DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA VISITS HK ............................................. 1
SHIPPING PROFITS MAY BE EXEMPTED FROM TAX ................................
REGISTRATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS STARTS TOMORROW ....................... 4
24-HOUR WATER SUPPLY IN HK CONTINUES .....................................
TENDERS FOR URBAN TAXI LICENCES INVITED .................................. 6
REVISION TO MAC RULES ....................................................
FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN TO LAUNCH ON SUNDAY .............................
CLEAN-UP CAMPAIGN AT MARICULTURE ZONES ...................................
SCHOOL-BASED CURRICULUM PROJECTS EXHIBITION OPENS ........................
TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF RC COMPLEX ........................... 9
CSD AUTUMN FAIR IN STANLEY ...............................................
SSP FESTIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY
10
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1990
1
PRINCESS ALEXANDRA VISITS HK
*****
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WILL ARRIVE TOMORROW (FRIDAY) FOR AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO HONG KONG IN HER CAPACITY AS HONORARY COMMANDANT GENERAL OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE.
ACCOMPANYING HER ON THE VISIT WILL BE THE HON SIR ANGUS OGILVY.
THE FOUR-DAY VISIT WILL BEGIN ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 5) AND THE ROYAL COUPLE WILL DEPART HONG KONG ON NOVEMBER 8.
BECAUSE OF CROWD CONTROL AND SECURITY REQUIREMENTS, THERE WILL BE FIXED PRESS POSITIONS AT ALL PUBLIC FUNCTIONS ATTENDED BY HER ROYAL HIGHNESS. PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE ADVISED TO BRING TELE-PHOTO LENSES. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THESE EVENTS WILL BE ISSUED WITH SPECIAL PRESS BADGES AND WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE USUAL SECURITY CHECKS. THEY ARE URGED TO BE PUNCTUAL AND LATE ARRIVALS MAY BE DENIED ENTRY.
FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF HER ROYAL HIGHNESS’ PUBLIC ENGAGEMENTS AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEDIA COVERAGE :
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2
ARRIVAL AT KAI TAK AIRPORT
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL ARRIVE IN HONG KONG AT 5:30 PM. SHE WILL BE GREETED AT THE AIRPORT BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, AND LADY WILSON.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT THE AIRPORT PRESS ROOM IN THE ARRIVAL HALL NOT LATER THAN 4 PM.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5
GUARD OF HONOUR AND MEDAL PRESENTATION AT POLICE HEADQUARTERS
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL VISIT POLICE HEADQUARTERS AT ARSENAL STREET IN WAN CHAI AT 11 AM TO REVIEW A GUARD OF HONOUR, PRESENT COLONIAL POLICE LONG SERVICE MEDALS AND CLASPS TO 10 SERVING POLICE OFFICERS AND TO OFFICIALLY OPEN ARSENAL HOUSE.
TO FACILITATE LOGISTICAL ARRANGEMENTS, THE POLICE HAVE REQUESTED THAT MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ARRIVE TOGETHER IN ONE GROUP. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE THEREFORE ADVISED TO ASSEMBLE AT THE MAIN CARPARK OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (CGO) AT 10 AM. THERE WILL BE TRANSPORT TO TAKE THEM TO POLICE HEADQUARTERS.
/VISIT TO .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1990
- 2 -
VISIT TO ROYAL H.K. JOCKEY CLUB CENTRE FOR THE BLIND
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL VISIT THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB CENTRE FOR THE BLIND AT 248 NAM CHEONG STREET, SHEK KIP MEI, AT 2.30 PM. THIS MULTI-SERVICE CENTRE INCLUDES A HOME FOR ELDERLY BLIND PEOPLE, A DAY ACTIVITY CENTRE AND HOSTEL FOR THE MENTALLY RETARDED BLIND, A REHABILITATION AND TRAINING CENTRE AND OTHER SUPPORT FACILITIES.
PRESS TRANSPORT WILL LEAVE CGO CARPARK AT 1 PM SHARP. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES MAKING THEIR OWN WAY THERE SHOULD ARRIVE AT THE CENTRE NOT LATER THAN 1.45 PM.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6
RECEPTION AT CULTURAL CENTRE
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL ATTEND A RECEPTION AT THE CULTURAL CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI, AT 11 AM TO MEET COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE EVENT SHOULD ARRIVE AT THE HARBOUR FRONT MAIN ENTRANCE OF CULTURAL CENTRE NOT LATER THAN 10.15 AM.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7
OPENING OF BRITISH GOODS PROMOTION
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF A BRITISH GOODS PROMOTION AT SINCERE DEPARTMENT STORE AT 173 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL AT 10.30 AM.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE AT THE WESTERN ENTRANCE OF SINCERE DEPARTMENT STORE AT WING WO STREET NOT LATER THAN 9.45 AM.
VISIT TO CHILD DAY CARE CENTRE
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL VISIT TING YUK CHEE NURSERY AT PERFECT MOUNT GARDENS, 1 PO MAN STREET, SHAU KEI WAN AT 11.30 AM. THE DAY NURSERY IS ONE OF THE MANY SERVICES AND WELFARE FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN OPERATED BY THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON KAIFONG WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE EVENT ARE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE AT THE NURSERY AT 10.45 AM.
/THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8 ........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1990
- 3 -
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8
DEDICATION OF HONG KONG SCIENCE MUSEUM
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL OFFICIATE AT THE DEDICATION CEREMONY OF THE URBAN COUNCIL’S HONG KONG SCIENCE MUSEUM AT SCIENCE MUSEUM ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST AT 11 AM.
A PRESS COACH WILL LEAVE CGO CARPARK AT 9.30 AM. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES MAKING THEIR WAY THERE ARE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE AT THE SCIENCE MUSEUM NOT LATER THAN 10.15 AM.
DEPARTURE AT KAI TAK AIRPORT
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WILL LEAVE HONG KONG FOR LONDON AT 10.55 PM. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO COVER HER DEPARTURE SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE AIRPORT PRESS ROOM NOT LATER THAN 10.10 PM.
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SHIPPING PROFITS MAY BE EXEMPTED FROM TAX
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED THAT OCEAN-GOING SHIPS REGISTERED ON THE NEW HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER WILL BE EXEMPTED FROM PAYING PROFITS TAX ON THE CARRIAGE OF PASSENGERS, MAIL, LIVESTOCK AND GOODS UPLIFTED IN HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE DECISION IS SUBJECT TO ENACTMENT BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE NECESSARY AMENDMENTS TO THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE AND WOULD TAKE EFFECT FROM THE DATE OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER.
SPEAKING AT THE 40TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE ST. JAMES’ SETTLEMENT THIS AFTERNOON, MRS CHAN SAID THESE EXEMPTIONS WOULD ALSO APPLY IN THE CASE OF PROFITS ARISING FROM THE CHARTER HIRE OF OCEAN-GOING SHIP WHETHER OR NOT THE SHIPS ARE REGISTERED IN HONG KONG.
"HOWEVER, THEY WILL NOT APPLY TO INCOME ARISING FROM JOURNEYS WITHIN HONG KONG TERRITORIAL WATERS AND BETWEEN HONG KONG AND MACAU AND OTHER PLACES WITHIN THE PEARL RIVER DELTA," SHE POINTED OUT, ADDING THAT IN OTHER WORDS THERE WOULD BE NO CHANGE TO THE PRESENT POSITION CONCERNING THE TAXATION OF SUCH INCOME.
TURNING TO THE REASONS FOR INTRODUCING THESE EXEMPTIONS, MRS CHAN SAID THE ACTUAL REVENUE THAT HONG KONG DERIVED FROM TAXATION OF SHIPPING PROFITS WAS IN FACT VERY LOW, AMOUNTING TO ONLY 0.1 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL REVENUE FROM PROFITS TAX.
/THIS IS .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1990
4
THIS IS MAINLY BECAUSE NON-RESIDENT SHIPOWNERS ONLY PAY HONG KONG TAX ON PROFITS FROM THE UPLIFT OF FREIGHT AND PASSENGERS IN HONG KONG AND FROM CHARTER HIRE WHERE THIS IS ARRANGED THROUGH A PERMANENT ESTABLISHMENT IN HONG KONG.
MRS CHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAS LOOKED CAREFULLY AT THE POSITION WITH REGARD TO THE TAXATION OF SHIPPING PROFITS AS A FURTHER MEASURE TO INCREASE THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF THE NEW REGISTER.
"IN SETTING UP THE LEGAL BASE FOR THE NEW SHIPPING REGISTER, OUR PRIMARY AIM HAS BEEN TO ENSURE THAT IT IS DESIGNED FULLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED STANDARDS OF OPERATION WHILE, AT THE SAME TIME, BEING SUFFICIENTLY FLEXIBLE AND COST-EFFECTIVE TO ENCOURAGE SHIPOWNERS TO REGISTER THEIR VESSELS HERE.
"ABOVE ALL WE WANT A GOOD QUALITY REGISTER WHICH IS MANAGED RESPONSIBLY TO THE HIGHEST PROFESSIONAL- STANDARDS: A REGISTER WHICH WILL HELP TO INSPIRE CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG’S CONTINUING FUTURE AS A LEADING CENTRE OF MARITIME COMMERCE INTO THE NEXT CENTURY.
"NOW, AFTER SOME FIVE YEARS OF HARD WORK, WE ARE IN THE FINAL STAGES OF ENACTING LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH THE NEW REGISTER WHICH, SUBJECT TO THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT WEEK, WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON SCHEDULE ON DECEMBER 5 THIS YEAR," SHE SAID.
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REGISTRATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS STARTS TOMORROW
* * * * ♦
HONG KONG’S 30,000 ELECTRICAL WORKERS WILL HAVE TO REGISTER WITH THE GOVERNMENT STARTING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) UNDER NEW REGULATIONS AIMED AT ENSURING ELECTRICAL SAFETY AND QUALITY ASSURANCE FOR CONSUMERS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT IN THE PAST, THERE WAS NO STATUTORY REQUIREMENT FOR ELECTRICAL WORK TO BE PERFORMED UNDER PROPER SUPERVISION.
"THIS, UNDESIRABLY, HAS RESULTED IN SUBSTANDARD WORK BEING CARRIED OUT.
"TO ENSURE THAT FUTURE ELECTRICAL WORK IS ONLY UNDERTAKEN BY QUALIFIED ELECTRICAL WORKERS, A COMPULSORY REGISTRATION SYSTEM IS INTRODUCED UNDER THE ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE 1990," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ALL EXISTING ELECTRICAL WORKERS ENGAGED IN FIXING ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS SHOULD APPLY FOR REGISTRATION WITH THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (EMSD) FROM TOMORROW UNTIL MAY 1, 1992, HE ADDED.
/TO ENCOURAGE........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1990
- 5 -
TO ENCOURAGE EARLY SUBMISSION OE APPLICATIONS DURING THIS 18-MONTH PERIOD, A LONGER INITIAL VALIDITY PERIOD OF REGISTRATION, WHICH LASTS MORE THAN THREE YEARS, WILL BE GIVEN.
THE ORDINANCE ALSO REQUIRED 6,000 EXISTNG ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS TO REGISTER FROM NOVEMBER NEXT YEAR, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"FROM MID-1992, CONSUMERS WILL BE REQUIRED BY LAW TO EMPLOY REGISTERED WORKERS OR REGISTERED CONTRACTORS FOR ELECTRICAL WORK," HE ADDED.
THOSE INTERESTED CAN COLLECT A FREE COPY OF "HOW TO APPLY AS A REGISTERED ELECTRICAL WORKER" LEAFLET FROM ANY DISTRICT OFFICES OR AT THE EMSD COLLECTION OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, 98 CAROLINE HILL ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.
THE LEAFLET OUTLINED THE PROCEDURES AND QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION AS ELECTRICAL WORKERS FOR DIFFERENT GRADES OF ELECTRICAL WORK.
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN PERSON TO THE EMSD COLLECTION OFFICE.
ENQUIRIES ON THE REGISTRATION SYSTEM CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 895 8862.
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24-HOUR WATER SUPPLY IN HK CONTINUES *****
WATER SUPPLY FROM CHINA WILL UNDERGO AN ANNUAL TWO-MONTH SHUT-DOWN PERIOD FOR MAINTENANCE STARTING FROM TODAY (THURSDAY), BUT HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO ENJOY A 24-HOUR WATER SUPPLY DURING THIS PERIOD.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT SAID THIS WAS AN ANNUAL EXERCISE TO FACILITATE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS TO THE SUPPLY SYSTEM BY BOTH SIDES.
"WATER SUPPLY WILL ONLY BE TAPPED FROM LOCAL RESERVOIRS DURING THIS PERIOD, BUT THERE IS NOTHING TO BE ALARMED OF," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
WATER FROM CHINA, WHICH ACCOUNTS FOR MORE THAN 60 PER CENT OF WATER CONSUMED IN THE TERRITORY, WILL RESUME FROM JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR.
"IT IS EXPECTED THAT WATER STORAGE WILL NOT BE VERY SATISFACTORY FOR THIS YEAR AS THE TOTAL RAINFALL RECORDED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY FOR THE FIRST NINE MONTHS AMOUNTED ONLY TO 1,909.2 MILLIMETRES, WHICH WAS SEVEN PER CENT BELOW THE NORMAL LEVEL," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO SAVE WATER.
"SAVING WATER MEANS SAVING MONEY," HE ADDED.
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/6........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1990
- 6 -
TENDERS FOR URBAN TAXI LICENCES INVITED ******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR 150 URBAN TAXI LICENCES.
AT PRESENT, A TOTAL OF 14,600 LICENCES FOR URBAN TAXIS HAD BEEN ALLOCATED.
TENDER FORMS FOR THE NEW LICENCES WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE DEPARTMENT’S PUBLIC VEHICLES SECTION, ROOM 27, MEZZANINE FLOOR, MURRAY ROAD MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 2 MURRAY ROAD, CENTRAL.
TENDERS MUST DEPOSIT $50,000 WITH THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES FOR EACH TAXI LICENCE THEY SEEK. ONE TENDER FORM MAY BE SUBMITTED FOR A NUMBER OF URBAN TAXI LICENCES NOT EXCEEDING 150.
A PUBLIC BALLOT MAY BE HELD TO DETERMINE THE ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS WHICH OFFER THE SAME UNIT PREMIUM.
COMPLETED TENDER FORMS, TOGETHER WITH ORIGINAL DEPOSIT RECEIPTS, SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN DUPLICATE IN SEALED ENVELOPES, ADDRESSED TO THE CHAIRMAN, CENTRAL TENDER BOARD, AND PLACED IN THE TENDER BOX ON THE LOWER GROUND FLOOR OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (EAST WING), LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG BEFORE NOON ON NOVEMBER 16, 1990.
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REVISION TO MAC RULES * * *
MAJOR REVISION
HAS BEEN MADE TO
THE
1988
ARRANGEMENTS
FOR
THEIR
COMMITTEE MODEL RULES TO IMPROVE ARRANGEMENTS FOK I HE STRUCTURE AND OPERATIONS, A SPOKESMAN FOR 1HE CITY TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
MUTUAL AID FORMATION, AND NEW
A
THE CHANGES, WHICH TOOK EFFECT TODAY (NOVEMBER 1), WERE RECOMMENDED BY A CNTA WORKING GROUP SET UP TO REVIEW THE MODEL RULES.
ONE OF THE PRIME REASONS FOR THE REVISION WAS TO TIGHTEN UP REGULATIONS TO MINIMISE THE POSSIBILITY OF MANIPULATION OF THESE BODIES BY PARTIES WITH ULTERIOR MOTIVES.
THE REVISED RULES WOULD ALSO FACILITATE THE FORMATION OF MACS AND CLARIFY SOME EXISTING AMBIGUITIES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
FURTHERMORE, TWO NEW SECTIONS HAD BEEN INCLUDED TO COVER ’FLOOR REPRESENTATIVES’ AND ’CONTRIBUTIONS FROM HOUSEHOLDS’ SPECIFICALLY.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1990
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE REVISED RULE WOULD BE MUCH EASIER TO READ AS SOME OF THEM HAI) BEEN RE-ARRANGED SO THAT ALL THE RELATED REGULATIONS WERE GROUPED UNDER ONE SUBJECT HEADING.
’’ALTERATIONS TO THE REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN QUITE EXTENSIVE AND RANGED FROM FLOOR REPRESENTATION, VOTING IN ELECTIONS TO THE DUTIES OF KEY MAC OFFICE-BEARERS.
"IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE REVISED RULES WILL FACILITATE THE MAC OPERATION AND ENHANCE RESIDENTS’ PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL AFFAIRS," HE SAID.
ANYONE WISHING TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE REVISIONS MAY GET A COPY OF THE REVISED MODEL RULES AT DISTRICT OFFICES.
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FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN TO LAUNCH ON SUNDAY * * * ♦ ♦
PEOPLE WILL LEARN MORE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF FIRE PREVENTION AT HOME FROM A LARGE-SCALE AND ENTERTAINING LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF THE 1990/91 FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 4) AT THE EDINBURGH PLACE IN CENTRAL.
SAFETY TIPS ON KITCHEN-FIRE PREVENTION, WHICH IS THE MAIN THEME OF THIS YEAR’S CAMPAIGN, WILL BE DELIVERED THROUGH STATIC DISPLAYS, A LIVELY CANTONESE PLAY BY WELL-KNOWN RADIO ARTISTES, A VIDEO SHOW AND FIRE FIGHTING DEMONSTRATIONS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO BOARD A FIRE BOAT TO BE BERTHED AT THE QUEEN’S PIER. THEY WILL ALSO HAVE.A CHANCE TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT VARIOUS TYPES OF FIRE ENGINES DISPLAYED AT THE VENUE.
FREE SOUVENIRS, STICKERS AND BOOKLETS CARRYING FIRE PREVENTION MESSAGES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO VISITORS ON THE SPOT.
OTHER PROGRAMMES OF THE CEREMONY WILL INCLUDE PERFORMANCES BY THE TAI TAM GIRL PIPERS AND MARCHING TEAM AND A LION-DANCE BY FIREMEN.
THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR JOHN MARCH, WILL PERFORM THE EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY FOR THE LION-DANCE AT 2 PM TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE CAMPAIGN.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE 1990/91 FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN LAUNCHING CEREMONY AT 2 PM ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 4) AT THE EDINBURGH PLACE IN CENTRAL. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO HELP.
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1990
- 8 -
CLEAN-UP CAMPAIGN AT MARICULTURE ZONES
*****
A CLEAN-UP CAMPAIGN IN THE MARICULTURE ZONES IN SAI KUNG WILL BE LAUNCHED IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS TO ALERT FISH FARMERS THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THE ENVIRONMENT CLEAN.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CAMPAIGN AT LEUNG SHUEN WAN PIER, SAI KUNG, TODAY (THURSDAY), THE CONVENER OF SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S WORKING GROUP ON KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN, MR EDWARD PONG, SAID HIGH-VALUED FISH REARING IN NET CAGES HAD BEEN A GROWING INDUSTRY ALONG HONG KONG’S COASTAL WATERS FOR THE PAST TWO DECADES.
ITS RAPID DEVELOPMENT HAD GIVEN RISE TO A NUMBER OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS, SUCH AS POLLUTION OF THE ZONES’ COASTAL AREAS BY LITTERS DUMPED BY FISH FARMERS.
"THE WHOLE-HEARTED SUPPORT OF FISHERMEN IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE TO THE SUCCESS OF THE CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS, AND IT IS ONLY THROUGH CLOSE COOPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE FISHERMEN THAT THE MARICULTURE INDUSTRY CAN FURTHER BE DEVELOPED," MR PONG SAID.
CURRENTLY, THERE ARE 28 MARICULTURE ZONES IN HONG KONG, EIGHT OF THEM ARE LOCATED IN SAI KUNG.
THE MARICULTURE INDUSTRY IN SAI KUNG HAS BEEN IN OPERATION SINCE EARLY 1970’S. THERE ARE, AT PRESENT, 396 LICENSED OPERATORS.
FISH PRODUCTION LAST YEAR AMOUNTED TO 933 TONNES, MOST WERE OF HIGH-VALUED SPECIES LIKE GOLD-LINED SEABREAM, RUSSELL’S SNAPPER, BROWN-SPOTTED GROUPER AND RED GROUPER.
THE CLEAN-UP CAMPAIGN, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AND THE SAI KUNG FISHERMEN ASSOCIATION, WAS PART OF A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDED SENIOR FISHERY OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, DR PATSY WONG; SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR FREDERICK TONG; SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WILLIAM WAN; AND REGIONAL'COUNCILLORS, MR WONG SHIU-SANG AND MR WAN YUET-KAU.
- - 0----------
Z9 ........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1990
9
SCHOOL-BASED CURRICULUM PROJECTS EXHIBITION OPENS
*****
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL BE ORGANISING A FOUR-DAY EXHIBITION ON SCHOOL-BASED CURRICULEM PROJECTS TO AROUSE TEACHERS’ INTEREST AND TO GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE EXPERIENCE IN THIS FIELD.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN FROM 11 AM TO 6 PM ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 3) AND FROM 9.30 AM TO 6 PM BETWEEN NOVEMBER 5 AND 7.
EXHIBITS ON A WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS WILL BE PUT ON DISPLAY.
THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR JOHN WINFIELD, CHAIRMAN OF THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, MR SO KWOK-WING, AND CHAIRMAN OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF THE SCHOOL-BASED CURRICULUM PROJECT SCHEME, MR TAM MAN-KWAN, WILL JOINTLY OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT THE TEACHERS’ CENTRE ON SATURDAY.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1989/90 SCHOOL-BASED CURRICULUM PROJECTS EXHIBITION TO BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG TEACHERS’ CENTRE, 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT, AT 10.30 AM ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 3).
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TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF RC*COMPLEX ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A REGIONAL COUNCIL COMPLEX AT MUI WO, LANTAU ISLAND.
WHEN COMPLETED, THE COMPLEX WILL HOUSE MULTI-PURPOSE GAMES HALL, A MINI-LIBRARY, TWO SQUASH FOR FITNESS TRAINING AND DANCING.
A MARKET, A COURTS AND ROOMS
WORK ON THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN NEXT JANUARY AND BE
COMPLETED IN JUNE 1992.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON NOVEMBER 9, 1990.
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/10........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1990
- 10 -
CSD AUTUMN FAIR IN STANLEY * * * * *
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT A BARGAIN SALE AT THE AUTUMN FAIR WILL BE HELD BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (CSD) IN STANLEY ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 3).
A CSD SPOKESMAN SAID A WIDE RANGE OF PRODUCTS, INCLUDING STUFFED TOYS, HANDICRAFTS, RATTAN AND WOODEN FURNITURE, WOULD BE ON SALE AT THE FAIR.
THE PRODUCTS ARE MADE BY INMATES OF VARIOUS PENAL INSTITUTIONS IN THEIR SPARE TIME.
’’THE FAIR IS AN ANNUAL EVENT ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CHARITABLE PURPOSE AND IS AN ESTABLISHED PART OF OUR LONG-TERM COMMITMENT AND CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID MORE THAN 10,000 PEOPLE ATTENDED THE FAIR AND OVER HALF-A-MILLION DOLLARS WERE RAISED LAST YEAR.
THE FAIR WILL BE HELD BETWEEN NOON AND 5 PM AT THE FOOTBALL FIELD NEXT TO STANLEY PRISON. ADMISSION IS FREE.
AN EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBER, MRS RITA FAN, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AT NOON.
AS PARKING PLACES ARE LIMITED, VISITORS ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
THEY CAN TAKE BUS NOS. 6 OR 260 (FROM CENTRAL), NO. 73 (FROM WAH FU ESTATE), NO. 63 (FROM NORTH POINT) OR NO. 14 (FROM SAI WAN HO).
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SSP FESTIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY
*****
A VARIETY SHOW WILL BE HELD AT THE MAPLE SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 4) TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE PO DISTRICT FESTIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY.
STREET PLAYGROUND ON MONTH-LONG SHAM SHUI
ORGANISED BY A WORKING GROUP UNDER THE SHAM SHUT BOARD’S COMMUNITY WELFARE COMMITTEE, THE ™STIVAL ISAN TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY RESPECT AND CARE FOR THE ELDERLY.
PO DISTRICT
ANNUAL EVENT
/THE FESTIVAL .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1990
- 11 -
THE FESTIVAL WILL INCLUDE A VARIETY OF PROGRAMMES SUCH AS A CANTONESE OPERA SHOW, A LARGE-SCALE EYE-CARE CAMPAIGN ORGANISED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING SENIOR CITIZENS IN THE DISTRICT AND THOSE WHO HAVE DEVOTED GREAT EFFORT IN CARING FOR THE AGED.
THE VARIETY SHOW WILL FEATURE GROUP SINGING, FOLK-DANCE AND CHINESE MARTIAL ARTS DEMONSTRATION BY SENIOR CITIZENS AS WELL AS PERFORMANCE BY THE CHILDREN'S CHOIR OF THE SHAM SHUI PO ARTS ASSOCIATION.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALAN FUNG; DEPUTY DISTRICT COMMANDER OF POLICE, MR NG MAN-KIM; DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, MISS JOY CHAN AND CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING GROUP ON THE FESTIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY, MR LEUNG KAM-TAO.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FESTIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY TO BE HELD AT THE MAPLE STREET PLAYGROUND’AT 4 PM ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 4).
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR CONGRATULATES YWCA FOR ITS COMMUNITY WORKS ........................... 1
GOVT IS ACTIVELY PREPARING FOR 1991 ELECTIONS ................................. 2
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY FOR AUGUST 1990 RELEASED ........... 3
CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT STATISTICS FOR 2ND QUARTER OF 1990 ........................ 5
BANKING LICENCE GRANTED TO DEVELOPMENT BANK OF SINGAPORE ...................... 7
FINAL REPORT ON LIVESTOCK WASTE TREATMENT SYSTEMS ............................. 8
CENSUS TO TAKE PLACE NEXT MARCH ...........................................
ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE CAME INTO EFFECT TODAY ..............................
MAKING BEST USE OF CHARITABLE TRUST FUNDS .................................... 10
LARGE-SCALE SEMINAR FOR 1991 ELECTIONS ...................•'.................. 12
AMENDMENTS TO DRAFT FANLING/SHEUNG SHUI OZP ANNOUNCED ........................ 13
552 VRS LEFT HK FOR OVERSEAS RESETTLEMENT .................................... 14
EYE-CARE CAMPAIGN IN SHAM SHUI PO ............................................ 14
SWITCHING-ON CEREMONY TO KICK OFF YAU TSIM FESTIVAL .......................... 15
EXHIBITION ON EMPLOYMENT LAW ................................................. 16
MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION ACTIVITIES FOR SAI KUNG RESIDENTS .................... 17
CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION IN TAI PO ......................................... 17
RECLAMATION LOT FOR SALE BY TENDER ........................................... 18
AGRICULTURAL LOTS IN TUEN MUN TO BE RESUMED .................................. 19
A SECTION OF KOK CHEUNG STREET IN MONG KOK TO BE RESUMED AND REBUILT ......... 19
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1990
GOVERNOR CONGRATULATES YWCA FOR ITS COMMUNITY WORKS
******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THERE IS PROBABLY NO BETTER WAY TO ENCOURAGE A SENSE OF BELONGING IN A COMMUNITY THAN BY ENCOURAGING ITS MEMBERS TO CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG YWCA NEW HEADQUARTERS AT MACDONNELL ROAD, SIR DAVID SAID THE YWCA DID THIS IN A GREAT MANY WAYS.
"AFTER ITS FORMATION IN 1920, THE YWCA HELPED PIONEER THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE IN HONG KONG. SINCE THEN, IT HAS EXPANDED RAPIDLY," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE YWCA OFFERED HELPS IN YOUTH WORK, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, WELFARE SERVICES FOR WOMEN AND THE ELDERLY, ADULT AND FAMILY EDUCATION, IN ADDITION TO THE PROVISION OF REASONABLY PRICED ACCOMMODATION.
BY DOING ALL THESE, SIR DAVID SAID IT HELPED TO STRENGTHEN THE SOCIAL BONDS WHICH WERE SO IMPORTANT TO THE STABILITY AND WELL-BEING OF HONG KONG PEOPLE.
AS A MONUMENT TO ITS 70 YEARS OF COMMITMENT AND ACHIEVEMENT, THE YWCA NEW HEADQUARTERS BUILDING OPENED TODAY OFFERED A GOOD RANGE OF FACILITIES FROM DANCING ROOMS, A CHAPEL, CLASSROOMS TO A SWIMMING POOL.
"IN OTHER WORDS, THERE ARE FACILITIES HERE TO DEVELOP A WELL-ROUNDED INDIVIDUAL THROUGH EDUCATION, RECREATION AND CARE FOR OTHERS," SIR DAVID SAID.
HOWEVER, THE GOVERNOR SAID THIS BUILDING .WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT VERY SUBSTANTIAL DONATIONS FROM WELL-WISHERS AND THE PUBLIC.
"THE SUCCESS OF THE FUND-RAISING IS A MARK OF THE RESPECT PEOPLE HAVE FOR THE YWCA, AS WELL AS A DEMONSTRATION OF THE GENEROSITY AND WILLINGNESS TO HELP WHICH IS A NOTABLE FEATURE OF HONG KONG," SIR DAVID STRESSED.
SIR DAVID SAID THE YWCA WAS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF CHRISTIANITY AT WORK IN THE COMMUNITY AND HE CONGRATULATED THE ASSOCIATION ON ITS IMPRESSIVE ACHIEVEMENT.
"I HOPE THAT THE OFFICES IN THIS NEW BUILDING WILL PROVIDE AN ENVIRONMENT WHICH INSPIRES PLANS FOR STILL MORE ACTIVITIES, AND STILL FURTHER EXPANSION.
"IN THIS WAY, THE YWCA WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE, ENCOURAGE AND INSPIRE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG BY ITS GOOD WORKS LONG INTO THE FUTURE," HE SAID.
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/2 ........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1990
2
GOVT IS ACTIVELY PREPARING FOR 1991 ELECTIONS ******
THE GOVERNMENT IS ACTIVELY MAKING PREPARATION FOR THE ELECTIONS IN 1991, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR DARWIN CHEN, SAID AT A LUNCHEON MEETING TODAY (FRIDAY).
MR CHEN SAID SIX AMENDMENT BILLS WERE SUBMITTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TN JULY AND THE CORRESPONDING AMENDMENTS TO THE SUBSIDARY LEGISLATION WERE ALSO EXPECTED TO BE ENACTED WITHIN THIS YEAR, BEFORE THE NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS BEGAN ON JANUARY 7, 1991.
ON THE LOGISTICS OF THE ELECTIONS, MR CHEN SAID A TOTAL OF 356 POLLING STATIONS WOULD BE REQUIRED FOR THE COMING ELECTIONS.
"AN IDEAL POLLING STATION MUST BE SPACIOUS, CENTRALLY LOCATED AND CLOSE TO THE MAIN AREA OF POPULATION," HE SAID, "HOWEVER, NOT ALL CONSTITUENCIES HAVE /HE SAME GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES AND DISTRIBUTION OF COMMUNITY FACITLITIES.
"THE POLLING STATIONS ARE DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, EVEN AT REMOTE PLACES LIKE PO TOI ISLAND AND THE VILLAGES AT NORTHERN LANTAU.
"OWING TO THE REMOTENESS OF THESE AREAS, THE POLLING STAFF AVE TO ARRIVE AT THE DESIGNATED POLLING STATIONS THE DAY BEFORE TO MAKE THE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS SO THAT POLLING CAN START AT 7.30 AM ON POLLING DAY.
HOWEVER, MANY CIVIL SERVANTS, INCLUDING MANY SENIOR IN RANK, WERE QUITE HAPPY TO SERVE AT THESE REMOTE POLLING STATIONS, MR CHEN SAID.
"AS THE POLLING STATIONS ARE SET UP TEMPORARILY, ALL THE FACILITIES, SUCH AS THE INSTALLATION OF LIGHTING AND TELEPHONE AND THE ASSEMBLY OF POLLING EQUIPMENT, HAVE TO BE MADE READY WITHIN A VERY SHORT SPAN OF TIME IN ORDER NOT TO CAUSE ANY DISRUPTION TO THE NORMAL ACTIVITIES AT THESE PREMISES.
"GENERALLY, OVER 100 ITEMS ARE DISTRIBUTED, VARYING FROM A PACK OF THUMB PINS AND A BOX OF MOSQUITO COIL TO SET OF POLLING COMPARTMENTS."
MR CHEN SAID ABOUT 5,000 STAFF RECRUITED FROM WITHIN THE CIVIL SERVICE WOULD BE REQUIRED ON POLLING DAY TO MAN THE POLLING STATIONS AND TO COUNT VOTES.
TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE INCREASE IN THE SIZE OF THE ELECTORATE AND THE FREQUENCY OF ELECTIONS, THE GOVERNMENT HAD ASSESSED WHETHER IT WAS BETTER TO CONTINUE RELYING ON MANUAL PRACTICES OR TO COMPUTERISE POLLING AND VOTE COUNTING.
/HE POINTED .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1990
- 3 -
HE POINTED OUT THAT COMPUTERISATION IS TECHNICALLY FEASIBLE, HOWEVER, A FULL COMPUTERISED SYSTEM WOULD COST ABOUT $200 MILLION.
"AS ELECTIONS ARE CONDUCTED ONCE EVERY FOUR YEARS, IT NECESSARY TO WEIGH CAREFULLY WHETHER SUCH AS INVESTMENT IS VALUE MONEY BEARING IN MIND THAT THE EQUIPMENT MAY LIE IDLE FOR MOST OF TIME," HE EXPLAINED.
IS FOR THE
"FURTHER EXAMINATION IS THEREFORE REQUIRED, ESPECIALLY TO EXPLORE THE FEASIBILITY OF SHARING SUCH A SYSTEM WITH OTHER USERS IN THE GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY FOR AUGUST 1990 RELEASED *****
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN AUGUST 1990, ESTIMATED AT $9,556 MILLION, INCREASED BY SEVEN PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1989 WHILE THEIR VOLUME REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARING WITH AUGUST 1989, RETAIL SALES OF FUELS ROSE BY 23 PER CENT IN VALUE AND SIX PER CENT IN VOLUME, WHILE RETAIL SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO WENT UP BY 17 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 10 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLES INCREASED BY 19 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 12 PER CENT IN VOLUME. CLOTHING,. FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS ROSE BY' 15 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND FIVE PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
RETAIL SALES OF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS DECREASED BY FIVE PER CENT IN VALUE AND 11 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, RETAIL SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS WENT UP BY 24 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 15 PER CENT IN VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 15 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 11 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. SUPERMARKET SALES ROSE BY 13 PER CENT IN VALUE AND THREE PER CENT IN VOLUME. SALES OF DEPARTMENT STORES WENT UP BY 11 PER CENT-IN VALUE AND TWO PER CENT IN VOLUME.
COMPARING THE PERIOD JANUARY TO AUGUST 1990 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989, TOTAL RETAIL SALES INCREASED BY SIX PER CENT IN VALUE BUT REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED IN VOLUME. FUELS ROSE BY 17 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND TWO PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO WENT UP BY 13 PER CENT IN VALUE AND SIX PER CENT IN VOLUME.
/ON THE ........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1990
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, CONSUMER DURABLES INCREASED BY SEVEN PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND THREE PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME, WHILE SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS ROSE BY FOUR PER CENT IN VALUE BUT DROPPED BY THREE PER CENT IN VOLUME.
RETAIL SALES OF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY TWO PER CENT IN VALUE BUT DECREASED BY THREE PER CENT IN VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, RETAIL SALES OF SUPERMARKETS WENT UP BY 20 PER CENT IN VALUE AND NINE PER CENT IN VOLUME. DEPARTMENT STORES SALES ROSE BY 12 PER CENT IN VALUE AND FOUR PER CENT IN VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY NINE PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND SIX PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME, WHILE RETAIL SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS ROSE BY FIVE PER CENT IN VALUE BUT DROPPED BY TWO PER CENT IN VOLUME.
COMPARING WITH JULY 1990, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RETAIL SALES FOR AUGUST 1990 DECREASED BY THREE PER CENT IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF FUELS WENT UP BY FIVE PER CENT IN VALUE AND TWO PER CENT IN VOLUME, WHILE THAT OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO WENT DOWN BY TWO PER CENT IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS INCREASED BY SIX PER CENT IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME, WHILE CONSUMER DURABLES ROSE BY TWO PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND ONE PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME.
RETAIL SALES OF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS DECREASED BY SEVEN PER CENT IN VALUE AND EIGHT PER CENT IN VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, SALES IN DEPARTMENT STORES INCREASED BY THREE PER CENT IN VALUE AND FOUR PER CENT IN VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS ROSE BY TWO PER CENT IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND SALES VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS WENT UP BY ONE PER CENT IN VALUE BUT REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED IN VOLUME, WHILE THAT OF SUPERMARKETS WENT DOWN BY THREE PER CENT IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL RETAIL SALES FIGURE FOR JULY 1990 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR AUGUST 1990.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES IN JULY 1990 AND AUGUST 1990 (A) FOR ALL RETAIL TRADES, (B) BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS AND (C) BY SELECTED TRADES (WHICH FORM PART OF THE RET,EVANT MAJOR TRADE GROUPS), WITH AVERAGE RETAIL SALES FROM OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 TAKEN AS 100. COMPARISONS OF AUGUST 1990 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR JULY 1990 AND WITH THOSE FOR AUGUST 1989, AND COMPARISONS OF RETAIL SALES IN THE PERIOD JANUARY TO AUGUST 1990 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989, ARE ALSO GIVEN.
/THE REPORT .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1990
- 5 -
REP0RT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OF AUGUST 1990 IS N°W °N SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, AT$1 PER
SURVEY GROUND COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE WHOL SALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 802 1258.
SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE
DIRECTED TO
OF THE CENSUS
THE AND
--------0---------
CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT STATISTICS FOR 2ND QUARTER OF 1990
******
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN TRACTORS (WHICH MAY BE GENERAL CONTRACTORS OR SPECIAL TRADE I .UILACTORS) IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990 AMOUNTED TO $14,921 MILLION, WHICH WAS 8.2 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990 AND 25.2 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1989, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
MAIN CONTRACTORS MAY BE GENERAL CONTRACTORS OR SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS. WHEREAS GENERAL CONTRACTORS ARE ENGAGED IN NEW CONSTRUCTION WORK AND RENOVATION AND MAINTENANCE, SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS ARE ENGAGED IN SPECIALISED JOB AREAS SUCH AS CONCRETING, SCAFFOLDING, CARPENTRY, PLUMBING AND GAS WORK.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT THE INCREASE OF 25.2 PER CENT IN THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990 OVER THE SAME QUARTER IN 1989 WAS PARTLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE INCREASE IN CONSTRUCTION COSTS.
NEVERTHELESS, AFTER DISCOUNTING THE COST INCREASES, THE REAL GROWTH IN THE VOLUME OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED SHOULD STILL BE SIGNIFICANT.
THE INDEX OF GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990 WAS 226.5, WITH THE QUARTERLY AVERAGE OF 1982 BEING TAKEN AS 100. THE CORRESPONDING INDEXES FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990 AND THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1989 WERE 209.4 AND 180.9 RESPECTIVELY.
/OF THE ........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1990
6 -
OF THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990, $13,775 MILLION WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO WORK PERFORMED BY GENERAL CONTRACTORS. THIS WAS 7.7 PER CENT AND 26 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1989 RESPECTIVELY.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS WAS $1,146 MILLION, WHICH WAS 14.4 PER CENT AND 15.4 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1989 RESPECTIVELY.
OF THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY GENERAL CONTRACTORS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990, $6,937 MILLION WAS RELATED TO NEW CONSTRUCTION WORK AT PRIVATE SECTOR CONSTRUCTION SITES, BEING 9.6 PER CENT AND 11.9 PER CENT HIGHER THAN TN THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1989 RESPECTIVELY.
SOME $3,904 MILLION WAS RELATED TO NEW CONSTRUCTION WORK AT PUBLIC SECTOR (INCLUDING THE GOVERNMENT, MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION) CONSTRUCTION SITES, REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF 0.7 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER BUT AN INCREASE OF 30.1 PER CENT OVER THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1989.
THE REMAINING $2,934 MILLION WAS RELATED TO NEW CONSTRUCTION WORK AT MINOR WORK LOCATIONS, AND RENOVATION AND MAINTENANCE AT ERECTED BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES. THIS WAS 15.8 PER CENT AND 69.7 PER •T HIGHER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1989 RESPECTIVELY.
WHEN ANALYSED BY END-USE OF BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES, THE GROSS V'L UE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES IN RESPECT OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS (INCLUDING COMBINED RESIDENTIAL AND NON-RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS) IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990 WAS $4,829 MILLION.
