DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
MONDAY, MAY 1, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HONG KONG TO PERSIST WITH BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM: GOVERNOR .... 1
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR MARCH 1989 .......................... 1
MORE OPEN SPACES FOR FANLING/SHEUNG SHUI NEW TOWN............ 7
REGIONAL SECRETARY TOURS TUEN MUN ........................... 7
UPDATE ON TYPHOON SHELTER CLEARANCE ......................... 8
TSUEN WAN DB TO DISCUSS jiNTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS ............. 9
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS .............. 9
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ICAC WORK PLAN ...................... 10
SAI KUNG DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ;iNNUAL REPORT ............. 11
CASES FOR M.1NAGEMENT TRAINING PUBLISHED .................... 11
Water suspension in four districts .......................... 12
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC .iRR JNGEMENTS IN SHA TAU KuK ............. 13
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF WHITTY STREET, WESTERN DISTRICT ........ 1?
Line CLOSURE IN SHA TIN ..................................... 13
W^TER STORAGE FIGURE ........................................ 14
MONDAY, MAY 1, 1989
1
HONG KONG TO PERSIST WITH BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM: GOVERNOR
HONG KONG MUST CONTINUE TO PERSIST WITH BOTH THE PRACTICAL AND THE POLITICAL ASPECTS OF THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM UNTIL A SOLUTION IS FOUND, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID THIS EVENING (MONDAY).
SIR DAVID SAID THE PRACTICAL PROBLEMS MEANT FINDING ARRANGEMENTS TO LOOK AFTER THE BOAT PEOPLE WHILST THE POLITICAL PROBLEMS MEANT FINDING A LONG-TERM SOLUTION.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER ATTENDING A RECEPTION TO MARK THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SING PAO NEWSPAPER, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "WHAT WE HAVE TO AIM AT IS DEALING FIRST WITH THE PRACTICAL PROBLEMS, BECAUSE WE FACE AN EMERGENCY AND DEALING WITH THAT; AND THEN DEALING WITH THE POLITICAL PROBLEMS WHICH IS TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS AN EFFECTIVE LONG-TERM SOLUTION."
PART OF THE LONG-TERM SOLUTION WAS THE WORK TO BE DONE AT THE GENEVA CONFERENCE ON THE PROBLEM COMING UP NEXT MONTH, SIR DAVID ADDED.
HE SAID THERE WAS NO INSTANT SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.
"WE SIMPLY HAVE TO GET ON WITH IT AS QUICKLY AS WE POSSIBLY CAN WITHOUT ANY IDEAS THAT THERE IS AN IMMEDIATE SOLUTION IN SIGHT.
"WE JUST HAVE TO WORK AT THE LONG-TERM SOLUTION," SIR DAVID SAID.
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MONETARY STATISTICS FOR MARCH 1989 t t t « »
ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH, BOTH HONG KONG DOLLAR AND FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS GREW MORE RAPIDLY IN MARCH THAN IN FEBRUARY.
THE BROADER DEFINITIONS OF MONEY SUPPLY, HKSM2 AND HKSM3, INCREASED IN MARCH COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY, WHILE THE NARROWEST DEFINITION, HKSM1, REGISTERED A FALL DURING THE MONTH.
TOTAL LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS SHOWED CONSIDERABLE INCREASE DURING MARCH.
/OFFSHORE LOANS .......
MONDAY, MAY 1, 1989
- 2 -
OFFSHORE LOANS AND OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG GREW MORE RAPIDLY IN MARCH THAN IN THE PREVIOUS MONTH. LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE ALSO RECORDED SOME INCREASE.
TABLE 1 SETS OUT SUMMARY FIGURES FOR MARCH 1989 AND COMPARISONS WITH EARLIER MONTHS. TABLE 2 PRESENTS FIGURES FROM THE QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS AND ADVANCES FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR.
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS GREW BY 0.7 PER CENT IN MARCH FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 2.3 PER CENT AND 0.2 PER CENT IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY RESPECTIVELY.
OF THESE DEPOSITS, DEMAND AND SAVINGS DEPOSITS DROPPED BY 2.9 PER CENT AND 5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, WHILE TIME DEPOSITS ROSE BY 5.1 PER CENT. DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING MARCH 1989, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 14.9 PER CENT.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTION’S GREW BY 3 PER CENT IN MARCH 1989, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 2.8 PER CENT AND 0.6 PER CENT IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY RESPECTIVELY.
OF THESE DEPOSITS, US DOLLAR DEPOSITS ROSE BY 3.3 PER CENT WHILE NON-U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 2.7 PER CENT. OVER THE YEAR, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS ROSE BY 33.7 PER CENT.
FOREIGN CURRENCY SWAP DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 7.4 PER CENT IN MARCH, AFTER INCREASES OF 4.2 PER CENT AND 4.9 PER CENT IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY RESPECTIVELY.
ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE THESE DEPOSITS, HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 1.5 PER CENT IN MARCH AND BY 22.3 PER CENT COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER. ON THE OTHER HAND, FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS, ADJUSTED TO EXCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS, INCREASED BY 2.6 PER CENT IN MARCH AND BY 28.2 PER CENT OVER THE YEAR.
DEPOSITS OF ALL CURRENCIES WITH BANKS GREW BY 2 PER CENT IN MARCH WHILE THOSE WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ROSE BY 3 PER CENT. DURING THE 1MONTHS ENDING MARCH 1989, THE FORMER ROSE BY 25.8 PER CENT WHILE THE LATTER GREW BY 21 PER CENT.
MONEY SUPPLY
HKSM1 DECLINED BY 2.7 PER CENT IN MARCH WHILE HKSM2 AND HKSM3 ROSE BY 0.2 PER CENT AND 0.4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. THESE COMPARED WITH CORRESPONDING RATES OF -5.2 PER CENT, -0.5 PER CENT AND -0.3 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY.
/DURING THE
MONDAY, MAY 1, 19&9
- 3 -
DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING MARCH 1989, HKSM1, HKJM2 AND HKSM3 GREW BY 10.4 PER CENT, 13.4 PER CENT AND 14.3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. ADJUSTED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF SWAP DEPOSITS, HKSM2' GREW BY 1 PER CENT WHILE HKSM3 ROSE BY 1.1 PER CENT IN MARCH. COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER, THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES WERE 20.8 PER CENT AND 21 PER CENT.
TOTAL Ml FELL BY 4.1 PER CENT IN MARCH WHILE TOTAL M2 AND M3 GREW BY 1.9 PER CENT AND 2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES IN FEBRUARY WERE -3.9 PER CENT, 0.1 PER CENT AND 0.3 PER CENT. OVER THE YEAR, TOTAL Ml GREW BY 10.6 PER CENT, TOTAL M2 BY 25.2 PER CENT AND TOTAL M3 BY 24.8 PER CENT.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS GREW BY 5 PER CENT IN MARCH, COMPARED WITH INCREASES OF 1.9 PER CENT AND 5.7 PER CENT IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY RESPECTIVELY.
OF THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS, THOSE DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLARS GREW BY 5.3 PER CENT WHILE THOSE DENOMINATED IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES GREW BY 4.8 PER CENT.
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG GREW BY 2.2 PER CENT IN MARCH, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 2.1 PER CENT IN JANUARY AND A FALL OF 2.2 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 27.9 PER CENT.
OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG GREW BY 3.9 PER CENT IN MARCH COMPARED WITH INCREASES OF 3.5 PER CENT AND 3.7 PER CENT IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 39.6 PER CENT.
LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG INCREASED BY 7.5 PER CENT IN MARCH, AFTER INCREASES OF 0.9 PER CENT AND 4.3 PER CENT IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 39.3 PER CENT.
IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989, LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED TO THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR ROSE BY 11.6 PER CENT AFTER AN INCREASE OF 4.5 PER CENT IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 36.9 PER CENT.
LOANS TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES INCREASED BY 9.5 PER CENT THIS QUARTER, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 15.8 PER CENT IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 47.9 PER CENT.
/LOANS TO .......
MONDAY, MAY 1, 1989
LOANS TO FINANCIAL CONCERNS (OTHER THAN BANKS AND DTC'S) ROSE BY 20.2 PER CENT THIS QUARTER, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 14.4 PER CENT IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 74.4 PER CENT.
LOANS TO INDIVIDUALS FOR THE PURCHASE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY (OTHER THAN FLATS IN THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME) GREW BY 6.4 PER CENT THIS QUARTER, AFTER AN INCREASE OF 7.9 PER CENT IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 33.3 PER CENT.
LOANS TO THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT SECTOR INCREASED BY 43.1 PER CENT IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989. FOLLOWING A GROWTH OF 31.7 PER CENT IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 104.5 PER CENT.
IN DECEMBER 1988, THE RETURN FOR REPORTING LOANS FOR USE BY SECTOR WAS REVISED.
AS A RESULT OF THIS, SOME AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS HAVE NOW MORE PROPERLY CLASSIFIED THEIR LOANS ACCORDING TO INTENDED USAGE RATHER THAN THE BUSINESS OF THE LOAN RECIPIENTS.
THIS RECLASSIFICATION IS AN IMPORTANT REASON ACCOUNTING FOR THE SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN LOANS TO CERTAIN SECTORS, FOR EXAMPLE, THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT SECTOR AND FINANCIAL CONCERNS.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS AND LICENSED DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 159 AND 35 RESPECTIVELY WHILE THAT OF REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES FELL BY TWO TO 213.
/TABLE 1
MONDAY, FAY 1, 1989
5
TABLE 1: : MONETARY STATISTICS - MARCH 1989
Money Supply Ml - HK$ Mar 1989 80,623 Feb 1989 82,844 ( -2.7 (X %) Earlier months change to March Dec 1988 79,257 ( 1.7 1989) • X) Mar 1988 73,024 (HK$mn) ( 10.4 X)
Foreign currency 8,734 10,331 ( -15.5 X) 9,577 ( -8.8 X) 7,740 ( 1 2 ® X)
Total 89,357 93,175 ( -4. 1 X) 88,834 ( 0.6 X) 80,764 ( 10.6 X)
M2 - HK$ 366,578 365,820 ( 0.2 %) 355,065 ( 3.2 %) 323.122 ( 13.4 X)
Foreign currency 503,277 487,988 ( 3.1 X) 469.583 ( 7.2 X) 371.776 ( 35 4 XJ
Total 869,855 853,807 ( 1.9 %) 824,648 ( 5.5 X) 694.899 ( 25 2 X)
M3 - HKS 401,505 400,052 ( 0.4 X) 389,052 ( 3.2 X) 351.388 ( 14.3 X)
Foreign currency 538,097 521,515 ( 3.2 X) 504.291 ( 6.7 X) 401.430 ( 34.0 X)
Total 939,603 921,567 ( 2.0 X) 893,342 ( 5.2 X) 752.818 ( 24.8 X)
Notes and coins in circulation 35,766 36,415 ( -1.8 X) 34,087 ( 4.9 %) 32,253 ( 10.9 X)
of which held by public 31,005 31,757 ( -2.4 %) 29.877 ( 3.8 %) 28.642 ( 8.3 X)
Total Deposits
Total Demand deposits 58,352 61,418 ( -5.0 X) 58,958 ( -1.0 %) 52 1 22 ( 12.0 X) X) X)
Total Savings deposits 163,008 170,136 ( -4.2 X) 175.529 ( -7. 1 X) 181.924 (- 10.4
Total Time deposits with banks 600,581 574,512 ( 4.5 X) 544,502 ( 10.3 X) 419,327 ( ( 43.2
Total Time deposits with dtcs 67,687 65,692 ( 3.0 X) 66.531 ( 1.7 X) 55,950 21.0 X)
HK$ deposits 358,104 355,739 ( 0.7 X) 346,744 ( 3.3 X) 311,697 ( 14.9 X)
USS deposits 279,663 270.733 ( 3.3 X) 266,561 ( 4.9 X) 217,406 ( 23.6 X)
Other foreign currency deposits 251,861 245,285 ( 2.7 X) 232,216 ( 6.5 X) 180,219 ( ( 39.8 X) X)
All deposits 889,628 871,758 ( 2.0 X) 845,520 ( 5.2 X) 709,322 25.4
Foreign currency swap deposits 51,301 47,751 ( 7.4 X) 43,689 ( 17.4 X) 22,921 (1 .23.8 X)
Total Loans and advances
To finance U.K.’s visible trade 58,199 56,955 ( 2.2 X) 57,022 ( 2.1 X) 45,505 ( 27.9 X)
To finance merchandising trade 11,885 11,816 ( 0.6 X) 12,344 ( -3.7 X) 5.210 (1 28.1
not touching U.K.
Other loans for use in H.K. 508.748 489,677 ( 3.9 X) 456,437 ( 11.4 %) 364,510 ( 39.6 X)
Other loans for use outside H.K. 431,204 401,220 ( 7.5 X) 381,524 ( 13.0 X) 309,568 ( 39.3 X)
Other loans where the pla<?e of 77,703 76,202 ( 2.0 X) 54,800 ( 41.8 X) 58.729 ( 32.3 X)
use is not known
Loans in HK$ 459,563 436,541 ( 5.3 %) 404.572 ( 13.6 X) 318.875 ( 44.1 X)
Loans in foreign currencies 628,176 599,329 ( 4.8 %) 557,606 ( 12.7 X) 464.648 ( or 2 X)
Total loans and advances 1,087,739 1,035,870 ( 5.0 %) 962,177 ( 13.0 X) 783,523 ( 38.8 X)
/TABLE 2 : .......
MONDAY, MAY 1, 1989
„ - 6 - - . - «
TABLE 2 : QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR - MARCH 1989 + # (HKSmn)
Mar 1989 Earlier quarters (X change to March 1989)
Dec 1988 Sep 1988 Mar 1988 •
Manufacturing 43,529 39.011 ( 11.6 X) 37,324 ( 16.6 X) 31,795 ( 36.9 X)
Transport and transport 26,608 23,380 ( 13.8 X) 23,140 ( 15.0 X) 20,156 ( 32.0 X)
equipment
Building, construction, property development 84,243 58,864 ( 43.1 X) 44.697 ( 88.5 X) 41,187 (104.5 X)
and investment
Wholesale and retail trade 65,390 59,744 ( 9.5 X) 51.579 ( 26.8 X) 44,212 ( 47.9 X)
Financial concerns * 63.740 53,040 ( 20.2 X) 46,370 ( 37.5 X) 36,554 ( 74.4 X)
I individuals:
to purchase flats in the Home Ownership Scheme and Private Sector Participation Scheme 8,887 8,656 ( 2.7 X) 8.147 ( 9.1 X) 7,498 ( 18.5 X)
to purchase other residential 82,327 77,359 ( 6.4 X) 71.710 ( 14.8 X) 61,772 ( 33.3 X)
property
other purposes 50,920 48,050 ( 6.0 X) 52,100 ( -2.3 X) 45,263 ( 12.5 X)
Others 83,103 88,383 ( -6.0 X) 82.955 ( 0.2 X) 76,072 ( 9.2 X)
Total 508,748 456,487 ( 11.4 X) 418.022 ( 21.7 X) 364,510 ( 39.6 X)
# Starting from December 1988, more detailed statistics on loans to the transport sector, to building, construction, property development and investment and to financial concerns are available. They will be published in the Monthly Digest of Statistics from the January 1989 issue onwards.
4 In December 1988, the return for reporting loans for use by sector was revised. As a result of thisz some authorised institutions have now more properly classified their loans according to intended usage rather than the business of the loan recipients. This reclassification is an important reason accounting for the significant increase in loans to certain sectors, for example, the building, construction and property development sector and financial concerns.*
* This excludes funds advanced to banks and deposit—taking companies
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/7........
MONDAY, MAY 1,
1989
MORE OPEN SPACES FOR FANLING/SHEUNG SHUT NEW TOWN
*****
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS PLANNING TO DEVELOP OPEN SPACES IN FANLING AREAS 42 AND 44 TO PROVIDE MORE RECREATION FACILITIES FOR RESIDENTS AT FANLING SOUTH.
THE WORKS. WHICH INVOLVE THE DEVELOPMENT OF MORE THAN 2.3 HECTARES OF OPEN SPACES NEAR TIN SUM TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA, ARE PART OF THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF FANLING AND SHEUNG SHUI NEW TOWN.
FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED INCLUDE AN ARTIFICIAL TURFED MINI-SOCCER PITCH. CHILDREN’S PLAY AREAS, JOGGING TRAIL,
TOILET-CUM-CHANGING ROOM, BASKETBALL-CUM-VOLLEYBALL COURTS, VIEWING PAVILIONS AND GARDEN AREAS.
WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO START IN AUGUST AND ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE DEPARTMENT'S NEW TERRITORIES NORTH EAST DEVELOPMENT OFFICE IS NOW INVITING TENDERS FOR THESE WORKS.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON MAY 19.
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REGIONAL SECRETARY TOURS TUEN MUN t » » t t
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ADOLF HSU, TODAY (MONDAY) TOURED TUEN MUN TO KEEP HIMSELF ABREAST OF THE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JOHN WAN, MR HSU FIRST VISITED NAI WAI VILLAGE. THE VILLAGE IS ABOUT 500 YEARS OLD AND ITS 2,000 INDIGENOUS INHABITANTS ARE SAID TO BE DESCENDENTS OF TO YUEN-MING, A FAMOUS POET OF THE JIN DYNASTY.
AS TO THE PRESENT, THE VILLAGE HAS BEEN INCLUDED IN THE URBAN FRINGE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME WITH WORKS ON UPGRADING THE ROAD SYSTEM AND THE PROVISION OF COMMUNAL PARKING FACILITIES TO START LATER THIS YEAR.
MR HSU THEN WENT TO THE ROOFTOP OF A BUILDING IN TUEN MUN TOWN CENTRE FOR A BIRD’S-EYE VIEW OF THE CONSTRUCTION WORKS TAKING PLACE IN THE AREA.
LATER, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY OBSERVED MARKET GARDENING IN THE SO KWUN WAT AREA AND WAS SHOWN AROUND A CONTAINER STORAGE SITE.
/THE DEVELOPMENT........
MONDAY, MAY 1, 1989
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MARINA WAS OF SPECIAL INTEREST TO MR HSU.
THE SITE HAS BEEN EARMARKED
WILL INCLUDE 2,500 RESIDENTIAL SUPERMARKET, CARPARKS, WORKSHOPS FACILITIES FOR ABOUT 300 VESSELS.
IN AREA 57, WITHIN SO KWUN WAT,
FOR LOW-DENSITY DEVELOPMENTS WHICH UNITS, A COMMERCIAL COMPLEX, A FOR BOAT REPAIRING AND BERTHING
MR HSU THEN WENT TO AREA 38B TO LOOK AT INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE DISTRICT.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS COMMISSIONED A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL INDUSTRIES IN THE AREA. THIS REPORT ON THE FUTURE USE OF THE 100-HECTARE RECLAIMED LAND WILL BE COMPLETED IN NOVEMBER THIS YEAR.
MR HSU CONCLUDED HIS VISIT WITH A RECEPTION AT THE YAN 01 TONG COMMUNITY AND INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE WHERE HE WAS INTRODUCED TO THE DIRECTORS OF YAN 01 TONG, TL’EN MUN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, LOCAL PERSONALITIES AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE YIN NGAI SOCIETJESj_________
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UPDATE ON TYPHOON SHELTER CLEARANCE
*****
THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WONG HONG-HO, WILL BRIEF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD'S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE TOMORROW (TUESDAY) ON THE PROGRESS OF THE CLEARANCE OF BOAT DWELLERS IN YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER.
HE WILL ALSO OUTLINE THE EFFORTS BEING MADE BY AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP TO ASSIST THESE PEOPLE.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS THE DRAFT YAU MA TEI OUTLINE ZONING PLAN WHICH INVOLVES THE RESUMPTION OF PORTLAND STREET AND YUNNAN LANE.
THEY WILL ALSO LEARN ABOUT THE WORK OF RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN THE SURVEILLANCE OF CLEARED LANES AND ENVIRONMENTAL BLACKSPOTS. •
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDE THE DISTRICT BOARD’S BUDGET AND WORK PLAN FOR THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR, AND A MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IN MAN MING LANE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE AT 490 NATHAN ROAD, SECOND FLOOR.
MONDAY, MAY 1, 1989
TSUEN WAN DB TO DISCUSS ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS ♦ » » t t
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS RECOMMENDED IN A REPORT BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH.
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH, DR JUDITH MACKAY, AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE TOBACCO INSTITUTE OF HONG KONG, MR LEE JARK-PUI, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO GIVE THEIR VIEWS.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS, MR ARTHUR GARCIA, WILL ALSO ATTEND THE MEETING TO BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE WORK OF HIS OFFICE.
THE MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED ON THE ANNUAL WORK PROGRAMMES TO BE CARRIED OUT BY THE VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN TSUEN WAN.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE VARIOUS DISTRICT BOARD COMMITTEES FOR 1989-90; REPORTS ON THE WORK OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND THE VARIOUS DISTRICT BOARD COMMITTEES; AND A REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL BY THE BOARD’S REPRESENTATIVE TO THE COUNCIL, MR CHAN LAU-FONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE MAIN CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ON THE SECOND FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS ♦ t » ♦ ♦
THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS A CONSULTATION PAPER ON ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS RECOMMENDED BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SMOKING AND HEALTH AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
ALSO, MEMBERS WILL GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON ARRANGING AN EXHIBITION ON EYE CARE IN THE NORTH DISTRICT.
/OTHER ITEMS .......
MONDAY, MAY 1, 1989
- 10 -
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE A PROPOSAL FOR A SURVEY ON ADULT EDUCATION AND A PRELIMINARY REPORT ON A STUDY ON THE DEMAND FOR MEDICAL SERVICES IN THE AREA.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ICAC WORK PLAN ♦ * * » *
THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE WORK PLAN OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION’S HONG KONG EAST REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE DISTRICT IN 1989-90 AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
IT WILL CONSIDER THE COMMITTEE’S MEMBERSHIP, TERMS OF REFERENCE, AND SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROPOSED APPORTIONMENT OF FUNDS ALLOCATED TO THE COMMITTEE BY THE DISTRICT BOARD.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE FORMATION OF WORKING GROUPS AND APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS TO ORGANISE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE TO BEGIN AT 4 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM. 21ST FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, HONG KONG.
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MONDAY. MAY 1. 1989
11
SAI KUNG DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ANNUAL REPORT * * * * »
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE. RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS ITS ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1988-89 AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS A NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS. THE PROPOSED DISBURSEMENT OF SAI KUNG DISTRltI BOARD FUNDS IN 1989-90. AND REPORTS ON VARIOUS ACTIVITIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD'S CULTURE. RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM. SECOND FLOOR. SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES. CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN.
THE MEETING WILL START AT 10 AM.
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CASES FOR MANAGEMENT TRAINING PUBLISHED *****
THE MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT CENTRE (MDC) OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL HAS JUST PUBLISHED A COMPENDIUM OF CASE STUDIES FOR MANAGEMENT TRAINING IN HONG KONG.
COMPILED BY MR ANDY WELSH. SENIOR ADVISOR OF THE MDC AND EDITED BY MR ROY LE HERISSER. CHAIRMAN OF THE CASE STUDY GROUP OF HONG KONG. THE COMPENDIUM CONTAINS A WIDE SELECTION OF CASES FROM THE HONG KONG MANAGEMENT CASE CLEARING HOUSE - A CASE STUDY BANK SET UP BY MDC.
THE CASES COVER THE AREAS IN CORPORATE POLICY AND PLANNING. OPERATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS. MARKETING AND PERSONNEL POLICY AND INTERPERSONAL ISSUES.
"CASE METHOD IS BECOMING WIDELY RECOGNISED AS AN IMPORTANT TEACHING TOOL IN THE TERRITORY.' MR WELSH SAID.
PRESENTATION OF PROBLEMS AND SITUATIONS IN CASE FORM FACILITATES EXPERIENCE TRANSFER. THE LEARNING OF ANALYTICAL SKILLS AND DECISION MAKING. AND STIMULATES INDEPENDENT THINKING," HE ADDED.
PRICED AT S100 A COPY. THE "COMPENDIUM OF HONG KONG CASES IN MANAGEMENT" IS NOW AVAILABLE AT THE MDC. 17TH FLOOR. HARBOUR CENTRE. Z5 HARBOUR ROAD. WAN CHAI OR AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING. CENTRAL.
/MmNY OF........
MONDAY, MAY 1, 1989
12
MANY OF THE CASES IN THE COMPENDIUM WERE SUBMISSIONS FOR THE 1988 CASE WRITER OF THE YEAR COMPETITION, WHICH IS SPONSORED BY THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION AND ORGANISED BY THE MDC AND THE CASE STUDY GROUP.
"THE 1989 COMPETITION HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED AND SEVERAL HIGH QUALITY ENTRIES HAVE BEEN RECEIVED. FURTHER CASES ARE'- WELCOMED AND DETAILS AND ENTRY FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE CENTRE." SAID MR WELSH.
0
WATER SUSPENSION IN FOUR DISTRICTS *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES ON LANTAU ISLAND WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) DUE TO SUSPENSION OF ELECTRICITY SUPPLY.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY SHUI HAU VILLAGE, TONG FUK VILLAGE, CHEUNG SHA AREA, SAN SHEK VILLAGE, PUI O KAU TSUEN, PU1 O SAN TSUEN, LO UK TSUEN, WO LIU TSUEN, HOM TIN TSUEN AND LO WAI TSUEN.
ALSO, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN WANG TAU HOM IN KOWLOON WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON WEDNESDAY (MAY 3) TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY JUNCTION ROAD BETWEEN WATERLOO ROAD AND WANG TAU HOM EAST ROAD, KAM SHING ROAD, OSBORN BARRACKS,BLOCK 25 AND 26 OF WANG TAU HOM ESTATE, WANG TAU HOM JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC, LOK FU MTR STATION AND LOK FL' SHOPPING CENTRE.
ON THE OTHER HAND, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN CHEUNG SHA WAN, IN SHAM SHUI PO. WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON THE SAME DAY (MAY 3)TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, KIU KIANG STREET, CAMP STREET, PRATAS STREET, PO ON ROAD, SHUN NING ROAD,CASTLE PEAK ROAD, UN CHAU STREET, FUK WING STREET AND FUK WA STREET,INCLUDING ■SHEUNG LI UK ESTATE.
ALSO, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SAI KUNG WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY (MAY 4) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY MAN NIN STREET, SAI KUNG HOI PONG STREET, SAI KUNG MAIN STREET AND SAI KUNG ROAD.
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/15........
MONDAY, MAY 1, 1989
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHA TAU KOK » « » » «
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT IN ORDER TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORK ON SHA TAU KOK ROAD (SHEK CHUNG AU) NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH SHUN LUNG STREET. TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (MAY 3) FOR A PERIOD OF 10 DAYS.
THE SECTION OF SHA TAU KOK ROAD (SHEK CHUNG AU) BETWEEN ITS JUNCTIONS WITH ROAD LI AND SHUN LUNG STREET WILL BE CONVERTED TO A NO-THROUGH ROAD. ACCESS TO SHUN LUNG STREET WILL BE DIVERTED VIA ROAD LI AND ROAD L4 .
AT THE SAME TIME, KMB ROUTE 78K (SHEUNG SHUI TO SHA TAU KOK) AND NEW TERRITORIES GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 55K (SHEUNG SHUI KCR STATION TO SHA TAU KOK) WILL BE DIVERTED VIA ROAD LI AND ROAD L4 TO REJOIN SHUN LUNG STREET.
- - 0 - -
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF WHITTY STREET, WESTERN DISTRICT * « « » «
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT WHITTY STREET BETWEEN DES VOEUX ROAD WEST AND QUEEN'S ROAD WEST WILL BE CLOSED FROM 5 PM ON WEDNESDAY (MAY 3) TO 5 PM ON MAY 9 FOR DRAINAGE WORKS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS HEADING FOR QUEEN’S ROAD WEST WILL BE DIVERTED VIA EASTERN STREET.
- - 0 -
LANE CLOSURE IN SHA TIN * t » » »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT IN ORDER TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORK, THE SLOW LANE OF SHA TIN ROAD SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL AND TSANG TAI UK WILL BE CLOSED FROM 11 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO 6 AM ON THE FOLLOWING DAY.
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/14
MONDAY, MAY 1, 1989
14
WATER STORAGE FIGURE » » » »
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 34.5 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 202.155 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 179.144 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 30.6 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
- - 0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, MaY 2, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ATTORNEY GENERAL ANNOUNCES SCHEME OF CONTROL............... 1
INTERNATIONAL LAW FIRM APPOINTED TO UNDERTAKE INJURY STUDY 4
BILL TO AMEND BETTING DUTY ORDINANCE TO BE INTRODUCED ..... 5
SENIOR GOVERNMENT DIRECTORATE APPOINTMENTS ................ 5
16 QUESTIONS AND ONE BILL IN LEGCO TOMORROW ............... 7
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY FOR FEBRUARY
RELEASED .............................................. 7
SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE FOR COMMERCLJ. INFORMATION CIRCULARS . 10
Mi JUNE DIRECTOR TO OPEN CONTAINER CONGRESS .............. 10
SPEED LIMIT ON TOLO HIGHWAY TO BE RAISED ................. 11
UNSETTLED WEaTHER MAY AGGRAVATE SITE CONDITIONS, CONTRACTORS REMINDED...................................... 12
CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE INSPECTS PRIVATE DEMONSTRATION FaRMS 13
BUSY SCHEDULE IN USa TOUR FOR SGD......................... 14
DB UPDaTED ON ’HOUSE-BOAT' CLEARANCE ..................... 16
LaI CHI KOK INCINERATOR ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ........... 18
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS SCHOOL MEDICaL SERVICE............ 18
BUS ROUTE ON DB COMMITTEE aGENDA ......................... 19
LaDY WILSON THANKS PUBLIC HOUSING TENETS IN FLAG DAY jkPPEAL .................................................. 20
SPECIAL FORM 5 PROGRAMME FOR SERVING FIREMEN ............. 20
ENTRIES TO ABERDEEN DRaGON BOAT R.CE CLOSE ON SaTURDaY .... 21
TENDERS INVITED FOR CHEUNG CHAU DEVELOPMENT PROJECT...... 22
TENDERS INVITED FOR WaTER SUPPLY IMPROVEMENT WORK ........ 23
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN Sal KUNG TOWN .................. 23
TUESDAY, MAY 2, 1989
1
ATTORNEY GENERAL ANNOUNCES SCHEME OF CONTROL
*****
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, TODAY (TUESDAY) ANNOUNCED THE GOVERNMENT’S DETAILED PLAN FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS EARLIER PROPOSAL ON FOREIGN LAW FIRMS AND FOREIGN LAWYERS.
IN A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT RELEASED TODAY, THE GOVERNMENT HAS PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS TO TIGHTEN AND FORMALISE CONTROL OVER THE ADMISSION AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT OF FOREIGN LAWYERS AND FOREIGN LAW FIRMS.
THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ALSO SETS OUT IN DETAIL A SCHEME WHICH WOULD ENABLE FOREIGN LAW FIRMS TO EMPLOY OR TAKE INTO PARTNERSHIP HONG KONG SOLICITORS, TO ADVISE ON HONG KONG LAW UNDER STRICTLY CONTROLLED CIRCUMSTANCES.
OUTLINING THE PROPOSAL AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, MR MATHEWS SAID: "THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVES THAT IT IS IN HONG KONG’S INTERESTS THAT FOREIGN LAW FIRMS OF SUBSTANTIAL REPUTATION AND STANDING SHOULD BE PERMITTED TO ESTABLISH THEMSELVES HERE BUT THAT THEY SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO MEET STRICT CRITERIA BEFORE BEING ALLOWED TO DO SO.
"ONCE ESTABLISHED, MEMBERS OF FOREIGN LAW FIRMS SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE SAME REGIME REGULATING THE CONDUCT OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE AND DISCIPLINE AS THAT TO WHICH HONG KONG SOLICITORS ARE SUBJECT.
"THIS WOULD PLACE FOREIGN LAW FIRMS UNDER THE SUPERVISORY AND DISCIPLINARY CONTROL OF THE LAW SOCIETY." HE SAID.
ON THE PROPOSAL TO ALLOW FOREIGN LAW FIRMS TO EMPLOY OR TAKE INTO PARTNERSHIP HONG KONG SOLICITORS, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID: "BY ENABLING FOREIGN LAW FIRMS TO PROVIDE A FULL INTEGRATED LEGAL SERVICE TO THEIR CLIENTS, THE CLIENTS OF A FOREIGN LAW FIRM WOULD HAVE AT THEIR DISPOSAL A MORE STREAMLINED AND EFFICIENT SERVICE.
"THIS WOULD ENHANCE HONG KONG'S REPUTATION AS AN INTERNATIONAL CENTRE OF COMMERCE AND FINANCE," MR MATHEWS SAID.
"IT WOULD ALSO ACCORD WITH THE GROWING INTERNATIONAL TREND TOWARDS PERMITTING THE INTEGRATION OF DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN LAWYERS TO PROVIDE MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL ADVICE WITHIN A SINGLE FIRM," HE ADDED.
"IN ADDITION, WIDER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES WOULD BE PROVIDED FOR HONG KONG SOLICITORS TO GAIN EXPERIENCE IN WORKING FOR WORLD CLASS FIRMS IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL FIELD," HE SAID.
THE MAIN PROPOSALS IN THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ARE:
* THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS ORDINANCE TO BE AMENDED TO PROVIDE THAT FOREIGN LAWYERS WILL NOT BE ENTITLED TO ADVISE ON ANY ASPECT OF HONG KONG LAW. (PARA 3.5)
/• NO FOREIGN ........
TUESDAY, MAY 2, 1989
* NO FOREIGN LAWYER WILL BE PERMITTED TO PRACTISE IN HONG KONG AS A FOREIGN LAWYER UNLESS THE COURT IS SATISFIED THAT, AMONG OTHER CRITERIA, HE HAS AT LEAST FIVE YEARS EXPERIENCE. THE "FIVE-YEAR" CRITERIA WILL NOT APPLY TO A HONG KONG PERMANENT RESIDENT. (PARAS 3.6 AND 3.7)
* NO FOREIGN LAW FIRM WILL BE PERMITTED TO PRACTISE IN HONG KONG AS A FOREIGN LAW FIRM UNLESS THE COURT IS SATISFIED, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT IT HAS BEEN PRACTISING LAW IN A PLACE OTHER THAN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST 10 YEARS AND THAT IT ENJOYS A SUBSTANTIAL REPUTATION IN THAT PLACE. (PARA 3.12)
* ALL FOREIGN LAWYERS AND FOREIGN LAW FIRMS CURRENTLY PRACTISING IN HONG KONG WILL HAVE TO COMPLY WITH THE ADMISSION AND REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS. THEY WILL BE GIVEN AN ADEQUATE PERIOD OF TIME IN WHICH TO DO SO. (PARA 3.23)
THE PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT OF SOLICITORS IN DOMESTIC LAW FIRMS IS GOVERNED BY RULES LAID DOWN BY THE LAW SOCIETY. UNDER THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSAL, THE LAW SOCIETY WILL BE GIVEN THE POWER TO MAKE SIMILAR RULES FOR FOREIGN LAW FIRMS AND FOREIGN LAWYERS.
THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT SUGGESTS POSSIBLE RULES THAT THEY MAY WISH TO CONSIDER FOR FOREIGN LAW FIRMS AND FOREIGN LAWYERS.
* AT LEAST ONE FOREIGN LAWYER PARTNER IN A FOREIGN LAW FIRM SHOULD BE A RESIDENT PARTNER WHO, AMONG OTHER REQUIREMENTS, SHOULD BE ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST 180 DAYS IN EACH YEAR. (PARAS 5.2 AND 5.3)
* A FOREIGN LAW FIRM SHOULD NOT TAKE INTO PARTNERSHIP A HONG KONG SOLICITOR WITH LESS THAN 10 YEARS EXPERIENCE. (PARA 5.8)
* A FOREIGN LAW FIRM SHOULD NOT EMPLOY A HONG KONG SOLICITOR OF LESS THAN FIVE YEARS EXPERIENCE TO ADVISE ON HONG KONG LAW. (PARA 5.9)
* A FOREIGN LAW FIRM INTENDING TO EMPLOY A HONG KONG SOLICITOR TO ADVISE ON HONG KONG LAW SHOULD HAVE A HONG KONG SOLICITOR AS A PARTNER. THERE SHOULD BE A RATIO OF ONE SUCH PARTNER FOR EVERY THREE HONG KONG SOLICITORS EMPLOYED. (PARA 5.10)
* A FOREIGN LAWYER, WHETHER HE IS IN A FOREIGN OR DOMESTIC LAW FIRM, WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO ADVISE ON HONG KONG LAW, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER THERE IS A SOLICITOR EMPLOYEE OR SOLICITOR PARTNER IN THE FIRM. (PARA 5.26)
/* A HONG ........
TUESDAY, MAY 2, 19^9
- 3 -
♦ A HONG KONG SOLICITOR EMPLOYED IN A FOREIGN LAW FIRM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE ONLY TO A HONG KONG SOLICITOR PARTNER OF THAT FIRM FOR ANY ADVICE GIVEN BY HIM ON HONG KONG LAW. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RULE MIGHT LEAD TO DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS. (PARA 5.26)
♦ A REGISTER OF ADVICE ON HONG KONG LAW SHOULD BE KEPT BY EVERY FOREIGN LAW FIRM TAKING IN A SOLICITOR AS A PARTNER OR EMPLOYEE TO PRACTISE HONG KONG LAW. (PARA 5.22)
♦ THE COUNCIL OF THE LAW SOCIETY MAY REQUIRE ANY FOREIGN LAWYER TO PRODUCE ANY FILES OR DOCUMENTS FOR INSPECTION IF THEY HAVE REASONABLE CAUSE TO BELIEVE THE FILES OR DOCUMENTS CONTAIN ADVICE PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH HONG KONG LAW. (PARA 5.34)
MR MATHEWS SAID HE BELIEVED THAT THE SCHEME OF CONTROL OVER ADMISSION AND PRACTICE WOULD ALLAY THE CONCERNS EXPRESSED EARLIER ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT'S BROAD POLICY PROPOSAL ON FOREIGN LAW FIRMS AND FOREIGN LAWYERS.
ON AUGUST 8, 1988 THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSED THE FOLLOWING:
(A) IN CONSULTATION WITH THE LAW SOCIETY, TO DEVISE A STATUTORY SCHEME LAYING DOWN FORMAL CRITERIA FOR THE ADMISSION, THROUGH THE CHIEF JUSTICE, OF FOREIGN LAW FIRMS;
(B) IN CONSULTATION WITH THE LAW SOCIETY, TO DEVISE A SCHEME, WITH CLEARLY LAID DOWN POWERS, TO ENABLE TO LAW SOCIETY TO EXERCISE POWERS OF DISCIPLINE OVER FOREIGN LAW FIRMS SIMILAR TO THE POWERS IT PRESENTLY EXERCISES OVER HONG KONG SOLICITORS;
(C) TO ENABLE FOREIGN LAW FIRMS TO TAKE IN, AS PARTNERS OR EMPLOYEES, HONG KONG SOLICITORS WHO MAY PRACTISE HONG KONG LAW.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE CONSULTATION WAS TO SEEK THE VIEWS OF INTERESTED PARTIES ON THE DETAILED IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POLICY PROPOSAL.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALLOWED THREE MONTHS FOR CONSULTATION AND COMMENTS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BY JULY 31. 1989 TO ROOM 435, ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
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TUESDAY, MAY 2. 1989
- 4 -
INTERNATIONAL LAW FIRM APPOINTED TO UNDERTAKE INJURY STUDY ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
IN RESPONSE TO THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION’S ANTI-DUMPING PROCEEDING ON DENIM CLOTH ORIGINATED IN HONG KONG. THE TEXTILE COUNCIL OF HONG KONG, TOGETHER WITH THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG COTTON WEAVERS AND THE HONG KONG WEAVING MILLS ASSOCIATION, HAS COMMISSIONED A COMMON INJURY STUDY ON THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY DENIM INDUSTRY.
CLIFFORD CHANCE, AN INTERNATIONAL LAW FIRM BASED IN EUROPE, HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO UNDERTAKE THE STUDY.
THE ACTING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR FRED LEUNG, TODAY (TUESDAY) SAID THAT THE DEPARTMENT WELCOMED THE JOINT EFFORT MADE BY THE THREE TRADE BODIES.
“WE ARE PLEASED TO SEE THAT THEY HAVE TAKEN THIS INITIATIVE AGAINST THE ANTI-DUMPING ALLEGATION. THIS WILL UNDOUBTEDLY HELP THE LOCAL DENIM MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY TO DEFEND ITSELF IN THE PROCEEDING ANT) IN THE LONG RUN FORESTALL ANTI-DUMPING ACTION ON OTHER TEXTILE PRODUCTS,” HE SAID.
MR LEUNG SAID A STEERING COMMITTEE COMPRISED OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE THREE TEXTILE BODIES, THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND THE TRADE DEPARTMENT WOULD BE SET UP TO MONITOR. THE STUDY.
THE INJURY STUDY WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION UNDER THE NAME OF THE TEXTILE COUNCIL OF HONG KONG.
ACCORDING TO ITS CHAIRMAN MR CHAN SHUI-KAU, THE INJURY STUDY WAS MADE ON BEHALF OF ALL DENIM CLOTH MANUFACTURERS IN HONG KONG TO CONTEST THE ALLEGATION THAT HONG KONG'S EXPORTS HAD CAUSED INJURY TO THE EEC DENIM INDUSTRY.
"THE ALLEGATION IS UNFAIR AS HONG KONG'S EXPORTS ARE ALREADY SUBJECT TO QUOTA RESTRAINT.” HE ADDED.
UNDER THE EEC ANTI-DUMPING LEGISLATION. IF HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS CAN SUCCESSFULLY REBUT THE ALLEGATION OF INJURY, THE PROCEEDING WOULD HAVE TO BE TERMINATED BECAUSE NO ANTI-DUMPING DUTY CAN BE APPLIED IF NO INJURY IS FOUND OR IF THERE IS NO CASUAL LINK BETWEEN ANY INJURY AND THE EXPORTS.
THE TEXTILE COUNCIL OF HONG KONG LIMITED WAS INCORPORATED ON JULY 22 LAST YEAR TO PROMOTE AND FOSTER THE INTEREST OF THE TERRITORY'S TEXTILE INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE, INCLUDING THE SPINNING, WEAVING. KNITTING, DYEING, AND GARMENT MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
ITS 10 FOUNDING MEMBERS WERE THE MAJOR TEXTILES AND CLOTHING MANUFACTURING ASSOCIATIONS IN HONG KONG, INCLUDING THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG COTTON WEAVERS AND THE HONG KONG WEAVING MILLS ASSOCIATION.
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TUESDAY, MAY 2, 1989
5
BILL TO AMEND BETTING DUTY ORDINANCE TO BE INTRODUCED ♦ ♦ t * *
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL AGREED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT A BILL SHOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO AMEND THE BETTING DUTY ORDINANCE TO PERMIT THE JOCKEY CLUB TO TAKE BETS ON RACE MEETINGS OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
‘’THIS WILL ALLOW THE JOCKEY CLUB TO BROADCAST OVERSEAS RACES LIVE AND ORGANISE BETTING ON THEM,” A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
“IT HAS BEEN DECIDED THAT LIVE BROADCASTS OF OVERSEAS RACES SHOULD ONLY TAKE PLACE ON REGULAR RACE DAYS BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1 AND JUNE 15; THE EXISTING SUMMER CLOSE SEASON WILL REMAIN,” HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE JOCKEY CLUB HAD PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS TO SIMULCAST A LIMITED NUMBER OF PRESTIGIOUS OVERSEAS RACES EACH OPEN SEASON.
“THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS THAT THE WORLD-WIDE TREND OF SIMULCASTING MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS WILL INCREASE, AND THAT HONG KONG MUST KEEP PACE SO AS TO CHANNEL ANY BOOKMAKING ACTIVITIES ARISING FROM SUCH TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS INTO OFFICIALLY SANCTIONED OUTLETS.
“IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT $2 MILLION OF PUBLIC REVENUE WILL BE GENERATED BY EACH RACE," HE SAID.
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SENIOR GOVERNMENT DIRECTORATE APPOINTMENTS ♦ » ♦ * *
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) ANNOUNCED THE FOLLOWING SENIOR DIRECTORATE APPOINTMENTS:
MR AUGUSTINE CHUI KAM, SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES, WILL ASSUME THE NEW POST OF SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE IN SEPTEMBER UPON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH.
MR PETER TSAO KWANG-YUNG, SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, WILL SUCCEED MR DONALD LIAO POON-HUAI, SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, WHEN MR LIAO RETIRES AT THE END OF OCTOBER ON REACHING THE AGE OF 60 AFTER 29 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
THE TITLE OF SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION WILL BE CHANGED TO SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS WHEN MR TSAO ASSUMES THE POST.
/BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL .......
TUESDAY, MAY 2, 1989
6
BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ON THESE OFFICERS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
MR AUGUSTINE CHUI KAM, JP
AGED 55, MR CHUI JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN SEPTEMBER 1952 AND, SINCE TRANSFERRING TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE IN 1964, HAS SERVED IN A VARIETY OF FIELDS OF WORK.
THE POSTS HE HAS HELD INCLUDE DEPUTY DIRECTOR IN THE FORMER HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, DEPUTY SECRETARY IN THE FORMER NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, AND MORE RECENTLY DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES. HE BECAME THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES IN AUGUST 1986.
MR CHUI WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, IN DECEMBER 1986.
MR PETER TSAO KWANG-YUNG, CPM, JP
AGED 55, MT TSAO JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN FEBRUARY 1955. HE WAS APPOINTED AS AN ASSISTANT TRADE OFFICER IN FEBRUARY 1966 AND THROUGH A SERIES OF PROMOTIONS BECAME COMMISSIONER IN THE FORMER TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT IN JANUARY 1979.
HE TRANSFERRED TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE IN JULY 1982. SINCE THEN HE HAS SERVED AS DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES, MINISTER FOR HONG KONG COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WITH THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES AND THE MEMBER STATES AND SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION.
MR TSAO WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, IN JANUARY 1986.
MR DONALD LIAO POON-HUI, CBE, JP
AGED 59, MR LIAO JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE AS AN ARCHITECT IN MARCH 1960. IN NOVEMBER 1968 HE WAS PROMOTED AS COMMISSIONER FOR HOUSING, IN CHARGE OF THE HOUSING DIVISION OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
WITH THE FORMATION OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, HE BECAME DIRECTOR OF HOUSING IN SEPTEMBER 1973, AN APPOINTMENT WHICH HE HELD CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL MARCH 1980.
MR LIAO WAS APPOINTED SECRETARY FOR HOUSING IN MAY 1980 AND BECAME SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION IN FEBRUARY 1985.
MR LIAO WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, IN APRIL 1981.
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/7........
TUESDAY, MAY 2, 1989
- 7 -
16 QUESTIONS AND ONE BILL IN LEGCO TOMORROW *****
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 16 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER ONE BILL AT THE COUNCIL'S MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE SECOND READING DEBATE ON THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS (ASSISTANCE FUND) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 WILL BE RESUMED AFTER WHICH IT IS DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
IN ADDITION, DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP WILL SPEAK ON THE REPORT ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE TRAVEL AGENTS' RESERVE FUND FOR THE PERIOD APRIL 1, 1987 TO MARCH 31, 1988.
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PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY FOR FEBRUARY RELEASED
******
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN FEBRUARY 1989, ESTIMATED AT $8,988 MILLION, INCREASED BY 7 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1988 WHILST THEIR VOLUME DECREASED BY 2 PER CENT, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE COMPARISON WAS, HOWEVER, AFFECTED BY THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS WHICH OCCURRED IN EARLY FEBRUARY THIS YEAR BUT IN MID-FEBRUARY IN 1988.
THUS IT IS MORE MEANINGFUL TO LOOK AT FIGURES FOR JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 1989 COMBINED, WHICH SHOW THAT TOTAL RETAIL SALES ROSE BY 19 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 9 PER CENT IN VOLUME OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1988.
COMPARING THE PERIOD JANUARY TO FEBRUARY 1989 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1988, RETAIL SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO INCREASED BY 10 PER CENT IN VALUE BUT DROPPED BY 2 PER CENT IN VOLUME. FUELS WENT DOWN BY 7 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 8 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, CONSUMER DURABLES WENT UP BY 30 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 19 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS INCREASED BY 16 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 5 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
/RETAIL SALES
TUESDAY, MAY 2, 1989
8
RETAIL SALES OF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS ROSE BY 22 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 14 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, RETAIL SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 80 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 66 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
DEPARTMENT STORES ROSE BY 30 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 18 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. SUPERMARKETS SALES WENT UP BY 8 PER CENT IN VALUE BUT FELL BY 3 PER CENT IN VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 5 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE BUT DROPPED BY 1 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL RETAIL SALES FIGURE FOR JANUARY 1989 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR FEBRUARY 1989.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES IN JANUARY 1989 AND FEBRUARY 1989 (A) FOR ALL RETAIL TRADES, (B) BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS AND (C) BY SELECTED TRADES (WHICH FORM PART OF THE RELEVANT MAJOR TRADE GROUPS), WITH AVERAGE RETAIL SALES FROM OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 TAKEN AS 100.
COMPARISONS OF FEBRUARY 1989 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR JANUARY 1989 AND WITH THOSE FOR FEBRUARY 1988, AND COMPARISONS OF RETAIL SALES IN THE PERIOD JANUARY TO FEBRUARY 1989 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1988, ARE ALSO GIVEN.
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OF THE FEBRUARY 1989 SURVEY RESULTS IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, AT $1 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. : 5-8234941).
/Table 1 „
TUESDAY, MAY 2, 1989
9
TABLE I : TOTAL RETAIL SALES
Total Retail Sales for February 1989 (Provisional Figure) 3 HK1 8,98&millicn for January 1989 (Revised Figure) = HKSIO,S67ei11 ion
TABLE 2 : VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES FOR JANUARY 19B9 AND FEBRUARY 19B9
(Monthly average of Oct. 84 - Sept. E5 3 IOO)
I : I Ites ' I » Index of Retail Sales I January ' : 1989 : । February I 1989 1 February compared January 1989 1 with 1 1989 1 February compared February 1989 : with 1 1988 1 Jan.-Feb. compared w Jan.-Feb. 1989 ith 1988
I .aMMMM • • M MM M »MM MMMMMMMM I I ' (Revised 1 (Provisional ! Points X Points x : Points X
: i 1 figures) J figures) 1 1 ।
: (A) FOR ALL RETAIL TRADES 5 • » 1 । ।
' । Value : 190 160 -30 -16 10 7 : 28 19
i 1 Volume : 152 1 ! J 127 • 1 • -25 -16 -3 -2 1 l 12 9
1 • (B) BY MAJOR TRADE 6R0UPS ! 1 1 । ।
Foodstuffs, alcoholic ! Value 1 149 139 1 -11 -7 7 5 l 13 10
1 drinks and tobacco Volume I 123 110 ! -13 -10 -7 -6 1 I -2 -2
I Fuels Value 1 99 1 81 1 -19 -19 -14 -15 1 -7 -7
Volume 1 107 1 85 1 -21 -20 -17 -17 1 • -9 -8
! Clothino, footwear ' Value 1 236 1 195 1 -41 -17 11 6 1 30 16
1 and allied products Volume 179 : । । 150 -29 -16 -7 -5 : 1 7 5
• ; Consumer durables Value : 207 1 175 1 -32 -16 23 15 1 44 30
1 Volume 159 1 131 1 • -27 -17 6 5 ' | 23 19
5 Other consumer floods Value 1 210 170 1 -39 -19 9 5 1 34 22
। • Volume 1 166 I 1 • 136 I 1 -30 -IB -2 -1 1 19 14
: (C) BY SELECTED TRADES • ! । 1 । 1
! (see note 1 below) 1 •
I Supermarkets Value ’ 177 1 169 : -8 -5 -8 -4 : 12 8
1 1 Volume I 145 1 136 1 -9 -6 -22 • -14 1 1 -5 -3
I ! Motor vehicles Value ! । 1 386 1 374 -11 -3 1 149 66 1 169 80
1 and parts Volume I 263 1 । 1 252 -11 -4 1 88 । 53 1 102 66
। 1 Consumer durables Value I 152 1 114 -39 -25 1 -15 -12 1 6 5
1 other than motor Volume I 127 94 -33 -26 : -19 -17 1 -I -1
• vehicles and parts 1 1 1 I
> ! Department stores Value ! 2B9 201 -89 -31 1 11 6 1 57 30
1 « Volume 1 223 156 -67 -30 1 -7 -5 1 28 18
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) "Consumer durables other than motor vehicles and parts' - a trade in the "Consumer durables" group.
(d) 'Department stores" - a trade in the "Other consumer goods" group.
2. Figures denoting changes are derived from the unrounded index figures.
- 0---------
/10........
TUESDAY, MAY 2,
1989
10 -
SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE FOR COMMERCIAL INFORMATION CIRCULARS ******
TRADERS WISHING TO HAVE FASTER ACCESS TO THE TRADE DEPARTMENT’S COMMERCIAL INFORMATION CIRCULARS CAN MAKE USE OF A REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE.
THE SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE IS NOW AVAILABLE AT $115 A YEAR AND INTERESTED PARTIES MAY APPROACH THE DEPARTMENT’S COLLECTION OFFICE IN ROOM 822, EIGHTH FLOOR, OCEAN CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI.
THE COMMERCIAL INFORMATION CIRCULARS PROVIDE INFORMATION ON TRADE POLICIES CONCERNING TEXTILES AND NON-TEXTILES MATTERS, AND REGULATIONS AND TARIFFS RELATING TO HONG KONG’S OVERSEAS MARKETS.
THE CIRCULARS ARE ISSUED IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE WHENEVER NECESSARY. ABOUT 70 CIRCULARS ARE ISSUED A YEAR. IN 1988, THE DEPARTMENT PUBLISHED 77 ISSUES, COVERING A WIDE RANGE OF PRODUCTS AND COUNTRIES.
COMPLIMENTARY COPIES OF THE CIRCULARS ARE CURRENTLY SENT TO TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATIONS. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CALLING IN PERSON AT THE TRADE DEPARTMENT CAN OBTAIN INDIVIDUAL COPIES OF THE CIRCULARS FREE OF CHARGE.
-----0------
MARINE DIRECTOR TO OPEN CONTAINER CONGRESS
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR DERICK HALL, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THE SECOND WORLD CONTAINER CONGRESS TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) MORNING.
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO TAKE UP A DISPLAY STAND DURING THE CONGRESS AND EXHIBITION TO BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE IN WAN CHAI FROM MAY 3 TO 5.
THE EVENT, WHICH IS ORGANISED BY THE ENGLAND-BASED CONTAINER CONGRESSES INTERNATIONAL, IS THE FIRST CONGRESS AND EXHIBITION ON CONTAINERISATION TO BE HELD IN ASIA.
A TOTAL OF 50 COMPANIES AND ORGANISATIONS IN THE CONTAINER INDUSTRY FROM ABOUT 15 COUNTRIES INCLUDING THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE UNITED STATES, NETHERLANDS, WEST GERMANY, JAPAN AND HONG KONG WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE EVENT.
/A SPOKESMAN
TUESDAY, MAY 2, 1989
11
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS MOST APPROPRIATE FOR THE SECOND WORLD CONTAINER CONGRESS TO TAKE PLACE IN HONG KONG, NOTING THAT THE TERRITORY WAS THE FIRST PORT IN THE WORLD TO REGISTER A CONTAINER THROUGHPUT OF MORE THAN FOUR MILLION TEU* 8 LAST YEAR.
’’WITH THAT, HONG KONG RETAINED ITS NUMBER ONE POSITION AS THE WORLD’S BUSIEST CONTAINER PORT." HE ADDED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE SECOND WORLD CONTAINER CONGRESS TO BE HELD AT 8.30 AM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE IN WAN CHAI.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE AT THE REGISTRATION COUNTER ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF THE CENTRE BY 8.15 AM.
------0-------
SPEED LIMIT ON TOLO HIGHWAY TO BE RAISED ♦ ♦ * * *
THE SPEED LIMIT ON TOLO HIGHWAY AND AN ADJOINING SECTION OF NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD WILL BE RAISED TO 100 KILOMETRES PER HOUR FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY, MAY 8, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
HOWEVER, THE MAXIMUM SPEED FOR MEDIUM GOODS VEHICLES, HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES AND BUSES WILL REMAIN AT 70 KILOMETRES PER HOUR AS AT PRESENT ACCORDING TO THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE.
A TRAFFIC ENGINEER OF THE DEPARTMENT, MR SHIN YU-HING, SAID: "THE STRETCH OF ROAD WHERE THE NEW SPEED LIMIT APPLIES IS BETWEEN MA LIU SHU1 IN SHA TIN AND KAI LENG INTERCHANGE IN SHEUNG SHUI, COVERING A TOTAL LENGTH OF ABOUT 15 KILOMETRES."
THERE WILL BE APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS TO INDICATE EXACTLY WHERE THE NEW SPEED LIMIT STARTS AND ENDS.
MR SHIN SAID IT WAS FOR THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVERS AND OTHER ROAD USERS THAT THE 70 KILOMETRES PER HOUR SPEED LIMIT WOULD CONTINUE TO APPLY TO MEDIUM GOODS VEHICLES, HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES AND BUSES.
HE STRESSED THAT THE NEW SPEED LIMIT WAS NOT AN INDICATION OF THE SPEED THAT MOTORISTS SHOULD DRIVE AT.
"IT IS THE SPEED THAT VEHICLES MUST NOT EXCEED AT ANY TIME.
/"MOTORISTS ARE .......
TUESDAY, MAY 2, 1989
- 12 -
’’MOTORISTS ARE REMINDED TO DRIVE WITH CARE AND MAKE NECESSARY ALLOWANCE IN RESPECT OF THEIR VEHICLES* THEIR ABILITY* TRAFFIC CONDITIONS, WEATHER AND ANY CONSTRAINTS SUCH AS BENDS AND SURFACE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ROAD," HE ADDED.
MR SHIN ALSO REMINDED MOTORISTS TO KEEP TO THE LEFT LANE EXCECT WHEN OVERTAKING.
THE EXISTING SPEED LIMIT ON TOLO HIGHWAY IS 80 KILOMETRES PER HOUR FOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN MEDIUM GOODS VEHICLES, HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES AND BUSES.
THE COMPLETION OF THE LAM KAM ROAD FLYOVER LAST YEAR HAS PROVIDED FOR A SMOOTH FLOW OF TRAFFIC ALONG THE ENTIRE TOLO HIGHWAY, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO RAISE THE SPEED LIMIT TO 100 KILOMETRES PER HOUR.
"ALSO, THE TOLO HIGHWAY HAS BEEN OPENED SINCE 1985, MOTORISTS SHOULD BE MORE FAMILIAR WITH THE ROAD BY NOW," HE ADDED.
------0-------
UNSETTLED WEATHER MAY AGGRAVATE SITE CONDITIONS, CONTRACTORS REMINDED *♦♦**♦♦
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) ADVISED CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS TO TAKE EXTRA SAFETY MEASURES AT CONSTRUCTION SITES.
THIS FOLLOWED THE WARNING BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY THAT THE WEATHER OUTLOOK FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS WOULD REMAIN UNSETTLED WITH PERIODS OF HEAVY RAIN AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS.
"PAST EXPERIENCE SHOWS THAT ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS CAN AGGRAVATE WORKING CONDITIONS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES AND THOSE ENGAGED IN THE INDUSTRY SHOULD BE ON THE ALERT FOR POTENTIAL HAZARDS," A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE CALLED ON CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS IN THE INDUSTRY TO ADOPT THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES IMMEDIATELY:
* ALL ELECTRIC SWITCHBOARDS, WIRING, APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT AFFECTED BY RAIN SHOULD BE INSPECTED BY A COMPETENT PERSON BEFORE THEY ARE USED AGAIN.
* EXCAVATION, EARTHWORK AND TIMBERING ERECTED SHOULD BE INSPECTED BY A COMPETENT PERSON BEFORE FURTHER WORK IS CARRIED ON.
♦ EMERGENCY ESCAPE SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR PERSONS WORKING INSIDE EXCAVATIONS, SHAFTS, TUNNELS, PITS OR OPENINGS IN THE GROUND IN CASE OF RISING WATER OR IRRUPTION OF WATER OR MATERIAL.
/• PARTICULAR CARE
TUESDAY, MAY 2, 1989
- 13 -
* PARTICULAR CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN WHILE USING WET AND SLIPPERY WORKING PLATFORMS, GANGWAYS. LADDERS AND SCAFFOLDS.
* SCAFFOLDS SHOULD BE INSPECTED BY A COMPETENT PERSON BECAUSE EXPOSURE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS IS LIKELY TO HAVE AFFECTED THEIR STRENGTH OR STABILITY OR TO HAVE DISPLACED ANY PART BEFORE THEY ARE USED AGAIN.
MEANWHILE, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS CARRYING OUT A SPECIAL ENFORCEMENT PROGRAMME ON CONSTRUCTION SITES THROUGHOUT I HE IERR1 IORY.
UNDER THE PROGRAMME WHICH WAS COMMENCED IN MID-APR1L.
TASK FORCE TEAMS MADE UP OF 14 EXPERIENCED FACTORY INSPECTORS HAYE BEEN FORMED.
"THEY' ARE TO VISIT SITES WITH POOR SAFETY PERFORMANCE AND ACCIDENT RECORDS TO BRING HOME THE MESSAGE OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY 10 BOTH CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE FIRST PHASE OF THE OPERATION WHICH IS STILL IN PROGRESS, IS AIMED AT ADVISING WORKERS WORKING AT HAZARDOUS EDGES LIKELY TO CAUSE FALLS OF PERSONS.
THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE PROMOTION OF WORK SAFETY IN CAISSONS. SHAFT OPENINGS AND STRUCTURES OVER THREE STOREYS HIGH.
"WE HOPED THAT THE STEPPED-UP ENFORCEMENT ACTION COULD HELP AVERT THE SOARING TREND OF SITE ACCIDENTS AND FURTHER ENHANCE THE SAFETY AWARENESS OF CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
-----0-----
CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE INSPECTS PRIVATE DEMONSTRATION FARMS » » t » *
MEMBERS OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE TODAY (TUESDAY) INSPECTED THREE PRIVATE FARMS WHICH HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH NEW LIVESTOCK WASTE TREATMENT SYSTEMS.
OPERATORS OF THESE FARMS IN NORTH DISTRICT HAVE ALL BEEN TRAINED ON THE USE OF THE SYSTEMS. THE NEW DEVICES WERE DESIGNED AND INSTALLED BY A CONSULTANT COMPANY.
TWO OF THE FARMS - ONE FOR PIG AND THE OTHER FOR CHICKEN ADOPTED THE ’DRY MUCK-OUT METHOD’ WHILE THE THIRD EMPLOYED THE ’PIG-ON-LITTER’ SYSTEM.
THE PURPOSE OF THE VISIT WAS TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MEMBERS TO INSPECT AND OBSERVE THE OPERATION OF THE TREATMENT SYSTEMS AND TO DISCUSS WITH THE FARM OPERATORS ANY TEETHING PROBLEMS THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE ENCOUNTERED.
/THE MEMBERS
TUESDAY, MAY 2, 1989
14
THE MEMBERS WERE ACCOMPANIED BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CONSULTANT COMPANY. THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT. LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AND THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTAI.
THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION IS ALSO ARRANGING FIELD VISITS FOR GROUPS OF INTERESTED LIVESTOCK FARMERS.
FARMERS ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT CNTA'S OFFICERS ON ANY OF THE FOLLOWING THREE HOT-LINES: 0-6754664 FOR FARMERS IN NORTH DISTRICT: 0-4792261 EXTENSION 152 FOR YUEN LONG AND 3-7351771 FOR OTHER DISTRICTS.
------o-------
BUSY SCHEDULE IN USA TOUR FOR SGD « » » »
SECRETARY FOR GENERAL DUTIES, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, YESTERDY (MONDAY) CONTINUED HIS TOUR OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA WITH ANOTHER BUSY SCHEDULE OF SPEECHES, BRIEFINGS AND MEDIA INTERVIEWS.
HE GAVE TWO SEPARATE ADDRESSES TO THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF PITTSBURGH - THE FIRST A BRIEFING FOR A MIXED AUDIENCE OF BUSINESS EXECUTIVES AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. THE SECOND WAS A SPEECH TO CHIEF EXECUTIVES AND SENIOR CORPORATE OFFICERS A NUMBER OF WHOSE COMPANIES HAVE INVESTMENTS OR CONNECTIONS WITH HONG KONG.
IN THE SPEECH TO THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS FORUM OF THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL, MR WIGGHAM SAID HONG KONG REMAINED AN ECONOMIC FORCE TO CONTEND WITH FOUR YEARS AFTER THE SIGNING OF THE JOINT DECLARATION.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS AMPLE EVIDENCE IN THE HUGE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL AND FOREIGN INVESTORS TO SHOW THAT PEOPLE WERE NOT JUST TAKING A SHORT-TERM VIEW OF HONG KONG'S FUTURE.
"IF LOCAL DEVELOPMENTS SHOW SIGNS OF ECONOMIC GOOD HEALTH, THERE ARE EVEN MORE GOOD CAUSES FOR OPTIMISM ABOUT CONTINUOUS PROSPERITY IF YOU LOOK AT HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES BEYOND HER BORDER," HE SAID.
"IN THE RECENT UPSURGE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES BROUGHT ABOUT BY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC RIM, HONG KONG HAS REAPED AS MUCH BENEFIT AS SHE HAS MADE CONTRIBUTIONS.
"A KEY FACTOR FOR OUR SUCCESS IS OUR STRATEGIC GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION, WHICH MAKES HONG KONG A NATURAL CENTRE OF THE REGION. TO OUR NORTH LIES CHINA WHICH IS IN A DYNAMIC PROCESS OF OPENING UP TO THE REST OF THE WORLD.
/"THERE IS .......
TUESDAY, MAY 2, 1989
- 15 -
"THERE IS JAPAN WHOSE DOMESTIC DEMAND AND INVESTMENT IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC GIVE MUCH IMPETUS TO THE ACCELERATED GROWTH IN THE REGION," HE SAID, ADDING THAT THERE WAS ALSO SOUTH KOREA AND THE FAST DEVELOPING ASEAN COUNTRIES INCLUDING SINGAPORE.
"HONG KONG,” HE CONTINUED, "IS ENDOWED WITH ALL THE RIGHT ATTRIBUTES AND THE REQUISITE ASSETS - SUCH AS EXCELLENT COMMUNICATION AND TRANSPORT LINKS, SOUND FINANCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE, WELL-MOTIVATED AND COMMITTED MIDDLE-MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL, AN EFFICIENT AND ADAPTIVE WORKFORCE AND AN OPEN ECONOMY - TO MAINTAIN AN IMPRESSIVE LEVEL OF GROWTH AS A RESULT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS RAPIDLY EXPANDING REGION.
"WHILE I DO NOT WISH TO SUGGEST THAT ECONOMIC FACTORS ALONE WILL DETERMINE THE POLITICAL FUTURE OF HONG KONG, IT WOULD BE NAIVE TO IGNORE THE TREMENDOUS INCENTIVES OFFERED BY SUCH ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS TO PARTIES CONCERNED TO ENSURE THE FULL AND FAITHFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION," MR WIGGHAM SAID.
HE SAID SINCE THE JOINT DECLARATION ENTERED INTO FORCE THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS HAD SET ABOUT THE TASK OF GIVING EFFECT TO THE VARIOUS PROMISES SET OUT IN IT.
SUCH EFFORTS, HE TOLD HIS AUDIENCE, WERE SPECIFICALLY CHANNELLED THROUGH THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP, A DIPLOMATIC BODY ESTABLISHED BY THE JOINT DECLARATION WHICH MEETS THREE TIMES A YEAR AND WOULD CONTINUE TO DO SO UP TO THE YEAR 2000 - THREE YEARS BEYOND THE HANDOVER DATE.
HE SAID HONG KONG HAD ALREADY BEEN ABLE TO SECURE ITS OWN VOICE IN A NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE FORUMS AND NEGOTIATIONS WERE CONTINUING ON OTHER AGREEMENTS IN FULFILMENT OF PROMISES CONTAINED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION FOR POST 1997 HONG KONG TO ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION AT THAT TIME.
ON MATTERS WITHIN HONG KONG ITSELF, MR WIGGHAM SAID ONE SIMPLE BUT VERY SIGNIFICANT EXAMPLE OF HOW PROMISES IN THE JOINT DECLARATION WERE BEING FULFILLED WAS THAT LAND LEASES WERE NOW BEING ISSUED WHICH EXPIRE IN THE YEAR 2047 - THE 50 YEARS OF AUTONOMY PLEDGED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION.
"THE BUILDING BLOCKS REALLY ARE BEING PUT INTO PLACE," MR WIGGHAM NOTED.
MR WIGGHAM WAS ALSO INVITED TO ADDRESS A GROUP OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS SPECIALISING IN HISTORY AND ECONOMICS WHO HAD A PARTICULAR INTEREST IN THE HONG KONG ISSUE.
"I WAS VERY IMPRESSED BY THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE STUDENTS AND THE SEARCHING NATURE OF THEIR QUESTIONS," MR WIGGHAM SAID.
"IT WAS YET ANOTHER INDICATION OF THE GROWING INTEREST IN HONG KONG AND ITS FUTURE AT ALL LEVELS IN THE UNITED STATES," HE ADDED.
MR WIGGHAM ALSO GAVE FIVE DIFFERENT MEDIA INTERVIEWS AND WOULD BE GIVING ANOTHER ADDRESS TO THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA.
-------O -
/16........
TUESDAY, MAY 2, 1989
16
DB UPDATED ON ' HOUSE-BOA'1 ’ CLEARANCE
THE GOVERNMENT IS DOING WHAT IT CAN TO ASSIST THE "HOUSE-BOAT" DWELLERS WHO ARE BEING CLEARED FROM THE YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER, WHICH WILL BE DECLARED A CLOSED AREA UNDER THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL ORDINANCE ON JULY 7 THIS YEAR.
THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD WAS INFORMED AT A MEETING TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP, COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, THE HOUSING, MARINE, SOCIAL WELFARE, EDUCATION AND IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENTS, AS WELL AS THE MARINE POLICE, HAS BEEN SET UP TO CO-ORDINATE THE CLEARANCE OF DWELLING VESSELS FROM THE YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER.
THE CLEARANCE HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO IMRPOVE THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT OF THE BOAT DWELLERS AND TO MAKE ROOM FOR THE BERTHING OF THE INCREASING NUMBER OF DUMB STEEL LIGHTERS THAT ARE NEEDED TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF HONG KONG’S INTERNATIONAL AND ENTREPOT TRADE.
THE PROGRESS OF THE CLEARANCE WAS OUTLINED TO THE COMMITTEE BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER AND CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING GROUP, MR WONG HON-HO; THE ACTING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HOUSING (CLEARANCE), MR CHENG HON-BIU; AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR B. TANG.
AT THE MEETING MR WONG STRESSED THAT THE WORKING GROUP WAS LOOKING AT WAYS AND MEANS OF ASSISTING THE AFFECTED BOAT DWELLERS TO RESETTLE ELSEWHERE.
THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WILL LOOK AFTER THE REHOUSING OF THE BOAT DWELLERS, WHILE THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL HELP TO FIND SCHOOL PLACES FOR THEIR CHILDREN IN THEIR NEW LIVING AREA.
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL OFFER OTHER WELFARE ASSISTANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH INDIVIDUAL NEEDS. THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL HELP THE BOAT DWELLERS FIND NEW JOBS.
MR WONG POINTED OUT THAT THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD HAD DISCUSSED, AND GIVEN ITS BLESSING TO, THE CLEARANCE.
"THE BOARD SHARES AND SUPPORTS THE GOVERNMENT'S VIEWS THAT IT IS DESIRABLE TO CLEAR THE BOATS USED FOR DWELLING PURPOSES IN VIEW OF THE DETERIORATING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS IN THE TYPHOON SHELTER, AND THOSE DISPLACED WILL BE REHOUSED ACCORDING TO THEIR ELIGIBILITIES," HE NOTED.
OUTLINING THE BACKGROUND TO THE CLEARANCE, MR WONG SAID THE TYPHOON SHELTER WAS DECLARED A PRESCRIBED AREA FOR "HOUSE-BOATS" UPON THE ENACTMENT OF THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL (DWELLING VESSELS) REGULATIONS ON APRIL 13, 1983.
/A TOTAL .......
TUESDAY, MAY 2, 1989
- 17 -
A TOTAL OF 539 VESSELS WERE SUBSEQUENTLY LICENSED AS "HOUSE-BOATS" UNDER THOSE REGULATIONS.
SINCE SEPTEMBER 1984. THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT HAD CONDUCTED THREE VOLUNTARY REHOUSING EXERCISES INVOLVING THESE LICENSED BOAT DWELLERS, AND, AS A RESULT, THE POPULATION HAS BEEN REDUCED FROM OVER 2,500 TO ABOUT 200 TN APRIL THIS YEAR.
MR CHENG REPORTED THAT, FOR THE REMAINING LICENSED DWELLING BOAT FAMILIES, REHOUSING ARRANGEMENTS HAD BEEN MADE IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES OR TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS, DEPENDING ON THEIR ELIGIBILITIES.
MR TANG POINTED OUT THAT OVER THE YEARS, A NUMBER OF WORKING BOATS HAD BEEN USED AS "HOUSE-BOATS" IN THE TYPHOON SHELTERS.
HE STRESSED THAT THESE BOATS COULD NOT BE TREATED IN THE SAME WAY AS THE LICENSED DWELLING VESSELS BECAUSE THEY ONLY CAME INTO BEING AND WERE USED FOR DWELLING PURPOSES AFTER THE ENACTMENT OF THE DWELLING VESSELS REGULATIONS IN 1983.
THESE UNLICENSED "HOUSE-BOATS" MUST BE RESTORED TO THEIR INTENDED PURPOSE BY RENEWING OR OBTAINING A VALID WORKING BOAT LICENCE.
ALTERNATIVELY, OWNERS MAY SURRENDER THEIR BOATS. IF THEY BECAME HOMELESS BECAUSE OF THIS, THEY WOULD BE REHOUSED IN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, HE ADDED.
EVERY EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE BY THE WORKING GROUP TO ASSIST THE PEOPLE LIVING ON THE UNLICENSED DWELLING BOATS. STAFF FROM THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND THE MARINE DEPARTMENT HAD VISITED THE BOAT DWELLERS AND INFORMED THEM OF THE REHOUSING ARRANGEMENTS AND ELIGIBILITIES.
A VISIT TO A NEW TERRITORIES TEMPORARY' HOUSING AREA WILL BE ORGANISED ON SUNDAY (MAY 7) TO ENABLE THE BOAT DWELLERS TO VIEW THEIR NEW HOMES.
THEY' WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED DURING THE VISIT ON THE ASSISTANCE THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE, EDUCATION AND LABOUR DEPARTMENTS CAN OFFER.
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/18........
TUESDAY, MAY 2, 1989
18 -
LAI CHI KOK INCINERATOR ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA
*****
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE WILL ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION ON THE CLOSING DOWN OF THE LAI CHI KOK INCINERATOR AT A MEETING ON THURSDAY (MAY 4).
ACCORDING TO A PAPER SUNMITTED BY TWO MEMBERS, THEY WERE INFORMED AT MEETINGS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD IN 1987 THAT THE LAI CHI KOK INCINERATOR WOULD BE SHUT DOWN BY 1990 AND THAT THE INSTALLATION OF A PRECIPITATOR IN THE INCINERATOR WOULD BE COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 1988.
MEMBERS ARE NOW CONCERNED IF THESE PLANS ARE ON SCHEDULE.
THE MEETING WILL ALSO DISCUSS IMPROVEMENTS TO LIFTS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES IN ORDER TO PREVENT CRIME.
ANOTHER DISCUSSION ITEM IS THE NUISANCES CAUSED BY THE REFUSE COLLECTION POINT AT KWONG CHEUNG STREET.
ALSO ON THE AGENDA ARE APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS FOR CARRYING OUT THREE ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS IN THE DISTRICT. THESE INCLUDE IMPROVEMENTS TO AMENITIES NEAR SO UK BUS TERMINUS AND AT KING LAM STREET, AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DISTRICT BOARD NOTICE BOARD AT THE JUNCTION OF TAT CHEE AVENUE AND TSEUK KIU STREET.
A PAPER PREPARED BY THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY WORKING GROUP WILL BE TABLED AT THE MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY (MAY 4) IN THE SHEK KIP MEI COMMUNITY HALL, BLOCK 42, SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM.
-------0---------
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE ♦ * t t *
THE COMMUNITY BUILDING AND SERVICES COMMITTEE OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE SCHEME AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THREE MEMBERS WILL ASK WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO REVIEW THE EXISTING SCHEME BEFORE THE END OF THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR.
/The problem
TUESDAY, MAY 2, 1989
19
THE PROBLEM OF SCHOOL BUS SERVICE IN THE DISTRICT WILL ALSO BE RAISED.
A PAPER OUTLINING THE PLANNED ACTIVITIES OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION’S HONG KONG WEST/ISLANDS REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR WILL BE TABLED FOR MEMBERS’ INFORMATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING AND SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN ROOM 1416, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
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BUS ROUTE ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ♦ * * ♦ *
A PROPOSAL TO PROVIDE A CROSS HABOUR TUNNEL BUS ROUTE LINKING HO MAN TIN WITH CHAI WAN WILL BE RAISED AT THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE MEETING WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION OF PEDESTRIAN CROSSING SIGNALS AT SOARES AVENUE NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH WATERLOO ROAD, AND THE PROVISION OF TRAFFIC SIGNS TO REGULATE LOADING AND UNLOADING ACTIVITIES ALONG BAKER STREET.
A MEMBER WILL RECOMMEND THAT SHELTERS BE BUILT FOR A NUMBER OF BUS STOPS ALONG THE SECTION OF ARGYLE STREET BETWEEN TAI TUNG MIDDLE SCHOOL AND THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER CO.
SPECIFIC TRAFFIC PROBLEMS IN THE HUNG HOM NORTH AREA WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED.
AT THE MEETING, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL SEEK MEMBERS’ VIEWS ON THE PRIVATISATION OF A TEMPORARY LORRY PARK IN HO MAN TIN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.15 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, 141 KAU PU1 LUNG ROAD.
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TUESDAY, MAY 2, 1989
20
LADY WILSON THANKS PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS IN FLAG DAY APPEAL * * * * *
LADY WILSON, AS PATRON OF THE HELPING HAND. TODAY PRESENTED A SOUVENIR TO THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING. MR PANG YUK-LING, IN APPRECIATION OF PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS’ AND HOUSING DEPARTMENT STAFF'S PARTICIPATION IN THE FLAG DAY APPEAL FOR THE HELPING HAND LAST MONTH.
SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY AT 01 MAN ESTATE HALL, LADY WILSON SAID OVER HALF OF THE MONEY RAISED ON THE FLAG DAY CAME FROM THE EFFORTS OF PEOPLE IN THE HOUSING ESTATES.
SHE SAID SHE WAS THRILLED AND MOVED BY THE SUCCESS OF BOTH THE FLAG DAY AND THE ALAN TAM CONCERT WHICH HAD RAISED A TOTAL OF SI.5 MILLION.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, MRS CARTER, CHAIRMAN OF THE HELPING HAND. SAID THAT SINCE STUDENTS WOULD NOT BE M0BIL1ED FOR HELP AS THE DATE OF APPEAL FELL WITHIN THE SCHOOL HOLIDAY, SHE HAD TO TURN TO THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES OF THE HOUSING ESTATES FOR HELP.
"THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AND THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES ALONE, THROUGH THEIR STREET AND BLOCK COLLECTIONS, RAISED ALMOST $700,000”, SAID MRS CARTER.
IN ORDER TO MARK THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS, A SHIELD WAS PRESENTED TO NAM SHAN ESTATE, SHAM SHUI PO, WHICH HAD RAISED THE MOST MONEY ALONE.
ANOTHER SHIELD WAS AWARDED TO THE TAK MAN HOUSE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE OF 01 MAN ESTATE WHICH HAD RAISED THE MOST MONEY AMONG ALL MAC’S.
MRS CARTER SAID THAT THE MONEY RAISED WOULD BE USED IN SERVICING THE 1 000 OLD PEOPLE AT VARIOUS AGED HOMES RUN BY THE HELPING HAND.
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SPECIAL FORM 5 PROGRAMME FOR SERVING FIREMEN
*****
A SPECIAL FORM 5 EDUCATION PROGRAMME FOR SERVING FIREMEN ON SHIFT DUTY HAS BEEN INTRODUCED BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT THIS WEEK .
A TOTAL OF 87 FIREMEN, SOME OF THEM SENIOR FIREMEN, ARE TAKING PART IN THE COURSE WHICH IS BEING HELD AT A PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOL IN TSUEN WAN.
/THEY ARE
TUESDAY, MAY 2, 1989
21
THEY ARE DIVIDED INTO TWO GROUPS AND ATTEND THE CLASSES ON AN ALTERNATIVE DAY BASIS WITH THREE SCHOOL DAYS PER WEEK.
THE 12-MONTH COURSE, WHICH IS ORGANISED BY THE RECRUITMENT, TRAINING AND EXAMINATION (RTE) GROUP OF THE HEADQUARTERS COMMAND, WILL ENABLE THE FIREMEN TO SIT IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION IN 1990.
THE SENIOR DIVISIONAL OFFICER OF THE RTE GROUP, MR LAM CHUN-MAN, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE COURSE WAS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR FIREMEN WORKING ON A 24-HOUR SHIFT IN VARIOUS FIRE STATIONS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
"THE EDUCATION PROGRAMME IS MODIFIED TO SUIT THOSE FIREMEN IN SUCH A WAY THAT THEY HAVE A CHANCE TO COMPLETE FORM 5 WITHOUT INTERRUPTION TO THEIR NORMAL DUTIES," MR LAM SAID.
"OUR PRIME OBJECTIVE IS TO HELP THOSE FIREMEN WHO ARE EAGER TO STRIVE FOR HIGHER ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS IN ORDER TO ENHANCE THEMSELVES INTELLECTUALLY AND FOR BETTER PROSPECTS IN THEIR CAREER DEVELOPMENT."
MR LAM ADDED THAT MOST FIREMEN ATTENDING THE COURSE WERE STUDYING FIVE TO SIX SUBJECTS WITH ENGLISH LANGUAGE, CHINESE LANGUAGE AND MATHEMATICS THE COMPULSORY ONES.
THE FIRST GROUP OF 47 FIREMEN BEGAN THEIR LESSONS YESTERDAY WHILE THE OTHER GROUP OF 40 FIREMEN COMMENCED THEIR STUDY THIS AFTERNOON.
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ENTRIES TO ABERDEEN DRAGON BOAT RACE CLOSE ON SATURDAY
*****
ORGANISATIONS AND RESIDENTS WHO WISH TO TAKE PART IN THE ABERDEEN DRAGON BOAT RACE MUST SEND IN THEIR APPLICATIONS TO THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE BY NOON ON SATURDAY, MAY 6.
THE DRAGON BOAT RACE IS AN ANNUAL EVENT WITH A LONG TRADITION IN ABERDEEN - THE OLDEST FISHING PORT OF HONG KONG.
THIS YEAR’S RACE IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE ABERDEEN DRAGON BOAT RACE ORGANISING COMMITTEE WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD.
THE EVENTS WILL TAKE PLACE ALONG A 300-METRE CHANNEL OFF THE ABERDEEN WATERFRONT BETWEEN 9 AM AND 5 PM ON JUNE 8, THE DAY OF THE TUEN NG FESTIVAL.
/A SPOKESMAN
TUESDAY, MAY 2, 1989
22
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE SAID COMMERCIAL FIRMS, FACTORIES, REGISTERED ASSOCIATIONS AND RESIDENT BODIES ARE WELCOME TO FORM TEAMS TO COMPETE IN THE MEDIUM-BOAT DIVISION OF THE RACE.
THE DIVISION WILL COMPRISE THREE SECTIONS - MEN’S OPEN, LADIES' OPEN AND AMATEUR SECTIONS.
EACH TEAM SHOULD CONSIST OF 22 MEMBERS, INCLUDING A DRUMMER AND A COXSWAIN. THE TEAMS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH DRAGON BOATS, OARS, DRUMS, AND IF NECESSARY, A COXSWAIN.
ENTRY FORMS AND INFORMATION LEAFLETS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE AT ABERDEEN CENTRE, AND ITS SUB-OFFICES AT LEI TUNG ESTATE, WAH FU ESTATE AND STANLEY VILLAGE ROAD.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-540271.
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TENDERS INVITED FOR CHEUNG CHAU DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
*****
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR A PUBLIC WORK PROJECT WHICH FORMED PART OF THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHEUNG CHAU ISLAND.
THE PROJECT WILL INVOLVE THE SITE FORMATION OF ABOUT 4.5 HECTARES OF LAND AT SIN YAN TSENG FOR A SECOND PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE ON THE ISLAND TO HOUSE 2,000 PEOPLE AND ABOUT 0.7 HECTARE OF LAND IN THE AREA WHICH WILL BE DEVELOPED INTO A LOCAL OPEN SPACE.
UNDER THE PROJECT, A NEW PUBLIC LOADING/UNLOADING AREA WILL ALSO BE BUILT AT NAM WAN TO RELIEVE THE CONGESTION CURRENTLY ENCOUNTERED AT THE EXISTING CHEUNG CHAU PUBLIC PIER.
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE CONSULTING ENGINEERS AT 1519 STAR HOUSE, 3 SALISBURY ROAD, KOWLOON.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON MAY 26, 1989.
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TUESDAY, MAY 2, 1989
- 25 -
TENDERS INVITED FOR WATER SUPPLY IMPROVEMENT WORK
* * * * *
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS TO UNDERTAKE WORK TO IMPROVE THE EXISTING FRESH WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM IN POKFULAM LOW LEVEL AREAS.
THE WORK WILL INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FRESH WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR OF 5,000 CUBIC METRE CAPACITY AT VICTORIA ROAD AND THE LAYING OF ABOUT 320 METRES OF 400-MM DIAMETER WATERMAINS IN POKFULAM.
WHEN COMPLETED, THE IMPROVED SYSTEM WILL ALSO MEET THE FUTURE DEMAND GENERATED BY LARGE SCALE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREA, INCLUDING WAH KWAI ESTATE DEVELOPMENT.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN JULY THIS YEAR AND WILL TAKE 20 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON MAY 19, 1989.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SAI KUNG TOWN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (MAY 4) TO JUNE 2, SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED TO FACILITATE THE THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE TO BE HELD FOR THE TIN HAU FESTIVAL IN SAI KUNG TOWN.
YI CHUN STREET FROM WAN KING PATH TO A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH ROAD L7 WILL BE CLOSED.
YI CHUN STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH MAN NIN STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 55 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE REROUTED TWO-WAY.
AT THE SAME TIME, MAN NIN STREET BETWEEN MONA FONG GOVERNMENT CLINIC AND ROAD L7 WILL ALSO BE RE-ROUTED TWO WAY; WHILE ROAD L7 WILL BE REROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND.
THE ON-STREET PARKING SPACES ON MAN NIN STREET BETWEEN YI CHUN STREET AND ROAD L7; YI CHUN STREET; AND ROAD L7 WILL BE SUSPENDED.
THE GREEN MINIBUS STANDS FOR N.T. ROUTE 2 ON ROAD L7 AND ROUTES 3 AND 4 ON YI CHUN STREET WILL BE RELOCATED TO THE SAI KUNG TOWN PLB (SCHEDULED SERVICE) TERMINUS.
THE TAXI STAND ON YI CHUN STREET WILL BE RELOCATED TO MAN NIN STREET AT THE WATERFRONT.
N.T. GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES 2, 3, AND 4 WILL BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL VIA PO TUNG ROAD, FUK MAN ROAD AND TERMINATE AT THE SAI KUNG TOWN PLB (SCHEDULED SERVICE) TERMINUS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
• " •
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 'MEETING :
TRAVEL RESERVE FUND BUILDING UP STEADILY ................ 1
KCRC EMPOWERED TO 'DETERMINE FARES ...................... 2
RULES ON CONVEYANCING' TRANSACTIONS TO BE GAZETTED..... 2
DECISION EXPECTED NEXT YEAR ON HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE .... 3
NO DECISION YET ON REPLACING BMH ........................ 3
REPORT'ON UPGRADING ELECTRICITY VOLTAGE TO BE COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER ............................................ 4
SOME SUCCESS IN FINDING ACCOMMODATION FOR STREET SLEEPERS 5
RESTRICTIONS BEING CONSIDERED ON CIVIL SERVANTS BEING MEMBERS OF POLITICAL BODIES ...................... 6
• • • ...........
ACCESS FOR THE DISABLED IMPROVED ........................ 6
• ♦ • •
ED TRYING TO HELP SCHOOL DROPOUTS ....................... 7
HK WAS NOT INVITED TO HOST MATHS OLYMPIAD ............... 8
TUEN MUN HOSPITAL FIRST STAGE OPENS HI DECEMBER ......... 9
AMBULANCE SERVICES REVIEW CONCLUDED ..................... 9
STEADY INCREASE IN NUMBER OF PHARMACISTS ............... 10
GOVERNMENT POLICY TO PROVIDE AIR-CONDITIONING IN PUBLIC hospitals .................................... n
NO LEGISLATION TO Bail CHILDREN FROM aDULT SECTION OF VIDEO STORES ........................................... 11
EMPLOYERS URGED TO BE MORE FLEXIBLE IN WORK ARRANGEMENTS . 13
SHW CLARIFIES NaME OF HERBaL MEDICINE .................. 1A
/15....--
EXTENSION OF TAVAS TO LET SUPPORTED ...».................... 15
TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS (AMENDMENT) BILL PASSED ............. 16
FC APPROVES FUNDS FOR VBP ACCOMODATION ........................ 17
PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE TO MEET TOMORROW ................... 17
SMA LEAVES FOR ASLAN DEVELOPMENT BANK MEETING .................. 18
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS EUND .-LLOCATION ....................... 19
HK ECONOMY AND LIFESTYLE TO REMAIN UNCHANGED ................... 19
UNPRECEDENTED SCALE. OF EXPANSION IN PORT DEVELOPMENT........ 20
PUMPING TESTS AT PROPOSED LANDFILL SITE......................... 22
BMCT HELPS PROMOTE EFFECTIVE BUILDING MANAGEMENT ............... 2J
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS REPORT ON FLATTED FACTORIES............. 24
DB TO DISCUSS INCLUSION OF OLD HOUSING BLOCKS IN COMMUNITY PROGRAMME....................................................... 25
DB MEMBERS SEE NEW PUBLIC HOUSING DESIGN ....................... 25
YUEN LONG DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS PAVEMENT OBSTRUCTION ......... 26
PARK TO BE BUILT IN KWUN TONG .................................. 27
MONG KOK DB TO DISCUSS DISTRICT FESTIVAL ....................... 27
DHS AND DSW MEET Y«N CH.»I BOnRD................................ 28
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KWUN TONG .............................. 28
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ON HK ISLAND..................... 29
TEMPOR-iRY TRAFFIC hRRaNGEMENTS IN WONG TAI SIN ................ 29
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 1989
1
TRAVEL RESERVE FUND BUILDING UP STEADILY
*****
THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL RESERVE FUND HAS SLOWLY BUT STEADILY BUILT UP ITS RESOURCES TO FORM A BULWARK AGAINST EVENTUALITIES, AND THE OUTBOUND TOUR INDUSTRY OF HONG KONG CAN EXPECT A BRIGHTER AND HEALTHIER FUTURE FOR TRAVELLERS AND TOUR OPERATORS ALIKE.
THE REMARK WAS MADE BY DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP, CHAIRMAN OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRAVEL AGENTS, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN TABLING THE REPORT ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE TRAVEL AGENTS' RESERVE FUND FOR THE PERIOD APRIL 1, 1987 TO MARCH 31, 1988.
DR IP SAID THE NON-STATUTORY TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL RESERVE FUND, WHICH REPLACED THE TRAVEL AGENTS' RESERVE FUND, WAS SET UP IN JULY 1988 AS PART OF THE MEASURES INTRODUCED UNDER THE TRAVEL AGENTS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE TOWARDS SELF-REGULATION FOR THE OUTBOUND TOUR INDUSTRY OF HONG KONG.
FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR THE FUND CAME FROM THE COLLECTION OF A ONE PER CENT LEVY ON ALL OUTBOUND TOUR FARES, AND THE FUND HAD SO FAR COLLECTED SI9.4 MILLION.
IN THE UNHAPPY EVENT THAT A TRAVEL AGENT SHOULD COLLAPSE, ITS CLIENTS MIGHT CLAIM COMPENSATION FROM THE FUND, UP TO 70 PER CENT OF TOUR FARES PAID, ON PRODUCTION OF THEIR FARE RECEIPTS BEARING THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL ONE PER CENT LEVY FRANKING MARK.
"AS FOR THE TRAVEL AGENTS’ RESERVE FUND, IT WILL BE ABOLISHED AS SOON AS OUTSTANDING CLAIMS ARE SETTLED.
"AT PRESENT THE BULK OF CLAIMS FOR EX-GRATIA PAYMENT COMES FROM FORMER CLIENTS OF AUSTRAVEL CO. LTD. AND P.C. TRAVEL SERVICE LTD. WHICH WERE CLOSED IN JANUARY 1987," DR IP EXPLAINED.
SINCE MARCH LAST YEAR, 3,149 APPLICATIONS FROM THESE FORMER CLIENTS HAD BEEN RECEIVED. OF THESE APPLICANTS, APPROXIMATELY TWO-THIRDS OPTED FOR 70 PER CENT PAYMENT WHILE THE REST CHOSE TO RECEIVE THE FULL AMOUNT CLAIMED BUT WITH PAYMENT EFFECTED BY INSTALMENTS WITHIN A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS.
ACCORDING TO DR IP, PAYMENT COMMENCED IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR AND WERE CONTINUING. THE TOTAL AMOUNT INVOLVED WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $12 MILLION.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 1989
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KCRC EMPOWERED TO DETERMINE FARES
■»***»
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT THE KCRC IS EMPOWERED BY THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION ORDINANCE TO DETERMINE ITS FARES.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON KINGSLEY SIT, MR LEUNG SAID THAT THE CORPORATION’S FARE POLICY DID NOT THEREFORE REQUIRE GOVERNMENT APPROVAL OR ACCEPTANCE.
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RULES ON CONVEYANCING TRANSACTIONS TO BE GAZETTED ♦ * * ♦ » *
PROPOSALS TO AMEND THE SOLICITORS PRACTICE RULES TO PROVIDE FOR THE LAW SOCIETY’S RECOMMENDATIONS ON CONVEYANCING TRANSACTIONS WILL BE GAZETTED ON MAY 16, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON CHUNG PUI-LAM, MR MATHEWS SAID THE PROPOSALS RELATE TO THE QUESTION OF LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE FOR SEPARATE LEGAL REPRESENTATIONS IN CONVEYANCING TRANSACTIONS.
HE SAID THAT UNDER THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS ORDINANCE, THE POWER TO MAKE PRACTICE RULES FOR SOLICITORS HAD BEEN GIVEN TO THE COUNCIL OF THE LAW SOCIETY. SUCH PRACTICE RULES MUST, IN ADDITION, BE APPROVED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE.
IN JUNE 1986, PROPOSALS TO AMEND THE EXISTING SOLICITORS PRACTICE RULES TO PROVIDE FOR SEPARATE REPRESENTATION IN CONVEYANCING TRANSACTIONS, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS, WERE SUBMITTED BY THE LAW SOCIETY TO THE THEN CHIEF JUSTICE, HE ADDED.
“DISCUSSIONS THEN CONTINUED BETWEEN THE LAW SOCIETY AND THE CHIEF JUSTICE DURING THE SECOND HALF OF 1986.
“THESE DISCUSSIONS LED TO THE DRAFTING OF RULES BASED UPON THE PROPOSALS FROM THE LAW SOCIETY.
“THE FINAL SETTLING OF THE RULES INVOLVED DETAILED CONSIDERATION WITHIN THE LAW SOCIETY AND EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION BETWEEN THE SOCIETY AND THE CHIEF JUSTICE, EXTENDING OVER 1987 AND 1988,” MR MATHEWS SAID.
“IN APRIL THIS YEAR THE CHIEF JUSTICE APPROVED THE AMENDING RULES WHICH IS PROPOSED TO PUBLISH IN THE GAZETTE ON MAY 16 AND THEN TO LAY ON THE TABLE OF THIS COUNCIL.
“I AM ADVISED THAT THE LAW SOCIETY WILL BE REVIEWING THE APPLICATION OF THE RULES AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN IN FORCE FOR 18 MONTHS,"
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 1989
- 3 -
DECISION EXPECTED NEXT YEAR ON HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE *****
A DECISION ON THE ENACTMENT OF A HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE IS EXPECTED BY EARLY NEXT YEAR, THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG, MR JACOBS SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS EXAMINING AS A MATTER OF PRIORITY THE ALTERNATIVES FOR ENACTING A HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE, IN THE LIGHT OF PUBLIC COMMENTS AND THE CONTENT OF THE DRAFT BASIC LAW IN THIS RESPECT.
"THIS EXERCISE IS DETAILED AND COMPLEX AND MANY APPROACHES ARE POSSIBLE," HE SAID.
"WE ARE WORKING HARD ON THIS PROBLEM AND EXPECT TO BE IN A POSITION TO DECIDE BY EARLY NEXT YEAR, WHETHER TO ENACT A HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE, AND IF SO, WHAT FORM THE LEGISLATION SHOULD TAKE."
MR JACOBS SAID NO DRAFTING INSTRUCTIONS HAD BEEN ISSUED NOR FORMAL DRAFT BILL OF RIGHTS PREPARED ALTHOUGH INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS HAD BEEN HELD.
IN LATE 1987 AND EARLY 1988 THE FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL HELD A SERIES OF INFORMAL MEETINGS WITH LAWYERS AND ACADEMICS TO DISCUSS THE HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE AND VARIOUS PAPERS WERE PREPARED TO FACILITATE THE DISCUSSIONS.
"THE DISCUSSIONS WERE INFORMAL AND NO CONCLUSIONS WERE REACHED," MR JACOBS ADDED.
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NO DECISION YET ON REPLACING BMH
*****
NO DECISION HAS YET BEEN TAKEN ON THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BRITISH MILITARY HOSPITAL, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON CHAU TAK-HAY, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HOWEVER, HE SAID THAT TENTATIVE PLANS HAD BEEN PREPARED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PUBLIC HOSPITAL FACILITY ON THAT SITE, THOUGH THE PRECISE FORM OF ANY SUCH FACILITY WOULD REQUIRE FURTHER CONSIDERATION ONCE THE AVAILABILITY OF THE SITE WAS KNOWN.
MR CHAU WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP, WHO ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY LONG TERM PLAN TO REPLACE BMH WITH A NEW PAEDIATRIC AND OBSTETRIC ANNEX TO QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL IN ORDER TO RELIEVE ITS OVERCROWDING CONDITION.
MR CHAU SAID NO DECISION HAD BEEN TAKEN ON THE REPLACEMENT OF THE HOSPITAL, WHICH WAS A SUPPORT FACILITY FOR BRITISH GARRISON, AND CONSEQUENTIAL RELEASE OF THE SITE.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 1989
REPORT ON UPGRADING ELECTRICITY VOLTAGE TO BE COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER *****
THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (EMS) IS CURRENTLY UNDERTAKING A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY ON FIVE GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS DESIGNED TO DETERMINE THE EFFECTS OF UPGRADING THE ELECTRICITY VOLTAGE IN HONG KONG TO 220 VOLTS AND REPORT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON C.K. POON, MR JACOBS SAID THAT A CONSULTANT’S TECHNICAL REPORT ON UPGRADING HONG KONG'S ELECTRICITY SUPPLY VOLTAGE WAS RECEIVED IN APRIL LAST YEAR.
"WHILST THE REPORT RECOMMENDED THAT INCREASING THE SUPPLY VOLTAGE FROM 200 VOLTS TO 220 VOLTS WAS LIKELY TO BE BENEFICIAL IN THE LONGER TERM, IT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE COULD BE SOME ADVERISE IMPACT IN THE SHORTER TERM IN RESPECT OF EQUIPMENT DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY TO OPERATE ON HONG KONG’S EXISTING 200 VOLTS SUPPLY SYSTEM," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS POINTED OUT THAT SINCE ANY CHANGE IN VOLTAGE WOULD ULTIMATELY AFFECT THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, IT WAS IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THAT ALL POTENTIAL AREAS OF DOUBT WERE THOROUGHLY ASSESSED AND THAT ALL INTERESTED PARTIES WERE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON THE CONSULTANT’S FINDINGS.
"THUS, FOLLOWING THE REPORT WE CONSULTED A NUMBER OF OUTSIDE ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
"THE OUTCOME REVEALED GENERAL SUPPORT FOR A CAREFULLY PLANNED AND PROGRESSIVE UPGRADING OF THE SUPPLY VOLTAGE, BUT SOME ORGANISATIONS, INCLUDING THE CONSUMER COUNCIL AND THE LIFTS AND ESCALATORS CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION, REMAINED CONCERNED OVER CERTAIN SAFETY ASPECTS, COST IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSUMERS, POTENTIAL ADDITIONAL MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS AND POSSIBLE ADVERSE EFFECTS ON EQUIPMENT SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR USE WITH ELECTRICITY SUPPLIED AT 200 VOLTS," HE ADDED.
"IN GENERAL, WE BELIEVE THAT THE NET EFFECT OF THE UPGRADING OF THE ELECTRICITY VOLTAGE WOULD BE BENEFICIAL. HOWEVER, IT REMAINS NECESSARY TO STUDY AND ASSESS SOME OF THE CONCERNS AND DOUBTS EXPRESSED DURING CONSULTATION," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS POINTED OUT THAT THE EMS STUDY WOULD ADDRESS ALL THE ISSUES ON WHICH DOUBTS HAD BEEN EXPRESSED.
"I HOPE TO BE IN A POSITION TO MAKE A FIRM RECOMMENDATION TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY THEREAFTER," HE ADDED.
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/5........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 1989
- 5 -
SOME SUCCESS IN FINDING ACCOMMODATION FOR STREET SLEEPERS
SOME SUCCESS HAS BEEN ACHIEVED IN TRYING TO FIND PERMANENT ACCOMMODATION FOR CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF STREET SLEEPERS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR T. H. CHAU, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON HUI YIN-FAT, MR CHAU SAID AS A RESULT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S EFFORT TO LOCATE DISUSED BUILDINGS IN THE URBAN AREA WHICH COULD BE CONVERTED INTO HOSTELS TO PROVIDE REHOUSING FOR HOMELESS PERSONS, INCLUDING STREET SLEEPERS, A HOSTEL MANAGED BY THE SALVATION ARMY WAS OPENED IN THE SIX STREETS REDEVELOPMENT AREA OF YAU MA TEI IN NOVEMBER 1988.
"THIS HOSTEL IS PART OF A PILOT SCHEME WHICH IS INTENDED TO TEST THE RESPONSE OF STREET SLEEPERS TO THE PROVISION OF URBAN HOSTELS OFFERING LONGER TERM ACCOMMODATION ON A 24 HOUR BASIS,” MR CHAU SAID.
TO EXPAND THE PILOT SCHEME AND TO FURTHER TEST THE FEASIBILITY OF THIS APPROACH, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN ALLOCATED $2.3 MILLION BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB TO SECURE PREMISES FOR USE AS A SECOND SUCH HOSTEL, HE NOTED.
THE DEPARTMENT WAS NOW IDENTIFYING SUITABLE PREMISES FOR THIS PURPOSE, IF POSSIBLE IN WAN CHAI DISTRICT, HE ADDED.
MR CHAU ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COORDINATING COMMITTEE ON STREET SLEEPERS HAD BEEN EXPANDED TO INCLUDE TWO MEMBERS OF THE VOLUNTARY WELFARE SECTOR.
HE SAID ONE MEMBER WAS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE WHILST THE OTHER WAS AN OFFICER OF THE SALVATION ARMY.
"UNFORTUNATELY, EXPERIENCE INDICATES THAT THERE WILL PROBABLY ALWAYS BE A SMALL SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY WHICH FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER SLEEPS ON THE STREETS,” MR CHAU SAID.
"I BELIEVE THAT OUR POLICY OF ADOPTING A PERSONALISED APPROACH OF COUNSELLING AND PERSUASION TO ENCOURAGE STREET SLEEPERS TO MAKE USE OF THE WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES AVAILABLE TO THEM IS THE MOST APPROPRIATE WAY OF MINIMISING THIS SOCIAL PROBLEM.”
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 1989
RESTRICTIONS BEING CONSIDERED ON CIVIL SERVANTS
BEING MEMBERS OF POLITICAL BODIES * * * » *
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING WHETHER SOME RESTRICTIONS SHOULD BE IMPOSED ON CIVIL SERVANTS BEING MEMBERS OF POLITICAL BODIES, PARTICULARLY AT THE SENIOR LEVEL, THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR JACOBS EXPLAINED THAT IN VIEW OF THE RAPIDLY DEVELOPING POLITICAL SCENE, THE OVERALL AIM WAS : "TO ENSURE THAT GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IS AND IS SEEN TO BE CONDUCTED IMPARTIALLY, AND TO MAINTAIN THE POLITICAL NEUTRALITY OF THE CIVIL SERVICE."
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON RONALD CHOW, MR JACOBS POINTED OUT THAT AS FAR AS MEMBERSHIP OF POLITICAL ORGANISATIONS WAS CONCERNED, THERE WAS AT PRESENT NO RESTRICTION ON CIVIL SERVANTS JOINING ANY PROPERLY ORGANISED POLITICAL BODY.
WITH REGARD TO TAKING PART IN POLITICAL ACTIVITIES, HE SAID, A NUMBER OF REGULATIONS EXISTED TO DISCOURAGE CIVIL SERVANTS FROM PLAYING AN ACTIVE PART IN SUCH ACTIVITIES.
"THESE REGULATIONS DEAL WITH CONFLICT OF INTEREST, OUTSIDE WORK AND PUBLIC COMMENT ON ANY POLITICAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES WHICH ARE NOT DIRECTLY RELATED TO AN OFFICER’S DUTIES," MR JACOBS SAID.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT CIVIL SERVANTS WERE DEBARRED FROM STANDING FOR ELECTION TO DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS BY THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 367).
THEY WERE ALSO DEBARRED FROM STANDING FOR ELECTION TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE, MR JACOBS ADDED.
- - 0 - -
ACCESS FOR THE DISABLED IMPROVED ♦ ♦ * ♦ *
THERE HAS BEEN A NOTICEABLE IMPROVEMENT IN THE STANDARDS OF ACCESS PROVISION FOR THE HANDICAPPED SINCE THE ISSUE OF A DESIGN MANUAL IN 1984 BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PAUL CHENG MING-FUN, MR BARNES SAID THAT THE DESIGN MANUAL, "ACCESS FOR THE DISABLED 1984", WAS A CODE OF PRACTICE WHICH INCLUDED BOTH OBLIGATORY AND RECOMMENDED DESIGN REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEVELOPERS.
"THIS STANDARD HOWEVER IS NOTABLY HIGHER IN LARGER DEVELOPMENTS THAN IN SMALLER ONES, IN WHICH IT IS MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO MAKE SPACE AVAILABLE," MR BARNES SAID.
THEREFORE, IN SOME CASES ONLY THE OBLIGATORY DESIGN REQUIREMENTS MIGHT BE PROVIDED IN SMALLER DEVELOPMENTS, HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 1989
7
ED TRYING TO HELP SCHOOL DROPOUTS » * t » ♦
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS DOING ALL IT CAN TO HELP CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS GENUINE SCHOOL DROPOUT CASES, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON CHEUNG CHI-KONG, MR BRIDGE SAID THAT OF THE 794 CHILDREN IDENTIFIED AS GENUINE SCHOOL DROPOUT CASES, 272 WERE NOT RECEIVING FULL-TIME EDUCATION.
"OF THESE CHILDREN 225 (83 PER CENT) ARE APPROACHING 15 YEARS OF AGE AND WILL SOON FALL OUTSIDE THE PURVIEW OF COMPULSORY EDUCATION," MR BRIDGE NOTED.
MR BRIDGE OUTLINED THE REASONS FOR THOSE CHILDREN’S NOT ATTENDING DAY SCHOOLS AS WELL AS THE ACTION TAKEN EITHER TO EXPEDITE THE PLACEMENT OF SUCH CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS OR TO MAKE ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS TO USEFULLY OCCUPY THEIR TIME.
FIRSTLY, MR BRIDGE SAID THAT SOME CHILDREN HAD LEARNING DIFFICULTIES.
"APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT AND REMEDIAL SERVICES ARE BEING PROVIDED BY STAFF OF THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT," HE SAID.
MR BRIDGE SAID THAT FOR THOSE THAT LACKED MOTIVATION OR WERE ATTENDING EVENING SCHOOLS, COUNSELLING HAD BEEN PROVIDED BY STUDENT GUIDANCE OFFICERS TO PERSUADE THEM TO RETURN TO FULL TIME EDUCATION.
HE NOTED THAT SOME CHILDREN HAD BEEN WAITLISTED FOR APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING SCHEME.
FOR THIS GROUP OF CHILDREN, MR BRIDGE POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN PROVIDING ASSISTANCE IN LIAISING WITH THE APPRENTICESHIP SECTION OF THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT AND COUNSELLING HAD BEEN PROVIDED TO PERSUADE THE CHILDREN TO RETURN TO SCHOOL IN THE MEANTIME.
MR BRIDGE FURTHER SAID THAT SOME CHILDREN WERE FROM FISHERMAN FAMILIES.
"EFFORTS ARE MADE TO CONTACT THE CHILDREN AND PERSUADE THEM TO GO TO SCHOOL," HE SAID.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT SOME CHILDREN WERE PENDING SCHOOL PLACEMENT.
/"DISTRICT EDUCATION .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 1989
8
"DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICERS ARE LIAISING WITH SCHOOL HEADS," HE SAID.
AS FOR THOSE CHILDREN THAT HAD FAMILY PROBLEMS OR BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS, HE SAID THAT COUNSELLING BY PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS HAD BEEN PROVIDED.
MR BRIDGE SAID THAT THE CASE OF THOSE CHILDREN WHO WERE IN ILL HEALTH HAD BEEN KEPT UNDER REVIEW.
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UK WAS NOT INVITED TO HOST MATHS OLYMPIAD *****
NO INVITATION HAD BEEN RECEIVED FOR HONG KONG TO HOST THE INTERNATIONAL MATHEMATICS OLYMPIAD, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS WAS STATED BY MR BRIDGE IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO THE HON CHAN YING-LUN WHO ASKED WHY HAD THE GOVERNMENT TURN DOWN THE INVITATION TO HOST THE INTERNATIONAL MATHEMATICS OLYMPIAD IN 1997.
MR BRIDGE NOTED, HOWEVER, THAT IN SEPTEMBER 1988 THE HONG KONG MATHEMATICS SOCIETY HAD INFORMED THE GOVERNMENT THAT IT WAS CONSIDERING APPLYING TO HOST THE INTERNATIONAL MATHEMATICS OLYMPIAD IN HONG KONG IN 1997.
"THE SOCIETY ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT COULD SUPPORT THE EVENT BY WAY OF A COMMITMENT OF $1.5 MILLION AT 1988 PRICES," HE SAID.
MR BRIDGE SAID THAT THE SOCIETY REQUESTED A QUICK RESPONSE.
"WE CONSIDER THAT IT WAS NOT PRACTICABLE, NINE YEARS AHEAD, EITHER TO REACH A FIRM VIEW ON THE ADVANTAGES OR DISADVANTAGES OF THE PROPOSAL OR TO GUARANTEE A COMMITMENT OF PUBLIC FUNDS, AND WE INFORMED THE HONG KONG MATHEMATICS SOCIETY ACCORDINGLY," MR BRIDGE NOTED.
"THE SOCIETY SUBSEQUENTLY DECIDED NOT TO MAKE A BID FOR THE EVENT," HE CONCLUDED.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 1989
- 9 -
TUEN MUN HOSPITAL FIRST STAGE OPENS IN DECEMBER
THE FIRST STAGE OF TUEN MUN HOSPITAL WILL OPEN IN DECEMBER THIS YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON CHAU TAK-HAY, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE 1,600-BED HOSPITAL WAS NEAR COMPLETION AND THAT ITS COMMISSIONING WOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN FIVE STAGES OVER A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO THE HON LAU WONG-FAT, MR CHAU SAID THAT HE DID NOT EXPECT THE OPENING OF STAGE I WOULD BE DELAYED SINCE STAFF TO FILL THE POSTS IN THE HOSPITAL UNDER THAT STAGE HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED.
’’SOME ARE NOW RECEIVING TRAINING IN OTHER PUBLIC HOSPITALS WITH A VIEW TO FILLING POSTS IN TUEN MUN HOSPITAL,” HE SAID.
"OTHER POSTS WILL BE FILLED BY PROMOTION OR INTERNAL TRANSFER,” HE ADDED.
MR CHAU SAID THE HOSPITAL WOULD REQUIRE 260 DOCTORS AND 1,711 NURSES, INCLUDING 103 DOCTORS AND 484 NURSES FOR THE OPERATION OF STAGE I.
A TOTAL OF 374 HOSPITAL BEDS AND DAY-TIME ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICES WOULD BE PROVIDED IN THIS STAGE, HE ADDED.
AS TO THE PROBLEM OF MEDICAL AND NURSING STAFF SHORTAGE, MR CHAU SAID: "THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE IS CURRENTLY REVIEWING THE SALARY STRUCTURE OF GRADES IN THE NON-DISCIPLINED CIVIL SERVICE, AND DOCTORS AND NURSES ARE AMONG THE GRADES THAT WILL BE GIVEN PRIORITY UNDER THIS REVIEW.”
"ANY IMPROVEMENTS EMANATING FROM THIS REVIEW, TOGETHER WITH OTHER MEASURES THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS TAKING, SHOULD HELP TO BRING ABOUT A BETTER SUPPLY OF MEDICAL AND NURSING PERSONNEL FOR PUBLIC MEDICAL SERVICES, INCLUDING THE SUBSEQUENT STAGES OF TUEN MUN HOSPITAL,” HE ADDED.
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AMBULANCE SERVICES REVIEW CONCLUDED » » ♦ ♦ »
THE AMBULANCE SERVICES REVIEW STEERING GROUP HAD CONCLUDED ITS DELIBERATIONS ON THE FEASIBILITY OF CHARGING FOR NON-EMERGENCY USE, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON CHUNG PUI-LAM, MR BARNES SAID THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD SOON SUBMIT RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE MATTER TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
"-----0-------- /1O.........................
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 1989
- 10 -
STEADY INCREASE IN NUMBER OF PHARMACISTS
*****
THERE HAS BEEN A STEADY INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PHARMACISTS REGISTERED WITH THE PHARMACY AND POISON BOARD OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS, THE HON CHAU TAK-HAY INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON RONALD CHOW, MR CHAU SAID THAT IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, THERE HAD BEEN NO DIFFICULTY IN FINDING AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF QUALIFIED PHARMACISTS.
"AS AT MARCH 31, 1989, THERE WERE NO UNFILLED VACANCIES FOR PHARMACISTS IN EITHER THE GOVERNMENT OR SUBVENTED SECTOR. I HAVE NO INFORMATION ON THE NUMBER OF VACANT PHARMACIST POSTS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR," HE ADDED.
ACCORDING TO A RECENT SURVEY BY THE PRACTISING PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION, 38.9 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS INDICATED THAT THEY HAD OBTAINED THE RIGHT TO RESIDE IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY, AND ANOTHER 36.8 PER CENT SAID THAT THEY WERE APPLYING OR PLANNING TO APPLY FOR EMIGRATION, MR CHAU NOTED.
"IT IS OF INTEREST TO NOTE THAT ACCORDING TO THE SAME SURVEY, 24 PER CENT OF THOSE RESPONDENTS WHO HAD OBTAINED A RIGHT TO RESIDE IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT LEAVE HONG KONG WITHIN THE NEXT 10 YEARS.
"BESIDES, 32.9 PER CENT OF THOSE WHO HAD A RIGHT TO RESIDE ELSEWHERE AND WHO SAID THAT THEY WOULD LEAVE ALSO INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD IN DUE COURSE RETURN TO HONG KONG TO WORK," MR CHAU SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THE FINDINGS OF THIS SURVEY NEVERTHELESS HAD TO BE LOOKED AT WITH CAUTION.
"A TOTAL OF 644 QUESTIONNAIRES WERE SENT OUT AND 247 REGISTERED PHARMACISTS RESPONDED. THE FINDINGS DESCRIBED ABOVE WERE DRAWN UP ON THE BASIS OF THESE 247 RETURNS ONLY," MR CHAU SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT DURING 1984-1988, AN AVERAGE OF 53 QUALIFIED PHARMACISTS REGISTERED WITH THE BOARD EACH YEAR.
"THE CURRENT NUMBER OF REGISTERED PHARMACISTS STANDS AT 667. THERE IS THUS NO EVIDENCE AT PRESENT TO SUGGEST THAT THE SUPPLY CANNOT BE MAINTAINED IN FUTURE, BUT I SHALL KEEP THE SITUATION UNDER REVIEW," HE ADDED.
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/11
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 1989
11
GOVERNMENT POLICY TO PROVIDE AIR-CONDITIONING IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS ♦ ♦»»»«
IT IS GOVERNMENT POLICY TO PROVIDE AIR-CONDITIONING IN ALL PUBLIC HOSPITALS, 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 DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP, MR CHAU SAID THAT FOR THOSE HOSPITALS WHICH AT PRESENT AIR-CONDITIONED ONLY SOME OF THEIR PAEDIATRIC WARDS. PLANNING WAS IN HAND TO EXTEND THE FACILITY TO THE REMAINDER.
MR CHAU SAID THAT AT PRESENT. A TOTAL OF 15 PUBLIC HOSPITALS OPERATED PAEDIATRIC WARDS.
"IN 14 OF THESE HOSPITALS, THE PAEDIATRIC WARDS ARE EITHER FULLY OR PARTIALLY AIR-CONDITIONED.
"THE PAEDIATRIC WARD IN KOWLOON HOSPITAL IS THE ONLY ONE NOT CURRENTLY PROVIDED WITH AIR-CONDITIONING.
"THERE ARE PRESENTLY NO PLANS TO PROVIDE AIR-CONDITIONING TO KOWLOON HOSPITAL, BECAUSE CONSIDERATION IS BEING GIVEN TO RE-DEVELOPING THE HOSPITAL," HE EXPLAINED.
HE SAID THAT FINANCIAL APPROVAL HAD BEEN GIVEN TO INSTALL CENTRAL AIR-CONDITIONING IN QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL AND QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL TO COVER THE ENTIRE HOSPITAL.
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I
NO LEGISLATION TO BAR CHILDREN FROM ADULT SECTION OF VIDEO STORES » t » » *
THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT CONSIDER INTRODUCING LEGISLATION TO, REQUIRE VIDEO CASSETTE STORES TO SEPARATE THE ADULT AND CHILDREN’S SECTIONS TO BAR CHILDREN FROM ENTERING THE ADULT SECTION, THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, THE HON PETER TSAO, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THE ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERS THAT THE GREAT MAJORITY OF VIDEO RENTAL OUTLETS BEHAVE RESPONSIBLY IN SUCH MATTERS AND, GIVEN SPACE CONSTRAINTS AND THE COSTS OF ACCOMMODATION IN HONG KONG, IT WOULD BE INEQUITABLE TO REQUIRE THEM ALL TO ORGANISE THEIR PREMISES IN SUCH A WAY AS TO EXCLUDE CHILDREN FROM CERTAIN PARTS," MR TSAO SAID.
IT WAS NECESSARY TO BEAR IN MIND IN THIS CONTEXT THAT THE RANGE OF MATERIAL SPECIFICALLY SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN AT SUCH PLACES WAS USUALLY REGRETTABLY SMALL, HE NOTED.
/"THE DEMANDS..........
I
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 1989
12
’’THE DEMANDS, MOREOVER, THAT SUCH A REGIME WOULD IMPOSE ON BOTH VIDEO RENTAL BUSINESSES AND THE GOVERNMENT IN TERMS OF
ENFORCEMENT COULD NOT BE JUSTIFIED, GIVEN THE ADEQUATE CONTROLS WHICH ' NOW EXIST TO PREVENT THE DIRECT EXPOSURE OF CHILDREN TO OBSCENE OR INDECENT MATERIALS AT THE POINT OF SALE/RENTAL," MR TSAO SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ELSIE TU, MR TSAO SAID THAT ANY PERSON WHO DISPLAYS AN ADVERTISEMENT, ILLUSTRATION OR OTHER MATERIAL WHICH IS OBSCENE COMMITS AN OFFENCE UNDER SECTION 21 OF THE CONTROL OF OBSCENE AND INDECENT ARTICLES ORDINANCE (NO. 9/87).
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT ANY PERSON WHO DISPLAYS MATERIAL WHICH IS INDECENT TO PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 COMMITS AN OFFENCE UNDER SECTION 22 OF THE SAME ORDINANCE.
THESE PROVISIONS SERVE TO CONTROL THE DISPLAY OF INDECENT OR OBSCENE ADVERTISEMENTS, VIDEO BOX LABELS OR OTHER RELATED MATERIALS IN VIDEO RENTAL OUTLETS, BOOKSHOPS, NEWSPAPER STALLS AND ALL OTHER RETAIL OUTLETS TO WHICH THE PUBLIC HAS ACCESS. HE NOTED.
THE PROVISIONS OF THE CONTROL OF OBSCENE AND INDECENT ARTICLES ORDINANCE CITED SIMILARLY CONTROL THE SALE OR HIRE OF OBSCENE VIDEOS TO ALL PERSONS, AND OF INDECENT TAPES TO PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 18, MR TSAO SAID.
ON THE QUESTION OF CONSIDERING MEASURES TO STOP THE SHOWING OF PORNOGRAPHIC PICTURES IN CINEMA LOBBIES AND PORNOGRAPHIC VIDEOS IN SHOPS, MR TSAO SAID THE CONTROLS UNDER THE CONTROL OF OBSCENE AND INDECENT ARTICLES ORDINANCE ALSO OPERATED IN THE CONTEXT OF CINEMA BILL-BOARDS AND LOBBIES.
"WE RECOGNISE THAT THESE ARE OCCASIONALLY VISIBLE FROM SCHOOLS t AND YOUTH CENTRES; AND WHERE WE ARE AWARE OF ANY MATERIALS DISPLAYED IN SUCH A WAY AS MAY CAUSE OFFENCE, WE TAKE THE MATTER UP INFORMALLY WITH THE CINEMA MANAGEMENT," HE SAID.
"THIS HAS PROVED EFFECTIVE IN ALL CASES SO FAR," HE ADDED.
MR TSAO ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE SHOWING OF VIDEOS IN SALES AND RENTAL OUTLETS WAS CONTROLLED UNDER THE FILM CENSORSHIP ORDINANCE (NO. 25/88).
HE SAID A VIDEO COULD NOT BE SHOWN PUBLICLY WITHOUT EITHER A CERTIFICATE OR EXEMPTION BY THE FILM CENSOR.
THE CENSOR MUST BE INFORMED IF THE VIDEO IN QUESTION WAS TO BE SHOWN IN SUCH A WAY THAT PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 COULD SEE IT, AND HE WOULD BASE HIS DECISION ON THIS.
"IT HAS COME TO THE ADMINISTRATION’S ATTENTION THAT THERE ARE ONE OR TWO PLACES WHERE IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO MAKE TECHNICAL I ADJUSTMENTS TO THE FILM CENSORSHIP ORDINANCE TO MAKE CLEARER THE EFFECT OF A CENSOR’S CERTIFICATE ISSUED UNDER THE ORDINANCE ON A VIDEO TAPE OR LASER DISK VERSION OF THE SAME FILM," HE SAID.
/’’THIS IS..........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 1989
- 13 -
"THIS IS RATHER IN THE REALM OF ’LAWYER'S LAW'," HE SAID.
"HOWEVER, IF AN AMENDMENT IS NECESSARY A SUITABLE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL," HE ADDED.
MR TSAO SAID THE AREAS OF CONCERN WERE ALREADY CONTROLLED UNDER THE LAW WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE SEGREGATION OF VIDEO RENTAL OUTLETS INTO CHILDREN’S AND ADULTS' SECTIONS WHICH, HE BELIEVED, WOULD GIVE RISE TO INSURMOUNTABLE PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES.
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EMPLOYERS URGED TO BE MORE FLEXIBLE IN WORK ARRANGEMENTS
» t * * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS TAKING A NUMBER OF STEPS TO ENCOURAGE EMPLOYERS TO INTRODUCE MORE FLEXIBILITY IN WORK ARRANGEMENTS, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ELSIE TU ON THE CURRENT MANPOWER SHORTAGE PROBLEM, MR BRIDGE SAID THAT THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (INDUSTRY) REGULATIONS HAD BEEN AMENDED IN FEBRUARY 1988 TO ALLOW FOR MORE FLEXIBILITY ON OVERTIME WORK FOR WOMEN IN INDUSTRY.
"THE DEPARTMENT IS PROMOTING THE USE OF "FLEXI-TIME" AS AN ATTRACTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO THE RIGID "NINE TO FIVE" PATTERN.
"IT ALSO ENCOURAGES EMPLOYERS TO EMPLOY PART-TIME WORKERS AND TO INTRODUCE JOB-SHARING SCHEMES.
"THE DEPARTMENT'S LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE ADVISES EMPLOYERS TO RECRUIT PART-TIME WORKERS TO FILL FULL-TIME JOB VACANCIES WHICH HAVE BEEN LEFT VACANT FOR SOME TIME," MR BRIDGE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE HAD PLACED A TOTAL OF 2,224 JOB SEEKERS IN PART-TIME JOBS IN 1988.
MR BRIDGE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD WELL-ESTABLISHED ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF PART-TIME AND TEMPORARY STAFF.
"SOME OF THESE ARE EMPLOYED ON A JOB SHARING BASIS," HE ADDED.
"SUCH ARRANGEMENTS ARE MADE EITHER BECAUSE THE NATURE OF WORK DOES NOT WARRANT THE EMPLOYMENT OF PERMANENT STAFF ON A FULL-TIME BASIS OR AS A RESULT OF STAFF SHORTAGES.
/"EXAMPLES INCLUDE
WEDNESDAY, HAY J, 1989
14 -
"EXAMPLES INCLUDE LIFE GUARDS, LETTER SORTING WORKERS AND SUPPLY TEACHERS. OTHER CLASSES OF PART-TIME WORKERS ARE BEING CONSIDERED," HE SAID.
CONCERNING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF WOMEN ESTIMATED TO HAVE ENTERED ■THE JOB MARKET, MR BRIDGE STATED THAT ACCORDING TO A CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SURVEY CARRIED OUT IN 1987, ABOUT 13,900 WOMEN WOULD BE WILLING TO TAKE UP JOBS IF THEIR CHILDREN COULD BE TAKEN CARE OF.
"IN THE SUBVENTED SECTOR, THERE WERE SOME 480 CHILDREN ON THE WAITING LISTS KEPT BY DAY CRECHES AT THE END OF MARCH 1989.
"AND THERE WERE ABOUT 4,000 CHILDREN WAITLISTED AS SUITABLE FOR PLACEMENT AT DAY NURSERIES AT THE END OF DECEMBER 1988," HE SAID.
MR BRIDGE POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD NO INFORMATION ON WAITING LISTS FOR PRIVATE CRECHES AND DAY CARE FACILITIES.
------o--------
SHW CLARIFIES NAME OF HERBAL MEDICINE *****
A POLICE REPORT HAD ALREADY ESTABLISHED THAT THE HERB WHICH WAS CONSUMED BY TWO VICTIMS OF A CASE REFERRED, WAS TO YEE CHUT, AND NOT KWAI CHOW LUNG DAM CHO, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON CHAU TAK-HAY, TOLD THE LEGISATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A STATEMENT RECTIFYING THE ANSWER WHICH HE GAVE TO THE HON MIRIAM LAU'S QUESTION ON CHINESE TRADITIONAL HERBAL MEDICINE ON APRIL 19. MR CHAU SAID: "BASED ON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED TO ME AT THAT TIME, I STATED THAT THE HERB CONSUMED BY THE TWO VICTIMS WAS KWAI CHOW LUNG DAM CHO."
"I WAS SUBSEQUENTLY INFORMED THAT A POLICE REPORT HAD ALREADY ESTABLISHED, FOLLOWING AN ANALYSIS CONDUCTED AT THE CHINESE MEDICINAL MATERIAL RESEARCH CENTRE AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY, THAT THE HERB CONSUMED WAS TO YEE CHUT (PODOPHYLLUM EMODI) WHICH HAD BEEN IMPORTED AND SOLD AS KWAI CHOW LUNG DAM CHO ON THE BASIS OF INVOICES FROM THE SUPPLIER," HE SAID.
MR CHAU ADDED THAT HIS STATEMENT THAT THERE WAS AN OVERDOSE WAS CORRECT AND WAS SUBSTANTIATED BY THE POLICE REPORT.
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/15.......
WEDNESDAY. MAY 3, 1989
- 15 -
EXTENSION OF TAVAS TO LRT SUPPORTED *****
THE BILL WHICH SOUGHT TO EXTEND THE SCOPE OF THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE SCHEME (TAVAS) TO COVER TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS INVOLVING LIGHT RAIL VEHICLES WHICH OCCURRED ON ANY PART OF THE LIGHT RAIL TRACK HAD THE SUPPORT OF THE OMELCO STANDING PANELS ON TRANSPORT AND ON WELFARE SERVICES, THE HON MARIA TAM SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MISS TAM WAS SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN SUPPORT OF THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS (ASSISTANCE FUND) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989.
SHE NOTED THAT WITHOUT THE AMENDMENTS INTRODUCED IN THE BILL, ONLY VICTIMS SUFFERING PERSONAL INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT OCCURRING ON THE INTEGRATED SECTIONS OF THE LRT TRACK COULD CLAIM ASSISTANCE FROM THE TAVA FUND.
SHE ALSO NOTED THAT IT WAS NOT NORMALLY THE PRACTICE TO LEGISLATE WITH RETROSPECTIVE EFFECT IN THAT THE BILL PROVIDED THAT VICTIMS OF ALL LRT ACCIDENTS WHICH TOOK PLACE SINCE MARCH 1, 1988 -THE DATE AT WHICH PUBLIC TRIALS ON THE LRT SYSTEM BEGAN - WOULD ENJOY ASSISTANCE UNDER TAVAS.
"WE BELIEVE THAT SINCE THE KCRC IS PREPARED TO CONTRIBUTE TO TAVAS FROM THAT DATE, AND NO ONE WILL ACTUALLY SUFFER FROM THIS BACKDATING OF EFFECTIVE DATE, WE SHOULD SUPPORT THIS PROPOSAL AND MAKE SURE THAT MORE PEOPLE CAN BENEFIT FROM THE TAVAS," SHE SAID.
MISS TAM, WHO IS CONVENER OF THE OMELCO STANDING PANEL ON TRANSPORT SAID MEMBERS HAD CONSIDERED THAT TAVAS WAS CREATED FOR THE PURPOSE OF GIVING SPEEDY RELIEF TO A TRAFFIC VICTIM AND SO THERE WAS THE QUESTION OF WHETHER AFTER ONE WHOLE YEAR FROM MARCH 1, 1988, IT WOULD STILL BE NECESSARY TO GIVE ASSISTANCE TO ANY OF THE VICTIMS.
"WE THEN CONSIDER THAT IF A VICTIM IS IN NEED OF MONEY. WE SHOULD NOT MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR HIM TO OBTAIN HELP AND SO WE DECIDE TO BACKDATE THE EFFECTIVE DATE IN SPITE OF THE LAPSE OF TIME FROM MARCH 1. 1988, ESPECIALLY WHERE THERE IS ABOUT $93 MILLION IN THE TAVA FUND," SHE SAID.
SHE HOPED THAT A HIGH STANDARD OF SAFE AND EFFICIENT SERVICES WOULD BE MAINTAINED AND THERE WOULD BE NO OR LITTLE NEED FOR TAVAS ASSISTANCE.
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WEDNESDAY. MAY 3, 1989
16 -
TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS (AMENDMENT) BILE PASSED
*****
THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS (ASSISTANCE FUND) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE BILL WAS GIVEN A SECOND READING AND WENT THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING.
IN ADDITION, A REGULAR FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING WAS HELD AFTER THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY.
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/17........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 1989
FC APPROVES FUNDS FOR VBP ACCOMMODATION *****
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) GAVE FINANCIAL APPROVAL FOR THE PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION TO COPE WITH A CONTINUING INFLUX OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.
FUNDS TOTALLING $193.7 MILLION WERE APPROVED AS CAPITAL COSTS FOR THE PHASED CONSTRUCTION OF STAGES 3 AND 4 OF THE WHITEHEAD DETENTION CENTRE AND FOR THE CONVERSION OF LO WU CAMP INTO A TEMPORARY HOLDING CENTRE.
THE COMMITTEE ALSO APPROVED $34.3 MILLION AS SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION FOR THE OPERATION OF THE NEW ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES.
SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR, 4,633 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE HAD ARRIVED IN HONG KONG, AN INCREASE OF 89 PER CENT OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT BASED ON THE 1988 EXPERIENCE, AND CONSIDERING THE ARRIVAL RATE SO FAR THIS YEAR, THE SPARE CAPACITY NOW AVAILABLE WOULD NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO COPE WITH ARRIVALS OVER THE PEAK SUMMER MONTHS.
IT HAS THEREFORE BEEN NECESSARY TO PLAN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF FURTHER DETENTION CENTRE ACCOMMODATION.
STAGES 3 AND 4 OF THE WHITEHEAD DETENTION CENTRE CAN HOLD A TOTAL OF 10,000 PEOPLE AND WILL BE COMPLETED PROGRESSIVELY FROM SEPTEMBER TO THE END OF THE YEAR.
THE CENTRE AT LO WU CAMP CAN HOLD UP TO 1,800 PEOPLE AND BE READY IN ABOUT TWO TO THREE MONTHS’ TIME, TO BE USED IF NECESSARY IN PLACE OF ERSKINE AS A TEMPORARY HOLDING CENTRE FOR NEW ARRIVALS.
- - 0 -
PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE TO MEET TOMORROW
*****
THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) ON THE REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT ON THE RESULTS OF VALUE FOR MONEY AUDITS.
APPEARING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE TO ANSWER POINTS RAISED IN THE REPORT WILL BE THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, POSTMASTER GENERAL, AND DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
/THE PUBLIC
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 19^9
- 18 -
THE PUBLIC HEARING WILL START AT 9.30 AM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER. THE TIMETABLE IS AS FOLLOWS:
9.30 AM DIRECTOR OF CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES, PARAGRAPHS 3.1 - 3.14.
10.15 AM DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, PARAGRAPHS 4.1 - 4.11.
10.45 AM DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, AND SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, PARAGRAPHS 5.1 - 5.8.
(BREAK)
11.45 AM DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, PARAGRAPHS 2.1 - 2.10.
(LUNCH)
2.30 PM POSTMASTER GENERAL, PARAGRAPHS 7.1 - 7.8.
3.15 PM DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, PARAGRAPHS 9.1 - 9.7.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE PUBLIC HEARING ARE ADVISED TO BRING WITH THEM A COPY OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT’S REPORT.
------0-------
SMA LEAVES FOR ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK MEETING ♦ * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS. MR DAVID NENDICK. LEFT FOR PEKING THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORNING TO ATTEND THE 22ND ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK.
THE MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE FROM MAY 4 TO 6. MR NENDICK IS EXPECTED TO ADDRESS THE MEETING AT A GOVERNOR’S SESSION.
ALSO IN THE HONG KONG DELEGATION ARE MR KWONG KI-CHI, PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS. AND MR THOMAS CHOW, ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS.
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/19........
WEDNESDAY. MAY 3. 1989
- 19 -
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS FUND ALLOCATION t t t * t
THE RECREATION AND CULTURE COMMITTEE OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS TO ORGANISE RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE USAGE PATTERN OF MAJOR RECREATIONAL VENUES. THE REGIONAL COUNCIL’S ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME FOR THE DISTRICT IN MAY AND JUNE. AND A REPORT FROM THE NORTH DISTRICT ARTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S RECREATION AND CULTURE COMMITTEE TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE. JOCKEY CLUB ROAD. FANLING.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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HK ECONOMY AND LIFESTYLE TO REMAIN UNCHANGED
*****
CORPORATE AND BUSINESS LEADERS IN THE AMERICAN CITY OF READING, PENNSYLVANIA, SOME OF WHOSE COMPANIES HAVE OFFICES IN HONG KONG, HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT HONG KONG’S CAPITALIST ECONOMY AND LIFESTYLE WOULD CONTINUE AFTER 1997, GUARANTEED BY THE JOINT DECLARATION.
IN A SPEECH TO THE FORUM 11 SEMINAR ORGANISED BY READING’S WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL YESTERDAY (TUESDAY), THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN NEW YORK, MR KERRY MCGLYNN SAID THAT OTHER PROVISIONS ALSO PROMISED HONG KONG WOULD HAVE ITS OWN ELECTED LEGISLATURE, IT WOULD BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN ITS PRESENT SYSTEM OF LAW AND AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY AND IT WOULD HAVE AUTONOMY IN ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL AND MONETARY MATTERS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION WAS AN EXTREMELY DETAILED DOCUMENT STIPULATING THOSE AND OTHER ARRANGEMENTS AND EVERYONE AGREED THAT IT WAS A ’’VERY GOOD AND COMPREHENSIVE” AGREEMENT.
/HE SAID
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 1?89
- 20 -
HE SAID THE JOINT DECLARATION WAS ALREADY WORKING WELL IN A CONSTITUTIONAL SENSE IN THAT ITS PROVISIONS WERE BEING PROGRESSIVELY IMPLEMENTED IN A WAY WHICH WOULD ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION IN 1997.
IN ECONOMIC TERMS, MR MCGLYNN CONTINUED, IT HAD ALSO PROVIDED A SOUND AND RELIABLE FOUNDATION FOR HONG KONG’S ECONOMY TO CONTINUE THRIVING AS EVIDENCED BY ITS GROWING EXPORTS, INCREASING PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN PLANT AND MACHINERY, A BUOYANT PROPERTY MARKET AND ALMOST NON-EXISTENT UNEMPLOYMENT, AS WELL AS THE LONG-TERM PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROJECTS BEING DEVELOPED THERE.
HE SAID HONG KONG OCCUPIED A UNIQUE POSITION AMONG THE EXPANDING ECONOMIES OF THE PACIFIC RIM AND HAD BEEN DESCRIBED AS ’’THE MOST IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL METROPOLIS IN ASIA".
AMERICAN EXPORTERS COULD FIND MANY OPPORTUNITIES IN HONG KONG AND MANY PEOPLE ALSO SAW IT AS A LUCRATIVE MARKET FROM WHICH TO DO BUSINESS WITH CHINA AND THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION AS A WHOLE THROUGH THE END OF THIS DECADE INTO THE 1990’S AND BEYOND, HE NOTED.
MR MCGLYNN SAID LIKE ANYWHERE ELSE, HONG KONG ALSO FACED ITS SHARE OF PROBLEMS, ONE OF THE MOST SERIOUS NOW BEING THE HUGE INFLOW OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE AT A TIME WHEN RESETTLEMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER WESTERN COUNTRIES HAD DECLINED DRAMATICALLY.
"THERE ARE NO PRECEDENTS - NO SIGNPOSTS - TO GUIDE HONG KONG ALONG ITS WAY IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS. IT REALLY IS A REMARKABLE JOURNEY WHICH HONG KONG WILL BE MAKING," HE SAID.
MEANWHILE IN PHILADELPHIA, THE SECRETARY FOR GENERAL DUTIES, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, ENDED HIS TOUR OF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES WITH AN ADDRESS TO THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF THAT CITY WHICH ALSO HAS STRONG ECONOMIC TIES WITH HONG KONG.
MR WIGGHAM’S NEXT STOP IS SAN FRANCISCO ON THE WEST COAST WHERE HE CONTINUES HIS TOUR OF THE UNITED STATES.
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UNPRECEDENTED SCALE OF EXPANSION IN PORT DEVELOPMENT
******
RECOMMENDATIONS ON HONG KONG’S LONG TERM PORT DEVELOPMENT TO MEET DEMAND INTO THE NEXT CENTURY ARE LIKELY TO INDICATE EXPANSION ON AN UNPRECEDENTED SCALE, THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR DERICK HALL, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE SECOND WORLD CONTAINER CONGRESS AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, MR HALL SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD COMMISSIONED A CONSULTANT TO ADVISE ON FUTURE PORT DEVELOPMENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS WERE EXPECTED LATER THIS YEAR.
/IN THE
WEDNESDAY, MAY J, 1989
- 21
IN THE SHORTER TERM. MR HALL NOTED THAT CONTAINER TERMINAL 8 WAS BEING PLANNED FOR COMPLETION IN 1994.
HE SAID TERMINAL 6 WAS COMPLETED THIS YEAR AND TERMINAL 7 WAS EXPECTED TO BE READY BY 1991 AND THE TWO WOULD GIVE KWAI CHUNG A CAPACITY OF ABOUT FIVE MILLION TEU'S.
MR HALL SAID THAT IT WAS PARTICULARLY FITTING THAT THE WORLD CONTAINER CONGRESS SHOULD BE HELD IN HONG KONG.
"LAST YEAR FOUR MILLION TEUS WERE
AT THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINAL AND
HANDLED HERE, THREE MILLION ONE MILLION ELSEWHERE.
"THIS MAKES HONG KONG THE WORLD’S NUMBER ONE BOX PORT ALTHOUGH IT IS BY NO MEANS THE WORLD’S BIGGEST PORT IN TERMS OF TONNAGE THROUGHPUT." HE SAID.
MR HALL POINTED OUT THAT LEAGUE TABLES WERE OF LITTLE INTEREST TO HONG KONG; INDEED SOME OTHER PORTS, SUCH AS THOSE IN EUROPE AND THE USA, WERE COMPLIMENTARY TO THE TERRITORY.
"WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS THAT THE PERFORMANCE OF OUR PORT IS APPROPRIATE TO THE ECONOMIC REQUIREMENTS OF HONG KONG."
MR HALL SAID THAT THE CONTAINER INDUSTRY WAS MADE UP OF A VARIETY OF BUSINESSES SUCH AS CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION, LEASING, REPAIRS, REFRIGERATION, DANGEROUS GOODS CONTAINMENT, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND SOFTWARE, TRANSPORTING EQUIPMENT, ROAD AND RAIL SYSTEMS, INSURANCE, LIGHTER AND BARGE BUILDERS.
THE CONTAINER BUSINESS AS A WHOLE WAS ONE OF THE LARGEST AND FASTEST GROWING INDUSTRIES IN THE WORLD, HE ADDED.
TURNING TO THE LAND SIDE, MR HALL SAID THAT IT WAS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS CONTAINER SEA TRANSPORT AND BOTH NEEDED TO BE DEVELOPED IN TANDEM FOR MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THIS WAS SOMETHING WHICH WAS NOT ALWAYS EASY FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.
"THE PACE OF DEVELOPMENT IS ALSO VERY FAST -- SOME MIGHT SAY TOO FAST. THE EXPANSION OF INTERMODAL TRANSCONTINENTAL CARGOES, PARTICULARLY IN THE USA, IS PRODUCING A BEWILDERING VARIETY OF TYPES AND SIZES OF CONTAINERS."
MR HALL NOTED THE RAILWAYS HAD LARGELY LED THE WAY AND THE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPERS AND OPERATORS HAD HAD TO FOLLOW SUIT OR LOSE OUT TO COMPETITORS.
"THIS IS A SOURCE OF CONCERN TO MANY," HE ADDED.
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT TAKES UP A DISPLAY STAND AT THE CONGRESS AND EXHIBITION WHICH IS BEING HELD IN HONG KONG FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ASIA UNTIL FRIDAY (MAY 5).
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/22........
WEDNESDAY. MAY 3, 1989
22 -
PUMPING TESTS AT PROPOSED LANDFILL SITE
*****
VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES AND VILLAGERS OF TA KWU LING TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAW FOR THEMSELVES THE RESULTS OF PUMPING TESTS AT A DEEP TRIAL WELL FOR IRRIGATION PURPOSES.
THE WELL WAS DRILLED IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSAL TO MAKE AVAILABLE A LANDFILL SITE AT WONG MAU HANG SHAN, PING YEUNG IN THE NORTH DISTRICT, TO REPLACE THE EXISTING SHUEN WAN LANDFILL WHICH IS REACHING ITS CAPACITY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) SAID A DETAILED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY, WHICH WAS COMPLETED BY CONSULTANTS EARLY LAST YEAR, HAD RECOMMENDED A SERIES OF MEASURES TO MITIGATE THE POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF THE LANDFILL.
THE STUDY ALSO RECOMMENDED THE ADOPTION OF THE MOST UP-TO-DATE ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY TO ENSURE THAT A MODERN LANDFILL WOULD BE BUILT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID VILLAGERS LIVING IN THE VICINITY OF THE PROPOSED LANDFILL SITE WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE REDUCTION OF THE FLOW IN THE STREAM WHICH ORIGINATED FROM THE SITE, AS A RESULT OF THE REDUCTION IN CATCHMENT AREA AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE LANDFILL.
FARMERS USED WATER FROM THE STREAM FOR IRRIGATION AND THEY FEARED THAT THE PROBLEM OF WATER SHORTAGE. WHICH ALREADY EXISTED IN DROUGHT YEARS, MIGHT BE AGGRAVATED AFTER THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LANDFILL.
THE EPD HAD GIVEN THE VILLAGERS AN UNDERTAKING TO FIND A RELIABLE SOURCE OF WATER TO MAKE UP FOR THE LOSS, BEFORE THE LANDFILL IS COMMISSIONED IN LATE 1993 OR EARLY 1994, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE CURRENT PROPOSAL WAS TO SINK FOUR DEEP WELLS OF 40 TO 50 METRES DEEP AND IF FOUND NECESSARY, TO BUILD A STORAGE RESERVOIR.
TO ENSURE THAT THE DEEP WELL PROPOSAL WOULD WORK, THE EPD HAD DRILLED A DEEP TRIAL WELL AND CONDUCTED PUMPING TESTS IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR. THE RESULTS HAD BEEN VERY GOOD.
MORE PUMPING TESTS WERE NOW BEING CARRIED OUT TO SEE IF SATISFACTORY RESULTS COULD BE OBTAINED AFTER THE DRY SEASON.
THE EPD SPOKESMAN SAID THE TESTS COMPLETED SO FAR HAD INDICATED THAT SUFFICIENT WATER COULD BE OBTAINED FROM DEEP WELLS FOR THE REPROVISION OF IRRIGATION WATER.
/HE ADDED .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY J, 1989
- 23
HE ADDED THAT AS THE WATER WAS PUMPED FROM DEEP UNDERGROUND, THE RECENT RAINS WOULD NOT AFFECT THE RESULIS.
PERMANENT DEEP WELLS WOULD BE DRILLED FOLLOWING THE PUMPING TESTS AND FURTHER HYDROGEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS.
ANOTHER SERIES OF PUMPING TESTS WOULD BE ASSOCIATED FACILITIES SUCH AS PUMPHOUSE AND CONSTRUCTED, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
CARRIED OUT BEFORE THE WATER CHANNELS WERE
------0--------
BMCT HELPS PROMOTE EFFECTIVE BUILDING MANAGEMENT » » * » »
A MAJOR FUNCTION OF THE BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-OPERATION TEAM (BMCT) IS TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER AND EFFECTIVE BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
SHAM
THIS WAS STATED BY THE HOUSING MANAGER IN CHARGE OF THE SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE'S BMCT, MR LEUNG KAM-NIN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) A? A SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE SHAM SHU) PO PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE FOR ITS MEMBERS AND DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS.
THE SEMINAR WAS AIMED AT ENHANCING PARTICIPANTS' UNDERSTANDING OF THE ROLES PLAYED BY VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
PARTICIPANTS WERE BRIEFED BY SERVICES DEPARTMENT, POLICE, FIRE ORDINANCE OFFICE AND THE INDEPENDENT A NUMBER OF TOPICS.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE URBAN
SERVICES DEPARTMENT, BUILDING
COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION ON
THESE INCLUDED WAYS TO MAINTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE; THE POWERS OF THE POLICE IN PRIVATE BUILDINGS: THE FIRE , SERVICES ORDINANCE AND THE WORK OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT; ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN PRIVATE BUILDINGS; AND ANTI-CORRUPTION LAWS.
MR LEUNG STRESSED THAT PROPER BUILDING MANAGEMENT WOULD IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE AND BUILDING MAINTENANCE, REDUCE HAZARDS AND PREVENT CRIMES.
HELP FIRE
MR LEUNG SAID THE BMCT BUILDINGS WHICH SHOULD BE OWNERS' ORPORATIONS.
WAS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR IDENTIFYING BETTER MANAGED AND PROPOSALS TO THE
"FIFTEEN SUCH BUILDINGS IN SHAM SHUI PO HAVE BEEN YEAR AND A COMPREHENSIVE SURVEY WIL). BE CONDUCTED PROBLEM AREAS AND RECOMMEND IMPROVEMENTS.
CHOSEN THIS TO IDENTIFY,
/"THE FINDINGS
WEDNESDAY, MAY J, V&9
- 24 -
"THE FINDINGS WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE SHAM SHUI PO PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE FOR CONSIDERATION.
’’SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE COMMITTEE, WE SHALL LIAISE WITH THE OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS OR MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES OF THESE BUILDINGS TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO ACCEPT AND IMPLEMENT THE PROPOSED MEASURES FOR IMPROVEMENT,” HE SAID.
MR LEUNG EMPHASISED THAT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF MANAGING PRIVATE BUILDINGS RESTED WITH THE OWNERS THEMSELVES. THE GOVERNMENT’S ROLE WAS TO PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR OWNERS AND TENANTS TO FOLLOW.
IN THIS CONNECTION, MR LEUNG SAID AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP HAD BEEN SET UP TO EXAMINE WAYS OF RECTIFYING DEFICIENCIES IN EXISTING DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT AND A CONSULTATION PAPER ON THIS HAD BEEN PUBLISHED RECENTLY.
THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO ESTABLISHED AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT LAST YEAR TO EXAMINE EXISTING POLICY MEASURES ON MULTI-STOREY BUILDING MANAGEMENT AS WELL AS TO GIVE VIEWS AND SUGGESTIONS ON RELATED MATTERS, MR LEUNG ADDED.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS REPORT ON FLATTED FACTORIES
*****
THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT CARD WILL DISCUSS A REPORT ON THE SALE AND OCCUPANCY OF FLATTED FACTORY UNITS IN THE DISTRICT AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE DISTRICT BOARD STANDING ORDERS AND PROCEDURES FOR RECOMMENDING DISTRICT BOARD GRANTS WILL BE TABLED AT THE MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR, GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
THE MEETING WILL START AT 2.30 PM.
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/25........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 1989
- 25 -
DB TO DISCUSS INCLUSION OF OLD HOUSING BLOCKS IN COMMUNITY PROGRAMME * t t t ♦ ♦
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE NECESSITY OF EXTENDING THE NEIGHBOURHOOD LEVEL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME TO COVER THE OLD HARK III TO VI PUBLIC HOUSING BLOCKS AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS TWO TERRITORY-WIDE ISSUES -- THE PROPOSED IMPORTATION OF FOREIGN LABOUR AND THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SCHEME.
OTHER TOPICS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE REDEVELOPMENT PLAN OF SHEK LEI ESTATE AND THE CLEARANCE PLAN FOR KWAI SHING EAST ESTATE.
ALSO, MEMBERS WILL ASK ABOUT THE EFFECT OF THE KWAI FONG ESTATE REDEVELOPMENT ON A PRIMARY SCHOOL THERE; WELFARE FACILITIES IN KWAI TSING IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS; AND THE OPERATION OF BILLIARD ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
FINALLY, THE BOARD WILL MOVE A MOTION REQUESTING THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION TO ABOLISH ITS PEAK HOUR SURCHARGE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 10TH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 116 - 174 HING FONG ROAD KWAI CHUNG.
-------0---------
DB MEMBERS SEE NEW PUBLIC HOUSING DESIGN ♦ ♦ ♦ * »
A GROUP OF WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON VISITED THE MOCK-UP FLATS OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY'S NEWLY-DESIGNED "HARMONY" BLOCKS IN LOK FU.
AS A NUMBER OF HOUSING ESTATES IN WONG TAI SIN ARE UNDERGOING REDEVELOPMENT, THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT ORGANISED THE VISIT FOR MEMBERS TO UPDATE THEMSELVES ON NEW PUBLIC HOUSING BLOCKS.
LED BY THE BOARD CHAIRMAN, DR MICHAEL LEE, AND ACCOMPANIED BY DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BRIAN LAU, THE GROUP WAS BRIEFED ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BLOCKS BY THE CHIEF ARCHITECT IN CHARGE OF THE TEAM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DESIGN, MR TIM NUTT.
/they WERE
WEDNESDAY, MAY J, 1989
THEY WERE TOLD THAT THE "HARMONY" SERIES WAS THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS IMPROVING STANDARDS AND QUALITY OF HOUSING FOR FUTURE RENTAL ESTATES.
THERE ARE THREE BASIC DESIGNS, EACH IN A DIFFERENT CONFIGURATION TO SUIT DIFFERENT SITES.
THE FLATS WILL BE ONE-BEDROOM, TWO-BEDROOM AND THREE-BEDROOM UNITS AND THE SERVICE AREAS HAVE BEEN IMPROVED.
OUTSIDE THE FLATS, THE PUBLIC AREAS AND THE CORRIDOR ACCESSES HAVE ALSO BEEN IMPROVED WITH SERVICE PIPES REDUCED TO A MINIMUM.
- - 0 -
YUEN LONG DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS PAVEMENT OBSTRUCTION t * * * * *
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD'S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE WILL HOLD ITS FIRST MEETING FOR 1989-90 TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS THE PROBLEM OF GOODS PLACED IN FRONT OF SHOPS OBSTRUCTING THE PAVEMENT AND THE ACTIONS BEING TAKEN BY THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION.
THEY WILL ALSO STUDY PROGRESS REPORTS ON THE LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME AND THE MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD'S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM. 13TH FLOOR, TAI KIU GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE. YUEN LONG.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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/27
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 1989
- 27 -
PARK TO Lii BUILT LN KWUN TONG ♦ » * * *
WORKERS AND RESIDENTS IN KWUN TONG WILL HAVE ANOTHER PUBLIC PARK FOR RELAXATION AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES NEXT YEAR.
A CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOI BUN ROAD PARK AT A COST OF $10.68 MILLION, HAS JUST BEEN AWARDED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT. CONSTRUCTION WILL BEGIN THIS MONTH.
LOCATED NEAR THE JUNCTION WITH LAI YIP STREET, THE PARK WILL OCCUPY A SITE AREA OF NEARLY 7,000 SQUARE METRES.
WHEN IT IS COMPLETED IN 12 MONTHS, THE PARK WILL HAVE A MINI-SOCCER PITCH WITH REMOVABLE SPECTATOR STANDS, A CHINESE CHESS PAVILION, A TABLE TENNIS PLAY AREA, AN ELEVATED CONCRETE OBSERVATION POINT, SITTING OUT AREAS AND PUBLIC TOILETS.
THE PARK WILL BE MANAGED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL.
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MONG KOK DB TO DISCUSS DISTRICT FESTIVAL *****
THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS AT A MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) THE STAGING OF THE SECOND MONG KOK FESTIVAL FROM DECEMBER TO JANUARY.
MEMBERS WILL GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE REPORT ON ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS COMPILED BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS, MR ARTHUR GARCIA, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO EXPLAIN THE WORK OF HIS OFFICE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOWLOON.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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/28.......
WEDNESDAY. MAY 3, 1989
28 -
DHS AND DSW MEET YAN CHAI BOARD
* * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF HOSPITAL SERVICES, DR T.Y. CHAU, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) MET THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF YAN CHAI HOSPITAL DURING THE BOARD’S COURTESY VISIT TO THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
IN WELCOMING THE GROUP, DR CHAU SAID THAT THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WOULD DO ITS BEST WITHIN ITS AREA OF RESPONSIBILITIES TO ASSIST YAN CHAI HOSPITAL IN ITS EXTENSION PROGRAMME.
THE YAN CHAI HOSPITAL EXTENSION PROGRAMME, WHICH STARTED IN 1977, IS DIVIDED INTO FOUR STAGES. WHEN STAGE IV OF THE EXTENSION PROGRAMME IS COMPLETED IN AROUND 1991, THE HOSPITAL WILL PROVIDE MORE THAN 680 BEDS AND A WIDE RANGE OF MEDICAL FACILITIES AND SERVICES.
THE NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF YAN CHAI THEN WENT TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS WHERE THE GROUP WAS RECEIVED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, AND OTHER SENIOR OFFICERS.
MRS WONG COMMENDED THE HOSPITAL FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY INCLUDING CHILD CARE AND ELDERLY SERVICES. SHE ASSURED THE NEW BOARD THAT ASSISTANCE WOULD BE RENDERED IN RELATION TO WELFARE SERVICES.
YAN CHAI IS CURRENTLY OPERATING SIX DAY NURSERIES IN TUEN MUN, KWAI CHUNG AND SHEUNG SHUI, AS WELL AS ONE SOCIAL CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY AND ONE HOSTEL FOR THE ELDERLY IN TUEN MUN AND ONE CARE AND ATTENTION HOME IN KWAI CHUNG.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KWUN TONG *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM FRIDAY (MAY 5) A SECTION OF THE ELEVATED ROAD OF KWUN TONG ROAD WESTBOUND BETWEEN HOUSE NOS. 378 AND 328 WILL BE CLOSED DAILY FROM 9 PM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR 10 DAYS TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS.
VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED TO USE THE SECTION OF KWUN TONG ROAD WESTBOUND AT GROUND LEVEL.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 1989
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ON HK ISLAND * » t » t
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON HONG KONG ISLAND FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MAY 5) BECAUSE OF ROAD AND DRAINAGE WORKS.
IN TIN WAN. ALL VEHICLES OVER 5.5 TONNES GROSS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER YUE KO STREET SOUTHBOUND FOR ABOUT FIVE WEEKS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CONDUIT ROAD IN THE MID-LEVELS 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 NO. 54, WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK FOR ABOUT SIX WEEKS.
IN ADDITION, THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TSING FUNG STREET IN NORTH POINT BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH KING’S ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 60 METRES TO THE WEST WILL BECOME A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
0 - -
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WONG TAI SIN t t * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT DUE TO THE BURSTING OF WATER MAINS ON THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF SHEUNG FUNG STREET NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH MING FUNG STREET, TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS AT FUNG WONG SUN CHUEN, WONG TAI SIN HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED AND WILL LAST UNTIL SUNDAY (MAY 7).
SOUTHBOUND SHEUNG FUNG STREET BETWEEN SHUNG WAH STREET AND MING FUNG STREET IS CLOSED; WHILE THERE IS NO LEFT TURN FROM SHUNG WAH STREET ONTO SOUTHBOUND SHEUNG FUNG STREET.
KMB ROUTES 2F, 5C, 3A, 3B AND 15A; AND KOWLOON GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES 20 AND 37M ARE DIVERTED VIA PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
EXCO APPROVES REGULATION GF RETIREMENT SCHEMES .............. 1
PRIVATE SPONSORSHIP TO SUPPORT ANTI-NARCOTICS PUBLICITY DRIVES ....................................................... 3
STRATEGY TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE IN RURAL NT ............. 6
PROPER USE OF AIR-CONDITIONERS URGED ........................ 7
•OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND YOU’ EXHIBITIONS, SEMINAR........... 8
CONSULTATION ON FORMATION OF AREA COMMITTEES................. 10
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS ................. 10
SAI KUNG COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS BUS ROUTE PROGRAMME............ 11
DB CULTURE COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS........... 12
SITE VISIT BY TSUEN WAN BUILDING MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE........ 12
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH VISITS CLINICS IN KOWLOON ................ 13
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN KWUN TONG
13
THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1989
EXCO APPROVES REGULATION OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES
*****
A REVISED FRAMEWORK FOR REGULATING PRIVATE RETIREMENT SCHEMES HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
THIS FOLLOWED THE PUBLICATION OF A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT IN JUNE 1988 SETTING OUT PROPOSALS FOR A FRAMEWORK OF SELF-REGULATION BY EMPLOYERS, SCHEME MEMBERS, TRUSTEES, AUDITORS AND ACTUARIES WHICH WOULD ALLOW SCHEME BENEFICIARIES TO PROTECT THEIR OWN INTERESTS.
"THE ULTIMATE AIM IS TO ENSURE THAT THE BENEFITS CAN BE DELIVERED TO SCHEME MEMBERS UPON RETIREMENT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
MORE THAN 50 SUBMISSIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE GOVERNMENT FROM PROFESSIONAL, COMMERCIAL AND EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATIONS, DISTRICT BOARDS, ADVISORY COMMITTEES AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC DURING THE CONSULTATION PERIOD FROM JUNE TO OCTOBER 1988.
HE POINTED OUT THAT A WIDE VARIETY OF VIEWS HAD BEEN EXPRESSED BUT THE SUBMISSIONS INDICATED GENERAL SUPPORT FOR THE PRINCIPLE OF REGULATION AND FOR THE KEY PROVISIONS INCLUDING REGISTRATION OF ALL SCHEMES WITH AN AUTHORITY TO BE SET UP AS PART OF THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH, ADEQUATE FUNDING, SEPARATION OF ASSETS, DISCLOSURE AND ANNUAL AUDIT.
THE REVISED FRAMEWORK REPRESENTS NO CHANGES TO THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OUTLINED IN THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT. HOWEVER, A NUMBER OF LARGELY TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE ORIGINAL PROPOSALS IN THE LIGHT OF PUBLIC COMMENTS.
"LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS BASED ON THE REVISED FRAMEWORK ARE NOW BEING PREPARED. SUBJECT TO THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, IT IS HOPED TO INTRODUCE A BILL INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN THE LATTER HALF OF THE YEAR," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
MAJOR AMENDMENTS TO THE PROPOSALS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
* BAN ON THE APPOINTMENT OF THE EMPLOYER AS SOLE TRUSTEE -
IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT RESTRICTIONS SHOULD BE PLACED UPON THE APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEES FOR BETTER PROTECTION OF SCHEME BENEFICIARIES.
HOWEVER, THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT IN FAVOUR OF IMPOSING MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS ON THE APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEES AS THERE IS NO COMPELLING NEED TO PLACE RESTRICTIONS ON THE TYPE AND NUMBER OF TRUSTEES TO BE APPOINTED.
/Moreover, .......
THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1989
- 2 -
MOREOVER, THERE CAN BE NO GUARANTEE AGAINST FRAUDULENT BEHAVIOUR BY ANY TRUSTEE AND, IN THE EVENT OF MAJOR FRAUD, EVEN THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES OF A CORPORATE TRUSTEE MIGHT BE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE COMFORT TO THE VICTIMS. THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVES THAT THERE ARE ADEQUATE REMEDIES AGAINST ANY BREACH OF FIDUCIARY DUTIES BY A TRUSTEE IN THE COMMON LAW.
THE ONLY RESTRICTION ON THE CHOICE OF TRUSTEE IS A BAN ON THE APPOINTMENT OF THE EMPLOYER OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE AS THE SOLE TRUSTEE AND IT IS SEEN AS AN ESSENTIAL SAFEGUARD AGAINST THE POSSIBILITY OF ABUSE. WITHOUT IT, THE OTHER KEY PROVISIONS, FOR EXAMPLE SEPARATION OF ASSETS AND ADEQUATE FUNDING, WOULD PROVE INEFFECTIVE.
* RESTRICTION ON SELF-INVESTMENT -
INVESTMENT IN THE EMPLOYER'S COMPANY OR RELATED COMPANY WILL BE LIMITED TO 10 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NET ASSETS OF THE RETIREMENT SCHEME. SELF-INVESTMENT, IF UNCHECKED, COULD UNDERMINE THE PRINCIPLE OF SEPARATION OF ASSETS.
LOANS TO THE COMPANY OR RELATED COMPANY OR ANY DIRECTOR WILL BE BANNED. THIS FOLLOWS THE APPROACH IN THE UNITED STATES AND AUSTRALIA.
AS A FURTHER SAFEGUARD, ANY INVESTMENT OF MORE THAN 10 PER CENT OF THE SCHEME ASSETS IN THE SECURITIES OF A PARTICULAR COMPANY WILL NEED TO BE DISCLOSED TO SCHEME MEMBERS AS THIS WOULD REPRESENT A CONSIDERABLE CONCENTRATION OF RISK.
» CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE -
THE TITLE OF THE "MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE" OF THE RETIREMENT SCHEME WILL BE CHANGED TO "CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE" TO REFLECT MORE CLEARLY ITS ADVISORY ROLE. THE COMMITTEE WILL SERVE AS A FORUM FOR THE EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND INFORMATION BETWEEN THE TRUSTEES AND SCHEME MEMBERS.
IT IS CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE TO REQUIRE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE WITH REPRESENTATION OF BOTH EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE INTERESTS, EXCEPT WHERE THE MAJORITY OF THE SCHEME MEMBERS HAVE VOTED NOT TO SET UP SUCH A COMMITTEE.
* SIMPLIFIED ROLE OF THE REGISTRATION AUTHORITY -
INSTEAD OF THE AUTHORITY ISSUING A MODEL TRUST DEED, THE LEGISLATION WILL LAY DOWN MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR INCLUSION IN THE TRUST DEED AND CONTINUING REQUIREMENTS OF REGISTRATION.
/AS A........
THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1989
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AS A RESULT, THE EMPLOYER, IN SUBMITTING THE SCHEME FOR REGISTRATION, WILL BE REQUIRED TO CERTIFY THAT THE TRUST DEED COMPLIES WITH THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS WHILE THE TRUSTEES, IN THE ANNUAL RETURN, WILL BE REQUIRED TO CERTIFY THAT THE CONTINUING REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN MET.
TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE, THE AUDITOR OF THE SCHEME WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO CERTIFY THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE TRUSTEES IS CONSISTENT WITH THE AUDITED ACCOUNTS.
IN ESSENCE, THE BURDEN OF CHECKING COMPLIANCE WILL LIE WITH THE EMPLOYER’S PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS. THIS WILL RELIEVE THE AUTHORITY OF THE ONEROUS AND TIME-CONSUMING TASK OF EXAMINING IN DETAIL TRUST DOCUMENTS AND ANNUAL RETURNS. THIS APPROACH HAS BEEN ADOPTED SUCCESSFULLY IN AUSTRALIA.
* TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS -
INSTEAD OF REQUIRING EMPLOYERS OPERATING RETIREMENT SCHEMES TO APPLY FOR REGISTRATION WITHIN 24 MONTHS OF THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE NEW LEGISLATION AND TO FUND VESTED LIABILITIES WITHIN A FURTHER THREE YEARS FROM THAT DATE, THE REVISED FRAMEWORK WILL ALLOW EMPLOYERS FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF THE NEW LEGISLATION TO COMPLY WITH THE FUNDING REQUIREMENTS.
THE APPLICATION PERIOD FOR REGISTRATION WILL REMAIN THE SAME. THIS IS INTENDED TO ENCOURAGE EMPLOYERS TO APPLY FOR EARLY REGISTRATION AS EMPLOYERS WILL STILL HAVE A FULL FIVE YEARS IN WHICH TO MEET THE FUNDING REQUIREMENTS.
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PRIVATE SPONSORSHIP TO SUPPORT ANTI-NARCOTICS PUBLICITY DRIVES ******
PRIVATE SPONSORSHIP WILL BE SOUGHT TO AUGMENT LOCAL ANTI-NARCOTICS PUBLICITY EFFORTS FROM NEXT YEAR, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN), DR GERALD CHOA, SAID THIS WHEN HE MET THE MEDIA TODAY (THURSDAY).
HE SAID SPONSORSHIP WOULD BE INVITED ON A PROJECT-BY-PROJECT BASIS WITHOUT AFFECTING THE BUDGET OF THE GOVERNMENT-FUNDED ACAN COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS VOTE, WHICH HAD BEEN ALLOCATED *1.3 MILLION FOR 1989-90.
"THIS WILL NOT ONLY PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL MEANS OF FUNDING TO PROMOTE ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGNS BUT ALSO PROVIDE MORE PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVEMENT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST THE DRUG PROBLEM."
/DR CHOA .......
THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1989
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DR CHOA SAID TWO MAJOR PROJECTS HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED AND AGREED BY ACAN AS SUITABLE FOR PRIVATE SPONSORSHIP.
"ONE IS A GRAND CONCERT TO BE STAGED AT THE HONG KONG COLISEUM ON JULY 1, 1990.
"THE PURPOSE OF THE CONCERT WILL BE TWOFOLD: TO PUBLICISE THE MESSAGE ’ENJOY LIFE WITHOUT DRUGS’ AND TO COMMEMORATE THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF ACAN.
"TO CREATE MAXIMUM IMPACT, A SERIES OF PRE-CONCERT ACTIVITIES WILL BE ORGANISED AND THE CONCERT WILL BE TELEVISED LIVE BY HK-TVB.
"THE SECOND PROJECT IS TO PRODUCE AN ANTI-NARCOTICS VIDEO TEACHING KIT FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS.
"PREVENTIVE EDUCATION HAS FORMED AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE ANNUAL EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY PROGRAMME OF THE NARCOTICS DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, IN THAT IT ARMS STUDENTS WITH THE CORRECT CONCEPT ABOUT DRUGS AND THEIR HARMFUL EFFECTS SO THAT THEY WILL NOT FALL PREY TO DRUG PEDDLERS.
"IN ADDITION TO SENDING STAFF TO SCHOOLS TO GIVE TALKS TO STUDENTS IN FORMS 1 TO 7, THE DIVISION HAS PROVIDED ALL SECONDARY SCHOOLS WITH A REGULARLY-UPDATED DRUG EDUCATION TEACHING KIT WHICH COMPRISES SYNCHRONISED COLOUR SLIDES AND OTHER AUDIO AND VISUAL AIDS TO ASSIST TEACHERS IN CONDUCTING THEIR LESSONS ON THE SUBJECT.
"TO KEEP UP WITH IMPROVED TECHNOLOGY AND TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE EXTENSIVE USE OF VIDEO MACHINES IN SCHOOLS, A VIDEO TEACHING KIT, TOGETHER WITH NECESSARY ANCILLARIES, WILL BE PRODUCED TO REPLACE THE SLIDE SHOW."
DR CHOA SAID THE NARCOTICS DIVISION WOULD APPROACH BIG CORPORATIONS SUCH AS THOSE IN THE BANKING SECTOR FOR SPONSORING THE TWO MAJOR PROJECTS.
HE URGED THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO FULLY SUPPORT ACAN AND THE GOVERNMENT SO AS TO ATTAIN THE GOAL OF A DRUG FREE GENERATION IN HONG KONG.
TALKING ABOUT THE MAJOR PUBLICITY THEME THIS YEAR, DR CHOA SAID IT WOULD BE A CONTINUATION OF LAST YEAR’S ON WARNING YOUNGSTERS OF THE DANGERS OF ABUSING PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES, AND AROUSING PARENTAL AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT IN PREVENTING DRUG ABUSE.
"A RANGE OF ACTIVITIES IS BEING PLANNED FOR OCTOBER.
"OPPORTUNITY WILL BE TAKEN TO PUBLICISE DRUG TRAFFICKING PENALTIES WITH EMPHASIS ON THE HEROIN PROBLEM," HE SAID.
/WHILE REVIEWING .......
THURSDAY, MAY 1989
- 5 -
WHILE REVIEWING THE DRUG SITUATION IN 1988, THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR GARETH MULLOY, SAID THE YEAR SAW A CONTINUATION OF THE DOWNWARD TREND, WHICH BEGAN IN 1984, IN THE NUMBER OF PERSONS NEWLY REPORTED TO THE COMPUTERISED CENTRAL REGISTRY OF DRUG ABUSE.
’’THE NUMBER OF PERSONS OF ALL AGES NEWLY REPORTED DECREASED BY 10.9 PER CENT TO 2,139 FROM 2,400 IN 1987.
"THE NUMBER OF NEWLY REPORTED YOUNG PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 21 DROPPED BY 5.3 PER CENT, FROM 717 TO 679.
"THERE ARE ABOUT 41,000 ACTIVE DRUG ABUSERS RECORDED TN THE REGISTRY. AMONG THEM, 96 PER CENT ARE HEROIN ADDICTS AND THE REMAINING FOUR PER CENT TAKE MAINLY MANDRAX AND CANNABIS," HE SAID.
MR MULLOY STRESSED THAT ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PERSONS REPORTED ABUSING CANNABIS, FROM 20 IN 1987 TO 106 IN 1988, THE SITUATION HAD NOT REACHED AN ALARMING LEVEL.
"PUBLICITY HAS, NEVERTHELESS, BEEN STEPPED UP AGAINST CANNABIS ABUSE IN RECENT MONTHS.
"A WARNING POSTER HAS BEEN PRODUCED AND POSTED CONSPICUOUSLY AT GOVERNMENT POSTER SITES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY WHILE AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF PUBLIC INTEREST IS NEARING COMPLETION AND WILL BE SCREENED ON TELEVISION SHORTLY," HE SAID.
MR MULLOY WARNED THAT CANNABIS WAS A HALLUCINOGENIC PSYCHOTROPIC DRUG.
"EVEN OCCASIONAL USE CAN LEAD PEOPLE INTO DANGER BECAUSE IT CAN INDUCE DISTORTION OF TIME AND SPACE AND POOR JUDGEMENT AND CONCENTRATION.
"CONTINUOUS ABUSE MAY LEAD TO BRONCHITIS, CONJUNCTIVITIS AND POSSIBLE ORGANIC DAMAGE.
"MOST DANGEROUSLY IT CAN SERVE AS A GATEWAY OR INTRODUCTION TO HEROIN," HE ADDED.
THE COMMISSIONER SAID 1988 ALSO SAW SOME REMARKABLE SUCCESSES IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.
"A TOTAL OF 944 KILOGRAMS OF ILLICIT OPIATES, INCLUDING 625 KILOGRAMS OF NO. 3 HEROIN AND 252 KILOGRAMS OF NO. 4 HEROIN, WERE SEIZED DURING THE YEAR.
"THE SEIZURES OF NO. 3 AND NO. 4 HEROIN WERE THE HIGHEST SINCE 1971, AND WHEN COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING SEIZURES IN 1987 THE INCREASE WAS 75 PER CENT AND 94 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
A TOTAL OF 6,413 TABLETS OF MANDRAX WERE SEIZED IN 1988, AGAINST 58,699 IN 1987, REFLECTING THAT THE PROBLEM OF MANDRAX BAD BEEN BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL.
/FIFTY-FIVE ......
THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1989
- 6 -
FIFTY-FIVE KILOGRAMS OF CANNABIS WERE SEIZED DURING THE YEAR, COMPARED WITH 284 IN 1987, WHILE THE FIGURES UP TO APRIL THIS YEAR (337 KILOGRAMS) WERE ABOUT THE SAME OF THOSE FOR THE WHOLE OF 1987 AND 1988, MR MULLOY SAID.
’’THERE WAS, HOWEVER, A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE OF 29.3 PER CENT TO 7,547 IN THE NUMBER OF PERSONS PROSECUTED FOR MAJOR DRUG OFFENCES IN 1988 WHILE THE FIGURES FOR MINOR DRUG OFFENCES FELL BY 25.9 PER CENT TO 3,839.
’’THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS PROSECUTED FOR ALL DRUG OFFENCES SLIGHTLY INCREASED BY 2.7 PER CENT TO 11,560.
’’PROSECUTION OF PERSONS AGED UNDER 21 ALSO SHOWED A SLIGHT INCREASE OF 1.3 PER CENT TO 782,” MR MULLOY ADDED.
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STRATEGY TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE IN RURAL NT
A PACKAGE OF PROPOSALS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE RURAL NEW TERRITORIES WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR GRAHAM BARNES.
KNOWN AS THE RURAL PLANNING AND IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY (RPIS), ITS AIM IS TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH UNPLANNED DEVELOPMENT AND THE LACK OF CONTROL, WHICH HAVE GIVEN RISE TO URBAN SPRAWL,POLLUTION, FLOODING AND INCOMPATIBLE LAND USES.
THE RURAL IMPROVEMENT WORKS PROPOSED TO BE CARRIED OUT UNDER THE RPIS OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS IS ESTIMATED TO COST ABOUT $4 BILLION.
THESE INCLUDE FLOOD PROTECTION MEASURES; IMPROVED VILLAGE ACCESS AND ROAD MAINTENANCE; IMPROVED SEWERAGE, WATER SUPPLY AND WASTE COLLECTION; FORMED AND SERVICED LAND FOR THE EXPANSION OF VILLAGES; AND PROVISION OF SITES FOR COMMUNTIY FACILITIES.
ANOTHER COMPONENT OF THE STRATEGY WILL BE AN EFFICIENT STATUTORY AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK TO STRENGTHEN PLANNING AND LAND CONTROL, AND TO CO-ORDINATE RURAL IMPROVEMENT WORKS.
MR BARNES SAID THE RPIS WOULD REQUIRE A CO-OPERATIVE EFFORT AMONG THE GOVERNMENT, LAND OWNERS AND PRIVATE DEVELOPERS.
“THE GOVERNMENT WILL PROVIDE THE RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND DRAW UP PLANS FOR APPROPRIATE LAND USE WHICH WILL PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE LAND, MOST OF WHICH IS PRIVATELY OWNED.
/"A LOT
THURSDAY, MAY 4, 19^9
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"A LOT THEN DEPENDS ON PRIVATE INITIATIVE AND WHETHER THE LAND IS USED IN WAYS THAT ARE COMPATIBLE WITH THE SURROUNDING AREA," MR BARNES SAID.
OVER THE NEXT THREE MONTHS, THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE CONSULTING VARIOUS INTERESTED GROUPS FOR THEIR VIEWS ON THE RPIS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ARE WELCOME TO WRITE TO THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH, 20TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, BEFORE JULY 31.
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PROPER USE OF AIR-CONDITIONERS URGED t ♦ » t *
PROPER INSTALLATION AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE OF AIR-CONDITIONERS WILL NOT ONLY ABATE NUISANCES SUCH AS DRIBBLING AND EMISSION OF EXCESSIVE NOISE AND HEAT BUT WILL ALSO SAVE COSTS IN REPAIRS IN THE LONG RUN.
THE ADVICE COMES FROM THE HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH IN VIEW OF THE GROWING USE OF AIR-CONDITIONERS IN SUMMER.
STARTING THIS MONTH, THE UNIT HAS LAUNCHED A TERRITORY-WIDE "1989 GET YOUR AIR-CONDITIONERS READY FOR THE SUMMER EDUCATION CAMPAIGN" TO ALERT THE PUBLIC OF THE POSSIBLE SANITARY NUISANCES ARISING FROM THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OR MAINTENANCE OF AIR-CONDITIONING UNITS.
AS PART OF THE CAMPAIGN, A 24-HOUR HEALTH EDUCATION TELEPHONE HOTLINE, 3-7230013, HAS BEEN SET UP TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THE PREVENTION OF NUISANCES FROM THE VENTILATING SYSTEM.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO ENQUIRE ABOUT THE SUBJECT MAY LEAVE A MESSAGE AFTER LISTENING TO THE TAPED INFORMATION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE UNIT SAID DRIBBLING FROM AN AIR-CONDITIONER COULD BE AVOIDED IF A WATER BASIN WAS FIXED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE MACHINE TO COLLECT WATER, AND THEN DIVERTING IT TO A CONTAINER OR THE OPENING OF A DRAINAGE THROUGH A PIPE.
"TO REDUCE THE EMISSION OF NOISE, RUBBER TUBING FILLING THE SPACE BETWEEN A WINDOW TYPE AIR-CONDITIONER AND THE WINDOW FRAMES WOULD SERVE THE PURPOSE OF A CUSHION.
"SOUND-PROOF AND HEAT-PROOF MATERIALS SHOULD BE USED FOR LARGE AIR-CONDITIONING UNITS," HE CONTINUED.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1989
8
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT EXCESSIVE GREASE AND DUST ACCUMULATED IN THE EXHAUST FAN WOULD MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE SHAFT TO MOVE PROPERLY.
"FRICTION CAN BE REDUCED AND NOISE NUISANCES MINIMISED BY ALWAYS KEEPING THE EXHAUST FAN CLEAN AND BY APPLYING LUBRICATION OIL TO IT REGULARLY." HE ADDED.
HE CALLED ON THE PUBLIC TO TAKE EXTRA CARE WHEN CHOOSING AN AIR-CONDITIONER.
"BESIDES THE PRICE AND THE THERMAL UNITS, OTHER FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED ARE WHETHER THE UNIT IS OF A LESS NOISY TYPE AND WHETHER IT MAY DRIBBLE."
UNDER CHAPTER 132 OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE, IT IS AN OFFENCE TO CAUSE NUISANCES SUCH AS DRIBBLING AND EMISSION OF EXCESSIVE NOISE OR HEAT FROM AIR-CONDITIONERS, AND THE MAXIMUM PENALTY IS A FINE OF $10,000.
THE HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT HAS PRODUCED LEAFLETS OUTLINING SOME GENERAL GUIDELINES ON CHOOSING, INSTALLING AND MAINTAINING AN AIR-CONDITIONER.
THESE WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE MANAGEMENT OFFICES OF LARGE PRIVATE HOUSING ESTATES, AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS WITH AIR-CONDITIONED SHOPPING ARCADES; RESTAURANTS; HOTELS; MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES; AND OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO APPEALED TO SUPPLIERS OF AIR-CONDITIONERS SUGGESTING THEM TO ATTACH A LEAFLET TO THE BILL OR WARRANTY FOR CUSTOMERS’ INFORMATION.
THE LEAFLETS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
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'OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND YOU’ EXHIBITIONS, SEMINAR » * * » *
A SERIES OF EXHIBITIONS ON OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK WILL BE HELD IN FOUR COMMERCIAL SHOPPING CENTRES IN TSIM SHA TSUI AND TUEN MUN STARTING FROM SATURDAY (MAY 6).
THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE HARBOUR JAYCEES, AND SPONSORED BY WAH KIU YAT PO.
/"IT IS .......
THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1989
- 9
"IT IS INTENDED TO GIVE THE PUBLIC A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF VARIOUS HEALTH HAZARDS AND OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES, AS WELL AS THE PREVENTIVE MEASURES THAT CAN BE TAKEN," A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE FIRST EXHIBITION, TO BE OPENED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND, AND THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR S.H. LEE, WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE NEW WORLD PLAZA IN TSIM SHA TSUI BETWEEN SATURDAY (MAY 6) AND MONDAY.
IT WILL THEN MOVE TO THE CHINA HONG KONG CITY, TSIM SHA TSUI (FROM MAY 9 TO 14); TO THE EMPIRE CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST (FROM MAY 15 TO 21); AND TO THE TUEN MUN CITY PLAZA, TUEN MUN (FROM MAY 22 TO 28) .
"APART FROM INTRODUCING SOME COMMON OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES AND HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH INDUSTRY, SUCH AS SILICOSIS, ASBESTOS AND DANGEROUS CHEMICALS, THE EXHIBITIONS WILL ALSO COVER HAZARDS TO OFFICE WORKERS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THESE INCLUDE NOISE POLLUTION, WORK STRESS, EFFECTS OF VISUAL DISPLAY UNITS AND OTHER HAZARDS PRESENT IN AN OFFICE ENVIRONMENT."
OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENISTS AND MEDICAL STAFF FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL BE ON HAND TO ANSWER ENQUIRIES FROM THE PUBLIC.
TO COINCIDE WITH THE OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION ON SATURDAY, A SEMINAR ENTITLED "OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND YOU" WILL BE HELD AT THE LECTURE HALL OF THE HONG KONG SPACE MUSEUM BETWEEN 3 PM AND 5.30 PM. ADMISSION IS FREE.
GUEST SPEAKERS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, THE HONG KONG WORKERS HEALTH CENTRE AND THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL SPEAK ON THE EFFECTS OF VISUAL DISPLAY UNITS, OFFICE ENVIRONMENT, STRESS AND THE EFFECTS OF CHEMICALS.
IT IS HOPED THAT THE SEMINAR WILL PROVIDE A FORUM FOR PARTICIPANTS TO SHARE WITH THE SPEAKERS’ USEFUL INFORMATION AND CONSTRUCTIVE VIEWS ABOUT OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND, AND THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR S.H. LEE, AT THE NEW WORLD PLAZA, TSIM SHA TSUI, AT 2 PM ON SATURDAY (MAY 6).
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/10........
THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1989
10
CONSULTATION ON FORMATION OF AREA COMMITTEES * * * * *
TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE CONSULTED ABOUT THE FORMATION OF AREA COMMITTEES IN THE AREA AT A MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY I.
ACCORDING TO A PAPER SUBMITTED BY THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, STARTING FROM JUNE 1, FOUR AREA COMMITTEES WILL BE FORMED TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND RESIDENTS AS WELL AS TO FACILITATE MORE DIRECT INVOLVEMENT OF LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES IN COMMUNITY BUILDING.
MEMBERS’ VIEWS WILL ALSO BE SOUGHT ON TWO CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENTS. THEY ARE THE "LOCAL CRAFT SAFETY AND CONTROL" AND THE "HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH REPORT ON ANTI-SMOKING".
AT THE SAME TIME, THE REPORT OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, THE POSITION OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS AND REPORTS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND ITS RESPECTIVE COMMITTEES, WILL BE TABLED FOR MEMBERS’ INFORMATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR, GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM.
- - 0 - -
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS
*****
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON TO DISCUSS THE REPORT ON ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS.
MEMBERS WILL EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON A PACKAGE OF RECOMMENDATIONS SUBMITTED BY THE COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH REGARDING THE RESTRICTION OF USE, SALE AND ADVERTISING OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS.
THE MEETING WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PRESENT PROVISION AND LONG TERM DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES IN KWUN TONG.
/IN ADDITION
THURSDAY, MAY 1989
- 11
IN ADDITION, MEMBERS WILL CONSIDER THE WORK PLAN FOR 89/90, ACTIVITIES TO COMMEMORATE THE FESTIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY, AND PLANS FOR THE FIRST YOUTH FESTIVAL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING, BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING IN TUNG YAN STREET.
