXPORT ADMINISTRATION OFFICE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE RARE ANIMALS BEFORE THEIR DEPARTURE AT THE AFD AIRPORT ANIMAL HOSTEL AT 61 CONCORD ROAD (OPPOSITE HAECO BUILDING), KOWLOON AT 9.15 AM TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR VETERINARY OFFICER, DR NORMAN CHENG, AND THE CONSERVATION OFFICER, MR RICHARD CHAN, WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS ABOUT THE HOMING EXERCISE.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OCCASION.
/35.......
- 0 -
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1988
- 35 -
CHAIRMEN OF SHA TIN DB'S COMMITTEES ELECTED * * * « »
THE CHAIRMEN OF THE SIX COMMITTEES OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD WERE ELECTED AT THE BOARD’S MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THEY ARE: DR FANNY CHEUNG FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SUB-COMMITTEE; MR WONG PO-MING FOR THE CULTURE AND SPORTS SUB-COMMITTEE; AND MR KAN CHUNG-NIN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING SUB-COMMITTEE.
ALSO, MR FUNG CH I-WOOD WAS ELECTED CHAIRMAN FOR THE HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WELFARE SUB-COMMITTEE; MR ANDREW WONG FOR THE FINANCE AND GENERAL AFFAIRS SUB-COMMITTEE; AND MR CHOY KAN-PUI FOR THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT SUB-COMMITTEE.
AT AN EARLIER MEETING, THE BOARD ELECTED MR NG CHAN-LAM AS ITS CHAIRMAN AND MR CHOY KAN-PUI AS ITS REPRESENTATIVE TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
MR LI PO-MING, MR CHAN HON-YING, MR WONG LUEN-KIN AND MR KAN CHUNG-NIN WERE ELECTED TO SIT ON THE SHA TIN DISTRICT COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
-----0------
KWUN TONG PROGRAMME TO PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH
*****
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE KWUN TONG COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT OF THE UNITED CHRISTIAN MEDICAL SERVICES HAVE JOINTLY ORGANISED A ONE-DAY PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE THE IMPORTANCE AND THE METHODS OF MAINTAINING SOUND MENTAL HEALTH.
THE ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD AT THE COMMUNITY HALL OF THE LOK WAH ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE, NGAU TAU KOK, ON SATURDAY (APRIL 30).
THE INTENTION IS TO ENHANCE RESIDENTS’ UNDERSTANDING OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND THE NEEDS OF MENTAL PATIENTS.
THE DAY'S PROGRAMME WILL ALSO HELP THE PUBLIC TO DEVELOP A CARING ATTITUDE TOWARDS FORMERLY MENTALLY ILL PEOPLE AND TO PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THEIR REHABILITATION.
THE PROGRAMME INCLUDES AN EXHIBITION, DEMONSTRATION OF RELAXATION EXERCISES, FILMS AND SLIDES SHOW AND A QUIZ COMPETITION.
/REPRESENTATIVES FROM
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1988
- J6 -
REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS DISCIPLINES WILL BE PRESENT TO ANSWER QUESTIONS RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH, AND PAMPHLETS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 10.30 AM WILL BE THE COMMISSIONER FOR REHABILITATION, MR FRANCIS HO, KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRISTOPHER WAN, AND REGIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, MR LOK MAN-PAN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION PROGRAMME IN KWUN TONG WHICH IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT'S KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE KWUN TONG COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT OF THE UNITED CHRISTIAN MEDICAL SERVICES.
0
IT WILL BE HELD AT THE COMMUNITY HALL OF THE LOK WAH ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE, LOK WAH ESTATE, CHUNG WAH ROAD, NGAU TAU KOK, AT 10.30 AM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 30).
-------0 ---------
SCHOLARSHIP TO HELP PROBATIONER
*****
A PROBATIONER UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WAS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AWARDED A SCHOLARSHIP BY THE ZONTA CLUB.
THE $7,700 SCHOLARSHIP WILL ENABLE THIS 18-YEAR-OLD GIRL TO CONCENTRATE ON HER FORM FIVE STUDIES WITHOUT HAVING TO TAKE UP PART-TIME JOB TO PAY FOR HER SCHOOLING AS IS THE CASE NOW.
THE GIRL WAS PUT ON PROBATION FOR 12 MONTHS AFTER BEING CONVICTED FOR SHOPTHEFT LAST YEAR. SHE HAS SINCE MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN HER REHABILITATION PROGRAMME UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF HER PROBATION OFFICER AND WORKED VERY HARD AT HER STUDIES.
THE SCHOLARSHIP WAS RECEIVED ON HER BEHALF BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE (YOUTH AND REHABILITATION), MR KWOK KA-CHI, IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE PRINCIPAL PROBATION OFFICER.
MR KWOK SAID HE WAS HEARTENED BY THE RECOGNITION OF AND SUPPORT FOR THE PROBATION SERVICE AS REFLECTED BY THIS DONATION OF THE ZONTA CLUB.
/"I AM
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 198b
- 37 -
"I AM SURE THE RECIPIENT, AS WELL AS OTHER PROBATIONERS, WILL BE GREATLY ENCOURAGED BY THE CARE AND CONCERN SHOWN BY THE COMMUNITY AND WILL DO THEIR BEST TO TURN A NEW LEAF,” HE SAID.
PROBATION SERVICE IS ONE OF SEVERAL SERVICES OPERATED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE DIRECTIONS OF THE COURTS ON THE TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS.
IT PERMITS OFFENDERS TO REMAIN IN THE COMMUNITY UNDER THE GUIDANCE AND SUPERVISION OF A PROBATION OFFICER FOR A PERIOD RANGING FROM ONE TO THREE YEARS.
DURING THE PROBATION PERIOD, THE PROBATION OFFICER PROVIDES SUPERVISION AND PERSONAL GUIDANCE TO THE PROBATIONERS THROUGH REGULAR HOME VISITS AND INTERVIEWS.
HE ALSO WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE PROBATIONERS’ FAMILIES AND ARRANGE FOR ANY SPECIAL SERVICES WHICH ARE DEEMED NECESSARY FOR THE REHABILITATION OF THE PROBATIONERS.
THERE IS CURRENTLY A TEAM OF 70 PROBATION OFFICERS AND THEY HANDLE AN AVER/GE OF 3,600 PROBATION CASES EVERY YEAR.
------0-------
ENTRY DEADLINE FOR TAI PO DRAGON BOAT RACE ♦ » * * t
TEAMS WISHING TO TAKE PART IN THIS YEAR’S TAI PO DRAGON BOAT RACE SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS BY SATURDAY, APRIL 30.
THE EVENT IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT DRAGON BOAT RACE COMMITTEE AND CO-SPONSORED BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD TO CELEBRATE THE TUEN NG FESTIVAL.
IT WILL TAKE PLACE ALONG THE WATREFRONT OF THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE IN THE MORNING OF JUNE 18.
THE RACE IS DIVIDED INTO MEN’S OPEN, WOMEN’S OPEN, MIXED INVITATION AND INDUSTRIAL CUP SECTIONS.
EACH TEAM SHOULD CONSIST OF 27 MEMBERS COMPRISING 24 PADDLERS, A DRUMMER, A GONG-BEATER AND A COXSWAIN.
COMPETING TEAMS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH DRAGON BOATS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT AND WILL BE ALLOCATED PRACTICE TIME.
ENTRY FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE TAI PO RURAL COMMITTEE AT 1 HEUNG SZE WU1 STREET; THE TAI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION’S LI FOOK LAM INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE AT 2 ON CHEUNG ROAD; AND THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AT 1 TING KOK ROAD.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 0-6577111 EXT 254 OR 258.
-------O--------- /?8........
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1913
- ?8 -
BOE MEMBERS VISIT CCC NIM TSI SPECIAL SCHOOL *****
THE CHAIRMAN AND SEVEN MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (BOE). TODAY (WEDNESDAY) VISITED THE CCC NIM TSI SCHOOL TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE OPERATION OF AN AIDED SPECIAL SCHOOL CATERING FOR THE SOCIALLY DISABLED AND ACADEMICALLY LESS GIFTED CHILDREN.
THEY WERE BOE CHAIRMAN, MRS RITA FAN, AND MEMBERS MR CHAN YING-LUN, MISS BOW SUI-MAY, MR DAVID CHEUNG, MR TAM MAN-KWAN, MR TIMOTHY HA, DR JOHN CHEN AND MR DOMINIC WONG.
ACCOMPANYING THEM WERE THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (SERVICES), MR LUCAS CHAN, AND THE BOE SECRETARY, SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER MISS ROSE LAU.
DURING A TOUR OF THE SCHOOL AT KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, LOK MAN SUN CHUEN, TO KWA WAN, THE VISITORS LEARNED THAT THE SCHOOL WAS ESTABLISHED IN SEPTEMBER 1980 UNDER THE SPONSORSHIP OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IN CHINA, THE HONG KONG COUNCIL, AT BORROWED PREMISES IN MONG KOK.
THE SCHOOL MOVED TO ITS EXISTING PURPOSE-BUILT PREMISES FOR EDUCATING CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES AT THE SECONDARY LEVEL IN 1981.
THE PARTY NOTED THAT SOME 290 BOYS AND GIRLS AGED BETWEEN 12 AND 16 WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES ARE ATTENDING 15 JUNIOR SECONDARY CLASSES IN THE WHOLE-DAY CO-EDUCATIONAL SCHOOL.
SCHOOL CHILDREN ARE GROUPED INTO DIFFERENT CLASSES ACCORDING TO THEIR INTELLECTUAL ABILITIES AND ALSO THEIR ATTAINMENT IN CHINESE, MATHEMATICS AND ENGLISH. THE CURRICULUM OF THE SCHOOL FOLLOWS THAT OF AN ORDINARY SCHOOL AS CLOSELY AS POSSIBLE.
THE PARTY WAS ALSO TOLD THAT PUPILS USE ORDINARY TEXTBOOKS BUT ADAPTATIONS HAVE TO BE MADE AND ONLY THOSE PARTS OF THE TEXT AND SYLLABUS APPROPRIATE TO THEIR LEVEL OF ATTAINMENT, INTEREST AND NEED ARE SELECTED.
A LARGE AMOUNT OF SUPPLEMENTARY REMEDIAL TEACHING MATERIAL IS PREPARED FOR THEM.
SECONDARY THREE SCHOOL LEAVERS WILL BE ISSUED A CERTIFICATE BY THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TOGETHER WITH A SCHOOL LEAVING CERTIFICATE BY THE SCHOOL.
THE BOE MEMBERS ALSO LEARNT THAT WITH THE HELP OF THE SCHOOL CAREERS MASTER AND SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS, A NUMBER OF SCHOOL LEAVERS RECEIVED FURTHER TRAINING IN GARMENT MANUFACTURING AND CONSTRUCTION.
SOME OF THEM ATTENDED BRIDGING COURSES AND SHORT COURSES RUN BY THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT IN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRES AND SKILLS CENTRES, AND UNDER THE APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
SOME OF THE PUPILS CONTINUED THEIR STUDIES IN THE POLICE CADET SCHOOL AND IN THE GOVERNMENT EVENING INSTITUTES OR TN SECONDARY FOUR IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
- - 0 -
/39
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1988
- 59 -
TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND LANTAU *****
THE UNNAMED ROAD IN FRONT OF THE MACAU FERRY TERMINAL FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH CLEVERLY STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 125 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED A 24-HOUR DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 30).
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP WITHIN THE URBAN CLEARWAY FOR GOODS OR PASSENGERS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EASTBOUND SECTION OF HENNESSY ROAD OUTSIDE HOUSE NOS. 527-543 WILL BE DESIGNATED A RESTRICTED ZONE FOR PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES FROM 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY.
ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE FOR GOODS OR PASSENGERS.
MEANWHILE, THE EXISTING RESTRICTED ZONE AT HENNESSY ROAD BETWEEN HOUSE NO. 527 AND A POINT ABOUT 35 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH YEE WO STREET WILL BE RESCINDED.
ON LANTAU, NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE BUS TERMINUS IN TONG FUK 24 HOURS DAILY FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (APRIL 29).
------0 ------
RESTRICTED ZONES IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT
*****
RESTRICTED ZONES WILL BE DESIGNATED AT TWO LOCATIONS IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 30).
THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF QUEEN’S ROAD WEST FROM A POINT ABOUT 75 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH HILL ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 105 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED AS PEAK HOUR (THAT IS 7 - 10 AM AND 4 - 7 PM) DAILY RESTRICTED ZONE.
MEANWHILE, JUBILEE STREET FROM A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL TO A POINT ABOUT 35 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED AS 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY RESTRICTED ZONE.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING PEAK HOUR DAILY RESTRICTED ZONE ON THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF JUBILEE STREET FROM A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH QUEEN'S ROAD CENTRAL TO A POINT ABOUT 35 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE LIFTED.
---O----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR WELCOMES CONSULTATION ON BASIC LAW ................ 1
PUBLICATION OF DRAFT BASIC LAW WELCOMED .................... 2
GOVERNOR VISITS VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRES ................ 2
LEGCO GROUP BRIEFED ON VR ISSUE ............................ 4
NEW PARTNERS FOR TATE'S CAIRN TUNNEL PROJECT ............... 5
TRADE BILL WATCHED.......................................... 6
STATISTICS ON AIRBORNE MERCHANDISE TRADE RELEASED .......... 6
HK'S GIFT AND HOUSEWARE INDUSTRIES SHOW STRONG PERFORMANCE 11
NORTH DB TO ELECT COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN........................ 11
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS 12
YAU TSIM DB COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETS ............. 1?
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND ALLOCATION ................... 1J
TINDERS INVITED FOR JUNK BAY TUNNEL ASSOCIATED WORKS........ 11!-
TENDERS INVITED FOR SHA TAU KOK ENGINEERING WORKS........... 15
SEMINAR FOR CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECT ORGANISERS ............. 15
SEMINARS ON THE USE OF TEACHING KIT ON 'ELECTION' .......... 16
CSD CENTRAL REGISTER CAN ASSIST PRIVATE SECTOR ............. 17
URBAN CLEARWAYS AND ROAD CLOSURE............................ 18
water cut in mong kok, Yau Ma tei .......................... 18
THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1988
- 1 -
GOVERNOR WELCOMES CONSULTATION ON BASIC LAW *****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) HE WELCOMED THE FACT THAT THERE WOULD BE AN EXTENSIVE EFFORT TO CONSULT AND GATHER OPINIONS FROM THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ON THE FIRST DRAFT OF THE BASIC LAW, WHICH HAD JUST BEEN RELEASED.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL’S TRAINING CENTRES IN KOWLOON BAY, SIR DAVID SAID:
"1 HOPE THAT PEOPLE HERE WILL STUDY THE DOCUMENT VERY CAREFULLY BECAUSE IT AFFECTS VER CLOSELY THEIR OWN LIVES AND THEIR OWN FUTURES, AND THAT THEY WILL PUT FORWARD THEIR IDEAS TO THE BASIC LAW CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE.
"THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WILL BE LOOKING AT THE BASIC LAW ITSELF."
ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WOULD EXPRESS OPINIONS ON THE DRAFT, SIR DAVID SAID THAT WOULD HAVE TO DEPEND ON ITS REVIEW OF THE BASIC LAW.
SIR DAVID ALSO POINTED OUT THAT ANY DEBATE ON THE DRAFT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WOULD HAVE TO BE DECIDED AMONG MEMBERS THEMSELVES.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, WAS ALSO ASKED ABOUT THE BASIC LAW BY REPORTERS AFTER HE LAUNCHED THE 1988 GREAT INVESTMENT RACE, A FUND-RAISING COMPETITION FOR THE COMMUNITY CHEST.
SIR DAVID WAS CONFIDENT THAT THERE WOULD BE A VERY WIDE-RANGING RESPONSE FROM HONG KONG PEOPLE.
ASKED WHETHER THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WOULD ADD ITS OPINION TO IT, HE SAID THE BASIC LAW WAS A MATTER OF CHINA.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY NOTED THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT, OF COURSE, TO ENSURE THAT THE BASIC LAW WAS IN LINE WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION.
"IF THERE ARE POINTS WHICH WE WISH TO DRAW ATTENTION TO IN THE JOINT DECLARATION, WE’LL OBVIOUSLY DO SO." HE ADDED THAT THIS WOULD BE DONE THROUGH VARIOUS NORMAL DIPLOMATIC CHANNELS.
-----0---------
THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1988
- 2 -
t
PUBLICATION OF DRAFT BASIC t ♦ ♦ ♦ *
LAW WELCOMED
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WELCOMES THE PUBLICATION OF THE DRAFT BASIC LAW BY THE BASIC LAW DRAFTING COMMITTEE FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THE DRAFTING OF THE BASIC LAW IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.
’’THE JOINT DECLARATION PROVIDES THAT THE BASIC LAW SHOULD STIPULATE CHINA'S BASIC POLICIES REGARDING HONG KONG AS SET OUT IN THE JOINT DECLARATION AND ELABORATED IN ITS ANNEX 1,” HE SAID.
’’BOTH THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS ARE COMMITTED TO THE FULL AND FAITHFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION. THE DRAFTING OF THE BASIC LAW IS A CRUCIAL STEP IN THIS.
’’THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT PARTICULARLY WELCOMES THE OPPORTUNITY THAT HAS BEEN MADE AVAILABLE FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE TO STUDY THE DRAFT BASIC LAW AND PUT FORWARD THEIR VIEWS ON IT TO THE BASIC LAW CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE.