THIS REPRESENTED INCREASES OF 16.8 PER CENT AND 21.1 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1989 RESPECTIVELY.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES IN RESPECT OF COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990 WAS $1,909 MILLION, REPRESENTING INCREASES OF 3.6 PER CENT AND 34.6 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1989 RESPECTIVELY.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES IN RESPECT OF TRANSPORT PROJECTS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990 WAS $1,483 MILLION, REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF 11.5 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER BUT AN INCREASE OF 2.3 PER CENT OVER THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1989.
/OWING TO .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1990
OWING TO THE WIDESPREAD SUB-CONTRACTING PRACTICE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, A CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENT CAN BE CONTRACTOR FOR ONE CONTRACT AND A SUB-CONTRACTOR FOR ANOTHER SIMULTANEOUSLY.
IN THE
A MAIN
CONTRACT
PLAY
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS (WHICH MAY BE GENERAL CONTRACTORS OR SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS) REFERS TO THE OUTPUT OF THOSE CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE PROJECTS IN WHICH THEY TAKE THE ROLE OF A MAIN CONTRACTOR, DOES NOT INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT OF PROJECTS IN WHICH THE ROLE OF SUB-CONTRACTORS.
AND THEY
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 STATISTICS ON CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT ARE GIVEN IN THE 'REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT, 2ND QUARTER 1990". ’
THE REPORT IS NOW ON SALE AT $2.50 A COPY AT THE GOVZRL’L'L;;? PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, OR AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS WANCHAI TOWER I,
THE
GOVERNMENT
SUBSCRIPTION MAY
19TH FLOOR, 12 HARBOUR ALSO BE ARRANGED.
ROAD, WAN
SALES
CHAI .
COUNTER, REGULAR
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 ON TEL. 839 3265.
--------0 - -
BANKING LICENCE GRANTED TO DEVELOPMENT BANK OF SINGAPORE * * * * *
THE DEVELOPMENT BANK OF SINGAPORE LTD. HAS BEEN GRANTED A BANKING LICENCE TO CONDUCT BUSINESS IN HONG KONG, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE DEVELOPMENT BANK OF SINGAPORE IS THE LARGEST SINGAPOREAN BANK, AND 139TH IN THE WORLD IN TERMS OF CAPITAL. IT HAS A REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE, A DEPOSIT-TAKING SUBSIDIARY AND A STOCKBROKING SUBSIDIARY IN HONG KONG.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE CONTINUING INTEREST OF FOREIGN BANKS IN ENTERING THE LOCAL MARKET REFLECTED HONG KONG’S ROLE AS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE.
"GIVEN THE IMPORTANCE OF HONG KONG’S BILATERAL TRADE WITH SINGAPORE, IT IS MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL FOR SINGAPORE TO HAVE AN APPROPRIATE REPRESENTATION IN THE HONG KONG BANKING SECTOR," HE SAID.
THE GRANTING OF THE LICENCE BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF LICENSED BANKS TO 167, OF WHICH 137 ARE INCORPORATED OUTSIDE HONG KONG. A TOTAL OF FOUR BANKING LICENCES HAVE BEEN GRANTED SO FAR THIS YEAR.
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/8........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1990
- 8 -
6 FINAL REPORT ON LIVESTOCK WASTE TREATMENT SYSTEMS ******
THE FINAL REPORT OF THE CONSULTANCY PROJECT ON "DEMONSTRATION WASTE TREATMENT PLANTS AT LIVESTOCK FARMS" HAS BEEN ISSUED TO MEMBERS
OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONSULTATION TODAY (FRIDAY).
DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE FOR
COPIES OF THE REPORT HAVE MEMBERS.
ALSO BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO OMELCO
THE CONSULTATION WILL LAST FOR TWO MONTHS DECEMBER.
UNTIL THE END OF
THE PROJECT WAS UNDERTAKEN BY CONSULTANTS SETTING UP OF LIVESTOCK WASTE TREATMENT SYSTEMS PRIVATE FARMS.
AND INCLUDED THE IN NINE SELECTED
IN THE FINAL REPORT, THE CONSULTANT CONCLUDED THAT DEMONSTRATION WASTE TREATMENT SYSTEMS SHOULD BE TECHNICALLY
ALL THE FEASIBLE.
ooTrmrv™! CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE IS A FORMAL COMMUNICATION CHANNEL BETWEEN THE LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY AND THE GOVERNMENT ON MATTERS CONCERNING IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME
NOTE TO EDITORS:
COPIES OF THE FINAL REPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT ON 24TH FLOOR SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI -----
TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
CENSUS TO TAKE PLACE NEXT MARCH *****
THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL HAS DIRECTED UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS (1991 POPULATION CENSUS) ORDER 1990 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY), THAT A CENSUS OF POPULATION WILL BE TAKEN FOR HONG KONG FROM MARCH 15 TO 24 NEXT YEAR.
"THE PURPOSE OF THE CENSUS IS TO OBTAIN INFORMATION ON THE DEMOGRAPHIC, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION IN HONG KONG AT THE TIME THE CENSUS IS TAKEN,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1990
THE SPOKESMAN SAID SUCH INFORMATION IS VITAL FOR GOVERNMENT PLANNING, PARTICULARLY IN SUCH AREAS AS HOUSING, EDUCATION, TRANSPORT, MEDICAL AND HEALTH, AND SOCIAL SERVICES. IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR BUSINESS AND RESEARCH PURPOSES.
UNDER THE CENSUS ORDER, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE OBLIGED BY LAW TO GIVE THE PARTICULARS SPECIFIED IN THE SCHEDULE IN RESPECT OF HIMSELF OR YOUNG PERSONS UNDER HIS GUARDIANSHIP TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS.
ALSO INCLUDED IN THE ORDER IS THE DATE FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF THE SCHEDULES.
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS REQUIRED TO DESTROY ALL COMPLETED QUESTIONAIRES NOT LATER THAN MARCH 23, 1992, THAT IS, WITHIN THE YEAR AFTER THE CONDUCT OF 1991 CENSUS.
’’MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN REST ASSURED THAT INFORMATION PROVIDED UNDER THE CENSUS ORDER WILL BE KEPT IN STRICT CONFIDENCE. NO OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS OR ORGANISATIONS ARE ALLOWED ACCESS TO THE CENSUS DATA SUPPLIED BY INDIVIDUALS. ALL CENSUS OFFICERS ARE REQUIRED BY LAW NOT TO DISCLOSE SUCH INFORMATION TO ANY UNAUTHORISED PERSONS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
PREPARATION FOR THE 1991 CENSUS ARE IN FULL SWING. THE RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN FOR TEMPORARY ENUMERATION STAFF HAS JUST BEEN COMPLETED AND THE TRAINING PROGRAMME WILL START SHORTLY.
THE SPOKESMAN APPEALED TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FOR COOPERATION AND SUPPORT TO MAKE THE 1991 CENSUS A SUCCESS.
- - 0 - -
ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE CAME INTO EFFECT TODAY
*****
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE 1990 AND ITS SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS CAME INTO EFFECT TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE LEGISLATION IS AIMED AT IMPROVING THE SAFE USE OF ELECTRICITY IN PARTICULAR THE SAFETY STANDARDS OF FIXED ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS.
DETAILS OF THE PROVISIONS WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.
THE PROVISIONS THAT BECAME EFFECTIVE INCLUDE:
* THE POWER OF THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES TO REMOVE ANY ITEM FOR EXAMINATION FROM AN ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION AFTER AN ACCIDENT, TO REQUIRE ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION OWNERS TO RECTIFY SUBSTANDARD
INSTALLATIONS AND TO DISCONNECT DANGEROUS ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS;
/* THE POWER
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1990
- 10 -
* THE POWER OF ELECTRICITY SUPPLIERS TO INSPECT AND
DISCONNECT ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS AND TO REQUIRE
ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION OWNERS TO RECTIFY PROBLEM;
* OBLIGATION OF ELECTRICITY SUPPLIERS TO REPORT ELECTRICAL ACCIDENTS AND INTERRUPTIONS;
* RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OWNERS OF ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS OF ELECTRICAL ACCIDENT PREVENTION; AND
* ELECTRICAL REGISTRATION.
UNDER THE ORDINANCE, A COMPULSORY REGISTRATION SYSTEM IS INTRODUCED TO ENSURE THAT ALL FUTURE ELECTRICAL WORK WILL AND ONLY BE UNDERTAKEN BY QUALIFIED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS. THE REGISTRATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS ALSO BEGAN TODAY.
FROM MID-1992, OWNERS OF ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS WILL BE REQUIRED TO EMPLOY REGISTERED WORKERS THROUGH THE ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS FOR CARRYING OUT ELECTRICAL WORK.
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE ORDINANCE AND REGULATIONS MAY RESULT IN A FINE OF $50,000 ON FIRST CONVICTION AND A FINE OF $100,000 ON A SUBSEQUENT CONVICTION FOR THE SAME OFFENCE AND IN ZITHER CASE IS LIABLE TO IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS.
--------0-----------
MAKING BEST USE OF CHARITABLE TRUST FUNDS
* * ♦ ♦ * *
AT PRESENT THERE ARE 11 CHARITABLE TRUST FUNDS FOR WHICH THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS INCORPORATED ACTS AS TRUSTEE, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
MR TSAO SAID ALL THESE FUNDS ARE USED FOR HELPING PEOPLE IN NEED ACCORDING TO THE OBJECTIVES OF ESTABLISHMENT.
SPEAKING AT THE LUNCHEON OF THE ASSOCIATION OF PAST CHAIRMEN OF TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, MR TSAO SAID EIGHT OF THEM ARE STATUTORY FUNDS GOVERNED BY ORDINANCES.
THEY ARE BREWIN TRUST FUND, SIR ROBERT BLACK TRUST FUND, GRANTHAM SCHOLARSHIPS FUND, LI PO CHUN CHARITABLE TRUST FUND, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE TRUST FUND, SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FUND, CHINESE TEMPLES FUND AND GENERAL CHINESE CHARITIES FUND.
’’THE ASSET VALUE OF EACH OF THESE CHARITABLE TRUST FUNDS IS SUBSTANTIAL; THAT OF THE LI PO CHUN CHARITABLE TRUST FUND, FOR ONE, HAS GROWN FROM AN INITIAL HK$3 MILLION TO HK$200 MILLION IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR.”
/"THAT IS .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1990
- 11 -
"THAT IS WHY I, AS THE TRUSTEE AND THE CHAIRMAN OR MEMBER OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES OF THESE CHARITABLE TRUST FUNDS, HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT THEY ACHIEVE STEADY AND CONTINUOUS GROWTH THROUGH PRUDENT INVESTMENT AND ARE APPROPRIATELY UTILISED ACCORDING TO THE RESPECTIVE OBJECTIVES OF THE FUNDS AND THE NEEDS OF THE SOCIETY, SO THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG MAY TRULY BENEFIT FROM THE FUNDS," MR TSAO SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ALL STATUTORY FUNDS HAD PRESENTLY SET UP THEIR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE ORDINANCES. MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEES ARE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR TO ADVISE ON MATTERS OF INVESTMENT AND THE AWARD OF GRANTS.
"FOR THE SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE TRUST FUND AND THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FUND, INVESTMENT MATTERS ARE EVEN PLACED IN THE HANDS OF INDEPENDENT INVESTMENT CONSULTANTS CLOSELY MONITORED BY THE RESPECTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES OF THE FUNDS."
"ALTHOUGH ALL INVESTMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO A CERTAIN RISK, EACH AND EVERY FINANCIAL INVESTMENT MADE ON BEHALF OF THE EIGHT STATUTORY FUNDS ADOPTS SAFE AND SOUND METHODS UNDER THE ADVICE AND SUPERVISION OF THEIR RESPECTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE GROWTH IN THE ASSET VALUE OF THE FUNDS."
ON THE AWARD OF GRANTS, MR TSAO SAID EFFORT WAS MADE, WHENEVER POSSIBLE, TO UTILISE ONLY THE RECURRENT REVENUE OF THE CHARITABLE TRUST FUNDS SO AS TO RETAIN THE CAPITAL FOR EARNING PURPOSES.
HE STRESSED THAT ALL CHARITABLE TRUST FUNDS WERE USED FOR HELPING PEOPLE IN NEED ACCORDING TO THE OBJECTIVES OF ESTABLISHMENT.
"IT IS NOTEWORTHY THAT EACH YEAR THE SIR ROBERT BLACK TRUST FUND FINANCES A GOOD NUMBER OF YOUTHS IN HONG KONG TO GO OVERSEAS AND TAKE COURSES WHICH ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY LOCALLY.
"UNDOUBTEDLY, THIS IS OF SOME HELP WHERE.THE CURRENT ISSUE OF BRAIN DRAIN IS CONCERNED, SINCE ALL BENEFICIARIES OF THE FUND ARE REQUIRED TO RETURN TO HONG KONG TO WORK ON COMPLETION OF THIER STUDIES." HE SAID.
FURTHERMORE, THE LI PO CHUN CHARITABLE TRUST FUND HAS RECENTLY GIVEN APPROVAL FOR THE ALLOCATION OF HK$100 MILLION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE LI PO CHUN UNITED WORLD COLLEGE IN SHATIN TO PROMOTE CULTURAL EXCHANGE AMONG COUNTRIES AND PROVIDE LOCALLY-NEEDED TRAINING.
MR TSAO BELIEVED THAT SUCH A PROJECT WOULD CERTAINLY STRENGTHEN HONG KONG’S POSITION AS AN INTERNATIONAL CITY.
HE SAID THERE WERE THREE NON-STATUTORY FUNDS, NAMELY THE TODD MEMORIAL FUND, THE SIR JACK CATER SCHOLARSHIPS FUND AND THE EX-CHINESE PUBLIC DISPENSARIES FUND, WITH INDIVIDUAL ASSET VALUE RANGING FROM $0.36 MILLION TO $5 MILLION.
/NOTING THAT .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1990
- 12 -
NOTING THAT QUITE A NUMBER OF THE CHARITABLE TRUST FUNDS HAVE BEEN SET UP BY THE PUBLIC TO COMMEMORATE PAST GOVERNORS, MR TSAO SAID THIS SHOWED THAT BOTH THE PEOPLE AND THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERED IT THEIR AIM TO TAKE CARE OF THE LESS FORTUNATE AND THE NEEDY IN THE SOCIETY.
"THIS VERY AIM COINCIDES WITH THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS’ OBJECTIVE OF SERVING THE SOCIETY AND THE PUBLIC. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT AS THE PUBLIC AND THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUE TO COMBINE THEIR EFFORTS IN THE PURSUIT OF THIS COMMON OBJECTIVE, THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AS A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN IS ASSURED," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
LARGE-SCALE SEMINAR FOR 1991 ELECTIONS *****
A LARGE-SCALE SEMINAR AIMED AT AROUSING PUBLIC INTEREST IN THE 1991 ELECTIONS AND PROVIDING MORE INFORMATION ON COMPETING CANDIDATES WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE ’SEMINAR ON LEGCO DIRECT ELECTION’, ORGANISED BY THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS UNIT OF THE RTHK, WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM AT SI, RTHK BROADCASTING HOUSE.
THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE HON ALLEN LEE, WILL BE THE OFFICIATING GUEST AND WILL GIVE AN OPENING ADDRESS AT THE SEMINAR.
SPEAKING AT THE SEMINAR WILL BE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF UNITED DEMOCRAT OF HONG KONG, MR YEUNG SUM; LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR ANDREW WONG; PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS BRANCH, MR FRANCIS HO; CHAIRMAN OF HONG KONG JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION, MISS EMILY LAU; RESEARCH OFFICER OF HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF ASIA-PACIFIC STUDIES, MR LOUIE KIN-SHEUN; AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC FEDERATION OF HONG KONG, MR RAYMOND WU.
POLITICAL GROUP REPRESENTATIVES, DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, NEWS COMMENTATORS, EDITORS, TERTIARY INSTITUTION LECTURERS ARE ALSO INVITED TO BE FLOOR SPEAKERS.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE EVENT.
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/13 .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1990
- 13 -
AMENDMENTS TO DRAFT FANLING/SHEUNG SHUI OZP ANNOUNCED
*****
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT FANLING/SHEUNG SHUI OUTLINE ZONING PLAN.
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS ARE TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS, PLANNING CHANGES AND REQUIREMENTS FOR FANLING/SHEUNG SHUI NEW TOWN.
THE MAJOR AMENDMENTS TO THE PLAN INCLUDE THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE NEW TOWN BOUNDARY NEAR AREA 35 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NEW ALIGNMENT OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD, ZONING OF THE SOUTH-EASTERN PORTION OF AREA 35 AS "GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY”, AND REZONING OF THE SOUTH-WESTERN PART OF AREA 35 FROM ’’GREEN BELT” TO "COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT AREA”.
THERE ARE ALSO SOME OTHER AMENDMENTS TO THE NOTES ATTACHED TO THE PLAN.
NOTES FOR "COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT AREA" ARE INCLUDED WHEREAS SERVICE APARTMENT IS ADDED TO THE NOTES UNDER FOLLOWING ZONES, NAMELY, "COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL", "COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT AREA", "RESIDENTIAL (GROUP A)", "RESIDENTIAL (GROUP B)”, "RESIDENTIAL (GROUP C)", "GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY", AND "OTHER SPECIFIED USES" ANNOTATED "TRANSPORT INTERCHANGE WITH COMMERCIAL USES ABOVE".
THE AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT PLAN ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION UNTIL NOVEMBER 23 AT:
* THE DISTRICT OFFICE (CENTRAL AND WESTERN), PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, ICE HOUSE STREET, HONG KONG.
» PLANNING DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING,* GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
* THE DISTRICT OFFICE (NORTH), THIRD FLOOR, FANLING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 3 PIK FUNG ROAD, FANLING, NEW TERRITORIES.
* SHA TIN AND NORTH EAST DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICE, SHA TIN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, GROUND FLOOR, TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD,
SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENT PLAN MAY SUBMIT HIS
OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O
PLANNING DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG
KONG BY NOVEMBER 23, 1990.
COPIES OF THE AMENDMENT PLAN ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, OR AT THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON MAP SALES SECTION, 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON AT $10 FOR EACH UNCOLOURED AND $60 FOR EACH COLOURED COPY.
------0--------
/14......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1990
14
552 VRS LEFT HK FOR OVERSEAS RESETTLEMENT ******
A TOTAL OF 552 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES LEFT HONG KONG FOR RESETTLEMENT OVERSEAS LAST MONTH (OCTOBER).
OF THOSE WHO LEFT FOR OVERSEAS RESETTLEMENT, 11 DEPARTED FOR AUSTRIA, 125 FOR AUSTRALIA, 151 FOR CANADA, ONE FOR FINLAND, 77 FOR FRANCE, THREE FOR GERMANY, 42 FOR JAPAN, 12 FOR NORWAY, 31 FOR SWEDEN, 57 FOR UNITED KINGDOM AND 42 FOR USA.
- - 0 - -
EYE-CARE CAMPAIGN IN SHAM SHUI PO * * * * ♦
AN EYE-CARE CAMPAIGN ORGANISED BY THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD AND THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS WILL BE LAUNCHED NEXT FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 9).
ANNOUNCING DETAILS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, ITS ORGANISING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR LEUNG KAM-TAO, SAID IT WAS AIMED AT PROMOTING COMMUNITY RESPECT AND CONCERN FOR THE ELDERLY.
’’THE CAMPAIGN, WHICH WILL RUN UNTIL DECEMBER 5, IS DIVIDED INTO TWO MAJOR PARTS: EYE TESTS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES ON EYE-CARE,” MR LEUNG SAID.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A TALK ON GENERAL EYE-CARE AND RELATED EXHIBITIONS.
’’WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE HONG KONG OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION, THE ORGANISERS WILL BE PROVIDING FREE TESTS FOR 3,000 RESIDENTS WHO ARE 60 YEARS OLD OR ABOVE.
”IF NECESSARY, THEY WILL BE PROVIDED WITH FREE SPECTACLES TO IMPROVE THEIR EYE-SIGHT. IF THEY ARE FOUND TO HAVE EYE DISEASES, THEY WILL BE REFERRED TO THE KWONG WAH HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT,” HE ADDED.
THE EYE-TESTS WILL BE CARRIED OUT AT THE SHEK KIP MEI COMMUNITY HALL, CHEUNG SHA WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE, NAM CHEONG COMMUNITY CENTRE, TAI HANG TUNG COMMUNITY CENTRE AND THE LAI KOK COMMUNITY HALL IN THE DISTRICT.
AS TO COMMUNITY EDUCATION, MR LEUNG SAID THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE HAD PUBLISHED 15,000 PAMPHLETS TO EXPLAIN THE CAUSES OF COMMON EYE DISEASES AND THEIR PREVENTIVE MEASURES.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE, DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR TAI TUNG-NGOK, SAID ABOUT 16 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL POPULATION IN SHAM SHUI PO WERE ELDERLY PEOPLE.
/THIS NUMBER
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1990
- 15 -
THIS NUMBER WAS THE THIRD HIGHEST AMONG THE 19 DISTRICTS IN THE TERRITORY.
HE SAID THERE IS A NEED FOR THE GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS TO STEP UP SERVICES FOR THESE PEOPLE, TO ASSURE THEM THAT THE SOCIETY IS CARING FOR THEM.
HE SAID THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD ALWAYS ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO ELDERLY SERVICES.
DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS WERE GRANTED THROUGH THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE TO SUBSIDISE LOCAL ORGANISATIONS TO STAGE ELDERLY ACTIVITIES.
A PREFERENTIAL SCHEME WAS ESTABLISHED AND A FESTIVAL WAS ORGANISED IN NOVEMBER FOR THE AGED, HE ADDED.
MR TAI PAID TRIBUTE TO THE HONG KONG OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION, THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT ELDERLY SERVICES COORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR THEIR HELP IN ORGANISING THE CAMPAIGN.
---------0-----------
SWITCHING-ON CEREMONY TO KICK OFF YAU TSIM FESTIVAL
*****
THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT FESTIVAL ’90 WHICH WILL OFFER A HOST OF ACTIVITIES FOR RESIDENTS WILL BE LAUNCHED NEXT FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 9).
TO MARK THE GRAND OPENING, A SWITCHING-ON CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE KOWLOON PARK ARCADE TO BRIGHTEN UP THE EXTRAVAGANZA.
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR • PETER TSAO, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY.
A TELEVISION VARIETY SHOW FOCUSING ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND FEATURES OF THE DISTRICT WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE ON TVB JADE FROM 10.20 PM.
ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF THE FESTIVAL AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (FRIDAY), CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR CHIU YU-HEI, SAID THE FESTIVAL AIMS TO FOSTER A SENSE OF BELONGING AMONG LOCAL 'Residents and to enhance participation in community affairs to PROMOTE A BETTER DISTRICT AND A PROSPEROUS HONG KONG.
TO THIS END, MORE THAN 50 EVENTS WILL BE HELD DURING THE FESTIVAL PERIOD WHICH WILL RUN UNTIL MID-JANUARY NEXT YEAR, HE SAID.
THESE WILL INCLUDE A CARE-FOR-ELDERLY ACTIVITIES DAY; AN EXHIBITION ON MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS IN THE DISTRICT; A PICNIC DAY FOR 300-PLUS FAMILIES; A ROAD SAFETY CARNIVAL; A FUN-FOR-ALL CARNIVAL AND A STAR-STUDDED CONCERT AT THE HONG KONG COLISEUM.
/AN INTERNATIONAL .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1990
- 16 -
AN INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL NIGHT FEATURING INDIAN AND KOREAN DANCE PERFORMANCES WILL ALSO BE HELD TO REFLECT THE COSMOPOLITAN NATURE OF THE DISTRICT POPULATION.
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE ACTIVITIES SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO CULTIVATE YOUNG PEOPLE’S CONCERN AND INTERESTS IN DISTRICT AFFAIRS.
AMONG THEM WILL BE A GOOD CITIZEN IMPLEMENTATION FORUM; A QUIZ FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS AND A YOUTH COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROGRAMME TO ENABLE YOUNGSTERS TO IDENTIFY AND EXPLORE SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS IN THEIR DISTRICT.
MR CHIU SAID THE FESTIVAL, THE SECOND ORGANISED IN THE DISTRICT, WAS THE CONCERTED EFFORT OF DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, AREA COMMITTEES, LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
THE FESTIVAL IS ESTIMATED TO COST MORE THAN $1 MILLION, $300,000 OF WHICH WILL BE FUNDED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD.
AMONG THOSE PRESENT AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE WERE THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH; AND YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ANNIE TANG.
--------0----------
EXHIBITION ON EMPLOYMENT LAW
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD A THREE-DAY EXHIBITION ON THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE TUEN MUN TOWN PLAZA.
THIS WILL FORM PART OF A SERIES OF EXHIBITIONS STAGED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN VARIOUS COMMERCIAL COMPLEXES TO ENHANCE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING ON EMPLOYEES’ STATUTORY WELFARE.
THE EXHIBITION WILL INTRODUCE IN SIMPLE LANGUAGE AND THROUGH INTERESTING ILLUSTRATIONS THE MAJOR PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE SUCH AS PAID ANNUAL LEAVE, MATERNITY PROTECTION, TERMINATION OF AN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT, YEAR-END BONUS, LONG SERVICE PAYMENT AND SEVERANCE PAY.
IT WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 11 AM TO 7 PM TOMORROW AND FROM 9.30 AM TO 6 PM ON SUNDAY AND MONDAY.
LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ANSWER ENQUIRIES ON LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT.
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE A QUIZ ON LABOUR LAWS TO AROUSE VISITORS’ INTEREST. WINNERS MAY JOIN A LUCKY DRAW AT THE END OF THIS YEAR’S EXHIBITIONS IN DECEMBER.
- - 0----------
/17........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1990
- 17 -
MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION ACTIVITIES FOR SAI KUNG RESIDENTS *****
A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES ON MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION WILL BE LAUNCHED IN SAI KUNG ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 4).
THE ACTIVITIES, WHICH WILL INCLUDE A CARNIVAL, EXHIBITIONS, TALKS QUIZ
COMPETITIONS AND VISITS TO ORGANISATIONS OFFERING REHABILITATION SERVICES, ARE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, AREA COMMITTEES AND NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS IN TSEUNG KWAN O.
THE TWO-WEEK PROGRAMME IS AIMED AT ENHANCING THE MENTAL HEALTH KNOWLEDGE AMONG LOCAL RESIDENTS AND INCREASING THEIR AWARENESS ON REHABILITATION SERVICES AND FACILITIES AS WELL AS MEASURES TO RELIEVE PRESSURE.
THE OPENING CEREMONY TO KICK OFF THE ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD AT TSUI LAM COMMUNITY CENTRE, TSEUNG KWAN O, AT 2 PM ON SUNDAY. OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING WILL BE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR ALEXANDER FUNG.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT'S MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION CARNIVAL OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT TSUI LAM COMMUNITY CENTRE, TSEUNG KWAN 0 ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 4), BEGINNING AT 2 PM.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER.
--------0-----------
CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION IN TAI PO
*****
RESIDENTS IN TAI PO CIVIC EDUCATION TO BE HELD (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON.
ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND AN EXHIBITION ON AT TAI PO CENTRE LI 8 SQUARE TOMORROW
THE EXHIBITION WILL FEATURE THE DEVELOPMENT OF TAI PO AND ITS DISTRICT BOARD ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES FOR THE 1991 ELECTIONS.
IT WILL BE HELD FROM 3 PM TO 9 AND 5 PM ON SUNDAY.
THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED THE 1990-91 TAI PO DISTRICT CIVIC COMMITTEE.
PM ON SATURDAY AND BETWEEN 9 AM
BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD AND EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ORGANISING
/OTHER PROGRAMMES
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1990
- 18 -
OTHER PROGRAMMES WILL INCLUDE A QUIZ ON CIVIC EDUCATION AND PERFORMANCES BY THE TAI PO CHINESE ORCHESTRA AND WINNERS OF A LOCAL KARAOKE COMPETITION.
ASSISTANT TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS JOYCE TAM, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SAI KUNG NORTH RURAL COMMITTEE, MR TANG KWONG-WING, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION TO BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT 2.30 PM AT THE TAI PO CENTRE L18 SQUARE.
--------0-----------
RECLAMATION LOT FOR SALE BY TENDER
*****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SALE OF A LAND LOT IN SAI WAN HO RECLAMATION, HONG KONG.
MEASURING ABOUT 112 SQUARE METRES, THE LOT IS FOR USE AS A MARINE FUELLING STATION FOR THE SALE OF DIESEL OIL ONLY (EXCLUDING ANY LUBRICATING OR SERVICING FACILITIES).
IT IS SPECIFIED THAT THE FUELLING STATION SHOULD START OPERATION ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 12, 1992.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE 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, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
TENDER DOCUMENTS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE VARIOUS DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON NOVEMBER 30.
MEANWHILE, THE DEPARTMENT IS ALSO INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCY OF A GOVERNMENT LOT AT THE JUNCTION OF KAI CHEUNG ROAD AND WANG KWONG ROAD, KOWLOON BAY, KOWLOON.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 9,250 SQUARE METRES, THE LOT IS FOR FEE-PAYING PUBLIC PARKING AREA FOR LICENSED MOTOR VEHICLES INCLUDING CONTAINER VEHICLES.
/THE TENANCY .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1990
- 19 -
THEREAFTER.TENANCY IS F0R rwo“AND-A-HALF YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY
tender p“ lot may “ obtained EROH,
10TH Frnno vati u* AT’ THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON KO™oX°™i ““ ,PA“K BUILDING, 250 SHaS*?0"
BUILDING, CaJKn rX“ SonS KO,reNDS DEPART"“T- »™ FLOOR,
AND EAST,
STREET, MURRAY
THE DEADLINE FOR TENDER SUBMISSION IS NOON ON NOVEMBER 16
------0 - _
AGRICULTURAL LOTS IN TUEN MUN TO BE RESUMED ♦ » ♦ ♦ *
_tTT5Vf THE G0VERNMENT IS TO RESUME 10 PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL LOTS IN ™EN MUN T0 MAKE WAY F0R THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DRAINAGE CHANNEL SYSTEM AT SO KWUN WAT TSUEN WHICH IS PROGRAMMED TO START IN EARLY 1991.
RESUMPTION OF THE LOTS, WITH A TOTAL AREA OF ABOUT 642.9 SQUARE METRES, IS REQUIRED NOW IN ORDER TO ALLOW THE PUBLIC WORKS TO BEGIN ON TIME AFTER THE THREE MONTHS’ RESUMPTION NOTICE HAS EXPIRED.
A NOTICE ON THE RESUMPTION WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
--------0-----------
A SECTION OF KOK CHEUNG STREET IN MONG KOK TO BE RESUMED AND REBUILT *****
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO RESUME AND RECONSTRUCT A SECTION OF KOK CHEUNG STREET BETWEEN IVY STREET AND FUK CHAK STREET IN MONG KOK.
THIS SECTION OF KOK CHEUNG STREET IS, AT PRESENT, A POORLY MAINTAINED AND MANAGED PRIVATE STREET WHICH GIVES RISE TO ENVIRONMENTAL AND ACCESS PROBLEMS.
IT IS THEREFORE NECESSARY, FOR PUBLIC INTEREST, TO RESUME IT FOR PROPER MAINTENANCE AND USE.
THE PROPOSED WORKS WILL COMPRISE THE RECONSTRUCTION OF CARRIAGEWAYS, FOOTWAYS, AND RELATED DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS.
/THE WORKS .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1990
- 20 -
THE WORKS WILL START IN MID NEXT YEAR AND WILL TAKE ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN AND SCHEME MAY BE INSPECTED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG;
♦ KOWLOON WEST DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON;
♦ MONGKOK DISTRICT OFFICE, TUNG PING BUILDING, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST, GROUND FLOOR, KOWLOON.
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 JANUARY 1, 1991.
- - 0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NEW LAW SOON ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY ................................................ 1
PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT IN CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT VALUABLE .......................... 1
MAINLAYING WORKS IN TUEN MUN ..............................................
TSUEN WAN RESIDENTS URGED TO FIGHT CRIME ..................................
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1990
NEW LAW SOON ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY *****
THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE, WHICH SPELLS OUT THE GENERAL DUTIES OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES IN ENSURING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY, WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON DECEMBER 15, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE SYMPOSIUM ON "SAFETY AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT -INFORMATION AND EDUCATION", MR HAMMOND SAID THE NEW LAW WILL INTRODUCE, FOR THE FIRST TIME, CUSTODIAL SENTENCES FOR BLATANT OFFENDERS.
"THE MESSAGE IS LOUD AND CLEAR.
"WE WANT TO SEE ACTION — SERIOUS ACTION ON THE PART OF BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES IN THE FIELD OF ACCIDENT PREVENTION," HE SAID.
MR HAMMOND POINTED OUT THAT THE HIGH ACCIDENT RATE IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WAS A MATTER OF PARTICULAR CONCERN.
"CONSTRUCTION SITES CAN BE MADE SAFER PLACES TO WORK IN IF THERE IS BETTER HOUSE-KEEPING AND CLOSER OBSERVANCE OF SIMPLE, BASIC SAFETY RULES AND THIS CALLS FOR BETTER MANAGEMENT OF CONSTRUCTION SITES," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, AS A MAJOR DEVELOPER, AND SOME WELL-MANAGED CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES HAD TAKEN THE INITIATIVE TO IMPROVE SAFETY AT WORK SITES, MR HAMMOND CALLED ON OTHERS IN THE TRADE TO FOLLOW SUIT AND INCORPORATE SAFETY MANAGEMENT AS AN IMPORTANT AND INTEGRAL PART OF THEIR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.
- - 0----------
PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT IN CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT VALUABLE
*****
FIFTY-TWO WINNING SCHOOL-BASED CURRICULUM PROJECTS COVERING A WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECT AREAS AND THEMES FROM KINDERGARTEN TO SIXTH-FORM LEVEL ARE NOW ON DISPLAY AT THE HONG KONG TEACHERS’ CENTRE IN NORTH POINT.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE 1989/90 SCHOOL-BASED CURRICULUM PROJECT EXHIBITION TODAY (SATURDAY), THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR JOHN WINFIELD, SAID THE EXHIBITION PROVIDED A VENUE FOR THE CROSSFERTILISATION OF IDEAS ON SCHOOL-BASED CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE PROJECTS ON DISPLAY WERE VERY PRACTICAL AND SOME OF THEM WERE PARTICULARLY INNOVATIVE IN NATURE.
/BUT ONE .......
Saturday, November 3, 1990
2 -
BUT ONE MUST NOT JUDGE VALUE OF A SCHEME OF THIS KIND SIMPLY BY THE MATERIALS ON DISPLAY, HE SAID.
"THE MATERIAL ARE ONLY THE VISIBLE OUTCOME OF THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT PROCESS AND HENCE CONCEAL MUCH MORE THAN THEY REVEAL.
"WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT IS THE INTRINSIC VALUE OF THE EXPERIENCE GAINED FROM DIRECT PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT IN CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, IN PARTICULAR THE GREATER AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING OF INDIVIDUAL STUDENT NEEDS, WHICH A CASUAL VISITOR MIGHT PERHAPS NOT FULLY RECOGNISE," MR WINFIELD ADDED.
ALSO SPEAKING AT TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY WAS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (CDC), MR SO KWOK-WING.
MR SO SAID THE LAUNCHING OF THE SCHEME WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE CDC IN 1988 WAS A SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD IN THE HISTORY OF CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG, ALBEIT A VERY SMALL ONE TO START WITH.
BUT HE CAUTIONED THAT OVER-AMBITIOUS EXPANSION OF THE SCHEME MAY CREATE MORE PROBLEMS THAN IT INTENDS TO RESOLVE.
"SOME PEOPLE HAVE SUGGESTED THAT TEACHERS SHOULD BE GIVEN A COMPLETELY FREE HAND TO DEVELOP NEW SCHOOL CURRICULA OUTSIDE THE CENTRAL CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK.
"I PERSONALLY HAVE SOME RESERVATION IN THE WISDOM OF THIS AT THE PRESENT STAGE.
"APART FROM THE QUESTION OF CURRICULUM CONTINUITY AND CONSISTENCY, THERE IS ALSO THE QUESTION OF TEACHERS’ PROFESSIONAL ABILITY TO CONSIDER AND THE CONSTRAINTS OF THE PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS TO FACE.
"HOWEVER, WHEN THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITI’ONS HAVE CHANGED IN THE FAVOURABLE DIRECTION, THE SCHEME WILL HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO DEVELOP INTO SOMETHING OF A BIGGER SCALE AND SCOPE," MR SO SAID.
LAST YEAR, THE RESPONSE OF SCHOOLS TO THE SCHEME WAS VERY ENCOURAGING WITH THE NUMBER OF SUBMISSIONS INCREASED BY 57 PER CENT.
THE 142 TEACHERS AND EDUCATORS WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE 52 SELECTED PROJECTS WERE TODAY PRESENTED WITH LETTERS OF APPRECIATION BY MR WINFIELD.
THE EXHIBITION IS OPEN FOR PUBLIC VIEWING FROM 9.30 AM TO 6 PM UNTIL WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 7), EXCEPT SUNDAY, AT THE HONG KONG TEACHERS’ CENTRE, 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT.
ADMISSION IS FREE.
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/3 ........
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1990
3
MAINLAYING WORKS IN TUEN MUN
*****
ABOUT 4,600 METRES OF WATER MAINS WILL BE LAID IN TUEN MUN AS PART OF AN IMPROVEMENT SCHEME TO THE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE DISTRICT.
THE FRESH AND SALT WATER MAINS, WITH DIAMETERS RANGING FROM 150 MILLIMETRES TO 900 MILLIMETRES, WILL BE LAID IN AREA 55A AND AREA 56, TUEN MUN.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR AND TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT. THE DEADLINE FOR THE SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON NOVEMBER 23.
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TSUEN WAN RESIDENTS URGED TO FIGHT CRIME *****
TSUEN WAN RESIDENTS ARE URGED TO CLOSE RANKS WITH THE POLICE TO FIGHT AGAINST CRIME.
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (DFCC) CHAIRMAN, MR DAVID HO, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE CRIME RATE IN THE DISTRICT HAD BEEN ON THE RISE AND THE DFCC HAD REFLECTED TO THE POLICE ITS CONCERN OVER THE WORRYING TREND.
"I UNDERSTAND FROM THE POLICE THAT COMPREHENSIVE PLANS ARE IN HAND TO COMBAT CRIME AND TRIAD ACTIVITIES.
"BUT TO TACKLE CRIME EFFECTIVELY, PUBLIC COOPERATION IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE," HE SAID.
HE SAID A TSUEN WAN CITIZEN FIGHT CRIME AWARD SCHEME IS BEING LAUNCHED TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO HELP CRIME-FIGHTING.
NOMINATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE TSUEN WAN POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICE.
THE CLOSING DATE OF NOMINATION IS DECEMBER 31 AND A PANEL OF ADJUDICATORS WILL BE FORMED TO CHOOSE THE WINNERS.
CERTIFICATES OF COMMENDATION AND SOUVENIRS WILL BE PRESENTED TO WINNERS AND THEIR NOMINATORS AT THE TSUEN WAN FIGHT CRIME AND ANTI-NARCOTICS CARNIVAL IN NEXT JANUARY.
THE AWARD SCHEME IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE TSUEN WAN DFCC, THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE POLICE, WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE TSUEN WAN ROTARY CLUB.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 492 5327 OR 492 6279.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FS SPEAKS OF INCREASED BUSINESS LINKS ......................................... 1
SCHEME TO HELP STUDENTS DEVELOP READING HABIT ................................. 1
FELLOWSHIPS ESTABLISHED TO RESEARCH INTO LANGUAGE-IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS .. 3
CAMPAIGN TO DRIVE HOME FIRE SAFETY MESSAGE .................................... 5
WINNERS IN ASD'S ANNUAL DESIGN AWARD SCHEME ................................... 6
HALF-WAY HOUSE FOR EX-MENTAL PATIENTS IN TSEUNG KWAN O ........................ 8
CARNIVAL TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH .................................... 8
SSP FESTIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY BEGINS .....................................
STUDENTS INTERESTED IN CSD'S WORK ............................................ 10
REDEVELOPMENT OF BOWLING GREEN IN VICTORIA PARK .............................. 10
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR IN MONG KOK ...................................... 11
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1990
1
FS SPEAKS OF INCREASED BUSINESS LINKS ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT INCREASED BUSINESS LINKS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI WOULD WORK TO OUR MUTUAL BENEFIT.