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SAI KUNG COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS BUS ROUTE PROGRAMME t t * t ♦
MEMBERS OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO DISCUSS THE SETTLED BUS ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR 1989-90 IN RESPECT OF SAI KUNG DISTRICT.
THE SENIOR TRANSPORT OFFICER/NEW TERRITORIES EAST OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, MR CHARLES LAU, WILL BRIEF MEMBERS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROVISION OF BUS SERVICES IN JUNK BAY NEW TOWN AND THE BUS ROUTES BETWEEN SAI KUNG AND SHA TIN DISTRICTS.
ANOTHER ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS THE INCONVENIENCE CAUSED BY SLOW TRAFFIC AT THE STEEP SLOPE NEAR PIK UK.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE 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 START AT 10 AM.
THURSDAY, MAY 4,
1989
- 12
DB CULTURE COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS BY LOCAL ORGANISATIONS FOR HOLDING CULTURAL ACTIVITIES FROM JULY TO SEPTEMBER.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO STUDY PROGRESS REPORTS ON ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMES, LIBRARY EXTENSION ACTIVITIES AND DISTRICT BOARD-SPONSORED CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTIRCT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE COMMITTEE TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 13TH FLOOR, TAI KIU GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG. THE MEETING WILL START AT 3 PM.
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SITE VISIT BY TSUEN WAN BUILDING MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE ♦ * t » ♦
MEMBERS OF THE TSUEN WAN INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE (IBMCC) INSPECTED THE IMPROVEMENT WORKS TO ONE OF THE TARGET BUILDINGS IN TSUEN WAN TODAY (THURSDAY).
A TOTAL OF SIX INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS IN THE DISTRICT HAVE BEEN TARGETTED FOR IMPROVEMENT BY THE TSUEN WAN IBMCC.
THE COMMITTEE WAS SET UP EARLIER THIS YEAR TO SPEED UP CO-ORDINATION OF INTER-DEPARTMENTAL ACTION AIMED AT UPGRADING THE MANAGEMENT STANDARDS AND THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT WITHIN THE TARGET BUILDINGS AS WELL AS THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF NEARBY DOMESTIC DWELLINGS.
THE ACTING TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS SANDY HO, WHO HEADS THE IBMCC, SAID THE COMMON PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED IN THESE BUILDINGS WERE CHOKAGE OF UNDERGROUND DRAINAGE, UNAUTHORISED ALTERATIONS, PUNCTURED CHIMNEYS, OBSTRUCTIONS TO FIRE ESCAPES AND LACK OF MAINTENANCE.
“WE WOULD LIKE TO STIMULATE A MORE EFFECTIVE SELF-HELP PROCESS AMONG THE OWNERS,” MISS HO SAID.
”S0 FAR, THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN MOST ENCOURAGING AS GRADUAL IMPROVEMENT CAN BE OBSERVED IN SOME OF THESE BUILDINGS," SHE SAID.
TAKING PART IN TODAY’S VISIT WERE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE.
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/13
THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1989
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH VISITS CLINICS IN KOWLOON
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR S. H. LEE, TODAY (THURSDAY) VISITED THE YUNG FUNG SHEE MEMORIAL CENTRE AND LAM TIN POLYCLINIC IN KOWLOON TO SEE THE OPERATION OF THE TWO CLINICS AND TO GET TO KNOW THE STAFF.
THE VISITS WERE THE FIRST OF A SERIES SINCE HIS APPOINTMENT AS HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT.
DURING HIS STAY, DR LEE WAS BRIEFED ON THE OPERATION OF VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS OF THE TWO INSTITUTIONS. HE ALSO HAD USEFUL EXCHANGES OF VIEWS WITH THE STAFF.
DR LEE DESCRIBED THE VISIT AS CONSTRUCTIVE, ADDING "IT NOT ONLY ENABLED ME TO EXPLAIN THE AIMS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE NEW DEPARTMENT, BUT ALSO PROVIDED ME WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET AND TALK TO THE FRONT-LINE STAFF WORKING IN THE CLINICS AND TO UNDERSTAND THEIR PROBLEMS AT FIRST-HAND."
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URBAN CLEARWAYS IN KWUN TONG *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (MAY 6), TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN KWUN TONG.
YEE ON STREET BETWEEN HONG NING ROAD AND TUNG MING STREET; AND TUNG MING STREET BETWEEN YEE ON STREET AND NGAU TAU KOK ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED AS URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
MEANWHILE, THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TUNG MING STREET SECTION BETWEEN HANG ON STREET AND YEE ON STREET; YEE ON STREET SECTION BETWEEN HONG NING ROAD AND TUNG MING STREET; AND TUNG MING STREET BETWEEN YEE ON STREET AND NGAU TAU KOK ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED AS PUBLIC LIGHT BUS URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY.
WITHIN THE PUBLIC LIGHT BUS URBAN CLEARWAYS ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES, EXCEPT THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING UP OR SETTING DOWN PASSENGERS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT STATISTICS FOR 4TH QUARTER OF 1988 .... 1
1988 SURVEY OF .THOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS ................................................ 3
SGD'S USA TOUR CONCLUDES WITH VISIT TO THE WEST COAST.... 4
PAY TREND SURVEY COMMITTEE MEETS .......................... 6
PAY TREND INDICATORS METHODOLOGY EXPLAINED................. 7
FS VISITS SECURITIES .iND FUTURES COMMISSION .............. 8
NOMINEE SHAREHOLDINGS IN TELEVISION LICENSEE COMPANIES... 10
TEXTILES RELATED APPLICATION FEES REVISED................. 11
REVIEW OF DB ELECTIONS COMPLETED ......................... 12
AC MEMBERS TO DISCUSS LOCAL ISSUES........................ 14
A SUCCESSFUL FACELIFT FOR KWUN TONG ...................... 15
COMMITMENT TO IMPROVE PREVOCATIONAL EDUCATION............. 16
GENERAL holidays for 1990................................. 17
EASTERN H/iREOUR CROSSING REGULATIONS APPROVED............ 18
THREE LOTS OFFERED FOR S..LE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ........... 18
TWO DRAFT OZP’S REFERRED BACK FOR AMENDMENTS.............. 19
STAIRCASE TO REPLACE LADDER aT T^I TAM BAY PIER........... 20
PROPOSED FLYOVER TO LINK TIN W,JN HILL ROaD AND TIN WaN
PRaYA ROAD.............................................. 21
ROADS TO BE REBUILT IN WESTERN DISTRICT................... 22
PO LEUNG KUK DIRECTORS CjiLL ON SWD ...................... 22
DISTRICT SEMINARS FOR CATERING EMPLOYEES.................. 2?
DONATION FOR WELFARE CAMPAIGN............................. 24
WATER CUT IN KOWLOON, YUEN LONG AND SaI KUNG aREkS........ 25
FRIDAY, MAY 5,
1989
CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT STATISTICS FOR
4TH QUARTER OF 1988
* * * * »
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988 AMOUNTED TO ill,848 MILLION, WHICH WAS 23.6 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988, AND 24.6 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1987, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE WORKS INCLUDED THOSE CARRIED OUT AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, AT ERECTED BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES, AND AT OTHER MINOR WORK LOCATIONS.
THE INDEX OF GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988 WAS 179.8, WITH THE QUARTERLY AVERAGE OF 1982 BEING TAKEN AS 100. THE CORRESPONDING INDEXES FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988 AND THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1987 WERE 145.5 AND 144.3 RESPECTIVELY.
WITH REGARD TO THE INCREASE OF 24.6 PER CENT IN THE VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988 OVER THE SAME QUARTER IN 1987, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT THIS WAS MOSTLY IN THE FORM OF INCREASE IN CONSTRUCTION COSTS.
AFTER DISCOUNTING THE COST INCREASES, THE REAL GROWTH IN THE VOLUME OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED WAS SUBSTANTIALLY LESS. READERS SHOULD BEAR THIS POINT IN MIND WHEN INTERPRETING THE SURVEY RESULTS.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988 WAS $8,955 MILLION. THIS WAS 22.6 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND 22.7 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1987.
APART FROM WORK PERFORMED AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS AT ERECTED BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES AND OTHER MINOR WORK LOCATIONS WAS $2,893 MILLION, WHICH WAS 26.8 PER CENT AND 30.7 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1987 RESPECTIVELY.
OF THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, $2,881 MILLION WAS RELATED TO CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR (INCLUDING THE GOVERNMENT, MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION).
THIS REPRESENTED INCREASES OF 16.0 PER CENT AND 22.4 PER CENT OVER THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1987 RESPECTIVELY.
AS FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR, THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES WAS $6,073 MILLION, WHICH WAS 25.9 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND 22.8 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1987.
/WHEN ANALYSED
FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1989
- 2
WHEN ANALYSED BY END-USE OF BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES, THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES IN RESPECT OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS (WHICH INCLUDE COMBINED RESIDENTIAL AND NON-RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS) AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988 WAS $4,172 MILLION AND $1,392 MILLION RESPECTIVELY.
THESE REPRESENTED INCREASES OF 22.3 PER CENT AND 25.5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER THE PRECEDING QUARTER, AND INCREASES OF 26.2 PER CENT AND 24.3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1987.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES IN RESPECT OF TRANSPORT PROJECTS WAS $1,104 MILLION IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 27.5 PER CENT OVER THE PRECEDING QUARTER BUT A DECREASE OF 4.8 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1987.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES IN RESPECT OF INDUSTRIAL AND STORAGE BUILDINGS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988 WAS $784 MILLION, WHICH WAS 12.6 PER CENT AND 19.5 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1987 RESPECTIVELY.
DUE TO WIDESPREAD SUB-CONTRACTING PRACTICE IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, A CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENT CAN BE A MAIN CONTRACTOR FOR ONE CONTRACT AND A SUB-CONTRACTOR FOR ANOTHER CONTRACT SIMULTANEOUSLY.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS REFERS TO THE OUTPUT OF THOSE CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE PROJECTS IN WHICH THEY TAKE THE ROLE OF A MAIN CONTRACTOR. AND DOES NOT INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT OF PROJECTS WHERE THEY PLAY THE ROLE OF SUB-CONTRACTORS.
HOWEVER, SUB-CONTRACTORS' CONTRIBUTION TO PROJECTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY THE MAIN CONTRACTORS FOR WHOM THEY WORKED.
MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT IS GIVEN IN THE ’’REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT, 4TH QUARTER 1988”, WHICH IS AVAILABLE ON SALE AT $2.50 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, OR AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, WANCHAI TOWER I, 19/F, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI. REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION MAY ALSO BE ARRANGED.
ENQUIRIES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT TELEPHONE NUMBER 5-8234860.
FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1989
- 3 -
1988 SURVEY OF WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS *****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE SURVEY OF WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS FOR 1988 HAS JUST COMMENCED.
THE SURVEY IS CONDUCTED ANNUALLY AND REPRESENTS PART OF A CONTINUOUS PROGRAMME IN THE DEPARTMENT TO COLLECT ECONOMIC STATISTICS ON THE STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE OF THE "WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS" SECTORS IN HONG KONG.
THE AIMS OF THE SURVEY ARE TO OBTAIN UP-TO-DATE DATA FOR EVALUATING THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE "WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS" SECTORS TO HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, AND FOR ASCERTAINING THEIR COST STRUCTURE, OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS AND SALES LEVELS.
RESULTS OF THE SURVEY ARE USEFUL TO BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN FORMULATING POLICIES AND MAKING DECISIONS.
ABOUT 8,100 ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE ENUMERATED IN THE PRESENT
ROUND OF THE SURVEY, COVERING THE SECTORS OF WHOLESALE; RETAIL; IMPORT AND EXPORT; RESTAURANTS; HOTELS AND BOARDING HOUSES.
INFORMATION SOUGHT IN THE SURVEY INCLUDES: TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, FLOOR AREA, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES (I.E. WAGES, SALARIES AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFITS), OPERATING EXPENSES, PURCHASES, STOCKS, SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS, AS WELL AS CAPITAL EXPENDITURE.
THE SURVEY IS BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS (ANNUAL SURVEY OF WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS) ORDER 1984, WHICH WAS MADE UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 316) AND ISSUED AS LEGAL NOTICE NO. 16 IN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ON JANUARY 13, 1984.
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES ARE BEING SENT BY REGISTERED MAIL TO THE ESTABLISHMENTS SAMPLED FOR THE SURVEY. THESE ESTABLISHMENTS ARE LEGALLY REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THE QUESTIONNAIRES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT BY JULY 31, 1989.
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 HAS 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
FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1989
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 WHOLESALE/RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT TELEPHONE NUMBER 5-8235087.
- - 0---------
SGD’S USA TOUR CONCLUDES WITH VISIT TO THE WEST COAST *****
THE SECRETARY FOR GENERAL DUTIES, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, IS CONCLUDING HIS TOUR OF THE UNITED STATES WITH A VISIT TO CALIFORNIA.
ARRIVING IN SAN FRANCISCO ON WEDNESDAY (MAY 3) MR WIGGHAM BEGAN HIS VISIT WITH AN ADDRESS TO A GROUP OF SENIOR EXECUTIVES REPRESENTING INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS BANK OF AMERICA, BECHTEL, STANDFORD RESEARCH INSTITUTE; ACADEMICS FROM HOOVER INSTITUTE, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT BERKELEY AND DOMINICAN COLLEGE; AND LEADING INTERNATIONAL LAWYERS AND MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES.
YESTERDAY (THURSDAY), HE SPOKE BEFORE ANOTHER SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA AUDIENCE AT A LUNCH MEETING OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA ATTENDED BY MORE THAN 100 SENIOR BUSINESSMEN AND EXECUTIVES.
MR WIGGHAM SAID THAT THE TIMING FOR HIS VISIT WAS PARTICULARLY APPROPRIATE AS THE TWO BAY AREA MAYORS, MAYOR ART AGNOS OF SAN FRANCISCO AND MAYOR TOM MCENERY OF SAN JOSE WERE CURRENTLY LEADING A MISSION OF 80 BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENT DELEGATES TO HONG KONG AND OTHER ASIAN CITIES.
THE VISITS IN EACH DIRECTION WERE DRAWING ATTENTION TO THE INTERNATIONALISM OF THE TWO CITIES, MR WIGGHAM SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS HONG KONG’S INTERNATIONALISM THAT WOULD ALSO BE OF GREAT BENEFIT TO CHINA IN THE FUTURE.
/"I BELIEVE .......
FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1989
- 5 -
"I BELIEVE THAT CHINA REALISES THAT AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF ITS COMMITMENT TO MODERNISING, HONG KONG PLAYS AN IMPORTANT AND EVEN UNIQUE ROLE AND THAT ROLE CAN CONTINUE TO BE OF BENEFIT TO CHINA ONLY IF HONG KONG RETAINS ITS CAPITALIST SYSTEM AND ITS ATTRACTION AS AN INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR INVESTMENT," HE SAID.
QUESTIONED ON THE SUBJECT OF CHINA’S COMMITMENT TO THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION, MR WIGGHAM POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE MANY REASONS SUPPORTING CHINA’S COMMITMENT TO A SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME OF THE AGREEMENT AND AMONG THESE WERE ITS OWN SELF INTEREST AND MODERNISATION PROGRAMME.
"THE SIGNING OF THE JOINT DECLARATION CAME ABOUT AT APPROXIMATELY THE SAME TIME AS CHINA WAS COMMITTING ITSELF TO A POLICY OF MODERNISATION AND OPENING UP TO THE WORLD," HE SAID.
MR WIGGHAM SAID THAT CHINA HAD ALWAYS FOUND HONG KONG USEFUL, BUT PERHAPS NEVER MORE SO THAN NOW.
"CURRENTLY, ABOUT 60 PER CENT OF ALL EXTERNAL INVESTMENT IN CHINA COMES FROM OR THROUGH HONG KONG. CHINA ALSO OF COURSE OBTAINS THROUGH HONG KONG ALL THE KNOW-HOW WHICH HONG KONG CAN PROVIDE AS A WINDOW TO THE WESTERN WORLD," HE NOTED.
"HONG KONG AND CHINA ARE EACH OTHER’S LARGEST TRADING PARTNER. CHINA IS THE SECOND LARGEST MARKET FOR OUR DOMESTIC EXPORTS. MUCH OF HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL PROCESSING IS NOW BEING SUB-CONTRACTED TO CHINA," HE SAID.
FURTHERMORE, MR WIGGHAM ADDED, IT HAD BEEN ESTIMATED THAT IN GUANGDONG PROVINCE ALONE, THERE WERE SOME TWO MILLION PEOPLE EMPLOYED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BY HONG KONG BUSINESSMEN, A FIGURE MORE THAN DOUBLE THE SIZE OF HONG KONG'S OWN MANUFACTURING WORK FORCE.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE, MR WIGGHAM SAID IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO IGNORE THE TREMENDOUS INCENTIVES OFFERED BY SUCH ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS TO THE PARTIES CONCERNED TO ENSURE THE FULL AND FAITHFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION.
MR WIGGHAM HAD ALSO GIVEN SEVERAL MEDIA INTERVIEWS AND BACKGROUND BRIEFINGS DURING HIS STAY IN SAN FRANCISCO.
HE CONCLUDES HIS WEST COAST VISIT WITH A BREAKFAST MEETING TODAY (FRIDAY) BEFORE LEAVING FOR HONG KONG.
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FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1989
6
PAY TREND SURVEY COMMITTEE MEETS *****
THE PAY TREND SURVEY COMMITTEE MET TODAY (FRIDAY) TO CONSIDER THE FINDINGS OF THE 1988-89 PAY TREND SURVEY.
THE MEETING WAS CHAIRED BY MR ANDREW K.W. SO OF THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.
THE SURVEY, WHICH WAS CARRIED OUT BY THE PAY SURVEY AND RESEARCH UNIT, MEASURED PAY TRENDS IN A SELECTED GROUP OF 53 COMPANIES DURING THE YEAR FEBRUARY 1, 1988 TO JANUARY 31, 1989.
BUT UNLIKE PREVIOUS YEARS1 SURVEYS, WHICH TOOK INTO ACCOUNT INCREASES RELATING TO COST OF LIVING, COMPANY PERFORMANCE, AND GENERAL CHANGES IN MARKET RATES ONLY, THE 1988-89 PAY TREND SURVEY TOOK INTO ACCOUNT THE AFOREMENTIONED FACTORS AS WELL AS INSCALE INCREMENT AND MERIT.
THE COMMITTEE ACCEPTED THE FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY WHICH INDICATED THAT THE FOLLOWING AVERAGE PAY INCREASES WERE AWARDED BY THE SURVEYED COMPANIES:
16.04 PER CENT FOR EMPLOYEES EARNING LESS THAN PER MONTH; $5,700
16.07 PER CENT FOR EMPLOYEES EARNING BETWEEN AND $17,999 PER MONTH; AND $5,700
14.60 PER CENT FOR EMPLOYEES EARNING BETWEEN AND $35,890 PER MONTH. $18,000
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE EMPHASISED THAT THESE FIGURES ARE ONLY THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY OF PAY TREND IN THE PRIVATE COMPANIES.
PAY ADJUSTMENT IN THE CIVIL SERVICE, IF ANY, IS A SEPARATE MATTER AND WILL BE DECIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN DUE COURSE IN CONSULTATION WITH THE THREE STAFF CONSULTATIVE COUNCILS.
THE COMMITTEE CONSISTS OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, STANDING COMMITTEE ON DISCIPLINED SERVICES SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, THE ADMINISTRATION, THE POLICE FORCE COUNCIL, AND THE STAFF SIDES OF THE SENIOR CIVIL SERVICE COUNCIL AND THE MODEL SCALE 1 STAFF CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL.
-------0 - -
FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1989
7
PAY TREND INDICATORS METHODOLOGY EXPLAINED
*****
FOLLOWING THE RELEASE OF THE 1988-89 PAY TREND INDICATORS BY THE PAY TREND SURVEY COMMITTEE, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (FRIDAY) EXPLAINED THE NEW BASIS TO BE USED THIS YEAR FOR CONSIDERING THE 1989 CIVIL SERVICE PAY ADJUSTMENT.
"THE COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY INTO THE 1988 CIVIL SERVICE PAY ADJUSTMENT AND RELATED MATTERS HAD EARLIER RECOMMENDED THAT, BEGINNING FROM THIS YEAR, THE PAY TREND SURVEY SHOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT MERIT PAYMENTS AND INSCALE INCREMENTS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN ADDITION TO INCREASES RELATED TO THE COST OF LIVING, COMPANY PERFORMANCE AND GENERAL CHANGES IN MARKET RATES.
"THIS RECOMMENDATION HAS BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL," HE SAID.
USING THIS SYSTEM, THIS YEAR'S PAY TREND SURVEY INDICATED THAT THE FOLLOWING AVERAGE PAY INCREASES HAD BEEN AWARDED BY THE SURVEYED COMPANIES:
16.04 PER CENT FOR EMPLOYEES EARNING LESS THAN $5,700 PER MONTH;
16.07 PER CENT FOR EMPLOYEES EARNING BETWEEN $5,700 AND $17,999 PER MONTH; AND
14.60 PER CENT FOR EMPLOYEES EARNING BETWEEN $18,000 AND $35,890 PER MONTH.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY HAD ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT THE VALUE OF NORMAL INCREMENTS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE SHOULD BE DEDUCTED, BUT AT A DISCOUNTED RATE, FROM THE PAY TREND INDICATORS ARRIVED AT UNDER THE NEW SURVEY SYSTEM.
"THE COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY FELT THAT THIS DISCOUNTED RATE SHOULD BE ACHIEVED BY TAKING THE VALUE OF CIVIL SERVICE INCREMENTS AT THEIR PAYROLL COSTS, THAT IS THEIR COST TO GOVERNMENT IN THE SURVEY YEAR, BROKEN DOWN INTO DIFFERENT PAY BANDS, RATHER THAN THEIR AVERAGE PERCENTAGE VALUE.
"THESE RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE ALSO BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL," HE SAID.
THE VALUE OF CIVIL SERVICE INCREMENTS AT THEIR PAYROLL COST THIS SURVEY YEAR IS AS FOLLOWS:
1.38 PER CENT FOR THE LOWER BAND (CIVll, SERVANTS EARNING LESS THAN $5,700 PER MONTH)
1.26 PER CENT FOR THE MIDDLE BAND (CIVIL SERVANTS EARNING BETWEEN $5,700 AND $17,999 PER MONTH)
1.17 PER CENT FOR THE UPPER BAND (CIVIL SERVANTS EARNING BETWEEN $18,000 AND $35,890 PER MONTH).
/AFTER THE .......
FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1989
8 -
AFTER THE PAY TREND INDICATORS ARE DISCOUNTED BY THE PAYROLL COST OF CIVIL SERVICE INCREMENTS, THE FOLLOWING RESULTANT INDICATORS SHOULD BE USED IN CONSIDERING THE 1989 CIVIL SERVICE PAY ADJUSTMENT:
14.66 PER CENT FOR THE LOWER BAND
14.81 PER CENT FOR THE MIDDLE BAND
13.43 PER CENT FOR THE UPPER BAND.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THE RESULTANT INDICATOR FOR THE LOWER BAND, AT 14.66 PER CENT, WAS BELOW THAT FOR THE MIDDLE BAND, AT 14.81 PER CENT.
"IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER RECOMMENDATION MADE BY THE COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY, WHICH THE GOVERNMENT HAS ACCEPTED, THE RESULTANT INDICATOR FOR THE LOWER BAND WILL BE BROUGHT UP TO THE SAME LEVEL AS THE MIDDLE BAND, I.E. 14.81 PER CENT, FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSIDERING THE 1989 CIVIL SERVICE PAY ADJUSTMENT, UNLESS THERE ARE OVERRIDING REASONS FOR NOT DOING SO," HE SAID.
-----0------
FS VISITS SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION
*****
A VERY GOOD START HAS BEEN MADE FOLLOWING THE SETTING UP OF THE NEW SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC), THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING FOR THE FIRST TIME THE PREMISES OF THE NEW SFC, MR JACOBS SAID HE WAS ANXIOUS TO VISIT IT SHORTLY AFTER THE NEW COMMISSION CAME INTO OPERATION.
WHEN ASKED WHAT HIS IMPRESSION WAS OF THE NEW COMMISSION COMPARED WITH THE OLD SECURITIES COMMISSION, MR JACOBS SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD PUT A LOT OF WORK INTO SETTING UP THIS NEW BODY AND WHAT HAD BEEN DONE WAS VERY IMPRESSIVE.
"BUT I THINK IT IS WORTH REMEMBERING THAT WHAT THE OLD COMMISSION ALSO ACHIEVED WAS VERY IMPRESSIVE.
"MY MEMORY GOES BACK A LONG WAY TO THE TIMES WHEN WE DID NOT HAVE ANY COMMISSION AT ALL AND THE OLD COMMISSION AND THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE ACTUALLY ACHIEVED A GREAT DEAL.
"THIS NEW COMMISSION IS THE NEXT STEP FORWARD," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS SAID HE WAS DELIGHTED TO SEE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NEW COMMISSION, MR ROBERT OWEN, AND HIS TEAM SO WELL SET IN.
/HE SAID
FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1989
- 9 -
HE SAID HE HAD MET AND EXCHANGED VIEWS WITH THE COMMISSION'S DIRECTORS AND A NUMBER OF STAFF.
"WE’VE DISCUSSED VERY BRIEFLY SOME OF THE PROBLEMS THAT LIE AHEAD OF US AND OBVIOUSLY A GREAT DEAL STILL REMAINS TO BE DONE. THAT IS WHY WE SET UP THIS NEW COMMISSION," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE MATTERS THAT WERE DISCUSSED INCLUDED SOME OF THE NEW LEGISLATION THAT WERE NEEDED TO BE INTRODUCED -- THE INSIDER DEALING LEGISLATION -- AND SOME OF THE WORK THAT STILL NEEDED TO BE DONE IN RELATION TO THE FUTURES EXCHANGE.
ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WOULD INTRODUCE INTO THE INSIDER DEALING LEGISLATION A REFERENCE TO TRADING IN FUTURES CONTRACTS, MR JACOBS SAID THAT ASPECT WAS STILL BEING EXAMINED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT HE WAS HOPING TO GET A BILL ON INSIDER DEALING INTRODUCED THIS SESSION.
"WHETHER I SHALL GET IT ENACTED DEPENDS UPON THE TIMING. WHETHER OR NOT WE WILL DEAL WITH FUTURES TRADING IN THE BILL IS STILL SOMETHING WE ARE CONSIDERING.
"IN ANY EVENT, I SHALL, AS I PROMISED, MAKE A STATEMENT ON THAT PARTICULAR ASPECT EITHER WHEN I INTRODUCE THE BILL OR CERTAINLY BEFORE THE END OF THE SESSION," HE SAID.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION ABOUT THE APPOINTMENT OF THE NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF THE SFC, MR JACOBS SAID ALTHOUGH A FEW MORE DIRECTORS WERE APPOINTED THAN WAS ACTUALLY RECOMMENDED, IN GENERAL TERMS WHAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD DONE WAS IN LINE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE.
ASKED WHETHER THERE WOULD BE PROBLEMS POSED BY THE APPOINTMENT OF TWO HONGKONG BANK MEMBERS ON THE SFC BOARD, MR JACOBS SAID THE TWO NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS IN QUESTION WERE BOTH APPOINTED IN THEIR PERSONAL CAPACITY.
"THERE ARE QUITE A NUMBER OF OTHER DIRECTORS ON THE BOARD AND IF QUESTIONS OF CONFLICT DO ARISE FROM TIME TO TIME AS THEY ARE BOUND TO, AS IT HAPPENS IN EVERY ORGANISATION IN HONG KONG, THERE WILL BE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.
"I JUST DON’T SEE ANY REASON FOR ANY PROBLEMS AT ALL," HE SAID.
-------0---------
/10........
FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1989
10
NOMINEE SHAREHOLDINGS IN TELEVISION LICENSEE COMPANIES
******
AN ORDER WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE SHORTLY WHICH WILL HAVE THE EFFECT OF DEFERRING THE IMPLEMENTATION DATE OF SECTION 17B OF THE TELEVISION (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1988.
SECTION 17B PROHIBITS MOST NOMINEES FROM HOLDING AN INTEREST IN THE VOTING SHARES OF A TELEVISION LICENSEE COMPANY, AND WAS SCHEDULED TO COME INTO OPERATION ON MAY 21.
EXPLAINING THE REASON FOR THE DEFERMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, MR PETER TSAO, SAID: "ALTHOUGH THE TWO TELEVISION LICENSEE COMPANIES WERE CONSULTED PRIOR TO THE PROMULGATION OF THE TELEVISION (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1988, THE ADMINISTRATION EARLIER THIS YEAR RECEIVED REPRESENTATIONS FROM THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS AND TVB LTD. SEEKING TO EXTEND THE CATEGORY OF NOMINEES ALLOWED TO HOLD SHARES IN A TELEVISION LICENSEE COMPANY IN ORDER TO ACCOMMODATE CURRENT MARKET PRACTICES ADOPTED BY BANKS, DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES AND STOCKBROKERS."
THESE PRACTICES INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF CUSTODIAL SERVICES BY BANKS, DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, INSURANCE COMPANIES AND STOCKBROKERS AS NOMINEES FOR SHAREHOLDERS WHO DO NOT WISH TO MANAGE THE SHARES THEMSELVES AND THE ACCEPTANCE OF SHARES BY SUCH INSTITUTIONS AS SECURITY AGAINST LOANS.
THIS ALSO COVERS SUBSIDIARIES OF BANKS, DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, INSURERS OR STOCKBROKERS WHICH IN MOST CIRCUMSTANCES HOLD THE SHARES ON BEHALF OF THOSE INSTITUTIONS.
"THE GOVERNMENT’S PRIMARY CONCERN IN RESTRICTING NOMINEE SHAREHOLDING IS TO PREVENT PERSONS WHO WISH TO CONTROL A TELEVISION LICENSEE FROM HIDING THEIR IDENTITIES BEHIND NOMINEES," MR TSAO SAID.
OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS MET REPRESENTATIVES OF BANKS, DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, AND STOCKBROKERS AND HAS CONSULTED INSURERS WITH THE AIM OF ACCOMMODATING MARKET PRACTICES WHILE UPHOLDING THE GOVERNMENT’S PRINCIPLE THAT SHAREHOLDERS OF TELEVISION LICENSEES SHOULD BE KNOWN TO THE ADMINISTRATION.
"WE HAVE NOW WORKED OUT AN APPROPRIATE FRAMEWORK TO ENSURE THAT THE IDENTITY AND THE RESIDENTIAL STATUS OF BENEFICIAL OWNERS ARE KNOWN.
"IT IS THE ADMINISTRATION’S INTENTION TO SUBMIT A DRAFT BILL TO AMEND THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE TO THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS.
"SECTION 17B WILL BE BROUGHT INTO FORCE UPON THE PROMULGATION OF THE AMENDMENTS," MR TSAO SAID.
/HOWEVER, .......
FRIDAY, MAY 5. 1989
11
HOWEVER, AS GAZETTED IN NOVEMBER 1988, SECTION 17C OF THE ORDINANCE WILL COME INTO EFFECT AS SCHEDULED ON MAY 21, 1989.
THIS SECTION BRINGS INTO OPERATION THE "49 PER CENT RULE” UNDER WHICH AN AGGREGATE OF NO MORE THAN 49 PER CENT OF THE VOTING SHARES OF A TELEVISION LICENSEE COMPANY MAY BE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF PERSONS OR COMPANIES WHICH DO NOT SATISFY CERTAIN HONG KONG RESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS.
THE TELEVISION LICENSEES, THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION AND THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG HAVE BEEN INFORMED TODAY (FRIDAY) OF THE ADMINISTRATION’S INTENTIONS.
-------0----------
TEXTILES RELATED APPLICATION FEES REVISED * ♦ » » *
THE FEES CHARGED UNDER THE TEXTILES EXPORT CONTROL SYSTEM WILL BE REVISED WITH EFFECT FROM JUNE 1 THIS YEAR, UNDER THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (FEES) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1989 GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE INCREASE WAS NECESSARY TO RECOVER THE COST.
"IT IS GOVERNMENT’S POLICY THAT FEES AND CHARGES SHOULD RECOVER THE FULL COST OF OPERATING THE TEXTILES EXPORT CONTROL SYSTEM.
"THE PRESENT SCALE OF FEES WAS INTRODUCED IN 1984 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS POLICY," HE SAID.
A COSTING EXERCISE RECENTLY CONDUCTED BY THE TRADE DEPARTMENT INDICATED THAT THE SERVICE HAD OPERATED AT A LOSS OF $13 MILLION IN 1987-88 AND THE LOSS IN 1988-89 WAS EXPECTED TO BE $3 MILLION.
"IF THE FEES ARE NOT RAISED NOW, THE LOSSES ARE EXPECTED TO BE $13 MILLION AND $23 MILLION FOR 1989-90 AND 1990-91 RESPECTIVELY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ALSO SAID THAT THE NEW FEES GENERALLY REFLECTED THE INCREASED COSTS.
ON THE THREE-FOLD INCREASE FROM $30 TO $100 FOR INTER-REGIONAL TRANSFER, HE EXPLAINED THAT THE FEE FOR INTER-REGIONAL TRANSFER WAS AT PRESENT NOT REFLECTED AS A SEPARATE ITEM IN THE SCHEDULE OF THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (FEES) REGULATIONS, AND IT WAS BEING CHARGED AS A DOCUMENT ISSUED OTHER THAN THOSE SPECIFIED IN THE SCHEDULE AT $30.
THE NEW FEE FOR INTER-REGIONAL TRANSFER WOULD BE THE SAME AS FOR SWING AND TRANSFER, BECAUSE THEY ALL PROVIDED SIMILAR FLEXIBILITY TO THE TRADE.
/BETWEEN 198J .......
FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1989
12
BETWEEN 1983-84 AND 1987-88, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF TEXTILES APPLICATIONS PROCESSED HAS INCREASED BY 71 PER CENT WHEREAS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF STAFF OF THE TRADE AND CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED IN ADMINISTRATION OF THE TEXTILES EXPORT CONTROL SYSTEM HAS INCREASED ONLY BY 11 PER CENT.
"THIS REPRESENTS A SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT IN PRODUCTIVITY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD HAS BEEN CONSULTED ON THE
REVISION AND HAS EXPRESSED ITS SUPPORT, THE FOLLOWING NEW SCALE OF " HE ADDED. FEES FOR TEXTILES RELATED
APPLICATIONS WILL APPLY FROM JUNE 1, 1989: TYPE OF APPLICATIONS FEES CURRENT ($) NON-RESTRAINED EXPORT LICENCES 20 RESTRAINED EXPORT LICENCES 60 IMPORT LICENCES 20 TEXTILES CONTROLS REGISTRATION 1,000 (ANNUAL FEE) SWING 100 TRANSFER 100 INTER-REGIONAL TRANSFER 30 FREE QUOTA EXPORT AUTHORISATION 200 SURVEILLANCE EXPORT AUTHORISATION 100 NEW ($) 25 65 25 1,000 100 100 100 200 100
-------0----------
REVIEW OF DB ELECTIONS COMPLETED t * ♦ ♦ ♦
FOR
OF HONG
THE GOVERNMENT HAS COMPLETED A REVIEW OF THE ARRANGEMENIS THE 1988 DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS AND HAS COME UP WITH A NUMBER RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
MR LAN WAS SPEAKING AT THE SECOND IN A ORGANISED FOR AREA COMMITTEE MEMBERS ON THE ROLE IN DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION.
SERIES OF SEMINARS OF AREA COMMITTEES
/HE NOTED .......
FRIDAY, MAY 5. 1989
- 13 -
HE NOTED THAT ONE OF THE MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS WAS TO IMPROVE THE ACCURACY OF THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL (GER).
"THIS CAN BE ACHIEVED BY STEPPING UP PUBLICITY TO REMIND VOTERS OF THE NEED TO REPORT CHANGES OF ADDRESS AND BY UPDATING THE GER BY MATCHING IT WITH HOUSING DEPARTMENT RECORDS TO IDENTIFY ELECTORS AFFECTED BY INTER-ESTATE MOVEMENTS, CLEARANCES OR REDEVELOPMENT," HE SAID.
ADDITIONALLY, A SYSTEM OF CHECKING COULD BE DEVISED TO ENSURE THE ACCURACY OF THE IDENTITY CARD NUMBERS SUPPLIED BY REGISTERED ELECTORS.
TO ENCOURAGE VOTERS TO TURN OUT AT THE POLLS, THE LOCATION AND LAYOUT OF EACH POLLING STATION WOULD BE STUDIED IN DETAIL TO SEE WHAT IMPROVEMENTS COULD BE MADE.
"SPECIAL ATTENTION WILL BE GIVEN TO THE ACCESSIBILITY OF POLLING STATIONS, TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS NEAR POLLING STATIONS AND WAYS TO PREVENT THE DISPLAY OF ELECTION POSTERS WITHIN POLLING STATIONS," MR LAN SAID.
BUFFER ZONES PROVED VERY EFFECTIVE IN CONTROLLING ELECTIONEERING ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE POLLING STATIONS. IN SOME CASES, THE BOUNDARY OF BUFFER ZONES WOULD NEED TO BE RE-DRAWN FOR MORE EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT, MR LAN NOTED.
FURTHERMORE, IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT TRAINING FOR POLLING STAFF SHOULD BE STRENGTHENED. THIS WOULD INCLUDE DETAILED BRIEFINGS FOR POLLING STAFF TO ENSURE THAT THEY WERE CONVERSANT WITH THE BASIC RULES GOVERNING THE RUNNING OF AN ELECTION AND THE RELATED PROCEDURAL MATTERS.
MR LAN SAID BECAUSE OF THEIR CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH LOCAL RESIDENTS, AREA COMMITTEES WERE OFTEN PLAYING AN ACTIVE ROLE IN DISTRICT-BASED ELECTIONS.
"I THEREFORE WELCOME YOUR VIEWS ON HOW THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS SHOULD BE CONDUCTED," MR LAN TOLD PARTICIPANTS OF THE SEMINAR.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY NOTED THAT AREA COMMITTEES WERE GENERALLY CONSIDERED TO BE EFFECTIVE IN PROMOTING A COMMUNITY SPIRIT AS WELL AS PROVIDING AN INVALUABLE TWO-WAY CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL RESIDENTS.
AREA COMMITTEES AND DISTRICT BOARDS MAINTAINED THEIR LINKS MAINLY THROUGH CROSS-MEMBERSHIP.
"ELECTED DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS ARE APPOINTED TO SERVE ON THE AREA COMMITTEES OF THEIR RESPECTIVE CONSTITUENCIES AND THEY HAVE HELPED REFER AREA PROBLEMS TO THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND THEIR COMMITTEES WHERE NECESSARY," MR LAN SAID.
/THE REVIEW
FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1989
14
THE REVIEW OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME CARRIED OUT IN 1987 HAD REAFFIRMED THE VALUE OF AREA COMMITTEES.
SINCE 1988-89 DISTRICT OFFICES HAVE PROVIDED AREA COMMITTEES WITH EXTRA FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO ENABLE THEM TO TAKE A MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN THE ORGANISATION OF COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE A FOCAL POINT FOR DISCUSSION ON AREA BASED MATTERS.
TODAY’S SEMINAR WAS ORGANISED FOR MEMBERS OF THE EIGHT AREA COMMITTEES IN KOWLOON CITY. IT WAS THE SECOND IN A SERIES OF "A STEP CLOSER TO AREA COMMITTEE" SEMINARS AIMED AT ENABLING AN EXCHANGE OF VIEWS BETWEEN THE AREA COMMITTEES AND THE REGIONAL SECRETARY.
-----0-----
AC MEMBERS TO DISCUSS LOCAL ISSUES
*****
A MEETING OF NEWLY-APPOINTED MEMBERS OF THE EIGHT AREA COMMITTEES OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT WILL BEGIN AT 6 PM TODAY (FRIDAY) AT THE MARTHA BOSS COMMUNITY CENTRE, 89 CHUNG HAU STREET, HO MAN TIN.
AT THE MEETING, THE MEMBERS WILL BE DISCUSSING TOPICS ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT, TRAFFIC PROBLEMS, BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND SECURITY MATTERS WITHIN THE DISTRICT.
THEY WILL ALSO BE INVITED TO GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ISSUE AND THE REMOVAL OF THE AIRPORT.
THE REGIONAL SECRETRY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, AND THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALEX FONG, WILL OFFICIATE AT A BRIEF CEREMONY AND WILL TAKE PART IN THE DISCUSSIONS.
THE GATHERING IS ORGANISED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING AT THE MARTHA BOSS COMMUNITY CENTRE, 89 CHUNG HAU STREET, HO MAN TIN. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 6 PM.
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/15.......
FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1989
- 15 -
A SUCCESSFUL FACELIFT FOR KWUN TONG t » * * t
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE (IBMCC) HAS ACCOMPLISHED THE TARGET OF IMPROVING 12 INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS ONE YEAR AFTER ITS ESTABLISHMENT, THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRIS WAN, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.
ADDRESSING A MEETING OF THE KWUN TONG ROTARY CLUB, MR WAN SAID THE COMMITTEE WAS ESTABLISHED IN MAY 1988 UNDER THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE TO PROVIDE HELP, ADVICE AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO THOSE OWNERS EAGER TO IMPROVE THE MANAGEMENT OF THEIR PREMISES.
THE COMMITTEE, CHAIRED BY MR WAN, COMPRISES REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE, THE POLICE, AND THE FIRE SERVICES, URBAN SERVICES, CIVIL ENGINEERING, LABOUR AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENTS.
THE EXECUTIVE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE IS CARRIED OUT BY AN INDUSTRIAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM SECONDED TO THE DISTRICT OFFICE FROM THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
MR WAN SAID THE COMMITTEE STARTED ITS WORK BY CONDUCTING AN INITIAL SURVEY ON 33 INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS IN THE DISTRICT. THEY WERE SELECTED FROM 300-ODD INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS WHICH WERE THE SUBJECT OF RELATIVELY MORE COMPLAINTS ABOUT BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
"FOLLOWING THE SURVEY, THOSE BUILDINGS WHERE THE OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS HAD THE RESOLUTION, CAPABILITY AND SINCERITY FOR BETTER BUILDING MANAGEMENT WERE THEN IDENTIFIED FOR IMPROVEMENT IN BATCHES," HE ADDED.
MR WAN NOTED THAT A YEAR OF HARD WORK BY THE COMMITTEE HAD BROUGHT ABOUT A FACELIFT TO THE FIRST BATCH OF 12 BUILDINGS.
ITS ACHIEVEMENTS INCLUDED RECTIFICATION OF CHOKED DRAINS AND UNAUTHORISED DRAINAGE CONNECTIONS; REPAIRS OF SPALLING ON CANOPY SLABS AND STAIRCASES; REMOVAL OF OBSTRUCTIONS IN REAR LANES AND FIRE ESCAPES; RECTIFICATION OF WATER DRIPPING FROM COOLING TOWERS AND AIR CONDITIONERS; REPAIRS OF BROKEN DRAIN PIPES, WINDOWS, SMOKE DOORS AND CABLES, AS WELL AS IMPROVEMENTS TO LIGHTING AND VENTILATION SYSTEM.
MR WAN POINTED OUT THAT THE COMMITTEE BASED ITS WORK ON THREE MAJOR PRINCIPLES.
"FIRSTLY," HE EXPLAINED, "THE COMMITTEE BELIEVES THAT PROPER BUILDING MANAGEMENT IS A RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PROPERTY OWNERS.
"SECONDLY, THE COMMITTEE IS TO PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE LEGISLATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK TO ENABLE ALL PROPERTY OWNERS TO MANAGE THEIR BUILDINGS, AND WHEN NECESSARY, TO CO-ORDINATE INTER-DEPARTMENTAL EFFORTS, SUCH AS PERSUASION AND WARNING OR EVEN TAKING ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST UNCO-OPERATIVE OWNERS.
/"THIRDLY, ........
FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1989.
16
"THIRDLY, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THAT EACH BUILDING MAY HAVE ITS UNIQUE PROBLEMS, THE COMMITTEE, WHEN HANDLING THESE BUILDINGS, WILL CONSIDER INDIVIDUAL CASES AND MAY NOT NECESSARILY TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTIONS TO RECTIFY' IRREGULARITIES."
MR WAN ADDED THAT THE COMMITTEE WOULD EXERCISE DISCRETION WHEN MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS TO RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ON ACTIONS AGAINST UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS, AND THAT PRIORITY WOULD BE GIVEN TO THOSE WHICH WERE CAUSING IMMINENT DANGER TO LIFE AND LIMB.
"WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF THE PAST YEAR, THE COMMITTEE IS NOW EMBARKING ON ANOTHER PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE THE SECOND BATCH OF TARGET BUILDINGS," HE SAID.
"IT IS ENCOURAGING TO SEE THAT OWNERS CORPORATIONS OF THOSE TARGET BUILDINGS ARE BECOMING MORE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND HAVE RECTIFIED MANY IRREGULARITIES AND IMPROVED THE STANDARD OF MANAGEMENT, ESPECIALLY THOSE RELATING TO SANITATION, MAINTENANCE AND FIRE PREVENTION," MR WAN CONCLUDED.
-------o ---------
COMMITMENT TO IMPROVE PREVOCATIONAL EDUCATION * * * * *
PREVOCATIONAL EDUCATION WOULD UNDERGO CONSIDERABLE CHANGES IN THE COMING YEARS WITH GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO IMPROVE THIS SECTOR OF EDUCATION QUANTITATIVELY AND QUALITATIVELY, THE SENIOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (DEVELOPMENT), MR ROBERT LO, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF CARITAS CHAN CHUN HA PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL AND CARITAS SOCIAL CENTRE IN FANLING, MR LO SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ADOPTED THE RECOMMENDATIONS PUT FORWARD BY THE EDUCATION COMMISSION IN ITS REPORT NOS. 1 AND 2 TO REVISE THE CLASS STRUCTURE, STAFF ESTABLISHMENT AND THE RATIO OF GRADUATE TO NON-GRADUATE TEACHERS OF PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS.
THE REVISION WOULD INCLUDE THE EXPANSION OF FORM 4 CLASSES, THE PROVISION OF FORM 6 CURRICULA AND THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF GRADUATE TEACHERS, SAID MR LO.
AS A RESULT OF THESE CHANGES, MR LO SAID, STUDENTS OF PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS WOULD STAND A BETTER CHANCE TO FURTHER THEIR STUDIES IN TERRITORY INSTITUTIONS, TO BE PROFESSIONALLY TRAINED IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE NECESSARY PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS OR TO BE ADEQUATELY EQUIPPED FOR THEIR PROFESSION.
MR LO ENVISAGED THAT PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS WOULD BECOME INCREASINGLY COMPETITIVE, ATTRACTIVE, AND POPULAR AMONG STUDENTS AND PARENTS. THEIR IMPORTANCE WOULD BE MORE WIDELY ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE SOCIETY.
/THE CARITAS .......
FRIDAY, MAY 5, 19^9
- 17 -
THE CARITAS CHAN CHUN HA PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL, BEING THE FIRST PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL IN NORTH DISTRICT AND THE NINTH OPERATED BY CARITAS PROVIDING STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT AN ADDITIONAL CHOICE OF SCHOOLS, HELPING TO ALLEVIATE THE NEED FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES IN THE DISTRICT, AND TRAINING LOCAL TALENTS FOR OUR INDUSTRIALLY-DIVERSIFIED AND COMMERCIAL COMMUNITY, MR LO SAID.
ALSO ATTENDING THE CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION, SIR QUO-WEI LEE, PRAISED CARITAS HONG KONG FOUNDED 36 YEARS AGO IN 1953, FOR ITS DEVOTION AND DEDICATION TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.
HE SAID THE RANGE AND QUALITY OF ITS SERVICES HAD BEEN IMPROVED TO COPE WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG AND THE CHANGING NEEDS OF OUR SOCIETY.
SIR QUO-WEI SAID THE NEW CARITAS PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL WOULD ENSURE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF TRAINED MANPOWER TO SUSTAIN THE GROWTH AND COMPETITIVENESS OF HONG KONG’S COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY.
------0-------
GENERAL HOLIDAYS FOR 1990 ♦ ♦ » ♦ *
THE FOLLOWING LIST OF GENERAL HOLIDAYS FOR 1990 WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY)
EVERY SUNDAY
THE FIRST WEEK-DAY IN JANUARY MONDAY JANUARY 1
THE DAY PRECEDING LUNAR NEW YEAR’S DAY FRIDAY JANUARY 26
LUNAR NEW YEAR’S DAY SATURDAY JANUARY 27
THE THIRD DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR MONDAY JANUARY 29
CHING MING FESTIVAL THURSDAY APRIL 5
GOOD FRIDAY FRIDAY APRIL 13
THE DAY FOLLOWING GOOD FRIDAY SATURDAY APRIL 14
EASTER MONDAY MONDAY APRIL 16
TUEN NG FESTIVAL MONDAY MAY 28
THE BIRTHDAY OF HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN SATURDAY JUNE 16
THE MONDAY FOLLOWING THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY MONDAY JUNE 18
/THE SATURDAY .......
FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1989
18 -
THE SATURDAY PRECEDING THE LAST MONDAY SATURDAY AUGUST 25
IN AUGUST LIBERATION DAY, BEING THE LAST MONDAY MONDAY AUGUST 27
IN AUGUST THE DAY FOLLOWING THE CHINESE MID-AUTUMN THURSDAY OCTOBER 4
FESTIVAL CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL FRIDAY OCTOBER 26
CHIRSTMAS DAY TUESDAY DECEMBER 25
THE FIRST WEEK-DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS DAY WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 26
0-
EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING REGULATIONS APPROVED
*****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING ROAD TUNNEL REGULATIONS 1989, WHICH HAVE BEEN GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE REGULATIONS MADE UNDER THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING ORDINANCE, SET OUT THE DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE NEW HONG KONG TUNNEL COMPANY IN THE PROVISION OF ADEQUATE FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT FOR THE EFFICIENT AND SAFE PASSAGE OF MOTOR VEHICLES THROUGH THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING (EHC) AREA.
THE COMPANY WAS GRANTED A FRANCHISE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF EHC, A ROAD TUNNEL ACROSS THE EASTERN SIDE OF THE HARBOUR LINKING CHA KWO LING AND QUARRY BAY.
-----0------
THREE LOTS OFFERED FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION
*****
THE FIRST AUCTION OF GOVERNMENT LANDS FOR THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR WILL BE HELD ON MAY 29 WHEN THREE LOTS WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE BY THE BULIDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
THE LOTS INCLUDE TWO FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADE.
ONE OF THEM IS LOCATED AT THE JUNCTION OF KA YIP STREET AND WING TAI ROAD. CHAI WAN, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,412 SQUARE METRES.
/ACCORDING TO
FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1989
- 19 -
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE DEVELOPER IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 17,366 SQUARE METRES BEFORE JUNE 30, 1993.
THE OTHER LOT FOR THE SAME PURPOSE IS LOCATED IN AREA 4B, SHEUNG SHUI.
IT COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 5,911 SQUARE METRES AND THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 17,733 SQUARE METRES BEFORE JUNE 30, 1992.
THE THIRD LOT, WHICH IS FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES, IS LOCATED IN AREA 41A, SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
IT COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 960 SQUARE METRES AND THE DEVELOPER IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 230 SQUARE METRES BEFORE JUNE 30, 1992.
FULL PARTICLARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND SALE PLANS CAN BE 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 ENTRANCE, HONG KONG; AND
* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
IN ADDITION, CONDITIONS OF SALE ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE AUCTION WILL BE HELD IN THE THEATRE OF THE CITY HALL, HONG KONG, STARTING AT 2.30 PM.
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TWO DRAFT OZP’S REFERRED BACK FOR AMENDMENTS
*****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS REFERRED TWO DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLANS BACK TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION AND AMENDMENTS.
THEY ARE THE OUTLINE ZONING PLANS FOR MONG KOK AND CHEUNG SHA WAN.
/A SPOKESMAN .......
FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1989
- 20 -
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID THAT BOTH PLANS ARE STILL SUBJECT TO REVISIONS AND ARE, THEREFORE, NOT READY FOR APPROVAL AT THE PRESENT STAGE.
POSSIBLE FUTURE AMENDMENTS INCLUDE THE LAND USE PROPOSALS FOR THE FORMER SHAM SHUI PO ARMY CAMP, AND INCORPORATION OF PART OF THE PROPOSED WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION INTO THE TWO PLANS.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT SHOULD THE PLANS BE AMENDED IN FUTURE, THE AMENDMENTS WOULD BE EXHIBITED FOR PUBLIC OBJECTIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE.
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STAIRCASE TO REPLACE LADDER AT TAI TAM BAY PIER
*****
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO GRANT PERMISSION FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF A LADDER WITH A STAIRCASE AT THE EXISTING PIER AT TAI TAM BAY, TAI TAM, HONG KONG.
THE WORK, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN AUGUST THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED BY JANUARY 1990, WILL AFFECT AN AREA OF APPROXIMATELY 1.2 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEA-BED.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE NOTICE, TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN, CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.
THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
* SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG;
* ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG;
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG SOUTH, 20TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WANCHAI, HONG KONG;
* SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, SHOP 25, G/F., MEI FUNG COURT,
7-11 NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN, HONG KONG; AND
* STANLEY SUB-OFFICE, SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, 88 STANLEY VILLAGE ROAD, STANLEY, HONG KONG.
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 JULY 4, 1989.
W...
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FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1989
21
PROPOSED FLYOVER TO LINK TIN WAN HILL ROAD AND TIN WAN PRAYA ROAD
* * t * ♦
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO BUILD A FLYOVER WITH FOOTWAY ACROSS ABERDEEN PRAYA ROAD LINKING TIN WAN HILL ROAD AND TIN WAN PRAYA ROAD.
IT ALSO PROPOSES TO WIDEN AND RECONSTRUCT A SECTION OF ABERDEEN PRAYA ROAD BETWEEN SHEK PAI WAN ROAD AND ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD FROM DUAL TWO-LANE TO DUAL THREE-LANE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID THAT THE PROPOSED WORKS WOULD CATER FOR THE FUTURE INCREASE IN TRAFFIC VOLUME GENERATED BY THE INFLUX OF OCCUPANTS OF WAH KWAI ESTATE IN KELLETT BAY WHICH IS EXPECTED TO START IN LATE 1990.
A NEW FOOTBRIDGE SYSTEM WILL BE BUILT NEAR TIN WAN STREET TO REPLACE THE EXISTING ONE OPPOSITE TO THE ABERDEEN FISHERIES AND MARINE OFFICE.
AN OPEN AIR LORRIES/COACHES CARPARK ADJACENT TO THE ABERDEEN WHOLESALE FISHERIES MARKET AND THE PUBLIC CARPARK NEAR YUE KO STREET WILL ALSO BE RECONSTRUCTED.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A PLAN AND SCHEME SHOWING 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;
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG SOUTH, 20TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, HONG KONG; AND
* SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, SHOP 25, GROUND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO OBJECT TO THE PROPOSED WORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN JULY 4 THIS YEAR.
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/22
FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1989
22
ROADS TO BE REBUILT IN WESTERN DISTRICT ♦ « t t »
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT WILL CARRY OUT ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS IN THE NORTH-SOUTH CONNECTION BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST AND THE POK FU LAM ROAD/BONHAM ROAD JUNCTION.
THE ROADS TO BE RECONSTRUCTED UNDER THE WESTERN DISTRICT TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME ARE THIRD STREET BETWEEN BONHAM ROAD AND WATER STREET, SECOND STREET BETWEEN POK FU LAM ROAD AND WATER STREET, POK FU LAM ROAD BETWEEN QUEEN’S ROAD WEST AND SECOND STREET, AND THE JUNCTIONS OF QUEEN’S ROAD WEST WITH WESTERN STREET AND WATER STREET.
THE PROJECT WILL ALSO INCLUDE ASSOCIATED WORKS ON DRAINAGE, TRAFFIC AIDS, RETAINING WALL AND CAISSONS.
CONSTRUCTION WILL START IN JULY THIS YEAR AND WILL TAKE ABOUT NINE MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE PROJECT HAS BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.
A NOTICE FOR INVITATION TO TENDER FOR THE WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
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PO LEUNG KUK DIRECTORS CALL ON SWD *****
MEMBERS OF THE NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PO LEUNG KUK TODAY (FRIDAY) PAID A COURTESY CALL TO THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR STEPHEN LAW, TO DISCUSS WELFARE SERVICES PLANNED BY THE KUK IN THE COMING YEAR.
THE KUK’S CHAIRMAN, MR LUK HING-TOO SAID THESE PROJECTS INCLUDE A SMALL GROUP HOME IN TAI PO, THREE NURSERIES IN TAI KOK TSUI, POK FU LAM AND HUNG HOM AS WELL AS A NUMBER OF WELFARE FACILITIES FOR THE ELDERLY AND MENTALLY DISABLED.
THE KUK WOULD ALSO PROCEED WITH THE EXTENSION SCHEME OF ITS HEADQUARTERS AT WELFARE BUILDING IN LEIGHTON ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY.
MR LAW COMMENDED THE KUK FOR ITS INCREASING EFFORTS IN PROVIDING QUALITY SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY AND ASSURED BOARD MEMBERS THAT THE DEPARTMENT WOULD WORK CLOSELY WITH THEM TO IMPLEMENT THESE SERVICES.
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/23.......
FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1989
23
DISTRICT SEMINARS FOR CATERING EMPLOYEES
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD A SERIES OF SIX DISTRICT SEMINARS IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS ON THE MANPOWER SITUATION IN THE CATERING INDUSTRY.
THE SEMINARS ARE PART OF THE DEPARTMENT'S ONGOING EFFORTS TO PROMOTE LABOUR RELATIONS AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL.
DESIGNED MAINLY FOR PERSONNEL OF THE CATERING TRADE, THE SEMINARS WILL BE HELD IN KWAI CHUNG, WONG TAI SIN, TAI PO, TSIM SHA TSUI, CAUSEWAY BAY AND TUEN MUN STARTING FROM MONDAY (MAY 8).
THEY ARE INTENDED TO IMPROVE THE OVERALL LABOUR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS IN THE INDUSTRY WITH A VIEW TO RESOLVING ITS CURRENT STAFF SHORTAGE PROBLEM, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IT IS ALSO HOPED THAT PERSONNEL FROM EATING ESTABLISHMENTS CAN MAKE USE OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER AND EXCHANGE VIEWS ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE TRADE,” HE ADDED.
GUEST SPEAKERS FROM EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATIONS AND TRADE UNIONS OF THE INDUSTRY AND THE LABOUR RELATIONS DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL SPEAK ON STAFF LOSSES, MODERN MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, AND DIFFICULTIES AND PROSPECTS OF THE TRADE.
"THERE WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSIONS ON THE RECENTLY PUBLISHED CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE CATERING INDUSTRY WHICH HELPS EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES IMPROVE COMPLIANCE WITH THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND LABOUR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AS THERE ARE ONLY LIMITED PLACES FOR EACH SEMINAR, APPLICATION FOR ENROLMENT WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS.
APPLICATIONS AND ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE AT THE LABOUR RELATIONS DIVISION, 12TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, OR AT THE RESPECTIVE LABOUR RELATIONS BRANCH OFFICES.
SCHEDULES OF THE DISTRICT SEMINARS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
DISTRICT DATE/TIME ENQUIRIES
KWAI CHUNG/TSUEN WAN MAY 8 (2.45 PM) 0-4873897
KOWLOON EAST MAY 10 (2.45 PM) 3-241680
SHA TIN/TAI PO/NORTH MAY 11 (2.45 PM) 3-241680
KOWLOON WEST MAY 17 (3 PM) 3-7719444
HONG KONG ISLAND MAY 18 (3 PM) 5-282524
TUEN MUN/YUEN LONG MAY 19 (2.45 PM) 0-4873897
- - 0 -
/24........
FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1989
24 -
DONATION FOR WELFARE CAMPAIGN *****
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) RECEIVED A DONATION OF $150,000 FROM THE HONG KONG SHUMEI CHURCH OF DIVINE GUIDANCE AS A CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS A MAJOR REHABILITATION CAMPAIGN TO BE HELD LATER THIS YEAR.
THE "IN-TOUCH WITH REHABILITATION" CAMPAIGN IS A MAJOR PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAMME PARTICIPATED BY THE SWD AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND WELFARE AGENCIES.
IT COMPRISES A PROJECT CONTEST FOR YOUTH TEAMS IN THEIR STUDY OF A SOCIAL ISSUE OR A TOPIC OF INTEREST IN REHABILITATION; REHABILITATION SERVICES EXHIBITION; EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DISABLED EXHIBITION; AND DESIGN AWARD COMPETITIONS.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, SEMINARS AND TALKS WILL ALSO BE ORGANISED AT DISTRICT LEVEL.
BESIDES THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, OTHER PARTICIPANTS IN THE PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN INCLUDE THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH, INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE, AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND WELFARE AGENCIES.
RECEIVING THE CHEQUE FROM MR SO KAM-MING, REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HONG KONG SHUMEI CHURCH OF DIVINE GUIDANCE, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR KWOK KA-CHI, PAID TRIBUTE TO THE ORGANISATION FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION AND EMPHASISED THE NEED FOR COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND INVOLVEMENT IN WELFARE SERVICES.
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FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1989
- 25 -
WATER CUT IN KOWLOON, YUEN LONG AND SAI KUNG AREAS
*****
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SOUTHEAST KOWLOON WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM TO MIDNIGHT ON SUNDAY (MAY 7) TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY HUNG HOM, TO KWA WAN, KOWLOON CITY, KOWLOON TONG, SAN PO KONG AND WONG TAI SIN.
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN YUEN LONG WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 PM ON TUESDAY (MAY 9) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE WATER MAIN CONNECTION.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY HA TSUEN, SHEK KONG TSUEN, SHEK KONG WAI, LO UK TSUEN, SAN WAI, TSEUNG KONG WAI, TUNG TAU TSUEN, FUNG KONG TSUEN, SHA KONG WAI, SAN HING TSUEN, LAU FAU SHAN, HANG HAU TSUEN, FUK LO TSUEN, NGAU HOM, HANG MEI TSUEN, NGAU HOM SHEK, PAT LAI, SHA KIU TSUEN, SAI SHAN TSUEN, KAU LEE UK TSUEN AND SAN UK TSUEN.
MEANWHILE, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (MAY 10) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE NIGHT LEAKAGE TEST.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY TAI PO ROAD, UN CHAU STREET, FUK WING STREET, FUK WAH STREET, CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, PEI HO STREET, NAM CHEONG STREET AND KWEILIN STREET.
ON THE OTHER HAND, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SAI KUNG WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY (MAY 11) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TEST.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY FUK MAN ROAD, WAI MAN ROAD, CHAN MAN STREET AND SAI KUNG HOI PONG STREET.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, MAY 6, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
INDISCRDIINATE ANTI-DUMPING MEASURES ENDANGER FULFILMENT OP GLOBAL ECONOMIC INTEGRATION ................................. 1
ACTING S FOR S TOURS FERRIES FOR VBP ........................... J
MARINE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL BROADENS HORIZONS ................ 4
BUS ROUTE DEVELOPMENT ON DE COMMITTEE AGENDA ................... 6
ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA .................. 6
SPEED LIMIT ON TOLO HIGHWAY aND TAI PO ROAD .................... 7
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL................................. 7
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN KOWLOON CITY ............................ 7
. TEMPORARY TRAFFIC . JUUNGEMENTS IN THE PEAK iJID WaN CHAI .... 8
TRAFFIC ARRi'JiGENENT AT PRINCESS MARGaRET ROAD AND PERTH STREET ......................................................... 8
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF T.il NING STREET .......................... 9
TEMPORARY RO.tD CLOSURES IN KWUN TONG .......................... 9
SATURDAY, MAY 6, 1989
1 INDISCRIMINATE ANTI-DUMPING MEASURES ENDANGER FULFILMENT OF GLOBAL ECONOMIC INTEGRATION * * » » ♦
THE INDISCRIMINATE USE OF ANTI-DUMPING LEGISLATION TO FRUSTRATE TRADE IS A TYPICAL EXAMPLE OF HOW PROTECTIONIST MEASURES ARE THREATENING TO FRUSTRATE A MORE EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF GLOBAL RESOURCES, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
HE SAID SUCH LEGISLATION AND SIMILAR MEASURES BEING TAKEN IN A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES WOULD THUS ENDANGER THE FULFILMENT OF GLOBAL ECONOMIC INTEGRATION.
SPEAKING AT THE 22ND ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB) IN PEKING, MR NENDICK SAID NATIONAL ANTI-DUMPING LEGISLATION IN SOME COUNTRIES "HAS GONE FURTHER THAN THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT) AND IN SO DOING HAS EQUIPPED THE INEFFICIENT WITH A MEANS OF TRADE HARASSMENT THROUGH LITIGATION".
FOR INSTANCE, HE SAID, IMPORTS FROM HONG KONG HAD SOMETIMES BEEN UNFAIRLY LUMPED TOGETHER WITH IMPORTS FROM OTHER MUCH MORE SIGNIFICANT SUPPLIERS AND ACCUSATIONS THEN MADE THAT THEY REPRESENTED A THREAT, NOTWITHSTANDING THE FACT THAT HONG KONG’S MARKET SHARE IN THOSE PRODUCTS WAS SMALL OR EVEN DECLINING WHEN COMPARED WITH THOSE OTHER SUPPLIERS.
"IN ECONOMIC TERMS, IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE HOW A HONG KONG COMPANY COULD DUMP, GIVEN THAT WE HAVE ONE OF THE FREEST AND MOST OPEN ECONOMIES IN THE WORLD AND HAVE NEITHER IMPORT TARIFFS NOR QUOTAS," HE SAID.
VOUCHING FULL SUPPORT FOR A RECOMMENDATION BY THE ADB'S EXTERNAL PANEL THAT THE BANK SHOULD MAKE A FUNDAMENTAL COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, MR NENDICK NEVERTHELESS SAW IT AS IMPORTANT THAT THIS COMMITMENT WAS NOT SOLELY CONFINED TO THE PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT, AS SUGGESTED IN THE REPORT.
"RATHER, IT SHOULD ALSO RELATE TO THE MACRO-ECONOMIC POLICIES OF THE DEVELOPING MEMBER COUNTRIES (DMC’S) AS THESE ARE OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE IN DETERMINING WHETHER THEIR DEVELOPMENT IS SUSTAINABLE.
"IN MY VIEW, THE IMPORTANCE OF GIVING MARKET FORCES THE NECESSARY FREEDOM TO OPERATE CANNOT BE OVER-EMPHASISED.
"FURTHERMORE, MULTILATERAL POLICY DIALOGUE AMONG DMC’S IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT AND, IN THIS RESPECT, THE BANK COULD PERHAPS ACT AS A CATALYST BY WIDENING ITS EXISTING BILATERAL POLICY DIALOGUES WITH DMC’S INTO A MULTILATERAL CO-OPERATIVE EFFORT, INVOLVING AS NECESSARY RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS THE INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT AND THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND," HE SAID.
/HE NOTED........
SATURDAY, MAY 6, 1989
- 2 -
HE NOTED THAT THE OJECTIVES OF SUCH POLICY DIALOGUES WOULD BE TO FOSTER THE EXCHANGE OF EXPERIENCE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND, WHERE APPROPRIATE, TO ENHANCE THE CO-ORDINATION OF MARCO-ECONOMIC ADJUSTMENT PROGRAMMES AND EFFORTS.
"SUCH DIALOGUES COULD THEN SERVE AS THE BASIS FOR THE BANK'S PROJECT AND PROGRAMME LENDING POLICIES TO INDIVIDUAL DMC’S," HE POINTED OUT.
TURNING TO HONG KONG'S ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE, MR NENDICK SAID HONG KONG WAS WELL AWARE OF THE FACT THAT THE HONG KONG ECONOMY, BEING HIGHLY EXTERNALLY ORIENTED, WAS SUSCEPTIBLE TO FLUCTUATIONS IN THE WORLD ECONOMY AND TO CHANGES IN DEMAND FOR ITS PRODUCTS IN ITS MAIN OVERSEAS MARKETS.
"TO PROVIDE STABILITY WITHIN A VOLATILE WORLD FOR THE CONDUCT OF BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT, THE GOVERNMENT REMAINS FIRMLY COMMITTED TO MAINTAIN THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM, AT THE PRESENT RATE OF US$1 TO HK$7.80.
"THE LINK HAS, SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN OCTOBER 1983, PROVIDED EXCHANGE RATE STABILITY TO HONG KONG AND ENGEDERED A STABLE AND PREDICTABLE FINANCIAL ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH BUSINESS CAN CONTINUE TO BE CONDUCTED WITH CONFIDENCE.
"WE DERIVE NO UNFAIR BENEFIT FROM MAINTAINING THIS LINK; THIS YEAR, AS LAST, WE EXPECT TO RUN A MODEST DEFICIT ON OUR TRADE BALANCE," HE SAID.
ON HONG KONG'S STOCK AND FUTURES MARKETS, MR NENDICK SAID A NEW REGULATORY AUTHORITY, OUTSIDE THE CIVIL SERVICE, KNOWN AS THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION, WAS ESTABLISHED BY STATUTE ON MAY 1, 1989, IN LINE WITH RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE.
THIS COMMITTEE WAS SET UP AFTER THE OCTOBER 1987 STOCK MARKET CRASH TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF HONG KONG’S STOCK AND FUTURES MARKETS AND THEIR REGULATION.
MR NENDICK SAID THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE ALSO RECOMMENDED FUNDAMENTAL REVISIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION AND INTERNAL MANAGEMENT OF BOTH THE STOCK AND FUTURES EXCHANGES.
"THE STOCK EXCHANGE ACCEPTED THE COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS AND A NEW STRUCTURE, WHICH FULLY MEETS THE SPIRITS OF THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS, WAS PUT IN PLACE IN OCTOBER 1988.
"A START HAD ALSO BEEN MADE ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CENTRAL CLEARING AND DEPOSITORY SYSTEM WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE FULLY OPERATIONAL IN 1990," HE SAID.
/MR NENDICK........
SATURDAY, MAY 6, 1989
- 3
MR NEND1CK ADDED THAT THE FUTURES EXCHANGE WAS ALSO AT AN ADVANCED STAGE IN REVISING ITS CONSTITUTION AND HAD IMPLEMENTED A NEW CLEARING AND RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN LINE WITH THE COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATIONS.
"THUS, WITHIN 18 MONTHS OF THE OCTOBER 1987 STOCK MARKET CRISIS, VIRTUALLY ALL THE MAJOR REFORMS TO OUR REGULATORY AND MARKET STRUCTURES WHICH ARE REQUIRED TO ENSURE THAT OUR FINANCIAL MARKETS MATCH UP TO INTERNATIONAL EXPECTATIONS HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE," HE SAID.
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ACTING S FOR S TOURS FERRIES FOR VBP
*****
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, TODAY (SATURDAY) WENT ON AN INSPECTION TOUR OF THE FOUR FERRIES BEING USED AS TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE (VBP) AT STONECUTTERS ISLAND.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS VERY CONCERNED AT THE CONTINUING INFLUX OF VBP. WE ARE FAST RUNNING OUT OF ACCOMMODATION FOR THEM," HE SAID AFTER THE TOUR.
"WE HAVE HAD TO USE FERRIES AS TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION ALTHOUGH THE CONDITIONS ON BOARD ARE NOT AT ALL SATISFACTORY.
"WE BROUGHT A FOURTH FERRY INTO USE ONLY YESTERDAY WHEN THERE WERE ANOTHER 249 VBP ARRIVALS, BRINGING TO 1,446 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ARRIVALS SINCE MONDAY."
MR ASPREY WAS BRIEFED ON THE OPERATIONS OF THE FERRIES BY THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MRS CARRIE YAU, AND THE CHIEF STAFF OFFICER OF CIVIL AID SERVICES, MR STEWART KAVANAGH.
DURING THE VISIT HE INSPECTED THE FACILITIES ON BOARD AND PAID TRIBUTE TO VOLUNTEERS FROM THE CIVIL AID SERVICES AND THE POLICE FOR THEIR WORK IN MANNING THE FERRIES.
THE FOUR FERRIES, "MAN WAH", "MAN KAM", "MAN TAI" AND "MAN FOON", ARE ACCOMMODATING A TOTAL OF 1,220 VBP.
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A
SATURDAY. MAY 6. 1989
- 4 -
MARINE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL BROADENS HORIZONS *****
WITH THE EXPANSION AND INCREASING TECHNOLOGY OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE MARINE FLEET - THE WORLD’S LARGEST POLICE NAVY - THE MARINE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL HAS PROGRESSIVELY BROADENED ITS HORIZONS.
IN A FIVE YEAR PROGRAMME THE SCHOOL HAS GRADUALLY ASSUMED ALL THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRAINING FORCE MARINERS AND IS NOW COMPLETELY SELF-SUFFICIENT IN EXAMINING MARINE QUALIFICATIONS.
THE EXAMINATION OF FORCE MARINERS WAS PREVIOUSLY UNDERTAKEN BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.
MR TREVOR HOLLINGSBEE, STAFF OFFICER, TRAINING, AT THE MARINE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL. A FORMER ROYAL NAVY OFFICER SAID: +IT WAS DECIDED THAT A MORE SPECIALISED, MARINE-ORIENTATED TRAINING PROGRAMME WAS MORE APPROPRIATE FOR AN EXPANDING AND MODERNISING FORCE.
♦THEREFORE A CHANGE TO IN-HOUSE QUALIFICATION HAS COME ABOUT OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS.
♦LAST YEAR WE FINALLY TOOK OVER THE MARINE POLICE TECHNICAL CHARGE CERTIFICATE. WHICH IS THE HIGHEST QUALIFICATION IN OUR ENGINEERING TRAINING.+
MR HOLLINGSBEE SAID THAT SINCE 1983 A TOTAL OF 1,660 OFFICERS HAD ACQUIRED VARIOUS DECK QUALIFICATIONS AND 754 HAD PASSED VARIOUS LAUNCH MECHANIC EXAMINATIONS.
+WE HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAINING OFFICERS HERE LIKE FORCE TRAINING OFFICER ALAN CAIRNS. WHO IS A MASTER MARINER WITH OVER 30 YEARS SERVICE IN THE MERCHANT NAVY AND ROYAL AIR FORCE MARINE BRANCH BEFORE HE JOINED THE FORCE IN 1983.
♦ OUR STANDARD OF TRAINING IS RECOGNISED AND APPROVED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT AND THEIR OFFICERS COME HERE TWICE A YEAR TO MONITOR THE PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS OF THE SCHOOL.
♦ ALTHOUGH THE SYLLABUSES ARE QUITE SIMILAR TO THOSE IN THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, WE HAVE ADDED SUBJECTS OF SPECIAL CONCERN TO POLICE OFFICERS.+ *
THE MARINE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL HAS AN ANNUAL THROUGHPUT OF SOME 2,000 OFFICERS ON A TOTAL OF 140 COURSES IN DECK AND LAUNCH MECHANIC SPECIALISATIONS.
♦ THE SCHOOL CURRENTLY RUNS 21 DIFFERENT TYPES OF COURSE. THEY ARE MAINLY DIVIDED INTO TWO INDUCTION COURSES - FOR JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS AND INSPECTORS.+ MR HOLLINGSBEE SAID.
/COURSES FOR .......
SATURDAY, MAY 6, 1989
- 5 -
COURSES FOR JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS INCLUDE DECK AND LAUNCH MECHANIC. THEY ALSO LEARN FIRE-FIGHTING, SEA SURVIVAL AND RADAR.
+FOR PROMOTION TO SERGEANTS, MARINERS HAVE TO PASS MARITIME QUALIFICATIONS BESIDES THE EXAMINATIONS FOR THE REQUIREMENTS OF LAND OFFICERS.
+TRAINING FOR INSPECTORS IS ON DECK SIDE ONLY. THEY BECOME LAUNCH COMMANDERS AND ASSISTANT DIVISIONAL COMMANDERS.
+ALL THE TRAINING IS DONE IN THE SCHOOL EXCEPT THE FIRE-FIGHTING AND SEA SURVIVAL COURSES WHICH ARE TAUGHT AT TAI LAM CHUNG SEAMAN’S TRAINING CENTRE.
+THIS IS BECAUSE OUR SCHOOL IS NOW SITUATED IN A COMMERCIAL BUILDING AT NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN, WHICH IS NOT NEAR ENOUGH TO THE SEA.
+SOME OF THE TRAINING HAS TO RELY ON FACILITIES IN OTHER MARINE DIVISIONS. MAY I SEIZE THE CHANCE TO THANK DIVISIONAL COMMANDERS OF SOUTH AND HARBOUR DIVISIONS FOR PROVIDING US WITH PRACTICAL TRAINING FACILITIES?
+IT IS PLANNED THAT THE SCHOOL IS TO MOVE TO THE NEW MARINE HEADQUARTERS AT CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON, IF IT IS BUILT. WE ARE YEARNING FOR THE REALITY OF THIS PLAN TO COPE WITH EXPANSION AND ALSO TO PUT ALL TRAINING UNDER THE SAME ROOF,+ HE SAID.
MR HOLLINGSBEE SAID MAJOR VESSELS IN MARINE REGION HAD INCREASED FROM 33 IN 1976 TO LAST YEAR’S 49 AND THE NUMBER OF PERSONNEL FROM 1,196 TO 2,741. IN ADDITION, THE REGION OPERATED A MODERN COMMAND AND CONTROL CENTRE AND SOME 60 SMALLER CRAFT.
+LATER THIS YEAR, A SMALL CRAFT TRAINING CELL WILL BE FORMED FOR PRACTICAL TRAINING ON THE HANDLING OF SMALL CRAFTS. FORMERLY THE TRAINING WAS ONLY ON THE THEORETICAL SIDE.
+TWO SMALL BOATS FOR TEACHING USE ARE PURCHASED AND WILL ARRIVE LATER THIS YEAR OR EARLY NEXT YEAR. WE WILL START OUR TRAINING ONCE WE RECEIVE THE NEW BOATS,+ HE SAID.
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/6........
SATURDAY, MAY 6, 1989
_ 6 -
BUS ROUTE DEVELOPMENT ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA
*****
THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE SETTLED BUS ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR 1989-90 FOR THE DISTRICT AT ITS MEETING ON MONDAY (MAY 8).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE FINDINGS OF THE TAI PO MARKET TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT STUDY REVIEW.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE PROPOSED PEAK PERIOD RESTRICTED ZONE ALONG THE EASTBOUND SECTION OF TING KOK ROAD OUTSIDE TAI PING INDUSTRIAL CENTRE AND THE 1989-90 ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON MONDAY (MAY 8) 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.
-----o------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA
*****
THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND WORKS COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE PROPOSED MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR 1989-90 AT ITS MEETING ON MONDAY (MAY 8).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS A PROGRESS REPORT FROM THE TAI PO ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL WORKING GROUP.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND WORKS COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON MONDAY (MAY 8) 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 2.30 PM.
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/?........
SATURDAY, MAY 6, 1989
7
SPEED LIMIT ON TOLO HIGHWAY AND TAI PO ROAD *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MAY 8), THE EXISTING SPEED LIMIT OF 80 KM AN HOUR ON SECTIONS OF TOLO HIGHWAY AND TAI PO ROAD WILL INCREASE TO 100 KM AN HOUR.
THESE SECTIONS INCLUDE TOLO HIGHWAY FROM A POINT ABOUT TWO KM NORTH OF MA LIU SHUI INTERCHANGE TO TAI PO ROAD TAI WO; TAI PO ROAD TAI WO BETWEEN TOLO HIGHWAY AND WO HOP SHEK; AND TAI PO ROAD FANLING BETWEEN WO HOP SHEK AND KAI LENG ELEVATED ROUNDABOUT.
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CENTRAL * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MAY 8), THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN MURRAY ROAD AND ICE HOUSE STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
AT THE SAME TIME. THE EXISTING VEHICLE BAN ON THE WESTBOUND OFFSIDE LANE OF DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH RUMSEY STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 60 METRES TO THE EAST WILL BE LIFTED FOR ABOUT 20 DAYS TO FACILITATE ROADWORKS.
- - 0 ---------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN KOWLOON CITY *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT LEFT TURN FROM NGA TSIN WAI ROAD WESTBOUND ONTO JUNCTION ROAD SOUTHBOUND WILL BE BANNED FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MAY 8) FOR THREE WEEKS IN ORDER TO FACILITATE TRENCH REINSTATEMENT WORKS.
DURING THIS PERIOD, MOTORISTS ON NGA TSIN WAI ROAD WESTBOUND HEADING FOR JUNCTION ROAD SOUTHBOUND ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA GRAMPIAN ROAD AND DUMBARTON ROAD.
_ _ _ _ o ----------
/8.......
SATURDAY, MAY 6, 1989
8
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN THE PEAK AND WAN CHAI ♦ ♦ t * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MAY 8), TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE PEAK AND WAN CHAI FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS.
THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF PEAK ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH MOUNT AUSTIN ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 11 METRES TO THE SOUTH WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK FOR SEWER CONSTRUCTION WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE GLOUCESTER ROAD SERVICE ROAD BETWEEN FENWICK STREET AND ARSENAL STREET IN WAN CHAI WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FOR ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, WESTBOUND TRAFFIC ON GLOUCESTER ROAD SERVICE ROAD HEADING FOR FLEET HOUSE, HARCOURT HOUSE AND THE ADJACENT SECTION OF JAFFE ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA FENWICK STREET, LOCKHART ROAD AND THE U-LOOP IN ARSENAL STREET OUTSIDE THE POLICE HEADQUARTERS.
MOREOVER, THE EXIT FROM GLOUCESTER ROAD SERVICE ROAD TO WESTBOUND GLOUCESTER ROAD NEAR FENWICK STREET WILL REMAIN OPEN.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT AT PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD AND PERTH STREET
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MAY 8), THE LEFT TURN FROM PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD SOUTHBOUND ONTO PERTH STREET WILL BE BANNED FOR THREE MONTHS TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
MOTORISTS ON PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD SOUTHBOUND HEADING FOR PERTH STREET ARE ADVISED TO DRIVE VIA DUNBAR ROAD AND TWEED ROAD.
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/9.......
SATURDAY, MAY 6, 1989
- 9 -
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TAI NING STREET
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TAI NING STREET IN SHAU KEI WAN BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH SHAU KEI WAN ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 10 METRES TO THE SOUTH WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MAY 8).
THIS MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS FOR ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, TAI NING STREET BETWEEN SAI WAN HO STREET AND HOUSE NO. 90A WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC.
MOTORISTS ON SHAU KEI WAN ROAD WESTBOUND HEADING FOR TAI NING STREET MAY TRAVEL VIA SHING ON STREET AND SAI WAN HO STREET.
--------0 --------
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES IN KWUN TONG
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT TWO ROAD SECTIONS IN KWUN TONG HAVE BEEN CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BECAUSE OF SLOPE REMEDIAL WORKS.
THEY ARE:
* SHUN ON ROAD BETWEEN THE ACCESS ROAD TO NING PO NO. 2 COLLEGE AND THE ACCESS ROAD TO TIN CHU HOUSE AND TIN WAN HOUSE OF SHUN TIN ESTATE; AND
» SAU MAU PING ROAD BETWEEN SAU MING ROAD AND SAU MAU PATH.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
sundry, May 7, 1989
CONTENTS PaGE NO.
REVIEW OF REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ORDINANCE............... 1
UPDATING THE ELECTORAL REGISTER .............................. 2
LEAFLET ON GOOD FISH FARMING PRACTICES ....................... 2
REGIONAL SECRETARY TO OFFICIATE aT BUN FESTIVE................ 4
’SPORTS VARIETY* FOR WORKING PEOPLE .......................... 5
PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ................. 6
SAI KUNG DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS....... 6
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUNDING FOR ANNU.xL REPORT........... 7
TAI PO DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ANTI-SMOKING PROPOS/lLS........ 8
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS FUNDS FOR PUBLICITY PROJECTS ......... 8
POLICE DOG TRalNER COMPLETES OVERSEAS ATTACHMENT.............. 9
new id cards for women born in 1951-53 ....................... 10
NEW SPEED LIMIT ON TOLO HIGHWAY TaKES EFFECT TOMORROW ........ 12
SUNDAY, MAY 7, 1989
1
REVIEW OF REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ORDINANCE
THE GOVERNMENT WILL BEGIN A TWO-MONTH PERIOD OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION TOMORROW (MONDAY) ON A REVIEW OF THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ORDINANCE.
"A CONSULTATION PAPER SETTING OUT THE BACKGROUND TO THE ORDINANCE, AND COMMENTS AND PROPOSALS FOR CHANGE WHICH HAVE SO FAR BEEN CONVEYED TO THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
"APART FROM THE REHABILITATION SCHEME, THE CONSULTATION PAPER COVERS TWO RELATED ISSUES, NAMELY MAGISTRATES’ DISCRETION NOT TO RECORD CONVICTIONS, AND CERTIFICATES OF NO CRIMINAL CONVICTION.
"ON THE REHABILITATION SCHEME, THE PAPER SETS OUT THE EXISTING PROVISIONS AND PROPOSALS WHICH HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNMENT RELATING TO THE EXPANSION OF THE SCHEME.
"THE PROPOSALS CALL FOR REDUCTION OF THE LENGTH OF TIME FOR REHABILITATION, EXTENSION OF THE RANGE OF PENALTIES COVERED BY THE SCHEME, PROVISION FOR CONVICTIONS TO BE ’ONCE SPENT, ALWAYS SPENT’ AND PROVISION FOR SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT CONVICTIONS TO BE SPENT."
ON THE RELATED ISSUES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE CONSULTATION PAPER EXAMINED WHETHER MAGISTRATES’ DISCRETION TO ORDER THAT CONVICTIONS NOT BE RECORDED FOR MINOR OFFENCES SHOULD BE RE-INSTATED, AS WAS THE CASE PRIOR TO THE INTRODUCTION OF THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ORDINANCE IN 1986.
"THE PAPER ALSO EXAMINES THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE POLICE SHOULD ISSUE CERTIFICATES OF NO CRIMINAL CONVICTION TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN REHABILITATED UNDER THE ORDINANCE, THE PRESENT PRACTICE IS THAT THE POLICE DO NOT ISSUE THESE CERTIFICATES TO SUCH PEOPLE," HE SAID.
"THE GOVERNMENT INVITES THE VIEWS OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION, DISTRICT BOARDS AND DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES, SOCIAL WORK AGENCIES AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVE BODIES ON THE ISSUES SET OUT IN THE CONSULTATION PAPER. THE VIEWS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON THESE ISSUES ARE ALSO WELCOME.
"FOLLOWING PUBLIC CONSULTATION, A REPORT ON THE VIEWS EXPRESSED, TOGETHER WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE REHABILITATION SCHEME AND THE RELATED ISSUES, WILL BE PUT TO THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND THEN TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL."
PERSONS WISHING TO COMMENT ON THE ISSUES RAISED IN THE CONSULTATION PAPER ARE REQUESTED TO ADDRESS THEIR VIEWS IN WRITING BEFORE JULY 8 TO THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, WORLD SHIPPING CENTRE. 7 CANTON ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON.
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/2........
SUNDAY, MAY 7, 1989
UPDATING THE ELECTORAL REGISTER *****
AN EXERCISE IS BEING MOUNTED TO UPDATE THE RECORDS, MAINLY THE RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES, OF SOME 35,000 REGISTERED ELECTORS WHOSE POLL CARDS HAD BEEN RETURNED UNDELIVERED TO THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION AT THE RECENT URBAN/REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
ABOUT 19,600 OF THESE ELECTORS ARE RESIDENTS OF PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS.
"THEIR ENTRIES IN THE ELECTORAL REGISTER WILL BE UPDATED ACCORDING TO THE LATEST INFORMATION AVAILABLE FROM THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT RECORDS," THE REGISTRATION OFFICER, MR LAI KWAN-TAT, SAID.
"FOR THE OTHER 15,400 ELECTORS LIVING IN PRIVATE DOMESTIC ACCOMMODATION, AN INQUIRY LETTER WILL BE SENT TO THEM BY MAY 8, REQUIRING A REPLY WITHIN ONE MONTH.
"THEIR NAMES WILL BE OMITTED FROM THE ELECTORAL REGISTER IF THEY FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THIS REQUEST," MR LAI ADDED.
ALL REGISTERED ELECTORS ARE URGED TO REPORT CHANGES OF THEIR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS BY WRITING TO THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL DIVISION, HARBOUR CENTRE, 10TH FLOOR, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG, GIVING THEIR NAME, IDENTITY CARD NUMBER AND THE NEW ADDRESS.
FOR THIS PURPOSE, THEY MAY ALSO USE A NOTIFICATION FORM OBTAINABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND POST OFFICES.
"WITH THE FAIRLY FREQUENT CHANGES OF RESIDENCE, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT SUCH CHANGES ARE REPORTED PROMPTLY. THE ELECTORAL REGISTER CANNOT BE MAINTAINED PROPERLY WITHOUT THE CO-OPERATION AND SUPPORT OF ALL ELECTORS," MR LAI SAID.
-------O---------
LEAFLET ON GOOD *
FISH FARMING PRACTICES * * * * *
FISH FARMERS IN HONG KONG’S 28 OBTAIN PRINTED ADVICE ON THE EFFECTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR CULTURING FISH.
FISH CULTURE ZONES CAN NOW MEASURES TO MAINTAIN A GOOD
THE ADVICE IS IN THE FORM OF A AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT FOR FISHERIES OFFICES.
LEAFLET PUBLISHED BY
FREE DISTRIBUTION AT
THE ITS
THE TO IN
INTRODUCING THE LEAFLET TODAY (SUNDAY), THE DEPARTMENT’S IISHERIES OFFICER (AQUACULTURE ENVIRONMENT), DR PATSY WONG, SAID LEAFLET AIMED AT PROVIDING TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES AND ADVICE ASSIST THE MARICULTURE INDUSTRY IN UPGRADING ITS TECHNOLOGY AND ADOPTING MORE ADVANCED AND EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT AND HUSBANDRY r KAC 1 ICES •
/SHE SAID
SUNDAY, MAY 7, 1989
- 3 -
SHE SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN HOLDING SEMINARS AND TRAINING COURSES ON MARICULTURE TECHNIQUES AND MANAGEMENT AND THESE TRAINING FACILITIES WERE WELCOMED BY FISH FARMERS.
THE LEAFLET JUST PRODUCED WAS MEANT TO COMPLEMENT THE ADVISORY SERVICES AND TO MAKE THE INFORMATION MORE HANDY AND READILY AVAILABLE WHEN NEEDED.
"CULTURISTS SHOULD TRY THEIR BEST TO KEEP THE ENVIRONMENT CLEAN BY DISPOSING RUBBISH PROPERLY AT THE LITTER COLLECTION POINTS NEAREST TO THEIR FISH CULTURE ZONES," DR WONG SAID.
"THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT ANY DEAD FISH FOUND IN THE WATERS BE REMOVED TO PREVENT BACTERIAL GROWTH AND THE SPREADING OF FISH DISEASE."
SHE SAID NETS AND CAGES SHOULD BE CLEANED FREQUENTLY BECAUSE ACCUMULATION OF FOULERS ON THEM WOULD AFFECT WATER CIRCULATION AND MIGHT CAUSE OXYGEN DEPLETION AND DAMAGES TO THE FISH.
"THEY SHOULD ALSO ENSURE THAT CLEANING IS CONDUCTED OUTSIDE THE FISH CULTURE ZONE AT PLACES WHERE WATER IS DEEP AND WITH FAST CURRENTS," SHE ADDED.
DR WONG ALSO ADVISED CULTURISTS TO AVOID OVERFEEDING THEIR FISH BECAUSE EXCESSIVE FEED DEPOSITED AT THE SEA BOTTOM WOULD CAUSE BACTERIAL BLOOM.
CULTURISTS WERE ALSO ADVISED TO INSTALL APPROPRIATE INSTRUMENTS AND SYSTEM TO PREDICT AND COPE WITH SUCH ADVERSE CONDITIONS AS OXYGEN DEPLETION AND RED TIDES.
DR WONG SAID OXYGEN DEPLETION OFTEN OCCURRED UNDER THE FOLLOWING CIRCUMSTANCES: HOT, STUFFY WEATHER; CLOUDY AND OVERCAST BEFORE THUNDERSTORM; STAGNANT TIDE AND WHEN WATER APPEARED WHITISH WITH THE SURFACING OF A LOT OF THE BENTHIC FAUNA.
SHE SAID CULTURISTS SHOULD IMMMEDIATELY STOP FEEDING THE FISH AND MONITOR THE OXYGEN LEVEL IN THE WATER WITHIN CAGES AND THEY SHOULD AERATE THE WATER IN THE CAGES WHENEVER NECESSARY.
DR WONG SAID IN THE EVENT OF A RED TIDE, THE WATER WOULD TURN PINKISH OR BROWNISH. FISH FARMERS SHOULD REPORT SUCH OCCURRENCES IMMEDIATELY TO THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT BY TELEPHONE AND ALERT THEIR FELLOW CULTURISTS IN THEIR FISH CULTURE ZONES SO THAT THE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES COULD BE MADE TO PREVENT ANY FISH KILL.
THE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT'S AQUACULTURE ENVIRONMENT SECTION TO WHICH SUCH REPORTS SHOULD BE MADE IS 5-520171 EXT. 46.
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A....
SUNDAY, MAY 7, 1989
REGIONAL SECRETARY TO OFFICIATE AT BUN FESTIVAL
*****
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO FLOCK TO CHEUNG CHAU ON THURSDAY (MAY 11) WHEN THE ISLANDERS HOLD A GRAND PROCESSION TO CELEBRATE THE ANNUAL BUN FESTIVAL.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ADOLF HSU, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE FUNCTION WHICH IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE CHEUNG CHAU RURAL COMMITTEE AND THE CHEUNG CHAU "TA CHIU" (1989) COMMITTEE.
THE TWO-HOUR PROCESSION, INVOLVING ABOUT 2,000 PEOPLE AND SEVERAL HUNDRED SCHOOL CHILDREN, WILL START AT 2 PM FROM THE PAR TEI TEMPLE AND MAKE ITS WAY THROUGH THE BUSTLING ALLEYS TO FUNG SHUI LANE IN FRONT OF THE TIN HAU TEMPLE AT TAI SHEK HAU.
AFTER PERFORMING AT FUNG SHUI LANE, THE PROCESSION WILL MAKE A CIRCUIT OF CHEUNG CHAU TOWN AND RETURN TO THE PAK TEI TEMPLE.
THERE WILL BE 11 FLOATS, NUMEROUS LION AND UNICORN DANCES, FLAG PARADES, CHINESE FOLK DANCES AND FESTIVAL MUSIC FEATURING DRUMS AND GONGS.
SHRINES OF DEITIES AND THE FAMED SWORD OF THE GOD, PAK TEI, WILL ALSO BE DISPLAYED DURING THE PROCESSION.
THE BUN FESTIVAL, HELD TO APPEASE THE WANDERING SPIRITS OF PEOPLE KILLED BY THE PIRATES ON THE ISLAND IN THE PAST, HAS BEEN ORGANISED ANNUALLY WITHOUT INTERRUPTION FOR A CENTURY.
CELEBRATIONS OF THE WEEK-LONG FESTIVAL, FEATURING DAILY CANTONESE OPERA SHOWS, AN EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY FOR LIONS AND UNICORNS, A GHOST-WORSHIPPING CEREMONY, A SMALLER SCALE PROCESSION AND DISTRIBUTION OF BUNS, WILL START TOMORROW (MONDAY) WITH THE GRAND PROCESSION ON THURSDAY BEING THE CLIMAX.
AS AN ACT OF SINCERITY AND HUMILITY, THE ISLANDERS WILL ABSTAIN FROM MEAT FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE DAYS FROM TUESDAY AND NO ANIMAL WILL BE SLAUGHTERED DURING THIS PERIOD.
TO COMMEMORATE THE FESTIVAL, THE POST OFFICE HAS ISSUED A SET OF FOUR SPECIAL STAMPS AND SOUVENIR COVERS WHICH WILL BE PUT ON SALE AT THE CHEUNG CHAU POST OFFICE FROM TOMORROW TO MAY 15, EXCEPT SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND SUNDAY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CHEUNG CHAU BUN FESTIVAL PROCESSION WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM ON THURSDAY (MAY 11).
/PRESS BADGES .......
SUNDAY, MAY 7, 1989
- 5 -
PRESS BADGES FOR THE EVENT ARE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE NEWS AND PUBLICITY DIVISION OF THE CNTA HEADQUARTERS, 12TH FLOOR, WORLD SHIPPING CENTRE, 7 CANTON ROAD, HARBOUR CITY, TSIM SHA TSUI.
PLEASE NOTE THAT EACH ORGANISATION IS ENTITLED TO ONLY ONE BADGE.
A SPECIAL LAUNCH TO TAKE MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES AND GUESTS TO CHEUNG CHAU WILL LEAVE THE CENTRAL HARBOUR SERVICES PIER AT 12.30 PM ON THURSDAY.
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’SPORTS VARIETY’ FOR WORKING PEOPLE » » * *
PEOPLE WORKING IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A "SPORTS VARIETY" WHICH WILL START EARLY NEXT MONTH.
THE INTER-HONG SPORTS PROGRAMME, WHICH INCLUDES TELEMATCHES, MINI-SOCCER, SQUASH, BASKETBALL, BADMINTON AND TABLE TENNIS, IS AIMED AT PROMOTING A HEALTHIER MODE OF LIVING AMONG WORKING PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT.
THE PROGRAMME IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE DISTRICT’S RECREATION AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND THE URBAN COUNCIL WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD.
A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROGRAMME, NOW IN ITS SEVENTH YEAR, HAD BECOME INCREASINGLY POPULAR WITH WHITE-COLLAR WORKERS.
"IT HAS ALSO GAINED THE SUPPORT OF EMPLOYERS IN THE DISTRICT AND WE HOPE MORE PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT TRADES CAN PARTICIPATE IN THIS YEAR’S ACTIVITIES," HE ADDED.
THE COMPETITIONS WILL BE HELD BETWEEN JUNE 4 AND JULY 16.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF HARBOUR BUILDING, PIER ROAD, CENTRAL AND ITS SUB-OFFICE IN KENNEDY TOWN; AND THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT RECREATION, AMENITIES AND SPORTS OFFICE OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN ROOM 1001 OF THE UC SHEUNG WAN COMPLEX.
ENROLMENT WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-8532566.
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/6........
SUNDAY, MAY 7, 1989
6
PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA * ♦ ♦ t ♦
MEMBERS OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S WORKS PROJECTS COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (MONDAY) TO DISCUSS A NUMBER OF PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS WHICH HAVE BEEN RAISED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DISTRICT’S SEVEN AREA COMMITTEES AT A RECENT SEMINAR.
THE REPRESENTATIVES HAVE REQUESTED IMPROVEMENTS TO LIGHTING ALONG VICTORIA ROAD NEAR TELEGRAPH BAY VILLAGE, CLEAN-UPS TO THE WONG CHUK HANG NULLAH AND THE PROVISION OF A SECOND ACCESS ROAD TO LEI TUNG ESTATE IN AP LEI CHAU.
THEY ALSO WANTED INFORMATION ON THE REDEVELOPMENT OF TIN WAN ESTATE AND WHETHER THE CLEARANCE PROGRAMME FOR PHASE I OF MA HANG REDEVELOPMENT WILL BE CARRIED OUT ON SCHEDULE.
IN ADDITION TO A PAPER DETAILING THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSES TO THESE ISSUES, OFFICIALS WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO ANSWER MEMBERS' QUESTIONS.
THE MEETING WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROGRESS REPORTS ON THE DISTRICT’S LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN HIGHWAYS, ENGINEERING, PUBLIC HOUSING AND URBAN COUNCIL PROJECTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT DISTRICT’S WORKS PROJECTS COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (MONDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, IN 7 - 11 NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN CENTRE. THE MEETING WILL START AT 2.30 PM.
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SAI KUNG DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS ♦ * » * »
THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET ON TUESDAY (MAY 9) TO DISCUSS A CONSULTATION PAPER ON ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS RECOMMENDED BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH.
AN ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH, MR TANG WAI-CHUNG, AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH, DR JUDITH MACKAY, WILL BRIEF MEMBERS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS.
THE ACTING REGIONAL OFFICER (KOWLOON EAST AND SAI KUNG) OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION, MRS SO CHEUNG LAI-YING, WILL ALSO BRIEF MEMBERS ON HER OFFICE’S ANTI-CORRUPTION SERVICES AND LIAISON WORK IN DISTRICT.
/OTHER ITEMS........
SUNDAY, MAY 7, 1989
- 7 -
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE COMMITTEE’S ANNUAL REPORT, APPLICATIONS FOR DB FUNDS, PROPOSED DISBURSEMENT OF SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR 1989-90 AND REPORTS ON OTHER ACTIVITIES.
PRIOR TO THE MEETING, MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE WILL VISIT THREE PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT TO COLLECT INFORMATION ON THE NEED FOR IMPROVING PRIMARY SCHOOL FACILITIES IN SAI KUNG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD'S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING ON TUESDAY (MAY 9) 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 START AT 11 AM.
-------o----------
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER
* *
FUNDING FOR ANNUAL REPORT
» * ♦
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S FINANCE AND GENERAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDS FOR THE PUBLICATION OF THE 1988-89 DISTRICT BOARD ANNUAL REPORT AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (MONDAY).
IF THE $15,000 APPLICATION IS APPROVED, ABOUT 8,000 TO 10,000 COPIES OF THE REPORT WILL BE PUBLISHED BY NEXT MONTH FOR DISTRIBUTION TO CONCERNED ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO CONSIDER ANOTHER APPLICATION FOR $25,000 FOR PUTTING UP DISTRICT BOARD NOTICE BOARDS WITHIN THIS FINANCIAL YEAR.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE SETTING UP OF WORKING GROUPS AND NOMINATION OF CO-OPTED MEMBERS TO THE COMMITTEE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S FINANCE AND GENERAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (MONDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.15 PM.
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/8........
SUNDAY, MAY 7, 1989
8 -
TAI PO DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS ♦ * * ♦ ♦
THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE REPORT ON ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS RECOMMENDED BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH AT ITS MEETING ON TUESDAY (MAY 9).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROPOSALS TO REMEDY UNFAIR PROVISIONS IN EXISTING DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT FOR MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS.
THEY WILL REVIEW THE NUMBER OF SCHOOL PLACES IN TAI PO AND CONSIDER THE PROVISIONAL ALLOCATION OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR SOCIAL SERVICES PROJECTS IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS;
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY (MAY 9) 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 2.30 PM.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS FUNDS FOR PUBLICITY PROJECTS
*****
THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S PROMOTION AND PUBLICITY COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS AT ITS MEETING ON TUESDAY (MAY 9) THE PROVISIONAL ALLOCATION OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR PUBLICITY PROJECTS IN 1989-90.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE REPORTS FROM THE WORKING GROUP ON THE DISTRICT NEWSPAPER AND THE WORKING GROUP ON THE "WELCOME TO TAI PO" SIGNBOARD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S PROMOTION AND PUBLICITY COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY (MAY 9) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 152 KWONG FUK ROAD, TAI PO.
THE MEETING WILL START AT 9.30 AM.
0--------
/9........
SUNDAY, MAY 7,
1989
- 9 -
POLICE DOG TRAINER COMPLETES OVERSEAS ATTACHMENT ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
SERGEANT CHAN MAN-WING, CHIEF INSTRUCTOR AT THE FORCE DOG UNIT, HAS JUST FINISHED AN INSTRUCTIONAL ATTACHMENT AT THE POLICE DOG TRAINING SCHOOL OF SOUTH WALES CONSTABULARY AT BRIDGEND, GLAMORGAN.
HIS FIRST OVERSEAS TRAINING COURSE GAVE SERGEANT CHAN VALUABLE KNOWLEDGE TO BE USED IN THE FUTURE TRAINING OF FORCE DOGS.
’’THE COURSE WAS PRACTICAL MORE THAN THEORETICAL,” SERGEANT CHAN SAID. "I WAS ACTUALLY ATTACHED TO A DOG SECTION AND GAINED A GOOD INSIGHT INTO HOW DOGS ARE TRAINED AND WORKED.
’’FOR TWO WEEKS I JOINED LOCAL DOG HANDLERS ON A REFRESHER COURSE, TRAINING DOGS IN OBEDIENCE, PATROL WORK, SEARCHING AND ATTACK.
”1 ALSO LEARNED HOW TO TRAIN DOGS IN DETECTING EXPLOSIVES, WHICH WAS NEW TO ME.
"DOGS ARE TAUGHT HOW TO SMELL DYNAMITE AND DOG HANDLERS ARE TRAINED HOW TO CONTROL DOGS IN AVOIDING DANGER ONCE EXPLOSIVES HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED.
"ANOTHER DIFFERENCE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM IS THAT DOGS GO TO WORK IN PATROL CARS WHILE IN HONG KONG THEY ACCOMPANY THEIR HANDLERS ON FOOT.
"FOR EXPLOSIVES SEARCHING EXERCISES WE WENT TO THE AIRPORT, BOARDED PLANES, PATROLLED FACTORIES, CAR PARKS AND OTHER VENUES WHERE LARGE CROWDS CONVERGED.”
SERGEANT CHAN WORKED WITH A DOG SECTION ON CAR PATROL TO PERFORM CROWD CONTROL DUTIES IN RUGBY MATCHES AND OTHER SPORTS EVENTS.
BESIDES LEARNING, HE ALSO HAD TO TAKE UP INSTRUCTION WORK.
UNDER THE OBSERVATION AND ASSISTANCE OF A CHIEF INSTRUCTOR, SERGEANT CHAN TOOK OVER THE RUNNING OF A BASIC COURSE FOR DOG HANDLERS IN PRISONS.
"SIX DOG HANDLERS WERE UNDER MY INSTRUCTION, SOME OF THEM WERE NEW. I MADE USE OF THE EXPERIENCE I GAINED IN HONG KONG TO TEACH THEM. THEY ALL LISTENED HAPPILY AND WERE WILLING TO ACCEPT MY INSTRUCTIONS.
’’DOGS ATTACHED TO PRISONS NEED NOT PERFORM TRACKING, SO THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAINING WAS LAID ON OBEDIENCE, SEARCH OF PROPERTIES, CRIMINAL WORK AND TRACE ATTACK.”
BY COMPARISON, SERGEANT CHAN SAID ENGLAND HAD A BETTER CLIMATE, FACILITIES AND TRAINING GROUNDS THAN HONG KONG FOR DOG TRAINING.
"THEY CAN TRAIN DOGS ALL THROUGH THE YEAR, WHILE IN HONG KONG WE HAVE TO STOP TRAINING FOR CERTAIN PERIODS BECAUSE THE WEATHER IS TOO HOT.
/’♦ALTHOUGH SOME
SUNDAY, MAY 7, 198?
10
’’ALTHOUGH SOME OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE DIFFERENT IN BRITAIN, WE CAN STILL MAKE USE OF KNOWLEDGE LEARNED FROM THE ATTACHMENT TO BENEFIT OUR TRAINING IN HONG KONG.”
MR CLIFF LAMBURN, OFFICER-IN-CHARGE OF THE POLICE DOG UNIT SAID: ”WE INTEND TO TRAIN MORE DOG HANDLERS TO BUILD UP AN EXPERIENCED INSTRUCTORS1 CADRE FOR THE FUTURE EXPANSION OF THE UNIT.
’’SERGEANT CHAN WAS THE SECOND OFFICER TRAINED IN BRITAIN, FOLLOWING STATION SERGEANT SITO PING-YUK IN 1987.
’’THEIR EXPERIENCE WILL GIVE A GREAT CONTRIBUTION TO THE STANDARDISATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF OUR DOG TRAINING PROGRAMME,” MR LAMBURN SAID.
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NEW ID CARDS FOR WOMEN BORN IN 1951-53 * * * * *
WOMEN BORN IN 1951, 1952 OR 1953 ARE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS FROM TOMORROW (MAY 8) TO JULY 1.
WOMEN OF THE ABOVE AGE GROUP SHOULD CALL AT ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICES DURING THIS PERIOD.
"THE NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICES ARE OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 9.30 PM DAILY, EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
”IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE ISSUE OFFICES WILL BE VERY CROWDED IN THE EVENINGS. TO AVOID HAVING TO QUEUE.UP AT THE ISSUE OFFICES OR TO COME BACK ON ANOTHER DAY, APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED TO GO TO THESE OFFICES IN THE MORNINGS AND AFTERNOONS,” HE ADDED.
APPLICANTS MAY ALSO MAKE USE OF THE PHONE-IN SERVICE TO ARRANGE FOR AN APPOINTMENT BY CALLING THE OFFICE OF THEIR CHOICE.
THE ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE:
HONG KONG : BASEMENT, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI.
TEL. 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
ASUEN WAN......
SUNDAY, MAY 7, 1989
11
TSUEN WAN : EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE. GROUND FLOOR. 29-37 TSUEN FU STREET. TEL. NO.: 0-4981259
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
"APPLICANTS NORMALLY NEED TO BRING ALONG THEIR EXISTING IDENTITY CARDS IF THEIR CARDS WERE FIRST REGISTERED NOT LESS THAN SEVEN YEARS AGO AND BEAR THE *** SYMBOL," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"HOWEVER, IF THE APPLICANT’S IDENTITY CARD WAS FIRST REGISTERED LESS THAN SEVEN YEARS AGO OR DOES NOT HAVE THE **» SYMBOL, SHE IS REQUIRED TO FURNISH MORE DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE ASSESSMENT OF HER RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG AND SUBSEQUENTLY HER ELIGIBILITY FOR A PERMANENT IDENTITY CARD.
"THE DOCUMENT MAY TAKE THE FORM OF TRAVEL DOCUMENT, HONG KONG BIRTH CERTIFICATE, HONG KONG NATURALISATION CERTIFICATE, HONG KONG REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE, AND SO ON," HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
_ _ _ _ 0----------
SUNDAY, MAY 7, 1989
- 12 -
NEW SPEED LIMIT ON TOLO HIGHWAY TAKES EFFECT TOMORROW
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED DRIVERS OF MEDIUM GOODS VEHICLES, HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES AND BUSES THAT THE SPEED LIMIT FOR THEIR VEHICLES ON TOLO HIGHWAY WOULD REMAIN AT 70 KILOMETRES PER HOUR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT STRESSED THAT, FOR THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVERS AND OTHER ROAD USERS, THE NEW SPEED LIMIT OF 100 KILOMETRES PER HOUR ON TOLO HIGHWAY, WHICH WOULD COME INTO EFFECT FROM 10 AM TOMORROW, WOULD NOT APPLY TO MEDIUM GOODS VEHICLES, HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES AND BUSES.
HE ALSO URGED MOTORISTS, PARTICULARLY THOSE DRIVING SLOW VEHICLES LIKE GOODS VEHICLES AND BUSES, TO KEEP TO THE LEFT LANE EXCEPT WHEN OVERTAKING.
THE STRETCH OF ROAD WHERE THE NEW SPEED LIMIT APPLIES IS BETWEEN MA LIU SHUI IN SHA TIN AND KAI LENG INTERCHANGE IN SHEUNG SHUI, COVERING A TOTAL LENGTH OF ABOUT 15 KILOMETRES.
THERE WILL BE APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS TO INDICATE EXACTLY WHERE THE NEW SPEED LIMIT STARTS AND ENDS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE NEW SPEED LIMIT WAS NOT AN INDICATION OF THE SPEED THAT MOTORISTS SHOULD DRIVE AT.
"IT IS THE SPEED THAT VEHICLES MUST NOT EXCEED AT ANY TIME," HE ADDED.
"MOTORISTS ARE REMINDED TO DRIVE WITH CARE AND MAKE NECESSARY ALLOWANCE IN RESPECT OF THEIR VEHICLES, THEIR ABILITY, TRAFFIC CONDITIONS, WEATHER AND ANY CONSTRAINTS SUCH AS BENDS AND SURFACE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ROAD."
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
MONDAY, MAY 8, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
FEBRUARY PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE RELEASED 1
RAINFALL ABOVE NORMAL IN APRIL ............................... 5
CHINESE CUSTOMS DELEGATION VISITS HONG KONG .................. 8
TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW .................. 8
RIVER TRAINING PROJECT IN NORTH DISTRICT ..................... 9
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS FUND ALLOCATION FOR CULTURAL PROJECTS 9
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS....... 10
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS AKTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS ............... 10
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS REVIEW OF LOCaL CRaFT................. 11
TENDERS INVITED FOR WATER WORKS PROJECT ...................... 11
CSD RECRUITS OFFICERS AND ASSISTANT OFFICERS.................. 12
WATER STORAGE FIGURE.......................................... 12
SCHOOLS SUMMER OLYMPIAD FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS................ 13
TRAFFIC hRI^ANGEMENTS IN CHEUNG SHh WAN ...................... 13
LANE CLOSURE ON LUNG CHEUNG ROAD ............................. 13
MONDAY, MAY 8, 1989
FEBRUARY PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE RELEASED » * ♦ t t
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS GREW BY 1 PER CENT AND 34 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 1989 AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1988, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
TAKING THEM TOGETHER, THERE WAS AN OVERALL INCREASE OF 18 PER CENT IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS. IMPORTS INCREASED BY 27 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS.
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) REMAINED UNCHANGED.
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.
CARE SHOULD BE EXERCISED IN INTERPRETING THE CHANGES IN THE VOLUME OF TRADE IN ANY INDIVIDUAL MONTH IN ISOLATION, IN VIEW OF THE FLUCTUATIONS THAT MAY OCCUR FROM MONTH TO MONTH. IN PARTICULAR, THE TRADE FIGURES FOR THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THE YEAR ARE LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED BY' THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
COMPARING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 1989 WITH FEBRUARY 1988, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS REMAINED UNCHANGED, AND THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 33 PER CENT. HENCE, TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND REEXPORTS TOGETHER, TOTAL EXPORTS GREW BY 17 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS. IMPORT VOLUME ALSO INCREASED BY 29 PER CENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY' 3 PER CENT AND 6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. PRICES OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 5 PER CENT.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP FOR FEBRUARY 1989 AS COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1988 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
AS CAN BE SEEN FROM TABLE 1, THE DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME OF MANY COMMODITY GROUPS DECREASED IN FEBRUARY 1989 COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1988, INCLUDING RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-51 PER CENT); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (-36 PER CENT); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (-24 PER CENT); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (-23 PER CENT); FOOTWEAR (-22 PER CENT); TEXTILE FABRICS (-11 PER CENT); METAL MANUFACTURES (-5 PER CENT); AND CLOTHING (-4 PER CENT).
/HOWEVER,
MONDAY, MAY 8, 1989
- 2
HOWEVER, THESE DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME WERE OFFSET BY INCREASES RECORDED IN ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+40 PER CENT); METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+16 PER CENT); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+13 PER CENT); AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+4 PER CENT).
PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF MOST COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED IN FEBRUARY 1980 COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1988. THESE INCLUDED METAL MANUFACTURES (+11 PER CENT); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (+7 PER CENT); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (+6 PER CENT); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (+5 PER CENT); FOOTWEAR (+3 PER CENT); WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+3 PER CENT); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+3 PER CENT); AND METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+2 PER CENT); AND CLOTHING (+1 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES WERE RECORDED IN ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (-3 PER CENT); TEXTILE FABRICS (-1 PER CENT); AND RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-1 PER CENT).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR FEBRUARY 1989 AS COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1988 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
AS PRESENTED IN TABLE 2, IMPORTED FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY' 15 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS IN FEBRUARY 1989 COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1988. SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF WHEAT AND FLOUR; SOYA BEAN OIL, PEANUT OIL AND LARD; SUGAR AND VEGETABLES.
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF MILK, BUTTER, CHEESE AND EGGS; AND TEA AND COFFEE.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 32 PER CENT. THE COMMODITY ITEMS WITH MORE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES INCLUDED RADIOS, TELEVISION SETS, GRAMOPHONES, RECORDS, TAPE RECORDERS AND AMPLIFIERS; TOBACCO MANUFACTURES; AND ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES ROSE BY 26 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY 1989 COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1988.
THE MAJOR INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF MANMADE FIBRES; SPECIAL TEXTILE FABRICS FOR INDUSTRIAL PURPOSE; WOOL AND OTHER ANIMAL HAIR; AND COTTON YARN AND THREAD. DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS; AND FABRICS OF WOOL AND MIXTURES.
IMPORTS OF FUELS INCREASED BY 50 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS IN FEBRUARY 1989 AS COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1988.
IN THE CAPITAL GOODS CATEGORY, THE IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 36 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY 1989 OVER FEBRUARY 1988. THERE WERE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF SCIENTIFIC, MEDICAL, OPTICAL, MEASURING AND CONTROLLING INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS; TEXTILE MACHINERY; AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT. A DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY.
/COMPARING FEBRUARY .».*
MONDAY, MAY 8, 1989
COMPARING FEBRUARY 1989 WITH FEBRUARY 1988, IMPORT PRICES OF ALL END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED: THOSE OF CONSUMER GOODS AND CAPITAL, GOODS BOTH ROSE BY 5 PER CENT, WHILE THOSE OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMIMANUFACTURES J FOODSTUFFS AND FUELS ALL INCREASED BY 4 PER CENT.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR FEBRUARY 1989 AS COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1988 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
AS DEPICTED IN TABLE 3, THE RE-EXPORT VOLUME OF ALL END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED IN FEBRUARY 1989 COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1988, WITH THE PERCENTAGE INCREASES RANGING FROM 1 PER CENT FOR FOODSTUFFS TO 179 PER CENT FOR FUELS.
PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES INCREASED BY 8 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY 1989 AS COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1988. RE-EXPORT PRICES OF CAPITAL GOODS AND FOODSTUFFS BOTH ROSE BY 7 PER CENT, WHILE THOSE OF CONSUMER GOODS ROSE BY 4 PER CENT. ON THE OTHER HAND, PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF FUELS DROPPED BY 7 PER CENT.
FURTHER DETAILS ARE CONTAINED IN THE FEBRUARY 1989 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS" WHICH WILL BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AROUND MAY 10 AT $2.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, HONG KONG (TEL. NO. : 5-8428802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE INDEXES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. 5-8234918).
TABLE 1: INCREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY COMMODITY GROUP
COMPARING WITH FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 1989 1988 COMPARING JAN-FEB 1989 WITH JAN-FEB 1988
COMMODITY GROUP UNIT UNIT
VALUE VALUE VOLUME VALUE VALUE VOLUME
% % % % % %
CLOTHING -3 1 -4 -2 ♦ -2
TEXTILE FABRICS -12 -1 -11 -3 -2 -1
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD 16 3 13 16 1 15
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES -18 6 -23 -15 5 -20
/RADIOS OF .......
MONDAY, MAY 8, 1989
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS •52 -1 -51 -48 ♦ -48
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS 36 -3 40 35 -3 39
FOOTWEAR 20 3 -22 -12 1 -13
METAL MANUFACTURES 5 11 -5 14 11 3
METAL ORES AND SCRAP 18 2 16 36 2 34
WATCHES AND CLOCKS 7 3 4 3 2 ♦
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES 20 5 -24 -17 3 -19
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES 32 7 -36 -28 8 -33
ALL COMMODITIES 3 3 ♦ 4 3 1
* INSIGNIFICANT, I .E. LESS THAN 0.5%
TABLE 2: INCREASES IN IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING WITH FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 1989 1988 COMPARING WITH JAN-FEB JAN-FEB 1989 1988
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
FOODSTUFFS 19 4 15 23 4 19
CONSUMER GOODS 39 5 32 35 5 29
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 31 4 26 29 4 24
FUELS 56 4 50 30 1 29
CAPITAL GOODS 4 3 5 36 41 5 35
ALL COMMODITIES 35 5 29 32 4 27
/TABLE J
MONDAY, MAY 8, 1989
5
TABLE 3: INCREASES IN RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING WITH FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 1989 1988 COMPARING WITH JAN- JAN- FEB 1989 FEB 1988
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
FOODSTUFFS 8 7 1 27 6 20
CONSUMER GOODS 41 4 35 40 4 35
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 33 8 24 37 8 27
FUELS 159 -7 179 86 -7 100
CAPITAL GOODS 70 7 59 68 7 57
ALL COMMODITIES 41 6 33 42 6 34
-------0----------
RAINFALL ABOVE NORMAL IN APRIL * ♦ t *
THE TOTAL RAINFALL IN APRIL WAS 201.1 MILLIMETRES COMPARED WITH THE NORMAL AMOUNT OF 139.4 MILLIMETRES, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY SAID IN ITS MONTHLY WEATHER REPORT TODAY (MONDAY).
FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE DECEMBER LAST YEAR, THE RAINFALL FOR THE MONTH WAS ABOVE NORMAL.
THE AMOUNT OF RAINFALL IN APRIL BRINGS THE ACCUMULATED RAINFALL FOR THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF THIS YEAR TO 275.5 MILLIMETRES WHICH IS FIVE PER CENT ABOVE THE NORMAL OF 263.0 MILLIMETRES.
THE MONTHLY AVERAGE ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE OF 1011.1 HPA IS THE THIRD LOWEST ON RECORD FOR APRIL.
WITH ONLY SEVEN DAYS IN THE MONTH WITHOUT RAIN, THE TOTAL DURATION OF BRIGHT SUNSHINE IN APRIL WAS ONLY 71.1 HOURS WHICH IS THE NINTH LOWEST ON RECORD FOR APRIL.
WEATHER ON APRIL 1 WAS GENERALLY CLOUDY WITH COASTAL FOG. VISIBILITIES AT WAGLAN ISLAND WERE REDUCED TO 100 METRES AT TIMES. SOME LIGHT RAIN ALSO OCCURRED THAT EVENING. THESE DULL CONDITIONS CONTINUED INTO THE NEXT DAY.
/WINDS TURNED .......
MONDAY, MAY 8, 1989
WINDS TURNED SOUTHWESTERLY ON APRIL 3 AS A TROUGH OE LOW PRESSURE OXER CENTRAL CHINA BEGAN TO EDGE SOUTHWARDS AND RAIN BECAME MORE FREQUENT.
THE WEATHER WAS OVERCAST THE NEXT DAY AND BY THE MORNING OE APRIL 5. Till TROUGH WAS OVER THE SOUTH CHINA COAST, BRINGING WITH IT HOWERS \ND THUNDERSTORMS.
IHE OVERCAST AND RAINY CONDITIONS PREVAILED DURING THE NEXT FOUR DAYS AS THE TROUGH OE LOW PRESSURE REMAINED ALMOST STATIONARY OVER THE COASTAL WATERS OF SOUTH CHINA.
A WEAK SURGE OF THE NORTHEAST MONSOON REACHED THE SOUTH CHINA COAST ON APRIL 10 AND THE WEATHER GRADUALLY IMPROVED DURING THE DAY.
OVERCAST CONDITIONS RETURNED AS EASTERLY WINDS FURTHER STRENGTHENED EARLY ON APRIL 12. A 14-METRE TREE IN NORTH POINT WAS UPROOTED IN STRONG WINDS.
WINDS THEN GRADUALLY WEAKENED AND BECAME SOUTHEASTERLY BY APRIL 14. WARM AND MOIST AIR BROUGHT MISTY AND FOGGY CONDITIONS TO THE TERRITORY.
THE WEATHER BECAME OVERCAST WITH RAIN ON APRIL 15. THESE CONDITIONS PREVAILED FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS AS A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE STAYED OVER THE SOUTH CHINA COASTAL WATERS.
WITH THIS TROUGH DISSIPATING ON APRIL 18, FOG RETURNED. VISIBILITIES WITHIN THE HARBOUR AND AT WAGLAN ISLAND WERE REDUCED TO 700 AND 100 METRES RESPECTIVELY.
FOG WITHIN THE HARBOUR CLEARED BRIEFLY DURING THE DAY ON APRIL 19 BUT RETURNED AGAIN IN THE EVENING. OVER 30 INCOMING AND OUTGOING FLIGHTS WERE EITHER DIVERTED OR DELAYED ON APRIL 18 AND 19.
THE FOGGY AND MISTY WEATHER PREVAILED UNTIL APRIL 21 WHEN THE WINDS TURNED SOUTHWESTERLY AND A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE WAS APPROACHING FROM THE NORTH.
THIS TROUGH REACHED THE SOUTH CHINA COAST DURING THE EVENING OF APRIL 22, BRINGING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TO THE TERRITORY. RAINFALL WAS ESPECIALLY HEAVY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WHERE 25 CASES OF FLOODING WERE REPORTED.
THE OVERCAST AND SHOWERY CONDITIONS CONTINUED UNTIL THE EVENING OF APRIL 23 WHEN AN ANTICYCLONE EXTENDED SOUTHWARDS AND BROUGHT MUCH DRIER AIR TO THE COASTAL AREAS. THE WEATHER THEN TURNED MAINLY FINE AND REMAINED SO THE NEXT DAY.
HOWEVER, CLOUDY AND RAINY WEATHER RETURNED ON APRIL 25 AS WINDS FRESHENED FROM THE EAST. THE TEMPERATURE ALSO DROPPED TO A MINIMUM OF 18.3 DEGREES WHICH WAS THE LOWEST FOR THE MONTH.
EASTERLY WINDS MAINTAINED THE CLOUDY AND RAINY CONDITIONS FOR THE NEXT THREE DAYS. FOG ALSO OCCURRED OFFSHORE ON APRIL 28.
/THE SKY
MONDAY, MAY 8, 1989
- 7 -
THE SKY FINALLY CLEARED ON THE EVENING OF APRIL 29 AS EASTERLY WINDS WEAKENED.
BY APRIL 30 THE WEATHER HAD BECOME MAINLY FINE. LONG PERIODS OF SUNSHINE DURING THE DAY BROUGHT THE TEMPERATURE TO A MAXIMUM OF 29.0 DEGREES WHICH WAS THE HIGHEST FOR THE MONTH.
DURING THE MONTH OF APRIL, 30 AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER. THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON APRIL 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23 AND 26. FLOOD WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON APRIL 22 AND 23. THE RED FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON APRIL 11.
SIGNALS HOISTED DURING THE MONTH WERE AS FOLLOWS:
WEATHER SYSTEM SIGNAL DATE AND TIME DATE AND TIME OF HOISTING OF LOWERING
WINTER STRONG MONSOON MONSOON APRIL 3 5.30 PM APRIL 4 8 AM
WINTER STRONG MONSOON MONSOON APRIL 10 11 PM APRIL 11 10 AM
WINTER STRONG MONSOON MONSOON APRIL 11 10 PM APRIL 12 9.30 AM
THE MONTH’S FIGURES : AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WERE:
TOTAL BRIGHT SUNSHINE 71.1 HOURS ; 49.1 HOURS BELOW NORMAL
MEAN DAILY GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION 9.12 MJ/SQ.M ; 4.57 MJ/SQ.M BELOW NORMAL
TOTAL RAINFALL 201.1 MM ; 61.7 MM ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN AMOUNT OF CLOUD 84 PER CENT ; 8 PER CENT MORE THAN NORMAL
MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY 86 PER CENT ; 3 PER CENT HIGHER THAN NORMAL
MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE 24.0 DEGREES ; CELSIUS 1.0 DEGREE CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE 22.0 DEGREES ; CELSIUS 0.1 DEGREE CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE 20.5 DEGREES ; CELSIUS 0.5 DEGREE CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN DEW POINT 19.5 DEGREES ; CELSIUS 0.6 DEGREE CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
TOTAL EVAPORATION 63.3 MM ; 49.2 MM BELOW NORMAL
0
/8........
MONDAY, MAY 8, 1989
- 8 -
CHINESE CUSTOMS DELEGATION VISITS HONG KONG
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
A DELEGATION LED BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE GUANGDONG BRANCH OF THE CUSTOMS GENERAL ADMINISTRATION OF CHINA, MR QIAN GUANLIN, MET SENIOR OFFICIALS OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT LAST WEEK DURING A VISIT TO HONG KONG.
THIS WAS THE 7TH ANNUAL MEETING TO REVIEW ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE AREAS OF INTELLIGENCE EXCHANGE AND ANTI-SMUGGLING ACTIVITIES BETWEEN THE CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATIONS IN THE PRECEDING YEAR.
OTHER TOPICS DISCUSSED INCLUDED PRATICAL WAYS TO ENCHANCE CO-OPERATION TO CURB SMUGGLING ACTIVITIES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA.
THE GUANGDONG DELEGATION ALSO VISITED THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE TRAINING SCHOOL, THE HONG KONG CHINA FERRY TERMINAL AND SOON-TO-BE-OPENED LOK MA CHAU TERMINAL, AND OBSERVED THE OPERATION OF THE NEWLY ACQUIRED X-RAY VAN.
THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR PATRICK WILLIAMSON, WHO CHAIRED THE MEETING, SAID THAT THERE HAD BEEN REGULAR CONTACTS BETWEEN THE TWO CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATIONS SINCE 1981 TO REVIEW SMUGGLING AND NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING TRENDS.
THIS CO-OPERATION HAD HAD A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE ANTI-SMUGGLING EFFORTS OF BOTH ADMINISTRATIONS, HE NOTED.
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TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW ♦ » » * *
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS AN APPLICATION FROM THE LANTAU TAXI ASSOCIATION FOR A FARE INCREASE AND A REQUEST FOR LANTAU TAXIS TO OPERATE ON NGONG PING ROAD.
APPLICATIONS FOR FARE INCREASES FROM THE STAR FERRY AND THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED BY THE COMMITTEE.
THE TAC WILL BE BRIEFED ON PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ROAD OPENINGS IN HONG KONG.
THE MEETING WILL BE HELD AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES AT 2.30 PM.
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/9......•
MONDAY. MAY 8. 1989
- 9 -
RIVER TRAINING PROJECT IN NORTH DISTRICT t t t t ♦ t
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO CONSIDER A PROPOSED RJVER TRAINING AND FLOOD PREVENTION PROGRAMME IN FANLING AND SHEUNG SHU1.
IT HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED IN A CONSULTANCY STUDY ON THE RIVER INDUS THAT A $950 MILLION PROGRAMME BE IMPLEMENTED IN STAGES INVOLVING THE MAIN DRAINAGE CHANNELS IN THE AREA.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND THE CONSULTANT WILL BRIEF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ON THE SUBJECT.
THE MEETING WILL ALSO DISCUSS A PAPER SUBMITTED BY A MEMBER URGING GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO TAKE VARIOUS PRECAUTIONARY AND CONTINGENCY MEASURES BEFORE THE ADVENT OF THE RAINY SEASON TO PREVENT FLOODINGS.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE PROGRESS REPORTS ON VILLAGE LIGHTING INSTALLATIONS. LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS, MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND SQUATTER AREA IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS FUND ALLOCATION FOR CULTURAL PROJECTS
THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S RECREATION, SPORTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE PROVISIONAL ALLOCATION OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR RECREATION, SPORTS AND CULTURAL PROJECTS IN 1989-90 AT ITS MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (MAY 10).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES PLANNED BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS FOR THE DISTRICT IN MAY AND JUNE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S RECREATION, SPORTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY (MAY 10) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 152 KWONG FUK ROAD, TAI PO.
THE MEETING WILL START AT 2.30 PM.
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/1O
MONDAY, MAY 8,
1989
10
COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR 1989-90.
A TOTAL OF 20 PROJECTS, ESTIMATED TO COST ABOUT $1.33 MILLION, INCLUDE CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUNDS, SITTING OUT AREAS, PAVILIONS AND INSTALLATION OF WELCOME SIGNS ON THE ISLANDS.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS LAST YEAR’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS AND THE SUPPLY OF MECHANICAL GRASS CUTTERS TO THE EIGHT RURAL COMMITTEES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS A REPORT ON ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS PREPARED BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH WILL BE PRESENT TO EXPLAIN THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT AND COLLECT MEMBERS’ VIEWS.
ALSO, A MEMBER WILL ASK WHAT MEASURES WILL THE GOVERNMENT TAKE TO IMPROVE THE EXISTING SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO DECIDE WHETHER TO ALLOCATE FUNDS TO PUBLICISE A PREFERENTIAL MEDICAL TREATMENT SCHEME FOR THE ELDERLY AND THE DISABLED IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE TOMORROW (TUESDAY) 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.
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/11
MONDAY♦ MAY 8, 1989
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS REVIEW OF LOCAL CRAFT ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT PREPARED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ON THE REVIEW OF THE USE OF LOCAL CRAFT AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ELECT THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, AND CONSIDER THE COMMITTEE’S MEMBERSHIP, TERMS OF REFERENCE AND SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS.
A WORKING GROUP ON THIS YEAR’S ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN IN THE DISTRICT WILL BE FORMED DURING THE MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO BEGIN AT 4 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 21ST FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, HONG KONG.
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TENDERS INVITED FOR WATER WORKS PROJECT ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE JUNK BAY WEST HIGH LEVEL FRESH WATER PUMPING STATION WHICH FORMS PART OF STAGE II OF THE WATER SUPPLY TO JUNK BAY PROJECT.
THE PUMPING STATION IS REQUIRED TO COPE WITH THE JUNK BAY NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT.
WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START IN JULY THIS YEAR AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
TENDERS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BEFORE NOON ON MAY 26 THIS YEAR.
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/12
MONDAY» MAY 8, 1989
- 12 -
CSD RECRUITS OFFICERS AND ASSISTANT OFFICERS ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS RECRUITING SUITABLE YOUNG PEOPLE TO JOIN AS OFFICERS AND ASSISTANT OFFICERS FOR WORKING IN VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE AND REFUGEE CENTRES MANAGED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
APPLICANTS FOR OFFICERS AND ASSISTANT OFFICERS SHOULD BE AGED BETWEEN 18 TO 35. THEY SHOULD AT LEAST BE 162 CENTIMETRES TALL AND WEIGH 50 KILOGRAMS FOR MALE, AND 152 CENTIMETRES TALL AND WEIGH 42 KILOGRAMS FOR FEMALE.
THE TERMS OF APPOINTMENT FOR SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WILL BE ON A TEMPORARY MONTH-TO-MONTH BASIS.
THE ENTRY SALARY FOR OFFICERS IS $9,275 PER MONTH AND FOR ASSISTANT OFFICERS $4,495 PER MONTH.
APPLICANTS SHOULD APPLY IN PERSON TO ANY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING RECRUITMENT OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT:-
* CENTRAL RECRUITMENT CENTRE AT 23RD FLOOR, WANCHA1 TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI;
* STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE AT 47 TUNG TAU WAN ROAD, STANLEY;
* LAI CHI KOK RECEPTION CENTRE AT 5 BUTTERFLY VALLEY ROAD, LAI CHI KOK;
* TSUEN WAN RECRUITMENT CENTRE AT PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE, TAI HO ROAD, TSUEN WAN; AND
* LOK FU RECRUITMENT CENTRE AT LOK FU SHOPPING ARCADE, LOK FU ESTATE.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-275951.
-----o-----
WATER STORAGE FIGURE * * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 38.7 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 226.728 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 174.571 MILLION
CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 29.8 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
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/13
MONDAY, MAY 8, 1989
- 13 -
SCHOOLS SUMMER OLYMPIAD FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS ♦ * * * ♦
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD A SCHOOLS SUMMER OLYMPIAD IN JULY TO FURTHER PROMOTE SPORTS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO SHARE THEIR ATHLETIC SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES.
THE SCHOOLS SUMMER OLYMPIAD WILL FEATURE COMPETITIONS IN FIVE SPORTS FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS AT VARIOUS VENUES BETWEEN JULY 8 AND 23.
THESE INCLUDE ATHLETICS. BADMINTON, BASKETBALL, SWIMMING AND VOLLEYBALL.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT MORE THAN 3,000 STUDENTS WILL TAKE PART IN THE EVENTS.
THE BEST THREE SCHOOLS IN THE BOYS AND GIRLS GRADES IN EACH COMPETITION WILL BE HONOURED.
THE ORIENTAL DAILY NEWS WILL CONTRIBUTE CASH AWARDS OF $5,000, $3,000 AND $2,000 RESPECTIVELY TO THE FIRST THREE WINNING SCHOOLS. THEY COULD USE THE PRIZE MONEY TO IMPROVE THEIR PHYSICAL EDUCATION FACILITIES.
THE BEST ATHLETES WILL BE CHOSEN FROM AMONG THE OUTSTANDING PARTICIPANTS IN EACH GRADE.
THE FINALS FOR BADMINTON, BASKETBALL AND VOLLEYBALL COMPETITIONS AS WELL AS THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM, WAN CHAI, ON JULY 23.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CHEUNG SHA WAN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (MAY 10), CHEUNG LAI STREET BETWEEN LAI CHI KOK ROAD AND CHEUNG YEE STREET WILL BE REVERTED TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC INSTEAD OF ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE LEFT-TURN FROM LAI CHI KOK ROAD EASTBOUND ONTO CHEUNG LAI STREET NORTHBOUND WILL BE RE-OPENED.
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LANE CLOSURE ON LUNG CHEUNG ROAD
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT IN ORDER TO FACILITATE DUCT-LAYING WORKS ACROSS LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, THE KERBSIDE TRAFFIC LANES ON WESTBOUND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD BELOW THE LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD FLYOVER WILL BE CLOSED ALTERNATELY FOR 20 DAYS FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (MAY 10).
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, MAY 9, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE MO.
FOURTH MEETING OF PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY ............ 1
FS PLEASED WITH OUTCOME OF HKFE'S EJ3M ...................... 3
TAC DISCUSS FARE INCREASES .................................. 3
BROADCASTING AUTHORITY ATTENDS PRESENTATION BY CONSULTANTS .. 5
BUDGET DEBATE WINDS UP TOMORROW ............................. 6
MULTI-PRONGED STRATEGY TU COMBAT UNFAIR ANTI-DUMPING ACTIONS 6
MOBILE EXHIBITION CM RURAL IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY ............. 8
EASTERN DB TO DISCUSS ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS ................ 9
DB COMMITTEE TO ASK FOR NEW SITE FOR WESTERN PARKLAND........ 10
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS IN SAI KUNG ...................... 10
DB WORKING GROUP TO DISCUSS IMPROVEMENTS TO MARICULTURE ZONES 11
NEW PROCEDURES ON EX-GRATIA PAYMENTS ........................ 12
ANNUAL PLACEMENT SERVICE FOR PRIMARY TEACHERS ............... 12
LABOUR OFFICES ON THE MOVE................................... 1/+
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KWUN TONG ...........................
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS CW TOLO HIGHWAY AND IN WING TAI SIN .... 15
VILLAGE VEHICLE BAN CW CHEUNG CHAU FOR BUN FESTIVAL.......... 15
TUESDAY. MAY 9. 1989
1 FOURTH MEETING OF PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY t t » » t
THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY (PHA) HELD ITS FOURTH MEETING TODAY (TUESDAY) AND REVIEWED THE PROGRESS OF ITS VARIOUS COMMITTEES.
"THE AUTHORITY STRUCTURE COMMITTEE HAS CONTINUED TO PROGRESS SMOOTHLY." CHAIRMAN OF THE PHA. SIR S.Y. CHUNG. SAID.
"THE INITIAL CONCEPT OF INTRODUCING A DEVELOPMENT STREAM AND A COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT STREAM IN THE WORK OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY. IN ADDITION TO THE DAY-TO-DAY MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC HOSPITALS. HAS BEEN FURTHER DEVELOPED.
"THE FORMER WILL PROVIDE A CONSTANT IMPETUS FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PUBLIC HOSPITAL SYSTEM. IN AREAS COVERING NOT ONLY MEDICAL MATTERS. BUT ALSO SUPPORTING SERVICES, FINANCE. HUMAN RESOURCES. SYSTEMS. AND HOSPITAL PROJECTS.
"THE COMMUNITY STREAM WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SETTING UP THE COMMITTEE SYSTEM. IN PARTICULAR THE REGIONAL COMMITTEES IN WHICH INDIVIDUAL HOSPITALS AND THE PUBLIC WILL BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE AND GIVE ADVICE ON THE NEEDS FOR HOSPITAL SERVICES IN THE REGION AND HOW THEY SHOULD BE MET." SIR S.Y. ELABORATED.
"THE COMMITTEE HAS ALSO AGREED THAT WHILE A THREE-TIER ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE IS NECESSARY. THAT IS THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY HEADQUARTERS. REGIONS, AND INDIVIDUAL HOSPITALS. THR REGIONAL TIER SHOULD BE KEPT AS SMALL AS POSSIBLE IN ORDER TO AVOID CREATING ANOTHER LAYER OF BUREAUCRACY IN THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS.
"A GREAT DEAL OF AUTHORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO INDIVIDUAL HOSPITALS, WITH THE HEADQUARTERS RETAINING OVERALL CONTROL AND PROVIDING CENTRAL DIRECTION TOWARDS REFORM."
"THE HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE HAS NOW ALMOST COMPLETED ITS DISCUSSIONS ON THE ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE OF INDIVIDUAL PUBLIC HOSPITALS UNDER THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
"A HOSPITAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE WILL BE PUT IN CHARGE OF EACH PUBLIC HOSPITAL. WITH THE NECESSARY POWER AND AUTHORITY TO MANAGE THE HOSPITALS, TO REPLACE THE CURRENT UNSATISFACTORY SYSTEM.
"IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THE ORGANISATION STRUCTURE WILL BE A PRACTICAL ONE, THE COMMITTEE HAS PROPOSED THAT A CONSULTANCY FIRM WITH EXPERIENCE IN HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE SHOULD BE ENGAGED TO STUDY THE RECOMMENDED MODEL AND TO ARRIVE AT AN APPROPRIATE MODEL FOR ADOPTION BY THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY." SIR S.Y. SAID.
"THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HAS CONTINUED TO DISCUSS WITH GOVERNMENT THE FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
"IT IS HOPED THAT THE FIRST YEAR BUDGET ALLOCATION WILL INCLUDE ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO INTRODUCE MUCH NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS IN OUR PUBLIC HOSPITALS. IN PARTICULAR REGARDING STAFFING AND EQUIPMENT," HE SAID.
/"THE COMMITTEE
TUESDAY, MAY 9, 1989
2
"THE COMMITTEE ON INTEGRATION OF PUBLIC HOSPITAL SERVICES HAS COMPLETED THE FIRST ROUND OF CONSULTATION WITH BOARDS OF DIRECTORS OF SUBVENTED HOSPITALS.
"THE COMMITTEE IS NOW CONSIDERING HOW SUBVENTED HOSPITALS SHOULD BE INTEGRATED SMOOTHLY INTO THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY ALONG THE LINES OUTLINED TO THE PRESS AFTER THE PHA’S VISIT TO THE TUNG WAH HOSPITAL ON APRIL 27.
"THE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD FURTHER DISCUSSIONS WITH SUBVENTED HOSPITALS SOON." SIR S.Y. SAID.
THE LEGISLATION COMMITTEE HAS AGREED AN OUTLINE OF THE LEGISLATION FOR THE INCORPORATION OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE WILL SOON ISSUE DRAFTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR A DRAFT BILL TO BE PREPARED. THE DRAFT BILL WILL BE DISCUSSED BY THE PHA BEFORE BEING SUBMITTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION AND TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR ENACTMENT.
TURNING TO THE STAFFING COMMITTEE. SIR S.Y. SAID THAT THE CONSULTANCY FIRM ENGAGED TO DEVISE A PACKAGE OF NEW TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR STAFF WORKING IN THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY HAS BEEN MAKING GOOD PROGRESS.
THE CONSULTANTS HAVE RECEIVED THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FOUR WORKING GROUPS ON HOUSING, RETIREMENT BENEFITS, TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT, AND OTHER BENEFITS AND WILL TAKE THEM INTO ACCOUNT IN THEIR WORK. ALL THESE WORKING GROUPS HAVE CO-OPTED FRONT LINE STAFF IN GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED HOSPITALS AS MEMBERS.
IN ADDITION, THE CONSULTANTS WILL ISSUE QUESTIONNAIRES TO A SIZEABLE SAMPLE OF STAFF IN GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED HOSPITALS TO SOLICIT THEIR VIEWS ON THE NEW TERMS. THE CONSULTANTS ARE EXPECTED TO FINISH THEIR WORK BY SEPTEMBER.
RECOGNISING THAT THE TWO TEACHING HOSPITALS, THE QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL AND THE PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL, NEED SEPARATE CONSIDERATION IN VIEW OF THEIR SPECIAL ROLE, A SEVENTH COMMITTEE, CALLED THE COMMITTEE ON MANAGEMENT AND FINANCING OF TEACHING HOSPITALS, HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED, WITH CO-OPTED MEMBERS FROM THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE AND THE MEDICAL FACULTIES OF THE TWO UNIVERSITIES.
THE COMMITTEE WILL START WORK LATER THIS MONTH.
MEANWHILE, THE USEFUL ROUND OF VISITS TO PUBLIC HOSPITALS HAS CONTINUED. SO FAR, 25 HOSPITALS HAVE BEEN COVERED.
A PROGRAMME OF FURTHER VISITS, LASTING UNTIL AUGUST, HAS BEEN DRAWN UP. THE PHA MAY THEN VISIT A NUMBER OF PRIVATE HOSPITALS.
"THE NEXT PLENARY MEETING OF THE PHA WILL BE HELD IN JULY," SIR S.Y. SAID.
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TUESDAY, MAY 9, 1989
- 3 -
FS PLEASED WITH OUTCOME OF HKFE’S EGM * * * * *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, TODAY (TUESDAY) CONGRATULATED THE HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE FOR HAVING SUCCESSFULLY AND FULLY RECONSTITUTED ITSELF ALONG THE LINES RECOMMENDED BY THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE, THUS PAVING THE WAY FOR FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE FUTURES EXCHANGE.
TWO RESOLUTIONS WERE ADOPTED BY THE EXCHANGE AT ITS EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING THIS EVENING.
THE FIRST DEALS WITH CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS FOR A MORE BALANCED, MARKET-ORIENTED BOARD AND A BETTER STRUCTURED MEMBERSHIP AND THE SECOND RELATES TO VOTING RIGHTS OF NON-MEMBER SHAREHOLDERS.
"I AM MOST IMPRESSED BY THE DECISION OF THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE FUTURES EXCHANGE AND THE EFFORTS OF ALL CONCERNED, IN PARTICULAR, THE BOARD OF THE EXCHANGE AND ITS CHAIRMAN, MR EOGHAN MCMILLAN, WHO HAVE TAKEN THE INITIATIVE AND WORKED SO PATIENTLY IN THE PAST MONTHS ON THE RECONSTITUTION EXERCISE," MR JACOBS SAID.
"THE SUCCESSFUL RECONSTITUTION OF THE FUTURES EXCHANGE IS VERY ENCOURAGING INDEED.
"THIS, TOGETHER WITH THE RESTRUCTURED LIFEBOAT AGREEMENT AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW CLEARING CORPORATION, WILL NOW PROVIDE A VERY GOOD FOUNDATION FOR THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH OF OUR FUTURES MARKET WITH STANDARDS COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF OTHER MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRES," HE ADDED.
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TAC DISCUSS FARE INCREASES
* * *
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) TODAY (TUESDAY) RECOMMENDED AN INCREASE IN THE FARES CHARGED BY TAXIS ON LANTAU ISLAND.
MEMBERS EXAMINED THE FARE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TAXIS AND BUSES, THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE TAXI TRADE AND THE LEVEL OF TAXI SERVICE ON LANTAU.
TAKING ACCOUNT OF THE RELATIVELY LONG DISTANCE THAT THE TAXIS MUST TRAVEL TO COLLECT PASSENGERS, THE TAC SUPPORTED AN INCREASE IN THE SURCHARGE FOR RADIO-CALL TAXI SERVICE ON THE ISLAND.
TAC ALSO DISCUSSED APPLICATIONS FOR FARE INCREASES FROM THE STAR FERRY COMPANY AND THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY.
/THE COMMITTEE'S .......
TUESDAY, MAY 9, 19&9
4
THE COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE FARE INCREASE APPLICATIONS WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR A FINAL DECISION.
AFTER CAREFUL STUDY OF VARIOUS PROPOSALS FROM THE LANTAU TAXI ASSOCIATION TO ALLOW LANTAU TAXIS TO OPERATE ON NGONG PING ROAD, THE TAC DECIDED THAT THEY COULD NOT ACCEPT THEM FOR SAFETY REASONS.
ON THE PROPOSED PROVISION OF TRAFFIC SIGNALS ON DIFFERENT SECTIONS OF NGONG PING ROAD TO AVOID HEAD-ON COLLISIONS, MEMBERS NOTED THAT AN UNACCEPTABLY LONG CYCLE TIME WOULD BE REQUIRED TO REGULATE ONE-WAY TRAFFIC ON TWO CONSIDERABLY LONG SECTIONS OF THE ROAD.
THIS WOULD CREATE THE RISK OF COLLISION IF ANY IMPATIENT DRIVER WAS TEMPTED TO THE JUMP LIGHT.
MOREOVER, THE SINGLE-LANE SECTIONS WERE NOT LONG ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE QUEUING TRAFFIC IN VIEW OF THE ANTICIPATED INCREASE IN TRAFFIC FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THE BIG BUDDHA STATUE.
ON THE SUGGESTION THAT TAXIS BE ALLOWED TO OPERATE ON NGONG PING ROAD FROM MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS, MEMBERS CONSIDERED THAT THE NGONG PING ACCESS ROAD WAS NOT YET OF A STANDARD TO ACCOMMODATE ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC AND THAT AN INCREASE CONFLICT OF HEAD-ON TRAFFIC MIGHT POSE DANGER TO BUSES AS WELL AS PEDESTRIANS AS THE ROAD WAS ALSO SERVING AS A FOOTPATH FOR ACCESS TO PO LIN MONASTERY.
TAC ALSO DID NOT ACCEPT THE LANTAU TAXI ASSOCIATION’S SUGGESTION OF ISSUING 20 SPECIAL PERMITS FOR THE ASSOCIATION TO CONTROL THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF TAXIS GAINING ACCESS TO NGONG PING AT ANY ONE TIME.
MEMBERS FELT THAT IT WAS UNDESIRABLE TO ALLOW A TAXI ASSOCIATION TO CONTROL THE USE OF PERMITS ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT.
THE COMMITTEE AGREED THAT LANTAU TAXIS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO REACH NGONG PING AFTER THE ACCESS ROAD WAS WIDENED AND MADE SAFE.
MEMBERS NOTED THAT DETAILED DESIGN OF THE ROAD WIDENING PROJECT WAS ALREADY UNDER WAY, WITH A VIEW TO STARTING CONSTRUCTION LATER THIS YEAR AND COMPLETING IT BY LATE 1990 OR EARLY 1991.
THE TAC WAS ALSO BRIEFED ON PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ROAD OPENINGS IN HONG KONG.
MEMBERS NOTED THAT CARRIAGEWAY AND FOOTWAY SURFACES CONCEALED A MAZE OF CABLES, PIPES AND DUCTS, WHICH REQUIRED MAINTENANCE AND UPGRADING FROM TIME TO TIME.
IN ADDITION TO THE PROBLEM OF UTILITY OPERATIONS THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT ALSO NEEDED TO MAINTAIN AND RECONSTRUCT EXISTING ROADS, AND THESE WORKS WOULD ALSO OCCUPY ROAD SURFACES.
/Members of
TUESDAY, MAY 9, 1989
5 -
MEMBERS OF THE TAC WERE TOLD THAT THE MAJORITY OF MAINTENANCE AND UTILITY WORK ON MAJOR ROUTES WAS UNDERTAKEN DURING OFF-PEAK TRAFFIC HOURS.
LAST YEAR, 1,229 NIGHT WORK PERMITS WERE ISSUED FOR ROAD WORKS WITH VALIDITY PERIODS FROM ONE DAY TO ONE MONTH.
THE TAC WAS INFORMED THAT, TO MINIMISE THE DISRUPTION TO TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIANS, A ROAD OPENING CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE (ROCC) WAS ESTABLISHED IN EACH OF THE THREE REGIONS TO MONITOR AND CO-ORDINATE ALL ROAD OPENINGS IN THE PUBLIC CARRIAGEWAY AND FOOTWAY.
THE ROCC'S MONTHLY MEETING WAS ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF ALL RELEVANT UTILITY COMPANIES, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER INTERESTED OR AFFECTED PARTIES.
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE NEW TECHNOLOGY SUCH AS COMMON USER DUCTS AND SHARED TRENCHES AND INTRODUCE NEW METHODS WHERE FEASIBLE.
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BROADCASTING AUTHORITY ATTENDS PRESENTATION BY CONSULTANTS *****
THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY TODAY (TUESDAY) ATTENDED A PRESENTATION BY ARTHUR D. LITTLE, THE FIRM OF CONSULTANTS ENGAGED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO ASSIST IN THE ASSESSMENT OF FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF THE CABLE TELEVISION BIDS RECEIVED ON FEBRUARY 28 THIS YEAR.
SPEAKING AFTER THE PRESENTATION, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY, SIR ROGER LOBO, REFERRED TO A REPORT WHICH APPEARED IN AN ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER THIS MORNING.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE PRESENTATION HAD PUT BEFORE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY MEMBERS THE VARIOUS ISSUES IN THE CTV BIDS ON THE BASIS OF WHICH THE FINAL CHOICE WOULD HAVE TO BE MADE.
"CONTRARY TO THE SPECULATION IN THAT REPORT, THE CONSULTANTS MADE NO OVERALL QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT AS TO THE RELATIVE MERITS OF THE PROPOSALS. THAT TASK FALLS TO THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY," HE SAID.
THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY CONCLUDED THAT IN UNDERTAKING THE INQUIRY INTO A SUITABLE SYSTEM OF CABLE TELEVISION FOR HONG KONG AS ORDERED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL, IT WILL HAVE FULL REGARD TO A NUMBER OF ASPECTS NOT ALL OF WHICH, IN THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY’S VIEW, HAVE BEEN FULLY COVERED IN THE CONSULTANTS’ PRESENTATION.
/"IN OUR .......
TUESDAY, MAY 9, 1989
6 -
"IN OUR FUTURE MEETINGS, WE WILL HAVE TO LOOK VERY CAREFULLY AT THE ORIGINAL BIDS SUBMITTED ON FEBRUARY 28 TOGETHER WITH CERTAIN CLARIFICATIONS SOUGHT BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION BRANCH.
"THESE WILL FORM THE BASIS OF OUR INQUIRY AND OUR SUBSEQUENT RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL," HE SAID.
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BUDGET DEBATE WINDS UP TOMORROW t * * * *
THE SECOND READING DEBATE OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1989 WILL RESUME IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) WHEN REPLIES ARE SCHEDULED TO BE GIVEN ON VARIOUS POINTS RAISED BY MEMBERS IN THE PREVIOUS BUDGET DEBATE.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE WILL MOVE THAT AN AMENDMENT TO THE OUTLINE OF THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE SCHEME, UNDER THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS (ASSISTANCE FUND) ORDINANCE, BE APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
IN ADDITION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL SPEAK ON THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY ANNUAL REPORT 1988.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL ALSO WIND UP THE BUDGET DEBATE.
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MULTI-PRONGED STRATEGY TO COMBAT UNFAIR ANTI-DUMPING ACTIONS
♦ »*»»»«
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT VIEWS THE SERIES OF ANTI-DUMPING ACTIONS BY THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY MOST SERIOUSLY AND IS LEAVING NO STONE UNTURNED IN COMBATTING ANY UNFAIRNESS WHICH EMERGES, THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR MICHAEL SZE, TOLD AN AUDIENCE FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES LIONS CLUB TODAY (TUESDAY).
HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT WAS ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM FROM VARIOUS FRONTS AND WAS FOLLOWING A MULTI-PRONGED STRATEGY.
WHILE THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT OBJECT TO LEGITIMATE ANTI-DUMPING ACTION, ITS MAIN CONCERN WAS THAT HONG KONG’S TRADING PARTNERS DID NOT IMPOSE ANTI-DUMPING ACTIONS IN SITUATIONS WHERE FROM AN ECONOMIC POINT OF VIEW, DUMPING WAS NOT OCCURRING, MR SZE SAID.
/"IN ECONOMIC .......
TUESDAY, MAY 9, 1989
"IN ECONOMIC TERMS, IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE HOW HONG KONG COMPANIES COULD DUMP, GIVEN HONG KONG’S COMPLETELY OPEN ECONOMY AND OUR GENERALLY SMALL COMPANIES.
"AND ONE CANNOT HELP SUSPECTING THAT ANTI-DUMPING ACTION IS DEING USED AS A PROTECTIONIST WEAPON," HE SAID.
RUNNING THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT’S MULTI-PRONGED STRATEGY, MR SZE SAID HONG KONG’S OVERSEAS OFFICES IN BRUSSELS, GENEVA, LONDON, WASHINGTON AND TOKYO ACCORDED ANTI-DUMPING TOP PRIORITY.
THEY WERE MAINTAINING A HIGH DEGREE OF VIGILANCE AND CHANNELLING INFORMATION BACK TO HONG KONG AS THEY RECEIVED IT.
SO FAR THE TRADE DEPARTMENT HAS HELD 16 MEETINGS WITH ALL AFFECTED COMPANIES TO EXPLAIN PROCEDURES, TO KEEP THEM ABREAST OF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS, AND TO OFFER ADVICE.
"THE DEPARTMENT HAS SET UP A SPECIAL TASK FORCE WITHIN ITS EEC DIVISION TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM," HE ADDED.
MR SZE POINTED OUT THAT THE TRADE DEPARTMENT HAD EMPLOYED ONE TRADE POLICY ADVISER BASED IN LONDON AND ONE LEGAL EXPERT IN THE DUMPING FIELD BASED IN BRUSSELS TO ADVISE ON LOBBYING STRATEGY AND THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION’S LEGISLATION AND PROCEDURES.
"THEIR EXPERTISE HAS CONTRIBUTED GREATLY TO THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS," HE SAID.
MR SZE ALSO SAID THAT THE TRADE DEPARTMENT HAD MADE REPRESENTATIONS TO THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION ON BEHALF OF HONG KONG INDUSTRY.
HE NOTED THAT UNDER THE MULTI-PRONGED STRATEGY, THE DEPARTMENT ALSO ENGAGED STAFF IN THE OVERSEAS OFFICES TO EXPLAIN HONG KONG'S POINT OF VIEW ON ANTI-DUMPING TO OTHER GOVERNMENTS, INCLUDING THOSE OF THE MEMBER STATES OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY.
"THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN EXAMINING IN GREAT DETAIL THE CONFORMITY OR OTHERWISE OF RECENT ANTI-DUMPING ACTIONS WITH THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE RULES UNDER THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT)," HE SAID.
MR SZE SAID THE GOVERNMENT COULD NOT DIRECTLY REPRESENT THE INTERESTS OF INDIVIDUAL COMPANIES AND HE URGED THEM TO HAVE A WHOLE-HEARTED COMMITMENT TO DEFEND THEMSELVES.
"THEY WILL THEREBY COMPLEMENT THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS, AND THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS WILL COMPLEMENT THEIRS," HE SAID.
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT, TOGETHER WITH THE OVERSEAS OFFICES, HAD BEEN DOING THE UTMOST TO DEFEND HONG KONG RESOLUTELY AND HONG KONG HAD BEEN DOING MORE THAN ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTS IN FIGHTING ANTI-DUMPING PROCEEDINGS, MR SZE CONCLUDED.
/IN ABOUT .......
TUESDAY, HAY 9,
IN ABOUT 15 MONTHS, EIGHT ANTI-DUMPING PROCEEDINGS HAVE BEEN INITIATED BY THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY AGAINST HONG KONG INVOLVING A WIDE RANGE OF PRODUCTS AND INCLUDING TWO CONCERNING RE-EXPORT OF ORES OF CHINESE ORIGIN. SO FAR, ONLY ONE PROCEEDING CONCERNING MOBILE CELLULAR RADIO TELEPHONE HAS BEEN TERMINATED BECAUSE OF LACK OF EVIDENCE OF INJURY.
THE REMAINING SEVEN ACTIVE EUROPEAN COMMISSION’S ANTI-DUMPING CASES COVER THE FIELDS OF VIDEO CASSETTE TAPES, SMALL SCREEN COLOUR TELEVISION SETS. PHOTO ALBUMS, TUNGSTEN ORE AND CONCENTRATE, SILICON METAL AUDIO TAPES \ND DENIM CLOTH.
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MOBILE EXHIBITION ON RURAL IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY t » » * *
AN EXHIBITION ON THE RURAL PLANNING AND IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY (RPIS) IS BEING HELD AT THE MUI WO RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE ON LANTAU ISLAND FROM TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE RPIS IS A PACKAGE OF PROPOSALS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN RURAL AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE EXHIBITION AT MUI WO WILL LAST UNTIL THURSDAY (MAY 111 AND THEN MOVE TO OTHER RURAL COMMITTEE PREMISES IN THE ISLANDS DISTRICT.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS NOW CONSULTING THE PUBLIC ON THE RPIS AND ISLANDERS ARE URGED TO ATTEND THE EXHIBITION AND GIVE THEIR OPINIONS," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE SAID.
"THEY ARE WELCOME TO VOICE THEIR VIEWS 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, BEFORE JULY 31," HE ADDED.
THE SCHEDULE OF THE RPIS EXHIBITIONS IS AS FOLLOWS:
RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE DATE
SOUTH LANTAU
TUNG CHUNG
TAI O
CHEUNG CHAU
MAY 12 TO 14
MAY 15 TO 17
MAY 18 TO 21
MAY 22 TO 24
/PENG CHAU
TUESDAY, MAY % 19&9
- 9 -
PENG CHAU MAY 25 TO 28
SOUTH LAMM A MAY 29 TO JUNE 1
NORTH LAMMA JUNE 1 TO 5
A BOOKLET PUBLISHED BY THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH OUTLINING THE RPIS PROPOSALS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST AT THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE. 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, AND ITS SUB-OFFICES AT MUI WO AND CHEUNG CHAU.
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EASTERN DD TO DISCUSS ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS
*****
THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS A CONSULTATION PAPER OUTLINING PROPOSALS TO RESTRICT THE USE, SALE AND ADVERTISMENT OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS AT ITS MEETING ON THURSDAY (MAY 11).
MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH, DR RONALD LEUNG, AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE COUNCIL, DR CHRISTOPHER LEUNG.
THE MEETING WILL ALSO DISCUSS A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT PREPARED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ON LOCAL CRAFT SAFETY AND CONTROL. SENIOR MARINE OFFICER, MR ALLAN CHADWICK, WILL BE PRESENT TO INTRODUCE THE DOCUMENT AND LISTEN TO MEMBERS’ VIEWS.
MEANWHILE, THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS, MR ARTHUR GARCIA, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO UPDATE MEMBERS ON THE WORK OF HIS OFFICE WHICH CAME INTO OPERATION ON MARCH 1 THIS YEAR.
THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION’S HONG KONG EAST REGIONAL OFFICE WILL PRESENT ITS WORK PLAN FOR 1989-90 FOR MEMBERS’ INFORMATION.
THE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE THREE PRIVATE STREETS RESUMED IN 1988-89 AND THE PROPOSED ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD ARE ALSO INCLUDED ON THE AGENDA.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING ON THURSDAY (MAY 11) BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, 880-886 KING’S ROAD, HONG KONG.
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/1O.......
TUESDAY, MAY 9, 1989
10
DB COMMITTEE TO ASK FOR NEW SITE FOR WESTERN PARKLAND ******
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT AND WORKS COMMITTEE WILL, AT ITS MEETING ON THURSDAY (MAY 11), ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE A NEW SITE FOR THE PROPOSED WESTERN PARKLAND.
MEMBERS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE FATE OF A NUMBER OF COMMUNITY PROJECTS, INCLUDING THE WESTERN PARKLAND, ON THE WESTERN RECLAMATION WHICH HAVE EITHER BEEN SHELVED OR POSTPONED FOLLOWING PLANS TO INCORPORATE ROAD NETWORKS FOR THE PROPOSED THIRD CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL.
AT THE SAME TIME, OFFICIALS FROM THE URBAN SERVICES AND THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENTS WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST ILLEGAL HAWKERS INSIDE THE STAR FERRY CONCOURSE SUBWAY AND ON THE ELEVATED WALKWAY LINKING SWIRE HOUSE AND THE GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE CONTROL MEASURES ON THE INSTALLATION OF ADVERTISING SIGNBOARDS TO SAFEGUARD PEDESTRIANS’ SAFETY AND THE NUISANCES CAUSED BY A LARD FACTORY IN CADOGAN STREET, KENNEDY TOWN.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR THE PROPOSED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN THIS FINANCIAL YEAR AND A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN BUILDING AND MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE DURING THE PAST YEAR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT AND WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON THURSDAY (MAY 11) IN ROOM 1416, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS IN SAI KUNG * * * *
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET ON THURSDAY (MAY 11) TO REVIEW LAST YEAR’S EXPENDITURE ON MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS AS WELL AS TO CONSIDER FUTURE PROJECTS.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE FUNDING POLICY ON THE INSTALLATION OF LETTER BOXES IN THE DISTRICT.
/OTHER TOPICS
TUESDAY, MAY 9, 1989
11 -
OTHER TOPICS WILL INCLUDE THE PROPOSED DEMOLITION OF FIVE DESERTED VILLAGE INCINERATORS AND THE FORMATION OF A WORKING GROUP FOR THE 1989-90 KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING ON THURSDAY (MAY 11) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, 2ND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN. THE MEETING WILL START AT 10 AM.
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DB WORKING GROUP TO DISCUSS IMPROVEMENTS TO MARICULTURE ZONES ******
THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S WORKING GROUP ON AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES WILL RESUME DISCUSSIONS ON IMPROVEMENTS TO THE FACILITIES OF MARICULTURE ZONES IN TAI PO AT A MEETING ON THURSDAY (MAY 11).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROPOSED DESIGNATION OF A NEW MARICULTURE ZONE IN TAI PO, THE PROPOSED EXTENSION OF THE BOUNDARY OF THE SHAM WAN FISH CULTURE ZONE AND THE DISCONNECTION OF THE IRRIGATION SYSTEM TO WAI TAU, LAM TSUEN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S WORKING GROUP ON AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY (MAY 11) 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 10 AM.
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TUESDAY, MAY 9, 1989
- 12
NEW PROCEDURES ON EX-GRATIA PAYMENTS
» * » * «
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) HAS ADOPTED NEW PROCEDURES TO SPEED UP THE PAYMENT OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES TO LIVESTOCK FARMERS WHO HAD DECIDED TO CEASE OPERATION UNDER THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME.
THE NEW PROCEDURES WERE IMPLEMENTED FOLLOWING FURTHER CONSULTATION WITH THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE ON APRIL 25 THIS YEAR.
UNDER THE NEW PROCEDURES, 100 PER CENT OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES IS TO BE PAID TO ELIGIBLE FARMERS WHO HAVE COMPLETELY CEASED BUSINESS REGARDLESS OF THE LAND STATUS OF THE LIVESTOCK KEEPING AND RELATED STRUCTURES, AND WITHOUT HAVING TO WAIT FOR LAND STATUS CHECKS.
IN NORMAL CASES, THE PAYMENT WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO LIVESTOCK FARMERS ABOUT EIGHT TO 11 WEEKS AFTER CESSATION OF BUSINESS.
HOWEVER, THE EXISTING POLICY THAT LIVESTOCK STRUCTURES ON GOVERNMENT LAND WILL BE DEMOLISHED AFTER PAYMENT OF EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID THE FIRST CHEQUE FOR 100 PER CENT PAYMENT WAS ISSUED TO A FARMER IN THE TAI PO CONTROL AREA ON APRIL 25, IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING.
FOLLOWING THE ADOPTION OF THE REVISED PROCEDURES IN MAKING EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE PAYMENT TO STAGE TWO CONTROL AREAS, A TOTAL OF 17 CHEQUES HAVE BEEN COLLECTED, 19 CHEQUES ARE AWAITING COLLECTION, WHILE ANOTHER 200 CASES ARE BEING PROCESSED.
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ANNUAL PLACEMENT SERVICE FOR PRIMARY TEACHERS
* ♦ » *
THE PLACEMENT SERVICE UNIT OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL BE IN OPERATION AGAIN ON MONDAY (MAY 15) AS AN ANNUAL EXERCISE TO ASSIST ELIGIBLE REDUNDANT TEACHERS IN AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS TO FIND A NEW TEACHING POST.
THE ANNUAL EXERCISE STARTED IN 1975 WITH THE AIM OF HELPING REDUNDANT TEACHERS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS TO SEEK ALTERNATIVE EMPLOYMENT AS A RESULT OF THE DROP IN POPULATION OF PRIMARY SCHOOL AGE AND A SHIFT OF POPULATION FROM THE URBAN AREAS TO NEW TOWNS.
THE UNIT HAS HELPED SOME 5,270 TEACHERS TO SECURE ALTERNATIVE TEACHING POSTS IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.
/"WE WILL .......
TUESDAY, MAY ?, 1 ■ )
15 -
"WE WILL BE GIVING TEACHERS FULL ASSISTANCE AGAIN THIS YEAR. OCR 100 PER CENT SUCCESS RATE OVER THE PAST YEARS REFLECTED THE I’ULI SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION OF SCHOOL HEADS AND THE SCHOOL MANAGEDNI COMMITTEES TO WHICH THE DEPARTMENT IS MOST GRATEFUL. SAID SLMM' EDUCATION OFFICER. MRS REBELLA HO, WHO HEADS THE PLACEMENT SERVICE UNIT THIS YEAR.
THE PLACEMENT SERVICE UNIT, STAFFED BY A TEAM OF FOUR OFFICERS OF THE SCHOOLS DIVISION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. WILL BE LOCATED AT ROOM 611, 6TH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD. YAU MA TEI.
REDUNDANT TEACHERS ARE REQUESTED TO REGISTER WITH THE UNIT BETWEEN MAY 24 AND 31 DURING OFFICE HOURS FROM 9 AM TO 12.45 PM AND 2.15 PM TO 4.45 PM.
REDUNDANT TEACHERS ARE REQUESTED TO NOTE THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE OF REGISTRATION:
MAY 24 (WEDNESDAY) FOR TEACHERS ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND AT SAI KUNG AND OUTLYING ISLANDS.
MAY 25 (THURSDAY) FOR TEACHERS IN KWUN TONG AND YAU MA TEI.
MAY 26 (FRIDAY) FOR TEACHERS IN WONG TAI SIN, MONG KOK, SHAM SHUI PO, AND KOWLOON CITY.
MAY 29 (MONDAY) FOR TEACHERS IN TAI PO AND NORTH AND TSUEN WAN.
MAY 30 (TUESDAY) FOR TEACHERS IN KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI.
MAY 31 (WEDNESDAY) FOR TEACHERS IN TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG AND SHA TIN.
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES CONCERNING REGISTRATION MATTERS CAN BE MADE AT 3-324959, 3-324945, 3-324944 AND 3-324920 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
MRS HO SAID THAT TEACHERS CONCERNED WOULD BE INFORMED BY LETTER OF THEIR REDUNDANCY UNDER THE AGREED PRINCIPLE OF LAST IN, FIRST OUT”.
SHE SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT THEY SHOULD REGISTER WITH THE UNIT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ABOVE SCHEDULE.
’’ONCE REGISTERED WITH THE UNIT, THEY WILL ALL BE HELPED TO FIND AN ALTERNATIVE TEACHING POST IN AN AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER 1989,” MRS HO SAID.
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/14........
TUESDAY, MAY 9, 1989
14 LABOUR OFFICES ON THE MOVE ♦ * * *
FOUR BRANCH OFFICES OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT'S FACTORY INSPECTORATE HAVE MOVED TO NEW PREMISES IN TSUEN WAN RECENTLY.
THE OFFICES PREVIOUSLY LOCATED AT KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES, ARE NOW OPERATING ON THE THIRD FLOOR, PHASE II. TSUEN WAN GARDEN, 12-18 TEXACO ROAD.
IN ADDITION, THE TSUEN WAN OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT’S EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION DIVISION WILL MOVE TO THE SAME PREMISES ON THURSDAY (MAY 111.
THE NEW TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE RESPECTIVE OFFICES ARE:
FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION
0-4150394 (BUILDING AND ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION DIVISION/
NEW TERRITORIES WEST I
0-4150417 (BUILDING AND ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION DIVISION/
RAILWAY)
0-4150435 (TSUEN WAN-1)
0-4150379 (TSUEN WAN-2)
EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION DIVISION
0-4150142
0-4150170
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KWUN TONG t * t » »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY), THE SECTION OF SHUN ON ROAD IN KWUN TONG BETWEEN ITS JUNCTIONS WITH THE ACCESS ROAD TO NING PO COLLEGE AND THE ACCESS ROAD TO TIN CHU HOUSE WILL BE CLOSED TO FACILITATE SLOPE REPAIR WORKS.
ALL VEHICLES WILL BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL VIA SAU MAU PING ROAD, SHUN LEE TSUEN ROAD, SHUN ON ROAD AND LEE ON ROAD.
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/15........
TUESDAY, MAY 9,
1989
- 15 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ON TOLO HIGHWAY AND IN WONG TAI SIN
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS, SEVERAL LANES OF TOLO HIGHWAY IN TAI PO, KOWLOON BOUND WILL BE CLOSED FROM THURSDAY (MAY 11).
THE FAST LANE BETWEEN THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM LAM KAM ROAD INTERCHANGE TO THE SLIP ROAD LEADING TO TAI PO TAI WO ROAD WILL BE CLOSED FROM 9 AM ON THURSDAY TO 8 AM ON MAY 14.
TWO LANES FOR A SECTION OF ABOUT 500 METRES SOUTH OF TO TSZ KIN WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 PM EACH DAY TO 7 AM THE NEXT MORNING BETWEEN MAY 16 AND 24; WHILE ONE LANE OF THE SAME SECTION WILL BE CLOSED FROM 7 AM TO 8 PM EACH DAY FROM MAY 17 TO 25.
ON THE OTHER HAND, IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE TRENCH REINSTATEMENT WORKS AT THE JUNCTION OF SHUNG LING STREET AND TSEUK LUK STREET IN SAN PO KONG, THE NORTHBOUND TSEUK LUK STREET BETWEEN SHUNG LING STREET AND YIN HING STREET WILL ALSO BE CLOSED FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (MAY 11) FOR ONE WEEK.
DURING THE CLOSURE, YIN HING STREET BETWEEN TSEUK LUK STREET AND KAM WING STREET WILL BE CONVERTED FROM ONE-WAY WESTBOUND TO ONE-WAY EASTBOUND.
MOTORISTS IN SHUNG LING STREET HEADING FOR NORTHBOUND TSEUK LUK STREET WILL BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL VIA SHUNG LING STREET, KAM WING STREET, YIN HING STREET AND TSEUK LUK STREET.
MEANWHILE, THE ROUTEINGS OF KOWLOON GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES 19, 20 AND 52 WILL BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL VIA SHUNG LING STREET, KAM WING STREET, YIN HING STREET AND TSEUK LUK STREET ON JOURNEYS TO CHUK YUEN ESTATE/TSZ WAN SHAN.
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VILLAGE VEHICLE BAN ON CHEUNG CHAU FOR BUN FESTIVAL
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT ALL VILLAGE VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO OPERATE ON CHEUNG CHAU BETWEEN 7 AM AND 6 PM DAILY ON THURSDAY (MAY 11) AND FRIDAY.
THIS MEASURE IS NEEDED BECAUSE OF THE HOLDING OF THE BUN FESTIVAL.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 19$9
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING :
LOWER EXPENDITURE WILL BOOST 88-89 SURPLUS ............... 1
LATEST ECONOMIC INDICATORS CONSISTENT WITH BUDGET FORECAST 2
MANUFACTURING REMAINS IMPORTANT TO ECONOMY ............... 4
URGENCY OF MaJOR PROJECTS RECOGNISED...................... 6
IMPORTANCE OF HAVING MORE STABLE REVENUE BASE............. 8
CLOSE WATCH ON GROWTH OF CIVIL SERVICE.................... 10
BUDGET STRATEGY CORRECT FOR HK ........................... 13
COMPUTER MODEL TO AID EDUCATION PLANNING ................. 14
POLICY IN LINE WITH MEMBERS1 VIEWS ....................... 17
PILOT PROJECTS IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS FOR MIDDLE-INCOME GROUP ..................................................... 18
CONTINUED IMPORTANCE PLACED ON NEEDS OF ELDERLY .......... 20
COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING RURAL AREaS, ENVIRONMENT.......... 24
AMBITIOUS TRANSPORT PROJECTS UNVEILED..................... 25
90 PER CENT OF POPULATION TO REMAIN IN HK: SASI .......... 26
MORE TO BENEFIT FROM ASSISTED HOME PURCHASE SCHEMES....... 50
TAVA SCHEME ^IMENIMENT APPROVED........................... 32
KCRC CONDUCTING STUDY TO IMPROVE LRT VIABILITY............ 33
APPROPRIATION BILL 1989 GIVEN SECOND READING ............. 34
NEW EFFORTS TO CONSERVE ENDANGERED WILDLIFE .................... 55
FARMERS VISIT PRIVATE DEMONSTRATION FARM ....................... 57
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS WAYS TO MONITOR AIR CJL-lLITY........... 58
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ROAD-WIDENING SCHEME ................... 58
DB'HOUSING COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS WORK PLAIi ..................... 59
GOVT SITES TO LET BY TENDER .................................... 40
CUSTOMS PRAISED FOR ELIMINATING COUNTERFEIT GARMENTS ........... 40
INSTALLATION OF PARKING METERS IN PERTH STREET, KOWLOON CITY M
URBAN CLEARWAYS ON TaIKOO SHING ROAD ........................... 42
TEMPORARY URBhN CLEARWAY ON WING FUNG STREET, W«N CHAI....... 42
VEHICLE B2JI IN PERTH STREET, KOWLOON CITY ..................... 42
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT FOR TAM KUNG FESTIVAL ...................... 42
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1989
LOWER EXPENDITURE WILL BOOST 88-89 SURPLUS t » » » » ♦
THE GOVERNMENT EXPECTS TO HAVE A CONSOLIDATED SURPLUS OF SI 5.7 BILLION FOR 1988-89 COMPARED WITH THE REVISED ESTIMATE OF $14.2 BILLION GIVEN IN THE BUDGET SPEECH AS PROVISIONAL OUTTURN FIGURES OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ACCOUNTS HAVE INDICATED A LOWER EXPENDITURE AND HIGHER REVENUE RECEIPTS IN SOME AREAS.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BUDGET.
WHILE NOTING THAT THE GOVERNMENT'S ACCOUNTS WOULD NOT BE FINALLY CLOSED FOR SOME WEEKS YET, MR JACOBS POINTED OUT THAT PROVISIONAL OUTTURN FIGURES INDICATED THAT EXPENDITURE ON GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT WOULD BE SOMEWHAT LESS THAN THE REVISED EXPENDITURE ESTIMATES TABLED IN THE BUDGET SPEECH,
"ALTHOUGH UNDERSPENDING HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED IN ALL COMPONENTS OF EXPENDITURE THERE ARE NO PARTICULARLY NOTEWORTHY ITEMS.
"THE RESULT IS THAT THE PROVISIONAL EXPENDITURE OUTTURN IS ABOUT ONE PER CENT LESS THAN THE REVISED ESTIMATE," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE PROVISIONAL OUTTURN FOR REVENUE INDICATED THAT RECEIPTS FROM PROFITS TAX, STAMP DUTY AND MOTOR VEHICLES TAX WOULD EXCEED THE REVISED ESTIMATE, ALTHOUGH THE TOTAL FIGURE WOULD BE WITHIN ONE PER CENT OF THE REVISED ESTIMATE.
ALSO, EXPENDITURE FROM THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND AND DEVELOPMENT LOAN FUND WAS NOW LIKELY TO BE ABOUT $0.4 BILLION LESS THAN THE REVISED ESTIMATE, MAINLY BECAUSE OF DELAYS IN LAND ACQUISITION PAYMENTS AND A LOWER THAN EXPECTED LEVEL OF HOUSING LOAN ADVANCES TO CIVIL SERVANTS.
BUT REVENUE TO THE FUNDS WOULD BE AS IN THE REVISED ESTIMATE, MR JACOBS SAID.
HE SAID THESE ADJUSTMENTS WOULD NOT AFFECT THE 1989-90 ESTIMATES OR THE ASSUMPTIONS HE HAD MADE IN THE MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST.
"THE FURTHER INCREASE IN RECEIPTS FROM PROFITS TAX AND STAMP DUTY IS A DIRECT CONSEQUENCE OF THE CONTINUING STRONG PERFORMANCE OF OUR ECONOMY.
"IT ALSO EMPHASISES THE FACT THAT OUR REVENUE CONTINUES TO BE INCREASINGLY DEPENDENT ON DIRECT TAXES WHICH ARE HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO FLUCTUATIONS IN ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS SAID THIS TREND NEEDED TO BE BORNE IN MIND WHEN CONSIDERING ANY PROPOSALS FOR BROADENING THE TAX BASE AND WIDENING THE SCOPE OF INDIRECT TAXATION.
/ON THE ........
WEDNESDAY, HAY 10, 1989
2
ON THE SOMEWHAT LARGER CONSOLIDATED SURPLUS, HE SAID HE STILL DID NOT CONSIDER THAT FURTHER TAX CONCESSIONS OR INCREASES IN EXPENDITURE WERE APPROPRIATE AT THIS TIME IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO AVOID ADDING TO INFLATIONARY PRESSURES.
REFERRING TO SOME MEMBERS’ COMMENTS ON THE VARIANCE BETWEEN THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATES, THE REVISED ESTIMATES AND THE FORECAST OUTTURN. MR JACOBS SAID THERE WAS A DANGER OF OVER-STATING THE PROBLEM AND THAT THE FACT WAS THAT SOME VARIATION WAS INEVITABLE.
"BECAUSE WE OPERATE A CASH ACCOUNTING SYSTEM FOR THE GOVERNMENT’S ACCOUNTS, THE TIMING OF THE RECORDING OF TRANSACTIONS TOWARDS THE END OF FINANCIAL YEAR HAS A MATERIAL EFFECT ON THE RESULTS.
"FURTHERMORE, BECAUSE MOST OF OUR REVENUE IS FROM SOURCES WHICH ARE SIGNIFICANTLY INFLUENCED BY ECONOMIC ACTIVITY, ACTUAL OUTTURN RECORDED IN A PARTICULAR YEAR IS LIKELY TO VARY, IN EITHER DIRECTION, BECAUSE OF SHORT TERM FLUCTUATIONS IN HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE," HE EXPLAINED.
MR JACOBS SAID THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUED TO SEEK IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FORECASTING METHODS, BUT FOR THE REASONS MENTIONED, ABSOLUTE PRECISION WAS PROBABLY UNATTAINABLE.
-------0---------
LATEST ECONOMIC INDICATORS CONSISTENT WITH BUDGET FORECAST »**»*»
THE LATEST ECONOMIC INDICATORS ARE GENERALLY CONSISTENT WITH THE FORECAST IN THE BUDGET SPEECH THAT THE GROWTH RATE OF THE ECONOMY WOULD SLOW DOWN FURTHER THIS YEAR, AND THAT THE INFLATION RATE MIGHT BE PUSHED HIGHER BEFORE IT TOO BEGAN TO FALL, PROBABLY IN THE LATTER PART OF THIS YEAR.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID THIS IN THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR JACOBS SAID ALTHOUGH THE LATEST ECONOMIC INDICATORS SUGGESTED THAT THE ADJUSTMENT PROCESS WAS TAKING PLACE ONLY SLOWLY, THE INDICATORS WERE NEVERTHELESS GENERALLY CONSISTENT WITH THE FORECAST.
HE SAID THE GROWTH RATES IN REAL TERMS OF HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS, AT ABOUT SIX PER CENT AND 34 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN THE FIRST QUARTER, WERE SLOWER THAN IN THE LATTER PART OF LAST YEAR.
/"WHILE THE .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1989
"WHILE THE LABOUR MARKET REMAINS TIGHT, WITH THE CURRENT UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AT AROUND 1.3 PER CENT, THE PROPERTY MARKET HAS SHOWN SOME SIGNS OF CONSOLIDATION, FOLLOWING THE UPSURGE IN PROPERTY PRICES AND RENTALS OVER THE PAST YEAR OR SO.
"THE RECENT INCREASES IN INTEREST RATES ARE ALSO BEGINNING TO HAVE SOME EFFECT.
"THE SLOWER GROWTH IN TRADE, COUPLED WITH THE PRESSURE ON COSTS, SHOULD IN DUE COURSE RESTRAIN DOMESTIC DEMAND." HE SAID.
MR JACOBS SAID THE RATE OF INCREASE IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) FOR THE FIRST QUARTER AS A WHOLE OVER A YEAR EARLIER WAS 9.8 PER CENT, COMPARING WITH THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES OF 8.1 PER CENT IN THE THIRD QUARTER AND 7.9 PER CENT IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF LAST YEAR.
HE SAID SOME MEMBERS MIGHT HAVE TAKEN THE BUDGET FORECAST OF THE RATE OF INCREASE OF 8.5 PER CENT FOR 1989 AS A WHOLE IN THE CPI (A) TO BE CONSERVATIVE BECAUSE OF THIS INCREASE IN INFLATION.
"THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE SO," MR JACOBS SAID, "BUT THERE IS IN MY VIEW NO CASE FOR CHANGING MY BUDGET STRATEGY OR, AS YET, FOR REVISING MY FORECASTS.
"INDEED, A SLOWER ADJUSTMENT ADDS FORCE TO MY DECISION TO RUN A SIGNIFICANT BUDGET SURPLUS THIS FINANCIAL YEAR."
TURNING TO INTEREST RATES, WHICH HAD REMAINED RELATIVELY HIGH, MR JACOBS NOTED THAT IN FACT OVER THE PAST THREE MONTHS HONG KONG DOLLAR RATES IN THE INTERBANK MARKET HAD BEEN KEPT ABOVE THE CORRESPONDING U.S. DOLLAR RATES WITHIN THE CONSTRAINT OF MAINTAINING EXCHANGE RATE STABILITY.
"THIS IS HELPFUL IN RELATION TO INFLATION SINCE IT PROVIDES AN INCENTIVE FOR BORROWERS AND OTHERS TO LIMIT THEIR SPENDING.
"IN ADDITION, THE EXCHANGE RATE OF THE U.S. DOLLAR HAS BEEN FIRMING UP SINCE DECEMBER 1987.
"THIS HAS RESULTED IN AN INCREASE OF OVER TWO PER CENT IN THE EFFECTIVE EXCHANGE RATE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR BETWEEN THE END OF 1987 AND THE END OF APRIL THIS YEAR.
"BY LIMITING THE SCOPE FOR INCREASES IN IMPORT PRICES THIS HAS BEEN OF SOME HELP IN RESTRAINING INFLATION.