"FOR OUR PART, WE WILL STUDY THE DRAFT CLOSELY IN THE LIGHT OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION.
’’ANY COMMENTS WHICH THE BRITISH AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS MAY HAVE WILL BE CONVEYED TO THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES,” HE SAID.
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GOVERNOR VISITS VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRES * * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (THURSDAY) SUGGESTED THAT SCHOOL LEAVERS ACQUIRE A SKILL IN ONE OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL’S TRAINING CENTRES BEFORE TAKING UP EMPLOYMENT.
’’YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE THEIR CAREER PROSPECTS BY BEING TRAINED IN ONE OF THE MANY PRACTICAL COURSES OFFERED BY THE TRAINING CENTRES.” HE SAID.
SPEAKING AFTER A VISIT TO FOUR OF THE COUNCIL’S TRAINING CENTRES IN KOWLOON BAY THIS AFTERNOON, SIR DAVID SAID HE WAS IMPRESSED BY THE FACT THAT THE SUBSEQUENT EMPLOYMENT RATE OF TRAINEES FROM SOME OF THE CENTRES WAS AS HIGH AS 100 PER CENT.
/HE WAS
THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1988
HE WAS ALSO PLEASED TO NOTE THAT MANY TRAINEES, AFTER THEY FOUND JOBS, WENT ON TO IMPROVE THEIR SKILLS BY ATTENDING PART-TIME COURSES AT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OR POLYTECHNICS.
HE ALSO URGED PARENTS TO ENCOURAGE THEIR CHILDREN TO BECOME SKILLED TECHNICIANS OR CRAFTSMEN BY JOINING AN APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING SCHEME.
"THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO BUILD A CAREER, BUT APPRENTICE TRAINING CAN PROVIDE A SOLID BASE FOR ACHIEVING THIS GOAL," THE GOVERNOR ADDED.
SIR DAVID VISITED THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT AND EXAMINED THE OPERATION OF THE TRAINING CENTRES OPERATED BY THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
HE WAS FIRST BRIEFED BY THE DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING, MR HORACE KNIGHT, ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT AND THE VTC.
ACCOMPANIED BY MR KNIGHT AND VTC CHAIRMAN, MR K. C. CHAN, SIR DAVID TOURED THE TRAINING CENTRES FOR THE HOTEL, PRINTING, PRECISION TOOLING, MACHINE SHOP AND METAL WORKING INDUSTRIES.
HE SHOWED GREAT INTEREST IN THE PRACTICAL TRAINING WHICH AIMS AT PREPARING YOUNG PEOPLE FOR JOBS IN INDUSTRY, AND WAS PARTICULARLY IMPRESSED BY THE TRAINING OF SERVING CRAFTSMEN AT THE PRECISION TOOLING TRAINING CENTRE WHICH UPGRADES TOOLMAKING SKILLS.
THE TOUR WAS FOLLOWED BY A DISCUSSION ON VOCATIONAL TRAINING. SIR DAVID WAS TOLD THAT GRADUATES OF THE CENTRES HAVE NO DIFFICULTY IN FINDING JOBS IN INDUSTRY AND HAVE BEEN READILY ACCEPTED BY EMPLOYERS.
ABOUT 10,000 TRAINEES PASS THROUGH THE COUNCIL'S 11 INDUSTRIAL TRAINING CENTRES EACH YEAR. ALL THE TRAINEES ON COURSES WHICH LAST LONGER THAN SIX MONTHS ALSO ATTEND RELATED COURSES IN THE COUNCIL'S TECHNICAL INSTITUTES FOR ONE DAY A WEEK.
MOST OF THEM HAVE ENTERED RELEVANT TRADES OR BECOME APPRENTICES AND HAVE RECEIVED FURTHER ON-THE-JOB TRAINING.
MR KNIGHT ALSO TOLD THE GOVERNOR THAT MANY MORE YOUNG PEOPLE WERE TAKING UP APPRENTICESHIPS FOR TRAINING AS SKILLED CRAFTSMEN.
THE GOVERNOR LEARNT THAT A TOTAL OF 4,900 APPRENTICESHIP CONTRACTS, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF NINE PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH 1986, HAD BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE DEPARTMENT.
/THIS BROUGHT
THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1988
THIS BROUGHT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF APPRENTICES REGISTERED IN HONG KONG UNDER TRAINING IN THE VARIOUS TRADES TO ABOUT 9,900.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING THE TRAINING CENTRES, SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PROVIDE MORE FUNDS, IF REQUIRED' TO OFFER MORE TRAINING FOR PEOPLE WHO WANTED TO LEARN A TRADE.
"THERE IS A CONSTANT RESEARCH EFFORT TO EXAMINE WHAT TRAINING IS REQUIRED IN THE DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO SAID CONTINUOUS EFFORTS WERE MADE TO FIND OUT IF THE FACILITIES WERE ADEQUATE TO MEET DEMAND.
"IF A NEW NEED IS REVEALED, THEN WE WILL MAKE THE MAXIMUM EFFORT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT NEED IS MET," HE SAID.
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LEGCO GROUP BRIEFED ON VR ISSUE
» » t « »
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR GEOFFREY BARNES, TODAY (THURSDAY) BRIEFED MEMBERS OF THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP ON VIETNAMESE REFUGEES ON DEVELOPMENTS IN INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO OBTAIN THE AGREEMENT OF THE VIETNAMESE AUTHORITIES TO ACCEPT THE RETURN OF NON-REFUGEE ECONOMIC MIGRANTS.
AT A MEETING OF THE AD HOC GROUP, MEMBERS WERE ALSO BRIEFED ON THE LEGAL AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND TO HONG KONG’S POLICY ON FIRST ASYLUM FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.
MR BARNES SAID AFTER THE MEETING THAT EFFORTS TO PRODUCE A SATISFACTORY AGREEMENT WITH THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT ON REPATRIATION HAD SO FAR MET WITH DISCOURAGING RESULTS.
ON FIRST ASYLUM FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, MR BARNES EXPLAINED THAT THIS WAS BASED PRIMARILY ON THE 1979 GENEVA CONFERENCE.
AT THAT CONFERENCE IT WAS GENERALLY UNDERSTOOD THAT THE PRINCIPLE OF FIRST ASYLUM WOULD BE OBSERVED FOR ALL BOAT PEOPLE AND THAT THE REST OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY COULD ASSIST THE FIRST ASYLUM COUNTRIES BY PROVIDING FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND RESETTLEMENT.
/"ALTHOUGH CIRCUMSTANCES
THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1988
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’’ALTHOUGH CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE CHANGED SINCE THEN AND IT IS WIDELY RECOGNISED THAT A LARGE PROPORTION OF THE BOAT PEOPLE ARE ECONOMIC MIGRANTS, TO TURN THEM AWAY FROM HONG KONG IN THEIR LEAKY BOATS WOULD SIMPLY BE UNACCEPTABLE,” HE SAID.
MR BARNES INFORMED THE AD HOC GROUP THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS CRITICALLY EXAMINING ITS POSITION AND HAD INITIATED DISCUSSIONS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE REGION WITH A VIEW TO SEEKING A COMMON REGIONAL APPROACH TO THE SITUATION.
REPORTS ON THE CONTACTS WITH OFFICIALS IN THAILAND, MALAYSIA, SINGAPORE AND INDONESIA WERE PRESENTED TO THE AD HOC GROUP.
THERE WAS A GENERAL FEELING IN THE COUNTRIES CONTACTED THAT TOUGHER MEASURES WERE CALLED FOR, BUT NOT WHAT THESE MEASURES SHOULD BE.
”WE HOPE TO PARTICIPATE IN FURTHER DISCUSSIONS WITH COUNTRIES IN THE REGION AT A SEMINAR TO BE HELD IN THAILAND IN LATE MAY,” HE SAID.
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NEW PARTNERS FOR TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL PROJECT ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT APPROVAL HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THE GAMMON NISHIMATSU CONSORTIUM FOR ITS PROPOSED RESTRUCTURING.
UNDER THE PROPOSAL, CHINA RESOURCES (HOLDINGS) CO. AND NEW WORLD DEVELOPMENT CO. WILL JOIN THE CONSORTIUM, REPLACING STANDARD CHARTERED ASIA LIMITED.
THE GAMMON NISHIMATSU CONSORTIUM HAS BEEN GIVEN THE FRANCHISE TO CONSTRUCT AND OPERATE THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THESE CHANGES HAD BEEN PROPOSED BY THE CONSORTIUM.
THE CONDITIONS OF THE FRANCHISE WHICH HAD BEEN NEGOTIATED WITH THE CONSORTIUM TO ENSURE A LOW AND STABLE TOLL REGIME HAD NOT BEEN AFFECTED BY CHANGES IN THE STRUCTURE.
IN GIVING THE APPROVAL, THE GOVERNMENT HAD SATISFIED ITSELF THAT THE FINANCIAL STRENGTH OF THE CONSORTIUM AND ITS ABILITY TO PERFORM THE OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE FRANCHISE REMAINED UNCHANGED.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE PROJECT WOULD BE KEEPING TO ITS 37-MONTH CONSTRUCTION PERIOD WITH THE OPENING OF THE TUNNEL EXPECTED IN MID-1991.
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/6........
THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1988
6
TRADE BILL WATCHED
* * »
THE PROTECTIONIST SENTIMENT IN THE U.S. MIGHT BE REDUCED BY PASSAGE OF THE OMNIBUS TRADE BILL, A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) WHEN COMMENTING ON THE SENATE VOTE ON THE BILL.
THE ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR CHRISTOPHER JACKSON, SAID: "THE BILL THAT HAS EMERGED FROM THE SENATE/HOUSE CONFERENCE IS A GREAT IMPROVEMENT ON EARLIER VERSIONS.
"MOST OF THE PROVISIONS OF CONCERN TO HONG KONG HAVE EITHER BEEN MODIFIED OR DROPPED COMPLETELY."
HE ADDED THAT THE BILL WOULD NO LONGER APPEAR TO THREATEN HONG KONG’S INTERESTS AND ITS PASSAGE MIGHT HELP MODERATE PROTECTIONIST SENTIMENT.
"WE WILL BE WATCHING WITH INTEREST TO SEE WHETHER THE BILL IS VETOED, AND IF THIS HAPPENS WHETHER THE VETO WILL BE SUSTAINED," HE SAID.
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STATISTICS ON AIRBORNE MERCHANDISE TRADE RELEASED
* * * « »
THE TOTAL VALUE OF MERCHANDISE TRADE BY AIR IN 1987 WAS $162,649 MILLION, 32 PER CENT ABOVE THAT IN 1986, AS INDICATED BY THE SUMMARY STATISTICS ON AIRBORNE MERCHANDISE TRADE REI,EASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
IN 1987, AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS, IMPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS BY 24 PER CENT, 35 PER CENT AND 11 PFR cent RESPECTIVELY OVER 1986.
HOWEVER, THEIR SHARES IN TOTAL DOMESTIC EXPORTS, IMPORTS AND RE-EXPORIS WERE 27 PER CENT, 20 PER CENT AND 18 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY WHICH WERE SLIGHTLY LOWER THAN THE CORRESPONDING SHARES OF 28 PER CENT, 21 PER CENT AND 19 PER CENT RECORDED IN 1986.
IN TERMS OF WEIGHT, AIRBORNE IMPORTS AMOUNTED TO 234.407 TONNES OR 0.4 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL IMPORT TONNAGE, WHILE TOTAL AIRBORNE EXPORTS (INCLUDING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS) AMOUNTED TO 376,158 TONNES OR 1.4 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL EXPORT TONNAGE.
AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO
TABLE 1.
MAJOR MARKETS ARE GIVEN IN
/INCREASES IN
THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1988
7 -
INCREASES IN VALUE TERMS WERE RECORDED IN AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO ALL MAJOR MARKETS BETWEEN 1986 AND 1987, PARTICULARLY FOR JAPAN (+58 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (+52 PER CENT), SWITZERLAND (+47 PER CENT), ITALY (+40 PER CENT) AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (+31 PER CENT).
ANALYSED BY COMMODITY, INCREASES IN AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED MAINLY IN CLOTHING (BY $4,227 MILLION OR 23 PER CENT); PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $1,923 MILLION OR 22 PER CENT); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, INCLUDING MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES, AND OTHER ARTICLES OF PRECIOUS OR SEMI-PRECIOUS MATERIALS (BY $1,344 MILLION OR 32 PER CENT); AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $1,215 MILLION OR 36 PER CENT).
DECREASES IN VALUE WERE RECORDED IN ROAD VEHICLES, INCLUDING AIR CUSHION VEHICLES (BY $2 MILLION OR 80 PER CENT); ESSENTIAL OILS AND PERFUME MATERIALS, TOILET, POLISHING AND CLEANSING PREPARATIONS (BY $2 MILLION OR 7 PER CENT); AND CHEMICAL MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS (BY $2 MILLION OR 14 PER CENT).
FURTHER ANALYSIS BY COUNTRY WITHIN COMMODITY REVEALED INCREASES IN AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF CLOTHING TO THE U.S.A. (BY $1,606 MILLION OR 15 PER CENT) AND JAPAN (BY $1,019 MILLION OR 54 PER CENT); PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS TO THE U.S.A. (BY $761 MILLION OR 25 PER CENT) AND SWITZERLAND (BY $189 MILLION OR 73 PER CENT);
$ MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, INCLUDING MAINLY JEWELLERY, • .GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES, AND OTHER ARTICLES OF PRECIOUS
OR SEMI-PRECIOUS MATERIALS TO JAPAN (BY $617 MILLION OR 104 PER CENT); AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF TO THE U.S.A. (BY $608 MILLION OR 46 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN ROAD VEHICLES, INCLUDING AIR CUSHION VEHICLES TO NIGERIA (BY $2 MILLION OR 98 PER CENT) AND CANADA (BY $0.4 MILLION OR 76 PER CENT); ESSENTIAL OILS AND PERFUME MATERIALS, TOILET, POLISHING AND CLEANSING PREPARATIONS TO THE U.S.A. (BY $9 MILLION OR 68 PER CENT); AND CHEMICAL MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS TO GREECE (BY $6 MILLION OR 100 PER CENT).
AIRBORNE IMPORTS FROM MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE PRESENTED IN TABLE 2.
IMPORTS CARRIED BY AIR FROM ALL MAJOR SUPPLIERS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS IN 1987 OVER 1986. SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH WAS RECORDED FOR FRANCE (+57 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (+43 PER CENT), ITALY (+42 PER CENT), jfe, THE U.S.A. (+37 PER CENT) AND TAIWAN (+35 PER CENT). jflF
/ANALYSED BY ......
THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1988
- 8
ANALYSED BY COMMODITY, MORE NOTABLE INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR AIRBORNE IMPORTS OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $5,944 MILLION OR 45 PER CENT); NON-METALLIC MINERAL MANUFACTURES (BY $2,429 MILLION OR 35 PER CENT); PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $2,097 MILLION OR 19 PER CENT); AND OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $1,499 MILLION OR 38 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN AIRBORNE IMPORTS OF DYEING, TANNING AND COLOURING MATERIALS (BY $89 MILLION OR 44 PER CENT); CRUDE FERTILISERS AND CRUDE MINERALS (BY $10 MILLION OR 35 PER CENT); AND SUGAR, SUGAR PREPARATIONS AND HONEY (BY $4 MILLION OR 67 PER CENT).
ANALYSED BY COUNTRY WITHIN COMMODITY, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN AIRBORNE IMPORTS OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF FROM JAPAN (BY $1,729 MILLION OR 39 PER CENT) AND MALAYSIA WEST (BY $995 MILLION OR 103 PER CENT); NON-METALLIC MINERAL MANUFACTURES FROM ISRAEL (BY $758 MILLION OR 44 PER CENT) AND THE U.S.A. (BY $454 MILLION OR 51 PER CENT); PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS FROM SWITZERLAND (BY $1,032 MILLION OR 37 PER CENT); AND OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT FROM THE U.S.A. (BY $668 MILLION OR 32 PER CENT).
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN AIRBORNE IMPORTS OF DYEING, TANNING AND COLOURING MATERIALS FROM THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (BY $48 MILLION OR 60 PER CENT) AND SWITZERLAND (BY $24 MILLION OR 37 PER CENT); CRUDE FERTILISERS AND CRUDE MINERALS FROM THE NETHERLANDS (BY $9 MILLION OR 51 PER CENT); AND SUGAR, SUGAR PREPARATIONS AND HONEY FROM CHINA (BY $3 MILLION OR 87 PER CENT).
AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS TO MAJOR MARKETS ARE DEPICTED IN TABLE 3.
HONG KONG’S AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS TO ALL MAJOR MARKETS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS IN 1987 OVER 1986. THE GROWTH WAS PARTICULARLY STRONG FOR BELGIUM AND LUXEMBOURG (+87 PER CENT), THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (+75 PER CENT), AUSTRALIA (+63 PER CENT), TAIWAN (+63 PER CENT) AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+50 PER CENT).
ANALYSED BY COMMODITY, MORE SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN VALUE OF AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $3,243 MILLION OR 56 PER CENT); CLOTHING (BY $1,038 MILLION OR 32 PER CENT); OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $912 MILLION OR 52 PER CENT); AND PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $881 MILLION OR 28 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR POWER GENERATING MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT (BY $61 MILLION OR 32 PER CENT); METALWORKING MACHINERY (BY $9 MILLION OR 8 PER CENT); AND TOBACCO AND TOBACCO MANUFACTURES (BY $3 MILLION OR 25 PER CENT).
