DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
CONFIDENCE IN BASIC LaW WILL ENSURE PROSPERITY, STABILITY: JACOBS .................................................... 1
COMMUNITY LEADERS URGED TO RECONCILE VIEWS ................. 3
CURRENT DRAFT PROVIDES GOOD FRAMEWORK ...................... 5
HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY VITAL TO HKSAR ..................... 6
HK NOT READY FOR FASTER PACE FOR DIRECT ELECTIONS........... 8
CUE VOICE FOR POLITICAL STRUCTURE THAT WORKS.............. 10
OBLIGATION TO IMPLANT DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT IN HK.......... 11
SUCCESSFUL SYSTEMS MUST BE MAINTAINED...................... 13
CALL FOR HK PEOPLE TO PULL TOGETHER .....................
MORE IMPORTANT TO GET ECONOMIC PROVISIONS RIGHT ........... 16
PRIDE EXPRESSED IN BELONGING TO HONG KONG ................. 18
PROSPERITY CANNOT LIST WITHOUT DEMOCRACY .................. 19
LEGCO PASSES MOTION ON BASIC LAW DRAFT .................... 20
GOVERNOR LEAVING FOR LONDON TO ATTEND FAC HEARINGS .......... 21
TRANSPORT SECRETARY BRIEFS DB CHaIRMEN ON GREEN PhPER ....... 22
3126M CONTRACT TO EaSE CONGESTION AT MAJOR JUNCTION.......... 22
STUDENTS URGED TO SPREAD JOB SAFETY MESSAGE ................. 23
AFD EXTENDS CONTROL ON IVORY TRADE .......................... 25
JUNK BAY NEW TOWN RENAMED TbEUNG KWAN 0.................... 26
SINKING OF VESSEL TO BE INVESTIGATED ........................ 27
INDUSTRY DEPT SURVEY OF OVERSEAS INVESTMENT BEGINS .......... 28
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY FOR MARCH RELEASED 29
POSTAL ARRANGB-ISKTS FOR HOLIDAYS ........................... 3^
FSD BEGIN RECRUITMENT DRIVE IN HOUSING ESTATES ............. 31*
DRAGON BOAT RaCE IN TSUEN WAN RESUMES ....................... 35
SURVEY ON LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME ....................... 35
HOSPITaL GROUP DIRECTORS CALL ON DSW ........................ 36
CLEAN UP OPERATION IN WONG TAI SIN .......................... 37
STUDENTS TO SHOW OFF ARTISTIC TALENTS........................ 38
TRANSPORT, PHYSICAL DISTRIBUTION INDUSTRY SURVEY TO BEGIN ... 38
MEN'S TURN TO GET NEW ID CARDS .............................. 39
WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION IN TWO aREAS ....................... ‘•O
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989
1
CONFIDENCE IN BASIC LAW WILL ENSURE PROSPERITY, STABILITY: JACOBS ******
THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID IT IS IN THE INTEREST OF ALL CONCERNED, INCLUDING CHINA, THAT THE FINAL VERSION OF THE BASIC LAW SHOULD WIN THE FULL CONFIDENCE OF PEOPLE HERE IN HONG KONG, AND FOREIGN INVESTORS.
"IT IS THROUGH THAT CONFIDENCE THAT THE LONG TERM PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF HONG KONG WILL BE ENSURED," SAID MR JACOBS, NOTING THAT MANY HAD EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT RECENT EVENTS IN CHINA HAD RAISED QUESTIONS REGARDING THE CONSULTATION PROCESS ON THE SECOND DRAFT OF THE BASIC LAW IN HONG KONG.
CONCLUDING THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE BASIC LAW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY), HE SAID: "THE THOUGHTFUL AND FORWARD-LOOKING SPEECHES MADE DURING THIS DEBATE EXEMPLIFY THE COMMITMENT OF MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL, AND I HAVE NO DOUBT REFLECT THE WISHES OF THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE TO ATTAIN THE BEST POSSIBLE BASIC LAW. "
MR JACOBS SAID THAT THE MOTION WAS A CLEAR INVITATION TO THE COMMUNITY OF HONG KONG TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE DRAFT BASIC LAW OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION.
HE SAID RECENT EVENTS IN CHINA HAD PROMPTER INTENSE INTEREST AND CONCERN AMONG THE HONG KONG PEOPLE.
"THOSE EVENTS HAVE CAUSED SOME PEOPLE TO QUESTION THE VALUE OF THE BASIC LAW AND THE EXTENT TO WHICH IT WILL GENUINELY GOVERN HONG KONG’S WAY OF LIFE IN FUTURE.
"BUT, AT THE SAME TIME, THEY HAVE LED TO A RECOGNITION ON THE PART OF MANY, INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL, THAT THE BASIC LAW IS, IF ANYTHING, OF GREATER THAN EVER SIGNIFICANCE TO HONG KONG’S FUTURE," MR JACOBS SAID.
ECHOING THE REMARK BY THE GOVERNOR THAT WE MUST LOOK BEYOND IMMEDIATE EVENTS, MR JACOBS SAID THE BASIC LAW WOULD PROVIDE THE FRAMEWORK FOR HONG KONG FOR 50 YEARS AFTER 1997, LONG AFTER THE RECENT EVENTS HAD TAKEN THEIR PLACE IN THE HISTORY BOOKS.
"AND SO, IT IS RIGHT THAT THIS COUNCIL SHOULD ENCOURAGE THE WHOLE COMMUNITY TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON ITS TERMS. IF THEY DO NOT, THE BASIC LAW MAY NOT IN ITS FINAL FORM TRULY REFLECT THEIR ASPIRATIONS," HE ADDED.
MR JACOBS SAID THE BASIC LAW WAS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT WAS THE LEGAL EXPRESSION BY THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA OF THE TERMS OF THE INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT WHICH CHINA ACCEPTED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION, AND THAT IT PROVIDED THE CONSTITUTIONAL FOUNDATION FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF HONG KONG’S SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL SYSTEMS BEYOND 1997.
/"AND IT .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 19&9
2
’’AND IT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE, AS STATED IN ARTICLES 28 AND 29 OF THE PRESENT DRAFT, IT WILL PRESERVE THOSE FREEDOMS, WHICH WE CURRENTLY ENJOY AND VALUE SO HIGHLY, AGAINST ANY ARBITRARY EXERCISE OF POWER, SO THAT MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY CAN CONTINUE TO LIVE THEIR LIVES WITHIN THE RULE OF THE LAW AS WE KNOW IT,” HE ADDED.
THE DRAFTING OF THE BASIC LAW WAS, MR JACOBS NOTED, A MATTER FOR THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.
’’BUT, AS HAS BEEN EMPHASISED ON MANY PREVIOUS OCCASIONS, THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT, AS A CO-SIGNATORY TO THE JOINT DECLARATION, HAS THE RIGHT AND OBLIGATION TO SATISFY ITSELF THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THE BASIC LAW FULLY AND FAITHFULLY REFLECT THE TERMS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION.
’’THE BRITISH AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS HAVE THEREFORE BEEN FOLLOWING THE DRAFTING PROCESS CLOSELY AND HAVE PAID CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY HONG KONG PEOPLE.
"AS A RESULT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE BOTH TO REFLECT SUCH VIEWS TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT THROUGH APPROPRIATE CHANNELS AND TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE VERY USEFUL DISCUSSIONS WHICH HAVE TAKEN PLACE.
"IN THEIR TURN, THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES HAVE SHOWN THEMSELVES RECEPTIVE TO THE MANY VIEWS THAT HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS BELIEVED THAT THERE HAD BEEN GENERAL AGREEMENT BOTH IN HONG KONG AND ELSEWHERE THAT THE SECOND DRAFT BASIC LAW, PUBLISHED IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR, REPRESENTED A CONSIDERABLE IMPROVEMENT ON THE FIRST DRAFT.
"IN PARTICULAR, CHANGES MADE TO THE SECOND DRAFT HAVE, INDEED, GONE A CONSIDERABLE WAY TOWARDS ENSURING THAT THE HKSAR WILL, IN PRACTICE, ENJOY THE HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY PROVIDED FOR IN THE JOINT DECLARATION, SO AS TO GIVE EXPRESSION TO THE CONCEPT OF 'ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS’ ENSHRINED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION," HE SAID.
"MUCH HAS BEEN ACHIEVED AS A RESULT OF THE FIRST CONSULTATION EXERCISE.
"CONSULTATION ON THE SECOND DRAFT PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE THE PROCESS OF REMEDYING THOSE AREAS ON WHICH THERE MAY STILL BE DOUBTS, OR ON WHICH IT HAS NOT YET PROVED POSSIBLE TO ACHIEVE CONSENSUS," MR JACOBS SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE PRESENT DRAFT BASIC LAW WAS THE PRODUCT OF CONSIDERABLE DISCUSSION AND VERY HARD WORK ON THE PART OF THE DRAFTERS.
"WE HAVE SEEN, IN THE CHANGES ADOPTED IN THE SECOND DRAFT, THE VALUE OF CONSENSUS IN THE COMMUNITY.
’’THE MEASURE OF CONSENSUS WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN ACHIEVED IS OF GREAT CREDIT TO ALL CONCERNED," MR JACOBS NOTED.
/WHEN THE .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989
WHEN THE SECOND DRAFT WAS PUBLISHED, MR JACOBS SAID, THE DRAFTERS SPECIFICALLY DREW ATTENTION TO THE NEED TO FOCUS ON THE POLITICAL STRUCTURE OF THE FUTURE HKSAR WHERE THERE WERE DIVERGENT VIEWS IN HONG KONG.
"DIFFERING VIEWS ON CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT STILL REMAIN WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND, NOT SURPRISINGLY, IT HAS BEEN A MAJOR THEME OF THE SPEECHES DURING THIS DEBATE," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS PAID TRIBUTE TO MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN HAMMERING OUT A BLUEPRINT FOR WHAT THEY SAW AS THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE POLITICAL STRUCTURE OF THE HKSAR BEYOND 1997.
"THEIR WILLINGNESS TO SUBORDINATE THEIR PERSONAL WISHES TO THE WIDER GOAL OF ACHIEVING A COMMON VIEW WHICH MAY BE CONVEYED TO THE BASIC LAW DRAFTERS DEMONSTRATES, I BELIEVE, A CLEAR RECOGNITION OF MEMBERS’ RESPONSIBILITIES TO THIS COMMUNITY AND A DEEP SENSE OF COMMITMENT TO ITS FUTURE," HE POINTED OUT.
NOTING THE TERMS OF THE SECOND PART OF TODAY’S MOTION WHICH URGED AUTHORITIES CONCERNED TO TAKE "SUCH VIEWS FULLY INTO ACCOUNT BEFORE THE PROMULGATION OF THE BASIC LAW", MR JACOBS SAID THAT IT WAS A FAIR AND PROPER EXPECTATION.
"FOR ITS PART, THE ADMINISTRATION WILL CERTAINLY ENSURE THAT THE VIEWS THAT HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED SO ELOQUENTLY BY MEMBERS YESTERDAY AND TODAY ARE FULLY REFLECTED TO THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES," THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY CONCLUDED.
THE MOTION WAS PASSED BY THE COUNCIL.
---------------------0------- COMMUNITY LEADERS URGED TO RECONCILE VIEWS *****
COMMUNITY LEADERS IN HONG KONG SHOULD RECONCILE THEIR DIFFERENT VIEWS AND COME TO A CONSENSUS ON THE BASIC LAW, THE HON RONALD ARCULLI SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION DURING THE SECOND DAY OF DEBATE ON THE DRAFT BASIC LAW, MR ARCULLI POINTED OUT THAT THREE CRITICAL ISSUES WERE NOT MENTIONED IN THE THIRD PARAGRAPH OF SECTION I OF THE JOINT DECLARATION, THE DOCUMENT THAT PROVIDED THE FRAMEWORK FOR THE BASIC LAW.
THE THREE ISSUES WERE: THE TIMETABLE; THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE MAY BE SELECTED BY ELECTION; AND THE DEFINITION OF ELECTION.
MR ARCULLI SAID THAT LEGISLATORS SHOULD NOT CONCERN THEMSELVES NOW WITH THE RIGHTS OR WRONGS OF SUCH AN APPROACH. "OUR TASK IS TO GET ALL SECTORS OF HONG KONG TO SPEAK OUT,” HE SAID.
/HE NOTED .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989
HE NOTED THAT MANY POINTS IN THE DRAFT BASIC LAW MIGHT BE REGARDED AS NOT BEING ENTIRELY SATISFACTORY.
CITING ARTICLE 45 AS All EXAMPLE, HE SAID THAT THE PRINCIPLES OF THIS ARTICLE SEEMED CLEAR AND ON THE FACE OF IT, THE CONCEPT SEEMED ACCEPTABLE: IT SAID THAT THE SELECTION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE SHOULD BE GRADUAL AND ORDERLY WITH THE ULTIMATE AIM OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE BEING SELECTED BY GENERAL ELECTION.
"HOWEVER, ON EXAMINATION, IT IS TOO VAGUE AND WHEN ONE LOOK.'; AT THE ANNEX I OF THE DRAFT BASIC LAW, IT BECOMES EVIDENT THAT THIS PROGRESS IS CLEARLY TOO GRADUAL AND TOO ORDERLY," HE SAID.
SIMILARLY, HE QUERIED WHETHER THE THIRD PARAGRAPH OF ARTICLE 56 WHICH SIMPLY SAID ’IF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE DOES NOT ADOPT A MAJORITY OPINION OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HE/SHE SHALL PUT HIS/HER SPECIFIC REASONS ON RECORD’, WAS AS "HARMLESS" AS IT LOOKED.
"CLEARLY IT (THE ARTICLE) PERMITS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE TO ACT CONTRARY TO THE MAJORITY OPINION OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. SOME MIGHT EVEN SAY IT ENCOURAGES HIM TO DO SO," HE SAID.
ACCORDING TO MR ARCULLI’S UNDERSTANDING, THE PRESENT POSITION IN HONG KONG WAS THAT ALTHOUGH THEORETICALLY HE COULD DO SO, THE GOVERNOR NEVER ACTED CONTRARY TO THE MAJORITY OPINION OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
HE THEREFORE BELIEVED THAT RELEVANT CHANGES SHOULD BE MADE TO THE ARTICLE TO REFLECT THE TRUE SITUATION.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT ARTICLE 64 STATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF THE HONG KONG SAR SHALL BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN FOUR RESPECTS - IMPLEMENTING LAWS PASSED BY THE COUNCIL AND ALREADY IN FORCE; PRESENTING REGULAR REPORTS ON ITS WORK TO THE COUNCIL; ANSWERING QUESTIONS RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL; AND OBTAINING APPROVAL FROM THE COUNCIL FOR TAXATION AND PUBLIC EXPENDITURE.
BUT HE SAID, "THE JOINT DECLARATION DOES NOT RESTRICT THIS ACCOUNTABILITY TO THESE FOUR AREAS AND IT THEREFORE APPEARS TO BE A DEPARTURE."
SINCE THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE HKSAR WAS CRUCIAL, HE FELT STRONGLY THAT CHANGES TO THIS ARTICLE SHOULD BE MADE.
TURNING TO THE SUBJECT OF CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT BEFORE 1997, MR ARCULLI SUGGESTED THAT THE PACE BE REVIEWED AND HONG KONG’S POSITION RE-EVALUATED.
"IT MAY BE UNREALISTIC TO HOLD TO THE POSITION THAT ONLY 10 BE RETURNED TO THIS COUNCIL BY DIRECT ELECTION IN 1991," HE SAID.
"WE MUST START OUR THINKING PROCESS NOW AND EXAMINE WHAT OPTIONS ARE OPEN TO US SO THAT A DECISION CAN BE TAKEN AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME."
- 0 -
/5
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989
- 5 -
CURRENT DRAFT PROVIDES GOOD FRAMEWORK * » » *
IT IS BOTH UNREALISTIC AND UNNECESSARY TO START THE DRAFTING OF THE BASIC LAW ALL OVER AGAIN AS THE CURRENT DRAFT PROVIDES A GOOD FRAMEWORK ON WHICH FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS MUST BE BUILT, THE HON MARTIN BARROW SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE DRAFT BASIC LAW, MR BARROW POINTED OUT THAT THE NEW DRAFT ALREADY CONTAINED MANY MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS, WHICH INCLUDED THE LOWU CONCEPT FOR THE LEGISLATURE.
HOWEVER, HE SAID UNCERTAINTY OVER THE CONTINUITY OF INSTITUTIONS AND PERSONALITIES COULD HAVE BEEN PARTICULARLY DAMAGING TO CONFIDENCE.
IN ORDER TO REASSURE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG THAT THE BASIC LAW WOULD BE ADHERED TO, MR BARROW SAID THREE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS MUST BE PRESENT IN THE FINAL DRAFT.
THESE ELEMENTS WERE: FIRST, THE CHECKS AND BALANCES ON EXECUTIVE POWER THAT EXISTED IN THE PRESENT SYSTEM, WITH THE RULE OF LAW ADMINISTERED BY AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY; SECOND, THE CHECKS AND BALANCES THAT FLOWED FROM AN EFFECTIVE FORM OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT; AND THIRD, THE FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES LAID DOWN IN THE JOINT DECLARATION.
HE ALSO ADVISED HONG KONG DRAFTERS TO LOOK AGAIN AT THOSE CLAUSES WHICH RELATED TO THE RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE AND ENSURED THAT THERE WERE NO AMBIGUITIES.
MR BARROW WELCOMED THE UNANIMOUS POSITION TAKEN BY OMELCO IN PROPOSING A DIRECTLY ELECTED LEGISLATURE BY THE YEAR 2003 AND ALSO THAT THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE SHOULD BE DIRECTLY ELECTED BY 2003. HE CONSIDERED THAT THESE WERE SENSIBLE PROPOSALS ON WHICH HE HOPED THERE WOULD BE UNITED SUPPORT FROM THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY.
"IF HONG KONG IS TO REMAIN PROSPEROUS NOT ONLY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, BUT ALSO FOR THE BENEFIT OF CHINA, AN IMPORTANT OBJECTIVE IS TO ENSURE THAT IT REMAINS AN OPEN AND INTERNATIONAL CITY IN EVERY RESPECT," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE NEW DRAFT CONTAINED IMPROVEMENTS PARTICULARLY RELEVANT TO HONG KONG AS AN INTERNATIONAL CENTRE.
"IT IS ALSO ENCOURAGING THAT, UNDER ARTICLE 26, ALL PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF THE SAR SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND THE RIGHT TO STAND FOR ELECTION REGARDLESS OF THEIR RACE.
"SUCH AN ARRANGEMENT GOES BEYOND THE RIGHTS GENERALLY ENJOYED BY NON-NATIONALS AROUND THE WORLD, AND IS SYMBOLIC OF THE NEED TO KEEP HONG KONG AS INTERNATIONAL AS POSSIBLE," HE SAID.
/REFERRING TO
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989
6 -
REFERRING TO THE RIGHTS OF NON-CHINESE NATIONALS IN CHAPTER 3, MR BARROW SAID IT NEEDED TO BE MADE ABSOLUTELY CLEAR THAT ANYONE WHO HAD BEEN IN HONG KONG FOR SEVEN YEARS COULD AUTOMATICALLY TAKE HONG KONG AS HIS OR HER PLACE OF PERMANENT RESIDENCE AND CONTINUED IN HIS OR HER CHOSEN PROFESSION OR VOCATION WITHOUT ANY SPECIAL PROCEDURES OR REQUIREMENTS.
IN ADDITION, HE SUGGESTED THAT THE BASIC LAW SHOULD CLEARLY SPELL OUT THAT PEOPLE OF CHINESE RACE WHO RETURNED TO HONG KONG WITH FOREIGN PASSPORTS WOULD BE TREATED AS FOREIGN NATIONALS JUST LIKE ANY OTHER FOREIGNER HERE AND SO WOULD BE ENTITLED TO CONSULAR PROTECTION.
"THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IN HONG KONG, AND ESPECIALLY THE VARIOUS CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE, WILL NO DOUBT PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE BASIC LAW FROM THE STANDPOINT OF HONG KONG AS AN INTERNATIONAL CENTRE AND THEY SHOULD SUBMIT VIEWS TO THE DRAFTERS," HE SAID. ♦
"IN CONSIDERING THESE IMPROVEMENTS, WE SHOULD ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ESSENTIAL SUPPORT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT, WHOSE ROLE REMAINS TO ENSURE THAT THE BASIC LAW DOES NOT CONTRAVENE THE LETTER OR THE SPIRIT OF THE JOINT DECLARATION,” HE ADDED.
FINALLY, MR BARROW POINTED OUT THAT THE REMARKABLE UNITY OF HONG KONG PEOPLE DISPLAYED IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS MUST BE HARNESSED IN THE VITAL WORK ON THE BASIC LAW AND IN ENSURING THAT THE PRINCIPLE OF "ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS" COULD BE ADHERED TO IN PRACTICE.
HE CALLED ON HONG KONG PEOPLE TO PLAY A ROLE TO SAFEGUARD THIS UNITY, WHICH WAS CLEARLY THE WISH OF THE COMMUNITY.
------0 ------
HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY VITAL TO HKSAR * * ♦ » *
THE ABILITY TO CARRY OUT THE COMMITMENT OF GIVING THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION (HKSAR) A CONSIDERABLE DEGREE OF AUTONOMY WAS THE KEY TO MAINTAINING BOTH LOCAL AND FOREIGN CONFIDENCE, THE HON PAUL CHENG SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR CHENG WAS SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE DRAFT BASIC LAW.
HE SAID THAT SUFFICIENT GUARANTEES OF FREEDOMS AND HUMAN RIGHTS WOULD RESULT IN GREATER CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG. EMIGRATION WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO FEELINGS OF CONFIDENCE.
HE THEREFORE SUGGESTED THAT CHINA MUST MAKE ARRANGEMENTS, OR AT LEAST ON BEHALF OF THE HKSAR, TO BECOME A SIGNATORY TO THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS AND THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS.
/TURNING TO .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989
TURNING TO THE LEGAL AND JUDICIAL SYSTEMS, MR CHENG SAID THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY RELIED HEAVILY ON AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY AND LEGAL SYSTEM TO FACILITATE COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS AND IN CASES OF DISPUTE.
HE SAID THERE MUST BE A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF COMPETENT JUDGES. THEY MUST NOT BE RESTRICTED BY NATIONALITY AND SHOULD BE PROPERLY COMPENSATED AND CAREFULLY SELECTED SO AS TO ENSURE THE CALIBRE OF THEIR SKILL AND THEIR INTEGRITY.
THE POWER OF INTERPRETATION OF THE BASIC LAW MUST REST WITH THE HONG KONG COURTS, AND THE APPLICATION OF THE CHINESE CONSTITUTION IN THE FUTURE HKSAR NEEDED FURTHER CLARIFICATION AND ELABORATION, HE ADDED.
MR CHENG SUGGESTED THAT THE BASIC LAW SHOULD STIPULATE THAT THE HKSAR WOULD PRACTISE AN OPEN IMMIGRATION POLICY.
’’PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING RESIDENT VISA, WORK PERMIT AND PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS SHOULD BE KEPT SIMPLE TO FACILITATE THE MOVEMENTS OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS AND INVESTORS,” HE SAID.
ON THE PUBLIC FINANCE AND TAXATION OF THE HKSAR, MR CHENG SAID THE SAR GOVERNMENT MUST BE GIVEN THE POWER TO SET ITS OWN BUDGET AND DECIDE ON ITS TAX POLICIES.
HE ADDED THAT THE BASIC LAW SHOULD PROVIDE FOR THE HKSAR TO NEGOTIATE TAX TREATIES ON ITS OWN, AND SHOULD STATE THAT TAX TREATIES SIGNED BY CHINA WITH THIRD COUNTRIES WOULD NOT BE APPLICABLE TO THE HKSAR.
ON PROTECTION FOR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, HE SUGGESTED THAT THE BASIC LAW SHOULD BE AMENDED TO GUARANTEE THAT THE HKSAR WOULD CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERNATIONAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AGREEMENTS.
TURNING TO THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR CHENG SAID THAT IN LINE WITH MAINTAINING HONG KONG AS A TRULY INTERNATIONAL CENTRE IN THE REGION HE FOUND UNNECESSARY THE RESTRICTIONS PLACED ON FILLING SOME OF THE SENIOR POSTS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE WITH ONLY CHINESE CITIZENS.
’’THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE GIVEN THE FLEXIBILITY TO EMPLOY THE BEST PEOPLE WITHOUT REGARD TO THEIR NATIONALITY OR ETHNIC ORIGIN,” HE SAID.
HE ALSO HOPED THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE WOULD NOT BE SO PREOCCUPIED WITH THE POLITICS OF CHANGE THAT THEY FAILED TO FOCUS ON THE ECONOMIC REALITIES OF HONG KONG’S EMERGING ROLE AS THE FINANCIAL AND SERVICE CENTRE OF SOUTHERN CHINA.
-------0---------
/8........
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989
- 8 -
HK NOT READY FOR FASTER PACE FOR DIRECT ELECTIONS » » * » »
HONG KONG IS NOT YET READY FOR A FASTER PACE FOR DIRECT ELECTIONS, THE HON NELLIE FONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
"I CONTINUE TO BELIEVE THAT HONG KONG’S BEST INTERESTS WOULD BE SERVED IF WE PRESERVE THE CURRENT SYSTEM AND WITH IT PRESERVE STABILITY AND FOSTER PROSPERITY," SHE SAID DURING THE SECOND DAY OF THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE DRAFT BASIC LAW.
MRS FONG SAID THAT NO MATTER WHAT SOCIAL OR POLITICAL MOVEMENTS OCCURRED IN CHINA AND NO MATTER WHAT INDIVIDUALS IN’ HONG KONG MIGHT WISH TO DO TO SUPPORT OR OBJECT TO THE MOVEMENT, THE PRESERVATION OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES MUST BE PUT AT THE FOREFRONT.
SHE EMPHASISED THAT IT WAS NECESSARY FOR HONG KONG TO HAVE A DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATURE THAT TRULY REPRESENTED ITS PEOPLE AND THEIR INTERESTS.
HONG KONG MUST THEREFORE HAVE AN ELECTION PROCESS THAT MADE CERTAIN THAT A GOOD CROSS SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY WAS REPRESENTED IN THE LEGISLATURE. THIS WOULD NOT NECESSARILY BE ACHIEVED THROUGH DIRECT ELECTIONS, SHE ADDED.
"IN MY OPINION, THE METHOD THROUGH WHICH THIS AIM OF A TRULY REPRESENTATIVE LEGISLATURE COULD BE ACHIEVED IS THROUGH THE USE OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES," SHE SAID.
MRS FONG SAID SHE DID NOT OPPOSE DIRECT ELECTIONS TN PRINCIPLE, BUT SHE WAS CONVINCED THAT THEY WOULD NOT PRODUCE A FAIR AND TRUE REPRESENTATION OF THE OPINIONS AND THE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG AT THE PRESENT STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT.
"I SAY THAT DIRECT ELECTIONS WOULD NOT PRODUCE A TRUE REPRESENTATION AFTER HAVING MADE A CAREFUL ANALYSIS OF THE RESULTS OF OUR LAST URBAN COUNCIL AND DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS, BOTH OF WHICH CONTAINED ELEMENTS OF DIRECT ELECTIONS," SHE SAID.
SHE NOTED THAT A DISPROPORTIONATELY HIGH PERCENTAGE - BETWEEN 50 AND 80 PER CENT - OF THE SUCCESSFULLY DIRECTLY ELECTED CANDIDATES CAME FROM THREE BACKGROUNDS: LAWYERS, ACADEMICS AND SOCIAL WORKERS.
"WHILE I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST THESE THREE PROFESSIONS, I DO NOT CONSIDER THAT A LEGISLATURE COMPOSED MAINLY OF THESE PROFESSIONS IS ADEQUATELY REPRESENTATIVE OF HONG KONG’S INTERESTS," SHE SAID.
TURNING TO THE QUESTION OF THE SAR CHIEF EXECUTIVE, MRS FONG SAID DIRECT ELECTIONS COULD NOT BE EASILY INTRODUCED FOR THE SELECTION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE.
AHE chief
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989
THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE WOULD BE JUST A SINGLE PERSON. HONG KONG SIMPLY COULD NOT AFFORD TO CHOOSE THE WRONG CANDIDATE, SHE NOTED.
"IT IS POINTLESS TO SAY THAT IF WE ALLOW THE PUBLIC TO ELECT THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND THEY ELECT AN UNSUITABLE CANDIDATE, THEN THEY SHOULD SUFFER AS IT WAS THEIR CHOICE.
"WE MUST HAVE THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE," SHE SAID.
SHE THEREFORE SUPPORTED THE USE OF A DEMOCRATICALLY-ELECTED ELECTION COMMITTEE TO SELECT THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE. THE USE OF THE ELECTION COMMITTEE WOULD MAXIMISE THE CHANCES OF HAVING THE MOST SUITABLE CANDIDATE BEING SELECTED BECAUSE IT WOULD PERMIT A BETTER EVALUATION OF THE CANDIDATES' QUALITIES.
IF THE FAST PACE OF MOVING TO DIRECT ELECTIONS PREVAILED. THERE WOULD BE NO SAFE WAY BACK AND THERE WOULD BE RISKS THAT THE REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE AND THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE WOULD NOT HAVE THE QUALITIES NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN CONFIDENCE MUCH BEYOND ELECTION DAY, SHE SAID.
"THE RISKS INVOLVED IN HAVING A LEGISLATURE MADE UP OF LAWYERS, ACADEMICS AND SOCIAL WORKERS AND A CHIEF EXECUTIVE WHO ONLY HAS MASS APPEAL ARE VERY GREAT. IF I SIT BACK AND LET HONG KONG MARCH DOWN THE ROAD TO THIS CHAOTIC ARENA, THEN I AM BEING IRRESPONSIBLE." SHE SAID.
MRS FONG SAID SHE WAS NOT UNDEMOCRATIC. STRONG PROPONENT OF SUBSTANCE OVER FORM.
SHE WAS HOWEVER A
THE SLOW BUT STEADY ADVANCE WHICH SHE ADVOCATED MIGHT NOT LOOK ATTRACTIVE IN ITS FORM, BUT IT HAD THE IN-BUILT SAFEGUARDS THAT WOULD ENSURE THE RESULTING SUBSTANCE WAS WHAT WOULD BE BEST FOR ALL CONCERNED.
"LET'S MAKE SURE WE GUIDE OUR FUTURES TO WHERE THEY SHOULD GO, RATHER THAN JUST LAUNCHING IT FROM A PAD THAT PEOPLE SAY IS IDEAL FOR US BASED ON EXPERIENCE IN OTHER LANDS," SHE SAID.
/1O........
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989
10 -
ONE VOICE FOR POLITICAL STRUCTURE THAT WORKS * ♦ ♦ * *
NOW WAS THE TIME FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO COME TOGETHER TO RESOLVE THEIR DIFFERENCES REALISTICALLY AND IN ONE VOICE TO DEMAND A POLITICAL STRUCTURE WHICH WILL WORK AND COMMAND CONFIDENCE, THE HON MIRIAM LAU SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
"I AM SURE THAT IF WE ALL SPEAK LOUDLY WITH ONE VOICE, WE WILL BE HEARD," MRS LAU SAID DURING THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE DRAFT BASIC LAW.
SHE SAID THAT HOWEVER MUCH WE WOULD LIKE THE POLITICAL SYSTEM TO BE DEMOCRATIC, HOWEVER ANXIOUS WE WERE TO HAVE THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS IMPLEMENTED IN HONG KONG AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, WE MUST NOT ALLOW OUR HEARTS TO RULE OUR HEAD. WE MUST NOT FORGET THE REALITIES SURROUNDING HONG KONG.
"IN MY VIEW, EVOLUTION OF THE POLITICAL SYSTEM MUST TAKE PLACE GRADUALLY AND ORDERLY. ONLY BY SETTING IT AT THIS PACE WILL THERE BE THE LEAST DISRUPTION TO SOCIETY. ONLY BY SETTING IT IN THIS MODE WILL CHINA FIND IT PALATABLE," SHE SAID.
ON THE OTHER HAND, IN LIGHT OF THE STRONG DEMAND FOR DEMOCRACY BY HONG KONG WHICH HAD RECENTLY COME THROUGH LOUD AND STRONG, IT WAS UNREALISTIC TO POSTPONE DIRECT ELECTIONS BY UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE FOR TOO LONG A TIME, SHE ADDED.
FOR THE SELECTION OF THE SAR CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SHE SAID THAT THE IDEAL WAS OF COURSE TO HAVE DIRECT ELECTIONS BY UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE, BUT IN HER OPINION THE ELECTION COMMITTEE PROPOSAL WAS ALSO ABLE TO MEET THE CRITERIA PROVIDED THAT THE COMMITTEE WAS ITSELF DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED AND BROADLY BASED.
"IN REGARD TO THE LEGISLATURE, FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES* HAVE SERVED HONG KONG WELL FOR SOME TIME AND INDIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE THROUGH THEM SHOULD CONTINUE FOR AT LEAST A SHORT PERIOD AFTER 1997 IN ORDER TO EFFECTIVELY MAINTAIN BALANCE, CONTINUITY AND STABILITY IN THE HONG KONG SAR," SHE SAID.
TURNING TO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE AND THE LEGISLATURE, SHE SAID THAT HONG KONG MOST CERTAINLY WOULD NOT WISH THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE TO BE AN "ORGAN GRINDER'S MONKEY" OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.
"WE SHALL TRY TO SEE TO IT THAT HE IS NOT, BUT JUST IN CASE HE TURNS OUT TO BE ONE, WE MUST HAVE IN PLACE THE LEGAL MECHANISM TO PREVENT HIM WIELDING HIS MANY POWERS TO THE DETRIMENT OF HONG KONG’S INTERESTS," SHE SAID.
ON THE QUESTION OF ACCOUNTABILITY, SHE NOTED THAT UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION, THE EXECUTIVE AUTHORITIES WOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE LEGISLATURE.
/THE JOINT .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 198?
THE JOINT DECLARATION DID NOT STATE THAT THE EXECUTIVE AUTHORITIES WERE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE LEGISLATURE IN ONLY CERTAIN RESPECTS, AND THE ONLY INTERPRETATION THAT COULD BE ATTACHED TO IT WAS FULL ACCOUNTABILITY.
THE PROVISIONS OF THE BASIC LAW DRAFT REGARDING ACCOUNTABILITY MUST THEREFORE BE AMENDED TO REFLECT THE TRUE SPIRIT AND INTENT OF THE JOINT DECLARATION, SHE SUGGESTED.
SHE ALSO EXPRESSED GRAVE CONCERN OVER ARTICLE 157 OF THE DRAFT
BASIC LAW.
UNDER THIS ARTICLE, IF THE SAR COURTS NEEDED TO INTERPRET THE PROVISIONS OF THE BASIC LAW CONCERNING AFFAIRS WHICH WERE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CENTRAL PEOPLE’S GOVERNMENT OR THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CENTRAL AUTHORITIES AND THE SAR, THE SAR COURTS WOULD HAVE TO ABDICATE, AND THE POWER WAS RESERVED TO THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS FOR INTERPRETATION OF THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS.
IN ORDER THAT CITIZENS OF ANY COUNTRY MAY BE ADEQUATE! PROTECTED FROM POSSIBLE ABUSES BY AN ARBITRARY GOVERNMENT, THE JUDICIAL ORGANS WITHIN THE CONSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE OF THAT COUNTRY MUST BE ABLE TO FUNCTION EFFECTIVELY, SHE SAID.
"AS SUCH, IT IS MY VIEW THAT ANY RESTRICTION ON THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS MUST BE APPROACHED WITH THE GREATEST OF CAUTION," SHE SAID.
-------0----------
OBLIGATION TO IMPLANT DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT IN HK * » » » »
BOTH THE BRITISH AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO ENSURE THAT A DEEPLY ROOTED DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT IS LAID DOWN BEFORE SOVEREIGNTY OVER HONG KONG REVERTS TO CHINA, DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE DRAFT BASIC LAW, DR LEONG EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT WHAT HAD HAPPENED IN CHINA AMIDST THE PRO-DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT COULD WELL BE MIRRORED INTO HONG KONG WHEN THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION CAME INTO BEING.
HE HOPED THAT THE BASIC LAW ON WHICH HONG KONG HAD TO DEPEND FOR ITS FUTURE WOULD NOT BE ONE THAT CHINA DICTATED, NOR ONE THAT PRO-CHINA BODIES WERE TRYING TO PROPAGATE.
"RATHER, IT MUST BE A BASIC LAW THAT CLEARLY ENSHRINES THAT THE PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WILL BE GOVERNED BY A TRUE, FULLY DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM — LEST THERE WILL BE NO GUARANTEE FOR FREEDOM AND BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS," HE SAID.
/DR LEONG
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989
12
DR LEONG CALLED ON HONG KONG PEOPLE TO GATHER TOGETHER TO PRESS FOR A BASIC LAW THAT COULD BE UPHELD. HE ALSO URGED THE BASIC LAW DRAFTING AND CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEES TO SPEED UP THEIR WORK.
TURNING TO THE CONTENTS OF THE SECOND DRAFT, DR LEONG SAID BOTH THE MEDICAL AND DENTAL PROFESSION THAT HE REPRESENTED HAD COME OUT STRONGLY FOR THE PROPOSAL THAT THE FUTURE CHIEF EXECUTIVE SHOULD BE ELECTED BY UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, PREFERABLY BY 1997.HE SAID A CONSENSUS ON THIS SHOULD BE SOUGHT.
HOWEVER, THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILS NEEDED FURTHER DELIBERATION, HE ADDED.
"FOR WHILST ONE IS RESPONSIBLE AND ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG IF HE IS ELECTED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THROUGH UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE, HE WOULD BE SERVING TWO ’MASTERS’ SHOULD HE BE APPOINTED INTO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL BY OUR FUTURE CHIEF EXECUTIVE UNLESS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE IS ALSO ELECTED THROUGH A DEMOCRATIC PROCESS," HE SAID.
ON HUMAN RIGHTS, DR LEONG SAID THERE WERE INADEQUATE PROVISIONS IN THE DRAFT.
HE SAID THAT CLARIFICATIONS MUST BE MADE TO ARTICLE 18 WHICH GAVE THE NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS STANDING COMMITTEE THE RIGHT TO APPLY "THE RELEVANT NATIONAL LAWS" TO THE HONG KONG SAR WHEN THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE NPC DECIDED THAT A STATE OF EMERGENCY EXISTED, AS WELL AS TO ARTICLE 23 WHICH INDICATED THAT THE HONG KONG SAR SHOULD HAVE THE POWER TO ENACT LAWS TO PROHIBIT ANY ACT OF TREASON, SECESSION, SEDITION OR THEFT OF STATE SECRETS.
HE ALSO STRESSED THAT IT WOULD BE ESSENTIAL THAT SOME FORM OF A BILL OF RIGHTS BE ENACTED IN HONG KONG, AND FOR CHINA TO SHOW ITS SINCERITY BY BECOMING A SIGNATORY TO THE TWO INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COVENANTS CURRENTLY APPLIED TO HONG KONG.
ON THE ACCREDITATION OF PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS, DR LEONG SAID THAT AUTONOMY MUST BE GRANTED TO PROFESSIONAL BODIES IN DETERMINING PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND PRACTISING QUALIFICATIONS.
"IT IS IMPERATIVE THEREFORE THAT IN ARTICLE 141, PARAGRAPH ONE, THE WORD GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE DELETED BECAUSE SUCH WOULD PRECLUDE THE PARTICIPATION OF NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS," HE SAID.
FINALLY, DR LEONG NOTED THAT THE PEACEFUL AND ORDERLY DEMONSTRATIONS BY HONG KONG PEOPLE ON THE LAST TWO SUNDAYS AND OTHER MOVEMENTS SHOWED THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE WERE NOW POLITICALLY MATURE.
HE THEREFORE SUGGESTED THAT BLUEPRINT FOR 10 DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY 1991 MUST BE INTELLIGENTLY REVIEWED AND ALTERED TO MEET THE RISING WAVE OF POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT.
/13........
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989
- 13 -
SUCCESSFUL SYSTEMS MUST BE MAINTAINED
*****
IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT THE BASIC LAW FOR HONG KONG SHOULD CONTAIN ALL THE LEGAL PROVISIONS FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF ITS SUCCESSFUL ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SYSTEMS, THE HON JAMES MCGREGOR TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR MCGREGOR SAID THESE PROVISIONS MUST OPERATE WITHIN A POLITICAL FRAMEWORK THAT WOULD ALLOW HONG KONG PEOPLE TO RULE HONG KONG EFFECTIVELY AND DEMOCRATICALLY, WITHOUT INTERFERENCE, INTERVENTION OR UNDUE INFLUENCE BEING APPLIED BY CHINA AND THEREFORE WITH A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY.
HE WAS SPEAKING IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE DRAFT BASIC LAW.
"THE BASIC LAW MUST ENSURE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION ARE FULLY MET AND THAT THE WIDE RANGE OF HUMAN RIGHTS ENJOYED BY HONG KONG PEOPLE CONTINUE TO BE APPLIED," HE SAID.
ALSO, IT MUST PROVIDE FOR AN ORDERLY DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT IN ORDER TO MEET THE ASPIRATIONS OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE AND TO ENSURE THAT THEY PARTICIPATED FULLY AND LEGITIMATELY IN THE PROCESS OF GOVERNMENT.
"THE PACE OF DEMOCRATIC REFORM IN HONG KONG MUST BE AS RAPID AS POSSIBLE BUT IT MUST NOT OUTPACE THE ABILITY OF HONG KONG PEOPLE TO TAKE UP THEIR NEW RESPONSIBILITIES. IT MUST ALSO SEEK TO MAINTAIN BUSINESS CONFIDENCE." HE SAID.
MR MCGREGOR SAID IT WAS VERY FAR FROM THE TRUTH TO SAY THAT BUSINESSMEN AND BUSINESS GROUPS WERE ARCH-CONSERVATIVE IN THE POLITICAL SENSE, OPPOSING DEMOCRATIC REFORM AND RESISTING ALL EFFORTS AT COMPROMISE.
HE SAID THAT A SURVEY CARRIED OUT IN 1987 BY THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SHOWED THAT 80 PER CENT OF THOSE WHO RESPONDED WERE IN FAVOUR OF UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE AND HALF OF THOSE WANTED TO BEGIN THE PROCESS IN 1988.
HE MAINTAINED THAT THIS POSITIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE ATTITUDE REFLECTED THE GENERAL VIEW OF MOST HONG KONG PEOPLE, AND IT WAS. VERY
OF THE SECOND DRAFT OF THE BASIC LAW, AND IN PARTICULAR ON THE PROPOSED POLITICAL MODEL, BY MEANS OF A POLL CONDUCTED ON THE BASIS OF THE ELECTORAL ROLL IN THE GOVERNMENT COMPUTER.
HE SAID THAT IF THE CONSULTATION PERIOD ON THE BASIC LAW DRAFT WAS EXTENDED, THERE WOULD BE TIME FOR LEGCO OR OMELCO TO SEEK A PUBLIC RESPONSE TO THE POLITICAL MODEL WHICH OMELCO WAS FINALISING.
"THE RESULTS OF SUCH A SURVEY COULD NOT BE DENIED OR DENIGRATED HERE OR IN CHINA, PARTICULARLY IF THE SURVEY IS CONDUCTED BY OMELCO OR BY LEGCO WITH FULL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT,” HE SAID.
/HE ALSO........
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989
14
HE ALSO SAID THAT RECENT EVENTS IN CHINA AND IN HONG KONG H/>D CONFIRMED HIS LONG-HELD VIEW THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE MUST BE GIVEN WHAT THEY SOUGHT, A DEMOCRATICALLY-ELECTED GOVERNMENT ANSWERABLE AND ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE THROUGH THEIR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES. ANYTHING LESS WOULD BE A DENIAL OF JUSTICE.
COMMENTING THAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAD CONSISTENTLY SHOWN ITS WILLINGNESS TO ACCEDE TO THE HONG KONG VIEW ON ALMOST ALL THE SECTIONS OF THE BASIC LAW, MR MCGREGOR SAID THAT IF THE POLITICAL MODEL WOULD ALLOW HONG KONG PEOPLE TO RULE HONG KONG WITHOUT SERIOUS INTERFERENCE FROM CHINA, HONG KONG COULD HAVE A MOST SUCCESSFUL EXISTENCE AS AN SAR WHOSE EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE WOULD ENCOURAGE CHINA TO CATCH UP.
SO, IF OMELCO COULD REACH A UNANIMOUS VIEW ON THE POLITICAL MODEL, THIS WOULD BE A GIANT STEP FORWARD, AND AN OMELCO SURVEY ON THE POLITICAL MODEL MIGHT WELL MAKE THE PROPOSALS IRRESISTIBLE; CHINA WOULD THEN BE UNDER VERY STRONG PRESSURE TO ACCEPT IT, HE SAID.
HE ALSO SAID THAT HE WAS VERY PLEASED THAT OMELCO HAD BEEN ABLE TO REACH A LARGE MEASURE OF AGREEMENT ON THE PACE OF DEMOCRATIC REFORM, AND THAT THIS ENVISAGED A FULLY ELECTED LEGISLATURE BY 2003.
ALSO, THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE WOULD BE ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE BY 2003 AND A SYSTEM OF CHECKS AND BALANCES WOULD BE PROPOSED TO ENSURE THAT THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE SHOULD HAVE THE AUTHORITY NEEDED TO CARRY OUT HIS HEAVY DUTIES WHILE HE AND HIS EXECUTIVE SHOULD BE PROPERLY ACCOUNTABLE TO THE LEGISLATURE.
MR MCGREGER SAID THAT OMELCO WAS SHOWING THE WAY AND HE BELIEVED THE OMELCO PROPOSALS WOULD BE STRONGLY SUPPORTED BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
------0--------
CALL FOR HK PEOPLE TO PULL TOGETHER *****
NOW IS THE TIME FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG - RADICALS, LIBERALS, MODERATES AND CONSERVATIVES - TO PULL TOGETHER TO REACH A CONSENSUS AND TO MAKE THE BASIC LAW A SUCCESS, THE HON JAMES TIEN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY),
SPEAKING IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE DRAFT BASIC LAW, MR TIEN REGRETTED THE RESIGNATIONS OF CERTAIN PROMINENT HONG KONG DRAFTERS WHICH HE TOOK TO BE EMOTIONAL REACTIONS MADE ON THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT TO EVENTS IN BEIJING.
HE APPEALED TO ALL OTHER DRAFTERS TO HOLD FIRM AND NOT TO DESERT THE SHIP OF STATE AT THIS ANXIOUS MOMENT IN THE HISTORIES OF BOTH CHINA AND HONG KONG.
/TURNING TO........
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989
- 15 -
TURNING TO THE POLITICAL SYSTEM, MR TIEN EMPHASISED THAT IN SEARCHING FOR THE BEST FORM OF CHANGE, PEOPLE MUST ALSO REMEMBER THE NEED FOR CONTINUITY.
"IF WE IGNORE CONTINUITY, WE CAN RAPIDLY FLOUNDER IN UNTRIED AND UNCHARTERED WATERS. TOO RAPID A MOVE TOWARDS UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE CAN BE COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE," HE SAID.
WHILE HE AGREED THAT HONG KONG WAS DESTINED EVENTUALLY TO EMBRACE A ONE-MAN-ONE-VOTE POLITICAL SYSTEM, HE BELIEVED THAT IT MUST PROGRESS TOWARDS THIS GOAL IN AN ORDERLY FASHION.
MR TIEN ENVISAGED A GRADUAL, BUT NOT UNDULY PROTRACTED, MOVE TOWARDS GREATER REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG, BASED UPON A SPIRIT OF COMPROMISE AND CONSENSUS.
"I RELUCTANTLY SUPPORT THE OMELCO LINE OF THINKING WHICH SAW THE YEAR 2003 AS THE EARLIEST ACCEPTABLE YEAR FOR THE ELECTION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND ALL OUR LEGISLATURE BY UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE," HE SAID.
HE HOPED THAT BY 2003 - THE YEAR IN WHICH MEMBERS ELECTED BY THEIR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES WOULD BE PHASED OUT ALTOGETHER, WE WOULD BE ABLE TO BUILD UPON SOME CONTINUITY, WITH INCUMBENT LEGISLATORS TRANSFERRING BY ELECTION TO THE RANKS OF THE DFRECTLY ELECTED.
MR TIEN SAID THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY MEMBERS, WITH THEIR UNRIVALLED EXPERTISE, NOT ONLY OFFERED THE LEGISLATURE ADVICE AND CONSULTATION ON A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES BUT ALSO ACTED AS A COUNTER-WEIGHT TO THE BUREAUCRATIC MIGHT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE IN AREAS OF SPECIALISATION AND EXPERTISE.
"AFTER ALL, THEY WILL HAVE HAD BY THEN SOME EIGHT YEARS (1995-2003) TO SHOW THEIR METTLE. THEY WILL BE FAMILIAR WITH THE DAILY BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL. AS INCUMBENT MEMBERS, THEY WILL BE WELL-KNOWN TO THE PUBLIC.
"SURELY, IT MUST BE FOR THE GOOD OF THIS COUNCIL AND FOR HONG KONG THAT THE ELECTORATE SHOULD SEE THE GOOD SENSE OF RETURNING TRIED, TESTED AND SUCCESSFUL INCUMBENTS," HE REMARKED.
MR TIEN FURTHER FELT THAT NOT ENOUGH WAS SAID IN THE BASIC LAW DRAFT ABOUT THE IMPORTANT IDEA OF HOW TO REMOVE TOMORROW’S RULERS, IF NECESSARY.
"POWER, AFTER ALL CORRUPTS, ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY AS RECENT EVENTS IN BEIJING HAVE SHOWN. LEGISLATORS TOO, ARE SOMETIMES LESS THAN PERFECT.
"I WISH THAT THE BASIC LAW SAID A GOOD DEAL MORE ABOUT THE METHODS OF ACCOUNTABILITY," HE SAID.
/HE ADDED .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989
- 16 -
HE ADDED THAT THE SUGGESTED PROCEDURE FOR REMOVING THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE AS PROVIDED BY ARTICLES 52 AND 72(A) WAS EXTREMELY CLUMSY AND LEGISLATORS WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A TRULY CATASTROPHIC CONFLICT WITH HIM BEFORE BEING ABLE TO RECOMMEND HIS REMOVAL.
ON THE ECONOMY, MR TIEN NOTED THAT ARTICLE 118 SUGGESTED A WORRYING ROLE FOR GOVERNMENT AND COULD CAUSE CONCERN TO PEOPLE IN THE FIELD OF BUSINESS.
"IF WE COULD SEE GOVERNMENT HERE AS A PASSIVE FORCE, VIS-A-VIS BUSINESS, THE IMPLICATION IS THAT PROSPERITY IS HIGHLY LIKELY. ON THE OTHER HAND, AN ACTIVE GOVERNMENT IS VERY LIKELY TO DISTURB OR EVEN DESTROY THE WORK OF BUSINESS," HE EXPLAINED.
IN CONCLUSION, MR TIEN BELIEVED WHATEVER SHAPE THE BASIC LA'/ TOOK IT WAS THE ECONOMY WHICH WAS HONG KONG’S SALVATION. AND WITHOUT PROSPERITY, THERE WOULD BE NO STABILITY.
"IF THE ECONOMY IS NOT EFFICIENT, PRODUCING THE PROSPERITY WHICH WE ALL DESIRE, THE CHANCES OF CHINA'S HONOURING THE PRINCIPLE OF ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS ARE VERY REMOTE INDEED," HE SAID.
-------0---------
MORE IMPORTANT TO GET ECONOMIC PROVISIONS RIGHT » » » « *
IT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO GET THE ECONOMIC PROVISIONS OF THE BASIC LAW RIGHT THAN THE POLITICAL ASPECTS. THE HON PETER WONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE SECOND DAY OF THE MOTIONDEBATE ON THE DRAFT BASIC LAW, MR WONG SAID THAT UNLESS HONG KONG KEPT DELIVERING THE ECONOMIC MIRACLES THAT SEEMED TO BE AN EVERYDAY OCCURRENCE. THERE WOULD BE NO INCENTIVE FOR CHINA TO KEEP ITS SIDE OF THE BARGAIN.
"CONTINUED SUCCESS IN ECONOMIC TERMS IS THE KEY TO OUR WELL-BEING," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID THAT THOSE IN THE BASIC LAW CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE (BLCC). ESPECIALLY THE ONES NOMINATED BY THE REPRESENTATIVE ORGANISATIONS, HAD BEEN TRYING TO DO THEIR BEST TO CARRY OUT THEIR APPOINTED DUTIES, AND THE TASK HAD BEEN AN UPHILL. FRUSTRATING BUT INTERESTING ONE.
AS THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ACCOUNTANTS IN THE BLCC, HE SAID HIS ECONOMY SUB-GROUP HAD COME UP WITH 10 ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMY THAT THEY DEEMED WORTHY OF RETENTION AND, WITH ONE EXCEPTION, PUT INTO THE BASIC LAW DRAFT.
/THE OMILSION........
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989
- 17 -
THE OMISSION WAS THE LIMITATION OF EXPANSION OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR TO PREVENT IT FROM OVERSHADOWING THE PRIVATE SECTOR, HE SAID.
"IT WAS FAR FROM MY INTENTION THAT THESE DESIRABLE POLICIES WOULD BE SPELT OUT IN THE DRAFT SO THEY BECOME JUSTICIABLE.
"IT NEVER OCCURRED TO ME THAT THE DRAFTERS WOULD WANT TO EMBODY ESOTERIC CONCEPTS SUCH AS BALANCED BUDGETS AND LOW TAX POLICIES INTO A LAW UPON WHICH AGGRIEVED OR MISCHIEVOUS PARTIES CAN LITIGATE." HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID THAT THEY NOW HAD THE TASK OF PUTTING THE POLICIES INTO THE LAW WITHOUT TURNING IT INTO A STRAIGHT-JACKET WHICH WOULD THROTTLE THE GOVERNING ABILITY OF ANY FUTURE ADMINISTRATION.
ON CONSULTATION, HE SAID THAT IT HAD BEEN A FRUSTRATING TASK, AS THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE’S REMIT HAD NEVER BEEN CLEAR AND FOR SOME TIME THEY WERE NEITHER CONSULTED NOR WERE THEIR VIEWS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.
FURTHERMORE, DRAFTING MEMBERS HAD FAILED TO DO THEIR HOMEWORK THOROUGHLY AND THE ACCOUNTANCY FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENTS WERE GENERALLY UNINTERESTED AND DID NOT SPEAK UP.
THE RECENT EVENTS IN CHINA HAD, HOWEVER, BROUGHT ABOUT SOME VERY INTERESTING DEVELOPMENTS SO FAR AS THE SILENT MAJORITY WAS CONCERNED, MR WONG SAID.
HE ADDED THAT HE CONDUCTED AN OPINION SURVEY OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS MEMBERSHIP AND THE RESPONDENTS IN THE SURVEY SHOWED POSITIVE ATTITUDES TO GET ON WITH THE JOB OF THRASHING OUT THE BASIC LAW.
IN VIEW OF THIS, MR WONG CALLED ON THE HONG KONG DRAFTERS TO BE MORE DILIGENT IN LISTENING TO THE VOICE OF HONG KONG MANIFESTED THROUGH THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND CLEARLY DEMONSTRATE THAT THEY HAD HEARD AND UNDERSTOOD THE VIEWS AND THE REASONS BEHIND THEM.
"THE DRAFTERS MUST CLEARLY EXPLAIN HOW THE HOPES AND FEARS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED IN THE BASIC LAW FOR IT TO BE GENERALLY ACCEPTED," HE SAID.
FINALLY, HE STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF ADOPTING A CONSULTATIVE AND POSITIVE MANNER.
"I HAVE NO REASON TO DOUBT THAT WE WILL REMAIN A HIGHLY DESIRABLE FACTOR IN CHINA'S ECONOMY SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TN OUR DISTINCT SYSTEM AND LIFESTYLE EVEN BEYOND THE 50 YEARS AFTER 1997." HE SAID.
"THE BASIC LAW WILL GIVE THAT ECONOMIC STATUS ITS LEGAL STANDING. WE MUST NOT GIVE UP THAT STRUGGLE NOW," HE ADDED.
--------0----------
/18........
THURSDAY, JUNE 1. 1989
- 18 -
PRIDE EXPRESSED IN BELONGING TO HONG KONG
*****
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT SHE WAS PROUD TO BE A CHINESE AND WAS PROUD TO BELONG TO HONG KONG WHEN ONE MILLION OF ITS PEOPLE CAME OUT IN SUPPORT OF THE BEIJING STUDENTS IN A SENSIBLE AND ORDERLY MANNER.
"FROM WHAT HAS HAPPENED, I AM CONFIDENT THAT PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, EVEN THE MAN ON THE STREET, WILL BE WISE IN THEIR CHOICE OF RULERS,” DR IP TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE DRAFT BASIC LAW.
SHE SAID THAT WHAT HAD HAPPENED IN CHINA WAS SAD. BUT IN MANY RESPECTS, SHE WAS GLAD.
"IT HAS GIVEN THOSE OF US, LIKE MYSELF, BORN AFTER THE WAR, SO USED TO FREEDOM AND EDUCATED AND WORKING ONLY WITH REASONABLE PEOPLE, TO HAVE A REAL TASTE OF UNREASONABLENESS AND LACK OF DEMOCRACY," SHE SAID.
DR IP SAID SHE WAS GLAD THAT IT HAD HAPPENED NOW, WHILE HONG KONG PEOPLE STILL HAD A CHANCE TO PROPOSE AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT BASIC LAW TO INCLUDE ALL CONTINGENCIES TO PROTECT HONG KONG PEOPLE AGAINST ALL EVENTUALITIES SUCH AS WHAT HAD HAPPENED IN CHINA.
IN BALANCING THE DANGER THAT DIRECT ELECTIONS COULD BRING "FREE LUNCH" TO A LARGER AND LESS WELL-OFF FRACTION OF THE COMMUNITY THEREBY AFFECTING THE ECONOMY, AND THE DANGER THAT INDIRECT ELECTIONS COULD BE MANIPULATED TO CREATE OPPRESSION AND SUPPRESSION TO BENEFIT A FEW, IT WAS NOW CLEAR THAT THE FORMER WAS A FAR SMALLER RISK, SHE SAID.
DR IP HOPED THAT OMELCO MEMBERS WOULD BE ABLE TO REACH A CONSENSUS ON OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES IN THE DRAFT BASIC LAW, SUCH AS THE INTERPRETATION OF THE BASIC LAW AND ITS AMENDMENT, MARTIAL LAW AND ITS IMPOSITION, NEWS BLACKOUT, DISSOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATURE, AND ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE.
WITH A CONSENSUS AND WITH THE STRONG SUPPORT OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY COULD THEN SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE AND HAVE ONE UNIFIED DEMAND ON THE FINAL VERSION OF THE BASIC LAW, SHE SAID.
SHE SAID IT WOULD BE VITAL TO EXTEND THE BASIC LAW CONSULTATION PROCESS SO THAT A COMPLETE VERSION OF A UNIFIED OMELCO DEMAND WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE PEOPLE COULD BE PRESENTED TO THE BASIC LAW DRAFTERS.
/SHE SAID........
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989
- 19 -
SHE SAID THAT THE CONCEPT OF ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS WAS NO DIFFERENT FROM TWO ECONOMICALLY AND ADMINISTRATIVELY INDEPENDENT COMMUNITIES, ONE BIGGER AND ONE SMALLER, WHICH BECAUSE OF THEIR LINKAGE BY RACE AND BY PROXIMITY, WERE IN ALLIANCE REGARDING FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND WHERE HONG KONG, BEING THE SMALLER OF THE TWO, ADOPTED THE CHINESE NATIONAL FLAG.
"THE BASIC LAW SHOULD THEREFORE SPELL OUT SUCH A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY. WE SHOULD DEMAND NOTHING LESS." SHE SAID.
DR IP SAID THAT IF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WERE UNITED AND SPOKE WITH ONE VOICE IN THEIR DEMANDS ON THE BASIC LAW, AND YET THE FINAL VERSION PROMULGATED WAS CONTRARY TO THE UNITED DEMANDS OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE, AND EVEN IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES THE UNITED KINGDOM STILL REFUSED TO GIVE HONG KONG PEOPLE THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE UK, HOW THEN COULD BRITAIN FACE UP TO THE WORLD IN ITS OBLIGATION TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG?
-----0------
PROSPERITY CANNOT LAST WITHOUT DEMOCRACY » » ♦ » »
THE CRY FOR STABILITY AND PROSPERITY IN HONG KONG SHOULD BE CHANGED TO ’’STABILITY AND PROSPERITY IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY," FOR WITHOUT DEMOCRACY THERE COULD BE NO LASTING STABILITY OR DEMOCRACY, THE HON ELSIE TU SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE SECOND DAY OF DEBATE ON THE DRAFT BASIC LAW, MRS TU SAID THAT FOLLOWING THE DEVELOPMENTS OF THE PAST FEW WEEKS, AND AFTER THE SLOGAN-SHOUTING WAS OVER, THERE WAS A NEED TO FOLLOW UP WITH EDUCATION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE ON THE MEANING OF DEMOCRACY.
"I THINK WE NEED TO TEACH IN THE SIMPLEST POSSIBLE LANGUAGE. AND IN ALL SECONDARY SCHOOLS, THE CONTENTS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION SO THAT EVERY PERSON IN HONG KONG WILL BE FULLY AWARE OF ITS COMMITMENTS, AND UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR THE BASIC LAW TO FULFIL THOSE COMMITMENTS," SHE SAID.
MRS TU ALSO SUGGESTED THAT HONG KONG SHOULD WASTE NO TIME IN INTRODUCING INTO THE LAWS OF HONG KONG ALL THE HUMAN RIGHTS SET OUT IN THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANTS.
ALL STUDENTS SHOULD LEARN FROM THEIR EARLIEST DAYS THE FULL MEANING OF HUMAN RIGHTS. FOR THEMSELVES AND FOR OTHERS.
"I THINK WE SHOULD IMPRESS UPON OUR YOUNG PEOPLE THE GREATNESS OF THEIR CHINESE HERITAGE, AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF PEOPLE LIKE MR SZETO WAH, WHO IS NOT ONLY DETERMINED TO REMAIN IN HONG KONG AND FACE WHATEVER COMES. BUT. AS HE SAID YESTERDAY. IS WILLING TO DIE FOR WHAT HE BELIEVES," SHE SAID.
MRS TU ADDED THAT SHE WHOULD LIKE TO JOIN MR SZETO IN THE PLEDGE, AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO TAKE A STAND IN HONG KONG AND NOT RUN AWAY FROM DIFFICULTIES.
-------0----------
/2O........
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989
- 20 -
LEGCO PASSES MOTION ON BASIC LAW DRAFT *****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY) PASSED A MOTION CONCERNING THE SECOND DRAFT OF THE BASIC LAW AFTER A TWO-DAY DEBATE.
THE MOTION WAS: "THAT THIS COUNCIL CALLS ON THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON ’THE BASIC LAW OF HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (DRAFT)' AND URGES THE AUTHORITIES CONCERNED TO TAKE SUCH VIEWS FULLY INTO ACCOUNT BEFORE PROMULGATION OF THE BASIC LAW".
IT WAS MOVED BY THE SENIOR MEMBER, THE HON ALLEN LEE.
EIGHTEEN MEMBERS SPOKE IN THE DEBATE TODAY, AND THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SPOKE FOR THE GOVERNMENT. THIRTEEN MEMBERS HAD SPOKEN YESTERDAY.
- - 0-----------
/21 .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989
- 21
GOVERNOR LEAVING FOR LONDON TO ATTEND FAC HEARINGS * * * t *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL LEAVE FOR LONDON NEXT MONDAY (JUNE 5) TO GIVE FORMAL EVIDENCE TO THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
SIR DAVID WILL ATTEND THE FAC HEARINGS ON JUNE 7. THE GOVERNOR LAST GAVE EVIDENCE BEFORE THE COMMITTEE IN LONDON IN MARCH.
DURING HIS STAY IN UK, SIR DAVID WILL OFFICIATE AT AN EYEDOTTING CEREMONY FOR A DRAGON BOAT RACE ON THE RIVER THAMES, NEAR THE TOWER BRIDGE, ON JUNE 8 TO CELEBRATE THE TUEN NG FESTIVAL. IN THE EVENING THE GOVERNOR WILL ATTEND A DRAGON BOAT DINNER HOSTED BY THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION.
SIR DAVID WILL LEAVE FOR GENEVA ON JUNE 12 AS A MEMBER OF THE UK-HK DELEGATION LED BY THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, TO ATTEND THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INDO-CHINESE REFUGEES TO BE HELD ON JUNE 13 AND 14.
THE GOVERNOR WILL BE JOINED IN LONDON BY THE POLITICAL ADVISER, MR DICK CLIFT, AND THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR GEOFFREY BARNES, WHO WILL FORM PART OF THE DELEGATION TO GENEVA.
SIR DAVID WILL LEAVE GENEVA ON JUNE 15 AND ARRIVE IN HONG KONG THE FOLLOWING MORNING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE GOVERNOR WILL DEPART FOR LONDON BY FLIGHT CX 251 AT 10.55 PM ON MONDAY (JUNE 5).
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING SIR DAVID’S DEPARTURE SHOULD ASSEMBLE IN THE AIRPORT PRESS ROOM AT THE ARRIVAL HALL NO LATER THAN 10.10 PM.
-------0---------
/22........
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989
- 22 -
TRANSPORT SECRETARY BRIEFS DB CHAIRMEN ON GREEN PAPER
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, GAVE A BRIEFING TODAY (THURSDAY) ON THE GREEN PAPER ON TRANSPORT POLICY IN HONG KONG TO THE CHAIRMEN OF 19 DISTRICT BOARDS AND TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEES.
THE BRIEFING, WHICH WAS ALSO ATTENDED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR JAMES SO, AND THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR KWEI SEE-KAN, MARKED THE START OF A FOUR-MONTH PUBLIC CONSULTATION EXERCISE.
A SERIES OF CONSULTATION MEETINGS BETWEEN A TEAM OF TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS OFFICIALS AND THE 19 DISTRICT BOARDS WILL FOLLOW. .
THE GOVERNMENT TEAM, COMPRISING OFFICERS FROM THE TRANSPORT BRANCH, TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT, WILL ALSO BRIEF ALL DISTRICT BOARDS ON THE GREEN PAPER AND TAKE NOTE OF THEIR COMMENTS.
DURING THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION PERIOD WHICH WILL END ON SEPTEMBER 30, WRITTEN COMMENTS SHOULD BE SENT TO:
"GREEN PAPER ON TRANSPORT POLICY", THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, TRANSPORT BRANCH, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
ORAL COMMENTS CAN A1SO BE MADE BY TELEPHONING 5-8102111. THESE WILL BE RECORDED.
- - 0 ----------
SB126M CONTRACT TO EASE CONGESTION AT MAJOR JUNCTION * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS AWARDED A #126 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LUNG CHEUNG ROAD/HAMMER HILL ROAD GRADE SEPARATED INTERSECTION IN KOWLOON TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC CONDITION IN THE AREA.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED TODAY (THURSDAY) BETWEEN THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR HAROLD BEATON, AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF FRANKI KIER LTD., MR J.L. HOLLAND.
THE PROJECT WILL MAINLY INVOLVE BUILDING A FLYOVER OVER LUNG CHEUNG ROAD TO LINK THE EXISTING HAMMER HILL ROAD WITH CHOI HUNG ROAD, TOGETHER WITH A SYSTEM OF PEDESTRIAN FOOTBRIDGES AND A SUBWAY ACROSS THE ROAD JUNCTION.
/IT WILL .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989
- 2} -
IT WILL ALSO INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SECTION OF AN ELEVATED ROAD NEAR CHOI HUNG ESTATE, LINKING THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL SOUTHERN APPROACH ROADS AT DIAMOND HILL WITH THE PRINCE EDWARD ROAD INTERCHANGE.
THIS SECTION OF ELEVATED ROAD WILL BE PART OF THE FUTURE • ROUTE 6 CONNECTING THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, THROUGH THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL, WITH TOLO HIGHWAY AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE FLYOVER OVER LUNG CHEUNG ROAD WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING TRAFFIC SIGNAL-CONTROLLED LUNG CHEUNG ROAD/HAMMER HILL ROAD JUNCTION, WHICH HAS INSUFFICIENT CAPACITY TO COPE WITH THE PRESENT AND FUTURE TRAFFIC VOLUME.
THE COMPLETION OF THIS GRADE-SEPARATED JUNCTION WILL GREATLY REDUCE THE TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE AREA.
CONSTRUCTION WILL START THIS MONTH AND THE CRITICAL PORTIONS CONNECTING THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL APPROACH ROADS WILL BE COMPLETED IN MID-1991 PRIOR TO THE OPENING OF THE TUNNEL.
THE PROJECT HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND THE CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY MOTT MACDONALD HONG KONG LTD. FOR THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.
-------0----------
STUDENTS URGED TO SPREAD JOB SAFETY MESSAGE
*****
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND, TODAY (THURSDAY) STRESSED THE NEED TO PROMOTE AMONG EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES A SPIRIT OF SAFETY-MINDEDNESS IN THE WORKPLACE.
SPEAKING AT THE AWARD PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOR THE 1988/89 INDUSTRIAL SAFETY STUDENT POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION, MR HAMMOND SAID INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS WOULD LEAD TO INJURIES TO WORKERS, DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT AND LOSS OF PRODUCTION.
APART FROM CAUSING A LOSS OF SKILLED LABOUR, HE ADDED, ACCIDENTS WOULD ALSO AGGRAVATE THE LABOUR SHORTAGE PROBLEM.
"TO AVOID TRAGEDIES, WE MUST IMPROVE THE SAFETY AWARENESS OF BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES," HE SAID.
MR HAMMOND NOTED THAT THE POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION WAS AIMED AT INSTILLING IN YOUNG PEOPLE THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFETY AWARENESS.
"THUS WHEN THEY GROW UP AND JOIN THE WORLD OF WORK, THEY WILL NOT ONLY TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES, BUT WILL ALSO HELP TO DISSEMINATE THE SAFETY MESSAGE TO THEIR FELLOW WORKERS," HE ADDED.
/ALSO OFFICIATING .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989
ALSO OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S CEREMONY WAS THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI.
MR LI SAID THAT AS STUDENTS LACKED PRACTICAL WORKING EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING IN INDUSTRIAL SAFETY, THEY WERE MORE ACCIDENT-PRONE THEN OTHER WORKERS.
"IT IS THEREFORE IMPERATIVE THAT EMPLOYERS PROVIDE INDUCTION SAFETY TRAINING TO NEWLY JOINED WORKERS AND SUMMER JOB STUDENTS," HE SAID.
HIS VIEW WAS SHARED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL, MR HO SAI-CHU, WHO EMPHASISED THE NEED FOR PRE-VOCATIONAL CIVIC EDUCATION ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY FOR STUDENTS AS AN EFFECTIVE MEANS TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS.
MR HO SAID THE COMPETITION WAS INTENDED TO DRAW PUBLIC ATTENTION TO THE PROBLEM OF EVER-INCREASING INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS AND TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED EDUCATIONAL RESULTS.
"IT IS HOPED THAT STUDENTS, THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPETITION, COULD REALISE THE IMPORTANCE OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND PUT ACROSS THE MESSAGE TO OTHER PEOPLE," HE SAID.
THE COMPETITION WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL.
IT WAS DIVIDED INTO TWO GROUPS - DIVISION A FOR POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS AND DIVISION B FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS.
THE WINNER OF THE GRAND PRIZE IN DIVISION A, MR NG CHI-SHING FROM THE KWUN TONG VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE, WAS AWARDED #6,000. CONSOLATION PRIZES OF #1,000 EACH WERE AWARDED TO 10 OTHER WINNERS IN THE DIVISION.
THE GRAND PRIZE IN DIVISION B WAS WON BY MR LEUNG HING-KEI FROM THE TANG SHIU KIN VICTORIA TECHNICAL SCHOOL WHO WON #3,000. TEN OTHER ENTRANTS WON CONSOLATION PRIZES OF #500 EACH.
THE WORK OF THE TWO GRAND PRIZE WINNERS WILL BE PUBLISHED AS POSTERS AND DISPLAYED IN SCHOOLS, FACTORIES AND CONSTRUCTION SITES TO PUBLICISE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.
-------0---------
/25........
THURSDAY, JUNE 1. 1989
- 25 -
AFD EXTENDS CONTROL ON IVORY TRADE * * t * »
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT THIS (THURSDAY! EVENING RESPONDED TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT THIS AFTERNOON BY THE WORLD WIDE FUND FOR NATURE (WWF HK), IN WHICH IT EXPRESSED ITS SUPPORT FOR THE PROPOSED BAN ON IVORY TRADE IN AN ATTEMPT TO SAVE THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT FROM EXTINCTION.
THE WWF HK URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO REGISTER AND MARK ALL STOCKS OF RAW IVORY AND IVORY CUT PIECES WHICH EXCEED 20 CENTIMETRES IN LENGTH AND ONE KILOGRAM IN WEIGHT.
IT ALSO CALLED FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMPUTER DATA BASE OF ALL REGISTERED STOCKS AND A GOVERNMENT-CONTROLLED WAREHOUSE FOR ’I HE SAFE-KEEPING OF THE REGISTERED STOCKS.
THE DEPARTMENT’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (CONSERVATION AND COUNTRY PARKS). MR K.C. IU, SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT FULLY SHARED THE CONCERN THAT HAD BEEN EXPRESSED ABOUT THE DECLINE IN THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT POPULATION.
"HONG KONG HAS ALWAYS COMPLIED FULLY WITH ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES), WITH REGARD TO ENDANGERED SPECIES. THIS INCLUDES STRICT CONTROL ON IVORY.
"IN ORDER TO TAKE OUR STRICT CONTROL ONF. STEP FURTHER. THE DEPARTMENT HAS DECIDED TO EXTEND THE REGISTRATION OF EXISTING IVORY STOCKS TO COVER RAW IVORY ACQUIRED BEFORE 1986. THE REGISTRATION- WILL INCLUDE INDIVIDUAL MARKING IN ACCORDANCE WITH CITES PROCEDURES," HE SAID.
ALL IVORY STOCKS ACQUIRED AFTER 1986 HAD ALREADY BEEN REGISTERED AND MARKED.
MR IU POINTED OUT THAT THE DEPARTMENT WOULD ALSO BE LOOKING INTO THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A COMPUTER DATA BASE AS SUGGESTED BY WWF HK.
HE SAID THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD CAREFULLY CONSIDERED THE IDEA OF A GOVERNMENT-CONTROLLED WAREHOUSE FOR KEEPING IVORY STOCKS.
"IT IS NOT CONSIDERED FEASIBLE BECAUSE OF PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES AND THE FACT THAT EXISTING STOCKS ARE PRIVATE PROPERTY, LEGALLY OBTAINED AND LEGALLY HELD," MR IU ADDED.
IN VIEW OF THE PROPOSED BAN ON NEW IVORY, THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT HAS PUT IN HAND AN URGENT STUDY OF THE IMPLICATIONS FOR HONG KONG IF THE CITES CONFERENCE IN OCTOBER DECIDES TO ENDORSE STRICTER CONTROLS ON THE IVORY TRADE.
/"WE HAVE .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989
- 26 -
"WE HAVE ALREADY HELD INITIAL DISCUSSIONS WITH THE TRADE ON THE MATTER. FURTHER DISCUSSIONS WILL TAKE PLACE SHORTLY,” MR IU SAID.
THE CITES AFRICAN ELEPHANT WORKING GROUP WILL MEET IN BOTSWANA IN JULY AND THE CITES BIENNIAL CONFERENCE WILL TAKE PLACE IN SWITZERLAND IN OCTOBER. HONG KONG REPRESENTATIVES WILL PARTICIPATE FULLY IN BOTH MEETINGS TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE CITES AUTHORITY IN WORKING OUT STRICTER AND MORE PRACTICAL CONTROLS ON IVORY TRADE.
-----0-----
JUNK BAY NEW TOWN RENAMED TSEUNG KWAN O • ♦ ♦ * » *
JUNK BAY NEW TOWN WILL NOW BE KNOWN IN ENGLISH AS ’’TSEUNG KWAN 0", THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRISTOPHER MUNN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR MUNN SAID "TSEUNG KWAN O" IS A TRANSLITERATION OF THE CHINESE NAME FOR THE NEW TOWN WHICH IS IN LINE WITH THE PRACTICE OF MAINTAINING CONSISTENCY BETWEEN THE TWO LANGUAGES IN NEW PLACE NAMES IN ORDER TO AVOID CONFUSION.
"THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD HAS BEEN CONSULTED ON THE CHANGE OF THE PLACE NAME AND APPROVAL WAS GIVEN BY THE GEOGRAPHICAL PLACE NAMES BOARD," HE SAID.
"FURTHERMORE, THE CHANGE OF THE PLACE NAME HAS BEEN POSTED ON THE NOTICE BOARDS OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT DURING THE MONTH OF MAY AND NO OBJECTION HAS BEEN RECEIVED," MR MUNN ADDED.
IN ADDITION TO THE CHANGE IN THE ENGLISH NAME FOR THE NEW TOWN, OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL PLACE NAMES FOR THE PLANNING AREAS IN THE NEW TOWN HAVE ALSO BEEN PROPOSED. THE NAMES ARE AS FOLLOWS:-
(A) TIU KENG LENG
THIS NAME REPLACES THE ENGLISH NAME "RENNIE’S MILL".
(B) TSUI LAM
THIS AREA IS NAMED AFTER THE LARGEST RESIDENTIAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA, THE TSUI LAM ESTATE.
(C) PO LAM
THIS AREA IS NAMED AFTER THE MAIN RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA, THE PO LAM ESTATE.
/(D) HANG H£U .
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 19&9
- 27 -
(D) HANG HAU
THIS INCLUDES THE PRESENT HANG HAU TOWN AND RESITE VILLAGE AND THE NEW RECLAMATION NEARBY.
(E) TSEUNG KWAN O TOWN CENTRE
THIS AREA COMPRISES THE PROPOSED FUTURE TOWN CENTRE AND LARGE-SCALE FACILITIES FOR THE NEW TOWN.
(F) PAK SHING KOK
THIS AREA USED TO BE NAMED "PAK SHIN KOK" OR "PAK SHEK KOK BORROW AREA". TO AVOID POSSIBLE CONFUSION WITH ANOTHER "PAK SHEK KOK" IN TAI PO DISTRICT, THIS NEW NAME HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
(G) SIU CHIK SHA
THE EXISTING NAME OF THE AREA.
(H> TAI CHIK SHA
THIS INCLUDES THE PRESENT TIA CHIK SHA AREA AW THE RECLAMATION OF ITS FORESHORE.
THESE PLACE NAMES WILL BE ADOPTED AND USED ON ALL OFFICIAL MAP PUBLICATIONS, NOW THAT THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD HAS BEEN CONSULTED AND THE NAMES BEEN POSTED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. AND NO OBJECTIONS HAVING BEEN RECEIVED.
---0 - - - -
SINKING OF VESSEL TO BE INVESTIGATED » * * » »
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR DERICK HALL, HAS ORDERED AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH A WOODEN TOWING LAUNCH, THE "WIN WING”, FOUNDERED NORTH OF GREEN ISLAND DURING THE PASSAGE OF TYPHOON BRENDA ON MAY 19.
MR B.B. RAO AND MR SO PING-CHI, SURVEYORS OF SHIPS, HAVE BEEN APPOINTED TO CONDUCT THE INVESTIGATION BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE UNDER SECTION 58 OF THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL ORDINANCE (CAP. 313). A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY)
/THE TWO .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989
- 28 -
THE TWO OFFICERS WILL SUBMIT A REPORT ON THEIR FINDINGS TO THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE "WIN WING" FOUNDERED NORTH OF GREEN ISLAND AT ABOUT 11 PM ON MAY 19, WHEN THE NO. 3 STRONG WIND SIGNAL WAS HOISTED.
THE BODY OF ONE OF THE TWO CREW MEMBERS /)N BOARD WAS FOUND INSIDE THE COMPARTMENT BELOW THE WHEELHOUSE WHEN THE VESSEL WAS SALVAGED ON MAY 23.
THE OTHER CREW MEMBER WAS RESCUED.
-------------------------0------- INDUSTRY DEPT SURVEY OF OVERSEAS INVESTMENT BEGINS *****
THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT IS CARRYING OUT ITS ANNUAL SURVEY ON OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
THIS SURVEY IS PART OF THE DEPARTMENT’S EFFORT TO UPDATE ITS DATA ON INWARD DIRECT INVESTMENT, IN TERMS OF CAPITAL INJECTED, EMPLOYMENT CREATED, ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY INTRODUCED, PRODUCTS INVOLVED AND BUSINESS PROSPECTS.
IT CAN ALSO HELP TO ASSESS THE RELATIVE MERITS OF HONG KONG AS A MANUFACTURING BASE FOR OVERSEAS INVESTORS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE INFORMATION GATHERED IN THIS SURVEY WAS OF PRIME IMPORTANCE TO THE GOVERNMENT IN ITS EFFORT TO PROMOTE FURTHER INWARD INVESTMENT IN LOCAL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES WITH EMPHASIS ON BRINGING IN NEW PRODUCTS AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES TO HONG KONG.
"AS TO POTENTIAL INVESTORS, FINDINGS OF THIS SURVEY WILL BE USED IN EVALUATING INVESTMENT POSSIBILITIES AND ESTABLISHING FACTORIES IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
THE TARGETS OF THE SURVEY ARE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES IN HONG KONG WHICH CONTAIN INWARD INVESTMENT, INCLUDING THOSE WHOLLY OR PARTLY OWNED BY COMPANIES OUTSIDE HONG KONG, BY LOCAL COMPANIES WHOSE ULTIMATE PARENT COMPANIES ARE OUTSIDE HONG KONG, OR BY PERSONS WHO HOLD OTHER THAN HONG KONG CITIZENSHIP.
THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WILL SEND QUESTIONNAIRES TO THESE TARGET COMPANIES REQUESTING THEM TO HAVE THE QUESTIONNAIRES COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO THE DEPARTMENT BEFORE JUNE 30.
THE SPOKESMAN CALLED ON THOSE WHICH ARE NOT CONTACTED BY JUNE 15 TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT’S STATISTICIAN, MR ANTHONY MAK, ON 3-7372426, IN ORDER TO OBTAIN A COPY OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE.
/FIELD WORKERS .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989
- 29 -
FIELD WORKERS OF THE DEPARTMENT WILL CONTACT INDIVIDUAL COMPANIES TO PROVIDE ANY NECESSARY ASSISTANCE REQUIRED IN COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRE.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT THE INFORMATION OBTAINED IN THE SURVEY WILL BE TREATED IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENCE AND RESTRICTED FOR ITS OWN USE.
THE SURVEY REPORT, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE PUBLISHED BEFORE THE END OF OCTOBER THIS YEAR, WILL BE PREPARED IN SUCH A WAY THAT IDENTIFICATION OF INDIVIDUAL COMPANIES WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE REPORT ON THE 1988 SURVEY WAS PUBLISHED IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR AND CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ON REQUEST.
------0 -------
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY FOR MARCH RELEASED *****
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN MARCH 1989, ESTIMATED AT S8,593 MILLION, INCREASED BY 9 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH MARCH 1988 WHILST THEIR VOLUME INCREASED BY ONLY 1 PER CENT.
COMPARING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989 WITH THE SAME QUARTER IN 1988. TOTAL RETAIL SALES INCREASED BY 16 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 7 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
THESE PROVISIONAL RESULTS ARE DESCRIBED IN THE REPORT OF THE MONTHLY SURVEY OF RETAIL SALES RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
A SPOKEMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT COMMENTED THAT THE SLUGGISH PERFORMANCE OF RETAIL SALES IN BOTH FEBRUARY AND MARCH HAD CONTRIBUTED TO THE SLOWER GROWTH IN RETAIL^SALES FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989 AS A WHOLE, WHICH REPRESENTED A SIGNIFICANT MODERATION FROM THE GROWTH RATES EXPERIENCED IN THE PREVIOUS FOUR QUARTERS. THUS THERE WERE SIGNS THAT CONSUMER SPENDING WAS MODERATING.
COMPARING MARCH 1989 WITH MARCH 1988, RETAIL SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO IN MARCH 1989 INCREASED BY 13 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 3 PER CENT IN VOLUME WHILST THOSE FOR FUELS ROSE BY 8 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 4 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS INCREASED BY 36 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 22 PER CENT IN VOLUME. HOWEVER, RETAIL SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLES INCREASED BY 1 PER CENT IN VALUE BUT DROPPED BY 4 PER CENT IN VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS ROSE BY 5 PER CENT IN VALUE BUT DROPPED BY 2 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
/ANALYSED BY .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989
- 30 -
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, DEPARTMENT STORES SALES INCREASED BY 16 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 5 PER CENT IN VOLUME. SUPERMARKETS AND MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS ROSE BY 11 PER CENT AND 7 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN SALES VALUE BUT BOTH REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED IN SALES VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS, HOWEVER, DROPPED BY 1 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 6 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
COMPARING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989 WITH THE SAME QUARTER IN 1988, AND ANALYSED BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS, SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO ROSE BY 11 PER CENT IN VALUE AND REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED IN VOLUME. FUELS WENT DOWN BY 2 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 4 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS WENT UP BY 21 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 9 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLES INCREASED BY 21 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 11 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
RETAIL SALES OF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS ROSE BY 16 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 9 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, RETAIL SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 57 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 45 PER CENT IN VOLUME. DEPARTMENT STORES ROSE BY 26 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 14 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. SUPERMARKETS SALES WENT UP BY 9 PER CENT IN VALUE BUT FELL BY 2 PER CENT IN VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 3 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE BUT DROPPED BY 3 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
WHEN COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1989, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON IS AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RETAIL SALES FOR MARCH 1989 DECREASED BY 4 PER CENT IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME. FUELS INCREASED BY 25 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 22 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO DROPPED BY 4 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 2 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS DROPPED BY 5 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 7 PER CENT IN VOLUME WHILST THOSE FOR CONSUMER DURABLES DROPPED BY 16 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 13 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
RETAIL SALES OF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS DECREASED BY 1 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 2 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 13 PER CENT IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME. DEPARTMENT STORES DECREASED BY 5 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 7 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. SUPERMARKETS SALES DROPPED BY 6 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 8 PER CENT IN VOLUME. MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS DECREASED BY 44 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 45 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
/TABLE 1 .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 19^9
- 31 -
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL RETAIL SALES FOR FEBRUARY 1989 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR MARCH 1989.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES IN " FEBRUARY 1989 AND MARCH 1989 (A) FOR ALL RETAIL SALES, (B) BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS AND (C) BY SELECTED TRADES (WHICH FORM PART OF THE RELEVANT MAJOR TRADE GROUPS1, WITH AVERAGE RETAIL SALES FROM OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 TAKEN AS 100.
COMPARISONS OF MARCH 1989 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR FEBRUARY 1989 AND WITH THOSE FOR MARCH 1988, AND COMPARISONS OF RETAIL SALES IN THE PERIOD JANUARY TO MARCH 1989 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1988, ARE ALSO GIVEN.
GRAPHS 1 AND 2 DEPICT, RESPECTIVELY, THE MOVEMENTS OF THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES FROM SEPTEMBER 1986 TO MARCH 1989 AND THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED INDEXES AND TREND FOR SEPTEMBER 1986 TO FEBRUARY 1989.
AS SHOWN IN GRAPH 1, THE VALUE INDEX OF TOTAL SALES USUALLY RISE SUBSTANTIALLY IN DECEMBER DUE TO CHRISTMAS AND IN JANUARY OR FEBRUARY DUE TO THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, BUT DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE MONTH FOLLOWING THAT IN WHICH THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FALLS.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED SALES VALUE INDEX AND TREND HAVE GENERALLY FOLLOWED A SMOOTHER UPWARD COURSE OVER THE YEARS.
THE VOLUME INDEX OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES, AS DEPICTED IN GRAPH 2, SHOWS A PATTERN OF MOVEMENTS SIMILAR TO THAT OF THE VALUE INDEX.
HOWEVER, THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED SALES VOLUME INDEX AND TREND RISE MORE SLOWLY THAN THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED INDEX AND TREND FOR SALES VALUE, MAINLY DUE TO THE EFFECT OF PRICE INCREASES.
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OF MARCH 1989 SURVEY RESULTS IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, 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. NO. : 5-82349411.
/TABLE 1 : .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989
52
TABLE 1 : TOTAL RETAIL SALES
Total Retail Sales Tor March 1989 (Provisional Figure) ■ HKI 8,593million
for February 1989 (Revised Figure) = HKS 8,989ai11ion
TABLE 2 : VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES
FOR FEBRUARY 1989 ANO MARCH 1989
(Monthly average of Oct. 84 - Sept. 85 s 100)
Index of I 5 1 March 1989 • March 1989 J Jan.-Mar. 1989 I
' Item Retail I February ! March ! compared with coapared with ! compared with ! Sales 1 1989 ! 1989 I February 1989 I March 1988 Jan.-Mar. 1988 I
I (A) FOR ALL RETAIL TRADES ’ (Revised I (Provisional ! Points X I Points X ! Points X ! ’ figures) I figures) ’• • Sill'. •
! (B) BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS Value 1 160 I 153 I -7 -4 5 13 9 ‘ 23 16 I Volume 5 127 I 122 5 -5 -4 1 1 1 ’• B 7 ! : i : 1 ' : 1 ::: : ’• ’•
I Foodstuffs, alcoholic Value 1 13? 1 133 ! -t -4 114 13 1 14 11 i
I drinks and tobacco Volume I 110 ! 108 1 -2 -2 1 4 3 1 1 11 1 4 I • J J
I Fuels Value 5 81 1 101 1 20 25 I 8 8 1-2 -2 I
< • ■ Volume 1 85 5 104 I 18 22 1 4 4 1 -4 -4 1 if! ! ! ■
1 ' Clothing, footwear Value I 195 1 184 1 -10 -5 1 49 36 1 36 21 !
! and allied products । Volume 1 150 ! 139 I -10 -7 25 22 1 13 9 1
। ' Consuaer durables Value I 175 1 147 1 -26 -16 1 2 1 1 30 X J
1 • • Volume I 131 1 114 I -17 -13 1 -5 -4 I 14 11 1
1 ! Other consuaer goods Value 1 170 ! 169 1-2 -11 8 5 I 26 16 !
1 1 1 1 1 (C) BY SELECTED TRADES I (see note 1 below) Volume I 136 I 133 1-3 -21-3 -2 I 12 91 i : s i i ' i : i 'is • • ‘
I Supermarkets Value ! 169 I 158 5 -11 -6 I 16 11 I 13 9 5
1 1 1 Volume I 136 I 125 1 -11 -81 4 « ! -3 -2 I
1 I Motor vehicles Value S 374 I 209 I -166 -44 I 14 7 I 117 57 S
' and parts । Volume ! 252 J 140 I -113 -45 S 1 1 ! 68 45 I
1 ’ Consuaer durables Value I 114 I 128 I 14 13 ! -2 -11 4 31
I other than aotor I vehicles and parts 1 Volume I 94 106 I 12 13 I -7 -6 ! -3 -3 I iii । * 1
1 ! Department stores Value I 201 1 191 I -9 -5 I 27 16 I 47 26 I
1 t Voluae ! 156 ! 145 1 -11 -71 7 5 ! 21 14 1
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) 'Supermarkets' - a trade in the 'Foodstuffs, alcoholic drinks and tobacco' group.
(b) 'Motor vehicles and parts' - a trade in the 'Consumer durables' group.
(c) 'Consuaer durables other than motor vehicles and parts' - a trade in the "Consumer durables" group.
(d) 'Department stores' - a trade in the "Other consuaer goods' group.
2. Figures denoting changes are derived from the unrounded index figures.
3. "I" denotes a figure within 10.5.
/Graph 1: .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989
- 33 -
Graph 2: Volume Indexes of Total Retail Sales
Notes: (1) Monthly average of Oct 84 - Sept. 85 = 100
(2) The seasonally adjusted value and volume indexes and Henderson trends are compiled using the X-11 variant seasonal adjustment program of the U.S. Bureau of the Census.
-------0----------
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989
- & -
POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR HOLIDAYS
*****
POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS DURING THE HOLIDAYS FOR THE TUEN NG FESTIVAL AND THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY WERE ANNOUNCED BY THE POST OFFICE TODAY (THURSDAY).
THERE WILL BE NO DELIVERY ON JUNE 8 (THURSDAY), THE DAY OF THE TUEN NG FESTIVAL.
ON JUNE 17 (SATURDAY), THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY, THERE WILL BE ONE DELIVERY AND NO DELIVERY ON JUNE 18 (SUNDAY) AND JUNE 19 (MONDAY).
ALL POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON JUNE 8, 18 AND 19.
THE GENERAL POST OFFICE ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE WILL BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS FROM 9 AM TO NOON ON JUNE 17 (SATURDAY).
0
FSD BEGIN RECRUITMENT DRIVE IN HOUSING ESTATES *****
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) SET UP MOBILE RECRUITING CENTRES IN SHOPPING AREAS AT FIVE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES TO RECRUIT STATIONS OFFICER, FIREMEN AND AMBULANCEMEN.
THE NEW CAMPAIGN FORMS PART OF THE CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT EXERCISE BEING CARRIED OUT BY THE DEPARTMENT.
THE FIVE RECRUITING CENTRES, EACH EQUIPPED WITH DISPLAY -PANELS WITH COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHS INTRODUCING THE WORK OF THE FIRE SERVICES AND JOBS BEING OFFERED BY THE DEPARTMENT, WERE SET UP AT HING MAN ESTATE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 01 MAN AND CHOI WAN ESTATES IN KOWLOON, AND FU SHIN AND SHAN KING ESTATES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THESE CENTRES ARE BEING MANNED BY FIRE SERVICES STAFF FROM 11 AM TO 7 PM FROM MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS, AND FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS THROUGHOUT THIS MONTH.
THEY WILL BE MOVED TO FIVE OTHER PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES ON A ROTATION BASIS AT MONTHLY INTERVAL.
-------0--------
/55........
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989
DRAGON BOAT RACE IN TSUEN WAN RESUMES
*****
AFTER A LAPSE OF MORE THAN 15 YEARS, THE DRAGON BOAT RACE IN TSUEN WAN DISTRICT WILL RESUME THIS YEAR TO CELEBRATE THE TUEN NG FESTIVAL.
THE RACE, WHICH WAS SUSPENDED BECAUSE OF RECLAMATION WORKS, WILL TAKE PLACE ALONG THE WATERFRONT OFF THE TSUEN WAN RIVIERA GARDENS FROM 8 AM TO 1 PM ON SUNDAY (JUNE 4).
OFFICIATING AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM SHIU; TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHAU HOW-CHEN; REGIONAL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG; AND THE TSUEN WAN RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHAN LAU-FONG.
OVER 40 TEAMS WILL TAKE PART IN THE COMPETITIONS.
THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE FEDERATION OF TSUEN WAN DISTRICT SPORTS AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION, WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND VARIOUS LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
TO MARK THE LAUNCHING OF NEW DRAGON BOATS IN THIS YEAR’S .RACES, AN EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY WILL BE PERFORMED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR SHIU, AT 11 AM ON SATURDAY {JUNE 3) AT THE TSUEN WAN RIVIERA GARDENS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TSUEN WAN DRAGON BOAT RACE TO BEGIN AT 8 AM ON SUNDAY (JUNE 4), AND THE EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT 11 AM ON SATURDAY (JUNE 3) NEAR THE WATERFRONT OF THE TSUEN WAN RIVIERA GARDENS.
-------o - -
SURVEY ON LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME
*****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ARE JOINTLY CONDUCTING A SURVEY ON THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE IN ORDER TO COLLECT INFORMATION ON THE OPERATION OF THE SCHEME.
THIS SURVEY COVERS A SAMPLE OF ABOUT 1.000 BUSINESS UNDERTAKINGS AND ORGANISATIONS ENGAGED IN DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES TRADES AND SERVICE SECTORS.
/QUESTIONNAIRES ARE
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989
QUESTIONNAIRES ARE BEING MAILED TO THE SELECTED BUSINESS UNDERTAKINGS AND ORGANISATIONS TO SEEK THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION :
(A) TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES;
(B) NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES COVERED BY PROVIDENT FUND, PENSION/RETIREMENT FUND SCHEMES;
(C) (I) NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES LEAVING EMPLOYMENT IN 1988 BY
REASONS;
(II) AGES AND LENGTH OF SERVICE OF THESE EMPLOYEES;
(III) NUMBERS OF THESE EMPLOYEES ELIGIBLE FOR LONG SERVICE PAYMENT;
(IV) AMOUNT OF LONG SERVICE PAYMENT PAID TO THESE EMPLOYEES; AND
(V) REASONS FOR NOT RECEIVING LONG SERVICE PAYMENT.
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT REQUESTS THE SELECTED BUSINESS UNDERTAKINGS AND ORGANISATIONS TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THE QUESTIONNAIRES WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD. THE INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND WILL BE USED SOLELY FOR STATISTICAL PURPOSES.
SHOULD RESPONDENTS HAVE QUERIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE SURVEY, THEY MAY CONTACT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 5-8234741 OR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON 5-8523514.
0 - -
HOSPITAL GROUP DIRECTORS CALL ON DSW ♦ » ♦ » »
THE NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS TODAY (THURSDAY) PAID A COURTESY CALL ON THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR STEPHEN LAW, TO DISCUSS THE GROUP’S WELFARE PROJECTS IN THE COMING YEAR.
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, MR LAI KWOK-WING, SAID THAT APART FROM MAINTAINING A WIDE RANGE OF SOCIAL SERVICES, THE GROUP WOULD FURTHER EXPAND ITS SERVICES.
PROJECTS TO BE COMPLETED THIS YEAR INCLUDED THREE SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY IN SHA TIN. KWUN TONG AND TAI KOK TSUI, A HOSTEL FOR THE ELDERLY IN SHAM SHUI PO, TWO CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES IN MONG KOK AND SHA TIN. AND A DAY NURSERY IN CAUSEWAY BAY.
/foR LAW
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989
MR LAW NOTED THAT RESIDENTS IN THE TERRITORY WERE ALREADY BENEFITTING FROM THE HIGH QUALITY OF SERVICES PROVIDED THROUGH THE GROUP'S CURRENT NETWORK OF 11 OLD PEOPLE'S HOSTELS AND HOMES, TWO SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY, ONE MULTI-SERVICES CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY, 11 CHILD CARE CENTRES, SIX CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES AND ONE CENTRE OFFERING TEMPORARY CARE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN.
HE BELIEVED THAT THE PLANNED PROJECTS WOULD BE A WELCOME BOOST AND PLEDGED THAT THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CO-OPERATE WITH THE GROUP AS IT SOUGHT TO ACHIEVE ITS TARGETS.
CLEAN UP OPERATION IN WONG TAI SIN *****
A BLOCK-TO-BLOCK AND MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS CLEAN UP OPERATION AIMED AT AROUSING RESIDENTS’ AWARENESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANLINESS WILL BE LAUNCHED IN WONG TAI SIN ON SATURDAY (JUNE 3).
A CEREMONY TO LAUNCH THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE HELD AT SHUNG LING STREET TEMPORARY PLAYGROUND, SAN PO KONG AT 11 AM THAT DAY.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF KEEP. HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT CAMPAIGN WORKING GROUP, MR FUNG KWONG-CHUNG; WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, DR MICHAEL LEE; DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BRIAN LAU; AND THE SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT/ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE (KOWLOON EAST) OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR ANTHONY SIU.
STUDENTS OF THE DISTRICT WILL GIVE A DEMONSTRATION ON CLEAN UP WORK AFTER THE CEREMONY.
THE OPERATION, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, IS ONE OF A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES BEING ORGANISED IN THE DISTRICT IN SUPPORT OF THE TERRITORY-WIDE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BLOCK-TO-BLOCK AND MULTI-STOREY CLEAN UP OPERATION WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 11 AM ON SATURDAY (JUNE 3) AT SHUNG LING STREET TEMPORARY PLAYGROUND IN SAN PO KONG.
- - 0 -
/58
THURSDAY, JUNE 1. 1989
- 38 -
STUDENTS TO SHOW OFF ARTISTIC TALENTS » » » » *
STUDENTS IN EASTERN DISTRICT WHO WON TOP HONOURS IN THE RECENT INTER-SCHOOL MUSIC, DANCE AND SPEECH COMPETITIONS WILL DISPLAY THEIR TALENTS ON SUNDAY (JUNE 4 ) .
A TWO-HOUR RE-ENACTMENT OF THEIR WINNING ENTRIES WILL BE STAGED AT THE KIANGSU CHEKIANG PRIMARY SCHOOL IN CHING WAN STREET, NORTH POINT, STARTING AT 2.30 PM.
THE SHOW WILL INCLUDE CHORAL SINGING, CHINESE DANCE, SOLO AND GROUP SPEAKING, PIANO AND OTHER INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PERFORMANCES. MORE THAN 200 STUDENTS FROM 10 SCHOOLS AND KINDERGARTENS IN THE DISTRICT WILL TAKE PART.
THE SHOW IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT ARTS COUNCIL, WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD.
OFFICIATING AT SHOW WILL BE THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GARY YEUNG; CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD, MR HUNG YING-HO; AND SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER (HONG KONG EAST), MRS CORINA WONG.
• ) '4fiT ,46 J J i SfllT TA
.-'ma:: m » Hi.-?*, ■.
, KAMHlAfPJ (iSIAOH TOTHTfcUU 14 U; I AT • • •$.,
NOTE TO EDITORS: c .-a : IJA.I WAI'tft ‘ i
. *(> (TEAS MOOJWOHI V-’ ' '
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SPECIAL; SHOW BEGINNING AT 2.30 I’M ON SUNDAY (JUNE 4) IN THE KIANGSU CHEKIANG PRIMARY SCHOOL, 30 CHING WAH STREET, NORTH POINT. - ;t; -• -/H j.Hw : -U?. -
.YHOM&ftgO 3HT .*■ .
?.•• i ouow av. AiTwioi *
TRANSPORT, pffYStCAL^l^I^^ TO BEGIN
THE TRANSPORT AND PHYSICAL DISTRIBUTION TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL WILL BEGIN A SURVEY TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO COLLECT UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON THE INDUSTRY’S MANPOWER AND EMPLOYMENT SITUATION.
QUESTIONNAIRES AND EXPLANATORY LETTERS HAVE BEEN SENT TO ESTABLISHMENTS FROM THE SECTORS OF SEA FREIGHT, AIR FREIGHT, FORWARDING AGENTS, CARGO HANDLING TERMINALS, TRUCKING, WAREHOUSING AND SHIP MANAGEMENT AND CHARTERING.
SURVEY INTERVIEWING OFFICERS FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL CALL AT THESE ESTABLISHMENTS TO ASSIST EMPLOYERS IN COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRES.
/hMPLOYERS ARE
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989
- 39 -
EMPLOYERS ARE URGED TO CO-OPERATE BY PROVIDING ACCURATE INFORMATION WHICH WILL BE USED IN FORMULATING MANPOWER TRAINING PLANS TO MEET THE INDUSTRY’S NEEDS.
THE SURVEY WILL BE COMPLETED ON JUNE 28. INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL BE HANDLED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND WILL BE PUBLISHED ONLY IN THE FORM OF STATISTICAL SUMMARIES WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ANY INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS.
-------0----------
MEN’S TURN TO GET NEW ID CARDS *****
MEN BORN IN 1952 OR BEFORE WILL SOON BE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS.
"THOSE BORN IN 1949, 1950, 1951 AND 1952 WILL BE THE FIRST GROUP TO BE CALLED UPON TO COME FORWARD FOR THEIR NEW ID CARDS," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
HE URGED MEN OF THIS AGE GROUP TO WATCH THE MEDIA FOR THE DATES ON WHICH THEY MUST APPLY.
"FULL DETAILS OF THE DIFFERENT PHASES FOR THE ISSUE OF THE NEW ID CARD FOR MEN WILL BE WIDELY PUBLICISED OVER TV, RADIO AND IN NEWSPAPERS IN DUE COURSE," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
APPLICANTS NORMALLY NEED TO BRING ALONG THEIR EXISTING ID CARDS IF THEIR CARDS WERE FIRST REGISTERED NOT LESS THAN SEVEN YEARS AGO AND BEAR THE *»* SYMBOL.
HOWEVER, IF AN APPLICANT’S IDENTITY CARD WAS FIRST REGISTERED LESS THAN SEVEN YEARS AGO OR DOES NOT HAVE THE *** SYMBOL, HE IS REQUIRED TO FURNISH MORE DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE ASSESSMENT OF HIS RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG AND SUBSEQUENTLY HIS ELIGIBILITY FOR A PERMANENT IDENTITY CARD.
THE DOCUMENT MAY TAKE THE FORM OF TRAVEL DOCUMENT, HON(? KONG BIRTH CERTIFICATE, HONG KONG NATURALISATION CERTIFICATE OR HONG KONG REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE, ETC.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
--------0----------
/Ao........
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989
- 40 -
WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION IN TWO AREAS » * « »
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SHA TIN WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 2 PM ON SUNDAY (JUNE 4) TO 8 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE REPAIR WORK FOR WATER MAIN LEAKAGE.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY WONG CHUK YEUNG STREET, KWEI TEI STREET, TSUNG TAU HA ROAD, LOK LO HA AREA, KAU TO AREA AND TAI PO ROAD, BETWEEN LAI PING ROAD AND TAI PO MEI.
MEANWHILE, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SOUTHEAST KOWLOON WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON MONDAY (JUNE 5) TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY SAN PO KONG INDUSTRIAL AREA, NGAU CHI WAN, PING SHEK, CHOI HUNG, KWUN TONG ROAD, KAI YIP ESTATE, CHOI WAN ESTATE, FUNG SHING STREET, PING TING ROAD AND HAMMER HILL ROAD.
-----o------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HEAVIER PENALTIES FOR ILLEGAL GAMBLING PROPOSED......... 1
SEMINAR WILL BEEIN FOOD HYGIENE CAMPAIGN ............... 2
ENLARGED MAXIMUM MEMBERSHIP OF CONSUMER COUNCIL PROPOSED ... 3
CERTAIN EXPORT LICENSING CONTROLS LIFTED ............... 3
AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT TSING YI OZP ...................
PROPOSAL TO EXTEND INSOLVENCY FUND TO COVER SEVERANCE payments ................................................ 6
INSPECTOR APPOINTED TO INVESTIGATE AFFAIRS OF JADEMaN (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ...................................... 7
INAUGURATION CEREMONY FOR AUXILIARY BEACH LITTER WARDENS ... 7
SEMINAR IN WAN CHaI ON DB’S AND ARE/. COMMITTEES........ 8
BLOCK-TO-BLOCK CLEAN-UP IN YaU TSIM .................... 8
MUSICAL TO PROMOTE CLEAN HONG KONG AWARENESS............ 9
NATURE CONSERVATION FUN D.-.Y IN SOUTHERN .............. 10
FS TO ATTEND DRAGON BOAT RACE IN SHa TIN ............... 11
NEW DRAGON BOATS FOR LAUNCHING IN TAI PO ............... 12
1988 SURVEY OF TRANSPORT, RELATED SERVICES BEGINS ...... 12
WORKS TO EXTEND LaNDFILL INTAKE......................... 1^
TENDERS INVITED FOR NT RO,.D PROJECT ................... 11*
NEW Fare scale celling for GREEN MINIBUSES ............. 15
TAXI TENDER DEPOSIT DOUBLED ............................ 16
EXTENSION OF P/JtKING METER OPERATION IN NORTH POINT
16
FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 1989
1
HEAVIER PENALTIES FOR ILLEGAL GAMBLING PROPOSED
*****
AN AMENDMENT BILL SEEKING TO PROVIDE HEAVIER SENTENCES FOR THE OPERATORS OF ILLEGAL GAMBLING ENTERPRISES AND FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY.
PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY). THE GAMBLING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 ALSO PROPOSES A NUMBER OF TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO MAKE ENFORCEMENT OF THE LEGISLATION MORE EFFECTIVE.
"THE BILL STEMS FROM OPTIONS PUT FORWARD IN THE 1986 TRIAD DISCUSSION DOCUMENT AND THE PROPOSED MEASURES HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED IN CONSULTATION WITH THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE." A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
UNDER THE AMENDMENTS, HE SAID, THE MAXIMUM FINES FOR OPERATORS OF ILLEGAL GAMBLING ENTERPRISES, BOOKMAKERS AND PEOPLE RUNNING ILLEGAL LOTTERIES WILL BE INCREASED FROM THE PRESENT #500,000 TO $5 MILLION.
"THE TRIAD AND ORGANISED CRIME SYNDICATES WHICH RUN ILLEGAL GAMBLING OPERATIONS MAKE LARGE PROFITS FROM THESE ’BUSINESSES’. AND THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY OF STRIKING BACK AT THE SYNDICATES IS TO SEEK TO DEPRIVE THEM OF LARGE AMOUNTS OF THEIR CAPITAL," HE SAID.
"IN ORDER TO DETER PUNTERS FROM FREQUENTING ILLEGAL GAMBLING AND BOOKMAKING CONCERNS, A SCALE OF SENTENCES IS PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM SENTENCES FOR PEOPLE REPEATEDLY CAUGHT GAMBLING ILLEGALLY.
"THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE FOR FIRST OFFENDERS IS THE SAME AS AT PRESENT, BUT THAT FOR REPEATED OFFENDERS IS INCREASED TO $20,000 AND SIX-MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT ON SECOND OFFENCE AND $30,000 AND A NINE-MONTH PRISON SENTENCE ON THIRD OR SUBSEQUENT CONVICTIONS.
THE TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO THE GAMBLING ORDINANCE INCLUDE ALLOWING ALL COURTS TO ORDER DISCONNECTION OF TELEPHONE LINES USED IN BOOKMAKING OPERATIONS.
ALSO INCLUDED IS AN AMENDMENT EMPOWERING ALL COURTS TO ORDER FORFEITURE OF MONEY AND EQUIPMENT SEIZED BY THE POLICE DURING RAIDS ON ILLEGAL GAMBLING CONCERNS.
FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 1989
- 2 -
SEMINAR WILL BEGIN FOOD HYGIENE CAMPAIGN t » * * *
A FOOD HYGIENE SEMINAR TO BE HELD AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE ON JUNE 12 WILL LAUNCH A TERRITORY-WIDE FOOD HYGIENE CAMPAIGN ORGANISED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH.
THE ANNUAL CAMPAIGN IS AIMED AT PROMOTING GOOD HYGIENE PRACTICES AND PERSONAL HABITS IN ORDER TO MINIMISE THE OCCURRENCE OF FOOD-BORNE DISEASES, FOOD POISONING AND VIRAL HEPATITIS A.
THE CAMPAIGN THEME IS "BETTER HYGIENE, SAFER FOOD", STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER HYGIENE PRACTICES.
THE SEMINAR ON JUNE 12 (MONDAY) WILL BE THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF 25 TO BE HELD AT 16 DIFFERENT VENUES DURING THE CAMPAIGN.
IN PARTICULAR, THE SEMINARS ARE INTENDED FOR FOOD TRADERS, WITH THE OBJECT OF MAKING THEM FULLY AWARE OF HOW FOOD-BORNE DISEASES CAN BE PREVENTED BY ADOPTION OF PROPER FOOD HYGIENE PRACTICES AND GOOD PERSONAL HABITS IN CONDUCTING THEIR BUSINESS.
THESE EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS, TO BE CONDUCTED BY EXPERIENCE' HEALTH OFFICIALS, WILL PROVIDE UPDATED INFORMATION ON FOOD SAFETY AND FOOD HYGIENE.
A SLIDE SHOW AND A FILM ON FOOD HYGIENE PRINCIPLES WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE SEMINARS. PARTICIPANTS WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO TAKE PART IN AN OPEN DISCUSSION.
BESIDES THESE SEMINARS THERE WILL BE THREE SEMINARS ORGANISED SPECIALLY FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS. THESE ARE BEING ARRANGED IN COLLABORATION WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
PRINTED EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS ON FOOD HYGIENE WILL BE DISTRIBUTED DURING THESE SEMINARS, AND ALSO TO SCHOOLS. THROUGH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, AS TEACHING AIDS AND REFERENCE MATERIAL.
A CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE WILL BE ISSUED TO SEMINAR PARTICIPANTS.
FOOD TRADERS, TEACHERS OR INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED AN INVITATION BUT WISH TO ATTEND THE SEMINARS MAY TELEPHONE 3-7236234 (HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH) FOR INFORMATION AND DETAILS OF SEATING ARRANGEMENTS.
TO MARK THE LAUNCHING OF THE CAMPAIGN, AN OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 3 PM ON JUNE 12 AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE.
OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL INCLUDE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL’S PUBLIC HEALTH SELECT COMMITTEE, DR RONALD LEUNG: AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL’S ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, DR PANG HOK-TUEN.
-------0----------
/3........
FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 1989
3
ENLARGED MAXIMUM MEMBERSHIP OF CONSUMER COUNCIL PROPOSED
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSUMER COUNCIL ORDINANCE TO PERMIT AN INCREASE IN THE MAXIMUM NUMBER O'-MEMBERS THAT MAY BE APPOINTED TO THE COUNCIL BY THE GOVERNOR.
THE PROPOSAL WAS CONTAINED IN THE CONSUMER COUNCIL BILL 1989 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
(AMENDMENT)
EXPLAINING THE PURPOSE OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT UNDER THE EXISTING LEGISLATION, THE GOVERNOR WAS EMPOWERED TO APPOINT NOT LESS THAN 13 NOR MORE THAN 15 MEMBERS TO THE CONSUMER COUNCIL.
"HOWEVER, WITH THE INCREASE IN THE COUNCIL’S WORKLOAD BROUGHT ABOUT BY A GROWING PUBLIC AWARENESS ON CONSUMER PROTECTION ISSUES, IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COUNCIL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO REDUCE THE BURDEN ON INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.'
THIS WILL ALSO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO APPOINT MEMBERS FROM A WIDER SELECTION OF PROFESSIONS AND BACKGROUNDS," HE ADDED.
UNDER THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT, THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF MEMBERS TO BE APPOINTED WILL BE RAISED FROM 15 TO 20.
THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 21.
--------o----------
CERTAIN EXPORT LICENSING CONTROLS LIFTED
t * » » »
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO REMOVE THE EXPORT LICENSING REQUIREMENT FOR ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS POWERED BY MAINS SUPPLY AND PROCESSED AND MANUFACTURED FOODSTUFFS FROM TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANNOUNCING THIS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRADE DEPARTMENT SAID THE DECISION WAS MADE FOLLOWING A REVIEW AND ON THE ADVICE OF THE TRADE ADVISORY BOARD.
TO GIVE EFFECT TO THIS DECISION, THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (GENERAL) REGULATIONS (AMENDMENT OF SECOND SCHEDULE) ORDER 1989 WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT EXPORT LICENSING CONTROL ON THESE PRODUCTS WAS FIRST INTRODUCED IN 1973 IN RESPONSE TO OVERSEAS COMPLAINTS THAT SOME HONG KONG EXPORTS WERE DANGEROUS OR UNHYGIENIC.
/"A RECENT .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 1989
"A RECENT REVIEW BY THE GOVERNMENT REVEALED THAT OVER TIME THE ORIGINAL GROUND FOR CONTROL IS NO LONGER VALID.
"IN GENERAL, THESE PRODUCTS ARE NOWADAYS WELL ACCEPTED OVERSEAS WITH LITTLE COMPLAINT, IF ANY," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT IT WAS IN THE INTEREST OF THE MANUFACTURERS THEMSELVES TO ADHERE TO THE APPROPRIATE INTERNATIONAL OR NATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY STANDARDS IN THEIR MANUFACTURE OF PROCESSED FOODSTUFFS AND ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS.
"THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT IS AT PRESENT ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN THE PLANNING OF A SUSTAINED QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME, INCLUDING A VOLUNTARY FACTORY CERTIFICATION SCHEME, WHICH IS BELIEVED TO BE AN EFFECTIVE WAY OF PROVIDING ASSURANCE FOR THE QUALITY OF HONG KONG'S EXPORTS," HE SAID.
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT ISSUED SOME 838,000 LICENCES COVERING EXPORTS OF ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS AND PROCESSED AND MANUFACTURED FOODSTUFFS LAST YEAR.
"IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE REMOVAL OF THE LICENSING REQUIREMENT ON THESE ITEMS WILL GREATLY WELCOMED BY TRADERS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
- 0 -
AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT TSING YI OZP t t * * »
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBLISHED AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT TSING YI OUTLINE ZONING PLAN.
A BOARD SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE AMENDMENTS RELATE TO A GENERAL LAND USE REVISION OF THE TSING YI TOWN CENTRE.
TWO SITES WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 3.4 HECTARES LOCATED TO THE WEST OF THE PIER CONCOURSE ARE REZONED FROM ’COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL’ AND ’GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY’ TO 'RESIDENTIAL (GROUP A)’.
THEY ARE RESERVED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PROPOSED HOUSING SOCIETY ESTATE AND A PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME TO ACCOMMODATE ABOUT 7,500 PERSONS.
AT THE SAME TIME, TWO SITES WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 0.92 HECTARE AT THE JUNCTION OF ROAD TY4 AND TSING LUK STREET ARE REZONED FROM ’COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL’ TO 'GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY*’ TO ACCOMMODATE A PROPOSED URBAN CLINIC, A GOVERNMENT JOINT-USER BUILDING AND A MARKET COMPLEX.
/THESE FACILITIES
FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 1989
- 5 -
THESE FACILITIES WOULD BE CENTRALLY LOCATED IN RELATION TO THE NEARBY PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS IN THE TOWN CENTRE.
ACCORDING TO THE CURRENT PROGRAMME, THEY ARE SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE MID-1990’S.
A VEGETATED KNOLL AND ITS SURROUNDING AREAS WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT FIVE HECTARES LOCATED TO THE NORTH OF TSING YI GARDEN ARE REZONED FROM ’GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY’ AND ’COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL’ TO ’OPEN SPACE’.
THIS SITE WILL FORM THE SOUTHERN PORTION OF THE PROPOSED TOWN PARK FOR TSING YI ISLAND.
A STRIP OF LAND WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT TWO HECTARES LOCATED TO THE SOUTH OF TSING YI GARDEN IS REZONED FROM ’COMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL’ AND ’RESIDENTIAL (GROUP A)’ TO ’OPEN SPACE’.
THIS WILL SERVE AS AN OPEN AREA BETWEEN THE HIGH-RISE RESIDENTIAL TOWERS IN TSING YI GARDEN AND THE LOW-RISE RESIDENTIAL TOWERS IN TSING YI GARDEN AND THE LOW-RISE HOUSES AND TEMPLES IN AND NEAR CHUNG MEI TSUEN.
THE AMENDMENTS DO NOT RESULT IN ANY POPULATION INCREASE IN TSING YI TOWN CENTRE AS THEY ARE ONLY SWAPPING OF SITES FOR RESIDENTIAL USE AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, THE AREA OF LAND ZONED FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES WILL BE DECREASED BY ABOUT FIVE HECTARES, WHILST THE AREA FOR OPEN SPACE WILL BE INCREASED BY ABOUT SEVEN HECTARES.
THE INCREASED OPEN SPACE PROVISION WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCE THE GENERAL AMENITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY OF THE TOWN CENTRE OF THE ISLAND.
APART FROM THE AMENDMENTS, IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT FURTHER REVISIONS TO THE PLAN WOULD LIKELY BE REQUIRED IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THESE INCLUDE THE POSSIBLE LAND USE REVISIONS IN TSING YI NORTH.
THE CURRENT CONSULTANCY STUDIES ON CONTAINER PORT EXPANSION AND ROUTE 3 ARE STILL IN PROGRESS AND DECISIONS ON THE LOCATION AND ALIGNMENT OF THESE FACILITIES ARE YET TO BE MADE BY GOVERNMENT.
ANY FURTHER AMENDMENTS TO THE PLAN WILL BE EXHIBITED FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS.
THE AMENDMENT PLAN CAN BE INSPECTED AT:
* TOWN PLANNING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 4TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HK.
♦ KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG.
TSING .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 1989
6 -
* TSING YI DISTRICT SUB-OFFICE, 1ST FLOOR, CHEUNG CHING ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE, CHEUNG CHING ESTATE, TSING YI ISLAND.
» CENTRAL AND WESTERN PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENTS MAY SUBMIT HIS OBJECTIONS IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 4TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG BEFORE AUGUST 2, 1989.
COPIES OF THE AMENDMENT PLANS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE KOWLOON MAP AND PLAN SALES SECTION AT 382 NATHAN ROAD AT $10 PER UNCOLOURED COPY AND $60 PER COLOURED COPY.
-----0------
PROPOSAL TO EXTEND INSOLVENCY FUND TO COVER SEVERANCE PAYMENTS * ♦ » * *
AN AMENDMENT BILL SEEKING TO EXTEND THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND TO COVER SEVERANCE PAYMENTS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 21.
AT PRESENT, EMPLOYEES MAY SEEK FROM THE FUND ARREARS OF WAGES UP TO FOUR MONTHS’ SALARY BUT NOT EXCEEDING $8,000. AND SEVEN DAYS’ WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE UP TO A MAXIMUM OF $2,000.
UNDER PROPOSED AMENDMENTS. THE FUND WILL BE EXTENDED TO COVER SEVERANCE PAYMENTS UP TO A MAXIMUM OF $4,000 SO AS TO TIDE AN EMPLOYEE OVER THE DIFFICULT PERIOD AFTER SUDDEN LOSS OF EMPLOYMENT.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR A FOUR-MONTH TIME BAR ON APPLICATIONS FOR WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE AND SEVERANCE PAYMENTS IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS LONG AFTER TERMINATION OF PAYMENT, WHICH COULD PROVE DIFFICULT TO VERIFY AND MIGHT LEAD TO ABUSE.
THE FUND IS FINANCED BY A LEVY OF $100 PER ANNUM ON EACH BUSINESS REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE. HOWEVER. THE PROPOSAL DOES NOT INVOLVE AN INCREASE IN THE LEVY AND WILL NOT LEAD TO ADDITIONAL COSTS FOR EMPLOYERS.
-------O----------
/7........
FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 1989
INSPECTOR APPOINTED TO INVESTIGATE AFFAIRS OF JADEMAN (HOLDINGS) LIMITED ******
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING TH.VT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, IN EXERCISE OF THE POWERS CONFERRED ON HIM BY SECTION 143 (1) (C) OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 32), HAS APPOINTED MR MARVIN CHEUNG, A PARTNER IN PEAT MARWICK, CERTFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS, AS AN INSPECTOR TO INVESTIGATE THE AFFAIRS OF JADEMAN (HOLDINGS) LIMITED.
- - 0 - -
INAUGURATION CEREMONY FOR AUXILIARY BEACH LITTER WARDENS
*****
THE TENTH AUXILIARY LITTER WARDEN SCHEME WILL BE INAUGURATED BY URBAN COUNCILLOR. DR RONALD LEUNG, AT CITY HALL TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE SCHEME IS AMONG THE STUDENT PARTICIPATION ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL IN SUPPORT OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN. ABOUT 600 STUDENTS WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE SCHEME THIS YEAR.
COMING FROM 30 SECONDARY SCHOOLS, THESE FORM THREE TO FORM SIX STUDENTS WILL HELP THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO CLEAN UP THE BEACHES AT REPULSE BAY. DEEP WATER BAY, SHEK O, STANLEY AND BIG WAVE BAY DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS.
THEY WILL ALSO ADVISE BEACH-GOERS TO DISPOSE OF THEIR LITTER PROPERLY.
AT TOMORROW’S CEREMONY, THE STUDENTS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THEIR ROLE. THEY WILL RECEIVE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN CAPS AND T-SHIRTS WHICH THEY WILL WEAR WHILE ON DUTY AT THE BEACHES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY WHICH WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT 2.30 PM IN THE THEATRE. CITY HALL LOW BLOCK, CENTRAL. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
- - 0 - -
FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 1989
- 8 -
SEMINAR IN WAN CHAI ON DB’S AND AREA COMMITTEES
A SEMINAR ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DISTRICT BOARDS AND AREA COMMITTEES WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) BY THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE SEMINAR, WHICH WILL EXAMINE THE DEVELOPMENT AND THE DIFFERENT ROLES OF THE TWO BODIES, WILL BE ATTENDED BY MEMBERS OF THE FIVE AREA COMMITTEES IN WAN CHAI.
SPEAKING AT THE FUNCTION WILL BE THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, AND CHAIRMEN OF THE FIVE AREA COMMITTEES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINAR TO BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) IN THE GLOUCESTER ROOM, EXCELSIOR HOTEL, CAUSEWAY BAY. A TEA RECEPTION WILL BEGIN AT 5 PM AND THE SEMINAR WILL START AT 5.30 PM.
- - 0------------
BLOCK-TO-BLOCK CLEAN-UP IN YAU TSIM
» * * t *
A ’’BLOCK-TO-BLOCK AND MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS CLEAN-UP" WILL BE LAUNCHED TOMORROW (SATURDAY) IN YAU TSIM DISTRICT IN SUPPORT OF THE TERRITORY-WIDE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE CLEAN-UP EXERCISE WILL CONTINUE UNTIL JULY 11.
DURING THE CLEAN-UP EXERCISE, THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL SET UP TEMPORARY REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS
MORE STAFF MEMBERS TO CLEAN UP PUBLIC PLACES
DEPLOY
IN 30 AREAS, AND COLLECT
AND JUNK
AT THE COLLECTION POINTS IN THE AREAS.
AT THE SAME TIME, RESIDENTS WILL BE URGED TO DISPOSE OF JUNK AT THE COLLECTION POINTS AND TO CLEAN UP THE PUBLIC PLACES IN THEIR BUILDINGS.
/A CEREMONY .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 1989
9
A CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE HENRY G. LEONG COMMUNITY CENTRE IN YAU MA TEI TOMORROW MORNING TO MARK THE LAUNCHING OF THE CLEAN-UP EXERCISE.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WONG HON-HO, THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH, URBAN COUNCILLORS, MR WU MAN-KEUNG AND MR WONG KWOK-LUNG. AS WELL AS THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT HYGIENE SUPERINTENDENT, MR CHAN TAI-YIU.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT "BLOCK-TO-BLOCK AND MULTI-STOREY BUILDING CLEAN-UP", WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE HENRY G. LEONG COMMUNITY CENTRE IN YAU MA TEI.
- 0 -
MUSICAL TO PROMOTE CLEAN HONG KONG AWARENESS » » » » »
A CHILDREN’S MUSICAL SHOW, ORGANISED IN SUPPORT 01 THE ! WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY, WILL BE STAGED ON SUNDAY (JUNE 4) AT Till. AMPHITHEATRE OF SHA TIN CENTRAL PARK.
ORGANISED BY THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE AND PERFORMED BY THE TOGETHER TRY' GROUP OF THE FRINGE CLUB, THE MUSICAL IS AIMED AT APPEALING TO YOUNG PEOPLE TO KEEP THE ENVIRONMENT CLEAN.
THE 45-MINUTE SHOW WILL PINPOINT HUMAN WEAKNESSES WHICH CAUSE PEOPLE TO LITTER AND ALSO SUGGEST SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM.
MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE WILL BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SHOW IN SOME WAY.
"WE HOPE THAT THE NEW FORMAT, WITH TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION BETWEEN AUDIENCE AND ACTORS, WOULD BETTER CONVEY THE KEEP CLEAN MESSAGE TO THE PUBLIC." A SPOKESMAN FOR THE STEERING COMMITTEE SAID.
THE MUSICAL WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM, AND ADMISSION IS FREE.
AN URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR JOSEPH CHAN, WILL ATTEND THE SHOW AND OFFICIATE AT A SOUVENIR PRESENTATION CEREMONY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CHILDREN’S MUSICAL SHOW WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON SUNDAY (JUNE 4) AT THE AMPHITHEATRE OF SHA TIN CENTRAL PARK.
- - 0 - -
/1O
FRIDAY. JUNE 2, 1989
10 -
NATURE CONSERVATION FUN DAY IN SOUTHERN t * » » »
A NATURE CONSERVATION FUN DAY WILL BE HELD IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT ON SUNDAY (JUNE 4) TO MARK THE LAUNCHING OF THE DISTRICT’S ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROGRAMMES IN SUPPORT OF THIS YEAR’S WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY (WED).
THE EVENT HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE ACTIVITIES WILL BEGIN WITH A NATURE CONSERVATION OUTING TO THE SCENIC ABERDEEN COUNTRY PARK. COVERING A TOTAL DISTANCE OF FIVE KILOMETRES. THE OUTING WILL START FROM THE PARK’S MANAGEMENT CENTRE. PROCEED VIA THE HONG KONG TRAIL AND FINISH AT CHI FU FA YUEN IN POK FU LAM.
’’THE PARTICIPANTS WILL BE INVITED TO SIGN A ’PRESERVE THE NATURE DECLARATION’ TO SIGNIFY THEIR COMMITMENT TO CONSERVING THE COUNTRYSIDE.” THE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN. MR TSE KIT-HO. SAID.
FOR THOSE WHO PREFER A SHORTER TRIP. THERE WILL BE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE WHICH ENDS AT PEEL RISE.
"TO JOIN THE OUTING. RESIDENTS ONLY HAVE TO ASSEMBLE BY 9.30 AM AT THE PARK’S MANAGEMENT CENTRE WHICH IS LOCATED IN ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD. NEAR YUE KWONG CHUEN." MR TSE SAID.
PARTICIPANTS WHO COMPLETE THE JOURNEY WILL BE AWARDED SOUVENIRS AND BE TREATED TO A CARNIVAL AT THE SKATING RINK IN CHI FU FA YUEN.
THE CARNIVAL. WHICH WILL INCLUDE AN EXHIBITION AND VARIOUS GAME STALLS WITH ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION MESSAGES. WILL START AT 11 AM. IT IS OPEN TO ALL LOCAL RESIDENTS.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE ACTIVITIES OF THE FUN DAY CAN BE MADE TO THE DISTRICT OFFICE ON 5-540271.
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD HAS ALLOCATED ABOUT $15,000 FOR THE ORGANISATION OF WED PROGRAMMES IN THE DISTRICT. AND THESE ALSO INCLUDE AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION QUIZ, AND AN "IDENTIFY THE POLLUTION SOURCE” PHOTO COMPETITION.
-------0----------
/11 ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 1989
11
FS TO ATTEND DRAGON BOAT RACE IN SHA TIN » ♦ » » t
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE SHA TIN DRAGON BOAT RACE ON THURSDAY (JUNE 8).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE SAID THIS TODAY (FRIDAY) WHEN ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF THE DAY’S PROGRAMME.
A TOTAL OF 123 TEAMS WILL TAKE PART IN 26 EVENTS ON A SECTION OF THE SHING MUN RIVER BETWEEN SAND MARTIN BRIDGE AND BANYAN BRI-DGE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS, THE DRAGON BOAT RACE PROGRAMME IN SHA TIN WILL BE THE LARGEST IN HONG KONG.
A PERMANENT SPECTATOR STAND, COSTING $700,000 AND HAVING A CAPACITY OF 600 PEOPLE, WILL ALSO COME INTO USE.
AND WITH NEW DRAGON BOATS DONATED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD THIS YEAR, THE 40-STRONG FLEET IS NOW ALSO ONE OF THE BIGGEST IN THE TERRITORY.
AN EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY TO LAUNCH THE NEW BOATS WILL BE HELD • N SUNDAY (JUNE 4).
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT SAND MARTIN BIRDGE WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC WHEN THE RACES BEGIN.
THE RACE PROGRAMME THIS YEAR IS ORGANISED WITH A BUDGET OF ABOUT $700,000, OF WHICH $200,000 WILL BE MET BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, $15,000 BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD, $30,000 BY ENTRY FEES AND THE REST BY PRIVATE SPONSORS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY FOR THE THREE NEW DRAGON BOATS DONATED BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD TO THE SHA TIN DRAGON BOAT RACE ORGANISING COMMITTEE.
THE CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE SHING MUN RIVER PROMENADE ADJACENT THE SHA TIN JOCKEY CLUB PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL AT 10.45 AM ON SUNDAY (JUNE 4).
SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR NG CHAN-LAM, LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR AND SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER MR ANDREW WONG; AND OTHER BOARD MEMBERS MR CHOY KAN-PUI, MR WONG PO-MING, MR LAU HON-KIT AND MR LEE KWONG WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY.
PRESS BADGES FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE SHA TIN DRAGON BOAT RACES NEXT THURSDAY ARE BOXED AT GIS. PLEASE CONTACT INFORMATION OFFICER/SHA TIN, MRS DIANA LEE, ON 0-6065440 IF EXTRA BADGES ARE REQUIRED.
------0--------
/12......
FRIDAY. JUNE 2. 1989
- 12 -
NEW DRAGON BOATS FOR LAUNCHING IN TAI PO
*****
A CEREMONY TO LAUNCH TWO NEWLY BUILT DRAGON BOATS WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (JUNE 4) AT THE TAI WONG YEH SHRINE IN YUEN CHAU TSAI. TAI PO.
THE DRAGON BOATS WILL COMPETE IN THE TAI PO DRAGON BOAT RACE TO BE HELD ALONG THE WATERFRONT OF TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE ON THURSDAY (JUNE 8).
THE CEREMONY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY AN EXHIBITION RACE BY WINNING TEAMS IN LAST YEAR’S RACE.
OFFICIATING AT THE EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY WILL BE THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES. MR ADOLF HSU. AND THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES. DR LAWRENCE LEE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF THE DRAGON BOATS AT TAI WONG YEH SHRINE IN YUEN CHAU TSAI. TAI PO AT 10 AM ON SUNDAY (JUNE 4).
------O -------
1988 SURVEY OF TRANSPORT. RELATED SERVICES BEGINS
*****
THE COMMENCED, (FRIDAY).
1988 SURVEY OF TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES 'IAS THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ANNCi -ICED TODAY
THE SURVEY IS CONDUCTED ANNUALLY CONTINUOUS PROGRAMME IN THE DEPARTMENT TO STRUCTURS AND PERFORMANCE OF THE VARIOUS
AND REPRESENTS PART OF A COLLECT STATISTICS ON THE ECONOMIC SECTORS IN HONG
KONG.
DATA FOR THE GROSS THEIR COST
THE AIMS OF THE SURVEY ARE TO OBTAIN UP-TO-DATE EVALUATING THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE SECTORS CONCERNED TO DOMESTIC PRODUCT OF HONG KONG. AND FOR ASCERTAINING STRUCTURE.OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS AND OUTPUT LEVELS.
RESULTS OF THE SURVEY ARE USEFUL TO BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN FORMULATING POLICIES AND MAKING DECISIONS.
ABOUT 3.600 ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE ENUMERATED IN THE PRESENT ROUND OF THE SURVEY.
/THE SURVEY .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 1989
- 13 -
THE SURVEY COVERS LAND. SEA AND AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES, SUCH AS PUBLIC BUSES, TRAMWAYS. TAXIS, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES, TRUCKS, FERRIES, SHIPPING COMPANIES AND AIRLINES. IT ALSO COVERS SUCH TRANSPORT-RELATED SERVICES AS THOSE PROVIDED BY CARPARKS, TRAVEL AGENTS AND CARGO FORWARDING AGENTS.
DATA TO BE COLLECTED IN THE SURVEY INCLUDE THE TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, FLOOR AREA, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES, OPERATING EXPENSES, BUSINESS TURNOVER AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE.
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 WILL CARRY A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD AND A CERTIFICATE FOR CONDUCTING THE SURVEY WHILST ON DUTY, WHICH ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.
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 THE SUPPLY OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE DATA REQUIRED IN THE SURVEY.
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ACCEPTS FIGURES BASED ON PRELIMINARY ACCOUNTS OR ESTIMATES WHICH ARE CORRECT TO THE BEST OF THE RESPONDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE AT THE TIME OF SUBMISSION OF THE RETURNS, IF AUDITED ACCOUNTS ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE.
ANY ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE TRANSPORT AND SERVICES STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 5-8235088.
-------0----------
FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 1989
14
WORKS TO EXTEND LANDFILL INTAKE t * ♦ *
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS TO UNDERTAKE SITE WORKS AND SANITARY LANDFILL OPERATION IN THE JUNK BAY LANDFILL.
UNDER THE PHASE II CONTRACT OF JUNK BAY LANDFILL STAGE II. THESE WORKS ARE TO BE CARRIED OUT FOR THE EXTENSION OF THE EXISTING LANDFILLING OPERATION IN ORDER TO ACCOMMODATE AN ADDITIONAL 3.8 MILLION TONNES OF REFUSE.
THE WORKS WILL INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A ONE-KILOMETRE LONG CATCHWATER AND EXTRACTION OF EARTH MATERIAL FROM NEARBY BORROW AREA FOR DAILY COVERING OF COMPACTED REFUSE.
THE LANDFILL OPERATION, IT CONSISTS ESSENTIALLY OF SPREADING AND COMPACTING REFUSE IN LAYERS, AND COVERING EACH LAYER WITH EARTH.
THE CONTRACTOR WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO SEAL OFF ALL WORKING FACES OF THE LANDFILL DAILY IN ORDER TO ELIMINATE HEALTH AND FIRE HAZARDS.
THE CONTRACT PERIOD IS 20 MONTHS AND WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DRAINAGE (CONSTRUCTION) DIVISION, OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
------0-------
TENDERS INVITED FOR NT ROAD PROJECT ♦ * » ♦ »
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR A ROAD PROJECT IN SHEK WU HUI AS PART OF THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF FANLING/SHEUNG SHUI NEW TOWN.
THE PROJECT INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SECTION OF A LOCAL DISTRIBUTOR ROAD - ROAD L3 - WHICH EXTENDS WESTWARD FROM TAI PING ESTATE, VEHICULAR ACCESSES, FOOTPATHS, CYCLE TRACKS, ROADSIDE AMENITIES AND STREET FURNITURE.
IT WILL ALSO INCLUDE ANCILLARY DRAINAGE WORKS AND THE WIDENING OF A SECTION OF FAN KAM ROAD AT THE PERIPHERY OF DODWELL RIDGE CAMP IN AREA 34 TO SERVE THE NEW DEVELOPMENT SITE.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN SEPTEMBER 1989 AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JUKE 30, 1989.
0--------
/15........
FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 1989
- 15 -
NEW FARE SCALE CEILING FOR GREEN MINIBUSES * » » * »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS APPROVED CEILINGS OF GREEN MINIBUSES WITH EFFECT FROM
AN INCREASE IN THE FARE THIS SUNDAY (JUNE 1).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE REVISION WOULD BRING AN UPWARD ADJUSTMENT OF 20 TO 30 PER CENT TO THE MAXIMUM FARES THAT MIGHT BE CHARGED BY GREEN MINIBUSES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DISTANCES OF INDIVIDUAL ROUTES.
AT PRESENT THERE ARE 1,300 GREEN MINIBUSES OPERATING A TOTAL OF 180 ROUTES IN THE TERRITORY WITH A GENERAL FARE RANGE OF $ 1 TO S4 DURING NORMAL SCHEDULED OPERATING HOURS.
IN VIEW OF THE RISE IN OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE COSTS SINCE THE LAST REVISION IN MARCH 1986, GREEN MINIBUS OPERATORS HAD APPLIED FOR AN INCREASE IN THE FARE CEILINGS. THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AGREED THAT THERE WAS A NEED FOR AN ADJUSTMENT.
"THE NEW FARE SCALE ONLY INDICATES THE MAXIMUM FARE THAT CAN BE CHARGED FOR A GREEN MINIBUS SERVICE. IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE FARES OF GREEN MINIBUSES WILL BE INCREASED AUTOMATICALLY UPON THE REVISION.
"OPERATORS CAN, IF THEY WISH, CHARGE A BELOW-THE-CEI LING FARE. MORE THAN HALF OF THE OPERATORS ARE NOT CHARGING THE MAXIMUM RATES AT THE MOMENT." THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE OPERATORS HAVE TO APPLY TO THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT FOR APPROVAL FOR FARE INCREASE ON ANY INDIVIDUAL ROUTES," HE ADDED.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE EXISTING FARE SCALE AND THE NEW FARE
SCALE FOR GREEN MINIBUSES:
JOURNEY DISTANCE NOT EXISTING SCALE REVISED SCALE
EXCEEDING (KM) ( $ ) ($)
2 1.00 1.30
3 1.30 1.70
5 2.00 2.50
7 — 3.50
8 3.30 4.00
10 — 4.50
11 4.00 5.00
15 4.60 5.50
20 6.00 8.00
30 9.00 12.00
40 12.00 15.00
50 15.00 18.00
-------o----------
/16........
FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 1989
16
TAXI TENDER DEPOSIT DOUBLED * « » * »
THE DEPOSIT FOR TENDERING A TAXI LICENCE WILL BE DOUBLED FROM $25,000 TO $50,000. THE AIM IS TO DISCOURAGE TENDERERS WHO ARE NOT GENUINE TAXI OPERATORS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODA', (FRIDAY).
THIS DECISION WAS TAKEN BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL, FOLLOWING A REVIEW OF THE PRESENT TAXI LICENSING SYSTEM AND TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAG).
HOWEVER, THERE WILL BE NO RESTRICTION ON THE TRANSFER OF NEWLY ISSUED LICENCES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE TO SHOW THAT THE PRESENT SYSTEM HAD UNREASONABLY PUSHED UP THE LICENCE PRICE TO THE EXTENT THAT GENUINE TAXI OPERATORS WERE PREVENTED FROM OBTAINING THE LICENCES AND ENTERING THE TAXI TRADE.
THERE WAS NO MONOPOLY IN THE HOLDING OF TAXI LICENCES, WHICH WERE READILY AVAILABLE IN THE MARKET. NINETY-FIVE PERCENT OF THE EXISTING URBAN TAXI LICENCES WERE HELD BY INDIVIDUALS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE TAXI LICENCE PREMIUM WAS AN INVESTMENT WHICH A TAXI OPERATOR HAD TO MAKE IN ENTERING THE TRADE.
THE PREMIUM LEVEL HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN ASSESSING TAXI FARE INCREASE APPLICATIONS AND WOULD NOT THEREFORE AFFECT THE TAXI FARE, HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
EXTENSION OF PARKING METER OPERATION IN NORTH POINT
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE 11 PARKING METERS IN NORTH POINT ROAD WILL ALSO OPERATE ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS FROM 10 AM ON SUNDAY (JUNE 4).
THESE TWO-HOUR PARKING METERS WILL OPERATE FROM 10 AM TO 10 PM ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS. AND FROM 8 AM TO MIDNIGHT ON WEEKDAYS. THE PARKING CHARGE WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED AT $1 FOR 30 MINUTES.
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, JUNE J, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR APPEALS FOR TOTaL COMMUNITY SUPPORT IN PROTECTING ENVIRONMENT ............................................... 1
MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN IN YAU TSIM .... 2
EXHIBITION TO STIMULATE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ........ 3
WALL BOARD PAINTING TO ENHANCE ENVIRONMENT .............. 3
SURVEY ON NT TAXI USAGE.................................. 4
NEW ’FLEXI-DESIGN' SCHOOL FOR TSEUNG KWAN 0 ............. 4
CLEAN-UP OPERATION BEGINS IN WONG TAI SIN ............... 5
CLEAN-UP EXERCISE TOMORROW AT SILVERSTRAND BEACH ........ 5
PUBLICITY BUS LAUNCHES KOWLOON CITY CLEAN-UP ............ 6
STUDENTS HELPING TO CLEAN BENCHES ....................... 7
MULTI-PURPOSE CENTRE IN SHUM WAN OPENED ................. 7
AREA COMMITTEES PROVIDE TWO-WAY CCMMUNIC/iTION........... 8
COMMUNITY BUILDING ISSUES ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ........ 9
TUEN NG FESTIVAL IS A STATUTORY HOLIDAY.................. 10
50 TEAMS ENTER DRaGON BOaT RACES IN EASTERN ............. 11
KWUN TONG DB TO DISCUSS UC WORKS PROGRAMME .............. 12
WORKSHOP FOR SWD PROBATION OFFICERS ..................... 12
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN MA TAU WAI ....................... 13
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN NORTH POINT ........... 13
SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 1989
1
GOVERNOR APPEALS FOR TOTAL COMMUNITY SUPPORT IN PROTECTING ENVIRONMENT *******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, HAS CALLED FOR THE COOPERATION AND SUPPORT OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY TO HELP PROTECT AND MAINTAIN HONG KONG'S ENVIRONMENT.
IN A MESSAGE BROADCAST ON TVB’S WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY VARIETY SHOW THIS (SATURDAY) EVENING, THE GOVERNOR SAID ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WAS NOT SIMPLY SOMETHING FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO DO: IT NEEDED EVERYBODY TO CO-OPERATE AND THAT WAS WHERE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY CAME IN.
"ALL OF US KNOW THAT THE ENVIRONMENT IN HONG KONG HAS DETERIORATED OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS." HE SAID.
POLLUTION, THE GOVERNOR SAID, COULD BE FELT FROM THE AIR WE BREATHED, HEARD FROM THE NOISES, AND SEEN ON THE BEACHES, SOME OF WHICH WERE NO LONGER FIT FOR SWIMMING.
"IT IS TIME NOW TO ACT; THE GOVERNMENT IS DOING SO. WE HAVE PLANS FOR THE FUTURE, WE HAVE THINGS WHICH WE HAVE ALREADY INTRODUCED.
"FOR INSTANCE, WE RECENTLY INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL A BILL TO PROTECT THE OZONE LAYER.
"AND WE HAVE MASSIVE ENGINEERING PROGRAMMES TO DEAL WITH THE QUESTION OF SEWAGE. WE ARE ALSO BRINGING IN MEASURES TO DEAL WITH WASTE DISPOSAL SO THAT WASTE WILL BE DISPOSED OF PROPERLY AND NOT HAVE A DAMAGING EFFECT ON THE ENVIRONMENT," SIR DAVID SAID.
"NEXT MONDAY IS WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY. THAT IS THE DAY -- THE 5TH OF JUNE -- WHICH THE WHOLE WORLD HAS SET ASIDE EVERY YEAR TO CONCENTRATE ON ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.
"THAT IS THE DAY, TOO, WHICH WE IN HONG KONG HAVE CHOSEN 10 PUBLISH OUR OWN WHITE PAPER WHICH WILL SHOW THE PLANS WHICH THE GOVERNMENT HAS GOT TO DEAL WITH THE QUESTION OF POLLUTION AND HOW TO PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT OVER THE COMING YEARS," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID HE WAS VERY IMPRESSED BY THE ENORMOUS SUPPORT GIVEN BY ALL SORTS OF ORGANISATIONS TO THE ACTIVITIES OF WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY.
"BUT I SHOULD LIKE TO CALL ON EVERYBODY TO TAKE PART IN THESE ACTIVITIES TO SHOW THEIR CONCERN FOR HONG KONG'S ENVIRONMENT. AND TO DO THEIR OWN BIT TO PROTECT IT AND TO MAINTAIN IT.
"AFTER ALL. IT IS OUR ENVIRONMENT AND WE SHARE A DUTY TO PROTECT IT," SIR DAVID SAID.
0 - -
/?
SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 1989
2
MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN IN YAU TSIM *****
THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD WILL LAUNCH A MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN IN YAU TSIM DISTRICT LATER THIS YEAR TO APPEAL TO RESIDENTS TO KEEP THEIR HOMES CLEAN.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE OF THE CAMPAIGN, MR LEE KING-WAH, AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF A "BLOCK-TO-BLOCK AND MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS CLEAN -UP" IN THE DISTRICT.
THE 40-DAY CLEAN-UP IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE TERRITORY-WIDE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
MR LEE SAID THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN WOULD BE IN FULL SWING FROM SEPTEMBER TO JANUARY AND WOULD INVOLVE A VARIETY OF PUBLICITY PROMOTIONS.
THESE WOULD INCLUDE CLEANLINESS COMPETITIONS FOR MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS AND COOKED FOOD STALLS, SEMINARS, A COLOURING COMPETITION FOR CHILDREN, AREA INSPECTIONS, AND A PRE-LUNAR NEW YEAR CLEAN-UP.
IN ADDITION, THE COMMITTEE ALSO PLANNED TO BUILD A SITTING-OUT AREA IN MUN MING LANE AND TO CLEAR ABANDONED SIGNBOARDS IN THE DISTRICT IN SUPPORT OF THE WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL DAY.
"THERE ARE MANY MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS IN THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT, MANY OF WHICH ARE FAIRLY OLD AND PLAGUED BY SERIOUS HYGIENIC AND CLEANLINESS PROBLEMS DUE TO NEGLECT OF MANAGEMENT OR LACK OF CIVIC-MINDEDNESS ON THE PART OF THE RESIDENTS.
"I HOPE THAT THE CAMPAIGN WILL AROUSE RESIDENTS' CONCERN FOR THESE PROBLEMS," MR LEE SAID.
DURING THE CLEAN-UP OPERATION, WHICH WILL LAST UNTIL JULY 11, THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL SET UP TEMPORARY REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS IN THE DISTRICT AND DEPLOY MORE MANPOWER TO CLEAN UP PUBLIC PLACES.
AT THE SAME TIME, RESIDENTS WILL BE URGED TO KEEP THE COMMON AREAS IN THEIR BUILDINGS CLEAN.
--------0 - -
/5........
SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 1989
3 -
EXHIBITION TO STIMULATE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
♦ t * * ♦
NINETY WINNING ENTRIES IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT QUALITY WASTE REFUSE COMPETITION ARE BEING EXHIBITED AT THE EXHIBITION HALL OF THE SHEUNG WAN CIVIC CENTRE.
THE EXHIBITION, FEATURING ARTISTIC AND DURABLE ITEMS MADE FROM WASTE MATERIALS, IS OPEN DAILY BETWEEN 9 AM AND 6 PM. IT WILL CONTINUE UNTIL TUESDAY (JUNE 6).
THE COMPETITION WAS ORGANISED LAST MONTH BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD IN SUPPORT OF THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY WHICH FALLS ON MONDAY (JUNE 5).
SPEAKING AFTER THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY THIS (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEPHEN FISHER, SAID THE RESPONSE TO THE COMPETITION WAS ENCOURAGING.
”A TOTAL OF 150 HAND-MADE PRODUCTS, INCLUDING 70 ARTISTIC ITEMS, HAD BEEN RECEIVED WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF THE CONTEST ANNOUNCEMENT,” MR FISHER REMARKED.
HE SAID THE PANEL OF JUDGES HAD FOUND THE OVERALL STANDARD TO BE HIGH.
THIS ALSO SHOWED THAT LOCAL RESIDENTS WERE WELL AWARE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION - THE MESSAGE THE EVENT HAD BEEN STRIVING TO PUT ACROSS, MR FISHER ADDED.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY INCLUDED FOUR DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, MR YUEN BUN-KEUNG, MR CHAN TAK-CHOR, MR LEE SHUNG-TAK, AND MISS ESTHER CHAN.
-------0---------
WALL BOARD PAINTING TO ENHANCE ENVIRONMENT ♦ ♦ » t *
MORE THAN 140 STUDENTS FROM 14 SCHOOLS IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT TOOK PART IN A WALL BOARD PAINTING PROJECT AT THE PAK TEI PLAYGROUND ON CHEUNG CHAU TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE EXERCISE WAS ORGANISED BY THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE (CAO OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD TO COMMEMORATE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 89.
WITH THE THEME OF 'SCENERIES OF THE ISLANDS', PARTICIPANTS SHOWED OFF THEIR ARTISTIC TALENT BY PAINTING ON WALL BOARDS EACH MEASURING 1.2 METRES BY 2.4 METRES.
/THE PAINTINGS .......
SATURDAY, JUNE J, 1989
4
THE PAINTINGS WILL BE PUT ON DISPLAY ON CHEUNG CHAU, PENG CHAU AND LAMMA RESPECTIVELY BEFORE BEING USED TO DECORATE THE PARTITIONS SURROUNDING THE MUI WO MARKET COMPLEX CONSTRUCTION SITE ON LANTAU.
CHAIRMAN OF THE CAC. MR KWONG KWOK-KAM. SAID THE ACTIVITY WAS AIMED AT AROUSING THE ISLANDERS’ AWARENESS TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT AND TO PROTECT IT FROM POLLUTION.
OFFICIATING AT A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WERE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM WAI-KEUNG, AND ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JONATHAN NG.
------o--------
SURVEY ON NT TAXI USAGE
* * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO CO-OPERATE IN A SURVEY ON THE USAGE OF NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS.
PASSENGERS ALIGHTING FROM TAXIS WILL BE APPROACHED BY STAFF OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND BE ASKED ABOUT THE TIME, FARE AND TIPS INVOLVED IN THEIR RIDES.
QUESTIONS ABOUT LUGGAGE FEES AND RADIO CALL SURCHARGES WILL ALSO BE ASKED IF APPLICABLE.
THE SURVEY WILL RUN FROM MONDAY (JUNE 5) TO FRIDAY (JUNE 91 AND WILL BE CONDUCTED AT VARIOUS TAXI STANDS AND CONVENIENT SPOTS IN TAI PO, SAI KUNG, NORTH DISTRICT, YUEN LONG AND TUEN MUN.
THIS IS PART OF AN ANNUAL SURVEY CARRIED OUT BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AIMING AT OBTAINING UPDATED INFORMATION ABOUT THE INCOME OF TAXI DRIVERS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
------0-------
NEW ’FLEXI-DESIGN' SCHOOL FOR TSEUNG KWAN 0
*****
A NEW "FLEXI-DESIGN" PRIMARY SCHOOL. WHICH WILL ALLOW CONVERSION INTO A SECONDARY SCHOOL AT MINIMAL COST, IS BEING BUILT IN AREA 29 OF TSEUNG KWAN O (FORMERLY KNOWN AS JUNK BAY).
CONSTRUCTION WORK HAS BEGUN FOLLOWING THE AWARDING OF A 923 MILLION CONTRACT THIS WEEK BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT. THE PROJECT WILL BE COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR.
THE SCHOOL WILL HAVE SIX STOREYS, COMPRISING 30 STANDARD CLASSROOMS, FOUR SPECIAL CLASSROOMS, AN ASSEMBLY HALL, A BASKETBALL COURT, A COVERED PLAYGROUND AND A ROOF-TOP PLAYGROUND.
IT WILL OCCUPY A SITE AREA OF ABOUT 5,300 SQUARE METRES.
-------o ---------
/5........
SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 1989
- 5 -
CLEAN-UP OPERATION BEGINS IN WONG TAI SIN
*****
A CLEAN-UP OPERATION AIMED AT AROUSING RESIDENTS’ AWARENESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANLINESS WAS LAUNCHED IN WONG TAI SIN THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING.
THE OPERATION, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, IS ONE OF A SERIES BEING ORGANISED IN THE DISTRICT IN SUPPORT OF THE TERRITORY-WIDE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
SPEAKING AT A LAUNCHING CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT CAMPAIGN WORKING GROUP, MR FUNG KWONG-CHUNG. SAID IT WAS HOPED THE OPERATION WOULD BRING ABOUT A CLEANER AND BETTER ENVIRONMENT IN THE DISTRICT.
"ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE CONDITIONS IN THE TERRITORY, THERE IS STILL A NEED TO CONTINUE THE CAMPAIGN," HE SAID.
OTHER ACTIVITIES PLANNED BY THE CAMPAIGN WORKING GROUP INCLUDE STEPPING UP ACTION AGAINST LITTERING FROM VEHICLES, A CLEAN-UP CARNIVAL, A YEAR-END CLEAN-UP OPERATION AND A MASS CLEAN-UP OF BLACK SPOTS IN SQUATTER AREAS, MR FUNG ADDED.
THOSE OFFICIATING AT THIS MORNING’S CEREMONY INCLUDED THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, DR MICHAEL LEE; DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BRIAN LAU: AND THE SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT/ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE (KOWLOON EAST) OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR ANTHONY SIU.
-------0----------
CLEAN-UP EXERCISE TOMORROW AT SILVERSTRAND BEACH *****
A CLEAN-UP EXERCISE WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) TO COLLECT REFUSE AT SILVERSTRAND BEACH IN SAI KUNG.
THE EXERCISE AIMS AT SPREADING THE "KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN" MESSAGE AMONG SWIMMERS AND RESIDENTS IN THE AREA TO AROUSE THEIR AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE.
SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, REPRESENTATIVES OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND 50 VOLUNTEERS WILL TAKE PART IN THE CLEAN UP. THEY WILL ALSO HELP TO ERECT SIGNBOARDS WHICH WILL BEAR THE MESSAGE: "KEEP BEACHES CLEAN".
THE EXERCISE IS ORGANISED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE.
/TO MARK .......
SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 1989
TO MARK THE OCCASION, A CEREMONY, WHICH WILL INCLUDE SINGING, GAMES AND A LUCKY DRAW, WILL BE HELD OUTSIDE THE BEACH OFFICE OF THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT SILVERSTRAND. THIS WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CEREMONY MARKING THE CLEAN-UP EXERCISE AT SILVERSTRAND BEACH, SAI KUNG. TOMORROW (SUNDAY).. THE CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
- - 0 -
PUBLICITY BUS LAUNCHES KOWLOON CITY CLEAN-UP * t t t »
RESIDENTS OF KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT WERE URGED TODAY (SATURDAY) TO SUPPORT THE BLOCK-TO-BLOCK CLEAN-UP PROGRAMME OF THE TERRITORY-WIDE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
THE MESSAGE WAS CONVEYED BY A PUBLICITY BUS DECORATED WITH BANNERS AND BEARING THE CAMPAIGN SLOGAN "BE A SPORT. PITCH IN".
THE BUS SET OFF FROM THE CHEUNG NING STREET REFUSE COLLECTION POINT AND MADE STOPS AT MAJOR RESIDENTIAL AREAS IN THE DISTRICT. KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN PAMPHLETS WERE DISTRIBUTED DURING THE TOUR.
TODAY’S ACTIVITY WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD, THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
EARLIER, A CEREMONY WAS HELD AT THE CHEUNG NING STREET REFUSE COLLECTION POINT TO LAUNCH THE BLOCK-TO-BLOCK CLEAN-UP PROGRAMME IN THE DISTRICT. THE CLEAN UP WILL CONTINUE UNTIL JULY 11.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WERE URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR PETER CHAN: CHAIRMAN OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD, MR WONG SIK-KONG; CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE, MR WONG CHI-KEUNG; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT’S KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN WORKING GROUP, MR CHAN NOI-YUE.
- - 0 - -
SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 1989
- 7 -
STUDENTS HELPING TO CLEAN BEACHES *****
ABOUT 600 SECONDARY STUDENTS WILL PARTICIPATE IN THIS YEAR’S AUXILIARY LITTER WARDEN SCHEME TO HELP CLEAN UP URBAN BEACHES IN THE SUMMER MONTHS.
THE AUXILIARY LITTER WARDEN SCHEME, ORGANISED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL FOR THE TENTH YEAR, WAS INAUGURATED BY AN URBAN COUNCILLOR, DR RONALD LEUNG, AT THE CITY HALL TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY, DR LEUNG SAID THAT EMPHASIS WAS BEING PLACED ON COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND EDUCATION, ESPECIALLY IN EDUCATING THE YOUNG, IN THIS YEAR’S KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
"THEREFORE, WE’RE VERY PLEASED TO SEE THAT STUDENTS ARE PARTICIPATING ENTHUSIASTICALLY IN THE SCHEME AND MAKING EVERY EFFORT TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
BESIDES HELPING TO CLEAN UP THE BEACHES, THE AUXILIARY LITTER WARDENS WILL ALSO ADVISE BEACH-GOERS TO DISPOSE OF THEIR LITTER PROPERLY BEFORE LEAVING THE BEACHES.
THEY WILL BE ON DUTY AT THE BEACHES AT REPULSE BAY. DEEP '.ATER BAY, SHEK O AND BIG WAVE BAY AS WELL AS STANLEY MAIN BEACH ON SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, IN JULY AND AUGUST.
AT THE CEREMONY, THE STUDENTS WERE GIVEN GUIDELINES IN CARRYING OUT THEIR DUTIES. THEY WERE ALSO PRESENTED WITH KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAPS AND T-SHIRTS TO BE WORN WHILE ON DUTY AT THE BEACHES.
------o-------
MULTI-PURPOSE CENTRE IN SHUM WAN OPENED * * » » »
THE SHUM WAN MULTI-PURPOSE CENTRE IN SAI KUNG WHICH CAN ALS< BE USED BY MARICULTURISTS AS A TYPHOON REFUGE WAS OPENED TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE CENTRE IS SITUATED IN SAI KUNG NORTH OVERLOOKING THE MARICULTURE ZONE IN SHUM WAN.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE ACTING TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS MARY CHOW, SAID THAT BESIDES BEING A RECREATION CENTRE AND VILLAGE OFFICE, THE BUILDING CAN BE USED AS A TYPHOON REFUGE FOR MARICULTURISTS.
/BUILT WITH .......
SATURDAY, JUNE 19^9
- 8 -
BUILT WITH A DONATION OF $350,000 FflOM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, THE CENTRE IS THE RESULT OF CONSULTATIONS HELD BETWEEN REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MARICULTURISTS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED, SHE NOTED.
MISS CHOW ADDED THAT THE DISTRICT OFFICE WAS ASSISTING THE CENTRE IN ITS APPLICATION FOR FUNDS FROM THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND TO PURCHASE RECREATION FACILITIES.
THE TWO-STOREY CENTRE HAS A FLOOR AREA OF SOME 70 SQUARE METRES.
THE OPENING CEREMONY WAS FOLLOWED BY A DRAGON BOAT RACE NEAR THE CENTRE.
------0-------
AREA COMMITTEES PROVIDE TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION
»»»♦»»
AREA COMMITTEES ARE GENERALLY CONSIDERED TO BE EFFECTIVE IN PROMOTING A COMMUNITY SPIRIT AND IN PROVIDING AN INVALUABLE TU WAY CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL RESID? TS.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE REGIONAL SECRI VARY FOB HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, AT A "STEP CLOSER' SEMINAR FOR AREA COMMITTEES IN WAN CHAI.
THE THEME OF THE SEMINAR WAS THE "RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AREA COMMITTEES AND THE DISTRICT BOARD".
AREA COMMITTEES ALSO MAINTAINED CLOSE LINKS WITH DISTRICT BOARDS MAINLY THROUGH CROSS-MEMBERSHIP, MR LAN POINTED OUT.
"AREA COMMITTEE MEMBERS ARE OFTEN CO-OPTED T SERVE ON DB COMMITTEES AND PROVIDE VALUABLE LOCAL INPUT INTO DELIBERATIONS ON LOCAL MATTERS.
"AT THE SAME TIME, ELECTED DB MEMBERS ARE APPOINTED TO SERV’ ON THE AREA COMMITTEES OF THEIR RESPECTIVE CONSTITUENCIES AND THEY HAVE HELPED REFER AREA PROBLEMS TO DB’S AND THEIR COMMITTEES WHERE NECESSARY," HE SAID.
MR LAN POINTED OUT THAT OVER THE YEARS AREA COMMITTEES HAD EVOLVED INTO AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE COMMUNITY BUILDING MACHINERY AND FOCAL POINTS FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION AT THE AREA LEVEL.
"APART FROM PROMOTING CAMPAIGNS AND RECREATION, AREA COMMITTEES HAVE BROADENED THEIR CONCERNS CONSIDERABLY AND OFTEN DISCUSS AREA PROBLEMS, DISTRICT MATTERS AND SOMETIMES GENERAL GOVERNMENT POLICIES," HE SAID.
/THE S3’IN AR
SATURDAY, JUNE J, 1989
- 9 -
THE SEMINAR WAS THE FOURTH IN A SERIES DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN RELATIONS BETWEEN AREA COMMITTEES AND THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
IN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS, SIX MORE SEMINARS WILL BE ORGANISED FOR AREA COMMITTEES IN KWUN TONG, SHAM SHUI PO, CENTRAL AND WESTERN, EASTERN, WONG TAI SIN AND SOUTHERN DISTRICTS.
MR LAN SAID THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, THROUGH THE DISTRICT OFFICES. HAD BEEN MAINTAINING REGULAR CONTACTS WITH AREA COMMITTEES, AND THE SERIES OF "STEP CLOSER" SEMINARS WOULD BE AN EXTENSION OF THEIR CONSTANT COMMUNICATION.
"IT IS IN THIS MANNER THAT I SHALL BE ABLE TO MEET ALL THE CHAIRMEN AND 1,700 MEMBERS OF THE 89 AREA COMMITTEES IN THE URBAN AREA WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME," HE NOTED.
"THE THEME OF TODAY'S SEMINAR IS 'THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DISTRICT BOARDS AND AREA COMMITTEES’ AND I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR WHAT WAN CHAI AREA COMMITTEE MEMBERS HAVE TO SAY ON THIS SUBJECT SO THAT THIS ASPECT OF OUR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION CAN BE FURTHER IMPROVED," MR LAN SAID.
EACH OF THE COMING SEMINARS WILL HAVE A THEME RELATED TO THE DISTRICT. THE THEMES ARE LIVING ENVIRONMENT, TRAFFIC PROBLEMS AND DEVELOPMENTS, CIVIC EDUCATION, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES AND MENTAL HEALTH.
-------0---------
COMMUNITY BUILDING ISSUES ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA
*****
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD'S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE WILL MEET ON MONDAY (JUNE 5) TO DISCUSS A WIDE RANGE OF COMMUNITY BUILDING ISSUES WHICH WERE RAISED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF AREA COMMITTEES AT A RECENT SEMINAR.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED ON THE WORK PLAN OF THE ABERDEEN SUB-OFFICE OF THE ICAC’S HONG KONG WEST/ISLANDS REGIONAL OFFICE AND THE URBAN COUNCIL’S RECREATION AND SPORTS PROGRAMMES FOR THE DISTRICT IN 1989-90.
IN ADDITION, THE COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER GRANTING #40,000 TO THE DISTRICT’S NEWLY-FORMED COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION TO LAUNCH CIVIC EDUCATION ACTIVITIES, AND ABOUT #80,000 TO THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT ARTS AND CULTURE ASSOCIATION FOR CULTURAL EVENTS .
/THE COMMITTEE .......
SATURDAY, JUNE J, 1989
- 10
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO PROCESS TWO APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS FROM LOCAL BODIES FOR CARRYING OUT AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROJECT AND A COMMUNITY PROJECT FOR THE ELDERLY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON MONDAY (JUNE 5) AT THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, 7-11 NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN CENTRE. THE MEETING WILL START AT 2.30 PM.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE LATTER HALF OF THE MEETING, WHEN APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS ARE BEING PROCESSED, WILL NOT BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
------o-------
TUEN NG FESTIVAL IS A STATUTORY HOLIDAY *****
TUEN NG FESTIVAL WHICH FALLS ON THURSDAY (JUNE 8) IS ONE OF THE 11 STATUTORY HOLIDAYS.
UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, ALL MANUAL WORKERS AND THOSE NON-MANUAL WORKERS EARNING NOT MORE THAN $11,500 A MONTH ARE ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAY AND MUST BE PAID FOR THE DAY OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE STATUTORY-HOLIDAY.
HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO AN EMPLOYEE'S EARNINGS ON A NORMAL DAY AND SHOULD INCLUDE BASIC WAGES AS WELL AS ALLOWANCES THAT CAN BE EXPRESSED IN MONEY TERMS SUCH AS MEALS AND COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCES.
WHERE THE EARNINGS VARY FROM DAY TO DAY, HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE THE AVERAGE DAILY EARNINGS DURING EVERY COMPLETE WAGE PERIOD, WHICH COULD BE BETWEEN 28 DAYS AND 31 DAYS PRECEDING THE HOLIDAY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE AT ANY BRANCH OFFICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT'S LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE.
--------0 -
/11 ........
SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 1989
- 11 -
50 TEAMS ENTER DRAGON BOAT RACES TN EASTERN » * » * *
EASTERN DISTRICT WILL GET INTO THE TUEN NG FESTIVE MOOD WHEN ABOUT 50 TEAMS COMPETE IN DRAGON BOAT RACES ALONG THE COASTLINE OF CHAI WAN ON TUESDAY (JUNE 6) AND IN SHAU KEI WAN ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 7).
THE CHAI WAN RACES, ORGANISED BY THE CHAI WAN FISHERMEN'S RECREATION CLUB, WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE CHAI WAN CARGO HANDLING BASIN FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM ON TUESDAY.
A TOTAL OF 18 TEAMS, REPRESENTING VARIOUS FISHERMEN GROUPS AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS, WILL TAKE PART IN THE RACES.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, WILL PRESENT TROPHIES TO THE WINNING TEAMS.
ON WEDNESDAY, RACES ORGANISED BY THE FISHERMEN SOCIETY OF HONG KONG WILL BE HELD ALONG THE COURSE OUTSIDE THE BREAKWATER OF ALQRICH BAY TYPHOON SHELTER, FROM 10 AM TO 5 PM.
THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY.
THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD HAS GIVEN A SUBSIDY OF S26.500 TO
THE CHAI WAN FISHERMEN’S RECREATION CLUB AND OF J4O.15O TO THE FISHERMEN SOCIETY OF HONG KONG TO MEET COSTS IN ORGANISING THE RACES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER BOTH EVENTS.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, WILL ARRIVE AT THE CHAI WAN CARGO HANDLING BASIN (NEXT TO THE OLD CHAI WAN FERRY PIER) AT 4 PM ON TUESDAY (JUNE 6).
THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, WILL ARRIVE AT THE VIP STAND SET UP IN THE SHAU KEI WAN WHOLESALE FISH MARKET AT 3.30 PM ON WEDNESDAY.
-------o----------
/12.......
SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 1989
- 12 -
KWUN TONG DB TO DISCUSS UC WORKS PROGRAMME * * * * »
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE FIVE-YEAR URBAN COUNCIL CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME AT ITS MEETING ON MONDAY (JUNE 5).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO EXPRESS VIEWS ON THE INFLUX OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE AND THE PRESENT POLICY ON THEM.
IN ADDITION, THE MEETING WILL CONSIDER THE REVISED PROCEDURES FOR THE NOMINATION AND APPOINTMENT OF CO-OPTED MEMBERS AS WELL AS THE GUIDELINES ON THE USE OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD MEETING ON MONDAY (JUNE 5). IT WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE IN TUNG YAN STREET.
-------0----------
WORKSHOP FOR SWD PROBATION OFFICERS *****
FIFTY STAFF FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) ATTENDED A WORKSHOP ON REPORT WRITING IN THE PROBATION SERVICE.
THE WORKSHOP, WHICH WAS THE FIRST STAFF DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S YOUTH AND REHABILITATION BRANCH, ENHANCED THE PARTICIPANTS’ RECOGNITION OF HOW SOCIAL ENQUIRY REPORTS COULD BE ORGANISED AND PRESENTED.
IT ALSO ENHANCED THEIR RECOGNITION OF THE PERCEPTION AND EXPECTATION OF THE JUDICIARY. THE HOSPITAL ORDER APPEAL TRIBUNAL, THE BOARD OF REVIEW - LONG TERM PRISON SENTENCES, AND THE SECURITY BRANCH AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS ON PROBATION OFFICERS’ REPORTS AND REPORTS ON PRISONERS.
THE PARTICIPANTS INCLUDED PROBATION OFFICERS, CASEWORK SUPERVISORS FROM PROBATION OFFICES, DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICERS AND THEIR ASSISTANTS WHO HAVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROBATION SERVICE. THEY SHARED THEIR EXPERIENCES, IDENTIFIED AREAS OF COMMON CONCERN, AND DISCUSSED WAYS TO TACKLE THEM.
FEEDBACK FROM THE PARTICIPANTS WILL BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN SIMILAR PROGRAMMES ARE ORGANISED IN THE FUTURE.
/SPEAKERS AT .......
SATURDAY, JUNE J, 1989
SPEAKERS AT THE WORKSHOP INCLUDED PRINCIPAL MAGISTRATE AT THE CENTRAL MAGISTRACY, MISS LEAH CANNON; ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIA’ WELFARE AND PRINCIPAL PROBATION OFFICER, MR KWOK KA-CHI; AND CHI?'*' SOCIAL WORK OFFICER (YOUTH AND CORRECTIONS), MR ANTHONY CHAN.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE WORKSHOP, MR KWOK COMMENDED THE PARTICIPANTS FOR THEIR HARD WORK IN COPING WITH THE HEAVY WORKLOAD DESPITE STAFFING CONSTRAINTS.
- 0 - -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN MA TAU WAI *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT IN ORDER TO FACILITATE SEWER LAYING WORK, THE RIGHT-TURN FROM MA TAU WAI ROAD NORTHBOUND INTO BAILEY STREET EASTBOUND WILL BE BANNED WITH FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JUNE 5) FOR SEVEN WEEKS.
DURING THIS PERIOD, VEHICLES ON MA TAU WAI ROAD NORTHBOUND HEADING FOR BAILEY STREET EASTBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL VIA SAN LAU STREET, CHATHAM ROAD NORTH, CHI KIANG STREET, TO KWA WAN ROAD AND MA TAU WAI ROAD SOUTHBOUND.
- - 0 - -
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN NORTH POINT * * * » «
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JUNE 5), VEHICLES EXCEEDING SEVEN METRES IN LENGTH WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT FROM ELECTRIC ROAD TO TSING FUNG STREET IN
AT THE SAME TIME, THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TSING FUNG STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH ELECTRIC ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 25 METRES TO THE WEST WILL BE DESIGNATED A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN
THESE MEASURES WILL LAST FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
- 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 1989
CONTENTS PaGE NO.
GOVERNOR SHOCKED ;.ND SADDENED BY TRAGIC EVENTS IN PEKING .... 1
PRIME MINISTER SHOCKED BY EVENTS IN PEKING ................... 2
HONG KONG TO ATTEND IDO CONFERENCE.......................... 2
SYMPOSL, ON EFFICIENT MANPOWER MANAGEMENT.................. 3
MANPOWER SURVEY ON PL.iSTICS INDUSTRY TO BEGIN ............... 4
AUSTRhLIa ACKNOWLEDGES HK CO-OPERATION IN DRUG FIGHT ......... 4
76 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN MARCH ...................... 5
1800 ILLEGAL HUTS DEMOLISHED ................................. 6
KWUN TONG TO PROMOTE MIKTxL HEALTH EDUCATION ................. 7
$8 MILLION FOR MAJOR CAMPAIGNS hND PUBLICITY ................. 8
FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME WELL RECEIVED ....................... 9
CHILDREN INVITED TO JOIN EASTERN DISTRICT CHOIR .............. 10
NEW DRaGON BOATS LAUNCHED IN TAI PO .......................... 11
DRAGON BOAT RACES IN ABERDEEN ATTRACT 76 TEAMS ............... 11
CENTRAL AND WESTERN INTER-HONG SPORTS CONTEST BEGINS ........ 12
TEMPORARY NIGHT CLOSURE OF PRINCE EDWARD RO«D EAST............ 13
SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 1989
GOVERNOR SHOCKED AND SADDENED BY TRAGIC EVENTS IN PEKING
» * » * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (SUNDAY) SAID HE WAS SHOCKED AND SADDENED BY THE TRAGIC EVENTS HAPPENING IN PEKING, PARTICULARLY THE LOSS OF LIFE.
SIR DAVID SAID HE WAS SURE THAT THESE WERE SENTIMENTS THAT WOULD BE SHARED BY MOST PEOPLE IN HONG KONG.
"IT IS A TIME FOR SAD AND SOBER REFLECTIONS FOR ALL OF US HERE," HE STRESSED.
SIR DAVID SAID: "ALL OF US IN HONG KONG HAVE BEEN WATCHING WITH GREAT CONCERN WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN PEKING AND IN CHINA IN THESE PAST FEW WEEKS.
"WE HAVE BEEN WATCHING WITH INTENSE INTEREST THE WAY WHICH THE PROBLEM WOULD BE HANDLED AND WHAT THE OUTCOME WOULD BE.
"I THINK MOST OF US HERE HAVE BEEN WATCHING AND LISTENING VERY CAREFULLY EVERY NEWS BROADCAST THAT HAS BEEN COMING OUT FROM PEKING AND WE HAVE BEEN SERVED EXTREMELY WELL BY THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN CARRYING THE NEWS TO US WITH SUCH SPEED," SIR DAVID SAID.
IN RESPONSE TO GRAVE CONCERN EXPRESSED BY OVERSEAS CHINESE COMMUNITIES ON THE SITUATION IN HONG KONG, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, GAVE THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:
"I CAN CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND THAT HK COMMUNITIES ROUND THE REST OF THE WORLD, IN NORTH AMERICA AND ELSEWHERE, HEARING REPORTS ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN CHINA, MAY WELL FEEL CONCERN ABOUT THE EFFECT IT IS HAVING ON HK. ALL OF US HERE, WE HAVE ALL BEEN HORRIFIED BY THE STORIES AND THE REPORTS THAT HAVE BEEN COMING IN DURING THE DAY, ABOUT THE EVENTS IN PEKING AND THE DEATH AND THE WOUNDING OF SUBSTANTIAL NUMBERS OF PEOPLE THERE.
THERE IS A VERY REAL SENSE IN THE COMMUNITY OF HORROR AND OF ANGER AT WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING. BUT DESPITE THESE VERY STRONG EMOTIONS THAT PEOPLE HAVE, THEY HAVE BEEN REACTING HERE WITH DIGNITY AND IN AN ORDERLY FASHION. AND I FEEL CONFIDENT THAT IN THE DAYS TO COME IT WILL BE THE SAME. IT WOULD BE QUITE WRONG TO THINK THAT THERE IS ANY CONFUSION HERE AND IN THE DAYS TO COME I AM SURE THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WILL GO ON BEHAVING WITH RESTRAINT AND WITH A SENSE OF CARE FOR HONG KONG."
--------0----------
SUNDAY. JUNE 4, 1989
- 2
PRIME MINISTER SHOCKED BY EVENTS IN PEKING
THE FOLLOWING IS A STATEMENT BY THE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER. MRS MARGARET THATCHER, ISSUED IN LONDON AT 7 PM (HK TIME) TODAY (JUNE 4) ON EVENTS IN PEKING:
"WE ARE ALL DEEPLY SHOCKED BY THE NEWS FROM PEKING AND APPALLED BY THE INDISCRIMINATE SHOOTING OF UNARMED PEOPLE. IT IS A REMINDER THAT, DESPITE SOME RECENT EASING OF EAST/WEST TENSIONS, A VERY GREAT GULF REMAINS BETWEEN THE DEMOCRATIC AND THE COMMUNIST SOCIETIES.
”WE VIEW THESE EVENTS IN PEKING WITH PARTICULAR CONCERN BECAUSE OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG AND OUR OBLIGATION -WHICH WE SHARE WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION - TO SAFEGUARD HONG KONG’S FUTURE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY. I UNDERSTAND THE DEEP ANXIETY PRESENTLY FELT BY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG AND ADMIRE THEIR STEADFASTNESS IN THE FACE OF THESE .LATEST TRAGIC EVENTS.
"BRITAIN WILL CONTINUE TO STAND BY ITS COMMITMENT TO A SECURE FUTURE FOR HONG KONG. WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ALSO WILL CONTINUE TO ABIDE BY THEIR OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE 1984 AGREEMENT."
-----0-----
HONG KONG TO ATTEND ILO CONFERENCE * * * ♦ ♦
A TRIPARTITE DELEGATION FROM HONG KONG WILL ATTEND THE 76TH SESSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION (ILO) CONFERENCE DUE TO OPEN IN GENEVA ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 7).
IT COMPRISES DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR HAROLD KWOK; MR ALBERT GAZELEY, REPRESENTING EMPLOYERS; AND MISS LAM SHUK-YEE, REPRESENTING EMPLOYEES.
BOTH MR GAZELEY AND MISS LAM ARE MEMBERS OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD.
DURING THE CONFERENCE, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO LAST FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS. MR KWOK WILL ACT AS ADVISER TO BRITISH GOVERNMENT DELEGATES WHILE MR GAZELEY AND MISS LAM WILL ADVISE BRITISH EMPLOYERS’ AND EMPLOYEES’ DELEGATES RESPECTIVELY.
THE ILO CONFERENCE THIS YEAR WILL DISCUSS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE QUESTION OF NIGHT WORK FOR WOMEN AND SAFETY IN THE USE OF CHEMICALS AT WORK.
-------0----------
/3........
SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 1989
- 5 -
SYMPOSIA ON EFFICIENT MANPOWER MANAGEMENT *****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS TO ORGANISE TWO SYMPOSIA LATER THIS MONTH ON EFFICIENT UTILISATION OF HUMAN RESOURCES.
THE TWO HALF-DAY SYMPOSIA, TO BE HELD ON JUNE 22 AND 23, ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE EMPLOYERS, EMPLOYEES, EXECUTIVE AND MANAGEMENT STAFF, AND OFFICIALS OF TRADE UNIONS AND BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS OPPORTUNITIES TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND EXPERIENCE IN MANPOWER MANAGEMENT.
THE FIRST SYMPOSIUM WILL FOCUS ON THE SITUATION IN THE COMMERCIAL AND SERVICE SECTORS, WHILE THE SECOND ONE WILL CONCENTRATE ON THE MANUFACTURING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES.
A NUMBER OF ACADEMICS, MANAGEMENT EXPERTS FROM VARIOUS LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, UNION LEADERS, AND SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL SPEAK ON VARIOUS TOPICS.
THESE INCLUDE IMPROVEMENT OF EMPLOYEES' PRODUCTIVITY, REDUCING MANPOWER WASTAGE, MAXIMISATION AND MANAGEMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES, PREVENTION OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS TO AVOID ABSENTEEISM AND LOSS OF WORKING DAYS, AND HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH BETTER UTILISATION OF MANPOWER RESOURCES.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING SESSION OF THE SYMPOSIUM ON JUNE 22 AT THE HOLIDAY INN GOLDEN MILE HOTEL IN TSIM SHA TSUI.
BOTH SYMPOSIA WILL BE CONDUCTED IN CANTONESE AND APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS.
THE ENROLMENT FEE FOR EACH SYMPOSIUM IS $120 WHILE MEMBERS OF TRADE UNIONS, BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS AND OTHER NON-PROFIT-MAKING ORGANISATIONS WILL BE CHARGED $100 FOR EACH SYMPOSIUM.
DETAILS AND APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S LABOUR RELATIONS PROMOTION UNIT, 12TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, AND AT ALL LABOUR RELATIONS BRANCH OFFICES.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE AT 5-8523511, 5-8523505 OR 5-8523509.
-------0----------
SUNDAY. JUNE 4, 1989
- 4 -
MANPOWER SURVEY ON PLASTICS INDUSTRY TO BEGIN
*****
THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL WILL BEGIN A SURVEY TOMORROW (MONDAY) TO OBTAIN UPDATED INFORMATION ON THE MANPOWER AND EMPLOYMENT SITUATION IN THE INDUSTRY.
QUESTIONNAIRES AND EXPLANATORY LETTERS WERE SENT OUT TWO WEEKS AGO TO SELECTED ESTABLISHMENTS. EMPLOYERS ARE REQUESTED TO CO-OPERATE AND PROVIDE INFORMATION SUCH AS THE NUMBERS OF EMPLOYEES, TRAINEES, VACANCIES AND MANPOWER REQUIREMENTS.
SURVEY INTERVIEWING OFFICERS FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL VISIT SELECTED ESTABLISHMENTS TO COLLECT COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES AND, IF NECESSARY, ASSIST IN COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRES.
THE SURVEY, TO BE COMPLETED ON JUNE 28, IS ESSENTIAL IN FORMULATING TRAINING PLANS FOR THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY.
INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL BE HANDLED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE FORM OF STATISTICAL SUMMARIES WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ANY INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE MANPOWER STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 5-8235075.
------0-------
AUSTRALIA ACKNOWLEDGES HK CO-OPERATION IN DRUG FIGHT *****
THE TOTAL CO-OPERATION OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE NARCOTICS BUREAU IN FIGHTING THE "HONG KONG CONNECTION” IN AUSTRALIAN DRUGS TRAFFICKING HAS BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL POLICE SENIOR LIAISON OFFICER IN HONG KONG.
DETECTIVE SUPERINTENDENT COLIN ROWLEY, POLICE LIAISON CONSUL AT THE AUSTRALIAN CONSULATE GENERAL SAID THAT THE UNSELFISH SHARING OF INFORMATION BETWEEN THE TWO POLICE FORCES HAD BEEN NOTABLY PROVED IN THE SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME OF TWO RECENT CASES INVOLVING A TOTAL OF MORE THAN 100 KILOGRAMS OF NARCOTICS.
’’THE TWO CASES SEVERELY DISRUPTED MAJOR ORGANISATIONS OF SYNDICATES HERE AND IN AUSTRALIA." MR ROWLEY SAID.
"IN CASES LIKE THESE, THE CO-OPERATION AND SHARING OF INFORMATION IS THE ONLY EFFECTIVE WAY TO COMBAT CRIMINALS WHO HAVE NO GEOGRAPHIC BOUNDARIES.
/’’GOOD TRUST
SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 1989
- 5 -
"GOOD TRUST IS AN ESSENTIAL INGREDIENT AND A MUTUAL PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO SECRECY HAS BEEN PROVED IN CASES INVOLVING THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE AND THE AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL POLICE.
"SUCCESS DEPENDS ON THE UNSELFISH SHARING OF INFORMATION. WE DON’T CARE WHO GETS THE KUDOS AS LONG AS THE CRIMINALS ARE CAUGHT."
MR ROWLEY SAID THE TWO RECENT MAJOR CASES HAD DEMONSTRATED WHAT COULD BE ACHIEVED THROUGH FULL CO-OPERATION TO MUTUAL BENEFIT.
"AND NOT ONLY IN THE NARCOTICS BUREAU BUT ELSEWHERE IN THE FORCE WE HAVE HAD TOTAL CO-OPERATION.
"WE HAVE BEEN DOING A LOT OF WORK WITH THE COMMERCIAL CRIME BUREAU IN QUESTIONS INVOLVING THE LAUNDERING OF MONEY."
MR ROWLEY ALSO SPOKE OF VALUABLE LINKS WITH THE CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE BUREAU AND THE ORGANISED AND SERIOUS CRIME GROUP.
MR ROWLEY DISCOUNTED SUGGESTIONS OF TRIAD INVOLVEMENT IN DRUG TRAFFICKING IN AUSTRALIA.
"IN MY VIEW ANY LINK WITH TRIADS IS PURELY COINCIDENTAL TO THE COMMON PURPOSE OF CRIMINALS IN MAKING MONEY.
"AUSTRALIAN TRIAD STORIES ARE MORE SENSATIONALIST JOURNALSIM THEN BASED ON SUBSTATIATED FACTS. THAT IS NOT TO SAY WE DON’T HAVE A TRIAD PROBLEM BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE IT COULD BE OF A LIKE NATURE TO THAT OF HONG KONG."
-------0---------
76 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN MARCH
*****
FIVE HOTELS WERE AMONG 76 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE IN MARCH.
OF THE PLANS, 31 WERE FOR HONG KONG ISLAND. 17 FOR KOWLOON AND 28 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE APPROVED PLANS INCLUDED 26 FOR APARTMENT, APARTMENT/COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS; 21 FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND 10 FOR FACTORY OR GODOWN PROJECTS.
DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE GAVE CONSENT FOR WORK TO START ON 41 PROJECTS, INVOLVING 179,380 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 92,519 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE NON-DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA.
AHE total.........
SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 1989
- 6 -
THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH WAS ABOUT $1,657 MILLION. THE USABLE FLOOR AREA FOR DOMESTIC AND NON-DOMESTIC USES WAS ABOUT 169,477 SQUARE METRES AND 168,242 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
IN ADDITION, THE OFFICE ISSUED 48 OCCUPATION PERMITS, 16 FOR HONG KONG, NINE FOR KOWLOON AND 23 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THIRTY-SEVEN DEMOLITION CONSENTS, AFFECTING 74 BUILDINGS. WERE ISSUED.
THE CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT DIVISION RECEIVED 594 COMPLAINTS ON ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS. CARRIED OUT 953 INSPECTIONS AND ISSUED 184 REMOVAL ORDERS.
THE DANGEROUS BUILDINGS SECTION INSPECTED 471 BUILDINGS.
------0-------
1800 ILLEGAL HUTS DEMOLISHED
*****
MORE THAN 1 800 ILLEGAL STRUCTURES OR EXTENSIONS HAVE BEEN DEMOLISHED BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT’S SQUATTER CONTROL DIVISION BETWEEN FEBRUARY AND APRIL THIS YEAR.
OF THESE NEW STRUCTURES OR EXTENSIONS, NEARLY HALF OR 815 WERE UNCOMPLETED STRUCTURES, A HOUSING AUTHORITY SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
ALL THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES OR EXTENSIONS WERE SPOTTED BY THE STAFF OF THE SQUATTER CONTROL DIVISION DURING THEIR REGULAR PATROLS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, HE SAID, ADDING THAT THE PATROL SYSTEM HAD A MARKED DETERRENT EFFECT ON ILLEGAL SQUATTING.