SPEAKING TO MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA UPON ARRIVAL BACK TO HONG KONG FROM A THREE-DAY VISIT TO SHANGHAI, SIR PIERS SAID THERE WAS MUCH TO BE GAINED FROM GREATER BUSINESS COOPERATION AND EXCHANGES WITH SHANGHAI.
”IT WAS A VERY INTERESTING AND ENJOYABLE VISIT. IT WAS ABOUT FIVE YEARS SINCE I WAS LAST IN SHANGHAI AND CERTAINLY I FOUND A LOT OF IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CITY," HE SAID.
ASKED ABOUT THE MAIN ITEMS ON THE AGENDA OF HIS VISIT, SIR PIERS SAID HE WAS BRIEFED IN SOME DETAIL ABOUT THE PUDONG DEVELOPMENT WHICH WAS OF A VERY LARGE SCALE.
"IT WILL TAKE MANY YEARS TO COMPLETE. IT IS A LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT, QUITE EXCITING," HE ADDED.
ASKED WHETHER THE PUDONG DEVELOPMENT WOULD POSE ANY KIND OF THREAT TO HONG KONG, SIR PIERS SAID HE SAW IT IN TERMS * OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMERCIAL EXCHANGES BETWEEN THE TWO CITIES, AND CERTAINLY NOT IN TERMS OF THREAT.
HE NOTED THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF INTEREST IN THE PUDONG DEVELOPMENT AND IN OTHER DEVELOPMENTS IN SHANGHAI AND URGgD BUSINESSMEN TO GO AND SEE FOR THEMSELVES.
DURING THE VISIT, SIR PIERS MET THE MAYOR OF SHANGHAI, MR ZHU RONGJI; THE ADVISER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS FOR THE SHANGHAI MUNICIPALITY, MR LI CHUWEN, OFFICIALS OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE’S BANK OF CHINA.
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SCHEME TO HELP STUDENTS DEVELOP READING HABIT
*****
A GREATER EXPOSURE TO ENGLISH THROUGH EXTENSIVE READING CAN RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN READING COMPREHENSION AND, OVER A LONGER PERIOD, AN IMPROVEMENT IN WRITING ABILITY AND OTHER SKILLS.
THIS WAS ONE OF THE FINDINGS OF AN EXTENSIVE READING PILOT PROJECT IMPLEMENTED AT THE JUNIOR SECONDARY LEVEL IN NINE PUBLIC-SECTOR SCHOOLS BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1986 AND AUGUST 1988.
/ENCOURAGED BY
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1990
- 2 -
ENCOURAGED BY THE POSITIVE RESULTS OF THE PILOT PROJECT WHICH WAS AIMED AT IMPROVING THE CURRICULUM AND THE STANDARD OF ENGLISH IN HONG KONG SCHOOLS, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION HAS DECIDED TO LAUNCH A HONG KONG EXTENSIVE READING SCHEME IN ENGLISH IN 200 SCHOOLS ON A PHASED BASIS OVER SEVEN YEARS BEGINNING NEXT SEPTEMBER.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE INSTITUTE EXPLAINED THAT WITHOUT A READING PROGRAMME IN THE CURRICULUM, STUDENTS’ READING TENDS TO BE SPASMODIC, HAPHAZARD AND UNREWARDING.
"A WELL-ORGANISED PROGRAMME UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF A TEACHER, ON THE OTHER HAND, CAN HELP THEM TO GRADUALLY PROGRESS TOWARDS INDIVIDUALISED READING AND LEARNING," HE SAID.
"EXAMPLES OF THE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF EXTENSIVE READING SCHEMES IN OTHER COUNTRIES SUCH AS SINGAPORE, FIJI AND MALAYSIA HAVE TESTIFIED TO THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A READING SCHEME."
THE FIRST PHASE OF THE HONG KONG ENGLISH WILL BE INTRODUCED TO SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR.
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS WILL BE PACKAGE FOR EACH SECONDARY 1 CLASS IMPLEMENTATION.
EXTENSIVE READING SCHEME IN 1 CLASSES IN 20 PUBLIC-SECTOR
PROVIDED WITH ONE RESOURCE IN THE FIRST YEAR OF
THE PACKAGE CONTAINS 400 BOOKS, BOTH FICTION AND NON-FICTION, GRADED INTO EIGHT DIFFERENT LEVELS; 120 READING CARDS AT TWO DIFFERENT LEVELS TO PREPARE THE WEAKER STUDENTS FOR ENTRY TO THE READING PROGRAMME; RECORD CHARTS FOR MARKING PROGRESS; AND TEACHER’S GUIDES.
"STUDENTS WILL START READING AT A LEVEL APPROPRIATE TO THEIR READING ABILITY AND THEY ARE EXPECTED TO WORK THEIR WAY THROUGH THE READING LEVELS AS THEY MOVE UP TO SECONDARY 2 AND SECONDARY 3.
"IN THE SECOND YEAR OF IMPLEMENTATION, THE CLASS WILL SHARE THE RESOURCE PACKAGE WITH A NEW SECONDARY 1 CLASS. AND BY THE THIRD YEAR WHEN THE CLASS IS PROMOTED TO SECONDARY 3, -IT WILL BE SHARING THE PACKAGE WITH A SECONDARY 2 AND YET ANOTHER NEW SECONDARY 1 CLASS."
SCHOOLS TAKING PART IN THE SCHEME WILL BE ADVISED TO DEVOTE ONE TO THREE PERIODS IN THE SCHOOL TIMETABLE FOR TEACHERS TO PREPARE THE STUDENTS FOR THE PROGRAMME, CHECK PROGRESS, ANSWER QUERIES AND SHARE READING EXPERIENCES.
THE INSTITUTE WILL ORGANISE SEMINARS AND INDUCTION COURSES FOR TEACHERS. FOR SCHOOLS USING CLASS READERS, SPECIAL GUIDELINES WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED TO HELP THEIR TEACHERS TO ADOPT AN EXTENSIVE READING APPROACH SO THAT THEY CAN FINISH ONE BOOK IN FOUR TO FIVE PERIODS.
"THIS WAY, STUDENTS WILL READ A LARGE NUMBER OF BOOKS, INSTEAD OF STUDYING IN DETAIL A FEW READERS IN A YEAR, AND DEVELOP THE HABIT OF READING EXTENSIVELY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
SCHOOLS INTENDING TO JOIN THE SCHEME MAY CONTACT THE INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION ON TEL. 771 9418.
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/3 .....
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1990
3
FELLOWSHIPS ESTABLISHED TO RESEARCH INTO LANGUAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS * * * * *
THE HONGKONGBANK LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT FUND TODAY (SUNDAY) ANNOUNCED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THREE HONGKONGBANK FELLOWSHIPS AS PART OF. ITS $20 MILLION LANGUAGE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME CONDUCTED THROUGH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION (ILE).
IN ADDITION, DETAILS OF THE FIRST SIX PROJECTS DEVISED AS THE CORE OF THE PROGRAMME LED BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE, DR VERNER BICKLEY, HAVE ALSO BEEN ANNOUNCED.
THE HONGKONGBANK FELLOWS WILL JOIN A RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TEAM IMPLEMENTING AND MONITORING THE SIX INITIAL PROJECTS.
ESTABLISHED IN MAY THIS YEAR, THE HONGKONGBANK LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT FUND SUPPORTS A VARIETY OF LANGUAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, FOCUSED ON ISSUES OF PRACTICAL CONCERN TO EMPLOYERS, CURRICULUM PLANNERS AND TEACHERS.
"IF HONG KONG IS TO RETAIN ITS STATUS AS AN INTERNATIONAL . BUSINESS CENTRE, WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE A POOL OF COMPETENT ENGLISH SPEAKERS AVAILABLE," SAID MR GEORGE CARDONA, CHAIRMAN OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT FUND AND MANAGER GROUP PUBLIC AFFAIRS', HONGKONGBANK.
"THIS PROGRAMME IS A SERIOUS EFFORT TO FOSTER LANGUAGE TEACHING AND. WE HAVE MADE GOOD PROGRESS IN GETTING THE PROGRAMME UP AND RUNNING IN SUCH A SHORT TIME."
DETAILS OF THE FIRST SIX PROJECTS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
* SECONDARY SCHOOL LEAVERS AND EMPLOYMENT:
♦ TECHNICAL INSTITUTE LEAVERS AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING:
EMPLOYERS IN BOTH THE COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL SECTORS HAVE NOTED SHORTCOMINGS IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ABILITIES OF NEW RECRUITS WHO HAVE JOINED THEM IMMEDIATELY AFTER THEY HAVE COMPLETED THE FIFTH YEAR OF SECONDARY SCHOOL.
THESE TWO COMPLEMENTARY PROJECTS WILL ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY THE GAP IN ENGLISH PROFICIENCY BETWEEN SCHOOL LEAVERS AND THE PARTICULAR LANGUAGE SKILLS THAT ARE REQUIRED IN THE WORKPLACE.
THE PROJECTS WILL ALSO DESIGN AND CONDUCT SPECIAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE COURSES FOR TECHNICAL INSTITUTE GRADUATES.
/* TARGETS, ATTAINMENT
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1990
4
* TARGETS, ATTAINMENT LEVELS AND ASSESSMENTS:
THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED IN RESPONSE TO THE OCTOBER 1989 EDUCATION DEPARTMENT REPORT WHICH RECOMMENDED A NUMBER OF MEASURES THAT COULD BE TAKEN TO IMPROVE STANDARDS OF CHINESE AND ENGLISH IN HONG KONG.
ONE KEY RECOMMENDATION WAS THAT A FRAMEWORK OF SPECIFIC TARGETS (WHAT CHILDREN SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO AND KNOWf AND TARGET-RELATED ASSESSMENTS (TASKS AND TESTS TO ESTABLISH WHETHER CHILDREN HAVE ACHIEVED THE TARGETS) SHOULD BE DESIGNED FOR CHINESE, ENGLISH AND MATHEMATICS.
THE PROJECT WILL DEVELOP BROAD TARGETS AND TARGET-RELATED ASSESSMENTS FOR ENGLISH FOR PRIMARY 3 AND 6 AS WELL AS FOR SECONDARY
SYLLABUS, ASSESSMENT AND TEACHING/LEARNING/MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES WILL BE PRODUCED AND MATERIALS TO HELP TEACHERS TO TEACH TOWARDS THE TARGETS WILL ALSO BE PUBLISHED. IT WILL ALSO PUT TOGETHER AN IN-SERVICE EDUCATION PACKAGE FOR TEACHERS.
* BRIDGING PROGRAMME FOR SECONDARY ONE STUDENTS:
INSTRUCTION IN THE MAJORITY OF HONG KONG PRIMARY SCHOOLS IS GIVEN IN THE MEDIUM OF CHINESE, AND ENGLISH IS TAUGHT FOR ONLY SIX OR SEVEN PERIODS A WEEK AND AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE.
•
ALL CHILDREN LEAVING PRIMARY SCHOOLS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS HAVE, THEREFORE, A VERY WIDE LANGUAGE GAP TO CROSS IF THEIR SECONDARY SCHOOLS USE ENGLISH, OR EVEN A MIXTURE OF ENGLISH AND CHINESE, AS THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION FOR MOST SUBJECTS.
TO HELP STUDENTS TO CROSS THIS GAP MORE EASILY, THIS PROJECT WILL DESIGN MATERIALS COVERING SOCIAL STUDIES, MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE AND ENGLISH FOR A SPECIAL COURSE TO BE OFFERED BY SCHOOLS ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS IN THE FIRST YEAR OF SECONDARY SCHOOL. IT IS INTENDED THAT THE COURSE SHOULD BE CONDUCTED BY TEACHERS ENTIRELY THROUGH ENGLISH.
* COLLEGES OF EDUCATION LANGUAGE PROFILES AND BRIDGING COURSES:
SOUND, SKILLFUL TEACHING IS ESSENTIAL IF STUDENTS’ LANGUAGE LEARNING IS TO BE EFFECTIVE. WITH THIS IN MIND, THE HONGKONGBANK LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT FUND HAS AGREED TO SUPPORT THIS ILE PROJECT CENTRED ON TEACHER TRAINING.
THE PROJECT WILL ESTABLISH PROFILES OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ABILITY THAT TEACHERS SHOULD HAVE BEFORE THEY TEACH ENGLISH OR BEFORE THEY USE ENGLISH AS A MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION FOR DIFFERENT SUBJECTS.
/MEMBERS OF .......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1990
5 -
MEM .;rs of the project team will also design courses for the PRACTICE OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS IN COLLEGES OF EDUCATION, AND COURSES TO HELP POTENTIAL STUDENTS TO MEET MINIMUM ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS. THE PROJECT WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN COOPERATION WITH SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION.
* TARGETS FOR TEACHERS OF PUTONGHUA:
IN LINE WITH ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S REPORT ON LANGUAGE IMPROVEMENT MEASURES, THE ILE HAS LAUNCHED A FURTHER PROJECT TO ESTABLISH A PROFILE OF THE MINIMUM LANGUAGE ABILITY REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE NECESSARY TO ENABLE TEACHERS TO TEACH PUTONGHUA EFFECTIVELY IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
AFTER DRAWING UP THE PROFILES AND PREPARING APPROPRIATE MATERIALS, THE PROJECT TEAM WILL DESIGN AND RUN IN-SERVICE COURSES TO HELP TEACHERS TO IMPROVE THEIR PUTONGHUA SKILLS.
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CAMPAIGN TO DRIVE HOME FIRE SAFETY MESSAGE
******
ABOUT 1,900 KITCHEN FIRES OCCURRED IN THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS THIS YEAR AND ALMOST ALL OF THEM WERE CAUSED BY CARELESSNESS, NEGLIGENCE OR IGNORANCE, THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR JOHN MARCH, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF THE 1990/91 FIRE ?;;EV.NTION CAMPAIGN, MR MARCH SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS VERY CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF FIRE AND THE RESULTANT TRAGIC EFFECTS.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS, THEREFORE, CONTINUING WITH THE FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN TO GET PUBLIC COOPERATION TO HELP REDUCE INJURIES, LOSS OF LIVES AND PROPERTY DAMAGE CAUSED BY FIRES," HE SAID.
THE MAIN THEME OF THIS YEAR’S CAMPAIGN IS KITCHEN FIRE SAFETY. IT AIMED AT EDUCATING PEOPLE THE COMMON RULES ON SAFE COOKING AND MAINTENANCE OF APPLIANCES USED IN THE KITCHEN.
"HONG KONG BEING ONE OF THE MOST DENSELY POPULATED PLACES IN THE WORLD MEANS THAT ALMOST EVERYONE HERE HAS TO LIVE IN A MULTI-STOREY OR HIGH-RISE BUILDING. EVEN A SMALL FIRE OCCURING IN ONE OF THESE BUILDINGS CAN THEREFORE AFFECT THE SAFETY OF MANY PEOPLE," MR MARCH SAID.
"AS THE KITCHEN IS THE HOUSEHOLD’S ’NERVE-CENTRE’ AS FAR AS COOKING IS CONCERNED, IT IS NOT SURPRISING THAT THIS IS WHERE MOST DOMESTIC FIRES OCCUR," HE ADDED.
/MR MARCH .......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1990
6
MR MA!.' POINTED OUT THAT 24 PEOPLE HAD ALREADY DIED AND OVER 400 HAD BEEN INJURED IN EIRES THIS YEAR.
"SAVE FOR THE DETERMINATION AND SKILLS OF OUR FIREMEN WHO HAVE RESCUED OVER 1,100 PEOPLE INVOLVED IN FIRES THIS YEAR ALONE, THE DEATH TOLL WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY BE FAR HIGHER," HE SAID.
TO HELP SPREAD THE MESSAGE ON FIRE SAFETY AT HOME, A 30-SECOND TV . OTIONAL FILM AND A POSTER DEPICTING ONE OF THE MAJOR CAUSES OF KITCHEN FIRES HAVE BEEN PRODUCED. OTHER PUBLICITY MATERIALS INCLUDE A PAMPHLET AND STICKERS ADVISING THE PUBLIC TO FOLLOW KITCHEN FIRE SAFETY RULES.
"MOBILE FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITIONS WILL BE STAGED AT PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND COMMERCIAL CENTRES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS," HE ADDED.
MR MARCH THANKED THE VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS FOR RENDERING HELP IN PLANNING AND PROMOTING THE FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN. HE ALSO EXPRESSED HIS GRATITUDE TO THE KWONG ON BANK FOR ITS GENEROUS SPONSORSHIP OF THE CAMPAIGN.
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WINNERS IN ASD’S ANNUAL DESIGN AWARD SCHEME
*****
THE OPERATIONAL AND SERVICE CENTRE OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT AND FOUR OTHER BUILDING PROJECTS EMERGED AS WINNERS IN THIS YEAR’S ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S ANNUAL AWARD SCHEME.
THE CENTRE, LOCATED AT JAVA ROAD, NORTH POINT WAS DESCRIBED BY THE SCHEME’S JUDGING PANEL AS "A CLEVER AND ORGANISATIONAL DESIGN".
THE HIGH QUALITY OF THE DESIGN AND • DETAILING WAS ALSO R.COGNISED BY THE JUDGES. IT IS BOUND ON THREE SIDES BY SLIP ROADS OF THE EASTERN CORRIDOR.
IT PROVIDED OFFICES, WORKSHOPS, COVERED AND OPEN STORES, AND OTHER ANCILLARY FACILITIES FOR THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT.
APART FROM THE CENTRE, THE OTHER WINNING DESIGNS ARE THE CREMATORIUM AND COLUMBARIUM AT CHEUNG CHAU, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL COMPLEX IN YEUNG UK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, THE REDEVELOPMENT OF SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE STAGE II PHASE A AND THE RESTORATION AND REFURBISHMENT OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY BUILDING IN TSIM SHA TSUI.
A TOTAL OF 12 PROJECTS COMPETED FOR THIS YEAR’S AWARD. THE COMPETITION WAS FIRST HELD IN 1983.
TO COMPETE, A PROJECT HAS TO BE DESIGNED BY THE DEPARTMENT. IT SHOULD BE CONSTRUCTED AND COMPLETED WITHIN THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
/THE JUDGING ......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1990
THE JUDGING PANEL WAS CHAIRED BY THE DIRECTOR OF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES, MR JOSE LEI, AND COMPRISED OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, MAJOR GENERAL G H WATKINS; HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, PROFESSOR K.C. LYE; AND URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR JASON YUEN.
THE CREMATORIUM AND COLUMBARIUM IN CHEUNG CHAU WAS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A COLUMBARIUM WITH 1,000 NICHES AND WITH LANDSCAPED AREAS SERVING AS GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE.
THE JUDGING PANEL WAS OF THE VIEW THAT THE DESIGN IS INTERESTING, CHARMING AND FUNCTIONAL TO PROVIDE A PEACEFUL AND HARMONIOUS ENVIRONMENT.
THE BUILDINGS TEND TO CREATE AN AURA OF RELAXATION, TRANQUILITY AND PEACE OF MIND IN WHAT IS, NORMALLY, A SAD AND TRAUMATIC OCCASION.
THE THIRD WINNING DESIGN, THE YEUNG UK ROAD REGIONAL COUNCIL COMPLEX, WAS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE MARKETS AND INDOOR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES TO THE PUBLIC IN TSUEN WAN.
THE PANEL FELT THAT THE INTERACTION AMONG THE VARIOUS USES OF THIS BUILDING HAS BEEN HANDLED VERY WELL AND THE DESIGN WAS PRODUCED WITH A HIGH DEGREE OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES.
FOR THE SAI KUNG RECREATION CENTRE, THE PANEL COMMENTED THAT THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF THE CENTRE WERE WELL BLENDED INTO THE SURROUNDINGS WHICH CREATED A PLEASANT ATMOSPHERE IN A SEMI-RURAL SETTING.
THE CENTRE WAS CONVERTED FROM A FORMER ARMY BARRACK AND IMPROVEMENT WORKS AND ADDITIONAL FACILITIES WERE INTRODUCED IN PHASES. THE SECTION COMPLETED RECENTLY INCLUDED AN ARCHERY FIELD, AN ADMINISTRATION BLOCK, A CANTEEN, TENNIS COURTS AND SQUASH COURTS.
THE RESTORATION AND REFURBISHMENT OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY BUILDING IN TSIM SHA TSUI WAS A CONSERVATION PROJECT WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY CONSTRUCTED IN 1883.
OLD PHOTOGRAPHS AND AVAILABLE EVIDENCE WERE USED IN THE REINSTATEMENT OF THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR FEATURES OF THIS BUILDING • TO ITS ORIGINAL CONDITION AS FAR AS PRACTICABLE.
THE EXISTING OFFICES WERE ALSO INTENSIVELY REFURBISHED AND CONDITIONS IMPROVED TO PROVIDE CONTINUED OPERATIONAL OFFICES FOR THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY.
THE JUDGES COMMENTED THAT THE PROJECT HAD BEEN EXPERTLY HANDLED TO CAPTURE THE LANGUAGE OF THE ERA WHICH WAS WORTHY OF A SPECIAL MERIT.
THE PANEL WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE SUBMISSIONS OF RESTORATION AND REFURBISHMENT, AND A SEPARATE SET OF AWARDS BE ESTABLISHED TO REFLECT THE CAPABILITIES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPLEXITIES INVOLVED IN THIS KIND OF WORK.
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1990
HALF-WAY HOUSE FOR EX-MENTAL PATIENTS IN TSEUNG KWAN O
*****
A HALF-WAY HOUSE FOR DISCHARGED MENTAL PATIENTS WILL BE SET UP IN TSUI LAM ESTATE, TSEUNG KWAN 0, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR ALEXANDER FUNG, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF A TWO-WEEK MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMME IN SAI KUNG DISTRICT, MR FUNG SAID THE HALF-WAY HOUSE WOULD PROVIDE SHORT-TERM RESIDENTIAL SERVICES TO THOSE DISCHARGED MENTAL PATIENTS, WHO HAD BEEN CERTIFIED SUITABLE TO TAKE ACCOMMODATION AT THE HOUSE.
”1 FIND THE FACILITY EXTREME MEANINGFUL AS IT WILL AUGUR WELL IN HELPING THE DISCHARGED MENTAL. PATIENTS RE-INTEGRATE INTO THE COMMUNITY,” HE ADDED.
HE ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO LOCAL RESIDENTS, PARTICULARLY REPRESENTATIVES FROM MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, FOR THEIR ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTIVITIES.
’’THEIR GRAVE CONCERN ABOUT SOCIAL BENEFITS IS ESSENTIAL TO KEEP THE LIVING ENVIRONMENTS OF TSEUNG KWAN O HEALTHY AND LOVELY,” MR FUNG SAID.
THE ACTIVITIES, WHICH WILL INCLUDE A CARNIVAL, EXHIBITIONS, TALKS, QUIZ COMPETITIONS AND VISITS TO ORGANISATIONS OFFERING REHABILITATION SERVICES, ARE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE AND AREA COMMITTEES AND NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS IN TSEUNG KWAN 0.
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CARNIVAL TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENT AND ‘HEALTH
*****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL BE TREATED TO AN AFTERNOON OF FUN AND GAMES AT AN ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH CARNIVAL TO BE HELD THIS WEEKEND (NOVEMBER 10).
ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE CARNIVAL AIMED TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE AND THE IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ON HEALTH.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE CARNIVAL WILL TOP OFF A SERIES OF HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMME PLANNED IN SUPPORT OF THIS YEAR'S WORLD HEALTH DAY AND COINCIDED WITH ITS THEME ”OUR PLANET, OUR HEALTH” WITH HIGHLIGHTS ON ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH.
A MIXED AND BALANCED PROGRAMME HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO DISSEMINATE HEALTH MESSAGES TO VISITORS.
/THERE WILL
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1990
- 9
THERE WILL BE AN EXHIBITION ON ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH VIDEO SHOWS ON HEALTH EDUCATION, AND THE DISPLAY OF WINNING ENTRIES OF PHOTO AND ESSAY COMPETITIONS WHICH WERE RECENTLY CONCLUDED. THERE WILL BE A TOTAL OF 15 GAME STALLS.
IN ADDITION, THE HONG KONG CHILDREN’S CHOIR AND THE SILVER BAND OF THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES WILL ALSO BE THERE TO PERFORM.
THE "ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH" CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD AT THE SOUTHORN PLAYGROUND IN WAN CHAI FROM 2 PM TO 5 PM ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 10). ADMISSION IS FREE.
---------0-----------
SSP FESTIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY BEGINS *****
THE SHAM SHUI PO FESTIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY KICKED OFF TODAY (SUNDAY) WITH MUCH FANFARE.
ATTENDED BY MORE THAN 1,000 SENIOR RESIDENTS, THE OPENING OF THE FESTIVAL AT THE MAPLE STREET PLAYGROUND FEATURED CHORAL SINGING, FOLK DANCE AND CHINESE MARTIAL ARTS DEMONSTRATION BY REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL ELDERLY CENTRES.
THE SHAM SHUI PO KAIFONG WELFARE ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION AND THE SHAM SHUI PO ARTS ASSOCIATION CHILDREN’S CHOIR ALSO PERFORMED AT THE SHOW.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALAN FUNG, SAID THIS WAS THE THIRD FESTIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY ORGANISED BY THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD.
BUT THIS YEAR’S PROGRAMME WOULD BE LARGER IN SCALE AND MORE DIVERSIFIED IN NATURE, HE SAID.
A LARGE-SCALE EYE-CARE CAMPAIGN AND EXHIBITION AND AN AWARD SCHEME AIMED AT COMMENDING SENIOR CITIZENS FOR PAST CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY ARE INTEGRAL FEATURES OF THE FESTIVAL.
MR FUNG HOPED THESE ACTIVITIES WOULD ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF THE ELDERLY.
THE DISTRICT BOARD HAD ALLOCATED ALMOST $100,000 TO THE FESTIVAL WHICH WOULD LAST UNTIL THE END OF THE MONTH.
- - 0----------
/10 .......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1990
- 10 -
STUDENTS INTERESTED IN CSD ’ S WORK * * * * *
MORE THAN 2,000 PEOPLE, MOST OF THEM STUDENTS, HAVE SHOWN AN INTEREST TO VISIT THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (CSD) ON ITS OPEN DAYS ON NOVEMBER 10 AND 11.
A CSD SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOOD RESPONSE HAD INDICATED THAT MANY STUDENTS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT SOCIAL ISSUES AND WERE INTERESTED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES FOR INMATES.
"IN PARTICULAR, THOSE STUDENTS TAKING ECONOMIC AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COURSES MAY FIND THE VISIT USEFUL BECAUSE IT WOULD SUPPLEMENT WHAT THEY WOULD LEARN FROM THE TEXTBOOKS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE OPEN DAY IS AN ANNUAL EVENT ORGANISED WITH AN AIM TO INTRODUCE THE DEPARTMENT’S WORK TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. IT ALSO FORMS PART OF CSD’S RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN.
THROUGH VARIOUS DISPLAYS, VISITORS WILL KNOW MORE ABOUT THE DIFFERENT CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES IN THE PENAL INSTITUTIONS AS WELL AS THE TRAINING FOR CORRECTIONAL STAFF.
THERE WILL ALSO BE DEMONSTRATIONS ON HANDCUFFING TECHNIQUE, ANTI-RIOT CONTROL AND SELF-DEFENCE EXERCISE.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOMED TO THE OPEN DAYS. GUIDED TOURS WILL BE ORGANISED FOR GROUPS WHO HAVE MADE PRIOR ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE DEPARTMENT.
GROUP ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE VISIT CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 823 5118.
---------0-----------
REDEVELOPMENT OF BOWLING GREEN IN VICTORIA PARK
*****
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE BOWLING GREEN IN VICTORIA PARK, HONG KONG.
THE WORKS WILL INCLUDE THE ’CONSTRUCTION OF A SERVICE BUILDING HOUSING TOILETS, CHANGING ROOMS, A MEETING ROOM AND OTHER FACILITIES SUCH AS ARTIFICIAL TURFING FOR LAWN BOWL COURTS, ARBOUR AND SITTING BENCHES.
WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR AND TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON NOVEMBER 23.
------0--------
/Il ........
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1990
11
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR IN MONG KOK *****
A FREE BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR FOR OFFICE-BEARERS OF J v.SJ CORPORATIONS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE AND AREA COMMITTEE MEMBERS :N MONG KOK WILL BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 18 IN THE FA YUEN STREET URBAN COUNCIL COMPLEX.
THE SEMINAR IS PART OF A SERIES OF EVENTS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN TO HELP IMPROVE BUILDING MANAGEMENT IN THE
LECTURES WILL BE GIVEN BY BUILDING MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS.
THE SEMINAR WILL BE SUPPORTED BY VISITS TO A PRIVATE BUILDING AND A HOUSING ESTATE ON NOVEMBER 25 TO GIVE PARTICIPANTS FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE OF CARING FOR A BUILDING.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD AND ITS TAI KOK TSUI SUB-OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, 45 TIT SHU STREET. DEADLINE FOR THE APPLICATION IS NOVEMBER 13.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 787 0775.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR SEPTEMBER 1990 .................................... 1
GOVERNOR VISITS CONSUMER COUNCIL .......................................... 6
I
SAVE WATER CAMPAIGN TO HIGHLIGHT LEAKAGE DETECTION ........................ 6
LEGCO MEMBERS TO DEBATE ON WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE .................. 8
SPECIAL CLEAN-UP OPERATION IN MA SHI CHAU ................................. 8
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR FOR RESIDENTS ................................. 9
EXHIBITION ON EMPLOYMENT SERVICES FOR POST-SECONDARY GRADUATES ............ 10
EARLY SUBMISSION FOR FIGHT-DRUG PHOTO CONTEST REMINDED..................... 11
TENDERS INVITED FOR HEADING WORKS IN HK SOUTH ..,.......................... H
WATER SUSPENSION IN TWO DISTRICTS ......................................... 12
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1990
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR SEPTEMBER 1990 *****
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS REGISTERED A SLIGHT DECLINE DURING SEPTEMBER AFTER THE STRONG INCREASES RECORDED IN RECENT MONTHS, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH.
CONSISTENT WITH THIS, ALL BROADER DEFINITIONS OF HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY FELL DURING THE MONTH.
TOTAL LOANS AND ADVANCES, ON THE OTHER HAND, RECORDED AN INCREASE DURING SEPTEMBER.
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS, ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS, DECLINED SLIGHTLY BY 0.2 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER, FOLLOWING THE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES OF 2.4 PER CENT AND 3.2 PER CENT IN JULY AND AUGUST RESPECTIVELY.
OF THESE DEPOSITS, DEMAND DEPOSITS ROSE BY 0.3 PER CENT WHILE SAVINGS AND TIME DEPOSITS FELL BY 0.1 PER CENT AND 0.4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN SEPTEMBER. ON A YEAR-ON-YEAR COMPARISON, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 18.6 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS ROSE BY 3.5 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER, AFTER INCREASES OF 0.3 PER CENT AND 3.6 PER CENT IN JULY AND AUGUST RESPECTIVELY.
AMONG THESE DEPOSITS, US DOLLAR AND NON-US DOLLAR DEPOSITS ROSE BY 1.3 PER CENT AND 5.4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 31.6 PER CENT.
DURING SEPTEMBER, DEPOSITS OF ALL CURRENCIES WITH LICENSED BANKS ROSE BY 1.7 PER CENT WHILE THOSE WITH RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ROSE BY 4.9 PER CENT AND 1.5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER, DEPOSITS WITH LICENSED BANKS INCREASED BY 26.2 PER CENT. DEPOSITS WITH RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS ROSE BY 61 PER CENT WHILE THOSE WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES FELL BY 12.2 PER CENT.
THE YEAR-ON-YEAR COMPARISONS ON DEPOSITS WITH THE LATTER TWO CATEGORIES WERE PARTLY AFFECTED BY THE UPGRADING OF FOUR DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES TO THE STATUS OF RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS.
/MONEY SUPPLY
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1990
- 2 -
MONEY SUPPLY
HK$M1 ROSE BY 1.1 PER CENT WHILE HK$M2 AND HK$M3 FELL BY 0.3 PER CENT AND 0.2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN SEPTEMBER. THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES IN AUGUST WERE 1.8 PER CENT, 3.3 PER CENT AND 3 PER CENT. FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDING SEPTEMBER, THESE MONETARY AGGREGATES ROSE BY 2.5 PER CENT, 18.9 PER CENT AND 17.5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 ROSE BY 3.7 PER CENT, 1.6 PER CENT AND 1.7 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN SEPTEMBER. THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES IN AUGUST WERE 2.7 PER CENT, 3.2 PER CENT AND 3.3 PER CENT. OVER THE YEAR, TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 GREW BY 8.6 PER CENT, 25.2 PER CENT AND 24.6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED BY 4 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 0.7 PER CENT AND 6.7 PER CENT IN JULY AND AUGUST RESPECTIVELY. OF THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS, THOSE DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLARS GREW BY 0.4 PER CENT DURING SEPTEMBER, WHILE THOSE DENOMINATED IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES ROSE BY 6.1 PER CENT.
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG GREW SUBSTANTIALLY BY 4 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 0.5 PER CENT AND 0.9 PER CENT IN JULY AND AUGUST RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 9 PER CENT.
OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG GREW BY 0.1 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER COMPARED WITH INCREASES OF 0.6 PER CENT AND 1.5 PER CENT IN JULY AND AUGUST RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 17.4 PER CENT.
LARGELY REFLECTING THE INCREASE IN EURO-YEN LOANS, LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG ROSE BY 8.3 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 0.6 PER CENT AND 13.1 PER CENT IN JULY AND AUGUST RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 61.3 PER CENT.
LOANS TO FINANCE MERCHANDISING TRADE NOT TOUCHING HONG KONG FELL BY 6.1 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER, AFTER A DECLINE OF 5.1 PER CENT IN JULY AND AN INCREASE OF 14.9 PER CENT IN AUGUST. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS DECREASED BY 5.9 PER CENT.
QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS AND ADVANCESFOR USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR
IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990, TOTAL LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG INCREASED BY 2.3 PER CENT. OF THESE, LOANS TO THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT SECTOR INCREASED BY 2.9 PER CENT, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 5 PER CENT AND 1 PER CENT IN THE PREVIOUS TWO QUARTERS. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 8.6 PER CENT.
/LOANS TO .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1990
- 3 -
LOANS TO INDIVIDUALS FOR THE PURCHASE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY (OTHER THAN FLATS IN THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME) GREW BY 5.3 PER CENT, AFTER INCREASES OF 8 PER CENT AND 5.9 PER CENT IN THE PRECEDING TWO QUARTERS RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 33.2 PER CENT.
LOANS TO FINANCE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE INCREASED BY 1.4 PER CENT, AFTER INCREASES OF 4.3 PER CENT AND 6.6 PER CENT RECORDED IN THE FIRST AND SECOND QUARTERS RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 12.6 PER CENT.
LOANS TO FINANCIAL CONCERNS (OTHER THAN AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS) ROSE BY 5.5 PER CENT, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 6.3 PER CENT AND 3.7 PER CENT IN THE PREVIOUS TWO QUARTERS. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 32.1 PER CENT.
LOANS FOR USE IN MANUFACTURING FELL BY 0.3 PER CENT, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 3.9 PER CENT AND 2.8 PER CENT IN THE PRECEDING TWO QUARTERS. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 3.5 PER CENT.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS INCREASED BY ONE TO 165
WHILE THAT OF RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS REMAINED AT 39 AND THAT OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECREASED BY ONE TO 193.
NOTES :
(1) BEFORE FEBRUARY 1, 1990, 'RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS' AND
'DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES’ WERE KNOWN AS 'LICENSED DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES’ AND 'REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES' RESPECTIVELY.
(2) IN THE TEXT ABOVE, TOTAL HK$ DEPOSITS, HK$ TIME DEPOSITS, HKSM2 AND HK$M3 HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS. TOTAL
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS AND US$ DEPOSITS HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED TO EXCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS.
'SWAP DEPOSITS’ ARE DEPOSITS INVOLVING CUSTOMERS BUYING FOREIGN CURRENCIES (MOSTLY US DOLLARS) IN THE SPOT MARKET AND PLACING THEM AS DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORIZED INSTITUTIONS, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME ENTERING INTO A CONTRACT TO SELL SUCH FOREIGN CURRENCIES (PRINCIPAL PLUS INTEREST) FORWARD IN LINE WITH THE MATURITY OF SUCH DEPOSITS. FOR MOST ANALYTICAL PURPOSES, THEY SHOULD BE REGARDED AS HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS.
/TABLE 1
(HKSmn)
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1990
TABLE 1 : MONETARY STATISTICS - SEPTEMBER 1990
Sep 1990
Earlier months (% change to September 1990)
Money Supply Aug 1990 Jun 1990 Sep 1989
Ml - HK$ — —
87,520 86,527 ( 1.1 %) 84,270 ( 3.9 %) 85,383 ( 2.5 %)
Foreign currency 14,922 12,257 ( 21.7 %) 11,606 ( 28.6 %) 8,989 ( 66.0 %)
Total 102,442 98,784 ( 3.7 %) 95,876 ( 6.8 %) 94,372 ( 8.6 %)
M2 - HKS* 533,720 535,082 ( -0.3 %) 505,826 ( 5.5 %) 449,009 ( 18.9 %)
Foreign currency* 622,579 602,630 ( 3.3 %) 579,651 ( 7.4 *) 474,763 ( 31.1 %)
Total 1,156,299 1,137,711 ( 1.6 %) 1,085,476 ( 6.5 %) 923,772 ( 25.2 %)
M3 - HKS* 565,657 566,928 ( -0.2 %) 537,659 ( 5.2 %) 481,225 ( 17.5 %)
Foreign currency* 669,962 647,518 ( 3.5 %) 623,214 ( 7.5 %) 510,364 ( 31.3 %)
Total 1,235,619 1,214,447 ( 1.7 %) 1,160,873 ( 6.4 %) 991,588 ( 24.6 %)
Notes and coins in circulation 40,394 40,064 ( 0.8 %) 38,795 ( 4.1 %) 36,668 ( 10.2 %)
of which held by public 35,341 34,480 ( 2.5 %) 33,611 ( 5.1 %) 32,271 ( 9.5 %)
Total Deposits
Total Demand deposits 67,101 64,304 ( 4.3 %) 62,265 ( 7.8 %) 62,101 ( 8.1 %)
Total Savings deposits 227,356 223,200 ( 1.9 %) 202,891 ( 12.1 %) 175,364 ( 29.6 %)
Total Time deposits with licensed banks 808,955 797,236 ( 1.5 %) 768,677 ( 5.2 %) 637,212 ( 27.0 %)
Total Time deposits with restricted licence banks 44,069 42,009 ( 4.9 %) 39,165 ( 12.5 %) 27,367 ( 61.0 %)
Total Time deposits with deposit-taking companies 33,716 33,205 ( 1.5 %) 34,787 ( -3.1 %) 38,403 (- -12.2 %)
HKS deposits* 517,620 518,864 ( -0.2 %) 490,830 ( 5.5 %) 436,360 ( 18.6 %)
USS deposits* 293,659 289,995 ( 1.3 %) 273,660 ( 7.3 %) 238,603 ( 23.1 %)
Other foreign currency deposits 369,918 351,096 ( 5.4 %) 343,295 ( 7.8 %) 265,483 ( 39.3 %)
All deposits 1,181,196 1,159,954 ( 1.8 %) 1,107,785 ( 6.6 %) 940,446 ( 25.6 %)
Foreign currency swap deposits 71,348 70,088 ( 1.8 %) 68,094 ( 4.8 %) 61,982 ( 15.1 %)
Total Loans and advances
To finance H.K.'s visible trade 70,202 67,518 ( 4.0 %) 66,579 ( 5.4 %) 64,423 ( 9.0 %)
To finance merchandising trade 9,430 10,046 ( -6.1 %) 9,211 ( 2.4 %) 10,023 ( -5.9 %)
not touching H.K.
Other loans for use in H.K. 659,287 658,325 ( 0.1 %) 644,466 ( 2.3 %) 561,481 ( 17.4 %)
Other loans for use outside H.K. 812,589 750,445 ( 8.3 %) 659,989 ( 23.1 %) 503,896 ( 61.3 %)
Other loans where the place of 109,899 110,852 ( -0.9 %) 105,090 ( 4.6 %) 90,043 ( 22.1 %)
use is not known
Loans in HK$ 582,576 580,108 ( 0.4 %) 575,346 ( 1.3 %) 507,120 ( 14.9 %)
Loans in foreign currencies 1,078,831 1,017,078 ( 6.1 %) 909,988 ( 18.6 %) 722,744 ( 49.3 %)
Total loans and advances 1,661,407 1,597,186 ( 4.0 %) 1,485,335 ( 11.9 %) 1,229,865 ( 35.1 %)
* Adjusted for foreign currency swap deposits
/TABLE 2
Note : 'Restricted licence banks' and 'deposit-taking companies' were known as 'licensed deposit-taking companies' and 'registered deposit-taking companies' respectively before 1 February 1990.