/ANALYSED BY
THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1988
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ANALYSED BY COUNTRY WITHIN COMMODITY, INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF TO TAIWAN (BY $1 343 MILLION OR 69 PER CENT) AND THE U.S.A. (BY $531 MILLION OR 65 ’PER CENT); CLOTHING TO THE U.S.A. (BY $311 MILLION OR 13 PER CENT) AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (BY $159 MILLION OR 108 PER CENT)• OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT TO CHINA (BY $428 MILLION OR 59 PER CENT); AND PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS TO THE U.S.A (BY $176 MILLION OR 58 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS OF POWER GENERATING MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT TO THE U.S.A. (BY $36 MILLION OR 43 PER CENT) AND IRAN (BY $19 MILLION OR 99 PER CENT)' METALWORKING MACHINERY TO MALAYSIA WEST (BY $6 MILLION OR 27 PER CENT); AND TOBACCO AND TOBACCO MANUFACTURES TO PHILIPPINES (BY $3 MILLION OR 49 PER CENT).
FURTHER DETAILS ARE CONTAINED IN THE COMPREHENSIVE REPORT "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE, DECEMBER 1987” WHICH IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT $15 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 5-8234915.
TABLE 1: AIRBORNE DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET JAN-DEC 1987 (HKD MN.) JAN-DEC 1986 (HKD MN.) INCREASE (HKD MN.) PERCENTAGE INCREASE (%)
U.S.A. 25,174 21,624 43,550 + 16
JAPAN 5,725 3,623 + 2,101 + 58
F.R. OF GERMANY 4,865 3,723 +1,142 + 31
U.K. 2,783 2,148 + 636 + 30
CANADA 1,536 1,335 + 202 + 15
SINGAPORE 1,440 945 + 495 + 52
SWITZERLAND 1,388 946 + 442 + 47
NETHERLANDS 1,238 966 + 272 + 28
FRANCE 1,207 1,021 + 186 + 18
ITALY 795 569 + 226 + 40
/TABLE 2: .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1988
- 10
TABLE 2: AIRBORNE IMPORTS FROM 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS
MAJOR SUPPLIER JAN-DEC 1987 JAN-DEC 1986 (HKD MN.) INCREASE PERCENTAGE
— — — » — —. (HKD MN.) (HKD MN.) INCREASE (%)
JAPAN 16,443 13,017 +3,426 + 26
U.S.A. 14,274 10,447 +3,827 + 37
SWITZERLAND 5,273 3,993 +1,280 + 32
U.K. 4,049 3,079 + 970 + 31
SINGAPORE 3,300 2,302 + 998 + 43
TAIWAN 3,280 2,426 + 854 + 35
F.R. OF GERMANY 2,970 2,447 + 523 + 21
ITALY 2,888 2,031 + 857 + 42
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 2,660 2,139 + 520 + 24
FRANCE 2,585 1,644 + 941 + 57
TABLE 3: AIRBORNE RE-EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET JAN-DEC 1987 JAN-DEC 1986 (HKD MN.) INCREASE PERCENTAGE
■“ M (HKD MN.) (HKD MN.) INCREASE (%)
— — — —
U.S.A. 7,292 5,544 +1,748 + 32
TAIWAN 5,068 3,113 + 1,955 + 63
CHINA 2,952 2, 150 + 802 + 37
JAPAN 2,854 2,386 + 468 + 20
SINGAPORE 2,453 1,688 + 765 + 45
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 2,314 1,546 + 769 + 50
F.R. OF GERMANY 1,149 658 + 491 + 75
U.K. 904 . 675 + 229 + 34
AUSTRALIA 633 388 + 245 + 63
BELGIUM AND LUXEMBOURG 626 335 + 291 + 87
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THURSDAY, ARPIL 28,
1988
- 11 -
HK’S GIFT AND HOUSEWARE INDUSTRIES SHOW STRONG PERFORMANCE
* » * » »
GIFT AND HOUSEWARE PRODUCTS ACCOUNTED FOR 30 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL DOMESTIC EXPORTS LAST YEAR, WHICH WAS VERY CLOSE TO THE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE GARMENTS SECTOR, THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR MICHAEL SZE, SAID AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG GIFT AND HOUSEWARE FAIR TODAY (THURSDAY).
’’ALTHOUGH TEXTILES AND GARMENTS ARE STILL HONG KONG'S LARGEST AND MOST IMPORTANT INDUSTRY ACCOUNTING IN 1987 FOR $81 BILLION OR 42 PER CENT BY VALUE OF OUR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, HONG KONG HAS BECOME THE WORLD’S LARGEST TOYS AND GAMES EXPORTER AND A LEADING SUPPLIER OF WATCHES, ELECTRICAL HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS AND TRAVEL GOODS,” HE SAID.
MR SZE SAID THE RANGE OF PRODUCTS ON DISPLAY AT THE FAIR SHOWED WHAT HONG KONG HAD DONE IN DIVERSIFICATION.
HE NOTED THAT THE STRONG PERFORMANCE OF THE GIFT AND HOUSEWARE INDUSTRIES WAS A TRIBUTE TO THE EFFORTS OF ALL THOSE CONCERNED WITH DESIGNING, MANUFACTURING AND MARKETING.
’’LIKE ALL HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, THEY OPERATE UNSUBSIDISED AND UNPROTECTED BY TRADE BARRIERS. THEY SUCCEED BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO.” HF ADDED. 9
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NORTH DB TO ELECT COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN ♦ ♦ » »
THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD ITS SECOND MEETING FOR THE NEW TERM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO ELECT CHAIRMEN FOR ITS FIVE COMMITTEES.
THE BOARD WILL ALSO NOMINATE FOUR MEMBERS TO SIT ON THE REGIONAL COUNCIL'S NORTH DISTRICT COMMITTEE AS CO-OPTED MEMBERS.
AT THE MEETING, CHIEF TOWN PLANNER OF THE NEW TERRITORIES NORTH EAST DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, MR RICHARD CHENG, WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE NORTH DISTRICT HOSPITAL PROJECT WHICH IS PLANNED FOR COMPLETION IN 1996-97.
A DISCUSSION PAPER PREPARED BY TWO MEMBERS ON FARE INCREASES BY THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION AND THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION WILL ALSO BE TABLED.
/OTHER ITEMS .........
a
THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1988
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE BOARD’S PARTICIPATION IN
THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 1988, AND A WORK PLAN FORWARDED BY THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION NEW TERRITORIES EAST i REGIONAL OFFICE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING. THE MEETING WILL START AT 9.30 AM.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE PROPOSED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR 1988-89 AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE PROPOSED PROGRAMME, CONSISTING 14 WORK PROJECTS, IS ESTIMATED TO COST »1.03 MILLION, OR 55.7 PER CENT OF THIS YEAR’S DISTRICT BOARD FUND.
SOME OF THE PROJECTS ARE THE CONSTRUCTION OF PAVILIONS AND SITTING-OUT AREAS AT VARIOUS PLACES, A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND IN NORTH LAMMA AND A FAMILY TRAIL ON PENG CHAU.
DURING THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL REVIEW THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED BY THE WORKS SECTION OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE IN 1987-88.
THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROBLEMS OF POLLUTION CAUSED BY SHRIMP SAUCE PREPARATION IN THE OPEN SPACE OF YUNG SHUE WAN IN NORTH LAMMA, AND OF REINSTATEMENT WORK BY PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS: ,
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL. THE MEETING WILL START AT 2 PM.
/13
THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1988
- 13 -
YAU TSIM DB COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETS » t « * t
THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD ITS FIRST MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
AMONG MATTERS TO BE DISCUSSED WILL BE THE FORMATION OF A SUB-COMMITTEE TO VET APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS; THE 1988-89 WORK PLAN FOR THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION WEST KOWLOON REGIONAL OFFICE; AND A SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME FOR THE DISTRICT.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS A REPORT OF A SEMINAR ON HANDLING BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS OF SCHOOL AGE TEENS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FIRST MEETING OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, 490 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND ALLOCATION » * t » t
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO DISCUSS THE ALLOCATION OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS IN 1988-89.
THE MEETING WILL ALSO CONSIDER FIVE APPLICATION FOR FUNDS FOR SUCH PROJECTS.
THE URBAN COUNCIL’S COMMUNITY RECREATION AND SPORTS PROGRAMME FOR SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT IN 1988-89 WILL ALSO BE TABLED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, 37-39 TONKIN STREET. IT WILL BEGIN AT 2.15 PM.
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/14........
THURSDAY, APRIL 28,
1988
14 -
TENDERS INVITED FOR JUNK BAY TUNNEL ASSOCIATED WORKS *****
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF SERVICES BUILDINGS AND OTHER ASSOCIATED WORKS AT BOTH ENDS OF THE JUNK BAY TUNNEL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT’S NT/SOUTH DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, WHICH MANAGES THE DEVELOPMENT OF JUNK BAY NEW TOWN, SAID THE CONTRACT WOULD INCLUDE TOLL PLAZA BOOTHS AND CANOPIES AND ASSOCIATED ROAD AND DRAINAGE WORKS AT THE WEST END OF THE TUNNEL.
"IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE THE CONTROL AND SERVICES BUILDINGS AT THE WEST PORTAL OF THE TUNNEL, TUNNEL LININGS, AND BUILDING SERVICES," HE ADDED.
CONSTRUCTION WORK IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN JULY AND WILL TAKE ABOUT TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.
ON COMPLETION OF THE CONTRACT IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1990, THE JUNK BAY TUNNEL AND ASSOCIATED APPROACH ROADS WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC.
TENDERS FOR THE CONTRACT MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE NOON ON MAY 27.
LOCATED ON A QUIET COVE TO THE EAST OF THE KOWLOON PENINSULA, JUNK BAY NEW TOWN IS STEADILY BEING DEVELOPED AS THE HOME FOR MORE THAN 300,000 PEOPLE.
SEPARATED FROM KOWLOON PROPER BY HILLY TERRAIN, JUNK BAY WAS AT ONE TIME ACCESSIBLE ONLY BY SEA OR, FOR THE MORE ADVENTUROUS, BY AN ARDUOUS TREK THROUGH THE STEEP HILLS.
THE COMPLETION OF THE JUNK BAY TUNNEL WOULD MAKE TRAVEL BETWEEN JUNK BAY AND THE KOWLOON PENINSULA A MATTER OF MINUTES.
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/15........
THURSDAY, \PR.IL 28, 1988
- 15 -
TENDERS INVITED FOR SHA TAU KOK ENGINEERING WORKS » » » » »
DREDGING, RECLAMATION AND ROAD WORKS WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN YIM LIU HA, SHA TAU KOK AS PART OF THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA.
THE WORKS COMPRISE THE DEMOLITION OF EXISTING BUILDINGS, DREDGING OF THE SEABED AND FORESHORE AND THE RECLAMATION OF SITES FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT TOGETHER WITH ASSOCIATED SECTIONS OF SEA WALL QUAYWALL AND BREAKWATER.
THE NEWLY-FORMED LAND WILL BE USED FOR THE CONSTRUCT I ON OF A MARKET, PROMENADE, GOVERNMENT OFFICES, INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS AND PRIVATE HOUSING.
THE WORKS ALSO INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, DRAINS, CARPARKS, A BUS TERMINUS AND A TIN HAU TEMPLE AS WELL AS VARIOUS ITEMS OF LANDSCAPING.
work is Expected to commence in july and will take about 27 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS WHICH SHOULD BE SUBMITTED MAY 20.
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$
SEMINAR FOR CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECT ORGANISERS t t * t *
A SEMINAR, ENTITLED "HOW TO PLAN AND EVALUATE A CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECT", WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY (APRIL 30) BY THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION.
THIS FOLLOWS THE LAUNCHING RECENTLY OF ITS COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION SCHEME.
THE SEMINAR IS AIMED AT GIVING POTENTIAL APPLICANTS IN THE SCHEME SOME BASIC KNOWLEDGE DURING THE PLANNING STAGE IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECTS.
ABOUT 80 PEOPLE, WHO ARE INVOLVED IN ORGANISING CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECTS OR ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR TRAINING, HAVE BEEN INVITED TO ATTEND THE SEMINAR, WHICH WILL INCLUDE GROUP DISCUSSIONS AND TALKS BY GUEST SPEAKERS.
/TOPICS INCLUDE .......
THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1988
16
TOPICS INCLUDE THE REQUIREMENTS OF FUNDING PROPOSALS, PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES IN CARRYING OUT CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECTS AND MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS.
THE SEMINAR WILL BE HOSTED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION GROUP OF THE COMMITTEE, MR MAK HO1-WAH, AND WILL BE HELD IN THE SHERATON HOTEL, TSIM SHA TSUI.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINAR ON CIVIC EDUCATION TO BE HELD BETWEEN 9.15 AM AND 12.30 PM IN THE MING AND CHING ROOMS OF THE SHERATON HOTEL, TSIM Sil A TSUI, ON SATURDAY (APRIL 30).
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SEMINARS ON THE USE OF TEACHING KIT ON 'ELECTION’ » * * » *
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS PRODUCED A TEACHING KIT ON "ELECTION" FOR SCHOOLS AND TWO IDENTICAL HALF-DAY SEMINARS WILL BE ORGANISED FOR TEACHERS NEXT MONTH TO INTRODUCE THE KIT.
SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE SEMINARS TO BE HELD AT THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE TEACHING CENTRES AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT, IN TWO AFTERNOONS ON MAY 16 AND 17.
THE SEMINARS AIM TO FAMILIARISE TEACHERS WITH THE USE OF THE KIT IN TEACHING THE SUBJECT 8f "GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS" AS WELL AS IN THE PROMOTION 01 CIVIC EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS.
THERE WILL BE TALKS \ND DISCUSSIONS ON THE ELECTORAL SYSTEMS, THE NEW SUBJECT "GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS" AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH CIVIC EDUCATION, AND THE USE OF THE TEACHING KIT.
SCHOOL HEADS ARK ADVISED TO SUBMIT NOMINATIONS OF TEACHERS WISHING TO ATTEND THE SEMINARS TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT BEFORE MAY 5.
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THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1988
- 17 -
CSD CENTRAL REGISTER CAN ASSIST PRIVATE SECTOR « * * » *
A COMPREHENSIVE AND UP-TO-DATE COMPUTERISED CENTRAL REGISTER OF AROUND 300,000 ESTABLISHMENTS IN HONG KONG MAINTAINED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT CAN BE OF USE TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE REGISTER SERVES MAINLY AS THE SAMPLING FRAME FOR THE DEPARTMENT’S SURVEYS ON BUSINESS UNDERTAKINGS. MANY OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ALSO MAKE USE OF THE REGISTER FOR PUBLICITY, SURVEY AND RESEARCH WORK.
THE PRIVATE SECTOR CAN BENEFIT FROM IT BY MAKING USE OF NON-CONFIDENTIAL ESTABLISHMENT PARTICULARS RECORDED IN IT FOR MARKET RESEARCH, STATISTICAL SURVEY, AND BUSINESS AND PRODUCT PROMOTION PURPOSES.
PRIVATE FIRMS MAY APPLY TO THE CENTRAL REGISTER SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE SUPPLY OF A PHOTOCOPY OR A MAGNETIC TAPE OF THE LISTING OF NON-CONFIDENTIAL PARTICULARS SUCH AS THE NAME, THE ADDRESS, THE MAJOR TYPE OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY AND THE EMPLOYMENT SIZE CLASS OF INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS.
THE CHARGES FOR THIS SERVICE ARE AS FOLLOWS:
» $2.50 PER PHOTOCOPY, AND
* A MINIMUM CHARGE OF $340 FOR A JOB REQUIRING UP TO 20 CRU’S (COMPUTER RESOURCES UNIT) PLUS $17 FOR EACH CRU IN EXCESS OF 20 CRU’S IF THE INFORMATION IS REQUIRED ON MAGNETIC TAPES TO BE PROVIDED BY THE APPLICANT.
FURTHER DETAILS ABOUT THE SERVICE CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE CENTRAL REGISTER SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT ON 5-8234760.
-----O --------
/18
THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1988
- 18 -
URBAN CLEARWAYS AND ROAD CLOSURE ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
FROM 10 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY), TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN KOWLOON BAY WILL BE MADE 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW.
THEY ARE:
♦ THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF KAI CHEUNG ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH WANG CHIU ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 105 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
♦ THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WANG CHIU ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH KAI CHEUNG ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 60 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP WITHIN THE URBAN CLEARWAYS FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
MEANWHILE, TO FACILITATE THE DEMOLITION OF THE FALSEWORK OF LAM KAM FLYOVER IN TAI PO, TOLO HIGHWAY SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN LAM KAM INTERCHANGE AND TAI PO TAI WO ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 12.30 AM AND 3.30 AM ON SATURDAY (APRIL 30).
MOTORISTS ON TAI PO ROAD (TAI WO SECTION) HEADING FOR KOWLOON WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THE SECTION OF TAI PO ROAD (TAI WO SECTION) NEAR SHU1 WAI AND TAI PO TAI WO ROAD TO REJOIN TOLO HIGHWAY.