IN ORDER TO PREVENT SQUATTING ON UNDEVELOPED GOVERNMENT LAND AND PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL LAND. THE SQUATTER CONTROL STAFF WILL CONTINUE TO PATROL ALL AREAS EVERY DAY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ANY NEW STRUCTURES OR ILLEGAL EXTENSIONS FOUND WILL BE DEMOLISHED IMMEDIATELY, AND THOSE CONCERNED WILL BE LIABLE TO ARREST AND PROSECUTION WITHOUT ANY COMPENSATION OR REHOUSING ARRANGEMENT, HE SAID.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE SOME 34 000 SURVEYED SQUATTER HUTS IN THE URBAN AREA HOUSING ABOUT 29 000 FAMILIES OR 100 000 PEOPLE.
IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, OVER 432 000 STRUCTURES STILL REMAIN, ACCOMMODATING MORE THAN 64 000 HOUSEHOLDS WITH 259 000 PERSONS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE AUTHORITY HAD COMPUTERISED THE DATA OF THE SURVEYED HUTS, INCLUDING THE RECORDS OF THE DIMENSION AND USAGE OF THOSE STRUCTURES.
/"THESE INFORMATIONS .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 1989
"THESE INFORMATIONS WOULD HELP THE DEPARTMENT TO PREVENT QUEUE JUMPING FOR PERMANENT HOUSING BY PEOPLE ATTEMPTING TO MOVE INTO AREAS SCHEDULED FOR IMMINENT CLEARANCE, HE SAID.
"THE PROPER WAV TO OBTAIN PUBLIC HOUSING IS TO REGISTER ON THE WAITING LIST," HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO REMINDED RESIDENTS OF SQUATTER AREAS WHO MET ALL REHOUSING CRITERIA TO APPLY FOR TRANSFER BEFORE THEY MOVE FROM ONE SURVEYED HUT TO ANOTHER. THOSE WHO FAIL TO DO SO WOULD LOSE THEIR ELIGIBILITY FOR PUBLIC HOUSING, HE SAID.
------0 -------
KWUN TONG TO PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION » » t * *
A TWO-MONTH CAMPAIGN WILL BE LAUNCHED IN KWUN TONG SHORTLY TO PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION AMONG LOCAL RESIDENTS.
THE "KWUN TONG MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION VARIETY PROGRAMME" HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION ORGANISING COMMITTEE WHICH COMPRISES MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM SOCIAL SERVICES ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
THE PROJECT, WHICH RUNS FROM JUNE 10 TO JULY 30, WILL INCLUDE A SEMINAR, A VOLUNTEER TRAINING SCHEME, A MOBILE EXHIBITION AND A CARNIVAL.
"THESE EVENTS ARE INTENDED TO PROMOTE AND MAINTAIN GOOD MENTAL HEALTH AMONG RESIDENTS, TO ENABLE THE COMMUNITY TO UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND THE NEEDS OF MENTAL PATIENTS, SO THAT RESIDENTS CAN PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE PATIENTS’ REHABILITATION," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
TO LAUNCH THE PROGRAMME, AN OPENING CEREMONY AND A SEMINAR WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY (JUNE 10) AT THE WELLINGTON COLLEGE IN TELFORD GARDENS.
THE OPENING SEMINAR WILL FEATURE SLIDE AND VIDEO PRESENTATIONS, RELAXATION EXERCISES AND AN OPEN FORUM.
DURING THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD, A MOBILE EXHIBITION ON MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION WILL BE STAGED IN VARIOUS SUB-DISTRICTS.
A VOLUNTEER TRAINING PROGRAMME WILL ALSO BE CARRIED OUT IN WHICH PARTICIPANTS WILL ATTEND WORKSHOPS AND A TRAINING CAMP, VISIT HALF-WAY HOUSES AND TAKE PART IN VOLUNTARY SERVICE WORK.
/THE PROGRAMME........
SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 1989
- 8 -
THE PROGRAMME WILL CULMINATE WITH A CLOSING CARNIVAL ON JULY 30 AT THE HONG NING ROAD PLAYGROUND. A HIGHLIGHT OF THIS WILL BE A VARIETY SHOW.
KWUN TONG RESIDENTS ARE WELCOME TO TAKE PART IN ALL THESE EVENTS. PROGRAMME DETAILS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE ON 3-430887 OR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ON 3-7558606 OR 3-7750591.
-----0------
$8 MILLION FOR MAJOR CAMPAIGNS AND PUBLICITY ******
THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS TO SPEND A RECORD S8 MILLION DURING THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR ON 13 MAJOR CAMPAIGNS AND SOME 30 OTHER PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES WHICH WILL COVER ALMOST EVERY ASPECT OF OUR DAILY LIVES.
THE TOPICS ARE AS VARIED AS PRIORITIES DICTATE AND RESOURCES WILL ALLOW.
INEVITABLY, THERE ARE FAMILIAR TOPICS LIKE FIGHT CRIME, ROAD SAFETY, INDUSTRIAL SAFETY, FIRE PREVENTION AND ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGNS, BECAUSE THESE ARE AREAS IN WHICH HONG KONG PEOPLE CAN NEVER AFFORD TO RELAX THEIR GUARD.
THE SUBJECT OF AIDS TOO, WILL REMAIN PROMINENT ON TELEVISION AND POSTER SITES, IF ONLY TO REFLECT THE GROWING CONCERN WHICH THIS DISEASE HAS PROMPTED WORLDWIDE.
APART FROM THESE "OLD STAPLES", THE DEPARTMENT HAS TAKEN NEW INITIATIVES ON OTHER ISSUES WHICH ARE GOING TO CLAIM INCREASING ATTENTION IN THE MONTHS TO COME; AMONG THEM, ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND HOME SAFETY.
PERHAPS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT TOPIC TO ENGAGE OUR ATTENTION THIS YEAR IS ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION, A PROBLEM WHICH IS BECOMING STEADILY WORSE AND SOLVING OF WHICH REQUIRES MASSIVE, UNITED EFFORTS BY ALL PEOPLE.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL SHORTLY PUBLISH A WHITE PAPER WHICH SETS OUT ITS TARGETS AND OBJECTIVES FOR DEALING WITH POLLUTION, INCLUDING PROPOSALS FOR NEW LEGISLATION.
AS THE PRINCIPAL DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBLE FOR CONVEYING MESSAGES TO THE PUBLIC, GIS IS GEARING UP FOR A MAJOR PUBLICITY EXERCISE TO HIGHLIGHT THE PROBLEMS AND TO PROMOTE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT CAN BE DONE TO OVERCOME THEM.
IT WILL BE SEEKING THE HELP OF A COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING AGENCY
TO ASSIST WITH THE CAMPAIGN.
/ANOTHER MAJOR
SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 1989
ANOTHER MAJOR TOPIC, TO WHICH THE DEPARTMENT ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE, WILL BE THE HOME SAFETY CAMPAIGN.
THIS CAMPAIGN, WHICH BEGAN SOME TWO YEARS AGO, IS NOW REALLY GETTING INTO ITS STRIDE WITH SOME URGENT MESSAGES THAT FOCUS ATTENTION PARTICULARLY ON THE DANGERS TO THE VERY YOUNG AND THE VERY OLD.
THIS WILL BE A CHALLENGING AND SENSITIVE ISSUE TO HANDLE AND IT WILL REQUIRE FULL SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION FROM MANY OTHER INTERESTED DEPARTMENTS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES INVOLVED IN CHILD WELFARE.
ALSO ON THE LIST OF SUBJECTS ON WHICH TO FOCUS CONTINUED PUBLIC ATTENTION THIS YEAR ARE CIVIC EDUCATION, THE EASY TRAVEL SCHEME, THE SECOND NEW IDENTITY CARD RE-ISSUE SCHEME AND CULTURAL HERITAGE.
THE CULTURAL HERITAGE CAMPAIGN IS A NEW ENDEAVOUR TO EXPLORE ONE OF THE ASPECTS THAT HAS MADE HONG KONG THE CITY WE VALUE MORE THAN ANY PLACE IN THE WORLD.
WITH THE HELP OF THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS OFFICE, THE CAMPAIGN AIMS TO EXAMINE SOME OF THE LOVELY OLD BUILDINGS WE ARE PRESERVING FOR HISTORICAL AND ARCHITECTURAL MERITS.
ALL IN ALL, GIS LOOKS FORWARD TO A CHALLENGING YEAR IN THE FIELD OF PUBLIC SERVICE ADVERTISING, WHERE THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE TRYING TO SHIFT FURTHER AWAY FROM THE SIMPLE "DO’S AND DON’TS" OF GOOD CIVIC BEHAVIOUR TO CONCENTRATE UPON OTHER MORE COMPLEX AND SOPHISTICATED ISSUES THAT CONCERN THIS HIGHLY PROGRESSIVE SOCIETY.
------0-------
FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME WELL RECEIVED t * « « ♦
THE FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME HAS BEEN WELL RECEIVED WITH ABOUT 10,000 PEOPLE MAKING ENQUIRIES DURING THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
OUT OF THIS FIGURE, 885 PEOPLE WERE SUBSEQUENTLY GIVEN FREE CONSULTATION WITH THE DUTY LAWYERS TAKING PART IN THE SCHEME.
THE MAJORITY OF THE CASES INVOLVED MONETARY AND COMMERCIAL MATTERS, MATRIMONIAL MATTERS, COMPENSATION CLAIMS, EMPLOYMENT MATTERS AND CRIMINAL CASES, HE ADDED.
THE FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CNTA AND THE LAW SOCIETY, AND SUBVENTED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
/THE SCHD1E, ........
SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 1989
10 -
THE SCHEME, IMPLEMENTED IN 1978, IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE FREE LEGAL ADVICE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO CONSULT A LAWYER.
ANYONE WISHING TO MAKE USE OF THE SCHEME MAY APPROACH ANY OF CNTA1S 68 PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
APPLICANTS WILL BE INTERVIEWED BY STAFF AT THESE CENTRES TO IDENTIFY THEIR NEEDS.
ARRANGEMENTS WILL THEN BE MADE FOR THE APPLICANTS TO SEE THE DUTY LAWYERS ATTENDING THE EIGHT EVENING BUREAUS SITUATED AT DISTRICT OFFICES IN WAN CHAI, EASTERN, MONG KOK, WONG TAI SIN, YAU TSIM, KWUN TONG, TSUEN WAN AND SHA TIN.
AN APPOINTMENT CAN USUALLY BE ARRANGED WITHIN 10 DAYS AT AN EVENING BUREAU OF THE APPLICANT’S CHOICE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE SCHEME MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE AT CNTA HEADQUARTERS ON THE 13TH FLOOR, WORLD SHIPPING CENTRE, 7 CANTON ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, OR BY TELEPHONING 3-7302255-6.
--------0 - -
CHILDREN INVITED TO JOIN EASTERN DISTRICT CHOIR
CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN EIGHT AND 12 AND INTERESTED IN SINGING ARE BEING INVITED TO JOIN THE EASTERN DISTRICT CHILDREN’S CHOIR.
THE CHOIR WAS FORMED TO PROMOTE CHILDREN’S INTEREST IN MUSIC AND TO DEVELOP THEIR ARTISTIC POTENTIAL.
TRAINING SESSIONS WILL BE HELD EVERY SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND TRAINEES WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE OPEN PERFORMANCES TO ENRICH THEIR EXPERIENCE.
ENROLMENT FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS THREE SUB-OFFICES IN CAUSEWAY BAY, SHAU KEI WAN AND CHAI WAN.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED BEFORE JUNE 14 TO THE EASTERN DISTRICT CHILDREN’S CHOIR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE SECRETARIAT AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE, G/FLOOR, 880-886 KING’S ROAD, HONG KONG.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-630181 EXT. 41.
-------0----------
SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 1989
11
NEW DRAGON BOATS LAUNCHED IN TAI PO » » »
TWO NEWLY-BUILT DRAGON BOATS FOR THIS YEAR’S TAI PO DRAGON BOAT RACE WERE LAUNCHED AT A CEREMONY AT THE TAI WONG YEH SHRINE IN YUEN CHAU TSAI, TAI PO, THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING.
THE CEREMONY BEGAN WITH AN OFFERING OF JOSS-STICKS AND DELICACIES TO THE PATRON GOD OF FISHERMEN, TAI WONG YEH, BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT DRAGON BOAT RACE COMMITTEE, MR HO YUNG-SANG, AND THE VICE-CHAIRMEN, MR CHUNG YICK-MING AND MISS MARY CHOW.
PRAYERS THEN FOLLOWED IN THE HAKKA DIALECT.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES. MR ADOLF HSU, AND THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, THEN DOTTED THE EYES OF THE DRAGON BOATS.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY AN EXHIBITION RACE BY TWO WINNING TEAMS IN LAST YEAR’S RACE.
COSTING ABOUT $30,000 EACH, THE TWO NEW BOATS WILL BE USED TOGETHER WITH 19 OTHER DRAGON BOATS FOR THE TAI PO DRAGON BOAT RACE THIS YEAR.
THE RACE PROGRAMME IS ORGANISED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT DRAGON BOAT RACE COMMITTEE 1989 AND CO-SPONSORED BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD. THE RACES WILL TAKE PLACE ALONG THE WATERFRONT OF TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE FROM 9.30 AM TO 1 PM ON THURSDAY (JUNE 8).
------0-------
DRAGON BOAT RACES IN ABERDEEN ATTRACT 76 TEAMS
**«**»
A TOTAL OF 76 TEAMS FROM ALL OVER THE TERRITORY WILL TAKE PART IN THE ABERDEEN DRAGON BOAT RACE PROGRAMME ON THURSDAY (JUNE 8) IN CELEBRATION OF THE TUEN NG FESTIVAL.
AN ANNUAL EVENT WITH A LONG TRADITION IN THE OLDEST FISHING PORT OF HONG KONG, THE DRAGON BOAT RACE HAS BEEN CO-ORGANISED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE 1989 ABERDEEN DRAGON BOAT RACE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, AND IS SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD.
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOLLOWING THE RACES, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ALONG A 330-METRE COURSE OFF THE ABERDEEN WATERFRONT.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL INCLUDE THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS MAUREEN CHAN; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HUI YUNG-CHUNG; AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MRS SO CHAU YIM-PING.
/SPEAKING AT .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 1989
12 -
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (SUNDAY), THE SOUTHERN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR DAVID LEUNG, SAID THE RACES WOULD BE DIVIDED INTO THE LARGE-BOAT AND MEDIUM-BOAT DIVISIONS. THE LA11ER WOULD BE SUBDIVIDED INTO MEN’S OPEN, MEN’S AMATEUR, LADIES’ OPEN, AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT INVITATION SECTIONS.
EIGHT TEAMS WILL COMPETE IN THE LARGE-BOAT DIVISION AND 68 TEAMS IN THE MEDIUM-BOAT DIVISION.
' "THE TEAMS ARE ENTERED BY BUSINESS FIRMS, FACTORIES, LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, FISHERMEN'S BODIES, AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AS WELL AS CLUBS FROM ALL OVER HONG KONG," MR LEUNG SAID.
HEATS WILL BE HELD IN THE MORNING AND THE FINALS WILL START AT 3 PM. THE OVERALL CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT WILL START AT 4.15 PM.
A FERRY MOORED NEAR THE FINISHING POINT WILL PROVIDE A VANTAGE POINT FOR GUESTS AND SPECTATORS.
THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 4.30 PM. WINNERS IN THE VARIOUS EVENTS WILL BE PRESENTED TROPHIES, AND ALL PARTICIPATING TEAMS WILL RECEIVE SOUVENIRS.
AT TODAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE, AN EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY WAS HELD TO MARK THE LAUNCHING OF FOUR DRAGON BOATS. OFFICIATING WERE MR LEUNG; RACE ORGANISING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR HO CHUNG-TUNG; AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WHICH HAD HELPED TO ORGANISE THE RACES.
--------0----------
CENTRAL AND WESTERN INTER-HONG SPORTS CONTEST BEGINS
*****
FOURTEEN MAJOR FIRMS IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT HAVE ENTERED TEAMS IN THE DISTRICT’S INTER-HONG SPORTS PROGRAMME WHICH STARTED TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE COMPETITIONS TO BE HELD INCLUDE TELEMATCH GAMES, MINI-SOCCER, SQUASH, BASKETBALL, BADMINTON AND TABLE TENNIS.
THE PROGRAMME, WHICH RUNS UNTIL JULY 16, HAS BEEN JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE DISTRICT'S RECREATION AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION, WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY HELD AT BLAKE GARDEN THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING, THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS JOEY LAM, SAID THE SPORTS PROGRAMME, NOW IN ITS SEVENTH YEAR, HAD BECOME INCREASINGLY POPULAR WITH THE WORKING PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT.
/"THE WHITE-COLLAR .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 1989
- 13 -
"THE WHITE-COLLAR WORKERS CAN MAKE USE OF THE SPORTS PROGRAMME TO KEEP THEMSELVES MORE PHYSICALLY FIT AND TO RELIEVE ANY WORKING STRESS," SHE REMARKED.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDED DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS MR LEUNG SIK-WAH AND MR CHAN CHOI-HEI, AND THE HONORARY PRESIDENT OF THE DISTRICT’S RECREATION AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION, MR WONG CHUNG-YING.
- - 0----------
TEMPORARY NIGHT CLOSURE OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TO FACILITATE FLYOVER CONSTRUCTION, THE SOUTHERN WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST BETWEEN KING TAI STREET AND KOWLOON CITY ROUNDABOUT WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICLES EXCEPT FOR THOSE GAINING ACCESS TO THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FROM 1 AM TO 5 AM DAILY FOR ABOUT FIVE DAYS FROM TUESDAY (JUNE 6).
DURING THE CLOSURE VEHICLES FROM KWUN TONG AND SAN PO KONG HEADING FOR TO KWA WAN WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THE NORTHERN WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST, FLYOVER, ARGYLE STREET, FU NING STREET, SHING TAK STREET AND MA TAU CHUNG ROAD.
CENTRAL-BOUND CROSS HARBOUR BUS ROUTE 121 WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THE NORTHERN WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST, FLYOVER, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST, LOMOND ROAD, ARGYLE STREET AND KOWLOON CITY ROUNDABOUT.
-------0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
MOND..Y, JUNE 5, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NONA DIRECTOR INVITED TO CALL ON GOVERNOR................... 1
SPECIAL FLIGHT TO COLLECT HK PEOPLE FROM PEKING ............ 1
EMBASSY MAKING ENQUIRIES ON WHEREABOUTS OF MR LEE CHUK-YAN . 2
OMELCO MEMBERS EXPRESS SHOCK AT PEKING EVENTS .............. 2
NO QUESTION OF BANKS NOT ABLE TO MEET COMMITMENTS: FS....... 3
BANKS TO REMAIN OPEN ON WEDNESDAY...........................
SENTIMENTS OF CIVIL SERVANTS RESPECTED ..................... 4
SCHOOLS HAVE DISCRETION ON APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES .......... 5
cs calls for positive approach in tackling pollution ....... 5
WHITE PAPER CONFIEMS GOVERNMENT COMMITMENT TO ENVIRONMENT
IMPROVEMENT .............................................. 8
PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES SUPPORT WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 1989 •• 9
RESULTS OF 1987 SURVEY ON TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES ... 10
ANTI-OBSTRUCTION C.iMPAIGN ENTERS ENFORCEMENT PHASE......... 14
NOMINATIONS FOR MOST ACCESSIBLE BUILDINGS INVITED .......... 15
STUDENTS PLaNT TREES IN TAI PO ............................. 16
SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS FOR AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES STUDIES .... 16
slope safety to be raised at committee meeting ............. 17
TRAFFIC .ARRANGEMENTS IN SHhM SHU I PO, KWUN TONG........... 18
EXHIBITION OF CHINESE TEXTBOOKS. FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS ..... 20
VIEWS EXCHANGED ON NEDICnL SERVICES......................... 20
RS TO OFFICIATE AT TAI PO DRhGOK BOaT RACE.................. 21
LARGEST DRAGON BOAT RACES IN TUEN MUN ...................... 22
WATER STORAGE FIGURE........................................ 2J
MONDAY, JUNE 5, 1989
- 1
NCNA DIRECTOR INVITED TO CALL ON GOVERNOR ♦ * t ♦ *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, INVITED THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG BRANCH OF THE NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY, MR XU JIATUN, TO CALL ON HIM TODAY (MONDAY).
THE GOVERNOR TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO EMPHASISE THE DEEP CONCERN FELT BY HONG KONG PEOPLE AT RECENT EVENTS IN CHINA.
HE ALSO ASKED FOR THE CO-OPERATION OF THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES IN ENSURING THE SAFETY OF HONG KONG PEOPLE AT PRESENT IN PEKING.
-------0---------
SPECIAL FLIGHT TO COLLECT HK PEOPLE FROM PEKING ♦ t ♦ t »
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS CHARTERED A DRAGONAIR BOEING 737 AIRCRAFT TO MAKE A SPECIAL FLIGHT TO PEKING TO COLLECT STUDENTS, JOURNALISTS AND OTHER HONG KONG RESIDENTS WHO WISH TO RETURN TO HONG KONG.
THE AIRCRAFT LEFT KAI TAK AIRPORT AT 3.45 THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON AND IS PLANNED TO RETURN TO HONG KONG LATE THIS EVENING.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN PEKING IS WORKING ROUND THE CLOCK TO KEEP IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH BRITISH NATIONALS AND PEOPLE FROM HONG KONG STRANDED IN PEKING BY THE RECENT EVENTS.
THE EMBASSY HAVE ALREADY CONTACTED MOST OF THOSE PEOPLE THEY HAVE RECEIVED INFORMATION AND HAVE INFORMED THEM OF THE SPECIAL EVACUATION FLIGHT.
WHERE POSSIBLE THE EMBASSY HAVE OFFERED ASSISTANCE IN MAKING ARRANGEMENTS TO ENABLE THEM TO LEAVE PEKING IF THEY WISH.
CURRENTLY’ ABOUT 70 HONG KONG RESIDENTS ARE GATHERED AT PEKING AIRPORT. ALL OF THESE SHOULD BE ACCOMMODATED ON THE AIRCRAFT, WHICH CAN SEAT 125.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IN SOME PARTS OF PEKING IT REMAINED TOO DANGEROUS TO GO OUT.
’’THE EMBASSY ARE ADVISING PEOPLE IN THESE AREAS TO STAY PUT. THEY ARE KEEPING IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH THEM AND WILL • MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO HELP THEM MOVE AS SOON AS THIS IS POSSIBLE.
ANY ENQUIRIES CONCERNING HONG KONG PEOPLE CURRENTLY7 VISITING PEKING MAY BE MADE THROUGH A 24-HOUR GOVERNMENT HOT-LINE WHICH WILL BE OPEN FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING. THE NUMBER TO CALL IS 5-8691313.
-------0----------
/2........
MONDAY, JUNE 5, 1989
2
EMBASSY MAKING ENQUIRIES ON WHEREABOUTS OF MR LEE CHUK-YAN ‘ ******
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES ABOUT MR LEE CHUK-YAN, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: "WE HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN PEKING WHO KNOW MR LEE CHUK-YAN WELL AND HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR HIS EFFORTS TO ORGANISE AND ASSIST OTHER HONG KONG PEOPLE TO GET TO THE CHARTERED PLANE THIS EVENING. AS YET WE HAVE NO CONFIRMATION THAT HE HAS BEEN DETAINED, OR BY WHOM. HOWEVER, THE EMBASSY HAVE LODGED AN ENQUIRY WITH THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND ARE TAKING THIS UP AS A MATTER OF URGENCY."
_ _ 0 - -
OMELCO MEMBERS EXPRESS SHOCK AT PEKING EVENTS *****
THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS ISSUED BY MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS AFTER THEIR SPECIAL IN-HOUSE MEETING THIS (MONDAY) MORNING ABOUT THE RECENT EVENTS IN BEIJING, CHINA:
"ALL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS ARE OUTRAGED AND SHOCKED BY WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN CHINA. WE DEEPLY REGRET THE LOSS OF SO MANY LIVES. WE OBSERVED A ONE MINUTE SILENCE AT THE MEETING AS A TRIBUTE TO ALL THOSE WHO FOUGHT SO BRAVELY FOR WHAT THEY BELIEVED IN.
"WE ENTIRELY UNDERSTAND THE FEELING OF ANGER AND FRUSTRATION OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. THEY HAVE EXPRESSED THEIR VIEWS IN WEEKS IN A DIGNIFIED AND ORDERLY WAY. WE URGE THEM TO CONTINUE THIS RESPONSIBLE ATTITUDE WHICH HAS WON THE PRAISE AND ADMIRATION OF MANY AROUND THE WORLD.
"THE EVENTS IN CHINA HAVE HIGHLIGHTED HOW VERY DIFFERENT THE SYSTEMS OF THE TWO PLACES ARE. WE IN HONG KONG. NO MATTER HOW ANGRY WE ARE, MUST PUT ALL OUR ENERGIES INTO PRESERVING THE SEPARATENESS OF OUR SYSTEM, IN PARTICULAR THE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND THE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. OUR FUTURE DEPENDS ON THE MAINTENANCE OF OUR EXISTING SYSTEM AND ON OUR CONTINUED STABILITY.
"WE HOPE THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WOULD BEAR THIS IN MIND IN WHATEVER ACTION THEY TAKE WHEN THEY WISH TO EXPRESS THEIR FEELINGS. REMEMBER THAT WE HAVE A DUTY TO OUR OWN CITIZENS IN MAINTAINING OUR OWN PROSPERITY AND STABILITY.
/"THERE ARE
MONDAY, JUNE 5, 1989
"THERE ARE SPECIFIC MATTERS THAT REQUIRE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. WE UNDERSTAND THAT SOME HONG KONG CITIZENS ARE EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTIES IN LEAVING BEIJING. WE ARE REQUESTING THE HONG KONG Gt'!RNMENT TO ASK THE BRITISH EMBASSY TO EXTEND EVERY ASSISTANCE TO Pl c i ECT THEM AND TO HELP THEM LEAVE BEIJING. A NUMBER OF OUR COLLEAGUES FROM VARIOUS COMMERCIAL FIRMS HAVE OFFERED THEIR STAFF AND VlIHCLES IN THEIR OFFICES IN BEIJING TO HELP IN THIS EFFORT SHOULD Tl BRITISH EMBASSY SO REQUIRE.
"WE ARE ALSO ASKING THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO ESTABLISH A T J PHONE LINE IN HONG KONG FOR CITIZENS HERE WHO MAY WISH TO SEEK AD"ICE AND ASSISTANCE FOR THEIR RELATIVES WHO ARE SEEKING TO LEAVE B ING. MEANWHILE, WE WOULD SUGGEST TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG THAT Ti SHOULD NOT GO TO BEIJING FOR THE TIME BEING IF THERE IS NO URGENT NEED TO DO SO UNTIL THE SITUATION THERE IS MORE SETTLED."
-------0----------
NO QUESTION OF BANKS NOT ABLE TO MEET COMMITMENTS: FS ******
SPEAKING TODAY (MONDAY) IN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS ABOUT THE WITHDRAWAL OF DEPOSITS FROM THE BANK OF CHINA AND OTHER CHINA RELATED BANKS. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY. MR PIERS JACOBS. EMPHASIZED THE SOUNDNESS OF HONG KONG’S BANKING SYSTEM AND POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF BANKS BEING UNABLE TO MEET THEIR COMMITMENTS.
WHILST MR JACOBS INDICATED THAT HE UNDERSTOOD VERY WELL THE STRENGTH OF FEELING. HE ASKED THAT PEOPLE SHOULD REFLECT ON THE POSSIBLE EFFEFT THAT LARGE SCALE WITHDRAWALS MIGHT HAVE ON ANY BANKING SYSTEM.
"THE CHINA RELATED BANKS ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMY AND HEAVY WITHDRAWALS COULD WELL HAVE AN ADVERSE EFFECT domestically," he said.
MR JACOBS POINTED OUT THAT ALREADY THERE HAD BEEN SOME EFFECT IN THAT THERE HAD BEEN A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN MARKET INTEREST RATES DESPITE SOME INTERVENTION BY THE EXCHANGE FUND. THIS COULD WELL HURT BORROWERS FROM THE BANKING SYSTEM AND WOULD NOT BE GOOD FOR BUSINESS.
ON THE MONEY MARKET, MR JACOBS SAID THAT IN VIEW OF THE TIGHTNESS OF INTER-BANK LIQUIDITY, THE EXCHANGE FUND TODAY INJECTED ADDITIONAL LIQUIDITY TOTALLING $194 MILLION INTO THE INTER-BANK MARKET.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY REITERATED THAT THE EXCHANGE FUND WOULD BE USED AS NECESSARY TO HELP MAINTAIN STABILITY IN THE BANKING SYSTEM AND IN THE EXCHANGE VALUE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR.
/AS FOR .......
MONDAY, JUNE 5, 1989
AS FOR THE STOCK AND FUTURES MARKETS, MR JACOBS SAID TRADING WAS ORDERLY ON BOTH MARKETS TODAY AND THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF ANY DIFFICULTY IN MEETING MARGIN REQUIREMENTS ON THE FUTURES MARKET.
"INVESTORS SHOULD NOT OVER-REACT TO EVENTS ELSEWHERE AND SHOULD REMEMBER THAT THE POLITICAL FACTOR IS ONLY ONE OF THE MANY FACTORS AFFECTING SHARE PRICES."
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION ARE CLOSELY MONITORING THE SITUATION, HE SAID.
-----0----------
BANKS TO REMAIN OPEN ON WEDNESDAY *****
THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS IS AWARE THAT THERE HAS BEEN A CALL FOR A GENERAL STRIKE IN HONG KONG ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7. FURTHERMORE THE ASSOCIATION UNDERSTANDS THAT IT IS INTENDED THAT ANY SUCH STRIKE SHOULD EXCLUDE ESSENTIAL SERVICES SUCH AS BANKING.
THE COMMITTEE OF THE ASSOCIATION SUPPORTS THE STATEMENT ISSUED BY MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS TODAY IN WHICH, INTER ALIA, THEY SAID:
"WE HAVE A DUTY TO OUR OWN CITIZENS IN MAINTAINING OUR OWN PROSPERITY AND STABILITY."
THE COMMITTEE OF THE ASSOCIATION BELIEVES THAT AS AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, BANKS SHOULD REMAIN OPEN FOR BUSINESS ON WEDNESDAY AND IS ENCOURAGING ITS MEMBERS TO MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO DO SO.
-----0----------
SENTIMENTS OF CIVIL SERVANTS RESPECTED
*****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES PARTICIPATION IN THE MASS ACTIVITIES ON GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID:
ON CIVIL SERVANTS’
WEDNESDAY (JUNE 7 ) , A
ot.o^h,G0VERNMBNT APPRECIATES THE SENTIMENTS OF CIVIL SERVANTS AND RESPECTS THEIR INDIVIDUAL DECISION TO PARTICIPATE IN MASS ACTIVITIES. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT CONSIDERS IT IMPERATIVE THAT ALL GOVERNMENT SERVICES FOR THE PUBLIC SHOULD REMAIN OPEN AND THAT THERF SHOULD BE NO DISRUPTION OF ESSENTIAL PUBLIC SERVICES
"STAFF OTHER THAN THOSE SERVICES SHOULD APPLY FOR LEAVE ACTIVITIES.
WHO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL OR EMERGENCY IF THEY WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN MASS
"THE GOVERNMENT TRUSTS THAT CIVIL RESPONSIBLY AND WILL MINIMISE INCONVENIENCE POSSIBLE."
SERVANTS WILL BEHAVE TO THE PUBLIC WHEREVER
-------0---------
/5
MONDAY, JUNE 5, 1989
5 -
SCHOOLS HAVE DISCRETION ON APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES * » » * »
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY I THE DEPARTMENT HAS RECEIVED A NUMBER OF ENQUIRIES FROM SCHOOLS RELATING TO REQUESTS FROM SOME TEACHERS AND STUDENTS TO TAKE PART IN ACTIVITIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRAGIC EVENTS IN PEKING OVER THE WEEKEND.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "THE DEPARTMENT IS WELL AWARE OF THE SENTIMENTS AMONG MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY ON WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN CHINA. INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS WILL BE FREE TO DECIDE WHAT SORT OF ACTIVITIES WOULD BE MOST APPROPRIATE IN THEIR OWN CIRCUMSTANCES.
"IN HANDLING REQUESTS FROM TEACHERS AND STUDENTS, WE ARE SURE THAT SCHOOL PRINCIPALS WILL HANDLE THEM WITH GOOD SENSE JUST AS THEY DID IN PARTICIPATING IN SIMILAR ACTIVITIES IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE AGE, SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF THE STUDENTS, AND ANY EXAMINATIONS SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE ON THE DAY."
AS REGARDS PARTICIPATION IN ACTIVITIES ADVOCATED FOR WEDNESDAY FOR SECONDARY 3 STUDENTS AND ABOVE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID ALL TEACHERS AND STUDENTS WISHING TO PARTICIPATE SHOULD OBTAIN APPROVAL OF THEIR SCHOOL PRINCIPALS. STUDENTS PARTICIPATING SHOULD ALSO HAVE THE CONSENT OF THEIR PARENTS.
------0-------
CS CALLS FOR POSITIVE APPROACH IN TACKLING POLLUTION
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, HAS CALLED ON THE COMMUNITY TO TAKE AN ACTIVE APPROACH IN AIRING VIEWS ON PRAC1ICAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR ACHIEVING THE AIM OF PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE TO THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY, WHICH FELL TODAY, WAS A CHALLENGE TO THE COMMUNIIY IN THE FORM OF A WHITE PAPER ON POLLUTION THAT SETS OUT, COLDLY AND COMPREHENSIVELY, THE TARGETS WHICH THE COMMUNITY MUST ACHIEVE IF WE AND OUR CHILDREN ARE TO ENJOY A QUALITY OF LIFE, OF HEALTH AND COMFORT IN THE YEARS TO COME.
THE CHIEN’ SECRETARY, IN A SPEECH DELIVERED ON HIS BEHALF BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR MARTIN LEWIS, AT J?JNCH MEETING OF THE HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION, URGED ALL CONCERNED TO READ THE DOCUMENT.
IT
MORE WE
"SO BY ALL MEANS CRITICISE THE WHITE PAPER. TELL US THAT DOES NOT GO FAR ENOUGH, TELL US HOW TO TACKLE THE PROBLEMS EFFECTIVELY, TELL US MORE RESOURCES SHOULD BE DEVOTED TO THE TASKS
HAVE SET OURSELVES," HE SAID.
/"BUT PLEASE .......
MONDAY, JUNE 5, 1989
6 -
"BUT PLEASE DO NOT TELL US TO DO LESS, THAT WE ARE BEING TOO AMBITIOUS, OR THAT WE ARE MAKING STANDARDS TOO TIGHT."
SIR DAVID EXPLAINED THAT HE USED THE WORD COLDLY, "BECAUSE WE ADMIT PAST MISTAKES WITHOUT APOLOGY AND CONCENTRATE ON AN OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE DAMAGE THAT HAS RESULTED."
"COMPREHENSIVELY, BECAUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ONE DOCUMENT WE SET DOWN OUR OBJECTIVES FOR TACKLING ALL FORMS OF POLLUTION: OF AIR AND WATER, NOISE, AND WASTE, REGARDLESS OF SOURCE. WHETHER INDUSTRIAL OR DOMESTIC," HE SAID.
"AT THE SAME TIME WE SET DOWN WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE: NOT JUST REMEDIAL WORK, BUT ALSO THE ENFORCEMENT, EDUCATION AND PLANNING WHICH MUST BE SET IN TRAIN TO PREVENT A RECURRENCE OF PRESENT ILLS."
THE CHIEF SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT THE NORMAL GREEN PAPER STAGE HAD BEEN DISPENSED WITH BECAUSE URGENCY DEMANDED UNUSUAL MEASURES, ADDING THAT THIS DID NOT MEAN THAT THE GOVERNMENT WANTED NO CONSULTATION.
"OF COURSE WE NEED TO HAVE DISCUSSION WITH THOSE AFFECTED IN INDUSTRY, AND WITH ALL OF THOSE AGENCIES ON WHOM THE GOVERNMENT MUST RELY IN IMPLEMENTING ITS PLANS," HE SAID.
"INDEED MANY HAVE BEEN CONSULTED ALREADY BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE IN DRAWING UP THE DOCUMENT. BUT THIS TIME PUBLIC CONSULTATION IS TO BE FROM A BENCHMARK: CONSULTATION ON HOW, ON THE PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR ACHIEVING AIMS, NOT ON WHETHER THE AIMS ARE RIGHT."
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGES OF THE WHITE PAPER WAS POLLUTERS SHOULD PAY.
HE SAID NONE OF WHAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD PROPOSED WAS CHEAP, FOR EXAMPLE, AT LEAST $20 BILLION WAS NEEDED FOR MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS, IN PARTICULAR NEW SEWAGE SYSTEMS. "BUT THESE ARE ALSO AN INVESTMENT FOR THE FUTURE. AN INVESTMENT WHOSE DIVIDENDS WILL BE REAPED IN A BETTER ENVIRONMENT AND A CHEAPER AND MORE EFFICIENT MEANS OF MANAGING IT: BY PREVENTING DAMAGE RATHER THAN REPAIRING IT."
HE NOTED THAT SOME OF THE EXPENDITURE WAS A FAIR CHARGE ON THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE THROUGH TAXATION. "SOME, BUT NOT ALL. WE ALL CONTRIBUTE TO HOUSEHOLD WASTE; WE ALL MUST THEREFORE CONTRIBUTE TO ITS REMOVAL."
"WE DO NOT ALL CONTRIBUTE TO INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION, SO WE SHOULD NOT ALL PAY FOR CLEANING IT UP," HE SAID.
"THERE IS NO REASON WHY THE COMMUNITY SHOULD SUBSIDISE DIRTY INDUSTRIES BY TIDYING UP THEIR WASTE PRODUCTS, OR PUTTING RIGHT DAMAGE TO THE ENVIRONMENT CAUSED BY THEIR CARELESSNESS OR THEIR UNWILLINGNESS TO INVEST IN MODERN TREATMENT FACILITIES.
/"THE COST
MONDAY, JUNE 5, 1989
"THE COST OF SUCH TREATMENT MUST BE BUILT INTO INDUSTRY CALCULATIONS OF PROFITABILITY. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGES OF THE WHITE PAPER: POLLUTERS SHOULD PAY."
THE GOVERNMENT’S TOP PRIORITIES ARE TO IMPROVE SUBSTANTIALLY AIR AND WATER QUALITY IN HONG KONG, AND STEPS BEING TAKEN TOWARD THIS AIM INCLUDE RELOCATING ALL GARBAGE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL AWAY FROM THE URBAN AREAS, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE URBAN AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS.
CHEMICAL WASTE WILL BE TREATED IN A PURPOSE BUILT TREATMENT CENTRE WHICH WILL COMMENCE OPERATIONS IN 1991; #12 BILLION WILL BE SPENT OVER THE NEXT TEN YEARS TO COMPLETELY OVERHAUL SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS; AIR POLLUTION CONTROLS WILL BE TIGHTENED SO THAT WE DO NOT POISON OURSELVES THROUGH USE OF POOR QUALITY FUELS AND ILL-DESIGNED ENGINES.
THE NEW NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE WILL BE INTRODUCED GRADUALLY TO BRING DOWN THE NOISE LEVEL IN THE WORK PLACE, ON CONSTRUCTION SITES AND IN THE HOME; MORE THOUGHTFUL PLANNING WILL BE PUT INTO DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS SO THAT THE MISTAKES OF THE PAST ARE NOT REPEATED; AND MOST OF ALL TO BRING ALL OF THE COMMUNITY, MANAGERS, MANUFACTURERS AND MEN AND WOMEN IN THE STREET, BEHIND THE GOVERNMENT IN THINKING AND BEHAVING RESPONSIBLY.
SIR DAVID APPEALED TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, AS RESPONSIBLE MANAGERS AND BUSINESSMEN, TO THINK IN TERMS OF COSTS: WHETHER IN THE LONG RUN IT WAS CHEAPER TO PREVENT OR TO PUT RIGHT. "THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE ANSWER," HE SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY NOTED THAT HONG KONG HAD COME A LONG WAY SINCE THE NOVELTY OF CLEAN HONG KONG CAMPAIGNS AND 'LAP SAP CHUNG'. "BUT WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO, THE NEW TOWNS, URBAN RENEWALS AND THE HIGHER STANDARD OF LIVING WHICH THEY HAVE PRODUCED FOR ALL HAVE CREATED A CLEANER AND HEALTHIER ENVIRONMENT."
"BUT A VISIT TO OUR BEACHES AND COUNTRY PARKS IS ENOUGH TO CONVINCE EVERYONE THAT WE LIVE IN A 'THROW AWAY’ OR RATHER A 'THROW ANYWHERE’ SOCIETY. THIS IS AS EXPENSIVE AS IT IS UNNECESSARY."
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT 1989 WAS A YEAR FOR DECISIONS.
"WE LIVE IN ONE OF THE TRULY GREAT CITIES OF THE WORLD. WE HAVE BUILT IT BY OUR OWN COURAGE AND EXERTIONS. AS A COMMUNITY WE HAVE TRIUMPHED OVER ENORMOUS HARDSHIPS. WE HAVE SET AN EXAMPLE TO THE WORLD IN MANY FIELDS, IN HOUSING, IN HEALTH, IN EDUCATION, IN THE BOLDNESS OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURAL PLANNING, IN THE SPEED WITH WHICH WE HAVE RACED TOWARDS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL PROGRESS.
"THE WORLD IS LITTERED WITH HORRENDOUS EXAMPLES OF HOW NOT TO DEAL WITH POLLUTION IN CROWDED URBAN ENVIRONMENTS.
"LET US BE DETERMINED TO SHOW THE WORLD ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF HOW THINGS SHOULD AND CAN BE DONE," THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
-------0---------
/8........
MONDAY, JUNE 5, 1989
- 8 -
WHITE PAPER CONFIRMS GOVERNMENT COMMITMENT TO ENVIRONMENT IMPROVEMENT t * * t t
FAR-REACHING STRATEGIES TO TACKLE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AT A COST OF OVER $20 BILLION WERE OUTLINED IN A WHITE PAPER RELEASED BY GOVERNMENT TODAY (MONDAY).
THE DEPUTY SECRETARY (ENVIRONMENT), LANDS AND WORKS, MR MARTIN LEWIS, SAID THE WHITE PAPER ON POLLUTION WAS NOT PRECEDED BY A GREEN PAPER AS THERE WERE ALREADY MANY PROJECTS AND STRATEGIES IN PROGRESS.
RATHER THAN DELAYING THEM, THE ADMINSTRAT1ON HAD TAKEN THE VIEW THAT A COMPREHENSIVE STATEMENT OF THE CURRENT POSITION, AND THE FIRM INTENTIONS FOR DEALING WITH THE PROBLEMS WOULD BE A BETTER RESPONSE TO THE COMMUNITY’S MOUNTING CONCERN OVER THE DETERIORATING ENVIRONMENT, HE SAID.
HOWEVER, MR LEWIS STRESSED THAT PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE WHITE PAPER’S STRATEGIES WILL STILL BE VERY WELCOME.
"COMMENTS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. AND WE STILL FOLLOW OUR NORMAL CONSULTATIVE PROCESSES WITH THOSE AFFECTED BY ANY NEW STRATEGIES, IN PARTICULAR THE INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS, AND THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS OVER THE DRAFT WASTE DISPOSAL PLAN FOR EXAMPLE," MR LEWIS SAID.
"ALL THIS WILL TAKE PLACE WITHIN AN OVERALL FRAMEWORK OF ACTION AND URGENCY," HE ADDED.
ON WASTE MANAGEMENT, MR LEWIS SAID THREE LARGE LANDFILLS WOULD BE CONSTRUCTED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES LEADING TO THE EVENTUAL PHASING OUT OF URBAN INCINERATORS.
A CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT CENTRE WOULD ALSO BE CONSTRUCTED, AND MOST OF THE 100,000 TONNES OF CHEMICAL WASTE CURRENTLY PRODUCED EACH YEAR WOULD BE TREATED THERE.
TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY, MR LEWIS SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD REVIEW THE ADEQUACY OF THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE COLLECTION, TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL OF SEWAGE. ALSO 21 SEWERAGE MASTER PLANS WOULD SET OUT TO IDENTIFY NEW SEWER CONSTRUCTION WORKS.
"AND WE WILL SHORTLY EXAMINE OUR SEWAGE DISPOSAL OPTIONS ARISING FORM THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE SEWAGE STRATEGY STUDY DUE TO BE COMPLETED LAST AUGUST," MR LEWIS ADDED.
HE ALSO SAID THAT IT WAS GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO ESTABLISH WATER CONTROL ZONES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY SO THAT WE COULD BETTER CONTROL WHAT WAS BEING DISCHARGED INTO THEM.
THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE WILL ALSO NEED TO BE REVIEWED. THE AIM BEING TO REMOVE THE EXEMPTIONS AND THE ALLOWANCE OF THE 30 PER CENT INCREASE IN DISCHARGE ABOVE THE AMOUNT DISCHARGED AT THE TIME THE CONTROLS IN A PARTICULAR WATER CONTROL ZONE ARE IMPLEMENTED.
/ON THE .......
MONDAY, JUNE 5, 1989
- 9 -
ON THE PROBLEMS OF AIR POLLUTION, MR LEWIS SAID AIR CONTROL ZONES WOULD COVER THE WHOLE OF HONG KONG TO PROVIDE A LEGAL FRAMEWORK TO TACKLE POLLUTING EMISSIONS.
"WE AIM TO START ON THAT THIS YEAR. CONCURRENTLY, WE ARE AIMING TO INTRODUCE NEW LEGISLATION UNDER THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF INDUSTRIAL FUEL OIL WITH A SULPHUR CONTENT GREATER THAN 0.5 PER CENT BY WEIGHT," MR LEWIS SAID.
HE ADDED THAT IN THE LONGER TERM THE GOVERNMENT WOULD DEVELOP A STRATEGY COMPELLING ALL NEW VEHICLES TO COMPLY WITH THE MOST STRINGENT INTERNATIONAL EMISSION STANDARDS, REQUIRING NEW PETROL-ENGINED VEHICLES TO BE FITTED WITH CATALYTIC CONVERTERS FOR THE INTAKE OF LEADFREE PETROL.
"WE ALSO NEED TO MOVE TOWARDS LEADFREE PETROL, ANH ALSO EXAMINE MEASURES AIMED AT REDUCING RELIANCE ON DIESEL ENGINED VEHICLES WHICH CAUSE SO MUCH POLLUTION," MR LEWIS SAID.
MR LEWIS DESCRIBED THE WHITE PAPER AS A ’VERY FRANK’ DOCUMENT FREELY' ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THE MAIN REASON THE ENVIRONMENT WAS IN AN UNSATISFACTORY STATE WAS THAT IN THE PAST THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY MADE CHOICES THAT GAVE TOO LITTLE EMPHASIS TO THE NEEDS OF THE ENVIRONMENT.
"WE NOW HAVE TO RECOVER LOST GROUND. THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO GIVING GREATER EMPHASIS TO THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE FUTURE, AND WILL SEEK THE ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES FOR THE MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS THAT ARE NEEDED.
"BUT IF WE ARE TO SAVE OUR ENVIRONMENT WE MUST GET ON WITH THIS QUICKLY. IT IS TIME FOR CONCERTED ACTION," MR LEWIS SAID.
-------0----------
PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES SUPPORT WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 1989 *****
THREE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES TODAY ORGANISED TREE-PLANTING ACTIVITIES TO COMMEMORATE THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 1989.
THE TREES WHICH WERE PLANTED IN THE ESTATES - KWAI SHING WEST, WO CHE, AND SHAN KING - INCLUDED FAN PALM, SHRUBS, KING PALM, . MAPLE AND AZALEA.
THE PLANTING ACTIVITIES WERE KICKED OFF IN OPENING CEREMONIES WHICH FEATURED MUSICAL BAND PERFORMANCES, SPEECHES BY OFFICIATING GUESTS, RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONIES, UNVEILING OF MEMORIAL PLAQUE, PRESENTATION OF SOUVENIRS AND BANNERS.
IN AN OPENING SPEECH, CHAIRMAN OF KWAI SHING AREA COMMITTEE, WAN HING-YUEN, POINTED OUT THAT KWAI TSING DISTRICT WAS A FAST-DEVELOPING RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL COMMUNITY. "THE DENSE POPULATION, COUPLED WITH THE VAST NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL PREMISES, HAS CAUSED ABOUT INEVITABLE AIR POLLUTION IN THE AREA."
/Mr wan........
MONDAY, JUNE 5, 1989
10 -
MR WAN URGED THE RESIDENTS OF THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT TO ACTIVELY TAKE PART IN THE FIGHT AGAINST POLLUTION AND PLEDGE SUPPORT TO THE TREE-PLANTING ACTIVITIES.
ALSO IN THE OPENING ADDRESS, CHAIRMAN OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE, TUEN MUN, TSO SHIU-WAI, CALLED ON THE TENANTS TO PRESERVE THE PLANTS IN THE ESTATE AREA AS "TREES PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN MAINTAINING A LIVELY ENVIRONMENT. TREES CAN PURIFY AIR, PREVENT SOIL EROSION, AND PRESERVE SOIL WATER."
A SIMILAR APPEAL WAS MADE BY SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER LAM HUNG-CHIU IN HIS OPENING REMARKS.
THE PARTICIPANTS OF TODAY’S TREE-PLANTING ACTIVITIES INCLUDED DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE MEMBERS, YOUTH CENTRE MEMBERS, SCHOOL CHILDREN AND THEIR PRINCIPALS, HOUSING STAFF, AND RESIDENTS FROM THE HELPING HAND HOSTEL FOR THE ELDERLY.
JUNE 5 WAS DESIGNATED AS WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY BY THE UNITED NATIONS IN 1972. SINCE THEN WED HAD BECOME AN ANNUAL EVENT CELEBRATED IN MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD WITH THE PROMOTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AMONG THE GENERAL PUBLIC AS THE CENTRAL THEME.
APART FROM CELEBRATING THE WED, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT ORGANISED THE TREE-PLANTING FUNCTIONS WITH TWO SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: FIRSTLY, TO EDUCATE THE ESTATE TENANTS THE NEED TO PROTECT THE PLANTS IN ESTATES; AND SECONDLY, TO PROMOTE PUBLIC’S PARTICIPATION IN IMPROVING THE ESTATE ENVIRONMENT.
SIX OTHER HOUSING ESTATES AND ONE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA WILL CONDUCT A SERIES OF PLANTING ACTIVITIES FROM JUNE 9 TO 18 IN SUPPORT OF THE WED.
-------0----------
RESULTS OF 1987 SURVEY ON TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES
*****
THE 1987 SURVEY OF TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, THAT 34,562 TRANSPORT ESTABLISHMENTS WERE IN OPERATION DURING THE WHOLE OR PART OF 1987, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 1 PER CENT OVER 1986.
THEY ENGAGED, IN TOTAL, 143,236 PERSONS, AN INCREASE OF 4 PER CENT OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
/IN 1987
MONDAY, JUNE 5, 1989
IN 1987, THESE ESTABLISHMENTS GENERATED $83,728 MILLION OF BUSINESS RECEIPTS AND OTHER INCOME; AND SPENT $9,336 MILLION ON COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES AND $61,323 MILLION ON OPERATING EXPENSES. WHEN COMPARED WITH 1986, BUSINESS RECEIPTS INCREASED BY 24 PER CENT; COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES BY 18 PER CENT, AND OPERATING EXPENSES BY 16 PER CENT.
ALL VALUE FIGURES ARE EXPRESSED IN CURRENT PRICE TERMS. PERCENTAGE CHANGES DERIVED FROM THESE FIGURES HAVE NOT BEEN ADJUSTED FOR PRICE INCREASES.
THE SECTOR’S VALUE ADDED GREW BY 38 PER CENT TO $22,423 MILLION IN 1987, FROM $16,258 MILLION IN 1986. VALUE ADDED IS A MEASURE OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF AN ECONOMIC SECTOR TO HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.
ANALYSED BY MAJOR TRANSPORT GROUP, THE SURVEY SHOWED THAT, IN 1987, SERVICES INCIDENTAL TO TRANSPORT (SUCH AS ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED IN AIR FREIGHT/SHIPPING FORWARDING, PACKING AND CRATING GOODS FOR TRANSPORTATION, TRAVEL AGENTS AND SHIPBROKERS) HAD THE LARGEST ■ SHARE OF BUSINESS RECEIPTS AND OTHER INCOME, AT $35,478 MILLION OR 42 PER CENT OF THE SECTOR TOTAL.
OCEAN AND COASTAL WATER TRANSPORT ACCOUNTED FOR ANOTHER 17 PER CENT; AIR TRANSPORT TOOK UP 15 PER CENT; LAND PASSENGER TRANSPORT 14 PER CENT; LAND FREIGHT TRANSPORT 5 PER CENT; SUPPORTING SERVICES TO WATER TRANSPORT 4 PER CENT; INLAND WATER TRANSPORT 2 PER CENT; AND SUPPORTING SERVICES TO LAND TRANSPORT 1 PER CENT.
LAND PASSENGER TRANSPORT AND AIR TRANSPORT EACH CONTRIBUTED 25 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VALUE ADDED OF THE SECTOR.
THE SECTOR’S REMAINING CONTRIBUTION WAS MADE BY OCEAN AND COASTAL WATER TRANSPORT (18 PER CENT); SERVICES INCIDENTAL TO TRANSPORT (11 PER CENT); LAND FREIGHT TRANSPORT (10 PER CENT); SUPPORTING SERVICES TO WATER TRANSPORT (6 PER CENT); INLAND WATER TRANSPORT (3 PER CENT); AND SUPPORTING SERVICES TO LAND TRANSPORT (2 PER CENT).
WHEN COMPARED WITH 1986, LAND PASSENGER TRANSPORT SHOWED THE LARGEST PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN BUSINESS RECEIPTS AND OTHER INCOME (60 PER CENT); FOLLOWED BY SUPPORTING SERVICES TO LAND TRANSPORT (50 PER CENT); SUPPORTING SERVICES TO WATER TRANSPORT (33 PER CENT); LAND FREIGHT TRANSPORT (28 PER CENT); AIR TRANSPORT (22 PER CENT); SERVICES INCIDENTAL TO TRANSPORT (20 PER CENT); OCEAN AND COASTAL WATER TRANSPORT (11 PER CENT). ON THE OTHER HAND, INLAND WATER TRANSPORT SHOWED A DECREASE OF 5 PER CENT.
/IN TERMS .......
MONDAY, JUNE 5, 1989
12
IN TERMS OF VALUE ADDED, AIR TRANSPORT RECORDED THE LARGEST PERCENTAGE INCREASE OVER 1986 <105 PER CENT); FOLLOWED BY OCEAN AND COASTAL WATER TRANSPORT (41 PER CENT); SUPPORTING SERVICES TO LAND TRANSPORT (36 PER CENT); LAND FREIGHT TRANSPORT (29 PER CENT); SUPPORTING SERVICES TO WATER TRANSPORT (19 PER CENT); LAND PASSENGER TRANSPORT (18 PER CENT); SERVICES INCIDENTAL TO TRANSPORT (18 PER CENT); AND INLAND WATER TRANSPORT (7 PER CENT).
SOME SELECTED PRINCIPAL STATISTICS BY MAJOR GROUPS FOR 1986 AND 1987 ARE IN THE TABLE TO FOLLOW.
THE 1987 SURVEY WAS ONE IN A SERIES OF ANNUAL SURVEYS CONDUCTED FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASCERTAINING THE STRUCTURE AND OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TRANSPORT SECTOR, AND UPDATING ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT OF HONG KONG.
DATA COLLECTED IN THE SURVEY INCLUDED TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, FLOOR AREA, NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED, NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES, COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES, OPERATING EXPENSES, BUSINESS RECEIPTS AND OTHER INCOME, AND ACQUISITION AND DISPOSAL OF FIXED ASSETS.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY OF THE SURVEY, ^TOGETHER WITH TABLES SHOWING THE PRINCIPAL STATISTICS FOR ALL Establishments in the transport and related services sector, CLASSIFIED BY MAJOR GROUP AND ANALYSED BY VARIOUS ECONOMIC VARIABLES, ARE INCLUDED IN THE 1987 SURVEY OF TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES REPORT. THIS REPORT WILL BE ON SALE IN END OF JUNE 1989 AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19/F, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE TRANSPORT AND SERVICES STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. : 5-8234925).
/COMPARISON OF .......
MONDAY, JUNE 5, 1989
- 13 -
CCMPARISON OF SELECTED PRINCIPAL STATISTICS FOR ALL ESTABLISHMENTS LN THE TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES SECTOR BETWEEN '.986 AND 1987
NUMBER NUMBER BUSINESS GROSS
OF OF NUMBER COM PENS A- RECEIPTS ADDITIONS
ESTABLISH- PERSONS OF TION OF OPERATING AND OTHER TO FIXED VALUE
MAJOR GROUP BENTS ENGAGED EMPLOYEES EMPLOYEES EXPENSES INCOME ASSETS ADDED
9 Kn. 1 Mn. 3 Mn. 1 Kn. S Mn.
LAND PASSENGER 1987 20 707 48 058 28 639 2 004 4 631 11 705 1 202 5 564
TRANSPORT 1986 20 50 304 29 211 1 892 4 080 7 307 3 ?41 4 720
% change -1 -4 -2 -6 ♦14 ♦60 -68 ♦ 18
LAND FREIGHT 1987 9 5% 26 703 17 172 873 2 299 4 006 442 2 243
TRANSPORT 1986 9 391 25 250 15 821 686 1 7l4 3 131 302 1 744
% change ♦2 ♦6 ♦9 ♦27 ♦34 ♦28 ♦ 46 ♦29
SUPPORTING SERVICES TO LAND TRANSPORT 1987 1986 86 1 608 1 586 1 182 88 365 872 58i 165 503
77 1 212 60 206 4 569
% change ♦ 12 ♦33 ♦34 ♦47 ♦77 ♦50 ♦3 752 ♦36
OCEAN AND COASTAL 1987 388 l4 913 14 888 1 550 10 261 14 219 469 3 939
WATER TRANSPORT 1986 3U7 14 0U7 14 021 1 383 9 886 12 775 90 2 734
1> change ♦12 ♦6 ♦6 ♦ 12 ♦4 ♦ 11 ♦421 ♦M
INLAND WATER 1987 610 5 999 4 974 319 713 1 301 121 622
TRANSPORT 1986 656 5 965 5 020 282 831 1 367 107 581
< change -7 ♦1 -1 ♦ 13 -14 -5 ♦ 14 ♦7
SUPPORTING SERVICES TO WATER TRANSPORT 1987 1986 1 130 8 792 7 730 7 276 579 497 2 274 3 333 524 1 4i7
953 8 037 1 618 2 506 156 1 139
< change + 19 ♦9 ♦6 + 16 ♦ 40 ♦33 ♦ 108 ♦ 19
AIR TRANSPORT 1987 54 11 507 11 507 2 353 7 839 12 815 599 5 609
1986 & 10 224 10 224 1 818 7 047 10 464 393 2 733
% change 0 ♦ 13 ♦ 13 ♦29 ♦11 ♦22 ♦52 ♦105
SERVICES INCIDENTAL TO TRANSPORT 1987 1986 2 031 25 656 25 153 1 570 32 9'»2 35 478 417 2 525
1 882 23 216 22 583 1 311 27 «»51 29 557 331 2 138
X change ♦8 ♦ 11 ♦ 11 ♦20 ♦20 ♦20 ♦26 ♦ 18
ALL TRANSPORT GROUPS 1987 34 56a 1«»3 236 111 6*»9 9 336 61 323 83 728 3 739 22 423
1986 34 y* 138 255 105 337 7 928 52 834 67 688 5 125 16 258
% change +1 ♦4 +6 ♦ 18 ♦ 16 ♦24 -27 ♦38
GOVERNMENT TRANSPORT SERVICES 1987 1986 3 1 199 1 185 1 199 197 300 1 842 288 1 123
3 1 185 179 291 1 335 94 933
X change 0 ♦1 ♦1 ♦9 ♦3 ♦38 ♦208 ♦20
Notes : (1) Figures denoting changes are derived from unrounded figures.
(2) Individual items may not add up to the corresponding total due to rounding.
(3) Value added is a measure of the contribution of an economic sector to Hong Rong’s Gross Domestic Product. The definition can be found in the ”1987 Survey of Transport and Related Services” report.
MONDAY, JUNE 5, 1989
14
ANTI-OBSTRUCTION CAMPAIGN ENTERS ENFORCEMENT PHASE ♦ * ♦ ♦ *
SHOP-OWNERS WHOSE GOODS AND ADVERTISEMENT SIGNS ARE CAUSING OBSTRUCTIONS ON PUBLIC FOOTWAYS IN KWUN TONG WILL FACE STEPPED-OUT ENFORCEMENT ACTION.
"THIS IS TO TIE IN WITH THE FINAL ENFORCEMENT PHASE OF THE THREE-PHASE DISTRICT CAMPAIGN AGAINST FOOTWAY OBSTRUCTIONS," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
THE CAMPAIGN, INITIATED BY A TASK FORCE FORMED UNDER THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE IN JANUARY, HAS ENTERED ITS ENFORCEMENT PHASE FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY PHASES IN FEBRUARY AND MAY RESPECTIVELY.
"IN THE FINAL ENFORCEMENT PHASE, THE POLICE AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL CARRY OUT WEEKLY JOINT OPERATIONS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO NOT HEED THE MESSAGE CONVEYED TO THEM THROUGH PUBLICITY LEAFLETS AND BROADCAST VANS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
EFFORTS HAVE BEEN MADE DURING THE PAST FEW MONTHS IN EDUCATING SHOP-OWNERS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THE PAVEMENT CLEAR, AND REMINDING THEM OF THE POSSIBLE PENALTY FOR OFFENCES.
"NOW THAT THE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY PERIOD IS OVER, VERBAL WARNINGS WILL BE GIVEN TO UNCO-OPERATIVE SHOP-OWNERS DURING JUNE. THEREAFTER, SUMMONSES WILL BE SERVED ON THOSE WHO CONTINUE TO CAUSE OBSTRUCTIONS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IF CONVICTED, AN OFFENDER IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000 OR THREE MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT," HE STRESSED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A JOINT ENFORCEMENT OPERATION WILL BE CARRIED OUT TOMORROW (TUESDAY) BY THE POLICE AND URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AGAINST FOOTWAY OBSTRUCTIONS IN KWUN TONG, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO COVER THE OPERATION ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT 2.30 PM AT THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE CARPARK IN TUNG YAN STREET.
DISTRICT INFORMATION OFFICER, MISS IRENE LAU, WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
--------0----------
/15........
MONDAY, JUNE 5, 1989
15
NOMINATIONS FOR MOST ACCESSIBLE BUILDINGS INVITED t * * » *
A DESIGN AWARD SCHEME FOR THE MOST ACCESSIBLE BUILDINGS FOR THE DISABLED IN HONG KONG WAS LAUNCHED TODAY (MONDAY) TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE SPECIAL ACCESS NEEDS OF DISABLED i ‘ :QK S AND THEIR INTEGRATION INTO THE COMMUNITY.
THE AWARD SCHEME IS ALSO AIMED AT GIVING DUE RECOGNITION TO DEVELOPERS AND ARCHITECTS FOR INITIATIVE AND FORETHOUGHT IN 1ROVLDING ACCESS FACILITIES FOR THE DISABLED.
THE AWARD SCHEME IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE ACCESS AND TRANSPORT SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AND THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS.
IT IS BEING IMPLEMENTED BY THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE O1 THE DESIGN AWARD FOR THE MOST ACCESSIBLE BUILDINGS FOR THE DISABLED IN HONG KONG.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE AWARD SCHEME, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR PETE1! CHAN, SAID: "DISABLED PEOPLE WILL LIKE TO ENJOY AND HAVE ACCESS TO FACILITIES AVAILABLE IN THE COMMUNITY, AS DO ABLE-BODIED PERSONS.
"YET PHYSICAL BARRIERS IN BUILDINGS POSE ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT DISABLED PERSONS FACE IN ACHIEVING FULL INTEGRATION."
MR CHAN INVITED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, ARCHITECTS IN PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SERVICE, PROPERTY DEVELOPERS AND BUILDING OWNERS TO NOMINATE BUILDINGS WHICH THEY CONSIDER DESERVING OF THE AWARD.
NOMINATIONS WILL BE JUDGED ON THE CRITERIA OF CONVENIENCE, INTEGRATION, INNOVATION, USEFULNESS AND TRANSFERABILITY.
MR CHAN SAID ONE AWARD WOULD BE GIVEN TO THE MOST ACCESSIBLE BUILDING IN EACH OF THE CATEGORIES OF PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS, PRIVATE NON-RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS, PUBLIC NON-RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS AND REHABILITATION INSTITUTIONS.
NOMINATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE AT DISTRICT OFFICES, DISTRICT WELFARE OFFICES, THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS, THF HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE AND THE REHABILITATION DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT.
COMPLETED FORMS, TOGETHER WITH THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT BY JULY 31.
THE RESULTS OF THE AWARD SCHEME WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN NOVEMBER.
/AT THE........
MONDAY, JUNE 5, 1989
AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE, MR RICKY MA, REPRESENTING ORIENTAL DAILY NEWS AND ORIENTAL DAILY NEWS CHARITABLE FUND ASSOCIATION, AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE IBM CHINA/HONG KONG CORPORATION PRESENTED THREE CHEQUES, TOTALLING $60,000, TO THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE FOR THE AWARD SCHEME.
ALSO PRESENT WERE THE COMMISSIONER FOR REHABILITATION, MR ALAN WONG, AND MEMBER OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE OF THE DESIGN AWARD FOR THE MOST ACCESSIBLE BUILDINGS FOR THE DISABLED IN HONG KONG, MR JON PRESCOTT.
- - 0 - -
STUDENTS PLANT TREES IN TAI PO ♦ * * * ♦
FIFTY STUDENTS FROM PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN TAI PO THIS (MONDAY) MORNING PARTICIPATED IN A TREE-PLANTING EXERCISE IN SUPPORT OF THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY (WED) 1989.
THE EVENT, ORGANISED BY A WORKING GROUP ON WED UNDER THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND WORKS COMMITTEE, TOOK PLACE IN THE AMENITIES AREA BESIDE WONG KING SHEUNG MEMORIAL SCHOOL IN PLOVER COVE ROAD.
SPEAKING AT A SHORT CEREMONY, THE WORKING GROUP’S CONVENOR, MR HO TAI-WAI, SAID THE GROUP’S ROLE WAS TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION THROUGH VARIOUS ACTIVIITES.
APART FROM THE TREE-PLANTING EXERCISE HELD TODAY, OTHER ACTIVITIES TO BE ORGANISED INCLUDE BEACH CLEAN-UPS AND VISITS TO THE WORLD WIDE FUND FOR NATURES’S CONSERVATION STUDY CENTRE IN ISLAND HOUSE.
IN TODAY’S TREE-PLANTING EXERCISE, 25 BAUHINIA AND CANDLENUT SEEDLINGS WERE PLANTED.
0 - -
SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS FOR AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES STUDIES
*****
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE AGRICULTURE PRODUCTS SCHOLARSHIP FUND AND THE MARINE FISH SCHOLARSHIP FUND.
A TOTAL OF $665,000 WILL BE AVAILABLE THIS YEAR FOR SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS AND INTEREST-FREE LOANS FROM THE TWO FUNDS.
/ANNOUNCING THIS
MONDAY, JUNE 5, 1989
- 17 -
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (MONDAY), THE SECRETARY OF THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS AND MARINE FISH SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS ADVISORY COMMITTEE, MR JAMES LI SAID, "THE FUNDS WERE SET UP IN 1978 TO HELP PEOPLE WISHING TO SERVE THE LOCAL AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES INDUSTRIES OR RELATED TRADES ON COMPLETION OF THEIR STUDIES, AND ALSO THOSE EMPLOYED IN THE INDUSTRIES WISHING TO PURSUE FURTHER TRAINING.
"ANOTHER AIM OF THE FUNDS IS TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO CHILDREN OF FARMING AND FISHING FAMILIES TO COMPLETE THEIR SECONDARY SCHOOLING AS A PRE-REQUISITE FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION," HE SAID.
APPLICATIONS FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION SUBSIDIES IN THE NEW SCHOLASTIC YEAR WILL CLOSE ON JULY 14, WHILE THOSE FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL CLOSE ON AUGUST 16.
THE AWARDS WILL BE TENABLE AT ANY UNIVERSITY IN HONG KONG, THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, CITY POLYTECHNIC, BAPTIST COLLEGE, ANY TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, ANY ACCEPTABLE OVERSEAS INSTITUTION AND AT ANY SECONDARY SCHOOL IN HONG KONG.
APPLICANTS IN TERTIARY EDUCATION SHOULD BE HONG KONG RESIDENTS UNDER 30 YEARS OF AGE WHILE SECONDARY SCHOOL APPLICANTS SHOULD BE STUDENTS IN FORMS FOUR TO SEVEN, MR LI SAID.
APPROVED COURSES FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION INCLUDE THOSE ON AGRICULTURE, VETERINARY SCIENCE, MARINE SCIENCE AND BIOLOGY OR ANY APPLIED SCIENCE RELEVANT TO THE LOCAL AGRICULTURAL OR FISHERIES INDUSTRIES AND RELATED TRADES.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS ON THE 12TH FLOOR OF CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON, AND FROM VARIOUS DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL AND FISHERIES LIAISON OFFICES.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE FUNDS AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES CAN BE MADE BY TELEPHONING 3-7332244 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
------0--------
SLOPE SAFETY TO BE RAISED AT COMMITTEE MEETING » * * * *
THE QUESTION OF SAFETY OF SLOPES IN SQUATTER AREAS WILL BE RAISED AT A MEETING OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD'S SQUATTER AREAS COMMITTEE TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THIS WAS PROMOTED BY THE MUDSLIP IN LOWER LION ROCK VILLAGE DURING THE PASSAGE OF TYPHOON BRENDA LAST MONTH IN WHICH TWO PERSONS DIED.
/THE ADOPTION .......
MONDAY, JUNE 5, 1989
18 -
THE ADOPTION OF SAFETY MEASURES IN CONSTRUCTION SITES WILL ALSO BE RAISED.
A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL PRESENT AN INFORMATION PAPER ON SLOPE SAFETY AT THE MEETING.
MEANWHILE, MEMBERS WILL CONSIDER SIX APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS TO CARRY OUT IMPROVEMENT WORKS IN SQUATTER AREAS, AND THE LAUNCHING OF A CLEANLINESS CAMPAIGN IN THE AREAS AS WELL.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE A REPORT ON THE LANDSLIDE INCIDENT IN LOWER LION ROCK VILLAGE AND YAN 01 VILLAGE, AND THE FURTHER REPORT ON MISCELLANEOUS CASES OF LANDSLIP/MUDSLIP, STRUCTURAL FAILURE, FIRE AND OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS IN THE SQUATTER AREAS IN WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WONG TAT SIN DISTRICT BOARD'S SQUATTER AREAS COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, 4TH FLOOR, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING. KING FUK STREET.
------0--------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHAM SHUI PO, KWUN TONG * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM TOMORROW (TUESDAY), TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FOR THREE MONTHS IN CONNECTION WITH ROADWORKS AT THE JUNCTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND TONKIN STREET.
PRATAS STREET BETWEEN CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND SHUN NING ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND TO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND. MOTORISTS FROM SHUN NING ROAD WESTBOUND HEADING FOR CASTLE PEAK ROAD EASTBOUND ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA TONKIN STREET.
THE RIGHT-TURN FROM CASTLE PEAK ROAD EASTBOUND ONTO TONKIN STREET SOUTHBOUND WILL BE BANNED. THEREFORE, MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA CASTLE PEAK ROAD, PRATAS STREET, SHUN NING ROAD AND TONKIN STREET.
KMB ROUTES NO. 35A AND 36A WILL BE DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND YEN CHOW STREET ON JOURNEYS TO SHAM SHUI PO FERRY TERMINUS.
/AT THE .......
MONDAY, JUNE 5> 1989
- 19 -
AT THE SAME TIME, PARKING SPACES ON THE EASTERN KERBSIDE OF PRATAS STREET BETWEEN SHUN NING ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD WILL BE SUSPENDED.
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL ALSO BE INTRODUCED IN KWUN TONG TOWN CENTRE FROM 10 AM TOMORROW TO FACILITATE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE KWUN TONG TOWN CENTRE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME.
THE RIGHT TURN FROM KWUN TONG ROAD WESTBOUND TO HONG NING ROAD WILL BE BANNED. VEHICLES ON KWUN TONG ROAD WESTBOUND HEADING FOR HONG NING ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL VIA KWUN TONG ROAD WESTBOUND, AND U-TURN AT THE SLIP ROAD NEAR ELEGANCE ROAD AND KWUN TONG ROAD EASTBOND BEFORE REJOINING HONG NING ROAD.
HONG NING ROAD NORTHBOUND SECTION BETWEEN KWUN TONG ROAD AND NGAU TAU KOK ROAD WILL BE CLOSED FOR ONE MONTH.
THE LEFT TURN FROM HONG NING ROAD NORTHBOUND TO NGAU TAU KOK ROAD AND THE LEFT TURN FROM KWUN TONG ROAD EASTBOUND TO HONG NING ROAD NORTHBOUND WILL BE BANNED FOR ONE MONTH.
VEHICLES (INCLUDING KMB ROUTE NOS. 3D, 6E AND 17) ON KWUN TONG ROAD EASTBOUND HEADING FOR HONG NING ROAD NORTHBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL VIA TUNG YAN STREET AND YUE MAN SQUARE BEFORE REJOINING HONG NING ROAD.
KMB ROUTE NO. 93K WILL ALSO BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL VIA KWUN TONG ROAD EASTBOUND DIRECTLY TO HIP WO STREET FOR ONE MONTH.
CERTAIN OTHER ARRANGEMENTS WILL TAKE EFFECT FOR TWO MONTHS.
NGAU TAU KOK ROAD SECTION BETWEEN TUNG MING STREET AND HONG NING ROAD WILL BE ROUTED ONE-WAY EASTBOUND.
VEHICLES (INCLUDING KMB ROUTE NOS. 89B AND 95M) ON HONG NING ROAD NORTHBOUND HEADING FOR NGAU TAU KOK ROAD WESTBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL VIA YEE ON STREET AND TUNG MING STREET BEFORE REJOINING NGAU TAU KOK ROAD.
KMB ROUTE NOS. 38, 101 AND 141 FROM KWUN TONG ROAD EASTBOUND HEADING FOR YAN 01 COURT BUS TERMINUS WILL BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL VIA TUNG YAN STREET, YUE MAN SQUARE AND FU YAN STREET.
KMB ROUTE NOS. 13A, 13D, 23M, 89, 101 AND 141 FROM YUE MAN SQUARE WESTBOUND HEADING FOR NGAU TAU KOK ROAD WESTBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL VIA HONG NING ROAD, KWUN TONG ROAD AND ELEGANCE ROAD BEFORE REJOINING NGAU TAU KOK ROAD.
-------0----------
/20
MONDAY, JUNE 5, 1989
20
EXHIBITION OF CHINESE TEXTBOOKS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS
*****
AN EXHIBITION OF CHINESE TEXTBOOKS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS, PRODUCED UNDER PHASE ONE OF AN INCENTIVE AWARD SCHEME OF THE CHINESE TEXTBOOKS COMMITTEE, WILL NOW BE HELD ON THREE DAYS THIS WEEK.
IN WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY AT THE HONG KONG TEACHERS’ CENTRE AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT.
THE EXHIBITION WAS POSTPONED FROM LAST MONTH BECAUSE OF THE PASSAGE OF TYPHOON BRENDA.
SCHOOL HEADS AND TEACHERS ARE WELCOME TO VISIT THE EXHIBITION. THEY MAY BROWSE THROUGH NOT ONLY THESE NEW CHINESE TEXTBOOKS, BUT ALSO THOSE ALREADY ON THE RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOKS LISTS.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN FROM 3 PM TO 5 PM ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 7), AND FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY (JUNE 9 AND 10).
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, WILL OFFICIATE AT A CEREMONY TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION AT 2.30 PM ON WEDNESDAY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION OF CHINESE TEXTBOOKS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS AT ROOM 103, HONG KONG TEACHERS’ CENTRE, AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT, AT 2.30 PM ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 7).
------O--------
VIEWS EXCHANGED ON MEDICAL SERVICES * ’ * * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF HOSPITAL SERVICES, DR T.Y. CHAU, TODAY (MONDAY) MET THE NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF POK 01 HOSPITAL TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON THE PROVISION AND DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICAL SERVICES.
DR CHAU COMMENDED POK 01 HOSPITAL FOR PROVIDING MEDICAL SERVICES FOR RESIDENTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, PARTICULARLY THOSE IN YUEN LONG, OVER THE YEARS.
HE SAID: "POK 01 HOSPITAL DEEPLY UNDERSTANDS THAT MEDICAL SERVICES HAVE TO COPE WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMMUNITY AND ADVANCEMENT IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY. THEREFORE, IT HAS EMBARKED ON A SERIES OF EXPANSION PROGRAMMES TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF HOSPITAL BEDS AND SERVICES.
/"THE EXPANSION .......
MONDAY, JUNE 5, 1989
"THE EXPANSION PROJECT IS VERY LARGE AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STAFF OF THE HOSPITAL ARE DOING THEIR BEST TO PROVIDE MORE COMPREHENSIVE AND BETTER SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC TO MEET THE GROWING NEEDS. THEIR EFFORTS SHOULD BE COMMENDED."
DR CHAU POINTED OUT THAT THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT SUPPORTED THE EXPANSION PROGRAMME OF POK 01 HOSPITAL AND WOULD OFFER ASSISTANCE TO THE HOSPITAL IN CO-ORDINATING THE VARIOUS DEVELOPMENT PLANS AND APPLYING FOR FUNDS FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
- - 0 - -
RS TO OFFICIATE AT TAI PO DRAGON BOAT RACE
*****
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ADOLF HSU, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE TAI PO DRAGON BOAT RACE ON THURSDAY (JUNE 8).
THE DAY’S RACES WILL TAKE PLACE ALONG THE WATERFRONT OF THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE FROM 9.30 AM TO 1 PM.
THE PROGRAMME IS DIVIDED INTO MEN’S OPEN, WOMEN’S OPEN, MIXED INVITATION AND INDUSTRIAL CUP SECTIONS, AND A TOTAL OF 54 TEAMS WILL BE COMPETING.
THE EVENT HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT DRAGON BOAT RACE COMMITTEE 1989, AND CO-SPONSORED BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
PRESS BADGES FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE TAI PO DRAGON BOAT RACE ON THURSDAY (JUNE 8) ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE NEWS AND PUBLICITY DIVISION, CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS, ON THE 12TH FLOOR, WORLD SHIPPING CENTRE, 7 CANTON ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE INFORMATION OFFICER OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, MR PATRICK WONG, ON 0-6565424.
0 - -
MONDAY, JUNE 5, 1989
LARGEST DRAGON BOAT RACES IN TUEN MUN * » ♦ * »
WITH A TOTAL OF 64 DRAGON BOATS TAKING PART IN THE COMING TUEN MUN DISTRICT DRAGON BOAT RACES ON THURSDAY (JUNE 8), THE RACES WILL BE THE LARGEST OF ITS KIND EVER IN THE DISTRICT.
THE RACES WILL BE HELD FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM IN THE CASTLE PEAK BAY TYPHOON SHELTER OFF SAM SHING ESTATE AND WILL INCLUDE LARGE BOAT, INVITATION, OPEN, AND PHEONIX BOAT CATEGORIES.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AT 12.45 PM.
ALL RACES WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE BY TELEVISION BROADCAST LTD.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO GO TO THE VENUE ON THAT DAY ARE ENCOURAGED TO MAKE FULL USE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT BY TAKING BUS ROUTE NUMBERS 52, 52M AND 53 WHILE LOCAL RESIDENTS CAN ARRIVE THERE BY ROUTE NUMBERS A59, 559 AND 521.
THE BUDGET FOR THE RACES IS $630,000. THE TUEN MUN DRAGON BOAT RACES ORGANISING COMMITTEE APPLIED FOR $200,000 FROM THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND $100,000 FROM THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD FOR THAT PURPOSE. THE REMAINING AMOUNT HAS BEEN SPONSORED BY LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS.
TO MARK THE LAUNCHING OF THREE NEW DRAGON BOATS, AN EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY WAS HELD THIS (MONDAY) MORNING.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WERE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JOHN WAN; TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAU WONG-FAT; AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR TAI CHIN-WAH.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE TUEN MUN DRAGON BOAT RACES ON THURSDAY (JUNE 8) IN THE CASTLE PEAK BAY TYPHOON SHELTER FACING SAM SHING ESTATE.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CEREMONY WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 12.45 PM. PRESS BADGES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO THE VENUE AND QIS STAFF WILL BE THERE TO GIVE ASSISTANCE.
MEANWHILE, A PICTURE ON THIS MORNING’S EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY WILL BE SENT BY FACSIMILE LATER TODAY.
0
MONDAY, JUNE 5, 1989
23
WATER STORAGE FIGURE » * * »
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) (JUNE 5) STOOD AT 52.5 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 307.432 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 159.721 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 27.2 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR WILL STRESS HK'S CONCERNS TO LONDON .............. 1
THREE EXTRA FLIGHTS TO PEKING ............................. 2
EMBASSY ADVICE FOR BRITISH NATIONALS ...................... 3
ADVICE TO TRAVELLERS ...................................... 3
NORMAL IMPORTS OF PRODUCE FROM CHINA ...................... 4
NO SHORTAGE OF RICE SUPPLY ................................ 5
VEHICLES ALLOWED INTO SHENZHEN BUT NOT BEYOND ............. 5
MEMBERS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL MAKE STATEMENT ON CURRENT
SITUATION ............................................... 5
VBP DETENTION CENTRE AT SEK KONG .......................... 6
TENTS FLOWN IN FOR VBP EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION ............ 7
CHANGE IN LAW ON EVIDENCE BY SPOUSES PROPOSED.............. 7
1988 SURVEY OF STORAGE, COMMUNICATIONS, FINANCING, INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES ........................... 9
JAPAN SHOWS CONFIDENCE IN HK'S LINKAGE INDUSTRIES ........ 11
CENTRAL ALLOCATION OF PRIMARY ONE PLACES ................. 13
COMMUNITY LEADERS VISIT CUSTOMS KOWLOON HQ ............... 14
EXHIBITION ON RURAL PLANNING STRATEGY .................... 15
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR SOCIAL SERVICES ...................... 16
TRAFFIC 1ARRANGEMENTS FOR DRAGON BOAT RACES .............. 16
SDn TO ATTEND ABERDEEN DRaGON BOAT Rz.CE.................. 17
HOLIDAY CLINIC SERVICES .................................. 18
1
TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1989
GOVERNOR WILL STRESS HE’S CONCERNS TO LONDON
*****
THE CONCERN AND ANXIETY CAUSED IN HONG KONG BY WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN PEKING, WILL BE PUT ACROSS TO MINISTERS AND THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE IN BRITAIN, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER A MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE THOUGHT THAT IN A TIME OF GREAT DIFFICULTY AND ANXIETY FOR HONG KONG, THE NEED THAT ALL OF US HAD HERE WAS POSITIVE SUPPORT FROM BRITAIN.
SIR DAVID SAID HE WOULD ALSO DISCUSS THE NATIONALITY AND VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ISSUES WHILST IN LONDON.
COMMENTING ON EVENTS IN PEKING, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WAS APPALLED BY WHAT HE SAW IN NEWS FOOTAGE OF THE INDISCRIMINATE VIOLENCE THAT HAD BEEN GOING ON.
"AND I’M SURE THAT THAT’S THE FEELING WHICH IS SHARED BY ALL OF THE COMMUNITY HERE," HE SAID.
"THE COMMUNITY HAS REACTED VERY UNDERSTANDABLY WITH A PEELING OF GREAT CONCERN AND GREAT ANXIETY.
"I FIND IT WHOLLY UNDERSTANDABLE THAT THE COMMUNITY SHOULD WISH TO EXPRESS ITS FEELINGS IN THIS WAY, BUT THERE IS A FURTHER POINT THAT I WOULD NOW LIKE TO MAKE ABOUT HONG KONG.
"IT’S RIGHT THAT PEOPLE SHOULD EXPRESS THEIR FEELINGS. IT’S RIGHT FOR HONG KONG THAT THEY SHOULD DO THAT IN A WAY WHICH DOESN’T DAMAGE HONG KONG.
"THAT IT SHOULD BE AS IT HAS BEEN UP TO NOW, ORDERLY AND A DIGNIFIED WAY OF EXPRESSING THEIR FEELINGS SO THAT, IN EXPRESSING CONCERN FOR WHAT'S HAPPENING IN CHINA, WE DON’T DAMAGE OURSELVES IN THE PROCESS.
"THAT, I’M SURE, IS THE ATTITUDE THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HAVE TOMORROW IN WHATEVER DEMONSTRATIONS, IN WHATEVER EXPRESSIONS OF GRIEF AND OF MOURNING TAKE PLACE TOMORROW.
"AND, THAT, I’M SURE IS THE RIGHT ATTITUDE FOR US TO TAKE IN HONG KONG," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN PEKING WAS DOING AN IMMENSE AMOUNT TO TRY AND HELP HONG KONG PEOPLE STILL IN PEKING.
THEY HAD BEEN TRYING TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH ALL THE PEOPLE FROM HONG KONG THAT WERE IN PEKING AT THE MOMENT, HE SAID.
/HOWEVER, HE
TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1989
2
HOWEVER, HE NOTED THAT THE SITUATION IN PEKING WAS STILL CLEARLY CONFUSED AND, IN SOME PARTS OF THE CITY, CHAOTIC.
SIR DAVID SAID THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN IN CONSTANT TOUCH WITH THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN PEKING, AND HE NOTED THAT YESTERDAY’S CHARTERED FLIGHT, WHICH BROUGHT OUT A VERY SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF PEOPLE, WAS THE FIRST SUCH FLIGHT SENT TO PEKING TO GET PEOPLE OUT.
"WE ARE TRYING AGAIN TODAY TO SEND A FURTHER FLIGHT THIS AFTERNOON," HE SAID.
- 0----------
THREE EXTRA FLIGHTS TO PEKING » * *
OVER THE NEXT 24 HOURS AN EXTRA THREE FLIGHTS WILL GO TO PEKING TO PICK UP HONG KONG RESIDENTS WHO WISH TO RETURN TO HONG KONG.
A CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS TRISTAR DEPARTED KAI TAK AIRPORT AT 2.45 PM TODAY (TUESDAY) ON A FLIGHT UNDERTAKEN AT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT'S REQUEST.
THE PLANE IS DUE TO ARRIVE IN PEKING AT 6.45 PM (LOCAL TIME) AND WILL BOARD PASSENGERS WITH VALID TICKETS, THOUGH THERE WILL BE ARRANGEMENTS FOR OTHERS TO PURCHASE TICKETS FROM THE AIRLINE STAFF.
IT WILL BE DUE BACK IN HONG KONG AT APPROXIMATELY 10 O’CLOCK TONIGHT.
A DRAGONAIR BOEING 737 CHARTERED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT DEPARTED KAI TAK AT 5.30 PM THIS AFTERNOON, AND IS DUE TO ARRIVE IN PEKING AT 9.30 PM (LOCAL TIME).
THE FLIGHT WOULD DEPART PEKING AT APPROXIMATELY 10.30 PM (LOCAL TIME), ARRIVING BACK IN HONG KONG EARLY TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) MORNING.
A FURTHER HONG KONG GOVERNMENT CHARTERED DRAGONAIR FLIGHT IS IN PREPARATION TO DEPART HONG KONG AT 12 NOON TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY), ARRIVING IN PEKING AT 4 PM (LOCAL TIME). THIS FLIGHT WOULD DEPART PEKING AT 5 PM (LOCAL TIME) AND ARRIVE IN HONG KONG AT APPROXIMATELY 7 PM.
THOSE WHO HAVE CONTACTED THE GOVERNMENT HOTLINE SHOULD CONTACT THEIR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES WHO WISH TO LEAVE PEKING AND INFORM THEM OF THESE THREE FLIGHTS WHICH ARE OVER AND ABOVE NORMAL SCHEDULED SERVICES.
/THE BRITISH .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1989
THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN PEKING, WHICH HAS A LIST OF NAMES GIVEN TO THE HOTLINE CENTRE, IS ACTIVELY CONTACTING HONG KONG PEOPLE IN PEKING TO GIVE THIS INFORMATION AND OFFER ANY FURTHER ADVICE TO THOSE WHO REQUEST IT.
THE FIRST SPECIAL FLIGHT CHARTERED BY THE GOVERNMENT RETURNED FROM PEKING LAST NIGHT WITH 128 HONG KONG PEOPLE ON BOARD.
- - 0 - -
EMBASSY ADVICE FOR BRITISH NATIONALS *****
THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN PEKING HAS RECOMMENDED THAT IN THE PRESENT UNCERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES ALL BRITISH NATIONALS IN THOSE AREAS WHERE THERE HAS BEEN TROUBLE AND WHO ARE CONCERNED FOR THEIR SAFETY SHOULD NOW TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEAVE CHINA.
- - 0 - -
ADVICE TO TRAVELLERS * * *
THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN PEKING ADVISES THAT ALL TRAVEL TO OR THROUGH THE PEKING AREA SHOULD BE POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
TRAVEL ELSEWHERE IN CHINA MAY STILL BE POSSIBLE BUT IS NOT ADVISABLE. HONG KONG RESIDENTS WHO INTEND TO TRAVEL ELSEWHERE IN CHINA SHOULD CHECK ON THE LATEST SITUATION WITH THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AND WITH THEIR HOST ORGANISATION BEFORE SETTING OFF.
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT’S ENQUIRY NUMBER DURING OFFICE HOURS IS 3-7328682.
TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1989
NORMAL IMPORTS OF PRODUCE FROM CHINA
*****
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) ASSURED THE PUBLIC THAT NORMAL IMPORTS OF AGRICULTURAL AND FISHERIES PRODUCE CONTINUE TO ARRIVE FROM CHINA AND THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF FOOD SUPPLY IN THE TERRITORY.
"THE WHOLESALE MARKETS FOR POULTRY, FRUIT, IMPORTED VEGETABLES, AND FRESH-WATER FISH THAT THE DEPARTMENT MANAGES WERE RUNNING NORMALLY TODAY AND THROUGHPUT WAS MAINTAINED AT A LEVEL NOT DIFFERENT FROM A NORMAL TRADING DAY," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
"IN FACT, BOTH THE CHEUNG SHA WAN AND WESTERN POULTRY TEMPORARY WHOLESALE MARKETS RECORDED HIGHER IMPORTS AND INCREASED TRADING THIS MORNING BECAUSE OF THE GREATER DEMAND GENERATED BY THE TUEN NG FESTIVAL," HE SAID.
THE SEVEN WHOLESALE FISH MARKETS MANAGED BY THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION ARE ALSO OPERATING NORMALLY AND THERE IS NO SHORTAGE IN THE SUPPLY OF MARINE FISH.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THERE WAS A SHORT INTERVAL THIS MORNING WHEN THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION’S CHEUNG SHA WAN VEGETABLE WHOLESALE MARKET REGISTERED FEWER VEGETABLE-CARRYING VEHICLES FROM SHENZHEN.
"IT WAS LATER ASCERTAINED THAT THIS WAS CAUSED ENTIRELY BY A TRAFFIC DELAY AT THE MAN KAM TO BORDER. TRADING AT THE VMO VEGETABLE WHOLESALE MARKET RETURNED TO NORMAL AFTER NOON.
"BECAUSE OF THE HIGHER DEMAND IN VIEW OF THE POSSIBLE STOPPAGE BY THE TRADERS TOMORROW, THE AVERAGE PRICES OF THE VEGETABLES HAVE GONE UP BY ABOUT 30 PER CENT," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT THE FOOD SUPPLY IN HONG KONG WAS NORMAL AND THERE WERE SUFFICIENT IMPORTS FROM OTHER PLACES SUCH AS THAILAND, TAIWAN AND THE UNITED STATES.
"THERE IS THEREFORE NO CAUSE FOR PEOPLE TO BUY MORE FOOD THAN NECESSARY AS THERE ARE SUFFICIENT SUPPLIES AVAILABLE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO CLOSELY MONITOR THE FOOD SUPPLY SITUATION.
0 -
/5
TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1989
- 5 -
NO SHORTAGE OF RICE SUPPLY
* * * *
THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF RICE SUPPLY IN HONG KONG, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) IN RESPONSE TO PUBLIC CONCERN ABOUT THE LOCAL FOOD SUPPLY SITUATION.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID, "APART FROM THE PRESENT STOCK NOW HELD THERE IS A MECHANISM TO ENSURE THAT A GOOD RESERVE STOCK IS HELD AT ALL TIMES. THE RESERVE STOCK CURRENTLY STANDS AT ABOUT TWO MONTHS’ SUPPLY.
"IN VIEW OF THIS, THERE IS NO CAUSE FOR PUBLIC CONCERN ABOUT THE RICE SUPPLY SITUATION."
THE SPOKESMAN WENT ON TO SAY THAT, IN ANY CASE, HONG KONG RECEIVED ONLY ABOUT 10 PER CENT OF ITS SUPPLY FROM CHINA.
"FURTHERMORE, THERE IS NO INFORMATION SO FAR THAT SUPPLY OF RICE FROM CHINA IS AFFECTED," HE ADDED.
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT IS CLOSELY MONITORING THE SITUATION AND IS PREPARED TO ALLOW IMPORTERS TO USE THE RESERVE STOCK IF NECESSARY.
-------0----------
VEHICLES ALLOWED INTO SHENZHEN BUT NOT BEYOND
*****
THE SHENZHEN AUTHORITIES HAVE INFORMED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT THAT VEHICLES ARE ALLOWED INTO SHENZHEN BUT WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO GO BEYOND SHENZHEN FOR THE TIME BEING.
FURTHER DETAILS WILL BE GIVEN WHEN AVAILABLE.
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT THEREFORE ADVISES THAT DRIVERS WITH DESTINATIONS BEYOND SHENZHEN SHOULD AWAIT FURTHER ADVICE BEFORE COMMENCING THEIR JOURNEYS.
-------o----------
MEMBERS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL MAKE STATEMENT ON CURRENT SITUATION *****
THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS ISSUED BY MEMBERS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AFTER THE MEETING OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE COUNCIL THIS MORNING.
MEMBERS OBSERVED A ONE MINUTE SILENCE AT THE MEETING AS A TRIBUTE TO ALL THOSE WHO DIED IN BEIJING.
/WE URGE
TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1989
6
WE URGE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO CONTINUE TO ACT IN A RESPONSIBLE AND PEACEFUL MANNER AND NOT TO LET THEIR GRIEF AND ANGER WHICH THEY SO JUSTIFIABLY FEEL OVER EVENTS IN CHINA TO UNDERMINE THIS PROSPEROUS AND STABLE TERRITORY.
THE COUNCIL WILL DO ALL THAT IT CAN TO CONTINUE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG IN THESE TRAGIC TIMES AND THANKS ALL WHO HAVE BEEN SO CO-OPERATIVE DURING THE PAST FEW WEEKS.
- - 0 - -
VBP DETENTION CENTRE AT SEK KONG *****
IN THE WAKE OF A CONTINUING LARGE INFLUX OF VIENTAMESE BOAT PEOPLE (VBP), THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO USE PART OF THE RAF SEK KONG RUNWAY AS A SITE FOR DETENTION CENTRE.
"WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE ARMY, WE AIM TO PUT UP TENTS ON THE RUNWAY TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION FOR UP TO 7,000 VBP," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
"BOTH THE POLICE AND THE ARMY WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MANNING THE CLOSED DETENTION CENTRE ON A 24-HOUR BASIS.
"LOCAL RESIDENTS WILL NOT BE AFFECTED SINCE IT IS A CLOSED AREA UNDER ARMY CONTROL WITH NO PUBLIC ACCESS."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID MORE THAN 16,600 VBP HAD ARRIVEDzSINCE JANUARY THIS YEAR, WITH A RECORD HIGH OF 1,194 ARRIVALS FOR SINGLE DAY YESTERDAY.
"ALL THE EXISTING CAMPS ARE FULL AND EVEN TAI AH CHAU OF THE SOKO ISLANDS WILL NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO HOLD NEW ARRIVALS," HE SAID.
"THE TENTS FOR SEK KONG ARE COMING FROM BRITAIN. WE HAVE ASKED THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO ASSIST IN THE SUPPLY OF TENTS AS WE HAVE RUN OUT OF STOCK HERE."
- 0 - -
/7
TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1989
7
TENTS FLOWN IN FOR VBP EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION
*****
ABOUT 100 TENTS WERE FLOWN IN TODAY (TUESDAY) FROM BRITAIN FOR USE AS EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION TO COPE WITH THE CONTINUING INFLUX OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.
"WE HAVE ASKED THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO ASSIST IN THE SUPPLY OF TENTS AS WE HAVE RUN OUT OF STOCK HERE," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS AGREED TO MEET THE FULL COST, AND AIRFREIGHT, OF THE SUPPLY."
THIS FOLLOWS THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S ANNOUNCEMENT IN APRIL TO CONTRIBUTE UP TO SIX MILLION POUNDS (ABOUT HK480 MILLION) TO COVER THE FULL CAPITAL COSTS OF THE PILLAR POINT REFUGEE CENTRE NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN TUEN MUN.
"THIS INDICATES THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S RECOGNITION OF THE GRAVITY OF THE VBP PROBLEM IN HONG KONG AND ITS READINESS TO ASSIST," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE TENTS WILL BE SIMILAR TO THOSE NOW IN USE AT THE WHITEHEAD DETENTION CENTRE."
--------o----------
CHANGE IN LAW ON EVIDENCE BY SPOUSES PROPOSED
* * * * *
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS AGREED IN PRINCIPLE TO A BILL BEING DRAFTED THAT WOULD CHANGE THE LAW AND ALTER THE RULES ON THE GIVING OF EVIDENCE BY SPOUSES IN CRIMINAL CASES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE FIRST CHANGE IS THAT A SPOUSE WOULD, IF HE OR SHE CONSENTED, BE FREE TO GIVE EVIDENCE FOR THE PROSECUTION IN ALL CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST HIS OR HER SPOUSE. THIS MEANS THAT THE SPOUSE WOULD BE A COMPETENT WITNESS AND HE MAY LAWFULLY BE CALLED TO GIVE EVIDENCE FOR THE PROSECUTION IN ALL CASES.
THE SECOND CHANGE IS THAT A SPOUSE WHO IS UNWILLING TO GIVE EVIDENCE FOR THE DEFENCE OF HIS OR HER SPOUSE IN ALL CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS COULD BE COMPELLED TO DO SO.
THE THIRD RECOMMENDATION IS THAT A SPOUSE WHO IS UNWILLING TO GIVE EVIDENCE FOR THE PROSECUTION COULD BE COMPELLED TO DO SO IN CASES INVOLVING DOMESTIC CRIMES. HOWEVER, THE GENERAL RULE THAT A SPOUSE SHOULD NOT BE COMPELLED TO TESTIFY AGAINST THE OTHER SPOUSE WILL REMAIN IN ALL OTHER TYPES OF CASES.
/THE EXECUTIVE .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1989
8 -
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL’S APPROVAL IN PRINCIPLE OF THE THREE CHANGES IN THE LAW FOLLOWS THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN THE LAW 'REFORM COMMISSION’S REPORT ON "COMPETENCE AND COMPELLABILITY OF SPOUSES IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS", COMPLETED IN MARCH LAST YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE BILL WHEN DRAFTED WILL, SUBJECT TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL’S FINAL APPROVAL, BE TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HOPEFULLY IN THE NEXT SESSION.
HE EXPLAINED THAT HISTORICALLY AT COMMON LAW NEITHER A HUSBAND NOR A WIFE WAS COMPETENT OR COMPELLABLE TO TESTIFY AGAINST HIS OR HER SPOUSE. AT PRESENT IN HONG KONG, THE COMMON LAW RULE PREVAILS IN CRIMINAL BUT NOT CIVIL PROCEEDINGS. THERE ARE HOWEVER STATUTORY EXCEPTIONS, SUCH AS THE FACT THAT A SPOUSE IS AT PRESENT COMPETENT, BUT NOT COMPELLABLE, TO TESTIFY FOR THE DEFENCE IN ALL CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS. THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE TO THIS LAW.
"THE GENERAL THRUST OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS IS TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE RIGIDITY OF THE COMMON LAW POSITION, WHERE A SPOUSE WAS EXCLUDED FROM GIVING EVIDENCE, TOWARDS A SITUATION WHERE SPOUSE (A) WOULD BE COMPETENT TO TESTIFY AGAINST SPOUSE (B) IN ALL CASES, COMPELLABLE TO TESTIFY FOR SPOUSE (B) IN ALL CASES, BUT COMPELLABLE TO TESTIFY AGAINST SPOUSE (B) ONLY IN CASES INVOLVING OFFENCES THAT THREATENED THEIR FAMILY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN RECOMMENDING THAT A SPOUSE BE COMPELLABLE TO TESTIFY AGAINST HIS OR HER HUSBAND OR WIFE, THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION CONSIDERED THAT THIS SHOULD ONLY APPLY IN THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF CASES: * '
* ASSAULT ON, OR INJURY OR THREAT OF INJURY TO SPOUSE (A) OR THEIR CHILD UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE;
* SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST A CHILD OF THE FAMILY UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE; AND
* ATTEMPTING, CONSPIRING TO COMMIT, AIDING, ABETTING,
COUNSELLING OR PROCURING THE COMMISSION OF SUCH AN
OFFENCE.
"THE ADMINISTRATION AGREES THAT, IN THE CASE OF CRIMES AFFECTING THE FAMILY ITSELF, THE INTERESTS OF JUSTICE SHOULD PREVAIL OVER THE SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE, THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF MARITAL COMMUNICATIONS AND FAMILY HARMONY.
"THE CRIMES IDENTIFIED INVOLVE CASES OF A TYPE WHERE THESE FACTORS HAVE FAILED AND THE FAMILY IS IN NEED OF THE LAW’S PROTECTION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN ACCEPTING THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATION THAT SPOUSES COULD BE COMPELLED TO TESTIFY FOR THE DEFENCE OF AN ACCUSED HUSBAND OR WIFE IN ALL CASES, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED:
/"THE ADMINISTRATION
TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1989
- 9 -
"THE ADMINISTRATION AGREED WITH THE COMMISSION THAT THE INTERESTS OF JUSTICE DICTATE THAT AN ACCUSED SHOULD BE ABLE TO PRESENT ALL AVAILABLE EVIDENCE FOR HIS OR HER DEFENCE, INCLUDING T( ’ OF HIS OR HER SPOUSE."
ON THE PROPOSAL TO MAKE SPOUSES COMPETENT TO GIVE EVIDENCE IN ALL CASES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT AGREED THAT, IN THE INTERESTS OF JUSTICE, ALL AVAILABLE EVIDENCE SHOULD BE CAPABLE OF BEING INTRODUCED INTO COURT.
"THIS WOULD MEAN THAT SPOUSES WOULD BE ABLE, IF THEY CONSENTED, TO GIVE EVIDENCE FOR THE PROSECUTION AGAINST THEIR SPOUSES IN ALL CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS."
-------0----------
1988 SURVEY OF STORAGE, COMMUNICATIONS, FINANCING, INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES *****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE 1988 SURVEY OF STORAGE, COMMUNICATIONS, FINANCING. INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES HAS JUST COMMENCED.
THE SURVEY IS CONDUCTED ANNUALLY AND REPRESENTS PART OF A CONTINUOUS PROGRAMME IN THE DEPARTMENT TO COLLECT STATISTICS ON THE STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE OF THE VARIOUS ECONOMIC SECTORS IN HONG KONG.
THE AIMS OF THE SURVEY ARE TO OBTAIN UP-TO-DATE DATA FOR EVALUATING THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE SECTORS CONCERNED TO THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT OF HONG KONG, AND FOR ASCERTAINING THEIR COST STRUCTURE, OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS AND OUTPUT LEVELS.
RESULTS OF THE SURVEY ARE USEFUL TO BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN FORMULATING POLICIES AND MAKING DECISIONS.
ABOUT 2,400 ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE ENUMERATED IN THE PRESENT ROUND OF THE SURVEY. THE FOLLOWING SERVICES ARE COVERED IN THE SURVEY:
* STORAGE AND WAREHOUSING FACILITIES FOR HIRE BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC;
* POSTAL, TELEPHONE, TELEGRAPH, RADIO AND CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, MESSAGE DELIVERY AND MESSAGE EXCHANGE SERVICES;
* ALL FINANCE (EXCEPT BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES) AND INVESTMENT COMPANIES; LOAN, MORTGAGE AND DISCOUNT COMPANIES; DEALERS/BROKERS AND EXCHANGES IN STOCKS AND SHARES, COMMODITY FUTURES, GOLD BULLION AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE; PAWNSHOPS; MONEY CHANGERS; AND OTHER FINANCIAL UNDERTAKINGS;
INSURERS
TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1989
- 10 -
* INSURERS, RE-INSURERS, AGENTS AND BROKERS OF ALL KINDS OF INSURANCE AND INSURANCE-RELATED SERVICES;
» ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING, ADVERTISING, DATA PROCESSING, EMPLOYMENT AGENCY, EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY RENTAL, LEGAL, NEWS AGENCY, SECRETARIAL AND OTHER BUSINESS SERVICES.
DATA TO BE COLLECTED IN THE SURVEY INCLUDE THE TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, FLOOR AREA, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES, OPERATING EXPENSES, BUSINESS RECEIPTS AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE.
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 WILL CARRY A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD AND A CERTIFICATE FOR CONDUCTING THE SURVEY WHILST ON DUTY, WHICH ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.
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 THE SUPPLY OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE DATA REQUIRED IN THE SURVEY. THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ACCEPTS FIGURES BASED ON PRELIMINARY ACCOUNTS OR ESTIMATES WHICH ARE CORRECT TO THE BEST OF THE RESPONDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE AT THE TIME OF SUBMISSION OF THE RETURNS, IF AUDITED ACCOUNTS ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE.
ANY ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE TRANSPORT AND SERVICES STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT TELEPHONE NUMBER 5-8235088.
-------0 - -
TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1989
11
JAPAN SHOWS CONFIDENCE IN HK'S LINKAGE INDUSTRIES * * » » »
INDUSTRIAL INVESTORS FROM JAPAN HAVE SHOWN THEIR GROWING CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG'S ABILITY TO PRODUCE SOPHISTICATED PARTS AND COMPONENTS AND OTHER SEMI-MANUFACTURES OF HIGH QUALITY, ACCORDING TO THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR ANDREW LEUNG KIN-PONG.
ADDRESSING POTENTIAL JAPANESE INVESTORS AT AN INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT PROMOTION SYMPOSIUM HELD IN TOKYO TODAY (TUESDAY), MR LEUNG POINTED OUT THAT THERE HAD BEEN AN INCREASING NUMBER OF JAPANESE FACTORIES INVOLVED IN THE LINKAGE INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG.
THE NUMBER OF THESE FIRMS, WHICH CONVERTED IMPORTED RAW MATERIALS INTO SEMI-MANUFACTURES, COMPONENTS, AND INTERMEDIATES, AND SOLD THEM TO OTHER MANUFACTURERS EITHER FOR FURTHER ASSEMBLY INTO FINISHED PRODUCTS OR AS PRODUCTION INPUTS, HAD INCREASED FROM 61 IN 1986 TO 77 IN 1987, ACCOUNTING FOR ABOUT HALF OF THE JAPANESE INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG.
MOREOVER, MR LEUNG SAID, MOST OF THE JAPANESE ELECTRONICS FACTORIES IN HONG KONG TENDED TO MAKE PARTS AND COMPONENTS FOR THE LOCAL MANUFACTURERS.
’’THIS DEVELOPMENT IS BENEFICIAL TO OUR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES. LINKAGE INDUSTRIES FORM A VITAL BRIDGE BETWEEN OUR IMPORT OF RAW MATERIALS, AND OUR EXPORTS OF FINISHED PRODUCTS.
’’THE QUALITY OF OUR FINISHED PRODUCTS DEPEND ULTIMATELY ON THE CAPABILITY OF THE LINKAGE INDUSTRIES THAT SERVICE THEM.
”IN ADDITION, AS MORE AND MORE LABOUR INTENSIVE ASSEMBLY WORK CAN BE CARRIED OUT IN SOUTH-CHINA, HONG KONG IS INCREASINGLY BEING RELIED UPON FOR THE SUPPLY OF LINKAGE MATERIALS AND PARTS, AS WELL AS RELATED TECHNICAL SUPPORT INCLUDING DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT, LABORATORY TESTING AND QUALITY MANAGEMENT,” MR LEUNG SAID.
BECAUSE OF THESE REASONS, HE FIRMLY BELIEVED THAT JAPANESE INVESTMENT IN THE LINKAGE INDUSTRIES HELPED TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY AND OUTPUT OF HONG KONG-MADE PRODUCTS, THEREBY ENHANCING THE COMPETITIVENESS OF LOCAL MANUFACTURERS.
MEANWHILE, MR LEUNG NOTED THAT THERE WAS A DRAMATIC UPSURAGE IN JAPANESE INVESTMENT IN THE ELECTRONICS SECTOR.
"THERE IS A MARKED SHIFT OUT OF BASICALLY ASSEMBLY-TYPE OPERATIONS TO RELATIVELY SOPHISTICATED PRODUCTS OF HIGHER QUALITY.
"THIS REFLECTS YOUR GROWING CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG'S ABILITY TO MANUFACTURE SUCH PRODUCTS, AS WAS ECHOED IN A RECENT REPORT BY THE JAPAN EXTERNAL TRADE ORGANISATION (JETRO)," MR LEUNG TOLD THE JAPANESE INVESTORS.
/TURNING TO .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1989
- 12
TURNING TO THE CONFIDENCE OF BUSINESSMEN IN THE LONG-TERM FUTURE OF HONG KONG, MR LEUNG SAID THE FACT THAT INVESTMENTS IN CAPITAL GOODS HAD CONTINUED TO SCORE DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH FROM 1986 TO 1988.
FROM 1981 TO 1988, HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED ON AVERAGE BY 9.6 PERCENT IN REAL TERMS A YEAR. FROM 1985 TO 1988, WHEN THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT ON HONG KONG’S FUTURE HAD BEEN IN FORCE, THE ANNUAL AVERAGE GROWTH WAS 13.9 PERCENT.
MR LEUNG QUOTED FINDINGS OF A STUDY OF PERFORMANCE FROM 1985 TO 1987 OF ABOUT 80 FIRMS WITH JAPANESE INTERESTS SAYING THAT THEIR SALES INCREASED BY 13 PERCENT IN 1986 OVER 1985 AND BY 38 PERCENT IN 1987.
MR LEUNG BELIEVED THESE PROBABLY REFLECTED JAPANESE INVESTORS’ LONG-TERM VIEW OF HONG KONG AND HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THEY WOULD CONTINUE TO INVEST HEAVILY IN ACQUIRING INDUSTRIAL ACCOMMODATION AND NEW MACHINERY.
ON WHAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN DOING TO SUSTAIN THE ECONOMIC GROWTH, MR LEUNG SAID THE PUBLIC SECTORS WERE CONTINUING TO INVEST HEAVILY IN INFRASTRUCTURE.
”A DECISION ON THE SITE OF A NEW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IS EXPECTED TO BE MADE BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
’’THE HANDLING CAPACITY OF THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER PORT WILL BE DOUBLED WHEN BOTH TERMINALS 6 AND 7 ARE FULLY COMPLETED BY THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR AND 1991. WE ARE CURRENTLY CONSIDERING THE LOCATIONS FOR TERMINALS 8 AND 9.
"A NUMBER OF MAJOR TRANSPORT FACILITIES ARE ALSO BEING CONSTRUCTED AND MANY MORE ARE BEING ACTIVELY PLANNED,” HE SAID.
MR LEUNG EMPHASISED THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ALLOWED NO CHANCE THAT HONG KONG SHOULD LAG BEHIND IN ITS BUSINESS INFRASTRUCTURE. IN FACT, IT CONSTANTLY CRAVED TO LEAD.
MR LEUNG IS ON A FIVE-DAY INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION VISIT TO JAPAN AND WAS INVITED TO SPEAK IN TWO SYMPOSIA SPONSORED BY THE JBTRO AND THE YOKOHAMA INDUSTRIAL INSTITUTE AIMED AT ATTRACTING MORE INWARD INVESTMENT IN MANUFACTURING INTO HONG KONG.
- - 0 - -
/13........
TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1989
- 15 -
CENTRAL ALLOCATION OF PRIMARY ONE PLACES
*****
RESULTS OF THE CENTRAL ALLOCATION OF PRIMARY ONE PLACES FOR SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR UNDER THE PRIMARY ONE ADMISSION SYSTEM WILL BE RELEASED ON SATURDAY (JUNE 10).
A TOTAL OF 21,682 CHILDREN PARTICIPATING IN THE CENTRAL ALLOCATION WILL BE ALLOCATED TO SCHOOLS OF THEIR PARENTS' FIRST THREE CHOICES, SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
THEY ACCOUNT FOR 66.5 PER CENT OF THE 32,600 CHILDREN TAKING PART IN THE CENTRAL ALLOCATION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
PARENTS CONCERNED ARE ADVISED TO RETURN TO THEIR OWN DISTRIBUTION/COLLECTION CENTRE ON SATURDAY (JUNE 10) OR SUNDAY (JUNE 11) BETWEEN 9 AM AND 4 PM TO COLLECT AN "ALLOCATION SLIP".
THE "ALLOCATION SLIP" WILL SHOW THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE SCHOOL TO WHICH THEIR CHILD IS ALLOCATED, TOGETHER WITH THE DATES FOR REGISTRATION AND AN EXPLANATORY NOTE.
PARENTS ARE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE THE REGISTRATION ON THE DATE SPECIFIED EITHER ON JUNE 14 OR 15.
REGISTRATION WILL BE OPEN FOR MORNING SESSION SCHOOLS BETWEEN 9 AM AND 12 NOON; AND BETWEEN 2 PM AND 5 PM FOR AFTERNOON SESSION SCHOOLS. REGISTRATION WITH WHOLE-DAY SCHOOLS CAN BE DONE FROM 9 AM TO 12 NOON AND FROM 2 PM TO 4 PM.
IN THE EVENT A PARENT, FOR SOME PERSONAL REASONS, CANNOT REGISTER HIS CHILD WITH THE SCHOOL ALLOCATED, HE MUST CONTACT THE SCHOOL DIRECT OR THE PRIMARY ONE ADMISSION UNIT OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT BEFOREHAND FOR ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS.
A PARENT WHO FAILED TO REGISTER HIS CHILD WOULD BE CONSIDERED AS HAVING GIVEN UP THE PLACE ALLOCATED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
UPON REGISTRATION, THE "ALLOCATION SLIP" SHOULD BE SURRENDERED TO THE SCHOOL AND PARENTS MUST NOTE THAT ALL PLACES ALLOCATED ARE FINAL AND NO RE-ALLOCATION IS POSSIBLE.
IF PARENTS HAVE SPECIAL DIFFICULTIES, SUCH AS HAVING MOVED TO ANOTHER DISTRICT RESULTING IN THE SCHOOL BEING TOO FAR AWAY FROM THEIR NEW HOME, THEY ARE ADVISED TO GO IN PERSON TO THE PRIMARY ONE ADMISSION UNIT AT 269 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, 2ND FLOOR, WANCHAI, HONG KONG FOR ASSISTANCE.
"THEY SHOULD BRING ALONG SUPPORTING DOCUMENTARY PROOF SUCH AS RENTAL RECEIPTS, RATES DEMAND NOTES, WATER BILLS, ELECTRICITY BILLS BEARING THE NAME OF THE PARENT OR THE GUARDIAN OF THE CHILD".
/"IF THEIR .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1989
- 14 -
"IF THEIR REQUEST IS JUSTIFIED, THE PRIMARY ONE ADMISSION UNIT WOULD DO THEIR BEST TO FIND ANOTHER PLACE FOR THEIR CHILD AT A SCHOOL NEARER TO THEIR NEW HOME," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"SHOULD PARENTS FIND IT NECESSARY TO CHANGE SCHOOL AFTER REGISTRATION, THEY ARE ADVISED TO OBTAIN AN ASSURANCE OF ACCEPTANCE FROM ANOTHER SCHOOL BEFORE THEY WITHDRAW THE "ALLOCATION SLIP" FROM THE ORIGINAL SCHOOL BECAUSE IN SO DOING THE PLACE ALLOCATED WTLL BE CANCELLED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
PARENTS WHO HAVE OBTAINED A DISCRETIONARY PLACE FOR THEIR CHILDREN NEXT SCHOOL YEAR NEED NOT REGISTER AGAIN.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE ALLOCATION MAY BE MADE WITH THE PRIMARY ONE ADMISSION UNIT AT 5-724383 DURING OFFICE HOURS STARTING SATURDAY (JUNE 10).
-------o ---------
COMMUNITY LEADERS VISIT CUSTOMS KOWLOON HQ
*****
CUSTOMS OFFICERS AT THE CHINA FERRY TERMINAL AT CANTON ROAD ARE PROCESSING AN AVERAGE OF 11,000 PASSENGERS ARRIVING FROM CHINA BY SCHEDULED FERRY SERVICES EVERY DAY.
AND THE NUMBER IS EXPECTED TO GO UP TO 15,000 DURING PEAK SEASONS SUCH AS THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
A GROUP OF EIGHT MEMBERS OF THE TSIM SHA TSUI AREA COMMITTEE WERE TOLD ABOUT THE PASSENGER TRAFFIC FLOW AT THE CHINA FERRY TERMINAL DURING A VISIT TO THE KOWLOON REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT AT CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING AND THE FERRY TERMINAL TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE MEMBERS, LED BY THE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHIU YU-HEI, WERE BRIEFED BY THE REGIONAL COMMANDER FOR KOWLOON, MR S.B. LEE, ON THE WORK OF THE CUSTOMS OFFICERS AT THE FERRY TERMINAL.
THE MEMBERS WERE IMPRESSED BY THE ELECTRONIC DETECTION DEVICES THAT ARE BEING USED BY CUSTOMS OFFICERS AT THE TERMINAL.
THEY LEARNT THAT THESE DEVICES ARE VERY EFFECTIVE IN DETECTING AND PREVENTING SMUGGLING AT ENTRY POINTS.
THEY WERE ALSO BRIEFED ON THE ORGANISATION AND FUNCTIONS OF THE CUSTOMS SERVICE, WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE KOWLOON REGION WHICH HAS AN ESTABLISHMENT OF 704.
-----O-----
/15........
TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1989
15
EXHIBITION ON RURAL PLANNING STRATEGY
*****
A MOBILE EXHIBITION ON THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSED RURAL PLANNING AND IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY WILL BE HELD IN NORTH DISTRICT STARTING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE STRATEGY PROVIDES FOR A 10-YEAR WORKS PROGRAMME, COSTING $4 BILLION, TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IT ALSO CALLS FOR BETTER PLANNING AND LAND MANAGEMENT CONTROL TO CONSERVE THE RURAL AREAS AGAINST POLLUTION FROM HUMAN, ANIMAL AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE, FLOODING AND URBAN SPRAWL.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS COLLECTING PUBLIC VIEWS ON THE STRATEGY. RESIDENTS IN NORTH DISTRICT ARE URGED TO ATTEND THE EXHIBITION AND EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS DURING THE CONSULTATION PERIOD WHICH LASTS UNTIL JULY 31,” NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM HUI SAID.
"THEY ARE WELCOME TO GIVE THEIR OPINIONS THROUGH THE RURAL COMMITTEE OR THE DISTRICT BOARD, OR DIRECTLY WRITE TO THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH, 20TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG ‘KONG," HE ADDED.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE MOUNTED IN THE FOUR RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICES IN NORTH DISTRICT. THE SCHEDULE IS AS FOLLOWS:
RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE DATE
SHA TAU KOK JUNE 7 TO 10
TA KWU LING JUNE 12 TO 14
FANLING JUNE 15 TO 16
SHEUNG SHUT JUNE 20 TO 21
THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE STRATEGY AT ITS MEETING ON JUNE 22 (THURSDAY) AT 9.30 AM. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE MEETING.
-------o--------
/16........
TUESDAY, JUNE 6,
1989
16
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR SOCIAL SERVICES *****
SOCIAL SERVICES GROUPS AND LOCAL BODIES IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT CAN NOW APPLY FOR GRANTS FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD TO CARRY OUT SOCIAL SERVICES PROJECTS IN THE AREA.
FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD FOR SPONSORING PROGRAMMES FOR THE UNDERPRIVILEGED, TRAINING OF VOLUNTEERS AND THE LIKE.
APPLICATIONS SHOULD REACH THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN CENTRE, BY JUNE 12.
- - 0
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR DRAGON BOAT RACES * * * * «
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON THURSDAY (JUNE 8) IN YAU MA TEI AND SHA TIN IN CONNECTION WITH THE DRAGON BOAT RACES IN THE YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER AND SHING MUN RIVER RESPECTIVELY.
DURING THE DAY, MAN CHEONG STREET BETWEEN MAN WAI STREET AND FERRY STREET WILL BE CLOSED FROM 12.01 AM TO 6 PM. AT THE SAME TIME, MAN WAI STREET BETWEEN MAN CHEONG STREET AND MAN SHING STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY WESTBOUND TO EASTBOUND TRAFFIC.
TRAFFIC ON SOUTHBOUND FERRY STREET FOR JORDAN ROAD VEHICULAR FERRY PIER MAY USE FERRY STREET SOUTHBOUND, CANTON ROAD SOUTHBOUND, JORDAN ROAD FERRY CONCOURSE AND CANTON ROAD NORTHBOUND; AND TRAFFIC IN FERRY POINT AREA HEADING FOR TSIM SHA TSUI MAY USE MAN WUI STREET, FERRY STREET NORTHBOUND, SAIGON STREET, CANTON ROAD, KANSU STREET AND FERRY STREET SOUTHBOUND.
IN ADDITION, THE METERED PARKING SPACES AT MAN CHEONG STREET; AND THE CAR PARK ADJACENT TO THE JORDAN ROAD VEHICULAR FERRY PIER WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 8 AM TO 6 PM.
ON THE OTHER HAND, BECAUSE OF THE RACE TO BE HELD ON SHING MUN RIVER IN SHA TIN, SAND MARTIN BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED FROM 7.30 AM TO 1.30 PM.
DURING THE CLOSURE, TRAFFIC CROSSING SHING MUN RIVER VIA SAND MARTIN BRIDGE WILL BE DIVERTED VIA LION BRIDGE AND BANYAN BRIDGE.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE BUS AND GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE DIVERSION WILL ALSO BE IMPLEMENTED.
/The routes
TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1989
- 17 -
THE ROUTES AFFECTED INCLUDE KMB ROUTES 48, 70, 72A, 73A, 81K,
89R AND 284; TUNNEL BUS 170; GMB 68K, 65K AND 67K.
IN ADDITION, CYCLE TRACKS ALONG BOTH BANKS OF SHING MUN RIVER BETWEEN SAND MARTIN BRIDGE AND BANYAN BRIDGE WILL ALSO BE CLOSED.
IN TAI PO SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BETWEEN 7 AM AND 5 PM ON THURSDAY (JUNE 8) IN CONNECTION WITH THE TAI PO DRAGON BOAT RACE.
THE ARRANGEMENTS ARE: DAI HEI STREET, DAI KING STREET AND DAI KWAI STREET SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH DAI CHEONG STREET WILL BE CLOSED AND CYCLISTS WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE.
TRAFFIC CONGESTION MAY OCCUR ALONG TING KOK ROAD NEAR THE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AND ILLEGALLY PARKED VEHICLES WILL BE TOWED AWAY.
THE PUBLIC ARE URGED TO USE KMB ROUTE 72K OR OTHER PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO GO TO THE VENUE.
-------0---------
SDA TO ATTEND ABERDEEN DRAGON BOAT RACE *****
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, WILL ATTEND THE ABERDEEN DRAGON BOAT RACE ON THURSDAY (JUNE 8) IN CELEBRATION OF THE TUEN NG FESTIVAL.
THE RACE PROGRAMME HAS ATTRACTED A TOTAL OF 76 TEAMS FROM ALL OVER THE TERRITORY, AND RACES WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ALONG A 330-METRE COURSE OFF THE ABERDEEN WATERFRONT.
THERE WILL BE EIGHT TEAMS COMPETING IN THE LARGE-BOAT DIVISION AND 68 TEAMS CONTESTING IN THE MEN'S OPEN, MEN'S AMATEUR, LADIES’ OPEN AND INVITATION SECTIONS OF THE MEDIUM-BOAT DIVISION.
THE HEATS WILL BE HELD IN THE MORNING SESSION AND THE FINALS WILL START AT 3 PM. THE OVERALL CHAMPIONSHIP WILL BE HELD AT 4.15 PM.
MR LIAO WILL OFFICIATE AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION TO BE HELD AT THE END OF THE RACES, AT ABOUT 4.30 PM.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS MAUREEN CHAN; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HUI YUNG-CHUNG; LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MRS SO CHAU YIM-PING; AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ABERDEEN DRAGON BOAT RACE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR HO CHUNG-TUNG.
THE ORGANISERS
TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1989
- 18 -
THE ORGANISERS ADVISE SPECTATORS THAT THEY SHOULD NOT ENTER THE WATERFRONT PROMENADE WHERE CONSTRUCTION WORK FOR AN URBAN COUNCIL AMENITY PROJECT IS IN PROGRESS. THEY CAN WATCH THE RACES FROM OTHER VANTAGE POINTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE ABERDEEN DRAGON BOAT RACE, AT WHICH THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, WILL OFFICIATE.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE ASKED TO REGISTER BY 4 PM ON THURSDAY AT THE RECEPTION COUNTER AT THE PIER OF JARDINE WATERTOUR, ABERDEEN WATERFRONT. THEY WILL THEN BE TAKEN TO THE CEREMONY VENUE WHICH WILL BE ON BOARD A FERRY MOORED IN THE TYPHOON SHELTER.
INFORMATION OFFICER, MR ALEX LI, WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
-------0 --------
HOLIDAY CLINIC SERVICES » ♦ ♦ ♦
EIGHT GOVERNMENT OUT-PATIENT CLINICS WILL REMAIN OPEN ON THURSDAY (JUNE 8), THE TUEN NG FESTIVAL, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
THESE CLINICS WILL ALSO REMAIN OPEN ON SATURDAY (JUNE 17) WHICH IS THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY, AND MONDAY (JUNE 19), THE MONDAY FOLLOWING THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY.
THE EIGHT CLINICS, WHICH WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM DURING THESE HOLIDAYS, ARE: THE VIOLET PEEL POLYCLINIC AND SHAU KEI WAN JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC ON HONG KONG ISLAND; KWUN TONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE, ROBERT BLACK HEALTH CENTRE AND YAU MA TEI JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC IN KOWLOON; LADY TRENCH POLYCLINIC, SHEK WU HUI JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC AND YUEN LONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
ALL OTHER OUT-PATIENT AND EVENING CLINICS WILL BE CLOSED.
0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
STATEMENT BY FOREIGN SECRETARY ........................... 1
GOVERNOR TO SEEK UK SUPPORT ON NATIONALITY AND VBP ISSUES . . b
GOVERNOR LEAVES FOR LONDON TONIGHT ....................... 5
TWO SPECIAL FLIGHTS TO PEKING LATER TODaY ................ 5
ONLY REFUGEES ELIGIBLE FOR RESETTLEMENT: BARNES........... 6
STI TO VISIT UNITED STATES ............................... 8
REVIEW ON PRIMARY HEALTH ................................. 9
MORE A-LEVEL CHINESE REFERENCE BOOKS TO COME ON STREAM.. 11
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN MARCH 1989 • 11
WORKING GROUP ON REDEVELOPMENT TO MEET ON FRIDAY......... 16
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS REFUSE COLLECTION PROJECT........ 16
GOVERNMENT LAND TO LET BY TENDER ........................ 1?
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL aND MID-LEVELS........... 18
LANE CLOSURE ON TOLO HIGHWAY............................. 18
REROUTEING OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES IN YUEN LONG.... 18
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN YAU MA TEI AND TSUEN WAN......... 19
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1989
STATEMENT BY FOREIGN SECRETARY t ♦ *
THE FOLLOWING IS A STATEMENT MADE BY GEOFFREY HOWE IN PARLIAMENT ON JUNE 6, 1989:
THE FOREIGN
SECRETARY
DURING THE LAST FEW DAYS, UNITS OF THE CHINESE ARMY HAVE BEEN ENGAGED IN THE VIOLENT SUPPRESSION OF PEACEFUL AND POPULAR DEMONSTRATIONS IN THE STREETS OF PEKING. THE INDISCRIMINATE AND UNPROVOKED USE OF MILITARY FORCE HAS CAUSED THE DEATH OR INJURY OF THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS AND OTHER INNOCENT CIVILIANS.
THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND OTHER GOVERNMENTS HAD, SINCE RECENT DISTURBANCES BEGAN, URGED ON THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES A POLICY OF DIALOGUE AND NON-VIOLENCE. AFTER A PERIOD IN WHICH A PEACEFUL OUTCOME HAD LOOKED POSSIBLE, THE BRUTAL ACTIONS OF THE CHINESE ARMY HAVE SENT SHOCK WAVES ROUND THE WORLD.
I AM SURE THAT ALL MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE WILL SHARE THAT SENSE OF HORROR AND JOIN IN THE INTERNATIONAL CONDEMNATION OF THE SLAUGHTER OF INNOCENT PEOPLE.
I SUMMONED THE CHINESE CHARGE D’AFFAIRES YESTERDAY. I TOLD HIM THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE WERE UNITED IN CONDEMNING THE MERCILESS TREATMENT OF PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATORS, AND DEEPLY DEPLORED THE USE OF FORCE TO SUPPRESS THE DEMOCRATIC ASPIRATIONS OF THE CHINESE PEOPLE.
I TOLD THE CHARGE THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT LOOKED TO THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES TO FULFIL THEIR OBLIGATIONS TO HONG KONG IN THE JOINT DECLARATION.
I REMINDED THE CHARGE OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF BRITISH CITIZENS AND HONG KONG RESIDENTS.
I EXPRESSED CONCERN AT THE MALTREATMENT OF BRITISH JOURNALISTS, PARTICULARLY MICHAEL FATHERS OF THE INDEPENDENT AND JOHNATHAN MIRKSY OF THE OBSERVER. WE HAVE SINCE SEEN DISTURBING REPORTS OF THE ILL TREATMENT OF KATE ADIE OF THE BBC.
OUR AMBASSADOR IN PEKING AND HIS STAFF HAVE BEEN WORKING ROUND THE CLOCK TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF BRITISH CITIZENS AND HONG KONG RESIDENTS IN PEKING AND, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, IN OTHER PARTS OF CHINA. THE EMBASSY HAVE ADVISED AGAINST TRAVEL TO ANY PART OF CHINA. THEY HAVE ALSO ADVISED THOSE WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR SAFETY AND HAVE NO PRESSING NEED TO REMAIN IN CHINA TO LEAVE IMMEDIATELY.
SINCE THE CULTURAL REVOLUTION, THERE HAS BEEN A SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT IN RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AS THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAS SOUGHT TO BROADEN ITS CONTACTS WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND TO INTRODUCE ECONOMIC AND OTHER REFORMS.
/FRIENDS OF .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1989
2
FRIENDS OF CHINA IN THIS HOUSE AND AROUND THE WORLD MUST SHARE THE HOPE THAT SANE AND BALANCED GOVERNMENT WILL BE SWIFTLY AND SECURELY RESTORED IN PEKING. IN PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES, HOWEVER, THERE CAN BE NO QUESTION OF CONTINUING NORMAL BUSINESS WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES.
HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT HAVE THEREFORE DECIDED ON THE FOLLOWING ACTION:
- ALL SCHEDULED MINISTERIAL EXCHANGES BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED. THE VISIT OF THE CHINESE .MINISTER OF JUSTICE, WHO WAS DUE TO ARRIVE HERE TOMORROW, HAS BEEN CANCELLED. MY RT HON FRIEND, THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD, HAS ALSO CANCELLED HIS FORTHCOMING VISIT TO CHINA;
- THE PROPOSED VISIT OF THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES TO CHINA IN NOVEMBER CLEARLY CANNOT TAKE PLACE SO LONG AS THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATROCITIES OVER THE PAST WEEKEND REMAIN IN CONTROL OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT;
- ALL HIGH-LEVEL MILITARY CONTACTS WITH CHINA HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED;
- ALL ARMS SALES TO CHINA HAVE BEEN BANNED.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE GOVERNMENT ARE EXAMINING HOW WE CAN RESPOND TO ANY REQUESTS FOR HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE FROM NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS.
THE WHOLE HOUSE WILL SHARE THE GOVERNMENT'S SPECIAL CONCERN ABOUT THE IMPLICATIONS FOR HONG KONG OF WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN PEKING. THE GOVERNMENT UNDERSTAND THE GRAVE CONCERN FELT BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. WE HAVE ALL BEEN DEEPLY IMPRESSED BY THE STRENGTH AND RESTRAINT OF THEIR RESPONSE TO WHAT HAS HAPPENED.
EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED IN HONG KONG HAS BEEN ACHIEVED IN THE UNIQUE CONTEXT OF THE GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF THE TERRITORY, AND BY THE TALENT AND ENTERPRISE OF ITS PEOPLE.
ALL THAT UNDERLINES THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE FUTURE PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG MUST DEPEND UPON A SUCCESSFUL AND SECURE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE OF CHINA. THAT OBJECTIVE IS ENSHRINED IN THE COMMITMENTS MADE BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND THE GOVERNMENT OF CHINA UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION.
THOSE COMMITMENTS WERE REAFFIRMED BY THE CHARGE D'AFFAIRES WHEN HE CALLED ON ME YESTERDAY. BUT IT IS SELF-EVIDENT THAT IF WE ARE TO HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE COMMITMENT OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO THEIR OBLIGATIONS. THERE MUST BE A STABLE AND RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT IN PEKING.
/THE BRITISH .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1989
3 -
THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WILL STAND BY ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION. THE GOVERNMENT AND THE HOUSE LOOK TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA TO LIVE UP TO THAT INTERNATIONAL COMMITMENT AS WELL.
THE EVENTS IN PEKING MUST AFFECT THE PROSPECTS AND PROCEDURE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION. CONSULTATIONS ABOUT THE SECOND DRAFT OF THE BASIC LAW FOR HONG KONG HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED. IT IS ALSO DIFFICULT TO SEE HOW OUR OWN CONTACTS WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ABOUT THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG CAN CONTINUE IN PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES.
NO-ONE CAN DOUBT FROM THE PEACEFUL AND DIGNIFIED DEMONSTRATIONS OF THE LAST FEW DAYS THE DEGREE OF CONCERN ON THE PART OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG THAT THEIR FUTURE SECURITY, STABILITY AND FREEDOM WILL BE GUARANTEED AFTER 1997. THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT FULLY SHARE THAT CONCERN. I CAN ASSURE THE HOUSE THAT WE SHALL BE CONDUCTING A THOROUGH EXAMINATION OF THE PROGRAMME FOR ADVANCING AND CONSOLIDATING EFFECTIVE DEMOCRACY IN HONG KONG.
WE ARE CONSIDERING URGENTLY WHAT FURTHER STEPS CAN BE TAKEN TO ENSHRINE AND PROTECT HONG KONG'S FREEDOMS AND WAY OF LIFE AFTER 1997.
ALL OF US IN THIS HOUSE ARE ACUTELY CONSCIOUS OF THE WTSH OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO SECURE SOME FORM OF ASSURANCE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES.
I KNOW THAT THIS HAS BEEN ONE OF THE ISSUES STUDIED BY THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS. SOME COMMENTATORS HAVE RECOMMENDED THAT A RIGHT OF ABODE IN THIS COUNTRY SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE 3.25 MILLION PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WHO HOLD BRITISH NATIONALITY.
WE SHARE THE DESIRE OF THE HOUSE TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO ENHANCE THE SECURITY OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. ON THAT BASIS, THE GOVERNMENT ARE LOOKING URGENTLY AND SYMPATHETICALLY AT THE SCOPE FOR FLEXIBILITY.
BUT THE HOUSE WILL APPRECIATE THE REASON WHY WE COULD NOT EASILY CONTEMPLATE A MASSIVE NEW IMMIGRATION COMMITMENT WHICH WOULD MORE THAN DOUBLE THE ETHNIC MINORITY POPULATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM.
OUR OVERRIDING AIM MUST BE TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO SECURE THE CONTINUATION OF THOSE CONDITIONS IN HONG KONG THAT HAVE LED TO ITS OUTSTANDING SUCCESS OVER THE LAST CENTURY. I HOPE THE HOUSE WILL SEND A MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, REAFFIRMING OUR COMMITMENT TO THEIR SECURE, STABLE AND PROSPEROUS FUTURE.
THE EVENTS O' THE LAST FEW DAYS IN CHINA RUN DIRECTLY COUNTER TO THE RECENT TRI 4D WITHIN CHINA ITSELF AND TO THE PRESSURE FOR LEGITIMATE DEMOCRATIC CHANGE WHICH IS BEING INCREASINGLY RECOGNISED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
/THE CHINESE .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1989
4
THE CHINESE STUDENTS ARE DEMANDING FROM THEIR COMMUNIS! LEADERSHIP RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES WHICH ARE TAKEN FOR FREE WORLD. THE SLAUGHTER IN PEKING IS A TRAGIC CAMPAIGN FOR DEMOCRACY BUT I HOPE THIS HOUSE WILL MESSAGE: A MESSAGE OF SUPPORT TO THE PEOPLE OF CHINA;
WARNING TO THE GOVERNMENT OF CHINA. CHINA CANNOT IGNORE THE LESSONS WHICH ARE BEING LEARNED ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD. THAT ECONOMIC PROSPERITY AND PERSONAL LIBERTY GO HAND IN HAND. THAT PEOPLE WILL FOREVER TOLERATE GOVERNMENT BY REPRESSION, HUMAN
GRANTED IN THE
SETBACK TO THE
SEND A UNITED A MESSAGE OF
RIGHTS HAVE
NOT
BEEN
SAVAGELY SUPPRESSED IN CHINA.
IF CHINA IS TO RETAIN ANY RESPECT IN COMMUNITY. THOSE RIGHTS MUST BE URGENTLY RESTORED.
THE INTERNATIONAL
-----0------
GOVERNOR TO SEEK UK SUPPORT ON NATIONALITY AND VBP ISSUES
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT HONG KONG WILL NEED THE SUPPORT OF BRITAIN ON NATIONALITY AND VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ISSUES ALTHOUGH HE IS CONFIDENT THAT HONG KONG IS CAPABLE OF GETTING THROUGH THE DIFFICULT TIME IT IS EXPERIENCING.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE FOR LONDON THIS EVENING, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WOULD BE MEETING THE PRIME MINISTER, THE FOREIGN SECRETARY AND SENIOR OFFICIALS OF THE FOREIGN OFFICE TO DISCUSS VARIOUS MAJOR ISSUES AFFECTING HONG KONG.
SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS NOW A VERY WORRYING TIME FOR ALL OF US IN HONG KONG AND HE WOULD SEEK ASSURANCES FROM BRITAIN FOR ITS BACKING IN MAINTAINING ALL THE FREEDOMS AND WAYS OF LIFE THAT MEANT SO MUCH TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
COMMENTING ON THE DISTURBANCES IN KOWLOON EARLY THIS MORNING, SIR DAVID SAID: "I THINK IT WAS A PITY THAT A GROUP OF STREET GANGS AND HOOLIGANS MARRED WHAT HAS UP TO NOW BEEN A SUPERB RECORD IN HONG KONG: THE WAY PEOPLE HAVE EXPRESSED THEIR FEELINGS OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME WITH NOT THE SLIGHTEST BIT OF TROUBLE.”
"I THINK IT’S A GREAT PITY THAT A SMALL GROUP OF PEOPLE MARRED THAT RECORD. BUT LET’S REMEMBER WHAT THE RECORD WAS, AND LET US ALSO REMEMBER THAT THE POLICE DEALT WITH IT VERY EFFICIENTLY, VERY QUICKLY.
"AND THAT’S ABSOLUTELY RIGHT THAT IF PEOPLE HERE BREAK THE LAW, THEY WILL BE DEALT WITH VERY QUICKLY, SO THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE FREEDOM TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS IN THE WAY THEY WANT TO WITHIN THE LAW,” SIR DAVID SAID.
/THE GOVERNOR........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1989
I - 5 -
THE GOVERNOR WILL GIVE EVIDENCE AT THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE HEARING ON JUNE 12 BEFORE FLYING TO GENEVA TO ATTEND THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INDO-CHINESE REFUGEES.
SIR DAVID IS EXPECTED TO RETURN TO HONG KONG ON JUNE 16.
THE GOVERNOR WAS SEEN OFF AT THE AIRPORT BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD; THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, DAME LYDIA DUNN, AND THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ALLEN LEE.
_ _ _ _ 0------
GOVERNOR LEAVES FOR LONDON TONIGHT
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL LEAVE FOR LONDON BY FLIGHT BA 36 AT 8 PM THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING.
WHILE IN LONDON, SIR DAVID WILL ATTEND THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE HEARINGS ON JUNE 12. HE WILL LEAVE LONDON ON THE SAME DAY FOR GENEVA WHERE HE WILL ATTEND THE INTERNATIONAL • INFERENCE ON INDO-CHINESE REFUGEES TO BE HELD ON JUNE 13 AND 14.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO COVER STR DAVID’S DEPARTURE SHOULD ASSEMBLE IN THE AIRPORT PRESS ROOM AT THE ARRIVAL HALL NOT LATER THAN 7 PM. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
--------0 ---------
TWO SPECIAL FLIGHTS TO PEKING LATER TODAY
*****
TWO SPECIAL FLIGHTS WILL LEAVE FOR PEKING LATER TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO BRING HOME PEOPLE WAITING TO RETURN TO HONG KONG.
THESE ARE IN ADDITION TO THE OTHER NORMAL AND NON-SCHEDULED FLIGHTS BEING OPERATED BY VARIOUS AIRLINES.
A DRAGONAIR BOEING 737, CHARTERED BY THE GOVERNMENT. WILL DEPART AT 2 PM AND IS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE BACK IN HON KONG THIS EVENING.
AT THE REQUEST OF THE GOVERNMENT, CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS WILL FLY AN EXTRA BOEING 747 FLIGHT TO PEKING AT 3 PM TODAY. THIS FLIGHT IS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN HONG KONG LATER TONIGHT.
/TWO GOIlEIWMENT
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1989
TWO GOVERNMENT-CHARTERED FLIGHTS, CX 2335 AND KA 1025, BROUGHT BACK A TOTAL OF 394 HONG KONG RESIDENTS YESTERDAY. ANOTHER 358 PEOPLE CAME BACK ON BOARD A BRITISH AIRWAYS NON-SCHEDULED FLIGHT, BA 28.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL KEEP IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN PEKING AND MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR MORE FLIGHTS TO FACILITATE THE RETURN OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS IF NECESSARY.
THE GOVERNMENT-CHARTERED DRAGONAIR BOEING LEFT HONG KONG AT 3.11 PM AND IS DUE BACK AT APPROXIMATELY 10.30 PM.
AT THE GOVERNMENT’S REQUEST, CATHAY PACIFIC ARE FLYING TWO EXTRA SERVICES TO PEKING TODAY.
THE FIRST FLIGHT, A TRISTAR, DEPARTED KAI TAK AT 3.22 PM AND IS EXPECTED TO RETURN TO HONG KONG AT ABOUT 8 PM.
THE SECOND FLIGHT, A BOEING 747, TOOK OFF AT 3.39 PM AND IS DUE BACK AT ABOUT 10 PM.
ALSO AT THE GOVERNMENT’S REQUEST, CATHAY PACIFIC WILL BE APPLYING FOR AN EXTRA SERVICE EVERY DAY UNTIL ALL HONG KONG RESIDENTS WHO WISH TO LEAVE PEKING ARE ABLE TO RETURN.
-------0----------
ONLY REFUGEES ELIGIBLE FOR RESETTLEMENT: BARNES
* » * * »
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY. MR GEOFFREY BARNES, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REFUTED CLAIMS THAT VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ARRIVING IN HONG KONG BEFORE JUNE 15 THIS YEAR WOULD BE RESETTLED.
"I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THIS IS ABSOLUTELY WRONG; NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH," HE SAID WITH REFERENCE TO LEAFLETS APPEARING IN DETENTION CENTRES.
"THE ONLY PEOPLE ELIGIBLE FOR RESETTLEMENT IN HONG KONG ARE THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN CLASSIFIED AS REFUGEES," HE TOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE.
"AND THAT MEANS THE 14,034 WHO ARE STILL HERE FROM THOSE REMAINING BEFORE JUNE 15 LAST YEAR, PLUS THE 162 WHO HAVE BEEN SCREENED IN AS REFUGEES."
MR BARNES SAID HONG KONG WOULD BE REPRESENTED BY THE GOVERNOR, THE POLITICAL ADVISER AND HIMSELF IN THE JOINT UK/HK DELEGATION AT THE GENEVA CONFERENCE NEXT WEEK.
/"IT IS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1989
"IT IS EXPECTED THAT A DRAFT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION (CPA) DESIGNED TO RESOLVE THE INDOCHINESE REFUGEE PROBLEMS IN THE REGION WILL BE ENDORSED AT THE CONFERENCE," HE SAID.
"I CANNOT PRETEND THAT THE CPA PROVIDES ALL WE HOPE TO ACHIEVE FOR HONG KONG, PARTICULARLY IN RESPECT OF REPATRIATION.
"ON REPATRIATION, THE CPA PROVIDES IN PRINCIPLE THE REPATRIATION OF ALL NON-REFUGEES BACK TO VIETNAM. HOWEVER, OPERATIONALLY, IT WILL BE ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS AT LEAST INITIALLY, AND ONLY IF VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION IS FOUND TO BE INADEQUATE WOULD ALTERNATIVES BE CONSIDERED.
"THE GOVERNMENT’S VIEW ON REPATRIATION IS WELL KNOWN. WE BELIEVE AND HAVE PUBLICLY SAID THAT MANDATORY REPATRIATION OF NON-REFUGEES IS THE LOGICAL AND ESSENTIAL CONSEQUENCE OF SCREENING. THIS REMAINS OUR POSITION.
"GIVEN THAT MANDATORY REPATRIATION WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CONFERENCE, WE WOULD BE PRESSING FOR QUICK AND EFFECTIVE MONITORING ACTION ON VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION WITH A VIEW TO EXAMINING AND IMPLEMENTING ALTERNATIVES, I.E. MANDATORY REPATRIATION. AS SOON AS IT IS CONCLUDED THAT VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION IS NOT ADEQUATE TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM WE ARE FACED WITH IN HONG KONG."
MR BARNES SAID THAT HONG KONG WOULD BE PRESSING STRONGLY FOR THIS NOT ONLY AT THE CONFERENCE ITSELF BUT ALSO OUTSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM.
"MOREOVER, WE SHALL TAKE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS WITH THE VIETNAMESE DELEGATION THE QUESTION OF FOLLOW-UP ACTION AFTER THE CONFERENCE, ON A BILATERAL BASIS IF NECESSARY, WITH A VIEW TO IMPLEMENTING QUICKLY AND EFFECTIVELY WHATEVER ALTERNATIVES WHICH MIGHT BE ADOPTED IN PLACE OF VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION," HE SAID.
"IT WILL BE OUR INTENTION AT THE CONFERENCE TO MAKE ABUNDANTLY CLEAR THE CRITICAL SITUATION NOW FACED IN HONG KONG ANU THE INCREASINGLY HEAVY BURDEN WHICH WE ARE BEING FORCED TO ENDURE.
"WE SHALL ALSO EMPHASISE THAT ARRANGEMENTS MUST BE MADE FOR VIETNAM TO ACCEPT ITS RESPONSIBILITIES AS A COUNTRY OF ORIGIN TO TAKE BACK ALL THOSE VIETNAMESE WHO ARE FOUND NOT TO BE REFUGEES.
"WE SHALL FINALLY POINT TO THE IMPORTANCE OF SETTING IN MOTION AN EFFECTIVE MACHINERY FOR IMPLEMENTING THESE MEASURES IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CONFERENCE, WHICH MUST ADDRESS ITSELF TO THE MATTER OF REPATRIATION TO VIETNAM OF PERSONS FOUND NOT BE REFUGEES.
"ALL THESE OBJECTIVES MUST BE ACHIEVED EFFECTIVELY IF THE CONFERENCE IS TO BE JUDGED A SUCCESS AND IF IT IS TO ACHIEVE ITS OBJECTIVE OF PROVIDING DURABLE AND COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEMS OF VIETNAMESE SEEKING RESETTLEMENT.
"IN SHORT. THE PRESSURE ON HONG KONG HAS GOT TO BE REMOVED AND REMOVED QUICKLY."
/WHEN ASKED .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1989
8
WHEN ASKED ABOUT FURTHER POSSIBLE MEASURES, MR BARNES SAID THE ACTION THAT HAD ALREADY BEEN REFERRED TO BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS IN THE DEBATE LAST MONTH WAS THE SUSPENSION OF THE FIRST ASYLUM POLICY.
"IF WE DON'T SEE WHAT WE HOPE TO GET FROM THE GENEVA CONFERENCE, THE QUESTION OF THE SUSPENSION OF THE FIRST ASYLUM POLICY WILL INEVITABLY ARISE AND WE WILL INEVITABLY HAVE TO CONSIDER IT,," HE SAID.
"I AM NOT SAYING WE ARE MOVING TO THIS NOW. I AM TALKING SPECULATIVELY AND HYPOTHETICALLY ABOUT A SITUATION IN THE FUTURE IF THE GENEVA CONFERENCE IS NOT SATISFACTORY.
"BUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT SUSPENDING FIRST ASYLUM, WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT PUSHING PEOPLE OFF, AND THAT MUST BE CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD. IT WOULD PRESUMABLY INVOLVE THE SUSPENSION OF SCREENING FOR THOSE ARRIVING, SO THAT ALL THOSE WHO ARRIVE WOULD BE REGARDED AS UNAUTHORISED ENTRANTS INTO HONG KONG.
"BUT I MUST EMPHASISE THAT THIS IS VERY MUCH HYPOTHETICAL: I DON’T WANT ANYONE TO GET THE WRONG END OF THE STICK ON THIS AND START SAYING WE ARE CONSIDERING SUSPENDING FIRST ASYLUM BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT GOT TO THAT STAGE.
"I WAS SPECULATING AS TO WHAT SUSPENSION OF FIRST ASYLUM MIGHT BE; AND I WAS SPECULATING BECAUSE THIS HAD BEEN THE CALL FROM THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS IN THE DEBATE LAST MONTH THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THEY WOULD WISH TO HAVE CONSIDERED IF THE GENEVA CONFERENCE WAS SEEN TO BE INEFFECTUAL."
-------0----------
STI TO VISIT UNITED STATES
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOHN CHAN, WILL ARRIVE IN THE UNITED STATES ON SATURDAY (JUNE 10> FOR A FAMILIARISATION VISIT.
MR CHAN EXPLAINED THAT THE VISIT, WHICH HAD BEEN PLANNED FOR SOME TIME, WAS TO ENABLE HIM TO ESTABLISH CONTACTS WITH U.S. OFFICIALS, MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND TRADE ORGANISATIONS.
HE SAID THAT MANY OF HIS COUNTERPARTS WERE FAIRLY NEW TO THEIR JOBS AND IT WAS DESIRABLE THAT PERSONAL CONTACTS BE ESTABLISHED AT AN EARLY STAGE.
"OBVIOUSLY, RECENT EVENTS IN CHINA WILL BE RAISED," HE SAID. "BUT THE PRIME PURPOSE OF THE VISIT IS TO DISCUSS TRADE MATTERS OF MUTUAL CONCERN TO BOTH HONG KONG AND THE UNITED STATES."
AMONG THOSE WHOM MR CHAN WILL BE MEETING IN WASHINGTON IS THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE, MRS CARLA HILLS.
/DURING MR .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1989
9
DURING MR CHAN’S 14-DAY PROGRAMME HE WILL MEET MANY KEY FIGURES IN U.S. TRADE POLICY.
HE WILL ALSO TALK TO THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK, ON FRIDAY. JUNE 16; AND TO A LUNCH HOSTED BY THE TOWN HALL OF CALIFORNIA, AN INFLUENTIAL CURRENT AFFAIRS DISCUSSION GROUP, ON JUNE 21.
-------0----------
REVIEW ON PRIMARY HEALTH CARE * * »
A WORKING PARTY WILL SHORTLY BE ESTABLISHED TO CONDUCT A REVIEW ON PRIMARY HEALTH CARE (PHC) IN HONG KONG TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE ASPIRATIONS OF SOCIETY AND ITS CHANGING NEEDS, THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH,DR S.H. LEE SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCH MEETING OF THE ROTARYCLUBOF KOWLOON WEST, DR LEE SAID ONE OF THE OBJECTIVES OF THE REVIEW WAS TO EXAMINE THE INTERFACE BETWEEN GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINICS AND HOSPITAL SERVICE, TO FIND OUT HOW THE PHC SERVICES COULD BE BETTER CO-ORDINATED AND IN WHAT WAY THEY COULD HELP TO KEEP PATIENTS OUT OF HOSPITALS AND PROMOTE AMBULATORY CARE.
THE RESPECTIVE ROLES OF THE UNIVERSITIES AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN PHC WOULD ALSO BE COVERED IN THE REVIEW.
DR LEE SAID THE REVIEW WOULD ASSIST THE GOVERNMENT TO FORMULATE NEW POLICY ON PHC AND PAVE THE WAY FOR THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF PHC SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
THE DIRECTOR SAID HONG KONG’S MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES HAD RECENTLY UNDERGONE CONSIDERABLE CHANGES.
FOLLOWING THE REORGANISATION OF THE FORMER MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, A NEW DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WAS ESTABLISHED ON APRIL .1 .
ON HOSPITAL SERVICE, THE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTED A CONSULTANCY TEAM’S RECOMMENDATION TO ESTABLISH A HOSPITAL AUTHORITY (HA) TO PROVIDE A MORE FLEXIBLE STRUCTURE IN THE DELIVERY OF MEDICAL SERVICES IN HOSPITALS.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HA SHOWED GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO TACKLE PROBLEMS OF THE EXISTING HOSPITAL SYSTEM AND ITS DETERMINATION TO BRING IMPROVEMENT TO THE HOSPITAL SERVICE, DR LEE SAID. HOSPITAL SERVICE, HOWEVER, FORMED ONLY A PART OF THE TOTAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.
/"THE WORLD .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1989
10
"THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (WHO) HAS STRESSED THAT THE MAIN THRUSTS OF A COUNTRY-WIDE STRATEGY IN HEALTH CARE SHOULD BEGIN WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE PROGRAMMES THAT REACH THE WHOLE POPULATION," HE ADDED.
"THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SEPARATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PROVIDES AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY IN DEVELOPING THE PHC SERVICES IN HONG KONG, AS BEING A SEPARATE DEPARTMENT IT WILL BE ABLE TO SET ITS OWN TARGETS AND PRIORITIES."
DR LEE EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANCE OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES, DEFINED BY THE WHO AS THE PROVISION OF BASIC HEALTH SERVICES MADE UNIVERSALLY ACCESSIBLE TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY AT COST THAT THE COMMUNITY AND COUNTRY CAN AFFORD.
THESE SERVICES INCLUDE HEALTH EDUCATION, FOOD AND NUTRITION, SAFE WATER AND BASIC SANITATION, MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH/FAMILY PLANNING, IMMUNISATION, PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF LOCAL ENDEMIC DISEASES, TREATMENT OF COMMON DISEASES AND INJURIES AND THE PROVISION OF ESSENTIAL DRUGS.
IN EFFECT, PHC COVERS NOT ONLY PREVENTION AND PROMOTION BUT ALSO CURATIVE AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES.
UNDER THE EXISTING SYSTEM IN HONG KONG, DR LEE SAID, ALL SUCH SERVICES WERE UNIVERSALLY ACCESSIBLE TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY AT CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THEIR HOMES AT AN AFFORDABLE COST, AND, FOR MOST OF THE ESSENTIAL PREVENTIVE HEALTH SERVICES, AT NO CHARGE.
THE REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS IN MAINTAINING A HIGH LEVEL OF HEALTH IHEALTH IN THE COMMUNITY, HE SAID, SHOWED THAT THE PHC SERVICES IN HONG KONG WERE PAYING DIVIDENDS:
* DESPITE HONG KONG’S DENSITY OF POPULATION, THE TERRITORY IS VIRTUALLY FREE FROM DANGEROUS COMMUNICABLE DISEASES AND EPIDEMICS.
* THE LOW INFANT MORTALITY RATE AND THE LOW MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE ARE THE ENVY OF MANY OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD.
» PEOPLE TODAY LIVE MUCH LONGER, ON AN AVERAGE, THAN • THOSE TWO TO THREE DECADES AGO.
* THE LIFE EXPECTATION IS 74 FOR MALES AND 79 FOR FEMALES COMPARED WITH 67 AND 75 RESPECTIVELY 15 YEARS AGO.
"WITH THE RISING EXPECTATION OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE ADVANCEMENT IN MEDICAL AND HEALTH CARE, THE DEPARTMENT IS DETERMINED TO MEET THESE NEW CHALLENGES AND TO TAKE A LEADING ROLE IN FURTHER IMPROVING AND EXPANDING THE HEALTH SERVICES IN TERMS OF QUALITY AND QUANTITY," DR LEE SAID.
"TO ACHIEVE THESE OBJECTIVES, WE NEED THE SUPPORT AND INVOLVEMENT OF THE PROFESSIONAL BODIES, ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS, GOVERNMENTAL AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY LEADERS."
-------0---------
/11 .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1989
11
MORE A-LEVEL CHINESE REFERENCE * * * *
BOOKS TO COME ON STREAM *
THE CHINESE TEXTBOOKS COMMITTEE (CTC) HAS COMPLETED PHASE III OF ITS WORK AND MADE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT ON THE AVAILABILITY OF CHINESE REFERENCE BOOKS FOR ADVANCED LEVEL COURSES, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF A THREE-DAY EXHIBITION 01 CHINESE TEXTBOOKS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS ORGANISED BY THE CTC, MR LI SAID THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HAD APPROVED A TOTAL COMMITMENT OF $10.8 MILLION TO BE PAID OUT AS AWARDS TO PUBLISHERS PARTICIPATING IN THE CTC’S INCENTIVE AWARD SCHEME TO PRODUCE GOOD QUALITY CHINESE TEXTBOOKS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
THE CTC, UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF MR SZETO WAH, IN PHASE I OF ITS WORK DEALT WITH THE PRODUCTION OF CHINESE TEXTBOOKS FOR GENERAL SUBJECTS IN SECONDARY GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
IN PHASE II OF ITS WORK, THE COMMITTEE MADE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE PRODUCTION OF CHINESE TEXTBOOKS FOR PRACTICAL AND TECHNICAL SUBJECTS IN PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS.
MR LI PAID TRIBUTE TO MEMBERS OF THE CTC FOR THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS IN ENCOURAGING PUBLISHERS TO PRODUCE MORE GOOD QUALITY CHINESE TEXTBOOKS.
ALSO SPEAKING ON THE OCCASION, THE CTC VICE CHAIRMAN, MR DAVID CHEUNG, THANKED THE PUBLISHERS AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FOR THE EFFORTS THEY MADE IN MEETING THE TARGET SET FOR THE PHASE I OF THE AWARD SCHEME AND LOOKED FORWARD TO THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT.
ON DISPLAY AT THE EXHIBITION AT THE HK TEACHERS' CENTRE AT PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT ARE 68 SETS OF CHINESE TEXTBOOKS PRODUCED BY 25 PUBLISHERS IN 14 SUBJECTS UNDER PHASE I OF THE INCENTIVE AWARD SCHEME, AND CHINESE TEXTBOOKS ALREADY ON THE RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOKS LISTS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
-------0----------
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN MARCH 1989 * * t « t
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS GREW BY 6 PER CENT AND 34 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989 AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1988, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
TAKING THEM TOGETHER, THERE WAS AN OVERALL INCREASE OF 21 PER CENT IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS. IMPORTS INCREASED BY 26 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS.
/THU GROWTH .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1989
12
THE GROWTH IN THE VOLUME OF TRADE IS DERIVED FROM THE GROWTH IN TRADE VALUES, HAVING DISCOUNTED THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES.
AS REGARDS PRICE CHANGES OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 3 PER CENT AND 6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THOSE OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 4 PER CENT. AS A RESULT, THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX (EXPRESSED AS A RATIO OF TOTAL EXPORT PRICE INDEX TO IMPORT PRICE INDEX) ROSE BY 1 PER CENT.
PRICES ARE BASED ON UNIT VALUES WHICH DO NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT CHANGES IN THE COMPOSITION OR QUALITY OF GOODS TRADED, EXCEPT FOR SOME SELECTED COMMODITIES FOR WHICH SPECIFICATION PRICE INDEXES ARE AVAILABLE.
COMPARING THE MONTH OF MARCH 1989 WITH MARCH 1988, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 15 PER CENT, AND THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 34 PER CENT. HENCE, TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND REEXPORTS TOGETHER, TOTAL EXPORTS GREW BY 25 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS. IMPORT VOLUME ALSO INCREASED BY 25 PER CENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 3 PER CENT AND 7 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. PRICES OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 4 PER CENT.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP FOR MARCH 1989 AS COMPARED WITH MARCH 1988 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
AS CAN BE SEEN FROM TABLE 1, THE DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME OF MANY COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED IN MARCH 1989 COMPARED WITH MARCH 1988, INCLUDING TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+28 PER CENT); METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+26 PER CENT); ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+25 PER CENT); CLOTHING (+23 PER CENT); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (+16 PER CENT); WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+11 PER CENT); TEXTILE FABRICS (+11 PER CENT); AND METAL MANUFACTURES (+7 PER CENT).
NEVERTHELESS, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED IN RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-45 PER CENT); FOOTWEAR (-16 PER CENT); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (-12 PER CENT); AND TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (-7 PER CENT).
PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF MOST COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED IN MARCH 1989 COMPARED WITH MARCH 1988.
THESE INCLUDED METAL MANUFACTURES (+12 PER CENT); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (+6 PER CENT); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (+6 PER CENT); METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+5 PER CENT); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (+4 PER CENT); WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+2 PER CENT); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+1 PER CENT); AND CLOTHING (+1 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES WERE RECORDED IN ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (-4 PER CENT); AND TEXTILE FABRICS (-2 PER CENT). DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES OF RADIOS OF ALL KINDS AND FOOTWEAR REMAINED UNCHANGED.
/THE CHANGES........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1989
13
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR MARCH 1989 AS COMPARED WITH MARCH 1988 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
AS PRESENTED IN TABLE 2, IMPORTED FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 19 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS IN MARCH 1989 COMPARED WITH MARCH 1988.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF SUGAR; CEREALS AND CEREAL PREPARATIONS OTHER THAN RICE, WHEAT AND FLOUR; SOYA BEAN OIL, PEANUT OIL AND LARD; AND MEAT AND MEAT PREPARATIONS.
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF TEA AND COFFEE; WHEAT AND FLOUR; AND LIVE POULTRY.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 31 PER CENT. THE COMMODITY ITEMS WITH MORE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES INCLUDED TOBACCO MANUFACTURES; RADIOS, TELEVISION SETS, GRAMOPHONES, RECORDS, TAPE RECORDERS AND AMPLIFIERS; AND FOOTWEAR.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES ROSE BY 20 PER CENT IN MARCH 1989 COMPARED WITH MARCH 1988.
THE MAJOR INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF MANMADE FIBRES; SILK FABRICS; WOOL AND OTHER ANIMAL HAIR; AND SPECIAL TEXTILE FABRICS FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSE.
DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR CLAY AND REFRACTORY CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, BUILDING MATERIALS, ETC., EXCEPT GLASS; AND PLASTIC MOULDING MATERIALS.
IMPORTS OF FUELS INCREASED BY 59 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS IN MARCH 1989 AS COMPARED WITH MARCH 1988.
IN THE CAPITAL GOODS CATEGORY, THE IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 24 PER CENT IN MARCH 1989 OVER MARCH 1988. THERE WERE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AND TEXTILE MACHINERY.
COMPARING MARCH 1989 WITH MARCH 1988, IMPORT PRICES OF ALL ENDUSE CATEGORIES INCREASED. IMPORT PRICES OF FUELS AND CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 7 PER CENT AND 5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THOSE OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES AND FOODSTUFFS BOTH INCREASED BY 4 PER CENT. IMPORT PRICES OF CAPITAL GOODS ROSE BY 3 PER CENT.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR MARCH 1989 AS COMPARED WITH MARCH 1988 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3
AS DEPUTED IN TABLE 3, THE RE-EXPORT VOLUME OF ALL END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED IN MARCH 1989 COMPARED WITH MARCH 1988, WITH THE PERCENTAGE INCREASES RANGING FROM 19 PER CENT FOR RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES TO 50 PER CENT FOR CONSUMER GOODS.
PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES INCREASED BY 8 PER CENT IN MARCH 1989 AS COMPARED WITH MARCH 1988.
/RE-EXPORT PRICES .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1989
14
RE-EXPORT PRICES OF CAPITAL GOODS AND FOODSTUFFS BOTH ROSE BY 7 PER CENT, WHILE THOSE OF CONSUMER GOODS ROSE BY 5 PER CENT. ON THE OTHER HAND, PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF FUELS DROPPED BY 3 PER CENT.
FURTHER DETAILS ARE CONTAINED IN THE MARCH 1989 ISSUE OF ’’HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS” WHICH WILL BE ON SALE AT GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AROUND 10TH JUNE 1989 AT HK32.50
THE THE PER
COPY.
BE
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, HONG KONG (TEL. NO. : 5-8428802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE INDEXES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. : 5-
8234918).
TABLE 1: INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP
COMPARING MARCH 1989 WITH MARCH 1988 COMPARING JAN-MAR 1989 WITH JAN-MAR 1988
COMMODITY GROUP VALUE UNIT VALUE VOLUME UNIT VALUE VALUE VOLUME
% % % % % %
CLOTHING 25 1 23 4 • 1 4
TEXTILE FABRICS 9 -2 11 1 -2 3
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD 30 1 28 22 1 20
TEXTILE MADE-UPS
AND RELATED ARTICLES -2 6 -7 -11 5 -15
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS -45 * -45 -47 * -47
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS 20 -4 25 29 -3 33
FOOTWEAR -15 -16 -13 1 -14
METAL MANUFACTURES 19 12 7 16 11 4
METAL ORES AND SCRAP 33 5 26 35 3 31
WATCHES AND CLOCKS 13 2 11 6 2 4
TRAVEL GOODS,
HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES 21 4 16 -7 3 -9
/DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1989
15
DOMESTIC
ELECTRICAL
APPLIANCES -7 6 -12 -21 7 -26
ALL COMMODITIES 18 3 15 9 3 6
» INSIGNIFICANT,
I.E. LESS THAN 0.5 PER CENT
TABLE 2:
INCREASES IN IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING MARCH 1989 COMPARING JAN-MAR 1989
WITH MARCH 1988 WITH JAN-MAR 1988
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
FOODSTUFFS 23 4 19 23 4 19
CONSUMER GOODS 38 5 31 36 5 30
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 25 4 20 27 4 22
FUELS 70 7 59 43 3 39
CAPITAL GOODS 28 3 24 36 4 31
ALL COMMODITIES 30 4 25 32 4 26
TABLE 3 : INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING MARCH 1989 COMPARING JAN-MAR 1989
WITH MARCH 1988 WITH JAN-MAR 1988
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
FOODSTUFFS 46 7 35 33 6 25
CONSUMER GOODS 58 5 50 45 4 40
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 28 8 19 34 8 24
FUELS 18 -3 21 59 -5 68
CAPITAL GOODS 46 7 37 60 7 49
ALL COMMODITIES 42 7 34 42 6 34
-------0---------
/16........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1989
16
WORKING GROUP ON REDEVELOPMENT TO MEET ON FRIDAY
******
A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S REDEVELOPMENT OF KOWLOON CENTRAL ESTATES WILL TOP THE AGENDA AT THE MEETING OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S WORKING GROUP ON REDEVELOPMENT ON FRIDAY (JUNE 9),
A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE AUTHORITY’S EXTENDED REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IN TSZ 01 AND TSZ MAN ESTATES WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED.
IN ADDITION, THE COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME’S FIVE YEAR CLEARANCE PROGRAMME WILL BE TABLED FOR MEMBERS’ INFORMATION.
A MEMBER OF THE WORKING GROUP WILL PRESENT A PAPER ON PROPOSED IMPROVEMENT TO THE DESIGN AND FACILITIES OF CHUK YUEN ESTATE.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE LAYOUT PLAN FOR TSZ WAN SHAN REDEVELOPMENT AND THE METHODS OF DEMOLISHING PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S WORKING GROUP ON REDEVELOPMENT, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON FRIDAY (JUNE 9) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, FOURTH FLOOR, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KING FUK STREET.
-------0----------
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS REFUSE COLLECTION PROJECT *****
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS AT ITS MEETING ON FRIDAY (JUNE 9) MORNING THE BUILDING OF A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT NEAR SPRINGFIELD GARDEN.
A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER WILL SUBMIT A PAPER URGING A THE PROJECT WHICH IS NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
TWO OTHER MEMBERS WILL SUBMIT A PAPER CALLING GOVERNMENT TO INITIATE A THOROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT FOR HEUNG FAN LIU, A 30-YEAR-OLD SQUATTER SETTLEMENT POPULATION OF ABOUT 800.
REVIEW
OF
ON THE
PROGRAMME
WITH A
ANOTHER MEMBER WILL ASK IF THE TERRITORY DEPARTMENT HAS ANY LONG-TERM PLANS TO DEAL WITH THE UNATTENDED PLANTS WHICH ARE OBSTRUCTING ACCESS TO TIN SAM HAVE BECOME A BREEDING GROUND FOR MOSQUITOES.
DEVELOPMENT
PROBLEM OF
VILLAGE AND
/THE committee .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1989
- 17 -
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE RESUMPTION OF LAND FOR VILLAGE DEVELOPMENTS. THE SITES ARE AT TAI SHUI HANG VILLAGE NEAR MA ON SHAN. FO TAN VILLAGE AT THE FOOTHILL OF SUI WO COURT AND SHEUNG KENG HAU, HA KENG HAU AND HIN TIN VILLAGE IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF SHA TIN VALLEY.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE NAMING OF A HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME HOUSING ESTATE IN MA ON SHAN, REPORTS BY THE WORKING GROUPS, CRIME IN LIFTS, AND CONSTRUCTION OF AN ADDITIONAL STAIRCASE TO A FOOTBRIDGE NEAR HOLFORD GARDEN IN TAI WAI.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD'S DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM.
------0--------
GOVERNMENT LAND TO LET BY TENDER » » * » *
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING TO LET BY TENDER A 2,825 SQUARE-METRE SITE NEAR SHING TAI ROAD, CHAI WAN RECLAMATION, HONG KONG.
IT IS FOR OPEN STORAGE (EXCLUDING DANGEROUS GOODS AND CONTAINERS), AND/OR SAND DEPOT FOR STORAGE, DISTRIBUTION AND SALE OF NATURAL SAND.
THE LEASE IS FOR TWO YEARS CERTAIN AND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JUNE 23, 1989.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT, THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG EAST, THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
-------o----------
/18
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1989
- 18 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL AND MID-LEVELS » » » » »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JUNE 9), THE EXISTING VEHICLE BAN ON THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN RUMSEY STREET AND MORRISON STREET WILL BE LIFTED.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING 24-HOUR DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY ON THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CONDUIT ROAD IN THE MID-LEVELS BETWEEN HOUSE NUMBERS 2 AND 18 WILL CONTINUE TO BE IN FORCE FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS TO FACILITATE MAINLAYING WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
LANE CLOSURE ON TOLO HIGHWAY
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS, LANES OF TOLO HIGHWAY KOWLOON BOUND WILL BE CLOSED FROM FRIDAY (JUNE 9) TO JUNE 18.
TWO LANES FOR A SECTION OF ABOUT 500 METRES NORTH OF ITS INTERCHANGE WITH TAI PO ROAD YUEN CHAU TSAI WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 EACH DAY TO 7 AM ON THE NEXT MORNING BETWEEN JUNE 9 AND 18.
WHILE ONE LANE AT THE SAME LOCATION WILL BE CLOSED FROM • 7 AM TO 8 PM EACH DAY BETWEEN JUNE 10 AND 18.
-------0---------
REROUTEING OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES IN YUEN LONG
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT IN CONNECTION WTT4I THE OPENING OF THE WHOLE SECTION OF ROAD SR-6 IN SAN TIN, KMB ROUTE NO.76K, N.T. GMB ROUTE NO.75 AND N.T. RESIDENTS’ SERVICE ROUTE NO.69R WILL OPERATE VIA ROAD SR-6 AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD AS FROM FRIDAY (JUNE 9) .
-------0----------
/19........
WEDNESDAY. JUNE 7, 1989
- 19 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN YAU MA TEI AND TSUEN WAN
» * * « »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE RECONSTRUCTION OF MAN WAI STREET, TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JUNE 9) FOR TWO MONTHS.
THE ARRANGEMENTS WILL INCLUDE MAN WAI STREET, WHICH FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH MAN SING STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 35 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION, WILL BE CLOSED.
THE RIGHT TURN FROM MAN SING STREET ONTO MAN WAI STREET WILL BE BANNED; THE STRAIGHT-AHEAD ON MAN WAI STREET FROM THE EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH MAN SING STREET TO THE WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL ALSO BE BANNED.
THE METERED PARKING SPACES AT MAN WAI STREET BETWEEN MAN SING STREET AND MAN CHEONG STREET WILL BE CANCELLED.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MAN WAI STREET, FROM A POINT ABOUT 35 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH MAN SING STREET TO ITS JUNCTION WITH MAN CHEONG STREET, WILL BE RE-ROUTED FOR TWO-WAY TRAFFIC FOR LOCAL ACCESS.
MOTORISTS ON MAN SING STREET HEADING FOR MAN WAT STREET ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA MAN SING STREET, MAN YUEN STREET, MAN CHEONG STREET AND MAN WAI STREET.
WESTBOUND MOTORISTS ON MAN WAI STREET EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH MAN SING STREET ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA MAN SING STREET, MAN YUEN STREET, MAN CHEONG STREET AND MAN WAI STREET INSTEAD.
ON THE OTHER HANI), IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE TRAFFIC FLOW IN TEXACO ROAD, TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY.
THE ARRANGEMENTS ARE: THE RIGHT TURN FROM TEXACO ROAD TO YEUNG UK ROAD WILL BE BANNED.
TSUEN WING STREET SECTION BETWEEN TEXACO ROAD AND TSUEN WAH STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY EASTBOUND TO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND; AND TSUEN WAH STREET SECTION BETWEEN TSUEN FU STREET AND TSUEN WING STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND TO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND.
TSUEN WING STREET SECTION BETWEEN TEXACO ROAD AND TSUEN WAH STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR TO SEEK UK SUPPORT FOR HONG KONG...................... 1
COMMUNITY SPIRIT CAN MAKE HK STRONGER : SIR DAVID FORD...... 2
OVERWHELMING RESPONSE TO WORK ORIENTATION PROGRAMME......... J
DONT’T LEAVE CHILDREN UNATTENDED, PARENTS URGED................ 4
TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS DOWN 15 PER CENT.......................... 5
AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECTS ............... 6
DB TO DISCUSS WATER CONTROL ZONE PROPOSALS..................... 7
SEMINAR IN KWUN TONG ON MENTAL HEALTH ......................... 7
WORK STARTS ON DIVISIONAL POLICE STATION....................... 8
I.D. CARD REMINDER FOR WOMEN BORN BETWEEN 1951-53.............. 8
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN HUNG HOM .............................. 10
URBAN CLEARWAY ON WAN CHAI GAP ROAD
10
THURSDAY. JUNE 8. 1989
GOVERNOR TO SEEK UK SUPPORT FOR HONG KONG *****
THE GOVERNOR. SIR DAVID WILSON. WILL DISCUSS WITH THE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER AND THE FOREIGN SECRETARY THE CURRENT EVENTS IN CHINA AND THEIR IMPACT ON HONG KONG.
ARRIVING IN LONDON THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING. SIR DAVID TOLD REPORTERS THAT HE WOULD BE MEETING SIR GEOFFREY HOI > IMMEDIATELY AND MRS. THATCHER IN THE AFTERNOON TO TALK TO THEM ON THE SUPPORT THAT HONG KONG NEEDED AT THIS TIME OF GREAT PROBLEMS AND HE WAS SURE THAT HE WOULD GET IT.
"I AM LOOKING TO SEE WHAT BRITAIN CAN DO TO HELP REASSURE THIS VERY ANXIOUS SITUATION AND ANXIOUS PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE IN HONG KONG AT THE MOMENT.
"ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WILL BE TALKING ABOUT IS TiiE QUESTION OF NATIONALITY. AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A GREAT DEAL MORE DONE FOR THE BRITISH HONG KONG PASSPORT HOLDERS.
"I THINK THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT COULD BE DONE WHICH WOULD BE A GREAT HELP." SIR DAVID SAID.
"I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A VERY GREAT DEAL OF FLEXIBILITY AS IT IS A TIME OF GREAT ANXIETY IN HONG KONG: IT IS A TIME WHEN WE DO NEED HELP AND ASSISTANCE, AND A BOOST FOR PEOPLE'S MORALE. HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT THIS ISSUE WAS IN ADDITION TO HIS ORIGINAL PLAN FOR COMING TO LONDON TO DISCUSS HONG KONG’S IMMENSE PROBLEM WITH THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE AND TO SEE THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.
ASKED TO COMMENT ON THE MOOD IN HONG KONG. THE GOVERNOR SAID : "FIRST OF ALL, THERE WAS GREAT ANXIETY AND A GREAT FEELING OF ANGER AT ABOUT WHAT HAD HAPPENDED IN PEKING.
"PEOPLE FELT VERY MUCH THAT THEY TOO WERE CHINESE AND A GREAT DEAL OF SYMPATHY WITH WHAT THE STUDENTS IN PEKING WERE AIMING AT, AND A FEELING OF REAL HORROR AT WHAT HAD HAPPENDED IN PEKING.
"THEN THE SECOND THING WAS THE WAY IN WHICH HONG KONG PEOPLE REACTED WHICH IS QUITE WITHOUT PRECEDENCE. HUGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE OUT ON THE STREET DEMONSTRATING THEIR SORROW AND THEIR ANGER AT WHAT HAD HAPPENED. HALF A MILLION PEOPLE ON TWO OCCASIONS, IN TOTAL ORDER. TOTAL DIGNITY. IT WAS A VERY VERY IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE.
/"THEN WE .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 1989
- 2
"THEN WE HAD ONE INCIDENT WHICH WAS ON THE NIGHT BEFORE LAST WHERE A NUMBER OF HOOLIGANS AND STREET GANGS GOT INVOLVED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT TRYING TO BREAK INTO A BUILDING. THAT WAS DEALT WITH VERY QUICKLY AND VERY EFFICIENTLY BY THE POLICE. ■
"SINCE THEN WE HAVE TOTAL CALM IN HONG KONG. WE STILL HAVE SOME PEOPLE DEMONSTRATING BUT THE SITUATION IS CALM AND PEOPLE DO REALISE NOW WHAT THEY MUST DO IS LOOK AFTER THE STABILITY OF HONG KONG. LOOK AFTER THE ECONOMIC PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG," SIR DAVID SAID.
-------0----------
COMMUNITY SPIRIT CAN MAKE HK STRONGER : SIR DAVID FORD
*****
A TREMENDOUS COMMUNITY SPIRIT HAS DEVELOPED IN HONG KONG WHICH CAN BE HARNESSED TO MAKE OURSELVES STRONGER TO FACE UP TO THE FUTURE. THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID FORD. SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
REFERRING TO THE RECENT INCIDENTS IN CHINA, SIR DAVID SAID HE HAD NO DOUBT THE INJURY THAT HAD BEEN DONE TO THE PEOPLE OF CHINA ALSO RAN VERY DEEP IN HONG KONG AND CERTAINLY CONFIDENCE HAD TAKEN A KNOCK.
"BUT IT IS NOT TOO EARLY TO LOOK TO THE FUTURE AND OUT OF AI THESE, I THINK, CAN COME SOME GOOD," HE SAID.
THERE HAD DEVELOPED IN HONG KONG A TREMENDOUS COMMUNITY SPIRIi WHICH WAS DISPLAYED IN THE THREE MASS DEMONSTRATIONS TO SUPPORT THE STUDENTS AND AGAIN IN YESTERDAY’S GATHERING TO MOURN THOSE WHO DIED IN CHINA, SIR DAVID SAID.
"HONG KONG HAS A REMARKABLE ABILITY TO BOUNCE BACK AND I HAVE NO DOUBT IT WILL DO SO THIS TIME.
"WE ALSO NEED THE HELP OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THAT IS WHY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, HAS GONE TO EXPLAIN TO THEM OUR POSITION AND TO SEEK HELP," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID WAS SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER ATTENDING THE DRAGON BOAT RACE AT THE YAUMATIE TYPHOON SHELTER.
HE NOTED THAT WHILE OUR EYES WERE ON THE DRAGON BOATS. OUR THOUGHTS WERE STILL WITH THE PEOPLE OF CHINA.
HE SAID WHAT WE WERE ALL PRAYING FOR WAS THAT. AFTER THE HORROR AND MADNESS OF LAST WEEKEND, SANITY WOULD RETURN TO THE AUTHORITIES IN CHINA.
-------0 -
THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 1989
3
OVERWHELMING RESPONSE TO WORK ORIENTATION PROGRAMME » t * ♦ »
MORE THAN 1,300 SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS TOOK PART IN MONTH-LONG WORK ORIENTATION PROGRAMME ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
UNDER THE PROGRAMME WHICH ENDED EARLY THIS MONTH, A TOTA;. 50 VISITS TO 41 ESTABLISHMENTS WERE ARRANGED BY THE DEPARTMENT’ CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICES FOR FORM 4 TO FORM 7 STUDENTS FROM VARIOUS PARTS OF THE TERRITORY.
THE VISITS COVERED ESTABLISHMENTS BOTH IN THE PUBLIC A. > PRIVATE SECTORS, INCLUDING BANKS, HOTELS, NEWSPAPERS, FACTOR!! CONTAINER TERMINALS, PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
’’STUDENTS WERE GIVEN A GUIDED TOUR OF THE FACILITIES AND CHANCE TO GAIN A REAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE ACTUAL WORKING ENVIRONMENT,” A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IN ADDITION, STAFF OF THE ESTABLISHMENTS ALSO EXPLA INJED THEM MATTERS RELATING TO THE ORGANISATION AND STRUCTURE OF TH COMPANY, EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVI' i.. FUTURE PROSPECTS AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES,” HE ADDED.
ORGANISED FOR THE SIXTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR, THIS ANNUAL CARE)’ EDUCATION PROJECT WAS WELL-RECEIVED BY BOTH PARTICIPATING STUDENTS AND CAREERS TEACHERS.
’’STUDENTS HAVE ALL FOUND THE VISITS VERY USEFUL ‘ INTERESTING AND ARE PROMPTED TO THINK MORE ABOUT THEIR OWN FUTU CAREER AFTER OBTAINING FIRST-HAND INFORMATION ABOUT THE WORLD WORK,” THE SPOKESMAN NOTED.
’’THE CAREERS TEACHERS WHO TOOK PART IN THE VISITS AL APPRECIATED THE VALUE OF THE PROGRAMME WHICH COULD HELP STUDENT DEVELOP A REALISTIC UNDERSTANDING OF VARIOUS JOBS.”
APART FROM THE PROGRAMME, YOUNG PEOPLE SEEKING CARELS GUIDANCE CAN ALSO APPROACH ANY OF THE FOUR CAREERS INFORMATIC CENTRES OF THE DEPARTMENT.
EACH CENTRE IS EQUIPPED WITH A REFERENCE LIBRARY CONSISTING ( PUBLICATIONS ON EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, AS WELL AS A AUDIO-VISUAL UNIT WITH SLIDE PRESENTATIONS, CASSETTE TAPE AND VIDEO TAPE RECORDINGS ON CAREERS AND RELATED SUBJECTS.
-------0----------
THURSDAY. JUNE 8, 1989
DON’T LEAVE CHILDREN UNATTENDED, PARENTS URGED t * * » t
AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR K.C. KWOK, TODAY (THURSDAY) CALLED ON PARENTS NOT TO LEAVE THEIR CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME, IN ORDER TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS.
THE FAMILY WAS THE FUNDAMENTAL UNIT OF CARE FOR CHILDREN AND IT WAS THE PARENTS’ RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR YOUNG, MR KWOK SAID IN A SPEECH GIVEN AT THE OPENING OF A CHILD CARE EXHIBITION.
"THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL LAUNCH A MAJOR CAMPAIGN LATER THIS YEAR TO PROMOTE THE MESSAGE OF PARENTAL CARE AND I SINCERELY HOPE THAT FAMILIES AND PARENTS WILL TAKE PROPER CARE OF THEIR YOUNG SO THAT THEY CAN GROW UP HAPPILY AND HEALTHILY," MR KWOK SAID.
MR KWOK SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS COMMITTED TO HELPING RESIDENTS MEET THEIR BASIC NEEDS. AND THE GENERAL WELFARE OF YOUNG CHILDREN HAD BEEN TAKEN CARE OF.
ALTHOUGH CHILDREN SHOULD IDEALLY GROW UP IN THEIR OWN FAMILIES, HF NOTED THAT HIS DEPARTMENT AND OTHER VOLUNTARY AGENCIES PROVIDED A NUMBER OF SERVICES FOR THOSE CHILDREN WHO COULD NOT BE CARED FOR BY THEIR PARENTS, BECAUSE OF WORK OR OTHER REASONS.
"FOR EXAMPLE, DAY CARE IS PROVIDED BY CHILD CARE CENTRES WHILE RESIDENTIAL AGENCIES AND FOSTER CARE SERVICE UNITS TAKE PROPER CARE OF CHILDREN WHO CANNOT RETURN TO THEIR OWN HOMES TEMPORARILY BECAUSE OF VARIOUS REASONS," HE SAID.
"THERE ARE ADOPTION AGENCIES TO HANDLE BOTH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS ADOPTION APPLICATIONS AND THERE IS ALSO THE CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES UNIT TO DEAL WITH THE MORE SERIOUS CHILD XBUSE CASES.
"IN ADDITION. 53 FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES HAVE BEEN SET UP THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY SO THAT RESIDENTS CAN SEEK ASSISTANCE AND GUIDANCE ON FAMILY OR CHILD CARE PROBLEMS FROM PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS IN THEIR NEIGHBOURHOOD."
MR KWOK POINTED OUT THAT, MOST IMPORTANTLY, PREVENTION WORK WAS CARRIED OUT BY THE DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN THE FORM OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PROGRAMMES WHICH HELP DRAW RESIDENTS’ ATTENTION TO THE NEED OF FOSTERING A HARMONIOUS FAMILY LIFE.
THE CHILD CARE EXHIBITION WAS ORGANISED BY THE BAUHINIA JAYCEES AND SING TAO LIMITED.
THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 1989
- 5 -
TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS DOWN 15 PER CENT
*****
DURING THE LAST QUARTER OF 1988-89, THE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTUNIT (TCU) OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 2,315 COMPLAINTS. A DECLINE OF 15 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TCU SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT COMPLAINTS WERE RELATED MAINLY TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES, TRAFFIC CONDITIONS, ROAD MAINTENANCE AND ENFORCEMENT.
IN CONNECTION WITH THE ADEQUACY OF FRANCHISED BUS SERVICE. THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 184 COMPLAINTS COVERING HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES. COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS QUARTER, THERE WAS A DECLINE OF 17 CASES. OR EIGHT PER CENT.
ON THE STANDARD OF FRANCHISED BUS SERVICE. THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 317 COMPLAINTS. A DECLINE OF 24 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH 416 IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.
THESE COMPLAINTS WERE TAKEN UP INDIVIDUALLY WITH THE BUS COMPANIES CONCERNED.
THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST TAXI SERVICE DECREASED BY 15 PER CENT FROM 535 CASES IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER TO 455 CASES.
AS IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER, THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT TAXI SERVICE WERE MOSTLY CONCERNED WITH TAXI DRIVERS NOT TAKING THE MOST DIRECT ROUTE, OVERCHARGING, REFUSING HIRE OR SOLICITING PASSENGERS. FAILING TO REACH DESTINATIONS AND MISCONDUCT OR DRIVING IN A POOR MANNER.
THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS RELATED TO RAIL TRANSPORT SERVICES FELL FROM LAST QUARTER’S 132 CASES TO 51 CASES. COMPLAINTS CONCERNING FERRY SERVICES FELL FROM 43 CASES TO 21 CASES.
THE MAIN AREAS OF COMPLAINT INCLUDED PASSENGER SERVICES AND FACILITIES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT COMPLAINTS ABOUT ROAD CONGESTION DECLINED BY 43 PER CENT TO 226 CASES.
OF THEM, 52 CASES WERE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 127 IN KOWLOON, 37 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND 10 IN TUNNEL AREAS.
FACTORS (ONCRIBUTING TO ROAD CONGESTION INCLUDED TRAFFIC ENGINEERING MATT RS, VEHICLE OBSTRUCTION, AND ROAD WORKS.
COMPLAINTS ABOUT TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES TOTALLED 266 CASES, ABOUT THE SAME AS IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.
THE MAJOR AREAS OF CONCERN WERE PHASING OF TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND TRAFFIC LANE ARRANGEMENT, AND ADDITION OF TRAFFIC SIGNS AND AIDS. AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE MAINTENANCE OF ROADS ROSE 25 PER CENT FROM 130 CASES IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER TO 162 CASES.
/THE MAJOR .....
THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 1989
6
TEE MAJOR AREAS OF COMPLAINTS WERE DEFECTIVE ROAD SURFACES, FAULTY TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND DAMAGED TRAFFIC SIGNS/AIDS.
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT CASES STOOD AT 368 IN THE QUARTER, AN INCREASE OF 34 CASES OR 10 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.
THESE WERE RELATED MAINLY TO REQUESTS FOR ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST ILLEGAL PARKING AND MOTORISTS FAILING TO COMPLY WITH TRAFFIC REGULATIONS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
------0--------
AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECTS *****
AWARDS FOR EIGHT OUTSTANDING CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECTS WILL BE PRESENTED BY THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION IN A CEREMONY NEXT MONTH (JULY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID THAT THE 1989 OUTSTANDING CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECT AWARD WAS COMPLETED RECENTLY WITH SATISFACTORY RESULTS.
A COMMUNITY CENTRE OF CARITAS - HONG KONG HAS BEEN AWARDED THE CHAMPIONSHIP FOR ORGANISING A COMMUNITY PROJECT PROMOTING CIVIC-MINDEDNESS.
THE FIRST-RUNNER UP AWARD WENT TO THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF YOUTH GROUPS - FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION (GENERAL UNIT).
MORE THAN 12,000 CITIZENS TOOK PART IN THE CIVIC EDUCATION SIMULATION GAMES AND EXERCISES DESIGNED BY THE UNIT.
THE SECOND-RUNNER WAS THE BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUBS ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG FOR DISTRIBUTING ABOUT 4,000 STORY BOOKS ON DEMOCRACY AND FOR ORGANISING A SEMINAR TO EXPLORE WAYS AND MEANS TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION THROUGH STORY TELLING.
OTHER WINNERS WERE THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY LAW ASSOCIATION, THE JOINT CONFERENCE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION. AT THIS JUNCTURE ’88 COMMITTEE, HONG KONG CHRISTIAN SERVICE, AND TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS NURSES’ TRAINING SCHOOL.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE WINNERS WOULD BE AWARDED CASH PRIZES RANGING PROM $2,000 TO $8,000 TO FURTHER PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION.
ALL THE WINNING PROJECTS WILL BE EXHIBITED DURING THE PRIZE CEREMONY. REPORTS ON THESE PROJECTS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE CIVIC EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRE OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
-------O---------
/7........
THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 1989
7
DB TO DISCUSS WATER
CONTROL ZONE PROPOSALS
* * * * *
MEMBERS OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO DISCUSS A PROPOSAL TO DECLARE PORT SHELTER AND TSEUNG KWAN O (JUNK BAY) AS WATER CONTROL ZONES.
THE PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER, DR MICHAEL CHIU, WILL BE PRESENT TO BRIEF MEMBERS.
A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER WILL REPORT ON THE RESULT OF A MEETING HELD BY THE BOARD’S WORKING GROUP ON THE HANG HAU RESUMPTION.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE DEPARTMENTAL ANNUAL PROGRAMMES. APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS, AND PROGRESS REPORTS BY THE BOARD’S REGIONAL COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE AND THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM.
-------0----------
SEMINAR IN KWUN TONG ON MENTAL HEALTH * t »
AROUND 400 MEMBERS FROM VARIOUS VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS, SCHOOLS AND AREA COMMITTEES IN KWUN TONG WILL TAKE PART IN A SEMINAR ON MENTAL HEALTH ON SATURDAY (JUNE 10).
THE SEMINAR MARKS THE LAUNCHING OF A TWO-MONTH MENTAL HEALTH VARIETY PROGRAMME ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION ORGANISING COMMITTEE.
IT WILL BE PRECEDED BY AN OPENING CEREMONY. OFFICIATING AT THIS WILL BE THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN; DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR AUGUSTINE CHENG: MEMBER OF THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, DR RAYMOND WU; AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR K.C. KWOK.
FOLLOWING THE OPENING CEREMONY, A VIDEO/SLIDE PRESENTATION ON MENTAL STRESS AND THE REHABILITATION OF MENTAL PATIENTS WILL BE GIVEN.
/THE SJMINAR .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 1989
- 8 -
THE SEMINAR WILL BEGIN WITH ADDRESSES BY SENIOR CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST, MISS HEIDI NG; PSYCHIATRIST, DR SYLVIA CHEN, AND SPECIAL WORK OFFICER (MENTAL HEALTH), MISS LEUNG KWAI-LING. A QUESTION-AND-ANSWER SESSION WILL FOLLOW.
THE SEMINAR WILL BE CHAIRED BY THE HEAD OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC’S DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED SOCIAL STUDIES, MR FOO TAK-NAM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE "KWUN TONG MENTAL HEALTH VARIETY PROGRAMME" AND SEMINAR. IT WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM ON SATURDAY (JUNE 10) AT WELLINGTON COLLEGE IN TELFORD GARDENS. KOWLOON BAY.
------0--------
WORK STARTS ON DIVISIONAL POLICE STATION » « » « ♦
WORK WILL START TOMORROW (FRIDAY) ON THE CONSTRUCTION . OF A DIVISIONAL POLICE STATION IN TAI HING AT AREA 3A OF TUEN MUN.
A $32.74 MILLION CONTRACT HAS BEEN AWARDED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR ITS CONSTRUCTION. EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN JULY NEXT YEAR.
THE EIGHT-STOREY TAI HING DIVISIONAL POLICE STATION WILL PROVIDE A TOTAL OF 6.000 SQUARE METRES IN FLOOR AREA ON A 3,000-SQUARE METRE SITE.
-------0----------
I.D. CARD REMINDER FOR WOMEN BORN BETWEEN 1951-53 t * * » *
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED WOMEN BORN IN 1951. 1952 OR 1953 TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS BEFORE JULY I.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID: "TO AVOID THE LAST-MINUTE RUSH. WOMEN OF THIS AGE GROUP WHO HAVE NOT YET APPLIED FOR A NEW I.D. CARD SHOULD COME FORWARD WITHOUT DELAY."
"FAILURE TO APPLY FOR A NEW I.D. CARD WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD IS AN OFFENCE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $3,000," IlE ADDED.
/APPLICANTS CAR .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 1989
APPLICANTS CAN GO TO ANY ONE OE THE EIGHT NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFICES TO RENEW THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.
THESE 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 THE AFTERNOONS." THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THEY MAY 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. NO. 5-747070
EAST KOWLOON ; AMOY PLAZA, 2ND FLOOR, 77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD TEL. NO. 3-7553679
WEST KOWLOON : CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 2ND FLOOR. 393 CANTON ROAD, YAU MA TEI TEL. NO. 3-7232424
TSUEN WAN ; EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE. GROUND FLOOR. 29-37 TSUEN FU STREET TEL. NO. 0-4981259
SHA TIN : SHOP 8A. 2/F, CHANWAY SHOPPING CENTRE. 11-17. SHATIN CENTRE STREET. SHA TIN TEL. NO. 0-6059108
YUEN LONG : HOP YICK CENTRE, 2ND FLOOR. 31 HOP YICK ROAD TEL. NO. 0-4771543
TUEN MUN : CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, CHI LOK FA YUEN TEL. NO. 0-4580862
SHEUNG SHU1 :• TSUEN WO TAI LAU. GROUD FLOOR. 82-84 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI TEL. NO. 0-6727191
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
0 - -
/1O
THURSDAY. JUNE 8, 1989
10
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN HUNG HOM t t t
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE WINSLOW STREET VEHICULAR UNDERPASS WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 1 AM AND 5 AM ON SATURDAY (JUNE 10) TO FACILITATE CLEANSING OF THE UNDERPASS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES ON WINSLOW STREET HEADING FOR TO KWA WAN ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA WINSLOW STREET. CHATHAM ROAD NORTH. COOKE STREET, GILLIES AVENUE AND WUHU STREET.
------o--------
URBAN CLEARWAY ON WAN CHAI GAP ROAD t t t t
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JUNE 10). WAN CHAI GAP ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH QUEEN S ROAD EAST AND A POINT ABOUT 18 METRES TO THE SOUTH WILL BE DESIGNATED A PEAK HOUR (IE 7 AM - 10 AM AND 4 PM - 7 PM) DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE,
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOOSE, HONG KONG. TEL. 5-8428777
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FOREIGN SECRETARY TO VISIT HK IN JULY........................... 1
GOVERNOR SEEKS STRONG ASSURANCES FROM PRIME MINISTER ........... 1
BRITAIN'S $55 MILLION DONATION ON VBP WELCCMED.................. 2
MORE TBWS FOR VBP FLOWN IN ..................................... 5
NEW FRAMEWORK FOR REGULATING ELECTRICITY SUPPLY ................ 3
LICENSING OF VEHICLES TO BE STREAMLINED......................... 5
BILL SEEKS TO LOWER AGE OF MAJORITY ............................ 6
HONG KONG SUPPORTS PROPOSED BAN ON NEW IVORY ................... 8
BILLS AGAINST MARINE POLLUTION GAZETTED ....................... 10
DRAFT AMENDMENTS TO WONG NAI CHUNG OZP ........................ 10
WIDER PUBLICITY ON OUTDOOR SPORTS SAFETY ...................... 12
INSPECTORS APPOINTED INTO AFFAIRS OF MANDARIN RESOURCES CORPN 14
TEACHERS' CENTRE OPENS TCMORROW .............................. 12*
CYCLING RULES FOR CHILDREN TO BE RELAXED ...................... 15
MAGISTRATES VISIT FACTORY ...................................
DB MEMBERS VISIT TYPHOON SHELTER .............................. 16
APPOINTMENTS TO CIVIL SERVICE STANDING COMMISSION ............. 1?
/BILL ON ......
BILL ON PRIVILEGES, IMMUNITIES TOR RED CROSS DELEGATION........ 18
SEMINAR ON FOOD HYGIENE AND NUTRITION ........................... 18
SPECIAL STAMPS ON PAINTING, SCULPTURE ........................... 19
TEMPORARY FERRY CONCOURSE FOR HUNG HCM .......................... 20
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY .................................. 20
SUMMARY RESULTS OF 1987 SURVEY OF STORAGE, COMMUNICATIONS, FINANCING, INSURANCE aND BUSINESS SERVICES ...................... 2^
TENDERS INVITED FOR TSUEN WAN ROAD PROJECT ...................... 28
PAYMENT OF CROWN RENTS .......................................... 28
YORK ROhD/HEREFORD ROAD FLYOVER PROJECT SHELVED ................. 29
NEW ROADS TO BE BUILT IN FANLING ................................ 29
ROAD WIDENING FOR HUNG SHIU KIU DEVELOPMENT ..................... 30
POSTFAX SERVICE TO BANGLADESH EXTENDED .......................... 31
TUEN MUN ROAD LANE CLOSURE....................................... 32
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 1989
1
FOREIGN SECRETARY TO VISIT HK IN JULY * * * * *
THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT WAS ISSUED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE;
THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, WILL VISIT HONG KONG AT THE BEGINNING OF JULY.
THE VISIT WILL TAKE PLACE AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO THE CONTINUING STABILITY, SECURITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG.
THE FOREIGN SECRETARY WILL WISH TO DISCUSS WITH THE GOVERNOR AND HIS ADVISERS THE IMPLICATIONS OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN CHINA FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND THE HANDLING OF THE ENORMOUS BURDENS PLACED ON HONG KONG BY THE ARRIVAL OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.
-------0 --------
GOVERNOR SEEKS STRONG ASSURANCES FROM PRIME MINISTER
*»»»»»
THE GOVERNOR. SIR DAVID WILSON. HAS HELD A LENGTHY MEETING WITH THE PRIME MINISTER. MRS MARGARET THATCHER, AND THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE. TO SEEK STRONG ASSURANCES FROM THE PRIME MINISTER ON HER PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG AND TO MAKING THE RIGHT ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE TERRITORY.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS IN LONDON YESTERDAY (THURSDAY) AFTER THE MEETING. THE GOVERNOR SAID HE HAD PUT TO THE PRIME MINISTER THE VERY STRONG FEELINGS OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG ABOUT THE QUESTION OF RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
"I SAID THAT IF IT WAS POSSIBLE TO GIVE A RIGHT OF ENTRY TO BRITAIN FOR THE PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WHO HAVE BRITISH PASSPORTS. THAT WOULD DO AN IMMENSE AMOUNT OF GOOD IN HONG KONG," SIR DAVID SAID.
"THE PRIME MINISTER SAID. AS SHE SAID IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. THAT TO DO THIS FOR ALL THE PEOPLE WHO POTENTIALLY MIGHT COME WAS A MATTER OF GREAT POLITICAL DIFFICULTY. BUT THE MINISTERS WERE LOOKING URGENTLY AT THE QUESTION OF TRYING TO INTRODUCE FLEXIBILITY INTO THE EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS." HE ADDED.
ASKED ABOUT A TIMETABLE FOR INCREASING DEMOCRACY IN HONG KONG, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "WE DISCUSSED THAT QUESTION AND I EXPLAINED TO THE PRIME MINISTER AND TO THE FOREIGN SECRETARY WHAT THE VIEWS OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG ARE AT THE MOMENT AND HOW THEY'VE BEEN EVOLVING.
/"AND HOW .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 1989
"AND HOW WE WANT TO LOOK AGAIN AT THE QUESTION OF THE RATE OF CHANGE OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE CHANGING VIEWS OF THE PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, BECAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN QUITE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES OF VIEW IN HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR SAID ALTHOUGH HE HAD NOT DISCUSSED HONG KONG’S FUTURE AS A FINANCIAL INVESTMENT CENTRE. HE POINTED OUT THAT THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN HONG KONG HAD HELD UP EXTREMELY WELL IN THE PRESENT CRISIS.
"THAT’S VERY ENCOURAGING BECAUSE IN OCTOBER ’87. WITH THE STOCK MARKET CRASH. OUR INSTITUTIONS WERE NOT SUFFICIENTLY GOOD TO STAND UP TO THE PROBLEM. WE’VE REVISED THOSE INSTITUTIONS AND THEY HAVE STOOD UP VERY WELL INDEED." SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID BRITAIN’S NEW COMMITMENT OF 4.5 MILLION POUNDS STERLING TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO HELP IN PROVIDING ACCOMMODATION FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE WAS A GREAT HELP.
HE SAID THE MONEY WAS BEING MADE AVAILABLE DIRECTLY TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, AND WAS IN ADDITION TO FUNDS GIVEN THROUGH THE UNHCR.
IT WAS A HELP, AND EVERYTHING IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES WAS HELP.
"WE HAVE A COLOSSAL PROBLEM WHICH IS GETTING CLOSE TO OVERWHELMING US. ALTHOUGH WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH IT.
"WE ARE IN A REALLY DESPERATE SITUATION FOR ACCOMMODATION. WE’VE HAD TO BUILD NEW ACCOMMODATION. WE’RE HAVING TO PUT UP EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION AND TO HAVE ANOTHER 4.5 MILLION POUNDS TO HELP US IS OF GREAT ASSISTANCE. SIR DAVID SAID.
BRITAIN'S $55 MILLION DONATION ON VBP WELCOMED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) WELCOMED THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT'S DECISION TO CONTRIBUTE ANOTHER FOUR AND A HALF MILLION POUNDS STERLING (HK$55 MILLION) TO HONG KONG FOR EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.
"THE CONTRIBUTION IS PARTICULARLY WELCOME IN THAT IT WILL BE MADE DIRECT TO HONG KONG," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THIS WOULD BE THE SECOND CONTRIBUTION OF ITS KIND FROM BRITAIN IN LESS THAN SEVEN WEEKS, BRINGING TO $135 MILLION THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE TWO CONTRIBUTIONS.
/"ON APRIL .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 19^9
- 5 -
IT
THE
NOW
"ON APRIL 21. THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED CONTRIBUTE UP TO SIX MILLION POUNDS ($80 MILLION) TO COVER CAPITAL COSTS OF THE PILLAR POINT REFUGEE CENTRE CONSTRUCTION IN TUEN MUN." HE SAID.
WOULD
FULL UNDER
"THE CONTRIBUTIONS INDICATE THE BRITISH RECOGNITION OF THE FINANCIAL BURDEN ON HONG KONG OF INFLUX OF BOAT PEOPLE AND ITS READINESS TO ASSIST.
GOVERNMENT’S
THE CONTINUING
-------0----------
MORE TENTS FOR VBP FLOWN IN * * * *
ANOTHER 150 TENTS WERE FLOWN IN TODAY (FRIDAY) FROM BRITAIN FOR USE AS EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION TO COPE WITH THE CONTINUING INFLUX OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.
"THIS FOLLOWS A FIRST BATCH OF ABOUT 100 TENTS WHICH ARRIVED FROM BRITIAN ON TUESDAY." A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS AGREED TO MEET THE FULL COSTS OF THESE TWO BATCHES OF TENTS.
"THEY ARE IN RESPONSE TO OUR URGENT REQUEST FOR MORE TENTS AFTER WE HAVE RUN OUT OF STOCK HERE."
-----0--------
NEW FRAMEWORK FOR REGULATING ELECTRICITY SUPPLY *****
A BILL PROPOSING TO PROVIDE A COMPLETELY NEW FRAMEWORK FOR DETAILED REGULATORY ARRANGEMENTS IN RESPECT OF ELECTRICITY-RELATED MATTERS WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 21.
THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES, MR MIAO CHI. SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE PROPOSED ELECTRICITY BILL 1989 WAS INTENDED TO REPLACE THE EXISTING ELECTRICITY SUPPLY ORDINANCE. WHICH WAS ENACTED IN 1911 AND HAD SINCE BECOME OUT OF DATE AND DEFICIENT IN A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT AREAS.
THE BILL’S INTENTION IS TO CLEARLY DELINEATE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE GOVERNMENT. THE SUPPLY COMPANIES, ELECTRICAL TRADE AND ELECTRICITY CONSUMERS.
/"IT ALSO .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 19^9
"IT ALSO ACTS AS AN ENABLING BILL FOR SIX SETS OF REGULATIONS WHICH EMBODY THE TECHNICAL AND DETAILED MEASURES, TO BE INTRODUCED TO ENHANCE SAFETY IN THE USE OF ELECTRICITY," SAID MR MIAO.
THE BILL CONSISTS OF TEN PARTS AND THE KEY FEATURES INCLUDE:
* THE POWERS OF THE GOVERNMENT TO DEAL WITH ELECTRICAL ACCIDENTS AND EMERGENCIES:
* THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY COMPANIES’ POWERS AND OBLIGATIONS TO ENSURE SAFE AND STABLE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY TO CONSUMERS;
* THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF ELECTRICITY CONSUMERS TO ENSURE THAT THEIR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS ARE SAFE;
* THE POWERS OF THE GOVERNMENT TO DEAL WITH ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS AND PRODUCTS THAT FAIL TO MEET THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS;
* THE REGISTRATION OF GENERATING FACILITIES, OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS AND CONTRACTORS;
* THE DISCIPLINE OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS AND CONTRACTORS;
» APPEAL CHANNELS AND PROCEDURES; AND
* OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS TO FACILITATE ENFORCEMENT OF THE LEGISLATION.
SUBJECT TO THE PASSING OF THE BILL BY THE LEGISLATURE, THE FOLLOWING REGULATIONS ARE PROPOSED TO BE MADE UNDER THE BILL:
(A) REGISTRATION REGULATIONS WHICH SET OUT THE PROCEDURES, QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION OF ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS AND GENERATING
FACILITIES;
(B) WIRING REGULATIONS WHICH PRESCRIBE THE MINIMUM SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE WIRING OF FIXED INSTALLATIONS AND THE REQUIREMENT OF PERIODIC TESTING OF SOME FIXED INSTALLATIONS;
(C) ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS (SAFETY) REGULATIONS WHICH SPECIFY THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR BOTH LOCALLY MANUFACTURED AND IMPORTED ELECTRICAL FITTINGS, APPLIANCES AND DEVICES FOR SALE AND USE IN HONG KONG:
(D) SUPPLY VOLTAGE REGULATIONS WHICH REGULATE THE SUPPLY VOLTAGE IN HONG KONG;
(E) ELECTRICITY SUPPLY REGULATIONS WHICH COVER THE TECHNICAL STANDARDS TO WHICH THE SUPPLY COMPANIES SHOULD MAINTAIN THEIR INSTALLATIONS. THESE WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING ELECTRICITY SUPPLY REGULATIONS; AND
/(F) ELECTRICITY SUPPLY
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 1989
- 5 -
(F) ELECTRICITY SUPPLY (SPECIAL AREAS) REGULATIONS » WHICH CONTROL THE SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY IN SQUATTER AREAS, TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS AND THOSE AREAS DESIGNATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING. THE PROVISIONS IN THE EXISTING REGULATIONS WILL BE CONTINUED WITH MINOR AMENDMENTS.
MR MIAO SAID THAT EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION WITH ALL INTERESTED GROUPS HAD BEEN TAKEN IN THE COURSE OF DRAFTING THE BILL AND THAT THOSE CONSULTED WERE GENERALLY IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL IN PRINCIPLE.
HE STRESSED THAT THE BILL’S PROVISIONS WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED IN PHASES TO MINIMISE INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC AND THE ELECTRICAL TRADE.
"THE NEW LEGISLATION WOULD BE WELCOMED BY THE PUBLIC AS IT REPRESENTS AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD IN THE ENHANCEMENT OF ELECTRICAL SAFETY," MR MIAO SAID.
-------0----------
LICENSING OF VEHICLES TO BE STREAMLINED » » » » *
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED AMENDMENTS TO THE ROAD TRAFFIC (REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF VEHICLES) REGULATIONS THAT WILL ENABLE THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TO ISSUE VEHICLE LICENCES WITH A VALIDITY PERIOD FROM THE DATE OF ISSUE INSTEAD OF FROM THE BEGINNING OF A MONTH.
THE AMENDMENTS ARE AIMED AT PROVIDING BETTER SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC.
AT PRESENT, THE VALIDITY PERIOD OF A VEHICLE LICENCE IS CALCULATED FROM THE FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH IN WHICH THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT RECEIVES THE APPLICATION FOR THE VEHICLE LICENCE. TO GET FULL VALUE FOR MONEY. MOST VEHICLE OWNERS THUS APPLY FOR OR RENEW VEHICLE LICENCES AT THE BEGINNING OF A MONTH. RESULTING IN LONG QUEUES AT LICENSING OFFICES.
IN ORDER TO SHORTEN THE WAITING TIME FOR APPLICANTS DURING THESE PEAK DAYS AND HELP SPREAD THE WORKLOAD FOR THE DEPARTMENT. REGULATION 21 WILL BE AMENDE!) SO THAT THE VALIDITY PERIOD OF A VEHICLE LICENCE WILL BE COUNTED FROM THE DATE OF ISSUE.
REGULATION 24 WILL ALSO BE AMENDED SO THAT THE REFUND OF VEHICLE LICENCE FEES WILL BE CALCULATED ON A DAILY BASIS.
IT IS PROPOSED THAT IF A VEHICLE LICENCE IS SURRENDERED TO THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AT LEAST 60 DAYS BEFORE EXPIRY. THE RATE OF REFUND WILL BE 0.24 PER CENT OF THE ANNUAL FEES FOR EACH DAY OF THE UNEXPIRED PERIOD.
AHIS RATE.....
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 19^9
THIS RATE IS EQUIVALENT TO 90 PER CENT OF THE ANNUAL FEE % WHICH MAY BE REFUNDED FOR AN UNEXPIRED PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS FOR A VALID LICENCE. A CHARGE OF ABOUT 10 PER CENT OF THE FEE IS MADE TO COVER ADMINISTRATIVE COST.
REGULATION 24(2) WILL BE AMENDED TO WAIVE THE REQUIREMENT FOR VEHICLE OWNERS TO PRODUCE A VALID VEHICLE LICENCE FOR A REFUND IF THE VEHICLE WITH ITS LICENCE HAS BEEN STOLEN AND THE OWNER HAS DULY REPORTED TO THE POLICE.
FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE PUBLIC. REGULATION 21(5) ALLOWS THE REGISTERED OWNER OF A MOTOR VEHICLE TO RENEW HIS VEHICLE LICENCE FOUR MONTHS IN ADVANCE. SUCH A LICENCE WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM THE DATE OF EXPIRY OF THE PRESENT LICENCE. THIS REGULATION WILL BE EXTENDED TO COVER TRAILERS AND RICKSHAWS.
REGULATION 17 REQUIRES A NEW VEHICLE OWNER TO PRODUCE A VALID THIRD PARTY RISKS INSURANCE POLICY UPON TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OF A REGISTERED VEHICLE. HOWEVER. AS AN UNLICENSED VEHICLE IS NOT ALLOWED TO BE DRIVEN ON THE ROAD. IT IS THEREFORE PROPOSED TO EMPOWER THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT TO WAIVE THE REQUIREMENT TO PRODUCE A VALID POLICY OF THIRD PARTY INSURANCE IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT LICENSED AT THE TIME OF TRANSFER. SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENT TO THE MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE (THIRD PARTY RISKS) REGULATIONS IS ALSO NEEDED.
THE PROVISIONS ON THE ISSUE OF EXCESS PASSENGER PERMIT UNDER REGULATION 52 WILL ALSO BE AMENDED TO CLARIFY THAT SUCH A PERMIT IS REQUIRED ONLY IF THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS TO BE CARRIED IN A GOODS VEHICLE EXCEEDS FIVE.
IT IS ALSO DECIDED THAT REGISTRATION MARKS CONSISTING OF THE LETTERS ”RC" BE RESERVED FOR REGIONAL COUNCIL VEHICLES. THIS IS IN LINE WITH THE CURRENT PRACTICE OF RESERVING REGISTRATION MARKS CONSISTING OF THE LETTERS "AM" AND "UC" FOR GOVERNMENT AND URBAN COUNCIL VEHICLES RESPECTIVELY UNDER REGULATION 11.
THE AMENDED REGULATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BE EFFECTIVE FROM OCTOBER 1 THIS YEAR.
-------0-----------
BILL SEEKS TO LOWER AGE OF MAJORITY *****
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO LOWER THE AGE OF MAJORITY FROM 21 TO 18 WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE LAW REFORM (LEGAL EFFECTS OF AGE) BILL 1989 IMPLEMENTS THE MAIN RECOMMENDATION OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION REPORT OF LOWERING THE AGE OF MAJORITY TO 18. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE GOVERNMENT SAID.
IT ALSO AMENDS A NUMBER OF ORDINANCES IN CONSEQUENCE.
/EXPLAINING THE .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 19&9
EXPLAINING THE BACKGROUND TO THE BILL, THE SPOKESMAN SA1D> THAT IN APRIL 1986, FOLLOWING FOUR YEARS WORK, THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION PUBLISHED ITS REPORT ON "YOUNG PERSONS - EFFECTS OF AGE IN CIVIL LAW".
IN THE COURSE OF ITS WORK, THERE WAS WIDESPREAD CONSULTATION.
IN ESSENCE, THE REPORT RECOMMENDED THAT THE AGE AT WHICH A PERSON ATTAINS LEGAL CAPACITY SHOULD. IN MOST CASES. BE REDUCED FROM 21 TO 18.
IN DECEMBER 1987, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL APPROVED IN PRINCIPLE THE MAJORITY OF THE REPORT’S RECOMMENDATIONS.
AT THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL’S MEETING ON TUESDAY (JUNE 6), THE COUNCIL ADVISED AND THE GOVERNOR ORDERED THAT THE BILL SHOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 21.
"THE POSSIBILITY WAS CONSIDERED OF PRESENTING AN OMNIBUS BILL INCORPORATING ALL THE AMENDMENTS PROPOSED BY THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION. IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT IF SUCH A COMBINED PRESENTATION WAS ATTEMPTED, STRAIGHTFORWARD AMENDMENTS IN ONE AREA MIGHT BE DELAYED BY MORE COMPLICATED AMENDMENTS IN ANOTHER LARGELY UNRELATED AREA.
"THIS BILL, THEREFORE IMPLEMENTS THE PRINCIPAL RECOMMENDATION OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION REPORT OF LOWERING THE AGE OF MAJORITY FROM 21 TO 18 AND REPRESENTS THE FIRST STEPS TOWARDS IMPLEMENTING THE COMMISSION’S PROPOSALS." THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID CLAUSE 2 OF THE BILL REDUCES FROM 21 TO 18 THE AGE AT WHICH A PERSON ATTAINS HIS MAJORITY AND PROVIDES THAT A PERSON WHO IS OVER 18 BUT UNDER 21 AT THE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF THE ORDINANCE AUTOMATICALLY ATTAINS FULL AGE ON THAT DATE. APPROPRIATE AMENDMENTS ARE MADE BY CLAUSE 6 TO DEFINITIONS IN SECTION 3 OF THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE (CAP 1).
CLAUSES 11 AND 12 REDUCE FROM 21 TO 18 THE AGE AT WHICH A PERSON CAN MAKE A VALID WILL. CLAUSE 13 MAKES A SIMILAR REDUCTION IN THE AGE AT WHICH A PERSON IS CAPABLE OF BEING APPOINTED A DIRECTOR OF A COMPANY.
AT PRESENT, A PERSON ENTERING INTO A GUARANTEE OF AN OBLIGATION INCURRED BY A MINOR MAY AVOID LIABILITY FOR THE MINOR’S FAILURE TO FULFILL HIS OBLIGATION BY VIRTUE OF HIS MINORITY. CLAUSE 3 PROVIDES THAT A GUARANTEE SHOULD NO LONGER BE UNENFORCEABLE AGAINST THE GUARANTOR FOR THAT REASON ALONE.
WHERE A MINOR OBTAINS PROPERTY UNDER A CONTRACT WHICH IS UNENFORCEABLE AGAINST HIM BECAUSE OF HIS MINORITY, THE OTHER PARTY TO THE CONTRACT IS AT A DISADVANTAGE BECAUSE HE CANNOT RECOVER HIS PROPERTY IF THE MINOR RENEGES ON HIS CONTRACT. CLAUSE 4 PROVIDES A REMEDY TO THE OTHER PARTY IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES EMPOWERING THE COURT TO REQUIRE (IF IT IS JUST AND EQUITABLE TO DO SO) THE MINOR TO MAKE RESTITUTION TO THE OTHER PARTY.
/SECTION 46 .......
FRIDAY, JUKE 9, 1989
8 -
SECTION 46 OF THE DISTRICT COURT ORDINANCE (CAP 366 I PRCtVIDES THAT NO PERSON CAN PLEAD MINORITY AS A DEFENCE TO LIABILITY FOR ANY DEBT, DAMAGES OR DEMAND FALLING WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE DISTRICT COURT AS IT WAS BEFORE THE INCREASE EFFECTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) ORDINANCE 1988. CLAUSE 17 AMENDS SECTION 46 SO THAT IT WILL NOT APPLY IN RESPECT OF ANY AGREEMENT MADE AFTER THE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF THE BILL. THE SECTION WILL CONTINUE TO APPLY TO AGREEMENTS MADE BEFORE THAT DATE.
WHERE THERE IS A REFERENCE TO A SPECIFIC AGE IN YEARS, THE OPPORTUNITY HAS BEEN TAKEN IN A NUMBER OF ORDINANCES TO SUBSTITUTE A REFERENCE TO "FULL AGE". THIS WILL FACILITATE ANY FUTURE AMENDMENT SINCE IT WILL ONLY BE NECESSARY TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "FULL AGE" IN THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE (CAP 1).
TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS IN THE BILL PROVIDE THAT A REFERENCE TO THE AGE OF 21 IN COURT ORDERS ALREADY IN FORCE RELATING TO MONEY RECOVERED BY OR ON BEHALF OF AN INFANT SHOULD BE READ AS A REFERENCE TO AGE 18 UNDER CLAUSE 19.
WHEN CONSIDERING THE VALIDITY OF A DISPOSITION UNDER ANY INSTRUMENT MADE BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT DATE AS FAR AS PERMISSIBLE PERIODS FOR ACCUMULATION OF INCOME UNDER THE PERPETUITIES AND ACCUMULATIONS ORDINANCE (CAP 257) ARE CONCERNED, THE AGE OF MAJORITY WILL CONTINUE TO BE 21 (CLAUSE 22).
LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS INCORPORATED INTO ANY DOCUMENT EXECUTED BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT DATE ARE TO BE CONSTRUED AS IF THE AGE OF MAJORITY REMAINED AT 21 (CLAUSE 2).
-------0---------
HONG KONG SUPPORTS PROPOSED BAN ON NEW IVORY t * « t *
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED ITS SUPPORT FOR THE BAN ON THE TRADE IN NEW IVORY PROPOSED RECENTLY BY A NUMBER OF THE MEMBER COUNTRIES OF THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES). I
THE BAN WAS PROPOSED IN AN ATTEMPT TO HALT A CONTINUING DECLINE IN AFRICAN ELEPHANT NUMBERS.
MAKING THE ANNOUNCEMENT. THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (CONSERVATION AND COUNTRY PARKS) OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR K.C. IU, SAID THE CITES CURRENTLY LISTED THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT AS AN APPENDIX II SPECIES AND THIS MEANT THAT ITS COMMERCIAL TRADE, INCLUDING IVORY TUSKS, WAS PERMISSIBLE SUBJECT TO STRICT LICENSING CONTROL TO PREVENT OVER-EXPLOITATION.
/"THE PROPOSED
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 1989
"THE PROPOSED BAN ON NEW IVORY WOULD THEN BE EFFECTED BY UPGRADING THE SPECIES FROM CITES APPENDIX II TO APPENDIX I TO PROHIBIT THE TRADE IN NEW IVORY." HE SAID.
MR IU POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALWAYS COMPLIED FULLY WITH ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER CITES WITH REGARD TO ENDANGERED SPECIES. THIS INCLUDED STRICT CONTROL ON IVORY.
HE SAID THAT HONG KONG HAD BEEN FULLY COMMITTED TO THE CONSERVATION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES AND IN VIEW OF THE CONTINUED DECLINE IN THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT POPULATION. THE GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN A DECISION TO SUPPORT THE PROPOSED BAN FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH THE LOCAL IVORY TRADERS ASSOCIATION AND WORKERS UNION.
THE GOVERNMENT, HOWEVER. SHARED THE GRAVE CONCERN OF THE IVORY TRADERS ABOUT THE LARGE STOCKS OF LEGALLY-ACQUIRED IVORY THEY CURRENTLY HELD.
"THEY HAVE EXPRESSED THEIR VIEWS THAT THE OLD STOCKS ACQUIRED BEFORE THE PROPOSED BAN TAKES EFFECT, SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO BE TRADED AND EXPORTED.
"FURTHERMORE, THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF PEOPLE BEING EMPLOYED IN THE TRADE, MOST OF WHOM WOULD HAVE DIFFICULTIES IN FINDING ALTERNATIVE EMPLOYMENT BECAUSE OF THEIR AGE AND RESTRICTED SKILL," MR IU ADDED.
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, AS A PARTY TO CITES, HAS BEEN ADOPTING A STRICT CONTROL SYSTEM OVER IVORY SINCE 1978.
THE CONTROL WAS STRENGTHENED IN AUGUST LAST YEAR BY PROHIBITING THE IMPORT OF WORKED IVORY UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY CITES-APPROVED DOCUMENTS AND A VALID LICENCE ISSUED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
"THE GOVERNMENT HAS RECENTLY TAKEN ITS STRICT CONTROL ONE STEP FURTHER BY INTRODUCING THOROUGH REGISTRATION AND MARKING OF RAW IVORY AND LARGE CUT PIECES ACQUIRED BEFORE 1986," MR IU SAID.
ALL IVORY STOCKS ACQUIRED AFTER JANUARY 1986 HAD ALREADY BEEN REGISTERED AND MARKED.
"IN ADDITION, A SPECIAL TASK FORCE WAS FORMED EARLY THIS MONTH BY THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT IN CLOSE CO-ORDINATION WITH THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, TO INVESTIGATE AND SUPPRESS ANY ILLEGAL IVORY IMPORT OR EXPORT THROUGH HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
FRIDAY. JUNE 9. 1989
BILLS AGAINST MARINE POLLUTION GAZETTED ♦ * t * ♦
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) GAZETTED TWO NEW MERCHANT SHIPPING BILLS DEALING WITH THE SUBJECT OF MARINE POLLUTION.
THE TWO BILLS ARE THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF POLLUTION) BILL 1989 AND THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (LIABILITY AND COMPENSATION FOR OIL POLLUTION) BILL 1989.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SAID: ’’THE PURPOSE OF THE NEW BILLS IS TO REPLACE EXISTING UNITED KINGDOM ENACTMENTS. WHICH ALREADY APPLY HERE. WITH EQUIVALENT HONG KONG LEGISLATION IN ORDER TO ENABLE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME CONVENTIONS ON MARINE POLLUTION TO CONTINUE TO APPLY TO HONG KONG REGISTERED SHIPS UP TO AND BEYOND 1997.”
THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF POLLUTION) BILL 1989 EMPOWERS THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE SUCH MEASURES ON THE HIGH SEAS AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO PREVENT, MITIGATE OR ELIMINATE DANGER TO ITS COASTLINE FROM MARINE POLUTION BY OIL AND OTHER SUBSTANCES, OR THE THREAT OF SUCH POLLUTION, FROM A MARITIME CASUALTY.
THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (LIABILITY AND COMPENSATION FOR OIL POLLUTION) BILL 1989 IMPOSES CIVIL LIABILITY ON SHIPOWNERS FOR POLLUTION DAMAGE IN HONG KONG CAUSED BY THE ESCAPE OF OIL. WHETHER THE CASUALTY TAKE PLACE WITHIN OR OUTSIDE HONG KONG WATERS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE BILL ALSO EXTENDED SUCH LIABILITY TO POLLUTION DAMAGE FROM THE SAME INCIDENT TO ANY ADJACENT CONVENTION COUNTRY.
IT ALSO REQUIRED CERTAIN SHIPS TO CARRY' VALILD CERTIFICATES OF INSURANCE COVERING THE LIABILITY. HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
DRAFT AMENDMENTS TO WONG NAI CHUNG OZP
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT WONG NAI CHUNG OUTLINE ZONING PLAN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD EXPLAINED THAT THE AMENDMENTS WERE NECESSARY TO PUT DEVELOPMENT IN THE WONG NAI CHUNG AREA UNDER FIRMER STATUTORY CONTROL.
WONG NAI CHUNG IS A RATHER UNIQUE RESIDENTIAL AREA AND SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT CONTROLS HAVE LONG BEEN INTRODUCED ON AN ADMINISTRATIVE BASIS TO PRESERVE ITS CHARACTER.
/THESE SPECIAL
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 1989
THESE SPECIAL CONTROL AREAS ARE MAINLY CONCERNED WITH BUILDING HEIGHT. PLOT RATIO AND SITE COVERAGE RESTRICTIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN IMPOSED THROUGH THE LEASES FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS. SUCH AS THE LIMITED CAPACITY OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE NEED TO PRESERVE VIEWS AND MAINTAIN THE EXISTING CHARACTER AND AMENITY OF THE AREAS.
FOLLOWING A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW. THE BOARD HAS DECIDED TO INCORPORATE THESE DEVELOPMENT RESTRICTIONS INTO THE STATUTORY PLAN FOR MORE EFFECTIVE CONTROL.
THE PUBLIC EXHIBITION OF THESE RESTRICTIONS UNDFR THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE ALSO ALLOW THE PUBLIC AN OPPORTUNITY TO KNOW OF AND COMMENT ON THESE RESTRICTIONS IF THEY FEEL NECESSARY.
TO ACHIEVE THE OBJECTIVE. VARIOUS SUB-AREAS OF THE 'RESIDENTIAL (GROUP BI' AND THE 'RESIDENTIAL (GROUP C)' ZONES HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED WITH DETAILED DEVELOPMENT RESTRICTIONS FOR EACH SUB-AREA SPECIFIED IN THE REVISED NOTES OF THE PLAN.
PROVISION IS ALSO MADE IN THE REVISED PLAN FOR MINOR RELAXATION OF THE STATED DEVELOPMENT RESTRICTIONS THROUGH THE SECTION 16 PLANNING APPLICATION PROCEDURE.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROVISION IS TO ALLOW THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TO CONSIDER DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS WHICH DO NOT STRICTLY COMPLY WITH THE STATED DEVELOPMENT RESTRICTIONS SO AS TO ENCOURAGE IMAGINATIVE DESIGNS ADAPTED TO THE CHARACTERISTICS OF PARTICULAR SITES. EACH PROPOSAL WILL BE CONSIDERED STRICTLY ON ITS MERITS.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO CLARIFIED THAT BUILDING PROPOSALS APPROVED BY THE BUILDING AUTHORITY BEFORE TODAY WERE NOT AFFECTED BY THE NEW DEVELOPMENT RESTRICTIONS AND BUILDING WORKS MAY PROCEED ACCORDING TO THE APPROVED BUILDING PLANS.
OTHER AMENDMENTS TO THE PLAN INCLUDE THE EXTENSION OF THE SOUTHERN BOUNDARY OF THE PLANNING SCHEME AREA TO INCORPORATE THE AREA BETWEEN TAI HANG ROAD AND WONG NAI CHUNG GAP ROAD WHICH IS PART AND PARCEL OF THE WONG NAI CHUNG AREA BUT HAS HITHERTO NOT BEEN INCLUDED TN THE SUBJECT STATUTORY PLAN.
THIS IS ONLY TO COMPLETE THE STATUTORY PLANNING COVERAGE FOR THE AREA. THE EXISTING PATTERN OF USES OF WHICH WILL BE MAINTAINED.
FOLLOWING A LAND USE REVIEW, AN AREA ON THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF KING KWONG STREET HAS BEEN REZONED FROM 'RESIDENTIAL (GROUT’ Bl’ TO 'RESIDENTIAL (GROUP A)’ TO PERMIT THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMERCIAL USES ON THE LOWER FLOORS OF BUILDINGS ALONG THE STREET.
THE ZONING OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB STABLE SITE AT SHAN KWONG ROAD HAS ALSO BEEN AMENDED TO PERMIT THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PRIVATE SPORTS RECREATION COMPLEX AS WELL AS A PUBLIC OPEN SPACE WHICH IS MUCH NEEDED IN THE AREA.
/THE AMENDMENT........
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 1989
12 -
THE AMENDMENT PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 4TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG; AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE (WAN CHAI), 201 HENNESSY ROAD, TUNG WAH MANSION, GROUND FLOOR, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON IN WRITING TO THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, BY NOT LATER THAN
AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENTS MAY SUBMIT HIS OBJECTION SECRETARY, TOWN PLANNING BOARD C/O BUILDINGS AND 4TH FLOOR MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG JUNE 29, 1989.
COPIES OF THE AMENDMENT PLAN ARE AVAILABLE AT THE MAP SALE! SECTION, SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND THE KOWLOON MAP AND PLAN SALES SECTION. 382, NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON AT A COST OF $10 PER UNCOLOURED COPY AND $60 PER COLOURED COPY.
-------0---------
WIDER PUBLICITY ON OUTDOOR SPORTS SAFETY *****
THE DISSEMINATION OF WRITTEN INFORMATION CONCERNING OUTDOOR SPORTS SAFETY CAN BE MORE FLEXIBLY AND EFFECTIVELY CARRIED OUT BY MEANS OF INDIVIDUAL SAFETY LEAFLETS FOR EACH ACTIVITY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON SAFETY IN OUTDOOR PURSUITS, MR ROBERT WILSON, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE COMMITTEE’S WORK AND PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES, MR WILSON SAID IT HAD IDENTIFIED A NUMBER OF HIGHER RISK ACTIVITIES.
’’WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF THE RELEVANT GOVERNING BODIES, THE COMMITTEE WILL BE PUBLISHING SAFETY LEAFLETS FOR EACH ACTIVITY,” HE SAID.
THE LEAFLETS, IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, WOULD BE PUBLISHED IN SUFFICIENT QUANTITIES TO ENABLE THEM TO BE WIDELY DISTRIBUTED.
THIS WOULD ENSURE THAT APPROPRIATE SAFETY INFORMATION WOULD BE EASILY AVAILABLE AND THAT IT WAS DRAWN TO THE ATTENTION OF THOSE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO NEEDED IT, HE SAID.
THE COMMITTEE ON SAFETY IN OUTDOOR PURSUITS, FUNCTIONING UNDER THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT, WAS FORMED TO CONSIDER SAFETY MATTERS AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COUNCIL AND TO OTHER ORGANISATIONS.
MR WILSON SAID THE COMMITTEE HAD PUBLISHED A REPORT ON LEARN TO SWIM CLASSES LAST YEAR AND THIS WAS SENT TO VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF ITS RECOMMENDATIONS, AFTER ENDORSEMENT BY THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT EARLY THIS YEAR.
/NO PUBLICITY
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 1989
ON PUBLICITY ARRANGEMENTS TO PROMOTE SAFETY MESSAGES. HE SAID A NUMBER OF TELEVISION ANNOUNCEMENTS HAD BEEN SCREENED REGARDING THE DANGERS OF EXHAUSTION BROUGHT ON BY HEAT OR COLD. ON THE IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING TO SWIM, AS WELL AS ON BOATING SAFETY.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING PARTY ON THE 1989 WATER SPORTS SAFETY CAMPAIGN, MR JOHN FORTUNE, SAID THAT LAST YEAR THERE WERE 944 SWIMMING RELATED ACCIDENTS. THE MAJORITY OF WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF PROPER PRECAUTIONS WERE TAKEN AND COMMON SENSE USED.
HE URGED PARENTS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR CHILDREN’S SAFETY WHEN AT BEACHES OR SWIMMING POOLS, EVEN WHEN LIFEGUARDS WERE PRESENT.
ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS SCHOOLS, DISCIPLINED SERVICES. STAFF SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS, THE REGIONAL AND URBAN COUNCILS AND YLL ORGANISATIONS THAT CONDUCTED SWIMMING TRAINING AND COMPETITIONS MUST ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THE PARTICIPANTS, HE SAID.
HE EMPHASISED THAT IT WAS SAFE TO SWIM ONLY WHERE THERE WERE PROPER SAFETY PRECAUTIONS TAKEN.
"EACH YEAR WE MOUNT A WATER SPORTS SAFETY CAMPAIGN IN OUR ENDEAVOURS TO PERSUADE PEOPLE TO USE THEIR COMMON SENSE. LEARN TO SWIM PROPERLY WITH A GOOD INSTRUCTOR, BUT MOST OF ALL TO PLAY SAFE," MR FORTUNE ADDED.
TO REINFORCE THE MESSAGE, A WATER SPORTS SAFETY DAY WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (JUNE 11) AT THE TSIM SIM TSUI PROMENADE.
\LL TYPES OF WATER ACTIVITY SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL EQUIPMENT WILL BE DISPLAYED AND VESSELS FROM THE ROYAL NAVY, POLICE. MARINE DEPARTMENT, FIRE SERVICES AND GENERAL SPORTING ASSOCIATIONS WILL TAKE PART.
TURNING TO LAND SPORTS SAFETY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING PARTY ON THE 1989 LAND SPORTS SAFETY CAMPAIGN, MR PADDY BIRNEY, SAID IGNORANCE AND LACK OF CARE WERE OFTEN THE PRIME CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS IN SPORT.
MR BIRNEY SAID THAT PLANNING FOR THE NEW CAMPAIGN WAS UNDERWAY.
THE CAMPAIGN THIS YEAR WOULD ADOPT A NEW APPROACH TO FOCUS ON CERTAIN SPORTS. NAMELY HILL WALKING AND MOUNTAINEERING, AND CROSS-COUNTRY EXPEDITIONS.
THE LAND SPORTS COMMITTEE WOULD CONSIDER ORGANISING A "WALK FOR SAFETY" IN ORDER TO GET THE SAFETY MESSAGE ACROSS TO A WIDER AUDIENCE, HE ADDED.
--------0----------
/14........
FRIDAY, JUNE 9. 1989
14
INSPECTORS APPOINTED INTO AFFAIRS OF MANDARIN RESOURCES CORPN
******
A GOVERNFMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, IN EXERCISE OF THE POWERS CONFERRED ON HIM BY SECTION 143(11(0 OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 32), HAS
\PPOINTED MR DAVID JORDAN. A PARTNER IN KWAN CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS AND MR ROBERT INSPECTORS TO INVESTIGATE THE AFFAIRS OF CORPORATION LIMITED.
WONG TAN AND FONG, KOTEWALL, QC, AS MANDARIN RESOURCES
-------0----------
TEACHERS' CENTRE OPENS TOMORROW
* * * *
THE HONG KONG TEACHERS’ CENTRE SET UP TO PROMOTE PROFESSIONALISM OF THE TEACHING PROFESSION WILL. BE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. MRS RITA FAN. TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE CENTRE WILL BECOME A FOCAL POINT FOR TEACHERS TO MEET AND EXCHANGE IDEAS AND SHARE EXPERIENCE AS WELL AS TO ORGANISE ACTIVITIES FOR TEACHERS.
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI WILL ALSO ATTEND THE OPENING CEREMONY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG TEACHERS' CENTRE AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD. NORTH POINT. AT 10.30 AM TOMORROW.
-------0----------
/15........
IRIL'AY. JUNE 9. 1989
- 15 -
CYCLING RULES FOR CHILDREN TO BE RELAXED t t t * »
A BILL SEEKING TO ALLOW YOUNG CHILDREN TO CYCLE UNACCOMPANIED r.Y \N \DULT IN CERTAIN AREAS IDENTIFIED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
UNDER THF EXISTING ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE. FOR SAFETY REASONS. NO PERSON CAN ALLOW A CHILD UNDER 11 YEARS OF AGE To CYCLE ON A ROAD UNACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT OR HIRE A BICYCLE OR TRICYCLE TO THE CH ILD.
HOWEVER. WITH THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF OFF-ROAD CYCLING FACILITIES WHERE CHILDREN CAN CYCLE SAFELY. THESE RESTRICTIONS DEFEAT THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING SUCH CYCLING FACILITIES AND APPEAR INCONSISTENT WITH THE POLICY OF ENCOURAGING YOUNG CHILDREN TO USE THESE FACILITIES.
THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT)(NO.2) BILL 1989 THEREFORE PROPOSES THAT UNACCOMPAN 1 ED CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 11 BE ALLOWED 1'0 RIDE A BICYCLE OR TRICYCLE IN OFF-ROAD AREAS WHICH THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT CONSIDERS SUITABLE.
THESE AREAS WILL BE SIGNPOSTED WITH THE TRAFFIC SIGN "CYCLES ONLY" OR FOOTWAY AND CYCLEWAY" TOGETHER WITH A NEW SIGN. UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN PERMITTED".
PEOPLE WILL ALSO BE ALLOWED TO HIRE BICYCLES OR TRICYCLES TO THESE CHILDREN IN THESE AREAS AND THE IMMEDIATE ADJOINING LAND WHERE THE USE OF MOTOR VEHICLES IS BANNED.
THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SOON.
THE ROAD TRAFFIC (TRAFFIC CONTROL) REGULATIONS WILL ALSO BE AMENDED TO INCLUDE THE "UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN PERMITTED" SIGN AND TO REI\X THE STRICT SINGLE FILE RULE FOR CYCLISTS IN THE OFF-ROAD SEGREGATED CYCLING AREAS ON WHICH THE TRAFFIC SIGN "CYCLES ONLY" OR "FOOTWAY AND CYCLEWAY" HAS BEEN ERECTED.
-------0----------
/16........
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 1989
- 16 -
MAGISTRATES VISIT FACTORY ♦ * * * *
FIVE MAGISTRATES VISITED A CAMERA PRODUCTION FACTORY IN NORTH POINT TODAY (FRIDAY) TO GATHER FIRST HAND INFORMATION ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.
THE VISIT WAS PART OF A PROGRAMME ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TO ENABLE MAGISTRATES TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES THE PROBLEMS OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY IN VARIOUS INDUSTRIES.
TAKING PART IN TODAY’S VISIT WERE MR W. BANKS AND MR I. CANDY FROM THE CENTRAL MAGISTRACY; MR R. WALTERS FROM THE NORTH KOWLOON MAGISTRACY: MR D.I. THOMAS FROM THE KWUN TONG MAGISTRACY: AND MR S.K. WONG FROM THE TSL’EN WAN MAGISTRACY.
ACCOMPANIED BY A SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER AND A DIVISIONAL FACTORY INSPECTOR, THE MAGISTRATES TOURED THE FACTORY WHICH MANUFACTURES MAINLY CAMERAS, BINOCULARS AND ALLIED OPTICAL PRODUCTS.
THEY NOTED THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF PLASTIC INJECTION MOULDING MACHINES AND LENS PROCESSING MACHINES WERE USED IN THE PRODUCTION WORK.
THE MAGISTRATES WERE ALSO BRIEFED ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY MEASURES TAKEN BY THE FACTORY WHICH HAD CONTRIBUTED TO THE LOW ACCIDENT RATE IN THE FACTORY IN THE PAST YEARS.
---------------0-------- DB MEMBERS VISIT TYPHOON SHELTER *****
YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS TODAY (FRIDAY) TOURED THE YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER, WHICH WILL BE DECLARED A CLOSED AREA FOR DWELLING-BOATS ON JULY 7.
THE VISIT WAS AIMED AT ENABLING THE MEMBERS TO HAVE FIRST HAND INFORMATION ON THE LICENSED AND UNLICENSED DWELLING-BOATS BEFORE HEARING A REPORT ON THE LATEST PROGRESS OF A PLAN TO CLEAR THE SHELTER. THIS REPORT WILL BE GIVEN AT THE BOARD’S BI-MONTHLY MEETING NEXT FRIDAY (JUNE 16).
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. MR YIP WAH, SAID AFTER THE VISIT THAT THE BOARD SUPPORTED THE CLEARANCE. ADDING THIS WOULD BENEFIT THE INCREASING NUMBER OF LIGHTERS USING THE SHELTER.
AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP IS LOOKING AFTER THE REHOUSING AND OTHER NEEDS OF FAMILIES LIVING IN THE SHELTER.
/FAMILIES FROM .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 1989
- 17 -
FAMILIES FROM LICENSED DWELLING-BOATS ARE BEING OFFERED REHOUSING IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES OR URBAN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, ACCORDING TO THEIR ELIGIBILITY.
FAMILIES FROM UNLICENSED DWELLING-BOATS WILL BE REHOUSED IN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES IF THEY SURRENDER THEIR BOATS TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.
THE YAU TS1M DISTRICT OFFICE HAS RECENTLY MADE ARRANGEMENTS FOR SOME OF THESE FAMILIES TO VISIT TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS IN FANLING, TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG AND SAI KUNG.
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO LOOK AFTER HOUSE-BOAT DWELLERS' OTHER NEEDS.
------0 ------
APPOINTMENTS TO CIVIL SERVICE STANDING COMMISSION
*****
THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED TWO NEW MEMBERS TO THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, IT WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE TWO NEW MEMBERS ARE MR BRIAN BARRETT AND MR NICHOLAS CHIU.
MR BARRETT IS CURRENTLY HEAD OF THE BUSINESS FACULTY. EAST ASIA OPEN INSTITUTE. HE HAS HAD EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN HANDLING INDUSTRIAL RELATION DISPUTES AND NEGOTIATIONS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND WAS NOMINATED BY THE STAFF SIDE OF THE SENIOR CIVIL SERVICE COUNCIL TO SIT ON THE RECENT COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY ON CIVIL SERVICE PAY.
MR CHIU IS THE COMMUNITY AND EMPLOYEE RELATIONS MANAGER OF EXXON ENERGY LTD. HE HAS PARTICIPATED IN VARIOUS COMMUNITY SERVICES SUCH AS THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE IN RECENT YEARS. HE IS KNOWLEDGEABLE IN THE FIELD OF STAFF REMUNERATION.
THE GOVERNOR HAS ALSO RE-APPOINTED MR DAVID MORRIS, WHO HAS SERVED ON THE STANDING COMMISSION FOR TWO YEARS.
THE TERM OF APPOINTMENT FOR ALL THREE MEMBERS WILL BE FOR TWO YEARS WITH EFFECT FROM JULY 1 THIS YEAR.
THE STANDING COMMISSION ADVISES THE GOVERNMENT ON THE PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES GOVERNING THE PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE OF THE NON-DIRECTORATE CIVIL SERVICE OTHER THAN THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES.
-------0----------
/18
FRIDAY. JUNE 9, 1989
- 18 -
BILL ON PRIVILEGES. IMMUNITIES FOR RED CROSS DELEGATION t » » t *
A BILL SEEKING TO GRANT CERTAIN PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES TO THE REGIONAL DELEGATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS IN HONG KONG WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES (INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS) BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JULY 5.
THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS IS A HUMANITARIAN ORGANISATION BASED IN SWITZERLAND. WHOSE FUNCTIONS INCLUDE THE CARE OF PRISONERS OF WAR AND THE PROVISION OF RELIEF TO DISASTER VICTIMS.
-------o ---------
SEMINAR ON FOOD HYGIENE AND NUTRITION t ♦ * ♦ t
A SEMINAR ON FOOD HYGIENE AND NUTRITION WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO MARK THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY ’89.
A HEALTH INSPECTOR FROM THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND A DIETICIAN FROM THE PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL WILL SPEAK AT THE SEMINAR.
OFFICIATING AT THE FUNCTION WILL BE MEMBER OF THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY WORKING GROUP AND URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR MAN SAI-CHEONG; MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS LORNA MA, AND DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHOW CHUN-FAI.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINAR AND THE CLOSING CEREMONY AT 2.30 PM ON THE TENTH FLOOR OF FA YUEN STREET URBAN COUNCIL COMPLEX, MONG KOK.
-------0---------
/19........
FRIDAY, JUNE 9. 1989
- 19 -
SPECIAL STAMPS ON PAINTING. SCULPTURE * t * » *
A SET OF SPECIAL STAMPS - MODERN PAINTINGS AND SCULPTURES OF HONG KONG - WILL BE ISSUED ON JULY 19. THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THIS SET OF FOUR STAMPS DEPICTS VARIOUS PAINTINGS AND SCULPTURES BY FOUR LEADING HONG KONG ARTISTS. EACH OF THEM HAS HIS OWN DISTINCTIVE STYLE OF ARTISTIC EXPRESSION.
THE FOUR ITEMS CHOSEN FOR DEPICTION ON STAMPS ARE REPRESENTATIVE EXAMPLES OF THE ARTISTS’ WORK IN THE AREAS OF MEDIUM. SUBJECT MATTER AND ARTISTIC STYLE.
CHEUNG YEE (BORN 1936). TWIN. 1965. WOOD. (60 CENT STAMP).
THIS SCULPTURE WAS INSPIRED BY THE CHINESE CHARACTER FOR TWIN AND REVEALS A PRIMITIVE FEELING THROUGH THE TREATMENT OF WOOD AND THE SUBJECT MATTER.
LUIS CHAN (BORN 1905). FIGURES. 1965-85. ACRYLIC ON PAPER ($1.40 STAMP).
IN THIS PAINTING, INK LINES ARE APPLIED TO OUTLINE THE FIGURES. WHICH ARE JUXTAPOSED. EVERY FACE OF THE FIGURES TELLS A STORY. A CLOSER LOOK INTO THESE CARTOON-LIKE IMAGES MAY LEAD ONE TO DISCOVER A COMPLEX PSYCHOLOGICAL WORLD.
VAN LAU (BORN 1933). LOTUS. 1986. COPPER. ($1.80 STAMP).
THE LOTUS DEPICTED ON THE STAMP IS ONE OF THE ARTIST’S ENDEAVOURS IN REPRESENTING CHINESE SUBJECT MATTERS IN THREE-DIMENSIONAL FORM.
LUI SHOU-KWAN (1919-1975). ZEN PAINTNG. 1970. INK AND COLOUR ON PAPER. ($5.00 STAMP).
THIS PAINTING REFLECTS THE PHILOSOPHY OF ZEN THROUGH THE IMAGE OF LOTUS. THE BLACK HORIZONTAL BOLD STROKES OF INK MAY BE REGARDED AS MUD IN THE POND.
THE STAMPS WERE DESIGNED BY MR KAN TAI-KEUNG AND PRINTED BY ECSCHEDE OF HOLLAND.
OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVERS AT 50 CENTS EACH WILL BE PLACED ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES ON JULY 5. FURTHER DETAILS WILL BE ANNOUNCED CLOSER TO THE DATE OF ISSUE.
-------0 --------
/2O........
FRIDAY, JUNE 9. 1989
TEMPORARY FERRY CONCOURSE FOR HUNG HOM
*****
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TEMPORARY FERRY CONCOURSE AND ASSOCIATED ROADWORKS AT HUNG HOM BAY RECLAMATION PHASE II.
THE WORKS COMPRISE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TEMPORARY ' FERRY CONCOURSE, COVERED WALKWAYS, A PUBLIC TOILET, ABOUT 320 METRES OF DUAL CARRIAGEWAY AND ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE AND LANDSCAPING WORKS.
ON COMPLETION, THE CONCOURSE WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING FERRY CONCOURSE AT HUNG HOM AND ENABLE THE REMAINING PHASE II RECLAMATION WORKS AT HUNG HOM BAY TO PROCEED.
THE CONTRACT IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER AND TAKE 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE PORT WORKS DIVISION, OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT, EIGHTH FLOOR, EMPIRE CENTRE, 68 MODY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON JUNE 30.
- - 0 - -
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY * * * *
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED GRADES ON THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF ALL BATHING BEACHES IN HONG KONG.
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE GRADING SYSTEM WAS TO INFORM SWIMMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE STATE OF BACTERIAL POLLUTION AT VARIOUS BEACHES.
THE GRADING WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT BIWEEKLY INTERVALS DURING THE BATHING SEASON. TO COINCIDE WITH THE FREQUENCY AT WHICH BEACH WATERS ARE USUALLY SAMPLED.
THE GRADING IS BASED ON THE MOST RECENT BACTERIA DATA OBTAINED BY THE EPD IN ITS ROUTINE MONITORING PROGRAMME.
THIS YEAR, FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE GRADING ALSO INCLUDES AN ESTIMATE OF THE RISK OF SUFFERING SOME MINOR SKIN OR GASTROINTESTINAL COMPLAINTS AS A RESULT OF SWIMMING AT A BEACH WHICH HAS SOME DEGREE OF POLLUTION.
/THE ESTIMATE
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 1989
- 21
THE ESTIMATE IS BASED ON A VERY LARGE BODY OF STATISTICAL INFORMATION GATHERED IN HONG KONG IN RECENT BATHING SEASONS.
THE GRADING OF SOME BEACHES MAY VARY DURING THE SUMMER. THIS REPRESENTS A NATURAL FLUCTUATION IN THE BACTERIAL QUALITY OF BATHING WATERS IN MOST CASES, AS RAIN AND TIDES BRING MORE OR LESS POLLUTION TO THE BEACHES.
BATHING WATERS COMMONLY BECOME WORSE DUE TO HEAVY USAGE DURING THE SUMMER. HOWEVER, THE GRADES GIVE A GOOD GENERAL PICTURE OF THE WATER QUALITY AT BATHING BEACHES AT THE TIME OF REPORTING AND FORM THE BEST AVAILABLE FORECAST FOR THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.
THE SYSTEM FOR GRADING BEACH WATER QUALITY IS AS FOLLOWS:
"A" GRADE INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS GOOD. THE MEAN E.COLI COUNT IS LESS THAN 100 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS LESS THAN SEVEN CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1.000 SWIMMERS.
"B" GRADE INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS ACCEPTABLE. THE MEAN E.COLI COUNT IS LESS THAN 1,000 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS LESS THAN 18 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1.000 SWIMMERS.
"C" GRADE INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS POOR. THE MEAN E.COLI COUNT IS 1,000 OR MORE PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS 18 OR MORE CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1 ,'000 SWIMMERS.
THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO CLOSE A BEACH TO SWIMMERS IS BASED ON A JUDGEMENT OF WHAT DEGREE OF POLLUTION IS ACCEPTABLE.
NORMALLY, A RECOMMENDATION ON CLOSURE WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED BY THE URBAN OR REGIONAL COUNCIL IF A "C" GRADING OCCURRED REPEATEDLY, SO THAT THE AVERAGE HEALTH RISK OVER THE BATHING SEASON EXCEEDED 15 CASES PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
SIMILARLY, A RECOMMENDATION TO RE-OPEN A CLOSED BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED IF A "B" GRADE OR BETTER WERE CONSISTENTLY OBTAINED.
AT PRESENT, SIX BATHING BEACHES HAVE BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING PURPOSE, BASED ON THE WATER QUALITY DURING PAST SEASONS. THESE BEACHES ARE ANGLERS’, CASTLE PEAK, SILVERMINE BAY, OLD CAFETERIA. ROCKY BAY AND TING KAU.
THEY ARE POLLUTED BY FAECAL WASTES AND FAILED TO ACHIEVE CONSISTENTLY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION AND HONG KONG STANDARDS.
THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED NOT TO SWIM IN THESE SIX BEACHES. THEY ARE IDENTIFIED BY AN "X" IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE.
/THE GRADES
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 1989
22
THE GRADES ON THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF VARIOUS BEACHES IN HONG KONG AS AT TODAY AND TWO WEEKS AGO ARE LISTED BELOW :
BEACH LAST GRADING PRESENT* GRADING
(AS AT 25.5.89) (AS AT 9.6.89)
HONG KONG SOUTH
BIG WAVE BAY B B
CHUNG HOM KOK A A
DEEP WATER BAY A A
HAIRPIN B B
MIDDLE BAY A B
REPULSE BAY B B
SHEK 0 B B
SOUTH BAY A A
ST. STEPHEN’S A A
TURTLE COVE A B
STANLEY MAIN B B
ROCKY BAY X X
TO TEI WAN* A A
ISLANDS DISTRICT
CHEUNG SHA UPPER A A
CHEUNG SHA LOWER B B
DISCOVERY BAY* A A
HUNG SHING YEH A A
KWUN YAM WAN A A
TONG FUK A A
/LO SO SHING ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 3
- 25 -
LO SO SHING A A
A A
PUI O A
Y X
SILVERNINE BAY x
TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU B B
A
TUNG O* a
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
A B
CAMPERS H
n
CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH B
CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND BEACH A A
A A
HAP MUN BAY A
A A
KIU TSUI A
a A
PAK SHA CHAU A
n B
SILVERSTRAND b
g
TRIO (HEBE HAVEN) B
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
v X
ANGLERS’ A
R B
APPROACH • b
R B
CASAM D
R A
GEMINI D
r B
HOI MEI WAN B
R B
LIDO B
y X
ting kau a
a A
TUNG WAN, MA WAN A
/TUEN MUN........
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 1>'89
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
OLD CAFETERIA
MEW CAFETERIA
CASTLE PEAK
KADOORIE
BUTTERFLY
"X" THE BEACH HAS BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING.
* NON-GAZETTED BEACHES.
THE FOLLOWING BEACHES HAVE CHANGED GRADING ON THIS OCCASION
GEMINI, FROM "B" TO "A"; MIDDLE BAY CAMPERS, FROM "A" TO "B".
TURTLE
COVE,
AN J
THE CHANGES FROM "B" TO "A" AND VICE VERSA ARE WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE OF FLUCTUATION OF THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF
THESE BEACHES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT MR PAUL HOLMES, PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (WATER POLICY) OF EPD, ON 5-8351234.
- - 0 - -
SUMMARY RESULTS OF 1987 SURVEY OF STORAGE, COMMUNICATIONS, FINANCING, INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES
* * * * *
ACCORDING TO THE SUMMARY RESULTS OF THE 1987 SURVEY OF STORAGE, COMMUNICATIONS, FINANCING, INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 194 STORAGE ESTABLISHMENTS WERE IN OPERATION DURING THE WHOLE OR PART OF 1987 (SAME AS 1986), WHICH ENGAGED A TOTAL OF 3,772 PERSONS (- 7 PER CENT).
THESE ESTABLISHMENTS GENERATED 81,388 MILLION OF BUSINESS RECEIPTS AND OTHER INCOME (+26 PER CENT), AND SPENT $232 MILLION ON COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES (+11 PER CENT) AND $871 MILLION ON OPERATING EXPENSES (+23 PER CENT).
/THE VALUE
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 1989
- 25 -
THE VALUE ADDED OF THIS SECTOR INCREASED BY 26 PER CENT TO $672 MILLION IN 1987. VALUE ADDED IS A MEASURE OF CONTRIBUTION OF AN ECONOMIC SECTOR TO HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.
ALL VALUE FIGURES IN THIS PRESS RELEASE ARE EXPRESSED IN CURRENT PRICE TERMS. PERCENTAGE CHANGES DERIVED FROM THESE FIGURES HAVE NOT BEEN ADJUSTED FOR PRICE INCREASES.
IN THE COMMUNICATIONS SECTOR WHICH INCLUDES TELEPHONE. TELEGRAPH. COURIER. RADIO-PAGING AND OTHER TELECOMMUNICATION COMPANIES, THERE WERE 201 ESTABLISHMENTS IN OPERATION IN 1987. AN INCREASE OF 11 PER CENT OVER 1986. HOWEVER, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED FELL BY 2 PER CENT TO 22,171.
COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES AMOUNTED TO $1,970 MILLION (+18 PER CENT) AND OPERATING EXPENSES TO $3,133 MILLION (+34 PER CENT). BUSINESS RECEIPTS AND OTHER INCOME INCREASED BY 24 PER CENT TO $9,956 MILLION, WHILE THE CONTRIBUTION OF THIS SECTOR TO THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT IN TERMS OF VALUE ADDED INCREASED BY 19 PER CENT TO $5,834 MILLION.
IN THE FINANCING SECTOR, 2,433 ESTABLISHMENTS WERE IN OPERATION DURING 1987, AN INCREASE OF 14 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 1986.
THIS SECTOR COMPRISES LOAN AND MORTGAGE COMPANIES, CREDIT INSTITUTIONS, FINANCE LEASING COMPANIES. PAWNSHOPS. INVESTMENT AND HOLDING COMPANIES, SECURITIES, FUTURES AND GOLD BULLION BROKERS AND DEALERS, MONEY CHANGERS AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE BROKERS AND DEALERS. COMPARED WITH 1986, THE SECTOR’S TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED WENT UP BY 24 PER CENT TO 26,464.
COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES AMOUNTED TO $3,687 MILLION (+49 PER CENT) AND OPERATING EXPENSES TO $11,376 MILLION (+45 PER CENT). BUSINESS RECEIPTS AND OTHER INCOME GREW BY 53 PER CENT TO $41,077 MILLION. WHILE THIS SECTOR’S VALUE ADDED INCREASED BY 14 PER CENT TO $5,831 MILLION.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE FINANCING SECTOR MENTIONED ABOVE EXCLUDES BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES WHICH ARE SEPARATELY COVERED UNDER THE 1987 SURVEY OF BANKS. DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES AND REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES OF FOREIGN BANKS, THE RESULTS OF WHICH HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE MARCH 1989 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS.
IN SUMMARY, THE NUMBER OF BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES IN OPERATION IN 1987 DECREASED BY 4 PER CENT TO 446 WHEN COMPARED WITH 1986. WAGES AND SALARIES PAID AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFITS OFFERED IN 1987 AMOUNTED TO $6,984 MILLION (+14 PER CENT) AND OPERATING EXPENSES TO $4,822 MILLION (+13 PER CENT).
NET INTEREST RECEIPTS (I.E. INTEREST RECEIVED MINUS INTEREST PAID) ROSE BY 34 PER CENT TO $16,583 MILLION, WHILE RECEIPTS FROM SERVICES RENDERED INCREASED BY 33 PER CENT TO $5,172 MILLION.
/IN THE
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 1989
- 26 -
IN THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR. THERE WERE 6.697 ESTABLISHMENTS IN OPERATION IN 1987. AN INCREASE OF 11 PER CENT OVER 1986. THIS SECTOR INCLUDES LEGAL. ACCOUNTING. AUDITING AND DATA PROCESSING FIRMS; COMPANIES ENGAGED IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND CONSULTANCY. ADVERTISING, DESIGNING. SECRETARIAL AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES; TECHNICAL SERVICES AND MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT RENTAL COMPANIES.
THEY ENGAGED A TOTAL OF 65.530 PERSONS. AN INCREASE OF 12 PER CENT OVER 1986. THEY SPENT $5,255 MILLION ON COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES (+32 PER CENT) AND $9,263 MILLION ON OPERATING EXPENSES (+29 PER CENT), AND GENERATED $19,026 MILLION OF BUSINESS RECEIPTS AND OTHER INCOME (+30 PER CENT).
THE SECTOR CONTRIBUTED $9,470 MILLION TO THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (+33 PER CENT), MEASURED IN TERMS OF VALUE ADDED.
IN THE INSURANCE SECTOR. WHICH INCLUDES GENERAL AND LIFE INSURERS. INSURANCE AGENTS AND COMPANIES PROVIDING OTHER INSURANCE-RELATED SERVICES, THE NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS INCREASED BY 35 PER CENT TO 1,426. WHILE THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED INCREASED BY 18 PER CENT TO 15,580.
THIS SECTOR GENERATED $12,078 MILLION OF BUSINESS RECEIPTS AND OTHER INCOME (+5 PER CENT). COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES AMOUNTED TO $1,499 MILLION AND OPERATING EXPENSES TO $1,114 MILLION, REPRESENTING INCREASES OF 38 PER CENT AND 23 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER 1986.
THE ACCOMPANYING TABLE COMPARES SOME SELECTED PRINCIPAL STATISTICS BY SECTOR BETWEEN 1986 AND 1987.
THE 1987 SURVEY WAS ONE IN A SERIES OF ANNUAL SURVEYS CONDUCTED FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASCERTAINING THE STRUCTURE AND OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE STORAGE, COMMUNICATIONS, FINANCING, INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTORS AND OF UPDATING THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT OF HONG KONG.
DATA COLLECTED IN THE SURVEY INCLUDED TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, FLOOR AREA, NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED, NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES, COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES, OPERATING EXPENSES. BUSINESS RECEIPTS AND OTHER INCOME, AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE.
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY OF THE SURVEY, TOGETHER WITH TABLES SHOWING THE PRINCIPAL STATISTICS FOR ALL ESTABLISHMENTS CLASSIFIED BY SERVICES GROUP/SECTOR AND ANALYSED BY VARIOUS ECONOMIC VARIABLES, ARE INCLUDED IN THE "1987 SURVEY OF STORAGE, COMMUNICATIONS, FINANCING, INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES” REPORT.
THIS REPORT WILL BE PUT ON SALE IN EARLY JULY 1988 AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; AND THE PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19/F., WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI .
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE TRANSPORT AND SERVICES STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. 5-8234926).
/27........
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 1989
Comparison of selected principal statistics for all establishments in the Storage, Communications, Financing, Insurance and Business Services Sectors between 1986 and 1987_____________________________
Sector Number of establishments Number of Persons engaged Number of employees Compensation of employees Operating expenses Business receipts and other income Value added
8 Mn. S Mn. 8 Mn. 8 Mn.
Storage 1987 194 3 772 3 755 231.7 871.1 1 387.9 672.0
1986 194 4 072 4 064 208.8 707.5 1 097.3 532.5
% change 0 -7 -8 ♦ 11 +23 ♦26 +26
Communications 1987 201 22 171 22 043 1 969.9 3 132.9 9 955.5 5 835.8
1986 181 22 665 22 535 1 671.5 2 542.5 8 023.7 4 895.4
% change ♦ 11 -2 -2 ♦18 +24 ♦19
Financing .1987 2 W 26 464 25 412 3 686.9 11 576.2 41 076.6 5 830.8
1986 2 141 21 262 20 244 2 **72.2 7 866.J 26 766.1 5 119.7
% change ♦ 14 ♦24 ♦26 ♦49 ♦45 ♦53 ♦14
Business services 1987 6 697 65 530 59 867 5 255.2 9 262.5 19 025.7 9 470.1
1986 6 043 58 272 53 016 3 990.1 7 203.5 14 584.7 7 128.6
% change ♦11 ♦ 12 ♦ 15 ♦32 ♦29 ♦30 ♦33
Insurance 1987 1 426 15 5«0 14 732 1 498.9 1 115.5 12 077.5 -
1986 1 053 13 235 12 616 1 086.9 903.9 11 460.8 -
% change ♦35 ♦ 18 ♦ 17 ♦38 ♦23 ♦5 -
Notes : (1) In the financing sector, value added was not compiled for investment and holding companies
due to the special features of their business operation. Hence, total value added for the sector did not include that of investment and holding companies.
(2) Financing sector excluded banks and deposit-taking companies.
(5) Value added was not compiled for the insurance sector.
(4) Figures denoting changes are derived from unrounded figures.
(5) Value added is a measure of the contribution of an economic sector to Hong Kong‘s Gross Domestic Product. The definition can be found in the ”1987 Survey of’Storage, Communications, Financing, Insurance and Business Services" report.
-------0----------
/28.......
FRIDAY. JUNE 9, 1989
- 28 -
TENDERS INVITED FOR TSUEN WAN ROAD PROJECT * * » t
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR ANOTHER ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AS PART OF THE TSUEN WAN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.
THE PROJECT WILL INVOLVE THE WIDENING. REALIGNMENT AND EXTENSION OF SECTIONS OF KWAN MUN HAU STREET AND LUEN YAN STREET BETWEEN CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND YEUNG UK ROAD.
THE CONTRACTOR IS ALSO REQUIRED TO CONSTRUCT A BOX CULVER UNDERNEATH LUEN YAN STREET AND MA TAU PA ROAD AND TWO FOOTBRIDGE COMPLEXES. ONE EACH AT CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND YEUNG UK ROAD.
ASSOCIATED WITH THESE WORKS WILL BE EXTENSIVE MODIFICATIONS TO THE KWAN MUN HAU STREET/CASTLE PEAK ROAD JUNCTION AND TO THE NEARBY-HAM TIN STREET. TSUEN FU STREET AND TSUEN WAH STREET.
WORKS IS EXPECTED TO START IN SEPTEMBER AND TAKE ABOUT TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.
THE DEADLINE OF SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON JULY 7.
-------0---------
PAYMENT OF CROWN RENTS * * * *
DEMAND NOTES HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR CROWN RENTS (A) FOR THE HALF-YEAR ENDING ON THE JUNE 24, 1989 IN RESPECT OF CROWN RENTS EXCEEDING $100.00 PER ANNUM AND (B) FOR THE FIVE YEARS ENDING ON THE JUNR 24. 1989 IN RESPECT OF CROWN RENTS NOT EXCEEDING $100.00 PER ANNUM AND TO BE PAID ONLY ONCE EVERY FIVE YEARS.
CROWN LESSEES WHO HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE ABOVE DEMAND NOTES SHOULD INQUIRE AT THE CROWN RENT SECTION, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING). 9TH FLOOR, 11 ICE HOUSE STREET. HONG KONG.
NON-RECEIPT OF THE DEMAND NOTE DOES NOT ALTER THE THAT THE ABOVE CROWN RENTS MUST BE PAID BY JUNE 24, 1989.
REQUIREMENT
TO AVOID THE POSSIBLE INCONVENIENCE OF QUEUEING. CROWN LESSEES ARE URGED TO PAY BY CHEQUE OR MONEY ORDER SENT BY POST OR BY EARLY PERSONAL ATTENDANCE AT ANY OF THE OFFICES LISTED ON THE BACK OF THE DEMAND NOTE.
/29........
FRIDAY. JUNE 9, 1989
- 29 -
YORK ROAD/HEREFORD ROAD FLYOVER PROJECT SHELVED ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO SHELVE THE YORK ROAD/HEREFORD ROAD FLYOVER PROJECT, WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY INTENDED TO FORM PART OF AN OVERALL SCHEME TO IMPROVE THE THROUGHPUT CAPACITY OF THE SECTION OF WATERLOO ROAD IN KOWLOON TONG.
A NOTICE ON THIS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PROPOSED PROJECT HAD BEEN ANNOUNCED IN THE GAZETTE ON NOVEMBER 28 AND DECEMBER 5, 1986.
HOWEVER. FOLLOWING RECENT REVIEWS OF TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AT THE LOCATION AND THE ANTICIPATED IMPROVEMENTS TO BE BROUGHT ABOUT BY OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREA, SUCH AS THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING. WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR AND TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL. IT HAD BEEN DECIDED TO SHELVE THE PROJECT FOR THE TIME BEING, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE NEED FOR THE PROJECT WOULD BE SUBJECT TO FURTHER REVIEWS AFTER THE OTHER PLANNED INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS WERE COMPLETED. HE ADDED.
-------0---------
NEW ROADS TO BE t ♦
BUILT IN FANLING * ♦ t
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PLANS TO CONSTRUCT ROAD TO PROVIDE VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS TO THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE PAK FUK TSUEN AREA IN FANLING.
THE PROPOSED WORKS INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF PART OF A DISTRICT DISTRIBUTOR ROAD D6. INTERNAL ROADS L39/1A AND L39/1B, A ROUNDABOUT. A PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE, A PEDESTRIAN/CYCLIST SUBWAY, FOOTPATHS AND CYCLE TRACKS. STREET FURNITURE AND ASSOCIATED STORMWATER AND FOUL DRAINAGE WORKS.
PERMANENT ALTERNATIVE ACCESSES WILL BE PROVIDED TO CATER FOR THE EXISTING ACCESSES THAT HAVE TO BE CLOSED.
DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, TEMPORARY ACCESSES WILL BE MAINTAINED SO THAT ANY INCOVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC WILL BE MINIMISED.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA LTD.. CONSULTING ENGINEERS, ON BEHALF OF THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
/A NOTICE .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 1989
- JO -
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN AND SCHEME OF THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE. CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG.
* NORTH DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING ROUNDABOUT. FANLING.
ANY PERSON WHO OBJECTS TO THE WORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING. SECOND FLOOR. LOWER ALBERT ROAD. HONG KONG, NOT LATER THAN AUGUST THIS YEAR.
-------0 ---------
ROAD WIDENING FOR HUNG SHIU KIU DEVELOPMENT
* * * * »
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO WIDEN A SECTION OF TAN KWAI TSUEN ROAD AND TO BUILD LOCAL ACCESS ROADS AS PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL AREA IN HUNG SHUI KIU.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID THAT THESE PROJECTS WOULD IMPROVE TRAFFIC MOVEMENT ON TAN KWAI TSUEN ROAD AND AT ITS JUNCTION WITH CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
THEY WOULD ALSO PROVIDE VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS TO THE PROPOSED NEW DEVELOPMENT AREA. WHICH INCLUDES TWO INTERLOCKED TYPE SECONDARY SCHOOLS, SOME OPEN SPACES AND SOME BUILDING LOTS SOUTHEAST OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
THE PROPOSED WORKS INCLUDE :
* WIDENING OF A SECTION OF TAN KWAI TSUEN ROAD, EXTENDING SOUTHWARDS FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH CASTLE PEAK ROAD AT . HUNG SHUI KIU AND CONSTRUCTION OF FOOTPATHS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD:
* CONSTRUCTION OF LOCAL ACCESS ROADS, FOOTPATHS, CYCLE TRACKS AND AN OPEN CAR/LORRY PARK, TOGETHER WITH ASSOCIATED AMENITY AREAS AND DRAINAGE WORKS SOUTHEAST OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD AT HUNG SHUI KIU: AND
* PERMANENT CLOSURE OF SOME FOOTPATHS AND TEMPORARY PARTIAL CLOSURE OF A SECTION OF TAN KWAI TSUEN ROAD.
/A NOTICE .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 9. 1989
- 31 -
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN AND SCHEME OF THESE WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG;
» DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE. YUEN LONG. YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 9TH-11TH FLOORS, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG.
* YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE, YUEN LONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, 269 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG.
ANY PERSON WHO OBJECTS TO THE PROPOSED WORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD. HONG KONG, SO AS TO REACH THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY NOT LATER THAN AUGUST 8 THIS YEAR.
--------0 - -
POSTFAX SERVICE TO BANGLADESH EXTENDED
*****
THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCES THAT THE POSTFAX SERVICE, A JOINT POST OFFICE AND CABLE AND WIRELESS (HK) LTD. PUBLIC FACSIMILE SERVICE, WILL BE EXTENDED TO THE MUNICIPAL AREAS OF NINE MAJOR CITIES OF BANGLADESH ON MONDAY (JUNE 12).
POSTFAX ITEMS FOR DHAKA HANDED IN AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE BEFORE 2 PM WILL BE DELIVERED ON THE SAME DAY. ITEMS ADDRESSED TO EIGHT OTHER CITIES WILL BE DELIVERED ON THE FOLLOWING DAY.
THE CHARGES FOR THE SERVICE TO BANGLADESH WILL BE :
'SHORT MESSAGE' FACILITY 470
FOR THE FIRST SIDE OF AN A4 SIZE DOCUMENT 485
FOR EACH SUBSEQUENT A4 SIZE DOCUMENT SENT TO
THE SAME ADDRESSEE AT THE SAME TIME 425
CUTOMERS WISHING TO MAKE USE OF THIS SERVICE CAN HAND IN THEIR DOCUMENTS AT ANY ONE OF THE 32 ACCEPTANCE POST OFFICES OR THE TWO CABLE AND WIRELESS SALES OFFICES AT EXCHANGE SQUARE AND HERMES HOUSE.
/POLTAFX NOW .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 19^9
BETWEEN
TRADING KINGDOM,
POSTFAX NOW OFFERS HIGH-SPEED FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION HONG KONG AND 77 COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD. ALL THE IMPORTANT PARTNERS OF HONG KONG SUCH AS THE U.S.A, THE UNITED THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, CHINA, JAPAN AND AUSTRALIA ARE
INCLUDED IN THE SERVICE NETWORK.
POSTFAX IS KNOWN AS THE FASTEST MAIL ON EARTH BECAUSE TAKES A FEW HOURS FOR A MESSAGE TO BE DELIVERED ABROAD. IT IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST PUBLIC ELECTRONIC MAIL SERVICES.
IT ONLY
ALREADY
MESSAGES
FACSIMILE MACHINE OWNERS IN HONG KONG CAN FAX THEIR
TO THE POST OFFICE UNDER SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR ONWARD T^NSMIS. ION TO ADDRESSEES ABROAD WHO DO NOT HAVE THEIR OWN FACSIMILE EQUIPMENT.
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE SERVICE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE POSTFAX MANAGER ON TEL. 5-8471148.
- 0 - -
TUEN MUN ROAD LANE CLOSURE ♦ * » * ♦
THF TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD MARKING WORKS THE SLOW AND MIDDLE LANES OF THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY Sf S ^AD ^nON BETWEEN YAU KAM TAU BRIDGE AND TSUEN WAN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON SUNDAY (JUNE 11).
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ISSUE OF HALF-WAY HOUSE IN KWUN TONG RESOLVED............... 1
TEACHERS' CENTRE COMES INTO OPERATION ...................... 2
FREE EMPLOYMENT SERVICE SOLVES RECRUITMENT PROBLEMS ........ 3
MORE CHILD CARE CENTRES ....................................
SAFETY DAY ON WATER SPORTS TOMORROW ........................ 4
U.S. GOLD CAMERA AWARD FOR aPA FILM ........................ 5
EARLY WELFARE .............................................. 6
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS IN KENNEDY TOWN .................. 6
CLOSURE OF A KUNG NGaM RO^D, SHaU KEI WaN .................. 7
ROAD CLOSURE IN KOWLOON CITY ............................... 7
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN YAU MA TEI ......................... 8
SATURDAY. JUNE 10, 1989
1
ISSUE OF HALF-WAY HOUSE IN KWUN TONG RESOLVED
*****
A CONTROVERSY OVER A PLAN TO SET UP A HALF-WAY HOUSE IN KWUN TONG HAS BEEN RESOLVED FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH THE DISTRICT BOARD. AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, SAID THIS TODAY (SATURDAY) AT A "STEP CLOSER SEMINAR" FOR AREA COMMITTEES IN KWUN TONG.
MR LAN SAID THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD HAD DECIDED TO SUPPORT THE SETTING UP OF A HALF-WAY HOUSE IN KWUN TONG AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AND HAD SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT, IN CHOOSING THE LOCATION AND FACILITIES, SHOULD TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE VIEWS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND RESIDENTS.
THE FACT THAT THE ISSUE HAD BEEN RESOLVED SUCCESSFULLY INDICATED THAT THE DISTRICT BOARD, AREA COMMITTEES AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES HAD EFFECTIVELY PLAYED THEIR ROLE OF CONSULTING LOCAL RESIDENTS, AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHED IMPORTANCE TO PUBLIC VIEWS.
"ALTHOUGH SOME PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE RESERVATION ON THE FINAL DECISION, WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT IS TO BRING THE MAXIMUM BENEFIT TO THE GREATEST NUMBER OF PEOPLE.
"THIS OBJECTIVE HAS BEEN ACHIEVED, AND THE GOVERNMENT, THEREFORE, WILL CONTINUE TO COMPLETE THE HALF-WAY HOUSE PLAN WITH RESOLUTION AND UNDERSTANDING," MR LAN SAID.
MR LAN SAID THERE WERE ALTOGETHER 18 HALF-WAY HOUSES IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE TERRITORY, PROVIDING NEARLY 700 ACCOMMODATION SPACES.
EIGHT MORE HALF-WAY HOUSES WERE BEING PLANNED, INCLUDING THE ONE IN KWUN TONG, TO ACCOMMODATE ANOTHER 500 DISCHARGED MENTAL PATIENTS IN THE NEXT THREE OR FOUR YEARS, HE SAID.
THE SEMINAR, WHICH FEATURES MENTAL HEALTH AS THE THEME, IS THE FIFTH IN A SERIES OF "STEP CLOSER SEMINEAS" ORGANISED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINSTRATION TO STRENGTHEN RELATIONS WITH AREA COMMITTEES.
MR LAN NOTED THAT THE SEMINAR ALSO MARKED THE LAUNCHING OF THE KWUN TONG MENTAL HEALTH VARIETY PROGRAMMES, WHICH WOULD FEATURE EXHIBITIONS, CARNIVALS AND OTHER FUNCTIONS IN THE COMING TWO MONTHS.
"THESE ACTIVITIES ARE VERY MEANINGFUL IN THAT THEY WILL DRIVE HOME THE MENTAL HEALTH MESSAGE TO EVERY RESIDENT IN KWUN TONG," HE ADDED.
-------0----------
SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 1989
2
TEACHERS’ CENTRE COMES INTO OPERATION *****
THE HONG KONG TEACHERS’ CENTRE ESTABLISHED TO SERVE TEACHERS WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, MRS RITA FAN.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, MRS FAN SAID THE TEACHERS’ CENTRE WAS BETTER THAN SIMILAR PROJECTS IN OTHER PLACES IN TERMS OF STRUCTURE, FACILITIES AND REPRESENTATIVENESS.
MRS FAN SAID WE WERE LIVING IN AN AGE OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATION, WHICH HAD A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE STRUCTURE OF OUR SOCIETY AND INTER-HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS. TEACHERS WOULD BE OUT OF STEP IF THEY DID NOT KEEP ABREAST OF THESE DEVELOPMENTS. THUS THE TEACHERS’ CENTRE WOULD HELP THEM TO MEET THESE CHALLENGES, SHE SAID.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y. T. LI, SAID THE NEW CENTRE PROVIDED AN ADDITIONAL VENUE FOR TEACHERS TO DEVELOP THEIR PROFESSIONALISM.
THE ACTIVITIES TO BE ORGANISED IN THE CENTRE WOULD COMPLEMENT THE INITIAL AND IN-SERVICE TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMMES AS WELL AS THE ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE TEACHING RESOURCE CENTRES OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
MR LI SAID TEACHERS WOULD BE ACTIVELY ENCOURAGED TO PLAN AND TO PROMOTE ACTIVITIES IN THE CENTRE WHICH WAS SET UP SPECIALLY FOR THEM.
HE NOTED THAT MORE THAN 14,000 TEACHERS, REPRESENTING 42 PER CENT OF THE TEACHING PROFESSION, VOTED IN THE ELECTION OF THE CENTRE’S ADVISORY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
“THIS GOOD TURNOUT CLEARLY SHOWS THAT THE CENTRE HAS MADE A VERY GOOD START," HE ADDED.
THE TEACHERS’ CENTRE, WHICH IS FUNDED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, AIMS TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEACHERS TO MEET AND EXCHANGE IDEAS AND SHARE EXPERIENCE, TO PROMOTE IN-SERVICE EDUCATION AND CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, TO DEVELOP NEW TEACHING AIDS AND APPROACHES AND TO PROVIDE A VENUE FOR TEACHERS TO ORGANISE ACTIVITIES•
IT IS ACCOMMODATED IN A FORMER PRIMARY SCHOOL BUILDING AT 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT. THE CENTRE HAS A FLOOR AREA OF 8>000 SQUARE METRES AND IS EQUIPPED WITH MODERN AUDIO VISUAL FACILITIES. IT HAS A SEMINAR ROOM, DISPLAY AREA, RESOURCE ROOM, READING ROOM AND LECTURES ROOMS.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATION OF THE CENTRE. TEACHERS WILL BE CLOSELY INVOLVED IN THE FORMULATION OF POLICY AND MANAGEMENT OF THE CENTRE WITH A THREE-TIER STRUCTURE, NAMELY AN ADVISORY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, A STANDING COMMITTEE AND ITS SUB-COMMITTEES.
SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 1989 - 3 -
FREE EMPLOYMENT SERVICE SOLVES RECRUITMENT PROBLEMS *****
EMPLOYEES iODAY SATURDAY) URGED TO MAKE USE OF THE FREE RECRUITMENT SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (LES) OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TO SOLVE LABOUR SHORTAGE PROBLEMS.
"AS A LARGE NUMBER OF SCHOOL-LEAVERS AND STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO SEEK EMPLOYMENT 1 BROUGH THE SERVICE IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, EMPLOYERS SHOULD SEIZE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THEIR STAFF NEEDS," A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"MORE THAN 26,000 VACANCIES FOR BOTH SKILLED AND UNSKILLED WORKERS, INCLUDING LABOURERS, CLERKS, SALESMEN, TECHNICIANS, TEACHERS, ACCOUNTANTS AND OTHERS, WERE FILLED LAST YEAR WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE SERVICE," HE NOTED.
THE LES CURRENTLY OPERATES 15 BRANCH OFFICES IN MAJOR INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL AREAS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, PROVIDING A COMPLETELY FREE EMPLOYMENT SERVICE FOR BOTH EMPLOYERS AND JOB-SEEKERS.
THESE OFFICES SELECT AND REFER SUITABLE CANDIDATES TO THE EMPLOYERS FOR JOB INTERVIEWS AND ARE ALL EQUIPPED WITH A FACSIMILE SYSTEM TO FACILITATE TRANSMISSION OF INFORMATION ON VACANCIES AND CANDIDATES.
"THE PROCEDURE FOR EMPLOYERS TO PLACE VACANCY ORDER IS VERY SIMPLE. ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS TO TELEPHONE THE LES OFFICES IN THEIR DISTRICT, AND THERE IS NO NEED FOR THEM TO CALL AT THE OFFICE IN PERSON," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE LES OFFICES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
WAN CHAI OFFICE NORTH POINT OFFICE CHAI WAN OFFICE WONG CHUK HANG OFFICE YAU MA TEI OFFICE SHAM SHUI PO OFFICE MONG KOK OFFICE HUNG HOM OFFICE SAN PO KONG OFFICE KWUN TONG OFFICE TSZ WAN SHAN OFFICE TSUEN WAN OFFICE TUEN MUN OFFICE TAI PO OFFICE SHA TIN OFFICE HIGHER EDUCATION EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OFFICE
5-270276
5-711351
5-570201
5-520131 3-7355525 3-7770189
3-936175 3-656261 3-265121 3-452838 3-280194
0-4920154 0-4599300 0-6565183 0-6047916
5-8523235
-------0 ---------
A....
SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 1989
4
MORE CHILD CARE CENTRES
» » »
THERE ARE NOW 167 SUBVENTED CHILD CARB CENTRES IN HONG KONG, PROVIDING SOME 18,000 PLACES, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR STEPHEN LAW, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CHAI WA! BAPTIST CHURCH BRADBURY CHILD CARE CENTRE, MR LAW SAID THAT Al' ADDITIONAL 1,600 CHILD CARE PLACES WOULD BE PROVIDED EVERY YEAR, AN)' THE GOVERNMENT AIMED TO PROVIDE 100 CHILD CARE PLACES FOR EVER7 20,000 POPULATION.
"HOWEVER, IN VIEW OF THE UNEVEN DISTRIBUTION OF POPULATION, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE SUBVENTED AGENCIES WIL), CONSTANTLY REVIEW THE DEMAND FOR THIS SERVICE AND MAKE ADJUSTMENTS," HE SAID.
"FOR INSTANCE, CHILD CARE CENTRES IN AREAS WITH AN AGEING POPULATION ARE REPROVISIONED TO NEWLY DEVELOPED DISTRICTS.
"ALSO, SUBVENTED CHILD CARE CENTRES ARE ENCOURAGED TO EXPAND THEIR CAPACITY TO COPE WITH THE GROWTH IN POPULATION IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD."
A GOOD EXAMPLE WAS THE BRADBURY CHILD CARE CENTRE, THE CAPACITY OF WHICH HAD BEEN INCREASED FROM AN INITIAL 100 IN 1987 TO THE CURRENT 120 TO COPE WITH GROWING DEMAND, HE ADDED.
ON THE FEE ASSISTANCE SCHEME, WHICH ASSISTED LOW-INCOME FAMILIES, MR LAW SAID THE AVERAGE SUBVENTION FOR PARENTS LAST YEAR WAS ABOUT $430 PER CHILD WHILE THE TOTAL EXPENDITURE FOR THIS YEAR WAS ESTIMATED TO BE AROUND $54 MILLION.
MR LAW COMMENDED THE CHAI WAN BAPTIST CHURCH FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIAL SERVICES SINCE 1972.
------o -------
SAFETY DAY ON WATER SPORTS TOMORROW
» * » * »
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO VISIT THE TSIM SHA TSUI PROMENADE TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON WILL BE ABLE TO SHARE IN THE FUN AT A WATER SPORTS SAFETY DAY.
ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE ON SAFETY IN OUTDOOR PURSUITS, THE EVENT IS TO PROMOTE THE "PLAY SAFE" MESSAGE THROUGH A VARIETY OF WATER SPORTS ACTIVITIES.
/THE PROGRAMME .......
SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 1989
- 5 -
THE PROGRAMME WILL START AT 2 PM WITH A SPECTACULAR SEA PARADE OF FIRE BOATS, PATROL CRAFT, LAUNCHES, CANOES AND WINDSURFERS REPRESENTING THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, ROYAL NAVY, CIVIL AID SERVICES AND NUMEROUS SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS INCLUDE AN AIR-SEA RESCUE DEMONSTRATION BY HELICOPTERS, VARIOUS SAFETY DEMONSTRATIONS, A VIDEO SHOW AND AN EXHIBITION.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE WATER SPORTS SAFETY DAY WILL BE THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR DERICK HALL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE WATER SPORTS SAFETY DAY TO BEGIN AT 2 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE TSIM SHA TSUI PROMENADE.
THERE WILL BE A PRESS POSITION TO FACILITATE COVERAGE. PRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE REMINDED TO BRING ALONG TELE-LENSES.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE RECEPTION AREA AT THE PROMENADE (OPPOSITE TO THE TSIM SHA TSUI CENTRE) BY 1.45 PM. GI3 OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
-----0------
U.S. GOLD CAMERA AWARD FOR APA FILM ♦ t * t ♦
THE DOCUMENTARY ’’THE GODS REJOICE”, DEPICTING THE ORIGINS AND EARLY YEARS OF WORK OF THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS (APA), HAS WON FOR ITS PRODUCER, MR NEIL FORSYTH, THE GOLD CAMERA AWARD IN THE U.S. FESTIVALS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL AWARDS COMPETITION, THE LARGEST OF ITS KIND IN THE WORLD.
THE GOLD CAMERA AWARD WAS THE TOP PRIZE IN THE CULTURE AND PERFORMING ARTS CATEGORY. THE FILM WAS SPONSORED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
THE AWARD WAS ACCEPTED ON BEHALF OF HONG KONG, THE JOCKEY CLUB, THE ACADEMY AND MR FORSYTH BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN NEW YORK, MR KERRY MCGLYNN, AT A CEREMONY HELD IN CHICAGO ON FRIDAY NIGHT (JUNE 9).
IN RECEIVING THE AWARD, MR MCGLYNN SAID THAT IT REFLECTED THE RICHNESS AND DIVERSITY OF THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY WHICH HAD DEVELOPED IN A UNIQUE WAY OVER THE LAST GENERATION.
/’’HONG KONG..........
SATURDAY, JUNS 10, 1989
HONG KONG IS A VERY SPECIAL PLACE, A VERY INTERNATIONAL PLACE, YET IT IS THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE DEVELOPED THEIR OWN SPECIAL PERSONALITY AND LIFESTYLE QUITE DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS IN THE REGION,” HE SAID.
MR MCGLYNN SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD DONE MUCH IN RECENT YEARS TO ENCOURAGE AND FACILITATE THE FLOWERING OF A RESERVOIR OF NATURAL TALENT WHICH HAD SHOWN THAT HONG KONG WAS VERY MUCH MORE THAN JUST A BUSINESS-ONLY SOCIETY.
- - 0 - -
EARLY WELFARE PAYMENT * * ♦
RECIPIENTS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE HOLDING CASH ORDER BOOKS MAY RECEIVE EARLIER WELFARE PAYMENT IF THEIR PAYMENT DATES FALL ON THE PUBLIC HOLIDAYS BETWEEN JUNE 17 AND 19.
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THEY MAY CASH THEIR COUPONS ON JUNE 14 TO 16 RESPECTIVELY OR AFTER AT THE DESIGNATED POST OFFICES, NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT OFFICES AND TREASURY SUB-OFFICES.
- - 0 - -
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS IN KENNEDY TOWN * ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JUNE 12). THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS IN KENNEDY TOWN WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS ROUND-THE-CLOCK FOR ABOUT FOUR WEEKS TO FACILITATE TRAM TRACK RENEWAL:
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF KENNEDY TOWN PRAYA FROM HOUSE NO.49 TO HOUSE NO.51; AND
* THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF SANDS STREET FROM A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH CATCHICK STREET TO A POINT ABOUT FIVE METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
0 - -
SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 1989
7
CLOSURE OF A KUNG NGAM ROAD, SHAU KEI WAN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF SLIP-ROADS LEADING TO THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR, A MAIN STREET EAST AND A POINT AM ON
KUNG NGAM ROAD BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN -----
ABOUT 55 METRES TO THE SOUTH WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10
MONDAY (JUNE 12).
MOTORISTS ON SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST HEADING FOR A KUNG NGAM ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO THE SHIPYARDS AND A KUNG NGAM VILLAGE ROAD.
--------0----------
ROAD CLOSURE IN KOWLOON CITY * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FLYOVERS AT PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST OUTSIDE THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. SECTIONS OF ROADS WILL BE CLOSED FROM 12.01 AM TO 5 AM DAILY BETWEEN MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY (JUNE 12 AND 14 ) .
THESE SECTIONS ARE : THE FLYOVER LINKING MA TAU CHUNG ROAD WITH PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST EASTBOUND; AND THE SOUTHERN EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST SECTION BETWEEN PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST AND CHOI HUNG ROAD.
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES ON MA TAU CHUNG ROAD HEADING FOR KWUN TONG AND SAN PO KONG WILL BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL VIA THE KOWLOON CITY ROUNDABOUT, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST.
--------0 ---------
/8........
SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 1989
- 8
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN YAU MA TEI t t t t »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT IN CONNECTION WITH THE RECONSTRUCTION OF GASCOIGNE ROAD FLYOVER, TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN YAU MA TEI WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 1 AM TO 6 AM DAILY ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY (JUNE 12 AND 13).
THE ARRANGEMENTS ARE:
THE STRAIGHT-AHEAD MOVE FROM JORDAN ROAD EASTBOUND ONTO THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL WILL BE BANNED. THE STRAIGHT-AHEAD MOVE FROM THE ACCESS ROAD IN QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL ONTO JORDAN ROAD WESTBOUND WILL ALSO BANNED.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE RIGHT TURN FROM JORDAN ROAD EASTBOUND ONTO GASCOIGNE ROAD EASTBOUND WILL BE BANNED, AS WILL THE RIGHT TURN FROM THE ACCESS ROAD IN QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL ONTO GASCOIGNE ROAD WESTBOUND.
THE RIGHT TURN FROM GASCOIGNE ROAD WESTBOUND ONTO THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL WILL ALSO BE BANNED.
DURING THE CLOSURE, A TEMPORARY TURN-AROUND FACILITY WILL BE PROVIDED AT GASCOIGNE ROAD WESTBOUND AT A POINT ABOUT 100 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH JORDAN ROAD, SO THAT MOTORISTS TRAVELLING ON GASCOIGNE ROAD WESTBOUND CAN MAKE A U-TURN ONTO GASCOIGNE ROAD EASTBOUND.
-------0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, JUNE 11, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR APRIL 1989 1
sea parade promotes water sports safety...................... 7
MORE ACCESS TO SaI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER AND HIS STAFF 8
LEAFLET WARNS AGAINST VEHICLE SMOKE............9
SOUTHERN DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS SQUATTER IMPROVEMENT........ 10
VISIT SCHEME ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA......................... 10
VETERINARY EXAMINATION FEES TO RISE.......................... 11
SECOND PIPED WATER SOURCE FOR CHAI WAN ...................... 12
MUSIC OFFICE YOUTH CHOIR’S ANNUhL CONCERT ................... 12
FIRST FLOATING HOLIDAY REMINDER...........................t. 13
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN YAU MA TEI, SHA TIN ................. 1<*
SUSPENSION OF WATER SUPPLY TC THREE aREAS.................... 14
SUNDAY, JUNE 11. 1989
HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR APRIL 1989 *****
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN APRIL 1989, AT $93,475 MILLION, GREW BY 22 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1988, ACCORDING TO THE DETAILED FIGURES ON THE VALUE OF TRADE IN APRIL 1989 RELEASED TODAY (SUNDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 9 PER CENT TO $17,480 MILLION IN APRIL 1989, WHILE RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 36 PER CENT TO $28,075 MILLION, THUS BRINGING TOTAL EXPORTS IN APRIL 1989 TO $45,555 MILLION, WHICH REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 24 PER CENT OVER APRIL 1988. OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON. IMPORTS INCREASED BY 20 PER CENT TO $47,919 MILLION.
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN JANUARY TO APRIL 1989, AT $346,554 MILLION, INCREASED BY 27 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1988.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 9 PER CENT TO $65,407 MILLION. WHILE RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 40 PER CENT TO $103,197 MILLION. THUS, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 26 PER CENT TO $168,604 MILLION. IMPORTS INCREASED BY 28 PER CENT TO $177,950 MILLION.
COMPARING APRIL 1989 WITH APRIL 1988, SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH WAS RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA (+32 PER CENT) AND TAIWAN (+22 PER CENT). THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO JAPAN, AUSTRALIA, AND CANADA ALSO INCREASED, BY 17 PER CENT, 15 PER CENT AND 11 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, THE THIRD LARGEST MARKET FOLLOWING THE U.S.A. AND CHINA, INCREASED BY 4 PER CENT. HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE U.S.A. AND THE NETHERLANDS DECREASED, BOTH BY 1 PER CENT.
IMPORTS FROM ALL MAJOR SUPPLIERS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS IN APRIL 1989 OVER APRIL 1988, PARTICULARLY THOSE FROM ITALY (+41 PER CENT), TAIWAN (+28 PER CENT). CHINA (+27 PER CENT). THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (+27 PER CENT). THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+26 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (+25 PER CENT) AND THE U.S.A. (+19 PER CENT). IMPORTS FROM JAPAN, THE SECOND LARGEST SUPPLIER FOLLOWING CHINA, INCREASED BY 5 PER CENT.
RE-EXPORTS TO AUSTRALIA, THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, THE U.S.A., ITALY, JAPAN AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN VALUE TERMS OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, BY 74 PER CENT, 55 PER CENT, 50 PER CENT, 45 PER CENT, 39 PER CENT, 38 PER CENT AND 37 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
INCREASES WERE ALSO RECORDED IN VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO SINGAPORE (+31 PER CENT), CHINA (+30 PER CENT) AND TAIWAN (+23 PER CENT).
COMPARING JANUARY TO APRIL 1989 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1988, DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO MOST MAJOR MARKETS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS.
/THE MARKETS
SUNDAY, JUNE 11, 1989
- 2 -
THE MARKETS WITH MORE SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCLUDED CHINA (+34 PER CENT) AND JAPAN (+30 PER CENT).
THERE WERE ALSO INCREASES IN VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO TAIWAN (+20 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (+18 PER CENT), AUSTRALIA (+15 PER CENT). CANADA (+12 PER CENT) AND THE UNITED KINGDOM (+12 PER CENT). HOWEVER. THOSE TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND THE U.S.A. DECREASED BY 3 PER CENT AND 2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
IMPORTS IN JANUARY TO APRIL 1989 FROM ALL MAJOR SUPPLIERS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1988.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN IMPORTS FROM ITALY (+44 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (+36 PER CENT), CHINA (+35 PER CENT), TAIWAN (+33 PER CENT), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+27 PER CENT), THE U.S.A. (+27 PER CENT), THE REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (+21 PER CENT) AND JAPAN (+20 PER CENT).
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, RE-EXPORTS TO ITALY, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, AUSTRALIA, THE UNITED KINGDOM, JAPAN, CHINA AND THE U.S.A. INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN VALUE TERMS, BY 63 PER CENT, 62 PER CENT, 57 PER CENT, 56 PER CENT, 48 PER CENT, 44 PER CENT AND 43 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
ALL TRADE STATISTICS PRESENTED HERE ARE MEASURED AT CURRENT PRICES AND NO ACCOUNT HAS BEEN TAKEN OF THE CHANGES IN PRICES BETWEEN THE PERIODS OF COMPARISON.
A SEPARATE ANALYSIS OF THE PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN APRIL 1989 WILL BE RELEASED IN EARLY JULY 1989.
THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO HONG KONG’S TEN MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMPARING JANUARY TO APRIL 1989 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1988, INCREASES IN VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED IN ALL MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
THE MORE NOTABLE ONES WERE OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $744 MILLION OR 20 PER CENT); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $656 MILLION OR 13 PER CENT); AND ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, AND CELLULOSE ESTERS AND ETHERS (BY $462 MILLION OR 73 PER CENT).
DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF CLOTHING INCREASED BY $1,181 MILLION OR 7 PER CENT. HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED FOR FOOTWEAR (BY $72 MILLION OR 15 PER CENT) AND SANITARY, PLUMBING, HEATING AND LIGHTING FIXTURES AND FITTINGS (BY $57 MILLION OR 12 PER CENT).
TABLE 2 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION.
THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS FROM HONG KONG'S TEN MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE SUMMARISED IN TABLE 3.
/comparing January .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 11, 1989
COMPARING JANUARY TO APRIL 1989 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1988, NOTABLE INCREASES IN VALUE OF IMPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $4,483 MILLION OR 58 PER CENT); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY. APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF I BY $4,299 MILLION OR 30 PER CENT); AND CLOTHING (BY $3,260 MILLION OR 38 PER CENT).
IMPORTS OF TEXTILES INCREASED BY $4,342 MILLION OR 24 PER CENT. HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED FOR RAW HIDES, SKINS AND FURSKINS (BY $81 MILLION OR 8 PER CENT); AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT OTHER THAN ROAD VEHICLES (BY $65 MILLION OR 8 PER CENT).
TABLE 4 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION.
THE CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS TO HONG KONG’S TEN MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 5.
COMPARING JANUARY TO APRIL 1989 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1988, NOTABLE INCREASES IN VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $3,368 MILLION OR 44 PER CENT); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY 3,138 MILLION OR 49 PER CENT); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY 3.135 MILLION OR 69 PER CENT); AND CLOTHING (BY $2,988 MILLION OR 43 PER CENT) .
RE-EXPORTS OF TEXTILES INCREASED BY $2,787 MILLION OR 29 PER CENT. HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED FOR CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS (BY $73 MILLION OR 5 PER CENT); AND RAW HIDES, SKINS AND FURSKINS (BY $46 MILLION OR 16 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 PUBLISHED IN TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
THE APRIL 1989 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE STATISTICS SUMMARY" WILL BE ON SALE AROUND JUNE 15, 1989, AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT $9.50 PER COPY.
A MORE COMPREHENSIVE REPORT, "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE", WITH DETAILED ANALYSES ON IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS IN APRIL 1989 WILL BE AVAILABLE IN END-JUNE 1989 AT $17.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THESE REPORTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH. HONG KONG (TEL. NO.: 5-8428802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE STATISTICS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO.: 5-8234915).
/TABLE 1 .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 11, 1989
4 -
TABLE 1: DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY TEN MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET APR 1989 (HKD MN.) APR 89 OVER APR 88 ( % ) JAN-APR 1989 (HKD MN.) JAN-APR OVER JAN-APR ( % ) 89 88
U.S.A. 5,243 - 1 19,375 - 2
CHINA 3,784 4 32 13,010 4 34
F.R. OF GERMANY 1,098 + 4 4,786 - 3
U.K. 1,177 4 7 4,451 4 12
JAPAN 941 4 17 3,882 4 30
CANADA 425 + 11 1,867 + 12
SINGAPORE 476 4 10 1,739 + 18
NETHERLANDS 363 - 1 1,493 4 10
AUSTRALIA 338 4 15 1,318 4 15
TAIWAN 357 4 22 1,155 4 20
TABLE 2: DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION
COMMODITY DIVISION APR 1989 (HKD MN.) APR 89 OVER APR 88 ( % ) JAN-APR 1989 (HKD MN.) JAN-APR OVER JAN-APR ( % ) 89 88
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 4.677 + 14 18,712 4 7
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS' WARES) 2,272 - 1 8,327 ♦
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS > 1,576 4 7 5,840 4 8
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 1,556 4 6 5,749 4 13
/TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND
SUNDAY, JUNE 11, 1989
- 5 -
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 1,414 +6 4,994 +6
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 1,461 +10 4,988 + 4
* DENOTES LESS THAN 0.5 PER CENT.
TABLE 3: IMPORTS FROM TEN MAJOR SUPPLIERS
MAJOR SUPPLIER APR 1989 (HKD MN.) APR 89 OVER APR 88 ( % ) JAN-APR 1989 (HKD MN.) JAN-APR 89 OVER JAN-APR 88 ( % )
CHINA 15,356 + 27 55,941 + 35
JAPAN 8,070 + 5 31,423 + 20
TAIWAN 4,537 + 28 16,277 + 33
U.S.A. 4,088 + 19 14,853 + 27
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 2,595 + 26 9,045 + 27
SINGAPORE 1,617 + 25 6,979 + 36
F.R. OF GERMANY 1,217 + 27 4,559 + 21
U.K. 1 . 139 + 5 4,432 + 10
ITALY 949 + 41 3,273 + 44
SWITZERLAND TABLE 4: IMPORTS 822 BY MAJOR + 6 COMMODITY 3,087 DIVISION + 8
COMMODITY DIVISION APR 1989 (HKD MN.) APR 89 OVER APR 88 ( % ) JAN-APR 1989 (HKD MN.) JAN-APR 89 OVER JAN-APR 88 ( % )
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND
RELATED PRODUCTS 6,627 + 15 22,312 + 24
/ELECTRICAL MACHINERY
SUNDAY, JUHL 11, 1989
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF ♦ 5,015 4- 23 18,478 + 30
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 3,303 + 43 12,225 + 58
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 3,227 39 11,872 + 38
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 2,926 + 41 10,122 4- 39
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 2,586 4- 19 9,760 4- 24
TABLE 5: RE-EXPORTS BY TEN MAJOR MARKETS JAN-APR 89 OVER JAN-APR 88 ( % )
MAJOR MARKET APR 1989 (HKD MN. APR 89 OVER APR 88 JAN-APR 1989 (HKD MN.)
) ( % )
CHINA 9,186 4- 30 34,431 4- 44
U.S.A. 5,017 4- 45 18,118 4- 43
JAPAN 1,813 4- 38 6,715 4- 48
TAIWAN 1,422 4- 23 5,367 4- 28
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 1,304 4- 37 4,454 4- 21
F.R. OF GERMANY 912 4- 50 3,617 4- 62
SINGAPORE 888 4- 31 3,334 4- 31
U.K. 683 4- 55 2,371 4- 56
AUSTRALIA 412 4 74 1,692 4- 57
ITALY 424 4- 39 1,550 4- 63
/TABLE 6
BUNDAY, JUNE 11, 1989
- 7
TABLE 6: RE-EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION
APR APR 89 JAN-APR JAN-APR 89
COMMODITY 1989 OVER 1989 OVER
DIVISION APR 88 JAN-APR 88
(HKD MN.) ( % ) (HKD MN.) ( % )
TEXTILE YARN. FABRICS.
MADE-UP ARTICLES AND
RELATED PRODUCTS 3.722 4 28 12,548 4 29
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF » 3,052 4 43 10,953 4 44
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 2,475 4 48 9,990 ♦ 43
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES. TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 2,912 4 50 9,601 4 49
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 2,163 4 64 7,667 4 69
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1,132 4 51 4,003 4 40
-------0 ---------
SEA PARADE PROMOTES WATER SPORTS SAFETY *****
BOATS OF ALL SHAPES AND SIZES TOOK PART IN A SPECTACULAR SEA PARADE OFF THE TSIM SHA TSUI PROMENADE THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE COLOURFUL PAGEANT OF FIRE BOATS, RESCUE AND PATROL CRAFT. SAILING AND SPEED BOATS, CANOES, LAUNCHES, CRUISERS AND WINDSURFERS WAS ONE OF THE MANY ATTRACTIONS OF THE WATER SPORTS SAFETY DAY ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE ON SAFETY IN OUTDOOR PURSUITS TO PROMOTE THE "PLAY SAFE" MESSAGE.
/The event .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 11, 1989
8 -
THE EVENT ALSO INCLUDED AIR-SEA RESCUE DEMONSTRATIONS INVOLVING HELICOPTERS. SAFETY DEMONSTRATIONS. AN EXHIBITION AND A VIDEO SHOW.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY. THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR DERICK HALL. SAID THAT EACH YEAR WATER SPORT ACTIVITIES INCREASED THREEFOLD. AND ACCIDENTS ALSO INCREASED PROPORTIONATELY.
MR HALL SAID MANY OF THESE ACCIDENTS COULD BE AVOIDED IF PEOPLE PAID ATTENTION TO SOME SIMPLE SAFETY RULES.
THESE RULES INCLUDED LEARNING THE PROPER SKILLS FROM A QUALIFIED INSTRUCTOR; GOING BOATING, SWIMMING OR DIVING WITH AT LEAST ONE EXPERIENCED PERSON: AND LISTENING CAREFULLY TO THE WEATHER FORECAST.
IN ADDITION. PEOPLE SHOULD CHECK ALL ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT SUCH AS BUOYANCY BAGS, LIFE JACKETS AND SO ON, STAY OUT OF BUSY SHIPPING LANES. AND COMPLY' WITH THE RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR NAVIGATION.
MR HALL APPEALED TO THOSE PRESENT TO "TREAT THE SEA WITH RESPECT AND EXERCISE VIGILANCE AT ALL TIMES" - BECAUSE PEOPLE MIGHT NOT GET A SECOND CHANCE.
EARLIER, IN HIS WELCOMING SPEECH, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON SAFETY IN OUTDOOR PURSUITS. MR ROBERT WILSON. RENEWED HIS APPEAL TO THE PUBLIC TO OBSERVE THE BASIC SAFETY RULES WHEN TAKING PART IN ANY FORM OF WATER ACTIVITIES.
HE ALSO URGED THAT EFFORTS BE MADE TO ENSURE THAT EVERY HONG KONG CHILD WAS TAUGHT TO SWIM COMPETENTLY. NOT JUST ABLE TO SWIM A SHORT DISTANCE IN A POOL, BUT ABLE TO SWIM STRONGLY ENOUGH TO GET OUT OF AN UNEXPECTED SITUATION, OR TO ASSIST IN THE RESCUE OF SOMEONE IN DIFFICULTY.
VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS WERE AMONG THE BODIES THAT TOOK PART IN THE EVENT.
- - 0 -
MORE ACCESS TO SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER AND HIS STAFF » » t » »
RESIDENTS OF TSEUNG KWAN O WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK DIRECT ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE FROM THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER AND HIS STAFF EVERY TUESDAY EVENING STARTING FROM THIS WEEK.
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER. MR CHRISTOPHER MUNN. SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE EVENING SESSIONS WERE DESIGNED TO INCREASE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF AND TSEUNG KWAN 0 RESIDENTS AND TO PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THEM.
/RESIDENTS WHO .......
SUMDAY, JUNK 11, 1989
9 -
RESIDENTS WHO WORK DURING THE DAY OR FIND THE DISTRICT OFFICE IN SAI KUNG TOWN TOO FAR FROM THEIR HOMES IN TSEUNG KWAN O CAN NOW MAKE USE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE ENQUIRIES OR LODGE COMPLAINTS WITH THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE DISTRICT OFFICE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR ABOUT ANY PROBLEMS WHICH AFFECT THE LIVELIHOOD OF RESIDENTS AND SUGGESTIONS WHICH CAN HELP TO IMPROVE SERVICES AND FACILITIES IN THE NEW TOWN.
COMPLAINTS AND SUGGESTIONS RECEIVED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF WOULD BE EXAMINED AND REFERRED TO THE RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS FOR CONSIDERATION AND ACTION. MR MUNN SAID.
MR MUNN AND THE TWO ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICERS. SENIOR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND SENIOR LIAISON OFFICER. WILL TAKE SHIFTS TO ATTEND THE EVENING SESSIONS FROM 6.30 PM TO 8.30 PM EVERY TUESDAY. EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, AT THE TSUI LAM COMMUNITY HALL IN THE TSUI LAM ESTATE.
RESIDENTS WHO WISH TO MEET THE DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF MAY GO TO THE TSUI LAM COMMUNITY HALL AT THE SPECIFIED TIME. OR THEY MAY CONTACT MISS ANNA KWONG ON 3-7023701 FOR AN APPOINTMENT.
- 0 -
LEAFLET WARNS AGAINST VEHICLE SMOKE
» * * » *
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) HAS PUBLISHED A LEAFLET THAT URGES MOTOR VEHICLE OWNERS AND DRIVERS TO TAKE CARE TO ENSURE THEIR VEHICLES DO NOT EMIT SMOKE.
THE LEAFLET ADVISES THAT VEHICLES SHOULD BE REGULARLY MAINTAINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANUFACTURER’S RECOMMENDED SCHEDULE, AND THAT THEY SHOULD BE DRIVEN PROPERLY IN THE CORRECT GEAR TO AVOID SMOKE EMISSIONS.
VEHICLE SMOKE CAN BE A CAUSE OF CANCER AND AGGRAVATE LUNG DISEASES. THE LEAFLET ADDS.
A COPY OF THE LEAFLET CAN BE OBTAINED FROM EPD’S VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL SECTION. THIRD FLOOR. EMPIRE CENTRE, 68, MODY ROAD. TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, OR FROM THE EPD HEADQUARTERS, AT 28TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE. WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES ON VEHICLE EMISSIONS CAN BE DIRECTED TO 3-667471.
ANNOUNCEMENTS URGING CAR OWNERS AND DRIVERS TO ENSURE THEIR VEHICLES DO NOT EMIT SMOKE WILL APPEAR ON TELEVISION AND RADIO STARTING FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY).
- - 0 -
SUNDAY, JUNE 11. 1989
10
SOUTHERN DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS SQUATTER IMPROVEMENT
******
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE PROGRESS REPORT ON THE DISTRICT’S COMPREHENSIVE SQUATTER AREA IMPROVEMENT SCHEME AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (MONDAY).
MEMBERS WILL CONSIDER GRANTING DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR INSTALLING LETTER BOXES IN TWO SQUATTER VILLAGES. LAN NAI WAN AND TUNG AH, TO IMPROVE THE MAIL SERVICE FOR RESIDENTS THERE.
THEY WILL ALSO CONSIDER ALLOCATING FUNDS TO ERECT A DISTRICT BOARD NOTICE-BOARD IN TIN WAN ESTATE AND TO REPAIR SEVERAL PASSAGEWAYS IN MA HANG VILLAGE IN STANLEY.
ALSO ON THE AGENDA WILL BE PROGRESS REPORTS ON ISSUES RAISED IN PREVIOUS MEETINGS. A REGISTER OF MINOR ENVIRONMENT IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR 1989-90. AND THE COMMITTEE’S FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (MONDAY) AT THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM. SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN CENTRE. THE MEETING WILL START AT 2.30 PM.
-------0---------
VISIT SCHEME ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA * * *
MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD .WILL CONSIDER INTRODUCING A VISITATION SCHEME TO PROMOTE THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE AMONG LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AT ITS MEETING ON TUESDAY (JUNE 13).
UNDER THE PROPOSED SCHEME, TWO MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE, TOGETHER WITH A LIAISON OFFICER OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE. WILL VISIT A LOCAL ORGANISATION OR ATTEND ITS REGULAR MEETING TO PROMOTE THE WORK OF THE BOARD AND THE COMMITTEE.
THE SCHEME IS ALSO AIMED AT COLLECTING OPINIONS FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS REGARDING COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT. AND ENABLING MEMBERS TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THESE ORGANISATIONS.
DURING THE MEETING, CHAIRMEN OF THE FIVE WORKING GROUPS FORMED UNDER THE COMMITTEE WILL PRESENT WORK REPORTS FOR MEMBERS' INFORMATION.
/ALSO ON .......
SUNDAY, JUNS 11, 1989
11
ALSO ON THE AGENDA ARE A DESIGN AWARD SCHEME FOR THE MOST ACCESSIBLE BUILDINGS FOR THE DISABLED AND THE URBAN COUNCIL’S RECREATION AND SPORTS PROGRAMME FOR EASTERN DISTRICT IN 1989-90.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 II ON TUESDAY (JUNE 13) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE EASTERN DISTRIC •’ OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, 880-886 KING’S ROAD.
- - 0 -
VETERINARY EXAMINATION FEES TO RISE ♦ * » * »
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) ANNOUNCED FEE INCREASES FOR VETERINARY EXAMINATION SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE PUBLIC OR PEOPLE IN THE CONCERNED TRADE WITH EFFECT FROM THURSDAY (JUNE 15).
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE FEES INCLUDED THOSE CHARGED FOR VETERINARY EXAMINATION (INCLUDING ISSUE OF A HEALTH CERTIFICATE) OF MAMMALS, BIRDS, REPTILES, AMPHIBIANS, FISH, INVERTEBRATES, ANIMAL BY-PRODUCTS AND ANIMAL FEEDING STUFF AS WELL AS BEES FOR EXPORT FROM HONG KONG.
THE FEES FOR EXAMINING MAMMALS WILL BE INCREASED FROM $70 TO $78 FOR A SINGLE MAMMAL, FROM $160 TO $180 FOR A CONSIGNMENT OF UP TO 50 HEAD OF MAMMALS, AND FROM $250 TO $280 FOR A CONSIGNMENT EXCEEDING 50 HEAD OF MAMMALS.
CHARGES FOR EXAMINING BIRDS, REPTILES, AMPHIBIANS, FISH AND INVERTEBRATES WILL BE INCREASED TO $78 PER SINGLE ANIMAL, TO $180 FOR A CONSIGNMENT OF UP TO 100 HEAD OF ANIMALS, AND TO $280 FOR A CONSIGNMENT OF MORE THAN 100 HEAD OF ANIMALS.
THE FEE CHARGED FOR VISITING AN APPLICANT’S PREMISES FOR SUCH AN EXAMINATION WILL BE INCREASED FROM $300 TO $335.
FOR EXAMINATION OF ANIMAL BY-PRODUCTS AND ANIMAL FEEDING STUFF, THE FEES WILL BE REVISED FROM THE EXISTING LEVEL OF $80 TO $600 FOR EACH CONSIGNMENT TO THE NEW RANGE OF $100 TO $700.
A VISITING CHARGE OF $190 WILL BE ADDED TO THE EXAMINATION FEES FOR THESE PRODUCTS.
THE FEES CHARGED FOR EXAMINING EACH HIVE OF BEES WILL BE INCREASED FROM $100 TO $124. PLUS A VISITING CHARGE OF $335. A SUM OF $55 WILL BE CHARGED FOR THE EXAMINATION FOR EACH ADDITIONAL HIVE.
’’THESE FEES ARE REVISED TO COVER COSTS OF THE SERVICES.” THE SPOKESMAN SAID, ADDING THAT THE LAST REVISION WAS MADE IN APRIL, 1987.
- - 0 -
SUNDAY. JUNE 11,
1989
12
SECOND PIPED WATER SOURCE FOR CHAI WAN * ♦ ♦ * *
RESIDENTS IN CHAI WAN WILL HAVE A SECOND SOURCE OF PIPED WATER NEXT YEAR “iCH HILL ALSO HELP TO MEET THE DISTRICT'S EXPANDING NEEDS IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.
UNDER THIS SCHEME, FRESH WATER WILL BE DELIVERED FROM THE PAi. KONG TREATMENT WORKS IN SAI KUNG VIA THE EASTERN CROSS HARBOUR MAIN. NOW BEING LAID SEPARATELY.
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS APPROXIMATELY 2,000 METRES OF MAINS ALONG CHAI WAN ROAD THE EASTERN CROSS HARBOUR MAIN. WORK ON THIS CONTRACT IS START IN AUGUST AND TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
LINK
TO
IT
EXPECTED
LAY TO TO
THIS ADDITIONAL WATER SOURCE WILL GIVE CHAI WAN MORE SECURE SUPPLY. AT PRESENT. THE DISTRICT IS SERVED SAI WAN TREATMENT WORKS.
RESIDENTS A
ONLY BY THE
TENDERS FOR THE CONTRACT MUST BE SUBMITTED BY NOON ON JUNE 30.
MUSIC OFFICE YOUTH CHOIR’S ANNUAL CONCERT t * » » *
THE MUSIC OFFICE YOUTH CHOIR WILL PRESENT ITS ANNUAL CONCERT ON JULY 8 AT THE CONCERT HALL OF THE ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS. THE CONCERT WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM.
UNDER ITS GUEST CONDUCTOR, MICHAEL RIPPON. THE 90-STRONG CHOIR WILL PERFROM SUCH PIECES AS WILLIAM BYRD’S "JUSTORUM ANIMAE" AND FELIX MENDELSSOHN’S "GREETING".
THE MUSIC OFFICE YOUTH CHOIR WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1980 AND MADE ITS DEBUT IN DECEMBER OF THE SAME YEAR AT A CHRISTMAS CONCERT WITH THE HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA.
SINCE THEN. THE CHOIR HAS PERFORMED REGULARLY, AND THE PROGRAMMES HAVE INCLUDED MASSES BY MOZART, BEETHOVEN. AND OTHER CHORAL MASTERPIECES BY VIVALDI AND HAYDN. AS WELL AS CHINESE CHORAL COMPOSITION.
MICHAEL RIPPON, HEAD OF VOCAL STUDIES AT THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS. IS A WORLD RENOWNED BARITONE. HE HAS SUNG AT THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE AND THE ENGLISH NATIONAL OPERA. HE HAS ALSO A CONSIDERABLE REPUTATION FOR HIS ORATORIO AND CONCERT WORK.
/TO ADD .......
sunuay, June 11, 1989
- 15 -
TO ADD COLOUR TO THE CONCERT, THE ACADEMIC CHAMBER CHOIR WILL BE INVITED TO PRESENT THOMAS TALLIS'S "IF YE LOVE ME".
A HIGHLIGHT OF THE CONCERT WILL BE JOHANNES BRAHMS’S "SELECTION FROM LIEBESLIEDER WALZER" AND BENJAMIN BRITTEN'S "BALLAD OF GREEN BROOM". JOINTLY PERFORMED BY THE YOUTH CHOIR AND THE CHAMBER CHOIR.
TICKETS AT $10 EACH ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL URBTIX OUTLETS. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 0-4928127.
-------0----------
FIRST FLOATING HOLIDAY REMINDER
» * * « *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THE FIRST FLOATING HOLIDAY FOR THIS YEAR FALLS ON JUNE 19. THE MONDAY FOLLOWING THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IF EMPLOYERS HAVE NOT ALREADY FIXED THE DATES FOR THE FLOATING HOLIDAYS FOR THIS YEAR AND THEIR EMPLOYEES HAVE NOT REQUESTED THE HOLIDAYS BE ADDED TO THEIR PAID ANNUAL LEAVE, EMPLOYEES SHALL BE GRANTED THE FIRST FLOATING HOLIDAY ON THE ABOVE DATE AND THE SECOND FLOATING HOLIDAY ON AUGUST 28, THE LAST MONDAY IN AUGUST.
UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE. ALL MANUAL WORKERS AND THOSE NON-MANUAL WORKERS EARNING NOT MORE THAN $11,500 A MONTH ARE ENTITLED TO BE PAID FOR THAT HOLIDAY IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THREE MONTHS PRECEDING THE HOLIDAY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO AN EMPLOYEE’S EARNINGS ON A NORMAL WORKING DAY AND SHOULD INCLUDE BASIC WAGES AS WELL AS ALLOWANCES THAT CAN BE EXPRESSED IN MONEY TERMS SUCH AS MEALS AND COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCES.
WHERE THE EARNINGS VARY FROM DAY TO DAY, THE HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE THE AVERAGE DAILY EARNINGS DURING EVERY COMPLETE WAGE PERIOD, WHICH COULD BE BETWEEN 28 DAYS AND 31 DAYS PRECEDING THE HOLIDAY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE TO ANY BRANCH OFFICE OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE.
-------0----------
/14........
SUNDAY. JUNE 11. 1989
14
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN YAU MA TEI. SHA TIN *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT GASCOIGNE ROAD FLYOVER WILL BE CLOSED FROM 10 PM ON TUESDAY (JUNE 13) TO 5 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY IN CONNECTION WITH MAINTENANCE WORK ON THE EMERGENCY TELEPHONES INSTALLED ALONG THE FLYOVER.
MOTORISTS ON FERRY STREET SOUTHBOUND HEADING FOR GASCOIGNE ROAD EASTBOUND ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA FERRY STREET SOUTHBOUND. JORDAN ROAD EASTBOUND AND GASCOIGNE ROAD EASTBOUND.
MOTORISTS ON GASCOIGNE ROAD WESTBOUND HEADING FOR FERRY STREET NORTHBOUND ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA GASCOIGNE ROAD WESTBOUND. JORDAN ROAD WESTBOUND AND FERRY STREET NORTHBOUND.
IN SHA TIN. TO FACILITATE THE MAINTENANCE OF A WEIGHBRIDGE ON THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TAI PO ROAD NEAR TOLO HIGHWAY, ABOUT 300 METRES OF THE SLOW AND MIDDLE LANES OF THE CARRIAGEWAY WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 PM TO 8 AM ON THE FOLLOWING DAY EACH DAY BETWEEN TUESDAY AND THURSDAY (JUNE 13 AND 15).
-----0------
SUSPENSION OF WATER SUPPLY TO THREE AREAS
*****
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TAI PO WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM TOMORROW (MONDAY) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE NIGHT LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY ON CHEUNG ROAD, ON CHEE ROAD. ON TAI ROAD. ON PONG ROAD, AND INCLUDING TAI PO CENTRE AND TAI YUEN ESTATE.
ALSO FOR LEAKAGE TESTS, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME SHEUNG SHUI PREMISES WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 10 PM ON TUESDAY (JUNE 13) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
THE AREA AFFECTED TAKES IN NGAU TEI. TSUNG PAK LONG. YIN KONG AND KAM TSIN.
IN YUEN LONG, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES WILL BE CUT OFF FROM 10 PM ON TUESDAY (JUNE 13) TO 7 AM THE NEXT DAY BECAUSE OF WATER WORKS.
THE AREA AFFECTED COVERS FUNG KONG TSUEN, SHA KONG MIU. SHA KONG WAI, HANG HAU TSUEN, FUK LO TSUEN, TUNG TAU TSUEN, SHA KONG WAI TSAI, NGAU HOM., SAN WAI AND SAN HING TSUEN.
-------0--------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
MONDaY, JUNE 12, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CONFERENCE WILL TRY TO PERSUADE HANOI TO STOP PEOPLE LEAVING : GOVERNOR............................................. 1
SDA TO VISIT JAPaN ............................................ 2
HOTLINE TO CEASE AT 5 PM TODAY................................. 2
REGIONAL SECRETARY SEES DEVELOPMENTS ON ISLANDS................ 3
YUEN LONG DB TO DISCUSS NEW DETENTION CENTRE FOR VBP......... 4
WATER STORAGE FIGURE........................................
SUMMARY RESULTS OF 1987 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION .... 4
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS BUS ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME........ 8
TENDERS INVITED FOR TOILET, REFUSE COLLECTION POINT PROJECT 8
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF FLYOVERS ................................. 9
MONDAY. JUNE 12, 1989
1
CONFERENCE WILL TRY TO PERSUADE HANOI TO STOP PEOPLE LEAVING : GOVERNOR » » « » *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID ONE OF THE OBJECTIVES OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INDO-CHINESE REFUGEES IN GENEVA IS TO PERSUADE THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT TO STOP THEIR OWN PEOPLE LEAVING AND PUT THEIR OWN HOUSE IN ORDER.
SPEAKING IN A DOCUMENTARY FILM ON VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE PRODUCED BY RTHK FOR SCREENING ON LOCAL TELEVISION TONIGHT (MONDAY), THE GOVERNOR SAID ANOTHER OBJECTIVE OF THE CONFERENCE WAS TO TRY TO KE SURE THAT HONG KONG GOT MUCH MORE SUBSTANTIAL RESETTLEMENT OFFERS FROM ALL ROUND THE WORLD.
ALSO, THE GOVERNMENT WANTED ARRANGEMENTS PUT IN PLACE FOR PEOPLE WERE SCREENED OUT AS ECONOMIC MIGRANTS TO GO BACK TO THEIR OWN COUNTRY, HE ADDED.
COMMENTING ON A SUGGESTION THAT THE FIRST ASYLUM POLICY iHOULD BE ABOLISHED, SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS VERY EASY SOMETIMES TO SAY CUT IT WAS NOT REALLY AS SIMPLE AS THAT.
"IN PRACTICE. YOU ARE DEALING WITH PEOPLE IN THESE TINY LITTLE COATS - - - UNSEAWORTHY, TRYING TO GET IN HERE.
"WE ARE AT THE END OF THE LINE. WE’RE NOT LIKE SINGAPORE WHICH 'AM SIMPLY SAY GO ON, INDONESIA IS AROUND THE CORNER, OR MALAYSIA IS AROUND THE CORNER, WE ARE THE END OF THE LINE," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID IF HONG KONG STOPPED PEOPLE COMING TN, WE HAD A HIGH RISK THAT THEY WOULD SIMPLY TRY TO COME IN ANYHOW. "SO THAT IS A PRACTICAL PROBLEM," HE SAID.
STR DAVID ALSO POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG HAD TO CONSIDER ITSELF AS PART OF THE WORLD, AND WE HAD TO CONSIDER THE WAY THE WORLD REACTED TO WHAT WE DID HERE.
"SO GIVING UP FIRST ASYLUM IS A PHRASE WHICH SOUNDS TERRIBLY 1PLE, BUT IN PRACTICE IT ISN’T THAT SIMPLE," HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WAS ENCOURAGED BY WHAT THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, HAD SAID BECAUSE IT SHOWED THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WAS FULLY’ AWARE OF THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE PROBLEM.
"AND IN THE SAME WAY, THE FACT THAT MRS THATCHER CHOSE THIS AS ONI OF THE VERY' FEW WORLD SUBJECTS THAT SHE WANTED TO DISCUSS WITH PRESIDENT BUSH SHOWS THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT REALLY IS TAKING THE PROBLEM SERIOUSLY, AND THAT IS ENCOURAGING," HE SAID.
0
/2........
MONDAY. JUNE 12, 1989
2
SDA TO VISIT JAPAN
* t ♦
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, ’ILL VISIT JAPAN FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO FRIDAY (JUNE 16).
MR LIAO WILL HAVE DISCUSSIONS WITH JAPANESE BUS INESSMEN AND OFFICIALS ON INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG. AND ON ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE TERRITORY IN THE RUN-UP TO 1997.
ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 14), MR LIAO WILL MEET MEMBERS OF THE JAPAN/HONG KONG BUSINESS COOPERATION COMMITTEE AND OFFICIALS OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
THE NEXT DAY, HE WILL DELIVER A SPEECH IN JAPANESE ENTITLED "HONG KONG : TOWARDS 1997” AT A JAPAN/HONG KONG SOCIETY LUNCHEON MEETING.
BEFORE WINDING UP HIS VISIT ON FRIDAY, MR LIAO WILL \ DISCUSSIONS WITH JAPANESE TRADE AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS OFFICIALS.
)TE TO EDITORS:
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO.
WILL LEAVE HONG KONG TOMORROW (JUNE 13) FOR JAPAN AT 4.30 PM BY SOO. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO COVER MR LIAO’S DEPARTURE
ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT THE AIRPORT PRESS ROOM BEFORE 3.45 PM.
-------0----------
HOTLINE TO CEASE AT 5 PM TODAY * * ♦ ♦ t
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HOTLINI TO ASSIST HONG KONG RESIDENTS STRANDED IN PEKING WILL CEASE TO OPERATE FROM 5 PM TODAY (MONDAY).
THE 24-HOUR HOTLINE WAS SET UP ON THE EVENING OF LAST MONDAY (JUNE 5) TO DEAL WITH REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE FROM FRIENDS AND RELATIVES OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS WHO MIGHT HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN PEKING FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER.
DURING THE WEEK. NO FEWER THAN 800 CALLS WERE RECEIVED BY THE HOTLINE UNIT. 709 OF WHICH RELATED TO HONG KONG RESIDENTS IN PEKING.
INFORMATION GATHERED WAS PASSED TO THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN PEKING. THE EMBASSY THEN CONTACTED AS MANY PEOPLE AS THEY COULD TO OFFER ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE.
/THE HOTLINE .......
MONDAY, JUNE 12, 1989
- 5 -
THE HOTLINE UNIT HAS ASCERTAINED THAT 527 PEOPLE HAVE EITHER RETURNED TO HONG KONG OR ARE CONFIRMED TO HAVE LEFT PEKING.
THREE SPECIAL FLIGHTS BY DRAGONAIR WHICH WERE CHARTERED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ON JUNE 5, 6, AND 7 BROUGHT BACK A TOTAL OF 252 PEOPLE THROUGH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN PEKING.
THE EMBASSY STAFF HAVE ALSO OFFERED A GREAT DEAL OF ASSISTANCE IN ARRANGING FOR HONG KONG RESIDENTS TO BOARD NOT ONLY THE CHARTERED FLIGHTS BUT ALSO SCHEDULED FLIGHTS AND EXTRA SECTIONS OF FLIGHTS OPERATED BY THE AIRLINE COMPANIES AT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S SPECIAL REQUEST.
-------o----------
REGIONAL SECRETARY SEES DEVELOPMENTS ON ISLANDS * * * ♦ ♦
THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ADOLF HSU, CHAU TODAY (MONDAY) AND DISCUSSED MEMBERS OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR VISITED LANTAU ISLAND AND PENG MATTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST WITH
BOARD.
MR HSU, ACCOMPANIED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM WAI-KEUNG, DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JONATHAN NG, AND SENIOR STAFF OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, WENT TO LANTAU IN THE MORNING.
AT MUI WO, HE TOURED RURAL PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE PROVIDES OVER 460 FLATS FOR
THE NGAN WAN ESTATE, WHICH WAS TO BE BUILT IN THE DISTRICT. ABOUT 1,650 PEOPLE.
THE THIRD
THE ESTATE
VIEW ROOF
HE TOOK A PANORAMIC
OF THE PARTLY COMPLETED MUI WO
DAruACF DEVELOPMENT FROM THE ROOF OF THE ESTATE AND LEARN F THAT PROJECTS SUCH AS THE REGIONAL COUNCIL COMPLEX, A SWIMMING POOL/SPORTS “ A GOVERNMENT BUILDING AND A SPORTS GROUND WERE IN THE
PIPELINE.
THE PARTY LATER PROCEEDED TO PENG CHAU AND VISITED THE RECENTLY CONSTRUCTED WATERFRONT PLAYGROUND THERE.
MR HSU WAS ALSO BRIEFED ON PLANS TO BUILD A COMBINED AND INDOOR RECREATIONAL CENTRE, A FIRE STATION AND A SECONDARI ON THE ISLAND.
LIBRARY SCHOOL
--------0----------
A....
MONDAY, JUNE 12, 1989
4
YUEN LONG DB TO DISCUSS
*
NEW DETENTION CENTRE FOR VBP * * * *
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS THE GOVERNMENT'S DECISION TO TURN PART OF THE RUNWAY AT RAF SEK KONG IN PAT HEUNG INTO A CLOSED DETENTION CENTRE FOR SOME 7,000 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.
A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SECURITY BRANCH WILL BE PRESENT TO EXPLAIN THE NEW MEASURE.
THE PAT HEUNG RURAL COMMITTEE EARLIER EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THE NEW DETENTION CENTRE WILL POSE A SECURITY PROBLEM TO NEARBY VILLAGERS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD AT 10 AM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 13TH FLOOR, TAI KIU GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG.
-------0 - -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 53.8 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 315.069 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 155.011 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 26.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
_ _ _ _ o-----------
SUMMARY RESULTS OF 1987 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION » * * *
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) SUMMARY STATISTICS COMPILED FROM THE SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION COVERING THE REFERENCE YEAR 1987. FIELD WORK FOR THE SURVEY WAS UNDERTAKEN BETWEEN MAY LAST YEAR AND EARLY THIS YEAR.
THE SURVEY RESULTS INDICATED THAT 50,756 MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS HAD OPERATED FOR THE WHOLE OR PART OF 1987.
/THE YEAR ......
MONDAY, JUNE 12, 1989
5
THE YEAR 1987 WAS PROSPEROUS FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR. THE VALUE OF GROSS OUTPUT IN THE SECTOR DURING 1987 WAS ESTIMATED AT 4283,340 MILLION, REPRESENTING A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE OF 24.7 PER CENT IN MONEY TERMS COMPARED WITH 1986.
THE EXPENSES OF MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS IN 1987 INCLUDED $189,322 MILLION ON THE PURCHASES OF MATERIALS, SUPPLIES AND INDUSTRIAL WORK/SERVICES; $45,569 MILLION ON COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES; AND $24,229 MILLION ON OTHER EXPENSES.
THE TOTAL VALUE ADDED OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR STOOD AT $75,761 MILLION IN 1987, REPRESENTING A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE OF 20.7 PER CENT IN MONEY TERMS COMPARED WITH 1986. VALUE ADDED IS A MEASURE OF THE NET OUTPUT OF THE SECTOR AND REFLECTS THE SECTOR’S CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.
RANKED ACCORDING TO THEIR VALUE ADDED, THE TOP FIVE BROAD INDUSTRY GROUPS WITHIN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN HONG KONG WERE : WEARING APPAREL ($17,835 MILLION OR 24 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VALUE ADDED OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR); TEXTILES ($12,578 MILLION OR 17 PER CENT); BASIC METALS, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT ($12,539 MILLION OR 17 PER CENT); ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS ($11,570 MILLION OR 15 PER CENT); AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS ($6,064 MILLION OR 8 PER CENT).
THE PRINCIPAL STATISTICS FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, ANALYSED BY BROAD INDUSTRY GROUPS, ARE SHOWN IN THE ACCOMPANYING TABLE.
AS REGARDS THE GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS, THE MOST IMPORTANT AREAS WERE "TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG, TSING YI" AND "NGAU TAU KOK, KWUN TONG, LEI YUE MUN". ESTABLISHMENTS IN THESE LOCATIONS ALTOGETHER ACCOUNTED FOR 48 PER CENT AND 46 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OF THE GROSS OUTPUT AND VALUE ADDED OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
WHEN ANALYSED BY THE EMPLOYMENT SIZES OF MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS, THE STATISTICS SHOWED THAT ABOUT 66 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS WERE ENGAGING FEWER THAN 10 PERSONS, BUT THESE SMALL ESTABLISHMENTS ONLY ACCOUNTED FOR 8 PER CENT, 9 PER CENT AND 13 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OF THE GROSS OUTPUT, VALUE ADDED AND TOTAL WORKFORCE OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
IN CONTRAST, ONLY ABOUT 3 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS WERE ENGAGING 100 OR MORE PERSONS, BUT THEY CONTRIBUTED ABOUT 50 PER CENT OF THE SECTOR'S GROSS OUTPUT, 49 PER CENT OF VALUE ADDED AND EMPLOYED ABOUT 42 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL WORKFORCE.
/the 1987 .......
MONDAY, JUNE 12, 1989
6
THE 1987 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION WAS ONE IN A SERIES ANNUAL INDUSTRIAL SURVEYS CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT FOR ASCERTAINING THE STRUCTURE AND OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RELEVANT SECTORS COVERED, AND ESTIMATING THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT OF HONG KONG. APART FROM THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE SURVEY ALSO COVERED ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED IN MINING AND QUARRYING AND IN THE SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY, GAS AND WATER.
SUMMARY STATISTICS FOR THE 1987 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE JUNE 1989 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
MORE DETAILED RESULTS TOGETHER WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF THE BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY OF THE SURVEY WILL BE GIVEN IN THE SURVEY REPORT ENTITLED "1987 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION”, WHICH WILL UE AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN JULY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; AND AT THE PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 5-8234819.
/SUMMARY RESULTS .... ...
MONDAY, JUNI'J 12, 1989
7
Append lx
Summary results of the 1?E7 Survey of Industrial production
Analysis by broac manufacturing industry group
3 road industry group Food, beverapes & tobacco Number of establishments Number of persons encared Compensation of employees (S*Kn) Purchases of materials, supplies and industrial work/ services (S Hn) Other exnenses (1 Hn) Gross outuut ($ Hr.) Value added ($ Hn)
968 (-0.3) 25 ^00 (3.0) 1 (14.0) 5 711 (9.8) 1 408 (24.7) 10 250 (16..7) 3 205 (24.9)
। Textiles (including knitting) 5'359 (-0.1) 129 <136 (-2.3) 7 1M (14.4) 29 360 (5-4) 3 79** (17.9) uu 376 (8.7) 12 578 (14.5)
Wearing apparel, except knitwear & footwear 9 519 (-i:.6) 277 202 (-1.9) 12 969 (14.7) 38 831 (33.1) 5 ‘•73 (38.0) 60 806 (324).) 17 835 (22.7)
Leather, wood & cork products 2 917 (-1,1.8) 27 020 (-6.8) 1 187 (7.8) 4* 04*2 (23.8) 590 (31.9) 6 292 (2V5) 1 753 (17.8)
Paper products, printing & publishing 5 677 (8.7) 52 862 (2.2) 2 681 (14.7) 8 387 (22.0) 1 531* (35-6) 14* 506 (23.6 ) 4 987 (26.8)
Chemicals, rubber a- non-metallic mineral products 1 ^9 (2.2) 17 9^6 (-1.0) 995 (13.1) 6 082 (24.1 > 1 017 (20.0) 8 904+ (19.8) 1 94*1 (4.7}
Plastic products 5 l’09 (6.0) 89 288 (-5.D 3 872 (3.1 ) 15 695 (16.7) 2 lUU (20.8) 23 778 (12.7} 6 0644 (-2.1)
Basic metals, fabricated metal products, machinery & equipment I2* 292 (3.0) 158 587 (4.2) 7 636 (18.9 ) 33 621 (27.54 5 3 450 (25.7 > <•8 629 (25.4) 12 539 (22.5)
Electrical & electronic products 2 097 (-3.0) 129 819 (3.6) 5 878 (16.9 ) 38 939 (39-7 ) 3 995 (30.1 ) 53 389 (37.8) 11 570 (31.8)
Other manufacturing industries 3 109 (2.4) 36 519 (13.9) 1 782 (31.5) 8 655 (43.7) 791. (55.1 > 12 4410 (45 .0) 3 290 (49-7 }
Total 50 756 (1.3) 9U4 078 (0.1) 45 569 (14.3) 189 322 (25.4) 2U 229 (28.4) 283 3**0 (24.7 ’ 75 761 (20.7 )
Notes : (1) Individual entries may not add up exactly to the respective
totals due to rounding.
(2) Figures in brackets represent percentage chances in 1987 compared with 1986.
(3) Value added is a measure of the contribution of an economic sector to Hong Kong’s Gross Domestic Product.
(4) The "Humber of persons engaged" are'full-year equivalent’ figures,
i.e. for an establishment which operated for only part of 1907, the number of persons engaged as at the end of the quarters during which the establishment operated are summed up and divided by 4*
-----0----------
/8........
MONDAY. JUNE 12, 1989
8
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS BUS ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
*****
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS A BUS ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR 1989-90.
THE MEETING WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF REMEDIAL WORKS WHICH HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT ON SIX PEDESTRIAN POINTS.
A MEMBER WILL ASK THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION IF IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE MADE ON ITS ESCALATORS AND VENTILATION FACILITIES.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER 38 PROPOSED LOCATIONS FOR ERECTING BUS SHELTERS AND THE PROPOSED TRUNCATION OF BUS ROUTE 8OK AT YUEN CHAU KOK TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION WORKS ON THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE A PROPOSAL BY THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD TO SET UP A WORKING GROUP TO CONDUCT A REVIEW ON THF MONITORING SYSTEM OF THE KCRC: PEDESTRIAN FLYOVER LINKING TAI WAI KCR STATION AND SUN CHUI ESTATE; AND THE PROVISION OF 'STOP' SIGNS AND ROAD MARKINGS AT THE ENTRANCE OF SHA TIN CENTRAL BUS TERMINUS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE 6TH FLOOR OF THE KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM.
-------0----------
TENDERS INVITED FOR TOILET, REFUSE COLLECTION POINT PROJECT
*****
THE ARCHITECTURAL THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE WALKER ROAD, HUNG HOM.
SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR PUBLIC TOILET AND REFUSE COLLECTION POINT IN
THE PROJECT INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF REFUSE COLLECTION POINT AND PUBLIC TOILETS WITH SUCH AS OFFICES, CHANGING ROOMS, A SWITCH ELECTRICAL AND FIRE SERVICES INSTALLATIONS, VEHICLE EXHAUST VENTILATION SYSTEM.
REINFORCED CONCRETE
ANCILLARY FACILITIES
ROOM,
CARBON
A STORE ROOM, FILITRATION AND
/PILE FOUNDATION .......
MONDAY, JUNE 12, 1989
PILE FOUNDATION WORKS AND DEMOLITION OF THE TOILET ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THE CONTRACT.
EXISTING PUBLIC
THE WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN AUGUST AND BE COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JUNE 30.
------0 -------
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF FLYOVERS » * » » *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 1 AM TO 5 AM ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 14) TO FACILITATE THE INSTALLATION OF A GANTRY SIGN OUTSIDE ADMIRALTY CENTRE:
» FENWICK PIER STREET FLYOVER;
* HARCOURT ROAD FLYOVER WESTBOUND; AND
» MURRAY ROAD BETWEEN CHATER ROAD AND CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL (EXCEPT FOR THOSE VEHICLES REQUIRING ACCESS TO FURAMA INTER-CONTINENTAL HOTEL).
AT THE SAME TIME, CLUB STREET BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND CHATER ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND: AND CHATER ROAD BETWEEN JACKSON ROAD AND MURRAY ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND.
MOTORISTS TRAVELLING FROM WAN CHAI NORTH ARE ADVISED TO USE FLEMING ROAD FLYOVER, FLEMING ROAD, HENNESSY ROAD AND QUEENSWAY TO JOIN QUEEN'S ROAD CENTRAL.
MOTORISTS ON GLOUCESTER ROAD CAN TRAVEL VIA EITHER HARCOURT ROAD (AT GROUND LEVEL) AND COTTON TREE DRIVE TO JOIN QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL; OR HARCOURT ROAD (AT GROUND LEVEL), COTTON TREE DRIVE, LAMBETH WALK, CHATER ROAD AND JACKSON ROAD TO JOIN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL. THEY MAY ALSO TRAVEL VIA FENWICK STREET, HENNESSY ROAD AND QUEENSWAY.
VEHICLES TRAVELLING FROM THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL ARE ADVISED TO USE QUEEN’S ROAD EAST AND QUEENSWAY.
-------o ---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR CALLS FOR LASTING SOLUTION TO VBP PROBLEM ......... 1
VBP PROBLEM GETTING THOROUGH AIRING: GOVERNOR .............. 6
ARRIVAL OF THE GOVERNOR IN GENEVA .......................... 7
PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPING WITH VBP: SIR DAVID ...... 8
PUBLIC URGED TO SPEAK UP ON TRANSPORT POLICY ............... 9
CIVIL SERVICE PAY TO BE ADJUSTED............................ 11
WRITTEN CONTRACT REQUIRED FOR OVERSEAS WORK ................ 12
MAY RAINFALL FOURTH HIGHEST ON RECORD ...................... 12
DRAINAGE PROBLEMS ON DB AGENDA ............................. 15
LUNCH-TIME CONCERT DRAWS LARGE CROWD ....................... 16
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KOWLOON TONG ....................... 16
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ON KCR KOWLOON STATION PODIUM ......... 17
LANE CLOSURE ON SHa TIN ROAD................................ 17
SUSPENSION OF WATER SUPPLY TO TWO AREAS .................... V
TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 1989
GOVERNOR CALLS FOR LASTING SOLUTION TO VBP PROBLEM ♦ ♦ * * ♦
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, HAS CALLED ON THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO AGREE URGENT MEASURES TO RELIEVE THE PRESSURE THAT HONG KONG IS UNDER IN COPING WITH LARGE NUMBERS OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE AND TO FIND A LASTING SOLUTION THAT DEALS WITH ALL ASPECTS OF TH; BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM.
ADDRESSING THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INDO-CHINESE REFUGEES IN GENEVA TODAY (TUESDAY), THE GOVERNOR SAID HONG KONG HAD PLAYED ITS PART TO THE FULL IN ARRANGEMENTS MADE IN THE FIRST GENEVA CONFERENCE TEN YEARS AGO.
’’BUT THESE WERE YESTERDAY’S ARRANGEMENTS. THEY NO LONGER MEET TODAY’S PROBLEM," SIR DAVID SAID.
OUTLINING THE ENORMOUS PROBLEM HONG KONG FACED DUE TO A MASSIVE INFLUX OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, THE GOVERNOR STRESSED THAT TIL SITUATION WAS CRITICAL. IT COULD NOT GO ON AND HONG KONG COULD NOT CONTINUE TO SHOULDER THIS BURDEN.
SIR DAVID SAID LIKE THE ARRANGEMENTS IN 1979, THE SOLUTION NEEDED TO BE MADE UP OF SEVERAL PARTS, ALL OF WHICH WERE ESSENTIAL IF IT WAS TO WORK.
* THE UNSAFE, ILLEGAL DEPARTURE OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE MUST BE STOPPED OR DRASTICALLY REDUCED. THOSE WHO WISH TO LEAVE VIETNAM AND HAVE A PLACE TO GO TO, SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO SO BY A MEANS WHICH IS BOTH SAFE AND LEGAL;
♦ SECONDLY, IF PLACES IN THE AREA ARE TO PROVIDE ASYLUM FOR PEOPLE SEEKING A HOME ELSEWHERE WHO HAVE LANDED ON THEIR SHORES, THE COUNTRIES OF RESETTLEMENT MUST BE PREPARED TO OFFER A PROGRAMME OF QUICK AND EFFECTIVE RESETTLEMENT FOR GENUINE REFUGEES;
♦ THIRDLY, TO RELIEVE A PART OF HONG KONG’S HEAVY BURDEN, A REGIONAL PROCESSING CENTRE, SUPPORTED BY INTERNATIONAL FUNDING, SHOULD BE SET UP FROM WHICH REFUGEES COULD MOVE ON TO PERMANENT HOMES IN RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE;
♦ FOURTHLY, ARRANGEMENTS WHICH ARE BOTH PRACTICAL AND HUMAN’: MUST BE MADE FOR THE HUGE NUMBERS OF NEW ARRIVALS WHO ARE FOUND NOT TO BE REFUGEES AND HAVE NO PROSPECT OF GETTING TO THE DESTINATIONS THEY SEEK.
THESE PEOPLE TOO ARE A RESPONSIBILITY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY CANNOT SHRUG OFF. IT IS ONLY RIGHT THAT VIETNAM, Lib EVERY OTHER MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, SHOULD ACCEPT ITS RESPONSIBILITIES IN TAKING BACK ITS OWN CITIZENS. BOTH THOSE WHO VOLUNTEER TO DO SO AND THOSE WHO DO NOT VOLUNTEER.
/IF THERE .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 1J, 1989
- 2
IF THERE IS A DELAY BETWEEN ARRIVAL AND REPATRIATION THEN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SHOULD SHOULDER THE COST.
THE GOVERNOR SAID A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION WAS BEING. DISCUSSED BY THE CONFERENCE.
"IF THIS PLAN IS TO ADDRESS THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM IT WILL NEED TO BE TRULY COMPREHENSIVE, COVERING ALL THE ASPECTS I HAVE LISTED," HE SAID.
"ABOVE ALL, IT WILL HAVE TO REDUCE THE OUTFLOW FROM VIETNAM AND TO ENSURE THAT PROPER ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE PUT IN PLACE TO RETURN THOSE WHO ARE FOUND NOT TO BE REFUGEES."
SIR DAVID SAID THAT WITHOUT THIS HONG KONG COULD NOT CONTINUE TO PLAY ITS PART BY PROVIDING FIRST ASYLUM. AN UNBALANCED PLAN WOULD BE THE SOUND OF ONLY ONE HAND CLAPPING.
ON THE COMMENT THAT IT WAS WRONG OR INHUMANE TO SEND BACK TO VIETNAM THOSE WHO DID NOT VOLUNTEER TO GO, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "BUT IS IT? THIS IS WHAT IS DONE WITH ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ALL OVER THE WORLD: OF COURSE THERE MUST BE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ALL THOSE WHO RETURN TO BE DECENTLY TREATED; AND THE ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD BE MONITORED."
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THE REAL INHUMANITY WAS TO ENCOURAG: PEOPLE TO LEAVE VIETNAM WITH WOMEN AND YOUNG CHILDREN IN UNSAFE BOAT IN THE HOPE OF GETTING TO DESTINATIONS ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD WHICH THEY WOULD NEVER REACH BECAUSE THE DOORS WERE CLOSED.
"THE REAL INHUMANITY IS THAT THESE UNFORTUNATE PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE TO BE CONFINED IN CAMPS WITH NO HOPE OF RESETTLEMENT,” Till GOVERNOR ADDED.
"AS THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES HAS SAID, VOLUNTARY RETURNS ARE FAR FEWER THAN NEW ARRIVALS. THE LOGIC IS INESCAPABLE THAT IN THE INTERESTS OF THE BOAT PEOPLE THEMSELVES NEW ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD URGENTLY BE PUT IN PLACE.
"THE HUMANE COURSE IS TO SET UP, AND SET UP QUICKLY, PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR RETURNING TO THEIR OWN COUNTRY THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT REFUGEES."
SIR DAVID SAID THIS WAS NOT THE VIEW OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ALONE.
"SOME OF THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WORKING IN THE CAMPS IN HONG KONG ARE INCREASINGLY SEEING MANDATORY REPATRIATION AS THE ONLY HUMANE ANSWER TO THIS PROBLEM," HE SAID.
"WE ARE WILLING TO WORK WITH THE STEERING COMMITTEE TO BE SI F UP BY THIS CONFERENCE TO ACHIEVE THE VERY EARLY IMPLEMENTATION OF SUCH A SCHEME. THE PROCESS SHOULD START AT ONCE."
/THE GOVERNOR .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 1J, 1989
- 1 -
THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT TEN YEARS AGO HONG KONG WAS REELING UNDER THE IMPACT OF A MASSIVE INFLUX OF PEOPLE ARRIVING IN BOATS FROM VIETNAM, WITH THE TERRITORY HAVING 66,000 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN JULY 1979.
"TODAY WE ARE AGAIN REELING UNDER A CONSTANT STREAM OF PEOPLE ARRIVING FROM VIETNAM. OVER 9,000 OF THEM ARRIVED IN MAY ALONE," SIR DAVID SAID.
"RECENTLY WE HAVE HAD AS MANY AS 1,000 MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN ARRIVING IN A SINGLE DAY ON SMALL OVERCROWDED, UNSEAWORTHY BOATS.
"TODAY THERE ARE ALMOST 43,000 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, BY FAR THE LARGEST NUMBER IN ANY TERRITORY IN THE REGION," HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT THE GENEVA CONFERENCE TEN YEARS AGO HAD ACHIEVED REMARKABLE RESULTS.
ARRANGEMENTS WERE PUT IN PLACE BY WHICH
THE OUTFLOW OF REFUGEES FROM VIETNAM WAS REDUCED;
A PROGRAMME FOR ORDERLY DEPARTURE WAS SUBSTITUTED FOR CLANDESTINE AND UNSAFE FLIGHT;
HONG KONG AND MOST OF THE COUNTRIES OF SOUTH EAST ASIA AGREED TO GIVE TEMPORARY ASYLUM TO THOSE ARRIVING ON THEIR SHORES BY BOAT;
IN RETURN, COUNTRIES ELSEWHERE UNDERTOOK TO PROVIDE A PROGRAMME OF RESETTLEMENT SO THAT NONE OF THE PLACES OF TEMPORARY ASYLUM SHOULD BE LEFT HOLDING REFUGEES; AND
THE COSTS OF THE WHOLE PROGRAMME WOULD BE SHARED BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.
"HONG KONG PLAYED ITS PART IN THESE ARRANGEMENTS TO THE FULL. OVER 117,000 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES HAVE COME TO HONG KONG, HAVE BEEN LOOKED AFTER AND MOVED ON TO PERMANENT HOMES.
"NONE HAS BEEN TURNED AWAY," SIR DAVID POINTED OUT.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HONG KONG WAS GRATEFUL TO THOSE WHO PROVIDED RESETTLEMENT PLACES, NOTABLY THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, AND THE UNI’.'ED KINGDOM, AND ALSO MANY OTHER COUNTRIES THAT HAD MADE THEIR OWN GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS.
"THE PROBLEM HAS NOT GONE AWAY, BUT THE NATURE OF IT HAS CHANGED," SIR DAVID NOTED.
/"ONLY ONE
TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 1989
"ONLY ONE THING HAS REMAINED CONSTANT. THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE NOW ARRIVING ON OUR SHORES EACH WEEK ARE NOT SEEKING TO STAY IN HONG KONG. THEIR AIM IS TO REACH THE COUNTRIES OF RESETTLEMENT; ABOVE ALL, THEY WANT TO GO TO NORTH AMERICA," HE ADDED.
"THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM HAS CHANGED, PARTLY BECAUSE THE PEOPLE COMING HAVE CHANGED AND PARTLY BECAUSE THE WELCOME THEY WERE ONCE GIVEN ROUND THE WORLD HAS FADED," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT TEN YEARS AGO THOSE LEAVING VIETNAM, MOSTLY ETHNIC CHINESE FLEEING FROM WHAT HAD BEEN SOUTH VIETNAM, WERE GENUINE POLITICAL REFUGEES.
"BUT IN RECENT YEARS THE PEOPLE ARRIVING HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT. THOSE COMING TO HONG KONG HAVE MOSTLY BEEN VIETNAMESE FROM THE NORTHERN PART OF VIETNAM.
"THEY ARE NOT THE VICTIMS OF A SUDDEN CHANGE OF POLITICAL REGIME. THEY ARE SEEKING ECONOMIC IMPROVEMENT AND A BETTER STANDARD OF LIVING FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES RATHER THAN FLEEING POLITICAL PERSECUTION.
"HALF OF THOSE NOW ARRIVING ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 20. ONE THIRD ARE CHILDREN OF 15 OR LESS," SIR DAVID SAID.
"THE PROBLEM HAS ALSO CHANGED BECAUSE SINCE 1980 OFFERS OF RESETTLEMENT HAVE STEADILY FALLEN. FOR THE BOAT PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REACH NORTH AMERICA HAS ALMOST DISAPPEARED.
"FOR THE PLACES OF FIRST ASYLUM THE NECESSARY BALANCE ACHIEVED UNDER THE 1979 ARRANGEMENTS NO LONGER EXISTS.
"HONG KONG AND THE COUNTRIES OF SOUTH EAST ASIA HAVE LIVED UP TO THEIR SIDE OF THE BARGAIN BY CONTINUING TO PROVIDE FIRST ASYLUM, BUT CAN THE SAME BE SAID OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE?"
"THOSE BLEAK WORDS ‘COMPASSION FATIGUE’ HAVE BEEN ALL TOO REAL," SIR DAVID SAID.
LAST YEAR, OVER 18,000 PEOPLE ARRIVED IN HONG KONG BY BOAT FROM VIETNAM: LESS THAN 3,000 LEFT FOR RESETTLEMENT.
"SOME COUNTRIES HAVE SAID THAT THOSE ARRIVING NO LONGER QUALIFY FOR RESETTLEMENT AS REFUGEES UNDER THE NORMAL RULES. THERE IS THE SOUND OF ONLY ONE HAND CLAPPING," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
"THE CONSEQUENCES FOR HONG KONG ARE APPALLING," SIR DAVID SAID.
"THESE PEOPLE MOVING ALONG THE COAST OF CHINA AND ARRIVING IN THEIR SMALL O’ ERCROWDED BOATS, ARE COMING RIGHT INTO THE HEART OF ONE OF THE MOST DENSELY POPULATED PLACES IN THE WORLD.
"OUR RESOURCES HAVE BEEN OVERWHELMED," HE ADDED.
/HE SAID
TUESDAY, JUNE 1J, 1989
- 5 -
HE SAID THE COMMUNITY HAD BECOME INCREASINGLY UNWILLING TO TOLERATE THE ARRIVAL OF A NEVER ENDING FLOOD OF PEOPLE FROM VIETNAM.
"THEY ASK WHEN IT WILL EVER STOP. UNDERSTANDABLY THEY BEGRUDGE THE RESOURCES AND THE EFFORTS WHICH THEY HAVE DEVOTED TO THESE UNINVITED GUESTS AT THIS DIFFICULT TIME IN HONG KONG’S HISTORY WHEN SO MANY OTHER PRIORITIES ARE CLAMOURING FOR OUR ATTENTION," SIR DAVID SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE SUMS SPENT WERE NOT SMALL AND THAT COSTS HAD BEEN RISING SHARPLY : US$120 MILLION IN THE LAST FIVE YEAAS, OF WHICH US$64 MILLION WAS SPENT LAST YEAR ALONE.
"PEOPLE QUESTION WHETHER THE GENEROSITY WE HAVE SHOWN FOR SO MANY YEARS IS NOT NOW BEING ABUSED," SIR DAVID SAID.
"ALL THIS AGAINST A BACKGROUND WHERE EVERY DAY SOME 30 TO 40 PEOPLE WHO, UNLIKE THE BOAT PEOPLE FROM VIETNAM, OFTEN HAVE CLOSE CONNECTIONS WITH RELATIVES IN HONG KONG, HAVE TO BE RETURNED TO CHINA BECAUSE THEY HAVE COME INTO THE TERRITORY ILLEGALLY AND WE HAVE NO ROOM FOR THEM," HE POINTED OUT.
WITH THE 1979 GENEVA ARRANGEMENTS BREAKING DOWN AND PEOPLE STILL FLOODING IN, HONG KONG INTRODUCED A POLICY OF SCREENING IN JUNE LAST YEAR WHEREBY ALL WHO ARRIVED WERE SCREENED TO FIND OUT WHETHER THEY WERE REFUGEES UNDER ACCEPTED INTERNATIONAL RULES AS APPROVED BY THE UNHCR.
"THE PROCESS HAS BEEN CAREFUL, ELABORATE -- INDEED SO ELABORATE THAT UP TO NOW IT HAS BEEN TOO SLOW," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
"CAREFUL EXAMINATION OF A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF INDIVIDUAL CASES HAS SHOWN THAT SOME 90 PER CENT OF THOSE SCREENED SO FAR DO NOT QUALIFY FOR REFUGEE STATUS UNDER NORMAL INTERNATIONAL CRITERIA.
"THEIR REASONS FOR LEAVING VIETNAM HAVE BEEN ESSENTIALLY ECONOMIC. THEIR CHANCES OF RESETTLEMENT ARE THUS VIRTUALLY NIL," SIR DAVID EXPLAINED.
BUT DESPITE THE CHANGE IN POLICY LARGE NUMBERS HAD CONTINUED TO POUR INTO HONG KONG.
"THIS YEAR SOME 18,000 PEOPLE HAVE ARRIVED IN HONG KONG BY BOAT FROM VIETNAM. 4,500 OF THESE HAVE ARRIVED SINCE THE BEGINNING OF JUNE," SIR DAVID SAID.
"EVERY DAY FOR THE LAST SIX WEEKS WE HAVE HAD AN AVERAGE OF OVER 300 MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN SAILING INTO HONG KONG ON SMALL BOATS."
"THE SITUATION IS NOW CRITICAL," SIR DAVID SAID. "WE LOOK TO THIS CONFERENCE TO PROVIDE NEW ARRANGEMENTS WHICH DEAL WITH ALL ASPECTS OF THE PROBLEM WE NOW FACE.
"ONLY THEN CAN WE CONTINUE TO PLAY OUR PART. THIS PROBLEM HAS GONE ON TOO LONG. IT NOW CRIES OUT FOR A REALISTIC AND LASTING SOLUTION."
-----0 -
/6........
TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 1989
6
VBP PROBLEM GETTING THOROUGH AIRING: GOVERNOR * * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY HE HOPED THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WERE PLEASED THAT A PROBLEM WHICH HAS PLAGUED US FOR A LONG TIME WAS GETTING A VERY THOROUGH AIRING IN GENEVA.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE END OF THE FIRST DAY OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INDO-CHINESE REFUGEES, SIR DAVID SAID SOME PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE ON PARTS OF THE PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH NOBODY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT WOULD COME OUT AT THE END.
HE WELCOMED THE OFFER BY THE PHILIPPINO DELEGATION TO HOST THE PROPOSED REGIONAL RESETTLEMENT CENTRE FOR REFUGEES IN FIRST ASYLUM COUNTRIES, DESCRIBING IT AS SOMETHING WHICH HONG KONG HAD BEEN HOPING FOR BUT NOT FORESEEN BEFORE THE CONFERENCE.
THE GOVERNOR TOLD REPORTERS THAT APART FROM ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE THE UK/HK TEAM HAD MET THE VIETNAMESE FOREIGN MINISTER AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE VIETNAMESE DELEGATION.
THE MEETING WOULD CONTINUE TOMORROW AND HE HOPED TO FIND A WAY FORWARD IN AGREEING ON ARRANGEMENTS FOR REPATRIATING PEOPLE TO VIETNAM, HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID SAID THE TEAM HAD ALSO MET THE US DELEGATION TO DISCUSS PERCEPTIONS THAT THE BRITISH AND UNITED STATES HAD ON THE BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM.
THESE PERCEPTIONS, HE SAID, WERE ESSENTIALLY THE SAME IN THAT BOTH COUNTRIES RECOGNISED THAT THERE WERE A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT GENUINE REFUGEES AND WHO WERE NOT GOING TO BE RESETTLED.
"BUT WE ALSO HAVE A DIFFERENCE ABOUT WHAT YOU DO ABOUT THAT PROBLEM," HE SAID.
ON A COMMENT BY THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, THAT HONG KONG MIGHT BE FORCED TO SUSPEND ITS PORT OF FIRST ASYLUM POLICY IF THE BOAT PEOPLE CRISIS CONTINUED UNRELIEVED, THE GOVERNOR SAID THIS WAS A STATEMENT OF FACT.
HE SAID HONG KONG WAS SUFFERING FROM INTOLERABLE PRESSURES AND ALL ITS FACILITIES WERE OVERWHELMED.
"IT IS A STATEMENT OF FACT THAT UNLESS WE CAN FIND SOME WAY OF RESOLVING THIS PROBLEM, AND BY THAT I MEAN THAT THE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE DECREASE OR WE CAN FIND WAYS OF DEALING WITH THE HUGH NUMBER OF PEOPLE WE’VE ALREADY GOT, THEN WE SIMPLY CAN’T GO ON AS WE ARE."
"BUT THIS IS A POINT WE DON’T WANT TO HAVE TO REACH," HE STRESSED.
"WHAT WE ARE DOING IS TO WARN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY THAT WE ARE FACING AN INTOLERABLE STRAIN, AND WE CAN'T SIMPLY GO ON AS WE ARE IF THIS INTOLERABLE STRAIN CONTINUES WITHOUT RELIEF," HE SAID.
-------o ---------
TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 1989
- 7 -
ARRIVAL OF THE GOVERNOR IN GENEVA » t t * »
THE GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING FOR RESETTLEMENT OF GENUINE REFUGEES, A STOPPAGE OF THE MASSIVE OUTFLOW FROM VIETNAM, ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SOMEWHERE TO GO TO LEAVE VIETNAM IN A LEGAL AND ORDERLY WAY, AND, VERY IMPORTANTLY, ARRANGEMENTS TO SEND BACK TO VIETNAM PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT GENUINE REFUGEES, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVH; WILSON, SAID YESTERDAY (MONDAY):
"THOSE THINGS, ALL TOGETHER, NOW OR IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE, ARE WHAT 1 AM LOOKING FOR," HE TOLD REPORTERS ON ARRIVAL IN GENEVA TO ATTEND THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INDO-CHINESE REFUGEES DUE TO START TODAY (TUESDAY).
SIR DAVID SAID HE HOPED THE WORLD COMMUNITY WOULD FIRST OF ALL UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PROBLEM FOR HONG KONG WAS.
"UP TO NOW, WE HAVE BEEN FACING A PROBLEM IN HONG KONG AND THE WORLD AS A WHOLE HAS VIRTUALLY DISREGARDED IT. THAT’S STAGE ONE.
'STAGE TWO IS ARRANGEMENTS FOR RESETTLEMENT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE GENUINE REFUGEES.
"STAGE THREE, AND THE HARDEST OF THEM ALL, IS MAKING PEOPLE REALISE THAT PART OF THE SOLUTION MUST BE RETURNING PEOPLE TO VIETNAM WHO ARE NOT GENUINE REFUGEES".
THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT BILATERAL TALKS WOULD BE HELD WITH THE VIETNAMESE.
"I EXPECT SIR GEOFFREY' HOWE TO HAVE A MEETING WITH THE VIETNAMESE FOREIGN MINISTER. I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE VIETNAMESE FOREIGN MINISTER MYSELF."
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION, SIR DAVID SAID THAT HE WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE THE UNITED STATES TO UNDERSTAND THE REALITIES OF THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM.
"THE REALITIES ARE, FIRST, THAT NEARLY EVERYBODY WHO COMES TO HONG KONG DOESN’T WANT TO COME TO HONG KONG. THEY WANT TO GO TO NORTH AMERICA. ABOVE ALL, THEY WANT TO GO TO THE UNITED STATES.
"BUT THOSE DOORS ARE CLOSED TO THEM BECAUSE THE UNITED STATES SAYS THAT MOST OF THESE PEOPLE DON’T QUALIFY TO GO TO THE STATES.
"SO WE HAVE A TRAGIC SITUATION OF PEOPLE SETTING OUT ON A JOURNEY TO NOWHERE, THEY WON’T GET TO THEIR DESTINATION.
"SECONDLY, FACING THAT REALITY AND REALISING THAT THE GENUINELY' HUMANE THING TO DO IS TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THESE PEOPLE TO GO BACK TO VIETNAM WITHOUT BEING PENALISED.
"THAT IS GENUINELY HUMANE, FAR BETTER THAN BEING CONFINED FOR MONTHS OR YEARS IN DETENTION CENTRES," SIR DAVID SAID.
TUESDAY. JUNE 13, 1989
8
PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPING WITH VBP: SIR DAVID ♦ t ♦ ♦ *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO GO ON MAKING PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS TO RECEIVE THE CONTINUOUS INFLUX OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID AFTER VISITING THE SEK KONG CAMP TODAY (TUESDAY).
SIR DAVID WAS THERE TO SEE PROGRESS OF WORK IN ERECTING TENTS ON THE RUNWAY TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION FOR VIETNAMESE ARRIVALS.
SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS UNDERSTANDABLE THAT LOCAL PEOPLE IN SEK KONG WOULD FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT THE PRESENCE OF VIETNAMESE IN THEIR AREA. HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE VBP CAMP WAS IiN THE MIDDLE OF AN ARMY CAMP AND THERE WERE TWO BARBED-WIRE FENCES BETWEEN THE CAMP AND THE LOCAL POPULATION.
"IT IS BEING GUARDED BY THE POLICE FORCE,” HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD BIG PROBLEMS ON THE SOKO ISLANDS WHEN TRYING TO MOVE PEOPLE OUT IN THE EVENT OF THE APPROACH OF A TYPHOON.
’’AND IT CAUSES AN IMMENSE AMOUNT OF TROUBLE FOR OUR SECURITY FORCES TO MOVE PEOPLE OFF THE REMOTE ISLANDS. WE HAVE GOT TO LOOK FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS WHICH WILL PROVIDE A DEGREE OF CONTINUITY AND SECURITY FOR THE PEOPLE INVOLVED." HE SAID.
ASKED ABOUT THE DATE WHEN THE CAMP COULD BE USED, SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS PLANNING TO USE THIS CAMP SOMETIME TOWARDS THE END OF THE WEEK IF THE FLOW OF VBP CONTINUED AT THE PRESENT RATE AND THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUED TO BE UNDER GREAT PRESSURE.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS NO FIRM DATE YET.
COMMENTING ON REPORTS THAT VILLAGERS MIGHT TAKE ACTION TO STOP THE GOVERNMENT MOVING VBP INTO THE CAMP, SIR DAVID SAID HE HOPED COOL HEADS WOULD PREVAIL IN THIS SITUATION.
"IT WOULD NOT DO ANYBODY GOOD IN THE COMMUNITY TO RESORT TO ANY SORT OF DRASTIC ACTION.
"AND OF COURSE, THE POLICE WILL BE GUARDING THIS CAMP AND WILL BE LOOKING AFTER SECURITY GENERALLY. SO I DON’T BELIEVE THAT THE LOCAL COMMUNITY HAS ANYTHING TO FEAR AT ALL FROM THE PRESENCE OF BOAT PEOPLE HERE." HE SAID.
SIR DAVID PAID TRIBUTE TO THE ARMY FOR THE TREMENDOUS JOB THEY HAD DONE. "IT IS A GREAT EFFORT AND 1 AM VERY GRATEFUL TO THEM FOR ALL THEY HAVE DONE," SIR DAVID REMARKED.
/SIR DAVID .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 1J, 1989
- 9
SIR DAVID LATER VISITED AND INSPECTED FACILITIES AT THE WHITEHEAD DETENTION CENTRE, SHA TIN, WHERE 6,500 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE HAD TO BE CROWDED INTO BLOCKS AND TENTS BECAUSE OF THE CONTINUING LARGE INFLUX OF VBP.
HE PAID TRIBUTE TO STAFF OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE POLICE, THE CIVIL AID SERVICES AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED FOR THEIR HARD WORK UNDER DIFFICULT EMERGENCY CONDITIONS IN OPERATING THE WHITEHEAD AND OTHER DETENTION CENTRES AND REFUGEE CAMPS.
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS ALSO BEEN PUTTING IN SPECIAL EFFORTS IN CAPITAL WORKS AND THE PROVISION OF SECURITY FENCES, ELECTRICITY AND WATER SUPPLY, DRAINAGE AND OTHER ANCILIARY FACILITIES FOR EMERGENCY VBP ACCOMMODATION.
SINCE JANUARY THIS YEAR, THERE HAVE BEEN A TOTAL OF 18,122 VBP ARRIVALS, AN INCREASE OF 10,586 OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
-------0----------
PUBLIC URGED TO SPEAK UP ON TRANSPORT POLICY
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, TODAY (TUESDAY) URGED THE PUBLIC TO SPEAK UP ON THE TRANSPORT POLICY GREEN PAPER.
MR LEUNG SAID PUBLIC VIEWS WERE NECESSARY TO HELP THE GOVERNMENT DETERMINE THE PRACTICABILITY AND ACCEPTABILITY OF THE PROPOSED MEASURES SET OUT IN THE GREEN PAPER.
THE GOVERNMENT HAD AN OPEN MIND ON THE MANAGEMENT MEASURES OUTLINED IN THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT, HE EMPHASISED WHEN SPEAKING AT A LUNCH MEETING OF THE LIONS CLUB OF SOUTH KOWLOON.
VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE PUBLIC DURING THE NEXT FOUR MONTHS ENDING IN SEPTEMBER WOULD FORM THE BASIS OF FORMULATING LONG-TERM TRANSPORT POLICIES UP TO THE 21ST CENTURY.
EARLIER IN HIS SPEECH, MR LEUNG DISPELLED TWO COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT GOVERNMENT TRANSPORT POLICY AND PLANNING: THAT LONG-TERM PLANNING WAS LACKING, AND THAT BUILDING MORE ROADS WOULD SOLVE TRAFFIC PROBLEMS.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT TOOK POSITIVE ACTION IN SYSTEMATIC, LONG-TERM PLANNING IN THE 1960’S WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE HONG KONG PASSENGER TRANSPORT STUDY, THE MASS TRANSIT STUDY AND THE LONG TERM ROAD STUDY.
THE FIRST COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY (CTS-1) WAS COMPLETED IN 1976.
/IT PRODUCED
TUESDAY, JUNE 1J, 1989
- 10 -
IT PRODUCED A FRAMEWORK FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S TRANSPORT SYSTEM INTO THE 1990’S, AND BECAME THE BACKBONE OF THE 1979 WHITE PAPER ON INTERNAL TRANSPORT POLICY.
THE TRANSPORT STRATEGY DEVELOPED BY CTS-1 PROVED TO BE EFFECTIVE IN ACCOMMODATING RAPID GROWTH IN TRANSPORT DEMAND, HE SAID.
THE SECOND COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY (STC-2) WAS COMMISSIONED IN 1986 TO PROJECT GROWTH IN TRANSPORT DEMAND UP TO 2001, AND TO APPRAISE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE AND POLICY OPTIONS TO MEET FUTURE CHALLENGES.
THIS STUDY BECAME THE BASIS OF THE GREEN PAPER.
”AN ESSENTIAL FEATURE OF THE STUDY IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPUTERISED TRANSPORT MODEL WHICH CAN BE UPDATED REGULARLY TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF FUTURE CHANGES IN POLICIES, PLANS AND CIRCUMSTANCES.
’’IMPORTANT DATA SUCH AS THE LOCATIONS OF FUTURE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT WILL BE FED INTO THE MODEL SO THAT AN OPTIMUM AND PRACTICAL ROAD AND RAIL NETWORK CAN CONTINUE TO BE DEVISED TO COPE WITH CHANGING NEEDS," MR LEUNG SAID.
THE SECOND MISCONCEPTION WAS THAT CONGESTION WOULD DISAPPEAR WITH THE BUILDING OF MORE ROADS, MR LEUNG SAID.
ROAD AND RAIL CONSTRUCTION HAD BECOME MORE EXPENSIVE AND DIFFICULT, REQUIRING RECLAMATION, BUILDING TUNNELS AND ELEVATED ROADS TO IMPROVE THE ROAD NETWORK.
"MOREOVER, DUE TO INSUFFICIENT SPACE IN THE BUILT-UP AREAS, THERE IS VERY LIMITED SCOPE TO EXPAND THE CAPACITY OF LOCAL AND DISTRIBUTOR ROADS WHICH NOW MAKE UP 70 PER CENT OF OUR ROAD NETWORK," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG STRESSED THAT TO ALLOW UNRESTRAINED GROWTH IN ROAD TRAFFIC WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE AS IT WOULD UNDERMINE THE ECONOMY AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN HONG KONG.