"THUS, OVER THE PAST 16 MONTHS AT LEAST, CONTRARY TO WHAT SOME HAVE ARGUED, THE LINK WITH THE U.S. DOLLAR HAS NOT CONTRIBUTED TO INFLATION," HE SAID.
REFERRING TO SOME MEMBERS’ CONCERN REGARDING THE GOVERNMENT'S FORECASTS OF ECONOMIC GROWTH. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID FORECASTING IN A VOLATILE SITUATION WAS NEVER EASY.
/HE LAID .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1989
HE SAID THE GREATER INTERDEPENDENCE OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMY WITH THOSE OF THE REST OF THE WORLD, ESPECIALLY THAT OF CHINA, AND THE INTERNAL RESTRUCTURING OF THE TERRITORY’S ECONOMY THAT WAS TAKING PLACE. HAD ALSO MADE FORECASTING MORE DIFFICULT.
"I ACCEPT THAT FROM TIME TO TIME WE NEED TO CONSIDER OUR METHODOLOGY," HE SAID, ADDING THAT THERE WAS NOW A NEED TO REVIEW THE GOVERNMENT'S GDP FORECAST MORE FREQUENTLY, SAY AT QUARTERLY INTERVALS INSTEAD OF ONLY ONCE IN SEPTEMBER.
MR JACOBS SAID HE WAS PREPARING FOR MORE FREQUENT REVIEWS AND INTENDED TO RELEASE THE FIRST RESULTS LATER THIS MONTH TO COINCIDE WITH THE PUBLICATION OF THE FIRST QUARTER ECONOMIC REPORT.
-----0 -----
MANUFACTURING REMAINS IMPORTANT TO ECONOMY
*****
DESPITE THE RAPID GROWTH OF THE SERVICES SECTOR AND THE RE-EMERGENCE OF HONG KONG'S TRADITIONAL ENTREPOT ROLE, PARTICULARLY IN RELATION TO CHINA. MANUFACTURING IS STILL AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF OUR ECONOMY. AND WILL REMAIN SO FOR MANY YEARS TO COME, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. MR JACOBS SAID HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY WAS UNDERGOING IMPORTANT CHANGES IN THAT THE MORE LABOUR INTENSIVE OPERATIONS WERE EXPANDING ELSEWHERE.
"BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE ARE WITNESSING VIGOROUS INVESTMENT BY INDUSTRY IN ADVANCED EQUIPMENT AS A MEANS OF IMPROVING PRODUCTIVITY AND OF UPGRADING QUALITY AND STANDARDS," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS SAID ALTHOUGH SOME STILL ARGUED OTHERWISE, HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING SECTOR WAS ADJUSTING TO CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES.
"WE MUST KEEP IN MIND THAT THE ABILITY TO ADAPT QUICKLY LIES IN THE FREEDOM FOR INDUSTRIALISTS TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS, AND THIS FREEDOM WILL BE ENSURED BY LETTING MARKET MECHANISMS OPERATE," HE ADDED.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT THIS DID NOT MEAN THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD NO ROLE TO PLAY.
"ON THE INDUSTRIAL FRONT. TECHNO-ECONOMIC STUDIES ARE REGULARLY COMMISSIONED TO IDENTIFY THE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF KEY INDUSTRIAL SECTORS INCLUDING TEXTILES AND CLOTHING, ELECTRONICS, METALS AND PLASTICS." THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
/He said
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 198?
- 5 -
HE SAID THAT FORWARD LOOKING REVIEWS AND PROPOSALS OF LONG-TERM STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE TO THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR WERE DEBATED IN THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD, AND DECISIONS WERE IMPLEMENTED MAINLY THROUGH THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL.
"THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PLASTICS TECHNOLOGY CENTRE AND IMPROVED TARGETTING OF OUR INWARD INVESTMENT PROMOTION EFFORTS REPRESENT TWO OF THE MANY EXAMPLES OF SUCH INITIATIVES," HE EXPLAINED.
MR JACOBS SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALSO PUTTING IN PLACE FACILITIES AND INSTITUTIONS WHICH WOULD ASSIST INDUSTRIALISTS IN CONTINUING TO COMPETE IN THE QUALITY-CONSCIOUS MARKETS OF EUROPE, JAPAN AND NORTH AMERICA.
HE NOTED THAT LAST MONTH, THE HONG KONG LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME SIGNED A MUTUAL RECOGNITION AGREEMENT WITH ITS COUNTERPART IN BRITAIN.
"THIS SHOULD PAVE THE WAY FOR ACCEPTANCE OF HONG KONG-TESTED GOODS BY THE EEC," HE SAID.
LATER THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT WILL ESTABLISH A QUALITY ASSURANCE AGENCY TO HELP INDUSTRIALISTS MANUFACTURE IN ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNATIONALLY-RECOGNISED STANDARDS.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT A GREAT DEAL MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO DRIVE HOME THE IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY; AND HENCE A QUALITY DRIVE AND THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW GOVERNOR’S AWARD FOR INDUSTRY WOULD BE LAUNCHED DURING THIS FINANCIAL YEAR.
NOTING THAT BETTER QUALITY, HIGHER TECHNOLOGY AND IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY WERE ALL INTERRELATED, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL HAD BEEN DOING A LOT IN THESE AREAS AND WOULD SOON ESTABLISH A CLOTHING TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION CENTRE.
MR JACOBS SAID HE AGREED WITH MEMBERS THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PAY GREATER ATTENTION TO SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND TO IMPROVE HONG KONG'S CAPABILITY IN THESE AREAS.
HE ADDED THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF HIGHER TECHNOLOGY WAS A SUBJECT WHICH THE CENTRAL POLICY UNIT HAD BEEN ASKED TO CONSIDER.
"I ACCEPT THAT THERE IS MUCH TO BE DONE BUT WE MUST USE OUR RESOURCES EFFECTIVELY. PROJECTS MUST BE FULLY CONSIDERED IF WE ARE TO GET VALUE FOR OUR MONEY," HE SAID.
ON THE TRADE FRONT, MR JACOBS SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO DO ALL IT COULD TO COUNTER PROTECTIONISM IN HONG-KONG’S OVERSEAS MARKETS.
"A CURRENT EXAMPLE CONCERNS THE RECENT SPATE OF ANTI-DUMPING ACTIONS INSTITUTED BY THE EEC AGAINST A NUMBER OF HONG KONG PRODUCTS.
/"THE GOVERNMENT .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1989
- 6 -
"THE GOVERNMENT HAS REACTED SWIFTLY BY APPOINTING SPECIAL ADVISERS IN EUROPE TO ASSIST IN THE FORMULATION OF COUNTER MEASURES.
"LOCAL MANUFACTURERS ARE BEING PROVIDED WITH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN DEFENDING THEMSELVES AGAINST THE ANTI-DUMPING INVESTIGATIONS. WE ARE REASONABLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE OUTCOME OF THESE EFFORTS." THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
AT THE MULTILATERAL LEVEL, MR JACOBS SAID HONG KONG WOULD CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY IN THE URUGUAY ROUND OF MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS TO PROMOTE THE CAUSE OF FREE TRADE.
"THIS INVOLVES NOT ONLY SECURING AND MAINTAINING ACCESS TO WORLD MARKETS FOR MANUFACTURED GOODS, BUT ALSO THE NEGOTIATION OF ACCESS RIGHTS IN THE FIELD OF SERVICES WHICH ARE INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT TO HONG KONG," MR JACOBS SAID.
-----------------0-------- URGENCY OF MAJOR PROJECTS RECOGNISED * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT SHARES THE VIEWS OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT EARLY DECISIONS SHOULD BE MADE REGARDING THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PORT, THE AIRPORT, THE MAJOR HARBOUR RECLAMATION PROJECTS AND THE TERRITORY'S TRANSPORT NETWORK, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"MEMBERS WILL APPRECIATE THAT THE EXPENDITURE INVOLVED IN ALL THESE PROJECTS WILL BE UNPRECEDENTED IN THE HISTORY OF HONG KONG.
"IT IS ONLY RIGHT THAT WE FULLY ASSESS ALL THE IMPLICATIONS BEFORE WE TAKE ANY DECISIONS. BUT AGAIN, I RECOGNISE THE URGENCY," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID IN HIS SPEECH CONCLUDING THE DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1989.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD JUST COMPLETED THE SECOND COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY WHICH HAD RECOMMENDED A SERIES OF ROAD AND RAIL PROJECTS AS WELL AS TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT POLICIES.
"THESE WILL BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF PUBLIC OPINION AFTER THE PUBLICATION OF THE GREEN PAPER ON TRANSPORT POLICY AND THOSE REGARDED AS ACCEPTABLE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED PROGRESSIVELY," HE SAID.
AS TO THE AIRPORT, MR JACOBS SAID THE ADMINISTRATION HAD CRITICALLY EVALUATED THE CAPACITY OF KAI TAK AND THE OPTIONS FOR THE FUTURE.
"AS I HAVE INDICATED BEFORE, A COMPREHENSIVE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME TO ENABLE KAI TAK TO MEET DEMAND UNTIL THE MID 1990S HAS BEEN PUT TOGETHER.
/"THE CHEK .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1989
"THE CHEK LAP KOK REPLACEMENT AIRPORT MASTER PLAN HAS BEEN UPDATED, AND THE VARIOUS OPTIONS FOR SITING A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT IN THE WESTERN HARBOUR ARE BEING EXAMINED. THOSE INVOLVED ARE UNDER GREAT PRESSURE TO COME UP WITH RESULTS." HE ADDED.
MR JACOBS SAID HE WAS GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT GIVEN TO HIM IN THE DEBATE ON THE MOVE TO SET ASIDE FUNDS FOR MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS.
"IN DUE COURSE, THE RESOLUTION TO SET UP THE PROPOSED INVESTMENT FUND WILL REQUIRE THE APPROVAL OF THIS COUNCIL.
"I REGARD THIS SETTING ASIDE OF FUNDS NOT ONLY AS A PRUDENT BUDGETARY MEASURE BUT AS A CLEAR STATEMENT OF INTENT," HE SAID.
IN RESPONSE TO MEMBERS' COMMENTS ON STRATEGY FOR EXPENDITURE, MR JACOBS SAID WHILE IT WAS WORTH STRESSING THAT RESOURCES WERE ALWAYS LIMITED, IT SHOULD ALSO BE NOTED THAT THE SHARE OF THE CAKE CONSUMED BY EDUCATION AND THE SOCIAL SERVICES WAS EXPECTED TO GROW FROM 32 PER CENT IN 1988-89 TO ALMOST 35.5 PER CENT BY 1992-93.
"IN CASH TERMS, THIS INCREASE WOULD, ON PRESENT PROJECTIONS, AMOUNT TO A SIZEABLE SUM," HE SAID.
ON HOSPITAL SERVICES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS LOOKING TO THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY TO PRODUCE IMPROVED AND MORE COST-EFECTIVE METHODS OF DELIVERING THOSE SERVICES.
"IN THIS REGARD, I AGREE THAT IF THIS OBJECTIVE IS TO BE ACHIEVED, WE MUST ADOPT A FLEXIBLE APPROACH IN DRAWING UP ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FUNDING OF THE AUTHORITY. THIS INDEED IS OUR INTENTION," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT IT WOULD BE WRONG TO EXEMPT THE HIOSPITAL AUTHORITY FROM COMPETING FOR FUNDS IN THE RESOURCE ALLOCATION SYSTEM.
"ANY MOVE IN THAT DIRECTION WOULD INEVITABLY LEAD TO CALLS FOR PARITY OF TREATMENT FOR OTHER PROGRAMME AREAS AND WOULD UNDERMINE THE SYSTEM WHICH IS A KEY FEATURE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT," HE SAID.
ON CRITICISM BY MEMBERS OF THE FACT THAT THE MEDICAL EXPENSES OF CIVIL SERVANTS WERE SUBSUMED IN THE OVERALL MEDICAL BUDGET AND COULD NOT THEREFORE BE SEPARATELY IDENTIFIED, MR JACOBS SAID HE ANTICIPATED THAT THIS SITUATION WOULD CEASE AFTER THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, SINCE IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO INTRODUCE CHARGING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SERVICE PROVIDED TO THE GOVERNMENT BY THE AUTHORITY.
ON MEMBERS’ COMMENTS REGARDING THE GROWTH RATE OVERALL OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, PARTICULARLY IN THE EARLY YEARS OF THE FORECAST PERIOD, MR JACOBS SAID MEMBERS HAD REPEATED THE WARNING THAT HE HIMSELF GAVE IN THE BUDGET SPEECH.
/"THE GROWTH
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1989
8 -
"THE GROWTH OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE WILL HAVE TO BE MONITORED CAREFULLY, AND DIFFICULT CHOICES MADE, IF GROWTH IS TO BE CONTAINED WITHIN THE BUDGETARY GUIDELINES," HE SAID.
ON THE SUGGESTION THAT PUBLIC EXPENDITURE SHOULD NOT BE RESTRAINED BY ARBITRARY GUIDELINES, MR JACOBS SAID AS HE HAD EXPLAINED THESE WERE MERELY GUIDELINES.
"1 ACCEPT THAT THERE CAN BE OCCASIONS WHEN WE MIGHT NEED TO STEP OUTSIDE THEM. BUT ONLY FOR A LIMITED PERIOD.
"WE NEED SOME YARDSTICKS IF WE ARE TO CONTAIN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
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IMPORTANCE OF HAVING MORE STABLE REVENUE BASE
*****
HONG KONG MUST HAVE A MORE STABLE REVENUE BASE TO ENSURE THAT ITS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES CAN BE IMPLEMENTED WITHOUT DISRUPTION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID THAT IF THE REVENUE YIELD WERE TO DROP SHARPLY OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS AS A RESULT OF A SLACKENING ECONOMY, THE PROGRAMME OF PUBLIC SERVICES WOULD BE PLACED IN JEOPARDY.
IN HIS SPEECH WINDING UP DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1989, MR JACOBS SAID THAT FROM TIME TO TIME IT WAS INEVITABLE THAT THE ECONOMY WOULD TURN DOWN.
"WHEN IT DOES SO, THIS IS BOUND TO HAVE A SERIOUS EFFECT ON OUR REVENUE, DEPENDENT AS IT IS ON DIRECT TAXES, IN PARTICULAR BUSINESS PROFITS TAX," HE SAID.
"YES, WE CAN DRAW DOWN OUR RESERVES - THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE THERE FOR - BUT AS I HAVE INDICATED, WE HAVE A VERY HEAVY PROGRAMME OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE IN RELATION TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND SO ON,
"TO ENSURE THAT WE CAN IMPLEMENT OUR PROGRAMMES WITHOUT DISRUPTION, WE MUST HAVE A MORE STABLE REVENUE BASE," HE SAID WHEN REFERRING TO THE POSSIBLE INTRODUCTION OF A SALES, OR WHOLESALE, TAX.
MR JACOBS SAID MANY MEMBERS HAD RIGHTLY WARNED OF THE POSSIBLE ADVERSE EFFECT OF A SALES TAX ON THE LESS WELL TO DO MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.
"I AGREE THAT THIS IS CLEARLY AN IMPORTANT ASPECT THAT WE MUST TAKE INTO ACCOUNT," HE SAID.
/BUT HE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1989
- 9 -
BUT he said that, without going into all the pros and cons of A SALES tax or a wholesale tax, he would, however, ask members to CONSIDER CAREFULLY THE EFFECT ON THE LESS WELL TO DO MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY OF OUR PRESENT NARROWLY BASED TAX SYSTEM.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT A BROADENING OF THE INDIRECT TAX SYSTEM WOULD ENABLE HIM TO RATIONALISE OR BRING DOWN OTHER TAXES.
"THE REST OF THE WORLD IS MOVING IN THIS DIRECTION. HONG KONG MUST NOT LOSE THE COMPETITIVE EDGE THAT IT GAINS FROM HAVING LOW DIRECT TAXES," HE SAID.
"IF WE LOSE THAT EDGE, IT IS LIKELY THAT INVESTORS WOULD LOOK ELSEWHERE, AND ULTIMATELY THIS COULD HIT OUR LABOUR FORCE.
"WOULD I REALLY BE PERFORMING SUCH A SERVICE FOR THE LESS WELL TO DO MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY IF I WERE TO ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN?"
THESE WERE THE THINGS THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD TO THINK ABOUT IN PUTTING TOGETHER ITS PROPOSALS. HE SAID.
"IN DUE COURSE, SHOULD WE DECIDE TO BRING FORWARD A WHOLESALE TAX, THERE WILL BE AMPLE OPPORTUNITY FOR MEMBERS TO EXAMINE OUR PROPOSALS.
"INDEED, I REGARD IT AS ESSENTIAL AND PROPER THAT PUBLIC DISCUSSION ON THIS ISSUE SHOULD TAKE PLACE IN THIS COUNCIL," HE SAID.
TURNING TO MEMBERS' COMMENTS ON HIS 1989-90 REVENUE PROPOSALS, MR JACOBS SAID HIS PROPOSALS WERE FORMULATED HAVING REGARD TO THE OVERALL ECONOMIC SITUATION AND SPECIFICALLY TO AVOID ADDING TO INFLATIONARY PRESSURES, DESPITE A LARGE FORECAST SURPLUS.
"BUT WHAT I HAVE SOUGHT TO ACHIEVE IS A PACKAGE THAT IS NOT INFLATIONARY, AND ONE THAT STRIKES A BALANCE BETWEEN REVENUE REQUIREMENTS AND LOWERING THE TAX BURDEN.
"HAD I PROPOSED TAXATION MEASURES WHICH FUELLED INFLATION, ALL SECTORS OF OUR COMMUNITY WOULD HAVE BEEN ADVERSELY AFFECTED," HE SAID.
COMMENTING ON THE SUGGESTION BY MEMBERS THAT TAX RELIEF BE PROVIDED FOR HOME PURCHASE PAYMENTS, MR JACOBS SAID IT WOULD BE EXPENSIVE IN TERMS OF REVENUE LOST AND, PERHAPS MORE IMPORTANT, WOULD RESULT IN AN INAPPROPRIATE STIMULUS TO DEMAND.
ON A CALL FOR ABOLITION OF THE CLAWBACK ON ADDITIONAL PERSONAL TAXATION ALLOWANCES, HE EXPLAINED THAT THE CONCEPT OF THE CLAWBACK WAS BASED ON THE ABILITY TO PAY.
"THROUGH ITS OPERATION, A PERSON’S ENTITLEMENT TO ADDITIONAL PERSONAL ALLOWANCES DIMINISHES AS HIS INCOME INCREASES. THIS DOES NOT SEEM TO ME TO BE INEQUITABLE."
/HE SAID
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 19$9
10 -
HE SAID THE RE-INTRODUCTION OF THE CLAWBACK IN 1987 ALSO ENABLED THE BENEFIT OF AN ADDITIONAL ALLOWANCE TO BE MORE FULLY FOCUSSED ON THE LESS AFFLUENT THAN WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE.
MR JACOBS SAID THE PROVISION OF SOME SORT OF TAXATION INCENTIVES, AS SOME MEMBERS SUGGESTED, WAS UNLIKELY TO HELP STOP THE BRAIN DRAIN.
"WHILST I SHARE THEIR CONCERN ABOUT THIS ISSUE, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT FEASIBLE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE STANDARD RATE, OR REVISIONS OF THE SALARIES TAX STRUCTURE, WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY INFLUENCE THOSE WHO ARE CONSIDERING LEAVING HONG KONG, GENERALLY FOR PLACES WITH CONSIDERABLY HIGHER RATES OF TAX THAN WE HAVE HERE," HE SAID.
ON THE ABOLITION OF INTEREST TAX, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE HAD BEEN CAUTIONED ABOUT A POTENTIAL LEAK OF PROFITS TAX REVENUE ARISING FROM IT.
HE GAVE AN ASSURANCE THAT THE MATTER HAD BEEN CAREFULLY CONSIDERED BEFORE THE FINAL DECISION WAS TAKEN.
"IN ARRIVING AT THE COST TO REVENUE OF THE ABOLITION OF INTEREST TAX, ACCOUNT WAS TAKEN OF THE LIKELY LEVEL OF PROFITS TAX LEAKAGE WHICH MIGHT OCCUR," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS SAID HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE EXISTING LAW COULD CONTAIN THE LEAKAGE, BUT ADDED THAT IF IT COULD NOT DO SO APPROPRIATE AMENDING LEGISLATION WOULD BE INTRODUCED AT AN EARLY DATE.
"I MIGHT ADD THAT THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SITUATION CAREFULLY," HE SAID.
-----0-----
CLOSE WATCH ON GROWTH OF CIVIL SERVICE
*****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HE WAS CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO KEEP A VIGILANT CHECK ON THE GROWTH OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.
WINDING UP THE SECOND READING DEBATE ON THE BUDGET IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR JACOBS SAID THE GROWTH RATE OF 3.9 PER CENT FOR 1989-90 WAS A PROJECTION AND, INEVITABLY, THE ACTUAL GROWTH WAS SUBJECT TO THE STATE OF THE LABOUR MARKET, THE PROGRESS OF PROJECTS, AND OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS.
"IT IS THEREFORE BY NO MEANS CERTAIN THAT ALL THE POSTS WILL BE CREATED AND FILLED DURING THE YEAR.
/’’NEVERTHELESS, ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1989
"NEVERTHELESS, WHILE CURBING AND CONTROLLING THE GROWTH OF THE CIVIL SERVICE IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE, WE MUST ENSURE THAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS ADEQUATELY STAFFED TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR ANY NEW OR IMPROVED SERVICES THAT MAY BE APPROVED," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS SAID THE VAST MAJORITY OF CIVIL SERVANTS HAD CONTINUED TO CARRY OUT THEIR FULL DUTIES LOYALLY AND CONSCIENTIOUSLY.
LIKE THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY, SOME WERE APPREHENSIVE ABOUT THE FUTURE.
"BUT THERE ARE NO SIGNS THAT THE EFFICIENCY OF THE CIVIL SERVICE HAS IN ANY WAY BEEN ADVERSELY AFFECTED," HE SAID.
ON THE EXISTING CIVIL SERVICE SALARY STRUCTURE, MR JACOBS SAID THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE HAD BEEN INVITED TO CARRY OUT AN OVERALL REVIEW OF THAT STRUCTURE.
REFERRING TO A SUGGESTION THAT PROFESSIONAL OFFICERS IN THE SERVICE 'BE GIVEN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES TO RISE TO POLICY MAKING LEVELS, MR JACOBS SAID SUCH OPPORTUNITIES ALREADY EXISTED.
MR JACOBS ALSO REFERRED TO THE FOLLOWING ISSUES THAT WERE RAISED IN THE DEBATE:
* STATUTORY CORPORATIONS: ON CONCERN EXPRESSED BY SOME MEMBERS ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT’S MONITORING OF STATUTORY CORPORATIONS, MR JACOBS SAID AT PRESENT THERE WERE NO FORMAL ARRANGEMENTS IN PLACE FOR AGREEING THE STRATEGIC ISSUES AND FRAMEWORK OF OBJECTIVES WITHIN WHICH EACH CORPORATION OR STATUTORY BODY SHOULD OPERATE.
HOWEVER, MR JACOBS STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNOR DID NORMALLY HAVE SPECIFIC POWERS OF DIRECTION WHICH WERE INTENDED FOR USE ONLY IN EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES.
"EACH ORGANISATION, HOWEVER, OPERATES WITHIN THE REQUIREMENTS OF ITS PARENT ORDINANCE," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT SOME TIME HAD BEEN ELAPSED SINCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THESE CORPORATIONS, MR JACOBS SAID IT WAS NOW APPROPRIATE TO REVIEW THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THESE ORGANISATIONS AND THE GOVERNMENT IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE.
"ACTION IS ALREADY IN HAND ON SUCH AN EXERCISE.
"WHILE WE WOULD NOT WISH TO ENCROACH ON THEIR PROPER OPERATIONAL AUTONOMY, WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT THE CORPORATIONS ARE FULFILLING THEIR STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITIES," HE SAID.
* EXCHANGE FUND BILLS: MR JACOBS NOTED THAT SEVERAL MEMBERS COMMENTED ON AND SUPPORTED THE PROPOSAL TO ISSUE EXCHANGE FUND BILLS.
/However,
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1989
12
HOWEVER, HE SAID IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO PUT THE PROCEEDS FROM THE ISSUE OF BILLS INTO THE GENERAL REVENUE IF THE PURPOSE OF THE BORROWING WAS TO PURSUE A MONETARY POLICY OBJECTIVE.
"THE PROCEEDS MUST BE FOR THE ACCOUNT OF THE EXCHANGE FUND AND MANAGED ALONG WITH OTHER ASSETS OF THE FUND," HE SAID.
"IF WE WERE TO TAKE THE MONEY INTO THE GENERAL REVENUE, THE GOVERNMENT MIGHT DRIFT INTO DEFICIT FINANCING UNDER THE GUISE OF PURSUING MONETARY POLICY.
"AS TO ACCOUNTABILITY, THE CONTROL AND USE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND IS GOVERNED BY THE EXCHANGE FUND ORDINANCE, WHICH SPECIFIES THAT THE CONTROL OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SHALL BE EXERCISED IN CONSULTATION WITH AN EXCHANGE FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEE."
THE ACCOUNTS OF THE FUND WERE FURTHER SUBJECT TO THE CLOSE SCRUTINY OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT, HE ADDED.
* PRESENTATION OF ESTIMATES: ON A SUGGESTION THAT MORE TIME SHOULD BE GIVEN FOR THE DRAFT ESTIMATES TO BE STUDIED, MR JACOBS SAID IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO ADVANCE THE PREPARATION OF THE VARIOUS BUDGET DOCUMENTS.
"THE ACTUAL PASSAGE OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL THROUGH THIS COUNCIL ALREADY REQUIRES A 10-WEEK PERIOD TO COMPLETE, BUT I WILL CERTAINLY CONSIDER WHETHER WE COULD PUBLISH THE DRAFT ESTIMATES A LITTLE EARLIER OR EXTEND THE TIME ALLOTTED TO THE APPROPRIATION BILL, AND ALSO WHETHER ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CAN BE PROVIDED.
"WE DO REVIEW THE FORMAT AND PRESENTATION OF THE ESTIMATES EACH YEAR AND THE POINTS MADE WILL CERTAINLY BE KEPT IN VIEW," HE SAID.
* VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE: ON THE CONCERN OF A NUMBER OF MEMBERS ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF THE INFLUX OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, MR JACOBS SAID THE RECENT INFLUX, WHICH WAS NOW RUNNING AT ITS HIGHEST LEVEL FOR 10 YEARS, HAD STRETCHED HONG KONG’S RESOURCES TO THE LIMIT, AND HAD LEFT THE TERRITORY FACING A CRISIS IN ACCOMMODATION AND MANPOWER.
HE SAID THIS WHOLE QUESTION WAS TO BE THE SUBJECT OF A DEBATE NEXT WEDNESDAY (MAY 17), WHEN THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD GIVE A FULLER REPLY ON THE POINTS RAISED BY MEMBERS.
- 0---------
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1989
13
BUDGET STRATEGY CORRECT FOR HK
*****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HE REMAINED CONVINCED THAT THE STRATEGY HE HAD ADOPTED IN THE 1989-90 BUDGET WAS THE RIGHT ONE FOR HONG KONG.
WINDING UP 1'HE DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1989, MR JACOBS SAID HE CAME TO SUCH A CONCLUSION AFTER LISTENING CAREFULLY TO THE DEBATE AND HAVING HEARD AND READ A VARIETY OF COMMENTARIES BY OUTSIDE OBSERVERS.
HK NOTED THAT IP' HAD SAID IN HTS Ul'DGKT SPKKCH THAT HF RAD TO RECONCILE THREE KEY FACTORS: INFLATION; THE ACCUMULATION OF LARGE SURPLUSES; AND THE NEED FOR A MAJOR PROGRAMME OF INFRASTRUCTURAL WORKS.
"IN SO DOING, 1 RECOGNISED THE DEGREE OF CONFLICT INHERENT IN THESE FACTORS AND SOUGHT TO ACHIEVE A BALANCE," HE SAID.
ON THE SPECIAL PLEAS BY MEMBERS THAT THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS TO VARIOUS WORTHWHILE CAUSES BE INCREASED, MR JACOBS SAID HE WAS AWARE THAT TO HAVE DONE SO WOULD HAVE INCREASED THE INFLATIONARY PRESSURE ON ALL SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING THE SANDWICH CLASS.
"IN MY VIEW, THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN IRRESPONSIBLE," HE COMMENTED.
MR JACOBS SAID THAT IN RELATION TO HIS OVERALL STRATEGY HE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO TASK BY A MEMBER FOR CONTRADICTING HIMSELF BY URGING RESTRAINT ON PUBLIC EXPENDITURE ON THE ONE HAND WHILE STILL PROPOSING MAJOR SPENDING ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE ON THE OTHER.
"THE KEY HERE IS THE TIMING," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS SAID IF WE WERE TO EMBARK UPON SUBSTANTIAL ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE THIS YEAR ON THE KIND OF PROJECTS TO WHICH HE HAD REFERRED IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH, THIS WOULD INDEED HAVE AN INFLATIONARY EFFECT AND THUS RUN CONTRARY TO HIS OVERALL POLICY OF NOT FUELLING INFLATION.
"BUT SUCH CAPITAL WORKS REQUIRE A CONSIDERABLE LEAD TIME, AND WHILE I THINK IT PRUDENT TO EARMARK FUNDS NOW, ACTUAL SPENDING ON ANY SCALE WILL BE AT LEAST TWO YEARS AWAY," HE EXPLAINED.
MR JACOBS ALSO SAID HE WAS GRATEFUL TO THE SENIOR MEMBER. THE HON ALLEN LEE, FOR HIS THOUGHTFUL OPENING SPEECH, AND TO OTHER MEMBERS WHO SPOKE FOR THEIR MANY USEFUL COMMENTS, AS WELL AS THE USUAL LEAVENING OF CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM.
ALL MATTERS RAISED WOULD BE CAREFULLY REVIEWED IN ORDER TO SEE WHETHER ANY FOLLOW UP ACTION WAS NEEDED, HE ADDED.
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/14
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1989
14
COMPUTER MODEL TO AID EDUCATION PLANNING
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS DEVELOPING A SOPHISTICATED COMPUTER MODEL WHICH WILL STORE INFORMATION FROM ALL EDUCATION SECTORS AND ENABLE COMPLEX COMPARISONS AND PROJECTIONS TO BE MADE OF DIFFERENT POLICY OPTIONS, THE SECRETARY FOP EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BUDGET, MR BRIDGE SAID THE MODEL WAS BEING DEVELOPED WITH THE HELP OF CONSULTANTS TO ASSIST IN THE INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TASK OF PLANNING THE FINANCING OF EDUCATION.
"WE HOPE THAT THIS MODEL, WHICH WILL BE THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE WORLD, WILL BE FULLV OPERATIONAL BY 1991," HE SAID.
MR BRIDGE EMPHASISED THAT EDUCATION CONTINUED TO ACCOUNT FOR THE LARGEST SINGLE PORTION OF THE GOVERNMENT’S EXPENDITURE.
"MOREOVER, THERE ARE ALWAYS PROPOSALS FOR IMPROVEMENTS AND NEW INITIATIVES WHICH NEED TO BE CONSIDERED," HE SAID.
HARD CHOICES HAD TO BE MADE BETWEEN COMPETING PRIORITIES NO MATTER HOW LARGE THE ALLOCATION.
"WE MUST ALWAYS BE SURE THAT WHAT WE NOW START WE CAN AFFORD TO MAINTAIN AND, WHERE NECESSARY, EXPAND," HE SAID.
MR BRIDGE REITERATED THAT NO THEME FOR EDUCATION WAS MORE IMPORTANT THAN INCREASING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND IMPROVING EDUCATIONAL QUALITY.
"IN THE SCHOOLS, WHERE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ARE ALREADY ADEQUATE, WE ARE MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION.
"FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE THE THEME OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION'S REPORT NO.4 WHICH WE HOPE TO PUBLISH LATER THIS YEAR," HE SAID.
REFERRING TO SOME MEMBERS' CALLS FOR GREATER ASSISTANCE FOR PRE-PRIMARY SERVICES, MR BRIDGE SAID PROPOSALS FOR IMPROVING THE STANDARDS OF KINDERGARTENS WERE NEARLY READY AND WOULD BE PUT TO THE EXEUCTIVE COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION.
"OUR PRIORITY WILL BE TO ENSURE THAT ALL KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS RECEIVE BASIC TRAINING AND THAT TRAINED TEACHERS ARE PROPERLY PAID," HE SAID.
ON A SUGGESTION THAT FEE INCREASES BE ALLOWED TO RISE TO ENABLE OPERATORS TO IMPROVE STANDARDS, MR BRIDGE SAID THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION DID IN FACT ALREADY APPROVE FEE INCREASES TO COVER IMPROVED STANDARDS.
/"I NEVERTHELESS .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1989
"I NEVERTHELESS AGREE THAT IN PRINCIPLE MARKET FORCES ARE A BETTER METHOD THAN GOVERNMENT REGULATION, AND WE WILL EXAMINE PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS OF A RELAXATION IN FEE CONTROL," HE SAID.
AS TO CRITICISM THAT THE FEE ASSISTANCE SCHEME WAS TOO MEAN, HE SAID: "THE NUMBER OF PARENTS BENEFITTING FROM FEE ASSISTANCE IS RELATED TO FEE LEVELS AND WILL RISE AUTOMATICALLY AS FEES INCREASE TO PAY FOR IMPROVED STANDARDS.
"THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE IS, MOREOVER, REVIEWING THE BASIS ON WHICH ASSISTANCE LEVELS ARE SET, AND SOME CHANGES MAY BE POSSIBLE," HE NOTED.
MR BRIDGE SAID HE AGREED THAT THE PROCEDURES INVOLVED IN APPLYING FOR ASSISTANCE SHOULD BE SIMPLIFIED, AND THE GOVERNMENT WAS LOOKING INTO HOW THIS COULD BE DONE.
ON PRIMARY EDUCATION, MR BRIDGE POINTED OUT THAT COMPLETE CONVERSION TO WHOLE-DAY PRIMARY SCHOOLS WOULD REQUIRE UP TO 170 NEW SCHOOLS AND THESE WOULD COST S4 BILLION.
"ANOTHER DIFFICULTY LIES IN FINDING SUITABLE SITES, SINCE IT IS NOT REASONABLE TO EXPECT PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN TO TRAVEL LONG DISTANCES.
"IT MAY BE MORE REALISTIC TO THINK IN TERMS OF CONVERTING THE UPPER PRIMARY CLASSES, WHILE RETAINING HALF-DAY SESSIONS FOR THE YOUNGER CHILDREN.
"WE ARE WORKING OUT THE IMPLICATIONS OF VARIOUS OPTIONS," HE SAID.
ON SUGGESTIONS FOR MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF SCHOOLS, MR BRIDGE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD CERTAINLY LOOK AT THE POSSIBILITY OF PROVIDING COMPUTERS AND ADDITIONAL CLERKS IN SCHOOL OFFICES. THE CASE FOR PROVIDING DEPUTY PRINCIPALS WAS ALSO BEING EXAMINED.
HE SAID SOME OF THESE MATTERS OF DETAIL MIGHT BE LOOKED AT BY THE EDUCATION COMMISSION IN ITS REPORT NO.4.
"BUT THE POINT NEEDS TO BE MADE THAT INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS HAVE DIFFERENT NEEDS. A MORE GENERAL SOLUTION MAY BE TO GIVE ADDITIONAL FLEXIBILITY TO SCHOOLS IN THE USE OF RESOURCES AND IN SCHOOL MANAGEMENT.
"THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION IS NOW CONSIDERING HOW THE CODES OF AID MIGHT BE LIBERALISED FOR THIS PURPOSE," HE SAID.
THE DIRECT SUBSIDY SCHEME, PROPOSED BY THE EDUCATION COMMISSION IN ITS REPORT NO.3, WOULD ALSO SERVE AS AN EXPERIMENT IN INCREASING THE FREEDOM OF PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS TO RAISE AND USE MONEY FLEXIBLY.
/"WE WILL
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1989
16 -
"WE WILL BE PUTTING PROPOSALS ON THIS SCHEME TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN THE NEAR FUTURE," HE SAID.
MR BRIDGE NOTED THAT THE EXPATRIATE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHER PILOT SCHEME WOULD BE EVALUATED DURING THE SUMMER AND THE RESULTS WOULD BE EXAMINED CAREFULLY BEFORE LONGER-TERM PROPOSALS WERE DEVELOPED.
HE SAID THAT ANOTHER PILOT SCHEME TO PROVIDE INTENSIVE LANGUAGE TRAINING IN HONG KONG FOR LOCAL PRIMARY SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHERS WAS BEING CONSIDERED.
ON TEACHER TRAINING, MR BRIDGE SAID A PROGRAMME WHICH WOULD DOUBLE THE NUMBERS OF PRIMARY TEACHERS BEING RE-TRAINED EACH YEAR HAD BEEN WORKED OUT AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE TEACHRS UNIONS.
"WE ARE ALSO EXPLORING HOW THE NUMBERS OF TEACHERS ATTENDING SECONDARY RE-TRAINING COURSES COULD BE INCREASED.
"SOME OF THE WIDER ASPECTS OF TEACHER TRAINING ARE BEING EXAMINED BY THE EDUCATION COMMISSION IN ITS STUDY OF THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION," HE ADDED.
TURNING TO TERTIARY EDUCATION, MR BRIDGE SAID THE NUMBER OF UNIVERSITY PLACES HAD INCREASED SURPRISINGLY SINCE THE EARLY 1960’S.
"WE NOW PROVIDE 35,000 FULL TIME PLACES IN FIVE INSTITUTIONS WITH ABOUT SEVEN PER CENT OF THE AGE GROUP TAKING DEGREE COURSES AND FOUR PER CENT TAKING DIPLOMAS.
"WE HAVE PLANS TO FURTHER EXPAND TO 62,000 PLACES BY THE YEAR 2000," HE SAID.
MR BRIDGE NOTED THAT A MAJOR PART IN THE EXPANSION WOULD BE PLAYED BY THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.
IN ADDITION, THE OPENING LEARNING INSTITUTE WOULD START ENROLLING STUDENTS BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.
"ITS AIM IS TO PROVIDE BOTH DEGREE AND SUB-DEGREE COURSES TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE STUDYING AT THEIR OWN PACE," MR BRIDGE SAID.
ON THE NEED TO INCREASE RESEARCH AND STRENGTHEN TIES BETWEEN INDUSTRY AND EDUCATION, MR BRIDGE SAID THE GOVERNING COUNCILS OF THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS AND THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE (UPGC) ALREADY INCLUDED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BUSINESS AND INDUSTRIAL SECTORS.
MR BRIDGE ALSO AGREED THAT ARRANGEMENTS FOR IDENTIFYING TRAINING REQUIREMENTS THROUGH ADVISORY OR CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEES NEEDED TO BE REVIEWED.
/HE SAID
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1989
- 17 -
HE SAID THE UPGC WOULD DISCUSS FUTURE RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS AT ITS SEPTEMBER MEETING AND THE EDUCATION COMMISSION HAD BEEN ASKED 10 CONDUCT A STUDY OF EDUCATION IN RELATION TO TECHNOLOGY AND TO PUBLISH ITS FINDINGS NEXT YEAR.
REFERRING TO THE PROBLEM OF RECRUITING AND RETAINING TEACHING STAFF IN THE NON-UNIVERSITY INSTITUTIONS, MR BRIDGE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WAS PREPARED TO ADDRESS SPECIFIC PROBLEMS AS THEY AROSE.
"IN OUR EXAMINATION OF PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE FOR STAFF, WE WILL HAVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE EXISTING STRUCTURE OF THE TERTIARY SECTOR AS WELL AS THE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR.
-----0------
POLICY IN LINE *
WITH MEMBERS’ VIEWS * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT'S RECENT RE-AFFIRMATION OF ITS POLICY OF LABOUR IMPORTATION CONTROL IS IN LINE WITH THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS ON THE MATTER, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BRIDGE WAS SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BUDGET.
HE NOTED THAT ALL MEMBERS WHO HAD SPOKEN ON THE LABOUR SHORTAGE IN THE DEBATE HAD AGREED THAT HONG KONG WORKERS SHOULD SHARE THE FRUITS OF PROSPERITY DURING AN ECONOMIC BOOM, AND THAT THEIR WAGES SHOULD NOT BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY LABOUR IMPORTATION.
MR BRIDGE SAID THE VIEW WAS APPARENTLY SHARED BY MOST PEOPLE IN HONG KONG. HE REFERRED TO AN OPINION POLL IN A RECENT RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG PROGRAMME IN WHICH 80 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS WERE AGAINST LABOUR IMPORTATION AS A MEASURE TO SOLVE THE SHORTAGE FOR FEAR IT WOULD AFFECT WAGES.
"WHILE STRESSING THAT THE IMPORTATION OF UNSKILLED LABOUR WILL NOT BE ALLOWED, WE WILL APPLY THE POLICY TOWARDS SKILLED LABOUR MORE FLEXIBLY TO PROVIDE RELIEF TO AREAS WHICH SUFFER ACUTE SHORTAGES.
"A STEERING GROUP HAS BEEN EXAMINING THIS ISSUE AND DETAILS WILL BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY," HE SAID.
MR BRIDGE SAID THE IDEA OF A LEVY ON IMPORTED WORKERS WAS WORTH CONSIDERING AND THE STEERING GROUP WOULD EXAMINE ITS POSSIBLE IMPLICATIONS BEFORE COMING TO A FINAL VIEW.
THE SECRETARY ALSO SAID HE FULLY AGREED ON THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING A CLEAR DIALOGUE BETWEEN EMPLOYEES, EMPLOYERS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
THERE WERE MANY USEFUL FORUMS FOR THE THREE GROUPS, SUCH AS THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD AND ITS VARIOUS COMMITTEES AND THE OMELCO MANPOWER PANEL, HE ADDED.
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/18
WEDNESDYA, MAY 10, 1989
18 -
PILOT PROJECTS IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS FOR MIDDLE-INCOME GROUP
*****
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO INTRODUCE A LIMITED NUMBER OF B CLASS BEDS IN A FEW PILOT PROJECTS IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS FOR THE MIDDLE-INCOME GROUP, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON T.H. CHAU, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE, MR CHAU SAID OCCUPYING THIS NEW CATEGORY OF BED WOULD COST SOMEWHAT MORE, BUT PATIENTS WOULD ENJOY MORE PRIVACY AND A BETTER ENVIRONMENT, ALTHOUGH THE SAME STANDARD OF MEDICAL TREATMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO APPLY TO ALL CATEGORIES OF PATIENTS.
"CARE WILL BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS SCHEME WILL NOT BE AT THE EXPENSE OF THIRD CLASS BEDS,” MR CHAU ADDED.
REGARDING A SUGGESTION TO PROVIDE FREE MEDICAL SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY, MR CHAU POINTED OUT THAT PUBLIC MEDICAL SERVICES IN HONG KONG WERE HEAVILY SUBSIDISED AND THE CHARGES LEVIED WERE VERY LOW AND COULD EASILY BE AFFORDED.
"THE MAJORITY OF THE LOCAL POPULATION, INCLUDING OUR SENIOR CITIZENS, SHOULD HAVE LITTLE DIFFICULTY IN PAYING THE CHARGES, AND THERE SEEMS TO BE NO REASON FOR NOT LEVYING THESE CHARGES ON THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD THEM,” HE SAID.
"ANYONE WHO WAIVED," HE ADDED.
IS IN GENUINE HARDSHIP CAN HAVE THESE CHARGES
MR CHAU EXPLAINED THAT THE PRESENT DEFINITION OF NON-ENTITLED PERSONS WAS DESIGNED MAINLY TO STOP RESIDENTS OF NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES FROM COMING TO HONG KONG SPECIFICALLY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE MORE ADVANCED AND HEAVILY SUBSIDISED TREATMENT AND FACILITIES IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS.
REGARDING THE PROPOSAL TO EXTEND THE CONCEPT OF NON-ENTITLED PERSONS TO INCLUDE IMPORTED WORKERS, MR CHAU SAID THAT WE SHOULD BEAR IN MIND THAT OUR IMMIGRATION LAWS REQUIRED THAT IT MUST BE DEMONSTRATED THAT A SUITABLE LOCAL CANDIDATE WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO FILL THE POST FOR WHICH A FOREIGN WORKER IS PROPOSED.
"THUS, IN THAT SENSE, THE FOREIGN WORKERS CONTRIBUTE TO THE ECONOMY IN WAYS FOR WHICH LOCAL MANPOWER IS INSUFFICIENT, AND THEY ARE SUBJECT TO THE SAME LAWS AND OBLIGATIONS INCLUDING TAXATION LAW AS OTHER HONG KONG RESIDENTS.
"IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, I DOUBT WHETHER WE SHOULD DENY THEM PUBLIC MEDICAL FACILITIES ON THE SAME TERMS AS OTHER HONG KONG RESIDENTS," HE ADDED.
/RESPONDING TO
WEDNESDAY। MAY 10, 1989
- 19 -
RESPONDING TO CONCERNS ABOUT THE DELAYS IN IMPLEMENTING THE STAFF-TO-PATIENT RATIOS RECOMMENDED BY THE MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (MDAC), MR CHAU POINTED OUT THAT MDAC RATIOS REPRESENTED THE STANDARDS OF PATIENT CARE THAT ONE WOULD LIKE TO ACHIEVE.
"IN SOME GRADES IT HAS BEEN POSSIBLE TO APPLY THESE STANDARDS IN FULL, BUT IN OTHERS THERE ARE LIMITATIONS OF FINANCIAL AND MANPOWER RESOURCES WHICH MEAN THAT ACHIEVEMENT OF THESE TARGETS WOULD NOT BE REALISTIC EXCEPT IN THE LONGER TERM," HE EXPLAINED.
REGARDING MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, MR CHAU SAID THAT EACH APPLICATION FOR EQUIPMENT, WHETHER FROM GOVERNMENT OR SUBVERTED HOSPITALS, HAD TO BE VETTED AGAINST OPERATIONAL NEEDS, OTHER COMPETING APPLICATIONS AND THE AVAILABILITY OF FINANCING RESOURCES.
"AS FINANCIAL RESOURCES ARE NOT UNLIMITED, INEVITABLY NOT ALL SUCH APPLICATIONS CAN BE APPROVED," MR CHAU SAID.
COMMENTING ON A SUGGESTION THAT MDAC SHOULD ASSESS AND CATEGORISE THE EQUIPMENT NEEDS OF ALL PUBLIC HOSPITALS, MR CHAU SAID ! "I BELIEVE THAT THIS TASK WOULD BE OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF THE MDAC, WHICH IS TO ADVISE GENERALLY ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES.
MR CHAU ALSO SAID HE WAS VERY CONSCIOUS OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION’S CONCERN TO IMPROVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR POST-GRADUATE TRAINING AND THAT CAREFUL THOUGHT WAS BEING GIVEN TO THE REPORT BY THE WORKING PARTY ON POST-GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING.
THE PROPOSAL IN THIS REPORT FOR AN ACADEMY OF MEDICINE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FURTHER TRAINING OF DOCTORS TO SPECIALIST LEVEL WAS ENDORSED BY THE MDAC IN MARCH THIS YEAR, HE NOTED.
"I AM CONFIDENT THAT AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTIONS ON THE MATTER WILL BE MADE IN A FEW MONTHS’ TIME," MR CHAU ADDED.
TURNING TO PRIVATE HOSPITAL DEVELOPMENTS, MR CHAU SAID t "WHILST WE RECOGNISE THE ROLE OF PRIVATE HOSPITALS, WE DO NOT CONSIDER THAT REDUCTION OF LAND PREMIUM WOULD BE SUFFICIENT OR AN APPROPRIATE MEANS TO ENCOURAGE NEW PRIVATE HOSPITAL DEVELOPMENT."
"OF GREATER IMPORTANCE ARE THE HIGH COSTS OF BUILDING AND EQUIPING SUCH HOSPITALS AS WELL AS A LONG PERIOD OF COST RECOVERY," HE EXPLAINED.
ON PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES, MR CHAU SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS COMMITTED TO UNDERTAKE A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES.
"THIS REVIEW WILL COVER THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE AND WILL FOCUS ON GENERAL OUT-PATIENT SERVICES AND THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT IN PROVIDING SUCH SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
/'•IT WILL
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1989
- 20 -
“IT WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE INTERFACE BETWEEN OUT-PATIENT SERVICES AND HOSPITAL IN-PATIENT CARE PROVIDED BY THE FUTURE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY," HE ADDED.
MR CHAU NOTED THAT THE INTENTION TO ESTABLISH A HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WAS GENERALLY WELCOMED BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO WERE ALSO KEEN TO ENSURE THAT ADEQUATE PREPARATIONS WERE MADE TO ENABLE THE AUTHORITY TO GET OFF TO A GOOD START.
SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN OCTOBER 1988, THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY HAD BEEN WORKING ENERGETICALLY TO MAKE PREPARATIONS FOR THE SETTING UP OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY ON APRIL 1, 1990, HE SAID.
"AS AN INDEPENDENT STATUTORY BODY, THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WILL ENJOY A GOOD DEAL OF AUTONOMY AND FLEXIBILITY, WHICH IS NOT SO READILY AVAILABLE WITHIN THE EXISTING CIVIL SERVICE FRAMEWORK," MR CHAU SAID.
"THIS WILL HELP TO OPTIMISE THE UTILISATION OF HOSPITAL RESOURCES, AND TO ATTRACT AND TO RETAIN WITHIN THE PUBLIC SECTOR WELL-QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED MEDICAL STAFF," HE ADDED.
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CONTINUED IMPORTANCE PLACED ON NEEDS OF ELDERLY ♦ * * » ♦
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON T.H. CHAU, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) EMPHASISED THAT CONTINUED IMPORTANCE WAS BEING PLACED ON MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY WHO REPRESENTED A GROWING PROPORTION OF HONG KONG *S POPULATION.
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR CHAU SAID EFFORTS WERE CONTINUING TO EXPAND AND ACCELERATE THE PROVISION OF PLACES IN BOTH RESIDENTIAL AND DAY CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY, AND THAT OVER THE NEXT FOUR OR FIVE YEARS AT LEAST 1,000 CARE-AND-ATTENTION PLACES WERE EXPECTED TO BE PRODUCED ANNUALLY.
THE BENEFITS OF PROVIDING OUTREACHING SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY WOULD ALSO BE EXAMINED THROUGH TWO PILOT SCHEMES, THE DETAILS OF WHICH WERE BEING DRAWN UP IN CONSULTATION WITH THE VOLUNTARY WELFARE SECTOR, HE NOTED.
"THE PROVISION OF SERVICES SPECIFICALLY FOR THE ELDERLY ACCOUNTS FOR ALMOST 20 PER CENT OF THE SUBVENTION ALLOCATION FOR SOCIAL WELFARE.
"FURTHERMORE, NEARLY 70 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL SOCIAL SECURITY BUDGET IS TARGETTED AT OUR SENIOR CITIZENS," MR CHAU SAID.
/HONG KONG
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 19^9
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HONG KONG, HE SAID, COULD BE PROUD THAT IT HAD DEVELOPED SUCH A COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEME, TARGETTED AT THE NEEDY AND VULNERABLE IN SOCIETY, ON AN ENTIRELY NON-CONTRIBUTORY BASIS.
"IN DOING SO, IT HAS HAD TO BALANCE, ON THE ONE HAND, CONCERN EXPRESSED IN SOME SECTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY THAT HONG KONG SHOULD BEWARE OF DEVELOPING INTO A WELFARE STATE WITH, ON THE OTHER HAND, EQUALLY ELOQUENT VIEWS FROM OTHER QUARTERS THAT WE SHOULD BE MOVING BEYOND THE CONCEPT OF CATERING TO THOSE WHO ARE LEAST ABLE TO HELP THEMSELVES," HE SAID.
"THE BACKBONE OF OUR SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM IS OF COURSE THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME, WHICH IS FULLY MEANS-TESTED," MR CHAU POINTED OUT.
THE OTHER KEY ELEMENT IN THIS SYSTEM, HE SAID, WAS THE SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE SCHEME COMPRISING THE OLD AGE AND DISABILITY ALLOWANCES WHICH WERE DESIGNED TO ASSIST WITH THE ADDITIONAL EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH AGING AND WITH BEING SEVERELY DISABLED.
"HISTORICALLY, THESE ALLOWANCES HAVE NOT BEEN MEANS-TESTED. THE DISABILITY ALLOWANCE IS, HOWEVER, ’NEEDS-TESTED’ IN THE SENSE THAT A PERSON MUST BE CERTIFIED BY A GOVERNMENT DOCTOR, UNDER TIGHTLY DEFINED CRITERIA, TO BE DISABLED TO A SERIOUS DEGREE," MR CHAU EXPLAINED.
UNTIL LAST YEAR, THE OLD AGE ALLOWANCE WAS NON-MEANS-TESTED, BUT WHEN A PACKAGE OF MEASURES WAS ANNOUNCED IN 1987 TO IMPROVE SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS, INCLUDING THE PHASED EXTENSION OF ELIGIBILITY TO THE ALLOWANCE, THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSED IN TURN THAT NEW APPLICANTS SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO AN INCOME AND ASSET DECLARATION.
"HOWEVER, THE CONCEPT OF MEANS-TESTING THIS ALLOWANCE. EVEN IN THIS RELATIVELY SIMPLE FORM, DID NOT FIND FAVOUR WITH A SIGNIFICANT SECTION OF OUR COMMUNITY.
"CRITICISM IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AS WELL AS BY SOME MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL WAS PARTICULARLY DIRECTED AT ITS PROPOSED APPLICATION TO THOSE AGED 70 AND ABOVE," MR CHAU SAID.
"IN THE LIGHT OF THESE VIEWS, WE SUBSEQUENTLY DECIDED TO REQUIRE ONLY THOSE IN THE 65 TO 69 AGE GROUP TO COMPLETE SUCH A DECLARATION," HE ADDED.
TURNING TO CONCERN EXPRESSED AS TO WHETHER THE RATES OF BENEFITS AVAILABLE UNDER THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM WERE ADEQUATE, MR CHAU SAID THE FIGURES QUOTED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DID NOT REFLECT THE FULL PICTURE.
"THE BASIC PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RATE IS DESIGNED TO MAINTAIN DAILY LIVING REQUIREMENTS SUCH AS FOOD AND CLOTHING, BUT THERE ARE A VARIETY OF ADDITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS TO MEET OTHER ESSENTIAL EXPENDITURE SUCH AS RENT, SCHOOL FEES, ETC," HE SAID.
/"TAKING INTO
WEDNESDAY, HAY 10, 1989
- 22
"TAKING INTO ACCOUNT PAYMENTS UNDER ALL THE VARIOUS ELEMENTS OF OUR SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM, A SINGLE PERSON RECEIVES ON AVERAGE ALMOST TWICE THE BASIC PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RATE AND A TWO-MEMBER FAMILY MORE THAN TWICE THE BASIC RATE," HE ADDED.
MR CHAU ALSO RE-AFFIRMED GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM, WHICH HE SAID WAS REFLECTED, FOR EXAMPLE, BY THE INCREASE IN EXPENDITURE ON THE VARIOUS SCHEMES FROM SI.4 BILLION IN 1984-85 TO 2.21 BILLION IN 1988-89.
"AS PART OF THIS COMMITMENT, WE WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP THE RATES OF PAYMENTS UNDER THESE SCHEMES UNDER REGULAR REVIEW TO ENSURE THAT THEY KEEP FULLY IN PACE WITH INFLATION AND THUS MAINTAIN THEIR PURCHASING POWER IN REAL TERMS," HE SAID.
IN RESPONSE TO CONCERN OVER THE RELATIVE PROPORTIONS OF THE TOTAL SOCIAL WELFARE BUDGET WHICH WENT TO SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS AND TO WELFARE SERVICES, MR CHAU NOTED THAT ANY IMPROVEMENTS TO SOCIAL SECURITY WERE CONSIDERED ON AN EQUAL FOOTING WITH IMPROVEMENT TO WELFARE SERVICES, ALTHOUGH BOTH HAD TO COMPETE FOR THE ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES.
"UNFORTUNATELY, AN ADDITIONAL RESOURCE CONSTRAINT WHICH WE ARE FACING IN IMPROVING A NUMBER OF WELFARE SERVICES IS THE SHORTAGE OF TRAINED SOCIAL WORKERS.
"THIS HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL, FOR EXAMPLE, IN DELAYING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AGREED MANNING RATIOS IN THE PROVISION OF VARIOUS WELFARE SERVICES AND HAS PREVENTED REDUCTIONS IN SOCIAL WORKERS’ CASELOADS," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, THIS MANPOWER PROBLEM WAS BEING ADDRESSED AS A MATTER OF PRIORITY AND, FOLLOWING FINANCE COMMITTEE'S APPROVAL LAST WEEK OF THE NECESSARY FUNDS, THERE WOULD BE THREE SUBSTANTIAL ANNUAL INTAKES OF ADDITIONAL SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS INTO THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS COMMENCING IN SEPTEMBER, HE ADDED.
TURNING TO THE PROVISION OF FAMILY WELFARE SERVICES, PARTICULARLY IN THE NEW TOWNS, MR CHAU SAID THAT TO MEET THIS GROWING NEED THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAD OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS INCREASED BY ONE-THIRD THE NUMBER OF SUCH CENTRES IT OPERATED.
THERE WERE NOW A TOTAL OF 53 FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES RUN EITHER BY THE SWD OR BY THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR, HE SAID.
"SINCE 1987 ALONE, FIVE SUCH CENTRES HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED IN THE NEW TOWNS AND THERE ARE PLANS FOR FURTHER CENTRES OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS IN YUEN LONG AND TSUEN WAN-KWAI CHUNG," MR CHAU SAID.
ON THE NEED TO EXPAND THE NUMBER OF SOCIAL WORKERS WHO WERE FULLY EQUIPPED TO UNDERTAKE MARRIAGE COUNSELLING, MR CHAU SAID THIS SERVICE WAS AVAILABLE AT ALL THE FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES AS WELL AS THROUGH THE CATHOLIC MARRIAGE ADVISORY COUNCIL.
/"I ACCEPT
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1989
- 23 -
"I ACCEPT THAT THIS IS SPECIALISED WORK WHICH REQUIRES PARTICULAR SKILLS AND WE ARE SEEKING TO UPGRADE THE QUALITY OF THIS SERVICE THROUGH REGULAR TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR CASEWORKERS," HE 3AID.
REGARDING THE ADEQUACY OF THE ALLOWANCES IN ATTRACTING FOSTER PARENTS TO THE FOSTER CARE SCHEME, MR CHAU POINTED OUT THAT THE MONTHLY PAYMENTS WERE ALREADY UNDER REVIEW BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
"APART FROM A MONTHLY MAINTENANCE GRANT, THERE IS A MONTHLY INCENTIVE PAYMENT PLUS AN INITIAL SETTING-UP GRANT," HE ADDED.
TURNING TO REHABILITATION MATTERS, MR CHAU NOTED THAT REFERENCE HAD BEEN MADE TO THE LIMITED EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE MODERATELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.
"THAT SUCH PERSONS CAN BECOME PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF THE LABOUR FORCE IS INDEED RECOGNISED.
"TO THIS END, VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMMES ARE PROVIDED AT SPECIAL SCHOOLS, DAY ACTIVITY CENTRES, SHELTERED WORKSHOPS AND OTHER CENTRES," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ORGANISED AND PROMOTED EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISABLED PERSONS, INCLUDING THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, THROUGH A VARIETY OF MEANS SUCH AS EXHIBITIONS AND DEMONSTRATIONS, AS WELL AS SEMINARS FOR EMPLOYERS' ORGANISATIONS AND PERSONNEL MANAGERS OF PRIVATE FIRMS.
"WE ARE PLANNING TO LAUNCH A SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT PILOT SCHEME WHICH WILL INVOLVE THE TRAINING OF MODERATELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS TO PREPARE THEM FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE CLEANSING INDUSTRY.
"IF SUCCESSFUL, THIS SCHEME COULD LEAD TO A SUBSTANTIAL WIDENING OF EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUCH PERSONS, AS WELL AS TO AN EASING OF THE DEMAND FOR SHELTERED WORKSHOPS," MR CHAU SAID.
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/24........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1989
24
COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING RURAL AREAS, ENVIRONMENT ♦ « » ♦ t
THE GOVERNMENT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT MORE FUNDING, EFFCT1VE LEGISLATION AND RESOURCES ARE NEEDED FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROGRAMME.
THE SECRETARY' FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THIS IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BUDGET IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), IN RESPONSE TO COMMENTS MADE EARLIER BY SOME MEMBERS.
MR BARNES SAID HE WOULD SPEAK MORE ON THE SUBJECT ON WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY, WHICH WILL BE OBSERVED ON JUNE 5.
ON OTHER ISSUES, MR BARNES SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS FIRMLY COMMITTED TO RURAL IMPROVEMENT AND PLANNING AS SPELT OUT IN A RECENTLY RELEASED DOCUMENT.
THE STRATEGY WOULD INVOLVE BUILDING THE PROPER RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO CONTROL FLOODS AND POLLUTION AND PROVIDE PROPER ACCESS BOTH TO EXISTING VILLAGES AND TO AREAS SUITABLE FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT.
"TO DO THIS, IT IS NECESSARY TO BUILD UP A TEAM CENTRED ON THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO CONCENTRATE ON THE RURAL CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMMES AND ALSO TO INTRODUCE TIGHTER PLANNING CONTROL OVER BOTH THE AREAS WE WOULD WISH TO DEVELOP AND THOSE WE WOULD WISH TO CONSERVE," MR BARNES SAID.
ON THE SUPPLY OF OFFICE SPACE, MR BARNES SAID THAT OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD HAD BEEN AGREEING TO A FAIRLY STEADY STREAM OF CONVERSIONS OF RESIDENTIAL LOTS TO OFFICE USE ALONG THE MASS TRANSIT MAIN LINES.
"IT HAS, HOWEVER, BEEN MORE HESITANT TO RUSH INTO LARGER SCALE CONVERSIONS OF FACTORY LOTS TO OFFICES, BECAUSE OF THE GENERAL UNCERTAINTY OF INDUSTRIAL DEMAND IN A CHANGING SCENE.
"NEVERTHELESS, SOME CHANGES OF ZONING TO COMMERCIAL USE HAVE BEEN AGREED IN AREAS WHERE INDUSTRY IS NO LONGER REALLY COMPATIBLE WITH THE ENVIRONMENT AND THESE ARE LIKELY TO CONTINUE," HE SAID.
MR BARNES ALSO SAID THAT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT WOULD REVIEW ITS PROCEDURES AS REGARDS SMALL HOUSE LAND GRANTS AND CONSTRUCTION AND THE PAYMENT OF RESUMPTION COMPENSATION TO ENSURE THEY WERE COMPLETED AS SPEEDILY AND EFFICIENTLY AS POSSIBLE.
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/25.......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1989
25
AMBITIOUS TRANSPORT PROJECTS UNVEILED * ♦ » » «
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) UNVEILED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AMBITIOUS TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMMES TO MEET HONG KONG’S GROWING DEMAND FOR IMPROVING THE MOBILITY OF PEOPLE AND GOODS.
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE, MR LEUNG SAID THE SECOND COMPREHENSIVE STUDY HAD FORECAST THE NEED FOR THREE MAJOR TRUNK ROADS AND THREE RAILWAY LINKS TO KEEP HONG KONG MOVING INTO THE 2 1ST CENTURY.
THESE INCLUDED:
* ROUTE 3 - A HIGH CAPACITY LINK BETWEEN THE LOK MA CHAU BORDER CROSSING AND THE CONTAINER PORT, AND THE URBAN AREAS OF KOWLOON AND HONG KONG ISLAND;
♦ ROUTE 7 - A COASTAL TRUNK ROAD LINKING CAUSEWAY BAY TO ABERDEEN VIA THE WESTERN SIDE OF HONG KONG ISLAND TO TAKE THROUGH TRAFFIC AWAY FROM THE PRIMARY DISTRIBUTORS AND LOCAL ROADS;
♦ A NEW ROUTE EXTENDING THE HUNG HOM BYPASS FROM TSIM SHA TSUI TO KWUN TONG;
* AN EXTENSION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY FROM LAM TIN TO JUNK BAY;
♦ A NEW RAILWAY LINKING THE NORTH-WEST NEW TERRITORIES WITH THE URBAN AREAS; AND
» A NEW URBAN RAIL HARBOUR CROSSING.
MR LEUNG SAID THAT A GREEN PAPER ON TRANSPORT POLICY WOULD BE TABLED IN THE COUNCIL SOON. AMONG OTHER THINGS IT WOULD OUTLINE A PACKAGE OF OPTIONS FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE BUILDING PROGRAMME IDENTIFIED IN THE CTS-2 STUDY.
"AN ESSENTIAL FEATURE OF THE STUDY IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPUTERISED TRANSPORT MODEL WHICH CAN BE UPDATED REGULARLY TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT 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,” HE SAID.
MR LEUNG STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS FIRMLY COMMITTED TO THE CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF ADEQUATE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE.
OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS MORE THAN $38 BILLION HAD BEEN SPENT IN EXPANDING HONG KONG’S ROAD AND RAILWAY NETWORK.
/’’THAT THE..........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1989
- 26 -
"THAT THE MOMENTUM OF OUR BUILDING PROGRAMME IS MAINTAINED IS BEST ILLUSTRATED BY THE TOTAL VALUE OF ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HIGHWAY-RELATED INVESTMENTS, CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR COMMITTED FOR COMPLETION BEFORE 1992, WHICH STANDS AT NEARLY 423 BILLION,” HE SAID.
"MANY OF THESE PROJECTS ARE NOT ONLY ESSENTIAL FOR ALLEVIATING CONGESTION ON SOME OF OUR BUSY CORRIDORS AND FOR THE CONTINUED GROWTH OF OUR ECONOMY, BUT ALSO IN MAINTAINING HONG KONG’S UNIQUE POSITION AS AN IMPORTANT TRADING PARTNER OF CHINA.”
MR LEUNG SAID THAT IN PARALLEL WITH THE EXPANSION AND IMPROVEMENT OF TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE, MUCH EFFORT WOULD CONTINUE TO BE SPENT IN IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY OF THE ROAD SYSTEM, INCLUDING DEVISING TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEMES. TRAFFIC ENGINEERING MEASURES AND APPLYING THE MOST UP-TO-DATE TECHNOLOGY.
HE POINTED OUT THAT SUCH SCHEMES WERE OFTEN SMALL AND LOCALISED IN NATURE, BUT THEIR OVERALL CUMULATIVE EFFECT WOULD ENSURE THAT THE TRANSPORT SERVICES AND NETWORK WERE PROVIDED IN AN EFFICIENT AND COST-EFFCTIVE MANNER.
ON OTHER ASPECTS IN ENHANCING EFFICIENCY, MR LEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONSIDERING TO CONTRACT OUT TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRES AND PARKING METERS.
THE POSSIBILITY OF EXTENDING THE VALIDITY PERIOD OF DRIVING LICENCES FROM THREE YEARS TO A LONGER PERIOD WOULD ALSO BE CONSIDERED, HE SAID.
-----0-----
90 PER CENT OF POPULATION TO REMAIN IN HK: SASI ♦ * * ♦ ♦
MORE THAN 90 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION WHO ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN IN HONG KONG IN THE FUTURE WILL ENJOY A HIGHER STANDARD OF LIVING, AN IMPROVED ENVIRONMENT, ENHANCED EDUCATION AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, THE SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION, THE HON PETER TSAO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
AND, HE SAID, THEY WOULD ENJOY THE SHEER THRILL OF LIVING IN THE MOST VIBRANT CITY IN THE WORLD.
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE, MR TSAO POINTED OUT THAT EMIGRATION -- A SUBJECT IN WHICH MANY MEMBERS HAD TOUCHED ON --WAS NOT A PROBLEM.
/’’IT IS.........•
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1989
27
"IT IS A SITUATION," HE SAID,
"IT CANNOT BE SOLVED BUT IT MUST BE ADDRESSED," HE NOTED.
"THOSE WHO WISH TO LEAVE WILL ALWAYS BE FREE TO DO SO, THOSE WHO WISH TO RETURN MUST ALWAYS BE MADE WELCOME THOUGH THEY SHOULD NOT EXPECT A SPECIAL BONUS ON TOP," HE SAID.
MR TSAO SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT, SINCE IT STARTED LOOKING INTO THE EMIGRATION SITUATION ONE YEAR AGO, NOW HAD A GOOD GRASP OF THE OVERALL NUMBERS LEAVING.
"THESE FIGURES CAN OF COURSE ONLY BE ESTIMATES -- IN A FREE SOCIETY LIKE OURS THESE COULD HARDLY BE ANYTHING ELSE — BUT WE ARE SATISFIED THAT OUR ESTIMATES ARE REASONABLY ACCURATE.
"THEY SHOW THAT EMIGRATION IS NOW LEVELLING OFF AT A LITTLE OVER DOUBLE THE RATE PREVAILING IN THE EARLY 19803," HE SAID.
"THAT IS A SERIOUS SITUATION, BUT IT FALLS A LONG WAY SHORT OF THE CALAMITY PROPAGATED BY THE RUMOUR MILL ONE YEAR AGO," MR TSAO POINTED OUT.
HE SAID THE KNOWLEDGE OF PROFILE OF THOSE LEAVING HAD IMPROVED AND THERE WAS A CLEARER VIEW OF THEIR AGE BREAKDOWN, EDUCATION LEVEL AND THE EMPLOYMENT BREAKDOWN.
IN THE AREAS OF EDUCATION LEVEL AND EMPLOYMENT BREAKDOWN THE GOVERNMENT HAD ESTABLISHED INFORMATION SYSTEMS TO IMPROVE ITS KNOWLEDGE STILL FURTHER, MR TSAO NOTED.
"IN ALL THAT WE HAVE DONE, AND IN ALL THAT WE PROPOSE TO DO, WE WILL OF COURSE HONOUR THE UNDERTAKING THAT I GAVE TO THIS COUNCIL LAST YEAR : THERE WILL BE NO ENCROACHMENT ON THE FREEDOM OF THE INDIVIDUAL," HE SAID.
TURNING TO COUNTER-MEASURES. MR TSAO EMPHASISED THAT THIS WAS A RESPONSIBILITY SHARED BY MANY AND WAS NOT RESTRICTED TO THE GOVERNMENT.
"AS A RECENT REPORT TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL SHOWED, THE FACT OF EMIGRATION IS BEING TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT BY A NUMBER OF BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS.
"IN NOTING THAT REPORT, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL DIRECTED THAT EFFORTS SHOULD CONTINUE IN A NUMBER OF AREAS," HE SAID.
MR TSAO POINTED OUT THAT FACT FINDING INTO EMIGRATION MUST CONTINUE SO THAT THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE SITUATION WAS AS COMPLETE AS POSSIBLE.
"I MIGHT JUST ADD THAT IN THAT AREA. WE HAVE NO PARTICULAR AXE TO GRIND. WE ARE CERTAINLY NOT PUBLISHING FIGURES TO ADVANCE A PARTICULAR LINE OF ARGUMENT.
/"WE SIMPLY .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1989
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"WE SIMPLY WANT OUR ESTIMATES AND ASSESSMENTS TO BE AS ACCURATE AS POSSIBLE," HE SAID.
MR TSAO SAID MORE RESEARCH SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT INTO WHAT MADE PEOPLE LEAVE AND WHAT EACTORS THEY SAW AS POSSIBLE OBSTACLES TO THEIR RETURN.
"WE ARE LOOKING AT HOW INFORMATION ABOUT JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN HONG KONG -- INCLUDING CIVIL SERVICE VACANCIES -- CAN BE BETTER BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF PEOPLE OVERSEAS, INCLUDING OF COURSE, FORMER HONG KONG RESIDENTS.
"THE EDUCATION FACILITIES FOR CHILDREN OF RETURNEES ARE UNDER REVIEW. WE ARE LOOKING AT THE POSSIBILITY OF BOOSTING STILL FURTHER THE PRODUCTION OF TERTIARY GRADUATES EACH YEAR," MR TSAO SAID.
HE ADDED THAT OTHER SUGGESTIONS MADE IN CONSIDERED BY THE RELEVANT POLICY SECRETARIES.
THE
DEBATE WOULD BE
ON THE QUESTION OF COMPUTER DATA PROTECTION, MR TSAO SAID THERE WAS A NEED TO LOOK AT THE POSSIBLE THREAT TO HONG KONG’S POSITION AS A FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL CENTRE BECAUSE SEVERAL COUNTRIES HAD ENACTED THEIR OWN DATA PROTECTION LEGISLATION AND HAD RATIFIED A CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF INDIVIDUALS.
"THIS CONVENTION PROVIDES AN INTERNATIONAL LEGAL BASIS FOR RESTRICTIONS ON THE FLOW OF PERSONAL DATA TO COUNTRIES OR TERRITORIES WHICH DO NOT HAVE SIMILAR LEGISLATION OF THEIR OWN," HE POINTED OUT.
"AT THIS STAGE THE THREAT DOES NOT APPEAR IMMINENT BUT IT IS CLEARLY SOMETHING WHICH WE CANNOT IGNORE," HE ADDED.
"AS FAR AS THE RIGHTS OF DATA SUBJECTS ARE CONCERNED THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS TO WHICH HONG KONG SUBSCRIBES THROUGH THE UNITED KINGDOM, PROVIDES THAT NO ONE SHALL BE SUBJECTED TO ARBITRARY OR UNLAWFUL INTERFERENCE WITH HIS PRIVACY AND THAT EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO THE PROTECTION OF THE LAW AGAINST SUCH INTERFERENCE," HE SAID.
"WE ARE THEREFORE LOOKING AT WAYS TO ENSURE THAT THE PROTECTION AFFORDED BY THE COVENAENT IS ENSHRINED IN STATUTE," MR TSAO SAID.
"THE AIM OF LEGISLATION IS THEREFORE TO PROTECT AND INDEED TO RECONCILE THE INTERESTS OF ALL PARTIES," HE ADDED.
MR TSAO SAID THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL DECIDED IN MARCH 1987 THAT DATA PROTECTION LEGISLATION SHOULD BE INTRODUCED IN HONG KONG.
IT WAS ALSO DECIDED THAT A WORKING GROUP WHICH WOULD INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR SHOULD BE SET UP TO CONDUCT AN EXAMINATION OF LEGISLATION ADOPTED IN OTHER COUNTRIES, AS A REFERENCE FOR THE WORK IN FORMULATING LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS FOR HONG KONG, HE ADDED.
/AS THIS
WEDNESDAY, HAY 10, 1989
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AS THIS WAS LIKELY TO BE A LENGTHY AND COMPLEX PROCESS, IT WAS DECIDED THAT IN THE INTERIM A DATA PROTECTION CODE OF PRACTICE SHOULD BE COMPILED GOVERNING THE USE OF COMPUTERS IN GOVERNMENT, MR TSAO SAID.
HE SAID THE TWO MAIN ISSUES WHICH LED TO THE VIEW THAT THE SUBJECT DESERVED CLOSE ATTENTION WERE THE NEED OF DATA USERS TO ENJOY A FREE FLOW OF THE KIND OF INFORMATION WHICH WAS ESSENTIAL TO THE SUCCESSFUL CONDUCT OF THEIR BUSINESS, AND THE RIGHTS OF THOSE PEOPLE ABOUT WHOM SUCH DATA WERE COLLECTED TO ENJOY A PROPER DEGREE OF PROTECTION.
MR TSAO NOTED THAT ALTHOUGH THE CODE OF PRACTICE ISSUED TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WAS BEING FOLLOWED, IT DOES NOT HAVE THE FORCE OF THE LAW AND THEREFORE COULD NOT BE POLICED.
"MY OFFICE HAS SERVED AS THE RECIPIENT OF ANY QUERIES FROM BOTH GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR WHERE THE CODE HAS EITHER BEEN INCORRECTLY INTERPRETED OR NOT FULLY ADHERED TO. WE FOLLOW UP THESE CASES AND OFFER ADVICE WHERE APPROPRIATE,” HE SAID.
HE SAID THE DRAFTING OF LEGISLATION WAS A COMPLEX BUSINESS, AND THAT IT WAS IN EVERYONE’S INTEREST THAT IT SHOULD BE PROCEEDED WITH CAUTIOUSLY.
"EXPERIENCE IN OTHER COUNTRIES HAS SHOWN THAT IT IS ONLY TOO EASY TO OVER — OR INDEED UNDER — LEGISLATE IN THIS AREA.
”WE DO NOT WANT TO FALL INTO THE TRAPS THAT HAVE SNARED OTHERS,” MR TSAO SAID.
"OUR AIM IS TO DEVISE LEGISLATION OF THE MINIMUM COMPLEXITY WHICH WILL NONETHELESS BALANCE THE INTERESTS OF THE DATA USER, THE DATA SUBJECT AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE,” HE ADDED.
ON A POINT RAISED ABOUT THE DIVISION OF PROCEEDS OF THE MARK SIX LOTTERIES INCOME, MR TSAO POINTED OUT THAT WHEN THE JOCKEY CLUB WAS ALLOCATED 7.5 PER CENT OF THE LOTTERIES FUND PROCEEDS, IT USED THE MONEY TO COVER ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES INVOLVED IN MANAGING THE MARK SIX LOTTERY.
"IF FOR SOME REASON THIS 7.5 PER CENT SHOULD TURN OUT TO BE GREATER THAN THE EXPENSES TO BE COVERED, ANY SUCH SURPLUS WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR ALLOCATION FOR SOCIAL WELFARE AND SIMILAR PURPOSES," HE SAID.
MR TSAO SAID HE WOULD DARE NOT ALTER WHAT SEEMED TO BE A VERY REASONABLE AND LOGICAL ARRANGEMENT.
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/50.......
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JO
MORE TO BENEFIT FROM ASSISTED HOME PURCHASE SCHEMES
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS ALREADY INCREASED INCOME LIMITS AND LOANS SO THAT MORE PEOPLE CAN BENEFIT FROM THE ASSISTED HOME PURCHASE SCHEMES.
AS FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR, THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME WAGE LIMIT WAS RAISED FROM $8,500 TO $10,000 WHILE THE LOAN AMOUNT OF THE HOME PURCHASE LOAN SCHEME WAS INCREASED TO $110,000 FROM $70,000.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON DONALD LIAO, IN THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"SINCE THESE PROVISIONS HAVE JUST BEEN INTRODUCED, IT WOULD BE PREMATURE TO CONSIDER ANY CHANGES AT THIS TIME," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, MR LIAO ADDED THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WOULD CLOSELY MONITOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REVISED SCHEMES TO SEE WHETHER ANY FURTHER REVISIONS WOULD BE NECESSARY.
ON THE PRODUCTION SIDE, MR LIAO SAID THAT WHILE THERE WAS A STRONG DEMAND FOR ASSISTED HOME OWNERSHIP, THERE WAS ALSO A SIZEABLE OUTSTANDING DEMAND FOR RENTAL PUBLIC HOUSING FROM SQUATTERS AND OTHER APPLICANTS ON THE GENERAL WAITING LIST.
AND ALTHOUGH A VERY SUBSTANTIAL DEMAND FOR RENTAL HOUSING WOULD BE MET BY THE MID-1990S UNDER THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY, MR LIAO POINTED OUT THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, IN THE MEANTIME, HAD TO STRIKE A SUITABLE BALANCE IN ITS PRODUCTION PROGRAMME.
ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT, MR LIAO STRESSED THAT THE RESPONSIBILITY PRIMARILY RESTED WITH THE OWNERS THEMSELVES.
ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNMENT HAD NO INTENTION OF ASSUMING ANY PORTION OF THAT RESPONSIBILITY, IT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONSISTENT NEGLECT OF MANAGEMENT IN CERTAIN PRIVATE BUILDINGS.
IN THIS CONNECTION, MR LIAO SAID THAT GOVERNMENT’S AIM WAS TO ENSURE THAT A RIGHT LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK EXISTED FOR A MULT I-OWNED BUILDING TO BE PROPERLY MANAGED.
CURRENT MEASURES IN THIS DIRECTION INCLUDE INCREASING THE NUMBER OF DISTRICT MANAGEMENT TEAMS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CONTENTS OF NEW DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT.
MR LIAO PRAISED THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT WHICH HE SAID HAD "PUT IN A GREAT DEAL OF EFFORT INTO THEIR WORK SINCE ITS FORMATION SEVEN MONTHS AGO."
/"THE SUPPORT .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1989
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"THE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT. SUCH AS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES FOR THE OFFICE-BEARERS OF OWNERS' CORPORATIONS AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, PUBLICATION OF BUILDING MANAGEMENT HAND-BOOKS AND VARIOUS PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES, HAVE ALWAYS BEEN FUNDED UNDER VARIOUS EXPENDITURE ITEMS IN THE ESTIMATES." HE SAID.
"THE SUGGESTION THAT THERE SHOULD BE A SPECIFIC EXPENDITURE SUBHEAD IN THE ESTIMATES FOR PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES MAY APPEAR TO HELP TO SIMPLFY THE EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS, BUT IT MAY LEAD TO PRACTICAL PROBLEMS WHICH HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED CAREFULLY."
TURNING TO SPORTS AND RECREATION, THE SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ACCEPTED AN OBLIGATION TO TRY TO ENSURE THAT THERE WAS "RECREATION FOR EVERYONE" AND GREAT STRIDES HAD BEEN MADE TOWARDS THIS GOAL.
"THANKS TO THE WORK OF THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT, THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED IN BUILDING FACILITIES AND PROMOTING SPORT, HONG KONG PEOPLE NOW HAVE A WIDE CHOICE OF FACILITIES WHERE THEY CAN ENJOY PHYSICAL RECREATION," HE SAID.
MR LIAO WENT ON TO ANNOUNCE THE PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT OF A SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD. THIS DECISION FOLLOWED CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF THE REPORT BY MR EMLYN JONES WHO WAS APPOINTED IN 1987 TO LOOK INTO THE WAY AHEAD FOR SPORT PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG.
"IT IS ENVISAGED THAT THE BOARD WOULD INCLUDE BOTH APPOINTED AND EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS REPRESENTING ALL THE PRINCIPAL ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED IN HONG KONG SPORT.
"THIS NEW BODY WOULD HAVE AS ITS OBJECT THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPORT AND RECREATION THROUGHOUT HONG KONG.
"IT WOULD WORK TO COORDINATE THE VARIOUS ELEMENTS IN LOCAL SPORT AND HELP OVERCOME EXISTING PROBLEMS, SUCH AS INSUFFICIENT AND COMPLEX FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS AND DIFFICULTIES IN THE BOOKING OF FACILITIES, WITHOUT DIRECT GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE GOVERNING BODIES OF SPORT," HE SAID.
MR LIAO ADDED THAT APART FROM THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD, THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF A NEW POLICY SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE LATER THIS YEAR TO OVERSEE THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF SPORT AND RECREATION.
"HE WILL PROVIDE THE IMPORTANT LINK BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD AND ENSURE THAT SPORT AND RECREATION WILL RECEIVE ADEQUATE ATTENTION FROM THE ADMINISTRATION."
ALL THESE NEW INITIATIVES, MR LIAO STRESSED, ILLUSTRATED THE GOVERNMENT'S RECOGNITION OF THE IMPORTANCE OF SPORT AND RECREATION TO THE WELL-BEING OF THE COMMUNITY.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1989
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TAVA SCHEME AMENDMENT APPROVED t ♦ ♦ ♦ t
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED AN AMENDMENT TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE DOCUMENT GOVERNING THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE SCHEME TO ENABLE VICTIMS OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING LIGHT RAIL VEHICLES WHICH TOOK PLACE MORE THAN SIX MONTHS AGO TO APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE FUND.
IN MOVING A RESOLUTION TO EFFECT THE AMENDMENT. THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON T.H. CHAU, REFERRED TO THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS (ASSISTANCE FUND) (AMENDMENT) BILL PASSED ON MAY 3.
THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE BILL WAS TO EXTEND THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS (ASSISTANCE FUND) ORDINANCE TO LIGHT RAIL VEHICLES OPERATED ON THE NORTH-WEST RAILWAY SO THAT VICTIMS OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING LIGHT RAIL VEHICLES MIGHT APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE FUND.
ALSO, IT CONTAINED A PROVISION WHICH WOULD ENABLE PERSONS WHO HAD BEEN INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING A LIGHT RAIL VEHICLE SINCE PUBLIC TRIALS ON THE NORTH-WEST RAILWAY BEGAN ON MARCH 1, 1988 TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE FUND.
MR CHAU EXPLAINED THAT TO ENABLE VICTIMS OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING LIGHT RAIL VEHICLES WHICH TOOK PLACE MORE THAN SIX MONTHS AGO TO APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE FUND, IT WAS NECESSARY TO AMEND THE ADMINISTRATIVE DOCUMENT WHICH GOVERNED THE OPERATION AND ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR ASSISTANCE UNDER THE SCHEME.
"THIS DOCUMENT, WHICH WAS APPROVED BY RESOLUTION OF THIS COUNCIL UNDER SECTION 4 OF THE ORDINANCE, STIPULATES, AMONGST OTHER THINGS, THAT APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE MUST BE SUBMITTED WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF THE DATE OF THE ACCIDENT.
"IT IS PROPOSED, THEREFORE, THAT THIS DOCUMENT BE AMENDED SO THAT PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN INJURED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT ON THE NORTHWEST RAILWAY SINCE MARCH 1, 1988 ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE SIX-MONTH APPLICATION RULE," HE SAID.
MR CHAU POINTED OUT THAT THE RELAXATION OF THIS RULE WOULD APPLY ONLY TO ACCIDENTS INVOLVING A LIGHT RAIL VEHICLE, AND NOT TO ACCIDENTS INVOLVING ANY OTHER CLASS OF VEHICLES.
"IT IS FURTHER PROPOSED THAT THIS AMENDMENT WOULD EXPIRE ON SEPTEMBER 1, 1989, WHICH WILL GIVE THE INJURED PERSONS CONCERNED OR THEIR DEPENDENTS MORE THAN THREE MONTHS WITHIN WHICH TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION," HE SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1989
33
KCRC CONDUCTING STUDY TO IMPROVE LRT VIABILITY
*****
THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION IS NOW CONDUCTING A FULL-SCALE STUDY TO IDENTIFY WAYS OF IMPROVING THE VIABILITY OF THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
TABLING THE ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS OF THE CORPORATION FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1988 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR JACOBS SAID IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF OPERATION, THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM SUFFERED AN OPERATING LOSS OF $32 MILLION.
DESPITE TEETHING PROBLEMS, MR JACOBS SAID HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE LRT SYSTEM WOULD SOON ESTABLISH ITSELF AS AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE IN THE NORTH WESTERN NEW TERRITORIES.
HE NOTED THAT PHASE ONE OF THE SYSTEM WAS COMPLETED ON TIME. IT BEGAN OPERATION ON SEPTEMBER 18, 1988 AND CARRIED OVER 180,000 PASSENGERS PER DAY BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE CORPORATION ENJOYED A SUCCESSFUL YEAR IN 1988 WITH A TOTAL REVENUE OF $1.4 BILLION, REPRESENTING A 49 PER CENT INCREASE OVER 1987.
PROFITS ROSE TO $563 MILLION IN 1988. NET PROFIT, EXCLUSIVE OF $239 MILLION FROM PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT ABOVE THE LIGHT RAIL TERMINUS AT TUEN MUN PIER HEAD, ROSE BY SOME 17 PER CENT TO $324 MILLION.
IN ADDITION TO RETURNS FROM PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT, THE CORPORATION HAD MADE SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN ITS COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES, WITH A REVENUE OF WELL OVER $ 106 MILLION, MR JACOBS SAID.
DURING THE YEAR, TOTAL NET ASSETS INCREASED FROM $3.2 BILLION TO NEARLY $4 BILLION, WHILE BORROWING WAS CONTAINED UNDER $1.5 BILLION.
"THESE ENCOURAGING RETURNS HAVE ENABLED THE CORPORATION TO CREATE A DEVELOPMENT RESERVE OF $270 MILLION, FROM WHICH FUTURE INFRASTRUCTURAL IMPROVEMENTS AND EXPANSIONS MAY BE PARTLY FUNDED," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
THE HEAVY RAIL DIVISION OF THE CORPORATION HAD GROWN FROM A SMALL RAILWAY TRANSPORTING 40,000 PASSENGERS A DAY BEFORE ELECTRIFICATION TO A MASS CARRIER OF NEARLY 500,000 PASSENGERS A DAY, HE NOTED.
GROWTH OF 14 PER CENT WAS ACHIEVED DURING THE YEAR AND 153 MILLION JOURNEYS WERE UNDERTAKEN.
TRIPS ON CROSS-BORDER TRAVEL AT LO WU ALSO INCREASED BY 16 PER CENT TO 27 MILLION, MR JACOBS SAID.
/MR JACOBS .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 198?
- -
MR JACOBS ALSO TOLD MEMBERS THAT A FURTHER ORDER OF 54 CARS, TO BE DELIVERED DURING THE NEXT 18 MONTHS, HAD BEEN PLACED TO COPE WITH THE GROWING DEMAND FROM PASSENGERS.
IN ADDITION, WORK BEGAN LAST MONTH ON A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR REDEVELOPMENT OF THE WORKSHOP AND DEPOT FACILITIES AT HO TUNG LAU TO CATER FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE TRAIN FLEET AND THE ACCOMPANYING MAINTENANCE WORK.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ALSO POINTED OUT THAT FREIGHT TRAFFIC ON THE RAILWAY CONTINUED TO GROW DURING THE YEAR.
"WHILE IN-BOUND CARGO DROPPED BY 10 PER CENT, THIS WAS MORE OFFSET BY A 30 PER CENT GROWTH IN THE MORE PROFITABLE OUTBOUND TRAFFIC," HE SAID.
IN CONCLUDING, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION HAD CONTINUED TO MOVE FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH AND HAD DEMONSTRATED ITS SUCCESS IN PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY TRANSPORT SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY.
_ _ _ _ o ---------
APPROPRIATION BILL 1989 GIVEN SECOND READING.
*****
THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1989 WAS GIVEN A SECOND READING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN ADDITION, A RESOLUTION THAT AN AMENDMENT TO THE OUTLINE OF THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE SCHEME UNDER THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS (ASSISTANCE FUND) ORDINANCE WAS PASSED BY THE COUNCIL.
THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION ANNUAL REPORT 1988 WAS TABLED.
THE NEXT MEETING OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL BE ON MAY 17 (WEDNESDAY).
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WEDNESDAY. MAY 10, 1989
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NEW EFFORTS TO CONSERVE ENDANGERED WILDLIFE
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL SHORTLY BE INTRODUCING ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO FURTHER TIGHTEN UP THE CONTROL ON THE TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES IN HONG KONG AND TO ENHANCE ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW WITH A VIEW TO BETTER CONSERVING ENDANGERED WILDLIFE.
THESE NEW MEASURES WILL BE PRESCRIBED IN A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE. THE LOCAL LEGISLATION GIVING EFFECT TO THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES).
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT, WHICH WILL SOON BE CONSIDERED BY THE LEGISLATURE, WILL SEEK TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM FINE FOR BREACHING Till LAW BY FIVE-FOLD FROM $5,000 TO $25,000 FOR THE FIRST OFFENCE AND FROM $10,000 TO $50,000 FOR A REPEATED OFFENCE.
THE EXISTING FINE CEILINGS WERE FIXED IN 1976 WHEN THE ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED. THEY ARE NOW CONSIDERED TOO LOW TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY DETERRENT.
ALSO INCLUDED IN THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WILL BE A PROHIBITION ON THE TRADE IN ANY MEDICINAL PRODUCTS CLAIMING TO CONTAIN RHINOCEROS INGREDIENTS.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (CONSERVATION AND COUNTRY PARKS) OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR K.C. IU, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TOLD A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON WEST ABOUT THESE IMPENDING LEGISLATIVE CHANGES.
MR IU SAID IN THE PAST FEW HUNDRED YEARS, RHINOCEROS HORNS HAD BEEN USED IN CHINA AND SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES AS FEVER DISPELLENT AND AS A CURE FOR HEADACHE. THEY HAD ALSO BEEN USED AS THE HANDLE OF DAGGERS IN MIDDLE EAST COUNTRIES.
"BECAUSE OF THE HIGH DEMAND, RHINOCEROSES WERE SO EXTENSIVELY POACHED IN THE PRODUCING COUNTRIES THAT THE TOTAL POPULATION WAS DRASTICALLY REDUCED FROM 70,000 IN THE EARLY 197O’S TO LESS THAN 10,000 IN 1988.
"IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE CITES RESOLUTION TO SAVE THE SPECIES FROM EXTINCTION, HONG KONG STARTED BANNING THE IMPORT OF RHINOCEROS PRODUCTS IN 1979. THE BAN WAS FURTHER EXTENDED IN AUGUST 1988 TO COVER THE INTERNAL SALE OF SUCH PRODUCTS," MR IU SAID.
HE ADDED THAT IF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WAS APPROVED, HONG KONG WOULD BE THE FIRST PLACE IN THE WORLD WHICH EXERCISED A TOTAL BAN ON RHINOCEROS INCLUDING SUBSTANCES CLAIMING TO CONTAIN ITS INGREDIENTS.
MR IU POINTED OUT THAT THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE ORDINANCE WAS TO PREVENT AND DETECT ILLEGAL TRADING IN ENDANGERED WILDLIFE.
/"THE GREAT
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1989
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"THE GREAT MAJORITY OF TRADERS IN HONG KONG ARE LAW-ABIDING. HOWEVER. A FEW BLACK SHEEP HAVE BEEN USING VARIOUS WAYS TO CONTINUE WITH THE ILLEGAL TRADING ACTIVITIES.
"THIS HAS TARNISHED THE IMAGE OF HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL ENDANGERED SPECIES TRADE.
"WORSE STILL, IT HAS ALSO RESULTED IN SANCTION AGAINST HONG KONG PRODUCTS BY SOME OVERSEAS COUNTRIES, INDIRECTLY CAUSING FINANCIAL LOSSES TO THE LEGAL TRADERS." HE SAID.
APART FROM TRADERS. THE ORDINANCE ALSO APPLIES TO ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC AND ALSO INDIVIDUALS GOING OR RETURNING FROM HOLIDAYS ABROAD.
ACCORDING TO MR IU. A SIZEABLE PROPORTION OF THE OFFENCES UNDER THE ORDINANCE INVOLVED TRAVELLERS BRINGING BACK SOUVENIRS SUCH AS STUFFED SEA TURTLES AND CROCODILES FROM SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES AS WELL AS PANGOLINS, OWLS AND EAGLES FROM CHINA.
"ALTHOUGH MORE PEOPLE ARE NOW AWARE OF THIS PROHIBITION THROUGH GOVERNMENT PUBLICITY AND EDUCATION EFFORTS, THERE WERE STILL SOME 200 SUCH CASES IN 1988," HE SAID.
"I WOULD LIKE TO URGE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO REFRAIN FROM BUYING SUCH SOUVENIRS AND ANIMAL ITEMS WHEN THEY VISIT OVERSEAS COUNTRIES AND CHINA."
IN ORDER TO CARRY OUT THE CONTROL WORK MORE EFFECTIVELY, MR IU SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD DEPLOYED ADDITIONAL STAFF RESOURCES IN THE LAST TWO YEARS AND ACTIONS WERE BEING TAKEN TO AMEND THE ORDINANCE TO ENHANCE ENFORCEMENT.
ON CONSERVATION OF ENDANGERED WILDLIFE, MR IU STRESSED THAT IT WAS NECESSARY BECAUSE WILDLIFE WAS AN IMPORTANT AND IRREPLACEABLE NATURAL RESOURCES.
IT WAS ALSO AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF THE LIFE-SUPPORTING ECOSYSTEM WHICH WOULD MAINTAIN THE BALANCE OF NATURE, AND ITS CONSERVATION WOULD ENSURE THE CONTINUATION OF THE GENETIC DIVERSITY FOR FUTURE USES.
HE SAID CONSERVATION OF THE ENDANGERED WILDLIFE COULD BE AFFECTED FIRSTLY BY MINIMISING THE DESTRUCTION AND POLLUTION OF THE NATURAL HABITATS TO ENABLE THE WILDLIFE TO REGENERATE.
THE OTHER WAY WAS TO STOP ILLEGAL POACHING AND OVER-HARVESTING IN PRODUCING COUNTRIES AND REGULATE THE TRADE OF THE ENDANGERED SPECIES INTERNATIONALLY.
MR IU CITED AS AN EXAMPLE THE AFRICAN ELEPHANTS WHICH HAVE BEEN EXTENSIVELY POACHED IN THEIR NATIVE COUNTRIES BECAUSE OF THE VALUE OF THEIR TUSKS.
"ALTHOUGH THERE ARE LEGISLATION IN THE PRODUCING COUNTRIES TO PREVENT OVER-EXPLOITATION AND DESTRUCTION OF THE HABITATS, THIS HAS, HOWEVER, PROVED TO BE INEFFECTIVE.
/"IT IS .......
WEDNESDAY, HAY 10, 1989
- 37 -
"IT IS THEREFORE CONSIDERED NECESSARY TO REGULATE ITS PRODUCTION AND TRADE THROUGH INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION AND CONTROL," HE SAID.
MR IU ADDED THAT IT WAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL TO USE NATURAL RESOURCES WISELY AND REFRAIN FROM OVER-EXPLOITING THEM.
"ONLY BY SO DOING, THESE RESOURCES WILL CONTINUE TO BE AVAILABLE FOR USE BY THIS GENERATION AND MANY GENERATIONS TO COME," HE SAID.
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FARMERS VISIT PRIVATE DEMONSTRATION FARM t ♦ ♦ » *
ABOUT 30 FARMERS FROM THE YUEN LONG AND NORTH DISTRICTS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) VISITED A PRIVATE POULTRY FARM IN SHEUNG SHUI AND SAW FOR THEMSELVES THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE TREATMENT SYSTEM INSTALLED THERE.
THE FARM IS IN KAM TSIN TSUEN, SHEUNG SHUI, AND KEEPS ABOUT 15,500 CHICKENS.
THE WASTE TREATMENT SYSTEM ADOPTED WAS THE DRY-MUCK-OUT METHOD. THE SYSTEM WAS HANDED OVER TO THE FARMER IN MARCH THIS YEAR AND HAS BEEN OPERATING SUCCESSFULLY SINCE THEN.
THE VISIT IS THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF VISITS CO-ORDINATED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND CONDUCTED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPDI, TO ALLOW FARMERS TO SEE THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF VARIOUS LIVESTOCK WASTE TREATMENT METHODS IN PRIVATE FARM CONDITIONS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EPD SAID DIFFERENT WASTE TREATMENT METHODS HAVE BEEN SET UP ON NINE LOCAL LIVESTOCK FARMS.
VARIOUS METHODS ARE BEING DEMONSTRATED RANGING FROM SIMPLE SYSTEMS REQUIRING DRY MUCKING OUT OF THE WASTE TO MORE SOPHISTICATED FULL WASTE TREATMENT SYSTEMS.
ALSO INCLUDED IS THE NEW TECHNIQUE OF RAISING PIGS ON A DRY SAWDUST LITTER BED IN WHICH THE WASTE IS COMPOSTED USING A BACTERIAL PRODUCT TO ENHANCE NATURAL PROCESSES.
UNDER THE DEMONSTRATION SCHEME, THE GOVERNEMNT HAS TO SET UP THE APPROPRIATE SYSTEMS ON THE FARMS AND HAND THEM OVER TO THE FARMERS FOR OPERATION FOR SIX MONTHS.
THE FARMERS WILL BE TRAINED BY THE GOVERNMENT APPOINTED CONSULTANT ON THE USE OF THE FACILITIES.
SO FAR, FIVE TREATMENT SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN HANDED OVER TO THE FARMERS.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1989
38
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS WAYS TO MONITOR AIR QUALITY *****
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) WAYS TO MONITOR THE AIR QUALITY IN INDUSTRIAL AREAS FOLLOWING COMPLAINTS ABOUT SMOKE BEING EMMITTED FROM FACTORIES.
A PAPER BY A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER OUTLINING A NUMBER OF FAVOURABLE FACTORS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A ZOO IN TUEN MUN WILL BE SUBMITTED AT THE MEETING.
MEMBERS WILL CONSIDER AN APPLICATION FROM THE CLEAN TUEN MUN CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR ORGANISING A CLEAN BEACH DAY.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE A REQUEST TO RE-PAVE A SECTION OF KAI MAN PATH, THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SITTING-OUT-AREA NEAR HONG LAI GARDEN, THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE PROBLEM IN WU KING ESTATE, AND A REQUEST TO CONVERT THE LAM TEI MARKET INTO A MARKET COMPLEX.
THE WORK REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE, FINANCIAL POSITION OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS, PROGRESS REPORT ON LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS AND A LIST OF PROPOSED MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS WILL ALSO BE TABLED FOR MEMBERS' INFORMATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 1 TUEN Hl ROAD.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ROAD-WIDENING SCHEME
*****
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL COMMENT ON A PROPOSAL BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TO WIDEN LAI WAN ROAD AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
ACCORDING TO A PAPER TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE COMMITTEE TOMORROW. THE COMPLETION OF THE LAI CHI KOK PARK SPORTS COMPLEX AND LAI CHI KOK PARK STAGE I, PHASE I, WOULD MAKE IT NECESSARY TO WIDEN THE EXISTING LAI WAN ROAD TO PROVIDE PICKING UP AND SETTING DOWN POINTS, AND TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW.
/THE PROJECT
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 19$9
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THE PROJECT IS ALSO NECESSARY FOR IMPROVING PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT TO TIE IN WITH THE DEVELOPMENTS OF ADJACENT AREAS.
THESE DEVELOPMENTS INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT TRAINING SCHOOL. A DISTRICT LIBRARY AND THE LAI CHI KOK PARK. AS WELL AS THE LAI CHI KOK RECLAMATION.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON POSSIBLE IMPROVEMENTS TO PEDESTRIAN CROSSING FACILITIES AT KWONG LEE ROAD TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF ROAD USERS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE SHEK KIP MEI COMMUNITY HALL, BLOCK 42, SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM.
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DB HOUSING COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS WORK PLAN *****
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S HOUSING COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS ITS WORK PLAN FOR 1989-90 AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
AT THE COMMITTEE’S LAST MEETING IT WAS AGREED THAT THIS YEAR’S PROGRAMME SHOULD FOCUS ON PROVIDING PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS WITH INFORMATION ON REDEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF ESTATES AS WELL AS COLLECTING THEIR VIEWS ON PUBLIC HOUSING MANAGEMENT MATTERS.
AT TOMORROW’S MEETING, MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS IN DETAIL ACTIVITIES TO BE ORGANISED TO ACHIEVE THESE PURPOSES.
THEY WILL ALSO EXPRESS VIEWS ON THE RENT INCREASE ON THE OPERATION OF MUTUAL AID MANAGED BY THE HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY.
IMPACT OF THE RECENT COMMITTEES IN ESTATES
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE KWUN BOARD’S HOUSING COMMITTEE TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE KWUN BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, TUNG YAN STREET.
TONG DISTRICT (THURSDAY) IN TONG DISTRICT
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1989
Uo
GOVT SITES TO LET BY TENDER *****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT TERM TENANCY OF A SITE IN SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES.
THE SITE, COVERING AN AREA OF ABOUT 5,400 SQUARE METRES, IS LOCATED AT LAI PING ROAD, KAU TO.
IT IS FOR A BUILDING CONTRACTOR’S PLANT (EXCEPT ROCK CRUSHING) MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE DEPOT FOR BUILDING MATERIALS, PLANT, MACHINERY, EQUIPMENT, GOODS (EXCLUDING CONTAINERS) AND THE TENANT’S VEHICLES.
THE TENANCY IS FOR THREE YEARS AND RENEWABLE ON A QUARTERLY BASIS.
TENDERS ARE ALSO BEING INVITED FOR LETTING EIGHT LOG PONDS AT YAM O WAN, NORTHEAST LANTAU.
THE PONDS, COVERING AN AREA RANGING FROM ABOUT 1.755 SQUARE METRES TO 9,336 SQUARE METRES, ARE FOR STORAGE OF FLOATING LOGS ONLY.
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR AND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICES AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT:
♦ THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND
♦ THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
TENDERS FOR THE SHA TIN SITE AND THE LOG PONDS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY NOON ON MAY 26.
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CUSTOMS PRAISED FOR ELIMINATING COUNTERFEIT GARMENTS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
HONG KONG IS NO LONGER BEING REGARDED AS A HEAVEN FOR COUNTERFEITING AND PIRACY AFTER THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT HAS CARRIED OUT DETERMINED ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS OVER THE YEARS.
THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR K.S. TONG SAID THIS AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY TODAY (WEDENSDAY).
THE CUSTOMS INVESTIGATION BUREAU AND THE TRADING STANDARDS INVESTIGATION BUREAU WERE EACH PRESENTED WITH A PLAQUE BY THE TEXWOOD LIMITED IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR EFFORTS IN PROTECTING THE TRADEMARK OF THE COMPANY’S GARMENT PRODUCTS.
/MR TONG .......
r
WEDNESDAY, HAY 10, 1989
41
MR TONG SAID THAT MOST ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES HAD TURNED UNDERGROUND WITH THE DETERMINED ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS IN THE PAST YEARS.
"IN 1988. $39 MILLION WORTH OF COUNTERFEIT GOODS WERE SEIZED, OF WHICH $16.3 MILLION WERE GARMENT PRODUCTS." HE SAID.
MR TONG POINTED OUT THAT CUSTOMS ACTION ON COUNTERFEIT TEXWOOD GARMENTS WAS FIRST INITIATED IN JUNE 1987 WHEN COMPLAINT ABOUT SOME JEANS WITH A TRADEMARK CLOSELY RESEMBLING THE REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF THE COMPANY WAS RECEIVED.
THE OPERATION TAKEN THEN HAD RESULTED IN THE PROSECUTION OF NINE PERSONS. INCLUDING FIVE RETAILERS AND A MANUFACTURER AND THE SEIZURE OF 220 PAIRS OF JEANS.
IN MARCH THIS YEAR, ANOTHER RETAILER WAS ARRESTED AND 370 PAIRS OF COUNTERFEIT JEANS WERE SEIZED. THE RETAILER WAS LATER FINED $9,250.
MR TONG ADDED THAT THE SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF THESE TWO CASES CLEARLY DEMONSTRATED THE IMPORTANCE OF CO-OPERATION BETWEEN TRADEMARK OWNERS AND ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, WITHOUT WHICH THE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT PROTECT THE TRADING INTEGRITY OF HONG KONG.
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INSTALLATION OF PARKING METERS IN PERTH STREET, KOWLOON CITY * * * » *
PARKING METERS INSTALLED AT THE PARKING SPACES IN PERTH STREET, KOWLOON CITY, WILL COMMENCE OPERATION FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MAY 12), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE INSTALLATION AIMS TO RATION THE UTILISATION OF THE PARKING SPACES.
THE TWO-HOUR METERED PARKING SPACES FOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN MEDIUM AND HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES, BUSES, MOTOR CYCLES AND PEDAL CYCLES WILL CHARGE $2 FOR EVERY 30 MINUTES, AND WILL OPERATE FROM 8 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
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/4a........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1989
- *+2 -
URBAN CLEARWAYS ON TAIKOO SHING ROAD t * * * ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MAY 12), THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF TAIKOO SHING ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED PEAK HOUR (7 - 10 AM AND 4 - 7 PM) DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS :
♦ THE SECTION BETWEEN TAI YUE AVENUE AND A POINT ABOUT 90 METRES TO THE EAST OF WESTLANDS ROAD; AND
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH TAI YUE AVENUE TO A POINT ABOUT 40 METRES TO THE EAST.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
-------0 ---------
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY ON WING FUNG STREET, WAN CHAI ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MAY 12), THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WING FUNG STREET IN WAN CHAI WILL BE DESIGNATED A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
THIS MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT SIX WEEKS TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
-----0------
VEHICLE BAN IN PERTH STREET, KOWLOON CITY ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED
THAT FROM 10 AM
ON
(MAY 12), ALL VEHICLES EXCEEDING EIGHT FROM ENTERING PERTH STREET IN
METRES IN
BANNED STREET
AND
PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD 24
KOWLOON CITY HOURS DAILY.
LENGTH BETWEEN
FRIDAY
WILL BE
SHEK KU
------0-------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT FOR TAM KUNG FESTIVAL ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST BETWEEN KAM WA STREET AND A KUNG NGAM ROAD WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM ON FRIDAY (MAY 12) TO FACILITATE THE CELEBRATION ACTIVITIES OF THE TAM KUNG FESTIVAL.
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR RE-AFFIRMS POLICY ON VBP ........................... 1
GOVERNOR VISITS HK PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL ..................... 2
HK'S EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR MARCH RELEASED ........... 3
SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD TO BE ESTABLISHED .................. 10
EDUCATION PROMOTES SOCIAL ADVANCEMENT ....................... 10
VR'S HELP CLEAR DRAINAGE IN NT .............................. 11
24-HOUR POLICE RECRUITMENT HOTLINE SET UP ................... 12
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS WORK PROGRAMME AND BUDGET............ 1J
KWAI TSING DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS ... 14
FISHERFOLK TO CELEBRATE TAM KUNG FESTIVAL ................... 14
GRADING OF BEaCH WATER QUALITY .............................. 15
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT PASSING-OUT PARADE ......... 19
URBAN CLEARWAY IN Ha TaU WAI ................................ 19
NIGHT CLOSURE OF WUHU UNDERPASS, HUNG HOM ................... 20
URBAN CLEARWAY IN TSIM SHA TSUI ............................. 20
LONG VEHICLE BAN IN SAI NING STREET, KENNEDY TOWN ........... 20
THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1989
GOVERNOR RE-AFFIRMS POLICY ON VBP * t * * »
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (THURSDAY) RE-AFFIRMED THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO SEND BACK TO VIETNAM ALL THOSE WHO HAVE ARRIVED AND BEING SCREENED AS NOT GENUINE REFUGEES.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER HIS VISIT TO THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL, SIR DAVID SAID THOSE WHO WERE SCREENED OUT COULD NOT SIMPLY SPEND THEIR LIVES IN CAMPS HERE AND THEY MUST BE RETURNED TO THEIR BASE THEY CAME FROM, WHICH IS VIETNAM.
"WE ARE WORKING AS HARD AS WE CAN TO GET THOSE ARRANGEMENTS IN PLACE.BUT TO DO THAT. IT NEEDS THE AGREEMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF VIETNAM.THAT IS WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON AT THIS MOMENT.
"J CAN’T AT THIS STAGE TELL YOU WHEN WE WILL BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE IT. ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT WE ARE WORKING EXTREMELY HARD WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO DO THAT," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT HONG KONG WAS FACING A VERY REAL AND SERIOUS PROBLEM AT THE MOMENT WITH THE CONTINUING INFLUX OF VERY LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE FROM VIETNAM, SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS FINDING PLACES TO PUT PEOPLE TEMPORARILY WHILE ARRANGEMENTS WERE BEING MADE FOR THEM TO BE SCREENED OR RETURN TO VIETNAM.
HE SAID: "AND THEN WE HAVE GOT TO WORK INTERNATIONALLY TO MAKE PEOPLE REALISE THE SIZE OF THE PROBLEM THAT HONG KONG NOW FACES AND TO MAKE THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SUFFICIENTLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM TO HELP US WORK OUT AND PUT INTO EFFECT MEASURES TO DEAL WITH IT.
"THAT MEANS A LOT OF HARDWORK AND A LOT OF QUITE RADICAL THINKING ABOUT HOW TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION. SIR DAVID SAID THE POLICY OF SCREENING THOSE WHO ARRIVED AND REPATRIATING TO VIETNAM THE ONES SCREENED OUT AS NOT BEING GENUINE REFUGEES WAS NOT A SOFT POLICY.
"I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT POLICY HAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE COMING HERE," HE ADDED.
/2........
THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1989
- 2 -
GOVERNOR VISITS HK PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL » ♦ ♦ » *
ENHANCING PRODUCTIVITY AND IMPROVING QUALITY ARE KEY ELEMENTS IN MAINTAINING THE COMPETITIVE EDGE OF HONG KONG INDUSTRY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
DURING A VISIT TO THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL'S OFFICE IN TAI KOK TSUI, SIR DAVID SAID HE WAS PLEASED TO SEE ENCOURAGING SIGNS OF A WIDER USE OF AUTOMATION IN LOCAL INDUSTRY.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, AND THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR ANDREW LEUNG, THE GOVERNOR WAS WELCOMED ON ARRIVAL AT THE OFFICE BY THE COUNCIL’S'CHAIRMAN, MR JAMES TIEN.
SIR DAVID LEARNED THAT THERE HAD BEEN MUCH GREATER DEMAND FOR TRAINING IN COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN.
THERE WAS ALSO AN INCREASING NUMBER OF HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE VENDORS IN HONG KONG, RAPID GROWTH IN THE NUMBER OF MOULD, TOOL AND DIE MAKERS USING CONVENTIONAL TWO-DIMENSIONAL CAD SYSTEMS AND MORE MANUFACTURERS USING ADVANCED THREE-DIMENSIONAL SYSTEMS.
SIR DAVID WAS TOLD THAT THE COUNCIL HAD, IN RESPONSE TO THE RECENT TRENDS, STEPPED UP MANAGEMENT TRAINING, AND WAS ACQUIRING AND DEVELOPING SOFTWARE SUITABLE FOR THE LOCAL MARKET.
AS A SUBVERTED ORGANISATION ESTABLISHED BY STATUTE IN 1967 TO HELP INDUSTRY ACHIEVE GREATER PRODUCTIVITY AND BETTER QUALITY PRODUCTS, THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL AT PRESENT WORKS FROM PREMISES IN SIX DIFFERENT LOCATIONS.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT A CLOTHING TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION CENTRE, JOINTLY MANAGED BY THE COUNCIL AND THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY, IS DUE TO OPEN IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR.
THE GOVERNOR WAS ALSO BRIEFED ON THE COUNCIL’S SPECIAL PURPOSE HEADQUARTERS BUILDING NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN KOWLOON TONG, AND INSPECTED THE VARIOUS TECHNOLOGY LABORATORIES RUN BY THE COUNCIL.
-------0---------
/3........
THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1989
- 3 -
HE’S EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR MARCH RELEASED ♦ **»»*
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN MARCH 1989, AT $91,530 MILLION, GREW BY 31 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS COMPARED WITH MARCH 1988, ACCORDING TO THE DETAILED FIGURES ON THE VALUE OF TRADE IN MARCH 1989 RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 18 PER CENT TO $16,623 MILLION IN MARCH 1989, WHILE RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 42 PER CENT TO $26,482 MILLION, THUS BRINGING TOTAL EXPORTS IN MARCH 1989 TO $43,106 MILLION, WHICH REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 32 PER CENT OVER MARCH 1988.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, IMPORTS INCREASED BY 30 PER CENT TO $48,424 MILLION.
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989, AT $253,079 MILLION, INCREASED BY 29 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE SAME QUARTER IN 1988.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 9 PER CENT TO $47,927 MILLION, WHILE RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 42 PER CENT TO $75,121 MILLION. THUS, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 27 PER CENT TO $123,049 MILLION. IMPORTS INCREASED BY 32 PER CENT TO $130,031 MILLION.
COMPARING MARCH 1989 WITH MARCH 1988, SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH WAS RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO JAPAN (+44 PER CENT), CHINA (+35 PER CENT), THE NETHERLANDS (+29 PER CENT) AND THE UNITED KINGDOM (+27 PER CENT).
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE U.S.A., THE LARGEST MARKET, AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, THE THIRD LARGEST MARKET, FOLLOWING CHINA, ALSO INCREASED, BOTH BY 10 PER CENT. HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO FRANCE DECREASED BY 1 PER CENT.
IMPORTS FROM MOST MAJOR SUPPLIERS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS IN MARCH 1989 OVER MARCH 1988, PARTICULARLY THOSE FROM ITALY (+54 PER CENT), CHINA (+44 PER CENT), TAIWAN (+36 PER CENT) AND SINGAPORE (+32 PER CENT). IMPORTS FROM JAPAN, THE U.S.A. AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA ALSO INCREASED, BY 24 PER CENT, 22 PER CENT AND 22 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
RE-EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, ITALY, THE U.S.A., THE UNITED KINGDOM, JAPAN AND CHINA INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN VALUE TERMS OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, BY 80 PER CENT, 70 PER CENT, 66 PER CENT, 57 PER CENT, 57 PER CENT AND 40 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989 WITH THE SAME QUARTER IN 1988, DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO MOST MAJOR MARKETS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS.
/THE MARKETS .......
THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1989
THE MARKETS WITH MORE SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCLUDED JAPAN (+36 PER CENT), CHINA (+35 PER CENT) AND SINGAPORE (+21 PER CENT). INCREASES IN VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE ALSO RECORDED IN AUSTRALIA (+15 PER CENT), THE NETHERLANDS (+14 PER CENT) AND THE UNITED KINGDOM (+13 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, THOSE TO FRANCE, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND THE U.S.A. DECREASED BY 7 PER CENT, 4 PER CENT AND 2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
IMPORTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989 FROM ALL MAJOR SUPPLIERS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS COMPARED WITH THE SAME QUARTER IN 1988. SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN IMPORTS FROM ITALY (+45 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (+39 PER CENT), CHINA (+38 PER CENT), TAIWAN (+35 PER CENT), THE U.S.A. (+30 PER CENT), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+28 PER CENT) AND JAPAN (+27 PER CENT).
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, RE-EXPORTS TO ITALY, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, THE UNITED KINGDOM, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN, CHINA AND THE U.S.A. INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN VALUE TERMS, BY 74 PER. CENT, 67 PER CENT, 56 PER CENT, 53 PER CENT, 51 PER CENT, 50 PER CENT AND 42 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 MARCH 1989 WILL BE RELEASED IN EARLY JUNE 1989.
THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO HONG KONG'S 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMPARING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989 WITH THE SAME QUARTER 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 $645 MILLION OR 24 PER CENT); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $575 MILLION OR 16 PER CENT); AND PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES AND OPTICAL GOODS, AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $332 MILLION OR 8 PER CENT). DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF CLOTHING INCREASED BY $600 MILLION OR 4 PER CENT.
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN FOOTWEAR (BY $46 MILLION OR 13 PER CENT) AND TOBACCO AND TOBACCO MANUFACTURES (BY $34 MILLION OR 7 PER CENT).
TABLE 2 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION.
THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS FROM HONG KONG’S 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE SUMMARISED IN TABLE 3.
/COMPARING THE .......
THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1989
- 5 -
COMPARING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989 WITH THE SAME QUARTER IN 1988, MORE NOTABLE INCREASES IN VALUE OF IMPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $3,498 MILLION OR 64 PER CENT); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $3,368 MILLION OR 33 PER CENT); AND CLOTHING (BY $2,359 MILLION OR 38 PER CENT). IMPORTS OF TEXTILES INCREASED BY $3,-171 MILLION OR 28 PER CENT.
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN RAW HIDES, SKINS AND FURSKINS (BY $159 MILLION OR 20 PER CENT); AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT OTHER THAN ROAD VEHICLES (BY $33 MILLION OR 6 PER CENT).
TABLE 4 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION.
THE CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS TO HONG KONG'S 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 5.
COMPARING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989 WITH THE SAME QUARTER IN 1988, MORE NOTABLE INCREASES IN VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $2,456 MILLION OR 45 PER CENT); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $2,293 MILLION OR 71 PER CENT); CLOTHING (BY $2,189 MILLION OR 41 PER CENT); AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $2,164 MILLION OR 48 PER CENT).
RE-EXPORTS OF TEXTILES INCREASED BY $1,984 MILLION OR 29 PER CENT.
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN EXPLOSIVES AND PYROTECHNIC PRODUCTS (BY $60 MILLION OR 31 PER CENT); AND CRUDE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS (BY $49 MILLION OR 5 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 MARCH 1989 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE STATISTICS SUMMARY" WILL BE ON SALE AROUND MAY 15, AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AT $9.50 PER COPY.
A MORE COMPREHENSIVE REPORT, "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE", WITH DETAILED ANALYSES ON IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS IN MARCH 1989 WILL BE AVAILABLE IN END-MAY 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: .......
THURSDAY, MAY 11. 19&9
6
TABLE 1: DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY 10 MAJOR MARKETS
JAN-MAR 89
MAR 89 OVER
MAR OVER JAN-MAR JAN-MAR
MAJOR MARKET 1989 MAR 88 1989 88
(HKD MN.) (%) (HKD MN.) (%)
U.S.A. -1,672 + 10 14 , 133 - 2
CHINA 3,581 + 35 9,227 + 35
F.R. OF GERMANY 1 , 154 + 10 3,688 - 4
U.K. 1,079 + 27 3,275 + 13
JAPAN 1,225 + 44 2,942 + 36
CANADA 431 + 24 1,442 + 12
SINGAPORE 453 + 17 1,263 + 21
NETHERLANDS 378 4- 29 1,130 + 14
AUSTRALIA 327 + 24 980 + 15
FRANCE 264 - 1 837 - 7
TABLE 2: DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION
COMMODITY DIVISION MAR 1989 (HKD MN.) MAR 89 OVER MAR 88 (%) JAN-MAR 1989 (HKD MN.) JAN-MAR 89 OVER JAN-MAR 88 (%)
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 4,059 + 25 14,035 + 4
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY JEWELLERY GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES) 2,379 + 15 6,055 4- 1
/PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS,
THURSDAY, MAY 11, 19^9
7
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1,533 4 16 4,264 4 8
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 1,562 4 20 4,194 4 16
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 1,294 4 8 3,579 4 6
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 1,363 4 10 3,527 4 2
TABLE 3: IMPORTS FROM 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS
MAJOR SUPPLIER MAR 1989 (HKD MN.) MAR 89 OVER MAR 88 (%) JAN-MAR 1989 (HKD MN.) JAN-MAR 89 OVER JAN-MAR 88 (%)
CHINA 15,289 + 44 40,585 4 38
JAPAN 8,700 4 24 23,353 4 27
TAIWAN 4,543 + 36 11,740 4 35
U.S.A. 3,907 + 22 10,765 4 30
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 2,394 4 22 6,449 4 28
SINGAPORE 1,877 4 32 5,362 4 39
F.R. OF GERMANY 1,186 4 3 3,342 4 19
U.K. 1,120 4 6 3,293 4 12
ITALY 976 + 54 2,324 4 45
SWITZERLAND 775 - 6 2,264 4 8
/table Us
THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1989
8
TABLE 4: IMPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION
JAN-MAR 89
COMMODITY DIVISION MAR 1989 (HKD MN.) MAR 89 OYER MAR 88 (%) JAN-MAR 1989 (HKD MN.) OVER JAN-MAR 88 (%)
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 6,411 + 29 15,686 + 28
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 4,871 + 22 13,463 + 33
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 3,382 + 66 8,922 4- 64
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 3,149 + 49 8,646 + 38
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 2,738 + 43 7,196 + 38
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 2,496 + 18 7,174 + 26
TABLE 5: RE-EXPORTS BY 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET MAR 1989 (HKD MN.) MAR 89 OVER MAR 88 (%) JAN-MAR 1989 (HKD MN.) JAN-MAR 89 OVER JAN-MAR 88 (%)
CHINA 9,032 + 40 25,245 + 50
U.S.A. 4,494 + 66 13,101 + 42
JAPAN 1,849 + 57 4,902 + 51
/Taiwan .......
THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1989
- 9 -
TAIWAN 1 ,486 4 28 3,944 4 30
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 1,114 4 14 3,150 4 16
F.R. OF GERMANY 911 + 80 2,705 4 67
SINGAPORE 821 4 16 2,446 + 31
U.K. 608 4 57 1,688 4 56
AUSTRALIA 387 4 37 1,280 4 53
ITALY 352 4 70 1 , 126 4 74
TABLE 6: RE-EXPORTS BY MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISION
COMMODITY DIVISION MAR 1989 (HKD MN.) MAR 89 OVER MAR 88 (%) JAN-MAR 1989 (HKD MN.) JAN-MAR 89 OVER JAN-MAR 88 (%)
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 3,333 4 28 8,826 4 29
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 2,714 4 31 7,901 4 45
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 2,412 4 67 7,515 4 41
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 2,403 4 65 6,689 4 48
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 1,854 4 69 5,504 4 71
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 988 4 28 2,871 4 36
O -
/1O........
THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1989
- 10 -
SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD TO BE ESTABLISHED t t i t t
A STATUTORY SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD WILL BE SET UP NEXT YEAR TO PROMOTE AND DEVELOP SPORTS AND PHYSICAL RECREATION IN THE TERRITORY, THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI. SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR CHUI SAID THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BOARD WAS BASED ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SPORTS CONSULTANCY REPORT PREPARED BY MR EMLYN JONES, A CONSULTANT COMMISSIONED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO LOOK INTO THE WAY AHEAD FOR SPORTS IN HONG KONG.
"THE SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD WILL HAVE EXECUTIVE POWERS AND ITS OWN STAFF TO DEAL WITH THE VARIOUS FUNCTIONS ENTRUSTED TO IT.
"THESE FUNCTIONS INCLUDE IMPLEMENTING DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES FOR SPORTS IN A CO-ORDINATED AND STRUCTURED MANNER, ALLOCATING GRANT AID TO SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS, TRAINING SPORTS ADMINISTRATORS AND COACHES, AND CONDUCTING SPORTS SCIENCE AND RESEARCH.
"THE TIME-TABLE FOR SETTING UP THE BOARD DEPENDS ON WHEN RESOURCES CAN BE MADE AVAILABLE.
"APART FROM GOVERNMENT FUNDS, THE BOARD WILL ALSO SEEK SPONSORSHIP FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO IMPLEMENT ITS PROGRAMMES," MR CHUI EXPLAINED.
"THE BOARD WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH THE FUTURE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, THE AMATEUR SPORTS FEDERATION AND OLYMPIC COMMITTEE, THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE, THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND SPORTS ORGANISATIONS TO DEVELOP SPORTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH A CLEAR AND COHERENT TERRITORIAL STRATEGY.
"A SPECIAL TASK FORCE HAS BEEN SET UP WITHIN THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH TO COMMENCE PREPARATORY WORK FOR SETTING UP THE BOARD," MR CHUI ADDED.
-----o - -
EDUCATION PROMOTES SOCIAL ADVANCEMENT
* t ♦ ♦ ♦
EDUCATION IS THE UNDERLYING FORCE OF SOCIAL ADVANCEMENT, ESPECIALLY IN TRAINING UP YOUNG PEOPLE’S CHARACTER AND MORAL INTEGRITY WHICH ARE THE INEVITABLE ELEMENTS OF THE STABILITY OF SOCIETY.
THIS WAS SAID BY MR CHAN KAM-CHUEN, THE CHAIRMAN OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES CHILDREN’S EDUCATION TRUST COMMITTEE AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF BURSARY CERTIFICATES IN THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE TODAY (THURSDAY).
/"EDUCATION," MR .......
THURSDAY। MAY 11, 1989
11
“EDUCATION,” MR CHAN SAID, ’’WHICH ALSO TRAINS UP PROFESSIONALS TO MEET THE PRESENT AND FUTURE REQUIREMENTS OF SOCIETY IS LARGELY PREDOMINENT IN THE PROGRESS OF SOCIETY.”
IN VIEW OF THIS, MR CHAN SAID, MONEY SPENT IN EDUCATION WAS A PROFITABLE INVESTMENT WHICH WOULD REAP A MUCH GREATER RETURN IN FUTURE.
"IT IS WITH THIS BELIEF THAT WE TRY OUR BEST TO ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO PURSUE EDUCATION, AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS ONE WAY TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO PERSIST LN THEIR STUDIES IN ORDER TO DEVELOP THEIR WELL-BEING AS WELL AS TO THE BENEFIT OF SOCIETY,” HE ADDED.
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES CHILDEN’S EDUCATION TRUST WAS SET UP WITH THE GENEROUS DONATION FROM MR WILLIAM MONG IN 1983 TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE CHILDREN OF ASSISTANT OFFICERS AND EQUIVALENT GRADES TO PURSUE HIGHER EDUCATION AS WELL AS FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF HANDICAPPED CHILDREN OF THESE OFFICERS.
EARLY THIS YEAR, MR MONG ONCE AGAIN KINDLY DONATED ANOTHER SUM OF $500,000 TO THE TRUST.
AT TODAY’S CEREMONY, SPEAKING AS TRUSTEE OF THE EDUCATION TRUST, MR CHAN WA-SHEK, THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, EXPRESSED THANKS FOR THE BENEVOLENT SUPPORT FROM MR AND MRS MONG.
MR CHAN THANKED THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ADVISORY BOARD, SIR OSWALD CHEUNG, AND THE BOARD MEMBERS, FOR THEIR SOUND ADVICE ON INVESTMENT. HE ALSO EXPRESSED APPRECIATION TO MR CHAN KAM-CHUEN AND HIS TRUST COMMITTEE FOR PROVIDING ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT.
EIGHTEEN STAFF MEMBERS RECEIVED THE BURSARY CERTIFICATES AND CHEQUES FROM MRS WILLIAM MONG AT THE PRESENTATION.
------0 ------
VR’S HELP CLEAR DRAINAGE IN NT * * * ♦ ♦
ABOUT 30 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES FROM SAN YICK REFUGEE CENTRE TODAY (THURSDAY) HELPED THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO CLEAR A DRAINAGE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AS PART OF THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY.
THE SERVICE PROJECT WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE REFUGEES CLEARED THE REFUSE IN A DRAINAGE WHICH LEADS FROM WONG UK TSUEN TO THE MAIN STREAM AT TAI LAM CHUNG. THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT PROVIDED THE TOOLS AND DISPOSED OF THE REFUSE COLLECTED.
/’•THE PROJECT,
THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1989
12
"THE PROJECT, WHICH COINCIDED WITH THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S ANTI-MOSQUITO CAMPAIGN, WAS ONE OF THE MANY SERVICES THAT THE REFUGEES HAVE RENDERED TO THE COMMUNITY IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS," A CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID.
"OUR STAFF IN THE REFUGEE CENTRES HAVE MADE GREAT EFFORTS IN ARRANGING THESE ACTIVITIES WHICH HAVE PROVED TO BE WORTHWHILE FOR BOTH THE REFUGEES AND HONG KONG PEOPLE," HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
24-HOUR POLICE RECRUITMENT HOTLINE SET UP *****
YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WISH TO EMBARK ON A REWARDING CAREER MAY NOW MAKE USE OF A NEW HOTLINE TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT JOINING THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE.
"THE 24-HOUR POLICE RECRUITMENT HOTLINE 5-200366 IS SET UP TO PROVIDE A MORE EFFICIENT AND CONVENIENT MEANS FOR PROSPECTIVE APPLICANTS TO ENQUIRE ABOUT RECRUITMENT INFORMATION SUCH AS ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES." A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE HOTLINE FACILITY SUPPLEMENTS THE MANY OTHER KINDS OF PUBLICITY ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE FORCE SUCH AS CAREER TALKS AND EXHIBITIONS AS WELL AS VISITS TO THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL WHICH ARE SPECIALLY ARRANGED FOR RECRUITMENT TARGET GROUPS.
"THESE ACTIVITIES ARE PLANNED ON A REGULAR BASIS WITH AN AIM TO ENCOURAGE MORE AMBITIOUS YOUNG PEOPLE TO CONSIDER TAKING THE POLICE SERVICE AS THEIR CHOSEN CAREER. THE RECRUITMENT TARGET FOR THIS YEAR IS 2,570 INCLUDING 260 INSPECTORATE OFFICERS."
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT APART FROM MAKING USE OF THE HOTLINE, PROSPECTIVE APPLICANTS COULD ALSO VISIT NEARBY RECRUITING CENTRES TO OBTAIN DETAILED INFORMATION OR TO HAND IN THEIR APPLICATIONS.
THE RECRUITING CENTRES ARE OPEN FROM 10 AM TO 6 PM. MONDAYS TO SATURDAYS.
EXCEPT THE TSIM SHA TSUI RECRUITING CENTRE WHICH ALSO OPENS ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
THE FIVE RECRUITING CENTRES ARE:
(1> QUEENSWAY RECRUITING CENTRE
FIRST FLOOR, LOW BLOCK
QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES
WAN CHAI, HONG KONG
TELEPHONE NUMBER 5-8624425
/(?) MONG KOK
THURSDAY, MAY 11, 19&9
- 13 -
(2) MONO KOK RECRUITING CENTRE MONO KOK POLICE STATION GROUND FLOOR, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD mong kok. Kowloon TELEPHONE NUMBER 3-806920
(3) WONG TAI SIN RECRUITING CENTRE WONG TAI SIN POLICE STATION FIRST FLOOR. SHATIN PASS ROAD WONG TAI SIN, KOWLOON TELEPHONE NUMBER 3-232354
(4) TSIM SHA TSUI RECRUITING CENTRE 1 PEKING ROAD, GROUND FLOOR TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON TELEPHONE NUMBER 3-681006
(5) SHA TIN RECRUITING CENTRE GROUND FLOOR, SHA TIN CENTRE STREET J/O TAM KON PO STREET SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES
TELEPHONE NUMBER 0-6044618
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS WORK PROGRAMME AND BUDGET
* » * * t «
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS ITS PROGRAMME AND BUDGET FOR 1989-90 AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE LIAISON WORK PLAN OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION’S SOUTH WEST NEW TERRITORIES REGIONAL OFFICE.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD PREFERENTIAL SCHEME FOR THE ELDERLY AND FUND APPLICATIONS FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION COMMITTEE TOMORROW (FRIDAY) 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.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1989
- 14 -
KWAI TSING DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS ******
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD'S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE REPORT ON ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS SUBMITTED BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY ) ,
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE.
OTHER TOPICS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE PLANNING OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES FOR NORTH TSING YI, CLEARANCE OF SQUATTERS AT CASTLE PEAK ROAD 6.5 MILESTONE AND TOILET ALTERATION WORKS AT SHEK LEI ESTATE.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL MOVE A MOTION REQUESTING THE GOVERNMENT TO INCLUDE THE AFTER-SCHOOL CARE SERVICE FOR PRIMARY STUDENTS AS A SUBSIDISED WELFARE SERVICE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE TO BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM, 10TH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KWAI CHUNG.
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FISHERFOLK TO CELEBRATE TAM KUNG FESTIVAL
» ♦ » »
THOUSANDS OF FISHERFOLK AND WORSHIPPERS WILL GATHER AT SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST TOMORROW (FRIDAY) MORNING TO CELEBRATE THE TRADITIONAL TAM KUNG FESTIVAL.
THE FESTIVAL FALLS ON THE EIGHTH DAY OF THE FOURTH MONTH OF THE LUNAR CALENDAR TO COMMEMORATE THE BIRTHDAY OF THE LEGENDARY DEITY WHO IS BELIEVED TO BESTOW GOOD FORTUNE ON WORSHIPPERS.
THE HIGHLIGHT OF THIS YEAR’S CELEBRATION IS A GRAND PROCESSION FEATURING LION, DRAGON AND UNICORN DANCES ALONG SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST TO THE TAM KUNG TEMPLE.
THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GARY YEUNG, WILL VISIT THE TEMPLE AT 11 AM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TAM KUNG FESTIVAL CELEBRATION ACTIVITIES AT SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST BEGINNING AT 10 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
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/15........
THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1989
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY *****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED GRADES ON THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF ALL BATHIN'’ BEACHES IN HONG KONG.
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE GRADING SYSTEM WAS T INFORM SWIMMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE STATE OF BACTERIA POLLUTION AT VARIOUS BEACHES.
THE GRADING WILL BE ANNOUNCED BIWEEKLY DURING THE SWIMMIt’ ■ SEASON, TO COINCIDE WITH THE FREQUENCY AT WH1CHBEACH WATERS AR; USUALLY SAMPLED.
THE GRADING IS BASED ON THE MOST RECENT BACTERIA DATA OBTAINE BY THE EPD IN ITS ROUTINE MONITORING PROGRAMME.
THIS YEAR, FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE GRADING ALSO INCLUDES A ESTIMATE OF THE RISK OF SUFFERING SOME MINOR SKIN OR GASTROINTESTINAI COMPLAINTS AS A RESULT OF SWIMMING AT A BEACH WHICH HAS SOME DEGRE 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 HE- N 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 .......
THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1989
- 16 -
THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO CLOSE A BEACH TO SWIMMERS IS BASED ON A JUDGEMENT OF WHAT DEGREE OF POLLUTION IS ACCEPTABLE.
NORMALLY, A RECOMMENDATION ON CLOSURE WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED BY THE URBAN OR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL IF A "C" GRADING OCCURRED REPEATEDLY, 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 PURPOSES, 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 HONG KONG SOUTH LAST GRADING (AS AT 27.4.89) PRESENT GRADING (AS AT 11.5.89)
BIG WAVE BAY A A
CHUNG HOM KOK A B
DEEP WATER BAY A A
HAIRPIN A A
MIDDLE BAY B B
REPULSE BAY A B
SHEK 0 A A
SOUTH BAY A A
ST. STEPHEN’S A A
TURTLE COVE A A
/STANLEY MAIN .......
THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1989
17 -
STANLEY MAIN B
ROCKY BAY X
TO TEI WAN* A
ISLANDS DISTRICT
CHEUNG SHA UPPER A
CHEUNG SHA LOWER A
DISCOVERY BAY* A
HUNG SHING YEH A
KWUN YAM WAN A
TONG FUK A
LO SO SHING A
PUI O A
SILVERMINE BAY X
TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU A
TUNG O* A
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
CAMPERS A
CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH A
CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND BEACH A
HAP MUN BAY A
KIU TSUI A
PAK SHA CHAU A
SILVERSTRAND B
TRIO (HEBE HAVEN) A
B
X
A
A
B
A
A
A
A
A
A
X
B
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
B
A
/TSUEN WAN .......
THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1989
18 -
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
ANGLERS' X X
APPROACH B B
CASAM B B
GEMINI B A
HOI MEI WAN B A
LIDO B B
TING KAU X X
TUNG WAN, MA WAN A A
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
OLD CAFETERIA X X
NEW CAFETERIA B B
CASTLE PEAK X X
KADOORIE B B
BUTTERFLY B B
NOTE: "X" THE BEACH HAS BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING. ♦ NON-GAZETTED BEACHES.
THE FOLLOWING BEACHES HAVE CHANGED GRADING ON THIS OCCASION:
GEMINI AND HOI MEI WAN, FROM "B" TO "A"; CHUNG HOM KOK, REPULSE BAY, CHEUNG SHA LOWER AND TUNG WAN BEACH ON CHEUNG CHAU, FROM "A" TO "B".
THE CHANGES 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 R. HOLMES, PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (WATER POLICY) OF EPD, AT 5-8351234.
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/19
THURSDAY, MAY 11. 1989
- 19 -
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT PASSING-OUT PARADE
*****
A PASSING-OUT PARADE OF 277 ASSISTANT OFFICERS OF THl CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WHO HAVE JUST COMPLETED THEIR BAS TRAINING COURSE WILL BE HELD AT THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THIS IS THE LARGEST BATCH OF RECRUITS PASSING OUT AT ONE TI ■ IN THE PAST TWO YEARS.
THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR ALAN CARTER, WILL TAKE THE SALUTE, DELIVER AN ADDRESS AND PRESENT SILVER WHISTLES TO THE BEST RECRUITS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT'S PASSING-OUT PARADE WHICH WILL START AT 4 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE DEPARTMENT'S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE AT 47 TUNG TAU WAN ROAD. STANLEY.
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URBAN CLEARWAY IN MA TAU WAI * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDA■ (MAY 13), THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF FU NING STREET IN MA TAP WAI BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH SHING TAK STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 5' METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
_ _ _ _ o------------
/2O.......
THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1989
- 20 -
NIGHT CLOSURE OF WUHU UNDERPASS. HUNG HOM ♦ ♦ ♦ t *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE WUHU VEHICULAR UNDERPASS IN HUNG HOM LEADING FROM NORTHBOUND CHATHAM ROAD NORTH TO SOUTHBOUND GILLIES AVENUE WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 1 AM AND 5 AM ON SATURDAY (MAY 13) IN ORDER TO FACILITATE CLEANSING.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS FROM TSIM SHA TSUI. YAU MA TEI AND THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL HEADING TO HUNG HOM AREA ARE ADVISED TO USE CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH, CHEONG WAN ROAD. ON WAN ROAD. CHEONG WAN ROAD AND GILLIES AVENUE; OR GASCOIGNE ROAD, CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH, CHATHAM ROAD NORTH, PAR KUNG STREET, SHUN YUNG STREET, FAT KWONG STREET AND MA TAU WAI ROAD.
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URBAN CLEARWAY IN TSIM SHA TSUI ♦ * t
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (MAY 13), THE WESTERN KERBSIDE OF KOWLOON PARK DRIVE IN TSIM SHA TSUI BETWEEN PEKING ROAD AND CANTON ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED A 24-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
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LONG VEHICLE BAN IN SAI NING STREET. KENNEDY TOWN
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (MAY 13), VEHICLES EXCEEDING 10 METRES IN LENGTH WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER SAI NING STREET WEST OF THE CHINA MERCHANTS GODOWN IN KENNEDY
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, MAY 12, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED ................... 1
SCHEME FOR IMPORTING SKILLED LABOUR EXPLAINED ................ 3
FREE TRADE MEANS ECONOMIC GROWTH ............................. 5
CSD HAS RESPONDED POSITIVELY TO FORMIDABLE CHALLENGES ........ 6
DB'S BRIEFED ON VBP ACCCiiMODATION ........................... 7
SECOND BATCH OF VBP REPATRIATED TO HANOI ..................... 8
APPOINTMENTS TO SECURITIES AND FUTURES APPEALS PANEL ......... 9
BILL ON SEPARATE TAXATION OF 1-iARRIED WOMEN GAZETTED......... 10
NEW COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT NAMED.......................... 12
MORE EFFECTIVE CONTROL OF MARINE LITTERING ................... 13
FSD TO UPGRADE RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN .......................... 16
RECRUITMENT FOR STATION OFFICERS, FIREMEN aND ,JiBULANCEMEN .. 17
INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR 4TH QUARTER 1988........... 18
CORRECTIVE TRAINING HELPS TURN OFFENDERS INTO RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS ..................................................... 21
MORE RESOURCES TO PROMOTE STUDENT COUNSELLING SERVICES ....... 22
SECRETARY FOR CIVIL SERVICE VISITS AUDIT DEPARTMENT .......... 22
KWUN TONG DB TO DISCUSS RECENT FLOODINGS ..................... 2J
STEERING GROUP BRIEFED ON FARMS VISITS ....................... 24-
APPROVED CENTRAL DISTRICT OZP GAZETTED ....................... 25
HANG HAU TOWN TO BE CLEARED TWO MONTHS LATER.................. 25
HOME SAFETY EXHIBITION AT CHOI WAN ESTATE..................... 26
KWAI CHUNG ROAD IMPROVEMENT WORKS TO BE .UiENDED ............. 27
FOOTBRIDGES TO BE BUILT IN TUEN MUN .......................... 28
AMEMDMEMTS TO LmM KaM ROaD IMPROVEMENT WORKS ................. 28
PROPOSED TEMPORARY PIER ON CHEUNG CHaU ....................... 29
PREQUaLIFICATION OF CONTRACTORS FOR BUILDING TUNNEL SEWER ... 30
SPEEDPOST SERVICE EXTENDS TO HUNGaRY ......................... 30
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN LAM TIN ............................... 31
LANE CLOSURES ON TUEN MUN ROaD................................ 31
FRIDAY, MAY 12, 1989
1
QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED * t * * t
FIRMS IN THE MANUFACTURI NG SECTOR EXPERIENCED A LOWER LEVEL OF BUSINESS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989 AS COMPARED WITH THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988. BUT THEY GENERALLY EXPECT THEIR BUSINESS TO IMPROVE IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1989, ACCORDING TO THE SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THIS COMPARISON IS LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS. THE FIRST QUARTER OF EACH YEAR IS USUALLY A SEASONAL LOW PERIOD COMPARED WITH OTHER QUARTERS AS FAR AS THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IS CONCERNED.
WITHIN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, FIRMS IN ALL INDUSTRIES, PARTICULARLY FOR THOSE IN THE WEARING APPAREL AND TEXTILES INDUSTRIES, REPORTED A DECLINE IN BUSINESS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989 WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER.
AS REGARDS THE BUSINESS PROSPECTS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1989. FIRMS IN ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, PARTICULARLY THOSE IN THE PLASTICS, ELECTRICAL MACHINERY AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRONICS INDUSTRIES, EXPECT AN IMPROVED BUSINESS OVER THE FIRST QUARTER.
FIRMS IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR EXPERIENCED AN IMPROVEMENT INBUSINESS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989. THE BUSINESS SITUATION IS EXPECTED TO BE FAVOURABLE IN THE SECOND QUARTER.
AS FOR THE DISTRIBUTIVE AND CATERING TRADES SECTOR, BUSINESS EXPERIENCES VARIED AMONG FIRMS IN DIFFERENT TRADES IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989.
COMPARED WITH THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988, FIRMS IN THE WHOLESALE. RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS EXPERIENCED A HIGHER LEVEL OF BUSINESS, WHILE THE HOTELS SURVEYED EXPERIENCED A SEASONAL DECLINE IN BUSINESS.
REGARDING THE BUSINESS PROSPECTS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1989, A SEASONAL UPTURN IN BUSINESS IS EXPECTED BY THE HOTELS, WHILE THE RESPONDING RESTAURANTS EXPECT A SEASONAL DECLINE IN BUSINESS.
ON THE OTHER HAND. FIRMS IN THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES EXPECT THE BUSINESS SITUATION TO BE FAVOURABLE IN THE SECOND QUARTER.
WITHIN THE SECTOR FOR "OTHER SERVICES", WHILE FIRMS IN THE TRADE CATEGORIES OF REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED SERVICES, BANKS, AND MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS SERVICES EXPERIENCED AN IMPROVED BUSINESS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989 AND EXPECT THE BUSINESS SITUATION TO BE FAVOURABLE IN THE SECOND QUARTER, THOSE IN THE TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION SECTOR EXPERIENCED A LOWER LEVEL OF BUSINESS IN THE FIRST QUARTER AND EXPECT A REDUCTION IN BUSINESS IN THE SECOND QUARTER.
/ABOUT 1,000 .......
FRIDAY, MAY 12, 1989
2
ABOUT 1,000 FIRMS FROM VARIOUS INDUSTRIES AND BUSINESSES, FORMING A CROSS-SECTION OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, PARTICIPATED IN THE’ SURVEY AND WERE ASKED ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS EXPERIENCES AND EXPECTATIONS. THE SURVEY ALSO COVERED BUSINESS PROBLEMS FACED BY FIRMS. .
AS REGARDS THE.. PROBLEMS-F AC ED BY FIRMS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR. Till' PROBLEMS OF SHORTAGE OF LABOUR GENERALLY AND SHORTAGE OF SKILLED LABOUR AFFECTED MOST OF THE RESPONDING FIRMS IN THE FIRST QUARTER.
IN ADDITION, HIGH LABOUR TURNOVER WAS ALSO A PROBLEM AFFECTING SOME OF THE INDUSTRIES SURVEYED. THIS SITUATION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE IN THE SECOND QUARTER.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR. THE PROBLEMS OF SHORTAGE OF LABOUR GENERALLY, SHORTAGE OF SKILLED LABOUR AND HIGH WAGE RATES WERE REPORTED BY THE MAJORITY OF FIRMS SURVEYED IN THE FIRST QUARTER. THESE PROBLEMS ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN IN THE SECOND QUARTER.
MANY FIRMS IN THE DISTRIBUTIVE AND CATERING TRADES SECTOR AS WELL AS THE "OTHER SERVICES" SECTOR WERE AFFECTED BY THE PROBLEMS OF SHORTAGE OF STAFF GENERALLY AND HIGH STAFF TURNOVER IN THE FIRST QUARTER.
IN ADDITION. MANY FIRMS IN THE HOTEL INDUSTRY WERE CONCERNED WITH TNE SHORTAGE OF EXPERIENCED STAFF, WHILE MANY BANKS WERE CONCERNED WITH HIGH STAFF COSTS. THESE PROBLEMS ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN IN THE SECOND QUARTER.
ACCORDING TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, THE SURVEY RESULTS, OBTAINED WITH A MINIMUM TIME LAG, ARE INTENDED TO PROVIDE A SOURCE OF REFERENCE FOR MAKING A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF THE CURRENT ECONOMIC SITUATION OF HONG KONG.
IN THE SURVEY. PARTICIPATING FIRMS WERE ASKED TO INDICATE WHETHER, IN THEIR OPINION, THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION AND LEVEL OF CAPACITY UTILISATION HAD "IMPROVED", "REMAINED THE SAME" OR "DETERIORATED" IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989 AS COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER.
THEY' WERE ALSO ASKED TO INDICATE WHETHER THE SITUATION IS EXPECTED TO "IMPROVE". "REMAIN THE SAME" OR "DETERIORATE" IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1989.
THE OPINIONS OF RESPONDENTS WERE TABULATED AND ANALYSED. MOREOVER. THE SURVEY REPORT CONTAINS A SECTION ON THE BUSINESS PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED AND EXPECTED BY FIRMS IN DIFFERENT ECONOMIC SECTORS AND A BREAKDOWN OF THE VIEWS OF FIRMS BY SIZE GROUPS.
THE DEPARTMENT CAUTIONED THAT, IN A SURVEY OF THIS NATURE, THE RESULTS SHOULD BE INTERPRETED WITH CAUTION AS IT IS DIFFICULT TO ESTABLISH PRECISELY THE EXTENT TO WHICH RESPONDENTS’ RECOLLECTION OF THE PAST AND PERCEPTION OF THE FUTURE ACCORDS WITH THE UNDERLYING TRENDS.
/MEMBERS OF .......
FRIDAY, MAY 12, 1989
3
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY OBTAIN COPIES OF THE SURVEY REPORT FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE. GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING. CONNAUGHT PLACE, AND FROM THE PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT. 19TH FLOOR. WANCHAI TOWER I. 12 HARBOUR ROAD. WAN CHAI. AT $5 PER COPY.
FURTHER DETAILS OF THE QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE NATIONAL INCOME BRANCH OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 5-8234779.
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SCHEME FOR IMPORTING SKILLED LABOUR EXPLAINED ♦ ♦ I * I
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED THAT UP TO 3,000 WORKERS FROM OUTSIDE HONG KONG POSSESSING SKILLS WHICH ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY LOCALLY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO WORK HERE UNDER MORE FLEXIBLE CRITERIA FOR THE IMPORTATION OF SKILLED LABOUR.
ANNOUNCING THIS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (FRIDAY), THE DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD TSANG, SAID SUCH WORKERS INCLUDED TECHNICIANS AND CRAFTSMEN IN THE TECHNICAL SECTOR, AND SUPERVISORS IN THE NON-TECHNICAL SECTORS.
’’THE SCHEME WILL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY AND THERE WILL BE NO RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF SUPPLY. SUBJECT TO THE USUAL IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS BEING MET," HE SAID.
"HOWEVER, IT WILL NOT COVER SEMI-SKILLED OR UNSKILLED WORKERS WHO WILL NOT BE ADMITTED INTO HONG KONG TO WORK," HE STRESSED.
"AND THE EXISTING SCHEME WHEREBY THERE WILL BE NO RESTRICTIONS ON THE NUMBER OF PROFESSIONALS TO BE ADMITTED WILL CONTINUE," HE SAID.
MR TSANG SAID THE DECISION TO IMPORT 3,000 WORKERS WITH SKILLS WHICH ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY LOCALLY REPRESENTED A BALANCED RESPONSE TO A TEMPORARY LABOUR SITUATION.
"WE BELIEVE THIS IS THE BEST SCHEME IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES, GIVEN THE VERY DIFFERENT SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC FORCES AT PLAY," HE SAID.
HE EMPHASISED THAT EMPLOYERS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE IMPORTED WORKERS WITH THE FULL RANGE OF BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO LOCAL WORKERS IN SIMILAR JOBS IN ADDITION TO PASSAGE AND HOUSING.
THE WAGES PAID TO IMPORTED WORKERS SHOULD BE COMPARABLE TO THOSE OF LOCAL WORKERS POSSESSING SIMILAR SKILLS.
MR TSANG SAID THAT IN ORDER TO LIMIT THE EFFECT ON THE LOCAL LABOUR MARKET, THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO DECIDED THAT IMPORTED WORKERS SHOULD NOT MAKE UP MORE THAN 20 PER CENT OF A COMPANY’S LABOUR FORCE AT THE SAME SKILL.
/’’THIS WILL...........
FRIDAY, MAY 12, 1989
"THIS WILL HELP ENSURE THAT LOCAL WAGES ARE NOT UNDULY AFFECTED BY IMPORTATION, AND THAT LOCAL WORKERS WILL CONTINUE TO SHARE THE FRUITS OF A BOOMING ECONOMY," HE SAID.
MR TSANG ADDED THAT VISAS FOR IMPORTED SKILLED WORKERS WOULD ONLY BE GRANTED ON THE BASIS OF EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS NOT EXCEEDING TWO YEARS. AND THAT RENEWAL OF CONTRACTS WOULD NOT NORMALLY BE APPROVED.
"THE IMPORTATION OF SKILLED LABOUR IS ONLY A TEMPORARY MEASURE TO ALLOW TIME FOR COMPANIES TO INTRODUCE HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY AND LABOUR SAVING SYSTEMS," HE SAID.
MR TSANG POINTED OUT THAT IN CONSIDERING APPLICATIONS. PRIORITY WOULD BE GIVEN TO THOSE INDUSTRIES AND SKILLS WITH HIGHER LEVELS OF MANPOWER SHORTAGE IN THE RELEVANT SKILL CATEGORIES.
"A LIST OF INDUSTRIES AND SERVICES RANKED ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES FOR SKILLED MANPOWER, AND A SECOND LIST OF THE RELEVANT JOB TITLES IN EACH INDUSTRY OR SERVICE RANKED ACCORDING TO THEIR RESPECTIVE VACANCY RATES HAVE BEEN COMPILED AND ARE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST FROM THE IMMIGRATION AND LABOUR DEPARTMENTS," HE SAID.
"THESE LISTS WILL HELP PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS UNDERSTAND HOW THEIR APPLICATIONS WILL BE ASSESSED."
APPLICATIONS FOR IMPORTING SKILLED LABOUR UNDER THE SCHEME MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION BY THE END OF JUNE.
"WE HAVE IMPROVED THE PROCEDURES FOR PROCESSING APPLICATIONS AND AIM TO COMPLETE ALL VETTING AND INFORM EMPLOYERS OF OUR DECISION IN JULY.
"TO HELP EMPLOYERS TO MAKE USE OF THE SCHEME, A PAMPHLET, IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, DESCRIBING THE PROCEDURES FOR IMPORTING SKILLED LABOUR IS NOW AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE FROM ALL OFFICES OF THE IMMIGRATION AND LABOUR DEPARTMENTS," HE SAID.
THE STEERING GROUP WHICH DREW UP DETAILS OF THE SCHEME WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION AND ADJUST IT TO MEET CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES.
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FRIDAY, MAY 12, 1989
- 5
FREE TRADE MEANS ECONOMIC GROWTH t * t ♦ t
HONG KONG WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE FURTHER STRENGTHENED THROUGH THE URUGUAY ROUND TO FACILITATE AN EVEN GREATER EXPANSION OF GLOBAL ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE FUTURE. THE MINISTER OF HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE AFFAIRS IN WASHINGTON. MR PETEK LO. SAID YESTERDAY (MAY 11).
Illi PURSUIT OF A BILATERAL, RETALIATORY AGENDA WILL NOT, IN OUR VIEW. HELP THAT PROCESS," HE SAID.
MR LO WAS SPEAKING IN A PANEL DISCUSSION ON "OPEN ECONOMIES IN EAST ASIA: THE JAPAN EXAMPLE", ORGANISED BY MERIDIAN HOUSE INTERNATIONAL AND THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE, IN THE U.S. CAPITAL AS PART OF A SERIES OF LECTURES TO EXAMINE THE DYNAMIC FORCES AFFECTING THE REGION.
HE DREW ATTENTION TO HONG KONG'S RECENT ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE, THE STRUCTURAL CHANGES TAKING PLACE IN BOTH ITS MANUFACTURING AND SERVICE SECTORS AND ITS ROLE AS A GATEWAY TO CHINA.
HE: ALSO HIGHLIGHTED HONG KONG'S FREE TRADE PHILOSOPHY AND COMMITMENT TO THE GATT AND SUPPORT FOR THE URUGUAY ROUND.
MR LO SAID WHILE MANY COMMON INGREDIENTS COULD BE IDENTIFIED IN Till’ ECONOMIC SUCCESSES OF JAPAN AND HONG KONG, ONE ESSENTIAL DIFFERENCE WAS THAT FOR HONG KONG A FREE TRADE POLICY HAD BEEN THE BEDROCK OF ITS ECONOMY AND GROWTH.
HE SAID DESPITE THE DIFFICULTIES OF PENETRATING THE JAPANESE MARKET. TRADE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND JAPAN HAD BEEN GROWING STRONGLY IN RECENT YEARS - BY 32 PER CENT IN 1987 AND 34 PER CENT LAST YEAR.
JAPAN WAS NOW HONG KONG’S THIRD LARGEST TRADING PARTNER AFTER CHINA AND THE U.S. IT HAD ALSO BECOME A MAJOR INVESTOR IN HONG KONG WHERE IT HAD 3.6 PER CENT OF ITS DIRECT FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN THE WORLD, COMPARED WITH 18 PER CENT IN THE U.S.
JAPAN WAS ALSO THE SECOND LARGEST SOURCE COUNTRY AFTER THE U.S. IN TERMS OF INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND A SIGNIFICANT PROPORTION OF HONG KONG’S CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME WAS BEING CARRIED OUT BY CONSORTIA WITH STRONG JAPANESE INVOLVEMENT.
MR LO SAID HONG KONG ATTRIBUTED ITS SUSTAINED ECONOMIC SUCCESS IN VERY LARGE PART TO FREE TRADE, AND IT BELIEVED THAT FREE TRADE REMAINED A GOOD THING EVEN IF A TRADING PARTNER DID NOT RECIPROCATE.
HE SAID THE REMOVAL OF THE OTHER SIDE’S BARRIERS WOULD BENEFIT BOTH SIDES AND WAS WORTH PRESSING FOR, BUT RETALIATION TO ACHIEVE IT WOULD MAKE MATTERS WORSE, NOT BETTER.
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/6 ........
FRIDAY. MAY 12, 1989
USD HAS RESPONDED POSITIVELY TO FORMIDABLE CHALLENGES * r t t t
ALTHOUGH THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (USD) HAS THE UNENVIABLE TASK OF LOOKING AFTER SOME 22,000 VIETNAMESE PEOPLE AND. \T THE SAMI TIME. HAS THE TRADITIONAL ROLE OF CUSTODIAN 01 SOME 11.000 OFFENDERS AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REHABILITATION OF THOSE OFFENDERS INTO SOCIETY, THE SERVICE HAS NEVERTHELESS RESPONDED POSITIVELY TO THESE FORMIDABLE CHALLENGES.
THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION. MR ALAN CARTER, SAID TH IS TODAY (FRIDAY) ATTHECSD'S PASSING-OUT PARADE HELD AT THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY.
MR CARTER SAID THE INFLUX OF LARGE NUMBERS OF BOAT PEOPLE, COINCIDING WITH INCREASES IN CUSTODIAL SENTENCES PASSED ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. HAD HAD A PROFOUND EFFECT THROUGHOUT THE DEPARTMENT.
’’MOST OBVIOUSLY. STAFF RESOURCES HAVE BEEN STRETCHED TO THE LIMIT WHILST OVERCROWDING HAS MADE LIFE MORE DIFFICULT FOR STAFF AND INMATES ALIKE,” HE SAID.
"THE MANAGEMENT OF THE BOAT PEOPLE, WHO HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF NO CRIME. HAS CALLED FOR NEW MANAGEMENT SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES. OVERCROWDING AND STAFF SHORTAGES HAVE BEEN MET WITH INGENUITY AND DETERMINATION.”
MR CARTER SAID THERE HAD BEEN NO LOWERING OF STANDARDS, AND EDUCATIONAL, VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND AFTER-CARE PROGRAMMES CONTINUED TO RECEIVE HIGH PRIORITY.
"OF PARTICULAR NOTE, AND GOOD NEWS FOR ALL TAXPAYERS HAS BEEN THE SUCCESS OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES INDUSTRIES, WHOSE ACTIVITIES HAVE AN IMPORTANT DUAL ROLE, TO KEEP PRISONERS GAINFULLY EMPLOYED AND TO SAVE TAXPAYERS’ MONEY BY PRODUCING A WIDE RANGE OF GOODS AND SERVICES,” HE POINTED OUT.
THE VALUE OF GOODS PRODUCED LAST YEAR HAD INCREASED TO $ 178 MILLION, A RISE OF ALMOST 11 PER CENT.
"THIS IS A REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT BY ANY STANDARDS, BUT PARTICULARLY SO AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF RECENT EVENTS," MR CARTER ADDED.
TODAY'S PARADE MARKED THE PASSING-OUT OF 277 ASSISTANT OFFICERS WHO HAVE COMPLETED SIX MONTHS OF BASIC TRAINING AT THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE.
MR CARTER PRESENTED SILVER WHISTLES TO THE 11 BEST RECRUITS.
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FRIDAY, MAY 12, 1989
7 -
DB'S BRIEFED ON VBP ACCOMMODATION ♦ ♦ t ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO DECANT THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AT THE SHAM SHUI PO CAMP INTO AN ADJOINING SITE AND OTHER EXISTING REFUGEE CENTRES.
THE SHAM SHUI PO CAMP WILL THEN BE CONVERTED INTO A COMPLETELX CLOSED DETENTION CENTRE WITH STRENGTHENED SECURITY TO HOLD ABOUT 5,000 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE (VBP).
AND THE DISUSED FOUR SEASONS ESTATE IN TSUEN WAN WILL NOT BE USED AS ACCOMMODATION FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES.
AT MEETINGS WITH SECURITY BRANCH OFFICIALS THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON, MEMBERS OF THE SHAM SHUI PO AND TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARDS WERE INFORMED OF THESE EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION MEASURES WHICH HAD BEEN MADE NECESSARY BY A CONTINUING INFLUX OF VBP WHICH ALREADY TOTALLED 3,385 ARRIVALS SO FAR THIS MONTH OR 7.615 SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR.
ATTENDING THE MEETINGS WERE THE REFUGEE CO-ORDINATOR, MR MIKE HANSON, AND THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MRS CARRIE YAU.
MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT ALTHOUGH FUNDS HAD BEEN APPROVED FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE WHITEHEAD DETENTION CENTRE AND CONVERSION OF THE LO WU CAMP INTO A TEMPORARY HOLDING CENTRE, WORKS WILL TAKE A FEW MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THERE IS THEREFORE AN IMMEDIATE PROBLEM OF PROVIDING ACCOMMODATION FOR NEW VBP ARRIVALS.
ALL THE EXISTING DETENTION CENTRES ARE STRETCHED TO THE LIMIT AND ALL THE FOUR FERRIES AVAILABLE FOR USE ARE FULL.-
THE SITE ADJOINING THE SHAM SHUI PO CAMP NOW COMPRISES SERVICE HUTS AND OFFICE BLOCKS OF THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THIS SITE WILL BE TURNED INTO A REFUGEE CAMP TO ACCOMMODATE 2,000 OF THE 5,000 REFUGEES NOW STAYING AT THE SHAM SHUI PO CAMP.
THE REMAINING 3,000 REFUGEES WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO OTHER REFUGEE CAMPS SUCH AS THE BOWRING REFUGEE CENTRE AND THE KAI TAK OPEN CENTRE. THE SERVICE HUTS IN BOWRING SUCH AS SCHOOL BLOCKS AND WORKSHOPS WILL BE CONVERTED FOR ACCOMMODATING REFUGEES.
SINCE ALL THE SPACE CURRENTLY USED BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN EXISTING REFUGEE CENTRES WILL BE USED UP FOR ACCOMMODATION PURPOSES, IT IS NECESSARY TO REPROVISION THESE SERVICES TO ENSURE THE CONTINUATION OF PROGRAMMES FOR RESETTLEMENT, SUCH AS ENGLISH LANGUAGE TRAINING CLASSES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS.
/WHILE THE .......
FRIDAY, MAY 12, 1989
8
WHILE THE DISUSED FOUR SEASONS ESTATE WILL NOT BE USED FOR ACCOMMODATING REFUGEES, IT IS PROPOSED TO OFFER THE ESTATE TO THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR) AND ITS DESIGNATED AGENCIES TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES.
THESE WILL INCLUDE SCHOOLING FOR REFUGEE CHILDREN AT BOWRING CENTRE WHO WILL BE TRANSPORTED TO AND FROM THE CENTRE, IS WELL AS OTHER SOCIAL SERVICE ACTIVITIES FOR OTHER REFUGEES.
NO VIETNAMESE REFUGEES WILL RESIDE IN THE ESTATE.
THE PROPOSED PROVISION OF SUCH SERVICES IN THE ESTATE IS SUBJECT TO THE AGREEMENT OF THE UNHCR AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
THE ESTATE, IF USED FOR THIS PURPOSE, WILL BE OPERATED BY WORKERS OF THE VOLUNTARY' AGENCIES MAINLY IN THE DAYTIME AND POSSIBLY IN THE EARLY EVENING.
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SECOND BATCH OF VBP REPATRIATED TO HANOI
*****
A SECOND BATCH OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE WHO HAD ASKED TO RETURN TO VIETNAM WERE TODAY (FRIDAY) REPATRIATED TO HANOI.
THE VOLUNTARY RETURNEES, TOTALLING 68, FLEW BACK ON A CHARTERED FLIGHT ARRANGED BY THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR).
THEY COMPRISED 29 MEN, 19 WOMEN, 14 BOYS AND SIX GIRLS.
THEY WERE SEEN OFF AT THE AIRPORT BY OFFICIALS FROM THE UNHCR AND THE SECURITY BRANCH.
THE FIRST BATCH OF 75 VOLUNTARY' RETURNEES WERE REPATRIATED ON MARCH 2 THIS YEAR.
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/9.........
FRIDAY, MAY 12, 1989
- 9 -
APPOINTMENTS TO SECURITIES AND FUTURES APPEALS PANEL
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE GOVERNOR HAD APPOINTED MR WONG CHUNG-H1N AND MR LESLIE WRIGHT AS CHAIRMAN AND DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES APPEALS PANEL (SFAP).
MR LESTER KWOK CHI-HANG. MRS ALICE LAM LEE KIU-YUE, MR SELWYN MAR, MR FRANK PONG FAI AND MR YAO KANG HAVE BEEN APPOINTED AS INDEPENDENT MEMBERS OF THE PANEL, HE SAID.
SECTION 18 OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC) ORDINANCE PROVIDES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN SFAP TO HEAR APPEALS AGAINST DECISIONS BY THE SFC IN RELATION TO APPLICATION FOR, OR SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF REGISTRATION AND THE EXERCISE OF INTERVENTION POWERS BY THE COMMISSION.
THE SFAP WILL HAVE 12 MEMBERS, NAMELY THE CHAIRMAN AND DEPUTY CHAIRMAN, WHO ARE BOTH QUALIFIED IN LAW, THE FIVE NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF THE SFC, AND THE FIVE INDEPENDENT MEMBERS.
EACH APPEAL WILL BE HEARD BY A GROUP OF THREE CONSISTING OF EITHER THE CHAIRMAN OR THE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN, ONE INDEPENDENT MEMBER AND ONE NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SFC.
"THIS APPEALS PROCEDURE CAN BE SEEN AS ONE OF THE IMPORTANT CHECKS AND BALANCES OVER THE WAY IN WHICH THE SFC EXERCISES ITS POWERS." MR NENDICK SAID.
MR WONG CHUNG-HIN, AGED 55, IS A LAWYER BY PROFESSION. HE WAS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NOW DISSOLVED SECURITIES COMMISSION AND COMMODITIES TRADING COMMISSION, AND SERVES ON THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON COMPANY LAW REFORM.
MR LESLIE WRIGHT, AGED 70, HAS BEEN PRACTISING AS A BARRISTER IN HONG KONG SINCE 19-18. HE LED A WORKING GROUP OF THE HONG KONG BAR ASSOCIATION THAT EXAMINED THE SFC BILL.
MR LESTER KWOK CHI-HANG, AGED 39, IS A QUALIFIED BARRISTER AND THE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF WING ON (HOLDINGS) LTD. HE IS A MEMBER OF THE INLAND REVENUE BOARD OF REVIEW AND THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD.
MRS ALICE LAM LEE KIU-YUE, AGED 49, IS A QUALIFIED SOLICITOR AND THE DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER OF THE HANG SENG BANK. SHE WAS A MEMBER OF THE SECURITIES COMMISSION AND SERVES ON THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.
MR SELWYN MAR, AGED 53, IS A PRACTISING ACCOUNTANT. HE SERVES ON THE COUNCIL OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S AWARD COUNCIL.
/MR FRANK .......
FRIDAY, MAY 12, 1989
- 10 -
MR FRANK PONG FAI, AGED 44, IS A DIRECTOR OF SH1U WING STEEL LIMITED. HE HAS SERVED ON THE SECURITIES COMMISSION FOR FOUR YEARS AND IS A MEMBER OF THE INLAND REVENUE BOARD OF REVIEW.
MR YAO KANG. AGED 64. IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TA I KOO ROYAL INSURANCE CO. LTD. HE IS THE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE C0”M H. OF THE HONG KONG A( ADEM\ FOR PERFORMING ARTS AND A MEMBER OF THE DEPORTATION TRIBUNAL AND THE HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION ADVISORY BOARD.
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BILL ON SEPARATE TAXATION OF MARRIED WOMEN GAZETTED t t * * t
THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1989 WHICH PROPOSES TO GRANT SEPARATE SALARIES TAXATION TO MARRIED COUPLES WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE BILL, IF PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WILL RESULT IN HUSBANDS AND WIVES BEING INDIVIDUALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL ASPECTS OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THEIR PERSONAL TAXATION RESPONSIBILITIES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IN PARTICULAR, MARRIED WOMEN WILL BE PROVIDED WITH INDEPENDENT CONTROL OF THEIR TAXATION AFFAIRS," HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE EXISTING ORDINANCE REQUIRES MARRIED COUPLES TO AGGREGATE THEIR SEPARATE INCOMES INTO ONE JOINT INCOME FOR COMPUTING THEIR SALARIES TAX LIABILITY, AND WHILE THEY MAY ELECT TO BE SEPARATELY ASSESSED IN RESPECT OF THEIR OWN INCOMES, THE TAX PAYABLE BY EACH OF THEM REMAINS AN APPORTIONMENT OF THE TOTAL TAX PAYABLE ON THE AGGREGATED INCOME.
"UNDER SEPARATE TAXATION, WORKING HUSBANDS AND WIVES WILL BE SEPARATELY CHARGED TO SALARIES TAX AND, PROVIDED THAT THEY ARE NOT ASSESSABLE AT THE STANDARD RATE OF TAX, EACH WILL RECEIVE A BASIC ALLOWANCE.
"IN SINGLE INCOME FAMILIES, THE SOLE-EARNER WILL, AS AT PRESENT, RECEIVE A MARRIED TAXPAYER ALLOWANCE. IN ADDITION, TAXPAYERS WILL CONTINUE TO BE ENTITLED TO CLAIM ALLOWANCES IN RESPECT OF THEIR CHIDREN AND DEPENDENT PARENTS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IN RESPECT OF CHILD ALLOWANCE, HUSBANDS AND WIVES ARE REQUIRED TO NOMINATE WHICH OF THEM WILL CLAIM THEIR FAMILY’S ENTITLEMENT TO THE ALLOWANCE FOR ALL OF THEIR CHILDREN.
"HOWEVER, FOR DEPENDENT PARENT ALLOWANCE, HUSBANDS AND WIVES WILL CONTINUE TO DECIDE, ON AN INDIVIDUAL PARENT BASIS, WHICH OF THEM WILL CLAIM THE ALLOWANCE IN RESPECT OF EACH ELIGIBLE DEPENDENT PARENT AND/OR DEPENDENT PARENT-IN-LAW," HE ADDED.
/IN CASES .......
FRIDAY, MAY 12, 1989
- 11
IN CASES WHERE ONE SPOUSE’S INCOME IS NOT SUFFICIENTLY HIGH TO YBSORB ALL OF HIS OR HER ALLOWANCES. THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT A SYSTEM OF JOINT ASSESSMENT WOULD APPLY.
'THIS WILL MEAN THAT ANY MARRIED COUPLE WHERE ONE SPOUSE HAS ALLOWANCES GREATER THAN HIS OR HER INCOME MAY ELECT. ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THEIR SALARIES TAX LIABILITY COMPUTED ON THEIR JOINT AGGREGATED INCOME. IN VERY' MUCH THE SAME WAY' AS AT PRESENT, IF THIS WILL RESULT IN HIE FAMILY’S OVERALL TAX BURDEN BEING REDUCED," HE POINTED OUT.
CONCURRENTLY WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SEPARATE TAXATION INTO SALARIES TAX THE PERSONAL ASSESSMENT LEGISLATION. AS IT APPLIES TO MARRIED COUPLES, IS ALSO TO BE AMENDED.
"IN FUTURE, WHERE ONLY A HUSBAND OR WIFE DERIVES INCOME, HE OR SHE WILL INDIVIDUALLY ELECT TO BE PERSONALLY ASSESSED AND BE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE TAX CHARGED.
"WHEN BOTH THE HUSBAND AND THE WIFE HAVE EACH DERIVED CHARGEABLE INCOME THEY MUST JOINTLY ELECT TO BE PERSONALLY ASSESSED.
"WHEN A JOINT PERSONAL ELECTION IS MADE THE COUPLE'S RESPECTIVE INCOMES WILL BE AGGREGATED TOGETHER INTO ONE COMPOSITE AMOUNT TO CALCULATE THEIR TAX LIABILITY.
"EACH SPOUSE WILL THEN RECEIVE A SEPARATE NOTICE OF ASSESSMENT IN RESPECT OF THE APPORTIONED TAX ATTRIBUTABLE TO HIS OR HER COMPONENT OF THEIR TOTAL INCOME," HE SAID.
THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL IS SCHEDULED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 31.
IF ENACTED, THE SEPARATE TAXATION PROVISIONS’ WOULD BE APPLICABLE TO 1989-90 FINAL SALARIES TAX ASSESSMENT ISSUED ON OR AFTER APRIL 1. 1990.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT ON THE BILL SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, FOURTH FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL OR TO OMELCO, 8 JACKSON ROAD, HONG KONG.
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/12 ........
FRIDAY. MAY 12, 1989
- 12 -
NEW COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT NAMED ♦ * ♦ t t
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT MR GORDON SIU, POSTMASTER GENERAL, WILL SUCCEED MR JAMES SO AS COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT.
MR SO HAS BEEN DESIGNATED TO BECOME DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES IN AUGUST.
BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ON MR SIU AND MR SO ARE AS FOLLOWS:
MR GORDON SIU KW1NG-CHUE. JP
AGED 43. MR SIU JOINED THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE IN 1968. HE HAS SERVED IN A NUMBER OF DEPARTMENTS AND BRANCHES.
MORE RECENTLY HE HAS SERVED AS MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR (1977-79), PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE (1980-82), DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE (STAFF MANAGEMENT) (1982-85), SECRETARY GENERAL, OMELCO (1985-88) AND BECAME POSTMASTER GENERAL IN MARCH 1988.
HE WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
STAFF GRADE Bl IN DECEMBER 1988.
MR JAMES SO YIU-CHO, JP
AGED 49. JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN SEPTEMBER 1962. HE WAS APPOINTED TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE IN AUGUST 1966 AND HAS SERVED IN A VARIETY OF DEPARTMENTS AND BRANCHES, INCLUDING FINANCE BRANCH, THE FORMER HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND BRANCH, CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH AND TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
MORE RECENTLY HE HAS SERVED TEMPORARILY AS SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION (1986-87) AND BECAME COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT IN MAY 1987.
HE WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE Bl IN OCTOBER 1987.
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/13 ........
FRIDAY, MAY 12, 1989
- 13
MORE EFFECTIVE CONTROL OF MARINE LITTERING t r t t t
AN AMENDMENT BILL GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY) PROVIDES FOR MORE EFFECTIVE CONTROL OF' MARINE LITTERING.
THE SUMMARY OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 FORMS PART OF THE EFFORTS BEING MADE TO DEAL WITH THE FLOATING REFUSE PROBLEM.
IT AMENDS THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 228) IN RELATION TO THE OFFENCE OF DEPOSITING LITTER INTO THE WATERS OF HONG KONG OK IN A PLACE WHERE IT MAY BE SWEPT BY THE TIDE INTO SUCH WATERS.
THESE AMENDMENTS INCLUDED AN INCREASE IN THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR MARINI LITTERING OFFENCES,
AUTHORISED OFFICERS WILL ALSO BE GIVEN POWER OF ENTRY. AND POWER TO REQUIRE A PERSON TO IDENTIFY HIMSELF AND PROVE HIS IDENTIFICATION, IN ORDER TO FACILITATE PROSECUTIONS AGAINST MARINE LITTERING OFFENCES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH SAID THAT SECTION 4D OF THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE PROVIDED FOR PROSECUTIONS AGAINST MARINE LITTERING.
"HOWEVER, THE ORDINANCE DOES NOT EMPOWER PUBLIC OFFICERS TO BOARD VESSELS OR TO ENTER PLACES OR PREMISES TO HELP THEM IDENTIFY SUSPECTS IN MARINE LITTERING," HE SAID.
"SUCH POWER OF ENTRY IS PROVIDED FOR IN OTHER ORDINANCES. EXAMPLES ARF THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 313) WHICH ENABLES AUTHORISED OFFICERS TO STOP AND BOARD ANY VESSEL WHERE THEY HAVE REASONABLE GROUNDS FOR SUSPECTING THAT A CONTRAVENTION OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE HAS TAKEN PLACE.
"THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE, CHAPTER 132. ALSO EMPOWERS AUTHORISED PUBLIC OFFICERS TO ENTER PREMISES FOR THE PURPOSES OF THAT ORDINANCE INCLUDING PUBLIC HEALTH AND NUISANCE MATTERS SUCH AS LAND LITTERING.
"THE LACK OF POWER OF ENTRY UNDER THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE HAS TO SOME EXTENT PREVENTED PUBLIC OFFICERS FROM IDENTIFYING OFFENDERS EFFECTIVELY TO PROSECUTE UNDER SECTION ID OF THE ORDINANCE AGAINST MARINE LITTERING IN AND FROM SHIPYARDS AND OTHER PRIVATE PREMISES ALONG THE WATERFRONT.
"WE THEREFORE CONSIDER IT NECESSARY TO ADD SUCH A POWER TO THE ORDINANCE."
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO SAID THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE WOULD BE THE AUTHORISATION AUTHORITIES AS IN THE CASE OF AUTHORISATION REQUIRED UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE AND SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL ORDINANCE RESPECTIVELY.
/"IN ORDER .......
FRIDAY, MAY 12, 1989
14 -
IN ORDER TO BE IN LINE WITH THE EXISTING PRACTICE FOR EXERC1SI OI POWERS OF ENTRY ETC., AUTHORISED OFFICERS ARE REQUIRED UNDER 1'111- BILL TO REASONABLY SUSPECT THAT AN OFFENCE HAS BEEN OR IS BEING COMMITTED BEFORE AN ENTRY IS MADE." HE SAID.
THEY ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO CARRY AND PRODUCE, IF NECESSARY, 'HEIR PI,’.OOI OF OFFICIAL IDENTITY AND PROOF OF AUTHOR 1 SAT J ON WHEN ON DUTY .
FINALLY. BEFORE AN ENTRY IS MADE TO A DWELLING VESSEL OR ANA PLACE OR PREMISES USED SOLELY FOR1 DWELLING PURPOSES IN CASES WHERE CONSENT FOR SUCH ENTRY IS NOT GIVEN, THE PUBLIC OFFICERS CONCERNED ARI- OBLIGED TO OBTAIN, CARRY AND PRODUCE, IF REASONABLY PRACTICABLE TO DO SO. A WARRANT FOR SUCH ENTRY."
THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT IT WOULD ALSO BE NECESSARY TO PROVIDE. AUTHORISED OFFICERS WITH POWER TO REQUIRE A PERSON TO DECLARE HIS NAME AND ADDRESS AND TO PRODUCE DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE OF HIS IDENTITY DURING INVESTIGATIONS ON MARINE LITTERING OFFENCES.
"TO DETER SUSPECTS EFFECTIVELY FROM REFUSING TO COMPLY WITH Till IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS, WE PROPOSE TO MAKE SUCH REFUSAL AN OFFENCE PUNISHABLE BY A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF A $10,000 FINE AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT," HE POINTED OUT.
"THF OPPORTUNITY IS TAKEN TO REVISE THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR PEOPLE CONVICTED OF MARINE LITTERING OFFENCES PROVIDED UNDER SECTION 4D(1) OF THE ORDINANCE FROM A $5,000 TO $10,000 FINE."
HOWEVER, THE MAXIMUM PRISON SENTENCE WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED AT SIX MONTHS.
"THIS IS IN LINE WITH THE MAXIMUM PENALTY ON LITTERING ON LAND OR WATERCOURSES UNDER BY-LAW 4 OF THE PUBLIC CLEANSING AND PREVENTION OF NUISANCES (URBAN COUNCIL I/(REGIONAL COUNCIL) BY-LAWS, CHAPTER 132," THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
"WITH REGARD TO THE PROPRIETOR OR OCCUPIER OF THE PRIVATE PREMISES, OR THE OWNER OR MASTER OF THE VESSEL. WHERE THESE OFFENCES ARE COMMITTED, THE MAXIMUM PENALTY PROVIDED UNDER SECTION 1D(2) OF THF ORDINANCE IS TO INCREASE FROM A $5,000 TO $50,000 FINE AND FROM SIX MONTHS’ TO ONE YEAR'S IMPRISONMENT.
"THIS IS SIMILAR TO THE PROVISION IN SECTION 4B(2) OF THE ORDINANCE IMPOSED ON CONTRACTORS ON A SITE CARRYING OUT CONSTRUCTION, REPAIR OR DECORATION WORKS WHERE OBJECTS ARE DROPPED."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL HAD ENDORSED THE PROPOSALS AND THE BILL WAS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 24.
NOTING THAT FLOATING REFUSE WAS A LONG STANDING PROBLEM IN THE HONG KONG WATERS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT A REPORT COMPILED BY THE THEN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AND OTHER STUDIES HAD REVEALED THAT NULLAHS AND STORMWATER OUTFALLS WERE A MAJOR SOURCE OF FLOATING Ml! ST. AND THAT OTHER NOTABLE SOURCES INCLUDED WATERFRONT ACTIVITIES AND VESSELS.
/’’ALTHOUGH SHIPYARDS .........
FRIDAY, MAY 12, 1989
- 15 -
ALTHOUGH SHIPYARDS ACCOUNT FOR LESS THAN FIVE PER CENT OF TH1 HULK OF FLOATING REFUSE ENTERING THE HARBOUR. THE REFUSE ARISING FROM SHIPYARDS SUCH AS LARGE TIMBER PLANKS, POSES A PARTICULARLY SER1OL" HAZARD TO LOCAL CRAFT." HE SAID.
"DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED ARE NOW DEVISING EFFECTIVE STRATEGIC TO TACKLE THE FLOATING REFUSE PROBLEM.
"ONE OF THE STRATEGIES IS THIS PRESENT PROPOSAL TO STRENGTH!7 THE EXISTING LEGAL PROVISIONS FOR CONTROL OVER MARINE LITTERING ESPECIALLY FROM PRIVATE PREMISES SUCH AS SHIPYARDS."
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT THE MAIN TARGET OF THE BILL WA LITTERING FROM PRIVATE PREMISES ALONG THE WATERFRONT, ALTHOUGH Til . FLOATING POPULATION WOULD ALSO BE SUBJECT TO ITS PROVISIONS.
"THERE ARE 498 LICENSED DWELLING VESSELS MOORED IN EIGH ’ TYPHOON SHELTERS WITH A FLOATING POPULATION (EXCLUDING FISHIN'1 COMMUNITY) OF ABOUT 3,050 PERSONS," HE SAID.
"FREE-OF-CHARGE DOMESTIC REFUSE COLLECTION SERVICES AR.i PROVIDED BY CONTRACTORS UNDER THE SUPERVISOR OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT IN THOSE TYPHOON SHELTERS WITH A LARGER NUMBER OF DWELLING VESSELS THE YAU MA TEI. ALDRICH BAY, CAUSEWAY BAY, ABERDEEN AND CHUNG MEI TUK TYPHOON SHELTERS.
"THE SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE DAILY EXCEPT DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS. PLASTIC BAGS ARE DELIVERED TO THE DWELLING BOATS FO’i COLLECTION PURPOSES. IN 1988, NEARLY 600 TONNES OF REFUSE WAT RECOVERED IN THIS MANNER."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT FEEDBACK FROM MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES. AND OTHER ASSOCIATIONS REPRESENTING THE BOAT DWELLERS. INDICATED THAT THE SERVICES WERE MUCH APPRECIATED.
"APPROXIMATELY' 96 PER CENT OF THE PLASTIC BAGS DISTRIBUTED AR J RETURNED FULL OF GARBAGE WHICH ALSO SHOWS A HIGH DEGREE OF PUBL1' PARTICIPATION," HE SAID.
"THE SERVICES ARE SATISFACTORY AS A MEANS OF CONTROLLING POTENTIAL FLOATING REFUSE AT SOURCE."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT REGARDING TYPHOON SHELTERS IN CHEUN 1 CHAU, SHUEN WAN AND SAM KA TSUEN. WHERE SUCH SERVICES WERE NOT PROVIDED, REFUSE COLLECTION BINS WERE PLACED ON SHORE TO FACILITATE THE FLOATING POPULATION’S DISPOSAL OF DOMESTIC REFUSE.
"WE HOPE THAT BOAT DWELLERS WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE USE OF EITHER THE COLLECTION SERVICES OR THE REFUSE COLLECTION BINS TO KEEP THE HONG KONG WATERS CLEAN," HE SAID.
"APART FROM THE COLLECTION SERVICES, IT IS ALSO LIKELY THAT SPECIAL TEAMS WILL BE SET UP TO PROVIDE DEDICATED SCAVENGING SERVICES IN TYPHOON SHELTERS WITH THE AIM OF FURTHER IMPROVING WATER CONDITIONS THERE."