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WATER CUT IN MONG KOK, YAU MA TEI
» » * *
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN MONG KOK AND YAU MA TEI WILL BE TURNED OFF ON SATURDAY (APRIL 30) FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM FOR WATER MAINS WORK.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY JORDAN ROAD, GASCOIGNE ROAD, NATHAN ROAD, WATERLOO ROAD, YIM PO FONG STREET, ARGYLE STREET, SAI YEE STREET, BOUNDARY STREET AND ALONG THE SEAFRONT.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TAC AND DB'S TO BE CONSULTED ON TUNNEL STUDY REPORT ........... 1
PROTECTIONIST MEASURES NOT A LASTING REMEDY ................... 2
AMENDMENTS TO FOUR ORDINANCES GAZETTED ........................ 4
ASSURANCE ON REVIEW OF PUBLIC ORDER ORDIN/iNCE ................ 5
HK PURSUES OBJECTIVES IN TRADE NEGOTIATIONS ................... 7
FIGHT AGaINST TUBERCULOSIS SUCCESSFUL ......................... 8
FIGURES SHOW DECREASE IN OVERALL CRIME ........................ 9
GOOD RESPONSE TO HOS MORTGAGE FINaNCE......................... 11
PRAISE FOR CLUBS IN PROMOTING RECREATION AND SPORT ........... 11
HOTLINE ON MEASLES PREVENTION ................................ 12
KOWLOON CITY DB COMMITTEES ELECT CHAIRMEN .................... 1J
MULTIPLE RE-ENTRY PER4ITS FOR CHILDREN ....................... 1J
INSURANCE MANPOWER DEM.'UD EXPECTED TO GROW .................. 14
TRADE STATISTICS AVAILABLE ON COMPUTER OUTPUT MICROFICHE .. 15
DRAFT MONG KOK OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AMENDED.................... 16
WORKS AREa PROPOSED FOR BORDER BRIDGE PROJECT ................ 17
SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR 'SEVEN-DAY VISIT PERMIT' APPLICATIONS ................................................. 18
GOVERNMENT SITES FOP. SALE BY TENDER.......................... 19
CSD GIRL GUIDE UNIT TO CELEBRATE aNNTVERSaRY ................ 19
1J2 TEAMS JOIN SHA TIN DRAGON BO.TT RACES..................... 20
SHAU KEI WAN STREET TO BE EXTENDED............................ 21
FIRING PRACTICE IN MAY ..................................... 22
WAN CHAI TO TSIM SH^ TSUI FERRY SERVICE STREGTHENED........ 2?
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF WESTERN STREET .......................... 2J
FRIDAY, APRIL 29,
1988
TAC AND DB'S TO BE CONSULTED ON TUNNEL STUDY REPORT
* * * » *
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND RELEVANT DISTRICT BOARDS WILL BE CONSULTED ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE DRAFT FINAL REPORT OF ‘THE LION ROCK TUNNEL TRAFFIC STUDY.
; ;J£k■(
THE DRAFT FINAL REPORT WAS TABLED EARLIER AT AN EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING WHICH NOTED THAT THE RESULTS OF THE CONSULTATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD BE PRESENTED TO THE COUNCIL FOR ADVICE IN JULY THIS YEAR.
THE LION ROCK TUNNEL TRAFFIC STUDY WAS COMMISSIONED TO IDENTIFY MEANS OF ALLEVIATING TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE TUNNEL AND TAI PO ROAD CORRIDOR PRIOR TO THE OPENING OF TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL.
HAVING CONSIDERED AN INTERIM REPORT ON THE "MAJOR SCHEMES" IN JANUARY THIS YEAR, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ENDORSED THE RECOMMENDATION THAT THE BEACON HILL TUNNEL PROPOSAL SHOULD NOT BE PURSUED FURTHER AS THE TAI PO ROAD WIDENING SCHEME WOULD PROVIDE EXTRA ROAD CAPACITY TO RELIEVE CONGESTION AT THE LION ROCK TUNNEL.
THE TRAFFIC STUDY HAD ALSO EXAMINED A NUMBER OF OTHER TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEMES, AMONGST WHICH THE MOST IMPORTANT WERE THE OPERATION OF A "TIDAL-FLOW” SCHEME AND THE USE OF TRAFFIC SIGNALS TO CONTROL MERGING MOVEMENTS IN THE MORNING PEAK PERIOD.
BOTH HAD INCREASED PEAK PERIOD TUNNEL CAPACITY BY ABOUT 10 PER CENT, ELIMINATED SOUTHBOUND QUEUES BEFORE 7.30 AM AND REDUCED THEM SUBSTANTIALLY AFTER 7.30 AM.
IN ADDITION, A MAJOR EXTENSION TO THE BUS LANE ON THE TUNNEL APPROACHES WAS ALSO INTRODUCED IN MARCH THIS YEAR TO ALLOW BUSES TO AVOID TRAFFIC QUEUES.
ALL THESE MEASURES HAD RESTORED TRAFFIC DELAYS AT THE PEAK PERIODS TO ACCEPTABLE LEVELS.
IN ITS DRAFT FINAL REPORT, THE CONSULTANTS HAD DEVISED A STRATEGY TO MAINTAIN THE TRAFFIC SITUATION IN THE CORRIDOR AT AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL UNTIL THE OPENING OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL.
THE REPORT ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT A TOLL INCREASE SHOULD ONLY BE USED AS A LAST RESORT TO SUPPRESS DEMAND IF TRAFFIC GREW AT A MUCH HIGHER RATE THAN EXPECTED, OR IF ROUTE 5 OR TAI PO ROAD WIDENING WORKS WERE SIGNIFICANTLY DELAYED.
IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE "TIDAL-FLOW" AND SIGNAL CONTROLLED MERGING SCHEMES SHOULD CONTINUE. IN ADDITION, TO IMPROVE THE "CONTROLLED MERGING" SCHEME, THE GAZETTED TUNNEL AREA IN KOWLOON SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO FACILITATE OPERATION BY TUNNEL STAFF.
/THE REPORT
FRIDAI, APRIL 29, 1988
THB REPORT ALSO POINTED OUT THAT ALTHOUGH THE ONE-WAY TOLL EXPERIMENT HAD SHOWN THAT IT DID NOT HAVE ANY SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON TUNNEL THROUGHPUT, IT DID RESULT IN A DIVERSION OF NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC TO TAI PO ROAD.
IN ORDER TO MAXIMISE THE "TIDAL-FLOW" PERIOD, THE REPORT THEREFORE PROPOSED THAT THE ONE-WAY TOLL SCHEME SHOULD BE
, RE-INTRODUCED EARLY NEXT YEAR WHEN ADDITIONAL NORTHBOUND CAPACITY WOULD BE AVAILABLE ON TAI PO ROAD WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE STAGE II IMPROVEMENT WORKS.
CONCERNING THE SOUTHBOUND BUS LANE, THE REPORT RECOMMENDED THAT ITS OPERATING HOURS SHOULD BE EXTENDED BEYOND 9 O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING AND TO THE EVENING PEAK IF NECESSARY.
FURTHERMORE, A BUS PRIORITY SCHEME ON LUNG CHEUNG ROAD FOR NORTHBOUND JOURNEYS SHOULD ALSO BE IMPLEMENTED ONCE THE ROADWORKS ON LUNG CHEUNG ROAD WERE COMPLETED.
THE REPORT HAD ALSO PROPOSED A NUMBER OF CONTINGENCY MEASURES TO SOLVE CONGESTION ALONG THE CORRIDOR.
THESE INCLUDED THE EARLIER INTRODUCTION OF A ONE-WAY TOLL SCHEME IF NECESSARY AND THE DIVERSION OF TRAFFIC TO TAI PO ROAD BY CLOSING THE WESTBOUND SLIP ROAD OF LUNG CHEUNG ROAD TO GENERAL TRAFFIC EXCEPT BUSES.
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PROTECTIONIST MEASURES NOT A LASTING REMEDY ♦ ♦ * * ♦
PROTECTIONIST MEASURES ARE NO LASTING REMEDY FOR ECONOMIC ILLS AND MAY LEAD TO A GENERAL SLOWDOWN OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FROM WHICH ALL WILL ULTIMATELY EMERGE AS LOSERS, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
I
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE 21ST ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK IN MANILA.
MR NENDICK SAID SUCH MEASURES WOULD BE PARTICULARLY UNFAIR IF APPLIED TO HONG KONG BECAUSE THE TERRITORY HAD NEITHER IMPORT TARIFFS NOR QUOTAS AND OFFERED NO FORM OF SUBSIDY TO INVESTORS, MANUFACTURERS OR EXPORTERS.
/’’FURTHERMORE," HE
FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1988
- 3 -
"FURTHERMORE," HE SAID, "WE HAVE NO EXCHANGE CONTROLS OR OTHER CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS AND OUR TRADE ACCOUNT IS IN VIRTUAL BALANCE."
HE SAID THESE DISTINCT FEATURES OF HONG KONG WERE OFTEN IGNORED WHEN COMMENTS WERE MADE ABOUT THE BEHAVIOUR OF THE NEWLY INDUSTRIALISED COUNTRIES.
"WE DEPLORE ANY TENDENCY TO INDULGE IN GENERALISATIONS AS IF THE ECONOMIES CONCERNED HAD COMMON MONETARY, ECONOMIC AND TRADE POLICIES AND WERE ALL EXPERIENCING SUBSTANTIAL TRADE SURPLUSES," HE SAID.
ON THE WORLDWIDE STOCK MARKET CRASH IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR, MR NENDICK SAID HONG KONG, LIKE OTHERS, WAS NOT UNTOUCHED BY THE EVENT; ITS STOCK MARKET FELL SHARPLY ALTHOUGH BASIC ECONOMIC FUNDAMENTALS REMAINED STRONG.
HE SAID THESE EVENTS, THOUGH UNFORTUNATE IN THEMSELVES, HAD PROVIDED A VALUABLE CATALYST FOR CHANGE.
HE SAID A SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE WAS APPOINTED SHORTLY AFTER THE CRASH TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE STOCK AND FUTURES MARKETS AND THEIR REGULATIONS.
"ITS REPORT IS EXPECTED IN ABOUT A MONTH’S TIME AND I BELIEVE THAT, IN ACTING UPON ITS RECOMMENDATIONS, WE SHALL BE ABLE TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG’S REGULATORY FRAMEWORK AND MARKET STRUCTURES ARE FULLY IN LINE WITH THOSE NOW EXPECTED OF A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE," HE SAID.
MR NENDICK SAID THAT DESPITE THIS, 1987 WAS A GOOD YEAR FOR HONG KONG WITH ITS GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT GROWING BY 13.6 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS.
"CAPITAL INVESTMENT INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY AND OUR PROPERTY MARKET REMAINED BUOYANT EVEN AFTER THE CRASH.
"FULL EMPLOYMENT WAS MAINTAINED AND ALTHOUGH THE RATE OF INFLATION MOVED UP TO 5.5 PER CENT, THIS WAS STILL MODERATE IN COMPARISON WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF THE EARLY 1980’S," HE SAID.
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A....
FRIDAY, APRIL 29,
1988
- 4 -
AMENDMENTS TO FOUR ORDINANCES GAZETTED *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED TO AMEND A NUMBER OF ORDINANCES TO IMPLEMENT CERTAIN OF THE REVENUE PROPOSALS AND TAXATION CONCESSIONS ANNOUNCED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH ON MARCH 2 THIS YEAR.
THEY ARE THE BANKING ORDINANCE, THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE, THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE AND THE STAMP DUTY ORDINANCE, WHOSE AMENDMENTS WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
UNDER THE AMENDMENTS TO THE BANKING ORDINANCE, BANK AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY FEES WERE INCREASED BY EIGHT PER CENT WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
UNDER THE AMENDMENTS TO THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE, THE ANNUAL LICENCE FEE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES AS WELL AS FEES FOR DRIVING LICENCES, PERMITS AND DRIVING TESTS WERE INCREASED BY SIX PER CENT.
UNDER THE AMENDMENTS TO THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS PROVIDED FOR SIX CONCESSIONS IN THE AREA OF PERSONAL TAXATION, TWO CONCESSIONS IN THE AREA OF PROFITS TAX, AND ONE CONCESSION EACH IN THE AREA OF PROPERTY TAX AND INTEREST TAX.
THESE CONCESSIONS WILL APPLY TO PROVISIONAL AND FINAL ASSESSMENTS FOR THE YEAR OF ASSESSMENT COMMENCING ON APRIL 1 THIS YEAR AND ALSO, WHERE APPROPRIATE, TO 1988-89 PERSONAL ASSESSMENTS.
THE CONCESSIONS INCLUDE A REDUCTION IN THE STANDARD RATE FROM 16.5 PER CENT TO 15.5 PER CENT, REVISION IN THE GRADUATED SCALE OF TAX RATES FOR PERSONAL TAXATION, INCREASE IN ADDITIONAL PERSONAL ALLOWANCE, CHILD ALLOWANCE AND THE ALLOWANCE FOR A DEPENDENT PARENT.
A NEW WORKING WIFE ALLOWANCE OF UP TO $15,000 IS INTRODUCED WHERE THE EMPLOYMENT INCOME OF A MARRIED WOMAN IS AGGREGATED WITH THAT OF HER HUSBAND.
UNDER THE AMENDMENTS TO THE STAMP DUTY ORDINANCE, A REVISED SCALE OF STAMP DUTY PAYABLE IN RESPECT OF CONVEYANCE ON THE SALE OF IMMOVABLE PROPERTY IS INTRODUCED.
THE REVISION WILL PROVIDE A GREATER BENEFIT TO DUTY PAYERS, AND HAVE THE EFFECT OF PUSHING THE VARIOUS DUTY RATE THRESHOLD UPWARDS.
THE ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL REVENUE IN 1988-89 ARISING FROM THE INCREASE IN THE FEES IS $73 MILLION WHILE THE COST TO THE REVENUE ARISING FROM THE VARIOUS CONCESSIONS IS ESTIMATED AT $2,080 MILLION IN 1988-89, AND $3,090 MILLION IN A FULL YEAR.
/THE AMENDMENTS
FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1988
- 5 -
THE AMENDMENTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 11.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT ON THE AMENDMENTS CAN WRITE TO THE FINANCE BRANCH, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, FIFTH FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (EAST WING), LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG OR TO OMELCO, 8 JACKSON ROAD, HONG KONG.
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ASSURANCE ON REVIEW OF PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE ♦ * ♦ t *
THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, MR PETER TSAO, TODAY (FRIDAY) GAVE A FIRM ASSURANCE THAT THE REVIEW ON THE LAW RELATING TO FALSE NEWS WOULD BE A GENUINE ONE.
NOTING THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD MADE A PLEDGE THAT SECTION 27 OF THE PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE WOULD BE REVIEWED AT THE END OF THIS YEAR, MR TSAO SAID THE ELEMENT OF PUBLIC PERCEPTION WITHIN HONG KONG AND IN OTHER COUNTRIES ON THE PROVISION IN QUESTION WOULD BE CAREFULLY AND FULLY ASSESSED IN THE FORTHCOMING REVIEW.
"IT IS NOT FOR ME TODAY IN ANY WAY TO PREJUDGE THE OUTCOME OF THAT, AND SOUL-SEARCHING, REVIEW. NONETHELESS, I CAN GIVE A FIRM ASSURANCE THAT IT WILL BE A GENUINE REVIEW," MR TSAO SAID WHEN HE ADDRESSED THE SOCIETY OF HONG KONG PUBLISHERS ON FREEDOM OF THE PRESS.
MR TSAO ALSO GAVE A CATEGORICAL ASSURANCE THAT THERE WAS NO INTENTION WHATSOEVER TO INTRODUCE ANY CONTROLS ON OWNERSHIP, FOREIGN OR OTHERWISE, OVER THE PRINT MEDIA IN HONG KONG.
THE GOVERNMENT RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THAT NEW REGULATIONS INCLUDING SOME RESTRICTIONS ON FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF TELEVISION LICENCEES WOULD APPLY WHEN TELEVISION LICENCES WERE RENEWED LATER THIS YEAR.
"I SHOULD LIKE TO EMPHASISE THAT THIS IS NOT A NEW POLICY AS REGARDS OWNERSHIP OF TELEVISION STATIONS. WE ARE SIMPLY MAINTAINING THE POWER TO EXERCISE A DEGREE OF CONTROL THAT IT HAD ALWAYS BEEN OUR POLICY TO HAVE.
"SECONDLY, EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE BROUGHT IN THESE NEW CONDITIONS, THEY ARE AMONG THE MOST LIBERAL IN THE WORLD.
/’•THE CONTROLS
FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1988
6
"THE CONTROLS OVER TELEVISION OWNERSHIP SHOULD BE RECOGNISED FOR WHAT THEY ARE, THAT IS A UNIQUE RESPONSE TO THE UNIQUE POWER POSSESSED BY THE BROADCAST MEDIUM," HE SAID.
"THIS MEANS,” MR TSAO SAID, "THAT FOREIGN PUBLISHING CHAINS WILL CONTINUE TO BE FREE TO INVEST IN HONG KONG PUBLICATIONS OR TO USE HONG KONG AS A BASE FOR REGIONAL OR WORLD PUBLICATIONS WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS. •
"THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT DOES NOT OWN NEWSPAPERS, NOR DOES IT CONTROL THOSE WHO DO, NOR DOES IT RESTRICT OWNERSHIP," HE ADDED.