HE SAID THAT WITHOUT EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT MEASURES, VEHICULAR TRAFFIC COULD OVERLOAD THE EXISTING AND PLANNED ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE.
HOWEVER, HE SAID THERE WERE OTHER MEASURES SUCH AS BETTER CO-ORDINATION OF LAND USE AND TRANSPORT PLANNING WHICH WOULD HELP REDUCE PRESSURE ON THE TRANSPORT SYSTEM.
MR LEUNG ALSO CALLED ON THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN REDUCING PEAK HOUR CONGESTION.
"YOU, AS EMPLOYERS CAN FOR EXAMPLE, HELP BY SUPPORTING A GREATER USE OF FLEXI-TIME AND STAGGERED WORKING HOURS," HE ADDED.
- - 0 --------
TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 1989
11
CIVIL SERVICE PAY TO BE ADJUSTED *****
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 THE 1989 PAY ADJUSTMENT.
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH ALSO MET THE POLICE FORCE COUNCIL.
MR GREWAL SAID: "THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL CONSIDERED THIS MORNING THE RESULTS OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR PAY TREND SURVEY FOR THE PERIOD FEBRUARY 1, 1988 TO JANUARY 31, 1989.
"ALSO CONSIDERED WERE THE ADVICE OF THE INDEPENDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEES ON THE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE OF THE DIRECTORATE, DISCIPLINED SERVICES AND JUDICIAL OFFICERS; THE COST OF LIVING INCREASES; AND THE PAY CLAIMS SUBMITTED BY THE STAFF SIDES.
"WHERE THE NON-DIRECTORATE PAY ADJUSTMENT IS CONCERNED, WE WERE AUTHORISED TO MAKE AN OFFER TO THE STAFF SIDES BASED ON THE 1988-89 PAY TREND INDICATORS, AS ADJUSTED ACCORDING TO THE COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY’S RECOMMENDATION WHICH THE GOVERNMENT HAS ACCEPTED.
"THUS THE AWARD WILL BE 13.43 PER CENT FOR THE UPPER BAND AND 14.81 PER CENT FOR BOTH THE MIDDLE AND LOWER BANDS WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR."
THE UPPER BAND OF SALARIES IS FROM $18,000 TO $35,890 A MONTH, THE MIDDLE BAND FROM $5,700 TO $17,999 AND THE LOWER BAND IS BELOW $5,700.
MR GREWAL ALSO EXPLAINED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD DECIDED THAT THE PAY AWARD FOR DIRECTORATE OFFICERS AND OFFICERS ON DIRECTORATE EQUIVALENT SALARIES IN THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES AND THE JUDICIARY WHO ARE OUTSIDE THE PAY TREND SURVEY ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE 14.5 PER CENT.
THIS PERCENTAGE WAS THE MOST COMMON PAY INCREASE IN 1988-89 ESTABLISHED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR SURVEY ON REMUNERATION OF SENIOR MANAGEMENT COMMISSIONED BY THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON DIRECTORATE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 1989 PAY ADJUSTMENT WOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISION OF FUNDS BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
- - O - -
TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 1989
- 12 -
WRITTEN CONTRACT REQUIRED FOR OVERSEAS WORK
*****
EMPLOYERS WERE TODAY (TUESDAY) REMINDED THAT THEY WERE REQUIRED BY LAW TO ENTER INTO A WRITTEN CONTRACT WITH ALL MANUAL WORKERS WHOM THEY ENGAGE TO WORK OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
THE CONTRACTS MUST BE SIGNED BY THE WORKERS AND ATTESTED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT BEFORE THEIR DEPARTURE.
IN A RECENT COURT CASE, AN EMPLOYER WAS FINED $2,000 BY A WESTERN COURT MAGISTRATE FOR FAILING TO ENTER INTO A WRITTEN CONTRACT WITH HIS EMPLOYEE WHO WORKED AS A MECHANIC OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
IN ANOTHER CONVICTION, A TRADING COMPANY WAS FOUND TO HAVE EMPLOYED FOUR WORKERS TO WORK OUTSIDE HONG KONG WITHOUT SUBMITTING ANY CONTRACT TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT FOR ATTESTATION, DESPITE AGREEMENTS BEING MADE WITH THE EMPLOYEES IN THEIR TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT. THE EMPLOYER WAS SUBSEQUENTLY FINED $3,200 BY A SAN PO KONG COURT MAGISTRATE.
A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT UNDER THE CONTRACTS FOR EMPLOYMENT OUTSIDE HONG KONG ORDINANCE, AN EMPLOYER OR HIS AGENT WOULD BE PROSECUTED IF HE FAILED TO ENTER INTO A WRITTEN CONTRACT WITH A MANUAL WORKER BEFORE DEPARTURE OR INDUCED A WORKER TO DEPART FROM HONG KONG FOR EMPLOYMENT BEFORE THE CONTRACT WAS ATTESTED.
UPON CONVICTION, AN EMPLOYER IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $50,000.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE RESPECTIVE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS UNDER THE CONTRACTS FOR EMPLOYMENT OUTSIDE HONG KONG ORDINANCE MAY BE MADE TO THE EXTERNAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AT 5-8523535 OR 5-8523537.
--------o----------
MAY RAINFALL FOURTH HIGHEST ON RECORD *****
MAY WAS A VERY EVENTFUL MONTH IN TERMS OF THE WEATHER IN HONG KONG. RAINFALL WAS MUCH ABOVE NORMAL, WITH HAIL REPORTED DURING ONE OF THE MANY RAIN EPISODES. TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING SIGNALS WERE ALSO HOISTED FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR DURING THE APPROACH OF TYPHOON BRENDA, INCLUDING THE NO. 8 GALE OR STORM SIGNAL WHICH HAD NOT BEEN HOISTED SINCE AUGUST 1986.
THE '.ON' HLY TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNTED TO 771.9 MILLIMETRES, WHICH IS MORE THAN TWO AND A HALF TIMES THE NORMAL RAINFALL OF 298.1 MILLIMETRES AND THE FOURTH HIGHEST ON RECORD FOR MAY.
AHIS BROUGHT.........
TUESDAY, JUNE 1989
13
THIS BROUGHT THE TOTAL RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY TO 1,047.4 MILLIMETRES, WHICH IS 87 PER CENT ABOVE THE NORMAL AMOUNT OF 561.1 MILLIMETRES AND THE NINTH HIGHEST ON RECORD FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY TO MAY.
MOST OF THE RAIN IN MAY WAS ASSOCIATED WITH A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MONTH AND TYPHOON BRENDA WHICH AFFECTED THE SOUTH CHINA COASTAL AREAS FROM MAY 19 TO 21. ON MAY 2, 104.8 MILLIMETRES OF RAIN FELL BETWEEN NOON AND 1 PM. THIS AMOUNT IS THE HIGHEST HOURLY RAINFALL EVER RECORDED FOR MAY. IT IS ALSO THE SECOND HIGHEST ON RECORD, JUST 3.4 MILLIMETRES LESS THAN THE HIGHEST RECORDED ON JUNE 12, 1966.
THE DAILY TOTAL RAINFALL OF 322.8 MILLIMETRES ON MAY 20 ASSOCIATED WITH TYPHOON BRENDA IS THE SECOND HIGHEST DAILY RAINFALL ON RECORD FOR MAY AND THE EIGHTH HIGHEST FOR ALL MONTHS.
UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF AN ACTIVE TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE WHICH LINGERED OVER THE COASTAL AREAS OF GUANGDONG, A SQUALL LINE WITH INTENSE THUNDERSTORMS PASSED THROUGH HONG KONG IN THE EARLY AFTERNOON ON MAY 1. HAIL WITH DIAMETERS OF LESS THAN A CENTIMETRE WAS REPORTED AT TUEN MUN.
THE WEATHER DETERIORATED FURTHER THE NEXT DAY. THE HEAVIEST DOWNPOUR OCCURRED OVER A RELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD AROUND NOON TIME OVER MOST OF THE URBAN AREAS.
THE HEAVY RAIN RESULTED IN WIDESPREAD FLOODING AND LANDSLIPS OVER THE TERRITORY, BRINGING SEVERE DISRUPTIONS TO ROAD, RAIL AND AIR TRANSPORT. A MAN WAS REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN KILLED BY LIGHTNING WHILE TWO OTHER PEOPLE WERE DROWNED.
ALTHOUGH RAIN PERSISTED FOR ANOTHER TWO DAYS, THE INTENSITY AND FREQUENCY GRADUALLY DECREASED AS THE TROUGH MOVED SLOWLY SOUTHWARDS TO THE NORTHERN PART OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA.
WITH A RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE ESTABLISHING OVER SOUTHERN CHINA, WEATHER BECAME MAINLY FINE ON MAY 5 APART FROM SOME ISOLATED SHOWERS. GENERALLY FINE CONDITIONS PERSISTED FOR THE NEXT EIGHT DAYS. WINDS ALSO TURNED FROM EASTERLY TO SOUTHERLY BY MAY 9, BRINGING VERY WARM MARITIME AIR TO THE COASTAL AREAS.
DURING THIS PERIOD, TEMPERATURES WERE ON THE RISING TREND WITH THE DAYTIME MAXIMUM REACHING 31 DEGREES CELSIUS ON MAY 11, THE HIGHEST FOR THE MONTH.
THE ARRIVAL OF A LATE-SEASON SURGE OF THE NORTHEAST MONSOON ON MAY 13 BROUGHT AN END TO THE PERIOD OF HOT WEATEHR. TEMPERATURES DROPPED MARKEDLY AND THE MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 20.9 DEGREES ON THE MORNING OF MAY 14 WAS THE LOWEST RECORDED FOR THE MONTH. THE WEATHER BETWEEN MAY 13 AND 15 WAS GENERALLY CLOUDY WITH SOME LIGHT RAIN.
WITH THE NORTHEAST MONSOON SUBSIDING, WARMER AND BRIGHTER CONDITIONS RETURNED ON MAY 16. GENERALLY FINE WEATHER CONTINUED FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS APART FROM SHOWERS ON THE MORNING OF MAY 17 ASSOCIATED WITH THE PASSAGE OF A WEAK TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE.
/Meanwhile , .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 1J, 1989
14
MEANWHILE, SEVERE TROPICAL STORM BRENDA SWEPT ACROSS THE PHILIPPINES AND MOVED INTO THE SOUTH CHINA SEA. IT INTENSIFIED FURTHER INTO A TYPHOON ON MAY 19 AND ITS OUTERMOST RAINBAND AFFECTED HONG KONG THAT MORNING. LOCAL WEATHER DETERIORATED PROGRESSIVELY AS BRENDA TOOK ON A NORTHWESTWARD COURSE.
STORMY CONDITIONS PREVAILED OVER THE TERRITORY ON MAY 20 WHILE BRENDA SKIRTED PAST AT A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 130 KILOMETRES TO THE SOUTHWEST. IT MADE LANDFALL OVER THE COAST OF WESTERN GUANGDONG DURING THE EVENING OF MAY 20 AND DISSIPATED RAPIDLY OVER LAND. WEATHER GRADUALLY IMPROVED ON MAY 21 WITH SOME SUNNY PERIODS THE NEXT DAY.
THE WEATHER FOR THE REST OF THE MONTH WAS DOMINATED BY TWO EASTERLY SURGES WHICH RESULTED IN COOLER CONDITIONS AND LOWER TEMPERATURES. APART FROM SOME SUNSHINE DURING THE PERIOD BETWEEN THE TWO SURGES ON MAY 28 AND 29, THE WEATHER REMAINED RATHER CLOUDY WITH OCCASIONAL LIGHT RAIN.
DURING THE MONTH OF MAY, 44 AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER. THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON MAY 1, 2, 3, 13, 17. 24, AND 30. FLOOD WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON MAY 2, 3, 20, AND 21
LANDSLIP WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON MAY 2, 20, AND 21.
APART FROM TYPHOON BRENDA, ANOTHER TROPICAL CYCLONE, CECIL, ALSO OCCURRED OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA DURING THE MONTH.
SIGNALS HOISTED DURING THE MONTH WERE AS FOLLOWS:
WEATHER SYSTEM SIGNAL DATE AND TIME OF HOISTING DATE AND TIME OF LOWERING
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON MAY 14 11.30 PM MAY 15 5.10 AM
TYPHOON BRENDA 1 MAY 19 8.45 AM MAY 19 9.45 PM
3 MAY 19 9.45 PM MAY 20 5.15 AM
8NE MAY 20 5.15 AM MAY 20 4.00 PM
8SE MAY 20 4.00 PM MAY 20 11.15 PM
3 MAY 20 11.15 PM MAY 21 7.15 AM
WINTER MONSOON STRONG MONSOON MAY 26 2.50 PM MAY 27 8.30 AM
/THE MONTH'S
TUESDAY, JUNE 1J, 1989
- 15 -
THE MONTH’S FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WERE:
TOTAL BRIGHT SUNSHINE 109.2 HOURS 53.4 HOURS BELOW NORMAL
MEAN DAILY GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION 12.35 MJ/SQ.M » 4.13 MJ/SQ. M BELOW NORMAL
TOTAL RAINFALL 771.9 MM » 473.8 MM ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN AMOUNT OF CLOUD 80 PER CENT > 7 PER CENT NORMAL MORE THAN
MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY 86 PER CENT > 3 PER CENT NORMAL HIGHER THAN
MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE 27.4 DEGREES CELSIUS > 1.5 DEGREE NORMAL CELSIUS BELOW
MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE 25.1 DEGREES CELSIUS 5 0.8 DEGREE NORMAL CELSIUS BELOW
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE 23.4 DEGREES CELSIUS > 0.5 DEGREE NORMAL CELSIUS BELOW
MEAN DEW POINT 22.5 DEGREES CELSIUS > 0.2 DEGREE NORMAL CELSIUS BELOW
TOTAL EVAPORATION 96.2 MM » 47.2 MM BELOW NORMAL
-------0 ---------
DRAINAGE PROBLEMS ON DB AGENDA
*****
THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS DRAINAGE PROBLEMS IN THE DISTRICT AT ITS MEETING ON THURSDAY (JUNE 15).
THE DISCUSSION HAS BEEN PROMPTED BY THE MAY 2 THUNDERSTORM, WHICH CAUSE FLOODING IN MANY AREAS OF THE DISTRICT AND PARALYSED TRAFFIC.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROGRAMME FOR THE 1989-90 KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN, CONSTRUCTION OF A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT AT YUK WAH CRESCENT, PROBLEMS CAUSED BY GARAGES IN FUNG WONG SHAN TSUEN, AND NOISE ARISING FROM THE OPERATIONS OF AN ENGINEERING COMPANY AT THE AIRPORT.
/IT WILL .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 1J, 19^9
- 16 -
IT WILL ALSO CONSIDER FIVE APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDE PROGRESS REPORTS ON MINOR WORKS PROJECTS AND STREET MANAGEMENT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON THURSDAY (JUNE 15) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, FOURTH FLOOR, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KING FUK STREET.
------0--------
LUNCH-TIME CONCERT DRAWS LARGE CROWD
* ♦ * * *
A MUSIC OFFICE WOODWIND QUINTET TODAY (TUESDAY) PRESENTED A SPECIAL LUNCH-TIME CONCERT AT WANCHAI TOWER I, HARBOUR ROAD.
THE CONCERT ATTRACTED HUNDREDS OF OFFICE WORKERS, CIVIL SERVANTS AND PASSERS-BY WHO WERE ENTERTAINED BY SUCH CLASSICAL PIECES AS BEETHOVEN’S ’SYMPHONY NO. 5’, AGAY*S ’FIVE EASY DANCES’ AND DEBUSSY’S ’LE PETIT NEGRE’.
THE CONCERT WAS THE FIRST OF THREE PREPARED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE FOR PEOPLE WORKING IN WAN CHAI. THE OTHER TWO WILL BE HELD AT THE SAME VENUE ON JUNE 20 AND 27.
------0-------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KOWLOON TONG * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (JUNE 15), THE RIGHT-TURN FROM JUNCTION ROAD EASTBOUND ONTO RENFREW ROAD SOUTHBOUND WILL BE RE-OPENED, AND KAM SHING ROAD BETWEEN ITS TWO JUNCTIONS WITH JUNCTION ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED FOR ONE-WAY ANTI-CLOCKWISE OPERATION.
- - 0 - -
TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 1989
- 17 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ON KCR KOWLOON STATION PODIUM ♦ » ♦ ♦ »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT IN CONNECTION WITH THE MAINTENANCE OF THE HONG KONG COLISEUM, TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WHICH HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED SINCE APRIL WILL CONTINUE UNTIL MID-JULY.
THE ARRANGEMENTS ARE:
THE UNNAMED ROAD LEADING TO/EXITING FROM THE LOADING/UNLOADING AREA AND THE COACH PARK ON THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF THE KCR RAILWAY TERMINUS ON THE STATION PODIUM ARE CLOSED.
THE LAY-BY ON THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF THE KCR RAILWAY TERMINUS ON THE STATION PODIUM IS CLOSED.
THE EIGHT METERED PARKING SPACES FOR COACHES ON THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF THE KCR RAILWAY TERMINUS ON THE STATION PODIUM ARE CANCELLED.
------0--------
LANE CLOSURE ON SHA TIN ROAD t ♦ t
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROAD T5 IN SHA TIN, 300 METRES OF THE SLOW LANE OF SHA TIN ROAD SLIP ROAD SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH SHA TIN WAI ROAD WILL BE CLOSED FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (JUNE 15) FOR 12 MONTHS.
------0-------
SUSPENSION OF WATER SUPPLY TO TWO AREAS » » ♦ ♦ ♦
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TAI KOK TSUI WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE NIGHT LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY LAI CHI KOK ROAD, TONG MEI ROAD, SYCAMORE STREET, TUNG CHAU STREET, BEDFORD ROAD, LARCH STREET, FUK TSUN STREET, WILLOW STREET, LIME STREET, MAPLE STREET, FIR STREET, WALNUT STREET, TAI KOK TSUI ROAD AND OAK STREET.
ALSO TO FACILITATE NIGHT LEAKAGE TESTS, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SAI KUNG WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY (JUNE 15) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES AT SAI KUNG TUK, HONG TSUEN ROAD, HONG TING ROAD, HONG NIN PATH, HONG TING PATH AND A SECTION OF HONG KIN ROAD BETWEEN HIRAM’S HIGHWAY AND HONG TSUEN ROAD.
0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
COLOSSAL PROBLEM MADE CLEAR TO WORLD COMMUNITY: GOVERNOR .... 1
NON-REFUGEES MUST GO BACK TO VIETNAM ........................... 2
CONTRACT FOR RECONSTRUCTING KING'S ROAD SIGNED ................. 5
YUEN LONG DB TO DISCUSS RURAL PLANNING REPORT .................. 4
SEWER CLEANSING CW DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ......................... 5
FUNDS FOR CULTURAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES ....................... 6
COURTESY CALL AT SV® HQ......................................... 6
GOVERNMENT LAND TO LET BY TENDER ............................... 7
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN THE MID-LEVELS ......................... 8
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN SHAM SHUT PO AND CAUSEWAY BAY................ 8
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KOWLOON CITY AND SHA TAU KOK............ 9
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14,
1989
1
COLOSSAL PROBLEM MADE CLEAR TO WORLD COMMUNITY: GOVERNOR
*****
HONG KONG HAS BROUGHT HOME TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY THE EXISTENCE OF A COLOSSAL PROBLEM FACING IT DURING THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INDO-CHINESE REFUGEES IN GENEVA, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY.
"UP TO NOW, WHETHER DELIBERATELY OR ACCIDENTALLY, THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAS IGNORED THE CRISIS.
"THAT IS NO LONGER TRUE," HE TOLD REPORTERS AT THE END OF THE TWO-DAY CONFERENCE.
HE SAID THE CONFERENCE HAD ACHIEVED A GREAT DEAL OF IMPROVEMENT ON THE QUESTION OF RESETTLEMENT OF GENUINE REFUGEES.
"THE CONFERENCE HAS HAD OFFERED TO IT A REGIONAL PROCESSING CENTRE IN THE PHILIPPINES, A VERY GENEROUS OFFER BY THE PHILIPPINE'S FOREIGN MINISTER.
"THAT IS SOMETHING WE DID NOT KNOW WAS GOING TO COME OUT OF THE CONFERENCE. IT IS CERTAINLY A PLUS.
"AND FINALLY WE HAVE BEEN PUTTING ACROSS VERY CLEARLY INDEED THAT YOU CANNOT IGNORE THE HUGH NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT REFUGEES.
"THERE IS A GREAT DESIRE IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO CLOSE ITS EYES TO THAT PART OF THE PROBLEM, AND I THINK WE HAVE MADE SURE THAT PEOPLE’S EYES CANNOT BE CLOSED TO IT, THAT SOLUTIONS MUST BE FOUND TO THAT.
"WE HAVEN’T GOT ON THE TABLE THE PRECISE SOLUTION TO IT, BUT I HOPE THAT OVER THE MONTHS TO COME WE WILL WORK TOWARDS DEALING WITH THAT VERY KEY PART OF THE PROBLEM," HE SAID.
COMMENTING ON THE CLOSING STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE CONFERENCE, THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT THE PRESIDENT DID POINT TO THE URGENCY OF THE PROBLEM AND THE FACT THAT ALL PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT REFUGEES MUST GO BACK TO THEIR HOMELAND.
"THOSE WERE VERY IMPORTANT STATEMENTS THAT HE HAS MADE," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THE PRESIDENT OF THE CONFERENCE ALSO GAVE CERTAIN TASKS TO THE STEERING COMMITTEE.
"I WOULD HOPE THAT AMONG THE ONES THAT THEY GIVE PRIORITY TO WOULD BE THE QUESTION OF A REGIONAL PROCESSING CENTRE IN THE PHILIPPINES.
"THAT IS A CONCRETE PROPOSAL WHICH NOW NEEDS SPECIFIC ACTION AND THEY CAN GET ON WITH IT."
/ASKED HOW .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE U, 19^9
- 2 -
ASKED HOW SOON HONG KONG COULD EXPECT TO SEE BENEFITS FROM THE CONFERENCE, SIR DAVID SAID HE HOPED WHAT HAD BEEN DECIDED WOULD NO SPEED UP THE PROCESS OF RESETTLEMENT OF GENUINE REFUGEES.
HE ADDED THAT IF THE REGIONAL PROCESSING CENTRE IN THE PHILIPPINES COULD BE GOT INTO PLACE QUICKLY, HONG KONG WOULD THEN BE ABLE TO SEND TO THE PHILIPPINES A VERY SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF ITS REFUGEES.
’’THAT WOULD RELIEVE A GREAT DEAL OF THE PRESSURE WE ARE SUFFERING ON ACCOMMODATION.
”1 WOULD HOPE TO SEE SOMETHING HAPPENING ON THOSE TWO THINGS IN THE REASONABLY NEAR FUTURE,” HE SAID.
------0 -------
NON-REFUGEES MUST GO BACK TO VIETNAM * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES HAVE NOW REALISED THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FACT THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE SCREENED OUT AS NON-REFUGEES HAVE SIMPLY GOT TO BE DEALT WITH, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID IN GENEVA TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS SHORTLY BEFORE THE END OF THE TWO-DAY INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INDO-CHINESE REFUGEES, SIR DAVID SAID WAYS MUST BE FOUND IN WHICH THESE PEOPLE COULD GO HOME.
THERE HAD BEEN VERY STRONG STATEMENTS OF SUPPORT FROM AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, AND A NUMBER OF OTHER COUNTRIES, HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR SAID TALKS HAD BEEN HELD WITH THE VIETNAMESE ON WAYS TO BUILD ON AND ENLARGE THE EXISTING PROGRAMME FOR RETURNING PEOPLE TO VIETNAM.
HE HOPED THAT THE THIRD ROUND OF TALKS WITH THE VIETNAMESE, AT EXPERT LEVEL, COULD BE HELD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO WORK OUT A PROCESS OF GETTING BACK TO VIETNAM PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT GENUINE REFUGEES, BUILDING ON THE EXISTING PROGRAMME.
”1 HOPE WE WILL BE ABLE TO EDGE OUR WAY FORWARD,” HE ADDED.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION, SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE FOR VIETNAM HAD NOT BEEN DISCUSSED.
SIR DAVID ALSO TOLD REPORTERS THAT ALTHOUGH THE CONFERENCE HAD NOT YET ENDED, A VERY LARGE PROGRAMME FOR THE RESETTLEMENT OF GENUINE REFUGEES HAD ALREADY EMERGED.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 19^9
- 3 -
HE SAID HE HAD HOPED WHEN HE CAME TO THE CONFERENCE THAT THERE WOULD BE A REALLY SUBSTANTIAL INTERNATIONAL EFFORT TO RESETTLE GENUINE REFUGEES.
"THAT DOES SEEM TO BE COMING OUT OF THE CONFERENCE.”
THESE SUBSTANTIAL OFFERS, IF FOLLOWED THROUGH, SHOULD MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR HONG KONG TO ACHIEVE ITS AIM OF RESETTLING ALL EXISTING GENUINE REFUGEES WITHIN ABOUT THREE YEARS, HE SAID.
A BONUS FROM THE CONFERENCE, HE ADDED, WAS THE OFFER BY THE PHILIPPINES GOVERNMENT TO HOST A REGIONAL RESETTLEMENT CENTRE FOR REFUGEES IN FIRST ASYLUM COUNTRIES.
-------0----------
CONTRACT FOR RECONSTRUCTING KING’S ROAD SIGNED ♦ * ♦ » ♦
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AWARDED A $155 MILLION CONTRACT FOR RECONSTRUCTING KING’S ROAD. THE WORK WILL START THIS MONTH AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN THREE YEARS’ TIME.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED BY THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR HAROLD BEATON, AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF GAMMON CONSTRUCTION LTD., MR S.F. TSOI.
SPEAKING AT THE SIGNING CEREMONY, MR BEATON SAID THAT KING’S ROAD, WHICH WAS BUILT BEFORE WORLD WAR II, HAD NOT BEEN DESIGNED TO COPE WITH PRESENT DAY TRAFFIC. THE SURFACE HAD DETERIORATED TO A STATE WELL BEYOND ECONOMIC REPAIR.
IT WAS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO RECONSTRUCT TOTALLY THE 3.8 KILOMETRE ROAD STRETCHING FROM TIN HAU TEMPLE ROAD IN CAUSEWAY BAY TO KORNHILL ROAD (EAST) IN QUARRY BAY.
MR BEATON SAID THE WORK WOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN FOUR STAGES WITH THREE TO FOUR SEPARATED SECTIONS BEING RECONSTRUCTED AT THE SAME TIME IN EACH STAGE.
HE ASSURED THE PUBLIC THAT APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT WOULD BE ENFORCED AT ALL TIMES TO ENSURE THAT AN ADEQUATE THROUGHPUT OF TRAFFIC WAS MAINTAINED DURING CONSTRUCTION.
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES HAD BEEN PLANNED BY A SPECIAL GROUP COMPRISING HIGHWAY AND TRAFFIC ENGINEERS TOGETHER WITH THE POLICE AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS, HE SAID.
THE WORKS COMPRISED RECONSTRUCTION AND OTHER ASSOCIATED IMPROVEMENT WORKS.
/Hr BEATON
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1**, 1989
MR BEATON ALSO SAID THAT UTILITY COMPANIES HAD BEEN INFORMED WELL IN ADVANCE OF THIS RECONSTRUCTION SCHEME AND THEIR PROPOSALS TO RENEW AND EXTEND THEIR EXISTING SERVICES WOULD BE CARRIED OUT TN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ROADWORKS.
AS WITH OTHER NEWLY COMPLETED ROADS IN HONG KONG, KING’S ROAD WOULD BE SUBJECT TO A RESTRICTION ON ROAD OPENINGS FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS FOLLOWING RECONSTRUCTION, HE ADDED.
THE ASSOCIATED IMPROVEMENT WORKS OF THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE:
* REVISION OF THE ROAD LAYOUT WITH TRAM TRACK REALIGNMENT NEAR TIN HAU TEMPLE ROAD, FORTRESS HILL ROAD, TONG SHUI ROAD AND MOUNT PARKER ROAD TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF THESE JUNCTIONS;
* WIDENING OF THE SECTION OF KING’S ROAD BETWEEN LAU SIN STREET AND LAU LI STREET;
* CONSTRUCTION OF AN EXTENSION TO THE EXISTING FOOTBRIDGE AT TIN CHIU STREET AND MOUNT PARKER ROAD;
* LAYING BY THE ROAD WORKS CONTRACTOR OF A ONE-METRE DIAMETER WATER MAIN BETWEEN TIN HAU TEMPLE ROAD AND KAM HONG STREET, AND A 0.8-METRE DIAMETER WATER MAIN BETWEEN MOUNT PARKER ROAD AND KORNHILL ROAD (EAST); AND
* CONSTRUCTION OF A TEMPORARY PLAYGROUND AT JAVA ROAD NEAR MAN HONG STREET FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL.
THE WORKS WERE DESIGNED BY PETER FRAENKEL CONSULTANTS (HONG KONG) LTD., WHICH WILL ALSO SUPERVISE CONSTRUCTION ON BEHALF OF THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.
-----o-----
YUEN LONG DB TO DISCUSS RURAL PLANNING REPORT
*****
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON RURAL PLANNING AND IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY AT A MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
MEMBERS WILL EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSED PLANNING AND IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY FOR THE RURAL NEW TERRITORIES.
THE BOARD WILL ALSO BE CONSULTED ON THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE BUILDING ORDINANCE FOR THE DESIGNATED AREA OF THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES.
AHE PROPOSED.........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 1989
- 5 -
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS ARE INTENDED TO STRENGTHEN GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OF FOUNDATION DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF HIGHRISE BUILDINGS AND MAJOR STRUCTURES IN AREAS WHERE SIGNIFICANT CAVITIES ARE FOUND IN THE UNDERLYING MARBLE STRATUM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON 13TH FLOOR, TAI KIU GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 9.3U AM.
- 0--------
SEWER CLEANSING ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA
*****
AN OPERATION TO CLEANSE SEWERS IN A NUMBER OF PRIVATE STREETS IN HUNG HOM WILL BE CONSIDERED AT A MEETING OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE PROPOSED OPERATION WILL COVER THE AREA BOUNDED BY WING KWONG STREET, WAN ON STREET, BAILEY STREET AND THE TO KWA WAN RECLAMATION AREA.
IF ENDORSED, IT WILL SERVE TO CONTINUE A CLEANSING PROGRAMME NOW IN PROGRESS IN THE NEIGHBOURING AREA BOUNDED BY WING KWONG STREET, MA TAU WAI ROAD, BAILEY STREET AND WAN ON STREET.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PIECE OF VACANT LAND OFF CHUNG HAU STREET, NEAR THE KING’S PARK HIGH LEVEL SERVICE RESERVOIR, INTO A SITTING-OUT AREA.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY DB ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.15 PM.
-----0------
/6.......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 1989
FUNDS FOR CULTURAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES * * * *
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD'S CULTURAL AND SPORTS COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (THURSDAY) MORNING TO CONSIDER SEVEN APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS TOTALLING $596,409.
THE APPLICATIONS ARE FOR ORGANISING THE WINNERS’ PERFORMANCE NIGHT OF THE 10TH SHA TIN DISTRICT DANCE COMPETITION IN NEXT FEBRUARY, BONSAI EXHIBITION IN DECEMBER, SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD CHILREN’S CHOIR CONCERT ON JULY 25 AS WELL AS THE OPENING CEREMONY, DRAMA PERFORMANCE, FESTIVE LIGHTING DECORATIONS AND PUBLICITY FOR THE SHA TIN FESTIVAL IN DECEMBER AND JANUARY.
THE MEETING WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROGRESS REPORTS OF THE SHA TIN ARTS AND SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS AND THE FINANCIAL POSITION AND PROGRESS OF DISTRICT BOARD SPONSORED ACTIVITIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD'S CULTURE AND SPORTS COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE 6TH FLOOR OF KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION, THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM,
- - 0 -
COURTESY CALL AT SWD HQ » » t t t
THE NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF YAN O1 TONG TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PAID A COURTESY CALL ON THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR STEPHEN LAW, TO DISCUSS THE TONG’S WELFARE SERVICES IN THE COMING YEAR.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, MR YEUNG SIU-WAI, SAID THE TONG WOULD LIKE TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN ITS SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY AND YOUTH AS WELL AS HOME HELP SERVICE.
ITS FIRST HOSTEL FOR THE ELDERLY WOULD BE COMPLETED IN YUEN LONG LATER THIS YEAR, HE ADDED.
MR LAW COMMENDED THE TONG FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION TO WELFARE SERVICES AND PLEDGED THAT THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE TONG IN REALISING ITS TARGETS.
- - 0 -
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 1989
GOVERNMENT LAND ♦ *
TO LET BY TENDER t ♦ ♦
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT TENDER FIVE PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND.
IS OFFERING TO LET BY
THE FIRST IS AT THE JUNCTION OF TAI HONG STREET AND LEI KING ROAD, SAI WAN HO RECLAMATION, HONG KONG.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,950 SQUARE METRES, IT IS TO BE USED AS A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC PARKING AREA FOR LICENSED GOODS VEHICLES.
THE LEASE IS FOR TWO YEARS AND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
ALSO TO BE USED AS A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC CARPARK, A 4,494-SQUAREMETRE SITE IN AREA 1A, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES, WILL BE LEASED FOR AN INITIAL TENANCY PERIOD OF 18 MONTHS, AFTER WHICH THE LEASE CAN BE RENEWED ON A QUARTERLY BASIS.
THE CARPARK WILL BE FOR LICENSED PRIVATE CARS AND LORRIES (EXCLUDING CONTAINERS) ONLY.
THE TENANCY FOR THE OTHER THREE PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND IS THREE YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
ONE LOT IS LOCATED AT THE JUNCTION OF KO SHAN ROAD AND SHANSI STREET, KOWLOON, AND HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 1,240 SQUARE METRES.
IT IS FOR OPEN STORAGE (EXCLUDING STORAGE OF SAND, CEMENT AND AGGREGATE) AND/OR FEE-PAYING PUBLIC PARKING AREA FOR MOTOR VEHICLES (EXCLUDING ARTICULATED VEHICLES).
ANOTHER LOT IS AT YUET LUN STREET, LAI CHI KOK, KOWLOON, AND IS FOR OPEN STORAGE, CONCERTE OR ASPHALT BATCHING AND CEMENT HANDLING AND HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 1,740 SQUARE METRES.
THE THIRD LOT IS A 2,150-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT KOWLOON BAI, AND IS FOR CONCRETE AND/OR ASPHALT BATCHING AND/OR CEMENT HANDLING ONLY.
TENDERS FOR ALL OF THE ABOVE FIVE PIECES OF SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BEFORE NOON ON JUNE 30.
GOVERNMENT LAND
MAY BE
OBTAINED BUILDING,
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICES AND CONDITIONS FROM THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES K°WLOON, FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON, FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES.
10TH OR
THE TENDER PLAN MAY ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THE ABOVE OFFICES.
/8........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 1989
- 8 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN THE MID-LEVELS * * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JUNE 16), BOWEN ROAD IN THE MID-LEVELS FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH BORRETT ROAD TO HOUSE NUMBER 14 WILL BE DESIGNATED A PEDESTRIAN PRIORITY ZONE ROUND-THE-CLOCK.
MOTORISTS MUST GIVE WAY' TO PEDESTRIANS WITHIN THE PRIORITY ZONE.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING 24-HOUR DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY ON THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CONDUIT ROAD FROM A POINT ABOUT EIGHT METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH CASTLE ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 74 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION, EXCLUDING THE LAYBY OUTSIDE HOUSE NUMBER 54, WILL REMAIN IN FORCE FOR ANOTHER FIVE WEEKS TO FACILITATE DRAINAGE WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
-------0----------
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN SHAM SHUI PO AND CAUSEWAY BAY *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JUNE 16), THE SERVICE ROAD OF WESTBOUND LAI CHI KOK ROAD, SHAM SHUI PO BETWEEN HOUSE NO. 855 AND 869 WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TSING FUNG STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH HING FAT STREET IN CAUSEWAY BAY, TO A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES TO THE EAST WILL ALSO BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY FOR THREE WEEKS TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
-------0---------
/9........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 1989
9 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KOWLOON CITY AND SHA TAU KOK * ♦ » * t
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE DOWN RAMP OF THE FLYOVER LINKING PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST WITH PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST WESTBOUND WILL BE CLOSED FOR ROAD MAINTENANCE WORK FROM 8 PM TO 6 AM ON THE FOLLOWING MORNING FOR TEN DAYS FROM FRIDAY (JUNE 16).
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS ON THE FLYOVER AT PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST HEADING FOR MONG KOK WILL HAVE TO PROCEED ALONG THE FLYOVER AND JOIN PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST AT THE NEXT DOWN RAMP NEAR SHORT STREET.
ON THE OTHER HAND, FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY, THE PUBLIC LIGHT BUS (SCHEDULED SERVICE) TERMINUS AND THE ADJOINING KERBSIDE LANE ON SHA TAU KOK ROAD (SHEK CHUNG AU) WEST OF L4 WILL BE DESIGNATED BAN ZONE.
-----0------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK CAN RISE TO ANY CHALLENGE: SDA .......................... 1
STI GIVES ASSURANCES ON HK IN U.S. MEETINGS ................ 3
PAPER ON ALL FORMS OF REPATRIATION ......................... 5
VILLAGERS GIVEN ASSURANCES OVER MOVING VBP TO SEK KONG ..... 6
COMMUNITY URGED TO HELP PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT ............ 7
BETTER ENVIRONMENT FOR SHAM SHUI PO ........................ 8
CONSULTATION PERIOD ON LOCaL CRAFT REVIEW EXTENDED ......... 9
PHOTOGRAPHS ON DRIVING LICENCES REQUIREMENT ABOLISHED ..... 10
UNEMPLOYMENT, UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FCR FEBRUARY - APRIL 10
PROVISIONAL REGISTER OF ELECTORS FOR LEGCO ELECTIONS ...... 12
MONEY LENDERS REGULATIONS TO BE REVISED ................... 14
YAU TSIM DB TO BE UPDATED ON URBAN RENEWAL ................ 14
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS UC PROGRAMME.......................... 15
CAREERS VIDEO SHOWS FOR STUDENTS IN SUMMER ................ 16
VISITS TO DEMONSTRATION FARMS ............................. 17
REMINDER ON LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEF1E SURVEY ........... 18
KMB ROUTE 5h DIVERSION .................................... 19
SPEED LIMIT ON KAI FUK RO.D................................ 19
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KWAI CHUNG ........................ 20
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN THREE hRELkS ...................... 20
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1989
1
HK CAN RISE TO ANY CHALLENGE: SDA * * * *
HONG KONG WILL BE ABLE TO RISE TO ANY CHALLENGE BECAUSE OF THE RESILIENCE, RESOURCEFULNESS AND DETERMINATION OF ITS PEOPLE, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, SAID IN TOKYO TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR LIAO WAS COMMENTING ON THE IMMEDIATE EFFECT OF RECENT EVENTS IN CHINA ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG WHEN HE ADDRESSED MEMBERS OF THE JAPAN/HONG KONG SOCIETY AT A LUNCHEON MEETING.
"IN THE SHORT TERM, HONG KONG MAY FACE A ROUGH RIDE AND CONFIDENCE MAY BE RUFFLED.
"BUT IN THE LONG TERM THE SITUATION WILL STABILISE AND HONG KONG, WITH ITS IMPRESSIVE RECORD AND ABILITY TO RECOVER FROM ADVERSITIES, SHOULD BE ABLE TO CARRY ON ITS BUSINESS AS USUAL," HE SAID.
AND, THE BRITISH AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS WERE NOW CONSIDERING URGENTLY WHAT FURTHER STEPS COULD BE TAKEN TO PROTECT HONG KONG’S WAY OF LIFE AFTER 1997 AS ENSHRINED IN THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION.
THE JOINT DECLARATION, RATIFIED IN 1985, ENSURES THE FAVOURABLE CONDITIONS WHICH HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG WOULD BE MAINTAINED.
MR LIAO NOTED THAT THE PROSPECTS AND PROCEDURES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION WOULD INEVITABLY BE AFFECTED.
"IT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO CONTINUE NORMAL BUSINESS OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP IN THE CURRENTLY CONFUSING SITUATION.
"SOME DELAY IN THE PROGRESS OF WORK IS UNAVOIDABLE," HE NOTED.
MR LIAO WENT ON TO SAY THAT CONSULTATION ON THE SECOND DRAFT OF THE BASIC LAW FOR HONG KONG HAD ALSO BEEN SUSPENDED AND THERE WERE SUGGESTIONS TO EXTEND THE DEADLINE FOR CONSULTATION FOR ONE YEAR.
"THIS DELAY AND EXTENSION OF THE CONSULTATION PERIOD MAY BE A BLESSING IN ITSELF, AS WITH MORE TIME FOR CONSULTATION, A BETTER BASIC LAW MAY BE PRODUCED," MR LIAO SAID.
MR LIAO, A BRITISH REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP (JLG), SPOKE HIGHLY OF ITS HARD WORK AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION.
"THE JLG RECOGNISED THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING HONG KONG’S INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC RELATIONS BEYOND 1997, IN PARTICULAR SAFEGUARDING HONG KONG’S ABILITY TO TRADE FREELY AND INDEPENDENTLY.
/"HONG KONG .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1989
- 2 -
"HONG KONG HAS SINCE BECOME A SEPARATE PARTY OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT) AND A MEMBER OF THE CUSTOMS CO-OPERATION QOUNCIL (CCCI AND WILL CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ASIA DEVELOPMENT BANK AFTER 1997.
"AGREEMENT HAS ALREADY BEEN REACHED ON HONG KONG’S CONTINUING PARTICIPATION IN NO LESS THAN 25 INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS.
MR LIAO EMPHASISED THAT ALL THESE STEPS AND EXTENSIVE PROGRAMME OF WORK ARE TO ENSURE HONG KONG REMAINS AN INTERNATIONAL CENTRE.
TURNING TO OVERSEAS INVESTMENTS IN HONG KONG, MR LIAO POINTED OUT THAT INTERNATIONAL CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE OF THE TERRITORY IS1 OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE.
HE NOTED THAT JAPAN AND THE UNITED STATES WERE THE FIRST TWO COUNTRIES THAT INDICATED SUPPORT FOR THE JOINT DECLARATION UPON ITS PUBLICATION IN 1984, AND HAVE SINCE CONTINUED WITH THEIR INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG.
JAPANESE INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG ACCOUNTS FOR ONE-FIFTH OF THE COUNTRY’S DIRECT INVESTMENT IN ASIA. JAPAN IS THE SECOND LARGEST SOURCE COUNTRY (AFTER THE UNITED STATES) OF INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
"ONE IN SIX BANKS IN HONG KONG IS JAPANESE OWNED. JAPANESE INTEREST ALSO HAS AN OVERWHELMING SHARE IN HONG KONG’S DEPARTMENT STORES AND THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR.
"IN TERM OF TRADE, JAPAN IS HONG KONG'S THIRD LARGEST TRADING PARTNER, ITS SECOND LARGEST SUPPLIER AND THIRD LARGEST RE-EXPORT MARKET."
MR LIAO SAID THAT BOTH JAPAN AND HONG KONG HAD BENEFITTED FROM THESE CLOSE LINKS AND HOPED THAT SUCH LINKS WOULD CONTINUE.
"WE WELCOME FURTHER JAPANESE INVESTMENT AND THOSE OF OTHER COUNTRIES IN HONG KONG. WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT HONG KONG WILL BE, AS IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN, CAPABLE OF LIVING UP TO THEIR EXPECTATIONS," HE ADDED.
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT REMAINS COMMITTED TO THE LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT OF THE TERRITORY.
AN UNPRECEDENTED NUMBER OF MAJOR NEW PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROJECTS WERE NOW GOING AHEAD IN HONG KONG, MR LIAO NOTED.
"THESE PROJECTS, WHICH INCLUDE FOR EXAMPLE A NEW UNIVERSITY, SEVERAL MAJOR ROAD TUNNELS, TWO NEW CONTAINER TERMINALS, COST WELL OVER HK$100 BILLION AND MANY OF THEM HAVE A PAY-BACK DATE EXTENDING WELL INTO THE NEXT CENTURY," HE SAID.
/"IN ADDITION.........
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1989
"IN ADDITION, A NEW REPLACEMENT AIRPORT IS BEING PLANNED AND SEVEN NEW TOWNS ARE IN DIFFERENT STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT.
"NEARLY HALF OF THE POPULATION NOW LIVE IN HIGH QUALITY PUBLIC HOUSING.
"HONG KONG HAS THE INFRASTRUCTURE, THE COMMUNICATIONS, THE FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL EXPERTISE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CHINA AND THE PACIFIC RIM.
"WE ALSO HAVE A WELL-EDUCATED, HARD WORKING AND ADAPTABLE WORKFORCE. OUR FUTURE LIES IN MAINTAINING OUR MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA AND IN PRESERVING OUR SEPARATE IDENTITY," MR LIAO SAID.
MR LIAO’S VISIT TO JAPAN WAS ARRANGED BY THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN JAPAN. HE WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON MONDAY (JUNE 19).
-------0 ---------
STI GIVES ASSURANCES ON HK IN U.S. MEETINGS » t » » »
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOHN CHAN, WHO IS IN WASHINGTON DC AS PART OF A TWO-WEEK NATIONAL TOUR TO MEET TOP UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, POLITICIANS AND BUSINESSMEN, SAID ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 14) THAT AMERICA WAS NOW FOCUSSING ON HONG KONG AS NEVER BEFORE.
SPEAKING AT A MEDIA BREAKFAST FOR LEADING MEMBERS OF THE WASHINGTON PRESS CORPS, MR CHAN NOTED THAT HE HAD ALREADY CALLED ON THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE, MR ROBERT MOSBACHER, AND THE U.S. TRADE REPRESENTATIVE, MRS CARLA HILLS, WITH WHOM HE HAD VERY USEFUL AND FRIENDLY DISCUSSIONS.
HE HAD ALSO SEEN THE PRESIDENTS OF THE U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MANUFACTURERS AS WELL AS OTHER BUSINESS EXECUTIVES, CONGRESSIONAL STAFFERS AND ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS.
"I AM IMPRESSED BY THE GREAT INTEREST IN AND GOODWILL TOWARDS HONG KONG SHOWN BY ALL THOSE I HAVE MET," HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID RECENT EVENTS IN CHINA WERE PROMINENT IN THE MINDS OF MANY OF THOSE HE HAD MET AND HE WAS ABLE TO TELL THEM PERSONALLY ABOUT THE DEPTH OF FEELING SHOWN BY HONG KONG PEOPLE AGAINST THE DEPLORABLE VIOLENCE AND BLOODSHED IN CHINA AND THE ORDERLINESS AND DIGNITY WITH WHICH THAT FEELING HAD BEEN EXPRESSED.
/"I TOLD .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1989
"I TOLD THEM THAT CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG HAD BEEN BADLY SHAKEN; THAT PEOPLE WERE MORE CONCERNED THAN EVER TO HAVE A HOME OF LAST RESORT OUTSIDE HONG KONG IF THINGS WENT BADLY WRONG; BUT THAT THE VAST MAJORITY DID NOT WISH TO LEAVE HONG KONG," HE SAID.
MR CHAN STRESSED THAT EVERYDAY LIFE WAS CONTINUING NORMALLY IN HONG KONG; THAT THE ECONOMY REMAINED HEALTHY AND THAT HONG KONG REMAINED A GOOD PLACE TO TRADE WITH AND INVEST IN.
MR CHAN ALSO DETAILED THE CLOSE TWO-WAY TRADING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE U.S. AND SAID THAT LAST YEAR HONG KONG IMPORTED US$5.3 BILLION OF GOODS FROM AMERICA - NEARLY US$1,000 FOR EVERY PERSON IN THE TERRITORY.
FURTHERMORE, HE SAID, THE UNITED STATES HAD A US$6 BILLION INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG ACROSS A WIDE SPECTRUM OF MANUFACTURING, BANKING, INSURANCE AND OTHER SERVICES.
ASKED ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF EVENTS IN CHINA ON HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL MARKETS, MR CHAN SAID THE GENERAL FINANCIAL PICTURE WAS VERY SOUND AND ALTHOUGH THE STOCK MARKET HAD SEEN ONE OF ITS BIGGEST SINGLE-DAY DROPS, IT HAD GRADUALLY BEEN MOVING UP AGAIN.
"THE BANKING SYSTEM IS ALSO SOUND AND SO IS THE HONG KONG DOLLAR,” HE ADDED.
HE SAID THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY LARGE-SCALE PULLOUT BY' INVESTORS, WHO WERE ADOPTING A WAIT AND SEE ATTITUDE.
ON ANOTHER QUESTION ABOUT DELAYS IN FLOW OF GOODS INTO HONG KONG, MR CHAN SAID ALTHOUGH THERE HAD BEEN SOME MINOR DISRUPTION LAST WEEK, CROSS-BORDER TRAFFIC WAS GOING THROUGH AS USUAL.
MR CHAN CONTINUES HIS MEETINGS TOMORROW WITH CONGRESSMEN, SENATORS AND OTHERS BEFORE TRAVELLING TO NEW YORK WHERE HE WILL ADDRESS A LUNCHEON MEETING HOSTED BY THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK.
HE WILL ALSO HAVE A ROUND OF MEETINGS WITH KEY BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL EXECUTIVES AND THE TOP REPRESENTATIVES OF MAJOR RETAIL GROUPS AND IMPORTERS BASED IN NEW YORK.
NEXT WEEK HE WILL TRAVEL TO LOS ANGELES, SACRAMENTO AND SAN FRANCISCO, BEFORE RETURNING TO HONG KONG.
--------0----------
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1989
5
PAPER ON ALL FORMS OF REPATRIATION
* * * * *
HONG KONG WILL PREPARE A PAPER COVERING ALL FORMS OF REPATRIATION WHICH WILL BE PRESENTED AT THE SECOND MEETING OF THE UNHCR STEERING COMMITTEE ON JULY 21, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY. MR GEOFFREY BARNES, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE PAPER WILL COVER ALL ASPECTS OF HOW PEOPLE CAN BE RETURNED TO VIETNAM, HE TOLD REPORTERS AT THE END OF THE FIRST MEETING OF CHE STEERING COMMITTEE IN GENEVA.
MR BARNES POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG HAS QUITE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE IN REPATRIATION, INCLUDING THE VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME, THE RETURN OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO CHINA, AND THE INVOLUNTARY REPATRIATION OF ECVIl'S.
THE PAPER WILL SET OUT HONG KONG'S EXPERIENCE AND PROPOSALS ON HOW REPATRIATION CAN BE ACHIEVED, HE SAID.
MR BARNES TOLD REPORTERS THAT A TOTAL OF 57.600 RESETTLEMENT PLACES HAVE BEEN OFFERED BY RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES.
"THIS IS A VERY SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT AND WILL CERTAINLY BE OF GREAT BENEFIT TO HONG KONG," HE SAID.
ON THE CONDITIONAL OFFER OF A TRANSIT CENTRE FOR REFUGEES BY Till. PHILIPPINES. MR BARNES SAID THE UNHCR HAS AGREED TO UNDERTAKE A FEASIBILITY STUDY AND TO REPORT TO THE COMMITTEE ON JULY 24.
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY ALSO TOLD REPORTERS THAT THE VIETNAMESE REPRESENTATIVE HAS GIVEN AN ASSURANCE THAT THEY WERE SERIOUS ABOUT THE DELIBERATIONS, AND THAT THEY INTENDED TO CARRY THROUGH ALL ELEMENTS OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION.
HE SAW THIS STATEMENT AS A SIGN OF GREATER FLEXIBILITY ON THE PART OF THE VIETNAMESE, SINCE IT WAS A CONSIDERED ONE AND THE WORDS WERE CHOSEN VERY CAREFULLY.
HE ADDED THAT THE MESSAGE HAS GONE VERY CLEARLY’ TO THE VIETNAMESE THAT THE MEETING EXPECTED THEM TO TAKE FIRM STEPS TO STOP THE OUTFLOW OF BOAT PEOPLE, AND THAT THEY WERE EXPECTED TO REPORT ON THIS AT THE SECOND MEETING IN JULY.
"WE HAVE ACHIEVED A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN WHAT I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO ACHIEVE," HE ADDED.
BEFORE THE MEETING, MR BARNES SAID HONG KONG WOULD BE PRESSING THE UNHCR STEERING COMMITTEE TO GET AN EARLY TIME FRAME ATTACHED TO VARIOUS ELEMENTS OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION AGREED AT THE INTERNAT1ONAL CONFERENCE.
MR BARNES SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT TO GET THE TIME TABLE ORGANISED • WHILE ALL THE REPRESENTATIVES WERE STILL THERE.
/STRESSING THAT .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1989
6 -
STRESSING THAT HONG KONG MUST PRESS FOR EARLY ACTION, HE SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE A SECOND MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE IN SOUTHEAST ASIA NEXT MONTH DURING WHICH PROGRESS WOULD BE ASSESSED AND DECISIONS MADE ON WHAT TO DO NEXT.
"HONG KONG DOES NOT HAVE CONTEMPLATING IN A LENGTHY TIME
THE LUXURY OF WAITING, FRAME," HE SAID.
PONDERING AND
-------0----------
VILLAGERS GIVEN ASSURANCES OVER MOVING VBP TO SEK KONG
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS REASSURED VILLAGERS AT PAT HEUNG AND KAM TIN THAT MOVING VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE INTO SEK KONG AIRSTRIP WOULD NOT POSE ADDITIONAL LAW AND ORDER PROBLEMS TO NEARBY VILLAGERS NOR TO THE DISTRICT AS A WHOLE.
"THE POLICE WILL BE GIVEN SUFFICIENT MANPOWER TO ENSURE THIS," THE VILLAGERS WERE ASSURED IN A REPLY LETTER YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY) FROM THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY.
MR ASPREY STRESSED THAT SEK KONG WAS A CLOSED CENTRE AND THE BOAT PEOPLE WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED OUT WITHOUT POLICE ESCORT.
"WE ARE PRESSING VERY HARD TO ACHIEVE MANDATORY REPATRIATION BUT MEANWHILE IT IS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE SOME ACCOMMODATION FOR THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE UNTIL THEY ARE REPATRIATED TO VIETNAM," HE SAID.
"THE CONSTRUCTION WORK FOR THE CENTRE HAS TO BE RESUMED IMMEDIATELY IN ORDER TO ENABLE THE MOVEMENT OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE SOMETIME THIS WEEK.
"WE HOPE HOWEVER, TO BE ABLE TO CLOSE THIS CENTRE AS SOON AS THE BOAT PEOPLE CAN BE REMOVED FROM HONG KONG BY REPATRIATION."
- - 0 - -
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1989
COMMUNITY URGED TO HELP * * *
PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT * *
THE PUBLIC, COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, IN PARTICULAR THOSE MAJOR EFFLUENT PRODUCERS, WERE URGED TO BECOME MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY AWARE TO HELP PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT.
THE CALL WAS MADE BY ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, MR JOHN BOXALL, WHEN HE ADDRESSED A LUNCHEON MEETING OF GERMAN BUSINESSMEN ASSOCIATION TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR BOXALL SAID ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LEGISLATION WILL NOT •BE ENFORCED SUCCESSFULLY WITHOUT THE CO-OPERATION OF VARIOUS SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY.
HE ALSO OUTLINED THE RECENTLY PUBLISHED WHITE PAPER ON POLLUTION WHICH CONTAINED PROPOSALS FOR POLLUTION CONTROL IN THE FIELDS OF WASTE, WATER, AIR AND NOISE.
IN THE AREA OF COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT, MR BOXALL SAID LEGISLATION AND THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES ON THEIR OWN HOWEVER WOULD NOT PRODUCE A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT UNLESS THE LEGISLATION WAS ENFORCED AND THE FACILITIES USED.
"TO ENFORCE LEGISLATION, WE INTEND TO SET UP A CREDIBLE INSPECTION AND INVESTIGATION PRESENCE SUCH THAT POTENTIAL OFFENDERS ARE CONVINCED THAT BREACHES OF THE LEGISLATION ARE LIKELY TO BE DETECTED.
"ON THE WASTE CONTROL SIDE, WE INTEND TO CARRY OUT ROUTINE INSPECTIONS OF INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENT PRODUCING PREMISES ON A FOUR TIMES PER ANNUM BASIS AND AREA INSPECTIONS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS THAT WILL IDENTIFY ALL POLLUTION SOURCE INCLUDING UNLICENSED OR OTHERWISE ILLEGAL DISCHARGES.
"THIS WILL BE BACKED UP WITH INVESTIGATIONS TEAMS TO SORT OUT COMPLAINTS FROM THE PUBLIC."
MR BOXALL SAID THE IT WOULD NOT BE SUCCESSFUL IN ENFORCING •THE LAW UNLESS WE HAVE THE CO-OPERATION OF BOTH THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE IN PARTICULAR THOSE MAJOR EFFLUENT PRODUCERS.
"WE NEED THE HELP OF PEOPLE SUCH AS YOURSELVES, MANY OF WHOM REPRESENT COMPANIES THAT OPERATE TO THE STANDARDS THAT WE REQUIRE TO EDUCATE AND SHOW EXAMPLES TO YOUR LOCALLY BASED COLLEAGUES," MR BOXALL TOLD THE GATHERING.
-------0---------
/8........
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1989
- 8 -
BETTER ENVIRONMENT FOR SHAM SHUI PO *****
THE ENVIRONMENT IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL BE IMPROVED FOLLOWING A COMPREHENSIVE CLEARANCE OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN THE DISTRICT, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, SAID THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT "A STEP CLOSER” SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE FOR ABOUT 180 MEMBERS FROM THE 10 AREA COMMITTEES IN THE DISTRICT.
THE SEMINAR IS THE SIXTH OF A SERIES DESIGNED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION TO STRENGTHEN RELATIONS WITH AREA COMMITTEES.
MR LAN SAID THE CLEARANCE WOULD BE LAUNCHED BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE SOON AT THE NAN CHEONG EAST AREA, COVERING 38 OLD BUILDINGS.
DURING THE CLEARANCE, UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ON ROOFTOP WOULD BE DEMOLISHED, DEFECTIVE CONCRETE AND OUTER WALLS REPAIRED, AND STAIRCASES IMPROVED.
"SIMILAR PROBLEMS IN OTHER AREAS WILL BE DEALT WITH STEP BY STEP, AND ON COMPLETION THE ENVIRONMENT IN SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT WILL BE IMPROVED," HE NOTED.
MR LAN POINTED OUT THAT A NUMBER OF PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS WOULD ALSO BE CARRIED OUT IN THE DISTRICT IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT.
FOR PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, REDEVELOPMENT OF BLOCKS 14 TO 16 AT PAK TIN ESTATE AND LI CHENG UK ESTATE (PHASE 4) WOULD BE UNDERWAY LATER THIS YEAR, FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THE PHASES 2 AND 3 REDEVELOPMENT OF SHEK KIP MEI AND LI CHENG UK ESTATES.
THE FACTORY ESTATES BUILT BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IN THE DISTRICT, SUCH AS THE CHEUNG SHA WAN FACTORY ESTATE, WERE 30 YEARS OLD, AND SOME OF THEM REQUIRED REPAIRS OR, PERHAPS, DEMOLITION.
TURNING TO TRAFFIC CONDITIONS IN SHAM SHUI PO, MR LAN SAID A RECENTLY-COMPLETED STUDY ON TRAFFIC IN NORTHWEST KOWLOON HAD RECOMMENDED IMPROVEMENT MEASURES TO ADDRESS THE TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIAN PROBLEMS IN THE DISTRICT, AND TO COPE WITH THE ANTICIPATED INCREASE IN TRAFFIC VOLUME FOLLOWING THE EXPANSION OF THE SECTION OF TAI PO ROAD BETWEEN KOWLOON AND SHA TIN.
"THE AUTHORITIES HAVE ALSO RECOMMENDED REDEVELOPMENT OF BUS TERMINUS FACILITIES IN THE DISTRICT AND PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY PUBLIC TRANSPORT FACILITIES FOR THE RESIDENTS," HE ADDED.
/Fir lan ...........
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 19^9
9 -
MR LAN PRAISED THE AREA COMMITTEES FOR THEIR IMPORTANT ROLE LN IMPROVING THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT IN SHAM SHUI PO.
"OVER THE YEARS, THE AREA COMMITTEES IN SHAM SHUI PO HAVE GIVEN THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED VALUABLE ADVI(r'E RESOLVING ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN THEIR AREAS SO AS TO IMPROVE RESIDENTS* QUALITY OF LIFE.
"I AM CONVINCED THAT WITH YOUR CONCERTED EFFORTS, THE PROBLEMS 1 HAVE JUST MENTIONED WOULD BE RESOLVED GRADUALLY,” MR LAN TOLD THE GATHERING.
------0 ------
CONSULTATION PERIOD ON LOCAL CRAFT REVIEW EXTENDED
*****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO STILL WISH TO COMMENT ON THE BROAD PRINCIPLES PROPOSED IN THE MARINE DEPARTMENT’S CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT, THE "LOCAL CRAFT REVIEW", NOW HAVE UNTIL AUGUST 1 TO RESPOND.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) •THAT THE VOLUME OF RESPONSE TO THE DOCUMENT AND THE PUBLIC INTEREST SHOWN HAD BEEN MOST ENCOURAGING AND MANY CONSTRUCTIVE SUGGESTIONS HAD BEEN RECEIVED.
HE SAID THAT THE ORIGINAL DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF VIEWS WAS TODAY, JUNE 15.
"HOWEVER, SEVERAL ASSOCIATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS IN THE LOCAL MARINE INDUSTRY, FROM WHOM WE WOULD VALUE OPINIONS, HAVE INDICATED THAT THEY NEED A LONGER PERIOD TO STUDY THE PROPOSALS BEFORE MAKING THEIR SUBMISSIONS.
"IT HAS THEREFORE BEEN DECIDED TO ALLOW THEM A FURTHER SIX WEEKS TO COMPLETE THEIR RESPONSE.
"OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES CAN ALSO MAKE USE OF THE ADDITIONAL TIME TO PUT FORWARD THEIR VIEWS IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OFMARINE," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE DIALOGUE WITH THE COMMUNITY WOULD NOT END AT THE NEW CLOSURE DATE OF AUGUST 1.
"THE LOCAL MARINE INDUSTRY WILL STILL BE INVITED TO COMMENT ON THE FINER DETAILS THROUGHOUT THE PREPARATION PROCESS OF LAW DRAFTING," HE STRESSED.
-----0------
/1O........
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1989
10 -
PHOTOGRAPHS ON DRIVING LICENCES REQUIREMENT ABOLISHED * * *
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED A PROPOSAL THAI PHOTOGRAPHS ON DRIVING LICENCES WILL NO LONGER BE REQUIRED STARTING FROM JANUARY 1, NEXT YEAR.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT DRIVING LICENCES TO BE AFFECTED BY THE DECISION INCLUDED THE LEARNER DRIVING LICENCE, FULL DRIVING LICENCE, TEMPORARY DRIVING LICENCE, DRIVING INSTRUCTORS’ LICENCE AND DRIVING LICENCES FOR GOVERNMENT VEHICLES.
HOWEVER, THE REQUIREMENT FOR PHOTOGRAPHS IN INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMITS SHOULD REMAIN BECAUSE THE FORMAT FOR SUCH PERMITS WAS GOVERNED BY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT CURRENT DRIVING LICENCES WOULD CONTINUE TO BE VALID UNTIL THEY EXPIRE.
NEW OR RENEWED LICENCES WOULD BE ISSUED WITHOUT THE PHOTOGRAPH OF THE LICENCE HOLDER AFTER JANUARY 1, NEXT YEAR.
THE ROAD TRAFFIC (DRIVING LICENCES) REGULATIONS WOULD BE AMENDED TO MAKE PROVISIONS FOR THE CHANGES, HE ADDED.
-------0----------
UNEMPLOYMENT, UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS ♦ ♦ * ♦
FOR FEBRUARY - APRIL
THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE INCREASED MARGINALLY WHILE THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE REMAINED STABLE IN THE PERIOD FEBRUARY -APRIL 1989 AS COMPARED TO THE PRECEDING THREE MONTHS, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT. IN GENERAL, CONDITIONS IN THE LABOUR MARKET WERE STILL TIGHT.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR FEBRUARY - APRIL 1989 WAS 1.5 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH 1.3 PER CENT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1989 AND 1.7 PER CENT FOR THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER.
THE INCREASE OF 0.2 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT OVER THE PRECEDING THREE-MONTH PERIOD AND THE DECREASE OF 0.2 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER ARE BOTH STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS IN FEBRUARY - APRIL 1989 WAS ESTIMATED AT 40,500, COMPARED WITH 35,400 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1989 AND 46,200 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING APRIL 1988.
/THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1989
11
THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR FEBRUARY - APRIL 1989 WAS 0.8 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH 0.7 PER CENT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1989 AND 0.9 PER CENT FOR THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER.
THE INCREASE OF 0.1 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT OVER THE PRECEDING THREE-MONTH PERIOD AND THE DECREASE OF 0.1 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER ARE BOTH STATISTICALLY NOT SIGNIFICANT.
THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS FOR FEBRUARY APRIL 1989 WAS 22,200, COMPARED WITH 19,900 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1989 AND 24,700 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING APRIL 1988.
CONSISTENT WITH THE CURRENT RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION (ILO), PERSONS WHO WORKED LESS THAN 35 HOURS A WEEK DUE TO ECONOMIC REASONS (SUCH AS SLACK WORK, MATERIAL SHORTAGE, MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN AND INABILITY TO FIND FULL-TIME WORK) WERE REGARDED AS UNDEREMPLOYED ONLY IF THEY WERE EITHER SEEKING OR AVAILABLE FOR MORE WORK.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS SAID THAT BECAUSE THE PROPORTION OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS (E.G. PEOPLE WHO HAVE JUST LEFT SCHOOL) VARIES FROM MONTH TO MONTH, UNEMPLOYMENT RATES THAT HAD BEEN SEASONALLY ADJUSTED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE VARIATIONS IN THE NUMBER OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS SHOULD BE USED IN MAKING COMPARISONS OVER TIME.
THE COMMISSIONER ADDED THAT, BASED ON A SYSTEM OF PROVISIONAL COUNTS, THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATES COVERING THE LATEST THREE MONTHS PERIOD COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE WITHIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE SURVEY. THESE PROVIDE AN EARLY INDICATION OF THE LATEST UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT SITUATION. THE PROVISIONAL SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR MARCH - MAY 1989 WAS 1.5 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 51,000 PERSONS, SELECTED SCIENTIFICALLY TO REPRESENT THE LAND-BASED CIVILIAN NON-INSTITUTIONAL POPULATION IN HONG KONG. PERSONAL AND LABOUR FORCE DATA WERE OBTAINED IN THE SURVEY BY INTERVIEWING EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER AGED 15 AND ABOVE IN THE HOUSEHOLDS SAMPLED. IN THE SURVEY, THE DEFINITIONS USED IN MEASURING UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FOLLOW CLOSELY THOSE RECOMMENDED BY THE ILO.
DETAILED ANALYSIS OF LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS IS GIVEN IN THE REPORT ON THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY WHICH IS PUBLISHED FOUR TIMES A YEAR. THE NEXT REPORT COVERING THE QUARTER ENDING MARCH 1989 WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AROUND JUNE 20 AT $10 PER COPY.
O------
/12 ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 19 8Lr
12 -
PROVISIONAL REGISTER OF ELECTORS FOR LEGCO ELECTIONS
*******
THE PROVISIONAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTORAL ROLL TO BE PUBLISHED TOMORROW (FRIDAY) CARRIES 60,928 NAMES, SHOWING A MINOR DROP OF 591 ENTRIES FROM THE 1988 REGISTER.
THE REGISTRATION RATE STANDS AT 58.1 PER CENT, A REDUCTION OF 4.5 PER CENT ATTRIBUTABLE MAINLY TO AN INCREASE IN THE ESTIMATED SIZE OF THE POTENTIAL ELECTORATE BY 6,623 PERSONS.
THERE WAS A GAIN OF 201 NEW REGISTERED VOTERS IN THIS YEAR’S REGISTRATION EXERCISE HELD BETWEEN APRIL 15 AND MAY 6.
THE GROSS LOSS OF 792 VOTERS COMPRISED 87 REPORTED DEATHS, 315 CASES OF CESSATION OF MEMBERSHIP IN REPRESENTATIVE ORGANISATIONS AND 390 ELECTORS WHO HAD FAILED TO BE REGISTERED IN THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD AND MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
IT IS A PREREQUISITE QUALIFICATION FOR A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTOR TO BE ENROLLED ALSO IN THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL.
ON THE NEW PROVISIONAL ELECTORAL ROLL, THERE ARE 465 VOTERS IN THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE CONSTITUENCIES AND 5,285 CORPORATE ELECTORS AND 55,178 INDIVIDUAL ELECTORS IN THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES.
THE PROVISIONAL ELECTORAL ROLL WILL BE OPEN TO PUBLIC INSPECTION FROM TOMORROW UP TO JULY 1 AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION AT HARBOUR CENTRE, WAN CHAI, AND THE DISTRICT OFFICES AT KWUN TONG, SHA TIN AND TSUEN WAN.
ELIGIBLE PERSONS MAY ALSO SEND IN APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION ON SPECIFIED FORMS DURING THE SAME PERIOD ENDING ON JULY 1 FOR INCLUSION IN THE FINAL REGISTER TO BE PUBLISHED IN AUGUST.
/13........
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1989
- 13 -
lEOCO ELECTORAL ROIX - 1989 PRO/ISICNAL REGISTER
Constituency No. of Electors in tl« 1988 FR No. of Electors Quitted Iran 1989 PR No. of Electors Added to die 1989 PR Inter-Coastitucicy Transfer No. of Electors in the 1939 PR Estimated Eligible Electorate Registration Rate (X)
I. Functional Constituencies
1. Comnercial I 1,292 23 9 0 1,278 2,702 47.3
2. Gonroercial II 2,435 45 10 -1 2,399 5,398 44.4
3. Industrial I 460 22 5 0 443 1,040 42.6
4. Industrial II 1,414 49 5 0 1,370 2,280 60.1
5. Finance 143 1 0 0 142 164 86.6
6. Accountancy 1,588 12 32 ♦1 1,609 3,804 42.3
7. Labour 349 3 1 0 347 431 80.5
8. Social Services 172 1 0 0 171 188 91.0
9. Medical 3,540 23 16 0 3,533 5,882 60.1
10. Health Care 10,025 255 0 9,818 21,500 45.7
11. Teaching 35,435 313 30 -2 35,150 54,500 64.5
12. Legal 1,096 8 7 0 1,095 2,012 54.4
13. Engineering, Architectural, Surveying i Planning 3,103 28 31 +2 3,108 4,560 68.2
Functional Constituencies Total 61,052 783 194 0 60,463 104,461 57.9
II. Electoral College Constituencies Total 467 9 7 0 465 467 99.6
Grand Total 61,519 792 201 0 60,928 104,928 58.1
Registration and Electoral Division PR : Provisional Register
Goven rent Secretariat FR : Final Register
Jme 1989 [<K-L)/U«/l/24] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------0-------------- /14.........................................................................................................................................................
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1989
- 14
MONEY LENDERS REGULATIONS TO BE REVISED
* * * *
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT AMENDMENTS TO THE MONEY LENDERS ORDINANCE WOULD BE MADE TO REVISE CERTAIN FEES PAYABLE TO THE MONEY LENDERS REGISTRY OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT.
"THE FEE REVISIONS ARE TO RECOVER THE FULL COST OF THE SERVICES IT PROVIDES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE AMENDMENTS, CONTAINED IN THE MONEY LENDERS (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1989, HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL.
THE FEES WHICH ARE TO BE INCREASED ARE AS FOLLOWS-
EXISTING NEW
FEE FEE
$ $
FOR CERTIFYING A COPY OR EXTRACT FROM 15 75
ANY ENTRY IN REGISTER UNDER
SECTION 6(1) OF THE MONEY LENDERS ORDINANCE
UPON MAKING AN APPLICATION FOR A 4,500 6,500
LICENCE UNDER SECTION 8(1)
UPON MAKING AN APPLICATION FOR 4,500 6,500
RENEWAL OF A LICENCE UNDER
SECTION 13(1)
THE REGULATIONS WOULD BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AND ALL THE NEW FEES PRESCRIBED BY THE REGULATIONS WOULD COME INTO EFFECT ON THE SAME DATE.
------o--------
YAU TSIM DB TO BE UPDATED ON URBAN RENEWAL
* ♦ * ♦ »
THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE PROPOSED REDEVELOPMENT OF YUNNAN LANE BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
PRIOR TO THE BRIEFING, THE BOARD WILL DISCUSS A NUMBER OF ISSUES.
/THESE include .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1989
THESE INCLUDE THE PLAN TO CLEAR DWELLING-BOATS FROM YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER, THE GREEN PAPER ON TRANSPORT POLICY, AND A PUBLIC CONSULTATION PAPER ON REVIEW OF THE REHABILITATION SCHEME UNDER THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ORDINANCE.
AN INFORMATION PAPER ON URBAN AREA STRATEGIC PROJECTS WHICH CONCERN YAU TSIM DISTRICT WILL ALSO BE CONSIDERED.
IN ADDITION, THE BOARD WILL VET PROGRESS REPORTS BY ITS VARIOUS COMMITTEES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE*YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE AT 490 NATHAN ROAD, SECOND FLOOR, BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM.
- - 0 - -
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS UC PROGRAMME
*****
THE CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS AND COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON TO DISCUSS THE URBAN COUNCIL’S PROGRAMME OF SPORTS AND RECREATION ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT FOR 1989/90.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS FROM 12 AREA COMMITTEES AND THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT CULTURE AND RECREATION PROMOTION ASSOCIATION FOR ORGANISING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES AND INTEREST CLASSES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS AND COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETING, WHICH WILL 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.
- - 0 -
/16
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1989
16 -
CAREERS VIDEO SHOWS FOR STUDENTS IN SUMMER
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL STAGE A SERIES OF VIDEO SHOWS ON CAREERS INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS.
THE SHOWS WILL BE HELD BETWEEN JUNE 20 AND AUGUST 18 AT THE DEPARTMENT’S FOUR CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRES LOCATED ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND IN KOWLOON, TSEUN WAN AND SHA TIN.
IT IS HOPED THAT THROUGH SUCH ACTIVITIES, STUDENTS COULD BE BETTER INFORMED ABOUT HOW TO CHOOSE A CAREER BEST SUITED TO THEIR TALENTS, INTERESTS AND ABILITIES, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"TO AROUSE THE CAREERS AWARENESS OF STUDENTS AND SCHOOL-LEAVERS, MORE THAN 50 PRESENTATIONS ON A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS HAVE BEEN SELECTED FOR VIEWING ON ROTATION AT THE FOUR CENTRES," HE SAID.
"THEY INCLUDE SUCH TOPICS AS FURTHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES, VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL BODIES, AND CAREERS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE, PUBLIC UTILITIES, AIR TRANSPORTATION, MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, MASS MEDIA, COMMERCIAL AND SERVICE SECTORS, AND OTHER TRADES.
"THERE WILL ALSO BE STAFF ON HAND TO ANSWER ENQUIRIES FROM STUDENTS AFTER EACH SESSION," HE ADDED.
THE SCHEDULE OF THE VIDEO SHOWS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
HONG KONG CENTRE MONDAYS (AM) AND THURSDAYS (PM)
SOUTHORN CENTRE 16TH FLOOR 130 HENNESSY ROAD WAN CHAI TEL. 5-8352044 (EXCEPT JULY 17)
KOWLOON CENTRE WEDNESDAYS (AM) AND FRIDAYS (PM)
TO KWA WAN MARKET AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES 9TH FLOOR 165 MA TAU WAI ROAD TO KWA WAN TEL. 3-7153635
TSUEN WAN CENTRE FAR EAST BANK BUILDING 3RD FLOOR 135 CASTLE PEAK ROAD TSUEN WAN TEL. 0-4166444 MONDAYS (PM) AND WEDNESDAYS (AM) (EXCEPT JULY 17)
SHA TIN CENTRE CHANWAY SHOPPING CENTRE 2ND FLOOR SHATIN CENTRE STREET TEL. 0-6015101 TUESDAYS (PM) AND FRIDAYS (AM) (EXCEPT JULY 18)
/APART FROM .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1989
- 17 -
APART FROM THE VIDEO SHOWS, STUDENTS COULD ALSO MAKE USE OF OTHER FACILITIES PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE BY THE CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRES.
EACH CENTRE IS EQUIPPED WITH A REFERENCE LIBRARY WITH UP-TO-DATE CAREERS MATERIALS INCLUDING PAMPHLETS AND AUDIO-VISUAL PRESENTATIONS AND A CAREERS ENQUIRY SERVICE.
OTHER ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE CENTRES INCLUDED CAREERS TALKS, EXHIBITIONS, SEMINARS AND WORK ORIENTATION PROGRAMMES FOR BOTH STUDENTS AND CAREERS TEACHERS.
-------0---------
VISITS TO DEMONSTRATION FARMS
» * » * »
LIVESTOCK FARMERS WISHING TO CONTINUE OPERATION IN CONTROL AREAS ARE URGED TO REGISTER THEIR INTEREST IN VISITING THE DEMONSTRATION FARMS WITH THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
CHAIRMAN OF THE STEERING GROUP ON DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ON PRIVATE FARMS UNDER THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE, MR JOHN BURRETT, ASKED FARMERS’ REPRESENTATIVES, AT A MEETING TODAY (THURSDAY), TO REMIND ANY INTERESTED FARMERS NOT TO MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES THE OPERATION OF WASTE TREATMENT METHODS UNDER PRIVATE FARM CONDITIONS.
THE VISITS WOULD ENABLE THE FARM OPERATORS TO CONSIDER THE VARIOUS OPTIONS WHICH THEY COULD ADOPT IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH ANTI-POLLUTION REGULATION, MR BURRETT SAID.
SO FAR VISITS TO THREE OF THE PRIVATE FARMS PARTICIPATING IN THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS HAD BEEN ARRANGED.
MEMBERS OF THE STEERING GROUP WERE ALSO BRIEFED ON THE PROGRESS OF THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.
ALTHOUGH THE THREE FARMS PARTICIPATING IN THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE DRY MUCK-OUT METHOD WERE ALREADY HANDED OVER TO THE FARM OPERATORS, THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) WAS CONSIDERING A PROPOSAL BY GROUP MEMBERS TO INSTALL A MEASURING DEVICE AT THE SOAKAWAY PITS TO ENABLE EASY READING OF THE WATER LEVEL.
WHILE TWO OF THE FARMS USING THE PIG-ON-LITTER METHOD WERE HANDED OVER TO THE OPERATORS, MODIFICATION WORK ON THE SOW PEN IN THE THIRD FARM WAS BEING DESIGNED BY THE CONSULTANT AS A LABOUR-SAVING MEASURE TO FACILITATE EASY OPERATION BY THE FARMER CONCERNED.
THE TWO FARMS ADOPTING THE HYBRID SYSTEM ARE AT THE FINAL STAGE OF COMMISSIONING AND WILL BE READY FOR TRAINING AND OPERATION SOON.
/AS FOR
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1989
18 -
AS FOR THE ONLY PIG FARM USING THE WET MUCK-OUT METHOD, THE INSTALLATION OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT HAD BEEN DELAYED DUE TO THE INCLEMENT WEATHER IN RECENT WEEKS.
ON THE ISSUE OF OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUALS, THE MEMI3EFS LEARNED THAT EPD HAD REVISED THE DRAFT MANUALS FOR THE HYBRID MFTH' D TAKING INTO ACCOUNT COMMENTS FROM THE GROUP MEMBERS.
DURING THE MEETING, NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE STEERING GROUP ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE APPARENT EXCESSIVE MOISTURE CONTENT OF THE LITTER BEDS IN ONE OF THE FARMS USING THE PIG-ON-LITTER METHOD.
SINCE EPD WAS DISCUSSING THE ISSUE WITH THE CONSULTANT TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER ANY IMPROVEMENT WAS REQUIRED, THE CHAIRMAN URGED MEMBERS TO CONTINUE TO OBSERVE THE OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM BEFORE REACHING ANY CONCLUSION ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SYSTEM.
_ _ _ _ o------------
REMINDER ON LONG
SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME SURVEY
*****
REMINDERS ARE BEING ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH A SURVEY THAT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ARE JOINTLY CONDUCTING ON THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.
THE PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY IS TO COLLECT INFORMATION ON THE OPERATION OF THE SCHEME.
IT COVERS A SAMPLE OF ABOUT 1,000 BUSINESS UNDERTAKINGS AND ORGANISATIONS ENGAGED IN DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES, TRADES AND SERVICE SECTORS.
QUESTIONNAIRES WERE MAILED SOME TWO WEEKS AGO TO THE SELECTED BUSINESS UNDERTAKINGS AND ORGANISATIONS TO SEEK RELEVANT INFORMATION.
REMINDERS ARE NOW BEING SENT TO THOSE BUSINESS UNDERTAKINGS AND ORGANISATIONS NOT RESPONDING Tp THE INITIAL QUESTIONNAIRE. THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT REQUESTS THEM TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THE QUESTIONNAIRE IMMEDIATELY. THE INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND WILL BE USED SOLELY FOR STATISTICAL PURPOSES.
RESPONDENTS WHO HAVE QUERIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE SURVEY ARE INVITED TO CONTACT EITHER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 5-8234741 OR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON 5-8523514.
/THE QUESTIONNAIRE
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 19&9
- 19 -
THE QUESTIONNAIRE SEEKS THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
(A) TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES;
(B) NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES COVERED BY PROVIDENT FUND, PENSION/RETIREMENT FUND SCHEMES;
(C) (I) NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES LEAVING EMPLOYMENT IN 1988 BY
REASONS;
(II) AGES AND LENGTH OF SERVICE OF THESE EMPLOYEES;
(III) NUMBER OF THESE EMPLOYEES ELIGIBLE FOR LONG
SERVICE PAYMENT;
(IV) AMOUNT OF LONG SERVICE PAYMENT PAID TO THESE EMPLOYEES; AND
(V) REASONS FOR NOT RECEIVING LONG SERVICE PAYMENT.
------0--------
KMB ROUTE 5A DIVERSION ♦ * * *
BECAUSE OF THE HONG KONG DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL - INTERNATIONAL RACES 1989 TO BE HELD AT TSIM SHA TSUI PROMENADE ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY (JUNE 17 AND 18), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT KMB ROUTE 5A WILL BE DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA CHATHAM ROAD NORTH, CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH AND SALISBURY ROAD ON JOURNEYS TO THE STAR FERRY.
-----0-----
SPEED LIMIT ON KAI FUK ROAD *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JUNE 17), THE SECTION OF KAI FUK ROAD, NGAU TAU KOK, BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH THE SLIP ROAD OF KAI CHEUNG ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 530 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION, WILL BE SUBJECT TO A SPEED LIMIT OF 50 KILOMETRES PER HOUR.
-------0 --------
/2O........
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1989
- 20 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KWAI CHUNG
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TO FACILITATE TP5, TRAFFIC FLOW AT TAI LIN PAI INDUSTRIAL AREA, A SECTION OF TAI LIN PAI ROAD, BETWEEN KWAI SAU ROAD AND KWAI CHUNG ROAD, WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JUNE 17).
ALSO, VEHICLES EXCEEDING 12 METRES IN LENGTH WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TAI LIN PAI ROAD, SECTION BETWEEN KWAI CHEONG ROAD AND KWAI CHUNG ROAD 24 HOURS DAILY.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TAI LIN PAI ROAD, SECTION BETWEEN KWAI WING ROAD AND KWAI CHUNG ROAD, WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
-------0 --------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN THREE AREAS * * * * ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD MARKING WORK, THE FAST AND MIDDLE LANES OF THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TUEN MUN ROAD NEAR TSING LUNG TAU BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 9 AM AND 5 PM ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY (JUNE 17 AND 18).
IN NGAU TAU KOK, THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF NGAU TAU KOK ROAD SECTION, BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH TUNG MING STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 55 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION, WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY BETWEEN 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY FOR TWO MONTHS BECAUSE OF ROAD WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
IN WONG TAI SIN, IN ORDER TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS WANG TAU HOM EAST ROAD, SECTIONS OF ROADS WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 1 AM AND 5 AM FROM JUNE 17 TO 19.
THESE SECTIONS ARE WANG TAU HOM EAST ROAD BETWEEN FU MEI STREET AND THE EXIT OF THE LOK FU BUS TERMINUS; AND WANG TAU HOM CENTRAL ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH WANG TAU HOM EAST ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 160 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
-------0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR ARGUES FOR RIGHT OF ENTRY TO UK.................... 1
TALKS TO CONTINUE WITH VIETNAM ON REPATRIATION OF VBP: GOVERNOR ................................................... 2
HK ENJOYS FREEDOM TO CHOOSE ............................... **
QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY HONOURS LIST 19$9.......................
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE REGULATIONS FOR VBP REVIEW BOARDS .... 5
RETIRED JUDGE APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF VBP REVIEW BOARDS ...... 6
LEGISLATION FOR COMMERCIAL RADIO BROADCASTING .............. 6
TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF IVORY IMPORTS ...................... 8
RELIEF GRANTS PAID OUT TO DISTRESSED FARMERS ............... 9
BILL AIMS AT MORE EFFECTIVE WORKING OF LEGAL AID SCHEME ... 10
LEGAL AID ALLOWANCES REVISED .............................. 10
GRANTING OF BANK LICENCES ................................. 11
REVOCATION OF BANK LICENCES ............................... 12
PROPOSED RECLAMATION «T ,JJ)RICH BaY TYPHOON SHELTER........ U
BILL ON REPRESENTATION IN ARBITRATIONS ..................
NEW ENQUIRY CENTRE FOR W«TER CONSUMERS ................... 1**
NEW CLINIC FOR .J LEI CHAU ................................ 15
SINGLE LaNE CLOSURE ON TSING YI BRIDGE..................... 16
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF BOWEN DRIVE ........................
SUSPENSION OF WnTER SUPPLY IN HA KWal CHUNG................ 17
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989
1
GOVERNOR ARGUES FOR RIGHT OF ENTRY TO UK *********
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) HE WAS ARGUING FOR THE RIGHT OF ENTRY TO THE UNITED KINGDOM TO COVER ALL BRITISH PASSPORT HOLDERS IN HONG KONG.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE AT THE AIRPORT ON HIS RETURN FROM GENEVA, SIR DAVID SAID THAT HIS MESSAGES TO BRITAIN WERE THAT IF BRITISH PASSPORT HOLDERS OF ALL SORTS IN HONG KONG WERE GIVEN THE RIGHT OF ENTRY TO UK, IT WOULD DO AN IMMENSE AMOUNT OF GOOD IN THE TERRITORY.
"AND MY SECOND MESSAGE — AND I REPEAT THIS IS A MESSAGE TO BRITAIN — WAS THAT IF THAT WAS DONE, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO WOULD ACTUALLY WISH TO GO WOULD BE VERY SMALL AND NOTHING LIKE THE LARGE NUMBERS THAT HAVE BEEN THROWN AROUND IN BRITAIN IN THE DISCUSSION OF THIS ISSUE," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WAS GLAD THAT THE SENIOR MEMBERS OF OMELCO, DAME LYDIA DUNN, AND MR ALLEN LEE, WOULD BE GOING TO LONDON NEXT WEEK TO REINFORCE HONG KONG VIEWS ON THE NATIONALITY ISSUE.
SIR DAVID SAID NOW WAS A TIME FOR EVERYONE, THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY, TO WORK TOGETHER TO HELP RESTORE CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG FOLLOWING THE RECENT EVENTS IN CHINA, AND THAT THERE WAS WORK TO BE DONE BY A LOT OF PEOPLE.
"WE’VE BEEN THROUGH A VERY DIFFICULT TIME; WE’RE STILL IN A VERY DIFFICULT TIME IN HONG KONG.
"IT’S A TIME WHEN WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER, WHEN WE NEED UNITY IN THIS COMMUNITY, AND THAT’S SOMETHING FOR ALL OF US," SIR DAVID SAID.
"THERE’S WORK TO BE DONE BY CHINA TO RESTORE THE DAMAGE THAT’S BEEN DONE TO CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG. AND THERE HAS BEEN DAMAGE TO CONFIDENCE TO HONG KONG, NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.
"THERE’S WORK TO BE DONE BY BRITAIN TO HELP RESTORE CONFIDENCE HERE; PRACTICAL MEASURE OF SUPPORT.
"IT’S NOT A QUESTION OF SOMETHING SIMPLY FOR THE GOVERNOR, SOMETHING FOR THE GOVERNMENT, IT’S FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
SIR DAVID DISAGREED WITH A SUGGESTION THAT MANY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG SEEM TO HAVE THROWN IN THE TOWEL : "THERE'S NO DOUBT AT ALL THAT PEOPLE HERE HAVE BEEN WORRIED BY WHAT HAS HAPPENED OVER THE LAST TWO WEEKS IN CHINA."
"AND IT’S NOT SURPRISING AT ALL THAT’S THE CASE. BUT THIS IDEA OF PEOPLE SIMPLY THROWING IN THE TOWEL, I DON'T THINK THAT’S RIGHT," HE SAID.
/"I DON'T .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989
2
"I DON’T THINK WE’RE A THROWING-IN-THE-TOWEL TYPE OF COMMUNITY," HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR OBSERVED THAT EVENTS IN CHINA HAVE HAD A VERY CONSIDERABLE IMPACT ON BRITAIN AS A WHOLE, AND ON POLITICAL OPINIONS IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS AND IN THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT.
"IT’S HAD A VERY MARKED IMPACT," SIR DAVID SAID.
"THERE IS, I BELIEVE, IN THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT, A VERY REAL DESIRE TO LOOK FOR WAYS IN WHICH THEY CAN HELP HONG KONG AND I VERY MUCH WELCOME THAT," HE ADDED.
COMMENTING ON THE FORTHCOMING VISIT TO HONG KONG BY THE BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE HOPED SIR GEOFFREY HOWE WOULD COME HERE AND LISTEN TO VIEWS FROM ALL SECTORS OF SOCIETY, INCLUDING THE MAN IN THE STREET.
"HE IS SOMEBODY WHO IS VERY SYMPATHETIC TO HONG KONG AND SOMEBODY VERY READY TO LISTEN," SIR DAVID SAID.
WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF STUDENTS FROM CHINA COMING TO HONG KONG ASKING FOR POLITICAL ASYLUM, SIR DAVID SAID : "AT THE MOMENT WE’VE HAD NO CHANGE AT ALL IN THE PATTERN OF ILLEGAL ENTRY INTO HONG KONG FROM CHINA."
"IT’S BEEN ABSOLUTELY NORMAL. IF WE GET INDIVIDUAL CASES WHICH REQUIRE SPECIAL ATTENTION, THEN WE DEAL WITH EACH OF THOSE INDIVIDUALLY," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID SAID WE ALWAYS HAD CONTINGENCY PLANS FOR DEALING WITH INCREASES IN ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.
-------o---------
TALKS TO CONTINUE WITH VIETNAM ON REPATRIATION OF VBP: GOVERNOR »»»****
HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO TALK TO VIETNAM IN A BID TO WIDEN THE EXISTING PROGRAMME OF REPATRIATION OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE AND MAKE IT MORE COMPREHENSIVE, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) .
BUT IN THE LONG TERM, THE ANSWER TO THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM WAS THAT VIETNAM SHOULD SORT OUT THEIR OWN ECONOMY AND PART OF THAT PROCESS WOULD BE INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE, HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE AT KAI TAK AIRPORT ON HIS RETURN FROM THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INDO-CHINESE REFUGEES IN GENEVA, SIR DAVID REITERATED THAT THE MESSAGE WAS VERY CLEAR THAT THE IDEA OF AUTOMATIC RESETTLEMENT FOR THOSE WHO LEFT VIETNAM BY BOAT HAD BEEN AT AN END IN HONGKONG AND IN OTHER SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES.
/HE SAID .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989
- 3 -
HE SAID THE ONLY WAY VIETNAMESE COULD RESETTLE OVERSEAS WAS THROUGH THE ORDERLY DEPARTURE PROGRAMME AND THERE WAS NO OTHER WAY.
’’THE OTHER PROSPECT IS REMAINING IN A CAMP UNTIL YOU’RE REPATRIATED TO VIETNAM.” HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THE CONFERENCE DID MAKE SOME SIGNIFICANT STEPS FORWARD IN SETTING OUT THAT MESSAGE AND DEALING WITH THE RESETTLEMENT OF GENUINE REFUGEES.
HE SAID A PRACTICAL POINT HE MADE IN THE CONFERENCE -- AND THE FOREIGN SECRETARY ALSO MADE -- WAS THAT HONG KONG COULD NOT SIMPLY GO ON WITH THE SITUATION THAT HUNDREDS OF BOAT PEOPLE CAME TO HONG KONG AT A TREMENDOUS RATE.
SIR DAVID SAID ON THE QUESTION OF INVOLUNTARY REPATRIATION HE WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT THERE WERE LARGE SECTIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WHO SIMPLY WOULD NOT FACE FACTS.
’’AND WHO ON THE ONE HAND WILL SAY THAT THERE’S NO QUESTION OF RESETTLEMENT IN THIRD COUNTRIES FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT REFUGEES, AND ON THE OTHER HAND WILL SAY THAT THEY SHOULD NOT GO BACK TO VIETNAM UNLESS THEY POSITIVELY VOLUNTEER TO DO SO.
”TO MY MIND, THAT IS ILLOGICAL. AND INDEED, 1 THINK IT IS INHUMANE.
’’BECAUSE WHAT IT IS SAYING IS THAT THOSE PEOPLE SHOULD SIMPLY PILE UP IN CAMPS AROUND THE REGION.” HE SAID.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT THERE WAS A MOVEMENT OF FAMILIES FROM VIETNAM AND MANY OF THOSE WHO FLED THE COUNTRY WERE YOUNG PEOPLE --HALF OF THEM AGED 20 AND UNDER AND A THIRD OF THEM AGED 15 AND UNDER.
”SO WHAT THAT SECTION OF INTERNATIONAL OPINION IS SAYING: THESE YOUNG PEOPLE AND CHILDREN SHOULD SIMPLY REMAIN IN CAMPS FOR YEAR AFTER YEAR BECAUSE THE WORLD COMMUNITY WON’T FACE THE FACT THAT THEY OUGHT TO GO BACK TO THEIR OWN HOMELAND UNDER ACCEPTABLE CIRCUMSTANCES,” THE GOVERNOR SAID.
-----0------
A...
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989
- 4 -
HK ENJOYS FREEDOM TO CHOOSE
*****
ONE OF THE MANY FREEDOMS ENJOYED IN HONG KONG IS THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE FOR ONESELF THE CAREER PATH THAT ONE WILL FOLLOW AND THE EMPLOYER FOR WHOM ONE WILL WORK.
SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, MR PETER TSAO, SAID THIS TODAY (FRIDAY) AT THE OPENING OF THE CAREER EXPO’ 89 ORGANISED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR AT THE OCEAN TERMINAL.
HE SAID: "HONG KONG’S MAIN RESOURCE HAS ALWAYS BEEN ITS PEOPLE. IT IS THEREFORE VITAL THAT WE MAKE THE BEST USE OF THIS RESOURCE BY GIVING FULL FLOW TO ITS TALENTS."
MR TSAO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE ORGANISERS OF THE CAREER EXPO’ FOR PROVIDING AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY FOR SCHOOL LEAVERS TO EXERCISE THEIR CHOICE IN AN ATTRACTIVE SETTING.
"BY OFFERING SUCH A WIDE SPECTRUM OF OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG JOB SEEKERS, CAREER EXPO’ 89 PLAYS A PART IN ENSURING THAT THE RIGHT TALENTS END UP IN THE RIGHT SLOTS AND THAT THE FULL MEASURE OF OUR COMMUNITY’S CREATIVITY CAN BE UTILISED TO BEST ADVANTAGE."
-----o-----
QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS LIST 1989
*****
COPIES OF THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS LIST 1989 MAY BE COLLECTED FROM THE GIS PRESS BOXES FROM 7 PM TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE HONOURS LIST WILL BE MADE IN LONDON AT 0001 HOURS GMT TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
PUBLICATION IS PERMITTED IN HONG KONG NEWSPAPERS TOMORROW, BUT NO NEWS AGENCY OR OVERSEAS RADIO TRANSMISSION OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT MAY CARRY THE INFORMATION WITHOUT THE EMBARGO QUALIFICATION.
THE NEWS MAY BE BROADCAST FROM 6 AM TOMORROW OVER LOCAL RADIO AND TELEVISION STATIONS.
ON NO ACCOUNT SHOULD ANY OF THE RECIPIENTS OF HONOURS BE CONTACTED FOR INTERVIEWS, OR FOR ANY INFORMATION RELATED TO THEIR CAREERS, OR BE APPROACHED IN ANY WAY IN CONNECTION WITH THEIR AWARDS BEFORE THESE HAVE BEEN PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED.
- 0 - -
/5
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989
- 5
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE REGULATIONS FOR VBP REVIEW BOARDS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS MADE REGULATIONS PRESCRIBING THE PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE OF REVIEW BOARDS TO CONSIDER APPEALS FROM VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE (VBP) WHO ARE REFUSED REFUGEE STATUS.
THE IMMIGRATION (REFUGEE STATUS REVIEW BOARDS)(PROCEDURE) REGULATIONS 1989 WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE REVIEW BOARDS FORM PART OF THE MEASURES TO SPEED UP THE SCREENING OF VBP AND THE PROCESSING OF APPEALS FROM THOSE VBP WHO ARE SCREENED OUT AS NON-REFUGEES.
THE REGULATIONS PROVIDE FOR A REVIEW BOARD TO BE CONSTITUTED BY A DEPUTY CHAIRMAN AND A MEMBER SITTING TOGETHER, AND FOR THE CHAIRMAN TO SIT IN PLACE OF OR IN ADDITION TO THE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN. EXCEPT WHEN THE CHAIRMAN IS PRESENT, THE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN SHALL PRESIDE AT THE SITTING OF A BOARD.
SCREENED-OUT VBP OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVES CAN APPLY FOR A REVIEW BY GIVING WRITTEN NOTICE TOGETHER WITH ANY REPRESENTATIONS AND DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE WHICH THE APPLICANT WANTS THE BOARD TO CONSIDER TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARDS WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THEM BEING NOTIFIED OF THE SCREENING DECISION.
THE SCREENING DECISION TO REFUSE REFUGEE STATUS AND ALL MATERIAL, UPON WHICH THE DETERMINATION WAS BASED, SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE APPELLANT AND TO THE UNITED NATION HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES.
THE REGULATION PROVIDE THAT THE CHAIRMAN MAY GIVE DIRECTIONS TO THE BOARD AS TO THE PROCEDURE ON ANY REVIEW, PROVIDING THAT THE DIRECTIONS ARE NOT INCONSISTENT WITH THE ORDINANCE OR THE REGULATIONS.
A REVIEW BOARD SHALL CONDUCT REVIEWS IN PRIVATE.
AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER A BOARD HAS MADE ITS DECISION ON AN APPLICATION, THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION SHALL GIVE NOTICE OF THE DECISION TO THE APPLICANT.
IN ADDITION, THE REGULATIONS PROVIDE FOR APPLICANTS OR IMMIGRATION OFFICERS TO APPEAR BEFORE A BOARD TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ARISING ON THE PAPERS BEFORE THE BOARD.
-----o------
/6........
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989
- 6 -
RETIRED JUDGE APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF VBP REVIEW BOARDS ******
A DISTRICT JUDGE WHO RETIRED ONLY THIS WEEK, HAS BEEN APPOINTED THE CHAIRMAN OF THE REFUGEE STATUS REVIEW BOARDS WITH EFFECT FROM TODAY (FRIDAY).
MADE BY THE GOVERNOR, THE APPOINTMENT OF MR FRANCIS BLACKWELL, WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE REVIEW BOARDS FORMS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S MEASURES TO SPEED UP THE SCREENING OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE AND THE PROCESSING OF APPEALS FROM THOSE WHO ARE REFUSED REFUGEE STATUS.
MR BLACKWELL, 63, JOINED THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE AS A MAGISTRATE IN JANUARY 1972. HE WAS PROMOTED TO PRINCIPAL MAGISTRATE IN JULY 1977.
IN 1979, HE BECAME ASSISTANT REGISTRAR, SUPREME COURT, AND IN 1982 A DISTRICT JUDGE.
-------o ---------
LEGISLATION FOR COMMERCIAL RADIO BROADCASTING ******
THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE INTRODUCTION OF THE TELECOMMUNICATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 AND THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY), THE TWO BILLS PROVIDE THE NECESSARY STATUTORY FRAMEWORK FOR THE GRANT OF A NEW LICENCE TO THE HONG KONG COMMERCIAL BROADCASTING CO. LTD. ("COMMERCIAL RADIO") BEGINNING ON AUGUST 26, 1989 AND FOR THE AWARD OF A SECOND LICENCE FOR COMMERCIAL RADIO BROADCASTING BY TENDER IN 1990.
COMMERCIAL RADIO’S CURRENT 10-YEAR LICENCE WAS GRANTED ON AUGUST 26, 1979 UNDER THE TELECOMMUNICATION ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 106).
"AMENDMENT TO THIS ORDINANCE IS NEEDED TO IMPLEMENT THE UPDATED TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR THE GRANT OF THE COMPANY’S NEW LICENCE," SAID A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN.
"AT THE SAME TIME, THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY ARE EXTENDED TO COVER RADIO BROADCASTING UNDER PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY ORDINANCE."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID NEITHER THE TELECOMMUNICATION ORDINANCE NOR 'THE PRESENT RADIO LICENCE CONTAINED ANY PROVISIONS ON CROSS MEDIA OWNERSHIP.
/"UNDER THE .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989
- 7 -
"UNDER THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE, HOWEVER, THE PRESENT RESTRICTIONS ON CROSS MEDIA OWNERSHIP PREVENT PERSONS OR COMPANIES WITH CERTAIN SPECIFIED MEDIA-RELATED INTERESTS FROM HOLDING OFFICE IN OR BENEFICIALLY OWNING MORE THAN 15 PER CENT OF THE VOTING SHARES OF A TELEVISION LICENSEE," HE SAID.
UNDER THE TERMS OF THE TELECOMMUNICATION (AMENDMENT) BILL, IT IS PROPOSED THAT PERSONS OR COMPANIES WITH SUCH MEDIA-RELATED INTERESTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO OWN UP TO 35 PER CENT OF THE VOTING SHARES OF A RADIO LICENSEE, EXCEPT THAT A RADIO LICENSEE IN HONG KONG WILL STILL BE LIMITED TO A 15 PER CENT SHAREHOLDING IN ANOTHER RADIO LICENSEE.
"SIMILARLY, UNDER THE PRESENT REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR RADIO, THERE ARE NO SPECIFIC RESTRICTIONS ON SHAREHOLDINGS BY PERSONS WHO FAIL TO SATISFY LOCAL RESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS.
"THE BILL PROPOSES IMPOSING A LIMIT OF 49 PER CENT ON THE AGGREGATE SHAREHOLDING WHICH ’UNQUALIFIED' PERSONS (I.E. PERSONS WHO DO NOT SATISFY CERTAIN HONG KONG RESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS) MAY HOLD IN A RADIO LICENSEE."
THE TELECOMMUNCIATION (AMENDMENT) BILL ALSO PROPOSES THE IMPOSITION OF A TEMPORARY RESTRICTION ON THE DISPOSAL OF SHARES OF A RADIO LICENSEE.
UNDER THE BILL, NO MORE THAN 15 PER CENT OF THE VOTING SHARES OF LICENSEE CAN BE TRANSFERRED WITHIN THREE YEARS OF THE LICENCE BEING GRANTED EXCEPT WITH THE CONSENT OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY.
"THIS IS TO ENSURE THAT PERSONS WHO MAKE AN APPLICATION FOR A LICENCE WILL SHOW LONG-TERM COMMITMENT TO THAT APPLICATION AND ARE NOT ABLE TO DISPOSE OF THEIR INTERESTS AT WILL ONCE A LICENCE HAS BEEN GRANTED," SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
A NUMBER OF THE OTHER NEW PROVISIONS IN THE BILL FOLLOW SIMILAR PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO THE TELEVISION LICENSEES UNDER THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE.
THE PROVISIONS PROPOSED IN THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY (AMENDMENT) BILL EXTEND THE POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY TO MATTERS RELATING TO RADIO BROADCASTING.
THESE POWERS AND FUNCTIONS ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE WHICH THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY HAS IN RELATION TO TELEVISION BROADCASTING THROUGH THE TELEVISION AND THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY ORDINANCES.
THEY INCLUDE ISSUING CODES OF PRACTICE AND DIRECTIONS ON PROGRAMME, ADVERTISING AND TECHNICAL STANDARDS, CONDUCTING INQUIRIES INTO THE REVOCATION OF LICENCES WHEN SO DIRECTED BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL, INVESTIGATING COMPLAINTS FROM THE PUBLIC ABOUT PROGRAMMES AND OTHER MATTERS AND IMPOSING FINANCIAL PENALTIES FOR CONTRAVENTIONS BY A LICENSEE OF STATUTORY PROVISIONS, DIRECTIONS CODES OF PRACTICE OR LICENCE CONDITIONS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT ON THE TWO BILLS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, 1ST FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL OR OMELCO, 8 JACKSON ROAD, HONG KONG.
----0---- /o
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989
- 8 -TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF IVORY IMPORTS *****
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED A MORATORIUM ON IMPORTS OF RAW IVORY FROM ALL SOURCES IN AN EFFORT TO PROTECT THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT AGAINST A CONTINUED DECLINE IN NUMBERS.
WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT AND UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WILL SUSPEND THE PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS FOR A LICENCE TO IMPORT RAW IVORY INTO THE TERRITORY UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE.
ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF THE SUSPENSION, THE DEPARTMENT’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (CONSERVATION AND COUNTRY PARKS), MR K.C. IU, SAID THE STEP WAS TAKEN AS PART OF HONG KONG'S FULL COMMITMENT IN CONSERVING ENDANGERED SPECIES, INCLUDING AFRICAN ELEPHANT.
"THE MORATORIUM IS APPLICABLE TO ALL IVORY TRADERS AND IVORY IMPORTERS WITH THE ONLY EXCEPTION OF THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY COMMITTED TO OR HAVE ENTERED INTO CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION FOR THE PURCHASE OF ANY SPECIFIC SHIPMENT OF RAW IVORY PRIOR TO TODAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT.
"SPECIAL CONSIDERATION MAY BE GIVEN TO THESE TRADERS OR IMPORTERS WHO SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS IN RESPECT OF THE SHIPMENTS IN QUESTION BEFORE JULY 1, 1989," MR IU SAID.
TO QUALIFY FOR THE SPECIAL CONSIDERATION, HE ADDED, THE .APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBSTANTIATED BY DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE OF SUCH COMMITMENT OR CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION.
MR IU SAID THE LOCAL IVORY TRADERS ASSOCIATION HAD BEEN CONSULTED AND THEY HAD EXPRESSED THEIR SUPPORT.
THE MORATORIUM ON RAW IVORY IMPORT WAS THE LATEST MEASURE TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT IN ENHANCING CONTROL OF THE IVORY TRADE.
"IN VIEW OF THE ACTION TAKEN BY SOME OVERSEAS COUNTRIES, THE GOVERNMENT HAS RECENTLY TAKEN ITS STRICT CONTROL ONE STEP FURTHER BY INTRODUCING THOROUGH REGISTRATION AND MARKING OF RAW IVORY AND LARGE CUT PIECES ACQUIRED BEFORE 1986," MR IU SAID.
ALL IVORY STOCKS ACQUIRED AFTER JANUARY 1986 HAVE ALREADY BEEN REGISTERED AND MARKED.
"IN ADDITION, URGENT ACTION IS BEING TAKEN TO ESTABLISH A COMPUTER DATA BASE OF ALL REGISTERED IVORY.
"ON THE OPERATIONAL FRONT, A SPECIAL TASK FORCE WAS FORMED EARLY THIS MONTH BY THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT IN CLOSE CO-ORDINATION OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, TO SUPPRESS ANY ILLEGAL IVORY IMPORT OR EXPORT THROUGH HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
/THE GOVERNMENT
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989
- 9 -
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALWAYS COMPLIED FULLY WITH ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES) WITH REGARD TO ENDANGERED SPECIES. THIS INCLUDES STRICT CONTROL ON IVORY.
ITS REPRESENTATIVES WILL PARTICIPATE FULLY AT THE CITES AFRICAN ELEPHANT WORKING GROUP MEETING IN JULY AND THE C.T7F3 BIENNIAL CONFERENCE IN OCTOBER TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE CITES AUTHORITY IN WORKING OUT STRICTER AND MORE PRACTICAL CONTROLS ON THE IVORY TRADE.
-------0 -
RELIEF GRANTS
PAID OUT TO DISTRESSED FARMERS ♦ ♦ ♦ t t
EMERGENCY RELIEF GRANTS OF MORE THAN $586,900 HAD BEEN PAID TO NEEDY FARMERS WHO SUFFERED HEAVY LOSSES AS A RESULT OF TYPHOON BRENDA, IT WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
OF THE TOTAL, $372,000 HAD BEEN PAID TO 831 CROP AND LIVESTOCK FARMERS AND THE REMAINING $214,900 TO 143 FISH POND FARMERS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD RECEIVED APPLICATIONS FROM 1,306 APPLICANTS OF WHOM 974 FARMERS WERE FOUND ELIGIBLE AFTER CHECKING AND ASSESSMENT BY DEPARTMENT STAFF.
ACCORDING TO REPORTS RECEIVED AND INVESTIGATIONS CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, TYPHOON BRENDA HAD CAUSED FLOODING TO 119 HECTARES OF FARMLAND IN YUEN LONG AND TM’ EASTERN NEW TERRITORIES.
LIVESTOCK LOSSES INCLUDED SOME 53,520 POULTRY AN? 1,180 PIGS. AGRICULTURAL LOSSES WERE ESTIMATED TO COST AT $6 MILLIO; .
THE TYPHOON ALSO CAUSED OVER-FLOODING TO SOME 16( HECTARES OF FISH PONDS WITH LOSSES OF 265 TONNES OF POND FISH ESIIMATED AT $3 MILLION.
’’APART FROM THE RELIEF GRANTS, DISTRESSED FARMERS WHO ARE IN NEED OF FURTHER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO RESTORE THEIR FARMS MAY APPLY TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR LOW-INTEREST LOANS FROM TE KADOORIE AGRICULTURAL AID LOAN FUND AND THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION LOAN FUND.
’’LOANS FROM THESE FUNDS ARE GRANTED TO INDIVIDUAL FARMERS FOR DEVELOPMENT AND WORKING CAPITAL AND THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH THEY ARE REQUIRED INCLUDE THE PURCHASE OF LIVESTOCK AND FEED, FERTILIZERS, INSECTICIDES, SEEDS, PLANTING MATERIAL, FARM EQUIPMENT, THE ERECTION OF FARM STRUCTURE, LAND FORMATION AND DEVELOP!!? IT AND THE CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF FISH PONDS,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING LOW-INTEREST LOANS CAN BE MADE BY TELEPHONING THE DEPARTMENT’S AU TAU FISHERIES OFFICE AT 0 4769904 OR THE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT SECTION AT 3-7332168 AND 3 7 32169.
-------O----------
/1O ......
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989
BILL AIMS AT MORE EFFECTIVE WORKING OF LEGAL AID SCHEME ♦ * ♦ * t
THE LEGAL AID (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) PROPOSES A NUMBER OF TIDYING-UP PROVISIONS IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE A MORE EFFECTIVE WORKING OF THE LEGAL AID SCHEME.
’’HOWEVER, THE BILL PROPOSES TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF MAINTENANCE FOR A SPOUSE WHICH IS EXEMPT FROM THE FIRST CHARGE OF THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID FROM $1,500 TO $2,500,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT SAID.
’’AND THE AMOUNT WHICH MAY BE WAIVED AGAINST THE FIRST CHARGE IN CASES OF EXTREME FINANCIAL HARDSHIP IS PROPOSED TO INCREASE TO $30,000,” HE ADDED.
’’THESE PROVISIONS WILL ENABLE THOSE JN GREATEST NEED TO RECOVER A SUBSTANTIALLY LARGER PROPORTION OF THE AMOUNTS AWARDED TO THEM IN COURT PROCEEDINGS WITHOUT SUFFERING A REDUCTION IN RESPECT OF THEIR OWN LEGAL COSTS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BILL IS DUE TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 28.
- 0 - -
LEGAL AID ALLOWANCES REVISED * » ♦ ♦ *
THE PERSONAL ALLOWANCES SET AGAINST CAPITAL AND INCOME IN DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY FOR LEGAL AID HAS BEEN INCREASED FOLLOWING A REVIEW OF THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME BASIC RATES.
THE LEGAL AID (ASSESSMENT OF RESOURCES AND CONTRIBUTIONS) REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN REVISED AND TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.
THE INCREASES (WHICH APPLY TO ANY PERSON WHO APPLIES FOR LEGAL AID AND ANY PERSON WHO IS DEPENDANT ON HIM) ARE AS FOLLOWS:-
/AMOUNTS NOT
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989
- 11 -
AMOUNTS NOT TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN COMPUTING DISPOSABLE CAPITAL
EXISTING RATE NEW RATE
* PERSON WITH NO DEPENDANTS $7,100 $7,880
t PERSON WITH DEPENDANTS -
IN RESPECT OF THE PERSON HIMSELF $4,730 $5,250
IN RESPECT OF EACH DEPENDANT $4,730 $5,250
AMOUNTS NOT TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN COMPUTING DISPOSABLE INCOME
EXISTING RATE NEW RATE
A) PERSON WITH NO DEPENDANTS $560 $620
B) PERSON AND ONE DEPENDANT $420 EACH $465 EACH
C) SECOND AND THIRD DEPENDANTS $410 $455 EACH
D) MORE THAN THREE DEPENDANTS $400 $445 EACH
GRANTING OF BANK LICENCES * * ♦ » ♦
BANCO HISPANO AMERICANO, CREDITO ITALIANO, OSTERREICHISCHE LANDERBANK AND PITTSBURGH NATIONAL BANK HAVE BEEN GRANTED BANKING LICENCES TO CONDUCT BUSINESS IN HONG KONG, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
’’BANCO HISPANO AMERICANO IS THE THIRD LARGEST BANK IN SPAIN. 'CREDITO ITALIANO IS THE EIGHTH LARGEST BANK IN ITALY. OSTERREICHISCHE LANDERBANK IS THE THIRD LARGEST BANK IN AUSTRIA. PITTSBURGH NATIONAL BANK IS ONE OF THE PRINCIPAL SUBSIDIARIES OF PNC FINANCIAL CORPORATION WHICH IS THE 13TH LARGEST BANK HOLDING COMPANY IN THE UNITED STATES,” HE SAID.
/THE FOUR ......
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989
12 -
THE FOUR BANKS HAVE OPERATED A REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE IN HONG KONG SINCE 1980, 1978, 1984 AND 1982 RESPECTIVELY.
’’THE CONTINUING INTEREST OF FOREIGN BANKS IN ENTERING THE LOCAL MARKET REFLECTED HONG KONG’S ROLE AS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"GIVEN THE IMPORTANCE OF HONG KONG’S BILATERAL TRADE WITH THE UNITED STATES, AND THE GROWING TRADE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OTHER THREE COUNTRIES, IT IS DESIRABLE THAT THE FOUR COUNTRIES HAVE APPROPRIATE REPRESENTATION IN THE BANKING SECTOR OF HONG KONG," HE POINTED OUT.
THE GRANTING OF THE LICENCES BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF LICENSED BANKS TO 165, OF WHICH 133 ARE INCORPORATED OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
A TOTAL OF EIGHT BANKING LICENCES HAVE BEEN GRANTED SO FAR THIS YEAR.
REVOCATION OF BANK LICENCES ♦ » * *
THE BANKING LICENCES OF CHAN MAN CHEONG FINANCE COMPANY, LEE SHING, AND. MING TAI FINANCE COMPANY HAVE BEEN REVOKED, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE THREE INSTITUTIONS WERE THE ONLY UNINCORPORTED BANKS LEFT IN HONG KONG, HE SAID.
ON THE BACKGROUND OF SUCH INSTITUTIONS, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT IN THE PAST, A NUMBER OF PARTNERSHIPS AND UNINCORPORATED PROPRIETORSHIP WERE FORMED TO CHANGE MONEY, DEAL IN GOLD, SERVE AS REMITTANCE HOUSES AND - IN SOME CASES - TAKE DEPOSITS.
"THE FIRST BANKING ORDINANCE IN 1948 GAVE SUCH A WIDE DEFINITION OF BANKING THAT SOME OF THESE INSTITUTIONS FELL TO BE LICENSED AS BANKS.
"THE 1964 AND 1986 BANKING ORDINANCE ALLOWED THESE SMALL, FAMILY-OWNED UNINCORPORATED BANKS TO CONTINUE (UNDER CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS SPECIFIC TO THEM, PARTICULARLY A CEILING OF $2 MILLION ON TOTAL DEPOSITS AND OTHER BORROWINGS)," HE ADDED.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF UNINCORPORATED BANKS HAS DIMINISHED TO THREE OVER THE YEARS THROUGH NATURAL WASTAGE, HE SAID, POINTING OUT THAT THE BANKING BUSINESS OF THE THREE INSTITUTIONS HAS BEEN MORIBUND FOR SOME YEARS, THE PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES OF THE INSTITUTIONS BEING GOLD TRADING AND MONEY CHANGING.
THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT STEPS REPEAL THE PROVISIONS RELATING TO UNINCORPORATED ORDINANCE.
"THE REVOCATION REFLECTS THE EVOLUTION OF
WOULD BE TAKEN TO BANKS IN THE BANKING
BANKING," HE NOTED.
- 0 -
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989
PROPOSED RECLAMATION AT ALDRICH BAY TYPHOON SHELTER ♦ » ♦ * *
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CARRY OUT RECLAMATION WORKS AT ALDRICH BAY TYPHOON SHELTER TO PROVIDE LAND FOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN THE AREA.
THE PROPOSED RECLAMATION WILL BE CARRIED OUT OVER 19 HECTARES .OF SEA-BED AT ALDRICH BAY TYPHOON SHELTER AND NORTH OF THE FORMER LEI YUE MUN BARRACKS, SHAU KEI WAN, TO PROVIDE LAND FOR PRIVATE AND PUBLIC HOUSING TO ACCOMMODATE 34,500 PERSONS; COMMERCIAL, GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES; OPEN SPACE AND OTHER USES.
DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, ADEQUATE MEASURE WILL BE TAKEN TO AVOID CAUSING DISTURBANCE TO THE SEA TRAFFIC IN THE VICINITY OF THE AREA.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED WAS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEA-BED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 15, 1989.
MEANWHILE, AUTHORISATION HAD BEEN GIVEN FOR GOVERNMENT TO LAY TWIN PUMPING MAINS IN CONJUNCTION WITH GENERAL DREDGING WORKS WITHIN AN AREA OF APPROXIMATELY 80 HECTARES OF THE FORESHORE AND SEA-BED ALONG THE SHING MUN RIVER IN SHA TIN.
THE MAINS WILL CONVEY SLUDGE EFFLUENT FROM THE SHA TIN WATER TREATMENT WORKS FOR MARINE DISPOSAL BY SHIP VIA A PURPOSE-BUILT TERMINAL AT THE SHA TIN SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS.
THE DREDGING WORKS WILL BE UNDERTAKEN TO UPGRADE THE QUALITY .OF THE WATERS OF THE SHING MUN RIVER AS PART OF AN OVERALL SCHEME TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS IN TOLO HARBOUR.
THE WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN JULY AND BE COMPLETED AROUND AUGUST 1990.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE OF AUTHORISATION PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEA-BED INVOLVED WILL BE INJURIOUSLY AFFECTED BY THE ABOVE UNDERTAKING MAY DELIVER TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION ON OR BEFORE JUNE 15, 1990.
HE SHOULD STATE IN HIS SUBMISSION THE SUM OF MONEY WHICH HE IS WILLING TO ACCEPT IN FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT OF HIS CLAIM AND SHOULD SUBMIT SUCH PARTICULARS WHICH HE POSSESSES TO SUBSTANTIATE HIS CLAIM.
- - O - -
/14
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989
14
BILL ON REPRESENTATION IN ARBITRATIONS
*****
THE ARBITRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, WHICH SEEKS TO CONFIRM THAT PARTIES TO AN ARBITRATION AGREEMENT MAY BE REPRESENTED BY ANY PERSON OF THEIR CHOICE, WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE BILL IS DUE TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 28.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL IS TO AMEND THE ARBITRATION ORDINANCE TO MAKE CLEAR THAT THE PROVISIONS OF SECTIONS 44, 45 AND 47 OF THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS ORDINANCE DO NOT APPLY TO ARBITRATION PROCEEDINGS AND THAT PARTIES TO AN ARBITRATION AGREEMENT ARE NOT RESTRICTED AS TO WHO MAY REPRESENT THEM.
SECTION 44 OF THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS ORDINANCE PROVIDES THAT ANY UNQUALIFIED PERSON ACTING AS A BARRISTER SHALL BE GUILTY OF AN OFFENCE. SECTION 45 PROVIDES THAT NO UNQUALIFIED PERSON SHALL ACT AS A SOLICITOR AND SECTION 47 PROVIDES THAT NO UNQUALIFIED PERSON SHALL PREPARE CERTAIN INSTRUMENTS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT AT COMMON LAW, THE EXCLUSVE RIGHTS OF AUDIENCE OF BARRISTERS AND SOLICITORS IN THE COURTS DOES NOT EXTEND TO ARBITRATIONS WHICH ARE ESSENTIALLY PRIVATE CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENTS FOR THE RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES OUTSIDE THE NORMAL COURT SYSTEM.
"A PARTY IN AN ARBITRATION SHOULD NOT BE PREVENTED FROM BEING REPRESENTED BY THE ADVOCATE OF HIS CHOICE WHATEVER THE ADVOCATE'S PROFESSION AND FROM WHATEVER LEGAL JURISDICTION THAT PERSON MAY COME," HE SAID.
-----0------
NEW ENQUIRY CENTRE FOR WATER CONSUMERS
*****
RESIDENTS OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT WILL BE BETTER SERVED WITH THE OPENING OF THE SHAU KEI WAN CONSUMER ENQUIRY CENTRE BY THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY).
SITUATED ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF PERFECT MOUNT GARDENS, PO MAN STREET, SHAU KEI WAN, THE CENTRE IS THE NINTH OF ITS KIND SET UP BY THE DEPARTMENT IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE TERRITORY.
THE CENTRE WILL DEAL WITH ENQUIRIES FROM CONSUMERS ON ALL ASPECTS OF WATER ACCOUNTS AND HAS A SHROFF OFFICE FOR COLLECTING WATER CHARGES.
/IT WILL .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989
15
IT WILL BE OPEN FROM 8.30 AM TO 4.30 PM ON WEEKDAYS AND FROM 9 AM TO 11.30 AM ON SATURDAY. THE OPENING HOUR OF THE SHROFF OFFICE IS 9 AM ON WEEKDAYS.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE DIRECTOR OF WATE I SUPPLIES, MR K.L. WONG, SAID THE CENTRE WAS REGARDED AS ANOTHER STEP TOWARDS IMPROVING CONSUMER SERVICES UNDER A PROGRAMME DRAWN UP BY THE DEPARTMENT.
THE PROGRAMME INCLUDED THE INTRODUCTION OF THE AUTO-PAY SERVICE FOLLOWING AN OVERALL ENHANCEMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT’S COMPUTER SYSTEM IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS, HE SAID.
MR WONG ALSO SAID THE INSTALLATION OF A PRE-RECORDED TELEPHONE INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR WATER CONSUMERS AND AN OVER-THE-COUNTER SERVICE FOR CHANGE OF CONSUMERSHIP WOULD ALSO BE PUT INTO OPERATION LATER THIS YEAR.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE CENTRE WERE THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR SHUM CHOI-SANG, AND THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR Y.S. YEUNG.
THE OTHER EIGHT ENQUIRY CENTRES OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ARE AT LEIGHTON CENTRE, CAUSEWAY BAY; STANLEY VILLAGE ROAD, STANLEY; ARGYLE STREET DEPOT, MONG KOK; NGAU TAU KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, KWUN TONG; TAI PO GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING IN TING KOK ROAD; KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY HOUSE, SHA TIN; SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SAI KUNG; AND KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES, TSUEN WAN.
-------0----------
NEW CLINIC FOR AP LEI CHAU ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A CLINIC AT MAIN STREET ON AP LEI CHAU TO MEET INCREASING DEMAND FOR MEDICAL SERVICES IN ABERDEEN AND THE ISLAND.
THE PROJECT INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOUR-STOREY BUILDING WHICH COMPRISES A GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINIC WITH ASSOCIATED TEACHING FACILITIES TO BE USED BY DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL PRACTICE, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, A FAMILY HEALTH SERVICE CENTRE AND A DENTAL CLINIC.
FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED INCLUDE CONSULTATION ROOMS, DENTAL SURGERY ROOMS, MINOR SURGERY ROOM, COMPUTER LABORATORY AND SEMINAR ROOM.
WORKS ON THE PROJECT ARE EXPECTED TO START THIS SEPTEMBER AND BE COMPLETED IN NOVEMBER NEXT YEAR.
TENDERS FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
THE DEADLINE OF SUBMITTING TENDERS IS AT NOON ON JULY 7, 1989.
------0-------
/16.......
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989
- 16 -
SINGLE LANE CLOSURE ON TSING YI BRIDGE * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TO FACILITATE THE STAGE II IMPROVEMENT WORKS ON TSING YI BRIDGE, THE SINGLE L NE CLOSURE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THE NIGHT CLOSURE PROGRAMME.
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED 24 HOURS DAILY FROM 5..4 0 AM ON SUNDAY (JUNE 18) FOR FIVE MONTHS.
THE ARRANGEMENTS ARE:
THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF KWAI TSING ROAD (TSING YI BOUND) BETWEEN ITS JUNCTIONS WITH KWAI TAI ROAD AND TSING YI HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD ROUNDABOUT, INCLUDING THE WHOLE TSING YI BRIDGE, WILL BE CLOSED. A SECTION OF CARRIAGEWAY AT TSING YI HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD ROUNDABOUT, CONNECTING SOUTHBOUND TSING YI HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD AND SOUTHBOUND TSING YI ROAD, WILL BE REOPENED.
TRAFFIC ON KWAI TSING ROAD GAINING ACCESS TO TSING YI WILL BE DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA KWAI TSING ROUNDABOUT, TSUEN WAN ROAD, TEXACO ROAD ROUNDABOUT AND TSING TSUEN BRIDGE.
THE SLIP ROAD FROM TSUEN WAN ROAD LEADING TO THE TEXACO ROAD ROUNDABOUT WILL BE SOLELY USED BY VEHICLES GOING TO TSING YI. MOTORISTS ON THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TSUEN WAN ROAD INTENDING TO GO TO TSUEN WAN WILL BE DIVERTED TO USE THE TAI CHUNG ROAD INTERCHANGE AT CHAI WAN KOK.
KMB ROUTES NOS. 42, 43, 4 3A, 43C, 43D AND 4 3M WILL BE DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA TSUEN WAN ROAD, TSING TSUEN BRIDGE, FUNG SHUE WO ROAD AND TSING YI HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD BEFORE RESUMING THEIR NORMAL ROUTE1NG ON JOURNEYS TO TSING YI. ROUTE 30X WILL BE DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA TSUEN WAN ROAD, KWAI TSING ROUNDABOUT, KWAI TSING ROAD, KWAI FUK ROAD AND TEXACO ROAD BEFORE RESUMING ITS NORMAL ROUTEING ON JOURNEYS TO TSUEN WAN.
PUBLIC LIGHT BUS (PLB) ROUTES NOS. 88B, 88C AND 88M WILL BE DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA TSUEN WAN ROAD, TSING TSUEN BRIDGE, FUNG SHUE WO ROAD AND TSING YI HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD BEFORE RESUMING THEIR NORMAL ROUTEING ON JOURNEYS TO TSING YI.
PLB ROUTE NO. 88 WILL BE CONVERTED TO A CIRCULAR ROUTE AND TERMINATE AT KWAI FONG MTR STATION ONLY. THE ROUTE WILL THEN BE DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA TSUEN WAN ROAD, TSING TSUEN BRIDGE, CHEUNG ON ESTATE, FUNG SHUE WO ROAD, FUNG SHUE WO THA, FUNG SHUE WO ROAD, TSING YI HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD, CHEUNG MEI ROAD, TSING YI HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD, TSING YI BRIDGE AND KWAI TSING ROAD.
PLB ROUTE NO. 88S WILL BE DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA TSUEN WAN ROAD, TSING TSUEN BRIDGE, CHEUNG ON ESTATE, FUNG SHUE WO ROAD, TSING YI HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD, TSING YI ROAD, CHUNG MEI ROAD, TSING YI HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD, TSING YI BRIDGE AND TSUEN WAN ROAD.
/A FARE .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989
A FARE OF $1.50 WILL BE CHARGED ON ROUTES NO. 88, 88B AND 88C AND $3 ON ROUTE NO. 88M WITH A SECTION FARE OF $1.50 ON JOURNEYS TO TSING YI DURING THE DIVERSION VIA TSING TSUEN BRIDGE.
AS THERE WILL BE ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC USING THE TEXACO ROAD ROUNDABOUT ON THE WAY TO TSING YI DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS TRAVELLING FROM TSUEN WAN ARE ADVISED TO USE THE TAI CHUNG ROAD INTERCHANGE.
- 0 - -
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF BOWEN DRIVE
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT BOWEN DRIVE IN THE MID-LEVELS BETWEEN BOWEN GARDEN AND THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO BOWEN ROAD PLAYGROUND WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 8 AM ON SUNDAY (JUNE 18).
THE CLOSURE WILL LAST UNTIL 6 PM ON JULY 1 TO FACILITATE CABLE LAYING WORKS.
- - 0 - -
SUSPENSION OF WATER SUPPLY IN HA KWAI CHUNG
*****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN HA KWAI CHUNG WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 12 MIDNIGHT ON SATURDAY (JUNE 17) TO 6 AM ON SUNDAY BECAUSE OF WATER WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES IN THE AREA BOUNDED BY THE TEXACO ROAD, KWAI FUK ROAD, HING SHING ROAD, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TAI LIN PAI ROAD, LAI KING HILL ROAD, CHING CHEUNG ROAD AND THE WATERFRONT.
THESE INCLUDE CONTAINER TERMINAL, CHING LAI COURT, KWAI CHUNG ESTATE, KWAI HING ESTATE, KWAI FONG ESTATE, LAI KING ESTATE AND THEIR NEARBY RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS.
ALL PREMISES AT KUNG YIP STREET, WAH SING STREET, WAI LAI PATH, 'AS WELL AS KWAI CHUNG HOSPITAL AND LAI CHI KOK AMUSEMENT PARK WILL ALSO BE AFFECTED.
- 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
(SUPPLEMENT)
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989
TPuiNSCRIPT OF THE PRESS CONFERS CE
GIVEN BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DaVID WILSON, aT THE AIRPORT ON JUNE 16, 1989
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989
GOVERNOR GIVES PRESS CONFERENCE AT AIRPORT
*****
THE FOLLOWING IS A FULL TRANSCRIPT OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE GIVEN BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (FRIDAY) ON HIS RETURN FROM THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INDO-CHINESE REFUGEES IN GENEVA:
GOVERNOR: GOOD MORNING. I WON’T DO MUCH IN THE WAY OF AN
INTRODUCTION. YOU ALL KNOW WHAT I’VE BEEN DOING, I’VE BEEN AWAY FOR JUST OVER A WEEK. FIRST OF ALL, I WANTED TO GO AND SEE THE MINISTERS, AND SEE THE PRIME MINISTER. SECONDLY, I WAS APPEARING IN FRONT OF THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE. AND THIRDLY, I’VE JUST BEEN IN GENEVA FOR THE CONFERENCE ON VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.
SINCE YOU PROBABLY COVERED, OR HAVE SEEN A LOT ABOUT THE FIRST TWO OF THOSE SERIES OF EVENTS, LET ME JUST BRIEFLY SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THE GENEVA CONFERENCE.
THE MESSAGE WHICH OUGHT TO GO BACK TO VIETNAM, WHICH MUST GO BACK TO VIETNAM, IS THAT THE IDEA OF AUTOMATIC RESETTLEMENT AS A RESULT OF LEAVING BY BOAT IS NOW AT AN END. IT’S BEEN AT AN END IN HONG KONG FOR SOME TIME; IT’S AT AN END THROUGHOUT SOUTHEAST ASIA. SO I HOPE THAT THE MESSAGE WHICH WILL GO BACK VERY LOUD AND VERY CLEAR TO VIETNAM, AND ESPECIALLY NORTH VIETNAM, IS THAT IF YOU WANT TO LEAVE VIETNAM AND GO TO NORTH AMERICA WHICH IS WHERE MOST OF THEM WANT TO GO, DON’T LEAVE BY A SMALL BOAT ALONG THE COAST OF CHINA TO HONG KONG. STAY IN VIETNAM, AND IF YOU’VE GOT A HOPE OF BEING RESETTLED IN THE UNITED STATES, THEN THE ONLY WAY OF DOING THAT IS THROUGH THE ORDERLY DEPARTURE PROGRAMME, NO OTHER WAY. THE OTHER PROSPECT IS REMAINING IN A CAMP UNTIL YOU'RE REPATRIATED TO VIETNAM.
THE CONFERENCE DID MAKE SOME SIGNIFICANT STEPS FORWARD. IT SET OUT THAT MESSAGE. IT DEALT WITH THE QUESTION OF RESETTLEMENT FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE GENUINE REFUGEES, WITH A LARGE PROGRAMME FOR DEALING WITH THAT. IT CAME UP WITH A VERY GENEROUS OFFER FROM THE PHILIPPINES’ FOREIGN MINISTER FOR A REGIONAL HOLDING CENTRE IN THE PHILIPPINES. AND THE QUESTION OF REPATRIATION IN ALL ITS FORMS TO VIETNAM, WAS GIVEN A VERY THOROUGH AIRING AT THE CONFERENCE ALTHOUGH THERE WERE, AS YOU KNOW, DIVERGENT VIEWS ON THAT PARTICULAR QUESTION.
WE ARE, OURSELVES, ON A BILATERAL BASIS CONTINUING OUR DISCUSSIONS WITH THE VIETNAMESE ON THE QUESTION OF REPATRIATION. LET ME LEAVE IT AT THAT AS INTRODUCTORY REMARKS AND JUST TAKE ANY QUESTIONS YOU’VE GOT.
/SIMON COLE (ITN): ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989
2
SIMON COLE (ITN):
GOVERNOR:
SIMON COLE :
GOVERNOR:
PAUL HARRINGTON: (HONG KONG
STANDARD):
GOVERNOR:
WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ABOUT NATIONALITY IN GREAT BRITAIN? THIS SEEMS TO BE THE BIG ISSUE. WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE HERE?
THE MESSAGE I GAVE WAS A MESSAGE TO BRITAIN AND THAT MESSAGE WAS THAT IF BRITAIN WOULD GIVE A RIGHT OF ENTRY TO BRITISH PASSPORT HOLDERS OF ALL SORTS IN HONG KONG, A RIGHT OF ENTRY TO THE UNITED KINGDOM, THAT THAT WOULD DO AN IMMENSE AMOUNT OF GOOD IN HONG KONG. AND MY SECOND MESSAGE - AND I REPEAT THIS IS A MESSAGE TO BRITAIN - WAS THAT IF THAT WAS DONE, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO WOULD ACTUALLY WISH TO GO WOULD BE VERY SMALL AND NOTHING LIKE THE LARGE NUMBERS THAT HAVE BEEN THROWN AROUND IN BRITAIN IN THE DISCUSSION OF THIS ISSUE. SO THOSE WERE TWO MESSAGES TO BRITAIN.
THE MESSAGE TO HONG KONG IS THAT THOSE PARTICULAR POINTS WERE PUT ACROSS VERY CLEARLY IN BRITAIN AND ARE CONTINUING TO BE PUT ACROSS. THE TWO SENIOR MEMBERS OF OUR TWO COUNCILS, DAME LYDIA DUNN AND MR ALLEN LEE, WILL BE GOING TO LONDON AT THE BEGINNING OF NEXT WEEK TO REINFORCE THAT MESSAGE. I’M VERY GLAD THAT THEY’RE DOING IT.
ARE YOU ENCOURAGED BY WHAT YOU HEARD IN LONDON ABOUT THIS ISSUE?
I CAN’T SAY I'M ENCOURAGED AT THE MOMENT BECAUSE THE INITIAL ANSWER THAT I GOT FROM MINISTERS AND FROM THE PRIME MINISTER WAS THAT WHAT I WAS SEEKING FOR WAS, IN THEIR VIEW, POLITICALLY VERY DIFFICULT INDEED. THAT THEY WOULD CONCEIVE OF FLEXIBILITY WITHIN THE EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS BUT NOT SOMETHING GOING SO FAR AS I’D ASKED FOR. BUT I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO PRESS FOR. AND I SEE DAME LYDIA AND MR LEE’S VISIT AS PART OF THAT PROCESS.
SOME RECENT REPORTS HAVE SUGGESTED THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IS PREPARED TO TAKE, PERHAPS A QUARTER OF A MILLION PEOPLE FROM HONG KONG. IF IT DOES BECOME A QUESTION OF NUMBERS, AT WHICH STAGE WILL THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT DECIDE THAT IT HAS GOT AS MUCH AS IT IS GOING TO GET OUT OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IN TERMS OF NUMBERS?
I HAVEN’T SEEN THAT PARTICULAR REPORT. WHAT WE ARE ARGUING FOR AT THE MOMENT IS SOMETHING COVERING ALL OF THE BRITISH PASSPORT HOLDERS IN HONG KONG. NOW IF FOR THE MOMENT THAT TURNS OUT TO BE IMPOSSIBLE, WHAT I SAID TO THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WAS THAT AS AN INTERIM MEASURE I WOULD LOOK FOR THE MAXIMUM OF GENEROSITY AND THE MAXIMUM OF FLEXIBILITY IN WHATEVER BRITAIN WAS DOING.
/PAUL HARRINGTON: ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989
3
PAUL HARRINGTON: YES, WHAT ABOUT THOSE WHO AREN’T NECESSARILY BRITISH PASSPORT HOLDERS? THE ONES ABOVE THE 3.25 MILLION.
•GOVERNOR: I SEE THE FIRST OBLIGATION ON BRITAIN AS BEING
TOWARDS THOSE WHO HOLD BRITISH PASSPORTS OF THE VARIOUS KINDS IN HONG KONG. AS YOU KNOW, THERE ARB VARIOUS DIFFERENT KINDS OF BRITISH PASSPORTS HELD 1 > Y HONG KONG PEOPLE. I SEE THAT AS BEING THE FIRST AND THE KEY OBLIGATION FOR BRITAIN.
PHILLIP HAY YOUR MISSION TO LONDON WAS CERTAINLY BEING DESCRIBED
(BBC-RADIO): HERE AS THE MOST IMPORTANT OF YOUR TWO YEARS HERE AS
GOVERNOR. HOW WOULD YOU ASSESS YOUR OWN PERFORMANCE? WHAT DID YOU ACTUALLY COME BACK WIT,I IN YOUR HAND?
GOVERNOR: I NEVER SIT AROUND TRYING TO ASSESS MY OWN
PERFORMANCE; I LEAVE THAT TO OTHER PEOPLE. MY PURPOSE WAS TO GO AND PUT ACROSS, VERY CLEARLY TO PEOPLE IN BRITAIN, A MESSAGE ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WHICH HONG KONG IS NOW FACING. SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I BELIEVE NEED TO BE DONE ABOUT IT, AND TO PUT THAT ACROSS. NOW, THIS IS SOMETHING WHICH HAS TO BE A CONTINUOUS PROCESS. IT’S NOT SOMETHING YOU DRAW A LINE ON AND SAY, WE’VE GOT 8 OUT OF 10, 5 OUT OF 10, OR WHATEVER, IT’S GOT TO BE A CONTINUOUS PROCESS.
PHILLIP HAY: WOULD YOU CONSIDER ANY HEADLINES THEN, CONSEQUENTLY,
THAT DESCRIBE THE MISSION AS ’’LESS THAN SATISFACTORY” AS SOMETHING TO MAKE YOU UNHAPPY IN THAT RESPECT?
GOVERNOR: I HAVE A TOTAL MISTRUST OF HEADLINES, IF I MIGHT SAY
SO. I THINK IT’S BETTER TO READ THE FULL TEXT.
TRIONA HOLDEN CAN YOU TELL ME, WHAT IMPRESSION DID YOU GET ON HOW (BBC TV NEWS): FEELINGS AND THINKING HAD CHANGED IN THE BRITISH
GOVERNMENT TERMS, FOLLOWING WHAT HAPPENED IN TIAN AN MEN SQUARE, AS REGARDS THE NATIONALITY QUESTION IN HONG KONG?
GOVERNOR: WELL, ON A SERIES OF ISSUES, 1 THINK IT HAS HAD A
VERY CONSIDERABLE IMPACT ON BRITAIN AS A WHOLE, AND ON POLITICAL OPINION - POLITICAL OPINION IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, POLITICAL OPINION IN THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT - IT’S HAD A VERY MARKED IMPACT. THERE IS, I BELIEVE, IN THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT, A VERY REAL DESIRE TO LOOK FOR WAYS IN WHICH THEY CAN HELP HONG KONG AND I VERY MUCH WELCOME THAT. I CANNOT SAY TO YOU, AS YOU KNOW, THAT IT HAS GONE AS FAR AS I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT ON THE QUESTION OF
NATIONALITY.
/TRIONA HOLDEN:
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989
4
TRIONA HOLDEN:
GOVERNOR:
CAN I JUST ASK YOU, AS WELL, HERE IN HONG KONG IF YOU GOT STUDENTS COMING FROM CHINA, WHICH IS LIKELY TO HAPPEN OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, FILTERING THROUGH AND ASKING FOR POLITICAL ASYLUM, WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH THEM?
AT THE MOMENT WE’VE HAD NO CHANGE AT ALL IN THE PATTERN OF ILLEGAL ENTRY INTO HONG KONG FROM CHINA. IT’S BEEN ABSOLUTELY NORMAL. IF WE GET INDIVIDUAL CASES WHICH REQUIRE SPECIAL ATTENTION, THEN WE DEAL WITH EACH OF THOSE INDIVIDUALLY.
TRIONA HOLDEN: DO YOU HAVE CONTINGENCY PLANS FOR THAT HAPPENING?
BECAUSE IT IS LIKELY, ISN’T IT?
GOVERNOR: I DON'T KNOW WHETHER IT’S LIKELY OR NOT, IS THE
HONEST ANSWER TO THAT. WE HAVE CONTINGENCY PLANS FOR DEALING WITH AN INCREASED INFLUX OF PEOPLE FROM CHINA. WE ALWAYS HAVE CONTINGENCY PLANS FOR DEALING WITH INCREASES IN ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. BUT I EMPHASISE THE POINT, IF THERE ARE INDIVIDUAL SPECIAL CASES, THEN THEY’RE DEALT WITH INDIVIDUALLY.
JEFF SIMMS THE BASIC LAW TALKS HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED. THERE ARE
(ABC TV): MORE CALLS FOR GREATER DEMOCRACY HERE. TODAY'S PAPER
SHOWS THAT CONFIDENCE IS AT ITS LOWEST SINCE THE AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED. WHAT CAN YOU DO TO RESTORE SOME CONFIDENCE IN THE PLACE?
GOVERNOR: THERE’S WORK TO BE DONE BY A LOT OF PEOPLE; THIS
DOESN’T DEPEND SOLELY ON THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG. THERE’S WORK TO BE DONE BY CHINA TO RESTORE THE DAMAGE THAT’S BEEN DONE TO CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG. AND THERE HAS BEEN DAMAGE TO CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG, NO DOUBT ABOUT IT. THERE’S WORK TO BE DONE BY BRITAIN TO HELP RESTORE CONFIDENCE HERE; PRACTICAL MEASURE OF SUPPORT. THERE’S WORK TO BE DONE BY ALL OF US HERE, AND BY THAT I MEAN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY. WE’VE BEEN THROUGH A VERY DIFFICULT TIME: WE’RE STILL IN A VERY DIFFICULT TIME IN HONG KONG. IT’S A TIME WHEN WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER, WHEN WE NEED UNITY IN THIS COMMUNITY, AND THAT’S SOMETHING FOR ALL OF US. IT’S NOT A QUESTION OF SOMETHING SIMPLY FOR THE GOVERNOR, SOMETHING FOR THE GOVERNMENT, IT’S FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.
JEFF SIMMS: IT SEEMS TO ME THAT - HAVING LIVED HERE A NUMBER OF
YEARS AGO - THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME, PEOPLE ARE NOT PREPARED JUST TO LOOK AT THE SHORT TERM, THE TWO TO FIVE YEAR TURN AROUND. MANY PEOPLE SEEM TO HAVE THROWN THE TOWEL IN.
/GOVERNOR: ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989
5
GOVERNOR:
FIONA MCMAHON
<SCM POST):
GOVERNOR:
QUESTION:
GOVERNOR:
QUESTION:
I DON’T THINK THAT PEOPLE HERE SIMPLY THROW THE TOWEL IN. THERE’S NO DOUBT AT ALL THAT PEOPLE HERE HAVE BEEN WORRIED BY WHAT HAS HAPPENED OVER THE LAST TWO WEEKS IN CHINA. AND IT’S NOT AT ALL SURPRISING THAT THAT’S THE CASE. BUT THIS IDEA OF PEOPLE SIMPLY THROWING IN THE TOWEL, I DON’T THINK THAT'S RIGHT. I DON’T THINK WE’RE A THROWING IN THE TOWEL TYPE OF COMMUNITY.
WHAT EFFECT DO YOU THINK IT WILL HAVE ON HONG KONG IF BRITAIN DOESN'T IN FACT RECONSIDER ANY OF ITS MORAL RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS US AND GIVE US PASSPORTS? AND HOW DIVISIVE WOULD IT BE IF MRS THATCHER ONLY - IF HER FLEXIBILITY ONLY APPLIED TO CIVIL SERVANTS AND TOP BUSINESSMEN?
WELL, THAT’S A SERIES OF RATHER HYPOTHETICAL POINTS. WHAT WE ARE ARGUING FOR AT THE MOMENT IS SOMETHING WHICH GOES WIDER THAN THAT AND WE'RE CERTAINLY ARGUING FOR THE MAXIMUM OF GENEROSITY. I CAN’T ANSWER THE HYPOTHETICAL QUESTION OF: "WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IF WE DON’T GET AS FAR AS WE’D LIKE TO GET?"
DO YOU ACCEPT THAT BOTH THE VIETNAMESE PROBLEM AND THE PROBLEM OF BRITISH NATIONALITY HAVE BECOME, IN A SENSE, PROBLEMS OF NUMBERS RATHER THAN PRINCIPLES AT THIS STAGE?
NO, I DON’T THINK THAT THEY SHOULD DO. I THINK THAT THEY ARE BOTH QUESTIONS OF PRINCIPLE, IF YOU LIKE. THE PRINCIPLE IN THE CASE OF BRITISH NATIONALITY BEING: WHAT SHOULD BE DONE; WHAT ASSURANCES GIVEN TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE BRITISH PASSPORTS BUT ARE IN HONG KONG? THE QUESTION OF VIETNAMESE BEING: WHAT DO YOU DO WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT GENUINE REFUGEES; WHO HAVE NO CONNECTION WITH THIS TERRITORY? DO YOU SIMPLY LEAVE THEM IN CAMPS FOR YEAR AFTER YEAR? OR DO YOU DO, WHAT TO MY MIND IS THE SENSIBLE, THE PRACTICAL, AND INDEED THE HUMANE THING, AND THAT IS MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THEM TO RETURN TO THEIR OWN COUNTRY? I THINK BOTH OF THOSE - I DON’T USE MYSELF VERY MUCH TO THIS IDEA OF PRINCIPLES, RIGID PRINCIPLES - BOTH OF THOSE ARE THOUGH,A QUESTION OF PRINCIPLE AND OF PRACTICALITY.
DO YOU THINK THE PORT OF FIRST ASYLUM IS A QUESTION OF PRINCIPLE THAT WE MIGHT BE WILLING TO DITCH SHORTLY?
/GOVERNOR: .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989
6
GOVERNOR: WELL THE POINT THAT I MADE IN MY SPEECH AT GENEVA,
AND THE FOREIGN SECRETARY ALSO MADE - AND THIS IS A PRACTICAL POINT-THAT WE CANNOT SIMPLY GO ON WITH THE SITUATION THAT WE’VE HAD OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, WHICH WAS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE COMING IN AT A TREMENDOUS RATE, EVERY DAY, WITHOUT ARRANGEMENTS IN PLACE FOR RE-SETTLEMENT OF REFUGEES, AND FOR
REPATRIATION OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT REFUGEES. AND
THAT’S A STRAIGHTFORWARD POINT OF FACT, A PRACTICAL POINT.
STUART PALLISTER DID MRS THATCHER OR SIR GEOFFREY INDICATE HOW FAR (ATV): THEY WOULD GO REGARDING THE FLEXIBILITY ISSUE?
GOVERNOR: NO. NO. I WAS PRESSING FOR DEALING WITH ALL OF THE
PEOPLE WHO HOLD BRITISH PASSPORTS HERE. THERE ANSWER, AS I MENTIONED A MOMENT AGO, WAS THAT THEY BELIEVE THAT THAT WAS POLITICALLY VERY DIFFICULT FOR THEM BUT THEY SAW ROOM FOR FLEXIBILITY. BUT NOT PRECISELY WHAT THAT FLEXIBILITY MIGHT BE.
KENNETH WONG THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES HAVE GIVEN STERN WARNINGS TO
(RTHK): THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO MIND THEIR OWN BUSINESS
AND NOT TO SUPPORT THE WHOLE DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT IN CHINA. DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS ON THAT?
GOVERNOR: I HAVEN’T READ THE FULL EDITORIAL BECAUSE I’VE BEEN
TRAVELLING BY AIR, BUT MY UNDERSTANDING OF IT WAS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT FROM THAT. I MAY HAVE GOT IT WRONG --
KENNETH WONG: THIS IS FROM THE CCTV.
•GOVERNOR: I THOUGHT THAT WHAT HAD BEEN SAID WAS THAT IT WAS
PERFECTLY ALL RIGHT FOR PEOPLE IN HONG KONG TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ABOUT WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN CHINA, BUT THAT IF PEOPLE WERE TRAVELLING TO CHINA THEN THEY SHOULD OBEY THE LAWS OF CHINA. NOW MY CONCERN IS A HONG KONG CONCERN THAT IN HONG KONG PEOPLE SHOULD OBEY THE LAWS OF HONG KONG. IT’S PLAIN COMMONSENSE IF YOU'RE SOMEWHERE ELSE, THAT YOU SHOULD OBSERVE THE LAWS OF THAT OTHER PLACE, WHEREVER IT IS.
QUESTION: ON A PERSONAL LEVEL, DO YOU THINK IT WOULD BE FAIR
TO SAY THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE REGARDED YOU BEFORE
YOUR TRIP TO LONDON REGARD YOU AS A HONG AS A WHITEHALL MAN, KONG MAN? AND NOW
/GOVERNOR: ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989
7
GOVERNOR:
QUESTION:
GOVERNOR:
QUESTION:
GOVERNOR:
QUESTION:
GOVERNOR:
I’VE BEEN TRAVELLING FOR THE LAST TEN DAYS, SO I DON’T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT. I CAN ONLY GIVE YOU A PERSONAL ANSWER SINCE YOU ASK ME A PERSONAL QUESTION AND THAT IS: ON A PERSONAL BASIS - I’VE NOW BEEN HERE AS GOVERNOR FOR JUST OVER TWO YEARS, I SUPPOSE - I HAVE NOT IN ANY WAY CHANGED; FROM THE MOMENT I CAME, MY CONCERN HAS BEEN TO LOOK AFTER HONG KONG’S INTERESTS AND TO PUT THOSE FORWARD AS STRONGLY AS I POSSIBLY CAN, IN THE WAY THAT I THINK IS THE BEST WAY OF GETTING THEM HEARD. SOMETIMES THAT REQUIRES WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES; SOMETIMES THAT REQUIRES SPEAKING OUT OPENLY. I HAVEN’T CHANGED.
SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, OF COURSE, ARRIVES IN HONG KONG NEXT MONTH. AFTER ALL THE FURIOUSNESS, 1 WOULD SUGGEST, WITH THE BRITISH POSITION OVER NATIONALITY, WHAT KIND OF RECEPTION DO YOU THINK HE IS LIKELY TO GET FROM THE MAN IN THE STREET WHO IS CLEARLY WORRIED ABOUT THE FUTURE HERE?
WELL, YOU’VE BEEN HERE LISTENING TO WHAT THE MAN IN THE STREET SAYS, YOU COULD PROBABLY GUESS THAT BETTER THAN I CAN. WHAT I HOPE HE WILL DO IS COME HERE AND LISTEN TO THOSE VIEWS FROM THE MAN IN THE STREET - FROM THE MAN IN THE STREET AND THE MAN WHEREVER HE MAY BE - ALL SECTORS OF SOCIETY, AND INDEED I’M SURE HE WILL. HE IS SOMEBODY WHO IS VERY SYMPATHETIC TO HONG KONG AND SOMEBODY VERY READY TO LISTEN.
YET LOOKING AT THE SCALE OF THE ANXIETY, WOULD YOU EXPECT HIM TO GET SOMETHING OF A ROUGH RIDE, THOUGH?
THAT, I DON’T KNOW.
IN THE LIGHT OF THE EVENTS IN SHANGHAI RECENTLY, WITH THE DEATH PENALTY BEING GIVEN TO THREE PEOPLE, WE DO IN HONG KONG STILL HAVE THE DEATH PENALTY ON THE STATUTE BOOKS. DO YOU THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT WHEN WE THINK ABOUT 1997?
WE DO HAVE VERY STRONG VIEWS IN THE COMMUNITY HERE, ON THE QUESTION OF THE DEATH PENALTY, AND THERE ARE A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY WHO WOULD WISH TO KEEP THE DEATH PENALTY. AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW, IT IS ALWAYS AT THE MOMENT, COMMUTED. BUT THERE IS A STRONG FEELING IN THE COMMUNITY THAT THAT SHOULD NOT BE THE CASE. IT IS THE CASE AT THE MOMENT AND IT’S LIKELY TO GO ON BEING THE CASE. BUT I WOULD EXPECT QUITE STRONG OPPOSITION TO REMOVING IT FROM THE STATUTE BOOKS.
/QUESTION: .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989
8
QUESTION:
GOVERNOR:
QUESTION:
GOVERNOR:
DAVID
SCHLESINGER (REUTER):
GOVERNOR:
DAVID
SCHLESINGER:
GOVERNOR:
BUT AFTER 1997, I MIGHT SUGGEST THAT THE PENALTY MAY NOT BE COMMUTED QUITE SO OFTEN.
WELL, AFTER 1997, WHETHER OR NOT YOU TOOK IT OFF THE STATUTE BOOKS, IT IS SURELY UP TO THE LEGISLATURE AFTER 1997 TO DECIDE THAT SHOULD BE ON THE STATUTE BOOKS. IF YOU TAKE IT OFF, IT IS QUITE POSSIBLE THAT THE LEGISLATURE WOULD WISH TO PUT IT ON AGAIN; IT’S THEIR RIGHT.
BUT IF IT'S ALREADY IN PLACE, IT WILL BE MUCH EASIER FOR THEM, WON’T IT?
I DON’T THINK IT MAKES MUCH DIFFERENCE IF IT IS SOMETHING WHICH IS A STRONGLY HELD VIEW OF THE COMMUNITY.
TURNING BACK TO THE VIETNAMESE PROBLEM FOR A MOMENT. ARE YOU DISAPPOINTED THAT THE DIFFICULT QUESTION OF INVOLUNTARY REPATRIATION WAS PUT OFF YET AGAIN, UNTIL OCTOBER? CAN HONG KONG, PHYSICALLY, WAIT SO LONG?
I’M DISAPPOINTED THAT THERE ARE LARGE SECTIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WHO SIMPLY WILL NOT FACE FACTS. AND WHO ON THE ONE HAND WILL SAY THAT THERE’S NO QUESTION OF RESETTLEMENT IN THIRD COUNTRIES FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT REFUGEES, AND ON THE OTHER HAND WILL SAY THAT THEY SHOULD NOT GO BACK TO VIETNAM UNLESS THEY POSITIVELY VOLUNTEER TO DO SO. TO MY MIND, THAT IS ILLOGICAL, AND INDEED, I THINK IT IS INHUMANE. BECAUSE WHAT IT IS SAYING IS THAT THOSE PEOPLE SHOULD SIMPLY PILE UP IN CAMPS ROUND THE REGION. AND A POINT THAT I MADE AT GENEVA, WHICH A LOT OF PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD SIMPLY DON’T SEEM TO UNDERSTAND, IS THAT WE’RE SEEING A MOVEMENT OF FAMILIES. OF THE PEOPLE THAT WE’VE GOT COMING HERE FROM NORTH VIETNAM - THEY ARE NEARLY ALL FROM NORTH VIETNAM - HALF OF THEM ARE AGED 20 OR UNDER. A THIRD OF THEM ARE CHILDREN OF 15 OR UNDER. SO WHAT THAT SECTION OF INTERNATIONAL OPINION IS SAYING: THESE YOUNG CHILDREN, THESE YOUNG PEOPLE, SHOULD SIMPLY REMAIN IN CAMPS FOR YEAR AFTER YEAR BECAUSE THE WORLD COMMUNITY WON’T FACE THE FACT THAT THEY OUGHT TO GO BACK TO THEIR OWN HOMELAND - UNDER ACCEPTABLE CIRCUMSTANCES. OF COURSE THEY MUST BE ACCEPTABLE.
THAT SEEMS TO BE A REFERENCE TO THE UNITED STATES?
IT’S NOT SIMPLY TO THE UNITED STATES BECAUSE IT WASN’T ONLY THE UNITED STATES THAT PUT FORWARD THAT VIEW. THERE WERE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO PUT FORWARD THAT VIEW. IT INCLUDED THE UNITED STATES.
/QUESTION: ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989
9
QUESTION: IT WAS ALSO MENTIONED IN SIR GEOFFREY HOWE’S SPEECH
THAT THE FIRST ASYLUM POSSIBLY MIGHT BE ABANDONED. WHAT DO YOU SEE AS ABANDONING FIRST ASYLUM?
GOVERNOR: WHAT HE WAS SAYING, AND WHAT I WAS SAYING, WAS A
PRACTICAL REALITY THAT WE CAN'T GO ON AS WE WERE BEFORE UNLESS ARRANGEMENTS ARE PUT IN PLACE FOR RESETTLEMENT; UNLESS WE START TO WORK ON THE QUESTION OF REPATRIATION; UNLESS SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT A HOLDING CENTRE; WE JUST SIMPLY CAN’T GO ON. NOW, THE GREAT UNKNOWN IN ALL THIS IS, HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL CONTINUE TO COME INTO HONG KONG? AT THE MOMENT WE DON’T KNOW. I HOPE THAT THE MESSAGE FROM GENEVA WILL BE: ’DON’T LEAVE VIETNAM IN A SMALL LEAKY BOAT BECAUSE YOU’RE NOT GOING TO GET TO NORTH AMERICA. YOU’RE GOING TO FINISH UP IN A CAMP AND THEN YOU’RE GOING TO GO BACK TO VIETNAM.’
IF WE GET TO THE POINT THAT EVERYTHING IS GOING ON AS BEFORE AND THEN WE SAY, WE CAN’T GO ON PROVIDING ASYLUM, I WOULDN’T LIKE TO GO INTO THE PRECISE DETAILS OF HOW THAT WOULD BE DONE. I HOPE WE CAN AVOID THAT POINT. THE MESSAGE WAS, WE HAVE A REAL CRISIS IN HONG KONG. THE WORLD SHOULD TAKE NOTE OF IT, BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION TO DEAL WITH IT, SO WE DON’T GET TO THAT POINT WHERE WE SAY, WE CAN NO LONGER PROVIDE ASYLUM.
QUESTION: REPORTS, SIR DAVID, HAVE SUGGESTED THAT THE
VIETNAMESE MIGHT BE WILLING TO TAKE BACK MORE OF THEIR NATIONALS FOR A CASH SUM. DO YOU THINK IT WOULD MAKE GOOD ECONOMIC SENSE TO PAY $1,000 PER HEAD?
GOVERNOR: WELL, WE’RE GOING ON TALKING TO THE VIETNAMESE ABOUT
THE QUESTION OF REPATRIATION. TRYING TO BUILD ON THE EXISTING PROGRAMME THAT WE’VE GOT, TO WIDEN THAT PROGRAMME AND MAKE IT MORE COMPREHENSIVE. THE ACTUAL COST OF SENDING BACK PEOPLE, UP TO NOW, HAS BEEN APPROXIMATELY WHAT YOU SAY; IT’S BEEN APPROXIMATELY US$1,000 PER HEAD. NOW THAT’S THE COST OF TRANSPORT, REHABILITATION ASSISTANCE; SO THE SUM YOU MENTION IS THE PRECISE COST THAT IT'S BEEN UP TO NOW.
IT IS, OF COURSE, - I MEAN JUST TO FOLLOW UP YOUR POINT - IT IS A GREAT DEAL CHEAPER THAN KEEPING PEOPLE HERE FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.
STUART PALLISTER: TO FOLLOW ON FROM THAT, ONE OF THE REAL SOLUTIONS TO THIS SEEMS TO BE THAT ECONOMIC AID SHOULD BE GIVEN TO VIETNAM. WHAT ARE THE INDICATIONS THAT BRITAIN AND HONG KONG WILL BE OFFERING ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE BEFORE OR AFTER SEPTEMBER, WHEN THE TROOPS ARE PULLED OUT OF KAMPUCHEA?
/GOVERNOR: .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989
10
GOVERNOR: WE’RE NOT IN THE BUSINESS, IN HONG KONG, OF OFFERING
ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE TO COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD. THAT’S SOMETHING FOR SOVEREIGN STATES WHO ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF GIVING AID --
STUART PALLISTER: WELL, WHAT ABOUT BRITAIN?
GOVERNOR: WHEN THE VIETNAMESE DO PULL OUT OF CAMBODIA - AND I
HOPE THEY STICK TO THEIR PROGRAMME OF THE END OF SEPTEMBER - THAT OPENS THE WAY FOR ECONOMIC AID FROM COUNTRIES ALL AROUND THE WORLD WHO SO FAR HAVE BLOCKED IT. AND THAT WOULD INCLUDE BRITAIN, THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; I'D HOPE IT WOULD INCLUDE OTHER COUNTRIES. LONG TERM, THE ANSWER TO THIS MUST SURELY BE THAT THE VIETNAMESE SHOULD SORT OUT THEIR OWN ECONOMY - OF WHICH THEY’VE MADE THE MOST UNHOLY MESS - AND PART OF THAT PROCESS WOULD BE INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE. BUT THIS IS A LONG TERM PROCESS; IT DOESN'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT. MEANWHILE, WE HAVE A VERY REAL IMMEDIATE PRACTICAL PROBLEM WITH VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE WHICH WE MUST GO ON TRYING TO SOLVE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SUPPLEMENT
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1989
EMBARGOED NEWS ITEM:
NOTE TO EDITORS OF NEWSPAPERS, NEWS AGENCIES AND BROADCASTING STATIONS;
The following announcement on the Queen’s Birthday Honours list will be made in London at OOO1 hours GMT on Saturday, June 17.
Publication is permitted in Hong Kong newspapers tomorrow (Saturday, June 17)» but no news agency or overseas radio transmission of the announcement may carry the information without the embargo qualification.
The news may be broadcast fran 6 am onwards tomorrow (Saturday, June 17) over the local radio and television stations.
On NO account should any of the recipients of Honours be contacted for interviews, or for information related to their careers, or be approached in any way in connection with their awards before these have been publicly announced.
HONOURS
KBE - Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
CBE - Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
OBE - Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
ISO - Companion of the Imperial Service Order
MBE - Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
BEM - . British Empire Medal
QPM - The Queen’s Police Medal
QFSM - The Queen’s Firfe Service Medal
CPM - Colonial Police Medal
Badge of Honour
Queen’s Birthday Honours List 1989
KBE
The Honourable Piers JACOBS, OBE, JP
Mr Jacobs has been Financial Secretary since May, 1986 and is a member of the Executive Council.
Mr Jacobs joined the Hong Kong Civil Service in 1962
as a Legal Assistant in the Registrar General’s Department. He became Registrar General in 1976 and Secretary for Economic Services in 1983.
CBE
The Honourable Geoffrey Thomas BARNES, JP
Secretary for Security, and former Commissioner Against
Corruption. He joined the Hong Kong Government Service in 1970 after service in Sarawak. He has held a number of posts in the Government including posts with the Police and the former Commerce and Industry Department. He was made a JP in 1980.
The Honourable Stephen CHEONG Kam-chuen, OBE, JP
Member of the Legislative Council. He
has been a
member of various Legco committees, and Convener of the OMELCO
Standing Panels on Industry and Community Affairs. Outside the Legislative Council, he has served on a number of boards and
committees, and is Chairman of the Hong Kong Industrial Estates Corporation. He was made a JP in 1981 and awarded an OBE in 1984.
Mr Arthur GARCIA
Appointed the first Commissioner for Administrative
Complaints this year, and before that was a Judge of the High Court from 1979. He has been in the Hong Kong public service since 1939 and is Chairman of the Widows and Orphans Pension Scheme, Chairman of the Solicitors Costs Committee and Chairman of the Social Service Committee of Caritas.
/Cont'd ...
2
The Honourable Peter TSAO Kwang-yung, CPM, JP
Secretary for Administrative Services and Information.
He joined the Government service in 1955 and has held a variety of posts, including Commissioner for Trade, Industry and Customs, and Director of Information Services. He was made a JP in 1976, and was awarded the Colonial Police Medal.
OBE
Mr Anthony AU-YEUNG Fu, JP
Commissioner of Inland Revenue since 1985. He joined the Inland Revenue Department in 1965 and became Deputy Commissioner in 1979. He was made a JP in 1978.
The Honourable CHAN Ying-lun, JP
Member of the Legislative Council since 1983. He serves on the Housing Authority and was Chairman of the Committee on the Review of Domestic Rent Policy. In addition, he is a member of the Board of Education, the Eastern District Board and a number of committees. He was made a JP in 1986.
Mr Graham CHENG Cheng-hsun, JP
Chairman of the Productivity Council. He is also Chairman of the Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation Advisory Board and a member of the Industry Development Board. He has many interests in the field of education. He was made a JP in 1985.
Mr George HINDHAUGH, QPM, CPM
Deputy Commissioner of Police. He joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force in 1975 following service in the then Nyasaland and British Solomon Islands Protectorate Police Forces. His previous appointments included Regional Commander Hong Kong Island, and Kowloon, and Director of Operations at Headguarters. He was awarded the Colonial Police Medal in 1968 and the Queen’s Police Medal in 1983.
/Cont'd ...
3
Mr Anthony John VAIL, JP
Member of Council of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers and President in 1980-81. He became founder Chairman of the Environmental Division of the Institution in 1987, the Hong Kong Group of British Consulting Engineers in 1985 and the Association of Consulting Engineers of Hong Kong in 1986. He is also a member of a number of building committees and was made a JP in 1984.
Mr Steuart Alfred WEBB-JOHNSON, JP
Minister for Hong Kong in Brussels. He joined the Hong Kong Government Administrative Service in 1956 and has held a variety of posts. Much of his career has been spent in the London Office of the Hong Kong Government, and he took up his present appointment in Brussels in 1987. He was made a JP in 1961.
ISO
Mr Jose LEI Meng-can
Director of Architectural Services. He joined the then Public Works Department in 1955. He has held a number of posts in the Department, and was appointed Director of Architectural Services in 1986. He is a keen sportsman and has represented Hong Kong in rifle shooting in the Asian, Commonwealth and Olympic Games. He was made a JP in 1980.
Mr John Howard MARCH. QFSM, CPM
Director of Fire Services. He joined the Fire Services Department in 1962 following six years with a local authority fire brigade in the United Kingdom. He became Deputy Director of Fire Services in 1984 and was promoted to Director in 1987. He was awarded the Colonial Police Medal in 1976 and the Queen’s Fire Service Medal in 1983.
Mrs Elizabeth WONG CHIEN Chi-lien, JP
Director of Social Welfare. Mrs Wong joined the Civil Service in 1969. She has held a variety of senior appointments, including Deputy Secretary for Home Affairs and Deputy Secretary for Lands and Works. She was appointed Director of Social Welfare in 1987 and was made a JP in 1982.
/Cont’d ...
4
Mrs Irene YAU LEE Che-yun, JP
Director of Information Services. Mrs Yau joined the Government service in 1964. She became Deputy Director of Information Services in 1986 and was appointed Director in 1987. She was made a JP in 1986.
MBE
Mr CHAN Chi-sum
Mr Chan is Assistant Director, Urban Services Department.
Mr Jackie CHAN Kong-sang
Mr Chan is a well known film actor and director in Hong Kong. He performed at the "Youth Spectacular" for the Queen in i y o o.
Mr CHAN Siu-leung
Mr Chan joined the Civil Service in 1954. He is at present Assistant Director of Accounting Services, the Treasury.
Mr Leslie GRAY
An interpreter for the Judiciary for 31 years. He is the Chief Court Interpreter.
Mr Timothy HA Wing-ho, JP
Supervisor and Principal of St Paul’s College. He has served on the Board of Education and is a member of the University and Polytechnic Grants Committee.
Mr Edward Arthur HACKER
Mr Hacker was the Creative Director of the Information Services Department from 1967. He retired earlier this year.
/Cont' d ...
5
Mrs LEE LO Yuk-sim, JP
Member of the Management Committee of the Housing
Authority since 1979. Chairman of the Tenancy Appeals and Complaints Committees of the Housing Authority. Other community activities include chairman of the Squatter Area Committee of the Wong Tai Sin District Board.
Madam LEUNG Sing-tak, JP
A retired school principal. Vice Chairman of the New Territories Girl Guides and Boy Scouts Association.
MBE (Military Division)
Major Frank DRAKE
Major Drake joined the Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers) in 1967. He has been an active Reserve Officer since 1984.
Lieutenant Commander David HSU Ta-wai
Lieutenant Commander Hsu is a founder member of the
Hong Kong Sea Cadet Corps. He also has 35 years’ service in the Royal Naval Reserve and 14 years in the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force.
BEM (British Empire Medal)
Mr CHAN Hung
Mr Chan began his career in the Urban Services Department in 1956 and is now a Senior Foreman.
Mr CHAN Yiu-yee
Mr Chan worked
as a chauffeur for the British
Consulate in Macau from 1957-1967, prior to joining the Hong Kong Government as a Motor Driver in 1967.
/Cont'd ...
6
Miss Florence CHING Foo-ying
Miss Ching is a Senior Clerical Officer, who joined the Government in 1957.
Mr LEE Yiu-leung
Mr Lee was appointed as Assistant Land Surveyor in the
Government some 34 years ago and was promoted to Principal Survey Officer in 1981.
Mr LO Chi-pui
Mr Lo began his career in 1956 as a temporary clerk
the immigration section of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force. He is now a Clerical Officer I.
Mr SHIN Kam-chuen
Mr Shin joined the Civil Service as a lifeguard
1962 and is a supervisor of life-saving services at public beaches in Hong Kong.
Mr TAM Kam-kau
Mr Tam joined the General Clerical Service in 1957 and is now a Senior Clerical Officer.
Mr TSANG Chi-kun
Mr Tsang is a Senior Electrical Technician in the Hospital Services Department, having joined the Civil Service in 1959.
Mr YEUNG Kon-ying
Mr Yeung joined the then Prisons Department as a warder
in 1953 and is at present an Assistant Officer in the Correctional Services Department.
/Cont'd ...
7
Mrs Lilian YICK HO Hang-yuk
Mrs Yick joined the Government Service as a Personal Secretary in 1965 and rose to Senior Personal Secretary in 1977.
Mr Joseph YIM
Mr Yim joined the Civil Service as a Foreman in the
Urban Services Department in 1958 and rose to Senior Overseer in 1978.
Mr YOUNG Kuen
Mr Young joined the then Medical and Health Department as a Labourer in 1961. He is at present a Chief Hospital Foreman.
Mrs WAN LEUNG Kong-yee
Mrs Wan joined the Government 29 years ago. She has
served as a Confidential Assistant in the Executive Council Annexe for over 17 years.
Mrs WU KOO Poo-suen
Mrs Wu has served in the Social Welfare Department for 24 years, teaching craft work to the deaf and mentally handicapped.
BEM (Military Division)
Staff Sergeant TSE Kit
Staff Sergeant Tse is a Squadron
Quartermaster
Sergeant of A Squadron, Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers). He has served for 18 years.
/Cont' d ...
8
QPM (The Queen’s Police Medal)
Mr David Toby EMMET, CPM
Mr Emmet joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force as a
Probationary Inspector in 1963. His present rank is Assistant Commissioner of Police.
Mr Cecil Alfred John SHEPPARD, MBE, CPM
Mr Sheppard joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force in
1976, having served 21 years in Bechuanaland/Botswana. His present rank is Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police.
QFSM
Mr TAM Yuk-fan, CPM
Mr Tam joined the Fire Services Department as a Sub-officer in 1954 and is at present a Chief Fire Officer.
CPM
Mr AU Big-leung
Mr Au joined the Fire Services Department in 1958 as a
Watchkeeper in the Fire Control Centre. He is at present a Senior Divisional Officer in Kowloon.
Mr CHAN Hin-wang
Mr Chan joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force as an
Inspector in 1957 and was promoted to his present rank of Superintendent in 1971.
Mr CHAU Siu-keung
Mr Chau joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force as a Constable in 1965. He was promoted to Chief Inspector in 1984.
/Cont’d ...
9
Mr CHEUNG Wai-shing
Mr Cheung joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force as a Sub-Inspector in 1960. He was promoted to his present rank of Superintendent in 1975.
Mr Christopher John GLOVER
Mr Glover joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force as a Probationary Inspector in 1966. He is at present a Senior Superintendent.
Mr HO Chak-lam
Mr Ho joined the Government as a Clerk in 1960 and transferred to the Fire Services Department in 1962. He is now a Senior Divisional Officer. He is a Serving Brother of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem.
Mr Alan Thomas HORNSBY
Mr Hornsby joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force as an Inspector in 1966 and was promoted to his present rank of Senior Superintendent in 1985.
Mr KEUNG Kar-pan
Mr Keung joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force as a Constable in 1953 and rose to his present rank of Station Sergeant in 1972.
Mr LAU Kin-yeuk
Mr Lau joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force as a Sub-Inspector in 1954 and rose to Chief Inspector in 1972.
Mr LEE Kai-choi
Mr Lee joined the Fire Services Department as a Fireman in 1958 and rose to his present rank of Principal Fireman in 1980.
/Cont’ d ...
10
Mr LO Ching-wai
Mr Lo joined the Fire Services Department in 1964 and is at present a Senior Divisional Officer.
Mr LO Hung-shun
Mr Lo joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force in 1960 as a Constable and rose to his present rank of Superintendent in 1982.
Mr John Leslie PETTENGELL
Mr Pettengell joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force as a Probationary Inspector in 1964. He is at present a Senior Superintendent.
Miss Millie STRADMOOR
Miss Stradmoor joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force as a Woman Probationary Inspector in 1968, and rose to her present rank of Superintendent in 1982.
Mr Iain Edward WARD
Mr Ward joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force as a Probationary Inspector in 1966. He is at present a Superintendent in the Marine Region.
Mr YAM Chuk-shun
Mr Yam joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force in 1957 as a Police Constable. He was promoted to Chief Inspector in 1982.
Mr YEUNG Kwok-lira
Mr Yeung joined the Fire Services Department as a Fireman in 1957 and rose to his present rank of Principal Fireman in 1979.
/Cont'd ...
11
BADGE OF HONOUR
Mr CHAN Tin-sang
Mr Chan has served as Chairman of Yan Oi Tong and plays a major role in the promotion of welfare and services to youth, which includes the Tuen Mun Arts Promotion Association and Tuen Mun Festival.
Mr Warren CHOW Yum-wah
Mr Chow is a member of the Wan Chai District Board. He is President and Executive Committee member of the Wan Chai Junior Police Call Activity Promotion Committee and is a member of the Tai Hang/So Kon Po Area Committee.
Mr HO Koon-shun
Mr Ho is Headmaster of the Sai Kung Public Primary School, a District Board member and Chairman of the District Board Environmental Improvement Committee.
Mr Tony KAN Chung-nin
Mr Kan is a member of the Sha Tin District Board and Chairman of the District Board’s Development and Housing Committee. In 1988, he became Chairman of Yan Oi Tong and is a member of the Advisory Committee on Private Building Management.
Mr Johnson LAI
Mr Lai is a Director of Kwun Tong Industries and Commerce Association, Chairman of a Chinese Essay Writing Competition and an active member of the Lions Club in North Kowloon.
Mr Howard LEUNG Chak-cheung
Mr Leung is recognised for his significant contribution in promoting among the public the awareness and care of the countryside environment and his work on the Country Parks Board. He has published a number of booklets, the most recent being the ’’Lantau Trail” and ’’Family Walks”.
/Cont’d ...
12
Mr TANG Ngan-hoi
Mr Tang is Chairman of the New Territories Schools Sports Association (Yuen Long Branch) and a committee member of the Yuen Long District Sports Association.
Mr TANG Pui-tat
Mr Tang is Vice Chairman of the Tai Po Rural Committee and an Executive Council member of the Heung Yee Kuk. He is a member
of the Tai Po District Board.
Dr Harold SCHOCK
Dr Schock is a missionary, serving at the American Baptist Mission. He has contributed to the work in the anti-narcotics field and in the treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts.
Mr Norman SIN Siu-wah
Mr Sin is a member of the Tsuen Wan District Board, and pioneered the Tsuen Wan Youth Ambassador Scheme.
Mr WONG Shu
Mr Wong is a member of the Tuen Mun District Board, Vice Chairman of St John Ambulance Brigade and a Director of Yan Oi Tong schools.
Mr WONG Yick-kee
Mr Wong is Chairman of Yau Ma Tei North Area Committee. He served on the Yau Tsim District Fight Crime Committee and is now Chairman of the Management Committee of the Henry G. Leong Community Centre.
Mr WU Wing-kai
Mr Wu is a member of the Kowloon City District Board, and Chairman of the Hung Hom South Area Committee.
/Cont'd ...
13
Mr YAU Hon-kee
Mr Yau is a member of the Kwai Tsing District Board and the Kwai Chung and Tsing Yi Community Halls/Centres Policy Committee. He is Chief Editor of the Sau Mong Editorial Group.
Mr Jose YU Sun-say
Mr Yu is a member of the Kwun Tong District Board and President of the Kwun Tong Industries and Commerce Association.
MILITARY DIVISION
OBE
Lieutenant Colonel Peter James GUY, Royal Army Medical Corps (at present serving in West Germany)
Lieutenant Colonel Michael Howard KEFFORD, 7th Duke of Edinburgh's Own Gurkha Rifles.
MBE
Major Peter Harold BLUNDELL, Queen’s Gurkha Engineers
Major Tekbahadur GURUNG, 7th Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Gurhka Rifles.
BEM
Corporal LAM Kam-Yuk, Gurkha Transport Regiment
Staff Sergeant John Joseph TURNER, Royal Engineers
/Cont•d ...
14
DIPLOMATIC AND OVERSEAS LIST
KNIGHT BACHELOR
Mr Horace KADOORIE, CBE, JP
His Knighthood is in recognition of his work and contributions to British Gurkha Interests in Nepal.
MBE
Mr James YI Jun-yun
Former Senior Information Officer of the British Trade Commission. Now employed on a part-time basis in the Government Secretariat.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY4 JUNE 1909
CONTHiTS PAGE NO,
DECISIONS ON PROJECTS WITHIN TIMESCALE — FS ....*.** u.... * 1
HONG KONG COULD SURVIVE TURMOIL IN CHINA .......................2
HONG KONG'S RESILIENCE'IS LEGSND/JiY : DIRECTOR, SAN
^CISC0....................................................... 4
HK.VIETN'iM BIL..TER..L T.iLKS ON VBP REPATRIATION..... 5
GOVERNOR, LaDY WILL-OP SHARE FUN PITH PUBLIC AT MORSE PARK ,. 6
SWD TO LrtUNCH REGIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES................. 6
IMPROVHiENT PROGRAM?® FOR KOWLOON CITI BUILDINGS........... f
aDVISORY COMMITTED MEMBERS LEAVE ON STUDY TOUR................. 8
SPECIAL BOY SCOUT GROUP SET UP IN SHa TIN .................... 9
EMPLOYERS REMINDED NOT TO HIRE 'OUNG PERSONS.......■..... ' <0
SWIMMING POOL, SPORTS COMPLEX FOR S211 KUNG ................ ’ft
SATURDAY. JUNE 17. 1989
1
DECISIONS ON PROJECTS WITHIN TIMESCALE -- FS ♦ * » * t
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS. SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS GOING AHEAD WITH ALL ITS PLANNING OF INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND WOULD ADHERE TO ITS TIMETABLE FOR MAKING DECISIONS.
SPEAKING TO MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA AFTER ATTENDING THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS AT THE FANLING RECREATION GROUND. SIR PIERS REITERATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO MAKE DECISIONS ON PROJECTS SUCH AS THE AIRPORT WITHIN THE TIMESCALE WHICH IT SET ITSELF.
"THERE IS A LOT THAT IS GOING ON IN THE ADMINISTRATION AT THE MOMENT," HE SAID, CITING AS EXAMPLES THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY STUDY (PADS) AND THE AIRPORT IN PARTICULAR.
ASKED WHETHER RECENT EVENTS IN CHINA WOULD HAVE ANY EFFECT ON OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG, HE SAID IT OBVIOUSLY WOULD HAVE SOME EFFECT BUT OVER THE MEDIUM TO LONGER TERM. HE WOULD EXPECT THAT THINGS IN HONG KONG WOULD PICK UP AGAIN.
"EVERYONE IS BEING EXTREMELY SHOCKED BY THESE GHASTLY EVENTS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE. I THINK IT IS TOO EARLY TO PREDICT EXACTLY WHAT EFFECT IT IS LIKELY TO HAVE ON INVESTMENT," HE SAID.
IN RESPONSE TO A QUESTION ON WHETHER THE DECREASE IN THE PRIME RATE WOULD HELP STIMULATE THE MARKET'. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL AS FAR AS BUSINESS WAS CONCERNED.
"I HAD TAKEN THE VIEW AT THE TIME OF MY BUDGET THAT HIGHER INTEREST RATES WILL BE HELPFUL TO US IN TENDING TO COOL DOWN INFLATION.
"BUT INFLATION ISN'T OUR NO. 1 PROBLEM AT THE MOMENT. IT'S STILL THERE. BUT I WILL EXPECT IT TO COOL DOWN A BIT.
"SO WHAT WE REALLY NEED TO DO IS TO SEE MORE BUSINESS IN HONG KONG." HE NOTED.
ASKED ABOUT THE RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE STOCK EXCHANGE AND THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION OF A NEW RULE TO PROHIBIT LOCALLY LISTED OVERSEAS COMPANIES FROM BUYING ITS SHARES WITHOUT PRIOR APROVAL, SIR PIERS SAID THE MATTER WAS BEING LOOKED AT BY THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON COMPANY LAW REFORM.
"BUT AT THE MOMENT OUR MAIN CONCERN IS TO SEE INVESTORS ADEQUATELY PROTECTED," HE POINTED OUT.
ASKED HOW HE FELT ABOUT HIS AWARD OF THE KBE, SIR PIERS SAID IT WAS A GREAT HONOUR AND HE WAS VERY DELIGHTED.
HE ALSO THANKED HIS COLLEAGUES WHO HAVE GIVEN HIM SO MUCH SUPPORT SINCE HE TOOK OFFICE.
--------0----------
/2........
SATURDAY. JUNE 17, 1989
- 2 -
HONG KONG COULD SURVIVE TURMOIL IN CHINA * ♦ ♦ ♦
IF ANYTHING. THE TRAGIC EVENTS IN CHINA HAVE SERVED TO ACCENTUATE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE JOINT DECLARATION TO HONG KONG, NOT DETRACT FROM IT. THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY. MR JOHN CHAN. SAID IN NEW YORK YESTERDAY (JUNE 16).
’’THEY HAVE SERVED TO BRING HOME TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG THE VALUE OF THE RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS AND OF THE SYSTEMS AND LIFESTYLE THAT ARE PRESERVED IN THAT AGREEMENT.
"AND. I SINCERELY HOPE, THEY WILL HAVE SERVED TO MAKE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ALL THE MORE DETERMINED IN THEIR DEMAND THAT THE FREELY NEGOTIATED. BINDING INTERNATIONAL TREATY THAT GOVERNS THEIR FUTURE WILL BE HONOURED." MR CHAN SAID.
"I DO NOT FOR A MOMENT PRETEND THAT HONG KONG’S FUTURE IS WITHOUT ITS PROBLEMS, OR THAT THE RECENT DRAMATIC GROWTH OF OUR ECONOMY WILL CONTINUE COME WHAT MAY.
"THERE IS A CLOUD OF UNCERTAINTY OVER HONG KONG AND CHINA WHICH WE CANNOT IGNORE; BUT IT IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT NOT TO OVER-REACT TO IT." HE STRESSED.
"HONG KONG AND CHINA HAVE SEEN SOME VERY DIFFICULT TIMES OVER THE PAST 40 YEARS AND HAVE MANAGED TO PULL THROUGH.
"I BELIEVE WE CAN DO IT AGAIN," MR CHAN SAID.
ADDRESSING MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON US/CHINA RELATIONS AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK DURING HIS TWO-WEEK OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, MR CHAN OUTLINED A NUMBER OF PERSPECTIVES ON HONG KONG WHICH GAVE HIM GREAT HOPE FOR. ITS CONTINUED PROSPERITY.
HE SAID THESE INCLUDED CHINA’S CONTINUED SUPPORT TO HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC WELL-BEING. THE RE-EMERGENCE OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS OF HONG KONG AS AN ENTREPOT AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TERRITORY AS A SERVICE AND SOURCING CENTRE FOR THE REGION.
OTHER PERSPECTIVES WERE HONG KONG’S GROWING TRADE WITH EAST ASIA, THE GROWING INTEREST OF US BUSINESSES IN HONG KONG AND CHINA AND THE TERRITORY’S PLACE IN THE WORLD ECONOMY.
TAKEN TOGETHER. HE SAID. IT WAS NO LONGER APPROPRIATE TO VIEW HONG KONG ONLY AS A MANUFACTURER FOR A FEW LARGE EXPORT MARKETS: IT HAD BECOME THE DYNAMIC HUB OF A COMPLEX TRADING AND SERVICE SYSTEM MAKING A SIGNIFICENT CONTRIBUTION TO WORLD TRADE.
"THE EXTENSIVE SPREAD OF THE NETWORK AND THE SHEER VOLUME OF TRADE AND SERVICES INVOLVED ARE HELPING HONG KONG TO SUSTAIN THE SHOCK OF EVENTS IN CHINA.
/"AMERICAN INVESTORS .......
SATURDAY JUNE 17, 1989
3
"AMERICAN INVESTORS ARE NATUALLY TAKING A WAIT AND SEE ATTITUDE. BUT ONCE THE PICTURE IS CLEARER I BELIEVE THAT BUSINESSMEN WILL AGAIN SEE A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR HONG KONG BOTH IN ITS OWN RIGHT AND AS A MEANS OF ACCESSING THE POTENTIALLY MUCH LARGER CHINA MARKET," MR CHAN SAID.
ON HONG KONG’S TRADE POLICY, MR CHAN SAID HE BELIEVED HONG KONG HAD A UNIQUE ROLE TO PLAY IN CONTRIBUTING TO THE GROWTH OF FREE AND A STRENGTHENED MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM, NO MATTER WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IN CHINA.
HE NOTED THAT HONG KONG HAD FOLLOWED THE PATH FIRST TRODDEN BY THE UNITED STATES IN COMMERCIAL MATTERS AS WELL AS IN MANY OTHER FIELDS.
"HONG KONG IS AN EXAMPLE IN EAST ASIA OF A WAY OF LIFE AND OF DOING BUSINESS THAT AMERICANS APPRECIATE AND CAN UNDERSTAND AND IN CONSEQUENCE HONG KONG HAS RECEIVED A GREAT DEAL OF UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT FROM THE UNITED STATES OVER THE YEARS.
"I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO GET SUPPORT FROM THE UNITED STATES AND FROM OTHER FRIENDLY NATIONS IN THE YEARS AHEAD," MR CHAN SAID.
HE SAID THIS WAS BECAUSE OF THE GUARANTEES PROVIDED IN THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT, AND HONG KONG HAD MADE ITSELF A USEFUL AND IN SOME RESPECTS EXEMPLARY MEMBER OF THE TRADING COMMUNITY RESPECTED AND VALUED BY MANY INCLUDING CHINA.