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/16
FRIDAY, MAY 12, 1989
16
FSD TO UPGRADE RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN * * * * *
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL UPGRADE ITS CAMPAIGN TO RECRUIT STATION OFFICERS, FIREMEN AND AMBULANCEMEN,
OFFICERS FROM THE RECRUITMENT, TRAINING AND EXAMINATION GROUP OF HEADQUARTERS COMMAND HAVE RECENTLY REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT UNDER WHICH FIVE MOBILE RECRUITING CENTRES WILL BE SET UPON A ROTATION BASIS IN SHOPPING AREAS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
THESE RECRUITING CENTRES WILL OPEN EARLY NEXT MONTH.
THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR JOHN MARCH, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE PRESENT SITUATION WITH REGARD TO OFFICER RECRUITMENT WAS BECOMING SERIOUS.
"DESPITE CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT EFFORTS, ONLY 14 STATION OFFICERS WERE RECRUITED LAST YEAR TO FILL 68 VACANCIES, AND THREE OF THEM SUBSEQUENTLY RESIGNED TO TAKE UP OTHER EMPLOYMENT," HE SAID.
MR MARCH ADDED THAT A TOTAL OF 98 VACANCIES FOR STATION OFFICERS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO BE FILLED IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR,
IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THERE WILL ALSO BE 376 VACANCIES FOR FIREMEN, SIX FOR AMBULANCE OFFICERS AND 332 FOR AMBULANCEMEN WHICH NEED TO BE FILLED IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
MR MARCH ADDED HIS DEPARTMENT HOPED THAT THE STEPPED-UP RECRUITMENT DRIVE WOULD PRODUCE BETTER RESULTS NOTWITHSTANDING THE FACT THAT THE FIRE SERVICES OPERATIONAL STREAMS HAD SPECIAL RECRUITMENT REQUIREMENTS WHICH WERE UNIQUE IN THE CIVIL SERVICE.
"THE STRENUOUS NATURE OF THE JOB REQUIRES THE HIGHEST STANDARD OF PHYSICAL FITNESS, PHYSIQUE AND EYESIGHT AMONGST ALL THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES," HE SAID.
"THESE REQUIREMENTS POSE RESTRICTIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT AS IT CANNOT FOR THIS REASON RECRUIT FEMALE FIRE OFFICERS. IT THEREFORE HAS TO RECRUIT FROM ABOUT 20 TO 30 PER CENT OF THE AVAILABLE LABOUR FORCE."
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717
FRIDAY. NAY 12, 1989
17 -
RECRUITMENT FOR STATION OFFICERS ♦ ♦ ♦ *
FIREMEN AND AMBULANCEMEN ♦
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS CURRENTLY CONDUCTING A RECRUITMENT DRIVE FOR STATION OFFICERS. FIREMEN AND AMBULANCEMEN.
"WE ARE OFFERING A CAREER WITH VARIETY. INTEREST AND OPPORTUNITY TO YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WISH TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY," A FIRE SERVICES SPOKESMAN SAID.
FOR STATION OFFICERS AND FIREMEN, 30 YEARS OF AGE. HAVE GOOD PHYSIQUE AND FLUENT CANTONESE.
AN APPLICANT SHOULD BE NORMAL EYESIGHT. AND
UNDER
SPEAK
HE SHOULD BE 168 CENTIMETRES TALL OR ABOVE AND WEIGH AT LEAST
55 KILOGRAMS. HIS CHEST MEASUREMENT SHOULD NOT BE LESS THAN 86 CENTIMETRES DEFLATED, WITH AN EXPANSION OF AT LEAST FIVE CENTIMETRES.
THE MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION REQUIRED FOR FIREMEN IS SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF FORM THREE AND APPLICANTS FOR STATION OFFICERS MUST POSSESS AT LEAST FIVE SUBJECTS INCLUDING ENGLISH LANGUAGE (SYLLABUS B) AT GRADE E OR ABOVE IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO JOIN THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AS AN AMBULANCEMAN SHOULD BE UNDER 30 YEARS OF AGE, HAVE GOOD PHYSIQUE AND FIVE YEARS’ CONTINUOUS RESIDENCE IN HONG KONG AND MUST BE ABLE TO SPEAK FLUENT CANTONESE AND READ AND WRITE CHINESE.
HE SHOULD BE WITHIN THE HEIGHT RANGE OF 165 TO 191 CENTIMETRES AND CORRESPONDING WEIGHT RANGE OF 52 TO 86.75 KILOGRAMS IN A SPECIFIC PROPORTIONAL HEIGHT AND WEIGHT SCALE.
HIS CHEST MEASUREMENT SHOULD NOT DEFLATED, WITH AN EXPANSION OF AT LEAST
BE LESS THAN 84 FIVE CENTIMETRES.
CENTIMETRES
THE MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION REQUIRED IS SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF FORM THREE.
THE STARTING SALARY FOR FIREMEN VARIES FROM $4,496 TO $4,940 PER MONTH DEPENDING ON QUALIFICATIONS AND RISES TO A MAXIMUM OF $7 , 150.
FOR STATION OFFICERS, THE STARTING SALARY VARIES FROM $9,275 TO $11,530, AGAIN DEPENDING ON QUALIFICATIONS AND THE MAXIMUM SALARY IS $20,490.
THE STARTING SALARY FOR AN AMBULANCEMAN RANGES FROM $4,355 TO $4,790, DEPENDING ON QUALIFICATIONS, AND RISE TO $6,935.
ALL RECRUITS WILL RECEIVE PROPER TRAINING AT THE FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL AT PAT HEUNG IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
APPLICATION FORMS (GF 340) ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO THE RECRUITMENT UNIT, FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, 1 HONG CHONG ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, KOWLOON.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO THE RECRUITMENT UNIT ON 3-7337519.
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/18 ......
FRIDAY, MAY 12, 1989
- 18 -
INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR 4TH QUARTER 1988 ♦ t t t t ♦
THE INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR THF FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988, AT 133, WAS 10 POINTS OR 8.1 PER CENT ABOVE THAT FOR I'HE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1987, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THIS COMPARES WITH THE YEAR-ON-YEAR. GROWTH RATES OF 6.3 PER CENT IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988, 3.4 PER CENT IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1988, 6.1 PER CENT IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1988, AND OF AN AVERAGE OF 6.0 PER CENT IN THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1988.
COMPARED WITH THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988, AND BEARING IN MIND THE POSSIBLE INFLUENCE OF SEASONAL FACTORS, THE INDEX SHOWED A DECREASE OF 1 POINT OR 0.7 PER CENT.
INDUSTRIES SHOWING THE LARGEST INCREASES IN PRODUCTION IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988 OVER THE SAME QUARTER OF 1987 WERE : PROFESSIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC EQUIPMENT, PHOTOGRAPHIC AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+34.6 PER CENT); BASIC METALS (+27.9 PER. CENT); PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS (+24.5 PER CENT); MACHINERY, EXCEPT ELECTRICAL (+24.1 PER CENT); AND NEWSPAPER PRINTING, JOB PRINTING AND OTHER PRINTING (+20.3 PER CENT).
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE FOLLOWING INDUSTRIES REPORTED A DECREASE IN PRODUCTION COMPARED WITH THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1987 : WOOD AND CORK PRODUCTS, AND FURNITURE AND FIXTURES (EXCEPT PRIMARILY OF METAL) (-16.9 PER CENT); RUBBER PRODUCTS (-7.7 PER CENT); CONSUMER ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS (-7.3 PER CENT); NON-METALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS (-6.0 PER CENT); AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS (-1.0 PER CENT).
COMPARING THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988 WITH THAT IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER, INDUSTRIES WITH THE LARGEST INCREASES IN PRODUCTION INCLUDED : TOBACCO (+12.3 PER CENT); WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT KNITWEAR AND FOOTWEAR (+8.5 PER CENT); PROFESSIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC EQUIPMENT, PHOTOGRAPHIC AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+3.7 PER CENT); AND MACHINERY, EXCEPT ELECTRICAL (+0.6 PER CENT).
AT THE SAME TIME, 13 INDUSTRIES SHOWED SOME DECREASES IN PRODUCTION COMPARED WITH THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988.
THE MORE SIGNIFICANT DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE FOLLOWING INDUSTRIES : BEVERAGE (-27.0 PER CENT); PLASTIC PRODUCTS (-16.9 PER CENT); PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS (-12.9 PER CENT); AND RUBBER PRODUCTS (-11.8 PER CENT).
COMBINING THE INDEXES FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988 WITH THE INDEXES FOR THE PRECEDING THREE QUARTERS, THE INDEXES FOR 1988 AS A WHOLE COULD BE COMPUTED.
/COMPARED WITH .......
FRIDAY, MAY 12, 1989
- 19 -
COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING INDEXES FOR 1987, MOST INDUSTRIES SHOWED SOME INCREASES IN PRODUCTION, WITH PARTICULARLY LARGE INCREASES RECORDED IN THE FOLLOWING INDUSTRIES : TOBACCO (+23.7 PER CENT); PROFESSIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC EQUIPMENT, PHOTOGRAPHIC AND OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (+23.5 PER CENT); MACHINERY, EXCEPT ELECTRICAL (+22.7 PER CENT): PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS (+21.2 PER CENT); AND NEWSPAPER PRINTING, JOB PRINTING AND OTHER PRINTING (+20.3 PER CENT).
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE FOLLOWING INDUSTRIES RECORDED SOME DECREASES IN PRODUCTION : WOOD AND CORK PRODUCTS, AND FURNITURE AND FIXTURES (EXCEPT PRIMARILY OF METAL) (-11.2 PER CENT); RUBBER PRODUCTS (-8.3 PER CENT); PLASTIC PRODUCTS (-4.7 PER CENT); TEXTILES (INCLUDING KNITTING) (-2.6 PER CENT); AND WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT KNITWEAR AND FOOTWEAR (-0.9 PER CENT).
IN RELEASING THESE FIGURES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT THE INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IS PRIMARILY INTENDED TO REFLECT THE CHANGES OVER TIME OF LOCAL MANUFACTURING OUTPUT IN REAL TERMS.
IN OTHER WORDS, THE CHANGES IN THE VOLUME OF PRODUCTION IS MEASURED AFTER DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES.
A TABLE SHOWING CHANGES IN THE INDEXES OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IN GREATER DETAIL IS ATTACHED.
MORE DETAILED INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND IN THE "REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, 4TH QUARTER 1988", WHICH IS ON SALE AT $3 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE OR AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATION SALES COUNTER, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION MAY ALSO BE ARRANGED.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT TELEPHONE NUMBER 5-8234832.
/Indexes of
FRIDAY, MAY 12, 1989
20
Indexes of industrial production by industry group
(1986=100)
Industry group Indexes for 4 th Qtr. 1988 Percent change over Percent change in the index for 1988 as a whole over the preceding year
4th Otr. 1987 3rd Otr. 1988
rood 122 + 18.4 0.0 + 12.7
Beverage 105 +8.4 -27.0 +8.6
Tobacco 182 + 19.0 + 12.3 +23.7
Wearing apparel, except knitwear and footwear 127 +4.1 +8.5 -0.9
Textiles (including knitting) 124 +4.2 0.0 -2.6
Paper and paper products 183 +24.5 -12.9 +21.2
Newspaper printing, job printing and other printing 154 +20.3 -0.6 +20.3
Chemicals and chemical products 118 +15.7 -4.1 +13.1
Rubber products 120 -7.7 -11.8 -8.3
Plastic products 98 -1.0 -16.9 -4.7
Non-metallic mineral products 125 -6.0 0.0 0.0
Basic metals 142 +27.9 -3.4 +16.2
Fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment 149 + 19.2 -3.9 +19.8
Machinery, except electrical 175 +24.1 +0.6 +22.7
Consumer electrical and electronic products 140 -7.3 -1.4 0.0
Electrical and electronic parts, accessories and machinery 171 +13.2 0.0 +18.7
Professional and scientific equipment, photographic and optical goods, watches and clocks 140 +34.6 +3.7 +23.5
Leather products and footwear (except rubber, plastic and wooden footwear) 147 +1.4 -2.0 +2.3
Wood and cork products, and furniture and fixtures (except primarily of metal) 98 -16.9 -2.0 -11.2
Transport equipment 108 0.0 -4.4 + 10.9
Miscellaneous manufacturing industries, not elsewhere classified 125 -0.8 -5.3 +7.6
All manufacturing industries 133 +8.1 -0.7 +6.0
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/21 ........
FRIDAY, MAY 12, 1989
21
CORRECTIVE TRAINING HELPS TURN OFFENDERS * * t t r *
INTO RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS
CORRECTIVE TRAINING IN HONG KONG IS AIMED AT TURNING INTO RESPONSIBLE, CONTRIBUT1VE AND LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS, THE OF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES. MR JOSE 111. SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
OFFENDERS
DIRECTOR
SPEAKING AT \ CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION CEREMONY
CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, MR LEI SAID CORRECTIONAL
EMBRACED A WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES, AND ORGANISING
AT PIK UK
PROGRAMMES EDUCATIONAL
COURSES LEADING TO EXTERNAL ACCREDITATION WAS ONE FACET OF THE
PROGRAMMES.
"THE GRANTING OF CERTIFICATES TO CANDIDATES SIGNIFIES THE RECOGNITION OF THE AUTHORITIES OF THE STANDARDS OF THE RECIPIENTS ATTAINED IN PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS,” MR LEI SAID.
’’ALL THESE YOUNG PERSONS HAVE PERFORMED EXCEEDINGLY WELL IN THEIR STRIVE FOR ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE ACADEMIC FIELD, AND THIS WILL NO DOUBT BRING ABOUT FURTHER FULFILMENT IN LIFE ON THEIR SUBSEQUENT RETURN TO THE COMMUNITY,” HE ADDED.
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PIK UK CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, MR CHAN HING-HUNG. SAID AT THE OCCASION THAT THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB HAD RECENTLY DONATED ABOUT $137,000 TO THE DEPARTMENT.
Tllb DONATION WILL BE USED FOR SETTING UP A LANGUAGE LABORATORY AT THE INSTITUTION.
"THE DONATION ALSO INDICATES THAT THE DETERMINATION AND HARD WORK Till: INMATES HAD MADE IN THEIR PURSUIT OF STUDIES AND ACADEMIC ATTAINMENTS HAI) BEGUN TO THE APPRECIATED BY THE PUBLIC,” MR CHAN SAID.
THE LANGUAGE LABORATORY. WHICH CAN BE USED BY 24 INMATES AT ONE TIME, WILL BE READY FOR USE LATER THIS YEAR.
AT TODAY’S CEREMONY, 77 PRISONERS RECEIVED CERTIFICATES FOR HAVING SUCCESSFULLY PASSED VARIOUS PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS OFFERED BY THE CITY AND GUILDS OF LONDON INSTITUTE, LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, PITMAN EXAMINATION INSTITUTE, HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY, HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION AND THE UNIVERSITY OF EAST ASIA, MACAU.
THEY OBTAINED A TOTAL OF 39 DISTINCTIONS, 32 CREDITS AND 113 PASSES AMONG THE 210 PAPERS THEY SAT FOR, REPRESENTING AN AVERAGE PASS RATE OF 87 PER CENT.
MR JOSE LEI AND A JUSTICE OF PEACE, MR DAVID WRIGHT, OFFICIATED AT TODAY’S CEREMONY.
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/22 ........
FRIDAY. MAY 12. 1989
- 22 -
MORE RESOURCES TO PROMOTE STUDENT COUNSEL], ING SERVICES
* * t t
THE DEPUTE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION. MR JOHN WINFIELD, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAD PROVIDED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND FAC I LIT IES FOR SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS 1'0 PROMOTE COUNSELLING AND GUIDANCE SERVICES.
SPEAKING AT THE CAREERS AND GUIDANCE MASTERS SEMINAR, MR WINFIELD SAID SINCE 1982 THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAD PROVIDED FIVE ADDITIONAL TEACHERS IN STAGES FOR EACH STANDARD-SIZED SECONDARY SCHOOL IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR TO IMPROVE SPECIFIC SERVICES.
THESE INCLUDED CAREERS ADVICE AND GENERAL GUIDANCE.
TO ASSIST SCHOOLS IN PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE GUIDANCE SERVICE FOR THEIR PUPILS, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT PREPARED AND DISTRIBUTED TO SCHOOLS IN 1986 A COMPREHENSIVE PAMPHLET WHICH SET OUT THE SUGGESTED ORGANISATION AND IMPLEMENTATION METHODS OF GUIDANCE SERVICES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS. AND SHOWED HOW THE SERVICES COULD BE IMPLEMENTED EFFECTIVELY, MR WINFIELD SAID.
A REVIEW REPORT ON THE GUIDE HAD BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO SCHOOLS.
RECOMMENDATIONS WERE MADE IN THE REPORT BY A WORKING GROUP ON THE BASIS OF THE FEEDBACK. THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WAS CAREFULLY STUDYING THE RECOMMENDATIONS.
IN FACT. A GUIDANCE TEACHERS RESOURCES CENTRE WAS ESTABLISHED AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS BASED ON ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS.
THIS WOULD BE SEEN AS A CLEAR INDICATION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT'S COMMITMENT TOWARDS STUDENT GUIDANCE WORK. MR WINFIELD SAID.
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SECRETARY FOR CIVIL SERVICE VISITS AUDIT DEPARTMENT
THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR HARNAM GREWAL, TODAY (FRIDAY) VISITED THE AUDIT DEPARTMENT TO UPDATE HIMSELF ON THE WORK AND OPERATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
NR. GREWAL WAS BRIEFED ON THE ORGANISATION AND FUNCTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT BY THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT. MR ROBERT HUTT, AND THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, MR Y.K. LI.
/HE ALSO .......
FRIDAY, MAY 12, 1989
- 23 -
HE ALSO TOOK A FIRST-HAND LOOK AT THE OPERATIONS AND FACILITIES OF THE HEADQUARTERS REGISTRY. WORKS AND LANDS DIVISION AND CENTRAL ACCOUNTS BRANCH.
MR GREWAL LATER HAD INFORMAL DISCUSSION WITH STAFF REPRESENTATIVES ON STAFF MATTERS.
HE WILL VISIT THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ON MAY 26.
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KWUN TONG DB TO DISCUSS RECENT FLOODINGS *****
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING ON MONDAY (MAY 15) TO DISCUSS THE RECENT FLOODINGS IN THE DISTRICT.
BOARD MEMBERS HAVE EXPRESSED GRAVE CONCERN OVER THE CHAOTIC CONDITIONS ON MAY 2 WHEN THE TERRITORY WAS AFFECTED BY TORRENTIAL RAIN.
A SPECIAL MEETING HAS THEREFORE BEEN CONVENED TO DISCUSS THE CAUSES OF THE FLOODINGS IN THE DISTRICT AND TO EXPLORE POSSIBLE PREVENTIVE MEASURES. A SPOKESMAN SAID.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT, CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT. GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE AND FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO ANSWER MEMBERS’ QUESTIONS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD. WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 3 PM ON MONDAY (MAY 15) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF KWUN TONG BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING IN TUNG YAN STREET.
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- /24........
FRIDAY. MAY 12. 1989
- 24
STEERING GROUP BRIEFED ON FARMS VISITS * * * * *
MEMBERS OF THE STEERING GROUP ON DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ON PRIVATE FARMS, FORMED UNDER THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE. WERE BRIEFED TODAY (FRIDAY) ON VISITS BEING MADE BY FARMERS TO SEE WASTE TREATMENT SYSTEMS IN OPERATION.
THE FARMERS. WHO WISH ’IO CONTINUL LIVESTOCK FARMING IN CONTROL AREAS. ARE VISITING PRIVATE FARMS WHICH HAVE ADOPTED WASTE TREATMENT SYSTEMS.
THE FIRST IN THE SERIES OF VISITS WAS MADE EARLIER THIS WEEK TO A POULTRY FARM IN SHEUNG SHU1 WHICH HAS IMPLEMENTED THE DRY MUCK-OUT METHOD.
MEMBERS LEARNT THAT DURING THE VISIT THE FARMERS EXPRESSED KEEN INTEREST IN THE OPERATION OF THE TREATMENT FACILITY AND EXCHANGED VIEWS WITH BOTH THE FARM OPERATOR, MR WU WAH-KIT, AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SYSTEM.
THEY ALSO LEARNT THAT MORE FARM VISITS OF THIS NATURE WOULD BE ARRANGED TO ENABLE THE LIVESTOCK FARM OPERATORS TO CONSIDER THE VARIOUS OPTIONS WHICH THEY COULD CHOOSE IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH ANTI-POLLUTION REGULATIONS.
EPD REPRESENTATIVES GAVE A BRIEFING ON THE PROGRESS OF THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ON PRIVATE FARMS.
THE REPRESENTATIVES EXPLAINED THAT SO FAR FIVE TREATMENT SYSTEMS. COMPRISING THREE DRY MUCK-OUT AND TWO PIG-ON-LITTER METHODS, HAVE BECOME OPERATIONAL AND BEEN HANDED OVER TO THE FARM OPERATORS.
ANOTHER PIG-ON-LITTER SYSTEM, COVERING SIX PIG HOUSES. IS IN FACT OPERATIONAL? BUT ONE PIG HOUSE HAS REQUIRED MINOR MODIFICATION AND THIS IS BEING CARRIED OUT.
THE OPERATORS OF THE TWO FARMS EMPLOYING THE HYBRID METHOD WILL BE TRAINED ON THE SYSTEM AS SOON AS ITS COMMISSIONING HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
AS FOR THE FARM THAT HAS ADOPTED THE MORE COMPLICATED WET MUCK-OUT SYSTEM, MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, ALLOWING FOR EARLY COMMISSIONING OF THE SYSTEM.
AFTER THE MEETING. THE STEERING GROUP MEMBERS JOINED MEMBERS OF THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE IN VISITING A FARM IN THE NORTH DISTRICT TO MONITOR THE OPERATION OF THE TREATMENT SYSTEMS THERE.
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Z25 ........
FRIDAY. MAY 12, 1989
25
APPROVED CENTRAL DISTRICT OZP GAZETTED t ♦ ♦ ♦ t
THE OUTLINE ZONING PLAN FOR CENTRAL DISTRICT. APPROVED DY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, WAS PUBLISHED TN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE OUTLINE ZONING PLAN FOR CENTRAL DISTRICT WAS LAST APPROX ED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL ON SEPTEMBER 16, 1969.
IT WAS REFERRED BACK TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD FOR AMENDMENTS IN 1975. SINCE THEN, THE PLAN HAD BEEN FURTHER AMENDED AND GAZETTED FOK A FEW TIMES. A NUMBER OF OBJECTIONS TO THE AMENDMENTS WERE RECEIVED AND CONSIDERED.
THE PLAN COVERS AN AREA OF APPROXIMATELY 106 HECTARES IN THE NORTHERN PART OF HONG KONG ISLAND WHICH IS THE CENTRE OF GOVERNMENT, CONSULAR, BANKING, BUSINESS AND CIVIC ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG.
THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE PLAN IS TO IMPOSE STATUTORY PLANNING CONTROL OVER DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA THROUGH LAND USE ZONING.
THE PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT THE TOWN PLANNING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR. MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, AND THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG.
COPIES OF THE APPROVED PLAN ARE AVAILABLE AT THE MAP AND PLAN SALES 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.
THE PLAN IS $10 FOR EACH UNCOLOURED COPY AND $50 FOR EACH COLOURED PRINTED VERSION.
- - 0 -
HANG HAU TOWN TO BE CLEARED TWO MONTHS LATER t * * * *
THE D-DAY FOR THE CLEARANCE OF HANG HAU TOWN IN SAI KUNG HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO JULY 17, 1989 TO ENABLE BOTH GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THE RESIDENTS TO PREPARE FOR THE CLEARANCE.
MOST OF HANG HAU TOWN IS DUE TO BE CLEARED TO MAKE WAY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF JUNK BAY NEW TOWN. FOLLOWING THE GAZETTING OF THE RESUMPTION IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR, IT HAD BEEN INTENDED TO IMPLEMENT THE CLEARANCE EARLY THIS YEAR.
ALTHOUGH A LARGE NUMBER OF RESIDENTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN REHOUSED, A NUMBER OF COMPLICATIONS RELATING TO COMPENSATION AND REHOUSING ARRANGEMENTS HAVE LED TO DELAYS IN THE PREPARATIONS FOR THE CLEARANCE.
/A NUMBER
FRIDAY, MAY 12, 1989
- 26 -
A NUMBER OF NEW ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN DIFFICULTIES FACED BY NON-INDIGENOUS OWNERS PREMISES.
AGREED TO
OF POSTWAR
EASE THE
DOMESTIC
THESE INCLUDE THE POSSIBILITY. WHERE ELIGIBLE, OF USING THE HOME PURCHASE ALLOWANCE TO BUY HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FLATS: HELP THE OWNERS WITH TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION; AND ASSISTANCE FOR OWNERS WHOSE ORIGINAL FLATS WERE SMALLER THAN THE MlNIMUM-S1ZED FLATS NOW AVAILABLE IN THE AREA TO BUY THE MINIMUM-SIZED FLATS WAILABLE.
OFFERS
BY THE
FULL DETAILS OF THESE OF COMPENSATION, WILL BE
DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE IN
ARRANGEMENTS. TOGETHER W1 TH SENT TO INDIVIDUAL OWNERS IN THE NEXT WEEK.
RENEWED
WRITING
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HOME SAFETY EXHIBITION AT CHOI WAN ESTATE *****
THE SEVENTH IN A SERIES OF NINE EXHIBITIONS TO DISSEMINATE HOME SAFETY MESSAGES WILL BE STAGED AT THE SHOPPING CENTRE OF CHOI WAN ESTATE IN NGAU CHI WAN ON SUNDAY (MAY 14) FROM 11 AM TO 4 PM.
’’THIS YEAR UNTIL THE END OF LAST MONTH, HOME ACCIDENTS HAVE CLAIMED 38 LIVES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY", A SPOKESMAN OF THE HOME SAFETY CAMPAIGN PUBLICITY COMMITTEE SAID.
"MANY OF THESE ACCIDENTS WERE CAUSED BY CARELESSNESS AND IGNORANCE.
"THEY COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF GREATER ATTENTION HAD BEEN ATTACHED TO HOUSEHOLD SAFETY," HE ADDED.
THE EXHIBITION IS PART OF THE COMMITTEE'S PUBLICITY PROGRAMME TO ALERT THE PUBLIC OF HIDDEN DANGERS IN THE HOME AND ADVISE THEM ON PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES.
THE THEME OF THE EXHIBITION IS "HOW TO KEEP YOUR KITCHEN SAFE".
A NEW BOOKLET "SAFETY BEGINS AT HOME" WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AT THE VENUE.
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/27
FRIDAY, MAY 12, 1989
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KWAI CHUNG ROAD IMPROVEMENT WORKS TO BE AMENDED ♦ * » » »
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO MAKE AN AMENDMENT TO THE WORKS FOR IMPROVING KWAI CHUNG ROAD BETWEEN LAI CHI KOK BRIDGE AND TSUEN WAN ROAD.
THE IMPROVEMENT WORKS WILL PROVIDE IMPROVED ACCESS AND INCREASE THE TRAFFIC CAPACITY OF ROADS LEADING TO THE CONTAINER PORT AND THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES.
THE PLANS AND SCHEME OF WORKS WERE ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE ON SEPTEMBER 16 AND 23 LAST YEAR.
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WORKS INCLUDE :
* ADDITIONAL SLOPEWORKS NEAR LAI KING TERRACE;
♦ RESUMPTION OF A PORTION OF A SLOPE AT CHING CHEUNG ROAD REQUIRED FOR SLOPE WORKS.
THE WORKS WILL START JULY THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED IN EARLY
1993.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN AND SCHEME OF THE AMENDMENT 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;
* KWAI TSING DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 10TH-11TH FLOORS, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES;
♦ KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG, NEW TERRITORIES;
* KOWLOON WEST DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON;
» SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND, FIRST AND SECOND FLOORS, 37-39 TONKIN STREET, KOWLOON.
ANY PERSON WHO OBJECTS TO THE AMENDED WORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, BY JULY 11 THIS YEAR.
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/28 ......
FRIDAY, MAY 12. 1989
28
FOOTBRIDGES TO BE BUILT IN TUEN MUN * * » ♦ ♦
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROPOSES FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS CASTLE PEAK ROAD NEAR CHI LOK FA YEUN THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TUEN MUN
TO BUILD a AS PART OF NEW TOWN.
THE PROPOSED WORKS ALSO PEDESTRIAN/CYCLE BRIDGE OVER PUI TO TUEN MUN NULLAH; AND A FOOTBRIDGE FOOTBRIDGE WITH THE PODIUM OF THE COURT.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL WERE (FRIDAY) GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
INCLUDE THE BUILDING OF A
ROAD AT THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE
EXTENSION LINKING THE EXISTING COMMERCIAL COMPLEX AT SIU HONG
PUBLISHED IN A NOTICE IN TODAY’S
A NOTICE, IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH, HAS BEEN POSTED ON NOTICE BOARDS NEAR THE SITE OF THE PROPOSED WORKS.
THE PLAN AND SCHEME MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE. CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG; AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO OBJECT TO THE WORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR. LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, BY JULY 11 THIS YEAR.
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AMENDMENTS TO LAM KAM ROAD IMPROVEMENT WORKS
*****
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO AMEND IMPROVEMENT WORKS ON A SECTION OF LAM KAM ROAD BETWEEN LAM KAM ROAD INTERCHANGE AND KADOORIE FARM IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
NOTICES ON THE IMPROVEMENT WORKS WERE ORIGINALLY' GAZETTED ON OCTOBER 16 AND 23, 1987.
THE AMENDMENTS MAKE PROVISION FOR THE ADDITION OF A TWO-METRE VERGE ADJACENT TO THE CARRIAGEWAY, AN INCREASE OF CARRIAGEWAY WIDTH ON THE STEEP SECTION OF THE ROAD, CONSTRUCTION OF SLOPE EMBANKMENT AND ASSOCIATED RIVER TRAINING WORKS, AND OTHER MINOR CHANGES.
FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE AMENDMENT WORKS, AN ADDITIONAL 5,220 SQUARE METRES OF AGRICULTURAL AND ORCHARD LAND WILL BE RESUMED.
/ADDITIONAL ROADS .......
FRIDAY, MAY 12, 1989
29
ADDITIONAL ROADS TO BE CLOSED INCLUDE :
♦ A SECTION OF THE’ EXISTING ACCESS ROAD To EDINBURGH YOUTH CAMP;
t THE EXISTING BUS BAY BFTVi.EN CHI .NG UK TSIEN AND TONG MIN TSUEN; AND
♦ THE EXISTING BUS BAY \T THE EASTERN EXTREMITY OF KADOORIE FARM.
PERMANENT ALTERNATIVE ACCESS WILL BE PROVIDED AND TEMPORARY ACCESS WILL BE MAINTAINED DURING TH! CONSTRUCTION PERIOD.
A NOTICE ON THE AMENDMENT WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLANS AND SCHEME MAY 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:
- TAI PO DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, TAI PO GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, TING KOK ROAD, TAI PO, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON WHO OBJECTS TO THE AMENDMENT WORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, BY JULY 11 THIS YEAR.
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PROPOSED TEMPORARY PIER ON CHEUNG CHAU ♦ t * ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO BUILD A TEMPORARY PIER WITH LOADING AND UNLOADING FACILITY WITHIN AN AREA OF APPROXIMATELY 330 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT TUNG WAN BEACH, CHEUNG CHAU.
THE TEMPORARY PIER IS FOR DELIVERING BUILDING MATERIALS TO ENABLE CONSTRUCTION OF THE INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE AT NAM SHE TONG.
MEANWHILE. THE GOVERNMENT ALSO PLANS TO CARRY OUT DREDGING AND RECLAMATION WITHIN AN AREA OF APPROXIMATELY 0.27 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED ON THE EASTERN SIDE OF THE PIER AT YIM LIU HA, SHA TAU KOK.
THIS IS FOR THE FORMATION OF A ROCKFILL REVETMENT TO ENHANCE THE STABILITY OF THE PIER AND PROVIDE PROTECTION TO THE EXPOSED FLANK OF THE PIER AND ITS FOUNDATIONS UNDER STORM CONDITION.
/THE EXTENT ........
FRIDAY, MAY 12, 1989
c
- 30
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS XFFECTED WAS DESCRIBED I N THE GAZE I TE PUBLISHED TODA^ (FRIDAY).
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OK OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED WILL BE INJURIOUSLY AFFECTED BY THE WORKS MAY SEND \ WRITTEN Cl AIM FOR COMPENSATION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OK BEFORE MAY 11. 1990.
PREQUALIFICATION 01 CONTRACTORS FOR BUILDING TUNNEL SEWER t r t t ♦
A TUNNEL SEWER IS TO BE BUILT FROM SAN WAI NEAR TIN SHUI WAI TO LUNG KWU SHEUNG TAN IN SOUTHWEST TUEN MUN.
TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS PROJECT IN THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES, TOGETHER WITH SITE FORMATION WORKS FOR THE INTENDED SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS AND Till DRAINAGE RESERVE AT SAN WAI, WILL SOON BE INVITED FROM A LIST OF PREQUALIFIED CONTRACTORS.
THE CONTRACT WILL INVOLVE BUILDING NINE KILOMETRES OF THREE-METRE DIAMETER TUNNEL THROUGH ROCK. ASSOCIATED SPECIAL CHAMBERS AND ACCESS ADITS, TWO SHORT LENGTHS OF SEWER, SITE FORMATION WORKS FOR THE TREATMENT WORKS AND DRAINAGE RESERVE.
A NOTICE ON THE TENDER WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
DOCUMENTS ON APPLICATION FOR PREQUALIFICATION SHOULD BE FILED BEFORE MAY 19 WHILE THE COMPLETED DOCUMENTS, GIVING ALL REQUISITE INFOMRAT1ON. SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE CONSULTING ENGINEER BEFORE NOON ON MAY 29.
SPEEDPOST SERVICE EXTENDS TO HUNGARY t t * t *
THE POST OFFICE TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE WOULD BE EXTENDED TO HUNGARY WITH EFFECT FROM MAY 15.
"THIS WILL BRING THE NUMBER OF COUNTRIES INCLUDED IN THE SPEEDPOST NETWORK SERVED FROM HONG KONG TO 59," A SPOKESMAN FROM THE POST OFFICE SAID.
AS A FAST AND RELIABLE MEANS FOR FORWARDING DOCUMENTS. SAMPLES AND MERCHANDISE OVERSEAS, THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE CAN DELIVER ITEMS’ ADDRESSED TO MAJOR CITIES AND TOWNS IN HUNGARY ON THE SECOND DAY AFTER POSTING THROUGHOUT THE WEEK.
/’’ITEMS ADDRESSED
FRIDAY, MAY 12, 1989
- 31
"ITEMS .ADDRESSED TO VILLAGES AND SMALL TOWNS WILL BE DELIVERED ON THE SECOND WORKING DAY AFTER POSTING." THE SPOKESMAN SAID. ADDING THAT BOTH "CONTRACT" AND "ON DEMAND" SERVICES WERE ALSO AVAILABLE.
"THE MAXIMUM WEIGHT IS 20 KILOGRAMS AND THE POSTAGE RATE FOR ITEMS WEIGHING NOT OVER 250 GRAMS, IS $80; WHILE ITEMS WEIGHING NOT OVER 500 GRAMS, IS $100. WITH EACH SUBSEQUENT ADDITIONAL 500 GRAMS COSTING $30." HE SAID.
THE RATE FOR KILOPAK IS $120 AND THERE IS NO ADDITIONAL COST FOR PICK-UP SERVICE BY THE POST OFFICE FROM THE CUSTOMERS’ PREMISES.
CUSTOMERS REQUIRING MORE SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE TO HUNGARY AND THE SPEEDPOST SERVICE IN GENERAL CAN CONTACT THE POSTAL SERVICES REPRESENTATIVES ON 5-8683868.
- - 0---------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN LAM TIN ♦ ♦ t ♦ t
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON SUNDAY (MAY 1.4), TSUI LAM ROAD IN LAM TIN FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH PO LAM ROAD NORTH TO A POINT ABOUT 500 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE RE-ROUTED TWO-WAY TO FACILITATE ACCESS TO TSUI LAM BUS TERMINUS AND TSUI LAM ESTATE.
AT THE SAME TIME, NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE TSUI LAM BUS TERMINUS 24 HOURS DAILY.
------0-------
LANE CLOSURES ON TUEN MUN ROAD ♦ ♦ * t *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS, THREE TRAFFIC LANES OF THE TUEN MUN BOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TUEN MUN ROAD BETWEEN SO KWUN WAT AND SAM SHING HUI WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC IN TURN FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON FOUR SUNDAYS STARTING FROM MAY 14.
THE FAST AND MIDDLE LANES NEAR SO KWUN WAT BRIDGE WILL BE CLOSED ON MAY 14; WHILE THE SLOW AND MIDDLE LANES WILL BE CLOSED ON MAY 21.
THE FAST AND MIDDLE LANES NEAR SAM SHING HUI WILL BE CLOSED ON MAY 28; AND THE SLOW AND MIDDLE LANES WILL BE CLOSED ON JUNE 4.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, MAY 13, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
LADY YOUDE PRESENTS AWARDS TO 632 STUDENTS ................. 1
POLICE ACT FOR COMMUNITY: AG................................ 2
BOARDS PAY $5 MILLION IN INJURIES COMPf^SATION ............. 3
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT APPOINTED ................ 4
GOVERNOR TO VISIT WAN CHAI ................................. 5
•GUIDE TO TAXI SERVICE’ PUBLISHED........................... 5
SWD HELPS SOLVE FAMILY PROBLEMS ............................ 7
PHOTO EXHIBITION ON XINJIANG OPENS ......................... 9
DB TO DISCUSS TSING YI RISK REASSESSMENT REPORT............. 9
VOLUNTEERS TO HOLD aNNUAL PARADE............................ 10
PUBLIC DUMP IN HUNG HOM OPENS .............................. 10
FRESH WaTER SUSPENSION IN FIVE AREAS ....................... H
LANE CLOSURES ON TOLO HIGHWAY IN SHa TIN.................... 11
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEaRWaYS IN NORTH POINT, S*I YING PUN...... 12
ROAD CLOSURE IN WONG TAI SIN ............................... 12
TRAFFIC ARRANGEM-NT IN KOWLOON CITY........................ 12
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH FLYOVER CONSTRUCTION ............................................... 15
TRAFFIC DIVERSION IN SAI KUNG............................... 13
SHA TIN BUS LANES TO EXTEND OPERATING HOURS................. 13
SATURDAY, MAY 13, 1989
1
LADY YOUDE PRESENTS AWARDS TO 632 STUDENTS * » » « «
LADY YOUDE TODAY (SATURDAY» PRESENTED AWARDS TO 632 STUDENTS WHO WERE GRANTED SCHOLARSHIPS UNDER THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FUND.
"IN ENCOURAGING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND LEADERSHIP AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE. THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FUND IS COMMITTED TO OFFERING THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY A PART IN GUIDING HONG KONG TOWARDS A STABLE AND PROSPEROUS FUTURE." LADY YOUDE SAID.
LADY YOUDE HAD RETURNED FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM TO OFFICIATE AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY IN CITY HALL.
THE TOTAL WORTH OF THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL AWARDS IN THE 1988-89 ACADEMIC YEAR WAS $2.8 MILLION.
THIS INCLUDED THE AWARDS OF 519 PRIZES FOR SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS, 59 SCHOLARSHIPS AND 36 FELLOWSHIPS FOR TERTIARY STUDENTS, EIGHT AWARDS FOR OVERSEAS STUDIES, SIX AWARDS FOR DISABLED STUDENTS AND FOUR MEDALS FOR STUDENTS WHO EXCELLED IN PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS.
THE FUND’S COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, MR STEPHEN CHEONG, POINTED OUT THAT THE AWARD SCHEME FOR DISABLED STUDENTS CAME INTO EFFECT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 1988-89.
"THE SCHEME WAS DESIGNED FOR HANDICAPPED STUDENTS PURSUING HIGHER EDUCATION. SIX STUDENTS WERE CHOSEN TO SHARE A GRANT OF ABOUT $85,000 FOR PURCHASE OF TECHNICAL AIDS AND SERVICES," MR CHEONG SAID.
"IT PROVIDES A FRESH IMPETUS TO ENCOURAGE THE DISABLED’S ACADEMIC PURSUITS, AND HELPS ALLEVIATE, IN REAL TERMS, THE EXTRA LEARNING DIFFICULTIES CAUSED BY DISABILITIES.
"WE WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THIS SCHEME IN OUR PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR."
SIR QUO-WEI LEE, CHAIRMAN OF THE FUND’S BOARD OF TRUSTEES WHO ALSO PARTICIPATED IN THE CEREMONY, SAID THE FUND’S PORTFOLIO HAD A MARKET VALUE OF CLOSE TO $89 MILLION. THIS WAS 6.4 PER CENT MORE THAN THE $83.5 MILLION RECEIVED IN DONATIONS SINCE SIR EDWARD PASSED AWAY IN DECEMBER 1986.
"I AM HAPPY TO SAY THAT THE FINANCIAL SITUATION IS MUCH BETTER THAN A YEAR AGO WHEN 1 HAD TO REPORT A DROP IN BOOK VALUE OF 3.4 PER CENT AS A RESULT OF THE STOCK MARKET CRASH IN OCTOBER 1987," SIR QUO-WEI SAID.
THE FUND'S INCOME IS TO BE USED, ACCORDING TO LADY YOUDE'S WISHES, ON THE PROVISION OF MORE OPPORTUNITIES IN EDUCATION AND RESEARCH.
/AFTER TWO .......
SATURDAY, MAY 13, 1989
2
AFTER TWO YEAR’S OPERATION SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN DECEMBER 1986, THE FUND NOW ENCOMPASSES A TOTAL OF FIVE AWARD SCHEMES.
THE NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS MADE HAS INCREASED FROM THE INITIAL 545 TO 632.
RECIPIENTS NOW COVER STUDENTS AT ALL LEVELS FROM THE TWO UNIVERSITIES, THE TWO POLYTECHNICS, THE BAPTIST COLLEGE AND STUDENTS FROM ALL SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG.
THE FUND WELCOMES FURTHER DONATIONS TO ALL BRANCHES OF THE HONGKONG BANK, HANG SENG BANK AND HANG LUNG BANK, OR TO THE TRUST FUNDS AND CEMETERY SECTION OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
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POLICE ACT FOR COMMUNITY: AG ♦ ♦ » * ♦
THE POLICE ACT FOR THE COMMUNITY IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW AND IT IS ON THE LAW AND ON ITS ENFORCEMENT THAT THE LIBERTIES OF THE COMMUNITY RESTS. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT A PASSING OUT PARADE AT THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL IN WONG CHUK HANG. MR MATHEWS POINTED OUT THAT POLICE OFFICERS COULD NOT SUCCESSFULLY CARRY OUT THE TASK OF MAINTAINING LAW AND ORDER WITHOUT THE SUPPORT AND CONFIDENCE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
"THE COMMUNITY WILL EXPECT YOU TO MAINTAIN HIGH STANDARDS OF LAW AND ORDER: TO SOLVE CRIMES QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY: AND NOT TO INCONVENIENCE THEM AS THEY GO ABOUT THEIR DAILY BUSINESS,” SAID MR MATHEWS.
HE TOLD THE GRADUATES THAT ALTHOUGH POLICE OFFICERS WERE ARMED WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND POWERS. THEY HAD BEEN RECRUITED FROM THE PUBLIC AND REMAINED MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL BODY OF CITIZENS.
’’THE POLICE RELY ON THE PUBLIC AND THE PUBLIC RELY ON THEM. WITHOUT MUTUAL CONFIDENCE AND GOODWILL. IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO MAINTAIN LAW AND ORDER,” MR MATHEWS SAID.
HE ALSO TOLD THE OFFICERS THAT THEY SHOULD ATTEMPT TO INSTIL PUBLIC RESPECT AND CONFIDENCE IN THE POLICE FORCE WHEN DISCHARGING THEIR DUTIES, BEARING IN MIND THE FOLLOWING ASPECTS:
* POLICE OFFICERS SHOULD NEVER REGARD THEMSELVES AS DISTINCT AND HOSTILE TO THE PUBLIC, BUT RATHER AS IMPORTANT AND VIGILANT PROTECTORS;
/• POLICE PLAY
SATURDAY, MAY 1J, 1989
- 3 -
* POLICE PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN ESTABLISHING THE MORALITY OF THE COMMUNITY:
* THOUGH POLICE OFFICERS MUST BE PREPARED TO ACT FIRMLY AND DECISIVELY. THEY MUST ALWAYS BE COURTEOUS AND NEVER OFFICIOUS. AND TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THEIR ACTIONS UNDERSTAND WHAT IS BEING DONE AND THE NEED FOR THE ACTION BEING TAKEN;
* POLICE OFFICERS SHOULD ALWAYS TREAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO REQUIRE HELP OR IN TROUBLE WITH KINDNESS AND PATIENCE.
ON PARADE TODAY WERE 32 INSPECTORS AND 307 CONSTABLES AS WELL AS A CONTINGENT OF 296 RECRUITS NOW UNDER TRAINING IN THE SCHOOL.
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BOARDS PAY $5 MILLION IN INJURIES COMPENSATION
******
THE CRIMINAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT INJURIES COMPENSATION (CLEIC) BOARDS PAID OUT ABOUT $5 MILLION IN COMPENSATION TO VICTIMS OR THEIR DEPENDANTS IN 1987-88, COMPARED WITH ABOUT $6 MILLION IN THE PRECEDING YEAR, ACCORDING TO THE BOARDS’ LATEST ANNUAL REPORT.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARDS, MR ROBERT TANG, EXPLAINED THAT THE DECLINE IN THE AMOUNT OF PAYMENT WAS MAINLY' ATTRIBUTABLE TO A LARGER PROPORTION OF SMALL CLAIMS IN WHICH THE VICTIMS SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES REQUIRING A SHORTER TERM OF HOSPITALISATION OR SICK LEAVE.
THESE PAYMENTS WERE AWARDED IN 824 CRIMINAL INJURIES CASES AND ONE REIVEW LAW ENFORCEMENT INJURIES CASE.
THEY BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF GRANTS AWARDED SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE CLEIC SCHEME IN 1973 TO $37.8 MILLION.
MR TANG NOTED THAT A TOTAL OF 1,206 APPLICATIONS FOR COMPENSATION WERE RECEIVED IN THE YEAR, REPRESENTING 15.5 PER CENT OF THE 7,792 REPORTED CASES OF CRIMINAL INJURIES DURING THE PERIOD.
VICTIMS OF ASSAULT AND WOUNDING AS WELL AS ROBBERY, THEFT AND BURGLARY MADE UP THE MAJORITY, OR ABOUT 93 PER CENT, OF THE APPLICANTS.
THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE OF ALMOST 25 PER CENT IN APPLICATIONS ARISING FROM CASES OF ASSAULT AND WOUNDING. THESE TOTALLED 869, COMPARED WITH 700 IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR, ALTHOUGH CASES OF ROBBERY, THEFT AND BURGLARY DECLINED BY ABOUT 21 PER CENT, TOTALLING 256 AS AGAINST 324.
/APPLICATIONS RELATED .......
SATURDAY, MAY 1}, 1989
4
APPLICATIONS RELATED TO CASES OF HOMICIDE, MURDER AND MANSLAUGHTER REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 34 CASES. APPLICATIONS RELATING TO ARSON DROPPED FROM 25 TO FIVE CASES.
OF THE APPLICATIONS RECEIVED, 767 WERE REFERRED BY THE POLICE AND A TOTAL OF 428 WERE SUBMITTED BY THE VICTIMS THEMSELVES OR THEIR FAMILIES.
DURING THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW, THE HIGHEST SINGLE PAYMENT OF $53,370 WAS AWARDED TO FIVE DEPENDANTS OF A TAXI DRIVER WHO WAS KILLED IN A HOMICIDE CASE. THE LOWEST AWARD WAS $190.
THE ASSESSMENT OF THE APPLICANT’S ENTITLEMENT TO VARIOUS TYPES OF GRANTS UNDER THE PAYMENT SCHEDULE OF THE SCHEME DEPENDED ON A NUMBER OF FACTORS, INCLUDING THE VICTIM’S MEDICAL CONDITION, EMPLOYMENT RECORDS, AND DEGREE OF DISABILITY.
IN SOME CASES, IT WOULD TAKE A CONSIDERABLE TIME BEFORE THE ENTITLEMENT COULD BE FULLY COMPUTED. IN ORDER TO EXPEDITE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE APPLICANTS, IT WAS THE USUAL PRACTICE TO APPROVE INTERIM AWARDS AS SOON AS THE ELIGIBILITY OF THE APPLICANTS FOR CERTAIN TYPES OF GRANTS COULD BE ESTABLISHED.
AS A MEANS OF IMPROVING THE WORKING OF THE CLEIC SCHEME, THE BOARDS HAD PROPOSED TO EXTEND THE MAXIMUM PAYMENT PERIOD OF INJURY GRANT AND INTERIM ADJUSTMENT GRANT TO VICTIMS OF SERIOUS INJURIES FROM THREE MONTHS TO SIX MONTHS.
ANOTHER PROPOSAL WAS TO GIVE THE BOARDS DISCRETIONARY POWER TO INCREASE THE AWARDS TO RAPE VICTIMS. AND TO VICTIMS WHO HAD DEMONSTRATED EXEMPLARY EFFORTS IN ASSISTING THE POLICE IN THE IDENTIFICATION AND ARREST OF CRIMINALS. IN SPITE OF PERSONAL EMBARRASSMENT, INCONVENIENCE OR FEAR.
THE PROPOSALS WERE ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
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DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT APPOINTED
******
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF MR PANG HAU-CHUNG AS THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT.
MR PANG JOINED GOVERNMENT SERVICE IN 1962 AS AN APPRENTICE ENGINEER. HE WAS PROMOTED TO ASSISTANT ENGINEER IN 1964, ENGINEER IN 1967, SENIOR ENGINEER IN 1973 AND CHIEF ENGINEER IN 1980.
MR PANG HAS BEEN AN ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT SINCE 1982. HIS NEW APPOINTMENT WILL TAKE EFFECT ON JUNE 12.
THE CURRENT DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR RICHARD SCURFIELD, WILL BE LEAVING THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TO JOIN AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION AFTER MORE THAN SIX YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE GOVERNMENT.
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SATURDAY, MAY 13, 1989
5
GOVERNOR TO VISIT WAN CHAI ♦ » * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL VISIT WAN CHAI ON MONDAY (MAY 15) TO SEE THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
SIR DAVID WILL FIRST LOOK AT THE CAR REPAIR WORKSHOPS IN TAI HANG AND THE USE OF SPACE UNDER THE TAI HANG ROAD FLYOVER.
HE WILL THEN BE BRIEFED ON THE PLAN TO RESITE HAWKERS FROM WAN CHAI ROAD, BEFORE VISITING THE WAN CHAI POST OFFICE. HE WILL ALSO BE UPDATED ON THE WU CHUNG HOUSE AND TOWER HOTEL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AT QUEEN’S ROAD EAST.
HIS LAST STOP WILL BE THE GREAT EAGLE CENTRE WHERE HE WILL MEET WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND LOCAL PERSONALITIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT TO WAN CHAI ON MONDAY (MAY 15). MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE JUNCTION OF KING STREET AND BROWN STREET (OPPOSITE CHINESE RECREATION CLUB) IN TAI HANG AT 2 PM.
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’GUIDE TO TAXI SERVICE’ PUBLISHED » t ♦ * ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS PUBLISHED "A GUIDE TO TAXI SERVICE” OUTLINING THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF TAXI DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS IN A BID TO HELP REDUCE MISUNDERSTANDINGS THAT MAY ARISE FROM TAXI SERVICES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID THAT AN AMPLE SUPPLY OF THE BILINGUAL TAXI GUIDE WAS READY FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION TO THE PUBLIC.
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL SEND COPIES OF THE GUIDE TO TAXI DRIVERS THROUGH TAXI ASSOCIATIONS. COPIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S LICENSING OFFICES, VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRES AND DRIVING TEST CENTRES.
THE GUIDE EXPLAINS IN GENERAL TERMS THE ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATIONS GOVERNING TAXI SERVICES AS TO THE TYPES OF TAXIS, CARRYING CAPACITY, OPERATING AREAS, WAYS TO HIRE A TAXI, AND TAXI FARES.
/THE GUIDE ......
SATURDAY, MAY 1J, 19^9
6
THE GUIDE ALSO PROVIDES A SUMMARY OF THE IMPORTANT POINTS REGARDING OBLIGATIONS AND CONDUCT OF TAXI DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS AS FOLLOWS:
TAXI DRIVERS:
(I) SHOULD NOT REFUSE TO ACCEPT A HIRE. AS FAR AS POSSIBLE CARRY THE PASSENGER TO THE REQUIRED DESTINATION BY THE MOST DIRECT ROUTE UNLESS THE OPERATION IS CONSIDERED UNSAFE DUE TO FACTORS SUCH AS UNSAFE ROAD CONDITIONS OR EXTREME WEATHER (RAINSTROM, FLOODING, THICK FOG) AT THE DESTINATION. THE DRIVERS SHOULD EXPLAIN THE SITUATION TO THE PASSENGER;
<II> SHOULD NOT REFUSE TO CARRY PASSENGERS WHEN THE NUMBER OF PERSONS HAS NOT EXCEEDED THE PERMITTED SEATING CAPACITY OF THE TAXI;
(III> SHOULD NOT PERMIT ANY PERSON OTHER THAN THE HIRER TO ENTER THE TAXI WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE HIRER;
(IV) SHOULD NOT CAUSE THE VEHICLES TO REMAIN STATIONARY ON A ROAD LONGER THAN IS NECESSARY TO PICK UP OR SET DOWN PASSENGERS;
(V) SHOULD NOT LOITER OR STOP ELSEWHERE THAN AT A TAXI STAND OR AT PLACES WHERE TAXIS ARE PERMITTED TO STOP, EXCEPT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR BECAUSE OF UNAVOIDABLE CIRCUMSTANCES OR AS DIRECTED BY UNIFORMED POLICE OFFICERS;
(VI) SHOULD NOT CONGREGATE OR ASSEMBLE WITH OTHER DRIVERS TO THE ANNOYANCE OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC;
(VII) SHOULD NOT SMOKE WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE VEHICLE;
(VIII) SHOULD ALWAYS BE CLEAN AND TIDY;
(IX) SHOULD ALWAYS INFORM PASSENGERS OF THE PROPER FARE;
(X) SHOULD ALWAYS PAY DUE ATTENTION TO PASSENGERS’ SAFETY AND
ENSURE THAT ALL EXITS OF THE VEHICLE ARE FREE FROM
OBSTRUCTION AND ARE NOT LOCKED; AND
(XI) SHOULD ALWAYS CARRY AT LEAST Si00 CHANGE IN NOTES AND
COINS, WHEN THE TAXI IS AVAILABLE FOR HIRE.
TAXI PASSENGERS:
(I) SHOULD NOT USE OBSCENE OR OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE;
(II) SHOULD NOT OBSTRUCT OR DISTURB THE DRIVER;
/(III) SHOULD .......
SATURDAY, MAY 1J, 1989
7
(III.) SHOULD NOT INTERFERE WITH THE WORKING OF THE TAXI. DAMAGE OR SOIL ANY EQUIPMENT OR PARTS OF THE TAXI;
(IV) SHOULD NOT ENTER OR ALIGHT FROM THE TAXI WHEN IT IS STILL MOVING OR IN NO-STOPPING ZONES;
(V) SHOULD NOT INSIST ON BOARDING A TAXI IF THE NUMBER OF PERSONS EXCEEDS THE SEATING CAPACITY SHOWN ON THE SEATING PLATE AFFIXED TO THE FRONT AND THE BACK OF A TAXI;
(VI) SHOULD NOT THROW ANYTHING OUT OF THE TAXI;
(VII) SHOULD NOT HANG ANYTHING OUT OF THE TAXI OVER THE ROAD;
(VIII) SHOULD NOT LEAN OUT OF THE TAXI;
(IX) SHOULD NOT CARRY’ DANGEROUS AND OFFENSIVE ARTICLES AND UNLESS AUTHORISED SHOULD NOT CARRY FIREARMS.
CONVICTION OF OFFENCES UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC (PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLES) REGULATIONS RENDERS THE OFFENDER LIABLE TO A FINE OF 83,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS.
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SWD HELPS SOLVE FAMILY PROBLEMS *****
AFTER DINNER, VERONICA CHAN, A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT CASEWORKER, WAS WATCHING TV WITH HER FAMILY. IN THE MIDDLE OF A TV PROGRAMME, THE PHONE RANG.
IT WAS A CALL FROM HER SUPERVISOR WHO NEEDED HER ASSISTANCE AFTER RECEIVING A CALL FROM THE DEPARTMENT HOTLINE. THERE WAS A REPORT FROM A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC ON A SUSPECTED CASE OF CHILD ABUSE.
THE INFORMANT WAS A RESIDENT IN A PRIVATE ESTATE ON HONG KONG ISLAND. SHE HAD BECOME INCREASINGLY WORRIED AS SHE OFTEN OVERHEARD A MAN CURSING AND A BOY CRYING.
WHEN VERONICA ARRIVED AT THE ADDRESS, SHE FOUND THE PLACE QUIET. SHE HESITATED FOR A MOMENT, THEN PRESSED THE DOOR BELL.
A WOMAN IN HER EARLY THIRTIES ANSWERED THE DOOR. VERONICA INTRODUCED HERSELF, GIVING HER REASONS FOR VISITING THE FAMILY AT THAT TIME OF THE DAY, AND PRODUCED HER GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD. THE WOMAN HESITATED, AND SOUGHT ADVICE FROM A MAN BEFORE VERONICA WAS ALLOWED TO ENTER THE FLAT.
THERE, VERONICA SAW A SIX-YEAR-OLD BOY SOBBING. HIS FATHER, A CANE IN HAND, WAS SUPERVISING THE BOY IN DOING HIS HOMEWORK.
/SHE WAI .......
SATURDAY, MAY 15, 1989
8 ~
SHE WAS TOLD THAT THE BOY WAS NAUGHTY AND LACKING IN SELF-CONTROL. WITH THE RESULT THAT HE SELDOM MANAGED TO COMPLETE HIS SCHOOL WORK BEFORE HE SLEPT. WHEN THE FATHER DISCOVERED THIS ON HIS RETURN FROM WORK, THE BOY WOULD BE PUNISHED.
AFTER A PRELIMINARY UNDERSTANDING, VERONICA FORMED THE IMPRESSION THAT THIS WAS MORE A CHILD DISCIPLINE CASE. BEING SATISFIED THAT THE BOY WAS NOT EXPOSED TO IMMEDIATE RISK, SHE DECIDED TO RETURN AGAIN FOR FURTHER EXPLORATION. A MEDICAL EXAMINATION OF THE BOY MIGHT BE NECESSARY TO CONFIRM HER BELIEF.
COMMENTING ON THE ABOVE CASE, THE DEPARTMENT’S REGIONAL OFFICER (HONG KONG), MR KWOK NAI-SIK, SAID THAT IT WAS ONE OF SOME 4,000 NEW CASES HANDLED BY THE FIVE FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES IN THE DEPARTMENT’S HONG KONG REGION LAST YEAR.
HE SAID THE MAJORITY OF CASES DEALT WITH BY THE FIVE FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES DURING THE YEAR WERE DIRECT APPLICATIONS FOR SERVICES. THE REST WERE EITHER REFERRED THROUGH VARIOUS SOURCES AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND MEDIA REPORTS.
WHILE SOME CASES COULD BE DEALT WITH SPEEDILY BY THE INTAKE CASEWORKER, SOME, SUCH AS THE ONE HANDLED BY VERONICA, WOULD REQUIRE A HIGH LEVEL OF INTERVENTION SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE.
"A CASEWORKER HAS TO OVERCOME THE INITIAL SUSPICIONS AND RESISTANCE OF THE CLIENTS WHO HAVE NOT CALLED FOR THE SERVICES," MR KWOK POINTED OUT.
"SHE HAS TO EXERCISE PATIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE IN WINNING THE TRUST OF THE CLIENTS WITHIN A SHORT TIME SPAN.
"SHE HAS TO BE RESOURCEFUL IN ENLISTING SUPPORT AND SERVICES AFTER OFFICE HOURS. AND, OF COURSE, SHE HAS TO BE PROFESSIONALLY COMPETENT AND INDEPENDENT IN HANDLING CRISES ON HER OWN."
MR KWOK EXPLAINED THAT THE FAMILY SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT AIMED AT PRESERVING AND STRENGTHENING THE FAMILY UNIT. THIS INVOLVED HELPING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO PREVENT SERIOUS PROBLEMS AND CRISES FROM ARISING.
"IF PROBLEMS HAVE ALREADY DEVELOPED TO THE EXTENT WHERE THE INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY CANNOT COPE WITHIN ITS OWN RESOURCES, PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS SHOULD BE APPROACHED FOR COUNSELLING OR OTHER PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE.
"REMEMBER, EARLY INTERVENTION IS ALWAYS THE STRATEGY," HE ADDED.
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/8........
SATURDAY, MAY 13, 1989
9
PHOTO EXHIBITION ON XINJIANG OPENS
*****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO VISIT A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION ON CHINA’S NORTHWESTERN REGION OF XINJIANG AT THE EXHIBITION HALL OF THE SHEUNG WAN CIVIC CENTRE FROM TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THE PICTURES, MAINLY ON NATURAL LANDSCAPE AND HISTORICAL PLACES, WERE TAKEN BY PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS FROM HONG KONG AND THEIR XINJIANG COUNTERPARTS.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN BETWEEN 11 AM AND 7 PM DAILY UNTIL MAY 21.
IT IS ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD, THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE DISTRICT ARTS AND CULTURE ASSOCIATION, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY OF HONG KONG.
AFTER OFFICIATING AT THE EXHIBITION’S OPENING CEREMONY TODAY (SATURDAY) THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEPHEN FISHER, SAID THE STANDARD OF THE EXHIBITS WAS VERY HIGH.
’’LOCAL RESIDENTS SHOULD NOT MISS THE OPPORTUNITY OF VISITING THE PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER THEY HAVE BEEN TO XINJIANG OR NOT," MR FISHER ADDED.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDED THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, MR AMBROSE LAU; AN URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR CHOW WAI-KEUNG; PRESIDENT OF THE PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY OF HONG KONG, MR TAM NING; AND THE HONORARY PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT ARTS AND CULTURE ASSOCIATION, MESSRS IP YEUK-LAM AND WONG CHUNG-YING,RESPECTIVELY.
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DB TO DISCUSS TSING YI RISK REASSESSMENT REPORT
******
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING ON MONDAY (MAY 15) TO DISCUSS THE TSING YI ISLAND RISK REASSESSMENT REPORT ISSUED BY THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH LAST MONTH.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH, FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT AND KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE WILL ATTEND THE MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD SPECIAL MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON MONDAY (MAY 15) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM, 10TH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KWAI CHUNG.
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/9.......
SATURDAY. MAY 13. 1989
- 10 -
VOLUNTEERS TO HOLD ANNUAL PARADE ♦ ♦ ♦ t *
THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) WILL HOLD ITS ANNUAL PASSING-OUT PARADE A'l THE REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS IN HAPPY VALLEY TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES HONG KONG, MAJOR GENERAL G.D. JOHNSON. WILL INSPECT THE PARADE OF 117 MEN AND 22 WOMEN OF RECRUIT CADRE NO. 45 WHO HAVE COMPLETED A SIX-MONTH MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMME AND WILL BECOME MEMBERS OF THE REGIMENT.
MAJOR GENERAL JOHNSON WILL PRESENT AWARDS TO THE BEST RECRUIT, THE BEST SHOT AND THE BEST TROOP DURING THE CEREMONY.
HE WILL ALSO PRESENT THE EFFICIENCY MEDALS AND THE EFFICIENCY DECORATION TO 21 SERVING VOLUNTEERS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PARADE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS AT 1 SPORTS ROAD. HAPPY VALLEY.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE 15 MINUTES EARLIER.
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PUBLIC DUMP IN HUNG HOM OPENS ♦ * t ♦ ♦
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE PUL IC DUMP AT HUNG HOM BAY RECLAMATION PHASE II, OFF HUNG HOM WAN STREET, WILL BE OPENED FROM WEDNESDAY (MAY 17).
THE FACILITY WILL BE OPENED TO HOLDERS OF VALID DUMPING LICENCES IN HONG KONG AND KOWLOON FROM 8.30 AM TO 6 PM DAILY, EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
THE ACCESS TO THE DUMP IS THROUGH THE JUNCTION OF HUNG HOM WAN STREET EXTENSION AND THE NORTH-SOUTH DUAL CARRIAGEWAY, HUNG HOM.
VEHICLES ENTERING THE DUMP ARE REQUIRED TO DISPLAY VALID WINDSHIELD STICKERS ISSUED TOGETHER WITH THE DUMPING LICENCES.
DUMPING LICENCES MAY BE OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE BY APPLYING TO THE CHIEF ENGINEER. PORT WORKS DIVISION, CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT ON THE EIGHTH FLOOR, EMPIRE CENTRE, 68 MODY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, KOWLOON.
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/1O........
SATURDAY, MAY 13, 1989
1 1
FRESH WATER SUSPENSION IN FIVE AREAS *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 8 I'M ON TUESL AY I MAY 16) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE CONNECTION OF WATER MAINS.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY WING KIN ROAD, WING KEI ROAD, WING LAP STREET, WING HAU STREET AND KWAI HEI STREET.
FRESH WATER SUPPLY 10 CERTAIN PREMISES IN TAI KOK TSUI AND SHEUNG WAN WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (MAY 17) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AREA AFFECTED IN TAI KOK TSUI IS BOUNDED BY ANCHOR STREET, LIME STREET, FUK TSUN STREET, ELM STREET, BEECH STREET, OAK STREET, TIT SHU STREET, IVY STREET, PALM STREET, TAI KOK TSUI ROAD AND PINE STREET.
THE AREA AFFECTED IN SHEUNG WAN IS BOUNDED BY POK FU LAM ROAD, FIRST STREET, SECOND STREET, THIRD STREET, HIGH STREET, WESTERN STREET, CENTRE STREET, EASTERN STREET, HING HON ROAD, SAI WA LANE, WESTERN GARDEN, YU PO LANE, NG FUK LANE, FUK SAU LANE, SHEUNG FUNG LANE, TAK SING LANE, DAVID LANE, UN FUK LANE, UI ON LANE, KWOK HING LANE, YU LOK LANE, CHEUNG ON LANE, LEUNG I FONG, UN SHING LANE AND WEST END TERRACE.
ALSO TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SAI KUNG WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY (MAY 18) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY HIRAM’S HIGHWAY, PO TUNG ROAD AND TAI MONG TSAI ROAD, INCLUDING TAN CHEUNG AND SHA KOK MEI.
ON THE SAME DAY, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES ON LANTAU ISLAND WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
ALL PREMISES ALONG SOUTH LANTAU ROAD, FROM PUI O KAU VILLAGE TO SHUI HAU VILLAGE, WILL BE AFFECTED.
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LANE CLOSURES ON TOLO HIGHWAY IN SHA TIN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROAD T6 IN SHA TIN, THE NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND FAST LANES OF TOLO HIGHWAY FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH MA LIU SHUI INTERCHANGE TO A POINT ABOUT 470 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE CLOSED FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MAY 15) FOR 12 MONTHS.
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/11 ........
SATURDAY, MAY 13, 1989
- 12 -
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS IN NORTH POINT, SAI YING PUN ******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MAY 15), THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TSAT TSZ MUI ROAD IN NORTH POINT BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH HEALTHY STREET EAST AND A POINT ABOUT 55 METRES TO THE EAST WILL BE DESIGNATED A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
THIS MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS TO FACILITATE GAS MAIN LAYING WORKS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF KO SHING STREET IN SAI YING PUN FROM A POINT ABOUT 12 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH LI SHING STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 12 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK FOR ABOUT FOUR WEEKS FOR DRAINAGE WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
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ROAD CLOSURE IN WONG TAI SIN * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT IN ORDER TO FACILITATE CABLE LAYING WORKS BY THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER CO. LTD AT KING HONG STREET IN SAN PO KONG, THE SECTION OF KING HONG STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO BLOCKS 5 AND 6 OF SAN PO KONG FACTORY ESTATE AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST WILL BE CLOSED FROM 9 AM ON MONDAY (MAY 15).
DURING THE CLOSURE, WHICH WILL LAST FOR TWO WEEKS, MOTORISTS IN KING FUK STREET HEADING FOR THE FLYOVER LEADING TO CONCORDE ROAD ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA KING FUK STREET, KING TAI STREET AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST.
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN KOWLOON CITY *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT ON COMPLETION OF THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE ARGYLE STREET/LOMOND ROAD JUNCTION IN KOWLOON CITY, THE RIGHT TURN FROM PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST EASTBOUND ONTO LOMOND ROAD WILL BE RE-OPENED FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MAY 15).
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/12 .......
SATURDAY, MAY 13, 1989
- 1 5 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH FLYOVER CONSTRUCTION
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE NORTHERN WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF THE SECTION OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST IN KOWLOON CITY BETWEEN KING TAI STREET AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST WILL BE CLOSED FROM 12.01 AM TO 5 AM DAILY BETWEEN MONDAY (MAY 15) AND FRIDAY (MAY 19).
THE ARRANGEMENT IS MADE IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FLYOVERS AT PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST OUTSIDE THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES FROM KWUN TONG AND SAN PO KONG HEADING FOR MONG KOK WILL BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL VIA THE SOUTHERN WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST, THE KOWLOON CITY ROUNDABOUT AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST.
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TRAFFIC DIVERSION IN SAI KUNG * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MAY 15), THE RIGHT TURNING, IN SAI KUNG, FROM PO TUNG ROAD NORTHBOUND INTO MAN NIN STREET WILL BE BANNED FOR THREE WEEKS TO FACILITATE RECONSTRUCTION WORKS ON MAN NIN STREET.
VEHICULAR TRAFFIC ON PO TUNG ROAD HEADING FOR MAN NIN STREET WILL BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL VIA PO TUNG ROAD, FUK MAN ROAD, CHAN MAN STREET. FUK MAN ROAD, PO TUNG ROAD AND MAN NIN STREET.
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SHA TIN BUS LANES TO EXTEND OPERATING HOURS * * » » »
THE OPERATING PERIOD OF BUS LANES DESIGNATED ALONG CHE KUNG MIU ROAD. HUNG MUI KUK ROAD AND LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD IN SHA TIN WILL BE EXTENDED TO COVER THE EVENING PEAK HOURS, FROM MONDAY (MAY 15), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE BUS LANES ARE CURRENTLY IN FORCE BETWEEN 7.30 AM AND 9.30 AM. FROM MONDAY THEY WILL ALSO BE EFFECTIVE BETWEEN 4 PM AND 7 PM.
THE BUS LANES ARE IN OPERATION DAILY EXCEPT ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE EXTENSION OF THE OPERATING PERIOD OF THE BUS LANES WAS TO FACILITATE THE MOVEMENT OF BUSES FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, MkY 14, 1989
CONTl^TS Page no,
COMMUNITY-BASED SOCIAL WORK BEING STRENGTHENED IN NEW TOWNS . 1
YOUTH COMPETITIONS WELL RECEIVED ............................ 2
ANTI-DRUG PUBLICITY PROJECTS FOR YOUNGSTERS ................. 3
ADVICE TO AVOID SUMMER HOLIDAY RUSH ......................... 4
SEARCH FOR MENTaL HEALTH •AMBASSADORS’ ...................... 4
DB FUNDS FOR PROJECTS IN NORTH DISTRICT ..................... 5
DB TO DISCUSS EMERGENCY MEASURES DURING NATURAL CALAMITIES .. 6
YhU TSIM TRaFFIC aND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO MEET ............ 7
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS YOUTH FESTIVE........................ 7
PUBLIC FORUM ON DEEDS OF MUTUAL CONVENANT.................... 8
TEMPORARY RE-ROUTEING OF T,JC YAN STREET, WaN CHnI........... 8
SUNDAY, MAY 14, 1989
COMMUNITY-BASED SOCIAL WORK BEING STRENGTHENED IN NEW TOWNS
*****
STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY-BASED SOCIAL WORK HELPS TO ALLEVIATE AND PREVENT CHILD ABUSE CASES IN NEW TOWNS, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG. SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SHE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE "FAMILY CORNER" IN THE TUEN MUN CENTRE OPERATED BY THE AGAINST CHILD ABUSE.
TO ACHIEVE THE AIM OF PROTECTING CHILDREN, MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THROUGH THE PROVISION OF SERVICES FROM VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, HAD STRENGTHENED COMMUNITY-BASED SOCIAL WORK IN ADDITION TO BASIC CASE COUNSELLING AND GROUP AND COMMUNITY SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.
"THE COMMUNITY-DAS ED SOCIAL WORK INCLUDES VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND TRAINING PROGRAMMES SUCH AS THE ’CERTIFICATE FOR GOOD MOTHER’ AND ’GOOD FATHER SCHEME’.
"THESE SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMMES NOT ONLY HIGHLIGHT THE MESSAGE OF PROTECTING CHILDREN BUT ALSO HELP PROMOTE HARMONY IN FAMILIES.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, MAJOR DISTRICT PROGRAMMES ARB TAILOR-MADE TO THE NEEDS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY SO THAT THE MESSAGE OF PROPER WAYS AND MEANS OF CHILD REARING AS WELL AS THE RIGHT CONCEPT OF CHILD CARE MAY REACH THEM." MRS WONG SAID.
"IT IS A RATHER COMMON SCENE TO SEE BREAD-WINNERS OF FAMILIES IN THE NEW TOWNS OBLIGED TO TRAVEL A LONG WAY TO THE’URBAN AREAS FOR WORK DUE TO LIMITED LOCAL JOB PLACEMENTS," SHE SAID.
"THUS, THE WIFE IS LEFT ALONE TO SHOULDER THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CHILD CARING WITH LITTLE SUPPORT FROM FRIENDS OR RELATIVES AND NEIGHBOURS," SHE ADDED.
"THE PRESSURES OF DAILY LIFE TOGETHER WITH THE LACK OF COMMUNICATION MAY RESULT IN PARENTS TAKING SOME SORT OF EMOTIONAL OR EVEN ABUSIVE BEHAVIOUR AGAINST THE CHILDREN," MRS WONG SAID.
ACCORDING TO STATISTICS, THE NUMBER OF CHILD ABUSE CASES IN TUEN MUN HANDLED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES HAD INCREASED FROM 22 AT THE END OF 1987 TO 27 AT THE END OF LAST YEAR.
THE DIRECTOR ALSO COMMENDED THE ORGANISATION FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION IN THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN IN THE TERRITORY OVER THE LAST DECADE.
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SUNDAY. MAY 14, 1989
- 2 -
YOUTH COMPETITIONS WELL RECEIVED t ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
MORE THAN 8,000 YOUNG PEOPLE TOOK PART IN THE HONG KONG YOUTH CULTURAL AND ARTS COMPETITIONS LAST YEAR, ENRICHING THEIR STANDARD AND APPRECIATION OF CHINESE ART AND CULTURE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON. MR DAVID LAN, WHEN HE ATTENDED THE PRELIMINARY ROUND OF A ’’SCHOOL ACADEMIC TELEVISION QUIZ" HELD AT RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG TODAY (SUNDAY).
MR LAN POINTED OUT THAT THE QUIZ — ONE OF THE MAJOR COMPETITIONS -- HAS BEEN WELL RECEIVED BY PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS.
"THE CONTENT OF THE QUIZ POSES A CHALLENGE TO THE PARTICIPATING STUDENTS IN THAT IT CONTAINS, APART FROM ACADEMIC SUBJECTS, QUESTIONS ON CURRENT AFFAIRS, COMMON-SENSE KNOWLEDGE AND ARTS, ETC.," HE SAID.
TAKING PART IN THE QUIZ ARE 27 SCHOOLS SELECTED FROM 43 SCHOOLS FOLLOWING A WRITTEN TEST.
MR LAN NOTED THAT THE YOUTH CULTURAL AND ARTS COMPETITIONS, WITH A HISTORY OF 14 YEARS, WERE ORGANISED BY VARIOUS COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS AND HAD ALL ALONG BEEN FULLY SUPPORTED AND SPONSORED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
THE COMPETITIONS COVER CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY, CHINESE DRAWING, WESTERN DRAWING, DESIGN OF POSTERS AND SLOGANS, COMPOSITIONS IN CHINESE, TRANSLATION, SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION, DEBATE, SHORT STORY WRITING, AND A SPEECH CONTEST.
"THERE ARE MANY TALENTED YOUNG PEOPLE IN HONG KONG. THESE COMPETITIONS, WHICH HAVE BEEN WELL RECEIVED BY THE YOUNGER MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY, PROVIDE AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY TO STIMULATE THEIR INTEREST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURE AND ARTS," MR LAN SAID.
BESIDES THESE COMPETITIONS, MR LAN ADDED, ACADEMIC AND CULTURAL TALKS WERE ORGANISED MONTHLY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH A VIEW TO ENHANCING THEIR STANDARD OF, AND INTEREST IN, CHINESE LANGUAGE, CULTURE, ACADEMIC SUBJECTS, AND ARTS.
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SUNDAY. MAY 14, 1989
ANTI-DRUG PUBLICITY PROJECTS FOR YOUNGSTERS *****
YOUNG PEOPLE. AGED 12 AND ABOVE. ARE URGED TO JOIN A SCHEME UNDER WHICH THEY CAN DESIGN, PLAN AND IMPLEMENT ANTI-NARCOTICS EDUCATIONAL AND PUBLICITY PROJECTS.
"UNDER THE YOUTH AGAINST DRUG SCHEME (YADS) SPONSORED BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS. STUDENTS AND YOUTH GROUPS, CONSISTING OF NOT LESS THAN 10 MEMBERS, CAN PRESENT THEIR PROPOSALS FOR CONSIDERATION AND FUNDING." A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NARCOTICS DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
EACH SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION WILL RECEIVE A GRANT OF UP TO $4,000 TO COVER EXPENSES.
"THROUGH PLANNING, ORGANISING AND RUNNING THE PROJECTS, PARTICIPANTS CAN EXERCISE THEIR IMAGINATION AND CREATIVITY TO PROMOTE THE ANT I-DRUG MESSAGE.
"MORE SIGNIFICANTLY, THEY CAN ALSO GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE DRUG ABUSE PROBLEM IN HONG KONG AND PROVIDE A VALUABLE SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY BY DISSEMINATING THE MESSAGE TO OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE," HE ADDED.
THE SCHEME HAS RECEIVED ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE FROM YOUNG PEOPLE SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN AUGUST 1981.
IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS, A TOTAL OF 78 PROJECTS, SELECTED FROM HUNDREDS OF APPLICATIONS, WERE IMPLEMENTED.
PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES LAUNCHED INCLUDED SEMINARS, EXHIBITIONS, GAMES DAYS, CONCERTS. DRAMA AND OTHER RECREATION-BASED ACTIVITIES.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE NARCOTICS DIVISION 23RD FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE DIVISION ON 5-8672761/2.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO NOTED THAT LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WISHING TO PLAN AND IMPLEMENT ANTI-DRUG PROJECTS REQUIRING SUBSIDIES EXCEEDING THE YADS GRANT CEILING WERE ALSO INVITED TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS.
"EACH PROPOSAL WILL BE CONSIDERED THOROUGHLY WHILE THE AMOUNT OF SUBSIDY WILL DEPEND ON INDIVIDUAL MERITS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE "COMBAT PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES EXHIBITION AND FORUM" ORGANISED BY THE QUEENSWAY JAYCEES AND THE "ANTI-PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES ABUSE DRAMA COMPETITION" INITIATED BY THE BAL'HINIA JAYCEES IN 1988 ARE SOME OF THE PROJECTS ORGANISED IN THE PAST.
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SUNDAY. MAY 14, 1989
4
ADVICE TO AVOID SUMMER HOLIDAY RUSH » * « * »
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED SUMMER HOLIDAY-MAKERS TO APPLY EARLY FOR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS.
"WE EXPECT THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WILL TRAVEL ABROAD DURING THE SUMMER SEASON. IN ORDER TO AVOID THE LAST MINUTE RUSH, IT IS ALWAYS WISE TO APPLY FOR A TRAVEL DOCUMENT WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE INTENDED JOURNEY," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
"THE DEPARTMENT NOW TAKES 15 WORKING DAYS (THAT IS, APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS) TO ISSUE A BRITISH HONG KONG PASSPORT AND A HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY.
"HOWEVER. THE PROCESSING TIME FOR AN APPLICATION FOR A BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS) PASSPORT OR A HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY IS ABOUT FIVE WEEKS IF THE APPLICANT IS NOT IN POSSESSION OF A PERMANENT IDENTITY CARD, BECAUSE HE HAS TO OBTAIN ONE AT THE SAME TIME.
"RE-ENTRY PERMIT AND DOCUMENT OF IDENTITY FOR VISA PURPOSES ARE NORMALLY ISSUED ON THE DAY OF APPLICATION, BUT IT IS LIKELY TO TAKE LONGER DURING THE SUMMER RUSH PERIOD, ESPECIALLY ON SATURDAY," HE SAID.
"IT IS ONLY TO THE APPLICANT’S BENEFIT BY APPLYING EARLY. THE MOST OBVIOUS ONE IS THAT HE WILL HAVE AMPLE TIME TO APPLY FOR THE NECESSARY VISAS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
HE SAID LOSS OF TRAVEL DOCUMENTS WHILE ABROAD COULD GIVE RISE TO VERY SERIOUS TROUBLE.
"TRAVELLERS SHOULD TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF THEIR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS DURING THEIR TRAVELS. THEY ARE ADVISED TO PUT THEIR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS IN A SAFE PLACE, SUCH AS A HOTEL SAFE DEPOSIT BOX WHEREVER POSSIBLE."
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SEARCH FOR MENTAL HEALTH ’AMBASSADORS' t * t ♦ ♦
A RECRUITMENT DRIVE IS UNDERWAY IN KWUN TONG TO LOOK FOR OUTGOING YOUNGSTERS TO BE TRAINED AS THE DIRTRICT’S MENTAL HEALTH ’’AMBASSADORS” .
THE "MENTAL HEALTH AMBASSADORS VOLUNTEER TRAINING PROGRAMME” IS ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION ORGANISING COMMITTEE.
/IT IS .......
SUNDAY, MAY 14, 1989
5
IT IS PART OF THE COMMITTEE’S EFFORTS TO PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH AMONG LOCAL RESIDENTS AND TO DEVELOP A CARING SPIRIT FOR MENTAL PATIENTS SO THAT RESIDENTS COULD PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE PATIENTS’ REHABILITATION.
LOCAL RESIDENTS, AGED BETWEEN 16 AND 25, WITH AN EDUCATION LEVEL OF FORM 3 OR ABOVE, ARE WELCOME TO JOIN THE TRAINING SCHEME WHICH WILL RUN FROM MID-JUNE TO THE END OF JULY THIS YEAR.
"UNDER THE SCHEME, A HOST OF ACTIVITIES WILL BE ORGANISED TO ENABLE PARTICIPANTS TO UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ILLNESS, THE NEEDS OF MENTAL PATIENTS, THE WAYS TO DEAL WITH MENTAL PATIENTS AND TO RELEASE DAILY MENTAL STRESS," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
"ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE SEMINARS, VISITS TO HALF-WAY HOUSES, A TRAINING CAMP AND VOLUNTARY SERVICE WORK," HE ADDED.
TOWARDS THE END OF THEIR TRAINING, PARTICIPANTS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT INTO PRACTICE WHAT THEY HAVE LEARNED BY TAKING PART IN THE PREPARATION OF AN EXHIBITION AND A CARNIVAL ON MENTAL HEALTH TO BE PRESENTED BY THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE IN JULY.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE TRAINING SCHEME ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE, ITS SUB-OFFICES AND VARIOUS LOCAL VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS JUNE 3 AND ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 3-448013.
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DB FUNDS FOR PROJECTS IN NORTH DISTRICT * » ♦ » «
COMMUNITY AND VILLAGE ORGANISATIONS IN THE NORTH INVITED TO APPLY FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS TO ORGANISE ACTIVITIES AND CARRY OUT MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS.
DISTRICT ARE
RECREATIONAL
"A TOTAL OF $2.55 MILLION HAS BEEN ALLOCATED TO THE BOARD THE 1989-90 FINANCIAL YEAR, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 35 PER CENT OVER LAST YEAR," A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"PART OF THE FUNDS HAVE BEEN SET ASIDE FOR NON-PROFIT-MAKI NG CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES WHICH J^G IN PROMOTING THE WELL-BEING OF PEOPLE LIVING, WORKING AND STUDYING IN
THE DISTRICT."
FUNDS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AIMED AT REMOVING "EYESORES" AND THE LAND FOR COMMUNITY USE.
FOR MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL WORKS DEVELOPMENT OF TEMPORARY VACANT
THOSE INTERESTED, INCLUDING CORPORATIONS AND VILLAGE COUNCILS, BOARD SECRETARIAT ON 0-6758041.
MUTUAL AID
CAN CONTACT
COMMITTEES, OWNERS’
THE NORTH DISTRICT
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/6........
SUNDAY, MAY 14, 1989
6
DB TO DISCUSS EMERGENCY MEASURES DURING NATURAL CALAMITIES *****
A MEMBER OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD WILL ASK AT THE BOARD’S MEETING ON TUESDAY (MAY 16) WHAT PRECAUTIONARY AND EMERGENCY MEASURES THE GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE IN THE EVENT OF NATURAL CALAMITIES.
THE QUESTION HAS BEEN PROMPTED BT THE HEAVY RAIN WHICH AFFECTED THE TERRITORY ON MAY 2.
ANOTHER MEMBER WILL PRESENT A PAPER ON THE SAFETY OF DRINKING WATER IN HONG KONG. A SENIOR WATERWORKS CHEMIST FROM THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT WILL EXPLAIN THE PRESENT SITUATION IN THIS REGARD AND ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS, MR ARTHUR GARCIA, WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE WORK OF HIS OFFICE AT THE MEETING.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE REPORT ON ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS; THE EXTENSION OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD LEVEL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT SERVICE TO MARKS THREE TO SIX PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES; AND THE FIVE-YEAR URBAN COUNCIL CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME FOR WONG TAI SIN.
THE MEETING WILL BE INFORMED OF THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING’S REPLY CONCERNING THE PROPOSED REVIEW OF TEMPORARY REHOUSING POLICIES FOR FIRE VICTIMS IN SQUATTER AREAS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY (MAY 16) AT THE FUNG MING HALL OF WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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/7........
SUNDAY, MAY 14, 1989
YAU TSIM TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO MEET * ♦ » » »
THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS A NUMBER OF MATTERS AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (MONDAY).
THESE INCLUDE THE PROPOSED PROVISION OF A PEDESTRIAN CROSSING SIGNAL IN WATERLOO ROAD ADJOINING FERRY STREET; TRAFFIC CONDITIONS IN THE SECTION OF PARKES STREET BETWEEN JORDAN AND NANKING STREET; AND A PROPOSAL TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC AT THE CHINA-HONG KONG TERMINAL.
ANOTHER ITEM FOR DISCUSSION IS THE BOARD’S WORK PLAN FOR 1989-90.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE, BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (MONDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE AT 490 NATHAN ROAD.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS YOUTH FESTIVAL
*****
THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (MONDAY) A PROPOSAL TO ORGANISE DISTRICT ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF THE YOUTH FESTIVAL TO BE STAGED BY THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH IN DECEMBER.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DECIDE WHETHER THE DISTRICT BOARD SHOULD JOINTLY HOLD AN EYE-CARE CAMPAIGN FOR THE ELDERLY WITH THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS.
IN ADDITION, THEY WILL BE INFORMED OF THE URBAN COUNCIL’S 1989-90 COMMUNITY RECREATION AND SPORTS PROGRAMME FOR THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (MONDAY) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, FIRST FLOOR, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOWLOON.
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SUNDAY. MAY 14. 1989
PUBLIC FORUM ON DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT
♦ * * ♦ *
RESIDENTS OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BE BRIEFED ON UNFAIR PROVISIONS IN EXISTING DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT AT A PUBLIC FORUM TOMORROW (MONDAY) EVENING.
THE FORUM, TO BE HELD IN THE LECTURE HALL OF THE SHEUNG WAN CIVIC CENTRE, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
SPEAKERS WILL BE THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON. MR AUGUSTINE CHENG, AND A MEMBER OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON PRIVATE BUILDINGS MANAGEMENT, MR JUSTINE CHIU. THEY WILL ALSO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR.
THE DISTRICT OFFICER. MR STEPHEN FISHER, WILL BE THE FORUM’S MODERATOR.
RESIDENTS ARE WELCOME TO TAKE PART IN THE FORUM AND TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS BEFORE THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON PROPOSALS TO REMEDY EXISTING DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT CLOSES AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FORUM ON DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT TO BEGIN AT 8 PM TOMORROW (MONDAY) IN THE LECTURE HALL, SHEUNG WAN CIVIC CENTRE, 345 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL.
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TEMPORARY RE-ROUTEING OF TAK YAN STREET, WAN CHAI
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (MAY 16), TAK YAN STREET IN WAN CHAI WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND TO A TWO-WAY CUL-DE-SAC WITH ACCESS FROM 01 KWAN ROAD.
THIS ARRANGEMENT WILL LAST FOR ABOUT THREE DAYS TO FACILITATE TELEPHONE CABLE LAYING WORK.
DURING THIS PERIOD, MOTORISTS TRAVELLING FROM WAN CHAI ROAD TO 01 KWAN ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA WOOD ROAD AND WING CHEUNG STREET.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
MONDAY, MAY 15, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
CHANGE OF FIRST ASYLUM POLICY MUST BE LOOKED AT SERIOUSLY : GOVERNOR ...................................................... 1
ADVICE TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS AGAINST RAINSTORMS AND TYPHOONS . 2
FIRST QUARTER UNEMPLOYMENT, UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS RELEASED .................................................
QUALITY OF LIFE IN WAN CHAI BEING IMPROVED: GOVERNOR......... 6
HONG KONG REMEMBERS ITS HERITAGE............................... 7
LATEST REVIEW SHOWS RISE IN AVERAGE NICOTINE YIELD OF CIGARETTES .................................................... 9
DISKETTE SUBMISSION SCHEME FOR IMPORT/EXPORT DECLARATIONS .. 9
Water storage figure............................................ 11
NIGHT CLOSURES OF ROAD IN TUEN MUN ............................ 12
LANE CLOSURES IN SHA TIN
12
MONDAY, MAY 15, 1989
1
CHANGE OF FIRST ASYLUM POLICY MUST BE LOOKED AT SERIOUSLY : GOVERNOR *****
AS A COMMUNITY, HONG KONG HILL HAVE TO LOOK SERIOUSLY AT WHAT IT MEANS TO CHANGE THE POLICY OF PLACE OF FIRST ASYLUM FOR VIETNAMESE BOA'J PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY WHAT THAT MEANS IN PRACTICE, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON. SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
"IT MEANS USING FORCE TO TURN PEOPLE AWAY AND IT MEANS TAKING AIL THE CONSEQUENCES OF THAT, INCLUDING THE POSSIBILITY THAT PEOPLE MIGHT BE DROWNED IN THE PROCESS," SIR DAVID SAID.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER A VISIT TO WAN CHAI DISTRICT. HE SAID HONG KONG MADE ITS OWN DECISIONS ON MOST OF THE POLICY MATTERS CONCERNING THE BOAT PEOPLE.
"BUT DON’T LET’S PRETEND TO OURSELVES THAT THESE ARE SIMPLE DECISIONS," SIR DAVID SAID.
"IT SOUNDS VERY EASY TO SAY THAT WE SHOULD CEASE TO BE A PLACE OF FIRST ASYLUM.
"IT IS SOMETHING WHICH IS VERY EASY TO SAY BUT IT’S NOT SOMETHING WHICH IS EASY TO DO."
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS DETERMINED TO APPLY THE PRESENT POLICY OF ALLOWING PEOPLE TO LAND BUT SCREENING THEM.
"IT MEANS THAT THOSE WHO ARE SCREENED OUT AS NOT BEING REFUGEES MUST GO BACK TO THE PLACE THEY CAME FROM. AND THAT’S THE POLICY WE NEED TO WORK AT NOW," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
"WE NEED TO PERSUADE THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY THAT THAT’S THE RIGHT POLICY.
"WE NEED TO PERSUADE VIETNAM THAT THAT’S THE RIGHT POLICY AND THAT THEY SHOULD CO-OPERATE WITH IT LIKE ANY OTHER COUNTRY IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WOULD CO-OPERATE IN TAKING BACK ITS OWN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS," SIR DAVID SAID.
ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY PLANS TO ACCOMMODATE REFUGEES ON OUTLYING ISLANDS, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "WE’RE LOOKING AT A WHOLE SERIES OF OPTIONS. WE HAVEN’T ACTUALLY RULED OUT ANYTHING AT ALL.
"WE FACE AT THE MOMENT A HUGE PROBLEM OF THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ARRIVING, SO WE HAVE TO LOOK AT A SERIES OF OPTIONS AND KEEP IN MIND A SERIES OF PLANS DEPENDING ON HOW MANY PEOPLE CONTINUE TO COME.
"ONE OF THE OPTIONS THAT WE’RE LOOKING AT IS OUTLYING ISLANDS. IT’S NOT A SIMPLE OPTION, BUT THEN WE DON’T HAVE ANY SIMPLE OPTIONS."
THE GOVERNOR REFUTED SUGGESTIONS THAT HONG KONG WAS FORCING THE REFUGEES INTO CRAMPED CONDITIONS IN ORDER TO MAKE A BETTER CASE AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN GENEVA.
/"WITH SO........
MONDAY, MAY 15, 1989
"WITH SO MANY PEOPLE COMING IT’S QUITE OBVIOUS THAT WE CANNOT ACCOMMODATE EVERYBODY IN IDEAL CONDITIONS.
"WITH SO MANY PEOPLE COMING WE HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM ON OUR HANDS," HE SAID.
"IT’S ’ion GOING TO BE EASY TO FIND PLACES TO PUT THEM. THERE IS BOUND TO BE MORE CRAMPED POSITIONS. BUT IT IS QUITE WRONG TO ASSUME THAT WE DO THIS \S \ DELIBERATE ACT OF POLICY IN ORDER TO INFLUENCE PEOPLE IN GENEVA.
"WE’RE FACING \ VERY REAL PRACTICAL PROBLEM, AND THOSE WHO ASSUME THAT WE’RE DOING IT FOR SOME OTHER MOTIVES ARE TOTALLY WRONG.
"WE FACE A PRACTICAL PROBLEM. WE NEED TO FIND PRACTICAL ANSWERS TO IT." SIR DAVID ADDED.
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ADVICE TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS AGAINST RAINSTORMS AND TYPHOONS
THE DIRECTOR OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, MR PATRICK SHAM, TODAY (MONDAY) ADVISED THE PUBLIC TO TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS AGAINST RAINSTORMS AND TYPHOONS IN THE COMING MONTHS.
MR SHAM GAVE THIS ADVICE DURING A MEET-THE-MEDIA SESSION HELD AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY HEADQUARTERS.
REITERATING THE POSSIBILITY THAT THIS YEAR’S RAINFALL WAS LIKELY TO BE ABOVE NORMAL, HE SAID: "THE VARIOUS METHODS WE USE FOR PREDICTING ANNUAL RAINFALL SEEM TO BE CONSISTENTLY INDICATIVE OF A TOTAL RAINFALL THIS YEAR OF 10 TO 30 PER CENT ABOVE THE AVERAGE RAINFALL OF 2,224.7 MILLIMETRES.
"EARLIER THIS MONTH WE ALREADY HAD SOME HEAVY DOWNPOURS, AND ON MAY 2 WE HAD OVER 200 MILLIMETRES OF RAINFALL WITHIN A PERIOD OF FOUR HOURS IN SOME LOCALISED AREAS IN EAST KOWLOON AND IN SOME PARTS IN HONG KONG CENTRAL.
"SEASONALLY, JUNE IS THE MONTH WITH THE HIGHEST RAINFALL AND WE HAVE HAD IN THE PAST SITUATIONS WHERE HEAVY AND PROLONGED RAINFALL IN JUNE CAUSED WIDESPREAD FLOODING AND LANDSLIPS," HE ADDED.
MR SHAM SAID IT WAS DIFFICULT TO PREDICT THE NUMBER OF TROPICAL CYCLONES WHICH WOULD AFFECT THE TERRITORY THIS YEAR.
NEVERTHELESS, HE SAID IF HONG KONG WERE GOING TO HAVE THE EXPECTED RAINFALL THIS YEAR, AND SINCE ON AVERAGE TROPICAL CYCLONES CONTRIBUTED TO ABOUT A QUARTER OF THE YEAR’S RAINFALL, IT COULD BE DEDUCED THAT THE NUMBER OF TROPICAL CYCLONES THREATENING HONG KONG WOULD BE SLIGHTLY LARGER THIS YEAR THAN IN PREVIOUS YEARS.
/"I AM
MONDAY, MAY 15, 1989
- 5 -
"I AM AFRAID I CAN SAY NO MORE THAN THIS AS AN OUTLOOK FOR THE TROPICAL CYCLONE SEASON," MR SHAM SAID.
"THE ONLY WAY TO DEAL WITH A TYPHOON, I MAINTAIN, IS FOR US TO MONITOR ITS TRACK AND INTENSITY, KEEP THE PUBLIC CONSTANTLY INFORMED AND ISSUE WARNINGS AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME.
"THE FACT THAT HONG KONG HAS NOT EXPERIENCED THE FULL IMPACT OF A TYPHOON FOR ALMOST SIX YEARS WOULD MEAN THAT MANY OF US MAY HAVE FORGOTTEN WHAT DAMAGE A TYPHOON CAN DO TO US IF WE ARE TO HAVE ONE THIS YEAR.
"I AM PARTICULARLY CONCERNED THAT MANY NEWCOMERS TO HONG KONG, INCLUDING VISITORS FROM OVERSEAS FOR SHORT PERIODS OF TIME, MAY NOT EVEN KNOW WHAT A TYPHOON SITUATION IN HONG KONG IS LIKE," MR SHAM SAID.
HE SAID HE CONSIDERED IT VERY FITTING TO REMIND THE PUBLIC THAT IT WAS TIME FOR THE PUBLIC TO TAKE GENERAL PRECAUTIONS AGAINST HEAVY RAIN AND FLOODING, SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS AND HURRICANE FORCE WINDS ASSOCIATED WITH TROPICAL CYCLONES.
"IF WE ARE CAREFUL, I AM SURE WE CAN MINIMISE THE DAMAGE FROM THESE NATURAL DISASTERS," HE SAID.
MR SHAM ALSO REFERRED TO THE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS INTRODUCED TWO YEARS AGO WHEREBY A PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT WOULD BE MADE WHENEVER THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY OF HOISTING THE GALE SIGNAL NO. 8 WITHIN A COUPLE OF HOURS.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT WOULD ADVISE EMPLOYERS OF LARGE ORGANISATIONS, INCLUDING GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, TO STAGGER THE RELEASE OF THEIR EMPLOYEES FROM WORK.
THIS WAS TO SPREAD THE DEMAND FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT OVER SEVERAL HOURS SO THAT THE PRESSURE ON THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM COULD BE SOMEWHAT LESSENED, HE SAID.
"SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THIS SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT, WE HAVE NOT HAD A NO. 8 SIGNAL AND THEREFORE WE HAVE NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY OF PROVING THAT THIS WILL WORK," MR SHAM NOTED.
ON THE PROVISION OF WEATHER SERVICE FOR THE VARIOUS DISTRICTS IN HONG KONG, MR SHAM SAID THAT EIGHT AUTOMATIC WEATHER STATIONS HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED AT SHA TIN, LAU FAU SHAN, TA KWU LING, TAI PO, CHEK LAP KOK, ABERDEEN, TUEN MUN AND WAGLAN ISLAND.
"ALREADY IN OUR HOURLY BULLETINS BROADCAST TO THE PUBLIC, WE ARE GIVING THE TEMPERATURES OF TA KWU LING, SHA TIN, TUEN MUN. LAU FAU SHAN AND CHEUNG CHAU.
/"RADIO LISTENERS........
MONDAY, MAY 15, 1989
"RADIO LISTENERS AND TELEVISION VIEWERS ARE NOW INFORMED OF THE VARIATION OF TEMPERATURE AT THESE PLACES," HE SAID. ADDING THAT THE PUBLIC COULD ALSO RING UP FOR THE LATEST TEMPERATURE NEAR HIS DISTRICT BY USING THE DIAL-A-WEATHER SYSTEM.
"THE GENERAL RESPONSE FROM THE PUBLIC TO THIS SERVICE IS VERY FAVOURABLE AND IT IS OUR INTENTION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTOMATIC WEATHER REPORTING STATIONS TO COVER OTHER DENSELY POPULATED DISTRICTS IN THE TERRITORY," MR SHAM SAID.
"WE ARE WORKING ON THE PROBLEM OF GIVING INDIVIDUAL WEATHER FORECASTS FOR THE VARIOUS DISTRICTS BUT THIS IS A SLIGHTLY MORE COMPLEX PROBLEM," HE SAID.
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FIRST QUARTER UNEMPLOYMENT, UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS RELEASED »»**»»
BOTH THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AND THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE REMAINED AT A VERY LOW LEVEL DURING THE PERIOD JANUARY' - MARCH 1989, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THESE FIGURES SHOW THAT THE TIGHT LABOUR MARKET SITUATION CONTINUED.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR JANUARY - MARCH 1989 WAS 1.3 PER CENT, WHICH WAS THE SAME AS THAT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING DECEMBER 1988 BUT WAS LOWER THAN THE 1.6 PER CENT FOR THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER.
THE DECREASE OF 0.3 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER IS STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS IN JANUARY - MARCH 1989 WAS ESTIMATED AT 35,800, COMPARED WITH 36,200 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING DECEMBER 1988 AND 44,500 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING MARCH 1988.
THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR JANUARY - MARCH 1989 WAS 0.8 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH 0.7 PER CENT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING DECEMBER 1988 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 JANUARY -MARCH 1989 WAS 21,300, COMPARED WITH 18,400 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING DECEMBER 1988 AND 25,200 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING MARCH 1988.
/CONSISTENT WITH .......
MONDAY, MAY 15, 1989
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CONSISTENT WITH THE CURRENT RECOMMENDATIONS OE 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 I WERE REGARDED AS UNDEREMPLOYED ONLY IF THEY WERE EITHER SEEKING OR AVAILABLE FOR MORE WORK.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS SAID THAT BECAUSE THE PROPORTION OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS (FOR EXAMPLE, PEOPLE WHO HAVE JUST LEFT SCHOOL) VARIES FROM MONTH TO MONTH, UNEMPLOYMENT RATES THAT HAD BEEN SEASONALLY ADJUSTED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE VARIATIONS IN THE NUMBER OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS SHOULD BE USED IN MAKING COMPARISONS OVER TIME.
THE COMMISSIONER ADDED THAT, BASED ON A SYSTEM OF PROVISIONAL COUNTS, THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATES COVERING THE LATEST THREE 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 FEBRUARY - APRIL 1989 WAS 1.5 PER CENT AND THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 0.8 PER CENT.
THE COMMISSIONER SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HAD APPARENTLY EDGED UP, MORE OBSERVATIONS WERE REQUIRED BEFORE IT COULD BE SAID THAT A TREND HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED.
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 SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING. CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AROUND JUNE 20 AT $10 PER COPY.
/6........
MONDAY, MAY 15, 1989
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QUALITY OF LIFE IN WAN CHAI BEING IMPROVED: GOVERNOR t t t * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN WAN CHAI AS THE DISTRICT IS MODERNISED AND ACQUIRES A NEW CHARACTER, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AFTER HIS VISIT TO WAN CHAI, SIR DAVID SAID: "WE ARE TAKING STEPS TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT, EASE TRAFFIC CONGESTION AND CREATE STRONGER COMMUNITY TIES."
ACCOMPANIED BY' THE REGIONAL SECRETARY (HONG KONG AND KOWLOON), MR DAVID LAN; WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER MANN; AND DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MRS PEGGY LAM, SIR DAVID STARTED HIS TOUR BY TAKING A WALK ALONG KING STREET. WARREN STREET AND SCHOOL STREET TO SEE THE CONDITION OF CAR REPAIR WORKSHOPS THERE.
SIR DAVID WAS TOLD THAT THE PROLIFERATION OF CAR REPAIRING ACTIVITIES IN WAN CHAI HAD BROUGHT ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS SUCH AS THE DISCHARGE OF OILY WASTE ONTO ROADS, OBSTRUCTION TO TRAFFIC AND EXCESSIVE NOISE.
THE SITUATION HAS NOW BEEN IMPROVED AS A RESULT OF LEASE ENFORCEMENT ACTION BY THE GOVERNMENT AND SELF-REGULATION EXERCISED BY THE WORKSHOP OPERATORS.
SIR DAVID THEN PROCEEDED TO THE TAI HANG ROAD FLYOVER TO LOOK AT THE WAY IN WHICH USE IS BEING MADE OF SPACE UNDER FLYOVERS.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A VISIT TO THE SECOND WORLD WAR VETERAN’S ASSOCIATION CLUBHOUSE,
THE GOVERNOR THEN ARRIVED AT THE JUNCTION OF JOHNSTON ROAD AND WAN CHAI ROAD WHERE HE WAS BRIEFED ON A PLAN TO RESITE HAWKERS ALONG WAN CHAI ROAD SO AS TO RESTORE THE ROAD AS A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE FOR TRAFFIC BETWEEN JOHNSTON ROAD AND QUEEN’S ROAD EAST.
THE PROJECT, SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN MID-1990, WILL IMPROVE TRAFFIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS IN THE HEART OF WAN CHAI.
AFTER A BRIEF STOP AT THE WAN CHAI POST OFFICE IN QUEEN’S ROAD EAST. WHICH IS THE OLDEST POST OFFICE IN HONG KONG AND WILL BE PRESERVED AS A HISTORICAL BUILDING, SIR DAVID VISITED THE NEW WU CHUNG HOUSE DEVELOPMENT.
IN A JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND HOPEWELL HOLDINGS LIMITED, THIS SITE IS BEING DEVELOPED TO CREATE A 36-STOREY OFFICE BUILDING AND A PUBLIC PARK.
THE PROJECT ALSO INVOLVES THE WIDENING OF QUEEN’S ROAD EAST AND SPRING GARDEN LANE, AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ELEVATED WALKWAY LINKING YEN WAH STEPS AND SPRING GARDEN LANE TO THE NEW OFFICE BUILDING.
/SIR DAVID .......
MONDAY, MAY 15, 1989
- 7 -
SIR DAVID THEN WENT TO THE ROOFTOP OF HOPEWELL CENTRE FOR A PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE DISTRICT. HE WAS BRIEFED BY THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF HOPEWELL, MR GORDON WU, ON THE PROPOSED TOWER HOTEL DEVELOPMENT.
SIR DAVID WAS TOLD THAT HOPEWELL WOULD CONSTRUCT A 91-STOREY TRIDENT-SHAPED HOTEL AND COMMERCIAL COMPLEX, TO BE KNOWN AS THE TOWER HOTEL, BETWEEN QUEEN’S ROAD EAST AND KENNEDY ROAD.
A PUBLIC PARK OF ABOUT HALF A HECTARE WOULD ALSO BE BUILT AS PART OF THE PROJECT AND THE SECTION OF KENNEDY ROAD IMMEDIATELY OUTSIDE THE HOTEL COMPLEX WOULD BE WIDENED TO IMPROVE VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS.
BEFORE CONCLUDING HIS VISIT, SIR DAVID ATTENDED A TEA RECEPTION IN GREAT EAGLE CENTRE WHERE HE MET MEMBERS OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD AND LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS.
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HONG KONG REMEMBERS ITS HERITAGE » » t * »
HONG KONG HAS NOT FORGOTTEN WHERE IT COMES FROM OR HOW IT GOT HERE; NOR IS IT LACKING IN REMINDERS OF ITS YESTERDAYS, THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO INTRODUCE A NEW PROGRAMME ON HONG KONG HERITAGE, MR CHUI SAID: "OUR ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS OFFICE HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE SINCE 1976 AND, THROUGH DILIGENT RESEARCH AND PERSEVERANCE, SO FAR SEEN 35 SITES DECLARED AS HISTORICAL STRUCTURES AND MONUMENTS."
HE SAID THE PROGRAMME OF HISTORICAL PRESERVATION HAD BENEFITTED GREATLY FROM THE ASSISTANCE RECEIVED FROM THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD.
THE SCOPE OF THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS WILL COVER FIVE MAJOR AREAS, AS DETAILED AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD, MR EDWARD HO.
THESE AREAS ARE: EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY, HERITAGE PRESERVATION IN THE METROPLAN AND URBAN RENEWAL SCHEMES; REVIEW OF POLICY ON MANAGEMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL RESOURCES; APPLICATION FOR MORE RESOURCES FOR HERITAGE PRESERVATION; AND ACTUAL PRESERVATION EFFORTS.
SPEAKING FURTHER ABOUT THE EFFORTS MADE SO FAR, MR CHUI SAID THAT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SOME STRUCTURES, THE MAJORITY Ob' SITES ADDED EACH YEAR TO THE GROWING STORE OF HONG KONG'S HERITAGE DID NOT MAKE NEWSPAPER HEADLINES.
/"NEVERTHELESS.........
LUNDAY, MAY 15, 1989
8 -
"NEVERTHELESS, THEY EACH HAVE A FASCINATING HISTORY TO TELL, DESERVING OF A WIDER AUDIENCE AND GREATER INTEREST FROM THE PUBLIC THEY WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE," HE SAID.
TO BRING EVERYTHING INTO PERSPECTIVE. THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME TO BE IMPLEMENTED FROM TODAY WOULD ENCOURAGE INTEREST IN THE HISTORICAL HERITAGE OF HONG KONG, HE ADDED.
TURNING TO PROGRAMME PUBLICITY, MR CHUI SAID: "WITH THE HELP OF THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, WHO HAVE IDENTIFIED OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE AS ONE OF 13 MAJOR PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS THEY WILL BE TACKLING THIS YEAR, WE WILL BE REACHING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY WITH A RANGE OF MATERIALS TO STIMULATE PUBLIC INTEREST IN OUR HISTORICAL SITES.
"THE MAIN TARGET OF THIS EFFORT WILL BE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE, IN WHOM WE WISH TO INSTILL A SENSE OF PRIDE IN HONG KONG WHICH DRAWS AS MUCH FROM PAST ACHIEVEMENT AS FROM FUTURE GOALS.
"TO THIS END, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL TAKE A KEY ROLE IN DISSEMINATING OUR MATERIALS AND IN PERSUADING SCHOOLS TO PUT THEM TO GOOD USE IN THEIR EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES."
MR CHUI SAID THE MAIN COMPONENTS OF THE HERITAGE PROGRAMME WOULD BE A SERIES OF PICTORIAL WALL CHARTS. EACH DEALING WITH A DIFFERENT GROUP OF BUILDINGS AND EXPLAINING AND ILLUSTRATING THEIR MAIN FEATURES.
"THE FIRST OF THESE WALL CHARTS CONTRASTS EXAMPLES OF OUR BETTER KNOWN 'OFFICIAL' BUILDINGS ALONG WITH A COUPLE THAT MAY NOT BE SO FAMILIAR TO OUR CITIZENS, BUT WHICH NEVERTHELESS POSSESS UNIQUE FEATURES WORTHY OF PRESERVATION," HE SAID.
COPIES OF THIS WALL CHART ARE NOW AVAILABLE TO ALL RECOGNISED BODIES WITH AN INTEREST IN SUCH MATERIAL AND ARE ALSO ON SALE AT J5 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, IN CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
A SECOND WALL CHART WILL BE PUBLISHED SHORTLY, ILLUSTRATING SOME FINE TEMPLES.
MR CHUI ALSO SAID EIGHT MORE WALL CHARTS IN THE SERIES WOULD BE PRODUCED OVER THE NEXT YEAR. THE PAINTINGS IN THE CHARTS HAD BEEN SPECIALLY COMMISSIONED FROM A WELL-KNOWN HONG KONG ARTIST, MR BRIAN TILBROOK, HE NOTED.
A SERIES OF SHORT EDUCATIONAL FILMS WILL BE PRODUCED BY FUJI FILMS TO COMPLEMENT THE WALL CHART SERIES, AND WILL BE AVAILABLE TO SCHOOLS OR GROUPS INTERESTED IN MAKING GOOD USE OF THEM.
ALSO TAKING PART IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE BESIDES MR CHUI AND MR HO WERE THE DEPUTY CHIEF INSPECTOR OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, MRS KWONG LI CHI-HO; AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (PUBLICITY) OF THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, MR PETER MOSS.
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/9........
MONDAY, MAY 15, 1989
9
LATEST REVIEW SHOWS RISE IN AVERAGE NICOTINE YIELD OF CIGARETTES » » ♦ » »
FIGURES FROM Till': LATEST ANALYSIS ON THE AVERAGE NICOTINE YIELD OF CIGARETTES SHOW THAT IT HAS RISEN AGAIN TO A HIGH LEVEL AFTER A TEMPORARY DROP DURING THE LAST SURVEY SIX MONTHS AGO.
RELEASING THE )'HIDINGS OF THE LATEST (12TH) BI-ANNUAL REVIEW OF TAR AND NICOTINE YIELDS OF CIGARETTES TODAY (MONDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE AVERAGE NICOTINE YIELD AMONG THE 101 TOP BEST-SELLING CIGARETTES IN HONG KONG HAI) RISEN BY 6.8 PER CENT TO 1.25 MG/CIG. COMPARED WITH THE FIGURE OF 1.17 MG/CIG. IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR. "WE ARE DISAPPOINTED THAT THE DROP RECORDED IN THE LAST SURVEY WAS ONLY A TEMPORARY FALL INSTEAD OF THE START OF A DOWNWARD TREND," HE SAID.
THE AVERAGE NICOTINE CONTENT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN AT 1.25 MG/CIG. OR ABOVE IN THE THREE SURVEYS PUBLISHED IN MAY 1987, NOVEMBER 1987 AND MAY 1988.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, THE AVERAGE TAR YIELD HAS DECREASED SLIGHTLY TO 15.0 MG/CIG., COMPARED WITH THE 15.2 MG/CIG. IN THE LAST SURVEY," HE SAID.
A FULL REPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S FINDINGS HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST EDITION OF THE "CHOICE" MAGAZINE.
MEANWHILE, IN A CONSULTATION PAPER RECENTLY RELEASED BY THE GOVERNMENT, THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH (COSH) PROPOSED AN IMMEDIATE CEILING OF 1.2 MG/CIG. FOR NICOTINE AND 18 MG/CIG. FOR TAR, TO BE LOWERED TO 1 MG (NICOTINE) AND 15 MG (TAR) IN TWO YEARS' TIME, SUBJECT TO FUTURE REVIEW.
THE PUBLIC WILL BE CONSULTED ON THESE AND OTHER COSH RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN THE PAPER THROUGH THE DISTRICT BOARDS UNTIL JUNE 30 THIS YEAR.
-----0------
DISKETTE SUBMISSION SCHEME FOR IMPORT/EXPORT DECLARATIONS
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ANNOUNCED IN A GAZETTE NOTICE PUBLISHED ON APRIL 28 THIS YEAR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DISKETTE SUBMISSION SCHEME ON JULY 1 TO PROVIDE TRADERS WITH AN ADDITIONAL OPTION TO SUBMIT IMPORT AND EXPORT DECLARATIONS ON MICRO-COMPUTER DISKETTES.
DETAILS OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SCHEME, INCLUDING DECLARATION OUTPUT FORMATS, HAVE BEEN SPECIFIED IN AN EARLIER GAZETTE NOTICE PUBLISHED ON NOVEMBER 4, 1988.
/TRADERS WHO .......
MONDAY, MAY 15, 1989
10
TRADERS WHO WISH TO SUBMIT IMPORT AND EXPORT DECLARATIONS BY MEANS OF THE DISKETTE SUBMISSION SCHEME ARE REQUIRED TO BRING THE FOLLOWING TO ANY ONE OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT'S TRADE DECLARATION CHARGES COLLECTION OFFICES:
(1) INDIVIDUAL DECLARATIONS IN THE FORM OF COMPUTER PRINTOUTS;
(2) IIICKO-COIH UTEH. DISKETTES I ON WHICH THE ABOVE DATA ARE RECORDED;
(3) SUMMARY DECLARATION(S) SIGNED BY THE DECLARANT; AND
(4) CASH OR CHEQUE OF AN APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF CHARGES.
THE FORMATS OF DOCUMENTS DESCRIBED IN ITEMS (1) TO (3) ABOVE ARE SPECIFIED IN THE GAZETTE NOTICE ISSUED ON NOVEMBER 4, 1988.
TO JOIN THE SCHEME, A TRADER NEEDS A MICRO-COMPUTER SYSTEM (WITH HARD DISK AND PRINTER) WHICH RUNS ON MS-DOS OF VERSION 2.0 OR ABOVE.
A USER-FRIENDLY, MENU-DRIVEN MICRO-COMPUTER SOFTWARE HAS BEEN DEVELOPED BY. THE GOVERNMENT TO FACILITATE TRADERS IN PREPARING IMPORT AND EXPORT DECLARATIONS USING MICRO-COMPUTERS AND AT THE SAME TIME PRODUCING DECLARATION OUTPUTS THAT MEET ALL THE GOVERNMENT'S SPECIFIED FORMATS.
THE SOFTWARE TOGETHER WITH THE OPERATION MANUAL, AT A UNIT PRICE OF SI 10, ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG. ENQUIRIES ON HOW TO ACQUIRE THE SOFTWARE CAN BE MADE ON 5-8234883.
ALTERNATIVELY, TRADERS CAN DEVELOP THEIR OWN SOFTWARES TO JOIN THE SCHEME SO LONG AS THE DECLARATION OUTPUTS ARE IN THE FORMATS AS SPECIFIED IN THE GAZETTE NOTICE.
THE PURPOSE OF THE DISKETTE SUBMISSION SCHEME IS TO FACILITATE TRADERS IN PREPARING TRADE DECLARATIONS IN A MORE EFFICIENT AND ACCURATE WAY THROUGH THE USE OF COMPUTERS.
THE PROCESSING TIME AT THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT’S TRADE DECLARATION CHARGES COLLECTION OFFICES CAN ALSO BE SHORTENED TREMENDOUSLY THROUGH THE USE OF COMPUTERS, WHICH MEANS LESS QUEUING TIME FOR TRADERS.
TRADERS WHO ARE SUBMITTING MANY DECLARATIONS AND ARE USING COMPUTERS OF SOME SORT IN HANDLING THEIR TRADE DOCUMENTATION WILL FIND THE SCHEME OF PARTICULAR CONVENIENCE TO THEM.
IN FACT, THE CONVENIENCE BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE SCHEME HAS BEEN PROVEN THROUGH THE CONDUCT OF A PILOT SCHEME EARLIER THIS YEAR.
ABOUT 150 LARGE TRADING FIRMS, MOST OF WHICH SUBMIT HUNDREDS OF DECLARATIONS A MONTH, HAD PARTICIPATED IN THE PILOT SCHEME.
/THEY HAD .......
MONDAY, MAY 15, 1989
11
THEY HAD FOUND THE SCHEME CONVENIENT TO THEM, AND HAD PROVIDED USEFUL FEEDBACK WHICH WAS INCORPORATED IN THE DESIGN OF THE SCHEME.
AT THE REQUEST OF SOME LARGE TRADING FIRMS WHICH COULD NOT JOIN THE FIRST PILOT SCHEME, A SECOND PILOT SCHEME IS BEING ORGANISED.
FIRMS INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN IT ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS:
COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS & STATISTICS, (ATTN.: SENIOR STATISTICIAN (TRADE) 2) WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG. (REF.: DISKETTE SUBMISSION SCHEME)
TRADERS ARE REQUESTED TO INCLUDE IN THEIR APPLICATION LETTER A DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPUTER FACILITIES THEY ARE USING AND THE NUMBER OF DECLARATIONS THEY NORMALLY SUBMIT EACH MONTH.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-8234883.
- - 0---------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE » » » *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 39.0 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 228.545 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 172.831 MILLION
CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 27.5 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
MONDAY, MAY 15, 1989
- 12 -
NIGHT CLOSURES OF ROAD IN TUEN MUN * * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT IN CONNECTION WITH I HE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOOTBRIDGE, ROAD D9 IN TUEN MUN WILL BE CLOSED FROM 1.30 AM TO 5.30 AM ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY (MAY 17 AND 18).
DURING THE CLOSURE, ALL VEHICLES INCLUDING WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CASTLE PEAK ROAD, SAN HUI.
PUBLIC LIGHT
BUSES
FROM
ENTERING THE SLIP ROADS LEADING TO ROAD P2: THE SLIP R0A®® ^DING TO TUEN MUN ROAD AND TUEN FAT ROAD; PUI TO ROAD WEST OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD, AND TUEN MUN HEUNG SZE WUI ROAD SOUTH OF TUEN MUN CLINIC.
AT THE SAME TIME, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL
BE PROHIBITED
-------0---------
LANE CLOSURES IN SHA TIN *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT IN ORDER TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORK. THE SLOW LANE OF SHA TIN ROAD NORTHBOUND BETWEEN TSANG TAI UK AND PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL WILL BE CLOSED FROM 11 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO 6 AM ON WEDNESDAY.
THE INNER-MOST LANE OF TOLO HIGHWAY SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN MA LIU SHUI AND MA LIU SHUI INTERCHANGE WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 AM TO 8 PM NEXT WEDNESDAY (MAY 24).
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL : 5-8428777
TUESDAY, MAY 16, 1989
CONTENTS PaGE NO.
CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON FOREIGN LAW FIRMS GENERATES INTEREST 1
APPOINTMENT OF FUTURES EXCHANGE NOMINATING COMMITTEE ........ 5
MEMBERS OF DISCIPLINED SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE VISIT CSD 6
12 QUESTIONS BEFORE LEGCO ................................... 7
EXHIBITION OF CHINESE TEXTBOOKS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS ....... 8
FINDLAY TO SIT AS DEPUTY JUDGE OF HIGH COURT................. 8
TRAVELLERS WARNED NOT TO ACT AS DRUG COURIERS ............... 9
SAFETY AWARD SCHEME PRISE PRESENTATION ...................... 11
PROPERTY OWNERS URGED TO LOOK AFTER THEIR BUILDINGS ......... 11
TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS' CONCERN UNDERSTOOD: SDa......... 12
EASTERN HaRBOUR CROSSING ON DB AGENDA ....................... 13
YUEN LONG DB COMMITTEE TO MEET .............................. 14
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND /APPLICATIONS ................. 11*
PROPERTY REVIEW 1989 ON SaLE TOMORROW ....................... 15
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS .............................. 15
SUSPENSION OF WATER SUPPLY IN TWO aREAS ..................... 16
TUESDAY. MAY 16, 1989
CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON FOREIGN LAW FIRMS GENERATES INTEREST
*****
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID ABOUT 3,600 COPIES OF THE GOVE1 TMENT’S CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON FOREIGN LAW FIRMS HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED SINCE IT WAS RELEASED A FORTNIGHT AGO.
NR MATHEWS ’ .0 A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS TODA' (TUESDAY) THAT THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT HAD GENERATED CONSIDERABLE INTEREST.
"WE HAVE RECEIVED A NUMBER OF FAVOURABLE COMMENTS ON THE DETAILS AND HAVE ALSO RECEIVED CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM.
"THIS WE WELCOME AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO RECEIVING MANY MORE VIEWS," HE SAID.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE A TRAFFIC OF INFORMED OPINION, NOT ONLY FROM THE LEGAL PROFESSION BUT FROM OTHER PROFESSIONS, FROM FOREIGN LAWYERS AND FROM THE CLIENTS OF LAWYERS.
"WE HAVE AN OPEN MIND ON ALL OF THESE DETAILS," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALLOWED A THREE MONTH CONSULTATION PERIOD ON THE DOCUMENT AND COMMENTS SHOULD BE MADE BY JULY 31.
MR MATHEWS SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSAL ON FOREIGN LAW FIRMS WAS PART OF THE WORLD-WIDE TREND TOWARDS INTERNATIONALISATION IN THE PROFESSIONS.
"WE SEE IT AS A HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT, FOR IT RECOGNISES THE GROWING IMPORTANCE OF HONG KONG AS A WORLD CENTRE FOR FINANCE AND BUSINESS.
"THE PRESENCE OF FOREIGN LAW FIRMS IN HONG KONG IS A VISIBLE DEMONSTRATION OF THE STRENGTH AND VIGOUR OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMY AND ITS ATTITUDES TOWARDS FREE TRADE.
"AT THE SAME TIME, WE FULLY RECOGNISE AND UNRESERVEDLY SUBSCRIBE TO THE WISH OF THE PROFESSION TO MAINTAIN ITS INDEPENDENCE, TO PROMOTE THE HIGHEST PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND TO PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY WITH A HIGHLY EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE SERVICE.
"WE BELIEVE THAT OUR PROPOSAL FULFILS ALL THESE AIMS," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSAL ON FOREIGN LAW FIRMS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
(A) THAT THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE LAW SOCIETY, DEVISE A STATUTORY SCHEME LAYING DOWN FORMAL CRITERIA FOR THE ADMISSION, THROUGH THE CHIEF JUSTICE, OF FOREIGN LAW FIRMS;
/(B) THAT THE ..........
TUESDAY, MAY 16, 1989
2
(B) THAT THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE LAW .SOCIETY, DEVISE A SCHEME, WITH CLEARLY LAID DOWN POWERS, TO ENABLE THE LAW SOCIETY TO EXERCISE POWERS OF DISCIPLINE OVER FOREIGN LAW FIRMS SIMILAR TO THE POWERS THEY PRESENTLY EXERCISE OVER HONG KONG SOLICITORS; AND
(C> THAT FOREIGN LAW FIRMS SHOULD BE PERMITTED TO TAKE IN, AS PA 'PINERS OR EMPLOYEES, HONG KONG SOLICITORS WHO MAY PRACTISE UNG KONG LAW.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID: "THIS PROPOSAL WAS ANNOUNCED IN AUGUST LAST YEAR. BUT IT WAS A BROAD PROPOSAL AND OBVIOUSLY NEEDED TO BE FLESHED OUT SO THAT ITS EFFECT COULD BE CLEARLY SEEN."
THEREFORE ON M\Y 2, THE GOVERNMENT ISSUED A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT WHICH SETS OUT THE DETAILS OF HOW THE POLICY PROPOSAL COULD BE IMPLEMENTED.
HE SAID THAT SINCE THE PROPOSAL WAS ANNOUNCED IN AUGUST LAST YEAR, THE COUNCIL OF THE LAW SOCIETY HAD EXPRESSED A NUMBER OF CONCERNS ABOUT THE PARTICULAR ASPECT OF THE PROPOSAL WHICH WOULD PERMIT FOREIGN LAW FIRMS TO EMPLOY, OR TO TAKE INTO PARTNERSHIP, HONG KONG SOLICITORS.
"IN THIS CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT I BELIEVE THAT THE EXPRESSED CONCERNS OF THE LAW SOCIETY HAVE BEEN MET, AND THAT WHEN THE PROPOSAL IS CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THE DETAILS SET OUT IN THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT, IT WOULD BE SEEN THAT IT IS A SENSIBLE AND LOGICAL ENHANCEMENT OF THE LEGAL SERVICES AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG," HE SAID,
IN DEVISING THE SCHEME OF CONTROL FOR FOREIGN LAW FIRMS AND FOREIGN LAWYERS, THE GOVERNMENT HAD A NUMBER OF POINTS IN MIND.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID: "FIRSTLY, WE WISHED TO ESTABLISH QUALITATIVE CONTROLS TO ENSURE THAT ONLY FOREIGN LAW FIRMS OF SUBSTANTIAL INTEGRITY AND REPUTATION AND WITH SOMETHING TO OFFER HONG KONG WILL BE ABLE TO SET UP HERE.
"AS WITH APPLICANTS FOR ADMISSION AS SOLICITORS WE WISH TO BE SURE THAT APPLICANTS FOR ADMISSION AS FOREIGN LAWYERS IN HONG KONG ARE FIT AND PROPER PERONS.
"SECONDLY, THOSE FOREIGN LAWYERS WISHING TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME TO HONG KONG TO WORK MUST DO SO ON HONG KONG’S TERMS. THAT IS THEY MUST COMPLY WITH THE RULES OF ETHICS, PRACTICE AND DISCIPLINE OF THE SOLICITOR’S PROFESSION.
"THIRDLY, WE HAVE BEEN AT PAINS TO ENSURE THAT FOREIGN LAWYERS DO NOT ADVISE ON HONG KONG LAW AND, TO STATE THE OBVERSE, ONLY HONG KONG SOLICITORS IN A FOREIGN LAW FIRM WILL BE ABLE TO ADVISE ON HONG KONG LAW.
/"FINALLY WHEN .......
TUESDAY, MAY 16, 1989
3
"FINALLY WHEN SUGGESTING THE POLICING POWERS OF THE LAW SOCIETY. WE HAVE TRIED TO BALANCE WHAT IS NECESSARY WITH WHAT IS REASONABLE. ONE PRINCIPLE WE HAVE HAD IN THE FOREFRONT OF OUR MINDS IS THAT WE ARE DEALING WITH PROFESSIONAL MEN AND WOMEN FOK WHOM THE CONSEQUENCES OF STEPPING OUT OF LINE WOULD BE SEVERE.
"THESE SPECIFIC POLICING RULES ARE PREDICATED ON THE BELIEF THAT PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE WILL CONDUCT THEMSELVES PROFESSIONALLY.
"WE NO MORE EXPECT THE LAW SOCIETY TO BE PEERING OVER THE SHOULDERS OF FOREIGN LAWYERS, OR HONG KONG SOLICITORS EMPLOYED IN, OR TAKEN IN AS PARTNERS BY, FOREIGN LAW FIRMS, THAN THEY DO IN THE CASE OF HONG KONG SOLICITORS IN LOCAL SOLICITORS FIRMS."
MR MATHEWS SAID HE WAS AWARE OF CONCERNS THAT THE PROPOSAL HAD IMPLICATIONS FOR OTHER PROFESSIONS AND THAT IT FORESHADOWED A WISH BY GOVERNMENT TO INTERFERE WITH THE INDEPENDENCE OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES TO CONTROL THEIR PROFESSION.
HE GAVE AN ASSURANCE THAT THIS WAS NOT SO AND THAT "THE PROPOSAL CARRIED NO IMPLICATIONS FOR OTHER PROFESSIONS.
"IT ADDRESSES A PARTICULAR SITUATION PECULIAR TO THE SOLICITOR’S PROFESSION AND FOREIGN LAWYERS."
TURNING TO THE SPECIFIC PROPOSALS IN THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT, MR MATHEWS SAID THERE ARE A NUMBER OF AMENDMENT PROPOSED TO THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS ORDINANCE AND THEY INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING:
(1) THE ORDINANCE WLLL BE AMENDED TO PROVIDE THAT FOREIGN LAWYERS WILL NOT BE ENTITLED TO ADVISE ON ANY ASPECT OF HONG KONG LAW. THUS THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATIVE PROHIBITION WILL BECOME A CLEAR, STATUTORY PROHIBITION, WITH SEVERE PENALTIES FOR ITS BREACH;
(2) NO FOREIGN LAWYER WILL BE PERMITTED TO PRACTISE IN HONG KONG AS A FOREIGN LAWYER UNLESS ADMITTED BY THE COURT WHICH MUST BE SATISFIED THAT, AMONG OTHER CRITERIA, HE HAS AT LEAST FIVE YEARS' EXPERIENCE. BUT THIS "FIVE-YEAR" RULE WILL NOT APPLY TO A HONG KONG PERMANENT RESIDENT.
IN OTHER WORDS, A YOUNG HONG KONG PERSON WHO QUALIFIES AS A LAWYER IN, SAY, CANADA CAN RETURN HERE AND BE ADMITTED TO PRACTISE AS A FOREIGN LAWYER WITHOUT HAVING TO PRACTISE IN CANADA FOR FIVE YEARS.
(3) NO FOREIGN LAW FIRM WILL BE PERMITTED TO PRACTISE IN HONG KONG AS A FOREIGN LAW FIRM UNLESS PERMITTED BY THE COURT WHICH MUST BE SATISFIED, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THAT FIRM HAS BEEN PRACTISING LAW IN A PLACE OTHER THAN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST 10 YEARS AND THAT IT ENJOYS
SUBSTATIAL REPUTATION IN THAT PLACE.
/(4) ALL FOREIGN ........
TUESDAY, MAY 16, 1989
(1) ALL FOREIGN LAWYERS AND FOREIGN LAW FIRMS CURRENTLY
PRACTISING IN HONG KONG WILL HAVE TO COMPLY WITH THE ADMISSION AND REGISTRATION OF REQUIREMENTS. THEY WILL BE GIVEN AN ADEQUATE PERIOD OF TIME IN WHICH TO DO SO.
INCLUDED IN THE SUGGESTIONS FOR POSSIBLE RULES TO BE MADE BY THE LAW SOCIETY RELATING TO FOREIGN LAW FIRMS AND FOREIGN LAWYERS ARE THE FOLLOWING:
(1) AT LEAST ONE FOREIGN LAWYER PARTNER IN A FOREIGN LAW FIRM SHOULD BE A RESIDENT PARTNER WHO, AMONG OTHER REQUIREMENTS, SHOULD BE ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST 180 DAYS IN EACH YEAR.
(2) A FOREIGN LAW FIRM SHOULD NOT TAKE INTO PARTNERSHIP A HONG KONG SOLICITOR WITH LESS THAN 10 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE.
(3) A FOREIGN LAW FIRM SHOULD NOT EMPLOY A HONG KONG SOLICITOR TO ADVISE ON HONG KONG LAW UNLESS HE HAS FIVE YEARS’ EXPERIENCE.
(4) FOREIGN LAW FIRM INTENDING TO EMPLOY A HONG KONG SOLICITOR TO ADVISE ON HONG KONG LAW SHOULD HAVE A HONG KONG SOLICITOR AS A PARTNER. THERE SHOULD BE A RATIO OF ONE SUCH PARTNER FOR EVERY THREE HONG KONG SOLICITORS EMPLOYED.
(5) A FOREIGN LAWYER, WHETHER HE IS IN A FOREIGN OR DOMESTIC LAW FIRM, WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO ADVISE ON HONG KONG LAW, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER THERE IS A SOLICITOR EMPLOYEE OR SOLICITOR PARTNER IN THE FIRM.
(6) A HONG KONG SOLICITOR EMPLOYED IN A FOREIGN LAW FIRM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE ONLY TO A HONG KONG SOLICITOR PARTNER OF THAT FIRM FOR ANY ADVICE GIVEN BY HIM ON HONG KONG LAW.
(7) A REGISTER OF ADVICE ON HONG KONG LAW SHOULD BE KEPT BY A FOREIGN LAW FIRM TAKING IN A SOLICLTOR AS A PARTNER OR EMPLOYEE TO PRACTISE HONG KONG LAW.
(8) THE LAW SOCIETY MAY REQUIRE ANY FOREIGN LAWYER TO PRODUCE THE REGISTER OF ADVICE OR ANY FILES OR DOCUMENTS FOR INSPECTLON IF THEY HAVE REASONABLE CAUSE TO BELIEVE THAT THE FILES OR DOCUMENTS CONTALIN ADVICE PROVIDED IN
CONNECTION WITH HONG KONG LAW.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER HIS SPEECH, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSAL ON FOREIGN LAW FIRMS WOULD GIVE CLIENTS THE BENEFIT OF A MORE EFFICIENT LEGAL SERVICE.
MR MATHEWS SAID THE ABILITY FOR USERS OF THE LEGAL SERVICE TO GO TO ONE LAW FIRM FOR ADVICE RATHER THAN HAVING TO GO TO TWO FIRMS WAS MORE EFFICIENT.
/"THE SCHEME .......
TUEDAY, MAY 16, 1989
5
"THE SCHEME OE CONTROL HAS MORE THAN ONE FACET. THERE IS THE PROFESSIONAL ASPECT OF BRINGING FOREIGN LAW FIRMS ANP FOREIGN LAWYERS UNDER A CLEARLY DEFINED SCHEME OF CONTROL AND THAT IS BENEFICIAL FROM THE PROFESSIONAL POINT OF VIEW.
"ULTIMATELY, IT IS TO THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY TO HAVE ALL LAWYERS OPERATING IN THE SAME SCHEME AND BEING SUBJECT TO THE SAME RULES. THAT IS ONE ASPECT.
"THE BENEFIT TO THE CLIENTS I’VE ALREADY DESCRIBED," HE SAID.
IN HIS SPEECH, MR MATHEWS MENTIONED ABOUT "CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM" RECEIVED CONCERNING THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT. ASKED WHAT SORT OF "CRITICISM" THESE HAD BEEN, MR MATHEWS REPLIED: "THERE’S BEEN SOME CONCERN ABOUT THE LEVELS OF EXPERIENCE. SOME SAY THAT THEY ARE PITCHED TOO HIGH. WE'LL HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT."
HE WAS REFERRING TO THE PROPOSAL THAT LEVELS OF EXPERIENCE BE STIPULATED FOR SOLICITORS EMPLOYED OR TAKEN INTO PARTNERSHIP BY FOREIGN LAW FIRMS.
UNDER THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSAL, A FOREIGN LAW FIRM SHOULD NOT TAKE INTO PARTNERSHIP A HONG KONG SOLICITOR WITH LESS THAN 10 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE. NOR SHOULD IT EMPLOY A HONG KONG SOLICITOR TO ADVISE ON HONG KONG LAW UNLESS HE HAS FIVE YEARS’ EXPERIENCE.
VUBUI LI ' 'Wf 0 to- -THAIV ><»'»'■/ '// ’ ■•••.rl Mt'
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. I LIH 'HIT MOM 8MOJTft,lM.'IHMO'Jd4l MoJ TUTITBMODHM
APPOINTMENT OF FUTURES EXCHANGE NOMINATING COMMITTEE *****
THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY. . MR. - J>AVJD „N.ENDIClLt. ; ANNOUNCED TODAY (KVESDMWi THAT1'TMtT'dOvkfeWbfcA 'l&U 'KpTO,l'!4TEDnMR ' RONALD CARSTAIRS, MR RAYMOND KWOK, MR NICHOLAS PRlbk *AN1) MR PETER POON AS MEMBERS OF
THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE INC
( HKFE I .
BaJiVJUIB HMI4I l‘l I'IB KI MO LTITltWOO
/.I/JHP.ItHfiT AFPOlNTMENTS^^Wlk FftOM ‘"ftA'y
CONCLUBIONAHF TlHK'TiilRD'i'ANWIlAL 1M:nF1Wl' MEETiWiiJ ’ ,r!/o|T IT (THZ I ’ TMSMTSZ'l?!H HITT To «UTf .! -I f I .
FOR THE HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE LTD
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IV TOUT W.1HW 'I'lATr! ’rfTl
UNDER THE REVISED ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION...OF THE, , H|iFE-ADOPTED ATIIHDBE HKTRAORBI'NAWY GI?NfhUt' MEET 11)G tifcU OR' MAY 9 , 1989 ,. .THE BPA^
WILL ‘CONSIST’ OF 13 DIRECTORS', NAMELY EIGHT MEMBER DIRECTORS,; FOUR t IMDEPHNDENT DlREOToilS ANfi THE'’CHI feK’'EXECUTIVE WHO SHALL HOLD OFFICE EX-OFFICIO.
Hi' i THE REVISED ARTIOlPs OF 'AsSod'^TldN WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE. LATER THIS ’MONTH CONCURRENT WITH THEIR I'OlIMAL APPROVAL BY THE SECURITIES AND FUWR1ES CO'MMiiSSlON. " 1 1 ’ '•'ll '
/THE NEW ........
TUESDAY, MAY 16, 1989
6
THE NEW ARTICLES ALSO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NC TO NOMINATE IN EACH YEAR PERSONS TO STAND FOR ELECTION AS MEMBER DIRECTORS OF THE HKFE BOARD.
THE NC WILL COMPRISE FOUR PERSONS, NAMELY, AN INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR, TWO NON-DIRECTOR MEMBERS 01- THE HKFE AND AN INDEPENDENT NONBROKER OUTSIDER. THE FIRST NC IS TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR; SUBSEQUENT NC’S WILL BE APPOINTED BY THE BOARD ITSELF.
’’THE NC WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE NOMINATION OF A BALANCED SLATE OF CANDIDATES TO REPRESENT THE INTERESTS OF HKFE MEMBERS.
"TOGETHER WITH THE FOUR INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS APPOINTED TO REPRESENT THE PUBLIC INTEREST, THIS WILL HELP ENSURE THE FORMATION OF A BROADLY-BASED AND REPRESENTATIVE BOARD IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE (SRC) RECOMMENDATIONS," MR NEND1CK SAID.
MR CARSTAIRS IS THE CHIEF MANAGER OF THE HONG KONG STANDARD CHARTERED BANK. HE IS AN INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE HKFE BOARD. HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE NOW DISSOLVED COMMODITIES TRADING COMMISSION.
MR KWOK IS THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF HONOURS FUTURES LTD, A MEMBER OF THE HKFE.
MR PRIOR IS THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF HOARE GOVETTE ASIA FUTURES LTD, A MEMBER OF THE HKFE.
MR POON IS AN ACCOUNTANT BY PROFESSION AND A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR. HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE SRC WHICH PUT FORWARD THE RECONSTITUTION RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE HKFE.
------0 ------
MEMBERS OF DISCIPLINED SERVICES STANDING COMMITTEE VISIT CSD ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
MEMBERS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON DISCIPLINED SERVICES SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE TODAY (TUESDAY) SAW FOR THEMSELVES THE WORK OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE TRAINING OF ITS STAFF WHEN THEY VISITED TWO OF THE DEPARTMENT'S INSTITUTIONS.
THE VISITORS WERE THE STANDING COMMITTEE’S CHAIRMAN, MR JOHN SWAINE, AND MEMBERS, MR PAUL CHENG, MR ANTHONY CHEUNG AND MR BRIAN RENWICK. MR CHENG IS ALSO CHAIRMAN OF THE GENERAL DISCIPLINED SERVICES SUB-COMMITTEE.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR CHAN WA-SHEK, THE PARTY FIRST VISITED STANLEY PRISON WHICH IS A MAXIMUM SECURITY INSTITUTION TO HOUSE PRISONERS SERVING LONG SENTENCES.
/WHEN TOURING .......
TUEDAY, MAY 16, 1989
7
WHEN TOURING THE WORKSHOPS, MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT ALL PRISONERS ARE ENGAGED IN VARIOUS TRADES, SUCH AS GARMENT MAKING, CARPENTRY, PRINTING, SILKSCREENING AND SHOE MAKING.
THEY ALSO VISITED THE CELL BLOCKS, HOSPITAL AND KITCHEN.
THE PARTY THEN VISITED THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE WHICH PROVIDES ALL NECESSARY TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR CSD STAFF. THEY VIEWED THE GYMNASIUM, INDOOR FIRING RANGE, PARADE GROUND, MOCK COURT ROOM AND VARIOUS LECTURE ROOMS.
MEMBERS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE LATER DISCUSSED WITH THE COMMISSIONER, THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER MR GARTH HYDES, AND SENIOR OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT A NUMBER OF ISSUES WHICH WERE OF MAJOR CONCERN TO THE DEPARTMENT AND ITS STAFF.
TODAY’S VISIT WAS THE FIRST OF THREE FAMILIARISATION TOURS TO THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT PLANNED FOR MEMBERS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE THIS YEAR.
------0-------
12 QUESTIONS BEFORE LEGCO
* t t ♦ t
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 12 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER SIX BILLS AT THE COUNCIL'S MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE SECOND READING DEBATES ON FIVE BILLS WILL BE RESUMED, AFTER WHICH EACH BILL IS DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
THE BILLS ARE THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1989; AND THE ROAD TRAFFIC (DRIVING LICENCES REGULATIONS AND REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF VEHICLES REGULATIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989.
THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1989 IS DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
IN ADDITION, THE CHIEF SECRETARY WILL MOVE TWO MOTIONS, UNDER THE PENSIONS (INCREASE) ORDINANCE AND THE WIDOWS AND ORPHANS PENSION (INCREASE) ORDINANCE.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DEBATE A MOTION ON VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE. THIS WILL BE MOVED BY THE SENIOR MEMBERS, THE HON ALLEN LEE.
THE MOTION READS: "THAT THIS COUNCIL, CONSIDERING THAT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SCREENING POLICY FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE DEPENDS UPON THE SUCCESSFUL REPATRIATION OF ALL THOSE SCREENED OUT AS NON-REFUGEES AND THE RESETTLEMENT OF ALL REFUGEES, URGES HMG TO FULFIL ITS RESPONSIBILITY BY TAKING A LEADING ROLE IN ACTIVELY PURSUING THE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF REPATRIATION, AND IN ACCEPTING FOR RESETTLEMENT MORE REFUGEES FROM HONG KONG."
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/8......
TUESDAY. MAY 16, 1989
EXHIBITION OF CHINESE TEXTBOOKS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS
*****
THE CHINESE TEXTBOOKS COMMITTEE WHICH IS CHAIRED BY LEGCO MEMBER MR SZETO WAH, WILL HOLD AN EXHIBITION OF NEWLY PRODUCED CHINESE TEXTBOOKS RECOMMENDED FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS ON SATURDAY (MAY 20) BETWEEN 10 AM AND 5 PM.
ON DISPLAY WILL BE OVER 110 SETS OF CHINESE TEXTBOOKS PRODUCED BY ABOUT 30 PUBLISHERS UNDER PHASE ONE OF AN INCENTIVE AWARD SCHEME TO ENCOURAGE PUBLISHERS TO PRODUCE GOOD QUALITY CHINESE TEXTBOOKS.
THE BOOKS ARE ON GENERAL SUBJECTS FOR USE BY SECONDARY SCHOOLS FROM THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.
SCHOOL HEADS AND TEACHERS ARE WELCOME TO VISIT THE EXHIBITION TO TAKE PLACE AT THE HONG KONG TEACHERS’ CENTRE AT PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT.
THEY CAN BROWSE NOT ONLY AMONG THESE NEW CHINESE TEXTBOOKS, BUT ALSO THOSE ALREADY ON THE RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOKS LISTS.
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, WILL OFFICIATE AT A CEREMONY AT 10 AM TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION OF CHINESE TEXTBOOKS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS AT ROOM 103, HONG KONG TEACHERS’ CENTRE, 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT, ON SATURDAY (MAY 20) AT 10 AM.
FINDLAY TO SIT AS DEPUTY JUDGE OF HIGH COURT
*****
THE JUDICIARY ANNOUNCED THAT WITH EFFECT FROM MAY 22, 1989
MR J.K. FINDLAY. QC, JP, THE CROWN PROSECUTOR, WOULD BE SITTING AS A DEPUTY JUDGE OF THE HIGH COURT. MR FINDLAY WILL BE HEARING CIVIL CASES TO WHICH THE CROWN IS NOT A PARTY.
HE WILL SIT AS A DEPUTY JUDGE OF THE HIGH COURT UNTIL THE BEGINNING OF THE SUMMER VACATION WHICH IS JULY 31, 1989.
MR FINDLAY PRACTISED AS AN ATTORNEY (SOLICITOR) IN ZIMBABWE FOR 15 YEARS BEFORE JOINING THE PUBLIC SERVICE IN THE UK IN 1977.
/HE CAME
TUESDAY, MAY 16, 1989
9
HE CAME TO HONG KONG IN 1981 WHEN HE JOINED THE DRAFTING DIVISION OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT. IN 1984 HE WAS APPOINTED SOLICITOR GENERAL.
HE BECAME A BARRISTER IN LONDON AND HONG KONG IN 1985 AND WAS APPOINTED QUEEN’S COUNSEL IN 1986. HE WAS MADE CROWN PROSECUTOR IN 1986 .
IT IS THE PRACTICE OF THE CHIEF JUSTICE TO INVITE QUEEN'S COUNSEL TO SIT AS DEPUTY JUDGES OF THE HIGH COURT. IN THE COURSE OF THE PAST YEAR SEVER.’. . .’VEEN’S COUNSEL HAVE SAT IN THIS CAPACITY FOR SHORT PERIODS INCLUDING HENRY LITTON. QC. RICHARD MILLS-OWENS, QC. ANTHONY ROGERS. QC. K.H. WOO, QC, AND NEIL KAPLAN, QC.
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TRAVELLERS WARNED NOT TO ACT AS DRUG COURIERS
*****
LOCAL RESIDENTS SHOULD BEWARE OF APPROACHES FROM DRUG TRAFFICKERS SEEKING TO ENTICE THEM TO ACT AS DRUG COURIERS WHEN TRAVELLING ABROAD.
THIS WARNING WAS ISSUED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR GARETH MULLOY, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF HONG KONG PEOPLE APPREHENDED BY FOREIGN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES FOR DRUG OFFENCES.
"NAIVE AND GREEDY TRAVELLERS ARE ALWAYS THE TARGETS OF THE WELL-ORGANISED DRUG SYNDICATES." MR MULLOY SAID.
"THE REWARD OFTEN IS SMALL - PERHAPS ONE OR TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS AND A FREE AIR TICKET. BUT THE PRICE WHEN CAUGHT CAN BE VERY HIGH.
"THE DEATH PENALTY IS MANDATORY FOR TRAFFICKING IN SOME COUNTRIES, AND PRISON SENTENCES OF UP TO 25 YEARS IN VERY PRIMITIVE CONDITIONS ARE ALSO QUITE COMMON."
THE COMMISSIONER NOTED THAT WORLDWIDE CONCERN OVER DRUG ABUSE AND ENHANCED INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION IN RECENT YEARS HAD LED TO MORE STRINGENT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND TOUGHER PENALTIES FOR DRUG OFFENCES, IN MOST COUNTRIES.
MR MULLOY SAID HE HAD HEARD REPORTS THAT DRUG SYNDICATES HAD DELIBERATELY TIPPED-OFF AUTHORITIES ABOUT THE MOVEMENTS OF SMALL-LEVEL COURIERS IN ORDER TO DISTRACT THE ATTENTION OF CUSTOMS OFFICIALS AND ENABLE COURIERS WITH BIGGER CONSIGNMENTS TO SLIP THROUGH.
/A TOTAL .......
TUESDAY, MAY 16, 1989
10 -
A TOTAL OF 435 HONG KONG RESIDENTS WERE KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN DETAINED OVERSEAS FOR DRUG OFFENCES DURING THE 10-YEAR PERIOD FROM 1979 TO 1988.
MR ML'LLOY SAID THE NUMBER OF ARRESTS HAD INCREASED IN THE LAST TWO YEARS - 80 IN U.‘J:7 AND 87 IN 1988. AGAINST 40 AND 27 IN 1985 AND 1986 .
"MORE THAN :.. o HONG KONG PEOPLE WERE DETAINED OR IMPRISONED IN 22 COUNTRIES FOR PF’’ OFFEL'CES AS AT MARCH 31 THIS YEAR," HE SAID.
"OVER TWO THIRDS OF THEM ARE IN THAILAND, FRANCE, JAPAN, THE U.S.A. AND THE NETHERLANDS."
THE COMMISSIONER CAVE THE FOLLOWING ADVICE TO TRAVELLERS:
* DON’T CARRY PACKAGES OR BAGGAGE FOR ANYONE UNLESS ABSOLUTELY SURE THEY CONTAIN NO ILLICIT DRUGS OR OTHER PROHIBITED ITEMS.
* DON’T BELIEVE PEOPLE WHO SAY "IT IS ALRIGHT OR LEGAL TO USE DRUGS OVER THERE". ALL COUNTRIES PROHIBIT ILLICIT DRUG USE.
* DON’T BELIEVE PEOPLE WHO TELL YOU THAT YOU ARE NOT THE TYPE THE CUSTOMS GO FOR.
* DO REPORT TO THE POLICE OR THE CUSTOMS IF A POSSIBLE DRUG-CARRYING DEAL IS PUT TO YOU. THE SYNDICATE WILL GET THE PROFIT; YOU WILL TAKE THE RISK.
THE COMMISSIONER ALSO STRESSED THE HARD LINE THAT THE LAW TOOK IN HONG KONG AGAINST TRAFFICKING - THE MAXIMUM PENALTY OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT AND A FINE OF $5 MILLION.
EVEN PERSONS FOUND IN ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF A SMALL QUANTITY OF DANGEROUS DRUGS ARE LIABLE TO THREE YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT AND A FINE OF $10,000.
MR MULLOY APPEALED TO THE PUBLIC TO CALL THE POLICE NARCOTICS BUREAU ON 5-271234 OR THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE ON 5-456182 OR 5-8521437 IF THEY SUSPECTED THAT ANY PERSON WAS A DRUG TRAFFICKER.
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/Il ........
TUESDAY, MAY 16, 1989
11
SAFETY AWARD SCHEME PRIZE PRESENTATION » * t t t
A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOR WINNERS OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY SAFETY AWARD SCHEME 1988-89 WILL BE HELD AT THE NEW WORLD HOTEL, TSIM SHA TSUI, ON THURSDAY (MAY 18).
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL, MR HO SAI-CHU: THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND; AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION, MR K.L. CHONG.
THE SCHEME IS ORGANISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY SAFETY SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD AND THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL.
IT OFFERS THREE AWARDS — THE OUTSTANDING SAFETY SUPERVISOR CONTEST, THE SAFETY SITE CONTEST AND THE "WHAT’S WRONG IN THE PICTURE' IQ SAFETY CONTEST.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT AT THE FOUR SEASONS ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, NEW WORLD HOTEL, TSIM SHA TSUI, ON THURSDAY. IT WILL BEGIN AT 3.30 PM.
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PROPERTY OWNERS URGED TO LOOK AFTER THEIR BUILDINGS « « » ♦
THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GARY YEUNG, TONIGHT (TUESDAY) CALLED ON PROPERTY OWNERS AND RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PRIVATE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS.
MR YEUNG WAS ADDRESSING ABOUT 80 MEMBERS OF OWNERS’ INCORPORATIONS AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES WHO HAD COMPLETED A BUILDING MANAGEMENT TRAINING COURSE.
THE COURSE WAS ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT FEDERATION OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDING ORGANISATIONS.
ALTHOUGH CO-OWNERS OF A BUILDING WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR I'HE MANAGEMENT OF THEIR PREMISES, THE GOVERNMENT HAD MADE POSITIVE EFFORTS TO PROMOTE MORE ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT IN THIS IN RECENT YEARS, MR YEUNG SAID.
/SINCE 1985, ........
TUESDAY, MAY 16, 1989
- 12 -
SINCE 1985, THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HAD BEEN ESTABLISHING BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAMS IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS TO OFFER ADVICE TO RESIDENTS.
SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR THE DRAFTING OF NEW DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT WERE INTRODUCED IN DECEMBER 1987 AND LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS WERE BEING MADE TO THE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS (OWNERS INCORPORATION) ORDINANCE, HE SAID.
AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE, COMPRISING BUILDING MANAGEMENT EXPERTS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, WAS ESTABLISHED LAST NOVEMBER TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON MEASURES TO PROVIDE A BETTER LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR FLAT OWNERS TO LOOK AFTER THEIR PROPERTIES, HE ADDED.
MR YEUNG SAID THAT ACTIVE PARTICIPATION AND MUTUAL CO-OPERATION ON THE PART OF FLAT OWNERS AND RESIDENTS WERE OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE, AND WOULD TIE IN WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS.
HE URGED THE PARTICIPANTS TO SHARE WITH THEIR FELLOW FLAT OWNERS AND RESIDENTS THE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE THEY HAD ACQUIRED FROM THE COURSE.
THE COURSE WAS DESIGNED TO GIVE THOSE ATTENDING A GENERAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF BUILDING MANAGEMENT, INCLUDING DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT, UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS, ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE IN PUBLIC AREAS, AND BUILDING SECURITY.
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TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSIPTALS* CONCERN UNDERSTOOD: SDA
THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION UNDERSTANDS THE CONCERN OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS OVER THE SETTING UP OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DONALD LIAO, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
MR LIAO WAS SPEAKING DURING A COURTESY CALL ON THE CNTA BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS.
HE NOTED THAT THE OBJECTIVE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WAS TO IMPROVE PUBLIC MEDICAL SERVICES IN THE TERRITORY.
’’THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WILL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE LONG HISTORY AND TRADITION OF TUNG WAH AND TAKE APPROPRIATE MEASURES SO THAT THE GROUP MAY SERVE THE COMMUNITY MORE EFFECTIVELY UNDER THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY,” MR LIAO SAID.
/HE ADDED .......
TUESDAY, MAY 16, 1989
- 13 -
HE ADDED THAT THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY RECOGNISED THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF SUBVERTED HOSPITALS IN HONG KONG’S MEDICAL SERVICES AND WOULD TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THEIR VIEWS ON THE STRUCTURE OF THE FUTURE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AND RELATED ARRANGEMENTS.
MR LIAO SAID HE WAS HAPPY TO KNOW THAT THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH HAD AGREED IN PRINCIPLE TO THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS MAINTAINING A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF FREE OUT-PATIENT SERVICE.
"1 AM CONFIDENT THAT TUNG WAH CAN STRIKE A SOUND BALANCE BETWEEN THE WISH TO MAINTAIN ITS CHARITABLE TRADITION AND TO ENHANCE THE COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF ITS OUT-PATIENT SERVICES," HE SAID.
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EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING ON DB AGENDA
*****
MEMBERS OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL BE BRIEFED AT THEIR MEETING ON THURSDAY (MAY 18) ON THE NEW TRAFFIC ROUTEING AND PROPOSED NEW PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES TO BE INTRODUCED UPON THE OPENING OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING.
IN ADDITION, MEMBERS WILL GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON A REVIEW ON THE CONTROL, LICENSING AND SAFETY OF LOCAL MARINE CRAFT.
ALSO ON THE AGENDA ARE TWO PROGRESS REPORTS - ONE ON THE KOWLOON AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM AND THE OTHER ON TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT PROJECTS IN KWUN TONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD'S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE MEETING ON THURSDAY (MAY 18) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, TUNG YAN STREET. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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/14
TUESDAY, MAY 16, 1989
- 14 -
YUEN LONG DB COMMITTEE TO MEET
♦ * * *
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S TOWN PLANNING AND AREA DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE WILL HOLD ITS FIRST MEETING FOR 1989-90 TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE MEETING WILL SEEK MEMBERS’ ENDORSEMENT OF THREE PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT OF URBAN FRINGES AND RURAL AREAS IN THE DISTRICT.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE ASKED TO CONSIDER AND ENDORSE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A WATERWORKS RESERVE BETWEEN WANG CHAU SERVICE RESERVOIR AND PHASE I OF THE TIN SHUI WAI DEVELOPMENT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S TOWN PLANNING AND AREA DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 13TH FLOOR, TAI KIU GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS
*****
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER, AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY), 38 APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS FOR HOLDING COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES.
TWO OF THE APPLICATIONS ARE FROM THE TUEN MUN SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND THE NEW TERRITORIES SCHOOLS SPORTS ASSOCIATION, TUEN MUN BRANCH.
ALSO, THE TUEN MUN FESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE IS REQUESTING $300,000 FOR HOLDING A LARGE-SCALE FESTIVAL THIS YEAR.
MEANWHILE, A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION’S NEW TERRITORIES NORTH WEST REGIONAL OFFICE WILL PRESENT A PAPER ON THE ANTI-CORRUPTION ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR THIS YEAR.
/OTHER ITEMS ........
TUESDAY, MAY 16, 1989
15 -
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE A VETTING REPORT FROM THE DISTRICT HOARD SECRETARIAT: A REPORT ON YCTIV1T1ES CO-GRGAN 1SI.D BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND TUEN MUN SPORTS ASSOCIATION: AND A STUDY ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 1 TUEN HI ROAD.
THE MEETING WILL START AT 2.30 PM.
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PROPERTY REVIEW 1989 ON SALE TOMORROW » « » » *
THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT’S 1989 PROPERTY REVIEW WILL GO ON SALE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE IN CONNAUGHT PLACE. CENTRAL. IT IS PRICED AT $65 PER COPY.
A SUMMARY OF THE PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF THE REVIEW WAS RELEASED ON FEBRUARY 1.
THE REVIEW COVERS THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1988 AND PROVIDES A SUMMARY OF SUPPLY, VACANCIES, TAKE-UP, RENTAL AND PURCHASE PRICE MOVEMENTS IN THE MAJOR SECTORS OF THE PROPERTY MARKET.
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AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS
« » » ♦ *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS ON SATURDAY (MAY 20) AT 10 AM AT THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL.
A TOTAL OF 40 SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING,
/THEY ARE.........
TUESDAY, MAY 16, 1989
- 16 -
THEY ARE:
EA708 EA128 DZ77 7 EA7889
EA8681 DA728 EA139 EA2516
DF25 7832 EA9809 AK35 7
EA6378 EA2318 BK136 EB823
EA911 DZ9283 1986 DZ8
BV892 DY 2 EA6618 BB6662
535 EA143 AA337 EA1398
EB339 EA688 DC735 EA529Z
AA35O 389 CD9000 AK1631
DZ1 11 EA776 EA7 741 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.
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SUSPENSION OF WATER SUPPLY IN TWO AREAS * ♦ t » t
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO ALL VILLAGES IN FANLING SOUTH WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 PM ON FRIDAY (MAY 19) TO 8 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
THE VILLAGES AFFECTED INCLUDE WO HOP SHEK SAN TSUEN, WO HING TSUEN, TIN SAM TSUEN, WA WEI SHAN AND PAK FUK TSUEN.
ON SATURDAY (MAY 20), SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SOUTHEAST KOWLOON WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM TO MIDNIGHT BECAUSE OF WATER WORKS.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY HUNG HOM, TO KWA WAN, KOWLOON CITY, KOWLOON TONG, SAN PO KONG AND WONG TAI SIN.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777 • •• • • +
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING :
DURABLE SOLUTION LIES IN ENSURING COMMITMENTS ARE KEPT .... 1
DEBATE PRODUCES A CLEAR MESSAGE.......................... 5
SENIOR MEMBER URGES UK TO PURSUE MANDATORY REPATRIATION ... 6
UK HAS RESPONSIBILITY TO DO MORE......................... 9
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY CRITICISED FOR FAILING TO SOLVE
PROBLEM ........................................... 11
BRITAIN.MUST FOOT THE VBP BILL FOR HK................. 14
HK ALONE CANNOT SOLVE VBP PROBLEM...*................... 17
A MATTER SOLELY IN CONTROL OF UK....................... 18
BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM A ’TIME BOMB’ ...................... 19
HK SHOULD PETITION BRITAIN OVER VBP ISSUE............... 21
HK HAS DONE MORE THaN ITS FAIR SHARE.................... 22
BOAT PEOPLE PUT STRAIN ON MEDICAL SERVICES.............. 23
NO CHOICE BUT TO SHIP BACK BOaT PEOPLE SAFELY........... 25
SUGGESTION TO SHIP BACK VBP UNACCEPTABLE................ 26
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ABOUT SEX IMPORTANT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE .... 27
SEWAGE BLAMED FOR BEnCH POLLUTION ...................... 28
ARRANGEMENTS FOR CLOSING SCHOOLS BASED ON EXPERIENCE... 29
PIGEON RAISING IN ESTATES WILL NOT BE TOLERATED......... J1
INTEREST ON COMPENSATION FOR LaND RESUMPTION EXPLAINED .... J1
/32......
ADVISORY SIGNS TO BE ERECTED ON CYCLE TRACKS ................. 32
MEASURES TO CLEAR GRAVEL ON ROaDS ADEQUATE ................... 33
SQUATTERS TO BE CLEARED FROM UNSAFE SLOPES ................... 35
HELPERS ALLOWED TO CHaNGE JOBS BECAUSE OF ABUSE............... 34
THREE AO'S GRANTED BRITISH CITIZENSHIP ....................... 35
AFD REVIEWS SAFETY MEASURES .................................. 35
CORRECT POLICY ON OFFICE ACCOMMODATION IN INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS .......................................... 36
LEGCO PASSES MOTION ON VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ................ 37
CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS ADJUSTED ............................. 38
RELIEF TO CROSS HARBOUR CONGESTION IN SIGHT .................... 39
LADY WILSON VISITS SHELTERED HOUSING FOR ELDERLY................ 40
• • • • •
SOUTHERN DB TO DISCUSS PROPOSED BUS FARE RISE.................... M
• • • - • •. • •
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS REPORT ON HOUSING IMPROVEMENT........ 41
GOVT LOT TO LET BY TENDER ...................................... 42
ILLEGAL STRUCOTRSi IN NORTH POINT TO BE CLOSED........ ......... 4j
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS ON HONG KONG ISLaND................... 43
ROAD CLOSURE IN MONG KOK ....................................... 44
• • • • •
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KWUN TONG .............................. 44
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WONG TAl SIN ........................... 44
URBAN CLEaRWAY IN SHAM SHUT PO ............................... 45
INSTALLATION OF PARKING METERS IN TWEED ROaD.................... 45
• • • • ... - • %
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHEUNG SHUT ............................ 46
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17. 1989
1
DURABLE SOLUTION LIES IN ENSURING COMMITMENTS ARE KEPT
*****
A DURABLE SOLUTION FOR HONG KONG IN TACKLING THE PROBLEM OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE LIES NOT IN ABANDONING OUR COMMITMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES BUT IN ENSURING THAT OTHERS LIVE UP TO THEIRS, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ISSUE, MR ASPREY SAID HONG KONG HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INDO-CHINESE REFUGEES IN GENEVA NEXT MONTH.
"WE MUST SEIZE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ENSURE THAT AN EFFECTIVE SOLUTION IS AGREED BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY," HF SAID IN HIS SPEECH SUPPORTING THE MOTION.
MR ASPREY STRESSED THAT SUCH A SOLUTION MUST CONTAIN A NUMBER OF ELEMENTS, EACH OF WHICH WAS A CRITICAL PART OF THE WHOLE STRUCTURE.
"IF ONE ELEMENT IS MISSING, THE STRUCTURE IS BOUND TO FAIL," HE SAID.
FIRST, A SOLUTION MUST INCLUDE MORE EFFECTIVE EFFORTS ON THE PART OF THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT TO PREVENT CLANDESTINE DEPARTURES.
NOTING THAT MEASURES TAKEN BY THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT OVER THE RECENT MONTHS HAD NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL. MR ASPREY SAID HONG KONG SHOULD CONTINUE TO PRESS FOR AN IMMEDIATE AND SUSTAINED EFFORT FROM THE VIETNAMESE AUTHORITIES.
"I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT, WITH THE HELP OF OTHERS, THE PROBLEM OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG CAN BE SOLVED, PROVIDED THAT THE SIZE OF THAT PROBLEM IS CONTROLLED AND LIMITED.
"WE SHALL NOT BE ABLE TO DO SO WHILE THE SIZE OF THE PROBLEM INCREASES EVERY DAY BEYOND OUR CONTROL," HE SAID.
"IT IS THEREFORE IMPERATIVE THAT VIETNAM ACCEPT ITS RESPONSIBILITIES AND TAKE EFFECTIVE ACTION TO STEM THE OUTFLOW OF ITS PEOPLE.
"THIS WOULD BE THE HUMANE AS WELL AS RESPONSIBLE POLICY FOR VIETNAM TO ADOPT," MR ASPREY SAID.
"SECONDLY, A SOLUTION MUST INCLUDE SCREENING OF ARRIVALS TO DETERMINE WHO ARE GENUINE REFUGEES AND WHO ARE NOT.”
MR ASPREY POINTED OUT THAT THIS WAS AN ESSENTIAL STEP BECAUSE EXPERIENCE HAD CLEARLY SHOWN THAT THE RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES WERE NO LONGER WILLING TO ACCEPT AS REFUGEES THOSE WHO WERE SIMPLY SEEKING A BETTER LIFE, AS OPPOSED TO THOSE FLEEING PERSECUTION.
/"IT IS .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
2
"IT WAS THIS INESCAPABLE FACT AND THE CONTINUING AND INCREASING PROBLEM WHICH IT CREATED FOR HONG KONG WHICH CAUSED US TO INTRODUCE THE POLICY OF SCREENING LAST YEAR.
"THIS WAS A POLICY DEVISED IN HONG KONG. IT WAS SUPPORTED AND APPROVED BY THE UK GOVERNMENT BECAUSE IT HAS INTERNATIONAL IMPLICATIONS.
"WE HAVE NEVER PRETENDED THAT SCREENING WOULD BY ITSELF BE A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM, NOR STOP THE FLOW OF NEW ARRIVALS FROM VIETNAM," HE SAID.
MR ASPREY SAID SCREENING MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY REPATRIATION, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT COULD NOT TAKE PLACE WITHOUT SCREENING.
"THIRDLY, A SOLUTION MUST INCLUDE RESETTLEMENT OF THOSE WHO ARE FOUND TO BE REFUGEES.
"WE HOPE THAT 4,000 OF THE PRESENT 15,000 REFUGEES IN HONG KONG WILL BE RESETTLED THIS YEAR," HE SAID.
WHILE NOTING THAT THE UNITED KINGDOM AND OTHER COUNTRIES HAD AGREED TO INCREASE RESETTLEMENT QUOTAS, MR ASPREY SAID WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO SEEK A LARGER AND QUICKER OFFTAKE, AND A CLEAR UNDERTAKING BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO RESETTLE ALL THE REFUGEES WITHIN A SHORT AND DEFINED TIME FRAME.
"FINALLY, A SOLUTION MUST INCLUDE REPATRIATION OF THOSE WHO ARE FOUND NOT TO BE REFUGEES.
"THEY SHOULD INDEED BE TREATED AS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS." HE SAID.
REPATRIATION WAS INEXTRICABLY LINKED WITH THE POLICY OF SCREENING, HE ADDED.
MR ASPREY POINTED OUT THAT VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION HAD SO FAR PROVED VERY DISAPPOINTING AND LESS THAN 150 HAD RETURNED VOLUNTARILY TO VIETNAM.
MR ASPREY SAID HE AGREED WITH MEMBERS THAT VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION WAS NOT LIKELY TO PROVIDE THE SOLUTION WE SOUGHT.
"BUT, IF WE ARE TO ACHIEVE REPATRIATION, WHETHER VOLUNTARY OR MANDATORY, WE MUST DETERMINE QUICKLY AND FINALLY THE STATUS OF THE 18,500 BOAT PEOPLE NOW IN HONG KONG AND ANY FUTURE ARRIVALS.
"I WILL NOT PRETEND THAT MANY OF THOSE WHO ARE FOUND NOT TO BE REFUGEES ARE LIKELY TO VOLUNTEER TO RETURN TO VIETNAM; BUT CERTAINLY FEW ARE LIKELY TO VOLUNTEER WHILE THEY STILL HAVE THE HOPE OF SECURING REFUGEE STATUS." HE SAID.
MR ASPREY SAID THAT THE RATE OF SCREENING SO FAR HAD BEEN TOO SLOW -- ONLY SOME 1,500 BOAT PEOPLE HAD BEEN SCREENED SINCE LAST OCTOBER.
/OUR APPEAL .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
- 5 -
OUR APPEAL PROCEDURE WAS TOO LENGTHY AND NO APPEALS HAD BEEN DECIDED SO FAR.
"WE ARE DETERMINED TO IMPROVE THIS RECORD, THROUGH A SPEEDIER. AND MORE EFFICIENT SYSTEM OF SCREENING AND REVIEW WHICH WILL AIM TO DISPOSE OF ALL OUTSTANDING CASES IN 12 MONTHS AND ALL NEW CASES WITHIN THREE MONTHS OF ARRIVAL," HE SAID.
HE TOLD MEMBERS THAT TO THIS END HE INTENDED TO BRING BEFORE THE COUNCIL BEFORE THE END OF THE PRESENT SESSION LEGISLATION TO INTRODUCE A MUCH SIMPLER APPEAL AND REVIEW PROCEDURE.
MR ASPREY SAID HONG KONG SHOULD PRESS FOK MANDATORY REPATRIATION IF VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION FAILED TO DEVELOP SUFFICIENT MOMENTUM.
"WE BELIEVE THAT VIETNAM MUST BE PERSUADED TO HONOUR ITS OBLIGATIONS TO ACCEPT BACK ITS OWN NATIONALS IN ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE, AND NOT TO TREAT THOSE WHO RETURN HARSHLY FOR FOLLOWING THEIR MISGUIDED BELIEF THAT A BETTER LIFE AWAITS THEM OUTSIDE VIETNAM," HE SAID.
MR ASPREY TOLD MEMBERS THAT THE DRAFT PLAN AGREED AT THE PREPARATORY CONFERENCE IN KUALA LUMPUR IN MARCH HAD INCLUDED ALL THESE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS.
"I BELIEVE THAT IT PROVIDES THE BASIS FOR A COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION ON WHICH WE MUST BUILD IN GENEVA.
"THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT HAS PLAYED A LEADING ROLE IN THE PREPARATIONS FOR THE CONFERENCE: AND HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT THERE MUST BE COMPREHENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE RETURN TO VIETNAM WITHIN A REALISTIC TIMESCALE OF ALL THOSE SCREENED OUT AS REFUGEES," HE SAID.
MR ASPREY SAID THE BURDEN ON OUR RESOURCES WOULD REMAIN UNTIL ALL THESE ELEMENTS OF A LASTING SOLUTION, IN PARTICULAR REPATRIATION, COULD BE ACHIEVED.
REFERRING TO CALLS FOR THE UNHCR AND THE UNITED KINGDOM TO SHARE A LARGER PART OF THE FINANCIAL BURDEN, HE SAID: "IT IS AN INTERNATIONAL PROBLEM AND WE CAN REASONABLY EXPECT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO MAKE A GREATER CONTRIBUTION EITHER FINANCIALLY OR BY PROVIDING ACCOMMODATION OUTSIDE HONG KONG FOR SOME OF OUR PRESENT POPULATION OF BOAT PEOPLE."
MR ASPREY NOTED THAT THE UNITED KINGDOM HAD PROVIDED EIGHT MILLION POUND STERLING TO HONG KONG THROUGH THE UNHCR IN THE LAST NINE MONTHS. THE MOST RECENT DONATION OF SIX MILLION POUND STERLING FOR REIMBURSING THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION COSTS OF THE PILLAR POINT CAMP WAS MADE AT SHORT NOTICE IN RESPONSE TO HONG KONG’S URGENT REQUEST.
"WE WILL CONTINUE TO PRESS FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE BOTH FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE WIDER INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
/"RECALLING THE .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
- 4 -
"RECALLING THE COMMITMENTS MADE AT THE 1979 UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON REFUGEES AND DISPLACED PERSONS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA, MR ASPREY SAID: "IT IS PLAIN THAT NOT ALL HAVE HONOURED EQUALLY THE COMMITMENTS THEY GAVE THERE."
THE COMMITMENTS WERE THREEFOLD: HONG KONG AND COUNTRIES IN THE REGION WOULD CONTINUE TO OFFER TEMPORARY ASYLUM TO ARRIVALS FROM VIETNAM; OTHERS WOULD RESETTLE THEM: AND VIETNAM WOULD PREVENT FURTHER DEPARTURES.
MR ASPREY SAID HONG KONG HAD KEPT ITS WORD AND NO ASYLUM. SEEKERS HAD BEEN TURNED AWAY.
"WE HAVE FED, SHELTERED AND CARED FOR NEARLY 150,000 BOAT PEOPLE FROM VIETNAM.
"OF THESE, OVER 116,000 HAVE BEEN RESETTLED, AND WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO THE RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES WHO HAVE HELPED TO EASE OUR BURDEN," HE SAID.
THE MAIN RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES FROM HONG KONG HAD BEEN THE UNITED STATES WHICH HAD TAKEN IN OVER 64,000, CANADA WHICH HAD ACCEPTED NEARLY 21,000, THE UNITED KINGDOM WHICH HAD RESETTLED OVER 13,000, AND AUSTRALIA WHICH HAD ADMITTED SIX AND A HALF THOUSAND.
HOWEVER, THERE HAD BEEN NO EFFECTIVE ACTION TO PREVENT DEPARTURES FROM VIETNAM, PARTICULARLY IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.
MR ASPREY SAID ARRIVALS OF BOAT PEOPLE FROM VIETNAM SO FAR THIS YEAR HAD TOTALLED NEARLY 8,500 AND WERE NOW RUNNING AT THEIR HIGHEST LEVEL IN THE LAST 10 YEARS.
"THIS HAS STRETCHED OUR RESOURCES TO THE LIMIT.
"WE ARE FACING MAJOR PROBLEMS IN PROVIDING THE ACCOMMODATION AND MANPOWER TO COPE WITH THIS INFLUX.
"AND I BELIEVE THAT UNDERLYING THE CONCERN EXPRESSED BY MEMBERS IN THIS DEBATE IS THE BELIEF THAT WE HAVE BECOME THE VICTIMS OF OUR OWN WILLINGNESS TO HONOUR OUR COMMITMENTS," HE SAID.
AS TO SOME MEMBERS’ SUGGESTION THAT THE POLICY OF GRANTING FIRST ASYLUM SHOULD BE CHANGED, MR ASPREY SAID HE BELIEVED THAT THAT WAS NOT THE ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM.
HE SAID AS THE PROBLEM WAS NOT OF HONG KONG’S MAKING, SO THE SOLUTION DID NOT LIE IN OUR HANDS ALONE.
"WE NEED THE HELP AND CO-OPERATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY."
"THE CONSEQUENCE OF ABANDONING THE POLICY OF FIRST ASYLUM WOULD BE THAT ASYLUM SEEKERS WOULD BE FORCED BACK TO SEA IN UNSEAWORTHY BOATS.
/"SUCH A .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
- 5 -
"SUCH A POLICY, WHICH WOULD DENY ASSISTANCE EVEN TO THOSE WHO ARE GENUINE REFUGEES FLEEING PERSECUTION, WOULD BE CONDEMNED INTERNATIONALLY," HE SAID.
IT WOULD RISK DESTROYING THE REPUTATION AND THE GOODWILL WHICH HONG KONG HAD EARNED FOR ITS HUMANE HANDLING OF THIS PROBLEM, MR ASPREY WARNED.
"HONG KONG MUST DEPEND ON THIS GOODWILL, NOT ONLY TO ACHIEVE A SOLUTION TO ITS PROBLEM OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, BUT ALSO IN ITS WIDER POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC INTERESTS," HE ADDED.
AS TO THE POINT ABOUT THE STRAINS WHICH THE PRESENT INFLUX 01' BOAT PEOPLE WAS PUTTING ON OUR RESOURCES AND MANPOWER, MR ASPREY SAID THE DEMANDS AND THE DIFFICULTIES WERE GREAT.
"BUT ALL, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, HAVE RESPONDED MAGNIFICENTLY TO REQUESTS FOR THEM TO UNDERTAKE NEW AND INCREASING COMMITMENTS, HE SAID.
DEBATE PRODUCES A CLEAR MESSAGE * « » * t
THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE SCREENED OUT AS NON-REFUGEES MUST BE REPATRIATED TO VIETNAM AND ALL THE OTHERS CONSIDERED AS REFUGEES SHOULD BE RESETTLED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THIS WAS THE OVERWHELMINGLY OBVIOUS MESSAGE ARISING FROM TODAY’S LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MOTION DEBATE ON THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ISSUE, THE SENIOR MEMBER, THE HON ALLEN LEE, SAID IN WINDING UP THE DEBATE.
"AT NO TIME HAS SUCH A CALL FROM THE COMMUNTIY, AS REFLECTED IN TODAY'S DEBATE, BEEN SO LOUD AND CLEAR AND THE FEELING BEEN SO INTENSE," HE SAID.
MR LEE SAID THE GENEVA AGREEMENT OF 1979 OBVIOUSLY NO LONGER CATERED FOR THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF TODAY AND MUST THEREFORE BE REPLACED BY A NEW AGREEMENT WHICH HAD TO NECESSARILY ENCOMPASS THE DUAL ELEMENTS OF RESETTLEMENT FOR REFUGEES AND MANDATORY REPATRIATION OF THOSE WHO WERE NOT.
"NOTHING LESS IS GOING TO WORK," HE SAID.
THE BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM HAD NOW CAUSED TREMENDOUS ANXIETY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, MR LEE SAID.
THE ADMINISTRATION WAS PLACED IN A VERY DIFFICULT POSITION: WHILE IT HAD INHERITED THE PROBLEM THROUGH NO FAULT OF ITS OWN, IT HAD BEEN SUBJECT TO CONTINUOUS CRITICISM, RATHER UNFAIRLY AT TIMES, THAT IT HAD NOT BEEN EFFECTIVE IN TACKLING THE ISSUE.
/"TO BE .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
6
"TO BE SURE, THE RESPONSIBILITY IS NOT OURS BUT THAT OF THE UK AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
MR LEE SAID THE UK, FOR THE BENEFIT OF HONG KONG AND MORE IMPORTANTLY FOR THE SAKE OF THE UNFORTUNATE BOAT PEOPLE, MUST WORK TOWARDS THE GOAL OF SECURING MANDATORY REPATRIATION AT THE COMING GENEVA CONFERENCE.
IT SHOULD ALSO SET AN EXAMPLE BY INCREASING ITS INTAKE OF REFUGEES FROM HONG KONG.
"THE VOICE EXPRESSED IN THIS COUNCIL TODAY IS MORE THAN CLEAR AND SHOULD GIVE SUFFICIENT MANDATE TO THE ADMINISTRATION TO CONVEY OUR FEELINGS TO HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT.
"IT WILL BE A GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG IF HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT FAILS TO ACT UPON THEM," HE SAID.
TURNING TO SUGGESTIONS THAT HONG KONG SHOULD ABANDON THE PORT OF FIRST ASYLUM POLICY, MR LEE SAID HONG KONG MUST REMAIN CALM AND REALLY EXAMINE WHAT THE IMPLICATIONS OF SUCH A CHANGE OF POLICY WERE.
"IS THE COMMUNITY WILLING TO ACCEPT THE CONSEQUENCES? AND CAN WE REALLY IMPLEMENT IT? WE MUST THINK, AND THINK DEEPLY, AND NOT LETTING OUR FRUSTRATIONS AND EMOTIONS RULE OUR HEAD," HE SAID.
-----0------
SENIOR MEMBER URGES UK TO PURSUE MANDATORY REPATRIATION «»«♦»*
THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE HON ALLEN LEE, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) URGED THE UK GOVERNMENT TO VIGOROUSLY PURSUE AT THE GENEVA CONFERENCE NEXT MONTH ARRANGEMENTS WHEREBY ALL VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE SCREENED OUT AS NON-REFUGEES WOULD BE REPATRIATED MANDATORILY TO VIETNAM.
MR LEE WAS SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AFTER MOVING A MOTION ON THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ISSUE.
HIS MOTION READ: "THAT THIS COUNCIL, CONSIDERING THAT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SCREENING POLICY FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE DEPENDS UPON THE SUCCESSFUL REPATRIATION OF ALL THOSE SCREENED OUT AS NON-REFUGEES AND THE RESETTLEMENT OF ALL REFUGEES, URGES HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT TO FULFIL ITS RESPONSIBILITY BY TAKING A LEADING ROLE IN ACTIVELY PURSUING THE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF REPATRIATION, AND IN ACCEPTING FOR RESETTLEMENT MORE REFUGEES FROM HONG KONG.”
HE SAID HONG KONG WAS APPROACHING A CRISIS AND THE MOTION REFLECTED THE DEEP CONCERN EXPRESSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OVER THE BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM.
/OUTLINING HONG
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1?, 1989
7
OUTLINING HONG KONG'S POSITION ON THE BOAT PEOPLE ISSUE, MR LEE SAIL) THAT SINCE 1979 HONG KONG HAD PROVIDED FIRST ASYLUM TO OVER 130,000 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE (VBP) AND HAD SPENT OVER $1.4 BILLION ON THE UPKEEP OF THESE BOAT PEOPLE OVER THE YEAR.
THE VERY DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES FACED BY HONG KONG HAD LED TO THE ADOPTION OE' THE SCREENING POLICY ON JUNE 16 LAST YEAR.
SINCE THEN, VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE HAD NOT BEEN AUTOMATICALLY GRANTED REFUGEE STATUS AND THOSE SCREENED OUT AS NON-REFUGEES HAD TO BE PUT IN DETENTION CENTRES PENDING REPATRIATION.
UNFORTUNATELY, REPATRIATION HAD SO FAR BEEN ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS ONLY AND THE NUMBER WAS SO SMALL FOR IT TO BE OF ANY SIGNIFICANT EFFECT.
"MANDATORY REPATRIATION FOR THOSE SCREENED OUT AS NON-REFUGEES JUST BE THE ONLY ANSWER, SINCE IT IS NO LONGER REALISTIC TO EXPECT MOST OF THE RECENT VBP ARRIVALS TO BE GRANTED RESETTLEMENT IN WESTERN COUNTRIES," HE SAID.
MR LEE ADDED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION TO THE PROBLEM. THE WHOLE ISSUE WAS AN INTERNATIONAL PROBLEM AND IT MUST BE RESOLVED THROUGH INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION.
"IN THIS CONNECTION, WE LOOK TO THE COMING CONFERENCE IN GENEVA, 10 YEARS AFTER THE FIRST ONE, TO FIND A DURABLE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.
"THE OPPORTUNITY MUST BE TAKEN TO EFFECT RESETTLEMENT OF ALL THE REFUGEES AND REPATRIATION BACK TO VIETNAM OF ALL THOSE SCREENED OUT," HE SAID.
TURNING TO BRITAIN’S RESPONSIBILITY IN THE ISSUE, MR LEE SAID IT HAD BEEN MOST DISTURBING TO HEAR RECENT EXPRESSION OF OPINIONS WHICH SUGGESTED THAT THE HANDLING OF THE VBP ISSUE IN HONG KONG SHOULD BE TREATED AS A DOMESTIC AFFAIR.
"THIS CANNOT BE RIGHT,” HE SAID.
HE SAID THAT GIVEN THE INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION OF THE PROBLEM, IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE ISSUE WAS A FOREIGN AFFAIRS MATTER AND LAY SQUARELY WITHIN THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE TERRITORY’S SOVEREIGN STATE. THE UNITED KINGDOM.
HE NOTED THAT IT WAS AFTER THE 1979 CONFERENCE THAT THE FIRST ASYLUM POLICY WAS FIRMLY PUT IN PLACE AND AT THAT CONFERENCE HONG KONG WAS REPRESENTED BY THE UNITED KINGDOM.
MR LEE ALSO QUOTED MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS LORD GLENARTHUR'S REPLY DATED OCTOBER 6, 1987 TO THE HON RITA FAN.