TABLE 2 : QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR - SEPTEMBER 1990 I +
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1990
(HK$mn)
Sep 1990
(%
Earlier quarters
change to
September
1990)
Manufacturing 49,287 49,429 (
Transport and transport equipment 38,971 37,658 (
Building, construction, property development and investment 105,088 102,145 (
Wholesale and retail trade 70,629 69,663 (
Financial concerns * 1 Individuals: 98,988 93,849 (
10 to purchase flats in the Home Ownership Scheme and Private ! Sector Participation Scheme 13,899 13,883 (
to purchase other residential property 119,858 113,773 (
other purposes 60,599 58,843 (
Others 101,968 105,222 (
Total 659,287 644,466 (
Jun 1990
Mar 1990 Sep 1989
-0.3 %) 48,062 ( 2.5 %) 47,618 ( 3.5 %)
3.5 %) 37,149 ( 4.9 %) 33,435 ( 16.6 %)
2.9 %) 101,149 ( 3.9 %) 96,772 ( 8.6 %)
1.4 %) 65,358 ( 8.1 %) 62,729 ( 12.6 %) ।
5.5 %) 90,507 ( 9.4 %) 74,919 ( 32.1 %) 1 1
0.1 %) 12,660 ( 9.8 %) 1 9,880 ( 40.7 %) 1
5.3 %) 107,406 ( 11.6 %) 1 89,957 ( 33.2 %) 1
3.0 %) 56,828 ( 6.6 %) 52,756 ( 14.9 *)
-3.1 %) 99,428 ( 2.6 %) 93,414 ( 9.2 %)
2.3 %) 618,547 ( 6.6 %) 561,481 ( 17.4 M
! 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 are published in the Monthly Digest of Statistics from the January 1989 issue onwards.
+ In December 1988, the return for reporting loans for use by sector was revised. As a result of this, some authorized institutions have now, more properly classified their loans according to intended usage rather than the-Business of the "loan recipients.
* This excludes funds advanced to authorized institutions
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1990
- 6 -
GOVERNOR VISITS CONSUMER COUNCIL * * * * *
THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS SERVICE IS ONE OF THE MOST VISIBLE SERVICES OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL. IT AIMS AT RESOLVING COMPLAINTS AND MONITORING FOR UNETHICAL BUSINESS PRACTICES, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON WAS TOLD TODAY (MONDAY).
DURING A VISIT TO THE CONSUMER COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON, SIR DAVID WAS BRIEFED ON THE COUNCIL’S WORK AND FUNCTIONS BY ITS CHAIRMAN, MR MARTIN LEE.
THE GOVERNOR WAS TOLD THAT THE COUNCIL RECEIVED ABOUT 9,000 COMPLAINTS A YEAR.
IN THE PAST 16 YEARS, THE COUNCIL HAD PUBLICISED THE NAMES OF MORE THAN 50 SHOPS FOUND TO HAVE BEEN USING SHARP BUSINESS PRACTICES, A MEASURE WHICH HAD PROVED EFFECTIVE IN DISCOURAGING THEM.
THE COUNCIL’S ADVICE SERVICE RECEIVED 10,000 ENQUIRIES IN 1976, ITS FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION.
IT RECEIVED ALMOST 100,000 ENQUIRIES LAST YEAR, A 10-FOLD INCREASE WHICH DEMONSTRATED THE VALUE OF THE SERVICE TO HONG KONG PEOPLE.
THE COUNCIL ALSO DEVOTED CONSIDERABLE TIME AND EXPENSE TO TESTING CONSUMER PRODUCTS TO PROVIDE UNBIASED INFORMATION TO CONSUMERS, THE GOVERNOR WAS TOLD.
MR MARTIN LEE EXPLAINED THAT THE COUNCIL’S STRATEGY FOR THE FUTURE WOULD BE TO CONTINUE KEEPING A CLOSE WATCH FOR UNETHICAL BUSINESS PRACTICES, TAKING PROMPT ACTION AGAINST THEM WHENEVER REQUIRED AND REMINDING CONSUMERS ABOUT THE PITEALLS IN THE MARKET PLACE.
---------0-----------
SAVE WATER CAMPAIGN TO HIGHLIGHT LEAKAGE DETECTION
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO LAUNCH A PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN EARLY NEXT YEAR. HIGHLIGHTING LEAKAGE DETECTION IN PLUMBING INSTALLATION AS A SUPPLEMENT TO AN ON-GOING PUBLIC' APPEAL TO SAVE WATER.
THE CAMPAIGN IS ONE OF THE EXERCISES LAUNCHED BY THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TO REMIND THE CONSUMERS OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THEIR PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS, THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR WONG KWOK-LAI SAID. THIS (MONDAY) EVENING.
/SPEAKING AT .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1990
7
SPEAKING AT A DINNER MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR WONG SAID IN THE CASE OF ABNORMALLY HIGH CONSUMPTIONS, ONE MOST COMMON BUT NOT CONSPICUOUS CAUSE IS UNDERGROUND OR CONCEALED LEAKAGE IN THE PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS.
"SUCH LEAKAGE, IF NOT PROMPTLY DETECTED AND RECTIFIED, WILL CONTINUE TO WASTE WATER AND WILL QUICKLY WORSEN, LEADING TO MUCH HIGHER WATER CHARGES IN THE SUBSEQUENT WATER BILLS OF THE CONSUMER CONCERNED," MR WONG SAID.
MR WONG SAID COMPASSIONATE CONSIDERATIONS WERE GIVEN TO LEAKAGE CASES WHERE THE LEAKS WERE CONCEALED AND PROMPT REPAIRS HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT.
FOR THE YEAR 1989-90, 410 LEAKAGE CASES MAINLY CONCERNING DOMESTIC CONSUMERS, INVOLVING 717,000 CUBIC METRES OF WATER AND TOTAL WATER CHARGES OF $2.8 MILLION WERE GIVEN SUCH CONSIDERATIONS.
"IN DEALING WITH HIGH WATER BILLS, ONE COMMON MISCONCEPTION OF THE CONSUMERS IS THAT THE HIGH CONSUMPTION IS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE METER REGISTERING A WRONG CONSUMPTION," HE SAID.
COPIES OF A LEAFLET ADVISING CONSUMERS ON HOW TO DEAL WITH A HIGH WATER BILL IS AVAILABLE AT THE DEPARTMENT’S CONSUMER ENQUIRY CENTRES IN NINE DISTRICTS AND AT THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS IN WANCHAI TOWER II.
ON THE MAJOR ACTIVITIES IN THE DEPARTMENT, MR WONG SAID THEY WERE ENGINEERING RELATED, INCLUDING THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF WATER RESOURCES; CONSTRUCTION OF WATERWORKS INSTALLATIONS LIKE RESERVOIRS, AQUEDUCTS, PUMPING STATIONS AND SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS; AND THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS OF THESE SYSTEMS IN THE PROVISION OF WATER SUPPLY TO THE CONSUMERS.
BILLIONS OF DOLLARS HAD BEEN SPENT IN CONSTRUCTING THESE SYSTEMS, THE LARGER ONES INCLUDING HIGH ISLAND AND PLOVER COVE RESERVOIRS, AND THE RECEPTION AND DELIVERY SYSTEMS OF THE CHINA WATER SUPPLY, HE SAID.
THESE ENGINEERING WORKS HAVE MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR THE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE AND WHOLESOME WATER SUPPLY TO THE PUBLIC.
ON THE DEPARTMENT’S WATER BILLING SYSTEM, HE SAID, ABOUT 600 OUT OF 5,500 STAFF IN THE DEPARTMENT WERE ENGAGED IN THE FUNCTION OF WATER BILLING.
THESE ARE MAINLY CLERICAL AND ACCOUNTING STAFF WHOSE PRINCIPAL TASKS ARE WATER-METER READING, PROCESSING AND ISSUE OF WATER BILLS, ENQUIRIES AND COLLECTION SERVICE, SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES ARISING FROM WATER BILLS AND CHASING OF ARREARS.
IN VOLUME TERMS, THE BILLING SYSTEM HOLDS 1.8 MILLION CONSUMER ACCOUNTS AND ISSUES ABOUT 5.2 MILLION WATER BILLS A YEAR INVOLVING WATER CHARGES TOTALLING $1,700 MILLION.
THE SYSTEM WAS FIRST IMPLEMENTED IN 1977 WHEN THE NUMBER OF CONSUMERS WAS ONLY 800,000 AND THE ANNUAL WATER CHARGES WAS $200 MILLION.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1990
- 8 -
LEGCO MEMBERS TO DEBATE ON WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE
*******
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL ASK A TOTAL OF FOUR QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER SIX BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 7).
OF THE SIX BILLS, FOUR WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS AND DEBATES ON THEM WILL BE ADJOURNED.
THEY ARE THE BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1990; THE TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990; THE ROAD TRAFFIC (DRIVING-OFFENCE POINTS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990; AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH (ANIMALS AND BIRDS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990.
THE OTHER BILLS ARE FOR SECOND READING BEFORE GOING THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING.
THEY ARE THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (REGISTRATION) BILL 1990 AND IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990.
ALSO, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER WILL MAKE A STATEMENT ON THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR.
IN ADDITION, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE TEMPORARY CONTROL OF DENSITY OF BUILDING DEVELOPMENT (KOWLOON AND NEW KOWLOON) ORDINANCE.
MEANWHILE, THE HON HUI YIN-FAT WILL MOVE A MOTION ON: "THAT THIS COUNCIL TAKES NOTE OF THE DRAFT WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1990’S AND BEYOND, AND CALLS ON THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE DRAFT."
ALSO, THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG WILL SPEAK ON THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION ANNUAL REPORT 19,89-90.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SITTINGS FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERIES AND THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY TELEPHONING 844 0899.
-------------------0-------- SPECIAL CLEAN-UP OPERATION IN MA SHI CHAU *****
A SPECIAL CLEAN-UP OPERATION IN SUPPORT OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN WILL BE CARRIED OUT ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 7) ON THE ISLAND OF MA SHI CHAU, TAI PO.
THE OPERATION WILL BE ASSISTED BY THE BRITISH FORCES.
/MA SHI .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1990
9
MA SHI CHAU HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS A SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST WITH RARE GEOLOGICAL FEATURES SINCE 1982. UNFORTUNATELY, ITS COASTAL AREA HAS BEEN SPOILT OVER THE YEARS BY FLOATING REFUSE WASHED ASHORE.
TAKING PART IN THE OPERATION WILL BE MEMBERS OF THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, FISHERMEN AND COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB MEMBERS.
A LANDING CRAFT PROVIDED BY THE BRITISH FORCES WILL FERRY THE PARTY FROM TAI PO KAU TO MA SHI CHAU, WHICH IS INACCESSIBLE BY ROAD.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER OPERATION IN MA SHI CHAU, TAI PO ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 7).
A VAN (NO. RC828) WILL PICK UP REPORTERS AT MIDDLE ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI (BEHIND PENINSULA HOTEL) AND LEAVE FOR TAI PO KAU AT 8.15 AM SHARP. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO HELP.
--------0-----------
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR FOR RESIDENTS »«**»*
A SEMINAR ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT SKILLS FOR SHAM SHUI PO RESIDENTS WILL BE HELD AT THE GRAND TOWER HOTEL ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 10).
THE SEMINAR IS ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT’S PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD.
MEMBERS OF LOCAL MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS CORPORATIONS AS WELL AS LOCAL RESIDENTS ARE WELCOME IO ATTEND.
REPRESENTATIVES OF DEPARTMENT, FIRE SERVICES AGAINST CORRUPTION AND THE
THE ELECTRICAL
DEPARTMENT, INSURANCE
THE
AND MECHANICAL SERVICES INDEPENDENT COMMISSION
INDUSTRY WILL SPEAK IN
THE USE AND MAINTENANCE OF LIFTS
SEMINAR ON TOPICS INCLUDING
RELATED PROVISIONS, FIRE PREVENTION AND HOME SAFETY, THE
BETWEEN ANTI-CORRUPTION AND BUILDING MANAGEMENT, AND
THE AND
RELATIONSHIP
BUILDING
INSURANCE.
THERE WILL ALSO BE OPEN DISCUSSIONS.
/DETAILS OF
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1990
- 10 -
DETAILS OF THE SEMINAR CAN DISTRICT OFFICE AT 37 TONKIN ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 720
BE OBTAINED FROM THE SHAM SHUI PO STREET AND ITS FOUR SUB-OFFICES. 4251 EXTENSION 271 OR 729 4828.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHAM SHUI PO BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR TO BE HELD ON SATURDAY FROM 2.30 PM TO 5.30 PM AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM, SIXTH FLOOR, GRAND TOWER HOTEL, MONG KOK.
------0------------
EXHIBITION ON EMPLOYMENT SERVICES FOR POST-SECONDARY GRADUATES * * * * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD A THREE-DAY EXHIBITION FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO INTRODUCE ITS EMPLOYMENT SERVICES FOR POST-SECONDARY GRADUATES.
THE EXHIBITION, WHICH WILL BE SET UP ALONG THE WALKWAY OF JARDINE HOUSE, CENTRAL, WILL FEATURE GRAPHIC DISPLAYS AND ILLUSTRATIONS ON THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT’S HIGHER EDUCATION EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (HEES).
IT WILL BE OPEN DAILY TO THE PUBLIC FROM 11 AM TO 5 PM TOMORROW, FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON WEDNESDAY AND FROM 9 AM TO 3.30 PM ON THURSDAY.
DEPARTMENT STAFF WILL BE THERE TO ANSWER PUBLIC ENQUIRIES.
THE HEES PROVIDES FREE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES TO LOCAL EMPLOYERS LOOKING FOR STAFF WITH TERTIARY OR RECOGNISED PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS, AS WELL AS TO JOB-SEEKERS WITH THESE QUALIFICATIONS.
IT ALSO ORGANISES CAREER SEMINARS AND ADVISES JOB-SEEKERS ON THE PREVAILING MARKET SITUATION AND JOB-HUNTING SKILLS.
LOCAL GRADUATES AND HONG KONG STUDENTS OVERSEAS WHO WISH TO RETURN AND WORK IN THE TERRITORY MAY REGISTER WITH THE HEES FOR EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE.
THE HEES ALSO ISSUES A MONTHLY PUBLICATION "PRIME JOBS IN HONG KONG" TO SOME 630 OVERSEAS TERTIARY INSTITUTES AND STUDENT BODIES FOR HONG KONG STUDENTS ABROAD.
ANOTHER MONTHLY PUBLICATION "CANDIDATE PROFILE" CONTAINING PARTICULARS OF SELECTED JOB-SEEKERS IS ALSO PRINTED FOR SOME 1,000 LOCAL EMPLOYERS.
FURTHER INFORMATION ON EMPLOYMENT CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE HEES ON SIXTH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, OR BY TELEPHONING 852 3232 OR 852 3233.
------0--------
/Il .....
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1990
- 11 -
EARLY SUBMISSION FOR FIGHT-DRUG PHOTO CONTEST REMINDED
* * * * *
PHOTOGRAPHY ENTHUSIASTS WISHING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ’TO CREATE A BRIGHT TOMORROW’ PHOTO COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS ARE REMINDED TODAY (MONDAY) TO SUBMIT THEIR ENTRIES BEFORE NEXT MONDAY (NOVEMBER 12).
THE COMPETITION CONSISTS OF TWO DIVISIONS: STUDENT DIVISION FOR STUDENTS AGED BETWEEN 12 AND 21 AND OPEN DIVISION FOR AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHY ENTHUSIASTS, REGARDLESS OF THEIR AGE.
INTERESTED ENTRANTS CAN EXPRESS THEMSELVES FREELY TOWARDS A BRIGHT DRUG-FREE FUTURE ON A COLOUR PRINT OF 3R SIZE. THROUGH THE PROCESS OF CREATIVE THINKING, THEY CAN ACQUIRE THE POSITIVE MEANING OF LIFE AND APPRECIATE THE IMPORTANCE OF ADOPTING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE.
THE TOP THREE WINNERS OF EACH DIVISION WILL BE AWARDED A CAMERA AND 25 ROLLS OF FILM CONTRIBUTED BY THE SPONSOR, KONICA HONG KONG LIMITED. FILMS WILL ALSO BE GIVEN TO THE 10 MERIT WINNERS OF EACH DIVISION.
ENTRY FORMS AND PROSPECTUS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE NARCOTICS DIVISION ON THE 23RD FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES; KONICA HONG KONG LTD AT ROOM 1818, SUN HUNG KAI CENTRE, HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI; KONICA AGENTS AND DISTRICT OFFICES.
ALL ENTRIES SHOULD REACH THE NARCOTICS DIVISION OR BE PUT INTO THE KONICA COLLECTION BOXES AT 13 MAJOR MTR STATIONS BEFORE THE MONDAY DEADLINE.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 867 2766.
------0--------
TENDERS INVITED FOR HEADING WORKS IN.HK SOUTH ******
THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE DEEP WATER BAY AND SHEK O HEADING WORKS.
THE WORKS, WHICH FORM PART OF THE SHEK 0 AND REPULSE BAY SEWERAGE AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL SCHEME, ARE AIMED AT IMPROVING THE WATER QUALITY AT BATHING BEACHES ON HONG KONG ISLAND SOUTH.
THE PROJECT WILL PROVIDE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL FACILITIES FOR SHOUSON HILL, DEEP WATER BAY, REPULSE BAY, MIDDLE BAY, SOUTH BAI, CHUNG HOM KOK, MA HANG, SHEK O AND ROCKY BAY AND IMPROVE THE EXISTING SEWERAGE SYSTEM.
/THE WORKS .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1990
- 12 -
THE WORKS WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TWO-METRE-DIAMETER TUNNEL ALONG WONG CHUK HANG ROAD FROM DEEP WATER BAY TO THE JUNCTION OF WONG CHUK HANG ROAD AND SHOUSON HILL AND A THREE-METRE-DIAMETER TUNNEL AT TAI TAU CHAU.
IT WILL ALSO INCLUDE THE LAYING OF A PUMPING MAIN BY TRENCHLESE TECHNOLOGY UNDERNEATH THE SLIP ROAD TO ABERDEEN TUNNEL IN FRONT OF HONG KONG SCHOOL OF MOTORING AND THE DRILLING OF THREE SUBMARINE OUTFALLS IN ROCK AT TAI TAU CHAU.
THE WORKS WILL BEGIN IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR AND TAKE 11 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE DEADLINE FOR THE SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON NOVEMBER 30.
--------0 - -
WATER SUSPENSION IN TWO DISTRICTS *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME KWUN TONG AND SHAM SHUI PO PREMISES WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 7) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE NIGHT LEAKAGE TESTS.
IN KWUN TONG, THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT BLOCKS 1-17, SAU MAU PING ESTATE WHILE IN SHAM SHUI PO, THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT AN AREA BOUNDED BY PO ON ROAD, CHEUNG FAT STREET, KWONG LEE ROAD AND TONKIN STREET.
---------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LETTERS PATENT AND CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS EXPLAINED ......................... 1
TEA RECEPTION IN HONOUR OF ROYAL VISITOR ....................................... 2
GROWTH IN OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES ...................... 2
PLANS AFOOT FOR BETTER ENVIRONMENT ............................................. 5
ELECTION OF LAB EMPLOYEES' REPRESENTATIVES ..................................... 6
TEACHERS' CENTRE ON THE ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE ................................... 7
TSEUNG KWAN 0 TUNNEL TO OPEN TO TRAFFIC ........................................ 8
SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR TSEUNG KWAN O TUNNEL OPENING .................. 8
SURVEY ON BEDSPACE-APARTMENT LODGERS .......................................... 10
CARNIVAL TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE ..................................... 10
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1990
- 1 -
LETTERS PATENT AND CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS EXPLAINED
THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, TODAY (TUESDAY) EXPLAINED THE LETTERS PATENT AND THE PROVISIONS OF CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS RELATING TO INDUSTRIAL ACTION BY CIVIL SERVANTS.
IN A STATEMENT RESPONDING TO PRESS ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE MEETING TODAY BETWEEN CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH OFFICIALS AND FIVE CIVIL SERVICE UNIONS, MR WIGGHAM SAID AS IN THE CASE OF MANAGEMENT OF ALL LARGE ORGANISATIONS, THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS RULES AND REGULATIONS TO ENSURE THE SMOOTH RUNNING OF THE CIVIL SERVICE, WHICH HAS AN ESTABLISHMENT OF ABOUT 190,000 STAFF IN 440 DIFFERENT GRADES.
CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS WERE DRAWN UP FOR THIS PURPOSE AND THE LETTERS PATENT PROVIDE THE GOVERNOR WITH THE AUTHORITY, THROUGH THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, TO DRAW UP AND ENFORCE SUCH REGULATIONS.
MR WIGGHAM ADDED THAT IT WAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF DEPARTMENT HEADS TO DRAW THE ATTENTION OF THEIR STAFF FROM TIME TO TIME TO THESE RULES OR REGULATIONS.
FOR EXAMPLE, ATTENTION IS DRAWN TO PROVISIONS IN THE ACCEPTANCE OF ADVANTAGE REGULATIONS IN ADVANCE OF FESTIVE SEASONS. IN THE CASE OF NON-PERFORMANCE OF DUTIES, THE ATTENTION OF THE STAFF WAS DRAWN TO POSSIBLE SANCTIONS.
MR WIGGHAM SAID CIVIL SERVANTS OBVIOUSLY HAD A DUTY TO THE PUBLIC AND, AS EMPLOYEES, THEY HAD A RESPONSIBILITY TO DISCHARGE THEIR DUTIES.
THERE ARE AMPLE AVENUES FOR AIRING GRIEVANCES AND ANY SUGGESTIONS TO IMPROVE THEIR CONDITIONS OF SERVICE SHOULD BE DISCUSSED IN THE FIRST INSTANCE WITH THEIR HEADS OF DEPARTMENT.
"ALL REPRESENTATIONS WILL BE GIVEN CAREFUL CONSIDERATION," HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT SUCCUMB TO THREATS OF INDUSTRIAL ACTION BY CIVIL SERVANTS IN PRESSING FOR THEIR DEMANDS," MR WIGGHAM EMPHASISED.
COMMENTING ON THE DEMANDS BY POSTAL WORKERS, MR WIGGHAM CALLED ON THEM TO EXERCISE PATIENCE.
HE SAID THEIR PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, AS WELL AS THOSE OF 214 OTHER GRADES, WERE CURRENTLY BEING REVIEWED BY THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.
"IT WOULD NOT BE FAIR IF THE POSTAL WORKERS’ CASE WAS SINGLED OUT FOR SPECIAL TREATMENT SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY THREATENED INDUSTRIAL ACTION,” HE SAID.
MR WIGGHAM SAID THREATENING TO DISRUPT THE DELIVERY OF CHRISTMAN MAIL WAS TANTAMOUNT TO BLACKMAIL AND, IF CARRIED OUT, WOULD BE A GREAT DISSERVICE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
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/2......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1990
2
TEA RECEPTION IN HONOUR OF ROYAL VISITOR * * * * *
SIX HUNDRED POLICE AND CIVILIAN GUESTS REPRESENTING A CROSS-SECTION OF THE FORCE ATTENDED A TEA RECEPTION HELD TODAY (TUESDAY) IN THE POLICE SPORTS AND RECREATION CLUB, BOUNDARY STREET, IN HONOUR OF THEIR HONORARY COMMANDANT GENERAL, HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ALEXANDRA.
OVER 170 OF THOSE INVITED TO ATTEND WERE PRESENTED TO THE ROYAL VISITOR.
THE 14 GROUPS REPRESENTED THE SOCIAL AMENITIES, SPORTS AND ARTS COUNCILS OF THE FORCE, THE POLICE ASSOCIATIONS, THE FOUR REGIONS AND THE OPERATIONS, TRAINING AND CRIME WINGS OF POLICE HEADQUARTERS.
ON ARRIVAL PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WAS GREETED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA, WHO PRESENTED THE DIRECTOR OF PERSONNEL AND TRAINING, MR KEITH LOMAS, THE CHIEF FORCE WELFARE OFFICER, MR DAVID LOW, AND THE CLUB’S GENERAL MANAGER, MRS HANNY YEUNG.
SHE WAS THEN ESCORTED INTO THE MULTI-PURPOSE HALL BY TWO FORCE PIPERS AND SPENT ABOUT 90 MINUTES MINGLING WITH GUESTS.
BEFORE LEAVING THE CLUB HER ROYAL HIGHNESS WAS INVITED TO SIGN THE VISITORS’ BOOK AFTER WHICH SHE WAS PRESENTED WITH A BOUQUET BY SIX-YEAR-OLD TIFFANY HO, DAUGHTER OF THE ASSISTANT MANAGER, MR ERIC HO.
THIS EVENING PRINCESS ALEXANDRA CONCLUDES HER VISITS TO THE FORCE BY ATTENDING A FORMAL MESS DINNER IN THE GAZETTED OFFICERS’ MESS AT CAINE HOUSE.
- - 0 - -
GROWTH IN OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES *****
OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES GREW BY $3.6 BILLION (OR 14 PER CENT) LAST YEAR TO OVER $29.7 BILLION, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY).
ANNOUNCING THE SURVEY FINDINGS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, SAID THE FIGURE WAS NEARLY THREE TIMES THE 1984 TOTAL OF $11.4 BILLION WHEN THE FIRST SUCH SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED.
THE 1990 SURVEY OF OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IS THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF SURVEYS CARRIED OUT BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT’S DATA AND SERVICES DIVISION.
/THE OBJECTIVES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1990
3
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE 1990 SURVEY WERE TO ASCERTAIN THE VALUE OF OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES AT THE END OF 1989, ITS SOURCE COUNTRIES AND DISTRIBUTION AMONG THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES; TO OBTAIN INFORMATION ON THE OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF MANUFACTURING COMPANIES WITH OVERSEAS INTERESTS; AND TO SEEK THESE COMPANIES’ VIEWS ON THE MERITS OF HONG KONG AS A MANUFACTURING BASE AND THE PROSPECTS FOR BUSINESS IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
IN THIS SURVEY, WHICH WAS CONDUCTED FROM JUNE TO SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, 589 COMPANIES REPORTED AN OVERSEAS INVESTMENT INTEREST.
MR BARMA SAID THE RELATIVE POSITION OF THE BIG FOUR INVESTORS HAD NOT CHANGED, WITH THE UNITED STATES REMAINING THE LARGEST INVESTOR (WITH 31 PER CENT), FOLLOWED BY JAPAN (WITH 29 PER CENT), CHINA (WITH 11 PER CENT) AND THE UK (WITH SEVEN PER CENT).
’’ALTHOUGH JAPAN REMAINED IN SECOND PLACE, IT ACCOUNTED FOR NEARLY HALF (47 PER CENT) OF TOTAL OVERSEAS INVESTMENT MADE IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IN 1989,” MR BARMA SAID.
AS REGARDS INDIVIDUAL MANUFACTURING SECTORS, NEARLY 60 PER CENT OF TOTAL OVERSEAS INVESTMENT WAS IN THE ELECTRONICS, ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS, TEXTILES AND CLOTHING AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
MR BARMA SAID THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WAS ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE QUALITY OF OVERSEAS INVESTMENT.
”WE BELIEVE THAT HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURERS MUST UPGRADE THEIR PRODUCTIVITY AND THE QUALITY OF THEIR PRODUCTS TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE.
’’THE AIM OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT’S INWARD INVESTMENT PROMOTION PROGRAMME IS TO ENCOURAGE OVERSEAS INVESTORS TO INTRODUCE TO HONG KONG, THROUGH THEIR INVESTMENTS, NEW OR IMPROVED PRODUCTS, TECHNOLOGY, DESIGNS AND MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES,” HE SAID.
IN THIS RESPECT, HE SAID, ABOUT 40 PER CENT OF COMPANIES WITH AN OVERSEAS INTEREST WERE JOINT VENTURES WITH LOCAL PARTNERS, A FORM OF COOPERATION WHICH PROVIDED A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER.
”IN ABOUT THE SAME PROPORTION OF COMPANIES, STAFF HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED FROM THE OVERSEAS PARENT COMPANIES TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE OR ASSISTANCE IN AREAS SUCH AS COMPANY MANAGEMENT, OPERATIONS, AND RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT,” HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID 337 COMPANIES (57 PER CENT) REPORTED THAT THEY EITHER HAD LICENSING ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE OVERSEAS PARENT COMPANY, OR HAD RECEIVED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE OR HELP IN ACQUIRING MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT FROM THEM.
MOREOVER, 104 COMPANIES (18 PER CENT), PARTICULARLY THOSE IN THE ELECTRONICS AND ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES, REPORTED THAT OVERSEAS INVESTORS HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN THE TRANSFER OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY.
/"IT IS........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1990
4
"IT IS CLEAR THAT OVERSEAS INVESTMENT PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN ASSISTING THE LOCAL MANUFACTURING SECTOR TO UPGRADE ITS PRODUCTION CAPABILITIES," MR BARMA SAID.
IN THE SURVEY, THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ALSO GAVE EACH COMPANY A LIST OF 20 BUSINESS FACTORS TO SEEK THE VIEWS OF OVERSEAS INVESTORS ON THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF HONG KONG AS A MANUFACTURING BASE.
"OUT OF THESE 20 FACTORS, 14 WERE CONSIDERED BY MORE THAN HALF THE RESPONDENTS TO BE FAVOURABLE.
"BANKING AND FINANCIAL FACILITIES, INFRASTRUCTURE, BUSINESS LAWS AND REGULATIONS, AND GOVERNMENT ECONOMIC POLICY WERE THE KEY FACTORS SEEN AS MOST FAVOURABLE," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID THE SURVEY ALSO CONFIRMED SEVERAL COMMONLY RECOGNISED UNFAVOURABLE FACTORS, SUCH AS HONG KONG’S POLITICAL FUTURE, LABOUR COST AND COST OF FACTORY SPACE.
"WHEN ASKED TO COMMENT ON THE OVERALL MANUFACTURING ENVIRONMENT IN HONG KONG, IT IS ENCOURAGING THAT 389 COMPANIES (67 PER CENT) CONSIDERED IT FAVOURABLE," HE SAID.
"A TOTAL OF 217 COMPANIES (37 PER CENT) ALSO HAD PLANS FOR EXPANSION IN HONG KONG. OF THESE, 171 (29 PER CENT) PLANNED TO EXPAND THE PRODUCTION CAPACITY OF THEIR EXISTING PRODUCTS, 57 (10 PER CENT) PLANNED TO INTRODUCE NEW PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND 91 (16 PER CENT) WERE DEVELOPING NEW PRODUCTS," HE ADDED.
ON BUSINESS PROSPECTS, MR BARMA SAID 364 COMPANIES (62 PER CENT) EXPECTED BUSINESS IN 1990 TO BE GOOD TO SATISFACTORY, WHILE 267 COMPANIES (45 PER CENT) FELT THE SAME ABOUT BUSINESS PROSPECTS IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS.
MR BARMA SAID THE RESULTS OF THE LATEST SURVEY WERE VERY POSITIVE.
"NOT ONLY DO THEY INDICATE THAT THE PROCESS OF ENRICHING OUR LOCAL MANUFACTURING CAPABILITIES CONTINUES INTO THE 1990’S, THROUGH TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER, BUT THEY ALSO DEMONSTRATE THAT HONG KONG REMAINS A VERY ATTRACTIVE LOCATION FOR INVESTMENT IN MANUFACTURING FOR OVERSEAS INVESTORS.
"WE IN THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WERE ALSO ENCOURAGED BY THE RESULTS BECAUSE WE PUT A LOT OF EFFORT INTO ATTRACTING OVERSEAS INVESTMENT," HE SAID.
COPIES OF THE SURVEY REPORT ARE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE FROM THE INDUSTRIAL DATA SECTION OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, ROOM 1415, OCEAN CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI.
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/5 ........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1990
- 5 -
PLANS AFOOT FOR BETTER ENVIRONMENT *****
PLANS ARE AFOOT TO MEET THE ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES OF THE FORTHCOMING DECADE AND TO PROVIDE A SAFE AND CLEAN ENVIRONMENT FOR THE FUTURE HONG KONG, THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES, MR MIAO CHI, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE BUILDING SERVICES ASIA '90, MR MIAO LISTED THE DEPLETION OF THE OZONE LAYER AND ENERGY CONSERVATION AS ITEMS HIGH ON THE LIST OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES TO BUILDING INDUSTRY.
"IN KEEPING WITH STRONG INTERNATIONAL AND LOCAL PRESSURES TO SAFEGUARD THE ENVIRONMENT AND WITH THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL AND THE LONDON PROTOCOL, THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG HAS TAKEN A LEAD IN USING ALTERNATIVES TO THOSE ENVIRONMENTALLY DAMAGING CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS (CFCS) AND BROMOTRI FLUOROMETHANE (BTM) FOR NEW AIR-CONDITIONING AND FIRE SERVICES INSTALLATIONS IN ITS BUILDINGS," MR MIAO SAID.
"TO CONTINUE THIS INTO THE FUTURE, BUILDING SERVICES WILL NEED TO BE RE-DESIGNED AND NEW EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURED," HE ADDED.
ACCORDING TO MR MIAO, A DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP HAS BEEN FORMED TO MONITOR THE CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS AND TO ADVISE WHETHER ADDITIONAL MEASURES ON THE CFC ISSUE WERE WARRANTED.
TURNING TO ENERGY CONSERVATION, MR MIAO SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD COMMISSIONED A CONSULTANCY STUDY TO ESTABLISH A STANDARD TO LOWER THE AMOUNT OF ENERGY WASTED FROM BUILDINGS.
THIS COULD BE THROUGH THE INTRODUCTION OF CODES OF PRACTICE ON THE REQUIREMENT OF THE OVERALL THERMAL TRANSFER VALUE FOR THE BUILDING FIBRES, HE SUGGESTED.
OTHER MEASURES, INCLUDING WORKING OUT INCENTIVES TO DISCOURAGE WASTEFUL USE OF ELECTRICITY BY CONSUMERS, WERE ALSO BEING CONSIDERED.
ON THE POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARDS ARISING FROM BUILDING SERVICES INSTALLATIONS, MR MIAO SAID A WORKING PARTY AND VARIOUS STANDING GROUPS TO LOOK INTO THE ISSUE OF LEGIONNAIRE’S DISEASE AND SICK BUILDING SYNDROME HAD BEEN SET UP RESPECTIVELY.
"I HOPE, IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE, IT WILL BE POSSIBLE FOR US TO SAY HONG KONG HAS THE FINEST BUILDING STOCK, AND OUR BUILDINGS ARE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT IN OPERATION, UPHOLDING OUR REPUTATION AS ONE OF THE LEADERS IN THE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IN THE REGION," HE ADDED.
- - 0----------
/6........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1990
- 6 -
ELECTION OF LAB EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES * * * * *
FIFTEEN CANDIDATES NOMINATED BY REGISTERED EMPLOYEES’ TRADE UNIONS WILL BE COMPETING FOR FIVE SEATS FOR EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES ON THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD (LAB) ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 10).
SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WILL BE APPOINTED TO THE BOARD FOR TWO YEARS STARTING FROM JANUARY 1991.
A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID 268 EMPLOYEES’ TRADE UNIONS HAD REGISTERED AS ELECTORS IN THE LAB ELECTION TO BE HELD AT QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL, MONG KOK.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT AUTHORISED UNION REPRESENTATIVES WERE REQUIRED TO ARRIVE AT THE SCHOOL BEFORE 2.30 PM ON THE ELECTION DAY.
’’THEY MUST PRODUCE THEIR HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS FOR INSPECTION BEFORE BEING ADMITTED TO THE ELECTION HALL,” HE STRESSED.
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER AND REGISTRAR OF TRADE UNIONS WILL BE PRESENT TO SUPERVISE THE COUNTING OF VOTES, WHILE AN ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR MAK SAI-YIU, WILL ACT AS THE RETURNING OFFICER.
THE LAB COMPRISES 12 MEMBERS, FIVE ELECTED BY REGISTERED EMPLOYEES’ TRADE UNIONS, FIVE NOMINATED BY MAJOR EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATIONS AND TWO APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR TO REPRESENT EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS RESPECTIVELY.
THE BOARD ADVISES THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR ON VARIOUS LABOUR MATTERS SUCH AS LABOUR LEGISLATION AND INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONVENTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE LAB ELECTION ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 10).
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE ENTRANCE TO QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL IN MONG KOK AT 2.30 PM SHARP. INFORMATION OFFICERS FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE ABLE TO COVER THE OPENING SESSION OF THE ELECTION AND THE INITIAL CHECKING OF BALLOT PAPERS AT THE END OF VOTING FROM THE BALCONY OF THE ELECTION HALL. ARRANGEMENTS WILL ALSO BE MADE FOR THEM TO COVER THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE ELECTION RESULTS AND TO INTERVIEW SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE REQUIRED TO LEAVE THE ELECTION HALL AND ITS BALCONY WHILE VOTING AND COUNTING OF VOTES ARE IN PROGRESS.
IT MAY BE DESIRABLE FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS TO USE TELEPHOTO LENSES WHILE FILMING CREWS SHOULD BRING THEIR OWN POWER SUPPLY.
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/7......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1990
7
TEACHERS’ CENTRE ON THE ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE
*****
THE 63-MEMBER ADVISORY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (AMC) OF THE HONG KONG TEACHERS’ CENTRE, FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT, IS ACTIVELY EXPLORING AND ASSESSING VARIOUS POSSIBLE MODES OF INDEPENDENCE.
THE COMMITTEE IS ALSO EXAMINING ITS CONSTITUTION IN ANTICIPATION OF NECESSARY AMENDMENTS TO ENABLE IT TO BE INDEPENDENT, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WERE TOLD TODAY (TUESDAY) DURING A VISIT TO THE CENTRE IN NORTH POINT.
OF THE 63 MEMBERS, 34 ARE NOMINATED BY TEACHERS’ OR TEACHING-RELATED ORGANISATIONS; 26 NOMINATED BY AND ELECTED FROM TEACHERS; AND THREE APPOINTED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION.
"THE PLAN IS FOR THE AMC TO GRADUALLY ASSUME AUTONOMY AND BECOME EVENTUALLY A STATUTORY BOARD OF MANAGEMENT," ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS), MR WONG SEK-WAH, TOLD THE VISITORS.
THE CENTRE, MR WONG SAID, SHOULD BE ONE NOT ONLY FOR TEACHERS BUT SHOULD ALSO BE RUN BY TEACHERS.
"THEREFORE, ALTHOUGH IT HAS A SKELETON STAFF PROVIDED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FOR ITS DAY-TO-DAY MANAGEMENT, TEACHERS ARE EXPECTED TO BE HEAVILY INVOLVED IN THE PLANNING, ORGANISATION AND CONDUCT OF ITS VARIOUS ACTIVITIES," HE SAID.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF THE CENTRE INCLUDE PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEACHERS TO MEET AND EXCHANGE IDEAS AND SHARE EXPERIENCES; PROMOTING IN-SERVICE EDUCATION; PROMOTING CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT; DEVELOPING AND TRYING OUT NEW TEACHING AIDS AND APPROACHES; AND PROVIDING COUNSELLING AND PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATION SERVICES.
MORE THAN 500 MEETINGS, TALKS, SEMINARS, EXHIBITIONS AND COURSE SESSIONS HAVE TAKEN PLACE, WITH A TOTAL ATTENDANCE OF ABOUT 38,000, SINCE ITS OPENING IN JUNE LAST YEAR.
THE CENTRE IS ON THE GROUND AND FIRST FLOOR OF A FORMER PRIMARY SCHOOL IN PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT, AND ITS FACILITIES INCLUDE ROOMS FOR SEMINARS, LECTURES AND READING, OFFICE ACCOMMODATION AND AMENITIES AREAS.
IT IS ALSO EQUIPPED WITH AUDIO-VISUAL AND COMPUTER EQUIPMENT.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WHO VISITED THE CENTRE WERE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, MR TIMOTHY HA, AND BOARD MEMBERS, DR JOHN CHEN, PROF B.L. COOKE, AND THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR PETER PELHAM.
/8.........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1990
- 8 -
TSEUNG KWAN 0 TUNNEL TO OPEN TO TRAFFIC *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ADVISED MOTORISTS THAT THE TSEUNG KWAN O TUNNEL WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC FROM FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 9) WITH DAILY OPERATING HOURS FROM 6.30 AM TO 10.30 PM.
THE NEW TUNNEL, WHICH FORMS PART OF ROUTE 4, WILL PROVIDE THE PRINCIPAL ACCESS BETWEEN TSEUNG KWAN O AND KOWLOON AND AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE TO THE EXISTING PO LAM ROAD.