"BUT ABOVE ALL I BELIEVE IT TO BE SO BECAUSE HONG KONG HAS A HARD-WORKING, RELATIVELY YOUNG AND INCREASINGLY SOPHISTICATED POPULATION THAT HAS SHOWN ITSELF IN RECENT WEEKS TO BE MORE POLITICALLY AWARE AND MORE COMMITTED TO HONG KONG THAN IT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN GIVEN CREDIT FOR.
"SOME MAY CHOOSE TO LEAVE HONG KONG BUT I BELIEVE THAT THE MAJORITY WILL WISH TO STAY AND WILL WISH TO SEE HONG KONG DEVELOPED ON FOUNDATIONS IT HAS ALREADY LAID FOR ITSELF.
"FREE TRADE AND COMMERCIAL AUTONOMY ARE CORNERSTONES IN THAT BUILDING AND WILL REMAIN SO.
"WITH THESE FIRMLY IN PLACE HONG KONG'S ECONOMIC PROSPECT WILL BE AS GOOD AS THEY HAVE EVER BEEN. HONG KONG’S PAST WAS BUILT ON TRADE, SO TOO WILL ITS FUTURE BE," MR CHAN SAID.
SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 1989
- 4 -
HONG KONG’S RESILIENCE IS LEGENDARY : DIRECTOR, SAN FRANCISCO » » * » *
BEHIND THE DEEP CONCERN ABOUT EVENTS IN CHINA IT IS VERY MUCH BUSINESS AS USUAL IN HONG KONG, DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN SAN FRANCISCO, PETER JOHNSON, SAID YESTERDAY (FRIDAY).
MR JOHNSON WAS ADDRESSING BUSINESS EXECUTIVES AND MEMBERS OF THE HK-CANADA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION IN EDMONTON, THE CAPITAL CITY OF ALBERTA, DURING A SEMINAR ON HONG KONG’S TRADE AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES PRIOR TO A TRADE MISSION BY THE ASSOCIATION TO THE TERRITORY SCHEDULED FOR LATER THIS YEAR.
IN HIS LUNCHTIME KEYNOTE SPEECH, MR JOHNSON REASSURED HIS AUDIENCE THAT HONG KONG, MORE THAN MOST PLACES, HAS SURVIVED MORE THAN ITS FAIR SHARE OF CRISES OVER THE YEARS. HONG KONG’S RESILIENCE IS LEGENDARY, HE SAID.
"HONG KONG REMAINS A VIBRANT, SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY AND ONE OF THE SUCCESS STORIES OF THE PAST 30-40 YEARS. IN 1967 OUR GDP STOOD AT US$2.5 BILLION. IN 1987 IT WAS US$46 BILLION. THIS REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF OVER 20 TIMES IN 20 YEARS, A REAL GROWTH OF 8.5 PER CENT PER ANNUM.
"GROWTH IN TRADE HAS BEEN EVEN MORE DRAMATIC. IN 1967 OUR TOTAL ANNUAL TRADE WAS WORTH US$3.3 BILLION. IN 1988 IT WAS WORTH US$127 BILLION. THIS IS MORE THAN TWICE OUR GDP, AND REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 38 TIMES IN 21 YEARS, OR GROWTH OF MORE THAN 12 PER CENT PER ANNUM."
HE POINTED OUT THAT THIS DOUBLE DIGIT GROWTH WOULD IN ANY CASE HAVE BEEN UNSUSTAINABLE AND WOULD HAVE CAUSED GRAVE PROBLEMS HAD IT CONTINUED FOR MUCH LONGER.
"SOMETHING OF A BREATHER IS THEREFORE NOT UNWELCOME AT THIS POINT IN TIME, AND WOULD ALMOST CERTAINLY HAVE OCCURRED ANYWAY, GIVEN THE MEASURES THAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT WERE ALREADY TAKING TO COOL DOWN THEIR OVERHEATED ECONOMY."
ONE OF THE MORE REMARKABLE EFFECTS ON HONG KONG AS A RESULT OF RECENT EVENTS IN CHINA HAS BEEN THE WAY IN WHICH THE LAST FEW WEEKS HAVE SEEN A COMING TOGETHER OF HONG KONG PEOPLE ON A NUMBER OF BASIC ISSUES CONCERNING THEIR FUTURE, MR JOHNSON SAID.
"THERE IS, FOR EXAMPLE, A GROWING APPRECIATION OF THE NEED TO FORGE A CONCENSUS ON THE KEY ELEMENTS OF THE BASIC LAW, ONCE CONSULTATION RESUMES, IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE FREEDOMS WHICH THE COMMUNITY CURRENTLY ENJOY AGAINST THE ARBITRARY EXERCISE OF POWER.
"THIS WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY LEAD TO REQUESTS FOR SPEEDIER PROGRESS TOWARDS A MORE DEMOCRATIC FORM OF GOVERNMENT, AND STRENGTHENED PROTECTION AGAINST DIRECT MAINLAND PARTICIPATION IN HONG KONG AFFAIRS."
/mr jonrison.........
SATU'.DAY, JTTTIE 17, 1989
5
MR JOHNSON ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE CHANCES OF PROGRESS ALONG THESE LINES MAY APPEAR SLIM AT PRESENT: "THE STAKES FOR CHINA ARE, HOWEVER, VERY HIGH, AND IT IS BOTH MY HOPE AND MY BELIEF THAT IN DUE COURSE COOLER HEADS WILL PREVAIL.
"WHEN THIS HAPPENS, HONG KONG WILL AS EVER REMAIN UNIQUELY PLACED TO SERVE BOTH CHINA AND THE REST OF THE WORLD,” MR JOHNSON CONCLUDED.
-------0----------
HK-VIETNAM BILATERAL TALKS ON VBP REPATRIATION
* * » * »
BILATERAL TALKS WILL BE HELD BETWEEN HONG KONG AND VIETNAM ON JUNE 26 ON THE SUBJECT OF REPATRIATION OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE (VBP), THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR GEOFFREY BARNES. SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
"THE PRESENT INTENTION IS THAT THE POLITICAL ADVISER AND I WILL BE GOING TO HANOI FOR THAT PURPOSE," HE SAID ON HIS RETURN FROM THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INDO-CHINESE REFUGEES (ICIR) IN GENEVA.
"THIS IS QUITE A FIRM INTENTION UNLESS THERE IS ANY LAST-MINUTE CHANGE OF PLANS FROM VIETNAM WHICH WE DON’T EXPECT."
MR BARNES SAID THE FIRST MEETING OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE THAT FOLLOWED THE ICIR WAS PROBABLY REMARKABLE FOR AT LEAST ONE STATEMENT BY VIETNAM.
"IN CLEARLY WHAT WAS A PREPARED STATEMENT, VIETNAM SAID THEY WERE FULLY PREPARED TO TALK ABOUT ANY OF ITS CONTENTS WITH ANY COUNTRY AND THEY WERE PREPARED TO HOLD BILATERAL TALKS WITH ANY OF THE PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES.” HE SAID.
"THEY ALSO SAID THAT THEY WOULD TAKE THIS MATTER SERIOUSLY. AND WHAT THEY WANTED NOW WAS ACTION AND NOT WORDS.
"I THINK THAT WAS QUITE AN IMPORTANT STATEMENT FROM VIETNAM; I THINK IT GIVES SOME HOPE FOR THE FUTURE.
"THE HANOI MEETING IS ONE I EXPECT TO ACHIEVE IN MORE ACTION."
REFERRING TO A REVIEW OF ALTERNATIVES TO VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PLANNED FOR OCTOBER, MR BARNES SAID THERE WAS A GREAT URGENCY IN HONG KONG TO DO SOMETHING MUCH MORE QUICKLY THAN LATER IN THE YEAR.
"WE CAN’T WAIT FOR THAT AND WE’VE GOT TO GET ON WITH THE TASK OURSELVES. WE’VE MADE THIS QUITE CLEAR TO EVERYBODY, AND VIETNAM UNDERSTANDS IT; OUR AIM WITH VIETNAM WILL BE TO GET SOMETHING GOING AS SOON AS WE CAN."
/l-TR BARTIES........
SATURDAY, 17, 1989
- 6
MR BARNES SAID THE STEERING COMMITTEE WOULD HOLD ITS SECOND MEETING ON JULY 24 IN BANGKOK, IN WHICH HONG KONG WOULD BE TABLING A PAPER DEALING WITH THE PRACTICALITY OF REPATRIATION.
"WE WILL DRAW ON ALL OUR WHEN THEY DON’T BELONG TO HONG ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, VOLUNTARY IMMIGRANTS."
EXPERIENCE OF GETTING PEOPLE BACK KONG, SUCH AS EX-CHINA VIETNAMESE VBP RETURNEES AND CHINESE ILLEGAL
--------0----------
GOVERNOR, LADY WILSON SHARE FUN WITH PUBLIC AT MORSE PARK
*****
THE GOVERNOR AND LADY WILSON, TODAY (SATURDAY) JOINED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AT MORSE PARK IN A FESTIVAL ORGANISED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL TO CELEBRATE THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY.
ON ARRIVAL, SIR DAVID AND LADY WILSON WERE GREETED BY THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR STEPHEN LAU AND THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR A.L. PURVES.
THE GOVERNOR AND LADY WILSON TOURED THE PARK AND SAW A WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING BALL GAMES COMPETITIONS, CHINESE CHESS. SHUTTLECOCK. ROLLER SKATING.
THEY ALSO WATCHED A TELEMATCH FOR YOUTH, POTTED SPORTS FOR CHILDREN, GATEBALL FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AND FUN GAMES FOR THE MENTALLY-HANDICAPPED AS WELL AS A TELEMATCH FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE PARK’S INDOOR GAMES HALL.
THE COUNCIL ALSO STAGED CELEBRATION EVENTS AT VICTORIA PARK, INCLUDING BALL GAMES COMPETITIONS, PONY RIDING, FUN KART FOR YOUTH AND MINI TRAIN FOR FAMILIES.
-----0-----------
SWD TO LAUNCH REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES ♦ * t » ♦
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL LAUNCH FROM NEXT MONTH A •SERIES OF REGIONAL YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES INCLUDING TRAINING CAMPS, SEMINARS, TALKS, DISCUSSIONS AND VISITS FOR YOUTHS.
THE OBJECTIVE OF THESE ACTIVITIES IS TO ASSIST YOUNG PEOPLE TO BECOME MATURE AND RESPONSIBLE MEMBERS OF COMMUNITY BY FOSTERING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR PERSONALITY, SENSE OF CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY AND ENCOURAGING THEM TO USE THEIR LEISURE TIME BENEFICIALLY.
IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT ABOUT 500 YOUTHS WILL PARTICIPATE.
/SEMIOR SOCIAL .......
SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 1989
- 7 -
SENIOR SOCIAL WORK OFFICER CO-ORDINATING THE PROGRAMMES, MISS MAY CHUNG, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY): "THESE PROGRAMMES WILL NOT ONLY BENEFIT PARTICIPANTS BUT ALSO THE TARGET GROUPS SUCH AS THE UNDER-PRIVILEGED GROUP, THE ELDERLY, THE DISABLED AND PROBATIONERS.
"IT IS HOPED THAT THE PARTICIPANTS WILL BE ABLE TO BETTER EQUIP THEMSELVES IN ORGANISING PROJECTS IN FUTURE AFTER THEY HAVE RECEIVED THE TRAINING AND GUIDANCE FROM PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS."
THE FIRST YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES WILL BE HELD FROM JULY 1 TO 2. SOME 60 YOUNG VOLUNTEERS FROM EASTERN KOWLOON REGION WILL TAKE PART IN A YOUTH CAMP AT PAK SHA SEA ACTIVITY CENTRE, SAI KUNG.
TRAINING PROGRAMMES INCLUDE SERVICE SKILLS IN CHILD WELFARE, MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION AND WORKING WITH THE DISABLED AS WELL AS BASIC SKILLS OF MANNING EXHIBITIONS. OTHER PROGRAMMES IN RELATION TO COMMUNITY EDUCATION PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS WILL BE PROVIDED.
THE SECOND PROJECT, "CONCERN, REALISE AND PARTICIPATE IN YOUR CITY", IS SPECIALLY ORGANISED FOR YOUNG VOLUNTEERS IN WESTERN KOWLOON REGION.
PROGRAMMES INCLUDE TALKS AND BRIEFINGS, VISITS TO SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCIES AND CAMPING AT THE TAI PO DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S CAMP. IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE 10-DAY PROJECT, STARTING FROM JULY 7, WILL ATTRACT ABOUT 200 PARTICIPANTS.
IN HONG KONG REGION, ABOUT 100 YOUNG VOLUNTEERS WILL TAKE PART IN A SEMINAR ON "REVIEW ON VOLUNTEERISM AND FUTURE TRENDS IN VOLUNTEERS WORK" AT LADY TRENCH TRAINING CENTRE, IN WAN CHAI, ON JULY 9.
IN THE NEW TERRITORIES REGION, A SEMINAR ON "THE CHANGING SOCIETY -- ROLE OF YOUNG PEOPLE" WILL BE HELD AT REGAL RIVERSIDE HOTEL IN SHA TIN ON JULY 16. IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT ABOUT 150 PARTICIPANTS WILL JOIN THE SEMINAR.
-------O---------
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME FOR KOWLOON CITY BUILDINGS » ♦ * ♦ t
TWENTY RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN KOWLOON CITY WILL BENEFIT FROM AN IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME MAPPED OUT BY THE DISTRICT’S BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM (BMCT) FOR 1989-90.
DURING THE PAST FEW MONTHS THE TEAM, WHICH WAS SET UP LAST NOVEMBER, CARRIED OUT A SURVEY ON 108 BUILDINGS AND, BASED ON THE INFORMATION GATHERED, SELECTED 20 BUILDINGS FOR IMPROVEMENT WITHIN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
/THE HOUSING .......
SATURDAY, JUTT2 17, 1989
- 8 -
THE HOUSING MANAGER HEADING THE TEAM, MR CHAN PAU-KUEN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE 1989-90 PROGRAMME HAD BEEN DIVIDED INTO FOUR PHASES.
THE FIRST PHASE COVERS SIX BUILDINGS WHICH REQUIRE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. WORK IS ALREADY IN HAND AND BMCT MEMBERS HAVE BEEN LIAISING WITH OWNERS CORPORATIONS (OC) AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES (MAC) TO IDENTIFY PROBLEM AREAS AND CARRY OUT IMPROVEMENTS.
"THE OCS AND MACS OF THESE BUILDINGS ARE MOST CO-OPERATIVE, AND OUR WORK IS MAKING GOOD PROGRESS," MR CHAN SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE MOST COMMON PROBLEMS IN THOSE BUILDINGS WERE ENVIRONMENTAL IN NATURE.
THEIR CAUSES AROSE FROM DEFECTIVE PIPING SYSTEM, LACK OF MAINTENANCE OF COMMON AREAS OR SIMPLY IMPROPER DISPOSAL OF REFUSE, HE SAID.
IN CARRYING OUT THE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME, THE BMCT WILL SOMETIMES APPROACH OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS FOR ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE KOWLOON CITY BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE.
THE COMMITTEE IS CHAIRED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICER AND COMPRISES REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE.
----------------------0------- ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS LEAVE ON STUDY TOUR * » ♦ ♦ ♦
SIX MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT, LED BY COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHUNG PUI-LAM, LEFT TODAY (SATURDAY) ON A STUDY TOUR THAT WILL TAKE THEM TO MELBOURNE IN AUSTRALIA AND TO SINGAPORE.
IN MELBOURNE, THE DELEGATION WILL MEET OFFICIALS FROM THE MINISTRY FOR PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT FOR DISCUSSIONS ON MANAGEMENT OF APARTMENT BUILDINGS AND ON BUILDING REGULATIONS FOR PRIVATE AND GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS.
THE PROGRAMME IN SINGAPORE INCLUDES DISCUSSIONS WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, AND VISITS TO MANAGEMENT CORPORATIONS FOR COMMERCIAL COMPLEXES AND RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS.
THE DELEGATION IS EXPECTED TO RETURN ON JUNE 25.
------0----------
SATURDAY. JUNE 17. 1989
- 9 -
SPECIAL BOY SCOUT GROUP SET UP IN SHA TIN » t » » *
A SPECIAL BOY SCOUT GROUP SET UP AT SHA TIN POLICE HEADQUARTERS IS BEING ORGANISED AND ADMINISTERED BY VOLUNTARY POLICE OFFICERS '>F SHA TIN DISTRICT.
BILL BOYTON. SIU LEK YUEN DIVISIONAL COMMANDER, IS LEADER OF THE 57TH SHA TIN DISTRICT SCOUT GROUP WITH SHATIN DISTRICT COMMANDER PETER HALLIDAY TAKING UP1 THE ROLE OF ASSISTANT LEADER.
+THE MEMBERS OF OUR SCOUT GROUP DIFFER FROM OTHERS REGISTERED WITH THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG,+ MR HALLIDAY SAID.
+OUR BOYS ARE DISADVANTAGED KIDS WHO HAVE BEEN IN TROUBLE WITH POLICE IN THE DISTRICT.
+SHA TIN HAS A POPULATION OVER 90,000 AND IT IS NOT SURPRISING THAT WE RECORD A HIGH RATE OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY IN THE DISTRICT.
+SHOP THEFT, FIGHTING AND ROBBERY ARE COMMON MISDEEDS COMMITTED BY LOCAL YOUNGSTERS.
+WE KNOW THERE ARE MANY ACTIVITIES LIKE JUNIOR POLICE CALL AND OTHER FUNCTIONS ORGANISED BY COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS OPEN TO YOUNG PEOPLE.
+HOWEVER. THESE ACTIVITIES ARE MOSTLY DIRECTED TO JUVENILES WITH GOOD STANDARDS.
+AS SUCH, THE RATIONALE BEHIND THE SETTING UP OF A SCOUT GROUP FOR THE DISADVANTAGED IS TO GUIDE THEM TO A RIGHT PATH ENABLING THEM TO UNDERSTAND THE REAL MEANING OF LIFE.
+OUR ACTION CAN BE REGARDED AS A RESPONSE TO MR LI KWAN-HA. DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE. OPERATIONS, WHO CURRENTLY CHAIRS A WORKING GROUP ON JUVENILE DELINQUENCY URGING THE POLICE TO TAKE A LEAD IN ORGANISING ACTIVITIES TO STOP YOUTH FROM COMMITTING CRIMES.
+WE STARTED OUR GATHERING IN JANUARY WITH ABOUT 20 MEMBERS. NOW WE HAVE MORE THAN 50 BOYS IN THE GROUP.
+OUR SUCCESS DEPENDS ON THE GENUINE ASSISTANCE FROM THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG AND GENEROUS SUPPORT FROM COMMUNITY LEADERS.
+AND LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST IS THE ENTHUSIASM AND INITIATIVE OF OUR VOLUNTARY POLICE OFFICERS WHO ARE HELPING US IRON OUT TEETHING PROBLEMS IN THE COURSE OF SETTING UP THE SCOUT GROUP.+
CONTINUED INSPECTOR MUI LAM-SANG. SCOUTMASTER OF THE 57TH GROUP: +AFTER JOINING THE GROUP. THE KIDS CHANGE A LOT. THEY BECOME MORE CONSIDERATE AND MORE RESPONSIVE.
/+THE MOST.......
SATURDAY, JUDE 17, 1989
10 -
+ THE MOST REMARKABLE CHANGE IS THAT THEY CHANGE THEIR ATTITUDE TOWARDS POLICE OFFICERS AND ACCEPT DISCIPLINE MORE READILY.
+WE HAVE 12 CUB SCOUTS AND ABOUT 40 SCOUTS. THE YOUNGEST MEMBER IN OUR GROUP IS EIGHT YEARS OLD WHILE THE ELDEST IS 14.+
ADDED MR HALLIDAY: +WITH RESPECT TO THE EXPANSION OF OUR GROUP, WE HOPE TO SET UP A SMALL VENTURE SCOUT TEAM CATERING FOR THOSE WHO \RE WITHIN THE AGES FROM 15 TO 18.
+ADDITIONALLY. WE HOPE TO INCLUDE GIRLS IN OUR FORMATION EITHER IN THE FORM OF A GIRL GUIDE TROOP OR JOINING WITH THE SCOUT TEAM AS GIRL SCOUTS.
+NEARLY ALL THE VOLUNTARY TRAINERS HAVE BASIC SCOUTING TRAINING EXPERIENCE AND SOME OF THEM ARE UNDERTAKING THE ADVANCE TRAINING PROGRAMMES RUN BY THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG.
+WE HOPE THAT THE SCOUT LEADERS CAN BE RECRUITED FROM THE COMMUNITY IN THE FUTURE SO THAT POLICE PERSONNEL TRANSFERS WILL NOT AFFECT OUR GROUP ACTIVITIES.+
-----0------
EMPLOYERS REMINDED NOT TO HIRE YOUNG PERSONS
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS ABOUT THE LAW GOVERNING T1HE EMPLOYMENT OF YOUNG PERSONS.
THIS FOLLOWS A COURT CASE IN WHICH THE PROPRIETOR OF A RESTAURANT WAS FINED 86,000 PLUS S4,500 COSTS BY A TSUEN WAN MAGISTRATE FOR EMPLOYING THREE CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN 13 AND 14.
UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS, A CHILD WHO HAS ATTAINED 13 YEARS OF AGE BUT HAS NOT COMPLETED FORM III IS NOT ALLOWED TO WORK IN CERTAIN OCCUPATIONS INCLUDING THE KITCHEN OF AN EATING PLACE, HAIR-DRESSING SALOON AND MASSAGE PARLOUR.
HOWEVER, THOSE 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 RESTRICTION ARE TO ENSURE THAT CHILDREN WHO HAVE NOT COMPLETED FORM III SECONDARY 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," A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
/the regulations .......
SATURDAY, JUT’S 17, 1989
THE REGULATIONS ALSO STIPULATE THAT YOUNG PERSONS BELOW 15 YEARS OF AGE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO WORK IN FACTORIES OR INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS.
LABOUR INSPECTORS WILL CARRY OUT INSPECTIONS ON THESE ESTABLISHMENTS TO DETECT ANY ILLEGAL EMPLOYMENT OF CHILD WORKERS, IN PARTICULAR DURING THE COMING SUMMER HOLIDAY.
ANYONE WHO CONTRAVENES THE REGULATIONS COMMITS AN OFFENCE AND IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000 UPON CONVICTION.
ENQUIRIES ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE EMPLOYMENT OF YOUNG PERSONS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AT 5-8524144.
SWIMMING POOL, SPORTS COMPLEX FOR SAI KUNG
» * * * »
A SWIMMING POOL AND SPORTS COMPLEX WILL BE BUILT IN SAI KUNG TO SERVE LOCAL RESIDENTS.
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SAI KUNG SWIMMING POOL AND SPORTS COMPLEX.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN SEPTEMBER AND BE COMPLETED IN MARCH 1991.
THE COMPLEX WILL COMPRISE A COMPETITION/TRAINING POOL WITH A SPECTATOR STAND FOR 300 PERSONS.
OTHER FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE TWO SQUASH COURTS WITH A SPECTATOR STAND FOR 150 PERSONS; TWO TENNIS COURTS; A REFRESHMENT KIOSK AND CHANGING ROOM, SHOWER AND TOILET FACILITIES.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JUNE 30.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
INDUSTRY TO BE CONSULTED ON POLLUTION WHITE PAPER ........ 1
SWD HOTLINE SERVICE WELL PATRONISED ...................... 2
MORE SAFETY COURSES OPEN FOR ENROLMENT ................... 3
POLICE NEGOTIATORS MORE IN DEMAND .................... U
KWaI TSING DB TO DISCUSS RIGHT OF ABODE ISSUE......... 6
ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT SEEKING YOUNG RECRUITS ...... 7
NEW DISTRICT POLICE HQ FOR TSUEN WAN ................. 7
TENDERS INVITED FOR OPHTHALMIC CENTRE................. 8
TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF PEAK TRAM SERVICE............. 8
ROr-D CLOSURE IN HaPPY VALLEY ........................ 1
SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 1989
1
INDUSTRY TO BE CONSULTED ON POLLUTION WHITE PAPER
*****
THE GOVERNMENT, IN THE COMING MONTHS. WILL BE HAVING DISCUSSIONS WITH INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS ON THE RECENTLY PUBLISHED COMPREHENSIVE STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT'S POLICY IN THE WHITE PAPER POLLUTION, THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DR STUART FEED, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
DR REED WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION AND CONTROL EXHIBITION IN NEW TOWN PLAZA. SHA ORGANISED BY THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY WORKING GROUP 1989.
HE SAID. IN PARTICULAR, DETAILED DISCUSSIONS WOULD BE ON r, । INTENTIONS DECLARED IN THE WHITE PAPER TO EXTEND TO ADDITION l GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS IN HONG KONG THE CONTROLS ON SULPHUR IN FUEL Oli, THAT APPLY ALREADY TO AREAS SUCH AS SHA TIN, NORTH DISTRICT, TAI PO AND JUNK BAY.
THERE WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSION ON THE AMENDMENTS TO THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE SO THAT IT BECOMES A MORE EFFICIENT AND COMPREHENSIVE INSTRUMENT FOR IMPROVING THE WATER QUALITY OF THE WATERS AROUND HONG KONG.
DR REED SAID INDUSTRY WAS OFTEN CONSIDERED AS THE ONLY VILLAIN IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL SCENE.
"THIS IS NOT HOW IT SHOULD BE AT ALL. INDUSTRIALISTS, LIKE THE REST OF US. ARE ALL MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. THEY HAVE, THEREFORE, THE SAME INTEREST IN CLEAN AIR, CLEAN WATER, AND A REASONABLY QUIET ENVIRONMENT.
"IN REALITY, THE INTEREST OF THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR IN IMPROVING OUT ENVIRONMENT GOES WAY BEYOND THE INTEREST OF INDIVIDUAL INDUSTRIALISTS AS MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.
"FOR EXAMPLE, IF WE EXTEND THE EXISTING LIMITATIONS ON SULPHUR IN FUEL OIL TO THE REMAINDER OF HONG KONG, WE WILL CUT DOWN THE AMOUNT OF BRONCHIAL AND OTHER ILLNESSES AMONGST THE WORKFORCE WHICH MEANS LESS WORK TIME LOST THROUGH SICKNESS.
"IT MEANS ALSO THAT WE WILL NEED LESS IN THE WAY OF MEDICAL AND HOSPITAL SERVICES, WHICH MUST FOLLOW THROUGH TO A SMALLER DEMAND ON TA. REVENUE TO FUND SUCH SERVICES."
DR REED SAID THERE WERE OCCASIONS WHEN THE REDEVELOPMENT OF -OLD INDUSTRIAL SITES WAS SEVERELY CONSTRAINED BECAUSE OF SULPHUR DIOXIDE EMISSIONS FROM ADJACENT INDUSTRIAL PREMISES.
IN SUCH CASES. THE INDUSTRIALIST WHO WISHED TO REDEVELOP COULD LOSE LARGE SUMS OF MONEY, BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE SULPHUR DIOXIDE EMISSIONS.
/DR REED ........
SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 1989
- 2
DR REED HOPED THAT WHEN DISCUSSIONS START ON THESE TWO WHITE PAPER POLICIES, IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO GET AWAY FROM FOCUSING ON CRUDE OR GROSS COSTS TO INDUSTRY, AND LOOK AT THE MATTER ON A MUCH BROADER ECONOMIC BASIS AND FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF THE OVERALL COMMUNITY INTEREST.
THE INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION AND CONTROL EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD IN ATRIUM PLAZA (NEAR MUSIC FOUNTAIN) NEW TOWN PLAZA. SHA TIN FROM TODAY TO JUNE 20.
THE EXHIBITION WILL THEN BE MOVED TO THE WEST BRIDGE OF THE LANDMARK, CENTRAL, FOR PUBLIC VIEWING BETWEEN JUNE 21 AND 23.
- - 0 --------
SWD HOTLINE SERVICE WELL PATRONISED
* » ♦ * ♦
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S HOTLINE TELEPHONE SERVICE HAD A BUSY YEAR IN 1988.
SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1980, THE SERVICE HAS HANDLED 144,000 PUBLIC TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES. OR AN AVERAGE OF 16.000 CALLS PER YEAR.
ENQUIRIES RECEIVED IN 1987 TOTALLED 11,400, AND INCREASED TO 13,000 LAST YEAR.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ATTRIBUTED THE INCREASE TO NEW SERVICES INTRODUCED LAST YEAR.
HE EXPECTED THAT MORE PEOPLE WOULD MAKE USE OF THE HOTLINE TO OBTAIN INFORMATION AS MORE NEW SERVICES AND IMPROVEMENTS ARE INTRODUCED.
INITIALLY, THE HOTLINE WAS RUN BY A SINGLE STAFF MEMBER DURING OFFICE HOURS. FUTHER STAFF WERE DEPLOYED LATER.
AT PRESENT, THE HOTLINE SERVICE IS MANNED BY FOUR SOCIAL WORK ASSISTANTS ON ROTATION FROM 9 AM TO 10 PM FROM MONDAY TO SATURDAY AND FROM 1 PM TO 10 PM ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS. AN AUTOMATIC RECORDING SYSTEM OPERATES OUTSIDE NORMAL WORKING HOURS.
AN ADDITIONAL TELEPHONE LINE WAS INSTALLED LAST YEAR TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING DEMAND.
THE MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE HOTLINE ARE TO ANSWER PUBLIC ENQUIRIES IN RELATION TO THE DEPARTMENT’S SERVICES, TO REFER CALLERS TO APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENT OFFICES, OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS OR VOLUNTARY AGENCIES FOR ASSISTANCE OR FOLLOW UP SERVICES, AND TO RENDER IMMEDIATE COUNSELLING WHEN NECESARY.
THE MAJORITY OF ENQUIRIES ARE CONCERNED WITH GENERAL INFORMATION ON DEPARTMENT SERVICES.
/PROBLEMS DEALT
SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 1989
- 3 -
PROBLEMS DEALT WITH BY HOTLINE STAFF INCLUDE FAMILY PROBLEMS, CHILDREN AND YOUTH PROBLEMS, PHYSICAL AND MENTAL PROBLEMS, AND FINANCIAL PROBLEMS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE HOTLINE HAD PROVED TO BE AN EFFECTIVE CHANNEL FOR THE PUBLIC TO OBTAIN INFORMATION ON THE DEPARTMENT’S SERVICES IN PROVIDING IMMEDIATE COUNSELLING FROM PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY CALL 3-432255 SHOULD THEY REQUIRE ANY FORM OF SOCIAL WELFARE ASSISTANCE OR ADVICE.
-------0-------
MORE SAFETY COURSES OPEN FOR ENROLMENT
*****
THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) CALLED ON WORKERS AND SUPERVISORS IN INDUSTRIES TO ENROL IN THE TRAINING COURSES IT ORGANISES FOR THE SECOND HALF OF THIS YEAR.
THE COURSES, LASTING FROM HALF A DAY TO FIVE DAYS, ARE TAILORED TO ENABLE WORKERS TO IDENTIFY UNSAFE WORKING CONDITIONS IN THEIR WORKPLACE AND TO UPDATE THEIR KNOWLEDGE ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY, A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THEY COVER A WIDE RANGE OF AREAS SUCH AS INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT PREVENTION, CONSTRUCTION SAFETY, MANUAL LIFTING AND HANDLING, ELECTRICAL SAFETY, SLINGING, MACHINERY AND POWER PRESS.
SPECIALIST TRAINING COURSES FOR SUPERVISORY STAFF FROM INDUSTRY INCLUDE HEARING CONSERVATION, ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION, USE AND CONTROL OF ASBESTOS, SAFETY IN WORK IN COMPRESSED AIR (TUNNELLING) AND IN CAISSON.
"WE CONSTANTLY REVIEW THE COURSE PROGRAMME TO ENSURE THAT IT MEETS THE DEMAND OF VARIOUS INDUSTRIES," THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
"AS SUCH, A NEW COURSE - HAZARDS AND SAFETY CONTROL IN TEXTILE INDUSTRY - WILL BE INTRODUCED LATER THIS YEAR."
TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING DEMAND, THE NUMBER OF COURSES ON SAFETY IN CONFINED SPACES WILL BE INCREASED FROM 10 TO 17 CLASSES BETWEEN JUNE AND DECEMBER.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THE SAFETY COURSES WERE WELL RECEIVED BY THE PUBLIC.
DURING THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, SOME 3,600 WORKERS HAD PARTICIPATED IN THE 134 CLASSES ORGANISED BY THE CENTRE.
/OF THESE
SUNDAYt JUNE 18, 1989
4
OF THESE COURSES, THE ONE ON THE BASIC INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT PREVENTION WAS MOST WELCOMED, WITH 585 WORKERS ATTENDING 16 CLASSES.
"OTHER CLASSES WELL RECEIVED INCLUDED THOSE ON MANUAL LIFTING AND HANDLING AS WELL AS ELECTRICAL SAFETY.
"IN VIEW OF THE FAVOURABLE RESPONSE, EMPLOYEES ARE ADVISED TO APPLY FOR ENROLMENT THROUGH THEIR EMPLOYERS AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE, AS PLACES WILL BE ALLOCATED ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"ALL THE SAFETY COURSES ARE CONDUCTED IN CANTONESE AND ADMISSIONS ARE FREE."
PROSPECTUS AND APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE CENTRE ON THE 13TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, CENTRAL.
APART FROM TRAINING COURSES, THE CENTRE ALSO PREPARES VARIOUS INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING PACKAGES WHICH CONSIST OF COLOUR TRANSPARENCIES, SOUND-ON-SLIDE AND VIDEO TAPES.
THESE PACKAGES WHICH ARE ON LOAN TO THE PUBLIC, COVERS CAISSON SAFETY, ELECTRICAL SAFETY, WORKING AT HEIGHT AND CRANE SAFETY.
ENQUIRIES ON THE TRAINING PACKAGES CAN BE MADE AT THE CENTRE OR AT 5-8523563 AND 5-8523565.
-------0---------
POLICE NEGOTIATORS MORE IN DEMAND *****
A MAN STOOD OUTSIDE THE RAILING ON A 21ST FLOOR CORRIDOR OF A •HOUSING BLOCK IN TSUEN WAN, THREATENING TO JUMP AND,DEMANDING TO SEE HIS GIRL FRIEND. FOUR HOURS LATER THE MAN WAS PERSUADED TO CLIMB BACK TO SAFETY AND EVENTUALLY TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AND CARE.
THAT TRAGEDY WAS AVERTED IN A HIGHLY CHARGED EMOTIONAL SITUATION DUE LARGELY TO THE SKILL AND PATIENCE OF MEMBERS OF THE POLICE NEGOTIATOR CADRE.
TRAINED TO DEAL WITH CRIMINAL OR HOSTAGE TAKING SITUATIONS AND OTHER LIFE THREATENING INCIDENTS THE NEGOTIATORS ARE FACED MOSTLY WITH DOMESTIC PROBLEMS RESULTING IN SUICIDE THREATS AND WOULD-BE HIGH RISE JUMPERS.
SOMETIMES THE SYMPATHETIC POLICE OFFICER SHARING A ROOFTOP WITH AN EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED PERSON FAILS AND LONG HOURS OF FRIENDLY PERSUASION END IN TRAGEDY.
BUT IN THE MAJORITY OF CASES THE PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE NEGOTIATORS SUCCEEDS WITH A HAPPIER OUTCOME FOR ALL CONCERNED.
/Last year .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 1989
- 5 -
LAST YEAR POLICE NEGOTIATORS ATTENDED 16 INCIDENTS, THE HIGHEST NUMBER IN FIVE YEARS.
’’THE INCREASING NUMBER OF INCIDENTS WE ATTEND DOESN’T NECESSARILY MEAN THERE ARE MORE OF THEM.” SAID MR TOM DELBR1DGE OF POLICE HEADQUARTERS. "IT MEANS THAT THE NEGOTIATORS ARE MORE IN DEMAND.
“MOST OF THE SITUATIONS THE CADRE FACES ARE DUE TO LOVE AFFAIRS GOING WRONG, BROKEN MARRIAGES OR MONEY PROBLEMS. THEY ARE CRIES FOR HELP FROM PEOPLE IN DISTRESS.”
THE CADRE IS COMPOSED ENTIRELY OF VOLUNTEERS, ALL SPECIALLY TRAINED IN NEGOTIATING TECHNIQUES IN DEALING WITH CRIMINAL HOSTAGE SITUATIONS AND OTHER LIFE THREATENING INCIDENTS.
IT CONSISTS OF BOTH LOCAL AND EXPATRIATE OFFICERS WHO PERFORM CADRE DUTIES ON A PART TIME BASIS AND ARE AVAILABLE ON 24 HOURS CALL. THEIR RANKS ARE FROM STATION SERGEANT TO SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT.
THREE TEAMS COVER ONE EACH OF THE FORCE LAND REGIONS, WITH THE NEW TERRITORIES TEAM COVERING MARINE REGION. ABOUT 10 OFFICERS MAKE UP EACH TEAM WITH FOUR FUNCTIONING TOGETHER.
WHILE ONE OFFICER TALKS TO THE SUBJECT, ANOTHER OFFICER PROMPTS AND ADVISES WHILE ANOTHER ACTS AS LEADER, TALKING TO WITNESSES AND FAMILY MEMBERS.
THE SKILLS REQUIRED OF A NEGOTIATOR INCLUDE MATURITY, LEVEL HEADEDNESS, A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF HUMAN NATURE, RESPECT FOR THE FEELINGS AND VIEWPOINTS OF OTHERS. THEY MUST BE EVEN TEMPERED, PATIENT AND HAVE GOOD VERBAL SKILLS. AND THEY MUST WORK WELL IN A TEAM.
THEY ARE TRAINED IN A TWO DAY INDUCTION COURSE WHICH INTRODUCES NEWCOMERS TO THE CADRE TO BASIC PRINCIPLES AND HOW THEY ARE APPLIED DURING CRIMINAL AND DOMESTIC SITUATIONS AND SUICIDE THREATS.
ALTHOUGH THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RESCUE OF PEOPLE IN DOMESTIC SITUATIONS THE CADRE RESPONDS ON REQUEST IN CERTAIN CASES.
"IT IS A DUAL EFFORT BETWEEN THE FIRE SERVICES AND US,” MR DELBRIDGE SAID.
THE NEGOTIATOR USES HIS POWERS OF UNDERSTANDING THE SUBJECT’S PLIGHT AND HIS PERSONALITY TO PERSUADE HIM OR HER TO THINK AGAIN ABOUT HIS THREAT. ON SOME OCCASIONS THE THREATS INVOLVE OTHERS, SUCH AS A MOTHER THREATENING TO JUMP WITH HER YOUNG BABY.
THE NEGOTIATOR GETS AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO THE SUBJECT, WHILE AVOIDING PUTTING HIS OWN LIFE IN DANGER.
/"WE DON’T .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 1989
- 6 -
"WE DON’T WANT THEM TO GET TOO CLOSE. WE DON’T WANT ANY HEROES AND WE TELL THEM TO STAY IN A SAFE POSITION." SAID MR DELBRIDGE. "AT THE SAME TIME THE NEGOTIATOR DEVELOPS A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS SUBJECT.
"IT’S A SPARE TIME JOB AND IT’S OFTEN A TREMENDOUS STRAIN ON AN OFFICER. IT CAN TAKE HOURS TO COMPLETE A SUCCESSFUL NEGOTIATION AND OBVIOUSLY THE OFFICER WANTS TO GET IT OVER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. AND ON THOSE RARE OCCASIONS WHEN HE LOSES SOMEONE HE FEELS IT VERY BADLY."
MR DELBRIDGE SAID THAT THERE WAS A 100 PER CENT CHANCE THAT A NEGOTIATOR WOULD BE CALLED OUT IN THE SPACE OF A YEAR.
THE EXPERIENCE OF EXISTING MEMBERS OF THE CADRE WAS SUSTAINED WHEN POSSIBLE.
"IF AN EXPERIENCED OFFICER IS AVAILABLE TO US WE ARE RELUCTANT TO LET HIM GO. WE HAVE THREE OFFICERS WHO HAVE BEEN WITH THE CADRE FOR 13 YEARS, SINCE IT WAS FIRST SET UP."
MR DICK CRESSWELL, SENIOR STAFF INSPECTOR, SAID: "WE ARE LOOKING FOR MORE PEOPLE AND IF WE ARE ABLE TO EXPAND THE CADRE WE WILL LOOK AT THE POSSIBILITY OF REARRANGING THE RESERVE SYSTEM FOR DOMESTIC INCIDENTS.
"IT’S AN EXTRA COMMITMENT BUT IF PEOPLE DID
NOT VOLUNTEER FOR THIS WORK IN THEIR OWN TIME WE WOULD NOT HAVE A NEGOTIATOR CADRE," HE SAID.
KWAI TSING
DB TO DISCUSS RIGHT OF ABODE ISSUE
*****
THE KWAI TSING
DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD A SPECIAL
MEETING
AND
THE UNITED KINGDOM.
THE MEETING, WHICH 3:30 PM IN THE CONFERENCE
WILL BE OPEN ROOM OF KWAI
TO THE PUBLIC, WILL BEGIN TSING DISTRICT BOARD.
ON THE
AT
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SrPX™EICSJo"1'io?EGrLOOR.’K2AI “nG^GoJeR^eJt BUILDING,
HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG.
COVER THB KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD SPECIAL
- 0 --------
/7........
SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 1989
- 7 -
ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT SEEKING YOUNG RECRUITS *****
THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) IS CALLING ON ENTHUSIASTIC YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN TO JOIN THE REGIMENT.
THIS YEAR'S RECRUITMENT EXERCISE, WHICH STARTS TOMORROW (MONDAY), IS SEEKING TO RECRUIT 130 MALES AND 20 FEMALES.
"YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WOULD LIKE TO FACE UP TO CHALLENGE AND SERVE THE COMMUNITY SHOULD JOIN IN," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE VOLUNTEERS SAID.
"BEING A VOLUNTEER HELPS IN BUILDING UP ONE'S PHYSIQUE AS WELL AS CULTIVATING A MORE MATURE AND CAPABLE PERSONALITY."
SUCCESSFUL APLICANTS WILL RECEIVE TRAINING IN BASIC MILITARY SKILLS, INCLUDING DRILL, HANDLING RIFLES, AND SUB-MACHINE GUNS, AND USE OF VEHICLES AND ASSAULT BOATS. TRAINING IN OPERATING RADIO EQUIPMENT AND IN MAP READING AND FIRST AID IS ALSO GIVEN.
APPLICANTS SHOULD BE 17 1/2 YEARS OLD OR ABOVE, HAVE COMPLETED SECONDARY EDUCATION AND HAVE A REASONABLE KNOWLEDGE OF SPOKEN ENGLISH. THEY SHOULD ALSO HAVE REGULAR EMPLOYMENT AND SHOULD HAVE OBTAINED THEIR EMPLOYERS' CONSENT IN JOINING THE FORCE.
TRAINING OF NEW RECRUITS WILL BE CARRIED OUT ON FOUR EVENINGS AND ONE WEEKEND PER MONTH FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE MONTHS. THEY WILL ALSO HAVE TO ATTEND TWO NINE-DAY TRAINING CAMPS BEFORE PASSING OUT.
APPLICATION FORMS AND INFORMATION LEAFLETS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND AT THE REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS AT NO.1 SPORTS ROAD, HAPPY VALLEY.
THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS JULY 30.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE REGIMENT’S RECRUITING OFFICER ON 5-761371.
------0-------
NEW DISTRICT POLICE HQ FOR TSUEN WAN * ♦ ♦ * *
POLICE IN TSUEN WAN WILL HAVE A NEW DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS AND DIVISIONAL STATION IN 1991.
A CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE STATION, WORTH S49.36 MILLION, HAS BEEN AWARDED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
/The station
SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 1989
8 -
THE STATION WILL BE LOCATED ON A 6,100 SQUARE METRE SITE AT TSUEN KING CIRCUIT. WORK ON THE PROJECT WILL START ON JUNE 20 AND TAKE ABOUT 21 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THERE WILL BE A 17-STOREY MAIN BLOCK AND TWO SINGLE-STOREY ANCILLARY BUILDINGS.
THE HIGH BLOCK WILL PROVIDE OFFICES, PUBLIC REPORTING FACILITIES, HOLDING CELLS, BARRACKS AND A CANTEEN.
------0---------
TENDERS INVITED FOR OPHTHALMIC CENTRE
* * * * »
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR BUILDING AN OPHTHALMIC CENTRE AT ARGYLE STREET, KOWLOON.
IT WILL BE BUILT ON A 7,000-SQUARE-METRE SITE NEAR LOMOND STREET.
THE FOUR-STOREY BUILDING WILL HAVE 14 CONSULTING ROOMS, SIX TREATMENT ROOMS, SIX EXAMINATION ROOMS, FOUR ORTHOPTIC ROOMS, TWO OPERATING THEATRE SUITES, 14 DAY BEDS AND AN ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.
THERE WILL ALSO BE FACILITIES FOR HEALTH EDUCATION AND TRAINING, OFFICES, STORAGE AND OTHER ANCILLARY FACILITIES.
THE PROVISION OF PARKING SPACES, EXTERNAL LANDSCAPED AREAS AND ACCESS ROADS WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE CONTRACT.
THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START IN OCTOBER AND BE COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER 1991.
TENDERS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BEFORE NOON ON JUNE 30.
------0-------
TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF PEAK TRAM SERVICE
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE PEAK TRAM SERVICE WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM TUESDAY (JUNE 20) FOR ABOUT SIX WEEKS TO FACILITATE MODERNISATION WORKS.
PASSENGERS ARE ADVISED TO USE EXISTING CHINA MOTOR BUS ROUTE NO. 15 (BETWEEN EXCHANGE SQUARE AND THE PEAK) AND GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE NO. 1 (BETWEEN HMS TAMAR AND THE PEAK). ADDITIONAL SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED ON THESE TWO ROUTES ACCORDING TO PASSENGER DEMAND DURING THE PERIOD OF SUSPENSION.
------0-------
/9......
SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 1989
9
ROAD CLOSURE IN HAPPY VALLEY * ♦ * * *
THE WATER-MAIN STREET AND
DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TO FACILITATE , SHAN KWONG ROAD NORTHBOUND BETWEEN TSUI MAN
WILL BE CLOSED FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JUNE 20)
TRANSPORT LAYING WORKS VILLAGE ROAD
FOR SIX WEEKS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, DOWNHILL TRAFFIC ON SHAN KWONG ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TSUI MAN STREET, SING WOO ROAD AND VILLAGE ROAD.
-----0------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
MONDAY, JUNE 19, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MESSAGE FOR BRITAIN: "HONG KONG IS OUR HOME" ................ 1
OMELCO ACTION PLAN ON NATIONALITY ........................... 2
DISKETTE SUBMISSION SCHEME TO BE IMPLEMENTED ................ 3
UNSAFE PRACTICES IN SITES DETECTED .......................... 5
APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR IMPORTING SKILLED LABOUR ........... 6
SWD OFFICE MOVES ............................................ 6
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS DRAINAGE PROBLEMS ................... 7
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER .APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS ............ 7
JOINT AREA COMMITTEES SEMINAR................................ 8
MUSIC OFFICE TO RECRUIT CHOIR MEMBERS ....................... 8
EXTENSION OF URB.Ji CLEARWAY ON AUSTIN ROAD ................. 9
MONDAY. JUNE 19, 1989
MESSAGE FOR BRITAIN: "HONG KONG IS OUR HOME"
*****
SENIOR MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, DAME LYDIA DUNN AND SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. MR ALLEN LEE WILL LEAVE FOR LONDON THIS (MONDAY) EVENING TO PRESS FOR THE RIGHT OF ABODE FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY, DAME LYDIA SAID ONE OF THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVES OF THEIR TRIP TO LONDON WAS TO TAKE HONG KONG’S MESSAGE TO THE BRITISH PUBLIC. THE MESSAGE IS: "HONG KONG IS OUR HOME".
SHE SAID: "WE DO NOT WANT TO LEAVE. TO STAY, OUR ANXIETIES MUST BE ALLAYED. OUR ANXIETIES CAN ONLY BE ALLAYED IF THERE IS AN ASSURANCE THAT THERE IS A RIGHT OF ABODE IN BRITAIN IF THINGS DO NOT WORK OUT."
SHE POINTED OUT THAT BRITAIN HAD A MORAL OBLIGATION AND A CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY, AS WELL AS THE POWER, TO RESTORE THE RIGHT OF ABODE TO HONG KONG BRITISH SUBJECTS NOW, WITHOUT REQUIRING THEM TO LEAVE HONG KONG TO GET IT.
"THAT WILL ENCOURAGE HONG KONG PEOPLE TO COMMIT THEMSELVES TO FUTURE IN HONG KONG. TO BUILD ON ITS SUCCESS, AND TO DEVELOP DEMOCRATIC SYSTEMS READY FOR ITS FUTURE AUTONOMY AS PART OF CHINA," SHE SAID.
"WE BELIEVE IN THE FAIRNESS AND DECENCY OF THE BRITISH PEOPLE. WE BELIEVE THEY WILL WANT THEIR GOVERNMENT TO GIVE SUPPORT TO BRITISH SUBJECTS IN THEIR HOUR OF NEED. THAT WOULD BE THE HONOURABLE COURSE." DAME LYDIA SAID.
"WE HAVE BEEN GREATLY ENCOURAGED IN THE LAST FEW DAYS BY THE ENORMOUS INTEREST AND SUPPORT WE HAVE HAD FROM MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA. BOTH HERE AND IN BRITAIN." SHE ADDED.
FINALLY. DAME LYDIA ASSURED HONG KONG PEOPLE THAT THE DELEGATION WOULD DO ITS UTMOST TO PUT ACROSS HONG KONG’S CASE. *
"WE KNOW THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE DO NOT WANT TO LEAVE HONG KONG. HONG KONG IS OUR HOME," SHE STRESSED.
WHILST IN LONDON. THE TWO SENIOR MEMBERS WILL BE SEEING THE PRIME MINISTER. THE FOREIGN SECRETARY AND MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. THEY WILL ALSO BE MEETING THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
-----0------
MONDAY, JUNE 19. 1989
2
OMELCO ACTION PLAN ON NATIONALITY * * *
OMELCO MEMBERS HAVE MAPPED OUT AN ACTION PLAN TO URGE THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO RESTORE TO HONG KONG BRITISH SUBJECTS THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN BRITAIN AND TO FULFIL ITS MORAL OBLIGATION TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
THE PLAN WAS ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (MONDAY) BY MRS ROSANNA TAM. CONVENER OF THE OMELCO SPECIAL WORKING GROUP ON NATIONALITY.
MRS TAM SAID THE 19-MEMBER STRONG SPECIAL WORKING GROUP WAS SET UP FOLLOWING THE DECISION THAT THE TWO OMELCO SENIOR MEMBERS WILL REPRESENT ALL MEMBERS ON A VISIT TO LONDON TO.PRESS FOR THE RIGHT OF ABODE FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
SHE SAID THE FUNCTIONS OF THE WORKING GROUP WERE TO GIVE LEADERSHIP TO THE COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT THE TWO SENIOR MEMBERS DURING THEIR VISIT TO BRITAIN, AND TO INITIATE AND SUGGEST TO THE COMMUNITY HOW SUPPORT COULD BE GIVEN.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT THE WORK OF THE WORKING GROUP FELL INTO THREE MAJOR CATEGORIES. NAMELY: SUPPORTIVE SERVICE FOR THE TWO SENIOR MEMBERS; OUTREACH EFFORTS; AND HOME-BASED ACTIVITIES.
UNDER SUPPORTIVE SERVICE, MRS TAM SAID MEMBERS HAD PREPARED A PAPER TITLED "HONG KONG IS OUR HOME", WHICH OUTLINED THE HONG KONG CASE, FOR DISTRIBUTION TO MP'S AND GROUPS IN UK; VARIOUS BODIES IN HONG KONG, MEDIA AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.
THE GROUP HAD ALSO RESEARCHED INTO THE LEGAL BACKGROUND AND THE LEGAL EFFECTS OF THE UK LEGISLATION ON THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE UK; STUDIED THE ARGUMENTS FOR GRANTING THE RIGHT OF ABODE TO THE BRITISH SUBJECTS IN HONG KONG; AND DEVISED A PLAN TO CO-ORDINATE EFFORTS IN HONG KONG AND UK.
IN HONG KONG, MRS TAM SAID GENERAL BRIEFING SESSIONS WOULD BE CONDUCTED FOR A NUMBER OF LOCAL GROUPS. MEANWHILE, THREE SESSIONS WOULD BE HELD THIS AFTERNOON. THEY COMPRISED CHURCH, YOUTH, ACADEMIC AND EDUCATION GROUPS; DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS: AS WELL AS PEOPLE FROM BUSINESS, THE PROFESSIONS AND INDUSTRIES.
"THE PURPOSE OF THE BRIEFINGS IS TO INFORM THE GROUPS OF THE MESSAGE THAT OMELCO WISHES TO PUT ACROSS TO THE BRITISH PUBLIC SO THAT THEY CAN ENCOURAGE THEIR CONTACTS IN THE UK TO VOICE THEIR SUPPORT FOR HONG KONG." SHE SAID.
T-SHIRTS BEARING THE SLOGAN "HONG KONG IS OUR HOME" WOULD BE DISTRIBUTED FREE TO THE PARTICIPANTS AT THE BRIEFINGS.
AS PART OF THE OUTREACHING EFFORTS, MRS TAM SAID INFORMATION AND ADVICE WOULD BE GIVEN TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISHED TO HELP IN PRESENTING THE HONG KONG CASE.
/A KIT .......
MONDAY, JUNE 19, 1989
A KIT CONTAINING INFORMATION ON WHAT THE LOCAL COMMUNITY COULD DO TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT, A BACKGROUND PAPER ON THE NATIONALITY ISSUE, AND THE PAPER SETTING OUT THE HONG KONG CASE HAD BEEN PREPARED FOR THIS PURPOSE, AND WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE WHO WISH TO HELP.
"MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN TELEPHONE 5-264027 DURING OFFICE HOURS TO SEEK ADVICE AND INFORMATION," SHE SAID.
MRS TAM NOTED THAT WHILE THE OMELCO DELEGATION IS IN LONDON, MEMBERS WOULD CONTINUOUSLY MONITOR THE SITUATION IN THE UK AND IN HONG KONG TO ENSURE THAT SPEEDY RESPONSE AND SUPPORT ARE PROVIDED.
MEMBERS WOULD TAKE TURNS TO BE ON DUTY EVERY MORNING TO TAKE NOTE OF INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM LONDON SO THAT APPROPRIATE AND TIMELY ACTIONS COULD BE TAKEN IN HONG KONG. THEY WOULD RESPOND TO COMMENTS ON THE LONDON VISIT MADE IN THE LOCAL MEDIA. MEMBERS WOULD ALSO CONDUCT DAILY PRESS BRIEFINGS HERE ON THE ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMME OF THE SENIOR MEMBERS DURING THEIR VISIT.
MRS TAM SAID A CO-ORDINATING CENTRE MANNED BY OMELCO •SECRETARIAT STAFF OUTSIDE OFFICE HOURS HAD BEEN SET UP TO ASSIST THE MEMBERS IN THEIR WORK.
"TO SHOW OMELCO’S SOLIDARITY AND OUR SUPPORT FOR THE UK DELEGATION, MEMBERS WILL SEE THE SENIOR MEMBERS OFF AT THE AIRPORT WHEN THEY DEPART FOR LONDON TONIGHT," SHE ADDED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE FIRST DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OMELCO SPECIAL WORKING GROUP ON NATIONALITY WILL BE HELD IN THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ROOM ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUILDING, CENTRAL AT NOON TOMORROW (TUESDAY JUNE 20>. YOU ARE WELCOME TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE BRIEFING.
-------0---------
DISKETTE SUBMISSION SCHEME TO BE IMPLEMENTED
» * * » »
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT HAS REMINDED TRADERS THAT THEY MAY SUBMIT IMPORT AND EXPORT DECLARATIONS ON MICROCOMPUTER DISKETTES FROM JULY 1, 1989.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THIS ADDITIONAL OPTION OF SUBMITTING DECLARATIONS WAS PROVIDED UNDER THE DISKETTE SUBMISSION SCHEME ANNOUNCED IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR.
/"TRADERS WHO .......
MONDAY, JUNE 19, 1989
"TRADERS WHO ARE USING DOCUMENTATION AND ARE SUBMITTING FIND THE NEW SCHEME PARTICULARLY
COMPUTERS TO HANDLE THEIR TRADE A LARGE NUMBER OF DECLARATIONS WILL CONVENIENT."
"THE SCHEME WILL SHORTEN THE PROCESSING TIME TREMENDOUSLY AT THE TRADE DECLARATION CHARGES COLLECTION OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT AND THE QUEUING TIME ON THE PART OF TRADERS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ABOUT BY THE SCHEME EARLIER THIS YEAR.
"THE RESPONSE AND SUGGESTIONS HAVE HE SAID.
ADDED THAT THE CONVENIENCE THAT WOULD BE BROUGHT HAD BEEN PROVEN BY A PILOT SCHEME LAUNCHED
FROM TRADERS HAS BEEN FAVOURABLE AND THEIR VIEWS BEEN INCORPORATED IN THE DESIGN OF THE SCHEME,"
TRADERS WHO WISH TO MAKE USE OF THE DISKETTE SUBMISSION SCHEME ARE REQUIRED TO BRING ALONG THEIR DECLARATIONS IN THE FORM OF COMPUTER PRINTOUTS AND THE CORRESPONDING MICROCOMPUTER DISKETTES TO ANY OF THE DEPARTMENT’S COLLECTION OFFICES.
OTHER DETAILS OF THE REQUIREMENTS WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE NOTICE ISSUED ON NOVEMBER 4, 1988.
TO JOIN THE SCHEME, A TRADER NEEDS A MICROCOMPUTER SYSTEM WHICH RUNS ON MS-DOS OF VERSION 2.0 OR ABOVE.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DEVELOPED A USER-FRIENDLY, MENU-DRIVEN MICRO-COMPUTER SOFTWARE TO FACILITATE TRADERS IN PREPARING IMPORT AND EXPORT DECLARATIONS USING MICROCOMPUTERS AND AT THE SAME TIME PRODUCING OUTPUTS THAT MEET ALL THE GOVERNMENT’S SPECIFIED FORMATS.
THE SOFTWARE TOGETHER WITH THE OPERATION MANUAL, AT A UNIT PRICE OF $110, ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ALTERNATIVELY, TRADERS CAN ALSO DEVELOP THEIR OWN SOFTWARE TO JOIN THE SCHEME BUT THEY HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FORMATS OF DECLARATION DATA SUBMITTED CONFORM THOSE SPECIFIED IN THE GAZETTE NOTICE.
THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE SCHEME CAN CALL 5-8234883 OR WRITE TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
_ _ 0 - -
/5
MONDAY. JUNE 19, 1989
5
UNSAFE PRACTICES IN SITES DETECTED
*****
CONTRACTORS OF MORE THAN HALF OF THE CONSTRUCTION SITES VISITED BY THE SPECIAL TASK FORCE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IN A RECENT MONTH-LONG EXERCISE WERE FOUND TO HAVE BREACHED VARIOUS SAFET" REGULATIONS.
DURING THE FIRST PHASE OF A SIX-MONTH OPERATION LAUNCHED IN APRIL, THE TASK FORCE MADE UP OF 16 FACTORY INSPECTORS VISITED 162 BUILDING SITES WITH POOR SAFETY PERFORMANCE AND ACCIDENT RECORDS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
"SPECIAL ATTENTION WAS PAID DURING THE VISITS TO FLOOR EDGES, OPENINGS, WORKING PLATFORMS AND OTHER DANGEROUS PLACE WHERE WORKERS WERE LIABLE TO FALL." SAID A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN.
"AS A RESULT. 124 SUMMONSES WERE TAKEN OUT UNDER THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS AGAINST CONTRACTORS OF 87 SITES FOR VARIOUS OFFENCES."
A BREAKDOWN OF THE SUMMONSES SHOWED THAT 85 WERE RELATED TO FAILURE TO PROVIDE PROPER FENCES TO FLOOR EDGES, EXCAVATION EDGES, OPENINGS AND LIFT SHAFTS; 21 CONCERNED UNFENCED WORKING PLATFORMS; NINE ON FAILURE TO USE SAFETY BELTS; AND THE REST ON NON-PROVISION OR POOR MAINTENANCE OF SCAFFOLDS.
APART FROM PROSECUTION ACTION, FACTORY INSPECTORS ALSO GAVE WARNINGS AND ADVICE TO SITE MANAGEMENT AND WORKERS REGARDING GENERAL SAFETY MEASURES TO BE TAKEN.
AT PRESENT, THE SPECIAL TASK FORCE IS CONCENTRATING ON SAFETY NEAR CAISSONS THAT ARE WITHOUT MEASURES TO PROTECT WORKERS.
THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY INSPECTIONS ON ALL BUILDINGS OVER THREE STOREYS THAT ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
"STIFFER MEASURES ARE CONSIDERED NECESSARY GIVEN THE WORSENING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY SITUATION AT CONSTRUCTION SITES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IT IS HOPED THAT STRINGENT ENFORCEMENT WOULD MAKE CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS COMPLY WITH THE LAW BY USING PROPER SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND ADOPTING SAFETY MEASURES."
-------0----------
/6.......
MONDAY, JUNE 19, 1989
- 6 -
APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR IMPORTING SKILLED LABOUR
*****
LOCAL EMPLOYERS ARE REMINDED THAT APPLICATIONS UNDER THE SCHEME ANNOUNCED ON MAY 12 FOR IMPORTING SKILLED LABOUR FROM OUTSIDE HONG KONG MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION BEFORE JUNE 30.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE SCHEME WOULD ALLOW UP TO 3,000 WORKERS FROM OUTSIDE HONG KONG POSSESSING SKILLS WHICH WERE IN SHORT SUPPLY LOCALLY TO WORK HERE UNDER MORE FLEXIBLE CRITERIA FOR THE IMPORTATION OF SKILLED LABOUR.
THERE WOULD BE NO RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF SUPPLY SUBJECT TO USUAL IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS BEING MET.
"HOWEVER. THE SCHEME WILL NOT COVER SEMI-SKILLED OR UNSKILLED WORKERS WHO WILL NOT BE ADMITTED INTO HONG KONG TO WORK," HE EMPHASISED.
"IN CONSIDERING APPLICATIONS, PRIORITY WOULD BE GIVEN TO THOSE INDUSTRIES AND SKILLS WITH HIGHER LEVELS OF MANPOWER SHORTAGE IN THE RELEVANT SKILL CATEGORIES.
"TO HELP EMPLOYERS TO MAKE USE OF THE SCHEME, A PAMPHLET, IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, DESCRIBING THE PROCEDURES FOR IMPORTING SKILLED LABOUR, IS AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE FROM ALL OFFICES OF THE IMMIGRATION AND LABOUR DEPARTMENTS, AND DISTRICT OFFICES.
"EMPLOYERS, IF IN DOUBT, MAY DEPARTMENT BY TELEPHONING 3-7328293
SEEK ADVICE FROM THE IMMIGRATION OR 3-7328399," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
----0------
SWD OFFICE MOVES
*****
THE PAYMENTS CONTROL HAS MOVED TO ITS NEW OFFICE HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI.
SECTION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT
AT 23RD FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130
THE NEW TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 5-8351925 RESUME OPERATION FROM, TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
AND THE OFFICE WILL
-----O------
/7........
1
MONDAY, JUNE 19, 1989
- 7 -
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS DRAINAGE PROBLEMS
» » » » *
THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS AT A MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) MEASURES TO IMPROVE DRAINAGE PROBLEMS IN MONG KOK.
4
A REPORT ON A STUDY CARRIED OUT BY THE URBAN DRAINAGE DIVISION ON THE SEWERAGE NETWORK IN THE DISTRICT WILL BE PRESENTED AT THE MEETING. THE REPORT HAS IDENTIFIED 10 DRAINAGE BLACK SPOTS IN MONG KOK.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO REVIEW THE BUSINESS SITUATION OF THE TAI KOK TSUI TEMPORARY MARKET.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BAORD WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, FIRST FLOOR, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOWLOON.
-----0------
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS
*****
THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR SOCIAL SERVICES PROJECTS AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THREE LOCAL ORGANISATIONS HAVE APPLIED FOR A TOTAL OF *26,000 TO CARRY OUT SOCIAL SERVICES ACTIVITIES FOR RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT THIS YEAR.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROPOSED ACTIVITIES AND EXPENDITURES OF ITS THREE WORKING GROUPS - THE WORKING GROUP ON UNISESSIONALISM OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS, THE ACTIVITY WORKING GROUP AND THE WORKING GROUP ON FURTHER DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF FEE REDUCTION SCHEME FOR THE ELDERLY.
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDE INFORMATION PAPERS ON A DESIGN ONWARD FOR THE MOST ACCESSIBLE BUILDING FOR THE DISABLED IN HONG KONG, THE DISTRIBUTION OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN LOK FU AND WANG TAU HOM AREAS, AND THE WANG TAU HOM MATERNITY HOME.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WONG DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL 2.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF WONG DISTRICT OFFICE, 4TH FLOOR, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES
TAI SIN
BEGIN AT
TAI SIN BUILDING,
KING FUK STREET.
- - 0 -
/8.......
MONDAY, JUNE 19, 1989
8
JOINT AREA COMMITTEES SEMINAR *****
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, WILL SPEAK ON THE ROLE OF AREA COMMITTEES' IN DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AT A CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT SEMINAR ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 21).
MR LAN WILL ALSO TOUCH ON DISTRICT ISSUES, INCLUDING THE GREEN ISLAND RECLAMATION FEASIBILITY STUDY.
OTHER SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE THE CHAIRMEN OF THE SIX AREA COMMITTEES IN THE DISTRICT.
THE SEMINAR, WHICH WILL BE ATTENDED BY AREA COMMITTEE MEMBERS, IS ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINAR TO BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 21) AT THE MACAU (YAT YUEN) CANIDROME CLUB, 38TH FLOOR, SHUN TAK CENTRE, CENTRAL. A COCKTAIL RECEPTION WILL BEGIN AT 6 PM AND THE SEMINAR WILL START AT 6.45 PM.
---0------
MUSIC OFFICE TO RECRUIT CHOIR MEMBERS *****
THE MUSIC OFFICE IS TO RECRUIT CHORAL SINGERS FOR ITS YOUTH CHOIR.
MUSIC ENTHUSIASTS AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 23 WITH AN ABILITY IN SCORE READING ARE WELCOME TO JOIN.
SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1980, THE CHOIR HAS PERFORMED REGULARLY, AND THE PROGRAMME INCLUDED WORKS BY MOZART, BEETHOVEN AND OTHER CHORAL MASTERPIECES BY VIVALDI AND HAYDN AS WELL AS CHINESE COMPOSITION.
THE CHOIR REHEARSES ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON AT THE MONG KOK MUSIC CENTRE FROM 4.30 PM TO 7 PM.
MUSIC CENTRES OF YAU MA TEI MUSIC 138 AUSTIN ROAD
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL THE MUSIC OFFICE. COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD REACH THE CENTRE, 2ND FLOOR, GOLDEN GATE COMMERCIAL BUILDING,
BEFORE JULY 8.
QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND AN AUDITION ON JULY 15. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 3-7226240.
- - 0 - -
/9........
MONDAY, JUNE 19, 1989
9
EXTENSION OF URBAN CLEARWAY ON AUSTIN ROAD
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 21), THE EXISTING 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY ON THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE OF AUSTIN ROAD, BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH PILKEM STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 40 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH NATHAN ROAD, WILL BE EXTENDED EASTWARDS.
THE EXTENSION WILL BE FOR ABOUT 125 METRES TO THE ROAD’S JUNCTION WITH PINE TREE HILL ROAD, BUT WILL NOT INCLUDE THE PARKING AREA ON THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF AUSTIN ROAD.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
-----0-----
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
APRIL ORDERS-ON-HaND, EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLL FIGURES........ 1
APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS TO HK FUTURES EXCHANGE 5
STATEMENT ISSUED ON BEHALF OF MEMBERS OF THE URB.^N COUNCIL . 6
MIXED RESPONSE TO EUROPEAN VIDEO TAPE DUTIES ............... 6
17 QUESTIONS, 10 BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA ..................... 8
STANDING COMMITTEE MEMBERS VISIT IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT .... 8
nDVICE FOR TRAVELLERS ...................................... 9
SaI KUNG PEDESTRIAN PROBLEM SPOTS ON rtGENDa ............... 10
COMMUNITY HALL CLOSURES ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDZ.............. 11
tide tables for 1990 on sale................................ 12
W^TER STORAGE FIGURE........................................ 12
WATER SUSPENSION IN TWO DISTRICTS........................... 12
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS ............................. 13
TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 1989
1
APRIL ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLL FIGURES t » » » »
THE ORDERS POSITION IN APRIL 1989 AS REPORTED BY THE 20i> LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES REMAINED AT ABOUT THE SAME LEVEL AS IN MARCH 1989 BUT INCREASED BY 2 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH APRIL 1988. ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARING APRIL 1989 WITH MARCH 1989, THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND INCREASED MODERATELY IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY, AND TO A LESSER EXTENT IN THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY. ON THE OTHER HAND. ORDERS SHOWED SLIGHT DECREASES IN THE WEARING APPAREL AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES, AND WERE ALMOST UNCHANGED IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY.
WHEN COMPARED WITH APRIL 1988, THE ORDERS POSITION IN APRIL 1989 INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY. SLIGHT INCREASES IN ORDERS WERE RECORDED IN THE WEARING APPAREL AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES. HOWEVER, ORDERS DECREASED MODERATELY IN THE TEXTILES AND THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IS MEASURED IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF MONTHS AND REFERS TO ORDERS OUTSTANDING AS AT THE END OF THE REFERENCE MONTH.
ON EMPLOYMENT, THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED REPORTED THAT THEIR TOTAL WORKFORCE IN APRIL 1989 WAS SMALLER BY 1 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH MARCH 1989, AND BY 9 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH APRIL 1988.
COMPARING APRIL 1989 WITH MARCH 1989, EMPLOYMENT SHOWED SMALL DECREASES IN THE WEARING APPAREL, PLASTIC PRODUCTS, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES. EMPLOYMENT IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS AND THE TEXTILES INDUSTRIES SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE.
COMPARED WITH APRIL 1988, EMPLOYMENT IN APRIL 1989 DECREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY. SIGNIFICANT DECLINES •LN EMPLOYMENT WERE RECORDED IN THE WEARING APPAREL AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES. AND TO A LESSER EXTENT IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS INDUSTRY. THERE WERE SLIGHT DECREASES IN EMPLOYMENT IN THE TEXTILES AND THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
IN APRIL 1989, PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SURVEYED INCREASED. IN MONEY TERMS, BY 3 PER CENT OVER MARCH 1989 AND BY 18 PER CENT OVER APRIL 1988.
/COITARITG APRIL........
TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 1989
- 2 -
COMPARING APRIL 1989 WITH MARCH 1989. SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS OCCURRED IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS, TEXTILES, AND ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES. HOWEVER, PER CAPITA EARNINGS DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY. AND SLIGHTLY IN THE WEARING APPAREL AND THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
COMPARED WITH APRIL 1988, PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN APRIL 1989 INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN ALMOST ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, WITH THE LARGEST INCREASES RECORDED IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS, FOOD AND DRINKS, AND ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, EMPLOYMENT IN APRIL 1989 INCREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH MARCH 1989 AND MODERATELY OVER APRIL 1988. PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN APRIL 1989 SHOWED A MODERATE INCREASE WHEN COMPARED WITH MARCH 1989. BUT INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY OVER APRIL 1988. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT FIGURES FOR THIS SECTOR COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY: SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
IN THE SERVICE SECTORS SURVEYED, THE OVERALL LEVEL OF EMPLOYMENT IN APRIL 1989 WAS ABOUT THE SAME AS IN MARCH 1989, BUT INCREASED MODERATELY WHEN COMPARED WITH APRIL 1988. PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN APRIL 1989 INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY OVER MARCH 1989 AS WELL AS APRIL 1988. THIS WAS DUE MAINLY TO SPECIAL BONUSES BEING ISSUED BY SOME OF THE COMPANIES IN APRIL 1989.
THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS ARE SHOWN IN THE ACCOMPANYING TABLES 1 TO 3.
THE SURVEY COVERED A PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES AND THE 50 LARGEST COMPANIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS, CHOSEN BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT SIZES IN SEPTEMBER 1986.
THE DEPARTMENT CAUTIONED THAT AS THE SURVEY IS NOT BASED ON A SCIENTIFICALLY SELECTED SAMPLE, THE MAGNITUDES OF CHANGE INDICATED BY THE SURVEY RESULTS ARE MERELY A REFLECTION OF THE EXPERIENCE OF THE COMPANIES SURVEYED. HOWEVER, GIVEN THE COMPOSITION OF THE PANEL. IT SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A USEFUL INDICATION OF THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE FOR MAKING A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ECONOMY IN THE SHORT TERM.
THE SURVEY REPORT FOR APRIL 1989 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, ■CENTRAL, AND AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT $2 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 5-8234820.
/TABLE 1 .......
TUESDAY, JUITE 20, 1?89
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
TABLE 1 : ORDERS-ON-HAND IN
INDUSTRY ORDERS-ON-HAND
AS AT THE END OF CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
APRIL 1989 MAR. 89 APR. 88
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES WEARING APPAREL TEXTILES PLASTIC PRODUCTS FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS OTHERS ♦ CHANGES WITHIN +/-0.5 PER (MONTHS) (%) <%> 4.45 * +2 4.76 -1 +3 2.59 +2 -5 3.41 -3 -6 4.91 +5 +12 5.18 » +2 4.24 » +2 CENT
PERSONS ENGAGED AT THE END OF APRIL 1989
TABLE 2 : EMPLOYMENT
INDUSTRY/SERVICES
CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
MAR. 89 APR. 88
(%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES -1 -9
FOOD AND DRINKS ♦ -4
WEARING APPAREL -2 -9
TEXTILES -2
PLASTIC PRODUCTS -2 -27
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS -2 -1
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS -2 -10
OTHERS ♦ -4
CONSTRUCTION# fl + 4
‘SERVICES * + 4
BANKS * + 3
HOTELS * fl
PUBLIC UTILITIES ♦ -1
OTHERS + 1 f 13
* CHANGES WITHIN +/-0.5 PER CENT
# PERSONS ENGAGED COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
/TABLE 3 .......
TUESDA'r, JU?T 20, 1989
TABLE 3 : PER CAPITA EARNINGS
INDUSTRY/SERVICES
PER CAPITA EARNINGS
AVERAGE AS IN CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
APRIL 1989 MAR. 89 APR. 88
(HK$ ) (%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 4,954 + 3 + 18
FOOD AND DRINKS 5,715 + 8 + 21
WEARING APPAREL 3,988 -1 + 18
TEXTILES 4,785 + 6 + 8
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 4,698 -1 + 25
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 4,732 -12 + 14
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC
PRODUCTS 4,809 + 7 + 20
OTHERS 6,675 + 4 + 19
CONSTRUCTION# 7,113 + 4 + 20
SERVICES 10,605 + 34* + 46*
BANKS 8,104 + 8 + 20
HOTELS 6,115 + 9 + 26
PUBLIC UTILITIES 7,914 + 4 + 13
OTHERS 18,107 +93* + 105*
# PER CAPITA EARNINGS COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
* THIS WAS DUE MAINLY TO SPECIAL BONUSES BEING ISSUED BY SOME OF THE COMPANIES.
NOTES TO TABLES 1-3
UNLIKE "ORDERS-ON-HAND" AND "PER CAPITA EARNINGS”. WHICH ARE AVERAGE FIGURES AMONGST THE FIRMS SURVEYED, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED BY THE FIRMS SURVEYED IS NOT MEANINGFUL INFORMATION ON ITS OWN (BECAUSE THIS IS A PANEL SURVEY) AND IS THEREFORE NOT SHOWN.
--------0----------
/5........
TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 1989
- 5 -
APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS TO HK FUTURES EXCHANGE *****
THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE GOVERNOR HAD APPOINTED MR EOGHAN MCMILLAN, MR PHILIP WONG AND MR SYDNEY LEONG AS INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS TO THE BOARD OF THE HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE (HKFE).
THE APPOINTMENTS WILL TAKE EFFECT ON JUNE 30, 1989, THE DATE ON WHICH THE EXCHANGE HOLDS ITS THIRD AND FOURTH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS (AGM’S).
THE NEW CONSTITUTION OF THE HKFE, ADOPTED ON MAY 9 THIS YEAR, PROVIDES THAT ITS BOARD SHOULD BE BROADLY-BASED AND REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MARKETS, THEIR USERS AND THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
UNDER ARTICLE 73(B) OF THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF THE EXCHANGE, THE GOVERNOR HAS TO APPOINT THE FIRST FOUR INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS TO THE BOARD OVER THE NEXT THREE AGM’S.
"HAVING BEEN FULLY RE-CONSTITUTED ALONG THE LINES OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE, THE EXCHANGE IS MUCH BETTER EQUIPPED TO PERFORM ITS ROLE AS A SELF-REGULATORY ORGANISATION AND TO DEVELOP NEW PRODUCTS TO MEET MARKET NEEDS," MR NENDICK SAID.
MR MCMILLAN IS THE PRESENT CHAIRMAN OF THE HKFE. HE HAS HRLPED STEER THE EXCHANGE SUCCESSFULLY THROUGH A PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT PERIOD OF ITS RE-CONSTITUTION EXERCISE.
MR WONG IS A PRACTISING LAWYER AND WAS A MEMBER OF THE FORMER SECURITIES COMMISSION.
MR LEONG HAS SERVED AS A DIRECTOR TO THE EXCHANGE SINCE OCTOBER 1987. HE WAS A FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY.
/6........
TUESDAY. JUNE 20. 1989
STATEMENT ISSUED ON BEHALF OF MEMBERS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL
*****
MEMBERS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AT A MEETING OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE COUNCIL THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING EXPRESSED FULL SUPPORT FOR THE EFFORTS BY THE SENIOR MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS. DAME LYDIA DUNN AND MR ALLEN LEE. TO PRESS THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT FOR THE RIGHT OF ABODE FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE ENTITLED TO BRITISH PASSPORTS.
THE URBAN COUNCILLORS AGREED THAT MOST HONG KONG PEOPLE WOULD WANT TO STAY IN HONG KONG AND THAT THEY ARE ONLY SEEKING AN "INSURANCE POLICY" WHICH WOULD GREATLY ENHANCE THEIR CONFIDENCE IN THE TERRITORY’S FUTURE.
THE COUNCIL WILL SEND A LETTER TO OMELCO EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE SENIOR MEMBERS’ MISSION BEFORE THE TWO MEET THE PRIME MINISTER. MRS MARGARET THATCHER. NEXT FRIDAY.
THE COUNCIL WILL ALSO WRITE TO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS IN BRITAIN TO CANVASS SUPPORT AND TO EXPLAIN TO THEM HONG KONG PEOPLE’S ANXIETIES.
-----0-----------
MIXED RESPONSE TO EUROPEAN VIDEO TAPE DUTIES
*****
THE IMPOSITION OF DEFINITIVE ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES BY THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ON HONG KONG VIDEO CASSETTE TAPE MANUFACTURERS RECEIVED A MIXED RESPONSE FROM THE TRADE DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY).
"WE ARE PLEASED FOR OUR COMPANIES THAT THE VERY HIGH PROVISIONAL DUTIES ANNOUNCED LAST DECEMBER HAVE BEEN VERY SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED." THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TRADE. MR STUART HARBINSON. SAID.
"THE COUNCIL HAS ALSO MADE SOME SIGNIFICANT CONCESSIONS," HE ADDED.
"FOR EXAMPLE, THE SETTING OF THE DUTY FOR THREE FIRMS WHICH DID NOT PROVIDE FULL INFORMATION TO THE COUNCIL ON A WEIGHTED AVERAGE BASIS. RATHER THAN THE HIGHEST DUTY AS IN THE PROVISIONAL FINDINGS, IS A RARE CONCESSION.
"AND THE PROVISION FOR A QUICK REVIEW IN RESPECT OF NEW COMPANIES ENTERING THE MARKET IS. AS FAR AS WE ARE AWARE, UNIQUE."
/MR HARBINSON .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 1989
MR HARBINSON SAID SOME OF THE HONG KONG COMPANIES HAD DEFENDED THEMSELVES ROBUSTLY AND WERE TO BE CONGRATULATED ON ACHIEVING RESULTS.
"THERE CAN ALSO BE ABSOLUTELY NO DOUBT THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S INVOLVEMENT HAS HAD A MAJOR IMPACT ON THE CASE.” HE SAID.
"OUR REPEATED SUBMISSIONS HAVE RESULTED IN MAJOR CONCESSIONS
SUCH AS THOSE I HAVE JUST MENTIONED. AND OUR EFFORTS AT THE GENERAL LEVEL HAVE ASSISTED INDIVIDUAL COMPANIES TO ACHIEVE LOWER RATES."
THE DEFINITIVE ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES JUST ANNOUNCED BY THE COUNCIL RANGE FROM 0 PER CENT TO 21.‘J PER CENT. THIS COMPARES WITH PROVISIONAL DUTIES ANNOUNCED LAST DECEMBER RANGING FROM 8.1 PER CENT TO 59.3 PER CENT.
HOWEVER. THE TRADE DEPARTMENT REMAINS UNHAPPY ABOUT SOME FEATURES OF THE CASE.
"THE COUNCIL SEEMS TO HAVE FAILED TO TAKE FULLY INTO ACCOUNT CERTAIN KEY ELEMENTS OF SUBMISSIONS MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT." MR HARBINSON SAID.
"TO GIVE TWO EXAMPLES. FIRST, THE COUNCIL SEEMS TO HAVE DISREGARDED REPRESENTATIONS WE HAVE MADE -ABOUT THE UNSATISFACTORY WAY TUI QUESTION OF ALLEGED INJURY TO EUROPEAN INDUSTRY WAS DEALT WITH IN THE INVESTIGATION.
"SECONDLY. WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE. DESPITE THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR A QUICK REVIEW FOR NEWCOMERS. THEY WILL STILL HAVE TO PAY A VERY HIGH RESIDUAL DUTY OF 21.9 PER CENT TO START WITH. AND HOW QUICK WILL THE REVIEW BE?"
ACCORDING TO MR HARBINSON. THE TRADE DEPARTMENT IS STILL EXAMINING THESE AND SOME OTHER ASPECTS OF THE FINDINGS. THE DEPARTMENT HOPES TO COMPLETE THIS EXAMINATION VERY QUICKLY. WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
"DEPENDING ON THE RESULTS OF THIS EXAMINATION. WE MAY OR MAY NOT DECIDE TO TAKE THE MATTER FURTHER.” HE SAID. "A THOROUGH EXAMINATION OF THE FINDINGS AND THE OPTIONS OPEN TO US IS NECESSARY BEFORE WE CAN DECIDE ON ANY NEW STEP."
MR HARBINSON SAID THE VIDEO CASSETTE TAPE CASE HAD ONE VERY CLEAR MESSAGE FOR HONG KONG FIRMS CITED IN ANTI-DUMPING INVESTIGATIONS.
"THE MESSAGE IS THAT IF WE DON’T TAKE THE INVESTIGATIONS SERIOUSLY ENOUGH - AND SOME OF OUR FIRMS DIDN’T TO START WITH - WE ARE LIKELY TO END UP WITH VERY HIGH DUTIES." HE SAID.
"BUT WITH DETERMINED DEFENCE THE RESULTS SHOULD EXONERATE US COMPLETELY. OR AT WORST RESULT IN ONLY LOW LEVELS OF DUTY."
TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 1989
8
17 QUESTIONS, 10 BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA *****
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 17 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER 10 BILLS AT THE COUNCIL'S MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
NINE OF THE BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
THEY ARE THE CONSUMER COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (AMENDMENT) (NO, 2) BILL 1989, THE ELECTRICITY BILL 1989, THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF POLLUTION) BILL 1989, THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (LIABILITY AND COMPENSATION FOR OIL POLLUTION) BILL 1989, THE LAW REFORM (LEGAL EFFECTS OF AGE) BILL 1989, THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1989 AND THE GAMBLING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989.
THE SECOND READING DEBATE ON THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION BILL 1989 WILL RESUME, AND WHEN IT IS COMPLETED THE BILL IS DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT AND THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE WILL MOVE MOTIONS UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE AND THE PHARMACY AND POISONS ORDINANCE RESPECTIVELY.
IN ADDITION, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS WILL PRESENT A WHITE PAPER, "POLLUTION IN HONG KONG -- A TIME TO ACT".
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A MEETING AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING.
_ _ 0 - -
STANDING COMMITTEE MEMBERS VISIT IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT
*****
MEMBERS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON DISCIPLINED SERVICES SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE VISITED THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING.
FIVE MEMBERS — MR PAUL CHENG, MR ANTHONY CHEUNG, MR CHOW CHUN-FAI, MRS NELLIE FONG AND MR BRIAN RENWICK -- TOOK PART IN THE VISIT.
MR PAUL CHENG IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE’S GENERAL DISCIPLINED SERVICES SUB-COMMITTEE.
/they were
TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 1989
THEY WERE RECEIVED BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF’ IMMIGRATION, MR H.C. YEUNG, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (CONTROL AND INVESTIGATION), MR K.C. CHEUK, AND OTHER SENIOR STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT.
THE PARTY VISITED WESTERN ANCHORAGE AND SAW IMMIGRATION CLEARANCE OF INCOMING JUNKS AND VESSELS AND SEARCHING OF SUSPECT JUNKS.
THE PARTY' ALSO SAW IMMIGRATION CLEARANCE OF LAND CROSSING PASSENGERS AT THE LO WU CONTROL POINT AND IMMIGRATION CLEARANCE OF VEHICULAR TRAFFIC AND CAR SEARCHING AT MAN KAM TO CONTROL POINT.
DURING THE VISIT, MEMBERS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE HAD INFORMAL TALKS WITH STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT AND EXCHANGED VIEWS ON A NUMBER OF ISSUES WHICH WERE OF CONCERN TO THE DEPARTMENT AND ITS STAFF.
THE VISIT WAS THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF FAMILIARISATION TOURS PLANNED FOR THIS YEAR BY MEMBERS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT.
------0--------
ADVICE FOR TRAVELLERS * * *
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HAS URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO DO NOT HAVE IMMEDIATE PLANS TO TRAVEL DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS TO REFRAIN FROM RUSHING FOR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS THERE WAS A GREATER DEMAND FOR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS WITH THE BEGINNING OF THE SUMMER HOLIDAY5 SEASON.
"WE HAVE MADE EVERY EFFORT TO MAINTAIN AS FAR AS POSSIBLE AN ACCEPTABLE STANDARD OF SERVICE AND TO REDUCE ANY INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC.
"FOR EXAMPLE, WE OFFER PROGRAMMED APPOINTMENTS TO APPLICANTS WHO ARE UNABLE TO OBTAIN THE TAG FOR SUBMISSION OF THEIR APPLICATIONS AT THE IMMIGRATION HEADQUARTERS TO CALL AGAIN ON ANOTHER DATE," HE SAID.
"APPLICATIONS WHICH ARE NOT URGENT WILL CERTAINLY CAUSE SOME INCONVENIENCE TO APPLICANTS WHO HAVE GENUINE NEEDS TO APPLY FOR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS.
"IT IS HOPED THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL CO-OPERATE AND EXERCISE PATIENCE." HE SAID.
/applicants are .......
TUESDAY, JUTTE 20, 1989
- 10 -
APPLICANTS ARE ALSO REMINDED THAT SERVICES FOR HONG KONG I RAVEL DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE AT 10 IMMIGRATION BRANCH OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
THE 10 BRANCH OFFICES ARE LOCATED AT :
KOWLOON CITY OFFICE, HANG CHIEN COURT. 7-9 WAI KING STREET, GROUND FLOOR, WYLER GARDEN, TO KWA WAN;
KWUN TONG OFFICE, ROOMS 54-60, SECOND FLOOR, AMOY PLAZA. 77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD;
HONG KONG ISLAND OFFICE, HARBOUR BUILDING, SECOND FLOOR, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL;
ABERDEEN OFFICE, 12-16 NAM NING STREET, FIRST FLOOR, ABERDEEN CENTRE, BLOCK K-N, SHOP 4B;
SHA TIN OFFICE, KCR HOUSE, SECOND FLOOR, SHA TIN RAILWAY STATION;
SHEUNG SHUI OFFICE, 44, 44A AND B, SAN FUNG AVENUE, GROUND FLOOR AND COCKLOFT, SHEK WU HUI;
TAI PO OFFICE, TAI PO GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, THIRD FLOOR, 1 TING KOK ROAD:
TSUEN WAN OFFICE, LEVEL 3, TSUEN WAN FERRY PIER;
TUEN MUN OFFICE, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, FIRST FLOOR, 1 TUEN HI ROAD;
YUEN LONG OFFICE, YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, THIRD FLOOR, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT ALL IMMIGRATION OFFICES OPERATE THE TAG SYSTEM.
-------0----------
SAI KUNG PEDESTRIAN PROBLEM SPOTS ON AGENDA ♦ t ♦ * ♦
MEMBERS OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE 1988 ACTION PROGRAMME REVIEW ON PEDESTRIAN PROBLEM SPOTS IN THE DISTRICT AT THEIR MEETING ON THURSDAY (JUNE 22).
THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE REVISED SAI KUNG TOWN TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME AND THE HANG HAU ROAD IMPROVEMENT SCHEME.
/OTHER ITEMS .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 1989
11
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AT A ZEBRA CROSSING AT HO CHUNG; DIFFICULTY IN GETTING PUBLIC TRANSPORT VEHICLES AT HO CHUNG AND MARINA COVE DURING MORNING PEAK PERIODS: THE CLOSING DATE OF THE HANG HAU CONTROLLED TIP: AND THE PROPOSED CARPARK, ZEBRA CROSSING AND BUS STOP AT MAU WU TSAI VILLAGE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD'S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE ON THURSDAY (JUNE 22 I IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, CHAN MAN STREET. SAI KUNG TOWN. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM.
--------0----------
COMMUNITY HALL CLOSURES ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA
*****
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD'S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WILL DISCUSS AT ITS MEETING ON THURSDAY (JUNE 22) THE CLOSURE OF SOME COMMUNITY HALLS IN THE DISTRICT.
COMMITTEE TEMPORARY
IN VIEW INSTALLATION OF CO-OPTED MEMBER
OF THE CLOSURE OF SOME COMMUNITY
AIR CONDITIONERS BETWEEN MID-MARCH AND MID-AUGUST. WHETHER LOCAL ORGANISATIONS WILL BE
WILL ASK
IN ADVANCE OF THE ACTUAL
COMPLETION DATE.
HALLS
FOR A
INFORMED
HE WILL ALSO WANT TO KNOW IF THE ANY REPLACEMENT FOR THE COMMUNITY HALLS
DISTRICT OFFICE WILL IDENTIFY WHICH ARE NOW OUT OF SERVICE.
MEANWHILE. THE WORKING GROUPS ON COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION. PROMOTION OF CIVIC MINDEDNESS. YOUTH AFFAIRS AND PUBLISHING OF INFORMATION BOOKLETS WILL REPORT TO THE MEETING THEIR ANNUAL PLANS OF ACTIVITIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY (JUNE 22) IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE SIXTH FLOOR OF KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 4 PM.
/12........
TUESDAY. JUNE 20, 1989
- 12 -
TIDE TABLES FOR 1990 ON SALE
*****
THE "TIDE TABLES FOR HONG KONG 1990" IS NOW ON SALE AT $5.50 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, MARINE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AND THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY HEADQUARTERS.
THE TABLES CONTAIN THE PREDICTED HEIGHTS AND TIMES OF DAILY HIGH AND LOW WATER LEVELS AT QUARRY BAY AND TAI PO KAU FOR 1990.
TIDAL VALUES AT CHI MA WAN, KO LAU WAN, LOK ON PAI, TSIM BEI TSUI AND WAGLAN ISLAND MAY ALSO BE DERIVED FROM INFORMATION GIVEN IN THE TABLES.
SHIPPING AND WHARFING COMPANIES, ENGINEERS, CONTAINER TERMINAL OPERATORS, DOCKYARDS, YACHTSMEN, FISHING AND WATER SPORTS ENTHUSIASTS MAY FIND THE INFORMATION USEFUL.
THE PUBLICATION. PRINTED IN BILINGUAL FORM, CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT THE GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE. CENTRAL; MARINE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL; AND THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY HEADQUARTERS, 134A NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
- - 0 - -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG'S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (TUESDAY) STOOD AT 54.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 318.068 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 149.935 MILLION
CUBIC METRES OF WATER. OR 25.6 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
------0--------
WATER SUSPENSION IN TWO DISTRICTS *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY' TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO 6 AM ON THURSDAY (JUNE 22) TO FACILITATE NIGHT LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES IN THE AREA BOUNDED BY TAI PO ROAD, CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, NAM CHEONG STREET AND KWEILIN STREET.
THE AREA INCLUDES SECTIONS OF UN CHAU STREET, FUK WING STREET, FUK WAH STREET AND PEI HO STREET.
/ALSO TO .......
TUESDAY, JUTE 20, 1989
- 13 -
ALSO TO FACILITATE NIGHT LEAKAGE TESTS, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN SAI KUNG WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY (JUNE 22) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES AT HONG KIN ROAD. WA YUNG ROAD, WA FUK STREET, WA FUN STREET, THE TUI MIN HOI AREA, FISHERMAN HOUSING ESTATE. SAI KUNG TUI MIN HOI CHUEN AND SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE.
-------0----------
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS
* » ♦ « »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS ON SATURDAY (JUNE 24) AT 10 AM AT THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL.
A TOTAL OF 40 SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING.
THEY ARE:
EA708 EA128 DZ777 EA7889
EA8681 DA728 EA139 EA2516
DF25 7832 EA9809 AK3 57
EA6378 EA2318 BK136 EB823
EA911 DZ9283 1986 DZ8
BV892 DY2 EA6618 BB6662
535 EA14 3 AA337 EA1398
EB339 EA688 DC735 EA5292
AA350 389 CD9000 AK1631
DZ111 EA776 EA7741 EA9899
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MUST PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED BIDDERS THAT THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER WOULD BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE AUCTION.
THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION MUST BE PRODUCED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE AUCTION IF THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK IS TO BE REGISTERED UNDER THE NAME OF A BODY CORPORATE.
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION WILL AS USUAL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
THE COMING AUCTION WILL BE THE 138TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
--------0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777 • • •» * <
\ ...... WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
.............. CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE.COUNCIL MEETING :
HK 'MUST-BUILD-ON .FOUNDATION OF JOINT DECLARATION: GOVERNOR 1 OZONE BILL .SHOULD‘FOLLOW -ONTREaL PROTOCOL ............... 5
SUPPORT .FOR -OZONE -PROTECTION -LILL ................- •
late introduction of bill to legco regretted .............. 5
EASING BURDEN .ON‘CONSUMER COUNCIL MEMBERS ................ 8
BILL SIMPLIFIES’CONTROLS ON DUTIABLE COMMODITIES .......... 9
ELECTRICITY‘BILL.PROVIDES FOR CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION ..... 9
LOCALISATION.OF‘MERGSaNT SHIPPING LEGISLATION ............ 11
PROVISIONS-FOR.DEALING,WITH OIL SPILL DAMAGE.............. 12
BILL LOWERS.AGE-OF -MAJORITY .............................. U
EXTENSION OF- FUND • TG • INCLUDE SEVERANCE PAYMENTS PROPOSED .. 15
RELAXATION- OF- LaW • ON - CHILDREN ■ CYCLISTS PROPOSED .. <6
TOUGHER-PROVISIONS ^Ga-INST--ILLEGAL GAMBLING PROPOSED... 17
FIRST REPORT.OF- BROADCASTING AUTHORITY PUBLISHED......... 19
WHITE PaPER-ON-POLLUTION TABLED..........................
PERIOD FOR LIMITING imI■NUMBERS EXTENDED ................. 21
AMENDMENT-TO*PHaRMaCY-AND POISONS REGULATIONS ............ 22
ABOLITION OF- 03. CONSTITUENCIES OF ELECTORAL COLLEGE . EXPLAINED .............................................. 25
EXERCISE.OF AUTHORITY BEING REVIEWED ..................... 25
EEG aNTI-DUMPING ..CTIONS UNFAIR ......................... 24
GOVT NOT UNRESPONSIVE TO CIVIL SERV.JiTS' CONCERNS........ 25
HANDICAPPED PERSONS HAWKING ILLEGALLY LIABLE TO PROSECUTION ............................................ 26
DECISION TO CLOSE POLICE C«DET SCHOOL EXPLAINED .......... 27
SCHOOL CANTESW SERVICE NOT VIABLE ........................ 28
/Waging letters ...
WARNING LETTERS ON M.JUGEMENT ISSUED TO 17 SCHOOLS 29 NEW ROAD SIGNAGE SYSTEM WELL PUBLICISED.....JO •GOVT MAINTAINS SYSTEM OF SOCIAL STATISTICS .. .. JO MID-LEVELS ESCALATOR PROJECT CCULD STaRT IN 1990 .......... J1 EXPENDITURE ON MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS ............... J2 SIX HOSPITALS NOT PROVIDING SCHOOL SERVICES JJ LICENSING .PROCEDURES .STREAMLINED ................ .................. J4 MOVE TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF LEGCO ACTIVITIES ..... JJ ASSURANCE ON POST-1997 FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT. J5 EXACT TOLLS WILL NOT RELIEVE TUNNEL CONGESTION ............ j6 ONE BILL Passed .................................................... J7
FC APPROVES CIVIL SERVICE PAY ADJUSTMENTS.................... j8 SEPARATE ICaC SALARY SC.'vLE TO BE CREATED ......................... j8 CMELCO NATIONALITY WORKING GROUP REPORTS ON WORK ............ J9 PUBLIC TRANSPORT FARES TO GO UP IN JULY .................................. 41 GOVERNOR TO VISIT ISLaNDS DISTRICT.................................................................................. 4j DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES IMPORTANT. .......................................................................... 44 ACTIVITIES TO. PROMOTE RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD CONCEPT ..... 4 J GOVT CO CONSIDER. GREEN ISLAND RECLAMATION STUDY................... 46 FLOOD CONTROL MEASURES ON NORTH DB AGENDA..................................... 4? GOVT UND TO LET BY TENDER ........................................................................................................ 48 QUARTERLY REPORT ON LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS.............. 49 INTEREST ON tAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES REVISED................ 49 TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHAU KEI WaN AND KWUN TONG.......... J1 LANE CLOSURES IN SH.. TIN .................................. J2 RIGHT-TURN BAN ON OUTER ROAD ............................... JR
WEDNESDAY. .JUNE 21. 1989
- 1 -
HK MUST BUILD ON FOUNDATION OF JOINT DECLARATION: GOVERNOR
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON. TODAY (WEDNESDAY) STRESSED THAT HONG KONG MUST CONTINUE TO BUILD ON THE FOUNDATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION WHICH REMAINED THE BEST AND THE ONLY REALISTIC FOUNDATION STONE FOR THE TERRITORY’S FUTURE.
IN A STATEMENT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THE GOVERNOR SAID A FACT WE HAD TO RECOGNISE WAS THAT RECENT EVENTS IN CHINA HAD SHAKEN CONFIDENCE IN THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR HONG KONG’S FUTURE.
"WE HAVE TO RECOGNISE OTHER FACTS AS WELL. HISTORY HAS GIVEN US THE DATE 1997 AS A POINT OF CHANGE IN HONG KONG'S DESTINY. OUR FUTURE IS INEXTRICABLY BOUND UP WITH CHINA.
"THE JOINT DECLARATION REMAINS THE BEST -- INDEED THE ONLY --REALISTIC FOUNDATION STONE FOR HONG KONG’S FUTURE. A FUTURE AS PART OF CHINA, BUT A DISTINCTIVE PART WITH ITS OWN FREEDOMS, WAY OF LIFE AND FREE MARKET ECONOMY PRESERVED." SIR DAVID SAID.
NOTING THAT WORK ON THE BASIC LAW WAS AT PRESENT IN SUSPENSE, SIR DAVID SAID THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR FUTURE WORK WOULD SURELY RECOGNISE THAT THE PROCESS OF CONSULTATION AND PROMULGATION SHOULD BE PROLONGED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE RECENT ENFORCED DISRUPTION OF THE ORIGINAL TIMETABLE.
"WHEN WORK ON THE BASIC LAW RESUMES IT WILL REMAIN AS IMPORTANT AS EVER: MORE SO IF ANYTHING.
"THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WILL WANT TO SCRUTINISE THE DRAFT WITH THE GREATEST POSSIBLE CARE. TO ENSURE THAT IT PROVIDES TO THE FULL FOR ALL THE GUARANTEES OF THE HONG KONG SAR’S HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY AND THE PRESERVATION OF BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS PROVIDED FOR IN THE JOINT DECLARATION." HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE TIME HAD NOW COME WHEN HONG KONG MUST MOVE ON FROM THE SENSE OF SHOCK PRODUCED BY RECENT EVENTS IN CHINA.
"TO RESTORE CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG’S FUTURE WE LOOK FOR ACTIONS FROM CHINA AND FROM BRITAIN.
"BUT WE MUST ALSO. AND ESSENTIALLY, LOOK TO OURSELVES," HE STRESSED.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG HAD SUFFERED SHOCKS MANY TIMES BEFORE. AND PULLED THROUGH.
"WE MUST AGAIN TURN OUR MINDS AND DEVOTE OUR ENERGIES TO BUILDING UP HONG KONG: MAINTAINING OUR ECONOMIC PROSPERITY AND DOING NOTHING TO DAMAGE THE STABILITY OF THE TERRITORY." SIR DAVID SAID.
/"WHILST WE .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989 2
"WHILST WE SHOULD NOT FORGET WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN CHINA. WE MUST LOOK TO OUR OWN FUTURE.” HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THERE WERE MASSIVE AND FAR-REACHING PLANS FOR THE FUTURE: FOR DEVELOPING SOCIAL PROGRAMMES; FOR IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT; AND FOR BUILDING AN ECONOMY WHICH WOULD ENABLE HONG KONG TO SURVIVE AND PROSPER WELL INTO THE NEXT CENTURY.
"THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE PRESSING AHEAD WITH THESE PLANS." HE SAID.
NOTING THAT HONG KONG HAD BEEN THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES. AND WAS STILL IN DIFFICULT TIMES. THE GOVERNOR SAID: "WE MUST WORK TOGETHER TO SHOW THE WORLD. ONCE AGAIN, THAT HONG KONG CAN TRIUMPH THROUGH ADVERSITY AND THAT THIS REMARKABLE PLACE. WHICH WILL ALWAYS BE HOME TO THE VAST MAJORITY OF ITS PEOPLE, WILL SURVIVE AND PROSPER THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF US ALL."
"FOR MY OWN PART I WILL WORK UNTIRINGLY TO ACHIEVE THIS OBJECTIVE. I AM CONFIDENT THAT ALL MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL WILL HAVE THE SAME COMMON AND UNITED AIM," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE EVENTS IN PEKING AND OTHER PARTS OF CHINA HAD SHAKEN CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG, THEY HAD ALSO PRODUCED A STRONG SENSE OF UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY HERE.
"ONE SJGN OF THIS HAS BEEN THE CONSENSUS REACHED BY MEMBERS OF BOTH COUNCILS ON THE SHAPE AND SPEED OF FUTURE POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE TERRITORY.
"IF THE POSITION AGREED BY OMELCO IS ACCEPTED BY THE VARIOUS POLITICAL GROUPINGS IN THE TERRITORY, WE SHALL HAVE WHAT WE HAVE LONG BEEN SEEKING --- A WIDE CONSENSUS ON POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT TO REPLACE THE DIVERGENT VIEWS OF RECENT YEARS." SIR DAVID SAID.
THIS, HE SAID, WOULD BE A SIGNIFICANT POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CERTAINLY WISH TO REFLECT THIS DESIRE FOR A MORE RAPID PROCESS OF DEVELOPMENT IN PLANNING THE EVOLUTION OF THE POLITICAL SYSTEM OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
"FURTHERMORE WE WOULD HAVE ACHIEVED THE COMMON HONG KONG VIEW WHICH THE DRAFTERS OF THE BASIC LAW HAVE WANTED TO SEE TO HELP THEM CARRY OUT THEIR IMPORTANT WORK," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT ANOTHER ELEMENT IN THIS EMERGING CONSENSUS WAS THE COMMON WISH FOR A BILL OF RIGHTS OR EQUIVALENT LEGISLATION TO SAFEGUARD EXISTING FREEDOMS.
HE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WAS ALREADY WORKING HARD ON THE BEST OPTION TO PURSUE. AND THAT HE WOULD SAY MORE ABOUT THIS IN HIS ADDRESS TO THE COUNCIL IN OCTOBER.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT THE RECENT EVENTS HAD ALSO PRODUCED IN MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY A STRONG DESIRE FOR GREATER ASSURANCES ABOUT THEIR OWN PERSONAL FUTURE.
/"IN PARTICULAR .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
3
"IN PARTICULAR THERE HAS BEEN A WIDESPREAD DEMAND THAT THOSE HOLDING THE VARIOUS FORMS OF BRITISH HONG KONG PASSPORTS SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT OF ENTRY OR THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE UK," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID HE HAD PUT THESE VIEWS STRONGLY TO THE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER AND THE FOREIGN SECRETARY. AND EXPLAINED THAT SUCH A MOVE WOULD DO AN IMMENSE AMOUNT OF GOOD IN HONG KONG AT A TIME WHEN A BOOST IN MORALE WAS BADLY NEEDED.
----------0-------------
OZONE BILL SHOULD FOLLOW MONTREAL PROTOCOL ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION BILL 1989 SHOULD BE LEGISLATED AS FAR AS POSSIBLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL.
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON KENNETH KWOK, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN WINDING UP THE SECOND READING DEBATE ON THE BILL.
MR KWOK SAID HE WAS READY TO SUPPORT SUGGESTIONS MADE FOR AMENDING THE BILL.
ON ONE OF THESE SUGGESTIONS. THAT MEASURES SHOULD GO FURTHER, MR KWOK SAID: "WE MAY BE ABLE TO DO SO IN FUTURE. BUT FOR THE PRESENT I FEEL THAT WE SHOULD LEGISLATE, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL, AND AMEND OUR STRATEGIES AS AND WHEN THE PROTOCOL IS UPDATED.
"I CAN ASSURE MEMBERS THAT WE WILL RE-EXAMINE THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BILL IN ABOUT A YEAR’S TIME, OR EARLIER IF AND WHEN THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL IS UPDATED. AT THAT TIME WE WILL ALSO RE-ASSESS THE POINTS THAT MEMBERS HAVE MADE TODAY."
MR KWOK ALSO SAID THAT THE LEVEL OF FINES AS STIPULATED IN THE BILL WOULD BE REVIEWED IN THE COURSE OF MAKING OTHER AMENDMENTS TO THE ORDINANCE IN FUTURE.
LATER. IN THE COMMITTEE STAGE. MR KWOK SAID HE SUPPORTED THE AMENDMENTS PROPOSED BY MEMBERS. AND SAID THEY ALL HELPED TO IMPROVE THE BILL.
THE BILL WAS PASSED BY THE COUNCIL.
0
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
4
SUPPORT FOR OZONE PROTECTION BILL
*****
HONG KONG MUST SUPPORT THE AIMS OF THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION BILL 1989 BECAUSE TO OPPOSE IT WOULD ALLOW THE DEPLETION OF THE OZONE LAYER AND PERMIT MORE AND MORE ULTRA-VIOLET RADIATION TO PENETRATE THE ATMOSPHERE AND AFFECT ALL LIVING ORGANISMS ON EARTH.
THE HON PETER WONG SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DURING THE SECOND READING DEBATE ON THE BILL.
HE SAID, HOWEVER, THAT THERE WERE TWO CRITICISMS THAT COULD WITH SOME JUSTIFICATION BE LEVELLED AT THE BILL.
FIRSTLY, THE ADMINISTRATION HAD TAKEN TOO LONG IN GETTING THE BILL TO LEGCO MEMBERS AND, IN VIEW OF THE NEED FOR HONG KONG TO FULFIL ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL, THE JUNE 30 DEADLINE IMPOSED WAS TOO TIGHT.
SECONDLY, MR WONG SAID, HE HAD DOUBTS WHETHER THE CONTROLS WERE TIGHT ENOUGH AND WHETHER THE LIST OF SUBSTANCES TO BE CONTROLLED WERE COMPREHENSIVE ENOUGH.
"WE ARE GIVEN TO UNDERSTAND THAT ONLY THE CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS (CFC’S) WILL BE RESTRICTED STRAIGHT AWAY WHILST THE HALONS WILL ONLY BE RESTRICTED FROM 1992 ONWARDS.
"THE CONTROLS ON CFC ARE ON THE LEVEL OF IMPORTS AND NOT THE ACTUAL RATE OF CONSUMPTION; IN OTHER WORDS NOT AT THE RATE AT WHICH THEY ARE DISCHARGED INTO THE ATMOSPHERE," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID THE RECENT HELSINKI DECLARATION HAD WARNED THAT THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL WAS ALREADY OUTDATED AND OTHER SUBSTANCES, LIKE METHYL CHLOROFORM AND CARBON TETRACHLORIDE, SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE SCHEDULED SUBSTANCES.
HE ADDED THAT WHAT HAD BEEN GRATIFYING WAS THE LACK OF ANY OPPOSITION FROM INDUSTRY TO THE PROPOSALS, DESPITE THE INCONVENIENCE AND HIGHER COSTS ENTAILED.
MORE WORK HAD TO BE DONE TO EDUCATE ALL THE USERS SO THAT THEY USED THESE CHEMICALS SPARINGLY AND ENSURED THAT THE ABSOLUTE MINIMUM WAS DISCHARGED INTO THE ATMOSPHERE.
"I AM PREPARED TO SUPPORT THIS BILL ON THE CONDITION THAT THERE WILL BE A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF ALL ASPECTS OF THE CONTROLS IN ONE YEAR’S TIME WITH THE VIEW THAT WE STEP UP TO THE BEST PRACTICE IN THE WORLD," HE SAID.
IN THE MEANTIME, MR WONG SAID, HE WOULD BE WATCHING WITH INTEREST THE REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE QUOTA SYSTEM AND HOW THEY WORKED OUT IN PRACTICE. HE WOULD ALSO LOOK TO THE ADMINISTRATION TO SET A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR ALL TO EMULATE IN THE REDUCTION IN USE OF HALONS FOR FIRE-DRILL EXERCISES.
0 - - - -
/5 .........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
5
LATE INTRODUCTION OF BILL TO LEGCO REGRETTED
*****
PROFESSOR THE HON POON CHUNG-KWONG CRITICISED THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) FOR THE LATE INTRODUCTION OF THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION BILL 1989 INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"THIS BILL IS AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION TO SAVE OUR ENVIRONMENT FROM FURTHER DETERIORATION. IN ORDER THAT OUR FUTURE GENERATION WILL NOT SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCE OF OUR OWN DESTRUCTION, TIMELY ACTIONS MUST BE TAKEN," SAID PROFESSOR POON, WHO WAS THE CONVENER OF THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP FORMED TO STUDY THE BILL.
SPEAKING IN THE COUNCIL’S RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL, PROF POON SAID HE REGRETTED THAT THE AUTHORITIES, HAVING FULL KNOWLEDGE THAT THE LEGISLATION HAD TO BE IN PLACE BY JULY 1 FOR HONG KONG TO FULFIL ITS INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL, HAD NOT INTRODUCED THE BILL INTO LEGCO UNTIL MAY 31.
THIS IMPOSED UPON THE AD HOC GROUP A VERY SHORT TIME FRAME FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE ENGLISH AND CHINESE TEXTS OF THE LEGISLATION.
NEVERTHELESS, THE AD HOC GROUP HAD ENDEAVOURED TO ACCOMPLISH THIS DIFFICULT MISSION BY COMMENCING ITS WORK EVEN IN ADVANCE OF THE FIRST READING OF THE BILL.
ALTOGETHER, SIX MEETINGS WERE HELD WITHIN THE SHORT TIME AVAILABLE AND-SOME 11 AMENDMENTS TO THE ENGLISH AND 22 AMENDMENTS TO THE CHINESE TEXT WERE AGREED WITH THE ADMINISTRATION.
, ON THE BACKGROUND TO THE BILL, PROF POON SAID THERE WAS WIDE AGREEMENT AMONG SCIENTISTS AROUND THE WORLD THAT THE DEPLETION OF THE OZONE LAYER, CAUSED PRINCIPALLY BY CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS (CFC’S) AND HALONS, WOULD THREATEN PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS IN TERMS OF DAMAGES TO HUMAN HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT IF PROPER CONTROLS WERE NOT ADOPTED IN GOOD TIME.
"THE MAIN USAGES OF CFC’S ARE IN REFRIGERATION, AIR CONDITIONING, PACKAGING AND AS SOLVENT AND AEROSOL PROPELLANTS. HALONS ARE THE MOST EFFECTIVE FIRE-FIGHTING MATERIALS BEARING A MUCH HIGHER OZONE DEPLETING POTENTIAL THAN CFC’S," HE EXPLAINED.
HE SAID THE 1985 VIENNA CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE OZONE LAYER AND THE 1987 MONTREAL PROTOCOL ON SUBSTANCES THAT DEPLETE THE OZONE LAYER SIGNIFIED EFFORTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IN SETTING UP AN INTERNATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR ADDRESSING THE OZONE DEPLETION PROBLEM.
UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE VIENNA CONVENTION, THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL WAS CONCLUDED IN SEPTEMBER 1987, STIPULATING SPECIFIC CONTROLS. HONG KONG WAS PARTY TO BOTH AGREEMENTS.
THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL CALLED FOR A FREEZE, AND SUBSEQUENT REDUCTIONS, IN THE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION OF CFC’S AND HALONS.
/SIGNATORIES TO .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
6
SIGNATORIES TO THE PROTOCOL, NUMBERING SOME 40 COUNTRIES AT PRESENT, WERE REQUIRED TO FREEZE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION OF CFC’S AT THEIR 1986 LEVELS WITH EFFECT FROM JULY 1 THIS YEAR, TO FREEZE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION OF HALONS AT THEIR 1986 LEVELS WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1, 1992; AND, TO REDUCE CONSUMPTION OF CFC'S TO 80 PER CENT OF 1986 LEVELS IN FIVE YEARS AND TO 50 PER CENT IN 10 YEARS.
THE PRESENT BILL, WHICH WAS BROADLY IN LINE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL, SOUGHT TO PROHIBIT THE MANUFACTURE OF CFC’S AND HALONS, AND TO PROVIDE A REGISTRATION AND LICENSING SCHEME TO CONTROL THE IMPORT AND EXPORT OF CFC’S AND HALONS.
"IT ALSO PROVIDES REGULATION-MAKING POWERS FOR THE CONTROL OR PROHIBITION OF THE MANUFACTURE, IMPORT OR EXPORT OF PRODUCTS CONTAINING, OR MADE WITH, THE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES WHICH MAY BECOME NECESSARY AT A LATER STAGE IN ACCORDANCE WITH PROVISIONS IN THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL.
"IT IS WORTHY TO NOTE THAT AS HONG KONG HAS NOT ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CFC’S AND HALONS IN THE PAST, THIS BILL HAS MADE A POSITIVE MOVE BEYOND THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROTOCOL BY BANNING THE PRODUCTION OF SUCH SUBSTANCES," PROF POON SAID.
IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK IN TIME FOR HONG KONG TO FULFIL ITS INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS, MEMBERS GENERALLY ACCEPTED THAT THE BILL SHOULD BE SUPPORTED, HE SAID.
SUCH A DECISION WAS MADE ON THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD REVIEW THE BILL IN ABOUT ONE YEAR’S TIME, AFTER THE NEXT MEETING OF THE PARTIES TO THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL, WHICH WAS EXPECTED TO COME UP WITH MORE STRINGENT CONTROLS OVER OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCES.
IN THE COURSE OF DELIBERATION, MEMBERS WERE CONCERNED THAT THE PROHIBITION OF MANUFACTURE OF CFC’S AND HALONS IN HONG KONG WOULD ENTIRELY OUTLAW THE PRODUCTION OF ANY SUCH SUBSTANCES, HOWEVER SMALL THE QUANTITY, EVEN FOR THE PURPOSE OF RESEARCH AND ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION.
IN THIS RESPECT, THE ADMINISTRATION HAD AGREED WITH THE GROUP’S VIEW THAT AN AMENDMENT SHOULD BE MADE TO EXCLUDE CFC’S AND HALONS SO PRODUCED FROM THE DEFINITION OF "MANUFACTURE", PROF POON SAID.
ANOTHER POINT WHICH AROUSED MEMBERS’ CONCERN WAS CLAUSE 12(C) OF THE BILL, WHICH EMPOWERED AN AUTHORISED OFFICER TO DETAIN A PERSON FOUND IN ANY PLACE OR PREMISES WHICH HE WAS ALLOWED TO SEARCH UNTIL THE PREMISES OR PLACE HAD BEEN SEARCHED.
MEMBERS WERE WORRIED ABOUT THE POSSIBLE ABUSE OF SUCH POWER. THEY WERE, HOWEVER, REASSURED BY THE ADMINISTRATION THAT THE EQUIVALENT POWER IN THE IMPORT AND EXPORT ORDINANCE HAD NOT GIVEN RISE TO DIFFICULTIES IN THE PAST.
/MEMBERS ALSO .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
MEMBERS ALSO EXPRESSED RESERVATION OVER THE PROVISION UNDER CLAUSE 14(4) WHICH STIPULATED THAT ANYTHING SEIZED BASED ON REASONABLE SUSPICION THAT AN OFFENCE HAD BEEN COMMITTED UNDER THE ORDINANCE WAS LIABLE TO FORFEITURE.
"IT WAS CONSIDERED UNACCEPTABLE TO FORFEIT THINGS SO SEIZED IF THERE WAS NO BREACH OF THE ORDINANCE. THE ADMINISTRATION AGREED AND AN AMENDMENT WOULD BE MADE TO CONFINE THE POWER OF FORFEITURE TO THINGS WHICH WERE THE SUBJECT OF AN OFFENCE," PROF POON SAID.
MEMBERS NOTED THAT THE REGULATIONS TO BE MADE UNDER THE ORDINANCE COULD, AMONG OTHER THINGS, IMPOSE A MAXIMUM FINE OF <.'P SI.000,000 AND A MAXIMUM PRISON SENTENCE OF TWO YEARS FOR CERTAIN OFFENCES.
IN VIEW OF THE HEAVY PENALTIES INVOLVED, MEMBERS CONSIDERED THAT THE REGULATIONS SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO AN AFFIRMATIVE APPROVAL PROCEDURE RATHER THAN THE NEGATIVE PROCEDURE PROPOSED IN THE BILL.
THE ADMINISTRATION AGREED THAT REGULATIONS MADE UNDER THIS ORDINANCE, OTHER THAN THOSE WHICH ONLY PRESCRIDED FEES AND HAD TO BE MADE BEFORE JULY 1 THIS YEAR, WOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MEMBERS WERE, HOWEVER, PLEASED TO LEARN OF GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO MINIMISE THE USE OF THE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES, PROF POON ADDED.
TURNING TO THE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGISTRATION AND LICENSING SCHEME UNDER THE BILL, HE SAID MEMBERS HAD SOUGHT CONFIRMATION FROM THE ADMINISTRATION THAT FLEXIBILITY WOULD BE ADOPTED IN DEALING WITH COMPANIES WHICH HAD PROBLEMS AT THE TIME WHEN THE ADMINISTRATIVE QUOTA SYSTEM BECAME EFFECTIVE ON JULY 1, E.G. FAILURE TO OBTAIN A LICENCE TO COVER THE DELAYED ARRIVAL OF A SHIPMENT OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE BEFORE THAT DATE.
SECONDLY, TO ENSURE FAIRNESS TO ALL ,APPLICANTS, THE ADMINISTRATION AGREED THAT UNLESS UNDER SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, A UNIFORM PERIOD OF VALIDITY WOULD BE GIVEN TO ALL REGISTRATIONS.
THIRDLY, THERE WAS A DRAFTING AMBIGUITY IN CLAUSE 7(1) AS TO WHETHER AN ERROR OF THE DIRECTOR COULD ALSO RESULT IN A CANCELLATION OF A REGISTRATION OR LICENCE. MEMBERS STRONGLY FELT THAT THIS COULD CAUSE FINANCIAL LOSSES TO THE COMPANY THROUGH NO FAULT OF ITS OWN, AND WHOSE DECISION TO IMPORT WAS BASED ON THE REGISTRATION AND LICENCE BEING ISSUED.
ON THIS, THE ADMINISTRATION HAD AGREED THAT AN ERROR OF THE DIRECTOR WOULD NOT BE USED AS A MEANS TO PLACE ANY FURTHER RESTRICTIONS ON THE APPLICANT'S ABILITY TO IMPORT OR EXPORT THE SCHEDULED SUBSTANCES BEYOND THOSE RESTRICTIONS WHICH SHOULD HAVE APPLIED.
/LASTLY, MEMBERS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
8
LASTLY, MEMBERS HAD SOUGHT CLARIFICATION THAT THE PRESCRIBED REGISTRATION FEE UNDER CLAUSE 5(1) WAS ONLY PAYABLE AFTER THE REHISTRATION HAS BEEN APPROVED.
ON CALLS FOR A TIGHTER TIME-TABLE FOR PHASING OUT CFC'S AND HALONS, AND FOR CONTROLS OVER OTHER OZONE DEPLETING COMPOUNDS, E.G CARBON TETRACHLORIDE AND METHYL CHLOROFORM, PROF POON SAID THAT IN VIEW OF THE URGENCY IN THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL, MEMBERS FELT THAT THIS NEW AREA OF LEGISLATIVE AND QUOTA CONTROL SHOULD BE GIVEN A CHANCE TO WORK AND BE REVIEWED IN A YEAR’S TIME.
“THE SCOPE OF THE PRESENT BILL ACTUALLY COVERS ANY FUTURE NEED TO TIGHTEN UP CONTROLS WHICH MIGHT BE DEEMED APPROPRIATE AS A RESULT OF TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT OR ARISING FROM FUTURE CHANGES TO THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL,” HE NOTED.
----------0--------------
EASING BURDEN ON CONSUMER COUNCIL MEMBERS ♦ * ♦ * ♦
PROPOSALS HAVE BEEN MADE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS APPOINTED TO THE CONSUMER COUNCIL IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE BURDEN ON MEMBERS AND TO ALLOW FOR A WIDER SELECTION OF PROFESSIONS AND BACKGROUNDS. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY. THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989. SIR PIERS SAID IT WAS PROPOSED THAT UP TO 20 MEMBERS MIGHT BE APPOINTED TO THE COUNCIL.
"THIS REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF UP TO FIVE EXTRA MEMBERS. CONSEQUENTIAL TO THIS INCREASE. THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES THAT A MAJORITY OF MEMBERS WILL FORM A QUORUM FOR MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL,” HE ADDED.
SIR PIERS SAID THAT OVER THE YEARS THE COUNCIL’S WORKLOAD HAD INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY.
’’FURTHERMORE, MANY CONSUMER PROTECTION ISSUES ARE BECOMING MORE COMPLEX AND DIFFICULT TO RESOLVE. THIS HAS PLACED AN INCREASED BURDEN ON MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.” HE ADDED.
THE CONSUMER COUNCIL WAS INCORPORATED IN 1977. AND SECTION 6 OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL ORDINANCE PROVIDED FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A CHAIRMAN, AND NOT LESS THAN 13 NOR MORE THAN 15 MEMBERS. HE SAID.
IN 1985 THE ORDINANCE WAS AMENDED TO PROVIDE I OR THE APPOINTMENT OF A VICE-CHAIRMAN.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21. 1989
9 tl
BILL SIMPLIFIES CONTROLS ON DUTIABLE COMMODITIES »♦*♦♦♦
THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1989 SEEKS TO SIMPLIFY AND IMPROVE THE LICENSING AND PERMIT CONTROLS ON DUTIABLE COMMODITIES. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY. THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS. SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL. SIR PIERS SAID THE CONTROLS. INTRODUCED IN THE 1930’S FOR THE PROTECTION OF PUBLIC REVENUE. HAD OUTLIVED THEIR USEFULNESS IN THEIR PRESENT FORM.
"THIS BILL. IF ENACTED, WILL EXCLUDE FROM LICENSING AND PERMIT CONTROLS CERTAIN GOODS CONTAINING LIQUOR. HYDROCARBON OIL OR METHYL ALCOHOL.
"IT ALSO PROPOSES CERTAIN MINOR CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS FOLLOWING THE ABOLITION AND CONSOLIDATION OF A NUMBER OF LICENCES." HE SAID.
THE PROPOSALS WOULD REDUCE COST AND ELIMINATE INCONVENIENCE TO THE TRADE. AND WOULD RESULT IN A REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF LICENCES AND PERMITS ISSUED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
----------0--------------
ELECTRICITY BILL PROVIDES FOR CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION
*****
THE MOST IMPORTANT FEATURE OF THE ELECTRICITY BILL 1989 IS THE PROVISION FOR A REGISTRATION SYSTEM FOR ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS UNDER THE REGISTRATION REGULATIONS. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY. THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS. SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL. SIR PIERS SAID ALL ELECTRICIAL CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO BE REGISTERED AFTER MEETING CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT ELECTRICAL WORK WAS UNDERTAKEN ONLY BY QUALIFIED PEOPLE.
"AS A GENERAL RULE. ONLY REGISTERED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS MAY BE EMPLOYED TO UNDERTAKE ELECTRICAL WORK.
"IN TURN. THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO ENGAGE REGISTERED ELECTRICAL WORKERS WHO ARE QUALIFIED TO CARRY OUT THE WORK IN QUESTION." HE SAID.
/ANOTHER FEATURE .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 198'9
10
ANOTHER FEATURE OF THE BILL, SIR PIERS SAID, PROVIDED FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF SUPPLY VOLTAGE REGULATIONS TO REGULATE THE SUPPLY VOLTAGE.
THE GOVERNMENT WAS EXAMINING THE IMPLICATIONS OF UPGRADING THE SUPPLY VOLTAGE IN HONG KONG.
THE BILL ALSO SOUGHT TO REPLACE THE EXISTING ELECTRICITY SUPPLY ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE A NEW REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR ELECTRICITY-RELATED MATTERS.
"IT DELINEATES THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE GOVERNMENT. THE SUPPLY COMPANIES. THE ELECTRICAL TRADE. AND LASTLY CONSUMERS.
"IT ALSO ACTS AS THE ENABLING LEGISLATION FOR SIX SETS OF REGULATIONS WHICH EMBODY THE TECHNICAL AND DETAILED MEASURES." HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID THE EXISTING ORDINANCE HAD BEEN ENACTED IN 1911 AND HAD LONG REQUIRED A MAJOR OVERHAUL TO INCORPORATE NEW PROVISIONS UPDATING ITS REGULATORY AND SAFETY ASPECTS.
THREE ROUNDS OF CONSULTATION HAD BEEN CONDUCTED WITH CONCERNED PARTIES BEFORE THE ADMINISTRATION COMPLETED THE DRAFT BILL.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDED FOR. THE MAKING OF WIRING REGULATIONS AND ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS (SAFETY) REGULATIONS. THE FORMER SET OUT THE MINIMUM SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE WIRING OF ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS, WHILE THE LATTER PRESCRIBED THE MINIMUM SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS FOR LOCAL USE.
SIR PIERS SAID ELECTRICITY SUPPLY REGULATIONS WOULD COVER THE TECHNICAL STANDARDS TO WHICH THE SUPPLY COMPANIES SHOULD MAINTAIN THEIR INSTALLATIONS AND WOULD REPLACE THE EXISTING ELECTRICITY SUPPLY REGULATIONS.
THE EXISTING PROVISIONS OF THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY (SPECIAL AREAS) REGULATIONS CONTROLLED THE SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY IN SQUATTER AREAS, TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS AND THOSE AREAS DESIGNATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING. AND THESE REGULATIONS WOULD BE RETAINED WITH MINOR AMENDMENTS.
"TO ENSURE THAT THE BILL AND ITS SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION ARE PROPERLY ENFORCED, THERE IS PROVISION FOR THE SETTING UP OF A DISCIPLINARY TRIBUNAL TO HEAR CASES CONCERNING REGISTERED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS OR WORKERS, AND AN INDEPENDENT APPEAL BOARD TO HEAR ANY APPEAL CASES UNDER THIS LEGISLATION," SIR PIERS SAID.
AFTER ENACTMENT IT WAS THE INTENTION THAT THE LEGISLATION WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED IN PHASES IN ORDER TO MINIMISE DISRUPTION TO THE PUBLIC AND TO THE ELECTRICAL TRADE.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS AJOURNED.
0
/Il
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21. 1989
11 LOCALISATION OF MERCHANT SHIPPING LEGISLATION * * * » *
THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF POLLUTION) BILL 1989 PROVIDES LOCAL LEGISLATION TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF TWO INTERNATIONAL MARITIME CONVENTIONS AIMED AT THE PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF MARITIME POLLUTION INCIDENTS. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY. THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS. TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL. SIR PIERS SAID BOTH OF THE CONVENTIONS ALREADY APPLIED TO HONG KONG BUT THEY HAD BEEN GIVEN LEGISLATIVE BACKING BY VIRTUE OF UNITED KINGDOM ENACTMENTS.
"THESE UK ENACTMENTS NEED TO BE REPLACED BY EQUIVALENT LOCAL LEGISLATION BEFORE 1997 SO THAT THERE IS A CONTINUITY OF LEGAL BACKING.
"THIS BILL. IF ENACTED. WILL PROVIDE THAT CONTINUITY." HE SAID.
THE TWO CONVENTIONS ARE THE 1969 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION RELATING TO INTERVENTION ON THE HIGH SEAS AND ITS PROTOCOL OF 1973 (KNOWN AS THE INTERVENTION CONVENTION): AND THE 1973 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE PREVENTION OF POLLUTION FROM SHIPS AND ITS PROTOCOL OF 1978 (KNOWN AS MARPOL 73/78).
SIR PIERS SAID THAT ESSENTIALLY THE BILL DID NOT INTRODUCE ANY CHANGES OF SUBSTANCE TO THE EXISTING PROVISIONS.
"THE UNITED KINGDOM LEGISLATION IS MERELY BEING REPLACED BY HONG KONG LEGISLATION HAVING THE SAME EFFECT.
"THIS PROCESS OF 'LOCALISATION’ OF THE UK LEGISLATION INVOLVES LARGELY THE SUBSTITUTION OF REFERENCES TO UK AUTHORITIES BY REFERENCES TO HONG KONG AUTHORITIES." THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
THE BILL IMPLEMENTED THE PROVISIONS OF THE INTERVENTION CONVENTION AND MARPOL 73/78 BY EMPOWERING THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE SUCH MEASURES ON THE HIGH SEAS AS MIGHT BE NECESSARY TO PREVENT. MITIGATE OR ELIMINATE DANGER TO OUR COASTLINE BY MARINE POLLUTION BY OIL AND OTHER SUBSTANCES. FOLLOWING A MARITIME CASUALTY. SIR PIERS EXPLAINED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-------0
/12 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
12
PROVISIONS FOR DEALING WITH OIL SPILL DAMAGE
*****
THE INTRODUCTION OF THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (LIABILITY AND COMPENSATION FOR OIL POLLUTION) BILL 1989 WILL ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO ENACT PROVISIONS OF TWO INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS DEALING WITH LIABILITY AND COMPENSATION RESULTING FROM DAMAGE CAUSED BY MARITIME OIL SPILLAGE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, SIR PIERS SAID ITS PURPOSE WAS TO REPLACE EXISTING UNITED KINGDOM ENACTMENTS WHICH APPLY TO HONG KONG WITH OUR OWN LEGISLATION HAVING SIMILAR PROVISIONS.
"THIS WILL ENSURE THAT CONTINUITY OF LEGAL BACKING BEYOND 1997 IS GIVEN TO INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS ON MARITIME POLLUTION," HE SAID.
"THE BILL IMPLEMENTS THE PROVISIONS OF THESE CONVENTIONS BY IMPOSING CIVIL LIABILITY ON SHIPOWNERS FOR POLLUTION DAMAGE IN HONG KONO CAUSED BY THE ESCAPE OF OIL FROM BULK CARRIERS, WHETHER THE CASUALTY TAKES PLACE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE HONG KONG WATERS," SIR PIERS EXPLAINED.
"THAT LIABILITY IS EXTENDED TO POLLUTION DAMAGE ARISING FROM THE SAME INCIDENT TO ANY ADJACENT COUNTRY ADHERING TO THE CONVENTION,” HE ADDED.
THE TWO CONVENTIONS ARE THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON CIVIL LIABILITY FOR OIL POLLUTION DAMAGE, 1969 (KNOWN AS THE LIABILITY CONVENTION); AND THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR COMPENSATION FOR OIL POLLUTION DAMAGE, 1971 (KNOWN AS THE FUND CONVENTION).
SIR PIERS SAID THE BILL ALSO REQUIRED ALL HONG KONG REGISTERED SHIPS, WHEREVER THEY MIGHT BE, AND OTHER SHIPS IN HONG KONG WATERS, IF IN EITHER CASE THEY WERE BULK OIL CARRIERS, TO CARRY VALID CERTIFICATES OF INSURANCE COVERING THE OWNER’S LIABILITY.
"THE BILL IMPLEMENTS THE FUND CONVENTION BY DETAILING THE FUND’S LIABILITY TO COMPENSATE FOR OIL POLLUTION DAMAGE ARISING FROM A MARITIME CASUALTY, AND PROVIDES FOR PAYMENT OF CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FUND IN RESPECT OF OIL IMPORTED INTO HONG KONG BY SEA," HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
_ _ _ _ o - - - -
/13 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
13
BILL LOWERS AGE OF MAJORITY *****
THE LAW REFORM (LEGAL EFFECTS OF AGE) BILL 1989 WILL LOWER THE AGE OF MAJORITY AND WILL EFFECT CHANGES IN THE LAW RELATING TO MINORS' CONTRACTS, WILLS AND COMPANIES, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. THE HON JEREMY' MATHEWS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL. MR MATHEWS SAID IT GAVE EFFECT TO THE MAIN RECOMMENDATION IN A REPORT BY THE LAK REFORM COMMISSION ON THE EFFECTS OF AGE IN CIVIL LAW.
THE REPORT. WHICH WAS PUBLISHED IN APRIL 1986. RECOMMENDED, IN ESSENCE, THAT THE AGE AT WHICH A PERSON ATTAINED FULL LEGAL CAPACITY SHOULD, FOR MOST PURPOSES, BE REDUCED FROM 21 TO 18.
MR MATHEWS EXPLAINED THAT THE LAW AT PRESENT DEFINED "A MINOR" AS A PERSON WHO HAD NOT ATTAINED THE AGE OF 21.
HE SAID THE PROTECTION OFFERED BY THE LAW TO MINORS IN LIMITING THEIR CAPACITY TO MAKE CONTRACTS AND TO DEAL WITH PROPERTY MIGHT ACT TO THE MINOR’S DETRIMENT IN BOTH HIS PERSONAL AND BUSINESS LIFE.
"IT IS FELT THERE IS NO GOOD REASON WHY YOUNG PERSONS WHO ARE WORKING AND ENJOYING A DEGREE OF FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE SHOULD SUFFER THESE CONSTRAINTS.
"FROM VARIOUS SURVEYS AND STUDIES. THE COMMISSION CONCLUDED THAT AT 18 YEARS OF AGE MOST YOUNG PERSONS HAVE ATTAINED THE NECESSARY INDEPENDENCE.
"CLAUSES 2 AND 6 OF THE BILL THEREFORE PROVIDE FOR THE AGE OF MAJORITY TO BE REDUCED TO 18." HE SAID.
MR MATHEWS SAID THERE WERE THREE AMENDMENTS TO THE LAW RELATING TO MINORS:' CONTRACTS.
THE FIRST AMENDMENT RELATED TO GUARANTEES.
"UNDER THE COMMON LAW, A PERSON ENTERING INTO A GUARANTEE OF AN OBLIGATION INCURRED BY A MINOR MAY AVOID LIABILITY' UNDER THE GUARANTEE IF THE MINOR FAILS TO FULFILL HIS OR HER CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION ON THE GROUND OF AGE.
"THIS COULD LEAD TO INJUSTICE, AND A GUARANTEE IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD NO LONGER BE UNENFORCEABLE AGAINST THE GUARANTOR FOR THAT REASON ALONE. CLAUSE 3 OF THE BILL SO PROVIDES," HE EXPLAINED.
THE SECOND AMENDMENT. IN RELATION TO CONTRACTS WITH MINORS, REFERRED TO SECTION 46 OF THE DISTRICT COURT ORDINANCE WHICH REMOVED THE DEFENCE OF MINORITY IN RESPECT OF CLAIMS OF UP TO $60,000 BROUGHT IN THE DISTRICT COURT.
/"THIS PROVISION .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1959
14
"THIS PROVISION FINDS NO COUNTERPART IN RELATION TO CLAJNS BROUGHT IN THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL OR THE SUPREME COURT AND IS TIP S ANOMALOUS.
"THE COMMISSION TOOK THE VIEW THAT THE HISTORICAL BASIS F R THE PROVISION NO LONGER HELD. AND THAT THE EROSION OF THE PROTECTION GIVEN BY THE COMMON LAW SHOULD BE REVERSED.
"CLAUSE 17 OF THE BILL SEEKS TO REVERSE THAT EROSION AND T > RESTORE THE DEFENCE OF MINORITY IN ALL ACTIONS BROUGHT IN THE DISTRICT COURT IN RESPECT OF AGREEMENTS MADE AFTER THE COMMENCEMENT DATE THIS BILL." MR MATHEWS SAID.
THE THIRD AMENDMENT WAS IN RELATION TO THE SALE OF PROPERTY < ' GOODS TO MINORS.
MR MATHEWS SAID THAT EXCEPT IN THE CASE OF THE ANOMALY l’> WHICH HE HAD REFERRED. THE PRESENT LAW AFFORDED NO REMEDY AGAINST MINOR. WHO. UNDER A CONTRACT, OBTAINED GOODS OR PROPERTY NOT REGARDED AS NECESSARY FOR HIM AND WHO THEN FAILED TO PAY FOR THEM.
"A DISHONEST MINOR COULD TAKE UNFAIR ADVANTAGE OF HIS PROTECT! POSITION. IT IS FELT THEREFORE THAT SOME REMEDY SHOULD BE AVAILABLE AGAINST HIM IN SUCH CASES.
"CLAUSE 4 EMPOWERS A COURT, WHERE IT CONSIDERS IT JUST AND EQUITABLE. TO REQUIRE A MINOR RESTORE PROPERTY TO THE OTHER PARTY," 1U SAID.
AS REGARDS WILLS, MR MATHEWS SAID CLAUSES 11 AND 12 AMENDED THE WILLS ORDINANCE TO ENABLE A PERSON WHO HAD ATTAINED 18 YEARS OI AGE TO MAKE A VALID WILL.
CLAUSE 13 PROVIDED FOR THE AGE FOR APPOINTMENT AS A DIRECTOI OF A COMPANY TO BE REDUCED TO 18. AND FOR SIMILAR CHANGES TO BE MAPI IN RESPECT OF CERTAIN OTHER AGE RESTRICTIONS IN THE COMPAN1I ORDINANCE.
IN RESPECT OF TRUSTEES AND PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES, THE Bl LI MAINTAINED THE PRESENT POSITION AND PROVIDED THAT THE AGE AT WHICH A PERSON MIGHT ACT AS A SOLE TRUSTEE OR MIGHT BE GRANTED ADMINISTRATION OR PROBATE IN THEIR OWN RIGHT BE RETAINED AT 21.
"THIS IS BECAUSE THERE SHOULD BE A DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE APPROPRIATE AGE FOR DEALING FREELY WITH ONE'S OWN PROPERTY OR ESTATE AND FOR CARRYING FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROPERTY OR ESTATE OF OTHER PERSONS.
"THE AGE OF 21 SHOULD BE. AS IN EFFECT IT IS NOW, THE MINIMI A AGE FOR BEING GRANTED PROBATE AS SOLE EXECUTOR OF A WILL. 01 APPOINTMENT AS A SOLE TRUSTEE," MR MATHEWS EXPLAINED.
HE SAID THE BILL WOULD REMOVE THE ANACHRONISM WHEREBY AT COMMON LAW A PERSON WAS HELD TO REACH A PARTICULAR AGE ON THE DAY PRECEDING HIS BIRTHDAY.
/CLAUSE 5 .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
t
15
CLAUSE 5 PROVIDED THAT IN FUTURE A PARTICULAR AGE SHOULD BE ATTAINED. AS ONI WOULD EXPECT. ON THE DAY OF THE BIRTHDAY. '
'IP MATHEWS SAID THE BILL IMPLEMENTED THE MAIN RECOMMENDATION OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION REPORT.
AS IHE OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS COVERED A WIDE RANGE OF DISPARATE SUBJECTS. IT WAS INTENDED THAT THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS SHOULD BE DEALT WITH IN SEPARATE LEGISLATION.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
- --------0 - - - -
EXTENSION 01 FUND TO INCLUDE SEVERANCE PAYMENTS PROPOSED i * t ♦ ♦
AMENDMENT OF THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY ORDINANCE TO EXTEND COVERAGE OF THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND TO SEVERANCE PAYMENTS UP TO $4,000 PER EMPLOYEE WAS PROPOSED IN THE LEGISLATE E UOL’NC I I. TODAY I WEDNESDAY I .
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989. THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER. THI 1ION RON BRIDGE. SAID THE OPERATION OF THE FUND HAD RECENTLY DEEN REVIEWED. AND A CONCLUSION REACHED THAT ITS SCOPE SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO GIVE SOME HELP WITH SEVERANCE PAYMENTS.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE OBJECT OF THE FUND WAS TO PROVIDE HELP QUICKLY FOR EMPLOYEES WHEN THEIR EMPLOYERS BECAME INSOLVENT. AT THE MOMENT Till FUND COVERED WAGES IN ARREARS AND UNPAID WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE.
"THESE PAYMENTS ARE INTENDED TO TIDE AN EMPLOYEE OVER THE DIFFICULT PERIOD AFTER THE SUDDEN LOSS OF EMPLOYMENT.
"OUR AIM IS GRADUALLY TO IMPROVE THE PROTECTION GIVEN TO EMPLOYEES BY THIS FUND.” HE SAID.
MR BRIDGE SAID IT WAS CONSIDERED PRUDENT TO LIMIT THE HELP WITH SEVERANCE PAYMENTS NOW PROPOSED TO $4,000 PER EMPLOYEE IN THE FIRST INSTANCE BECAUSE THE FUND HAD ONLY BEEN IN OPERATION FOR A FEW YEARS. AND ITS FUTURE FINANCIAL POSITION WAS DIFFICULT TO FORESEE.
HE SAID THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND BOARD AND THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD BOTH AGREED THAT THE FUND SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE SEVERANCE PAYMENTS.
"AS REGARDS THE AMOUNT OF PAYMENT. A MAJORITY OF THE FUND BOARD FAVOUR THE CAUTIOUS APPROACH OF LIMIT OF $4,000 PER EMPLOYEE IN THE FIRST INSTANCE.
/'•THERE IS .........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
16
’’THERE IS A RANGE OF VIEWS IN THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD . SOME FAVOUR A LIMIT OF $2,000. SOME OF $4,000 AND SOME OF $8,000.
"HAVING CONSIDERED THE VIEWS OF THE TWO BOARDS, OUR VIEW IS THAT IT WOULD BE REASONABLE TO MAKE A START WITH A $4,000 LIMIT AND REVIEW THE SITUATION ONE YEAR AFTER THE EXTENSION COMES INFO EFFECT, HE SAID.
MR BRIDGE SAID THE BILL ALSO PROVIDED FOR A NEW FOUR-MONTH TIME BAR ON APPLICATIONS FOR WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE AND SEVERANCE PAYMENTS IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS LONG AFTER EMPLOYMENT HAD ENDED. IT ALSO MADE A CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURED.
----------0 - - - -
RELAXATION OF LAW ON CHILDREN CYCLISTS PROPOSED
*****
THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1989 WOULD RELAX THE PRESENT REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING CHILDREN CYCLISTS. THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT. THE,HON MICHAEL LEUNG. TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL. MR LEUNG SAID THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE STIPULATED THAT NO PERSON SHOULD HIRE A BICYCLE OR TRICYCLE TO A CHILD UNDER 11 YEARS OLD OR PERMIT SUCH A CHILD TO RIDE A BICYCLE OR TRICYCLE ON A ROAD WITHOUT ADULT SUPERVISION.
HOWEVER, IN RECENT YEARS, THE GOVERNMENT HAD PROVIDED CYCLEWAYS AND CYCLE PARKS WHICH WERE SEGREGATED FROM VEHICULAR TRAFFIC AND WHERE YOUNG CHILDREN COULD SAFELY CYCLE, HE SAID.
TO ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO USE SUCH OFF-STREET CYCLING FACILITIES, THE BILL SOUGHT TO AMEND SECTION 54 OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE.
THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL WOULD ALLOW UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 11 TO RIDE BICYCLES OR TRICYCLES IN AREAS WHICH THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT CONSIDERED SUITABLE AND SET ASIDE FOR SUCH PURPOSES.
"ONCE IDENTIFIED, THESE AREAS WILL BE SUITABLY SIGNPOSTED.
"THE HIRING OF BICYCLES OR TRICYCLES TO CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 11 WILL ALSO BE ALLOWED WITHIN SUCH AREAS AND THE IMMEDIATE ADJOINING LAND WHERE THE DRIVING OF MOTOR VEHICLES IS PROHIBITED. MR LEUNG SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-------0 - - - -
/17 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21. 1989
17
TOUGHER PROVISIONS AGAINST ILLEGAL GAMBLING PROPOSED
♦ » « » ♦
THE GAMBLING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 WILL NOT ONLY PROVIDE A MEANS TO CRACK DOWN ON ILLEGAL GAMBLING, IT WILL ALSO GO A LONG WAY TO HELP IN THE FIGHT AGAINST TRIAD AND OTHER ORGANISED CRIME SYNDICATES, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR BARNES SAID IT AIMED TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES FOR THOSE CONVICTED OF ILLEGAL GAMBLING OFFENCES, AND TO TIGHTEN UP THE PROVISIONS OF THE GAMBLING ORDINANCE TO ALLOW MORE EFFECTIVE ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW.
"ILLEGAL GAMBLING GENERATES LARGE PROFITS FOR THE SYNDICATES WHICH RUN SUCH OPERATIONS." HE SAID.
"PROFITS FROM ILLEGAL GAMBLING ARE THOUGHT TO BE THE SECOND MAJOR SOURCE OF INCOME, AFTER DRUG TRAFFICKING. FOR TRIAD AND OTHER ORGANISED CRIME SYNDICATES IN HONG KONG.
"BUT IN GENERAL THE LEVELS OF SENTENCES AWARDED FOR OFFENCES ASSOCIATED WITH ILLEGAL GAMBLING AND BOOKMAKING HAVE BEEN LOW.
PROPOSALS TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES FOR ILLEGAL GAMBLING OFFENCES WERE,PUT FORWARD IN THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE’S DISCUSSION DOCUMENT "OPTIONS FOR CHANGES IN THE LAW AND IN THE ADMINISTRATION ‘OF THE LAW TO COUNTER THE TRIAD PROBLEM".
MR BARNES SAID THE PROPOSALS INCLUDED MANDATORY PRISON SENTENCES AND MINIMUM FINES FOR PEOPLE CONVICTED OF RUNNING ILLEGAL GAMBLING SYNDICATES.
"HOWEVER. MANDATORY SENTENCES DEPRIVE THE COURTS OF DISCRETION AND FLEXIBILITY TO MEET THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF INDIVIDUAL CASES," HE SAID.
THEREFORE, HE SAID, THE BILL PROPOSED INSTEAD IN CLAUSES 3, 5 AND 7 A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THE MAXIMUM FINES FOR OPERATORS OF ILLEGAL GAMBLING ENTERPRISES FROM $500,000 TO $5 MILLION.
"THIS INCREASE WILL ENABLE THE SYNDICATES WHICH RUN ILLEGAL GAMBLING OPERATIONS TO BE HIT WHERE IT HURTS THEM MOST ------- IN THE POCKET," MR BARNES EXPLAINED.
"THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES INCREASES IN THE MAXIMUM SENTENCES FOR OTHER ILLEGAL GAMBLING OFFENCES SO AS TO DETER PEOPLE FROM PATRONISING ILLEGAL GAMBLING ESTABLISHMENTS," HE SAID.
CLAUSES 4. 6, 8 AND 9 WOULD PROVIDE A SCALE OF MAXIMUM SENTENCES FOR THE FIRST, SECOND, AND THIRD AND SUBSEQUENT CONVICTIONS FOR ILLEGAL GAMBLING.
/SENTENCES RANGED .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
18
SENTENCES RANGED FROM $10,000 AND THREE MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT (THE CURRENT MAXIMUM PENALTY) ON FIRST CONVICTION, TO $30,000 AND NINE MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT ON THIRD AND SUBSEQUENT CONVICTIONS.
TURNING TO OTHER AMENDMENTS WHICH AIMED TO FACILITATE ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW, MR BARNES SAID CLAUSE 2 BROADENED THE DEFINITIONS OF "BOOKMAKING" AND "BETTING SLIP" TO INCLUDE THE SETTLING OF A BET.
"THIS IS TO REMOVE THE PRESENT ANOMALY WHEREBY THE PAYMENT OF ILLEGAL WINNINGS DOES NOT OF ITSELF CONSTITUTE EVIDENCE OF A BOOKMAKING OFFENCE," HE SAID.
CLAUSE 5 REMOVED THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CONSENT TO LAY A CHARGE OF "ASSISTING" IN BOOKMAKING, TO ALLOW PROSECUTORS MORE FLEXIBILITY IN LAYING CHARGES AGAINST PERSONS INVOLVED IN THE RUNNING OF BOOKMAKING SYNDICATES.
CLAUSE 11 AIMED TO SAVE THE TIME OF THE COURTS, THE POLICE AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, BY ALLOWING THE COURTS OF THEIR OWN MOTION TO ORDER DISCONNECTION OF TELEPHONE SERVICES TO PREMISES USED FOR ILLEGAL GAMBLING OR BOOKMAKING PURPOSES.
MR BARNES SAID THAT AT PRESENT APPLICATIONS HAD TO BE MADE BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
"UNDER CLAUSE 12 OF THE BILL A REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTION IS CREATED. THAT'WHERE AUTHORISED ENTRY OF A POLICE OFFICER IS DELAYED, THE DELAY IS FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBSTRUCTION, AND CONSTITUTES AN OFFENCE.
"THIS PROVISION IS INTENDED TO COMBAT OPERATORS OF ILLEGAL GAMBLING ENTERPRISES WHO DELAY THE ENTRY OF THE POLICE IN ORDER TO DESTROY EVIDENCE AND CONCEAL GAMBLING MONEY WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE BE LIABLE TO FORFEITURE," MR BARNES EXPLAINED.
CLAUSE 13 EXTENDED THE POWER TO ORDER FORFEITURE OF MONEY, ILLEGAL GAMBLING EQUIPMENT AND PROPERTY FROM MAGISTRATE TO ALL COURTS.
"THIS MEASURE WILL HELP SAVE THE TIME OF THE COURTS," MR BARNES SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
- 0 - - - -
/19 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21. 1989
19
FIRST REPORT OF BROADCASTING AUTHORITY PUBLISHED
*****
THE FIRST YEAR OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY IBA) WAS A BUSY AND CHALLENGING ONE IN VIEW OF THE EXPIRY OF THE LICENCES OF TVB LTD. AND ATV LTD. ON NOVEMBER 30. 1988.
SET UP IN SEPTEMBER 1987 UNDER THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY ORDINANCE. THE BA UNDERTOOK A COMPLETE REVIEW OF THE LICENSING CONDITIONS OF THE TWO STATIONS AND SUBMITTED RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR THE GRANT OF THE NEW LICENCES.
THIS IS AMONG THE SUBJECTS COVERED IN THE FIRST REPORT OF THE BA ON THE PROGRESS OF TELEVISION BROADCASTING IN HONG KONG.
TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE REPORT REVIEWS THE WORK OF BA BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1987 AND AUGUST 1988.
ACCORDING TO THE REPORT. THE WORK OF AMENDING THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE AND REVIEWING THE LICENSING CONDITIONS. EXAMINING THE REORGANISATION AND CAPITAL INVESTMENT PROPOSALS OF THE PROSPECTIVE LICENSEES, AS WELL AS REVIEWING THE CODES OF PRACTICE, WERE COMPLEX TASKS REQUIRING THOROUGH AND DETAILED STUDY.
THESE TASKS WERE PERFORMED WITH THE AIM OF ENSURING A HIGH QUALITY OF BROADCASTING TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
ON CABLE TELEVISION, THE BA WAS INVITED BY THE ADMINISTRATION TO COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED CONDITIONS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CABLE TV.
THE BA MADE A NUMBER OF SUGGESTIONS ON THE CORPORATE STRUCTURE OF THE LICENSEE. RESTRICTIONS ON FOREIGN OWNERSHIP AND THE PERIOD OF LICENCE, AFTER MAKING REFERENCE TO THE NEW LICENSING CONDITIONS FOR WIRELESS TV LICENSEES.
THE BA WAS SUBSEQUENTLY ASKED TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY INTO A SUITABLE SYSTEM OF CABLE TV FOR HONG KONG AND THE LEGISLATIVE, TECHNICAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION, INCLUDING A DETAILED EXAMINATION AND ASSESSMENT OF ALL CABLE TV PROPOSALS SUBMITTED.
REGARDING OTHER ASPECTS OF BROADCASTING, THE BA ALSO GAVE ADVICE ON REMOVING THE NEED FOR A LICENCE FOR "TELEVISION RECEIVE ONLY" SATELLITE DISHES AND THE INTRODUCTION OF LIMITED SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION SERVICES FOR HOTELS.
DURING THE YEAR UNDER REVIEW, THE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE OF THE BA DEALT WITH 433 COMPLAINTS. OF THESE, 275 COMPLAINTS WERE ABOUT PROGRAMME STANDARDS, WITH 251 ON TVB PROGRAMMES AND 24 ON ATV PROGRAMMES.
/SUBSEQUENTLY 10
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
20
SUBSEQUENTLY 10 WARNING LETTERS AND 36 ADVISORY LETTERS WERE ISSUED TO THE TWO LICENSEES.
IN ONE CASE, THE COMMITTEE CONSIDERED THAT THE VIOLENCE IN A DRAMA EPISODE DEPICTING THE BRUTAL KILLING OF A FAMILY WAS EXCESSIVE AND IN THIS CASE THE CONTRAVENTION OF THE CODE OF PRACTICE ON PROGRAMME STANDARDS MERITED A FINANCIAL PENALTY. A FINE OF $20,000 WAS THEREFORE IMPOSED.
OTHER COMPLAINTS DEALT WITH BY THE COMMITTEE INCLUDED 45 COMPLAINTS ABOUT TELEVISION ADVERTISEMENTS. ACTION TAKEN INCLUDED, IN SOME CASES, REQUIRING CHANGES TO BE MADE TO THE ADVERTISEMENTS CONCERNED AND, IN OTHER CASES. WITHDRAWAL OF THE ENTIRE ADVERTISEMENT.
ON PUBLIC CONSULTATION, THE REPORT SAYS THAT CONSULTATION WAS AN IMPORTANT MEANS OF KEEPING ABREAST OF THE CHANGING TASTES AND OPINIONS OF THE PUBLIC.
IT GOES ON TO SAY THAT CLOSE LIAISON WAS MAINTAINED WITH THE DISTRICT-BASED TELEVISION HOME VIEWING GROUPS WHICH PROVIDED USEFUL COMMENT AND ADVICE TO THE BA.
THE GROUP MEMBERS WERE GENERALLY SATISFIED WITH THE QUALITY OF STATION-PRODUCED PROGRAMMES AND ADVERTISING MATERIAL. THERE WERE FAVOURABLE COMMENTS ON DOCUMENTARIES, PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAMMES AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAMMES.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THERE WAS CRITICISM OF UNWARRANTED AND EXCESSIVE VIOLENCE IN A NUMBER OF PROGRAMMES.
THE BA FOUND THAT DURING THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW, THE LICENSEES GENERALLY COMPLIED WITH THE REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE, THE CODES OF PRACTICE AND THE LICENCE CONDITIONS.
THE REPORT ANTICIPATES THAT THE COMING YEAR WOULD BE EQUALLY CHALLENGING AS THE BA WOULD BE ENGAGED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW PROVISIONS IN THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE AND IN THE CODES OF PRACTICE AND THE LICENCES.
---------0--------------
/21 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21. 1989
21
WHITE PAPER ON POLLUTION TABLED * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE PROPOSALS IN THE WHITE PAPER ON POLLUTION WILL LEAD TO GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE OF SOME $20 BILLION OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS. THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS. THE HON KENNETH KWOK. TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN TABLING THE DOCUMENT. MR KWOK SAID THE EXPENDITURE, AT 1988 PRICES. WOULD BE EARMARKED MOSTLY FOR MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS. IN PARTICULAR THE NEW SEWERAGE SYSTEMS IN THE TERRITORY.
HE SAID THAT EXPENDITURE WOULD ALSO BE NEEDED BY THOSE INDIVIDUAL CONCERNS CONTRIBUTING TO THE POLLUTION AND THE COSTS SHOULD BE BUILT INTO THE ECONOMIC VIABILITY ASSESSMENTS FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS.
MR KWOK NOTED THAT THE WHITE PAPER WAS THE FIRST COMPREHENSIVE STATEMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S OBJECTIVES FOR TACKLING ALL FORMS OF POLLUTION RELATING TO WASTE. WATER, AIR AND NOISE. REGARDLESS OF SOURCE.
AS A BLUEPRINT FOR THE FUTURE, IT ALSO POINTED THE WAY FORWARD IN ENFORCEMENT. EDUCATION AND PLANNING IN SOLVING POLLUTION PROBLEMS.
MR KWOK EXPLAINED THAT IT HAD BEEN DECIDED TO PUBLISH A WHITE PAPER INSTEAD OF A GREEN PAPER BECAUSE TIME WAS OF THE ESSENCE.
NEVERTHELESS. THE GOVERNMENT WELCOMED PUBLIC COMMENTS, AND WOULD BE FOLLOWING NORMAL CONSULTATIVE PROCESSES WITH INDUSTRY AND WITH THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ON THE DOCUMENT.
0------------
PERIOD FOR LIMITING TAXI NUMBERS EXTENDED * * * t
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A MOTION TO EXTEND THE PERIOD OF LIMITATION ON THE NUMBER OF LICENSED TAXIS BY ONE YEAR TO JULY 7. 1990.
MOVING A MOTION UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE. THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT. THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG. SAID THE EFFECT OF THE EXTENSION WAS THAT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VEHICLES WHICH MIGHT BE REGISTERED AND LICENSED AS TAXIS WOULD REMAIN AT 14,800 FOR URBAN TAXIS, 2,838 FOR NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS AND 40 FOR LANTAU TAXIS.
v
/22 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
22
AMENDMENT TO PHARMACY AND POISONS REGULATIONS ♦ * t * ♦
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED AN AMENDMENT TO THE PHARMACY AND POISONS REGULATIONS WHICH WILL ENSURE THAT A PHARMACIST IS IN A BETTER POSITION TO CONTROL SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS AND PREVENT UNAUTHORISED SALE OF POISONS.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE. THE HON T.H. CHAU. EXPLAINED THAT THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD HAD RESOLVED TO AMEND REGULATION 19 TO REQUIRE THAT IN A RETAIL SHOP OR PREMISES ANY SPECIFIED POISON SHOULD BE STORED IN A RECEPTACLE WHICH WAS SECURELY LOCKED AND SITUATED IN A PART OF THE PREMISES INACCESSIBLE TO CUSTOMERS.
“THE PRESENT PROVISION ONLY REQUIRES THAT IT SHOULD BE SECURELY LOCKED OR SITUATED IN A PART OF THE PREMISES INACCESSIBLE TO CUSTOMERS.” MR CHAU SAID.
THE OPPORTUNITY WAS ALSO TAKEN TO REPLACE THE WORDS CUPBOARD OR DRAWER BY TflE BROADER TERM RECEPTACLE. HE ADDED.
THE COUNCIL PASSED MR CHAU’S MOTION. MOVED UNDER THE PHARMACY AND POISONS ORDINANCE. THAT IT APPROVE THE PHARMACY AND POISONS (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1989. AND THE POISONS LIST (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1989.
MR CHAU POINTED OUT THAT SECTION 29 OF THE PHARMACY AND POISONS ORDINANCE EMPOWERED THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD. SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. TO MAKE REGULATIONS PROVIDING FOR THE CONTROL OF PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS AND POISONS.
’’THE SCHEDULES TO THE PHARMACY AND POISONS REGULATIONS AND THE POISONS LIST SET OUT IN THE SCHEDULE TO THE POISONS LIST REGULATIONS ARE UPDATED BY THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD FROM TIME TO TIME WHEN NEW PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS REQUIRING CONTROL APPEAR ON THE MARKET.
’’THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE TWO SETS OF REGULATIONS REFLECT THE LATEST UPDATING OF THE SCHEDULES AND THE LIST BY THE BOARD.” HE SAID.
0
/23
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
23
ABOLITION OF DB CONSTITUENCIES OF ELECTORAL COLLEGE EXPLAINED
THE ABOLITION OF THE DISTRICT BOARD CONSTITUENCIES OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE IN 1991 IS TO AVOID HAVING TWO PARALLEL SYSTEMS OF GEOGRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION. THE HON DONALD LIAO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
’’THIS CHANGE WILL NOT, IN ANY WAY, AFFECT THE ADVISORY ROLE OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS,” MR LIAO SAID IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON LAM WAI-KEUNG.
MR LIAO SAID THAT OVER THE YEARS, THE 19 DISTRICT BOARDS HAD DEVELOPED INTO A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF OUR SYSTEM OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
’’THEY GIVE VALUABLE ADVICE TO THE GOVERNMENT, PRIMARILY ON MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE DISTRICTS, AND SOMETIMES ON ISSUES OF TERRITORY-WIDE CONCERN,” HE SAID.
MR LIAO EXPLAINED THAT GOVERNMENT POLICY WAS THAT THE ADVICE GIVEN BY THE BOARDS SHOULD BE RESPECTED AND FOLLOWED WHEREVER PRACTICABLE AND THAT SUFFICIENT RESOURCES AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR THE BOARDS TO ENABLE THEM TO PERFORM THEIR FUNCTIONS EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY.
---------0--------------
EXERCISE OF AUTHORITY BEING REVIEWED ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE EXTENT TO
WHICH BODIES
AUTHORITY OVER PUBLIC CORPORATION IS CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW. THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD EXERCISE ITS SUCH AS THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY),
NO INTENTION TO ALTER THE
TO OPERATE ACCORDING TO
WITH MINIMUM GOVERNMENT
HOWEVER. HE STRESSED THAT THERE WAS BASIC POLICY OF ALLOWING PUBLIC BODIES PRUDENT COMMERCIAL PRINCIPLES AND
INTERFERENCE.
REPLYING TO A EXPLAINED THAT WHEN THE INTENTION WAS TO
QUESTION FROM THE HON RITA FAN, PUBLIC BODIES SUCH AS THE KCRC WERE
ALLOW THEM TO OPERATE WITH THE
SIR PIERS ESTABLISHED, MINIMUM OF
DIRECT GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT.
’’THE RELEVANT ORDINANCES WHICH APPLY TO SUCH GENERAL DIRECTIONS AND ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO DIRECTIONS.
BODIES PROVIDE
GIVE SPECIFIC
/"ANY DIRECTIONS .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
24
"ANY DIRECTIONS THAT MAY BE GIVEN MUST BE CONSISTENT WITH THE DELIBERATE INTENTION TO ALLOW THE BODIES SUFFICIENT OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE TO DISCHARGE THEIR OBLIGATIONS." HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID THE ACCOUNTS OF BOTH KCRC AND MTRC WERE SUBJECT TO INDEPENDENT AUDIT BY CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS, AND THERE WAS THEREFORE NO NEED TO REQUIRE THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT TO CARRY OUT THIS FUNCTION.
"SO FAR AS ENSURING COMPLIANCE WITH THE ORDINANCE AND ACCEPTABLE OPERATING PERFORMANCE ARE CONCERNED. THIS MATTER IS BEING CONSIDERED AS PART OF THE REVIEW OF GOVERNMENT’S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BODIES CONCERNED," HE ADDED.
---------0 - ----------
EEC ANTI-DUMPING ACTIONS UNFAIR *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DEVOTED. AND WILL CONTINUE TO DEVOTE, A GREAT DEAL OF EFFORT AND RESOURCES IN HELPING COMPANIES WHICH HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE RECENT SPATE OF ANTI-DUMPING ACTIONS BY THE EUROPEAN ECONOF1IC COMMUNITY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY. THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS. TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON SO CHAU YIM-PING, SIR PIERS SAID THE GOVERNMENT REMAINED FIRMLY OF THE VIEW THAT THE ANTI-DUMPING ACTIONS INSTITUTED BY THE EEC AGAINST HONG KONG WERE BOTH UNFAIR AND ILL-FOUNDED.
HE EXPLAINED THAT IN FACT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAD DONE FAR MORE TO ASSIST INDUSTRY IN THIS RESPECT THAN OTHER GOVERNMENTS IN SIMILAR POSITIONS ELSEWHERE.
"AS SOON AS ANTI-DUMPING PROCEEDINGS INVOLVING HONG KONG COMPANIES ARE ANNOUNCED. THE TRADE DEPARTMENT WILL BRIEF THE AFFECTED COMPANIES ON THE ANTI-DUMPING REGULATIONS AND THE INVESTIGATION PROCEDURES. AND ON HOW BEST TO DEAL WITH THESE PROCEEDINGS.
"AT THE SAME TIME, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN BRUSSELS WILL MAKE REPRESENTATIONS TO THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION." HE SAID.
ALSO. THE TRADE DEPARTMENT HAD RETAINED TWO CONSULTANTS TO ADVISE ON THE COMPATIBILITY OF EEC ANTI-DUMPING REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE GATT ANTI-DUMPING CODE, AND ON PROBLEMS RELATING TO SPECIFIC PROCEEDINGS.
"THE CONSULTANTS ARE HELPING TO IMPROVE OUR EXPERTISE IN THIS AREA SO THAT WE ARE READY TO CHALLENGE THE EEC WHERE WE BELIEVE IT HAS OVERSTEPPED THE LINE." HE SAID.
/WHILE THE .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
25
WHILE THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALWAYS READY TO PROVIDE ADVICE ON GENERAL ISSUES RELATING TO THE EEC ANTI-DUMPING REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES, SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS NOT IN A POSITION TO ANSWER DETAILED COMPANY-SPECIFIC QUESTION POSED BY THE EEC.
"THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR INDIVIDUAL COMPANIES OWN ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN THESE PROCEEDINGS.
"THE COMPANIES CONCERNED MUST ALSO PLAY THEIR PART IN ORDER TO SECURE THE BEST PROTECTION." HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL’S RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT UN DEFINITIVE ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES ON VIDEO CASSETTE TAPES ORIGINATING IN HONG KONG. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY NOTED THAT THE VERY HIGH PROVISIONAL DUTIES RANGING FROM 8.1 PER CENT TO 59.3 PER CENT ANNOUNCED LAST DECEMBER HAD BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED TO 0 PER CENT TO 21.9 PER CENT.
"JUDGING FROM THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL’S DECISION ON DEFINITIVE DUTIES. THE REPRESENTATIONS MADE BY THE COMPANIES CONCERNED AND BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAVE CLEARLY PROMPTED THE EUROPEAN AUTHORITIES TO TAKE A FRESH LOOK AT THE CASE AGAINST HONG KONG AND TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT CONCESSIONS TOWARDS HONG KONG." HE SAID.
_ _ _ - 0- - - -
GOVT NOT UNRESPONSIVE TO CIVIL SERVANTS’ CONCERNS
* * * * »
THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT INSENSITIVE OR UNRESPONSIVE TO CIVIL SERVANTS’ CONCERNS ABOUT THEIR TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON MICHAEL CHENG, SIR DAVID SAID THAT ESSENTIALLY THERE WERE TWO WAYS IN WHICH SUCH CONCERNS COULD BE AND WERE ADDRESSED.
"FIRST, PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE SHOULD BE REVIEWED PERIODICALLY TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES AND SECONDLY IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THERE TO BE EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AND CONSULTATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND ITS STAFF," HE SAID.
MR CHENG HAD ASKED WHAT HAD CAUSED A RECENT INCREASE IN INDUSTRIAL ACTION TAKEN BY CIVIL SERVANTS OF VARIOUS GRADES. AND WHAT PLANS WERE IN HAND TO AVOID AND REDUCE SUCH ACTION.
SIR DAVID SAID HE WOULD SET THE PROBLEM IN CONTEXT.
"ALTHOUGH THERE HAS BEEN AN APPARENT INCREASE RECENTLY IN INDUSTRIAL ACTION TAKEN BY CIVIL SERVANTS. ONLY FOUR OUT OF A TOTAL OF SOME 100 GRADES WITHIN THE CIVIL SERVICE HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY SORT OF INDUSTRIAL ACTION THIS YEAR.
/"IN THE ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
26
"IN THE MAIN, THE CAUSES HAVE BEEN RELATED TO PAY. CONDITIONS OF SERVICE OR WORK. OR PROMOTION PROSPECTS." HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THE PRESENT FRAMEWORK FOR CIVIL SERVICE PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED 10 YEARS AGO BY THE STANDING COMMISSION ON THE BASIS OF A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW WHICH IT CARRIED OUT AT THE TIME.
IT HAD NOW EMBARKED UPON A SIMILAR OVERALL REVIEW OF PAY PRINCIPLES AND SALARY STRUCTURES. IT WOULD ALSO ADDRESS SUCH ISSUES AS RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION PROBLEMS.
"THE COMMISSION HAS ALSO RECENTLY COMPLETED A REVIEW OF CONSULTATIVE ARRANGEMENTS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE AND ITS RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE BEEN THE SUBJECT OF CONSULTATION WITH STAFF ASSOCIATIONS.
"THE OBJECTIVE THERE IS TO ACHIEVE A FURTHER STRENGTHENING OF THE EXISTING CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY IN THE CIVIL SERVICE." SIR DAVID SAID.
"FINALLY. I WOULD MAKE THE POINT AGAIN WHICH I HAVE MADE IN THIS COUNCIL BEFORE THAT WE HAVE A LONG TRADITION IN THE SERVICE OF RESOLVING OUR PROBLEMS BY CAREFUL AND PATIENT DISCUSSION.
"THAT PRINCIPLE HAS SERVED BOTH MANAGEMENT AND STAFF WELL AND HAS HELPED TO ENSURE IN MOST CASES THAT SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAS NOT BEEN AFFECTED," HE SAID.
-----------0---------------
HANDICAPPED PERSONS HAWKING ILLEGALLY LIABLE TO PROSECUTION
HANDICAPPED PERSONS HAWKING ILLEGALLY IN PUBLIC PLACES AND PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES ARE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION IN THE SAME WAY AS ANY ILLEGAL HAWKER, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON T.H. CHAU, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON MIRIAM LAU, MR CHAU SAID THERE HAD BEEN REPORTS OF PERSONS. APPARENTLY DEAF AND MUTE. HAWKING ILLEGALLY AT MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATIONS AND PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES BY OFFERING HANDICRAFT ITEMS FOR SALE.
"SUCH PEOPLE ARE SUBJECT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTION BY THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IN THE SAME WAY AS ANY ILLEGAL HAWKER," HE SAID.
UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE, ANY PERSON, HANDICAPPED OR OTHERWISE, WHO TRADED IN PUBLIC PLACES WITHOUT A HAWKER LICENCE ISSUED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL OR REGIONAL COUNCIL COMMITTED AN OFFENCE AND WAS LIABLE TO PROSECUTION, HE SAID.
/UNDER HOUSING .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
27
UNDER HOUSING AUTHORITY POLICY, HAWKING ACTIVITIES WERE PROHIBITED IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
ALTHOUGH THERE WERE NO READILY AVAILABLE STATISTICS, MR CHAU NOTED THAT THE NUMBER OF HANDICAPPED PERSONS ENGAGED IN ILLEGAL HAWKING ACTIVITIES WAS BELIEVED TO BE VERY SMALL.
"WHILST I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY REPORTS THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE BEING EXPLOITED FOR COMMERCIAL GAIN, IT IS OBVIOUSLY DESIRABLE THAT SUITABLE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DISABLED SHOULD BE WIDENED." HE SAID.
"IN THIS REGARD, OUR EFFORTS INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN, VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR ADULTS SUITABLE FOR OPEN EMPLOYMENT AND ASSISTANCE IN SEEKING JOBS FOR THOSE WHO POSSESS THE APPROPRIATE SKILLS.
"FOR THOSE WHO ARE UNSUITABLE FOR OPEN EMPLOYMENT. WE SHALL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE PLACEMENTS IN DAY ACTIVITY CENTRES AND SHELTERED WORKSHOPS." HE ADDED.
_ _ _ _ o - - - -
DECISION TO CLOSE POLICE CADET SCHOOL EXPLAINED
IN THE CHANGING ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT IN HONG KONG. THE POLICE CADET SCHOOL COULD NO LONGER OFFER THE NUMBERS OF GOOD QUALITY RECRUITS WHICH WOULD BE REQUIRED IN THE POLICE FORCE. THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES. SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP. MR BARNES SAID THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVED THAT THE RIGHT WAY TO MAINTAIN THE STANDARDS OF POLICE RECRUITS AND SOLVE THE RECRUITING PROBLEM WAS BY MAKING A CAREER IN THE POLICE FORCE ATTRACTIVE TO FORM 5 GRADUATES.
MR BARNES SAID THE POLICE CADET SCHOOL HAD BEEN A VALUABLE SOURCE FOR POLICE RECRUITS SINCE ITS FORMATION IN 1973, AND WOULD REMAIN SO UNTIL ITS CLOSURE IN MARCH 1990.
HE SAID THE DECISION TO CLOSE THE SCHOOL WAS TAKEN BECAUSE IT FACED A RECRUITMENT PROBLEM OF ITS OWN IN GETTING SUFFICIENT PUPILS TO ENROL AND SERVE AS A CONTINUING SOURCE OF RECRUITS FOR THE POLICE.
"THE REASON FOR THE POLICE CADET SCHOOL FACING A RECRUITMENT PROBLEM IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF SECONDARY EDUCATION IN HONG KONG.
"THE REQUIRED EDUCATIONAL STANDARD FOR DIRECT ENTRY INTO THE POLICE FORCE AS A POLICE CONSTABLE IS COMPLETION OF FORM 5. HOWEVER. OVER 70 PER CENT OF THE RECRUITS INTO THE CADET SCHOOL ARE FORM 3 STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT BEEN ALLOCATED A FORM 4 PLACE WITHIN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL SYSTEM.
/"THEY RECEIVE .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
28
"THEY RECEIVE TRAINING AND FURTHER EDUCATION DURING THE TWO YEARS IN THE CADET SCHOOL TO ENABLE THEM TO MEET THE STANDARDS FOR RECRUITMENT INTO THE POLICE,", HE SAID.
MR BARNES POINTED OUT THAT THE POOL OF FORM 3 STUDENTS WHO WERE NOT OFFERED ANY TYPE OF POST-FORM 3 EDUCATION EXCEEDED 20,000 ANNUALLY UNTIL 1087, PROVIDING A SUFFICIENTLY LARGE POOL FOR GOOD QUALITY RECRUITS.
BUT THE NUMBER WOULD DECLINE TO 7,000 BY 1990 AND 4,000 BY 1991 AS A RESULT OF GOVERNMENT POLICY TO INCREASE POST-FORM 3 PLACES IN GOVERNMENT SUBSIDISED AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS, HE SAID.
"THESE STUDENTS WILL BE AT THE LOWER END OF THE ACADEMIC SCALE AND ARE UNLIKELY TO BE SUITABLE FOR ENROLMENT AS POLICE CADETS.
"THE IMPLICATION IS THEREFORE THAT, IF THE CADET SCHOOL WERE TO REMAIN OPEN IT WOULD HAVE INSUFFICIENT ENTRANTS TO JUSTIFY ITS CONTINUED EXISTENCE," MR BARNES SAID.
SCHOOL CANTEEN SERVICE NOT VIABLE *****
IT WOULD NOT BE ECONOMICAL TO PROVIDE A CANTEEN SERVICE FOR EACH SCHOOL. THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON T.H. CHAU, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR CHAU WAS REPLYING A QUESTION FROM THE HON PEGGY LAM, WHO HAD ASKED HOW THE HYGIENE STANDARDS OF FOOD SOLD FROM FAST-FOOD VANS WERE CONTROLLED, AND WHETHER THERE WERE PLANS TO PROVIDE CANTEEN SERVICES IN SCHOOLS.
PROVIDING A CANTEEN SERVICE WOULD TAKE UP VALUABLE SPACE WHICH COULD BE BETTER USED FOR PURELY EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES, AND ALSO THERE MIGHT NOT BE SUFFICIENT DEMAND WITHIN A SCHOOL TO MAKE A CANTEEN ECONOMICALLY VIABLE. MR CHAU SAID.
HE SAID THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER HAD ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WERE AT PRESENT NO PLANS TO PROVIDE SUCH SERVICES.
MR CHAU SAID THAT PLENTY OF LICENSED FOOD CATERERS WERE AVAILABLE TO MEET THE LUNCH NEEDS OF STUDENTS.
"THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS ISSUED A LIST OF LICENSED FOOD FACTORIES TO THE SCHOOLS FOR REFERENCE," HE SAID.
MR CHAU ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE AT PRESENT NO LEGALLY OPERATED FAST-FOOD VANS.
"ANYONE WHO IS FOUND OPERATING SUCH A VAN IS LIABLE TO FACE PROSECUTION AND, UPON CONVICTION. TO CONFISCATION OF HIS EQUIPMENT OR COMMODITY, IN ADDITION TO OTHER PENALTIES," HE SAID.
/29 .......
WEDNESDAY. JUNE 21. 1989
29
WARNING LETTERS ON MANAGEMENT ISSUED TO 17 SCHOOLS *****
WARNING LETTERS HAVE BEEN ISSUED ON 24 OCCASIONS TO A TOTAL OF 17 SCHOOLS DURING THE PAST THREE YEARS ON GROUNDS THEY WERE NOT BEING MANAGED SATISFACTORILY OR THAT THE CHILDREN WERE NOT BEING PROPERLY EDUCATED, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE. SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
BUT NO MANAGER HAD BEEN DE-REGISTERED NOR ANY NEW MANAGER APPOINTED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION DURING THIS PERIOD. HE ADDED.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON DAVID CHEUNG, MR BRIDGE POINTED OUT THAT THE MANAGEMENT OF A SCHOOL WAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ITS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
ON BEING ALLOCATED A SCHOOL. THE SPONSORING BODY WOULD NOMINATE MANAGERS FOR REGISTRATION BY THE DIRECTOR. HE SAID.
UNDER THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE. THE DIRECTOR HAS TO BE SATISFIED THAT THE PROPOSED MANAGERS WERE SUITABLE BEFORE HE REGISTERED THEM.
MR BRIDGE SAID THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT MONITORED THE MANAGEMENT OF SCHOOLS DURING REGULAR INSPECTIONS. AND HELPED SCHOOLS Tp OVERCOME ANY MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS WHICH MIGHT ARISE.
HE SAID A WARNING LETTER WOULD BE ISSUED IF IT APPEARED TO THE DIRECTOR THAT A SCHOOL WAS NOT BEING MANAGED SATISFACTORILY OR THAT CHILDREN WERE NOT BEING EDUCATED PROPERLY. IF IMPROVEMENTS WERE NOT MADE. THE DIRECTOR MIGHT DE-REGISTER ANY MANAGER AND APPOINT ONE OR MORE NEW ONES.
MR BRIDGE ALSO SAID THAT IN ALLOCATING A SCHOOL FOR OPERATION BY A SPONSORING BODY. THE DIRECTOR WOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE FOLLOWING:
THE BODY’S EXPERIENCE IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION: ITS FINANCIAL CAPABILITY: THE NUMBER AND LOCATION OF SCHOOLS ALREADY OPERATED BY IT: AND ANY LOCAL TIES WITH THE DISTRICT CONCERNED.
-------- 0------------
/JO .......
WEDNESDAY. JUNE 21. 1989
30 -
NEW ROAD SIGNAGE SYSTEM WELL PUBLICISED
*****
THE NEW SIGNAGE SYSTEM WHICH DROPPED THE "NO WAITING" SIGN IN 1984 WAS WELL PUBLICISED AT THE TIME AND SUBSEQUENTLY INCORPORATED IN THE ROAD USER’S CODE.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG. GAVE THIS ANSWER IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PEGGY LAM.
UNDER THE SIMPLIFIED SIGNAGE ARRANGEMENT, WAITING AND PARKING WERE NOT ALLOWED ON ANY ROAD WITH STREET LIGHTING EXCEPT AT DESIGNATED PARKING SPACES. MR LEUNG SAID.
THE ARRANGEMENT NOT ONLY SIMPLIFIED THE SIGNAGE SYSTEM. BUT IT ALSO BROUGHT SUBSTANTIAL SAVINGS IN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE IN NOT HAVING TO ERECT AND MAINTAIN "NO WAITING" SIGNS.
HE EXPLAINED THAT RE-INTRODUCING SUCH SIGNS AND MARKINGS ALONG THE STREETS WITH A SYSTEM OF STREET LIGHTING WOULD LEAD TO A PROLIFERATION OF TRAFFIC SIGNS.
THE PROBLEM WOULD BE PARTICULARLY SERIOUS IN THE OLDER DISTRICTS. SUCH AS WAN CHAI. WHERE MANY OF THE PAVEMENTS WERE NARROW AND THE ERECTION OF SIGNS ALONG THEM WOULD CAUSE INCONVENIENCE AND OBSTRUCTION TO PEDESTRIANS.
MR LEUNG ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD MOUNT SUITABLE PUBLICITY TO REMIND THE MOTORING PUBLIC OF THE PRESENT SIGNAGE ARRANGEMENT.
---------- 0 - - - -
GOVT MAINTAINS SYSTEM OF SOCIAL STATISTICS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT ALREADY MAINTAINS A SYSTEM OF SOCIAL STATISTICS WHICH CAN BE USED AS BROAD INDICATORS OF SOCIAL CONDITIONS IN HONG KONG •
THIS IS DONE BY UTILISING DATA COLLECTED IN SURVEYS OR FROM ADMINISTRATIVE RECORDS.
DERIVED
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, GAVE THIS ANSWER IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG.
SIR PIERS SAID THE SYSTEM WAS CONSTRUCTED WITH THE FOLLOWING AIMS IN MIND:
/(A) TO PROVIDE
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
31
(A) TO PROVIDE ANSWERS TO MANY SOCIALLY RELEVANT QUESTIONS: HOW HEALTHY ARE WE? HOW EDUCATED? HOW ADEQUATE IS OUR HOUSING? WHAT IS THE CRIME SITUATION? ETC.;
(B) TO MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SOCIAL POLICIES; AND
(C) TO GIVE WARNING OF CERTAIN SOCIAL PROBLEMS. E.G. DRUG ADDICTION.
HE SAID THE SOCIAL STATISTICS AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG WERE BROADLY IN LINE WITH INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE AND WERE PUBLISHED REGULARLY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT. REFERENCE MIGHT BE MADE IN PARTICULAR TO THE "HONG KONG SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC TRENDS" AND THE "HONG KONG ANNUAL DIGEST OF STATISTICS".
SIR PIERS SAID THE SOCIAL STATISTICS COVERED THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
POPULATION COMPOSITION AND CHANGE: HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES, MARITAL STATUS AND FERTILITY: HOUSING: HEALTH CONDITIONS AND HEALTH SERVICES; EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES; THE LABOUR FORCE; INCOME AND CONSUMPTION: SOCIAL SECURITY AND WELFARE SERVICES; AND PUBLIC ORDER AND SAFETY.
_ _ _ _ o - - - -
MID-LEVELS ESCALATOR PROJECT COULD START IN 1990
******
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT. THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG. TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HE PLANNED TO SEEK FUNDING FOR CONSTRUCTING THE HILLSIDE ESCALATOR LINKING THE MID-LEVELS WITH CENTRAL EARLY NEXT YEAR IN ORDER TO START CONSTRUCTION IN MID-1990.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON SO CHAU YIM-PING. MR LEUNG SAID THE PROJECT WOULD BE DUE FOR COMPLETION BY MID-1992, ABOUT SIX MONTHS AHEAD OF THE ORIGINAL TIMETABLE.
HE ADDED THAT THIS TIMING WOULD DEPEND ON THE NUMBER AND NATURE OF OBJECTIONS TO THE SCHEME, INCLUDING LAND RESUMPTION. AFTER IT WAS GAZETTED SHORTLY AND HOW SOON SUCH OBJECTIONS COULD BE RESOLVED.
0
/32
WEDNESDAY. JUNE 21. 1989
32
EXPENDITURE ON MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAD SPENT ABOUT $1 MILLION ON PUBLICISING THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN 1986 AND SO.86 MILLION IN 1989.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON RONALD CHOW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY). THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, EXPLAINED THAT THE LOWER EXPENDITURE RESULTED MAINLY FROM THE ELIMINATION OF ACTIVITIES THAT HAD PROVED LESS EFFECTIVE, SUCH AS VARIETY SHOWS, AND THE INTRODUCTION OF COST SAVING MEASURES, FOR EXAMPLE IN STANDARDISING PUBLICITY MATERIAL.
"IN ADDITION, THE NUMBERS OF CANDIDATES REDUCED FROM 79 IN 1986 TO 53 IN 1989, WHILE THE NUMBERS OF UNCONTESTED SEATS INCREASED FROM TWO TO SEVEN. THIS ALSO HAD THE EFFECT OF LOWERING PUBLICITY COSTS TO SOME EXTENT," SIR DAVID SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IN PRACTICE, THE QUALITY AND INTENSITY OF THE GOVERNMENT’S PUBLICITY EFFORTS WERE VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT WAS PROVIDED IN 1986.
EXPENDITURE ON PUBLICITY FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS IN MARCH 1988 WAS'SI.43 MILLION. HOWEVER. THE CHIEF SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS INAPPROPRIATE TO MAKE COMPARISONS WITH THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS GIVEN THE FAR GREATER NUMBER OF CONSTITUENCIES INVOLVED.
ON PUBLICITY TO ENCOURAGE ELECTORS' PARTICIPATION IN THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN 1989. SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS ARRANGED ON BOTH A TERRITORY-WIDE AND A DISTRICT BASIS.
IT INCLUDED ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE MASS MEDIA, DISPLAY OF POSTERS AND PUBLICITY BANNERS IN PUBLIC PLACES, SPECIAL ISSUES OF DISTRICT NEWSPAPERS, AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR CANDIDATES’ TO MEET RESIDENTS.
LEAFLETS PROVIDING INFORMATION ON POLLING PROCEDURES AND THE CANDIDATES WERE MAILED TO REGISTERED ELECTORS, IN ADDITION TO THEIR POLL CARDS.
"GOVERNMENT’S PUBLICITY EFFORTS WERE COMPLEMENTED BY MASS MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE ELECTIONS AND THE CANDIDATES’ OWN ELECTION CAMPAIGNS." THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
IN THIS YEAR’S MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS, 1,211,109 POLL CARDS WERE SENT TO ELECTORS LIVING IN THE CONTESTED CONSTITUENCIES AND 30,710 WERE RETURNED UNDELIVERED.
"CHANGE OF ADDRESS WAS NOT THEREFORE A MAJOR FACTOR IN THE LOW VOTER TURNOUT. NEVERTHELESS. GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO ENCOURAGE REGISTERED ELECTORS TO REPORT CHANGES IN ADDRESS, SO THAT THE ELECTORAL ROLL CAN BE KEPT UP TO DATE." HE REMARKED.
/SIR DAVID .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
33
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS THE PRACTICE TO CONDUCT AN INTERNAL REVIEW OF THE PUBLICITY AND ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS AFTER EACH ELECTION TO DISTRICT BOARDS. MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE PURPOSE WAS TO IDENTIFY POSSIBLE IMPROVEMENTS WHICH MIGHT BE APPLIED IN FUTURE ELECTIONS.
THE REVIEW OF THE LATEST MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS WAS DUE TO BE COMPLETED IN AUGUST.
"AS IN THE PAST. ANY MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED BEFORE THEY ARE INTRODUCED FOR THE NEXT ROUND OF ELECTIONS.' SIR DAVID SAID.