THIS SAID: "HONG KONG IS A DEPENDENT TERRITORY OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONDUCT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS RESTS WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM.
/"THIS RESPONSIBILITY
WEDNESDAY, HAY 17, 1989
- 8 -
"THIS RESPONSIBILITY HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT VIGOROUSLY, WITH THE CLOSE INVOLVEMENT OF ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
"WE ARE RECEPTIVE TO ANY SUGGESTION FOR NEW INITIATIVES. BUT TILS WOULD HAVE TO BE CARRIED OUT WITHIN THE PROPER CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK."
MR LEE SAID THIS REPLY LEFT NO ROOM FOR DOUBTING THAT THE UNITED KINGDOM, BEING HONG KONG’S SOVEREIGN STATE, WAS RESPONSIBLE I OR POLICIES APPLICABLE TO HONG KONG ON THE VBP PROBLEM.
IT WAS THEREFORE ONLY RIGHT FOR HONG KONG TO LOOK TO THE UK, AS BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR FINDING A SOLUTION TO THIS INTRACTABLn. PROBLEM.
"BUT I AM AFRAID THE GENERAL FEELING AMONG THE COMMUNITY IN THIS REGARD IS ONE OF DISCONTENT." HE SAID.
MR LEE SAID THAT THE UK’S RECORD IN THE RESETTLEMENT OF REFUGEES WAS DISMAL.
OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, THE UK HAD TAKEN FEWER THAN 1,000 'VIETNAMESE REFUGEES FROM HONG KONG WHEREAS DURING THE SAME PERIOD THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA HAD RESETTLED 5,900 AND 5,300 RESPECTIVELY.
"CAN WE EXPECT OTHER RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES TO ACCEPT MORE REFUGEES WHEN OUR SOVEREIGN STATE HAS FAILED TO TAKE A LEAD?" HE ASKED.
HE DESCRIBED THE GENEVA CONFERENCE AS A CRUCIAL OPPORTUNITY WHERE THE COUNTRIES REPRESENTED COULD ARRIVE AT A DURABLE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.
IN THIS RESPECT, MANDATORY' REPATRIATION OF NON-REFUGEES AND RESETTLEMENT OF REFUGEES WERE THE TWO CRUCIAL MATTERS. THE UK MUST TAKE THE LEAD IN THIS RESPECT, HE SAID.
IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE OTHER RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES TO ACCEPT MORE OF THOSE CLASSIFIED AS REFUGEES, THE UK GOVERNMENT SHOULD AGREE TO INCREASE ITS INTAKE QUOTA FROM HONG KONG SO THAT A CLEAR EXAMPLE COULD BE SET FOR OTHER COUNTRIES ATTENDING THE GENEVA CONFERENCE.
MR LEE SAID THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE LOOKED TO THE GENEVA CONFERENCE AS A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO PRODUCE A DURABLE SOLUTION TO THE VBP PROBLEM.
HE SAID IT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE FOR THE UK AND, INDEED, THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO IGNORE THE FEELINGS AND WISHES OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE.
"WE URGE THE UNITED KINGDOM TO DEMONSTRATE TO THE' PEOPLE OF HONG KONG THAT IT IS FULFILLING ITS BASIC RESPONSIBILITY AS THE SOVEREIGN STATE," HE CONCLUDED.
- O
/9
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17. 198'J
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UK HAS RESPONSIBILITY To DO MORE t t t t t
THE UNITED KINGDOM OWES ITS RESPONSIBILITY TO HONG KONG IN TAKING A LEADING ROLE IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IN SEARCHING FOR AN EARLY SOLUTION TO THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM. THE HON KINGSLEY SIT TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE. MR SIT SAID HE HOPED THE GOVERNMENT WOULD REFLECT TO THE UK AUTHORITIES THE STRONG FEELINGS ON THE PROBLEM OF BOTH LEGCO AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE, AND URGE THEM TO DO MORE FOR HONG KONG.
HE SAID IT WAS INCONCEIVABLE THAT HONG KONG SHOULD BE EXPECTING OTHER COUNTRIES TO INCREASE RESETTLEMENT OFF-TAKES FROM THE TERRITORY WHILE THE UK FOUND THAT IT COULD ONLY MANAGE WITH 20 REFUGEES A MONTH FROM HERE OVER THE LAST TWO YEAR.
IT WAS EVEN MORE DISAPPOINTING THAT THE UK WOULD ONLY BE PREPARED TO ACCEPT 1.000 REFUGEES FROM HONG KONG ON THE CONDITION THAT OTHER RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES ALSO INCREASED THEIR OFFERS.
"IF AT ALL OUR VOICE IS TO BE HEARD BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, THE UK SHOULD AT LEAST BE PERCEIVED TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROBLEM," HE SAID.
MR SIT ALSO CALLED ON THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TO REFLECT AT THE COMING GENEVA CONFERENCE THE STRONG FEELINGS OF THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY OVER THE LACK OF SYMPATHY OF THE REST OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FOR THE PLIGHT OF THE PLACES OF FIRST ASYLUM IN THE REGION.
"IF COUNTRIES LIKE THE U.S.A. ARE GENUINELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND WANT US TO BE AS HUMANE AS WE COULD BE TO THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND BOAT PEOPLE, THEY SHOULD ALSO BE HUMANE TO OUR OWN PEOPLE AND DO SOMETHING POSITIVE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM INSTEAD OF LEAVING US TO STRUGGLE ON OUR OWN.
"IT IS ALSO UNFAIR THAT WE HAVE TO SHOULDER INDEFINITELY THE HEAVY FINANCIAL BURDEN FOR THE UPKEEP OF THE BOAT PEOPLE ON OUR OWN.
"IF IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO REACH AN IMMEDIATE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SHOULD AT LEAST SHARE THE COSTS FOR MAINTAINING THESE PEOPLE," HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE SCREENING POLICY, MR SIT SAID IT WAS EVIDENCE OF THE CONTINUED COMMITMENT OF HONG KONG TO THE PRINCIPLE OF NON-REJECTION AND NON-REFOULEMENT OF ASYLUM-SEEKERS AND OUR ATTEMPT TO ENSURE THAT THOSE WHO HAD A GENUINE FEAR OF PERSECUTION FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER WERE NOT DEPRIVED OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVE THEIR CASE.
HE SAID HE AGREED THAT THE SCREENING POLICY WAS AN ESSENTIAL INGREDIENT OF THE DURABLE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM AS IT COULD HELP REDUCE THE NUMBER OF REFUGEES AND THEREBY EASE THE BURDEN ON RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES.
/NEVERTHELESS, .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
- 10
NEVERTHELESS. HE SAID BURDEN ON COUNTRIES OF FIRST ACCEPTANCE BY THE VIETNAMESE THOSE WHO WERL SCREENED OUT.
THAT SCREENING ALSO IMPLIED V
ASYLUM W [THOU 1 THE CERTAI NTY
GOVERNMENT OF’ THE REPATR1 AT I ON
HEA\1ER
OF THE
OF ALL
THE SCREENING POLICY WOULD NOT MAKE SENSE UNLESS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SECURED A COMMITMENT FROM VIETNAM TO ACCEPT THE REPATRIATION OF ALL BOAT PEOPLE WHO FAILED THE SCREENING TEST.
EVEN IF A PERSON WAS CLASSIFIED AS NOT A REFUGEE. HE WAS STILL A RESPONSIBILITY OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, IN PARTICULAR THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE 1979 GENEVA CONFERENCE.
NOTHING IN THE WORLD CAN EXCULPATE ANY OF THESE COUNTRIES FROM THIS RESPONSIBILITY. HEAVY THOUGH IT IS,” HE SAID.
MR SAID SIT HE WAS CONVINCED THAT MOST OF THE ARRIVALS IN RECENT YEARS HAD BEEN PROMPTED TO LEAVE VIETNAM FOR ECONOMIC REASONS ONLY AND HENCE DID NOT QUALIFY AS REFUGEES, AND HE FELT THAT THEY SHOULD BE RETURNED TO VIETNAM IN ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION.
BUT WHILE REPATRIATION WAS THE ONLY DETERRENT TO A FURTHER EXODUS OF VIETNAMESE FROM THEIR COUNTRY. RESETTLEMENT WAS ANOTHER INDISPENSABLE COMPONENT OF A DURABLE SOLUTION TO THE BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM.
"WITHOUT A RENEWED COMMITMENT FROM RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES TO INCREASE RESETTLEMENT OFF-TAKES AND TO CLEAR THE BACKLOG OF LONG-STAYERS IN THE COUNTRIES OF FIRST ASYLUM, THERE IS NO REAL HOPE OF RESOLVING THE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THE PRESENCE OF A LARGE NUMBER OF REFUGEES IN THESE TERRITORIES," HE SAID.
HE ALSO SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT THE INTERNATIONAL SHOULD DO SOMETHING POSITIVE TO HELP THE VIETNAMESE RECONSTRUCT ITS WAR-TORN ECONOMY SO THAT ITS PEOPLE WOULD LEAVE IN SEARCH OF A BETTER LIFE.
COMMUNITY GOVERNMENT NO LONGER
MR SIT SAID HE REGRETTED THAT WHILE HONG KONG HAD AB1DED BY THE 1979 GENEVA CONFERENCE. AND HAD NEVER TURNED AWAY ANY BOAT PEOPLE ARRIVING IN ITS WATERS, THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAD NOT UPHELD THEIR AGREEMENT.
"NOT ONLY HAVE RESETTLEMENT OPPORTUNITIES DWINDLED BECAUSE OF THE REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF PLACES OFFERED BY THE RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES AND THE MORE STRINGENT CRITERIA FOR THE SELECTION OF REFUGEES USED. BUT WE WERE REQUIRED TO SHOULDER A GREATER PORTION OF THE FINANCIAL BURDEN FOR MAINTAINING THE VIETNAMESE WHO ARRIVED IN HONG KONG.
"MOREOVER, THE UNHCR HAS USED THE CLOSED CENTRE POLICY AS AN EXCUSE FOR NOT INCREASING THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG AND HAS USED FINANCIAL RESOURCES AS THE BARGAINING CHIP TO PRESS US TO LIBERALISE OUR CLOSED CENTRES," HE SAID.
/COMMENTING THAT .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17» 1989
COMMENTING THAT THE BOAT PEOPLE WERE ENJOYING A LIVING ENVIRONMENT BETTER THAN DID SOME LOCAL RESIDENTS LIVING IN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS, MR SIT SAID HE FAILED TO UNDERSTAND WHY HONG KONG WAS STILL ACCUSED OF BEING INHUMANE BY THE INTERNTIONAL COMMUNITY.
’THERE WILL COME A STAGE WHEN HONG KONG PEOPLE WILL FIND THE SITUATION INTOLERABLE AND WE ARE NOT FAR FROM THAT.
"UNLESS SOMETHING POSITIVE IS DONE BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. I AM AFRAID THAT HONG KONG WILL HAVE TO BE FORCED TO RESORT TO NEW INITIATIVES OUT OF SELF-PROTECTION WHICH I AM SURE WILL NOT PLEASE THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.
"AFTER ALL, AS A RESPONSIBLE AND RESPONSIVE GOVERNMENT. THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S PRIME OBLIGATION IS THE WELFARE AND WISHES OF ITS OWN PEOPLE AND ALL OTHER CONSIDERATIONS SHOULD BE OF SECONDARY PRIORITY," HE SAID.
MR SIT ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE STAFF OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE CIVIL AID SERVICES AND THE DIFFERENT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS FOR THEIR TOLERANCE IN MANNING AND RUNNING, UNDER DIFFICULT CONDITIONS, THE VARIOUS REFUGEE AND BOAT PEOPLE FACILITIES.
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INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY CRITICISED FOR FAILING TO SOLVE PROBLEM t t ♦ * ♦
THE HON RITA FAN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) CRITICISED THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, SPECIFICALLY VIETNAM, THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN, FOR FAI UNG TC SOLVE: THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM.
SHE UR 1TI ClSED V 1ETNAM FOR I SI NG ITS PEOPLE AS BARt LAI N I NG CHIPS FOR FINAN* I AL AID; THE UNITED STATES FOR PRACTISING DOUBLE STANDARDS; AND BRITAIN FOR SACRIFICING HONG KONG’S INTEREST FOR FEAR OF BRINGING WORLDWIDE CONDEMNATION UPON ITSELF.
SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S MOTION DEBATE ON VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE. MRS FAN SAID THAT HONG KONG MIGHT BE FORCED INTO TAKING DRASTIC MEASURES TO PROTECT THE SOCIAL STABILITY OF THE TERRITORY II THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FAILED TO ACTIVELY HELP IT SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
SHE SAID THAT IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN. "LET IT BE CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD THAI HONG KONG HAS BEEN PUSHED INTO A CORNER BY VIETNAM AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO TAKE SUCH A HARD-LINE- POLICY TO CONTAIN TH! PROBLEM. OUT OF ABSOLUTE NECESSITY."
MRS FAN SAID THE COMMUNITY WAS FED UP TO THEIR TEETH WITH THE PROBLEM WHICH HAD DRAGGED ON FOR MORE THAN A DECADE.
/•’THEY HAVE..........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1?, 19&9 ‘
12
"THEX HAVE ENDURED THE EXPENDITURE, THE INCONVENIENCE, THE HIGHER THAN NORMAE CRIM1 RATE OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE. THE UNFAIR TREATMENT, AND UNREALISTIC CRITICISMS ALL THESE YEARS.
"BUT ALL THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS AND HELP TO THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ARE BRUSHED \S1DE CASUALLY BY THOUGHTLESS REMARKS FROM SELF-RIGHTEOUS INDIVIDUALS WHO APPEAR TO CARRY THE OPINION OF THE WESTERN WORLD.
"TO PUT IT BLUNTLY, WE HAVE HERE A SITUATION WHICH CAN LEAD TO SOCIAL UNREST. IF THE TIME-BOMB IS NOT DEFUSED IN TIME," SHE SAID.
MRS FAN SAID IT WAS IMPERATIVE FOR THE UK DELEGATION XT THE GENEVA CONFERENCE TO ACHIEVE THE TWIN OBJECTIVE OF RESETTLEMENT AND REPATRIATION WITH A CLEARLY DEFINED TIMETABLE.
RESETTLEMENT WITHOUT REPATRI ATION WOULD INADVERTENTLY ATTRACT MORE BOAT PEOPLE TO HONG KONG.
FOR HONG KONG. THE "BOTTOM LINE" WAS THAT ALL BOAT PEOPLE SCREENED OUT SHOULD BEGIN TO LEAVE THE TERRITORY BEFORE NEXT MARCH, EITHER THROUGH MANDATORY REPATRIATION OR BY BEING TRANSFERRED TO A REGIONAL RECEPTION CENTRE.
AND ALL VIETNAMESE REFUGEES STRANDED HERE SHOULD BE RESETTLED OVER A PERIOD Ob THREE TO FIVE YEARS.
SHE URGED THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO UNITE AND SPEAK WITH A COMMON VOICE ON THE ISSUE. SO THAT IT WOULD BE STRONG ENOUGH TO BE HEARD INTERNATIONALLY.
MRS FAN ACCUSED THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT OF BEING INCOMPETENT, INSINCERE AND IRRESPONSIBLE. AND OF HAVING USED ALL KINDS OF EXCUSES TO SHED ITS RESPONSIBILITY IN THE AFFAIR.
VIETNAM’S EXCUSE FOR OBJECTING TO MANDATORY REPATRIATION WAS THAT IT WOULD BE "INHUMANE" FOR IT TO TAKE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS BACK AGAINST THEIR WILL.
"BY INFERENCE, THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT IS ACCUSING MANX7 COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD OF BEING INHUMANE, SINCE THESE COUNTRIES DO ACCEPT REPATRIATION OF THEIR OWN PEOPLE WHO HAVE ENTERED ANOTHER COUNTRY ILLEGALLY TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVING STANDARDS." SHE SAID.
SHE SAID THAT THE UNITED NATIONS AND SOME HUMANITARIAN ORGANISATIONS, BY MOUNTING INTENSIVE LOBBYING EXERCISE IN THE WESTERN WORLD TO PREVENT MANDATORY REPATRIATION OF THE SCREENED OUT BOAT PEOPLE, WERE UNWITTINGLY AIDING THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT IN USING ITS OWN PEOPLE AS BARGAINING CHIPS IN GETTING FINANCIAL AID.
SHE NOTED THAT A SENIOR BRITISH OFFICIAL HAD ESTIMATED THAT VIETNAM, THROUGH EXPORTATION OF ITS PEOPLE, HAD OBTAINED IN 1987 AN INCOME FROM REMITTANCES AMOUNTING TO US$500 MILLION.
MRS FAN SAID IT WAS IRONIC THAT WHILE THE WEST WAS SORROWFUL OVER EVERY REPORT OF DEATH AT SEA AMONG THE BOAT PEOPLE. AND EVEN SUFFERED FROM A FEELING OF GUILT IN SOME INSTANCES, THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT HAD SHOWN LITTLE CONCERN OVER THE WELL-BEING OF ITS OWN PEOPLE.
/"VIETNAM WANTS .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
- 15 -
"VIETNAM WANTS TO PLAY THE GAME ACCORDING TO THEIR RULES. AND THEY SEEM TO BE GAINING SUCCESS. BECAUSE THEY CHOOSE TO USE HUMANS AS f THEIR WEAPON, THE UNHCR AND HUMANITARIAN AND REFUGEE ORGANISATIONS ARE LED BY THE NOSE BY VIETNAM," SHE SAID.
SHE SUGGESTED THAT EVEN IF VIETNAM AGREED TO TAKE EFFECTIVE MEASURES TO STOP THE OUTFLOW IN THE GENEVA CONFERENCE. THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WOULD NEED TO FIND A WAY TO BIND THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT TO THEIR AGREEMENT. AND ENSURE THAT SHOULD THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT GO BACK ON THEIR WORDS, IT WOULD SUFFER FINANCIALLY ON OTHERWISE AS A RESULT OF SUCH ACTION.
TURNING TO THE UNITED STATES, MRS FAN SAID THAT WHILE ADVOCATING HIGH-SOUNDING AND ADMIRABLE PRINCIPLES OF ENSURING "SAFE AND HUMANE TREATMENT FOR ALL ASYLUM SEEKERS", THE U.S. GOVERNMENT HAD CONVENIENTLY TURNED A BLIND EYE TO THE PROBLEMS FACED BY HONG KONG.
THE TERRITORY HAD HAD TO ACCOMMODATE THE MASSIVE AND NEVER ENDING INFLUX OF BOAT PEOPLE WHO WERE IN THE MAIN REJECTED BY THE SELECTION CRITERIA PASSED BY THE U.S. CONGRESS AND IMPLEMENTED BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS THEMSELVES.
IN ESSENCE, U.S. CONGRESSMEN AND THEIR GOVERNMENT WERE NOT PRACTISING WHAT THEY WERE PREACHING. SHE SAID. <
MOREOVER. WHILE THE U.S. GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT EVEN ALLOW ASYLUM SEEKERS FROM HAITI TO LAND. THEY EXPECTED HONG KONG. WITH A POPULATION DENSITY 250 TIMES THAT OF THE U.S.. TO ACCOMMODATE FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD BOAT PEOPLE SCREENED OUT AS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
"THE DOUBLE STANDARD SO BLATANTLY APPLIED IS GROSSLY UNFAIR TO HONG KONG," SHE SAID.
REFERRING TO BRITAIN, MRS FAN SAID THAT, SADLY ENOUGH, THE PEOPLE WHO MADE DECISIONS IN THE UK WERE CONSTANTLY MISLED BY LOBBYISTS AS TO THE REAL SITUATION IN HONG KONG.
SHE FOUND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT AS ONE OF THE CLOSEST ALLIES OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, THE UK FOREIGN OFFICE COULD NOT EVEN RELATE THE FACTS TO THEIR FRIENDS IN THE U.S. GOVERNMENT. SENATE AND CONGRESS.
IN THIS RESPECT, THE LOBBYISTS FROM VOLUNTARY AGENCIES SEEMED TO BE DOING A FAR MORE EFFECTIVE JOB THAN THE HIGHLY CAPABLE AND EXPERIENCED DIPLOMATS OF THE THE FOREIGN OFFICE.
I
MRS FAN SAID THE RESETTLEMENT FIGURES CONCERNING VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN THE UK HAD NOT BEEN IMPRESSIVE AT ALL IN RECENT YEARS, BEARING IN MIND THAT THE ARRIVAL RATE OF BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG IN ONE MONTH. SAY APRIL AND MAY THIS YEAR, WAS MORE THAN 10 TIMES THE ANNUAL INTAKE OF THE UK. 1
"APART FROM THE SMALL INTAKE, THE UK ALSO OFFERS A READY EXCUSE TO THE U.S. FOR REFUSING TO GIVE MORE CONSIDERATION TO VIETNAMESE REFUGEES FROM HONG KONG. BY SIMPLY POINTING OUT THAT HONG KONG IS THE UK’S RESPONSIBILITY." SHE ADDED.
/MRS F J4.......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
14
MRS FAN CRITICISED THE UK GOVERNMENT FOR NOT EVEN OPENLY SUPPORTING MANDATORY RETURN OF THE BOAT PEOPLE FOUND NOT To BI REFUGEES, WHEN IT KNEW FULL WELL THAT MANADATORY REPATRIATION WAS PART AND PARCEL OF THE SCREENING POLICY.
SHE RECALLED THAT A LOBBYIST FROM X REFUGEE ORGANISATION IN THE U.S. HAD TOLD THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION IN AMERICA THAT THE BRITl II MINISTER WAS RELUCTANT TO BACK FORCED REPATRIATION BECAUSE IT WOULD BRING BRITAIN WORLDWIDE CONDEMNATION.
MRS FAN SAID SHE COULD STATE CATEGORICALLY THAT THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM AND ITS ASSOCIATED POLICIES WERE MATTERS OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS. AND THEREFORE THE RESPONSIBILITY RESTED WITH THE SOVEREIGN STATE - THE UK.
SHE SAID HER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT LORD GLENARTHUR HAD PUT IN WRITING IN OCTOBER 1987 REGARDING THE SCREENING POLICY AND REPATRIATION OF BOAT PEOPLE WAS THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAD SUGGESTED THE SCREENING POLICY AS A NEW INITIATIVE TO THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT, WHICH WAS VERY RECEPTIVE AND GAVE XPPROVAL FOR IT TO BE CARRIED OUT IN HONG KONG WITHIN THE PROPER CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK.
HOWEVER, MP’S IN THE UK’S FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE APPEARED TO THINK THAT THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM WAS A MATTER OF INTERNAL ADMINISTRATION, NOT A MATTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
"ARE THEY PAVING THE WAY MRS FAN ASKED.
FOR HMG TO SHED RESPONSIBILITY?"
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BRITAIN MUST FOOT THE VBP BILL FOR HK » ♦ ♦ t »
THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT MUST FROM NOW ON FINANCE ALL VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE PROGRAMMES IN HONG KONG, THE HON MARTIN LEE SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT DO SO, THEN HONG KONG COULD DO IT FOR THEM BY DEDUCTING ALL THESE EXPENSES FROM HONG KONG'S FUTURE CONTRIBUTION UNDER THE DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT. MR LEE SAID IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.
SOME FEARED THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WOULD SAV HONG KONG WAS IN BREACH OF AGREEMENT.
"BUT IT LIES ILL IN THE MOUTH OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO ACCUSE US OF BREAKING AN AGREEMENT WHEN IT HAS BEEN SHIRKING FROM ITS UNDOUBTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR SO LONG OVER THIS MATTER, ' HE SAID.
MR LEE SAID HONG KONG MUST WAKE UP TO THE TRUTH. WHICH WAS THAT THE BOAT PEOPLE WERE A PROBLEM FOR THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND NOT FOR HONG KONG.
/HE SAID
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
- 15 -
HE SAID MANY PEOPLE THOUGHT THAT THE SCREENING POLKA WAS THE DECISION OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
THIS WAS CLEARLY NOT SO, BECAUSE THE ISSUE INVOLVED IK'S KONG'S EXTERNAL RELATIONS. AND HONG KONG’S INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS WERE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT.
MR LEE SAID THE QUESTION NO ONE HAD YET ASKED WAS WHETHER Till' SCREENING POLICY WAS IN THE INTEREST OF HONG KONG OR IMF UNITED KINGDOM.
IF ALL ARRIVALS FROM VIETNAM WERE ADMITTED AS RI'Fl GEES TO HONG KONG AS A PORT OF FIRST ASYLUM, THEN ALL THE RECEIVING COUNTRIES INCLUDING THE UNITED KINGDOM WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THEM FROM HONG KONG.
AND SINCE THE UNITED KINGDOM EXERCISED SOVEREIGNTY OVER HONG KONG, IT WOULD BE EXPECTED TO TAKE MORE FROM HONG KONG THAN OTHER COUNTRIES.
MR LEE SAID SINCE THE ADOPTION OF THE SCREENING POLICY, ABOUT 90 PER CENT OF THE ARRIVALS WERE SCREENED OUT AS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
AS SUCH. THEY HAD TO BE KEPT IN CLOSED CENTRES WHICH WERE COSTING THE TAXPAYERS MORE MONEY TO RUN THAN IF THEY WERE TREATED AS REFUGEES AND KEPT IN CLOSED CAMPS.
BUT, MORE IMPORTANTLY, ONCE THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE WERE SCREENED OUT AS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. THE RECEIVING COUNTRIES, INCLUDING THE UNITED KINGDOM, HAD NO MORE OBLIGATION TO ACCEPT THEM, AND THEY BECAME HONG KONG'S SOLE RESPONSIBILITY.
BUT WHY SHOULD HONG KONG ADOPT THE SCREENING POLICY Will ' IT HAD INCREASED HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL BURDEN AND YET HAD NOT DETERRED THE PEOPLE OF VIETNAM FROM COMING HERE-? HE ASKED.
THE ANSWER WAS THAT THE SCREENING POLICY REDUCED THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO ACCEPT REFUGEES FROM HONG KONG.
MR LEE ADDED THAT THE IMMEDIATE CONSEQUENCE OF IMPLEMENTING THE SCREENING POLICY WAS THAT HONG KONG MUST THINK OF A WAY TO REPATRIATE THOSE WHO HAD BEEN SCREENED OUT AS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
BUT VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION ALONE WOULD NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM, AND IT SEEMED EXTREMELY UNLIKELY THAT THERE WOULD BE ANY AGREEMENT ON FORCED REPATRIATION IN GENEVA NEXT MONTH.
"BUT EVEN IF THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT WERE TO AGREE TO FORCED REPATRIATION. THE CHANCES ARE THAT HONG KONG WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY IN ONE WAY OR OTHER," HE SAID.
FOR THESE REASONS, HE URGED COUNCILLORS AND THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG NOT TO CONTINUE TO MAKE THE MISTAKE OF TRYING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM THEMSELVES.
/IF THEY ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
16 -
IF THEY DID, THEY WOULD BE PLAYING INTO THE HANDS OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT.
MR LEE OBSERVED THAT MANY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG Bl I 1EVED Til AT AS SOON AS HONG KONG CHANGED ITS POLICY OF BEING A PORT O| FIRST ASYLUM, THE WORRIES WOULD BE OVER. BUT THIS WAS NO SO.
FIRST, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT COULD NOT COME fO SUCH A DECISION ON ITS OWN, FOR THIS PERTAINED TO FOREIGN RELATIONS, AND THUS ONLY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT COULD SCRAP THE POLICY.
SECONDLY. EVEN IF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WERE TO ALLOW HONG KONG TO DO SO, HONG KONG WAS STILL BOUND BY THE CUSTOMARY OR GENERAL INTERNATIONAL LAW OF "NON-REFOULEMENT".
AND THIS MEANT THAT THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE MIGHT NOT BE FORCIBLY" RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNLESS THEY WERE IN NO DANGER OF PERSECUTION, AND IT DID NOT MATTER WHETHER THEY WERE BRANDED AS REFUGEES OR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
IF HONG KONG CEASED TO BE A PORT OF FIRST ASYLUM. ALL ARRIVALS WOULD BE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, AND THE RECEIVING COUNTRIES WOULD HAVE NO OBLIGATION TO ACCEPT THEM.
FOR THIS REASON, HONG KONG WOULD BE WORSE OFF SHOULD IT CEASE BEING A PORT OF FIRST ASYLUM.
"IT IS SINGULARLY UNFORTUNATE THAT OUR GOVERNMENT HAS NOT CLEARED UP THIS MISUNDERSTANDING. BUT HAS ALLOWED IT TO BECOME A GIGANTIC RED HERRING BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THIS CHAMBER," HE SAID.
MR LEE ALSO HOPED THAT THE GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY LEADERS WOULD SOW THE SEED OF LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING TOWARDS THE BOAT PEOPLE BECAUSE, AFTER ALL, THEY WERE THE UNFORTUNATE VICTIMS IN A WAR-TORN COUNTRY WITH A BROKEN ECONOMY.
CONCLUDING, MR LEE SAID HE WOULD ABSTAIN FROM VOTING ON THE MOTION BECAUSE ITS WORDING IMPLIED ACCEPTANCE OF Till- SCREENING POLICY, WHICH HE BELIEVED WAS MORE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM THAN HONG KONG.
NOR WAS THE MOTION CLEAR AS TO WHETHER HONG KONG WOULD HAVE TO PAY ANYTHING UNDER THE REPATRIATION SCHEME.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
- 17 -
HK ALONE CANNOT SOLVE VBP PROBLEM *****
HONG KONG ALONE CANNOT SOLVE THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT, THE UNITED I ATIONS AND OTHER COUNTRIES CONCERNED, THE HON TAI CHIN-WAH TOLD THE JEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, MR "'AI SAID THROUGHOUT THE LAST 10 YEARS, HONG KONG HAD PERFORMED A 'LIFEGUARD’S" ROLE, RESCUING THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES AND NON-REFUGEES 1 ROM THE CHINA SEA.
INDEED, IT HAD DONE MORE THAN A LIFEGUARD COULD DO, DESPITE ITS LIMITED RESOURCES AND OTHER CHALLENGING DOMESTIC PROBLEMS THAT IT HAD 0 ENCOUNTER DURING THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD.
"HOWEVER, A LIFEGUARD’S JOB IS MAINLY TO RESCUE PEOPLE FROM "’HE ROUGH SEA. ONE CANNOT EXPECT A LIFEGUARD TO ACT ALSO AS A FOSTER PARENT, OR EVEN ADOPTIVE PARENT, GIVING THE RESCUED A PERMANENT HOME."
MR TAI NOTED THAT HONG KONG, AS THE FIRST RECEPTION CENTRE FOR BOAT PEOPLE, HAD BEEN FORCED INTO ACTING BOTH AS A LIFEGUARD AND A FOSTER PARENT HOME. SOMETIMES IT WAS EVEN BLAMED BY INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITIES FOR NOT TREATING THE BOAT PEOPLE WELL ENOUGH.
MR TAI POINTED OUT THAT THE PROBLEM OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ’’AD THREATENED THE INTEGRATION AND STABILITY OF SOCIETY.
HE SAID WHILE THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY WAS TRYING HARD TO SEEK EMERGENCY CENTRES FOR THE BOAT PEOPLE, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WERE ASKING WHY THEY SHOULD TAKE UP THE JOB, AND HOW LONG THEY HAD TO SHOULDER SUCH A BURDEN.
THE OPEN CAMP POLICY AND BOAT PEOPLE CAMPS IN RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES WITHOUT CAREFUL PLANNING AND ADEQUATE CONSULTATION WAS TSELF A RISK FOR CRISIS, HE CONTENDED.
"WE ARE TRYING TO ESTABLISH A DIFFERENT COMMUNITY IN A COMMUNITY, AS A SUB-CULTURE WITHIN A DOMINANT CULTURE.
"THIS WOULD THREATEN OUR INTEGRATION AND SOCIAL STABILITY AND WOULD ONLY INDUCE UNNECESSARY CONFRONTATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL RESIDENTS.
"MOST OF ALL, WE WOULD INCREASE THE HARDSHIP BEING FACED BY THE RESIDENTS IN DISTRICTS WHERE OPEN CAMPS AND RECEPTION CENTRES ARE TEING SITUATED," HE SAID.
./MR TAI
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1?, 1989
18 -
MR TAI STRESSED THAT THE CREDIBILITY OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAD SUFFERED SERIOUSLY DUE TO THE BOAT PEOPLE ISSUE, OTING THAT A CREDIBLE GOVERNMENT WAS MOST IMPORTANT DURING THIS TRANSITIONAL PERIOD.
BALANCING THE VARIOUS FACTORS INVOLVED, HE SAID UNLESS THERE WAS SOME VERY POSITIVE SOLUTION TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL FROM THE GENEVA CONFERENCE IN JUNE, HONG KONG COULD NOT CONTINUE WITH THE PRESENT POLICY OF BEING THE PORT OF FIRST ASYLUM.
IN PART, THE INITIATIVE FOR CHANGING THIS POLICY RESTED WITH THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG, HE SAID.
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A MATTER SOLELY IN CONTROL OF UK
♦ * t *
THE DECISION IN 1979 THAT HONG KONG BE A PORT OF FIRST ASYLUM WAS ONE CONCERNING EXTERNAL AFFAIRS AND THEREFORE CONSTITUTIONALLY THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ISSUE WAS A MATTER SOLELY IN THE CONTROL OF BRITAIN, THE HON RONALD ARCULLI SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, MR ARCULLI SAID THIS DECISION WAS PART AND PARCEL OF AN INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WOULD RESETTLE ALL VIETNAMESE REFUGEES.
"THIS WAS ALL VERY LAUDABLE UNTIL THE RESETTLEMENT PART OF THIS INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT BROKE DOWN," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, HONG KONG HAD DONE ITS BEST IN THE MATTER TO TRY TO COPE WITH THE VIETNAMESE INFLUX, INCLUDING BEARING ALMOST THE WHOLE FINANCIAL BURDEN, HE SAID.
NOTING THAT THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT HAD CLAIMED THAT IT WAS HELPLESS IN ATTEMPTING TO STOP ITS PEOPLE FROM LEAVING. MR ARCULLI SAID THAT EVEN IF THERE WAS A SHRED OF TRUTH TO THIS, THERE SEEMED TO BE NO EXPLANATION WHATSOEVER AS TO WHY THEY WERE NOT PREPARED TO TAKE BACK THOSE THAT WERE NOT REFUGEES.
TURNING TO BRITAIN, HE SAID THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT MUST BE GIVEN A CLEAR AND UNEQUIVOCAL MESSAGE THAT HONG KONG WAS ENTITLED TO EXPECT AND INDEED DEMAND THAT IT FULFIL ITS OBLIGATION.
/IT SHOULD .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
19
IT SHOULD ACCEPT FOR RESETTLEMENT MANY MORE REFUGEES FROM HONG KONG AND THEREBY ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO FOLLOW SUIT, AND ALSO PAY THE LION’S SHARE OF THE COST OF THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND BOAT PEOPLE HERE .
MR ARCULLI ALSO SAID THAT BRITAIN SHOULD PRESS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO ACCEPT MANY MORE REFUGEES FROM HONG KONG AS WELL AS BEAR THEIR FAIR SHARE OF THE FINANCIAL BURDEN, PARTICULARLY THOSE COUNTRIES THAT DID NOT HAVE A FIRST PORT OF ASYLUM POLICY' OR THOSE THAT DID NOT ACCEPT REFUGEES FOR RESETTLEMENT.
HE SAID BRITAIN SHOULD ALSO PRESS THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT TO ACCEPT MANDATORY REPATRIATION, AND ALSO TAKE SUCH FURTHER ACTION AGAINST VIETNAM, INCLUDING TRADE SANCTIONS, TO PREVENT A FURTHER OUTFLOW OF PEOPLE.
- 0 -
BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM A 'TIME BOMB’ *****
THE PROBLEM OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG IS A TIME BOMB, AND NOTHING CAN BE MORE EXCRUCIATING THAN TO ANTICIPATE THE EXPLOSION OF SUCH A BOMB, THE HON DAVID CHEUNG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, MR CHEUNG SAID HONG KONG PEOPLE HAD BEEN ENDURING FOR 10 YEARS THE PAINS CAUSED BY THE PROBLEM, AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS HAD BEEN SPENT TO LITTLE AVAIL.
"OUR PATIENCE HAS BEEN STRETCHED TO THE LIMIT; AND ANGER AND DISSATISFACTION ARE MOUNTING," HE STRESSED.
HE SAID BRITAIN MUST NOT SHIRK ITS DUE RESPONSIBILITIES, AND NEITHER SHOULD IT EXPECT HONG KONG TO CONTINUE SHOULDERING THE BURDEN.
MR CHEUNG POINTED OUT THAT FEW COUNTRIES HAD BEEN WILLING TO REACH OUT TO HELP HONG KONG ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM.
"LET THOSE WHICH CRITICISE US DEMONSTRATE THEIR HUMANITY BY TAKING CONCRETE STEPS TO EASE OUR BURDEN AND, EVENTUALLY, SOLVE OUR PROBLEM," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT HONG KONG MUST ADOPT SOME SELF-HELP MEASURES TO CLEAR ITSELF OF THE BURDEN, MR CHEUNG SUGGESTED THAT THE FIRST STEP WOULD BE TO REPATRIATE THOSE VIETNAMESE WHO HAD BEEN SCREENED OUT AS NON-REFUGEES.
/SINCE REPATRIATION .......
WEDNESDAY, M,.Y 17, 1989
- 20 -
SINCE REPATRIATION OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WAS A MANDATORY INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE, IT WAS PERFECTLY JUSTIFIED IF THE RECEPTION COUNTRIES DID NOT OPEN THEIR DOORS TO THOSE BOAT PEOPLE, HE SAID.
AT THE SAME TIME, HE SAID, THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY MUST PUT PRESSURE ON THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT TO STOP EXPORTING ITS PEOPLE.
IN THIS REGARD, CHINA COULD ALSO HELP BY BLOCKING THE ACCESS TO HONG KONG OF THOSE VIETNAMESE WHO HAD LANDED IN CHINESE TERRITORY.
MR CHEUNG SAID HAVING TAKEN THE FIRST STEP, HONG KONG SHOULD THEN FIND WAYS TO HAVE ALL VIETNAMESE REFUGEES STRANDED HERE RESETTLED ELSEWHERE.
"HMG MUST TAKE THE LEAD; SO MUST THE UNITED STATES AND FRANCE. AFTER ALL, THEY HAVE HAD MUCH TO DO WITH THE PROBLEM WE ARE ALL FACING," HE SAID.
MR CHEUNG SAID THAT HONG KONG HAD SUFFERED ENOUGH FROM THE PROBLEMS OTHERS HAD CREATED.
"OUR PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PATIENT AND GENEROUS ENOUGH. BUT THERE MUST BE A LIMIT AS TO HOW MUCH MORE WE CAN WITHSTAND THE PROBLEM WHICH IS BECOMING MORE GRIEVOUS," HE SAID.
HE SAID IF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT MEANT WHAT IT SAID IN THE JOINT DECLARATION -- THAT IT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG WITH THE OBJECT OF MAINTAINING AND PRESERVING ITS ECONOMIC PROSPERITY AND SOCIAL STABILITY, IT HAD A RESPONSIBILITY AT THE GENEVA CONFERENCE NEXT MONTH.
THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT MUST EXERT ITS INFLUENCE ON BOTH THE VIETNAM GOVERNMENT AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO ACCEPT AND IMPLEMENT MANDATORY REPATRIATION OF NON-REFUGEES, AND TO RESETTLE REFUGEES.
"IN THE MEANTIME, BRITAIN MUST ALSO SHARE WITH HONG KONG THE EXPENSES ON LOOKING AFTER THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND BOAT PEOPLE WHO ARE STILL HERE," HE ADDED.
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/21
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
21
HK SHOULD PETITION BRITAIN OVER VBP ISSUE * » » * *
HONG KONG SHOULD SEND A PETITION TO BRITAIN TO EXPRESS ITS .-'MGER AND CONCERN OVER THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ISSUE, THE HON NELLIE FONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE MOTION DEBATE ON VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, MRS FONG SAID SHE WAS NOT SURE IF BRITAIN WAS AWARE OF THE FEELINGS OF UNREST, FRUSTRATION AND ANGER THAT THE BOAT PEOPLE WERE CAUSING AMONG HONG KONG RESIDENTS.
SHE SAID THAT, THROUGH THE PETITION, HONG KONG MUST CONVEY TO THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT, AND TO THE WORLD DURING THE GENEVA CONFERENCE, THE ENORMOUS UNREST AND DISCONTENT THAT HAD ARISEN HERE OVER THE ISSUE.
IF BRITAIN COULD NOT PERSUADE THE UNITED NATIONS TO HANDLE THE BOAT PEOPLE CRISIS, THEN IT MUST EXPLAIN TO ITS OWN PEOPLE AND TO THE WORLD THAT HONG KONG COULD NOT AND WOULD NOT CARRY THE BURDEN BY ITSELF, SHE SAID.
MRS FONG ALSO CALLED ON HONG KONG PEOPLE TO EXPRESS THEIR OBJECTIONS BY SIGNING A PETITION.
"THE DISTRICT BOARDS WOULD BE THE IDEAL VEHICLE TO ORGANISE THE WRITTEN PETITIONS AS THEY HAVE BEEN FORMED AND ORGANISED TO COLLECT AND REFLECT THE OPINIONS OF RESIDENTS WITHIN THE DISTRICTS," SHE SAID.
SHE ALSO SAID THAT BRITAIN AND CHINA, WHICH BOTH PROFESSED THE DESIRE TO MAINTAIN A STABLE HONG KONG, MUST DEVELOP AN INTERMEDIATE SOLUTION.
"BRITAIN SHOULD TALK TO CHINA, ON A FOREIGN AFFAIRS BASIS, ON BEHALF OF HONG KONG, AND FIND A SUITABLE SITE FOR A DETENTION CENTRE ALONG THE COAST OF CHINA WHERE ALL THE BOAT PEOPLE THAT \RE IN OR ABOUT TO ARRIVE IN HONG KONG COULD BE HOUSED BEFORE REPATRIATION."
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE UNITED NATIONS SHOULD HELP SET UP AND FUND THIS DETENTION CENTRE WHERE ALL THE BOAT PEOPLE THAT WERE NOW STRANDED IN SOUTHEAST ASIA COULD BE HOUSED PENDING REPATRIATION, SHE ADDED.
'MEANWHILE, BRITAIN AND OTHER COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD MUST EXERT PRESSURE ON VIETNAM, BY IMPOSING ECONOMIC SANCTIONS OR BY STOPPING INTERNATIONAL AID IF NECESSARY, UNTIL IT REALISES ITS INTERNATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND TAKES ITS PEOPLE BACK,” MRS FONG SAID.
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/22........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
- 22 -
UK HAS DONE MORE THAN ITS EAIR SHARE « * » » «
THE UK DELEGATION MUST TELL THE WORLD AT THE GENEVA CONFERENCE ON VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE THAT UNLESS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY CAN SUCCESSFULLY PRESSURE VIETNAM INTO ACCEPTING MANDATORY REPATRIATION, HONG KONG WILL HAVE TO STOP BEING A PORT OF FIRST ASYLUM.
THE HON PAUL CHENG SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.
MR CHENG SAID THAT AFTER SERVING OVER 10 YEARS AS THE MAJOR CLEARING HOUSE FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND BOAT PEOPLE AND HAVING SPENT WELL OVER $1.5 BILLION. HONG KONG HAD DONE MORE THAN ITS FAIR SHARE.
HE SAID THE TERRITORY NEED NO LONGER BE UNDULY WORRIED ABOUT ITS INTERNATIONAL IMAGE AND REPUTATION AND. INSTEAD, IT SHOULD BE RECEIVING INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIM FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION TO DATE.
HONG KONG MUST NOW TURN BACK TO CHINA AS IT DID TO CHINESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, ALL THE BOAT PEOPLE WHO HAD STOPPED OFF IN CHINA ON THEIR WAY HERE, EVEN IF THEY MERELY STOPPED OFF TO "REFUEL" OR TO AVOID BAD WEATHER ALONG THE WAY, HE SAID.
CHINA MUST PLAY ITS PART. ESPECIALLY SINCE IT HAD REPEATEDLY INDICATED THIS PROBLEM MUST BE RESOLVED BEFORE 1997.
MR CHENG SAID HE FELT THAT LEGCO MEMBERS SHOULD NOT GET TOO INVOLVED WITH DISCUSSIONS ON WHERE AND HOW THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND BOAT PEOPLE SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT BE HOUSED, BUT SHOULD CONCENTRATE THEIR EFFORTS IN PRESSING THE UK GOVERNMENT AND THE HONG KONG ADMINISTRATION TO TAKE A TOUGHER STANCE.
"WE NEED TO FIND WAYS TO SEND THESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS BACK TO VIETNAM, SO THAT NOT ONLY THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT, BIT THOSE WHO ARE PLANNING TO SAIL FOR HONG KONG, KNOW THAT OUR DOOR IS CLOSED.
"THE IDEA OF CHARTERING SHIPS TO BRING THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS BACK TO WITHIN 12 MILES OF VIETNAM'S SHORELINES, AND TRANSFERRING THEM ONTO SMALLER BOATS -- THEN POINTING THEM TOWARDS THEIR HOMELAND, IS A PRACTICAL SOLUTION THAT IS CERTAINLY WORTH FURTHER EXPLORATION.
"THIS METHOD ALSO HAS THE BENEFIT OF NOT HAVING TO WAIT UNTIL EVERYONE AGREES ON MANDATORY REPATRIATION." HE SAID.
MR CHENG SAID THAT WHILE HE APPRECIATED THAT THE HONG KONG ADMINISTRATION HAD A DIFFICULT ROLE TO PLAY, HE THOUGHT THE INTEREST OF HONG KONG MUST OUTWEIGH ALL OTHER CONSIDERATIONS.
HE ALSO SAID THAT THOUGH MOST LEGCO MEMBERS WERE RELUCTANT TO STOP FURTHER FUNDING, THEY WERE FAST REACHING THE POINT WHEREBY THIS MIGHT WELL BE THE LAST RESORT WITHIN THEIR POWERS TO IMPRESS UPON THE WORLD THAT URGENT ACTIONS MUST NOW SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS.
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/25........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
23
BOAT PEOPLE PUT STRAIN ON MEDICAL SERVICES
*****
THE CONTINUING INFLUX OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE HAS UNDULY STRAINED ALREADY OVER-STRETCHED MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, AND A MAJOR DISRUPTION OF HONG KONG’S HEALTH RECORD MAY WELL LIE AHEAD, DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY I.
SPEAKING IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, DR LEONG SAID THE PRESENCE OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND BOAT PEOPLE AS A RESULT OF HONG KONG’S BEING A PORT OF FIRST ASYLUM HAD LED TO A CRISIS SITUATION.
DESPITE THE SUBSTANTIAL SHORTAGE OF DOCTORS IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE, DOCTORS HAD TO BE DEPLOYED TO REFUGEE CAMPS AND BOAT PEOPLE CENTRES WHILE THE MAINTENANCE OF THE SANITARY AND HEALTH WITHIN THE CAMPS PLACED AN EXTRA BURDEN ON THE STAFF OF THE HEALTH AND HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS.
AS THE UPSURGE IN ARRIVALS MEANT MORE VIETNAMESE WERE TRANSFERRED TO PUBLIC HOSPITALS FOR TREATMENT, MEDICAL SERVICES FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS WERE JEOPARDISED AND DELAYED, HE SAID.
THE PROBLEM WAS AGGRAVATED THROUGH THE CROWDED CONDITIONS IN THE CAMPS BEING CONDUCIVE TO THE RAPID SPREAD OF INFECTIOUS AND COMMUNICABLE DISEASES.
"WITH THESE CAMPS ONLY SEPARATED BY A FENCE FROM OUR ALREADY CROWDED ENVIRONMENT, I SHUDDER TO THINK WHAT IT WOULD BRING TO THE HEALTH OF THE POPULATION OF HONG KONG SHOULD AN EPIDEMIC OF SOME FORM DEVELOPED IN THE CAMPS," HE SAID.
HE REGRETTED THAT IN SPITE OF WHAT ITS PEOPLE HAD DONE FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND BOAT PEOPLE, HONG KONG WAS STILL BEING PINPOINTED BY HIGH-SOUNDING INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANISATIONS AS "RACISTS" AND "INHUMANE".
"THERE IS SOMETHING VERY WRONG IN OUR EXISTING VIETNAMESE REFUGEE POLICY WHICH IS TOTALLY OUT OF FOCUS AND FAILS TO BRING ABOUT PROPER SOLUTIONS," HE SAID.
MANY CONTROVERSIES, SUCH AS INCONSISTENCY IN IMMIGRATION CRITERIA, UNFAIR TREATMENT OF CHINESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND THE UNJUSTIFIED ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES TO THE REFUGEES AT THE EXPENSE OF LOCAL WELFARE SERVICES PREVAILED IN THE EXISTING POLICY, DR LEONG SAID.
AND IT WAS RATHER OBVIOUS NOW THAT THE SCREENING POLICY CUM VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION WOULD NOT WORK.
/"FIRST OF .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 19&9
- 24 -
’’FIRST OF ALL, UNDER THE TIME LIMITS AND STAFF CONSTRAINTS, WB CAN NEVER GET ALL THE NEW ARRIVALS SCREENED IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE AND UP TILL NOW, NO ONE CAN BE SURE HOW THE SCREENING PROCEDURES CAN POSSIBLY DETERMINE ONE’S REFUGEE’S STATUS.
’’SECONDLY, GIVEN THE EXISTING POLITICAL SITUATION IN VIETNAM, THE NUMBER OF REFUGEES BEING REPATRIATED CAN NEVER COMPENSATE FOR THB NUMBER OF NEW ARRIVALS.
"AS FOR VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION, IT IS CLEAR FROM THE FACT THAT SO FAR ONLY ABOUT 150 BOAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY SENT BACK. NOT TO MENTION THE COST WE HAVE TO BEAR IN TRANSPORT AND OTHER SUPPORTING SERVICES,” HE SAID.
DR LEONG UNDERLINED THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION IN A POSSIBLE SOLUTION AND IN PARTICULAR THE ROLE THAT BRITAIN MUST TAKE IN SORTING OUT THE MESS WHICH, HE SAID, BRITAIN ITSELF HAD PLAYED AN IMPORTANT PART IN BRINGING ABOUT.
"IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT HONG KONG SHOULD SUFFER BECAUSE OF THE FIRST ASYLUM POLICY - THE RESULT OF A PEG SIGNED BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT FOR US SOME 10 YEARS AGO.
"THE POLICY WAS ONCE SUCCESSFUL WHEN IT RECEIVED INTERNATIONAL BACK-UP FROM THE RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES. THE SITUATION IS NOW DIFFERENT -- THE RESETTLEMENT FIGURES ARE SLOW WHILE THE INFLUX IS ARRIVING AT JET SPEED,” HE SAID.
DR LEONG SAID HE WAS GROSSLY UNHAPPY WITH THE SMALL NUMBER OF REFUGEES THAT BRITAIN HAD TAKEN IN FROM HONG KONG OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS COMPARED WITH WHAT OTHER RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES HAD ACCEPTED, AND THE SLIGHT INCREASE IN RESETTLEMENT NUMBERS PROMISED EARLIER WOULD ONLY BE GRANTED UNDER SPECIFIED CONDITIONS.
HE ALSO SAID BRITAIN HAD ONLY MADE A MINIMAL COMMITMENT THROUGH DIPLOMATIC CHANNELS. ITS "MINUTE" MONETARY OFFERS TO THE UNITED NATIONS WERE OF LITTLE HELP TO HONG KONG.
"IF BRITAIN CANNOT AFFORD TO GRANT THE RIGHT OF ABODE TO THE 3.28 MILLION HONG KONG RESIDENTS FOR WHICH IT IS HELD RESPONSIBLE, HOW CAN IT EXPECT US - WITH ALL OUR CONSTRAINTS - TO GRANT THE VIETNAMESE ASYLUM SEEKERS THE RIGHT TO STAY?" HE ASKED.
DR LEONG LIKENED THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ISSUE TO A PATIENT IN CRITICAL CONDITION WHO NEEDED DEFINITIVE TREATMENT RIGHT AWAY. HIS PRESCRIPTION WAS :
» SCRAP THE FIRST ASYLUM POLICY SO AS TO FREE HONG KONG FROM THE OBLIGATION OF HAVING TO ACCEPT ALL WHO COME IN, OR ELSE BRITAIN SHOULD SHOULDER MOST OF THE FINANCIAL
IMPLICATION THAT HONG KONG WAS BEARING NOW;
» FIGHT FOR COMPULSORY REPATRIATION DURING THE COMING GENEVA CONFERENCE TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL NEW ARRIVALS WILL BE SENT BACK;
AND
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
- 25 -
» AND HELP HONG KONG TO PRESS FOR INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT IN FINANCING THE FOOD AND ACCOMMODATION FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES.
THE WHOLE ISSUE WAS A DIPLOMATIC ONE AND BRITAIN MUST BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR HONG KONG AS LONG AS IT STILL HAD SOVEREIGNTY OVER HONG KONG, HE SAID.
HE HOPED HONG KONG WOULD NOT NEED TO RESORT TO HIRING OCEAN LINERS TO TAKE THESE VIETNAMESE PEOPLE AS HAD BEEN SUGGESTED AND DROP THEM OFF WITH LIFE BOATS AT DOVER BEFORE BRITAIN WAS CONVINCED IT MUST TAKE SOME REAL ACTION.
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NO CHOICE BUT TO SHIP BACK BOAT PEOPLE SAFELY
» * * t t
IT SEEMS THAT HONG KONG HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO DECLARE UNILATERALLY THAT IT WOULD SHIP THE BOAT PEOPLE SAFELY BACK TO VIETNAMESE WATERS. THE HON MRS ELSIE TU SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MRS TU WAS SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ISSUE.
SHE SAID THAT ANOTHER LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, THE HON JAMES TIEN, HAD REQUESTED HER TO SAY THAT HE STRONGLY SUPPORTED THE IDEA OF GIVING THE BOAT PEOPLE A SAFE JOURNEY BACK TO VIETNAMESE WATERS.
SHE SAID IT MIGHT WELL BE THAT THIS PROPOSAL TO TAKE THE BOAT PEOPLE BACK TO VIETNAMESE WATERS WOULD MEET WITH SOME CRITICISM.
"BUT THOSE WHO CRITICISE CAN EASILY PREVENT US FROM CARRYING OUT SUCH A PROPOSAL BY OFFERING TO ACCEPT THE BOAT PEOPLE THEMSELVES."
"IT IS UNREASONABLE TO EXPECT US TO CUT DOWN ON OUR ALREADY OVER-STRAINED, UNDER-STAFFED, AND IN SOME CASES POOR QUALITY SERVICES, IN ORDER TO TAKE IN AN UNSPECIFIED NUMBER OF PEOPLE -- PERHAPS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OR EVEN A MILLION -- WHO DECIDED THEY WOULD LIKE TO TRY THEIR LUCK IN A BOAT TO HONG KONG." SHE SAID.
MOREOVER, HONG KONG COULD NOT CONTINUE TO KEEP MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN FOREVER IN PRISON CONDITIONS WAITING FOR RESETTLEMENT THAT NEVER TRANSPIRED.
SHE SAID THAT NO MATTER WHAT TRANSPIRED THIS YEAR IN GENEVA, HONG KONG SIMPLY COULD NOT ACCEPT ANY MORE BOAT PEOPLE INVADING OUR SHORES, AND THE UNITED KINGDOM MUST FACE UP TO THIS FACT.
"AND UNTIL WE TAKE DRASTIC MEASURES SUCH AS I HAVE SUGGESTED, THE BOAT PEOPLE WILL KEEP ON COMING, AND OTHER NATIONS WILL KEEP ON IGNORING OUR PLIGHT," SHE SAID.
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/26......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17. 1989
- 26 -
SUGGESTION TO SHIP BACK VBP UNACCEPTABLE * * * t
THE HON JIMMY MCGREGOR SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY! HE WOULD NEVER AGREE TO THE "SOMEWHAT BIZARRE SUGGESTION" THAT THOUSANDS OF VIETNAMESE SHOULD BE TAKEN BACK TO THE COAST OE VIETNAM AND THERE COMMITTED TO THE SEAS TO ACCEPT WHATEVER FATE THE WEATHER AND THE WATER WOULD PROVIDE.
"I WANT TO SAY THAT I WILL NEVER BE PARTY TO ANY HONG KONG POLICY OR PROCEDURE WHICH MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS RISK OF THE LOSS OF LIFE ON THE HIGH SEAS OF MEN. WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHOSE ONLY CRIME IS THAT THEY SEEK A BETTER LIFE." HE TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
SPEAKING IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, MR MCGREGOR SAID IT DID NOT NEED A GREAT BRAIN TO SEE THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM AND THE POTENTIAL FOR FURTHER DIFFICULTIES.
"I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THE ANSWER WILL HAVE TO BE INVOLUNTARY REPATRIATION BASED ON AGREEMENT BY VIETNAM, HOPEFULLY AT THE JUNE CONFERENCE, TO ACCEPT THEIR CITIZENS BACK.
"I DO NOT DOUBT EITHER THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS A DIRECT RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINDING THE LONG TERM SOLUTION AND. IN THE MEANTIME, FOR MEETING THE HIGH COST TO THE HONG KONG AUTHORITIES OF MAINTAINING THE CAMPS," HE SAID.
MR MCGREGOR SAID THE PROBLEM HAD TO BE TACKLED WITHOUT HEAT OR RANCOUR AND CERTAINLY WITHOUT ENCOURAGING RACIAL TENSION AND DISCRIMINATION.
"WE ARE LEADERS, NOT RACISTS, AND WE SHOULD ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT LOGICALLY, NOT WITH A SENSE OF MOUNTING HYSTERIA," HE SAID.
MR MCGREGOR SAID HE HAD BEEN SADDENED MANY TIMES TO HEAR NORMALLY REASONABLE AND KINDLY PEOPLE SPOKE OF THE VIETNAMESE WITH MOUNTING ANGER AND VITUPERATION OFTEN WITH THE IMPLICATION THAT SOMEHOW THEY WERE ALL CRIMINALS TO BE KEPT VERY FAR AWAY FROM DECENT LAW ABIDING PEOPLE.
"THEY ARE NOT CRIMINALS," HE SAID. "THEIR COUNTRY HAD BEEN A WAR FOR HALF A CENTURY AND IS CLOSE TO ECONOMIC DEATH WITH HARDLY ENOUGH TO FEED TO POPULATION."
HOW DESPERATE THESE PEOPLE MUST BE TO SET SAIL AS THEY DID. HOW MANY OF US IN HONG KONG, ACCUSTOMED TO LEAVING IN THOUSANDS FOR OTHER COUNTRIES, WOULD YET SET OFF WITH THEIR CHILDREN, AS THE VIETNAMESE DID, INTO UNKNOWN WATERS, HE ASKED.
"THE INCREASING FRUSTRATION THAT WE FEEL AT THE CONTINUING INFLUX AND THE ANXIETY TO BRING IT TO A HALT SHOULD NOT, I THINK. BLIND US TO THE TERRIBLE BACKGROUND TO THIS ENORMOUS HUMAN TRAGEDY, THIS FLOOD OF HOPELESS HUMANITY SURGING ALONG A DANGEROUS CIRCUITOUS ROUTE LIKELY TO FINISH UP WHERE THEY STARTED," HE SAID.
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/27........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
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GENERAL- KNOWLEDGE ABOUT SEX IMPORTANT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE t ♦ * ♦ *
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE A GOOD GENERAL KNOWLEDGE ABOUT SEX AND AWARENESS OF THE POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES OF riHElR SEXUAL ACTIVITIES, I’HE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON T.H. CHAU, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ROSANNA TAM, MR CHAU SAID THAT ADEQUATE CHANNELS WERE OPEN TO YOUNG PEOPLE, IF NECESSARY, TO OBTAIN ADVICE AND HELP ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS.
MR CHAU SAID THAT A 1981 STUDY ON "THE ATTITUDE OF THE YOUNGER GENERATION TOWARDS MARRIAGE", UNDERTAKEN JOINTLY BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY WELFARE SECTOR, AND THE RECENT FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION STUDY, TO WHICH MRS TAM REFERRED, HAD BOTH REVEALED A COMPARATIVELY LIBERAL ATTITUDE TOWARDS SEX AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE.
HE SAID THAT THERE WERE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADOLESCENTS TO OBTAIN A GENERAL EDUCATION ON SEX IN SCHOOLS.
"ALL SECONDARY SCHOOLS ARE ADVISED TO SET ASIDE ABOUT SEVEN HOURS OF TEACHING PER YEAR FOR SEX EDUCATION.
"INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO SEEK ADVICE FROM THEIR SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS IF THEY EXPERIENCE SPECIFIC PROBLEMS RELATING TO SEXUAL MATTERS," HE SAID.
MR CHAU POINTED OUT THAT OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT YOUNG PEOPLE, IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR MARITAL STATUS, COULD OBTAIN MEDICAL AND COUNSELLING SERVICES AT THE FAMILY HEALTH SERVICE CENTRES UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES OPERATED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
"IT IS THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENTION TO DEVELOP THESE SERVICES FURTHER ACCORDING TO NEED.
"PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF AN ADDITIONAL EIGHT FAMILY HEALTH SERVICE CENTRES AND SIX FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
"APART FROM THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT, A NUMBER OF VOLUNTARY AGENCIES INCLUDING THE FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION ALSO OFFER SERVICES DIRECTED AT YOUNG PERSONS WITH SEX-RELATED PROBLEMS," HE SAID.
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/28........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
- 28 -
SEWAGE BLAMED FOR BEACH POLLUTION
i * * *
THE BEACHES WHICH HAVE BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING ARE POLLUTED BY FAECAL AND LIVESTOCK WASTES AND TO IMPROVE THE WATER QUALITY IT IS NECESSARY TO TACKLE THE SEWAGE POLLUTION PROBLEM AT SOURCE.
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 LAM WAI-KEUNG.
MR BARNES NOTED THAT SIX OUT OF 42 GAZETTED BEACHES HAD BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING, BASED ON THE WATER QUALITY DURING THE 1988 BATHING SEASON.
THEY WERE ANGLERS', SILVERMINE BAY, OLD CAFETERIA, CASTLE PEAK, ilNG KAU AND ROCKY BAY.
IN THE CASE OF ANGLERS' AND SILVERMINE BAY BEACHES WHICH WERE ”OLLUTED MAINLY BY PIG WASTES, MR BARNES SAID THE WATER QUALITY HAD RECENTLY' IMPROVED SINCE CONTROLS ON THE DISPOSAL OF LIVESTOCK WASTES 'N THE AREAS UNDER THE WASTE DISPOSAL ORDINANCE BEGAN IN JUNE LAST YEAR.
ROCKY BAY AND TING KAU BEACHES WERE POLLUTED BY EFFLUENT FROM DOMESTIC SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS FROM SEPTIC TANKS.
IN THE LONG TERM, TACKLING BEACHES REQUIRED THE PROVISION OF .11 STEM FOR THE SWIMMING AREAS, DEVELOPMENTS COULD CONNECT THEIR SEWERS.
THE POLLUTION PROBLEMS AT THESE
PROPER SEWERAGE AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL
SO THAT EXISTING AND FUTURE
SEWAGE FACILITIES TO THE PUBLIC
MR BARNES SAID A SEWERAGE MASTER PLAN FOR THE SOUTH OF HONG KONG ISLAND WHICH WOULD INCLUDE PROPOSALS FOR THE SHEK O/ROCKY BAY AREA WAS BEING DEVELOPED UNDER A CONSULTANCY, SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION LATER THIS YEAR.
A SIMILAR STUDY FOR THE TSUEN WAN AREA WAS COMMISSIONED EARLY 'ISIS YEAR AND THE COMPLETION OF WORKS DERIVING FROM THIS STUDY WOULD GENERALLY IMPROVE THE WATER QUALITY IN THE TSUEN WAN AREA AND ALONG THE CASTLE PEAK ROAD BEACHES.
IN ADDITION, A $5 MILLION SEWAGE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL SCHEME •OR TING KAU. INVOLVING INTERCEPTION AND DISINFECTION OF THE SEWAGE FROM THE HINTERLAND OF TING KAU BEACH. WAS PLANNED AS AN URGENT REMEDIAL MEASURE. HE ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
- 29 -
ARRANGEMENTS FOR CLOSING SCHOOLS BASED ON EXPERIENCE » ♦ » » »
THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR CLOSING SCHOOLS BECAUSE OF BAD WEATHER AND FOR PARENTS TO EXERCISE DISCRETION IN SENDING THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL WHEN LOCAL WEATHER OR TRANSPORT CONDITIONS CAUSE DIFFICULTIES, ARE BASED ON EXPERIENCE AND MAKE SENSE.
UNDER THESE ARRANGEMENTS, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS ISSUED CIRCULARS TO ,L SCHOOLS, AND THROUGH SCHOOLS TO PARENTS, TELLING THEM WHAT THEY SHOULD DO WHEN THERE IS DANGER FROM BAD WEATHER.
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, SAID THIS IN Till LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PETER POON IN CONNECTION WITH THE MAY 2 RAINSTORM.
MR BRIDGE STRESSED THAT HE UNDERSTOOD AND SYMPATHISED WITH MEMBERS’ CONCERN THAT EVERYTHING POSSIBLE SHOULD BE DONE TO PROTECT SCHOOL CHILDREN FROM DANGER ARISING FROM SUDDEN UNEXPECTED RAINSTORMS SUCH AS HAD OCCURRED THAT DAY.
HE EXPLAINED THAT UNDER PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS WHENEVER THE WEATHER WAS UNSETTLED THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WOULD HAVE AN OFFICER ON DUTY ROUND-THE-CLOCK.
THE OFFICER KEPT IN TOUCH WITH THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE. IF THERE WERE GROUNDS FOR CLOSING SCHOOLS THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION TOOK THE BEST DECISION HE COULD ON THE FACTS AVAILABLE.
"WHEN CONDITIONS JUSTIFY IT, AN ANNOUNCEMENT WHETHER OR NOT SCHOOLS WILL BE CLOSED IS MADE NO LATER THAN 6.15 AM FOR MORNING SESSION AND ALL-DAY SCHOOLS, AND NO LATER THAN 11 AM FOR THE AFTERNOON SESSION SO THAT PARENTS WILL KNOW THE POSITION BEFORE THEY ALLOW THEIR CHILDREN TO SET OFF FOR SCHOOL," HE SAID.
MR BRIDGE SAID PROBLEMS AROSE BECAUSE HEAVY RAIN WAS SOMETIMES EXTREMELY LOCALISED AND COULD NOT ALWAYS BE FORESEEN.
"THIS MEANS THAT IT MAY SOMETIMES BE NECESSARY FOR SCHOOL HEADS OR PARENTS TO USE THEIR OWN INITIATIVE TO TAKE WHATEVER SAFETY MEASURES LOCAL CONDITIONS MAY JUSTIFY," HE SAID.
TO HELP THEM, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ISSUED CIRCULARS TO ALL SCHOOLS AND THROUGH SCHOOLS TO PARENTS, TELLING THEM WHAT THEY SHOULD DO WHEN THERE WAS DANGER FROM BAD WEATHER.
"THE CIRCULARS EXPLAIN IN WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES SCHOOLS MAY BE CLOSED; STRESS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF SCHOOL HEADS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THEIR STUDENTS; AND COVER SITUATIONS WHERE LOCAL WEATHER CONDITIONS MAY FORCE SOME SCHOOLS TO CLOSE; EVEN THOUGH A GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENT TO CLOSE ALL SCHOOLS IS NOT JUSTIFIED," MR BRIDGE SAID.
/"THE CIRCULARS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
- JO -
"THE CIRCULARS EMPHASISE THAT SCHOOLS SHOULD REMIND PARENTS TO USE DISCRETION IN SENDING THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL WHEN LOCAL WEATHER OR TRANSPORT CONDITIONS CAUSE DIFFICULTIES; AND SCHOOL HEADS ARE ASKED NOT TO PENALISE STUDENTS WHO ARE ABSENT OR LATE IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES.
"THESE ARRANGEMENTS ARE BASED ON EXPERIENCE AND SEEM TO ME TO MAKE SENSE."
MR BRIDGE SAID HE COULD NOT HIMSELF THINK OF ANY WAY THE ARRANGEMENTS COULD BE IMPROVED. BUT HE WELCOMED ANY SUGGESTIONS FROM MEMBERS.
REFERRING TO THE STORM ON MAY 2, MR BRIDGE SAID THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT BEGAN MONITORING WEATHER AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AS SOON AS THE HEAVY RAIN BEGAN AT AROUND 10 AM.
"BY 11 AM THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS OF ANY NEED TO CLOSE SCHOOLS," HE SAID.
ANNOUNCEMENTS WERE MADE OVER THE RADIO AND IN RESPONSE TO TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES ADVISING PARENTS THAT THEY SHOULD USE DISCRETION IN SENDING THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL IF LOCAL CONDITIONS WERE LIKELY TO MAKE THIS DIFFICULT, HE ADDED.
AT ABOUT NOON, THE RAIN OVER KOWLOON UNEXPECTEDLY BECAME MUCH HEAVIER.
BETWEEN NOON AND 1 PM, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY RECORDED OVER 104 MILLIMETRES OF RAIN AT ITS HEADQUARTERS, ALTHOUGH SOME OTHER PARTS OF THE TERRITORY RECORDED ONLY LIGHT RAIN.
BY THAT TIME MANY AFTERNOON SESSION CHILDREN WERE ALREADY ON THEIR WAY TO SCHOOL, OR HAD ALREADY REACHED SCHOOL, MR BRIDGE SAID.
"THE DIRECTOR DECIDED AGAINST A CLOSURE ANNOUNCEMENT AT THAT STAGE, BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THESE CHILDREN, AS WELL AS STUDENTS IN WHOLE DAY SCHOOLS, HAVING TO SET OFF HOME IN THE HEAVY RAIN.
"WE KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE THAT THIS WOULD ONLY HAVE ADDED TO THE STRAIN ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND INCREASED RISKS TO STUDENTS1 SAFETY," HE SAID.
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/31
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
31
PIGEON RAISING IN ESTATES WILL NOT BE TOLERATED t t * ♦ ♦
UNDER THE TERMS OF THEIR TENANCY AGREEMENTS WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, TENANTS OF PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES ARE ONLY ALLOWED TO KEEP ANIMALS, BIRDS OR LIVESTOCK OF ANY KIND IN THEIR PREMISES WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE AUTHORITY.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, THE HON DONALD LIAO, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON RONALD CHOW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR LIAO POINTED OUT THAT FOR THOSE OLDER TYPES OF PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, THE TENANCY CARDS ISSUED BY THE FORMER RESETTLEMENT DEPARTMENT ALSO CONTAINED A SIMILAR CONDITION PROHIBITING THE KEEPING OF POULTRY, PIGEONS, RABBITS OR ANIMALS OF ANY KIND EXCEPT ONE CAT, WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT.
"IF ANY TENANTS ARE FOUND TO BE IN BREACH OF THE ABOVE-MENTIONED TENANCY CONDITIONS, THEY ARE TOLD TO REMOVE THE ANIMALS. IN MOST CASES, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IS ABLE TO SOLICIT THE CO-OPERATION OF THE TENANTS," MR LIAO SAID.
IN SOME CASES WHERE PET KEEPING WOULD NOT CAUSE NUISANCE TO OTHER TENANTS, SUCH AS KEEPING SMALL CAGE-BIRDS, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WAS PREPARED TO TOLERATE IT.
"THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IS, HOWEVER, NOT PREPARED TO ALLOW OR TOLERATE THE RAISING OF PIGEONS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES," HE SAID.
AS REGARDS THE PARTICULAR CASE MENTIONED BY MR CHOW, MR LIAO SAID THE TENANT HAD DISPOSED OF ALL THE PIGEONS.
- - 0 -
INTEREST ON COMPENSATION FOR LAND RESUMPTION EXPLAINED t » t * »
THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT NEED TO AMEND THE LAW TO PROVIDE FOR INTEREST TO BE PAID ON COMPENSATION FOR LAND RESUMPTION AS 1H1S IS ALREADY COVERED BY EXISTING LEGISLATION.
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS INFORMED OF THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES.
/MR BARNES
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
- 52 -
MR BARNES WAS GIVING A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON TAI CHIN-WAH.
HE SAID THAT SECTION 17(3) OF THE CROWN LANDS RESUMPTION ORDINANCE SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED FOR INTEREST TO BE PAID ON ALL STATUTORY COMPENSATION COVERING THE PERIOD FROM REVERSION OF THE LAND TO CROWN TO THE ACTUAL PAYMENT, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER OR NOT THE COMPENSATION WAS DETERMINED BY THE LANDS TRIBUNAL.
"THIS COVERS ALSO COMPENSATION TO BE PAID UNDER THE ROADS (WORKS, USE AND COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE. THERE IS THEREFORE NO NEED TO AMEND THE ORDINANCES," MR BARNES ADDED.
------o--------
ADVISORY SIGNS TO BE ERECTED ON CYCLE TRACKS
ROAD SIGNS GIVING ADVICE ON BASIC RULES OF SAFE CYCLING WILL BE ERECTED ON CYCLE TRACKS IN SHA TIN AND MA ON SHAN, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDENSDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP, MRLEUNG SAID THE SIGNS WOULD ALSO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON CYCLING ROUTES, REST KIOSKS, BICYCLE PARKING PLACES, TOILETS AND LOCAL LANDMARKS.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD A SCHEME TO INSTALL SUCH ROAD SIGNS APART FROM ORDINARY TRAFFIC SIGNS AND ROAD MARKINGS TO CONTROL AND GUIDE CYCLISTS.
FIFTEEN LOCATIONS ALONG THE CYCLE TRACKS IN SHA TIN AND MA ON SHAN HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED AND THE SIGNS WOULD BE INSTALLED BY OCTOBER THIS YEAR.
HE SAID THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WOULD REVIEW THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SCHEME AFTER IMPLEMENTATION.
IF THE RESULTS WERE POSITIVE, THE SCHEME WOULD BE EXTENDED TO OTHER DISTRICTS.
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/53........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
- 55 -
MEASURES TO CLEAR GRAVEL ON ROADS ADEQUATE » ♦ t ♦ ♦
ALTHOUGH THERE ARE ADEQUATE ROAD SWEEPING MEASURES. FLYING GRAVEL LN HIGH SPEED ROADS IS A DANGER TO WINDSCREENS WHICH CANNOT BE ENTIRELY ELIMINATED.
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON CHAN YING-LUN.
MR BARNES SAID THAT ROAD SWEEPING WAS SHARED BETWEEN THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT AND THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS WITH THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMET RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HIGH SPEED ROADS AND THE COUNCILS THE REST.
"THE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED BELIEVE THAT THESE MEASURES ARE GENERALLY ADEQUATE BUT DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THEY CAN GUARD COMPLETELY AGAINST FLYING GRAVEL, AS EVEN A SMALL PIECE FLYING UP AT A HIGH SPEED CAN BREAK A WINDSCREEN," HE SAID.
------0-------
SQUATTERS TO BE CLEARED FROM UNSAFE SLOPES
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ t
ALL SQUATTERS WILL BE CLEARED FROM UNSAFE SLOPES BY THE EARLY 1990’S TO ELIMINATE ALL RISKS FROM LANDSLIPS DURING HEAVY RAINFALL.
THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THIS TODAY^ (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON POON
MR BARNES REFERRED TO A CLEARANCE GOVERNMENT SOME TIME AGO UNDER WHICH 38,000 AND REHOUSED BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
POLICY ADOPTED BY THE SQUATTERS WERE CLEARED
ALL
"ALTHOUGH OVER 10,000 STILL REMAIN. IT IS HOPEI) THAT THEY BE CLEARED FROM UNSAFE SLOPES IN THE URBAN AREA BY THE
1990’S.
"MEANWHILE, A PRESCRIBED WARNING SYSTEM IS USED PO SQUATTERS TO TAKE REFUGE IN RECEPTION CENTRES WHEN EXCEPTIONALLY RAINFALL CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO OCCUR," HE SAID.
WILL
EARLY
URGE HEAVY
SAID RECORD
CONCERNING THE FLOODING IN SOME AREAS ON MAY’ 2, MR BARNES THE MAIN CAUSE WAS THE EXCEPTIONALLY HEAVY RAINFALL OF ALMOST SHORT-TERM INTENSITIES, PARTICULARLY IN KWUN TONG.
/THE SITUATION .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
- -
THE SITUATION WAS AGGRAVATED BY THE EXTENSIVE BLOCKAGE OF GULLIES BY REFUSE AND DEBRIS WASHED FROM ROADWORKS AND SMALL LANDSLIPS.
HE ADDED THAT ALTHOUGH THE RESPONSE OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN DEALING WITH THE FLOOD SITUATION WAS GOOD, HF HAD ASKED THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES TO UNDERTAKE A THOROUGH REVIEW OF EXISTING FLOOD EMERGENCY PROCEDURES TO SEE WHAT CHANGES COULD BE MADE TO IMPROVE THIS IMPORTANT SERVICE.
- - 0---------
HELPERS ALLOWED TO CHANGE JOBS BECAUSE OF ABUSE t t t » *
SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF REVISED CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS IN APRIL 1987. THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HAS APPROVED 40 APPLICATIONS FOR A CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT ON THE GROUND OF PHYSICAL OR SEXUAL ABUSE BY THE EMPLOYERS.
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ELSIE TU.
"THIS WILL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IF AND WHEN THE EMPLOYERS NEXT SEEK TO EMPLOY A FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPER." HE SAID.
IT WAS NORMAL PROCEDURE FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TO ADVISE ANY FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPER WHO SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION TO CHANGE HER EMPLOYER ON THE GROUNDS OF PHYSICAL OR SEXUAL ABUSE TO REPORT HER CASE TO THE POLICE, HE NOTED.
MR ASPREY SAID THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT KEPT STATISTICS ON APPLICATIONS FOR A CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT BY FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS FOLLOWING PREMATURE TERMINATION OF THEIR ORIGINAL CONTRACT, BUT NOT ON THE OVERALL NUMBER OF CONTRACTS TERMINATED PREMATURELY.
"IT DOES NOT, THEREFORE, HAVE DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE NUMBER OF CASES WHERE PREMATURE TERMINATION WAS INITIATED BY THE EMPLOYER OR BY THE EMPLOYEE, NOR ON THE STAGE AT WHICH CONTRACTS ARE TERMINATED," HE SAID.
"HOWEVER, I CAN SAY THAT IN 1988 THERE WERE 2,606 APPLICATIONS FROM FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS TO CHANGE EMPLOYMENT FOLLOWING PREMATURE TERMINATION OF THEIR CONTRACTS."
OF THESE, MR ASPREY SAID, 75 PER CENT GAVE ONE OR OTHER OF THE FOLLOWING REASONS FOR NOT COMPLETING THE ORIGINAL CONTRACTS:
(A) TRANSFER OUT OF HONG KONG OR EMIGRATION OF THEIR EMPLOYER;
(B) DEATH OF THEIR EMPLOYER; OR
(C) FINANCIAL DIFFICULTY OF THEIR EMPLOYER.
ABOUT ONE PER CENT GAVE MALTREATMENT OR ABUSE BY THEIR EMPLOYER AS A REASON, MR ASPREY ADDED.
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/35.......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
THREE AO’S GRANTED BRITISH CITIZENSHIP *****
P THE PAST FIVE YEARS, THREE LOCAL OFFICERS FROM TL ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE, AND NONE FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLIO FORCE, HAVE BEEN GRANTED BRITISH CITIZENSHIP UNDER SECTION 4(5) OF THE BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT ON ACCOUNT OF CROWN SERVICE IN HONG KONG.
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS INFORMED OF THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) 11 THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN A I .ITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ELSIE TU.
"WE HAVE NO DETAILS CONCERNING THOSE WHO MAY HAVE ACQUIRED PF1TISH CITIZENSHIP IN OTHER WAYS," HE SAID.
MR ASPREY SAID THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM WAS AN , J TRIBUTE OF BRITISH CITIZENSHIP.
"THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS INFORMED OF ALL APPLICATIONS FCR TEE GRANT OF BRITISH CITIZENSHIP ON ACCOUNT OF CROWN SERVICE UNDER THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
- - 0
AFD REVIEWS SAFETY MEASURES *****
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT HAS REVIEWED SAFE!Y "EASURES CURRENTLY IN OPERATION AND WILL SHORTLY BE ISSUING MORE "’AILED GUIDELINES TO SUPERVISORS AND STAFF INVOLVED IN OUTDOOR WORK
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS INFORMED OF THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) . v THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PEGGY LAM, .COBS SAID OTHER HEADS OF DEPARTMENT HAD ALSO BEEN REMINDED TO ■VIEW AND, WHERE NECESSARY, UPDATE SUCH GUIDELINES AND BRING THESE 0 THE ATTENTION OF SUPERVISORY AND OUTDOOR STAFF MORE FREQUENTLY.
MR JACOBS SAID THE DEATH OF A AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES ■PARTMENT WORKMAN DURING THE HEAVY RAIN ON MAY 2 WAS AN UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT, AND THE CAUSE OF DEATH HAD YET TO BE DETERMINED.
UE SAID PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES AND GUIDELINES EXISTED N DEPARTMENTS WHOSE STAFF WERE REQUIRED TO PERFORM OUTDOOR DUTIES O ENSURE THAT THEY WERE NOT EXPOSED TO UNNECESSARY RISK.
THESE MEASURES AND GUIDELINES TOOK INTO ACCOUNT THE OPERATIONAL I EDS OF THE DEPARTMENT. AND MIGHT COVER :
/(A) TRAINING
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
- 36 -
(A) TRAINING FOR STAFF IN THE USE OF SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND IN DEALING WITH EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, INCLUDING THE
APPLICATION OF FIRST AID;
(B > PROVISION OF PROTECTIVE CLOTHING WHERE APPROPRIATE;
(C) SPECIFIC OPERATIONAL INSTRUCTIONS TO MEET DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES: AND
(D) THE DISCRETION OF SUPERVISORY STAFF TO ADJUST THEIR WORK PROGRAMME IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHANGES IN WEATHER CONDITIONS AND TO RECALL STAFF ON OUTDOOR DUTIES WHERE NECESSARY.
"THE MEASURES AND GUIDELINES ARE REGULARLY REVIEWED AND UPDATED," MR JACOBS SAID.
"NEVERTHELESS, ACCIDENTS BY THEIR VERY NATURE DO OCCUR FROM TIME TO TIME, ALTHOUGH IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, APART FROM THE INCIDENT IN QUESTION, THERE HAVE BEEN NO FATALITIES ATTRIBUTABLE TO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS," HE ADDED.
-----Q------
CORRECT POLICY ON OFFICE ACCOMMODATION IN INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD’S VIEW ON THE IMMEDIATE USE OF EXISTING INDUSTRIAL SPACE FOR OFFICE PURPOSES IS THAT CONVERSIONS SHOULD BE LIMITED TO OFFICE USES RELATED TO MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS IN THE SAME PREMISES AND SHOULD NOT NORMALLY EXCEED 30 PER CENT.
THIS VIEW REFLECTED THAT OF THE ADMINISTRATION, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, STATED IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON JAMES TIEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BARNES SAID HE COULD APPRECIATE THE FRUSTRATION OF THOSE WHO OWNED FACTORY PREMISES WHICH COULD MORE PROFITABLY BE LET OUT AS OFFICES AND OF THOSE WHO WOULD HOPED TO PICK UP A CHEAPER RENT IN AN INDUSTRIAL BUILDING.
BUT HE SAID THEY MUST APPRECIATE THAT THROUGH ZONING AND USER RESTRICTIONS THE GOVERNMENT HAD IN PRACTICE SET THE LIMITS OF THE MARKETS BOTH IN INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL PREMISES AND A MORE WHOLESCALE UNRESTRICTED CONVERSION WOULD CERTAINLY UPSET THESE MARKETS UNFAIRLY.
AS REGARDS CHANGE OF PLANNING, MR BARNES SAID HE COULD OFFER LITTLE ADVANCE ON HIS STATEMENT TWO WEEKS AGO IN THE BUDGET DEBATE.
/THE LITTLE .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
- 57 -
THE LITTLE HE COULD ADVANCE WAS THAT FROM 1986 TO LAST YEAR, THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD GAVE PERMISSION TO 29 APPLICATIONS TO OFFICE DEVELOPMENT WHICH WOULD RESULT IN ADDITIONAL 400,000 SQUARE METRE OF COMMERCIAL FLOOR SPACE FROM FORMER INDUSTRIAL LAND.
"SO, EVEN WITHIN THE RESTRICTED GUIDELINES, QUITE A LOT IS BEING ACHIEVED," HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID IN HIS VIEW THIS ALSO CONFIRMED THAT THE GENERAL POLICY THAT ADDITIONA1 OFFICE ACCOMMODATION SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR THROUGH NEW LAND AND CONVERSION OF LAND RATHER THAN BUILDINGS WAS A RIGHT ONE.
-------o----------
LEGCO PASSES MOTION ON VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE
» * « * *
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A MOTION CALLING ON THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO FULFIL ITS RESPONSIBILITY BY TAKING A LEADING ROLE IN PURSUING THE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF REPATRIATION OF BOAT PEOPLE FROM HONG KONG, AND IN ACCEPTING MORE REFUGEES FOR RESETTLEMENT.
TWENTY-FOUR MEMBERS SPOKE ON THE MOTION, WHICH WAS MOVED BY THE SENIOR MEMBER, THE HON ALLEN LEE.
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY. THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, REPLIED FOR THE GOVERNMENT, AND SUPPORTED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION READ:
"THAT THIS COUNCIL, CONSIDERING THAT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SCREENING POLICY FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE DEPENDS UPON THE SUCCESSFUL REPATRIATION OF ALL THOSE SCREENED OUT AS NON-REFUGEES AND THE RESETTLEMENT OF ALL REFUGEES, URGES HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT TO FULFIL ITS RESPONSIBILITY BY TAKING A LEADING ROLE IN ACTIVELY PURSUING THE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF REPATRIATION, AND IN ACCEPTING FOR RESETTLEMENT MORE REFUGEES FROM HONG KONG."
IN OTHER BUSINESS, THE COUNCIL PASSED SIX BILLS, ONE OF WHICH WAS THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1989.
THE OTHER BILLS WERE THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1989; AND THE ROAD TRAFFIC (DRIVING LICENCES REGULATIONS AND REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF VEHICLES REGULATIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989.
TWO MOTIONS CONCERNING CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS AND PENSIONS PAYABLE UNDER THE WIDOWS AND ORPHANS PENSION SCHEME AND UNDER THE WIDOWS’ AND CHILDREN’S PENSION SCHEME WERE ALSO PASSED. THESE WERE MOVED BY THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS.
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/58........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
38
CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS ADJUSTED
* * * t
ADJUSTMENTS IN CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS, IN LINE WITH MOVEMENTS IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A), WERE APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE ADJUSTMENTS WERE MADE UNDER THE PENSIONS (INCREASE) ORDINANCE AND THE WIDOWS AND ORPHANS PENSION (INCREASE) ORDINANCE, IN TWO MOTIONS MOVED BY THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON PIERS JACOBS.
MR JACOBS EXPLAINED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S DECLARED POLICY WAS TO MAINTAIN THE ORIGINAL PURCHASING POWER OF CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS, INCLUDING PENSIONS PAYABLE UNDER THE WIDOWS AND ORPHANS PENSION SCHEME AND UNDER THE WIDOWS’ AND CHILDREN’S PENSION SCHEME.
DURING THE LATEST REVIEW PERIOD FROM APRIL 1 LAST YEAR TO MARCH 31 THIS YEAR, THE MOVING ANNUAL AVERAGE OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) ROSE BY 9.1 POINTS OR 8.18 PER CENT, HE SAID.
"THE USUAL PRACTICE IS TO ROUND UP THE PERCENTAGE FIGURE TO THE NEAREST WHOLE NUMBER IF THE DECIMAL PLACE IS 0.5 PER CENT OR MORE, AND TO ROUND DOWN IF LESS.
"THE PENSION INCREASE PERCENTAGES WILL ALSO BE ADJUSTED, IF NECESSARY, TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF ROUNDING OFF OVER THE YEARS," HE SAID.
MR JACOBS SAID SINCE 1976, WHEN THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ADJUSTING PENSIONS AGAINST MOVEMENTS IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) WERE INTRODUCED, THE PERCENTAGE INCREASES HAD BEEN ROUNDED DOWN IN NINE YEARS OUT OF 13.
THIS HAD RESULTED OVER THE YEARS IN A NET ARITHMETIC ROUNDING DOWN OF 0.62 PER CENT.
"TO ROUND DOWN AGAIN THIS YEAR AND ADJUST PENSIONS BY EIGHT PER CENT WOULD INCREASE THE SHORTFALL TO 0.8 PER CENT.
"IT IS THEREFORE CONSIDERED REASONABLE TO ROUND UP THIS YEAR’S ADJUSTMENT FROM 8.18 PER CENT TO NINE PER CENT, AND TO APPLY IT TO ALL PENSIONS IN PAYMENT ON APRIL 1, 1989," HE SAID.
THE TOTAL COST OF INCREASING ALL PENSIONS BY NINE PER CENT WAS ESTIMATED AT $82.22 MILLION FOR A FULL YEAR, MR JACOBS ADDED.
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/39........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
- 59 -
RELIEF TO CROSS HARBOUR CONGESTION IN SIGHT
*****
THE OPENING OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING IN A FEW MONTHS WOULD PROVIDE A WELCOME RELIEF TO THE CONGESTION AT THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL AND AT THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY NATHAN ROAD CORRIDOR, THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR JAMES SO, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE DRIVE-THROUGH CEREMONY FOR THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, MR SO SAID THAT WITH THE DEDICATION AND EFFICIENCY OF BOTH THE MANAGEMENT OF THE NEW HONG KONG TUNNEL COMPANY AND THE CONTRACTOR, THE CROSSING WAS LIKELY TO BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC WELL AHEAD OF SCHEDULE IN AUGUST.
THE NEW ROAD CROSSING IS EXPECTED TO ATTRACT ABOUT 35,000 TO 40,000 VEHICLES PER DAY IN 1989 WHILE THE TRAFFIC FLOW IN THE EXISTING CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL IS ESTIMATED TO DROP TO ABOUT 108,000 VEHICLES PER DAY.
"THIS WILL REMOVE THE LONG QUEUES WE NOW SEE EACH DAY AT THE APPROACHES TO THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HARBOUR," MR SO SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT AWARDED THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING PROJECT TO THE NEW HONG KONG TUNNEL COMPANY IN DECEMBER 1985 TO FINANCE, BUILD AND OPERATE THIS NEW FACILITY AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $3.4 BILLION.
MR SO NOTED THAT THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING COMPRISED A STANDARD DUAL TWO-LANE ROAD TUNNEL AND A RAILWAY TUNNEL FOR THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY.
ON THE CHA KWO LING SIDE, THE TUNNEL APPROACH ROAD WILL BE CONNECTED TO LEI YUE MUN ROAD, AND ALSO TO THE FUTURE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL THROUGH THE KWUN TONG BYPASS.
ON THE HONG KONG SIDE, THE TUNNEL WILL LINK UP WITH THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR AND KORNHILL IN QUARRY BAY. THE CAPACITY OF THE ROAD TUNNEL IS AROUND 120,000 VEHICLES PER DAY.
MR SO ALSO NOTED THAT THE RAIL TUNNEL WOULD PROVIDE A SECOND CROSS HARBOUR LINE FOR THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY JOINING KWUN TONG STATION, THROUGH A NEW STATION IN LAM TIN, WITH QUARRY BAY STATION ON HONG KONG SIDE.
"THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING WILL CERTAINLY AFFECT TRAFFIC PATTERNS BY BRINGING ABOUT A RE-DISTRIBUTION OF TRAFFIC, IN PARTICULAR IN EAST KOWLOON AND THE EASTERN PART OF HONG KONG ISLAND," MR SO ADDED.
"THIS SITUATION WILL NEED TO BE CLOSELY MONITORED AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES WILL HAVE TO BE INTRODUCED TO MEET THE CHANGING TRAFFIC PATTERNS IN THE AREAS AFFECTED."
- O -------
/4O
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
40 -
LADY WILSON VISITS SHELTERED HOUSING FOR ELDERLY ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
LADY WILSON VISITED THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S SHELTERED HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY IN HENG ON ESTATE, SHA TIN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AND <-.OWED GREAT INTEREST IN THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF THE RESIDENTS THERE.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, I F. ADOLF HSU, LADY WILSON ARRIVED AT HENG ON ESTATE IN THE AFTERNOON ^ND WAS MET BY SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VICTOR YUNG; CHIEF HOUSING MANAGER (NORTH), MR SIU CHE-WING; AND HOUSING MANAGER, MR YUEN IION-KEUNG.
AFTER A TOUR OF THE ESTATE'S FACILITIES, INCLUDING THE CHINESE GARDEN, THE COMMERCIAL COMPLEX, AND THE ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE, THE PARTY WENT TO HENG FUNG HOUSE WHERE THE SHELTERED HOUSING IS SITUATED.
LADY WILSON WAS TOLD THAT THE SHELTERED HOUSING, WHICH IS MANAGED BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG.
IT WAS OPENED IN DECEMBER 1987, WITH A CAPACITY TO HOLD 145 "l.DERLY PEOPLE. ITS PRESENT OCCUPANCY RATE IS ABOUT 94 PER CENT.
IN ONE OF THE THREE RECREATION ROOMS, THE PARTY WATCHED THE ELDERLY PLAY GAMES DESIGNED BY THE STAFF OF A VOLUNTARY AGENCY N THE SHA KOK AREA.
LADY WILSON WAS PRESENTED WITH A HANDICRAFT SOUVENIR MADE BY HE RESIDENTS THERE.
THE PARTY THEN WENT TO ONE OF THE UNITS TO SEE THE DAILY LIFE OF RESIDENTS IN THE SHELTERED HOUSING.
THE ELDERLY RESIDENTS LIVE IN PRIVATE BEDROOMS, RANGING FROM f. .27 SQUARE METRES FOR ONE PERSON TO 10.35 SQUARE METRES FOR TWO. HE MONTHLY RENTAL VARIES FROM $185 FOR A SINGLE ROOM, TO $310 FOR A DOUBLE ROOM.
EACH ROOM IS FITTED WITH SEPARATE LIGHTING POINTS, METERED LECTRICITY, GAS SUPPLY AND TELEVISION AERIAL, AS WELL AS AN ALARM SYSTEM CONNECTED TO THE WARDEN’S OFFICE AND QUARTERS SO THAT MEDICAL AND WELFARE SERVICES CAN BE ARRANGED VERY QUICKLY, IN AN EMERGENCY.
APART FROM PRIVATE BEDROOMS, EACH UNIT ALSO HAS A COMMON LIVING ROOM, A KITCHEN AND A BATHROOM, WITH FACILITIES ESPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR THE SAFETY AND CONVENIENCE OF THE RESIDENTS.
LADY WILSON WAS TOLD THAT THE PRESENT SCHEME WAS A GREAT MPROVEMENT OVER THE OLD ONE. THE MAIN ADVANTAGES ARE A GREAT DEGREE -i PRIVACY, NICE ENVIRONMENT, GOOD MANAGEMENT AND MANY SOCIAL AND •OMMUNITY ACTIVITIES.
SHE WAS GLAD TO LEARN THAT THE SHELTERED HOUSING SCHEME HAD BEEN FAVOURABLY RECEIVED BY DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND SHA TIN RESIDENTS, AND THAT SIMILAR PROJECTS IN KWONG YUEN ESTATE, SHA TIN, AND TAI WO ESTATE, TAI PO, WOULD COME INTO OPERATION LATER THIS YEAR.
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/41 .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
SOUTHERN DB TO DISCUSS PROPOSED BUS FARE RISE ♦ ♦ » t t
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE PROPOSED FARE INCREASES FOR BUS SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER A PROPOSAL TO EXTENDTHE SOUTHERN WATER CONTROL ZONE TO COVER INDUSTRIAL DISCHARGES.
A PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, DR MICHAEL CHIU, WILL BE PRESENT TO ANSWER MEMBERS’ QUESTIONS.
MEANWHILE, THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS, MR ARTHUR GARCIA, WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE WORK OF HIS OFFICE.
IN ADDITION, TWO CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENTS WILL BE TABLED AT THE MEETING. THEY ARE THE "REPORT ON ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS" PREPARED BY THE COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH, AND THE "LOCAL CRAFT REVIEW" BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, 7-11 NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN CERTRE.
THE MEETING WILL START AT 2.30 PM.
- - 0 -
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS REPORT ON HOUSING IMPROVEMENT
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY WELFARE COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS, AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY), A DRAFT REPORT BY A WORKING GROUP TO STUDY THE IMPROVEMENT OF ACCOMMODATION FOR SINGLE PERSONS AND TWO-PERSON FAMILIES IN THE DISTRICT.
THE WORKING GROUP WAS SET UP LAST JULY TO STUDY PROBLEMS RELATING TO SINGLE PERSONS AND TWO-PERSON FAMILIES LIVING IN BOTH PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND PRIVATE BUILDINGS AND THOSE OCCUPYING JUST BED SPACES.
/THE STUDY
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
- 42 -
THE STUDY ALSO COVERED STREET SLEEPERS.
ALSO ON THE AGENDA ARE THE PROPOSED INTRODUCTION OF STUDY ROOM FACILITIES IN CHEUNG SHA WAN ESTATE AND THE SETTING UP OF A WORKING GROUP TO ORGANISE THE 1989-90 FESTIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY. THE LAI'IER WILL NEED A SUBSIDY OF ABOUT $25,000 FROM THE COMMITTEE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SHAM SHU1 PO DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY WELFARE COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE SHEK KIP MEI COMMUNITY HALL, BLOCK 42. SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM.
------0 -------
GOVT LOT TO LET BY TENDER 1 t ♦ t *
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT TERM TENANCY OF A SITE AT TUNG LEI ROAD LN KOWLOON CITY.
MEASURING ABOUT 2,360 SQUARE METRES IN AREA. IT IS FOR A FEE-PAYING PARKING AREA FOR THE PARKING OF MOTOR VEHICLES (EXCLUDING CONTAINER VEHICLES) CURRENTLY LICENSED UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE.
THE TENANCY IS FOR THREE YEARS AND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JUNE 2 THIS YEAR.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON EAST, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON AND THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
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o • •
A3 ....
WEDNESDAY. MAY 17. 1989
- -
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN NORTH POINT TO BE CLOSED t ♦ t * t
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS TO SEEK THE CLOSURE OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN NORTH POINT. HONG KONG, SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS OR TO THE PUBLIC.
THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ARE ON THE FLAT ROOFS OF FLAT 1 ON THE
12TH. 13TH AND 14TH FLOORS OF PO LEE BUILDING. 993-997 KING’S ROAD.
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE ORDERS ISSUED
UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR REQUIRING THE
DEMOLITION OF THESE UNAUTHORISED WORKS.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON JULY 26 WAS POSTED ON A CONSPICUOUS PART OF THE STRUCTURES TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IT IS INTENDED THAT DEMOLITION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE OBTAINED.
------0-------
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS ON HONG KONG ISLAND t ♦ t ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MAY 19), SEVERAL ROAD SECTIONS IN CENTRAL AND NORTH POINT WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS.
IN CENTRAL, THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF ICE HOUSE STREET FROM A POINT ABOUT 165 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRA). TO A POINT ABOUT 230 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL CONTINUE TO BE AN URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK FOR ANOTHER MONTH TO FACILITATE ROADWORKS.
IN NORTH POINT, KING’S ROAD WESTBOUND BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH OIL STREET AND COMFORT TERRACE WILL ALSO BE MADE A 24-HOUR DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY FOR ABOUT FIVE MONTHS BECAUSE OF CABLE LAYING WORKS.
IN ADDITION, TWO SECTIONS OF TSING FUNG STREET WILL BECOME 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS FOR ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
THEY ARE: THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TSING FUNG STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH ELECTRIC ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE FROM A POINT ABOUT 40 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH ELECTRIC ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
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/44........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
44
ROAD CLOSURE IN MONG KOK * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT IN ORDER TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS AT SHAM CHUN STREET IN MONG KOK, SHAM CHUN STREET ABOUT 30 METRES SOUTH FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH CHEUNG WONG ROAD WILL BE CLOSED FROM FRIDAY (MAY 19) FOR TWO MONTHS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS ON MONG KOK ROAD HEADING FOR SHAM CHUN STREET ARE ADVISED TO USE PALM STREET AND ARGYLE STREET.
AT THE SAME TIME, MOTORISTS ON ARGYLE STREET HEADING FOR CHEUNG WONG ROAD ARE ADVISED TO USE RECLAMATION STREET AND MONG KOK ROAD.
------0 ------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KWUN TONG ♦ * * ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF KWUN TONG TOWN CENTRE AND INDUSTRIAL AREA TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEMES FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MAY 19), THE RIGHT TURN FROM WAI YIP STREET EASTBOUND AND KWUN TONG ROAD EASTBOUND TO LAI YIP STREE'l SOUTHBOUND WILL BE BANNED.
AT THE SANE TIME, VEHICLES ON WAI YIP STREET EASTBOUND HEADING FOR LAI YIP STREET SOUTHBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL VIA HOW MING STREET NORTHBOUND AND HUNG TO ROAD WESTBOUND.
VEHICLES ON KWUN TONG ROAD EASTBOUND HEADING FOR LAI YIP STREET SOUTHBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL VIA HOI YUEN ROAD, HOW MING STREET WESTBOUND, CHONG YIP STREET AND HUNG TO ROAD WESTBOUND.
----0------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WONG TAI SIN *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT OF THE WESTERN ACCESS LINKING CHUK YUEN ROAD AND JUNCTION ROAD IN WONG TAI SIN, THE SECTION OF CHUK YUEN ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH KAM CHUK LANE AND LION ROCK PARK ROAD WILL BE CLOSED FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MAY 19) FOR ONE MONTH.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE SECTION OF LION ROCK PARK ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 70 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC.
MOTORISTS ON EASTBOUND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD HEADING FOR LION ROCK PARK ROAD ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND LION ROCK PARK ROAD.
------0-------
As.......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
^5
URBAN CLEARWAY IN SHAM SHUI PO * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MAY' 19), THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF NAM CHEONG STREET BETWEEN TAI PO ROAD AND BERWICK STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
- 0 -
INSTALLATION OF PARKING METERS IN TWEED ROAD
*****
PARKING METERS WILL BE INSTALLED IN TWEED ROAD, KOWLOON CITY, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
THE PARKING METERS WILL GO INTO OPERATION FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MAY 19).
THE CHARGE FOR TWO-HOUR METERED PARKING SPACES FOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN MEDIUM AND HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES, BUSES, MOTOR CYCLES AND PEDAL CYCLES WILL BE ON THE BASIS OF $2 FOR EACH 30 MINUTES.
THE CHARGE FOR ONE-HOUR METERED PARKING SPACES FOR BUSES WILL BE SI FOR EACH 30 MINUTES.
THE METERS WILL OPERATE FROM 8 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY, EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
- - O - -
/46
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1989
- 46 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHEUNG SHUT *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MAY 19). THE TIN PING ESTATE BUS TERMINUS IN SHEUNG SHUI WILL BE DESIGNATED A VEHICLES BAN ZONE.
ALL MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AND THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THIS BUS TERMINUS 24 HOURS DAILY.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE SECTION OF FAN KAM ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 250 METRES SOUTH OF THE ENTRANCE OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG GOLF CLUB CARPARK WILL BE SUBJECT TO A SPEED LIMIT OF 50 KILOMETRES PER HOUR.
MEANWHILE, THE EXISTING 70 KILOMETRES PER HOUR SPEED LIMIT RESTRICTED ZONE ON THIS SECTION OF FAN KAM ROAD WILL BE LIFTED.
IN ADDITION, SECTIONS OF CHOI YUEN ROAD (ROAD LIO) IN SHEUNG SHUI WILL BE DESIGNATED 24-HOUR TAXI URBAN CLEARWAYS.
THEY ARE:
* THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY BETWEEN THE ROUNDABOUT AT CHOI YUEN ROAD (ROAD LIO) AND A POINT 185 METRES WEST OF THE SAID ROUNDABOUT, EXCLUDING A SECTION OF 10 METRES OF THE CARRIAGEWAY NEAR THE AMENITY AREA ADJACENT TO THE
PEDESTRIAN FOOTBRIDGE;
* THE GENERAL PURPOSE LOADING AREA ON THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF CHOI YUEN ROAD (ROAD L10) BETWEEN THE PEDESTRIAN FOOTBRIDGE AND A POINT 35 METRES WEST OF THE ROUNDABOUT AT CHOI YUEN ROAD (ROAD L10); AND
* THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY BETWEEN THE ROUNDABOUT AT CHOI YUEN ROAD (ROAD L10) AND A POINT 315 METRES WEST OF THE SAID ROUNDABOUT.
WITHIN THE URBAN CLEARWAYS, ALL TAXIS WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
MOREOVER, SAN TSOI STREET AND TSUN FU STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS ON THE SAME DAY FROM 10 AM.
THE OPERATING HOURS FOR THE URBAN CLEARWAY ON SAN TSOI STREET BETWEEN TSUN FU STREET AND SAN FAT STREET WILL BE FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY; AND FOR THAT ON THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TSUN FU STREET BETWEEN SAN FUNG AVENUE AND SAN TSOI STREET WILL BE FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
NO VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES, WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
-----O------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, MAY 18, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NEW HOSPITAL PROJECTS WILL BOOST SUPPLY OF BEDS........... 1
STI CALLS FOR FREE AND OPEN TRADE......................... 2
JETFOIL ACCIDENT REPORT RELEASED ......................... 4
FUTURES EXCHANGE MAKING GOOD PROGRESS .................... 5
CONCERTED EFFORT NEEDED TO PREVENT INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS .... 7
MARCH ORDERS-ON-HaND, EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLL FIGURES
RELEASED 8
TEMPORARY CONTROL OF BUILDING DENSITY IN KOWLOON ........ 13
TWENTY-ONE PASS MEDICAL LICENTIATE EXAMINATION ......... 14
AMENDMENT BILL TO ENSURE SaFETY ON MODERNISED PEAK TRaMWAY . 14
REGIONAL SECRETARY VISITS TIN SHUI WAI .................. 16
FOOD MANUFACTURER AND RETaILER FINED ON LABELLING CHARGES .. 16
$23 MTT.T.TON GRANTS TO FIVE ARTS ORGANISATIONS ......... 17
FIRE OFFICER RECEIVES TOP OVERSEEX STUDENT aWARD......... 18
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO LAYOUT PLAN . 19
ILLEGAL STRUCTURE IN TaI PO TO BE CLOSED................. 20
REGISTRATION OF DTC SUSPENDED............................ 20
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN KWUN TONG, YUEN LONG ................. 20
THURSDAY, MAY 18, 1989
1
NEW HOSPITAL PROJECTS WILL BOOST SUPPLY OF BEDS *****
A NUMBER OF NEW HOSPITAL PROJECTS AND INFIRMARIES WILL BE COMPLETED OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF HOSPITAL BEDS FROM THE PRESENT 25,000 TO MORE THAN 31,600 BY 1993.
THE DIRECTOR OF HOSPITAL SERVICES, DR T.Y. CHAU, SAID THIS AT A MEET-THE-MEDIA SESSION TODAY (THURSDAY). IT WAS THE FIRST SUCH SESSION HELD BY DR CHAU SINCE HE WAS APPOINTED THE HEAD OF THE NEW DEPARTMENT.
THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WAS OFFICIALLY SET UP ON APRIL 1 FOLLOWING THE REORGANISATION OF THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT INTO TWO SEPARATE DEPARTMENTS. THE OTHER DEPARTMENT IS THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
SPEAKING TO THE MEDIA. DR CHAU SAID THE NEW PROJECTS TO BE COMPLETED THIS YEAR ARE THE TUEN MUN HOSPITAL STAGE I, QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL STAGE II, TANG SHIU KIN HOSPITAL EXTENSION, RUTTONJEE HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT, POK OI HOSPITAL EXTENSION STAGE III. YAN CHAI HOSPITAL EXTENSION STAGE III AND VIOLET PEEL POLYCLINIC.
"WHEN THESE NEW PROJECTS ARE COMMISSIONED. AN ADDITIONAL 1,000 HOSPITAL BEDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION," DR CHAU POINTED OUT.
SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION NEXT YEAR ARE TWO INFIRMARIES -- THE SHA TIN CHESHIRE HOME AND THE SHA TIN INFIRMARY. TOGETHER WITH THE OPENING OF THE SUBSEQUENT PHASES OF THE TUEN MUN HOSPITAL, ANOTHER 1.700 BEDS WILL BE BROUGHT ON STREAM, ACCORDING TO DR CHAU.
THE PROJECTS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION BETWEEN 1991 AND 1993 INCLUDE THE QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL EXTENSION, THE YAN CHAI HOSPITAL EXTENSION STAGE IV, PAMELA YOUDE HOSPITAL AND THE UNITED CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL EXTENSION (PHASE I). HE SAID.
OUTLINING THE WORK OF THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT. DR CHAU DESCRIBED THE NEW DEPARTMENT AS THE PRIME INSTRUMENT FOR CARRYING OUT GOVERNMENT POLICIES ON HOSPITAL SERVICES AND ADVISING THE GOVERNMENT, THROUGH THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH, ON THE OPERATIONAL IMPLICATIONS OF THESE POLICIES.
"IT IS BELIEVED THAT THIS WILL GREATLY FACILITATE PLANNING FOR THE REORGANISATION OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES IMPLIED BY THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
"AT THE SAME TIME, THE MOVE WILL ENABLE POTENTIAL TEETHING PROBLEMS TO BE IDENTIFIED AND RESOLVED BEFORE THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY COMES INTO BEING." HE EXPLAINED.
/DR CHAU ........
THURSDAY, MAY 18, 1989
- 2
DR CHAU POINTED OUT THAT THE DEPARTMENT OPERATES A RANGE OF REGIONAL, DISTRICT AND CONVALESCENT HOSPITALS, SUPPORTING SPECIALIST CLINICS AND ADDITIONAL FACILITIES, INCLUDING COMMUNITY NURSING, DAY CENTRES AND REHABILITATION SERVICES.
SPECIFICALLY, THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT ARE:
(A) TO DETERMINE THE RANGE OF SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED IN HOSPITALS;
(B) TO KEEP UNDER CONTINUOUS REVIEW THE STATE OF DEVELOPMENT OF HOSPITAL SERVICES IN HONG KONG AND TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT. THROUGH THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH, ON THEIR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT;
(C) TO IDENTIFY PROBLEMS IN THE EXISTING SYSTEM, TO ANALYSE THE CONTRIBUTORY FACTORS AND CAUSES, THEIR EFFCTS, AND TO PROVIDE SOLUTIONS;
(D) TO DETERMINE OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE EFFECTIVE DELIVERY OF SERVICES IN HOSPITALS, INCLUDING THE SETTING UP OF QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE TARGETS AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PERFORMANCE MEASURES TO MONITOR ACHIEVEMENTS AND TO EVALUATE PERFORMANCES;
(E) TO ADVISE ON THE FEES AND CHARGES OF HOSPITAL SERVICES; AND
(F) TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON ALL MATTERS RELATING TO HOSPITAL SERVICES.
-------0---------
STI CALLS FOR FREE AND OPEN TRADE t t t *
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT HE BELIEVED THE CREATION OF THE SINGLE EUROPEAN MARKET IN 1992 WOULD LOGICALLY RESULT IN IMPROVED MARKET ACCESS.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT A JOINT LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE SWEDISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, NORWEGIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND FINNISH BUSINESS COUNCIL IN HONG KONG.
MR CHAN SAID THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A "HOMOGENEOUS AND DYNAMIC EUROPEAN ECONOMIC SPACE” WOULD MEAN THE HARMONISATION OF TECHNICAL STANDARDS AND ELIMINATION OF CUMBERSOME ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES WHICH WOULD HOPEFULLY FACILITATE TRADE AND BENEFIT EXPORT-ORIENTED ECONOMIES LIKE HONG KONG.
/HOWEVER, .......
THURSDAY, KAY 18, 19^9
HOWEVER, HE CALLED ON THE COMMUNITY NOT TO BECOME inward-looking in its trade policy and put up more protectionist TRADE BARRIERS AGAINST IMPORTS FROM OUTSIDE THE COMMUNITY AFTER 1992.
'WITH THE CREATION OF A HUGE SINGLE MARKET OF 320 MILLION PEOPLE, THERE IS SOME CONCERN BOTH HERE AND ELSEWHERE THAT THE COMMUNITY MIGHT BECOME MORE INTERESTED IN TRADE AMONGST MEMBER STATES THAN THE REST OF THE WORLD.
"THIS REGIONAL APPROACH COULD ERODE THE PRINCIPLES 0)'' MOST-FAVOURED-NATION TREATMENT AND MULTILATERALISM ENSHRINED IN Ti. GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT) TO WHICH HONG KONG AND NORDIC COUNTRIES SUBSCRIBE AND ON WHICH WE RELY," MR CHAN SAID.
HE REITERATED THAT HONG KONG STRONGLY BELIEVED THAT ONLY I wluvMHiJG THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM, RATHER THAN "TRADING BLOC" DISCRIMINATORY BILATERAL ARRANGEMENTS, COULD THE WHOLE WORLD BENEFIT FROM THE EXPANSION OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE.
TURNING TO THE POSSIBLE PROTECTIONIST PRESSURE FROM EUROPEAN INDUSTRIES, MR CHAN FELT SOME SECTORS SEEMED TO LOOK AROUND FOR NEW BARRIERS TO IMPORTS AND HE CONDEMNED THE RECENT SPATE OF ANTI-DUMPING CASES AFFECTING IMPORTS FROM HONG KONG.
HE SAID HONG KONG WAS ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION’S WARNING THAT THIRD COUNTRIES COULD NOT EXPECT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SINGLE MARKET WITHOUT "RECIPROCITY".
BUT, MR CHAN SAID, HONG KONG HAD ALREADY PAID ALL THAT IT HAD GOT, BEING ONE OF THE WORLD’S FREEST TRADING COMMUNITIES WITHOUT ANY TARIFF OR NON-TARIFF BARRIERS TO TRADE.
EARLIER IN HIS SPEECH, MR CHAN PAID TRIBUTE TO SWEDEN FOR ITS LAUDABLE DECISION TO ABOLISH ALL RESTRICTIONS ON TEXTILES IMPORTS WHEN THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA) RUNS OUT ON JULY 31, 1991.
HE ALSO WELCOMED THE NORWEGIAN GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO
FOLLOW SUIT.
HE PREDICTED THAT THIS DEVELOPMENT WAS LIKELY TO CAUSE SOME PROBLEMS FOR FINLAND’S TEXTILE EXPORTS TO ITS NORDIC PARTNERS, BUT HONG KONG TRUSTED THAT FINLAND WOULD NOT TRY TO TACKLE THOSE PROBLEMS BY INCREASING THE PROTECTION OF ITS DOMESTIC MARKET.
LASTLY, HE CALLED ON OTHER IMPORTING COUNTRIES TO TAKE STEPS IOWARDS LIBERALISATION AS IT WOULD BENEFIT DOMESTIC ECONOMIES OF THESE COUNTRIES BY ENGENDERING MORE RATIONAL AND EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF PRODUCTION RESOURCES.
- - 0----------
A
THURSDAY, MAY 18, 1989
4
JETFOIL ACCIDENT REPORT RELEASED *****
THE SUMMARY OF A PRELIMINARY INQUIRY REPORT ON THE GROUNDING OF THE HONG KONG REGISTERED JETFOIL "FUNCHAL" IN MACAU WATERS LAST OCTOBER WAS RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY).
MORE THAN 70 PEOPLE WERE REPORTED INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED IN THE EVENING OF OCTOBER 16 SOON AFTER THE HONG KONG BOUND JETFOIL LEFT THE MACAU PIER.
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE SUBSEQUENTLY ORDERED A PRELIMINARY INQUIRY INTO THE CIRCUMSTANCES ATTENDING THE ACCIDENT AND A DETAILED REPORT WAS SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR, WHO HAD ACCEPTED THE RECOMMENDATION THAT THE CONVENING OF MARINE COURT WAS UNNECESSARY.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MARINE (SHIPPING), MR ALLAN PYRKE, SAID AT TODAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE WHATSOEVER OF ANY HUMAN ERROR CAUSING OR CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT.
COMPREHENSIVE TESTS AND INSPECTIONS WERE CARRIED OUT DURING THE INVESTIGATION AND SHOWED THAT IT WAS EXTREMELY UNLIKELY THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY EQUIPMENT MALFUNCTION OR CREW NEGLIGENCE.
"THE MOST PROBABLE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT IS A PHENOMENON CALLED ’STRUT VENTILATION’ OR ’FOILBORNE SKID’.
"THIS CAN HAPPEN THROUGH SEVERAL CAUSES, THE MOST COMMON OF WHICH IS RUBBISH, SUCH AS DISCARDED ROPES OR PLASTIC SHEETINGS BEING CAUGHT ON THE FORWARD STRUT,” MR PYRKE SAID.
TO AVOID SIMILAR ACCIDENTS IN THE FUTURE, MR PYRKE SAID THE REPORT HAD MADE A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH HAD BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE.
THE MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDED:
* A STRUT VENTILATION OR FOILBORNE SKID ALARM SHOULD BE INSTALLED ON JETFOILS, IF POSSIBLE;
* SEAT BELTS SHOULD BE FITTED TO ALL PASSENGER SEATS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS MADE TO RECOMMEND THAT THEY SHOULD BE WORN. ALSO, A MANDATORY REQUIREMENT TO WEAR SEAT BELTS IN THE HIGHER RISK AREAS OF THE HARBOURS SHOULD BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED;
* THE CABIN CREW SHOULD BE PROVIDED WITH SEATS, FITTED WITH SAFETY BELTS, FOR USE IN THE MACAU CHANNEL AND HONG KONG HARBOUR TO ENSURE THAT, IN THE EVENT OF A SIMILAR ACCIDENT, THEY HAVE THE BEST CHANCE OF AVOIDING INJURY AND BE IN A POSITION TO RENDER ASSISTANCE TO THE PASSENGERS;
THURSDAY, MAY 18, 1989
t AS THE PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM, ALTHOUGH SUPPLIED FROM TWO ALTERNATIVE INDEPENDENT ELECTRICAL SOURCES, FAILED TO WORK AFTER THE ACCIDENT, IT SHOULD BE CONNECTED TO THE EMERGENCY BATTERIES;
* THE CONFECTIONERY AND DRINKS TROLLEYS SHOULD NOT BE USED WHILE JETFOILS ARE IN HIGH RISK AREAS SUCH AS HARBOURS;
♦ THE COMPANY SHOULD REVIEW THE CREW UNIFORMS TO SEE IF THEY ARE DISTINCTIVE ENOUGH;
» IT SHOULD BE RECONSIDERED WHETHER THE ORANGE SMOKE MAN-OVERBOARD SIGNALS ARE REQUIRED FOR THESE VESSELS IN VIEW OF THE PANIC THEY CAUSED BY ACTIVATING THEMSELVES DURING THIS ACCIDENT. IF THEY CAN BE DISPENSED WITH, THEN THEY SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM ALL SIMILAR CRAFT; AND
♦ THE CHIEF OFFICERS SHOULD NOT WRITE DOWN TIMES WHILE THEY ARE KEEPING A LOOKOUT IN THE CONFINED WATERS OF THE MACAU CHANNEL AND HONG KONG HARBOUR. IF IT IS NECESSARY TO RECORD A TIME THEN THIS SHOULD BE DONE BY THE ENGINEER OFFICER.
MR PYRKE SAID THAT SOME OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE ALREADY BEING CARRIED OUT BY THE FERRY COMPANY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.
0 - -
FUTURES EXCHANGE MAKING GOOD PROGRESS t » t t
THE HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE HAS BEEN DOING A PRETTY GOOD JOB AND THE SITUATION NOW IS GOOD FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS, THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING TO MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA AFTER A VISIT TO THE FUTURES EXCHANGE, MR JACOBS SAID HE WAS VERY PLEASED TO SEE THE EXCHANGE MAKING SUCH GOOD PROGRESS.
"WE ARE DOING A LOT OF THINKING TOGETHER GENERALLY WITH A VIEW TO INTRODUCING NEW CONTRACTS INTO THE EXCHANGE IN FUTURE.
"A LOT OF WORK HAS TO BE DONE BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY WE DON’T WANT TO MAKE MISTAKES OF INTRODUCING CONTRACTS OR SEE CONTRACTS INTRODUCED THAT CARRY WITH THEM AN UNACCEPTABLE RISK,” HE ADDED.
GENERALLY, MR JACOBS FELT IT DESIRABLE THAT THERE BE NEW PRODUCTS ON THE MARKET SINCE THE EXCHANGE DID NOT HAVE A VERY LARGE RANGE OF PRODUCTS AT THE MOMENT.
/”MOST PEOPLE
THURSDAY, MAY 18, 1989
6
"MOST PEOPLE NOWADAYS TEND TO THINK OF IT AS A FINANCIAL FUTURES EXCHANGE," HE SAID, "IN FACT WE ONLY GOT ESSENTIALLY ONE FINANCIAL FUTURES PRODUCT BEING TRADED AT THE MOMENT.
"SO WE NEED TO SEE A GREATER DEPTH OF PRODUCTS IN HONG KONG’S FUTURES EXCHANGE," HE POINTED OUT.
ASKED ABOUT THE INTEREST RATE FUTURES CONTRACT, MR JACOBS SAID THE FORMAL PROPOSAL HAD NOT YET BEEN RECEIVED.
"AS I UNDERSTAND, IT IS WITH THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION AT THE MOMENT. IT IS BEING PROCESSED THROUGH THERE."
HE SAID WHEN IT ULTIMATELY CAME TO THE ADMINISTRATION, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT IT AND PROBABLY TAKE IT THROUGH THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
ASKED WHEN THIS NEW CONTRACT WOULD BE DISCUSSED, HE SAID NO EXACT DATE COULD BE GIVEN BUT HE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE IN A MATTER OF A FEW MONTHS.
IN REPLY TO ANOTHER QUESTION ABOUT INDEX FUTURES AND INSIDER DEALING, MR JACOBS SAID HE WOULD MAKE A STATEMENT ON THE PARTICULAR QUESTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BEFORE THE END OF THIS SESSION.
HE SAID THE THINKING AT THE MOMENT WAS THAT INDEX FUTURES CONTRACT SHOULD NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE DEFINITION OF THE SECURITIES TO WHICH THE INSIDER DEALING PROVISIONS RELATE.
"IN OTHER WORDS, IT SHOULDN'T BE SUBJECT TO THE INSIDER DEALING PROVISIONS," HE SAID, ADDING THAT HIS MIND WAS NOT CLOSED ON IT AS YET.
ASKED WHETHER HE THOUGHT THE FUTURES EXCHANGE COULD BE RUN AS A SELF-REGULATORY BODY, HE SAID ONE OF THE PROVISIONS IN THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION ORDINANCE WAS THAT THE COMMISSION SHOULD DEVELOP AND PROMOTE THE CONCEPT OF SELF-REGULATION.
"SO I BELIEVE THAT THE FUTURES EXCHANGE SHOULD MOVE TO GREATER LEVELS OF SELF-REGULATION OVER THE FUTURE. BUT WE REALLY HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO SEE THAT THE REGULATION THAT IS IMPOSED IS ADEQUATE AND PROPER,” HE SAID.
ASKED WHETHER THE RECENT RISE OF THE U.S. DOLLAR EXCHANGE RATE HAD ANY IMPACT ON EXPORT OR THE ECONOMY OF HONG KONG, MR JACOBS SAID THERE HAD BEEN A SLIGHT SLOWING DOWN IN THE ECONOMY BUT HE DID NOT SEE IT DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE RECENT INCREASE IN THE EXCHANGE RATE.
"I DON’T THINK IT HAS REACHED THAT POINT WHERE IT WOULD HAVE ANY DRAMATIC SORT OF EFFECT ON THE LEVEL OF OUR EXPORTS. OUR EXPORTS HAVE BEEN GOING DOWN SLIGHTLY ANYWAY, THERE HAS BEEN A SLIGHT COOLING," HE SAID.
/ASKED ABOUT .......
THURSDAY, MAY 18, 1989
- 7 -
ASKED ABOUT THE REPORT BY THE U.S. GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE (GAO) IN WHICH THE HONG KONG DOLLAR’S LINK WITH THE U.S. DOLLAR WAS MENTIONED, HE SAID IN FACT THE GAO REPORT MADE IT QUITE CLEAR THAT HONG KONG’S POSITION COULD BE DISTINGUISHED FROM TAIWAN AND KOREA.
"IT SAID THAT THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON IN TERMS OF THE BALANCE OF TRADE FOR HONG KONG TO MOVE AT ALL," HE POINTED OUT.
EARLIER, MR JACOBS HAD A DISCUSSION WITH THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FUTURES EXCHANGE, MR EOGHAN MCMILLAN AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. HE ALSO TOURED THE OFFICES AND THE TRADING FLOOR.
-----o------
CONCERTED EFFORT NEEDED TO PREVENT INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS
*****
IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT, EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES SHOULD CO-OPERATE AND TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE PREVENTION OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL, MR HO SAI-CHU, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
ADDRESSING THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY SAFETY AWARD SCHEME 1988-89, MR HO SAID THE RISING TREND IN CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENTS HAD RESULTED IN ONE OUT OF EVERY THREE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS BEING INJURED.
LAST YEAR. 27,125 ACCIDENTS HAPPENED IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND 58 WORKERS WERE KILLED. COMPARED WITH 1987, THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 14 PER CENT.
"APART FROM THE HUMAN SUFFERING THROUGH DEATH AND INJURIES, INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS ALSO RESULTED IN TREMENDOUS ECONOMIC LOSS, SUCH AS DAMAGE TO PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, DELAY IN PRODUCTION, AND EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION COSTS," MR HO STRESSED.
"EVERY STEP MUST BE TAKEN TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS AND TO IMPROVE THE STANDARDS OF SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK."
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING PARTY ON THE AWARD SCHEME. MR MA CHING-KO, SAID IT WAS WITH THIS PRIME OBJECTIVE THAT THE SCHEME WAS ORGANISED TO PROMOTE SAFE PRACTICE IN THE WORKPLACE THROUGH VARIOUS CONTESTS AMONG WORKERS AND EMPLOYERS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
HE WAS PLEASED TO NOTE THAT THE EVENT, ORGANISED FOR THE FIFTH YEAR, RECEIVED ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE FROM CONSTRUCTION WORKERS, CONTRACTORS AND CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES.
THE SCHEME WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY SAFETY SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD AND THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL.
/IT COMPRISED .......
THURSDAY, MAY 18, 1989
8
IT COMPRISED THREE CONTESTS - THE "WHAT'S WRONG IN THE PICTURE" IQ SAFETY CONTEST, THE SAFETY SITE CONTEST AND THE OUTSTANDING SAFETY SUPERVISOR CONTEST.
THE CHAMPION OF THE IQ SAFETY CONTEST, MR WONG SIU-MAN, WAS AWARDED A TRAVEL COUPON WORTH $4,000 WHILE THE FIRST AND SECOND RUNNERS-UP, MR LEUNG YU-SHUN AND MR OR MAN-YU, WERE GIVEN A TRAVEL COUPON WORTH $3,000 AND $2,000 RESPECTIVELY. IN ADDITION. EACH WAS GIVEN $700 CASH.
THE WINNERS OF THE SAFETY SITE CONTEST WERE MANFIELD BUILDING CONTRACTORS LTD., YAU LEE CONSTRUCTION CO. LTD., GAMMON CONSTRUCTION LTD., AND CHINA LIGHT AND POWER CO. LTD. THE COMPANIES WERE PRESENTED WITH ROAST PIGS SYMBOLISING SAFETY IN CONSTRUCTION WORK.
AS FOR THE OUTSTANDING SAFETY SUPERVISOR CONTEST, THE AWARDS WENT TO MR TAM WAI-SHING, MR LEE YAT-MING AND MR LAM PING-FAN, AND EACH WAS AWARDED A GOLD MEDAL AND A PAIR OF SAFETY BOOTS.
THERE WERE ALSO A NUMBER OF CONSOLATION PRIZES IN EACH CONTEST.
THE AWARDS AND SOUVENIRS WERE PRESENTED RESPECTIVELY BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR MR TAM YIU-CHUNG; THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND; THE PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION, MR K.L. CHONG: AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY SAFETY SUB-COMMITTEE, MR PETER NIE.
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MARCH ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLL FIGURES RELEASED *****
THE ORDERS POSITION IN MARCH 1989 AS REPORTED BY THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES INCREASED BY 1 PER CENT AND 2 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1989 AND MARCH 1988 RESPECTIVELY, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARING MARCH 1989 WITH FEBRUARY 1989, THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY, AND TO A LESSER EXTENT IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY.
THE ORDERS POSITION SHOWED A MODEST INCREASE IN THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRY. BUT WAS MORE OR LESS UNCHANGED IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
/WHEN COMPARED .......
THURSDAY, HAY 18, 1989
9
WHEN COMPARED WITH MARCH 1988, THE ORDERS POSITION IN MARCH 1989 INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY, AND TO A LESSER EXTENT IN THE WEARING APPAREL AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
HOWEVER, THE ORDERS POSITION DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY AND MODERATELY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY.
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 MARCH 1989 WAS LOWER BY 1 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1989, AND BY 7 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH MARCH 1988.
COMPARING MARCH 1989 WITH FEBRUARY 1989, EMPLOYMENT DECREASED MODERATELY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY AND SLIGHTLY IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, AND FOOD AND DRINKS INDUSTRIES. EMPLOYMENT IN THE TEXTILES AND WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRIES SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE.
COMPARED WITH MARCH 1988, EMPLOYMENT IN MARCH 1989 DECREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY. THERE WERE ALSO SIGNIFICANT DECLINES IN EMPLOYMENT IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS. AND WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRIES.
EMPLOYMENT SHOWED SLIGHT DECLINES IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS, AND TEXTILES INDUSTRIES.
ON THE OTHER HAND, A SLIGHT INCREASE IN EMPLOYMENT WAS RECORDED IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY.
IN MARCH 1989, PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SURVEYED INCREASED, IN MONEY TERMS, BY 5 PER CENT OVER FEBRUARY 1989 AND BY 18 PER CENT OVER MARCH 1988.
COMPARING MARCH 1989 WITH FEBRUARY 1989, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS OCCURRED IN THE WEARING APPAREL, TEXTILES, AND FOOD AND DRINKS INDUSTRIES, FOLLOWED BY THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
THESE INCREASES WERE MAINLY DUE TO A FEWER NUMBER OF WORKING DAYS IN FEBRUARY THAN IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR.
HOWEVER, A SLIGHT DECREASE IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS WAS RECORDED IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY.
COMPARED WITH MARCH 1988, PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN MARCH 1989 INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN ALMOST ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, WITH THE LARGEST INCREASES RECORDED IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND THE FOOD AND DRINKS INDUSTRIES.
/IN THE .......
THURSDAY, MAY 18, 1989
- 10 -
IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, EMPLOYMENT IN MARCH 1989 SHOWED SOME INCREASES WHEN COMPARED WITH BOTH FEBRUARY 1989 AND MARCH 1988. PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN MARCH 1989 SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1989, BUT INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY OVER MARCH 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 MARCH 1989 WAS ABOUT THE SAME AS IN FEBRUARY 1989, BUT INCREASED MODERATELY WHEN COMPARED WITH MARCH 1988.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN MARCH 1989 INCREASED SLIGHTLY OVER FEBRUARY 1989, BUT COMPARED WITH MARCH 1988 THE INCREASES WERE GENERALLY SUBSTANTIAL.
THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS ARE SHOWN IN THE ATTACHED TABLES 1 TO 3.
THE SURVEY COVERED A PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES AND THE 50 LARGEST COMPANIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS, CHOSEN BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT SIZES IN SEPTEMBER 1986.
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 MARCH 1989 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE 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 S2 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
THURSDAY, MAY 18, 1989
TABLE 1 : ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
INDUSTRY AS AT THE END OF MARCH 1989 ORDERS-ON-HAND
CHANGE WHEN FEB. 89 COMPARED WITH MAR. 88
(MONTHS) (%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 4.45 + 1 + 2
WEARING APPAREL 4.79 O £ A + 2 + 7 + 5 -9
TEXTILES 6.04 44 -4
PLASTIC PRODUCTS O . DU + 8
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 4.68
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC $ + 3
PRODUCTS o«i y A 0 4 * + 1
OTHERS 4.6 4
* CHANGES WITHIN +/-0.5%
TABLE 2 : EMPLOYMENT
INDUSTRY/SERVICES PERSONS ENGAGED AT
THE END OF march iy«y
CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
FEB. 89 MAR. 88
— —
(%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES -1 -7
FOOD AND DRINKS -1 -5 7
WEARING APPAREL t — / _ 1
TEXTILES PLASTIC PRODUCTS ¥ -3 -25 + 2
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS -1
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS OTHERS CONSTRUCTION# -1 -2 + 2 -y -5 + 3
SERVICES t + 4
BANKS HOTELS -1 + 1 + 3 + 1 -1
PUBLIC UTILITIES OTHERS ♦ + 1 + 13
# PERSONS ENGAGED COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
EMPLOYED
/table j
THURSDAY, MAY 18, 19&9
- 12 -
TABLE 3 : PER CAPITA EARNINGS
INDUSTRY/SERVICES PER CAPITA EARNINGS
AVERAGE AS IN CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
MARCH 1989 FEB. 89 MAR. 88
(HKJ ) (%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 4,804 + 5 + 18
FOOD AND DRINKS 5,276 + 8 + 21
WEARING APPAREL 4,009 + 10 + 16
TEXTILES 4,516 + 9 + 12
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 4,752 + 7 + 30
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 5,354 + 6 + 15
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC , -j 7
PRODUCTS 4,515 -1 + 1 (
OTHERS 6,424 + 3 + 20 1 -1 Q
CONSTRUCTION# 6,838 t +1 y
SERVICES 7,932 + 1 + 16
BANKS 7,531 -2 + 17
HOTELS 5,590 -1 + 16
PUBLIC UTILITIES 7,596 + 5 + 15
OTHERS 9,398 + 1 +1 5
* CHANGES WITHIN +/ — 0 • 5%
# PER CAPITA EARNINGS COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
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.
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THURSDAY, MAY 18, 1989
- 13 -
TEMPORARY CONTROL OF BUILDING DENSITY IN KOWLOON ♦ » » » »
THE GOVERNMENT WILL SHORTLY BE INTRODUCING A BILL INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO TEMPORARILY CONTROL THE DENSITY OF DEVELOPMENT OF NEW BUILDINGS IN CERTAIN PARTS OF KOWLOON.
THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR PETER LAI, AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (THURSDAY) EXPLAINED THAT THE PROPOSED CONTROLS IN THE BILL WERE NECESSARY TO AVOID OVER-STRAINING INFRASTRUCTURAL AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES IN THESE AREAS.
A REVIEW OF AIRPORT HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS (AHR) COMPLETED LAST YEAR BY THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDED THAT EXISTING HEIGHT LIMITS IN SOME PARTS OF KOWLOON, SUCH AS TSIM SHA TSUI, HUNG HOM, KWUN TONG AND SAN PO KONG, COULD BE CONSIDERABLY RELAXED.
MR LAI POINTED OUT THAT ANY RELAXATION NOW WOULD RESULT IN GREATER DEVELOPMENT DENSITIES THAN CURRENTLY PERMITTED AND WOULD PLACE THE EXISTING AND PLANNED TRANSPORT SYSTEM AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF ROADS, DRAINS AND OTHER COMMUNITY FACILITIES, UNDER AN UNACCEPTABLE STRAIN.
RECOGNISING THESE PROBLEMS, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS ENDORSED GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSAL FOR A BILL TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE BILL WILL REQUIRE THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TO REFUSE APPROVAL OF ANY BUILDING PLANS SHOWING A BUILDING WHICH EXCEEDS A PLOT RATIO GREATER THAN IS PERMITTED UNDER THE PRESENT AHR.
MR LAI SAID THE PROBLEMS OF URBAN DENSITIES WERE BEING DEALT WITH IN THE WIDER CONTEXT OF THE METROPLAN STUDY.
’’METROPLAN IS EXPECTED TO MAKE ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO GOVERNMENT BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, AND IT WILL TAKE ANOTHER YEAR FOR THE RECOMMENDATIONS TO BE IMPLEMENTED.
’’THE TEMPORARY CONTROLS CAN THEN BE LIFTED AT THE END OF 1990,” HE SAID.
- - 0 ----------
/1U........
THURSDAY, MAY 18, 1989
14 TWENTY-ONE PASS MEDICAL LICENTIATE EXAMINATION » * t » »
THE LICENTIATE COMMITTEE OF THE MEDICAL COUNCIL OF HONG KONG ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT A TOTAL OF 21 CANDIDATES HAVE PASSED PART II (ENGLISH FOR PROFESSIONAL USE PAPER) OF THE LICENTIATE EXAMINATION FOR UNREGISTRABLE DOCTORS THIS YEAR.
THE PART II EXAMINATION HAS BEEN HELD TWICE THIS YEAR, IN MARCH AND MAY, GIVING CANDIDATES A CHOICE OF EXAMINATION DATES AND ALSO THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE WHO FAILED IN THE FIRST EXAMINATION TO TAKE THIS PART OF THE EXAMINATION AGAIN IN THE SAME YEAR.
OF THE 21 SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES, 17 PASSED THE EXAMINATION IN MARCH AND FOUR PASSED IN MAY.
ALL THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED THE PART II EXAMINATION THIS YEAR ARE ELIGIBLE TO TAKE THE PART III EXAMINATION SCHEDULED FOR JULY.
THE PART III LICENTIATE EXAMINATION IS AN ORAL EXAMINATION ON CANDIDATES’ ABILITY TO APPLY PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE TO CLINICAL PROBLEMS.
EACH CANDIDATE WILL BE EXAMINED IN EACH OF THE THREE DISCIPLINES OF MEDICINE, SURGERY AND OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY.
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AMENDMENT BILL TO ENSURE SAFETY ON MODERNISED PEAK TRAMWAY
*****
A BILL TO BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (FRIDAY) SEEKS TO AMEND THE PEAK TRAMWAY ORDINANCE TO ENSURE SAFE OPERATION OF THE MODERNISED PEAK TRAMWAY.
LAST SEPTEMBER, THE GOVERNMENT EXTENDED THE PEAK TRAMWAY COMPANY’S FRANCHISE TO RUN AND OPERATE THE TRAMWAY FOR A FURTHER 10 YEARS, UNTIL THE END OF 2003, AFTER THE COMPANY FIRMLY COMMITTED ITSELF TO IMPLEMENT A MODERNISATION PROGRAMME FOR THE TRAMWAY.
ON THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE MODERNISED TRAMWAY, THE PEAK TRAMWAY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 STIPULATES THAT THE COMPANY SHOULD HAVE DUE REGARD TO SAFETY AND ADHERE TO THE CODE OF PRACTICE ISSUED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
THE BILL EMPOWERS THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT TO APPOINT INSPECTORS TO TEST AND EXAMINE THE TRAMWAY, TO ENSURE ITS SAFETY AND TO INVESTIGATE ACCIDENTS. IT ALSO SETS OUT THE POWERS OF THE INSPECTORS.
/THE SECRETARY .......
THURSDAY, MAY 18, 1989
- 15 -
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT IS ALSO AUTHORISED TO DIRECT THE COMPANY TO REMEDY TRAMWAY DEFECTS WHICH ARE LIKELY TO CAUSE INJURIES. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE DIRECTION WITHOUT GOOD REASONS WILL CONSTITUTE AN OFFENCE.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT IS ALSO VESTED WITH THE POWERS TO ORDER FULL OR PARTIAL CLOSURE OF THE TRAMWAY FOR SAFETY REASONS.
THE COMPANY MAY ALSO CLOSE THE TRAMWAY FOR REPAIRS AND ALTERATIONS BUT IT IS REQUIRED TO NOTIFY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT.
THE BILL INCREASES THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FROM Si 00 TO S5,000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR THE OFFENCE OF WILFUL INTERFERENCE WITH THE TRAMWAY.
IT ALSO MAKES IT AN OFFENCE IF AN EMPLOYEE OF THE COMPANY THROUGH NEGLIGENCE IN HIS WORK ENDANGERS, OR IS LIKELY TO ENDANGER, SAFETY ON THE TRAMWAY.
AS REGARDS SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION, THE BILL PROVIDES THAT THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL MAY MAKE REGULATIONS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, FOR CONTROLLING AND REGULATING THE CARRYING OUT OF TRAMWAY WORKS, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF THE TRAMWAY, AND PROVIDING SAFE SYSTEMS OF OPERATION.
SUBJECT TO THE BILL BEING PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, A SET OF PEAK TRAMWAY (SAFETY) REGULATIONS WILL BE MADE TO REPLACE THE EXISTING PEAK TRAMWAY RULES TO COPE WITH THE MODERNISED TRAMWAY.
ON THE PART OF THE COMPANY, IT MAY MAKE NEW BY-LAWS SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO REPLACE THE OLD ONES AFTER THE BILL HAS BEEN PASSED.
THE BY-LAWS REGULATE THE CONDUCT OF THE PASSENGERS.
ON FARE STRUCTURE, THE BILL PROVIDES THAT THE COMPANY MAY CONTINUE TO FIX ITS OWN FARES.
MONTHLY TICKETS WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO BE ISSUED TO REGULAR COMMUTERS AT A CHARGE NOT EXCEEDING 25 TIMES THE STANDARD FULL-DISTANCE ADULT SINGLE JOURNEY FARE.
THE BILL IS DUE TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 31.
- 0 ---------
/16........
THURSDAY, MAY 18, 1989
- 16 -
REGIONAL SECRETARY VISITS TIN SHUI WAI
t * * t ♦
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ADOLF HSU, VISITED TIN SHUI WAI TODAY (THURSDAY) TO SEE PROGRESS IN THE FUTURE NEW TOWN.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY WAS JOINED BY THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY (DESIGNATE), MR T.H. BARMA; ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY (INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT), MR MIKE ARNOLD; AND YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ROBIN IP.
THEY FIRST WENT TO SEE THE FLOOD PROTECTION WORKS FOR THE FOUR LOW-LYING VILLAGES OF SIK KONG TSUEN, SIK KONG WAI, LO UK TSUEN AND KIU TAU WAI.
THIS INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF EMBANKMENTS, FLOOD STORAGE PONDS AND PUMPS.
THE PARTY LATER TOURED A SITE RESERVED FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN NORTHERN TIN SHUI WAI AND THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY AN INSPECTION OF LAND FORMATION WORKS IN THE SOUTH.
TIN SHUI WAI WILL ULTIMATELY HAVE A POPULATION IN EXCESS OF 140,000 WITH THE FIRST INTAKE PLANNED FOR LATE 1991 OR EARLY 1992.
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FOOD MANUFACTURER AND RETAILER FINED ON LABELLING CHARGES
* » t ♦ t
THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED FOOD MANUFACTURERS, WHOLESALERS AND RETAILERS NOT TO SELL PREPACKAGED FOOD WHICH BEARS NO PROPER LABELLING AS REQUIRED BY THE THIRD SCHEDULE OF THE FOOD AND DRUGS (COMPOSITION AND LABELLING) REGULATIONS (CHAPTER 132) OR THEY WILL BE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $25,000 AND SIX MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT.
THE REMINDER FOLLOWS TWO CASES RECENTLY HEARD IN THE CENTRAL MAGISTRACY AND THE NORTH KOWLOON MAGISTRACY.
THESE WERE THE FIRST TWO CASES IN WHICH A RETAILER AND A FOOD MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN PROSECUTED AND FINED SINCE THE ABOVE REGULATIONS CAME INTO OPERATION IN AUGUST LAST YEAR.
IN THE FIRST CASE, AN OWNER OF A FOOD FACTORY IN WAN CHAI WAS FINED A TOTAL OF $500 FOR SELLING PREPACKAGED EGG AND SHRIMP SPAWN NOODLES WITH THE PLASTIC BAG NOT MARKED OR LABELLED WITH A LIST OF INGREDIENTS, INDICATION OF MINIMUM DURABILITY AND THE NUMERICAL COUNT OF THE CONTENTS OR THE NET WEIGHT OF THE FOOD.
/IN THE .......
THURSDAY, MAY 18, 1989
- 17 -
IN THE SECOND CASE, A SUPERMARKET IN MONG KOK WAS FINED A TOTAL OF SI,000 FOR SELLING PREPACKAGED PISTACHIOS WITH THE PLASTIC BAG NOT MARKED OR LABELLED WITH THE NAME OR DESIGNATION OF THE FOOD, A LIST OF INGREDIENTS, INDICATION OF MINIMUM DURABILITY, ADDRESS OF THE PACKER AND THE NUMERICAL COUNT OF THE CONTENTS OR THE NET WEIGHT OF THE FOOD.
BOTH WERE PROSECUTED UNDER REGULATIONS 4A(1) AND 5(1> OF THE FOOD AND DRUGS (COMPOSITION AND LABELLING) REGULATIONS MADE UNDER SECTION 55 OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE.
THEY WERE ALSO ORDERED TO PAY THE SAMPLE COST OF Si 2 AND S28 RESPECTIVELY.
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S23 MILLION GRANTS TO FIVE ARTS ORGANISATIONS * * * * »
THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS (CFPA) HAS ADVISED THE GOVERNMENT TO AWARD ABOUT S23 MILLION IN GENERAL SUPPORT GRANTS (GSG) TO FIVE LOCAL PERFORMING ARTS ORGANISATIONS FOR THE 1989-90 FINANCIAL YEAR.
THE FIVE ARTS ORGANISATIONS ARE THE HONG KONG BALLET, CITY CONTEMPORARY DANCE COMPANY, CHUNG YING THEATRE, HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL SOCIETY AND HONG KONG FESTIVAL FRINGE.
THE BREAKDOWN OF THE AWARDS IS AS FOLLOWS:
HONG KONG ACADEMY OF BALLET LIMITED S10.506 MILLION
CITY CONTEMPORARY DANCE COMPANY S2.910 MILLION
CHUNG YING THEATRE COMPANY S4.874 MILLION
HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL SOCIETY LIMITED $4,523 MILLION
HONG KONG FESTIVAL FRINGE LIMITED $0,332 MILLION
TOTAL: $23,145 MILLION
WITH THE GRANTS RECEIVED, THE FIVE ORGANISATIONS WILL BE ABLE TO PUT ON NEW PRODUCTIONS AND STAGE MORE PERFORMANCES IN THE COMING YEAR. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERFORMANCES WILL INCREASE BY ABOUT 15 PER CENT.
THE HONG KONG BALLET WILL PRESENT 15 PRODUCTIONS, WHICH WILL INCLUDE MAJOR WORKS SUCH AS THE "SWAN LAKE" AND THE ’’NUTCRACKER’’.
/The company .......
THURSDAY, MAY 18, 1989
- 18 -
THE COMPANY ALSO PLANS TO STAGE 52 PUBLIC TICKETED PERFORMANCES. 12 PUBLIC FREE PERFORMANCES AND 160 SCHOOL PERFORMANCES BY ITS YOUTH EDUCATION UNIT, AND 12 SPECIAL FULL-COMPANY SCHOOL PERFORMANCES IN PUBLIC VENUES.
THE CITY CONTEMPORARY DANCE COMPANY WILL PUT ON 10 PRODUCTIONS INCLUDING "X-ISLE, 1SLE-X”, "HELL SCREEN" AND "WANDERINGS IN THE COSMOS".
IN ADDITION, IT WILL STAGE 43 PUBLIC TICKETED PERFORMANCES, TWO PUBLIC FREE PERFORMANCES AND 25 SCHOOL PERFORMANCES. ITS DANCE EDUCATION UNIT WILL STAGE 80 SCHOOL PERFORMANCES AND 80 WORKSHOPS.
THE CHUNG YING THEATRE IS PLANNING EIGHT NEW PRODUCTIONS AND THREE RE-RUNS. THERE WILL BE 59 PUBLIC TICKETED PERFORMANCES, 125 SCHOOL PERFORMANCES AND 40 WORKSHOPS.
THE HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL SOCIETY LIMITED WILL ORGANISE THE 1990 HONG KONG ARTS FESTIVAL IN WHICH RENOWNED LOCAL AND OVERSEAS ARTISTS IN MUSIC. DANCE, THEATRE AND OTHER DISCIPLINES WILL PERFORM.
THE MAJOR ATTRACTIONS FROM OVERSEAS WILL INCLUDE A MAJOR ORCHESTRA, A CHAMBER ORCHESTRA, AN OVERSEAS BALLET COMPANY AND A LOCALLY PRODUCED OPERA FEATURING OVERSEAS SOLOISTS.
THE HONG KONG FESTIVAL FRINGE WILL CONTINUE TO ORGANISE THE ANNUAL FESTIVAL FRINGE IN 1989-90 AND TO RUN THE FRINGE CLUB FOR ARTISTS TO PERFORM OR EXHIBIT THEIR WORK.
THE ACTIVITIES TO BE HELD IN THE YEAR WILL INCLUDE 144 EXHIBITIONS, 359 PERFORMANCES, 157 WORKSHOPS, 14 LARGE SCALE EVENTS AND 232 OUTREACH SHOWS.
------0--------
FIRE OFFICER RECEIVES TOP OVERSEAS STUDENT AWARD » ♦ ♦ * ♦
AN OFFICER OF THE FIRE SERVICES OVERSEAS STUDENT AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING TRAINING IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
DEPARTMENT
PERFORMANCE
HAS WON A TOP
WHILE RECEIVING
ASSISTANT DIVISIONAL OFFICER, MR CHOW WING-TAK, SCORED AN OVERALL 88.5 PER CENT IN AN AIRPORT OFFICER COURSE HELD AT THE UK CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY FIRE SERVICE TRAINING SCHOOL IN JUNE LAST
MR CHOW’S MARKS WERE THE HIGHEST AMONG THE 35 OVERSEAS ATTENDING VARIOUS COURSES IN THE SCHOOL DURING 1988.
STUDENT
/THE THREE .......
THURSDAY, MAY 18, 1989
- 19 -
THE THREE-WEEK COURSE, WHICH COVERS AERODROME RESCUE AND FIRE FIGHTING OPERATIONS, IS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR FIRE OFFICERS FROM BOTH THE UK AND OVERSEAS.
AT THE END OF THE COURSE, MR CHOW WAS ATTACHED TO PRESTWICK AIRPORT IN SCOTLAND AND GATWICK AIRPORT IN LONDON FOR TWO WEEKS TO FAMILIARISE WITH THE WORK OF FIRE STATIONS THERE.
MR CHOW IS NOW A WATCH COMMANDER AT THE AIRPORT FIRE CONTINGENT.
LAST YEAR, TWO OTHER FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT OFFICERS ALSO ATTENDED AIRPORT OFFICER COURSES IN THE UK.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO LAYOUT PLAN
♦ * » t *
THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMERCE, INDUSTRY, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE LAYOUT PLAN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL AREA SOUTHEAST OF SHEK WU HUI IN THE FANLING/SHEUNG SHUI NEW TOWN AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN INCLUDES AN OFFICE BLOCK WITH A MULTI-STOREY CARPARK. A RETAIL SHOPPING CENTRE AND A BUS TERMINUS.
THE SENIOR TOWN PLANNER OF THE NEW TERRITORIES NORTH EAST DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, MR ANTHONY KWAN, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO BRIEF MEMBERS OR THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS.
ALSO ON THE AGENDA IS A REPORT ON A MOBILE CAREER EXHIBITION ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IN CHOI YUEN ESTATE, SHEUNG SHUI EARLY LAST MONTH.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMERCE. INDUSTRY. AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES COMMITTEE TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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/2O........
THURSDAY, MAY 18, 1989
20
ILLEGAL STRUCTURE IN TAI PO TO BE CLOSED » » «
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE AN ILLEGAL STRUCTURE IN TAI PO SO THAT IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND TO THE PUBLIC.
THE STRUCTURES IS ON THE ROOFTOP OVER FLAT 5. FIFTH FLOOR, KWONG FUK BUILDING, 114-124 KWONG FUK ROAD.
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE ORDERS ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE IN MARCH LAST YEAR REQUIRING THE DEMOLITION OF THE STRUCTURE.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE SHA TIN DISTRICT COURT ON SEPTEMBER 21. 1989 WAS POSTED ON A CONSPICUOUS PART OF THE STRUCTURE TODAY (THURSDAY).
IT IS INTENDED THAT DEMOLITION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
- 0 - -
REGISTRATION OF DTC SUSPENDED
*****
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT HE HAD SUSPENDED
THE REGISTRATION OF G.S.P. FINANCE COMPANY LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY (THURSDAY).
- - 0 - -
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN KWUN TONG, YUEN LONG *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (MAY 20), TWO SECTIONS OF HIP WO STREET IN KWUN TONG WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS 24 HOURS DAILY FOR THREE MONTHS TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
THE SECTIONS ARE THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH TUNG YAN STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 10 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE FROM A POINT ABOUT 38 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TUNG YAN STREET TO ITS JUNCTION WITH KWUN TONG ROAD.
AT THE SAME TIME, IN YUEN LONG, YUEN LONG ON LOK ROAD, EXCLUDING THE LOADING AND UNLOADING BAY BETWEEN CASTLE PEAK ROAD (YUEN LONG) AND YUEN LONG TAI CHEUNG STREET, WILL ALSO BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAY 24 HOURS DAILY.
NO VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PA5SE..GERS OR GOODS WITHIN THESE RESTRICTED AREAS.
0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, NAY 19, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
BILL WILL BETTER PROTECT CONSUMERS' RIGHTS .................. 1
SENIOR DIRECTORATE APPOINTMENTS ............................. 4
BILL TIGHTENS MEASURES AGAINST DEPLOYMENT OF Il'S............ 5
MERCHANT SHIPPING REGULATIONS LOCALISED ..................... 6
AMENDMENT BILL TO EMHaNCE ENDANGERED SPECIES CONTROL ........ 6
CONCERN EXPRESSED OVER SECTION OF U.S. OMNIBUS TRADE ACT .... 8
BILL ON CONTROL OF OZONE DEPLETING CHEMICALS ................ 10
STAGGERED RELEASE OF STAFF kDVISED WITH APPROACH OF TYPHOON . 11
EMPLOYERS URGED TO MAKE WORKING ARRANGEMENTS DURING TYPHOONS 12
MORE SENIOR CLaSsES IN PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS ................ 12
DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION PAYS TRIBUTE TO STnFF ............... 13
INTERIM REPORT ON SURROGACY AND ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION FINALISED..................................................... 13
RESULTS OF 1987 SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS ............................................... 15
AREA COMMITTEES TO STRENGTHEN DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION ....... 18
MANDATORY OFF-STREET TRAINING FOR LEARNER MOTORCYCLISTS..... 19
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SUCCESS IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN .......... 20
HOME SAFETY EXHIBITION IN SHA TIN .......................... 21
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH EXHIBITION MOVES TO TUEN MUN............. 21
ORIENTATION WORKSHOPS ON HCME-BASED WELFARE TRAINING ........ 22
FIRING PRACTICE IN JUNE ..................................... 23
TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF SEWERS IN TO KWA WAN .... 24
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN WAN CHAI TO BE CLOSED.................. 24
ILLEGAL STRUCTURE IN HO MAN TIN TO BE CLOSED ................ 25
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN WAN CHaI TO BE CLOSED.................. 25
FRIDAY, MAY 19, 1989
1
BILL WILL BETTER PROTECT CONSUMERS’ RIGHTS t » » * t
THE CONTROL OF EXEMPTION CLAUSES BILL 1989 WILL GIVE BETTER PROTECTION TO CONSUMERS’ LEGITIMATE RIGHTS AND EXPECTATIONS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY!.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION, MR CHAN SAID EXEMPTION CLAUSES WERE OFTEN USED IN CONTRACTS TO EXCLUDE OR RESTRICT LIABILITY FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR NEGLIGENCE.
"IN SOME CASES THEY ARE USED TO DENY A PERSON’S LEGITIMATE RIGHTS AND EXPECTATIONS," HE SAID.
FOR EXAMPLE, HE SAID, A PERSON IN A STRONG BARGAINING POSITION MIGHT TRY TO IMPOSE ON A WEAKER OR LESS SOPHISTICATED PERSON A CLAUSE EXCLUDING LIABILITY FOR HIS NEGLIGENCE, OR A CLAUSE ENABLING HIM TO DELIVER GOODS OR SERVICES THAT WERE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE REASONABLY EXPECTED.
"IN OTHER CASES RECOURSE TO THE COURTS MAY BE DENIED BY CLAUSES PROVIDING THAT DISPUTES MUST BE REFERRED TO ARBITRATION." HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WOULD LIMIT THE AVOIDANCE OF L1ABILTIY FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR NEGLIGENCE BY MEANS OF EXEMPTION CLAUSES.
"IN GENERAL. THE LIMITATIONS APPLY WHERE THE LIABILITY IN QUESTION ARISES IN THE COURSE OF A BUSINESS.
"HOWEVER. THE LIMITATIONS ALSO APPLY TO LIABILITY ARISING. OTHERWISE THAN IN THE COURSE OF BUSINESS. BY VIRTUE OF THE IMPLIED UNDERTAKINGS IN A CONTRACT FOR THE SALE OF GOODS," HE SAID.
UNDER THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION, AN EXEMPTION CLAUSE IS AUTOMATICALLY INEFFECTIVE IF IT PURPORTS TO EXCLUDE OR RESTRICT LIABILITY FOR DEATH OR PERSONAL INJURY RESULTING FROM NEGLIGENCE.
THUS. IF A NEGLIGENTLY INSTALLED LIFT CAUSES THE DEATH OF A WORKMAN ON A CONSTRUCTION SITE. AN EXEMPTION CLAUSE EXHIBITED AT THE SITE COULD NOT EXCLUDE THE LIABILITY OF THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR, INSTALLING THE LIFT.
SIMILARLY. LIABILITY FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE CANNOT BE EXCLUDED OR RESTRICTED BY AN EXEMPTION CLAUSE IN A GUARANTEE OF CONSUMER GOODS. IF LOSS OR DAMAGE AROSE FROM THE GOODS BEING DEFECTIVE OR RESULTED FROM NEGLIGENT MANUFACTURE OR DISTRIBUTION.
FOR EXAMPLE, IF A CONSUMER'S CLOTHES ARE BURNT BY A NEGLIGENTLY MANUFACTURED HAIRDRIER. AN EXEMPTION CLAUSE IN A GUARANTEE OF THE HAIRDRIER COULD NOT RELIEVE THE MANUFACTURER OF LIABILITY FOR THAT DAMAGE.
/AN EXIMPTION........
FRIDAY, MAY 19, 1989
2
AN EXEMPTION CLAUSE WOULD ALSO BE INEFFECTIVE IF IT PURPORTS TO EXCLUDE OR RESTRICT LIABILITY FOR A SELLER’S IMPLIED UNDERTAKINGS AS TO THE TITLE TO GOODS SOLD OR THE QUALITY OF GOODS SUPPLIED.
"THUS. IF A PERSON SELLS A STOLEN CAR AND THE PURCHASER HAS TO RETURN IT TO THE TRUE OWNER, AN EXEMPTION CLAUSE IN THE SALES CONTRACT COULD NOT RELIEVE THE SELLER OF HIS LIABILITY TO COMPENSATE THE BUYER." MR CHAN EXPLAINED.
"SIMILARLY. IF A CONSUMER AGREES TO BUY OR HIRE A WELL-KNOWN MAKE OF TELEVISION SET BUT A DIFFERENT MAKE OF SET IS DELIVERED. AN EXEMPTION CLAUSE COULD NOT RELIEVE THE DEALER OF LIABILITY FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT." HE ADDED.
MR CHAN SAID THAT IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES AN EXEMPTION CLAUSE PURPORTING TO EXCLUDE OR RESTRICT LIABILITY WOULD BE EFFECTIVE ONLY IN SO FAR AS IT SATISFIED THE REQUIREMENT OF REASONABLENESS.
AS ILLUSTRATIONS. HE GAVE THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLES:
* IF A FIRM OF DRY CLEANERS NEGLIGENTLY LOSES A SUIT LEFT WITH IT BY A CUSTOMER, A CLAUSE PURPORTING TO LIMIT THE LIABILITY OF THE FIRM IN RESPECT OF THAT LOSS WOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE REASONABLENESS TEST:
* IF (I) A WOMAN BOOKS A CAR FOR HER WEDDING DAY AND THE CAR FAILS TO ARRIVE OR (II) A SUPPLIER OF OFFICE EQUIPMENT (WHO USES STANDARD TERMS OF BUSINESS) FAILS TO DELIVER EQUIPMENT CONTRACTED FOR. AN EXEMPTION CLAUSE PURPORTING TO LIMIT THE LIABILITY FOR A BREACH OF CONTRACT WOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE REASONABLENESS TEST:
» IF A PERSON HIRES FOR HIS BUSINESS A PHOTOCOPYING MACHINE AND, ON ARRIVAL. THE MACHINE DOES NOT WORK. A CLAUSE PURPORTING TO EXCLUDE LIABILITY FOR ANY DEFECTS WOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE REASONABLENESS TEST;
» WHERE A RESTAURANT OFFERS A VALET PARKING SERVICE, A CLAUSE WOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE REASONABLENESS TEST IF IT REQUIRED THE CUSTOMER TO INDEMNIFY THE RESTAURANT AGAINST LOSS CAUSED TO THIRD PARTIES BY THE NEGLIGENT DRIVING OF ITS EMPLOYEE.
SCHEDULE 1 OF THE BILL LISTS THE TYPES OF CONTRACT THAT ARE EXCLUDED FROM CERTAIN OF THE STATUTORY CONTROLS.
THESE INCLUDE CONTRACTS RELATING TO INSURANCE. INTERESTS IN LAND. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. SECURITIES. THE FORMATION OR DISSOLUTION OF COMPANIES AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS OF COMPANIES.
AS REGARDS INTERESTS IN LAND. A CONTRACT IS EXCLUDED FROM THE CONTROLS ONLY "SO FAR AS IT RELATES TO THE CREATION OR TRANSFER OF AN INTEREST IN LAND, OR TO THE TERMINATION OF SUCH AN INTEREST".
/The controls .......
FRIDAY, MAY 19, 19$9
THE CONTROLS WOULD, FOR EXAMPLE, BE INAPPLICABLE TO EXEMPTION CLAUSES IN AN ASSIGNMENT, MORTGAGE OR LEASE OF LAND WHICH RELIEVE THE ASSIGNOR, MORTGAGOR OR LESSOR OF LIABILITY IN RESPECT OF ANY ERROR, MISDESCRIPTION OR MIS-STATEMENT RELATING TO THE PROPERTY.
’’THE CONTROLS WOULD. HOWEVER, APPLY TO EXEMPTION CLAUSES RELATING TO SUCH THINGS AS MIS-STATEMENTS IN A SALES BROCHURE OR AUCTION CATALOGUE. NEGLIGENT VALUATION REPORTS OR MIS-STATEMENTS BY THE VENDOR OR HIS SOLICITOR AS TO THE PERMITTED USE OR PAST PROFITABILITY OF THE PREMISES," MR CHAN SAID.
THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION IS CLOSELY MODELLED ON THE ENGLISH UNFAIR CONTRACT TERMS ACT 1977.
THIS WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION <LRC), WHICH
PUBLISHED A "REPORT ON THE CONTROL OF EXEMPTION CLAUSES" IN DECEMBER
1986.
THE COMMISSION CONCLUDED THAT. PARTICULARLY WHERE THE PARTIES
TO A CONTRACT DID NOT HAVE EQUAL BARGAINING STRENGTH. THE USE OF
EXEMPTION CLAUSES LED TO ABUSE.
THE LRC ALSO CONSIDERED THAT THE BENEFITS OF SOME CONTROL WOULD OUTWEIGH ANY DISADVANTAGES THAT MIGHT BE CAUSED BY CHANGES TO THE LAW OF CONTRACT.
MR CHAN SAID THAT. IF ENACTED. THE LEGISLATION WOULD NOT BE BROUGHT INTO OPERATION UNTIL 12 MONTHS AFTER ENACTMENT. THIS WOULD ALLOW BUSINESSMEN TIME TO REVIEW EXEMPTION CLAUSES USED BY THEM AND, IF NECESSARY, TO AMEND THEM.
HE SAID EXTENSIVE PUBLIC CONSULTATION HAD BEEN CONDUCTED, INVOLVING MAJOR CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE, THE LEGAL PROFESSION, THE CONSUMER COUNCIL, THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY, THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS THAT EXPRESSED INTEREST IN THE LRC9S REPORT.
THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 31 THIS YEAR.
- 0 - -
A
FRIDAY. MAY 19. 1989
4
SENIOR DIRECTORATE APPOINTMENTS » t t » t
SUBSEQUENT TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE’S APPROVAL. OF THE CREATION OF CERTAIN DIRECTORATE POSTS, THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED THAT TWO SENIOR DIRECTORATE APPOINTMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE.
MR DONALD TSANG YAM-KUEN IS IN THE POST OF DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION: AND MR TONY MILLER IS IN THE POST OF INFORMATION CO-ORDINATOR.
BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ON THESE OFFICERS ARE AS FOLLOWS:-
MR DONALD TSANG YAM-KUEN, JP
AGED 44. MR TSANG JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN JANUARY 1967 AND WAS APPOINTED AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN JULY 1971.
HE HAS SERVED IN A VARIETY OF POSTS IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AND CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION WHERE HE WAS DISTRICT OFFICER (SHA TIN) FROM 1982 TO 1984.
MORE RECENTLY HE HAS BEEN DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TRADE (1984-85) AND DEPUTY SECRETARY (GENERAL DUTIES) (1986-89).
HE WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE Bl IN DECEMBER 1988.
MR TONY MILLER, JP
AGED 39, MR MILLER JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN SEPTEMBER 1972.
HE HAS HELD A VARIETY OF POSTS IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AND THE FORMER HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT.
MORE RECENTLY HE HAS SERVED AS PRIVATE SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT HOUSE (1979-82). PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION (1984-86) AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TRADE (1986-89).
HE WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE B IN SEPTEMBER 1986.
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FRIDAY, MAY 19, 1989
- 5 -
BILL TIGHTENS MEASURES AGAINST EMPLOYMENT OF Il’S *****
AN AMENDMENT BILL SEEKING TO ENABLE MORE EFFECTIVE ACTION TO BE TAKEN AGAINST THE EMPLOYMENT OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 31.
PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY), THE IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 PROPOSES AMENDMENTS WHICH FORM PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S OVERALL EFFORTS TO CURB THE INFLUX OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
IT SEEKS TO CLARIFY THAT HOLDERS OF CHINESE TWO-WAY PERMITS ARE NOT EMPLOYABLE.
IT MAKES IT CLEAR THAT HOLDERS OF A VALID TRAVEL DOCUMENT ARE ONLY LAWFULLY EMPLOYABLE IF THE DOCUMENT IS NOT ENDORSED WITH A CONDITION OF STAY PROHIBITING THEM FROM TAKING EMPLOYMENT.
THE BILL ALSO INTRODUCES A NEW CERTIFICATE TO BE ISSUED BY THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION.
THIS ENABLES EVIDENCE THAT A PERSON IS NOT LAWFULLY EMPLOYABLE TO BE ADDUCED BY THE CERTIFICATE AND AVOIDS THE LENGTHY DETENTION OF THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FOR PROSECUTION PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE EMPLOYER, AIDER OR ABETTOR.
TO FACILITATE COLLECTION OF EVIDENCE ON EMPLOYMENT OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS BY LABOUR INSPECTORS AND SENIOR LABOUR INSPECTORS. THE BILL PROVIDES THEM WITH POWER, ON ENTRY TO EMPLOYMENT SITES. TO SEIZE AND REMOVE RECORDS OF EMPLOYEES KEPT BY EMPLOYERS.
THE EMPLOYER MAY MAKE COPIES OF THE SEIZED DOCUMENTS AND IN PRACTICE THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL POST TO THE EMPLOYER A PHOTOCOPY OF THE RECORDS SEIZED WITHIN TWO WORKING DAYS AND THE LABOUR INSPECTORS WILL GIVE THE EMPLOYER A RECEIPT CERTIFYING THAT THE RECORDS HAVE BEEN SEIZED.
IN ADDITION. THE BILL SEEKS TO ENABLE LABOUR INSPECTORS AND SENIOR LABOUR INSPECTORS. BY NOTICE IN WRITING SERVED ON AN EMPLOYER, TO REQUIRE PRODUCTION OF RECORDS WITHIN 72 HOURS.
UPON COMPLETION OF THE CASE. THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS OBLIGED. AS A MATTER OF LAW, TO RETURN THE RECORDS TO THE EMPLOYER.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT ON THE BILL SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, SIXTH FLOOR. CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD. CENTRAL, OR TO OMELCO. 8 JACKSON ROAD. HONG KONG.
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/6
FRIDAY, MAY 19, 1989
MERCHANT SHIPPING REGULATIONS LOCALISED * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THE INTRODUCTION OF A NUMBER OF REPLACEMENT MERCHANT SHIPPING REGULATIONS.
THEY ARE:-
(A> MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) (SIGNALS OF DISTRESS AND PREVENTION OF COLLISIONS) REGULATIONS 1989;
(B) MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) (USE OF SIGNALS OF DISTRESS) REGULATIONS 1989;
(C) MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) (CARRIAGE OF NAUTICAL PUBLICATIONS) REGULATIONS 1989;
(D) MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) (AUTOMATIC PILOT AND TESTING OF STEERING GEAR) REGULATIONS 1989.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THESE REGULATIONS REPLACED EXISTING UK REGULATIONS WITH HONG KONG EQUIVALENTS AND WOULD ENABLE THEIR CONTINUED APPLICATION TO HONG KONG REGISTERED SHIPS UP TO, AND BEYOND, 1997.
HE SAID MOST OF HONG KONG’S MERCHANT SHIPPING LEGISLATION WAS UK LEGISLATION WHICH APPLIED TO HONG KONG.
"A PROGRAMME TO REPLACE THIS WITH LOCAL HONG KONG LEGISLATION IS NOW UNDERWAY.
"THE REGULATIONS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE ARE THE FIRST OF A LARGE PACKAGE OF REPLACEMENT LAWS WHICH WILL BE GRADUALLY INTRODUCED.
"THE ULTIMATE AIM IS FOR HONG KONG TO HAVE ITS OWN BODY OF MERCHANT SHIPPING LEGISLATION WELL BEFORE 1997." HE SAID.
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AMENDMENT BILL TO ENHANCE ENDANGERED SPECIES CONTROL
*****
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE EXISTING LEGISLATION ON ENDANGERED SPECIES PROTECTION IN AN EFFORT TO FURTHER TIGHTEN UP CONTROL ON THE TRADE IN ENDANGERED WILDLIFE IN HONG KONG.
THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, WHICH WAS APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL EARLIER THIS WEEK FOR INTRODUCTION INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SEEKS TO PROHIBIT THE TRADE IN MEDICINES CONTAINING RHINOCEROS INGREDIENTS AND TO INTRODUCE ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS TO EFFECT MORE EFFICIENT CONTROL ON THE TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES IN GENERAL.
/IN ADDITION
FRIDAY, MaY 191 1989
7
LN ADDITION, IT SEEKS TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM FINES FOR OFFENCES UNDER THE LAW FIVEFOLD TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY DETERRENT.
XNNOUNC1NG DETAILS OF THE LEGISLATIVE CHANGES, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (CONSERVATION AND COUNTRY PARKS) OF TIE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR K.C. IU, SAID ONE OF THE CXIN PROVISIONS OF THE BILL AIMED AT EXTENDING THE PROHIBITION ON THE TRADE IN RHINOCEROS TO COVER ANY MEDICINAL PRODUCTS CONTAINING ITS INGREDIENTS.
RHINOCEROS IS AT PRESENT CLASSIFIED AS AN APPENDIX I SPECIES BY THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES). ITS IMPORT WAS BANNED IN 1979 AND THE BAN WAS EXTENDED IN AUGUST LAST YEAR TO COVER THE INTERNAL SALL OF ITS PRODUCTS.
’’RHINOCEROS DERIVATIVES ARE TRADITIONALLY USED IN CERTAIN CHINESE PATENT MEDICINES. TO FULFILL OUR INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATION UNDER CITES, WE SHOULD TAKE ACTION TO PROHIBIT ’’HE TRADE IN SUCH MEDICINES,” MR IU SAID.
"IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PROVE ANALYTICALLY THE PRESENCE OF RHINOCEROS INGREDIENTS IN MEDICINES, THE BILL WILL MAKE IT AN OFFENCE FOR ANYONE TO IMPORT, EXPORT OR POSSESS MEDICINE WHICH CONTAINS, OR IS CLAIMED OR REPRESENTED TO CONTAIN, ANY RHINOCEROS INGREDIENTS.”
HOWEVER, HE STRESSED THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF THIS PROHIBITION SHOULD NOT BE CONCEIVED AS A MEASURE TO CONTROL CHINESE MEDICINES, WHICH WAS A SEPARATE ISSUE.
THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM FINES FOR BREACHING THE LICENSING CONTROL FROM $5,000 TO $25,000 FOR THE FIRST OFFENCE AND FROM $10,000 TO $50,000 FOR A REPEATED OFFENCE WITH THE JAIL SENTENCE OF SIX MONTHS FOR THE LATTER REMAINING UNCHANGED.
’’THE EXISTING MAXIMUM FINES WERE FIXED IN 1976. COMPARED WITH THE VALUE OF GOODS WHICH ARE LIABLE TO SEIZURE, THEY ARE NOW TOO LOW TO PROVIDE A PROPER DETERRENT,” HE SAID.
MR IU POINTED OUT THAT THE BILL ALSO INTRODUCED ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS TO CONTROL ENDANGERED SPECIES IN TRANSIT, TO PRESCRIBE THE IDENTIFICATION OF INCOMPLETE SPECIMENS AS COURT EVIDENCE, TO MAKE THE FURNISHING OF FALSE INFORMATION AN OFFENCE, AND TO STRENGTHEN THE POWERS OF SEARCH OF AUTHORISED OFFICERS.
“THE EXISTING LEGISLATION DOES NOT CONTROL ANY ENDANGERED SPECIES IN TRANSIT. TO GUARD AGAINST POSSIBLE- ABUSE, THE BILL WILL AMEND THE TRANSIT PROVISIONS IN THE ORDINANCE TO REQUIRE TRANSIT SHIPMENTS TO BE ACCOMPANIED BY A LICENCE, PERMIT. CERTIFICATE OR OTHER DOCUMENT FOR EXPORT, ISSUED BY A RELEVANT AUTHORITY OF THE EXPORTING COUNTRY.” HE SAID.
”IN THE CASE OF A LIVE ENDANGERED ANIMAL IN TRANSIT, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES HAS TO BE NOTIFIED AT LEAST THREE WORKING DAYS PRIOR TO ITS ARRIVAL IN HONG KONG."
/Mr iu .......
FRIDAY, NAY 19, 19^9
- 8 -
MR IV WENT ON TO EXPLAIN THE DEEMING PROVISION IN THE BILL IN RESPECT OF THE IDENTIFICATION OF INCOMPLETE SPECIMENS AS COURT EVIDENCE.
"CURRENTLY. A SPECIMEN NEEDS TO BE IDENTIFIED BEFORE A PROSECUTION CAN BE BROUGHT.
"BECAUSE A LARGE NUMBER OF SPECIES AlE INVOLVED, AND IDENTIFYING AN INCOMPLETE SPECIMEN IS OFTEN IMPOSSIBLE, THE PROVISION ENABLES ANY OBJECT WHICH IS NOT READILY RECOGNISABLE BUT IS CLAIMED OR REPRESENTED TO BE A SCHEDULED SPECIES TO BE AC(EPTED AS EVIDENCE IN A PROSECUTION CASE."
MR IU SAID THE BILL IMPOSED FOR THE FIRST TIME A MAXIMUM FINE OF SU).ODD FOR GIVING FALSE INFORMATION TO OBTAIN A LICENCE AND MAKING FALSE CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF SCHEDULED SPECIES AND CONTROLLED MEDICINES. IN THE PAST, SUCH ACTS ONLY RESULTED IN THE CANCELLATION OF THE LICENCE ISSUED.
IN ADDITION, HE SAID, THE BILL EXTENDED THE POWERS DELEGATED TO AUTHORISED OFFICERS TO STOP, BOARD AND SEARCH ANY VESSELS, AIRCRAFT, TRAIN OR VEHICLE IN CONNECTION WITH THE IMPORTATION OF SCHEDULED SPECIES TO COVER SUSPECTED CONTRAVENTION OF THE RESTRICTIONS ON EXPORT OR POSSESSION OR THE LICENSING REQUIREMENT FOR SCHEDULED SPECIES AND CONTROLLED MEDICINES.
"SIMILARLY, THE BILL EXTENDS THE POWER OF AN AUTHORISED OFFICER TO ENABLE HIM TO STOP AND SEARCH ANY PERSON WHO IS SUSPECTED OF POSSESSING ANY SCHEDULED SPECIES OR CONTROLLED MEDICINES WITHOUT A LICENCE," MR IU ADDED.
THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND TRADE ASSOCIATIONS REPRESENTING IMPORTERS AND VENDORS OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINES HAVE ALL BEEN CONSULTED. THEY GENERALLY SUPPORT THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS.
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT HAS GIVEN ADVANCE NOTICES TO THE TRADERS TO ENABLE THEM TO DISPOSE OF THE EXISTING STOCKS BEFORE THE VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE BILL COME INTO OPERATION.
CONCERN EXPRESSED OVER SECTION OF U.S. OMNIBUS TRADE ACT
*****
THE MINISTER FOR HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE AFFAIRS IN WASHINGTON, MR PETER LO, SAID IN SEATTLE ON THURSDAY (MAY 18) HONG KONG WAS CONCERNED THAT THE SECTION OF THE U.S. OMNIBUS TRADE ACT OF 1988. KNOWN AS THE SUPER 301, CREATED THE RISK OF THE U.S. ADOPTING EITHER UNILATERAL ACTION OR BILATERAL APPROACHES TO ITS TRADE PROBLEM.
HE SAID THAT WOULD LEAD QUICKLY INTO THE REALM OF MANAGED TRADE AND UNDERMINE THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM.
/MR 1.0.......
FRIDAY, MAY 19, 1989
MR LO WAS SPEAKING TO TOP BUSINESS EXUCUTIVES AND ACADEMICS AT A LUNCH JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WASHINGTON COUNCIL ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND THE WASHINGTON STATE CHINA RELATIONS COUNCIL.
UNDER THE OMNIBUS TRADE ACT, THE U.S. ADMINISTRATION WAS REQUIRED TO DRAW UP BY MAY 30 A LIST OF PRIORITY FOREIGN COUNTRIES TO BE SUBJECT TO THE SUPER 301 ACTION BECAUSE OF THEIR IMPOSITION OF MAJOR BARRIERS TO U.S. EXPORTS.
MR LO SAID HONG KONG HAD AN OPEN ECONOMY WITHOUT ANY TRADE BARRIERS AND WOULD NOT THEREFORE BE SUBJECT TO ANY THREAT OF THE SUPER 301 ACTION, BUT WAS NEVERTHELESS CONCERNED ABOUT ITS IMPLEMENTATION.
HE SAID HONG KONG SHARED AMERICA’S COMMITMENT TO THE URUGUAY ROUND OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE FROM WHICH BOTH STOOD TO GAIN SO MUCH IN AREAS SUCH AS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION AND TRADE IN SERVICES.
BUT, HE POINTED OUT, UNILATERAL ACTION UNDER SUPER 301 WOULD JEOPARDISE A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION TO THE ROUND BY BEING READ AS A SIGNAL THAT THE U.S., THE BIGGEST AND MOST INFLUENTIAL PLAYER, WAS LOSING FAITH IN THE POST-WAR MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM IT HAD DONE SO MUCH TO CREATE.
MR LO SAID THERE WAS ANOTHER POSSIBLE PROTECTIONIST THREAT THAT COULD ALSO JEOPARDISE THE URUGUAY ROUND OF MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS.
THAT WAS THE POSSIBLE AMENDMENT TO THE CARIBBEAN BASIN ECONOMIC RECOVERY EXPANSION ACT OF 1989, OR CBI II, TO INCLUDE SOME FORM OF TEXTILE QUOTA TRANSFER OR OFFSET PROVISION THAT WOULD WITHDRAW QUOTAS FROM ASIAN SUPPLIERS TO OFFSET INCREASED IMPORTS FROM THE CARIBBEAN BASIN.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IF THE PROPOSAL WAS ADOPTED, IT WOULD ALSO VIOLATE THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT AND THE BILATERAL TEXTILE AGREEMENTS WHICH THE U.S. HAD CONCLUDED WITH OVERSEAS SUPPLIERS.
HE CALLED ON THE U.S. ADMINISTRATION AND CONGRESS TO TAKE A FIRM STAND AGAINST THE PROPOSAL AND ON ANY OTHER RESTRICTIVE MEASURES THAT COULD DAMAGE THE WORLD TRADING SYSTEM.
IN HIS TALK ON HONG KONG’S POSITION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE ISSUES, MR LO ALSO SPOKE ABOUT ITS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. HK-U.S. ISSUES, AND ITS ECONOMIC TIES WITH CHINA.
OTHER SUBJECTS HE TOUCHED ON WERE THE HK-U.S. DOLLAR LINK AND THE OPERATION OF FOREIGN LAW FIRMS IN HONG KONG.
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/1O.......o
FRIDAY. MAY 19. 1989
- 10 -
BILL ON CONTROL OF OZONE DEPLETING CHEMICALS * * » » »
A BILL PROPOSING TO IMPOSE IMPORT AND EXPORT CONTROL ON A NUMBER OF OZONE DEPLETING CHEMICALS AND PROHIBITING THE MANUFACTURE OF THESE CHEMICALS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION BILL 1989 IS DUE TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 31.
SUBJECT TO THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL NEXT MONTH. THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO IMPLEMENT CONTROLS AS FROM JULY 1.
EXPLAINING THE INTRODUCTION OF THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS. MR GRAHAM BARNES, SAID: "THE BILL PROVIDES THE LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR IMPLEMENTING THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL ON SUBSTANCES THAT DEPLETE THE OZONE LAYER."
THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL WAS RATIFIED BY THE UNITED KINGDOM LAST YEAR AND HONG KONG WAS INCLUDED IN THE RATIFICATION.
IT CALLS FOR A FREEZE AT 1986 LEVELS AND SUBSEQUENT REDUCTIONS IN THE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION OF CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS (CFC’S) AND HALONS.
THESE CHEMICALS ARE KNOWN TO CAUSE A DEPLETING EFFECT TO THE OZONE LAYER WHICH IS A THIN LAYER OF GAS SURROUNDING THE EARTH LIKE AN OUTER SKIN AND PROTECTING THE PLANET AND ITS INHABITANTS FROM THE SUN’S ULTRA-VIOLET RAYS. IT ACTS AS A SCREEN TO PREVENT HARMFUL AMOUNTS OF ULTRA-VIOLET RADIATION FROM REACHING THE EARTH’S SURFACE.
HOWEVER, SINCE THE MID-1970'S, SCIENTISTS HAVE OBSERVED A GRADUAL DEPLETION OF THE OZONE LAYER. THIS WILL LEAD TO INCREASES IN THE INCIDENCE OF SKIN CANCER AND EYE CATERACTS IN HUMANS AS WELL AS EFFECTS ON AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION.
"THE BILL PROHIBITS THE MANUFACTURE OF THE EIGHT CONTROLLED CHEMICALS. THAT IS, CFC 11, 12, 113, 114 AND 115 AND HALONS 1211. 1301 AND 2402," MR BARNES SAID.
HONG KONG DOES NOT PRODUCE ANY OF THESE CHEMICALS. THE AIM IS THEREFORE TO BAN THE FUTURE SETTING UP OF SUCH PRODUCTION.
"AT THE SAME TIME IMPORT AND EXPORT OF THE FIVE CFC CHEMICALS WILL BE SUBJECT TO CONTROL. ALL IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO REGISTER UNDER THE BILL AND OBTAIN A LICENCE BEFORE IMPORTING OR EXPORTING THE CHEMICALS.
"THE CONTROL OF IMPORT AND EXPORT OF HALONS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AT A LATER STAGE."
A NOTICE WAS ALSO PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR QUOTA ALLOCATION FOR RETAINED IMPORTS. BOOKLETS WILL ALSO BE PUBLISHED SHORTLY TO ADVISE ON THE LICENSING ARRANGEMENTS.
- - 0 - -
FRIDAY, MAY 19, 1989
11
STAGGERED RELEASE OF STAFF ADVISED WITH APPROACH OF TYPHOON * » t » * «
WITH THE APPROACH OF TYPHOON BRENDA. THE FIRST CYCLONE OF THE YEAR, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF RELEASING THEIR STAFF IN PHASES IF AND WHEN THE NO. 8 SIGNAL IS RAISED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ONLY WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF EMPLOYERS COULD THE TRANSPORT PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THE LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE RETURNING HOME ALMOST AT THE SAME TIME BE REDUCED.
HE SAID GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WOULD BE RELEASING THEIR STAFF IN PHASES WHEN THE HOISTING OF A NO. 8 SIGNAL WAS IMMINENT. HE URGED THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO TAKE SIMILAR STEPS WITH THEIR STAFF.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT WHEN THE DIRECTOR OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY WAS REASONABLY CERTAIN THAT THE NO. 8 SIGNAL WOULD BE HOISTED WITHIN TWO HOURS, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ISSUE AN ANNOUNCEMENT ADVISING DEPARTMENT HEADS AND EMPLOYERS TO RELEASE THEIR STAFF IN STAGES.
THIS SHOULD START WITH STAFF WHO HAD TO CATCH AN OUTLYING FERRY, FOLLOWING A BROADCAST ANNOUNCEMENT THAT FERRY SERVICES WOULD SOON BE SUSPENDED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE SECOND GROUP TO BE RELEASED SHOULD BE THOSE WHO HAVE TO MAKE A LONG AND DIFFICULT JOURNEY HOME.
HE SAID THAT IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO DEFINE A LONG AND DIFFICULT JOURNEY, BUT NOTED THAT PEOPLE WHO WORK IN CENTRAL AND LIVE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, OR VICE VERSA, SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS CATEGORY.
WHEN THE NO. 8 SIGNAL WAS HOISTED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID EMPLOYERS SHOULD RELEASE THOSE WHO HAD TO TAKE MORE THAN ONE TRIP ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO REACH HOME.