WITH THE OPENING OF THE NEW TUNNEL, MOTORISTS FROM CLEAR WATER BAY PENINSULA AND TSEUNG KWAN O CAN GAIN ACCESS FROM PO LAM ROAD NORTH AND THE LOCAL ROADS CONNECTING TO TSEUNG KWAN O TUNNEL ROAD.
FOR MOTORISTS FROM KOWLOON, THEY CAN APPROACH THE TUNNEL VIA JUNK BAY ROAD BUT ACCESS TO AND FROM THE TUNNEL IS NOT POSSIBLE FROM SAU MAU PING ROAD.
WHEN THE TUNNEL IS CLOSED, MOTORISTS SHOULD USE PO LAM ROAD AND PO LAM ROAD NORTH.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID A LEAFLET WITH MAPS SHOWING THE ROUTES TO BOTH ENDS OF THE TUNNEL HAD BEEN PRODUCED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
INFORMATION ON TRAFFIC ROUTEINGS, OPENING HOURS, TOLL, TUNNEL PERMIT AND REMOVAL FEE ARE ALSO CONTAINED IN THE LEAFLET, HE ADDED.
MOTORISTS CAN OBTAIN FREE COPIES OF THE LEAFLET FROM THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION’S DISTRICT OFFICES AS WELL AS TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S LICENSING OFFICES.
TO COINCIDE WITH THE OPENING OF THE NEW TUNNEL, CROSS HARBOUR BUS ROUTE 690 SERVING BETWEEN HONG SING GARDEN AND THE MACAU FERRY PIER IN CENTRAL WILL BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL VIA THE TUNNEL FROM FRIDAY.
THERE ARE PLANS TO INTRODUCE A GREEN MINIBUS CIRCULAR ROUTE BETWEEN TSEUNG KWAN O VILLAGE AND LAM TIN VIA THE NEW TUNNEL, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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SPECIAL TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR TSEUNG KWAN O TUNNEL OPENING
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 8), A SERIES OF TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN TSEUNG KWAN O AND KWUN TONG TO FACILITATE THE OPENING OF TSUENG KWAN O TUNNEL.
TWO 24-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAYS WILL BE DESIGNATED ON THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF ROADS:
/* ROAD DI ........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1990
- 9 -
* ROAD DI BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH ROAD LU AND APPROXIMATELY 30 METRES NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH ROAD LI EXCLUDING THE LAY-BYS ALONG THIS SECTION OF ROAD; AND
* ROAD Lil BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH ROAD DI AND APPROXIMATELY 35 METRES NORTH OF THIS JUNCTION.
PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE EASTERN CARRIAGEWAY OF JUNK BAY ROAD AT ITS JUNCTION WITH THE SLIP ROAD LEADING TO SAU MAU PING ROAD.
DANGEROUS GOODS VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER ROAD DI AT ITS JUNCTION WITH ROAD Lil, AND THE EASTERN CARRIAGEWAY OF JUNK BAY ROAD AT ITS JUNCTION WITH THE SLIP ROAD LEADING TO SAU MAU PING ROAD.
LEARNER DRIVERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ENTER ROAD DI FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH ROAD LI TO ITS JUNCTION WITH ROAD Lil, AND THE EASTERN CARRIAGEWAY OF JUNK BAY ROAD AT ITS JUNCTION WITH THE SLIP ROAD LEADING TO SAU MAU PING ROAD.
PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLISTS ARE BANNED FROM ROAD DI AT ITS JUNCTION WITH ROAD LU, AND THE EASTERN CARRIAGEWAY OF JUNK BAY ROAD AT ITS JUNCTION WITH THE SLIP ROAD LEADING TO SAU MAU PING ROAD.
MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED THAT FROM 6.30 AM ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 9), TSEUNG KWAN O TUNNEL WILL BE OPENED TO TRAFFIC FROM 6.30 AM TO 10.30 PM DAILY. A SERIES OF TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN TSEUNG KWAN O FROM THAT DAY.
MOTORISTS FROM CLEAR WATER BAY PENINSULA AND TSEUNG KWAN O CAN GAIN ACCESS FROM PO LAM ROAD NORTH AND LOCAL ROADS CONNECTING TO TSEUNG KWAN O TUNNEL ROAD.
MOTORISTS FROM KOWLOON CAN APPROACH THE TUNNEL VIA JUNK BAY ROAD BUT ACCESS TO AND FROM THE TUNNEL IS NOT POSSIBLE FROM SAU MAU PING ROAD.
WHEN THE TUNNEL IS CLOSED, MOTORISTS SHOULD USE PO LAM ROAD AND PO LAM ROAD NORTH.
THE CROSS HARBOUR ROUTE 690 WILL BE DIVERTED TO TRAVEL VIA TSEUNG KWAN O TUNNEL AND THE TERMINAL POINTS WILL BE RELOCATED FROM PO LAM TO CENTRAL (MACAU FERRY) TO HONG SING GARDEN - CENTRAL (MACAU FERRY).
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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/10........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1990
- 10 -
SURVEY ON BEDSPACE-APARTMENT LODGERS *****
A SURVEY ON ALL BEDSPACE-APARTMENT LODGERS IS BEING CONDUCTED THIS MONTH (NOVEMBER) BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (TUESDAY), A CNTA SPOKESMAN SAID THIS IS THE SECOND PHASE OF A SURVEY UNDERTAKEN BY THE DEPARTMENT ON THIS TYPE OF ACCOMMODATION.
THE FIRST PHASE, WHICH WAS COMPLETED IN MAY THIS YEAR, COVERED THE WHEREABOUTS AND THE HOLDING CAPACITY OF BEDSPACE APARTMENTS IN THE TERRITORY.
"THE SECOND PHASE WILL FOCUS ON THE PERSONAL PARTICULARS OF THE LODGERS.
"THE INFORMATION TO BE COLLECTED WILL INCLUDE THE AGE, OCCUPATION, PLACE OF WORK, MONTHLY INCOME, MARITAL STATUS, AND THE TIME AND REASONS FOR RENTING A BEDSPACE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE APPEALED TO ALL BEDSPACE-APARTMENT OPERATORS AND TENANTS TO CO-OPERATE WITH DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF CONDUCTING THE SURVEY.
"THEIR FULL CO-OPERATION IS ESSENTIAL FOR US TO OBTAIN THE NECESSARY INFORMATION AND TO DESIGN MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE LIVING CONDITIONS IN THESE APARTMENTS," HE STRESSED.
IT IS HOPED THAT THE SURVEY WILL BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF JANUARY NEXT YEAR, HE ADDED.
CARNIVAL TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE » * ♦ ♦ ♦
A CARNIVAL TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO KEEP THEIR ENVIRONMENT CLEAN WILL BE HELD AT THE MAPLE STREET PLAYGROUND IN SHAM SHUI PO ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 11).
ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD’S KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN WORKING GROUP, THE CARNIVAL WILL INCLUDE A CHILDREN’S DRAWING COMPETITION, POP SINGING AND STALL GAMES.
THE DRAWING COMPETITION WILL BE HELD FROM 1 PM TO 2 PM WHILE THE OTHER EVENTS WILL START AT 2 PM.
/APPLICATION FORMS .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1990
11 -
APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE DRAWING COMPETITION AND COUPONS FOR STALL GAMES CAN NOW BE OBTAINED FROM THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AT 37 TONKIN STREET AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
OFFICIATING AT THE CARNIVAL WILL INCLUDE THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR TAI TUNG-NGOK, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALAN FUNG, AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES (KOWLOON), MR LAI MAN-CHI.
THE CARNIVAL IS PART OF THE WORKING GROUP’S YEAR LONG EFFORT IN DRIVING HOME "KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN" MESSAGES. THE WORKING GROUP HAS ALSO ORGANISED OTHER ACTIVITIES SUCH AS DESIGN COMPETITIONS, VARIETY SHOWS AND BUS PARADES IN CONJUNCTION WITH EACH OF THE DISTRICT’S 10 AREA COMMITTEES.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KEEP SHAM SHUI PO CLEAN CARNIVAL WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE MAPLE STREET PLAYGROUND ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 11) BEGINNING AT 2 PM.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
GOVERNMENT WILL NOT INTRODUCE COMPULSORY VOTING IN 1991: CS ............. 1
JOIN HANDS TO DEVELOP SOUND WELFARE SERVICES: SHW ....................... 2
HK ANTI II-LAWS EFFECTIVE: ASPREY ....................................... 4
PROSECUTIONS POLICY DESIGNED TO DETER IIS, AG SAYS ...................... 6
INTENTION OF TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) BILL FURTHER EXPLAINED ........... 7
GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO GAIN EXPERIENCE ON LABOUR IMPORTATION SCHEME ........ 10
RESOLUTION TO EXTEND TEMPORARY CONTROL OF BUILDING DENSITY .............. 12
BILL TO ESTABLISH HK'S NEW SHIPPING REGISTER PASSED ..............’...... 14
PHASING-OUT STRATEGY FOR URBAN LANDFILLS ................................ 15
BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1990 INTRODUCED....................... 16
BILL TO STRENGTHEN CONTROL ON UNTREATED MILK AND ANIMAL TRADERS ......... 18
DISQUALIFIED DRIVERS TO SURRENDER ALL DRIVING LICENCES .................. 19
FLEXI-STAFF DEPLOYMENT TO COPE WITH INFLUX OF PASSENGER TRAFFIC ......... 20
331 TAXI-METER OFFENCE CASES PROSECUTED IN TWO YEARS .................... 21
MOTION ON SOCIAL WELFARE DRAFT WHITE PAPER PASSED ....................... 22
NEW AIRPORT VITAL TO FUTURE PROSPERITY .................................... 23
WELL-TRAINED WORKFORCE ESSENTIAL TO STABILITY AND PROSPERITY .............. 25
HK AND NEW ZEALAND SHARE COMMON COMMITMENT ................................ 25
SITE OF SCIENTIFIC INTEREST GIVEN FACELIFT ................................ 27
CAREERS SHOW FOR YOUTHS ................................................... 28
WATER CUT IN TSUEN WAN .................................................... 29
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1990
1
GOVERNMENT WILL NOT INTRODUCE COMPULSORY VOTING IN 1991: CS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT INTRODUCE COMPULSORY VOTING FOR THE 1991 ELECTIONS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SIR DAVID WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION RAISED BY THE HON JAMES TIEN ON WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER INTRODUCING COMPULSORY VOTING FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND DISTRICT BOARDS ELECTIONS IN 1991.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS HIGHLY DEBATABLE WHETHER DEMOCRACY SHOULD BE PRACTISED THROUGH COMPULSION.
HE SAID WITH A FEW EXCEPTIONS, MOST DEMOCRACIES IN THE WORLD DID NOT COMPEL PEOPLE TO TURN OUT TO VOTE BY LAW.
"IN HONG KONG, WE RECOGNISE THAT IT IS A RIGHT OF OUR PEOPLE TO VOTE AT ELECTIONS.
"IN A FREE SOCIETY SUCH AS OURS, WE FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT IT SHOULD BE LEFT TO THE FREE, CONSCIOUS CHOICE OF THE INDIVIDUAL TO EXERCISE THIS RIGHT," HE SAID.
ON VOTER REGISTRATION, SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD NOT SET A TARGET FOR THIS YEAR’S VOTER REGISTRATION EXERCISE AND WAS SIMPLY TRYING TO ENCOURAGE AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE TO REGISTER.
BY OCTOBER 1, ABOUT 430,000 APPLICATION FORMS HAD BEEN RECEIVED, BUT MANY OF THESE WERE NOTIFICATIONS OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS FROM THOSE ALREADY REGISTERED OR WERE DUPLICATES, HE SAID.
THE PROVISIONAL REGISTER OF ELECTORS, SAID SIR DAVID, WOULD BE PUBLISHED IN TWO DAYS’ TIME, ON NOVEMBER 9, 1990.
"WE EXPECT THAT IT WILL HAVE 241,530 NEW VOTERS IN ADDITION TO THE EXISTING 1,597,567.
"AFTER WE HAVE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT DELETIONS ON ACCOUNT OF DEATH, EMIGRATION OR LOSS OF CONTACT, THE PROVISIONAL REGISTER WILL CONTAIN ABOUT 1.8 MILLION ELECTORS," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS STILL GETTING LATE APPLICATIONS, WHICH IF RECEIVED BEFORE NOVEMBER 20, WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE FINAL REGISTER TO BE PUBLISHED IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
"BY PROJECTION, WE EXPECT TO ADD ANOTHER 50,000 NEW VOTERS ONTO THE FINAL REGISTER. THIS WOULD BRING THE TOTAL NUMBER ON THE REGISTER TO ABOUT 1.85 MILLION, THAT IS A NET INCREASE OF 252,000 OVER THE NUMBER IN THE EXISTING REGISTER.
"THIS INCREASE COMPARES FAVOURABLY WITH THE AGGREGATE NET INCREASE FROM 1985 TO 1989 OF 156,000," THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
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/2 ........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1990
- 2 -
JOIN HANDS TO DEVELOP SOUND WELFARE SERVICES: SHW *****
SOUND FOUNDATION OF HONG KONG’S WELFARE SERVICES CAN BE FURTHER DEVELOPED TO CATER FOR THE CHANGING PATTERNS OF SOCIETY AND TO FULFIL THE NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF ITS COMMUNITY INTO THE 1990’S AND BEYOND, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
WINDING UP THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE DRAFT WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE INTO 1990’S AND BEYOND IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING, MRS WONG SAID SHE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THIS COULD BE ACHIEVED WITH THE ACTIVE SUPPORT OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
MRS WONG SAID SHE WAS GRATEFUL TO LEARN THAT MANY MEMBERS SHARED THE WORKING PARTY’S VISION FOR THE FUTURE WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF FAMILY, CHILD CARE AND YOUTH SERVICES.
SHE STRESSED THAT THEIR VIEWS ON THE DRAFT WHITE PAPER WOULD BE REFERRED TO THE WORKING PARTY ON SOCIAL WELFARE POLICIES AND SERVICES, WHICH WOULD WISH TO RE-EXAMINE THE CONTENTS OF THE DRAFT BEFORE SUBMITTING IT TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR CONSIDERATION.
DURING THE DEBATE, MRS WONG NOTED THAT THERE HAD BEEN IMPORTANT REFERENCES TO THE NEED FOR PROTECTION AGAINST THE LEAN YEARS OF OLD AGE PARTICULARLY AS THIS ELEMENT OF THE POPULATION WAS EXPECTED TO INCREASE IN THE FUTURE AND SOME MEMBERS HAD SUGGESTED THEY WERE BEING DUMPED BY THE YOUNG.
"GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS THE IDEA OF PROVIDING FOR SECURITY IN OLD AGE," SHE SAID.
MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT DID THIS IN THREE WAYS: FIRST, BY ENHANCING SOCIAL WELFARE PROVISIONS FOR THE ELDERLY; SECONDLY, BY EXTENDING THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME; AND THIRDLY, BY ENCOURAGING THE CREATION OF, AND THE PROPER SUPERVISION OF PRIVATE RETIREMENT SCHEMES.
ON SOCIAL SECURITY, MRS WONG EXPLAINED THAT THE APPLICABILITY OF OLD AGE ALLOWANCE HAD BEEN IMPROVED AND PROGRESSIVELY EXTENDED SINCE 1988 FROM THE AGE OF 70 TO THE AGE OF 65 BY NEXT YEAR.
"THE OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF OUR SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM IS TO PROVIDE FOR PROTECTION AGAINST THOSE CONTINGENCIES OF LIFE FROM WHICH THE INDIVIDUAL IS UNLIKELY TO BE ABLE TO PROTECT HIMSELF AND HIS FAMILY BY HIS OWN EFFORTS AND FORESIGHT.
"OUR SYSTEM IS, THEREFORE, BASED ON THE CONCEPT OF NEED," SHE SAID.
MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT SINCE THE 1960S THERE HAD BEEN PERIODIC CALLS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SOME FORMS OF COMPULSORY RETIREMENT SCHEMES IN HONG KONG.
/SHE ADDED .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1990
- 3 -
SHE ADDED THAT THE IMPLICATIONS OF THESE HAD BEEN ASSESSED BY SEVERAL WORKING PARTIES ON SEVERAL PREVIOUS OCCASIONS AND THE CONCLUSION REACHED HAD BEEN THAT COMPULSORY MEASURES, PARTICULARLY IN THE FORM OF A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND OR OTHER CONTRIBUTORY SCHEMES, WOULD HAVE, AMONGST OTHER THINGS, A SERIOUSLY ADVERSE EFFECT ON THE ECONOMY.
FURTHERMORE, SHE SAID WHETHER OR NOT THERE EXISTED OTHER SCHEMES, THERE WOULD ALWAYS BE THOSE WHO WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE FOR THEMSELVES AND NEEDED THE PROTECTION OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY SAFETY NET.
"OUR SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM SUITS LOCAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND HAS STOOD THE TEST OF TIME.
"AS FAR AS SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM WITHIN MY PURVIEW IS CONCERNED, WE CONSIDER THAT WE SHOULD RETAIN OUR STRENGTH AND CONTINUE WITH THE SYSTEM AND DEVELOP IT FURTHER," SHE SAID.
"WHILST WE SHOULD NOT BE AFRAID TO CHANGE, EQUALLY, IF IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO CHANGE, THEN IT IS NECESSARY NOT TO CHANGE,” SHE REMARKED.
ON RENEWED CALLS BY MEMBERS ON RETIREMENT SCHEMES AND PROVIDENT FUNDS, MRS WONG SAID THEY WOULD BE REFERRED TO THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER AND THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS FOR CAREFUL CONSIDERATION.
AS REGARDS, THE QUESTION OF EX-PRISONERS OF WAR PENSIONS, MRS WONG PROMISED TO GIVE IT EXPEDITED CONSIDERATION.
COMMENTING ON MEMBERS’ CONCERN ABOUT THE EXCLUSION OF REHABILITATION SERVICES AND COMMUNITY BUILDING FROM THE DRAFT WHITE PAPER, MRS WONG SAID SHE WOULD EMBARK ON THE TASK JUST ASSIGNED TO HER TO PREPARE A COMPREHENSIVE GREEN PAPER ON REHABILITATION BY 1992.
"THIS TIMELY NEW INITIATIVE WILL INCLUDE REVIEWING THE SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE VARIOUS REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED, EXPLORE THE POSSIBLE NEED FOR A LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF DISABLED PERSONS AND CONSIDER WAYS AND MEANS THROUGH WHICH PARTICIPATION OF DISABLED PERSONS IN THE POLICY MAKING PROCESS CAN BE ENHANCED," SHE SAID.
AS REGARDS COMMUNITY BUILDING, MRS WONG STRESSED THAT THE PROVISION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES FELL WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMUNITY BUILDING PROGRAMME AND THE POLICY PURVIEW OF SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS.
"COMMUNITY WORK HAS SINCE THE LAST DECADE PROGRESSED BEYOND ’WELFARE’ AND IT IS BELIEVED THAT INCLUSION OF THIS IN THE DRAFT WHITE PAPER COULD FRAGMENT THE COMMUNITY BUILDING PROGRAMME," SHE EXPLAINED.
/MRS WONG ........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1990
4
MRS WONG SAID SOME MEMBERS HAD CRITICISED GOVERNMENT FUNDING COMMITMENT AND EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE POLICY INTENTIONS AS SET OUT IN THE DRAFT WHITE PAPER AND THEY ALSO URGED THE ADMINISTRATION TO AFFIRM ITS COMMITMENT TO THE PROVISION OF WELFARE SERVICES.
"I WELCOME SUCH CRITICISM.
"CRITICISMS OF THIS KIND, ALBEIT BASED IN PART ON MISTAKEN ASSUMPTIONS, WILL BE HELPFUL TO ME IN SECURING BETTER FINANCIAL POSITION IN FUTURE NO DOUBT," SHE SAID.
SHE EXPLAINED THAT SOCIAL WELFARE EXPENDITURE, UNLIKE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, WAS PRIMARILY RECURRENT AND REPRESENTED A PERMANENT COMMITMENT.
"I SHOULD LIKE TO ADD, TOO, THAT THE PERCENTAGE OF THE ENTIRE SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMME EXPENDITURE TO THE CONSOLIDATED PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE HAS BEEN RISING STEADILY FROM FOUR PER CENT 10 YEARS AGO TO 6.1 PER CENT IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
"IT IS FORECAST THAT THIS TREND WILL CONTINUE IN THE COMING YEARS," MRS WONG SAID.
SHE SAID SHE SHARED THE BELIEF OF THE WORKING PARTY THAT THE COMMITMENTS CONTAINED IN ITS DRAFT WERE AFFORDABLE BY THE GOVERNMENT.
"AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE REALISE THAT GOVERNMENT FUNDS COME FROM TAXPAYERS AND OUR HOPE LIES IN THE CONTINUED EXPANSION OF THE ECONOMY SO AS TO ENABLE US TO LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS BUT BETTER MEANS, AND TO CUT OUR COAT ACCORDING TO OUR CLOTH BUT FINER CLOTH," SHE SAID.
SHE THANKED MEMBERS FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE DEBATE AND JOINED IN THEIR CALL FOR THE PUBLIC TO SUBMIT THEIR VIEWS ON THE DRAFT WHITE PAPER BEFORE PUBLIC CONSULTATION ENDED ON DECEMBER 17.
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HK ANTI II-LAWS EFFECTIVE: ASPREY
* * * * *
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT HONG KONG HAS IN PLACE LAWS WHICH EFFECTIVELY DETERS ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
WINDING UP THE DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING OF THE IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, MR ASPREY SAID GOVERNMENT POLICIES ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION WERE VERY WELL AND VERY' QUICKLY KNOWN TO PROSPECTIVE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA.
/REPLYING TO ........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1990
5
REPLYING TO POINTS RAISED BY MEMBERS, MR ASPREY EXPLAINED THAT THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSED TO MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE BILL BY REFERENCE TO THE NUMBER OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARRESTED, PROSECUTED AND IMPRISONED, AND TO REVIEW WHERE IT STOOD IN SIX MONTHS’ TIME.
"IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT IT WOULD BE DESIRABLE TO REDUCE THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE FOR THE OFFENCE OF ENTERING AND REMAINING UNLAWFULLY IN HONG KONG, PARTICULARLY FOR FIRST OFFENDERS. AND THAT IT WOULD ALSO BE DESIRABLE NOT TO PROSECUTE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS OR CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FOUND AT PLACES OF WORK.
"THESE AND OTHER MATTERS CAN BE REVIEWED THEN.
"BUT WE MUST BE CAREFUL NOT TO SEND THE WRONG MESSAGE," HE SAID.
HE AGREED WITH THE HON JIMMY MCGREGOR AND THE HON ELSIE TU THAT THERE WAS A NEED, FOR THE PRESENT AT LEAST, TO IMPORT LABOUR INTO HONG KONG.
"BUT I BELIEVE STRONGLY THAT THIS IMMIGRATION MUST BE CONTROLLED IN THE INTEREST OF ALL, INCLUDING IN THE INTEREST OF THE WORKERS THEMSELVES SO AS TO REDUCE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR EXPLOITATION," MR ASPREY SAID.
TURNING TO MEASURES WHICH EMPLOYERS, AND THOSE IN CHARGE OF CONSTRUCTION SITES SHOULD TAKE TO ENSURE THAT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WERE NOT EMPLOYED ON THEIR PREMISES, MR ASPREY EXPLAINED THAT THE AMENDMENT TO SECTION 171 NOW PROVIDED A DEFENCE FOR EMPLOYERS WHERE ALL PRACTICABLE STEPS HAD BEEN TAKEN TO DETERMINE THAT THE EMPLOYEE HAD LAWFULLY BEEN EMPLOYABLE.
"A SIMILAR DEFENCE IS AVAILABLE TO A CONSTRUCTION SITE CONTROLLER CHARGED WITH AN OFFENCE UNDER THE NEW SECTION 38A, HE ADDED.
MR ASPREY SAID SEVERAL MEMBERS HAD REQUESTED THAT DETAILED GUIDELINES BE LAID DOWN AS TO WHAT CONSTITUTED "ALL PRACTICABLE STEPS".
"THE STEPS THAT CAN BE TAKEN WILL VARY FROM INDUSTRY TO INDUSTRY, FACTORY TO FACTORY AND CONSTRUCTION SITE TO CONSTRUCTION SITE.
"IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO SPECIFY ALL PRACTICABLE STEPS THAT WOULD BE APPLICABLE IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES," MR ASPREY SAID.
HE ADDED THAT SUCH MEASURES COULD INCLUDE CHECKING THE DETAILS OF THE IDENTITY CARD OF A POTENTIAL EMPLOYEE, OR OTHER FORM OF IDENTIFICATION; TO INSTITUTE CHECKS ON SITE AT RANDOM TIMES; AND TO MAKE IT A CONDITION OF ENTRY TO A SITE, FACTORY OR OTHER WORK PLACE THAT A PERSON HAD TO IDENTIFY HIMSELF.
/•'PRACTICAL ADVICE.........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1990
- 6 -
"PRACTICAL ADVICE TO EMPLOYERS AND TO THOSE IN CHARGE OF CONSTRUCTION SITES WILL BE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST FROM CRIME PREVENTION OFFICERS IN EACH POLICE DISTRICT.
"IN ADDITION, THE ADMINISTRATION WILL, ON REQUEST, BE GLAD TO GIVE ASSISTANCE AND GUIDANCE TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND EMPLOYERS GENERALLY.
"BUT WHETHER THE MEASURES TAKEN CONSTITUTE AN WILL BE FOR THE COURT TO DETERMINE IN EACH CASE," HE
ADEQUATE DEFENCE SAID.
THE BILL WAS PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE.
---------0-----------
PROSECUTIONS POLICY DESIGNED TO DETER IIS, AG SAYS ******
A PROSECUTIONS POLICY WHICH WOULD SEEK TO REPATRIATE ALL ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WOULD SERIOUSLY UNDERMINE THE LEGISLATIVE OBJECTIVE OF THE IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
"SUCH A POLICY WOULD BE, IN MY VIEW, A VIRTUAL INVITATION TO ALL ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO COME FLOODING INTO HONG KONG, THE VERY SITUATION THAT WE ARE SEEKING TO AVOID," SAID MR MATHEWS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE PROSECUTIONS POLICY WAS DESIGNED TO DETER THOSE CAME HERE FOR EMPLOYMENT.
MR MATHEWS SAID HE WAS PREPARED TO REVIEW THAT POLICY CAREFULLY AFTER SIX MONTHS.
"BUT I BELIEVE THAT IT IS RIGHT THAT THE PROVISIONS IN THE BILL AND THE POLICY DESERVE A FAIR CHANCE TO WORK," HE SAID.
"AS I SAID WHEN I SPOKE ON 17 OCTOBER I WOULD NOT HESITATE TO CHANGE THE POLICY IF IT DOES NOT WORK. IN THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES IT WOULD, I SUGGEST, BE PREMATURE AND UNWISE TO GIVE THE UNDERTAKING THAT HAS BEEN SOUGHT THIS AFTERNOON THAT WE SHOULD ABANDON THAT PROSECUTIONS POLICY," SAID MR MATHEWS.
HE SAID HAD THERE NOT BEEN A POLICY OF PROSECUTING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE NUMBERS COMING HERE SEEKING EMPLOYMENT WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY MUCH GREATER.
MR MATHEWS WAS REPLYING TO SUGGESTIONS DURING THE DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL THAT THE PROSECUTIONS POLICY, ANNOUNCED ON OCTOBER 17 DURING THE INTRODUCTION OF THE BILL INTO THE COUNCIL, SHOULD BE MODIFIED AND THAT IN FUTURE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FOUND ON CONSTRUCTION SITES SHOULD BE REPATRIATED BACK TO CHINA WITHOUT PROSECUTION, BUT SHOULD BE PROSECUTED IF THEY CAME BACK HAVING BEEN WARNED.
/ON THE ........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1990
ON THE QUESTION OE SENTENCES, MR MATHEWS SAID IN SEEKING A REVIEW OF SENTENCE HE DID SO IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST ON TIGHTLY CIRCUMSCRIBED GROUNDS.
"THAT IS, IF I BELIEVE THE SENTENCE IS MANIFESTLY INADEQUATE OR WRONG IN PRINCIPLE.
"IT IS FOR THE COURT OF APPEAL TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT IT ACCEPTS MY SUBMISSION ON SENTENCE. THAT IS A MATTER ENTIRELY FOR THE COURT. IT HEARS MY SUBMISSIONS AND IT HEARS SUBMISSIONS FROM THOSE ON THE OTHER SIDE, AND IT TAKES A VIEW.
"IT IS WORTH RESTATING THAT PRINCIPLE CARDINAL TO OUR LEGAL SYSTEM THAT IT IS FOR THE COURT ULTIMATELY TO DECIDE SENTENCE," THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID.
INTENTION OF TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) BILL FURTHER EXPLAINED
*****
THE PRINCIPAL INTENTION OF EXTENDING PROPER TOWN PLANNING TO THE RURAL AREAS IS TO ASSIST ORDERLY DEVELOPMENT IN THE SAME WAY AS THE LEGISLATION HAS EFFECTIVELY BEEN APPLIED TO GUIDE DEVELOPMENT OF THE URBAN AREAS, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON MARTIN LEWIS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"IN HAVING A STATUTORY PLANNING SYSTEM, WE SHALL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE AN OPEN PROCESS WHICH WOULD GIVE CLEAR INDICATION OF WHAT DEVELOPMENT IS DESIRABLE AND WHERE IT SHOULD GO, THUS HELPING LANDOWNERS AND DEVELOPERS IN PLANNING AND USE OF THEIR PROPERTY AND IN MAKING INVESTMENT DECISIONS," MR LEWIS SAID, WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE PRESENT TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED IN 1939 TO PROVIDE FOR THE SYSTEMATIC PREPARATION AND APPROVAL OF ZONING PLANS FOR FUTURE LAY-OUT OF EXISTING AND POTENTIAL URBAN AREAS.
IT PROVIDES FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A TOWN PLANNING BOARD; SPECIFIES THE CONTENTS OF THE PLANS THAT THE BOARD MAY MAKE; ESTABLISHES AN EXHIBITION AND OBJECTION PROCEDURE FOR DRAFT PLANS; AND SETS UP A PROCEDURE FOR AMENDMENT AND APPROVAL OF PLANS, THE GRANTING OF PLANNING PERMISSION AND THE RIGHT OF REVIEW OF THE BOARD’S REFUSAL.
HE POINTED OUT THAT CONTROL IN ALL THE RURAL AND VILLAGE AREAS WAS CARRIED OUT THROUGH LEASE CONDITIONS AND ADMINISTRATIVE MEANS. SUCH CONTROL WAS, HOWEVER, LIMITED TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS ON AGRICULTURAL LAND AND NOXIOUS ACTIVITIES, AND DID NOT APPLY TO SITUATIONS WHEN A LANDOWNER CHANGED THE USE OF HIS LAND.
/"DURING RECENT .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1990
- 8 -
"DURING RECENT YEARS, WE HAVE SEEN CHANGES IN THE CHARACTER OF A CONSIDERABLE PROPORTION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES LAND AREA, MAINLY DUE TO CONVERSION OF LAND FOR OPEN STORAGE PURPOSE, WHICH IN TURN HAS -GIVEN RISE TO OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL AND INFRASTRUCTURAL SUPPORT PROBLEMS.
"THE INDICATIONS ARE THAT SUCH ACTIVITIES ARE LIKELY TO CONTINUE TO INCREASE," HE SAID.
MR LEWIS SAID THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNIZED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG DEMAND FOR OPEN STORAGE, AND ACCEPTED THAT SUCH ACTIVITIES SERVED AN ECONOMIC NEED IN HONG KONG.
HOWEVER, IT WAS EQUALLY NECESSARY FOR SUCH ACTIVITIES TO BE PLANNED AND PROVIDED THROUGH PROPER MANAGEMENT OF LAND USE AND TO MEET CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL, INFRASTRUCTURAL AND PLANNING REQUIREMENTS.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD EXAMINED ALL RELEVANT EXISTING ORDINANCES WITH A VIEW TO THE INTRODUCTION OF SUITABLE AMENDMENTS TO ACHIEVE THE CONTROL.
"IT HAS BEEN CONCLUDED THAT ONLY THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE IS A SUITABLE VEHICLE FOR SUCH A PURPOSE BUT IN ITS PRESENT FORM CONTAINS NO SUCH POWERS," HE ADDED.
TO REMEDY THE SITUATION, THE AMENDMENTS CONTAINED IN THE TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) BILL WOULD MAKE THE FOLLOWING MAIN CHANGES TO THE EXISTING ORDINANCE:-
* FIRST, CLAUSES 2 AND 5 REMOVE THE CONSTRAINTS IN THE ORDINANCE RESTRICTING ITS PROVISIONS TO URBAN AND POTENTIAL URBAN AREAS; AND ADDS TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD’S DUTIES THE DESIGNATION OF DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREAS;
* SECONDLY, CLAUSE 4 ALLOWS THE BOARD TO DELEGATE SOME OF ITS DUTIES TO COMMITTEES APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, OR TO PUBLIC OFFICERS;
* THIRDLY, CLAUSE 6(A) EXPANDS THE TYPES OF ZONING WHICH THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD MAY INCLUDE IN A DRAFT PLAN; AND
* FOURTHLY, CLAUSE 8 CREATES PROVISION FOR PREPARING DRAFT PLANS DESIGNATING AREAS WITHIN WHICH A PERMISSIVE SYSTEM OF DEVELOPMENT CONTROL WOULD THEN APPLY, AND POWERS TO ENFORCE COMPLIANCE WITH THIS SYSTEM.
THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS TO IMPROVE THE OPERATION OF THE ORDINANCE WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF A SERIES OF DEFINITIONS NEEDED FOR THE EFFICIENT IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ORDINANCE.
A CLAUSE PRESCRIBING THE PERIOD WITHIN WHICH A PERSON MAY APPEAL TO THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL WHEN HE IS AGGRIEVED BY THE DECISION OF THE BOARD ON A REVIEW IS ALSO INCLUDED.
/ON THIS .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1990
ON THIS, MR LEWIS TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER EXTENDING THIS PERIOD TO 60 DAYS, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE COMMENTS RECEIVED DURING THE CONSULTATION PERIOD.
IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT IT WOULD TAKE SOME TIME FOR OUTLINE ZONING PLANS TO BE PREPARED TO COVER ALL THE RURAL AREAS WHERE THEY WERE NEEDED, MR LEWIS SAID THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD WOULD BE EMPOWERED UNDER THE BILL TO DESIGNATE, AS DIRECTED BY THE GOVERNOR, DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREAS WITHIN WHICH ALL PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT, UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED IN THE PLAN, WILL REQUIRE PLANNING PERMISSION.
THE DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA PLANS WOULD BE GAZETTED AND EXHIBITED IN THE SAME MANNER AND SUBJECT TO THE SAME OBJECTION PROCEDURE AS THE CURRENT STATUTORY OUTLINE ZONING PLANS.
HE EXPLAINED THAT CONTROL THROUGH DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREAS WAS INTENDED TO BE AN INTERIM MEASURE ONLY, PENDING COMPLETION OF AN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN.
"THE DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA PLAN WILL BE REPLACED BY AN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN WITHIN THREE YEARS (SUBJECT TO ONE YEAR’S EXTENSION), BUT ENFORCEMENT POWERS WOULD CONTINUE TO APPLY EVEN WHEN THE DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA PLAN IS REPLACED BY AN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN.
"THERE IS, HOWEVER, NO INTENTION WHATSOEVER TO INTRODUCE DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA PLANS TO AREAS COVERED BY OUTLINE ZONING PLANS," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT UNDER THE PROPOSED SYSTEM, THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING WOULD BE GIVEN POWERS OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT.
NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENT TO DISCONTINUE AN UNAUTHORIZED DEVELOPMENT OR REINSTATE THE LAND WOULD, ON CONVICTION, BE LIABLE TO PUNISHMENT BY FINE OR IMPRISONMENT.
"HOWEVER, IN VIEW OF THE COMMENTS THE ADMINISTRATION HAS RECEIVED DURING THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE ON THE BILL, I SHALL BE PUTTING FORWARD PROPOSALS FOR A REDUCTION IN FINES AND THE REMOVAL OF THE IMPRISONMENT SENTENCE," HE SAID.
MR LEWIS ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS A SECTION UNDER THE BILL WHICH PROVIDED FOR AN INTERIM DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION SYSTEM, WHEREBY AS FROM THE DATE OF GAZETTING (I.E. JULY 27, 1990), THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING WAS EMPOWERED TO PUBLISH PLANS OF INTERIM DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREAS AS DIRECTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE MOVE WAS TO AVOID THE EFFECT OF ENCOURAGING DEVELOPMENT IN ANTICIPATION OF THE OPERATION OF THE BILL AS EXISTING USES PRIOR TO THE GAZETTING OF DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA PLANS WOULD BE PERMITTED TO CONTINUE.
UNDER THE SECTION, THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING MAY APPROVE OR REFUSE APPLICATIONS FOR CHANGE OF USE WITHIN INTERIM DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREAS. PENDING THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL, CONTRAVENTION OF THE INTERIM PLAN CANNOT BE ENFORCED.
/BUT IF .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1990
- 10 -
BUT IF THE BILL WAS PASSED AND IF THE AREAS COVERED BY THE INTERIM DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION PLANS BECOME PART OF A DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF THE ENACTMENT OF THE LEGISLATION, THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING’S APPROVAL WOULD BE HONOURED AND DEVELOPMENTS IN CONTRAVENTION OF THE PLAN WOULD BE ENFORCEABLE.
MR LEWIS STRESSED THAT THE MAIN INTENTION OF THE AMENDMENT BILL WAS TO ENSURE THAT DEVELOPMENT IN THE RURAL AREAS WOULD PROCEED UNDER THE RIGHT CONDITIONS IN THE RIGHT PLACE.
IT WAS ALSO A POSITIVE MEASURE WHEREBY DEVELOPMENTS BENEFICIAL TO THE NEW TERRITORIES WOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE PLACE, BOTH IN THE SHORT TERM AND IN THE YEARS TO COME.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
--------0-----------
GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO GAIN EXPERIENCE ON LABOUR IMPORTATION SCHEME *****
THE GOVERNMENT, BEFORE CONSIDERING TAKING STEP TO INCREASE THE QUOTAS FOR THE LABOUR IMPORTATION SCHEMES WILL NEED TO GAIN SOME EXPERIENCE WITH THE OPERATION OF THESE SCHEMES, PARTICULARLY AS REGARDS QUOTA UTILISATION AND THE EXTENT TO WHICH THEY COULD BE POLICED, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON K.Y. YEUNG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A STATEMENT TO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR, MR YEUNG SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ALSO NEED TO ASSESS CONDITIONS IN THE LABOUR MARKET, AND THE EFFECT OF IMPORTED LABOUR ON BOTH LOCAL WORKERS AND THE BUSINESSES INVOLVED.
"THE STEERING GROUP ON IMPORTATION OF LABOUR HAS CAREFULLY CONSIDERED WHETHER OR NOT IT SHOULD RECOMMEND TO THE GOVERNMENT THAT THE QUOTA LIMITS OF THESE TWO SCHEMES SHOULD BE RAISED.
"GIVEN THAT REAL DEMAND EXCEEDS AVAILABLE QUOTA BY NEARLY THREE TIMES, THERE IS ON THE FACE OF IT A CASE FOR RECOMMENDING THAT THE QUOTAS SHOULD BE INCREASED," HE SAID.
OUTLINING TO MEMBERS THE PROGRESS MADE ON IMPLEMENTING THE SCHEMES FOR IMPORTING LABOUR INTO HONG KONG, MR YEUNG SAID WHEN THE SIX-WEEK APPLICATION PERIOD WHICH ENDED ON AUGUST 31, A TOTAL OF 4,524 COMPANIES HAD APPLIED FOR PERMISSION TO IMPORT 57,558 WORKERS, MADE UP OF 15,823 SKILLED WORKERS AND 41,735 EXPERIENCED OPERATIVES.
"THESE FIGURES SHOW THAT THE SCHEMES HAVE BEEN OVER-SUBSCRIBED BY NEARLY SIX TIMES IN THE CASE OF SKILLED WORKERS AND OVER FOUR TIMES IN THE CASE OF EXPERIENCED OPERATIVES.
/"THE MAJORITY .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1990
- 11 -
"THE MAJORITY OF APPLICATIONS CAME, NOT UNEXPECTEDLY, FROM THE GARMENTS INDUSTRY, FOLLOWED CLOSELY BY CONSTRUCTION, AND BY THE HOTELS, CATERING AND TOURISM GROUP OF INDUSTRIES," HE SAID.