ANOTHER FACTOR BEHIND A FREE PRESS, ACCORDING TO MR TSAO, IS THE GENERAL ATTITUDE OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE AND THE GOVERNMENT TOWARDS POLITICAL MATTERS AND TOWARDS PUBLIC COMMENT, THE GENERAL LEVEL OF POLITICAL AWARENESS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE PUBLIC IN HONG KONG HAD COME TO EXPECT A RIGOROUS SCRUTINY OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES BY THE MEDIA, AND A ROBUST DEFENCE OF THEM BY SENIOR OFFICIALS.
ANOTHER ELEMENT CONSIDERED IMPORTANT TO A FREE PRESS IN HONG KONG WAS THE CALIBRE OF LOCAL JOURNALISTS.
"THE WIDEST OWNERSHIP, THE MOST LIBERAL LAWS, THE MOST RUMBUSTIOUS DEBATING ENVIRONMENT - NONE OF THESE WILL KEEP THE PRESS FREE IF THOSE SITTING BEHIND THE TYPEWRITER OR THE WORD PROCESSOR ARE NOT OF THE UTMOST INTEGRITY WITH THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE ABILITY AND TECHNICAL SKILLS."
HE SAID THAT WHILE THE GOVERNMENT COULD GIVE SOME ASSISTANCE IN THIS AREA ON THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING SIDE, HOWEVER, IT WAS BASICALLY A MATTER FOR THE INDUSTRY ITSELF.
"MONEY ALONE IS NOT THE WHOLE ANSWER BECAUSE THE PURE MERCENARY WILL SELL HIMSELF TO ANYBODY.
"BUT A REASONABLE LIVING WAGE IS NOT TOO MUCH TO EXPECT. INDEED IT IS ESSENTIAL IF THE INDUSTRY IS TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN SUFFICIENT STAFF OF THE RIGHT CALIBRE.
"BUT JUST AS IMPORTANT IS THE MORALE OF THOSE CONCERNED.
"THEY MUST BE MADE TO FEEL THAT THEY ARE WANTED AND RESPECTED. THAT THEIR CALLING IS OF THE HIGHEST AND A WORTHY CHANNEL FOR THEIR IDEALISM AND ENERGY.
"A MAJOR INFLUENCE HERE IS SURELY ATTITUDES BY MANAGEMENT -HOW THEY TREAT THEIR STAFF WILL BE A MAJOR FACTOR IN DETERMINING HOW OTHERS TREAT THEM.
"ULTIMATELY, ESTEEM IS NOT GRANTED, IT IS EARNED," HE SAID.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1988
HK PURSUES OBJECTIVES IN TRADE NEGOTIATIONS
*****
THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG’S COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WITH MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS WILL BE DETERMINED TO A LARGE EXTENT BY THE RESULTS OF THE URUGUAY ROUND WHICH WILL LAST FOR FOUR YEARS FROM 1986 UNTIL 1990, THE ACTING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR TIMOTHY TONG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT AN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SEMINAR, MR TONG SAID THE INITIAL PHASE OF PREPARATORY WORK OF THE NEW ROUND WAS COMPLETED BY THE END OF LAST YEAR.
"A NEW STAGE OF NEGOTIATIONS HAS JUST STARTED AND HONG KONG IS PARTICIPATING ACTIVELY IN THE PROCESS."
MR TONG SAID THAT HONG KONG EXPECTED THE CURRENT TALKS TO GENERATE A LIBERALISING INFLUENCE ON TEXTILES TRADE.
"THE URUGUAY ROUND HAS PROVIDED A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR PARTICIPANTS TO EXPLORE WAYS AND MEANS TO CONVERT THE CURRENT DISCRIMINATORY REGIME UNDER THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA) INTO A NEW ARRANGEMENT BASED ON STRENGTHENED GATT RULES AND DISCIPLINES.
"CURRENTLY WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER WITH SOME 20 TEXTILE EXPORTING COUNTRIES AND REGIONS IN PURSUIT OF OUR NEGOTIATING OBJECTIVES," HE SAID.
MR TONG ALSO SAID THAT THE GATT SYSTEM MUST BE STRENGTHENED AND THAT HONG KONG SUPPORTED EXTENSION OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE GATT TO INCLUDE MONITORING AND REGULAR REVIEW OF GOVERNMENT TRADE POLICIES.
"WE MAINTAIN THAT THE MOST-FAVOURED-NATION PRINCIPLE OF THE GATT MUST BE OBSERVED, AND THAT THE DISPUTE SETTLEMENT PROCEDURES SHOULD BE MODIFIED TO ENSURE FAIRNESS AND EQUITY FOR ALL," HE SAID.
"WE DEMAND REMOVAL OF GATT-INCONSISTENT TRADE MEASURES AFFECTING US AND SUPPORT A MULTILATERAL APPROACH TO FURTHER REDUCE TARIFFS AND NON-TARIFF BARRIERS FOR GENERAL APPLICATION TO ALL SECTORS OF TRADE."
MR TONG BELIEVED THE OBJECTIVES HE MENTIONED COULD ONLY THROUGH INTENSIVE AND LENGTHY NEGOTIATIONS.
"SUCCESS MAY BE ACHIEVED CO-OPERATION WITH OUR TRADING PARTNERS INTERESTS IN THE LONG TERM," HE ADDED.
BE REALISED
CONSTRUCTIVE
OUR COMMON
ONLY THROUGH BEARING IN MIND
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FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1988
- 8 -
FIGHT AGAINST TUBERCULOSIS SUCCESSFUL *****
THE YEAR 1987 MARKED ANOTHER YEAR OF SUCCESS IN THE CONTINUING BATTLE AGAINST TUBERCULOSIS AND THORACIC DISEASES, THE DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, DR K.L. THONG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING IN HIS CAPACITY AS PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG TUBERCULOSIS, CHEST AND HEART DISEASES ASSOCIATION AT ITS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, DR THONG SAID TUBERCULOSIS, WHICH WAS AT ONE TIME THE NO. 1 KILLER DISEASE IN HONG KONG, HAD BEEN EFFECTIVELY CONTAINED IN THE LAST 10 YEARS AND ITS INCIDENCE CONTINUED TO DROP IN 1987.
DURING THE YEAR, A TOTAL OF 7,269 NEW NOTIFICATIONS WERE RECORDED, HE SAID.
COMPARED TO THE CORRESPONDING FIGURE IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR, THIS REPRESENTED A SIGNIFICANT DROP IN THE NOTIFICATION RATE, FROM 134.3 CASES PER 100,000 POPULATION IN 1986 TO 129.5 IN 1987.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE DEATH RATE REMAINED LOW AND WAS STILL DECLINING, FROM 7.4 PER 100,000 POPULATION IN 1986 TO 7.2 PER 100,000 POPULATION IN 1987.
DESPITE THE ENCOURAGING SIGNS OF SUCCESS, DR THONG SAW NO ROOM FOR COMPLACENCY, NOTING THAT ALL THE PREVENTIVE AND CONTROL PROGRAMMES WERE STILL ACTIVELY MAINTAINED.
RESEARCH WORK ON THE PREVENTION AND CURE OF TUBERCULOSIS CONTINUES TO BE PURSUED VIGOROUSLY IN COLLABORATION WITH THE CARDIO-THORACIC EPIDEMIOLOGY GROUP OF THE BRITISH MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL.
"AN IMPORTANT STUDY WAS UNDERWAY TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS A D EFFICACY OF CERTAIN NEW DRUGS IN THE TREATMENT OF BOTH NEW AND OLD CASES OF TUBERCULOSIS," HE SAID.
TURNING TO LUNG CANCER, DR THONG SAID THAT THERE WERE 2,465 DEATHS REPORTED IN 1987, 117 MORE THAN IN 1986.
HE NOTED THAT SMOKING HAD BEEN WELL ACCEPTED BY THE MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND HEALTH AUTHORITIES ALL OVER THE WORLD AS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT CAUSE OF PREMATURE DEATH DUE TO LUNG CANCER, CORONARY HEART DISEASE AND CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE.
THE GOVERNMENT PLACED HEAVY EMPHASIS ON HEALTH EDUCATION AND ANTI-SMOKING PROGRAMMES, DR THONG SAID.
WITH THE SUSTAINED EFFORTS IN EDUCATION AND CONTROL, HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT HONG KONG COULD LOOK FORWARD TO A CLEANER AND HEALTHIER LIVING ENVIRONMENT IN THE FUTURE.
/REFERRING TO
FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1988
REFERRING TO HEART DISEASES, WHICH REMAINED THE NO.2 LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN HONG KONG, DR THONG SAID IT HAD CLAIMED 4,337 LIVES IN 1986.
LAST YEAR, 867 CARDIAC OPERATIONS WERE PERFORMED WITH A HIGH SUCCESS RATE IN GRANTHAM HOSPITAL.
IN ADDITION, TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR LOCAL MEDICAL STUDENTS AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS FROM NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES WERE CONDUCTED IN THE CENTRE.
LOOKING AHEAD, DR THONG REPORTED THAT THE NEW RUTTONJEE HOSPITAL PROJECT WAS PROGRESSING SMOOTHLY.
THE GOVERNMENT HAD APPROVED AN INCREASED PROVISION OF >33.81 MILLION FOR THE PROJECT, BRINGING THE TOTAL PROVISION TO >279.95 MILLION.
HE SAID THIS WOULD PROVIDE A NEW AND BIGGER HOSPITAL OF 614 BEDS, INSTEAD OF THE ORIGINALLY PLANNED 432.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE SUPERSTRUCTURE HAD BEGUN AND OTHER CONTRACTS FOR THE MECHANICAL AND ENGINEERING WORK OF THE PROJECT WERE ALSO AWARDED LAST YEAR.
THE TARGET COMPLETION DATE OF THE NEW RUTTONJEE HOSPITAL IS THE END OF 1989.
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FIGURES SHOW DECREASE IN OVERALL CRIME
■»»»**
OVERALL CRIME IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR DECLINED BY 2.5 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.
RELEASING THE CRIME STATISTICS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (FRIDAY), MR PETER LEE, THE POLICE DEPUTY DIRECTOR (CRIME), SAID CRIME REPORTS MADE TO THE POLICE IN THE QUARTER TOTALLED 20,320 AVERAGING 223.3 CASES PER DAY.
SIGNIFICANT DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN SNATCHING (DOWN 37.6 PER CENT), INDECENT ASSAULT ON FEMALE (DOWN 28.3 PER CENT) AND WOUNDING AND SERIOUS ASSAULT (DOWN 13.2 PER CENT).
/HOWEVER, INCREASES
FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1988
»
- 10 -
HOWEVER, INCREASES AGAINST THE PREVIOUS QUARTER WERE RECORDED IN TAKING CONVEYANCE AND THEFT OF VEHICLES (UP 13.4 PER CENT) AND THEFT FROM VEHICLES (UP 10 PER CENT).
ON VIOLENT CRIME, MR LEE SAID THERE WERE 39.7 CASES REPORTED PER DAY, REPRESENTING A DROP OF 5.7 PER CENT OVER THE LAST QUARTER IN 1987.
NOTING THAT PUBLIC AREAS REMAINED THE PRIME AREAS WHERE ROBBERIES OCCURRED, MR LEE CALLED ON RESIDENTS TO BE MORE CAUTIOUS WHEN ENTERING BUILDINGS, ESPECIALLY IN DARK ENTRANCES AND LIFTS.
DURING THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, THERE WERE 15.8 ROBBERIES REPORTED PER DAY, AN INCREASE OF FIVE PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.
WEAPONS WERE USED IN NEARLY HALF OF ALL CASES AND ABOUT ONE QUARTER OF THE VICTIMS RECEIVED INJURIES OF SOME KIND, MR LEE SAID.
ON GOLDSMITH AND WATCH SHOP ROBBERIES, HE SAID POLICE HAD ENHANCED COVERAGE OF HIGH RISK AREAS, AND URGED SHOP OWNERS TO HEED THE PRECAUTIONARY ADVICES GIVEN BY POLICE CRIME PREVENTION BUREAU.
TURNING TO BURGLARIES, MR LEE SAID ALTHOUGH THE DAILY AVERAGE FIGURES SHOWED A DECREASE OF 2.2 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS QUARTER, ABOUT ONE QUARTER OF THE CASES Dll) NOT ENTAIL THE BURGLARS HAVING TO BREAK IN.
HE SAID: "WITH THE ONSET OF THE WARMER WEATHER, HOUSEHOLDERS ARE WELL ADVISED TO LOCK BALCONY DOORS AND WINDOWS AT NIGHT IN ADDITION TO SECURING THEIR HOMES PROPERLY AT ALL TIME."
AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE, MR LEE ALSO CALLED ON PARENTS AND SCHOOLS TO REMIND YOUNGSTERS ABOUT THE SERIOUSNESS OF SHOP THEFT.
"SHOP THEFT IS A CRIME AND CAN SERIOUSLY AFFECT A PERSON’S LIFE BY LIMITING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND POSSIBLY THE RIGHT TO EMIGRATE," HE SAID.
"AVERAGING 19.7 CASES PER DAY, SHOP THEFT REMAINS A SERIOUS PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY AMONGST JUVENILES.
"POLICE AND STORE OWNERS ARE LIAISING CLOSELY TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE, THROUGH PUBLICITY AND VIGILANCE."
- 0 ----------
FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1999
- 11 -
GOOD RESPONSE TO HOS MORTGAGE FINANCE » « » » «
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AGAIN PARTICIPATED ACTIVELY IN THE MORTGAGE FINANCE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME THIS YEAR.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE RESPONSE OF THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS TOWARDS THIS YEAR’S MORTGAGE EXERCISE ' WAS EXCELLENT. THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPATING FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS TOTALLED 61.
THEIR COMMITMENT OF FUNDS SUBSTANTIALLY EXCEEDED THE ESTIMATED MORTGAGE FINANCE REQUIREMENT OF $5 BILLION, FOR AROUND 17,000 FLATS FOR SALE IN 1988 UNDER THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME (HOS) AND PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME (PSPS).
"THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS’ FAVOURABLE RESPONSE REFLECTS THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THIS WORTHY SCHEME," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
BY THE END OF 1987, A TOTAL OF AROUND 90,000 FLATS. HAD BEEN SOLD UNDER THE HOME OWNERSHIP AND PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEMES.
HOS AND PSPS FLAT PURCHASERS WHO REQUIRE MORTGAGE FINANCE CAN APPROACH ANY ONE OF THE PARTICIPATING FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FOR ASSISTANCE.
A COMPLETE LIST OF THE PARTICIPATING FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IS AVAILABLE AT THE HOME OWNERSHIP CENTRE, THIRD FLOOR, LOK FU SHOPPING CENTRE, JUNCTION ROAD, KOWLOON.
-------o ---------
PRAISE FOR CLUBS
IN PROMOTING RECREATION AND SPORT *****
PRIVATE RECREATION CLUBS MAKE AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS IN PROMOTING RECREATION AND SPORT IN THE COMMUNITY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE GOVERNOR WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE NEW SPORTS COMPLEX OF THE SOUTH CHINA ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION.
’’THE GOVERNMENT’S AIM IS TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL, BUT PARTICULARLY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, TO TAKE PART IN A WIDE VARIETY OF RECREATION AND SPORTS PROGRAMMES," SIR DAVID SAID.
/’•PRIVATE RECREATION
FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1988
- 12
"PRIVATE RECREATION CLUBS MAKE AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO THIS OBJECTIVE," HE ADDED, CITING THE ASSOCIATION’S NEW 17-STOREY MULTI PURPOSE SPORTS COMPLEX.
SIR DAVID SAID THE ASSOCIATION’S ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS DEMONSTRATED THE BENEFITS WHICH COULD BE OBTAINED THROUGH THE RECREATIONAL AND SPORTING FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES PROVIDED BY WELL ORGANISED PRIVATE RECREATION CLUBS.
ON THE NEW SPORTS COMPLEX, HE SAID WITH A WIDE RANGE OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR SPORTS FACILITIES IT WOULD PROVIDE ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE ASSOCIATION’S MORE THAN 50,000 MEMBERS TO IMRROVE THEIR FITNESS AND SKILLS.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT RAISING THE $85 MILLION REQUIRED, WITHOUT ANY ASSISTANCE FROM TIIF GOVERNMENT, WAS IN ITSELF A MAJOR AND PRAISEWORTHY ACHIEVEMENT.
"I COMMEND THE ASSOCIATION ON PROVIDING THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WITH SUCH AN EXCELLENT FACILITY," HF ADDED.
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HOTLINE ON MEASLES PREVENTION
t * t t t
A HOTLINE PROVIDING INFORMATION ON MEASLES WILL GO INTO OPERATION ON MONDAY, MAY 2, THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE 21-HOUR HOTLINE ON MEASLES - 5-8383232 - PROVIDES A TAPED MESSAGE IN CHINESE ON THE SYMPTOMS OF THE DISEASE, ITS MODE OF TRANSMISSION, METHOD OF PREVENTION, AND THE MEDICAL CENTRES WHERE PARENTS MAY TAKE THEIR CHILDREN TO FOR MEASLES INOCULATION.
PEOPLE CALLING THE HOTLINE MAY, AT THE END OF THE SEVEN-MINUTE MESSAGE, ASK QUESTIONS OR EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON Till' ISSUE.
MEANWHILE, THE ENGLISH HOTLINE ON HEPATITIS A WILL CEASE TO OPERATE WHEN TIIF HOTLINE ON MEASLES STARTS ON MONDAY.
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/13........
FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1988
KOWLOON CITY DB COMMITTEES ELECT CHAIRMEN
* ♦ ♦ » ♦
MEMBERS OF KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD’S THREE COMMITTEES MET TODAY (FRIDAY) TO ELECT THEIR CHAIRMEN AND VICE-CHAIRMEN.
THE RESULTS ARE: MR WONG CH1-KEUNG AND MR MAK KING-LUN WERE ELECTED AS CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENT IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE; MR TANG PO-HONG AND MR FONG PU1-SHEUNG AS CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE; AND MR CHAN CHI-KWAN AND MR CHIANG SAI-CHEONG AS THE CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE.
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MULTIPLE RE-ENTRY PERMITS FOR CHILDREN * » ♦ * ♦
WITH EFFECT FROM MONDAY (MAY 2), CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN THREE AND SIX MAY BE ISSUED WITH MULTIPLE HONG KONG RE-ENTRY PERMITS ON A ONE-PERSON-ONE-PERMIT BASIS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE VALIDITY OF SUCH MULTIPLE RE-ENTRY PERMITS WILL BE RESTRICTED TO TWO YEARS IN THE FIRST INSTANCE AND RENEWABLE, AN APPLICATION TO BE MADE NO EARLIER THAN SIX MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF EXPIRY, FOR ANOTHER THREE YEARS.
THE FEE FOR THE PERMIT IS $35, AND THERE WILL BE NO CHARGE WHEN IT IS RENEWED.
”AT THE TIME OF RENEWAL THE PHOTOGRAPH OF THE CHILD ON THE PERMIT WILL NEED TO BE UPDATED, BUT THIS SERVICE IS FREE OF CHARGE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
FOR CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN SEVEN AND 17, MULTIPLE RE-ENTRY PERMITS VALID FOR FIVE YEARS ARE ISSUED AT THE STANDARD FEE OF $35.
SINGLE JOURNEY RE-ENTRY PERMITS VALID FOR SIX MONTHS REMAIN AVAILABLE FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN UPON REQUEST. THE FEE FOR A SINGLE RE-ENTRY PERMIT IS $10.
"HOWEVER, CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 16 ALREADY INCLUDED IN THE HONG KONG RE-ENTRY PERMITS OF THEIR PARENTS OR GUARDIANS MAY STILL TRAVEL ON THOSE PERMITS WITH THE PRINCIPAL HOLDERS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/’’THEY NEED
FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1988
"THEY NEED NOT APPLY FOR SEPARATE RE-ENTRY PERMITS UNLESS THEY WISH TO TRAVEL ALONE OR UNLESS THEY ARE OVER 16."
FOR DETAILS OF THE PROCEDURES, APPLICANTS ARE REQUESTED TO OBTAIN A LEAFLET, "HOW TO APPLY FOR A RE-ENTRY PERMIT", FROM ANY IMMIGRATION OR CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION OFFICE.
ENQUIRIES CAN ALSO BE MADE TO THE INFORMATION OFFICE OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ON 3-7333111.
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INSURANCE MANPOWER DEMAND EXPECTED TO GROW » » * * »
THE MANPOWER OF THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY INCREASED ALMOST BY ONE-THIRD WITHIN TWO YEARS - TO 12,200 IN JUNE LAST YEAR FROM 9,400 IN 1985, ACCORDING TO A VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL SURVEY.
THE SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH IN MANPOWER REFLECTS THE RAPID EXPANSION OF THE INSURANCE BUSINESS IN RESPONSE TO THE OVERALL GROWTH OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMY OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COUNCIL SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
IT IS ALSO NOTED IN THE SURVEY REPORT BY THE INSURANCE TRAINING BOARD THAT EMPLOYERS IN THE INDUSTRY HAD FORECAST THE WORKFORCE WOULD CONTINUE TO GROW BY 14 PER CENT - THAT IS ABOUT 1,400 ADDITIONAL STAFF - IN THE FOLLOWING 12 MONTHS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THESE NEW EMPLOYEES WOULD NEED TRAINING RELEVANT TO THEIR JOB LEVELS AND AREAS OF SPECIALISATION.
EMPLOYERS WERE, THEREFORE, URGED TO MAKE USE OF THE INSURANCE TRAINEESHIP SCHEME AS WELL AS THE PROVISIONS OF THE COUNCIL’S INSURANCE TRAINING CENTRE TO TRAIN NEW RECRUITS, AND TO UPDATE OR UPGRADE THE SKILLS OF THE EXISTING WORKFORCE.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY MUST BE STAFFED BY HIGHLY TRAINED PEOPLE IN ORDER TO RETAIN ITS EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCY.
THE 1987 MANPOWER SURVEY REPORT ON THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY IS NOW AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CENTRAL, AT $15.50 A COPY.
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/15.......
FRIDAY, APRIL 29,
1988
- 15 -
TRADE STATISTICS AVAILABLE ON COMPUTER OUTPUT MICROFICHE
*****
THE MONTHLY HONG KONG TRADE STATISTICS (HKTS) AND ITS ANNUAL SUPPLEMENT ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME ON COMPUTER OUTPUT MICROFICHE (COM) IN ADDITION TO THE REPORTS IN BOOK FORM.
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT COM COPIES OF THE JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 1988 ISSUES OF THE HKTS HAVE BEEN PUT ON SALE AND ARE AVAILABLE FOR SUBSCRIPTION.
SUBSEQUENT ISSUES WILL BE PUBLISHED REGULARLY ON A MONTHLY BASIS.
THE TIME OF PUBLICATION FOR BOTH THE MONTHLY HKTS AND ITS ANNUAL SUPPLEMENT IN COM WILL GENERALLY BE ABOUT 40 DAYS AFTER THE REFERENCE PERIOD. FOR EXAMPLE, THE MARCH ISSUE WILL BE AVAILABLE AROUND MAY 10, AND THE ANNUAL SUPPLEMENT FOR 1988 AROUND FEBRUARY 10, 1989, WHICH ARE CONSIDERABLY EARLIER THAN THE REPORTS IN BOOK FORM.
THE PUBLICATION OF THE REPORTS IN COM REPRESENTS ANOTHER EFFORT OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IN EXPEDITING THE DISSEMINATION OF TRADE STATISTICS AND IN DIVERSIFYING THE MEANS OF DISSEMINATION FOR MEETING THE NEEDS OF USERS.
COM COPIES OF THE HKTS AND ITS ANNUAL SUPPLEMENT ARE PUBLISHED IN THREE SEPARATE SERIES FOR IMPORTS, DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS, GIVING FLEXIBILITY TO USERS OF STATISTICS IN ACQUIRING THE SERIES OF THEIR CHOICE.
THE PRICES OF THE COM COPIES ARE:
COM IMPORT PRICE PER COPY (HK$) RE-EXPORTS
DOMESTIC EXPORTS
HKTS 25 25 35
HKTS ANNUAL SUPPLEMENT 40 4 5 60
FOR COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF THE REPORTS IN BOOK FORM (WITH
TWO SEPARATE SERIES, ONE FOR IMPORTS, AND THE OTHER FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS) ARE $80 PER COPY.
/COM COPIES .......
FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1988
- 16 -
COM COPIES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON THE 19TH FLOOR, WAN CHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG. REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION CAN BE ARRANGED.
BESIDES BEING MORE TIMELY AND CHEAPER, COM VERSION OF THE HKTS HAS THE ADVANTAGE OF REQUIRING VERY LITTLE STORAGE SPACE.
WITH A MICROFICHE READER AND PRINTER, THE DATA ON COM CAN EASILY BE RETRIEVED AND REPRODUCED IN HARDCOPY FORM.
USERS THAT REGULARLY REQUIRE THE COM COPIES OF HKTS ARE RECOMMENDED TO MAKE ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION AS ONLY LIMITED COPIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE OVER-THE-COUNTER.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING FURTHER DETAILS OF THE HONG KONG TRADE STATISTICS, WHETHER THE NEWLY AVAILABLE COM VERSION OR THE USUAL BOOK FORM REPORTS, MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 5-8234914 AND 5-8234736.
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DRAFT MONG KOK OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AMENDED *****
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THE REZONING OF AN AREA OF ABOUT ONE HECTARE IN MONG KOK AS "COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT AREA" UNDER AN AMENDMENT TO THE DRAFT MONG KOK OUTLINE ZONING PLAN.
THE AREA, BOUNDED BY ARGYLE STREET, PORTLAND STREET, SHANTUNG STREET AND RECLAMATION STREET, WAS ORIGINALLY ZONED FOR "RESIDENTIAL (GROUP A)", "GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY", "OPEN SPACE" AND "ROAD".
IT IS MADE UP PREDOMINANTLY OF LOW-RISE BUILDINGS BUILT BEFORE THE 1960’S WITH GENERALLY POOR ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID THE PROPOSED "COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT AREA" ZONING WOULD ENSURE THAT THE AREA WOULD BE COMPREHENSIVELY REDEVELOPED TO INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF BETTER QUALITY HOUSING, COMMERCIAL ACCOMMODATION, PUBLIC OPEN SPACE AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES.
/"ANY PERSON
FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1988
- 17 -
"ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO UNDERTAKE DEVELOPMENT/REDEVELOPMENT WITHIN THAT ZONE WOULD REQUIRE PLANNING PERMISSION FROM THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD," HE SAID.
IN APPLYING FOR PLANNING PERMISSION, A MASTER LAYOUT PLAN ACCOMPANIED BY AN EXPLANATORY STATEMENT SPECIFYING DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT/REDEVELOPMENT WOULD BE REQUIRED.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION COULD BE A POSSIBLE AGENCY FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT AREA.
THE AMENDMENT TO THE DRAFT PLAN WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY.
IT CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT:
» THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG;
» THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG; AND
* THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE, TUNG PING BUILDING, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST, GROUND 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, BEFORE MAY 20 THIS YEAR.
COPIES OF THE AMENDMENT PLAN ARE AVAILABLE AT THE MAP SALES COUNTER, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, OR 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON, AT $10 FER UNCOLOURED COPY AND $60 PER COLOURED COPY.
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WORKS AREA PROPOSED FOR BORDER BRIDGE PROJECT t t » » t
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO CARRY OUT AMENDMENT WORKS IN CONNECTION WITH CONSTRUCTION OF THE SECOND OF TWO VEHICULAR BRIDGES TO BE BUILT ACROSS THE SHENZHEN RIVER AT LOK MA CHAU.
THE WORKS INVOLVE FORMATION OF A WORKS AREA FOR CONSTRUCTION OE THE SECOND BRIDGE. IT IS INTENDED THAT ABOUT 3,736 SQUARE METRES OF LAND IN DEMARCATION DISTRICT 102 WILL BE RESUMED FOR THIS PURPOSE.
/A NOTICE
FRIDAY, APRIL 29t 1981
- 11 -
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE G ZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
PLANS SHOWING THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WORKS MAY BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG.
THEY MAY ALSO BE SEEN AT THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, NINTH FLOOR, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES; AND AT THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE, ENQUIRY OFFICE, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, YUEN .' ONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICE, 269 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, BY JUNE 28 THIS YEAR.
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SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR ’SEVEN-DAY VISIT PERMIT’ APPLICATIONS » » » » »
THE SPONSORSHIP ARRANGEMENT FOR ’SEVEN-DAY VISIT PERMIT’ APPLICATIONS FROM TAIWAN RESIDENTS WILL BE SIMPLIFIED WITH EFFECT FROM MONDAY (MAY 2), THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE NEW ARRANGEMENT REQUIRES THE APPLICANT TO COMPLETE, TOGETHER WITH THE APPLICATION, A SEPARATE FORM KNOWN AS ’’PARTICULARS OF SPONSOR”.
IT WILL SUPERSEDE THE CURRENT PRACTICE OF THE APPLICANT MAILING THE SPONSORSHIP FORM TO THE SPONSOR IN HONG KONG WHO SUBSEQUENTLY RETURNS THE COMPLETED FORM TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT.
”WE ANTICIPATE THAT THE NEW ARRANGEMENT WILL HELP REDUCE THE PROCESSING TIME FOR APPLICATIONS FOR ’SEVEN-DAY VISIT PERMITS’ FROM TAIWAN RESIDENTS,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
’’REGULAR CHECKS WILL BE CONDUCTED BY THIS DEPARTMENT TO PREVENT ABUSE OF THIS SCHEME.
’’THIS ARRANGEMENT WILL ONLY APPLY TO APPLICATIONS FOR A VISIT OF NOT MORE THAN SEVEN DAYS IN HONG KONG AND WILL BE REVIEWED AFTER SIX MONTHS.
’’THE PROCEDURES FOR OTHER TYPES OF APPLICATIONS REMAIN UNCHANGED," HE STRESSED.
- 0 -
/19
ABOUT
FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1988
- 19 -
.1 GOVERNMENT SITES FOR SALE BY TENDER k » » * » »
THREE GOVERNMENT SITES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ARE BEING D FOR SALE BY TENDER BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
THE FIRST SITE, AT PAR SHE FIRST LANE, CHEUNG CHAU, MEASURES 145 SQUARE METRES AND IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES.
THE SECOND SITE, AT CHUNG SUM LANE, CHEUNG CHAU, HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 130 SQUARE METRES AND IS FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.
THE THIRD SITE IS AT SHA TAU KOK ROAD, FANLING, AND HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 712.4 SQUARE METRES. IT IS FOR A PETROL FILLING STATION, EXCLUDING ANY LUBRICATING OR SERVICING FACILITIES.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON MAY 27.
TENDER FORMS AND NOTICES MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, AND FROM THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
TENDER DOCUMENTS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES IN SHA TIN, TAI PO, NORTH, YUEN LONG, TSUEN WAN, KWAI TSING, TUEN MUN, SAI KUNG AND ISLANDS.
-----0-----
CSD GIRL GUIDE UNIT TO CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARY ♦ » » » *
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL CELEBRATE THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF ITS GIRL GUIDE UNIT FOR TRAINING CENTRE INMATES TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON AT THE TAI TAM GAP CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION (TGCI).
THE HONG KONG 141 ST RANGER GUIDE SERVICE UNIT AND UNIT BAND COMPRISES 37 MEMBERS, AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 21, ALL FEMALE INMATES OF TGC 1 .
A CSD SPOKESMAN SAID GIRL GUIDE ACTIVITIES, WHICH FORMED PART OF THE TRAINING CENTRE PROGRAMME, WOULD ENHANCE THE ALL-ROUND DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG INMATES AND PREPARE THEM FOR SUCCESSFUL REINTEGRATION INTO SOCIETY.
/"THE TRAINING
FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1988
I 20
"THE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE GAINED THROUGH THESE ACTIVITIES WILL ALSO HELP INMATES TO BETTER COPE WITH THE CHALLENGES IN LIFE,"
THE 141ST RANGER GUIDE SERVICE UNIT HAD GIVEN A GOOD PERFORMANCE LAST YEAR AND HAD WON THE BEST WEAVING AWARD IN A COMPETITION ORGANISED 'BY THE GIRL GUIDE HONG KONG REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS.
MEMBERS PAID REGULAR VISITS AND PROVIDED SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY OF A HOME FOR THE AGED IN HING WAH ESTATE, CHAI WAN, AND THE BAND HAD PERFORMED IN VARIOUS SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY FUNCTIONS IN THE PAST YEAR.
THE PROGRAMME OF THE ANNIVERSARY CEREMONY TOMORROW INCLUDES TELEMATCHES AND A TALENT COMPETITION BETWEEN THE 141ST UNIT AND TWO VISITING GROUPS - THE 56TH AND 74TH UNITS.
THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR CHAN WA-SHEK, AND THE SPONSOR OF THE 141ST UNIT, MRS DONNA HUI, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ANNIVERSARY CEREMONY OF THE DEPARTMENT’S RANGER GUIDE SERVICE UNIT AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE TAI TAM GAP CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, SHEK O ROAD, HONG KONG.
TRANSPORT HAS BEEN ARRANGED. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO USE THE SERVICE SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE ENTRANCE TO WAN CHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT 1.30 PM.
-------0 - -
132 TEAMS JOIN SHA TIN DRAGON BOAT RACES * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
WITH 132 TEAMS PARTICIPATING, THE DRAGON BOAT RACES IN SHA TIN THIS YEAR WILL BE THE BIGGEST EVER IN ITS FIVE-YEAR HISTORY.
THE RACES WILL BE DIVIDED INTO EIGHT DIVISIONS: MEDIUM-SIZE DRAGON BOAT OPEN, MEDIUM-SIZE DRAGON BOAT FRIENDLY, MEDIUM-SIZE DRAGON BOAT INVITATION, SMALL-SIZE DRAGON BOAT OPEN, WOMEN’S DRAGON BOAT OPEN, AND AIRPORT INVITATION, BANKS INVITATION AND TV INVITATION RACES.
FRIDAY, APRIL 2% 1988
- 21
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SHA TIN DRAGON BOAT RACE ORGANISING COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THREE NEW DRAGON BOATS - COSTING MORE THAN $80,000 - FOR MEDIUM-SIZE, SMALL-SIZE AND WOMEN'S DRAGON BOAT RACES, HAD BEEN BOUGHT THIS YEAR.
’’STARTING FROM MAY 1 (SUNDAY), THE TEAMS WILL PRACTISE ON EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FROM 8.30 AM TO 5.30 PM ALONG A SECTION OF SHING MUN RIVER BETWEEN SAND MARTIN BRIDGE AND BANYAN BRIDGE,” HE SAID.