"THEY SHOULD ALSO RELEASE AT THIS TIME PEOPLE WHO HAVE STRONG OR PRESSING PERSONAL REASONS TO RETURN HOME. FOR EXAMPLE MOTHERS WHO HAVE TO LOOK AFTER THEIR CHILDREN.
"THE LAST GROUP OF PEOPLE TO BE RELEASED SHOULD BE THOSE WHO LIVE NEAR TO THEIR PLACE OF WORK.' HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN ASSURED COMMUTERS THAT MAJOR TRANSPORT OPERATORS WOULD CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SERVICES BETWEEN THREE TO SIX HOURS AFTER THE NO. 8 SIGNAL HAD BEEN HOISTED.
HE SAID THE VARIOUS CATEGORIES OF STAFF TO BE RELEASED IN PHASES WERE ONLY GENERAL GUIDELINES AND THAT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT HEADS AND EMPLOYERS WOULD HAVE TO DECIDE ON THEIR OWN PRIORITIES ACCORDING TO CIRCUMSTANCES.
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FRIDAY, MAY 19, 1989
12
EMPLOYERS URGED TO MAKE WORKING ARRANGEMENTS DURING TYPHOONS *****
WITH THE HOISTING OF THE NO. 1 STAND BY TYPHOON SIGNAL. EMPLOYERS ARE URGED TO MAKE PRIOR AGREEMENT WITH THEIR EMPLOYEES ON WORKING ARRANGEMENTS.
SUCH AGREEMENT SHOULD INCLUDE RULES FOR REPORTING TO WORK AND RELEASING EMPLOYEES FROM WORK, AND THE METHOD OF CALCULATING WAGES UNDER VARIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT ALTHOUGH THE LAW DID NOT LAY DOWN ANY PARTICULAR PROVISIONS. IT WOULD BE MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL FOR SUCH AGREEMENTS TO BE REACHED.
HE SAID EMPLOYERS SHOULD GIVE PRIOR CONSIDERATION TO THEIR WORKERS’ SAFETY, BOTH AT THE WORKPLACE AND WHILE TRAVELLING TO AND FROM HOME DURING A TYPHOON.
"NORMALLY, EMPLOYERS SHOULD NOT REQUIRE EMPLOYEES TO REPORT FOR DUTY OR TO CONTINUE WITH THEIR WORK WHEN TYPHOON SIGNAL NO. 8 OR A HIGHER SIGNAL IS HOISTED, OR WHEN PUBLIC TRANSPORT IS ABOUT TO STOP." THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THIS, HOWEVER, DOES NOT APPLY TO THOSE WHO ARE REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL OR EMERGENCY DUTIES DURING A TYPHOON."
EMPLOYERS WHO HAVE DIFFICULTIES IN DRAFTING OR PREPARING TYPHOON ARRANGEMENTS CAN SEEK ADVICE FROM ANY BRANCH OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT’S LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE, OR TELEPHONE 5-282213, 3-232191 OR 0-4234496.
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MORE SENIOR CLASSES IN PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS * * * * *
PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS WILL OPERATE MORE SECONDARY 4 CLASSES AND THEIR TEACHING ESTABLISHMENT WILL BE RESTRUCTURED AS PART OF THE PLAN TO FURTHER IMPROVE THIS SECTOR OF EDUCATION. THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI. SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CARITAS CHAN CHUN HA PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL IN YUEN LONG, MR LI SAID SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES. PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS WOULD BE ALLOWED TO OPERATE A TWO-YEAR MATRICULATION COURSE FROM SEPTEMBER 1992.
MR LI NOTED THAT THERE WERE 21 PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG. THE NUMBER WOULD INCREASE TO 28 ON COMPLETION OF SEVEN OTHER PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS BY 1992.
HE THANKED THE CARITAS FOR PLAYING AN IMPORTANT ROLE SINCE THE 1960'S IN THE ADVANCEMENT OF PREVOCATIONAL EDUCATION.
/NR LI .......
FRIDAY, MAY 19, 1989
- 13 -
MR LI SAID WITH THE OPENING OF THE YUEN LONG SCHOOL -- THE FIRST PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL IN THE DISTRICT -- MORE SECONDARY PLACES WOULD BE PROVIDED TO MEET THE DEMAND IN THE DISTRICT AND TO PREPARE YOUNG PEOPLE FOR A CAREER IN MODERN TECHNOLOGY IN THE COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL SECTORS.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY. THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF HANG SENG BANK, DR HO TIM PAID TRIBUTE TO THE CARITAS FOR THEIR WIDE-RANGING SERVICES TO KEEP ABREAST WITH THE NEEDS OF HONG KONG.
THE YUEN LONG SCHOOL. THE NINTH PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL OPERATED BY THE CARITAS, WOULD PROVIDE MORE VOCATIONAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR HONG KONG’S YOUNG PEOPLE.
THE NEW SCHOOL PREMISES WAS BLESSED BY THE BISHOP OF HONG KONG, CARDINAL WU.
- - 0-----------
DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION PAYS TRIBUTE TO STAFF
■»»»»♦
THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR ALAN CARTER. TODAY (FRIDAY) PAID TRIBUTE TO HIS STAFF FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND DEVOTION AT A PARADE TO MARK HIS RETIREMENT AFTER 23 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
"THANKS TO THEIR EFFORTS, THE DEPARTMENT IS RECOGNISED BOTH LOCALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY AS A HIGHLY PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATION.
“AT THE SAME TIME WE HAVE A REPUTATION FOR FAIRNESS AND UNDERSTANDING OF HUMAN PROBLEMS." MR CARTER SAID.
"I AM PROUD TO HAVE BEEN PART OF THE IMMIGRATION TEAM." HE ADDED.
MR CARTER INSPECTED 202 MEMBERS OF THE IMMIGRATION SERVICE AT THE FAREWELL PARADE HELD AT THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY POLICE HEADQUARTERS IN KOWLOON BAY.
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INTERIM REPORT ON SURROGACY AND ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION FINALISED *****
THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENTIFICALLY ASSISTED HUMAN REPRODUCTION HAS FINALISED ITS INTERIM REPORT ON SURROGACY AND ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION. WHICH WILL BE PUBLISHED FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION BEGINNING IN JULY.
THE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN. DR LEONG CHE-HUNG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) AFTER THE COMMITTEE’S 11TH MEETING THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE WERE AS FOLLOWS:
/RECOMMENDATIONS ON
FRIDAY, MAY 19, 1989
14
RECOMMENDATIONS ON SURROGACY
* IN VIEW OF THE VERY COMPLICATED SOCIAL AND MORAL ISSUES CONNECTED WITH GENETIC SURROGACY. ONLY GENETIC INVJTRO FERTILISATION (IVF) SURROGACY (THAT IS THE COMMISSIONING COUPLE CONTRIBUTE BOTH THE EGG AND SEMEN FERTILISED OUTSIDE THE SURROGATE MOTHER), SHOULD BE ALLOWED SUBJECT TO STRICT CONTROL.
t COMMERCIAL SURROGACY SHOULD BE BANNED IN HONG KONG.
» GENETIC IVF SURROGACY SHOULD ONLY BE ALLOWED FOR INFERTILE MARRIED COUPLES WHERE NO ALTERNATIVE MEDICAL TREATMENT IS POSSIBLE.
t A WOMAN WHO HAS NEVER BEEN MARRIED NOR HAS HAD A CHILD OF HER OWN SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO ACT AS A SURROGATE MOTHER.
t PROPER PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLING ON LIKELY PROBLEMS FOR BOTH THE COMMISSIONING COUPLE AND THE SURROGATE BEFORE. DURING AND AFTER THE SURROGACY SHOULD BE MADE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE PROCESS.
RECOMMENDATIONS ON ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION
t ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION BY HUSBAND SHOULD BE ALLOWED IN ITS PRESENT FORM. SINCE ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION BY DONOR (AID) HAS BEEN PRACTISED IN HONG KONG FOR OVER 15 YEARS AND SEEMS TO BE ACCEPTABLE, IT SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE.
* THE LEGITIMACY OF CHILDREN BORN BY AID SHOULD BE PROTECTED BY LEGISLATION. THE COMMITTEE FAVOURS LEGISLATIVE MEASURES ALONG THE LINES OF THE UNITED KINGDOM FAMILY LAW REFORM ACT 1987 .
PURSUANT TO SECTION 27 OF THE ACT, A CHILD BORN AS THE RESULT OF THE ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION OF A MARRIED WOMAN BY THE SEMEN OF A DONOR SHALL BE TREATED IN LAW AS THE CHILD OF THE MARRIED WOMAN AND HER HUSBAND. UNLESS IT IS PROVED THAT THE HUSBAND DID NOT CONSENT TO THE ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION.
* THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF SEMEN DONORS SHOULD BE MAINTAINED IN ALL CASES.
ON THE THE HIS SUCH
BE GIVEN THE RIGHT OF VERIFICATION OF MAJORITY. CURRENTLY. 21. RELEASED SHOULD BE RESTRICTED TO
AN AID CHILD SHOULD REACHING THE AGE INFORMATION TO BE
CONFIRMATION OF PERFORMANCE OF THE AID PROCEDURE ON MOTHER. NO OTHER PARTIES SHOULD BE GIVEN ACCESS TO
VERIFICATION .
ONLY
FRIDAY, MAY 19, 1989
♦
ONLY BANKED SEMEN SHOULD BE USED FOR AID IN HONG KONG. WILL ALLOW TIME FOR DONORS TO BE CHECKED FOR DISEASES DECREASE THE POSSIBILITY OF INCEST IN A SMALL AND SOCIETY. FOR ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION BY HUSBAND, BANKED OR FRESH SEMEN CAN BE USED.
THIS , AND CLOSED EITHER
* SEMEN OF ANY SINGLE DONOR SHOULD NOT BE USED TO PRODUCE MORE THAN THREE PREGNANCIES.
* A CENTRAL REGISTRY OF DONORS SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED, NOTING THAT THE SETTING UP OF A CENTRAL SEMEN BANK IS IMPRACTICAL.
DR LEONG STRESSED THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE INTERIM REPORT WERE NOT FINAL.
THE COMMITTEE WILL CAREFULLY EXAMINE THE FEEDBACK FROM THE PUBLIC AND. IF NECESSARY. REVISE THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS BEFORE SUBMITTING THEM TO THE GOVERNMENT.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN SEND THEIR COMMENTS AND OPINIONS ON THE INTERIM REPORT TO THE COMMITTEE THROUGH THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH. GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, LOWER ALBERT ROAD. HONG KONG.” HE SAID.
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RESULTS OF 1987 SURVEY OF BUILDING. CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS ♦ » * t *
RESULTS OF THE 1987 SURVEY OF BUILDING. CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS, WHICH WAS CONDUCTED FROM APRIL 1988 TO EARLY 1989, INDICATED THAT 9,508 CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENTS HAD OPERATED IN 1987.
THE TOTAL GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY THESE ESTABLISHMENTS DURING 1987 AMOUNTED TO $55,837 MILLION, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 24 PER CENT OVER THE CORRESPONDING VALUE IN 1986.
THE SURVEY RESULTS WERE RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY!.
ALL VALUE FIGURES IN THE PRESS RELEASE ARE EXPRESSED IN CURRENT PRICE TERMS. THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES DERIVED FROM THESE FIGURES HAVE NOT BEEN ADJUSTED FOR PRICE/COST INCREASES.
THE TOTAL EXPENDITURE OF THESE CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENTS IN 1987 WAS $55,032 MILLION.
THIS INCLUDED $14,457 MILLION ON COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES AND PAYMENTS TO LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS; $16,227 MILLION ON CONSUMPTION OF MATERIALS. SUPPLIES, AND INDUSTRIAL SERVICES: $21,296 MILLION ON SUB-CONTRACT WORK RENDERED BY FEE SUB-CONTRACTORS; AND $3,052 MILLION ON MISCELLANEOUS OPERATING EXPENSES.
/AT S16,45O
FRIDAY, KAY 19, 1989
16
AT $16,450 MILLION, THE TOTAL VALUE ADDED OF THESE ESTABLISHMENTS WAS 22 PER CENT MORE THAN THAT IN 1986. VALUE ADDED IS A MEASURE OF THE SECTOR'S CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG'S GROSS DOMESTIC-PRODUCT .
ABOUT 38 PER CENT OF THE CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENTS WERE ENGAGED IN RENOVATION AND MAINTENANCE OF ERECTED BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES. HOWEVER, THEY ACCOUNTED FOR ONLY 11 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE GENERAL TRADE CONTRACTORS OPERATING AT CONSTRUCTION SITES ACCOUNTED FOR ABOUT 8 PER CENT OF THE NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS, BUT ACCOUNTED FOR $35,640 MILLION OR 64 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED.
THE REST OF THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR CONSISTED MOSTLY OF SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS, SUCH AS CONTRACTORS SPECIALISING IN ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL FITTINGS, WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 25 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED.
THE SURVEY DID NOT COVER LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS WHO MAINLY SUPPLIED LABOUR TO WORK ON A JOB-TO-JOB BASIS. HOWEVER, THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY THESE SUB-CONTRACTORS WAS INCLUDED IN THAT OF CONTRACTORS COMMISSIONING THEIR SERVICES.
APART FROM CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENTS, THE SURVEY ALSO ENUMERATED FIRMS ENGAGED IN THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES: REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT, LEASING, BROKERAGE AND MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT: AND ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING AND PROJECT ENGINEERING.
ACCORDING TO THE SURVEY RESULTS, 4,123 ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED IN REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT, LEASING, BROKERAGE AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES HAD OPERATED DURING 1987.
THEIR GROSS OUTPUT IN 1987 WAS $26,014 MILLION WHICH INCLUDED $11,807 MILLION FROM SERVICE AND RENTAL INCOME, $13,906 MILLION FROM GROSS MARGIN OF REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS (EXCLUDING LAND PRICE APPRECIATION) AND $301 MILLION FROM OTHER INCOME. THEIR TOTAL EXPENDITURE WAS $7,972 MILLION.
AT $22,589 MILLION, THE TOTAL VALUE ADDED OF THESE ESTABLISHMENTS WAS 34 PER CENT MORE THAN THAT IN 1986.
THESE FIGURES DID NOT INCLUDE ESTABLISHMENTS THAT DEVELOPED REAL ESTATE PROJECTS FOR THEIR OWN OCCUPATION OR THOSE THAT OWNED LAND WITHOUT DEVELOPING IT DURING THE REFERENCE YEAR. ALSO EXCLUDED WERE REAL ESTATE LEASING AND OTHER ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN BY SELF-EMPLOYED PERSONS OR HOUSEHOLDS.
REGARDING ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING AND PROJECT ENGINEERING SERVICES, THE SURVEY RESULTS INDICATED THAT 636 SUCH ESTABLISHMENTS HAD OPERATED IN 1987.
/THEIR TOTAL .......
FRIDAY, MAY 19, 1989
- 17 -
THEIR TOTAL BUSINESS RECEIPTS WERE $2,762 MILLION, AND TOTAL EXPENDITURE WAS $2,261 MILLION OF WHICH $1,348 MILLION WAS ON COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES. THE TOTAL VALUE ADDED OF THESE ESTABLISHMENTS WAS $1,860 MILLION, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 19 PER CENT OVER 1986.
THE SURVEY ALSO COLLECTED DATA ABOUT CONSTRUCTION SITES AND REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.
ACCORDING TO THE SURVEY RESULTS, A TOTAL OF 1.913 SITE CONTRACTS WERE CARRIED OUT IN 1987 WITH THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED AMOUNTING TO $26,247 MILLION, WHICH WAS 24 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THE CORRESPONDING VALUE IN 1986. THIS INCLUDED $8,453 MILLION ON PUBLIC CONSTRUCTION SITES AND $17,793 MILLION ON PRIVATE ONES.
THE SHARE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR IN THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED AT CONSTRUCTION SITES WAS 32 PER CENT IN 1987, COMPARED WITH 33 PER CENT IN 1986.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED AT CONSTRUCTION SITES IN RESPECT OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS, AT $11,991 MILLION IN 1987, WAS 13 PER CENT ABOVE THAT IN 1986.
THE INCREASE OCCURRED MOSTLY IN PRIVATE HOUSING PROJECTS WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 65 PER CENT OF THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED AT CONSTRUCTION SITES IN RESPECT OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN 1987, COMPARED WITH 70 PER CENT IN 1986.
FOR REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, THE VALUE ACCRUED TO PRIVATE PROJECTS DURING 1987 WAS $29,004 MILLION, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 37 PER CENT OVER THE CORRESPONDING VALUE IN 1986. THE TOTAL PROJECT OUTLAY WAS $16,374 MILLION WHICH INCLUDED, FOR INSTANCE, PAYMENTS TO CONTRACTORS AND INTEREST PAYMENTS.
SUMMARY STATISTICS FOR THE 1987 SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE APRIL 1989 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
MORE DETAILED RESULTS WILL BE GIVEN IN A FULL SURVEY REPORT TO BE PUBLISHED IN JUNE 1989.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING THESE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT TELEPHONE NUMBER 5-8234977.
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FRIDAY. MAY 19, 1989
18
AREA COMMITTEES TO STRENGTHEN DISTRICT ADMIN1STRATI ON t * t t *
FOUR AREA COMMITTEES WILL BE SET UP IN TUEN MUN NEXT MONTH AS ADDITIONAL CHANNELS OF CONSULTATION TO STRENGTHEN THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME.
SPEAKING AT A SEMINAR THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING. THE DISTRICT OFFICER. MR JOHN WAN. SAID THE COMMITTEES WOULD COVER THE NORTHEAST. SOUTHEAST. SOUTHWEST AND NORTHWEST SECTORS TO TIE IN WITH THE EXISTING ADMINISTRATIVE BOUNDARIES.
"THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED COMMITTEES WILL PERFORM AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN COMMUNITY BUILDING. BY WAY OF FOSTERING NEIGHBOURLINESS. PROMOTING BETTER BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND IMPROVING THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT." HE SAID.
MR WAN SAID EACH COMMITTEE WOULD CONSIST OF 20 TO 30 MEMBERS, INCLUDING REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS, VILLAGE OFFICES, RESIDENTS' ORGANISATIONS, SCHOOLS, VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS AND COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY SECTORS.
DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WOULD ALSO BE ENCOURAGED TO SIT ON THE COMMITTEES WHILE REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WOULD BE INVITED TO ATTEND MEETINGS ON A NEED BASIS.
THE NORMAL TENURE OF AN AREA COMMITTEE MEMBER IS 12 MONTHS.
ON THE CHANGING ROLE OF THE AREA COMMITTEES. MR WAN SAID THAT THEY WERE STARTED IN 1972 TO ASSIST IN THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN AND THE FIGHT VIOLENT CRIME CAMPAIGNS.
"NOWADAYS. HOWEVER. THE COMMITTEES ARE NOT ONLY CONCERNED WITH AREA PROBLEMS, BUT ALSO IN DISTRICT MATTERS AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT POLICIES," HE SAID.
IN RESPONSE TO RECENT COMMENTS ON CONSIDERABLE OVERLAPPING OF WORK BETWEEN AREA COMMITTEES AND THE DISTRICT BOARDS, MR WAN EXPLAINED THAT THIS SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM BECAUSE THE CROSS-MEMBERSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO CONSULTATIVE BODIES WOULD BE CONDUCIVE TO RESOLVING LOCAL PROBLEMS MORE EFFICIENTLY.
MR WAN CONCLUDED THE SEMINAR BY PRESENTING LETTERS OF APPOINTMENT TO SOME 100 AREA COMMITTEES MEMBERS.
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/19........
FRIDAY, MAY 19, 1989
- 19 -
MANDATORY OFF-STREET TRAINING FOR LEARNER MOTORCYCLISTS »**»»»
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS AGREED IN PRINCIPLE THAT LEARNER FDTORCYCLISTS AND MOTOR TRICYCLISTS HAVE TO UNDERTAKE MANDATORY CFF-STREET TRAINING AND PASS A COMPETENCE TEST BEFORE THEY ARE ALLOWED TO PRACTISE ON THE ROAD.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT UNDER THE EXISTING 1EGISLATION. ANY PERSON AGED 18 YEARS OR ABOVE, AFTER OBTAINING A LEARNER’S DRIVING LICENCE, CAN RIDE A MOTORCYCLE ON A ROAD WITHOUT ANY TRAINING OR SUPERVISION.
THIS HAS MADE LEARNER MOTORCYCLISTS MORE PRONE TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS. IN 1988, THE ACCIDENT RATE OF LEARNER MOTORCYCLISTS WAS 9.3 PER 1,000 LEARNERS AS COMPARED TO 0.5 PER 1,000 FOR PRIVATE CAR LEARNER DRIVERS.
TO IMPROVE ROAD SAFETY, IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT WILL ISSUE A LEARNER’S DRIVING LICENCE FOR MOTORCYCLES OR MOTOR TRICYCLES ONLY IF THE APPLICANT HAS PASSED THE WRITTEN AND BASIC SKILL TESTS UPON COMPLETION OF A MANDATORY OFF STREET TRAINING COURSE CONDUCTED IN A DESIGNATED DRIVING SCHOOL.
THE MOTORCYCLE DRIVING TEST WILL BE DIVIDED INTO THREE PARTS.
PART A IS A WRITTEN TEST ON THE ROAD USERS’ CODE AND PART B A BASIC DRIVING SKILL. TEST CONDUCTED BY TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
CANDIDATES WHO HAVE PASSED PARTS A AND B WILL BE ISSUED WITH A LEARNER’S DRIVING LICENCE TO PRACTISE ON THE ROAD.
PART C IS THE NORMAL ROAD TEST AND SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WILL BE ISSUED WITH A FULL MOTORCYCLE DRIVING LICENCE.
UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, WHICH WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY). THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT WILL BE AUTHORISED TO DESIGNATE DRIVING SCHOOLS AND REGULATE THEIR OPERATIONS IN RESPECT OF MATTERS SUCH AS COURSE CONTENTS AND DURATION, FACILITIES AND SAFETY MEASURES AND EQUIPMENT.
THE BILL WILL ALSO EMPOWER THE COMMISSIONER TO SPECIFY THE TUITION FEES CHARGED BY THE DESIGNATED DRIVING SCHOOLS FOR OFF-STREET MOTORCYCLE AND MOTOR TRICYCLE TRAINING.
THE BILL IS DUE TO BE INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 31.
SUBJECT TO THE BILL BEING PASSED BY THE COUNCIL, IT IS PROPOSED THAT ITS PROVISIONS AND THE SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS TO THE ROAD TRAFFIC (DRIVING LICENCES) REGULATIONS WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR.
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/2O........
FRIDAY, MAY 19, 1989
20
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SUCCESS IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN » » * * *
THE MANAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS IN 29 BUILDINGS TARGETTED FOR IMPROVEMENT IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT HAVE GREATLY IMPROVED IN THE PAST YEAR, THE DISTRICT OFFICER. MR STEPHEN FISHER, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) AS HE REVIEWED THE WORK OF THE DISTRICT'S BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE.
MR FISHER, WHO CHAIRS THE COMMITTEE, SAID THAT SINCE THE FORMATION OF THE COMMITTEE IN MAY LAST YEAR, IT HAD ALSO PROVIDED ASSISTANCE TO COVER 90 BUILDINGS THROUGH ITS BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM.
HE POINTED OUT THE COMMITTEE’S MAIN AIM WAS TO ENCOURAGE MEMBERS OF OWNERS CORPORATIONS AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES TO UPGRADE THE MANAGEMENT STANDARDS AND LIVING CONDITIONS OF THEIR BUILDINGS THROUGH PARTICIPATION.
MEANWHILE, HEAD OF THE DISTRICT'S BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM, MR LEE CHI-SHING, POINTED OUT THAT THE COMMON PROBLEMS IN THE TARGET BUILDINGS WERE UNAUTHORISED ALTERATIONS, OBSTRUCTION OF FIRE ESCAPES, PUNCTURED CHIMNEYS AND LACK OF MAINTENANCE.
THESE PROBLEMS HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED THROUGH DAILY CONTACTS WITH RESIDENTS BY HIS TEAM MEMBERS.
"ONCE A BUILDING IS SELECTED AS A TARGET FOR IMPROVEMENT, A FLOOR-TO-FLOOR SURVEY WILL BE CONDUCTED AFTER. WHICH THE TEAM WILL COMPILE A REPORT HIGHLIGHTING THE MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS," HE EXPLAINED.
THE NEXT STEP WAS TO GIVE PROFESSIONAL ADVICE ON FIRE SAFETY, ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE, SECURITY, MAINTENANCE AND FINANCIAL CONTROL.
MR LEE ADDED THAT IN THE PAST YEAR, THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE HAD ASSISTED THE COMMITTEE IN ORGANISING SEVEN BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINARS FOR RESIDENTS IN THE AREA.
ANOTHER LARGE SCALE SEMINAR WILL BE HELD IN JULY.
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FRIDAY, MAY 19. 1989
- 21
HOME SAFETY EXHIBITION IN SHA TIN t » » * *
THE EIGHTH IN A SERIES OF NINE EXHIBITIONS TO DISSEMINATE HOM SAFETY MESSAGES WILL BE STAGED AT THE SHOPPING CENTRE OF WO CH! ESTATE IN SHA TIN ON SUNDAY (MAY 21) FROM 11 AM TO 4 PM.
THE THEME OF THE EXHIBITION IS "HOW TO KEEP YOUR KITCHEN SAFE'
"THE EXHIBITION, IN THE FORM OF A MOCK KITCHEN, AIMS A ALERTING THE PUBLIC TO POTENTIAL DANGERS IN THIS AREA OF THE HOME," SPOKESMAN OF THE HOME SAFETY CAMPAIGN PUBLICITY COMMITTEE SAID TODA (FRIDAY).
A NEW BOOKLET "SAFETY BEGINS AT HOME" WILL BE DISTRIBUTED VISITORS AT THE VENUE.
"THE BOOKLET NOT ONLY OUTLINES THE MOST COMMON HAZARDS IN TH HOME BUT ALSO PROVIDES GUIDELINES ON HOW TO AVOID MISHAPS ARISING THROUGH THE USE OF GAS, ELECTRICITY, MICROWAVE, WATER, CHEMICALS AND MEDICINE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IT ALSO GIVES ADVICE ON FIRST AID AND THE CONTENT OF A FIRST AID BOX." HE ADDED.
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OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH EXHIBITION MOVES TO TUEN MUN
« » » » *
AN EXHIBITION ON OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK WILL BEGIN ON MONDAY (MAY 22) AT THE TUEN MUN CITY PLAZA, TUEN MUN.
IT IS THE LAST IN A SERIES OF EXHIBITIONS ON THE SUBJECT BEING STAGED JOINTLY BY THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE HARBOUR JAYCEES.
APART FROM INTRODUCING SOME OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES AND HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH INDUSTRY, THE EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS THE MORE COMMON HAZARDS TO OFFICE WORKERS SUCH AS THE EFFECTS OF VISUAL DISPLAY UNITS, WORK STRESS AND OTHER HAZARDS PRESENT IN THE OFFICE ENVIRONMENT.
OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENISTS AND MEDICAL STAFF FROM THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE PRESENT TO ANSWER ENQUIRIES FROM THE PUBLIC.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 10 AM TO 7 PM DAILY UNTIL MAY 28.
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/22
FRIDAY, MAY 19, 1989
22
ORIENTATION WORKSHOPS ON HOME-BASED WELFARE TRAINING
***»»*
ORIENTATION WORKSHOPS ARE BEING HELD THIS MONTH FOR ABOUT 30 SOCIAL WORKERS INVOLVED IN HOME-BASED TRAINING FOR PERSONS WITH A MENTAL HANDICAP.
A GROUP OF 20 WELFARE WORKERS FROM THE KOWLOON UNION CHURCH AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED ATTENDED THE FIRST TWO-DAY WORKSHOP.
ANOTHER GROUP OF WELFARE WORKERS FROM THE SOCIETY OF HOMES FOR THE HANDICAPPED WILL PARTICIPATE IN A WORKSHOP ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY (MAY 24 AND 25).
THE WORKSHOPS HAVE BEEN ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO COINCIDE WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF A PACKAGE OF PROGRAMMES ON HOME-BASED TRAINING FOR PERSONS WITH A MENTAL HANDICAP.
THIS PACKAGE HAS BEEN PRODUCED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT JOINTLY WITH ACADEMICS AND EXPERTS FROM THE VOLUNTARY SECTORS.
THE COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE PROVIDES GUIDELINES TO ENABLE MEMBERS OF THE HOME-BASED TEAMS TO CARRY OUT EFFECTIVE TRAINIG PROGRAMMES FOR PERSONS WITH A MENTAL HANDICAP AWAITING PLACEMENT IN DAY ACTIVITY CENTRES OR SHELTERED WORKSHOPS.
THE PACKAGE CONSISTS OF FIVE PARTS. THESE ARE PROGRAMMES FOR TRAINING IN DOMESTIC AND COMMUNITY LIVING SKILLS, SOCIAL/INTERPERSONAL AND RECREATIONAL SKILLS, GUIDELINES FOR WORKING WITH PARENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS, BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT, AND TEACHER ORIENTATION.
THE SKILL TRAINING PROGRAMMES ARE DESIGNED ACCORDING TO INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND TRAINING TECHNIQUES REQUIRED.
COMMENTING ON THE ORIENTATION WORKSHOPS, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING GROUP ON HOME-BASED TRAINING PROGRAMME, MISS ESTHER HO, SAID THEY WOULD PROVIDE PARTICIPANTS WITH A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE TRAINING PACKAGE AND ENABLE THEM TO USE IT IN THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY.
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/23.......
FRIDAY, MAY 19, 1989
23
FIRING PRACTICE IN JUNE » * *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN - CASTLE PEAK
RANGE ON 20 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
JUNE 1 (THURSDAY)
JUNE 2 (FRIDAY)
JUNE 5 (MONDAY)
JUNE 6 (TUESDAY)
JUNE 7 (WEDNESDAY)
JUNE 9 (FRIDAY)
JUNE 10 (SATURDAY)
JUNE 12 (MONDAY)
JUNE 13 (TUESDAY)
JUNE 14 (WEDNESDAY)
JUNE 15 (THURSDAY)
JUNE 16 (FRIDAY)
JUNE 21 (WEDNESDAY)
JUNE 22 (THURSDAY)
JUNE 23 (FRIDAY)
JUNE 24 (SATURDAY)
JUNE 27 (TUESDAY)
JUNE 28 (WEDNESDAY)
JUNE 29 (THURSDAY)
JUNE 30 (FRIDAY)
TIME
8.30 AM - 5 PM
8.30 AM - 5 PM 8.30 AM - 5 PM 8.30 AM - 5 PM 8.30 AM - 5 PM 7 AM - 11.59 PM 8.30 AM - 5 PM 8.30 AM - 5 PM 8.30 AM - 5 PM 8.30 AM - 5 PM 8.30 AM - 5 PM 8.30 AM - 5 PM
8.30 AM - 11.59 MIDNIGHT - 5 PM PM
8.30 AM - 11.59 MIDNIGHT - 5 PM PM
8.30 AM - 11.59 MIDNIGHT - 5 PM PM
8.30 AM - 11.59 MIDNIGHT - 5 PM PM
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/24........
FRIDAY. MAY 19, 1989
- 24 -
TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF SEWERS IN TO KWA WAN * ♦ * * ♦
SOME 1,900 METRES OF SEWERS WILL BE LAID FROM MA TAU CHUNG ROAD TO YUK YAT STREET IN TO KWA WAN AS PART OF A COMPREHENSIVE SEWERAGE IMPROVEMENT SCHEME IN THE AREA.
THE IMPROVEMENT WORKS, WHEN COMPLETED, WILL PERMIT SEWAGE PROM THE TO KWA WAN DISTRICT TO BE CONVEYED TO THE FUTURE SCREENING PLANT AT TO KWA WAN RECLAMATION DUE TO BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT MID-1990.
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF SEWERS RANGING IN SIZES FROM 225 MILLIMETRES TO 1,650 MILLIMETRES IN DIAMETER ALONG TO KWA WAN ROAD. MOK CHEONG STREET, KWEI CHOW STREET, SUNG WONG TOI ROAD, PAK TAI STREET AND TAM KUNG ROAD.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE IN SEPTEMBER AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 27 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JUNE 9.
0
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN WAN CHAI TO BE CLOSED
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN THE REAR LANE OF 285-295 LOCKHART ROAD, WAN CHAI SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE ORDERS ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR REQUIRING THE DEMOLITION OF THE STRUCTURES.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON SEPTEMBER 19 THIS YEAR WAS POSTED ON A CONSPICUOUS PART OF THE STRUCTURES TODAY (FRIDAY).
IT IS INTENDED THAT THE DEMOLITION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
0
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FRIDAY, MAY 19, 1989
ILLEGAL STRUCTURE IN HO MAN TIN TO BE CLOSED
» » * * «
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE AN ILLEGAL STRUCTURE IN HO MAN TIN SO THAT IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
IT IS LOCATED AT FLAT B, 19TH FLOOR, DELTEC COURT, 73C WATERLOO ROAD, KOWLOON.
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE AN ORDER ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR REQUIRING THE DEMOLITION OF THE STRUCTURE.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON JULY 19 THIS YEAR WAS POSTED ON A CONSPICUOUS PART OF THE STRUCTURE TODAY (FRIDAY).
IT IS INTENDED THAT DEMOLITION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
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ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN WAN CHAI TO BE CLOSED t t t * t
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN THE REAR LANE OF 279-283 LOCKHART ROAD, WAN CHAI. SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF AN EXCERCISE TO ENFORCE ORDERS ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE LAST NOVEMBER AND IN JANUARY THIS YEAR REQUIRING THE DEMOLITION OF THE STRUCTURES WITH WHICH THE OWNERS HAVE FAILED TO COMPLY.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON SEPTEMBER 19 THIS YEAR WAS POSTED ON A CONSPICUOUS PART OF STRUCTURES TODAY (FRIDAY).
IT IS INTENDED THAT THE DEMOLITION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, MAY 21. 1989
DB TO PREVIEW NEW CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL ♦ t » »
MEMBERS OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL TAKE A PREVIEW OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING TOMORROW (MONDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE PREVIEW HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE NEW HONG KONG TUNNEL COMPANY TO ENABLE MEMBERS TO HAVE A LOOK AT THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS OF THE NEW HARBOUR CROSSING BEFORE IT OFFICIALLY OPENS LATER THIS SUMMER.
MEMBERS WILL BE DRIVEN THROUGH THE TUNNEL AND SHOWN THE TOLL PLAZA AND ADMINISTRATION BUILDING IN CHA KWO LING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO COVER THE VISIT BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD TO THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT 2.15 PM TOMORROW (MONDAY) IN ROOM 105 ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE IN TUNG YAN STREET.
DISTRICT INFORMATION OFFICER. MISS IRENE LAU, WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
MONDAY, MAY 22, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
APPOINTMENT OF SFC ADVISORY COMMITTEE ...................... 1
COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT MEETS OMNIBUS OPERATORS ......... 2
SURVEY ON PAY AND BEN .EFITS OF PUBLIC HOSPITAL STAFF....... 5
ASSISTANCE FOR FARMERS EFFECTED BY TYPHOON ................. 6
BAN ON SOMALIAN IVORY EFFECTIVE TOMORROW ................... 7
FIRST CONFIRMED CASE OF CHOLERA THIS YEAR .................. 9
GOVERNOR PRAISES DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD WINNERS ........... 10
STUDENT WORKERS URGED TO HEED SAFETY ....................... 10
APPROVAL FOR OUTFALL, PEDESTRIAN PROMENADE PROJECTS ........ 12
INTERNATIONAL nSPECT OF CONTINUING PROSPERITY .............. 13
HOTLINES FOR DRUG ABUSERS ..................................
JUVENILE PROSTITUTION ON SHA TIN DB aGENDk ................. 15
NOMINATIONS FOR OUTSTANDING SOCIAL VOLUNTEERS .............. 15
MODEL STUDENT AWARD SCHEME IN EASTERN DISTRICT ............. 16
MORE CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES IN YUEN LONG ............... 17
DB JOINT COMMITTEE ON LRT SERVICES TO MEET ................. 18
KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD'S NEW COMMITTEE TO MEET........... 18
DB CCI'MITTEE TO DISCUSS INST^LLtTION OF TOURISM MJ? BOARDS . 19
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS REVISED GUIDELINES ON FUND ALLOCATION ................................................. 19
RELAXATION OF PUBLIC LIGHT BUS URBhN CLEiJiWAYS ............ 20
SPEED LIMIT IN TSING LUNG TAU .............................. 20
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN WONG TAI SIN ........................ 20
ROAD CLOSURES IN KOWLOON CITY .............................. 21
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KWUN TONG .......................... 21
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WAN CHAI ................. 22
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF 'WING LOK STREET ...................... 22
WATER STORAGE FIGURE........................................ 22
WATER CUTS IN FOUR AREkS ................................... 23
MONDAY, MAY 22, 1989
1
APPOINTMENT OF SFC ADVISORY COMMITTEE
» » * »
THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR DAVID NENDICK, ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE GOVERNOR HAD APPOINTED 12 MARKET MEMBERS TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (AC) OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC) UNDER SECTION 10 OF THE SFC ORDINANCE.
THE 12 MEMBERS ARE MR RONALD ARCULLI, MR CHAN SUN-SUN, MR VICTOR FUNG KWOK-KING, MR RAYMOND KWOK PING-LUEN, MR STUART LECKIE, MR PETER NORRIS, MR GEOFFREY PICARD, MR LINCOLN SOO HUNG-LEUNG, MR CHARLES SOO CHEN-JEN, MR HIDEO SUZUKI, MR ROBERT THOMAS AND MR ZHANG XUE-YAO.
THEY WERE ALL APPOINTED FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR WITH EFFECT FROM MAY 1, 1989.
THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE CONSISTS OF 15 MEMBERS, NAMELY THE 12 GOVERNOR-APPOINTED MARKET MEMBERS, TWO SFC EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS TO BE APPOINTED BY THE SFC AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SFC WHO WILL PRESIDE AT AC MEETINGS.
"THE AC WILL ADVISE THE SFC ON POLICY MATTERS RELATED TO THE MARKETS. ITS MEMBERS ARE DRAWN FROM A WIDE SPECTRUM OF THE SECURITIES, FUTURES AND INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INDUSTRIES, AS WELL AS FROM THE RELEVANT PROFESSIONS," MR NENDICK SAID.
"THE AC WILL PROVIDE A READY ACCESS TO THE SFC OF OUTSIDE EXPERT ADVICE, IN PARTICULAR FROM SECURITIES MARKET PRACTITIONERS. IT WILL THUS PROVIDE AN IMPORTANT LINK BETWEEN THE SFC AND THE MARKETS," HE ADDED.
MR RONALD ARCULLI, A SOLICITOR BY PROFESSION, IS A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR AMD THE DEPUTY CONVENOR OF THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP WHICH STUDIED THE SFC BILL.
MR CHAN SUN-SUN IS A SENIOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SUN HUNG KAI SECURITIES LIMITED AND WAS A MEMBER OF THE NOW DISSOLVED COMMODITIES TRADING COMMISSION.
MR VICTOR FUNG IS THE CHAIRMAN OF PRUDENTIAL ASIA CAPITAL LTD. AND DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF LI AND FUNG LTD. HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE NOW DISSOLVED SECURITIES COMMISSION.
MR RAYMOND KWOK IS AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SUN HUNG KAI PROPERTIES LTD. HE IS A MEMBER OF THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON COMPANY LAW REFORM.
MR STUART LECKIE IS THE MANAGING DIRECTOR AND ACTURARY OF THE WYATT COMPANY (H.K.) LTD. HE IS A MEMBER OF THE INSURANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON INVESTMENT-LINKED LIFE ASSURANCE AND POOLED PROVIDENT FUNDS.
/MR PETER........
---ft
MONDAY, MAY 22, 1989
4
2
MR PETER NORRIS IS THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF BARING BROTHERS AND CO. LTD.
MR GEOFFREY PICARD IS THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF MORGAN STANLEY ASIA LTD.
MR CHARLES SOO IS THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF EASTERN SECURITIES AND CO. HE SERVED ON THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE.
MR LINCOLN SOO, A STOCKBROKER BY PROFESSION, IS THE PROPRIETOR OF SOO PEL SHAO AND CO. HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE SECURITIES COMMISSION.
MR HIDEO SUZUKI IS THE PRESIDENT AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF NOMURA INTERNATIONAL (HK) LTD.
MR ROBERT THOMAS IS THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF JARDINE FLEMING INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LTD. HE IS A PREVIOUS CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG UNIT TRUST ASSOCIATION.
MR ZHANG XUE-YAO IS THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE HONG KONG BRANCH OF THE BANK OF CHINA.
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COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT MEETS OMNIBUS OPERATORS »»»»»»
THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR JAMES SO, TODAY (MONDAY) HAD A MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PUBLIC OMNIBUS OPERATORS ASSOCIATION TO DISCUSS A NUMBER OF ISSUES RAISED BY THEM.
ON THE ASSOCIATION’S REQUEST FOR EXEMPTION FROM PROVIDING AN ADDITIONAL EMERGENCY EXIT ON BUSES, MR SO REMINDED THE REPRESENTATIVES THAT A TRANSITIONAL PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS WAS GIVEN TO THEM SINCE THE REGULATION WAS ENACTED IN 1984, THUS MORE THAN SUFFICIENT TIME HAD BEEN ALLOWED FOR OWNERS OF PRIVATE BUSES TO MODIFY THEIR BUSES TO CONFORM TO THE REGULATION.
IN ADDITION TO THE PUBLICITY ON THE LAW AT THE TIME OF ENACTMENT, LETTERS WERE SENT TO THE ASSOCIATION IN JANUARY AND JULY LAST YEAR ELUCIDATING THE CHANGES AND REMINDING THEM THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD WOULD EXPIRE IN AUGUST THIS YEAR AND WOULD NOT BE EXTENDED.
ALL BUSES PRESENTED FOR INSPECTION FROM 25 AUGUST WERE EXPECTED TO HAVE COMPLIED WITH THE REGULATIONS IN FULL.
"HOWEVER, IF INDIVIDUAL OPERATORS CAN SHOW THAT THERE IS A REAL PROBLEM IN OBTAINING AN APPOINTMENT WITH A VEHICLE BODY BUILDER TO MAKE THE NECESSARY CHANGES PRIOR TO THE EXPIRY DATE, A REQUEST MAY BE MADE TO THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT FOR A DEFERMENT. SUCH DEFERMENT WILL ONLY BE GRANTED IF THE OWNER HAS MADE A FIRM BOOKING WITH A GARAGE TO DO THE WORK," MR SO ADDED.
/"DEFERMENT WILL
MONDAY, MAY 22, 1989
- 3 -
"DEFERMENT WILL ALSO BE CONSIDERED IF AN OWNER CAN PROVE THAT HIS VEHICLE IS DUE TO BE REPLACED BY A NEW ONE," HE SAID.
DEFERMENT WOULD BE GRANTED FOR ONE YEAR ONLY.
ON THE ASSOCIATION’S REQUEST FOR PERMITTING NON-FRANCHISED BUSES TO USE ALL FRANCHISED BUS LANES, MR SO POINTED OUT THAT MANY BUS LANES WERE OPEN TO ALL TYPES OF BUSES.
HOWEVER, IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, SUCH AS DURING PEAK HOURS AND WHERE A BUS LANE WAS TOO SHORT FOR TOO MANY BUSES TO CUT IN, PRIORITY OVER ITS USE WOULD HAVE TO BE DETERMINED.
FOR EXAMPLE, A RECENT SURVEY SHOWED THAT THE BUS GATE ON CANAL ROAD FLYOVER, WHICH WAS THE ASSOCIATION'S MAIN CONCERN, WAS USED BY OVER 120 BUSES AN HOUR DURING THE MORNING AND EVENING PEAK. THAT MEANS TWO BUSES CUTTING IN THROUGH THE BUS GATE EVERY MINUTE.
USUALLY, FRANCHISED BUSES WOULD GET HIGHER PRIORITY BECAUSE THEY CARRIED MORE PASSENGERS AND WERE COMMITTED TO OPERATING SCHEDULED ROUTES.
MR SO AGREED TO CONSIDER ALLOWING NON-FRANCHISED BUSES TO USE THE BUS GATE ON CANAL ROAD FLYOVER AS WELL AS THE BUS GATE IN HUNG HING ROAD DURING NON-PEAK HOURS, I.E. FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM AND AFTER 7 PM AT NIGHT. HOWEVER, THE ASSOCIATION EXPRESSED RESERVATION ON THE USEFULNESS OF THIS PROPOSAL.
MR SO SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD REVIEW THE USE OF ALL BUS LANES, INCLUDING THE CANAL ROAD FLYOVER BUS GATE, UPON THE OPENING OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING.
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION REQUESTED TO ABOLISH THE AIRPORT RESTRICTION ZONE PERMIT SYSTEM.
MR SO SAID THAT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT WERE CONCERNED OVER THE PROVISION OF LOADING AND UNLOADING SPACES FOR COACHES IN THE AIRPORT AND WERE REVIEWING THE SITUATION EVER SINCE THE NEW WING OF THE AIRPORT WAS COMPLETED.
HOWEVER, THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT BELIEVED THE PERMIT SYSTEM HAD TO BE MAINTAINED, OR ELSE TRAFFIC AT THE AIRPORT WOULD BE CHAOTIC AND OUT OF CONTROL. THE RESULTING CHAOS WOULD AFFECT THE TOURISTS AS WELL AS THE OPERATORS OF THE OMNIBUSES.
SOME 1200 SPECIAL PERMITS HAD BEEN ISSUED BY THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT PERMITTING THE USE OF THE LOADING AND UNLOADING SPACES OUTSIDE THE ARRIVAL HALL OF THE AIRPORT, AND 610 OF THEM WERE FOR OMNIBUSES.
/THE CIVIL .......
MONDAY, MAY 22, 1989
THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT HAD AGREED TO ISSUE MORE PERMITS FOR THE OMNIBUS OPERATORS TO GIVE THEM MORE FLEXIBILITY IN THEIR OPERATION. THE DEPARTMENT ALSO SUGGESTED THE SETTING UP OF A WORKING GROUP, COMPRISING OFFICERS OF THE CIVIL AVIATION AND TRANSPORT DEPARTMENTS, REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PUBLIC OMNIBUS OPERATORS ASSOCIATION AND THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL TO RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM INVOLVED AND TO DISCUSS WAYS OF SIMPLIFYING THE PERMIT ISSUING PROCEDURES. THE WORKING GROUP COULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE INTERESTS OF ALL THE PARTIES, INCLUDING THE OPERATORS AND THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT, IN PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE SERVICE OF AIR TRAVELLERS.
BEFORE THE PROCEDURES ARE REVISED, THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO PROCESS APPLICATIONS FOR PERMITS SUBJECT TO THE APPLICANT OBTAINING THE NECESSARY LICENCE FROM THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND HAS THE GENERAL SUPPORT OF THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL.
THE REPRESENTATIVES WERE ALSO CONCERNED OVER THE PROVISION OF PARKING SPACES FOR THEIR COACHES.
MR SO SAID THAT THE SHORTAGE OF PARKING SPACES FOR GOODS VEHICLES AND BUSES WAS A GENERAL PHENOMENON IN HONG KONG, PARTICULAR IN TSIM SHA TSUI WHERE THERE WERE MANY HOTELS. HE SAID THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAD TRIED AND WOULD CONTINUE TO PROVIDE AS MANY PARKING SPACES AS CIRCUMSTANCES PERMITTED.
IN ADDITION TO 300 OR SO ON-STREET COACH PARKING SPACES, OFF-STREET PARKING SPACES WOULD BE PROVIDED AT OTHER PLACES WHEN FOUND SUITABLE.
AT THE MEETING, THE REPRESENTATIVES EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER PLANS BY THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY TO INTRODUCE DELUXE COACH SERVICES BETWEEN THE AIRPORT AND HOTELS.
MR SO TOLD THEM THAT KMB HAD ONLY INDICATED AN INTENTION TO EXTEND ITS AIRPORT SERVICES BUT HAD NOT SUBMITTED ANY CONCRETE PROPOSAL.
HE EXPLAINED: "KMB IS ALREADY OPERATING THREE AIR-CONDITIONED COACH SERVICES TO THE AIRPORT. IN VIEW OF THE INCREASING NUMBER OF HOTELS IN RECENT YEARS, KMB SEES A NEED TO EXTEND ITS SERVICES TO PROVIDE PEOPLE USING THE AIRPORT WITH A MORE EFFICIENT AND CONVENIENT TRANSPORTATION.
"MOREOVER, THE AIR-CONDITIONED COACH SERVICES NOW OPERATED BY KMB ARE FOR INDIVIDUAL USE AND ARE CHARGED INDIVIDUALLY. THEIR OPERATION IS DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF TOURIST BUSES."
MR SO, HOWEVER, AGREED TO CONSULT THE ASSOCIATION IF CONCRETE PROPOSALS WERE RECEIVED FROM KMB.
MR SO NOTED THAT SOME OF THE ISSUES RAISED TODAY WERE IN FACT ON-GOING PROBLEMS WHICH THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WAS STUDYING AND WERE ABOUT TO ARRIVE AT A CONCLUSION.
/"ONLY IF .......
MONDAY, MAY 22, 1989
5 -
"ONLY IF THE OMNIBUS OPERATORS ARE A LITTLE MORE PATIENT, PROPOSALS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS WOULD BE READY FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION," MR SO SAID.
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HOLDS REGULAR MEETINGS WITH THE OMNIBUS OPERATORS ASSOCIATION TO DISCUSS MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST.
"HOWEVER, SOME ISSUES NEED TIME TO STUDY. ISSUES PARTICULARLY THOSE AFFECTING OTHER ROAD USERS AND WHICH HAD WIDER IMPLICATIONS HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED CAREFULLY IN ORDER TO FIND THE BEST SOLUTION,' MR SO SAID.
"THE OMNIBUS OPERATORS ARE WELCOMED TO RAISE ANY ISSUES IN THE REGULAR MEETINGS AND STUDY THEM TOGETHER WITH THE GOVERNMENT."
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SURVEY ON PAY AND BENEFITS OF PUBLIC HOSPITAL STAFF t * ♦ » «
A CONSULTING FIRM SPECIALISING IN PAY AND BENEFITS HAS BEEN COMMISSIONED BY THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY TO CARRY OUT AN EMPLOYEE ATTITUDE SURVEY TO FIND OUT WHAT KIND OF BENEFITS PUBLIC HOSPITAL STAFF WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IN FUTURE.
THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE PHA, MR JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID THE COMPANY WOULD ADVISE THE PHA ON THE DESIGN OF A PACKAGE OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR STAFF TO BE EMPLOYED IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS UNDER THE STATUTORY HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, SCHEDULED TO BE SET UP IN APRIL NEXT YEAR.
THE FIRM OF TOWERS, PERRIN, FORSTER AND CROSBY (TPF4C) WOULD CARRY OUT THE ASSIGNMENT IN TWO PARTS, MR CHAMBERS TOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (MONDAY).
"THE FIRST PART IS AN ASSESSMENT OF THE PRESENT COST OF EMPLOYING CIVIL SERVANTS WORKING IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS, INCLUDING BOTH SALARIES AND FRINGE BENEFITS.
"THE SECOND PART IS TO FORMULATE A NEW RENUMERATION PACKAGE, AT A COST COMPARABLE TO THAT OF THE PRESENT CIVIL SERVICE PACKAGE," HE SAID.
I
MR RONALD ADAMS OF TPF4.C, WHO ALSO ATTENDED THE PRESS CONFERENCE, SAID THE OBJECT OF THE SURVEY WAS TO OBTAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE NEEDS AND PRECEPTIONS OF THE STAFF.
"DIRECT INPUT FROM EMPLOYEES WILL HELP US TO CREATE A MORE APPROPRIATE DESIGN OF THE NEW FRINGE BENEFIT PACKAGE," MR ADAMS SAID.
/A REPRESENTATIVE
MONDAY, MAY 22, 1989
A REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE OF STAFF IN BOTH GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED HOSPITALS WILL BE SELECTED BY TPF4C AND ASKED TO COMPLETE A QUESTIONNAIRE WHICH WILL BE DISTRIBUTED THROUGH THE HOSPITALS.
THE QUESTIONNAIRE INCLUDES A WIDE VARIETY OF QUESTIONS DESIGNED TO FIND OUT EMPLOYEES’ VIEWS ON WHICH BENEFITS ARE MOST SUITED TO THEIR NEEDS AND WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO BE INCLUDED IN THE NEW PACKAGE.
MR CHAMBERS EMPHASISED THAT THE SURVEY WAS A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THE PROCESS.
"WE ARE KEEN THAT THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY SHOULD BE ABLE TO OFFER A PACKAGE WHICH WILL BE VERY ATTRACTIVE TO SERVING STAFF IN BOTH GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED HOSPITALS, AND WHICH ENABLE THE NEW AUTHORITY TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN QUALIFIED AND COMPETENT EMPLOYEES AT ALL LEVELS.
"WE HOPE THAT THE SELECTED RESPONDENTS WILL COMPLETE THE QUESTIONNAIRES AND RETURN THEM AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE TO TPF&C," HE SAID.
ALL RESPONSES WILL BE ANONYMOUS SO AS TO ENCOURAGE FEEDBACK TO OBTAIN AN ACCURATE PICTURE OF STAFF NEEDS AND CONCERNS, MR CHAMBERS NOTED.
TO ENSURE CONFIDENTIALITY, THE RESPONSES WILL ONLY BE SEEN BY TPFC AND THEN DESTROYED, HE POINTED OUT.
"THE QUESTIONNAIRES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED VERY SHORTLY AND SHOULD BE RETURNED WITHIN A WEEK," MR CHAMBERS SAID.
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ASSISTANCE FOR FARMERS AFFECTED BY TYPHOON
*****
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) ADVISED THAT CROP, POND FISH AND LIVESTOCK FARMERS WHO HAD SUFFERED HEAVY LOSSES AS A RESULT OF TYPHOON BRENDA COULD SEEK ASSISTANCE FROM THE DEPARTMENT.
THEY SHOULD REPORT THEIR LOSSES PERSONALLY TO THE DEPARTMENT’S AU TAU FISHERIES OFFICE OR TO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION OFFICES:
A) YUEN LONG DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL OFFICE, TAI KIU MARKET, YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, YUEN LONG.
B) TAI PO DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL OFFICE, TAI PO GOVERNMENT OFFICES, TING KOK ROAD. TAI PO.
C) KO PO, AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION OFFICE, KO PO, FANLING.
/D) SAI ..........
MONDAY, MAY 22, 1989
D) SAI KUNG AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION OFFICE, HO CHUNG, SAI KUNG.
E) MUI WO AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION OFFICE, SILVER MINE BAY, MUI WO.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IF FARMERS HAD SUFFERED EXTENSIVE DAMAGES OR EXPERIENCED EXTREME HARDSHIP, AND REQUIRED URGENT RELIEF TO REHABILITATE THEMSELVES, THEY WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR A RELIEF GRANT UP TO A MAXIMUM OF $1,520 FROM THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND.
"AFTER INITIAL REGISTRATION, EACH CASE WILL BE INVESTIGATED, CHECKED AND ASSESSED. AND ONLY GENUINE FULL-TIME FARMERS WHO SUFFER HEAVY LOSSES AND ARE IN NEED OF THE GRANT TO RELIEVE THEIR FINANCIAL DISTRESS, WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR THE GRANT," HE SAID.
ACCORDING TO LATEST REPORTS RECEIVED BY THE DEPARTMENT TODAY, TYPHOON BRENDA CAUSED FLOODING AT SOME 130 HECTARES OF FISH PONDS IN NORTHWESTERN NEW TERRITORIES COVERING SHEUNG SHUI, SAN TIN, NGAU TAM MEI, KAM TIN, LOK MA CHAU, PAK LAI AND YUEN LONG.
THE LOSSES OF POND FISH WERE ESTIMATED AT 250 TONNES, COSTING ABOUT $2.8 MILLION.
IN ADDITION, 250 HECTARES OF FARMLAND IN YUEN LONG AND EASTERN NEW TERRITORIES WERE FLOODED. LIVESTOCK LOSSES, MAINLY IN YUEN LONG, INCLUDED SOME 66,000 CHICKENS, 6,000 DUCKS, 1,300 PAIRS OF PIGEON AND 1,000 PIGS.
"THE DEPARTMENT HAS ASSESSED THE DAMAGES TO CROP AND LIVESTOCK AND THE LOSSES ARE ESTIMATED AT $6 MILLION," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
0 - -
BAN ON SOMALIAN IVORY EFFECTIVE TOMORROW *****
IVORY TRADERS WERE TODAY (MONDAY) REMINDED THAT THE AGRICULTURE ABD FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WOULD CEASE TO ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FOR IVORY IMPORTS DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM SOMALIA AS FROM TOMORROW.
THE PROHIBITION FOLLOWED A GENERAL BAN IMPOSED BY THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT ON IVORY EXPORTED FROM SOMALIA AND ON IVORY FROM SOMALIA RE-EXPORTED BY A THIRD COUNTRY TO THE UNITED STATES WITH EFFECT FROM FEBRUARY 24, 1989.
AS THE U.S. GOVERNMENT WILL ALSO BAN ALL IVORY FROM ANY COUNTRY WHICH IMPORTS SOMALIAN IVORY AFTER A THREE-MONTH GRACE PERIOD ENDING TOMORROW, THE PROHIBITION IMPOSED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WILL ENSURE THAT HONG KONG’S WORKED IVORY CAN CONTINUE TO ENTER THE UNITED STATES.
/THE DEPARTMENT’S
MONDAY, MAY 22, 1989
8
THE DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR CONSERVATION OFFICERS, MR M.K. CHEUNG, SAID: "IT IS OUR STANDING PRACTICE TO IMPOSE A BAN ON IVORY IMPORTS FROM COUNTRIES WHICH ARE BELIEVED TO BE INVOLVED IN ILLEGAL IVORY ACTIVITIES."
THE PREVIOUS BAN WAS ON BURUNDI IVORY. IT CAME INTO EFFECT IN 1981 OVER RAW IVORY AND WAS FURTHER EXTENDED IN MAY LAST YEAR TO COVER IVORY IN OTHER FORMS NOT REGISTERED WITH THE CITES SECRETARIAT BY DECEMBER 1, 1986.
HOWEVER, MR CHEUNG SAID, THERE WERE TWO EXCEPTIONS TO THESE GENERAL BANS ON BURUNDI AND SOMALIAN IVORY.
HE SAID: "THE U.S. GOVERNMENT HAS RECENTLY CONFIRMED THAT THEY WILL CONTINUE TO ACCEPT HONG KONG’S WORKED IVORY ITEMS MADE FROM OLD STOCKS OF SOMALIAN IVORY ACQUIRED BEFORE THE U.S. BAN PROBIDED THAT THERE IS ADEQUATE ASSURANCE OF THE IVORY ITEMS BEING IN FACT MADE FROM SUCH OLD STOCKS."
MR CHEUNG SAID THAT HIS DEPARTMENT HAD ALSO RECEIVED UPDATED INFORMATION REGARDING THE STOCK OF 28 TONNES OF IVORY CONFISCATED BY THE BURUNDI GOVERNMENT, WHICH HAD RECENTLY BEEN RECOGNISED BY CITES.
"ACCORDING TO OUR INFORMATION FROM THE CITES SECRETARIAT, THE LEGAL CONFISCATED BURUNDI IVORY WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR IMPORT INTO THE UNITED STATES ON TWO CONDITIONS.
"THE FIRST CONDITION IS THAT THE SALE OF IVORY AND DISPOSITION OF ALL OF THE PROCEEDS MUST MEET WITH CITES REQUIREMENTS AND WILL BE DIRECTLY USED FOR CONSERVATION PURPOSE, WHILE THE SECOND REQUIRES THAT THE TRADE IN SUCH IVORY MUST MEET WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE U.S. AFRICAN ELEPHANT CONSERVATION ACT AND RELEVANT FOREIGN LAW," HE ADDED.
IVORY TRADERS WHO WISH TO MAKE ENQUIRIES CAN CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT’S FAUNA CONSERVATION SECTION AT 3-7332123 OR 3-7332124.
MR CHEUNG WARNED THAT IT IS AN OFFENCE TO IMPORT OR EXPORT IVORY NOT UNDER AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH A LICENCE ISSUED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
"OFFENDERS ARE LIABLE TO HEAVY FINES, IMPRISONMENT AND MANDATORY FORFEITURE OF THE SPECIMENS," HE ADDED.
- - 0 -
MONDAY, MAY 22, 1989
9
FIRST CONFIRMED CASE OF CHOLERA THIS YEAR ♦ ♦ t t »
A 62-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WAS TODAY (MONDAY) CONFIRMED TO BE SUFFERING FROM CHOLERA, THE FIRST CASE REPORTED THIS YEAR.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAID THE PATIENT BECAME ILL LAST TUESDAY (MAY 16) AND WAS SUFFERING FROM ABDOMINAL PAIN AND DIARRHOEA. THE FOLLOWING DAY, SHE ATTENDED YAN 01 POLYCLINIC IN TUEN MUN AND WAS LATER TRANSFERRED TO PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL WHERE SHE WAS ADMITTED.
STOOL TESTS CARRIED OUT IN THE HOSPITAL CONFIRMED THAT THE WOMAN HAD CONTRACTED CHOLERA EL TOR. HER CONDITION WAS TODAY DESCRIBED AS SATISFACTORY.
SINCE THE PATIENT HAD NO RECENT HISTORY OF TRAVELLING ABROAD, THE CASE WAS CLASSIFIED AS LOCAL.
MEANWHILE, OFFICERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAVE VISITED THE HOME OF THE PATIENT IN TUEN MUN.
THE FAMILY MEMBERS, INCLUDING HER SON, DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AND THEIR CHILD, WERE GIVEN MEDICAL EXAMINATION AND PREVENTIVE DRUGS. THE PREMISES WERE ALSO DISINFECTED.
WITH THE APPROACH OF WARM WEATHER, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT DIARRHOEAL CASES TEND TO BE MORE PREVALENT.
HE URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO TAKE ALL PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO AVOID THE POSSIBLITY OF CONTRACTING INFECTION BY OBSERVING PERSONAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND FOOD HYGIENE BOTH AT HOME AND WHILE TRAVELLING ABROAD.
THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED THE PUBLIC TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING SIMPLE RULES:
* ALWAYS KEEP HANDS CLEAN AND ESPECIALLY REMEMBER TO WASH HANDS AFTER VISITING THE TOILET AND BEFORE HANDLING FOOD.
» COOK ALL FOOD THOROUGHLY AND CONSUME IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
» STORE COOKED AND PERISHABLE FOOD IN THE REFRIGERATOR.
» DO NOT BUY FOOD OR DRINKS FROM UNLICENSED HAWKERS.
» ALWAYS KEEP YOUR PERMISES CLEAN, PARTICULARLY THE KITCHEN AND THE TOILET.
THE LAST CASE OF CHOLERA IN HONG KONG WAS REPORTED ON OCTOBER 3 LAST YEAR.
- 0----------
/10........
MONDAY, MAY 22, 1989
GOVERNOR PRAISES DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD WINNERS
THE GATHERING OF DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD (DEA) GOLD AWARD CANDIDATES FROM 13 COUNTRIES IN HONG KONG LATER THIS YEAR WILL PROVIDE AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY TO EXCHANGE IDEAS AND WIDEN PERSPECTIVES, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE GOLD AWARD PRESENTATION OF THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD SCHEME HELD AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE, SIR DAVID CONGRATULATED THE AWARD WINNERS ON FULFILLING THE DEMANDS OF THE VERY TESTING GOLD AWARD PROGRAMME.
THE GOVERNOR SAID IF A PROGRAMME WERE TO BE DESIGNED TO TRAIN A FUTURE GOVERNOR - OR CHIEF EXECUTIVE - OF HONG KONG, HE COULD NOT THINK OF A BETTER SET OF REQUIREMENTS.
"YOU HAVE HAD TO PROVE YOUR CHARACTER IN FOUR AREAS - SERVICE TO OTHERS, EXPEDITIONS IN CHALLENGING SURROUNDINGS, THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRACTICAL SKILLS, AND PHYSICAL RECREATION," SIR DAVID SAID.
NOTING THAT GOOD TRAINING FACILITIES WERE VITAL TO SUCH A SCHEME, THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT A NEW SWIMMING POOL TO BE BUILT IN THE DEA TRAINING CAMP, WITH A DONATION OF $2 MILLION FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, WOULD GREATLY IMPROVE THE FACILITIES AVAILABLE FOR WATER SPORTS AND SEA EXPEDITION TRAINING.
- - 0 -
STUDENT WORKERS URGED TO HEED SAFETY * « # ♦ »
STUDENTS WHO PLAN TO TAKE SUMMER JOBS ARE URGED TO PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.
THE ADVICE CAME FROM THE CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, MR YIP YUK-LUN, TODAY (MONDAY) WHENGIVING DETAILS OF A PUBLICITY PROGRAMME ON WORK SAFETY FOR STUDENTS.
MR YIP SAID THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS WOULD JOIN THE LABOUR MARKET DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS EVERY YEAR.
"THE SITUATION REQUIRES PARTICULAR ATTENTION THIS YEAR AS MANY EMPLOYERS ARE FACING LABOUR SHORTAGE AND ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SUMMER JOB SEEKERS TO FILL THEIR VACANCIES," HE SAID.
"HOWEVER, THE GREAT MAJORITY OF THESE WORKERS, BEING UNTRAINED AND INEXPERIENCED, DO NOT HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND ARE PRONE TO ACCIDENTS."
/LALT YEAR
MONDAY, MAY 22, 1989
11
LAST YEAR, 35 YOUNG WORKERS AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 19 WERE INJURED WHILE AT WORK DURING THE SUMMER VACATION.
OF THE TOTAL, 21 WERE INVOLVED IN THE OPERATION OF MACHINERY AND THE REST IN THE HANDLING OF HOT OR CORROSIVE SUBSTANCES, STEPPING ON OR STRIKING AGAINST OBJECTS, HANDLING ITEMS WITHOUT MACHINERY AND USE OF HANDTOOLS.
"IT IS MOST DISAPPOINTING TO SEE THAT SO MANY EMPLOYERS CHOSE TO DELEGATE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS WORK TO NON-SKILLED WORKERS," MR YIP SAID.
"OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE TO CONTINUE OUR PUBLICITY EFFORTS AS WELL AS TO STRENGTHEN OUR ENFORCEMENT ACTION THIS YEAR."
MR YIP ADVISED STUDENTS WHO PLANNED TO TAKE UP SUMMER JOBS TO STAY AWAY FROM "DANGEROUS" JOBS.
THE TYPES OF JOBS HE ADVISED STUDENTS TO AVOID ARE:
» AT CONSTRUCTION SITES.
» THOSE REQUIRING THE OPERATION OF HEAVY MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT, POWER-DRIVEN MACHINERY, VIGOROUS MANUAL WORK, OR WOODWORKING MACHINES.
« THOSE INVOLVING THE HANDLING OF CHEMICALS, TOXIC SUBSTANCES OR FIRE-RELATED PROCESSES.
* THOSE INVOLVING ASBESTOS PROCESSES.
» THOSE INVOLVING THE OPERATION OF LIFTING APPLIANCES OR GIVING SIGNALS IN LIFTING OPERATION.
"IF IN DOUBT, THEY SHOULD CONSULT THEIR PARENTS, CAREERS TEACHERS OR THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT FOR ADVICE," HR ADDED.
MR YIP ALSO CALLED ON EMPLOYERS TO ENSURE THAT THOSE IN THEIR EMPLOY WERE CLOSELY AND PROPERLY SUPERVISED AND NOT GIVEN JOBS WHICH WERE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS.
TO BRING HOME THE MESSAGE OF WORK SAFETY TO ALL SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, IS ORGANISING A LARGE-SCALE SEMINAR FOR CAREERS TEACHERS AT THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION ON FRIDAY (MAY 26).
IT IS INTENDED TO UPDATE THE KNOWLEDGE OF CAREERS TEACHERS ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.
/IN ADDITION
MONDAY, MAY 22, 1989
- 12 -
IN ADDITION, FACTORY INSPECTORS HAVE STARTED SINCE EARLY THIS MONTH VISITING SCHOOLS TO DELIVER TALKS IN INDUSTRIAL SAFETl .
"PLANS ARE IN HAND TO VISIT 50 SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY UNTIL JULY.
TO INVITE FACTORY INSPECTORS TO THEY ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT THE 5-8523565 OR ANY OF ITS BRANCH
"IF SCHOOL AUTHORITIES WISH GIVE TALKS TO THEIR STUDENTS, FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION AT
OFFICES," MR YIP SAID.
-------0---------
APPROVAL FOR OUTFALL, *
PEDESTRIAN PROMENADE PROJECTS * * * *
AUTHORISATION HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO BUILD AN OUTFALL AT THE HEADLAND BETWEEN MIDDLE BAY AND SOUTH BAY ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
AUTHORISATION HAS ALSO BEEN GIVEN FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A LANDSCAPED PEDESTRIAN PROMENADE IN WAN CHAI.
THE OUTFALL WILL BE BUILT WITHIN AN AREA OF APPROXIMATELY TWO SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT THE HEADLAND BETWEEN MIDDLE BAY AND SOUTH BAY.
THIS WILL PROVIDE A MEASURE OF POLLUTION ABATEMENT IN STORMWATER DRAINS AT MIDDLE BAY BEACH.
WORK WILL BEGIN THIS MONTH AND TAKE ABOUT A MONTH TO COMPLETE.
THE OTHER AUTHORISATION IS FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO GRANT A TENANCY TO THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WITHIN AN AREA OF APPROXIMATELY 920 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT WAN CHAI.
THIS IS TO PROVIDE LAND FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSTRUCTING A LANDSCAPE PEDESTRIAN PROMENADE.
WORK WILL BEGIN THIS MONTH AND WILL BE COMPLETED ABOUT DECEMBER THIS YEAR.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS AFFECTED WAS DESCRIBED IN NOTICES OF AUTHORISATION IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE GAZETTE.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED WILL BE INJURIOUSLY AFFECTED BY THE ABOVE UNDERTAKINGS MAY DELIVER TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION. BY MAY 18 NEXT YEAR.
- - 0
/15
MONDAY, MAY 22, 1989
15
INTERNATIONAL ASPECT OF CONTINUING PROSPERITY
*****
A GROUP OF ABOUT 60 BUSINESS EXECUTIVES AND ACADEMICS IN THE U.S. PORT CITY OF TACOMA, WASHINGTON STATE, HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE GROWING INTERNATIONALISATION OF HONG KONG IS JUST ONE DEVELOPMENT WHICH AUGURS WELL FOR THE FUTURE OF THE TERRITORY.
IN AN ADDRESS TO THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL, THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE FOR THE WESTERN UNITED STATES, MR PETER JOHNSON, SAID THAT OVERSEAS COMMUNITIES IN HONG KONG CONTINUE TO GROW WITH OVERSEAS BANKS, PROFESSIONAL FIRMS AND BUSINESSES OPENING UP ALL THE TIME.
"IN THE RETAIL BUSINESS JAPANESE INTERESTS OCCUPY A PROMINENT PLACE. MOST OF THE LARGE JAPANESE DEPARTMENT STORES ARE REPRESENTED. IT IS RUMOURED THAT THEY TAKE AS MUCH AS 30 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL RETAIL TRADE IN HONG KONG," MR JOHNSON SAID IN HIS SPEECH ON FRIDAY (MAY 19).
POINTING OUT THAT THE UNITED KINGDOM, TOO, WAS WELL REPRESENTED IN THE RETAIL TRADE, MR JOHNSON QUESTIONED WHY AMERICAN STORE CHAINS HAD NOT SEEN FIT TO OPEN IN HONG KONG. "THERE REMAINS A SUBSTANTIAL FUND OF GOOD WILL FOR BOTH THE UNITED STATES AND THINGS AMERICAN." HE SAID.
"OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY CONTINUES AT A GOOD PACE, AND ANY DIFFICULTIES HERE SEEM TO BE TECHNICAL OR RELATED TO RISING COSTS IN HONG KONG, RATHER THAN RELATED TO DOUBTS ABOUT 1997," MR JOHNSON NOTED.
HE ADDED THAT AS PART OF HONG KONG’S EFFORTS TO INTERNATIONALISE, THE GOVERNMENT HAD JUST PUBLISHED PROPOSALS THAT WOULD PERMIT FOREIGN LAW FIRMS TO ESTABLISH THEMSELVES ON A FIRMER BASIS THAN HITHERTO.
CITING THE GROWING ECONOMIC AND TRADING RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA AS ANOTHER FACTOR IN HONG KONG’S CONTINUING PROSPERITY AND POSITION AS A MAJOR CENTRE ON THE PACIFIC RIM AFTER 1997, MR JOHNSON SAID THAT IN THE PAST FEW YEARS CHINA HAD BECOME HONG KONG’S NUMBER ONE TRADING PARTNER.
"BETWEEN 1987 AND 1988 TWO-WAY TRADE BETWEEN US HAS INCREASED ALMOST 27 TIMES AND NOW STANDS AT USS37 BILLION.
"IN THE PROCESS, HONG KONG HAS ALSO BECOME CHINA’S LARGEST TRADING PARTNER. WE ARE ALSO CHINA’S LARGEST SOURCE OF OUTSIDE INVESTMENT, AND THE SOURCE OF OVER ONE THIRD OF CHINA’S TOTAL FOREIGN EXCHANGE EARNINGS.
/"IN ADDITION .......
MONDAY, MAY 22, 1989
14
"IN ADDITION, AS HONG KONG'S MANUFACTURING SECTOR MOVES UP-MARKET AND THE ECONOMY EVOLVES INTO MORE OF A SERVICE ECONOMY, OUR LOWER END MANUFACTURING IS MOVING ACROSS THE BORDER," MR JOHNSON SAID, NOTING THAT AS A RESULT OVER TWO MILLION WORKERS IN THE PEARL RIVER DELTA REGION WERE EMPLOYED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BY HONG KONG COMPANIES.
MR JOHNSON TOLD HIS AUDIENCE THAT HE BELIEVED HONG KONG’S CONTINUED SUCCESS WAS FUNDAMENTAL TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF SOUTHERN CHINA. "CHINA NEEDS A PROSPEROUS HONG KONG," MR JOHNSON SAID.
-------0----------
HOTLINES FOR DRUG ABUSERS » » » »
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE TODAY (MONDAY) REMINDED THAT THEY CAN MAKE USE OF THE TELEPHONE HOTLINE SET UP BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN) TO SEEK ADVICE AND INFORMATION ON DRUG-RELATED ISSUES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NARCOTICS DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT NOTED THAT IN 1988, THERE WERE ABOUT 1,500 CALLS MADE TO THE DRUG ABUSE TELEPHONE ENQUIRY SERVICE HOTLINE, 3-668822.
"AND DURING THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, THE HOTLINE RECEIVED 741 CALLS.
"ABOUT HALF OF THE CALLS ASKED ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION FACILITIES WHILE THE OTHERS SOUGHT GENERAL INFORMATION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ON THE PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY WORK OF ACAN," HE ADDED.
THE HOTLINE IS LOCATED AT THE NARCOTICS DIVISION WITH A VIEW TO SUPPLYING A MORE COMPREHENSIVE AND IN-DEPTH SERVICE TO CALLERS MAKING COMPLICATED ENQUIRIES OR SEEKING COUNSELLING. IT IS MANNED BY EXPERIENCED STAFF DURING OFFICE HOURS.
WHEN A CALL IS RECEIVED OUTSIDE OPERATING HOURS, A PRE-RECORDED REPLY WILL ASK THE CALLER TO PHONE IN AGAIN DURING OFFICE HOURS AND WILL GIVE OTHER ANTI-NARCOTICS HOTLINES FOR REPORTING DRUG PEDDLING ACTIVITIES.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY ALSO CALL THE SOCIETY FOR THE AID AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG ABUSERS ON 5-277723 REGARDING ADDICTION TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION SERVICES.
FOR ANY PROBLEM ABOUT PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES ABUSE, CALLS CAN BE MADE TO PS33, A CENTRE RUN BY THE HONG KONG CHRISTIAN SERVICES, ON 3-688269.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT ALL INFORMATION RECEIVED ON THE HOTLINES WOULD BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE.
- - 0---------
/15........
MONDAY. MAY 22, 1989
15
JUVENILE PROSTITUTION ON SHA TIN DB AGENDA
*****
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE PROBLEM OF PROSTITUTION IN THE NEW TOWN AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW TUESDAY.
A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER WILL ASK THE POLICE ABOUT THE NUMBER OF SYNDICATES CURRENTLY INVOLVED IN JUVENILE PROSTITUTION IN THE DISTRICT AND WHAT MEASURES ARE BEING TAKEN AGAINST THEM.
ANOTHER MEMBER WILL ASK ABOUT THE RECENT UPSURGE OF BURGLARIES IN PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL AREAS AND WHETHER THE HIGH TURNOVER RATE OF POLICE OFFICERS HAS ADVERSELY AFFECTED PREVENTION OF THESE CRIMES.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO QUERY THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY’S RECENT SPENDING OF OVER #300,000 ON NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENTS JUST TO CONVEY MESSAGES TO ITS 2,000 EMPLOYEES.
IN VIEW OF THE SHORTAGE OF PUBLIC TELEPHONE BOOTHS IN HOUSING ESTATES, ANOTHER MEMBER WILL ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO URGE THE TELEPHONE COMPANY TO INSTALL MORE PUBLIC TELEPHONES IN THESE ESTATES.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE SHA TIN DISTRICT FESTIVAL; THE CO-OPTING OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS; AND PROGRESS REPORTS BY THE CHAIRMEN OF THE SIX DISTRICT BOARD COMMITTEES, THE WHITEHEAD DETENTION CENTRE WORKING GROUP AND THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW TUESDAY AT THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM.
- 0 -
NOMINATIONS FOR OUTSTANDING SOCIAL VOLUNTEERS
*****
SOUTHERN DISTRICT RESIDENTS AND LOCAL BODIES ARE BEING INVITED TO NOMINATE CANDIDATES FOR THE 1988-89 SOUTHERN DISTRICT SOCIAL SERVICES AWARD SCHEME.
ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE FOR THE FOURTH YEAR, THE SCHEME IS AIMED AT GIVING DUE RECOGNITION TO THOSE VOLUNTEERS WHO HAVE MADE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS.
/"LOCAL REJ’.IDHJTS
MONDAY, MAY 22, 1989
16
"LOCAL RESIDENTS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, SCHOOLS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, RESIDENTS ORGANISATIONS, YIN NGAI SOCIETIES AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ARE ALL WELCOME TO PUT FORWARD THEIR NOMINATIONS," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD SAID.
AS IN LAST YEAR, THERE WILL BE FIVE DIVISIONS FOR PRIMARY STUDENTS, SECONDARY AND POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS, WORKING PEOPLE, NON-WORKING PEOPLE, AND GROUPS.
ANY RESIDENTS WHO HAVE OFFERED SOCIAL SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY, DISABLED, HANDICAPPED, YOUTH OR CHILDREN, OR RENDERED COMMUNITY SERVICES AS VOLUNTEERS TO MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS, SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCIES, OR GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT ARE ELIGIBLE.
THE DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS IS JULY 1.
"NOMINATION FORMS HAVE BEEN SENT TO VARIOUS LOCAL BODIES AND ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
TROPHIES AND BOOK COUPONS WILL BE AWARDED TO THREE WINNING CONTESTANTS IN EACH OF THE FIVE DIVISIONS.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT DETAILS OF THE AWARD SCHEME CAN BE MADE TO THE DISTRICT OFFICE ON 5-540271.
-----0------
MODEL STUDENT AWARD SCHEME IN EASTERN DISTRICT
***»«*
STUDENTS IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A MODEL STUDENT AWARD SCHEME ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT’S SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD.
THE ORGANISERS HOPE THAT THE SCHEME WILL MOTIVATE STUDENTS TO EXCEL IN THEIR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS AND DEVELOP THEIR MORAL INTEGRITY.
THE AWARD IS CLASSIFIED INTO FOUR CATEGORIES : SENIOR SECONDARY SECTION FOR SECONDARY 5 TO 7 STUDENTS; JUNIOR SECONDARY SECTION FOR SECONDARY 2 TO 4 STUDENTS; PRIMARY SECTION FOR PRIMARY 2 TO 6 PUPILS: AND THE KINDERGARTEN SECTION.
SELECTION CRITERIA ARE BASED ON THE STUDENT’S PERFORMANCE IN THE 1987-88 FINAL EXAMINATION AND THE FIRST TERM EXAMINATION IN THE CURRENT ACADEMIC YEAR; POINTS WILL ALSO BE GIVEN FOR BEHAVIOUR IN SCHOOL.
/FOR PRIMARY .......
MONDAY, MAY 22, 1989
FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY STUDENTS, THEIR PARTICIPATION IN EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND SOCIAL SERVICES WILL ALSO BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.
SCHOOL HEADS INTENDING TO NOMINATE STUDENTS SHOULD RETURN COMPLETED FORMS TO THE EASTERN DISTRICT SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEE AT THROUGH THE DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, 880-886 KING’S ROAD, HONG KONG. BEFORE JUNE 3.
THE COMMITTEE WILL NOTIFY SCHOOLS OF THE RESULTS BEFORE JULY 1. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-614649.
-------0----------
MORE CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES IN YUEN LONG
*****
TEN MORE CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES WILL BE SET UP IN YUEN LONG IN THE COMING FIVE YEARS.
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, REFERRED TO THIS EXPANSION IN A SPEECH GIVEN TODAY (MONDAY 1 AT A CEREMONY MARKING THE INAUGURATION OF THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
DEMAND FOR COMMUNITY AND YOUTH FACILITIES IN YUEN LONG HAD BEEN GROWING AS A RESULT OF THE DISTRICT'S RAPID DEVELOPMENT IN RECENT YEARS, MRS WONG NOTED IN HER SPEECH, WHICH WAS DELIVERED ON HER BEHALF BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, MR STEPHEN LAW.
"IN THE PAST YEAR ALONE, TWO CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES HAVE BEEN OPENED IN THE DISTRICT," SHE SAID.
"AS THE ONLY COMMUNITY CENTRE IN YUEN LONG, THE TOWN HALL HAS PLAYED AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OF THE DISTRICT SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1970 AND I BELIEVE ITS IMPORTANCE WILL FURTHER GROW WITH THE DISTRICT’S FUTURE DEVELOPMENT," SHE ADDED.
SHE COMMENDED THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE FOR PROMOTING THE WORK OF THE TOWN HALL SO THAT IT COULD BETTER MEET THE DEMAND OF THE DISTRICT.
0
/18........
MONDAY, MAY 22, 1989
18
DB JOINT COMMITTEE ON LRT SERVICES TO MEET
*****
THE TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG DISTRICT BORADS' JOINT COMMITTEE ON MONITORING LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT) SERVICES WILL HOLD ITS FIRST MEETING FOR 1989-90 TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS COMPLAINTS ABOUT IRREGULARITIES ON THE PART OF LRT STAFF IN PROSECUTING PASSENGERS WHO VIOLATE THE COMPANY’S REGULATIONS.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE INSTALLATION OF AN AUDIBLE ALARM SYSTEM ON LIGHT RAIL VEHICLES, IMPROVEMENT OF SANITARY CONDITIONS IN LRT CARRIAGES AND AT STATIONS, NOISE NUISANCE CAUSED BY THE LRT AT SHAN KING ESTATE, AND SAFETY FACILITIES ALONG THE LRT ROUTE WITHIN THE SIU HONG COURT AREA.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARDS’ JOINT COMMITTEE ON MONITORING LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT) SERVICES TO BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) 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 - -
KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD’S NEW COMMITTEE TO MEET
*****
THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING COMMITTEE OF THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD ITS FIRST MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE COMMITTEE, WHICH REPLACES THE PREVIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, WILL DEAL WITH ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AS WELL AS PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT MATTERS OF THE DISTRICT.
AT TOMORROW’S MEETING, MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON AIR AND NOISE POLLUTION IN NORTH AND EAST KWAI CHUNG, CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT FACILITIES ON TSING YI AND DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR THE NORTHERN PART OF THE ISLAND.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD'S ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM, 10TH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KWAI CHUNG.
0 - -
1
MONDAY, MAY 22, 1989
- 19 -
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS INSTALLATION OF TOURISM MAP BOARDS »»♦»»»»
MEMBERS OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S TOURISM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS THE PROGRESS OF INSTALLING TOURISM MAP BOARDS IN THE DISTRICT.
EIGHT MAP BOARDS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CHEUNG CHAU, PENG CHAU, LANTAU AND LAMMA TO PROVIDE TRAVELLERS WITH NECESSARY INFORMATION.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS MEASURES TO IMPROVE HOLIDAY FLATS MANAGEMENT, PUBLICITY ON THE LANTAU COUNTRY PARKS AND MATTERS CONCERNING ARCHAELOGICAL FINDS AT TUNG WAN, SHEK PIK.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE PRESERVATION OF ROCK INSCRIPTIONS AT TAI SHEK HAU, CHEUNG CHAU, SITE VISITS BY MEMBERS TO VARIOUS TOURIST SPOTS IN THE DISTRICT AND THE ALLOCATION OF DB FUNDS FOR THE COMMITTEE’S ACTIVITIES IN 1989-90.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S TOURISM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING TO BEGIN AT 2 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
------0--------
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS REVISED GUIDELINES ON FUND ALLOCATION ♦ ♦ t * t
THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE GUIDELINES ON THE USE OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
IT WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE REVISED PROCEDURES FOR THE NOMINATION AND APPOINTMENT OF CO-OPTED MEMBERS.
MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS PLACING ADVERTISEMENTS IN THE DISTRICT NEWSPAPER AND GRANTING 54,000 FOR PUBLICISING THE "MEET THE PUBLIC SCHEME".
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, TUNG YAN STREET.
------0--------
/2O......
MONDAY, MAY 22, 1989
20
RELAXATION OF PUBLIC LIGHT BUS URBAN CLEARWAYS
« * » » *
IN VIEW OF THE CURRENT TRAFFIC SITUATION, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS PLANNED TO RELAX A NUMBER OF PUBLIC LIGHT BUS (PLB) URBAN CLEARWAYS IN YAU MA TEI.
THE EXISTING 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY PLB URBAN CLEARWAYS IN MAN MING LANE, PITT STREET, SHEK LUNG STREET, WING SING LANE AND HI LUNG LANE HAVE BEEN REDUCED TO 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY PLB URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM TODAY (MONDAY).
THE EXISTING 24 HOURS DAILY PLB URBAN CLEARWAY IN JORDAN ROAD EASTBOUND BETWEEN BATTERY STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH PARKES STREET REDUCED TO A 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY PLB URBAN CLEARWAY FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY PLB URBAN CLEARWAY IN SAIGON STREET BETWEEN FERRY STREET AND CANTON ROAD WILL ALSO BE REDUCED TO A 7 AM TO 10 AM AND 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY PLB URBAN CLEARWAY.
IN ADDITION, THE EXISTING 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY PLB URBAN CLEARWAY IN BATTERY STREET BETWEEN PAK HOI STREET AND SAIGON STREET WILL BE CANCELLED FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (MAY 24).
-------o---------
SPEED LIMIT IN TSING LUNG TAU
t « * » »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT CASTLE PEAK ROAD BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 93 METRES SOUTHWEST OF THE 14-MILESTONE ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 200 METRES NORTHWEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TAI LAM CHUNG ROAD IS NOW SUBJECT TO A SPEED LIMIT OF 70 KILOMETRES PER HOUR.
- - 0 ----------
'TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN WONG TAI SIN
* * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT IN ORDER TO FACILITATE TRENCH WORK, SOUTHBOUND TSEUK LUK STREET BETWEEN CHOI HUNG ROAD AND SHUNG LING STREET WILL BE CLOSED FROM 10 AM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) FOR ONE WEEK.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS ON WESTBOUND CHOI HUNG ROAD HEADING FOR TSEUK LUK STREET ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA CHOI HUNG ROAD, NING YUEN STREET, SHUNG LING STREET AND TSEUK LUK STREET.
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/21 .......
MONDAY, MAY 22, 1989
21
ROAD CLOSURES IN KOWLOON CITY * » » t »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FLYOVERS AT PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST OUTSIDE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, SECTIONS OF ROADS ARE BEING CLOSED FROM 1.30 AM TO 5 AM DAILY UNTIL MAY 26.
THESE SECTIONS ARE THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF THE FLYOVER LINKING PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST; THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF THE FLYOVER LINKING ARGYLE STREET AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST; AND THE NORTHERN EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST SECTION BETWEEN THE KOWLOON CITY ROUNDABOUT AND CHOI HUNG ROAD.
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES FROM PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST AND ARGYLE STREET HEADING FOR KWUN TONG AND SAN PO KONG WILL BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL VIA THE KOWLOON CITY ROUNDABOUT, ARGYLE STREET, FU MING STREET, SHING TAK STREET, MA TAU KOK ROAD, MA TAU CHUNG ROAD, FLYOVER AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL BUS ROUTE NO. 121 ON JOURNEY TO NGAU TAU KOK WILL BE DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA MA TAU CHUNG ROAD, FLYOVER AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST BEFORE RESUMING ITS NORMAL ROUTEING ON CHOI HUNG ROAD.
-------0---------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KWUN TONG
* t t » *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE ELEVATED ROAD OF KWUN TONG ROAD EASTBOUND SECTION BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 100 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH TING FU STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 200 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE CLOSED FROM WEDNESDAY (MAY 24) FROM 9 PM TO 6 AM ON THE FOLLOWING DAY DAILY FOR THREE DAYS TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS.
TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED TO USE KWUN TONG ROAD EASTBOUND AT GROUND LEVEL.
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/22
MONDAY, MAY 22, 1989
- 22 -
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WAN CHAI « t t » «
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCEDTODAY(MONDAY> THAT TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED IN WAN CHAI.
THESE MEASURES WILL LAST FOR TWO MONTHS BECAUSE OF WATERWORKS.
FENWICK STREET BETWEEN LOCKHART ROAD AND JAFFE ROAD HAS BEEN RE -ROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TRAFFIC TO ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
THE EXISTING ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND ARRANGEMENT IN FENWICK STREET BETWEEN HENNESSY ROAD AND LOCKHART ROAD HAS BEEN MAINTAINED.
DURING THIS PERIOD, NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC ON THE AFFECTED SECTIONS OF FENWICK STREET IS BEING DIVERTED VIA LUARD ROAD.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF FENWICK STREET BETWEEN LOCKHART ROAD AND JAFFE ROAD HAS BEEN DESIGNATED A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES ARE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
------o-------
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF WING LOK STREET
*■»*»»
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM TOMORI-'>!■' (TUES Y), WING LOK STREET IN SHEUNG WAN BETWEEN CLEVERLY STREET AliD HILLIEL STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
THE CLOSURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS TO FACILITATE WATERWORKS.
VEHICLES HEADING FOR DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE DIVERTED VIA CLEVERLY STREET, BONHAM STRAND AND HILLIER STREET.
-----0------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE » » * »
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY, MAY 22) STOOD AT 49.1 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 287.543 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 167.630 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER. REPRESENTING 28.6 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
--------o ---------
/23........
MONDAY. MAY 22. 1989
- 25 -
WATER CUTS IN FOUR AREAS
*****
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 8 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY KWAI HEI STREET, WING KEI ROAD, WING CHONG STREET, WING LAP STREET AND WING KIN ROAD.
ON THE SAME DAY, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN CENTRAL WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY CAINE ROAD (ODD NUMBERS). PO HING FONG, KUI IN FONG, TAI PING SHAN STREET BETWEEN LADDER STREET AND KUI IN FONG, BRIDGES STREET, SHING WONG STREET, HOLLYWOOD ROAD POLICE QUARTERS, WA IN FONG EAST, WA IN FONG WEST, PO WA STREET, WING LEE STREET, U LAM TERRACE, LADDER STREET BETWEEN CAINE ROAD AND BRIDGES STREET, CHUNG WO LANE (ODD NUMBERS) AND ROZARIO STREET.
ALSO, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN HO MAN TIN WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON WEDNESDAY TO FACILITATE CLEANING OF HO MAN TIN HIGH LEVEL SALT WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY HO MAN TIN AND KING’S PARK, INCLUDING KING GEORGE V COLLEGE, HO MAN TIN ESTATE, 01 MAN ESTATE, CHUN MAN COURT AND VALLEY ROAD ESTATE.
ON THE SAME DAY, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE NIGHT LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY YEN CHOW STREET, TUNG CHAU STREET, KWEILIN STREET. HAI TAN STREET, YEE KUK STREET, LAI CHI KOK ROAD AND KIU KIANG STREET, INCLUDING CHEUNG SHA WAN TEMPORARY WHOLESALE FRESHWATER FISH MARKET.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, MAY 2}, 1989
CONTENTS Page no.
EVERYONE HOPING FOR PEACEFUL RESOLUTION: GOVERNOR ............. 1
EXCO APPROVES ADVERTISING BREAKS IN TV NEWS PROGRAMMES ........ 2
SENIOR DIRECTORATE APPOINTMENTS ............................... 3
MEMBERSHIP OF NEW-TERM ACAF ANNOUNCED ......................... h
TAC DISCUSSES URBAN TaXI SERVICE .............................. 5
11 QUESTIONS ON LEGCO AGENDA .................................. 6
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR APRIL 1989 ......................... 7
1988 SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS STARTED ............................................... 9
NEW PACKAGE FOR KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN ................ 11
FUNDS AVhILaBLE FROM QE FOUNDATION ......................... 13
STANDING COMMITTEE VISITS CUSTOMS aND EXCISE ................. 13
TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF SERVICE AT ID CARD OFFICE............. 14
VBP PROBLEM ON DB AGENDA ..................................... 15
SPORTS, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES TO MARK QUEEN'S BLRTHDaY ... 15
REFUSE COLLECTION POINT FOR TSZ WAN SHAN...................... 17
SEMIN/J? ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY FOR CAREERS TEACHER............. 18
SPEED LIMIT ON ROAD, FLYOVER IN TSIM SHA TSUI ................ 18
LaNE CLOSURES IN SIL. TIN
18
TUESDAY, MAY 23, 1989
1
EVERYONE HOPING FOR PEACEFUL RESOLUTION: GOVERNOR
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON. SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) HE WAS SURE THAT EVERYONE IN HONG KONG HOPED THAT THE SITUATION IN CHINA WOULD BE RESOLVED PEACEFULLY AND WITH GOOD SENSE.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS BEFORE ATTENDING THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING, SIR DAVID SAID PEOPLE HERE WERE WATCHING DEVELOPMENTS IN CHINA WITH INTENSE INTEREST AND WITH GREAT CONCERN.
"IT’S VERY UNDERSTANDABLE THAT HERE IN HONG KONG PEOPLE HAVE WANTED TO EXPRESS THEIR CONCERN ABOUT DEVELOPMENTS.
"THEY’VE DONE IT WITH GREAT INTENSITY OF FEELING, BUT ALSO WITH A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND WITH GOOD ORDER," SIR DAVID SAID.
"WE MUST NOW WAIT TO SEE HOW THE SITUATION IN CHINA RESOLVES ITSELF. THE WAY IN WHICH THAT IS DONE IS BOUND TO AFFECT THE PERCEPTIONS PEOPLE HERE HAVE ON CHINA," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT WHILE PEOPLE WERE LOOKING AT CURRENT EVENTS, THEY MUST ALSO LOOK BEYOND IMMEDIATE EVENTS.
"THINGS LIKE THE BASIC LAW AND WHAT GOES INTO THE BASIC LAW REMAIN ENORMOUSLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE THEY ARE THE BASIS FOR HONG KONG WELL BEYOND THE PRESENT DEVELOPMENTS FOR 50 YEARS AFTER 1997," HE SAID.
"WHEN THE IMPORTANT EVENTS THAT ARE HAPPENING AT THE MOMENT ARE INTO THE HISTORY BOOKS, AFTER THAT THE BASIC LAW WILL STILL BE OF SIGNIFICANCE TO HONG KONG FOR A WHOLE OF 50 YEARS AFTER 1997.
"SO GETTING THE BASIC LAW RIGHT, GETTING THE DETAILS OF IT AS RIGHT AS WE CAN REMAINS VERY IMPORTANT." SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HONG KONG HAD AN IMMENSE ABILITY TO BOUNCE BACK, WITH THINGS SUCH AS THE STOCK MARKET, AND THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE ECONOMIC REALITIES AND ECONOMIC FUNDAMENTALS WOULD ALWAYS RE-ASSERT THEMSELVES.
"THAT’S ALWAYS BEEN THE SITUATION IN HONG KONG. I’M SURE IT ALWAYS WILL BE," HE SAID.
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TUESDAY, MAY 23, 1989
- 2 -
EXCO APPROVES ADVERTISING BREAKS IN TV NEWS PROGRAMMES
*****
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL DECIDED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT ADVERTISING BREAKS DURING TELEVISION NEWS PROGRAMMES SHOULD IN FUTURE BE PERMITTED. THIS ARRANGEMENT WILL BE REVIEWED AFTER ONE YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND INFORMATION BRANCH (AS1B) SAID THAT EXCO’S DECISION WAS BASED ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY (BA) IN MARCH THIS YEAR.
"LOCAL AND OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE INDICATES THAT FURTHER EXTENSION OF THE MAIN NEWS PROGRAMMES BEYOND THE CURRENT DURATION OF 22-25 MINUTES WITHOUT BREAKS WILL PRESENT THE PROBLEM OF THE AUDIENCE LOSING CONCENTRATION AS NEWS IS GENERALLY A NON-THEMATIC PROGRAMME OF HEAVY INFORMATION," HE SAID.
"A SHORT BREAK WOULD ALLOW THE TELEVISION STATIONS MORE EFFECTIVELY TO CO-ORDINATE ’LIVE’ REPORTS, TO COMMUNICATE WITH LOCATION CREW, TO CHECK TAPES LINE UP AND TO INTERFACE MIX-MEDIA PRESENTATION.
"EXCO AGREED WITH THE BA THAT ANY BREAK DURING A NEWS PROGRAMME SHOULD BE LIMITED TO THREE-AND-A-HALF MINUTES DURING WHICH ADVERTISEMENTS, STATION PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL OR GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST (API’S) CAN BE BROADCAST.
"THE CURRENT OVERALL CEILING OF 10 MINUTES OF ADVERTISING, TWO MINUTES OF STATION/PROGRAMME PROMOTION AND ONE MINUTE OF API TIME PER CLOCK HOUR REMAINS UNCHANGED. THE MINIMUM PROGRAMME SEGMENT OF 10 MINUTES ALSO REMAINS UNCHANGED."
AS REGARDS SPONSORSHIP OF NEWS PROGRAMMES, EXCO DECIDED THAT THE CURRENT PROHIBITION SHOULD REMAIN, SO THAT THE PERCEIVED IMPARTIALITY OF NEWS PROGRAMMES WOULD NOT BE AFFECTED.
TO GIVE EFFECT TO EXCO’S DECISION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT AMENDMENTS WOULD NEED TO BE MADE TO THE TELEVISION (ADVERTISING) REGULATIONS.
"THE TELEVISION STATIONS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BROADCAST ADVERTISEMENTS DURING NEWS PROGRAMMES UNTIL THE AMENDMENT REGULATIONS ARE MADE," HE SAID.
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/3........
TUESDAY, MAY 23, 1989
- 3 -
SENIOR DIRECTORATE APPOINTMENTS *****
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THE FOLLOWING SENIOR DIRECTORATE APPOINTMENTS:
MR PETER LOK KUNG-NAM, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, WILL SUCCEED MR J.T. THORPE AS DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION ON JUNE 28 THIS YEAR WHEN MR THORPE PROCEEDS ON END OF AGREEMENT LEAVE BEFORE LEAVING THE GOVERNMENT.
MR R.A.F. SIEGEL, AIRPORT GENERAL MANAGER, WILL SUCCEED MR LOK AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION.
BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL NOTED ON THESE OFFICERS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
MR J.T. THORPE, OBE, JP
AGED 56, MR THORPE JOINED THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE AS BRIEFING OFFICER IN THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT IN 1956. HE BECAME THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION IN 1984. ON RETIREMENT, MR THORPE WILL HAVE COMPLETED NEARLY 33 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
MR PETER LOK KUNG-NAM, JP
AGED 53, MR LOK JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE AS AN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL ASSISTANT IN THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT IN 1956. HE WAS PROMOTED TO ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION IN JULY 1982 AND TO DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION IN MARCH 1988. MR LOK HAS ACTED AS DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS.
MR R.A.F. SIEGEL
AGED 45, MR SIEGEL JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE AS AN AIRPORT MANAGER IN THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT IN 1973. HE WAS PROMOTED TO AIRPORT GENERAL MANAGER IN JULY 1982 AND HAS ACTED AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS.
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TUESDAY, MAY 23, 1989
MEMBERSHIP OF NEW-TERM ACAF ANNOUNCED ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) ANNOUNCED THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE 1989/90 TERM OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES (ACAF).
THE NON-GOVERNMENT MEMBERS WHO WERE APPOINTED TO THE NEW TERM FOR ONE YEAR WITH EFFECT FROM MAY 20, 1989 ARE:
MR ANDREW WONG WANG-FAT,
MR LAU WONG-FAT,
MR CHAN KWOK-WAI,
MR LEUNG CHIK,
MR YUNG TIN-TACK,
MR SO MOON-CHEUNG,
MR CHENG FOR-YAU,
MR HO TAK-YAU,
DR ZEE SZE-YONG,
MR LEUNG TIN-PUI,
DR LAM KIN-CHE,
DR STAN CHEUNG TSANG-KAY, AND
MR IP YEUK-LAM.
THE NEW-TERM ACAF ALSO COMPRISES REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ECONOMIC SERVICES BRANCH, THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH, THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AND THE NEW TERRITORIES REGION OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AS OFFICIAL MEMBERS.
THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES IS A GOVERNMENT-APPOINTED BODY CHAIRED BY DR LAWRENCE LEE, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES.
IT WAS FIRST FORMED IN MAY LAST YEAR TO PROVIDE A FORMALISED CONSULTATION MECHANISM TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES PRODUCTION, ON THE FORMATION OF THEIR LONG-TERM POLICIES AND ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION AND MARKETING OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES PRODUCTS.
/ITS MEMBERS........
TUELDAY, HAY 23, 198?
- 5 -
ITS MEMBERS ARE DRAWN FROM THE AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND MARKETING SECTORS AND EXPERTS IN THE RELATED FIELDS AS WELL AS REPRESENTATIVES OF OMELCO, THE HEUNG YE! KUK AND RELEVANT GOVERNMENT BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS.
THE ACAF IS ASSISTED IN ITS WORK BY ITS FIVE SUB-COMMITTEES ON CROP FARMING, LIVESTOCK. AQUACULTURE. CAPTURE FISHERIES AND MARKETING.
THE APPOINTMENT OF THE CHAIRMEN AND MEMBERS OF THESE SUB-COMMITTEES WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER.
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TAC DISCUSSES URBAN TAXI SERVICE * * t » ♦
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) TODAY (TUESDAY) RECOMMENDED THAT THE ISSUING OF NEW TAXI LICENCES SHOULD REMAIN AT 200 THIS YEAR.
MEMBERS MADE THE RECOMMENDATION AFTER ASSESSING THE LEVEL OF URBAN TAXI SERVICES BASED ON THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S SURVEY ON THE UTILISATION AND PROFITABILITY OF THE TRADE BETWEEN EARLY FEBRUARY AND MID-MARCH THIS YEAR.
THE SURVEY ON THE UTILISATION OF TAXI SERVICES COMPRISED ROADSIDE OBSERVATIONS OF VACANT TAXIS AND STUDIES AT TA.XI STANDS TO RECORD THE WAITING TIME OF PASSENGERS. IT SHOWED THAT THE DEMAND FCR URBAN TAXIS HAD BEEN RELATIVELY STABLE AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
THE COMMITTEE ALSO EXAMINED THE IMPACT OF ANY INCREASE IN TAXI NUMBERS ON THE PROFITABILITY OF TAXI OPERATIONS.
THE TAC NOTED THAT DESPITE THE INCREASE IN TAXI FARES, UTILISATION OF TAXIS HAD NOT BEEN AFFECTED.
MEMBERS WERE ALSO BRIEFED ON THE FINDINGS OF THE ENGINEERING FEASIBILITY INVESTIGATION FOR IMPROVEMENT TO THE MID-LEVELS EAST-WEST ROAD CORRIDOR.
CONSULTANTS WERE COMMISSIONED IN SEPTEMBER 1987 TO INVESTIGATE PRACTICAL ROAD IMPROVEMENT WORKS THAT COULD BE IMPLEMENTED TO INCREASE TRAFFIC CAPACITY OF THE ROAD NETWORK IN THE MID-LEVELS, AND THEREBY QUANTIFY THE CORRESPONDING LIMIT OF BUILDING AND LAND DEVELOPMENT THAT COULD BE REASONABLY TOLERATED.
APART FROM CONSIDERING EXISTING ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSALS, NINE NEW TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEMES, 16 NEW JUNCTION IMPROVEMENT SCHEMES, 10 NEW ROAD WIDENING SCHEMES AND 41 NEW ROAD LINK SCHEMES WERE IDENTIFIED FOR IMPLEMENTATION IN THE SHORT, MEDIUM AND LONG TERMS.
/THESE SCHEMES .......
TUESDAY, MAY 2J, 1989
THESE SCHEMES WERE EVALUATED AND SCREENED UNDER VARIOUS CRITERIA INCLUDING ENGINEERING, TRAFFIC, LAND AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS.
THE TAC WAS INFORMED THAT THE SHORT TERM SCHEME WOULD START AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO PROVIDE SOME RELIEF TO THE ROAD NETWORK IN THE MID-LEVELS.
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MEDIUM TERM SCHEME SHOULD BE EFFECTED BEFORE 1996 WITH PRIORITY GIVEN TO IMPROVEMENT WORKS TO RELIEVE THE CRITICAL PARK ROAD/LYTTLETON ROAD/BREEZY PATH JUNCTION, WHILE THE LONG TERM SCHEME WAS RECOMMENDED TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN CONJUNCTION WITH REDEVELOPMENT.
AS A FURTHER ATTEMPT TO ALLEVIATE THE FUTURE TRAFFIC SITUATION AT THE MID-LEVELS, A PILOT HILLSIDE ESCALATOR LINKING CENTRAL DISTRICT WITH THE MID-LEVELS IS BEING PLANNED FOR IMPLEMENTATION.
- - 0 - -
11 QUESTIONS ON LEGCO AGENDA
* * » * »
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 11 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER SIX BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
TWO BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
THEY ARE THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1989 AND THE SUMMARY OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989.
SECOND READING DEBATES ON FOUR BILLS WILL BE RESUMED, AFTER WHICH EACH BILL IS DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
THESE ARE THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION INCORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE INCORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION INCORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 AND THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE OF HONG KONG BILL 1989.
IN ADDITION, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT WILL MOVE THREE MOTIONS -- UNDER THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING ORDINANCE, THE MAGISTRATES ORDINANCE AND THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE.
- 0 - -
TUESDAY, MAY 23, 1989
7
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR APRIL 1989 » » * » »
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) PUBLISHED THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR APRIL 1989.
THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) (OCT. 84/SEP. 85 = 100) FOR APRIL 1989 WERE 127.3 AND 127.0 RESPECTIVELY, REPRESENTING INCREASES OF 9.6 PER CENT AND 9.3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER APRIL 1988.
THESE RATES OF INCREASE WERE SIMILAR TO THOSE RECORDED FOR MARCH 1989, WHEN THEY WERE 9.5 PER CENT AND 9.2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING APRIL WITH MARCH 1989, THE CPU A) AND THE CPI IB) BOTH INCREASED BY 1.5 PER CENT, LARGELY BECAUSE OF HIGHER PRICES OF MOST FOODSTUFFS AND OUTERCLOTHING AND HIGHER RENTS FOR SOME PRIVATE AND PUBLIC HOUSING UNITS.
THE AVERAGE CPI(A) AND AVERAGE CPI(B) FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED APRIL 1989, AT 121.3 AND 121.1 RESPECTIVELY, WERE 8.4 PER CENT AND 8.2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGE FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED APRIL 1988.
DURING THE 3-MONTH PERIOD ENDED APRIL 1989, THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CPI(A) AND CPI(B) INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 0.8 PER CENT PER MONTH.
THE CPI(A) AND THE CPI(B) ARE BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERNS OF 50 PER CENT AND 30 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG, WHICH WERE DERIVED FROM THE 1984/85 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY.
THE CPI(A) REFERS TO HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $2,000 AND $6,499 A MONTH AT THAT TIME AND THE CPI(B) BETWEEN $6,500 AND $9,999 A MONTH.
CHANGES IN THE INDEXES FOR APRIL 1989 IN RESPECT OF THE NINE COMMODITY/SERVICE SECTIONS IN THE TWO CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES, AS COMPARED WITH MARCH 1989 AND APRIL 1988, ARE GIVEN BELOW.
(OCTOBER 1984 .......
TUESDAY, MAY 23, 198?
8
(OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 AVERAGE = 100) CPI(A) CPI(B)
SECTION INDEX FOR APR.89 XCHANGE XCHANGE INDEX FOR APR.89 %CHANGE %CHANGE
OVER MAR.89 OVER APR.88 OVER MAR.89 OVER APR.88
FOODSTUFFS 128.3 + 1.9 + 11.8 129.3 + 1.8 + 12.0
HOUSING 120.5 + 1.9 +6.9 115.8 + 1.3 + 5.2
FUEL AND LIGHT 96.2 + 0.5 + 3.4 96.8 + 0.6 + 3.6
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) 132.9 + 1.0 + 7.4 133.8 + 1.1 + 7.7
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 134.9 + 4.3 + 9.4 138.1 + 5.1 + 9.7
DURABLE GOODS 121.2 +0.1 + 4.1 120.6 + 0.2 + 4.2
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 131.5 + 0.3 + 8.5 131.0 + 0.3 + 8.0
TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 131.7 + 0.4 + 10.6 130.8 + 0.4 + 10.7
SERVICES 136.7 + 0.9 + 9.6 137.2 + 1.0 + 10.3
ALL ITEMS 127.3 + 1.5 + 9.6 127.0 + 1.5 + 9.3
COMPARED WITH MARCH 1989, THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 1.9 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 1.8 PER CENT IN CPI(B).
THIS WAS MAINLY DUE TO INCREASES IN THE AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES AND FRESH FRUIT AND IN THE AVERAGE CHARGE FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING PLACES.
THE INDEX FOR HOUSING INCREASED BY 1.9 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 1.3 PER CENT IN CPI(B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER RENTS FOR SOME PRIVATE DWELLINGS AND FOR SOME FLATS IN HOUSING AUTHORITY AND HOUSING SOCIETY ESTATES.
THE INDEX FOR ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) INCREASED BY 1.0 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 1.1 PER CENT IN CPT(B) DUE TO HIGHER PRICES OF BEER AND CIGARETTES.
THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR INCREASED BY 4.3 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 5.1 PER CENT IN CPI(B) BECAUSE OF HIGHER PRICES OF OUTERCLOTHING.
/THE INDEX.........
TUESDAY, MAY 2?, 1989
THE INDEX FOR SERVICES INCREASED BY 0.9 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 1.0 PER CENT IN CPI(B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER CHARGES FOR PACKAGE TOURS AND MEDICAL TREATMENT.
MORE DETAILS ARE GIVEN IN THE "CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT" FOR APRIL 1989, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT S3.5 PER COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG; OR FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS
DEPARTMENT, 19/F., WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG; OR FROM THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FRENCH MISSION
BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MAILINGS.
FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE INDEXES, PLEASE TELEPHONE THE CONSUMER
PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT 5-8235089.
THE HANG SENG CPI WAS 133.3 IN APRIL 1989, UP BY 1.8 PER CENT OVER MARCH 1989 AND UP BY 11.0 PER CENT OVER APRIL 1988. THE HANG SENG CPI IS BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF THE 10 PER CENT OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG THAT SPENT HKS10,000-24,999 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.
» FIGURES HEREIN REFER TO CPI SERIES NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED. ALL PERCENTAGE CHANGES ARE DERIVED FROM CPI FIGURES TAKEN TO MORE THAN 1 DECIMAL PLACE.
0
1988 SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS STARTED *»**»»
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS FOR 1988 HAS JUST COMMENCED.
THE SURVEY IS CONDUCTED ANNUALLY AND REPRESENTS PART OF A CONTINUOUS PROGRAMME IN THE DEPARTMENT TO COLLECT ECONOMIC STATISTICS ON THE STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE OF THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS IN HONG KONG.
THE AIMS OF THE SURVEY ARE TO OBTAIN UP-TO-DATE DATA FOR EVALUATING THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS TO HONG KONG'S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, AND FOR ASCERTAINING THEIR COST STRUCTURE, OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS AND OUTPUT LEVELS.
/RESULTS OF .......
TUESDAY, MAY 2J, 1989
- 10
RESULTS OF THE SURVEY ARE USEFUL TO BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN FORMULATING POLICIES AND MAKING DECISIONS.
ABOUT 6,000 ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE ENUMERATED IN THE PRESENT ROUND OF THE SURVEY, INCLUDING A FULL COVERAGE OF PROMINENT ESTABLISHMENTS AND A RANDOM SAMPLE OF SMALLER UNDERTAKINGS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS :-
* BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION;
» REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT;
* ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING AND PROJECT ENGINEERING; AND
» REAL ESTATE LEASING, BROKERAGE AND MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT
A DIFFERENT VERSION OF SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE IS USED FOR EACH OF THE FOUR CATEGORIES.
INFORMATION SOUGHT IN THE SURVEY INCLUDES : TYPE OF OWNERSHIP; NUMBER OF DIRECT EMPLOYEES; COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES; CONSUMPTION OF MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES; PAYMENTS FOR SUB-CONTRACT WORK; OPERATING EXPENSES; VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED; VALUES OF PROPERTIES UNDER DEVELOPMENT AND THE ASSOCIATED PROJECT OUTLAYS (INCLUDING LAND VALUES); OTHER FORMS OF BUSINESS RECEIPTS; CAPITAL EXPENDITURE; FLOOR AREA OCCUPIED FOR BUSINESS OPERATION; AND ORIGIN OF INVESTMENT.
THE SURVEY IS BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS (ANNUAL SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS) ORDER 1984, MADE UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE AND GAZETTED IN A LEGAL NOTICE ON JANUARY 13, 1984.
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES ARE BEING SENT 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 WHILE ON DUTY.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS APPEALED TO THE MANAGEMENTS OF ALL SAMPLED ESTABLISHMENTS TO RETURN THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES PROMPTLY AND TO CO-OPERATE WITH OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT IN THE COURSE OF ENUMERATION, SO AS TO FULFIL THEIR LEGAL 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 .......
TUESDAY, MAY 23, 1989
11
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 BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT TELEPHONE NUMBER 5-8234844.
-----0-----
NEW PACKAGE FOR KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN *****
A NEW PUBLICITY PACKAGE, COMPLETE WITH A NEW SLOGAN OF "BE A SPORT - PITCH IN", HAS BEEN FORMULATED TO FURTHER BOOST PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, DR PANG HOK-TUEN, ANNOUNCED THIS TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE CAMPAIGN FOR 1989-90, DR PANG SAID THE NEW PACKAGE, INCLUDING A SERIES OF ANNOUNCEMENTS IN PUBLIC INTEREST (API'S) AND POSTERS, CARRIED A STRONGER "CALL FOR ACTION" MESSAGE.
"IT AIMS TO TURN THE PITCH-IN ACTIVITY INTO A FAVOURITE 'SPORT' IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
THE NEW THEMATIC API, TO BE LAUNCHED SHORTLY, WILL FEATURE CELEBRITIES DEMONSTRATING IN A SPORTING WAY HOW TO PUT LITTER INTO THE BIN.
"SIMILARLY, WE HOPE THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL, IN THEIR OWN WAYS, MAKE THE BUSINESS OF KEEPING HONG KONG CLEAN A POPULAR SPORT.
"IN FACT, JUST LIKE ANY OTHER SPORT WHICH CALLS FOR TEAM SPIRIT AND CO-OPERATION IN MAKING A SCORE, THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN ALSO NEEDS THE PARTICIPATION OF ITS TEAM MEMBERS, WHO IN OUR CASE ARE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, IN STRIVING FOR THE GOAL, WHICH IN OUR CASE IS A CLEANER HONG KONG," DR PANG SAID.
BESIDES PUBLICITY AND EDUCATION, WHICH WOULD CONTINUE TO BE THE PRIME AREAS OF WORK, THE STEERING COMMITTEE ALSO ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO ITS COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT SCHEME, DR PANG SAID.
/LAST YEAR .......
TUESDAY, MAY 23, 1989
- 12 -
LAST YEAR, MORE THAN 60 CORPORATIONS AND LOCAL BODIES RESPONDED TO THE CAMPAIGN IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, SUCH AS BY PUTTING "KEEP CLEAN" MESSAGES ON THEIR PRODUCTS OR ORGANISING CLEAN-UP ACTIVITIES FOR THEIR STAFF.
"WE HOPE THAT MORE CORPORATIONS WILL COME FORWARD THIS YEAR WITH DIFFERENT FORMS OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS TO SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN," HE SAID.
ANOTHER AREA OF WORK FOR THE COMMITTEE IN THE COMING YEAR WOULD BE A SERIES OF CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS CO-ORDINATED BY VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
"THE COMMITTEE ALSO SUPPORTS LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST LITTERING OFFENCES WHICH, WE THINK, SHOULD NOT BE TOLERATED AT THE EXPENSE OF THE WELL-BEING OF OTHER RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS," DR PANG SAID.
THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE, MR TONG KAM-BIU, TOLD THE PRESS CONFERENCE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES WOULD BE ORGANISED IN PHASES.
AMONG THESE WAS A TERRITORY-WIDE BLOCK-TO-BLOCK CLEAN-UP
OPERATION NOW BEING CARRIED OUT, WHICH WOULD CONTINUE UNTIL JULY.
"WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF CLEANSING STAFF FROM RELEVANT
DEPARTMENTS, RESIDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO KEEP THEIR LIVING AREA. CLEAN AND TIDY," MR TONG SAID.
WITH THE APPROACH OF SUMMER, THE PUBLICITY FOCUS WOULD SHIFT TO THE CLEANLINESS OF THE HARBOUR, AND TO THE COUNTRYSIDE IN THE AUTUMN PERIOD, MR TONG SAID.
THE YEAR-END CLEAN-UP WOULD ROUND UP ACTIVITIES FOR THE WHOLE YEAR.
"WE HOPE THAT MORE PEOPLE WILL RESPOND TO OUR CALL AND BE A SPORT AND PITCH IN TO KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN," MR TONG ADDED.
- - 0 --------
/13
TUESDAY, MAY 23, 1989
- 13 -
FUNDS AVAILABLE FROM QE FOUNDATION
*****
VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE QUEEN ELIZABETH FOUNDATION FOR THE MENTALLY 'NDICAPPED TO UNDERTAKE PROJECTS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE JOB PORTUNITIES FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED,
PROJECTS ELIGIBLE FOR GRANTS FROM THE FOUNDATION INCLUDE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PLACEMENT SERVICE FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED; THE PRODUCTION OF MONTHLY NEWSLETTERS ON JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED; AND THE STAGING OF AN EXHIBITION AND THE PRODUCTION OF A VIDEO FILM ON EMPLOYMENT FOR THEM.
VOLUNTARY AGENCIES CAN APPLY TO CONDUCT SURVEYS ON SPECIAL SCHOOLS REQUIRING PHOTOCOPIERS AND VIDEO CAMERAS, AND ON SHELTERED WORKSHOPS REQUIRING MUSICAL EQUIPMENT, A GOVERMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY I .
A LIMITED AMOUNT OF FUNDS WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR OTHER WORTHWHILE PROJECTS WHICH DID NOT FALL INTO THE CATEGORIES MENTIONED ABOVE, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE FOUNDATION ALLOCATED A TOTAL OF SI.85 MILLION TO FINANCE 20 PROJECTS FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED DURING THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR.
APPLICATION FORMS AND GUIDES TO APPLICATION CAN BE OBTAINED I'ROM THE SECRETARY, COUNCIL OF THE QUEEN ELIZABETH FOUNDATION FOR THE MINTALLY HANDICAPPED, REHABILITATION DIVISION, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, 1 TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
APPLICATIONS SHOULD REACH THE COUNCIL FOUNDATION NOT LATER THAN JULY 21 THIS YEAR.
SECRETARIAT OF THE
-----o------
STANDING COMMITTEE VISITS CUSTOMS AND EXCISE
* « « » »
MEMBERS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON DISCIPLINED SERVICES SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE VISITED THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEIARTMENT THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE SIX-MEMBER GROUP WAS LED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE, MR JOHN SWAINE. THE OTHER MEMBERS WERE MRS NELLIE FONG, Ml. MIRIAM LAU, MR ANTHONY CHEUNG, MR CHOW CHUN-FAI AND MR TANG KWAI-NANG.
THE GROUP WAS RECEIVED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EX( ISE, MR P.J. WILLIAMSON, THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, MR TONG KANG-SING, AND SENIOR STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT.
/THE NUMBERS
TUESDAY, MAY 23, 198?
14
THE MEMBERS WERE BRIEFED ON THE WORK AND THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT.
THEY LOOKED OVER THE NARCOTICS MUSEUM OF THE CUSTOMS INVESTIGATION BUREAU, AND ALSO WATCHED CUSTOMS OFFICERS SEARCHING A RECENTLY ARRIVED SHIP AND CUSTOMS DIVERS AT WORK.
DURING THE VISIT, THE STANDING COMMITTEE MEMBERS HELD INFORMAL TALKS WITH THE COMMISSIONER AND OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT, AND EXCHANGED VIEWS ON A NUMBER OF ISSUES CONCERNING THE DEPARTMENT AND ITS STAFF.
TODAY’S VISIT WAS THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF PLANNED FAMILIARISATION VISITS TO THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT BY MEMBERS OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE.
------0-------
TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF SERVICE AT ID CARD OFFICE t * * ♦ t
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE THE TUEN MUN NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICE AT CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, CHI LOK FA YUEN, WILL NOT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS AS SOME ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT HAD BEEN DAMAGED IN THE HEAVY RAIN LAST SATURDAY.
HOWEVER, PERSONS WHO HAVE ALREADY APPLIED FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS CAN COLLECT THEIR CARDS AT THIS OFFICE AS SCHEDULED, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
RESIDENTS IN TUEN MUN WHO ARE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS MAY MAKE USE OF THE SERVICES AT THE YUEN LONG AND TSUEN WAN NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICES.
THE ADDRESSES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
YUEN LONG NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICE
HOP YICK CENTRE 2ND FLOOR
31 HOP YICK ROAD YUEN LONG
TEL: 0-4771543
TSUEN WAN NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICE
EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE
GROUND FLOOR 29-37 TSUEN FU STREET
TSUEN WAN TEL: 0-4980117
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/15
TUESDAY, MAY 23, 1989
15
VBP PROBLEM ON DB AGENDA ♦ * *
THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM WILL BE DISCUSSED AT A MEETING OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD ON THURSDAY (MAY 25).
MEMBERS’ VIEWS ON EXISTING POLICIES WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR CONSIDERATION.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, A CONSULTATION PAPER OUTLINING PROPOSALS TO RESTRICT THE USE, SALE AND ADVERTISEMENT OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS WILL BE DISCUSSED.
MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH, DR JUDITH MACKAY, AND DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COUNCIL, DR CHRISTOPHER LEUNG.
A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE TOBACCO INSTITUTE OF HONG KONG LTD. WILL GIVE VIEWS ON THE PAPER.
THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR AUGUSTINE CHENG, WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO HEAR MEMBERS’ OPINION ON THE PROPOSALS TO REMEDY UNFAIR PROVISIONS IN EXISTING DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS, MR ARTHUR GARCIA, WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE WORK OF HIS OFFICE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING BEGINNING AT 3 PM ON THURSDAY (MAY 25) IN ROOM 1416, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
- - 0 - -
SPORTS, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES TO MARK QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY » » t ♦ t
A WIDE RANGE OF SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL IN PLAYGROUNDS, SPORTS VENUES, PARKS AND SWIMMING POOLS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY TO CELEBRATE THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY ON JUNE 17 (SATURDAY).
IN A CARNIVAL-LIKE ATMOSPHERE, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, YOUNG AND OLD, ARE EXPECTED TO SHARE A DAY OF FUN AND GAMES.
/ACTIVITIES WILL
TUESDAY, MAY 25, 1989
16 -
ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE BAND PARADES, ALL STAR VARIETY SHOWS, DANCES, CHILDREN’S GAMES AND SPORTS MATCHES FOR PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT AGES.
MORE THAN 65 RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS EVENTS AS WELL AS VARIOUS PERFORMANCES WILL BE ORGANISED SIMULTANEOUSLY AT VARIOUS VENUES.
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND THE CHIEF JUSTICE WILL SEPARATELY VISIT VENUES TO WATCH THE PROGRAMMES. THEY WILL VISIT MORSE PARK, VICTORIA PARK, FANLING RECREATION GROUND AND TSUEN WAN SPORTS GROUND RESPECTIVELY.
THE GOVERNOR WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR STEPHEN LAU, AND THE SECRETARY FOR MUNICIPAL SERVICES, MR AUGUSTINE CHUI, WHEN HE VISITS MORSE PARK IN WONG TAI SIN.
THERE HE WILL JOIN SPECTATORS IN WATCHING A BAND DISPLAY BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE PIPE BAND, AN AEROBIC DANCE PERFORMANCE, ROLLER SKATING, CHINESE CHESS AND PONY RIDING.
OTHER ACTIVITIES INCLUDE A TELEMATCH FOR YOUTH, AN ARTISTIC CYCLING DEMONSTRATION, A VARIETY SHOW FOR CHILDREN, A GATEBALL GAME FOR THE ELDERLY, AND GAMES FOR THE MENTALLY RETARDED.
THE GOVERNOR WILL ALSO SEE OTHER SPORTS COMPETITIONS, INCLUDING TENNIS, TABLE TENNIS, HANDBALL, VOLLEYBALL AND BASKETBALL.
AT THE MORSE PARK SWIMMING POOL, THERE WILL BE A CANOE POLO DEMONSTRATION, A SWIMMING GALA, A LIFE-SAVING COMPETITION AND AQUATIC FUN GAMES.
ON HONG KONG ISLAND, OUTDOOR CELEBRATIONS WILL TAKE PLACE MAINLY AT VICTORIA PARK WHERE THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, MAJOR-GENERAL G.D. JOHNSON, WILL WATCH THE ACTIVITIES.
THE PROGRAMME WILL START WITH A BAND PERFORMANCE BY THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH ROYAL REGIMENT BAND AT 9.45 AM.
THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A SERIES OF FUN ACTIVITIES AND GAMES, SUCH AS A MINI TRAIN RIDE FOR FAMILIES, PONY RIDING FOR CHILDREN, MODEL BOATING, FUN FISHING, A FUN KART FOR YOUTH AND TAI CHI FOR ADULTS.
IN TH J? NEW TERRITORIES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, WILL WATCH THE PROGRAMME OF EVENTS AT THE FANLING RECREATION GROUND IN NORTH DISTRICT.
HE WILL ARRIVE AT 10.30 AM AND BE MET BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, AND THE DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES, MR HAIDER BARMA.
/THERE WILL
TUESDAY, MAY 23, 1989
- 17 -
THERE WILL BE A BAND PARADE BY THE BRIGADE OF GURKHAS, TAI CHI AND TAEKWONDO DEMONSTRATIONS, ROLLER SKATING, TRAMPOLINING, CHILDREN’S DANCE PERFORMANCES, SPORTS FUN DAY FOR THE ELDERLY, AND AN ALL STAR SHOW.
OTHER ACTIVITIES IN NORTH DISTRICT WILL INCLUDE A WATER SPORTS CARNIVAL AND AQUATIC FUN GAMES TO BE HELD AT THE FANLING PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL.
1 THERE WILL BE A SQUASH FUN DAY AND A SPORTS FUN DAY FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, TO BE HELD AT FANLING NEW TOWN SQUASH COURT AND THE FANLING ROTARY YOUTH CENTRE RESPECTIVELY.
OTHER QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY ACTIVITIES WILL TAKE PLACE AT TSUEN WAN SPORTS GROUND, WITH THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY POLICE PIPE BAND GOING ON PARADE AT 10.30 AM AND THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG, IN ATTENDANCE.
THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A WHEELCHAIR DANCE, A TAI CHI SWORD DISPLAY, ORIENTAL DANCE, AEROBIC DANCE, SPORTS FOR CHILDREN, FUN GAMES AND FITNESS PROGRAMMES FOR THE ELDERLY, A GATEBALL COMPETITION AND AN ALL STAR SHOW.
RESIDENTS WHO WISH TO TAKE PART IN ANY OF THESE EVENTS FREE OF CHARGE ARE WELCOME.TO CONTACT THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE URBAN AND REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS.
-----0------
f
REFUSE COLLECTION POINT FOR TSZ WAN SHAN
t ♦ * » *
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT IN TSZ WAN SHAN.
SITUATED AT YUK WAH CRESENT, THE REFUSE COLLECTION POINT WILL CONSIST OF A STORE ROOM, A STAFF TOILET AND A PUMP ROOM FOR THE FIRE SERVICES.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN AUGUST AND BE COMPLETED IN APRIL NEXT YEAR.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JUNE 9.
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/18
TUESDAY, MAY 23, 1989
- 18 -
SEMINAR ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY FOR CAREERS TEACHER * * * * *
A SEMINAR ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY FOR CAREERS HELD AT THE LECTURE THEATRE OF GRANTHAM COLLEGE FRIDAY (MAY 26) AT 2.15 PM.
TEACHERS WILL
OF EDUCATION
BE
ON
THE SEMINAR AIMS TO PROMOTE THROUGH CAREERS TEACHERS INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AMONG STUDENTS WHO MIGHT TAKE UP SUMMER JOBS DURING THEIR LONG VACATION.
THE SEMINAR IS PART OF THE ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY A WORKING ^COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY FOR STUDENTS ESTABLISHED JOINTLY BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
POSTERS AND INFORMATION PAMPHLETS WILL BE PRODUCED AND TALKS ORGANISED TO BRING HOME INDUSTRIAL SAFETY MESSAGES TO THE STUDENTS.
- - 0 - - - -
SPEED LIMIT ON ROAD, FLYOVER IN TSIM SHA TSUI *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (MAY 25), THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF SALISBURY ROAD BETWEEN HONG CHONG AND SCIENCE MUSEUM ROAD, AND ON THE CHATHAM ROAD FLYOVER BETWEEN CHEONG WAN ROAD AND PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, WILL
BE 70 KILOMETRES PER HOUR.
_ _ _ _ 0----
♦
LANE CLOSURES IN SHA TIN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORK ON SHA TIN ROAD, PART OF THE NORTHBOUND SLOW LANE OF SHA TIN ROAD NEAR SHA TIN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE WILL BE CLOSED FROM 7 PM ON THURSDAY (MAY 25) TO 6 AM ON THE FOLLOWING DAY; AND FROM 7 PM ON FRIDAY (MAY 26) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE ERECTION OF A GANTRY COLUMN, PART OF THE FAST LANE ON THE NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAYS OF TAI PO ROAD NEAR TAI WAI IN SHA TIN WILL BE CLOSED FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY TO 6 PM ON JUNE 8.
-------0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, MAY 2k, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
REGULATION OF FREE FEEDER BUS SERVICE DESIRABLE ........... 1
FIGURES GIVEN ON WASTAGE RATE OF LIAISON OFFICERS ......... 1
GOVT CONVEYANCING SERVICE FOR PSPS TRANSACTIONS NOT
APPROPRIATE ............................................. 3
NO MAJOR REVIEW CW TEXTILE QUOTA ALLOCATION ............... 3
MEASURES TO MAINTAIN NURSING STAFF NUMBERS ................ 4
STUDY ON ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE....................... 6
CONTROL CW AIR POLLUTANT EMISSIONS FROM INDUSTRIES ........ 6
SECURE SEATS FOR PASSENGERS IN A GOODS VEHICLE............. 8
SPENDING ON VIETNAMESE AMOUNTS TO J1,458 MILLION .......... 8
CODE OF PRACTICE KEPT UP TO DATE.......................... 10
EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING BY-LAWS PASSED .................. 10
TUNNEL OFFENDERS MaY PLEaD GUILTY BY LETTER............... 11
LIMITATION ON PLB NUMBERS CONTINUES ...................... 11
BILL CW SEPARATE TAXATION OF MARRIED WOMEN ............... 12
BILL TO STRENGTHEN LAW AGAINST MARINE LITTERING........... 14
OLI IS A MILESTONE IN HK'S EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ....... 14
OLI EXPANDS EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES ...................... 16
/OPEN LEARNING
OPEN LEARNING IS AN INNOVATIVE CONCEPT ...................... 17
EXPERIENCED PEOPLE TO SERVE ON OLI COUNCIL................... 18
LEGCO MEMBERS PRAISE HANDLING OF BIG DEMONSTRATION........... 19
FOUR BILLS PaSSED IN LEGCO .................................. 20
SPEEDING UP SCREENING aND APPEAL PROCEDURES FOR VBP............ 21
CUSTOMS FACES CHALLENGES IN THE 199O'S ........................ 25
BUILDING INDUSTRY URGED TO TaKE STEPS TO aTTRaCT WORKERS .... 24
ECONOMIC SITUATION AND UPDATED FORECASTS OF GDP AND PRICES .. 25
NO CHANGE ADVISED IN PRIMARY SCHOOL ENTRY AGE.................. 50
CONSULTATION ON EMC PROPOSALS ENDS ON MaY 51 .................. 50
YUEN LONG DB COMMITTEE TO MEET ................................ 51
TRAINING COURSE FOR PRIVATE ELDERLY HCME WORKERS .............. 51
LABOUR CHIEF' VISITS' METAL FACTORY ........................... 52
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS IN CENTRAL AND POKFULaM ............. 52
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN SHa TIN AND TO KWa WAN ................. 55
INSTALLATION OF PARKING METERS IN DUNBaR ROAD.................. 55
“ • .............. ‘
WEDNESDAY. MAY 24, 1989
- 1
REGULATION OF FREE FEEDER BUS SERVICE DESIRABLE *****
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IT WAS DESIRABLE IN THE LONGER TERM TO REGULATE FREE FEEDER BUS SERVICES TO ENSURE MORE EFFECTIVE CO-ORDINATION BETWEEN COMPETING TRANSPORT SERVICES.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON MARIA TAM CONCERNING FREE FEEDER BUS SERVICES OFFERED BY THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION, MR LEUNG SAID THAT PRACTICAL MEASURES BEING EXAMINED INCLUDE GREATER REGULATION OF THE PERMITTED ROUTES OF FREE FEEDER SERVICES TO ENSURE THAT WASTEFUL COMPETITION WAS AVOIDED AS FAR AS POSSIBLE.
HE SAID THE KCRC ORDINANCE EMPOWERED THE CORPORATION TO OPERATE FREE FEEDER BUS SERVICES TO AND FROM RAILWAY PREMISES.
THESE SERVICES REQUIRED ONLY A PASSENGER SERVICE LICENCE ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT.
ON THE INTRODUCTION OF TWO NEW KCRC FREE FEEDER BUS ROUTES IN TAI PO, MR LEUNG SAID THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAD REMINDED THE CORPORATION OF THE IMPLICATIONS FOR OTHER TRANSPORT OPERATORS AND THEIR INTEREST, IN ADDITION TO COMPLYING WITH THE LICENSING CONDITION OF THE PASSENGER SERVICE LICENCE.
MR LEUNG SAID THESE RAILWAY FEEDERS FACILITATED PASSENGERS IN THE USE OF THE RAILWAY SYSTEM AND WERE BROADLY CONSISTENT WITH THE OVERALL POLICY OF ENCOURAGING THE USE OF OFF-ROAD PUBLIC TRANSPORT MODES.
HOWEVER, HE SAID, THE DEPARTMENT FOUND THAT THESE FREE SERVICES DID AFFECT OTHER PUBLIC TRANSPORT. PARTICULARLY THOSE MODES RUNNING PARALLEL SERVICES INCLUDING ONE GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE AND TWO KOWLOON MOTOR BUS SERVICES.
THE ADMINISTRATION WAS CONSIDERING POSSIBLE RATIONALISATION OF SUCH SERVICES. HE ADDED.
----------------------0-------- FIGURES GIVEN ON WASTAGE RATE OF LIAISON OFFICERS * * * »
THE WASTAGE RATE OF THE LIAISON OFFICER GRADE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES REGION OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS HAD RANGED FROM A HIGH OF 10.4 PER CENT IN 1980-81 TO A LOW OF 0.8 PER CENT IN 1986-87.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD. 181 LIAISON OFFICERS 11 HAD BEEN RECRUITED AND A RECRUITMENT EXERCISE IS NOW IN PROGRESS TO FILL EXISTING VACANCIES.
/THIS WAS........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1989
- 2 -
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION. THE HON ADOLF HSU. IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG.
CONCERNING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND STARTING SALARY OF LIAISON STAFF IN THE URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICTS. MR HSU SAID THAT LIAISON DUTIES IN THE URBAN AREAS WERE UNDERTAKEN BY EXECUTIVE OFFICERS WHO BELONGED TO A GENERAL GRADE, ENTRY TO WHICH REQUIRED A UNIVERSITY DEGREE.
"THEIR ENTRY QUALIFICATION IS SET HAVING REGARD TO THE WIDE RANGE OF DUTIES OF THE GRADE OF WHICH LIAISON WORK IN THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION IS ONLY A PART.
"LIAISON OFFICERS ON THE OTHER HAND ARE A DEPARTMENTAL GRADE OF THE CNTA AND ARE EMPLOYED EXCLUSIVELY ON LIAISON WORK IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. THEIR ENTRY QUALIFICATION IS MATRICULATION.
"THE STARTING SALARY FOR THESE TWO GRADES IS IN LINE WITH THE BENCHMARK FOR DEGREE AND MATRICULATION GRADES RESPECTIVELY," MR HSU SAID.
MR HSU ALSO SAID THAT SINCE THE MERGER OF THE FORMER HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND THE FORMER NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION IN 1981, ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE SITUATION WHEREBY TWO DIFFERENT GRADES WERE REQUIRED TO UNDERTAKE SIMILAR DUTIES IN THE SAME DEPARTMENT BY MERGING THE LIAISON OFFICER GRADE INTO THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER GRADE.
"HOWEVER, DESPITE CONSIDERABLE EFFORTS BY THE ADMINISTRATION, THE ASSOCIATION OF LIAISON OFFICERS (ALO) AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXECUTIVE GRADE ASSOCIATION (HKGEGA) COULD NOT COME TO TERMS ON THE PROPOSED ARRANGEMENTS FOR DETERMINING THE SENIORITY OF LIAISON OFFICERS UPON REGRADING TO THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER GRADE," HE SAID.
"BOTH ASSOCIATIONS WERE THEREFORE OPPOSED TO THE PROPOSED MERGER. IN VIEW OF THEIR OPPOSITION THE PROPOSAL WAS ABANDONED IN 1987 .
"RECENTLY THE ALO HAS WITHDRAWN ITS OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED MERGER AND HAS ASKED THAT IT BE PUT INTO EFFECT.
"THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH IS NOW SEEING IF A WAY CAN BE FOUND TO EFFECT THE MERGER IN A MANNER ACCEPTABLE TO BOTH GRADES."
--------0----------
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1989
- 3 -GOVT CONVEYANCING SERVICE FOR PSPS TRANSACTIONS NOT APPROPRIATE * * * » *
IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE A CONVEYANCING SERVICE TO PURCHASERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME AS THE TRANSACTIONS ARE PRIVATE.
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON KENNETH KWOK, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON LEUNG WAI-TUNG.
MR KWOK SAID ALTHOUGH THE DEVELOPER WAS OBLIGED TO ACCEPT THE PURCHASERS NOMINATED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, THE CONVEYANCING OF THE FLATS TO INDIVIDUAL PURCHASERS WAS A PRIVATE TRANSACTION.
SOLICITORS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE WERE THEREFORE EMPLOYED BY THE DEVELOPER FOR THE CONVEYANCING WORK.
HOWEVER, IN THE CASE OF THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, THE FLATS WERE SOLD BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
"TO THIS END, THE TRANSACTION IS A GOVERNMENT TRANSACTION, HENCE CONVEYANCING WORK IS DONE ’IN HOUSE’ BY THE GOVERNMENT’S LAWYERS," HE SAID.
-------0 --------
NO MAJOR REVIEW ON TEXTILE QUOTA ALLOCATION t ♦ » ♦ ♦
THERE ARE NO PLANS FOR ANY MAJOR REVIEW OF THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENT FOR ALLOCATION OF TEXTILE QUOTAS, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY. THE HON DAVID NENDICK. SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON KINGSLEY SIT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR NENDICK SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS PLEASED TO SEE THAT THE FLEXIBILITY BUILT INTO THE PRESENT SYSTEM HAD GENERALLY RESULTED IN HIGH LEVELS OF QUOTA UTILISATION.
MR NENDICK EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE TEXTILES EXPORT CONTROL SYSTEM, ALLOCATION OF QUOTA WAS BASED ON PAST PERFORMANCE.
PROVISION WAS ALSO MADE TO ALLOW NEWCOMERS AND OTHER COMPANIES WITH NO QUOTAS OR INSUFFICIENT QUOTAS TO OBTAIN THEM.
"TRANSFER OF TEXTILE QUOTAS, ON EITHER A PERMANENT OR A TEMPORARY BASIS, IS PERMITTED. SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
"ONE OF THESE CONDITIONS IS THAT ANY TEMPORARY TRANSFER OF QUOTAS EXCEEDING 50 PER CENT WILL TRIGGER A DEDUCTION IN QUOTA ALLOCATION IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
/’’THE CALCULATION ......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1989
"THE CALCULATION OF THE TEMPORARY TRANSFER PERCENTAGE IS DONE ON THE BASIS OF SEPARATE MARKETS AND DIFFERENT GROUPS OF PRODUCTS," HE SAID.
MR NENDICK POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS WELL AWARE THAT THE TRANSFER OF QUOTAS COULD LEAD TO A PREMIUM BUT. EVEN WITH THIS ADDED COST, HONG KONG’S EXPORTS HAD REMAINED COMPETITIVE.
"MOREOVER, IT IS IMPORTANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE FACT THAT THE PREMIUM IS DETERMINED BY DEMAND AND SUPPLY. THERE HAVE BEEN INSTANCES WHEN THE PREMIUM HAS BEEN NEGATIVE," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD NO PLANS FOR ANY MAJOR REVIEW OF THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS.
"THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE WILL HOWEVER CONSULT THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD IF AND WHEN ANY NEED TO CHANGE THE EXISTING SYSTEM IS PERCEIVED," HE ADDED.
-------0 ---------
MEASURES TO MAINTAIN NURSING STAFF NUMBERS » t ♦ » » »
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF VARIOUS MEASURES WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WAS EXAMINING IN CONSULTATION WITH THE NURSING STAFF SHOULD HELP TO ALLEVIATE THE CURRENT RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION DIFFICULTIES BEING EXPERIENCED IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON T.H. CHAU, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON NELLIE FONG, MR CHAU SAID THERE HAD BEEN INCREASING DIFFICULTIES IN THE RECRUITMENT OF STUDENT NURSES.
"IN ADDITION, THE WASTAGE RATE AMONG REGISTERED NURSES HAS GONE UP," HE SAID.
"THERE WOULD BE DIFFICULTY IN MEETING FUTURE NEEDS IF THE PRESENT RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION PROBLEMS SHOULD CONTINUE," HE ADDED.
OUTLINING SOME OF THE MEASURES TO BE TAKEN TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION, MR CHAU SAID A SUBMISSION PROPOSING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PAY SCALES OF THE NURSING GRADES HAD BEEN MADE TO THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, FOR EXAMINATION IN THE CONTEXT OF THE OVERALL REVIEW OF THE SALARY STRUCTURE OF NON-DIRECTORATE GRADES.
"THE STANDING COMMISSION HAS BEEN REQUESTED TO GIVE PRIORITY TO THE EXAMINATION OF THIS SUBMISSION," HE SAID.
/AG AN .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1989
- 5 -
AS AN INTERIM MEASURE TO IMPROVE THE RECRUITMENT OF NURSE TRAINEES, A RESIDENTIAL ALLOWANCE OF $700 PER MONTH WOULD BE PAID TO NURSE TRAINEES FROM OCTOBER 1, MR CHAU NOTED.
"RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGNS FOR STUDENT NURSES WILL BE STEPPED UP THROUGH PROMOTION IN THE MEDIA AND CAREER EXHIBITIONS," HE ADDED.
AS A FURTHER MEASURE TO IMPROVE THE SUPPLY OF NURSING STAFF, THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WERE IDENTIFYING AREAS WHERE PART-TIME NURSES COULD BE SUITABLY EMPLOYED. MR CHAU SAID.
"IN ADDITION, A NUMBER OF OTHER IMPROVEMENT PROPOSALS HAVE BEEN DEVISED AND THE NECESSARY APPROVAL FOR THEIR IMPLEMENTATION IS NOW BEING SOUGHT," HE SAID.
"THESE MEASURES INCLUDE THE CREATION OF ADDITIONAL POSTS, THE PROVISION OF CLERICAL SUPPORT, THE ENHANCEMENT OF TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, ETC." HE ADDED.
THE NUMBER OF VACANT POSTS FOR REGISTERED NURSES IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AT THE END OF 1986, 1987 AND 1988 WERE 103, 152 AND 255 RESPECTIVELY, REPRESENTING 1.2 PER CENT. 1.7 PER CENT AND 2.7 PER CENT OF THE ESTABLISHMENT AT THE END OF EACH YEAR, MR CHAU SAID.
THE CORRESPONDING NUMBER OF VACANCIES IN THE SUBVENTED SECTOR FOR THE SAME PERIOD WERE 185. 353 AND 335. AND THESE REPRESENTED 4.6 PER CENT, 8.3 PER CENT AND 7.9 PER CENT OF THE ESTABLISHMENT AT THE END OF EACH YEAR, HE ADDED.
THE NUMBER OF STUDENT NURSES REGISTERING WITH THE NURSING BOARD AFTER RECEIVING TRAINING IN THE GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED SECTORS WAS 1,094 IN 1986; 991 IN 1987: AND 799 IN 1988.
MR CHAU SAID THAT DURING THE NEXT FIVE YEARS TO 1993-94, THERE WOULD BE A REQUIREMENT FOR 5,200 ADDITIONAL REGISTERED NURSES TO COPE WITH THE EXPANSION OF HOSPITAL AND CLINIC SERVICES.
"THERE WILL ALSO BE AN ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR ABOUT 1,200 REGISTERED NURSES TO FILL VACANT POSTS ARISING FROM PROJECTED WASTAGE AND TO EFFECT CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS TO NURSING SERVICES WHICH THE ADMINISTRATION WISHES TO INTRODUCE." HE SAID.
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/6........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1989
- 6 -
STUDY ON ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE ♦ ♦ ♦
A CONSULTANCY STUDY RELATING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE (EDI) FOR TRADE-RELATED APPLICATION IN HONG KONG IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED BY MID-JULY, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY. THE HON DAVID NENDICK, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE STUDY REPORTS WERE EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE IN STAGES FROM JULY TO AUGUST, MR NENDICK SAID IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON JAMES MCGREGOR.
THE GOVERNMENT WAS TAKING PART IN THE CONSULTANCY STUDY, WHICH HAD BEEN JOINTLY ORGANISED BY A NUMBER OF FIRMS AND OTHER BODIES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, HE SAID.
"THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CENTRAL AND PERMANENT BODY TO CO-ORDINATE THE DRAWING UP OF STANDARDS WOULD SEEM AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF EDI.
"THE POSSIBLE ESTABLISHMENT OF EDI STANDARDS IS ONE OF THE SUBJECTS BEING EXAMINED IN THE CONSULTANCY STUDY AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL THEREFORE BE CONSIDERING PROPOSALS FOR SUCH A STANDARDS BODY IN THE LIGHT OF THE CONSULTANT’S RECOMMENDATIONS," HE SAID.
MR NENDICK SAID THE SUPPORT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY WAS A MUCH BROADER ISSUE THAN MESSAGE STANDARDS.
"IT IS ONE OF THE SUBJECTS OF A CURRENT TECHNO-ECONOMIC STUDY COMMISSIONED BY THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD.
"OTHER ASPECTS, SUCH AS MANPOWER PROVISION FOR THE INDUSTRY, ARE BEING EXAMINED BY THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY," HE SAID.
------0-------
CONTROL ON AIR POLLUTANT EMISSIONS FROM INDUSTRIES ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO FURTHER CONTROL GASEOUS AND PARTICULATE EMISSIONS FROM INDUSTRIES THROUGH THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW REGULATIONS TO CONTROL THE SULPHUR CONTENT OF FUEL OIL, AND THROUGH THE TIGHTENING OF PERMITTED SMOKE EMISSIONS AS CONTROLLED UNDER PRESENT REGULATIONS.
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON KENNETH KWOK, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN RESPONSE TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PETER WONG ON THE GOVERNMENT’S PLANS TO STRENGTHEN THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF AIR POLLUTANT EMISSIONS.
/MR KWOK ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 198?
MR KWOK ALSO NOTED THAT THE NEW REGULATIONS UNDER THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE, REQUIRING NEW LARGE AIR POLLUTING FACTORIES TO INSTALL EQUIPMENT TO REDUCE THEIR EMISSION OF AIR POLLUTANTS TO THE LOWEST PRACTICABLE LEVEL, HAD COME INTO FORCE IN OCTOBER 1987.
ON WHETHER POWER STATIONS WERE FITTED WITH PARTICLE SEPARATORS AND GAS SCRUBBERS TO MINIMISE AIR POLLUTION, HE SAID THAT SINCE OIL-FIRED POWER STATIONS DID NOT GENERATE UNACCEPTABLE LEVELS OF SOLID EMISSIONS, THEY WERE NOT FITTED WITH PARTICLE SEPARATOR EQUIPMENT.
"THE ONLY CONTROL DEVICES USED FOR THE CONTROL OF GASEOUS AIR POLLUTANTS ARE THE VERY TALL CHIMNEYS. HOK UN POWER STATION, WHICH HAS RELATIVELY LOWER CHIMNEYS, HAD BEEN REQUIRED TO USE A LOWER SULPHUR FUEL," HE SAID.
MR KWOK ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE OIL-FIRED POWER STATIONS IN THE TERRITORY WERE IN THE PROCESS OF BEING PHASED OUT, AND THE ELECTRICITY GENERATION REQUIREMENTS WOULD THEN BE MET BY THE COAL-FIRED POWER STATIONS.
MR KWOK SAID THE TWO COAL-FIRED POWER STATIONS AT LAMMA ISLAND AND TAP SHEK KOK WERE BOTH FITTED WITH ELECTROSTATIC PRECIPITATORS FOR THE REMOVAL OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM THE FLUE GAS.
"THESE TWO POWER STATIONS DO NOT REQUIRE GAS SCRUBBING EQUIPMENT, BECAUSE THEY BOTH USE VERY HIGH QUALITY COAL WITH SULPHUR CONTENT OF LESS THAN ONE PER CENT BY WEIGHT.
"IN ADDITION, VERY TALL CHIMNEYS ARE USED TO ADEQUATELY DISPERSE AND DILUTE THE EMISSIONS," HE SAID.
WITH REGARD TO INCINERATORS, MR KWOK SAID ALL OF THE THREE EXISTING MUNICIPAL INCINERATORS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE LAI CHI KOK "B" INCINERATION PLANT, WHICH WOULD BE CLOSED DOWN UPON THE FULL COMMISSIONING OF THE ELECTROSTATIC PRECIPITATOR EQUIPMENT AT LAI CHI KOK INCINERATION PLANT "A" BY THE END OF THIS MONTH, WERE FITTED WITH ELECTROSTATIC PREICPITATORS, WITH EFFICIENCY OF REMOVAL RANGING FROM 94 TO 99 PER CENT.
"THESE INCINERATORS HAVE VERY TALL CHIMNEYS AND ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE FITTED WITH GAS SCRUBBERS," HE ADDED.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1989
- 8 -
SECURE SEATS FOR PASSENGERS IN A GOODS VEHICLE ♦ ♦ ♦ » *
FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1989, ALL PASSENGERS IN A GOODS VEHICLE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO BE SEATED IN A PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED AND SECURED SEAT, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON RONALD CHOW, MR LEUNG SAID THAT DRIVERS WOULD NO LONGER BE ALLOWED TO DRIVE A VEHICLE WITH A PORTER RIDING ON THE TAILBOARD OR THE LOAD.
DRAFT LEGISLATION WAS ALSO BEING PREPARED TO REQUIRE ENCLOSED VAN-TYPE LIGHT GOODS VEHICLE TO HAVE AN EFFECTIVE PROTECTIVE PARTITION BETWEEN THE PASSENGER SEATS AND THE GOODS COMPARTMENT.
MR LEUNG SAID THAT AT PRESENT, THE ROAD TRAFFIC (TRAFFIC CONTROL) REGULATIONS REQUIRED ALL DRIVERS TO ENSURE THAT THE LOAD WAS PROPERLY SECURED TO THE VEHICLE, THAT NO PORTION OF IT TOUCHED THE GROUND OR WAS SOLELY SUPPORTED BY THE TAILGATE.
THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS AND PRACTICAL GUIDANCE ON THE SAFE CARRIAGE OF GOODS AND PASSENGERS WERE ALREADY PROVIDED IN THE CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE LOADING OF VEHICLES, WHICH WAS DISTRIBUTED TO ALL GOODS VEHICLE OPERATORS IN NOVEMBER 1988.
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAD ORGANISED A GOODS VEHICLE LOADING EXHIBITION TO DEMONSTRATE THE CORRECT METHODS OF SECURELY LOADING DIFFERENT KINDS OF LORRIES AND TRUCKS.
THE SAFETY AND LEGAL REQUIREMENTS WOULD CONTINUE TO BE PUBLICISED, HE SAID.
------0-------
SPENDING ON VIETNAMESE AMOUNTS TO $1,458 MILLION
♦ ♦ » t ♦
EXPENDITURE ON VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND BOAT PEOPLE INCURRED BY THE GOVERNMENT SINCE 1979 HAS AMOUNTED TO $1,458.03 MILLION, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR ASPREY GAVE THIS FIGURE IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON RONALD CHOW.
/HE PROVIDED .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1989
- 9 -
HE PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING TABLE ON ANNUAL EXPENDITURE:
CAPITAL COSTS (A) (SMILLION) RECURRENT COSTS (SMILLION) (B) NOTE 1 (C) NOTE 2 TOTAL COSTS (A) + (B) (S MILLION)
1979-80) 1980-81) 1981-82) 134.20 137.70 - 271.90
1982-83 22.40 56.60 7.91 79.00
1983-84 47.70 47.50 15.84 95.20
1984-85 7.80 92.90 17.40 100.70
1985-86 1.56 115.70 16.31 117.26
1986-87 2.20 120.50 14.87 122.70
1987-88 11.04 143.60 17.28 154.64
1988-89 183.33 333.30 52.39 516.63
TOTAL 410.23 1,047.80 142.00 1,458.03
NOTE 1: THESE ARE RECURRENT PERSONAL EMOLUMENTS ACTIVITIES RELATING COSTS INCURRED BY THE AND DEPARTMENTAL EXPENSES TO VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND GOVERNMENT ON FOR STAFF AND BOAT PEOPLE.
NOTE 2: ARF RECURRENT COSTS INITIALLY INCURRED BY JHE GOVERNMENT ON CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND BOAT PEOPLE IN CLOSED CENTRES AND DETENTION CEN I RES, BUT SUBSEQUENTLY RECOVERED FROM THE UNITED NATIONS HI COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR).
-----0------
/10........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1989
- 10 -
CODE OF PRACTICE KEPT UP TO DATE
» ♦ ♦ » ♦
THE CODE OF PRACTICE FOR MINIMUM FIRE SERVICES INSTALLATION AND EQUIPMENT, WHICH WAS REVIEWED AND UPDATED IN 1987, IS CONSIDERED ADEQUATE TO COVER ALL EXISTING BUILDING DESIGNS AND USES, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON JAMES TIEN. MR ASPREY SAID THE CODE WAS KEPT UNDER REGULAR REVIEW TO ENSURE THA'J IT REMAINED UP TO DATE IN LINE WITH DEVELOPMENTS IN THE BUILDING INDUSTRY.
’’STAIRCASES PROVIDE THE MAIN MEANS OF ESCAPE FOR OCCUPANT CF MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS, AND THE MAIN MEANS OF ACCESS FOR FIREMEN, IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE," HE SAID.
"ALL MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS IN HONG KONG ARE DESIGNED TO HAVE SUFFICIENT STAIRCASES FOR THIS PURPOSE.
"THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT INSPECTS ALL PREMISES, FOR WHICH A RESTAURANT LICENCE IS SOUGHT, TO ENSURE THAT FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS, INCLUDING ADEQUATE MEANS OF ACCESS AND ESCAPE, ARE COMPLIED WITH," HE ADDED.
"WINDOW OPENINGS ARE NOT AN ESSENTIAL, NOR IN MANY CASES A PRACTICAL, MEANS OF ACCESS AND ESCAPE IN THE CASE OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS, AND NO ADDITIONAL FIRE EXITS ARE REQUIRED IN CASES WHERE WINDOWS ARE BLOCKED BY DECORATION," HE SAID.
MR ASPREY SAID AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP, WHOSE TERMS OF REFERENCE WERE TO DEVISE ADEQUATE LICENSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR GUEST HOUSES, WOULD SUBMIT ITS PROPOSALS AND RECOMMENDATIONS SHORTLY.
"THESE WILL NOT DEAL WITH RESTAURANTS," HE SAID.
-----0-------
EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING BY-LAWS PASSED
*****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING BY-LAWS.
MOVING A MOTION, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID THAT THE BY-LAWS WOULD ENABLE THE NEW HONG KONG TUNNEL COMPANY EFFECTIVELY TO CONTROL, OPERATE AND MANAGE THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING TO BE OPENED THIS SUMMER.
PROPER OBSERVATION OF THE BY-LAWS WOULD FACILITATE THE SAFE AND EFFICIENT PASSAGE OF MOTOR VEHICLES THROUGH THE ROAD TUNNEL.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 19&9
11
HE SAID THAT THE BY-LAWS COVERED THE CONTROL OF TRAFFIC, PAYMENT OF TOLLS AND PROHIBITION AND RESTRICTION OF CERTAIN TYPES OF VEHICLES IN THE ROAD TUNNEL AREA.
MOTORISTS WHO CONTRAVENED THOSE BY-LAWS, WHICH WERE REGULATORY IN NATURE, WERE LIABLE TO A FINE OF S2,000 ON CONVICTION, HE ADDED.
------0-------
TUNNEL OFFENDERS MAY PLEAD GUILTY BY LETTER « * » » *
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A RESOLUTION ENABLING A PERSON CHARGED WITH OFFENCES UNDER THE ROAD TUNNELS (GOVERNMENT) REGULATIONS TO PLEAD GUILTY BY LETTER.
A MOTION TO AMEND THE THIRD SCHEDULE TO THE MAGISTRATES ORDINANCE WAS MOVED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG.
AT PRESENT THE ORDINANCE PROVIDED FOR A DEFENDANT TO PLEAD GUILTY BY LETTER ADDRESSED TO THE MAGISTRATE FOR AN OFFENCE UNDER THE LION ROCK TUNNEL REGULATIONS, WHICH HAD BEEN REPEALED AND REPLACED BY THE ROAD TUNNEL (GOVERNMENT) REGULATIONS, MR LEUNG SAID.
HOWEVER, THE SCHEDULE HAD NOT BEEN REVISED ACCORDINGLY.
MR LEUNG SAID THE PRESENT SITUATION WAS NOT SATISFACTORY AS IT INCREASED PUBLIC INCONVENIENCE, ADMINISTRATIVE COST AND COURT TIME.
IT WAS THEREFORE PROPOSED TO AMEND THE ' SCHEDULE BY REFERRING TO THE ROAD TUNNELS (GOVERNMENT) REGULATIONS INSTEAD OF THE REPEALED ONES AND THEREBY COVER ALL EXISTING AND FUTURE GOVERNMENT TUNNELS UNDER THE "PLEAD-GUILTY-BY-LETTER" ARRANGEMENT.
-------o----------
LIMITATION ON PLB NUMBERS CONTINUES * t » » t
A MOTION TO EXTEND THE LIMITATION ON THE NUMBER OF PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES UNTIL JUNE 20, 1991 WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE MOTION, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID THAT THE EXISTING LIMIT OF 4,350 PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WAS ORDERED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL ON JUNE 10, 1986.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1989
- 12 -
BILL ON SEPARATE TAXATION OF MARRIED WOMEN
******
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO GIVE LEGISLATIVE EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, 1990 TO PROPOSALS TO PROVIDE FOR THE SEPARATE TAXATION OF MARRIED WOMEN WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO.3) BILL 1989, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NENDICK, SAID IF ENACTED THE PROPOSALS WOULD BE APPLICABLE TO 1989-90 FINAL SALARIES TAX ASSESSMENTS ISSUED ON OR AFTER APRIL 1, 1990.
HE SAID THE INTRODUCTION OF THE BILL WAS THE OUTCOME OF A PERIOD OF CONSIDERABLE PUBLIC DEBATE AS TO HOW BEST A FAMILY’S INCOME SHOULD BE TAXED.
THE SEPARATE TAXATION PROPOSALS IN THE BILL HAD BEEN FORMULATED IN CONSULTATION WITH A NUMBER OF PROFESSIONAL AND OTHER INTERESTED ORGANISATIONS, INCLUDING THE JOINT LIAISON COMMITTEE ON TAXATION, MR NENDICK SAID.
"THE SYSTEM PROPOSED PROVIDES THAT HUSBANDS AND WIVES WILL BE INDIVIDUALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL ASPECTS OF THEIR PERSONAL TAXATION AFFAIRS," HE SAID.
"PROVIDED THAT THEY ARE NOT ASSESSABLE AT THE STANDARD RATE, WORKING HUSBANDS AND WIVES WILL EACH RECEIVE A BASIC ALLOWANCE.
"IN SINGLE INCOME FAMILIES, THE SOLE-EARNER WILL RECEIVE A MARRIED TAXPAYER ALLOWANCE.
"TAXPAYERS WILL CONTINUE TO BE ENTITLED TO CLAIM ALLOWANCES IN RESPECT OF THEIR CHILDREN AND DEPENDENT PARENTS.
"IN CASES WHERE ON SPOUSE’S INCOME IS NOT SUFFICIENTLY HIGH TO ABSORB ALL OF HIS OR HER ALLOWANCE. A SYSTEM OF JOINT ASSESSMENT WILL APPLY," MR NENDICK EXPLAINED.
"IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, A COUPLE MAY CONTINUE TO HAVE THEIR SALARIES TAX LIABILITY COMPUTED ON THEIR JOINT AGGREGATED INCOME, IN VERY MUCH THE SAME WAY AS AT PRESENT, IF THIS WILL RESULT IN THE FAMILY’S OVERALL TAX LIABILITY BEING REDUCED," HE ADDED.
CONCURRENT WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SEPARATE TAXATION, THE PERSONAL ASSESSMENT LEGISLATION AS IT APPLIED TO MARRIED COUPLES WOULD ALSO BE APPROPRIATELY AMENDED, MR NENDICK SAID.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1989
HE SAID THE MAIN LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS OE THE BILL WERE CONTAINED IN FIVE CLAUSES:
» CLAUSE 3 REPEALS THE EXISTING MANDATORY JOINT TAXATION PROVISIONS AND PROVIDES THAT HUSBANDS AND WIVES WILL BE CHARGEABLE TO TAX ON THEIR RESPECTIVE INCOMES. AT THE SAME TIME IT ALSO SETS OUT THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH A MARRIED COUPLE MAY ELECT JOINT ASSESSMENT IF ONE OF THEM HAS ALLOWANCES EXCEEDING INCOME.
» CLAUSE 6 PROVIDES THE MECHANICS FOR CALCULATING A COUPLE'S NET CHARGEABLE INCOME WHEN JOINT ASSESSMENT IS ELECTED.
* CLAUSE 9 ALLOWS TAXPAYERS TO BE GRANTED A BASIC ALLOWANCE UNLESS THEY ARE ENTITLED TO A MARRIED TAXPAYER ALLOWANCE. WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SEPARATE TAXATION THE WORKING WIFE ALLOWANCE IS REPEALED.
* CLAUSE 10 CONSOLIDATES ALL OF THE PERSONAL ASSESSMENT INTERPRETATION CLAUSES INTO ONE SECTION AND AMENDS THE EXISTING DEFINITION OF "INDIVIDUAL" TO REMOVE THE EXCLUSION OF A MARRIED WOMAN BEING A PERSON ENTITLED TO ELECT PERSONAL ASSESSMENT.
» CLAUSE 28 INTRODUCES TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS TO DEAL WITH THE VALIDITY OF ASSESSMENTS ISSUED PRIOR TO THE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF THE AMENDING LEGISLATION. THE PROVISIONS ALSO DEAL WITH PAYMENT OF TAX ON LUMP SUM PAYMENTS RELATED BACK TO EARLIER YEARS OF ASSESSMENT. ASSESSMENT OF TAXPAYERS LEAVING HONG KONG AND SUBSEQUENTLY RETURNING WITHIN THE TRANSITIONAL YEAR OF ASSESSMENT, OMISSIONS OF INCOME FROM ASSESSMENTS AND THE APPLICATION OF PROVISIONAL SALARIES TAX PAID IN RESPECT OF THE TRANSITIONAL YEAR.
MR NENDICK ESTIMATED THAT THE FULL YEAR COST TO THE REVENUE IN 1990-91 OF IMPLEMENTING SEPARATE TAXATION TO BE SOME #585 MILLION.
"HOWEVER, WITH THE SIMULTANEOUS ABOLITION OF THE WORKING WIFE ALLOWANCE, WHICH HAS A FULL YEAR COST OF SOME #355 MILLION, THE NET ADDITIONAL COST OF IMPLEMENTING SEPARATE TAXATION IS ESTIMATED TO BE SOME #230 MILLION," HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1989
- 14
BILL TO STRENGTHEN LAW AGAINST MARINE LITTERING » » t » t
THE SUMMARY OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 AIMS AT STRENGTHENING LEGISLATION AGAINST MARINE LITTERING AND SEEKS TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR MARINE LITTERING OFFENCES.
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON KENNETH KWOK, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL.
CLAUSE 3 WOULD INCREASE THE MAXIMUM PENALTY IMPOSED ON THE OFFENDER FROM $5,000 TO $10,000.
IT WOULD ALSO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM PENALTY IMPOSED ON THE OWNER OR MASTER OF A VESSEL OR THE PROPRIETOR OR OCCUPIER OF A PLACE OR PREMISES FROM WHERE AN OFFENCE WAS COMMITTED, FROM $5,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS, TO $50,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR ONE YEAR.
’’THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO FACILITATE PROSECUTION BY GIVING AUTHORISED PUBLIC OFFICERS POWER OF ENTRY AND POWER TO REQUIRE A PERSON TO DECLARE HIS NAME AND ADDRESS AND PRODUCE EVIDENCE OF HIS IDENTITY," MR KWOK SAID.
"THIS IS CONSIDERED NECESSARY BECAUSE THE LACK OF POWER OF ENTRY UNDER THIS ORDINANCE HAS TO SOME EXTENT PREVENTED PUBLIC OFFICERS FROM IDENTIFYING AND PROSECUTING OFFENDERS WHO LITTER IN AND FROM SHIPYARDS, RECLAMATIONS AND OTHER PRIVATE PREMISES ALONG THE WATERFRONT."
THE BILL HAD BEEN ENDORSED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, HE At>DED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-----0------
OLI IS A MILESTONE IN HE’S EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT * * * ♦ ♦
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE (OLI) IS A MAJOR MILESTONE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION IN HONG KONG AND WILL GO A LONG WAY TO QUENCHING STUDENTS’ THIRST FOR KNOWLEDGE.
THE CONVENER OF THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP FORMED TO STUDY THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE OF HONG KONG BILL 1989, DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP, SAID THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL.
DR IP SAID THAT HER GROUP WAS THRILLED OVER THE WIDE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THE OLI WOULD OPEN UP FOR THOSE WHO ASPIRED TO ADVANCE THEIR LEARNING AND KNOWLEDGE.
/’’MANY PEOPLE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1989
- 15 -
"MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET ADMITTED TO OUR VERY COMPETITIVE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS CAN NOW FURTHER THEIR EDUCATION THROUGH ENROLMENT WITH THE OLI."
ALSO, BY USING A VARIETY OF INSTRUCTIONAL MEANS, THE OLI ALLOWED STUDENTS TO STUDY IN THE STYLE, IN THE PLACE AND AT THE PACE THAT BEST SUITED THEIR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS, DR IP SAID.
"I THINK THE ONE MOST IMPORTANT FEATURE OF THE ENTIRE CONCEPT OF OPEN LEARNING RELATES TO ITS OPENNESS. IT PROVIDES ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION FOR PEOPLE REGARDLESS OF THEIR PREVIOUS ACADEMIC ATTAINMENTS."
DR IP SAID HER GROUP HAD BEEN INFORMED THAT THE OLI WOULD ACCEPT THE TRANSFER OF CREDITS ACQUIRED FROM RECOGNISED INSTITUTIONS, WHETHER LOCAL OR OVERSEAS, FOR THE PURPOSE OF PARTIAL EXEMPTION FROM STUDIES LEADING TO AN ACADEMIC AWARD BY THE OLI.
IT HAS EXPECTED OTHER INSTITUTIONS TO SIMILARLY RECOGNISE ITS CREDITS.
DR IP SAID THE WHILE THE GROUP UNDERSTOOD THAT THE OLI COURSES WOULD NOT BE OPEN ONLY TO PEOPLE LIVING IN HONG KONG, IT HOPED THAT PRIORITY WOULD BE GIVEN TO LOCAL STUDENTS SEEKING ADMISSION.
"AS THE OLI BECOMES MORE DEVELOPED, OPPORTUNITIES CAN THEN BE EXTENDED TO STUDENTS OUTSIDE HONG KONG," SHE SAID.
DR IP ALSO SAID THAT GOVERNMENT WOULD INITIALLY MEET THE OLI’S SETTING UP COSTS AND SUBVENT ITS OPERATING EXPENSES, AND THERE WOULD BE PROVISION FOR THE SUBMISSION AND APPROVAL OF THE OLI’S ESTIMATES UNTIL 1993-94 WHEN THE OLI WAS EXPECTED'TO BE SELF-FINANCING.
ACCORDING TO DR IP, THE LEGCO GROUP WAS OF THE VIEW THAT THE OLI SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO FINANCIAL CONTROL EVEN AFTER IT HAD BECOME SELF-FINANCING, IN ORDER TO SAFEGUARD THE PUBLIC’S INTERESTS.
SHE SAID THE GROUP ACCEPTED THE ADMINISTRATION'S ADVICE THAT AN OVERALL REVIEW OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL AND FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND RELEVANT STATUTORY BODIES WAS BEING UNDERTAKEN, AND IF THE REVIEW FAVOURED THE INCORPORATION OF A ROLE FOR GOVERNMENT IN THE LEGISLATION OF THE RELEVANT STATUTORY BODIES, SUITABLE AMENDMENTS COULD BE INTRODUCED TO THE OLI ORDINANCE.
DR IP PAID TRIBUTE TO AD HOC GROUP MEMBERS FOR THEIR VALUABLE EFFORTS, IN PARTICULAR THE HON LEUNG WAI-TUNG WHO HAD MADE VERY SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SCRUTINY OF THE CHINESE TEXT OF THIS BILL.
SHE HOPED THAT THE MANY USEFUL AND CONSTRUCTIVE POINTS RAISED ON THE CHINESE TEXT WILL NOT BE LOST SIGHT OF AND THAT THEY WOULD PROVE TO BE OF USE FOR FUTURE CHINESE LEGISLATION.
/MEANWHILE, A........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1989
16
MEANWHILE. A TOTAL OF SIX AMENDMENT CLAUSES TO THE BILL WERE MOVED BY DR IP DURING THE BILL'S COMMITTEE STAGE.
MOVING THESE CLAUSES. DR IP SAID THAT THEY CONCERNED, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE DEFINITION OF OPEN LEARNING AND THE PROVISION FOR THE PRESIDENT TO APPOINT A MAXIMUM OF 14 MEMBERS, INCLUDING TWO WITH RELEVANT EXPERIENCE IN OTHER PROFESSIONS IN THE COMMUNITY.
MOREOVER, AN AMENDMENT WAS MADE TO THE EFFECT THAT THE CHAIRMAN, THE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN AND THE TREASURER OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL WOULD BE APPOINTED FROM AMONG THOSE MEMBERS WITH EXPERIENCE IN COMMERCE, INDUSTRY' OR IN OTHER PROFESSIONS.
THE POWER OF THE ACADEMIC BOARD TO SET STANDARDS AND CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION AND EXAMINATION HAD ALSO BECOME CLEAR UNDER ANOTHER AMENDMENT TO THE BILL.
THE LAST AMENDMENT PROVIDED FOR A RIGHT OF APPEAL TO THE OLI COUNCIL AGAINST ANY FINDING OF, OR PENALTY IMPOSED, AT A DISCIPLINARY ENQUIRY.
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OLI EXPANDS EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES « t * *
THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE (OLI) WILL CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY TO AN EXPANSION IN OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGHER EDUCATION WITHOUT CREATING A BURDEN ON PRECIOUS PUBLIC RESOURCES, THE HON CHENG HON-KWAN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE OF HONG KONG BILL 1989, MR CHENG, WHO WAS CHAIRMAN OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE FOR THE OLI, SAID THE INTRODUCTION OF THE BILL WOULD ESTABLISH THE NEW INSTITUTION AND OPEN A NEW CHAPTER ON EDUCATION IN THE TERRITORY.
THIS WAS BECAUSE THE OLI WOULD PROVIDE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WITH NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO STUDY AT THE TERTIARY LEVEL AT A TIME AND IN AN ENVIRONMENT THEY THEMSELVES COULD CONTROL. MOREOVER, THEIR PRIOR EDUCATION ATTAINMENT WOULD NOT BE MADE A CRITERION FOR ADMISSION.
"THE OLI IS THUS OPEN IN TERMS OF BOTH ACCESS TO ITS COURSES AND THE METHOD OF INSTRUCTION," MR CHENG SAID, ADDING THAT ITS COURSE DELIVERY METHODS WERE MORE COST-EFFECTIVE WHEN COMPARED TO CONVENTIONAL ONES.
HE SAID THE PLANNING COMMITTEE WOULD SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR NEXT MONTH ON ITS DELIBERATIONS ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF SETTING UP THE OLI AND THAT THE STAGE WHEN THE INSTITUTE ITSELF HAD TO CARRY ON WITH THE TASK OF DELIVERING OPEN LEARNING TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAD NOW BEEN REACHED.
/17........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1989
- 1? -
OPEN LEARNING IS AN INNOVATIVE CONCEPT
*****
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE (OLI) NOT ONLY PROVIDED NEW LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE LOCAL PEOPLE WHO WISHED TO RECEIVE HIGHER EDUCATION, BUT ALSO LAID A MORE SOLID FOUNDATION FOR OUR FUTURE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, THE HON ROSANNA TAM SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE OF HONG KONG BILL 1989 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS TAM SAID SHE SUPPORTED AND WELCOMED THE INTRODUCTION OF THE BILL BECAUSE THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO MANPOWER RESOURCES.
NOTHING COULD BETTER MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT THAN MANPOWER TRAINING, SHE SAID.
SHE ALSO APPRECIATED THE DILIGENT EFFORTS MADE BY THE PLANNING COMMITTEE HEADED BY THE HON CHENG HON-KWAN AS WELL AS THE LEADERSHIP OF DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP, CONVENER OF THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP, WHICH HAD CONTRIBUTED TO THE SUCCESSFUL SCRUTINY OF THE BILL.
"HOWEVER, THERE ARE STILL SOME AREAS IN THE BILL WHICH MERIT OUR CONCERN AND HAVE TO BE CAREFULLY DEALT WITH BY THE AUTHORITIES CONCERNED," SHE SAID.
"ACCORDING TO THE PRESENT PROPOSAL, THE GOVERNMENT WILL MEET THE INITIAL CAPITAL OUTLAY IN SETTING UP THE OLI, AND ITS OPERATING EXPENSES IN THE FIRST FOUR YEARS. THE AIM OF THE GOVERNMENT IS THAT THE OLI SHOULD BECOME SELF-FINANCING FOUR YEARS AFTER ITS INAUGURATION, WHILE THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT, BY WAY OF ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS, CAN EXAMINE THE ACCOUNTS OF THE OLI BEFORE IT BECOMES FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT.
"NEVERTHELESS, THE BILL HAS NOT SPELT OUT CLEARLY THE SCHEME OF FINANCIAL CONTROL ON THE OLI WHEN IT BECOMES SELF-FINANCING. NOR HAS IT MENTIONED HOW PUBLIC INTERESTS CAN BE PROPERLY PROTECTED.
"ONLY WITH A PROPER SYSTEM OF CONTROL CAN PUBLIC INTERESTS BE SAFEGUARDED," SHE STRESSED.
MRS TAM HOPED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD, UPON THE COMPLETION OF A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL AND FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND STATUTORY BODIES, CONSIDER IN THE LIGHT OF THE FINDINGS WHETHER IT WAS NECESSARY TO MAKE ANY CHANGES TO THE RELEVANT ORDINANCE SO THAT AMENDMENTS COULD BE INTRODUCED.
"THE PROVISION OF HIGHER EDUCATION THROUGH OPEN LEARNING IS AN INNOVATIVE CONCEPT IN HONG KONG. IT BRINGS ON A NEW ERA IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM," SHE SAID.
/Mrs TAM
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1989
- 18 -
MRS TAM THEREFORE FELT THAT THE NEW EDUCATIONAL CONCEPT SHOULD BE ADEQUATELY PROMOTED AND PUBLICISED SO THAT THOSE WHO WISHED TO PURSUE FURTHER STUDIES MIGHT REALLY BENEFIT FROM IT.
SHE SUGGESTED THAT IN SETTING UP THE OLI, THE INSTITUTION SHOULD AT THE SAME TIME CONSIDER ESTABLISHING SOME DISTRICT STUDY CENTRES TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH A SUITABLE STUDYING ENVIRONMENT.
GUIDANCE SERVICE SOULD ALSO BE GIVEN TO THOSE WHO HAD LEFT SCHOOL FOR A LONG TIME TO HELP THEM COPE WITH THE NEW CHANGES IN ENVIRONMENT, SHE NOTED.
”1 SINCERELY HOPE THAT THE OLI WILL ACHIEVE ITS EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVE IN PRODUCING MORE ABLE PERSONS FOR THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG,” SHE ADDED.
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EXPERIENCED PEOPLE TO SERVE ON OLI COUNCIL ♦ ♦ ♦ * *
RESPONSIBLE PEOPLE WITH A WIDE RANGE OF EXPERIENCE AND BACKGROUND WILL BE APPOINTED TO THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE (OLI), THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
WINDING UP DEBATE ON THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE OF HONG KONG BILL 1989, MR BRIDGE SAID ONE OF THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COUNCIL WOULD BE TO EXERCISE PROPER FINANCIAL CONTROL OVER THE OLI AFTER IT HAD BECOME SELF-FINANCING.
’’THE COUNCIL IS REQUIRED, UNDER CLAUSE 16, TO SUBMIT A YEARLY REPORT ON ITS ACTIVITIES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO THE GOVERNOR WHO SHALL TABLE THEM BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL," HE SAID.
"UNDER CLAUSE 5, THE OLI IS ALSO REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH DIRECTIONS OF THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL," HE ADDED.
IN ADDITION. MR BRIDGE SAID, AS LONG AS THE OLI WAS SUBVENTED BY PUBLIC FUNDS, THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT WOULD HAVE FULL ACCESS TO ITS BOOKS AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON ITS FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND STATUTORY BODIES SUCH AS THE OLI WAS BEING REVIEWED.
"WE SHALL CERTAINLY RECOMMEND ANY CHANGES IN THE LAW WHICH THIS REVIEW, OR OUR EXPERIENCE OF THE ACTUAL RUNNING OF THE OLI ITSELF, SHOW TO BE NECESSARY," MR BRIDGE SAID.
ON A POINT RAISED AS TO WHETHER THE OLI SHOULD CATER FOR STUDENTS OVERSEAS, MR BRIDGE SAID INITIALLY IT WOULD CONCENTRATE ON LOCAL NEEDS.
/’’BUT WE..........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1989
- 19 "
"BUT WE DO NOT RULE OUT ACCEPTING OVERSEAS STUDENTS IN DUE COURSE, ESPECIALLY IF THIS WILL, THROUGH ECONOMIES OF SCALE, ENABLE US TO REDUCE OUR COSTS AND SO REDUCE OUR FEES," HE SAID.
MR BRIDGE AGREED WITH COMMENTS THAT THE OLI WOULD OPEN UP WIDE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO MISSED OUT ON HIGHER EDUCATION.
HE ALSO THANKED THE LEGCO AD HOC COMMITTEE ON THE OLI BILL FOR ALL THE HARD WORK IT HAD PUT IN TO IMPROVE THE LEGISLATION.
------0--------
LEGCO MEMBERS PRAISE HANDLING OF BIG DEMONSTRATION » * » * ♦
THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE HON ALLEN LEE, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) EXPRESSED ON BEHALF OF COUNCIL MEMBERS THEIR GREAT APPRECIATION OF THE RESPONSIBLE WAY IN WHICH THE MAJOR DEMONSTRATION ON HONG KONG ISLAND LAST SUNDAY WAS HANDLED.
MAKING A STATEMENT BEFORE THE CLOSE OF TODAY’S LEGCO MEETING, MR LEE SAID THAT OVER HALF A MILLION CITIZENS OF HONG KONG HAD TAKEN TO THE STREETS IN A PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATION.
"THEY CONGREGATED, SANG, MARCHED AND MADE SPEECHES FOR OVER SIX HOURS," HE SAID.
"THEY CAME FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE. MANY WITH THEIR FAMILIES IN TOW, IN SUPPORT OF ONE MISSION.
"THAT MISSION WAS TO EXPRESS THEIR GRAVE CONCERN OVER THE RECENT DECISIONS ANNOUNCED BY THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES TO DEAL WITH THE STUDENT MOVEMENT IN BEIJING."
MR LEE SAID THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO JOINED THE DEMONSTRATION WAS UNPRECEDENTED. YET THE ENTIRE DEMONSTRATION TOOK PLACE WITHOUT A SINGLE INCIDENT OF DISORDER OR CROWD-RELATED INJURY.
"THIS WAS NOTHING SHORT OF MIRACULOUS, GIVEN THE PHYSICAL CONGESTION ON HONG KONG ISLAND, THE ENORMOUS SIZE OF THE CROWD. AND THE STRENGTH OF EMOTIONS ON THAT DAY," HE SAID.
MR LEE SAID CREDIT SHOULD IN THE FIRST PLACE BE GIVEN TO THE POLICE FORCE IN CONTROLLING THE PROCESSION.
"THEY SHOWED PROFESSIONALISM AND ABILITY OF THE HIGHEST ORDER. THEY WERE SUMMONED ALMOST WITHOUT NOTICE TO DEAL WITH AN EVENT THAT HONG KONG HAD NEVER BEFORE SEEN, AND THEY DID SO WITH GREAT CALMNESS AND EFFICIENCY."
/HE SAID
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1989
- 20
HE SAID CREDIT SHOULD ALSO BE GIVEN TO THE STAFF OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WHO ENSURED QUICK DISPERSAL OF THE PEOPLE AFTER THE EVENT, AND TO THE STAFF OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WHO CLEANED UP AFTERWARDS.
HE ALSO EXPRESSED SPECIAL THANKS TO THE STEWARDS AND STAFF OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB FOR MAKING THE CLUB’S GROUNDS AND FACILITIES AVAILABLE FOR THE EVENT.
’’BUT, ABOVE ALL, ON BEHALF OF MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL. I WANT TO EXPRESS HEARTFELT PRIDE AND APPRECIATION FOR THE SHEER ORDERLINESS AND SENSE OF CO-OPERATION SHOWN BY ALL CONCERNED,” HE SAID.
HE ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE NEWS MEDIA FOR THEIR HARD WORK IN COVERING THE EVENT.
-----0------- »
FOUR BILLS PASSED IN LEGCO * * « * »
FOUR BILLS WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THEY WERE THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION INCORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE INCORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION INCORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; AND THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE OF HONG KONG BILL 1989.
IN ADDITION, TWO BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. THEY WERE THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1989 AND THE SUMMARY OFFENCES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989. DEBATES ON THE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
BEFORE THE MEETING CONCLUDED, THE SENIOR MEMBER, THE HON ALLEN LEE, MADE A STATEMENT IN WHICH HE EXPRESSED MEMBERS’ GREAT APPRECIATION OF THE WAY IN WHICH THE AUTHORITIES HANDLED EVENTS OF LAST SUNDAY, WHEN LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE JOINED A PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATION ON HONG KONG ISLAND CONCERNING DEVELOPMENTS IN CHINA.
_ - - - 0 ---------
I
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1989
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SPEEDING UP SCREENING AND APPEAL PROCEDURES FOR VBP
* « * t «
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO REVISE ITS PROCEDURES TO SPEED UP THE SCREENING OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE (VBP) AND THE PROCESSING OF APPEALS FROM THOSE WHO ARE SCREENED OUT AS NON REFUGEES.
THIS WAS APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF A GOVERNMENT REVIEW OF THE PRESENT SCREENING AND APPEAL ARRANGEMENTS.
APART FROM STREAMLINING THE SCREENING PROCEDURES TO MINIMISE THE TIME REQUIRED FOR STATUS DETERMINATION, IT IS PROPOSED TO SET UP REFUGEE STATUS REVIEW BOARDS TO DEAL SPECIFICALLY WITH APPEAL CASES.
TO THIS END, THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO INTRODUCE SHORTLY AN AMENDMENT BILL INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PROPOSED REVIEW BOARDS.
REFUGEE CO-ORDINATOR, MR MIKE HANSON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE EXISTING SCREENING AND APPEAL PROCEDURES WERE TOO SLOW TO COPE WITH THE GROWING POPULATION OF VBP WITHIN A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME.