-------0----------
SIX HOSPITALS NOT PROVIDING SCHOOL SERVICES ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THERE ARE CURRENTLY SIX PUBLIC HOSPITALS WHICH DO NOT PROVIDE SCHOOL SERVICES IN THEIR PAEDIATRIC WARDS EITHER BECAUSE THEIR PATIENTS ARE ALL BELOW SCHOOL AGE OR BECAUSE OF THE SMALL NUMBER OF PATIENTS CONSIDERED TO BE IN NEED OF THE SERVICE.
THIS WATS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE. THE HON T.H. CHAU. IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP.
MR CHAU NOTED THAT THE SIX HOSPITALS WERE TSAN YUK HOSPITAL, OUR LADY OF MARYKNOLL HOSPITAL, NETHERSOLE HOSPITAL, POK 01 HOSPITAL, YAN CHAI HOSPITAL AND GRANTHAM HOSPITAL.
HE SAID HOSPITAL SCHOOL SERVICES WERE OPERATED IN PAEDIATRIC WARDS BY THE RED CROSS HOSPITAL SCHOOL, AND WERE SUBVENTED BY THE GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
"TSAN YUK HOSPITAL DOES NOT PROVIDE A SCHOOL SERVICE AS ITS PAEDIATRIC PATIENTS ARE ALL BELOW SCHOOL AGE.
"REGARDING THE OTHER FIVE HOSPITALS, A SCHOOL SERVICE HAS NOT BEEN SET UP MAINLY BECAUSE OF THE SMALL NUMBER OF PAEDIATRIC PATIENTS IN THESE HOSPITALS CONSIDERED TO BE IN NEED OF THIS SERVICE." MR CHAU SAID.
HE SAID CONSIDERATION WAS BEING GIVEN TO PROVIDING HOSPITAL SCHOOL SERVICES TO YAN CHAI HOSPITAL AFTER THE COMPLETION OF ITS EXTENSION PROJECT AND TO THE RELOCATED NETHERSOLE HOSPITAL IN TAI PO.
"BOTH HOSPITALS WILL, BY THEN. HAVE INCREASED THEIR NUMBER OF PAEDIATRIC BEDS," HE SAID.
"AS REGARDS THE OTHER FOUR HOSPITALS, THERE ARE NO PLANS AT PRESENT TO PROVIDE SUCH SERVICES TO THEM." MR CHAU ADDED.
- -----0---------
/34 ........
WEDNESDAY. JUNE 21. 1989
34 LICENSING PROCEDURES STREAMLINED *****
CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN THE PAST TWO YEARS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF LICENCES AND APPROVALS REQUIRED TO ESTABLISH RETAIL OUTLETS. THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE. THE HON T.H. CHAU. INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON MARTIN BARROW. MR CHAU SAID WHAT REMAINED REPRESENTED THE MINIMUM NECESSARY FOR GOOD ADMINISTRATION IN THE WIDER INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY.
A RETAIL OUTLET. LIKE ALL BUSINESSES, WAS REQUIRED TO REGISTER WITH THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION OFFICE BECAUSE IT WAS PART OF THE SYSTEM OF TAXATION. REGISTRATION AND RENEWAL WERE VERY SIMPLE MATTERS INVOLVING LITTLE PAPERWORK.
MR CHAU EXPLAINED THAT SIGNIFICANT STREAMLINING OF PROCEDURES IN ISSUING LICENCES AND PERMITS HAD BEEN ACHIEVED BY THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS SINCE APRIL LAST YEAR. BECAUSE A RETAIL OUTLET WAS NOW ONLY REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A FRESH PROVISION SHOP LICENCE TO SELL FOOD AND FRESH PROVISIONS.
"PERMISSION TO SELL VARIOUS CONTROLLED FOOD ITEMS SUCH AS RESTRICTED FOOD. ICE-CREAMS. MILK AND NON-BOTTLED DRINKS. CAN BE GRANTED BY WAY OF ENDORSEMENTS ON THE SAME LICENCE.
"IT MUST BE BORNE IN MIND THAT THE PURPOSE OF THESE LICENCES IS TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY AND THIS MUST SURELY BE CONSIDERED A WORTHWHILE USE OF MANPOWER." MR CHAU SAID.
HE NOTED THAT SOME RETAIL OUTLETS MIGHT ALSO REQUIRE A LICENCE AS A "SELLER OF PART II POISONS" AND AGAIN IT WAS FELT THAT THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS MUST BE MAINTAINED AS A NECESSARY SAFEGUARD FOR THE PUBLIC.
"THE SALE OF DUTIABLE COMMODITIES NAMELY. TOBACCO. INTOXICATING LIQUOR. HYDROCARBON OIL. ETHYL ALCOHOL AND METHYL ALCOHOL, AT PRESENT REQUIRES A LICENCE FOR EACH." MR CHAU SAID.
"THIS REQUIREMENT IS CUMBERSOME AND, IN RECENT YEARS. HAS CONTRIBUTED NOTHING TO THE PROTECTION OF REVENUE," HE ADDED.
HE SAID THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY HAD DECIDED TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT, AND THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1989 WAS GAZETTED ON JUNE 9. 1989. TO GIVE EFFECT TO THIS.
/35
WEDNESDAY. JUNE 21. 1989
35
MOVE TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF LEGCO ACTIVITIES
* * * * *
FUNDS WILL BE SOUGHT IN THE 1990-91 ESTIMATES FOR THE PURPOSE OF FURTHER PUBLICISING THE FUNCTIONS AND ACTIVITIES OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE COUNCIL WAS INFORMED OF THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD.
"IT IS HOPED THAT PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE COUNCIL'S ACTIVITIES WILL BE ENHANCED THROUGH SUCH EFFORTS AND LEAD TO INCREASED ATTENDANCE THROUGHOUT SITTINGS OF THE COUNCIL," SIR DAVID SAID IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON MARTIN BARROW.
SIR DAVID SAID A BOOKING SYSTEM WAS IN OPERATION FOR SEATS IN THE CHAMBER’S PUBLIC GALLERIES.
"THE SEATS ARE FULLY BOOKED FOR MOST SITTINGS OF THE COUNCIL.
"AS PEOPLE MAY LEAVE AT ANY TIME DURING A SITTING. THERE IS NO WAY OF TELLING WHEN SEATS WILL BE AVAILABLE DURING THE AFTERNOON," HE SAID.
----------o-------------
ASSURANCE ON POST-1997 FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT
*****
EXPATRIATES EMPLOYED IN HONG KONG AFTER 1997 WILL CONTINUE TO ENJOY THE EXISTING FREEDOM OF TRAVEL INTO AND OUT OF THE TERRITORY, THE CHIEF SECRETARY. THE HON SIR DAVID FORD. INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON MIRIAM LAU, SIR DAVID SAID THE FREEDOM TO TRAVEL INTO AND OUT OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION (HKSAR) WAS A MATTER ADDRESSED BY VARIOUS PROVISIONS IN THE JOINT DECLARATION.
UNDER PARAGRAPH 3(5) OF THE JOINT DECLARATION, RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS INCLUDING THOSE OF TRAVEL, MOVEMENT AND CHOICE OF OCCUPATION, WOULD BE ENSURED BY LAW IN THE HKSAR.
OTHER PROVISIONS WOULD ENABLE HOLDERS OF VALID TRAVEL DOCUMENTS TO LEAVE THE HKSAR WITHOUT SPECIAL AUTHORISATION, BUT THE SAR GOVERNMENT MIGHT APPLY IMMIGRATION CONTROLS ON ENTRY, STAY AND DEPARTURE OF FOREIGN NATIONALS.
SIR DAVID SAID THE OBJECTIVE OF THE PROVISIONS WAS TO ENABLE THE EXISTING FREEDOMS OF TRAVEL INTO AND OUT OF HONG KONG TO REMAIN UNCHANGED AFTER 1997.
/"EXPATRIATES MAKE .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
36
’’EXPATRIATES MAKE AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG’S ECONOMY, AND THEY WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO DO SO AFTER 1997 WHILE ENJOYING ALL FREEDOMS, INCLUDING THE SAME HIGH DEGREE OF FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT INTO AND OUT OF HONG KONG THEY CURRENTLY ENJOY,” HE SAID.
"IN THIS REGARD, I WOULD EMPHASISE THAT AFTER 1997 DISCRETION TO GRANT PERMISSION FOR SUCH PERSONS TO ENTER AND STAY IN THE HKSAR FOR EMPLOYMENT, WILL LIE WITH THE HKSAR GOVERNMENT ALONE.
’’THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT WILL HAVE NO SAY OVER THE EXERCISE OF THIS DISCRETION,” HE ADDED.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THE FREEDOM OF TRAVEL OF EXPATRIATES WOULD BE ENHANCED FURTHER IF THEY BECAME PERMANENT RESIDENTS WITH THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE HKSAR.
“UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION. EXPATRIATES MAY ACQUIRE THE RIGHT OF ABODE IF THEY HAVE LIVED FOR A CONTINUOUS PERIOD OF SEVEN YEARS OR MORE IN HONG KONG, AND IF THEY HAVE TAKEN HONG KONG TO BE THEIR PLACE OF PERMANENT RESIDENCE,” SIR DAVID SAID.
HE SAID THAT FOLLOWING DISCUSSIONS IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP, THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS HAD REACHED A COMMON UNDERSTANDING THAT A PERSON MIGHT ESTABLISH THAT HE HAD TAKEN HONG KONG AS HIS PLACE OF PERMANENT RESIDENCE BY SIGNING A SIMPLE DECLARATION.
"IT WILL THUS BE RELATIVELY EASY FOR EXPATRIATES TO BECOME PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF THE HKSAR.
"WITH SUCH A STATUS, THEY WILL ENJOY THE AUTOMATIC RIGHT OF ENTRY INTO THE HKSAR, AND THE RIGHT TO LIVE AND WORK HERE, WITHOUT BEING SUBJECT TO THOSE IMMIGRATION CONTROLS APPLICABLE TO NONPERMANENT RESIDENTS,” SIR DAVID SAID.
------0-------
EXACT TOLLS WILL NOT RELIEVE TUNNEL CONGESTION
*****
A PROPOSAL TO REQUIRE ALL MOTORISTS TO PAY EXACT TUNNEL TOLLS HAD BEEN FULLY EXAMINED, BUT IT HAD BEEN FOUND THAT THIS WOULD NOT RELIEVE CONGESTION AT OR OUTSIDE THE TUNNELS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON DAVID CHEUNG, MR LEUNG SAID THAT CONGESTION DID NOT RESULT FROM THE LIMITED CAPACITY OF THE TOLL BOOTHS.
"CONGESTION EXISTS BECAUSE THE VOLUME OF TRAFFIC GOING THROUGH THE TUNNEL EXCEEDS THE DESIGNED CAPACITY,” HE SAID.
/MR LEUNG .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
37
MR LEUNG SAID THAT TO DESIGNATE MORE EXACT PAYMENT BOOTHS OR TO REQUIRE ALL MOTORISTS TO PAY EXACT TOLLS WOULD NOT INCREASE THE FLOW THROUGH A TUNNEL.
ON THE CONTRARY, THIS WOULD AGGRAVATE CONGESTION AT THE PLAZA AREA AND THE TUNNEL PORTAL AND MIGHT ALSO ADVERSELY AFFECT EMERGENCY RESCUE OPERATIONS IN CASE OF ACCIDENTS INSIDE THE TUNNEL.
"FROM A PUBLIC RELATIONS POINT OF VIEW. IT IS ALSO DESIRABLE TO PROVIDE SOME ORDINARY TOLL BOOTHS TO CATER FOR THOSE MOTORISTS WHO HAVE NO SMALL CHANGE." HE SAID.
THERE WERE AT PRESENT FOUR EXACT PAYMENT BOOTHS AT EACH OF THE TWO GOVERNMENT TOLL TUNNELS AND SIX AT THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL. THESE NUMBERS WERE CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE UNDER THE CURRENT TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. MR LEUNG ADDED.
-------0----------
ONE BILL PASSED * ♦ ♦
THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION BILL 1989 WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
NINE BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. THESE WERE THE CONSUMER COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1989, THE ELECTRICITY BILL 1989, THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF POLLUTION) BILL 1989, THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (LIABILITY AND COMPENSATION FOR OIL POLLUTION) BILL 1989, THE LAW REFORM (LEGAL EFFECTS OF AGE) BILL 1989, THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1989, AND THE GAMBLING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989.
DEBATES ON THESE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
THE FIRST REPORT FROM THE HONG KONG BROADCASTING AUTHORITY AND THE WHITE PAPER ON "POLLUTION IN HONG KONG -- A TIME TO ACT” WERE TABLED.
TWO MOTIONS, MOVED UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE AND THE PHARMACY AND POISONS ORDINANCE RESPECTIVELY, WERE PASSED.
-------0---------
/38 ........
WEDNESDAY. JUNE 21. 1989
38
FC APPROVES CIVIL SERVICE PAY ADJUSTMENTS » * * * «
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED THE 1989 CIVIL SERVICE PAY ADJUSTMENTS FOR BOTH DIRECTORATE AND NON-DIRECTORATE LEVELS WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1. 1989.
FOR NON-DIRECTORATE STAFF. ABOUT 13.43 PER CENT WAS APPROVED FOR THE UPPER PAY BAND. FOR MAGISTRATES BELOW THE TOP POINT OF THEIR SALARY SCALE AND FOR LAY MAGISTRATES. FOR THE MIDDLE AND LOWER BANDS IT WOULD BE 14.81 PER CENT.
FOR DIRECTORATE AND EQUIVALENT RANKS IN THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES. AND JUDICIAL OFFICERS ON DIRECTORATE EQUIVALENT SALARIES, AN ADJUSTMENT OF ABOUT 14.5 PER CENT WAS APPROVED.
FOR THE THREE NON-DIRECTORATE PAY BANDS. COMMITTEE MEMBERS WERE TOLD THE PAY TREND SURVEY INDICATORS HAD FOR THE FIRST TIME INCLUDED INCREASES ATTRIBUTABLE TO MERIT AND IN-SCALE INCREMENTS AS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
THE INDICATORS CALCULATED BY THIS NEW METHOD HAD BEEN DISCOUNTED BY THE PAYROLL COST OF CIVIL SERVICE INCREMENTS.
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ALSO APPROVED SIMILAR ADJUSTMENTS TO THE PAY SCALES AND RATES OF PAY OF ORGANISATIONS. INCLUDING DEFICIENCY SUBVERTED ORGANISATIONS. WHICH ARE NORMALLY ADJUSTED IN LINE WITH CIVIL SERVICE PAY.
MEMBERS NOTED THAT SUPLEMENTARY PROVISION OF ABOUT $3,837 MILLION WOULD BE REQUIRED IN 1989-90.
THEY ALSO NOTED THAT SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION OF ABOUT $110 MILLION SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE. ON APPLICATION. TO DISCRETIONARY SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS IN 1989-90.
----------0-------------
SEPARATE ICAC SALARY SCALE TO BE CREATED * * * *
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS DECIDED THAT SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THE PAY OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (ICAC) SHOULD BE BROUGHT INTO LINE WITH THE NEW POLICE PAY SCALE WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE REVIEW COMMITTEE ON DISCIPLINED SERVICES PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS IS TO BE ACHIEVED BY THE CREATION OF A SEPARATE ICAC SALARY SCALE.
/ICAC GRADES
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
39
ICAC GRADES HAVE BEEN PAID FROM THE MASTER PAY SCALE AT LEVELS WHICH BROADLY CORRESPONDED TO THOSE FOR EQUIVALENT RANKS IN THE POLICE BEFORE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PRESENT POLICE PAY SCALE. THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THIS RELATIONSHIP WITH POLICE PAY. WHICH HAD EXISTED SINCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ICAC IN 1974. WAS CHANGED AS A RESULT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POLICE PAY SCALE WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1. 1988.
THE SALARIES OF ICAC GRADES ARE NOW SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER THAN THOSE OF THEIR POLICE COUNTERPARTS.
’’THE ICAC SALARY SCALE WILL RESTORE THE RELATIONSHIP THAT EXISTED BETWEEN ICAC AND POLICE PAY SCALES BEFORE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE POLICE PAY SCALE." THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IT WILL HAVE THE EFFECT OF INCREASING THE SALARY OF ICAC GRADES BY AN AVERAGE OF ABOUT 8.4 PER CENT.
"THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL BE ASKED TO APPROVE THE ICAC SALARY SCALE WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1. 1988, THE SAME DATE AS FOR THE POLICE PAY SCALE.
"IF APPROVED, THE NEW SCALE WILL COST AN ADDITIONAL Si4.3 MILLION A YEAR."
"THE CREATION OF A SEPARATE SALARY SCALE FOR THE ICAC WILL UNDERLINE ITS INDEPENDENCE FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE." THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
----------0--------- *
OMELCO NATIONALITY WORKING GROUP REPORTS ON WORK
******
FOLLOWING IS THE CONTENT OF TODAY’S PRESS BRIEFING BY ROSTER MEMBERS OF THE OMELCO SPECIAL WORKING GROUP ON NATIONALITY, DR DANIEL TSE, MR EDWARD HO, MR RONALD ARCULLI AND MRS PEGGY LAM:
"THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, THE HON DAME LYDIA DUNN AND THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE HON ALLEN LEE IMMEDIATELY STARTED THEIR WORK IN PRESSING FOR THE RIGHT OF ABODE FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ON THEIR ARRIVAL IN LONDON YESTERDAY (TUESDAY).
"THEY MET WITH SIX MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS INCLUDING LORD MACLEHOSE, FORMER GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG. THEY ALSO HAD A MEETING WITH MEMBERS OF THE ANGLO HONG KONG PARLIAMENTARY GROUP, WHICH WAS ATTENDED BY SOME 30 MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. MEMBERS OF THE OMELCO SPECIAL WORKING GROUP ARE GLAD THAT ACCORDING TO THE TWO SENIOR MEMBERS, ALL OF THEM SHOWED A GREAT DEAL OF INTEREST IN, AND CONCERN FOR, THE HONG KONG CASE.
"THE TWO SENIOR MEMBERS ALSO SPENT AN HOUR WITH THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS SELECT COMMITTEE. THEY WERE INFORMED THAT THE COMMITTEE INTENDED TO PUBLISH IN THE UNITED KINGDOM THEIR REPORT ON HONG KONG AT THE END OF THE MONTH.
/"TODAY (WEDNESDAY),
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
40
"TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THEY WILL ATTEND A DEBATE ON HONG KONG AT THE HOUSE OF LORDS IN THE AFTERNOON, PRECEDED BY A LUNCH WITH LORD BRAMALL, THE FORMER COMMANDER OF BRITISH FORCES IN HONG KONG. A SERIES OF TELEVISION, RADIO AND PRESS INTERVIEWS HAVE ALSO BEEN SCHEDULED.
"THE TWO SENIOR MEMBERS HAVE RECEIVED A LOT OF SUPPORT AND OFFERS TO HELP FROM PEOPLE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, INCLUDING ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION, THE HONG KONG LINK, THE HONG KONG FOUNDATION, THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, AND MANY BIG FIRMS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AS WELL AS INDIVIDUALS. BOTH DAME LYDIA AND MR ALLEN LEE WERE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THEIR SUPPORT.
"THEY HAVE ALSO RECEIVED TREMENDOUS MEDIA INTEREST AND SUPPORT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. TO QUOTE ONE EXAMPLE, THE TIMES HAS COME OUT WITH A VERY ENCOURAGING EDITORIAL SAYING: ’THEY (DAME LYDIA AND MR LEE), SEEK, MOREOVER, EXACTLY WHAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS ALWAYS PROCLAIMED TO BE ITS OWN GOAL: CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG IN THE YEARS LEADING TO ITS TRANSFER TO CHINESE SOVERIGNTY, AND THE LONG-TERM WELFARE AND PROSPERITY OF ITS PEOPLE.............TALK OF 3.25 MILLION PEOPLE POURING INTO THIS COUNTRY IF THEIR RIGHT OF ABODE HERE WERE RESTORED TO THEM IS IRRESPONSIBLE SCARE-MONGERING. ............ THIS IS ENTIRELY WITHIN ITS (HMG’S) POWER. IT IS A MORAL OBLIGATION. IT MAKES POLITICAL SENSE................................................WITHOUT AN ESCAPE ROUTE, HOWEVER, DEMOCRACY IS AN ILLUSION.’
"MANY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG HAVE WRITTEN DIRECTLY TO THE PRIME MINISTER. AS FAR AS OMELCO IS CONCERNED, WE HAVE RECEIVED A TREMENDOUS VOLUME OF ORAL AND WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS IN SUPPORT OF ITS POSITION. UP TO 11 AM TODAY, WE HAVE RECEIVED LETTERS FROM ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH MORE THAN 4,000 SIGNATURES. THESE ORGANISATIONS INCLUDED ALL THE 19 DISTRICT BAORD CHAIRMEN, FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, HONG KONG SUBSIDIZED SECONDARY SCHOOLS COUNCIL AND CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG STUDENTS’ UNION. THESE LETTERS WILL BE FORWARDED TONIGHT BY SPECIAL DELIVERY SERVICE TO THE TWO SENIOR MEMBERS FOR PRESENTATION TO THE PRIME MINISTER ON FRIDAY.
"MEANWHILE, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT THEY MAY CONTACT THE OMELCO SECRETARIAT ON 5-264027 DURING OFFICE HOURS SHOULD THEY WISH TO SEEK INFORMATION OR ADVICE ON THE NATIONALITY ISSUE.
"REGARDING PRIME MINISTER’S COMMENT AT THE QUESTION TIME IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS YESTERDAY THAT BRITAIN WOULD SEEK THE HELP OF THE WHOLE WORLD IF THE HONG KONG REFUGEE PROBLEM EMERGED, MEMBERS OF THE OMELCO SPECIAL WORKING GROUP THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS NOT WORKABLE FOR TWO REASONS.
"FIRSTLY, WE CANNOT SEE HOW WE CAN BE TREATED AS REFUGEES BEFORE 1997 WHEN HONG KONG IS STILL UNDER BRITISH ADMINISTRATION.
"SECONDLY, WHAT WE ARE REALLY ASKING HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT TO DO IS TO STABILISE HONG KONG NOW AS WE WANT TO STAY HERE. THEREFORE, PROVIDING AN EXIT WHEN PROBLEMS ARISE WOULD BE TOO LATE. THIS WILL NOT STABILISE HONG KONG. IT IS A QUESTION OF CONFIDENCE."
0
/41 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21. 1989
41 PUBLIC TRANSPORT FARES TO GO UP IN JULY *****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED FARE INCREASE APPLICATIONS BY STAR FERRY. LANTAU TAXI OPERATORS AND THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY (CMB) RANGING FROM AN AVERAGE OF ABOUT 11 PER CENT TO 20 PER CENT IN LINE WITH INFLATION AND INCREASED OPERATING COSTS.
THE FARE INCREASES FOR CMB AND STAR FERRY WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM JULY 2 THIS YEAR AND THAT FOR LANTAU TAXIS ON JULY 10.
AFTER REVISION OF CMB FARES. 74 PER CENT OF CMB PASSENGERS WILL PAY AN ADDITIONAL 10 TO 30 CENTS, AND 25 PER CENT AN ADDITIONAL 40 TO 50 CENTS.
THE REMAINING ONE PER CENT, MOSTLY ON EXPRESS COACH ROUTES, WILL PAY AN ADDITIONAL 80 CENTS TO $1.60.
FOR CROSS HARBOUR BUS SERVICES WHICH ARE JOINTLY OPERATED WITH KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY. THE FARES WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.
IN APPROVING THE FARE RISE, THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT CMB-’S FINANCIAL POSITION AFFECTED BY RISING INFLATION IN THE THREE YEARS SINCE THE LAST INCREASE IN APRIL 1986.
THE MAIN FACTORS WERE INCREASES IN OPERATING COSTS DUE TO INFLATION, AND THE NEED TO MEET COSTS OF SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS. THE APPROVED OVERALL INCREASE OF 20 PER CENT IS BELOW THE AGGREGATE INFLATION OF 24 PER CENT SINCE CMB’S LAST FARE INCREASE.
THE CONCERN EXPRESSED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND RESIDENTS OF SOUTHERN DISTRICT REGARDING THE RELATIVELY HIGH FARE LEVELS ON SOUTHERN ROUTES COMPARED WITH NON-SOUTHERN ROUTES WAS ALSO NOTED.
TO NARROW THE FARE DIFFERENTIALS, THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL APPROVED SEVERAL MEASURES. THESE INCLUDE:
* AN AVERAGE INCREASE OF 15 PER CENT FOR ALL SOUTHERN ROUTES AS COMPARED WITH AN AVERAGE INCREASE OF 24 PER CENT FOR NON-SOUTHERN ROUTES;
* A SECTION FARE OF $1.20 ON ROUTE 97 FOR TRIPS FROM AP LEI CHAU TO WONG CHUK HANG; AND
♦ INTRODUCTION OF TWO NEW FARE BANDS INTO THE SOUTHERN EXPRESS ROUTE GROUP, SO REDUCING THE INCREASES ON FOUR ROUTES (ROUTES 72, 92, 38, 42).
HOWEVER, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT REDUCTION OF FARE DIFFERENTIALS BETWEEN SOUTHERN AND NON-SOUTHERN ROUTES COULD ONLY BE ACHIEVED PROGRESSIVELY. A SUDDEN AND SHARP REDUCTION OF THE DIFFERENTIALS COULD LEAD TO DRASTIC FARE INCREASES OR SIGNIFICANT SERVICE REDUCTIONS ON NON-SOUTHERN ROUTES.
/HE ADDED .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
42
HE ADDED THAT THE APPROVED MEASURES ARE A FIRST STEP TO REDUCE THE FARE DIFFERENTIALS AND THEY WILL BE CONTINUED IN FUTURE FARE ADJUSTMENT EXERCISES.
"WE MUST ALLOW TIME TO MONITOR THE IMPACT OF INCREMENTAL FARE CHARGES ON PASSENGERS’ TRAVEL PATTERNS, AND ON CMB’S FINANCIAL SITUATION," HE SAID.
"FURTHERMORE A STUDY OF CMB’S FARE STRUCTURE BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS BEING CONDUCTED. THIS STUDY IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN AUTUMN AND WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD," HE SAID.
FOR STAR FERRY’S EDINBURGH PLACE TO KOWLOON POINT SERVICE, THE UPPER DECK FARE FOR ADULTS WILL BE INCREASED BY 20 CENTS FROM 80 CENTS TO $1 AND THAT FOR CHILDREN BY 10 CENTS FROM 50 CENTS TO 60 CENTS. THE COST OF A MONTHLY TICKET WILL GO UP FROM $39 TO $50.
HOWEVER, LOWER DECK FARES FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED AT 60 CENTS.
FARES FOR THE EDINBURGH PLACE TO HUNG HOM SERVICE WILL BE INCREASED BY 10.CENTS FROM 90 CENTS TO $1 FOR BOTH ADULT UPPER DECK FARES AND LOWER DECK FARES, WHILE UPPER DECK FARES FOR CHILDREN RISE FROM 50 CENTS TO 60 CENTS.
THERE WILL BE NO FARE INCREASE FOR THE WAN CHAI TO KOWLOON POINT SERVICE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAD CAREFULLY CONSIDERED THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE STAR FERRY COMPANY AND APPROVED THE INCREASES TO MEET RISING OPERATING COSTS DUE TO INFLATION AND THE COST OF SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS.
FOR LANTAU’S TAXI FARES, THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL APPROVED THE FLAGFALL FOR THE FIRST TWO KILOMETRES TO INCREASE FROM $5 TO $5.50 AND SUBSEQUENT DISTANCE CHARGES FROM $0.50 EVERY 0.20 KILOMETRE TO $0.70 EVERY 0.25 KILOMETRE.
WAITING TIME CHARGE WILL BE $0.70 FOR ONE MINUTE INSTEAD OF $0.50. RADIO-CALL SURCHARGE WILL BE INCREASED FROM $1 TO $2.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IN MAKING THE DECISION, THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAD TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE TAXI TRADE ON LANTAU, INCLUDING INFLATION, RISING MAINTENANCE AND OPERATING COSTS, AS WELL AS THE LEVEL OF TAXI SERVICE AND THE FARE DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN TAXI AND FRANCHISED BUSES ON THE ISLAND. THIS NEW FARE SCALE IS ALSO IN LINE WITH THAT FOR NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS.
/THE EXISTING .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
43
THE EXISTING AND NEW FARE SCALES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
EXISTING FARES ($) NEW FARES ($)
FLAGFALL FOR THE THE FIRST 2 KM 5.00 5.50
AFTER THE FIRST 2 KM 0.50 0.70
(EVERY 0.2 KM > (EVERY 0.25 KM)
FOR EVERY 1 MINUTE OF WAITING 0.50 0.70
TIME
SURCHARGE FOR EACH ARTICLE 2.00 2.00
OF BAGGAGE, ANIMAL OR BIRD
SURCHARGE FOR RADIO-CALL SERVICE 1.00 2.00
----------0--------------
GOVERNOR TO VISIT ISLANDS DISTRICT ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL VISIT THE ISLANDS DISTRICT TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO SEE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS.
SIR DAVID WILL FIRST FLY TO LAMMA ISLAND TO VISIT THE HONGKONG ELECTRIC COMPANY AT YUNG SHUE WAN WHERE HE WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE COMPANY’S ASH MANAGEMENT STRATEGY.
HE WILL THEN FLY TO NGONG PING ON LANTAU ISLAND WHERE HE WILL TOUR THE PO LIN MONASTERY AND THE CONSTRUCTION SITE OF THE BIG BUDDHA STATUE.
SIR DAVID WILL BE UPDATED ON THE VARIOUS DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS ON LANTAU WHICH WERE DESIGNED TO COPE WITH THE EXPECTED INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF TOURISTS.
THE GOVERNOR’S LAST STOP WILL BE NGAN WAN ESTATE AT MUI WO WHERE HE WILL VISIT A FAMILY.
HE WILL ALSO ATTEND A TEA RECEPTION AND MEET MEMBERS OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD AT THE ESTATE PLAZA.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE LANTAU PART OF THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT TO THE ISLANDS DISTRICT TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
A PRESS LAUNCH WILL LEAVE THE KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER, TSIM SHA TSUI, AT 1.15 PM FOR LANTAU ISLAND. INFORMATION OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
-------0----------
/44 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
44
DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES IMPORTANT
*****
IT IS DIFFICULT AT PRESENT TO PREDICT WHAT EFFECT RECENT EVENTS IN CHINA WILL HAVE ON THE TREND TO MOVE LABOUR-INTENSIVE PROCESSES ACROSS THE BORDER, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING.
SIR PIERS SAID IT WAS CLEAR HOWEVER THAT MANUFACTURERS COULD NOT AFFORD TO DO NOTHING, ALTHOUGH THEY WERE BOUND TO BE MORE CAUTIOUS.
SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE YOUNG INDUSTRIALIST AWARDS OF HONG KONG 1989, HE WARNED THAT COMPETITIONS FROM THE REGION WERE PURSUING HARD TO INCREASE THEIR MARKET SHARE AT THE EXPENSE OF HONG KONG.
"WE MUST PREPARE OURSELVES FOR THIS CHALLENGE AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES IS ONE AREA THAT REQUIRES MUCH ATTENTION," HE POINTED OUT.
AS HONG 'KONG ENTERED THE 1990’S, MORE TALENTED YOUNG INDUSTRIALISTS WITH FORESIGHT, ENERGY AND INNOVATION WERE NEEDED, SIR PIERS SAID.
HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THERE WAS NO SHORTAGE OF YOUNG MANUFACTURERS WITH THESE QUALITIES, JUDGING FROM THE OUTCOME OF THIS SELECTION EXERCISE.
"THIS YEAR’S AWARD WINNERS WILL PROVE A SHINING EXAMPLE TO OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE AND WILL LEAD OTHERS TO CONSIDER THE EXISTING AND CHALLENGING FUTURE IN MANUFACTURING," HE ADDED.
A TOTAL OF SEVEN INDUSTRIALISTS INVOLVED IN DIFFERENT SECTORS OF MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, FROM AIRCRAFT ENGINEERING AND KNITTING TO PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS, WERE HONOURED THIS YEAR.
THE AWARD SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED LAST YEAR BY THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES WITH THE PURPOSE OF RECOGNISING YOUNG LEADERS WHO HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE WELL-BEING OF HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
---------0
/45 .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21. 1989
45
ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD CONCEPT
* * * * *
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL LAUNCH A SERIES OF TERRITORY-WIDE ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE THE CONCEPT OF RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD LATER THIS YEAR. THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE. MR STEPHEN LAW, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON WEST, MR LAW NOTED THAT APART FROM MEETING THE PHYSICAL NEEDS OF THEIR CHILDREN. PARENTS SHOULD ALSO SEEK TO UNDERSTAND THEIR PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL NEEDS, AND SHOULD AVOID UNNECESSARY PUNISHMENT IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE A MORE HARMONIOUS FAMILY LIFE.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES HAD BEEN SYSTEMATICALLY PROVIDING FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION SINCE 1979 TO AROUSE THE COMMUNITY’S AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY LIFE.
"ONE OF THE OBJECTIVES OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION IS TO HELP INCREASE THE INDIVIDUAL’S UNDERSTANDING AND CARE OF OTHER MEMBERS IN THE FAMILY SO THAT THE QUALITY OF FAMILY LIFE WILL BE IMPROVED," MR LAW SAID.
"ANOTHER OBJECTIVE IS TO HELP PREVENT FAMILY BREAK-UPS WHICH IN TURN MAY LEAD TO SOCIAL PROBLEMS SUCH AS JUVENILE DELINQUENCY. GIRLS RUNNING AWAY FROM HOME AND CHILD ABUSE.
"FURTHERMORE, FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION CAN HELP FOSTER HARMONIOUS INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS AND AROUSE SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY A MORE CARING ONE," HE ADDED.
TO COMMEMORATE THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR FOR THE CHILD, MR LAW SAID HIS DEPARTMENT’S COMMITTEE ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN WOULD LAUNCH A SERIES OF TERRITORY-WIDE ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE THE CONCEPT OF RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD LATER THIS YEAR IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT (ISD) AND RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG (RTHK).
THE ACTIVITIES, AIMED AT ENHANCING PARENTS’ UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPORTANCE OF GIVING PROPER CARE AND GUIDANCE TO THEIR CHILDREN AND PREVENTING THE OCCURRENCE OF CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT, WOULD BE CONDUCTED AT TWO LEVELS, MR LAW SAID.
"AT ONE LEVEL, PUBLICITY WORK THROUGH THE MASS MEDIA AS WELL AS TERRITORY-WIDE ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS EXHIBITIONS AND SEMINARS, WILL BE ORGANISED TO ENHANCE THE PUBLIC’S UNDERSTANDING OF PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY AND TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF FAMILY LIFE.
"AT ANOTHER LEVEL, EDUCATION ON THE PRACTICAL TECHNIQUES AND PROPER ATTITUDE IN CHILD REARING WILL BE STRENGTHENED THROUGH DISTRICT PROGRAMMES SUCH AS TALKS AND GROUP DISCUSSIONS TO ENABLE PARENTS TO BETTER HANDLE VARIOUS FAMILY PROBLEMS," HE SAID.
/ON THE ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
46
ON THE MAJOR ACTIVITIES. MR LAW SAID A SEMINAR WOULD BE HELD ON JULY 22 TO AROUSE THE COMMUNITY’S UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPORTANCE OF PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY.
AN EXHIBITION ON RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD. HIGHLIGHTING THE CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF CHILD NEGLECT AND ABUSE. WOULD BE HELD JOINTLY WITH THE ISD AT SHUN TAK CENTRE, SHEUNG WAN ON OCTOBER 28 AND 29.
THE DEPARTMENT WOULD ALSO WORK WITH RADIO STATIONS IN ORGANISING DRAMA AND QUIZZES TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE OF CARE FOR THE YOUNG.
JOINTLY' WITH RTHK, THE DEPARTMENT WOULD HOLD A FAMILY CARNIVAL AT VICTORIA PARK ON DECEMBER 9 TO HELP PARENTS UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OF THEIR CHILDREN.
MR LAW CALLED ON THE COMMUNITY TO ACTIVELY TAKE PART IN AND SUPPORT THESE ACTIVITIES TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY SO THAT THE YOUNG WOULD GROW UP HAPPILY AND HEALTHILY.
----------0-------------
GOVT TO CONSIDER GREEN ISLAND RECLAMATION STUDY *****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONSIDER AT THE END OF THIS YEAR WHICH OF THE FOUR MODULES PROPOSED BY THE GREEN ISLAND RECLAMATION FEASIBILITY STUDY WOULD BE UPDATED TO TIE IN WITH THE TERRITORY'S DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN HE ADDRESSED A JOINT "A STEP CLOSER" SEMINAR FOR AREA COMMITTEES IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT.
MR LAN NOTED THAT THE VIABILITY OF THE GREEN ISLAND RECLAMATION PROJECT WOULD VERY MUCH HINGE ON THE PLANNED LOCATION OF THE NEW AIRPORT, WHICH IN TURN HAD TO BE DECIDED BY THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMET STUDY.
HE REMARKED THAT MANY OF THE OUTSTANDING PROBLEMS IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT WOULD BE SOLVED IF DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS OF THE RECLAMATION STUDY WERE IMPLEMENTED.
THE STUDY ATTEMPTED TO TACKLE ENVIROMENTAL POLLUTION IN KENNEDY TOWN AND TO CONSIDER REMOVING THE ABATTOIR AND THE CEMENT PLANT. IT WOULD ALSO AFFECT THE DECISION ON THE WESTERN EXTENSION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY, MR LAN ADDED.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT APART FROM THE GREEN ISLAND RECLAMATION STUDY, TWO MAJOR PROJECTS IN THE DISTRICT WOULD EITHER BE COMPLETED OR GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT WITHIN THIS YEAR.
/"THE UPGRADING .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
47
"THE UPGRADING OF CONNAUGHT ROAD WILL BE COMPLETED IN SEVERAL MONTHS, WHILE LAND RESUMPTION NOTICES FOR BUILDING THE PILOT MID-LEVELS ESCALATOR WILL BE GAZETTED SHORTLY," HE SAID.
AT THE SEMINAR, MR LAN STRESSED THAT OVER THE YEARS, AREA COMMITTEES HAD EVOLVED INTO AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE COMMUNITY BUILDING MACHINERY AND FOCAL POINTS FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION AT THE AREA LEVEL.
HE PAID TRIBUTE TO MEMBERS OF THE SIX LOCAL AREA COMMITTEES FOR THEIR ROLE IN THE CONSULTATION PROCESS, ADDING THAT THEY HAD GIVEN USEFUL SUGGESTIONS IN HELPING TO SOLVE THE DISTRICT’S ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRAFFIC PROBLEMS.
CITING THE RECENT CADOGAN STREET CARGO HANDLING AREA AS AN EXAMPLE. HE NOTED THAT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAI), FOLLOWING A JOINT SITE VISIT, ACCEPTED THE VIEWS OF AN AREA COMMITTEE II! MODIFYING THE SCHEME.
TODAY’S SEMINAR WAS ATTENDED BY THE CHAIRMEN AND MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT’S AREA COMMITTEES.
A NUMBER OF THEM EXPRESSED VIEWS ON PROBLEMS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE AREAS.
ON THE EFFECTS OF RECENT EVENTS IN CHINA ON HONG KONG, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY TOLD THE GATHERING THAT THE TERRITORY HAD A REMARKABLE TRACK RECORD OF BEING ABLE TO PULL THROUGH WHATEVER ADVERSITIES. HE SAID THAT CONFIDENCE WOULD RETURN AND THAT HONG KONG WOULD BE ABLE TO BOUNCE BACK.
HE CALLED ON ALL AREA COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO DISCARD THEIR DIFFERENCES AND WORK TOGETHER FOR A BETTER HONG KONG.
TODAY’S SEMINAR WAS THE SEVENTH IN A SERIES TO STRENGTHEN RELATIONS BETWEEN AREA COMMITTEES AND THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
-------0---------
FLOOD CONTROL MEASURES ON NORTH DB AGENDA * t * *
MEMBERS OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE GOVERNMENT’S FLOOD CONTROL MEASURES AND EMERGENCY ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE DISTRICT AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
BRIEFING THEM WILL BE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT. THE NEW TERRITORIES NORTH EAST DEVELOPMENT OFFICE. THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE AND DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE.
THE MEETING WILL ALSO DISCUSS A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON RURAL PLANNING AND IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY WHICH AIMS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
/THE DIRECTOR .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
48
THE DIRECTOR OF TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT, DR NIP KAM-FAN. AND THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT TOWN PLANNER OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT. DR PUN KWOK-SHING. WILL PRESENT THE STRATEGY.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE A PROPOSAL FOR INTRODUCING LEGISLATION TO PROTECT THE USE OF DISTRICT BOARD LOGOS. AND A REPORT FROM THE NORTH DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE. JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM.
----------0--------------
GOVT LAND TO LET BY TENDER * * » *
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS OFFERING TO LET BY TENDER THREE PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND FOR STORAGE PURPOSES.
THE FIRST TWO PISCES ARE A 4,580 SQUARE METRE SITE AT CHOI HA ROAD. JORDAN VALLEY, KOWLOON FOR OPEN STORAGE, AND A 6,450 SQUARE METRE SITE AT LAI CHO ROAD, KWAI CHUNG, NEW TERRITORIES FOR OPEN STORAGE EXCLUDING CONTAINERS.
THEY WILL BE OFFERED FOR AN INITIAL TENANCY PERIOD OF ONE YEAR AFTER WHICH THE LEASE CAN BE EXTENDED ON A QUARTERLY BASIS.
THE THIRD PIECE OF GOVERNMENT LAND, TO BE USED FOR OPEN STORAGE OF EMPTY CONTAINERS ONLY, IS IN AREA 17, TSING YI, NEW TERRITORIES AND HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 17,000 SQUARE METRES.
THE LEASE IS FOR ONE YEAR COMMENCING FROM AUGUST 1 THIS YEAR AND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
MEANWHILE, TWO PIECES OF LAND IN TSING YI, NEW TERRITORIES ARE BEING OFFERED TO LET BY TENDER FOR THE PURPOSE OF FEE-PAYING PUBLIC CARPARKS.
ONE IS A 24.000 SQUARE METRE SITE IN AREA 3 FOR THE PARKING OF VEHICLES, EXCLUDING CONTAINER TRACTORS AND TRAILERS. THE OTHER. A 5.800 SQUARE METRE SITE IN AREA 1 IS FOR THE PARKING OF GOODS VEHICLES, EXCLUDING CONTAINER TRACTORS AND TRAILERS.
THE LEASE FOR BOTH SITES IS FOR ONE YEAR AND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
/TENDERS FOR .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
49
TENDERS FOR ALL OF THE ABOVE FIVE PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BEFORE NOON ON JULY 7 THIS YEAR.
FORM OF TENDER. TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
* THE BUILDING AND LANDS DEPARTMENT. 14TH FLOOR, 'URRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG;
* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON; AND
♦ THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE. KWAI TSING FOR THE FOUR PIECES OF LAND IN KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI.
-------0---------
QUARTERLY REPORT ON LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS
THE REPORT ON THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY FOR JANUARY-MARCH 1989. CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, IS NOW AVAILABLE.
IT CONTAINS STATISTICS ON EMPLOYMENT, UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FOR THE QUARTER.
IT ALSO CONTAINS DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF MEMBERS OF THE LABOUR FORCE, INCLUDING THEIR AGE AND SEX STRUCTURE, EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, ACTIVITY STATUS, OCCUPATION, INDUSTRY, HOURS WORKED PER WEEK. MONTHLY EMPLOYMENT EARNINGS AS WELL AS REASON FOR UNEMPLOYMENT AND DURATION OF UNEMPLOYMENT FOR THE UNEMPLOYED.
COPIES OF THE REPORT, AT $10 EACH. CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE. CENTRAL.
-------0 - - - -
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES REVISED * ♦ * * ♦
A GOVERNMENT GAZETTE PUBLISHED YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) CONTAINS A LEGAL NOTICE TO THE EFFECT THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS AUTHORISED A DECREASE IN THE RATE OF INTEREST PAYABLE ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES.
FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY). THE NEW ANNUAL RATE OF INTEREST WILL BE 7.80 PER CENT (TAX FREE) AS AGAINST THE CURRENT RATE OF 8.28 PER CENT (TAX FREE).
/INTEREST ON .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
50
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES IS CALCULATED IN MONTHLY STEPS AND THE NEW RATE WILL BE $0,65 PER MONTH PER $100. INTEREST WILL BE CREDITED AS BEFORE IN RESPECT OF COMPLETE MONTHS BETWEEN PURCHASE AND SURRENDER IN PAYMENT OF TAX,
INTEREST IS ONLY CREDITED WHEN CERTIFICATES ARE USED TO PAY TAX AND NO INTEREST IS DUE WHERE THE PRINCIPAL VALUE OF A CERTIFICATE IS REPAID BY A CHEQUE.
THE NEW RATE WILL APPLY TO ALL CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER TOMORROW.
CERTIFICATES WHICH WERE ISSUED BEFORE TOMORROW WILL CONTINUE TO EARN INTEREST AS FOLLOWS:
3.00 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER DECEMBER 2, 1987 AND BEFORE DECEMBER 9, 1987;
2.04 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER DECEMBER 9, 1987 AND BEFORE FEBRUARY 20, 1988;
2.76 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER FEBRUARY 20, 1988 AND BEFORE APRIL 13, 1988;
3.36 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER APRIL 13, 1988 AND BEFORE MAY 11, 1988:
4.32 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER MAY 11, 1988 AND BEFORE JUNE 16, 1988;
4.8 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER JUNE 16, 1988 AND BEFORE JUNE 29, 1988:
5.28 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER JUNE 29, 1988 AND BEFORE JULY 27, 1988;
5.76 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER JULY 27. 1988 AND BEFORE AUGUST 17, 1988;
6.36 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER AUGUST 17, 1988 AND BEFORE DECEMBER 7, 1988;
6.84 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER DECEMBER 7, 1988 AND BEFORE FEBRUARY 15, 1989;
7.32 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER FEBRUARY 15, 1989 AND BEFORE MARCH 8, 1989;
7.80 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER MARCH 8, 1989 AND BEFORE MARCH 22, 1989; AND
8.28 PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER MARCH 22, 1989 AND BEFORE JUNE 22, 1989.
/BUT ALWAYS .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 1989
51
BUT ALWAYS SUBJECT TO THE GENERAL RULE THAT INTEREST CEASES TO ACCRUE AFTER 36 COMPLETE MONTHS WITHOUT SURRENDER FOR PAYMENT OF TAX.
EXAMPLE: $1,000 CERTIFICATES PURCHASED ON JUNE 22, 1989.
JULY 22. 1989 AND AUGUST 22, 1989 RESPECTIVELY.
SURRENDER IN PAYMENT OF TAX DUE ON SEPTEMBER 21. 1989 WILL HAVE INTEREST CALCULATED AS FOLLOWS:
ON $1,000. JUNE 22, 1989 TO SEPTEMBER 21. 1989
3 COMPLETE MONTHS AT $6.5 PER MONTH =$19.50
ON $1,000, JULY 22, 1989 TO SEPTEMBER 21. 1989
2 COMPLETE MONTHS AT $6.5 PER MONTH =$13.00
ON $1,000, AUGUST 22, 1989 TO SEPTEMBER 21, 1989
1 COMPLETE MONTH AT $6.5 PER MONTH =$ 6.50
$39.00
--------0---------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHAU KEI WAN AND KWUN TONG * * * * ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JUNE 23), TAI ON STREET IN SHAU KEI WAN BETWEEN TAI HONG STREET AND THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO THE SAI WAN HO FERRY CONCOURSE WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY WESTBOUND TO TWO-WAY.
TRAFFIC ON TAI ON STREET EASTBOUND WILL BE PERMITTED TO TURN RIGHT ONLY AT THE JUNCTION OF TAI ON STREET WITH THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO SAI WAN HO FERRY CONCOURSE.
AT THE SAME TIME. A SECTION OF SHUI WO STREET BETWEEN WAN HON STREET AND KA LOK STREET IN KWUN TONG WILL BE ROUTED TWO-WAY.
----------0--------------
/52 ........
WEDNESDAY. JUNE 21. 1989
52
LANE CLOSURES IN SHA TIN * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD RESURFATING WORK. TWO SECTIONS OF TAI PO ROAD (SOUTHBOUND) IN SHA TIN WILL BE CLOSED FROM FRIDAY (JUNE 23).
ABOUT 300 METRES OF THE SLOW LANE SOUTH OF TOLO HIGHWAY WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 PM ON FRIDAY TO 8 PM ON JULY 3.
IN ADDITION. ABOUT 300 METRES OF THE CENTRE LANE SOUTH OF TOLO HIGHWAY WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 8 PM AND 8 AM THE NEXT DAY FROM FRIDAY TO JULY 2.
_ _ _ _ o - - - -
RIGHT-TURN BAN ON CHATER ROAD
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JUNE 23), WESTBOUND TRAFFIC ON CHATER ROAD IN CENTRAL WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT TO THE FURAMA INTER-CONTINENTAL HOTEL AND THE UNNAMED ACCESS ROAD BETWEEN NO. 3 CHATER ROAD AND THE HOTEL.
THE RIGHT-TURN BAN WILL BE IN FORCE FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY, EXCEPT ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF BaSIC LaW FORMULATION ...... 1
BALANCED AND CAREFUL DEVELOPMENT OF OUTLYING ISLANDS ....... 2
CHIEF SECRETARY VISITS MARINE DEPARTMENT ................... 3
OMELCO NATIONALITY WORKING GROUP REPORTS ON WORK ........... 4
STI REITERATES CONFIDENCE IN HK'S FUTURE.................... 5
IMPORTANT TO STRENGTHEN HK'S LONG-TERM ECONOMIC FUNDAMENTALS 7
PUBLIC TRANSPORT IS KEY TO MEETING FUTURE TRAVEL DEMAND .... 9
REVIEW OF RENT CONTROL ON DOMESTIC UNITS .................. 11
PENALTY FOR TAXI MALPRACTICES TO BE INCREASED ............. 13
INSURERS' FEE TO GO UP FROM TOMORROW ...................... 14
SURVEY ON STRUCTURES IN FISH CULTURE ZONES ................ 15
IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY MAXIMISES LaBOUR RESOURCES .......... 16
SDA PRAISES ROLE OF HEUNG YEE KUK ......................... 17
DB MEMBERS VISIT LRT DEPOT ................................ 18
TSUEN WAN CLEAN-UP OPERATION STARTS TOMORROW .............. 18
AIR QUALITY UPDATE FOR DB COMMITTEE........................ 19
BUS ROUTE DEVELOEMENT PROGRAMME ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA .... 19
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY ............................ 20
URBAN CLEARWAYS ON LEE TUNG STREET, WAN CHaI .............. 24
THURSDAY. JUNE 22, 1989
1
GOVERNOR STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF BASIC LAW FORMULATION t » * » t
THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG SHOULD NOT NEGLECT THE OPPORTUNITY NOW TO GET THE BASIC LAW AS GOOD AS THEY POSSIBLY CAN. BECAUSE IT WILL STILL BE THE FUNDAMENTAL DOCUMENT FOR THE TERRITORY IN THE FUTURE. THE GOVERNOR. SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER HIS VISIT TO THE ISLANDS DISTRICT, THE GOVERNOR SAID IT HAD ALWAYS BEEN DIFFICULT FOR MOST PEOPLE TO CONCENTRATE ON THE BASIC LAW BECAUSE IT WAS A COMPLICATED AND LONG DOCUMENT.
"THEY SEE IT AS SOMETHING WHICH IS HAPPENING EIGHT YEARS IN THE FUTURE, SO IT’S ALWAYS BEEN A MINORITY INTEREST IN HONG KONG," SIR DAVID SAID.
"WHAT I WOULD SAY IS THAT FOR THAT MINORITY, THE PEOPLE WHO ARE STUDYING IT THOROUGHLY, IT IS STILL VERY IMPORTANT THAT THEY SHOULD CONTINUE TO DO THAT," HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR SAID WHEN ALL THAT HAD HAPPENED RECENTLY AND THE TRAGEDIES OF THE PAST TWO WEEKS HAD GONE INTO THE HISTORY BOOKS, THE BASIC LAW WOULD STILL BE THE FUNDAMENTAL DOCUMENT FOR HONG KONG.
SIR DAVID REITERATED THAT SINCE THE PROCESS OF CONSULTATION ON THE DRAFTING OF THE BASIC LAW HAD BEEN DELAYED, IT WOULD SEEM THAT THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DRAFTING WOULD WANT TO LOOK AT THE IDEA OF EXTENDING THE PROCESS.
"IT WOULD MAKE SENSE TO DO SO BECAUSE THEN PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WOULD HAVE A FULL OPPORTUNITY TO BE CONSULTED AND TO GIVE THEIR VIEWS,” HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT IN A VERY DIFFICULT TIME FOR HONG KONG, A SENSE OF UNITY, WHICH WAS IMPORTANT, WAS BEING ACHIEVED.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT WHILE THERE MIGHT BE DISAGREEMENTS ON INDIVIDUAL IDEAS, HE HOPED THAT ON LARGER QUESTIONS THE COMMUNITY WOULD TRY, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT, TO BE UNITED AND TO FORM A COMMON VIEW.
REPLYING TO QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BRITISH NATIONALITY ISSUE, THE GOVERNOR SAID : "WE ARE GOING ON PRESSING OUR POINT OF VIEW AND I HOPE TO MAKE PROGRESS WITH THAT. AT THE VERY LEAST, AND TO START WITH, I HOPE TO MAKE PROGRESS WITH GETTING A GENEROUS, A VERY GENEROUS RESPONSE FROM THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT."
"WHAT I’VE BEEN PRESSING FOR IS SOMETHING WHICH WOULD COVER ALL BRITISH PASSPORT HOLDERS HERE."
/2 ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1989
- 2 -
BALANCED AND CAREFUL DEVELOPMENT OF OUTLYING ISLANDS » t ♦ * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS PROCEEDING WITH THE BALANCED AND CAREFUL DEVELOPMENT OF THE OUTLYING ISLANDS, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AFTER HIS VISIT TO THE ISLANDS DISTRICT, SIR DAVID SAID: "THE GOVERNMENT IS CARRYING OUT A SERIES OF PACKAGE DEVELOPMENTS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE ISLANDERS."
ACCOMPANIED BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ADOLF HSU, ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM WAI-KEUNG, AND DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JONATHAN NG, SIR DAVID FIRST FLEW TO LAMMA ISLAND TO VISIT THE HONGKONG ELECTRIC COMPANY AT YUNG SHUE WAN.
THE GOVERNOR WAS BRIEFED ON THE COMPANY’S ASH MANAGEMENT STRATEGY WHICH AIMS TO MARKET PULVERISED FUEL ASH (PFA) TO INDUSTRIAL USERS AND TO LANDFILL SITES.
THE STRATEGY INCLUDES THE USE OF PFA AS FILL TO RESTORE THE LAMMA QUARRY SITE AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A LAGOON TO DISPOSE OF PFA AS ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE.
SIR DAVID WAS ASSURED THAT THE STRATEGY WAS ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE AND STUDIES WOULD BE CONTINUED TO IDENTIFY DETAILED ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION MEASURES.
THE PARTY THEN PROCEEDED TO PO LIN MONASTERY ON LANTAU ISLAND BY HELICOPTER.
THE GOVERNOR WAS TOLD THAT THE WORLD’S TALLEST OPEN AIR BUDDHA STATUE - CONSTRUCTED BY THE MONASTERY - WOULD BE COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
THE BRONZE STATUE, 33.95 METRES TALL AND WEIGHING 250 TONS, COSTS ABOUT $68 MILLION TO BUILD. OTHER FACILITIES SUCH AS A CONVENTION HALL, A HOSTEL FOR BUDDHIST SCHOLARS AND AN AUDIO-VISUAL LIBRARY OF BUDDHIST SCRIPTURES WILL ALSO BE CONSTRUCTED.
SIR DAVID LEARNT THAT, AS THE BIG BUDDHA STATUE WILL ATTRACT THOUSANDS OF LOCAL AND FOREIGN PILGRIMS AND TOURISTS, THE THREE KILOMETRES LONG NGONG PING ACCESS ROAD WOULD BE IMPROVED TO ENABLE TWO-WAY TRAFFIC TO COPE WITH THE INCREASE IN DEMAND FOR VEHICULAR ACCESS.
OTHER RELATED FACILITIES SUCH AS A LARGER BUS TERMINUS, A PUBLIC CARPARK AND A TAXI STAND WILL ALSO BE CONSTRUCTED NEAR THE MONASTERY.
THE PARTY THEN LEFT FOR MUI WO TO TOUR THE NGAN WAN ESTATE WHICH STARTED ITS INTAKE OF RESIDENTS IN JULY LAST YEAR AND WILL PROVIDE MORE THAN 460 FLATS TO HOUSE ABOUT 1,650 PEOPLE.
/SIR DAVID .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1989
3
SIR DAVID VISITED ONE OF THE FAMILIES THERE AND WAS PLEASED TO SEE THAT ISLANDERS WERE ENJOYING AN IMPROVED LIVING ENVIRONMENT IN RURAL PUBLIC HOUSING.
THE GOVERNOR THEN WENT TO THE ROOFTOP OF THE ESTATE WHERE HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE PACKAGE DEVELOPMENT AT MUI WO WHICH WOULD COST A TOTAL OF 3550 MILLION.
SIR DAVID WAS TOLD THAT CONSTRUCTION OF A FOUR-STOREY GOVERNMENT BUILDING AND A SWIMMING POOL AND SPORTS COMPLEX ARE NOW IN PROGRESS. ALSO, PROJECTS LIKE A SPORTS GROUND, A REGIONAL COUNCIL COMPLEX, AND A NEIGHBOURHOOD COMMUNITY CENTRE WITH A MULTI-PURPOSE HALL WILL START SOON.
BEFORE CONCLUDING HIS VISIT, SIR DAVID MET WITH ISbANDS DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AT THE NGAN WAN ESTATE PLAZA.
-----0------
CHIEF SECRETARY VISITS MARINE DEPARTMENT
*****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, WAS GIVEN A COMPREHENSIVE BRIEFING ON THE PORT OF HONG KONG DURING A VISIT TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
SIR DAVID, WHO WAS MET ON ARRIVAL BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR DERICK HALL, ALSO SPENT PART OF THE VISIT ON A GOVERNMENT LAUNCH TO SEE FOR HIMSELF THE OPERATIONS OF THE PORT AND THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT.
HE WAS TOLD BY SENIOR OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT THAT WHILE THE PORT HANDLED 56 MILLION TONNES OF CARGO IN 1986, THE PORT WAS FORECAST TO HANDLE 449 MILLION TONNES BY 2011.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY WAS BRIEFED ON THE FUTURE REQUIREMENTS OF PORT FACILITIES IN ORDER TO COPE WITH DEMAND AS WELL AS THE RELATED CONSTRAINTS.
HE ALSO LOOKED AT THE HANDLING OF CARGO AT THE WESTERN PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA (PCWA) AND LEARNT THAT THEMARINE DEPARTMENT MANAGED IN TOTAL 10 PCWA’S, THREE PUBLIC WATERFRONTS AND THREE PERMITTED SEAFRONTS.
SIR DAVID WAS FURTHER TOLD THAT MEASURES WOULD BE TAKEN TO ENSURE OPTIMUM UTILISATION OF THE MORE THAN 8,300 METRES OF SEA FRONTAGE.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY THEN VISITED THE VESSEL TRAFFIC CENTRE SITUATED AT THE OUTER PIER OF THE MACAU FERRY TERMINAL.
/THE $160 .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1989
4
THE $160 MILLION RADAR-CUM-COMPUTER VESSEL TRAFFIC SYSTEM WOULD COMMENCE OPERATION IN TWO MONTHS, BY WHICH TIME THE PORT COMMUNICATIONS CENTRE WOULD BE REPLACED.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY ALSO VISITED THE GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD IN CANTON ROAD WHICH PROVIDED MAINTENANCE WORK TO A FLEET OF ABOUT 500 GOVERNMENT CRAFT.
HE UNDERSTOOD FROM THE DEPARTMENT THAT THE GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD HAD UNDERGONE A RESTRUCTURING IN ORGANISATION AND WOULD CARRY OUT A SIX-PHASE PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE PHYSICAL FACILITIES, THE FIRST THREE OF WHICH WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED OVER A PERIOD OF FOUR YEARS AT A COST OF ABOUT $70 MILLION.
------0-------
OMELCO NATIONALITY WORKING GROUP REPORTS ON WORK » ♦ * * »
FOLLOWING IS THE CONTENT OF TODAY’S PRESS BRIEFING BY ROSTER MEMBERS OF THE OMELCO SPECIAL WORKING GROUP ON NATIONALITY, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, MR CHAN YING-LUN, DR LEUNG CHE-HUNG AND MRS NELLIE FONG:
’’MEMBERS OF THE OMELCO SPECIAL WORKING GROUP ON NATIONALITY ARE PLEASED TO REPORT THAT THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, THE HON DAME LYDIA DUNN, HAS FULLY RECOVERED FROM A MINOR DISCOMFORT AND IS WELL ENOUGH TO CARRY ON WITH HER ACTIVITIES.
"TODAY (THURSDAY). DAME LYDIA AND THE HON ALLEN LEE WILL CONTINUE TO MEET THE UK MEDIA AND POLITICAL LEADERS. THEY WILL ALSO SPEND MUCH TIME AND EFFORT IN PREPARING FOR TOMORROW’S IMPORTANT MEETINGS WITH THE FOREIGN SECRETARY AND THE PRIME MINISTER.
"OUR OVERALL IMPRESSION OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS DEBATE ON HONG KONG IS THAT WE HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVE IN PUTTING HONG KONG’S CASE TO BRITAIN AND MADE AN IMPACT ON THE UK MEDIA, THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS POLITICIANS; THERE WAS CLEARLY A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT, AND A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF, HONG KONG’S PROBLEM. MANY OF THE SPEAKERS ALSO RECOGNISED THAT BRITAIN DOES HAVE A MORAL RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP RESTORE CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG. AS TO HOW THIS COULD BE DONE, OUR IMPRESSION IS THAT THE LORDS NEED MORE TIME TO DIGEST THE PROBLEMS AND THINK OF A WORKABLE SOLUTION.
"WE ARE GLAD THAT LORD GLENARTHUR HAS IN THE DEBATE REAFFIRMED HMG’S COMMITMENT TOWARDS MAINTAINING THE STABILITY, PROSPERITY AND WELFARE OF HONG KONG. WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING WHAT IMAGINATIVE SOLUTION HE COULD COME UP WITH.
"MEANWHILE, LETTERS TO THE UK GOVERNMENT FROM THE HK COMMUNITY IN SUPPORT OF OMELCO’S MISSION HAVE BEEN DELIVERED TO THE TWO SENIOR MEMBERS.
"WE CONTINUE TO RECEIVE SUPPORT FROM MANY GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS.
/"AMONG THEM .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1989
- 5 -
"AMONG THEM IS THE HEUNG YEE KUK. THE KUK HAS WRITTEN TO THE TWO SENIOR MEMBERS IN LONDON TO EXPRESS THEIR STRONGEST SUPPORT FOR THEIR EFFORT IN PRESENTING OUR CASE FOR THE RIGHT OF ABODE OF BRITISH SUBJECTS AND A SAFE AND SECURE FUTURE FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. THE KUK HAS ALSO WRITTEN THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN LONDON TO ALL HONG KONG PEOPLE AND CHINESE ORGANISATIONS IN THE UK. APPEALING FOR THEIR SUPPORT TO THE OMELCO DELEGATION IN LONDON.
"OTHER ORGANISATIONS INCLUDED THE TEXTILE COUNCIL OF HONG KONG, TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, HONG KONG SOCIAL WORKERS* ASSOCIATION, HONG KONG SOCIAL WORKERS’ GENERAL UNION, AND MANY PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS BODIES.
"WE ARE THANKFUL TO THE GOVERNOR FOR HIS SUPPORT TO THE EFFORTS OF OUR TWO SENIOR MEMBERS IN PRESENTING OUR CASE IN LONDON IN HIS SPEECH DELIVERED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL YESTERDAY.
"WE SHARE HIS VIEW THAT UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY IS PARTICULARLY ESSENTIAL AT THIS POINT OF TIME."
-----0-----------
STI REITERATES CONFIDENCE IN HK’S FUTURE
* » » » »
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOHN CHAN, HAS REITERATED HIS CONFIDENCE THAT THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG WILL BE FULLY AND FAITHFULLY IMPLEMENTED.
MR CHAN WAS ADDRESSING SENIOR EXECUTIVES AND PROFESSIONALS IN BUSINESS AND ACADEMIA AT THE TOWN HALL OF CALIFORNIA IN LOS ANGELES YESTERDAY (JUNE 21) DURING THE FINAL WEEK OF HIS VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES.
MR CHAN TOLD HIS AUDIENCE THAT CHINA HAD AN EXCELLENT TRACK RECORD IN ABIDING BY INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS TO WHICH SHE WAS A PARTY, AND HAD ALWAYS BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF HONG KONG.
"HISTORY HAS PROVED THAT, EVEN DURING THE DARKEST DAYS OF THE CULTURAL REVOLUTION, CHINA IN PRACTICE ABIDED BY THE TREATIES UNDER WHICH HONG KONG WAS PARTLY CEDED AND MOSTLY LEASED TO BRITAIN, DESPITE HER VIEW THAT THESE TREATIES WERE UNEQUAL AND THEREFORE INVALID.
"AND THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES MADE SURE THAT HONG KONG CONTINUED TO RECEIVE ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES OF FOOD AND WATER.
"IF ANYTHING, THE TRAGIC EVENTS IN CHINA HAVE SERVED TO ACCENTUATE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE JOINT DECLARATION TO HONG KONG, NOT DETRACT FROM IT," HE SAID.
/MR CHAN .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1989
6
MR CHAN OUTLINED THREE TRENDS IN THE HONG KONG ECONOMY WHICH HE BELIEVED WOULD BRING HONG KONG CONTINUED PROSPERITY.
THEY INCLUDED THE RE-EMERGENCE OF HONG KONG AS AN ENTREPOT, THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG AS A SERVICE AND SOURCING CENTRE FOR THE REGION AND HONG KONG’S GROWING TRADE WITH EAST ASIA.
HE NOTED THAT CALIFORNIANS WERE PARTICULARLY WELL-PLACED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE PROMISE AND OPPORTUNITIES REPRESENTED BY HONG KONG.
"ALREADY CALIFORNIANS HAVE FOCUSSED ON HONG KONG," MR CHAN SAID.
"THERE ARE OVER 50 LARGE MULTINATIONAL CALIFORNIAN COMPANIES OPERATING IN HONG KONG, AND IN 1988 CALIFORNIA’S EXPORTS TO HONG KONG WENT UP BY. AN IMPRESSIVE 42 PER CENT TO USS2.42 BILLION.
"HONG KONG IS ONE OF THE MAJOR DESTINATIONS FOR EXPORTS OF CALIFORNIAN FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PRODUCTS AND WE IMPORTED ALMOST US$120 MILLION WORTH OF THEM LAST YEAR.
"THERE IS A GREAT POTENTIAL FOR FURTHER GROWTH IN ALL THESE PRODUCT AREAS AND IN MANY OTHERS," MR CHAN SAID.
IN THE 'OTHER DIRECTION, CALIFORNIA WAS A LONG-ESTABLISHED MARKET FOR HONG KONG PRODUCTS, HE ADDED.
"OUR EXPORTS TO CALIFORNIA LAST YEAR WERE UP 5.3 PER CENT TO US$3.57 BILLION.
"THE TRADE BALANCE IS IN HONG KONG’S FAVOUR BUT THE GAP IS CLOSING. MORE IMPORTANT THOUGH IS THE FACT THAT MANY OF HONG KONG’S EXPORTS TO CALIFORNIA WERE MANUFACTURED IN HONG KONG BY U.S. COMPANIES.
"THERE ARE 162 FACTORIES IN HONG KONG KNOWN TO BE WHOLLY OR -PARTLY OWNED BY U.S. INTERESTS. ALMOST 10 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS ARE ACCOUNTED FOR BY THESE FACTORIES," MR CHAN SAID.
ELABORATING ON HONG KONG’S TRADING POLICY, MR CHAN SAID HONG KONG HAD A COMPLETELY OPEN ECONOMY PRACTISING FREE TRADE AND IT MADE GOOD COMMERCIAL SENSE TO HAVE CLOSE LINKS WITH THE WORLD’S LARGEST CAPITALIST STATE.
MR CHAN YESTERDAY LEFT LOS ANGELES FOR SACRAMENTO WHERE HE WILL MEET CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR GEORGE DEUKMEIJIAN AND BE INTRODUCED TO THE STATE SENATE AND MEMBERS OF THE ASSEMBLY. TODAY HE TRAVELS TO SAN FRANCISCO FOR THE FINAL LEG OF HIS VISIT TO THE UNITED .STATES BEFORE RETURNING TO HONG KONG.
0---------
/7.........
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1989
IMPORTANT TO STRENGTHEN HK’S LONG-TERM ECONOMIC FUNDAMENTALS
*****
THE EVENTS IN CHINA HAVE UNDERLINED HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR HONG KONG TO MAINTAIN AND STRENGTHEN ITS LONG-TERM ECONOMIC FUNDAMENTALS, THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR ANDREW K.P. LEUNG, SAID THIS <THURSDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING AT A PANEL DISCUSSION AT THE ANNUAL DINNER OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, HE SAID: "IN THIS REGARD, CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN HONG KONG IS LIKELY TO SUSTAIN A BASE OF KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL WHICH WILL REINFORCE OUR UNIQUE ECONOMIC ROLE REGIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY.
"HOWEVER, IN AN AGE OF RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE, THIS BASE OF KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL MUST NOT BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED AND MUST BE CONTINUALLY UPGRADED IF HONG KONG IS TO MAINTAIN ITS DISTINCT ROLE."
MR LEUNG ADMITTED THAT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WAS A VERY BROAD SUBJECT AND OUR RESOURCES WERE LIMITED.
"WE SHOULD AVOID WHITE ELEPHANTS OR IVORY TOWERS. NOR SHOULD WE BLINDLY FOLLOW THE MODELS OF OTHER COUNTRIES.
"IN SCIENCE," HE SAID, "WE SHOULD ONLY REALISTICALLY AIM AT DEVELOPING NICHES OF REGIONAL OR INTERNATIONAL EXCELLENCE IN AREAS THAT ARE LIKELY TO BENEFIT THE ECONOMY."
"LIKEWISE, DEFINED AS THE APPLICATION OF SCIENCE TO PRACTICAL OR INDUSTRIAL SITUATIONS, TECHNOLOGY MUST BE MARKET-LED.
"AND MANY ECONOMIES, INCLUDING HONG KONG, THRIVE ON IMPORTED OR ADOPTED TECHNOLOGIES. IT WOULD BE THUS MORE MEANINGFUL TO TALK ABOUT IMPROVED TECHNOLOGIES RATHER THAN 'HIGH TECHNOLOGY’, WHICH IS A SOMEWHAT NEBULOUS TERM,” MR LEUNG SAID.
SIMILARLY, HE ADDED, HONG KONG'S UNIQUE ROLE WOULD BE MORE SAFELY ANCHORED IF A COMPETITIVE MANUFACTURING SECTOR EXISTED AS A VITAL COMPONENT OF A DIVERSIFIED ECONOMY.
MANUFACTURING ALREADY DIRECTLY CONTRIBUTED 22 PER CENT TO HONG KONG'S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) AND IT FURTHER CONTRIBUTED TO THE SERVICE SECTOR BY USING FINANCIAL, INSURANCE, TELECOMMUNICATIONS, ENERGY AND OTHER SERVICES, MR LEUNG SAID.
ELABORATING ON THE IMPORTANCE OF MANUFACTURING, HE NOTED THAT IT ACCOUNTED FOR A THIRD OF THE WORKFORCE AND IT ALSO HELPED DEVELOP HONG KONG’S LINKAGE INDUSTRIES AND VARIOUS MANUFACTURING-RELATED SKILLS AND SERVICES SUCH AS PRODUCT DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT, LABORATORY SERVICES AND QUALITY ASSURANCE.
/"THESE ENABLE .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1989
8
"THESE ENABLE HONG KONG TO MANAGE AND BENEFIT FROM OFFSHORING MANUFACTURING, INCLUDING THAT IN GUANGDONG.
"ALTERNATIVELY, IF OFFSHORE MANUFACTURING IN CHINA OR ELSEWHERE BECOMES LESS ATTRACTIVE FOR VARIOUS REASONS, A COMPETITIVE MANUFACTURING SECTOR WOULD HELP CAPTURE SOME OF THE HIGH-VALUE ADDED PRODUCTION WHICH DOES NOT RELY FOR ITS PROFITABILITY ON ACCESS TO CHEAP LABOUR," MR LEUNG SAID.
"IN ADDITION, BOTH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND INDUSTRY HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY IN STRENGTHENING HONG KONG’S POSITION AS AN INTERNATIONAL CITY WITH A SEPARATE ECONOMIC ENTITY UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION.
"WE HAVE ALREADY BECOME A CONTRACTING PARTY TO THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT) AND A SEPARATE MEMBER OF THE CUSTOMS CO-OPERATION COUNCIL.
"WE WILL CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE IN MANY OTHER INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ORGANISATIONS IN OUR OWN RIGHT BEYOND 1997," MR LEUNG SAID.
HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE SOURCING OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE WORLDWIDE AND THE UPGRADING OF OUR MANUFACTURING BASE THROUGH FOREIGN INVESTMENT WOULD FURTHER UNDERLINE THIS LONG-TERM ECONOMIC FUNDAMENTAL FOR HONG KONG’S CONTINUED VIABILITY.
TURNING TO THE EVENTS IN CHINA, MR LEUNG SAID OUR CONFIDENCE HAD BEEN SHAKEN AND SO HAD THAT OF SOME OF OUR OVERSEAS INVESTORS. "BUT THE GENERAL PICTURE IS FAR FROM ONE OF TOTAL COLLAPSE," HE SAID.
HE SAW THAT IT WAS MORE ONE OF TEMPORARY WITHDRAWALS, OF PUTTING MAJOR DECISIONS ON HOLD, OF WAIT-AND-SEE.
INDEED, HE SAID THE ECONOMICALLY ACTIVE GUANGDONG APPEARED TO BE LESS AFFECTED THAN OTHER REGIONS AND JAPAN APPEARED TO BE LESS DISHEARTENED THAN OTHER OVERSEAS INVESTORS.
"THE SITUATION IS STILL FLUID.
"IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES, HONG KONG MUST NOT LOSE HEART OR LET OUR EMOTIONS BLIND US TO OUR INNATE STRENGTHS.
"ABOVE ALL, WE MUST RESIST THE TEMPTATION OF RUSHING INTO DOING THINGS THAT MAY TAMPER WITH THE PROVEN FORMULA OF OUR SUCCESS: OUR FREE ENTERPRISE SYSTEM," HE SAID.
0
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1989
9
PUBLIC TRANSPORT IS KEY TO MEETING FUTURE TRAVEL DEMAND ♦ ♦ * ♦ *
PUBLIC TRANSPORT WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE BACKBONE OF HONG KONG’S TRANSPORT SYSTEM IN THE NEXT DECADE IN VIEW OF PROJECTED RAPID GROWTH IN TRAVEL DEMAND AND THE NEED FOR THE ROAD NETWORK TO CATER FOR INCREASING COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, TODAY (THURSDAY) WHEN HE SPOKE ON TRANSPORT DEVELOPMENT INTO’ 2001 AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF PO LEUNG KUK DIRECTORS.
MR LEUNG SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT MASS CARRIERS SUCH AS THE RAILWAYS AND BUSES SHOULD BE GREATLY USED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE EXPANSION OF RAILWAY NETWORK PROPOSED IN THE GREEN PAPER ON TRANSPORT POLICY WAS IMPORTANT BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT SHIFT OF POPULATION TO THE NEW TOWNS AND THE EXPANDED RAILWAYS SYSTEM WOULD RELIEVE SUBSTANTIAL ROAD CAPACITY FOR OTHER MODES.
HE SAID BUSES PROVIDING A CHEAP AND REASONABLE SERVICE WOULD CONTINUE TO BE THE PRIME MODE OF TRAVEL FOR AREAS NOT ADEQUATELY SERVED BY RAIL.
FERRY SERVICES WOULD ALSO PROVIDE A USEFUL SUPPLEMENT AND ALTERNATIVE TO RAIL AND ROAD TRANSPORT.
HE EXPECTED THAT THE THREE MASS CARRIERS - BUSES, RAIL AND FERRIES - WOULD CARRY 71 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL PUBLIC TRANSPORT DEMAND BY 2001.
ON FUTURE TRAFFIC DEMAND, MR LEUNG SAID THE SECOND COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY PROJECTED THAT THE NUMBER OF PRIVATE CARS AND GOODS VEHICLES WOULD INCREASE BY ABOUT 150 ?ER CENT BETWEEN 1986 AND 2001.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSON TRIPS WOULD INCREASE BY 40 PER CENT, TOTAL DAILY PUBLIC TRANSPORT BOARDINGS BY 36 PER CENT, AND TOTAL GOODS VEHICLE TRIPS BY 140 PER CENT.
THE STUDY’S PROJECTED INCREASE OF ABOUT ONE MILLION RESIDENTS IN THE NEW TOWNS AND 277,000 NEW JOBS ON HONG KONG ISLAND BETWEEN 1986 AND 2001 WOULD INCREASE THE NUMBER OF LONG TRIPS BETWEEN THE NEW TOWNS AND THE URBAN CENTRES AS WELL AS CROSS HARBOUR JOURNEYS.
WITH THE SHARP INCREASES IN VEHICLE NUMBERS, TRAVEL DEMAND AND TRIPS LENGTH, THE TOTAL DAILY KILOMETRES TRAVELLED BY ALL VEHICLES IN 2001 WOULD DOUBLE THE LEVEL IN 1986.
MR LEUNG STRESSED THAT ACTION MUST BE TAKEN TO MANAGE THE GROWTH AND USAGE OF GOODS VEHICLES AND PRIVATE CARS WHICH WOULD ACCOUNT FOR 78 PER CENT OF TOTAL ROAD TRAFFIC BY 2001, LEAVING ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE ROAD SPACE FOR THE MOST EFFICIENT MASS CARRIER - THE BUSES.
/HE SAID
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1989
10
HE SAID THAT TO TACKLE FUTURE CHALLENGES THE GOVERNMENT MAPPED OUT A TRANSPORT STRATEGY IN THE GREEN PAPER.
THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IN THE STRATEGY FOR THE NEXT DECADE'■ COSTING $29 BILLION WOULD FOCUS ON THE FOLLOWING:
» ROUTE 3 PROVIDING A HIGH CAPACITY ROAD LINK CONNECTING THE BORDER, YUEN LONG, THE EXISTING CONTAINER PORT, AND THE URBAN AREAS;
« A NEW RAIL CONNECTING THE NEW TOWNS IN THE NORTH-WEST NEW TERRITORIES WITH THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATION IN TSUEN WAN;
* EXTENDING THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY TO JUNK BAY AND ROUTE 16 TO CATER FOR THE TRAVEL NEEDS OF THE JUNK BAY NEW TOWN AND THE CONTINUOUS GROWTH OF THE NEW TOWNS IN EASTERN NEW TERRITORIES;
* HUNG HOM BYPASS AND THE SECOND AIRPORT TUNNEL PROVIDING A NEW ROUTE CONNECTING TSIM SHA TSUI AND KWUN TONG;
» ROUTE 7 AND CENTRAL-WAN CHAI BYPASS PROVIDING AN EXPRESSWAY ALONG THE NORTHERN AND WESTERN SHORES OF HONG KONG ISLAND; AND
* A THIRD CROSS HARBOUR RAIL LINK CATERING FOR THE; ANTICIPATED RAPID GROWTH IN CROSS HARBOUR TRIPS AND TO RELIEVE CONGESTION ALONG THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY NATHAN ROAD CORRIDOR AND THE INTERCHANGE WITH KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY AT KOWLOON TONG.
MR LEUNG STRESSED THAT THERE WAS A LIMIT AS TO HOW MUCH HONG KONG COULD REDUCE CONGESTION BY BUILDING MORE ROADS AND EXPANDING PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
HE SAID THE GREEN PAPER HAD PROPOSED A WIDE RANGE OF ALTERNATIVE MEASURES TO MANAGE THE GROWTH AND USAGE OF VEHICLES SUCH AS INCREASING TAXES ON LIGHT VANS AND PRIVATE CARS, AND ADJUSTING TUNNEL TOLLS.
BEING FULLY AWARE OF THE NATURAL OBJECTIONS OF MOTORISTS TO ANY RESTRAINT MEASURES, MR LEUNG SAID ONE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S MAIN TASKS WAS TO MINIMISE THE NEED FOR SUCH MEASURES.
MR LEUNG ALSO CALLED ON LAND USE PLANNERS TO WORK CLOSELY WITH TRANSPORT PLANNERS TO AVOID PROBLEMS NOW BEING EXPERIENCED AT THE LION ROCK AND THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNELS.
"THE PLANNERS SHOULD IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADJUSTING LAND USE PROPOSALS TO REDUCE PRESSURE ON THE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES," HE SAID.
"CURRENT LAND USE STUDIES SUCH AS THE METROPLAN AND THE MAJOR HARBOUR RECLAMATIONS WOULD ADDRESS THESE ISSUES TO FIND BETTER SOLUTIONS," HE SAID.
/MR LEUNG .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1989
11
MR LEUNG ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO INTRODUCE AND APPLY MODERN TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND ENGINEERING MEASURES TO MAXIMISE THE USE OF ROAD SPACE SUCH AS THE EXPANSION OF THE COMPUTERISED AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM TO COVER THE NEW TOWNS.
"THERE IS A CONTINUING SEARCH FOR SITES SUITABLE FOR USE AS UNDERGROUND CARPARKS," HE SAID.
"PLANS FOR LAUNCHING A PILOT SCHEME OF HILLSIDE ESCALATORS CONNECTING CENTRAL WITH THE MID-LEVELS ARE BEING FINALISED," HE ADDED.
"MEASURES WILL CONTINUE TO BE INTRODUCED TO MINIMISE TRAFFIC DISRUPTIONS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE VEHICLES, TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND ROAD MAINTENANCE AND UTILITY WORKS," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALSO KEEPING ABREAST OF THE LATEST TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN OTHER PLACES TO SEE IF THEY MET HONG KONG’S NEEDS.
HE SAID THAT TO HELP RELIEVE THE PEAK HOUR CONGESTION PROBLEM, THE COMMUNITY SHOULD EMPLOY SUCH MEANS AS ADOPTING AND PROMOTING A GREATER USE OF FLEXI-TIME AND STAGGERED WORKING HOURS.
HE NOTED THAT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WAS ACTIVELY PROMOTING THIS AMONG EMPLOYERS.
MR LEUNG SAID FULL DETAILS WERE GIVEN IN THE GREEN PAPER WHICH COULD BE OBTAINED FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT LICENSING OFFICES.
HE CALLED ON THE COMMUNITY TO HELP THE GOVERNMENT FINALISE A LONG TERM TRANSPORT STRATEGY BY GIVING THEIR VIEWS TO THE GOVERNMENT BEFORE THE END OF SEPTEMBER.
----------0-------------
REVIEW OF RENT CONTROL ON DOMESTIC UNITS t » »
THF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED A NUMBER OF MEASURES TO UPDATE AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION! ORDINANCE, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
(CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT)
TENANT
WHICH°RWILLNDBE*“INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE rniihiPTT ON JULY 12 PART II OF THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE WILL BE EXTENDED BY TWO YEARS FROM DECEMBER 19, 1989
UNDER THE RESOLUTION 1989,
DECEMBER 18, 1991.
THE RESOLUTION COMPONENT IN THE RENT TO 65 PER CENT OF DECEMBER 19. 1989.
ALSO PROPOSES TO RAISE THE MINIMUM INCREASE MECHANISM IN PART II FROM 60
THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT, EFFECTIVE
PERCENTAGE
PER'
CENT FROM
/IT WILL .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1989
12
IT WILL ALSO INCREASE FROM 39 TO 43 TIMES THE STANDARD RENT FOR THE PERMITTED RENT OF PRE-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES.
IN ANNOUNCING THESE PROPOSALS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THEY WERE DRAWN UP FOLLOWING ANOTHER REVIEW OF THE WORKING OF THE ORDINANCE, AN ASSESSMENT OF MARKET CONDITIONS AND HAVING REGARD TO THE INTERESTS OF BOTH LANDLORDS AND TENANTS.
THESE MEASURES ARE IN KEEPING WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S PREVIOUSLY STATED INTENTION TO PHASE OUT RENT CONTROL WITHOUT CAUSING ADVERSE SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES, HE SAID.
DESPITE A SERIES OF ADJUSTMENTS TO THE RENT INCREASE SYSTEM WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF RAISING CONTROLLED RENTS CLOSER TO THE MARKET LEVEL, THE DISPARITY BETWEEN CONTROLLED AND MARKET RENTS CONTINUES.
THE REMOVAL OF RENT CONTROL AT THIS STAGE WOULD MEAN THAT THESE TENANTS WOULD HAVE TO FACE RENT INCREASES OF VARIOUS MAGNITUDE -APPROXIMATELY 20 PER CENT WOULD HAVE THEIR RENTS DOUBLED. THE LIKELY HARDSHIP AND DISLOCATION COULD BE SERIOUS AND SOCIALLY DISRUPTIVE.
THE EXTENSION OF THE LIFE OF PART II OF THE ORDINANCE, WHICH IS DUE TO EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 18, 1989 BY TWO YEARS WILL CONTINUE THE DUAL PROTECTION OF RENT CONTROL AND SECURITY OF TENURE TO TENANTS OF ABOUT 60,000 WHOLLY-LET DOMESTIC UNITS AND AN UNDETERMINED NUMBER OF LETTINGS AND SUB-LETTINGS OF SUB-DIVIDED ACCOMMODATION.
IN LINE WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY OF PROGRESSIVE DECONTROL, IT IS PROPOSED TO INCREASE, WITH EFFECT FROM DECEMBER 19 THIS YEAR. THE MINIMUM PERCENTAGE COMPONENT IN THE RENT INCREASE MECHANISM IN PART II FROM 60 PER CENT TO 65 PER CENT OF THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT, A LEVEL TO BE REACHED BY ALL CONTROLLED RENTS.
ASSUMING THAT MARKET RENTS REMAIN RELATIVELY STABLE, THIS WILL HAVE A NET EFFECT OF INCREASING THE NUMBER OF TENANCIES AFFECTED BY THE MINIMUM PERCENTAGE COMPONENT BY 883 AND INCREASING THE AVERAGE CONTROLLED RENTS BY S18 PER MONTH.
THE SPOKESMAN HOWEVER POINTED OUT THAT THIS INCREASE WOULD ONLY AFFECT TENANTS WHO ARE CURRENTLY PAYING LESS THAN HALF OF THE MARKET RENTS AND HAVE IN FACT BEEN PROTECTED FOR A LONG TIME. EVEN THEN, THEY WILL CONTINUE TO PAY SIGNIFICANTLY LESS THAN NEW TENANTS FOR COMPARABLE PREMISES, HE SAID.
FOLLOWING THE ESTABLISHED POLICY OF ALLOWING ANNUAL INCREASES OF THE PERMITTED RENT OF PRE-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES, THE FACTOR TO BE APPLIED TO THE "STANDARD RENT” (THAT IS, RENT AS AT DECEMBER 25, 1941) TO ARRIVE AT THE PERMITTED RENT WILL BE CHANGED FROM 39 TO 43.
THE PROPOSED INCREASE WILL AFFECT ABOUT 1,350 PRE-WAR DOMESTIC UNITS EFFECTIVELY CONTROLLED UNDER PART I OF THE ORDINANCE.
/RAISING THE .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1989
13
RAISING THE FACTOR FROM 39 TO 43 WOULD RESULT IN AN AVERAGE INCREASE OF ABOUT 10 PER CENT OR $150 PER MONTH OVER CURRENT PERMITTED RENTS, AND WOULD BRING SUCH RENTS TO ABOUT 79 PER CENT OF THE PREVAILING MARKET LEVEL.
IF APPROVED, THIS PROPOSAL WOULD TAKE EFFECT FROM NOVEMBER 1, 1989.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION REGARDING THESE PROPOSED CHANGES CAN APPROACH THE DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT.
----------0--------------
PENALTY FOR TAXI MALPRACTICES TO BE INCREASED
*****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE INCREASE IN PENALTY FOR TAXI OFFENCES TO CURB MALPRACTICES.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE MAXIMUM FINE FOR SOME TAXI MALPRACTICE OFFENCES WOULD BE INCREASED FROM $3,000 TO $5,000. THE MAXIMUM IMPRISONMENT TERM OF SIX MONTHS WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.
THE AMENDMENT REGULATIONS TO INCREASE THE PENALTY AGAINST TAXI MALPRACTICE OFFENCES UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC (PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLES) REGULATIONS WILL BE GAZETTED AND COME INTO FORCE ON JUNE 30 THIS YEAR.
THE OFFENCES UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC (PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLES) REGULATIONS THAT WOULD CARRY HEAVIER PENALTIES INCLUDE:
* REFUSING HIRE;
* FAILURE TO TAKE PASSENGERS TO THEIR DESIRED DESTINATIONS;
* REFUSING TO CARRY SUCH NUMBER OF PASSENGERS, NOT EXCEEDING THE NUMBER SPECIFIED IN THE VEHICLE LICENCE IN RESPECT OF THE TAXI, AS MAY BE REQUIRED TO CARRY BY THE HIRER;
♦ FAILURE TO TAKE THE MOST DIRECT PRACTICABLE ROUTE;
» PERMITTING OTHER PASSENGERS TO ENTER TAXI WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE HIRER;
» SOLICITING PASSENGERS;
♦ LOITERING OR STOPPING ELSEWHERE THAN AT A TAXI STAND WHILE AVAILABLE FOR HIRE;
♦ OVERCHARGING; AND
» METER RELATED OFFENCES.
/OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1989
14
OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGISLATIVE MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF TAXI SERVICES RECOMMENDED DY THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE WERE ALSO IN HAND, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THESE INCLUDE:
» REVISING THE TAXI DRIVING LICENCE WRITTEN TEST TO PLACE MORE EMPHASIS ON THE KNOWLEDGE OF TAXI REGULATIONS AND LOCATIONS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF TAXI DRIVERS;
* PREPARING AN INFORMATION LEAFLET ON TAXI SERVICE TO HELP BOTH THE TAXI DRIVERS AND THE PUBLIC TO BE BETTER AWARE OF THEIR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES. SOME 150,000 COPIES OF THE LEAFLET HAVE BEEN PRINTED AND DISTRIBUTED RECENTLY; AND
* REQUIRING THE TAXI DRIVERS TO DISPLAY AT ALL TIMES IDENTIFICATION PLATES INSIDE TAXIS WHILST ON DUTY AND SPECIFYING THE DESIGN AND POSITIONING OF FARE TABLES INSIDE TAXIS.
----------0-------------
INSURERS’ FEE TO GO UP FROM TOMORROW *****
THE AUTHORISATION AND ANNUAL FEE PAYABLE BY AUTHORISED INSURERS WILL BE INCREASED FROM 325,000 TO 335,000 WITH EFFECT FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE INCREASE FOLLOWED THE APPROVAL BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL OF THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE (AMENDMENT OF SECTION 13) REGULATIONS 1989.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE FEE REVISION WAS TO RECOVER A GREATER PROPORTION OF THE COST OF PRUDENTIAL SUPERVISION OF AUTHORISED INSURERS BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY.
THE REGULATIONS WILL BE GAZETTED.TOMORROW, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
----------0-------------
/15 ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1989
- . 15
SURVEY ON STRUCTURES IN FISH CULTURE ZONES
*****
MARICULTURISTS IN HONG KONG’S 28 FISH CULTURE ZONES WERE TODAY (THURSDAY) URGED TO GIVE THEIR SUPPORT TO A SURVEY BEING CONDUCTED JOINTLY BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IN RESPECT OF STRUCTURES ON FISH RAFTS IN ALL DESIGNATED ZONES.
THEY WERE ALSO REQUESTED TO CO-OPERATE FULLY WITH SURVEY STAFF IN THEIR REGISTRATION WORK IN THE COURSE OF THE SURVEY WHICH IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ABOUT TWO WEEKS TO COMPLETE.
MAKING THE APPEAL, THE SENIOR FISHERIES OFFICER OF THE AFD’S AQUACULTURE FISHERIES DIVISION, MR K.W. CHAN, SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY WAS TO GATHER ACCURATE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CURRENT SITUATION OF STRUCTURES ON MARICULTURE RAFTS, THE USAGES OF THESE STRUCTURES AND THE PEOPLE USING THEM.
"THIS INFORMATION IS ESSENTIAL NOT ONLY IN ENABLING THE DEPARTMENT TO' ENFORCE THE MARINE FISH CULTURE ORDINANCE MORE EFFECTIVELY, BUT ALSO IN IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENTAL APPEAL OF FISH CULTURE ZONES AND IN PREVENTING ANY POLLUTION PROBLEM WHICH MAY BE CAUSED BY DWELLINGS ON RAFTS," MR CHAN SAID.
THE SURVEY, WHICH STARTED YESTERDAY, WILL COVER ALL 1,800 LICENCES IN THREE STAGES WITH THOSE IN LEUNG SHUEN WAN, SHAM WAN, YIM TIN TSAI, YIM TIN TSAI (EAST) AND SOK KWU WAN BEING INCLUDED IN THE FIRST STAGE.
THE REMAINING ZONES WILL BE COVERED IN THE FOLLOWING STAGES.
MR CHAN SAID THAT THE SURVEY STAFF WOULD VISIT EACH AND EVERY FISH RAFT IN THE FISH CULTURE ZONES TO REGISTER AND PAINT REGISTRATION NUMBERS AND DIMENSIONS ON THE STRUCTURES SURVEYED.
"THE RESULTS OF THE SURVEY WILL BE CAREFULLY ASSESSED AND WILL BE USED AS A BASELINE FOR FUTURE CONTROL PURPOSES," HE ADDED.
MR CHAN EMPHASISED THAT THE ERECTION OF ANY STRUCTURE ON A FISH RAFT WITHOUT THE PRIOR PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES IS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE MARINE FISH CULTURE REGULATIONS.
"OFFENDERS ARE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $1,000 IN ADDITION TO THE CANCELLATION OF THEIR MARICULTURE LICENCES," HE WARNED.
/16 ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1989
16
IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY MAXIMISES LABOUR RESOURCES ♦ t * * ♦
A SATISIFIED, WELL-MOTIVATED AND DEDICATED WORKFORCE SHOULD ALWAYS BE THE FIRST TARGET FOR EMPLOYERS WHO AIM TO IMPROVE THE PRODUCTIVITY AND EFFICIENCY OF THEIR BUSINESS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND, TODAY (THURSDAY) AT THE OPENING OF THE FIRST OF TWO SYMPOSIA ON EFFICIENT UTILISATION OF HUMAN RESOURCES ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
MR HAMMOND STRESSED THAT IMPROVEMENT IN PRODUCTIVITY COULD NEVER BE ACHIEVED COMPLETELY WITHOUT DUE CONSIDERATION OF THE HUMAN FACTOR.
"IN OTHER WORDS, IN ANY SCHEME TO BOOST PRODUCTIVITY, THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE EMPLOYEES MUST BE SECURED, AND WITHOUT WHICH, MACHINES AND PROCEDURES CANNOT BE PUT TO THEIR BEST USE," HE SAID.
MR HAMMOND ALSO POINTED OUT THAT A TIGHT LABOUR SUPPLY AND HIGH STAFF TURNOVER WERE A PREDICTABLE RESULT OF PROSPERITY AND SUCCESS IN A FREE MARKET ECONOMY LIKE HONG KONG’S.
"IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE COMPANIES HAVE TO COMPETE WITH EACH OTHER FOR SCARCE HUMAN RESOURCES, MUCH HAS TO BE DONE BY EMPLOYERS NOT ONLY TO ATTRACT AND RECRUIT EMPLOYEES OF THE RIGHT CALIBRE, BUT ALSO TO TRAIN THEM AND RETAIN THEM.
"WHILE AN IMPROVED REMUNERATION PACKAGE FOR EMPLOYEES AND INCREASED TRAINING UNDOUBTEDLY ADD TO THE RUNNING COSTS OF A BUSINESS, IT IS UP TO THE EMPLOYER TO FIND WAYS AND MEANS OF UTILISING HIS SCARCE HUMAN RESOURCES EFFICIENTLY SO THAT HIS BUSINESS CAN REMAIN BUOYANT AND RETAIN A COMPETITIVE EDGE OVER OTHERS.
IN THIS RESPECT IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY BECOMES A KEY ISSUE."
MR HAMMOND SAID IT WAS AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND THAT THE TWO SYMPOSIA WERE ORGANISED TO PROVIDE A FORUM FOR INTERESTED PARTIES FROM DIFFERENT TRADES AND INDUSTRIES TO DISCUSS VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE PROBLEMS COMMONLY FACED BY THEM.
PROMINENT GUEST SPEAKERS FROM VARIOUS SECTORS WHO HAVE TRIED OUT DIFFERENT SCHEMES TO IMPROVE LABOUR EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY HAVE BEEN INVITED TO TALK IN THE SYMPOSIA.
/TODAY'S SYMPOSIUM
THURSDAY,JUNE 22, 1989
17
TODAY’S SYMPOSIUM, ATTENDED BY 250 PEOPLE, FOCUSSES ON THE SITUATION IN THE COMMERCIAL AND SERVICE SECTORS, WHILE THE ONE TOMORROW CONCENTRATES ON THE MANUFACTURING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE ACTING DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR YIU YAN-NANG, WILL ADDRESS THE OPENING SESSION OF THE SECOND SYMPOSIUM AT 9.15 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE GOLDEN MILE HOLIDAY INN IN TSIM SHA TSUI.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SESSION.
-------0---------
SDA PRAISES ROLE OF HEUNG YEE KUK ♦ * ♦ * ♦
SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1926, THE HEUNG YEE KUK HAS ALWAYS ACTED AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN RESIDENTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THE GOVERNMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR LIAO WAS SPEAKING AT THE UNVEILING OF A PLAQUE TO MARK THE COMPLETION OF - RENOVATIONS AT THE KUK’S MEETING HALL.
HE SAID THE HEUNG YEE KUK, AS A STATUTORY ADVISORY BODY, HAD ENHANCED COMMUNICATION AND CO-OPERATION BETWEEN RESIDENTS AND THE ADMINISTRATION, THUS ENABLING THE SMOOTH IMPLEMENTATION OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES ON NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT.
OVER THE YEARS, THE KUK HAD GIVEN FULL SUPPORT TO THE GOVERNMENT IN PROTECTING THE INTERESTS OF RURAL RESIDENTS, HE SAID.
MR LIAO NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD INTRODUCED LEGISLATION IN 1959 TO ESTABLISH THE KUK AS A STATUTORY BODY. SINCE THEN IT HAD BECOME AN IMPORTANT REPRESENTATIVE BODY REFLECTING THE VIEWS OF RESIDENTS.
THE GOVERNMENT CONSULTED THE KUK, THROUGH THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, ON ALL MAJOR DECISIONS INVOLVING THE REGION’S DEVELOPMENT AND THE PEOPLE’S LIVELIHOOD.
MR LIAO BELIEVED THE KUK WOULD CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN ITS CLOSE CO-OPERATION WITH THE GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE LIVING STANDARDS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
0
/18 ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 22,
1989
18
DB MEMBERS VISIT LRT DEPOT
*****
MEMBERS OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD VISITED THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT) DEPOT IN TUEN MUN THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE OPERATION OF THE LRT SYSTEM.
LED BY THE BOARD’S CHAIRMAN, MR HO YUNG-SANG, THE PARTY WAS GREETED ON ARRIVAL AT THE DEPOT BY LIGHT RAIL DIRECTOR, MR JONATHAN YU.
THE MEMBERS WERE BRIEFED ON THE LRT SYSTEM AND WERE SHOWN A DOCUMENTARY ON LRT SERVICES.
THEY THEN TOURED THE OPERATIONS CONTROL CENTRE AND WORKSHOP.
THE PARTY ALSO TOOK A RIDE ON A LIGHT RAIL VEHICLE TO THE SIU HONG STOP WHERE THEY WERE BRIEFED ON THE FACILITIES OF THE STOP AND THE OPERATION OF THE TICKET VENDING MACHINES.
_ _ _ _ o - - - -
TSUEN WAN CLEAN-UP OPERATION STARTS TOMORROW ******
A BLOCK-TO-BLOCK CLEAN-UP OPERATION IN SUPPORT OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN WILL START TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN TSUEN WAN.
THE MONTH-LONG OPERATION, ORGANISED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, IS AIMED AT AROUSING RESIDENTS’ AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF A CLEAN AND HEALTHY LIVING ENVIRONMENT.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY TOMORROW WILL BE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM SHIU; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHAU HOW-CHEN; CHAIRMAN OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL’S TSUEN WAN DISTRICT COMMITTEE, MR CHAN LAU-FONG; AND CHAIRMEN OF TSUEN WAN’S AREA COMMITTEES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 11 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HALL OF THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL.
/19 ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1989
19
AIR QUALITY UPDATE FOR DB COMMITTEE » » » * *
AN UPDATED REPORT ON AIR QUALITY IN KWUN TONG WILL BE PRESENTED AT A MEETING OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE LATEST STUDY WAS CARRIED OUT AT A MONITORING STATION ON THE ROOFTOP OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE BUILDING.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO CONSIDER NINE APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS, TOTALLING $319,600, FOR MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.
IN ADDITION, IT WILL CONSIDER REPORTS BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ON OPERATIONS OF THE JORDAN VALLEY LANDFILL, AND A PROGRESS REPORT ON WORKS PROJECTS IN KWUN TONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING WHICH WILL 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.
----0-------
BUS ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA
*****
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE SETTLED BUS ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR 1989-90 AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER A PROPOSAL TO RELOCATE THE EXISTING PUBLIC LIGHT BUS STAND ON YUEN LONG HONG LOK ROAD.
OTHER TOPICS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE PROPOSED FARE INCREASES FOR THREE GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES AND THE CONGESTION PROBLEM CAUSED BY CONTAINER TRUCKS USING TIN HA ROAD AND PING HA ROAD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 13TH FLOOR, TAI KIU GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM.
--------0-----------
/20 ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1989
20
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY * * * * *
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED GRADES ON THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF ALL BATHING BEACHES IN HONG KONG.
AN EPD SPOKESMAN S’AID THE PURPOSE OF THE GRADING SYSTEM IS TO INFORM SWIMMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE STATE OF BACTERIAL POLLUTION AT VARIOUS BEACHES.
THE GRADING WILL BE ANNOUNCED BIWEEKLY DURING THE BATHING SEASON, TO COINCIDE WITH THE FREQUENCY AT WHICH BEACH WATERS ARE USUALLY SAMPLED.
THE GRADING IS BASED ON THE MOST RECENT BACTERIA DATA OBTAINED BY THE EPD IN ITS ROUTINE MONITORING PROGRAMME.
THIS YEAR, FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE GRADING ALSO INCLUDES AN ESTIMATE OF THE RISK OF SUFFERING SOME MINOR SKIN OR GASTROINTESTINAL COMPLAINTS AS A RESULT OF SWIMMING AT A BEACH WHICH HAS SOME DEGREE OF POLLUTION.
THE ESTIMATE IS BASED ON A VERY LARGE BODY OF STATISTICAL INFORMATION GATHERED IN HONG KONG DURING RECENT BATHING SEASONS.
THE GRADING OF SOME BEACHES MAY VARY DURING THE SUMMER. THIS REPRESENTS A NATURAL FLUCTUATION IN THE BACTERIAL QUALITY OF BATHING WATERS IN MOST" CASES, AS RAIN AND TIDES BRING MORE OR LESS POLLUTION TO THE BEACHES.
BATHING WATERS COMMONLY BECOME WORSE DUE TO HEAVY USAGE DURING THE SUMMER. HOWEVER, THE GRADES GIVE A GOOD GENERAL PICTURE OF THE WATER QUALITY AT BATHING BEACHES AT THE TIME OF REPORTING AND FORM THE BEST AVAILABLE FORECAST FOR THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.
THE SYSTEM FOR GRADING BEACH WATER QUALITY IS AS FOLLOWS:
"A" GRADE INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS GOOD. THE MEAN
E.COLI COUNT IS LESS THAN 100 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS LESS THAN SEVEN CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
"B" GRADE INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS ACCEPTABLE. THE MEAN E.COLI COUNT IS LESS THAN 1,000 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS LESS THAN 18 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
"C" GRADE INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS POOR. THE MEAN E.COLI COUNT IS 1,000 OR MORE PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS 18 OR MORE CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO CLOSE A BEACH TO SWIMMERS IS BASED ON A JUDGEMENT OF WHAT DEGREE OF POLLUTION IS ACCEPTABLE.
/NORMALLY, ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1989
21
NORMALLY, A RECOMMENDATION ON CLOSURE WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED BY THE URBAN OR REGIONAL COUNCIL IF A "C" GRADING OCCURRED REPEATEDLY, SO THAT THE AVERAGE HEALTH RISK OVER THE BATHING SEASON EXCEEDED 15 CASES PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
SIMILARLY, A RECOMMENDATION TO RE-OPEN A CLOSED BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED IF A "B" GRADE OR BETTER WERE CONSISTENTLY OBTAINED.
AT PRESENT, SIX BATHING BEACHES HAVE BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING PURPOSE, BASED ON THE WATER QUALITY DURING PAST SEASONS. THESE BEACHES ARE ANGLERS', CASTLE PEAK, SILVERMINE BAY, OLD CAFETERIA, ROCKY BAY AND TING KAU.
THEY ARE POLLUTED BY FAECAL WASTES AND FAILED TO ACHIEVE CONSISTENTLY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION AND HONG KONG STANDARDS. THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED NOT TO SWIM IN THESE SIX BEACHES. THEY ARE IDENTIFIED BY AN "X" IN THE FOLLOWING TABLE.
THE GRADES ON THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF VARIOUS BEACHES IN HONG KONG AS AT TODAY AND TWO WEEKS AGO ARE LISTED BELOW :
BEACH LAST PRESENT
----- GRADING GRADING
(AS AT 9.6.89) (AS AT 22.6.89)
HONG KONG SOUTH
BIG WAVE BAY B B
CHUNG HOM KOK A A
DEEP WATER BAY A A
HAIRPIN B B
MIDDLE BAY B B
REPULSE BAY B B
SHEK O B B
SOUTH BAY A A
ST. STEPHEN’S A A
TURTLE COVE B A
STANLEY MAIN B B
ROCKY BAY X X
TO TEI WAN* A A
/ISLANDS DISTRICT ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1989
22
ISLANDS DISTRICT
CHEUNG SHA UPPER A
CHEUNG SHA LOWER B
DISCOVERY BAY* A
HUNG SHING YEH A
KWUN YAM WAN A
TONG FUK A
LO SO SHING A
PUI O A
SILVERMINE BAY X
TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU B
TUNG O» A
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
CAMPERS
B
CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH B
CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND BEACH A
HAP MUN BAY A
KIU TSUI A
PAK SHA CHAU A
SILVERSTRAND B
TRIO (HEBEHAVEN) B
A
B
A
A
A
A
A
A
X
B
A
B
A
A
A
A
C
B
/TSUEN WAN .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1989
23
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
ANGLERS' X
APPROACH B
CASAM B
GEMINI A
HOI MEI WAN B
LIDO B
TING KAU X
TUNG WAN, MA WAN A
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
OLD CAFETERIA X
NEW CAFETERIA B
CASTLE PEAK X
KADOORIE B
BUTTERFLY B
X B
B A
B
B
X A
X
B
X
B
B
NOTE: ”X" THE BEACH HAS BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING.
* NON-GAZETTED BEACHES.
THE FOLLOWING BEACHES HAVE CHANGED GRADING ON THIS OCCASION:
TURTLE COVE, FROM ”B” TO "A".
THE CHANGE FROM ”B” TO "A" IS WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE OF FLUCTUATION OF THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF THE BEACH.
SILVERSTRAND, FROM ”B" TO "C".
THE USUAL GRADING OF SILVERSTRAND BEACH IS EITHER "A” OR "B” . THE BEACH IS AFFECTED BY STREAMS CARRYING SEPTIC TANK EFFLUENT FROM THE BUILDINGS IN ITS HINTERLAND. THE RECENT HEAVY RAINS CAUSED THE POLLUTANTS IN THE STREAMS BEING WASHED TO THE BEACH.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT MR WALLACE CHEUNG, ACTING PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (WATER POLICY) OF EPD, ON 5-8351234.
0
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1989
24
URBAN CLEARWAYS ON LEE TUNG STREET, WAN CHAI
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JUNE 24), THE FOLLOWING TWO SECTIONS OF LEE TUNG STREET IN WAN CHAI WILL BE DESIGNATED 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS:
* THE WESTERN KERS IDE LANE BETWEEN JOHNSTON ROAD AND QUEEN’S ROAD EAST; AND
* THE EASTERN KERSIDE LANE BETWEEN JOHNSTON ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 55 METRES TO THE SOUTH.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 198?
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CIVIL SERVICE DIRECTORATE REVIEW ........................... 1
OMELCO NATIONALITY WORKING GROUP REPORTS ON WORK ........... 3
COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 GAZETTED ................... 4
BILL TO STREAMLINE INVESTOR PROTECTION LAW ................. 6
LOOSE-LEAF EDITION OF LAWS OF HK PROPOSED .................. 8
REVISION OF FEES AND CHARGES ............................... 10
PROPOSAL TO INCREASE MEMBERS OF INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION ................................................ 10
IMPROVEMENTS SOUGHT FOR TRUST FUND INVESTMENT OPERATIONS ... 11
AMENDMENT TO LI PO CHUN FUND LAW PROPOSED .................. 12
LOW POWER WIRELESS DEVICES EXEMPT FROM LICENSING ........... 13
COPIES OF INTERNATIONAL COVENANTS ON HUMAN RIGHTS BEING DISTRIBUTED................................................... 14
KCRC TO PROVIDE FIVE-YEAR PROGRAMME ON LRT OPERATION........ 15
CONSULTATIONS SOUGHT ON EC ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES ............. 16
GOVERNMENT ASSISTING HOUSE-BOAT DWELLERS ................... 17
FARMERS TO MAKE EUROPEAN STUDY TOUR......................... 18
1.5 MILLION YOUNGSTERS TO JOIN SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES ..... 19
ACAN SUPPORTS INTERNATIONAL ANTI-DRUG DAY .................. 20
SPIRIT OF SELF-HELP FOSTERED................................ 21
SURVEY ON DEMAND FOR HOME HELP SERVICE...................... 22
ASSOCIATION COMMENDED FOR SERVING MEWTALLY HANDICAPPED ..... 22
NEW ID CARDS FOR MEN BORN IN 1949-52 ....................... 23
SWD FIELD OFFICES MOVE...................................... 24
FIRING PRACTICE IN JULY..................................... 25
VIOLET PEEL POLYCLINIC MIVES TO SOUTHORN CENTRE ............ 26
CREMATORIUM AND COLUMJARIUM PROJECT AT WO HOP SHEK.......... 26
GOVT PROPERTY TO LET BY TENDER ............................. 2?
WORKS TO IMPROVE WATER SUPPLY FOR TWO SHA TIN AREAS ........ 27
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1989
1
CIVIL SERVICE DIRECTORATE REVIEW * t » » »
THE 1OTH REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON DIRECTORATE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE HAS BEEN RELEASED FOLLOWING CONSIDERATION OF ITS RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
THE COMMITTEE CONDUCTS AN OVERALL REVIEW OF THE CIVIL SERVICE DIRECTORATE STRUCTURE, SALARIES AND OTHER CONDITIONS OF SERVICE EVERY FEW YEARS. THE NINTH REVIEW WAS COMPLETED IN MID-1985.
THE REPORT OF THE 1OTH REVIEW, WHICH BEGAN IN NOVEMBER 1988, WAS SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR THIS MONTH.
"THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS ACCEPTED THE MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE REPORT CONCERNING THE GROUPING OF DEPARTMENTS, RANKING OF INDIVIDUAL POSTS, AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, BUT HAS DEFERRED A DECISION ON PROPOSALS FOR A RE-STRUCTURING OF THE DIRECTORATE PAY SCALE," THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR HARNAM GREWAL, SAID.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS ACCEPTED BY GOVERNMENT INCLUDE:
(A) UPGRADING THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT FROM GROUP III TO GROUP 11;
< B> UPGRADING THE GOVERNMENT DATA PROCESSING AGENCY TO A GROUP III DEPARTMENT:
(C) UPGRADING THE POST OF DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID FROM DL4 TO DL5 :
(D) UPGRADING THE POST OF COMMISSIONER OF BANKING FROM D4 TO D5; AND
(E) ANNUAL MEDICAL CHECK-UPS FOR DIRECTORATE OFFICERS AGED 40 AND ABOVE.
MR GREWAL SAID ANOTHER RECOMMENDATION IN THE REPORT, TO EXTEND THE COUNTRY COVERAGE OF THE OVERSEAS EDUCATION ALLOWANCE, HAD BEEN ACCEPTED IN PRINCIPLE SUBJECT TO THE DETAILS AND THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS BEING SATISFACTORILY WORKED OUT.
THE COMMITTEE HAS ALSO RECOMMENDED THE FOLLOWING STRUCTURAL CHANGES TO THE DIRECTORATE PAY SCALE AND, WHERE APPLICABLE, THE DIRECTORATE (LEGAL) PAY SCALE :
(A) TWO 3 PER CENT INCREMENTS TO BE AWARDED AFTER TWO AND FIVE YEARS' SERVICE RESPECTIVELY IN RANKS ON THE BOTTOM THREE . POINTS OF THE SCALES;
(B) ONE 3 PER CENT INCREMENT TO BE AWARDED AFTER TWO YEARS’ SERVICE IN RANKS ON THE FOURTH POINT OF THE SCALES;
(C) THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW POINT SO AS TO RANK HEADS OF GROUP III DEPARTMENTS ABOVE ALL DEPUTY HEADS;
(D) THE ............
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1989
2
(D) THE INTRODUCTION OF A SECOND NEW POINT SO AS TO RANK HEADS OF SECRETARIAT BRANCHES ABOVE HEADS OF GROUP I DEPARTMENTS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE WHO WOULD CONTINUE TO BE AT THE SAME RANK AS A BRANCH SECRETARY;
(E) A WIDER GAP IN SALARY BETWEEN THE TOP OF THE MASTER PAY SCALE AND THE BOTTOM OF THE DIRECTORATE PAY SCALES.
"THESE STRUCTURAL CHANGES HAVE BEEN RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMITTEE TO RECOGNISE THE INCREASINGLY COMPLEX RESPONSIBILITIES CARRIED AT DIRECTORATE LEVEL AND FOR MANAGEMENT REASONS SET OUT IN THE REPORT," MR GREWAL SAID.
"THE COMMITTEE CONSIDERS THAT THE MOVE INTO SENIOR MANAGEMENT WHICH PROMOTION TO THE DIRECTORATE USUALLY REPRESENTS SHOULD BE RECOGNISED BY A DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN THE TOP POINT OF THE MASTER PAY SCALE AND THE BOTTOM POINT OF THE DIRECTORATE SCALE OF NOT LESS THAN 15 PER CENT.
THE TWO NEW POINTS ON THE DIRECTORATE SCALE ARE INTENDED TO ALLOW CLEAR DISTINCTIONS IN PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY BETWEEN BRANCH SECRETARIES, HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS, AND DEPUTY HEADS TO BE REFLECTED IN SALARIES.
"THE PROPOSALS FOR INCREMENTS ARE DESIGNED TO GIVE SOME RECOGNITION TO EXPERIENCED DIRECTORATE OFFICERS WHO HAVE REMAINED IN ONE RANK FOR SOME YEARS.
"IN OTHER RESPECTS, THE COMMITTEE IS SATISFIED THAT THE EXISTING STRUCTURE IS SATISFACTORY."
THE COMMITTEE HAD RECOMMENDED THE INTRODUCTION OF THE REVISED PAY SCALES WHICH INCORPORATE THE STRUCTURAL CHANGES AS WELL AS THE 1989 PAY ADJUSTMENT OF 14.5 PER CENT FOR THE DIRECTORATE WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1. 1989.
"HOWEVER, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS DECIDED THAT THE STRUCTURAL CHANGES SHOULD BE DEALT WITH SEPARATELY FROM THE ANNUAL PAY ADJUSTMENT EXERCISE AND THAT THEY SHOULD BE CONSIDERED LATER THIS YEAR WHEN THE FIRST REPORT OF THE TIME-SCALE SALARY STRUCTURE REVIEW NOW BEING CONDUCTED BY THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE IS AVAILABLE."
"THIS WILL ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO EXAMINE THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE DIRECTORATE SALARY STRUCTURE IN CONJUNCTION WITH POSSIBLE CHANGES TO THE NON-DIRECTORATE SALARY STRUCTURE.
"IT IS THE INTENTION THAT CHANGES TO SALARY STRUCTURES. IF APROVED. SHOULD TAKE EFFECT FROM OCTOBER 1. 1989," MR GREWAL SAID.
ALSO RELEASED IS THE FIRST REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON JUDICIAL SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.
THIS COMMITTEE WAS ESTABLISHED IN DECEMBER 1987 AND CURRENTLY HAS THE SAME MEMBERSHIP AS THE DIRECTORATE STANDING COMMITTEE.
/THE RECOMMENDATIONS .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1989
3
THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT COVER THE RANKING OF JUDICIAL OFFICER POSTS, CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, AND THE JUDICIAL OFFICERS SALARY SCALE.
AS WITH THE GENERAL DIRECTORATE, IT IS INTENDED THAT THE RECOMMENDATION ON THE STRUCTURE OF THE JUDICIAL OFFICERS SALARY SCALE WILL BE CONSIDERED LATER THIS YEAR AND, IF APPROVED, WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM OCTOBER 1, 1989.
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS ACCEPTED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IS SUBJECT TO THE PROVISION OF FUNDS BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
---------------------- o-------- OMELCO NATIONALITY WORKING GROUP REPORTS ON WORK *****
FOLLOWING IS THE CONTENT OF TODAY’S PRESS BRIEFING BY ROSTER MEMBERS OF THE OMELCO SPECIAL WORKING GROUP ON NATIONALITY. MRS RITA FAN. MR CHENG HON-KWAN. MR DAVID CHEUNG AND MRS ELSIE TU: "TODAY’S PROGRAMME OF OUR TWO SENIOR MEMBERS PLAYS A VERY IMPORTANT PART IN THEIR MISSION TO THE UNITED KINGDOM — THEY WILL BE HAVING A MEETING WITH SIR GEOFFREY HOWE IN THE MORNING. AND A MEETING WITH THE PRIME MINISTER IN THE AFTERNOON. THE TWO MEMBERS HAVE RECEIVED ALL THE SUBMISSIONS (SOME IN THE FORM OF LETTERS AND OTHERS IN THE FORM OF SIGNATURES) FROM HONG KONG IN SUPPORT OF HONG KONG’S CASE. AS WELL AS THE RESULT OF THE SRH PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY. THESE MATERIALS SHOULD BE HELPFUL TO THEM IN PUTTING ACROSS HONG KONG’S CASE AT THE MEETINGS.
"YESTERDAY. THE TWO SENIOR MEMBERS ATTENDED A MEETING ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG LINK WHERE THEY OUTLINED HONG KONG’S CASE. THEY WERE ENTHUSIASTICALLY SUPPORTED BY AN ESTIMATED AUDIENCE OF 200. INCLUDING EUROPEANS. EARLIER. THEY HAD A PRIVATE SESSION WITH THE COMMITTEE OF HONG KONG LINK WHO PLEDGED THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT, AND PROMISED TO FOLLOW UP ON THE INITIATIVES TAKEN BY OMELCO.
"THE SRH SURVEY FINDINGS SHOWED THAT 97 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS SAID THEY WOULD TAKE UP THE RESPONSIBILITY OF UPHOLDING THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG. THIS FULLY ILLUSTRATES A STRONG SENSE OF BELONGING OF HONG KONG PEOPLE TO HONG KONG. AND WE FIND THIS POINT ENCOURAGING.
"ON THE OTHER HAND. THE SURVEY RESULT HAS SHOWN THAT THERE IS UNDOUBTEDLY A CONFIDENCE PROBLEM IN HONG KONG. AT THE PRESENT MOMENT. ONLY 48 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS HAVE CONFIDENCE IN ITS FUTURE, AND THE PERCENTAGE RISES TO 71 PER CENT IN A SITUATION WHERE THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN BRITAIN IS SECURED. THE NEGATIVE RESPONSE TO THE SAME QUESTION DROPPED CORRESPONDINGLY FROM 47 PER CENT TO 23 PER CENT.
"WHEN RESPONDENTS WERE ASKED WHAT ACTIONS THEY WOULD TAKE IF THEY ARE GIVEN THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN BRITAIN. ONLY SIX PER CENT SAID THEY WOULD EMIGRATE TO THE UNITED KINGDOM. 62 PER CENT SAID THEY WOULD STAY IN HONG KONG. AND 15 PER CENT SAID THEY WERE UNDECIDED.
/"THE FINDINGS .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1989
4
"THE FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY HAVE CONFIRMED OMELCO’S BELIEF THAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WANT TO STAY HERE AND WORK FOR THE FUTURE WELL-BEING OF OUR OWN COMMUNITY. BUT TO BE ABLE TO DO SO. OUR ANXIETIES MUST BE ALLAYED AND WE SEE THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AS ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE MEANS OF BOOSTING HONG KONG PEOPLE'S CONFIDENCE. IN OTHER WORDS. THE SURVEY RESULT TALLIES WITH THE MESSAGE WE PUT ACROSS TO BRITAIN.
"WE WILL CONTINUE TO BRIEF YOU ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT 12 NOON. ASSUMING THERE IS NO LAST-MTNUTE CHANGE. THE TWO SENIOR MEMBERS WILL LEAVE LONDON TOMORROW AND ARRIVE IN HONG KONG AT 2 PM ON SUNDAY. ONCE THE PRESS ARRANGEMENT ON THEIR ARRIVAL IS CONFIRMED. THE PRESS SECTION WILL INFORM YOU THROUGH THE GIS NETWORK.
"ON BEHALF OF THE TWO SENIOR MEMBERS AND ALL MEMBERS OF OMELCO. WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR ALL THE SUPPORT YOU HAVE GIVEN TO REPORTING HONG KONG’S CASE DURING THE WEEK. AND WE URGE YOU TO CONTINUE WITH THE GOOD WORK."
COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 GAZETTED *****
A BILL SEEKING TO RAISE CERTAIN FEES COLLECTED BY THE
COMPANIES REGISTRY OF THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT AND TO
INTRODUCE SOME NEW FEES IN RESPECT OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF HIE
COMPANIES ORDINANCE WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
EXPLAINING THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT AS A RESULT OF A COSTING EXERCISE AND A REVIEW OF THE VARIOUS FEES PRESCRIBED BY THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE, IT WAS CONSIDERED NECESSARY TO INCREASE SOME EXISTING FEES AND TO INTRODUCE SOME NEW FEES IN ORDER TO RECOVER THE FULL COST INCURRED BY COMPANIES REGISTRY IN CARRYING OUT ITS STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
NINE FEES IMPOSED AND THE COMPANIES
THE BILL PROPOSES TO INCREASE THE FOLLOWING BY THE EIGHTH SCHEDULE TO THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE (FEES) REGULATIONS -
EXISTING
FEE
$
- FOR REGISTRATION OF 3,000
PROSPECTUS
PROPOSED FEE
$
A SCLAE OF FEES RANGING FROM $5,000 TO $30,000 DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF PROSPECTUS.
/- FOR .........
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1989
5
FOR A CONSENT UNDER SECTION 20(2) FOR USE OF COMPANY NAME INCLUDING SPECIFIED WORDS 100 500
FOR A LICENCE UNDER SECTION 21 TO DISPENSE WITH ”LTD” IN COMPANY NAME 100 1,000
•• FOR AN APPROVAL UNDER SECTION 22(1) OF CHANGE OF COMPANY NAME 100 • 200
- FOR A LICENCE UNDER SECTION 93(2) TO DISPENSE WITH THE CHINESE EQUIVALENT OF "LTD" IN COMPANY’S CHINESE NAME 100 200
- FOR AN APPLICATION UNDER SECTION 20A(l) FOR RESERVATION OF A COMPANY NAME 30 50
- FOR AN APPLICATION UNDER SECTION 20A(4) FOR EXTENSION OF RESERVATION 15 25
- FOR ISSUING UNDER SECTION 305(1) A CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION 25 100
- FOR CERTIFYING A COPY OR EXTRACT OF A* DOCUMENT 50 75
"THESE NINE FEES WERE LAST REVISED IN 1985 OR EARLIER AND ARE WELL OUT OF DATE. THE PROPOSED INCREASES ARE DESIGNED TO REFLECT THE INCREASE IN COST OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED SINCE THEN," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES TO INTRODUCE THE FOLLOWING TWO NEW FEES :
NEW FEE
$
- FOR THE REGISTRAR TO ACT 1,150
AS REPRESENTATIVE OF A
DEFUNCT COMPANY UNDER SECTION 29 IB
- FOR THE REGISTRAR TO 500
AUTHORISE UNDER SECTION 111(1) A
COMPANY TO HOLD AN AGM
MORE THAN 15 MONTHS AFTER THE PREVIOUS AGM
/THE SPOKESMAN
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1989
6
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE OPPORTUNITY WAS ALSO TAKE 0 STREAMLINE SOME ARRANGEMENTS FOR SETTING FEES RELATING TO CO I Y MATTERS,
ONE OF THE PROPOSALS WAS TO INCORPORATE THE COMPANIES (111 ) REGULATIONS INTO THE EIGHTH SCHEDULE TO THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE i S/ t D.
"BOTH THE COMPANIES (FEES) REGULATIONS AND THE EIGHTH SCH DI E Pl ORIBE FEES ARE SET BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.
"TO SIMPLIFY THE LEGISLATION IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE TWO M > 01 ’EES BE COMBINED TO FACILITATE FUTURE AMENDMENT." THE SPOK c ' N EIf AINED.
-------------------0--------- PILL TO STREAMLINE INVESTOR PROTECTION LAW
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED TO AMEND THE PROTECTION INVESTORS ORDINANCE TO STREAMLINE AND IMPROVE THE AUTHORISATJ' I PROCEDURES FOR ADVERTISEMENTS CONCERNING THE ISSUE OF CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT (CD) AND COMMERCIAL PAPER (CP).
"THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS ARE INCLUDED IN THE PROTECTION INVESTORS (AMENDMENT) BILL GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY),” A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE MAIN OBJECT OF THE BILL IS TO SIMPLIFY THE PR SI- P AUTHORISATION PROCEDURES IN ORDER TO REMOVE OBSTACLES TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LOCAL CAPITAL MARKET AND TO RELIEVE THE SECUR ’I : 3 AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC) OF UNNECESSARY WORK, WHILE ENSURING ADEQUATE PROTECTION FOR THE ORDINARY INVESTOR," HE SAID.
EXPLAINING THE NEED FOR THE PROPOSED CHANGES, THE SPOKISM \N SAID: "THE PURPOSE OF THE PROTECTION OF INVESTORS ORDINANCE I ) PROVIDE THE ORDINARY INVESTOR IN SECURITIES AND OTHER PROPERTY WIi'H PROTECTION THROUGH THE ADEQUATE DISCLOSURE OF RELEVANT INFORMATION.
"SUBJECT TO CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS, SECTION 4(1) OF THE ORDI E PROHIBITS THE ISSUE OF ADVERTISEMENTS RELATING TO INVES Hi- P ARRANGEMENTS. THESE EXCEPTIONS INCLUDE, INTER ALIA, ADVERTISE:DIMS WHICH HAVE BEEN AUTHORISED BY THE SFC," HE SAID.
"CD AND CP ISSUES FALL WITHIN THE DEFINITION OF INVESTMF' T AbRANGEMENTS UNDER THE ORDINANCE, AND ADVERTISEMENTS IN RESPEC F SUCH ISSUES MUST BE AUTHORISED BY THE SFC BEFORE THE ISSUES CA E MARKETED IN HONG KONG.
"AS THE NUMBER OF RELEVANT ADVERTISEMENTS SF ; G A THORISATION HAS INCREASED CONSIDERABLY IN RECENT YEARS, THIS ' S CREATED EXTRA WORK FOR THE SFC AND LED TO SOME DELAYS IN AUTHORISATION," THE SPOKESMAN CONTINUED.
/"THE AMENDMEN-
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1989
7
"THE AMENDMENT BILL PROPOSES THAT IN ADDITION TO THE EXEMPTIONS ALREADY SPECIFIED IN SECTION 4(2) OF THE ORDINANCE, ADVERTISEMENTS RELATING TO CD AND CP ISSUES SHOULD BE AUTOMATICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE AUTHORISATION PROCEDURES SUBJECT TO COMPLYING WITH A REPORTING REQUIREMENT AND TO MINIMUM DENOMINATION AND CAPITALISATION TESTS AS APPROPRIATE.
"ADVERTISEMENTS CONCERNING ISSUES THAT DO NOT QUALIFY FOR EXEMPTION WILL NEED TO OBTAIN AUTHORISATION FROM THE SFC IN THE NORMAL WAY."
ELABORATING ON THE PROPOSALS IN THE BILL, THE SPOKESMAN SAID ADVERTISEMENTS IN RESPECT OF THREE MAIN CLASSES OF CAPITAL MARKET ISSUE WOULD BE EXEMPT FROM AUTHORISATION.
"FIRST, CD ISSUES BY BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES LICENSED OR REGISTERED UNDER THE BANKING ORDINANCE WILL BE WHOLLY EXEMPT AS AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS ARE SUBJECT TO SUPERVISION BY THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING.
"SECONDLY, CD ISSUES BY FOREIGN BANKS NOT LICENSED IN HONG KONG AND SPECIFIED MULTILATERAL AGENCIES (E.G. THE WORLD BANK) WILL BE EXEMPT SUBJECT TO A MINIMUM DENOMINATION OF HK#1 MILLION OR EQUIVALENT AND, IN THE CASE OF FOREIGN BANKS, ADEQUATE SUPERVISION IN THE PLACE OF INCORPORATION OR PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS.
"THIRDLY, CP ISSUES BY SPECIFIED BODIES (INCLUDING LISTED COMPANIES, GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SECTOR BODIES, AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS AND MULTILATERAL AGENCIES) WILL ALSO BE EXEMPT SUBJECT TO A MINIMUM DENOMINATION OF HKS1 MILLION OR EQUIVALENT AND, IN THE CASE OF A CORPORATION WITH A SHARE CAPITAL, THE ISSUER OR PARENT COMPANY GUARANTEEING THE ISSUE HAVING A MINIMUM PAID-UP SHARE CAPITAL OF HKS75 MILLION," HE ADDED.
"THE MINIMUM DENOMINATION REQUIREMENT IS INTENDED TO KEEP SUCH ISSUES OUT OF THE HANDS OF THE ORDINARY INVESTOR. HOWEVER, WHERE A SMALLER DENOMINATION IS SOUGHT, THE ISSUER CAN ALWAYS APPROACH THE SFC FOR EXPRESS AUTHORISATION," THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
HE SAID THAT ALL EXEMPT ISSUES WOULD NEED TO BE REPORTED TO THE SFC WITHIN 10 WORKING DAYS OF THE DATE OF ISSUE TO ENABLE IT TO MONITOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MARKET.
"FAILURE TO REPORT WOULD BE AN OFFENCE," HE STRESSED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE OPPORTUNITY WAS ALSO BEING TAKEN TO REMOVE AN ANOMALY IN THE ORDINANCE.
"IT IS PROPOSED TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE EXEMPTION AT PRESENT AVAILABLE TO PROFESSIONAL PERSONS TO MARKET ’SECURITIES’ DOES NOT EXTEND TO ANY UNITS OF UNIT TRUSTS OR SHARES IN MUTUAL FUNDS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN AUTHORISED BY THE SFC UNDER THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE."
THE PROTECTION OF INVESTORS (AMENDMENT) BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JULY 5.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT ON THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS AT ADMIRALTY CENTRE, TOWER II, 24TH FLOOR, OR TO OMELCO AT 8 JACKSON ROAD, CENTRAL.
-------0 - ------ /8 .......................
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1989
8
LOOSE-LEAF EDITION OF LAWS OF HK PROPOSED ♦ ♦ * ♦ t
A WORKING GROUP IN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS HAS PROPOSED THAT THE EXISTING EDITION OF THE LAWS OF HONG KONG BE PHASED OUT AND REPLACED BY A NEW LOOSE-LEAF EDITION STARTING IN THE NEXT TWO OR THREE YEARS.
IN ITS REPORT, THE WORKING GROUP CHAIRED BY A DEPUTY LAW DRAFTSMAN, MR ALAN PIERCE, PROPOSED THAT THE PRESENT BOOKLET SYSTEM KNOWN AS THE ’’REVISED EDITION” OF THE LAWS OF HONG KONG BE REPLACED BY A LOOSE-LEAF EDITION TO BE PREPARED AND PHASED IN, HOPEFULLY FROM MID-1991.
FOLLOWING A SIX-MONTH STUDY, THE GROUP CONCLUDED THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW LOOSE-LEAF EDITION OF THE LAWS WAS PRACTICABLE, AND THAT IT WOULD HELP TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS OF MAINTAINING THE SETS OF LAWS UP TO DATE, DEALING WITH BILINGUAL TEXTS AND FURTHER EXPANSION.
THE REPORT HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR ISSUE BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND COPIES HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE JUDICIARY, THE BAR ASSOCIATION, LAW SOCIETY, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES.
MR PIERCE SAID THAT SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, THE NECESSARY LEGISLATION TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE PROPOSAL COULD BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LATER THIS YEAR.
THE WORKING GROUP FAVOURED A NEW LOOSE-LEAF EDITION BECAUSE IT BELIEVES THAT FROM THE USER’S POINT OF VIEW, THIS WOULD BE THE MOST EFFICIENT MEANS OF PRESENTING THE CURRENT STATUTE LAW IN PRINTED FORM.
THERE ARE TWO MAIN ADVANTAGES. ONE IS A CLEAR, EASY-TO-READ CONSOLIDATED TEXT. THE OTHER IS THAT LOOSE PAGES ARE EASY TO REMOVE AND REPLACE WITH UP-TO-DATE AMENDMENTS.
THE NEW EDITION WOULD ENABLE BOTH THE ENGLISH AND CHINESE TEXTS OF BILINGUAL LEGISLATION TO BE PUBLISHED ON FACING PAGES IN A4 SIZE AND DISPLAYED IN A "LANDSCAPE” FORMAT, THAT IS, WITH THE LONG SIDES OF THE PAGE AT THE TOP AND BOTTOM.
THE WORKING GROUP FOUND THAT ONE OF THE MAIN PROBLEMS WITH THE PRESENT SYSTEM WAS THE DIFFICULTY IN MAINTAINING THE SETS OF LAWS UP TO DATE.
“WITHIN MONTHS OF THE INTRODUCTION OF THE REVISED EDITION IN 1967, IT WAS REALISED THAT THE ANNUAL EDITION WAS INSUFFICIENTLY UP TO DATE FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF USERS AND A SEPARATE NOTER UP SERVICE WAS RESUMED FOR THOSE WISHING TO SUBSCRIBE," THE REPORT SAID.
/THIS SERVICE .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1989
9
THIS SERVICE CONSISTED OF REGULAR ISSUES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR IN THE FORM OF INSERT SLIPS AND PASTED ON APPROPRIATE PAGES.
OF MINOR AMENDMENTS
WHICH COULD BE CUT
HOWEVER, "THE CUT-AND-PASTE NOTER UP SERVICE IS VERY LABOUR INTENSIVE FOR SUBSCRIBERS TO MAINTAIN, IS THREE TO FOUR MONTHS IN ARREARS OF AMENDMENTS AND THE INSERT SLIPS MAY BE DIFFICULT TO FOLLOW, PARTICULARLY IF THE ORDINANCE IS FREQUENTLY AMENDED AND THE SLIPS ARE OVERLAID," THE REPORT SAID.
THE WORKING GROUP BELIEVES THAT "A GOOD PROPORTION" OF THE 1,800 SETS OF THE REVISED EDITION THAT HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO LAWYERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND LIBRARIES, ARE NOT KEPT FULLY UP TO DATE.
AND THE INTRODUCTION OF A LOOSE-LEAF EDITION WOULD HELP SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.
UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM, IT IS PROPOSED THAT AMENDMENTS TO ORDINANCES BE ISSUED IN THE FORM OF REPLACEMENT PAGES RATHER THAN INSERT SLIPS. THIS WOULD DO AWAY WITH THE CUMBERSOME TASK OF CUTTING AND PASTING.
IN ADDITION, IT IS PROPOSED THAT REPLACEMENT PAGES BE ISSUED AS FREQUENTLY AS PRACTICABLE.
"THERE WOULD BE A NUMBER OF ISSUES OF REPLACEMENT PAGES EVERY YEAR WHICH WOULD CONSOLIDATE EXISTING LEGISLATION AS IT IS AMENDED, ADD NEWLY ENACTED LEGISLATION, AND BRING TOGETHER BOTH LANGUAGE TEXTS OF TRANSLATED LEGISLATION," MR PIERCE SAID.
THE WORKING GROUP FOUND THAT THE STAFF COSTS FOR MAINTAINING A LOOSE-LEAF SYSTEM WOULD BE SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER THAN FOR THE EXISTING SYSTEM.
SET AGAINST THE ADVANTAGES HOWEVER, IS THE CAPITAL COST OF REPLACING EXISTING SETS OF THE REVISED EDITION. THE 1988 PRICE FOR A SET WAS 815,400.
HOWEVER, MR PIERCE POINTED OUT THAT THE COST OF INTRODUCING A NEW EDITION WOULD BE REASONABLE BEARING IN MIND THAT ADDITIONAL EXPENSE WAS INEVITABLE IN ANY EVENT.
"AS THE LAWS OF HONG KONG ARE PROGRESSIVELY ENACTED IN, AND TRANSLATED INTO, BILINGUAL FORM, AND UNITED KINGDOM LEGISLATION PRESENTLY APPLICABLE IN HONG KONG IS LOCALISED, THE PRESENT REVISED EDITION WOULD HAVE HAD TO BE INCREASED FROM 32 VOLUMES TO ABOUT 80 VOLUMES TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THESE CHANGES.
"THIS WOULD LEAD TO AN UNWIELDY NUMBER OF VOLUMES AND WOULD HAVE RENDERED THE PRESENT CUT-AND-PASTE NOTER UP SYSTEM TOTALLY IMPRACTICABLE," HE SAID.
0
/10
FRIDAY. JUNE 23, 1989
10
REVISION OF FEES AND CHARGES ♦ * * t
THE GOVERNMENT HAS MADE REGULATIONS TO REVISE THE FEES FOR THE ENROLMENT, REGISTRATION AND EXAMINATION OF PROFESSIONALS IN THE MEDICAL FIELD AND CHARGES FOR OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.
THE NEW FEES AND CHARGES ARE INTRODUCED WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT.
THE REGULATIONS, IN NINE SETS, WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THEY AMEND THE FEES AND CHARGES UNDER THE DENTISTS (REGISTRATION AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE) REGULATIONS, THE ANCILLARY DENTAL WORKERS (DENTAL HYGIENTISTS) REGULATIONS, AND THE MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS (REGISTRATION AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE) REGULATIONS.
THEY ALSO (REGISTRATION AND
AMEND THE FEES AND CHARGES UNDER
DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE)
(REGISTRATION AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE)
NURSES (ENROLMENT AND DISCIPLINARY
REGULATIONS, REGULATIONS,
DANGEROUS DRUGS REGULATIONS,
PROCEDURE)
THE MIDWIVES
THE NURSES
THE ENROLLED
MISCELLANEOUS LICENCES REGULATIONS.
THE ANTIBIOTICS
REGULATIONS, REGULATIONS AND
THE
THE
, IT IS GOVERNMENT POLICY THAT THESE FEES AND CHARGES SHOULD BE SEI AT A LEVEL WHICH ENSURES FULL COST-RECOVERY,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH SAID.
"BUT SINCE MOST OF THE FEES FOR A CONSIDERABLE PERIOD OF TIME,’ STAGES UNTIL FULL COST-RECOVERY IS
AND CHARGES HAVE NOT BEEN REVIEWED
WE PROPOSE TO INCREASE THEM BY ACHIEVED.”
THE PROPOSED FEE INCREASES WILL GENERATE ADDITIONAL REVENUE OF ABOUT $2.2 MILLION A YEAR. THESE FEES WILL BE REVIEWED AGAIN IN 1991 WITH A VIEW TO ACHIEVING FULL COST-RECOVERY IN THAT YEAR.
PEOPLE WHO WISH TO ENQUIRE ABOUT THE NEW FEES AND CHARGES ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. (TEL. 5-8900673)
------- _ o - - - -
PROPOSAL TO INCREASE MEMBERS OF INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION * * * ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED TO AMEND THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION ORDINANCE TO INCREASE TO NINE THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS TO BE APPOINTED TO THE BOARD OF THE CORPORATION.
DETAILS OF THE AMENDED LEGISLATION WERE CONTAINED IN THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
/EXPLAINING THE .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1989
11
EXPLAINING THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROPOSED INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS TO HKIEC’S BOARI WOULD ENABLE THE APPOINTMENT OF ANOTHER NON-OFFICIAL MEMBER, THUS ALLOWING THE BOARD TO BENEFIT FROM A BROADER RANGE OF PROFESSIONAL, COMMERCIAL EXPERTISE.
"THIS WILL ALSO ENABLE THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, WHO HAS SERVED AS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE BOARD SINCE 1985, TO BE APPOINTED AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT FOLLOWING A RECENT REVIEW OF THj APPOINTMENT OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE, THE BOARD HAD RECOMMENDED AND THE GOVERNOR APPROVED THAT, WITH EFFECT FROM JULY 1, 1989, THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE HKIEC WOULD REPLACE THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY AS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE.
"HOWEVER, AS THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AND THE CORPORATION HAVE TO WORK CLOSELY TOGETHER IN MANY AREAS, IT IS DESIRABLE THAT THE DIRECTOR CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE DIRECTLY TO THE WORK OF THE BOARD," HE SAID.
UNDER THE HKIEC ORDINANCE, THE HKIEC BOARD CONSISTS OF THE CHAIRMAN, THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND SEVEN MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, OF WHOM NOT MORE THAN FOUR SHOULD BE PUBLIC OFFICERS.
THE BILL IS DUE TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JULY 5.
----------0-------------
IMPROVEMENTS SOUGHT FOR TRUST FUND INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
*****
A BILL AIMED AT REMOVING RESTRICTIONS AND IMPROVING THE INVESTMENT OPERATIONS OF VARIOUS TRUST FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION INCORPORATED WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE AMENDING LEGISLATION, ENTITLED THE CHARITABLE TRUST FUNDS (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL 1989, SEEKS TO INTRODUCE MINOR AMENDMENTS TO THE SIR ROBERT BLACK TRUST FUND ORDINANCE, THE LI PO CHUN CHARITABLE TRUST FUND ORDINANCE, THE SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE TRUST FUND ORDINANCE AND THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FUND ORDINANCE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID THE AMENDMENTS WERE PROPOSED ON THE ADVICE OF THE COMMITTEES OR BOARD SET UP TO ADMINISTER THE FUNDS.
HE EXPLAINED THAT UNDER EXISTING LAWS GOVERNING THE SIR ROBERT BLACK AND LI PO CHUN CHARITABLE TRUST FUNDS, TO MAKE INVESTMENTS WHICH WERE NOT TRUST INVESTMENTS AUTHORISED BY THE TRUSTEE ORDINANCE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S PRIOR APPROVAL MUST BE OBTAINED.
/"THIS REQUIREMENT .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1989
12
"THIS REQUIREMENT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO IMPLEMENT INVESTMENT DECISIONS QUICKLY IN CHANGING MARKET CONDITIONS, WHEN INVESTMENTS WHICH ARE NOT TRUST INVESTMENTS ARE TO BE MADE," HE SAID.
THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO AMEND THE SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE TRUST FUND ORDINANCE IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE RESTRICTION THAT INVESTMENT CAN BE MADE ONLY IN HONG KONG.
THIS AMENDMENT BRINGS THE ORDINANCE IN LINE WITH OTHER ORDINANCES GOVERNING THE OPERATION OF TRUST FUNDS, AS SIMILAR RESTRICTION DOES NOT EXIST IN THE OTHER ORDINANCES.
"THE COMMITTEES CONCERNED HAVE CONSIDERED THESE RESTRICTIONS ON INVESTMENTS IN THE VARIOUS ORDINANCES AND CONSIDERED THAT THERE IS NO NECESSITY FOR THEM TO CONTINUE TO APPLY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AS REGARDS THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FUND, THE BILL PROPOSES THAT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES SHOULD BE EMPOWERED TO APPOINT A PROFESSIONAL PERSON OR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION TO MANAGE THE INVESTMENTS OF THE FUND SUBJECT TO WRITTEN DIRECTIONS OF THE BOARD.
"THIS AMENDMENT ADDS FLEXIBILITY TO THE INVESTMENT OPERATIONS OF THE FUND AND IS IN ITS INTEREST." THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
-------0----------
AMENDMENT TO LI PO CHUN FUND LAW PROPOSED * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS PROPOSING TO AMEND THE LI PO CHUN CHARITABLE TRUST FUND ORDINANCE SO THAT THE FUND CAN BE USED MORE FLEXIBLY TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF HONG KONG. .
THE PROPOSALS AER CONTAINED IN THE LI PO CHUN CHARITABLE TRUST FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 WHICH WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
COMMENTING ON THE PROPOSALS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID THAT UNDER THE EXISTING ORDINANCE INCOME OF THE FUND WAS USED FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES AND RELIEF OF DISTRESS. HOWEVER, THE LAW DID
NOT
FOR APPLYING THE CAPITAL OF THE FUND.
NEW
THE
THE
CONTAIN ANY PROVISION
IN CONSIDERING HOW THE FUND MIGHT
USED MORE FLEXIBLY TO LI PO CHUN CHARITABLE
BE
THE
MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY, TRUST FUND COMMITTEE HAD RECOMMENDED THAT THE ORDINANCE SHOULD BE AMENDED TO EMPOWER THE TRUSTEE TO APPLY, AT THE DIRECTION OF THE COMMITTEE, THE CAPITAL OF THE FUND FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES, INCLUDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN HONG KONG,
THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/HE EXPLAINED .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1989
13
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE CAPITAL OF THE OVER $170 MILLION NOW. HAD GROWN TO SUCH AN INCOME HAD EXCEEDED THE AMOUNT ACTUALLY PURPOSES AND THE RELIEF OF DISTRESS.
FUND, WHICH AMOUNTED TO EXTENT THAT ITS ANNUAL APPLIED FOR EDUCATIONAL
THE FUND WILL CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO PRESERVE ITS ORIGINAL OBJECTS AND THE BENEFITS IT OFFERS TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG IN BOTH THE EDUCATIONAL FIELD AND THE RELIEF OF DISTRESS AFTER THE PROPOSED LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENT," HE ADDED.
THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES CERTAIN OTHER AMENDMENTS TO THE ORDINANCE TO IMPROVE THE FUTURE OPERATION OF THE FUND.
THESE INCLUDE A PROPOSAL TO ENABLE THE FUND’S INCOME TO BE APPLIED MORE FLEXIBLY, AT THE COMMITTEE’S DISCRETION, BETWEEN EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES AND THE RELIEF OF DISTRESS. THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENT IS THAT THE INCOME SHOULD BE SPENT GENERALLY ON A 50-50 BASIS BETWEEN EDUCATIONAL AND RELIEF PURPOSES.
IT IS ALSO PROPOSED THAT THE SCHEDULE TO THE ORDINANCE AMENDED TO ENABLE THE COMMITTTEE TO USE THE INCOME OF THE FUND OTHER EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES, RATHER THAN JUST FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AS PRESENT.
BE FOR
AT
----------0-------------
LOW POWER WIRELESS DEVICES EXEMPT FROM LICENSING » « t * *
THE GOVERNOR IN SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION TO WIRELESS DEVICES.
COUNCIL HAS APPROVED TWO NEW FACILITATE THE LEGAL USE OF
ITEMS LOW
OF POWER
DEVICES OF THIS NATURE THAT DO NOT CAUSE INTERFERENCE TO OTHER USERS OF THE RADIO SPECTRUM WILL GENERALLY BE EXEMPT FROM LICENSING UNDER THE NEW TELECOMMUNICATION (LOW POWER DEVICES) (EXEMPTION FROM LICENSING) ORDER 1989 GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
COVERS MOST SUCH DEVICES
THIS ORDER LISTS THE SPECIFICATIONS OF THE EXEMPT DEVICES AND CURRENTLY IN DAILY USE, SUCH AS REMOTE TELEVISION," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN
CONTROL DEVICES FOR OPERATING SAID.
FOR THOSE DEVICES THAT
DOWN IN THE ORDER, THE NEW COMMANDS, STATUS AND DATA
DO NOT MEET THE SPECIFICATIONS
RADIODETERMINATION AND CONVEYANCE
LICENCE
OBTAINED FROM THE LICENSING AUTHORITY, ADDED.
(ALSO THE
GAZETTED TODAY) CAN POSTMASTER GENERAL."
LAID OF BE HE
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO BRANCH ON 5-8529671 OR 5-8529672.
THE
POST
OFFICE TELECOMMUNICATIONS
0
/14 ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1989
14
COPIES OF INTERNATIONAL COVENANTS ON HUMAN RIGHTS BEING DISTRIBUTED *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS DISTRIBUTING COPIES OF THE TWO INTERNATIONAL COVENANTS ON HUMAN RIGHTS. AS WELL AS INFORMATION LEAFLETS ON THE SUBJECT. TO SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
COPIES WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE NEED TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE COVENANTS WAS HIGHLIGHTED AT THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN GENEVA LAST NOVEMBER, WHEN THE COMMITTEE CONSIDERED THE UNITED KINGDOM’S REPORT ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN ITS DEPENDENT TERRITORIES.
IN REPLYING TO A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL QUESTION IN MARCH THIS YEAR. THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT PLANNED TO DISTRIBUTE COPIES OF THE TWO COVENANTS AS WELL AS INFORMATION LEAFLETS. ESPECIALLY TO SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
HE ALSO SAID THAT FURTHER EFFORTS TO AROUSE THE PUBLIC’S AWARENESS OF THEIR CIVIL RIGHTS AND AWARENESS OF THE TWO COVENANTS WOULD BE MADE IN COLLABORATION WITH THE CIVIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND THE LAW SOCIETY’S COMMITTEE ON PROMOTING LEGAL AWARENESS.
"THE UK GOVERNMENT RATIFIED THE TWO COVENANTS (I.E. THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS AND THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS) IN 1976." THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THEY WERE EXTENDED TO BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES, INCLUDING HONG KONG.
"AT PRESENT, THE COVENANTS ARE IMPLEMENTED IN HONG KONG, AS IN THE UK. THROUGH A COMBINATION OF COMMON LAW, LEGISLATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE RULES.
"AS HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED PREVIOUSLY. ACTIVE CONSIDERATION IS NOW BEING GIVEN TO THE ENACTMENT OF A SEPARATE HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE."
0
/15
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1989
15
KCRC TO PROVIDE FIVE-YEAR PROGRAMME ON LRT OPERATION
*****
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1989, REQUIRING THE CORPORATION TO SUBMIT TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT INFORMATION ESSENTIAL TO THE OVERALL CO-ORDINATION OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES WITHIN THE NORTH-WEST TRANSIT SERVICE AREA (NWTSA) SERVING TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG.
THE NWTSA IS SERVICED BY THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM (LRT) AND ITS FEEDER BUSES OPERATED BY THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION (KCRC) AND OTHER FRANCHISED BUSES, FERRIES AND PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES.
THE NEW REGULATIONS REQUIRE THE KCRC, WITH EFFECT FROM 1989, TO SUBMIT TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, EACH YEAR, A PROGRAMME OF THE OPERATIONS OF ITS RAIL AND BUS SERVICES WITHIN THE NWTSA FOR THE FOLLOWING FIVE YEARS.
AT PRESENT, FIVE-YEAR PROGRAMMES ON FUTURE DEVELOPMENT ARE BEING SUBMITTED ANNUALLY TO THE COMMISSIONER BY FRANCHISED BUS AND FERRY OPERATORS WHILE ROUTEINGS OF GREEN MINIBUS SERVICES ARE DETERMINED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
HOWEVER, UNDER THE KCRC ORDINANCE, THE CORPORATION HAS FULL AUTHORITY OVER ROUTEING, FREQUENCY AND FARES OF BOTH ITS RAIL AND BUS SERVICES WITHIN THE NWTSA AND INFORMATION OF FUTURE OPERATION IS NOW SUPPLIED BY THE CORPORATION TO THE COMMISSIONER ON AN INFORMAL AND VOLUNTARY BASIS.
TO ENABLE THE COMMISSIONER TO BETTER CO-ORDINATE THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES WITHIN THE TRANSIT SERVICE AREA, IT IS NECESSARY TO MAKE IT MANDATORY FOR KCRC TO PROVIDE THE COMMISSIONER WITH THE RELEVANT INFORMATION.
THE PROGRAMME OF OPERATIONS TO BE SUBMITTED BY KCRC WILL INCLUDE ROUTE DEVELOPMENT AS TO THE DETAILS ON ROUTES TO BE OPERATED, FREQUENCY OF SERVICES AND VEHICLE ALLOCATION TO EACH ROUTE.
ALSO CONTAINED IN THE PROGRAMME WILL BE ESTIMATES OF THE TYPES AND OVERALL NUMBERS OF LIGHT RAIL VEHICLES AND BUSES REQUIRED FOR DAILY SERVICES TO MEET THE ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, WITH REASONABLE ALLOWANCE FOR CONTINGENCY AND VEHICULAR BREAK-DOWNS.
MOREOVER. THE CORPORATION HAS TO INFORM THE COMMISSIONER OF ANY CHANGES TO THE PROGRAMME OF OPERATIONS AT LEAST ONE MONTH IN ADVANCE. IN EMERGENCIES, IMMEDIATE SUBMISSION OF NOTIFICATION AND EXPLANATION IS REQUIRED.
----------0-------------
/16 ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1989
16 CONSULTATIONS SOUGHT ON EC ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES * t t * t
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT IS SEEKING FORMAL BILATERAL CONSULTATIONS WITH THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY, UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT), OVER THE IMPOSITION OF DEFINITIVE ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES ON HONG KONG’S EXPORTS OF VIDEO CASSETTE TAPES.
ANNOUNCING THIS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (FRIDAY), THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR STUART HARBINSON, SAID THE TRADE DEPARTMENT MADE THE DECISION AFTER EXAMINING THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL’S REGULATION ON THIS SUBJECT.
"ALTHOUGH, AS WE SAID EARLIER, THE DEFINITIVE FINDINGS REPRESENT A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT OVER THE PROVISIONAL RESULTS. WE REMAIN DEEPLY DISSATISFIED WITH MANY ASPECTS OF THE INVESTIGATION," MR HARBINSON SAID.
"THEREFORE, HONG KONG’S PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO THE GATT YESTERDAY HANDED OVER A NOTE TO THE HEAD OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY'S PERMANENT DELEGATION TO THE GATT, ASKING FOR BILATERAL CONSULTATIONS UNDER THE GATT ANTI-DUMPING CODE.
"WE HAVE SUGGESTED THAT THESE TALKS TAKE PLACE IN GENEVA AT THE EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY. WE AWAIT THE COMMUNITY’S RESPONSE."
MR HARBINSON CITED A NUMBER OF GROUNDS FOR THE GOVERNMENT’S TAKING THIS ACTION. THESE INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING:-
♦ THE LACK OF WEIGHT GIVEN IN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY INVESTIGATION TO THE OPEN ECONOMIC CONTEXT WITHIN WHICH HONG KONG COMPANIES OPERATE.
* DISSATISFACTION THAT ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES WILL APPLY TO ALL BUT ONE HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS OF VIDEO CASSETTE TAPES. WHICH AMOUNTS TO A FINDING OF GUILT AGAINST A WHOLE SECTOR OF HONG KONG INDUSTRY, AND ALSO THAT HIGH RATES OF ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES STILL APPLY TO MANY INDIVIDUAL COMPANIES.
» THE BASING OF A SO-CALLED "RESIDUAL DUTY" ON THE VERY HIGH ANTI-DUMPING DUTY APPLYING TO ONE COMPANY’ WHICH HAS HAD MINIMAL EXPORTS TO EUROPE.
» THE APPLICATION OF THIS VERY HIGH "RESIDUAL DUTY" EVEN TO NEW COMPANIES WHICH MIGHT WISH TO BEGIN EXPORTING TO EUROPE, BUT HAD NOT EXPORTED AT THE TIME THAT EUROPEAN INDUSTRY LODGED ITS ORIGINAL COMPLAINT.
» LACK OF LOGICAL METHODOLOGY AND OBJECTIVITY IN THE COMMUNITY’S ASSESSMENT OF THE ALLEGATIONS OF INJURY TO EUROPEAN INDUSTRY.
/"IN THE ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1989
17
"IN THE COMPLETELY OPEN TRADING ENVIRONMENT WHICH EXISTS IN HONG KONG. WE HAVE NO PROTECTED DOMESTIC MARKET, AND THERE ARE NO SUBSIDIES TO DOMESTIC INDUSTRY. CONDITIONS HERE ARE SIMPLY NOT CONDUCIVE TO EXPORTERS SELLING GOODS AT DUMPED PRICES IN OVERSEAS MARKETS." MR HARBINSON SAID.
"SEEN IN THIS LIGHT, THE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED DEFINITIVE FINDINGS TOTALLY LACK CREDIBILITY AS FAR AS WE ARE CONCERNED.
"WE ARE THEREFORE COMMITTED TO UPHOLDING THE INTEGRITY OF HONG KONG'S REPUTATION AS A BASTION OF FREE TRADE AND COMPETITION. AND ARE DETERMINED TO SUPPORT HONG KONG VIDEO-TAPE MANUFACTURERS AND EXPORTERS BY CONTESTING THE DUMPING DUTIES.
"WE WILL PRESS FOR THE CASE AGAINST HONG KONG TO BE REVIEWED AND CLOSED."
-------0 - - - -
GOVERNMENT ASSISTING HOUSE-BOAT DWELLERS * » I » ♦
THE CLEARANCE DIVISION OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IS TRYING TO SPEED UP ALLOCATION OF RENTAL PUBLIC HOUSING TO THOSE UNLICENSED DWELLING-BOAT FAMILIES IN YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER WHO HAVE APPLIED FOR PUBLIC HOUSING.
FAMILIES LIVING ON DWELLING-BOATS IN THE TYPHOON SHELTER WILL BE CLEARED FROM THE SHELTER AFTER IT IS DECLARED A CLOSED AREA FOR ALL DWELLING-BOATS ON JULY 7.
A SPOKESMAN FOR AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP SET UP TO HELP DWELLING-BOAT FAMILIES SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT UNDER THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S EXISTING "ANTICIPATORY’ REHOUSING" POLICY, PEOPLE AFFECTED BY CLEARANCE OPERATIONS MIGHT BE OFFERED PUBLIC HOUSING SIX MONTHS BEFORE THEIR TURNS ON THE PUBLIC HOUSING GENERAL WAITING LIST WERE DUE.
THE CLEARANCE DIVISION OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT. THEREFORE, HAD LOOKED INTO THE APPLICATIONS FOR RENTAL PUBLIC HOUSING BY 25 UNLICENSED DWELLING-BOAT FAMILIES TO SEE IF THEY COULD BENEFIT FROM THE "ANTICIPATORY REHOUSING" POLICY.
THE DIVISION HAD FOUND THAT UNDER THE POLICY 19 FAMILIES WERE ELIGIBLE FOR ALLOCATION OF PUBLIC HOUSING IN FANLING ONLY. AND THREE WERE NOT YET ELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC HOUSING IN ANY PART OF THE TERRITORY.
THREE OTHER FAMILIES WERE FOUND UNABLE TO MEET THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.
OF THE 19 ELIGIBLE FAMILIES. FIVE HAVE ACCEPTED OFFERS OF HOUSING IN FANLING. 12 WERE NOT INTERESTED IN MOVING TO FANLING, AND THE REMAINING TWO FAILED TO ATTEND INTERVIEWS BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1989
18
THE SPOKESMAN FURTHER POINTED OUT THAT UNLICENSED DWELLING-BOAT FAMILIES WHO COULD BECOME HOMELESS AS A RESULT OF SURRENDERING THEIR BOATS TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT FOR DISPOSAL, WOULD BE REHOUSED IN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE SOCIAL WELFARE, EDUCATION AND LABOUR DEPARTMENTS, WHICH ARE REPRESENTED ON THE WORKING GROUP, ARE LOOKING AFTER THE OTHER NEEDS 01- UNLICENSED DWELLING-BOAT FAMILIES, SUCH AS EDUCATION FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN AREAS TO WHICH THEY MAY BE REHOUSED, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
-------o-------------
FARMERS TO MAKE EUROPEAN STUDY TOUR t t * * t
A GROUP OF 15 VEGETABLE FARMERS WILL LEAVE HONG KONG TOMORROW (SATURDAY) FOR THE NETHERLANDS, BELGIUM, FRANCE AND UNITED KINGDOM ON A 13-DAY TOUR TO STUDY MODERN TECHNIQUES IN VEGETABLE GROWING AND WHOLESALE MARKETING.
THE STUDY TOUR, THE 12TH SINCE 1977 AND THE FIRST TO EUROPEAN COMMUNITY COUNTRIES, WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION AND THE FEDERATION OF VEGETABLE MARKETING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES.
SPEAKING AT A BANNER PRESENTATION CEREMONY AT THE AFD HEADQUARTERS TODAY (FRIDAY), THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, SAID THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THESE TOURS WAS TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL VEGETABLE GROWERS TO BROADEN THEIR FARMING KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE BY ACQUAINTING THEMSELVES WITH ADVANCED VEGETABLE CULTIVATION TECHNIQUES AND EXCHANGING VIEWS AND EXPERIENCES WITH THEIR OVERSEAS COUNTERPARTS.
"FURTHERMORE. THESE VISITS ENABLE THEM TO HAVE AN INSIGHT INTO THE MARKETING PRACTICES FOR VEGETABLES ADOPTED BY ADVANCED COUNTRIES.
"THESE TOURS HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL AND FEEDBACK FROM PARTICIPATING FARMERS HAS BEEN ENCOURAGING. PARTICIPANTS HAVE BROUGHT BACK USEFUL TECHNICAL KNOW-HOW AND SHARED IT WITH THEIR FELLOW FARMERS,"HE SAID.
THE GROUP, ACCOMPENIED BY THE AFD ’ S SENIOR AGRICULTURE OFFICER. MISS VERA SO, WILL VISIT FARMS MARKETS, HORTICULTURAL INSTITUTES AND PLACES OF AGRICULTURAL INTEREST DURING THEIR TRIP.
ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS IN THE GROUP’S ITINERARY WILL BE A VISIT TO THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SHOW IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, ONE OF THE WORLD’S TOP AGRICULTURAL SHOWS, WHERE THE LATEST TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS AND ADVANCED EQUIPMENT USED IN AGRICULTURE ARE DISPLAYED.
/19 .......
FRIDAY. JUNE 23. 1989
19
1.5 MILLION YOUNGSTERS TO JOIN SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES
*****
ABOUT 1.5 MILLION YOUNG PEOPLE WILL PARTICIPATE IN OVER 11.000 ACTIVITIES IN THIS YEAR'S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME.
THE PROGRAMME WILL BEGIN NEXT MONTH AND CONTINUE TO SEPTEMBER.
DETAILS OF THE PROGRAMME WERE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH, MR PETER S.T. LEE.
MR LEE SAID THAT SINCE 1969 SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES HAD ATTRACTED LARGE NUMBERS OF YOUNG PEOPLE, WITH THE FIGURE GROWING FROM ONE MILLION IN 1986 TO 1.45 MILLION LAST YEAR.
"IN LINE WITH THE THEME OF THIS YEAR'S SUMNER YOUTH ACTIVITIES WHICH IS TO 'SHARE THE FUN. SERVE THE COMMUNITY’, THE COMMITTEE HAS ENCOURAGED PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS TO ORGANISE SOCIAL SERVICE ACTIVITIES." HE SAID.
"THESE WILL PROVIDE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING THEM WITH RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN WHICH TO SHARE THE FUN."
ON FUNDING OF THE PROGRAMME. MR LEE SAID THAT APART FROM LIMITED REVENUE FROM NOMINAL FEES CHARGED FOR TAKING PART IN THE ACTIVITIES. MOST OF THE FUNDS CAME FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, DISTRICT BOARDS AND PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS.
"I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THE JOCKEY CLUB. WHICH HAS INCREASED ITS CONTRIBUTION FROM LAST YEAR’S $8.95 MILLION TO THIS YEAR’S $9.7 MILLION," HE SAID.
MR LEE SAID THAT IN ORDER TO ATTRACT MORE YOUNGSTERS TO TAKE PART IN PLANNING AND PROMOTING SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES AS VOLUNTARY WORKERS, THE COMMITTEE WOULD AGAIN PROVIDE A SCHOLARSHIP FOR A 18-DAY DIPLOMA COURSE AT THE OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL.
"THE SCHOLARSHIP WILL BE AWARDED TO THOSE YOUNGSTERS WHO GIVE AN OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN PROMOTING SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES WHILE WORKING AS VOLUNTARY WORKERS," HE SAID.
ON CO-ORDINATION AND PROMOTION OF THE PROGRAMME, A PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, MRS STELLA HUNG, SAID THAT A SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME DISTRICT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE HAD BEEN FORMED IN EVERY DISTRICT.
"THIS YEAR A TOTAL OF ABOUT $3,300,000 WILL COME FROM VARIOUS DISTRICT BOARDS. THE MAIN PURPOSE BEING TO ENCOURAGE YOUNGSTERS TO MAKE GOOD USE OF THEIR SUMMER HOLIDAYS BY ENJOYING THEMSELVES IN RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES ON THE ONE HAND, AND BY PARTICIPATING IN COMMUNITY BUILDING PROJECTS ON THE OTHER," SHE ADDED.
/THE INFORMATION .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1989
20
THE INFORMATION SECRETARY OF THE JOCKEY CLUB, MR DAVID YAU, SAID THE CLUB HAD DONATED OVER $70 MILLION TOWARDS THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1969.
THE OPENING EVENT OF THIS YEAR’S PROGRAMME WILL TAKE THE FORM OI- A LIVE TELEVISION VARIETY SHOW TO BE HELD AT THE SHA TIN RACE COURSE ON JULY 1. THE SHOW WILL BE PRODUCED BY TVB.
THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION. MR DONALD LIAO, WILL OFFICIATE AT AN OPENING CEREMONY, WHICH WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A VARIETY OF PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR SINGERS AND VOLUNTEERS FROM PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS. ADMISSION WILL BE FREE, AND ABOUT 10,000 SPECTATORS ARE EXPECTED.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM TVB, RTHK AND COMMERCIAL RADIO ALSO ATTENDED THE PRESS CONFERENCE. THESE MEDIA WILL HELP TO PROMOTE THE PROGRAMME TO THE PUBLIC.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THIS YEAR’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CAN BE MADE AT DISTRICT OFFICES.
ACAN SUPPORTS INTERNATIONAL ANTI-DRUG DAY
*****
A LARGE-SCALE EXHIBITION ON THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF ANTI-NARCOTICS WORK IN HONG KONG WILL BE HELD FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE NEW WORLD CENTRE PLAZA IN TSIM SHA TSUI.
THE EXHIBITION, ORGANISED BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN) IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE POLICE AND THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, IS ORGANISED IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING ON JUNE 26.
SUPPLEMENTED BY A VIDEO SHOW, THE EXHIBITION WILL FEATURE A WIDE RANGE OF PANEL DISPLAYS DEPICTING HONG KONG'S OVERALL ANTI-DRUG WORK AND AN IN-PERSPECTIVE LOOK AT THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF ABUSING PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES.
THERE WILL ALSO BE EXHIBITS SHOWING SEIZED X-RAY SCAN VEHICLE FROM THE CUSTOMS AS WELL AS OPIUM-SMOKING PARAPHERNALIA SEIZED BY THE POLICE.
DRUGS AND A MOBILE
DRUG EXHIBITS AND
THERE WILL ALSO BE A QUIZ IN WHICH SOUVENIRS TO THOSE WHO SCORED THE CORRECT ANSWERS.
WILL BE
GIVEN
IT WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC MONDAY, JUNE 26.
FROM 10 AM TO 7 PM DAILY
UNTIL
A COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE SAME VENUE AT 11 AM ON SUNDAY (JUNE 25). IT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A DRUG-SEARCH DEMONSTRATION BY THE CUSTOMS DOG UNIT AND PERFORMANCE BY THE CAPF COLLISON MARCHING BAND.
/OFFICIATING AT .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1989
21
OFFICIATING AT THE IMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF ACAN, DR GERALD CHOA: THE CHAIRMAN OF ACAN’S SUB-COMMITTEE ON PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY. MR PAO PING-WING: AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS. MR GARETH MULLOY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT 11 AM ON SUNDAY (JUNE 25) AT THE (ASTERN ENTRANCE OF THE NEW WORLD CENTRE PLAZA IN TSIM SHA TSUI.
- 0 - - - -
SPIRIT OF SELF-HELP FOSTERED * * * * *
IN TODAY’S COMPLEX WORLD, MANY PEOPLE SUFFER FROM PHYSICAL OR MENTAL PROBLEMS OF ONE KIND OR ANOTHER, MANY OF WHICH CAN BE ALLEVIATED IF PEOPLE IN THE SAME SITUATION CAN GET TOGETHER AND SHARE THEIR FEELINGS AND EXPERIENCES, AND HELP EACH OTHER.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR T.H. CHAU, SAID THIS TODAY (FRIDAY) AT THE ZONTA ACHIEVEMENT AWARD PRESENTATION CEREMONY ORGANISED BY THE ZONTA CLUB AT THE FURAMA HOTEL.
MR CHAU NOTED THAT THE THEME OF THE ZONTA ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR 1989 WAS "SELF HELP, BEST HELP".
"ITS OBJECTIVE IS TO SELECT A SELF-HELP GROUP WITH OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT SO THAT IT WILL SERVE AS A GOOD MODEL FOR OTHERS IN THE INITIATION OF THE SELF-HELP SPIRIT," HE SAID.
"THE VARIOUS SELF-HELP GROUPS NOMINATED FOR THIS YEAR’S AWARD WERE SET UP EITHER BY THOSE DIRECTLY CONCERNED OR BY THE PARENTS OF DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN.
"THEY COMPRISE WARM-HEARTED AND GENEROUS INDIVIDUALS WHO, IN SPITE OF THEIR OWN PLIGHT, HAVE GIVEN THEIR TIME AND EFFORT UNSELFISHLY TO HELP OTHERS SUFFERING FROM SIMILAR PROBLEMS."
MR CHAU SAID HE BELIEVED THAT THROUGH EXTENDING THEIR HELP AND FRIENDSHIP TO OTHERS IN NEED, INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF ALL THE SELF-HELP GROUPS WOULD HAVE FOUND A GREATER MEASURE OF SELF-CONFIDENCE AND GRATIFICATION IN THEIR DAILY LIFE.
HE HOPED THAT THROUGH THE PRESENTATION OF THIS AWARD AND THE SERIES OF RELATED ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE CLUB THIS YEAR, BOTH THE SPIRIT AND THE REWARDS OF SELF-HELP WOULD BE GIVEN THE MUCH WIDER RECOGNITION IN THE COMMUNITY WHICH THEY DESERVED.
0
/22
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1989
22
SURVEY ON DEMAND FOR HOME HELP SERVICE
*****
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL START A SURVEY NEXT MONTH TO ASCERTAIN THE ACTUAL DEMAND FOR THE HOME HELP SERVICE, THE DEPARTMENT’S DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (CENTRAL AND WESTERN/ISLANDS), MRS KATHERINE SHIN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG WESTERN CENTRE (ISLANDS) HOME HELP OFFICE OF THE HONG KONG FAMILY WELFARE SOCIETY, MRS SHIN SAID THE SURVEY WOULD BE CONDUCTED BY THE JOINT WORKING GROUP ON HOME HELP SERVICE SET UP BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE.
SHE SAID DATA COLLECTION WOULD TAKE ABOUT HALF A YEAR AND THE REPORT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN MID-1990.
"I HOPE THAT BASING ON A SCIENTIFIC AND SYSTEMATIC STUDY, A LONG TERM DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE SERVICE COULD BE DRAWN UP TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE PUBLIC," SHE SAID.
MRS SHIN SAID THE HOME HELP SERVICE HAD BEEN SUBVENTED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SINCE 1976 AND THAT THERE WERE NOW 50 HOME HELP TEAMS PROVIDED BY 12 VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
THE SERVICE AIMED AT PROVIDING APPROPRIATE TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES WITH ELDERLY, DISABLED OR YOUNG MEMBERS WHO WERE UNABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES OR MAINTAIN THE NORMAL FUNCTIONING OF THEIR HOUSEHOLD, SHE SAID.
SERVICES RENDERED BY HOME HELP TEAMS INCLUDED MEAL DELIVERY, LAUNDRY SERVICES, HOUSEHOLD CLEANING, DELIVERY AND PURCHASE OF DAILY NECESSITIES.
MRS SHIN COMMENDED THE HONG KONG FAMILY WELFARE SOCIETY FOR PROVIDING VARIOUS WELFARE SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITY OVER THE PAST 40 YEARS.
- 0-------------
ASSOCIATION COMMENDED FOR SERVING MENTALLY HANDICAPPED
*****
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR KWOK KA-CHJ, TODAY (FRIDAY) COMMENDED THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF WORKERS SERVING THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED FOR ITS UNCEASING EFFORTS IN PROMOTING EDUCATION FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE.
"APART FROM SUFFICIENT RESOURCES AND COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING, THE INITIATIVE, ENTHUSIASM AND HIGH QUALITY OF THE PERSONNEL SERVING THE DISABLED ARE INDISPENSABLE IN THE SUCCESS OF REHABILITATION SERVICES," MR KWOK SAID.
/HE NOTED .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1989
23
HE NOTED THAT THE RECENT ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE ASSOCIATION ENABLED THE PERSONNEL SERVING THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED TO ACQUIRE NEW THEORIES AND TEACHING TECHNIQUES, AND ENHANCE PARENTS’ UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR DISABLED CHILDREN AS WELL AS TO STEP UP THE COMMUNITY'S AWARENESS OF THESE SERVICES.
MR KWOK WAS PRESENTING CERTIFICATES TO MEMBERS OF A COURSE CONDUCTED BY THE ORFF-SCHULWERK CLINIC -- MUSIC THERAPY FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED. WHICH WAS ORGANISED BY THE ASSOCIATION.
BY INTEGRATING MUSIC AND MOVEMENT. MR KWOK SAID THE COURSE ASSISTED IN THE LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT, NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION, MOTOR DEVELOPMENT AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE.
NEW ID CARDS FOR MEN BORN IN 1949-52 t * * *
MEN BORN IN 1949, 1950, 1951 OR 1952 WILL BE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS FROM JULY 3 TO SEPTEMBER 2 THIS YEAR, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
"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 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 AT THE ISSUE OFFICES OR TO COME
HAVING TO QUEUE UP FOR A LONG TIME
BACK ON ANOTHER DAY, APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED TO GO TO THESE OFFICES
THE MORNINGS AND AFTERNOONS," HE SAID.
APPLICANTS MAY ALSO MAKE USE OF THE PHONE IN SERVICE ARRANGE FOR AN APPOINTMENT BY CALLING THE OFFICE OF THEIR CHOICE.
IN
TO
THE ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE.
HONG KONG : BASEMENT. 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI.
TEL. NO. 5-747070
EAST KOWLOON : AMOY PLAZA. SECOND FLOOR, 77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD.
TEL. NO. 3-7553679
WEST KOWLOON : CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, YAU MA TEI.
TEL. NO. 3-7232424
TSUEN WAN : EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 29-37 TSUEN FU STREET.
TEL. NO. 0-4981259
/SHA TIN ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1989
24
SHA TIN : SHOP 8A, SECOND FLOOR, CHANWAY SHOPPING
CENTRE, 11-17, SHA TIN CENTRE STREET, SHA TIN. TEL. NO. 0-6059108
YUEN LONG : HOP YICK CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 31 HOP YICK ROAD.
TEL. NO. 0-4771543
TUEN MUN : CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR. CHI LOK FA YUEN.
TEL. NO. 0-4580862
SHEUNG SHUI : TSUEN WO TAI LAU, GROUND FLOOR, 82-84 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI.
TEL. NO. 0-6727191
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED WOMEN BORN IN 1951. 1952 OR 1953 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 JULY 1 .
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 $3,000 .
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
_ _ 0 - - - -
SWD FIELD OFFICES MOVE *****
A NUMBER OF FIELD OFFICES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT WILL BE MOVED TO NEW PREMISES IN THE SOUTHORN CENTRE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE NEW OFFICES FOR THE WAN CHAI FAMILY SERVICES CENTRE, THE WAN CHAI SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNIT, THE YOUTH AND COMMUNITY OFFICE (WAN CHAI). THE REHABILITATION AND ELDERLY OFFICE (EASTERN/WAN CHAI) AND THE CENTRAL PROBATION OFFICE ARE LOCATED ON THE 22ND FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD.
THE NEW ENQUIRY TELEPHONE NUMBERS ARE 5-8351907 AND 5-8351897.
THE OFFICES WILL RESUME OPERATION ON MONDAY (JUNE 26).
/25 ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1989
25 FIRING PRACTICE IN JULY t ♦ ♦ ♦ *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN-CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 22 DAYS NEXT MONTH.
THE PUBLIC IS WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.
FOLLOWING ARE THE DATES AND TIMES THAT FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE:
DATE TIME
JULY 3 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JULY 4 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JULY 5 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 11.59 PM
JULY 6 (THURSDAY) MIDNIGHT - 11.59 PM
JULY 7 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JULY 10 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JULY 11 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JULY 12 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JULY 13 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JULY 14 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JULY 17 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 11.59 PM
JULY 18 (TUESDAY) MIDNIGHT - 11.59 PM
JULY 19 (WEDNESDAY) MIDNIGHT - 11.59 PM
JULY 20 (THURSDAY) MIDNIGHT - 5 PM
JULY 21 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JULY 24 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JULY 25 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JULY 26 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JULY 27 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JULY 28 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JULY 29 (SATURDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JULY 31 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
0
/26
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1989
26
VIOLET PEEL POLYCLINIC MOVES TO SOUTHORN CENTRE * « » » »
THE VIOLET PEEL POLYCLINIC. NOW LOCATED AT HARCOURT ROAD, WILL BE MOVED TO SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI NEXT WEEK, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE POLYCLINIC CONSISTS OF AN OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT. THE GENERAL PRACTICE UNIT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THE NARCOTICS AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT FROM JULY 3, THE OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT AND THE GENERAL PRACTICE UNIT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG WILL BE LOCATED ON THE FIRST AND SECOND FLOORS OF THE BUILDING RESPECTIVELY. WHILE THE NARCOTICS AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION WILL BE ON THE EIGHTH FLOOR.
ON THE SAME DAY, THE VIOLET PEEL METHADONE CLINIC, NOW LOCATED AT 21 STONE NULLAH LANE IN WAN CHAI. WILL OPERATE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF SOUTHORN CENTRE.
_ _ _ _ o - - - -
CREMATORIUM AND COLUMBARIUM PROJECT AT WO HOP SHEK ♦ t » « *
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A CREMATORIUM AND COLUMBARIUM AT WO HOP SHEK IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE PROJECT INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SEVEN-STOREY COLUMBARIUM BUILDING PROVIDING 18,000 NICHES.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN AUGUST AND BE COMPLETED IN NOVEMBER NEXT YEAR.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON JULY 14.
----------0-------------
/27 ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 1989
27
GOVT PROPERTY TO LET BY TENDER *****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT TERM TENANCY OF THE GROUND FLOOR AT 11 KI LING LANE IN WESTERN DISTRICT.
MEASURING ABOUT 49.95 SQUARE METRES IN A&EA, THE PROPERTY IS FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING RESIDENTIAL) PURPOSES.
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR TENDERS IS NOON ON JULY 21.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SECTION OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, MEZZANINE FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
- _ _ _ o - - - -
WORKS TO IMPROVE WATER SUPPLY FOR TWO SHA TIN AREAS
*****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO PREMISES IN AREA 11, SHA TIN, AND MA ON SHAN WILL BE MUCH IMPROVED AFTER THE LAYING OF ABOUT 2,000 METRES OF WATERMAINS BY THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT.
THE FRESH WATERMAINS, WHICH STRETCH FROM A KUNG KOK TO HANG ON ESTATE IN MA ON SHAN, WILL ALSO FORM PART OF THE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM TO MEET THE DEMAND GENERATED BY THE PROPOSED MA ON SHAN DEVELOPMENT.
WORKS FOR THE PROJECT ARE EXPECTED TO START IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR AND WILL TAKE 16 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
TENDERS ARE NOW BEING INVITED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JULY 14.
FORMS OF TENDERS AND FURTHER INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE WATER AUTHORITY, LEIGHTON CENTRE, 11TH FLOOR, 77 LEIGHTON ROAD, HONG KONG.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 1989
CONTWS PAGE NO.
HK AND U.S. HOLD SIMILAR VIEWS ON TRADE.................... 1
OMELCO STAND REMAINS UNCHANGED ............................ 2
REGISTRATION OF IVORY STOCKS TO START ..................... 3
FERRY SERVICE HAS LONG TERM FUTURE ........................ 4
PLANS FOR FIVE HOTELS APPROVED............................. 4
LIBERAL STUDIES FOR SIXTH FORM PROPOSED ................... 5
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD BY AUCTION ....................... 7
TSUEN WAN DB TO DISCUSS RIGHT OF ABODE..................... 8
ISLANDS DB TO DISCUSS RURAL IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY .......... 8
REHABILITATION SELF-HELP GROUPS BENEFICIAL TO COMMUNITY .... 9
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR 120 YOUNG PEOPLE ................ 10
ROAD CLOSURES IN CHAU TAU, YUEN LONG....................... 11
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF CONVENTION AVENUE..................... 11
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SEVERN ROAD........................... 12
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN SHA TIN ......................... 12
SATURDAY. JUNE 24, 1989
1
HK AND U.S. HOLD SIMILAR VIEWS ON TRADE *****
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY. MR JOHN CHAN, CONCLUDED HIS VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES YESTERDAY (JUNE 23) WITH AN ADDRESS TO BUSINESS EXECUTIVES AT A BREAKFAST MEETING OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.
OTHER MEETINGS EARLIER IN THE WEEK INCLUDED BRIEFINGS WITH CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR GEORGE DEUKMEJIAN AND MEMBERS OF THE STATE SENATE AND CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY IN SACRAMENTO, AND WITH MAYOR TOM BRADLEY OF LOS ANGELES.
ANSWERING QUESTIONS FROM THE MEDIA IN SAN FRANCISCO, MR CHAN SAID HE FOUND IT ENCOURAGING THAT THE MAJOR EMPHASIS OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT’S TRADE POLICY WAS TOWARDS FAIR TRADE.
HE SAID IT WAS CLEAR FROM DISCUSSIONS WITH THE NEW UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE, MS CARLA HILLS, THAT HONG KONG AND THE UNITED STATES HELD VERY SIMILAR VIEWS OVER MANY TRADE ISSUES.
"BOTH THE UNITED STATES AND HONG KONG ARE PLAYING IMPORTANT AND ACTIVE ROLES IN THE URUGUAY ROUND OF THE GATT AND BOTH OF US SHARE COMMON VIEWS ON MANY OF THE ISSUES INVOLVED," MR CHAN SAID.
"AS A RESULT OF THE MID-TERM REVIEW THERE IS GENERAL AGREEMENT THAT THE ULTIMATE AIM OF THE CONTRACTING PARTIES SHOULD BE TO BRING TRADE IN TEXTILES BACK UNDER THE GATT SYSTEM," MR CHAN TOLD REPORTERS.
MR CHAN FELT THAT THE UNITED STATES, AS THE WORLD'S LEADING TRADING NATION, HAD AGREEABLY BENEFITED MORE THAN ANY OTHER NATION FROM THE CURRENT SYSTEM.
"WE THEREFORE LOOK TO THE UNITED STATES, AND IN PARTICULAR THE U.S. ADMINISTRATION. TO DEMONSTRATE CLEARLY ITS COMMITMENT TO THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM BY ITS ACTIONS BOTH AT HOME AND ABROAD."
MR CHAN SAID HE BELIEVED THAT, WITH A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK IN GENEVA OVER THE NEXT 18 MONTHS, THE URUGUAY ROUND COULD BE BROUGHT TO A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION.
"AND I BELIEVE THAT HONG KONG CAN PLAY AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE PROCESS, DEMONSTRATING TO THE WORLD ITS AUTONOMY IN COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS," HE ADDED.
MR CHAN SAID HE FELT GRATIFIED THAT HE NO LONGER HAD TO TELL PEOPLE THAT HONG KONG PRACTISED FREE TRADE AS WAS THE CASE DURING HIS VISIT TO THE U.S. THREE YEARS AGO. I
"I HAVE FOUND THERE IS MUCH MORE UNDERSTANDING AND MUCH MORE GOOD WILL TOWARDS HONG KONG. PEOPLE IMMEDIATELY ASSOCIATE THE WORD 'HONG KONG’ WITH FREE TRADE AND OPEN ECONOMY," MR CHAN SAID.
MR CHAN WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG THIS EVENING.
-------o----------
/2........
fr • ife.
•...
SATURDAY. JUNE 24. 1989 - 2 -
OMELCO STAND REMAINS UNCHANGED » t * * t
FOLLOWING IS THE CONTENT OF TODAY’S PRESS BRIEFING BY MRS ROSANNA TAM. CONVENER OF THE OMELCO SPECIAL WORKING GROUP ON NATIONALITY. AND MR STEPHEN CHEONG. MR RONALD ARCULL1 AND DR LEONG CHE-HUNG:
"MEMBERS OF THE OMELCO SPECIAL WORKING GROUP ON NATIONALITY ARE NOT SURPRISED BY THE OUTCOME OF THE TWO SENIOR MEMBERS’ MEETING WITH THE PRIME MINISTER YESTERDAY. INDEED. WE WOULD HAVE BEEN PLEASANTLY SURPRISED HAD THE PRIME MINISTER TAKEN A GREATER STEP TOWARDS HONG KONG'S POSITION.
"THE PRIME MINISTER SAID THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WERE WORKING TO GIVE ’PRACTICAL EXPRESSION TO THEIR PROMISE TO INTRODUCE GREATER FLEXIBILITY ON THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN HK’. AND HOPED TO BE IN A POSITION 'TO MAKE A STATEMENT REASONABLY SOON’.
"IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHETHER THE ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY BRITAIN WILL INDEED BOOST CONFIDENCE IN THE TERRITORY.
"'FLEXIBILITY’ IS NOT WHAT WE ASKED FOR. OUR STAND ON THIS ISSUE REMAINS UNCHANGED. AND THAT IS: BRITAIN HAS A MORAL OBLIGATION TO ENSURE A SAFE AND SECURE FUTURE FOR THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF HONG KONG. AND A DIRECT MORAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO RESTORE THE RIGHT OF ABODE TO ALL THE BRITISH SUBJECTS HERE.
"THE TWO SENIOR MEMBERS’ VISIT TO LONDON IS THE BEGINNING OF OUR EFFORTS. WE WILL KEEP ON PRESSING FOR THE INTEREST OF OUR COMMUNITY. AND WE NEED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO CONTINUE EXPRESSING THEIR CONCERNS AND WISHES TO HMG THROUGH ALL AVAILABLE CHANNELS.
"WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE CONTINUING SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY IN THIS ISSUE.
"THE TWO SENIOR MEMBERS WILL BRIEF OMELCO MEMBERS AT A SPECIAL IN-HOUSE MEETING ON MONDAY AT 11 AM. THEY WILL MEET THE MEDIA AT 12 PM. MEDIA ARRANGEMENTS TO COVER THE TWO SENIOR MEMBERS’ ARRIVAL ON SUNDAY AT THE AIRPORT WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN DUE COURSE.
"EARLIER THIS MORNING. MEMBERS WERE BRIEFED BY THE DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION. MR DONALD TSANG. ABOUT HIS RECENT VISIT TO LONDON.
"MR TSANG SAID HIS TRIP WAS AT THE INVITATION AND REQUEST OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT. THE PURPOSE OF WHICH WAS TO PROVIDE DETAILED INFORMATION TO BRITISH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND TO ANSWER THEIR QUESTIONS. IN ORDER TO ASSIST THEM IN THEIR REVIEW OF THE CURRENT UK POLICY FOR ADMITTING HONG KONG BRITISH NATIONALS INTO THE UK.