MR YEUNG POINTED OUT THAT BOTH THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WERE NOW GEARED UP TO IMPLEMENT THE SCHEMES FOR IMPORTING UP TO 2,700 TECHNICIANS, CRAFTSMEN AND SUPERVISORS, AND FOR IMPORTING UP TO 10,000 EXPERIENCED OPERATIVES.
MR YEUNG ASSURED THAT THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WOULD MOVE QUICKLY TO DEAL WITH VISA APPLICATIONS, ADDING THAT NO APPLICATION THAT WAS IN ORDER WOULD TAKE MORE THAN FOUR WEEKS TO BE APPROVED.
"SIMILARLY, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL INTERVIEW EMPLOYERS WHO NEED GUIDANCE AND GUEST WORKERS AFTER THEY ARRIVE, SO THAT THEY MAY FULLY UNDERSTAND THEIR RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.
"NEEDLESS TO SAY BOTH DEPARTMENTS WILL EXERCISE DUE VIGILANCE: THEY WILL ACT SWIFTLY ON ANY COMPLAINTS THEY RECEIVE ABOUT BREACHES OF VISA CONDITIONS AND EMPLOYMENT LEGISLATION," MR YEUNG NOTED.
MR YEUNG SAID MANY APPLICANTS HAD BEEN CONTACTED AND INTERVIEWED BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT.
MR YEUNG POINTED OUT THAT, ALTOGETHER 20,091 APPLICATIONS, REPRESENTING SOME 35 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL, WERE REJECTED FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.
THE REASONS INCLUDED: EMPLOYERS OFFERED WAGES BELOW THE PUBLISHED MEDIAN LEVELS, INVOLVED WORKERS WHOSE ATTRIBUTES FELL OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF THE TWO SCHEMES, INVOLVED LABOUR NOT REQUIRED FOR THE BUSINESS CONCERNED, OR INVOLVED COMPANIES SHOWING A LOSS.
MR YEUNG SAID THAT THE FIRST THREE GROUNDS FOR REJECTION WERE CLEAR AND INCONTROVERTIBLE.
"AS REGARDS THE FOURTH REASON, THE STEERING GROUP. ON IMPORTATION OF LABOUR TOOK THE VIEW THAT LOSS MAKING COMPANIES, UNLESS THEY ARE NEWLY ESTABLISHED, ARE IN GREATER DANGER OF GOING OUT OF BUSINESS.
"IF THEY DID THEY WOULD LEAVE BEHIND A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED WORKERS.
"THERE IS THE FURTHER PROBLEM THAT THEIR INCLUSION WOULD HAVE HAD THE EFFECT OF QUOTA BEING SPREAD VERY THINLY AMONG ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS. THIS COULD RESULT IN SUBSTANTIAL QUOTA UNDERUTILISATION," MR YEUNG EXPLAINED.
ON QUOTA ALLOCATION, MR YEUNG SAID THE REJECTIONS AND THE WITHDRAWAL OF 842 APPLICATIONS LEFT THE GOVERNMENT WITH A BALANCE OF 10,174 JOB APPLICATIONS FOR SKILLED WORKERS AND 26,451 JOB APPLICATIONS FOR EXPERIENCED OPERATIVES.
/"THIS STILL .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1990
- 12 -
"THIS STILL REPRESENTED AN EXCESS OF DEMAND OVER AVAILABLE QUOTA OF 3.8 TIMES AND 2.6 TIMES RESPECTIVELY.
"IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES, THE STEERING GROUP HAS HAD TO SCALE DOWN ELIGIBLE APPLICATIONS INVOLVING EXCESSIVE NUMBERS, AND TO RANK ALL APPLICATIONS IN SOME ORDER OF MERIT,” MR YEUNG SAID.
MR YEUNG POINTED OUT THAT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A VERY SMALL RESERVE, VIRTUALLY ALL QUOTA HAD BEEN ALLOCATED, AND NO INDUSTRY HAD AN ALLOCATION LOWER THAN 12 PER CENT OF THE NUMBER OF SKILLED WORKERS APPLIED FOR, OR BELOW 15 PER CENT OF THE NUMBER OF EXPERIENCED OPERATIVES APPLIED FOR.
MR YEUNG SAID THAT LETTERS INFORMING SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS OF THEIR QUOTA ALLOCATION WOULD BE ISSUED BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ON NOVEMBER 8 AND EMPLOYERS WOULD BE GIVEN FOUR MONTHS WITHIN WHICH TO RECRUIT WORKERS, CONCLUDE CONTRACTS OF EMPLOYMENT AND ARRANGE FOR THE WORKERS TO OBTAIN VISAS.
"ALL QUOTA SHOULD BE FILLED WITHIN THIS FOUR-MONTH PERIOD.
"UNLESS AN EXTENSION IS GRANTED, FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL RESULT IN QUOTA BEING WITHDRAWN," MR YEUNG ADDED.
-----0------
RESOLUTION TO EXTEND TEMPORARY CONTROL OF BUILDING DENSITY
*****
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON MARTIN LEWIS, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) MOVED A RESOLUTION TO EXTEND THE TEMPORARY CONTROL OF DENSITY OF BUILDING DEVELOPMENT (KOWLOON AND NEW KOWLOON) ORDINANCE 1989 FOR A FURTHER PERIOD OF THREE YEARS.
THE ORDINANCE IS DUE TO EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31, 1990.
MR LEWIS SAID: "THE HONG KONG AIRPORT (CONTROL OF OBSTRUCTIONS) CONSOLIDATION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) ORDER OF 1989 PERMITS THE RELAXATION OF AIRPORT HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS.
"THE TEMPORARY CONTROL ORDINANCE, ENACTED ON JULY 14, 1989, RESTRICTED BUILDINGS TO THE DENSITIES ACHIEVABLE UNDER THE FORMER AIRPORT HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS, BUT ALLOWED GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN BUILDING DESIGN BY PERMITTING THE ERECTION OF TALLER BUILDINGS UP TO THE REVISED AIRPORT HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS.
"WHEN THIS ORDINANCE WAS FIRST ENACTED IT WAS EXPECTED THAT THE AREAS WHERE PERMANENT DENSITY LIMITATIONS WOULD BE NECESSARY WOULD BE FEW AND THAT THE LIMITATIONS WOULD BE CAPABLE OF IMPOSITION THROUGH THE AMENDMENT OF A LIMITED NUMBER OF OUTLINE ZONING PLANS.
/"SINCE ENACTMENT .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1990
13 -
’’SINCE ENACTMENT, HOWEVER, IT HAS BECOME APPARENT THAT THE REDEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL IN MOST AREAS IS FAR GREATER THAN CAN BE PROVIDED FOR SATISFACTORILY WITH EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE,” MR LEWIS SAID.
MOREOVER, HE ADDED, WHEN KAI TAK AIRPORT IS REMOVED AND THERE IS NO FURTHER JUSTIFICATION FOR HEIGHT LIMITATIONS UNDER THE HONG KONG AIRPORT (CONTROL OF OBSTRUCTION) ORDINANCE, THE REDEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL WOULD BE LIMITED ONLY BY THE BUILDING (PLANNING) REGULATIONS OR THE STATUTORY OUTLINE ZONING PLANS AND LEASE CONDITIONS, IF APPLICABLE.
“IT IS ENVISAGED THAT THERE IS AN OVERALL POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPING ACCOMMODATION IN THE URBAN AREA FOR A POPULATION AT A LEVEL WHICH FAR EXCEEDS ANY REASONABLE PLANNING INTENTION.
’’BUT TO SET THE LEVELS OF CONTROL SENSIBLY AND EQUITABLY NEEDS EXTENSIVE STUDY - FAR MORE EXTENSIVE THAN WE FORESAW WHEN THE ORDINANCE WAS FIRST ENACTED. THESE STUDIES AND THE PREPARATION AND APPROVAL OF THE OUTLINE ZONING PLANS TO IMPLEMENT THEIR RESULTS WILL TAKE A FURTHER THREE YEARS.
“THIS PERIOD WILL BE TAKEN AS THE TARGET TOWARDS WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WILL COMPLETE ALL THE NECESSARY TASKS AND WE HAVE NO INTENTION OF PROPOSING ANY FURTHER EXTENSION BEYOND THIS PERIOD,” HE SAID.
MR LEWIS ALSO SAID THE LAND MARKET IN KOWLOON HAD ALL ALONG BEEN BASED ON THE LEVEL OF DENSITIES PERMITTED UNDER THE ORIGINAL ORDERS FOR OVER 30 YEARS; THIS ORDER MERELY CONTINUED TO RETAIN THE DENSITIES AT THAT LEVEL, IT DID NOT REDUCE THEM.
”ON THE OTHER HAND, I SHOULD ALSO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT IT IS NOT GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION THAT ALL FORMS OF DENSITY OR DEVELOPMENT CONTROL WILL BE LIFTED AT THE EXPIRY OF THE PROPOSED EXTENSION PERIOD OF THREE YEARS,” MR LEWIS SAID.
HE SAID SOME DEGREE OF CONTROL WOULD BE NECESSARY AND INEVITABLE SO AS TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE FOR DEVELOPMENT TO BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE LONG-TERM PLANNING STRATEGY FOR THE REGION AS A WHOLE AND FOR INDIVIDUAL AREAS.
’’FURTHERMORE, WE ALSO HAVE TO ENSURE THAT DEVELOPMENT WILL BE MADE WITHOUT EXCEEDING THE CAPACITY OF INFRASTRUCTURAL SUPPORT,” MR LEWIS SAID.
---------0-----------
/14........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1990
14
BILL TO ESTABLISH HK’S NEW SHIPPING REGISTER PASSED *****
THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (REGISTRATION) BILL 1990, WHICH SEEKS TO ESTABLISH HONG KONG’S NEW SHIPPING REGISTER AND CONSTRUCT A PACKAGE OF FEES AND CHARGES TO BE PAYABLE BY SHIPOWNERS, WAS PASSED INTO LAW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON ANSON CHAN, SAID WITH ITS OWN SHIPPING REGISTER, WHICH WILL OPEN FOR BUSINESS ON DECEMBER 3, HONG KONG WOULD SUCCEED IN ENHANCING ITS POSITION AS A MAJOR CENTRE OF TRADE AND SHIPPING AND THAT IT WOULD PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN PROMOTING HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC IDENTITY OVERSEAS.
AT THE SAME TIME, SHE BELIEVED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD CONSTRUCTED A PACKAGE OF FEES AND CHARGES THAT WOULD ENABLE HONG KONG TO COMPETE WITH OTHER REGISTERS OF SIMILAR STANDING.
MRS CHAN SAID THE AIM OF THE BILL WAS TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG’S SHIPPING REGISTER MAINTAINED A HIGH REPUTATION WHILE BEING COMPETITIVE ENOUGH TO ATTRACT NEW TONNAGE.
"IT BEARS REPEATING THAT HONG KONG REGISTERED SHIPS WILL BE OPERATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND THAT WE HAVE NO INTEREST IN SEEING HONG KONG BECOME A ’FLAG OF CONVENIENCE’.
"THIS WOULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO OUR EXISTING HARD-EARNED POSITION AS A LEADING CENTRE OF SHIPPING AND MARITIME COMMERCE," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN SAID THE PROPOSED CHARGES INCLUDED, FOR THE FIRST TIME, AN ANNUAL TONNAGE CHARGE.
IN RESPONSE TO REPRESENTATIONS FROM SHIPOWNERS THAT THE COMBINATION OF THIS CHARGE AND THE EXISTING PROVISIONS FOR THE TAXATION OF SHIPPING PROFITS WOULD SERIOUSLY AFFECT THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF THE HONG KONG REGISTER, THE ADMINISTRATION HAD DECIDED THAT EXEMPTION FROM PROFITS TAX WOULD BE GRANTED IN RESPECT OF PROFITS DERIVED FROM THE CARRIAGE OF PASSENGERS, MAIL, LIVESTOCK AND GOODS UPLIFTED IN HONG KONG BY OCEAN-GOING SHIPS REGISTERED ON THE NEW REGISTER.
THIS WOULD BE SUBJECT TO ENACTMENT BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE NECESSARY AMENDMENTS TO THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE, MRS CHAN ADDED.
"THIS EXEMPTION, WHICH WE INTEND WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW REGISTER, WILL ALSO APPLY TO THE CHARTER HIRE OF OCEAN-GOING SHIPS, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER THE SHIPS ARE REGISTERED IN HONG KONG.
/"IT WILL .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1990
- 15 -
"IT WILL NOT APPLY TO INCOME ARISING FROM JOURNEYS WITHIN THE WATERS OF HONG KONG, AND BETWEEN HONG KONG AND MACAU AND OTHER PLACES IN THE PEARL RIVER DELTA."
MRS CHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO KEEP THE FEES AND CHARGES STRUCTURE UNDER REVIEW TO ENSURE THAT THE REGISTER REMAINED COMPETITIVE.
THE DRAFT REGULATIONS WHICH CONTAINED THE PROPOSED FEES AND CHARGES WOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BILL WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
ON THE AMOUNT OF THE PUBLICITY THAT THE REGISTER SHOULD RECEIVE, MRS CHAN SAID THERE WAS A NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE REGISTER WAS WELL PUBLICISED AND ACTIVELY PROMOTED.
"THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH WILL TAKE PLACE ON NOVEMBER 23, WHEN THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE AND HIS PROFESSIONAL STAFF WILL HOST TWO SEMINARS FOR SHIPOWNERS, SHIPPING MANAGEMENT COMPANIES, BANKERS, MARINE LAWYERS, INSURERS, SHIPBUILDERS AND SHIP CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES TO INTRODUCE THE NEW REGISTER TO THEM IN DETAIL," SHE SAID.
MOREOVER, AFTER THE REGISTER OPENED FOR BUSINESS, MRS CHAN SAID THERE WOULD BE AN EXTENDED PROGRAMME OF VISITS TO INDIVIDUAL SHIPOWNERS AND SHIP MANAGEMENT COMPANIES TO ENCOURAGE AND ASSIST THEM TO MAKE USE OF THE REGISTER.
"THERE WILL ALSO BE MUCH GENERAL PUBLICITY, BOTH LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS," SHE ADDED.
PHASING-OUT STRATEGY FOR URBAN LANDFILLS
******
OFFENSIVE URBAN LANDFILLS AND INCINERATORS WOULD BE PROMPTLY PHASED OUT UNDER THE PRESENT STRATEGY FOR DISPOSAL OF WASTES, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON MARTIN LEWIS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ELSIE TU, MR LEWIS SAID THE PRESENT STRATEGY FOR DISPOSAL OF WASTES WAS BASED ON THREE LARGE LANDFILLS SITUATED IN REMOTE AREAS AND SERVICED BY A NETWORK OF URBAN REFUSE TRANSFER STATIONS.
"INCINERATORS CANNOT ENTIRELY REPLACE LANDFILLS BECAUSE A SIGNIFICANT PROPORTION OF OUR WASTE CANNOT BE BURNT.
"ALSO, INCINERATORS PRODUCE ASH WHICH AMOUNTS TO ABOUT 20 PER CENT OF THE WEIGHT OF THE ORIGINAL WASTE, AND REQUIRES DISPOSAL AT LANDFILLS," HE SAID.
/MR LEWIS .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1990
- 16 -
MR LEWIS POINTED OUT THAT MODERN DOMESTIC WASTE INCINERATORS, EVEN WITH HIGHLY SOPHISTICATED POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT, WERE NOT POLLUTION-FREE.
’’ALTHOUGH IT IS POSSIBLE WITH THE USE OF THE STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY TO REMOVE MOST OF THE POLLUTANTS GENERATED, THERE WOULD STILL BE SOME TOXIC CONSTITUENTS IN THE CHIMNEY EMISSIONS.
’’THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THESE INCINERATORS WOULD BE FURTHER AGGRAVATED BY OUR TOPOGRAPHY AND PROLIFERATION OF HIGH RISE BUILDINGS, WHICH MEANS THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO BUILD INCINERATORS IN PLACES FAR AWAY FROM HEAVILY-POPULATED AREAS.’’
HE SAID THESE IMPLICATIONS AND THE CAPITAL INTENSIVE NATURE AND COMPLEXITY OF THE PLANTS HAD MADE INCINERATION A VERY EXPENSIVE OPTION.
”A MODERN INCINERATION PLANT WOULD BE ALMOST THREE TIMES AS COSTLY AS A LANDFILL OF EQUIVALENT CAPACITY," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NEVERTHELESS GIVE CONSIDERATION TO A POTENTIAL ROLE FOR INCINERATORS IN ITS LONGER-TERM STRATEGY, MR LEWIS ADDED.
--------0-----------
BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1990 INTRODUCED
*****
THE BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE PURPOSE OF WHICH IS TO AMEND THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE TO EMPOWER THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TO DEMOLISH EXPEDITIOUSLY UNAUTHORISED BUILDINGS AND BUILDING WORKS IN CERTAIN PRESCRIBED CIRCUMSTANCES, WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON MR MARTIN LEWIS, SAID THE BILL SOUGHT TO ENABLE THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TO CONTROL THE PROBLEMS OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING ACTIVITIES AND DANGEROUS HILLSIDES MORE EFFECTIVELY, AS WELL AS STRENGTHENING THE APPLICATION OF THE ORDINANCE IN OTHER AREAS.
THE BILL PROPOSES THAT AN APPLICATION FOR A PRIORITY DEMOLITION ORDER BY THE AUTHORITY TO THE DISTRICT COURT WOULD BE WARRANTED WITH THE EXISTENCE OF ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING PRESCRIBED CIRCUMSTANCES:
* WHERE THERE IS AN IMMINENT DANGER TO LIFE OR PROPERTY;
/* WHEN THE ........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1990
- 17 -
» WHEN THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING IS ERECTED OR THE BUILDING WORKS ARE BEING CARRIED OUT WITH A VIEW TO SALE, LETTING OR DISPOSAL;
» WHERE THE BUILDING IS SITUATED, OR THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ARE BEING CARRIED OUT, IN A COMMON AREA OF A BUILDING OR ON LAND IN MULTIPLE OWNERSHIP AND SUCH BUILDING WORKS ARE SERIOUSLY DETRIMENTAL TO THE AMENITIES OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD; AND
* WHERE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING OR BUILDING WORKS CONSTITUTE A PUBLIC NUISANCE.
AN AGGRIEVED PERSON WOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD IN COURT AND THE MAKING OF AN ORDER FOR PRIORITY DEMOLITION WOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE DISCRETION OF THE COURT, MR LEWIS SAID.
ANOTHER MAJOR OBJECTIVE OF THE BILL IS TO EXPEDITE THE CARRYING OUT OF REMEDIAL WORKS ON DANGEROUS HILLSIDES.
"CLAUSE 4 OF THE BILL SEEKS TO AVOID UNNECESSARY DELAY BY ENABLING THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TO SERVE TWO ORDERS, ONE REQUIRING INVESTIGATION AND THE SUBMISSION OF REMEDIAL WORKS PROPOSALS, AND THE OTHER REQUIRING THE CARRYING OUT OF THE WORKS SPECIFIED IN THE PROPOSALS.
"IF THE OWNER DOES NOT CARRY OUT THE INVESTIGATION BY A DATE SPECIFIED IN THE FIRST ORDER, THE BUILDING AUTHORITY MAY STEP IN AND CARRY OUT THE INVESTIGATION AND NECESSARY WORKS TO MAKE THE LAND OR STRUCTURE SAFE WITHOUT SENDING THE SECOND ORDER.
"THESE NEW PROCEDURES WOULD SPEED UP THE NECESSARY REMEDIAL WORKS ON DANGEROUS HILLSIDES, THUS ENSURING PUBLIC SAFETY," HE SAID.
MR LEWIS SAID AT PRESENT, EXCEPT IN CASES OF EXTREME EMERGENCY, IT NORMALLY TOOK ABOUT FOUR MONTHS TO DEMOLISH UNAUTHORISED BUILDINGS OR BUILDING WORKS.
IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, HE SAID, IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT UNAUTHORISED BUILDINGS AND BUILDING WORKS WERE DEMOLISHED IN A MATTER OF DAYS FOR REASONS OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
SINCE 1985, MORE THAN 460 APPEALS HAD BEEN LODGED AGAINST THE BUILDING AUTHORITY’S ORDER REQUIRING DEMOLITION OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDINGS OR BUILDING WORKS.
"CLAUSE 9 OF THE BILL NOW SEEKS TO DETER FRIVOLOUS APPEALS BY EMPOWERING THE APPEAL TRIBUNAL TO AWARD COSTS FOR THESE APPEALS," HE SAID.
IT ALSO ENABLED THE APPEAL TRIBUNAL TO HOLD ITS HEARINGS IN PUBLIC AND PUBLISHED ITS DECISIONS IF THE TRIBUNAL CONSIDERS THE SUBJECT OF THE INQUIRY TO BE OF IMPORTANCE OR INTEREST TO THE PUBLIC.
/ALSO INCLUDED .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1990
- 18 -
ALSO INCLUDED IN THE BILL WERE SOME MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS TO UPDATE AND IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE.
THE AMENDMENTS SOUGHT TO CORRECT A TEXTUAL ERROR BY REPLACING "AUTHORISED ARCHITECT" WITH "AUTHORISED PERSON"; TO MAKE THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION THE SOLE AUTHORITY FOR ALLOCATING BUILDING NUMBERS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY; AND TO ENABLE MEMBERS OF AN APPEAL TRIBUNAL TO BE REMUNERATED AT A RATE APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR, INSTEAD OF HAVING REMUNERATION DETERMINED IN EACH CASE.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
--------0-----------
BILL TO STRENGTHEN CONTROL ON UNTREATED MILK AND ANIMAL TRADERS
******
THE PUBLIC HEALTH (ANIMALS AND BIRDS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 SEEKS TO PROVIDE POWERS TO ENABLE THE SETTING OF HYGIENE STANDARDS FOR UNTREATED MILK AND TO EXTEND THE EXISTING ENABLING POWERS RELATING TO THE LICENSING OF ANIMAL TRADERS AND THEIR BUSINESS PREMISES, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS CHAN SAID THE BILL ALSO PROPOSED AN INCREASE IN THE CEILING FOR PENALTIES UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH (ANIMALS AND BIRDS) ORDINANCE.
MRS CHAN SAID MILK MUST BE HEAT TREATED TO DESTROY BACTERIA AND OTHER MICRO-ORGANISMS BEFORE IT COULD BE MARKETED.
SHE EXPLAINED THAT STANDARD FORMS OF HEAT TREATMENT, SUCH AS PASTEURIZATION, REQUIRED THE INPUT OF REASONABLY HYGIENIC MILK AND COULD NOT BE RELIED UPON TO MAKE HEAVILY CONTAMINATED MILK COMPLETELY SAFE.
IT WAS THEREFORE IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THAT UNTREATED MILK WAS KEPT FREE FROM CONTAMINATION SO THAT THE MILK AND MILK PRODUCTS SOLD TO THE PUBLIC WOULD BE SAFE AND HYGIENIC, SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE DAIRIES REGULATIONS PROVIDED FOR THE LICENSING AND CONTROL OF DAIRIES BUT THEY DID NOT SET HYGIENE STANDARDS FOR UNTREATED MILK OR PROVIDED FOR ITS BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION.
"THE BILL THEREFORE PROVIDES FOR POWERS TO ENABLE ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS TO BE MADE ALLOWING THE TAKING OF MILK SAMPLES FOR BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION, SETTING STATUTORY STANDARDS FOR BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION AND PROHIBITING THE SALE OF CONTAMINATED MILK.
/"THE STANDARDS .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1990
- 19 -
’’THE STANDARDS TO BE SET WILL BE THE SAME AS THOSE SPECIFIED IN THE MILK BY-LAWS OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE, WHICH APPLY TO THE SALE OF TREATED MILK OR MILK BEVERAGES,” SHE ADDED.
MRS CHAN SAID THE BILL ALSO PROVIDED FOR MORE COMPREHENSIVE ENABLING AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE DEGREE OF CONTROL OVER THE STANDARDS MAINTAINED BY PERSONS OR BUSINESSES ENGAGED IN THE TRADING, BOARDING OR EXHIBITION OF ANIMALS AND BIRDS.
’’FOR EXAMPLE, WHEREAS AT PRESENT ONLY A PERSON ENGAGED IN THE TRADING OF ANIMALS AND BIRDS HAS TO BE LICENSED, THE BILL WILL ENABLE REGULATIONS TO BE MADE EXTENDING THE LICENSING REQUIREMENTS TO PREMISES WHERE ANIMALS AND BIRDS ARE KEPT FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE BUSINESS,” SHE SAID.
IN ADDITION, THE BILL ALSO SOUGHT TO RAISE THE PENALTY CEILING FOR OFFENCES AGAINST THE REGULATIONS, WHICH WAS LAST REVISED IN 1970, FROM $2,000 TO $5,000 TO MAINTAIN THEIR DETERRENT EFFECT, MRS CHAN SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
--------0-----------
DISQUALIFIED DRIVERS TO SURRENDER ALL DRIVING LICENCES
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG TODAY (WEDNESDAY) INTRODUCED AN AMENDMENT BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REQUIRING A DRIVER DISQUALIFIED UNDER THE DRIVING-OFFENCE POINTS SCHEME TO SURRENDER ALL HIS DRIVING LICENCES AND PERMITS.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC (DRIVING-OFFENCE POINTS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, MR LEUNG SAID THE LICENCES AND PERMITS SURRENDERED WOULD BE RETURNED TO THE DISQUALIFIED PERSON UPON EITHER HIS DEPARTURE FROM HONG KONG OR THE EXPIRY OF THE DISQUALIFICATION PERIOD, WHICHEVER EVENT OCCURRED EARLIER.
HE EXPLAINED THAT AT PRESENT WHEN A PERSON WAS DISQUALIFIED FROM DRIVING FOR HAVING INCURRED 15 OR MORE DRIVING-OFFENCE POINTS WITHIN TWO YEARS, HE WAS REQUIRED TO SURRENDER HIS HONG KONG DRIVING LICENCE.
’’BUT HE MAY STILL DRIVE USING HIS INTERNATIONAL AND FOREIGN DRIVING LICENCES OR PERMITS DURING THE DISQUALIFICATION PERIOD. THIS BREACHES THE SPIRIT OF THE DRIVING-OFFENCE POINTS SCHEME,” HE SAID.
THE BILL HE PRESENTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL RECTIFIED THIS ANOMALY.
/MR LEUNG .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1990
- 20 -
MR LEUNG SAID THE BILL ALSO EMPOWERED THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT TO CALCULATE DRIVING-OFFENCE POINTS ACCORDING TO THE METHOD USED BY MAGISTRATES.
HE SAID: "WHEN A PERSON HAS INCURRED 15 OR MORE DRIVING-OFFENCE POINTS, THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT MUST APPLY TO A MAGISTRATE FOR A SUMMONS.
"THE PRESENT LEGISLATION PROVIDES THAT WHERE TWO OR MORE OFFENCES HAVE ARISEN OUT OF THE SAME ACT, ONLY THE OFFENCE ATTRACTING THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF POINTS SHOULD BE COUNTED, AND WHERE THEY ATTRACT THE SAME NUMBER OF POINTS, ONLY ONE OF THE OFFENCES SHOULD BE COUNTED.
HOWEVER, THE COMMISSIONER IS NOT AT PRESENT EMPOWERED TO USE THIS METHOD OF CALCULATION AND MUST RECORD ALL MULTIPLE OFFENCES AND REFER CASES TO A MAGISTRATE, THEREBY CREATING UNNECESSARY WORK,” MR LEUNG SAID.
MR LEUNG SAID ANOTHER IMPROVEMENT THAT THE BILL BROUGHT ABOUT WAS TO CLARIFY’ THE CIRCUMSTANCES WHEN LIABILITY TO A FIXED PENALTY AROSE, CEASED, OR REVIVED. NO POLICY CHANGES WERE INVOLVED.
THE DEBATE ON THE MOTION
OF THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
0---------
FLEXI-STAFF DEPLOYMENT TO COPE WITH INFLUX OF PASSENGER TRAFFIC
*******
TO COPE WITH THE VOLUME OF PASSENGER TRAFFIC AT TIMES OF PEAK DEMAND AT THE LO WU TERMINAL, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT DEPLOYS ADDITIONAL STAFF TO MAN AS MANY IMMIGRATION COUNTERS AS POSSIBLE IN THE DIRECTION WHERE DEMAND IS HIGHEST.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON EDWARD HO, MR ASPREY SAID THE GOVERNMENT IS AIMING AT COMPLETING IMMIGRATION CLEARANCE OF ALL PASSENGERS WITHIN A MAXIMUM OF 30 MINUTES.
"THIS STANDARD IS GENERALLY ACHIEVED, INCLUDING AT THE LO WU TERMINAL.
"HOWEVER, DURING PEAK PERIOD AND FESTIVE PERIODS, PARTICULARLY AT THE LUNAR. NEW YEAR, SOME PASSENGERS MAY HAVE TO WAIT FOR MORE THAN 30 MINUTES," HE SAID.
MR ASPREY POINTED OUT THAT THE DAILY AVERAGE PASSENGER FLOW THROUGH LO WU IN 1990 IS 73,000, WHICH IS 2,000 LESS PER DAY THAN IN 1988.
/HOWEVER, HE ........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1990
21
HOWEVER, HE SAID, FUTURE GROWTH IN TRAFFIC MUST BE EXPECTED.
HE ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD UNDER PLANNING A PROJECT WHICH WOULD PROVIDE ADDITIONAL WAITING SPACE OF ABOUT 1800 SQUARE METRES AND AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF COUNTERS FOR PASSENGER CLEARANCE FROM 88 TO 160.
- - 0 - -
331 TAXI-METER OFFENCE CASES PROSECUTED IN TWO YEARS ******
THE NUMBER OF TAXI-METER OFFENCE CASES PROSECUTED BY THE POLICE SINCE OCTOBER 1988 TOTALLED TO 331, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON JAMES TIEN, MR LEUNG SAID THESE CASES RESULTED FROM POLICE ACTING ON COMPLAINTS AS WELL AS CONDUCTING RANDOM ROADSIDE CHECKS ON A REGULAR BASIS.
MR LEUNG SAID DURING THE SAME PERIOD, THE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT (TCU) OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 476 COMPLAINTS CONCERNING OVERCHARGING AS A RESULT OF SUSPECTED TAMPERING OF TAX I-METERS.
OF THESE, 243 CASES WERE REFERRED TO THE POLICE FOR INVESTIGATION AFTER THE COMPLAINANTS HAD INDICATED THEIR WILLINGNESS TO FURTHER PURSUE THEIR COMPLAINTS.
THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS CONCERNING TAXI-METER OFFENCES RECEIVED BY THE POLICE DURING THE SAME PERIOD WAS 615, INCLUDING THOSE REFERRED BY THE TCU.
MANY OF THE COMPLAINTS RESULTED IN PROSECUTIONS BEING INSTITUTED UNDER OTHER SECTIONS OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION BY THE POLICE.
MR LEUNG SAID APART FROM ACTING ON COMPLAINTS, THE POLICE ALSO TOOK ACTIVE STEPS TO PREVENT TAXI-METER OFFENCES BY CONDUCTING RANDOM ROADSIDE CHECKS. THIS WAS SHOWN IN THE HIGH PROSECUTION FIGURE OF 331, HE ADDED.
------0-----------
/22 ........
WEDNESDAY} NOVEMBER 7, 1990
- 22 -
MOTION ON SOCIAL WELFARE DRAFT WHITE PAPER PASSED
*****
THE MOTION ON THE DRAFT WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1990’S AND BEYOND, MOVED BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT, WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (LEGCO) TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SIXTEEN MEMBERS SPOKE ON THE MOTION AND THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
ANOTHER MOTION UNDER THE TEMPORARY CONTROL OF DENSITY OF BUILDING DEVELOPMENT (KOWLOON AND NEW KOWLOON) ORDINANCE WAS ALSO PASSED.
MOVED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE MOTION EXTENDED THE ORDINANCE TO DECEMBER 31, 1993.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER HAD MADE A STATEMENT ON THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR.
MEANWHILE, TWO BILLS WERE PASSED BY THE LEGCO. THEY WERE THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (REGISTRATION) BILL 1990 AND THE IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990.
IN ADDITION, FOUR BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. THEY WERE THE BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1990, THE TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE ROAD TRAFFIC (DRIVING-OFFENCE POINTS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH (ANIMALS AND BIRDS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990.
DEBATE ON THESE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
- - 0----------
/23........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1990
- 23 -
NEW AIRPORT VITAL TO FUTURE PROSPERITY
*****
HONG KONG SHOULD APPROACH THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES AFFORDED BY THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY WITH A SENSE OF WELL-EARNED PRIDE IN PAST ACHIEVEMENTS AND CONFIDENCE IN ITS ABILITY TO ACHIEVE STILL MORE, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MRS CHAN WAS SPEAKING AT THE BUSINESS INFORMATION DAY OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STUDENTS OF ECONOMICS, AT THE BAPTIST COLLEGE.
SHE SAID THAT HONG KONG LIVED BY TRADE AND THAT 30 PER CENT OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 16 PER CENT OF RE-EXPORTS AND 20 PER CENT OF IMPORTS BY VALUE PASSED THROUGH KAI TAK LAST YEAR. EIGHTY-FIVE PER CENT OF TOURISTS ARRIVED BY AIR. AN EFFICIENT AIRPORT IS VITAL TO THE TERRITORY’S PROSPERITY.
"LET US BE UNDER NO ILLUSIONS. WE ALREADY FACE STRONG COMPETITION FROM OUR NEIGHBOURING CITIES, AND THIS COMPETITION WILL INCREASE," MRS CHAN SAID.
"HONG KONG MUST NOT ALLOW ITS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO BE HELD BACK BY INADEQUATE AIRPORT FACILITIES.
"THIS YEAR WE EXPECT TO SEE THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS USING THE KAI TAK TERMINAL TO REACH 18.5 MILLION, REPRESENTING A 14 PER CENT INCREASE OVER 1989 AND A CONTINUATION OF THE AVERAGE 15 PER CENT GROWTH EXPERIENCED OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS.
"CARGO THROUGHPUT IS ALSO EXPECTED TO INCREASE BY SOME EIGHT PER CENT TO 788,000 TONNES AND AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS BY OVER 12 PER CENT TO 106,000.
"IF THESE TRENDS CONTINUE THEN KAI TAK WILL HAVE REACHED FULL CAPACITY BY 1993.
"EVEN ON THE MORE CONSERVATIVE GROWTH RATES ASSUMED BY OUR CONSULTANTS IN 1988, CAPACITY WILL STILL BE REACHED BY 1996 AND, AT THAT POINT, WE WOULD BEGIN TO HAVE TO TURN BUSINESS AWAY."
MRS CHAN SAID MUCH HAD BEEN MADE IN RECENT WEEKS OF APPARENT INCONSISTENCIES IN THE ESTIMATES OF ECONOMIC DISBENEFITS WHICH HONG KONG WOULD SUFFER IF IT HAI) TO MAKE DO WITH AN AIRPORT OPERATING AT, OR BEYOND CAPACITY.
"IN FACT THERE WAS NO REAL DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CONSULTANTS CONCERNED, BOTH OF WHOM PREDICTED ECONOMIC DISBENEFITS WELL IN EXCESS OF $100 BILLON AT PRESENT PRICES WERE NO NEW AIRPORT TO BE PROVIDED BY 2010.
/"THE REASON .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1990
24 -
"THE REASON WHY THE CONFUSION AROSE WAS THAT ONE CONSULTANT ALSO FORMULATED OTHER ESTIMATES OF THE ECONOMIC COST BASED ON COMPARISON WITH A SCENARIO IN WHICH GROWTH AT KAI TAK WAS CONSTRAINED BY MEASURES SUCH AS RAISING AIRPORT CHARGES TO AN UNREALISTICALLY HIGH LEVEL AND DRASTICALLY LIMITING ACCESS BY AIRLINES," SHE SAID.
THE SECRETARY SAID COMMON SENSE DICTATED THAT A SITUATION WHERE THE AIRPORT WAS UNDER CHRONIC RESTRAINT SHOULD BE AVOIDED --COMPETITORS WOULD QUICKLY SNAP UP THE RESULTING LOST BUSINESS.
"AS MANY OF YOU KNOW WE CAN ONLY OBTAIN MORE RIGHTS FOR OUR AIRLINES TO FLY TO EXISTING OR NEW DESTINATIONS IF WE ARE ABLE TO OFFER RECIPROCAL RIGHTS TO FLY TO HONG KONG TO THE AIRLINES OF OUR AVIATION PARTNERS.
"IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT WE CAN ONLY OFFER SUCH RIGHTS IF WE HAVE AN AIRPORT WITH ENOUGH CAPACITY TO ACCOMMODATE MORE ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES."
MRS CHAN SAID THE NEW AIRPORT WOULD OFFER TREMENDOUS IMMEDIATE ADVANTAGES OVER KAI TAK AS WELL AS CONSIDERABLE LONGER TERM BENEFIT TO HONG KONG’S AVIATION INDUSTRY AND THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE.
"EVEN WITH ONLY ONE RUNWAY OPEN THE AIRPORT WILL PROVIDE MUCH GREATER CAPACITY THAN KAI TAK AS A RESULT OF ITS BETTER LOCATION AND ABILITY TO OPERATE ON A 24-HOUR BASIS.
"THE 350,000 PEOPLE LIVING UNDER THE KAI TAK FLIGHT PATH WILL BE RELIEVED OF THE VERY HIGH LEVELS OF NOISE THEY CURRENTLY ENDURE AND THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH HAVING A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT SO CLOSE TO DENSELY POPULATED URBAN AREAS WILL IMMEDIATELY DISAPPEAR.
"THE POTENTIAL FOR ROUND-THE-CLOCK OPERATION WILL OFFER PARTICULAR OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPANDING HONG KONG’S ROLE AS A HUB FOR LONG-HAUL DESTINATIONS," SHE SAID.
"WE CAN ALSO EXPECT TO SEE LARGE INCREASES IN THE VOLUME OF FREIGHT BEING HANDLED AT THE NEW AIRPORT, GIVEN THAT CARGO SERVICES CAN MAKE USE OF TAKE-OFF AND LANDING SLOTS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WHICH ARE NOT ATTRACTIVE TO PASSENGER SERVICES," SHE ADDED.
ANOTHER BENEFIT WOULD BE THE AVAILABILITY OF LAND FOR AIRPORT-RELATED BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL UNDERTAKINGS.
"PRESENT PLANNING ENVISAGES THE TERMINALS AND MAIN AIRPORT SUPPORT FACILITIES LOCATED BETWEEN THE TWO RUNWAYS, THEREBY CUTTING DOWN ON THE TIME SPENT BY AIRCRAFT TAXIING TO AND FROM THE MAIN RUNWAYS AND INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY OF ROUTINE LOADING AND MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS," MRS CHAN SAID.
ON CRITICISM OF THE PROJECT, MRS CHAN SAID: "I AM FRANKLY SURPRISED AND DISMAYED THAT SO MANY IN THIS COMMUNITY SEEM TO DOUBT THE NECESSITY FOR A NEW AIRPORT AND OUR ABILITY TO COMPLETE IT.
/"WE ARE .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1990
- 25 -
”WE ARE NOT A GOVERNMENT THAT HAS A REPUTATION FOR FAILING TO DELIVER. ON THE CONTRARY, AS A GOVERNMENT AND A COMMUNITY WE HAVE CONSISTENTLY SHOWN OURSELVES CAPABLE OF UNDERTAKING MAJOR DEVELOPMENT AND COMPLETING IT ON SCHEDULE AND WITHIN BUDGET, TO THE HIGHEST INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS.
’’THE LAST 20 YEARS HAVE SEEN US TURN NEW TERRITORIES VILLAGES INTO SELF-CONTAINED NEW TOWNS HOUSING SOME TWO MILLION PEOPLE. WE HAVE BUILT TWO CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNELS, A NEW MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY, RESERVOIRS, MAJOR NEW ROADS, SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, AND OTHER COMMUNITY FACILITIES.
’’THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY ON WHICH WE ARE NOW EMBARKED IS AN AMBITIOUS ONE, BUT WE ARE EMBARKING ON IT IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT WE HAVE THE SKILLS AND RESOURCES TO SEE IT THROUGH.”
---------0-----------
WELL-TRAINED WORKFORCE ESSENTIAL TO STABILITY AND PROSPERITY ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
IF HONG KONG IS TO MAINTAIN ITS PRESENT ECONOMIC STABILITY AND PROSPERITY, PARTICULARLY IN THE RUN-UP TO 1997, IT IS IMPERATIVE AND ESSENTIAL THAT THE TERRITORY CAN COUNT ON A STEADY SUPPLY OF A WELL-TRAINED WORKFORCE.