"UNLESS AND UNTIL WE CAN COMPLETE SCREENING AND APPEALS QUICKLY, REPATRIATION, WHETHER VOLUNTARY OR MANDATORY, OF THOSE FOUND NOT TO BE REFUGEES WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE," HE SAID.
"WITH THE REVISED PROCEDURES, WE ARE AIMING TO COMPLETE SCREENING FOR THE CURRENT POPULATION OF VBP AND DEAL WITH THE RESULTING APPEALS WITHIN A PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS, AND TO COMPLETE THE PROCEDURES FOR NEWLY ARRIVED VBP WITHIN THREE MONTHS OF ARRIVAL.
"TO ACHIEVE THIS OBJECTIVE, WE ESTIMATE THAT THE SCREENING AND APPEAL MECHANISMS MUST BE ABLE TO COPE WITH 400 PERSONS PER WEEK."
MR HANSON SAID THAT OF THE 20,000-ODD VBP WHO HAD ARRIVED IN HONG KONG SINCE THE SCREENING POLICY WAS IMPLEMENTED LAST JUNE, 1,573 HAD BEEN SCREENED.
"OF THOSE SCREENED, 163 OR 10.4 PER CENT HAVE BEEN GRANTED REFUGEE STATUS; THE REST HAVE BEEN SCREENED OUT AS NON-REFUGEES," HE SAID.
"SO FAR, ALL THOSE REFUSED REFUGEE STATUS HAVE NOTIFIED THE GOVERNMENT OF THEIR INTENTION TO APPEAL AGAINST THE DECISION."
UNDER STREAMLINED SCREENING PROCEDURES, VBP WILL BE INTERVIEWED BY IMMIGRATION ASSISTANTS ON THE PART OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE DEALING WITH PERSONAL DETAILS INCLUDING FAMILY COMPOSITION, EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND.
/ON THE .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1989
- 22 -
ON THE PART OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE DEALING SPECIFICALLY WITH THE CLAIMS FOR REFUGEE STATUS, VBP WILL BE INTERVIEWED BY HIGHER-RANKING IMMIGRATION OFFICERS.
IN MOST CASES, THE IMMIGRATION OFFICERS WHO CONDUCT THE INTERVIEWS WILL MAKE RECOMMENDATION WHICH WILL BE ENDORSED OR REV1 WED BY THE SUPERVISING SENIOR EMIGRATION OFFICER.
A VBP IS INFORMED OF THE RESULTS BY A NOTICE OF DETERMINATION WHICH MAY BE GIVEN TO HIM IN PERSON OR BY DISPLAYING IT IN A PROMINENT PLACE IN THE CENTRE IN WHICH HE IS DETAINED.
AS TO THE PROPOSED REVIEW BOARDS, THEY WILL CONSIDER APPEAL CASES FROM THOSE VBP WHO HAVE BEEN REFUSED REFUGEE STATUS. AT PRESENT THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL DEALS WITH OBJECTIONS TO SUCH A DECISION.
THE PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE OF THE BOARDS WILL BE THE SUBJECT OF A FURTHER SUBMISSION TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WHEN REGULATIONS ARE SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL.
IT IS ENVISAGED THAT THE BOARDS WILL CONSIDER APPEAL CASES IN PRIVATE AND WILL CONFIRM OR REVERSE THE FIRST-INSTANCE DECISION AS IT THINKS FIT WITHOUT A REQUIREMENT TO ASSIGN REASONS FOR ITS DECISION WHICH WILL BE FINAL.
LEGAL REPRESENTATION WILL NOT BE ALLOWED AT THE HEARING BY A BOARD BUT THE APPLICANT WILL BE ASSISTED IN PREPARING HIS CASE BY HIS LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE.
IT IS PROPOSED THAT EACH REVIEW BOARD WILL COMPRISE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARDS, OR A DEPUTY CHAIRMAN, AND ONE MEMBER, ALL OF WHOM WILL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
MR HANSON SAID THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE SCREENING AND APPEAL PROCEDURES HAD BEEN DISCUSSED WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR), INCLUDING LEGAL OFFICERS FROM UNHCR GENEVA.
’’THERE HAS BEEN A BROAD MEASURE OF AGREEMENT WITH UNHCR BOTH ON THE OBJECTIVE TO SPEED UP THE SCREENING AND APPEAL PROCESS, AS WELL AS THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE EXISTING PROCEDURES INCLUDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF REVIEW BOARDS TO CONSIDER APPEALS; THERE ARE A FEW ISSUES WHICH WILL REQUIRE FURTHER CONSULTATION,” HE SAID.
“UNHCR HAS ALSO CONFIRMED ITS COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO APPELLANTS IN THE PREPARATION OF THEIR APPEALS THROUGH THE AGENCY FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICE.”
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/23........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1989
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CUSTOMS FACES CHALLENGES IN THE 1990’S » » « »
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT WILL HAVE TO UNDERGO CHANGES IN MEETING THE NEW CONDITIONS AND CHALLENGES THAT IT WILL FACE IN THE 1990’S, THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR K.S. TONG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE CHANGES WOULD BE NECESSARY IF THE DEPARTMENT WERE TO COPE WITH AN INCREASE IN WORKLOAD, AS WELL AS WITH THE ACTIVITIES OF WELL-ORGANISED CRIME RINGS, MR TONG SAID IN A LUNCH ADDRESS TO THE LIONS CLUB OF VICTORIA.
"IN ORDER TO AVOID THIS POSSIBLE PREDICAMENT, AND TO TAKE FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS IN CUSTOMS RESPONSIBILITIES INTO FULL ACCOUNT, THE DEPARTMENT HAS TO INITIATE NECESSARY REFORMS NOW,” HE SAID.
MR TONG SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD FIRST LOOK INTO THE MATTER OF FULL UTILISATION OF ALL AVAILABLE RESOURCES AND FUTURE ALLOCATIONS TO MEET ITS NEEDS IN THE 1990'S.
REGARDING OTHER ASPECTS, HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD PROPOSE AMENDMENTS TO THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE, SEEKING TO WAIVE LICENSING CONTROLS ON RETAIL SALES OF DUTY-PAID GOODS.
THESE AMENDMENTS WOULD ALSO SEEK TO WAIVE LICENSING AND PERMIT CONTROLS ON THE IMPORT, EXPORT AND RE-EXPORT OF GOODS CONTAINING ALCOHOL, METHYL ALCOHOL OR HYDROCARBON OIL AS AN INGREDIENT BUT ON WHICH NO DUTY WAS PAYABLE.
"IN DOING SO, WE WOULD ADHERE TO THE PRINCIPLE OF PROMOTING TRADE MOVEMENTS ON THE ONE HAND AND EXERCISING NECESSARY CONTROLS ON THE OTHER," HE SAID.
MR TONG SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD ALSO CARRY OUT A COMPREHENSIVE UPDATING OF ITS DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM SO AS TO KEEP PACE WITH ADVANCES MADE IN ELECTRONIC DATA COMMUNICATION NETWORKS, AND THUS ENHANCE EFFICIENCY.
MANAGEMENT POLICIES RELATING TO DAILY LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTION WOULD BE REVIEWED AND THE DEPARTMENT WOULD SEEK TO ESTABLISH A COMPREHENSIVE CUSTOMS INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM.
"THE OBJECTIVE IS TO ENSURE MORE EFFECTIVE ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES TO COPE WITH THE EVER INCREASING WORKLOAD," HE SAID.
MR TONG POINTED OUT THAT THE CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT HAD TO COPE WITH GROWING NUMBERS OF PASSENGERS, VEHICLES, VESSELS AND AIRCRAFT, AS WELL AS LARGER QUANTITIES OF GOODS, BUT ITS GROWTH IN RESOURCES WAS LIMITED.
THE DEPARTMENT WOULD HAVE TO CHANGE FROM THE LABOUR-INTENSIVE AND RISK-MINIMISING APPROACH IN ROUTINE CARGO EXAMINATION, RUMMAGING AND PASSENGER EXAMINATION, HE SAID.
/"IF HIGH
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1989
- 24 -
”IF HIGH EFFICIENCY IN ANTI-NARCOTICS AND ANTI-SMUGGLING OPERATAIONS IS TO BE MAINTAINED, WE WILL HAVE TO ADOPT A NEW LAW ENFORCEMENT CONCEPT AND POLICY AND TURN TO A RISK MANAGEMENT METHOD, HE ADDED.
MR TONG EXPLAINED THAT RISK MANAGEMENT INVOLVED A FLEXIBLE ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES IN ORDER TO SELECT SUSPICIOUS TAR^^ot?R CARGO FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION BASED ON INFORMATION ANALYSIS, INTELLIGENCE COLLECTION AND RISK ASSESSMENT.
IN CONCLUSION, MR TONG SAID THAT IN VIEW OF INCREASINGLY DIVERSIFIED RESPONSIBILITIES, SUCH AS CONTROLLING THE SALE OF UNSAFE TOYS AND PRODUCTS AND RESTRICTING THE IMPORT AND EXPORT OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES HAZARDOUS TO THE EARTH’S OZONE LAYER, THE DEPARTMENT WOULD BE PROGRESSIVE, POSITIVE AND INNOVATIVE IN ITS FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS.
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BUILDING INDUSTRY URGED TO TAKE STEPS TO ATTRACT WORKERS
THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY SHOULD WORK TOGETHER TO REDUCE THE UNATTRACTIVENESS OF THE PROFESSION IN ORDER TO ATTRACT MORE WORKERS, PARTICULARLY YOUNG WORKERS, TO JOIN THE INDUSTRY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, SIR DAVID AKERS-JONES, SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 6TH INTERNATIONAL BUILDING EXHIBITION, SIR DAVID SAID MUCH BUILDING WORK IS DIRTY, PHYSICALLY DEMANDING AND DANGEROUS.
IF YOUNG MEN ARE TO BE ATTRACTED INTO THE INDUSTRY AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO WORK WHICH IS CLEAN. PHYSICALLY EASY AND SAFE, HE SAID STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO IMPROVE THE WORKING CONDITIONS IN BUILDING SITES AND THERE SHOULD BE A GREATER CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF WORKERS, MANY OF WHOM ARE YOUNG AND INEXPERIENCED.
SIR DAVID ALSO CALLED ON THE INDUSTRY TO WORK OUT A RETIREMENT BENEFIT SCHEME FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKERS AS A FURTHER MEASURE TO ATTRACT WORKERS.
"THIS WILL BE DIFFICULT, IT WILL NEED COOPERATION, BUT I BELIEVE IT CAN BE DONE," HE NOTED.
TURNING TO PUBLIC HOUSING, SIR DAVID SAID THAT HOUSING REMAINS ONE OF HONG KONG’S MAIN SOCIAL PROBLEMS.
HE SAID TN 1960, THERE WERE ONLY 287 000 PEOPLE LIVING ifc PUBLIC HOUSING. THE FIGURE CONTINUED TO GROW. TO 1.5 MILLION IN 1970 AND 2.5 MILLION IN 1980.
L
NOW, THERE ARE 2.7 MILLION PEOPLE LIVING IN PUBLIC HOUSING AND FLATS FOR OVER 200 000 PEOPLE ARE BUILT EVERY YEAR, SIR DAVID SAID. NOTING THAT ANOTHER MILLION FLATS HAVE TO BE BUILT BY THE YEAR 2001.
N D G
/’’EVERY EFFORT..........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1989
- 25 -
"EVERY EFFORT MUST BE MADE TO EMPLOY LABOUR AND TIME-SAVING TECHNIQUES AND TO STANDARDISE PRODUCTION SO THAT WE CAN ACHIEVE MAXIMUM RESULTS WITH A DIMINISHING WORK FORCE." HE NOTED.
HE ADDED THAT HARMONY BLOCKS, WHICH EMPLOY A CONCEPT OF MODULAR AND DIMENSIONAL COORDINATION, HAVE BEEN DESIGNED B\ I HE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO ENABLE MORE OF THE BUILDING COMPONENTS TO BE FABRICATED OFF-SITE.
"WE ARE NOW WORKING WITH INDUSTRIALISTS IN REFINING THE DESIGN OF THESE COMPONENTS WITH A VIEW TO PROMOTING FACTORY PRODUCTION, SIR DAVID SAID.
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ECONOMIC SITUATION AND UPDATED FORECASTS OF GDP AND PRICES
* t « * »
THE HONG KONG ECONOMY WAS GENERALLY BUOYANT DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989, BUT THERE WAS SOME SLOWING DOWN IN THE GROWTH RATES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND, TO A LESSER EXTENT, RE-EXPORTS.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE REMAINED AT AN HISTORIC LOW LEVEL, WHILE THE RATE OF INFLATION INCREASED FURTHER.
IN ISSUING THE FIRST QUARTER ECONOMIC REPORT 1989 TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE GOVERNMENT ECONOMIST, DR ALAN MCLEAN, SAID THAT USING THE INFORMATION IN THE REPORT AND OTHER RECENT DATA A REVIEW HAD BEEN MADE OF THE FORECASTS OF THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) AND OF PRICE TRENDS FOR 1989.
THE REVIEW CONCLUDED THAT ALTHOUGH ADJUSTMENTS WERE REQUIRED IN SOME OF THE COMPONENTS. THE FORECASTS OF THE RATES OF INCREASE OF THE GDP (AT 6 PER CENT), THE GDP DEFLATOR (AT 9 PER CENT) AND THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) (AT 8.5 PER CENT) MADE AT THE TIME OF THE BUDGET COULD REMAIN UNCHANGED.
HE ADDED THAT THIS REVIEW WAS THE FIRST IN A NEW PROGRAMME UNDER WHICH THE SHORT-TERM GDP FORECAST WOULD BE UPDATED AT QUARTERLY INTERVALS.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD REFERRED TO THIS NEW APPROACH IN HIS CONCLUDING SPEECH ON THE BUDGET DEBATE. THE RELEASE OF THE RESULTS OF EACH REVIEW WOULD COINCIDE WITH THE PUBLICATION OF THE QUARTERLY ECONOMIC REPORTS.
IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989, DOMESTIC EXPORTS GREW BY ABOUT 6 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS OVER THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR. THIS WAS CONSIDERABLY SLOWER THAN THE CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES OF 11 PER CENT IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER, AND OF 9 PER CENT FOR 1988 AS A WHOLE.
/DOMESTIC EXPORTS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1989
- 26 -
il
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE VARIOUS MAJOR MARKETS SHOWED A MIXED PERFORMANCE, WITH EXPORTS TO JAPAN AND CHINA RECORDING THE FASTEST INCREASES IN REAL TERMS IN THE FIRST QUARTER, BY ABOUT 37 PER CENT AND 33 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER A YEAR EARLIER.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM GREW BY ABOUT 10 PER CENT, WHILE THOSE TO THE UNITED STATES AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY FELL BY ABOUT 3 PER CENT AND 6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
AS A RESULT, THE RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF THE UNITED STATES AS A MARKET FOR HONG KONG'S DOMESTIC EXPORTS FELL TO 29 PER CENT IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989, FROM A HIGH OF 47 PER CENT IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1985.
RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY ABOUT 34 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989 OVER THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR.
IN THE FIRST QUARTER, 61 PER CENT BY VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS WERE RE-EXPORTS, COMPARED WITH 54 PER CENT A YEAR EARLIER. THIS RAPID SHIFT WAS ATTRIBUTABLE PARTLY TO THE FLOURISHING ENTREPOT TRADE WITH CHINA AND WITH THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION GENERALLY. AND PARTLY TO INCREASED OUTWARD PROCESSING ACTIVITIES.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, IMPORTS GREW BY ABOUT 26 PER CENT, AND Retained imports by about 19 per cent in real terms.
I
A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF *6,982 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 5 PER CENT OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989.
THIS COMPARES WITH A DEFICIT OF $1,829 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 2 PER CENT OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR.
WITHIN THE LOCAL ECONOMY, CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE REMAINED STRONG, SUPPORTED BY INCREASES IN REAL INCOMES OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
AS AN INDICATION, RETAINED IMPORTS OF FOODSTUFFS AND OF CONSUMER GOODS GREW BY ABOUT 17 PER CENT AND 7 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN REAL TERMS IN THE FIRST QUARTER COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER.
REFLECTING THE CONTINUED HIGH LEVEL OF INVESTMENT IN PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, RETAINED IMPORTS OF CAPITAL GOODS GREW BY ABOUT 17 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
ON INFLATION, THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) RECORDED A YEAR-ON-YEAR RATE OF INCREASE OF 9.8 PER CENT IN THE FIRST QUARTER, COMPARED WITH 7.9 PER CENT IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF LAST YEAR.
THE CORRESPONDING RATES OF INCREASE FOR THE CPl(B) AND THE HANG SENG CPI IN THE FIRST QUARTER WERE 9.4 PER CENT AND 10.7 PER CENT.
INCREASES IN THE RETAIL PRICES OF FOODSTUFFS AND IN CHARGES FOR SERVICES ACCOUNTED FOR A MAJOR PART OF THE OVERALL INCREASE IN CONSUMER PRICES.
/GIVEN THE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1989
- 27 -
GIVEN THE STRONG DEMAND FOR LABOUR, THE RATE OF UNEMPLOYMENT WAS EXCEPTIONALLY LOW. THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AND THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WERE 1.3 PER CENT AND 0.8 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN THE FIRST QUARTER, WHILE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF LAST YEAR THEY WERE 1.3 PER CENT AND 0.7 PER CENT.
VACANCIES WERE WIDESPREAD, AND LABOUR INCOMES REGISTERED FURTHER INCREASES BOTH IN MONEY AND IN REAL TERMS. OVER THE COURSE OF 1988, LABOUR RESOURCES CONTINUED TO MOVE FROM THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR TO THE SERVICE SECTORS.
AS REGARDS THE PROPERTY MARKET, THE DEMAND FOR MOST TYPES OF PROPERTY REMAINED STRONG AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR.
HOWEVER, PARTLY AS A RESULT OF THE INCREASES IN INTEREST RATES, SOME MODERATION SEEMS TO HAVE OCCURRED MORE RECENTLY. PROSPECTIVE BUYERS OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY APPEAR TO HAVE BECOME MORE CAUTIOUS AND SELECTIVE IN RESPONSE TO MUCH INCREASED FLAT PRICES AND HIGHER MORTGAGE RATES.
THE DEMAND FOR SHOPPING AND OFFICE SPACE CONTINUED TO BE STRONG, WHILE THE DEMAND FOR FACTORY SPACE IN REMOTE LOCATIONS TENDED TO STABILISE. MEANWHILE, THE DEMAND FOR STORAGE PREMISES WAS INCREASING.
IN THE FINANCIAL SECTOR, THE FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS DURING THE FIRST QUARTER ARE NOTEWORTHY.
FIRST, THE MARKET EXCHANGE RATE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR REMAINED STABLE AGAINST THE US DOLLAR, WHILE THE OVERALL EXCHANGE VALUE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR SHOWED A MODERATE APPRECIATION, IN LINE WITH THE FIRMING UP OF THE US DOLLAR.
SECONDLY, CONTINUING THE TREND WHICH BEGAN IN 1988, LOCAL INTEREST RATES ROSE FURTHER. DESPITE THIS, DOMESTIC LOANS AND ADVANCES CONTINUED TO INCREASE RAPIDLY.
THIRDLY, TRADING IN LOCAL STOCKS AND IN HANG SENG INDEX FUTURES PICKED UP. HOWEVER, THE MARKET FOR DEBT INSTRUMENTS REMAINED RELATIVELY QUIET.
THE GOVERNMENT ECONOMIST INDICATED THAT IT WAS IN THE LIGHT OF THESE DEVELOPMENTS, THAT IT WAS DECIDED THAT THE FORECAST GROWTH RATES OF THE MAIN DOMESTIC DEMAND COMPONENTS SHOULD REMAIN SUBSTANTIALLY UNCHANGED FROM THOSE RELEASED AT THE TIME OF THE BUDGET SPEECH.
HOWEVER, IT WAS CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE TO LOWER THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS FROM 7 PER CENT TO 6 PER CENT, AND THAT OF RE-EXPORTS FROM 22 PER CENT TO 18 PER CENT, BOTH IN REAL TERMS.
CORRESPONDINGLY, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATES OF IMPORTS AND RETAINED IMPORTS WERE ADJUSTED DOWNWARDS FROM 15.5 PER CENT TO 13 PER CENT, AND FROM 9.5 PER CENT TO 8.5 PER CENT.
/TAKEN TOGETHER, .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1989
- 28 -
TAKEN TOGETHER, THESE CHANGES HAVE NOT ALTERED THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE OF GDP FOR 1989, AT 6 PER CENT (SEE DETAILS IN THE ATTACHED TABLE).
THE PERFORMANCE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER HAD NOT BEEN AS GOOD AS INITIALLY EXPECTED.
ALTHOUGH THE LATEST ORDERS POSITION AND THE RECENT INCREASES IN RETAINED IMPORTS OF FAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFAC'l URES SUGGEST 1H.,I THE PERFORMANCE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS COULD BE BETTER IN THE SECOND QUARTER, THE SLOW-DOWN IN ECONOMIC GROWTH IN HONG KONG’S MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS, PARTICULARLY THE UNITED STATES AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, SEEMS LIKELY TO RESTRAIN THEIR DEMAND FOR HONG KONG’S PRODUCTS IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR.
MOREOVER, THE STRENGTHENING OF THE US DOLLAR SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR COULD BE EXPECTED TO AFFECT ADVERSELY THE PRICE COMPETITIVENESS OF HONG KONG’S PRODUCTS IN SOME MARKETS.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA ARE LIKELY TO BE RESTRAINED BY CHINA’S AUSTERITY MEASURES AS WELL AS BY A POSSIBLE SLOW-DOWN IN THE EXPANSION OF OUTWARD PROCESSING ACTIVITIES, IN LINE WITH THE SLOWER GROWTH IN OVERSEAS DEMAND FOR HONG KONG’S PRODUCTS. FOR THE SAME REASONS HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA ARE EXPECTED TO GROW MORE SLOWLY.
DOMESTIC DEMAND IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN ROBUST FOR MOST OF THE YEAR BUT WOULD EVENTUALLY BE RESTRAINED BY THE SLOWER GROWTH IN EXPORTS.
A NUMBER OF FACTORS ARE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE SUPPORT IN THE SHORT TERM, INCLUDING THE INCREASE IN CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE BROUGHT ABOUT BY HIGHER INCOMES, CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT IN RESPONSE TO THE TIGHT LABOUR MARKET CONDITIONS, INTENSIVE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY, AND THE FAST EXPANDING SERVICE SECTORS.
THUS, DOMESTIC DEMAND IS EXPECTED TO PROVIDE A RELATIVELY GREATER IMPETUS TO OVERALL ECONOMIC GROWTH IN 1989 THAN WAS ENVISAGED IN THE EARLIER FORECAST.
INFLATIONARY PRESSURES ARE EXPECTED TO BE SUSTAINED FOR A WHILE BEFORE EASING, PROBABLY TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR AS A RESULT OF A CONTINUED MODERATION IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY. CURRENTLY, EXCESS DEMAND IN THE ECONOMY IS THE MAIN SOURCE OF SUCH INFLATIONARY PRESSURES.
IN ADDITION, GENERALLY HIGHER INFLATION IN THE WORLD ECONOMY, NOT LEAST HIGHER PRICES OF BASIC COMMODITIES, INCLUDING THOSE OF OIL PRODUCTS, ARE ALSO CONTRIBUTING.
HOWEVER, THE FIRMING UP IN THE EXCHANGE VALUE OF THE US DOLLAR, AND HENCE THAT OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR, SHOULD BE HAVING SOME STABILISING EFFECT.
/THE LATEST .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 2U, 1989
- 29 -
THE LATEST PRICE INDICATORS DO NOT SUGGEST THAT THERE IS A NEED TO CHANGE THE FORECAST RATES OF INCREASE IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A), AT 8.5 PER CENT, AND THE GDP DEFLATOR, AT 9 PER CENT.
ON THE GDP DEFLATOR, MARGINAL REDUCTIONS IN THE FORECAST RATES OF INCREASE IN THE DEFLATORS FOR BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION EXPENDITURE AND FOR PLANT AND EQUIPMENT EXPENDITURE SEEM LIKELY TO BE OFFSET BY MARGINAL RISES IN THE FORECAST RATES OF INCREASE IN THE DEFLATORS FOR EXPORTS AND FOR GOVERNMENT CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE.
THE FIRST QUARTER ECONOMIC REPORT 1989 WILL BE ON SALE ON 25 MAY 1989 AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE IN CONNAUGHT PLACE. CENTRAL, AT $19 A COPY.
FORECAST FOR 1989 RELEASED WITH THE BUDGET UPDATED FORECAST
(%) (%)
GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF :
PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE 7 7
GOVERNMENT CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE 4.6 4.6
GROSS DOMESTIC FIXED CAPITAL FORMATION 6 6
TRANSFER COSTS OF LAND AND BUILDINGS 5 5
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION 3 3.3
PRIVATE 2 3
PUBLIC 5 4
REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS’ MARGIN 6 6
PLANT, MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT 8 8
PRIVATE 8 8
PUBLIC 11 11
TOTAL EXPORTS OF GOODS 15.2 12.6
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 7 6
RE-EXPORTS 22 18
IMPORTS OF GOODS 15.5 13
EXPORTS LESS IMPORTS OF SERVICES 14 14
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) 6 6
PER CAPITA GDP 4.8 4.8
GROWTH RATE IN MONEY TERMS OF :
GDP 15.6 15.6
PER CAPITA GDP 14.3 14.3
RATE OF INCREASE IN :
GDP DEFLATOR 9 9
DOMESTIC DEMAND DEFLATOR 9 9
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) 8.5 8.5
_ _ - - 0 --------
/JO........
WEDNESDAY. MAY 24, 1989
- 30 -
NO CHANGE ADVISED IN PRIMARY SCHOOL ENTRY AGE *****
THE EDUCATION COMMISSION HAS CONSIDERED THE QUESTION OF THE AGE OF ENTRY TO PRIMARY SCHOOL AND HAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE LOWEST AGE OF ENTRY SHOULD REMAIN AT FIVE YEARS AND EIGHT MONTHS.
IN MAKING THIS RECOMMENDATION THE COMMISSION TOOK INTO ACCOUNT EDUCATIONAL, SOCIAL, AND FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS, AS WELL AS VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
’’THE COMMISSION CONSIDERED THAT, WHILE AN EARLIER START TO PRIMARY SCHOOLING HAD CERTAIN SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ADVANTAGES IN THAT CHILDREN WOULD COMPLETE THEIR EDUCATION SOONER AND THEIR PARENTS WOULD SAVE MONEY, THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT IT WOULD BE EDUCATIONALLY BETTER." THE ACTING SECRETARY TO THE COMMISSION, MR JOHN DEAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"NOR WERE THE ADVANTAGES SUFFICIENT TO JUSTIFY THE DISRUPTION AND EXPENSE WHICH CHANGING THE SYSTEM WOULD ENTAIL," HE SAID.
THE COMMISSION WILL INCLUDE THIS RECOMMENDATION IN ITS REPORT NO. 4 WHICH IT HOPES TO PUBLISH LATER THIS YEAR.
-----0------
CONSULTATION ON DMC PROPOSALS ENDS ON MAY 31
« « » » »
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT THE CONSULTATION PERIOD ON PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE EXISTING DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT (DMC*8) WILL END NEXT WEDNESDAY (MAY 31).
"IT IS HOPED THAT THOSE WITH VIEWS ON THE PROPOSALS WOULD SEND THEIR OPINIONS IN WRITING TO US BEFORE THAT DAY.
"REPRESENTATIONS CAN BE TO MADE ANY DISTRICT OFFICE OR TO THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION IN WORLD SHIPPING CENTRE AT 7 CANTON ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE CNTA IS SEEKING THE VIEWS OF THE PUBLIC AND INTERESTED BODIES ON THE PROPOSALS WHICH WERE RECOMMENDED BY AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP TO RECTIFY DEFICIENCIES IN DMC1S.
"MOST DISTRICT BOARDS HAVE DISCUSSED THE PROPOSALS, AND
GENERALLY SUPPORT THE SPIRIT OF THE CHANGES," THE SPOKESMAN NOTED,
COPIES OF THE CONSULTATION PAPER ON THE PROPOSALS ARE
AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES.
-------0 - -
/J1 .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1989
- 51 -
YUEN LONG DB COMMITTEE TO MEET ♦ * »
'THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S INDUSTRY, COMMERCE AND AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD ITS FIRST MEETING FOR 1989-90 TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS A GOVERNMENT CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON PROPOSALS TO AMEND LEGISLATION COVERING LOCAL CRAFT.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO BE CONSULTED ON GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS TO REVISE PROCEDURES IN PROCESSING EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE PAYMENT UNDER THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME.
A MEMBER WILL ASK WHAT MEASURES THE GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE TO TACKLE THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION PROBLEM CAUSED BY THE DUMPING OF SCRAP-IRON AND ABANDONED VEHICLES ON AGRICULTURAL LAND.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD’S INDUSTRY, COMMERCE AND AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) 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-------
TRAINING COURSE FOR PRIVATE ELDERLY HOME WORKERS
t » t » »
THIRTY-ONE PEOPLE WORKING IN PRIVATE ELDERLY HOME HAVE COMPLETED THE TRAINING COURSE FOR "HEALTH WORKERS FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE".
THE THREE-MONTH COURSE WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG NURSES ASSOCIATION AND HONG KONG COLLEGE OF NURSING.
THE COURSE ENABLED PARTICIPANTS TO LEARN SKILLS IN LOOKING AFTER THE ELDERLY, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL CHANGES IN THE ELDERLY, INTER-PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP AND BASIC PRINCIPLES IN THE RUNNING OF A HOME FOR THE ELDERLY.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE (FAMILY WELFARE). MR ALFRED CHUI, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) COMMENDED THE HONG KONG NURSES ASSOCIATION AND HONG KONG COLLEGE OF NURSING FOR ORGANISING THE COURSE, SAYING THAT IT WAS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE ELDERLY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG.
AN EVLUATION EXERCISE OVER THE COURSE WOULD BE CONDUCTED AND THE FINDINGS WOULD BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN SIMILAR COURSES WERE ORGANISED IN THE FUTURE.
-------0---------
/52........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1989
- 32 -
LABOUR CHIEF VISITS METAL FACTORY
♦ » » ♦
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND, VISITED THE MODERN METAL AND REFINING LTD. IN THE YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTAI. TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE VISIT WAS PART OF AN ON-GOING PROGRAMME AIMED AT KEEPING THE COMMISSIONER ABREAST OF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE LABOUR FIELD.
FOLLOWING A GENERAL DISCUSSION WITH THE FACTORY'S MANAGING DIRECTOR, MR C.T. FUNG, ADMINISTRATION MANAGER, MISS JULIA YU, AND THE FACTORY MANAGER, MR EDMOND LAM, MR HAMMOND WAS TAKEN ON A TOUR OF VARIOUS SECTIONS WHICH PRODUCE SECONDARY ALUMINIUM ALLOY INGOTS AND ALUMINIUM DIE-CAST PARTS FOR EXPORT TO EUROPE, JAPAN AND THE UNITED STATES.
HE CONCLUDED HIS VISIT BY DISCUSSING WITH THE MANAGEMENT A WIDE RANGE OF LABOUR MATTERS INCLUDING STAFF SHORTAGE, WORKERS BENEFITS, LABOUR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS, AND LABOUR LEGISLATION.
------0-------
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS IN CENTRAL AND POKFULAM
♦ ♦ » * ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MAY 26), THE SECTION OF RUMSEY STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL TO A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES TO THE NORTH WILL BE DESIGNATED A 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY.
THIS MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS TO FACILITATE ROADWORKS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF POKFULAM ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS ROUND-THE-CLOCK FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF CENTRAL DIVIDER:
» THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY FROM A POINT ABOUT 140 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH POKFULAM INTERCHANGE TO A POINT ABOUT 295 METRES TO THE SOUTH; AND
♦ THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY FROM A POINT ABOUT 150 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH POKFULAM INTERCHANGE TO A POINT ABOUT 280 METRES TO THE SOUTH.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
IN ADDITION, THE EXISTING TRAM-ONLY LANE ON THE WESTBOUND TRAM TRACK OF DES VOEUX ROAD WEST FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH HILL ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 35 METRES TO THE WEST WILL BE LIFTED FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS.
0 - -
/33
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1989
- 33 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN SHA TIN AND TO KWA WAN *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TO FACILITATE THE REPAIRING OF THE DAMAGED SAFETY FENCE ON THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD NEAR WORLDWIDE GARDENS IN SHA TIN. THE SLOW LANE OF THE SAID CARRIAGEWAY ABOUT 200 METRES IN LENGTH WILL BE CLOSED FROM 10 PM ON FRIDAY (MAY 26) TO 6 AM ON THE FOLLOWING DAY.
ON THE OTHER HAND, IN ORDER TO FACILITATE DRAINAGE WORK, THE RIGHT-TURN FROM YUK YAT STREET NORTHBOUND INTO KWE1 CHOW STREET EASTBOUND IN TO KWA WAN WILL BE BANNED FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY FOR TWO MONTHS.
DURING THE PERIOD, VEHICLES ON YUK YAT STREET NORTHBOUND HEADING FOR KWEI CHOW STREET EASTBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL VIA KWEI CHOW STREET WESTBOUND, MEI KING STREET, SAN MA TAU STREET AND LONG YUET STREET.
- 0 -
INSTALLATION OF PARKING METERS IN DUNBAR ROAD
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS GOING TO INSTALL PARKING METRES IN DUNBAR ROAD, MA TAU WAI TO RATION THE UTILIZATION OF THE PARKING SPACES.
THE PARKING METERS WILL COMMENCE OPERATION FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (MAY 26).
THE TWO-HOUR METERED PARKING SPACES FOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN MEDIUM AND HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES, BUSES, MOTOR CYCLES AND PEDAL CYCLES WILL CHARGE AT #2 FOR EACH 30 MINUTES, AND WILL OPERATE FROM 8 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
- 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 5-8428777
THURSDAY, HAY 25, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
EXPORTERS WARNED AGAINST U.S. PROTECTIONISM............. 1
HK WELL PLACED TO BENEFIT IN TRADE ..................... 2
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR APRIL 1989 ............... **
GOVERNOR VISITS VOLUNTEERS AT THE BORDER ............... 7
LADY WILSON VISITS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF ................. 8
BOE MEMEBERS VISIT SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOL ............ 9
WIDE APPLICATION OF COMMUNITY WORK EXPERIENCE .......... 10
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY ......................... 11
IMPROVED FACILITIES FOR SWIMMERS AT STANLEY BEACH ...... 15
255 PUBLIC HOUSING BLOCKS TO BE REDEVELOPED IN NEXT FIVE YEARS .................................................. 15
NT TAXI BOUNDARY IN TSUEN WAN TO BE REVISED............. 16
REMINDER FOR SALARIES TAX RETURNS ...................... 17
JOB BAZAaR OPENS SATURDAY .............................. 17
NEW SITTING-OUT nREa FOR CHAI WAN ...................... 18
LORRY PARKING PROBLEM IN TSING YI ON AGENDA ............ 19
TSUEN WaN DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ANNUAL PROGRhMMES..... 20
SWD FIELD OFFICES MOVE.................................. 20
CLOSURE OF JaT'S INCLINE ............................... 20
SUSPENSION OF WaTER SUPPLY TO TWO AREAS ................ 21
THURSDAY, MAY 25, 1989
- 1 -
EXPORTERS WARNED AGAINST U.S, PROTECTIONISM
» » » ♦ t
THE FIGHT AGAINST THE UNITED STATES TEXTILES BILL AND RELATED MOVES TOWARDS GREATER PROTECTIONISM SHOULD NOT BE RELAXED, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCH MEETING OF THE HONG KONG EXPORTERS' ASSOCIATION, MR CHAN SAID HE BELIEVED THAT THE U.S. TEXTILE LOBBY WOULD BE MOVING TOWARDS A MORE DIVERSIFIED APPROACH, WHEREBY BARRIERS AGAINST IMPORTS WOULD BE ERECTED BIT BY BIT THROUGH A SERIES OF MEASURES IN A NUMBER OF AREAS.
HE SAID THIS WOULD BE AN INTERIM CHANGE OF TACK PENDING A DECISION AS TO WHEN TO REVIVE ITS ATTEMPT TO INTRODUCE COMPREHENSIVE AND HIGHLY RESTRICTIVE TEXTILES LEGISLATION.
ELABORATING ON THIS THREAT, MR CHAN EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE SO-CALLED "SUPER 301" PROVISIONS OF THE 1988 OMNIBUS TRADE ACT, THE U.S.ADMINISTRATION WAS REQUIRED TO IDENTIFY AS PRIORITY PRACTICES THOSE TRADE BARRIERS THE ELIMINATION OF WHICH WAS LIKELY TO INCREASE U.S. EXPORTS. AND TO DESIGNATE PRIORITY COUNTRIES TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THOSE WITH NUMEROUS AND PERVASIVE BARRIERS.
BY JUNE 20, HE SAID, THE U.S. TRADE REPRESENTATIVE. MRS CARLA HILLS, MUST INITIATE 301 INVESTIGATIONS OF ALL PRIORITY PRACTICES OF PRIORITY COUNTRIES. AND TO SEEK TO ELIMINATE THEM THROUGH NEGOTIATION OVER THE NEXT 12 TO 18 MONTHS.
ACCORDING TO MR CHAN, SURPRISINGLY HONG KONG HAD BEEN INCLUDED IN ONE COMPLAINT LODGED BY THE WINE INSTITUTE AND THE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN VINTNERS REGARDING HONG KONG’S DUTIES ON LIQUOR.
"NATURALLY, WE HAVE ALREADY EXPLAINED TO THE U.S. ADMINISTRATION, AS WELL AS TO THE COMPLAINANT, THAT OUR DUTIES ARE LEVIED FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF RAISING REVENUE AND ARE NOT MEANT AS A BARRIER TO TRADE," MR CHAN SAID.
HE SAID HONG KONG’S REAL CONCERN WAS THAT "SUPER 301" BEING A VERY POTENT WEAPON WHICH ENABLED THE U.S. ADMINISTRATION TO TAKE UNILITERAL ACTION AGAINST IMPORTS IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, ITS USE WOULD JEOPARDISE THE SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF THE URUGUAY ROUND OF MUTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS.
"THERE IS A CLEAR POSSIBILITY THAT 'SUPER 301’ ACTION WOULD BE INTERPRETED AS A LOSS OF FAITH ON THE PART OF THE USA IN THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM WHICH IT HAD DONE SO MUCH IN THE PAST TO CREATE.
"GIVEN THAT THE U.S. IS THE BIGGEST AND MOST INFLUENTIAL PLAYER IN THE URUGUAY RORND. SUCH AN INTERPRETATION WOULD SERIOUSLY WEAKEN THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE WHICH IS THE CORNERSTONE OF THE WORLD TRADING SYSTEM," MR CHAN SAID.
/TURNING TO .......
THURSDAY, MAY 25, 1989
- 2
TURNING TO EUROPEAN COUNTRIES, MR CHAN NOTED THAT HONG KONG WAS CURRENTLY INVOLVED IN SEVEN ANTI-DUMPING CASES WHICH HAD BEEN INITIATED BY THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION SINCE DECEMBER 1987.
HE SAID HE WAS PLEASED TO SEE THAT LOCAL INDUSTRIES WERE PICKING UP THE GAUNTLET.
"THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY HAS COME TOGETHER TO SPONSOR AN INJURY STUDY, TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, ON DENIM CLOTH WHICH IS THE SUBJECT OF THE MOST RECENT ANTI-DUMPING ACTION.
"NO DOUBT THESE EFFORTS WILL COMPLEMENT THE GOVERNMENT’S ACTION," HE SAID.
Mi CHAN ASSURED LOCAL EXPORTERS THAT HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OVERSEAS OFFICES WOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR DEVELOPMENTS VERY CLOSELY AND CHANNEL INFORMATION BACK AS THEY RECEIVED IT WHILE THE TRADE DEPARTMENT WAS LIAISING CLOSELY WITH AFFECTED COMPANIES AND OFFERING ADVICE WHENEVER POSSIBLE.
HE REMINDED EXPORTERS THAT TWO CONSULTANTS HAD BEEN EMPLOYED TO GIVE ADVICE AND THE GOVERNMENT HAD MADE NUMEROUS DIRECT REPRESENTATIONS TO THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION.
------0-------
HK WELL PLACED TO BENEFIT IN TRADE
* » » » *
STRATEGICALLY LOCATED AT THE WESTERN RIM OF THE FAST DEVELOPING ASIA-PACIFIC REGION, HONG KONG IS WELL PLACED TO BENEFIT FROM THE ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE REGION, THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, MR MICHAEL SZE, SAID IN AN ADDRESS TO THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING.
MR SZE SAID THAT HONG KONG’S TRADING LINK WITH ECONOMIES IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION HAD BEEN STEADILY EXPANDING.
TAKING 1970 AS THE BASE YEAR AND COMPARING IN WITH 1988, HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE WORLD HAD INCREASED BY 16.6 TIMES AND IMPORTS FROM THE WORLD ROSE BY 27 TIMES, HE SAID.
IN THE SAME PERIOD, HONG KONG’S TRADE WITH CHINA AND TAIWAN WAS EVEN MORE SPECTACULAR THAN THAT WITH JAPAN, SOUTH KOREA AND ASEAN COUNTRIES: HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA AND TAIWAN WERE UP BY WELL OVER 1,200 TIMES AND 240 TIMES RESPECTIVELY, AND IMPORTS ROSE BY 57 AND 53 TIMES RESPECTIVELY.
MR SZE SAID THAT THIS HIGHLIGHTED THE INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ECONOMIC RELATIONS BETWEEN CHINA AND HONG KONG.
"THE MOST CONSPICUOUS DEVELOPMENT HAS BEEN THE RISING IMPORTANCE OF CHINA AS HONG KONG’S NUMBER ONE TRADING PARTNER.
/"CHINA IS
THURSDAY, MAY 25, 198?
'’CHINA IS NOW THE LARGEST MARKET FOR HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS THE SECOND LARGEST MARKET FOR OUR DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND THE LAL’GI SUPPLIER OF OUR IMPORTS,” HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT SIMILARLY HONG KONG OVERTOOK JAPAN TO B1
* CHINA’S LARGEST TRADING PARTNER IN 1987 AND 1988, ACCOUNTING ROUGHLY ONE’ QUARTER OF CHINA’S EXTERNAL TRADE LAST YEAR.
"IN ENTREPOT TRADE, CHINA HAS BEEN HONG KONG’S LARGEST R’E’-EXPORt MARKET AS WELL AS THE LARGEST SOURCE OF GOODS RE-EXPORTED SINCE 1979,” HE ADDED.
WITH REGARD TO INVESTMENT, HE SAID THAT HONG KONG WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT SOURCE ACCOUNTING FOR OVER 50 PER CENT OF EXTERNAL Investment In china.
THE INVESTMENT WAS CONCENTRATED IN LIGHT MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SUCH AS ELECTRONICS, PLASTICS, TEXTILES AND GARMENTS.
"THIS GROWING ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION HAS BROUGHT GREAT BENEFITS TO BOTH ECONOMIES AND INTRODUCED A NEW DIMENSION TO HONG KONG’S ECdNOMIC GROWTH,” HE SAID.
MR SZE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE MISGIVINGS IN SOME QUARTERS THAT THE CLOSE AND SYMBIOTIC ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP WOULD LEAD TO A "VANISHING BORDER” BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA, WHICH LN TURN WOULD UNDERMINE HONG KONG’S IMAGE AND CREDIBILITY AS AN INDEPENDENT ECONOMIC ENTITY WITH ITS OWN ESTABLISHED RULES AND CONTROLS.
HE ASSURED HIS AUDIENCE THAT THIS HAD NEVER BEEN. AND WOULD NOT BE, A PROBLEM.
"HONG KONG MAINTAINS ITS OWN WELL ESTABLISHED AND PROPERLY ENFORCED SET OF RULES AND PRACTICES GOVERNING RULES OF ORIGIN. TEXTILE QUOTAS, TRADE STANDARDS, LABELLING AND ORIGIN MARKING, ETC,” HE SAID.
BESIDES THIS, THE TRADE DEPARTMENT ADMINISTERED A COMPREHENSIVE SCHEME FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING ARRANGEMENTS.
"THIS SPECIFIES CLEARLY THE CIRCUMSTANCES AND EXTENT WHERE! V LOCAL MANUFACTURERS CAN SUB-CONTRACT SUBSIDIARY MANUFACTURING PROCESSES OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
”IF A COMPANY WISHES TO USE A HONG KONG ORIGIN LABEL OR TO APPLY FOR A CERTIFICATE OF HONG KONG ORIGIN. IT MUST BE ABLE TO 'lii 1 OUR ORIGIN'CONFERRING CRITERIA,” HE SAID.
. , HE ADDED THAT THESE WERE SUBJECT TO THE CLOSE SURVEILLANCE OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT.
"THE GROWING ECONOMIC INTEGRATION BETWEEN HONG KONG AND , GyANQ.DONG WILL NOT THEREFORE GENERATE MORE MALPRACTICES,” MR SZE CONCLUDED.
-------0---------
A....
THURSDAY. MAY 25. 1989
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR APRIL 1989 ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
ON A YEAR-ON-YEAR COMPARISON, THE GROWTH RATE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN APRIL WAS SIMILAR TO THAT FOR THE FIRST QUARTER AS A WHOLE. WHILE THOSE OF RE-EXPORTS AND IMPORTS DECELERATED.
THESE ARE SHOWN IN THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN APRIL 1989 WAS $17,480 MILLION, $1,425 MILLION OR 8.9 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN APRIL 1988. WHILE THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY $7,439 MILLION OR 38.0 PER CENT TO $28,075 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS (DOMESTIC EXPORTS PLUS RE-EXPORTS). AT $45,555 MILLION IN APRIL 1989, WAS THUS $8,864 MILLION OR 24.2 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN APRIL 1988.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS GREW BY 19.6 PER CENT OR $7,838 MILLION OVER A YEAR EARLIER, TO $47,919 MILLION IN APRIL 1989.
A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $2,364 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 4.9 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS. WAS RECORDED IN APRIL 1989.
THIS COMPARES WITH A DEFICIT OF $3,390 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 8.5 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN APRIL 1988.
PUTTING THESE TRADE FIGURES IN PERSPECTIVE, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 1989 WAS $168,604 MILLION, MADE UP OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF $65,407 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS OF $103,197 MILLION.
COMPARED WITH THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 1988, IN VALUE TERMS TOTAL EXPORTS GREW BY $34,875 MILLION OR 26.1 PER CENT, DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY $5,182 MILLION OR 8.6 PER CENT, AND RE-EXPORTS BY $29,693 MILLION OR 40.4 PER CENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS GREW BY $39,003 MILLION OR 28.1 PER CENT, TO $177,950 MILLION.
A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $9,346 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 5.3 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 1989.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THE YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATE OF RE-EXPORTS WAS STILL SUBSTANTIAL, THAT OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS HAD BECOME RELATIVELY MODERATE.
RETAINED IMPORTS SHOWED EVEN SLOWER GROWTH, SUGGESTING THAT THE GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY MIGHT SLOW DOWN FURTHER IN THE COMING MONTHS.
/THE SPOKESMAN
THURSDAY, MAY 25, 1989
5
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT, AS RE-EXPORTS CONTINUED TO INCREASE FASTER THAN DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 61.2 PER CENT BY VALUE OF THE TOTAL EXPORTS IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 1989 WERE RE-EXPORTS, COMPARED WITH 55.0 PER CENT IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE ’ PRESENTS THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR APRIL 1989.
TRADE FIGURES FOR APRIL, 1989
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS RELEASED THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONAL MERCHANDISE TRADE FIGURES FOR APRIL:-
MERCHANDISE: DOMESTIC EXPORTS : $17,480 MILLION
RE -EXPORTS : $28,075 MILLION
TOTAL EXPORTS : $45,555 MILLION
IMPORTS : $47,919 MILLION
TRADE BALANCE : $2,364 MILLION (IN DEFICIT)
COMPARATIVE FIGURES FEB 89 TO FEB 88 TO
LATEST 3 MONTHS APR 89 APR 88 INCREASE
HKS MN. HKS MN. HKS MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 48,145 43,748 4,397 10.1
RE-EXPORTS 76,943 55,140 21,803 39.5
TOTAL EXPORTS 125,088 98,888 26,200 26.5
IMPORTS 134,816 105,797 29,019 27.4
TRADE BALANCE -9,728 -6,909 -2,819
APRIL APRIL
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR 1989 1988 INCREASE
HKS MN. HKS MN. HKS MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 17,480 16,055 1,425 8.9
(%OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (38.4%) (43.8%)
RE-EXPORTS 28,075 20,636 7,439 36.0
TOTAL EXPORTS 45,555 36,691 8,864 24.2
IMPORTS 47,919 40,081 7,838 19.6
TRADE BALANCE -2,364 -3,390 1,026
/Last month .......
THURSDAY, MAY 25, 1989
- 6 -
APRIL MARCH
LAST MONTH 1989 1989 INCREASE
— — —
HKS MN. HKS MN. HKS MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 17,480 16,623 857 5.2
(%OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (38.4%) (38.6%)
RE-EXPORTS 28,075 26,483 1,592 6.0
TOTAL EXPORTS 45,555 43,106 2,449 5.7
IMPORTS 47,919 48,424 -505 -1.0
TRADE BALANCE -2,364 -5,318 2,954
JAN - APR JAN - APR
CALENDAR YEAR TO-DATE 1989 1988 INCREASE
— —
HKS MN. HKS MN. HKS MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 65,407 60,225 5,182 8.6
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (38.8%) (45.0%)
RE-EXPORTS 103,197 73,504 29,693 40.4
TOTAL EXPORTS 168,604 133,729 34,875 26.1
IMPORTS 177,950 138,947 39,003 28.1
TRADE BALANCE -9,346 -5,218 -4,128
MAY 88 TO MAY 87 TO
LATEST 12 MONTHS APR 89 APR 88 INCREASE
— —
HKS MN. HKS MN. HKS MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 222,846 202,412 20,434 10.1
RE-EXPORTS 305,098 205,545 99,553 48.4
TOTAL EXPORTS 527,944 407,957 119,987 29.4
IMPORTS 537,801 408,041 129,760 31.8
TRADE BALANCE -9,857 -84 -9,773
-------0----------
THURSDAY, MAY 25, 1989
7
GOVERNOR VISITS VOLUNTEERS AT THE BORDER
♦ t » » ♦
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SPENT THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON VISITING MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT ON THEIR ANNUAL BORDER PATROL EXERCISE.
THE VOLUNTEERS, A PART-TIME SECURITY FORCE MADE UP OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS, HAVE TAKEN OVER FROM THE REGULAR ARMY THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR GUARDING THE BORDER THIS WEEK.
MEMBERS OF THE REGIMENT, WHO COME FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, HAVE BEEN PERFORMING BORDER DUTY SINCE 1980.
THE GOVERNOR WAS BRIEFED ON THE VOLUNTEERS* BORDER OPERATION BY THE COMMANDING OFFICER, LIEUTENANT COLONEL CHRISTOPHER PATEY, AT THE SHA TAU KOK MILITARY OPERATIONS ROOM.
SIR DAVID ALSO VISITED THE VOLUNTEERS’ OBSERVATION POSTS ALONG THE BORDER AND SAW THEIR BOAT TROOP IN ACTION AT TSIM BEI TSUI IN YUEN LONG.
THE VISIT TOOK THE GOVERNOR ACROSS THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE BORDER WHERE HE MET AND SPOKE TO SOME OF THE 500 PART-TIME SOLDIERS WHO INCLUDE BANKERS, LAWYERS, ARCHITECTS, OFFICE WORKERS AND DRIVERS.
SIR DAVID WAS TOLD THAT THE NUMBER OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAPTURED HAD BEEN DECREASING SINCE LAST YEAR. NEVERTHELESS THE BORDER SECURITY FORCES, INCLUDING THE VOLUNTEERS, REMAINED FULLY ALERT TO A RESURGENCE OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AT ANY TIME.
IN 1988, THE VOLUNTEERS CAPTURED 55 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS DURING THEIR WEEK ON THE BORDER. THE CAPTURE RATE WAS VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL TO THAT OF THE REGULAR BATTALIONS.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT IN ADDITION TO THEIR BORDER DUTIES, THE VOLUNTEERS HAD HELPED IN THE RECEPTION AND CARE OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, AND ALSO TOOK PART IN A WIDE VARIETY OF CHARITABLE AND YOUTH ACTIVITIES.
HE SAID THAT THE VOLUNTEERS MADE A VERY IMPORTANT AND HIGHLY COMMENDABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE ENTHUSIASM OF TH1 VOLUNTEERS AND THEIR UNSELFISH SACRIFICE ON THEIR OWN TIME AND COMFORT TO UNDERTAKE THE DEMANDING TASK OF MANNING THE BORDER.
“HONG KONG CAN BE PROUD OF ITS VOLUNTEERS,” HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID WAS ALSO VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THEIR EMPLOYERS’ GENEROSITY IN ALLOWING TIME OFF FROM WORK FOR THE VOLUNTEERS TO CARRY OUT THEIR DUTIES.
/THE GOVERNOR........
THURSDAY, MAY 25, 19&9
8
THE GOVERNOR WAS TOLD THAT THE VOLUNTEERS TRAIN TWO EVENINGS AND ONE WEEKEND A MONTH AND ATTEND TWO WEEK-LONG ANNUAL CAMPS EACH YEAR TO MAINTAIN THEIR EFFECTIVENESS AS AN AUXILIARY FORCE FOR INTERNAL SECURITY IN HONG KONG.
THE VOLUNTEERS ALSO TRAIN REGULARLY WITH THE BRITISH FORCES LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS AND HAVE BEEN COMPLIMENTED ON THE HIGH MILITARY STANDARDS ACHIEVED.
DESPITE THE RECENT LABOUR SHORTAGE, VOLUNTEER MEMBERS HAVE KEPT UP A VERY SATISFACTORY LEVEL OF ATTENDANCE AT TRAINING SESSIONS.
THE VOLUNTEERS’ BORDER TOUR THIS YEAR IS FROM MAY 21 TO 28.
------0-------
LADY WILSON VISITS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
LADY WILSON VISITED THE 30-YEAR-OLD VICTORIA PARK SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF IN CAUSEWAY BAY TODAY (THURSDAY).
ACCOMPANIED BY CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF SCHOOL COUNCIL, DR K.E. BAKER; SUPERVISOR OF THE SCHOOL, MRS INGER TONG: AND EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GARY YEUNG; LADY WILSON VISITED THE GOVERNMENT SUBSIDISED SCHOOL AND WAS SHOWN THE VARIOUS SPECIAL TEACHING FACILITIES.
SHE WAS IMPRESSED BY THE NEW AUDIOLOGICALLY TREATED SPEECH ROOM, IN WHICH STUDENTS WERE TRAINED TO IMPROVE THEIR ARTICULATION, SPEECH RHYTHM AND VOICE QUALITY WITH THE AID OF ADVANCED SPEECH TRAINING EQUIPMENT.
LADY WILSON WAS TOLD THAT AT PRESENT, THE SCHOOL PROVIDES AN ORDINARY PRIMARY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR 80 HEARING IMPAIRED CHILDREN AND HANDICAPPED DEAF CHILDREN.
SPECIAL CLASSES ARE DESIGNED FOR DEAF CHILDREN WITH ADDITIONAL HANDICAPS TO SUIT THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF THE INDIVIDUAL CHILD.
AS THE AIM OF THE SCHOOL IS TO PREPARE THE PUPILS TO BECOME INDEPENDENT AND CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. THE HEARING IMPAIRED CHILDREN ARE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES SUCH AS SPORTS DAYS, CUB SCOUTS AND BROWNIES, IN ORDER TO HELP THEM TO INTEGRATE WITH OTHER CHILDREN.
LADY’ WILSON WAS INVITED TO WATCH A MUSICAL AND DANCING PERFORMANCE BY THE SCHOOL CHILDREN BEFORE THE END OF HER AFTERNOON VISIT.
- 0---------
/9........
THURSDAY, MAY 25, 1989
- 9 -
BOE MEMBERS VISIT SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOL *****
THREE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (BOE) TODAY (THURSDAY) VISITED THE PELLETIER SCHOOL AT CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD, TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES HOW SPECIAL EDUCATION IS PROVIDED TO MALADJUSTED AND SOCIALLY DEPRIVED GIRLS.
THEY WERE MISS BOW SUI-MAY, MISS SO YAN-LAP AND MR TAM MAN-KWAN.
ACCOMPANYING THE BOE MEMBERS ON THE VISIT WERE THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (SERVICES) MRS GRACE YUNG, AND THE BOE SECRETARY, MR P.K. CHIU.
THE VISITORS WERE TOLD THAT THE SCHOOL WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1955 BY THE GOOD SHEPHERD SISTERS TO LOOK AFTER PROBLEMATIC GIRLS.
THE SCHOOL BECAME AN AIDED WHOLE-DAY SECONDARY SCHOOL IN 1970 WITH BOARDING FACILITIES. IT CAN ACCOMMODATE UP TO 90 GIRLS, MOST OF WHOM ARE REFERRED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
THE SCHOOL FOLLOWS THE CURRICULUM OF AN ORDINARY SCHOOL ENRICHED WITH PRACTICAL ELEMENTS WHICH WOULD PROVIDE THE GIRLS WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES CONFIDENTLY, TO EXPERIENCE SUCCESS AND TO CULTIVATE GOOD WORKING HABITS.
EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON MORAL EDUCATION, FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION AND SEX EDUCATION. SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC PROGRAMMES ARE OPERATED THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR.
INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP COUNSELLING IS PROVIDED TO THE GIRLS TO HELP THEM ESTABLISH SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOURS AND MORAL CONCEPTS.
ON COMPLETION OF SECONDARY 3, MORE THAN 90 PER CENT OF THE GIRLS WERE SUCCESSFUL IN EITHER GETTING A SENIOR SECONDARY 4 PLACE IN AN AIDED SCHOOL OR IN SECURING EMPLOYMENT, THE VISITORS WERE TOLD.
-------0---------
/1O.......
THURSDAY, MAY 25,
1989
- 10 -
WIDE APPLICATION OF COMMUNITY WORK EXPERIENCE
* » » * »
THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S COMMUNITY SERVICES IS LEADING TO WIDE APPLICATION OF COMMUNITY WORK EXPERIENCE AND TECHNIQUES IN VARIOUS WELFARE SERVICES.
THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR STEPHEN LAW, SAID THIS TODAY (THURSDAY) AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BRANCH OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE.
MR LAW POINTED OUT THAT THE SERVICES INCLUDED AMONG OTHER THINGS, YOUNG SERVICES, FAMILY SERVICES, REHABILITATION SERVICES, PROBATION SERVICES AND SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY. COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES WERE INTER-RELATED.
PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION GIVEN BY THE VARIOUS PARTIES CONCERNED, WITH THE EMPHASIS BEING ON "COMMUNITY CONCERN", MR LAW NOTED THAT COMMUNITY WORK TENDED TO DIVERSIFY INTO VARIOUS WELFARE SERVICES.
"THE SPIRIT OF MUTUAL ASSISTANCE AND INITIATIVE IS VITAL IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT," HE SAID.
MR LAW NOTED THAT FOLLOWING A REVIEW OF THE RESPECTIVE ROLES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) IN COMMUNITY BUILDING PROGRAMMES, THE MANAGEMENT OF GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY CENTRE FACILITIES HAD BEEN TRANSFERRED FROM THE DEPARTMENT TO THE CNTA IN 1985.
"THE DEPARTMENT CONCENTRATES ITS RESOURCES ON PROMOTING AND STRENGTHENING GROUP WORK ACTIVITIES AND ITS SERVICES HAVE DEVELOPED TOWARDS SUPPORTIVE GROUP WORK," HE SAID.
"COMMUNITY CENTRES ARE ALSO USED IN PROMOTING FAMILY LIFE ACTIVITIES AND BECOME NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRES FOR THE RESIDENTS."
MR LAW SAID THE CENTRES PROVIDED RESIDENTS WITH A VENUE FOR COMMUNITY FUNCTIONS AND A WIDE RANGE OF EFFECTIVE WELFARE SERVICES COULD BE OPERATED THERE.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE NEIGHBOURHOOD LEVEL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT PROVIDED SERVICES FOR TARGET GROUPS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, ADDING TO THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY CENTRES.
-----o------
/11 .......
THURSDAY, MAY 25, 1989
11
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 SAID 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, MAY 25, 1989
12 -
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 WHO 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 HONG KONG SOUTH LAST GRADING (AS AT 11.5.89) PRESENT GRADING (AS AT 25.5.89)
BIG WAVE BAY A B
CHUNG HOM KOK B A
DEEP WATER BAY A A
HAIRPIN A B
MIDDLE BAY B A
REPULSE BAY B B
SHEK 0 A B
SOUTH BAY A A
ST. STEPHEN*S A A
TURTLE COVE A A
STANLEY MAIN B B
ROCKY BAY X X
TO TEI WAN* A A
/ISLANDS DISTRICT
THURSDAY, MAY 25, 1989
- 13 -
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 A A
PUI 0 A A
SILVERMINE BAY X X
TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU B B
TUNG 0* A A
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
CAMPERS A
CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH A
CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND BEACH A
HAP MUN BAY A
KIU TSUI A
PAK SHA CHAU A
SILVERSTRAND B
TRIO (HEBEHAVEN) A
A B
A A
A
A
B
B
/TSUEU WAN
THURSDAY, MAY 25, 1989
14
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
ANGLERS * x
APPROACH B
CASAM B
GEMINI A
HOI MEI WAN A
LIDO B
TING KAU x
TUNG WAN, MA WAN A
X
B
B
B
B
B
X
A
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
OLD CAFETERIA
NEW CAFETERIA
CASTLE PEAK
KADOORIE
BUTTERFLY
X
B
X
B
B
X
B
X
B
B
”X" THE BEACH HAS BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING.
♦ NON-GAZETTED BEACHES.
THE FOLLOWING BEACHES HAVE CHANGED GRADING ON THIS OCCASION:
CHUNG HOM KOK, AND MIDDLE BAY, FROM "B" TO "A"; BIG WAVE BAY, HAIRPIN, SHEK O, CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST, TRIO, GEMINI AND HOI MEI WAN, FROM "A” TO "B".
THE CHANGES 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 R. HOLMES, PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (WATER POLICY) OF EPD, AT 5-8351234.
THURSDAY, MAY 25, 1989
- 15 -
IMPROVED FACILITIES FOR SWIMMERS AT STANLEY BEACH
*****
WORK WILL START LATER THIS MONTH ON A PROJECT TO PROVIDE BETTER FACILITIES FOR SWIMMERS AT STANLEY BEACH.
THE PROJECT, SUBJECT OF A $10.57 MILLION CONTRACT RECENTLY AWARDED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WILL INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO BUILDINGS TO SERVE SWIMMERS AT THE BEACH.
THE TWO-STOREY BUILDINGS WILL BE LOCATED AT THE SOUTHERN END OF THE MAIN BEACH. ADJACENT TO STANLEY BEACH ROAD.
THE LARGER OF THE TWO BUILDINGS WILL CONTAIN CHANGING AND SHOWER FACILITIES, AN OPEN DECK LINKED TO THE EXISTING CARPARK AND A REFRESHMENT KIOSK.
THE SECOND BUILDING WILL INCLUDE A STAFF ROOM. LOOKOUT ROOM, CHANGING FACILITIES, AND STORAGE FOR RESCUE CRAFT.
UPON COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT IN 10 MONTHS, IT WILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE URBAN COUNCIL FOR MANAGEMENT.
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253 PUBLIC HOUSING BLOCKS TO BE REDEVELOPED IN NEXT FIVE YEARS
* * * * *
A TOTAL OF 253 OLDER PUBLIC HOUSING BLOCKS WILL BE REDEVELOPED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AUTHORITY SAID TODAY.
THE PROGRAMME IS THE SECOND FIVE-YEAR PLAN UNDER THE AUTHORITY’S COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.
UNDER THE PROGRAMME. 17 BLOCKS WILL BE EVACUATED DURING 1989/90. THEY ARE IN TSZ 01. TSZ MAN, KWAI FONG. KWAI HING. SHEK LEI. TUNG TAU, WANG TAU HOM, PAK TIN, KWAI SHING EAST. LEI CHENG UK. TAI WO HAU. LOWER WONG TAI SIN AND SAU MAU PING ESTATES.
AS A RESULT, SOME 20 000 FAMILIES LIVING IN THESE BLOCKS WILL HAVE THEIR LIVING ENVIRONMENT IMPROVED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS WHOSE BLOCKS ARE DUE FOR REDEVELOPMENT WILL BE GIVEN 18 TO 2-1 MONTHS’ NOTICE.
"OF THE 253 BLOCKS TO BE CLEARED IN THE CURRENT FIVE-YEAR REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME. THE TENANTS OF SOME 70 BLOCKS HAVE ALREADY BEEN FORMALLY NOTIFIED OF THE DETAILS OF THE REDEVELOPMENT," HE NOTED.
/"THE HOUSING .......
THURSDAY, MAY 25, 1989
16 -
"THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT. IN IMPLEMENTING THE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, WILL KEEP IN CLOSE COMMUNICATION WITH TENANTS AND A BOOKLET ON REHOUSING ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THEM." HE ADDED.
THE COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, ANNOUNCED LAST YEAR. WAS AIMED AT REDEVELOPING MORE THAN 500 OLDER PUBLIC HOUSING BLOCKS BY THE YEAR 2001. •
IT WAS ALSO STATED THEN THAT A FIVE-YEAR ROLLING PROGRAMME WOULD BE ANNOUNCED EACH YEAR SO AS TO KEEP THE PUBLIC INFORMED OF THE PLANNED REDEVELOPMENT WITHIN THAT PERIOD.
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NT TAXI BOUNDARY IN TSUEN WAN TO BE REVISED
*****
THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL HAS APPROVED A REVISION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES TAXI BOUNDARY IN TSUEN WAN TO TIE IN WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A NEW TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME THERE.
AT PRESENT, NT TAXIS ARE PERMITTED TO CARRY PASSENGERS FROM ROUTE TWISK VIA WAI TSUEN ROAD AND SAI LAU KOK TO TSUEN WAN MTR STATION FOR INTERCHANGE BUT THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PICK UP OR SET DOWN PASSENGERS ALONG THE ROADS.
A TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME WILL BE IMPLEMENTED LATER THIS YEAR TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW AND TO ELIMINATE CONFLICTING TURNING MOVEMENTS IN WAI TSUEN ROAD AREA.
UNDER THE SCHEME, MIU KONG STREET AND SECTIONS OF WAI TSUEN ROAD, SHING MUN ROAD AND SAI LAU KOK ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM TWO-WAY TO ONE-WAY TRAFFIC TO FORM A CLOCKWISE GYRATORY SYSTEM.
AS A RESULT, NT TAXIS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE TSUEN WAN MTR STATION.
THUS, AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE WILL BE PROVIDED FOR NT TAXIS TO TRAVEL FROM ROUTE TWISK VIA WAI TSUEN ROAD, MIU KONG STREET, SHING MUN ROAD AND SAI LAU KOK ROAD TO TSUEN WAN MTR. STATION BUT THEY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PICK UP OR SET DOWN PASSENGERS ALONG THESE ROADS.
ACCORDINGLY, THE SEVENTH SCHEDULE TO THE ROAD TRAFFIC (REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF VEHICLES) REGULATIONS WILL BE REVISED TO INCLUDE THE ALTERNATIVE ROUTE IN THE PERMITTED AREA OF NT TAXIS WITH EFFECT FROM OCTOBER 1 THIS YEAR.
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/17
THURSDAY. MAY 25. 1989
- 17 -
REMINDER FOR SALARIES TAX RETURNS
*****
THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED SALARIED TAXPAYERS TO SUBMIT THE COMPLETED SALARIES TAX RETURNS TO THE DEPARTMENT BEFORE MAY 31. 1989.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT MORE THAN 750,000 RETURNS FOR FINAL ASSESSMENT 1988/89 AND PROVISIONAL PAYMENT 1989/90 HAD BEEN ISSUED ON MAY 1. 1989.
"FAILURE TO SUBMIT THE COMPLETED RETURNS BEFORE MAY 31 IS AN O FENCE AND MAY RESULT IN THE IMPOSITION OF PENALTIES," HE SAID.
"MAKING AN INCORRECT OR FALSE RETURN WITH A FRAUDULENT INTENT T> EVADE TAX. OR TO ASSIST ANY OTHER PERSON TO DO SO. IS ALSO AN OFFENCE.
"ON CONVICTION, AN OFFENDER SHALL BE LIABLE TO HEAVY PENALTY, THE MAXIMUM BEING IMPRISONMENT FOR 3 YEARS AND A FURTHER FINE OF TREBLE THE AMOUNT OF TAX UNDERCHARGED.
"THE COURT OF APPEAL OF HIGH COURT HAS RECENTLY WARNED THAT. ON CONVICTION, THE DEFENDANT SHALL BE LIABLE TO IMMEDIATE CUSTODIAL SENTENCE," HE SAID.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO MAKE ENQUIRY ON SALARIES TAX RETURNS IS ADVISED TO TELEPHONE 5-8942020 DURING OFFICE HOURS (8.15 AM -12.15 PM AND 1.15 PM - 4.45 PM ON WEEKDAYS; 9.00 AM - 12.00 NOON ON SATURDAYS), OR WRITE TO G.P.O. BOX 132. HONG KONG.
CURRENT SALARIED TAXPAYERS WHO HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED THE RETURN FORMS ARE ADVISED TO CONTACT THE RELEVANT ASSESSING SECTIONS. THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF WHICH ARE SHOWN IN THE TAX DEMANDS, OR ANY OTHER CORRESPONDENCE THAT THEY HAVE RECEIVED FROM THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT PREVIOUSLY.
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JOB BAZAAR OPENS SATURDAY
* * * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD A JOB BAZAAR FOR JOB-SEEKERS FROM SATURDAY (MAY 27) AT THE CITYPLAZA, TAIKOO SHING.
THIS FOLLOWS THE SUCCESS OF THREE SIMILAR EVENTS ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN SHA TIN, TAIKOO SHING AND TSIM SHA TSUI LAST YEAR.
THE JOB BAZAAR IS A COLLECTIVE RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN INTENDED TO HELP EMPLOYERS PUBLICISE THEIR JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND FACILITATE JOB-SEEKERS TO ACQUIRE FIRST-HAND INFORMATION ON VARIOUS TRADES, SAID A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN.
/"IT ALSO .......
THURSDAY, MAY 25, 1989
18 -
"IT ALSO ENABLES EMPLOYERS TO REACH OUT TO BOTH ACTIVE JOB-SEEKERS AND THE POTENTIAL LABOUR FORCE, PARTICULARLY IN TIMES OF THE PREVAILING TIGHT LABOUR MARKET," HE SAID.
"THE PAST THREE JOB BAZAARS ATTRACTED THOUSANDS OF VISITORS AND SUCCEEDED IN FILLING MANY OF THE VACANCIES OF THE PARTICIPATING COMPANIES.
"BECAUSE OF THE ENCOURAGING RESULTS, THE DEPARTMENT HAS DECIDED TO CONTINUE WITH THIS EFFECTIVE METHOD OF RECRUITMENT THIS Y AR. "
TO FURTHER ENHANCE ITS EFFECTIVENESS. THE SPOKESMAN SAID, THE BAZAAR IS SCHEDULED THIS YEAR TO COINCIDE WITH THE COMPLETION OF PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS SO THAT FRESH SCHOOL-LEAVERS MAY ALSO ATTEND THE FUNCTION.
THIS YEAR, 20 FIRMS FROM A WIDE RANGE OF TRADES AND INDUSTRIES INCLUDING BANKING, COMMUNICATIONS, HOTELS, MANUFACTURING, RETAILING, INSURANCE AND RECREATION WILL TAKE PART IN THE EVENT.
A LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER, MR HENRY TANG, AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND, WILL JOINTLY OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY ON SATURDAY.
IT WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AFTERWARDS UNTIL NEXT TUESDAY (MAY 30).
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE CENTRE BRIDGE, SECOND FLOOR, CITYPLAZA, TAIKOO SHING, BEGINNING FROM 11 AM ON SATURDAY (MAY 27).
-----o------
NEW SITTING-OUT AREA FOR CHAI WAN
*****
RESIDENTS IN CHAI WAN WILL HAVE AN ADDITIONAL VENUE FOR LEISURE ACTIVITIES WHEN THE WING TAI ROAD SITTING-OUT AREA, LOCATED NEXT TO YUE WAN ESTATE, OPENS ON SATURDAY (MAY 27).
THE SITTING-OUT AREA IS ONE OF THE MANY MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS INITIATED AND FUNDED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WITH THE AIM OF IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE AREA.
CONSTRUCTED AT A COST OF $125,000, THE AREA PROVIDES SUCH AMENITIES AS FOUR RAIN SHELTERS, 26 FLOWER BEDS, AND A NUMBER OF CHESS TABLES AND BENCHES.
/THE EASTERN
THURSDAY, MAY 25, 1989
19 -
THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE HAVE JOINTLY ORGN1SED A CEREMONY. TO BEGIN AT 2.JO PM ON SATURDAY, I'O MARK THE OPENING.
PLANTING ACTIVITIES WILL ALSO BE HELD AT THE SITTING-OUT AREA TO SUPPORT THE 1989 WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY (WED).
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE DISTRICT OFFICER. MR GARY YEUNG, A MEMBER OF THE WED WORKING MR MAN SAI-CHEONG; DISTRICT HYGIENE SUPERINTENDENT (EASTERN) URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR R.M. D1NGA: AND CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE, MRS BETTY YUNG.
EASTERN GROUP, OF THE BOARD'S
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE AND WED 89 PLANTING ACTIVITIES ON SATURDAY (MAY 27) NEXT TO YUE WAN ESTATE, CHAI WAN. THE CEREMONY WILL
SITTING-OUT AREA AT WING TAI ROAD BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
-------e ---------
LORRY PARKING PROBLEM IN TSING Y1 ON AGENDA » » » ♦ *
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS MEASURES TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM -OF INADEQUATE LORRY PARKING SPACES ON TSING YI AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO DISCUSS A REPORT ON BUS SERVICES IN KWAI TSING DISTRICT WHICH HAS BEEN COMPLETED BY THE COMMITTEE IN THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR.
IN ADDITION, MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ON THE REVIEW OF LOCAL CRAFT LEGISLATION.
OTHER TOPICS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE PROVISION OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICE, AND TRAFFIC LIGHT AND ROAD CROSSING FACILITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWAI TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE MEETING WHICH TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM, GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KWAI CHUNG.
TSING DISTRICT BOARD’S WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM 10TH FLOOR, KWAI HING
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/20........
THURSDAY, MAY 25, 1989
20
TSUEN WAN DB COMMITTEE TO ♦ ♦ ♦
DISCUSS ANNUAL PROGRAMMES ♦ t
THE TSUEN WAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
DISTRICT BOARD’S
WILL
PROGRAMMES ON ENVIRONMENT
DISCUSS AND
THE TRANSPORT
ENVIRONMENTAL
GOVERNMENT’S
AND TRANSPORT
ANNUAL
IN
THE
DISTRICT AT
WORK
ITS
MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE BUS AND FERRY ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR 1989-90.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE A PROPOSAL FOR CONSTRUCTING PAVILIONS IN LEI MUK SHUE ESTATE AND PARTICIPATION OF PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES IN PROVIDING SERVICES FOR RESIDENTS OF RIVIERA GARDENS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
DISTRICT TOMORROW SECOND 174-208
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TSUEN WAN BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRANSPORT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE (FRIDAY) IN THE MAIN CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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SWD FIELD OFFICES MOVE ♦ ♦ ♦
THE (’HAI WAN FAMILY SERVICES CENTRE AND SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNIT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL MOVE TO THEIR NEW OFFICES AT LEVEL 3, NEW JADE GARDENS, 233 CHAI WAN ROAD, TODAY (THURSDAY).
RESIDENTS IN CHAI WAN DISTRICT IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE CAN CALL THE NEW OFFICES AT 5-587664 STARTING TOMORROW (MAY 26).
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CLOSURE OF JAT’S INCLINE
t t t
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT IN ORDER TO FACILITATE EMERGENCY ROAD WORKS, JAT’S INCLINE IN TSZ WAN SHAN WILL BE CLOSED FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (MAY 27) UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
DURING THE CLOSURE, FEI NGO SHAN ROAD BETWEEN SHATIN PASS ROAD AND CUSTOMS PASS WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY DOWNHILL.
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/21
THURSDAY, MAY 25, 1989
21
SUSPENSION OF WATER SUPPLY TO TWO AREAS
* ♦ t ♦ ♦
CERTAIN PREMISES IN SOUTHEAST KOWLOON
TO MIDNIGHT ON SATURDAY (MAY 27) TO
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY HUNG HOM, TO KWA WAN, KOWLOON CITY, KOWLOON TONG, SAN PO KONG AND WONG TAI SIN.
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SHAM TSENG WILL SUSPENDED FROM 10 PM ON MONDAY (MAY 29) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DA^ FACILITATE WATER MAIN CONNECTION.
BE TO
THE AREA AFFECTED INCLUDES ALL PREMISES ALONG CASTLE PEAK FROM SHAM TSZ STREET AT SHAM TSENG TO KA LOONG TSUEN AT TSING TAU, INCLUDING GARDEN BAKERY, SAN MIGUEL BREWERY, LIDO GARDEN, TSENG TSUEN, PAI MIN KOK TSUEN, TSING LUNG TAU TSUEN, HONG GARDEN, CHOI YUEN TSUEN AND KA LOONG TSUEN.
ROAD LUNG SHAM KONG
- - 0 -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
BUSINESS COMMUNITY URGED TO HELP SAVE THE JiNVIRUNMiMT ....... 1
FIGHT AGAINST TUBERCULOSIS SUCCESSFUL ........................ 2
GARDEN ROAD PRIME SITE FOR SALE BY TINDER..................... 3
HK WILL HAVE TO DEVELOP INFRASTRUCTURE ....................... 5
FIRST ROADWORKS CONTRACT FOR TIN SHUT WAI AWARDED............. 7
GRADUATING FIRE SERVICES STAFF GIVEN ADVICE .................. 8
LEGISLATION SOUGHT TO SPEED UP APPEAL PROCEDURES FOR VBP .... 8
CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS BEGIN .................................... 9
BIG C,T,FAN-UP IN EASTERN BEGINS ON SUNDAY ................... 9
HOME SAFETY EXHIBITION AT CHUK YUIN ESTATE ................... 10
AMENDMENTS TO DRAFT FANLING/SHEUNG SHUI OZP .................. 11
DEADLINE FOR TYPHOON RELIEF APPLICATIONS ..................... 12
DEADLINE FOR LRT ACCIDENT VICTIMS TO APPLY FOR TAVA .......... 1J
EXHIBITION ON WATER POLLUTION IN TSUEN WAN ................... 1*+
LAND IN TAI PO TO BE RESUMED.................................. 1^
SHUEN WAN LANDFILL EXTENSION PROPOSED......................... 15
CLOSURE OF JAT'S INCLINE IN TSZ WAN SHAN ..................... 15
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 1989
1
BUSINESS COMMUNITY URGED TO HELP SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT
* t ♦ t t
THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN HONG KONG WAS URGED TODAY (FRIDAY) TO MAKE ITS OWN CONTRIBUTION TO SAVE HONG KONG’S ENVIRONMENT BY ADOPTING THE CONCEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITING.
SPEAKING AT A ROTARY CLUB LUNCHEON MEETING, DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DR STUART REED, ALSO CALLED ON THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO SPONSOR THE PREPARATION OF MANUALS ON ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITING AIMED AT SPECIFIC TYPES OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY.
"ENVIRONMENTAL ADUITING CAN NOT ONLY HELP SAFEGUARD OUR ENVIRONMENT, IT CAN HAVE THE SIDE EFFECT OF SAVING MONEY AND VALUABLE SENIOR MANAGEMENT TIME," DR REED SAID.
"IT IS A MANAGEMENT TOOL COMPRISING A SYSTEMATIC, DOCUMENTED, PERIODIC AND OBJECTIVE EVALUATION OF HOW WELL THE ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANISATION IN A COMPANY AND ITS EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES ARE PERFORMING," DR REED EXPLAINED.
"IT ISN’T THE SAME AS THE DAY TO DAY LINE MANAGEMENT TASK OF ENSURING, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT LIQUID EFFLUENTS ARE MEETING THE STATUTORY EFFLUENT STANDARDS OR THAT CHIMNEYS ARE NOT SMOKING," HE SAID.
"IT IS RATHER A QUESTION OF STEPPING BACK, PERHAPS ONCE EVERY 12 MONTHS, AND REVIEWING A COMPANY’S ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND ITS OVERALL PERFORMANCE IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS IN RELATION TO THIS POLICY, AND THEN FOLLOWING-UP TO ENSURE THAT WHATEVER EXECUTIVE ACTION IS REQUIRED IS TAKEN."
THE ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITING CONCEPT, WHICH HAS BEEN DEVELOPED IN EUROPE, WAS FORMALLY ADOPTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AT ITS EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR. IT HAS BEEN SO FAR APPLIED MOSTLY TO THE OPERATIONS OF LARGE AND MEDIUM-SIZED COMPANIES.
"TO ADOPT THIS CONCEPT IN HONG KONG," DR REED SAID, WE WILL HAVE TO SPELLOUT IN A SERIES OF MANUALS IN STRAIGHT FORWARD AND VERY CLEAR TERMS HOW IT CAN BE APPLIED TO SPECIFIC SECTORS OF INDUSTRY AND BUSINESS.
"I BELIEVE THAT THE AVAILABILITY OF MANUALS THAT SET OUT, STEP BY STEP, THE SIMPLE PROCEDURES INVOLVED IN ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITING, WOULD PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK AND BASIS TO GUIDE AT LEAST SOME COMPANIES AND PEOPLE TOWARDS THE CONTRIBUTION THEY THEMSELVES CAN MAKE TO SAVING HONG KONG’S ENVIRONMENT.
HE APPEALED TO MAJOR HONGS AND INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL GROUPINGS FOR SPONSORSHIP FOR THE PREPARATION OF ONE OR MORE OF THESE MANUALS.
/"WE ARE .......
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 1989
- 2
"WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A SPONSORSHIP COST FOR PREPARING THESE MANUALS OF ONLY A MATTER OF SEVERAL TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OR, AT MOST, A FEW HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THE MORE COMPLICATED CASES." HE SAID.
DR REED SUGGESTED ALSO THAT COMPANIES WITH SOME EXPERTISE IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL FIELD OFFER A FIXED-PRICE SERVICE PACKAGE TO PROVIDE AN ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT FOR OTHER COMPANIES, IN MUCH THE SAME WAY AS FOR FINANCIAL AUDITS.
"I AM CONFIDENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITING CONCEPT COULD MAKE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO AV1NG OUR ENVIRONMENT," HE SAID.
"IT WOULD, AMONG OTHER THINGS, INVOLVE INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY IN A CONSTRUCTIVE WAY AND THEREBY HELP TO PROVIDE THE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS THAT IS A PRECURSOR OF OUR HAVING A HEALTHY AND PLEASANT ENVIRONMENT IN HONG KONG IN THE FUTURE."
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FIGHT AGAINST TUBERCULOSIS SUCCESSFUL *****
THE INCIDENCE TO TUBERCULOSIS IN HONG KONG CONTINUED TO FALL LAST YEAR, MARKING ANOTHER YEAR OF SUCCESS IN THE EFFORT TO CONTROL TUBERCULOSIS AND OTHER THORACIC DISEASES. THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR S.H. LEE, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HIS CAPACITY AS PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG TUBERCULOSIS. CHEST AND HEART DISEASES ASSOCIATION AT ITS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.
DURING 1988, DR LEE SAID. A TOTAL OF 7,021 NEW CASES WERE NOTIFIED, RESULTING IN A DROP IN THE NOTIFICATION RATE FROM 129.5 TO 123.6 PER 100,000 POPULATION. THE DEATH RATE WAS SIMILARLY DECLINING FROM 7.2 TO 6.8 PER 100,000 POPULATION, WITH ONLY 388 DEATHS RECORDED.
THESE RATES MIGHT IN FACT BE LOWER IF ADJUSTMENT WAS MADE WITH THE INCREASING POPULATION, HE ADDED,
DESPITE THIS, DR LFE SAID, THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR COMPLACENCY.
"BY COMPARING WITH THE SITUATION IN THE TECHNICALLY ADVANCED COUNTRIES. THE INCIDENCE AND MORTALITY RATES OF TUBERCULOSIS IN HONG KONG ARE STILL HIGH," HE SAID. "ALL THE PREVENTION AND CONTROL PROGRAMMES, THEREFORE, MUST BE ACTIVELY MAINTAINED."
TURNING TO LUNG CANCER, DR LEE SAID THAT LAST YEAR WAS THE FIRST YEAR TO SEE A REDUCTION IN LUNG CANCER DEATHS. FROM 2,465 IN 1987 TO 2,354 IN 1988.
/TRIG IS .......
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 19^9
THIS IS A GOOD SIGN TO SHOW THE RESULT OF THE EFFORT TO COMBAT CIGARETTE SMOKING, HE ADDED.
ON OCCUPATIONAL LUNG DISEASES, DR LEE SAID THAT 198 CASES OF SILICOSIS AND THREE CASES OF ASBESTOSIS WERL REPORTED AND COMPENSATED LAST YEAR.
THIS BRINGS TO 3,365 THE NUMBER OF PNEUMOCONIOSIS CASES COMPENSATED SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE COMPENSATION ORDINANCE IN JANUARY 1981.
DR LEE SAID THAT THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS COMPENSATION FUND BOARD HAS ALLOCATED $1 MILLION FOR A RESEARCH PROJECT CENTRED ON PREVENTION AND CONTROL ASPECTS.
WITH REGARD TO HEART DISEASE. THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN THE TERRITORY, HE SAID IT CLAIMED THE LIVES OF 4,599 PEOPLE LAST YEAR COMPARED WITH 4,515 IN 1987.
HE PRAISED THE CARDIAC MEDICAL AND SURGICAL TEAMS AT THE GRANTHAM HOSPITAL FOR THEIR GOOD WORK IN DEALING WITH ALL KINDS OF CARDIAC PROBLEMS. A TOTAL OF 865 CARDIAC OPERATIONS WERE PERFORMED LAST YEAR WITH A HIGH SUCCESS RATE.
REFERRING TO THE NEW RUTTONJEE HOSPITAL NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION, DR LEE SAID IT MARKED AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE IN THE HISTORY OF THE ASSOCIATION IN SUPPORTING THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICAL SERVICES TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.
ON COMPLETION, THE HOSPITAL WILL HAVE 614 BEDS WITH A FULL RANGE OF GENERAL HOSPITAL SERVICES AND SUPPORTING FACILITIES.
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GARDEN ROAD PRIME SITE FOR SALE BY TENDER t * * » »
THE GOVERNMENT IS OFFERING A SITE AT GARDEN ROAD FOR SALE BY TENDER WITH AN OBJECTIVE THAT UNDER SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT CRITERIA IT COULD BE TURNED INTO A PRESTIGIOUS DEVELOPMENT UNIQUE IN THE AREA.
LOCATED BETWEEN THE BANK OF CHINA AND MURRAY BUILDING, THE SITE IS REGARDED AS THE LAST PRIME SITE IN THE CENTRAL AVAILABLE FOR SALE FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.
THE 8,546-SQUARE-METRE SITE, KNOWN AS INLAND LOT NO. 8888, IS RESTRICTED TO NON-INDUSTR1AL (EXCLUDING GODOWN AND RESIDENTIAL BUT INCLUDING HOTEL AND SERVICE APARTMENTS) PURPOSES PLUS A 500-SPACE PUBLIC CARPARK.
/ANNOUNCING THIS........
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 1989
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (FRIDAY), THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICER, HONG KONG WEST, MR THOMAS HO, NOTED THAT THE SITE IS INTENDED TO BE DEVELOPED INTO A FOCAL POINT LINKING THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT TO THE WEST OF GARDEN ROAD WITH HONG KONG PARK NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND QUEENSWAY TO THE EAST OF COTTON TREE DRIVE.
MR HO SAID THAT IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THE ABOVE OBJECTIVES, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD WISH TO SEE THAT THE FOLLOWING SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT CRITERIA COULD BE INCORPORATED INTO THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.
"THESE INCLUDE A COMPLETE SEGREGATION OF VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FROM PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC AND A ROOF GARDEN ON A PODIUM TO BE DESIGNED WITH OCCASIONAL SHOPPING FACILITIES WHICH WILL BE OPENED TO THE PUBLIC 24 HOURS," HE SAID.
"THE HEIGHT OF THE BUILDING IS ALSO TO BE RESTRICTED AT 220 METRES P.D. (ABOVE HONG KONG PRINCIPAL DATUM) AND THE ROOF PROFILE TO BLEND IN WELL WITH ADJACENT DEVELOPMENTS.
"IN ADDITION, THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER FOR THE SITE WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO BUILD A 500-SPACE PUBLIC CARPARK, AND A NEW VEHICULAR TUNNEL LINKING THE LOT WITH GARDEN ROAD MULTI-STOREY CARPARK," HE ADDED.
UPON COMPLETION, MOTORISTS USING THE GARDEN ROAD MULTI-STOREY CARPARK WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE THEIR EXIT ONTO COTTON TREE DRIVE AND THE QUEENSWAY FLYOVER VIA THIS LOT.
LIKEWISE, MOTORISTS USING THE PUBLIC CARPARK IN THIS LOT WILL BE ALLOWED TO MAKE THEIR EXIT ONTO QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL VIA THE GARDEN ROAD MULTI-STOREY CARPARK.
TO ACHIEVE THE OBJECTIVE OF SEGREGATION OF VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC, A FOOTBRIDGE NETWORK AND A PEDESTRIAN SYSTEM CONNECTING THE LOT WITH HONG KONG PARK, NORTHERN PAVEMENT OF GARDEN ROAD, BANK OF CHINA, PEAK TRAM TERMINUS AND MURRAY BUILDING WILL HAVE TO BE BUILT, MAINTAINED AND MANAGED BY THE PURCHASER.
SERVICE VEHICLES SEEKING ACCESS TO THE LOT WILL BE DIRECTED TO PASS THROUGH THE BANK OF CHINA SITE VIA AN INTERNAL ACCESS NOW BEING CONSTRUCTED BY THE BANK.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 66,000 SQUARE METRES BEFORE JUNE 30, 1994.
THE PUBLIC CARPARK WILL NEED TO BE COMPLETEED AND BROUGHT INTO OPERATION BEFORE JUNE 30, 1992, TWO YEARS AHEAD OF THE DATE BY WHICH THE WHOLE DEVELOPMENT IS REQUIRED TO BE COMPLETED.
MR HO NOTED THAT TENDERERS WISHING TO BID FOR THE SITE WILL, IN ADDITION TO THE PREMIUM BIDDING, HAVE TO SUBMIT A PRELIMINARY DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT SHOWING HOW BEST THE ABOVE SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT CRITERIA ARE TO BE ACHIEVED.
/THE DEADLINE........
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 1989
5 -
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON JULY 2I YEAR.
TENDER FORMS, TENDER NOTICES AND CONDITIONS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM, AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT. THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
TENDER DOCUMENTS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT ALL THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
FURTHER DETAILS ABOUT THE TENDER AND SPECIAL CONDITIONS RELATING TO THE CONDITIONS FOR SALE CAN BE OBTAINED BY CONT VOTING MR THOMAS HO, THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICERS, HONG KONG WEST. <’N 5-8351633.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING SPECIFIC DESIGN ASPECTS SUCH AS THE HOOF PROFILE TREATMENT, DESIGN OF’ THE PODIUM ROOF GARDEN AND SO W-DIRECTED TO THE CENTRAL INFORMATION UNIT OF THE TOWN l I ANNING OFFICE ON 5-8482402.
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HK WILL HAVE TO DEVELOP INFRASTRUCTURE
» » » * «
HONG KONG. WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BECOME A MAJOR CENTRE SERVING SOUTH CHINA. WILL HAVE TO TYKE STEPS TO ENSURE THAT IT CAN MEET IHE DEMANDS THAT WILL BE PLACED UPON ITS ECONOMY.
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER (DESIGNATE I, MR I Y. YEUNG. SAID THIS IN SYDNEY TODAY (FRIDAY) WHEN HF ADDRESSED TH) SECOND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF PRIVATE BUS INF.' YSSOC J AT I o!-;S , ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WSTRALIA.
MR YEUNG SAID THAT IN MANY RESPECTS HONG I•<»;.(: W.Y I ! ■ U BECOMING A MAJOR CENTRE SERVING SOUTH CHINA IN TERMS OF MANUF ’UMI-’ AND RELATED ACTIVITIES.
BY ALL ACCOUNTS, HE SAID, HONG KONG HAD BECOME THE LARI S' SOURCE OF REALISED MANUFACTURING INVESTMENT IN CHINA. PART [Cl’L\RL . GUANGDONG PROVINCE.
IN THE PERIOD 1979 TO 1988. THE VALUE OF REALISED Dil-1 INVESTMENT IN CHINA CAME TO US$10.9 BILLION, 40 PER CENT OF WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR BY THE SEVERAL THOUSAND JOINT VENTURE FACTORIES IN GUANGDONG.
/"JUST AS .......
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 1989
6 -
"JUST AS GUANGDONG NOW FINDS IT ECONOMICALLY SENSIBLE TO BE SUPPLIED FROM HONG KONG WITH SUCH PHYSICAL SERVICES AS TRANSPORT, AND PROFESSIONAL, FINANCIAL AND TRADING SERVICES BECAUSE THE PROVINCE HAS A LONG WAV TO CATCH UP IN TERMS OF INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT, SO I EXPECT GUANGDONG WILL INCREASINGLY RECOGNISE HONG KONG AS A BASE FOR THE SUPPLY OF PARTS AND COMPONENTS, OF DESIGN AND PRODUCTION EXPERTISE. AND OF INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY," MR YEUNG SAID.
HE PREDICTED THAT WHEN HONG KONG’S ECONOMY MATURED. ITS MANUFACTURING WOULD MAINTAIN ROUGHLY THE CURRENT SHARE OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT BUT SHIFT OVER TIME TOWARDS MUCH HIGHER QUALITY FINISHED PRODUCTS AND TOWARDS INCREASED LINKAGE INDUSTRY PRODUCTION.
HE ALSO SAID HE COULD FORESEE THAT HONG KONG WOULD EVOLVE INTO A MAJOR FINANCIAL CENTRE FOR ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH CHINA.
"SO LONG AS LOCAL BANKERS ACCEPT THAT THEIR PROPER ROLE IS REGIONAL RATHER THAN GLOBAL, CONSIDERABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROFITABLE BUSINESS WILL CONTINUE TO EXIST," MR YEUNG SAID.
IT HAD BEEN SUGGESTED BY MANY BANKING SOURCES THAT CHINA WOULD NEED AS MUCH AS US$200 BILLION TO ACHIEVE ITS MINIMUM TARGETS UNDER ITS MODERNISATION PROGRAMMES.
MR YEUNG SAID HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE OPENING UP OF CHINA WOULD CREATE OPPORTUNITIES THAT HONG KONG WOULD BE ABLE TO EXPLOIT, IN TERMS OF INVESTMENT CAPITAL, LOAN SYNDICATION AND FINANCING OF OTHER FORMS OF DEBT INCURRED BY (HINA FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS MODERNISATION PROGRAMMES.
HE BELIEVED THESE LIKELY DEVELOPMENTS, IN ALL OF WHICH HONG KONG SEEMED SET TO EXERCISE A DEGREE OF LEADERSHIP, CLEARLY MEANT THAT HONG KONG WOULD HAVE TO TAKE STEPS TO ENSURE THAT IT COULD MEET THE DEMANDS THAT WOULD BE PLACED UPON ITS ECONOMY.
IN TERMS OF HARD INFRASTRUCTURE, MR YEUNG FELT HONG KONG WOULD NEED TO EXPAND ITS PORT, CONTAINER HANDLING AND AIRPORT FACILITIES AND TO IMPROVE ITS ROAD NETWORK, INCLUDING THE BORDER LINKS WITH CHINA.
"WE WILL NEED TO ENSURE THAT MORE INDUSTRIAL LAND IS CREATED TO CATER FOR WHAT IS BEGINNING TO EMERGE IN MANUFACTURING AS A NEW GENERATION OF PRODUCTION, TYPICALLY DOMINATED BY INNOVATIVE DESIGN AND MECHANISED PRODUCTION AS OPPOSED TO LABOUR INTENSIVE ASSEMBLY.
"MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE SHIFT TOWARDS HIGHER SKILLS AND TECHNOLOGY IN MANFACTURING SUPPORT. WHEN TAKEN TOGETHER WITH THE CONTINUING SHIFT INTO THE SERVICE INDUSTRIES, WILL CREATE STRONGER DEMANDS FOR INCREASED SPENDING IN EDUCATION AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING," HE SAID.
MR YEUNG ADDED THAT THE CONTINUING CHALLENGE WAS TO FIND THF. SERVICES TO FUND THIS EXPANSION. AND TO ENSURE THAT THE USES TO WHICH THESE RESOURCES WERE PUT REFLECTED THE CHANGES THAT WERE TAKING PLACE IN THE ECONOMY.
- 0 -
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 1989
- 7 -
FIRST ROADWORKS CONTRACT FOR TIN SHUT WAI AWARDED
« t t » »
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) AWARDED THE FIRST ROADWORKS CONTRACT FOR THE TIN SHUl WAI NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.
THE $109 MILLION CONTRACT, SIGNED BY THE DIRECTOR OF TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT, DR NIP KAM-FAN, AND THE CONTRACTOR, INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF ABOUT 600 METRES OF A DUAL TWO-LANE ROAD AND ABOUT 500 METRES OF A SINGLE TWO-LANE ROAD BETWEEN PING SHAN AND HA TSUEN.
UPON COMPLETION, THE ROADS WILL ALSO PROVIDE IMPROVED ACCESS FOR VILLAGERS OF THE TWO RURAL AREAS IN YUEN LONG BY REPLACING A SECTION OF THE EXISTING PING HA ROAD.
WORKS ON THE CONTRACT WILL BE MANAGED BY TIN SHUl WAI/YUEN LONG DEVELOPMENT OFFICE AND SUPERVISED BY BINNIE CONSULTANTS LIMITED.
THEY WILL BEGIN BY END OF THIS MONTH AND BE SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED IN EARLY 1991.
THE CONTRACTOR IS ALSO REQUIRED TO UNDERTAKE WORK ON THE FORMATION OF A SECTION OF LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT RESERVE ALONGSIDE PART OF THE ROAD FOR THE FUTURE EXTENSION OF THE RAIL SYSTEM TO THE NEW TOWN FROM CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
ALSO INCLUDED UNDER THE CONTRACT IS THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 1,200-METRE TRUNK SEWER AS PART OF THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES SEWERAGE SCHEME.
CHE SEWER, TO BE CONNECTED WITH THE PROPOSED HA TSUEN SEWAGE PUMPING STATION, WILL TAKE SEWAGE FROM THE NEW TOWN AND NEARBY AREAS.
THE LAND IN TIN SHUl WAI, ORIGINALLY COMPRISED MAINLY OF FISHPONDS. IS BEING FORMED BY USING SOME 20 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF DREDGED MARINE SAND FROM OUTER DEEP BAY. TO DATE, SOME 65 HECTARES OF LAND HAS BEEN FORMED.
THE PILING WORK FOR THE FIRST PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE BEGAN IN MARCH AND WORK FOR THE SECOND ESTATE AND THE FIRST PRIVATE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT WILL GET UNDERWAY SHORTLY.
BY THE END OF 1991, THE FIRST RESIDNETS ARE EXPECTED TO MOVE INTO THE NEW TOWN, WHICH IS DESIGNED FOR A POPULATION OF ABOUT 135,000.
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/8........
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 1989
- 8 -GRADUATING FIRE SERVICES STAFF GIVEN ADVICE * * * *
NEW MEMBERS OF THE FIRE SERVICES WERE TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDED THAT THEY' SHOULD DO THEIR UTMOST TO SAFEGUARD THE GOOD REPUTATION OF THE DEPARTMENT.
ADDRESSING A PASSING OUT PARADE OF 30 AMBULANCEMEN AND 18 FIREMEN, THE ASSISTANT CHIEF AMBULANCE OFFICER, MR CHENG KWONG-TAK, SAID: "YOU HAVE ENTERED A SERVICE WITH A FIRST CLASS REPUTATION, BOTH IN HONG KONG AND ABROAD.
"SO REMEMBER THAT YOU EACH REPRESENT THIS SERVICE WHEREVER YOU GO AND WHATEVER YOU DO AND THE SERVICE SHALL BE JUDGED BY YOUR WORDS AND ACTIONS."
MR CHENG ALSO URGED THE GRADUATING RECRUITS TO SHOW COMPASSION IN THEIR DAILY WORK AS MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC NEEDED THEIR HELP MOST AT TIMES WHEN THEY' WERE IN DISTRESS.
AFTER REVIEWING THE PARADE, MR CHENG PRESENTED THE BEST RECRUIT AWARDS TO FIREMAN MO CHI-WING AND AMBULANCEMAN LAI CHI-WAI.
-----0------
LEGISLATION SOUGHT TO SPEED UP APPEAL PROCEDURES FOR VBP
*****
AN AMENDMENT BILL SEEKING TO GIVE LEGISLATIVE EFFECT TO PROPOSALS TO SPEED UP APPEAL PROCEDURES FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE (VBP) WAS PUBLISHED TODAY' (FRIDAY) IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
THE IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1989 WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT WEDNESDAY.
IT PROVIDES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF REVIEW BOARDS TO CONSIDER APPEALS FROM THOSE VBP WHO ARE REFUSED REFUGEE STATUS. AT PRESENT, THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL DEALS WITH SUCH APPEALS.
UNDER PROPOSED AMENDMENTS. THE INDIVIDUAL CONCERNED IS GIVEN 28 DAYS TO OBJECT TO A NOTICE OF REFUSAL TO GRANT REFUGEE STATUS.
THE REFUGEE STATUS REVIEW BOARDS WILL CONSIDER APPEAL CASES IN PRIVATE AND WILL CONFIRM OR REVERSE THE FIRST-INSTANCE DECISION AS IT THINKS FIT WITHOUT A REQUIREMENT TO ASSIGN REASONS FOR ITS DECISION, WHICH WILL BE FINAL.
LEGAL REPRESENTATION WILL NOT BE ALLOWED AT THE BEARING BY A HOARD BUT THE APPLICANT WILL BE ASSISTED IN PREPARING HIS CASE BY HIS LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE.
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/9.......
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 1989
- 9 -
CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS BEGIN » * * »
BLOCK-TO-BLOCK CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS, ORGANISED BY THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, ARE BEING CARRIED OUT IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS TO PROMOTE NEIGHBOURHOOD CLEANLINESS.
THE TERRITORY-WIDE CLEAN-UP, WHICH WILL CONTINUE UNTIL JULY, IS ONE OF THE MAJOR OPERATIONAL PHASES OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN AND IS CO-ORDINATED BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
"WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE CLEANSING STAFF, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE URGED TO HELP CLEAN UP STREETS, LANES, ALLEYS, CANOPIES AND COMMON PARTS OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE STEERING COMMITTEE SAID.
TO FACILITATE CLEANSING WORK, ADDITIONAL REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS ARE SET UP FOR RESIDENTS TO DISPOSE REFUSE AND JUNK.
DISTRICT HEALTH INSPECTORS ARE ALSO DEPLOYED TO INSPECT BUILDINGS, MAKE ANTI-LITTER PATROLS, ENFORCE CLEANSING AND HYGIENE LAWS, AND TO GIVE ADVICE ON ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE PROBLEMS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
"THEY WILL ALSO PARTICIPATE IN CLEAN-UP ACTIVITIES INITIATED BY LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE CALLED ON RESIDENTS TO MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO HELP MAINTAIN A CLEAN LIVING ENVIRONMENT.
RESIDENTS COULD CONTACT THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRICT CLEANSING OFFICES FOR DETAILS OF THE CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS, HE ADDED.
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BIG CLEAN-UP IN EASTERN BEGINS ON SUNDAY ♦ » * » »
EASTERN DISTRICT WILL TAKE ON A NEW LOOK WITH THE LAUNCHING ON SUNDAY (MAY 28) OF A MASSIVE BLOCK-TO-BLOCK CLEAN-UP OPERATION WHICH WILL CONTINUE UNTIL JULY 10.
EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL TAKE THE LEAD IN CLEANING UP CHUN YEUNG STREET, A POPULAR MARKET PLACE IN NORTH POINT.
THE OPERATION IS ONE OF THE ACTIVITIES JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD, THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE URBAN COUNCIL TO SUPPORT THE 1989-90 TERR'TORY-WIDE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
/DURING THE........
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 1989
10 -
DURING THE OPERATION, THE HONG KONG EAST OFFICE OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL MOBILISE STAFF TO CLEAN UP PRIVATE AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS, HAWKER AREAS, AND RECREATIONAL GROUNDS IN MAJOR AREAS IN THE DISTRICT.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS CHANG KING-YOU; URBAN COUNCILLOR, MISS CHRISTINA TING; SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT (HK EAST) OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR WONG SHIU-KWONG; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE, MRS BETTY YUNG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BLOCK-TO-BLOCK CLEAN-UP OPERATION ON SUNDAY (MAY 28) AT THE JUNCTION OF CHUN YEUNG STREET AND TONG SHUI ROAD IN NORTH POINT. THE CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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HOME SAFETY EXHIBITION AT CHUK YUEN ESTATE t t » * t
A MOBILE EXHIBITION TO DISSEMINATE HOME SAFETY MESSAGES WILL BE STAGED AT THE SHOPPING CENTRE OF CHUK YUEN (SOUTH) ESTATE IN WONG TAI SIN ON SUNDAY (MAY 28), FROM 11 AM TO 4 PM.
THE THEME OF THE EXHIBITION IS "HOW TO KEEP YOUR KITCHEN SAFE".
"THE EXHIBITION, IN THE FORM OF A MOCK KITCHEN, AIMS AT ALERTING THE PUBLIC TO THE POTENTIAL DANGERS IN THIS AREA OF THE HOME." A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HOME SAFETY CAMPAIGN PUBLICITY COMMITTEE SAID.
A NEW BOOKLET. "SAFETY BEGINS AT HOME", VISITORS AT THE VENUE.
WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO
"THE BOOKLET NOT ONLY OUTLINES THE MOST COMMON HAZARDS IN THE HOME BUT ALSO PROVIDES GUIDELINES ON HOW TO AVOID MISHAPS ARISING THROUGH THE USE OF GAS. ELECTRICITY, MICROWAVES, WATER, CHEMICALS AND MEDICINE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IT ALSO GIVES ADVICE ON FIRST AID KNOWLEDGE AND THE CONTENT OF A FIRST AID BOX," HE ADDED.
CHUK YUEN (SOUTH) ESTATE IS THE LAST STOP FOR THE MOBILE EXHIBITION WHICH HAS VISITED EIGHT PUBLIC ESTATES ON CONSECUTIVE SUNDAYS SINCE MARCH.
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/11
I
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 1989
11 |
AMENDMENTS TO DRAFT FANLING/SHEUNG SHU I OZP t * * » *
AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT FANL1NG/SHEUNG SHU1 OUTLINE ZONING PLAN HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD IN THE GAZETTE TODAY . (FRIDAY ) .
I
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID THE AMENDMENTS MAINLY INCLUDED TWO ITEMS: A AND B.
ITEM A REFERS TO AN AMENDMENT FROM 'RESIDENTIAL (GROUP C) 1 ’ TO 'RESIDENTIAL (GROUP C)2’ IN AN AREA AT PAK FUK TSUEN IN AREA 39, FANLING.
IN THE 'RESIDENTIAL (GROUP Cl’ ZONE, THE RESTRICTIONS IN^t RESPECT OF SUB-AREA 'R(C)2' ARE AMENDED FROM 'MAXIMUM PLOT RATIO OF j 0.8 AND MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF 8 RESIDENTIAL STOREYS OVER ONE-STOREY CARPORT’ TO 'MAXIMUM PLOT RATIO OF 1.5 AND MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF 12 STOREYS INCLUDING CARPORT’.
I
ITEM B RELATES TO A REZONING OF A SITE AT THE NORTH-EASTERN PART OF ON LOK TSUEN IN AREA 25, FANLING FROM ’GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/ ‘ COMMUNITY’ TO ’INDUSTRIAL’ USE.
THE ABOVE AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT PLAN MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
- TOWN PLANNING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 4/F., MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG;
- PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT HONG KONG; AND
CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE,
- NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING I ROUNDABOUT, FANLING, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY ITEM A OF THE AMENDMENTS MAY SUBMIT HIS | OBJECTION IN WRITING BY JUNE 9, 1989 AND BY JUNE 16, 1989 FOR ITEM BTO I THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNINGBOARD, C/O BUILDINGS AND LANDS > DEPARTMENT, 4/F., MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
COPIES OF THE AMENDMENT PLAN ARE AVAILABLE AT THE MAP AND PLAN , SALES SECTION, SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14/F., MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD; AND THE KOWLOON MAP AND PLAN SALES SECTION, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
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FRIDAY, MAY 26, 1989
- 12 -
DEADLINE FOR TYPHOON RELIEF APPLICATIONS t * t * t
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ADVISED FARMERS WHO SUFFERED HEAVY LOSSES AS A RESULT OF TYPHOON BRENDA THAT APPLICATIONS FOR EMERGENCY RELIEF GRANTS WOULD CLOSE AT 5 PM ON WEDNESDAY (MAY 31).
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT GENUINE FULL-TIME FARMERS WHO SUFFERED EXTENSIVE DAMAGES AND WERE IN NEED OF THE GRANT TO RELIEVE THEIR FINANCIAL DISTRESS WOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR A RELIEF GRANT UP TO A MAXIMUM OF $1,520 FROM THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND.
HE ADVISED THOSE AFFECTED CROP, LIVESTOCK AND POND FISH FARMERS TO MAKE THEIR APPLICATIONS PERSONALLY AND PROVIDE DETAILS OF THEIR LOSSES TO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING FISHERIES AND AGRICULTURAL OFFICES IF THEY HAD NOT ALREADY DONE SO:
* AU TAU FISHERIES OFFICE, AU TAU, YUEN LONG.
* YUEN LONG DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL OFFICE,
TAI KIU MARKET,
YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, YUEN LONG.
* TAI PO DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL OFFICE,
TAI PO GOVERNMENT OFFICES, TING KOK ROAD, TAI PO.
* KO PO AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION OFFICE, KO PO, FANLING.
* SAI KUNG AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION OFFICE, HO CHUNG, SAI KUNG.
» MUI WO AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION OFFICE, SILVER MINE BAY. MUI WO.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT SINCE THE START OF THE OPERATION ON MONDAY, 899 FARMERS HAD APPLIED TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR EMERGENCY RELIEF GRANTS.
OF THE APPLICANTS ALREADY REGISTERED SO FAR, 732 WERE CROP AND LIVESTOCK FARMERS WHILE THE REMAINING 167 WERE POND FISH FARMERS.
"AFTER INITIAL REGISTRATION, EACH CASE WILL BE INVESTIGATED. CHECKED AND ASSESSED. AND ONLY THOSE WHO MEET WITH THE EMERGENCY RELIEF CRITERIA WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR THE PAYMENT OF \ RELIEF GRANT OF WHICH THE AMOUNT WILL BE BASED ON THE REHABILITATION COST REQUIRED IN EACH CASE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/"AFTER CHECKING
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 1989
"AFTER CHECKING AND ASSESSMENT, APPLICANTS WHOSE CASES ARE FOUND JUSTIFIED WILL BE NOTIFIED FOR THE COLLECTION OF THEIR GRANTS IN DUE COURSE. AND THOSE UNSUCCESSFUL WILL ALSO BE INFORMED." HE ADDED.
TYPHOON BRENDA CAUSED FLOODING OF SOME 130 HECTARES OF FISH PONDS WITH LOSSES ESTIMATED AT $2.8 MILLION.
THE TYPHOON ALSO CAUSED FLOODING TO 250 HECTARES OF FARMLAND IN YUEN LONG AND EASTERN NEW TERRITORIES. LIVESTOCK LOSSES INCLUDED SOME 66,000 CHICKENS, 6,000 DUCKS, 1,300 PAIRS OF PIGEONS, AND 1,000
PIGS.
CROP AND LIVESTOCK LOSSES WERE ESTIMATED AT $6 MILLION.
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DEADLINE FOR LRT ACCIDENT VICTIMS TO APPLY FOR TAVA
******
VICTIMS OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING LIGHT RAIL VEHICLES SINCE MARCH 1 LAST YEAR WHO WISH TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE (TAVA) SCHEME ARE REMINDED THAT THEIR APPLICATIONS SHOULD REACH THE TAVA SECTION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT BY SEPTEMBER 1 THIS YEAR.
THE SENIOR SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICER, TAVA, MISS HELEN LEE, NOTED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT AT A RECENT MEETING THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAD PASSEL) AN AMENDMENT CONCERNING THE ADMINISTRATIVE DOCUMENT GOVERNING THE OPERATION, AND ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR ASSISTANCE, OF THE TAVA SCHEME.
UNDER THE AMENDMENT, PEOPLE CLAIMING ASSISTANCE ARISING FROM ACCIDENTS ON THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SINCE MARCH 1 LAST YEAR ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE RULE THAT APPLICATIONS MUST BE MADE WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF THE ACCIDENT.
"THIS AMENDMENT WILL EXPIRE ON SEPTEMBER 1, 1989, WHICH WILL GIVE THE INJURED PERSONS CONCERNED OR THEIR DEPENDANTS MORE THAN THREE MONTHS WITHIN WHICH TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION.
"THE RELAXATION OF THIS RULE WILL ONLY APPLY TO ACCIDENTS INVOLVING A LRT VEHICLE AND NOT TO ACCIDENTS INVOLVING ANY OTHER CLASS OF VEHICLE," MISS LEE SAID.
APPLICATIONS CAN BE MADE EITHER IN PERSON OR THROUGH THE POST.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION SECTIONS OF THE POLICE DISTRICT TRAFFIC FORMATIONS, DISTRICT OFFICES O1 THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, OR AT THE TAVA SECTION, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, AT 15 WATSON ROAD, VICTORIA CENTRE, FIRST FLOOR, CAUSEWAY BAY.
FRIDAY, MAY 26, 1989
14
EXHIBITION ON WATER POLLUTION IN TSUEN WAN ♦ t t » t
A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION ON "WATER POLLUTION IN TSUEN WAN” WILL BE HELD IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON.
ON DISPLAY WILL BE 40 WINNING ENTRIES OF A PHOTOGRAH1C COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD’S WORKING GROUP ON POLLUTION PROBLEMS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENHANCING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE PROBLEM.
OFFICIATING AT THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY TOMORROW WILL BE THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHAU HOW-CHEN; THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS SANDY HO; AND THE CONVENER OF THE WORKING GROUP ON POLLUTION PROBLEMS IN TSUEN WAN, DR RICHARD LAI.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION TOMORROW (SATURDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, TSUEN WAN.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BEGIN AT 1 PM AND THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE AT 2.30 PM.
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LAND IN TAI PO TO BE RESUMED
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO RESUME LAND IN TAI PO FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF FOUR PYLONS AS PART OF THE TAI PO TO BORDER SECTION OF THE 400 KV OVERHEAD POWER TRANSMISSION NETWORK.
THE LAND TO BE RESUMED COMPRISES 12 PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL LOTS AND ONE OTHER LOT WITH A TOTAL AREA OF 5,458.1 SQUARE METRES OF AGRICULTURAL LAND.
A NOTICE ON THE RESUMPTION WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE LOTS WILL REVERT TO THE GOVERNMENT ON THE EXPIRY OF THREE MONTHS AFTER THE POSTING OF THE NOTICE ON THE LOTS.
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FRIDAY, MAY 26, 1989
SHUEN WAN LANDFILL EXTENSION PROPOSED * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO RECLAIM 25.2 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT TOLO HARBOUR TO FORM AN EXTENSION OF THE SHUEN WAN LANDFILL AT TAI PO.
THE FORMED LANDFILL EXTENSION WILL PROVIDE SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES FOR THE NORTHEAST NEW TERRITORIES.
THE AREA AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSED RECLAMATION 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 SEABED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS BEFORE JULY 25.
0 - -
CLOSURE OF JAT’S INCLINE IN TSZ WAN SHAN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT JAT’S INCLINE HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR TWO WEEKS FROM 10 AM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE REMOVAL OF OVER-HANGING BOULDERS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, FEI NGO SHAN ROAD BETWEEN SHATIN PASS ROAD AND CUSTOMS PASS WILL BE RE-ROUTED FOR ONE-WAY DOWNHILL TRAFFIC.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SATURDAY, MAY 27, 19^9
contents page no.
JOB BAZAAR HELPS EASE LABOUR SHORTAGE........................ 1 U.S. AUDIENCE TOLD OF RENEWED INTEREST IN BASIC LAW.......... 2 SAFETY NET FOR THE NEEDY .................................... U CLEAN HARBOUR CAMPAIGN BEGINS TOMORROW ...................... 5 FEASIBILITY STUDY ON SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT FOR DISABLED ...... 6 MEASURES TO IMPROVE TOLO HARBOUR WATER QUALITY .............. 6 NEW SITTING-OUT AREA OPINED IN CHAI WAN ..................... 7 THREE LOTS OFFERED FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION................ 7 TREE PLANTING CEREMONY IN MONG KOK TOMORROW.................. 8 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TALK IN SHEK KIP MEI................ 9 MORE SOCIAL CENTRES FOR ELDERLY IN KWAI TSING................ 10 TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY IN SHAU KEI WAN .................... 11 CLOSURE OF LANE ON PRINCESS MARGARET ROaD.................... 11 URBAN CLEARWAYS IN TSIM SHA TSUI ............................ 11 LANE CLOSURES IN SHA TIN .................................... 12
SATURDAY, MAY 27, 1989
1
JOB BAZAAR HELPS EASE LABOUR SHORTAGE
» » * » *
JOB BAZAARS WILL BE OF GREAT BENEFIT TO ALL JOB-SEEKERS, INCLUDING THOSE WHO HAVE WORKING ABILITY BUT HAVE NOT YET BEEN LOOKING FOR JOBS ACTIVELY, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S FOURTH JOB BAZAAR AT THE CITYPLAZA IN TAIKOO SHING, MR HAMMOND SAID THE EVENT PROVIDED A VERY GOOD OPPORTUNITY’ FOR JOB-SEEKERS, INCLUDING GRADUATES AND SCHOOL-LEAVERS, TO ACQUIRE FIRST-HAND INFORMATION ON EMPLOYMENT.
"WE SINCERELY HOPE THAT THE EVENT WILL BRING FRUITFUL RESULTS TO ALL THE PARTICIPANTS AND CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS SOLVING SOME OF THEIR RECRUITMENT PROBLEMS," HE ADDED.
MR HAMMOND EXPLAINED THAT THE JOB BAZAAR WAS ORGANISED AS A RESULT OF THE FAVOURABLE ACHIEVEMENTS MADE IN SIMILAR EVENTS LAST YEAR, COUPLED WITH THE PREVAILING TIGHT LABOUR MARKET.
IN PURSUANCE OF THE DEPARTMENT’S OBJECTIVE TO UPGRADE ITS SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC, HE SAID, A NEW LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OFFICE WOULD BE PROVIDED IN KWAI CHUNG THIS YEAR.
"PROGRESS IS ALSO BEING MADE TO REPROVISION SEVERAL OTHER EXISTING OFFICES TO BETTER LOCATIONS IN ORDER TO BRING MORE CONVENIENCE AND BETTER SERVICE TO JOB-SEEKERS AND EMPLOYERS ALIKE," HE SAID.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY WAS A MEMBER OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD, MR HENRY TANG.
MR TANG SAID THE IDEA OF JOB BAZAARS WAS FIRST INTRODUCED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT LAST YEAR, AND THE CONCEPT HAD SINCE BECOME POPULAR AND WAS WIDELY ADOPTED IN HONG KONG.
"BEING A DYNAMIC RECRUITMENT ACTIVITY, THE JOB BAZAAR COULD HELP MAXIMISE THE CAPACITY OF THE LABOUR FORCE AND PLAY A POSITIVE ROLE IN EASING THE CURRENT LABOUR SHORTAGE," HE SAID.
"IT ALSO FACILITATES ON-THE-SPOT AND FAC-TO-FACE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND JOB-SEEKERS ABOUT JOB DETAILS AND COMPANY INFORMATION AND PROVIDES A VENUE FOR JOB INTERVIEWS.
"IN ADDITION, PARTICIPATION IN THE BAZAAR ENABLES EMPLOYERS TO TAKE THE INITIATIVE IN REACHING OUT TO BOTH ACTIVE JOB-SEEKERS AND THE POTENTIAL LABOUR FORCE."
MR TANG URGED GRADUATES, SCHOOL-LEAVERS. HOUSEWIVES AND ANY OTHER JOB-SEEKERS LOOKING FOR PART-TIME OR FULL-TIME WORK TO VISIT THE BAZAAR.
/NOTING THE .......
SATURDAY, MAY 27, 19$9
2
NOTING THE SUCCESS OF THE LAST JOB BAZAAR HELD AT THE OCEAN TERMINAL IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR, MR TANG SAID THE PARTICIPATING COMPANIES HAD RECEIVED SOME 12,000 ENQUIRIES, CONDUCTED OVER 300 JOB-INTERVIEWS ON THE SPOT AND ARRANGED ABOUT 3,000 SUBSEQUENT INTERVIEWS.
’’THESE RESULTS CONFIRMED THAT THE JOB BAZAAR IS A VERY EFFECTIVE METHOD OF HELPING EMPLOYERS IN RECRUITING WORKERS AND JOB-SEEKERS IN FINDING WORK," HE CONCLUDED.
THIS YEAR’S JOB BAZAAR WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC UNTIL NEXT TUESDAY (MAY 30). THE DAILY OPENING HOURS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
MAY 27 (SATURDAY) 11 AM - 7 PM
MAY 28 (SUNDAY) 10.30 AM - 7 PM
MAY 29 (MONDAY) 10.30 AM - 7 PM
MAY 30 (TUESDAY) 10.30 AM - 4 PM
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U.S. AUDIENCE TOLD OF RENEWED INTEREST IN BASIC LAW ♦ » t » »
THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WERE EXPECTED TO SHOW A RENEWED AND MORE INTENSE INTEREST IN THE BASIC LAW IN THE WAKE OF EVENTS IN CHINA, THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN NEW YORK, MR KERRY MCGLYNN, SAID ON FRIDAY (MAY 26).
IN AN ADDRESS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, MR MCGLYNN SAID THIS WAS A NATURAL DEVELOPMENT AS THE BASIC LAW WAS OF SUCH FUNDAMENTAL IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG AS A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF CHINA FOR 50 YEARS AFTER 1997.
REACTION OF HONG KONG PEOPLE TO EVENTS IN CHINA HAD ALREADY INDICATED THAT THIS PROCESS HAD BEGUN, HE ADDED, NOTING THAT THE MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS HAD THIS WEEK ANNOUNCED A UNIFIED POSITION ON THE COMPOSITION OF THE LEGISLATURE OF THE FUTURE HONG KONG SAR.
’’THE TWO-DAY DEBATE ON THE BASIC LAW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT WEEK WILL CERTAINLY BE FOLLOWED WITH GREAT INTEREST," HE ADDED.
MR MCGLYNN WAS SPEAKING TO ACADEMICS AND STUDENTS AS PART OF A LECTURE SERIES ON HONG KONG’S POLITICAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANISED BY THE EAST ASIAN SECTION OF THE HISTORY DEPARTMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD.
/HE SAID .......
SATURDAY, LaY 27, 19^9
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HE SAID THE IMPORTANCE OF HONG KONG AND ITS FUTURE AS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL TRADING AND FINANCIAL CENTRE HAD BEEN UNDERLINED BY THE AMOUNT OF ATTENTION HONG KONG HAD ITSELF RECEIVED IN THE U.S. MEDIA DURING THE LAST WEEK AS PART OF MASSIVE COVERAGE OF EVENTS IN CHINA.
FLUCTUATIONS OF THE HANG SENG INDEX, THE CONTINUING AND INTENSE EXPRESSIONS OF CONCERN BY LARGE NUMBERS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE AND ISSUES RAISED RELATED TO THE BASIC LAW HAD ALL BEEN EXTENSIVELY REPORTED AND COMMENTED UPON.
"U.S. BUSINESS HAS A MAJOR INVESTMENT AND PRESENCE IN HONG KONG, A PRESENCE WHICH IS ON THE INCREASE," HE SAID, "SO IT IS ONLY NATURAL THAT THE IMPACT OF EVENTS IN CHINA ON HONG KONG SHOULD BE FOLLOWED WITH SUCH CLOSE INTEREST IN AMERICA.
"I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THIS INTEREST WILL BE SUSTAINED, INCLUDING THE ONGOING DEBATE ON THE BASIC LAW."
MR MCGLYNN ECHOED THE STATEMENT BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, THAT HONG KONG HAD AN IMMENSE ABILITY TO BOUNCE BACK BECAUSE ECONOMIC REALITIES AND FUNDAMENTALS WOULD ALWAYS RE-ASSERT THEMSELVES.
"MY IMPRESSION IS THAT THOSE PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY WHO TAKE A CLOSE INTEREST IN HONG KONG UNDERSTAND THIS," HE ADDED.
"THEY APPRECIATE THE IMPORTANCE OF HONG KONG’S ROLE IN CHINA'S OWN DEVELOPMENT, PARTICULARLY IN SOUTHERN CHINA.”
TN HIS LECTURE, MR MCGLYNN TRACED THE HISTORY OF HOW HONG KONG HAD EMERGED SHATTERED FROM THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION OF WORLD WAR II TO BECOME THE WORLD'S TENTH LARGEST TRADING ECONOMY.
IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT THE HONG KONG ECONOMY WAS NOW SOME 19 TIMES BIGGER THAN IT WAS IN THE EARLY 1960’S, WHILE OUTPUT PER HEAD HAD GROWN SIX-FOLD OVER THE SAME PERIOD, HE SAID.
IN THE 22 YEARS SINCE 1966, THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT HAD GROWN MORE THAN FIVE AND A HALF TIMES IN REAL TERMS, OR AN AVERAGE OF MORE THAN EIGHT PER CENT PER YEAR.
PER CAPITA GDP THIS YEAR WOULD REACH UStl1,000 -- HIGHER THAN COUNTRIES SUCH AS IRELAND, PORTUGAL AND GREECE -- UNDERLINING HONG KONG’S POSITION AS THE MOST PROSPEROUS PLACE IN ASIA OUTSIDE JAPAN.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, MR MCGLYNN WENT ON, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN ENORMOUS STRIDES IN DEVELOPING PROGRAMMES IN THB FIELDS OF HOUSING, HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION, SOCIAL WELFARE, CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND, INCREASINGLY IN RECENT YEARS, IN ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.
"HONG KONG IS NOW RECOGNISABLY AND INCREASINGLY A SOPHISTICATED SOCIETY OF ENORMOUS SIGNIFICANCE TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
"THIS IMPORTANCE TO THE WORLD IS ONE OF THE MANY STRENGTHS WHICH WILL HELP ENSURE HONG KONG’S CONTINUING STABILITY AND PROSPERITY, NO MATTER WHAT DIFFICULTIES ARISE," HE ADDED.
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SATURDAY, MAY 27, 1989
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SAFETY NET FOR THE NEEDY » * *
IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S FIRM COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE A "SAFETY NET" FOR THE NEEDY AT ALL TIMES.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR ALEXANDER FUNG, SAID THIS TODAY (SATURDAY) IN A SEMINAR ON "SOCIAL SECURITY IN THE 1990’S" ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL FOR SOCIAL SERVICE.
MR FUNG POINTED OUT THAT THE ASSISTANCE WAS ALSO EXTENDED PARTICULARLY IN TIMES OF ADVERSITY ARISING FROM ECONOMIC RECESSION WHEN TllE NEEDS OF THE LESS FORTUNATE SECTOR OF THE COMMUNITY WERE MORE STRONGLY FELT.
"IN THE PROVISION OF SOCIAL SECURITY SERVICES, THE GOVERNMENT UNDERTAKES TO REVIEW THE VARIOUS SCHEMES FROM TIME TO TIME WITH A VIEW TO MAKING IMPROVEMENTS WHEN APPROPRIATE," HE SAID.
"SOCIAL SECURITY IS PROVIDED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT THROUGH THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE (PA) SCHEME, THE SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE (SNA) SCHEME, THE CRIMINAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT INJURIES COMPENSATION SCHEME, THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE SCHEME AND EMERGENCY RELIEF SERVICES.
"THE OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF THESE SCHEMES IS TO MEET THE BASIC ANb PARTICULAR NEEDS OR THE RECOGNISED VULNERABLE GROUPS OF PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE IN NEED OF FINANCIAL OR MATERIAL ASSISTANCE.
"ALL THESE SCHEMES HAVE THE COMMON FEATURE OF BEING NON-CONTRIBUTORY, AND THEY HAVE EVOLVED THROUGH A LONG HISTORY OF RELIEF SERVICES DATING BACK TO 1938."
SOCIAI SECURITY HAD HAD ITS SOLID FOUNDATION SINCE THE 1970’S WHEN THE SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES WERE INTRODUCED ONE AFTER ANOTHER, MR FUNG EXPLAINED.
HE SAID THAT THE PA AND SNA SCHEMES HAD SINCE BECOME THE MAINSTAY OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM IN HONG KONG TO HELP THOSE WHO WERE LEAST ABLE TO HELP THEMSELVES.
REFERRING TO THE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE SCHEME, MR FUNG NOTED THAT THESE SCHEMES HAD BEEN REVISED 10 TIMES SINCE THEIR INCEPTION.
THESE PERIODICAL REVISIONS WERE IN LINE WITH THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE BASIC RATES AND THE SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE RATES REFLECTING INFLATION.
OTHER IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INDEPENDENT SOCIAL SECURITY APPEAL BOARD AND THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATION TEAM TO SPECIALLY HANDLE SUSPECTED FRAUD CASES, AND THE INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS SUCH AS OLD AGE SUPPLEMENT, DISABILITY SUPPLEMENT AND LONG TERM SUPPLEMENT.
/THERE //ERE
SATURDAY, MAY 27, 198?
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THERE WERE ALSO THE EXTENSION OF PA TO COVER UNFC LOYE’ ABLE-BODIED ADULTS; THE EXTENSION OF THE RETIREMENT AGE UNDER TUB Ph SCHEME FROM 55 TO 60, THE LOWERING OF THE QUALIFYING AGE FROM 75 TO 70 FOR OLD AGE ALLOWANCE, AND THE RELAXATION OF THE RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT FOR UNEMPLOYED ABLE-BODIED ADULTS FROM TWO YEARS TO ONE YEAR TO BE IN LINE WITH THAT FOR OTHER CATEGORIES OF APPLICANTS.
ANOTHER IMPROVEMENT WAS VESTING A DISCRETIONARY POWE. IN TH’ DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE TO WAIVE THE RESIDENCE REQUI EH.,. f GENUINE HARDSHIP CASES.
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CLEAN HARBOUR CAMPAIGN BEGINS TOMORROW » » » » »
A KEEP HARBOUR CLEAN CAMPAIGN, ORGANISED BY THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, WILL BE LAUNCHED TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
TO MARK THE EVENT, A CEREMONY WILL BE HELD ON BOARD A FERRY IN THE ALDRICH BAY TYPHOON SHELTER. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE, DR PANG HOK-TUEN, WILL OFFICIATE.
AFTER THE OPENING CEREMONY, A FLEET OF REFUSE COLLECTING BOATS FROM THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT CLEAN-UP DEMONSTRATIONS IN THE AREA.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE KEEP HARBOUR CLEAN CAMPAIGN TO BE HELD AT 12 NOON TOMORROW (SUNDAY) IN ALDRICH BAY TYPHOON SHELTER. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO BOARD THE "MAN KIM" FERRY AT WAN CHAI FERRY PIER AT 11.15 AM. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
AFTER THE OPENING CEREMONY, ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE FOR THE PRESS TO GET A CLOSER VIEW OF THE CLEAN-UP DEMONSTRATIONS IN THE TYPHOON SHELTER.
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SATURDAY, MAY 27, 1989
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FEASIBILITY STUDY ON SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT FOR DISABLED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES ARE PLANNING TO CONDUCT A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT FOR THE DISABLED.
THIS WAS SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR KWOK KA-CHI, IN A SEMINAR ON "SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT FOR THE DISABLED - NEW HOPE FOR MORE WORK OPPORTUNITIES".
THE SEMINAR WAS ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE.
MR KWOK POINTED OUT THAT THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE EMPLOYMENT SUB-COMMITTEE HAD APPOINTED A WORKING GROUP TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF ONE OF THE TYPES OF SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT - THE "MOBILE CREW", INCLUDING ITS IDEAL MODEL, AND OPERATIONAL DIFFICULTIES.
"IT IS HOPED THAT BY MEANS OF THE FEASIBILITY STUDY, A COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING PROCEDURE CAN BE WORKED OUT, AND THE STANDARD OF SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT CAN BE SET WITH A VIEW TO PROVIDING BETTER OPPORTUNITIES AND ENVIRONMENT FOR THE DISABLED," HE SAID.
"IN VIEW OF STRESS IN THE CURRENT LABOUR MARKET, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS PLANNING A SERIES OF SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT MEASURES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE DISABLED."
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MEASURES TO IMPROVE TOLO HARBOUR WATER QUALITY
*****
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT WILL CARRY OUT A NUMBER OF PROCESS MODIFICATION WORKS TO THE TAI PO SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS TO IMPROVE THE WATER QUALITY OF TOLO HARBOUR.
UPON COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT, THE NITROGEN CONTENT OF THE EFFLUENT FROM THE TAI PO SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS WILL BE FURTHER REDUCED BY ANOTHER 20 PER CENT.
THE WORKS COMPRISE MODIFICATION OF EXISTING AERATION SYSTEMS AND FINAL SETTLEMENT TANKS, AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A CHEMICAL BUILDING INCLUDING LIME, CHLORINE AND METHANOL HANDLING PLANTS.
STAINLESS STEEL SETTLING TANKS WILL BE BUILT WHILE ASSOCIATED INSTRUMENTATION, ELECTRICAL AND CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS WILL ALSO BE CARRIED OUT.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN AUGUST AND TAKE ABOUT 14 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE DEPARTMENT IS INVITING . TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT.
DEADLINE FOR THE SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JUNE 23.
THE
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SATURDAY, MAY 27, 1989
NEW SITTING-OUT AREA OPENED IN CHAI WAN
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A WORKING GROUP FORMED UNDER THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL ORGANISE A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES TO AROUSE RESIDENTS’ AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT.
ANNOUNCING THE PLANS AT THE OPENING OF THE WING TAI ROAD SITTING-OUT AREA TODAY (SATURDAY), THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING GROUP. MR TO BOON-MAN, SAID A LARGE SCALE TREE PLANTING ACTIVITY WOULD BE ORGANISED AT BRAEMAR HILL IN NORTH POINT IN JULY.
"THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A MURAL-PAINTING PROJECT AT A RETAINING WALL IN CHAI WAN LATER IN THE YEAR," HE SAID.
THE SITTING-OUT AREA OPENED TODAY IS AMONG PROJECTS INITIATED AND FUNDED BY THE BOARD TO BEAUTIFY THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE DENSELY POPULATED CHAI WAN AREA.
FACILITIES IN THE RECREATIONAL VENUE INCLUDE FOUR RAIN SHELTERS. 26 FLOWER BEDS, A NUMBER OF CHESS TABLES AND BENCHES.
MR TO SAID THE BOARD WILL MAINTAIN ITS EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY SUITABLE SITES IN THE DISTRICT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF MORE RECREATIONAL GROUNDS.
DURING THE CEREMONY. NINE POTS OF DWARF DATE PALMS WERE PLANTED IN THE FLOWER BEDS TO COMMEMORATE THE 1989 WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY (WED) WHICH WILL FALL ON JUNE 5.
OFFICIATING GUESTS TAKING PART IN THE PLANTING ACTIVITIES WERE THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR GARY YEUNG; A MEMBER OF THE WED WORKING GROUP, MR MAN SAI-CHEONG; DISTRICT HYGIENE SUPERINTENDENT (EASTERN) OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR R.M. DI NGA; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE, MRS BETTY YUNG.
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THREE LOTS OFFERED FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION
*****
THE FIRST AUCTION OF GOVERNMENT LAND IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY (MAY 29) WHEN THREE LOTS WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
THE LOTS INCLUDE TWO FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES, EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADE.
ONE IS LOCATED AT THE JUNCTION OF KA YIP STREET AND WING TAI ROAD, CHAI WAN WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,412 SQUARE METRES.
/The other .......
iATURDAY, MAY 27, 1989
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THE OTHER LOT FOR THE SAME PURPOSE IS LOCATED IN AREA 4B, SHEUNG SHUI, AND COMPRISES ABOUT 5,911 SQUARE METRES.
THE THIRD LOT IS LOCATED IN AREA 41A, SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 960 SQUARE METRES, THIS LOT IS FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
THE AUCTION WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE, EDINBURGH PLACE, CENTRAL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE AUCTION.
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TREE PLANTING CEREMONY IN MONG KOK TOMORROW
*****
A TREE PLANTING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) IN THE BUSIEST PART OF MONG KOK TO MARK WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 1989.
IN ADDITION, THE DISTRICT BOARD HAS ORGANISED A SERIES OF FUNCTIONS TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT.
THE UNVEILING OF A PLAQUE TO MARK THE NELSON STREET BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT WILL COINCIDE WITH TOMORROW’S TREE PLANTING.
THE PROJECT IS A JOINT EFFORT BETWEEN THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD AND HANG LUNG (REAL ESTATE AGENCIES) LTD. TO ENHANCE THE SURROUNDINGS AT THE AREA AROUND THE NELSON STREET (WEST) ENTRANCE TO THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY.
ANOTHER RELATED FUNCTION WILL INVOLVE COLOURING, DRAWING AND POSTER DESIGN COMPETITIONS FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY PUPILS.
TEN OUTSTANDING ENTRIES WILL BE CHOSEN IN EACH COMPETITION AND THE PUPILS WHO SUBMITTED THEM WILL BE PRESENTED AWARDS AT A CLOSING CEREMONY ON JUNE 10.
/A SIMINAR........
Saturday, may 27, 1989
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A SEMINAR ON FOOD OF THE CLOSING CEREMONY.
HYGIENE AND NUTRITION WILL BE
HELD AS
PART
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MONG KOK DISTRICT WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY '89 OPENING CEREMONY AND THE PLAQUE UNVEILING CEREMONY OF THE NELSON STREET BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT WHICH WILL BEGIN AT ID AM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE GRAND TOWER HOTEL, 627-641 NATHAN ROAD, MONG KOK.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS LORNA MA; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD, MR CHOW CHUN FAI; AND THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE GRAND TOWER HOTEL GROUP, MR KENNETH WONG.
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TALK IN SHEK KIP MEI » « ♦ » »
A TALK ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN HONG KONG WILL BE GIVEN NEXT TUESDAY (MAY 30) IN SHEK KIP MEI COMMUNITY HALL.
A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT WILL EXPLAIN TO THE AUDIENCE THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF POLLUTION.
SHE WILL ALSO GIVE A BRIEFING ON THE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES AND CONTROLS TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT IN PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT.
WASTE DISPOSAL MEASURES AND THE WORK OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO BE COVERED IN THE TALK, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM, AND BE FOLLOWED BY A QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION.
THE TALK, THE FOURTH OF ITS KIND, IS ORGANISED BY THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT COMMITTEE ON PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION TO PROMOTE THE PUBLIC'S CIVIC-MTNDEDNESS.
LETTERS HAVE BEEN SENT TO LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND SCHOOLS INVITING THEM TO ATTEND THE EVENT, TO WHICH ADMISSION IS FREE.
TO COINCIDE WITH THE TALK, A CROSSWORD PUZZLE COMPETITION ON THE THEME OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WILL ALSO BE LAUNCHED BY THE COMMITTEE IN A DISTRICT PAPER ON MAY' 30.
ENTRIES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, 37 TONKIN STREET, SHAM SHUI PO.
/K (JURIES CAN .......
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ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 3-7295334. WINNERS WILL BE v MAIL OF HOW TO COLLECT THEIR PRIZES.
INFORMED
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PROGRAMME, LASTING FROM 2 PM TO 4.30 PM, ON TUESDAY (MAY 30) IN THE SHEK KIP MEI COMMUNITY HALL, BLOCK 42, SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE.
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MORE SOCIAL CENTRES
FOR ELDERLY IN KWAI TSING ♦ * t »
TWO MORE SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY WILL BE OPENED IN KWAI TSING DISTRICT IN THE COMING MONTHS TO AUGMENT THE SERVICES OF THE EXISTING 14 CENTRES, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR A, FRED CHUI, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE i.NTRE FOR THE ELDERLY OF THE EVANGELICAL FREE HUI SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN AN ACTIVE )LICY ON THE ELDERLY STARTING FROM THE 1970’S.
FOOK ON TONG SOCIAL
CHURCH OF CHINA, MR
ROLE IN DRAWING UP
WITH THE PUBLICATION OF THE WHITE PAPER "SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1980’S" IN 1979, WHICH ESTABLISHED "CARE IN THE FAMILY AND COMMUNITY" AS THE FUTURE POLICY OBJECTIVE, THE GOVERNMENT HAD ADOPTED A SERIES OF MEASURES TO SERVE THE SENIOR CITIZENS.
"ECONOMICALLY, THERE IS THE OLD AGE ALLOWANCE FOR PEOPLE AGED 0 AND ABOVE AND THE ELIGIBILITY FOR THIS ALLOWANCE IS BEING EXTENDED SO THAT IT WILL BENEFIT THOSE AGED 65 AND ABOVE IN TWO YEARS’ TIME," MR CHUI SAID.
"ALSO, THE GOVERNMENT IS VIGOROUSLY EXPANDING COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES BY ENCOURAGING AND SUBVENTING VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IN SETTING UP SOCIAL CENTRES, MULTI-SERVICES CENTRES AND DAY CARE CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY AND HOME HELP SERVICE.
’WHILE SHELTERED HOUSING SCHEMES HAVE BEEN SET UP IN PRIVATE VELOPMENTS. UNITS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES ARE ALSO RESERVED FOR ['HE ELDERLY SO THAT THEY CAN ENJOY THEIR OLD AGE IN A FAMILIAR ENVIRONMENT WITHIN THE COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
MR CHUI COMMENDED THE EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH OF CHINA FOR PROVIDING A WIDE RANGE OF SOCIAL SERVICES SUCH AS HOSPITALS, MILDREN’S HOMES. YOUTH CENTRES, SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY AND ADING ROOMS SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1888.
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11
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY IN SHAU KEI WAN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MAY 29). TAI NING STREET BETWEEN SHAU KEI WAN ROAD AND SAI WAN HO STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK.
THIS MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
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CLOSURE OF LANE ON PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE EXECUTION OF EMERGENCY SLOPE REPAIRS, THE INNER LANE OF THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FOR ABOUT 400 METRES FROM NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH WYLIE ROAD TO THE PUI CHING ROAD FLYOVER WILL BE CLOSED FROM 10 AM ON MODNAY (MAY 29) FOR TWO WEEKS.
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URBAN CLEARWAYS IN TSIM SHA TSUI *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MAY 29), TWO SECTIONS OF ROADS IN TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
THESE SECTIONS INCLUDE GRANVILLE ROAD, FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH CARNARVON ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 34 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND GRANVILLE ROAD, FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH TO A POINT ABOUT 80 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS.
- - 0 - -
/12
SATURDAY, MAY 27, 1989
12
LANE CLOSURES IN SI1A TIN *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT IN ORDER TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORK, THE INNER-MOST LANE OF TOLO HIGHWAY SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN MA LIU SHUI INTERCHANGE AND HO TUNG LAU WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 AM TO 8 PM ON MONDAY (MAY 29).
WHILE ABOUT 300 METRES OF THE SLOW AND MIDDLE LANES OF THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TAI PO ROAD NEAR TOLO HIGHWAY IN SHA TIN WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 PM ON MONDAY TO 8 AM ON THE FOLLOWING DAY; AND FROM 8 PM ON TUESDAY (MAY 30) TO 8 AM ON THE FOLLOWING DAY.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE INNER-MOST LANE OF SHA TIN ROAD NORTHBOUND BETWEEN PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL AND CITY ONE SHATIN WILL BE CLOSED FROM 11 PM ON TUESDAY (MAY 30) TO 6 AM ON THE FOLLOWING DAY.
ABOUT 1,700 METRES OF THE SLOW LANE OF THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF SHA TIN ROAD SOUTH OF PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 PM ON THURSDAY (JUNE 1) TO 6 AM ON THE FOLLOWING DAY.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
SUNDAY, MAY 28, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PUBLIC URGED TO KEEP HARBOUR CLEAN ............................. 1
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATIONS GRACE PERIOD EXPIRES IN AUGUST .... 2
BIG CLEAN-UP BEGINS IN EASTERN ................................. 5
STORY WRITING HELPS TO DEVELOP CREATIVE POTENTIAL .............. 5
YOUNG VIOLA PROTEGE TO ATTEND U.S. MUSIC CAMP .................. 6
MORE HOUSE-BOAT DWELLERS VISIT THA'S ........................... 7
VACANCIES FOR COMMUNITY ORGANISERS IN WONG TAI SIN ............. 8
NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE IN FANLING ............................. 9
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS AT AIRPORT ................................ 9
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KWUN TONG ............................. 10
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS ON QUEEN'S ROAD CENTRAL.............. 10
SUNDAY, MAY 28, 1989
1
PUBLIC URGED TO KEEP HARBOUR CLEAN
* ♦ *
A CAMPAIGN ORGANISED BY THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE TO ENLIST PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN KEEPING THE HARBOUR CLEANER WAS LAUNCHED TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE KEEP HARBOUR CLEAN CAMPAIGN WAS HELD ON BOARD A FERRY AT ALDRICH BAY TYPHOON SHELTER.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE, DR PANG HOK-TUEN, SAID THE HARBOUR WATERS PROVIDED THE COMMUNITY WITH A CONVENIENT MEANS OF COMMUTER TRANSPORT, A SUPPLY OF SEAFOOD, AND A VENUE FOR MANY RECREATIONAL PURSUITS.
’’WITH SO MANY BENEFITS AVAILABLE FROM OUR HARBOUR WATERS, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO KEEP OUR WATERS CLEAN, AND FOR EVERYONE TO BE A SPORT AND * PITCH IN’.” HE SAID.
ACCORDING TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, A TOTAL OF 1,530 TONNES OF REFUSE WAS COLLECTED IN THE HARBOUR WATERS IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, AN INCREASE OF 9.31 PER CENT OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
THE CLEAN HARBOUR CAMPAIGN, WHICH WILL CONTINUE UNTIL SEPTEMBER, HAS BEEN LAUNCHED TO STRENGTHEN PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITY IN KEEPING THE WATERS FREE FROM LITTER.
PROGRAMMES PLANNED FOR THE CAMPAIGN INCL.UDE CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS IN TYPHOON SHELTERS AT YAU MA TEI. CAUSEWAY BAY AND ABERDEEN, BESIDES ALDRICH BAY.
"CLEAN-UPS WILL BE CARRIED OUT ON REMOTE BEACHES AND INACCESSIBLE COASTLINES AND A CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE BETTER TECHNIQUES IN DISPOSING OF WASTE FROM FISHING VESSELS WILL BE UNDERTAKEN," DR PANG SAID.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE FISHING COMMUNITY AND ASSOCIATIONS WERE AMONG THOSE PRESENT AT TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY.
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SUNDAY. MAY 28. 1989
- 2 -
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATIONS GRACE PERIOD EXPIRES IN AUGUST *****
VEHICLE OWNERS. DRIVERS AND TRANSPORT TRADE OPERATORS ARE REMINDED THAT THE FIVE-YEAR GRACE PERIOD FOR A NUMBER OF LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE AND REGULATIONS WILL EXPIRE IN AUGUST THIS YEAR.
OPERATORS IN THE TRANSPORT TRADE, IN PARTICULAR THOSE OPERATING TAXIS, GOODS VEHICLES AND BUSES, ARE URGED TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC (CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLES) REGULATIONS.
ANY PERSON WHO FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REGULATIONS IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $10,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS.
A) ALL VEHICLES
THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS WILL BE MANDATORY FROM AUGUST 25, 1989:
* MOTORCYCLES AND INVALID CARRIAGES MUST BE FITTED WITH ONE STOP LAMP. ALL OTHER MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAILERS MUST BE FITTED WITH TWO STOP LAMPS. EVERY STOP LAMP FITTED TO ANY MOTOR VEHICLE OR TRAILER SHALL COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS SET OUT IN PART II OF THE TENTH SCHEDULE.
HOWEVER, VEHICLES SUCH AS LAND TRACTORS AND PEDESTRIAN-CONTROLLED VEHICLES LISTED IN PART I OF THE TENTH SCHEDULE ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE FITTED WITH STOP LAMPS.
* ALL GLASS OR TRANSPARENT MATERIALS USED IN ALL WINDSCREENS, WINDOWS AND PARTITIONS SHALL BE SAFETY GLASS OR SAFETY GLAZING OF A TYPE APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, AND SHOULD WHERE PRACTICABLE BE CLEARLY IDENTIFIABLE AS SUCH BY A PERMANENT MARK.
NO ALTERATION OR ADDITION SHALL BE MADE TO ANY WINDSCREEN, WINDOW OR PARTITION WHEREBY THE REFLECTING EFFECT OF THE SAFETY GLASS OR SAFETY GLAZING IS INCREASED.
♦ EXCEPT FOR LAND TRACTORS, MOTOR VEHICLES WHICH ARE REQUIRED TO BE FITTED WITH AUTOMATIC WINDSCREEN WIPERS MUST HAVE WINDSCREEN WASHERS.
» THE TURNING CIRCLE, BRAKES, PARKING BRAKES, WHEELS AND TRACKS AND DRIVER'S ACCOMMODATION SHALL BE CONSTRUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATIONS 12, 16, 17. 20, AND 26.
/B) GOODS .........
SUNDAY, MAY 28, 1989
B) GOODS VEHICLES’ AND TRAILERS’ REAR MARKINGS
THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS WILL BE MANDATORY FROM AUGUST 25, 1989:
* EVERY GOODS VEHICLE OVER 5.5 TONNES PERMITTED GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT BUT NOT EXCEEDING 13 METRES LONG; AND EVERY TRAILER OVER ONE TONNE UNLADEN WEIGHT WHICH FORMS PART OF A COMBINATION VEHICLE WHOSE OVERALL LENGTH DOES NOT EXCEED 13 METRES MUST BE FITTED WITH A REAR REFLECTIVE MARKING OF RED AND YELLOW STRIPES.
» THOSE GOODS VEHICLES OVER 5.5 TONNES PERMITTED GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT AND EXCEEDING 13 METRES LONG AND THOSE TRAILERS OVER ONE TONNE UNLADEN WEIGHT AND FORMING A PART OF COMBINATION VEHICLES EXCEEDING 13 METRES LONG MUST BE FITTED WITH A "LONG VEHICLE" REAR REFLECTIVE MARKING.
VEHICLE OWNERS SHOULD OBTAIN THESE MARKINGS FROM A SPECIALIST MANUFACTURER. THEY SHOULD NOT MAKE THE MARKINGS THEMSELVES.
C) TAXIS
THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENT WILL BE MANDATORY FROM AUGUST 25, 1989:
» TAXIMETERS MUST BE CONSTRUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATIONS 41, 42, 43 AND 44. TAXIMETERS MUST BE ABLE TO SHOW THE SURCHARGE FOR BAGGAGE, ANIMALS OR BIRDS, TUNNEL TOLLS AND FERRY FARES. THIS REQUIREMENT DOES NOT MAKE THE USE OF ELECTRONIC TAXIMETERS MANDATORY, THOUGH MECHANICAL METERS WHICH CANNOT SHOW THE SURCHARGES CANNOT BE USED LEGALLY AFTER AUGUST 24.
D) BUSES
THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENT WILL BE MANDATORY FROM AUGUST 25, 1989:
» THE SIDE WINDOWS OF SINGLE-DECKED AND DOUBLE-DECKED BUSES, WHEN OPEN, MUST BE ADEQUATELY GUARDED TO A HEIGHT OF ONE METRE FROM THE DECK.
/E) BUSES .........
SUNDAY, MAY 28, 1989
- 4 -
E) BUSES AND LIGHT BUSES
THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS WILL BE MANDATORY FROM AUGUST 25, 1989:
* THE STEPS, PLATFORMS, STAIRS, ENTRANCES, EXITS, DOOLo, MARKING, POSITIONING AND OPERATION OF EMERGENCY EXITS, ACCESS TO EXITS, HEIGHT AND WIDTH OF GANGWAYS, PASSENGER SEATS AND DRIVER’S ACCOMMODATION OF BUSES AND LIGHT BUSES SHOULD BE CONSTRUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATIONS 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73 AND 76.
F) GOODS VEHICLES
THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENT WILL BE MANDATORY FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1989:
« UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC (TRAFFIC CONTROL) REGULATIONS, ALL TYPES OF GOODS VEHICLES, I.E. LIGHT, MEDIUM AND HEAVY, MUST STRICTLY ADHERE TO THE SEATING CAPACITY SPECIFIED IN THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION DOCUMENT, SUBJECT TO A MAXIMUM OF FIVE.
ALL PASSENGERS MUST BE SEATED AND SEATS PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED AND SECURED TO THE BODYWORK OF THE VEHICLES.
IT MEANS THAT FROM SEPTEMBER 1 THIS YEAR, THE CURRENT AND DANGEROUS PRACTICE OF WORKERS SITTING IN THE REAR GOODS COMPARTMENT WITHOUT A PROPER SEAT WILL BE AGAINST THE LAW.
GOODS VEHICLE OWNERS SHOULD NOTIFY TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT'S LICENSING OFFICES OF ANY NEW SEATS PROVIDED IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SO THAT SEATING CAPACITY IN THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION DOCUMENT CAN BE AMENDED.
ANY PERSON WHO FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE SEATING REQUIREMENTS IS LIABLE ON FIRST CONVICTION TO A FINE OF $5,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR THREE MONTHS AND ON SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT CONVICTION TO A FINE OF $10,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS.
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SUNDAY, MAY 28, 1989
5
BIG CLEAN-UP BEGINS IN EASTERN
*****
A LARGE SCALE BLOCK-TO-BLOCK CLEAN-UP OPERATION WAS BEGUN THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON BY EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AT A POPULAR MARKET PLACE IN CHUN YEUNG STREET, NORTH POINT.
THE OPERATION IS ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE IN SUPPORT OF THE 1989-90 KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN. IT WILL CONTINUE UNTIL JULY 10.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE, MRS BETTY YUNG, SAID OTHER ACTIVITIES WOULD BE ORGANISED IN THE COMING MONTHS TO SPREAD THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN MESSAGE.
’’AMONG THE ACTIVITIES WILL BE A PUBLICITY BUS PARADE, A CARNIVAL FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND A CLEAN TYPHOON SHELTER CAMPAIGN,” SHE SAID.
THIS YEAR, THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE URBAN COUNCIL HAVE SEPARATELY ALLOCATED $80,000 AND $45,000 FOR ORGANISING CLEAN HONG KONG AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACTIVITIES IN EASTERN DISTRICT.
MRS YUNG URGED RESIDENTS TO GIVE FULL SUPPORT TO THE CLEAN-UP.
WHILE THE OPERATION IS IN PROGRESS, STAFF OF THE HONG KONG EAST OFFICE OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BE OUT IN FORCE TO CARRY OUT CLEANSING WORK IN MORE THAT 70 STREETS.
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STORY WRITING HELPS TO DEVELOP CREATIVE POTENTIAL * * ♦ ♦ ♦
CREATIVE STORY-WRITING COMPETITIONS HELP YOUNG PEOPLE DEVELOP THEIR CREATIVE POTENTIAL, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
’’THESE CONTESTS, BEING PART OF THE HONG KONG YOUTH CULTURAL AND ARTS COMPETITIONS, ALSO PROVIDE THE PARTICIPANTS WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE THEIR ABILITY IN WRITING, MAKING SOUND JUDGEMENTS, APPRECIATING THE ARTS AND SEEING THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE,” HE ADDED.
MR LAN WAS SPEAKING AT A SELECTION INTERVIEW OF ENTRANTS IN A CREATIVE STORY-WRITING COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, AND SPONSORED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
/’’THE HONG..........
SUNDAY, MAY 28, 1989
- 6 -
"THE HONG KONG YOUTH CULTURAL AND ARTS COMPETITIONS HAVE BEEN SPONSORED BY THE CNTA FOR THE PAST 14 YEARS.
"THE COMPETITIONS COVER CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY, CHINESE AND WESTERN DRAWING, POSTER AND SLOGAN DESIGN, COMPOSITION IN CHINESE, TRANSLATION. SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION, DEBATING AND A SPEECH CONTEST," HE NOTED.
MR LAN PRAISED THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CREATIVE STORY-WRITING COMPETITION COMMITTEE, MR TAM WAH-CHING OF THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION, FOR ORGANISING THE STORY-WRITING COMPETITION.
THE COMPETITION, WHICH IS DIVIDED INTO OPEN, SENIOR AND JUNIOR SECTIONS, HAS ATTRACTED MORE THAN 160 ENTRIES.
THE AUTHORS OF FIVE OUTSTANDING ENTRIES IN EACH SECTION ATTENDED TODAY'S INTERVIEW. A PANEL OF JUDGES INTERVIEWED THEM ABOUT THE CONTENTS OF THEIR WORKS AS PART OF THE PROCESS OF SELECTING THE WINNERS IN EACH SECTION.
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YOUNG VIOLA PROTEGE TO ATTEND U.S. MUSIC CAMP * * » * »
THE MUSIC OFFICE WILL MAN-WING, TO JOIN THE NATIONAL MICHIGAN. USA THIS SUMMER FOR MUSIC.
SEND
MUSIC
EIGHT
A TALENTED VIOLIST, MISS LING CAMP TO BE HELD IN INTERLOCHEN, WEEKS OF INTENSIVE TRAINING IN
THE MUSIC CAMP IS A PRESTIGIOUS INTERNATIONAL EVENT HELD EVERY YEAR TO PROMOTE WORLD FRIENDSHIP THROUGH MUSIC. IT IS NOW IN ITS 62ND SEASON AND WILL BE HELD FROM JUNE 25 TO AUGUST 21.
IT TAKES IN ONLY THOSE HIGHLY QUALIFIED YOUNG MUSICIANS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 14 TO 18 AND THE HIGHEST HONOUR FOR A PARTICIPANT IS TO BE SELECTED AS A MEMBER OF THE CAMP’S WORLD YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.
TRAINING WILL INCLUDE MASTERCLASSES AND WORKSHOPS WITH SOME OF THE WORLD’S GREATEST MUSICIANS. IN ADDITION, THE CAMP OFFERS RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES SUCH AS "SING-A-LONG” EVENINGS AROUND CAMP FIRES. CANOEING AND SWIMMING.
MISS LING, NOW 14 YEARS OLD, HAS BEEN SELECTED BY THE MUSIC OM-ICE THROUGH AN OPEN AUDITION. SHE IS AT PRESENT A FORM THREE STUDENT AT HEEP YUNN SCHOOL.
SHE STARTED TO PLAY VIOLA AT THE AGE OF SEVEN AFTER JOINING THE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TRAINING SCHEME OF THE MUSIC OFFICE. DURING THE PAST FEW YEARS, SHE HAS ALSO PARTICIPATED IN MANY MUSIC ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE, INCLUDING THE HONG KONG YOUTH MUSIC CAMP, ANNUAL TRAINEES’ GALA AND THE HONG KONG YOUTH STRING FESTIVAL.
/SHE HAS
SUNDAY, MAY 28, 198?
SHE HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA SINCE 1983. SHE HAS ALSO GIVEN VARIOUS PUBLIC PERFORMANCES IN THE TERRITORY AND OVERSEAS AND HAS WON A NUMBER OF PRIZES AT THE SCHOOLS MUSIC FESTIVAL IN RECENT YEARS.
ALTHOUGH IT WILL BE THE FIRST TIME SHE HAS ATTENDED THE NATIONAL MUSIC CAMP, SHE IS QUITE FAMILIAR WITH IT AS HER ELDER SISTER, MISS LING MAN-KEE, WAS THE HONG KONG REPRESENTATIVE TO THE CAMP LAST YEAR.
"I AM VERY HAPPY THAT I HAVE BEEN OFFERED THIS OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN THE NATIONAL MUSIC CAMP AND I HOPE I WILL BENEFIT FROM IT," LING MAN-WING SAID.
A MUSIC OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID: "HER PARTICIPATION IN THE MUSIC CAMP IS NOT ONLY A VERY VALUABLE OPPORTUNITY FOR HER IN TERMS OF MUSICAL DEVELOPMENT, BUT IS ALSO AN INCENTIVE TO OTHER YOUNG MUSICIANS IN HONG KONG STRIVING FOR HIGHER MUSICAL STANDARDS.
"IN FACT, YOUNG MUSICIANS FROM HONG KONG TOOK PART IN THE CAMP IN 1982, 1983, 1984. 1986 AND 1988 AND THEY ALL AGREED THAT THEIR EXPERIENCES ARE NOT ONLY MEMORABLE BUT ALSO INVALUABLE TO THEIR FUTURE CAREER AS A MUSICIAN," HE ADDED.
MISS LING WILL LEAVE HONG KONG ON JUNE 22 AND IS EXPECTED TO RETURN IN LATE AUGUST. THE CAMP FEE WILL BE MET BY THE CAMP ORGANISERS WHILE THE ROUND-TRIP AIR PASSAGE WILL BE JOINTLY SPONSORED BY CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS LIMITED AND THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND.
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MORE HOUSE-BOAT DWELLERS VISIT THA*S t ♦ t
MORE UNLICENSED HOUSE-BOAT DWELLERS FROM THE YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER TODAY (SUNDAY) VISITED TWO TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS WHICH WILL BE THEIR NEW HOMES IF THEY ACCEPT THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT’S REHOUSING OFFERS.
THE DWELLERS, WHO WILL BE CLEARED FROM THE SHELTER WHEN IT IS GAZETTED AS A CLOSED AREA FOR HOUSE-BOATS ON JULY 7, ARE BEING OFFERED REHOUSING IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
SOME DWELLERS HAD A LOOK AT THE TIN SUM TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA IN FANLING ON MAY 7 UNDER ARRANGEMENTS MADE BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE TO HELP THEM CHOOSE THEIR NEW HOMES.
ACCOMPANIED BY STAFF OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, MORE DWELLERS HAD A LOOK AT THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT AT THE HING TIN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA IN TUEN MUN AND THE YUEN HA TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA IN YUEN LONG.
/DURUNG TODAY’S........
SUNDAY, MAY 28, 19^9
8
DURING TODAY’S VISITS, THEY WERE ALSO BRIEFED ON EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL SERVICE FACILITIES IN THE TWO AREAS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT OFFICE SAID AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP WHICH HAD BEEN SET UP TO HELP THE DWELLERS IN THE CLEARANCE WAS ALSO LOOKING AFTER THEIR OTHER NEEDS, SUCH AS JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND SCHOOLING.
THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WAS ALSO ASSISTING THOSE UNLICENSED HOUSE-BOAT DWELLERS WHO HAVE APPLIED FOR RENTAL PUBLIC HOUSING, HE ADDED.
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VACANCIES FOR COMMUNITY ORGANISERS IN WONG TAI SIN ♦ » ♦ ♦ ♦
THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE IS RECRUITING PART-TIME COMMUNITY ORGANISERS.
"THE WORK OF COMMUNITY ORGANISERS IS TO ASSIST EXECUTIVE OFFICERS IN THEIR DAILY LIAISON WITH LOCAL RESIDENTS.
’’THIS WORK INCLUDES THE FORMATION OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS CORPORATIONS AND PROMOTION OF THEIR ACTIVITIES,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
’’THEY ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO HELP ORGANISE AND MANAGE ACTIVITIES AT COMMUNITY CENTRES,” HE ADDED.
APPLICANTS SHOULD HAVE COMPLETED FORM FIVE OR ABOVE, HAVE WORKING EXPERIENCE, AND BE AGED BETWEEN 21 AND 45.
A COMMUNITY ORGANISER WILL BE REQUIRED TO WORK IRREGULAR HOURS, MAINLY IN THE AFTERNOONS AND EVENINGS. HE WILL ALSO HAVE TO WORK ON SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS. THE MONTHLY SALARY FOR THE POST IS $1,900.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES.
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, ON THE FOURTH FLOOR OF SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING IN KUNG FUK STREET.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 3-222261, EXT 451.
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/9........
SUNDAY, MAY 28, 1989
- 9 -
NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE IN FANLING *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT A NEW GREEN MINIBUS SERVICE OPERATING BETWEEN FAN DENG WAI AND FANLING KCR STATION VI,X LUEN WO HUI WILL BE INTRODUCED ON TUESDAY (MAY 30).
THE ROUTEING FOR THIS NEW ROUTE NO. 5 WILL VIA FAN LENG PAR WAI ACCESS ROAD, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, ROAD D3, KAI LENG ROUNDABOUT, SHEUNG YUE ROAD, FANLING PLAYGROUND ROAD, FANLING ROUNDABOUT, SHA TAU KOK ROAD, LUEN HING STREET, WO FUNG STREET, LUEN SHING STREET, SHA TAU KOK ROAD, LOK YIP ROAD, SHEUNG YUE ROAD, FANLING STATION FORECOURT, FANLING PLAYGROUND ROAD, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD AND FAN LENG PAK WAI ACCESS ROAD.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID ITS OPERATING HOURS WILL BE FROM 6 AM TO 8 PM DAILY AT AN INTERVAL OF 18 MINUTES, AND WILL CHARGE AT Si.20 PER SINGLE JOURNEY.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS AT AIRPORT
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF FLYOVERS AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE AREA FROM 12.30 AM TO 5 AM DAILY FROM TUESDAY TO FRIDAY (MAY 30 TO JUNE 2).
THE SECTION OF CONCORDE ROAD EASTBOUND BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH THE ROUNDABOUT AT AIRPORT DRIVE NO. 3 AND A POINT ABOUT 500 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE CLOSED.
THE UNNAMED ROAD LINKING ARRIVALS ROAD AND THE ROUNDABOUT AT AIRPORT DRIVE NO. 3 WILL BE RE-ROUTED TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC.
DURING THESE PERIODS, VEHICLES ON CONCORDE ROAD EASTBOUND HEADING FOR KWUN TONG WILL BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL VIA THE UP-RAMP LEADING TO THE DEPARTURE CIRCUIT, THE DOWN RAMP LEADING TO ARRIVALS ROAD, AND THE UNNAMED ROAD LINKING ARRIVALS ROAD AND THE ROUNDABOUT AT AIRPORT DRIVE NO. 3.
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/1O........
SUNDAY, MAY 28, 1989
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KWUN TONG
* » » » »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT WITH THE REMOVAL OF LOOSE BOULDERS ON THE SLOPE ABOVE SHUN ON ROAD, SHUN ON ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTIONS WITH THE ACCESS ROAD TO NING PO COLLEGE AND THE ACCESS ROAD TO TIN CHU HOUSE WILL BE RE-OPENED FROM 11 AM ON TUESDAY (MAY 30).
- 0 - -
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS ON QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (MAY 30), THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF QUEEN'S ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS ROUND-THE-CLOCK FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS:
» THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN BONHAM STRAND AND MORRISON STREET; AND
» THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL FROM A POINT ABOUT 13 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH MORRISON STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 115 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
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 HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
MONDAY, MAY 29, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
METHADONE PROGRAMME DRAWS HIGH PRAISE ...................... 1
NEW ROLE FOR SMALLER LOCAL ENTERPRISES ..................... 3
RS CONCERNED WITH VIEWS ON REDEVELOPMENT ................... 4
SALE OF THREE LOTS FETCHES hIMOST 5200 MILLION ............. 6
SWAC ENDORSES BOUGHT PLACES SCHEME.......................... 7
TUEN MUN DB TO DISCUSS REFUGEE PROBLEM ..................... 8
Call TO HEED LAWS AGAINST UNDESIRABLE MEDICAL ADVERTISEMENTS 9
LaDY WILSON VISITS NT YOUTH CENTRE ......................... 10
FIRST QUARTER EXPORTS STATISTICS RE-CLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN PUBLISHED ........................................... 10
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS POLLUTION PROBLEMS ................. 1J
SOUTHERN DISTRICT PHOTO COMPETITION ON POLLUTION ........... 14
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS ................. 14
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION FOR CFC QUOTA ALLOCATION .......... 15
SUSPENSION OF WATER SUPPLY TO THREE AREAS .................. 16
MONDAY, MAY 29, 1989
METHADONE PROGRAMME DRAWS HIGH PRAISE « » *
A VISITING EXPERT ON DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT TODAY (MONDAY) HIGHLY PRAISED THE SUCCESSFUL OPERATION OF THE VOLUNTARY OUT-PATIENT METHADONE PROGRAMME FOR DRUG ADDICTS AND OTHER ASPECTS OF THE GOV1 1'NMENT’S EFFORTS TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM OF ADDICTION IN HONG KONG.
DR ROBERT NEWMAN, THE PRESIDENT OF BETH ISRAEL MEDICAL CENTRE IN NEW YORK, IS ON A VISIT TO SEE FOR HIMSELF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF THE PROGRAMME.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR GARETH MULLOY, AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR PAUL SAW, HE VISITED THE SHAM SHUI PO AND ROBERT BLACK METHADONE CLINICS THIS MORNING.
DR NEWMAN, A CONSULTANT TO THE FORMER MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN THE 1970’S, SAID THAT MANY COUNTRIES, IN ADDITION TO THE UNITED STATES, HAD INTRODUCED THE METHADONE PROGRAMME DURING THE PAST TWO DECADES.
"THE MOST OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE, HOWEVER, IS FOUND IN HONG KONG, WHICH IS ONE OF THE FEW PLACES IN THE WORLD THAT CAN PUBLICISE TREATMENT ON REQUEST TO EVERY HEROIN ADDICT," HE SAID.
IN CITIES THROUGHOUT HIS OWN COUNTRY, AS WELL AS IN MOST CITIES IN EUROPE, ADDICTS HAD TO WAIT FOR MONTHS BEFORE BEING ACCEPTED INTO TREATMENT, HE SAID.
THE LOCAL METHADONE CLINICS LAST YEAR CATERED FOR ABOUT THREE MILLION PATIENT-ATTENDANCES, WITH A DAILY AVERAGE OF SOME 8,000.
UNDER THE PROGRAMME, ALL PATIENTS ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE THE MEDICATION IN THE PRESENCE OF THE DISPENSING STAFF AND NO METHADONE CAN BE TAKEN AWAY FROM THE CLINICS.
SUPPORTING SERVICES SUCH AS COUNSELLING, FINANCIAL AND HOUSING ASSISTANCE AND JOB PLACEMENT ARE ALSO PROVIDED BY MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKERS IN THE CLINICS OR THROUGH REFERRAL TO OTHER COMMUNITY RESOURCES.
THE USE OF METHADONE FOR TREATMENT OF DRUG ADDICTS ON AN OUT-PATIENT BASIS WAS STARTED IN HONG KONG IN LATE 1972.
SINCE THEN, THE METHADONE PROGRAMME HAS BEEN EXPANDED TO COPE WITH THE DEMAND, AND IT IS NOW THE LARGEST OF THE TREATMENT PROGRAMMES IN HONG KONG.
ITS SERVICES INCLUDE BOTH MAINTENANCE AND DETOXIFICATION — GRADUAL REDUCTION IN THE DAILY DOSAGE OF METHADONE UNTIL THE PATIENT IS COMPLETELY DRUG-FREE.
/DR NEWMAN .......
MONDAY, MAY 29, 1989
2
DR NEWMAN NOTED THAT ADDICTION WAS A CHRONIC, RELAPSING CONDITION AND TREATMENT SYSTEMS HAD TO TAKE THIS INTO ACCOUNT AND ESTABLISH OBJECTIVES THAT WERE PRACTICAL AND REALISTIC.
"THE METHADONE PROGRAMME PERMITS THE PATIENT TO ACHIEVE SOCIAL STABILITY AS A CONTRIBUTING MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY AND IT IS PARTICULARLY USEFUL FOR PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE FAILED REPEATEDLY IN OTHER FORMS OF TREATMENT.
"BY LESSENING THE POSSESSION, THE CONSUMPTION AND SALE OF HEROIN, AS WELL AS THE CRIMINALITY ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACQUISITION OF MONEY TO BUY ILLICIT NARCOTICS, METHADONE TREATMENT BENEFITS ENORMOUSLY BOTH THE PATIENTS AND THE SOCIETY AS A WHOLE," HE SAID.
DR NEWMAN SAID THAT IT WAS VITALLY IMPORTANT TO PROVIDE EVERY SINGLE ADDICT WITH A READILY ACCESSIBLE, LEGAL, MEDICALLY SAFE AND EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO CONTINUED ILLICIT SELF-ADMINISTRATION OF HEROIN.
"HONG KONG IS ONE OF THE VERY FEW PLACES IN THE WORLD WHERE THIS OBJECTIVE HAS BEEN MET, AND THIS IS A TRIBUTE TO THE RESOLVE AND THE RESOURCEFULNESS OF THE GOVERNMENT," HE ADDED.
DR NEWMAN CONCLUDED HIS COMMENTS BY REFERRING TO THE EXCELLENT DRUG-FREE PROGRAMMES OPERATED BY THE SOCIETY FOR THE AID AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG ABUSERS AND BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THESE HAD EARNED THE RESPECT OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, AND CONTINUED TO FUNCTION EFFECTIVELY ALONGSIDE THE METHADONE TREATMENT PROGRAMME.
"SUCH A MULTI-FACETED APPROACH TO TREATMENT, COMPLEMENTING EFFORTS IN THE PREVENTION AND INTERNATIONAL CONTROL ARENAS, AND THE UNPARALLELED RESOURCES OF THE COMPUTERISED CENTRAL REGISTRY FOR DRUG ABUSE, PUTS HONG KONG AS A CLASS OF ITS OWN.
"THIS SURELY EXPLAINS WHY HONG KONG HAS NOT SEEN THE SHARP RISE IN NARCOTIC ADDICTION CURRENTLY BEING REPORTED IN THE UNITED STATES AND MANY EUROPEAN COUNTRIES," HE SAID.
-------0----------
MONDAY, MAY 29, 1989
NEW ROLE FOR SMALLER LOCAL ENTERPRISES
« » » * »
AS CHINA’S INDUSTRIALISATION GATHERS PACE, THE ROLE OF THE SMALLER ENTERPRISES IN HONG KONG AS SUB-CONTRACTORS FOR LABOUR INTENSIVE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURE (OEM) WORK IS LIKELY TO DIMINISH.
THE ACTING DIRETOR OF INDUSTRY, MR ANDREW LEUNG, MADE THE COMMENT AT THE SEMINAR ON PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT ORGANISED BY THE UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IN KUALA LUMPUR TODAY (MONDAY).
THE PURPOSE OF THE SEMINAR IS TO HAVE A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT ISSUES BETWEEN HONG KONG, MALAYSIA, SINGAPORE, SOUTH KOREA AND THAILAND.
MR LEUNG REPRESENTS HONG KONG'S PUBLIC SECTOR WHILE THE PARTICIPANT REPRESENTING THE PRIVATE SECTOR AT THE SEMINAR IS MR J.P. LEE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG CHINESE BANK LIMITED.
IN HIS PAPER ENTITLED "THE ROLE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR IN PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT: THE DEVELOPMENT OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES", MR LEUNG ILLUSTRATED THE NEW ROLES TO BE TAKEN UP BY ENTERPRISING LOCAL INDUSTRIALISTS.
HE SAID HE COULD FORESEE THAT, IN THE LONG TERM. NUMBERS OF THE MICRO ENTERPRISES EMPLOYING FEWER THAN 10 PEOPLE WOULD POSSIBLY DECLINE.
"BUT AS THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES CONTINUE TO UPGRADE AND RESTRUCTURE. AND AS THEIR TECHNOLOGICAL CAPABILITIES DEEPEN, HONG KONG SHOULD SEE THE EMERGENCE OF A NEW DYNAMIC GROUP OF SMALLER ENTERPRISES IN THE FORM OF START-UP COMPANIES," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG OUTLINED THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS NEW GENERATION OF SMALLER ENTERPRISES WHICH MIGHT BE BORN IN A SCIENCE PARK OR A TECHNOLOGY CENTRE.
"THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO COMBINE HONG KONG’S PROVEN ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS WITH THE LATEST TECHNOLOGICAL KNOW-HOW AND TO TAKE PRODUCT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TO FULL COMMERCIALISATION.
"THEY WOULD TAP THE TECHNOLOGICAL EXPERTISE OF FOREIGN MANUFACTURING INVESTMENT AND THE POOL OF TALENT IN OUR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS.
"THEY WOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HONG KONG’S POSITION AS A WORLD FINANCIAL CENTRE AND GAIN ACCESS TO INVESTMENT FUNDS, INCLUDING RISK CAPITAL.
/"THEY WOULD .......
MONDAY, MAY 29, 1989
“THEY WOULD ALSO COUNT ON HONG KONG’S PIVOTAL POSITION AS AN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CENTRE, TO CAPITALISE ON OUR LINKS WITH CHINA, THE ASIAN PACIFIC REGION AND MAJOR MARKETS IN THE WORLD," HE CONTINUED.
WITH THE PUBLIC SECTOR ALSO PLAYING ITS PART IN THIS DYNAMIC SCENARIO. HONG KONG’S ENTERPRISING INDUSTRIALISTS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR WOULD RISE TO THE CHALLENGE, MR LEUNG ADDED.
MR LEUNG EMPHASISED THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT REALISED THAT SMALLER ENTERPRISES DID REQUIRE A DEGREE OF PUBLIC SECTOR INFRASTRUCTURAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL SUPPORT TO UPGRADE AND RESTRUCTURE IN ORDER TO MEET THE NEW CHALLENGES FACING THEM IN A WORLD OF RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE.
THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT OF HONG KONG HAD A RANGE OF SERVICES IN PLACE TO IMPROVE THE COMPETITVENESS OF LOCALLY MANUFACTURED GOOD IN TERMS OF QUALITY; TO PROMOTE THE USE OF GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FACILITIES BY SMALL ENTERPRISES AND TO ENCOURAGE OVERSEAS INVESTMENT TO BRING IN IMPROVED TECHNOLOGIES TO UPGRADE HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
MR LEUNG FIRMLY BELIEVED THAT THE PUBLIC SECTOR IN HONG KONG HAD BEEN DEVELOPING AND WOULD CONTINUE TO DEVELOP A FAVOURABLE INFRASTRUCTURE TO ENABLE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES TO BETTER COMPETE IN TERMS OF PRODUCTIVITY, QUALITY AND INNOVATIVENESS AND TO ENGAGE IN HIGHER VALUE-ADDED AND MORE CAPITAL AND TECHNOLOGY-INTENSIVE TYPES OF MANUFACTURING.
------0-------
RS CONCERNED WITH VIEWS ON REDEVELOPMENT
* t * * ♦
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT HE ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO LOCAL RESIDENTS’ FEELINGS ON URBAN RENEWAL AND REDEVELOPMENT.
REDEVELOPMENT WOULD NORMALLY BE WELCOMED BY RESIDENTS IN AN AREA AS IT HELPED BRING IMPROVEMENTS AND A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE, MR LAN SAID.
MR LAN SAID HE HOPED TO FIND OUT, THROUGH THE PROPOSED YUNNAN LANE REDEVELOPMENT IN YAU MA TEI, THE GENERAL REACTION OF CITIZENS TO REDEVELOPMENT.
HE WAS AWARE OF YUNNAN LANE RESIDENTS’ CONCERN OVER THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THEIR AREA, HE ADDED.
"I’LL KEEP A CLOSE WATCH ON THE YUNNAN LANE REDEVELOPMENT PLANS. THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE WILL LIAISE WITH THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (LDC), GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD SO THAT THE RESIDENTS’ ASPIRATION COULD BE MET WHENEVER POSSIBLE,” HE NOTED.
/fcR LAN
MONDAY, MAY 29, 1989
- 5 -
MR LAN WAS SPEAKING AT A "STEP CLOSER" SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE FOR THE FIVE AREA COMMITTEES IN YAU TSIM DISTRICT.
THE SEMINAR WAS THE THIRD OF A SERIES DESIGNED TO FORGE CLOSER RELATIONS BETWEEN THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND AREA COMMITTEES.
IN A TALK ON URBAN RENEWAL IN YAU TSIM, MR LAN POINTED OUT THAT THE STANDARD OF BUILDING DESIGN AND THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT IN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE DISTRICT LEFT MUCH TO BE DESIRED.
SOME 60 PER CENT OF THE RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS IN THE DISTRICT WERE OVER 20 YEARS OLD, AND THE MORE NOTICEABLE PROBLEMS IN SOME AREAS WERE OUTMODED BUILDING DESIGN, OVERCROWDING, INSUFFICIENT PROVISION OF OPEN SPACE AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND TRAFFIC PROBLEMS.
THERE WERE TWO ANSWERS TO THOSE PROBLEMS, MR LAN CONTINUED.
FOR INDIVIDUAL BUILDINGS, THE IMMEDIATE SOLUTION WAS TO IMPROVE THEIR MANAGEMENT.
IN SOME INSTANCES, THE "OBVIOUS, AND PROBABLY ONLY" ANSWER WAS REDEVELOPMENT.
OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND THE DISTRICT BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAMS HAD MADE VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS MOTIVATING BUILDING OWNERS AND RESIDENTS TO TAKE A MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN SOLVING BUILDING MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS.
"WE HAVE SEEN ENCOURAGING RESULTS WITH IMPROVEMENTS INTRODUCED AFTER BUILDINGS WERE PUT UNDER PROPER MANAGEMENT," HE ADDED.
HOWEVER, BUILDING MANAGEMENT ALONE COULD NOT RESOLVE ALL PROBLEMS.
FOR SOME VERY OLD BUILDINGS, IMPROVEMENT SCHEMES MIGHT BE VERY EXPENSIVE AND WERE THEREFORE NOT A VIABLE PROPOSITION. IN OTHER CASES, IMPROVEMENT PROVIDES NO REMEDY.
"THEREFORE WHERE A BUILDING IS BEYOND ECONOMIC REPAIR OR IMPROVEMENT, OR IF A SIZABLE NUMBER OF PROBLEMATIC BUILDINGS ARE INVOLVED, REDEVELOPMENT WILL BE A BETTR ALTERNATIVE," HE NOTED.
APPRECIATING THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR TOWARDS URBAN REDEVELOPMENT, MR LAN SAID UNCO-ORDINATED AND PIECEMEAL EFFORTS COULD DO LITTLE TO IMPROVE THE GENERAL LIVING ENVIRONMENT, FOR EXAMPLE, IMPROVING ROAD NETWORK OR GENERATING MORE OPEN SPACE.
"PIECEMEAL REDEVELOPMENT SELDOM HELPS ACHIEVE A BETTER TOWN PLANNING LAYOUT BECAUSE THESE PROJECTS ARE NOT CO-ORDINATED," HE ADDED.
/TO BE........
MONDAY, MAY 29, 1989
- 6 -
TO BE OF BENEFIT TO RESIDENTS, MR LAN SAID, REDEVELOPMENT HAD TO BE WELL PLANNED, COMPREHENSIVE AND CO-ORDINATED.
ONE EXAMPLE OF LARGE SCALE URBAN RENEWAL IN YAU TSIM WAS THE "SIX-STREETS" REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT CURRENTLY BEING CARRIED OUT BY THE HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY. WHEN COMPLETED, IT WOULD PROVIDE UNITS FOR SALE AND LETTING, ACCOMMODATION FOR THE ELDERLY, COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SOME 8,000 SQUARE METRES OF OPEN SPACES.
THE LANI) DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ALSO PLANNED TO HELP IMPROVE THE YAU TSIM ENVIRONMENT BY INTRODUCING CO-ORDINATED EFFORT IN REDEVELOPMENT. THIS WOULD BE WELCOMED BY RESIDENTS.
"THE YUNNAN LANE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE ITS SUCCESS WILL CERTAINLY PROVIDE HONG KONG WITH VALUABLE EXPERIENCE TO EMBARK ON SIMILAR PROJECTS IN YAU TSIM AND ELSEWHERE IN THE TERRITORY SO AS TO GIVE HONG KONG A NEW LOOK IN THE 1990’S," MR LAN NOTED.
MR LAN POINTED OUT THAT FOR ANY FUTURE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT, BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND DEVELOPERS SHOULD CONSULT THE RESIDENTS OF THE AFFECTED DISTRICT, PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MAKING SUITABLE ARRANGEMENTS, AND TO ENSURE THAT THEY WOULD BE FAIRLY AND REASONABLY COMPENSATED.
"IN THE CASE OF YUNNAN LANE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE LDC IS MAKING A POSITIVE MOVE TOWARDS BRIEFING THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD WITH A VIEW TO EXPLAINING TO DB MEMBERS AND OTHER YAU TSIM RESIDENTS HOW THE PROPOSED PROJECT IS TO PROCEED," HE CONCLUDED.
0------
SALE OF THREE LOTS FETCHES ALMOST $200 MILLION * » * » *
THE SALE OF THREE GOVERNMENT LOTS TODAY (MONDAY) FETCHED A TOTAL OF $195.6 MILLION AT THE FIRST AUCTION OF GOVERNMENT LAND BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT THIS FINANCIAL YEAR.
THE LOTS INCLUDED TWO FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADE.
ONE IS LOCATED AT THE JUNCTION OF KA YIP STREET AND WING TAI ROAD, CHAI WAN, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,412 SQUARE METRES.
BIDDING OPENED AT $70 MILLION AND THE LOT WAS BOUGHT BY JADESCORE LTD. FOR $105 MILLION.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE DEVELOPER IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 17,366 SQUARE METRES BEFORE JUNE 30, 1993.
ARE OTHER.........
MONDAY, MAY 29, 198?
7
THE OTHER LOT FOR THE SAME PURPOSE IS LOCATED IN AREA 4B, SHEUNG SHUI.
BIDDING STARTED AT $45 MILLION AND THE LOT WAS SOLD TO JADE BIRD DEVELOPMENT LTD. FOR $86 MILLION.