”WE WILL STRIVE TO MAKE THE RACES ONE OF THE MOST SPECTACULAR EVENTS IN THE YEAR, NOT ONLY IN THE DISTRICT, BUT ALSO TERRITORY-WIDE,” HE ADDED.
--------0----------
SHAU KEI WAN STREET TO BE EXTENDED
* * » ♦ ♦
A STREET IN SHAU KEI WAN WILL BE WIDENED AND EXTENDED UNDER ROADWORKS THAT THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO CARRY OUT.
THE EXISTING PORTION OF HING MAN STREET WILL BE WIDENED TO 7.5 METRES, WITH A LAYBY AND FOOTPATH ON THE NORTHERN SIDE.
IN ADDITION, THE STREET WILL BE EXTENDED EASTWARDS BY 70 METRES TO CONNECT WITH HOI FOO STREET.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (ERI DAY) .
A PLAN SHOWING THE WORKS CAN BE SEEN DURING NORMAL OFFICE HOURS AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG.
IT CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG EAST, 12TH FLOOR, HARBOUR CENTRE, HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG; AND AT THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, 880-886 KING'S ROAD, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, BEFORE JUNE 28 THIS YEAR.
-------O----------
FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1988
- 22 -
FIRING PRACTICE IN MAY ♦ * t
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 20 DAYS DURING THE MONTH OF MAY.
THE PUBLIC IS WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.
THE DATES AND TIMES OF THE PRACTICE ARE:
DATE TIME
MAY 2 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MAY 3 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MAY 7 (SATURDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MAY 9 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MAY 10 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MAY 11 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MAY 12 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 11.59 PM
MAY 13 (FRIDAY) MIDNIGHT - 5 PM
MAY 18 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MAY 19 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MAY 20 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MAY 21 (SATURDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MAY 23 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
MAY 24 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 11.59 PM
MAY 25 (WEDNESDAY) MIDNIGHT - 11.59 PM
MAY 26 (THURSDAY) MIDNIGHT - 5 PM
MAY 2 7 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 6 PM
MAY 28 (SATURDAY) 8.30 AM - 11.59 PM
MAY 30 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 11.59 PM
MAY 31 (TUESDAY) MIDNIGHT - 11.59 PM
- o /25
FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1988
23 -
WAN CHAI TO TSIM SHA TSUI FERRY SERVICE STRENGTHENED ♦ » * » ♦
THE STAR FERRY COMPANY WILL STEP UP THE FREQUENCY OF ITS WAN CHAI TO TSIM SHA TSUI SERVICE WITH EFFECT FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
THE SERVICE WAS INTRODUCED BY THE COMPANY ON APRIL 1.
BETWEEN 7.30 AM AND 7.40 PM ON WEEKDAYS, THE FREQUENCY WILL BE INCREASED FROM THE EXISTING 20 MINUTES TO 10 MINUTES. IN ADDITION, THE OPERATING HOURS OF THE SERVICE WILL BE EXTENDED TO 11 PM DAILY.
*
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF WESTERN STREET t » » t
WESTERN STREET BETWEEN DES VOEUX ROAD WEST AND CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MAY 2).
THIS MEASURE WILL BE IN EFFECT FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS FOR ROADWORKS.
VEHICLES HEADING FOR CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CENTRE STREET.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING LEFT-TURN BAN FROM DES VOEUX ROAD WEST EASTBOUND INTO CENTRE STREET WILL BE TEMPORARILY LIFTED.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 1988
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SAFEGUARDING MENTALLY HANDICAPPED FROM ABUSE ................ 1
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR MARCH PUBLISHED ..................... 2
SUCCESS FOR POLICE DRUG FIGHTERS ............................ 7
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR LANGUAGE TEACHERS .............. 8
KWUN TONG DB COMMITTEE MEETINGS OPIN TO PUBLIC .............. 9
INTRIES INVITED FOR WED PHOTO CONTEST........................ 10
TSUEN WAN DB TO DISCUSS MTR SURCHARGE........................ 10
ABERDEEN DRAGON BOAT RACE ENTRIES CLOSE ON FRIDAY............ 11
OPINING OF LONG PING COMMUNITY HALL ......................... 11
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CHANGES IN KOWLOON ........................ 12
TRAFFIC RE-ROUTEING AND FLYOVER OPINING ..................... 1?
SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 1988
SAFEGUARDING MENTALLY HANDICAPPED FROM ABUSE
» » t t *
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR JOHN CHAMBERS, TODAY (SATURDAY) CALLED FOR GREATER ATTENTION TO BE GIVEN TO THE PROBLEM OF EXPLOITATION OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE SEMINAR ON SEXUAL ABUSE OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED ORGANISED BY THE ZONTA CLUB OF HONG KONG.
MR CHAMBERS SAID THAT WHILE PLANS WERE UNDERWAY TO STEP UP THE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME IT WAS IMPORTANT NOT TO LOSE SIGHT OF ISSUES BEYOND THE ACTUAL PROVISION OF SERVICES.
THESE ISSUES NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED IF THE REHABILITATION PROCESS WAS TO BE EFFECTIVE.
"THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED ARE A GROUP OF DISABLED PEOPLE WHO ARE PARTICULARLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO EXPLOITATION AND VULNERABLE TO A VARIETY OF DANGERS BECAUSE OF THEIR MENTAL CONDITION," HE SAID.
”IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PROBLEMS OF THIS NATURE SHOULD BE IDENTIFIED AND SUITABLE PROTECTIVE MEASURES DISCUSSED AND EXPLORED."
MR CHAMBERS POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM BECAUSE SEXUAL ABUSE WAS A DIRECT VIOLATION OF AN INDIVIDUAL’S PERSONAL RIGHTS, CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VICTIM’S DIGNITY, AND WAS INJURIOUS TO HIS OR HER PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING.
"IT IS ALSO A DIFFICULT AND ELUSIVE SUBJECT," HE SAID.
"MUCH AS WE WOULD LIKE TO TAKE STRONG AND EFFECTIVE MEASURES AGAINST SEXUAL ABUSE OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, INFORMATION AND RELIABLE STATISTICS ARE OFTEN LACKING, SO THAT THE REAL SIZE OF THE PROBLEM, AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING TO THE OCCURRENCE OF SUCH ABUSE, ARE ALWAYS DIFFICULT TO ESTABLISH AND ANALYSE.
"FOR THE SAME REASONS, FORMAL PREVENTIVE MEASURES OFTEN PROVE TO BE DIFFICULT TO DEVISE."
MR CHAMBERS CONGRATULATED THE ZONTA CLUB OF HONG KONG FOR ITS INITIATIVE IN ORGANISING THE SEMINAR, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG TO DEAL WITH THE SUBJECT OF SEXUAL ABUSE OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.
THE OBJECT OF THE SEMINAR IS TO ALERT THOSE INVOLVED IN THE CARE AND PROTECTION OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, INCLUDING THEIR PARENTS AND FAMILIES, TO THE POTENTIAL DANGERS.
"WITH INCREASED AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE ISSUES, THE RISK OF ABUSE CAN, I WOULD HOPE, BE MINIMISED, AND THE TREATMENT AND AFTERCARE OF THESE CASES HANDLED WITH MORE INSIGHT AND SENSITIVITY," MR CHAMBERS ADDED.
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SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 1988
- 2 -
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR MARCH PUBLISHED * * » » *
STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH SHOWED THAT HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS FELL IN MARCH THIS YEAR COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH, PARTLY REFLECTING THE CONTINUED OUTFLOW OF SPECULATIVE FUNDS.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS, ON THE OTHER HAND, INCREASED IN MARCH.
CONSISTENT WITH THE DECLINE IN HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS, HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY ON ALL DEFINITIONS FELL IN MARCH COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY.
TOTAL LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY DEPOSIT-TAKING INSTITUTIONS SHOWED A SLIGHT INCREASE IN MARCH.
LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG, WHICH HAD FALLEN FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE MONTHS, ROSE MODERATELY IN MARCH. LOANS FOR FINANCING VISIBLE TRADE AND OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG ALSO SHOWED MODEST INCREASES.
TABLE 1 SETS OUT SUMMARY FIGURES FOR MARCH 1988 AND COMPARISONS WITH EARLIER MONTHS. TABLE 2 PRESENTS FIGURES FROM THE QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS AND ADVANCES FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR.
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS FELL BY 1.5 PER CENT IN MARCH, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 2.9 PER CENT IN JANUARY AND A DECLINE OF 0.6 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY.
WITHIN THESE DEPOSITS, DEMAND DEPOSITS AND SAVINGS DEPOSITS DECREASED BY 8.6 PER CENT AND 5.3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, WHILE TIME DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 5.9 PER CENT.
DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING MARCH 1988, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 19.7 PER CENT.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS GREW BY 3.2 PER CENT IN MARCH, FOLLOWING A FALL OF 3.1 PER CENT IN JANUARY AND AN INCREASE OF 0.9 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY. AMONG THESE DEPOSITS, U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 3 PER CENT WHILE NON-U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 3.5 PER CENT.
OVER THE YEAR, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS ROSE BY 21.8 PER CENT.
/FOREIGN CURRENCY .......
SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 1988
- J -
FOREIGN CURRENCY SWAP DEPOSITS ROSE BY 27.2 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY, AFTER A DECLINE OF 25.1 PER CENT IN JANUARY AND AN INCREASE OF 13.8 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY.
ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE THESE DEPOSITS, HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 0.1 PER CENT IN MARCH AND BY 15.9 PER CENT OVER THE YEAR.
ON THE OTHER HAND, FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS, ADJUSTED TO EXCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS, INCREASED BY 2 PER CENT IN MARCH AND BY 25.7 PER CENT OVER THE YEAR.
DEPOSITS (ALL CURRENCIES) WITH BANKS INCREASED BY 1 PER CENT IN MARCH WHILE THOSE WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ROSE BY 2.2 PER CENT. THEIR RESPECTIVE INCREASES FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDING MARCH 1988 WERE 22.8 PER CENT AND 1.9 PER CENT.
MONEY SUPPLY
THE FALL IN CASH HOLDINGS AFTER THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, COUPLED WITH A DECLINE IN DEMAND DEPOSITS, RESULTED IN A DROP OF 5.5 PER CENT IN HK$M1 IN MARCH. HK$M2 AND HK$M3 FELL MORE MODERATELY, BY 1.5 PER CENT AND 1.2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES FOR THESE MONETARY AGGREGATES IN FEBRUARY WERE 1.4 PER CENT, 0.8 PER CENT AND 0.6 PER CENT.
DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING MARCH, HK$M1, M2 AND M3 GREW BY 34.7 PER CENT, 25.6 PER CENT AND 22.1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
ADJUSTED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF SWAP DEPOSITS, IIKSM2 RECORDED ZERO GROWTH WHILE HKSM3 GREW BY 0.1 PER CENT IN MARCH. OVER THE YEAR, THEY GREW BY 21.1 PER CENT AND 18.4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
TOTAL Ml FELL BY 7.2 PER CENT IN MARCH WHILE TOTAL M2 AND M3 GREW BY 1 PER CENT AND 1.1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. THESE COMPARED WITH CORRESPONDING RATES OF 1.9 PER CENT, 0.9 PER CENT AND 0.7 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY.
DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING MARCH, TOTAL Ml GREW BY 36 PER CENT, TOTAL M2 BY 23.9 PER CENT AND TOTAL M3 BY 21.5 PER CENT.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES GREW BY 0.4 PER CENT IN MARCH, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 0.3 PER CENT IN JANUARY AND A DECREASE OF 0.1 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY.
OF THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS, THOSE DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLAR EDGED UP BY 1.2 PER CENT, WHILE THOSE DENOMINATED IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES DROPPED BY 0.1 PER CENT.
/LOANS TO .......
SATURDAY, APRIL JO, 1988
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG GREW BY 1.2 PER CENT IN MARCH AFTER A DROP OF 0.1 PER CENT IN JANUARY AND AN INCREASE OF 1.7 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY; OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 15.6 PER CENT.
OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG ROSE BY 0.8 PER CENT IN MARCH, AFTER INCREASES OF 1.3 PER CENT AND 1.2 PER CENT IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY RESPECTIVELY; OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 24.3 PER CENT.
LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG INCREASED BY 2.1 PER CENT IN MARCH AFTER DECREASES OF 0.6 PER CENT AND 2.4 PER CENT IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY RESPECTIVELY; OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 79.6 PER CENT.
QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS AND ADVANCES FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR
IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1988, LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED TO THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR ROSE BY 6.6 PER CENT, AFTER AN INCREASE OF 6.6 PER CENT IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 21.2 PER CENT.
LOANS TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES INCREASED BY 1.9 PER CENT THIS QUARTER, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 10.5 PER CENT IN THE FOURTH QUARTER LAST YEAR. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 31.2 PER CENT.
THE GROWTH IN LOANS TO THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SECTOR PICKED UP SLIGHTLY TO 4.2 PER CENT IN THE FIRST QUARTER, FROM 3.5 PER CENT IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 11.9 PER CENT.
LOANS TO INDIVIDUALS FOR THE PURCHASE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY (OTHER THAN FLATS IN THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME) GREW BY 6.7 PER CENT IN THE FIRST QUARTER, AFTER AN INCREASE OF 5.7 PER CENT IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 31.9 PER CENT.
LOANS TO FINANCIAL CONCERNS AND TO STOCKBROKERS ROSE BY 6.1 PER CENT AND 3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN THE FIRST QUARTER, COMPARED WITH RESPECTIVE DECLINES OF 3.3 PER CENT AND 51.9 PER CENT IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER. OVER THE YEAR, THE FORMER GREW BY 52.5 PER CENT WHILE THE LATTER DROPPED BY 25.5 PER CENT.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF DEPOSIT-TAK1 NG COMPANIES REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 155,
REPORTING LICENSED BANKS, AND REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING 35 AND 231 RESPECTIVELY.
LICENSED COMPANIES
SATURDAY. APRIL 30, 1988
5
MONETARY STATISTICS - MARCH 1988
<HKSmn)
Mar 1988 Earlier months
-------- (% change to March 1988)
Money Supply Feb 1988 Dec 1987 Mar 1987
Ml - HKS 73.024 77.288 ( -5.5 X) 73,826 ( -1.1 %) 54,193 ( 34.7 Xj
Foreign currency 7.740 9.711 (-20.3 X) 8,076 ( -4.2 X) 5,190 ( 49.1 * )
Total 80.764 86.999 ( -7.2 X) 81,902 (-1.4 %) 59.383 ( 36.0 * 1
M2 - HKS 323.122 328.158 ( -1.5 X) 310,910 ( 3.9 %) 257,310 ( 25 6 X)
Foreign currency 371 ,7"6 359.861 ( 3.3 %) 366.132 ( 1-5 X) 303,553 ( 22.5 X)
Total* 694.899 688.019 ( 1.0 X) 677.042 ( 2.6 X) 560,863 ( 23 9 • )
M3 - HKS 3 v 1 . 3 * c 355.787 ( -1.2 X) 342.847 ( 2.5 %) 287.802 ( 22 1 " 1
Foreign currency 401.4 388.875 ( 3.2 X) 4U0,506 ( 0.2 X) 331.799 ( 22.0 • )
Total 752.618 744,662 ( 1.1 %) 743,353 ( 1.3 1) 619,601 ( 21.5 * 1
Notes and coins in circulation 32.253 33.092 ( -2.5 X) 28.766 ( 12.1 %) 23,411 ( 37.8 X )
of which held by public 28.642 28.716 ( -0.3 X) 24,764 ( 15.7 %) 20,410 ( 40.3 X 1
Deposits
Demand deposits 52,122 58,284 (-10.6 X) 57,138 ( -8.8 X) 38,974 ( 33.7 X )
Savings deposits 181.924 190.868 ( -4.7 X) 181,109 ( 0.5 X) 137.204 ( 32.6 X)
Time deposits with banks 419.327 397,721 ( 5.4 X) 403,439 ( 3.9 X) 355,711 ( 17.9 X )
Time deposits with dtcs 55.950 54.731 ( 2.2 X) 61.924 ( -9.6 X) 54,910 ( 1.9 X)
HKS deposits 311.697 316,336 ( -1.5 X) 309,543 ( 0.7 X) 260,361 ( 19.7 %)
USS deposits 217.406 211.167 ( 3.0 X) 222,603 ( -2.3 %) 205,524 ( 5.8 X)
Other foreign currency deposits 180,219 174.101 ( 3.5 X) 171,464 ( 5.1 X) 120,914 ( 49.0 X)
All deposits 709,322 701,604 ( 1.1 X) 703,609 ( 0.8 X) 586,798 ( 20.9 X)
Foreign currency swap deposits 22,921 18,014 ( 27.2 %) 21,151 ( 8.4 %) 28,340 ( -19.1 X)
Loans and advances
To finance H.K.’s visible trade 45.505 44,965 ( 1.2 X) 44,255 ( 2.8 X) 39,360 ( 15.6 X)
To finance merchandising trade 5.210 7.847 (-33.6 X) 7.002 (-25.6 X) 4,482 ( 16.2 X)
not touching H.K.