"HE SAID THAT THE TALKS WERE TECHNICAL IN NATURE AND THAT THEY DEALT WITH THE BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT AND THE UK IMMIGRATION ACT AS APPLIED TO HONG KONG.
"HE REAFFIRMED THAT HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S POSITION IS CLEAR THAT THE OBLIGATION OF HMG IS TOWARDS ALL BRITISH CITIZENS IN HONG KONG AND THAT THEY DID NOT BELIEVE IN THE CATEGORIZATION OF HONG KONG BRITISH NATIONALS. HE SAID THAT ANY CRUDE CATEGORIZATION WOULD TEND TO BE DIVISIVE."
-----0----------
/3........
SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 1989
5
REGISTRATION OF IVORY STOCKS TO START
*****
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) CALLED ON LOCAL IVORY TRADERS FOR THEIR FULL CO-OPERATION IN A GOVERNMENT EXERCISE TO REGISTER ALL IVORY STOCKS CURRENTLY HELD IN THE TERRITORY.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE BY THE DEPARTMENT'S SENIOR CONSERVATION OFFICER, MR M.K. CHEUNG. IN A CIRCULAR LETTER TO ALL IVORY TRADERS ABOUT THE REGISTRATION EXERCISE BEING CONDUCTED IN AN EFFORT TO MONITOR THE EXISTING IVORY STOCKS AND THEIR TRADE MORE EFFECTIVELY.
"THE REGISTRATION WILL COVER ALL IVORY STOCKS INCLUDING RAW AND WORKED IVORY BUT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF PERSONAL ITEMS OF WORKED IVORY," MR CHEUNG SAID.
"ALL IVORY TUSKS AND LARGE CUT PIECES WILL BE MARKED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE IVORY CONTROL PROCEDURE LAID DOWN BY THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES)."
DURING THE FIRST PHASE OF THE REGISTRATION PROCESS, IVORY TRADERS WERE REQUESTED TO CHECK THEIR IVORY STOCKS AND MAKE A REPORT TO THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WITHIN 14 DAYS ON THE PRESCRIBED FORM PROVIDED. HE SAID.
"NIL RETURN IS REQUIRED," HE ADDED.
UPON RECEIPT OF RETURNS FROM TRADERS, PHYSICAL INSPECTION OF IVORY STOCKS HELD BY INDIVIDUAL TRADERS WILL BE CARRIED OUT BY DEPARTMENT STAFF WHO WILL PROVIDE DETAILS OF THE MARKINGS REQUIRED FOR THE TUSKS AND CUT PIECES AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION.
MR CHEUNG SAID THE REGISTRATION WAS THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF MEASURES DESIGNED TO ENHANCE CONTROL ON THE IVORY TRADE.
"APART FROM THE MORATORIUM ANNOUNCED ON JUNE 16 ON IMPORTS OF RAW IVORY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, URGENT ACTION IS BEING TAKEN TO ESTABLISH A COMPUTER DATA BASE OF ALL REGISTERED IVORY," HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, MR CHEUNG POINTED OUT, A PROPOSAL WAS BEING FORMULATED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO REQUIRE A POSSESSION LICENCE UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE FOR THE HOLDING OF ANY COMMERCIAL QUANTITY OF IVORY.
"DETAILS OF THIS NEW REQUIREMENT WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN DUE COURSE," HE ADDED.
MR CHEUNG ALSO ADVISED IVORY TRADERS NOT TO ARRANGE ANY IVORY SHIPMENT TO THE UNITED STATES, JAPAN, UNITED KINGDOM, FRANCE AND WEST GERMANY AS THEY HAD ALREADY IMPOSED A BAN ON IMPORTS OF IVORY IN ALL FORMS.
"NO IVORY EXPORT TO THESE COUNTRIES SHOULD BE CONTEMPLATED UNLESS AND UNTIL CONFIRMATION HAS BEEN RECEIVED FROM THE COUNTRIES CONCERNED THAT THE IMPORT BAN HAS BEEN LIFTED," HE SAID.
- 0
SATURDAY, JUNE 24. 1989
4
FERRY SERVICE HAS LONG TERM FUTURE *****
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG. SAID FERRY SERVICES WOULD CONTINUE TO BE AN IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL ELEMENT OF HONG KONG’S PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM IN THE LONG TERM.
HE SAID THIS WHEN OFFICIATING AT THE COMMISSIONING OF THE "GOLDEN STAR", A NEW VESSEL OF THE STAR FERRY COMPANY, TODAY (SATURDAY).
"AS AN OFF-ROAD MODE OF TRANSPORT, FERRIES HELP TO EASE PRESSURE ON THE ROAD NETWORK. THIS ROLE IS FULLY RECOGNISED IN THE 1989 GREEN PAPER ON TRANSPORT POLICY," HE SAID.
COMMENTING ON THE NEW VESSEL’S ACQUISITION, MR LEUNG PRAISED THE WHARF GROUP FOR ITS COMMITMENT TO THE PROVISION OF QUALITY SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC AND ITS CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE.
HE NOTED THAT THE "GOLDEN STAR" IS ONE OF THE TWO NEW VESSELS WHICH WILL BE DEPLOYED ON THE STAR FERRY COMPANY’S CROSS HARBOUR SERVICES WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR.
THE COMPANY ALSO PLANS TO FIT NEW ENGINES TO 10 VESSELS TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF ITS FERRY OPERATION.
------0--------
PLANS FOR FIVE HOTELS APPROVED * * * *
PLANS FOR FIVE HOTELS, HAVING A TOTAL OF 1,662 ROOMS. WERE APPROVED BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE IN APRIL.
THEY WERE AMONG 58 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED BY THE OFFICE DURING THE MONTH.
ALSO APPROVED WERE 24 PLANS FOR APARTMENT. APARTMENT/COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS, 12 FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS AND FIVE FOR FACTORY OR GODOWN PROJECTS.
OF THE PLANS APPROVED. 23 WERE FOR HONG KONG ISLAND. 15 FOR KOWLOON AND 20 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
CONSENT TO START WORK WAS GIVEN FOR 48 PROJECTS. THE TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF THESE PROJECTS WAS 382.928.55 SQUARE METRES, OF WHICH 261,216.35 SQUARE METRES WAS FOR NON-DOMESTIC PURPOSES AND THE REMAINDER FOR DOMESTIC USES.
/THE TOTAL .......
SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 1989
- 5 -
THE TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH WAS 229.618 SQUARE METRES. OF WHICH 158,867.3 SQUARE METRES WAS FOR NON-DOMESTIC PURPOSES AND THE REMAINDER FOR DOMESTIC USES.
THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH WAS ABOUT $697 MILLION.
ALSO DURING THE MONTH. THE OFFICE ISSUED 42 OCCUPATION PERMITS -- 12 FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, NINE FOR KOWLOON AND 21 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN ADDITION. THE OFFICE ISSUED 40 DEMOLITION CONSENTS
AFFECTING 105 BUILDINGS.
THE CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT DIVISION RECEIVED 642 COMPLAINTS REGARDING ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AND ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS DURING THE MONTH, CARRIED OUT 968 INSPECTIONS AND ISSUED 142 REMOVAL ORDERS.
THE DANGEROUS BUILDINGS SECTION INSPECTED 460 BUILDINGS. AND NO CLOSURES WERE REQUIRED.
-----0-----
LIBERAL STUDIES FOR SIXTH FORM PROPOSED
*****
THE WORKING GROUP ON SIXTH FORM EDUCATION WAS LIKELY TO INCLUDE AMONG ITS RECOMMENDATIONS IN ITS FIRST REPORT THE INTRODUCTION OF AN INTERMEDIATE LEVEL COURSE IN LIBERAL STUDIES, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR JOHN WINFIELD, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF A CONFERENCE ON "EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY IN SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS TEACHING", MR WINFIELD SAID THE COURSE CURRICULUM WOULD BE DEVELOPED IN THE FORM OF MODULES WHICH COULD INCLUDE. FOR EXAMPLE, CHINA TODAY, THE MEDIA IN SOCIETY, ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.
"AN I-LEVEL LIBERAL STUDIES COURSE WOULD PROBABLY CONSIST OF TWO SUCH MODULES SELECTED BY INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS FROM THOSE AVAILABLE," HE SAID.
"WITH SUCH A SUBJECT IT VOULD BE POSSIBLE FOR NON-SCIENCE STUDENTS IN THE SIXTH FORM TO PURSUE A COURSE OF STUDY WHICH INCLUDED, FOR EXAMPLE, THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MODULE, THE SYLLABUS OF WHICH COULD BE DESIGNED TO ENABLE SUCH STUDENTS TO BECOME MORE AWARE OF SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT IN THE HISTORY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.
"IT ALSO HELPS STUDENTS TO GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPACT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN SUCH AREAS AS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, MEDICINE. PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN COMMUNICATION, AND TO CONSIDER RELATED ETHICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES."
/MR WINFIELD .......
SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 1989
MR WINFIELD SAID HE HOPED THESE DEVELOPMENTS WOULD PROVIDE ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS WHICH WOULD BE BOTH STIMULATING AND EDUCATIONALLY REWARDING.
TURNING TO THE PROVISION OF FURTHER SCIENCE EDUCATION TO NON-SCIENCE STUDENTS IN SENIOR SECONDARY FORMS, MR WINFIELD SAID A BROAD-BASED MULTI-DISCIPLINE SCIENCE COURSE WOULD BE INTRODUCED AS AN ADDITIONAL SCIENCE ELECTIVE COURSE FOR STUDENTS IN SECONDARY 4-5 NOT SPECIALISING IN THE SUBJECT.
"APART FROM BEING A CONTINUATION OF THE INTEGRATED SCIENCE COURSE AT THE JUNIOR SECONDARY LEVEL, THIS COURSE WOULD ENCOMPASS CONCEPTS, SKILLS AND PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE DRAWN FROM VARIOUS SCIENCE DISCIPLINES, WITH DUE EMPHASIS ON THE SOCIAL, TECHNOLOGICAL AND EVERYDAY APPLICATION OF SCIENCE," HE SAID.
"IN DEVELOPING THIS IDEA, WE ENVISAGE THAT THE CURRICULUM CONTENT OF SUCH A COURSE WILL HAVE TO CATER FOR THE VARIED NEEDS OF STUDENTS OF A WIDE RANGE OF ABILITIES IF IT IS TO PROVIDE A BALANCED AND WORTHWHILE SCIENCE EDUCATION FOR NON-SCIENCE STUDENTS BEYOND THE JUNIOR SECONDARY LEVEL."
MR WINFIELD SAID A CONSULTATIVE PAPER ON THE PROPOSED COURSE WAS NOW BEING DRAFTED FOLLOWING STRONG SUPPORT GIVEN BY MEMBERS OF THE SCIENCE SUBJECT COMMITTEE OF THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
THE PAPER WOULD OUTLINE THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE EDUCATION IN HONG KONG, AND ASSESSMENT OF THE PRESENT SITUATION AND THE RATIONALE FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF SUCH A SCIENCE COURSE FOR SECONDARY 4-5 STUDENTS IN NON-SCIENCE STREAMS, TOGETHER WITH A PROPOSED SKELETAL SYLLABUS.
IT WOULD BE SENT TO SCHOOLS IN THE COMING ACADEMIC YEAR FOR VIEWS AND COMMENTS. A SERIES OF SEMINARS WOULD ALSO BE ORGANISED TO BRIEF SCIENCE TEACHERS ON THE PROPOSAL, MR WINFIELD SAID.
HE URGED PRINCIPALS AND SCIENCE TEACHERS TO STUDY THE CONSULTATIVE PAPER WHEN IT WAS READY AND TO RESPOND BY GIVING CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK.
"I HOPE THAT PRINCIPALS > AND TEACHERS WILL RECOGNISE THE DESIRABILITY OF MAKING ANOTHER SCIENCE ELECTIVE SUBJECT AVAILABLE TO THEIR NON-SCIENCE PUPILS AT SECONDARY 4-5 AND GIVE THEIR FULL SUPPORT TO THIS PROPOSED COURSE," MR WINFIELD ADDED.
-------0 ---------
SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 1989
- 7 -
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD BY AUCTION ♦ ♦ t
FORTY SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE PUT UP FOR AUCTION THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $818,000 WHICH WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE RECITAL HALL OF THE CITY HALL, SAW THE REGISTRATION NUMBER 389 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $125,000.
ANOTHER NUMBER 535 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $100,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1000 EACH FOR/FOR EA5292.
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY'S AUCTION:
$ $ $ $
EA708 5,000 EA128 19,000 DZ777 36,000 EA7889 3,000
EA8681 3,000 DA728 15,000 EA139 9,000 EA2516 WITHDRAWN
DF25 21,000 7832 45,000 EA9809 4,000 AK357 15,000-
EA6378 3,000 EA2318 9,000 BK136 16,000 EB823 21,000
EA911 6,000 DZ9283 3,000 1986 40,000 DZ8 95,000
BV892 3,000 DY2 70,000 EA6618 6,000 BB6662 11,000
535 100,000 EA143 3,000 AA337 14,000 EA1398 16,000
EB339 15,000 EA688 25,000 DC735 2,000 EA5292 1,000
AA350 11,000 389 125,000 CD9000 11,000 AK1631 7,000
DZ111 20,000 EA776 3,000 EA7741 2,000 EA9899 5,000
EA2516 WAS WITHDRAWN AND DEPOSIT $1,000 WAS FORFIETED TO THE TOTAL REALIZED.
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WERE REQUIRED TO PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
THE NUMBERS AUCTIONED WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.
TODAY'S SALE, THE 138TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CHARITY REALISED SO FAR TO $84,013,532.
-----O-----
/8........
SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 1989
8
TSUEN WAN DB TO DISCUSS RIGHT OF ABODE
*****
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE ISSUE OF RIGHT OF ABODE OF HONG KONG BRITISH NATIONALS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AT A SPECIAL MEETING ON MONDAY (JUNE 26).
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ISSUE AND THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION PAPER ON THE REVIEW OF THE REHABILITATION SCHEME UNDER THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ORDINANCE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD SPECIAL MEETING TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON MONDAY (JUNE 26) IN THE MAIN CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, SECOND FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
- - 0
ISLANDS DB TO DISCUSS RURAL IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY
*****
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE RURAL PLANNING AND IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY (RPIS), A PACKAGE OF PROPOSALS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN RURAL AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, AT ITS MEETING ON MONDAY (JUNE 26).
OFFICIALS FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO BRIEF MEMBERS ON RECENT FINDINGS CONCERNING THE WATER QUALITY IN SILVERMINE BAY.
THE BOARD WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE 1989-90 TENTATIVE LAND SALES PROGRAMME, THE ANNUAL PROGRAMME OF DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES, THE 1989-90 WORK PLAN OF THE ICAC HONG KONG WEST/ISLANDS REGIONAL OFFICE, AND THE PROPOSED STATUTORY PROTECTION FOR THE USE OF DB LOGOS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD ON MONDAY (JUNE 26) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 14TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, BEGINNING AT 2 PM.
SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 1989
9
REHABILITATION SELF-HELP GROUPS BENEFICIAL TO COMMUNITY ♦ ♦ t ♦ ♦
SELF-HELP GROUPS IN SOCIAL REHABILITATION NOT ONLY PLAY A POSITIVE ROLE IN HELPING THEIR MEMBERS BUT ARE ALSO BENEFICIAL TO THE COMMUNITY, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR KWOK KA-CHI, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ’’SELF HELP, BEST HELP” SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE ZONTA CLUB OF HONG KONG, MR KWOK SAID MEMBERS OF THESE SELF-HELP GROUPS COULD SOLVE THEIR COMMON PROBLEMS WITH A SPIRIT OF MUTUAL HELP.
’’THROUGH MUTUAL CARE AND SUPPORT, MEMBERS DIRECTLY HELP OTHER MEMBERS AND INDIRECTLY BENEFIT THE AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND SOCIETY AT LARGE.
'’THUS, THE REHABILITATION SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE COMMUNITY FOR THE DISABLED AND THE SELF-HELP GROUPS. WHICH COMPOSED OF DISABLED PERSONS ALONE OR WITH OTHER INTERESTED PEOPLE, COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER IN THEIR FUNCTIONS.”
MR KWOK NOTED THAT GOOD PLANNING, FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND THE INVOLVEMENT OF PROFESSIONALS WERE ALSO IMPORTANT.
HE POINTED OUT THAT COMMUNITY’S ACCEPTANCE, CARE AND SUPPORT FOR THE DISABLED AND THEIR FAMILIES WERE VITAL IN THE PROMOTION OF REHABILITATION SERVICES.
THERE ARE THREE COMMON TYPES OF SELF-HELP GROUPS IN REHABILITATION SERVICES. THEY ARE SELF-HELP GROUPS FOR THE DEAF, PARENTS’ ASSOCIATIONS OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, AND SHELTERED WORKSHOP RUN BY PHYSICALLY DISABLED PERSONS.
THE SELF-HELP GROUPS FOR THE DEAF ENABLE THE DEAF TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THEIR PHYSICAL DISABILITY AND THE BARRIER IN MAKING VERBAL COMMUNICATION WITH OTHERS, AND HELP THEM TO RESTORE CONFIDENCE AND BECOME USEFUL MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY.
THE PARENTS’ ASSOCIATIONS OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED IS ANOTHER TYPE OF SELF-HELP GROUPS. GROUP MEMBERS OFTEN DISCUSS WITH STAFF OF THE TRAINING CENTRES WHERE THEIR CHILDREN ATTEND CLASSES, ON METHODS AND PROBLEMS IN TAKING CARE OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.
THROUGH EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION AND MUTUAL SUPPORT AMONG GROUP MEMBERS. BOTH THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS WOULD BE BENEFITED.
THE THIRD TYPE OF SELF-HELP GROUPS, THE SHELTERED WORKSHOPS RUN BY PHYSICALLY DISABLED PERSONS, PROVIDES SELF-SUFFICIENT WORK FOR PERSONS WITH SIMILAR DISABILITIES WHO ARE TRYING THEIR BEST TO BE FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT. MEMBERS ARE MAKING DEFINITE CONTRIBUTION TO THE SELF-HELP GROUP. THEIR FAMILY AND THE COMMUNITY.
-----0-----
/10........
SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 1989
10
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR 120 YOUNG PEOPLE
*****
ABOUT 120 YOUNG PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 26 WILL TAKE PART IN A 10-DAY YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME ORGANISED BY THE WEST KOWLOON REGION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
THE PROGRAMME, "CONCERN, REALISE AND PARTICIPATE IN YOUR COMMUNITY", AIMS TO HELP THE YOUNG PEOPLE TO SHOW THEIR CONCERN, TO REALISE THEIR IDEALS AND TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COMMUNITY. IT WILL BEGIN ON JULY 7.
ALL THE GROUP AND COMMUNITY SERVICE UNITS IN THE REGION WILL BE CO-ORDINATED TO ENABLE THE YOUNG PEOPLE TO CARRY OUT COMMUNITY PROJECTS DURING THE SUMMER VACATION.
APART FROM BRIEFINGS BY SOCIAL WORKERS ON YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY SERVICES, THE YOUNG PEOPLE WILL BE DIVIDED INTO SMALL GROUPS TO CARRY OUT SERVICE PROJECTS AT VARIOUS WELFARE AGENCIES SUCH AS HALF-WAY HOUSES, AND HOMES FOR THE DISABLED AND THE ELDERLY.
AFTERWARDS, A TRAINING CAMP WILL BE ORGANISED AT THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH TRAINING CAMP AT TAI PO FOR THE PARTICIPANTS TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES IN CARRYING OUT THE VARIOUS PROJECTS.
THIS PROGRAMME IS ONE OF THE SERIES OF REGIONAL YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO ASSIST YOUNG PEOPLE TO BECOME MATURE AND RESPONSIBLE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.
THIS IS ACHIEVED BY FOSTERING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR PERSONALITY, SENSE OF CIVIC RESPONSIBLITY AND KNOWLEDGE OF HOW TO USE THEIR LEISURE TIME BENEFICIALLY.
THE SENIOR SOCIAL WORK OFFICER CO-ORDINATING THE PROGRAMMES, MISS MAY CHUNG, REMARKED: "THESE PROGRAMMES WILL NOT ONLY BE FRUITFUL TO PARTICIPANTS BUT ALSO TO THE TARGET GROUPS.
"IT IS HOPED THAT THE PARTICIPANTS WILL BE ABLE TO BETTER EQUIP THEMSELVES IN ORGANISING PROJECTS IN FUTURE AFTER THEY HAVE RECEIVED TRAINING AND GUIDANCE FROM PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS."
t
- - o - -
/11
SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 1989
11
ROAD CLOSURES IN CHAU TAU. YUEN LONG t » t » t
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT SEVERAL ROADS IN CHAU TAU, YUEN LONG WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JUNE 26) TO FACILITATE THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD CONSTRUCTION WORKS.
THEY ARE THE UNNAMED ROAD (T-3) LINKING CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND THE SERVICE ROAD (SR-6) NEAR CHAU TAU: AND THE EASTBOUND SECTION OF THE MAIN CARRIAGEWAY OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD (T-2) NEAR CHAU TAU.
MOREOVER. THE WESTBOUND SECTION OF THE MAIN CARRIAGEWAY OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD (T-1) NEAR CHAU TAU WILL BE CLOSED FROM MONDAY TO JULY 10.
MOTORISTS TRAVELLING TOWARDS YUEN LONG ARE ADVISED TO USE EITHER ROAD D-3 (UP-RAMP). ROAD D-l AND SR-6 OR ROAD D-3 (UP-RAMP) AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
FOR MOTORISTS TRAVELLING TOWARDS FANLING, THEY MAY USE SR-6, ROAD D-l AND ROAD D-2 (DOWN-RAMP).
MEANWHILE. THOSE TRAVELLING ON EASTBOUND CASTLE PEAK ROAD FOR LOK MA CHAU ARE ADVISED TO USE SR-7. ROAD D-l AND SR-6.
-----0-----
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF CONVENTION AVENUE » * * t »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT CONVENTION AVENUE EASTBOUND BETWEEN FENWICK PIER STREET AND FLEMING ROAD, WAN CHAI, WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM MONDAY (JUNE 26) FOR THREE NIGHTS.
THE CLOSURE WILL BE IN FORCE BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 6 AM DAILY TO FACILITATE FOOTBRIDGE REPAIR WpRK.
EASTBOUND TRAFFIC ON FENWICK PIER STREET HEADING FOR WAN CHAI FERRY PIER AND HUNG HING ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA HARBOUR ROAD AND FLEMING ROAD.
-----0-----
SATURDAY. JUNE 24. 1989
- 12 -
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SEVERN ROAD * » * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE SECTION OF SEVERN ROAD IN THE MID-LEVELS BETWEEN HOUSE NUMBERS 23 AND 26 WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM MONDAY (JUNE 26) TO JULY 9 TO FACILITATE CABLE LAYING
DURING THE CLOSURE. THE SECTION OF SEVERN ROAD BETWEEN HOUSE NUMBERS 28 AND 37 AND THAT BETWEEN HOUSE NUMBERS 20 AND 22 WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC.
-------o---------
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN SHA TIN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JUNE 26). RAMP Al ON THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TAI PO ROAD
LEADING TO PENFORD PARK. SHA TIN. WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
THE CLOSURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS TO FACILITATE ROAD
MAINTENANCE WORK OF RAMP Al.
MOTORISTS ON TAI PO ROAD NORTHBOUND HEADING FOR PENFORD PARK
WILL BE DIVERTED VIA RAMP D AND RAMP F.
---0------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
YOUTH URGED NOT TO TAKE CANNABIS ....................... 1
COMPULSORY WEARING OF SEAT BELTS IN TAXIS, LIGHT BUSES . 5
NEW DATAPHONE LABOUR ENQUIRY SERVICE ................... 3
PARENTS SHOULD APPLY NOW FOR EDUCATION FEE ASSISTANCE .. 4
STAGE II OF PAK KONG WATER TREATMENT WORKS ............. 5
MORE‘SERVICES TO MEET ESTATE RESIDENTS' NEEDS .......... 6
eastern db subsidies; for festive activities ........... 7
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS WHITE PAPER ON POLLUTION ....... 7
SOUTHERN BUS ROUTES PROGRAMME ON AGENDA ................ 8
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS FUNDING GUIDELINE............... 8
NEW ADDRESS FOR THREE CNTA OFFICES ..................... 9
SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO INDIA TO BE EXTENDED............... 9
WATER CUTS IN FANLING AND SOUTHWEST KOWLOON ............ 10
SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 1989
1
YOUTHS URGED NOT TO TAKE CANNABIS *****
YOUNGSTERS ARE WARNED THAT CANNABIS SMOKING IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD NOT BE REGARDED AS FASHIONABLE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN), DR GERALD CHOA, TODAY (SUNDAY) WHEN OFFICIATING AT THE "HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL ANTI-DRUG DAY" COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY.
DR CHOA SAID THERE WAS AN INCREASING TREND IN THE NUMBER OF YOUNG PEOPLE REPORTED ABUSING PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES, AND CANNABIS IN PARTICULAR, DURING THE PAST FEW YEARS.
"A TOTAL OF 134 PERSONS WERE REPORTED ABUSING CANNABIS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR, COMPARED WITH 74 AND 163 FOR THE WHOLE OF 1987 AND 1988 RESPECTIVELY.
"A TOTAL OF 337 KILOGRAMS OF CANNABIS WAS SEIZED IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, THE HIGHEST SINCE 1971," DR CHOA ADDED.
ON THE PERNICIOUS EFFECTS OF ABUSING CANNABIS, DR CHOA NOTED THAT EVEN OCCASIONAL USE COULD LEAD PEOPLE INTO DANGER BECAUSE IT COULD INDUCE DISTORTION OF TIME AND SPACE AND POOR JUDGEMENT AND CONCENTRATION.
•"IT TENDS TO MAKE REGULAR USERS APATHETIC AND DISINTERESTED IN WORTHWHILE ACTIVITIES REQUIRING HARD WORK AND CONCENTRATION.
"AND, CONTINUOUS ABUSE MAY LEAD TO BRONCHITIS AND IMPAIR LUNG FUNCTION, THUS RESULTING IN CHRONIC COUGH. SPUTUM PRODUCTION, WHEEZE AND ACUTE BRONCHITIC EPISODE," HE ADDED.
WHILE NOTING THERE WAS AS YET NO DIRECT EVIDENCE THAT CANNABIS SMOKING COULD PLAY A CAUSAL ROLE IN LUNG CANCER, DR CHOA POINTED OUT ONE KNOWN CANCER-PRODUCING CHEMICAL, BENZOPYRENE, HAD BEEN REPORTED TO BE 70 PER CENT MORE ABUNDANT IN MARIJUANA SMOKE THAN IN TOBACCO SMOKE.
"FOLLOWING EXPOSURE TO MARIJUANA SMOKE, THE LUNG’S DEFENCE SYSTEMS AGAINST BACTERIAL INVASION HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO BE IMPAIRED.
"HEAVY MARIJUANA USE MAY ALSO IMPAIR BOTH MALE AND FEMALE ABUSERS’ REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTIONING AND THE USE OF MARIJUANA DURING PREGNANCY IS STRONGLY DISCOURAGED," DR CHOA SAID.
THERE ARE ABOUT 41,000 ACTIVE DRUG ABUSERS RECORDED IN THE GOVERNMENT’S COMPUTERISED CENTRAL REGISTRY OF DRUG ABUSE. AMONG THEM, 95 PER CENT ARE HEROIN ADDICTS AND THE REMAINING FIVE PER CENT TAKE MAINLY OPIUM, MANDRAX OR CANNABIS.
/"THIS WELL .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 1989
- 2 -
"THIS WELL REFLECTS THAT HEROIN ADDICTION IS STILL OUR MAIN DRUG PROBLEM," DR CHOA REMARKED.
MEANWHILE, DR CHOA SAID RECENT YEARS ALSO SAW NOTICEABLE SUCCESSES IN ANTI-DRUG WORK.
THE CONTINUATION OF THE DOWNWARD TREND, WHICH BEGAN IN 1984, IN THE NUMBER OF PERSONS NEWLY REPORTED TO THE REGISTRY AND THE NEUTRALISING OF SOME 10 MAJOR DRUG TRAFFICKING SYNDICATES LAST YEAR AS A RESULT OF THE ENHANCED LAW ENFORCING EFFORTS AND CO-OPERATION, BOTH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS, ARE GOOD INSTANCES OF THIS SUCCESS.
DESPITE THE STRINGENT CONTROL AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKERS WHICH CARRIES THE MAXIMUM PUNISHMENT OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT AND A FINE OF $5 MILLION FOR ILLEGAL TRAFFICKING IN DRUGS, DR CHOA SAID THAT IT HAD BEEN NECESSARY TO INTRODUCE A BILL, AIMING AT CONFISCATING THE PROCEEDS OF DRUG TRAFFICKING AND COUNTERING DRUG MONEY LAUNDERING, INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE BILL WITH SOME AMENDMENTS WILL BE PASSED INTO LAW EARLY NEXT MONTH, POSING A HEAVY STRIKE AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKERS," DR CHOA SAID.
THE COMMEMORATIVE CEREMONY TOGETHER WITH A LARGE-SCALE ANTI-DRUG EXHIBITION WAS HELD AT THE NEW WORLD CENTRE PLAZA IN TSIM SHA TSUI.
THE FUNCTION WAS ORGANISED BY ACAN IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE POLICE AND THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING ON JUNE 26.
SUPPLEMENTED BY A VIDEO SHOW, THE EXHIBITION FEATURES A WIDE RANGE OF PANEL DISPLAYS DEPICTING HONG KONG’S OVERALL ANTI-DRUG EFFORTS AND AN IN-PERSPECTIVE LOOK AT PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES ABUSE.
ALSO ON DISPLAY ARE EXHIBITS SHOWING SEIZED DRUGS AND A MOBILE X-RAY SCAN VEHICLE FROM THE CUSTOMS AS WELL AS DRUG EXHIBITS AND OPIUM-SMOKING PARAPHERNALIA SEIZED BY THE POLICE.
THERE IS ALSO A QUIZ AND SOUVENIRS WILL BE GIVEN TO THOSE WHO ANSWER CORRECTLY.
THE EXHIBITION WILL REMAIN OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 10 AM TO 7 PM TOMORROW (MONDAY).
ALSO PRESENT AT TODAY’S CEREMONY WERE THE CHAIRMAN OF ACAN’S SUB-COMMITTEE ON PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY. MR PAO PING-WING; THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR GARETH MULLOY; AND MEMBERS OF ACAN AND ITS SUB-COMMITTEES.
THE CEREMONY WAS FOLLOWED BY A DRUG-SEARCH DEMONSTRATION BY THE CUSTOMS DOG UNIT AND PERFORMANCE BY THE CAPE COLLISON MARCHING BAND.
- 0 - -
/3
SUNDAY. JUNE 25, 1989
- 3 -
COMPULSORY WEARING OF SEAT BELTS IN TAXIS, LIGHT BUSES
*****
DRIVERS AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS OF TAXIS AND LIGHT BUSES ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR SEAT BELTS FROM SATURDAY (JULY 1), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT REMINDED THE PUBLIC TODAY (SUNDAY).
UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC (SAFETY EQUIPMENT) REGULATIONS, ALL TAXIS MANUFACTURED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 1981 AND ALL LIGHT BUSES MANUFACTURED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 1984 ARE ALREADY REQUIRED TO BE FITTED WITH FRONT SEAT BELTS.
AS FROM JULY 1, THE WEARING OF FRONT SEAT BELTS IN SUCH TAXIS AND LIGHT BUSES, INCLUDING PRIVATE AND PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES, WILL BECOME COMPULSORY.
THE REGULATIONS LIMIT THE VICARIOUS LIABILITY OF THE DRIVERS OF TAXIS AND LIGHT BUSES TO THEIR FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS UNDER THE AGE OF 15.
THE FIXED PENALTY FOR DRIVING WITHOUT FASTENING A SEAT BELT IS $200. FOR DRIVING WHEN THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER UNDER 15 YEARS OLD HAS NOT FASTENED A SEAT BELT, THE FIXED PENALTY IS $140.
FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS WHO ARE AGED 15 OR OVER AND FAIL TO WEAR A SEAT BELT WILL BE CHARGED BY WAY OF SUMMONS.
THE ROAD TRAFFIC (PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLES) REGULATIONS ALLOW THE DRIVER OF A TAXI OR PUBLIC LIGHT BUS TO REFUSE HIRE OR DRIVE ON IF THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER FAILS TO WEAR THE SEAT BELT.
UNDER THE SAME REGULATIONS, OWNERS OF TAXIS AND PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES ARE REQUIRED TO DISPLAY IN THEIR VEHICLES A NOTICE IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE TO INFORM FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS THAT THEY MUST WEAR A SEAT BELT.
-----o-----
NEW DATAPHONE LABOUR ENQUIRY SERVICE
* * * » I
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL INTRODUCE A NEW GENERAL ENQUIRY TELEPHONE SERVICE FROM SATURDAY (JULY 1) TO PROVIDE TAPED INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC ON VARIOUS LABOUR TOPICS.
THE NEW DATAPHONE ENQUIRY SERVICE - 5-8155066 - WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE FORM OF PRE-RECORDED TAPES, EACH LASTING UP TO TWO-AND-A-HALF MINUTES, BOTH IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE.
/"THE TAPES ......
SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 19$9
’’THE TAPES WILL, INITIALLY, INCLUDE 26 TOPICS COVERING THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY ORDINANCE, EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE AND MATTERS RELATING TO THE EMPLOYMENT OF FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS,” A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
’’THE SYSTEM CAN PLAY FIVE DIFFERENT TAPES AT THE SAME TIME AND WILL BE MANNED BY TWO LABOUR INSPECTORS FROM 9 AM TO 5.30 PM FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY AND BETWEEN 9 AM AND NOON ON SATURDAY.
THE NEW SERVICE IS INTENDED MAINLY TO SUPPLEMENT EXISTING ENQUIRY SERVICE OPERATED BY VARIOUS DIVISIONS AND OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT.
IT WILL NOT NORMALLY HANDLE ENQUIRIES WHICH REQUIRE DIRECT PERSONAL ANSWERS AND ENQUIRIES ON SPECIFIC CASES WILL BE REFERRED TO THE DIVISIONS CONCERNED FOR FURTHER ACTION.
FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO REPORT INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS OR TO LODGE COMPLAINTS AGAINST BREACHES OF VARIOUS LABOUR PROVISIONS DURING AND OUTSIDE OFFICE HOURS, THEY SHOULD MAKE USE OF THE DEPARTMENT’S FACTORY INSPECTORATE HOTLINE (5-8150678) OR THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS HOTLINE (5-8152200) WHERE APPROPRIATE.
-----o-----
PARENTS SHOULD APPLY NOW FOR EDUCATION FEE ASSISTANCE ♦ t ♦ * t
PARENTS REQUIRING FEE ASSISTANCE FOR THEIR CHILDREN ATTENDING DAY NURSERIES OR KINDERGARTENS SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS NOW, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
EXISTING RECIPIENTS OF SUCH ASSISTANCE ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO APPLY AGAIN.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT AN ELIGIBILITY CERTIFICATE, SHOWING THE APPROVED AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE AND VALID FOR ONE SCHOOL YEAR, WOULD BE ISSUED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT OR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WHO SHOULD THEN PRESENT TO THE DAY NURSERIES OR KINDERGARTENS WHICH THEIR CHILDREN ATTENDED.
ONCE THE CERTIFICATE WAS ISSUED, HE SAID, NO ADJUSTMENT IN THE AMOUNT WOULD BE MADE TO REFLECT AN INCREASE OR DECREASE IN THE RECIPIENTS’ FAMILY DISPOSABLE INCOME WITHIN THE PAYMENT YEAR.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS MEASURE WAS TO STREAMLINE THE PROCEDURE, HE SAID.
THE FEE ASSISTANCE SCHEME FOR PRE-PRIMARY SERVICES AIMS TO HELP LOW-INCOME FAMILIES PAY THE FEES CHARGED IN DAY NURSERIES OR KINDERGARTENS.
/TO QUALIFY........
SUNDAY, JUNE 25, ">989
- 5 -
TO QUALIFY FOR FEE ASSISTANCE IN A DAY NURSERY, A CHILD MUST BE AGED AT LEAST TWO YEARS AND BE UNDER SIX YEARS. TO QUALIFY FOR FEE ASSISTANCE IN A KINDERGARTEN, THE CHILD MUST BE AT LEAS'l THREE YEARS OLD.
ALL APPLICATIONS FOR FEE ASSISTANCE MUST BE MADE BY THE PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN OF THE CHILD, WHO MUST ALSO BE PREPARED TO ATTEND A BRIEF INTERVIEW PERSONALLY, WITH THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS.
COPIES OF A LEAFLET CONTAINING AN APPLICATION FORM ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNITS AND FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES; ALL DAY NURSERIES; DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION; AS WELL AS THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT'S HEADQUARTERS AND REGIONAL OFFICES A 7 THE FOLLOWING ADDRESSES:
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, RM 326, THIRD FLOOR, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG;
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT KOWLOON REGIONAL OFFICE, RM 612, SIXTH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON;
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT NEW TERRITORIES REGIONAL OFFICE, NINTH FLOOR, TO KWA WAN MARKET AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 165 MA TAU WEI ROAD, KOWLOON.
-----0-----
STAGE II OF PAK KONG WATER TREATMENT WORKS
*****
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR STAGE II OF PAK KONG WATER TREATMENT WORKS WHICH IS PROGRAMMED TO SUPPLY WATER IN OCTOBER, 1991.
THE CONTRACT INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF 16 RAPID GRAVITY FILTERS. EIGHT CLARIFIERS. ONE COMPARTMENT OF CONTACT TANK/TREATED WATER RESERVOIR, SLUDGE TREATMENT FACILITIES AND OTHER ASSOCIATED SMALL BUILDINGS.
THE STAGE II PROJECT IS REQUIRED TO MEET THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR DRINKING WATER IN TSEUNG KWAN O NEW TOWN, EASTERN KOWLOON AND EASTERN HONG KONG ISLAND.
THE CAPACITY OF THE STAGE II WORKS WILL BE 527,000 CUBIC METRES PER DAY, BRINGING THE TOTAL ULTIMATE CAPACITY OF PAK KONG WATER TREATMENT WORKS TO 800,000 CUBIC METRES PER DAY.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN SEPTEMBER AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 24 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JULY 28.
- - O - -
/6 .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 1989
- 6 -
MORE SERVICES TO MEET ESTATE RESIDENTS’ NEEDS
*****
THE COMMITTEE ON NEIGHBOURHOOD LEVEL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS (NLCDP’S) HAS AGREED THAT NLCDP SERVICE SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO COVER MARKS III - V] PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES TO BE AFFECTED BY REDEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
THE RECOMMENDATION WAS MADE BY A WORKING GROUP SET UP BY THE COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS IN MARKS III - VI PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AFFECTED BY REDEVELOPMENT AND TO EXAMINE WHETHER NLCDP SERVICE SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO THESE ESTATES.
THE STUDY FOUND THAT EIGHT OUT OF THE 14 ESTATES STUDIED HAD A HIGH PROPORTION OF VULNERABLE GROUPS AND REQUIRED EXTRA SERVICES ON TOP OF NORMAL PROVISION TO MEET THEIR SPECIAL NEEDS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
"FURTHERMORE, THE TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF SERVICES DURING THE PROCESS OF REDEVELOPMENT WOULD RESULT IN THE REQUIREMENT OF TEMPORARY REPLACEMENT SERVICES.
"THE WORKING GROUP CONSIDERED THAT NLCDP, GIVEN ITS OBJECTIVE AND FLEXIBILITY, WOULD BE AN APPROPRIATE MEANS TO MEET SPECIAL NEEDS OF THE VULNERABLE GROUPS ON A TEMPORARY BASIS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
EXPLAINING THE NATURE OF NLCDP’S, THE SPOKESMAN SAID SUCH PROJECTS WERE CARRIED OUT BY SUBVERTED AGENCIES IN PRIORITY AREAS IDENTIFIED BY THE COMMITTEE WHERE THE PROVISION OF SOCIAL FACILITIES AND WELFARE SERVICES WAS NON-EXISTENT OR INADEQUATE.
SUCH AREAS INCLUDE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS, SQUATTER AREAS, COTTAGE AREAS, MARKS I AND II PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND BOAT SQUATTER AREAS - ALL OF THEM ARE COMMUNITIES OF A TRANSIENT NATURE.
TO IMPLEMENT THE EXTENSION OF SERVICES, THE COMMITTEE HAS INVITED NOMINATIONS FOR PRIORITY AREAS FOR NLCDP SERVICE IN MARKS III - VI PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES FROM THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND THE DISTRICT OFFICES.
"DISTRICT BOARDS AND INTERESTED PARTIES ARE ALSO INVITED TO GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON WHETHER THERE IS A NEED FOR NLCDP SERVICE IN THESE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES IN THEIR DISTRICTS THROUGH THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRICT OFFICES BEFORE JULY 20," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE COMMITTEE WILL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THESE COMMENTS WHEN SELECTING NEW PROJECT AREAS, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
-------o----------
/7.......
SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 1989
7
EASTERN DB SUBSIDIES FOR FESTIVE ACTIVITIES
*****
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES IN EASTERN DISTRICT PLANNING TO ORGANISE FESTIVE ACTIVITIES TO CELEBRATE THE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR SUBSIDIES FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) A WORKING GROUP FORMED UNDER THE BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE WOULD MEET ON JULY 24 TO VET APPLICATIONS.
"ORGANISATIONS MAY ALSO APPLY FOR FUNDS TO ORGANISE OTHER TYPES OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS SUCH AS SEMINARS, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE ELDERLY, TRAINING COURSES FOR VOLUNTEERS AND ACTIVITIES FOR THE DISABLED," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE PROJECTS SHOULD AIM AT PROMOTING THE WELL-BEING OF PEOPLE LIVING OR WORKING IN THE DISTRICT AND AT CULTIVATING A SENSE OF DISTRICT IDENTITY.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT AT THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, 880-886 KING'S ROAD.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD REACH THE SECRETARIAT BY JULY 11 TO FACILITATE THE PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 5-624453.
-------0----------
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS WHITE PAPER ON POLLUTION *****
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WELFARE COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE WHITE PAPER ON POLLUTION AT ITS MEETING ON TUESDAY (JUNE 27).
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO CONSIDER AN APPLICATION FOR J10,000 FOR FUNDING AN OUTING BY SOME 500 RESIDENTS TO THE MA ON SHAN COUNTRY PARK ON JULY 2 IN SUPPORT OF THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE REPORTS BY THE WORKING GROUPS, AN INFORMATION PAPER ON THE DESIGN AWARD FOR THE MOST ACCESSIBLE BUILDINGS FOR THE DISABLED, AND PROGRESS REGARDING DISTRICT BOARD-SPONSORED ACTIVITIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WELFARE COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY (JUNE 27) ON THE SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
--------o ---------
/8........
SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 1989
8
SOUTHERN BUS ROUTES PROGRAMME ON AGENDA
*****
MEMBERS OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE SETTLED BUS ROUTES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR THE DISTRICT IN 1989-90 AT A MEETING TOMORROW (MONDAY).
A SENIOR TRANSPORT OFFICIAL WILL EXPLAIN THE PROGRAMME AND ANSWER MEMBERS’ QUESTIONS.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE DETAILS OF THIS YEAR’S SOUTHERN DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN WHICH WILL BE TARGETTED AT INEXPERIENCED DRIVERS AND ADULT PEDESTRIANS. ESPECIALLY ELDERLY PEOPLE.
IN ADDITION, THEY WILL DISCUSS A NUMBER OF LOCAL TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT MATTERS. INCLUDING A PROPOSAL BY A GROUP OF RESIDENTS TO RELOCATE A BUS STOP IN REPULSE BAY ROAD AND THE MAJOR ISSUES RAISED BY AREA COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVES AT A RECENT SEMINAR.
TWO MEMBERS WILL ASK ABOUT THE RELOCATION OF A TAXI STAND IN NAM NING STREET AND ILLEGAL PARKING IN SHEK PAI WAN ESTATE AND ABERDEEN CENTRE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (MONDAY) AT THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR. MEI FUNG COURT, 7-11 NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN CENTRE. THE MEETING WILL START AT 2.30 PM.
-----0-----
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS FUNDING GUIDELINE *****
THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S FINANCE AND GENERAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS AN ADDITIONAL GUIDELINE ON THE USE OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS AT ITS MEETING ON TUESDAY (JUNE 27).
THE ADDITIONAL GUIDELINE INVOLVES THE PURCHASE OF PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE BY LOCAL ORGANISATIONS WHEN HOLDING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE DISTRICT BOARD’S OVERSEAS STUDY TOUR. PROTECTION OF THE USE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD LOGO AND VISITS BY THE DISTRICT BOARD’S CONCERN GROUP.
/OTHER ITEMS .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 2% 1989
- 9 -
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE STATEMENTS OF EXPENDITURE AND COMMITMENTS OF THE COMMITTEE AND DISTRICT BOARD AS AT JUNE 14, 1989.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S FINANCE AND GENERAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE ON TUESDAY (JUNE 27) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, FOURTH FLOOR, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KING FUK STREET.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
-------0---------
NEW ADDRESS FOR THREE CNTA OFFICES ♦ * ♦ *
THE TRUST FUNDS GENERAL OFFICE, THE CHINESE TEMPLES COMMITTEE AND THE CHINESE PERMANENT CEMETERIES OFFICE OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION WILL MOVE TO THEIR NEW ADDRESS ON SATURDAY (JULY 1).
THE THREE OFFICES WILL BE LOCATED ON THE 29TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI.
THE NEW ENQUIRY TELEPHONE NUMBERS ARE:
TRUST FUNDS GENERAL OFFICE 5-8351524
CHINESE TEMPLES COMMITTEE 5-8351519
CHINESE PERMANENT CEMETERIES OFFICE 5-8341116
-------0---------
SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO INDIA TO BE EXTENDED * * * * *
THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO INDIA WHICH IS AT PRESENT AVAILABLE TO 37 CITIES WILL BE EXTENDED TO 12 MORE CITIES FROM JULY 1. THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE 12 CITIES ARE ALLAHABAD, ALWAYE, GOA, JAMMU, KANCHIPURAM, MEERUT, PONDICHERRY, RANCHI, SHIMLA, SURAT, TIRUPUR AND VARANASI.
/THE SPEEDPOST........
SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 1989
10 -
THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE IS A FAST AND RELIABLE MEANS FOR FORWARDING BUSINESS DOCUMENTS. SAMPLES AND MERCHANDISE OVERSEAS AND A FREE PICK-UP SERVICE IS AVAILABLE.
CUSTOMERS REQUIRING MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SERVICE CAN CONTACT THE POSTAL SERVICES REPRESENTATIVES ON 5-8683868.
-----0------
WATER CUTS IN FANLING AND SOUTHWEST KOWLOON ♦ * » » t
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN FANLING AND SOUTHWEST KOWLOON WILL BE SUSPENDED TO FACILITATE NIGHT LEAKAGE TESTS.
IN FANLING, WATER SUPPLY WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 10 PM ON TUESDAY (JUNE 27) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY LING SHAN TSUEN, MA SHI PO, FANLING HOSPITAL, FAN LENG LAU, FANLING POLICE CADET SCHOOL AND POLICE HEADQUARTERS FRONTIER DIVISION.
IN SOUTHWEST KOWLOON, SUPPLY WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 28) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY YORK ROAD, WATERLOO ROAD, RUTLAND QUADRANT, ESSEX CRESCENT, CUMBERLAND ROAD, STAFFORD ROAD, LINCOLN ROAD, BOUNDARY STREET AND SURREY LANE, INCLUDING KCR MONG KOK STATION.
----0------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
MONDAY, JUNE 26, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SENIOR MEMBERS REPORT ON LONDON TRIP ........................ 1
LADY WILSON STRESSES NEED FOR PUBLIC COMMITMENT ............. 3
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR MAY PUBLISHED .................... 4
MARINE INQUIRY INTO COLLISION ORDERED ....................... 7
&53M CONTRACT TO UPGRADE SHA TAU KOK ROAD ................... 8
HK RESEARCH PAPER RECEIVES 'UK AWARD ........................ 8
CONSTRUCTION OF FOUR ADDITIONAL AIRCRAFT PARKING POSITIONS . 9
GOOD PROGRESS IN PREPARATIONS FOR DISTRICT FESTIVAL ......... 10
FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION ON AGENDA.............................. 10
DB TO DISCUSS RURAL PLANNING STRATEGY........................ 11
RURAL PLANNING STRATEGY ON DB AGENDA ........................ 12
JAPANESE SCHOLARSHIP FOR LOCAL STUDENTS ..................... 12
NOMINATIONS FOR SOCIAL SERVICES AWARDS CLOSE ON SATURDAY ... 1?
WATER STORAGE FIGURE......................................... 14
ROAD OPENING IN LAI CHI KOK.................................. 14
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN KWUN TONG ......................... 15
MONDAY, JUNE 26, 1989
1
SENIOR MEMBERS REPORT ON LONDON TRIP
*****
THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS ISSUED BY SENIOR MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, DAME LYDIA DUNN, AND SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ALLEN LEE, AT A PRESS CONFERENCE HELD TODAY (MONDAY):
”AS YOU KNOW, WE JUST CAME BACK FROM LONDON WHERE WE SOUGHT TO PUT ACROSS HONG KONG'S CASE FOR A RIGHT OF ABODE FOR HONG KONG BRITISH SUBJECTS AND A SAFE AND SECURE FUTURE FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
"TO EXPLAIN OUR CASE TO THE BRITISH PUBLIC, WE GAVE A LARGE NUMBER OF INTERVIEWS TO RADIO, TV AND PRINT MEDIA, AND WE GAVE BRIEFINGS TO EDITORS, LOCAL GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS, AND FRIENDS OF HONG KONG.
"THEY RESPONDED MOST ENCOURAGINGLY. THE MEDIA GAVE THE HONG KONG CASE EXTENSIVE COVERAGE, INCLUDING SEVERAL SUPPORTIVE EDITORIALS. MANY MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH PUBLIC WROTE OR TELEPHONED US, OFFERING SUPPORT OR HELP. WE KNOW THAT MANY PEOPLE WROTE TO NEWSPAPERS OR TO MP'S.
"AS FOR THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT, WE ARE BOUND TO SAY THAT THE RESPONSE OF THE FOREIGN OFFICE WAS DISAPPOINTING. THEIR POSITION WAS THAT BRITAIN COULD NOT ACCEPT THE POTENTIAL OF 3.25 MILLION PEOPLE GOING TO LIVE IN BRITAIN. THEY SAID THEY HAD BEEN LOOKING AT VARIOUS POSSIBILITIES. THESE INCLUDE EXERCISING MORE FLEXIBILITY UNDER THE NATIONALITY ACT, ARRANGEMENTS TO CATER FOR WHAT THEY CALL CATACLYSMIC SITUATIONS, AND GIVING THE RIGHT OF ABODE TO ALL 3.25 MILLION BRITISH SUBJECTS. ALL THESE OPTIONS PRESENTED DIFFICULTIES, THEY SAID. WE GAINED THE IMPRESSION THAT THEY LACKED A SENSE OF URGENCY.
"THE PRIME MINISTER WAS MUCH MORE FORTHCOMING. WE WERE ENCOURAGED BY HER SINCERITY AND OBVIOUS CONCERN. ALTHOUGH SHE SAID THERE WERE IMMENSE DIFFICULTIES IN GIVING THE RIGHT OF ABODE TO ALL BRITISH SUBJECTS, SHE QUICKLY ACCEPTED THAT THERE WAS AN URGENT NEED TO HELP TO RESTORE SOME CONFIDENCE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, THAT WORDS WERE NO LONGER ENOUGH, AND THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE NEEDED TO SEE SOME ACTION.
"SHE THEREFORE PROMISED TO MAKE A STATEMENT SOON ON HOW THE POWERS UNDER THE NATIONALITY ACT AND THE IMMIGRATION RULES WOULD BE EXERCISED TO ALLOW MORE PEOPLE FROM HONG KONG TO QUALIFY FOR THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN BRITAIN.
"WE TOLD THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT THAT TO SAY THAT PARLIAMENT MIGHT HAVE A PROBLEM GRANTING RIGHT OF ABODE OFFERS NO SOLUTION TO THE PRESENT PROBLEMS IN HONG KONG. SMALL MODEST CONCESSIONS WILL DO LITTLE TO MOTIVATE AND ENERGISE THOSE WHO NEED TO COMMIT THEMSELVES NOW TO HONG KONG'S FUTURE.
/"WE LEFT ......
MONDAY, JUNE 26, 1989
- 2
"WE LEFT THEM IN NO DOUBT THAT WE WERE COMMITTED TO SEEKING THE RIGHT OF ABODE FOR ALL BRITISH SUBJECTS, AND THAT WE SHALL CONTINUE TO DO SO, WHATEVER PACKAGE THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT SEES FIT TO OFFER.
"OUR OVERALL IMPRESSION IS THAT THERE IS STILL STRONG ILL-INFORMED OPPOSITION IN PARLIAMENT AND NOT SUFFICIENT UNDERSTANDING ON THE PART OF THE BRITISH PUBLIC. BUT THERE IS NOW A GENERAL ACCEPTANCE THAT THERE IS A CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG WHICH REQUIRES ACTION, NOT WORDS.
"THERE IS A GROWING REALISATION THAT A WAY NEEDS TO BE FOUND TO ALLAY ANXIETIES IF HONG KONG IS TO REMAIN PROSPEROUS AND STABLE. WE HAVE NO DOUBT THAT OUR CASE IS NOW BETTER UNDERSTOOD BY THE PUBLIC GENERALLY AS A RESULT OF THE MANY OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE HAD TO GET OUR MESSAGE OVER.
"HOWEVER THIS IS ONLY THE FIRST STEP. PARLIAMENTARY OPPOSITION NEEDS TO BE WORN DOWN. THE ROAD AHEAD WILL NOT BE EASY OR SMOOTH. IT WILL CERTAINLY REQUIRE TIME, PERSISTENCE AND FORTITUDE.
"WE HAVE PROPOSED TO THE IN-HOUSE GROUP JUST NOW SOME IMMEDIATE FOLLOW-UP ACTION. THERE WILL BE OTHER MATTERS TO CONSIDER, BUT TODAY WE HAVE DECIDED ON THE FOLLOWING:
1) OMELCO STAFF WILL BE POSTED TO LONDON ON A FULL-TIME BASIS TO CONTINUE THE CONTACTS WE HAVE MADE WITH MP’S, THE MEDIA AND EDITORS, AND INTERESTED ORGANISATIONS. THIS WILL HELP TO CONSOLIDATE SUPPORT AND INFORMATION.
2) A PROGRAMME OF VISITS BY INFLUENTIAL MP’S WHO DO NOT KNOW HONG KONG AND WHO HOLD STRONG NEGATIVE VIEWS WILL BE ARRANGED WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. WE SHALL OF COURSE ALL BE MEETING THE FOREIGN SECRETARY DURING HIS VISIT TO HONG KONG NEXT WEEK.
3) FURTHER OMELCO DELEGATIONS WILL GO TO BRITAIN TO ORGANISE MORE SYSTEMATIC SUPPORT BY SYMPATHETIC GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS. WE EXPECT THE FIRST ONE TO GO IN TIME TO PRESENT OMELCO'S VIEWS ON THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS SELECT COMMITTEE REPORT BEFORE PARLIAMENT DEBATES IT.
4) A PROGRAMME OF VISITS BY LEADING WRITERS FOR THE BRITISH MEDIA WILL BE ARRANGED.
5) THE SPECIAL WORKING GROUP WITH MRS ROSANNA TAM AS CONVENOR WILL CONTINUE THEIR CASE OF LIAISING AND PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR OMELCO AND HONG KONG GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO WISH TO PLAY A PART IN OUR UNITED EFFORT.
6) ALLEN LEE, SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WILL MAKE A STATEMENT IN THE COUNCIL THIS COMING WEDNESDAY SUBJECT TO THE AGREEMENT OF THE PRESIDENT TO PUT ON RECORD THE UNANIMOUS VIEWS OF MEMBERS ON THE QUESTION OF RIGHT OF ABODE AND OUR EFFORTS IN LONDON TO PRESS THE CASE.
7) A
MONDAY, JUNE 26, 1989
- 3 -
7) A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DEBATE WILL BE HELD ON THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS SELECT COMMITTEE’S REPORT SOON AFTER IT HAS BEEN PUBLISHED.
"AS I SAID EARLIER, WE DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE DIFFICULTY OF THE TASKS AHEAD. THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S POSITION IS MORALLY AND CONSTITUTIONALY INDEFENSIBLE AS MORE AND MORE INFLUENTIAL PAPERS AND LEADING FIGURES IN BRITAIN ARE POINTING OUT TO THE BRITISH PUBLIC. WHAT WE SEEK IS NO MORE THAN OUR RIGHT. WE MUST CONTINUE TO PRESS OUR CASE WITH DETERMINATION AND DIGNITY, AND WITH ONE VOICE. AT THE SAME TIME WE MUST, AS A COMMUNITY, WORK TOGETHER TO SAFEGUARD THE UNIQUE FEATURES OF OUR SOCIETY, AND TO BUILD UP POLITICAL SYSTEMS FOR THE FUTURE WHICH WILL GIVE PEOPLE CONFIDENCE. FOR HONG KONG IS OUR HOME, AND WE ARE ALL PROUND OF IT."
------0-------
LADY WILSON STRESSES NEED FOR PUBLIC COMMITMENT * * * * *
HONG KONG PEOPLE NEED, MORE THAN EVER. TO BUILD UP HONG KONG AND MAKE SURE THAT WE SHOW OUR COMMITMENT TO THIS REMARKABLE COMMUNITY. LADY WILSON SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST, LADY WILSON, WHO IS PRESIDENT OF THE CHEST. SAID AT A TIME WHEN EVERYONE FELT DEEPLY AFFECTED BY WHAT WE HAD SEEN HAPPENING IN CHINA, IT WAS HARD TO PUT OUR MINDS TO OTHER THINGS, BUT SHE FELT MORE STRONGLY THAN EVER THAT TRY WE MUST.
"WE DO NOT FORGET. BUT WE DO ALL HAVE WORK TO CONTINUE. RECENT EVENTS MADE THIS WORK EVEN MORE IMPORTANT," LADY WILSON SAID.
"OUR WORK IN THE COMMUNITY CHEST CONTINUES TO BE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. MANY PEOPLE STILL NEED THE SERVICES OF WELFARE AGENCIES THAT WE SUPPORT." SHE SAID.
LADY WILSON SAID DURING THE PAST YEAR A TOTAL OF $70 MILLION HAD BEEN RAISED FOR THE 107 AGENCIES BELONGING TO THE CHEST, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 24 PER CENT OVER LAST YEAR'S RECORD $57 MILLION.
"IT WAS WITH SOME ANXIETY THAT I WATCHED THE END OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR DRAWING NEAR, WITH FUNDS IN THE BANK STILL WELL BELOW THE TARGET.
"THE CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE WORKED EXTREMELY HARD AND EFFECTIVELY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, BUT ESPECIALLY IN THOSE LAST FEW WEEKS. TO RAISE THE MONEY THAT THE AGENCIES NEEDED.
/"IN THIS ........
MONDAY, JUNE 26, 1989
"IN THIS WAY, THEY WERE ABU SUPPORTED BY THE PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE. ON WHICH SO MANY PROMINENT MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA GIVE US THEIR MOST VALUABLE HELP. I SHOULD LEARN NOT TO BE ANXIOUS," LADY WILSON SAID.
THE INCREASED TARGET, LADY WILSON SAID, HAD ENABLED THE ADMISSIONS. BUDGETS AND ALLOCATIONS COMMITTEE TO MEET HO PER CENT OF THE NEEDS OF THE AGENCIES, THOUGH SOME AMBITIOUS PLANS FOR RAPID EXPANSION HAD TO BE CUT.
SHE SAID THE WAY' IN WHICH HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS ALL CONTRIBUTED WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE CHEST.
"AT THE SAME TIME, MORE COMMERCIAL CONCERNS AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS ARE INCREASING THEIR DONATIONS.
"WE ARE ALSO VERY GRATEFUL FOR THIS. THE CHEST HAS ALWAYS HOPED FOR CONTRIBUTIONS BOTH LARGE AND SMALL.
"WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON BEING THE COMMUNITY CHEST, SUPPORTED BY ALL SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY," SHE SAID.
LADY WILSON PRAISED MEMBERS OF VARIOUS COMMITTEES OF THE CHEST AND THE FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, MR MARTIN BARROW, FOR DOING A SPLENDID JOB DURING THE PAST YEAR.
SHE NOTED THAT THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE HAD SET A DEMANDING TARGET AND SPARED NO EFFORT IN GIVING EVERY ASSISTANCE TO THE MANY OPERATIONS OF FUND RAISING THAT•WERE NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE IT.
"I WAS DELIGHTED TO HEAR THIS WEEK THAT WE ARE AGAIN AIMING AT SURPASSING LAST YEAR’S AMBITIOUS TARGET. I CONGRATULATE ALL THOSE INVOLVED IN BEING PREPARED TO SET THEIR SIGHTS HIGH," SHE SAID.
"WE NEED THEREFORE THE CONTINUED SUPPORT OF ALL OUR GENEROUS DONORS. THEIR HELP, AND THE HELP AND HARD WORK OF EVERYONE HERE, IS EXACTLY WHAT HAS MADE THE COMMUNITY CHEST, AND HONG KONG. WHAT IT IS," LADY WILSON SAID.
- - 0 - -
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR MAY PUBLISHED t * ♦
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) PUBLISHED THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR MAY 1989.
THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) (OCT. 84/SEP. 85 = 100) FOR MAY' 1989 WERE 128.4 AND 128.1 RESPECTIVELY, REPRESENTING INCREASES OF 10.6 PER CENT AND 10.1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER MAY 1988.
/THESE RATES
MONDAY, JUNE 26, 1989
- 5 -
THESE RATES OF INCREASE WERE HIGHER THAN THOSE RECORDED FOR MARCH AND APRIL 1989 BUT WERE SIMILAR TO THOSE RECORDED FOR FEBRUARY 1989.
COMPARING MAY WITH APRIL 1989, THE CPI(A) AND THE CP1IBI BOTH INCREASED BY 0.9 PER CENT, LARGELY BECAUSE OF HIGHER PRICES OF MOST FOODSTUFFS AND OUTERCLOTHING, AND HIGHER MTR AND KCR FARES.
THE AVERAGE CPI(A) AND AVERAGE CP1(B) FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED MAY 1989, AT 122.3 AND 122.1 RESPECTIVELY, WERE 8.7 PER CENT AND 8.5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGE FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED
DURING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED MAY 1989. THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CPI (A) AND CPI(B) BOTH INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATF OF' 0 8 PER CENT PER MONTH.
THE CPI(A) AND THE CPI( PATTERNS OF 50 PER CENT AND 30 HOUSEHOLDS TN HONG KONG, WHICH HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY. B) ARE BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PER CENT, RESPECTIVELY, OF URBAN WERE DERIVED FROM THE 1984/85
THE CPU A) REFERS TO HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING $6,499 A MONTH AT THAT TIME AND THE CPI I B) BETWEEN A MONTH. BETWEEN $2,000 AND $6,500 AND $9,999
CHANGES IN THE INDEXES FOR MAY 1989 IN RESPECT OF THE NINE COMMODITY/SERVICE SECTIONS IN THE TWO CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES, AS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1989 AND MAY 1988, ARE GIVEN BELOW.
(OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 AVERAGE = 100)
CPI(A) CPI(B)
SECTION INDEX FOR MAY 89 % CHANGE % OVER APRIL 89 CHANGE OVER MAY 88 INDEX FOR MAY 89 % CHANGE % CHANGE OVER OVER APRIL 89 MAY 88
FOODSTUFFS 129.7 + 1.0 + 13.8 130.7 +1.1 +13.8
HOUSING 121.0 + 0.4 + 7.2 116.4 +0.5 +5.6
FUEL AND LIGHT 95.7 -0.5 + 2.5 96.2 -0.7 +2.4
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) 133.0 + 0. 1 + 7.1 133.9 +0.1 +7.3
/CLOTHING AND .......
MONDAY, JUNE 26, 1989
- 6 -
CLOTHING AND
FOOTWEAR 137.5 + 1.9 + 9.5 140.6 + 1.8 + 9.8
DURABLE GOODS 122.4 + 1.0 + 3.4 121.6 + 0.8 + 3.5
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 131.7 + 0.2 + 8.5 131.4 + 0.3 + 8.0
TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 134.2 + 1.9 + 11.6 133.3 + 1.9 + 11.7
SERVICES 137.4 + 0.5 + 9.8 138.0 + 0.6 + 10.5
ALL ITEMS 128.4 + 0.9 + 10.6 128.1 + 0.9 + 10.1
COMPARED BY 1.0 PER CENT MAINLY DUE TO VEGETABLES AND TYPHOON BRENDA, WITH APRIL 1989, THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS INCREASED IN CPI(A) AND BY 1.1 PER CENT IN CP1(B). THIS WAS INCREASES IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH LIVE POULTRY AS A RESULT OF REDUCED SUPPLY CAUSED BY AND IN THE AVERAGE CHARGE FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND
OTHER EATING PLACES.
THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT DECREASED DY 0.5 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 0.7 PER CENT IN CPI(B) DUE TO THE DOWNWARD FUEL COST ADJUSTMENT FOR TOWNGAS, WHICH MORE THAN OFFSET THE INCREASE IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICE OF LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS.
THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR INCREASED BY 1.9 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 1.8 PER CENT IN CPI(B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER PRICES OF OUTERCLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR.
THE INDEX FOR DURABLE GOODS INCREASED BY 1.0 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 0.8 PER CENT IN CPI(B) BECAUSE OF HIGHER PRICES OF ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES.
THE INDEX FOR TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES INCREASED BY 1.9 PER CENT IN BOTH CPI(A) AND CPI(B) DUE TO HIGHER MTR, KCR AND PUBLIC LIGHT BUS FARES.
THE INDEX FOR SERVICES INCREASED BY 0.5 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 0.6 PER CENT IN CPI(B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER CHARGES FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT AND PACKAGE TOURS.
FIGURES HEREIN REFER TO C^I SERIES NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED. ALL PERCENTAGE CHANGES ARE DERIVED FROM CPI FIGURES TAKEN TO MORE THAN ONE DECIMAL PLACE.
MORE DETAILS ARE GIVEN IN THE ’’CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT” FOR MAY 1989, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $3.50 PER COPY FROM THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
* THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG;
THE
MONDAY, JUNE 26, 1989
♦ THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WAN CHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG; AND
♦ THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MAILINGS,
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE INDEXES MAY BE MADE BY TELEPHONING THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 5-8235089.
THE HANG SENG CPI WAS 134.6 IN MAY 1989, UP BY 1.0 PER CENT OVER APRIL 1989 AND UP BY 11.1 PER CENT OVER MAY 1988.
THE HANG SENG CPI IS BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERN ON THE 10 PER CENT OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG THAT SPENT HK$10,000-24,999 A MONTH DURING THE 1984/85 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY.
FURTHER DETAILS REGARDING THIS INDEX ARE INCLUDED IN THE HANG SENG CPI REPORT ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF HANG SENG BANK LTD.
MARINE INQUIRY INTO COLLISION ORDERED ♦ ♦ ♦ t ♦
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR DERICK HALL, HAS TODAY (MONDAY) APPOINTED AN OFFICER TO CONDUCT A LOCAL MARINE INQUIRY INTO THE CIRCUMSTANCES ATTENDING TO A COLLISION BETWEEN A HOVERFERRY AND A BARGE OFF TSING YI ISLAND LAST (SUNDAY) NIGHT.
THE INQUIRY WAS ORDERED BY MR HALL UNDER SECTION 58 OF THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL ORDINANCE (CAP. 313), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SAID.
MR NG KWOK-CHU, MARINE OFFICER, WHO HAD BEEN APPOINTED TO CONDUCT THE INQUIRY, WOULD SUBMIT A REPORT OF HIS FINDINGS TO THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, THE SPOKESMAN.ADDED.
A TOTAL OF 13 PASSENGERS WERE INJURED IN THE COLLISION BETWEEN THE HOVERFERRY "DOURO", WHICH WAS RETURNING FROM MACAU, AND THE CHINESE BARGE ’’ZHONG REN 1501” WEST OF TSING YI AT ABOUT 9.30 PM LAST NIGHT.
MONDAY. JUNE 26. 1989
- 8 -
$5 3M CONTRACT TO UPGRADE SHA TAU KOK ROAD *****
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A $53 MILLION CONTRACT FOR UPGRADING SHA TAU KOK ROAD TO COPE WITH THE STEADILY INCREASING CROSS BORDER TRAFFIC IN SHA TAU KOK.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED TODAY (MONDAY) BETWEEN THE REGIONAL HIGHWAY ENGINEER (NEW TERRITORIES), MR KWONG HON-SANG, AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF KONG KEE BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD., MR LO KAI-SHUI.
MR KWONG SAID THE EXISTING SHA TAU KOK ROAD WAS SUB-STANDARD AND HAD TO BE UPGRADED BY WIDENING AND REBUILDING SECTIONS OF THE ROAD FROM PING CHE ROAD TO SHA TAU KOK.
ON COMPLETION. THE ROAD WOULD BECOME A STANDARD 7.3-METRE-WIDE CARRIAGEWAY WITH FOOTPATHS ON EITHER SIDE.
A TOTAL LENGTH OF ABOUT 6.5 KILOMETRES OF NEW ROAD WOULD BE BUILT INCLUDING THE FORMATION OF ROAD EMBANKMENTS, CUTTING SLOPES, CULVERTS, SURFACE DRAINAGE AND LANDSCAPING, MR KWONG SAID.
CONSTRUCTION WOULD START AT THE END OF THIS MONTH AND WOULD BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT 24 MONTHS, HE ADDED.
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT’S NEW TERRITORIES REGION, WHICH DESIGNED THE PROJECT. IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR SUPERVISING THE CONSTRUCTION WORK.
-----o-----
HK RESEARCH PAPER RECEIVES UK AWARD
*****
AUTHORS OF A RESEARCH PAPER ON THE EXAMINATION OF CHINESE HANDWRITING PREPARED BY STAFF OF THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY WERE PRESENTED THE P.W. ALLEN MEMORIAL AWARD FOR 1987 IN A BRIEF CEREMONY TODAY (MONDAY).
THE AWARD WAS PRESENTED BY PROFESSOR C.K. POON ON BEHALF OF THE FORENSIC SCIENCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED KINGDOM IN THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY’S OFFICE IN WAN CHAI.
THE RESEARCH PAPER ENTITLED "A COMPARATIVE APPROACH TO THE EXAMINATION OF CHINESE HANDWRITING. PART II. MEASURABLE PARAMETERS", WAS PREPARED BY STAFF OF THE DOCUMENTS SECTION OF THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY'S FORENSIC SCIENCE DIVISION, WITH CO-AUTHORS AT THE CITY POLYTECHNIC.
/IT WAS ......
MONDAY, JUNE 26, 1989
- 9 -
IT WAS PUBLISHED IN THE JOURNAL OF THE FORENSIC SCIENCE SOCIETY AND HAS WON THE P.W. ALLEN MEMORIAL AWARD FOR 1987.
THE PRESTIGIOUS AWARD IN THE FORM OF A MEDALLION AND CERTIFICATES FOR INDIVIDUAL AUTHORS IS AWARDED ANNUALLY BY THE SOCIETY IN RECOGNITION OF THE BEST PAPER PUBLISHED IN THE JOURNAL FOR THAT YEAR, AND THIS IS THE FIRST OCCASION THAT THE AWARD HAS GONE TO THE ASIA REGION.
THE PAPER DESCRIBED STATISTICAL STUDIES INTO CERTAIN PARAMETERS DEFINING STRUCTURE OF A NUMBER OF SELECTED CHINESE CHARACTERS WRITTEN BY 438 SUBJECTS.
CERTAIN GENERAL PRINCIPLES AND THEORIES IN RELATION TO FORENSIC HANDWRITING ANALYSIS WERE PROPOSED IN THE PAPER, WHICH IS ONE OF A SERIES ON CHINESE HANDWRITING PUBLISHED BY STAFF OF THE DOCUMENTS SECTION.
THE DETERMINATION OF HANDWRITING AUTHORSHIP IS A SPECIALISED SCIENCE WHICH HAS GREAT IMPORTANCE IN A RANGE OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES FROM SIMPLE SUICIDE NOTES TO MAJOR COMMERCIAL FRAUD.
THE AWARD HAS FIRMLY ESTABLISHED THE REPUTATION OF THE DOCUMENTS SECTION OF THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY ON AN INTERNATIONAL LEVEL.
-----0------
CONSTRUCTION OF FOUR ADDITIONAL AIRCRAFT PARKING POSITIONS
*****
FOUR ADDITIONAL AIRCRAFT PARKING POSITIONS WILL BE BUILT AS PART OF THE CARGO AND LONG TERM APRON DEVELOPMENT PROJECT OF THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
ABOUT 81,000 SQUARE METRES OF RIGID AIRCRAFT PAVEMENTS WILL BE CONSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE FOUR ADDITIONAL PARKING POSITIONS ALONG WITH ALL SUPPORT FACILITIES, AND A 400-HERTZ FIXED GROUND POWER SYSTEM IN THE CARGO AND LONG-TERM APRON.
THIS WILL SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE THE NOISE OF AIRCRAFT GROUND OPERATIONS BY ELIMINATING THE EXISTING MOBILE GENERATORS.
CONSTRUCTION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN SEPTEMBER AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 25 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT. THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JULY 21.
-------0---------
/1O........
MONDAY, JUNE 26, 1989
10 -
GOOD PROGRESS IN PREPARATIONS FOR DISTRICT FESTIVAL * * * * *
PREPARATIONS FOR THE 1989 WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT FESTIVAL ARE PROGRESSING WELL, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR ALBERT LI, SAID.
MR LI TOLD MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE AT ITS SECOND MEETING LAST WEEK THAT THE COMMITTEE’S FOUR WORKING GROUPS HAD BEEN WORKING HARD IN THE PAST MONTHS IN PLANNING ACTIVITIES FOR THE FESTIVAL.
"THE FESTIVAL, TO BE HELD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 4 AND 26, WILL BEGIN WITH A GRAND OPENING CEREMONY TO BE FOLLOWED BY A VARIETY SHOW AT THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL.
"THE FUNCTION WILL BE SHOWN BY THE TWO LOCAL TELEVISION STATIONS AT A LATER DATE," MR LI SAID.
MR LI POINTED OUT THAT 28 ARTS, CULTURAL, RECREATION AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES WOULD BE HELD DURING THE FESTIVAL.
IN ADDITION, THE 14 AREA COMMITTEES IN THE DISTRICT HAD BEEN ASKED TO HOLD ACTIVITIES TO COINCIDE WITH THE FESTIVAL, HE SAID.
THE FESTIVAL WILL BE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD, THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, AND THE DISTRICT’S ARTS COUNCIL AND RECREATION AND SPORTS COUNCIL.
THE AIM OF THE FESTIVAL IS TO FOSTER A SENSE OF BELONGING AMONG RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT WHILE PROVIDING ENTERTAINMENT FOR THEM.
THE FESTIVAL WILL COST ABOUT $1.34 MILLION. PART OF THE AMOUNT WILL COME FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD, WHILE THE BALANCE IS EXPECTED TO BE MET BY SPONSORSHIP BY LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS.
--------o----------
FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION ON AGENDA *****
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD'S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION SERVICE IN HONG KONG AT ITS MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 28).
TWO REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE WILL BE PRESENT TO BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE SUBJECT.
/OTHER ITEMS .......
MONDAY, JUNE 26, 1989
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS AND THE DESIGN AWARD FOR THE MOST ACCESSIBLE BUILDINGS FOR THE DISABLED IN HONG KONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 28) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD. SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES. CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM.
- - 0 - -
DB TO DISCUSS RURAL PLANNING STRATEGY *****
A CONSULTATIVE PAPER ON THE RURAL PLANNING AND IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY WILL BE TABLED FOR DISCUSSION AT A MEETING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE FINDINGS OF A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF THE GAS PRODUCTION PLANT II PHASE 2.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE PROPOSED STATUTORY PROTECTION CONCERNING THE USE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD LOGO AND A PROPOSED COOKED FOOD CENTRE IN KWONG FUK ESTATE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD TO BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE. 152 KWONG FUK ROAD, TAI PO. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM.
- - 0 -
/12
MONDAY. JUNE 26, 1989
- 12 -
RURAL PLANNING STRATEGY ON DB AGENDA
*****
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE CONSULTED ON THE DOCUMENT ON RURAL PLANNING AND IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH WILL ATTEND THE MEETING CONCERNING THIS ITEM.
REPORTS OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND THE VARIOUS DISTRICT BOARD COMMITTEES, AND A PAPER ON THE POSITION OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS, WILL BE TABLED FOR MEMBERS’ INFORMATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR, GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
THE MEETING WILL START AT 9.30 AM.
-----o------
JAPANESE SCHOLARSHIP FOR LOCAL STUDENTS
*****
THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT WILL AGAIN OFFER TWO SCHOLARSHIPS TO LOCAL STUDENTS NEXT YEAR FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES IN JAPAN IN SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES, AND NATURAL SCIENCES.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW INVITED FOR THE SCHOLARSHIPS.
THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT (MONBUSHO) SCHOLARSHIPS UNDER THE MONBUSHO SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME 1990 WILL BE OFFERED TO STUDENTS OVER 17 AND UNDER 22 YEARS OF AGE NEXT APRIL 1.
APPLICANTS SHOULD HAVE COMPLETED THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG OR THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS, OR HAVE PASSED IN TWO RELEVANT SUBJECTS AT THE ADVANCED LEVEL AND IN THREE RELEVANT SUBJECTS AT THE ORDINARY LEVEL, OR IN THREE RELEVANT SUBJECTS AT THE ADVANCED LEVEL AND IN ONE RELEVANT SUBJECT AT THE ORDINARY LEVEL IN A GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION OF ENGLAND.
APPLICANTS NEED NOT HAVE ANY PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE OF JAPANESE, BUT THEY MUST BE WILLING TO RECEIVE UNIVERSITY EDUCATION IN THE MEDIUM OF JAPANESE.
/THE AWARDS .......
MONDAY, JUNE 26, 1989
- 13 -
THE AWARDS, NORMALLY TENABLE YEAR TO MARCH 1995, WILL COVER EXPENSES AND RETURN PASSAGE.
FOR FIVE YEARS, FROM APRIL NEXT TUITION, ACCOMMODATION, LIVING
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE ENROLLED AT THE JAPANESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL ATTACHED TO THE TOKYO UNIVERSITY OF FOREIGN STUDIES AND WILL BE GIVEN A ONE-YEAR COURSE IN THE JAPANESE LANGUAGE AND SUCH OTHER SUBJECTS AS ARE NECESSARY TO PREPARE THEM FOR THE BACHELOR’S DEGREE COURSE.
APPLICATION FORMS AND FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE TWO SCHOLARSHIPS AND THE COURSES OF STUDY AVAILABLE IN JAPANESE ARE MOW OBTAINABLE FROM THE OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, LEE GARDENS, FIFTH FLOOR, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY. COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE SAME OFFICE BEFORE JUL^ 14 THIS YEAR.
-------0 ---------
NOMINATIONS FOR SOCIAL SERVICES * * * »
AWARDS CLOSE ON SATURDAY »
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD TODAY (MONDAY) REMINDED ORGANISATIONS AND RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT THAT NOMINATION FOR THIS YEAR’S SOUTHERN DISTRICT SOCIAL SERVICES AWARDS WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON SATURDAY (JULY 1).
ORGANISED BY THE BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE FOR THE FOURTH YEAR, THE AWARD SCHEME IS AIMED AT GIVING DUE RECOGNITION TO VOLUNTEERS WITH OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS.
THE SCHEME IS DIVIDED INTO FIVE DIVISIONS - PRIMARY' STUDENTS, SECONDARY AND POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS, WORKING PEOPLE, NON-WORKING PEOPLE. AND GROUPS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID LOCAL RESIDENTS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, SCHOOLS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, RESIDENTS' ORGANISATIONS. AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WERE ALL WELCOME TO NOMINATE CANDIDATES FOR THE AWARD SCHEME.
THE NOMINEES, WHO MUST EITHER LIVE, STUDY OR WORK IN THE DISTRICT. SHOULD HAVE OFFERED VOLUNTARY SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY, DISABLED, HANDICAPPED, YOUTH OR CHILDREN.
THOSE WHO HAVE PROVIDED ASSISTANCE TO OTHER ORGANISATIONS, SUCH AS MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS OR GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE.
THREE NOMINEES WILL BE CHOSEN FROM EACH OF THE FIVE DIVISIONS BY AN ADJUDICATING PANEL FOR PUBLIC COMMENDATION. THEY WILL BE AWARDED TROPHIES AND BOOK COUPONS, WHILE ALL THE FINALISTS WILL RECEIVE CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION.
/NOMINATION FORMS .......
MONDAY, JUNE 26, 1989
14
NOMINATION FORMS FOR THE AWARD SCHEME ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN CENTRE BEFORE THE DEADLINE.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT DETAILS OF THE AWARD SCHEME CAN BE MADE ON 5-540271.
-------0 ---------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 55.5 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 325.203 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 154.637 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 26.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
-----0 ----
ROAD OPENING IN LAI CHI KOK
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT KAU WAH KENG APPROACH ROAD LEADING FROM LAI KING HILL ROAD TO LAI WAN ROAD IN LAI CHI KOK WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 28).
AT THE SAME TIME. LAI KING HILL ROAD BETWEEN KAU WAH KENG APPROACH ROAD AND WA LAI PATH WILL BE CLOSED FOR FOOTPATH CONSTRUCTION WORKS AND FOR THE OPENING OF THE APPROACH ROAD.
MOTORISTS TRAVELLING BETWEEN LAI KING HILL ROAD AND LAI WAN ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA KAU WAH KENG APPROACH ROAD.
MOREOVER. GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES 90M AND 92M WILL BE DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA LAI KING HILL ROAD, KAU WAH KENG APPROACH ROAD AND LAI WAN ROAD.
--------0 ---------
MONDAY. JUNE 26, 1989
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN KWUN TONG ♦ * ♦ * ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT WAI YIP STREET EASTBOUND BETWEEN TSUN YIP STREET AND HOI YUEN ROAD. KWUN TONG, WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM WEDNESDAY (JUNE 28) FOR THREE NIGHTS.
THE CLOSURE WILL BE IN FORCE FROM 30 MINUTES PAST MIDNIGHT TO 5.30 AM DAILY TO FACILITATE FOOTBRIDGE CONSTRUCTION WORKS.
AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED VIA TSUN YIP STREET. HUNG TO ROAD AND HOI YUEN ROAD BEFORE REJOINING WAI YIP STREET EASTBOUND.
- - 0 ---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR STRESSES VITAL ROLE FOR INDUSTRY IN MAINTAINING PROSPERITY ................................................... 1
LADY WILSON APPEALS FOR EMPLOYMENT OF SPECIAL SCHOOL GRADUATES .................................................... 2
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR MAY RELEASED ................. 4
CHANGES TO SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE SCHEME ................... 7
FUTURE CABLE TV NETWORK OPERATOR EXEMPTED FROM PAYING WAYLEAVE FEES ................................................ 8
SENIOR MEMBERS BRIEF LOCAL GROUPS ........................ 8
URBCO LOBBIES SUPPORT FROM BRITISH MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ...... 9
MONG KOK DB TO DISCUSS RIGHT OF ABODE....................... 10
U.S. FIRM'S MOVE TO HK WELCOMED ............................ 10
FIVE QUESTIONS, 10 BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA ................... 11
NO NEW AIDS CASES IN JUNE................................... 12
SPECIAL DB MEETING TO DISCUSS TRANSPORT'POLICY ............. 14
NEW HARBOUR CROSSING UPDATE FOR DB COMMITTEE ............... 15
STUDENT LOAN FUNDS OFFERED FOR 1989-90 ..................... 16
JUNE 1989 SURVEY OF EMPOLYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STARTS ...................................................... 17
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN YAU MA TEI ............... 18
TUESDAY, JUNE 27. 1989
1
GOVERNOR STRESSES VITAL ROLE FOR INDUSTRY IN MAINTAINING PROSPERITY
♦ » * ♦ *
HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY MUST BE MORE AND MORE INNOVATIVE TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE, PRODUCE MORE EFFICIENTLY AND ADD GREATER VALUE TO ITS PRODUCTS, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON» SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
"NOW, MORE THAN EVER, THIS IS IMPORTANT IF WE ARE TO MAINTAIN OUR PROSPERITY IN DIFFICULT TIMES," HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE FIRST PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE GOVERNOR’S AWARD FOR INDUSTRY, SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURERS LIVED BY THEIR ABILITY TO EXPORT.
"WE FACE INCREASING COMPETITION IN ALL OUR MAJOR EXPORT MARKETS. OUR CUSTOMERS EXPECT EVER HIGHER STANDARDS OF QUALITY," HE SAID.
SO FAR, HONG KONG MANAGED TO HOLD ITS OWN, THE GOVERNOR SAID. BUT HE ADDED THAT ALTHOUGH EXPORTS IN RECENT YEARS HAD REACHED RECORD LEVELS, WE COULD NOT SIMPLY DRAW COMFORT FROM THIS.
FOR ITS PART, THE GOVERNMENT WAS COMMITTED TO ASSISTING THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY TO MAINTAIN HIGH PRODUCTIVITY AND HIGH GROWTH RATES, AND TO ACHIEVE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE QUALITY OF PRODUCTS AND IN CREATIVITY OF DESIGN.
SIR DAVID SAID HE HAD ENCOURAGED THE SETTING UP OF A GOVERNOR’S AWARD FOR INDUSTRY TO PROMOTE THE RECOGNITION OF THE KEY ELEMENTS OF PRODUCT COMPETITIVENESS --- ORIGINALITY, PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY.
"AWARD WINNERS WILL RECEIVE A TROPHY TO MARK THEIR ACHIEVEMENT. THEY WILL ALSO BE ENTITLED TO DISPLAY THE SYMBOL OF THE GOVERNOR’S AWARD FOR A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS.
"THE SYMBOL WILL BECOME KNOWN BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE HONG KONG AS A MARK OF EXCELLENCE," HE SAID.
THIS YEAR, AWARDS ARE MADE IN TWO CATEGORIES: CONSUMER PRODUCT DESIGN, AND MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT DESIGN.
NEXT YEAR, THERE WILL ALSO BE AWARDS FOR PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY MANAGEMENT.
"THE IMPORTANCE OF EFFICIENT AND ATTRACTIVE DESIGN IN A CONSUMER PRODUCT IS SELF-EVIDENT. THE DESIGN OF THE MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT USED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR MAKES A CRUCIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE SUCCESS OF AN ENTERPRISE.
"OUTSTANDING DESIGN IN THIS AREA, THEREFORE, ALSO DESERVES RECOGNITION," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
/SIR DAVID .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1989
2 -
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE RESPONSE TO THE AWARD SCHEME HAD BEEN EXCELLENT WITH NEARLY 300 MANUFACTURERS HAVING ENTERED DESIGNS IN ONE OR OTHER AWARD CATEGORIES.
’’THE RANGE AND QUALITY OF THE DESIGNS HAVE BEEN IMPRESSIVE. THIS IS A GOOD OMEN, BOTH FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE AWARD AS A KEENLY-CONTESTED PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE, AND FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES AS A WHOLE,” HE SAID.
THE WINNER OF THE GOVERNOR’S AWARD IN THE CONSUMER PRODUCT DESIGN CATEGORY WAS INTERNATIONAL QUARTZ LIMITED FOR ITS INNOVATIVE CELLULAR PORTABLE COMPUTER.
THE WINNER OF THE GOVERNOR’S AWARDS IN THE MACHINERY AND .EQUIPMENT DESIGN CATEGORY WAS MOTOROLA SEMICONDUCTORS HONG KONG LIMITED FOR ITS EIGHT-BIT MICROPROCESSOR, WHICH HAS A WIDE RANGE OF APPLICATIONS IN MANY PRODUCTS.
IN ADDITION TO THE TWO GOVERNOR’S AWARDS, THERE WERE ALSO SEVEN SUBSIDIARY AWARDS AND 24 CERTIFICATES OF MERIT PRESENTED TO OUTSTANDING ENTRIES IN THE TWO CATEGORIES.
THIS YEAR’S AWARDS HAVE BEEN JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES AND THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION, ASSISTED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT.
THE AWARD ITSELF IS AN OUTSTANDING PIECE OF CERAMIC ART, DRAWING INSPIRATION FROM THE CIRCULAR "BI", A RING EXECUTED IN JADE OR OTHER PRECIOUS STONE, AND THE ”ZHU”, A PEARL OF GREAT VALUE AND BEAUTY.
THE CONCEPT CAME FROM ONE OF HONG KONG’S LEADING DESIGNERS, HENRY STEINER, AND IT WAS EXECUTED BY TWO OF THE TERRITORY’S MOST IMAGINATIVE, AND INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED CERAMIC ARTISTS - JAKIE LEUNG KOON-MING AND TERENCE LEE TZE-LEUNG.
-------0----------
LADY WILSON APPEALS FOR EMPLOYMENT OF SPECIAL SCHOOL GRADUATES t ♦ » ♦ *
LADY WILSON TODAY (TUESDAY) APPEALED TO THE COMMUNITY TO GIVE FULL SUPPORT TO GRADUATES FROM SPECIAL SCHOOLS BY OFFERING THEM . CHANCES OF EMPLOYMENT.
”HONG KONG IS NOW FACING A TIME OF CHANGE AND CHALLENGE, AND ALL KINDS OF TALENTS ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE DEVELOPMENT AND EVOLUTION OF OUR COMMUNITY," LADY WILSON SAID, WHEN ADDRESSING THE RED CROSS SCHOOLS COMBINED SPEECH DAY AND 35TH ANNIVERSARY.
/LADY WILSON
TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1989
- 3 -
LADY WILSON SAID THE HONG KONG RED CROSS, AS A PIONEER IN SPECIAL EDUCATION, HAD SUCCESSFULLY ESTABLISHED SINCE 1954 FOUR SPECIAL SCHOOLS, ONE HOSTEL FOR PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED YOUTHS, AND 11 HOSPITAL SCHOOLS, TO PROVIDE EDUCATION AND CARE FOR THE LESS FORTUNATE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.
"THROUGHOUT THESE 35 YEARS, THE HONG KONG RED CROSS HAS ALWAYS AIMED AT BRINGING OUT THE LATENT POTENTIAL OF HANDICAPPED YOUTHS TO HELP THEM TO GROW UP AS HAPPY, INDEPENDENT AND CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.
"THE SCHOOLS, THEREFORE, APART FROM PROVIDING THE CHILDREN WITH EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FROM PREPARATORY CLASS TO SECONDARY LEVEL, ALSO INCLUDE IN THE CURRICULUM, MANY OTHER ACTIVITIES THEY ARE KEEN TO SEE CHILDREN PARTICIPATING IN," SHE SAID.
LADY WILSON NOTED THAT THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH OF THESE HANDICAPPED PEOPLE WAS ALSO WELL TAKEN CARE OF BY SPECIALISTS, NAMELY PHYSIOTHERAPISTS, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, NURSES AND SOCIAL WORKERS.
ON FOR THE 11 HOSPITAL SCHOOLS ATTACHED TO MAJOR HOSPITALS IN HONG KONG, LADY WILSON SAID THESE SCHOOLS OFFERED CONVALESCING CHILDREN CHANCES TO STUDY DURING THEIR STAY IN HOSPITAL SO THAT THEY MIGHT SMOOTHLY RESUME NORMAL SCHOOLING WHEN THEY WERE DISCHARGED FROM HOSPITAL.
AUTISTIC CHILDREN AND PSYCHIATRICALLY
COULD ATTEND LESSONS IN FOUR OF THESE HOSPITAL
DISTURBED ADOLESCENTS SCHOOLS, SHE SAID.
NOTING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE HONG KONG RED CROSS, LADY WILSON SAID IT WAS SO GOOD TO KNOW THAT SOME PAST STUDENTS OF THE RED CROSS SCHOOLS HAD MANAGED TO FURTHER THEIR STUDIES IN UNIVERSITIES, POLYTECHNICS, AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTES.
OTHERS HAD JOINED THE WORKFORCE IN VARIOUS TRADES, SHE ADDED.
"OF COURSE THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS ARE THE COMBINED EFFORTS OF THEIR OWN HARD WORK AND THE DEDICATED CONTRIBUTION OF THE STAFF OF RED CROSS SCHOOLS, AND PARENTS, WHO ALWAYS PLAY AN IMPORTANT PART.
"I DO SINCERELY HOPE THAT OUR SOCIETY WILL GIVE THESE GRADUATES FROM SPECIAL SCHOOLS, FULL SUPPORT, BY OFFERING THEM CHANCES OF EMPLOYMENT, SO THAT THEIR TRAINING AND THEIR DEDICATION TO BE ACTIVE AND SERVING MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY IS NOT WASTED," SHE SAID.
--------o ---------
TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1989
- 4 -
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR MAY RELEASED * ♦ * ♦ »
IN MAY, THE YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WAS LOW, WHILE THOSE OF RE-EXPORTS AND IMPORTS WERE ALSO LESS RAPID THAN IN THE EARLIER MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.
THESE POINTS ARE SHOWN IN THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN MAY 1989 WAS $17,695 MILLION, $421 MILLION OR 2.4 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN MAY 1988, WHILE THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY $6,559 MILLION OR 30.6 PER CENT TO $28,012 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS (DOMESTIC EXPORTS PLUS RE-EXPORTS), AT $45,707 MILLION IN MAY 1989, WAS THUS $6,980 MILLION OR 18.0 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN MAY 1988.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS GREW BY 22.9 PER CENT OR $9,061 MILLION OVER A YEAR EARLIER, TO $48,619 MILLION IN MAY 1989.
A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $2,912 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 6.0 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN MAY 1989. THIS COMPARES WITH A DEFICIT OF $831 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 2.1 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN MAY 1988.
PUTTING THESE TRADE FIGURES IN PERSPECTIVE, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1989 WAS $214,311 MILLION, MADE UP OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF $83,102 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS OF $131,209 MILLION.
COMPARED WITH THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1988, IN VALUE TERMS TOTAL EXPORTS GREW BY $41,856 MILLION OR 24.3 PER CENT, DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY $5,603 MILLION OR 7.2 PER CENT, AND RE-EXPORTS BY $36,253 MILLION OR 38.2 PER CENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS GREW BY $48,064 MILLION OR 26.9 PER CENT, TO $226,569 MILLION. A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $12,258 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 5.4 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1989.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THERE WERE PRELIMINARY INDICATIONS WHICH SUGGESTED THAT THE RATHER SLOW GROWTH IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS FOR THE MONTH OF MAY OVER A YEAR EARLIER WAS DUE MAINLY TO DECLINES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND THE UNITED KINGDOM, NOTWITHSTANDING A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE RECORDED FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATE OF RETAINED IMPORTS WAS HIGHER IN MAY THAN APRIL.
/IT APPEARED .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1989
- 5 -
IT APPEARED THAT THE RECENT EVENTS IN CHINA HAD NOT CAUSED ANY SIGNIFICANT DISRUPTIONS IN HONG KONG’S TRADE FLOWS DURING THE MONTH OF MAY. THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE PRESENTS THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR
MAY 1989.
MERCHANDISE: DOMESTIC EXPORTS $17,695 MILLION
RE-EXPORTS $28,012 MILLION
TOTAL EXPORTS $45,707 MILLION
IMPORTS $48,619 MILLION
TRADE BALANCE $ 2,912 MILLION [IN DEFICIT]
COMPARATIVE FIGURES LATEST 3 MONTHS MAR 89 TO MAY 89 HK$ MN. MAR 88 TO MAY 88 HK$ MN. INCREASE
HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 51,798 47,382 4,416 9.3
RE-EXPORTS 82,570 60,678 21,892 36.1
TOTAL EXPORTS 134,368 108,060 26,308 24.3
IMPORTS 144,962 116,885 28,077 24.0
TRADE BALANCE -10,594 -8,825 -1,769
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR MAY 1989 HK$ MN. MAY 1988 HK$ MN. INCREASE HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 17,695 (38.7%) 17,274 (44.6%) 421 2.4
RE-EXPORTS 28,012 21,453 6,559 30.6
TOTAL EXPORTS 45,707 38,727 6,980 18.0
IMPORTS 48,619 39,558 9,061 22.9
TRADE BALANCE -2,912 -831 -2,081
/LAST MONTH ......
TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1989
6
LAST MONTH MAY 1989 HK$ MN. APRIL 1989 HK$ MN. INCREASE HK4 MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 17,695 (38.7%) 17,480 (38.4%) 215 1.2
RE-EXPORTS 28,012 28,075 -63 -0.2
TOTAL EXPORTS 45,707 45,555 152 0.3
IMPORTS 48,619 47,919 700 1.5
TRADE BALANCE -2,912 -2,364 -548
CALENDAR YEAR TO-DATE JAN-MAY 1989 HKS MN. JAN-MAY 1988 HK$ MN. INCREASE HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% O\ TOTAL EXPORTS) 83,102 (38.8%) 77,499 (44.9%) 5,603 7.2
RE-EXPORTS 131,209 94,956 36,253 38.2
TOTAL EXPORTS 214,311 172,455 41,856 24.3
IMPORTS 226,569 178,505 48,064 26.9
TRADE BALANCE -12,258 -6,050 -6,208
LAST 12 MONTHS JUN 88 TO MAY 89 HKi MN. JUN 87 TO MAY 88 HKS MN. INCREASE HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 223,267 203,250 20,017 9.8
RE-EXPORTS 311,658 212,307 99,351 46.8
TOTAL EXPORTS 534,925 415,657 119,368 28.7
IMPORTS 546,862 416,425 130,437 31.3
TRADE BALANCE -11,937 -868 -11,069
o -------
TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1989
7
CHANGES TO SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE SCHEME
♦ ♦ t * *
PRACTICAL CHANGES TO THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE SCHEME WILL BE INTRODUCED IN THE 1989-90 SCHOOL YEAR SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
RECOMMENDED BY THE WORKING GROUP TO REVIEW THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE, THESE CHANGES WERE NOTED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS, PARENTS WILL CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO CHOOSE A DOCTOR FROM AMONG ALL THE DOCTORS IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT PARTICIPATING IN THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE SCHEME.
PARTICIPATING PUPILS MAY THEN VISIT THE DOCTOR WITH WHOM THEY ARE REGISTERED ANY TIME THEY FEEL UNWELL DURING THE YEAR.
IN ADDITION TO THE EXISTING ENROLMENT FEE, WHICH WILL REMAIN AT $10, PARENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY A $10 PER VISIT CHARGE TO THE DOCTOR. PUPILS WHO REQUIRE MEDICATION WILL BE PROVIDED WITH MEDICINE SUFFICIENT FOR AT LEAST TWO DAYS AT NO EXTRA COST.
PARTICIPATING DOCTORS ARE REQUIRED TO INDICATE TO THE PARENTS AT THE TIME THEY MADE THE CHOICE OF DOCTOR, THEIR CONSULTATION HOURS UNDER THE SCHEME.
THESE DOCTORS ARE EXPECTED TO TREAT PUPILS ENROLLED IN THE SCHEME, WITHIN THE CONSULTATION HOURS, ON EQUAL TERMS WITH THEIR PRIVATE PATIENTS.
THE $10 PER VISIT CHARGE IS FIXED BY THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE BOARD AND IS LOWER THAN THE FEE CHARGED AT GOVERNMENT GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINICS, WHICH IS CURRENTLY $13 PER CONSULTATION.
PARENTS WHO ARE UNABLE TO AFFORD THE CHARGES CAN SEND THEIR CHILDREN FOR TREATMENT AT THE GOVERNMENT OUT-PATIENT CLINICS WHERE THERE ARE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE WAIVING OF FEES.
THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE BOARD HAS ALSO REVIEWED THE LEVEL OF ANNUAL CAPITATION GRANT FROM GOVERNMENT FOR A SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE DOCTOR WHICH HAS NOT BEEN REVISED SINCE 1984.
BOTH THE BOARD AND THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDER IT REASONABLE THAT FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 1989-90, THE CAPITATION GRANT SHOULD BE INCREASED FROM $65 FOR EACH PUPIL TO $120.
ASSUMING THE NUMBER OF PUPILS PARTICIPATING IN THE SCHEME WILL BE THE SAME AS THAT IN THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR, A TOTAL OF SOME 438,000, GOVERNMENT’S ANNUAL EXPENDITURE ON THE CAPITATION GRANT WILL BE INCREASED FROM $28.5 MILLION TO $52.5 MILLION.
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL BE ASKED TO APPROVE THE REVISED CAPITATION GRANT AND ITS FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS AT ITS MEETING ON JULY 5 THIS YEAR.
- - O-----------
/8........
TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1989
8
FUTURE CABLE TV NETWORK OPERATOR EXEMPTED FROM PAYING WAYLEAVE FEES * » ♦ ♦ ♦
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TODAY (TUESDAY) DECIDED THAT THE FUTURE CABLE TELEVISION NETWORK LICENSEE WOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY WAYLEAVE I*EES TO THE GOVERNMENT WHEN IT CONSTRUCTS ITS CABLE NETWORK UNDER GOVERNMENT LAND.
"THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL’S DECISION MEANS THAT THE FUTURE CABLE NETWORK OPERATOR IN HONG KONG WILL BE TREATED IN THE SAME WAY AS OTHER UTILITY COMPANIES," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THIS WILL ENSURE THAT THE CABLE NETWORK WILL BE ABLE TO COMPETE IN THE AREA OF NON-FRANCHISED TELECOMMUNICATIONS ON AN EQUAL FOOTING WITH OTHER OPERATORS IN HONG KONG.
"HOWEVER, THE CABLE LICENSEE WILL HAVE TO PAY A FEE TO THE GOVERNMENT IF IT RUNS CABLE THROUGH GOVERNMENT TUNNELS. OTHER UTILITIES HAVE TO PAY FEES TO THE GOVERNMENT IN SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES.”
THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT BIDDERS FOR THE CTV LICENCE HAD ALL ASSUMED THAT THEY WOULD BE TREATED IN THE SAME WAY AS THE OTHER UTILITIES.
"THIS DECISION WILL NOT COME AS A SURPRISE TO THE CABLE BIDDERS; IT WILL HELP THEM TO BUILD UP A VIABLE CABLE SYSTEM IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
---------------0 ------- SENIOR MEMBERS BRIEF LOCAL GROUPS ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
SENIOR MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, DAME LYDIA DUNN, AND SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ALLEN LEE, TODAY (TUESDAY) HELD A GENERAL BRIEFING SESSION FOR A GROUP OF BUSINESSMEN AND INDUSTRIALISTS ON THE NATIONALITY ISSUE.
THE SESSION MARKS THE BEGINNING OF A SECOND ROUND OF BRIEFINGS FOR LOCAL GROUPS TO INFORM THEM OF OMELCO'S FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS TO URGE THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO RESTORE TO HONG KONG BRITISH SUBJECTS THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN BRITAIN AND TO PROVIDE A SAFE AND SECURE FUTURE FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
THREE MORE BRIEFING SESSIONS ARE SCHEDULED FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS.
/TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) ........
TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1989
- 9 -
TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) MORNING, THE TWO SENIOR MEMBERS WILL BRIEF A GROUP OF PROFESSIONALS. IN TWO SEPARATE SESSIONS ON THURSDAY, THEY WILL MEET WITH MEMBERS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, REGIONAL COUNCIL AND DISTRICT BOARDS; AS WELL AS CHURCH, YOUTH AND EDUCATION GROUPS.
THE OMELCO SPECIAL WORKING GROUP ON NATIONALITY WITH MRS ROSANNA TAM AS CONVENOR WILL CONTINUE ITS TASK OF LIAISING AND PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR OMELCO AND HONG KONG GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO WISH TO PLAY A PART IN OMELCO’S UNITED EFFORT.
-------0 ---------
URBCO LOBBIES SUPPORT FROM BRITISH MUNICIPAL COUNCILS
*****
HONG KONG IS A THRIVING PLACE, STILL VERY PROSPEROUS WITH PLENTY OF POTENTIAL AND THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG DO NOT WISH TO LEAVE.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR H.M.G. FORSGATE, SAID THIS IN A LETTER BEING SENT TO 500 DISTRICT AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM TO LOBBY SUPPORT FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE’S RIGHT OF ABODE IN BRITAIN.
MR FORSGATE POINTED OUT THAT SHOULD THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAVE A VALID PASSPORT TO ALLOW THEM THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN- BRITAIN, THEY WOULD HAVE A GREAT INCENTIVE TO REMAIN IN HONG KONG UP TO AND BEYOND 1997, AND IN THE VAST MAJORITY OF CASES PERMANENTLY.
THE URBAN COUNCIL FIRMLY BELIEVED IN THE FUNDAMENTAL FAIRNESS OF THE BRITISH PEOPLE AND THAT THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO SUPPORT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG IN THEIR TIME OF TRIAL, MR FORSGATE SAID.
"HOWEVER, IT IS ONLY IF WE ARE SEEN TO HAVE THE NECESSARY BACKING FROM THE BRITISH MAN IN THE STREET, AS REPRESENTED BY MUNICIPAL BODIES SUCH AS YOURS, THAT THE WISHES OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG CAN COME TO FRUITION," HE SAID.
"I SHOULD BE GRATEFUL, ON BEHALF OF MY COUNCIL AND THE VAST MAJORITY OF OUR CITIZENS, IF YOUR COUNCIL COULD PROVIDE WHATEVER ASSISTANCE YOU CAN TO SPUR THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT INTO ACCEPTING ITS OBLIGATION AND CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE PEOPLE . OF HONG KONG," MR FORSGATE ADDED.
- - 0----------
/10........
TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1989
10
MONG KOK DB TO DISCUSS RIGHT OF ABODE * * ♦
THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE OF GRANTING THE RIGHT OF ABODE TO HONG KONG RESIDENTS BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT.
A DRAFT RESOLUTION WILL BE PUT FORWARD AT THE MEETING, IN WHICH THE DISTRICT BOARD WILL MAINTAIN THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS THE FUNDAMENTAL OBLIGATION TO EXTEND THE RIGHT OF ABODE TO ALL HONG KONG BRITISH NATIONALS AND TO ENSURE A SAFE AND SECURE FUTURE FOR THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF HONG KONG.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS A PROPOSAL TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO PROTECT THE USE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD LOGO.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, FIRST FLOOR, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOWLOON.
- - 0 - -
U.S. FIRM’S MOVE TO HK WELCOMED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
A LEADING U.S. MULTINATIONAL CORPORATION HAS PLACED ITS CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG BY MOVING ITS REGIONAL OFFICE FROM SINGAPORE TO HERE.
THE DECISION BY HAYES MICROCOMPUTER PRODUCTS INCORPORATED WAS WELCOMED BY THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR ANDREW K.P. LEUNG, TODAY (TUESDAY). HE SAID HONG KONG WOULD ALWAYS BENEFIT FROM SUCH DEMONSTRATIONS OF FAITH IN ITS FUTURE.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE HAYES MICROCOMPUTER PRODUCT INCORPORATED REGIONAL OFFICE IN CENTRAL DISTRICT, MR LEUNG SAID HAYES WAS AMONG THOSE WHICH WERE CONVINCED THAT THE TERRITORY’S ECONOMIC FUNDAMENTALS WOULD CONTINUE TO SERVE US WELL IN THE FUTURE.
HE SAID THAT FOLLOWING THE RECENT EVENTS IN CHINA, IT WAS MOST ENCOURAGING TO WITNESS SUCH A FAR-SIGHTED STATEMENT OF FAITH IN HONG KONG’S LONG-TERM ECONOMIC FUNDAMENTALS.
"THESE FUNDAMENTALS HAVE SEEN US THROUGH PAST VICISSITUDES," HE SAID.
/MR LEUNG
TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1989
11
MR LEUNG SAID THAT MANY U.S. FIRMS HAD ESTABLISHED THEIR ASIA-PACIFIC REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS HERE. THEY INCLUDED CATERPILLAR, DOW CHEMICAL, AMERICAN PRESIDENT LINES, MOTOROLA, ALLIED-SIGNALS AND ARCO.
"THEY ARE MORE THAN MATCHED BY' THEIR JAPANESE AND EUROPEAN COUNTERPARTS," HE ADDED.
MR LEUNG SAID FIRMS WHICH HAD DEMONSTRATED THEIR FAITH IN HONG KONG HAD FOUND TO THEIR ADVANTAGE THE TERRITORY’S DISTINCT GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION ON THE RIM OF THE FAST-GROWING ASIA-PACIFIC REGION; A COMMUNITY HIGHLY GEARED TO INTERNATIONAL BUSINESSES; AN ADVANCED FINANCIAL, TRANSPORT, AND COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE AND A FREE ENTERPRISE ECONOMY.
"WE USE, MANUFACTURE AND UNDERSTAND HIGH TECHNOLOGY. WE HAVE GOT WHAT IT TAKES TO BE AN INTERNATIONAL CITY AND WE ARE DETERMINED TO STAY THAT WAY," HE ADDED.
HAYES MICROCOMPUTER PRODUCTS INCORPORATED IS ACKNOWLEDGED AS A WORLD LEADER IN THE MICROCOMPUTER MODEM MARKET. ITS NEWLY-APPOINTED GENERAL MANAGER HERE, MR ANTHONY KWOK, WAS A MEMBER OF THE COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN AND COMPUTER-AIDED MANUFACTURING SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD.
"IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS MR KWOK HAS PROVIDED A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION," MR LEUNG SAID.
------0--------
FIVE QUESTIONS, 10 BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA * * * * *
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF FIVE QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER 10 BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
SEVEN OF THE BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READING.
THEY ARE THE LEGAL AID (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE ARBITRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE COUNTRY PARKS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES (THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS) BILL 1989; THE BETTING DUTY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE TELECOMMUNICATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; AND THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989.
THE SECOND READING DEBATES ON THREE BILLS WILL RESUME AND WHEN THEY ARE COMPLETED EACH BILL IS DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING.
/THE THREE .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1989
- 12 -
THE THREE BILLS ARE THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES)(AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE PEAK TRAMWAY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; AND THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE WILL MOVE MOTIONS UNDER THE PHARMACY AND POISONS ORDINANCE AND THE RADIATION ORDINANCE RESPECTIVELY.
IN ADDITION, LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, THE HON HUI YIN-FAT, WILL MOVE A MOTION, WHICH READS "THAT, TO MARK THE 1OTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE CHILD, THIS COUNCIL URGES THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY TO TAKE ACTION ON PROTECTING THE RIGHTS AND IMPROVING THE WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN IN HONG KONG."
----0------
NO NEW AIDS CASES IN JUNE
*****
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF AIDS (ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME) CASES IN HONG KONG REMAINED AT 22 TO DATE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
RELEASING THE MONTHLY STATISTICS ON THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME, THE SPOKESMAN SAID DURING THE MONTH OF MAY, TWO PERSONS WERE FOUND TO BE POSITIVE FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY TEST BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF AIDS CARRIERS TO 145.
ONE OF THE NEWLY FOUND POSITIVES HAD BEEN DIAGNOSED AND REPORTED AS THE 22ND AIDS CASE IN MAY. THE OTHER ONE WAS AN INTRAVENOUS DRUG ABUSER.
OF THE 145 CARRIERS, 54 WERE HAEMOPHILIACS, ONE WAS AN INTRAVENOUS DRUG ABUSER, 15 WERE PEOPLE WHO ATTENDED SOCIAL HYGIENE CLINICS, 43 WERE PATIENTS FROM GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND CLINICS AND 32 WERE REFERRALS FROM PRIVATE DOCTORS AND SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS.
UNDER THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME STARTED BY THE FORMER MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN 1985, A TOTAL OF 129,269 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR THE AIDS VIRUS.
MEANWHILE, THE HONG KONG RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE HAS ALSO SCREENED ALL BLOOD DONORS FOR AIDS.
UP TO MAY 1989, 565,363 UNITS OF BLOOD HAD BEEN TESTED AND EIGHT WERE FOUND POSITIVE.
/AIDS VIRUS .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1989
13
f A & 4 A <
AIDS Virus (HIV) Antibody Testing Department o^ Health
WU/(Utility/? Referrals from Govt, hospitals and clinics Apr 85 - Apr 89 May 89 Total
No, tested* 0 210 ft’Ckl'k No. +ve 42
No. tested* 199 No. +ve 1 No. tested* 8 1109 No. ♦ve 43
iq Referrals from private practitioners and subverted hospitals 1 749 32 12 0 1 761 32
I'iTk’C Attendances at social hygiene clinics 111 821 15 2 733 0 114 554 15
Haemophiliacs 371 5*1 5 0 376 54
IV drug abusers 3 370 0 76 1 3 346 1
Referrals from Family Planning Association 162 0 2 0 164 0
< & H A < I Health care personnel 557 0 2 0 559 0
TOTAL 126 240 143 3 029 2 129 269 145
•This indicates the number of specimens repeated for certain individuals t & a & f ft •£, 4 a , tO £ Aug 85 - Apr 89 • and not persons as tests are U i ft £ 6 1 May 89 Total
& j /> Jj‘?x ■J‘9 Hong Kong Red Cross Blood transfusion Serv ice No. tested 551 045 t No. ♦ve 8 No. No. tested 4-ve 14 318 0 No. tested 565 363 No. ♦ve 8
Department of Health June 1989 -----------------------------------0---------- /14................................................................................
TUESDAY. JUNE 21, 1989
14 -
SPECIAL DB MEETING TO DISCUSS TRANSPORT POLICY
*****
THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING ON THURSDAY (JUNE 29) TO DISCUSS THE GREEN PAPER ON TRANSPORT POLICY IN HONG KONG.
A PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR PETER PANG, AND OFFICIALS FROM THE TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENTS WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE DOCUMENT.
IN RESPONSE TO THE LONG-TERM TRANSPORT STRATEGY PROPOSED IN THE GREEN PAPER. A MEMBER WILL PUT FORWARD AN ARGUMENT FOR THE EXTENSION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY TO HUNG HOM AND TO KWA WAN.
A MEETING OF THE DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL BE HELD AFTER THE SPECIAL DISTRICT BOARD MEETING.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS WILL CONSIDER THE SETTLED BUS AND FERRY ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR 1989-90 IN THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT COMPILED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
THE 1988 REVIEW OF THE DISTRICT’S PEDESTRIAN BLACK SPOTS WILL BE TABLED AND MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS A SUGGESTION FOR A TAXI STAND AT MING ON STREET, HUNG HOM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD SPECIAL MEETING AND THE BOARD'S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY (JUNE 29) IN THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM. 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, TO KWA WAN.
THE SPECIAL MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.15 PM, AND THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE MEETING AT 4 PM.
-------o ---------
/•>5..........
TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1989
- 15 -
NEW HARBOUR CROSSING UPDATE FOR DB COMMITTEE * * * * »
THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE INFORMED OF THE OPERATIONAL DETAILS OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING AND RELATED TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS AT ITS MEETING ON THURSDAY (JUNE 29).
THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE NEW HONG KONG TUNNEL COMPANY LTD, MR VICTOR LEUNG. AND TRAFFIC ENGINEER (HONG KONG EAST I OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, MR HO KIN-WAI, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO BRIEF MEMBERS.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS A PROPOSAL TO LAY NOISE-REDUCTION MATERIALS ON THE SECTION OF ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR STAGE II WHICH JOINS STAGE III AND FACES THE PERFECT MOUNT GARDEN IN SHAU KEI WAN.
THE PROPOSAL HAS BEEN PROMPTED BY THE CONCERN THAT RESIDENTS MIGHT BE AFFECTED BY NOISES GENERATED BY VEHICLES WITH THE OPENING OF THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR STAGE III NEXT YEAR.
DURING THE MEETING, REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT WILL UPDATE MEMBERS ON THE PROGRESS OF THE KING’S ROAD RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT WHICH STARTED ON JUNE 20.
OTHER ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED INCLUDE PROPOSED MEASURES TO ALLEVIATE CONGESTION OF EASTERN TRAFFIC ALONG SHAU KEI WAN ROAD, AND THE INSTALLATION OF MORE PARKING METERS IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD'S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE ON THURSDAY (JUNE 29), IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, 880-886 KING’S ROAD, HONG KONG.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
-------0----------
/16 .......
■
TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1989
16
STUDENT LOAN FUNDS OFFERED FOR 1989-90 *****
STUDENTS AT POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS, TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN NEED OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT THEIR STUDIES IN THE 1989-90 ACADEMIC YEAR MAY OBTAIN INTEREST-FREE LOANS FROM THE HONG KONG ROTARY CLUB STUDENTS' LOAN FUND AND THE STANDARD/SING TAO FAT CHOY DRIVE STUDENTS' LOAN FUND.
A SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENT WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR A MAXIMUM LOAN OF $3,500 AND A POST-SECONDARY STUDENT FOR $7,500 A YEAR.
APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE WILL BE CONSIDERED BY A JOINT COMMITTEE FOR BOTH LOAN FUNDS AND PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO APPLICANTS WHO ARE APPROACHING THE COMPLETION OF THEIR STUDIES.
LOANS ARE MADE AVAILABLE ON A YEARLY BASIS. NEW APPLICANTS WHO WISH TO APPLY FOR LOANS AND PRESENT RECIPIENTS WISHING TO APPLY FOR FURTHER LOANS IN THE COMING ACADEMIC YEAR MUST COMPLETE . A PRESCRIBED FORM.
APPLICANTS WHO INTEND TO ENTER THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG OR THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG SHOULD APPLY TO THE DEAN OF STUDENTS AND THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STUDENT AFFAIRS OF THE UNIVERSITIES, RESPECTIVELY.
THOSE WHO WISH TO ENTER THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC OR CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG SHOULD APPLY TO THE STUDENT AFFAIRS UNIT AND STUDENT AFFAIRS OFFICER OF THE POLYTECHNICS, RESPECTIVELY.
STUDENTS WISHING TO ENTER THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE SHOULD APPLY TO THE STUDENT FINANCIAL AID OFFICE OF THE COLLEGE.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION TO ALL THESE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IS OCTOBER 16.
APPLICANTS WHO WISH TO ENTER OTHER POST-SECONDARY COLLEGES, TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS ARE ADVISED TO OBTAIN AN APPLICATION FORM FROM THE OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, FIFTH FLOOR, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY. COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE RETURNED TO THE OFFICE BEFORE SEPTEMBER 15.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS FOR LOANS FROM EITHER LOAN FUND WILL BE REQUIRED TO ENTER INTO A FORMAL UNDERTAKING TO REPAY THEIR LOANS BY INSTALMENTS OF AT LEAST 10 PER CENT OF THEIR MONTHLY SALARY FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THEIR STUDIES.
-------O----------
TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1989
• 17 -
JUNE 1989 SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STARTS * t *
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS STARTED TO CONDUCT THE JUNE 1989 ROUND OF THE SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL IN MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY TO COLLECT INFORMATION CM EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL IN RESPECT OF THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1989.
THIS SURVEY IS CONDUCTED QUARTERLY AND THE SURVEY RESULTS ARE USEFUL IN PROVIDING SHORT-TERM ECONOMIC INDICATORS AS WELL AS INFORMATION ON THE STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE LABOUR MARKET IN HONG KONG.
THIS ROUND OF THE SURVEY COVERS ABOUT 114,000 ESTABLISHMENTS WHICH ARE DRAWN FROM VARIOUS SECTORS INCLUDING THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR (MINING AND QUARRYING; MANUFACTURING; ELECTRICITY AND GAS), THE DISTRIBUTIVE TRADES SECTOR (WHOLESALE, RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS) AND THE SERVICES SECTOR (TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION; FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES; COMMUNITY, SOCIAL AND PERSONAL SERVICES).
INFORMATION ON THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED AND EXISTING VACANCIES ON JUNE 30, 1989 WILL BE SOUGHT FROM EACH SELECTED ESTABLISHMENT.
SOME 10,000 ESTABLISHMENTS ARE RANDOMLY SELECTED FROM THIS SAMPLE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PAYROLL IN EACH OF THE THREE MONTHS DURING THE REFERENCE PERIOD OF APRIL-JUNE 1989.
ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE DISTRIBUTIVE TRADES SECTOR (WHOLESALE, RETAIL,IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS), WILL ALSO BE REQUESTED TO FURTHER PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE MAJOR KIND OF BUSINESS ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS ENDING JUNE 1989.
QUESTIONNAIRES ARE BEING MAILED TO INDIVIDUAL SAMPLE ESTABLISHMENTS. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDER 1982 (LEGAL NOTICE NO. 69 OF 1982, GAZETTED ON MARCH 5, 1982), ESTABLISHMENTS RECEIVING QUESTIONNAIRES ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THEM TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD.
SHOULD RESPONDENTS HAVE DIFFICULTIES IN COMPLETING THE FORMS, THEY ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT FOR ASSISTANCE ON 5-8235076.
AS FOR THOSE ESTABLISHMENTS KNOWN TO THE DEPARTMENT DURING APRIL-JUNE 1989, THEY WILL ALSO BE ENUMERATED IN ORDER TO MAKE THE SURVEY RESULTS COMPLETE.
FIELD OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT, EACH BEARING A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD, WILL CALL ON THESE ESTABLISHMENTS TO SOLICIT INFORMATION ON NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED, EXISTING VACANCIES, TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, NATURE OF BUSINESS AND DATE ON WHICH BUSINESS COMMENCED.
IN CASE OF ANY ENQUIRIES REGARDING THESE FIELD VISITS, THE DEPARTMENT MAY BE CONTACTED FOR ASSISTANCE ON 5-8234770.
-------O---------
/18........
TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1989
-18
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS * » * * *
IN YAU MA TEI
THE TRANSPORT MAIN LAYING WORKS IN WILL BE IMPLEMENTED
DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT KIMBERLEY STREET, TEMPORARY IN YAU MA TEI FROM 10 AM ON
TO FACILITATE WATER TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS THURSDAY (JUNE 29)
FOR ABOUT FOUR WEEKS.
KIMBERLEY STREET BETWEEN CARNARVON ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES TO THE EAST WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
THE RIGHT-TURN MOVEMENT FROM CARNARVON ROAD ONTO KIMBERLEY STREET WILL BE BANNED.
FROM A POINT ABOUT
IN ADDITION, KIMBERLEY STREET
50 METRES
EAST OE^Tr^JmAN'wiTHFAEN^TOi'ROAD TO ITS ACTION HTH SHOE YE?STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC FOR LOCAL ACCESS.
--------0 ----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING :
SENIOR MEMBER.RESTATES HK'S CASE ON RIGHT OF ABODE......... 1
IMPORTANCE OF UPHOLDING TRADITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES STRESSED.................................................. J
FIRM FOUNDATION LAID FOR WELFARE OF YOUNG: SEM................ 7
COMPREHENSIVE CHILD CARE POLICY NEEDED ....................... 8
GOVT CRITICISED ON KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION .................... 9
CHILD COMMISSION ADVOCATED ................................... 10
PRE-SCHOOL SERVICES A NECESSITY .............................. 12
FAMILIES IN NEW' TOWNS NEED HELP............................. 13
RIGHTS OF THE CHILD SHOULD BE RESPECTED...................... 1A
NATIONALITY IS AN INHERENT RIGHT FOR ALL .................... 15
VIOLENCE IN MASS MEDIA DAMAGING YOUNG MINDS ................. 16
GROWING DEMAND FOR DAY NURSERY CARE.......................... 17
CHILDREN DESERVE GOOD HEALTH CARE............................ 19
SOCIAL WORKERS CAN ADVISE CHILDREN ON HOME PROBLEMS ......... 21
STATUTORY FRAMEWORK FOR RADIO BROADCASTING LICENCES........ 2J
BILL EXTENDS BA'S POWER TO COVER RADIO BROADCASTING........ 25
BILL TO GIVE PRIVILEGES TO ICRC REGIONAL DELEGATION ......... 25
IMPROVEMENTS TO LEGAL AID SCHEME SOUGHT ..................... 27
/BILL CLARIFIES ......
BILL CLARIFIES POSITION ON ARBITRATION REPRESENTATION .... 28
BILL TO ALLOW BETTING ON PRESTIGIOUS RACES OUTSIDE HK .... 29
FLEXIBILITY ON APPOINTMENT OF BOARD CHAIRMAN SOUGHT....... JO
-'PHARMACY AND POISONS AMENDMENT REGULATIONS APPROVED........ JO
FEES UNDER RADIATION ORDINANCE AMENDED . i j-.-i-.-; ----J1--
GOVERNOR, SENIOR MEMBER PAY TRIBUTE TO RETIRING SEM ...... J2
CONSULTATION ON LAND RESUMPTION BY LDC ................... JJ
IMPACT OF AIRPORT NOISE TO BE MINIMISED .................... j4
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TWO ID CARDS EXPLAINED................... J5
MEASURES TO ABATE SMELL NUISANCE AT NULLAHS ................ J6
ADEQUATE CONTROL ON VEHICLE LAMPS ........................ j8
THREE BILLS PASSED ....................................... 39
JOINT EFFORTS REQUIRED TO PREVENT AND CONTROL AIDS ............ 4o
REVIEW OFFSYSTEM FOR CERTIFYING ORIGIN OF PRODUCTS COMPLETED 41 STI PRAISES SUPPLIERS OF PLASTIC MATERIALS .................... 4j
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF BRANCH RE-ENTRY PERMIT SECTION......... 44
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL .............................. 45
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN NORTH POINT.............................. 45
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
1
SENIOR MEMBER RESTATES HK’S CASE ON RIGHT OF ABODE ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
HONG KONG’S CASE ON A RIGHT OF ABODE IN BRITAIN FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE WAS REITERATED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE SENIOR MEMBER, THE HON ALLEN LEE.
IN A STATEMENT TO THE COUNCIL, MR LEE REFERRED TO THE VISIT THAT HE AND THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, THE HON DAME LYDIA DUNN, HAD MADE TO LONDON TO PRESS HONG KONG’S CASE ON THE ISSUE.
HE SAID THE THEME THEY HAD PUT BEFORE THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT COULD BE SUMMARISED AS FOLLOWS:
"HONG KONG IS OUR HOME. WE DO NOT WANT TO LEAVE. TO STAY, OUR ANXIETIES MUST BE ALLAYED. OUR ANXIETIES CAN ONLY BE ALLAYED IF THERE IS AN INSURANCE POLICY. BRITAIN HAS THE POWER, THE RESPONSIBILITY, TO PROVIDE US WITH THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN BRITAIN."
MR LEE SAID THAT SINCE THE SIGNING OF THE JOINT DECLARATION, MANY PEOPLE HAD SOUGHT AN INSURANCE POLICY IN THE FORM OF A SECOND PASSPORT SO THAT IF THE PROMISES IN THE JOINT DECLARATION WERE NOT KEPT, THEY WOULD AT LEAST HAVE AN ALTERNTIVE HOME, A HOME OF LAST RESORT.
HE SAID THE ANXIOUS SEARCH BY INCREASING NUMBERS FOR THIS FORM OF INSURANCE IN THE LAST FEW YEARS HAD BEEN DISRUPTIVE TO THE COMMUNITY AND THREATENED THE TERRITORY’S ECONOMIC GROWTH.
SOME HAD LEFT FOR GOOD. MANY FAMILIES HAD TO BE SEPARATED WITH ONE SPOUSE LIVING THOUSANDS OF MILES AWAY IN U.S.A.. CANADA OR AUSTRALIA TO QUALIFY FOR RESIDENCY.
"IT IS SAD TO SEE FAMILIES TORN APART BECAUSE THEY ARE WORRIED FOR THEIR FUTURE." HE SAID.
HE SAID THAT HONG KONG WAS VALUABLE TO CHINA. BUT HONG KONG’S CONTINUED SUCCESS AND ITS VALUE TO CHINA DEPENDED ON ITS PEOPLE. WITHOUT THEM, AND WITHOUT THEIR COMPLETE COMMITMENT, HONG KONG WOULD NOT THRIVE.
AND IF HONG KONG DID NOT REMAIN PROSPEROUS AND USEFUL TO CHINA, THERE WOULD BE LITTLE INCENTIVE FOR CHINA TO KEEP ITS PROMISE OF "ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS".
FOR THE SAKE OF HONG KONG’S FUTURE ROLE, THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG NEEDED AN INSURANCE NOW IN THE FORM OF A RIGHT OF ABODE IN BRITAIN IF THINGS DID NOT WORK OUT. THEY NEEDED THAT ASSURANCE WITHOUT HAVING TO LEAVE HONG KONG, HE SAID.
♦ "WE HAD A LARGE NUMBER OF INTERVIEWS FOR RADIO, TELEVISION AND PRINT MEDIA. THERE IS NOW A BETTER UNDERSTANDING ON THE PART OF THE BRITISH PUBLIC," HE SAID.
/THE RESPONSE .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
2
THE RESPONSE FROM THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT, HOWEVER, WAS FRANKLY DISAPPOINTING.
"THEIR LACK OF UNDERSTANDING AND LACK OF URGENCY IN DEALING WITH THE CURRENT CONFIDENCE CRISIS IN HONG KONG, IS TO SAY THE LEAST. BEYOND OUR BELIEF," HE SAID.
THEIR MEETING WITH THE PRIME MINISTER, HOWEVER. WAS MORE ENCOURAGING.
"SHE SAW THE URGENT NEED TO HELP TO RESTORE SOME CONFIDENCE IN THE HONG KONG PEOPLE," HE SAID.
"ALTHOUGH SHE SAID THERE ARE DIFFICULTIES IN GIVING THE RIGHT OF ABODE TO ALL BRITISH SUBJECTS, SHE PROMISED THAT A STATEMENT WILL SOON BE MADE BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT ON HOW MORE GENEROUS FLEXIBILITY WOULD BE EXERCISED UNDER THE NATIONALITY ACT AND IMMIGRATION RULES.
"WE TOLD THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS THAT NO MATTER WHAT POLITICAL DIFFICULTIES THERE ARE IN BRITAIN, BRITISH SUBJECTS IN HONG KONG ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT. IT IS UP TO THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO DISCHARGE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY."
MR LEE SAID THE MISSION TO LONDON WAS ONLY THE FIRST STEP IN PUTTING THE MESSAGE ACROSS. THE IMPRESSION HE HAD GAINED FROM THE PEOPLE HE AND DAME LYDIA HAD TALKED TO WAS THAT NO ONE HAD DENIED THAT THERE WAS A SEVERE CONFIDENCE PROBLEM IN HONG KONG THAT NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED.
"THE PRIME MINISTER QUICKLY ACCEPTED THAT WORDS ARE NO LONGER ENOUGH. PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WANT TO SEE ACTION," HE SAID.
MR LEE SERVED A REMINDER ON THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT THAT BRITISH SUBJECTS IN HONG KONG WERE BRITISH. "THEY ARE PEOPLE, PEOPLE WHO ARE BORN ON BRITISH SOIL OR WHO GAVE UP THEIR NATIONALITY TO SWEAR ALLEGIANCE TO THE QUEEN,” HE SAID.
"HOW CAN THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT SHIRK ITS RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS IT OWN SUBJECTS? HOW CAN IT HONOURABLY FACE ITS SUBJECTS AND THE REST OF THE WORLD?" HE ASKED.
HE RECALLED THAT IN 1986, THE THEN SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, DAME LYDIA, SPOKE IN THE COUNCIL ON THE SUBJECT OF MAKING FULL BRITISH CITIZENS OF THOSE WHO WERE OF NON-CHINESE DESCENT AND OF THOSE WHO HAD FOUGHT FOR THE DEFENCE OF BRITISH TERRITORY.
DAME LYDIA HAD SAID AT THAT TIME THAT: ’WE CAN ONLY ASK IN THIS WAY BECAUSE WE ARE NOT REPRESENTED IN PARLIAMENT. IF OUR REQUESTS ARE REJECTED, IT WILL ADD TO THE PROFOUND RESENTMENT FELT BY MANY OF BRITAIN’S MOST LOYAL SUBJECTS WHO WILL BELIEVE THEIR INTERESTS HAVE BEEN BETRAYED AND IT WILL BE SEEN BY THE PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD AS A MEAN AND UNWORTHY DENIAL OF THE JUST CLAIMS OF BRITAIN’S MOST VULNERABLE AND DESERVING NATIONALS.’
/MR LEE ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
3
MR LEE ENDED HIS STATEMENT BY ASSURING HONG KONG PEOPLE THAT OMELCO WOULD CONTINUE TO DO ITS UTMOST TO SEEK THE RESTORATION OF HONG KONG PEOPLE’S BIRTHRIGHT.
"IN THE MEANTIME, WE MUST WORK TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY. HONG KONG HAS COME A LONG WAY FROM BEING MERELY A FISHING PORT TO BECOMING A WORLD FAMOUS INTERNATIONAL CITY. THIS IS OUR HOME. A HOME THAT WE HAVE ALL CONTRIBUTED TO IN BUILDING AND IT IS WHERE WE WANT TO STAY," HE SAID.
----------0-------------
IMPORTANCE OF UPHOLDING TRADITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES STRESSED
*******
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON NIGEL SHIPMAN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) UNDERLINED THE IMPORTANCE OF UPHOLDING THE COMMUNITY'S TRADITIONAL AND RESPONSIBLE ATTITUDE TOWARDS CHILDREN.
"IN HONG KONG WE HAVE TRADITIONALLY FELT A GREAT SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR CHILDREN, AND AS PARENTS WE ARE WILLING TO MAKE GREAT SACRIFICES TO PROVIDE THEM WITH A PROMISING FUTURE. WE MUST ENSURE THAT THIS ATTITUDE WILL NOT BE ERODED BY THE PRESSURES OF A MODERN URBAN ENVIRONMENT," HE SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
SPEAKING IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON WELFARE OF CHILDREN IN HONG KONG, MR SHIPMAN STRESSED THE RIGHTS AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN WERE OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE.
"TO RAISE A CHILD IS PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITY WITH WHICH WE ARE ENTRUSTED. MOST PARENTS IN HONG KONG TAKE THIS RESPONSIBILITY SERIOUSLY AND COPE WELL WITH ITS DEMANDS," MR SHIPMAN SAID.
"HONG KONG IS FORTUNATE IN THAT IT COMBINES TRADITIONAL CHINESE ATTACHMENT TO WELL-BROUGHT-UP CHILDREN WITH FINE MODERN FACILITIES IN THE MEDICAL, EDUCATIONAL AND WELFARE FIELDS.
"THERE ARE HOWEVER SHORTFALLS, AND DEFICIENCIES IN SEVERAL AREAS AS MEMBERS HAVE POINTED OUT AND WE MUST ENSURE THAT OUR SERVICES KEEP ABREAST WITH EVOLVING NEEDS," HE SAID.
MR SHIPMAN NOTED THE POINTS MADE BY MEMBERS REGARDING RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION ON MARCH 8 THIS YEAR THAT A DRAFT CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD SHOULD BE ADOPTED BY THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
"IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE ASSEMBLY WILL CONSIDER THIS TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR. IF ADOPTED, IT WILL OPEN FOR SIGNATURE AND RATIFICATION BY ALL MEMBERS OF THE UN, INCLUDING THE UNITED KINGDOM," HE SAID.
/"AT PRESENT.......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
4
"AT PRESENT, WE ARE STUDYING THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE DRAFT CONVENTION’S PROVISIONS MAY BE OBSERVED IN HONG KONG. AS WELL AS ANY CHANGES IN OUR LEGISLATION THAT MAY BE NECESSARY IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH THE CONVENTION," HE ADDED.
MR SHIPMAN OUTLINED THE WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES AND FACILITIES AVAILABLE TO PARENTS AND CHILDREN IN THE MEDICAL, HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE FIELDS WHICH UNDERLINED THE HIGH PRIORITY THE GOVERNMENT PLACED ON PROMOTING THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF CHILDREN.
ON MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, MR SHIPMAN SAID THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PROVIDED A NETWORK OF 45 FAMILY HEALTH CENTRES WHICH OFFERED BY A FULL RANGE OF MEDICAL CARE TO PREGNANT MOTHERS AND BABIES UP TO THE AGE OF FIVE.
"THERE ARE PLANS TO OPEN A FURTHER EIGHT CENTRES OVER THE
NEXT
FIVE YEARS," HE SAID.
"THE SUCCESS OF THESE SERVICES CAN BE ILLUSTRATED BY HONG KONG’S VERY LOW INFANT AND MATERNAL MORTALITY RATES," MR SHIPMAN SAID.
INFANT MORTALITY DROPPED FROM 37.7 PER THOUSAND LIVE BIRTHS IN 1961 TO 7.6 IN 1988. THE MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE DROPPED FROM 0.45 PER THOUSAND TOTAL BIRTHS TO 0.04 OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
"THESE FIGURES ARE AMONG THE BEST IN THE WORLD," HE SAID.
MR SHIPMAN NOTED THAT THE INCIDENCE OF DISEASE AMONG HONG KONG CHILDREN WAS LOW, WITH MOST SERIOUS CHILDHOOD INFECTIOUS DISEASES HAVING BEEN BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL OR VIRTUALLY ERADICATED.
"WHILE THE SERVICES IN OUTPATIENT CLINICS AND PUBLIC HOSPITALS ARE AVAILABLE TO CHILDREN AS WELL AS ADULTS, CHILDREN ENJOY THE ADDITIONAL BENEFITS PROVIDED BY THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE, WHICH ENABLES PARENTS TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO CONSULT A PRIVATE DOCTOR OF THEIR CHOICE IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT," HE SAID.
MR SHIPMAN SAID AS FOR THE LONGER TERM, THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE WOULD BE INCLUDED WITHIN A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE WHICH WOULD GET UNDERWAY NEXT MONTH.
MR SHIPMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S APPROACH HAD BEEN TO DEVELOP PAEDIATRIC UNITS WITHIN GENERAL HOSPITALS RATHER THAN TO ESTABLISH SEPARATE PAEDIATRIC HOSPITALS. ACCORDINGLY PAEDIATRIC UNITS WERE PROVIDED IN MOST OF THE MAJOR HOSPITALS. THE 1.420 PAEDIATRIC BEDS PROVIDED IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS WERE AT PRESENT ADEQUATE AND THE AVERAGE UTILISATION RATE LAST YEAR WAS ONLY 67 PER CENT.
"NONETHELESS, THERE ARE PLANS TO PROVIDE A FURTHER 647 BEDS BY 1993, SO THAT NEW POPULATION AREAS WILL BE SERVED," HE SAID.
ON DENTAL HEALTH, MR SHIPMAN SAID THE WATER FLUORIDATION PROGRAMME WAS ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL INTERNATIONALLY AND THIS, TOGETHER WITH THE SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE WHICH WAS AVAILABLE TO ALL PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN, HAD LED TO A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN DENTAL HEALTH.
/A REVIEW .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
5
A REVIEW OF DENTAL POLICY WAS PRESENTLY BEING UNDERTAKEN BY A SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND PROPOSALS RELATING TO THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF DENTAL SERVICES FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN MIGHT EMANATE FROM THIS WIDER REVIEW.
TURNING TO SOCIAL WELFARE. MR SHIPMAN SAID THAT BY AND LARGE. HONG KONG PARENTS HAD BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE A STABLE AND LOVING ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THEIR CHILDREN COULD DEVELOP TO THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL.
"TO FOSTER GOOD FAMILY RELATIONS, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE VARIOUS VOLUNTARY AGENCIES ENERGETICALLY PROMOTE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PROGRAMMES."
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED THE IMPORTANCE OF DAY CRECHES AND NURSERIES IN HELPING PARENTS COPE WITH THE DEMANDS OF A BUSY WORKING LIFE AND THE CARE OF THEIR YOUNG CHILDREN.
MR SHIPMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED THAT THE CURRENT PROVISION OF 19,000 AIDED NURSERY PLACES WAS INSUFFICIENT TO MEET GROWING DEMAND.
"TO REDUCE THE RISK OF PARENTS LEAVING YOUNG CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME, OR WITH INEXPERIENCED CHILD-MINDERS, IT IS PLANNED THAT 1,600 ADDITIONAL PLACES WILL BE PROVIDED EACH YEAR UNTIL THE DEMAND IS MET." HE SAID.
"THE POSSIBILITY OF PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARENTS TO PLACE THEIR YOUNG CHILDREN IN NURSERIES OR CRECHES FOR SHORT PERIODS OF TIME IS UNDER CONSIDERATION," HE SAID.
TURNING TO FAMILY BREAKDOWN OR DISHARMONY, MR SHIPMAN NOTED THAT CHILDREN OFTEN SUFFERED THE MOST FROM SUCH SITUATIONS, SOMETIMES RESULTING IN CHILDREN HAVING TO BE CARED FOR AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES.
"BECAUSE OF THE IMPORTANCE ATTACHED TO MAINTAINING THE CHILD WITHIN THE FAMILY WHEREVER POSSIBLE, INSTITUTIONAL CARE IS ALWAYS TREATED AS THE LAST RESORT.
"WHENEVER POSSIBLE, CHILDREN ARE PLACED IN ONE OF 12 SMALL GROUP HOMES’ OR WITH FOSTER FAMILIES. IT IS HOPED THAT THESE FACILITIES CAN PROVIDE THE BEST ALTERNATIVE TO THEIR OWN FAMILIES," HE SAID.
A STEERING GROUP, COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, WAS REVIEWING THE DEMAND, PROVISION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE VARIOUS TYPES OF RESIDENTIAL CARE SERVICES AND REGULAR REPORTS WERE BEING SUBMITTED, MR SHIPMAN SAID.
IN ORDER TO HELP CHILDREN FROM BECOMING SUBJECTED TO UNDESIRABLE INFLUENCE. HE SAID THERE WERE 20 OUTREACHING SOCIAL WORK TEAMS WHOSE STAFF TRIED TO ESTABLISH DIRECT CONTACT WITH VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN PLACES WHICH THEY FREQUENTED, SUCH AS PUBLIC PLAYGROUNDS.
/ON CHILD .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
6
ON CHILD ABUSE, MR SHIPMAN SAID IT WAS SOMETHING WHICH WE ALL VIEWED WITH REPUGNANCE, AND IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT WE DID ALL WE COULD TO GUARD AGAINST IT.
HE NOTED THAT PROPOSALS ON HOW CASES OF SUSPECTED PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE SHOULD BE HANDLED WOULD SOON BE PUT TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOLLOWING A REVIEW OF THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND JUVENILES ORDINANCE.
"INDEPENDENTLY, WE ARE CONSIDERING, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR WHETHER THE DEFINITION OF CHILD ABUSE CAN BE IMPROVED SO THAT IT REFLECTS MORE CLOSELY THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
ON REHABILITATION, MR SHIPMAN POINTED OUT THAT OVER THE PAST TWO DECADES, HONG KONG’S REHABILITATION SERVICES HAD GROWN FROM THE MOST RUDIMENTARY TO THE WIDE-RANGING AND SOPHISTICATED RANGE THAT EXISTED TODAY.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ALTHOUGH THERE WERE NOW 71 SPECIAL SCHOOLS, THERE WAS A SERIOUS SHORTFALL OF SCHOOLS FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.
"EFFORTS ARE BEING MADE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PLACES AND IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT DEMAND WILL BE FULLY MET WITHIN FIVE YEARS. TO AMELIORATE THE IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS DUE TO THE SHORTFALL, HOME-BASED RESOURCE TEACHING IS ARRANGED FOR THOSE WITHOUT A SCHOOL PLACE," HE SAID.
"FOR OLDER DISABLED CHILDREN, SOCIAL CENTRES ARE AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING SOCIAL SKILLS AND PURSUING INTERESTS," HE ADDED.
"IN SCHOOLS, TRAINING CENTRES AND SOCIAL CENTRES, PERSONAL HYGIENE AND SEX EDUCATION ARE INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAMME. THIS TRAINING IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT FOR THE MENTALLY RETARDED WHO NEED TO BE PROTECTED AGAINST SEXUAL ABUSE," MR SHIPMAN POINTED OUT.
CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS HAD ALSO BEEN MADE IN IMPROVING RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN. MOREOVER ALL RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMES ORGANISED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS WERE OPEN TO DISABLED CHILDREN.
/7 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
7
FIRM FOUNDATION LAID FOR WELFARE OF YOUNG: SEM
******
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DEVELOPED A COMPREHENSIVE SET OF REGULATIONS TO PREVENT THE ECONOMIC EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID THE BASIC PROVISIONS IN THE AREAS OF EDUCATION AND PROTECTION AGAINST EXPLOITATION LAID A FIRM FOUNDATION FOR THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE.
SPEAKING IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN IN HONG KONG, MR BRIDGE SAID THAT WITH A FIRM FOUNDATION THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NOW BE ABLE TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION.
ON PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION, MR BRIDGE SAID THE ISSUE WAS BEING STUDIED AND CONSULTATION BEING CARRIED OUT.
"ONCE THE MAIN OUTLINES OF A POLICY HAVE BEEN APPROVED, OUR INTENTION IS TO INVOLVE THOSE WORKING IN THE PRE-PRIMARY SECTOR IN A JOINT WORKING GROUP, WHICH WILL MONITOR PROGRESS ON IMPLEMENTING THE POLICY, ADVISE US HOW TO DEAL WITH THE PRACTICAL PROBLEMS INVOLVED IN UNIFYING ALL SERVICES FOR PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN AND CONSIDER ANY NEW PROPOSALS WHICH MAY BE MADE," HE SAID.
ON THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION. MR BRIDGE SAID SCHOOLS WOULD BE CONSULTED IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS ON MEASURES AIMED AT IMPROVING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ENGLISH-MEDIUM SECONDARY EDUCATION.
MR BRIDGE POINTED OUT THAT SCHOOLS ALONE COULD NOT BEAR THE WHOLE BURDEN OF DEVELOPING MATURE, RESPONSIBLE ADULTS.
"SOCIETY AS A WHOLE AND PARENTS IN PARTICULAR EXERCISE A STRONG INFLUENCE ON HOW CHILDREN GROW UP.
"OUR SCHOOLS, HOWEVER, ARE NOT SIMPLY KNOWLEDGE FACTORIES. THE CURRICULUM HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED OVER THE YEARS FROM A NARROWLY ACADEMIC ONE TO ONE AIMED AT DEVELOPING CHILDREN NOT ONLY INTELLECTUALLY BUT ALSO MORALLY AND AESTHETICALLY," HE SAID.
MR BRIDGE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT RECENT EVENTS IN CHINA HAD ENSURED THAT CHILDREN IN HONG KONG NOW KNEW SOMETHING ABOUT FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY AND THEIR IMPORTANCE FOR THE FUTURE OF CHINA AND OF HONG KONG.
_ _ _ _ o - - - -
/8 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
COMPREHENSIVE CHILD CARE POLICY NEEDED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WAS URGED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO MAP OUT A COMPREHENSIVE CHILD CARE POLICY AND TO TAKE A CO-ORDINATED APPROACH TOWARDS THE PROVISION AND MONITORING OF CHILD CARE SERVICES.
THE HON HUI YIN-FAT CALLED FOR THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHEN MOVING A MOTION ON THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN IN HONG KONG.
THE WORDING OF HIS MOTION WAS: "TO MARK THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE CHILD, THIS COUNCIL URGES THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY TO TAKE ACTION ON PROTECTING THE RIGHTS AND IMPROVING THE WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN IN -HONG KONG."
LEADING OFF THE DEBATE, MR HUI SAID THIS YEAR ALSO WITNESSED THE COMPLETION OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE C&ILD LAUNCHED IN 1979.
"THE CONVENTION, CONTAINING STATEMENTS ON HUMAN RIGHTS GEARED *TO THE NEEDS OF THE CHILD, IS DESIGNED TO LAY DOWN INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHILDERN ALL OVER THE WORLD," HE SAID.
FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE DEBATE, A CHILD WAS DEFINED AS A PERSON AGED UNDER 18.
AMONG OTHER THINGS, MR HUI SUGGESTED THAT LEGISLATION SHOULD BE STREAMLINED TO GIVE PROTECTION TO CHILDREN AGAINST PARENTAL NEGLECT AND ABUSE.
IN THIS RESPECT, THERE WAS A NEED TO REVIEW THE DEFINITION OF '"CHILD ABUSE" IN LAW TO INCLUDE PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE AND TO GIVE CLEARER IDENTIFICATION OF CHILD MALTREATMENT, HE SAID.
MOREOVER, HONG KONG SHOULD BECOME A SIGNATORY OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION AND THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO PUBLICISE THIS INTERNATIONAL LEGAL DOCUMENT IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN AND PROMOTE THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD.
HE HOPED THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING THE NEEDS FOR CHILD CARE SERVICES BASED ON AN NON-INSTITUTIONAL APPROACH THROUGH THE PROVISION OF ADEQUATE SUPPORT SERVICES OF ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS, AS WOULD BE OUTLINED BY THE COUNCILLORS IN THE DEBATE.
"COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IS INDISPENSABLE FOR CREATING A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT THAT MEETS THE SOCIAL, RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN AND IS CONDUCIVE TO THEIR PROPER GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT," MR HUI NOTED.
HE CRITICISED THE GOVERNMENT FOR PAYING ONLY LIP SERVICE BY SIMPLY PROVIDING RESIDUAL CHILD CARE SERVICES MAINLY FOR PROBLEM FAMILIES.AND PEOPLE LEAST ABLE TO HELP THEMSELVES.
/WITHOUT A
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
9
WITHOUT A CLEARLY STATED POLICY, SERVICE PROVIDERS, PARENTS AND EDUCATORS WERE IN A QUANDARY OVER THE FUTURE DIRECTION OF CARE AND PROTECTION FOR CHILDREN.
"INDEED, HONG KONG IS AT BEST OFFERING CHILD MINDING SERVICES TO OUR YOUNGER GENERATION, AND A BIG NUMBER OF THEM ARE STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE IN THIS TRAGIC PLIGHT," MR HUI SAID.
"HONG KONG NEEDS A CARING SOCIETY -- RESPONSIBLE PARENTS WHO ARE NOT IGNORANT, CHILD CARE WORKERS AND EDUCATORS WHO CAN GUIDE CHILDREN TO LEARN AND BEAR RESPONSIBILITY, AND THE MASS MEDIA WHOSE POSITIVE INFLUENCE CONSUMMATES THE OBJECTIVES OF TRUE EDUCATION.
"ONLY THROUGH AN INTER-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH CAN THE SPIRIT OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION BE FULLY ENHANCED."
CONTENDING THAT CHILDREN WERE THE PEDESTAL OF OUR SOCIETY AND THAT THEIR FUTURE LAY IN OUR HANDS, MR HUI SAID IT WAS OUR INHERENT DUTY TO TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT THEIR RIGHTS AND IMPROVE THEIR WELL-BEING.
"LET'S SAVE OUR CHILDREN, NOW," MR HUI URGED.
----------o-------------
GOVT CRITICISED ON KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION *****
THE GOVERNMENT WAS CRITICISED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) FOR SHOWING LITTLE DETERMINATION AND COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING THE STANDARD AND QUALITY OF KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION AND FOR ALLOWING A GRADUAL DETERIORATION IN THE STATE OF AFFAIRS IN THIS IMPORTANT, THOUGH ELEMENTARY, SECTOR OF EDUCATION.
THE CRITICISM CAME FROM THE HON SELINA CHOW WHO CONCENTRATED ON PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN IN HONG KONG.
NOTING THAT ONLY 0.024 PER CENT OF THE GOVERNMENT'S TOTAL EXPENDITURE IN THE YEAR 1988-89 WAS SPENT ON KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION, MRS CHOW SAID THE AUTHORITIES’ FAILURE OR REFUSAL TO DO MORE HAD DENIED THE YOUNG PARENTS OF THESE CHILDREN AN EDUCATION SERVICE WHICH THEY REGARDED AS NOT ONLY DESIRABLE BUT NECESSARY.
MRS CHOW ALSO CRITICISED THE "TOTALLY CLOSED-DOOR NATURE" OF THE WORKING GROUP SET UP TWO YEARS AGO TO LOOK AT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS ON PRE-PRIMARY SERVICES CONTAINED IN THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO.2.
/"WHAT IS .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 3,989
10
"WHAT IS TO BE GAINED BY SHUTTING OUT COMPLETELY THE OPERATORS AND THE PROFESSIONALS FROM THE PROCESS OF DELIBERATION AND PLANNING?
"IS THE GOVERNMENT NOT AWARE THAT THERE ARE EXTREMELY COMPETENT BODIES SUCH AS THE ALLIANCE ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF PRE-PRIMARY POLICIES AND NON-PROFIT-MAKING KINDERGARTEN COUNCIL OF HONG KONG WHO COULD RENDER EXCELLENT AND INVALUABLE ADVICE?
"WHY IS THERE NO PLACE FOR THEM IN TODAY’S OPEN GOVERNMENT? SHE ASKED.
MRS CHOW URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO SHARE ITS PLANS AND INVIT.U VIEWS FROM "OUTSIDE THE MANDARIN’S CASTLE" AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, WITH THE CLEAR OBJECTIVES OF TACKLING THE PROBLEMS EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY.
THE PROFESSIONAL LEVEL OF KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS COULD BE UPGRADED BY SETTING AN ACCEPTABLE SALARY LEVEL, AND BY SUBSIDISING THE SALARIES OF TEACHERS IN NON-PROFIT-MAKING, WELL-OPERATED KINDERGARTENS WHICH WERE SUFFERING FINANCIALLY, SHE SUGGESTED.
ON THE TAKE-UP RATE OF FEE ASSISTANCE BY ELIGIBLE PARENTS, WHICH STOOD AT A DISMAL RATE OF 1.94 PER CENT IN 1988-89, SHE CALLED FOR CHANGES TO THE PRESENT SYSTEM IMMEDIATELY SO THAT THE SCHEME BENEFITTED AS MANY OF THOSE WHO WERE ELIGIBLE AS POSSIBLE.
-------0----------
CHILD COMMISSION ADVOCATED * * » *
A CHILD COMMISSION SHOULD BE SET UP IN HONG KONG TO ENSURE THAT THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN HERE ARE MET, AND TO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE SERVICES FOR THEM. DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE DEBATE ON THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN IN HONG KONG. DR IP SAID A CHILD COMMISSION SHOULD CARRY ON WITH THE CO-ORDINATION AND EVALUATION WORK OF THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE CHILD COMMISSION.
THIS WAS SET UP 10 YEARS AGO TO ADDRESS THE QUESTION WHETHER SERVICES FOR CHILDREN IN HONG KONG WERE IN KEEPING WITH THE UNITED NATIONS DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD.
THE COMMISSION WAS WOUND DOWN IN 1987.
WHILE AGREEING THAT HONG KONG HAD ACHIEVED MUCH IN MEETING THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN OVER THE PAST DECADE. DR IP STRESSED THAT WE STILL HAD A LONG WAY TO GO.
/"A FEW ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
11
"A FEW HUNDRED HANDICAPPED SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN ARE STILL NOT RECEIVING SPECIAL EDUCATION IN A SCHOOL SETTING.
'AND ALTHOUGH SEX EDUCATION IS NOW TAUGHT EVEN IN THE SCHOOLS FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED. WE ARE SEEING SEXUAL ABUSE OF SEVERELY MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN TO THE POINT OF PREGNANCY, AND MILDLY MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN ARE LURED INTO SELLING SEX FOR MONEY.
"LAST BUT NOT LEAST. THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONCEPT OF FAMILY COURTS TO INCLUDE PRECEDING CONCILIATION MEETINGS IN DIVORCE MATTERS INVOLVING CHILDREN FOR THE CHILDREN'S BENEFIT IS STILL BEING KEENLY AWAITED," DR IP SAID AS SHE CITED AREAS THAT NEEDED IMPROVEMENT.
ON EDUCATION, DR IP REGRETTED THAT THE MAJORITY OF KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS WERE STILL UNQUALIFIED AND WERE FAILING TO MAXIMISE THE FULL INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL OF CHILDREN AT THIS MOST IMPORTANT PERIOD OF A CHILD’S LIFE.
BESIDES, KINDGARTEN PREMISES LACKED SPACE FOR CHILDREN TO PLAY SO AS TO MAXIMISE THEIR PHYSICAL GROWTH POTENTIAL. PRIMARY SCHOOLS, THOUGH WITH REASONABLE SPACE, FAILED TO ALLOW ADEQUATE TIME FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION BECAUSE OF THEIR BISESSIONAL STATUS.
IN ADDITION, THE PHYSICAL GROWTH OF OUR CHILDREN WAS RETARDED BY THE NEED TO CARRY BAGS OF SCHOOL BOOKS ON THEIR BACKS WHILE BISESSIONAL SCHOOLS OFTEN SUBJECTED DEVELOPING CHILDREN TO MISSING BREAKFAST OR EATING IT HURRIEDLY WITHOUT REST IN ORDER TO GET TO SCHOOL ON TIME AND NOT TO HAVE LUNCH UNTIL AFTER TWO O’CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON.
ALL THESE MATTERS WERE DETRIMENTAL TO THE NORMAL HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN. DR IP POINTED OUT.
ANOTHER AREA OF CONCERN HIGHLIGHTED BY DR IP WAS A FAILURE TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS AS THE MAJOR CAUSE OF DEATH IN CHILDREN BETWEEN ONE TO FOUR YEARS OLD.
SHE WAS ALSO ALARMED THAT ROAD ACCIDENTS INVOLVING CHILDREN UNDER 15 WERE ON THE RISE AND THAT THE ACT OF LEAVING CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME HAD RESULTED IN INJURIES OR DEATH.
----------0-------------
/12 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
12
PRE-SCHOOL SERVICES A NECESSITY
*****
PRE-SCHOOL SERVICES IN HONG KONG HAVE BECOME A NECESSITY RATHER THAN A LUXURY, AND THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO BE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN SUPPORTING THE IMPROVEMENT OF QUALITY IN CHILD CARE AND KINDERGARTEN SERVICES, THE HON RITA FAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DEBATE ON THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN, MRS FAN SAID THE ARTIFICIAL DIVISION BETWEEN CHILD CARE CENTRES AND THE KINDERGARTENS UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF TWO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WAS CONFUSING AND UNNECESSARY.
SHE SAID THE CARE, GUIDANCE AND EDUCATION NEEDED BY CHILDREN ATTENDING CHILD CARE CENTRES AND KINDERGARTENS WERE BASICALLY THE SAME.
IN PLANNING FOR PRE-SCHOOL SERVICES, THE EMPHASIS MUST BE ON THE CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT AT VARIOUS STAGES RATHER THAN ON ADMINISTRATIVE CONVENIENCE.
MRS FAN NOTED THAT THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER HAD INDICATED IN MAY THAT PROPOSALS ON PRE-PRIMARY SERVICES WERE NEARLY READY FOR SUBMISSION TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
"I WOULD URGE THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO GIVE FULL AND DETAILED CONSIDERATION TO THE PROPOSALS AND COMMENTS OF THE ALLIANCE ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF PRE-PRIMARY POLICIES," SHE SAID.
SHE NOTED THAT THE ALLIANCE WAS LED BY HEADS AND TEACHERS OF KINDERGARTENS WITH YEARS OF FIELD EXPERIENCE, AND THEY DID HAVE FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE OF THE DIFFICULTIES.
MRS FAN ALSO SUPPORTED THE SUGGESTION THAT SECONDARY FIVE LEVEL BE THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENT FOR CHILD CARE WORKERS AND KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS AFTER 1991 SO AS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE FRONT-LINE WORKERS.
"THIRDLY, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ACCEPTABLE PROPOSALS COMING FORWARD EVEN THOUGH IT MAY TAKE MORE TIME IN CONSULTATION WITH INVOLVED PARTIES IN THE FIELD, RATHER THAN A SET OF PROPOSALS WHICH ARE ATTRACTIVE ON PAPER BUT FAIL TO GAIN THE CONFIDENCE OF THOSE WHO HAVE A VITAL ROLE TO PLAY IN THE IMPLEMENTATION," SHE SAID.
TURNING TO SERVICES FOR GIFTED CHILDREN, MRS FAN SAID THESE CHILDREN RAN THE RISK OF BOREDOM, FRUSTRATION AND SUPPRESSION OF THEIR GIFTS IF THEIR ABILITIES WERE NOT RECOGNISED IN TIME TO PREVENT SERIOUS EDUCATIONAL OR OTHER PROBLEMS.
/"IT IS .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
13
’’IT IS RECKONED THAT ABOUT 20,000 GIFTED CHILDREN IN THE AGE OF SIX TO 18 ARE CURRENTLY WITHIN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM. THE FIRST STEP IS TO IDENTIFY THEM,” MRS FAN SAID.
WITHIN THE HONG KONG CONTEXT. IT WAS NECESSARY TO DECIDE WHETHER THESE CHILDREN SHOULD BE PLACED IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS OR SHOULD REMAIN IN AN ORDINARY SCHOOL WHICH WOULD DEVISE SUITABLE PROGRAMMES FOR THEM.
’’THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FAVOURED THE LATTER APPROACH BECAUSE SEGREGATION IS NOT BENEFICIAL TO THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF A GIFTED CHILD WHO MAY WELL A BECOME FUTURE LEADER OF THE COMMUNITY,” SHE SAID.
HOWEVER. TEACHERS AND PARENTS NEEDED TO APPRECIATE MORE FULLY AND DEEPLY THE NEEDS OF THESE CHILDREN AND THEIR PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT. THERE WAS ALSO A NEED FOR DEVELOPMENT OF RESOURCE MATERIAL AND THE SETTING UP OF A RESOURCE CENTRE TO ASSIST TEACHERS.
"THE BOARD OF EDUCATION SUPPORTED THE PROPOSAL TO IMPLEMENT A PILOT PROJECT TO BE CARRIED OUT IN SOME 20 PRIMARY SCHOOLS FOR THREE YEARS, AND HAVE THAT APPROACH EXTENDED TO 20 SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THE THIRD YEAR," SHE SAID.
-----0 - - - -
FAMILIES IN NEW TOWNS NEED HELP
******
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD LOOK CLOSELY INTO MARITAL PROBLEMS, CHILD ABUSE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE THAT OCCUR IN THE NEW TOWNS, AND SHOULD WORK OUT NECESSARY MEASURES TO ASSIST FAMILIES THAT NEED HELP, THE HON TAI CHIN-WAH, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE DEBATE ON CHILD WELFARE, HE SAID THE MEASURES SHOULD INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF ADEQUATE DAY-CARE CENTRE PLACEMENTS FOR CHILDREN UNDER SIX, CHILDREN CENTRES OR AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMMES FOR SCHOOL-AGE STUDENTS, AND FAMILY COUNSELLING SERVICES FOR THOSE IN NEED OF IN-DEPTH COUNSELLING.
HE SAID PREFERABLY A TASK-FORCE COMPOSED OF EXPERIENCED SOCIAL WORKERS, POLICE OFFICERS, AND OTHER PERSONNEL OR PROFESSIONALS SHOULD BE SET UP TO DEAL WITH CASES WHICH WOULD COME UP PERIODICALLY.
IF A CHILD HAD TO BE TAKEN AWAY FROM HIS OR HER NATURAL FAMILY DUE TO MORE SEVERE PROBLEMS, CAREFUL ASSESSMENT SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT BY PROFESSIONALS BEFORE ANY ACTION WAS TAKEN, HE SAID.
"IF IT WOULD BE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD TO STAY IN ANOTHER ENVIRONMENT, 1 WOULD SUGGEST THAT THE PROFESSIONAL OR SOCIAL WORKER SHOULD FIRSTLY CONSIDER PLACING THE CHILD IN THE CLOSEST RELATIVES’ FAMILY SO THAT HE OR SHE CAN STILL ENJOY A NORMAL FAMILY LIFE.
/"IF THIS ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
14
"IF THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE, IT WOULD BE DESIRABLE TO PLACE THE CHILD IN A NON-INSTITUTIONAL FACILITY SUCH AS A FOSTER HOME OR A SMALL GROUP HOME RUN BY A WELFARE ORGANISATION RATHER THAN TO PLACE THE CHILD IN A LARGE INSTITUTION WHERE THE CHILD’S ADJUSTMENT WILL BE A PROBLEM."
NOTING THAT THE PROBLEM OF MISSING TEENAGE GIRLS AND PROSTITUTION INVOLVING YOUNG PERSONS IN HONG KONG WAS BECOMING MORE AND MORE SERIOUS, MR CHIN STRESSED THAT IT WAS THE CHILD’S RIGHT TO HAVE PROTECTION FROM SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE, INCLUDING PROSTITUTION AND INVOLVEMENT IN PORNOGRAPHY.
HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THIS AND ARRANGE BETTER CO-ORDINATION AMONG THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND ORGANISATIONS CONCERNED WITH THIS PROBLEM.
MR TAI ALSO ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO MARRIAGE PROBLEMS AND ONE-PARENT FAMILIES AS THE RATE OF DIVORCE WAS RISING RAPIDLY, PARTICULARLY IN THE NEW TOWNS.
HE SUGGESTED THE SETTING UP SPECIAL FAMILY COURTS TO FOSTER THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE JUDICIARY, SOCIAL WELFARE AGENCIES AND THE POLICE, AND IN RESPECT OF FAMILY MATTERS AND AFFAIRS WHICH WERE IN DISPUTE.
"THIS WOULD ENABLE THE COURT NOT ONLY TO PUT THE LAW INTO PRACTICE IN RESPECT OF MATRIMONIAL MATTERS BUT ALSO ENLIST THE SUPPORT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES MORE EFFECTIVELY."
FINALLY, HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO SUPPORT THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD WHEN IT IS FORMALLY ANNOUNCED. HE SAID THAT A WORKING GROUP SHOULD BE FORMED TO OVERSEE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONVENTION’S PROVISIONS.
-------0---------
RIGHTS OF THE CHILD SHOULD BE RESPECTED *****
OUR HOPE FOR A BETTER TOMORROW MUST BE TO ENSURE THE WELL-BEING OF OUR YOUNG AND TO RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD, THE HON EDWARD HO SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN IN HONG KONG, MR HO SAID THAT ADULTS TENDED TO ONLY CONSIDER MATTERS AT THEIR OWN LEVEL AND TO FORGET THAT CHILDREN HAD RIGHTS TOO.
HE STRESSED THAT CHILDREN HAD THE RIGHT TO BE AFFORDED THE NECESSARY PROTECTION AND ASSURANCE OF THEIR HARMONIOUS DEVELOPMENT.
MR HO SAID THAT EMOTIONAL OR BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS IN ADULTS WERE OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH UNHAPPY CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES, AND THAT CHILDREN FROM BROKEN HOMES HAD GREATER TENDENCIES TO DEVELOP ANTI-SOCIAL PROBLEMS.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
15
HE SAID HE WAS CONVINCED THAT THE TEACHERS HAD A LOT TO DO WITH WHETHER THE CHILD COULD SUCCESSFULLY OVERCOME EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS, AND TEACHERS NEEDED TO UNDERSTAND THE PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS OF THE CHILD.
"THEY NEED TO REALISE THAT THEIR JOBS ARE NOT JUST TO IMPART KNOWLEDGE, AND THAT THEIR ATTITUDES TO THEIR STUDENTS HAVE STRONG AND LASTING IMPACT ON THEIR DEVELOPMENT," HE SAID.
HE ALSO EMPHASISED A NEED TO TRAIN IN-SERVICE TEACHERS IN CHILD PSYCHOLOGY.
TURNING TO PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION, MR HO SAID THERE WAS A NEED FOR A PROPER PRE-SCHOOL CURRICULUM, WHICH STIMULATED CHILDREN’S INTEREST AND IMAGINATION, BUT WHICH WOULD NOT GO BEYOND THE LEARNING CAPABILITIES OF THEIR AGE.
"WE SHOULD ALSO ENSURE THAT ONLY TEACHERS PROPERLY QUALIFIED TO TAKE CARE OF THE YOUNG WOULD BE EMPLOYED," HE SAID.
MR HO SAID THE TWO MAJOR ELEMENTS EXERTING INFLUENCES ON CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHILD WERE THE FAMILY AND THE SCHOOL.
HE SAID THAT FOR CHILDREN FROM PROBLEM FAMILIES, IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH THE FAMILY, AND THE SCHOOL THEREFORE PLAYED AN EVEN MORE VITAL ROLE IN HELPING THE TROUBLED CHILD.
"THE SCHOOL ALSO HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF INSTILLING IN THE YOUNG A HEALTHY ATTITUDE TO INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, AND TO LOVE, COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE," HE ADDED.
---------0 - - - -
NATIONALITY IS AN INHERENT RIGHT FOR ALL * » » » «
NATIONALITY IS AN INHERENT RIGHT FUNDAMENTAL TO ALL CHILDREN FOR WITHOUT NATIONALITY THEY HAVE NO IDENTITY, AND CANNOT BE EXPECTED TO GROW AND DEVELOP AND LIVE AS DIGNIFIED HUMAN BEINGS.
THE HON RONALD ARCULLI SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DURING THE DEBATE ON THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN IN HONG KONG.
HE SAID THAT IT WAS NOT ENOUGH THAT WE CARED FOR THE PHYSICAL, EDUCATIONAL AND MORAL NEEDS OF OUR CHILDREN, FOR AS THEY WERE BROUGHT UP WITH THE FREEDOM AND VALUES THAT WE ENJOYED, SURELY IT BEHOVED US TO ENSURE THAT THEY TOO WOULD ENJOY SUCH FREEDOM AND VALUES.
/MR ARCULLI .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
16
MR ARCULLI SAID RECENT EVENTS IN CHINA HAD BROUGHT ADDED CONCERN OVER THE ISSUE OF NATIONALITY, AND THE PARENTS OF HONG KONG, DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THEIR CHILDREN, WERE SEEKING A NEW NATIONALITY FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN.
"IT IS PARTICULARLY RELEVANT IN THE CONTEXT OF TODAY’S DEBATE BECAUSE A WORKING GROUP SET UP BY THE UNITED NATIONS TO COMMEMORATE THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE CHILD HAS BEAUTIFULLY AND SIMPLY DESCRIBED NATIONALITY TO A CHILD AS A 'RIGHT FROM BIRTH'.
"THE EVENTS ALSO SERVE AS A POWERFUL REMINDER TO US AS TO THE RIGHTS OF A CHILD AND, IN THIS CONTEXT, PARTICULARLY THOSE CHILDREN WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE BE STATELESS," HE SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT THE ISSUE OF NATIONALITY FOR HONG KONG BRITISH SUBJECTS HAD BEEN RIGHTLY STATED AS A DIRECT MORAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY OF BRITAIN'S.
"HONG KONG IS NOT A BORROWED PLACE AND EVEN IF PART OF THE TERRITORY WAS LEASED THERE CAN BE NO DOUBT THAT PEOPLE BORN UNDER THE BRITISH JURISDICTION ARE BRITISH SUBJECTS PROPER, AND THIS INCLUDES AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF OUR YOUTH BELOW THE AGE OF 18 AS DEFINED BY THE UNITED NATIONS DRAFT.
"CHILDREN ARE NOT BORROWED PEOPLE NOR FOR THAT MATTER DO THEY EXPIRE WITH THE LEASE AND THUS THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO BRITISH CITIZENSHIP," HE SAID.
MR ARCULLI SAID SOVEREIGN COUNTRIES MUST ACCEPT THIS OBLIGATION AND ENSURE THAT THEIR LEGISLATION WAS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LETTER, AS WELL AS THE SPIRIT, OF THE DRAFT CONVENTION AND MUST NOT ENACT LAWS TO EXCLUDE THIS RIGHT, LET ALONE CLAIM THAT THERE WAS NO SUCH OBLIGATION.
---------0--------------
VIOLENCE IN MASS MEDIA DAMAGING YOUNG MINDS
*****
MASS MEDIA WHICH PORTRAYED SEX AND VIOLENCE AS A RATHER NORMAL WAY OF LIVING HAD PENETRATING AND DAMAGING EFFECTS ON THE MINDS OF THE YOUNG, THE HON DAVID CHEUNG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN, MR CHEUNG SAID A RECENT SURVEY BY A WELL-KNOWN SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY HAD FOUND THAT QUITE A NUMBER OF HONG KONG’S YOUNGSTERS WATCHED PORNOGRAPHIC VIDEO TAPES AND READ PORNOGRAPHIC COMIC BOOKS.
THE CONCEPT THAT GAMBLING WAS AN ESSENTIAL "FUN" PART OF LIFE WAS IRREMOVABLE FROM THE VALUE SYSTEM OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE.
"CAN WE IN THE ADULT WORLD SAY THAT SUCH A SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT IS GOOD FOR OUR CHILDREN?" HE ASKED.
/HE NOTED .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
17
HE NOTED THAT A RECENT ARTICLE IN AN AMERICAN MAGAZINE REPORTED THAT A RISE IN BRUTAL CRIMES BY THE YOUNG IN THE UNITED STATES HAD SHAKEN THE SOUL OF AMERICAN SOCIETY.
"IF WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE UNITED STATES IS ANY INDICATION OR REFLECTION, WE MAY SOON FIND OURSELVES IN THE SAME BOAT," HE SAID.
MR CHEUNG SAID THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IN HONG KONG WAS RIGID, WITH UNDULY HEAVY EMPHASIS OF EXAMINATION RESULTS IN AN ACADEMIC CURRICULUM IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE.
HE AGREED THAT ENGLISH WAS IMPORTANT TO A COMMUNITY SUC I AS HONG KONG.
"BUT THE HARD FACT OF LIFE IS THAT ONLY ABOUT 25 PER CENT OF OUR CHILDREN CAN MANAGE AN EDUCATION IN ENGLISH AND NOT EVERYONE IS ACADEMICALLY INCLINED," HE SAID.
MR CHEUNG SAID THAT NOT MUCH PROVISION HAD BEEN MADE FOR THOSE CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WERE LESS ACADEMIC, NOT QUITE ABLE TO MASTER AND BE FLUENT IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE AND WHO DID NOT AND COULD NOT SCORE WELL IN EXAMINATIONS.
WITH NO PROVISIONS FOR ADVANCEMENT AND RECOGNITION OF SUCCESS IN NON-ACADEMIC AND MORE PRACTICAL SUBJECTS, MANY CHILDREN UNDER PARENTAL PRESSURE WERE "HITTING THEIR HEADS AGAINST THE WALL" BY VOWING TO GO FOR AN ACADEMIC EDUCATION IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEADING TO SUCCESS IN THE PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS REGARDLESS OF THE PRICE THEY HAD TO PAY.
"HAVE WE EVER GIVEN SOBER AND SERIOUS THOUGHTS TO THE PLIGHT OF THESE CHILDREN?" HE SAID.
"IN THIS INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF CHILD, LET US ALERT OURSELVES AND TRY TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO PROVIDE A CLEANER, HEALTHIER, HAPPIER AND WARMER PLACE FOR OUR CHILDREN. LET US SHOW OUR YOUNGSTERS BY OUR ACTIONS THAT WE DO CARE ABOUT THEM," HE SAID.
----------o-------------
GROWING DEMAND FOR DAY NURSERY CARE *****
WITH MORE AND MORE WOMEN BEING DRAWN INTO THE LABOUR FORCE THF IMPACT OF MATERNAL EMPLOYMENT UPON CHILDREN, PARTICULARLY IN RELATION TO THEIR CARE AND CONTROL, BECOMES INCREASINGLY MORE IMPORTANT THE HON MIRIAM LAU SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SHE NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD PARENTS TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN BUT THAT THE DEMAND FOR CHILD CARE SERVICES WAS
TRIED TO ASSIST WORKING THERE WERE INDICATIONS NOT BEING MET.
/SPEAKING IN .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
18
SPEAKING IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON WELFARE OF CHILDREN, MRS LAU SAID ONE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S OBJECTIVES FOR FAMILY WELFARE SERVICES WAS TO ENSURE THAT SUFFICIENT DAY NURSERY PLACES WERE PROVIDED FOR ALL CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN TWO AND SIX, SHE SAID.
AND SUBSIDISED DAY CRECHE PLACES WERE TO BE PROVIDED FOR ALL CHILDREN AGED UNDER TWO WHO COULD NOT BE CARED FOR BY THEIR PARENTS DURING THE DAY, SHE ADDED.
MRS LAU NOTED THAT THE WORKING RATIO ADOPTED HAD FOR SOME YEARS BEEN 100 PLACES PER 20,000 GENERAL POPULATION.
UP TO APRIL 1989, THERE WERE 28,558 PLACES IN NURSERIES, 17,756 BEING AIDED PLACES AND 10,802 PLACES BEING PROVIDED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
THE PLACES IN DAY CRECHES WERE A MEAGRE 917, MRS LAU NOTED.
THE CURRENT PLAN WAS TO PROVIDE 1,600 ADDITIONAL NURSERY PLACES EVERY YEAR.
MRS LAU SAID THERE HAD BEEN INCREASING DEMANDS FOR DAY NURSERIES AND CRECHES IN RECENT YEARS AS AN INCREASING NUMBER OF WORKING WIVES JOINED THE LABOUR FORCE.
"HOWEVER, THE ADMINISTRATION’S STAND HAS BEEN ONE OF RELUCTANCE TO IMPROVE BEYOND CURRENT ARRANGEMENTS," SHE SAID.
MRS LAU POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS A DEMAND THAT HAD NOT BEEN MET IN THE PAST YEARS BUT THE GOVERNMENT FAILED TO DO ANYTHING TO INVESTIGATE AND CARRY OUT A REVIEW TO ASSESS THE POSITION TO SEE WHETHER THERE WAS ACTUALLY A SHORTFALL AND TO COME UP WITH PROPOSALS TO CATER FOR THE DEMAND.
WITH VARIOUS TRAGIC ACCIDENTS OCCURRING DURING THE PAST YEARS INVOLVING CHILDREN BEING LEFT UNATTENDED AT HOME, MRS LAU SUGGESTED THAT THESE FORMED EVIDENCE TO SHOW THERE WAS A SHORTFALL IN DAY NURSERIES AND CRECHES.
"IF OUR CURRENT CHILD CARE SERVICES ARE ADEQUATE, WHY ARE ALL THESE ACCIDENTS HAPPENING? HOW MANY MORE CHILDREN WILL HAVE TO RETURN TO CHINA BEFORE THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD CONCEDE THAT CHILD CARE CENTRES ARE INSUFFICIENT?
"HOW MANY MORE CHILD-MINDERS WILL HAVE TO BE BROUGHT TO COURT FOR ABUSING CHILDREN BEFORE THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD CONSIDER IT NECESSARY TO IMPOSE SOME FORM OF CONTROL OVER THOSE WHO MIND CHILDREN ON A COMMERCIAL BASIS?
"HOW MANY MORE CHILDREN WILL HAVE TO FALL OUT OF BUILDINGS BEFORE THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD CONSIDER IT TIMELY TO REVIEW THE WHOLE STRUCTURE OF OUR CHILD CARE SERVICES?" SHE ASKED.
MRS LAU SAID IT WAS UNDESIRABLE AND UNREALISTIC TO FIX WORKING RATIOS AND PLANS IN RELATION TO THE PROVISIONS OF SOCIAL SERVICES AS THE DEMANDS OF THE SOCIETY CHANGED CONSTANTLY.
/SHE SAID ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
19
SHE SAID IF THERE WERE SUFFICIENT CHILD CARE SERVICES AVAILABLE THERE WOULD BE MORE WOMEN JOINING THE LABOUR FORCE TO EASE THE LABOUR SHORTAGE PROBLEM.
SHE ALSO CRITICISED THE GOVERNMENT FOR ITS SLOW RESPONSE TO VARIOUS SUGGESTIONS MADE BY LABOUR GROUPS TO HELP WORKING PARENTS AND WORKING WIVES.
MRS LAU SAID SHE WAS SURPRISED TO FOUND THAT EXISTING FAMILY WELFARE SERVICES ATTEMPTED TO COVER MANY ASPECTS OF CARE AND PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE BUT AFTER-SCHOOL CARE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WAS FOUND TO BE DEFICIENT.
SHE NOTED THAT AFTER-SCHOOL CARE COULD HELP TO SOLVE SOME OF THE SOCIAL PROBLEMS IN RELATION TO YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE THE LEAD TO CONSIDER THE PROVISION OF SUCH SERVICE, WHICH HAD BEEN FOUND AN INVALUABLE ONE FOR WORKING PARENTS.
AS FOR OTHER SERVICES, SHE SUGGESTED THAT IT WAS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO ASSIST PARENTS TO DEAL WITH THE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN IN A BID TO REDUCE FAMILY PROBLEMS.
ALSO, MRS LAU SUGGESTED MORE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES BE PROVIDED FOR PARENTS THROUGH VARIOUS MEANS, SUCH AS THE MASS MEDIA, SO THAT WORKING PARENTS COULD BE EDUCATED ON WAYS AND SKILLS OF CARRYING OUT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY WITHIN THE LIMITED TIME THEY HAD WITH THEIR CHILDREN.
----------0-------------
CHILDREN DESERVE GOOD HEALTH CARE * » » * *
HONG KONG, WITH ITS EXPERTISE AND RESOURCES, MUST SHOW DETERMINATION IN LETTING CHILDREN ENJOY THE HIGHEST ATTAINABLE STANDARD OF HEALTH, DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN, DR LEONG SAID THAT A HEALTHY CHILD WOULD BECOME A FIT ADULT OF THE FUTURE, AND A MUCH LESSER BURDEN ON THE HEALTH CARE BUDGET OF THE COMMUNITY.
HE SAID THE IDEA OF ECONOMICAL HEALTH CARE FOR HONG KONG'S SCHOOL CHILDREN APPEARED SOUND BUT LACKED A WELL-DEFINED POLICY.
"IT IS UNCLEAR WHETHER THE SYSTEM IS INTENDED FOR A HEALTH CHECK-UP FOR DEVELOPING SCHOOL CHILDREN OR A COMPREHENSIVE CURATIVE SCHEME.
/"NOR IS ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
20
"NOR IS IT CLEAR WHETHER THE ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERS THIS A CHARITABLE SERVICE FROM THE PARTICIPATING DOCTORS OR A HEAVILY SUBSIDISED SCHEME FROM THE GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
DR LEONG SAID THAT WHILE THE ADMINISTRATION OPERATED ITS OWN OUT-PATIENT SERVICES AT THE COST OF ABOUT $81 PER VISIT, GOVERNMENT EXPECTED THAT FOR A LESSER AMOUNT A SERVICE SHOULD BE PROVIDED BY THE PARTICIPATING PRACTITIONERS TO COVER A CURATIVE ANNUAL MEDICAL SCHEME OF UNLIMITED VISITS BY' SCHOOL CHILDREN.
HE NOTED THAT THERE HAD NEVER BEEN A CLEAR CONSIDERATION OF WHO NEEDED THIS SCHEME, AS ONLY 48 PER CENT OF ELIGIBLE SCHOOL CHILDREN JOINED IT.
FURTHERMORE THERE WAS NO DATA ON HOW MANY ACTUALLY UTILISED IT, NOT TO SAY DERIVE BENEFITS, TO MAKE MEANINGFUL ANALYSIS.
"AT THE END, THE NEEDY STUDENTS SUFFER FROM THE LACK OF AFFECTION OF DISINTERESTED PRACTITIONERS, AND THE DOCTORS SUFFER FROM ABUSES OF THE SYSTEM BY REPEATED AND UNNECESSARY VISITS," HE SAID.
ACCORDING TO DR LEONG, THERE WERE TWO OTHER FALLACIES. FIRSTLY, THE SCHEME EXTENDED TO SCHOOL CHILDREN UP TO SECONDARY THREE ONLY, LEAVING A GAP FOR THE ADOLESCENT GROUP FROM SECONDARY FOUR ONWARDS.
SECONDLY, THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE SCHEME WERE IN NO WAY BARRED FROM ATTENDING THE VERY BUSY AND HEAVILY SUBSIDISED GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINICS. THUS A SITUATION OF DOUBLE SUBSIDY EXISTED WHEN A CHILD UNDER THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE SCHEME ATTENDED A GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINIC.
NOTING THAT THE RECENT RECOMMENDATION BY THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE BOARD TO CHANGE THE OVERALL CHARGING SCALES APPEARED TO BE MORE WORKABLE, DR LEONG WARNED, HOWEVER, THAT THIS RECOMMENDATION COULD ONLY BE AN INTERIM MEASURE, AND THAT THE ADMINISTRATION MUST COME UP WITH A MORE DEFINED POLICY THROUGH THE UPGRADING OF PRIMARY' HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
ON PRIMARY HEALTH CARE, DR LEONG ALSO SAID THAT WHILST THE HOSPITAL SERVICES WERE BEING REVIEWED AND HOPEFULLY IMPROVED THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY PRIMARY HEALTH CARE STILL REMAINED IN HIBERNATION.
HE SAID RECOMMENDATIONS HAD BEEN MADE BY THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY' COMMITTEE FOR THE FORMATION OF A WORKING PARTY TO STUDY PRIMARY HEALTH CARE, YET IT REMAINED TO BE SEEN WHEN POSITIVE STEPS WOULD BE FORTHCOMING.
TURNING TO SCHOOL DENTAL CARE, DR LEONG SAID THAT CURRENT SCHOOL DENTAL CARE WHICH PROVIDED REGULAR CHECK-UP, ROUTINE CARE, PREVENTIVE SERVICES AND A LIMITED ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT LEFT MUCH TO BE DESIRED.
"THERE NEEDS TO BE A CONSIDERATION OF EXTENDING SUCH CARE TO PRE-PRIMARY CHILDREN FOR IT IS MOST ESSENTIAL THAT AT THE FORMATIVE STAGE OF DENTAL DEVELOPMENT, PROPER GUIDANCE MUST BE INSTILLED TO GIVE EVERLASTING RESULTS.
/"AT THE .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
21
AT THE SAME TIME, THE NEED TO PROVIDE SIMILAR SERVICES TO SECONDARY SCHOOL CHILDREN SHOULD ALSO BE SERIOUSLY ADDRESSED," HE ADDED.
DR LEONG SAID THAT, APART FROM EXTENDING SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICES. THERE SHOULD BE A REVIEW OF THE QUALITY OF SERVICES. WHICH WERE CURRENTLY PROVIDED BY DENTAL THERAPISTS.
HE ALSO SAID THAT, IN THE LIGHT OF AN IMMINENT OVER-SUPPLY OF DENTISTS, THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD CONSIDER A BETTER RATIO BETWEEN SUPERVISING DENTISTS AND DENTAL THERAPISTS.
FINALLY. NOTING THAT THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR THE AGE GROUP BETWEEN ONE AND 15 WAS FROM ACCIDENTS AND POISONING. DR LEONG URGED THAT MORE BE DONE TO PREVENT SUCH UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENTS.
-------0----------
SOCIAL WORKERS CAN ADVISE CHILDREN ON HOME PROBLEMS
* » » ♦ »
ALL CHILDREN SHOULD BE WITHIN REACH OF A WELL-TRAINED SOCIAL WORKER ABLE TO ADVISE ON HOME PROBLEMS. AND THE COMMUNITY SHOULD REACH OUT TO REHABILITATE THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN INTO BAD WAYS. THE HON ELSIE TU SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN IN HONG KONG, MRS TU FOCUSSED ON ONE CATEGORY OF CHILDREN — THOSE WHOSE HOMES. FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER. PUT THEM AT RISK.
SHE URGED THAT THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ORDINANCE BE AMENDED TO FACILITATE THE REHABILITATION OF THOSE WHO HAD FALLEN INTO BAD WAYS.
NOTING THAT THERE WERE THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WHO COMMITTED MINOR CRIMES AS TEENAGERS, MRS TU POINTED OUT THAT TO FIND THEIR WAY BACK TO BEING GOOD MEMBERS OF SOCIETY THEY NEEDED THE HELP OF A CARING COMMUNITY.
HOWEVER. THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ORDINANCE ENACTED THREE YEARS AGO WAS NOT LIKELY TO REHABILITATE MANY YOUNG PEOPLE, BECAUSE WHILE A YOUNG PERSON INFLUENCED BY A GANG SELDOM STOPPED AT ONLY ONE MINOR OFFENCE, THE ORDINANCE ALLOWED HIM FORGIVENESS ONLY ONCE.
"IF HE HAS TO SERVE A SHORT SENTENCE IN PRISON, THAT MAY HELP TO BRING HIM TO HIS SENSES, BUT IT IS ALREADY TOO LATE TO REHABILITATE HIM, BECAUSE THE LAW DOES NOT EXPUNGE HIS CRIMINAL RECORD NO MATTER HOW SHORT THE PRISON SENTENCE MAY BE.
/"THE PRESENT ......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
22
"THE PRESENT ORDINANCE FALLS FAR SHORT OF ITS AIM TO REHABILITATE. AND I CAN ONLY HOPE THAT THE ORDINANCE WILL BE SUITABLY AMENDED TO REMEDY THESE SHORTCOMINGS.” SHE SAID.
MRS TU ALSO HOPED THAT THE AMENDMENTS WOULD RESTORE THE POWER OF MAGISTRATES TO ORDER THAT NO CRIMINAL CONVICTION BE RECORDED.