IT COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 5,911 SQUARE METRES AND THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 17,733 SQUARE METRES BEFORE JUNE 30, 1992.
THE THIRD LOT, WHICH IS FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES, IS LOCATED IN AREA 41A, SHA TIN NEW TOWN.
BIDDING STARTED AT $2.5 MILLION AND THE LOT WAS BOUGHT BY WORLD RICH INVESTMENT CO. LTD. FOR $4.6 MILLION.
IT COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 960 SQUARE METRES AND THE DEVELOPER IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 230 SQUARE METRES BEFORE JUNE 30, 1992.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE, WAS CONDUCTED BY GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT MR NIGEL BURLEY.
-------0----------
SWAC ENDORSES BOUGHT PLACES SCHEME
* * » » ♦
THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SWAC) TODAY (MONDAY) ENDORSED AN EXPERIMENTAL PROJECT AS A START TO BUY 500 PLACES FROM REGISTERED HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY OVER A 2-YEAR PERIOD AT A TOTAL COST OF MORE THAN $27 MILLION.
THE PILOT SCHEME WILL BE REVIEWED IN SIX MONTHS AFTER ITS IMPLEMENTATION. TO DECIDE WHETHER THE NUMBER OF BOUGHT PLACES SHOULD BE ADJUSTED.
FUNDING FOR THE EXPERIMENTAL PROJECT WOULD BE SOUGHT FROM THE LOTTERIES FUND. IT IS ENVISAGED THAT THE SCHEME. IF SUCCESSFUL. WOULD BE CONTINUED FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE AS RECURRENT EXPENDITURE UNDER THE SWD VOTE. SUBJECT TO ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE MR ALFRED CHUI. BRIEFED THE MEETING THAT THE PURPOSE OF BUYING PLACES WAS TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL INCENTIVE FOR EXISTING PRIVATE HOMES FOR ELDERLY TO RAISE THEIR STANDARDS AND TO GENERATE THE SUPPLY OF ADDITIONAL PLACES OF AN ACCEPTABLE STANDARD.
SWAC MEMBERS ADVISED THAT PLACES SHOULD BE BOUGHT FROM HOMES THAT WERE REGISTERED IN ANY OF THE CATEGORIES. Al. A2 AND B UNDER THE CURRENT PRIVATE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY VOLUNTARY REGISTRATION SCHEME.
/THEY ALSO........
MONDAY, MAY 29, 1989
8
THEY ALSO AGREED THAT PLACES BOUGHT OFFERED TO ELDERLY PERSONS ON THE SWD ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR ORDER ON THE LIST.
UNDER THIS SCHEME
CENTRAL WAITING
WOULD BE
LIST IN
SERVICE RECIPIENTS ARE REQUIRED TO PAY FEES RANGING FROM $600 TO $700 PER MONTH.
THF MFFTING WAS FURTHER INFORMED THAT IN ADDITION, COMMITMENT
UNTIL THE CONCERNED HOME WAS UP TO STANDARD AND REGISTERED.
at thp MFFTING SWAC ALSO DISCUSSED A PROPOSAL TO INTRODUCE A
TO STUDY THE ISSUE.
- - 0 - -
TUEN MUN DB TO DISCUSS REFUGEE PROBLEM
» » » » t
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD WILL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS THE GOVERNMENT’S MOVE TO TRANSFER 2,000 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES FROM THE SHAM SHUT PO CAMP TO THE TUEN MUN CLOSED CENTRE.
THE BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SECURITY BRANCH. AT THE SAME TIME THEY WILL ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF REFUGEES IN THE CLOSED CENTRE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR, GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, NO. 1, TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM.
-----O-----
MONDAY, MAY 29, 1989
CALL TO HEED LAWS AGAINST UNDESIRABLE MEDICAL ADVERTISEMENTS
» » * » »
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TODAY (MONDAY) CALLED ON PUBLISHERS AND ADVERTISING AGENCIES TO EXERCISE CARE WHEN PLACING MEDICAL ADVERTISEMENTS TO AVOID CONTRAVENTION OF THE UNDESIRABLE MEDICAL ADVERTISEMENTS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE, 1988.
THE APPEAL FOLLOWED THE CONVICTION IN COURT OF FOUR NEWSPAPERS AND TWO ADVERTISING COMPANIES AND THE RECEIPT OF A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SINCE THE LEGISLATION CAME INTO FORCE ON AUGUST 15 LAST YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT A LETTER WAS SENT TODAY TO LOCAL PUBLISHERS AND ADVERTISING AGENCIES DRAWING THEIR ATTENTION TO CERTAIN PROVISIONS IN THE UNDESIRABLE MEDICAL ADVERTISEMENTS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1988. SIMILAR LETTER WILL ALSO BE SENT TO PHARMACEUTICAL FIRMS.
FOR THEIR EASY REFERENCE, SCHEDULES LISTING DISEASES AND CONDITIONS FOR WHICH ADVERTISEMENTS ARE PROHIBITED, WERE ENCLOSED.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THIS ORDINANCE ALSO APPLIES TO ADVERTISEMENTS FOR TREATMENT OFFERED ABROAD.
HE URGED THOSE WHO HAD PLACED SUCH ADVERTISEMENTS TO WITHDRAW THEM IMMEDIATELY, ADDING THAT THEY MIGHT, OTHERWISE, RUN THE RISK OF BEING PROSECUTED.
"THE ORDINANCE AIMS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM BEING INDUCED BY UNDESIRABLE ADVERTISEMENTS TO SEEK IMPROPER TREATMENT FROM UNQUALIFIED PERSONS OR RESORT TO WRONGFUL APPLICATION BY SELF-MEDICATION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID. "THE DEPARTMENT IS MONITORING THE SITUATION CLOSELY."
ANY PERSON FOUND GUILTY OF CONTRAVENING ANY OF THE PROVISIONS UNDER THE ORDINANCE IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF 110,000 UPON THE FIRST CONVICTION, AND $25,000 AND ONE-YEAR IMPRISONMENT UPON A SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT CONVICTION.
PUBLISHERS, ADVERTISING AGENCIES AND PHARMACEUTICAL FIRMS WHO WISH TO SEEK GENERAL ADVICE ON MEDICAL ADVERTISEMENTS MAY CONTACT THE PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES OF THE DEPARTMENT IN WRITING, 5TH FLOOR, CENTRE POINT, 181-185 GLOUSCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI.
-------0---------
/10........
MONDAY, MAY 29, 1989
10
LADY WILSON VISITS NT YOUTH CENTRE » » » ♦ ♦
THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUTH CENTRES IN HONG KONG WAS HIGHLIGHTED ONCE AGAIN WHEN LADY WILSON VISITED ONE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE LONG PING ESTATE’S CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE, ESTABLISHED BY THE YUEN LONG TOWN HALL MANAGEMENT, IS ONE OF THE NEWEST AND BEST IN THE TERRITORY.
OCCUPYING 670 SQUARE METRES, THE CENTRE PROVIDES A WIDE RANGE OF RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES FOR SOME 7,000 YOUNG PEOPLE.
LADY WILSON WAS SHOWN ROUND THE CENTRE, WHICH COMPRISES STUDY ROOMS, GAMES AND ACTIVITY ROOMS, A DOMESTIC SCIENCE ROOM, A PHOTOGRAPHIC DARK ROOM AND A PLAYGROUND.
SHE WAS TOLD THAT THE CENTRE IS ALSO ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY BUILDING PROGRAMMES. THOSE WHO JOIN ARE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE UP VOLUNTARY WORK.
AT THE END OF HER VISIT, LADY WILSON WATCHED A MUSIC AND DANCE PERFORMANCE, PUT ON BY MEMBERS OF THE YOUTH CENTRE.
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR ADOLF HSU, AND DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ROBIN IP, WERE ALSO PRESENT.
------o-------
FIRST QUARTER EXPORTS STATISTICS RE-CLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN PUBLISHED * » » » »
ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, THE SIX MOST IMPORTANT INDUSTRY GROUPS IN TERMS OF THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989 WERE : ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS; WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR AND KNITWEAR; TEXTILES (INCLUDING KNITTING); PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT; BASIC METALS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS; AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS.
THEY TOGETHER ACCOUNTED FOR 81.0 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF MERCHANDISE DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989.
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES WITH THE LARGEST INCREASES IN THE ABSOLUTE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OVER THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1988 WERE : ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS (+$1,378 MILLION); MACHINERY, EXCEPT ELECTRICAL (+$502 MILLION); WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR AND KNITWEAR (+$479 MILLION); PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT (+$389 MILLION); BASIC METALS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS (+$325 MILLION); AND CHEMICALS AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS (+$310 MILLION).
/IN PERCENTAGE .......
MONDAY, MAY 29, 1989
IN PERCENTAGE TERMS, INDUSTRIES WITH THE LARGEST INCREASES ’ THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OVER THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1988 WERl CHEMICALS AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS (+45.5 PER CENT); MACHINERY, EXCEPT ELECTRICAL (+38.9 PER CENT); BEVERAGES (+25.8 PER CENT); FOOD (+22.1 PER CENT) AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT (+21.4 PER CENT).
ON THE OTHER HAND, MODERATE DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989 AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME QUARTER OF 1988 IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY (-S182 MILLION OR -7.4 PER CENT) AND THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY (-$34 MILLION OR 7.5 PER CENT).
OUTSIDE THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, DOMESTIC EXPORTS ORIGINATING FROM OCEAN AND COASTAL FISHING INCREASED BY 436 MILLION OR 22.4 PER CENT OVER THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1988, WHILE DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF ELECTRICITY INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY BY $47 MILLION OR 43.3 PER CENT.
THE ABOVE STATISTICS ON DOMESTIC EXPORTS ANALYSED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN ARE DERIVED BY RE-GROUPING ALL SIX-DIGIT MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEMS UNDER THE EXTERNAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM ACCORDING TO THE INDUSTRIES IN WHICH THESE MERCHANDISE ITEMS ARE NORMALLY PRODUCED. TRANSACTIONS IN GOLD AND SPECIE ARE EXCLUDED.
THE CLASSIFICATION OF MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEMS BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN IS STRUCTURED UPON THE UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION OF ALL ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES (I.S.I.C.), AS DISTINCT FROM THE UNITED NATIONS STANDARD INTERNATIONAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION (S.I.T.C.) WHICH IS ADOPTED IN THE REGULAR TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
CAUTION SHOULD BE TAKEN WHEN REFERRING TO THESE RE-CLASSIFIED STATISTICS. CERTAIN MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEMS MAY REQUIRE SEVERAL INTERMEDIATE PROCESSING STAGES IN THEIR PRODUCTION. IN SUCH CASES, THE INDUSTRY IN WHICH AN ITEM IS FINALLY PRODUCED IS NOT THE SOLE CONTRIBUTOR TO THE EXPORT VALUE OF THAT ITEM. HOWEVER, THE TOTAL VALUE OF THE ITEM HAS WHOLLY BEEN ALLOCATED TO THAT INDUSTRY IN THIS RE-CLASSIFICATION.
BESIDES, THE CLASSIFICATION OF A MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEM TO 1 PARTICULAR INDUSTRY DOES NOT IMPLY THAT THE ENTIRE EXPORT VALUE OF THE ITEM IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE ESTABLISHMENTS OF THAT INDUSTRY, SINCE PART OF THE VALUE MAY BE DUE TO PRODUCTION BY ESTABLISHMENTS CLASSIFIED UNDER OTHER INDUSTRIES AS SECONDARY PRODUCTS.
FURTHER DETAILS OF MERCHANDISE DOMESTIC EXPORTS STATISTICS RE-CLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN MAY BE FOUND IN THE ATTACHED TABLE WHICH IS OBTAINABLE FROM THE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. 5-8234832).
A TABLE SHOWING MORE DETAILED BREAKDOWNS OF SIMILAR STATISTICS FOR SELECTED MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IS ALSO INCLUDED IN THE REPORT "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE, MARCH, 1989".
/VALUE OF .......
MONDAY, MAY 29, 1989
12
Value of merchandise domestic exports reclassified by industrial origin for the first Quarter of 1989
(HKS'OOO)
Industrial origin of the commodities exported Merchandise domestic exports
1989 1st qtr. 1988 1st qtr. Value change c' f change
Agricultural, Forestry and Fishing |
Agricultural, livestock and 1,443 1,780 -337 -18.9
poultry production Ocean and coastal fishing 194,480 158,921 +35,559 +22.4
Mining and Quarrying 1,496 1,471 +25 +1.7
Manufacturing
Food 370,186 303,127 +67,059 +22.1
Beverages 83,163 66,125 +17,038 +25.8
Tobacco 420,905 454,880 -33,975 -7.5
Textiles (including knitting) 8,093,698 7,919,721 +173,976 +2.2
Wearing apparel, except 9,656,339 9,176,990 +479,350 +5.2
footwear and knitwear Leather and leather products 193,742 197,324 -3,582 -1.8
Footwear 257,749 264,417 -6,668 -2.5
Wood and cork products, 181,460 194,888 -13,428 -6.9
furniture and fixtures Paper and paper products 1,128,897 944,332 +184,565 +19.5
printing and publishing Chemicals and chemical products 990,143 680,357 +309,786 +45.5
Products of petroleum and coal 1,119 971 +148 +15.2
Rubber products 36,057 51,966 -15,909 -30.6
Plastic products 2,275,464 2,457,559 -182,095 -7.4
Eon-metallic mineral products 179,370 161,191 +18,179 +11.3
Basic metals and fabricated 2,439,776 2,114,382 +325,395 +15.4
metal products Machinery, except electrical 1,792,81*9 1,291,048 4-501 ,801 +38.9
Electrical and electronic 11,829,263 10,450,782 +1,378,481 +13.2
products Transport equipment 41,127 33,886 +7,2'-2 +21.4
Professional and optical 4,517,119 4,128,471 +388,648 +9.4
equipment Other manufacturing industries 3,054,410 2,987,993 +66,417 +2.2
Electricity 156,320 109,08c +47,240 +43.3
Miscellaneous i^ems 30,660 17,632 +13,027 +73.9
(e.g. developed photographic plates and film, antiques, and vorks of art)
Total I 47,927,235 1*4,169,293 +3,757,943 +8.5
Individual entries of a column may not add up exactly to the corresponding total due to rounding;
Industrial Research Section, (Tel. : 5-8234832) Census & Statistics Department, Honcr Er.nc* May 1989 ----------------------------------------0----------
/13..........
MONDAY, MAY 29, 1989
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS POLLUTION PROBLEMS
» » « * »
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS AIR AND NOISE POLLUTION PROBLEMS IN QUARRY BAY AND CHAI WAN.
PROBLEMS OF AIR POLLUTION IN QUARRY BAY RELATE TO OBNOXIOUS FUMES EMITTING FROM FACTORIES IN WESTLANDS ROAD, WHILE THE NUISANCE IN CHAI WAN IS BROUGHT ABOUT BY NOISE GENERATED FROM A CONSTRUCTION SITE NEAR HING WAH ESTATE PHASE II. f
A SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (AIR CONTROL), MR C.M. CHAU, AND A SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (NOISE CONTROL), DR ANDREW KWAN, FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO ANSWER MEMBERS' QUESTIONS.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE PROBLEMS IN THE CHAI WAN TEMPORARY MARKET AND ILLEGAL HAWKING ACTIVITIES NEAR THE CHAI WAN INDOOR GAMES HALL.
ALSO ON THE AGENDA ARE PROPOSALS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOOTPATH LINKING TSUI WAN ESTATE AND CHAI WAN MTR STATION, AND A CONCRETE FOOTPATH JOINING SAN HA STREET AND CAPE COLLINSON ROAD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, 880-886 KING’S ROAD.
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/1U........
MONDAY, MAY 29, 1989
14
SOUTHERN DISTRICT PHOTO COMPETITION ON POLLUTION
*****
ENTRIES ARE INVITED FOR AN "IDENTIFY THE POLLUTION SOURCE' PHOTO COMPETITION WHICH IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
IN SUPPORT OF WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 1989, THE COMPETITION ALSO AIMS TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO DETECT SOURCES OF POLLUTION IN THE DISTRICT AND BRING THEM TO THE ATTENTION OF THE PROPER AUTHORITIES.
THE COMPETITION, OPEN TO ALL PEOPLE RESIDING, STUDYING OR WORKING IN THE AREA, IS DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS. THE OPEN SECTION IS FOR THOSE AGED 18 OR ABOVE AND THE YOUTH SECTION FOR THOSE UNDER 18.
ENTRY FORMS FOR THE COMPETITION ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE AT ABERDEEN CENTRE, AND ITS SUB-OFFICES AT LEI TUNG ESTATE, WAH FU ESTATE AND STANLEY VILLAGE ROAD.
PHOTOGRAPHS FOR THE COMPETITION MUST BE PRINTED IN 3R FORMAT, TOGETHER WITH A DESCRIPTION OF THE POLLUTION PROBLEM. THE COMPLETED ENTRY FORM SHOULD THEN BE SENT TO THE DISTRICT OFFICE BY JUNE 16. EACH CONTESTANT MAY SUBMIT MORE THAN ONE ENTRY.
IN ADDITION TO GRAND PRIZES FOR THE FIRST THREE WINNERS, FIVE OUTSTANDING PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED IN EACH OF THE TWO SECTIONS.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 5-540271.
-------0---------
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS
*****
THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROJECTS AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
EIGHTEEN ORGANISATIONS, INCLUDING AREA COMMITTEES AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, HAVE SUBMITTED APPLICATIONS FOR A TOTAL OF ABOUT $297,500 FOR ORGANISING COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES FOR DISTRICT RESIDENTS THIS FINANCIAL YEAR.
A PAPER ON THE 1989 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME FOR THE DISTRICT WILL BE TABLED.
A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION WILL PRESENT A PAPER ON THE COMMISSION’S REGIONAL OFFICE (KOWLOON CENTRAL) LIAISON WORK PLAN FOR 1989-90.
/A REPRESENTATIVE .......
MONDAY, MAY 29, 1989
A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO PRESENT A PAPER ON THE URBAN COUNCIL’S RECREATION AND SPORTS PROGRAMME FOR THE DISTRICT IN 1989-90.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE ACTIVITY PLAN AND ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE OF THE WORKING GROUP ON PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION IN WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT, AND THE STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURE AND COMMITMENTS OF THE COMMITTEE AS AT MAY 20.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, FOURTH FLOOR, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KING FUK STREET.
------0--------
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION FOR CFC QUOTA ALLOCATION
t » » * »
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (MONDAY) REMINDED IMPORTERS THAT THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION FOR QUOTA ALLOCATION OF RETAINED IMPORTS OF CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS (CFC’s) IS JUNE 9 THIS YEAR.
APPLICATION FOR QUOTA ALLOCATION IS FOR THE PERIOD BETWEEN JULY 1 AND JUNE 30 NEXT YEAR.
CFC’s, AS DEFINED IN THE GAZETTE NOTICE PUBLISHED ON MAY 19, ARE CFC 11, 12, 113, 114 AND 115.
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID THAT UPON THE ENACTMENT OF THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION BILL 1989, ANY PERSON WHO IMPORTS OR EXPORTS CFC’s AS STATED ABOVE WILL BE REQUIRED TO BE REGISTERED AND TO OBTAIN A LICENCE FOR EACH SUCH IMPORT OR EXPORT.
TO FACILITATE REGISTRATION AND LICENSING, A QUOTA ALLOCATION SYSTEM WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ADMINISTRATIVELY WHEREBY QUOTAS FOR RETAINED IMPORTS OF CFC’s WILL BE ALLOCATED TO PERSONS WITH RECOGNISED PAST PERFORMANCE IN THIS AREA.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE EPD AT THE 26TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI.
APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY HAND TO THE EPD BY 5 PM ON JUNE 9. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE EPD ON 5-8351089.
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/16........
MONDAY, MAY 29, 1989
16
SUSPENSION OF WATER SUPPLY TO THREE AREAS
*****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN MA TAU WAI WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (MAY 31) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE NIGHT LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY MA TAU CHUNG ROAD, ARGYLE STREET, MA TAU KOK ROAD, FU NING STREET, FUK CHEUNG STREET AND SHING TAK STREET.
ALSO, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 8 PM ON THURSDAY (JUNE 1) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY SO THAT WATER MAINS CAN BE CONNECTED.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY KWAI CHEONG ROAD, KWAI ON ROAD, TAI LIN PAI ROAD, KUNG YIP STREET, YIP SHING STREET, KA TING ROAD, HA KWAI CHUNG VILLAGE AND WING YIP STREET.
ON THE SAME DAY, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SAI KUNG WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY BECAUSE OF NIGHT LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AREA AFFECTED IS BOUNDED BY HONG KIN ROAD, HONG TSUEN ROAD, HONG NIN PATH AND HONG TING ROAD.
-----0-----
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
TUESDAY, MAY JO, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ISLAND POLICE COMMANDER SPEAKS ON CROWD CONTROL........ 1
GOVT FORCED TO USE SOKO ISLAND FOR VBP ................. 2
FIRST BATCH OF APPEAL CASES FROM VBP ................... 3
MAJOR CAMPAIGN CW REHABILITATION ....................... 3
EIGHT BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA ............................
ROAD SAFETY PATROLS A SUCCESS .......................... 5
TWO AIDS CASES CONFIRMED................................ 6
KOWLOON CITY DB TO DISCUSS FIRST ASYLUM POLICY.......... 8
VICTORIA BARRACKS LINK ON DB AGENDA .................... 8
DB TO PREVIEW NEW CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL ................. 9
SPECIAL MEETING TO DISCUSS WESTERN PARKLAND............. 10
SEMINARS FOR KWAI TSING OWNERS' INCORPORATIONS ......... 10
POK 01 HOSPITAL DIRECTORS Call ON DSW .................. 11
WSD TO RE-SCHEDULE METER READING AND BILLING TIME....... 11
DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED ................................ 12
FINAL REMINDER FOR TYPHOON REFIEF APPLICATIONS ......... 12
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN WaN CHAI TO BE CLOSED............. 13
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWaY IN WING LOK STREET ............ 14
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN TUEN MUN ........................ 11*
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SAN PO KONG .................... 12*-
TUESDAY. MAY 50 . 1989
ISLAND POLICE COMMANDER SPEAKS ON CROWD CONTROL
***»<■
SINCE MAY 19. POLICE TERRITORY-WIDE HAVE CONTROLLED OVER 90 PROTEST ACTIVITIES INCLUDING MASS RALLIES. SLOW DRIVES. PUBLIC MEETINGS AND PROCESSIONS.
DESPITE THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TAKING PART IN THESE EVENTS ASSOCIATED WITH STUDENT PROTESTS THERE HAVE BEEN. INCREDIBLY. NO REPORTED INCIDENTS. NO CROWD DISORDER. NO CRUSHING AND ONLY A COUPLE OF MINOR INJURIES AND A FEW CASES OF FAINTING. THE POLICE REGIONAL COMMANDER FOR HONG KONG ISLAND. MR JOHN CLEMENCE. SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
+1T IS A GREAT COMPLIMENT TO THE COMMUNITY OF HONG KONG THAT THEY CAN BE RESPONSIBLE ENOUGH TO MAKE THEIR FEELINGS KNOWN IN SUCH DEPTH YET WITH SUCH DEFERENCE TO THE POLICE.+ HE ADDED.
PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE ORGANISERS OF THE VARIOUS EVENTS. MR CLEMENCE SAID THAT FOR THE MOST PART THEY HAD NOTIFIED THE POLICE OF THEIR INTENTIONS. ALBEIT AT VERY SHORT NOTICE. AND HAD NEGOTIATED ROUTES WHICH HAD BEEN AMENDED AT THE REQUEST OF THE FORCE IN THE INTERESTS OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
EXPLAINING THE POLICE TOLERANCE IN ALLOWING PROCESSIONS AND MEETINGS TO GO AHEAD. HE SAID THERE WAS A GENERAL MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE TERMS OF THE PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE PARTICULARLY AMONG THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
+THERE IS A GENERAL PERCEPTION THAT NOTHING CAN TAKE PLACE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE OF AT LEAST SEVEN DAYS BEING GIVEN TO THE POLICE IN EACH AND EVERY INSTANCE.
+TH1S IS NOT NECESSARILY THE CASE. THE PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE DOES NOT SEEK TO PROHIBIT SPONTANEOUS DEMONSTRATIONS. AND IN THE EVENTS OF THE LAST TWO WEEKS OR SO IT WOULD HAVE BEEN LUDICROUS TO SUGGEST THAT ANYBODY HAD TO GIVE SEVEN DAYS NOTICE OF THEIR INTENTION TO PROTEST AND SEEK MAXIMUM PUBLICITY FOR THE GRIEVANCES THEY WISHED TO EXPRESS.
+HERE WE WERE DEALING WITH AN EMOTIONALLY CHARGED ATMOSPHERE BUT NOT ONE THAT THREATENED THE PEACE 01- HONG KONG.
+RATHER MORE IT WAS A QUESTION OF THE POTENTIAL DANGER LIKELY TO BE CAUSED BY THE SHEER NUMBER OF PEOPLE ON THE STREETS AT ONE TIME. THIS REQUIRED POLICING BEARING IN MIND THAT IN THE UK A MATTER OF ONLY WEEKS AGO OVER 90 PEOPLE WERE KILLED DUE TO CROWD CRUSHING.+
COMPLIMENTING THE FORCE AS A WHOLE ON THE SPEED AT WHICH IT HAD BEEN ABLE TO REACT. MR CLEMENCE SAID THAT ON THE FIRST OCCASION WHEN IT WAS SUSPECTED THAT SOMETHING BIG WOULD HAPPEN ON THE SUNDAY (MAY 21) PLANS HAD BEEN FINALISED AT MID-DAY LEAVING THE ORGANISERS AND THE POLICE LESS THAN TWO HOURS TO GET DUTIES DEPLOYED AND THE ROUTE FINALISED.
/ THROUGHOUT ........
TUrXDAY, MAY 50, 19$9
- 2 -
THROUGHOUT. ORGANISERS OF THE VARIOUS EVENTS HAD BEEN ENCOURAGED TO MEET THE POLICE. NOT WITH A VIEW TO IMPOSING WHAT COULD BE DONE. BUT TO INTRODUCE THEM TO OFFICERS IN CHARGE OF DUTIES ON THE GROUND SO THAT IF IN DIFFICULTY THEY KNEW EXACTLY WHOM TO TALK TO IN ORDER THAT DECISIONS COULD BE MADE.
+1 MUST EXPRESS MY CONSIDERABLE APPRECIATION FOR THE WILLINGNESS AND SPEED AT WHICH AUXILIARY POLICE WERE TURNED OUT TO ASSIST US. ALSO TO THE OTHER REGIONS WHO WERE VERY SUPPORTIVE. EVERY DAY WE HAD EITHER A TRAINING COMPANY. OR COMPANIES FROM KOWLOON. NEW TERRITORIES OR MARINE PRESENT.
+ THEY WERE COMMITTED WILLINGLY AND RAPIDLY AND ALTHOUGH. ON OCCASIONS THEY STOOD ON RESERVE. IT DID NOT DIMINISH THE IMPORTANCE OF THEM BEING THERE.+
MR CLEMENCE'S FINAL WORD WAS FOR THE TRAFFIC POLICE.
+THEY NEVER FAILED US. THEY NEVER SHUT OR OPENED A ROAD TOO EARLY. AND THE PUBLIC ON THE MARCH NEVER CAME INTO CONFLICT WITH VEHICLES.
+FOR PART OF THE TIME THE WEATHER WAS ATROCIOUS AND TRAFFIC OFFICERS WERE HAVING TO WORK SOME DAYS ON DOUBLE SHIFTS. OTHERS FOUR HOURS ON AND FOUR HOURS OFF. AT ONE TIME THEY WERE UNABLE TO GET THEIR UNIFORMS DRY AND WERE COMING BACK ON DUTY AND CLIMBING INTO WET UNIFORMS WHICH DIDN'T SEEM TO DIMINISH THEIR ENTHUSIASM OR AFFECT THEIR PROFESSIONALISM.+
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GOVT FORCED TO USE SOKO ISLAND FOR VBP ♦ ♦ ♦ » »
THE GOVERNMENT WAS TODAY (TUESDAY) FORCED TO USE TAI AH CHAU IN THE SOKO’S ISLANDS AS A TEMPORARY ’’STOPOVER” FOR FURTHER VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ARRIVALS.
’’WITH A CONTINUING LARGE INFLUX OF VBP WHICH TOTALLED MORE THAN 2,300 IN THE LAST THREE DAYS. WE HAVE RUN OUT OF SPACE AT THE GREEN ISLAND RECEPTION CENTRE WHERE VBP ARRIVALS ARE PROCESSED FOR PORT HEALTH CLEARANCE." SAID REFUGEE CO-ORDINATOR. MR MIKE HANSON.
"THE ONLY OPTION AVAILABLE IS FOR NEW ARRIVALS, ON INTERCEPTION, TO BE TOWED TO TAI AH CHAU FOR TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION.
"THEY WILL BE GIVEN FOOD AND WATER, AND STAY THERE UNTIL SPACE BECOMES AVAILABLE AT GREEN ISLAND AS VBP THERE ARE PROCESSED FOR PORT HEALTH CLEARANCE."
MR HANSON STRESSED THAT THERE WAS SIMPLY NO MORE ACCOMMODATION FOR NEW ARRIVALS.
"THE RATE OF ARRRIVALS HAS FAST OUTSTRIPPED THE PROVISION OF ACCOMMODATION FOR THEM.” HE SAID.
- 0 -
/5
TUESDAY, MAY 30, 1989
5 -
FIRST BATCH OF APPEAL. CASES FROM VBP
*****
THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL TODAY (TUESDAY) CONSIDERED THE FIRST BATCH OF APPEALS TOTALLING SEVEN CASES FROM EIGHT V1ETN, IEJE BOAT PEOPLE (VBP) WHO HAD BEEN REFUSED REFUGEE STATUS AFTER SCREENING.
IN ALL SEVEN CASES COMPRISING THREE MEN AND FIVE WOMEN, TliE COUNCIL CONFIRMED THE DECISION OF THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION TO REFUSE THEM REFUGEE STATUS UNDER THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE.
THESE VBP WILL REMAIN IN DETENTION CENTRES PENDING RETUR I TO VIETNAM.
SINCE THE SCREENING POLICY WAS INTRODUCED IN JUNE LAST YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT HAS COMPLETED SCREENING FOR 1,594 VBP.
OF THEM, 1,429 VBP WERE SCREENED OUT AS NON-REIUGEES, AND THE REMAINING 165, OR 10.4 PER CENT, WERE GRANTED REFUGEE STATUS.
OF THOSE VBP SCREENED OUT, 1,298 HAVE OBJECTED TO THE DECISION TO REFUSE THEM REFUGEE STATUS.
------0 ------
MAJOR CAMPAIGN ON REHABILITATION
*****
A MAJOR REHABILITATION EDUCATION CAMPAIGN - THE "IN TOUCH WITH REHABILITATION CAMPAIGN" - WILL BE LAUNCHED NEXT MONTH AND CONTINUE UNTIL DECEMBER.
CAMPAIGN HIGHLIGHTS WILL INCLUDE TWO TERRITORY-WIDE COMPETITIONS, A THREE-DAY REHABILITATION EXHIBITION, AND A SERIES OF DISTRICT PROGRAMMES WHICH WILL LAST TWO WEEKS.
DETAILS OF THE CAMPAIGN WERE ANNOUNCED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE GIVEN TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CO-CHAIRMEN OF THE CENTRAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR KWOK KA-CH1, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, AND MISS MARION FANG.
MR KWOK SAID ONE OF THE TWO TERRITORY-WIDE COMPETITIONS WOULD BE A "DESIGN AWARD FOR THE MOST ACCESSIBLE BUILDING FOR THE DISABLED".
THE OTHER WOULD BE A YOUTH PROJECT ON A TOPIC OF INTEREST RELATED TO REHABILITATION.
BOTH COMPETITIONS WOULD BE LAUNCHED NEXT MONTH, AND RESULTS WOULD BE ANNOUNCED LATER IN THE YEAR.
/THE ANNOUNCEMENT........
TUESDAY, MAY 30, 1989
THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE RESULTS WOULD COINCIDE WITH THE OPENING OF A THREE-DAY REHABILITATION EXHIBITION AT THE NEW WORLD PLAZA IN TSIM SHA TSUI ON DECEMBER 2.
"THE EXHIBITION WILL FEATURE VARIOUS REHABILITATION SERVICES, INCLUDING MEDICAL SERVICES, PRE-SCHOOL SERVICES, SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES, ADULT SERVICES AND EMPLOYMENT," MR KWOK ADDED.
PHOTOGRAPHS AND. INFORMATION MATERIALS ON REHABILITATION SERVICES WILL BE ON DISPLAY.
A NOVEL ATTRACTION WILL BE A TUNNEL, IN WHICH PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPERIENCE THE EFFECTS OF BEING DISABLED BY GOING THROUGH THE TUNNEL AND CLIMBING UP THE RAMP BY WHEEL CHAIR.
THERE WILL ALSO BE PROGRAMMES FOR THE DISABLED AT DISTRICT LEVELS, BETWEEN DECEMBER 2 AND 17.
DURING THIS PERIOD, A SPORTS DAY, FAMILY CAMPS, A MOBILE EXHIBITION, OPEN DAYS, GAMES DAYS, TALENT CONTESTS, SEMINARS AND DESIGN COMPETITIONS WILL BE HELD.
MISS FANG SAID THE CAMPAIGN WOULD ENHANCE PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE FACT THAT DISABLED PERSONS WERE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE COMMUNITY.
IT WOULD ALSO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE POTENTIAL ABILITIES OF DISABLED PERSONS, AND HELP THE DISABLED TO UNDERSTAND BOTH THEIR DISABILITIES AND THEIR POTENTIAL.
"THE CAMPAIGN WILL ALSO HELP PROMOTE REHABILITATION SERVICES AND AGENCIES WHICH RUN THEM," SHE ADDED.
THE CAMPAIGN IS ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH AND THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE.
IT IS SPONSORED BY THE HONG KONG SHUMEI CHURCH OF DIVINE GUIDANCE LTD, THE CENTRAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE ON THE YOUTH FESTIVAL, AND THE NEW WORLD CENTRE MANAGEMENT OFFICE.
-------0----------
EIGHT BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA ♦ » ♦ » «
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER EIGHT BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
/THEY ARE .......
TUESDAY, MAY JO, 1989
THEY ARE THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE CONTROL OF EXEMPTION CLAUSES BILL 1989; THE PEAK TRAMWAY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1989; THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION BILL 1989 AND THE TEMPORARY CONTROL OF DENSITY OF BUILDING DEVELOPMENT (KOWLOON) BILL 1989.
AFTER BEING READ A SECOND TIME, THE IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1989 IS SCHEDULED TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT WILL TABLE A GREEN PAPER ON TRANSPORT POLICY IN HONG KONG, AND THE REPORT OF THE POLICE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE 1988 WILL ALSO BE TABLED.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL MOVE TWO MOTIONS - ONE UNDER THE HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION ORDINANCE AND THE OTHER UNDER THE TELEPHONE ORDINANCE.
ALSO ON THE AGENDA IS A MEMBER’S MOTION, TO BE MOVED BY THE SENIOR MEMBER, THE HON ALLEN LEE.
THIS MOTION READS: "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 THE PROMULGATION OF THE BASIC LAW."
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A MEETING AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING.
- - 0 - -
ROAD SAFETY PATROLS A SUCCESS
» » » » »
THE DEDICATION OF THE ROAD SAFETY PATROLS AND THE GOOD EXAMPLE THEY SET WERE CLEARLY BORNE OUT BY THEIR EXEMPLARY RECORD IN THAT NOT A SINGLE CHILD HAD BEEN INJURED AT A CROSSING UNDER THEIR SUPERVISION IN THE PAST 26 YEARS, THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR JAMES SO, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY MARKING THE PRESENTATION OF ROAD SAFETY PATROLS SCHOLARSHIPS, MR SO SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD SPARED NO EFFORT IN PROMOTING ROAD SAFETY AND IN ACCIDENT PREVENTION WORK, BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IN LESSENING THE NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS WAS THE BEHAVIOUR OF ROAD USERS.
/41R so
TUESDAY, MAY JO, 1989
6
MR SO SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD DONE MUCH IN PAST YEARS TO PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY THROUGH PUBLICITY AND EDUCATION. BUT THE MAIN EFFORT HAD TO COME FROM THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, AND IT WAS THE VERY USEFUL WORK DONE BY COMMUNITY GROUPS SUCH AS THE ROAD SAFETY PATROLS THAT HELPED TO INSTIL IN ROAD USERS A SENSE OF PROPER BEHAVIOUR.
THE COMMISSIONER SAID HE WAS PLEASED TO SEE THE WORK OF THE ROAD SAFETY PATROLS BEING RECOGNISED WITH THE AWARD OF SCHOLARSHIPS TO SO MANY MEMBERS OF THE PATROL TEAMS FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN PATROL SERVICE AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS.
HE PRAISED THE STRONG SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT GIVEN TO THE ROAD SAFETY PATROLS BY PUBLIC ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS THE ROAD SAFETY ASSOCIATION, THE SCHOOLS. THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE. AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS.
"1 AM SURE WE CAN CONTINUE TO RELY ON THEIR SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO HELP US PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY AND TO REDUCE THE SOCIAL COSTS AND SUFFERING CAUSED BY TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS," MR SO SAID.
- - 0 - -
TWO AIDS CASES CONFIRMED * * *
TWO MORE PEOPLE IN HONG KONG HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED TO BE SUFFERING FROM AIDS (ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME), THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE PATIENTS ARE BOTH MALE. ONE ACQUIRED THE DISEASE SEXUALLY WHILE THE OTHER CONTRACTED THE DISEASE THROUGH TRANSFUSION OF A BLOOD PRODUCT.
THIS BRINGS TO 22 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF AIDS CASES REPORTED IN THE TERRITORY. THIRTEEN OF THE PATIENTS HAVE DIED, AND THE OTHER NINE ARE UNDER TREATMENT AND COUNSELLING.
RELEASING THE MONTHLY SURVEILLANCE STATISTICS ON AIDS FOR APRIL, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID ANOTHER AIDS CARRIER WAS ALSO REPORTED, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER TO 143.
OF THESE, 42 WERE REFERRALS FROM GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND CLINICS, 15 WERE PEOPLE WHO HAD ATTENDED SOCIAL HYGIENE CLINICS, 54 WERE HAEMOPHILIACS AND 32 WERE REFERRALS FROM PRIVATE DOCTORS AND SUBVENTED HOSPITALS.
UNDER THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME BEGUN BY THE DEPARTMENT IN 1985, A TOTAL OF 126,240 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 APRIL, 551,045 UNITS OF BLOOD HAD BEEN TESTED AND EIGHT WERE FOUND POSITIVE.
/AIDS VIRUf.
TUESDAY, MAY JO, 1989
7
'It A
AIDS Virus (HIV) Antibody Testing
Department of Health
Vlruo Unit
• I Referrals from Govt, hospitals and clinics Apr 85 - Mar 89 Apr 89 Total No. No. tested* +ve
No. tested* 7 954 ty-fA’lti No. t-ve te 42
No. sted* 256 No. *ve 0
8 210 . 42
Referrals from private practitioners and 1 743 subverted hospitals 32 6 0 1 749 32
>JM rtWtK Attendances at social hygiene clinics 109 376 15 2 445 0 111 821 15
Mb W Haemophiliacs 367 53 4 1 371 54
& fl & 4* IV drug abusers 3 318 0 52 0 3 370 0
M U Referrals'from Family Planning Association I? 160 0 2 0 162 0
ttJHA* Health care personnel 553 0 4 0 557 0
TOTAL 123 471 142 2 769 1 126 240 143
•This indicates the repeated for certain number of specimens individuals and not persons i as tests are
Aug 85 - Mar 89 Api r 89 Total
No. tested No. 4-ve No. tested No. +ve No. tested No. 4-ve
Hong Kong Red Cross Blood transfusion Service 536 15'4 8 14 891 0 551 045 8
— — — - 0 - /8
TUESDAY, MAY 30, 1989
KOWLOON CITY DB TO DISCUSS FIRST ASYLUM POLICY
*****
THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS AT ITS MEETING ON THURSDAY (JUNE 1) A SUGGESTION THAT THE POLICY OF MAKING HONG KONG A PORT OF FIRST ASYLUM FOR REFUGEES BE DROPPED.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE USE OF THE FORMER HUNG HOM POLICE STATION AT HOK YUEN STREET AS A TEMPORARY TRANSIT POINT FOR EX-CHINA VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, AND CALL FOR AN EARLY DECISION ON THE PERMANENT USE OF THE SITE.
THE DISTRICT’S BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM, WHICH WAS FORMED IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR, WILL TABLE ITS WORK PLAN FOR 1989-90 FOR MEMBERS’ ENDORSEMENT.
THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION (SPECIAL DUTIES), MR LUI HAU-TUEN, WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON PROGRESS OF THE WALLED CITY CLEARANCE.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS A CONSULTATION PAPER ON ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS. REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH, THE TOBACCO INSTITUTE OF HONG KONG LTD AND THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH WILL BE PRESENT.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE LOCAL MARINE CRAFT REVIEW, CULTURAL POLICY IN HONG KONG, SUSPENSION OF SCHOOL CLASSES IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, AND HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN HO MAN TIN AREA.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.15 PM ON THURSDAY (JUNE 1) IN THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, TO KWA WAN.
- - 0 - -
VICTORIA BARRACKS LINK ON DB AGENDA
*****
THE PROPOSED VICTORIA BARRACKS LINK WILL BE DISCUSSED AT A MEETING OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD'S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE ON THURSDAY (JUNE 1).
A MEMBER WILL URGE THE RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS TO MONITOR THE SCHEDULE OF UTILITY WORKS ALONG CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL TO ALLEVIATE TRAFFIC CONGESTION.
/Meanwhile ,
TUESDAY, MAY JO, 1989
MEANWHILE, A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE UPGRADING OF CONNAUGHT ROAD WILL BE TABLED FOR MEMBERS’ INFORMATION.
TWO MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE NOMINATED TO THE DISTRICT'S ROAD SAFETY COMMITTEE TO ASSIST IN ORGANISING A LARGE SCALE CAMPAIGN LATER THIS YEAR.
FURTHERMORE, MEMBERS WILL BE ASKED TO COMMENT 0N * CONSULTATION DOCUMENT PREPARED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ON LOCAL CRAFT SAFETY AND CONTROL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30PM ON THURSDAY (JUNE 1) IN ROOM 1416, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
- - 0 - -
DB TO PREVIEW NEW CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL *****
MEMBERS OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL TAKE A PREVIEW OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE PREVIEW HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE NEW HONG KONG TUNNEL COMPANY TO ENABLE MEMBERS TO SEE THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS OF THE NEW HARBOUR CROSSING BEFORE IT OFFICIALLY OPENS LATER THIS SUMMER.
THE VISIT WAS ORIGINALLYY SCHEDULED FOR MAY 22 BUT WAS POSTPONED BECAUSE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER.
DURING TOMORROW’S PREVIEW, MEMBERS WILL BE DRIVEN THROUGH THE TUNNEL AND BE SHOWN THE TOLL PLAZA AND ADMINISTRATION BUILDING IN CHA KWO LING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO COVER THE VISIT BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD TO THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT 2.15 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN ROOM 105 ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE IN TUNG YAN STREET.
DISTRICT INFORMATION OFFICER, MISS IRENE LAU, WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
- 0 -
/1O
TUESDAY, MAY 30, 1989
10 -
SPECIAL MEETING TO DISCUSS WESTERN PARKLAND *****
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT AND WORKS COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO DISCUSS THE PROPOSED PARKLAND ON THE WESTERN RECLAMATION.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT, TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL ATTEND AND ANSWER QUESTIONS.
DURING THE LAST COMMITTEE MEETING ON MAY 11, MEMBERS EXPRESSED DISSATISFACTION AT NOT BEING CONSULTED BEFORE THE PARKLAND PROJECT WAS TEMPORARILY SHELVED FOLLOWING PLANS TO INCORPORATE ROAD NETWORKS FOR A PROJECTED THIRD CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL.
A PAPER PREPARED BY THE URBAN AREA DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OUTLINING THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING AND THE AFFECTED URBAN COUNCIL DEVELOPMENTS AT THE WESTERN RECLAMATION WILL ALSO BE TABLED FOR MEMBERS’ INFORMATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND WORKS COMMITTEE, CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD, TO BE HELD TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN ROOM 1416, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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SEMINARS FOR KWAI TSING OWNERS’ INCORPORATIONS
*****
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE HAS ORGANISED A SERIES OF SEMINARS TO EXPLAIN DETAILS OF DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT AND RELATED TOPICS TO PROPERTY OWNERS TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND THEIR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INVITED TO GIVE THESE TALKS WHICH WILL ALSO COVER BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE.
THE FIRST SEMINAR FOR ABOUT 200 MEMBERS OF BOTH RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL OWNERS’ INCORPORATIONS WAS HELD TODAY (TUESDAY) AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
/SPEAKING AT .......
TUESDAY, MAY JO, 1989
11
SPEAKING AT THE SEMINAR WERE A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HONG KONG LAW SOCIETY, MR FOO TAK-CHING, AND ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER OF KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE, MISS JENNIFER MAK YEE-MING.
PARTICIPANTS WERE BRIEFED ON THE PURPOSES OF ENACTING THE DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT AND THE RECENT PROPOSAL MADE TO REMEDY UNFAIR PROVISIONS IN EXISTING DEEDS.
MORE SEMINARS ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE ARE PLANNED.
------0-------
POK 01 HOSPITAL DIRECTORS CALL ON DSW
*****
ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR STEPHEN LAW, TODAY (TUESDAY) COMMENDED THE POK 01 HOSPITAL’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO SOCIAL SERVICES.
DURING A COURTESY VISIT TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE HOSPITAL, MR DAVID WONG, SAID THAT THE HOSPITAL WOULD ACTIVELY’ DEVELOP ITS SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN VIEW OF THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THE GROWTH IN POPULATION.
APART FROM OPERATING A CARE AND ATTENTION HOME FOR THE ELDERLY AND A CHILD CARE CENTRE, MR WONG SAID THAT THE HOSPITAL WAS ACTIVELY PURSUING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF TWO SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY IN TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG AS WELL AS A CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE AND A HOME CUM CARE AND ATTENTION UNIT FOR THE ELDERLY IN TIN SHUI WAI.
MR LAW SAID THAT THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CO-OPERATE WITH THE HOSPITAL TO ACHIEVE ITS TARGETS.
------0-------
WSD TO RE-SCHEDULE METER READING AND BILLING TIME ♦ t ♦ ♦ ♦
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT HAS BEGUN A PROGRAMME OF RE-SCHEDULING ITS METER READING AND WATER ACCOUNT BILLING TIME FROM THIS MONTH, AS PART OF THE DEPARTMENT’S EFFORT TO STREAMLINE ITS WORK AND TO IMPROVE SERVICES FOR CONSUMERS.
THE PROGRAMME WHICH INVOLVES SPREADING OUT THE METER READING AND ACCOUNT BILLINGS OVER THE VARIOUS GEOGRAPHICAL REGIONS IN EACH OF THE BILLING RUNS, IS AIMED AT EVENING OUT THE CONSUMERS’ DEMAND FOR ACCOUNT ENQUIRIES AND TECHNICAL SERVICES ARISING FROM EACH BILLING RUN AT VARIOUS REGIONAL OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT.
/AT PRESENT .......
TUESDAY, MAY JO, 1989
- 12 -
AT PRESENT, THE DEPARTMENT BILLS ITS CONSUMERS IN 12 CYCLES AND IN EACH CYCLE, THE ACCOUNTS ARE UNEVENLY SPREAD GEOGRAPHICALLY.
AS A RESULT, ENQUIRIES FOR SERVICES, WHICH USUALLY INCREASE AFTER EACH BILLING RUN, ARE CENTRED AT SEVERAL REGIONAL OFFICES.
THE EXERCISE WILL RESULT IN A CHANGE OF THE ACCOUNT NUMBERS AND BILLING DATES FOR SOME 600,000 OF THE 1.6 MILLION CONSUMERS IN THE TERRITORY.
NOTICES WILL BE SENT TO INDIVIDUAL CONSUMERS ADVISING THEM OF THEIR NEW WATER ACCOUNT NUMBER AND NEW WATER BILLING DATE.
THE WHOLE PROGRAMME WILL LAST FOR ABOUT 17 MONTHS AND WATER CHARGES WILL REMAIN TO BE BILLED EVERY FOUR MONTHS IN ARREARS.
-----0------
DEATH SENTENCE COMMUTED » » t » *
THE GOVERNOR, AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HAS DECIDED THAT THE DEATH SENTENCE PASSED ON WONG HON-LUNG ON AUGUST 10, 1982 SHOULD BE COMMUTED TO A SENTENCE OF 30 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT.
WONG WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF FUNG KWAN.
-----0------
FINAL REMINDER FOR TYPHOON RELIEF APPLICATIONS t t ♦ ♦ ♦
NEEDY FARMERS WHO SUFFERED HEAVY LOSSES AS A RESULT OF TYPHOON BRENDA WERE TODAY (TUESDAY) REMINDED THAT THEIR APPLICATIONS FOR EMERGENCY RELIEF GRANTS MUST REACH THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT BEFORE 5 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN URGED THOSE FARMERS WHO HAD NOT MADE THEIR APPLICATIONS TO DO SO AT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING FISHERIES AND AGRICULTURAL OFFICES BEFORE THE DEADLINE
» AU TAU FISHERIES OFFICE, AU TAU, YUEN LONG.
» YUEN LONG DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL OFFICE,
TAI KIU MARKET,
YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES,
YUEN LONG.
TAI........
TUESDAY, MAY }0, 1989
- 13 -
♦ TAI PO DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL OFFICE,
TAI PO GOVERNMENT OFFICES, TING KOK ROAD, TAI PO.
» KO PO AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION OFFICE, KO PO, FANLING.
* SAI KUNG AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION OFFICE, HO CHUNG, SAI KUNG.
» MUI WO AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION OFFICE, SILVER MINE BAY, MUI WO.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID UP TO THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING, THE DEPARTMENT HAD REGISTERED A TOTAL OF 1,144 FARMERS SEEKING EMERGENCY RELIEF.
OF THE TOTAL, 963 WERE CROP AND LIVESTOCK FARMERS WHILE THE REMAINING 181 WERE POND FISH FARMERS.
"THE DEPARTMENT HAS JUST COMPLETED THE SCREENING OF THE FIRST BATCH OF APPLICATIONS AND THE FIRST 250 ELIGIBLE FARMERS WILL BE PAID RELIEF GRANTS TOTALLING 8233,000.
"OTHER APPLICATIONS ARE BEING PROCESSED AND SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED TO MAKE THEIR COLLECTIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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 THE KADOORIE AGRICULTURAL AID LOAN FUND AND THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION FUND, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
------0-------
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN WAN CHAI TO BE CLOSED t » ♦ * *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS TO SEEK A COURT ORDER FOR THE CLOSURE OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN WAN CHAI, SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS OR TO THE PUBLIC.
THE STRUCTURES ARE ON THE FLAT ROOF ADJACENT TO FLAT B, FIRST FLOOR, 2-16A BOWRINGTON ROAD.
THE CLOSURE IS PART OF AN EXERCISE TO ENFORCE ORDERS ISSUED UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE IN JULY 1986 REQUIRING THE DEMOLITION OF THESE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON SEPTEMBER 26 THIS YEAR HAS BEEN POSTED ON A CONSPICUOUS PART OF THE STRUCTURES.
IT IS INTENDED THAT THE DEMOLITION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
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_____________________________________________............
TUESDAY. MAY 30. 1989
14
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY IN WING LOK STREET
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (JUNE 1), THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WING LOK STREET IN SHEUNG WAN, BETWEEN HOUSE NUMBERS 176 AND 160. WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY ROUND-THE-CLOCK.
THIS MEASURE WILL LAST FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS BECAUSE OP WATER-MAIN LAYING WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
------0 ------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN TUEN MUN
* » * » *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS, THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM TUEN MUN ROAD WESTBOUND TO SHAM TSENG AT SHAM TSENG INTERCHANGE WILL BE CLOSED FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY (JUNE 1) TO 7 AM ON THE FOLLOWING DAY.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS MAY USE ALTERNATE ROUTEING VIA CASTLE PEAK ROAD TO SHAM TSENG.
------0-------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SAN PO KONG
* » * » »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT IN ORDER TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS AT KING HONG STREET IN SAN PO KONG, KING HONG STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTIONS WITH THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO BLOCKS 5 AND 6 OF SAN PO KONG FACTORY ESTATE AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST WILL CONTINUE TO BE CLOSED UNTIL JUNE 15.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS IN KING FUK STREET HEADING FOR THE FLYOVER LEADING TO CONCORDE ROAD ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA KING FUK STREET, KING TAI STREET AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST.
THE TEMPORARY SPEED LIMIT OF 50 KILOMETRES PER HOUR ON SECTIONS OF ROAD IN WONG TAI SIN WILL BE EXTENDED FOR ONE MONTH WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT.
THESE SECTIONS INCLUDE THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, FROM A POINT ABOUT 25 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH THE SLIP ROAD LEADING TO LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 500 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD TO LUNG CHEUNG ROAD EASTBOUND, FROM A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD TO ITS JUNCTION WITH LUNG CHEUNG ROAD EASTBOUND.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 5-8428777
WEDNESDAY, MY J1, 1989
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING;
....- . • - ' ।
OPERATION OF REFUGEE STATUS REVIEW BOARDS EXPLAINED ....... 1
AG DEFENDS IMMIGRATION AMENDMENT BILL ..................... 3
MEASURE WILL SPEED UP BOAT PEOPLE SCREENING ............... 4
IMMIGRATION BILL ’A MOCKERY OF SYSTEM OF JUSTICE’ ......... 5
BILL TIGHTENS LaW AGAINST ILLEGAL EMPLOYMENT .............. 6
SIGNIFICANT CONSUMER PROTECTION MEASURES CONTAINED IN BILL 7
REVIEW OF AIRPORT HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS COMPLETED ........... 9
BILL TO ENSURE SAFETY ON MODERNISED PEAK TRAMWAY.......... 10
TRADE BAN ON MEDICINES CONTAINING RHINOCEROS INGREDIENTS
PROPOSED ........................................... 11
OZONE LAYER PROTECTION BILL 1989 EXPLAINED................ 12
BILL TO DESIGNATE AND CONTROL DRIVER TRAINING SCHOOLS .... 14
LONG TERM TRANSPORT STRATEGY OUTLINED IN GREEN PAPER ..... 1?
POLICE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE'S REPORT FOR 1988 ............ 18
APPROVAL FOR INCREASE IN TELEPHONE CHaRGES.............. 20
HKECIC MAXIMUM LIABILITY RAISED TO ^6,000 MILLION ........ 21
SUMMARY OF CHANGES MADE TO THIRD QUaRTER ESTIMATES........ 21
CHANGES AD1ED AT PRODUCING WORKABLE POLITICAL SYSTEM FOR
SAR .................................................... 22
/CALI. TO..........
CALL TO INCLUDE PREAMBLE IN BaSIC LaW TEXT................... 25
NEW CHAPTER CONCERNING MARTIAL LAW NEEDED IN DRAFT......... 26
IMMIGRATION AMENDMENT BILL PALLED............................ 28
FUNDS FOR ROYAL VISIT APPROVED................................. 30
CREATION OF VBP REVIEW BOnRD POSTS APPROVED ................... 31
COMMISSIONER OF BANKING'S ANNUAL REPORT PUBLISHED ............. J2
TASK FORCE TO COMBAT ILLEGAL TRADING IN IVORY.................. J4
DISTRICT BOARD TO DISCUSS VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM .... 34
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR APRIL 1989 PUBLISHED .................. 35
MARINE SEARCH AND RESCUE EXERCISE COMPLETED ................... 38
GOVERNMENT GRiiNTS FOR MATRICULATION STUDENTS ............... 38
SCHOOL LEAVERS GIVEN .ADVICE .................................. 39
FSD RECRUITMENT DRIVE AT HOUSING ESTATES ...................... 40
SUPERMARKET FINED FOR IMPROPER LABELLING ...................... 42
AWARD PRESENTATION FOR SAFETY POSTER DESIGN WINNERS ........... 42
SHAU KEI WAN CLINIC MOVES ..................................... 43
GOODS VEHICLES RESTRICTION IN CHEUNG SHA WAN .................. 44
POLICE HAVE RESPONDED MAGNIFICENTLY: GOVERNOR ................. 44
WEDNESDAY. MAY 31. 1989
1
OPERATION OF REFUGEE STATUS REVIEW BOARDS EXPLAINED »»»»*» '
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW REFUGEE STATUS REVIEW BOARDS WILL ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO PROCESS SOME 400 CASES A WEEK FROM VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE WHO OBJECT TO AN INITIAL DECISION TO REFUSE THEM REFUGEE STATUS, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY. TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1989. MR ASPREY SAID SINCE THE IMPLMENTATION OF SCREENING IN JUNE 1988. MORE THAN 20,000 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE HAD ARRIVED IN HONG KONG. WITH ONLY SOME 1,600 HAVING BEEN SCREENED.
"REFUGEE STATUS HAS BEEN GRANTED TO 165 PERSONS. THE REMAINDER HAVE BEEN REFUSED REFUGEE STATUS." HE SAID.
UNDER THE LAW AS IT STANDS. VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN REFUSED REFUGEE STATUS MAY OBJECT AGAINST THAT DECISION TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.
"SO FAR. ALL THOSE REFUSED REFUGEE STATUS HAVE LODGED OBJECTIONS AGAINST THE DECISION." MR ASPREY SAID.
HE NOTED THAT IT HAD BEEN APPARENT FOR SOME TIME THAT THE NUMBER AND COMPLEXITY OF THE CASES MADE IT UNREASONABLE AND IMPRACTICAL FOR THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO BE INVOLVED IN DETERMINING OBJECTIONS.
"MOREOVER. UNLESS AND UNTIL WE CAN COMPLETE THE ENTIRE SCREENING AND OBJECTION PROCESS, WE SHALL NOT BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE REPATRIATION ON ANY ACCEPTABLE SCALE," HE SAID.
"THE ADMINISTRATION HAS, THEREFORE. REVIEWED THE PJ(ESENT SCREENING AND APPEAL PROCEDURES, WITH THE AIM OF COMPLETING THE PROCESS WITHIN 12 MONTHS FOR ALL OUTSTANDING CASES AND THREE MONTHS FOR ALL NEW ARRIVALS.
"THIS WILL REQUIRE COMPLETION OF THE ENTIRE PROCESS FOR 400 PERSONS PER WEEK.
"DEDICATED. FULL TIME REVIEW BOARDS ARE NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE THIS OBJECTIVE," MR ASPREY SAID.
THE BILL PROVIDES FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS FROM VIETNAM TO HAVE. IN PLACE OF THE PRESENT RIGHT OF OBJECTION TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL UNDER SECTION 53 OF THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE. A RIGHT TO APPLY TO HAVE THEIR CASE REVIEWED BY A REFUGEE STATUS REVIEW BOARD.
IT IS INTENDED THAT THERE WILL BE ONE CHAIRMAN OF ALL THE BOARDS. AND HE. AS WELL AS THE DEPUTY CHAIRMEN AND OTHER MEMBERS WILL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
/MR ASPREY .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 31. 1989
2
MR ASPREY NOTED THAT WHERE POSSIBLE BOARD MEMBERS WOULD INCLUDE NON-OFFICIALS.
"IN CONSIDERING OBJECTIONS, A BOARD WILL ACT IN AN ADMINISTRATIVE CAPACITY.
"IT WILL BE ENTITLED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT ANY INFORMATION OR MATERIAL AT ITS ABSOLUTE DESCRETION, AND TO CONFIRM OR REVIEW THE FIRST INSTANCE DECISION AS IT THINKS FIT, WITHOUT A REQUIREMENT TO ASSIGN REASONS FOR ITS DECISION.
"ITS DECISION SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO APPEAL OR REVIEW." HE SAID.
MR ASPREY SAID THE BILL ALSO SOUGHT TO MAKE SOME MINOR AMENDMENTS TO THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE TO CLARIFY SOME OF THE EXISTING PROVISIONS RELATING TO VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.
CLAUSES 4 AND 5 WILL INTRODUCE TWO NEW SECTIONS TO THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE. SECTION 13F WILL PROVIDE FOR THE REVIEW OF AN INITIAL DECISION TO REFUSE REFUGEE STATUS BY A REFUGEE STATUS REVIEW BOARD, WHILE SECTION 13G PROVIDES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SUCH BOARDS.
THE STATUS OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE DURING THEIR STAY IN HONG KONG IS CLARIFIED IN CLAUSE 2(B) WHICH PROVIDES THAT PERSONS DETAINED UNDER SECTION 13(D) OF THE ORDINANCE ARE NOT TO BE TREATED AS ORDINARY RESIDENTS IN HONG KONG.
SECTION 13A OF THE ORDINANCE AS IT STANDS ENABLES CHILDREN BORN OUTSIDE VIETNAM TO FORMER RESIDENTS OF VIETNAM TO BE PERMITTED TO REMAIN IN HONG KONG AS REFUGEES. AT PRESENT THE DETENTION OF SUCH CHILDREN IS AUTHORISED UNDER THE GENERAL PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE.
CLAUSE 3(A) OF THE BILL PROVIDES THAT IN FUTURE THE DETENTION OF SUCH CHILDREN SHALL BE AUTHORISED UNDER SECTION 13D(1), THE SECTION UNDER WHICH FORMER RESIDENTS OF VIETNAM ARE THEMSELVES DETAINED.
CLAUSE 3(B) WILL PROVIDE FOR WRITTEN NOTICE OF DETERMINATION IN A FORM SPECIFIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION TO BE SERVED ON ASYLUM SEEKERS. NOTICE MAY BE GIVEN TO THE ASYLUM SEEKER IN PERSON, OR BY DISPLAYING IT IN SUCH A MANNER THAT IT MAY CONVENIENTLY BE READ BY HIM.
CLAUSE 6 OF THE BILL PROVIDES THAT OUTSTANDING APPEALS WHICH HAVE YET TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE REFUGEE STATUS REVIEW BOARDS.
MR ASPREY SAID THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD BE BROUGHT INTO OPERATION BEFORE THE MIDDLE OF JUNE, AS SOON AS REGULATIONS PRESCRIBING THE PRACTICE AND PROCEDURES OF THE REFUGEE STATUS REVIEW BOARDS WERE APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.
/LATER IN .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY J1, 1989
LATER IN THE PROCEEDINGS. MR ASPREY ASSURED THE COUNCIL THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE PRESSING AS HARD AS IT COULD FOR THE MANDATORY REPATRIATION TO VIETNAM OF THOSE FOUND NOT TO BE REFUGEES FOLLOWING SCREENING.
HE ALSO SAID EFFORTS WOULD BE MADE TO TRY TO OBTAIN A QUALIFIED LAWYER AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND TO RECRUIT SUITABLE PERSONS TO SERVE ON THE BOARDS FROM OUTSIDE THE RANKS OF OFFICIALS. FOR EXAMPLE. NON-OFFICIAL JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
THE BILL WAS PASSED. FOLLOWING THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING.
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AG DEFENDS IMMIGRATION AMENDMENT BILL. * t * * »
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS. TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REJECTED THE SUGGESTION THAT THE IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) I 'll 1989 WAS IN BREACH OF THE RULES OF NATURAL JUSTICE.
MR MATHEWS WAS SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL DURING ITS SECOND READING DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE SAID IT HAD BEEN SUGGESTED THAT THE BILL WAS IN CLEAR BREACH OF THE RULES OF NATURAL JUSTICE BECAUSE NEITHER THE APPLICANTS. THAT IS. VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE. NOR THEIR REPRESENTATIVES COULD HF PRESENT AT THE HEARING OF A REVIEW OF THEIR CASES BY THE NEW REFUGEE STATUS REVIEW BOARD.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL STRESSED THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO BEAR IN MIND THAT. AS A MATTER OF LAW. THE RIGHT TO A FAIR HEARING DID NOT INCLUDE A RIGHT TO AN ORAL HEARING PROVIDED THE APPLICANT WAS GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON THE SUBMISSIONS OF THE IMMIGRATION OFFICER.
HE EXPLAINED THAT REGULATIONS TO BE MADE UNDER THE BILL WOULD PROVIDE THAT THE DECISION OF THE IMMIGRATION OFFICER. HIS REASONS AND THE MATERIAL ON WHICH THE DECISION WAS BASED WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO THE APPLICANT OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE.
MR MATHEWS SAID THE BILL PROVIDED THAT AN APPLICANT MUST BE GIVEN ALL REASONABLE FACILITIES TO ENABLE HIM TO OBTAIN LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND HIS LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE WOULD BE GIVEN ALL REASONABLE FACILITIES TO ENABLE HIM TO GIVE THAT ASSISTANCE.
HE SAID THE REPRESENTATIVES WOULD IN GENERAL BE AN APPEALS COUNSELLOR APPOINTED BY THE UNHCR AND MOST COUNSELLORS WERE LEGALLY QUALIFIED.
/CONCLUDING, HE .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY J1, 1989
CONCLUDING, HE STRESSED THAT THE BILL MADE "FULL AND ADEQUATE PROVISIONS":
* FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO APPEAL TO SEE THE REASONS FOR THE
IMMIGRATION OFFICERS' DECISION ON THEIR STATUS;
* FOR APPLICANTS TO HAVE LEGAL ADVICE FOR THE PURPOSES OF THEIR APPEALS:
* FOR APPLICANTS TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON THE SUBMISSIONS OF THE IMMIGRATION OFFICERS.
- 0 - -
MEASURE WILL SPEED UP BOAT PEOPLE SCREENING ******
THE IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1989 SOUGHT TO SPEED UP SCREENING PROCEDURES ON VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE AND TO SET UP SPECIALISED APPEAL BOARDS TO HANDLE SUBSEQUENT APPEALS MADE AGAIN"T THE SCREENING RESULTS, THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MR CHEONG SAID THAT STREAMLINING OF EXISTING PROCEDURES WAS ESSENTIAL TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING NUMBER OF BOAT PEOPLE ARRIVING IN HONG KONG, BECAUSE THE SUCCESS OF REPATRIATION DEPENDED UPON EFFICENT HANDLING OF SCREENING AND APPEAL PROCEDURES.
HE EMPHASISED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD SEEK TO SECURE INTERNATIONAL ACCEPTANCE OF MANDATORY REPATRIATION AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
"IT IS CLEAR TO ALL OF US THAT MOST BOAT PEOPLE NOW ARRIVING IN HONG KONG, OR INDEED OTHER PLACES OF FIRST ASYLUM. ARE ECONOMIC MIGRANTS RATHER THAN GENUINE REFUGEES.
"MANDATORY REPATRIATION IS A CRUCIAL ELEMENT IN THE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SCREENING POLICY," HE SAID.
NOTHING THAT AN APPELLANT WOULD NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE PRESENT OR BE LEGALLY REPRESENTED WHEN HIS CASE WAS REVIEWED BY THE APPEAL BOARDS. MR CHEONG URGED THAT A SUITABLE NUMBER OF LEGALLY QUALIFIED PERSONS BE APPOINTED TO SERVE ON THE BOARDS, TO ENSURE THAT THE APPEAL CASES HAD THE NECESSARY INPUT FROM THE LEGAL PROFESSION.
"IN ADDITION, LAY PERSONS OTHER THAN CIVIL SERVANTS SHOULD AS FAR AS POSSIBLE BE RECRUITED TO SERVE ON THE BOARDS." HE ADDED.
- C -
WEDNESDAY, MAY J1, 1989
- 5
IMMIGRATION BILL ’A MOCKERY OF SYSTEM OF JUSTICE’ *****
THE IMMIGRATION AMENDMENT (NO. 2) BILL 1989 WAS DESCRIBED BY THE HON MARTIN LEE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AS A MOCKERY OF THE SYSTEM OF JUSTICE MUCH TREASURED BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
SPEAKING AGAINST THE BILL DURING ITS SECOND READING, MR LEI. SAID HE WAS UNABLE TO SUPPORT THE BILL AND WOULD STRONGLY URGE THE GOVERNMENT TO RECONSIDER IT.
THE BILL PROVIDED THAT NEITHER THE APPLICANT NOR HIS REPRESENTATIVE SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO BE PRESENT WHEN HIS CASE WA! REVIEWED BY THE REFUGEE STATUS REVIEW BOARD, HE SAID.
IT ALSO PROVIDED THAT THE BOARD, WHEN CONSIDERING ANY REVIEW SHOULD ACT IN AN ADMINISTRATIVE OR EXECUTIVE CAPACITY AND WAS NOT REQUIRED TO GIVE ANY REASON FOR ITS DECISION.
"ALSO, ITS DECISION SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO REVIEW OR AI PEA IN ANY COURT." HE SAID.
MR LEE SAID HE SHARED THE CONCERN EXPRESSED BY THE BAi ASSOCIATION AND THE LAW SOCIETY THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE NOR EVEN Till APPLICANT HIMSELF MIGHT BE PRESENT AT ANY REVIEW.
"IT IS AN IMPORTANT RULE OF NATURAL JUSTICE THAT BOTH SIDES SHOULD BE HEARD : THIS IS PARTICULARLY OPPRESSIVE IN THE LIGHT OF THE BOARD’S DECISION BEING FINAL," HE SAID.
"AND WHEN THE APPLICANT HAS BEEN SCREENED OUT WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND WITHOUT BEING GIVEN REASONS FOR THE ’VERDICT’. AND HE IS NOT EVEN GIVEN THE RIGHT TO APPEAR BEFORE THE TRIBUNAL TO CLARIFY POINTS CONTAINED IN THIS CASE FOR REVIEW, HOW CAN THE TRIBUNAL BE EXPECTED TO DO JUSTICE TO HIS CASE?" HE ASKED.
MR LEE MAINTAINED THAT HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE RULE OF LAW WERE UNIVERSAL VALUES WHICH SHOULD APPLY TO ALL, INCLUDING VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.
"THE RULE OF LAW IS MEANINGLESS UNLESS THE LAWS ARE FAIR AND JUST." HE SAID.
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/6........
WEDNESDAY. MAY 31, 1989
6
BILL TIGHTENS LAW AGAINST ILLEGAL EMPLOYMENT *****
A BILL SEEKING TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT HOLDERS OF TWO-WAY PERMITS ISSUED BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ARE NOT LAWFULLY EMPLOYABLE IN HONG KONG WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, MR ASPREY SAID THE BILL ALSO SOUGHT TO FACILITATE PROSECUTIONS AGAINST THOSE WHO EMPLOYED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
THIS WAS IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT SOME ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HAD SUCCEEDED IN OBTAINING EMPLOYMENT DURING THEIR STAY IN HONG KONG.
EXPLAINING THE BILL’S PROVISIONS, MR ASPREY SAID IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF THIS YEAR NEARLY 4,500 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HAD BEEN ARRESTED, AN AVERAGE OF 38 A DAY.
"CLAUSE FOUR OF THE BILL MAKES IT CLEAR THAT LABOUR INSPECTORS HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE AN EMPLOYER TO PRODUCE FOR INSPECTION THE RECORD OF HIS EMPLOYEES," HE SAID.
"IF THE EMPLOYER IS SUSPECTED OF HAVING EMPLOYED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, LABOUR INSPECTORS WILL BE EMPOWERED TO SEIZE EVIDENCE TO SUBSTANTIATE THIS, SUCH AS THE RECORD OF EMPLOYEES.
"THE EMPLOYER WILL BE ENTITLED TO TAKE A PHOTOCOPY OF THE RECORD FOR HIS RETENTION, AND WILL BE GIVEN A RECEIPT FOR THE ORIGINAL."
IF THE EMPLOYER WAS NOT PRESENT DURING THE INSPECTION OF A PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT. CLAUSE FIVE OF THE BILL WOULD ENABLE A LABOUR INSPECTOR TO REQUIRE PRODUCTION OF THE RECORDS WITHIN 72 HOURS BY NOTICE IN WRITING SERVED ON THE EMPLOYER.
MR ASPREY WENT ON TO SAY THAT CLAUSE THREE OF THE BILL WOULD ENABLE EVIDENCE THAT A PERSON WAS NOT LAWFULLY EMPLOYABLE TO BE BROUGHT BY MEANS OF A CERTIFICATE SIGNED BY THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION.
"THIS WILL AVOID THE NEED FOR LENGTHY DETENTION OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS SIMPLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENABLING A PROSECUTION TO BE BROUGHT AGAINST AN EMPLOYER," HE SAID.
THE CLARIFICATION THAT HOLDERS OF TWO-WAY PERMITS ISSUED BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT WERE NOT LAWFULLY EMPLOYABLE IN HONG KONG WAS MADE IN CLAUSE TWO, HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 1989
SIGNIFICANT CONSUMER PROTECTION MEASURES CONTAINED IN BILL
*****
THE CONTROL OF EXEMPTION CLAUSES BILL 1989 IS A MAJOR PIECE 0] CONSUMER PROTECTION LEGISLATION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREM' MATHEWS. TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THE BILL, IF ENACTED. WOULD HAVE A SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON THE LAW OF CONTRACT AND OF NEGLIGENCE," HE SAID.
IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR MATHEWS SAID THE BILL SOUGHT "TO ACHIEVE FAIRNESS WHILE AT THE SAME TIME MINIMISING UNCERTAINTY."
THE BILL WAS CONCERNED WITH THE EXEMPTION CLAUSES OF CONTRACTS AND NOTICES WHICH SOUGHT TO EXCLUDE LIABILITY FOR NEGLIGENCE OR BREACH OF CONTRACT AND CLOSELY FOLLOWED THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF Til) LAW REFORM COMMISSION'S 1986 REPORT ON THE SUBJECT, HE SAID.
EXEMPTION CLAUSES WERE OFTEN USED TO EXCLUDE OR RESTRICT LIABILITY FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR NEGLIGENCE.
"THEY ARE SOMETIMES USED TO DENY A PERSON'S LEGITIMATE RIGHTS AND EXPECTATIONS, FOR EXAMPLE, WHERE ONE PARTY IN A STRONG BARGAINING POSITION IMPOSES ON A WEAKER OR LESS SOPHISTICATED PARTY A CLAUSE EXCLUDING LIABILITY FOR NEGLIGENCE.
"THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION CONCLUDED THAT THE USE OF EXEMPTION CLAUSES LEADS TO ABUSE, PARTICULARLY WHERE THE PARTIES TO A CONTRACT DO NOT HAVE EQUAL BARGAINING STRENGTH.
"THE COMMISSION BELIEVED THAT THE BENEFITS OF SOME MEASURE OF CONTROL OUTWEIGHED ANY ECONOMIC DISADVANTAGES WHICH MAY BE CAUSED BY THIS LIMITED INTERFERENCE WITH THE FREEDOM OF CONTRACT," MR MATHEWS SAID.
SUMMARISING THE MAIN FEATURES OF THE BILL, HE SAID IT PROVIDED THAT FOUR TYPES OF EXEMPTION CLAUSES WERE AUTOMATICALLY INEFFECTIVE WHILE CERTAIN OTHER TYPES WERE SUBJECT TO A "REASONABLENESS" TEST.
THE FOUR TYPES OF CLAUSES THAT WERE AUTOMATICALLY INEFFECTIVE WERE "THOSE THAT CANNOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, BE JUSTIFIED."
THEY WERE AS FOLLOWS:
* FIRST, AN EXEMPTION CLAUSE RELATING TO DEATH OR PERSONAL INJURY RESULTING FROM NEGLIGENCE.
"FOR ‘ EXAMPLE, THERE ARE NOTICES DISPLAYED IN SOME CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUNDS PURPORTING TO EXCLUDE LIABILITY FOR INJURIES CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE PLAYGROUND OPERATOR," MR MATHEWS SAID.
"THERE CAN BE NO JUSTIFICATION IN THAT, OR ANY OTHER SITUATION. FOR DENYING A PERSON A REMEDY FOR INJURIES CAUSED BY ANOTHER PERSON’S NEGLIGENCE. THE BILL WILL, THEREFORE, PUT AN END TO THE UNFAIRNESS CAUSED BY SUCH CLAUSES."
/* SECONDLY, AN .........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 1989
- 8 -
* SECONDLY, AN EXEMPTION CLAUSE IN A GUARANTEE OF CONSUMER GOODS.
"AT PRESENT, MANY SO-CALLED 'GUARANTEES’ IN FACT TAKE AWAI GREATER RIGHTS THAN THEY GIVE AND ARE THEREFORE TRAPS FOI CONSUMERS. THE BILL WILL PREVENT GUARANTEES OPERATING IN THIS WAY," MR MATHEWS SAID.
* THIRDLY, A CLAUSE IN A CONTRACT FOR THE SALE OF GOODS EXCLUDING THE SELLER’S LIABILITY FOR SELLING GOODS WHICH DID NOT BELONG TO HIM.
"IT IS CONSIDERED UNFAIR FOR ANY BUYER TO HAVE TO BEAR THE LOSS CAUSED BY SUCH A WRONGFUL ACT OF THE SELLER AND, 111 THIS RESPECT, THE BILL REPLACES A PROVISION THAT ALREADY EXISTS IN THE SALE OF GOODS ORDINANCE," MR MATHEWS SAID.
* FOURTHLY, A CLAUSE IN A CONSUMER CONTRACT FOR THE SALE OR SUPPLY OF GOODS EXCLUDING THE SUPPLIER'S LIABILITY IF THE GOODS ARE DEFECTIVE OR DO NOT CORRESPOND TO THE CONTRACT DESCRIPTION.
"THE BILL HERE PROTECTS ONLY PARTIES WHO ARE CONSUMERS, SINCE WHERE A PERSON OBTAINS GOODS’ IN THE COURSE OF BUSINESS, THERE MAY BE SITUATIONS IN WHICH IT IS REASONABLE FOR HIM TO TAKE THE RISK OF THE GOODS BEING DEFECTIVE," MR MATHEWS SAID.
"THE" SALE OF GOODS ORDINANCE ALREADY CONTAINS A PROVISION TO THIS EFFECT IN RELATION TO SALES AND THE BILL EXTENDS THE PROTECTION TO SUPPLY CONTRACTS, FOR EXAMPLE, CONTRACTS OF
HIRE AND HIRE PURCHASE AGREEMENTS." •
MR MATHEWS SAID THE BILL WOULD ALSO PREVENT ARBITRATION CLAUSES FROM BEING ENFORCED AGAINST A CONSUMER UNLESS THE CONSUMER CONSENTED TO ITS ENFORCEMENT AFTER DIFFERENCES HAD ARISEN, OR THE CONSUMER HAD RECOURSE TO ARBITRATION IN PURSUANCE OF THE AGREEMENT.
HE EXPLAINED THAT WHILE THE ADMINISTRATION SUPPORTED THE USE OF ARBITRATION BY PARTIES TO A CONTRACT WHO CONSCIOUSLY CHOSE THAT METHOD OF DISPUTE RESOLUTION IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF ALL ITS IMPLICATIONS. IN THE CASE OF A CONSUMER CONTRACT, IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT THE CONSUMER AGREED TO AN ARBITRATION CLAUSE WIHTOUT KNOWING OF ITS EXISTENCE OR WITHOUT REALISING ITS IMPLICATIONS.
THERE WERE SEVERAL TYPES OF CONTRACT THAT WERE EXCLUDED FROM CERTAIN OF THE STATUTORY CONTROLS AND THESE INCLUDED CONTRACTS RELATING TO INSURANCE AND TO THE CREATION OR TRANSFER OF AN INTEREST IN LAND.
"THIS BILL IS TECHNICAL AND COMPLEX. IF IT IS ENACTED, WE INTEND TO DELAY IMPLEMENTATION FOR AT LEAST 12 MONTHS, SO AS TO ALLOW THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO CONSIDER THEIR USE OF CONTRACTS AND TO MAKE ANY NECESSARY AMENDMENTS." MR MATHEWS ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 1989
9
REVIEW OF AIRPORT HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS COMPLETED
*****
THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY COMPLETED A REVIEW OF AIRPORT HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS IN THE TERRITORY, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON KENNETH KWOK, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR KWOK WAS MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE TEMPORARY CONTROL OF DENSITY OF BUILDING DEVELOPMENT (KOWLOON) BILL 1989, WHICH SEEKS TO TEMPORARILY CONTROL THE DENSITY OF DEVELOPMENT OF NEW BUILDINGS IN CERTAIN PARTS OF KOWLOON.
"THE REVIEW HAS RECOMMENDED THAT AIRPORT HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS IN MANY AREAS OF KOWLOON CAN BE RELAXED BY VARYING DEGREES WHICH MAY RESULT IN PERMITTING GREATER DENSITY FOR BUILDING DEVELOPMENT." HE SAID.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS. MR KWOK SAID, THE QUESTION OF HOW TO TACKLE THE PROBLEMS OF DEVELOPMENT DENSITIES COMPREHENSIVELY IN THE URBAN AREAS WAS BEING ADDRESSED BY THE METROPLAN STUDY.
THIS WAS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THE YEAR AND WOULD TAKE A FURTHER YEAR TO IMPLEMENT THROUGH TOWN PLANS.
"IN ORDER THAT METROPLAN’S AIMS ARE NOT FRUSTRATED, OR EXPECTATIONS OF INCREASED DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL NOT UNDULY RAISED, IT IS CONSIDERED NECESSARY TO TEMPORARILY CONTINUE TO LIMIT BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DENSITIES (WHERE THE PRESENT AIRPORT HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS MAY BE RELAXED) TO THEIR PRESENTLY PERMITTED LEVELS." HE SAID.
"THE BILL THEREFORE REQUIRES THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TO REFUSE APPROVAL OF BUILDING PLANS OF BUILDINGS IN THESE AREAS WHICH EXCEED THE PRESENTLY PERMITTED PLOT RATIOS.
"THESE PROVISIONS WILL CEASE TO BE IN FORCE BY DECEMBER 31. 1990 WHEN METROPLAN'S RECOMMENDATIONS, PARTICULARLY THOSE RELATING TO DENSITY CONTROLS, WILL HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED."
MR KWOK ADDED THAT THESE CONTROLS WERE DESIGNED TO RESTRICT DEVELOPMENT DENSITIES TO THEIR PRESENTLY PERMITTED LEVELS, BUT WOULD PERMIT GREATER FLEXIBILITY OF DESIGN BY ALLOWING DEVELOPERS, ONCE THE PRESENT AIRPORT HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS WERE RELAXED, TO PUT UP HIGHER BUILDINGS THAN WERE CURRENTLY PERMITTED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
/10........
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WEDNESDAY. MAY 31, 1989
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BILL TO ENSURE SAFETY ON MODERNISED PEAK TRAMWAY * * * ♦ ♦
A BILL INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY I WEDNESDAY) REQUIRES THE PEAK TRAMWAYS COMPANY TO OPERATE ITS MODERNISED TRAMWAY IN COMPLIANCE WITH SAFETY PROVISIONS STIPULATED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE PEAK TRAMWAY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG. EXPLAINED THAT LAST SEPTEMBER THE GOVERNMENT EXTENDED THE FRANCHISE OF THE PEAK TRAMWAYS COMPANY TO RUN AND OPERATE THE TRAMWAY FOR 10 YEARS, WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1, 1994.
THIS WAS SUBJECT TO THE COMMITMENT OF THE COMPANY TO EMBARK ON A MAJOR MODERNISATION SCHEME FOR THE TRAMWAY.
THE MODERNISATION WORKS OF THE TRAMWAY BEGAN THIS MONTH AND WOULD CONFORM TO THE LATEST INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS FOR FUNICULAR RAILWAYS.
THEY WOULD INVOLVE SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES TO +HE TRAMWAY SYSTEM INCLUDING THE HAULAGE EQUIPMENT. THE CONTROL AND SIGNALLING SYSTEM, AND THE DESIGN OF THE TRAMCARS.
MR LEUNG SAID IT WAS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO AMEND THE PEAK TRAMWAY ORDINANCE TO ENSURE THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE MODERNISED TRAMWAY WHICH WOULD BE INAUGURATED IN AUGUST THIS YEAR.
THE MAIN POINTS OF THE BILL INCLUDED :
♦ THE TRAMWAY SHALL BE DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED WITH DUE REGARD TO SAFETY AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH A CODE OF PRACTICE TO BE ISSUED BY THE GOVERNMENT;
♦ THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT CAN APPOINT INSPECTORS TO TEST AND EXAMINE THE TRAMWAY, TO ENSURE ITS SAFETY AND TO INVESTIGATE ACCIDENTS:
♦ POWER FOR THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT TO DIRECT THE COMPANY TO REMEDY DEFECTS ON THE TRAMWAY OR ORDER THE FULL OR PARTIAL CLOSURE OF THE TRAMWAY FOR SAFETY REASONS;
* THE COMPANY MAY CLOSE OR PARTIALLY CLOSE THE TRAMWAY FOR REPAIRS AND ALTERATIONS BUT MUST NOTIFY THE SECRETARY OF ANY SUCH CLOSURE FORTHWITH:
* INCREASES IN THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR WILFUL INTERFERENCE WITH THE TRAMWAY FROM THE PRESENT FINE OF $100 TO $5,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS:
* AN EMPLOYEE OF THE COMPANY COMMITS AN OFFENCE IF NEGLIGENCE IN HIS WORK ENDANGERS OR IS LIKELY TO ENDANGER SAFETY ON THE TRAMWAY. THE MAXIMUM PENALTY WILL BE A FINE OF $5,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS:
* THE MAKING OF SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION. INCLUDING SAFETY REGULATIONS AND BY-LAWS TO COPE WITH THE MODERNISED TRAMWAY:
/• THAT WHILST
WEDNESDAY, MAY }1, 1989
11
* THAT WHILST THE COMPANY MAY CONTINUE TO FIX ITS OWN FARES, MONTHLY TICKETS WILL CONTINUE TO BE ISSUED TO REGULAR COMMUTERS AT A CHARGE NOT EXCEEDING 25 TIMES THE STANDARD ADULT SINGLE JOURNEY FARE; AND
* THE AUTHORITY OF THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL UNDER THE ORDINANCE TO APPROVE THE TECHNICAL MATTERS OF THE TRAMWAY WILL BE DELEGATED TO THE SCERETARY FOR TRANSPORT.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-----0------
TRADE BAN ON MEDICINES CONTAINING RHINOCEROS INGREDIENTS PROPOSED
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO BAN TRADE IN MEDICINES CONTAINING RHINOCEROS DERIVATIVES OR INGREDIENTS, TIGHTEN CONTROL ON TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES IN GENERAL, AND INCREASE THE MAXIMUM FINE TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY DETERRENT, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NENDICK, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN INTRODUCING THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 FOR A SECOND READING, MR NENDICK SAID EXISTING LEGISLATION PROVIDED FOR THE CONTROL OF TRADE IN LIVE SPECIMENS AND READILY RECOGNISABLE PARTS AND DERIVATIVES.
"IT DOES NOT, HOWEVER. ADEQUATELY COVER RHINOCEROS DERIVATIVES OR INGREDIENTS IN CERTAIN CHINESE MEDICINES," HE SAID.
MR NENDICK POINTED OUT THAT THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE AND ITS SCHEDULES WERE ENACTED IN 1976, GIVING EFFECT TO THE 1973 CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES), TO WHICH HONG KONG WAS A PARTY THROUGH RATIFICATION BY THE UNITED KINGDOM.
HE SAID IT WAS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO TAKE ACTION TO PROHIBIT TRADE IN MEDICINES CONTAINING RHINOCEROS INGREDIENTS IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH THE OBLIGATIONS UNDER CITES.
"IN ADDITION, THE BILL SEEKS TO INTRODUCE ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS ON TRANSIT, IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIMENS, POWERS OF SEARCH, FORFEITURE AND DISPOSAL OF LIVE AND PERISHABLE SPECIMENS IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE ORDINANCE," MR NENDICK SAID.
"THE BILL ALSO INTRODUCES NEW FINES OF S10,000 FOR GIVING FALSE INFORMATION TO OBTAIN A LICENCE AND MAKING FALSE CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF SCHEDULED SPECIES AND CONTROLLED MEDICINE AS A DETERRENT," HE EXPLAINED.
"AS TO THE EXISTING FINES, WHICH WERE FIXED IN 1976, THE BILL SEEKS TO INCREASE THEM FIVEFOLD TO RESTORE THEIR DETERRENT EFFECT," HE ADDED.
/THE PROPOSED .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY J1, 1989
12
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS HAD BEEN DRAWN UP IN CLOSE CONSULTATION WITH THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
"WE HAVE CONSULTED ALSO WITH THE TRADE ASSOCIATIONS REPRESENTING IMPORTERS AND VENDORS OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINES.
"THEY HAVE VOICED NO OBJECTION TO THE PROPOSED BAN PROVIDED SUFFICIENT TIME IS GIVEN FOR THE DISPOSAL OF EXISTING STOCK/’ MR NENDICK SAID.
"WE WILL ENSURE THAT SUFFICIENT ADVANCE NOTICE IS GIVEN BEFORE THE PROHIBITION ON RHINOCEROS INGREDIENTS COMES INTO OPERATION/' HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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OZONE LAYER PROTECTION BILL 1989 EXPLAINED
* t ♦ ♦ ♦
THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION BILL 1989 WAS DRAWN UP TO FULFILL HONG KONG’S INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATION UNDER THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL WHICH CALLED FOR A FREEZE AND SUBSEQUENT REDUCTION IN THE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION OF CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS (CFC’S) AND HALONS.
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON KENNETH KWOK, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL.
"THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTS THE EARTH AND ITS INHABITANTS FROM THE SUN’S ULTRA-VIOLET RAYS.
"SINCE THE MID-1970’S, SCIENTISTS HAVE OBSERVED A GRADUAL DEPLETION OF THIS PROTECTIVE LAYER, RESULTING IN HARMFUL EFFECTS WHICH INCLUDE INCREASES IN THE INCIDENCE OF SKIN CANCER, SUPPRESSION OF HUMAN IMMUNE RESPONSES AND IMPEDED GROWTH OF LIVING MATTER," MR KWOK SAID.
"SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT DESTRUCTION OF THE OZONE LAYER IS CAUSED BY CFC’S AND HALONS.
"CFC’S ARE USED IN REFRIGERATION, AIR CONDITIONING, PACKAGING, AND AS SOLVENT AND AEROSOL PROPELLANTS. HALONS ARE USED MAINLY IN FIRE FIGHTING. APART FROM DEPLETING THE OZONE LAYER, CFC’S ALSO CONTRIBUTE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE ’GREENHOUSE EFFECT’ ON GLOBAL WARMING."
MR KWOK SAID THAT IN VIEW OF THE THREAT OF OZONE DEPLETION, THE VIENNA CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE OZONE LAYER HAD BEEN DRAWN UP IN 1985 TO PROVIDE AN INTERNATIONAL FRAMEWORK TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.
/’’UNDER THE
WEDNESDAY, MAY J1, 1989
13
"UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE CONVENTION, THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL ON SUBSTANCES THAT DEPLETE THE OZONE LAYER WAS CONCLUDED IN SEPTEMBER 1987, STIPULATING MORE SPECIFIC CONTROLS. HONG KONG WAS PARTY TO BOTH AGREEMENTS." HE SAID..
THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL, WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR, CALLED FOR A FREEZE AND SUBSEQUENT REDUCTIONS IN THE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION OF CFC'S AND HALONS.
SIGNATORIES OF THE PROTOCOL HAD AGREED TO FREEZE AT THEIR 1986 LEVELS THE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION OF CFC'S WITH EFFECT FROM JULY 1, 1989, AND HALONS WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1. 1992. THE CONSUMPTION-OF CFC’S WAS ALSO TO BE REDUCED BY 50 PER CENT OVER A PERIOD *OF 10 YEARS.
"HONG KONG DOES NOT PRODUCE ANY CFC’S OR HALONS BUT CLAUSE 3 OF THE BILL PROVIDES FOR PROHIBITION AGAINST THE FUTURE MANUFACTURE OF SUCH SUBSTANCES. AT THE SAME TIME, WE ARE OBLIGED TO RESTRICT THE CONSUMPTIONS." MR KWOK SAID.
"UNDER PROVISIONS IN THE BILL. ALL IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS ARE REQUIRED TO REGISTER WITH THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND OBTAIN A LICENCE BEFORE IMPORTING OR EXPORTING THE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES.
"WE SHALL FIRST INTRODUCE CONTROL ON THE CONSUMPTION OF CFC’S BY PUTTING IN PLACE AN ADMINISTRATIVE QUOTA SYSTEM TO ENSURE THAT THE 1986 LEVELS ARE NOT EXCEEDED.
"THE CONTROL OF THE IMPORT AND EXPORT OF HALONS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AT A LATER STAGE."
MR KWOK SAID THAT TO ENSURE THAT REGISTRATION AND LICENSING WERE BEING IMPLEMENTED IN A FAIR AND REASONABLE MANNER. CLAUSE 8 OF THE BILL PROVIDED FOR APPEAL TO THE GOVERNOR BY NOTICE IN WRITING ADDRESSED TO THE CHIEF SECRETARY.
"THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES POWERS FOR THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO MAKE REGULATIONS FOR CONTROL OF PRODUCTS CONTAINING OR MADE WITH THE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES AND FOR THE USE. RECOVERY. RECYCLING OR DISPOSAL OF SUCH SUBSTANCES." HE SAID.
"THIS ALSO PROVIDES THE FRAMEWORK TO INTRODUCE OTHER MEASURES AS MAY BE ENDORSED BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY."
MR KWOK POINTED OUT THAT RESTRICTION ON IMPORT AND EXPORT OF THE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES WAS UNLIKELY TO HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE ECONOMY AS THEY CONSTITUTED A VERY SMALL PROPORTION OF HONG KONG’S OVERALL TRADE.
THE EFFECT ON LOCAL CONSUMERS WOULD NOT BE GREAT, AS SUBSTITUTES WERE EITHER ALREADY AVAILABLE FOR MANY CFC’S USES. BETTER HOUSEKEEPING AND RECYCLING COULD ALSO SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCE DEPENDENCE ON CFC’S.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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WEDNESDAY. MAY 31. 1989
14 -
BILL TO DESIGNATE AND CONTROL DRIVER TRAINING SCHOOLS *****
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT. THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG. INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) A BILL WHICH WOULD GIVE THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT THE AUTHORITY TO DESIGNATE DRIVER TRAINING SCHOOLS AND TO REGULATE THEIR OPERATION.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989. MR LEUNG SAID AT PRESENT THERE WAS NO LEGISLATION GOVERNING SUCH SCHOOLS AND DRIVING COURSE CONTENTS.
SINCE IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO ENCOURAGE OFF-STREET DRIVER TRAINING. AND REGULATIONS WOULD BE INTRODUCED TO REQUIRE LEARNER MOTORCYCLISTS TO TAKE COMPULSORY BASIC TRAINING IN DRIVING SCHOOLS, IT WAS NECESSARY TO ESTABLISH A PROPER LEGAL FRAMEWORK TO CONTROL DRIVER TRAINING SCHOOLS, HE SAID.
THE BILL PROPOSED TO EMPOWER THE COMMISSIONER TO DESIGNATE DRIVING SCHOOLS FOR A MAXIMUM PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS AND TO LAY DOWN CONDITIONS REGARDING THE NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS. PROCEDURES AND STANDARDS.
THESE INCLUDED THE CONTENT AND DURATION OF DRIVING COURSES. DRIVER TRAINING FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED, AND SAFETY MEASURES AND EQUIPMENT.
THE COMMISSIONER WAS ALSO AUTHORISED TO SPECIFY THE TUITION FEES FOR MANDATORY OFF-STREET MOTORCYCLE AND MOTOR TRICYCLE TRAINING. AND TO INSPECT DESIGNATED DRIVING SCHOOLS.
HE MIGHT ALSO REVOKE THE DESIGNATION IF AN OPERATOR WAS IN BREACH OF THE CONDITIONS AND ANY OTHER LEGAL PROVISIONS.
HOWEVER. AN OPERATOR COULD APPEAL TO THE TRANSPORT TRIBUNAL TO REVIEW THE COMMISSIONER’S DECISION, MR LEUNG ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 1989
- 15 -
LONG TERM TRANSPORT STRATEGY OUTLINED IN GREEN PAPER ******
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TABLED IN TH1 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) A GREEN PAPER ON TRANSPORT POLICY IN HONG KONG. SETTING OUT FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION A LONG TERM STRATEGY TO KEEP HONG KONG'S TRANSPORT SYSTEM MOVING INTO THE 21ST CENTURY.
MR LEUNG EMPHASISED THAT THE PUBLICATION OF THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT DID NOT MEAN THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO CHANGE THE BASIC PR NCIPLES OF HONG KONG’S TRANSPORT POLICY.
HE SAID THE THREE BASIC PRINCIPLES SET OUT IN THE 1979 WHITE PA ’ER HAD STOOD THE TEST OF TIME — TO IMPROVE THE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE; TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT; AND TO MAKE MORE ECONOMIC USE OF THE ROAD SYSTEM.
BECAUSE CONTINUOUS FORWARD PLANNING WAS THE KEY TO OUR SUCCESS IN COPING WITH THE RAPID GROWTH IN TRANSPORT DEMAND AND TO REVIEW THE STRATEGY TO MEET FUTURE CHALLENGES, THE SECOND COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY (CTS-2) WAS COMMISSIONED IN 1986, HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT SINCE THE CTS-1 IN 1976 AND UP TO 1988, THE VEHICLE FLEET INCREASED BY 75 PER CENT, PUBLIC TRANSPORT PATRONAGE INCREASED BY ABOUT 65 PER CENT. AND THE TOTAL VOLUME OF TRAVEL MORE THAN DOUBLED.
THE GOVERNMENT REMAINED COMMITTED TO A COMPREHENSIVE AND LONG TERM INFRASTRUCTURE BUILDING PROGRAMME. HE SAID.
MR LEUNG RECALLED THAT MOST OF THE PROJECTS RECOMMENDED BY THE CTS-1 IN 1976 HAD BEEN COMPLETED.
FOR THE NEXT DECADE, THE ROAD AND RAIL PROJECTS OUTLINED IN THE GREEN PAPER WOULD REQUIRE AN ESTIMATED TOTAL INVESTMENT OF #29 BILLION TO MEET THE ANTICIPATED NEED FOR LINKING THE NEW TOWNS AND THE URBAN AREAS. PROVIDING ADDITIONAL HARBOUR CROSSINGS AND CROSS BORDER ROUTES.
HOWEVER, MR LEUNG STRESSED: "WE SIMPLY CANNOT BUILD OURSELVES OUT OF CONGESTION."
HE SAID THAT ROAD AND RAIL CONSTRUCTION HAD BECOME MORE EXPENSIVE AND DIFFICULT. "ALSO. WE CANNOT BUILD INDISCRIMINATELY. AS CONSIDERATION WILL NEED TO BE GIVEN TO PRESERVING AND IMPROVING OUR ENVIRONMENT."
TURNING TO THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM, WHICH WOULD CONTINUE TO BE ONE OF THE KEY ELEMENTS OF THE TRANSPORT STRATEGY, MR LEUNG SAID HONG KONG'S PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM WAS SECOND TO NONE IN PROVIDING A COMPREHENSIVE NETWORK. WITH A WIDE CHOICE OF MODES AT REASONABLE FARES.
/"DESPITE HEAVY .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 51, 198?
- 16 -
"DESPITE HEAVY CONGESTION AT PEAK HOURS," HE SAID, "IT IS EASIER TO TRAVEL AROUND HONG KONG THAN LONDON. TOKYO AND MANY OTHER CITIES."
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE BASIC PHILOSOPHY OF THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM WAS THAT THE OPERATION OF DIFFERENT MODES SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR OR BY PUBLIC CORPORATION OPERATING ON COMMERCIAL PRINCIPLES. WITH THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDING A STATUTORY FRAMEWORK, MONITORING AND CO-ORDINATION.
THE INTER-MODAL CO-ORDINATION POLICY WOULD CONTINUE TO BE THE BASIS FOR MAINTAINING A BALANCED AND EFFICIENT SYSTEM, MR LEUNG SAID.
"THIS MAINTAINS A GOOD RANGE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES; ENCOURAGES THE USE OF OFF-STREET MODES: KEEPS THE TRAVELLING COST LOW; AND GIVES DUE WEIGHT TO CONSUMER COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE.
"THE POLICY WILL CONTINUE TO BE APPLIED FLEXIBLY TO MEET CHANGING TRANSPORT DEMANDS AND DEVELOPMENTS." HE SAID.
ON ROAD MANAGEMENT, MR LEUNG BELIEVED THAT WITHOUT EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT MEASURES VEHICULAR TRAFFIC WOULD IMPEDE'THE SMOOTH FLOW OF GOODS AND SERIOUSLY UNDERMINE THE EFFICIENCY OF ROAD-BASED PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES AND HOLD UP EMERGENCY VEHICLES.
ECONOMIC SUCCESS HAD GENERATED AN ENORMOUS DEMAND FOR GOODS MOVEMENTS. THE RAPID GROWTH IN RECENT YEARS OF CROSS BORDER GOODS VEHICLE TRAFFIC IMPOSED FURTHER STRAINS ON THE ROAD NETWORK.
MR LEUNG SAW THE NEED TO MANAGE THE GROWTH OF GOODS VEHICLE TRAFFIC WITHOUT ADVERSELY AFFECTING THE ECONOMY. "AT THE SAME TIME, INCREASING AFFLUENCE GENERATES A NATURAL DEMAND FOR HIGH QUALITY MEANS OF TRAVEL AND CAR OWNERSHIP," HE SAID.
"THERE ARE NOW 324,000 LICENSED VEHICLES. OR ABOUT 230 VEHICLES FOR EVERY KILOMETRE OF ROAD, ONE OF THE HIGHEST DENSITIES OF TRAFFIC ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.
"WE HAVE MORE COMMERCIAL VEHICLES PER KILOMETRE OF ROAD THAN MOST OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE TOTAL VEHICLES PER KILOMETRE.
"THE TOTAL PATRONAGE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT IS FAST APPROACHING 10 MILLION BOARDINGS PER DAY.
"YET MOST OF THESE ACTIVITIES ARE CONCENTRATED INTO A BUILT-UP AREA OF LESS THAN 100 SQUARE KILOMETRES; MUCH OF THIS CONTAINS SOME OF THE HIGHEST DENSITY RESIDENTIAL AREAS IN THE WORLD."
THE GREEN PAPER SET OUT A WIDE RANGE OF POSSIBLE MEASURES TO ACHIEVE MORE EFFECTIVE USE OF ROAD SPACE BY GIVING PRIORITY TO THE MORE EFFICIENT AND ESSENTIAL ROAD USERS. AND MANAGING TRAVEL DEMAND TO A LEVEL WITH WHICH THE ROAD SYSTEM COULD COPE.
/MR LEUNG........
WEDNESDAY, MAY J1, 1989
- 17 -
MR LEUNG POINTED OUT THAT SOME CONGESTION WAS INEVITABLE AND THAT THE TASK AHEAD WAS TO KEEP IT WITHIN ACCEPTABLE LIMITS IN TERMS OF TIME AND COST TO THE COMMUNITY.
HE SAID BETTER CO-ORDINATION OF LAND USE AND TRANSPORT PLANNING WOULD HELP REDUCE PRESSURE ON THE TRANSPORT SYSTEM. THIS WOULD REQUIRE THE FULLEST CO-OPERATION BETWEEN TRANSPORT AND TOWN PLANNERS.
"THIS MEANS. FOR EXAMPLE. LOCATING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES CLOSE TO RESIDENTIAL AREAS. PLACING PORT AND FREIGHT TERMINALS NEAR WAREHOUSES AND INDUSTRIES. AND REDUCING THE DENSITY OF LAND DEVELOPMENT." HE SAID.
MR LEUNG ALSO CALLED ON THE COMMUNITY TO PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN REDUCING PEAK HOUR CONGESTION BY, FOR EXAMPLE, SUPPORTING A GREATER USE OF FLEXI-TIME AND STAGGERED WORKING HOURS.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS KEEN TO EXPLORE ANY SUCH METHODS TO REDUCE THE NEED FOR REGULATION AND RESTRAINTS. THUS ONE OF THE MAIN PURPOSES OF THE CONSULTATION IS TO FIND OUT HOW THE COMMUNITY CAN HELP AND WHAT PRACTICAL INCENTIVES GOVERNMENT CAN PROVIDE TO BRING THIS ABOUT." HE SAID.
MR LEUNG SAID THE GREEN PAPER ONLY SET OUT POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES IN TACKLING THE TRANSPORT PROBLEMS IN THE NEXT DECADE.
"THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS PUBLIC VIEWS TO HELP DETERMINE THE PRACTICABILITY AND ACCEPTABILITY OF THESE ALTERNATIVES AND WELCOMES ANY SUGGESTIONS ON OTHER OPTIONS." HE ADDED.
MR LEUNG HOPED THE GREEN PAPER WOULD GENERATE FULL AND CONSTRUCTIVE PUBLIC DEBATE AND DISCUSSIONS SO THAT A BALANCED TRANSPORT STRATEGY COULD BE FINALISED AFTER THE FOUR-MONTH CONSULTATION PERIOD ENDING SEPTEMBER 30.
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/18.......
WEDNESDAY, MAY J1, 1989
- 18 -
POLICE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE’S REPORT FOR 1988 * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE POLICE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE HAS RELEASED ITS ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1988. THE COMMITTEE WAS SET UP IN EARLY 1986 TO TAKE OVER THE WORK PREVIOUSLY UNDERTAKEN BY THE FORMER UMELCO POLICE GROUP. IT OVERSEES THE HANDLING BY THE POLICE OF COMPLAINTS BY THE PUBLIC.
TABLING THE REPORT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN HIS CAPACITY AS CHAIRMAN OF THE POLICE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE, DR THE HON DANIEL TSE SAID THAT DURING THE YEAR 1988, THE COMMITTEE HAD REVIEWED AND ENDORSED 3,516 COMPLAINT CASES, EMBRACING 5,451 ALLEGATIONS, PROCESSED BY THE COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE POLICE OFFICE (CAPO) OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE.
THE REPORT STATES THAT THE LARGEST SINGLE SUBJECT OF COMPLAINT WAS ABOUT OVERBEARING, IMPOLITE CONDUCT OR ABUSIVE LANGUAGE OF POLICE OFFICERS (25 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ALLEGATIONS). THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY ASSAULT (23.7 PER CENT), NEGLECT OF DUTY OR IMPROPER ACTION (22.1 PER CENT), UNNECESSARY USE OF AUTHORITY (14.2 PER CENT) AND FABRICATION OF EVIDENCE (8.7 PER CENT).
IN ADDITION, THE REPORT STATES THAT ' AS A RESULT OF INVESTIGATIONS INTO COMPLAINTS CARRIED OUT BY OR ON, BEHALF OF THE CAPO AND MONITORED BY THE COMMITTEE, APPROPRIATE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS, DISCIPLINARY OR INTERNAL ACTIONS WERE TAKEN AGAINST 1,210 POLICE OFFICERS DURING THE YEAR 1988.
HOWEVER, THE REPORT POINTS OUT THAT THE NUMBER OF PUBLIC COMPLAINTS SHOULD BE SEEN IN THE LIGHT OF THE DIFFICULT FRONT-LINE NATURE OF POLICE WORK. THEY SHOULD ALSO BE SEEN IN THE CONTEXT OF THE 3.3 MILLION POTENTIAL POLICE-PUBLIC CONFRONTATIONS DURING THE YEAR. (THESE INCLUDED 1.9 MILLION PERSONS STOPPED AND CHECKED THROUGH THE POLICE OPERATIONAL NOMINAL INDEX COMPUTER SYSTEM (PON1CS) AND 1.4 MILLION TRAFFIC SUMMONSES AND TICKETS ISSUED).
DR TSE ALSO SAID THAT THE COMMITTEE, THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF AN INDEPENDENT SECRETARIAT, HAD BEEN ABLE TO VET IN DETAIL EACH AND EVERY COMPLAINT CASE PROCESSED BY THE CAPO. IN REVIEWING THE COMPLAINT CASES, THE COMMITTEE HAD ALSO PROPOSED A NUMBER OF REVIEWS OF, AND CHANGES TO, POLICE PRACTICES, PROCEDURES AND INSTRUCTIONS, WITH A VIEW TO IMPROVING UPON THE OVERALL EFFECTIVENESS OF THE COMPLAINTS SYSTEM AND ASSISTING THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE IN MINIMISING PUBLIC COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE POLICE. SOME OF THE STUDIES AND CHANGES INITIATED BY THE COMMITTEE WERE:
(A) THE REFINEMENT OF MEDICAL REPORT FORMS FOR COMPLAINT CASES CONCERNING ASSAULT:
(B) A REVIEW OF THE RELEVANT POLICE GENERAL ORDERS ON HANDCUFFING LEADING TO THE RE-BRIEFING OF POLICE OFFICERS ON THE APPROPRIATE USE OF HANDCUFFS:
/(C) TO FACILITATE ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY J1, 1989
- 19 -
(C) TO FACILITATE THE RECLAIMING OF VEHICLES RETAINED BY THE POLICE, THE ISSUE OF A NOTE BY POLICE TRAFFIC UNITS TO DRIVERS CONCERNED, EXPLAINING THE PROCEDURES TO EE
FOLLOWED;
(D> AN EXAMINATION OF THE POLICE PROCEDURES AND THE LEVEL OF AUTHORISATION TO CURTAIL MINOR INVESTIGATIONS;
(E) A REVIEW OF THE RELEVANT POLICE GENERAL ORDERS GOVERNING THE HANDLING OF REPORTS ON INDECENT EXPOSURE;
(F) BRIEFINGS TO CAPO OFFICERS ON THE NEED TO SEEK TUB OPINION OF THE CONSULTANT FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST WHERE AN ALLEGATION OF ASSAULT IS LIKELY TO BE RAISED IN COURT; AND
(G) THE ISSUE OF INSTRUCTIONS TO BRIEF POLICE OFFICERS CONCERNED THAT THEY SHOULD INITIATE "BENCH WARRANT" OR "FUNCTION 60" (WANTED VEHICLES) CHECKS FOR OUTSTANDING TRAFFIC WARRANTS BEFORE COMMENCING WRITING OUT FIXED PENALTY TICKETS OR MAKING NOTEBOOK ENTRIES, IN ORDER TO REDUCE TO A MINIMUM DELAYS AND INCONVENIENCE CAUSED TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
THE REPORT ALSO NOTES THAT A TOTAL OF 3,230 COMPLAINT CASES WERE REGISTERED BY THE CAPO IN 1988, REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF 16.9 PER CENT OVER THE FIGURE OF 3,885 IN 1987 AND A DECREASE OF 28.9 PER CENT OVER THE 4,544 COMPLAINT CASES REGISTERED IN 1986. AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, THE MAJORITY OF COMPLAINT CASES (91.7 PER CENT) WERE MADE DIRECT TO THE POLICE FORCE.
DURING THE YEAR, THE COMMITTEE HAS ENDORSED THE ADOPTION OF AN INFORMAL RESOLUTION SCHEME TO RESOLVE COMPLAINTS ARISING AS A RESULT OF A FAULT IN PROCEDURE OR POLICY; A GENUINE MISUNDERSTANDING; AND CIRCUMSTANCES OUTSIDE THE CONTROL OF THE OFFICERS CONCERNED. THIS SCHEME ENABLES SUCH COMPLAINTS TO BE INFORMALLY RESOLVED THROUGH PERSONAL DISCUSSION BETWEEN THE INVESTIGATION OFFICERS AND THE COMPLAINANTS AS OPPOSED TO A FORMAL INVESTIGATION. IT IS INTENDED THAT THE SCHEME WILL BE INTRODUCED IN PHASES.
THE POLICE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE IS AN INDEPENDENT MONITORING GROUP APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR. IN 1988. THE COMMITTEE COMPRISED A CHAIRMAN AND A VICE-CHAIRMAN, BOTH DRAWN FROM OMELCO AND NINE MEMBERS, ALL OF WHOM ARE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS AN OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVE ON THE COMMITTEE.
/2O........
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WEDNESDAY, MAY J1, 1989
20
APPROVAL FOR INCREASE IN TELEPHONE CHARGES * * » » *
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED A RESOLUTION WHICH WILL ALLOW THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY TO INCREASE TARIFF CHARGES FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE MAJOR ITEMS INVOLVED ARE INCREASES IN EXCHANGE LINE RENTAL CHARGES, AND THE EFFECT ON ORDINARY BUSINESS AND RESIDENTIAL SUBSCRIBERS WOULD BE MODEST. THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY. THE HON DAVID NENDICK, TOLD THE COUNCIL.
THE MONTHLY COST OF AN ORDINARY EXCHANGE LINE FOR BUSINESS USE WILL BE INCREASED FROM $66 TO $70, AND FOR A RESIDENTIAL EXCHANGE LINE FROM $43 TO $48.
THE MONTHLY RENTAL CHARGE FOR A STANDARD TELEPHONE WILL RISE BY $1, FROM $5 TO $6. TO COVER THE COST OF AN UPGRADING PROGRAMME. MR NENDICK SAID THAT IN MONETARY TERMS THIS WAS A MODEST INCREASE.
THE PRESENT CHARGES OF $72 PER ANNUM FOR THE RENTAL OF AN INTERNAL EXTENSION, AND OF $100 FOR THE CONNECTION AND CHANGE OF STARLINE FEATURES WILL BE ABOLISHED.
IN MOVING THE MOTION TO AMEND THE SCHEDULE TO THE TELEPHONE ORDINANCE OF MAXIMUM CHARGES THAT MAY BE LEVIED BY THE TELEPHONE COMPANY, MR NENDICK SAID CHARGES FOR LINE RENTALS AND INSTALLATION, AND OTHER MISCELLANCOUS CHARGES WERE LAST INCREASED IN OCTOBER 1985.
HE NOTED THAT BASED ON PROJECTIONS AVAILABLE AT THE TIME. IT WAS CONSIDERED A FURTHER ROUND OF INCREASES WOULD NOT BE REQUIRED UNTIL EARLY 1988.
"IT HAS BEEN POSSIBLE TO DELAY THESE INCREASES BY OVER A YEAR AS A RESULT OF HIGHER THAN EXPECTED SALES. AND IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY AND OPERATING EFFICIENCY ON THE PART OF THE COMPANY,' HE SAID.
"IT IS WORTH NOTING THAT OVER THE PAST TEN YEARS. TELEPHONE TARIFFS HAVE RISEN BY LESS THAN HALF THE RATE OF INFLATION," MR NENDICK POINTED OUT.
HE SAID THE COMPANY APPLIED TO INCREASE ITS TARIFFS IN FEBRUARY BY AN OVERALL AVERAGE OF SEVEN PER CENT IN ORDER TO MEET INCREASED OPERATING COSTS. TO MAINTAIN ITS HIGH STANDARD OF SERVICE AND TO KEEP PACE WITH GROWING DEMAND.
"THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN THOROUGHLY EXAMINED AND THE ITEMS IN THE RESOLUTION NOW BEFORE THIS COUNCIL ARE CONSIDERED JUSTIFIED." HE ADDED.
"BASED ON CURRENT PROJECTIONS, THERE IS UNLIKELY TO BE ANY REQUIREMENT FOR FURTHER INCREASES UNTIL 1991."
- 0 -
WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 1989
- 21 -
HKECIC MAXIMUM LIABILITY RAISED TO $6,000 MILLION ♦ ♦ * » *
THE MAXIMUM CONTINGENT LIABILITY OF THE HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION WAS' RAISED BY $1,000 MILLION TO $6,000 MILLION BY RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
A MOTION SEEKING THE INCREASE WAS MOVED BY THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NEND1CK.
MR NENDICK EXPLAINED THAT IN FEBRUARY LAST YEAR THE CORPORATION’S MAXIMUM CONTINGENT LIABILITY HAD BEEN INCREASED BY $800 MILLION, TO $5,000 MILLION.
’’SINCE THEN, THE CORPORATION’S LIABILITY UNDER CONTRACTS OF INSURANCE HAS RISEN AT A RATE OF ABOUT $130 MILLION PER QUARTER. AS AT MARCH 31, 1989, THE FIGURE STOOD AT $4,682 MILLION,” HE SAID.
"IN ADDITION, THERE IS POTENTIAL COMMITMENT IN RESPECT OF NEW POLICIES AND POLICIES PENDING RENEWAL TOTALLING $152 MILLION, LEAVING ONLY $166 MILLION FOR NEW BUSINESS.
"GIVEN THIS RATE OF INCREASE. THE CORPORATION’S ADVISORY BOARD ESTIMATES THAT THE EXISTING STATUTORY LIMIT MAY BE REACHED SHORTLY.
"IT HAS THEREFORE RECOMMENDED THAT THE MAXIMUM CONTINGENT LIABILITY CEILING BE INCREASED BY $1,000 MILLION TO $6,000 MILLION," MR NENDICK SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT FAILURE TO RAISE THIS LIMIT COULD RESULT IN THE CORPORATION HAVING TO TURN AWAY FURTHER BUSINESS AND HENCE TO DISCOURAGE OUR EXPORTS.
"I WOULD LIKE TO STREES THAT THE MAXIMUM LIABILITY IS A THEORETICAL CONTINGENT AMOUNT. IT IS NEVER LIKELY TO BE AT RISK AS A WHOLE AT ANY ONE TIME," HE ADDED.
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SUMMARY OF CHANGES MADE TO THIRD QUARTER ESTIMATES * ♦ t * *
A SUMMARY OF ALL CHANGES MADE TO THE APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF THE 1988-89 FINANCIAL YEAR WAS TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NENDICK.
SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION OF $264.7 MILLION WAS APPROVED, MR NENDICK SAID.
"THIS INCLUDED $151 MILLION FOR THE PURCHASE OF WATER FROM CHINA.
/’’THE PROVISION.......
WEDNESDAY, MAY J1, 1989
- 22 -
"THE PROVISION WAS FULLY OFFSET EITHER BY SAVINGS UNDER THE SAME OR OTHER HEADS OF EXPENDITURE OR BY DELETION OF FUNDS UNDER THE ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS SUBHEADS," HE SAID.
APPROVED NON-RECURRENT COMMITMENTS WERE INCREASED BY 874.9 MILLION DURING THE PERIOD. AND NEW NON-RECURRENT COMMITMENTS OF $27-6.5 MILLION WERE ALSO APPROVED, MR NENDICK SAID.
IN THE SAME PERIOD, A NET INCREASE OF 1,361 POSTS WAS APPROVED.
HE ADDED THAT ITEMS IN THE SUMMARY HAD BEEN APPROVED EITHER BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OR UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY, AND THE LATTER HAD BEEN REPORTED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
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CHANGES AIMED AT PRODUCING WORKABLE POLITICAL SYSTEM FOR SAR
*****
MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS HAVE .AGREED TO RECOMMEND CERTAIN CHANGES TO THE SECOND DRAFT OF THE BASIC LAW WHICH WILL PRODUCE A WORKABLE POLITICAL SYSTEM FOR THE FUTURE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION — A SYSTEM THAT WILL PRESERVE THE TERRITORY'S ECONOMIC PROSPERITY AND ENSURE ITS FREEDOM, JUSTICE AND DEMOCRACY IN THE 50 YEARS BEYOND 1997.
IN MOVING A MOTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SENIOR MEMBER, THE HON ALLEN LEE, SAID HE WAS PROUD OF THE FACT THAT AFTER WEEKS OF SOUL-SEARCHING AND DISCUSSION, MEMBERS WERE ABLE TO PUT ASIDE THEIR "DIVERSE AND STRONG PERSONAL VIEWS" IN THE OVERALL INTEREST OF HONG KONG, AND TO REACH BROAD AGREEMENT ON CERTAIN MAJOR ISSUES IN THE SECOND DRAFT.
HIS MOTION READS: "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 THE PROMULGATION OF THE BASIC LAW."
MR LEE POINTED OUT THAT WHILE RECENT EVENTS IN HONG KONG HAD CLEARLY SHOWN THAT THE COMMUNITY WAS NOT POLITICALLY APATHETIC, MEMBERS RECOGNISED THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO PROVIDE PEOPLE WITH A FOCUS ON MAJOR ISSUES TO WHICH THEY COULD TURN.
"WHAT MY HONOURABLE COLLEAGUES WILL SAY TODAY AND TOMORROW IN THIS CHAMBER WILL, I HOPE, PROVIDE INSPIRATION AND A FOCUS FOR THE COMMUNITY IN THEIR STUDY OF THE DRAFT BASIC LAW, AND ASSIST THEM IN COMING TO A VIEW ON WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE ENSHRINED IN THE BASIC LAW, SO THAT THEY CAN ENSURE THAT THE PRINCIPLE OF ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS PROMISED IN THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION WILL BE ADHERED TO. AND TO FORM A GOVERNMENT THAT IS TRULY HONG KONG PEOPLE RULING HONG KONG," HE SAID.
/MR LEE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 1989
MR LEE FOCUSSED ON MEMBERS’ RECOMMENDATIONS PERTAINING TO THE POLITICAL STRUCTURE OF THE FUTURE HKSAR WHERE AGREEMENT HAD BEEN REACHED, AND EXPLAINED THE REASONS FOR THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS.
ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE AND THE LEGISLATURE. MR LEE STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF A CO-OPERATIVE WORKING RELATIONSHIP AS WELL AS SUFFICIENT CHECKS AND BALANCES AGAINST POSSIBLE ABUSE OF POWER BETWEEN THE TWO ORGANS OF POWER.
MEMBERS FELT THAT THE MODEL PROPOSED IN THE BASIC LAW DID NOT DEFINE THIS RELATIONSHIP CLEARLY. THEY PROPOSED THAT THE MANY UNWRITTEN CONVENTIONS IN THE EXISTING GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE WHICH HAD PROVED TO BE EFFECTIVE IN ENCOURAGING A CO-OPERATIVE WORKING RELATIONSHIP SHOULD BE FORMALISED AND PRESERVED.
THOSE CONVENTIONS INCLUDED CLOSE CONSULTATION BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATION AND OMELCO PANELS AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AD HOC GROUPS; OVERLAPPING MEMBERSHIP BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL: AND A WIDE CONSULTATION PROCESS THROUGH AN EXTENSIVE NETWORK OF ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMITTEES PRIOR TO THE MAKING OF POLICY DECISIONS BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
"WE RECOMMEND, THEREFORE, IN RELATION TO ARTICLE 55, THAT THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE SHOULD APPOINT AT LEAST HALF OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM AMONG MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL," MR LEE SAID.
THIS REQUIREMENT WOULD ENSURE THAT THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE HAD REASONABLE SUPPORT IN A FULLY ELECTED LEGISLATURE, AND THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAD INFLUENCE IN THE POLICY MAKING PROCESS.
THE MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL APPOINTED FROM THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD HELP TO EXPLAIN AND OBTAIN SUPPORT ON THE ONE HAND, AND ACT AS A CHECK ON EXCO’S POLICY MAKING PROCESS ON THE OTHER. HE EXPLAINED.
TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN THE LINK BETWEEN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE EXECUTIVE, MEMBERS FELT THAT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN THE MAJOR POLICY DECISION MAKING PROCESS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AT AN EARLY STAGE, AND HERE THE ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMITTEES WOULD HAVE AN IMPORTANT PART TO PLAY.
"HOWEVER, IN VIEW OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF ADVISORY BODIES AND THE RELATIVELY SMALL NUMBER OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS, WE FEEL THAT IT IS ONLY NECESSARY TO SPECIFY THAT THE LATTER SHOULD BE APPOINTED TO ADVISORY COMMITTEES IN MAJOR POLICY AREAS WHICH WILL BE DECIDED BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COMMUNITY’S NEEDS AT THE TIME," HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE SELECTION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE, MR LEE SAID THAT MEMBERS HAD COME TO A UNANIMOUS VIEW THAT THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE SHOULD BE ELECTED BY UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE NO LATER THAN 2003.
"FOLLOWING THIS CONSENSUS, MEMBERS OF BOTH COUNCILS WILL NOW PROCEED TO SCRUTINISE AND DISCUSS THE DETAILS RELATED TO THE SELECTION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE, AND WHERE NECESSARY TO CONSULT THE ORGANISATION WHICH THEY REPRESENT," HE SAID.
/ON THE
WEDNESDAY, MAY J1, 1989
ON THE FORMATION AND COMPOSITION OF THE FUTURE LEGISLATURE, MR LEE REITERATED MEMBERS’ SUPPORT FOR THE TIMETABLE OF INTRODUCING 50 PER CENT DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS IN 1997 AND 100 PER CENT DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS IN 2003.
"WE ALSO AGREED THAT THIS CLEAR TIMETABLE IS NEEDED TO PROVIDE A FOCUS TOWARDS WHICH THE COMMUNITY COULD WORK, AND THAT THE REFERENDUM ENVISAGED IN ANNEX II OF THE SECOND DRAFT WOULD THEREFORE NOT BE NECESSARY." HE ADDED.
IN CONSIDERING THE DEVELOPMENT TOWARDS THE ULTIMATE AIM OF HAVING ALL MEMBERS DIRECTLY ELECTED IN 2003, MEMBERS HAD TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE NEED FOR "ORDERLY PROGRESSION" TO AVOID ABRUPT CHANGES WHICH COULD BE UNSETTLING, AND RECOGNISED THE NEED TO RETAIN FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY SEATS DURING THE TRANSITION PERIOD AND IN THE EARLY YEARS OF THE HKSAR.
"EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY REPRESENTATIVES HAVE A DISTINCT AND EFFECTIVE CONTRIBUTION TO THE WORK OF THE LEGISLATURE. AND IT WOULD SUIT HONG KONG’S UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES TO RETAIN THESE SEATS UNTIL 2003 WHILE THE COMMUNITY PREPARES ITSELF FOR A FULLY DIRECTLY ELECTED LEGISLATURE," HE SAID.
BASED ON THESE REASONS, MEMBERS RECOMMENDED THAT IN 1997, OF THE TOTAL 60 SEATS, 30 SHOULD BE FILLED BY DIRECT ELECTIONS AND 30 FROM FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES; THAT IS 50 PER CENT OF THE SEATS SHOULD BE FILLED BY DIRECT ELECTIONS.
IN 1999. THE SECOND TERM OF THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION LEGISLATURE, THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS SHOULD INCREASE FROM 30 TO 60. WHILE THE NUMBER OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY SEATS SHOULD REMAIN UNCHANGED. HENCE, THERE WOULD BE A TOTAL OF 90 SEATS, 66 PER CENT OF WHICH WOULD BE FILLED BY DIRECT ELECTIONS.
IN 2003, THE THIRD TERM, THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS SHOULD BE FURTHER INCREASED BY 30, THAT IS FROM 60 TO 90. THIS WOULD MAKE UP THE ENTIRE LEGISLATURE. THEREBY ACHIEVING 100 PER CENT UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE.
"THE SIZE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL BE SLIGHTLY LARGER THAN THAT PROPOSED IN THE BASIC LAW DRAFT IN ORDER TO ACCOMMODATE THE CHANGES WE RECOMMEND AND TO COPE WITH THE WORKLOAD ENVISAGED," MR LEE SAID.
HE URGED ALL SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY TO CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE RECOMMENDATIONS ALREADY AGREED BY MEMBERS ON THE POLITICAL STRUCTURE OF THE FUTURE HKSAR GOVERNMENT. MEANWHILE, MEMBERS OF THE TWO COUNCILS WOULD CONTINUE TO STUDY THE DRAFT BASIC LAW IN DETAIL, WITH A VIEW TO REACHING FURTHER CONSENSUS ON OTHER IMPORTANT AREAS.
MR LEE HOPED THAT WHEN VIEWS BY MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY REACH THE BASIC LAW DRAFTERS, THEY WOULD CARRY ONE VOICE: THE VOICE OF UNITY WHICH HAD CLEARLY BEEN HEARD IN HONG KONG WHEN THE COMMUNITY EXPRESSED THEIR CONCERN OVER RECENT EVENTS IN CHINA.
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/25........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 31. 1989
CALL TO INCLUDE PREAMBLE IN BASIC LAW TEXT * * * * «
THE PREAMBLE OF THE BASIC LAW SHOULD BE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE DOCUMENT AND SHOULD CARRY THE SAME LEGAL EFFECT AS THE BODY TEXT, THE HON EDWARD HO SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE DRAFT BASIC LAW, MR HO SAID THE TWO PRINCIPLES STATED IN THE PREAMBLE WERE "ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL" AS THEY PROVIDED THE FRAMEWORK FOR AND THE PRECEPTS TO FUTURE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE MINI-CONSTITUTION.
HE WAS REFERRING TO THE PRINCIPLES THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION (HKSAR) WOULD BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 31 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (PRC) AND THAT THE BASIC POLICIES OF THE PRC REGARDING HONG KONG HAD BEEN ELABORATED BY THE C4IINESE GOVERNMENT IN THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION.
UNDER THE PRINCIPLE OF "ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS", MR HO DOUBTED WHETHER THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 31 OF THE CONSTITUTION ALONE, AS IT STOOD, PROVIDED SUFFICIENT AUTHORITY AND CLARITY THAT THERE WOULD NOT BE ANY CONFLICT BETWEEN THE BASIC LAW AND THE CONSTITUTION.
HE URGED THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE DETAILED EXAMINATION OF THIS VERY IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE CONSTITUTION AS THE SLIGHTEST UNCERTAINTY COULD RESULT IN CHAOS IN THE YEARS TO COME.
HE ADDED THAT IN READING THE DRAFT BASIC LAW, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO CONSTRUCT IN ONE’S MIND A MODEL OF GOVERNMENT THAT WOULD, ON THE ONE HAND. HAVE THE NECESSARY CHECKS AND BALANCES BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE AND THE LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITIES OF THE GOVERNMENT TO PREVENT THE ABUSE OF POWER; AND ON THE OTHER HAND, THAT THE EXECUTIVE AUTHORITIES WOULD HAVE THE NECESSARY SUPPORT FROM THE LEGISLATURE FOR THE PROPER AND EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF A STABLE GOVERNMENT.
"I THEREFORE ENDORSE THE PROPOSALS ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE AND THE LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITIES WHICH HAVE BEEN AGREED AMONGST MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS," HE SAID.
MR HO NOTED THAT IN MEMBERS’ ATTEMPT TO REACH CONSENSUS, THEY HAD TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING POINTS INTO ACCOUNT:
* WHETHER THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WANTED FULL DEMOCRACY, I.E. UNIVERSAL FRANCHISE, AS THE ULTIMATE GOAL; AND WHETHER THE MOVE TOWARDS THAT GOAL SHOULD BE EVOLUTIONARY AND GRADUAL;
* THAT WHILST THE PACE OF DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRACY SHOULD RELATE TO THE POLITICAL MATURITY OF THE PEOPLE, A CLEAR TIME TABLE FOR SUCH DEVELOPMENT WOULD PROVIDE A MUCH-NEEDED CERTAINTY:
/• THAT IN ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY J1, 19^9
- 26
* THAT IN THE PURSUIT OF DEMOCRACY, THE UNIQUE NATURE OF HONG KONG AS AN SAR IN A "ONE COUNTRY TWO SYSTEMS" SITUATION AND ITS COMPLEX LAYERS OF POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL
INFRASTRUCTURE THAT HAD GIVEN RISE TO ITS SUCCESS AS A VIBRANT ECONOMY, AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL AND TOURIST CENTRE, AND A VITAL INDUSTRIAL BASE SHOULD BE RECOGNISED;
* THAT WHATEVER THE MODEL, IT HAD TO BE ACCEPTED BY ALL SECTORS OF OUR COMMUNITY; AND
* THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE SHALL GOVERN HONG KONG UNDER THE PRINCIPLE OF "ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS".
NOTING THAT ALMOST A MILLION PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE HAD MARCHED THROUGH THE STREETS OF HONG KONG IN PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATIONS ON MAY 21 AND 28 WITH A UNITY OF PURPOSE, MR HO BELIEVED CONSENS-US IN OUR COMMUNITY ON THE BASIC LAW, ESPECIALLY IN RELATION TO SHAPING OUR FUTURE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT BEYOND OUR REACH GIVEN THE WILL.
"IN ANY SOCIETY, THERE WILL BE INEQUALITIES OF WEALTH AND UNEQUAL OPPORTUNITIES.
"BUT THE ESSENCE OF CAPITALISM IS A WELL-FUNCTIONING COMPETITIVE MARKET WHICH ENGENDERS OVERALL ECONOMIC GROWTH. AND IT IS ONLY THROUGH ECONOMIC GROWTH THAT OPPORTUNITIES CAN BE PROVIDED TO THE COMMON MAN," MR HO SAID.
IN FACT, LIBERAL DEMOCRACY REQUIRES A MARKET ECONOMY. THERE SHOULD BE NO HINDRANCE AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST FOR ALL SECTORS OF OUR COMMUNITY TO ARRIVE AT A CONSENSUS.
"AND THE TIMING FOR SUCH A CONSENSUS IS NOW."
-------0---------
NEW CHAPTER CONCERNING MARTIAL LAW NEEDED IN DRAFT ♦ * * ♦ * t
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN BEIJING SHOWED THAT THERE WAS A NEED FOR A NEW CHAPTER IN THE BASIC LAW TO DEAL WITH ANY IMPOSITION OF MARTIAL LAW AND DECLARATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION ( FiKSAR) , THE HON MARTIN LEE SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE DRAFT BASIC LAW, MR LEE NOTED THAT ARTICLE 67 (20) OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA PROVIDED THAT THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS ( NPC ) MAY DECIDE TO ENFORCE MARTIAL LAW IN PARTICULAR PROVINCES, AUTONOMOUS REGIONS OR MUNICIPALITIES DIRECTLY UNDER THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.
AND ARTICLE 89 (16) EMPOWERED THE STATE COUNCIL TO DECIDE ON THE ENFORCEMENT OF MARTIAL LAW IN PARTS OF PROVINCES, AUTONOMOUS REGIONS OR MUNICIPALITIES DIRECTLY UNDER THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.
/BUT NEITHER
WEDNESDAY, MAY J1, 1989
- 27 -
BUT NEITHER ARTICLE MADE ANY REFERENCE TO SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGIONS, AND ACCORDINGLY NEITHER THE NPC STANDING COMMITTEE NOR THE STATE COUNCIL WAS EMPOWERED UNDER THE CHINESE CONSTITUTION TO IMPOSE MARTIAL LAW IN THE HKSAR. OR SEND IN TROOPS. MR LEE SAID.
HE SAID THAT SINCE ALL INTERNAL DISTURBANCES IN THE HKSAR WOULD FIRST BE DEALT WITH BY THE HKSAR GOVERNMENT. THE HKSAR GOVERNMENT WOULD BE IN THE BEST POSITION TO DETERMINE WHETHER A PARTICULAR DISTURBANCE HAD GONE BEYOND ITS CONTROL.
"THE BASIC LAW SHOULD THEREFORE STIPULATE THAT WHEN THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE REGION DETERMINES THAT THE TURMOIL IN THE REGION HAS BECOME UNCONTROLLABLE. HE MAY. UNDER ARTICLE 14 OF THE BASIC LAW. INVITE THE GARRISON TO ASSIST IN RESTORING LAW AND ORDER OF THE REGION," HE SAID.
THE INVITATION MUST BE ENDORSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WITHIN THREE DAYS. AND IF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WERE TO REFUSE TO ENDORSE THE INVITATION OR DECIDE THAT THE HKSAR COULD HANDLE THE SITUATION BY ITSELF. THEN IT SHOULD BE GIVEN POWER TO ORDE'R THE TROOPS TO RETURN TO THEIR BARRACKS. IF NECESSARY.
"WE SHOULD INSIST THAT EVEN WHEN THE HKSAR IS IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY, THE RIGHT TO ADMINISTER THE REGION SHOULD STILL BE VESTED IN THE HKSAR GOVERNMENT. AND THE GARRISON’S DUTY IS TO RESTORE LAW AND ORDER TO THE REGION WHEN REQUESTED TO DO SO, AND NOT TO ADMINISTER THE REGION EVEN UNDER MARTIAL LAW." HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT EVEN IN TIMES OF EMERGENCY, SOME BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS MUST NOT BE INFRINGED. SUCH AS THE RIGHT TO LIFE AND THE RIGHT AGAINST TORTURE.
MR LEE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA BE AMENDED SO THAT IT WOULD STATE CLEARLY THAT THE FOUR BASIC PRINCIPLES. PARTICULARLY THE PRINCIPLE OF THE LEADERSHIP OF THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY. WOULD NOT APPLY TO THE HKSAR.
TURNING TO THE ELECTION OF THE SAR CHIEF EXECUTIVE. MR LEE SAID THAT MANY LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS STILL HELD THE VIEW THAT THE FIRST CHIEF EXECUTIVE SHOULD NOT BE ELECTED BY UNIVERSAL ADULT SUFFRAGE.
“WHEN THIS ISSUE WAS DEBATED AT OUR IN-HOUSE MEETINGS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. I MUST CONFESS THAT 1 HAD NOT HEARD A SINGLE CONVINCING ARGUMENT IN SUPPORT OF THAT VIEW." HE SAID.
HE SAID IT WAS QUITE CLEAR FROM RECENT EVENTS THAT NOBODY IN HONG KONG WANTED A CHIEF EXECUTIVE WHO TOOK ORDERS FROM THE LEADERSHIP OF THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY.
/"AND NOBODY .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY J1, 1989
- 28 -
"AND NOBODY WANTS TO SEE THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF FREEDOM OF SPEECH. OF THE PRESS. OF ASSEMBLY. OF ASSOCIATION. OF PROCESSION, AND OF DEMONSTRATION TO BE TAKEN AWAY AT THE WHIMS OF THE PARTY LEADERS." HE SAID.
HE THEREFORE BELIEVED THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WOULD NOT ACCEPT THE OMELCO MAJORITY MODEL THAT THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE WOULD NOT BE DIRECTLY ELECTED UNTIL THE YEAR 2003.
HE SAID THAT ALTHOUGH OMELCO WAS UNABLE TO REACH COMPLETE CONSENSUS AT THIS POINT OF TIME, IT DID NOT MATTER GREATLY BECAUSE HE HOPED THE CONSULTATION PERIOD ON THE DRAFT BASIC LAW WOULD BE PROLONGED IN THE LIGHT OF RECENT EVENTS.
"FURTHER. THE BASIC LAW CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE SHOULD IMMEDIATELY RESUME ITS DUTY IN CANVASSING THE VIEWS OF THE PUBLIC BECAUSE THE WHOLE OF HONG KONG WOULD BE LOOKING AT THE DRAFT BASIC LAW IN A COMPLETELY NEW LIGHT," HE SAID.
AS TO THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CENTRAL AUTHORITIES AND THE HKSAR, HE FULLY ENDORSED THE POSITION REACHED BY OMELCO.
"I WISH ONLY TO ADD HERE THAT COUNTER-REVOLUTIONARY OFFENCES IN CHINA MUST NOT BE INTRODUCED TO THE HKSAR WHETHER AS A NATION-WIDE LAW UNDER ARTICLE 18 OR BY ANY OTHER MEANS WHATSOEVER," HE SAID.
-------0----------
IMMIGRATION AMENDMENT BILL PASSED » t * * *
THE IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1989 WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE BILL, DEALING WITH ISSUES CONCERNING VIETNAMESE ASYLUM SEEKERS, COMPLETED ITS PASSAGE THROUGH THE COUNCIL IN ONE SITTING.
TWO MEMBERS SPOKE ON THE BILL. THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG SPOKE IN FAVOUR, AND THE HON MARTIN LEE SPOKE AGAINST.
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, WHO INTRODUCED THE BILL, AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, REPLIED FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
SEVEN OTHER BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS AND DEBATES ON ALL SEVEN WERE ADJOURNED.
/THEY WERE : .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 1989
- 29 -
”* ■’K
THEY WERE : THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE CONTROL OF EXEMPTION CLAUSES BILL 1989; THE PEAK TRAMWAY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989; THE IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989: THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION BILL 1989; AND THE TEMPORARY CONTROL OF DENSITY OF BUILDING DEVELOPMENT (KOWLOON) BILL 1989.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT TABLED A GREEN PAPER ON TRANSPORT POLICY IN HONG KONG, AND THE REPORT OF THE POLICE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE 1988 WAS ALSO TABLED.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY MOVED TWO MOTIONS - ONE UNDER THE HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION ORDINANCE AND THE OTHER UNDER THE TELEPHONE ORDINANCE. BOTH WERE APPROVED.
THE COUNCIL BEGAN DEBATE ON A MEMBER’S MOTION CONCERNING THE BASIC LAW BEING DRAFTED FOR THE FUTURE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.
THE MOTION, MOVED BY THE SENIOR MEMBER, THE HON ALLEN LEE, READS: "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”.
THIRTEEN MEMBERS SPOKE ON THE MOTION TODAY, AND THE DEBATE WILL CONTINUE TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
-------0---------
/JO........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 1989
FUNDS FOR ROYAL VISIT APPROVED
*****
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AT ITS MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED $5.5 MILLION TO MEET THE EXPENSES OF THE OFFICIAL VISIT BY THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES TO HONG KONG BETWEEN NOVEMBER 8 AND 10.
A STEERING COMMITTEE HAS BEEN APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR TO ARRANGE A SUITABLE PROGRAMME TO PROVIDE A MEMORABLE OCCASION TO BE ENJOYED BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AS WELL AS THE ROYAL VISITORS.
A ROYAL VISIT OFFICE, HEADED BY THE DIRECTOR OF PROTOCOL, HAS ALSO BEEN SET UP TO COORDINATE THE DETAILED PLANNING FOR THE VISIT.
THE OFFICE IS NOT YET IN A POSITION TO PROVIDE AN ACCURATE ESTIMATE OF THE OVERALL COST AS THE VARIOUS ELEMENTS OF THE PROGRAMME HAVE NOT BEEN FINALISED.
A SPECTACULAR FESTIVAL PROCESSION, WHICH IS TO BE LARGELY SPONSORED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR, IS BEING PLANNED AS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ROYAL VISIT PROGRAMME.
PRELIMINARY PLANNING FOR THE FESTIVAL PROCESSION IS SHOULD BE AN EVENT FOR COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND WHICH ENJOYED DIRECTLY OR THROUGH TELEVISION BY A LARGE NUMBER KONG’S POPULATION.
THAT IT
WILL BE OJ • HONG
THE PROCESSION WILL DEPICT THEMES OF MODERN HONG KONG FEATURING ITS PROGRESS AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN, FOR EXAMPLE, HIGH TECHNOLOGY.
IN VIEW OF THE VERY LIMITED EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG IN THE FIELD OF DESIGNING AND STAGING THIS TYPE OF PROCESSION. IT IS INTENDED TO EMPLOY AN OVERSEAS SPECIALIST COMPANY TO ASSIST IN THE ORGANISATION OF THE EVENT. ALTHOUGH THE PRODUCTION WORK WILL BE LARGELY DONE IN HONG KONG.
TO FACILITATE THE SELECTION OF SUCH A PROFESSIONAL ORGANISER TO DESIGN AND STAGE-MANAGE THE FESTIVAL PROCESSION. A NEW NON-RECURRENT COMMITMENT OF $88,000 WAS APPROVED ON MAY 1. THIS YEAR.
THE FUND APPROVED. UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY. WAS PART OF THE EXPENSES OF THE 1989 ROYAL VISIT FOR INVITING AN OVERSEAS SPECIALIST COMPANY TO VISIT HONG KONG AND TO MAKE A DETAILED PRESENTATION TO MEET THE STEERING COMMITTEE’S CONCEPT OF A PROCESSION AND ITS PROGRAMMING.
THE COMMITTEE WAS SATISFIED THAT THE PRESENTATION REQUIREMENTS AND PROPOSED THAT THE COST OF FLOATS AND OTHER OF THE PROCESSION SHOULD BE MET THROUGH SPONSORSHIP.
MET ITS
FEATURES
ON THIS BASES IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT OF A TOTAL COST FOR THE 1989 ROYAL VISIT IN THE REGION OF $12 MILLION. ACTUAL EXPENDITURE TO BE MET BY GOVERNMENT WOULD BE LESS THAN HALF, AT AROUND $5.5 MLLLION, WITH THE BALANCE BEING MET BY SPONSORS.
/SIX HONG .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY J1, 1989
SIX HONG KONG FIRMS HAVE ALREADY AGREED TO UNDERWRITE THE COST OF THE PROCESSION UP TO *3 MILLION AND FURTHER SPONSORSHIP IS EXPECTED.
OTHER EXPENSES FOR THE ROYAL VISIT INCLUDE COSTS FOR PRESS AND PUBLICITY ARRANGEMENTS. DECORATIONS AND DISPLAYS. AND OFFICIAL RECEPTIONS.
0 - -
CREATION OF VBP REVIEW BOARD POSTS APPROVED ♦ » » » ♦
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED THE CREATION OF SUPERNUMERARY POSTS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF REFUGEE STATUS REVIEW BOARDS TO CONSIDER APPEALS FROM VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE (VBP) SCREENED OUT AS NON-REFUGEES.
THE POSTS COMPRISE ONE CHAIRMAN OF THE REVIEW BOARDS. FOUR DEPUTY CHAIRMEN AND FOUR MEMBERS OF INDIVIDUAL BOARDS. THE ADDITIONAL NOTIONAL ANNUAL SALARY COST INVOLVED TOTALS $4,476,600.
THE COMMITTEE WAS TOLD THAT THE POSSIBILITY OF APPOINTING NON-CIVIL SERVICE MEMBERS TO THE BOARDS WAS BEING ACTIVELY CONSIDERED. IF IMPLEMENTED, THEY WOULD BE PAID AN HONORARIUM.
IN THE MEANTIME, FOR THE IMMEDIATE PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING THE REVIEW BOARDS, MEMBERS WOULD TEMPORARILY BE OFFICIALS. ONCE THE MECHANISM OF THE EMPLOYMENT OF NON-CIVIL SERVICE MEMBERS WAS CLARIFIED. THESE OFFICIALS WOULD BE ABLE TO BE REDEPLOYED.
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE ALSO APPROVED INCREASES TOTALLING $7,334,320 IN THE ESTABLISHMENT CEILINGS IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AND IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT FOR 1989-90 IN ORDER TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE STAFF TO SPEED UP SCREENING OF VBP AND PROCESSING OF APPEALS.
MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT THE AIM WAS TO COMPLETE SCREENING FOR THE CURRENT VBP POPULATION AND TO DEAL WITH THE RESULTING APPEALS WITHIN A PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS, AS WELL AS TO COMPLETE THE PROCEDURES FOR NEW ARRIVALS WITHIN THREE MONTHS OF ARRIVAL.
TO ACHIEVE THIS OBJECTIVE. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE SCREENING AND APPEAL MECHANISMS MUST BE ABLE TO COPE WITH 400 PERSONS PER WEEK.
THE REVIEW BOARDS WILL TAKE OVER FROM THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL THE PRESENT WORKLOAD OF CONSIDERING APPEALS FROM SCREENED-OUT VBP.
A BOARD MAY CONSIDER APPEAL CASES IN PRIVATE AND TO CONFIRM OR REVERSE THE FIRST-INSTANCE DECISION AS IT THINKS FIT. ITS DECISION WILL BE FINAL.
- - 0 - -
/32
WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 1989
- 32 -
COMMISSIONER OF BANKING’S ANNUAL REPORT PUBLISHED ******
THE HONG KONG BANKING INDUSTRY CONSOLIDATED ITS POSITION IN 1988, IN LINE WITH A YEAR OF SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH IN THE REAL ECONOMY. THIS IS NOTED IN THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING FOR 1988 PUBLISHED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE AT WHICH THE REPORT WAS RELEASED, THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING, MR TONY NICOLLE, SAID THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF HONG KONG AS A BASE FOR INTERNATIONAL BANKS CONTINUED UNABATED.
"BUT BOTH DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN BANKS NEED TO TAKE A CRITICAL LOOK AT THEIR COST AND LABOUR STRUCTURES IF THEY ARE TO MAINTAIN PROFITABILITY," HE CAUTIONED, ADDING THAT STATISTICS ON EMPLOYEE TURNOVER IN THE BANKING SECTOR, INCLUDED IN THE REPORT FOR THE FIRST TIME, SHOWED HOW TIGHT THE DEMAND FOR LABOUR HAD BECOME.
MR NICOLLE SAID THAT, UNLIKE 1987, IT HAD BEEN NECESSARY FOR HIM TO EXERCISE POWERS AFFORDED HIM BY THE BANKING ORDINANCE TO INTERVENE IN THE AFFAIRS OF FOUR REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF DEPOSITORS. r
"MY ACTIONS AROSE BECAUSE THE INSTITUTIONS, DESPITE REPEATED ADVICE TO THE CONTRARY, HAD FAILED TO UNDERTAKE ADEQUATE CREDIT APPRAISAL BEFORE MAKING LOANS, TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE RECORDS, AND TO MONITOR AND CONTROL EXPOSURES WITH ADEQUATE THOROUGHNESS," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE ACTIONS OF HIS OFFICE HAD RESULTED IN SATISFACTORY CONCLUSIONS TO THESE FOUR CASES.
THE COMMISSIONER SAID THE YEAR HAD SEEN A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN HIS OFFICE’S APPROACH TO SUPERVISION.
"WE HAVE SOUGHT TO INTRODUCE A BROADER APPROACH WHICH 'ALLOWS MORE ATTENTION TO BE PAID TO INSTITUTIONS’ FUTURE PLANNING AND STRATEGIC DIRECTION," HE SAID.
"ALTHOUGH THE ON-SITE EXAMINATION OF AN INSTITUTION’S BOOKS REMAINS CENTRAL TO OUR WORK, WE ARE NOW SEEKING TO SUPPLEMENT THIS WITH OFF-SITE ANALYSIS OF STATISTICS AND MANAGEMENT INFORMATION, AND WITH IN-DEPTH DISCUSSIONS WITH TOP MANAGEMENT OF INSTITUTIONS.
"ONCE THIS APPROACH HAS BEDDED DOWN, I BELIEVE IT WILL PROVE OF GREAT IMPORTANCE AND USEFULNESS, NOT ONLY TO MY OFFICE, BUT ALSO TO ALL INSTITUTIONS," HE EXPLAINED.
MR NICOLLE SAID THE CAPITAL ADEQUACY RATIO, PROVIDED FOR BY THE BANKING ORDINANCE, HAD COME INTO FORCE ON SEPTEMBER 1, 1988.
"ESSENTIALLY, THE PURPOSE OF THE RATIO IS TO ASSIST IN PREVENTING AN INSTITUTION FROM OVERTRADING BY WHICH 1 MEAN THAT THE INSTITUTION’S CAPITAL MUST BE COMMENSURATE WITH THE RISKS IT IS UNDERTAKING."
/THE ORDINANCE
WEDNESDAY, MAY J1, 1989
- 33 -
THE ORDINANCE PROVIDES FOR A MINIMUM RATIO OF FIVE PER CENT, WITH POSSIBLE MAXIMUMS OF EIGHT PER CENT FOR BANKS AND 10 PER CENT FOR DTCS.
"I AM PLEASED WITH THE WAY THE CAPITAL ADEQUACY RATIO EXERCISE HAS WORKED OUT," HE SAID. "A GREAT DEAL OF TIME AND EFFORT WAS SPENT IN DISCUSSING AND AGREEING APPROPRIATE RATIOS WITH INSTITUTIONS, WITH THE RESULT THAT THE ACTUAL COMING INTO FORCE OF THE RELEVANT LEGAL PROVISION PASSED VERY SMOOTHLY.
"IN FACT, THE INSTITUTIONS SUBJECT TO THE RATIO WERE - AND STILL ARE - WELL CAPITALISED.
"THIS HAS MEANT IN TURN THAT HONG KONG WILL BE ABLE TO MOVE MORE QUICKLY THAN SOME OTHER FINANCIAL CENTRES IN ADOPTING THE WORLD-WIDE STANDARD RATIO SUGGESTED BY THE BASLE COMMITTEE ON BANKING REGULATIONS AND SUPERVISORY PRACTICES.
"THIS CALLS FOR A MINIMUM OF EIGHT PER CENT BY END-1992, BUT I EXPECT WE WILL ACHIEVE THAT MUCH EARLIER."
MR NICOLLE SAID HIS OFFICE HAD CONDUCTED A SURVEY OF PROPERTY LENDING DURING THE YEAR. "THERE WAS STRONG DfeMAND IN THE LOCAL PROPERTY MARKET AND IT WAS CLEARLY IMPORTANT FOR MY OFFICE TO KEEP TRACK OF HOW INSTITUTIONS, IN GENERAL, WERE RESPONDING TO THIS," HE SAID.
"ONE NOTICEABLE POINT TO EMERGE WAS THE EXTENT TO WHICH SOME INSTITUTIONS CONSIDERED SECURITY TO BE THE MAJOR FACTOR INFLUENCING A DECISION TO LEND," HE ADDED.
"GOOD SECURITY IS OF COURSE IMPORTANT TO ANY BANKER, BUT IT SHOULD ONLY PROVIDE A SECOND LINE OF DEFENCE. THE VITAL FACTOP MUST BE THE BORROWER’S ABILITY TO REPAY, EITHER FROM CASH FLOW IN THE CASE OF A COMPANY, OR FROM INCOME FOR A PERSONAL BORROWER."
MR NICOLLE NOTED THAT HIS OFFICE’S RELATIONS WITH AUDITORS HAD CONTINUED TO BE FRUITFUL AND CONSTRUCTIVE.
HE SAID THAT 33 TRIPARTITE MEETINGS (I.E. BETWEEN THE COMMISSIONER, AN INSTITUTION AND ITS AUDITOR) HAD BEEN HELD.
"THIS WAS ALMOST TWICE THE NUMBER IN 1987 - AN INDICATION, I FEEL, OF A HEIGHTENED AWARENESS IN THE BANKING AND AUDITING SECTORS OF THE BENEFITS OF DISCUSSING POTENTIAL PROBLEMS AT AN EARLY STAGE, RATHER THAN OF AN INCREASE IN SUCH PROBLEMS," MR NICOLLE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS HAD ISSUED A GUIDELINE TO ITS MEMBERS WHICH SOUGHT TO CLARIFY THE CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH SHOULD PROMPT AUDITORS TO CONSIDER CONVENING A TRIPARTITE MEETING.
THE REPORT, THE THIRD MADE UNDER THE 1986 BANKING ORDINACE, WILL GO ON SALE THIS AFTERNOON AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, IN CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL. AT S21 PER COPY.
W...
WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 198J>
- J4 -
TASK FORCE TO COMBAT ILLEGAL TRADING IN IVORY
*****
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT WILL SET UP A SPECIAL TASK FORCE TO INVESTIGATE AND SUPPRESS THE ILLEGAL IMPORTATION AND EXPORTATION OF IVORY THROUGH HONG KONG FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE CUSTOMS HAD PLAYED AN ACTIVE PART IN THE PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES INCLUDING IVORY IN THE PAST, WITH 42 SEIZURES OF IVORY TUSK AND IVORY PRODUCTS MADE AT ENTRY POINTS IN 1988.
’’HOWEVER, IN VIEW OF THE RECENT ALLEGATION THAT HONG KONG WAS A CENTRE OF THE ILLEGAL IVORY TRADE, IT WAS NECESSARY TO GATHER MORE * INTELLIGENCE TO VERIFY THE ACCUSATION AND STEP UP ENFORCEMENT ACTION," HE SAID.
THE TASK FORCE WILL WORK UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE HEAD OF THE CUSTOMS INVESTIGATION BUREAU AND IN CLOSE CO-ORDINATION WITH THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN WARNED THAT ANY ILLEGAL IMPORT OR EXPORT OF IVORY CARRIES A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF $50,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ILLEGAL IVORY TRADE ARE URGED TO CONTACT THE DUTY OFFICER OF THE CUSTOMS INVESTIGATION BUREAU ON TEL. 5-8521437.
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DISTRICT BOARD TO DISCUSS VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO DISCUSS SUGGESTIONS MADE BY 10 MEMBERS TO RESOLVE THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEE AND BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM.
AMONG THE SUGGESTIONS IS THE SCRAPPING THE FIRST PORT OF ASYLUM POLICY IF NO SOLUTIONS ARE FOUND IN THE FORTHCOMING INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INDO-CHINESE REFUGEES IN GENEVA.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD WILL ALSO DISCUSS A PROPOSAL BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE TO LANUCH A COMPREHENSIVE CLEARANCCE OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN SHAM SHUT PO.
IN ADDITION, THEY WILL GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS AND A REVIEW BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ON THE CONTROL, LICENSING AND SAFETY OF LOCAL CRAFT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD. WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE, 55 FAT CHEUNG STREET.
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/35
WEDNESDAY. MAY 31. 1989
- 35 -MONETARY STATISTICS FOR APRIL 1989 PUBLISHED t » * » »
ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH, BOTH HONG KONG DOLLAR AND FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS INCREASED IN APRIL COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH.
THE BROADER DEFINITIONS OF MONEY SUPPLY. HKSM2 AND HKSM3, GREW MORE RAPIDLY IN APRIL THAN IN MARCH. WHILE THE NARROWEST DEFINITION, HKSM1, REGISTERED A FALL DURING THE MONTH.
TOTAL LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS DECLINED IN APRIL COMPARED WITH MARCH, MAINLY DUE TO THE FALL IN OFFSHORE LOANS. LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE AND OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG CONTINUED TO SHOW CONSIDERABLE INCREASES.
THE ACCOMPANYING TABLE SETS OUT SUMMARY FIGURES FOR APRIL 1989 AND COMPARISONS WITH EARLIER MONTHS.
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS GREW BY 1.9 PER CENT IN APRIL FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 0.2 PER CENT AND 0.7 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH RESPECTIVELY. OF THESE DEPOSITS. DEMAND AND SAVINGS DEPOSITS DROPPED BY 4.7 PER CENT AND 0.8 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, WHILE TIME DEPOSITS ROSE BY 4.9 PER CENT. DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING APRIL 1989. TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 14.6 PER CENT.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS GREW BY 3.4 PER CENT IN APRIL. FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 0.6 PER CENT AND 3 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH RESPECTIVELY. OF THESE DEPOSITS. U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 3.1 PER CENT WHILE NON-U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 3.8 PER CENT. OVER THE YEAR, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 34.4 PER CENT.
FOREIGN CURRENCY SWAP DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 3 PER CENT IN APRIL, AFTER INCREASES OF 4.9 PER CENT AND 7.4 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH RESPECTIVELY. ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE THESE DEPOSITS, HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 2 PEI? CENT IN APRIL AND BY 21.5 PER CENT COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER. ON THE OTHER HAND, FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS, ADJUSTED TO EXCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS, INCREASED BY 3.5 PER CENT IN APRIL AND BY 29.5 PER CENT OVER THE YEAR.
DEPOSITS OF ALL CURRENCIES WITH BANKS GREW BY 2.5 PER CENT IN APRIL WHILE THOSE WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ROSE BY 6.6 PER CENT. DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING APRIL 1989, THE FORMER ROSE BY 25.8 PER CENT WHILE THE LATTER GREW BY 25 PER CENT.
/MONEY SUPPLY .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 1989
- 36 -
MONEY SUPPLY
HKSM1 DECLINED BY 2.9 PER CENT IN APRIL WHILE HKSM2 AND HKSM3 ROSE BY 1.3 PER CENT AND 1.6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. THESE COMPARED WITH CORRESPONDING RATES OF -2.7 PER CENT. 0.2 PER CENT AND 0.4 PER CENT IN MARCH. DURING THE 12 MONTHS ENDING APRIL 1989, HKSM1. HKSM2 AND HKSM3 GREW BY 7.7 PER CENT. 13.4 PER CENT AND 14.3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
ADJUSTED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF SWAP DEPOSITS, HKSM2 GREW BY 1.5 PER CENT WHILE HKSM3 ROSE BY 1.8 PER CENT IN APRIL. COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER. THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES WERE 20.2 PER CENT AND 20.5 PER CENT.
TOTAL Ml FELL BY 2.4 PER CENT IN APRIL WHILE TOTAL M2 AND M3 GREW BY 2.4 PER CENT AND 2.7 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES IN MARCH WERE -4.1 PER CENT, 1.9 PER CENT AND 2 PER CENT. OVER THE YEAR. TOTAL Ml GREW BY 7.7 PER CENT, TOTAL M2 AND TOTAL M3 EACH GREW BY 25.4 PER CENT.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS DECLINED BY 1.9 PER CENT IN APRIL, COMPARED WITH INCREASES OF 5.7 PER CENT AND 5 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH RESPECTIVELY. OF THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS, THOSE DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLARS GREW BY 3.2 PER CENT WHILE THOSE DENOMINATED IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES FELL BY 5.6 PER CENT.
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG GREW BY 4.4 PER CENT IN APRIL, FOLLOWING A FALL OF 2.2 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY AND AN INCREASE OF 2.2 PER CENT IN MARCH. OVER THE YEAR. THESE LOANS GREW BY 32.8 PER CENT.
OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG GREW BY 3.9 PER CENT IN APRIL COMPARED WITH INCREASES OF 3.7 PER CENT AND 2.9 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR. THESE LOANS GREW BY 38.9 PER CENT.
LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG DECREASED BY 8.1 PER CENT IN APRIL, AFTER INCREASES OF 4.3 PER CENT AND 7.5 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 22 PER CENT.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS INCREASED BY TWO TO 161. THE NUMBER OF LICENSED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 35 WHILE THAT OF REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES FELL BY THREE TO 210.
/37........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 1989
- 37 -
MONETARY STATISTICS - APR] I. 1989
Money Supply Apr 1989 Mar 1989 (% Earlier months change to April Jan 1989 1989) Apr 1988 (HKSmn)
Ml - IIKS 78,285 80,623 ( -2.9 %) 87,362 (-10.4 %) 72,717 ( 7.7%)
Foreign currency .8,890 8.734 ( 1.8 %) 9,608 ( -7.5 %) 8,202 ( 8.4 %)
Total 87,175 89,357 ( -2.4 %) 96,970 (-10.1 %) 80,918 ( 7.7 %)
M2 IIKS 371,267 366,578 ( 1.3 %) 367,752 ( 1.0 %) 327,333 ( 13.4 %)
Foreign currency 519,146 503,277 ( 3.2 %) 484,985 ( 7.0 %) 382,534 ( 35.7 %)
•I’dt a 1 8 *’)(>, 4 1 3 869,855 ( 2.4 %) 852,737 ( 4.4 %) 709,8b7 ( 25.4 %)
Ml IIK$ 408,119 401,505 ( 1.6 %) 401,177 ( 1.7 %) 357,019 ( 14.3 %)
Foreign currency 556,626 538,097 ( 3.4 %) 518,007 ( 7.5 %) 412,567 ( 34.9 %)
To I. a 1 964,745 939,603 ( 2.7 %) 919,184 ( 5.0 %) * 769,606 ( 25.4 %)
Nolen and coins in circulation 35,300 35,766 ( -1.3 %) 39,.975 (-1 1.7 %) 30,642 ( 15.2 %)
of which held by public 30,976 31,005 ( -0.1 %) 33,838 ( -8.5 %) 27,164 ( 14.0 %)
Total Deposits
Total Demand deposits 56,199 58,352 ( -3.7 %) 63,132 (-11.0 %) 53,754 ( 4.5 %)
Tola! Savings deposits 162,000 163,008 ( -0.6 %) 171,225 ( -5.4 %) 182,903 (-11.4 %)
Total ime deposits with banks 624,195 600,581 ( 3.9 %) 568,984 ( 9.7 %) 433,166 ( 44.1 %)
Total Time deposits with dies 72,142 67,687 ( 6.6 %) 64,313 ( 12.2 %) 57,714 ( 25.0 %)
IIKS deposits 364,747 358.104 ( 1.9 %) 354,856 ( 2.8 %) 318,355 ( 14.6 %)
US$ deposits 288,238 279,663 ( 3.1 %) 266,761 ( 8.1 %) 222,560 ( 29.5 %)
other foreign currency deposits 261.551 251,861 ( 3.8 %) 246,037 ( 6.3 %) 186,622 ( 40.2 %)
A1 1 depots i t s 914,535 889,628 ( 2.8 %) 867,654 ( 5.4 %) 727,537 ( 25.7 %)
Foreign currency swap) deposits 52,858 51,301 ( 3.0 %) 45,527 ( 16.1 %) 25,378 (108.3 %)
Total Loans and advances
To finance U.K.'s visible trade 60,734 58,199 ( 4.4 %) 58,239 ( 4.3 %) 45,734 ( 32.8 %)
To II nance moi chand 1 n 1 ng l.i ado 11,912 11,885 ( 0.2 V) 8,91111 ( 12.'1 %) h , 4 <.7 (117.9 1)
not touching U.K.
Other loans for use in U.K. 523,654 508,748 ( 2.9 %) 472,311 ( 10.9 %) 377,107 ( 38.9 %)
other loans for use outside U.K. 396,070 431,204 ( -8.1 %) 384,775 ( 2.9 %) 324,582 ( 22.0 %)
other loans where the place of 74,815 77,703 ( -3.7 %) 56,012 ( 33.6 %) 60,762 ( 23.1 %)
use is not known
Loans in IIKS 474.346 159,563 ( 3.2 %) 419,770 ( 13.0 %) 329,175 ( 44.1 %)
Loans In foreign currencies 592,839 628,176 ( -5.6 %) 560,556 ( 5.8 %) 484,476 ( 22.4 %)
Tola! loans and advances 1,067, 184 1,087,739 ( -J.9 %) 980,326 ( 8.9 %) 813,651 ( 31.2 %j
WEDNESDAY, MAY 31. 1989
- 38 -
MARINE SEARCH AND RESCUE EXERCISE COMPLETED
» « * * *
AN INTERNATIONAL MARINE SEARCH AND RESCUE EXERCISE. INVOLVING HONG KONG. CHINA AND MACAU RESOURCES. WAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE EXERCISE, WHICH WAS CO-ORDINATED BY THE MARITIME RESCUE CO-ORDINATION CENTRE (MRCC) OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT. WAS DESIGNED TO TEST AND EVALUATE ALL SEARCH AND RESCUE RESOURCES AND THE COMMUNICATION AND LIAISON PROCEDURES BETWEEN HONG KONG GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS. THE GUANGDONG MARINE EMERGENCY SEARCH AND RESCUE CENTRE AND THE MACAU MARINE POLICE.
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AGENCIES PARTICIPATING IN THE EXERCISE INCLUDED MARINE DEPARTMENT, CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT. ' ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE. ROYAL HONG KONG, POLICE, CIVIL AID SERVICES AND AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES. TWO LOCAL COMMERCIAL FERRY COMPANIES ALSO PROVIDED VESSELS FOR THE EXERCISE.
THE SCENERIO OF THE EXERCISE, WHICH BEGAN AT 9 AM. WAS TO LOCATE AN OUTBOUND FERRY FROM HONG KONG WHICH WAS INVOLVED IN A "COLLISION" WITH ANOTHER VESSEL SOMEWHERE IN THE PEARL RIVER ESTUARY.
MRCC ACTIVATED A SEARCH ON RECEIPT OF THE MESSAGE AND LOCATED THE "DISTRESS" VESSEL WITH 208 PASSENGERS ON BOARD. ALL OF WHOM WERE "EVACUATED" BY MEANS OF AN RHKAAF HELICOPTER. A COMMERCIAL HOVERFERRY AND THE "NAM HAI NO.l" OF THE GUANGDONG MARINE EMERGENCY SEARCH AND RESCUE CENTRE.
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GOVERNMENT GRANTS FOR MATRICULATION STUDENTS
« » » » »
APPLICATIONS FOR GOVERNMENT MAINTENANCE GRANTS FOR MATRICULATION COURSES IN 1989-90 ARE NOW BEING INVITED.
THE AWARDS ARE MADE ANNUALLY TO NEEDY STUDENTS WHO HAVE OBTAINED GOOD RESULTS IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION IN THE YEAR OF AWARD AS AN INDICATION THAT THEY ARE LIKELY TO BE SUCCESSFUL EITHER IN THE HIGHER LEVEL EXAMINATION OR THE ADVANCED LEVEL EXAMINATION.
APPLICANTS MUST BE SUPPORTED BY RECOMMENDATIONS FROM HEADS OF SCHOOLS.
THE AMOUNT OF MAINTENANCE GRANT SHALL BE DETERMINED BY A GOVERNMENT MAINTENANCE GRANTS COMMITTEE IN THE LIGHT OF FINANCIAL NEED AND FUNDS AVAILABLE. GRANTS AWARDED IN 1988-89 HAVE BEEN IN THE REGION OF $230 A MONTH.
/THE ANNUAL........
WEDNESDAY, MAY , 19^9
- 39 -
THE ANNUAL GRANTS WILL BE TENABLE AT ANY SECONDARY SCHOO! APPROVED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION.
APPLICANTS ARE EXPECTED TO COMPLETE FULL-TIME ADVANCED LEVEL/HIGH LEVEL EXAMINATION STUDIES FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR FOR WHICH THE GRANT HAS BEEN AWARDED. IF ANY STUDENT WHO HAS BEEN AWARDED A GRANT LEAVES BEFORE THE COMPLETION OF ONE YEAR. HE/SHE MAY BE REQUIRED TO REFUND TO GOVERNMENT THE AMOUNT HE/SHE HAS RECEIVED.
A GRANT SHALL BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME IF IN THE OPINION OF THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION THE RECIPIENT FAILS TO MERIT THE AWARD BY REASON OF LACK OF PROGRESS OR UNSATISFACTORY CONDUCT.
A COMPLETED STATUTORY DECLARATION TOGETHER WITH ALL THE REQUIRED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE ATTACHED TO EACH APPLICATION.
THE COMMITTEE WILL NOT MAKE ANY AWARD TO A STUDENT WHOSE PARENT OR GUARDIAN HAS MADE A FALSE DECLARATION OR FAILED TO REVEAL THE INCOME OF THE WHOLE FAMILY. ANY PERSON - WHO MAKES A FALSE STATUTORY DECLARATION IS LIABLE TO PROSECUTION.
STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT BEEN RECEIVING A GRANT DURING THE 1988-89 SCHOOL YEAR BUT HAVE MADE SATISFACTORY PROGRESS IN SECONDARY 6 AND ARE IN NEED OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO COMPLETE THE ADVANCED LEVEL EXAMINATION COURSE IN THE 1989-90 SCHOOL YEAR ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE TO APPLY.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW OBTAINABLE FROM THE OVERSEAS STUDENTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT ROOM 530, FIFTH FLOOR, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY.
COMPLETED FORMS MUST BE RETURNED BY JULY 22 FOR STUDENTS IN SECONDARY 7 AND THE 14TH DAY AFTER THE RELEASE OF THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION RESULTS FOR STUDENTS IN SECONDARY 6.
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SCHOOL LEAVERS GIVEN ADVICE ♦ * ♦ ♦ *
SCHOOL LEAVERS WERE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) GIVEN ADVICE ON HOW TO FACE THE NEW STAGE IN LIFE AHEAD OF THEM BY THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR STEPHEN LAW.
SPEAKING AT THE SPEECH DAY OF THE SALVATION ARMY WILLIAM BOOTH SECONDARY SCHOOL, MR LAW SAID IT WAS NECESSARY FOR THEM TO MAINTAIN A DESIRE TO LEARN ALL THE TIME WHEREVER THEY WERE.
"YOU SHOULD NOT SET YOUR MIND ON WORKING HARD ALONE FOR MATERIAL GAIN OR FURTHER YOUR STUDIES SOLELY FOR BETTER PROSPECT PUT INSTEAD YOU SHOULD LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR SURROUNDINGS, THE COMMUNITY AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE WORLD,” HE SAID.
/"IDEALS CAN .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY J1, 1989
40 -
"IDEALS CAN PREVENT US FROM BECOMING THE SLAVES OF MATERIALISM AND II LP TO PROMOTE CIVILIZATION.
"I HOPE THAT YOU AS SCHOOL LEAVERS WILL LAY DOWN YUR LONG-TERM IDEALS TO DEVELOP A POSITIVE OUTLOOK IN LIFE AND EMBARK ON YOUR FUTURE DAYS WITH MORE ASSURANCE," HE ADDED.
IN ADDITION. MR LAW SAID. IT WAS ALSO NECESSARY FOR STUDENTS TO BE CONFIDENT AND TO CARE FOR AND LOVE OTHERS, NOT ONLY THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS BUT ALSO MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY THE UNDERPRIVILEGED.
HE SUGGESTED THAT SCHOOL LEAVERS SHOULD CULTIVATE SOME INTERESTS IN THEIR SPARE TIME BY TAKING PART IN VARIOUS ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMMES OR INTEREST GROUPS AND ACTIVITIES OFFERED BY YOUTH CENTRES. COMMUNITY CENTRES AND OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANISATIONS.
HE SAID THE SALVATION ARMY HAD BEEN PROVIDING DIVERSIFIED SOCIAL SERVICES IN HONG KONG TO SERVE YOUNG CHILDREN, YOUNGSTERS, THE AGED, THE DISABLED AND OTHER PERSONS IN NEED FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS.
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FSD RECRUITMENT DRIVE AT HOUSING ESTATES *****
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL LAUNCH A FRESH CAMPAIGN IN SHOPPING AREAS AT FIVE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO RECRUIT STATIONS OFFICERS, FIREMEN AND AMBULANCEMEN.
THE CAMPAIGN WILL FORM PART OF THE CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT EXERCISE CARRIED OUT BY THE DEPARTMENT.
RECRUITING CENTRES, EACH EQUIPPED WITH PANELS DISPLAYING COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHS INTRODUCING THE WORK OF THE FIRE SERVICES AND JOBS BEING OFFERED BY THE DEPARTMENT, WILL BE 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 WILL BE MANNED BY FSD STAFF FROM 11 AM TO 7 PM FROM MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS, AND FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF JUNE. THEY WILL BE MOVED TO FIVE OTHER PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES ON A ROTATION BASIS AT A MONTHLY INTERVAL.
SENIOR DIVISIONAL OFFICER OF THE RECRUITMENT, TRAINING AND EXAMINATION GROUP OF THE HEADQUARTERS COMMAND, MR LAM CHUN-MAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE PURPOSE OF SETTING UP THESE CENTRES AT PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WAS TO ATTRACT MORE PEOPLE TO JOIN THE FIRE SERVICES AND TO PROVIDE ON-THE-SPOT ASSISTANCE FOR APPLICANTS TO FILL IN THE FORMS.
/"WE NEED .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY J1, 1989
41
"WE NEED TO UPGRADE OUR RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN BECAUSE ONLY 14 STATION OFFICERS WERE RECRUITED LAST YEAR TO FILL 68 VACANCIES DESPITE CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT EFFORTS," HE SAID.
MF? LAM SAID AT LEAST 98 VACANCIES FOR STATION OFFICERS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO BE FILLED IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
HE ANTICIPATED THAT THERE WOULD ALSO BE 376 VACANCIES FOR FIREMEN, SIX FOR AMBULANCE OFFICERS AND 332 FOR AMBULANCEMEN WHICH NEEDED TO BE FILLED IN THE 1989-90 FINANCIAL YEAR.
"WE ARE OFFERING A CAREER OF VARIETY, INTEREST AND OPPORTUNITY TO YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WISH TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY," HE ADDED.
FOR STATION OFFICERS AND FIREMEN, AN APPLICANT SHOULD BE UNDER 30 YEARS OF AGE. HAVE GOOD PHYSIQUE AND NORMAL EYESIGHT WITHOUT SPECTACLES AND BE ABLE TO SPEAK FLUENT CANTONESE AND READ AND WRITE CHINESE.
HE SHOULD BE 168 CENTIMETRES TALL OR ABOVE AND WEIGHS AT LEAST 55 KILOGRAMS. HIS CHEST MEASUREMENT SHOULD NOT BE LESS THAN 86 CENTIMETRES DEFLATED, WITH AN EXPANSION OF AT LEAST FIVE CENTIMETRES.
THE MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION REQUIRED FOR FIREMEN IS SATISFACTORY' COMPLETION OF FORM III AND APPLICANTS FOR STATION OFFICERS MUST POSSESS AT LEAST FIVE SUBJECTS INCLUDING ENGLISH LANGUAGE (SYLLABUS B) AT GRADE E OR ABOVE IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO JOIN THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AS AN AMBULANCEMAN SHOULD BE UNDER 30 YEARS OF AGE. HAVE GOOD PHYSIQUE AND BE ABLE TO SPEAK FLUENT CANTONESE AND READ AND WRITE CHINESE.
HE SHOULD BE WITHIN THE HEIGHT RANGE OF 165 TO 191 CENTIMETRES AND CORRESPONDING WEIGHT RANGE OF 52 TO 87 KILOGRAM IN A SPECIFIC PROPORTIONAL HEIGHT AND WEIGHT SCALE.
HIS CHEST MEASUREMENT SHOULD NOT BE LESS THAN 84 CENTIMETRES DEFLATED, WITH AN EXPANSION OF AT LEAST FIVE CENTIMETRES.
THE MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION REQUIRED IS SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF FORM III.
THE STARTING SALARY FOR FIREMEN VARIES FROM 84.496 TO 34,940 PER MONTH DEPENDING ON QUALIFICATIONS. AND RISES TO A MAXIMUM OF 87.150. FOR STATION OFFICERS, THE STARTING SALARY VARIES FROM 39,275 TO 811.530, AGAIN DEPENDING ON QUALIFICATIONS. AND THE MAXIMUM SALARY IS 820.490.
THE STARTING SALARY' FOR AN AMBULANCEMAN RANGES FROM $4,355 TO $4,790, DEPENDING ON QUALIFICATIONS, AND RISE TO 86,935.
ALL RECRUITS WILL RECEIVE PROPER TRAINING AT THE FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL AT PAT HEUNG IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
APPLICATION FORMS (GF 340) ARE AVAILABLE AT THE FIRE RECRUITING CENTRES, FIRE STATIONS AND AMBULANCE DEPOTS. AND ALL DISTRICT OFFICES.
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/42........
WEDNESDAY. MAY 31. 1989
- 42 -
SUPERMARKET FINED FOR IMPROPER LABELLING ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REMINDED FOOD MANUFACTURERS. WHOLESALERS AND RETAILERS NOT TO SELL PREPACKAGED FOOD WHICH BORE NO PROPER LABELLING AS REQUIRED BY THE THIRD SCHEDULE OF THE FOOD AND DRUGS (COMPOSITION AND LABELLING) REGULATIONS (CHAPTER 132) .
THE PENALTY FOR CONTRAVENING THE REGULATIONS IS A MAXIMUM FINE OF $25,000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
THE REMINDER FOLLOWS A COURT CASE RECENTLY HEARD IN THE SHA TIN MAGISTRACY IN WHICH A SUPERMAKET IN SHA TIN WAS FINED A TOTAL OF $7,500 FOR SELLING PREPACKAGED FOOD ITEMS NAMELY PRESERVED VEGETABLES AND PRESERVED BLACK BEANS. WHICH HAD NOT BEEN MARKED OR LABELLED WITH THE NAME OR DESIGNATION OF THE FOOD. A LIST OF INGREDIENTS, THE ADDRESS OF THE PACKER. AND THE NUMERICAL COUNT OF THE CONTENTS OR THE NET WEIGHT OF THE FOOD.
THE SUPERMAKET WAS ALSO PENALISED FOR SELLING BONITO • JUICE WITH ITS BOTTLE ONLY MARKED IN JAPANESE, CONTRAVENING THE PARAGRAPH 8 OF THE THIRD SCHEDULE OF THE FOOD AND DRUGS (COMPOSITION AND LABELLING) REGULATIONS WHICH REQUIRES THE LABEL OF PREPACKAGED FOOD TO BE MARKED OR LABELLED IN EITHER THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE OR THE CHINESE LANGUAGE OR IN BOTH.
THE SUPERMAKET WAS PROSECUTED UNDER REGULATIONS 4(A)1 AND 5(1) OF THE REGULATIONS WHICH WAS MADE UNDER SECTION 55 OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE.
IT WAS ALSO ORDERED TO PAY A TOTAL OF SAMPLE COSTS $32.50.
EARLIER THIS MONTH, TWO SIMILAR CASES INVOLVED A RETAILER AND A FOOD MANUFACTURER WHO HAD BEEN PROSECUTED AND FINED FOR SALE OF PREPACKAGED FOOD NOT MARKED OR LABELLED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REGULATIONS.
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AWARD PRESENTATION FOR SAFETY POSTER DESIGN WINNERS
» ♦ ♦ * *
SAFETY
WINNERS IN THE 1988-89 INDUSTRIAL SAFETY COMPETITION FOR STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE THEIR PRIZES AT CEREMONY TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL STUDENTS AGED BETWEEN 14 AND 22 POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS.
POSTER •DESIGN
A PRESENTATION
THE
TO AND
LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND . THE COMPETITION WAS OPEN FROM SECONDARY SCHOOLS
/IT WAS .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY J1, 1989
- -
IT WAS INTENDED TO INSTIL IN YOUNG PEOPLE THE IMPORTANCE OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND TO DEVELOP THEIR DESIGN TALENTS.
SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1968, THE ANNUAL EVENT HAS ATTRACTED VERY FAVOURABLE RESPONSE FROM BOTH SECONDARY AND TERTIARY STUDENTS.
THE COMPETITION WAS SPONSORED BY HO LU KWONG CHARITY FOUNDATION LTD., UNITED BUILDERS INSURANCE CO. LTD., AND MR HO SAI-CHU.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRIZE PRESENTATION TOMORROW (THURSDAY). THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL, MR HO SAI-CHU, AND THE COUNCIL'S VICE-CHAIRMAN, MR K.Y. TONGSON, WILL OFFICIATE.
THE CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT 4 PM IN THE JADE BALLROOM I, HOTEL FURAMA, CENTRAL.
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SHAU KEI WAN CLINIC MOVES » » » » »
THE SHAU KEI WAN MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRE WILL OPERATE FROM ITS NEW ADDRESS AT NO. 1 PO MAN STREET, PERFECT MOUNT GARDENS, SHAU KEI WAN MTR STATION FROM MONDAY (JUNE 5), THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE CENTRE WILL BE AIR-CONDITIONED AND MORE SPACIOUS THAN THE EXISTING ONE AT NO. 8 CHAI WAN ROAD.
IT WILL PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF SERVICES, INCLUDING INFANT AND CHILD HEALTH CARE, IMMUNISATION. COMPREHENSIVE OBSERVATION SERVICE, ANTENATAL AND POSTNATAL CARE, AND FAMILY PLANNING.
THE HOURS OF OPERATION WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.
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/44........
WEDNESDAY, MAY , 19B9
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GOODS VEHICLES RESTRICTION IN CHEUNG SHA WAN *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JUNE 2), FORTUNE STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH FAT TSEUNG STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 174 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED A GOODS VEHICLES URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
WITHIN THE URBAN CLEARWAY. ALL GOODS VEHICLES EXCEPT THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
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POLICE HAVE RESPONDED MAGNIFICENTLY: GOVERNOR ******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) INTERRUPTED HIS BUSY SCHEDULE TO PAY AN IMPROMPTU CALL ON THE POLICE REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS FOR HONG KONG ISLAND TO THANK OFFICERS FOR THE WAY IN WHICH THEY HAD DEALT WITH EVENTS IN HONG KONG OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS OR SO.
"YOU HAVE RESPONDED MAGNIFICENTLY," SIR DAVID TOLD OFFICERS FROM A CROSS SECTION OF THE FORMATIONS WHO HAD POLICED THE VARIOUS MASS RALLIES, DEMONSTRATIONS, MARCHES AND PUBLIC MEETINGS ASSOCIATED WITH STUDENT PROTESTS IN CHINA.
"YOU HAVE, I KNOW, RECEIVED CONGRATULATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC AND FROM THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND ALL OF US FEEL RIGHTLY PROUD OF THE WAY IN WHICH THE FORCE HAS REACTED."
SIR DAVID LIKENED WHAT HAD HAPPENED IN HONG KONG IN THE PASSAGE OF TWO WEEKS TO AN EXERCISE SCENARIO.
"FIRST OF ALL WE HAD 1,000 BOAT PEOPLE ARRIVING IN THE COURSE OF TWO DAYS; THEN THE THREAT OF A TYPHOON AND THE MOVEMENT OF 2,000 PEOPLE FROM FERRIES ONTO DRY LAND. NEXT THE TYPHOON ARRIVED AND WE HAD TO DEAL WITH THIS. THEN MARTIAL LAW WAS DECLARED IN BEIJING AND WE HAD 50,000 DEMONSTRATORS IN THE MIDDLE OF A TYPHOON AND OVER HALF-A-MILLION MARCHERS THE FOLLOWING DAY.
"IF SOMEONE HAD WRITTEN ALL THIS DOWN AS AN EXERCISE SCENARIO WE WOULD HAVE SAID IT WAS WILD EXAGGERATION; REAL LIFE IS NOT LIKE THAT.
"BUT REAL LIFE IN HONG KONG IS ALWAYS STRANGER THAN SCENARIO WRITERS WOULD HAVE IT BE.
/"WE HAVE .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY J1, 1989
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"WE HAVE REASON TO BE PROUD THAT WE TACKLED ALL THESE EVENTS AND CAME THROUGH ON TOP. REASON TO BE PROUD OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG FOR THE WAY THEY BEHAVED IN THE DEMONSTRATIONS.
"IT IS QUITE UNIQUE ROUND THE WORLD THAT SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE DEMONSTRATED WITH SUCH FEELING AND YET WITH REMARKABLY GOOD ORDER."
INTRODUCING THE GOVERNOR, THE REGIONAL COMMANDER HONG KONG ISLAND, MR JOHN CLEMENCE, SAID THAT THOSE PRESENT WERE ACUTELY CONSCIOUS OF THE EXTREME COMPLIMENT THAT SIR DAVID WAS PAYING THEM IN ALTERING A VERY BUSY SCHEDULE TO VISIT THE HEADQUARTERS.
"WHEREAS THOSE HERE TODAY ARE PROUD OF THEIR PERFORMANCE OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS, THEY ARE VERY PROUD OF BEING MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY OF HONG KONG," HE SAID.
"IT IS A COMMUNITY WHICH HAS SHOWN REMARKABLE DISCIPLINE AND COOPERATION WITH THE POLICE WITH THE GREATEST RESTRAINT YET AT THE SAME TIME ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE ITS DEEP FEELING IN RESPECT OF THE EVENTS IN CHINA."
THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR RAYMON ANNING, WHO GREETED THE GOVERNOR ON HIS ARRIVAL, ALSO ADDED HIS CONGRATULATIONS "FOR «A JOB DONE PROFESSIONALLY".
"YOUR EFFORTS HAVE ENHANCED THE REPUTATION OF THE FORCE BOTH FROM THE PUBLIC POINT OF VIEW AND, THROUGH THE MEDIA, IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD," HE ADDED.
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