THIS WORKFORCE SHOULD BE CAPABLE OF ADJUSTING AND ADAPTING TO CHANGES IN THE INDUSTRIAL AND ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR LI SAID THIS AT THE GRADUATION CEREMONY FOR TRAINER TRAINING COURSES OF THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS' COLLEGE HELD AT CITY HALL.
”IN FACT OUR 'ECONOMIC MIRACLE’ DEPENDS TO A LARGE EXTENT ON OUR WORKFORCE’S ABILITY TO COPE WITH AND RESPOND TO THE MANY CHALLENGES OF CHANGES, WHICH INCLUDE THE RAPIDITY OF TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE, THE DEMANDS OF INCREASED COMPETITION, AND THE NEED TO PENETRATE NEW MARKETS,” HE SAID.
TO PRODUCE THIS WORKFORCE, HE SAID HONG KONG MUST HAVE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTORS AND TRAINERS WITH A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF THE OPERATIONAL NEEDS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY.
MR LI SAID THIS TASK WAS TO ENSURE THAT THEIR TRAINING PROGRAMMES WILL PROVIDE THE WORKFORCE WITH THE NECESSARY SKILLS AND EXPERTISE TO PRODUCE SERVICES THAT WILL MEET WORLD CLASS STANDARDS.
HE WAS DELIGHTED TO HEAR THAT THE TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CITY AND GUILDS OF LONDON INSTITUTE, IS PLANNING TO EXPAND ITS PRESENT TRAINING PROGRAMMES TO INCLUDE COURSES FOR TRAINERS IN FURTHER AND ADULT EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS.
/•'I AM.............
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1990
- 26 -
"I AM EQUALLY DELIGHTED TO HEAR THAT, IN ORDER TO UPDATE AND FURTHER DEVELOP THE INSTRUCTIONAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE OF TRAINERS AND INSTRUCTORS WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED BASIC TRAINING FROM THE COLLEGE IN THIS AREA, THE COLLEGE WILL START THE FIRST CLASS OF THE NEW ADVANCED COURSE IN INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES IN FEBRUARY 1991," HE SAID.
MR LI ALSO EXPRESSED APPRECIATION TO SENIOR EXECUTIVES AND MANAGERS IN BOTH COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WHO HAD SHOWN A KEEN INTEREST IN THE TRAINING PROGRAMMES AND HAD GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COURSES.
A TOTAL OF 496 GRADUATES FROM THE TRAINING PERSONNEL OF THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS RECEIVED CERTIFICATES AND PRIZES FROM MR LI.
OF THE TOTAL GRADUATES, 35 PER CENT WERE FROM PRIVATE FIRMS, 25 PER CENT FROM THE SERVICING INDUSTRIES, 20 PER CENT FROM THE TRAINING WINGS OF 10 GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, AND FIVE PER CENT FROM THE PUBLIC UTILITIES.
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HK AND NEW ZEALAND SHARE COMMON COMMITMENT * * * * *
HONG KONG AND NEW ZEALAND SHARE A COMMON COMMITMENT TO THE FREE, NON-DISCRIMINATORY, MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM ENSHRINED IN THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TRAIFFS AND TRADE (GATT), THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT A LUNCH MEETING ORGANISED BY THE NEW ZEALAND HONG KONG ASSOCIATION.
MR CHAN SAID HONG KONG AND NEW ZEALAND HAD WORKED CLOSELY TOGETHER ON VARIOUS ISSUES IN THE URUGUAY ROUND TO PROMOTE THE INTERESTS OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ECONOMIES AND TO BALANCE THE EXTREME POSITIONS ADOPTED BY SOME OF THE OTHER PARTICIPANTS.
"WE HAVE, FOR EXAMPLE, CO-SPONSORED PROPOSALS ADVOCATING A FORMULA APPROACH TO TARIFF REDUCTION; A MULTILATERAL APPROACH TO REDUCE NON-TAR1FF MEASURES; PROCEDURAL IMPROVEMENTS TO SPEED UP THE DISPUTE SETTLEMENT PROCESS; AND THE OPERATION OF THE TRADE POLICY REVIEW MACHANISM TO IMPROVE THE FUNCTIONING OF THE GATT SYSTEM.
"ON MANY OTHER BEING DEBATED IN THE URUGUAY ROUND, WE HAVE ALSO FOUND OURSELVES HOLDING SIMILAR, IF NOT IDENTICAL, VIEWS," HE SAID.
APART FROM THE AREA OF ECONOMIC AND TRADE POLICY, MR CHAN SAID BILATERAL ECONOMIC RELATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND NEW ZEALAND HAD ALSO BEEN GROWING IN MANY WAYS AND THEIR MUTUAL INVESTMENT HAD BEEN INCREASING.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1990
- 27 -
HE SAID TOTAL TRADE BETWEEN NEW ZEALAND AND HONG KONG INCREASED FROM LESS THAN $1.4 BILLION IN 1985 TO OVER $2.3 BILLION IN 1989, REPRESENTING AN ANNUAL COMPOUND GROWTH RATE OF MORE THAN 14 PER CENT.
"I AM DELIGHTED TO SEE THE EVER-GROWING NUMBER OF NEW ZEALAND COMPANIES COMING TO HONG KONG TO SET UP JOINT VENTURES AND OTHER BUSINESS OPERATIONS,” HE SAID.
ON HONG KONG’S TRADE AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES, MR CHAN SAID HONG KONG WAS TAKING STEPS TO SUPPORT FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF ITS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, PARTICULARLY THROUGH ENCOURAGING DEVELOPMENT OF MORE KNOWLEDGE AND TECHNOLOGY-INTENSIVE INDUSTRIES.
"WE ARE NOW BUILDING AN INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY CENTRE, WHICH IS PLANNED TO COME ON STREAM EARLY IN 1993, TO PROVIDE FACILITIES AND SERVICES FOR NEW AND SMALL-SCALE HIGH TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES.
"A SERIES OF SERVICES SUCH AS PRODUCTIVITY ENHANCEMENT, QUALITY IMPROVEMENT, AND PRODUCT DESIGN WILL CONTINUE TO BE PROVIDED BY BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND OTHERS TO HELP SHARPEN THE COMPETITIVE EDGE OF OUR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES," HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID ALL THESE ACTIONS WERE AIMED AT ENABLING HONG KONG TO CONTINUE TO FUNCTION EFFICIENTLY AS ONE OF THE MOST DYNAMIC INDUSTRIAL AND TRADING ECONOMIES IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION WELL INTO THE 21ST CENTURY.
"TOGETHER, THEY CONSTITUTE A MASSIVE UNDERTAKING, THAT OF BUILDING FOR A STABLE AND PROSPEROUS FUTURE," HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID THAT AS HONG KONG ENGAGED IN THIS PROCESS, THERE WOULD BE PLENTY OF BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR FOREIGN AND LOCAL COMPANIES ALIKE.
"WE WELCOME COMPANIES FROM NEW ZEALAND TO JOIN US IN OUR GREAT UNDERTAKING," HE SAID.
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SITE OF SCIENTIFIC INTEREST GIVEN FACELIFT * * * * *
MA SHI CHAU, A SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST OFF TAI PO, WAS GIVEN A FACELIFT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AFTER A SPECIAL CLEAN-UP OPERATION ORGANISED BY THF JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE.
THE ISLAND WAS DESIGNATED A SPECIAL SITE IN 1982 BECAUSE OF ITS RARE GEOLOGICAL FEATURES. HOWEVER, THERE HAD BEEN AN ACCUMULATION OF LITTER AND JUNK WASHED ASHORE BY TIDAL WAVES.
/CLEANING UP .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1990
28
CLEANING UP THE ISLAND WAS NO EASY JOB AS IT IS NOT EASILY ACCESSIBLE BY ROAD AND LANDING FROM A BOAT IS DIFFICULT.
AT TODAY’S OPERATION, MEMBERS OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE JOINED HANDS WITH DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, FISHERMEN AND YOUNGSTERS IN REMOVING EYESORES ON THE ISLAND AND GIVING IT A NEW, CLEAN LOOK.
PRESENT AT THE OPERATION WERE STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS MS HO ON-NEI, MR LAI KWOK-IU, MR YEUNG PO-KWAN AND MR HUMPHREY KEENLYSIDE, REGIONAL COUNCILLOR MR TANG PUI-TAT, TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS MS LAM WAI-LING, MR CHAN KOON-YAU AND MR KWONG KAI-TO, AS WELL AS REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE YIM TIN TSAI MARICULTURE ZONE AND 40 COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB MEMBERS FROM TAI PO.
THE PARTY WAS TAKEN ASHORE BY A LANDING CRAFT PROVIDED BY THE BRITISH FORCES WHO HAD RENDERED ASSISTANCE IN SIMILAR OPERATIONS IN THE PAST THREE YEARS.
DURING THE SIX-HOUR OPERATION, WHICH ALSO COVERED YIM TIN TSAI, A TOTAL OF THREE TONNES OF REFUSE COMPRISING HOUSEHOLD WASTES, FOAM BOXES AND WOODEN PLANKS WAS COLLECTED.
THE REFUSE WAS LOADED ONTO THE LANDING CRAFT AND THEN TRANSPORTED BY A REFUSE COLLECTION VEHICLE TO THE NEARBY SHUEN WAN LANDFILL FOR DISPOSAL.
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CAREERS SHOW FOR YOUTHS
******
YOUNG PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO OBTAIN PERSONAL GUIDANCE WITH THEIR FUTURE CAREERS BY VISITING THE ’’CAREERS ’91 EXHIBITION" TO BE OPENED AT THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 9).
THE 10-DAY EXHIBITION, NOW IN ITS 19TH YEAR, IS ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE (CAS) OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
TWENTY-FOUR ORGANISATIONS FROM COMMERCE, INDUSTRY, SOCIAL SERVICE, BANKING, PROFESSIONAL BODIES, PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL TAKE PART IN THE EXHIBITION.
"THIS ANNUAL EVENT PROVIDES A VALUABLE OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS, TO GET FIRST-HAND CAREERS INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE," A LABOUR OFFICER OF THE CAS, MRS NORA YEUNG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THE EXHIBITORS WILL PRESENT INFORMATION ON THE TYPES OF JOBS OFFERED, NATURE OF WORK, APPLICATION PROCEDURES, ENTRY REQUIREMENTS, TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT, TRAINING AND PROSPECTS THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHS, CHARTS AND GRAPHS, MODELS, AUDIO-VISUAL AIDS, MICROCOMPUTERS AND LEAFLETS," MRS YEUNG SAID.
/"A SERIES .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1990
- 29 -
”A SERIES OF CAREERS TALKS AND VIDEO SHOWS ON VARIOUS TRADES, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS WILL BE HELD IN THE EXHIBITION VENUE,” SHE SAID.
IN ADDITION, JOB DEMONSTRATIONS AND DISPLAYS WILL BE STAGED BY VARIOUS DISCIPLINED AND AUXILIARY SERVICES AT THE OPEN SPACE BETWEEN THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL AND THE NEW TOWN PLAZA ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS DURING THE EXHIBITION PERIOD.
TO AROUSE VISITORS’ INTEREST, A PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION WILL BE ORGANISED FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS, WITH THE EXHIBITION AND ITS OUTDOOR DEMONSTRATIONS AND DISPLAYS AS THE THEME.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPENED BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR PROFESSOR POON CHUNG-KWONG, CHAIRMAN OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG AND COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR MR TONY HAMMOND ON FRIDAY.
AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, WINNERS OF A STUDENT BOOK MARK DESIGN COMPETITION IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXHIBITION WILL RECEIVE THEIR PRIZES.
"THE WORK OF THE CHAMPION, ILLUSTRATING THE IMPORTANCE OF CHOOSING A RIGHT CAREER, HAS BEEN PRINTED FOR DISTRIBUTION AT THE EXHIBITION," MRS YEUNG SAID.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN FROM 9.30 AM TO 6.30 PM DAILY UNTIL NOVEMBER 19. ADMISSION IS FREE.
SCHOOLS WISHING TO MAKE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR GROUP VISITS MAY CONTACT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 601 5075.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE "CAREERS ’91 EXHIBITION" AT THE EXHIBITION GALLERY, SHA TIN TOWN HALL, AT 2.30 PM ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 9).
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WATER CUT IN TSUEN WAN * * * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 9) TO 7 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES BOUNDED BY FU YUNG STREET, YUEN TUN CIRCUIT, TAI HO ROAD AND SHA TSUI ROAD.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TALL BUILDINGS ARE VITAL COMPONENTS TO GREAT CITY: GOVERNOR ............... 1
CONTINUE DEVELOPMENT OF TRANSPORT SYSTEM PLANNED .......................... 3
GOVT COMMITTED TO REDUCING INFLATION ...................................... 5
NEW SCIENCE MUSEUM DEDICATED TO HK COMMUNITY .............................. 6
BILLS CONCERNING IDENTIFYING PARTICULARS OF ARRESTED PERSONS TO BE INTRODUCED ..............................................................
BILL TO REFLECT NEW KCRC MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE ............................. 9
NO DECISION YET ON PENSION PROPOSALS ...................................... 9
EXTENSION OF VBP/II CONTROLS .............................................. 10
REVIEW OF REHABILITATION POLICY AND SERVICES BEING PLANNED ................ 11
HONG KONG AIDS FOUNDATION TO BE SET UP .................................... 11
234 VBP RETURN TO VIETNAM ................................................. 13
CSD STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE OPEN DAYS .................................... 14
TWO GOVT LOTS TO LET BY TENDER ............................................ 15
CLEAN TYPHOON SHELTER CAMPAIGN IN EASTERN ................................. 15
SHAM SHUI PO EYE-CARE CAMPAIGN STARTS TOMORROW ............................ 16
ENTRIES INVITED FOR FLOWER SHOW ........................................... 17
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1990
- 1 -
TALL BUILDINGS ARE VITAL COMPONENTS TO GREAT CITY: GOVERNOR ********
THE TALL BUILDINGS IN HONG KONG ARE VITAL WORKING COMPONENTS IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF A GREAT HARBOUR-CITY, AND THEY WORK WELL, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TONIGHT (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE BANQUET OF THE FOURTH WORLD CONGRESS ON TALL BUILDINGS, SIR DAVID SAID: "THAT, AND NOT THEIR HEIGHT, IS THEIR REAL CLAIM TO RECOGNITION."
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE SAME STANDARDS WOULD HAVE TO APPLY TO THE NEXT GENERATION OF YET TALLER BUILDINGS WHICH WERE GOING TO BE BUILT OVER THE NEXT DECADE.
"THEY WILL HAVE TO WORK STILL MORE EFFICIENTLY; MORE ECONOMICALLY; MORE ’INTELLIGENTLY’. ALL THIS BECAUSE THE DEMANDS ON SPACE IN HONG KONG, AND THE USE OF THAT SPACE, WILL CONTINUE TO GROW," HE SAID.
"SO TOO WILL THE DEMAND FOR THE SERVICES THAT HONG KONG PROVIDES," HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR SAID TO MEET THESE CHALLENGES HONG KONG’S PROFESSIONALS WOULD CONSTANTLY HAVE TO TRY OUT NEW IDEAS AND LOOK FOR NEW SOLUTIONS: "THEY HAVE SHOWN THEMSELVES GOOD AT THIS IN THE PAST FEW YEARS,” HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THE VIEW FROM HIS STUDY IN GOVERNMENT HOUSE DEMONSTRATED THIS. "FROM MY WINDOW I CAN SEE EXAMPLES OF SOME OF THE MOST INTERESTING AND ADVANCED ARCHITECTURE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT SOME PEOPLE DOUBTED HONG KONG’S ABILITY TO FULFIL ITS PLAN FOR THE FUTURE, SIR DAVID SAID: "BUT CONSIDER WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED SO FAR."
"IN 1970 OVER 80 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S POPULATION LIVED ON HONG KONG ISLAND OR IN CROWDED KOWLOON, MANY IN WOODEN SHACKS ON THE HILLSIDES. THE NEW TERRITORIES WERE LARGELY UNDEVELOPED," HE SAID.
"TODAY, THANKS TO SOME BRAVE DECISIONS MADE IN THE EARLY 1970’S, THOSE SAME NEW TERRITORIES ARE HOME TO TWO AND A QUARTER MILLION PEOPLE, 40 PER CENT OF OUR POPULATION, HOUSED IN FIVE NEW TOWNS ENJOYING ALL THE AMENITIES OF MODERN LIFE,” HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR SAID VISITORS WHO WALKED AROUND ONE OF THE NEW TOWNS WOULD HAVE A CHANCE NOT ONLY TO SEE THE TALL BUILDINGS WHICH WERE SUCH A MARKED FEATURE OF THESE NEW TOWNS, BUT ALSO TO GET A FEEL FOR THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY WHICH EXISTED THERE.
/"HONG KONG .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1990
- 2
"HONG KONG HAS NOT JUST CARRIED OUT ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST AMBITIOUS PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMMES; IT HAS ALSO GONE THROUGH A SOCIAL REVOLUTION -- ONE WHICH HAS HAPPENED SO SMOOTHLY THAT FEW OF THOSE WHO HAVE LIVED THROUGH IT APPRECIATE HOW FAR-REACHING IT HAS BEEN," SIR DAVID SAID.
"THERE ARE NOT MANY COMMUNITIES WHICH HAVE MANAGED TO REHOUSE AND RELOCATED OVER A QUARTER OF THEIR POPULATION TN SO SHORT A TIME, WITH SO LITTLE FUSS, AND WITH SO MUCH SUCCESS IN BUILDING A NEW SENSE OF BELONGING," HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT ANOTHER MAJOR CHANGE, WHICH FEW APPRECIATED FULLY AT THE TIME, WAS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RE-OPENING OF CHINA’S ECONOMY TO THE WORLD IN THE EARLY 1980’S.
"IT RESTORED HONG KONG’S ROLE AS AN ENTREPOT. IT ENABLED OUR MANUFACTURERS TO RELOCATE LABOUR-INTENSIVE PROCESSES OVER THE BORDER.
"THE DYNAMIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG’S KNOW-HOW AND INFRASTRUCTURE, AND CHINA’S RESOURCES OF LAND AND LABOUR, HAS BEEN ENORMOUSLY SUCCESSFUL.
"THERE IS EVERY INDICATION THAT IT WILL GO ON GROWING FAST AND BENEFITTING BOTH SIDES," SIR DAVID SAID.
"TO REALISE THE POTENTIAL OF ITS UNIQUE POSITION AND ITS BUSINESS CONNECTIONS WITH CHINA, AND TO PLAY ITS FULL ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOUTHERN CHINA, WE IN HONG KONG NEED TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE WITH FORESIGHT AND CONVICTION," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
"THAT IS WHY WE ARE PLANNING NOW FOR THE BUILDING OF A NEW AIRPORT. AND WHY WE NEED TO START NOW ON EXPANDING OUR PORT FACILITIES.
"OF COURSE WE MUST PLAN AND BUILD WITH THOUGHT AND CARE. WE MUST NOT PROFLIGATE WITH OUR RESOURCES; NOR RESOURCES; NOR SHOULD WE BE MISERS," SIR DAVID SAID.
"IT IS NO GOOD WAITING UNTIL THE TRANSPORT BOTTLENECKS ARE STIFLING THE GROWTH OF HONG KONG BEFORE WE START PLANNING AND BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE," HE ADDED.
"SIMILARLY WITH BUILDINGS. WE ARE PLANNING AND BUILDING NOW FOR THE FUTURE. THIS WILL MEAN, AMONGST OTHER THINGS, SOME VERY SOPHISTICATED TALL BUILDINGS," HE SAID.
"IT WILL MEAN MAKING BETTER USE OF THE INCREASINGLY WIDE VARIETY OF BUILDING MATERIALS NOW AVAILABLE TO IMPROVE DESIGN AND INCREASE ENERGY EFFICIENCY," HE ADDED.
"WE WILL BE TESTING THE LIMITS OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY. WE WILL NEED TO DRAW ON A WIDE RANGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE.
"THERE WILL BE SOME FASCINATING CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE YEARS AHEAD FOR EXPERTS," SIR DAVID SAID.
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/3.........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1990
- 3 -
CONTINUE DEVELOPMENT OF TRANSPORT SYSTEM PLANNED * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PLANS TO CONTINUE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TRANSPORT SYSTEM AS OUTLINED IN THE GOVERNMENT’S WHITE PAPER ON TRANSPORT PUBLISHED EARLIER THIS YEAR IN ORDER TO FURTHER UPGRADE THE FACILITIES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, WHEN HE OFFICIATED AT THE OPENING OF THE TSEUNG KWAN 0 TUNNEL TODAY (THURSDAY).
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THESE PLANS INCLUDED A THIRD HARBOUR CROSSING AND A MAJOR NEW EXPRESSWAY ON THE FUTURE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION AND BROADBRUSH PLANS TO FURTHER DEVELOP THE RAIL SYSTEMS.
"THESE ARE ALL DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE MAJOR INTERNATIONAL CITY WHICH HONG KONG HAS BECOME," HE SAID.
POINTING OUT THAT THE COMPLETION OF THE TUNNEL MARKED ANOTHER STEP FORWARD IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF TSEUNG KWAN 0 NEW TOWN, SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS ALSO ANOTHER LANDMARK IN THE PROVISION OF HONG KONG’S TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE.
"THE TSEUNG KWAN O TUNNEL IS THE SIXTH MAJOR TUNNEL WHICH WE HAVE IN HONG KONG. TOGETHER WITH THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING AND THE TATES CAIRN TUNNEL, TO BE OPENED NEXT YEAR, THE WHOLE EASTERN REGION OF THE TERRITORY FROM HONG KONG ISLAND TO NEW KOWLOON, TSEUNG KWAN O AND SHA TIN, WILL BE EXTREMELY WELL INTER-CONNECTED.
COMMUNICATIONS WILL BE MUCH IMPROVED, AND THE FLOW OF PEOPLE AND CARGO WILL BE MUCH FASTER AND SMOOTHER IN FUTURE," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT THE TSEUNG KWAN 0 TUNNEL FITTED INTO GOVERNMENT’S STRATEGY TO CONTINUALLY UPGRADE THE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE TO SERVE HONG KONG.
"IN THE PAST 10 YEARS WE HAVE BUILT 338 KILOMETRES OF NEW ROADS REPRESENTING A 29 PER CENT INCREASE IN TOTAL ROAD SPACE.
"THESE INCLUDE SUCH MAJOR PROJECTS AS THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR AND THE TOLO HIGHWAY.
"THEY ALSO INCLUDE COMPLETION OF FOUR NEW TUNNELS - THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL, THE AIRPORT TUNNEL, THE SHING MUN TUNNELS AND THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID ALSO POINTED OUT THAT IN THE PAST 10 YEARS HONG KONG HAD COMPLETED AN ADDITIONAL 28 KILOMETRES OF MTR TRACK - THE TSUEN WAN EXTENSION AND THE ISLAND LINE - AND THE COMMISSIONING OF A 23 KILOMETRES LONG LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM IN THE NORTH-WEST NEW TERRITORIES.
/THE TOTAL ......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1990
4 -
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SPENT ON ROADS IN THE PAST DECADE WAS $12 BILLION AND THE TOTAL CAPITAL EXPENDITURE ON TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE 1980’S WAS ABOUT $30 BILLION, HE SAID.
THE TSEUNG KWAN 0 TUNNEL HAS TAKEN FOUR YEARS TO COMPLETE AT A COST OF $600 MILLION AND ITS 900-METRE LONG TWIN TUBE TUNNEL PROVIDES TWO TRAFFIC LANES IN EACH DIRECTION.
"ITS OPENING TODAY MARKS AN IMPORTANT STEP TOWARDS THE COMPLETION OF MAJOR WORKS IN THE TSUI LAM AREA OF THE NEW TOWN. DEVELOPMENT OF THE REST OF TSEUNG KWAN 0 IS GOING ON AT A RAPID PACE," SIR DAVID SAID.
HE SAID RECLAMATION WORK FOR THE FUTURE TOWN CENTRE STARTED IN JUNE AND MORE OPEN SPACE AND COMMUNITY FACILITY PROJECTS WERE BEING CONSTRUCTED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF 'THE INCREASING POPULATION.
"LAND FORMATION WILL SOON BEGIN TO ENABLE THE THIRD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AND AN EXTENSION TO THE SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS TO PROCEED," HE SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY PAID TRIBUTE TO ALL WHO HAD CONTRIBUTED TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TUNNEL, ADDING THAT THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT OWED MUCH TO THE SKILL AND HARD WORK OF THE ENGINEERS AND CONTRACTORS.
THE TSEUNG KWAN O TUNNEL ROAD IS ONE OF THE MAJOR PROJECTS OF THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
THE ROAD SYSTEM COMPRISES A 900-METRE-LONG TUNNEL, A 200-METRE-LONG VIADUCT ABOVE A VALLEY AND ANCILLARY APPROACH ROADS.
THE TUNNEL IS DESIGNED AS A TWIN TUBE, EACH HAVING TWO LANE CARRIAGEWAY TO PROVIDE AN ULTIMATE CAPACITY OF 3,700 VEHICLES PER HOUR IN EACH DIRECTION. THE DESIGN SPEED FOR THE TRAFFIC IN THE TUNNEL AND FOR THE APPROACH ROADS IS 75 KILOMETRES PER HOUR.
THE TUNNEL WILL SERVE AS THE PRINCIPAL ROAD CONNECTION LINKING KWUN TONG IN THE KOWLOON URBAN AREA AT THE WESTERN END, WITH THE NEW TOWN AT THE EASTERN END.
IT ALSO PROVIDES A ROUTE FOR ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION, TELEPHONE LINES, GAS SUPPLY AND TWO VERY LARGE WATER MAINS SUPPLYING EAST KOWLOON FROM THE PAK KONG TREATMENT WORKS IN SAI KUNG.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY WERE THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR KENNETH KWOK; THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG; THE DIRECTOR OF TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT, DR NIP KAM-FAN; AND THE PROJECT MANAGER, SOUTH EAST NEW TERRITORIES, DR CHOI YU-LEUK.
0
/5........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1990
- 5 -
GOVT COMMITTED TO REDUCING INFLATION
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO REDUCING INFLATION IN HONG KONG AND TO MAINTAINING A VERY TIGHT CONTROL OF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OPENING THE TSEUNG KWAN 0 TUNNEL, SIR DAVID SAID THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY WAS OBVIOUSLY VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE HIGH LEVEL OF WAGES CURRENTLY TN THE MARKET.
"THAT IS HAVING AN IMPACT UPON INFLATION, IT’S ALSO HAVING AN IMPACT UPON HONG KONG’S COMPETITIVENESS.
"NOW WE IN THE GOVERNMENT ARE ALSO COMMITTED TO REDUCING INFLATION IN HONG KONG. AND WE ARE ALSO COMMITTED TO MAINTAINING A VERY TIGHT CONTROL OF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE," HE SAID.
"SO AGAINST THAT BACKGROUND, I WOULD CERTAINLY EXPECT TO SEE NEXT YEAR A VERY MODEST PAY INCREASE INDEED.
"AND BY MODEST, I MEAN A FIGURE WHICH IS VERY CLOSE TO THE COST OF LIVING INDEX FOR NEXT YEAR," THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION ON THE PAY CLAIM BY POSTAL WORKERS, SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS BEING CONSIDERED BY THE STANDING COMMISSION AND THEY WOULD BE REPORTING TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR.
"I THINK IT’S UNREASONABLE FOR ANYONE TO SET ANY DEADLINE ABOUT ANY PARTICULAR ASPECT OF THAT CONSIDERATION," HE SAID.
IT WOULD BE CONSIDERED IN NORMAL TERM, SIR DAVID STRESSED.
"WE DON’T LIKE TO BE THREATENED BY HAVING DEADLINES IMPOSED UPON US," SIR DAVID SAID.
"I THINK THAT’S WHY WE HAVE TAKEN A FIRM LINE WITH THE POSTMEN. AND I THINK THAT’S ENTIRELY A REASONABLE POSITION FOR US TO TAKE," HE ADDED.
ASKED ABOUT TRADE UNIONS WITHIN THE CIVIL SERVICE, STR DAVID SAID: "IT PROVIDES A VERY GOOD CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION FOR US. WE HAVE COUNCILS TN WHICH THEY CAN MADE THEIR VIEWS KNOWN."
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVED THEY WERE VERY USEFUL FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE AS A WHOLE.
"I CERTAINLY WOULD NOT WISH TO DO ANYTHING TO DISCOURAGE THE GROWTH OF TRADE UNIONS WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE. WE HAVE A VERY GOOD TRADITION THERE," SIR DAVID SAID.
ASKED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF AN MTR EXTENSION TO TSEUNG KWAN O, SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS STILL UNDER DISCUSSION WITH THE TRANSPORT BRANCH.
/"IT DEPENDS .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1990
"IT DEPENDS VERY MUCH ON OTHER COMMITMENTS FOR THE MTR, AND HOW MUCH THEY ARE TAKING ON IN OTHER AREAS, INCLUDING OF COURSE THE AIRPORT, TOO," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT THE AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT AND THE DEVELOPMENT IN TSEUNG KWAN O WERE NOT NECESSARILY LINKED, SIR DAVID SAID: "WHAT IS IMPORTANT ABOUT THE MTR DEVELOPMENT HERE IS THAT IT SHOULD BE VIABLE.
"IT CAN ONLY COME IN WHEN THE POPULATION HAS BUILT UP TO A CERTAIN LEVEL. THAT’S THE KEY QUESTION WHICH HAS TO BE ANSWERED TOGETHER WITH THE MTR’S CAPACITY TO BUILD IT HERE," HE SAID.
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NEW SCIENCE MUSEUM DEDICATED TO HK COMMUNITY
******
THE $340 MILLION NEW HONG KONG SCIENCE MUSEUM OF THE URBAN COUNCIL WHICH OPENS NEXT APRIL WAS DEDICATED TO THE COMMUNITY OF HONG KONG BY HER ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCESS ALEXANDRA THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING.
DURING THE CEREMONY, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA UNVEILED A PLAQUE TO MARK THE OCCASION AT THE MUSEUM’S UPPER PIAZZA BEFORE MANY DISTINGUISHED GUESTS.
SPEAKING AT THE DEDICATION CEREMONY, URBAN COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, MR H.M.G. FORSGATE, SAID THE HONG KONG SCIENCE MUSEUM PROJECT UNDERLINES THE COUNCIL’S ENDEAVOUR TO PROVIDE A BALANCED RANGE OF PUBLIC FACILITIES FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF THE COMMUNITY.
"ITS 500 EXHIBITS, MASTERMINDED BY A TEAM OF INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS, WILL CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THE PROMOTION OF AN INTEREST IN, AND A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN OUR EVERYDAY LIVES," MR FORSGATE SAID.
IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE CEREMONY, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA, AND HER HUSBAND, THE HONORABLE SIR ANGUS OGILVY, TOURED THE MUSEUM AND TRIED OUT SOME OF THE EXHIBITS. THEY WERE ACCOMPANIED BY MR AND MRS FORSGATE; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL’S MUSEUMS SELECT COMMITTEE, DR PHILIP KWOK, AND MRS KWOK; AND THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR JAMES SO, AND MRS SO.
THE ROYAL COUPLE WERE SHOWN THE EXHIBITS IN THE COMPUTER AND ROBOTICS SECTION AND THE TRANSPORTATION AREA, INCLUDING A 1942 DC-3, "BETSY", WHICH WAS CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS’ FIRST AIRCRAFT.
LATER, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA SWITCHED ON A 20-METRE HIGH "ENERGY MACHINE", THE LARGEST OF ITS KIND IN THE WORLD, WHICH DEMONSTRATES THE CONVERSION OF ENERGY IN AN INTERESTING WAY. STANDING AT THE CENTRE OF THE ATRIUM OF THE MUSEUM BUILDING, IT IS THE MOST PROMINENT EXHIBIT IN THE MUSEUM.
/THE ROYAL .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1990
7 -
THE ROYAL COUPLE ALSO VIEWED SOME OF THE EXHIBITS IN THE COMMUNICATION SECTION, INCLUDING A ’’TALKING LASERS” WHICH DEMONSTRATES HOW LIGHT TRANSMITS MESSAGES.
DURING THE TOUR, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA WAS ALSO INTRODUCED TO REPRESENTATIVES FROM SPONSORS OF THE MUSEUM PROJECT AND THOSE WHO HAVE ASSISTED IN THE PROJECT WERE PRESENTED TO THE ROYAL COUPLE.
THE HONG KONG SCIENCE MUSEUM OCCUPIES A SITE AREA OF 27,000 SQUARE METRES ON A PRIME SITE IN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST. THE FOUR-STOREY MUSEUM BUILDING HAS A TOTAL FLOOR AREA OF 13,500 SQUARE METRES, OF WHICH 7,250 SQUARE METRES ARE EXHIBITION GALLERIES.
EXHIBITS IN THE MUSEUM, OF WHICH SOME 60 PER CENT WILL BE "HANDS-ON” EXHIBITS, COVER FIVE MAJOR AREAS, NAMELY ORIENTATION, SCIENCE, LIFE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND A KID ZONE SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR THOSE AGED BETWEEN THREE AND SEVEN.
EXHIBITS IN THE TECHNOLOGY AREA ARE FURTHER SUBDIVIDED INTO SECTIONS COVERING COMPUTERS AND ROBOTICS, ENERGY, COMMUNICATION, CONSTRUCTION, TRANSPORTATION, FOOD SCIENCE AND HOME TECHNOLOGY.
NEARLY HALF OF THE EXHIBITS HAVE BEEN SELECTED FROM THE BEST AROUND THE WORLD, THE OTHER HALF BEING ORIGINAL DESIGNS CREATED JOINTLY BY LOCAL AND OVERSEAS EXPERTS. EMPHASIS HAS BEEN PLACED ON EXHIBITS DESIGNED WITH SPECIAL RELEVANCE TO HONG KONG AND CHINA.
ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF THE $340 MILLION BUDGET FOR THE MUSEUM IS FOR EXHIBIT FABRICATION AND INSTALLATIONS.
THE MUSEUM HAS ALSO RECEIVED STRONG COMMUNITY SUPPORT MANIFESTED IN SPONSORSHIP IN CASH AND IN KIND TOTALLING SOME $24 MILLION.
THE SPONSORS INCLUDE APPLE COMPUTER INTERNATIONAL LIMITED; CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS LIMITED; CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY LIMITED; HONG KONG TELECOM FOUNDATION; IBM CHINA/HK CORPORATION; PHILIP CHINA HONG KONG GROUP; ROLLS-ROYCE; ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB; SHELL HONG KONG LIMITED; AND ZUNG FU COMPANY LIMITED.
THE MUSEUM WILL BE OPENED TO THE PUBLIC IN APRIL 1991, AFTER A COMMISSIONING PERIOD DURING WHICH SCHOOL GROUPS WILL BE INVITED TO TEST THE EXHIBITS FOR THE DESIGN AND PLANNING OF EDUCATIONAL AND SUPPORT PROGRAMMES WHICH WILL BE A REGULAR AND IMPORTANT PART OF THE MUSEUM’S ACTIVITIES.
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/8 ........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1990
8
BILLS CONCERNING IDENTIFYING PARTICULARS OF ARRESTED PERSONS TO BE INTRODUCED *****
TWO BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CLARIFYING THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH THE FINGER-PRINTS AND OTHER IDENTIFYING PARTICULARS OF PERSONS ARRESTED BY THE POLICE OR THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THEM OR DESTROYED.
THE POLICE FORCE ORDINANCE STIPULATES THAT THE PHOTOGRAPHS, PRINTS AND MEASUREMENTS OF AN ARRESTED PERSON SHOULD BE DESTROYED OR HANDED OVER TO THAT PERSON IF HE IS DISCHARGED BY A MAGISTRATE OR ACQUITTED UPON TRIAL.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE WORDING "DISCHARGED BY A MAGISTRATE" WAS AMBIGUOUS AS IT COULD BE TAKEN TO MEAN DISCHARGED AT THE COMMITTAL STAGE PRIOR TO CONVICTION OR DISCHARGED CONDITIONALLY OR ABSOLUTELY AFTER CONVICTION.
THE POLICE FORCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 COMPELS THE POLICE TO DESTROY OR RETURN THE IDENTIFYING PARTICULARS OF PERSONS WHO ARE DISCHARGED BEFORE CONVICTION OR ARE ACQUITTED AT THEIR TRIAL OR ON APPEAL. IT IS PROPOSED THAT THIS PRACTICE SHOULD ALSO APPLY WHEN IT IS DECIDED NOT TO CHARGE AN ARRESTED PERSON.
THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 APPLIES THE SAME CONDITIONS TO PERSONS ARRESTED BY THE ICAC.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT FOR CRIME CONTROL PURPOSES, IT WAS CONSIDERED NECESSARY FOR EXCEPTION TO BE MADE IN CERTAIN CASES. IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE POLICE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO RETAIN THE IDENTIFYING PARTICULARS OF AN ARRESTED PERSON WHO HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF A PREVIOUS OFFENCE, AN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WHO IS SUBJECT TO A REMOVAL ORDER WHETHER OR NOT HE IS PROSECUTED AND JUVENILES UNDER THE AGE OF 17 WHO HAVE BEEN CAUTIONED UNDER THE SUPERINTENDENTS’ DISCRETION SCHEME INSTEAD OF BEING PROSECUTED.
FOR CAUTIONED JUVENILES, THEIR IDENTIFYING PARTICULARS WILL BE DESTROYED ONCE THEY REACH THE AGE OF 17 WITHOUT BEING CONVICTED OF ANY CRIMINAL OFFENCE.
THE PROPOSED EXCEPTION FOR ICAC ARRESTS WOULD APPLY ONLY TO PERSONS WITH A PREVIOUS CONVICTION FOR OFFENCES UNDER SECTION 10 OF THE ICAC ORDINANCE.
THE PROPOSALS ALSO INCLUDE AN AMENDMENT TO THE WORDING OF THE POLICE FORCE ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE THE TAKING OF PALM-PRINTS, SOLE-PRINTS AND TOE-PRINTS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE TAKING OF PHOTOGRAPHS, FINGER-PRINTS AND HEIGHT AND WEIGHT MEASUREMENTS OF ARRESTED PERSONS WAS A TRADITIONAL PRACTICE IN POLICE WORK AND THE TAKING OF OTHER TYPES OF PRINTS WAS AN INVALUABLE AID TO CRIME DETECTION.
"TAKEN TOGETHER, THE PROPOSALS ARE AIMED AT KEEPING THE MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS TO THE MINIMUM NECESSARY TO ASSIST IN INVESTIGATIONS AND TO REDUCE CRIME IN HONG KONG," THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1990
- 9 -
BILL TO REFLECT NEW KCRC MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE *****
A BILL AMENDING THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION ORDINANCE TO REFLECT THE NEW MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE OF THE CORPORATION WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY.
A TRANSPORT BRANCH SPOKESMAN TODAY (THURSDAY) SAID THAT AT PRESENT, THE KCRC ORDINANCE PROVIDED FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR RESPECTIVELY, BOTH OF WHOM SHOULD BE MEMBERS OF THE MANAGING BOARD OF THE CORPORATION.
’’SINCE THE NEW FULL-TIME CHAIRMAN IN HIS OTHER CAPACITY AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE WILL ASSUME THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF MANAGING DIRECTOR, IT IS NO LONGER NECESSARY TO PROVIDE FOR THE SEPARATE APPOINTMENT OF A MANAGING DIRECTOR TO THE CORPORATION," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT SUBJECT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S ENDORSEMENT, THE KCRC (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1990 WOULD COME INTO EFFECT ON DECEMBER 24 THIS YEAR WHICH COINCIDED WITH THE COMMENCEMENT DATE OF THE TERM OF THE OFFICE OF THE NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE CORPORATION, APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
THE APPOINTMENT OF MR KEVIN HYDE TO THE NEW POST WAS ANNOUNCED IN JUNE THIS YEAR.
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NO DECISION YET ON PENSION PROPOSALS
*****
COMMENTING ON PRESS REPORTS THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONSIDERING SETTING ASIDE A $15 BILLION FUND FOR THE PAYMENT OF CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE FIVE YEAR ROLL FORWARD PENSION FUND WAS ONE OF VARIOUS SUGGESTIONS MADE BY STAFF TO MEET CONCERNS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THEIR PENSIONS.
OTHER SUGGESTIONS INCLUDE A HIGHER COMMUTATION OF PENSIONS AND A PROVIDENT FUND.
"THE GOVERNMENT’S CONSIDERATION OF THESE SUGGESTIONS IS STILL AT A PRELIMINARY STAGE AND NO DECISION HAS YET BEEN MADE AS TO WHAI IF ANY ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN," THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED.