Other loans for use in H.K. 364,510 361.572 ( 0.8 X) 352,685 ( 3.4 X) 293,151 ( 24.3 X)
Other loans for use outside H.K. 309.568 303,234 ( 2.1 X) 312,530 ( -0.9 X) 172,400 ( 79.6 X)
Other loans where the place of 58,729 62,515 ( -6.1 X) 62,308 ( -5.7 X) 35,908 ( 63.6 X)
use is not known
Loans in HKS 318.875 315,058 ( 1.2 X) 309,345 ( 3.1 X) 268,729 ( 18.7 X)
Loans in foreign currencies 464,648 465,074 ( -0.1 X) 469,436 ( -1.0 X) 276,572 ( 68.0 X)
Total loans and advances 783,523 780,133 ( 0.4 X) 778,781 ( 0.6 X) 545,300 ( 43.7 X)
SATURDAY, APRIL JO, 1988
6
TABLE 2 : QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR - MARCH 1988
(HKSmn)
Mar 1988
Earlier quarters (% change to March 1988)
Manufacturing 31.795 29,833 (
Transport and transport equipment 20.156 19,598 (
Building, construction property development and 41,187 39.512 (
Wholesale and retail t rade 44,212 43.404 (
Financial concerns* 36.554 34.445 (
Individuals:
to purchase flats in Ownership Scheme and Sector Participation the Home Private Scheme 7.498 7,497 (
to purchase other re; property sidential 61.772 57,915 (
other purposes 45,263 44,019 (
Others 76,072 76.464 (
Total 364,510 352,685 (
* This excludes funds advanced to banks
Dec 1987
Sep 1987 Mar 1987
6.6 %) 28,034 ( 13.4 %) 26.227 ( 21.2 X)
2.8 %) 19,110 ( 5.5 %) 18.583 ( 8 5%)
4.2 %) 38,185 ( 7.9 %) 36,819 ( 11.9
1.9 *.) 39,270 ( 12.6 %) 33.688 ( 312%)
6.1%) 35.610 ( 2.7 %) 23.975 ( 52 5
0.0 %) 7.335 ( 2.2%) 6,435 ( 16.5 %)
6.7 %) 54.782 ( 12.8 %) 46.848 ( 31.9 %)
2.8 %) 42,599 ( 6.3 %) 34,791 ( 30.1 %)
-0.5 %) 75,609 ( 0.6%) 65.786 ( 15.6 %)
3.4 %) 340,534 ( 7.0 %) 293.151 ( 24.3 %)
and depos it-taking companies
-----0------
/7
SATURDAY, APRIL 30,
1988
- 7 -
SUCCESS FOR POLICE DRUG FIGHTERS * » » * »
THE POLICE NARCOTICS BUREAU WHICH HAS GAINED A WIDESPREAD REPUTATION FOR ITS INDEFATIGABLE WORK IN CLAMPING DOWN ON DRUG TRAFFICKING ACTIVITIES, CONTINUED ITS IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE TERRITORY'S ANTI-NARCOTICS EFFORTS IN MARCH WHEN A TOTAL OF 223.7 KO OF HEROIN,CANNABIS AND OPIUM WAS SEIZED IN 51 OPERATIONS.
THE LARGEST OPERATION WAS MOUNTED ON MARCH 13 WHEN SOME 200 KG OF NO. 3 HEROIN, WORTH ABOUT $10 MILLION, AND A QUANTITY OF DRUG MANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT WERE FOUND IN A FLAT IN THE MID-LEVELS. TWO MEN WERE ARRESTED IN THE OPERATION.
DURING THE MONTH, THE NB AND THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN CHINA AND THE U.S. HAD ALSO JOINED HANDS IN SMASHING AN INTERNATIONAL DRUG SYNDICATE, RESULTING IN THE ARREST OF 13 PEOPLE IN VARIOUS CITIES AND THE SEIZURE OF 3.3 KG OF HEROIN AT SHANGHAI AIRPORT.
MEANWHILE, OFFICERS FROM THE THREE LAND REGIONS ALSO SEIZED 12. 7 KG OF NO. 3 HEROIN AND THREE KG OF OPIUM AND ROUNDED UP 854 PEOPLE IN 1,299 ANTI-NARCOTICS OPERATIONS.
THERE WAS ALSO NO LET UP FOR THE POLICE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST VICE ACTIVITIES. THE LAW-ENFORCERS CONDUCTED 3,892 RAIDS AND ARRESTED 250 PEOPLE IN MARCH. A TOTAL OF 300 COPIES OF OBJECTIONABLE MAGAZINES AND 155 OBSCENE VIDEO TAPES WAS SEIZED..
ON THE ANTI-ILLEGAL GAMBLING FRONT, POLICE CARRIED OUT 202 RAIDS DURING THE PERIOD. A TOTAL OF 784 PEOPLE, SUSPECTED OF BREACHING THE GAMBLING ORDINANCE, WAS ARRESTED. TOTAL SEIZURE INCLUDING TABLE MONEY AND BETTING SLIPS AMOUNTED TO $1.7 MILLION.
ROUNDING UP THE FIGURES FOR MARCH, A TOTAL OF 5,444 RAIDS WERE CONDUCTED, WITH 1,917 PEOPLE ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH ILLICIT DRUGS, VICE AND ILLEGAL GAMBLING. OUT OF THESE OPERATIONS, 626 WERE CONDUCTED ON HONG KONG ISLAND, WITH 419 ARRESTS; 4,459 WERE CONDUCTED IN KOWLOON, WITH 1,101 ARRESTS; AND 308 WERE CONDUCTED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, WITH 368 ARRESTS.
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SATURDAY, APRIL 30,
1988
8
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE * * «
FOR LANGUAGE TEACHERS * »
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL BE ONE OF THE FIRST ORGANISATIONS TO USE THE NEW HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE ON THE WAN CHAI WATERFRONT WHEN IT HOLDS AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR LANGUAGE TEACHERS THERE IN DECEMBER THIS YEAR.
THE THEME OF THIS FOURTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IS "TEACHING LEARNING STYLES WITHIN AND ACROSS CULTURES: IMPLICATIONS FOR LANGUAGE PEDAGOGY".
ORGANISED BY THE INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, A NUMBER OF LOCAL AND OVERSEAS EXPERTS ON LANGUAGE TEACHING WILL TAKE PART IN THE CONFERENCE WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN DECEMBER 13 AND 15.
THE OBJECTIVES OF THIS YEAR’S CONFERENCE ARE TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CURRICULUM DEVELOPERS, TEACHER TRAINERS, LANGUAGE TEACHERS, APPLIED LINGUISTS AND EDUCATIONAL PLANNERS TO IDENTIFY THE CONCEPTS OF LANGUAGE AND LANGUAGE LEARNING IN DIFFERENT SOCIETIES AND CULTURES AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR LANGUAGE PEDAGOGY.
PARTICIPANTS WILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO EXAMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF ADAPTING LANGUAGE TEACHING STYLES EMPLOYED IN ONE CULTURE FOR USE IN OTHER CULTURES AND EXPLORE THE ISSUES INVOLVED IN USING LANGUAGE TEACHING STYLES ACROSS CULTURES, AS WELL AS ASPECTS OF SCHOOL-FOCUSSED CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT WITHIN AND ACROSS CULTURES.
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PARTICIPANTS TO EXAMINE DIFFERENCES IN THE RECEPTION BY PUPILS, TEACHERS, EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATORS AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE OF TEACHER-CENTRED AND PUPIL-CENTRED APPROACHES TO LANGUAGE TEACHING IN DIFFERENT CULTURAL CONTEXTS.
THE CONFERENCE WILL PROVIDE A VENUE FOR THE PARTICIPANTS TO COMPARE THESE APPROACHES TO LANGUAGE TEACHING IN DIFFERENT CULTURAL CONTEXTS, AND TO EXAMINE CURRENT ISSUES IN THE SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY OF LEARNING STYLES.
APPLICATIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CONFERENCE ARE NOW INVITED. DETAILS AND FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION, PARK-IN COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 21ST FLOOR, 56 DUNDAS STREET, MONG KOK.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS SEPTEMBER 30. POTENTIAL PARTICIPANTS WISHING TO READ PAPERS AT THE CONFERENCE ARE REQUESTED TO SUBMIT ABSTRACTS FOR CONSIDERATION BEFORE JUNE 30.
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SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 1988
- 9 -
KWUN TONG DB COMMITTEE MEETINGS OPEN TO PUBLIC
*****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL IN FUTURE BE ABLE TO ATTEND MEETINGS OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S VARIOUS COMMITTEES.
THE BOARD HAS AGREED IN PRINCIPLE THAT ALL ITS COMMITTEE MEETINGS SHOULD BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
SIX COMMITTEES HAVE BEEN FORMED UNDER THE FOURTH TERM DISTRICT BOARD TO DEAL WITH VARIOUS DISTRICT MATTERS - ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT, TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION, SOCIAL SERVICES, HOUSING, AND CULTURE, RECREATION, SPORTS AND COMMUNITY BUILDING.
THE FIRST TO MEET IN PUBLIC WILL BE THE CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS AND COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE, ON MONDAY (MAY 2). I
MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS THE PROPOSED WORK PLAN FOR 1988-89 AND THE SCHEDULE FOR ALLOCATION OF GRANTS TO LOCAL ORGANISATIONS ARRANGING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES.
THE MEETING WILL ALSO REVIEW THE PROGRESS OF CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL PROJECTS IN THE DISTRICT.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE CO-OPTING OF NON-DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS INTO THE COMMITTEE AND THE URBAN COUNCIL’S RECREATION AND SPORTS PROGRAMME FOR KWUN TONG IN 1988-89.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FIRST MEETING OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS AND COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON MONDAY (MAY 2) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, TUNG YAN STREET. IT WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 1988
- 10 -
ENTRIES INVITED FOR WED PHOTO CONTEST
* « * * *
ENTRIES FOR A PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION ORGANISED TO CELEBRATE THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY (WED) 1988 IN HONG KONG SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BEFORE MAY 16.
THE REMINDER CAME TODAY (SATURDAY) FROM A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WORKING GROUP SET UP UNDER THE ENVIRONMENT POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EPCOM) TO CO-ORDINATE THE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES IN CELEBRATION OF WED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID CONTESTANTS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT ENTRIES IN PAIRS, ONE SHOWING "BEAUTIFUL HONG KONG" AND THE OTHER SHOWING "POLLUTED HONG KONG". ENTRIES WILL BE JUDGED IN PAIRS.
THERE WILL BE PRIZES FOR THE FIRST THREE WINNERS IN THE CONTEST, AND THEY WILL RECEIVE A FUJI PHOTOGRAPHIC COUPON OF $6,000, $3,000 AND $1,000, RESPECTIVELY. THERE WILL ALSO BE 10 CONSOLATION PRIZES OF A FUJI GIFT SET.
THE BEST ENTRIES WILL BE DISPLAYED AT AN ENVIRONMENTAL PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION TO BE HELD BETWEEN JUNE 4 AND 13. IT WILL BE OPENED BY THE GOVERNOR.
ENTRY FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND AUTHORISED FUJI DEALERS.
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TSUEN WAN DB TO DISCUSS MTR SURCHARGE
* » * «
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE PEAK HOUR SURCHARGE PROPOSED BY THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AT ITS MEETING ON TUESDAY (MAY 3).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM OF WATER SUPPLY IN TSTNG LUNG TAU AND SHAM TSENG IN COPING WITH CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THESE
VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN TSUEN WAN WILL SUBMIT ANNUAI PROGRAMMES OF WORK WITH INFORMATION ON LONG-TERM PLANNING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TSUEN WAN ON TUESDAY (MAY 3) IN THE MAIN CONFERENCE COUNCIL, SECOND FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN. AT 2.30 PM.
DISTRICT BOARD MEETING ROOM OF THE REGIONAL
SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 1988
11
ABERDEEN DRAGON BOAT RACE ENTRIES CLOSE ON FRIDAY
*****
ORGANISATIONS AND RESIDENTS WHO WISH TO TAKE PART IN THE ABERDEEN DRAGON BOAT RACES ARE REMINDED THAT THEY MUST SEND IN THEIR ENTRIES TO THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE BY MAY 6 (FRIDAY).
THE DRAGON BOAT RACES, TO BE HELD ON JUNE 18 AT ABERDEEN WATERFRONT IN CELEBRATION OF THE TUEN NG FESTIVAL, HAVE ALREADY ATTRACTED MORE THAN 20 TEAMS FROM ALL OVER THE TERRITORY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE SAID THAT MORE TEAMS ARE WELCOME TO ENTER THIS TRADITIONAL ANNUAL EVENT IN ABERDEEN.
THE RACES WILL BE DIVIDED INTO MEN’S OPEN, WOMEN’S OPEN AND MEN’S AMATEUR SECTIONS. EACH PARTICIPATING TEAM SHOULD CONSIST OF 22 MEMBERS, INCLUDING COX AND DRUMMER.
THE ORGANISERS WILL PROVIDE THE DRAGON BOATS, OARS AND DRUMS.
IN ADDITION, PRACTISE SESSIONS WILL BE ARRANGED FOR TEAMS WHICH HAVE LIMITED EXPERIENCE IN DRAGON BOAT RACING. •
ENTRY FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES JN ABERDEEN CENTRE, WAH FU ESTATE, LEI TUNG ESTATE AND STANLEY VILLAGE ROAD. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-540271.
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OPENING OF LONG PING COMMUNITY HALL ♦ ♦ * *
THE LONG PING COMMUNITY HALL IN YUEN LONG, WHICH PROVIDES A VENUE FOR VARIOUS SPORTS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT, WILL BE OPENED FOR PUBLIC USE FROM MONDAY (MAY 2).
UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE, THE AIR-CONDITIONED COMMUNITY HALL IS EQUIPPED WITH FACILITIES FOR A WIDE RANGE OF SPORTS INCLUDING BADMINTON, TABLE TENNIS, GYMNASTICS AND JUDO.
THERE ARE ALSO FACILITIES FOR HOLDING EXHIBITIONS AND MUSICAL AND DANCING PERFORMANCES.
THE COMMUNITY HALL IS LOCATED ON THE PODIUM FLOOR BETWEEN HOR PING HOUSE AND YUET PING HOUSE IN LONG PING ESTATE.
IT WILL BE OPENED ON MONDAYS TO SATURDAYS FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM AND 2 PM TO 10 PM, AND WILL BE CLOSED ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 0-4730670 OR 0-4730692.
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SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 1988
12
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CHANGES IN KOWLOON » » » »
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO BE ON THE ALERT CONCERNING TRAFFIC CHANGES IN YAU MA TEI AND HUNG HOM FROM TUESDAY (MAY 3).
IN YAU MA TEI, FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY, PUBLIC SQUARE STREET BETWEEN RECLAMATION STREET AND SHANGHAI STREET WILL BE CONVERTED FROM ONE-WAY EASTBOUND TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC.
THE NORTHERN TRAFFIC LANE WILL BE OCCUPIED BY A WESTBOUND BUS LANE WHILE EASTBOUND VEHICLES WILL USE THE SOUTHERN TRAFFIC LANE.
PEDESTRIANS ARE ADVISED TO "LOOK LEFT” WHEN THEY CROSS THIS SECTION OF PUBLIC SQUARE STREET.
AT THE SAME TIME, VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT FROM PUBLIC SQUARE STREET WESTBOUND INTO SHANGHAI STREET NORTHBOUND.
KMB ROUTES NO. 1, 1A, 3C, 3E, 9, 13, 81 AND CROSS-HARBOUR ROUTES NO. 102, 104 AND 105 WILL BE DIVERTED VIA PUBLIC SQUARE STREET, RECLAMATION STREET, WING SING LANE AND SHANGHAI STREET, WITHOUT PASSING THROUGH PUBLIC SQUARE STREET.
THE MEASURES WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS TO FACILITATE RECONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC SQUARE STREET.
IN HUNG HOM, THE WUHU VEHICULAR UNDERPASS LEADING FROM NORTHBOUND CHATHAM ROAD NORTH TO SOUTHBOUND GILLIES AVENUE WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 1 AM AND 5 AM ON BOTH TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY (MAY 4).
THE MEASURE WILL FACILITATE SKID-RESISTANCE TESTING INSIDE THE UNDERPASS.
MOTORISTS TRAVELLING FROM TSIM SHA TSUI, YAU MA TEI AND THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL AND HEADING FOR HUNG HOM, WILL HAVE TO USE EITHER CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH, CHEONG WAN ROAD, ON WAN ROAD, CHEONG WAN ROAD AND GILLIES AVENUE; OR GASCOIGME ROAD, CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH, CHATHAM ROAD NORTH, PAK KUNG STREET, SHUN YUNG STREET, FAT KWONG STREET AND MA TAU WAI ROAD.
MEANWHILE, FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY, TO FUK ROAD IN KOWLOON TONG, A NEW ROAD LINKING SUFFOLK ROAD AND NORFOLK ROAD, WILL BE OPEN TO TRAFFIC.
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SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 1988
- 1J -
TRAFFIC RE-ROUTEING AND FLYOVER OPENING *****
FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MAY 2), TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN SHAU KEI WAN WILL BE RE-ROUTED INTO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC.
THE TWO ROAD SECTIONS ARE NAM ON STREET BETWEEN ALDRICH BAY ROAD AND NAM HONG STREET, AND NAM HONG STREET BETWEEN NAM ON STREET AND SHAU KEI WAN ROAD.
IN CENTRAL, FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (MAY 3), THE HARCOURT ROAD FLYOVER LINKING HARCOURT ROAD AND COTTON TREE DRIVE WILL OPENED TO TRAFFIC.
VEHICLES ON HARCOURT ROAD WESTBOUND WILL BE ABLE TO PROCEED DIRECT TO COTTON TREE DRIVE VIA THIS NEW FLYOVER.
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