SHE SAID THE PRESENT ORDINANCE WAS INFERIOR TO THE 1974 ACT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THAT IT APPEARED THAT THE LEGAL SYSTEM DETERMINED THAT ONCE A YOUNGSTER HAD COMMITTED AN OFFENCE, HE MUST SUFFER THE STIGMA FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE.
MRS TU BELIEVED THAT A CHILD WHOSE PARENTS DID NOT LIVE IN HARMONY WITH EACH OTHER WAS NOT LIKELY TO ENJOY A SENSE OF FAMILY SECURITY. BECAUSE FRICTION BETWEEN PARENTS COULD LEAD TO ONE OR BOTH PARENTS WORKING OUT THEIR FRUSTRATIONS ON THE CHILD WHO HAPPENED TO GET IN THE WAY.
“THE PRESSURE OF LIFE IN HONG KONG ON PARENTS WHO ARE INCOMPATIBLE. OR ON SINGLE PARENTS WHO CANNOT COPE, IS PROBABLY THE MOST COMMON CAUSE OF CHILD ABUSE. SOMETIMES RESULTING IN A CHILD’S DEATH.
"I BELIEVE A GREAT DEAL COULD BE DONE TO SAVE A CHILD FROM PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL ABUSE IF EVERY SCHOOL HAD A FULL-TIME SOCIAL WORKER, TRAINED TO COMMUNICATE WITH CHILDREN AT RISK, AND PARENTS IN NEED OF GUIDANCE.” SHE SUGGESTED.
SHE SAID IN A MODERN SOCIETY. NEW SOLUTIONS NEEDED TO BE FOUND TO FAMILY PROBLEMS THAT AFFECTED THE WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN. AND THAT WITH A SOCIAL WORKER IN EVERY SCHOOL, THE HOME PROBLEMS COULD BE EXAMINED IN DEPTH.
”THE SOLUTION COULD BE A SIMPLE ONE,” SHE SAID, "SUCH AS RECOMMENDING THAT A SINGLE PARENT BE TRANSFERRED TO PUBLIC HOUSING NEAR TO A SYMPATHETIC RELATIVE OR FRIEND.
”IN SOME CASES. THE PARENTS OF AN ABUSED CHILD MAY NEED TO BE REFERRED TO A MARRIAGE GUIDANCE COUNSELLOR.
”IN AN EXTREME CASE, A CHILD MAY NEED TO BE PLACED UNDER THE CARE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FOR PROTECTION.”
---------0--------------
/23 .........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
23
STATUTORY FRAMEWORK FOR RADIO BROADCASTING LICENCES
*****
THE TELECOMMUNICATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 AND THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, WHICH PROVIDE A STATUTORY FRAMEWORK FOR THE GRANT OF A NEW LICENCE TO THE HONG KONG COMMERCIAL BROADCASTING CO. LTD. AND FOR THE AWARD OF A SECOND COMMERCIAL RADIO LICENCE BY TENDER IN 1990, WERE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE TELECOMMUNICATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, THE HON PETER TSAO, POINTED OUT THAT NEITHER THE TELECOMMUNICATION ORDINANCE NOR THE PRESENT RADIO LICENCE CONTAINED ANY PROVISIONS ON CROSS-MEDIA OWNERSHIP. HOWEVER, THERE WERE PROVISIONS IN THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE WHICH INTRODUCED THE CONCEPT OF "DISQUALIFIED PERSONS".
"THE EFFECT OF THESE PROVISIONS IS THAT CERTAIN PERSONS AND COMPANIES WHICH COULD BRING INFLUENCE TO BEAR ON A TELEVISION LICENCE MAY NOT HOLD OFFICE IN A TELEVISION LICENSEE COMPANY OR BENEFICIALLY OWN MORE THAN 15 PER CENT OF THE SHARES OF A TELEVISION LICENSEE.
"RESTRICTIONS OF A SIMILAR KIND ARE FAIRLY COMMON OVERSEAS," MR TSAO SAID.
HE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION RECOGNISED THAT THERE WERE DIFFERENCES FOR RADIO BROADCASTING AND IT WAS APPROPRIATE THAT THE PROPOSED REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR RADIO SHOULD TAKE ACCOUNT OF THESE DIFFERENCES.
"IN THE CASE OF CROSS-MEDIA OWNERSHIP, OR ’DISQUALIFIED PERSONS’ PROVISIONS, WE ARE PROPOSING THE ADOPTION OF A LESS STRINGENT REGULATORY FRAMEWORK," HE SAID.
HE SAID THAT THE DEFINITIONS RELATING TO THE DISQUALIFIED PERSONS PROVISIONS IN THIS BILL HAD NOT BEEN EASY TO DRAFT.
UNDER THE AMENDMENT BILL, PERSONS OR COMPANIES WITH SPECIFIED INTERESTS RELATED TO BROADCASTING, INCLUDING PERSONS WHO SUPPLIED MATERIAL FOR BROADCASTING BY A LICENSEE, BROADCASTING ORGANISATIONS, ADVERTISING AGENTS OR PERSONS WHO EXERCISED CONTROL OVER COMPANIES OR ORGANISATIONS ENGAGED IN SUCH BUSINESSES. SHOULD BE PERMITTED TO OWN UP TO 35 PER CENT OF THE VOTING SHARES IN A RADIO LICENSEE, EXCEPT THAT ONE RADIO LICENSEE IN HONG KONG WOULD BE LIMITED TO A 15 PER CENT SHARE HOLDING IN ANOTHER RADIO LICENSEE.
"A TELEVISION LICENSEE IN HONG KONG WILL OF COURSE NEED TO ENSURE THAT IT REMAINS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE," MR TSAO SAID.
ON FOREIGN OWNERSHIP, MR TSAO SAID HE BELIEVED THERE WAS A STRONG CASE FOR THE CONTROL OF BROADCASTING LICENSEES IN HONG KONG TO BE IN THE HANDS OF PEOPLE WHO WERE MOST LIKELY TO HAVE HONG KONG’S BEST INTERESTS AT HEART.
/"ON THE ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
24
"ON THE OTHER HAND, WE SHOULD NOT DISCOURAGE UNDULY FOREIGN INVESTMENT," HE SAID.
THE BILL PROPOSED A CEILING OF 49 PER CENT OF THE VOTING SHARES IN A RADIO LICENSEE COMPANY IM WHICH "UNQUALIFIED" PERSONS OR COMPANIES MIGHT HAVE AN INTEREST.
THE SAME RESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS AS THOSE STIPULATED IN THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE WERE USED TO DETERMINE WHO WAS "UNQUALIFIED".
"THIS 49 PER CENT LIMIT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH PROPOSED RESTRICTIONS ON THE RESIDENTIAL STATUS OF DIRECTORS AND PRINCIPAL OFFICERS OF A LICENSEE, WHICH IT IS PROPOSED TO INCLUDE IN THE RADIO LICENCES, SHOULD MAKE CLEAR THE INTENT OF THE BILL THAT LICENSEES SHOULD FIRST AND FOREMOST SERVE HONG KONG'S INTERESTS," MR TSAO SAID.
THE BILL ALSO DISALLOWED, WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY, THE DISPOSAL OF MORE THAN 15 PER CENT OF THE VOTING SHARES IN A RADIO LICENSEE FOR THE FIRST THREE YEARS FOLLOWING THE GRANT OF THE LICENCE.
"THIS IS TO ENSURE THAT THE PERSONS WHO APPLY' FOR A RADIO LICENCE WILL ACTUALLY UNDERTAKE BROADCASTING, RATHER THAN DISPOSING OF THE SHARES AFTER A LICENCE IS ISSUED, FOR A QUICK AND POSSIBLY HANDSOME PROFIT," MR TSAO EXPLAINED.
UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF THE PRESENT RADIO LICENCE, THE COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING MAY REQUIRE THE LICENSEE TO REFRAIN FROM BROADCASTING ANY SPECIFIED MATERIAL.
MR TSAO POINTED OUT THAT THE UK GOVERNMENT RETAINED SIMILAR POWERS.
"WE EXAMINED WITH GREAT CARE WHETHER SUCH AN UNFETTERED POWER SHOULD CONTINUE, AND IF SO WHETHER IT SHOULD BE VESTED IN THE COMMISSIONER.
"WE CONCLUDED FIRST THAT SUCH POWER SHOULD CONTINUE BUT IN A QUALIFIED FORM; AND SECONDLY THAT IT SHOULD BE VESTED IN THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL," HE SAID.
SECTION 13M OF THE BILL THEREFORE GAVE POWER TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO PROHIBIT PROGRAMMES WHERE HE CONSIDERED THE PEACE OR GOOD ORDER OF HONG KONG WAS THREATENED.
MR TSAO SAID THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAD LIMITED ITS EFFORTS TO MAKING THE LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE FOR THE GRANT OF THE TWO NEW LICENCES.
"IT IS THE ADMINISTRATION’S INTENTION, HOWEVER, TO BEGIN WORK EARLY NEXT YEAR ON A CONSOLIDATED BROADCASTING ORDINANCE COVERING OFF-AIR AND CABLE TELEVISION AS WELL AS RADIO BROADCASTING.
"WE INTEND IN THAT CONTEXT TO REVIEW IN DETAIL THE VARIOUS PIECES OF BROADCASTING LEGISLATION WITH A VIEW TO IMPROVING UPON AND STREAMLINING THE REGULATION OF BROADCASTING IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
0 -
/25 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
25
BILL EXTENDS BA’S POWER TO COVER RADIO BROADCASTING *******
A BILL INTENDED TO EXTEND THE POWER OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY (BA) TO COVER RADIO BROADCASTING WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
UNDER IT, THE BA WOULD BE GIVEN SIMILAR REGULATORY POWERS AND FUNCTIONS IN RELATION TO RADIO BROADCASTING AS IT ALREADY HAD IN RELATION TO TELEVISION BROADCASTING, THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, THE HON PETER TSAO, TOLD THE COUNCIL.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, MR TSAO SAID THAT TO DATE THE BA HAD BEEN CONCERNED PRIMARILY WITH WIRELESS TELEVISION, ALTHOUGH ITS ADVICE HAD BEEN SOUGHT ON AN AD HOC BASIS ON A NUMBER OF OTHER BROADCASTING ISSUES.
"WITH THE IMMINENT GRANT OF A NEW LICENCE TO THE HONG KONG COMMERCIAL BROADCASTING CO. LTD. AND THE INTENDED GRANT OF A SECOND COMMERCIAL RADIO LICENCE IN 1990, THIS IS CLEARLY AN APPROPRIATE TIME TO EXTEND FORMALLY THE REGULATORY POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY TO RADIO BROADCASTING," HE SAID.
MR TSAO SAID THE REGULATORY POWERS AND FUNCTIONS CONCERNING RADIO BROADCASTING WOULD INCLUDE ISSUING OF CODES OF PRACTICE AND DIRECTIONS TO THE LICENSEE ON PROGRAMME, ADVERTISING AND TECHNICAL STANDARDS; AND IMPOSITION OF FINANCIAL PENALTIES FOR CONTRAVENTIONS OF THE LEGISLATION, REGULATIONS, DIRECTIONS, CODES OF PRACTICE OR LICENCE CONDITIONS.
THEY WOULD ALSO INCLUDE CONDUCTING OF INQUIRIES INTO THE REVOCATION OF LICENCES WHEN DIRECTED TO DO SO BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL, AND DEALING WITH COMPLAINTS ABOUT RADIO BROADCASTING.
THE BILL’S PROVISIONS WOULD ALSO INCLUDE A RIGHT OF APPEAL TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL AGAINST DECISIONS OF THE BA, HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
----------0-------------
BILL TO GIVE PRIVILEGES TO ICRC REGIONAL DELEGATION ******
WOULD BE GRANTED TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY
CERTAIN PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES REGIONAL DELEGATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL (ICRC) UNDER A BILL INTRODUCED INTO THE
(WEDNESDAY).
THE BILL IS THE PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS) BILL 1989.
(INTERNATIONAL
/MOVING THE .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
26
MOVING THE BILL’S SECOND READING, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, EXPLAINED THAT THE ICRC HAD ESTABLISHED A REGIONAL DELEGATION IN HONG KONG TO CARRY OUT ITS WORK IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE FAR EAST.
"HONG KONG HAS BEEN SELECTED AS THE REGIONAL BASE BECAUSE OF ITS CENTRAL LOCATION, ITS GOOD COMMUNICATIONS AND BECAUSE IT IS A SOCIETY IN WHICH AN ORGANISATION WITH AN INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN ROLE SUCH AS THE ICRC CAN FUNCTION WITHOUT FEAR OR POLITICAL INTERFERENCE," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE FUNCTIONS OF THE ICRC, ESTABLISHED IN SWITZERLAND IN 1863, WERE VARIED.
THEY INCLUDED PROVIDING AND CO-ORDINATING MEDICAL SERVICES IN TIME OF WAR OR INTERNAL STRIFE, AND OTHER HUMANITARIAN SERVICES, SUCH AS MONITORING THE CARE OF PRISONERS OF WAR AND FACILITATING CONTACTS BETWEEN FAMILIES SEPARATED BY WAR OR POLITICAL BARRIERS.
IF ENACTED, THE BILL WOULD GRANT THE FOLLOWING PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES TO THE COMMITTEE:
* IMMUNITY FOR THE REGIONAL DELEGATION IN HONG KONG FROM LEGAL PROCESS. THIS IS LIMITED TO CASES ARISING FROM THE REGIONAL DELEGATION’S OFFICIAL FUNCTIONS;
* INVIOLABILITY OF ARCHIVES AND PREMISES OCCUPIED AS OFFICES:
* EXEMPTION FROM TAXES AND RATES ON OFFICE AND RESIDENTIAL PREMISES;
» EXEMPTION FROM DUTIES AND TAXES ON GOODS AND PUBLICATIONS DIRECTLY IMPORTED OR EXPORTED BY THE ICRC FOR USE IN ITS OFFICIAL FUNCTIONS, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS WHICH MAY BE LAID DOWN BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR CUSTOMS AND EXCISE;
* EXEMPTION FROM RESTRICTIONS AND PROHIBITIONS ON THE IMPORT AND EXPORT OF GOODS AND PUBLICATIONS FOR OFFICIAL PURPOSES;
* IMMUNITY FROM LEGAL PROCESS FOR THE DELEGATES. THIS IS LIMITED TO CASES ARISING FROM THE ICRC’S OFFICIAL FUNCTIONS AND APPLIES ONLY TO FULL MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION AND NOT TO LOCALLY EMPLOYED STAFF;
* EXEMPTION FROM SALARIES TAX ON EMOLUMENTS RECEIVED AS A DELEGATE OF THE COMMITTEE. THIS EXEMPTION ALSO APPLIES ONLY TO FULL MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION AND NOT TO LOCALLY EMPLOYED STAFF;
* EXEMPTION FROM STAMP DUTY FOR ICRC DELEGATES OR PREMISES AS THE CHIEF SECRETARY MAY CERTIFY UNDER SECTION 43(3) OF THE STAMP DUTY ORDINANCE.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-------0---------
/27 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
27 IMPROVEMENTS TO LEGAL AID SCHEME SOUGHT *****
AMENDMENTS TO THE LEGAL AID ORDINANCE ARE BEING SOUGHT TO IMPROVE THE WORKING OF THE LEGAL AID SCHEME, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE LEGAL AID (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, SIR DAVID SAID TWO OF THE AMENDMENTS SOUGHT TO UPDATE CERTAIN FINANCIAL LIMITS.
"THE ORDINANCE EMPOWERS THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID TO IMPOSE A FIRST CHARGE, FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECOVERING CONTRIBUTIONS FROM AN AIDED PERSON, ON ANY PROPERTY RECOVERED OR PRESERVED FOR HIM, EXCLUDING MAINTENANCE PAYMENTS EXCEEDING $1,500 PER MONTH.
"ONE AMENDMENT INCREASES THIS LIMIT TO $2,500 PER MONTH. ANOTHER AMENDMENT INCREASES THE AMOUNT OF THE FIRST CHARGE THAT THE DIRECTOR MAY WAIVE IN CASES OF SERIOUS HARDSHIP FROM $10,000 TO $30,000," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THE BILL ALSO SOUGHT TO EXTEND THE SUPPLEMENTARY LEGAL AID SCHEME TO THE DISTRICT COURTS.
"THE LEGAL AID ORDINANCE PROVIDES FOR THE AWARD OF SUPPLEMENTARY LEGAL AID IN CASE OF CIVIL PROCEEDINGS IN THE HIGH COURT OR COURT OF APPEAL ONLY, WHICH ARE BROUGHT BY THE AIDED PERSON IN A CLAIM ARISING FROM PERSONAL INJURIES TO, OR THE DEATH OF, ANY PERSON.
"UNTIL RECENTLY CLAIMS IN EXCESS OF $60,000 WERE LITIGATED IN THE HIGH COURT.
"THE RECENT INCREASE OF THE DISTRICT COURT CIVIL JURISDICTION FROM $60,000 TO $120,000 HAS MEANT THAT THOSE PERSONS WITH A CLAIM BETWEEN $60,000 AND $120,000 ARE NO LONGER ELIGIBLE FOR SUPPLEMENTARY LEGAL AID SINCE THEIR CLAIMS MUST NOW BE LITIGATED IN THE DISTRICT COURT, AND NOT THE HIGH COURT," THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
"THE BILL RESTORES THEIR ELIGIBILITY," HE ADDED.
"THE BILL MAKES IT CLEAR THAT THE DIRECTOR IS LIABLE TO PAY A NON-AIDED PARTY'S COSTS INCURRED IN SUCCESSFULLY OPPOSING A COUNTER-CLAIM, CROSS-PETITION OR CROSS-APPEAL BROUGHT BY A LEGALLY AIDED DEFENDANT OR RESPONDENT," SIR DAVID SAID.
HE SAID THE REMAINING AMENDMENTS MADE BY THE BILL WERE OF A MINOR NATURE.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
0
/28 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
28
BILL. CLARIFIES POSITION ON ARBITRATION REPRESENTATION
******
THE ARBITRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 WILL MAKE CLEAR THAT PARTIES TO AN ARBITRATION AGREEMENT MAY BE REPRESENTED BY ANY PERSON OF THEIR CHOICE.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID THIS POSITION WAS IN LINE WITH THE PRACTICE IN OTHER MAJOR CENTRES OF ARBITRATION.
MR MATHEWS EXPLAINED THAT AN ARBITRATION WAS ESSENTIALLY A PRIVATE CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENT FOR THE RESOLUTION OF A DISPUTE OTHERWISE THAN BY LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IN THE COURTS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT AT COMMON LAW THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS OF AUDIENCE WHICH BARRISTERS AND SOLICITORS ENJOYED IN THE COURTS DID NOT EXTEND TO ARBITRATIONS. A PARTY IN AN ARBITRATION MIGHT BE REPRESENTED BY ANY PERSON OF HIS CHOOSING WHATEVER HIS PROFESSION AND FROM WHATEVER LEGAL JURISDICTION THAT PERSON MIGHT COME.
"HOWEVER, DOUBT HAS BEEN CAST ON THE COMMON LAW POSITION IN HONG KONG AS A RESULT OF SECTIONS 44, 45 AND 47 OF THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS ORDINANCE," MR MATHEWS SAID.
SECTION 44 PROVIDED THAT ANY UNQUALIFIED PERSON ACTING AS A BARRISTER SHOULD BE GUILTY OF AN OFFENCE. SECTION 45 PROVIDED THAT NO UNQUALIFIED PERSON SHOULD ACT AS A SOLICITOR, WHILE SECTION 47 PROVIDED THAT NO UNQUALIFIED PERSON SHOULD PREPARE CERTAIN LEGAL DOCUMENTS.
HE NOTED THAT THE QUESTION OF WHAT EFFECT THESE PROVISIONS MIGHT HAVE IN RELATION TO ARBITRATION PROCEEDINGS HAND LED TO A NUMBER OF WIDELY DIFFERING OPINIONS FROM LAWYERS.
"SOME ARGUE THAT ONLY SOLICITORS AND BARRISTERS ADMITTED IN HONG KONG HAVE A RIGHT OF AUDIENCE. OTHERS CONSIDER THAT THE PROVISIONS DO NOT PREVENT ANY PERSON FROM APPEARING IN ARBITRATION PROCEEDINGS," HE SAID.
HE SAID THAT CONFUSION EXISTED AND THE SITUATION WAS CLEARLY UNSATISFACTORY.
"THERE ARE NOW STRONG INDICATIONS THAT THE UNCERTAINTY IS CONSTITUTING A SUBSTANTIAL IMPEDIMENT TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG AS AN INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR ARBITRATIONS BECAUSE CONTRACTING PARTIES ARE UNWILLING TO NOMINATE HONG KONG AS A VENUE FOR ARBITRATIONS IF THEY CANNOT BE SURE THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO USE THE ADVOCATE OF THEIR CHOICE," HE SAID.
/"THE BILL ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
29
"THE BILL, IF ENACTED, WILL REMOVE THAT UNCERTAINTY BY MAKING CLEAR THAT SECTIONS 44, 45 AND 47 OF THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS
ORDINANCE DO NOT APPLY TO ARBITRATION PROCEEDINGS AND THAT PARTIES TO SUCH PROCEEDINGS ARE NOT RESTRICTED AS TO WHO MAY REPRESENT THEM.”
MR MATHEWS SAID THE PROPOSAL IN THE BILL WAS SUPPORTED BY THE HONG KONG ARBITRATION CENTRE, THE BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE LAW SOCIETY.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
_ _ _ _ o - - - -
BILL TO ALLOW BETTING ON PRESTIGIOUS RACES OUTSIDE HK ♦ » » t t
A BILL INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IS INTENDED TO ALLOW THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB TO CONDUCT BETTING ON RACES ORGANISED OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
’’THIS WILL PERMIT THE JOCKEY CLUB TO RECEIVE SIMULTANEOUS TRANSMISSIONS FEATURING PRESTIGIOUS RACES HELD OVERSEAS AND SHOW THEM AT THE RACE COURSES IN HAPPY VALLEY AND SHA TIN,” THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, THE HON PETER TSAO, TOLD THE COUNCIL.
”AT THE SAME TIME PUNTERS WILL BE ABLE TO PLACE BETS ON THE RACES IN HONG KONG,” HE ADDED WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BETTING DUTY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989.
MR TSAO SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ON GAMBLING WAS TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT OUTLETS WITHIN REGULATED CHANNELS, AND THE AIM WAS TO DISCOURAGE ILLEGAL GAMBLING.
"IF THE BILL BECOMES LAW, WE WILL ENSURE THAT THE BETS WILL BE ACCEPTED ONLY ON RACES WHICH TAKE PLACE AT THE TIME WHEN NORMAL RACING MEETINGS ARE BEING HELD AT EITHER SHA TIN OR HAPPY VALLEY.
"THE SIMULTANEOUS SHOWING OF OVERSEAS RACES WILL SLOT INTO THE NORMAL PROGRAMME FOR THE DAY, AND THEREFORE, OVERALL, OPPORTUNITIES FOR GAMBLING IN HONG KONG WILL NOT BE INCREASED,” HE SAID.
MR TSAO SAID THE BILL SOUGHT TO REMOVE THE EXISTING RESTRICTION IN THE BETTING DUTY ORDINANCE TO THE EFFECT THAT BETTING COULD ONLY TAKE PLACE IN RACES ORGANISED BY THE JOCKEY CLUB IN HONG KONG.
"AS IS NORMAL, WE ALSO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUBSTITUTE THE WORDS ’HONG KONG’ FOR THE WORDS ’THE COLONY’ THROUGHOUT THE ORDINANCE,” HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
/30 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
30
FLEXIBILITY ON
APPOINTMENT OF BOARD CHAIRMAN SOUGHT
*****
A BILL GIVING THE GOVERNOR THE FLEXIBILITY TO NON-OFFICIAL MEMBER TO BE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNTRY PARKS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY)'
APPOINT A
BOARD WAS
THE SECOND READING OF THE COUNTRY PARKS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 WAS MOVED BY THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON DONALD LIAO.
MR LIAO POINTED OUT THAT CURRENTLY WORDED, STATES THAT THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY, THAT IS FISHERIES ’’WHO SHALL BE CHAIRMAN”, BY THE GOVERNOR.
THE COUNTRY PARKS ORDINANCE, AS
COUNTRY PARKS BOARD COMPRISED THE
THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND
AND OTHER MEMBERS TO BE APPOINTED
AS THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD
----------------------------------- IS SET UP TO ADVISE PARKS AUTHORITY, IT IS CONSIDERED INAPPROPRIATE FOR AUTHORITY TO BE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT CONTAINED IN THE BILL WILL RECTIFY THIS SITUATION,” HE SAID
THE THAT
COUNTRY
SAME AS
MR LIA0 ADDED THAT HE HOPED THAT THE BILL WOULD BE ENACTED IN TIME FOR THE FORTHCOMING ROUND OF APPOINTMENTS TO THE COUNTRY BOARD IN AUGUST, “ -----
CHAIRMAN AT THAT
SO THAT A NON-OFFICIAL MEMBER WOULD BE TIME.
PARKS
APPOINTED
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
- - 0---------------
PHARMACY AND POISONS AMENDMENT REGULATIONS APPROVED
*****
THE PHARMACY AND POISONS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) REGULATIONS 1989, WHICH AMEND FEES PAYABLE IN RESPECT OF REGISTRATION, LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION UNDER THE PHARMACY AND POISONS ORDINANCE, WERE APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING A MOTION, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON NIGEL SHIPMAN, EXPLAINED THAT SECTION 29 OF THE ORDINANCE EMPOWERED THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD, SUBJECT TO LEGCO APPROVAL, TO MAKE REGULATIONS PRESCRIBING THE FEES PAYABLE IN RESPECT OF ANY REGISTRATION MADE AND ANY LICENCE AND CERTIFICATE ISSUED UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
HE SAID THE BOARD HAD RESOLVED TO AMEND THE VARIOUS FEES SET OUT IN THE NINTH SCHEDULE TO THE PHARMACY AND POISONS REGULATIONS.
"AS IT IS THE POLICY FOR SUCH FEES TO BE SET AT A LEVEL THAT ENSURES FULL COST-RECOVERY. THE COSTS INVOLVED IN EFFECTING THE REGISTRATIONS AND ISSUING THE LICENCES AND CERTIFICATES SPECIFIED IN THIS SCHEDULE HAVE BEEN EXAMINED.
/"IT IS ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
31
"IT IS PROPOSED TO INCREASE THESE FEES BY STAGES UNTIL FULL COST-RECOVERY IS OBTAINED," HE SAID.
MR SHIPMAN SAID THE ESTIMATED COSTS WERE $5.7 MILLION IN 1988-89. APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT REGULATIONS WOULD PRODUCE AN ESTIMATED ANNUAL REVENUE OF $2.7 MILLION, REPRESENTING 47 PER CENT OF ESTIMATED COSTS.
"THESE FEES WILL BE REVIEWED AGAIN IN 1991, WITH A VIEW TO ACHIEVING FULL COST-RECOVERY IN THAT YEAR," HE ADDED.
----------0-------------
FEES UNDER RADIATION'ORDINANCE AMENDED * * ♦ * *
MADE UNDER THE RADIATION IN RESPECT OF IRRADIATING WERE APPROVED BY THE
TWO SETS OF AMENDMENT REGULATIONS ORDINANCE, WHICH AMEND FEES PAYABLE EQUIPMENT AND RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES, LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THEY (AMENDMENT) RADIOACTIVE
ARE THE RADIATION (CONTROL
REGULATIONS 1989, AND THE
SUBSTANCES) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1989.
OF IRRADIATING APPARATUS)
RADIATION (CONTROL OF
A MOTION THAT THE COUNCIL APPROVE THE REGULATIONS WAS MOVED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON NIGEL SHUMAN.
HE SAID THAT SECTION 13 OF THE ORDINANCE EMPOWERED THE RADIATION BOARD, SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY LEGCO, TO MAKE PRESCRIBING THE FEES PAYABLE IN RESPECT OF ANY LICENCE
REGULATIONS
ISSUED UNDER
THE ORDINANCE.
OF FEES SET THE RADIATION
• THE BOARD HAD RESOLVED TO AMEND THE VARIOUS SETS OUT IN REGULATION 11(2) AND THE SECOND SCHEDULE T0 (CONTROL OF IRRADIATING APPARATUS) REGULATIONS; AND REGULATION AND REGULATION 16(2) OF THE RADIATION (CONTROL OF
4(1)
RADIOACTIVE
SUBSTANCES) REGULATIONS.
THE POLICY WAS FOR SUCH FEES TO BE SET AT A LEVEL FULL COST-RECOVERY, AND THE COSTS INVOLVED IN ISSUING HAD BEEN EXAMINED.
THAT ENSURED
THE LICENCES
"IT IS PROPOSED AGAIN TO INCREASE THESE FEES FULL COST-RECOVERY IS OBTAINED," MR SHOPMAN SAID.
BY
STAGES UNTIL
1988-89. IF
"THE ESTIMATED COSTS ARE $2.6 MILLION IN PROPOSED REGULATIONS ARE APPROVED, THE ESTIMATED ANNUAL BE $1.8 MILLION, REPRESENTING 70 PER CENT OF ESTIMATED COSIS.
REVENUE
THE
WILL
"THESE FEES WILL BE REVIEWED AGAIN IN 1991, WITH A VIEW 10 ACHIEVING FULL COST-RECOVERY IN THAT YEAR."
----------0-------------
/32 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
32
GOVERNOR, SENIOR MEMBER PAY TRIBUTE TO RETIRING SEN
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PAID TRIBUTE TO THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, WHO IS RETIRING FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE AFTER 32 YEARS, FOR HIS VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION NOT ONLY TO THE WORK OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUT ALSO TO HONG KONG.
IN A VALEDICTORY SPEECH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNOR SAID MR BRIDGE WAS FIRST APPOINTED TO THE COUNCIL IN AUGUST 1977 AND, IN TOTAL, HE HAD BEEN A MEMBER FOR OVER FIVE AND A HALF YEARS.
"AS COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR AND ALSO IN HIS PRESENT APPOINTMENT, MR BRIDGE HAS WORKED EXTREMELY HARD TO PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK,
"HE HAS PILOTED IMPORTANT LABOUR LEGISLATION THROUGH THIS COUNCIL TO PROVIDE BETTER PROTECTION FOR THE WORKFORCE AND HIS INTEREST AND DETERMINATION HAVE LED TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL WHICH CAME INTO BEING LAST YEAR," SIR DAVID SAID.
"EXTENSION OF THE SCOPE OF BOTH THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME AND THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND IN THE LAST FEW YEARS HAS BEEN DUE IN NO SMALL MEASURE TO HIS CONCERN FOR THE WELFARE OF THE WORKFORCE IN HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR SAID MR BRIDGE’S CONTRIBUTION IN THE EDUCATION FIELD WAS EQUALLY IMPRESSIVE, HAVING STEERED THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND THE SETTING UP OF THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE.
"THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THESE TWO INSTITUTIONS WILL PROVIDE THE KIND OF HIGH TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGERIAL SKILLS THAT HONG KONG SO BADLY NEEDS FOR ITS LONG-TERM STABILITY AND PROSPERITY.
"HE HAS ALSO PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN ASSISTING IN THE WORK OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION, WHICH WILL HAVE FAR-REACHING EFFECTS ON HONG KONG'S EDUCATION SYSTEM," SIR DAVID SAID.
"ALTHOUGH MR BRIDGE IS LEAVING HONG KONG, THE FRUITS OF ALL HIS HARD WORK WILL REMIND US OF HIS DEDICATION, IMPARTIALITY, WISDOM AND SOUND JUDGEMENT," HE ADDED.
IN A VALEDICTORY SPEECH ON BEHALF OF MEMBERS, THE SENIOR MEMBER, THE HON ALLEN LEE, SAID FEW CIVIL SERVANTS COULD MATCH MR BRIDGE’S RICH AND VARIED EXPERIENCE IN THE GOVERNMENT, PARTICULARLY IN THE LABOUR FIELD.
/"DEEP IN ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
33
"DEEP IN THE MINDS OF ALL OF US HERE TODAY IS MR BRIDGE'S PATIENCE, GRACIOUSNESS AND ABOVE ALL HIS SINCERITY AND READINESS WITH WHICH HE DISPOSES HIMSELF TO LISTENING TO OTHERS' VIEWS," MR LEE SAID.
"HE HAS ALWAYS RESPONDED POSITIVELY TO RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS MADE BY MEMBERS, IT IS NO EXAGGERATION FOR ME TO SAY THAT HE HAS EFFECTIVELY PERFORMED THE ROLE OF BEING A 'BRIDGE' BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATION AND MY COLLEAGUES.
IN THE
"I AM SURE THAT THESE QUALITIES HAVE PLAYED NO SMALL PART HELPING HIM DEAL WITH A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT ISSUES, SUCH AS DEVELOPMENT OF THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OPENING LEARNING INSTITUTE AND THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL."
- _ _ _ o - - - -
CONSULTATION ON LAND RESUMPTION BY LDC
*****
THE GOVERNMENT REQUIRES THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (LDC) TO CONSULT RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICTS AFFECTED, THROUGH THE DISTRICT OFFICES AND DISTRICT BOARDS, WHERE A LDC DEVELOPMENT SCHEME OR PROPOSAL REQUIRES LAND TO BE RESUMED.
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON KINGSLEY SIT.
"FURTHERMORE, THE LARGER LDC SCHEMES INVARIABLY REQUIRE AMENDMENTS TO THE STATUTORY OUTLINE ZONING PLANS AND THESE MUST HAVE TOWN PLANNING BOARD'S APPROVAL AND BE GAZETTED.
"THE DISTRICT BOARDS WILL BE CONSULTED ON DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLANS WHICH WILL INCORPORATE DETAILS OF LDC'S DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES, INCLUDING THE TYPES OF ACCOMMODATION AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED IN THE SCHEME," MR BARNES SAID.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
34
IMPACT OF AIRPORT NOISE TO BE MINIMISED
*****
THE ADMINISTRATION IS COMMITTED NOT ONLY TO PROVIDING IMPROVEMENTS TO AIRPORT FACILITIES BUT ALSO TO MINIMISING THE NOISE IMPACT ASSOCIATED WITH AN INCREASINGLY BUSY HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON LEUNG WAI-TUNG.
MR BARNES HAD BEEN ASKED WHAT ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN TO COMBAT THE PROBLEM OF NOISE POLLUTION, GIVEN THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD INDICATED ITS INTENTION TO IMPLEMENT A COMPREHENSIVE IMPROVEMENT PACKAGE, BASED ON A CONSULTANCY STUDY REPORT, TO EXPAND THE FACILITIES OF THE AIRPORT.
"THE CONSULTANCY ALSO RECOMMENDED MEASURES WHICH WOULD REDUCE THE NOISE IMPACT," MR BARNES SAID.
THESE MEASURES INCLUDED PROVISION OF ACOUSTIC INSULATION TO AFFECTED SCHOOLS AND MAINTAINING THE PRESENT CURFEW FOR AIRCRAFT LANDING AND TAKEOFF AT NIGHT.
THEY ALSO INCLUDED INSTALLING A FIXED GROUND POWER SOURCE IN EXISTING AND EXPANDED APRON AREAS TO WOULD PROVIDE ELECTRICITY TO AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS WHICH OTHERWISE RELY ON THE AIRCRAFT AUXILIARY POWER UNITS.-
THE OPERATION OF THESE UNITS HAD BEEN ONE OF THE PRIMARY SOURCES OF NOISE NUISANCE TO THE NEIGHBOURING HOUSING ESTATES.
MR BARNES SAID ALL OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS HAD BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION AND WERE BEING IMPLEMENTED.
"IN ADDITION, THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION HAS BEEN REQUIRING AIRLINE OPERATORS TO RELOCATE NOISY AIRCRAFT ENGINE RUNS AT NIGHT TO THE WEST OF THE NULLAH TO MINIMISE DISTURBANCE TO ADJACENT DWELLINGS.
"SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION UNDER THE CIVIL AVIATION (AIRCRAFT NOISE) ORDINANCE IS ALSO BEING DRAFTED WITH A VIEW TO INCORPORATING THESE AND OTHER FORMS OF CONTROL IN A STATUTORY FRAMEWORK," HE ADDED.
/35 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
35
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TWO ID CARDS EXPLAINED
*****
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO TYPES OF IDENTITY CARD IS THAT A "PERMANENT IDENTITY CARD" STATES THE HOLDER HAS THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG WHILE AN "IDENTITY CARD” DOES NOT, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR ASPREY EXPLAINED THAT ANY PERSON WHO WAS A BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZEN BY VIRTUE OF A CONNECTION WITH HONG KONG, AND ANY PERSON WHOLLY OR PARTLY OF CHINESE RACE, REGARDLESS OF NATIONALITY, WHO HAD BEEN RESIDED IN HONG KONG CONTINUOUSLY FOR AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS, WOULD ENJOY THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG.
"A PERSON WHO HAS THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG IS ISSUED WITH A PERMANENT IDENTITY CARD. A PERSON WHO DOES NOT HAVE THAT RIGHT IS ISSUED WITH AN IDENTITY CARD," HE SAID IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON NELLIE FONG.
MR ASPREY SAID A FOREIGN NATIONAL WHO WAS NOT WHOLLY OR PARTLY OF CHINESE RACE WOULD NOT ENJOY THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG.
HE POINTED OUT THAT BEFORE THE BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT 1981 CAME INTO FORCE ON JANUARY 1, 1983, ANY CHILD BORN IN HONG KONG WOULD BECOME A BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZEN BY BIRTH, WITH THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG, REGARDLESS OF THE NATIONALITY OF THE PARENTS.
AFTER JANUARY 1, 1983, A CHILD BORN IN HONG KONG TO PARENTS, NEITHER OF WHOM HAD THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG, WOULD BE A BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZEN ONLY IF AT LEAST ONE OF THE PARENTS HAD THE RIGHT TO LAND IN HONG KONG OR HAD BEEN PERMITTED TO REMAIN IN HONG KONG UNCONDITIONALLY, HE ADDED.
IN PRACTICE, MR ASPREY SAID, THIS WOULD APPLY TO CHILDREN OF THE FOLLOWING;
* A BRITISH CITIZEN IN THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WHO, AS A MATTER OF POLICY, WOULD BE GRANTED UNCONDITIONAL STAY IN HONG KONG;
* A BRITISH CITIZEN WHO HAS BEEN ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG CONTINUOUSLY FOR AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS, WHO WILL THEN HAVE THE RIGHT TO LAND IN HONG KONG; OR
* ANY OTHER NATIONAL WHO HAS BEEN ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG CONTINUOUSLY FOR AT LEAST NINE YEARS, AND WHO HAS APPLIED FOR AND BEEN GRANTED UNCONDITIONAL STAY IN HONG KONG.
- 0------------
/36 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
36 MEASURES TO ABATE SMELL NUISANCE AT NULLAHS *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS ADOPTING A THREE-PRONGED APPROACH IN ABATING THE SMELL NUISANCE CAUSED BY NULLAHS IN THE TERRITORY BY MEANS OF DESILTING, SEWAGE MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL ON EFFLUENTS DISCHARGE.
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS INFORMED OF THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON POON CHI-FAI.
MR BARNES SAID THERE WERE 24 MAJOR NULLAHS IN HONG KONG, AND EIGHT OF THEM -- FOUR IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND FOUR IN KOWLOON --WERE CAUSING A SMELL NUISANCE TO THE PUBLIC.
THE NEW TERRITORIES NULLAHS ARE THE YUEN LONG NULLAHS, THE TUEN MUN NULLAH, THE FO TAN NULLAH AND THE SHAM TSENG WESTERN NULLAH.
THE KOWLOON NULLAHS ARE THE MONG KOK ROAD NULLAH, THE TAI HANG TUNG NULLAH, THE JORDAN VALLEY NULLAH AND THE KAI TAK NULLAH.
MR BARNES SAID MEASURES TAKEN TO ABATE THE SMELL NUISANCE AT MOST MAJOR NULLAHS, INCLUDING THE TWO AT JORDAN VALLEY AND TSUI PING ROAD IN KWUN TONG, INCLUDED DESILTING CARRIED OUT ANNUALLY BY THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
"THIS IS A RECURRENT EXERCISE BECAUSE ORGANIC SEDIMENTS WILL ACCUMULATE AGAIN ONCE THE DREDGING HAS STOPPED," HE EXPLAINED.
THIS WORK WAS ALSO CARRIED OUT TO MITIGATE FLOODING AS NULLAHS WERE PART OF THE LAND DRAINAGE SYSTEM BUILT TO TAKE AWAY STORMWATER RUN-OFF, HE ADDED.
MR BARNES SAID THAT IN THIS FINANCIAL YEAR THE DEPARTMENT HAD OBTAINED $4.5 MILLION TO CARRY OUT DESILTING ESPECIALLY FOR SMELL ABATEMENT.
OF THIS SUM, SO.35 MILLION WOULD BE SPENT IN THE JORDAN VALLEY AND TSUI PING ROAD NULLAHS.
THE OPEN SECTION OF THE JORDAN VALLEY NULLAH HAD JUST BEEN CLEANED AS PART OF THESE WORKS AND DESILTING OF THE DECKED SECTION DOWNSTREAM WOULD BEGIN SHORTLY, HE SAID.
ON SEWAGE MANAGEMENT, HE NOTED THAT SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS WERE BEING PLANNED TO THE PUBLIC SEWERAGE IN EAST KOWLOON TO PREVENT UNCONTROLLED DISCHARGES OF FOUL WATERS, INCLUDING DISCHARGES INTO THE TWO NULLAHS IN KWUN TONG.
"A SEWAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THIS PURPOSE IS NOW BEING DEVISED BY CONSULTANTS WHOSE FINAL REPORT ON THE WORKS PROPOSED WILL BE SUBMITTED AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.
/"THESE WORKS .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
37
"THESE WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO COST NEARLY SI BILLION AND WORK COULD BEGIN ON THEM IN 1990 IF FUNDS CAN BE MADE AVAILABLE.
"CONTROLS ON BOTH DOMESTIC AND INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS TO PREVENT THEIR DISCHARGE THROUGH EXPEDIENT CONNECTIONS INTO THE NULLAHS WILL ALSO BE IMPOSED WHEN, IN 1991, THE VICTORIA HARBOUR WATER CONTROL ZONE IS DECLARED UNDER THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE."
ON WHETHER THERE WAS ANY PLAN TO DECK ALL NULLAHS, MR BARNES’ REPLY WAS NO, AS TO DO SO WOULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE AND WOULD, MOREOVER, MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT AND EXPENSIVE TO CLEANSE AND MAINTAIN THEM FOR THE PURPOSE OF FLOOD CONTROL, WHICH WAS WHY THE NULLAHS WERE BUILT.
IN ADDITION, DECKING WAS NOT ALWAYS THE MOST APPROPRIATE SOLUTION TO THE SMELL PROBLEM.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IN YUEN LONG FOR EXAMPLE, A *70 MILLION SCHEME TO REDUCE THE SMELL AND VISUAL IMPACT OF THE YUEN LONG NULLAHS HAS RECENTLY BEEN INCLUDED INTO THE PWP.
THIS SCHEME INCLUDED DESILTING, INFLATABLE DAMS TO EXCLUDE POLLUTED TIDAL WATER FROM THE NULLAH, STREAM COURSE LINING, AND PUMPING WORKS. THESE MEASURES WERE MORE EFFECTIVE THAN DECKING WHICH WOULD COST *200 MILLION - *300 MILLION.
HOWEVER, HE SAID SOME NULLAHS IN THE URBAN AREA HAVE BEEN DECKED FOR ROAD WIDENING OR TO PROVIDE AMENITY SPACE.
"THAT PART OF THE TSUI PING ROAD NULLAH NORTH OF KWUN TONG ROAD WAS DECKED IN 1988 AS PART OF THE TSUI PING ROAD ESTATE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT.
"A SECTION OF THE JORDAN VALLEY NULLAH WILL BE DECKED AS PART OF THE URBAN COUNCIL PROJECT, JORDAN VALLEY RECREATION GROUND PHASE II, TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED TO START IN 1991 FOR COMPLETION IN 1993," HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID THE SMELL NUISANCE IN NULLAHS WAS MAINLY CAUSED BY ORGANIC POLLUTANTS WHICH WERE DISCHARGED INTO THEM FROM VARIOUS SOURCES - DOMESTIC, AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL.
"IT WILL NOT BE FULLY ABATED UNTIL THESE DISCHARGES ARE PROPERLY CONTROLLED.
"THE GENERAL SILTING OF NULLAHS ALSO CONTRIBUTES TO THE SMELL PROBLEM, ALBEIT TO A LESSER EXTENT."
HE SAID .INTERIM MEASURES IN THE SUMMER TO MINIMISE THE SMELL NUISANCE CAUSED TO THE PUBLIC WERE NOT CARRIED OUT AS SUCH, ALTHOUGH MAINTENANCE AND CLEANSING WAS A YEAR ROUND PROGRAMME.
"IN SUMMER, HEAVY RAIN ACTS AS A NATURAL CLEANSING AGENT BY FLUSHING," HE NOTED.
0
'38
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
38
ADEQUATE CONTROL ON VEHICLE LAMPS ♦ ♦ t ♦ *
WHILST THERE IS NO LAW PROHIBITING THE INSTALLATION OF ADDITIONAL HEAD LAMPS, REAR LAMPS OR STOP LAMPS ON VEHICLES, THERE ARE REGULATIONS SPELLING OUT SAFETY STANDARDS FOR SUCH LAMPS, SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON POON CHI-FAI, iR LEUNG SAID THE ROAD TRAFFIC (TRAFFIC CONTROL) REGULATIONS REQUIRED THAT LAMPS LIGHTED AT THE FRONT OF A VEHICLE SHOULD BE DIPPED WHEN BEING USED ON A ROAD WITH STREET LIGHTS OR IN THE FACE OF APPROACHING TRAFFIC.
THE ROAD TRAFFIC (CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLES; REGULATIONS REQUIRED VEHICLES TO CARRY FRONT LAMPS SO CONSTRUCTED THAT THE BEAM OF LIGHT EMITTED WAS AT ALL TIMES A DIPPED BEAM.
AS REGARDS HEAD LAMPS, MR LEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT WA•: CONSIDERING MAKING AN AMENDMENT TO THE REGULATIONS TO SPECIFY THE HIGHEST AND LOWEST PARTS OF THE ILLUMINATED AREA OF A HEAD LAMP.
"THIS WOULD PREVENT THE FITMENT OF HEAD LAMPS WHICH ARE TOO HIGH AND MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OTHER ROAD USERS,” HE SAID.
AS FOR REAR LAMPS, THE ROAD TRAFFIC (TRAFFIC CONTROL) REGULATIONS MADE IT AN OFFENCE TO SHOW TO THE REAR ANY ILLUMINATI!) DEVICE WHICH WOULD TEND TO DISTRACT THE ATTENTION OF THE DRIVER OF A FOLLOWING VEHICLE.
THE ROAD TRAFFIC (CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLES) REGULATIONS FURTHER REQUIRED THAT THE POWER OF STOP LAMPS MUST NOT BE MORE THAN 36 WATTS.
MR LEUNG ADDED THAT ANY PERSON WHO INSTALLED ADDITIONAL VEHICLE LIGHTS NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THESE REGULATIONS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECTIFY THE INFRINGEMENTS OR, IN SERIOUS CASES, BE PROSECUTED.
HE CONSIDERED THE PRESENT ENFORCEMENT MEASURES AND REGULAR VEHICLE EXAMINATIONS ADEQUATE.
HOWEVER, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SITUATION AND INTRODUCE FURTHER CONTROL MEASURES IF THESE WERE WARRANTED, HE SAID.
-------- 0-------- -
/39 .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
39
THREE BILLS PASSED
* * » » *
THREE BILLS WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THEY WERE THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE PEAK TRAMWAY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; AND THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989.
SEVEN BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
THEY WERE THE LEGAL AID (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE ARBITRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE COUNTRY PARKS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES (THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS) BILL 1989; THE BETTING DUTY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE TELECOMMUNICATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; AND THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989.
IN ADDITION, A PRIVATE BILL WAS INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. THIS WAS THE SAILORS HOME AND MISSIONS TO SEAMEN INCORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989.
DEBATES ON THIS AND THE OTHER SEVEN BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
TWO MOTIONS MOVED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, UNDER THE PHARMACY AND POISONS ORDINANCE AND THE RADIATION ORDINANCE RESPECTIVELY, WERE ALSO PASSED.
THE COUNCIL DEBATED A MEMBER’S MOTION CONCERNING THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN IN HONG KONG.
THE MOTION, MOVED BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT, READ: "THAT, TO MARK THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE CHILD, THIS COUNCIL URGES THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY TO TAKE ACTION ON PROTECTING THE RIGHTS AND IMPROVING THE WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN IN HONG KONG".
THIRTEEN MEMBERS SPOKE ON THE MOTION. THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER AND THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE REPLIED FOR THE GOVERNMENT. THE MOTION WAS PASSED.
IN ADDITION, THE SENIOR MEMBER, THE HON ALLEN LEE, MADE A STATEMENT ON HONG KONG’S CASE ON THE ISSUE OF RIGHT OF ABODE IN BRITAIN FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE.
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, AND MR LEE ALSO MADE VALEDICTORY SPEECHES TO THE COUNCIL TO MARK THE LAST ATTENDANCE IN THE COUNCIL OF THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, WHO WILL BE RETIRING FROM GOVERNMENT SERVICE.
0
/40
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
40
JOINT EFFORTS REQUIRED TO PREVENT AND CONTROL AIDS
******
HONG KONG IS AT THE CROSSROAD OF INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL AND THE THREAT OF AIDS IN THE TERRITORY IS EVER INCREASING, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR NIGEL SHIPMAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE WAS ADDRESSING THE OPENING OF THE SEMINAR ON AIDS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC REGION ORGANISED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN INSTITUTES OF HIGHER LEARNING AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY.
"THE SUCCESS OF OUR EFFORTS TO PREVENT AND CONTROL AIDS BEFORE IT FULLY STRIKES THIS REGION DEPENDS ON OUR PRESENT EFFORTS IN FORMULATING NATIONAL STRATEGIES AND IMPLEMENTING EFFECTIVE PROGRAMMES," HE SAID.
"SUCH EFFORTS WILL REQUIRE THE CO-OPERATION AND SUPPORT OF ALL COUNTRIES."
MR SHIPMAN NOTED THAT GLOBALLY, FIVE TO 10 MILLION INDIVIDUALS HAD BEEN INFECTED WITH HIV AND AT LEAST ONE HALF OF THESE INFECTED PERSONS WERE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP THE CLINICAL DISEASE AIDS IN THE NEXT DECADE.
"MODERN MEDICINE HAS NOT FOUND AN ANSWER TO HALT THE SPREAD OF THIS DEADLY DISEASE," HE SAID.
"AIDS POSES A SERIOUS THREAT TO THE HEALTH OF ALL NATIONS AND HAS ALREADY SEVERELY DRAINED RESOURCES FOR HEALTH PROMOTION IN MANY COUNTRIES."
MR SHIPMAN POINTED OUT THAT IN ASIA, 369 CASES OF AIDS HAD SO FAR BEEN REPORTED FROM 24 COUNTRIES, WHICH WAS LESS THAN A QUARTER OF ONE PER CENT OF THE GLOBAL FIGURE OF 151,790 CASES REPORTED TO THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION AS AT APRIL 30, 1989.
"ALTHOUGH THE DISEASE IS STILL IN ITS INFANCY IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD, THE POTENTIAL FOR RAPID DISSEMINATION EXISTS, AS HAS BEEN EVIDENCED BY THE DRAMATIC INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF INFECTED CARRIERS DETECTED IN SOME COUNTRIES IN THIS REGION," HE SAID.
MR SHIPMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN ALERT TO THE POSSIBLE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE AND INITIATED PREVENTIVE MEASURES BEFORE THE FIRST CASE OF AIDS WAS REPORTED IN HONG KONG IN 1985.
"AN EXPERT COMMITTEE ON AIDS WAS ESTABLISHED IN NOVEMBER 1984 TO MONITOR THE SITUATION AND TO PREPARE GUIDELINES AND CONTINGENCY PLANS.
"A MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE NETWORK WAS SET UP IN 1984 WHILE A SCIENTIFIC WORKING GROUP WAS FORMED IN APRIL 1985 TO PLAN, IMPLEMENT AND EVALUATE THE SCREENING PROGRAMMES FOR AIDS.
/"TO SAFEGUARD .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 198>
41
"TO SAFEGUARD BLOOD TRANSFUSION AND BLOOD PRODUCTS, MASS SCREENING OF ALL BLOOD DONORS WAS STARTED BY THE HONG KONG RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE IN AUGUST 1985 AND A SAFER HEAT-TREATED BLOOD PRODUCT FOR USE BY HAEMOPHILIACS WAS INTRODUCED IN THE SAME YEAR.
"IN NOVEMBER 1985, AN AIDS COUNSELLING SERVICE WAS SET UP TO PROVIDE COUNSELLING AND MEDICAL CONSULTATION FOR PERSONS WHO ARE AT RISK OF CONTRACTING AIDS.
"MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY USE A TELEPHONE HOTLINE TO OBTAIN ADVICE IN CONFIDENCE. BLOOD TESTS MAY BE ARRANGED AND COMPLETE ANONYMITY IS ASSURED."
MR SHIPMAN STRESSED THAT IN THE ABSENCE OF EFFECTIVE VACCINES AND OTHER REMEDIES, HEALTH EDUCATION AND PROMOTION WAS OF THE GREATEST IMPORTANCE.
"A COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY ON AIDS WAS ESTABLISHED IN JANUARY 1987 TO CO-ORDINATE ALL RELATED EFFORTS IN EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY," HE SAID.
"THE ACTIVITIES ARE DIRECTED TOWARDS THREE MAIN GROUPS: THE GENERAL PUBLIC, THE HIGH RISK GROUPS AND THE PROFESSIONALS.
"IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR, A ’COMMUNITY AIDS CONCERN WEEK’ WAS ORGANISED IN HONG KONG IN SUPPORT OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION’S WORLD AIDS DAY TO PROMOTE GREATER AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT AIDS."
-----0-------
REVIEW OF SYSTEM FOR CERTIFYING ORIGIN OF PRODUCTS COMPLETED
*******
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT IT HAS COMPLETED A REVIEW OF THE SYSTEM FOR CERTIFYING THE ORIGIN OF PRODUCTS.
THE RESULTS OF THE REVIEW ARE CONTAINED IN A REPORT WHICH WAS ENDORSED YESTERDAY BY THE TRADE ADVISORY BOARD.
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR STUART HARBINSON, EXPLAINED THAT THE REPORT REACHES THREE CONCLUSIONS:
( 1) THAT THE TRADE DEPARTMENT SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE A CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN ISSUING BODY;
(2) THAT THE DEPARTMENT SHOULD WORK TOWARDS STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF A CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE WHICH OVERSEES CERTIFICATION WORK AND DEVELOPING A CODE OF PRACTICE ON CERTIFICATION;
/(3) THAT
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
42
(3) THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT APPROVED CERTIFICATION ORGANISATIONS (GACO’S) FOR THE TIME BEING.
COMMENTING ON THE REPORT, MR HARBINSON SAID: "ESSENTIALLY WE HAVE CONCLUDED THAT OUR EXISTING CERTIFICATION SYSTEM IS IN REASONABLE SHAPE.
"HOWEVER HONG KONG’S GEOGRAPHICAL SITUATION AND OUR PATTERN OF TRADE MEAN THAT WE HAVE TO BE ESPECIALLY CAREFUL TO MAINTAIN AS HIGH A STANDARD OF CERTIFICATION AS POSSIBLE."
MR HARBINSON STRESSED THAT THE SECOND CONCLUSION REACHED WOULD HAVE SIGNIFICANT CONSEQUENCES FOR THE FUTURE OF THE CERTIFICATION SYSTEM.
HE NOTED THAT ENHANCING THE ROLE OF THE CERTIFICATION CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY STRENGTHEN THE GOVERNMENT’S SUPERVISORY ROLE, WHILE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CODE OF PRACTICE WOULD ENSURE GREATER UNIFORMITY IN STANDARDS OF CERTIFICATION.
"THIS WILL HELP US TO CONTINUE TO GUARANTEE THE INTEGRITY OF OUR CERTIFICATION SYSTEM IN THE LIGHT OF THE CHALLENGES AHEAD," HE SAID.
THE CERTIFICATION CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE IS CHAIRED BY THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE’S REPRESENTATIVE AND HAS OTHER REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, AND THE GACO’S.
MR HARBINSON ADDED THAT THE DECISION NOT TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF GACO’S WAS BASED ON A VIEW THAT OVER-DELEGATION OF THE GOVERNMENT'S AUTHORITY IN CERTIFICATION MATTERS WOULD NOT BE HELPFUL FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CERTIFICATION SYSTEM.
"THE MORE GACO’S THERE ARE, THE HARDER IT WILL BE TO SUPERVISE AND UPGRADE THE SYSTEM.
"BESIDES, THE REVIEW SHOWED THAT THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY SEEMS TO BE HAPPY WITH THE LEVEL OF SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE EXISTING GACO’S. THERE SEEMS TO BE NO NEED TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF GACO’S," HE SAID.
"I APPRECIATE THIS DECISION WILL NOT BE WELCOME TO BODIES WHICH HOPED TO BECOME GACO’S," MR HARBINSON CONTINUED.
"LET ME MAKE IT CLEAR THAT WE ARE NOT PASSING JUDGEMENT ON THE CAPABILITIES AND SUITABILITY OF THESE BODIES. IT IS SIMPLY THAT WE FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO EXPAND THE GACO SYSTEM."
THE REPORT MARKED THE CULMINATION OF A LENGTHY REVIEW PROCESS BY THE TRADE DEPARTMENT WHICH INVOLVED BOTH AN EXAMINATION OF THE OPERATIONS OF THE EXISTING GACO’S AND THE PUBLICATION OF A DETAILED CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT.
0 ----------
/43 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
43
STI PRAISES SUPPLIERS OF PLASTIC MATERIALS * * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOHN CHAN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PRAISED THE HONG KONG PLASTICS SUPPLIERS ASSOCIATION FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE IMPRESSIVE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE LOCAL PLASTICS INDUSTRY.
ADDRESSING MEMBERS AT THE ASSOCIATION’S 15TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION, MR CHAN SAID IN THE PAST 15 YEARS, THE ASSOCIATION HAD SHOWN ITS SUPPORT FOR THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY BY ENSURING A SMOOTH, RELIABLE SUPPLY OF PLASTIC MATERIALS -- PARTICULARLY IN 1987 WHEN THERE WAS A WORLDWIDE SHORTAGE OF PLASTIC RESINS.
"AS WE ALL KNOW, HONG KONG HAS VIRTUALLY NO INDIGENOUS RAW MATERIALS AND THE CONTINUING SUPPLY OF GOOD QUALITY PLASTIC RAW MATERIALS IS VITAL TO THE CONTINUED HEALTH OF OUR MANUFACTURING SECTOR," MR CHAN SAID.
"YOUR MEMBERS HAVE ALSO MAINTAINED VALUABLE TECHNICAL ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE TO THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY ON THE SUPPLY OF NEW MATERIALS, SELECTION OF MATERIAL GRADES, IMPROVEMENTS IN PROCESSING AND THE MANAGEMENT AND SAFE STORAGE OF PLASTIC RAW MATERIALS," HE SAID.
MR CHAN ALSO THANKED THE ASSOCIATION FOR ITS SUPPORT IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PLASTIC TECHNOLOGY CENTRE COMPANY LIMITED.
HE SAID HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE ASSOCIATION WOULD CONTRIBUTE ENERGETICALLY TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PLASTIC TECHNOLOGY CENTRE IN THE CHALLENGING YEARS AHEAD, PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SERVICES TO IMPROVE THE PRODUCTIVITY AND CAPABILITIES OF THE LOCAL PLASTICS INDUSTRY.
THE PLASTIC TECHNOLOGY CENTRE COMPANY LIMITED WAS SET UP LAST YEAR WITH A GOVERNMENT GRANT OF SI 2.8 MILLION AND A PRIVATE DONATION OF $10 MILLION. A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ASSOCIATION IS A DIRECTOR OF THE COMPANY.
COMMENTING ON THE GREAT IMPORTANCE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY, MR CHAN SAID PRACTICALLY ALL CONSUMER AND INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS NOW CONTAINED SOME ELEMENTS OF PLASTICS OR THEIR DERIVATIVES.
"THE SUCCESS OF OUR PLASTICS INDUSTRY IS NOW CLOSELY TIED TO THE FORTUNES OF OUR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IN GENERAL," HE SAID.
AT PRESENT THERE ARE ABOUT 5,600 ESTABLISHMENTS IN HONG KONG’S PLASTICS INDUSTRY AND THEY EMPLOY SOME 72,000 WORKERS, REPRESENTING 11 PER CENT OF HONG KONG'S TOTAL MANUFACTURING WORKFORCE.
WITH A DOMESTIC EXPORT VALUE OF $11,847 MILLION IN 1988, THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IS NOW HONG KONG’S SIXTH LARGEST EXPORT-EARNER.
/44 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
44
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF BRANCH RE-ENTRY PERMIT SECTION
SERVICES AT THE RE-ENTRY PERMIT SECTION AT THE SHA TIN OFFICE OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AS A MEASURE TO FACILITATE THE PROCESSING OF TRAVEL DOCUMENTS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT HEAVY DEMANDS FOR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS AT THE SHA TIN OFFICE, 2ND FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, HAD BEEN RECORDED RECENTLY.
"RESIDENTS OF SHA TIN WHO WISH TO APPLY FOR RE-ENTRY PERMITS MAY APPROACH THE TAI PO IMMIGRATION OFFICE, 5TH FLOOR, TAI PO GOVERNMENT OFFICES, OR THE WEST KOWLOON RE-ENTRY PERMIT OFFICE, NO.789 NATHAN ROAD, 1ST FLOOR," HE SAID.
IT NOW TAKES 20 WORKING DAYS (ABOUT FOUR WEEKS) TO ISSUE A BRITISH HONG KONG PASSPORT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT IF THEY HAVE NO PLANS TO TRAVEL IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE, THERE IS NO NEED TO SUBJECT THEMSELVES TO QUEUEING UP ALL MORNING FOR A TAG.
"THIS WOULD CAUSE A GREAT DEAL OF INCONVENIENCE TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE A GENUINE NEED TO TRAVEL OVERSEAS," HE SAID.
ANY PERSON WHO REQUIRES A TRAVEL DOCUMENT FOR URGENT TRAVEL CAN ALWAYS APPROACH THE TRAVEL DOCUMENT SECTION OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, 1ST FLOOR, AT 61 MODY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI.
"THEY MUST BRING WITH THEM THE APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTS SO THAT WE CAN RENDER ASSISTANCE TO THEIR APPLICATIONS THE BEST WE CAN," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE HAD BEEN INCIDENTS WHERE UNSCRUPULOUS PEOPLE HAD BEEN SELLING QUEUE PLACES IN SOME OF THE IMMIGRATION BRANCH OFFICES.
"THERE IS NO NEED TO BE MADE USE OF IN THIS WAY. ANY PERSON WHO REQUIRES A TRAVEL DOCUMENT FOR URGENT TRAVEL CAN ALWAYS APPROACH OUR HEADQUARTERS AND MAKE KNOWN THEIR CASE TO US FOR ASSISTANCE," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THERE HAD BEEN UNFOUNDED RUMOURS AND MISLEADING PRESS REPORTS SUGGESTING THAT PEOPLE WHO HAD NOT ACQUIRED A PASSPORT THIS YEAR WOULD HAVE DIFFICULTIES BECOMING BRITISH NATIONALS (OVERSEAS).
"ANY PERSON BORN IN HONG KONG BEFORE JANUARY 1, 1983, AND ANY PERSON BORN IN HONG KONG AFTER JANUARY 1, 1983 WHOSE FATHER OR MOTHER IS EITHER A HKBDTC OR SETTLED IN HONG KONG, IS ELIGIBLE TO ACQUIRE A HKBDTC PASSPORT UPON APPLICATION BEFORE JULY 1, 1997," THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
"PEOPLE WHO HAVE HKBDTC STATUS INCLUDING ELIGIBLE PERSONS WHO DO NOT HOLD BDTC PASSPORTS, WILL BE ENTITLED TO ACQUIRE THE STATUS OF BN(O), TOGETHER WITH BN(O) PASSPORTS, AT ANY TIME BEFORE JULY 1, 1997," HE ADDED.
----------0 - - - -
/45 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1989
45
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JUNE 30), THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN GILMAN STREET AND WING WO STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED GOODS VEHICLE URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM
GOODS VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING 24-HOUR DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY ON THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF ICE HOUSE STREET IN CENTRAL FROM A POINT ABOUT 165 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL TO A POINT ABOUT 230 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE IN FORCE FOR ANOTHER SEVEN WEEKS TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREA.
------0-------
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN NORTH POINT
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JUNE 30), TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN NORTH POINT WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS.
THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF PAK FUK ROAD FROM A POINT ABOUT 150 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH HEALTHY STREET CENTRAL TO A POINT ABOUT 80 METRES TO THE EAST WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TSING FUNG STREET BETWEEN HING FAT STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES TO THE EAST WILL ALSO BECOME A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FOREIGN SECRETARY TO MAKE THREE-DAY VISIT ................. 1
HIGH PRIORITY ACCORDED TO EXPANSION OF HIGHER EDUCATION:
GOVERNOR................................................. 1
COMMUNITY SUPPORTS OMELCO ................................. 2
HK MUST ENSURE THE TERRITORY'S LONG TERM ENVIRONMENTAL
VIABILITY ............................................... 3
URUGUAY ROUND IMPORTANT INITIATIVE IN TRADE ............... *+
TOUGH SANCTIONS AGAINST INSIDER DEALERS UNVEILED .......... 6
SUPPORT FOR PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE DMC'S .................... 8
VBP CENTRE WILL NOT AFFECT RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ........ 10
PROPOSALS TO REGISTER ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS ............... 11
TWO SITES TO LET BY TENDER ................................ 12
PRIVATE ROAD LEGISLATION TAKES EFFECT ON SATURDAY ......... 13
LANTAU TAXI FARE CONVERSION TABLES AVAILABLE............... 1**
SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR EASTERN YOUTHS ...................... 15
YUEN LONG DB COMMITTEE TO MEET............................. 16
PROTECTION OF DB LOGOS ON AGENDA .......................... 16
ACCESSIBLE BUILDINGS AWARD ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ......... 17
DB MEMBERS VISIT DEMONSTRATION FARMS ...................... 18
HK AND SINGAPORE TO SELL PHILATELIC PRODUCTS FOR EACH OTHER .. 18
NEW ADDRESS FOR THREE CNTA OFFICES ........................ 19
VIOLET PEEL POLYCLINIC MOVING TO SOUTHORN CENTRE .......... 19
NEW ADDRESS FOR LANTAU CLOSED ROAD PERMIT APPLICATIONS .... 23
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN WING FUNG ST WEST......... 20
THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1989
- 1 -FOREIGN SECRETARY TO MAKE THREE-DAY VISIT *****
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, WILL PAY A THREE-DAY OFFICIAL VISIT TO HONG KONG EARLY NEXT MONTH TO GET FIRST-HAND INFORMATION ON THE SITUATION IN THE TERRITORY FOLLOWING THE RECENT EVENTS IN CHINA.
HE WILL TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO UPDATE HIMSELF ON DEVELOPMENTS IN VARIOUS FIELDS WHICH HAVE TAKEN PLACE SINCE HIS LAST VISIT TO HONG KONG IN MAY LAST YEAR.
SIR GEOFFREY WILL ARRIVE ON SUNDAY (JULY 2).
HIS VISIT PROGRAMME BEGINNING ON MONDAY (JULY 3) WILL INCLUDE A SERIES OF MEETINGS WITH SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, OMELCO MEMBERS, DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMEN AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BRITISH TRADE COMMISSION; AND LUNCHES WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS AS WELL AS BANKERS, BUSINESSMEN AND PROFESSIONALS.
APART FROM MEETINGS, SIR GEOFFREY WILL TAKE AN EXTENSIVE HELICOPTER TOUR TO SEE HONG KONG’S LATEST DEVELOPMENTS. DURING THE COURSE OF THE TOUR, HE WILL VISIT TWO VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE CENTRES TO SEE HOW HONG KONG IS TACKLING THIS PROBLEM.
HIS PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE A VISIT TO THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, WHICH IS TO OPEN SHORTLY.
SIR GEOFFREY WILL ALSO ATTEND AN EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING ON TUESDAY (JULY 4), AND GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE LATER IN THE AFTERNOON BEFORE RETURNING TO THE UNITED KINGDOM IN THE EVENING.
HIGH PRIORITY ACCORDED TO EXPANSION OF HIGHER EDUCATION: GOVERNOR *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO CONTINUE TO ACCORD A VERY HIGH PRIORITY TO THE EXPANSION OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR WELL EDUCATED PEOPLE THAT WOULD ARISE FROM CONTINUING GROWTH AND PROSPERITY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG WOULD CERTAINLY CONTINUE TO GROW AND PROSPER DESPITE RECENT TRAUMATIC EVENTS, AND THE DEMAND FOR WELL EDUCATED PEOPLE TO FILL PROFESSIONAL AND MANAGERIAL POSITIONS WOULD ALSO CONTINUE TO INCREASE.
ADDRESSING THE PLAQUE UNVEILING CEREMONY OF THE CHUNG SZE YUEN BUILDING AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, SIR DAVID SAID WITH TERTIARY EDUCATION NOW GROWING AT A RATE OF FIVE PER CENT A YEAR, BY THE YEAR 2000 MORE THAN 14 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S YOUNG PEOPLE WOULD BE ABLE TO PURSUE FIRST DEGREE COURSES AND SOME SIX PER CENT TO TAKE COURSES AT NON-DEGREE LEVEL.
/SIR DAVID .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1989
2
SIR DAVID SAID THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC WAS, BY ANY STANDARDS, AN OUTSTANDINGLY SUCCESSFUL INSTITUTION.
"THE QUALITY OF THE POLYTECHNIC’S GRADUATES, AND THE SPEED WITH WHICH IT HAS EXPANDED, ARE INDEED A TESTIMONY TO THE HARD WORK AND ENTHUSIASM OF THE ENTIRE POLYTECHNIC COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO GIVE FULL SUPPORT TO THE POLYTECHNIC’S CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT.
"WE SHARE YOUR FIRM BELIEF THAT THE INSTITUTION WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN THE EDUCATION OF HONG KONG," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR JOINED THE CHAIRMAN OF THE POLYTECHNIC COUNCIL, MR STEPHEN CHEONG, IN CONGRATULATING SIR SZE-YUEN CHUNG ON STEERING THE RELATIVELY YOUNG INSTITUTION THROUGH ITS CRUCIAL EARLY YEARS.
"IT’S OFTEN SAID THAT THE FIRST YEAR IN THE LIFE OF A CHILD IS THE MOST IMPORTANT. I’M SURE THAT THE FIRST 15 YEARS IN THE LIFE OF AN INSTITUTION IS ALSO VERY IMPORTANT," SIR DAVID SAID.
"IT IS A VERY FITTING GESTURE THAT THIS NEW BUILDING SHOULD BE NAMED AFTER SIR S.Y. IN APPRECIATION OF HIS CONTRIBUTION TO THE POLYTECHNIC," HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO CONGRATULATED ALL MEMBERS OF THE POLYTECHNIC COUNCIL, STAFF AND STUDENTS, BOTH PAST AND PRESENT, FOR ALL THEY HAD DONE TO MAKE THE INSTITUTION WHAT IT WAS NOW.
COMMUNITY SUPPORTS OMELCO »»»***
THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO GIVE SUPPORT TO OMELCO MEMBERS IN THEIR EFFORT TO PUT ACROSS TO BRITAIN HONG KONG’S CASE ON NATIONALITY.
HONG KONG’S MESSAGE IS THAT BRITAIN HAS A MORAL OBLIGATION TO ENSURE A SAFE AND SECURE FUTURE FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AS WELL AS A DIRECT CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO RESTORE THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE UK TO ALL THE BRITAIN SUBJECTS HERE.
A LARGE NUMBER OF COMMUNITY LEADERS INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND THE 19 DISTRICT BOARDS AS WELL AS LOCAL EDUCATION, YOUTH AND CHURCH GROUPS THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING ATTENDED TWO SEPARATE BRIEFINGS BY THE TWO OMELCO SENIOR MEMBERS. DAME LYDIA DUNN AND MR ALLEN LEE.
DURING THE TWO SESSIONS, DAME LYDIA AND MR LEE BRIEFED THE GROUPS ON THEIR'RECENT TRIP TO LONDON AND LEARNT OF THE EFFORTS MADE BY THOSE GROUPS IN SUPPORT OF THE CASE.
/MEANWHILE, PUBLIC ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1989
3
MEANWHILE. PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR HONG KONG’S CASE CONTINUES TO COME IN THE FORM OF WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS FROM ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS. DURING THE LAST THREE DAYS, OVER 1,000 SUBMISSIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT THEY MAY CONTACT THE OMELCO SECRETARIAT ON 5-264027 DURING OFFICE HOUKS SHOULD 1 HEY WISH TO SEEK INFORMATION OR ADVICE ON THE NATIONALITY ISSUE.
----------0-------------
HK MUST ENSURE THE TERRITORY’S LONG TERM ENVIRONMENTAL VIABILITY ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
HONG KONG MUST AIM TO ENSURE NOT ONLY ITS ECONOMIC PROSPERITY AND STABILITY, BUT ALSO THE LONG TERM ENVIRONMENTAL VIABILITY OF THE TERRITORY, THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DR STUART REED, SAID THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING AT THE INSTALLATION CEREMONY OF THE ZONTA CLUB OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, DR REED SAID HE APPRECIATED THAT THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE IN HONG KONG REMAINED PREOCCUPIED WITH PROBLEMS FLOWING FROM THE RECENT TRAGIC EVENTS IN CHINA.
BUT HE WENT ON TO QUOTE THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WHO IN HIS RECENT ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. SAID: "THE TIME HAS NOW COME WHEN WE MUST MOVE ON FROM THE SENSE OF SHOCK PRODUCED BY RECENT EVENTS IN CHINA.”
DR REED SAID ONE DIRECTION IN WHICH WE MUST MOVE, AND MOVE VIGOROUSLY, WAS TOWARDS SECURING HONG KONG’S LONG TERM ENVIRONMENTAL FUTURE.
"TO DO THIS, WE WILL HAVE TO SHIFT OUR PRIORITIES AND PUT ENVIRONMENT AT THE TOP OF OUR LIST IN TERMS OF INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE. AND AT THE TOP OF OUR PRIORITY LIST IN TERM$ FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE CONTEXT OF MAJOR DEVELOPMENT DECISIONS.”
’’FOR A TERRITORY WITH FIVE-AND-A-HALF MILLION PEOPLE AND A CONCENTRATION OF INDUSTRY THAT MAKES US THE 11TH BIGGEST EXPORTER IN THE WORLD, ALL THIS CRAMMED INTO 200 SQUARE KILOMETRES, THERE IS I BELIEVE NO REAL ALTERNATIVE TO THIS SHIFT IN PRIORITIES, IF WE WISH TO DEVELOP FURTHER."
DR REED SAID THE GOVERNMENT, FOR ITS PART, HAD SPELLED OUT IN THE WHITE PAPER ON POLLUTION WHAT IT CONSIDERED WAS NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE ENVIRONMENTAL VIABILITY IN THE FUTURE.
/"BUT THE .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1989
4
"BUT THE EXTENT TO WHICH WE CAN BE SUCCESSFUL IN IMPLEMENTING THE WHITE PAPER PROGRAMMES WILL DEPEND VERY MUCH ON THE INFLUENCE OF OPINION LEADERS AND DECISION MAKERS IN THE COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
DR REED CONCLUDED BY CALLING ON OPINION LEADERS AND DECISION MAKERS, WHO HE SAID WERE ALREADY MAKING A TREMENDOUS CONTRIBUTION TO OUR ECONOMIC PROSPERITY AND STABILITY, TO CONTRIBUTE ALSO TO ENSURING THE ENVIRONMENTAL VIABILITY OF THE TERRITORY, BOTH NOW AND FOR iHE FUTURE.
---------0--------------
URUGUAY ROUND
IMPORTANT INITIATIVE IN TRADE t * » ♦ *
HONG KONG REGARDS THE URUGUAY ROUND OF THE GATT MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS AS AN IMPORTANT GLOBAL INITIATIVE TO REVITALISE THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE CHINESE EXECUTIVE CLUB, MR CHAN SAID HONG KONG SUPPORTED THE URUGUAY ROUND AS A MAJOR INITIATIVE TO HALT PROTECTIONIST MEASURES AND TO LIBERALISE TRADE.
"THE URUGUAY ROUND NEGOTIATIONS HOLD THE KEY TO FURTHER LIBERALISATION OF WORLD TRADE AND THE REINS TO HALT A GLOBAL DRIFT TOWARDS UNILATERALISM AND BILATERALISM," HE SAID.
"THE PROGRESS AND THE OUTCOME OF THE NEGOTIATIONS IS ALSO A MATTER OF GREAT CONCERN TO BUSINESSMEN WORLDWIDE," HE ADDED.
MR CHAN SAID THE NEGOTIATIONS WOULD BE CRITICAL IN DECIDING WHETHER THE WORLD TRADING SYSTEM WOULD REMAIN OPEN AND MULTILATERAL OR FRAGMENT INTO TRADING BLOCS BASED ON BILATERAL OR PLURILATERAL FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS AND CUSTOMS UNIONS, A DEVELOPMENT WHICH COULD HAVE FAR-REACHING IMPLICATIONS FOR THE WORLD, NOT ONLY ECONOMICALLY BUT ALSO POLITICALLY.
HE SAID HONG KONG’S ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN THE URUGUAY ROUND COULD BE TRACED BACK TO THE PREPARATORY STAGE FOR THE LAUNCHING OF THE URUGUAY ROUND.
"SINCE THEN, OUR NEGOTIATORS IN GENEVA HAVE BEEN WORKING TOGETHER WITH LIKE-MINDED DEVELOPED AND DEVELOPING PARTICIPANTS. TO PURSUE PROPOSALS ON A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT SUBJECTS TO ENSURE THAT OUR TRADING INTERESTS WOULD NOT BE JEOPARDISED.
"AT THE SAME TIME, HONG KONG PLAYED THE ROLE OF A BRIDGE CLOSING THE GAPS BETWEEN THE DEVELOPED COUNTRIES AND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.
/"WE SHOULD .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1989
5
"WE SHOULD BE PROUD OF OUR ACHIEVEMENTS WHICH ARE QUITE OUT OF PROPORTION TO THE SIZE OF THE POPULATION AND THE AREA OF THIS TERRITORY," HE SAID.
MR CHAN POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG’S ACTIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE ROLE IN THE NEGOTIATING PROCESS HAD PAID OFF HANDSOMELY.
"DURING THE MID-TERM REVIEW CONDUCTED IN MONTREAL AND GENEVA, WE WERE INVITED TO JOIN THE RATHER EXCLUSIVE AND HIGH LEVEL CORE GROUPS CONSISTING OF NO MORE THAN A HANDFUL OF KEY PLAYERS IN THE NEGOTIATIONS.
"THROUGH THESE PROCESSES, HONG KONG WAS ABLE TO INFLUENCE DIRECTLY THE OUTCOME OF THESE NEGOTIATIONS AND TO DEFEND OUR INTERESTS WHERE NECESSARY," HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID WHETHER THE URUGUAY ROUND WOULD PROVE TO BE A QUANTUM LEAP FOR THE GATT REMAINED TO BE SEEN.
"MUCH DEPENDS ON THE ATTITUDE OF THE U.S. WHO HAD PLEDGED ITS SUPPORT FOR THE URUGUAY ROUND BUT WHOSE RECENT ACTIONS HAVE CAUSED WIDESPREAD CONCERNS ABOUT POSSIBLE BREACHES OF THE U.S. COMMITMENT TO THE ROUND.
"MUCH WOULD ALSO DEPEND ON THE ATTITUDE OF SOME DEVELOPING COUNTRIES WHO FEEL THEY HAVE BEEN ASKED TO MAKE TOO MANY CONCESSIONS IN TOO MANY AREAS AND YET HAVE BEEN GIVEN MUCH LESS IN RETURN," HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID HONG KONG WOULD OF COURSE BE PREPARED TO CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE CONSTRUCTIVELY AND ACTIVELY IN THE NEGOTIATING PROCESS.
"TOGETHER WITH OUR FRIENDS, WE WILL PRESS AHEAD SO THAT SUBSTANTIVE AGREEMENT ON ALL 15 SUBJECTS CAN BE ACHIEVED BY OCTOBER 1990 WHEN THE URUGUAY ROUND CONCLUDES.
"INDEED A DISPLAY OF POLITICAL COURAGE AND GOODWILL BY ALL TO CARRY OUT THE URUGUAY ROUND NEGOTIATIONS TO FRUITION IS REQUIRED," HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID IT WAS TRUE THAT, IN RECENT TIMES RISING PROTECTIONSIM, ESPECIALLY IN OUR MAJOR MARKETS, HAD INCREASINGLY OBSTRUCTED THE OPERATION OF THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM EMBODIED IN THE GATT.
"IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, THE INTERNATIONAL TRADING SCENE HAS WITNESSED SUCH A PROLIFERATION OF TRADE RESTRICTIVE AND DISTORTIVE MEASURES TAKEN OUTSIDE GATT RULES, AND APPLIED UNILATERALLY OR BILATERALLY, THAT THE VERY EXISTENCE OF THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM ITSELF IS SERIOUSLY THREATENED."
HE SAID THIS DEVELOPMENT HAD LED SOME INTERNATIONAL TRADE OBSERVERS TO ASK THE QUESTION "IS THE GATT ALREADY DEAD?"
/"I DO ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1989-
6
"I DO NOT SHARE THIS SCEPTICISM," HE SAID.
"NATURALLY THE GATT, LIKE OTHER INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS AND INSTITUTIONS, FACES MANY CHALLENGES IN A CHANGING WORLD.
"HAVING CELEBRATED ITS 40TH BIRTHDAY AND HAVING LIVED THROUGH PROSPEROUS TIMES, SOME CRISIS MAY NOT BE A BAD THING TO STIMULATE THE GATT AND PREVENT IT FROM BECOMING THEORETICAL AND UNIMAGINATIVE," HE SAID.
MR CHAN ADDED THAT IN FACT THE GATT ENVISAGED CONSTANT EFFORTS BY MEMBER GOVERNMENTS TO NEGOTIATE NEW AND BETTER MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUSINESS ENTERPRISES.
"IN THE PAST THIS HAS ACHIEVED THROUGH SEVEN ROUNDS OF MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS, AND IS CURRENTLY BEING PURSUED IN THE EIGHTH ROUND, THE URUGUAY ROUND," HE SAID.
-------0---------
TOUGH SANCTIONS AGAINST INSIDER DEALERS UNVEILED
*****
TOUGH SANCTIONS AIMED AT ERADICATING INSIDER DEALING FROM THE MARKET PLACE ARE CONTAINED IN THE SECURITIES (INSIDER DEALING) BILL TO BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (THURSDAY) ON THE LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR STEPHEN IP, SAID THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE BILL WAS TO PROVIDE A MORE COMPREHENSIVE DEFINITION OF INSIDER DEALING AND TO AUTHORISE THE INSIDER DEALING TRIBUNAL TO IMPOSE SANCTIONS ON PERSONS IDENTIFIED AS HAVING BEEN INVOLVED IN INSIDER DEALING.
AMONG THE SANCTIONS IN THE BILL ARE THE DISQUALIFICATION OF A PERSON FOUND TO BE INVOLVED IN INSIDER DEALING FROM THE DIRECTORSHIP OR THE MANAGEMENT OF ANY COMPANY FOR A PERIOD OF UP TO FIVE YEARS; THE DISGORGEMENT OF ANY PROFITS MADE OR LOSSES AVOIDED BY THAT PERSON: AND THE IMPOSITION OF A FINE OF UP TO THREE TIMES THE AMOUNT OF PROFITS MADE OR LOSSES AVOIDED.
MR IP SAID SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED SANCTIONS AGAINST INSIDER DEALERS WERE REQUIRED TO BRING HONG KONG UP TO INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS.
”WE BELIEVE THAT IMPOSING TOUGHER SANCTIONS, COUPLED WITH THE FLEXIBILITY’OF THE TRIBUNAL SYSTEM. IS THE RIGHT APPROACH IN TACKLING THE PROBLEM OF INSIDER DEALING," HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THE PRESENT INSIDER DEALING TRIBUNAL SYSTEM WAS ESTABLISHED UNDER PART XIIA OF THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE TO DETERMINE WHETHER CULPABLE INSIDER DEALING HAD TAKEN PLACE, THE IDENTITY OF THE PERSONS INVOLVED AND THE EXTENT OF THEIR CULPABILITY.
./“UPON COMPLETION .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1989
’’UPON COMPLETION OF THE INQUIRY, THE TRIBUNAL’S FINDINGS WILL BL PUBLISHED IN A REPORT AND PUBLIC CENSURE IS THE ONLY SANCTION AT PRESENT AVAILABLE AGAINST INSIDER DEALERS.
"IT IS RECOGNISED THAT MORE EFFECTIVE DETERRENTS ARE REQUIRED," MR IP SAID, POINTING OUT THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD IN JULY LAST YEAR ANNOUNCED THAT THE PRESENT INSIDER DEALING TRIBUNAL SYSTEM WOULD BE RETAINED FOR THE TIME BEING, AND THAT THE SANCTIONS AGAINST INSIDER DEALING WOULD BE INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY.
REFERRING TO THE BILL, MR IP SAID: "FOR TIDINESS AND EASE OF REFERENCE, THE PROVISIONS ON INSIDER DEALING WILL EMBODIED IN A SELF-CONTAINED PIECE OF LEGISLATION."
IN ADDITION TO REPRODUCING THE EXISTING PROVISIONS IN PART XIIA OF THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE COVERING THE CONSTITUTION, POWERS AND PROCEDURES OF THE INSIDER DEALING TRIBUNAL, THE BILL INCORPORATES A NUMBER OF CHANGES TO THE EXISTING PROVISIONS.
THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME OF THE MORE SIGNIFICANT AMENDMENTS:
(A) DEFINITIONS
THE DEFINITION OF ’RELEVANT INFORMATION’ IS AMENDED TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT RELEVANT INFORMATION IS INFORMATION ABOUT A CORPORATION WHICH IS NOT GENERALLY AVAILABLE BUT, IF IT WERE, WOULD BE LIKELY TO BRING ABOUT A MATERIAL CHANGE IN THE PRICE OF ANY LISTED SECURITIES OF A CORPORATION.
THE DEFINITION OF INSIDER DEALING IS WIDENED. IT NOW CATCHES AS A PRIMARY INSIDER THE OFFEROR, I.E. THE PERSON WHO IS CONTEMPLATING OR HAS CONTEMPLATED A TAKEOVER BID, AND THE SECONDARY INSIDER TIPPEE, I.E. THE PERSON WHO KNOWINGLY RECEIVES, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, AND MAKES USE OF INSIDE INFORMATION.
IT ALSO CATCHES DEALING IN THE SECURITIES OF A RELATED CORPORATION; PROCURING OR COUNSELLING ANOTHER TO DEAL OR DISCLOSING INSIDE INFORMATION TO ANOTHER; AND PROMOTING DEALS ON AN OVERSEAS STOCK EXCHANGE. MOREOVER, THE DEFINITION ADDS A NEW REQUIREMENT THAT A PERSON, BOTH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY INSIDER, MUST KNOW THAT HE IS IN POSSESSION OF INSIDE INFORMATION.
(B) SANCTIONS
THE INSIDER DEALING TRIBUNAL IS EMPOWERED TO -
I) DISQUALIFY A PERSON FOUND TO BE INVOLVED IN THE INSIDER DEALING UNDER INQUIRY FROM THE DIRECTORSHIP OF, OR FROM IN ANY WAY BEING CONCERNED OR TAKING PART IN THE MANGEMENT OF, ANY COMPANY, PUBLIC OR PRIVATE FOR A PERIOD OF UP TO FIVE YEARS, I.E. SIMILAR TO THE COURT’S POWERS UNDER SECTION 157E OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE;
/II) REQUIRE THE ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1989
8
II) REQUIRE THE DISGORGEMENT OF ANY PROFITS MADE OR LOSSES AVOIDED BY THE PERSON; AND
III) IMPOSE A FINE UPON THE PERSON OF UP TO THREE TIMES THE AMOUNT OF PROFITS MADE OR LOSSES AVOIDED BY THAT PERSON*
(C) THE TRIBUNAL’S EXPENSES
THE INSIDER DEALING TRIBUNAL IS ALSO EMPOWERED TO ORDER A PERSON FOUND TO BE INVOLVED IN THE INSIDER DEALING UNDER INQUIRY TO PAY TO THE GOVERNMENT SUCH SUMS AS IT SEES FIT TOWARDS THE EXPENSES OF THE INQUIRY AND ANY RELATED INVESTIGATION CARRIED OUT BY THE TRIBUNAL.
(D) SITTINGS OF THE TRIBUNAL
AT PRESENT, SITTINGS OF THE TRIBUNAL ARE HELD IN CAMERA. IN FUTURE, SITTINGS WILL BE HELD IN PUBLIC UNLESS THE TRIBUNAL CONSIDERS THAT IN THE INTERESTS OF JUSTICE, A SITTING OR ANY PART THEREOF SHOULD BE HELD IN PRIVATE.
(E) RIGHT OF APPEAL
ANY PERSON NAMED IN A REPORT OF THE TRIBUNAL OR WHO IS THE SUBJECT OF AN ORDER MADE AGAINST HIM BY THE TRIBUNAL WILL HAVE A RIGHT OF APPEAL ON A POINT OF LAW ALONE TO THE COURT OF APPEAL.
THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JULY 12.
------0-------
SUPPORT FOR PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE DMC’S
*****
THE PUBLIC HAS GENERALLY EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR THE SPIRIT OF THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS TO REMEDY UNFAIR PROVISIONS IN EXISTING DEEDS OF MUTUAL CONVENANT (DMC’S), THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR LAN WAS SPEAKING AT A ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON NORTHEAST LUNCHEON MEETING ON THE CONSULTATION ON THE PROPOSALS WHICH ENDED ON MAY 31 THIS YEAR.,
HE SAID THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HAD UNDERTAKEN VERY POSITIVE AND ACTIVE STEPS TOWARDS CONDUCTING A COMPREHENSIVE CONSULTATION EXERCISE BETWEEN FEBRUARY AND MAY THIS YEAR.
/"I AM ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1989
9
"I AM VERY HAPPY TO SEE THAT. AT THE END OF THE CONSULTATION PERIOD, SOME 17 DISTRICT BOARDS, MANY CONCERNED PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND AROUND 400 INDIVIDUALS OR ASSOCIATIONS HAVE EXPRESSED THEIR VIEWS ON THE PROPOSALS - ALMOST ALL OF THEM ARE IN SUPPORT OF THE SPIRIT 0 THE RECOMMENDATIONS," HE NOTED.
ONE OF THE BASIC DILEMMA, HE SAID, WAS THAT WHILE PROFESSIONA MANAGEMENT AGENTS WOULD LIKE TO BE GIVEN MORE FLEXIBILITY IN MANAGING THEIR BUILDINGS. OWNERS CORPORATIONS AND INDIVIDUAL OWNERS GENERALL WOULD WANT TO HAVE A GREATER SAY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE BUILDING.
"I BELIEVE A WORKABLE SOLUTION TO THIS DILEMMA IS, AFTER CONSIDERING THE PROS AND CONS OF THE VIEWS FROM BOTH SIDES, TO STRIKE A PROPER BALANCE SO THAT THE MANAGERS WOULD HAVE SUFFICIENT ROOM TO EXERCISE THEIR PROFESSIONAL JUDGEMENT ON THE ONE HAND AND THE OWNERS WOULD HAVE A REASONABLE SAY OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF THEIR BUILDING 5 ON THE OTHER," MR LAN SAID.
SOME VERY USEFUL AND CONSTRUCTIVE COMMENT HAD BEEN EXPRESSED ON WAYS TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE PROPOSED GUIDELINES, HE SAID.
ALL THESE COMMENTS WOULD BE STUDIED BY THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT VERY SHORTLY. AFTER WHICH, THE COMMITTEE WOULD MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE PROPOSALS TO THE GOVERNMENT.
ON THE GUIDELINE WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE TERMINATION OF THE SERVICE OF THE MANAGER, MR LAN SAID THE PERPETUAL MANAGEMENT RIGHTS PROVIDED BY CERTAIN DMC’S TO SOME MANAGERS COULD HARDLY BE ACCEPTED AT THE PRESENT DATE AND TIME.
"AS A VERY GENERAL RULE, OWNERS OF A BUILDING SHOULD BE GIVIN A CHANCE TO CHOOSE A GOOD MANAGER AND DISMISS A BAD ONE," HE SAII, ADDING THAT THE MECHANICS OF HOW THIS COULD BE PROPERLY ADMINISTERED SHOULD HOWEVER BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED.
ALSO, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY BELIEVED THAT THE COMMON PARTS OF A BUILDING WERE DESIGNATED FOR THE USE AND ENJOYMENT OF OWNERS AND THEY SHOULD NOT BE DEPRIVED OF THE USE OF THEM.
TURNING TO THE GUIDELINE WHICH PROVIDES THAT A DMC SHALL NOT PREJUDICE THE FORMATION OF AN OWNERS’ CORPORATION, MR LAN SA D EXPERIENCE SHOWED THAT BUILDINGS WITH OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS WERE USUALLY BETTER MANAGED THAN THOSE WITHOUT THEM.
"HOWEVER, VIEWS ARE DIVIDED AS TO WHETHER BUILDINGS AND DEVELOPMENTS OF ALL SIZES SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO EXERCISE CONTROL ON MANAGEMENT MATTERS BY OWNERS’ CORPORATI®NS."
SOME DEVELOPERS AND PROFESSIONAL MANAGING AGENTS HAD CITED T IE GREAT COMPLEXITIES INVOLVED IN MANAGING LARGE ESTATES, THE CONDITIONS OF SOME LAND GRANTS AND THE PHASED DEVELOPMENT OF SOME LARGE ESTAT 13 AS REASONS FOR ADVOCATING THE RETENTION OF THE DEVELOPERS’ RIGHT TO MANAGE THE DEVELOPMENTS.
/"IT IS ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1989
10
"IT IS NOT EASY TO FIND A GOLDEN FORMULA WHICH CAN BE APPLICABLE TO THE MULTIFARIOUS TYPES OF BUILDINGS IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
THE IMPORTANT POINT TO NOTE WAS HOW TO BRING UP THE GENERAL STANDARD AND QUALITY OF MANAGEMENT OF PRIVATE BUILDINGS IN HONG KONG.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS NOW STUDYING ALL THE SUGGESTIONS VERY CAREFULLY SO THAT THE RIGHT BALANCE IS STRUCK SOMEWHERE, ENABLING LARGE ESTATES TO CONTINUE ENJOYING GOOD MANAGEMENT PROVIDED BY MANAGERS BUT AT THE SAME TIME THE OWNERS WILL HAVE AN ADEQUATE AND REASONABLE SAY OVER MANAGEMENT MATTERS," MR LAN SAID.
ON THE PROPOSED TRIBUNAL TO DEAL WITH MANAGEMENT DISPUTES. MR LAN SAID THE PROPOSAL WAS STRONGLY SUPPORTED BY DISTRICT BOARDS, PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND OWNERS ORGANISATIONS ALIKE.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD GIVE DUE CONSIDERATION TO THIS PROPOSAL. IN FACT, DISCUSSION OF THIS SUBJECT WAS ALREADY ON THE CALENDAR OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
----------0-------------
VBP CENTRE WILL
NOT AFFECT RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ♦ * ♦ t *
THE GOVERNMENT’S PLAN TO USE A REMOTE SITE IN SAI KUNG AS A CLOSED DETENTION CENTRE FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE (VBP) WILL NOT AFFECT THE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND ENVIRONMENT IN THE AREA.
THIS WAS EXPLAINED TO MEMBERS OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD TODAY (THURSDAY) IN A BRIEFING BY SECURITY BRANCH OFFICIALS.
THE REGIONAL COUNCIL WAS ALSO BRIEFED ON THE EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION PLAN WHICH HAD BEEN MADE NECESSARY IN THE LIGHT OF A CONTINUING LARGE INFLUX OF VBP.
THE REFUGEE CO-ORDINATOR, MR MIKE HANSON, SAID IT WAS A REMOTE SITE FAR AWAY FROM THE CITY AND FROM HABITATION.
"THE DETENTION CENTRE WILL BE NEXT TO THE CHONG HING WATER SPORTS CENTRE BUT WILL NOT ENCROACH ON ITS FACILITIES WHICH WILL STILL BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC," HE SAID.
"THE PRESENCE OF THE CAMP IS NOT EXPECTED TO AFFECT FACILITIES IN THE SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK GENERALLY.
"STUDIES ARE UNDER WAY BY TECHNICAL DEPARTMENTS ON WATER AND POWER SUPPLIES AND WASTE DISPOSAL; AND MEASURES WILL BE CONSIDERED TO PREVENT POLLUTION."
/MR HANSON .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1989
11
MR HANSON POINTED OUT THAT MORE THAN 22,700 VBP HAD ARRIVED THIS YEAR -- 2,918 HAD COME IN APRIL, 9,194 IN MAY AND 9,283 SO FAR THIS MONTH.
"ACCOMMODATING ALL THESE BOAT PEOPLE AND VIETNAMESE REFUGEES HAS BEEN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT," HE SAID.
"LONGER-TERM VBP ACCOMMODATION, SUCH AS WHITEHEAD STAGES 3 AND 4, WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL LATER IN THE YEAR, AND IT IS NECESSARY TO MAKE FURTHER ARRANGEMENTS NOW FOR AN ADDITIONAL CENTRE.
"THE SITE IN SAI KUNG CAN BE PREPARED WITHIN A SHORT TIME SPAN AND IS FAR AWAY FROM LOCAL HABITATION.
"IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO PROVIDE ON THIS SITE TENTED ACCOMMODATION FOR ABOUT 7,000 BOAT PEOPLE."
_ _ _ _ o - - - -
PROPOSALS TO REGISTER ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS
*****
PROPOSALS DESIGNED TO ESTABLISH THE PROFESSIONAL STATUS OF QUALIFIED ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS OF VARIOUS DISCIPLINES WHILE AT THE SAME TIME SAFEGUARDING THE RIGHTS OF THE CONSUMER PUBLIC HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
TWO BILLS TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY WILL FORM THE FRAMEWORK FOR SETTING UP REGISTRATION BOARDS FOR PRACTISING ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS IN HONG KONG.
THEY ARE THE ARCHITECTS REGISTRATION BILL 1989 AND THE ENGINEERS REGISTRATION BILL 1989.
HOWEVER, A PRIVATE BILL WILL NEED TO BE INTRODUCED FIRST TO ESTABLISH THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS AS AN INCORPORATED BODY. THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS IS ALREADY AN INCORPORATED BODY ESTABLISHED UNDER THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS ORDINANCE 1975.
UNDER THE BILLS, THE PROPOSAL IS TO ESTABLISH THE REGISTRATION BOARDS INDEPENDENT OF THE TWO PROFESSIONAL BODIES INVOLVED.
"THE CONCEPT OF REGISTRATION IS TO CONFER ON SUITABLE APPLICANTS A TITLE WHICH DEMONSTRATES TO FELLOW PROFESSIONALS AND TO THE PUBLIC A HIGH STANDARD OF PROFESSIONAL TRAINING, CURRENT COMPETENCE TO PRACTICE AND RELEVANT BACKGROUND FOR WORKING IN HONG KONG," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE REGISTER WILL LIST ONLY COMPETENT PRACTICING PROFESSIONALS WORKING IN HONG KONG, AND REGISTRATION HAS TO BE RENEWED ANNUALLY.
/APART FROM .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1989
12
APART FROM SETTING OUT QUALIFICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION, THE BILLS WILL ALSO OUTLINE DETAILS OF DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS WHICH ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE SCHEME TO MAINTAIN PUBLIC CONFIDENCE.
"CLOSE CONSULTATION HAD BEEN HELD WITH HKIA AND HKIE AND BODIES HAD SIGNIFIED THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE TWO BILLS," THE SPOKESMAN
SAID.
THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS AND THE HONG INSTITUTE OF PLANNERS, FOR WHOM SIMILAR LEGISLATION IS PROPOSED, ALSO BEEN CONSULTED AND THEY ARE IN AGREEMENT WITH THE PRINCIPLES OF THE BILLS.
KOI G HAVE MAIN
- - - - 0
TWO SITES TO LET BY TENDER ♦ ♦ * * t
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE LETTING OF TWO SITES BY SHORT TERM TENANCIES.
THE FIRST ONE IS A 2,440 SQUARE METRE SITE AT LAI KING HILL ROAD, KOWLOON.
IT IS FOR A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC PARKING AREA FOR THE PARKING OF MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCLUDING ARTICULATED VEHICLES, CURRENTLY LICENSED UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE.
THE INITIAL TENANCY IS ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE MONTHLY AFTERWARDS.
THE SECOND SITE IS AN AREA ADJACENT TO WONG CHUK YEUNG STREET, FO TAN, SHA TIN.
IT IS FOR THE STORAGE OF GOODS, PLANTS AND MACHINERY, VEHICLES AND BUILDING MATERIALS (EXCLUDING CONTAINERS) BELONGING TO THE TENANT ONLY.
THE INITIAL TENANCY FOR THIS 3,150 SQUARE METRE SITE IS TWO YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS FOR BOTH SITES IS NOON ON JULY 14.
----0-------
/13 ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1989
13
PRIVATE ROAD LEGISLATION TAKES EFFECT ON SATURDAY
******
NEW LEGISLATION ON PRIVATE ROADS WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON SATURDAY (JULY 1), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT REMINDED VEHICLE OWNERS, DRIVERS AND OWNERS OF PRIVATE ROADS TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS, GAZETTED IN APRIL, HAVE BEEN AMENDED TO EXTEND TO PRIVATE ROADS TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY ON THESE ROADS AND TO EMPOWER THE OWNERS OF PRIVATE ROADS TO MANAGE THE PARKING OF VEHICLES MORE EFFECTIVELY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT REMINDED VEHICLE OWNERS THAT UNDER THE NEW REGULATIONS. MOTOR VEHICLES WOULD HAVE TO BE REGISTERED, LICENSED AND INSURED AGAINST THIRD PARTY RISKS EVEN WHEN BEING USED EXCLUSIVELY ON PRIVATE ROADS.
HE ADDED THAT THE VEHICLES WOULD ALSO HAVE TO COMPLY WITH LEGAL REQUIREMENTS IN CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE.
"A THREE-MONTH GRACE PERIOD FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE LEGISLATION THIS SATURDAY IS PROVIDED FOR VEHICLES OWNERS TO COMPLETE THE PROCEDURES FOR REGISTRATION, LICENSING AND ISSUE OF PERMITS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE NEW LEGISLATION ALSO AUTHORISES PRIVATE ROAD OWNERS TO ERECT OR PUT IN PLACE CERTAIN TRAFFIC SIGNS AND ROAD MARKINGS AND TO CONTROL PARKING ON PRIVATE ROADS.
OWNERS OF PRIVATE ROADS ARE FURTHER EMPOWERED BY THE LEGISLATION TO DESIGNATE "NO-PARKING” AREAS, DETAIN OR IMPOUND UNLAWFULLY PARKED CARS AND CHARGE FEES FOR SUCH DETENTION AND IMMOBILISATION.
THE FEE FOR IMPOUNDING VEHICLES IS $140, FOR REMOVING VEHICLES $200, AND THE DAILY FEE FOR STORING AN IMPOUNDED VEHICLE IS $50.
UNDER THE NEW REGULATIONS, A PERSON WHO DRIVES A MOTOR VEHICLE ON A PRIVATE ROAD MUST COMPLY WITH THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS AND IS LIABLE TO PROSECUTION FOR ANY TRAFFIC OFFENCE.
WITH THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE NEW LAW, THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANT FUND SCHEME WILL BE EXTENDED TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF ACCIDENTS ON PRIVATE ROADS.
SOME AREAS ARE GIVEN SPECIAL CONSIDERATION. FOR EXAMPLE, THE NEW LAW WILL NOT APPLY TO THE RESTRICTED ROAD IN THE AIRPORT, WHICH WILL CONTINUE TO BE REGULATED BY THE HONG KONG AIRPORT (TRAFFIC) REGULATIONS.
IN AREAS MAINLY OR WHOLLY USED FOR CONSTRUCTION AND INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES, AN ELEMENT OF NON-COMPLIANCE WILL BE ALLOWED. HOWEVER, OFFENCES SUCH AS RECKLESS DRIVING AND CARELESS DRIVING WILL STILL RENDER A DRIVER LIABLE TO PROSECUTION.
/IT CERTAIN .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1989
14
IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, GOLF CARTS MAY BE GRANTED A PERMIT TO BE USED ON ROADS AND WILL BE TREATED AS VILLAGE VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD OBTAIN A VALID VILLAGE VEHICLE PERMIT AND HAVE A THIRD PARTY INSURANCE POLICY. THE DRIVERS SHOULD HAVE A VALID DRIVING LICENCE TO DRIVE IN DESIGNATED AREAS.
A LEAFLET HAS BEEN PUBLISHED TO EXPLAIN IN GENERAL TERMS THE OBJECTIVES OF THE NEW RULES FOR PRIVATE ROADS, THEIR MAIN PRINCIPLES AND THE EXTENT OF THEIR APPLICATION.
COPIES OF THE LEAFLET ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS ON THE 28TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, HONG KONG.
THEY WILL BE READY FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION LATER AT THE DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S LICENSING OFFICES. VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRES AND DRIVING TEST APPOINTMENT OFFICES.
LANTAU TAXI FARE CONVERSION TABLES AVAILABLE »»»»»«
LANTAU TAXI CONVERSION TABLES SHOWING THE NEW TAXI FARE SCALES AS AGAINST THE EXISTING FARE SCALES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION BY TAXI OWNERS FROM SATURDAY (JULY 1), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
NEW FARES FOR LANTAU TAXIS WILL TAKE EFFECT ON JULY 10. THE FARE FOR THE FIRST TWO KILOMETRES AFTER FLAGFALL WILL BE $5.50 AND THAT FOR EVERY SUBSEQUENT 0.25 KILOMETRES WILL BE $0.70.
THE WAITING TIME CHARGE WILL BE $0.70 FOR EVERY MINUTE AND THE TELEPHONE BOOKING SURCHARGE FOR EVERY HIRING WILL BE $2.00.
THE FARE CONVERSION TABLES CAN BE COLLECTED AT MUI WO DISTRICT OFFICE, GRANDVIEW MANSION, GROUND FLOOR, 11 MUI WO FERRY PIER ROAD, LANTAU ISLAND, OR AT TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S PUBLIC VEHICLE SECTION, ROOM 27, MEZZANINE FLOOR, 2 MURRAY ROAD, HONG KONG.
TAXI OWNERS SHOULD PRODUCE THEIR TAXI REGISTRATION DOCUMENTS WHEN COLLECTING THE CONVERSION TABLES. THE TABLES SHOULD BE DISPLAYED AT A PROMINENT POSITION INSIDE THE TAXIS BEFORE TAXIMETRES ARE RECALIBRATED AND SEALED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
0-----------
/15 ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1989
15
SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR EASTERN YOUTHS
*****
OVER 200 RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN LINED UP FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 25 IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT DURING THE TWO-MONTH SUMMER VACATION THIS YEAR.
THESE HAVE BEEN CO-ORDINATED BY THE DISTRICT’S YOUTH RECREATION CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE WITH SPONSORSHIP OF $385,000 FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
A SPOKESMAN FOK THE COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT TH : PROGRAMME HAD BEEN CAREFULLY DRAWN UP BY 34 ORGANISATIONS, INCLUDING SCHOOLS, SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANISATIONS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, WJ’I I "SHARING THE FUN, SERVING THE COMMUNITY" AS ITS CENTRAL THEME.
AMONG THE ACTIVITIES ARE LEADERSHIP TRAINING COURSES, VISITS TO ORGANISATIONS, CAMPING, EXHIBITIONS, SEMINARS, CONCERTS, SOCIAL SERVICE PROJECTS, SPORTS AND OTHER YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES.
"WE HOPE TO OFFER A WIDE RANGE OF MEANINGFUL RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO SPEND THEIR LEISURE TIME IN SUMMER AS WELL AS TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM TO DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL AND APPRECIATE INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIP." THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES ARE MAINLY OF A COMMUNITY SERVICE NATURE, WHICH WOULD HELP CULTIVATE A SENSE OF CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY AMONG THE PARTICIPANTS," HE ADDED.
TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE 1989 EASTERN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME. AN ALL-STAR CONCERT FEATURING POP SINGERS MR HACKEN LEE. MISS MAN PUI-LING AND MR TAM YIU-MAN WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (JULY 2) AT KIANGSU AND CHEKIANG PRIMARY SCHOOL.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER. MR GARY YEUNG; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN. MR SHUM CHOI-SANG AND THE REGIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (HONG KONG), MR KWOK NAI-SIK.
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS FOR THE CONCERT AND PROGRAMME LEAFLETS OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS THREE SUB-OFFICES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE 1989 EASTERN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME OPENING CEREMONY AND ALL-STAR CONCERT WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON SUNDAY (JULY 2) IN THE ASSEMBLY HALL OF KIANGSU AND CHEKIANG PRIMARY SCHOOL, 30 CHING WAH STREET, NORTH POINT.
------ - 0-------------
/16 ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1989
16
YUEN LONG DB COMMITTEE TO MEET » t » *
THE RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS AT ITS SECOND MEETING FOR 1989-90 TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE APPLICATIONS ARE FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS PLANNING TO HOLD RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES BETWEEN OCTOBER AND DECEMBER.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED BY A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION ON THE WORK OF THE ICAO’S REGIONAL OFFICE (NEW TERRITORIES NORTH WEST).
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 13TH FLOOR, TAI KIU GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 3 PM.
----------0--------------
PROTECTION OF DB LOGOS ON AGENDA ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
MEMBERS OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD WILL COMMENT ON A PROPOSAL TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO PROTECT THE USE OF DISTRICT BOARD LOGO AT A SUPPLEMENTARY MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
IT IS PROPOSED THAT ANYONE WHO USES A DISTRICT BOARD LOGOS WITHOUT THE PRIOR PERMISSION OF THE BOARD CONCERNED COMMITS AN OFFENCE AND IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $5,000.
THE MEETING WILL ALSO DISCUSS A LAYOUT PLAN FOR THE PROPOSED USE OF THE AREA SOUTH OF THE FANLING RAILWAY STATION.
A MEMBER WILL ASK WHETHER THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WILL CONSIDER AMENDING THE RULE THAT SINGLE TENANTS AND TWO-PERSON FAMILIES MOVING TO TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS AFTER JANUARY 1, 1985, CANNOT BE RESETTLED IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
/OTHER ITEMS .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1989
17
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE REPORTS FROM I HE NORTH DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND THE NORTH DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD SUPPLEMENTARY MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM.
-------0---------
ACCESSIBLE BUILDINGS AWARD ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ♦ ♦ * t ♦ t
MEMBERS OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE WILL BE BRIEFED ON AN AWARD SCHEME FOR THE "MOST ACCESSIBLE BUILDING DESIGNS FOR THE DISABLED IN HONG KONG” AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE SCHEME IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AND THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS.
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE AWARD ARE TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS THAT SUITABLE ACCESS FACILITIES CAN HELP THE DISABLED TO BECOME MORE INDEPENDENT AND TO GIVE RECOGNITION TO THE INITIATIVE AND FAR-SIGHTEDNESS OF THE DEVELOPERS AND ARCHITECTS CONCERNED.
IN ADDITION, THE MEETING WILL REVIEW THE PROGRESS OF PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE IN TUNG YAN STREET.
0 - - - -
/18 ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1989
18
DB MEMBERS VISIT DEMONSTRATION FARMS * * * * *
NORTH DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING VISITED TWO DEMONSTRATION FARMS IN KAM TSIN VILLAGE, SHEUNG SHUI TO SEE THE OPERATION OF WASTE TREATMENT METHODS UNDER PRIVATE FARM CONDITIONS.
THE FAMILIARISATION VISIT WAS SUGGESTED AT A MEETING OF THE BOARD’S COMMERCE, INDUSTRY, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES COMMITTEE LAST MONTH DURING WHICH MEMBERS EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE PROGRESS OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM HUI, AND THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER (DEVELOPMENT), MRS TERESA WONG, THE PARTY FIRST WENT TO A PIG FARM USING THE PIG-ON-LITTER METHOD.
THEY WERE TOLD BY THE SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL GROUP, MR MICHAEL WU, HOW PIG WASTE COULD BE DISPOSED OF BY ADDING A BACTERIAL PRODUCT ONTO THE BREEDING BEDS WHICH ARE COVERED WITH SAW DUST.
THEY THEN PROCEEDED TO A CHICKEN FARM WHICH TREATS WASTE BY ADOPTING THE DRY MUCK-OUT METHOD AND THROUGH A SOAKAWAY PIT.
THE TWO FARMS ARE AMONG THE NINE PRIVATE FARMS CHOSEN TO TAKE PART IN THE DEMONSTRATION OF VARIOUS TREATMENT METHODS IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH ANTI-POLLUTION REGULATIONS.
0--------- -
HK AND SINGAPORE TO SELL PHILATELIC PRODUCTS FOR EACH OTHER *****
THE PHILATELIC BUREAU OF THE HONG KONG AND SINGAPORE POST OFFICES WILL START TO SELL STAMPS AND OTHER PHILATELIC PRODUCTS ON BEHALF OF EACH OTHER FROM SATURDAY (JULY 1). THE POST OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
CUSTOMERS WISHING TO BUY HONG KONG OR SINGAPORE PHILATELIC PRODUCTS MAY THEN MAKE THEIR PURCHASE AT THE PHILATELIC COUNTERS OF A NUMBER OF POST OFFICES IN HONG KONG AND SINGAPORE.
THEY ARE THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE POST OFFICE. PEAK POST OFFICE. TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE, GRANVILLE ROAD POST OFFICE. AND AIRPORT POST OFFICE IN HONG KONG AND THE MAIN POST OFFICES IN SINGAPORE.
- 0 - - - -
/19 ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1989
19
NEW ADDRESS FOR THREE CNTA OFFICES
*****
THE TRUST FUNDS GENERAL OFFICE, THE CHINESE AND THE CHINESE PERMANENT CEMETERIES OFFICE 01-TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION WILL MOVE 10 THEIR SATURDAY (JULY 1).
TEMPLES COMMITTEE luu Cl'iY AND NEW NEW ADDRESS THIS
THE THREE OFFICES WILL BE LOCATED ON THE 29 1H FLOOR, SOU THORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
THE NEW ENQUIRY TELEPHONE NUMBERS ARE :
TRUST FUNDS GENERAL OFFICE
CHINESE TEMPLES COMMITTEE
CHINESE PERMANENT CEMETERIES OFFICE
5-8351524
5-8351519
5-8311116
----------0-------------
VIOLET PEEL POLYCLINIC MOVING TO SOUTHORN CENTRE
*****
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT THE VIOLET PEEL POLYCLINIC, NOW LOCATED AT HARCOURT ROAD, WILL BE MOVED TO SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, ON MONDAY (JULY 3).
THE POLYCLINIC CONSISTS OF AN OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT, THE GENERAL PRACTICE UNIT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THE NARCOTICS AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION.
FROM MONDAY, THE OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT AND THE GENERAL PRACTICE UNIT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG WILL BE LOCATED ON THE BUILDING'S FIRST AND SECOND FLOORS RESPECTIVELY, AND THE NARCOTICS AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION WILL BE ON THE EIGHTH FLOOR.
FROM THE SAME DAY, THE VIOLET PEEL METHADONE CLINIC, NOW LOCATED AT 21 STONE NULLAH LANE IN WAN CHAI, WILL OPERA 1E AT THE GROUND FLOOR OF SOUTHORN CENTRE.
0---------
/20 ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1989
20 -
NEW ADDRESS FOR LANTAU CLOSED ROAD PERMIT APPLICATIONS *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM SATURDAY (JULY 1), APPLICATIONS FOR NEW OR RENEWAL OF CLOSED ROAD PERMITS FOR VEHICLES ON LANTAU ISLAND WILL BE HANDLED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S HONG KONG
LICENSING OFFICE.
THE ADDRESS OF THE LICENSING OFFICE IS GROUND FLOOR, 2 MURRAY ROAD, HONG KONG. TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES MAY ALSO BE DIRECTED TO THE OFFICE ON 5-261577.
---------0--------------
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN WING FUNG ST WEST
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JULY 1), WING FUNG STREET WEST IN WAN CHAI, NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH MONMOUTH PATH, WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
THE CLOSURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS FOR LAYING OF A GAS MAIN.
WING FUNG STREET WEST WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY EASTBOUND TO A TWO-WAY CUL-DE-SAC, WITH ACCESS FROM WING FUNG STREET.
THE RIGHT-TURN FROM MONMOUTH PATH TO WING FUNG STREET WEST WILL BE BANNED.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVT STUDYING DETAILS OF FAC REPORT.......................... 1
OMELCO STATEMENT ON FAC REPORT .............................. 2
RECENT EVENTS GIVE HK NEW-FOUND SENSE OF UNITY .............. 3
PRESS ARRANGEMENTS FOR FOREIGN SECRETARY'S VISIT ............ 5
DETAILS OF HILLSIDE ESCALATOR WORKS PUBLISHED ............... 8
GOVT SUPPORTS SPORT AND RECREATION DEVELOPMENT ............. 10
OUTREACHING APPROACH IN FAMILY SERVICES .................... 11
CORRIDOR A BOOST TO EASTERN'S DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL ........ 12
TRADE ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS RE-APPOINTED ................ 13
THREE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS APPOINTED ................. 1U
BANKING LICENCES GRANTED ................................... 14
SHIPPING PILOT'S LICENCE SUSPENDED ......................... 15
ACTION ON FALSE BURGLAR ALARMS ............................. 16
YUEN LONG DB TO CONSIDER FORMING VBP CONCERN GROUP.......... 17
CAREER OF FIREMEN INTERESTING AND REWARDING ................ 1?
COMPULSORY WEARING OF SEAT BELTS IN TAXIS, LIGHT BUSES..... 1«
OZONE LAYER PROTECTION ORDINANCE COMES INTO OPERATION ...... 19
TREASURY HEAD SEES PORT AT WORK ............................ 19
AMENDMENTS TO MONEY CHANGERS LAW TAKE EFFECT TOMORROW...... 20
WAN CHAI BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS ...................... 21
NT SITES FOR SALE BY AUCTION ............................... 21
ENTRY SCHEME FOR MACAU RESIDENTS ......................... 22
1987 SURVEY OF WHOLESALE, RETAIL /ND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES,
RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS ................................... 23
RECLAMATION IN TAI TAM, TUEN MUN PROPOSED................... 26
MORE CHILD CARE CENTRES IN NORTH DISTRICT................. 26
TENDERS INVITED FOR WATERWORKS ............................. 27
SITTING-OUT AREA FOR WESTERN DISTRICT....................... 23
TENDERS INVITED FOR PUMPING STATION ........................ 28
REGISTRATION OF DTC REVOKED............................... 28
FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1989
1 GOVT STUDYING DETAILS OF FAC REPORT » » » » «
FOLLOWING THE RELEASE OF THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE REPORT ON HONG KONG, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS RECEIVED A COPY AND IS NOW STUDYING THE DETAILS.
"ON NATIONALITY, WE ARE OF COURSE DISAPPOINTED THAT THE FAC HAS NOT FELT ABLE TO SUPPORT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S AND OMELCO’S STRONG PLEA ON THIS ISSUE.
"WE WILL CONTINUE TO PRESS HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT TO RECOGNISE THE CONCERNS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL DETAILED RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE PACE OF POLITICAL CHANGE. THESE WOULD NEED CAREFUL EXAMINATION AND DISCUSSION IN HONG KONG.
HOWEVER, IN NOTING THE VIEWS OF THE COMMITTEE, HE COMMENTED: "THE KEY CONSIDERATION IN MOVING FORWARD IN THIS AREA IS THE WISHES OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE. AS THE GOVERNOR HAS SAID, WE HOPE THAT THERE CAN BE A CONSENSUS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY WHICH WILL GUIDE BOTH THE SPEED AND DIRECTION OF FUTURE POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG."
AS REGARDS THE FAC’S RECOMMENDATIONS ON A BILL OF RIGHTS FOR HONG KONG, THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALREADY WORKING ON THE BEST OPTION TO PURSUE AND POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNOR HAD SAID THAT MORE DETAILS ON THIS WOULD BE GIVEN IN THE OCTOBER SPEECH TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THE MANY INTERESTING IDEAS PUT FORWARD BY THE FAC.
"WE WILL BE STUDYING THESE VERY CAREFULLY AND THE CHIEF SECRETARY WILL HAVE MORE TO SAY IN THE DEBATE IN LEGCO NEXT WEEK," HE SAID.
ONE RECOMMENDATION, WHICH WAS WARMLY WELCOMED, CONCERNED THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM.
"WE WELCOME THE SUPPORT FOR THE POSITION HONG KONG HAS TAKEN," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
-------0 ----------
FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1989
2
OMELCO STATEMENT ON FAC REPORT
*****
THE FOLLOWING IS A JOINT STATEMENT BY THE CONVENERS OF THE OMELCO SPECIAL WORKING GROUP ON NATIONALITY, MRS ROSANNA TAM, MR STEPHEN CHEONG. MRS SELINA CHOW. MR RONALD ARCULLI AND DR LEONG CHE-HUNG, ISSUED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PUBLICATION OF THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE REPORT:
"WE, CONVENERS OF THE OMELCO SPECIAL WORKING GROUP, EXPRESS OUR EXTREME DISAPPOINTMENT ON THE NATIONALITY ASPECT OF THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE REPORT PUBLISHED THIS EVENING.
"THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE STATED THAT BRITAIN HAS A UNIQUE OBLIGATION TO HONG KONG. WE BELIEVE THAT THE FAC HAS GRATUITOUSLY' INSULTED EVEN A HARDLINER LIKE SIR GEOFFREY HOWE LET ALONE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. THE STATEMENT ON NATIONALITY WILL PROBABLY GO DOWN AS ONE OF THE MOST DISHONOURABLE STATEMENTS EVER MADE ABOUT HONG KONG.
"THE FAC’S SUGGESTION THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY BE MOBILISED IN AN ARMAGGEDON SCENARIO BETRAYS ANY DESIRE BY THE FAC TO UNDERSTAND, LET ALONE ACCEPT, THAT THERE IS A CONFIDENCE CRISIS IN HONG KONG NOW WHICH CLEARLY CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION. IT FAILS TO RECOGNISE BRITAIN’S CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS SUBJECTS, NOW OR IN THE FUTURE.
"THEY REJECTED THE INSURANCE POLICY ARGUMENT ON THE ONE HAND, AND ON THE OTHER THEY READILY OFFER IT TO CERTAIN SECTORS OF HONG KONG AS AN INCENTIVE FOR THEM TO STAY. SUCH A POSITION IS WHOLLY ILLOGICAL AND CONTRADICTORY.
"THE HEIGHT OF INSENSITIVITY’ IS THE SO-CALLED SHOW OF BRITISH CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG BY RESCUING US FROM THE PEOPLE’S LIBERATION ARMY AND REPLACING IT WITH THE FUTURE BRITISH CONSULATE IN HMS TAMAR.
"THE REPORT IS DRIVEN BY' BRITISH INTEREST RATHER THAN HONOUR AND RESPONSIBILITY. ANY SUGGESTION THAT THIS REPORT WOULD SERVE AS A CONSTRUCTIVE BACKGROUND FOR SIR GEOFFREY HOWE’S VISIT DEMONSTRATES A TOTAL LACK OF APPRECIATION OF THE GRAVITY OF THE SITUATION AND THE STRENGTH OF FEELING OF OUR PEOPLE.
"THIS FAC REPORT HAS DISCREDITED THE TIME-HONOURED BRITISH TRADITION OF DUTY AND HONOUR."
--------0----------
FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1989
- 3 -
RECENT EVENTS GIVE HK NEW-FOUND SENSE OF UNITY
EVENTS IN RECENT WEEKS HAD GIVEN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY A NEWFOUND SENSE OF UNITY, AND ONCE LONG-TERM ANXIETIES WERE SET AT REST THE COMMUNITY WOULD BE ABLE TO BUCKLE DOWN TO THE TASKS IT WOULD FACE OVER THE NEXT DECADE WITH SELF-CONFIDENCE AND SELF-ASSURANCE, DAME LYDIA DUNN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"WE ALL KNOW THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE ARE RESILIENT, PRAGMATIC, WELL-USED TO COPING WITH RISKS AND SWINGS OF FORTUNE AND BOUNCING BACK FROM SET-BACKS," THE SENIOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBER SAID AT A LUNCHEON SPEECH AT THE FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS CLUB.
SHE SAID THAT IF HONG KONG WENT ON PRESSING THE CASE FOR RIGHT OF ABODE IN BRITAIN WITH DIGNITY AND DETERMINATION, SHE WAS SURE THAT SUPPORT FOR HONG KONG WOULD GROW.
"IT REQUIRES A COURAGEOUS DECISION ON THE PART OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO CLOSE THIS CHAPTER ON THEIR IMPERIAL HISTORY WITH HONOUR," SHE SAID.
SHE SAID IT WAS STILL TOO EARLY TO TELL WHAT DAMAGE THE EVENTS IN CHINA WOULD DO TO HONG KONG’S ECONOMY. INEVITABLY THERE WERE FEARS THAT MORE WHO COULD LEAVE WOULD LEAVE THE TERRITORY, EITHER IN SEARCH FOR RESIDENTIAL PAPERS OR FOR GOOD.
AND SINCE IT WAS ALWAYS THE BEST QUALIFIED AND THE MOST ADVENTUROUS WHO EMIGRATED, HONG KONG WAS BOUND TO FEEL THE EFFECTS OF THE BRAIN DRAIN ALL THE MORE ACUTELY.
DAME LYDIA DID NOT THINK THERE WAS ANY REALISTIC PROSPECT OF BRITAIN AND CHINA SITTING DOWN TO RENEGOTIATE THE JOINT DECLARATION. NOR DID SHE THINK IT WOULD BE IN HONG KONG’S INTEREST TO RE-OPEN WHAT TOOK TWO YEARS OF PATIENT NEGOTIATION TO PUT TOGETHER.
SO THE TERRITORIAL SIDE OF THE BARGAIN MUST STAND WITH THE BENEFIT OF THE PROMISES SPELT OUT IN THE JOINT DECLARATION GUARANTEEING THE MAINTENANCE OF HONG KONG’S SYSTEMS AND WAY OF LIFE.
"BUT IT IS THE HUMAN DIMENSION THAT HAS CHANGED SO MUCH IN SO SHORT A TIME. WIDESPREAD LOSS OF CONFIDENCE IN THE GOODWILL OF CHINESE LEADERS CONFRONTS ALL THOSE WITH POLITICAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG."
SHE SAID THE BASIC PROBLEM -- AND IT WAS AN URGENT PROBLEM --WAS HOW TO ENERGISE AND MOTIVATE A DEEPLY ANXIOUS COMMUNITY TO COMMIT THEMSELVES TO WORK FOR HONG KONG’S FUTURE, AND THE POLITICAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1997 AND BEYOND.
IT WOULD NOT BE EASY, SHE SAID.
SHE ADDED THAT IT WAS NOT JUST THE SIGHT OF A BLOODY CONFRONTATION BETWEEN DEMONSTRATING STUDENTS AND WORKERS AND A RUTHLESS ARMY THAT HAD HIT HOME.
/IT WAS
FRIDAY, JUNE 50, 1989
IT WAS JUST AS MUCH WHAT HAD COME LATER THAT HAD CREATED ANXIETIES: THE DAILY REPORTS OF REPRISALS, THE BLATANT USE OF PROPAGANDA IN PLACE OF TRUTH, THE CALLS FOR CITIZENS TO REPORT THEIR NEIGHBOURS, THE INDOCTRINATION OF SCHOOL CHILDREN, THE EASE WITH WHICH DISSENT HAD BEEN STILLED BY FEAR, SHE SAID.
SHE BELIEVED THAT WHAT WAS WANTED NOW FROM BRITAIN WERE NOT WORDS BUT SOME FAR-REACHING MEASURES THAT WOULD PUT NEW HEART INTO HONG KONG PEOPLE, BOOST THEIR CONFIDENCE AND TRANSFORM THE SITUATION.
"BRITAIN MUST MAKE PEOPLE HERE BELIEVE THAT THEIR FUTURE IS SECURE BECAUSE BRITAIN IS DETERMINED TO MAKE IT SO,” SHE SAID.
OMELCO WAS DETERMINED TO SEE THIS THROUGH BECAUSE OMELCO MEMBERS BELIEVED THAT THE RESTORATION OF A RIGHT OF ABODE IN BRITAIN WAS THE SUREST AND THE EASIEST WAY FOR BRITAIN AT A STROKE TO BOOST THE CONFIDENCE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG SO THAT THEY WOULD HAVE FAITH IN THEIR FUTURE HERE AND THE WILL TO WORK FOR IT, SHE SAID.
SHE REMARKED THAT APART FROM LUNATICS, CONDEMNED PRISONERS AND SMALL CHILDREN, HONG KONG PEOPLE MUST BE THE ONLY PEOPLE IN THE WORLD WHO SEEMED TO HAVE NO RIGHT TO DECIDE THEIR OWN FATE.
SHE SAID THAT DURING THE HOUSE OF LORDS DEBATE, AS SHE LISTENED TO THE ELEGANT PHRASES OF PATRICIAN VOICES IN THE PALACE OF WESTMINISTER PHILOSOPHISING, AT TIMES PONTIFICATING ON HONG KONG’S PRESENT AND FUTURE NEEDS, SHE FELT A SENSE OF HUMILIATION THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE'S FUTURE AND THEIR FATE SHOULD BE DECIDED BY A PARLIAMENT IN WHICH HONG KONG HAD NO REPRESENTATIVE.
"IT IS THERE THAT HONG KONG BRITISH SUBJECTS LOST THEIR RIGHTS OF BRITISH CITIZENSHIP. IT IS THERE THAT THE COMMITMENT WAS MADE TO WITHDRAW BRITISH PROTECTION FROM HONG KONG BRITISH SUBJECTS IN 1997. AND IT IS THERE TOO THAT DECISIONS WERE TAKEN IN THE PAST TO ENSURE THAT THE WIND OF CHANGE IN THE SIXTIES DID NOT BLOW THE SEEDS OF DEMOCRACY TO HONG KONG," SHE SAID.
DAME LYDIA REITERATED THAT HONG KONG WAS ONLY LOOKING FOR AN INSURANCE POLICY. "FOR HONG KONG IS OUR HOME. NOBODY INSURES HIS HOME BECAUSE HE THINKS IT WILL BURN DOWN. BUT JUST IN CASE IT SHOULD. AND NO INSURANCE COMPANY WORKS ON THE BASIS THAT EVERY HOME IS BOUND TO BURN DOWN."
SHE ADDED THAT LEAVING ASIDE HONOUR AND CONSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATION, IN WAS ALSO IN BRITAIN’S INTEREST TO SUPPORT HONG KONG.
"SURELY IT IS A MATTER OF PRIDE THAT BRITAIN SHOULD WISH TO LEAVE HONG KONG IN GOOD SHAPE COME 1997, WITH A COMMUNITY GRADUALLY ASSUMING THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF INTERNAL AUTONOMOUS SELF-GOVERNMENT," SHE SAID.
SHE SAID THAT LIKE MANY IN HONG KONG, SHE SAW A CASE FOR INCREASING THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS IN 1991, AND SHE ALSO SAW THE CASE FOR A BILL OF RIGHTS.
/BUT IT ......
FRIDAY, JUNE JO, 1989
- 5 -
BUT IT WAS ALL TOO EASY FOR THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO OFFER THESE INSTEAD OF FACING UP TO THE DEMANDS FOR THE RIGHT OF ABODE FOR BRITISH SUBJECTS.
SHE FEARED THAT WITHOUT ASSURANCES OF A HOME OF LAST RESORT, THE COMMUNITY WOULD LOSE THE WILL TO MAKE A SUCCESS OF HONG KONG IN THE NINETIES, AND THERE WOULD BE A LOSS OF TALENT OVERSEAS TO MATCH THE LOSS OF SPIRIT AT HOME.
IN THAT SCENARIO, DEMOCRACY AND LEGISLATION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS WOULD COUNT FOR LITTLE, AND SHE DID NOT THINK BY THEMSELVES THEY WOULD BE ENOUGH TO KEEP THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG COMMITTED TO THEIR FUTURE HERE.
--------0----------
PRESS ARRANGEMENTS FOR FOREIGN SECRETARY’S VISIT
«**»**
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, WILL ARRIVE IN HONG KONG ON SUNDAY (JULY 2) FOR A THREE-DAY VISIT. DETAILS OF PRESS ARRANGEMENTS FOR SIR GEOFFREY’S VISITS ARE GIVEN BELOW.
FOR SOME OF THE EVENTS, POOL PHOTOGRAPHS WILL BE ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE VISITS BY SIR GEOFFREY ARE REQUESTED TO BE PUNCTUAL. THEY WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE USUAL SECURITY CHECKS.
SUNDAY, JULY 2
ARRIVAL AT KAI TAK
SIR GEOFFREY WILL ARRIVE BY FLIGHT CX 250 AT AROUND 2 PM. PRESS MEMBERS COVERING HIS ARRIVAL SHOULD ASSEMBLE IN THE AIRPORT PRESS ROOM AT THE ARRIVAL HALL (NEXT TO THE INFORMATION COUNTER) BY 1 PM AT THE LATEST.
PRESS MEMBERS ARE REMINDED TO BRING WITH THEM PROOF OF IDENTITY TO FACILITATE ENTRY INTO THE AIRPORT RESTRICTED AREA.
/MONDAY, JULY J ........
FRIDAY, JUNE JO, 1989
MONDAY, JULY 3
COMMUNITY LUNCH AT HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE
THE LUNCH WILL BE HELD IN THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE AT 1 HARBOUR ROAD. WAN CHAI. PRESS MEMBERS AR) INVITED TO COVER A SPEECH TO BE GIVEN BY SIR GEOFFREY BEFORE THE LUNCH STARTS.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE PRESS RECEPTION DESK ON THE GROUND FLOOR NEAR THE MAIN ENTRANCE BY 12.15 PM. TV AND RADIO CREWS ARE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE AT 11.45 AM IO SET UP THEIR RECORDING EQUIPMENTS.
VISIT TO EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING
SIR GEOFFREY WILL TAKE A MTR TRAIN RIDE FROM QUARRY BAY STATION THROUGH THE NEW EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING.
PRESS TRANSPORT WILL LEAVE THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (CGO) CARPARK, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, AT 1.15 PM. THOSE WHO DO NOT USE THE GIS PRESS TRANSPORT SHOULD ASSEMBLE OUTSIDE THE FINNIE STREET ENTRANCE OF QUARRY BAY MTR STATION BY 1.50 PM.
MEETING WITH DB CHAIRMEN
SIR GEOFFREY WILL MEET DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMEN AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (MAIN WING) AT 4.30 PM. BEFORE THE MEETING STARTS, THERE WILL BE A THREE-MINUTE PHOTO CALL AFTER WHICH PHOTOGRAPHERS WILL HAVE TO LEAVE. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE PRESS ROOM ON THE GROUND FLOOR AT 3.45 PM.
TUESDAY, JULY 4
VISIT TO VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE CENTRES
SIR GEOFFREY WILL VISIT TWO VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE CENTRES IN THE MORNING - ONE AT THE WHITEHEAD IN WU KAI SHA AND THE OTHER IN SHEK KONG. PRESS FACILITIES WILL BE PROVIDED IN BOTH CENTRES BUT SIR GEOFFREY WILL SPEAK TO THE MEDIA AT THE END OF HIS TOUR AT SHEK KONG CENTRE. IT MUST BE POINTED OUT THAT THOSE COVERING THE VISIT AT WHITEHEAD CENTRE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET TO SHEK KONG IN TIME.
/SIR GEOFFREY .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1989
SIR GEOFFREY WILL ARRIVE AT WHITEHEAD CENTRE AT ABOUT 11 AM. AFTER A TOUR OF THE CENTRE, HE WILL BE TAKEN BY HELICOPTER TO SEK KONG CENTRE ARRIVING AT ABOUT 12 NOON.
PRESS TRANSPORT FOR WHITEHEAD CENTRE WILL LEAVE THE CGO CARPARK, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, AT 8.45 AM SHARP. ANOTHER COACH WILL TAKE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO SHEK KONG LEAVING THE CGO CARPARK AT 9.30 AM.
THOSE MAKING THEIR OWN WAY THERE SHOULD ASSEMBLE OUTSIDE THE CENTRES AT LEAST 45 MINUTES BEFORE SIR GEOFFREY IS DUE TO ARRIVE.
PRESS CONFERENCE
SIR GEOFFREY WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE AT 4.30 PM IN THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM, 5TH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ARRIVE BY 3.45 PM AT THE LATEST TO FACILITATE SECURITY CHECKS.
DUE TO LIMITED NUMBER OF SEATS AVAILABLE, ATTENDANCE WILL BE RESTRICTED TO ONE REPORTER PER MEDIA ORGANISATION. BEFORE THE PRESS CONFERENCE STARTS THERE WILL BE A TWO-MINUTE PHOTO CALL AFTER WHICH PHOTOGRAPHERS WILL HAVE TO LEAVE THE PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM.
DEPARTURE
SIR GEOFFREY WILL LEAVE HONG KONG AT 10.55 PM BY FLIGHT CX 251.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING HIS DEPARTURE SHOULD ASSEMBLE IN THE AIRPORT PRESS ROOM BY 9.45 PM.
--------0 ---------
/8........
FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1989
- 8 -
DETAILS OF HILLSIDE ESCALATOR WORKS PUBLISHED
*****
DETAILS OF ROAD AND OTHER ASSOCIATED WORKS AND RESUMPTION OF LAND FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PLANNED ESCALATOR LINK BETWEEN CENTRAL AND THE MID-LEVELS WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE ESCALATOR LINK WAS TO PROVIDE A CONVENIENT, SAFE AND PHYSICALLY LESS DEMANDING PEDESTRIAN ROUTE SO AS TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO WALK BETWEEN THE TWO AREAS AND HELP REDUCE THE GROWTH IN VEHICLE USE.
THE LINK IS A COVERED ELEVATED WALKWAY WITH ESCALATORS, TRAVELATORS AND STAIRCASES.
IT WILL EXTEND FROM THE EXISTING WALKWAY AT CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL PASSING THROUGH THE NEW HANG SENG BANK BUILDING, OVER DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, THROUGH THE CENTRAL MARKET BUILDING, OVER QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, ABOVE COCHRANE STREET AND HOLLYWOOD ROAD AND DOWN TO GROUND LEVEL AT THE NORTHERN END OF SHELLEY STREET.
ACCESS FROM GROUND LEVEL TO THE ELEVATED WALKWAY IS PROVIDED AT SEVERAL LOCATIONS.
THE LINK CONTINUES AT GROUND LEVEL UP SHELLEY STREET, WITH A NEW FOOTBRIDGE OVER CAINE ROAD; THEN OVER MOSQUE JUNCTION, PEEL STREET AND ROBINSON ROAD AND TERMINATES AT CONDUIT ROAD.
THE PROPOSED ROADWORKS INCLUDE:
* CONSTRUCTION OF A 300-METRE-LONG COVERED FOOTBRIDGE WITH TRAVELATORS ABOVE COCHRANE STREET AND HOLLYWOOD ROAD FROM THE SOUTH FACADE OF THE CENTRAL MARKET BUILDING TO THE NORTH END OF SHELLEY STREET;
* CONSTRUCTION OF COVERED ESCALATORS AND/OR STAIRCASES LEADING TO THE ABOVE FOOTBRIDGE AT QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, WELLINGTON STREET, LYNDHURST TERRACE AND SHELLEY STREET;
* RECONSTRUCTION OF SHELLEY STREET BETWEEN HOLLYWOOD ROAD AND MOSQUE STREET AND PROVISION OF SEVEN COVERED- AT-GRADE ESCALATORS;
* REPLACEMENT OF THE EXISTING FOOTBRIDGE OVER CAINE ROAD BY A NEW FOOTBRIDGE WITH COVERED ESCALATOR AND STAIRCASES ACCESS FROM GROUND LEVEL;
* CONSTRUCTION OF A 135-METRE-LONG COVERED FOOTBRIDGE WITH ESCALATORS ABOVE SHELLEY STREET AND PEEL STREET FROM MOSQUE STREET TO ROBINSON ROAD AND ASSOCIATED COVERED ACCESS FROM GROUND LEVEL;
/* RECONSTRUCTION AND ........
FRIDAY, JUNE JO, 1989
9 -
* RECONSTRUCTION AND WIDENING OF THE PATHWAY AND STEPS BETWEEN ROBINSON ROAD AND CONDUIT ROAD WITH PROVISION OF TWO COVERED AT-GRADE ESCALATORS;
* WIDENING AND RECONSTRUCTION OF A SECTION OF ROBINSON ROAD ADJACENT TO THE PROPOSED FOOTBRIDGE WITH PROVISION OF ASSOCIATED RETAINING WALLS;
» RECONSTRUCTION OF EXISTING FOOTPATHS ADJACENT TO THE ESCALATOR LINK;
* CONSTRUCTION OF ASSOCIATED FOOTPATHS, STREET FURNITURE, LANDSCAPING AND ANCILLARY ROAD AND DRAINAGE WORKS;
» CLOSURE OF SECTIONS OF COCHRANE STREET AND SHELLEY STREET;
* CONSTRUCTION OF TWO COVERED FOOTBRIDGES OVER DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL LINKING CENTRAL MARKET BUILDING AND THE NEW HANG SENG BANK HEADQUARTERS BUILDING AND ASSOCIATED ESCALATORS AND STAIRS;
* DEMOLITION OF THE ABOUT SEVEN-METRE WIDE NORTHERN-MOST BAY OF THE MARKET BUILDING ADJACENT TO DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL;
» REPROVISIONING OF MARKET FACILITIES WITHIN THE MARKET BUILDING;
* CONVERSION OF THE WESTERN PART OF THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE MARKET BUILDING INTO PUBLIC PEDESTRIAN PASSAGEWAY;
* RECONSTRUCTION OF EXISTING FOOTPATHS; AND
» CONSTRUCTION OF ASSOCIATED FOOTPATHS, STREET FURNITURE; LANDSCAPING AND ANCILLARY ROAD AND DRAINAGE WORKS.
THE PLANS AND SCHEME OF THE PROPOSED WORKS MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG;
t DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG WEST, 19TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG;
» CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON WHO OBJECTS TO THE WORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN AUGUST 29 THIS YEAR.
--------o----------
/10 .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1989
10 -
GOVT SUPPORTS SPORT AND RECREATION DEVELOPMENT * » * » *
THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO DEVELOPING SPORT AND RECREATION IN HONG KONG AND WILL, WITHIN THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE, PROVIDE THE NECESSARY IMPETUS FOR SUCH DEVELOPMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY, MR CHUI AWARDED A TOTAL OF 40.51 MILLION FROM THE SPORTS AID FOUNDATION (SAF) TO 34 LOCAL ELITE ATHLETES FOR THEM TO UNDERGO A LONG TERM TRAINING PROGRAMME IN PREPARATION FOR THE ASIAN GAMES AND THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES TO BE HELD NEXT YEAR.
MR CHUI EXPRESSED HIS ADMIRATION FOR THE OFFICIALS OF GOVERNING BODIES OF SPORTS IN HONG KONG, SAYING THAT THESE VOLUNTEERS, WHO WORKED ON A PART-TIME BASIS, WERE THE BACKBONE OF SPORTS DEVELOPMENT.
"WE OWE VERY MUCH TO THESE DEVOTED SPORTS LEADERS FOR THE ACHIEVEMENTS WE HAVE MADE.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS AWARE OF THE WORKLOAD PLACED ON THEM AND HAS OVER THE PAST YEARS PROVIDED ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT TO OUR GOVERNING BODIES OF SPORTS, IN ADDITION TO FUNDING," HE POINTED OUT.
WHILE CONGRATULATING THE ELITE ATHLETES ON THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS, MR CHUI COMMENDED THEIR COMMITMENT TO THEIR CHOSEN SPORT.
"STEADY AND REGULAR ATTENDANCE IN TRAINING, BEING ABLE TO ACCEPT SUGGESTIONS AND CRITICISMS, PUTTING IN ONE’S VERY BEST IN COMPETITIONS ARE BUT A FEW ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS FOR SUCCESS," HE NOTED.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT, MR F.K. HU, SAID THE STANDARD OF HONG KONG ATHLETES HAD BEEN IMPROVING IN RECENT YEARS AND OUR SPORTSMEN HAD PERFORMED WELL IN MANY MAJOR INTERNATIONAL EVENTS.
"IN THE NINTH COMMONWEALTH TABLE-TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS HELD IN MARCH THIS YEAR, OUR MALE AND FEMALE PLAYERS WON FOUR GOLD, ONE SILVER AND THREE BRONZE MEDALS.
"IN OTHER SPORTS LIKE BADMINTON, TENPIN BOWLING AND SHOOTING, OUR ATHLETES HAVE ALSO PERFORMED WELL IN VARIOUS ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS," HE ADDED.
THE 34 ELITE ATHLETES, WHO WERE EACH AWARDED $15,000, CAME FROM 11 LOCAL SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS — THE HONG KONG AMATEUR ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION, BADMINTON ASSOCIATION, CYCLING ASSOCIATION, AMATEUR FENCING ASSOCIATION, AMATEUR GYMNASTIC ASSOCIATION, JUDO ASSOCIATION, AMATEUR ROWING ASSOCIATION, RIFLE ASSOCIATION, AMATEUR SWIMMING ASSOCIATION, TABLE TENNIS ASSOCIATION AND WUSHU ASSOCIATION.
ALSO ATTENDING THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY TODAY WERE THE COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR CLIVE OXLEY; AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SPORTS AID COMMITTEE, DR DAVID HO.
------O ------
/11
FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1989
11
OUTREACHING APPROACH IN FAMILY SERVICES » « t » t
AN EXPERIMENTAL OUTREACHING SCHEME IS BEING CARRIED OUT TO ASSIST FAMILIES MOVING INTO NEW TOWN TO SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS. THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SHE SAID FAMILIES MOVING INTO A NEW TOWN MIGHT FACE MANY COMMON PROBLEMS SUCH AS LOSING THE SUPPORTIVE LINK FROM FRIENDS AND RELATIVES, AND EXPERIENCING GREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL PRESSURE IN AJUSTNG TO THE NEW ENVIRONMENT.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE COMMUNITY-BASED FA.' I LY CENTRE OF THE HONG KONG CHRISTIAN SERVICE AT SHAN KING ESTATE IN TUEN MUN, MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT THE WELFARE AGENCY HAD APPLIED OUTREACHING TECHNIQUES IN FAMILY SERVICES AND MOBILISED COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO HELP THE NEW ARRIVALS.
"WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF SOCIAL WORKERS, THESE FAMILIES CAN GET BACK ON THEIR FEET AND ADAPT TO THE NEW ENVIRONMENT," SHE SAID.
MRS WONG NOTED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG DEMAND FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES FROM FAMILIES WHO JUST MOVED INTO THE NEW TOWNS.
IN TUEN MUN DISTRICT, FOR EXAMPLE, THE NUMBER OF FAMILY CASES HANDLED BY BOTH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WAS 2,136 CASES AS AT THE END OF MARCH THIS YEAR, WHILE THE NUMBER OF CASES DEALT WITH IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD LAST YEAR WAS 1,907, REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 12 PER CENT.
THE FAMILY CENTRE IN TUEN MUN IS AN EXPERIMENTAL PROJECT FUNDED BY THE COMMUNITY CHEST OF HONG KONG. IN ADDITION TO CASE REFERRALS AND COUNSELLING SERVICES, IT ALSO PROVIDES COMMUNITY EDUCATIONAL AND MUTUAL-HELP PROGRAMMES FOR FAMILIES IN THE DISTRICT.
THE CENTRE ALSO ORGANISES SUPPORTIVE AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN. THESE INCLUDE PARENTS GROUPS, CHILD CARE GROUPS, STUDY GROUPS AND TALKS ON SEXUAL EDUCATION. THEY ARE WELL RECEIVED BY FAMILIES IN THE DISTRICT.
MRS WONG ALSO COMMENDED THE HONG KONG CHRISTIAN SERVICE FOR ITS OUTSTANDING AND DIVERSIFIED SERVICES OVER THE YEARS.
--------0 - -
/12........
FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1989
12 -
CORRIDOR A BOOST TO EASTERN’S
******
DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL *
THE COMPLETION OF THE FINAL PHASE OF THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR EARLY NEXT YEAR WILL GIVE A MAJOR BOOST TO THE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, TODAY (FRIDAY) WHEN HE SPOKE ON TRAFFIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE DISTRICT AT AN "A STEP CLOSER" SEMINAR FOR OVER 230 MEMBERS FROM THE 13 AREA COMMITTEES IN THE DISTRICT.
THE SEMINAR WAS THE EIGHTH IN A SERIES DESIGNED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION TO STRENGTHEN RELATIONS WITH AREA COMMITTEES.
MR LAN SAID THE FINAL PHASE OF THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR WOULD LINK SHAU KEI WAN WITH THE HEART OF CHAI WAN.
"BY THE TIME IT IS COMPLETED, THE EASTERN DISTRICT WILL HAVE, APART FROM ITS EXISTING TRUNK ROUTES, A CONTINUOUS EXPRESSWAY LINKING UP THE MAJOR AREAS IN THE DISTRICT AND PROVIDING ACCESS TO AREAS OUTSIDE THE DISTRICT," HE NOTED.
IN VIEW OF GROWING PUBLIC CONCERN ABOUT THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR’S IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT, MR LAN ADDED, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD LAY BITUMINOUS MATERIALS ON THE ROAD SURFACE OF THE FINAL PHASE OF THE CORRIDOR TO REDUCE NOISE THAT MIGHT BE GENERATED BY TRAFFIC.
AS FOR OTHER SECTIONS OF THE CORRIDOR, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD MAKE A DECISION ONCE RESULTS OF A TRIAL SCHEME FOR THE SECTION FACING THE CITY GARDEN WERE AVAILABLE BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
TURNING TO A SECOND MAJOR TRANSPORT PROJECT IN THE DISTRICT, MR LAN SAID THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY LINE THROUGH THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING WAS SCHEDULED TO OPEN IN JULY OR AUGUST THIS YEAR, WHILE THE TUBE FOR OTHER VEHICULAR TRAFFIC WOULD OPEN IN AUGUST OR SEPTEMBER.
"BY THAT TIME, RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY AN EFFICIENT TRANSPORT NETWORK LINKING UP EASTERN DISTRICT WITH EAST KOWLOON. AND MOTORISTS WILL BE ABLE TO GET RELIEF FROM THE TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE EXISTING CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL," HE NOTED.
MR LAN SAID THAT TO COPE WITH EASTERN DISTRICT’S LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENTS AND TO AVOID A RECURRENCE OF SERIOUS TRAFFIC CONGESTION, THE GOVERNMENT HAD EARLIER STARTED WORK ON RECONSTRUCTING THE HEAVILY USED KING’S ROAD.
THE SECOND COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY REPORT HAD RECOMMENDED CONSTRUCTING A FURTHER CROSS-HARBOUR RAIL IN THE 1990’8 TO COPE WITH GENERAL TRAFFIC NEEDS, TO RELIEVE CONGESTION ON THE MTR ALONG NATHAN ROAD, AND TO CATER TO THE NEEDS OF CROSS-HARBOUR TRAFFIC ARISING FROM THE PROPOSED EXTENSION OF THE RAIL LINE TO JUNK BAY AND A PROPOSED RAILWAY EXTENSION IN THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES.
/THE REPORT .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1989
THE REPORT HAD ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE PROPOSED FURTHER CROSS-HARBOUR RAIL COULD LINK YAU MA TEI WITH FORTRESS HILL IN NORTH POINT, AND A POSSIBLE KCR-MTR INTERCHANGE COULD BE PROVIDED IN HUNG HOM TO RELIEVE PRESSURE ON THE EXISTING INTERCHANGE IN KOWLOON TONG.
ON THE ROLE OF AREA COMMITTEES IN THE FORMULATION OF DISTRICT POLICIES, MR LAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE VIEWS OF DISTRICT BOARD AND AREA COMMITTEE MEMBERS WHO WERE WELL ACQUAINTED WITH DISTRICT PROBLEMS.
MANY TRAFFIC PLANS, WHICH SUITED WELL THE REAL NEEDS OF DISTRICTS, HAD BEEN DRAWN UP AFTER HAVING TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE VIEWS OF THE MEMBERS AND LOCAL RESIDENTS.
HE CITED AS AN EXAMPLE THE PROPOSAL TO INSTALL CONCRETE PROFILE BARRIERS ALONG THE CENTRE OF CHAI WAN ROAD WITH THE AIM OF IMPROVING ROAD SAFETY.
- - 0 - -
TRADE ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS RE-APPOINTED *****
THE TERMS OF 12 NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS CURRENTLY SERVING ON THE TRADE ADVISORY BOARD HAVE BEEN EXTENDED FOR ANOTHER YEAR WITH EFFECT FROM JULY 1 THIS YEAR.
IN ADDITION, TWO NEW MEMBERS, MR PAUL WONG AND MR RAYMOND CHIEN, HAVE BEEN APPOINTED TO THE BOARD WHILE TWO INCUMBENT MEMBERS, MR PAUL YIN AND MR WARREN HUI, WILL RETIRE.
MR WONG IS THE COMMISSIONER (DESIGNATE) OF THE HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION AND MR CHIEN IS THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF LAM SOON (HK) LTD.
THE THREE OFFICIAL MEMBERS - THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY AND THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE -WILL REMAIN ON THE BOARD. THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE EX-OFFICIO CHAIRMAN.
THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE BOARD FOR THE YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1 WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOHN CHAN, PAID TRIBUTE TO OUTGOING MEMBERS, MR HUI AND MR YIN, WHO HAVE SERVED ON THE BOARD FOR FIVE AND SIX YEARS RESPECTIVELY.
MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN RE-APPOINTED ARE: MR PAUL CHENG, MR GARY N. HARILELA, MR HO SAI-CHU, MR RAY MAN LEUNG, MRS ELEANOR LING, MR J.D. MCGREGOR, MR JACK SO, MR WILLIAM TURNBULL, MR VINCENT WAN, DR KENNETH WANG, MR LOUIS WONG AND MISS SYLVIA YAU.
THE TRADE ADVISORY BOARD, COMPRISING MAINLY NON-OFFICTAL MEMBERS, IS CONSULTED ON ALL MATTERS AFFECTING HONG KONG’S TRADE, OTHER THAN TRADE IN TEXTILES AND GARMENTS.
- 0 -
/14
FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1989
- 14 -
THREE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS APPOINTED t » » » * » »
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THREE MEMBERS HAD BEEN APPOINTED TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR WITH EFFECT FROM JULY 1, 1989
THEY ARE MRS MINNIE LAI WEI KIT-LIN, MR SAMUEL WONG PING-WAI AND MRS NANCY YUNG CHUNG LEUNG-SZE.
THEY WILL REPLACE MR DAVID C.K. CHEUNG, MR TIMOTHY HA WING-HO AND MS ELEANOR C.M. LING WHO HAVE RESIGNED FROM THE BOARD BECAUSE OF OTHER HEAVY COMMITMENTS.
MRS LAI IS THE PRINCIPAL OF HEEP YUNN SCHOOL. SHE ALSO SERVES ON THE APPEALS BOARD (EDUCATION).
MR WONG HAS A RICH EXPERIENCE OF SERVICE IN THE PUBLIC FIELD. HE IS A MEMBER OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, TRANRPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND TOWN PLANNING BOARD AND A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL OF THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE.
MRS YUNG IS THE HEADMISTRESS OF CCC KEI WAN PRIMARY SCHOOL. SHE HAS LONG EXPERIENCE IN THE PRIMARY SCHOOL SECTOR.
"ALL THREE OUTGOING MEMBERS HAVE MADE A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE WORK OF THE BOARD, AND WE ARE SORRY TO LOSE THEM," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
- 0 ---------
BANKING LICENCES GRANTED
* * * *
BANCO SANTANDER, KREDIETBANK NV AND NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA. N.A. HAVE BEEN GRANTED BANKING LICENCES TO CONDUCT BUSINESS IN HONG KONG, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
BANCO SANTANDER IS THE FOURTH LARGEST BANK IN SPAIN. KREDIETBANK NV IS THE FOURTH LARGEST BANK IN BELGIUM. NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA, N.A. IS THE 29TH LARGEST BANK IN THE UNITED STATES. THE LATTER TWO BANKS HAVE OPERATED A REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE IN HONG KONG SINCE 1975 AND 1983 RESPECTIVELY.
THE CONTINUING INTEREST OF FOREIGN BANKS IN ENTERING THE LOCAL MARKET REFLECTED HONG KONG'S ROLE AS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE AND ALSO CONFIRMED CONTINUED INTERNATIONAL CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG’S FUTURE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/"GIVEN THE .......
FRIDAY, JUNE JO, 1989
"GIVEN THE IMPORTANCE OF HONG KONG’S BILATERAL TRADE WITH THE UNITED STATES. AND THE GROWING TRADE RELATIONSHIPS WITH SPAIN AND BELGIUM, IT IS DESIRABLE THAT THESE COUNTRIES HAVE APPROPRIATE REPRESENTATION IN THE BANKING SECTOR OF HONG KONG,” HE ADDED.
THE GRANTING OF THE LICENCES BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF LICENSED BANKS TO 168, OF WHICH 136 ARE INCORPORATED OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
A TOTAL OF 11 BANKING LICENCES HAVE BEEN GRANTED SO FAR THIS YEAR.
-----0------
SHIPPING PILOT’S LICENCE SUSPENDED
*****
A HONG KONG SHIPPING PILOT HAS HAD HIS LICENCE SUSPENDED FOP SIX MONTHS AFTER BEING FOUND RESPONSIBLE FOR THE GROUNDING OF A MOTOR TANKER IN HONG KONG WATERS LAST YEAR.
THE SUSPENSION TOOK EFFECT FROM JUNE 15 THIS YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THE SUSPENSION OF THE LICENCE OF MR TONY CHIN WAI-CHUNG WAS RECOMMENDED BY A BOARD OF INVESTIGATION AND WAS ACCEPTED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, THE PILOTAGE AUTHORITY.
THE BOARD OF INVESTIGATION, AFTER A FIVE-DAY HEARING BETWEEN MARCH 8 AND 15, FOUND THAT THE PILOT FAILED IN OR NEGLECTED WITHOUT REASONABLE EXCUSE HIS DUTIES AS A PILOT IN THAT HE NEGLIGENTLY NAVIGATED THE MOTOR TANKER "EUPLECTA", CAUSING IT TO GROUND ON THE FURY ROCKS (NORTHWEST OF SUNG KONG ISLAND) ABOUT 11.25 PM ON MARCH 31 LAST YEAR.
THE TANKER, WITH MORE THAN 6,000 TONNES OF GAS OIL ON BOARD, WAS BEING NAVIGATED BY THE PILOT FROM JUNK BAY TO AP LEI CHAU WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR DERICK HALL, ORDERED A PRELIMINARY INQUIRY AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND LATER, UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE INQUIRY OFFICER, ORDERED A BOARD OF INVESTIGATION UNDER TRE PILOTAGE ORDINANCE TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE ACCIDENT.
THE BOARD OF INVESTIGATION WAS CHAIRED BY JUDGE LEONARD, AND HE WAS ASSISTED BY TWO MASTER MARINERS, CAPTAIN CRAIG ALEXANDER AND CAPTAIN SO YUET-HANG.
-------0----------
/16 .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1989
- 16 -
ACTION ON FALSE BURGLAR ALARMS
*****
DRAFT LEGISLATION AIMED AT REDUCING NOISE POLLUTION AND MANPOWER WASTAGE CAUSED BY FALSE BURGLAR ALARMS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE SUMMARY OFFENCES (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) BILL 1989 SEEKS TO
MAKE IT AN OFFENCE FOR A PERSON WHO HAS CONTROL OF AN AUDIBLE BURGLAR ALARM SYSTEM NOT TO FIT IT WITH A DEVICE TO CUT OFF THE SOUND WITHIN 15 MINUTES AFTER THE ACTIVATION OF THE SIGNAL.
THE OFFENCE CARRIED A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF $5,000 AND THREE MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
"AS THERE ARE AN ESTIMATED 50,000 AUDIBLE BURGLAR ALARMS IN HONG KONG, THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES A GRACE PERIOD OF ONE YEAR BEFORE THE BILL WOULD COME INTO EFFECT,” A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’THIS WOULD GIVE ALARMS OWNERS TIME TO MAKE THE SIMPLE AND INEXPENSIVE ADJUSTMENTS REQUIRED.
’’FALSE BURGLAR ALARMS NOT ONLY CREATE NOISE POLLUTION, BUT ALSO WASTE POLICE MANPOWER.
"ON AVERAGE OVER 99 PER CENT OF BURGLAR ALARMS CALLS ARE FALSE, AND THESE WASTE AN ESTIMATED 180,000 POLICE MANHOURS ANNUALLY."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IN ORDER TO REDUCE MANPOWER WASTAGE AND TO ENCOURAGE OWNERS TO IMPROVE FAULTY ALARMS SYSTEM, THE POLICE WOULD SOON ADOPT A NEW PRACTICE IN RESPECT OF RESPONSE TO BURGLAR ALARMS.
"THIS WILL INVOLVE A LOWER LEVEL OF RESPONSE TO PREMISES WHICH FREQUENTLY SOUND FALSE ALARMS, BUT IT MUST BE EMPHASISED THAT THE POLICE WILL CONTINUE TO RESPOND TO ALL ALARM CALLS," HE SAID.
"THE POLICE WILL OFFER ADVICE TO OWNERS OF ALARM SYSTEMS WHICH ARE FAULTY, WITH A VIEW TO IMPROVING THE RELIABILITY OF SUCH SYSTEMS.
"THE POLICE EXPECT TO IMPLEMENT THE NEW PRACTICE WITHIN THE NEXT THREE MONTHS."
--------0----------
/17........
FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1989
- 17 -
YUEN LONG DB TO CONSIDER FORMING VBP CONCERN GROUP
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO DISCUSS THE SETTING UP OF A CONCERN GROUP TO MONITOR THE SITUATION IN THE SHEK KONG DETENTION CENTRE FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.
AT THE MEETING, DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL ALSO FINALISE A JOINT LETTER TO THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, SIR GEOFFREY HOWE, DEMANDING THAT ALL HONG KONG BRITISH NATIONALS BE GIVEN THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE UK.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 13TH FLOOR, TAI KIU GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 11 AM.
--------------------0 ------- CAREER OF FIREMEN INTERESTING AND REWARDING *****
GRADUATING FIREMEN WERE ASSURED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THEY WOULD FIND THEIR CAREER BOTH INTERESTING AND REWARDING.
ADDRESSING THE PASSING OUT PARADE OF 31 RECRUIT FIREMEN AT THE FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL IN PAT HEUNG, THE DEPUTY CHIEF FIRE OFFICER OF THE HONG KONG COMMAND, MR CHAN HOI, SAID: "YOU WILL ALSO BE PROUD OF YOURSELVES BECAUSE YOU ARE HEAVILY RELIED UPON BY THE CITIZENS OF HONG KONG TO PROTECT THEIR LIFE AND PROPERTY, AND TO RESCUE THEM WHEN THEY ARE IN DANGER."
"ALTHOUGH YOU HAVE BEEN TRAINED TO BE MENTALLY DETERMINED AND PHYSICALLY TOUGH TO FACE THE MANY CHALLENGES AHEAD OF YOU, YOU MUST NOT FORGET TO BE COURTEOUS AND SYMPATHETIC WHEN DEALING WITH THE PUBLIC, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED OF YOUR ASSISTANCE," HE ADDED.
MR CHAN ALSO URGED THE GRADUATING RECRUITS TO KEEP ABREAST WITH DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE AND FIRE TECHNOLOGY AND CONTINUE TO PRACTISE AND DEVELOP THE SKILLS THEY HAD LEARNED AT THE TRAINING SCHOOL.
AFTER REVIEWING THE PARADE, MR CHAN PRESENTED THE BEST RECRUIT AWARD TO FIREMAN CHUNG WAI-HUNG.
/18........
FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1989
_ 18 -
COMPULSORY WEARING OF SEAT BELTS IN TAXIS, LIGHT BUSES
*****
DRIVERS AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS IN TAXIS AND LIGHT BUSES ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR SEAT BELTS FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT REMINDED THE PUBLIC TODAY (FRIDAY).
UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC (SAFETY EQUIPMENT) REGULATIONS, ALL TAXIS MANUFACTURED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 1981 AND ALL LIGHT BUSES MANUFACTURED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 1984 ARE ALREADY REQUIRED TO BE FITTED WITH FRONT SEAT BELTS.
AS FROM TOMORROW, THE WEARING OF FRONT SEAT BELTS IN SUCH TAXIS AND LIGHT BUSES, INCLUDING PRIVATE AND PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES, WILL BECOME COMPULSORY.
THE REGULATIONS DO NOT APPLY TO TAXIS MANUFACTURED BEFORE 1981 AND LIGHT BUSES BEFORE 1984. NEVERTHELESS, IF SEAT BELTS ARE FITTED, DRIVERS AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS IN THESE OLDER VEHICLES ARE ADVISED TO WEAR THEM FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY.
A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SITTING IN THE MIDDLE SEAT OF A VEHICLE WHICH HAS A BENCH SEAT, THAT IS, BETWEEN THE DRIVER AND ANOTHER PASSENGER, AND PROVIDED THAT THAT PERSON IS AGED 15 OR OVER, IS NOT REQUIRED TO WEAR A SEAT BELT.
HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONLY ONE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER, THAT PASSENGER MUST WEAR A SEAT BELT REGARDLESS OF HIS AGE.
THE REGULATIONS LIMIT THE VICARIOUS LIABILITY OF THE DRIVERS OF TAXIS AND LIGHT BUSES TO THEIR FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS UNDER THE AGE OF 15.
THE FIXED PENALTY FOR DRIVING WITHOUT FASTENING A SEAT BELT IS $200. FOR DRIVING WHEN THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER UNDER 15 YEARS OLD HAS NOT FASTENED A SEAT BELT, THE FIXED PENALTY IS 4140.
FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS AGED 15 OR OVER WHO FAIL TO WEAR A SEAT BELT WILL BE CHARGED BY WAY OF SUMMONS.
THE ROAD TRAFFIC (PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLES) REGULATIONS ALLOW THE DRIVERS OF A TAXI OR PUBLIC LIGHT BUS TO REFUSE HIRE OR TO DRIVE ON IF THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER FAILS TO WEAR THE SEAT BELT.
UNDER THE SAME REGULATIONS, OWNERS OF TAXIS AND PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES ARE REQUIRED TO DISPLAY IN THEIR VEHICLES A NOTICE IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE THAT INFORMS FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS THAT THEY MUST WEAR A SEAT BELT.
-----0-----
/19........
FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1989
- 19 -
OZONE LAYER PROTECTION ORDINANCE COMES INTO OPERATION
*******
MANUFACTURE OF CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS (CFC’S) AND HALONS WILL BE PROHIBITED WITH EFFECT FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY). IN ADDITION, THE IMPORT AND EXPORT OF CFC’S WILL HAVE TO BE LICENSED.
A NOTICE WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY) ON THE COMING INTO OPERATION OF THE MAJOR PROVISIONS OF THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION ORDINANCE 1989.
THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION ORDINANCE 1989, WHICH WAS ENACTED ON JUNE 22, GIVES EFFECT TO HONG KONG’S INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE 1985 VIENNA CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE OZONE LAYER AND THE 1987 MONTREAL PROTOCOL ON SUBSTANCES THAT DEPLETE THE OZONE LAYER.
ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL, THE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION OF CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS AND HALONS WILL BE FROZEN AT 1986 LEVELS AS FROM JULY 1, 1989 AND JANUARY 1, 1992 RESPECTIVELY. HONG KONG DOES NOT PRODUCE ANY OF THESE CHEMICALS.
"ANY ONE WHO WISHES TO IMPORT OR EXPORT CFC’S SHOULD FIRST REGISTER WITH THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION. HE WILL THEN HAVE TO APPLY FOR A LICENCE FROM TRADE DEPARTMENT FOR ANY SHIPMENT OF CFC’S IMPORT OR EXPORT," A LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH SPOKESMAN SAID.
"A QUOTA SYSTEM IS BEING ADMINISTERED BY ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE THAT THE 1986 LOCAL CFC CONSUMPTION LEVEL WILL NOT BE EXCEEDED, WHICH IS ONE OF THE PROVISIONS UNDER THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL.
"AN IMPORT LICENCE WILL ONLY BE ISSUED IF THE REGISTRANT HAS SUFFICIENT QUOTA. EXPORT OF CFC’S IS NOT SUBJECT TO ANY QUOTA," HE SAID.
THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION (FEES) REGULATIONS 1989 WERE ALSO PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY. A FEE OF 41,000 WILL BE CHARGED FOR EACH REGISTRATION AND A FEE OF 4500 FOR EACH IMPORT OR EXPORT LICENCE.
-------O----------
TREASURY HEAD SEES PORT AT WORK * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, GAINED FIRST-HAND INFORMATION OF THE PORT WHEN HE VISITED THE MARINE DEPARTMENT THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING.
MR MACLEOD WAS INFORMED OF THE LATEST THE PORT AND THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT BY A
PLANS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF
r... --------- -- -- GROUP OF SENIOR
LED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR DERICK HALL.
OFFICERS
/THE SCHEDULE .......
FRIDAY, JUNE JO, 1989
THE SCHEDULE INCLUDED VISITS TO THE MACAU FERRY TERMINAL, THE SOON-TO-OPEN VESSEL TRAFFIC CENTRE AND THE GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD.
MR MACLEOD ALSO BOARDED A GOVERNMENT LAUNCH FOR A SHORT TRI1' IN THE HARBOUR, DURING WHICH HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE PROGRESS OF HONG KONG’S NEW SHIPPING REGISTER AND THE LOCAL CRAFT REVIEW.
- - 0 -
AMENDMENTS TO MONEY CHANGERS LAW TAKE EFFECT TOMORROW
******
THE GOVERNMENT REMINDED MONEY CHANGERS TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT IMPORTANT AMENDMENTS TO THE MONEY CHANGERS ORDINANCE WOULD COME INTO EFFECT TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
"MONEY CHANGERS SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT THEIR MODE OF OPERATION WILL COMPLY WITH THE NEW LEGISLATION," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID THE NEW PROVISIONS SPECIFY CLEARLY THE INFORMATION WHICH MUST BE PROVIDED BY A MONEY CHANGER ON A DISPLAY BOARD AND IN THE TRANSACTION NOTE.
"THIS IS TO ENSURE THAT PRIOR TO ENTERING INTO A TRANSACTION, THE CUSTOMER HAS ACCESS TO ACCURATE INFORMATION REGARDING THE TERMS THE MONEY CHANGER IS PREPARED TO OFFER," HE SAID.
UNDER THE NEW PROVISIONS, THE MONEY CHANGER MUST DISPLAY CLEARLY ON A NOTICE BOARD THE NET BUYING AND SELLING RATES HE IS PREPARED TO OFFER, THAT IS AFTER DEDUCTING ALL CHARGES AND COMMISSIONS.
BEFORE COMPLETING AN EXCHANGE TRANSACTION, A MONEY CHANGE)? MUST MAKE OUT A TRANSACTION NOTE IN DUPLICATE IN THE FORM SPECIFIED IN THE ORDINANCE. THE MONEY CHANGER MUST GIVE THE CUSTOMER THE ORIGINAL COPY OF THE NOTE. THE NOTE IS TO BE BILINGUAL AND EASILY UNDERSTOOD.
A MONEY CHANGER SHALL NOT ADVERTISE THAT HE CHARGES OR DOES NOT CHARGE, A COMMISSION OR ANY OTHER TRANSACTION FEE: NOR SHALL Hi MAKE FALSE OR MISLEADING STATEMENTS TO A CUSTOMER ABOUT THE RATE OF EXCHANGE, THE TERMS OF AN EXCHANGE TRANSACTION OR THE APPLICATION OF THE MONEY CHANGERS ORDINANCE.
CRIMINAL LIABILITY HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO DIRECTORS, MANAGERS AND SECRETARIES OF CORPORATE MONEY CHANGERS.
COMPLAINTS ABOUT MONEY CHANGERS SHOULD BE MADE TO THE POLICE.
/21
FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1989
- 21
WAN CHAI BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS
******
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (FRIDAY) DECLARED NOS. 42 AND 28 SHIP STREET, WAN CHAI, TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION AND NOS. 44 AND 46 IN THE SAME STREET LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.
THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THESE THREE TO FOUR STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDINGS WERE MAINLY CONSTRUCTED OF TIMBER UPPER FLOORS AND ROOFS ON LOAD-BEARING BRICK WALLS. THE FLOORS AND ROOF OF NO. 46 WAS RE-CONSTRUCTED WITH REINFORCED CONCRETE.
GENERALLY, THE BRICKWORK IN THE WALLS OF THE BUILDINGS WAS FOUND TO BE SOFT WITH WEAK MORTAR JOINTS. MOST OF THE TIMBER FLOOR AND ROOF JOISTS HAD DETERIORATED AND WERE DEFECTIVE.
PART OF THE ROOF OF NO. 42 HAD ALREADY COLLAPSED AND FURTHER COLLAPSE WAS IMMINENT.
NUMBER 48 WAS IN A VERY POOR CONDITION WITH SEVERAL VERTICAL FRACTURES IN THE PARTY WALL SHARED WITH NO. 46.
OWING TO THE ADVANCE STAGE OF DILAPIDATION, IT WAS CONSIDERED NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH NOS. 42 AND 48.
AS FOR NOS. 44 AND 46, IT WAS UNLIKELY THAT THEY WOULD WITHSTAND THE EFFECTS OF THE DEMOLITION OF NOS. 42 AND 48, AND IT WAS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO CLOSE AND DEMOLISH THESE BUILDINGS TOGETHER IN ONE OPERATION.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS IN HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 AM ON AUGUST 30 THIS YEAR WERE POSTED ON THE STRUCTURES TODAY.
-------0----------
NT SITES FOR SALE BY AUCTION *****
THREE GOVERNMENT LOTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT AT A PUBLIC AUCTION TO BE HELD ON JULY 25.
THE AUCTION WILL BE HELD IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE, HONG KONG, STARTING AT 2.30 PM.
THE LOTS INCLUDE TWO FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES. ONE OF THESE IS LOCATED IN AREA 29A, FANLING, AND HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 7,330 SQUARE METRES.
/ACCORDING TO .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1989
- 22 -
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE DEVELOPER IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 14,513 SQUARE METRES BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, 1992.
THE SECOND LOT IS LOCATED IN AREA 64, YIM TIN TSAI, TAI PO.
IT COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,906 SQUARE METRES AND THE DEVELOPER IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 1,395 SQUARE METRES BEFORE JULY 31, 1992.
THE THIRD LOT, WHICH IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES (EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADE), IS LOCATED IN AREA 4B, SHEUNG SHUI.
IT COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,041 SQUARE METRES AND THE DEVELOPER IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 9,123 SQUARE METRES BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, 1992.
FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND SALE PLANS SEEN AT, THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
* THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG;
* THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), GROUND FLOOR, HONG KONG; AND
* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
THE DOCUMENTS ON CONDITIONS OF SALE ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
--------0----------
ENTRY SCHEME FOR MACAU RESIDENTS * * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE FOLLOWING EX-CHINA RESIDENTS OF MACAU WHO HAVE HELD MACAU IDENTITY CARDS ISSUED AFTER JANUARY 14, 1979 FOR SEVEN YEARS MAY APPLY FOR ENTRY TO HONG KONG :
(I) HUSBANDS/WIVES (TOGETHER WITH THEIR CHILDREN) WISHING TO JOIN THEIR RESIDENT SPOUSE IN HONG KONG; AND
(II) AGED PARENTS/DEPENDENT CHILDREN WISHING TO JOIN THEIR RESIDENT CHILDREN/PARENTS IN HONG KONG.
/APPLICATIONS CAN .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1989
- 23 -
APPLICATIONS CAN BE SUBMITTED BY THE HONG KONG SPONSORS IN PERSON TO THE ENTRY VISA SECTION OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF 61 MODY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, KOWLOON. THE SPONSOR’S STAY IN HONG KONG MUST NOT BE LIMITED BY THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO MAKE ENQUIRIES ABOUT THIS ENTRY SCHEME MAY TELEPHONE THE DEPARTMENT’S INFORMATION OFFICE ON 3-7333126.
-------0----------
1987 SURVEY OF WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS
THE SUMMARY RESULTS OF THE 1987 SURVEY OF WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SHOWED THAT 115,688 WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT ESTABLISHMENTS, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS/BOARDING HOUSES WERE IN OPERATION DURING THE WHOLE OR PART OF 1987.
WHEN COMPARED WITH 1986, THE NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS INCREASED BY 4 PER CENT.
THE SURVEYY RESULTS WERE RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY).
IN 1987, THESE ESTABLISHMENTS GENERATED $812,400 MILLION IN SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS; AND SPENT $36,265 MILLION ON COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES, $71,901 MILLION ON OPERATING EXPENSES AND $668,905 MILLION ON PURCHASES OF GOODS FOR SALE.
WHEN COMPARED WITH 1986, SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS INCREASED BY 34 PER CENT, WHILE COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES, OPERATING EXPENSES AND PURCHASES OF GOODS FOR SALES ROSE BY 23 PER CENT, 27 PER CENT AND 34 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
ALL VALUE FIGURES IN THIS PRESS RELEASE ARE EXPRESSED IN CURRENT PRICE TERMS. PERCENTAGE CHANGES DERIVED FROM THESE FIGURES HAVE NOT BEEN ADJUSTED FOR PRICE INCREASES.
THE SECTOR’S VALUE ADDED INCREASED BY 35 PER CENT TO $84,793 MILLION IN 1987, FROM $62,707 MILLION IN 1986. VALUE ADDED IS A MEASURE OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF AN ECONOMIC SECTOR TO HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.
/WHEN ANALYSED .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1989
24
WHEN ANALYSED BY ECONOMIC ACTIVITY, THE IMPORT/EXPORT TRADE RECORDED THE LARGEST SHARE OF SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS, AT $589,42 MILLION OR 73 PER CENT OF THE SECTOR TOTAL. RETAIL TRADE ACCOUNT! FOR 13 PER CENT, WHILE WHOLESALE TRADE TOOK UP 10 PER CENT, RESTAURANTS 3 PER CENT AND HOTELS/BOARDING HOUSES 1 PER CENT.
IN 1987, THE IMPORT/EXPORT TRADE ALSO ACCOUNTED FOR THE LARGES’ SHARE (60 PER CENT) OF TOTAL VALUE ADDED IN THE SECTOR. THE REST WAS CONTRIBUTED BY RETAIL TRADE (16 PER CENT), RESTAURANTS (12 PER CENT) WHOLESALE TRADE (7 PER CENT) AND HOTELS/BOARDING HOUSES (6 PER CENT).
WHEN COMPARED WITH 1986, THE IMPORT/EXPORT TRADE RECORDED THE LARGEST PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS (+37 PER CENT), FOLLOWED BY WHOLESALE TRADE (+28 PER CENT), RETAIL TRADE (+25 PER CENT), RESTAURANTS (+25 PER CENT) AND HOTELS/BOARDING HOUSES (+23 PER CENT).
IN TERMS OF VALUE ADDED, THE IMPORT/EXPORT TRADE ALSO RECORDE ' THE LARGEST PERCENTAGE INCREASE (+40 PER CENT), FOLLOWED BY WHOLESALE TRADE (+35 PER CENT), RETAIL TRADE (+28 PER CENT), RESTAURANTS (+26 PER CENT) AND HOTELS/BOARDING HOUSES (+26 PER CENT).
THE 1987 SURVEY WAS ONE IN A SERIES OF ANNUAL SURVEYS CONDUCTED FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASCERTAINING THE STRUCTURE AND OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DISTRIBUTIVE TRADE AND SERVICE SECTOR, AND UPDATING ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT OF HONG KONG.
DATA COLLECTED IN THE SURVEY INCLUDED TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, FLOOR AREA, NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED, NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES, COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES, OPERATING EXPENSES, PURCHASES OF GOODS FOR SALE, STOCKS, SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS, AND ACQUISITION AND DISPOSAL OF FIXED ASSETS.
A DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY OF THE SURVEY, TOGETHER WITH TABLES SHOWING THE PRINCIPAL STATISTICS FOR ALL ESTABLISHMENTS CLASSIFIED BY MAJOR TRADE GROUP/ACTIVITY AND ANALYSED BY VARIOUS ECONOMIC VARIABLES, ARE INCLUDED IN THE "1987 SURVEY OF WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS" REPORT.
THIS REPORT WILL BE ON SALE IN END JULY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE; AND THE PUBLICATION SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON THE 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 5-8234942.
FRIDAY, JUNE 50, 1989
- 25 -
Comparison of Selected Principal Statistics for all establishments in and laport/Export Trades, Restaurants and Hotels Sector between 1985 and 1987
Activity Number of establishments Number of persons engaged Number of employees Compensation of employees Operating expenses Purchases of goods for sale Changes in stocks Sales and other recaioCq
$ Mn. $ Mn. $ Mn. $ Mn. $ Mn. $ Mn.
Wholesale trade 1986 14 199 62 222 45 434 2 104 3 932 57 843 724 65 198 4 265
1987 14 843 67 055 49 984 2 578 5 221 73 931 1 109 83 532 5 759
change +5 +8 + 10 +23 +33 +28 +53 +28 +35
Retail trade 1986 51 369 173 943 112 803 5 274 9 576 64 936 2 095 82 910 10 640
1987 50 943 173 744 115 250 6 199 11 909 81 271 2 919 103 659 13 617
X change -1 +3 +2 +18 +24 +25 +39 +25 +28
Import/exporc trade 1986 37 947 225 032 198 373 14 197 35 618 364 801 6 135 429 662 36 172
1987 41 193 255 715 223 191 18 110 45 801 501 060 7 215 589 427 50 754
X change +9 + 14 + 13 +28 +29 +37 +18 +37 +40
Restaurants 1986 7 113 164 116 155 243 6 410 5 286 9 264 45 22 350 7 910
1987 7 463 168 351 158 223 7 661 6 400 11 834 110 28 025 9 987
X change +5 +3 +2 +20 +21 +28 +146 +25 +26
Hotels/boarding houses 1986 1 033 27 212 26 252 1 407 2 069 619 8 6 298 3 719
1987 1 241 29 149 28 119 1 717 2 569 308 16 7 756 4 677
*• change +20 +7 +7 +22 +24 +30 *88 +23 +26
Total 1986 111 666 652 525 538 104 29 392 56 481 497 464 9 008 606 418 62 707
1987 115 688 699 015 574 768 36 265 71 901 668 905 11 369 812 400 84 793
— z change +4 +7 +7 +23 +27 +34 +26 +34 +35
Notes : (1) Individual items may not add up to total due to rounding.
(2) Figures denoting changes are derived from unrounded figures.
(3) Value added is a measure of the contribution of an economic sector to Hong Kong’s Gross Domestic Product. The definition can be found in the ”1987 Survey of Wholesale, Retail and Import/Export Trades, Restaurants and Hotels'* report.
(4) Figures on number of persons engaged cover persons engaged by establishments which operated for the whole or part of the reference year and therefore are not figures referring to a particular time point.
FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1989
- 26 -
RECLAMATION IN TAI TAM, TUEN MUN PROPOSED * * * * *
AUTHORISATION HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO GRANT A WAYLEAVE FOR THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY LIMITED TO LAY AN OPTICAL FIBRE SUBMARINE CABLE ACROSS SHEUNG SZ MUN, TAI TAM.
AN AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEABED, MEASURING ABOUT TWO HECTARES, WILL BE RECLAIMED FOR THE PROJECT.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED WILL BE INJURIOUSLY AFFECTED MAY DELIVER TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION ON OR BEFORE JUNE 29 NEXT YEAR.
IN TUEN MUN, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO DREDGE THE SEABED AT URMSTON ROAD AND TO RECLAIM 3.55 HECTARES OF LAND FROM THE NORTH END OF LUNG KWU SHEUNG TAN FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SUBMARINE OUTFALL.
THE PROJECT IS FOR DISPOSING SEWAGE COLLECTED FROM THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS AND UPGRADING AREAS IN TIN SHUl WAI, YUEN LONG-TUEN MUN CORRIDOR AND YUEN LONG EXTENSION AREAS OF THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES INTO THE DEEP SEA AT URMSTON ROAD.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 29 THIS YEAR.
THE EXTENT OF THE TWO AREAS AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN DETAILS IN NOTICES PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
-------o----------
MORE CHILD CARE CENTRES IN NORTH DISTRICT *****
THREE MORE AIDED CHILD CARE CENTRES, INCLUDING ONE FOR THE DISABLED, WILL BE SET UP IN THE NORTH DISTRICT IN THE COMING TWO YEARS, THE REGIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (NEW TERRITORIES), MRS LESLIE HUNG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING AND DEDICATION CEREMONY OF THE SALVATION ARMY TIN PING NURSERY AT FANLING. MRS HUNG EXPLAINED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY WAS TO PROVIDE 100 AIDED PLACES TO SERVE CHILDREN AGED FROM TWO TO SIX YEARS FOR EVERY 20,000 POPULATION.
MRS HUNG SAID THERE WERE NOW 103 AIDED AND PRIVATE CHILD CARE CENTRES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, PROVIDING 10,856 PLACES, AMONG WHICH 600 PLACES FROM FIVE CENTRES WERE IN THE NORTH DISTRICT.
/SHE SAID ......
FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1989
SHE SAID BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN.
"BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES PUT MUCH EFFORT INTO DEVELOPING PRE-SCHOOL CHILD CARE SERVICE, CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICE AND FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION WITH A VIEW TO PROVIDING BETTER CARE AND DEVELOPING THE NEXT GENERATION," SHE SAID.
MRS HUNG COMMENDED THE SALVATION ARMY FOR PROVIDING A WIDE RANGE OF WELFARE SERVICES SUCH AS SERVICE FOR THE ELDERLY, INSTITUTIONAL CARE, YOUTH AND COMMUNITY WORK, SERVICES FOR THE REFUGEES AND STREET SLEEPERS AS WELL AS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN.
IT IS NOW OPERATING 17 CHILD CARE CENTRES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, SERVING 1,600 CHILDREN.
- - 0 - -
TENDERS INVITED FOR WATERWORKS * * * * *
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SECOND STORAGE COMPARTMENT FOR THE PRIMARY SERVICE RESERVOIR IN AREA 2 OF TSEUNG KWAN O NEW TOWN.
THE NEW COMPARTMENT IS REQUIRED FOR THE STORAGE OF TREATED WATER FROM PAK KONG WATER TREATMENT WORKS IN SAI KUNG AS ONE OF THE FACILITIES TO MEET THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR POTABLE WATER IN THE NEW TOWN, KOWLOON EAST AND HONG KONG EAST.
IT WILL HAVE A STORAGE CAPACITY OF 60,000 CUBIC METRES AND WILL BE CONSTRUCTED OF REINFORCED CONCRETE.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START THIS OCTOBER AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 21 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE OFFICE OF THE CONSULTANTS FOR THE PROJECT ON 15TH FLOOR, PARK-IN COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 56 DUNDAS STREET. KOWLOON.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON AUGUST 4.
- - 0
/28
FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1989
- 28 -
SITTING-OUT AREA FOR WESTERN DISTRICT
*****
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SITTING-OUT AREA IN BELCHER'S STREET, WESTERN DISTRICT.
MEASURING ABOUT 265 SQUARE METRES, THE SITTING-OUT AREA WILL HAVE A CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA AND A SMALL SINGLE-STOREY STORE ROOM.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN OCTOBER AND BE COMPLETED NEXT JUNE.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JULY 21.
--------0----------
TENDERS INVITED FOR PUMPING STATION ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR A FRESH WATER PUMPING STATION IN SO KWUN TAN, TUEN MUN, TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR WATER IN THE EASTERN TUEN MUN AREA.
THE PUMPING STATION WILL HAVE AN INITIAL OUTPUT OF 30,000 CUBIC METRES PER DAY AND CAN BE UPGRADED TO ACHIEVE AN ULTIMATE OUTPUT OF 56,000 CUBIC METRES PER DAY TO CATER FOR SUBSEQUENT PHASES OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN SEPTEMBER AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 20 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JULY 21.
REGISTRATION OF DTC REVOKED
*****
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF PIERSON, HELDRING & PIERSON (HONG KONG) LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY (FRIDAY) AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
O -