"CONSIDERATION OF ANY SUCH ACTION WOULD HAVE TO HAVE REGARD TO THE QUESTION OF RESOURCES," HE ADDED.
"THE SUM OF $15 BILLTON IS SIMPLY AN ESTIMATE OF THE COST IMPLICATIONS OF THE SUGGESTED FIVE YEAR ROLL FORWARD PENSION FUND," THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
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/10 ........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1990
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EXTENSION OF VBP/U CONTROLS * * * ♦ ♦
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL BE ASKED TO APPROVE AN EXTENSION OF CURRENT MEASURES DEALING WITH VIETNAMESE ASYLUM SEEKERS AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHICH ARE DUE TO EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31.
THE TWO SETS OF PROVISIONS WERE INTRODUCED IN 1979 TO DEAL WITH THE SITUATION CREATED BY THE ARRIVAL OF LARGE NUMBERS OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA AND MACAU.
THE FIRST SET, WHICH APPLIES TO VIETNAMESE ASYLUM SEEKERS, REMOVES THE TWO MONTHS LIMIT WITHIN WHICH PERSONS REFUSED PERMISSION TO LAND IN HONG KONG MUST NORMALLY BE REMOVED UNDER THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE.
THE OTHER PROVIDES FOR A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5 MILLION AND IMPRISONMENT FOR LIFE, IN ADDITION TO THE FORFEITURE OF VESSELS, FOR OFFENDERS CONVICTED OF CONVEYING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AS WELL AS VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE TO HONG KONG.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS ORIGINALLY HOPED THAT THE NEED FOR THESE PROVISIONS WOULD BE TEMPORARY, BUT CIRCUMSTANCES HAD MADE IT NECESSARY TO EXTEND THEM EACH YEAR UNTIL NOW.
”IN VIEW OF THE CONTINUED INFLUX OF UNAUTHORISED IMMIGRANTS FROM BOTH VIETNAM AND CHINA, WE NEED TO RETAIN THE CONTROLS FOR A FURTHER YEAR,” HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID WHILE THE NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE HAD LESSENED FROM THE DRAMATICALLY LARGE NUMBERS OF 1988 AND 1989, THERE WERE STILL ALMOST 6,000 ARRIVALS IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF THIS YEAR IN ADDITION TO 2,500 BIRTHS, AS AGAINST 6,400 WHO WERE RESETTLED OVERSEAS AND OVER 4,000 WHO RETURNED TO VIETNAM.
SOME 23,700 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HAVE ARRIVED FROM CHINA, NEARLY TWICE THE FIGURE FOR THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR AND THE HIGHEST NUMBER SINCE 1981.
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/Il........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1990
- 11
REVIEW OF REHABILITATION POLICY AND
*****
SERVICES BEING PLANNED
THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH IS AT PRESENT WORKING OUT THE MECHANISM AND TIMING FOR THE REVIEW OF REHABILITATION POLICY AND SERVICES AS DIRECTED BY THE GOVERNOR WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A GREEN PAPER ON REHABILITATION, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR RICKY FUNG, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL, MR FUNG SAID MUCH OF THE CONTENTS OF THE EXISTING WHITE PAPER ON REHABILITATION, WHICH WAS WRITTEN MORE THAN 10 YEARS AGO, HAD BEEN OVERTAKEN BY EVENTS.
"IN ADDITION, THERE HAVE BEEN RADICAL CHANGES IN THINKING ON THE INTERNATIONAL REHABILITATION SCENE AS TO HOW FAR DISABLED PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO INTEGRATE WITH THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY.
"WE THINK THAT SUCH CHANGES SHOULD BE REFLECTED IN THE POLICY DOCUMENT, AND VIEWS SHOULD BE SOUGHT FROM THE COMMUNITY AS TO WHETHER WE SHOULD FOLLOW THESE NEW LINES OF THINKING AND THUS TURN AWAY FROM THE MORE TRADITIONAL CONCEPTS OF DEALING WITH THE DISABLED."
THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED AT THE OPENING SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT A GREEN PAPER RECOMMENDING THE WAY FORWARD FOR THE POLICY ON ASSISTANCE TO DISABLED PEOPLE IN THE 1990’S WOULD BE PREPARED.
MR FUNG SAID IT WAS ENVISAGED THAT THE GREEN PAPER WOULD BE DRAFTED BY A WORKING PARTY COMPRISING BOTH OFFICIALS FROM THE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED AS WELL AS A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF UNOFFICIALS.
"THE TASK WILL BE CENTRALLY CO-ORDINATED BY THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH.
"THE WORKING PARTY WILL PROBABLY BE SET UP BEFORE MID-1991, WITH THE AIM OF ISSUING A GREEN PAPER IN 1992 FOR PUBLIC DISCUSSION," HE SAID.
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HONG KONG AIDS FOUNDATION TO BE SET UP
*****
A NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATION, KNOWN AS THE HONG KONG AIDS FOUNDATION, IS EXPECTED TO BE SET UP BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR TO COMPLEMENT GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS AGAINST AIDS.
A PROPOSAL TO THIS EFFECT WAS ENDORSED AT A MEETING OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON AIDS (ACA) TODAY (THURSDAY).
/SPEAKING AT .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1990
- 12 -
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE AFTER THE MEETING, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ACA, DR S.H. LEE, SAID ALTHOUGH HONG KONG HAD ONE OF THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMMES FOR THE PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF AIDS IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD, EXPERIENCE IN OTHER COUNTRIES SHOWED THAT GOVERNMENT EFFORTS ALONE WERE NOT SUFFICIENT TO SUSTAIN AND DEVELOP AN EFFECTIVE HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMME.
"IN THE FIELD OF AIDS, NON-GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ARE OFTEN IN A BETTER POSITION THAN THE GOVERNMENT TO ADOPT MORE PERSONAL, FLEXIBLE AND INNOVATIVE APPROACHES, ESPECIALLY IN REACHING THE HIGH-RISK GROUPS," HE SAID.
THE ROLE OF THE FOUNDATION WILL INCLUDE RESEARCH, HEALTH PROMOTION AND EDUCATION, PUBLICITY AND COUNSELLING WORK RELATED TO AIDS AND HIV INFECTION.
"THE ACTIVITIES TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE FOUNDATION WILL NOT BE DUPLICATING THOSE CURRENTLY PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT," DR LEE SAID. "INSTEAD, THEY WILL PLAY A SUPPLEMENTARY AND COMPLEMENTARY ROLE."
FURTHERMORE, HE ADDED, THE ACTIVITIES OF THE FOUNDATION WOULD NOT ONLY SERVE TO MOTIVATE BETTER COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION, BUT WOULD ALSO PROMOTE GREATER COMMUNITY TOLERANCE TOWARDS AND LESSER DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THOSE WHO WERE INFECTED, THUS FOSTERING A SYMPATHETIC, SUPPORTIVE AND CARING COMMUNITY.
ON THE LEGAL AND ETHICAL ASPECTS ON AIDS AND HIV INFECTION, DR LEE SAID A WORKSHOP ON THIS SUBJECT WAS ORGANISED BY THE WESTERN PACIFIC REGIONAL OFFICE OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION IN JULY.
THE WORKSHOP, AT WHICH HONG KONG WAS REPRESENTED, DREW UP GUIDELINES FOR REVIEWING AND ELABORATING LEGAL MEASURES IN AIDS PREVENTION AND CONTROL.
WHILE POINTING OUT THAT INAPPROPRIATE AND INEFFECTIVE LEGAL MEASURES MAY UNDERMINE THE EFFORTS IN AIDS PREVENTION AND CONTROL, THE GUIDELINES SUGGEST THAT LEGAL MEASURES MAY BE USEFUL IN OTHER AREAS.
IN THIS RESPECT, DR LEE SAID HONG KONG HAD BEEN DOING VERY WELL. BUT HE ADDED THAT THERE MIGHT BE A NEED FOR THE ACA TO MONITOR THE DEVELOPMENTS IN THESE AREAS AND TO SEE WHETHER SUCH LEGAL MEASURES WERE ACHIEVING THE INTENDED OBJECTIVES ELSEWHERE.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY ON AIDS, MRS PEGGY LAM, ANNOUNCED A SERIES OF HEALTH EDUCATION ACTIVITIES TN SUPPORT OF THE THIRD WORLD AIDS DAY ON DECEMBER 1.
THE PROGRAMME WILL START WITH AN AIDS EXHIBITION AT THE CITY HALL ON NOVEMBER 30. LADY FORD WILL BE THE OFFICIATING GUEST. THE EXHIBITION WILL BE MOVED TO THE CULTURAL CENTRE IN TSIM SHA TSUI ON DECEMBER 7 FOR A FOUR-DAY DISPLAY.
/THERE WILL .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1990
- 13 -
THERE WILL ALSO BE AN AIDS CONCERT, A WOMEN’S WORKSHOP, A YOUTH CAMP, A WORKSHOP FOR RECOVERING DRUG ABUSERS, A SEMINAR FOR REHABILITATION WORKERS AND A SERIES OF HEALTH TALKS FOR CLIENTS OF THE FAMILY HEALTH SERVICE.
MRS LAM SAID PUBLICITY MATERIALS, INCLUDING A LEAFLET ON ’’AIDS AND TRAVELLER", A BOOKLET ON "WOMEN AND AIDS" AND A COMIC BOOK ON AIDS WOULD ALSO BE PRODUCED.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SCIENTIFIC WORKING GROUP ON AIDS (SWG), DR E.K. YEOH, ALSO REPORTED ON THE WORK OF THE GROUP.
ON PREVENTION OF TRANSMISSION OF HIV IN HEALTH CARING SETTING, DR YEOH SAID THE SWG HAD UPDATED GUIDELINES ON PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES.
AS A MEASURE TO PROMOTE GOOD LABORATORY PERFORMANCE, A PROGRAMME INVOLVING THE PARTICIPATION OF PRIVATE LABORATORIES WAS BEING PLANNED, HE SAID.
IN ANTICIPATION OF THE FUTURE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF AIDS AND HIV-INFECTED PATIENTS, DR YEOH SAID THE GROUP RECOGNISED THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAINING TO HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN THE CARE OF SUCH PATIENTS.
HE SAID THAT IN VIEW OF THE COMPLEXITY OF THE ISSUES INVOLVED, THE SWG WOULD LIAISE WITH THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS PROVIDING SUCH TRAINING TO DEVELOP AN INTEGRATED EDUCATION PROGRAMME.
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234 VBP RETURN TO VIETNAM ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
A GROUP OF 234 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE TODAY (THURSDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 79 MEN, 65 WOMEN, 49 BOYS AND 41 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 38TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
SO FAR, A TOTAL OF 5,133 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY.
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/14 ........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1990
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CSI) STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE OPEN DAYS
*****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THE WORK AND THE TRAINING OF STAFF OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT BY VISITING THE CSD STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE ON ITS OPEN DAYS ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 10 AND 11), FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM.
THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IS AT 47 TUNG TAU WAN ROAD
THERE WILL BE EXHIBITIONS ON THE CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES IN VARIOUS PENAL INSTITUTIONS — INCLUDING PRISONS TRAINING CENTRES, DETENTION CENTRE, DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE AND PSYCHIATRIC CENTRE; DEPARTMENTAL FUNCTIONS AND ACTIVITIES IN VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE CENTRES.
VARIOUS FACILITIES OF THE INSTITUTE, SUCH AS THE INDOOR FIRING RANGE, MUSEUM, TRAINING COURT ROOM AND TRAINING CELLS WILL ALSO BE OPEN TO VISITORS.
THERE WILL ALSO BE DEMONSTRATIONS OF HANDCUFFING TECHNIQUE, ANTI-RIOT CONTROL, MULTI-GYM EXERCISE, JUDO AND SELF-DEFENCE EXERCISES.
OTHER ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE DEMONSTRATIONS BY THE DEPARTMENT’S TACTICAL RESPONSE SQUADRON AND DOG UNIT, AND MARCHING DISPLAY BY THE INMATE SCOUTS.
A CSD SPOKESMAN SAID THE OPEN DAY IS AN ANNUAL EVENT AIMED AT INTRODUCING THE DEPARTMENT’S WORK TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. IT IS PART OF THE DEPARTMENT’S RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN.
EXPERIENCE SHOWED THAT THE OPEN DAY WAS A POPULAR EVENT FOR STUDENTS, PARTICULARLY THOSE IN FORM FOUR OR ABOVE, WHO FOUND THE VISIT TO THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE INTERESTING AND BENEFICIAL " THE SPOKESMAN NOTED. ’
MORE THAN 2,000 PEOPLE FROM ABOUT 50 ORGANISATIONS, INCLUDING SCHOOLS, YOUTH CENTRES AND JUNIOR POLICE CALLS, HAVE MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO ATTEND THIS YEAR’S OPEN DAYS.
"THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET MADE ARRANGEMENTS ARE ALSO WELCOME TO VISIT THE INSTITUTE ON THE OPEN DAYS," HE ADDED.
VISITORS ARE ADVISED TO MAKE USE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT. THEY CAN TAKE CMB ROUTES 6 OR 260 (FROM CENTRAL), 73 (FROM WAH FU ESTATE) 63 (FROM NORTH POINT) OR 14 (FROM SAI WAN HO).
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/15........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1990
- 15 -
TWO GOVT LOTS TO LET BY TENDER *****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT TERM TENANCY OF TWO LOTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND FOR FEE-PAYING PARKING AREAS.
THE FIRST LOT IS A 1,035-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT THE JUNCTION OF HOLY CROSS PATH AND HING MAN STREET, SHAU KEI WAN.
IT IS FOR A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC PARKING AREA FOR MOTOR VEHICLES (EXCLUDING CONTAINER VEHICLES) AND/OR A WORKS AREA WITH ASSOCIATED VEHICLE PARKING AND/OR AN OPEN STORAGE AREA (EXCLUDING CONTAINERS).
THE TENANCY IS FOR TWO YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE OTHER LOT, LOCATED NEAR SHING TAI ROAD, CHAI WAN RECLAMATION, CHAI WAN, MEASURES ABOUT 2,820 SQUARE METRES.
IT IS FOR A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC PARKING AREA FOR LICENSED MOTOR VEHICLES AND/OR AN OPEN STORAGE WITH VEHICLE PARKING, INCLUDING PARKING OF GOODS VEHICLES AND TOURIST COACHES BUT EXCLUDING CONTAINERS AND DANGEROUS GOODS.
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON NOVEMBER 23.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG EAST, 19TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, HONG KONG; 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.
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CLEAN TYPHOON SHELTER CAMPAIGN IN EASTERN *****
EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM SEVEN FISHERMEN’S ASSOCIATIONS WILL TAKE THE "KEEP THE HARBOUR CLEA MESSAGE TO BOAT DWELLERS IN TYPHOON SHELTERS ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 11).
THF PARTY WILL VISIT CAUSEWAY BAY TYPHOON SHELTER, ALDRICH BAY TYPHOON SHELTER AND CHAI WAN CARGO HANDLING BASIN ON MOTORISED SAMPANS, AND DISTRIBUTE T-SHIRTS AND SOUVENIRS TO THE BOAT DWELLERS.
/IN ADDITION .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1990
16
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE A JOINT CLEAN-UP OPERATION BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WILL MOBILISE ITS VESSEL, ’’WATER WITCH”, TO COLLECT FLOATING REFUSE WHILE AN URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT CLEANSING SQUAD WILL REMOVE RUBBISH ON THE BREAKWATERS AND WATERFRONT AREAS.
THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF SANITATION AND CLEANLINESS IN HONG KONG WATERS.
OFFICIATING AT THE EVENT WILL BE AN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS SANDY CHAN; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR SHUM CHOI-SANG; SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT (HONG KONG) OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR WONG, SHIU-KWONG; AND MARINE OFFICER (HONG KONG EAST) OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, MR YOUNG BING-SHUNG.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EASTERN DISTRICT CLEAN TYPHOON SHELTER EXERCISE ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 11). THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT 9 AM AT THE CAUSEWAY BAY TYPHOON SHELTER SITTING-OUT AREA.
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SHAM SHUT PO EYE-CARE CAMPAIGN STARTS TOMORROW
*****
A MONTH-LONG EYE-CARE CAMPAIGN FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT WILL START TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE.
THE CAMPAIGN IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS.
AN OFFICER OF THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL TALK ON GENERAL EYE-CARE INCLUDING THE CAUSES OF DIFFERENT DISEASES AND RELATED PREVENTIVE MEASURES.
ABOUT 400 ELDERLY PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND THE TALK.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, WILL OFFICIATE AT AN OPENING CEREMONY.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT EYE-CARE CAMPAIGN FOR THE ELDERLY AT 3.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE, 55 FAT TSEUNG STREET.
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/17......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1990
17
ENTRIES INVITED FOR FLOWER SHOW
*****
FLOWER-LOVERS ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT ENTRIES TO THE FOURTH NORTH DISTRICT FLOWER, BIRD, INSECT AND FISH SHOW TO BE HELD DURING CHRISTMAS.
SPONSORED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, THE SHOW WILL BE HELD AT THE FANLING RECREATION GROUND AND THE ADJACENT FANLING ROTARY YOUTH CENTRE FROM DECEMBER 21 TO 26.
LADY WILSON WILL OFFICIATE AT ITS OPENING.
A COMPETITION WILL BE HELD FOR SIX CATEGORIES OF FLOWERS AND PLANTS - POT PLANTS, MINIATURE POT PLANTS, AFRICAN VIOLETS, BONSAI-TYPE PLANTS, EXOTIC ORCHIDS, AS WELL AS ORIENTAL AND LOCAL ORCHIDS.
THE DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS DECEMBER 5.
TROPHIES, CERTIFICATES AND CASH PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED TO WINNERS IN EACH CATEGORY.
ENTRY FORMS AND REGULATIONS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE AT FANLING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 3 PIK FUNG ROAD, FANLING; THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS BRANCH OFFICE IN CHO YUEN ESTATE, SHEUNGSHUI; AND THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES IN SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEUNG SHUI AND IN CHEUNG WAH ESTATE, FANLING.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CHIEF SECRETARY VISITS NORTH AMERICA ..................................... 1
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN AUGUST ................... 2
PROVISIONAL REGISTER OF ELECTORS PUBLISHED TODAY ......................... 6
TOWN PLANNING BOARD CHANGES HEARING PROCEDURES .......................... 10
HUMAN RESOURCES MUST BE CHANNELLED IN RIGHT DIRECTION ................... 11
NO NEW AIDS CASE IN OCTOBER ............................................. 12
MAXIMUM FARES FOR LICENSED FERRIES REVISED .............................. 14
ACTING SHA 'LIGHTS UP' DISTRICT FESTIVAL................................. 14
LAYING OF SUBMARINE CABLES FOR STONECUTTERS ............................. 15
REMEMBRANCE DAY ON SUNDAY ............................................... 16
SOUTHERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME EXHIBITION OPENS TOMORROW ................. 17
SHAM SHUI PO EYE-CARE CAMPAIGN BEGINS ................................... 17
ACTION ON ILLEGAL STRUCTURE IN MONG KOK ................................. 18
NG CHAU TRACK IN TA KWU LING TO BE WIDENED............................... 18
ANTI-DRUG KARAOKE SINGING CONTEST ON SUNDAY ............................. 19
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1990
CHIEF SECRETARY VISITS NORTH AMERICA *****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, WILL VISIT THE WEST COAST OF NORTH AMERICA NEXT WEEK TO FURTHER PROMOTE HONG KONG AS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CENTRE.
SIR DAVID’S ONE-WEEK VISIT WILL TAKE HIM TO THREE CITIES - SAN FRANCISCO, SEATTLE AND VANCOUVER - WHERE HE WILL MEET SENIOR EXECUTIVES IN THE FINANCIAL, TRADE, BUSINESS, LEGAL AND ACADEMIC SECTORS WITH AN INTEREST IN HONG KONG.
HE WILL ALSO MEET HONG KONG STUDENTS STUDYING IN NORTH AMERICA AND REPRESENTATIVES OF HONG KONG COMPANIES AND ORGANISATIONS.
WHILE IN SAN FRANCISCO, SIR DAVID WILL ADDRESS THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS FORUM. HE WILL ALSO GIVE A KEYNOTE SPEECH ON HOW HONG KONG IS BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE AT A JOINT LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AND THE SAN FRANCISCO WORLD TRADE CLUB.
ON NOVEMBER 13 (TUESDAY), SIR DAVID WILL LEAVE FOR THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. IN SEATTLE HE WILL ADDRESS A LUNCHEON MEETING HOSTED BY THE SEATTLE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL, THE WASHINGTON COUNCIL ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND THE WASHINGTON STATE CHINA RELATIONS COUNCIL.
HE WILL ALSO MEET THE MAYOR OF SEATTLE, MR NORMAN RICE, AND VISIT THE BOEING AIRCRAFT PLANT AT EVERETT.
FROM SEATTLE, SIR DAVID WILL TRAVEL TO VANCOUVER ON NOVEMBER 15 (THURSDAY), WHERE HE WILL SPEAK AT A JOINT LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE HONG KONG/CANADA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION AND THE VANCOUVER BOARD OF TRADE.
ON NOVEMBER 16 (FRIDAY), SIR DAVID WILL TAKE A HELICOPTER TO VICTORIA TO ATTEND A LUNCH IN HIS HONOUR AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE HOSTED BY THE HON DAVID LAM, LT GOVERNOR OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
SIR DAVID WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON NOVEMBER 21.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, WILL DEPART BY FLIGHT UA 806 AT 2.40 PM ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 11). MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO COVER HIS DEPARTURE ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT THE AIRPORT PRESS ROOM NOT LATER THAN 1.40 PM.
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/2 ........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1990
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PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN AUGUST ***♦*»
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY 3 PER CENT, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS GREW BY 11 PER CENT IN THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF 1990 AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989, ACCORDING TO THE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
TAKING THEM TOGETHER, THERE WAS AN OVERALL INCREASE OF 5 PER CENT IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS. IMPORTS INCREASED BY 6 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 1 PER CENT AND 3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THOSE OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 2 PER CENT. AS A RESULT, THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX (EXPRESSED AS A RATIO OF TOTAL EXPORT PRICE INDEX TO IMPORT PRICE INDEX) INCREASED BY 1 PER CENT.
PRICES ARE BASED ON UNIT VALUES WHICH DO NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT CHANGES IN THE COMPOSITION OR QUALITY OF GOODS TRADED, EXCEPT FOR SOME SELECTED COMMODITIES FOR WHICH SPECIFICATION PRICE INDEXES ARE AVAILABLE.
COMPARING THE MONTH OF AUGUST 1990 WITH AUGUST 1989, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY 1 PER CENT, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 17 PER CENT. TAKING THEM TOGETHER, THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 10 PER CENT. THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 14 PER CENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 1 PER CENT AND 2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. IMPORT PRICES INCREASED BY 2 PER CENT.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP FOR AUGUST 1990 AS COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1989 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF MOST COMMODITY GROUPS DECREASED IN AUGUST 1990 AS COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1989, INCLUDING RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-39 PER CENT); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (-27 PER CENT); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (-20 PER CENT); FOOTWEAR (-19 PER CENT); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (-19 PER CENT); METAL MANUFACTURES (-11 PER CENT); TEXTILE FABRICS (-9 PER CENT); AND CLOTHING (-3 PER CENT). ON THE OTHER HAND, SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME WAS RECORDED IN ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+26 PER CENT).
THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF MOST COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED IN AUGUST 1990 AS COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1989. THESE INCLUDED FOOTWEAR (+4 PER CENT); RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (+4 PER CENT); METAL MANUFACTURES (+3 PER CENT).
/THE DOMESTIC .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1990
3
THE DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES OF CLOTHING; TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD; AND TEXTILE FABRICS ALSO INCREASED BY 2 PER CENT, AND THOSE OF WATCHES AND CLOCKS; TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES; AND ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS ALL BY 1 PER CENT.
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES WERE RECORDED IN METAL ORES AND SCRAP (-5 PER CENT); AND TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (-2 PER CENT).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR AUGUST 1990 AS COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1989 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
IMPORTS OF FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 6 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS IN AUGUST 1990 AS COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1989. INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF SOYA BEAN OIL, PEANUT OIL AND LARD; LIVE POULTRY; AND MEAT AND MEAT PREPARATIONS. DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF SUGAR AND RICE.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 21 PER CENT. COMMODITY ITEMS WITH CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME INCLUDED TOBACCO MANUFACTURES; FOOTWEAR; AND RADIOS, TELEVISION SETS, GRAMOPHONES, RECORDS, TAPE RECORDERS AND AMPLIFIERS. DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF PASSENGER MOTOR CARS.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES INCREASED BY 13 PER CENT IN AUGUST 1990 AS COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1989. INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR WOOD, LUMBER AND CORK; AND WATCH AND CLOCK MOVEMENTS, CASES AND PARTS. DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF WOOL AND OTHER ANIMAL HAIR; WOVEN COTTON FABRICS; AND BASE METALS (OTHER THAN IRON AND STEEL).
IMPORTS OF FUELS DECREASED BY 10 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS IN AUGUST 1990 AS COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1989.
AS REGARDS CAPITAL GOODS, THE IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 7 PER CENT IN AUGUST 1990 OVER AUGUST 1989. INCREASES IN THE IMPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED IN CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY; SCIENTIFIC, MEDICAL, OPTICAL, MEASURING AND CONTROLLING INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS; AND OFFICE MACHINES. ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN OTHER INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY (OTHER THAN TEXTILE MACHINERY AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY); AND TEXTILE MACHINERY.
COMPARING AUGUST 1990 WITH AUGUST 1989, THE IMPORT PRICES OF MOST END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED : FUELS (+14 PER CENT); CAPITAL GOODS (+4 PER CENT); CONSUMER GOODS (+4 PER CENT); AND FOODSTUFFS (+2 PER CENT). ON THE OTHER HAND, THE IMPORT PRICES OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES DECREASED BY 1 PER CENT.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE,' UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR AUGUST 1990 AS COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1989 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING AUGUST 1990 WITH AUGUST 1989, THE VOLUME OF REEXPORTS OF CONSUMER GOODS AND CAPITAL GOODS INCREASED BY 29 PER CENT AND 10 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. THOSE OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMIMANUFACTURES AND FOODSTUFFS ALSO INCREASED BY 5 PER CENT AND 1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS OF FUELS DECREASED BY 37 PER CENT.
/PRICES OF .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1990
4
PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF MOST END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED IN AUGUST 1990 AS COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1989: FUELS (+6 PER CENT); CONSUMER GOODS (+3 PER CENT); RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES (+2 PER CENT); AND CAPITAL GOODS (+1 PER CENT). RE-EXPORT PRICES OF FOODSTUFFS WERE VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED.
FURTHER DETAILS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE AUGUST 1990 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS” WHICH WILL BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AROUND NOVEMBER 15 AT $3 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL. NO.: 842 8802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE INDEXES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO.: 823 4918).
TABLE 1: CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP
COMPARING AUG 1990 COMPARING JAN-AUG 1990
WITH AUG 1989 WITH JAN-AUG 1989
COMMODITY GROUP VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % UNIT
VALUE % VALUE % VOLUME %
CLOTHING -1 2 -3 * 2 -2
TEXTILE FABRICS -8 2 -9 3 3 ♦
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD 3 2 1 -8 4 -11
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES -29 -2 -27 -10 1 -11
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS -36 4 -39 -37 1 -37
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS 27 1 26 17 2 14
FOOTWEAR -16 4 -19 -23 2 -24
METAL MANUFACTURES -8 3 -11 -16 6 -20
METAL ORES AND SCRAP -5 -5 * -18 -6 -13
WATCHES AND CLOCKS 2 1 1 4 -1 5
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES -18 1 -19 -18 3 -21
/DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1990
5
DOMESTIC
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES -20 * -20 -27 1 -28
ALL COMMODITIES * 1 -1 -2 1 -3
* LESS THAN 0.5%
TABLE 2: CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
END-USE CATEGORY COMPARING AUG 1990 COMPARING JAN-AUG 1990 WITH JAN-AUG 1989
VALUE % WITH AUG UNIT VALUE % 1989 VOLUME %
VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
FOODSTUFFS 9 2 6 4 3 1
CONSUMER GOODS 25 4 21 19 4 14
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 11 -1 13 * -1 1
FUELS 3 14 -10 -1 8 -8
CAPITAL GOODS 11 4 7 5 2 3
ALL COMMODITIES 16 2 14 8 2 6
» LESS THAN 0.5%
TABLE 3: CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
END-USE CATEGORY COMPARING AUG 1990 WITH AUG 1989 UNIT COMPARING JAN-AUG 1990
WITH VALUE % JAN-AUG UNIT VALUE % 1989 VOLUME %
VALUE % VALUE % VOLUME %
FOODSTUFFS 1 * 1 -8 1 -9
CONSUMER GOODS 33 3 29 30 4 25
/RAW MATERIALS .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1990
RAW MATERIALS AND * 3 -4
SEMI-MANUFACTURES 7 2 5
FUELS -33 6 -37 15 9 6
CAPITAL GOODS 11 1 10 8 2 6
ALL COMMODITIES 20 2 17 15 3 11
* LESS THAN 0.5%
- - 0 - -
q PROVISIONAL REGISTER OF ELECTORS PUBLISHED TODAY
A TOTAL OF 241,536 APPLICANTS HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED AS NEW ELECTORS OUT OF 429,682 APPLICATIONS RECEIVED DURING THE FIRST PHASE OF THIS YEAR’S VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE ENDING ON OCTOBER 1.
THE PROVISIONAL REGISTER OF ELECTORS IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION FROM TODAY (FRIDAY) UNTIL NOVEMBER 20 AT DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE.
ANY PERSON WHO HAS ANY OBJECTION ON VALID GROUNDS TO THE INCLUSION IN THE REGISTER OF ANY NAMES MAY LODGE A NOTICE OF OBJECTION WITH THE REGISTRATION OFFICER NOT LATER THAN NOVEMBER 26 BY USING A SPECIFIED FORM.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE SAID THAT THE TOTAL REGISTRATION FIGURE NOW STANDS AT 1,803,826, AFTER DEDUCTING 35,277 ENTRIES DUE TO DEATH, EMIGRATION AND LOSS OF CONTACT.
"THE FIGURE REPRESENTS A 13 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE 1989 REGISTERED ELECTORATE WHICH WAS 1,597,567. THE REGISTRATION RATE IS 48.8 PER CENT AS COMPARED TO 43.9 PER CENT IN 1989," HE SAID.
AMONG THE 429,682 APPLICATIONS RECEIVED DURING THE FIRST PHASE OF THIS YEAR’S REGISTRATION DRIVE, 423,415 APPLICATIONS WERE PROCESSED AFTER TAKING AWAY 6,267 INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS.
"THE NET INTAKE STANDS AT 241,536 AFTER DISCOUNTING 75,658 NOTICES OF CHANGES OF RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS, AND 106,221 DUPLICATE APPLICATIONS. THIS REPRESENTS 57 PER CENT OF THE APPLICATIONS PROCESSED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE RESULT IS CONSIDERED ENCOURAGING AND COMPARES FAVOURABLY WITH THE INTAKE OF 183,517 FOR THE SAME PERIOD DURING THE LAST REGISTRATION EXERCISE MOUNTED IN 1987."
/HE POINTED .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1990
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE MOVEMENT OF THE ELECTORATE TO THE NEW TOWNS CONTINUED.
’’THERE IS A SHIFT OF 32,055 ELECTORS FROM THE URBAN AREAS TO THE NEW TERRITORIES. IN TOTAL, THERE IS AN OVERALL INCREASE OF 119,510 ELECTORS (20 PER CENT OVER THE 1989 REGISTERED ELECTORATE) IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AS COMPARED TO AN INCREASE OF 86,749 ELECTORS (NINE PER CENT OVER THE 1989 REGISTERED ELECTORATE) IN THE URBAN AREAS,” HE SAID.
SHA TIN AND EASTERN DISTRICTS HAVE THE HIGHEST INCREASE IN NUMBERS WITH THEIR REGISTERED ELECTORATE GROWING TO 143,977 (+30,725) AND 189,314 (+24,061) RESPECTIVELY.
IN TERMS OF THE PERCENTAGE INCREASE OF REGISTERED ELECTORS, SAI KUNG HEADS THE WAY WITH A 50 PER CENT JUMP.
"MONG KOK SEES A SIZEABLE REDUCTION IN NUMBERS. THE REGISTERED ELECTORATE SHOWS A DECREASE OF 7,346 OR 13 PER CENT FROM THE 1989 REGISTERED ELECTORATE. THIS IS THE RESULT OF AN INTENSIVE ADDRESS VETTING EXERCISE CONDUCTED IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
AT PRESENT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF REGISTERED ELECTORS IN THE URBAN AREAS IS 1,100,508 AND THE FIGURE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AMOUNTS TO 703,318.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED THAT LATE APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION AS ELECTORS WOULD BE RECEIVED UP TO NOVEMBER 20.
HE URGED REGISTERED ELECTORS TO REPORT IMMEDIATELY ANY CHANGE OF RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS TO THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE (TELEPHONE HOTLINE NUMBER 827 1122).
"CHANGES LODGED BY DECEMBER 10 WILL BE INCORPORATED IN THE FINAL REGISTER TO BE PUBLISHED IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR,” HE SAID.
/8.........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1990
- 8 -
Registration Statistics by Districts 1990 PROVISIONAL REGISTER
District ’Estimated Population x^i U « Estimated Potential Electorate No. of Electors in the 1990 Provisional Register Registration Rate
Isianas 54.300 35.149 22.470 63.9%
North 163.400 104,306 53.653 51.2%
Sai Kung 114.300 73.634 33.038 44.9%
Sha Tin 523.300 335.650 143.977 42.9%
Tai Po 204.700 131.297 59.267 45.1%
Tsuen Wan 243.900 (n O> k o 79.470 50.8%
Tuen Mun 366.700 243.033 110.260 44.5%
Yuen Long 229.500 147.204 67.975 46.2%
Kwai i sing o o o CO (') •4 277.731 133.208 48.0%
Regional Council Area Sub-total 2.354.100 1.509.945 703.318 46.6%
Central & Western 269.600 172.924 72.269 41.3%
Wan Chai 206.700 132.580 58.123 43.8%
Eastern o« -* *i <n bi O o 369.132 189.314 51.3%
Southern 256.600 164.586 88.763 53.9%
Kowloon City 396.700 (V) 01 A- 121.595 47.8%
Kwun Tong 590.500 378.753 208.490 55.0%
Mong Kok 182.200 116.865 47.472 40.6%
Sham Shui Po 401.900 257.733 121.616 47.2%
Wong Tai Sin 378.600 242.338 155.845 64.2%
Yau Tsim 149.900 96.147 37.021 38.5%
Urban Council Area Sub-total 3.408.200 2.186.055 1.100.508 50.3%
Grand Total 5.762.300 3.696.000 1.3C3.326 48.8%
j 1939 FINAL REGiSTER 5.6S8.i00 | 3.639.000 1 1.597,567
43.9%
* Including GO.400 Marine Population
Registration and Electoral Office November.1990
/9.........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1990
9
Changes In the Size ol Ihe General Electoral Roll w.) fa
District No. ol Electors in the 1989 Final Register No. of Deletions No. ol Additions Gain/Loss in Inter-district movement of electors No. ol Electors in the 1990 Provisional Register Net Increase/ Decrease
A Islands B North C Sal Kung D Sha Tin E Tai Po F TsuenWan G Tuen Mun H Yuen Long J Kwai Tslftg 21,764 43,691 22.047 113,252 47,399 63,249 94,411 59.400 118,595 403 497 219 833 1,042 636 702 641 1.233 2,653 9,362 6,576 16,359 8,879 13,059 13,198 7.933 16,642 -1544 1,097 5.634 15.199 4,031 3,798 3,353 1,283 -796 22.470 53,653 33,038 143,977 69.267 79.470 110,260 67.975 133,208 706 3% 9,962 23% 10.991 50% 30.725 27% 11.868 26% 16,221 26% 15.849 17% 8.575 14% 14.613 12%
Regional Council Area Sub-total 583.608 6,206 93,661 32.U55 703.31® 119.510 20%
M Central & Western N Wan Chai P Eastern Q Southern R Kowloon City S KwunTong T Mong Kok U Sham Shul Po V Wong Tai Sin W Yau Tsim 69.797 57,873 165,253 78,179 110,491 195.027 64.818 112,917 134.086 35,318 1,306 1.124 2,032 1,084 1.240 2.384 14.650 1.330 2,987 934 7.766 5.241 26,470 9.616 19,524 28.770 7.276 19.318 20,713 3,282 -3988 -3867 -377 2,163 -7180 -12923 28 -9289 4,033 -645 72.269 68.123 189,314 88.763 121,595 208.490 47.472 121.616 155,845 37.021 2.472 4% 250 0% 24.061 15% 10,584 14% 11,104 10% 13.463 7% -7346 -13% 8,699 8% 21.759 16% 1.703 5%
Urban Council Area Sub-total 1,013,759 29,071 147.875 -32055 1.100.508 86.749 9%
Total 1.697.667 36,277 241,636 0 1,803,826 206,259 13%
Registration and Electoral Oilice November 1990
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/10........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1990
- 10 -
TOWN PLANNING BOARD CHANGES HEARING PROCEDURES * * * * *
CHANGES WILL TAKE IMMEDIATE EFFECT FROM TODAY (FRIDAY) TO THE HEARING PROCEDURES BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD (TPB) ON REVIEW OF REFUSAL OF PLANNING PERMISSION TO APPLICATIONS OF CHANGE OF USE AND OBJECTIONS AGAINST PROPOSALS IN OUTLINE ZONING PLANS (OZP’S).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD EXPLAINED THAT UNDER SECTION 16 OF THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE, THE BOARD MAY GRANT PERMISSION TO AN APPLICATION WITHIN AN AREA COVERED BY A STATUTORY PLAN FOR CHANGE OF USE WITH OR WITHOUT CONDITIONS.
SUCH APPLICATION MUST INITIALLY BE CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD IN THE ABSENCE OF THE APPLICANT. BUT IF THE BOARD REFUSED TO GRANT THE PERMISSION APPLIED FOR AFTER CONSIDERATION, THE APPLICANT IS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY UNDER SECTION 17 OF THE ORDINANCE FOR A REVIEW WHEN HE MAY ATTEND BEFORE THE BOARD TO MAKE REPRESENTATIONS.
UNDER THE NEW REVIEW HEARING PROCEDURES, THE APPLICANT AND/OR HIS AUTHORISED REPRESENTATIVES WILL RECEIVE A COPY OF THE RELEVANT TPB PAPER BEFORE THE HEARING AND THUS BE ABLE TO PRESENT COUNTER ARGUMENTS TO THE POINTS IN THE PAPER IN SUPPORT OF HIS OWN WRITTEN SUBMISSION AND PRESENTATION OF HIS CASE AT THE HEARING.
’’THIS CHANGE WILL MAKE THE APPLICANT FULLY AWARE OF ALL VIEWS EXPRESSED BY CONCERNED GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS OF HIS CASE AND TO FACILITATE HIM IN PREPARING HIS CASE FOR PRESENTATION TO THE BOARD,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
TO ENSURE THE IMPARTIALITY OF THE BOARD AT THE HEARING, PLANNING DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS PRESENTING THE CASE WOULD ONLY ADDRESS THE BOARD IN THE PRESENCE OF THE APPLICANT, HE ADDED.
A SIMILAR PROCEDURE WILL BE FOLLOWED FOR THE HEARING OF OBJECTIONS, UNDER SECTION 6 OF THE ORDINANCE, TO PROPOSALS ON DRAFT OZP’S AND AMENDMENTS TO EXISTING PLANS PUBLISHED FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION.
THE BOARD HAS ALSO DECIDED THAT ANY GUIDELINES ADOPTED BY THE BOARD WILL BE PUBLISHED, SO AS TO ENSURE THAT THE PUBLIC AND PROFESSIONALS INVOLVED IN TOWN PLANNING APPLICATIONS ARE FULLY INFORMED OF THE BOARD’S PRACTICE.
’’THE CURRENT GUIDELINES SHOULD BE PUBLISHED TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
A FURTHER DECISION OF THE BOARD IS TO PUBLISH AN ANNUAL REPORT ON ITS WORK.
THE FIRST SUCH REPORT WILL APPEAR NEXT APRIL WHICH WILL INCLUDE NOTES ON IMPORTANT CASES CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD IN THE COURSE OF THE YEAR.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1990
- 11 -
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS HOPED THAT THIS WOULD FACILITATE THE FLOW OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE OPERATION OF STATUTORY PLANNING TO THE PUBLIC.
IN ADDITION TO THIS, THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT IS NOW MAINTAINING A REGISTER OF ALL PLANNING APPLICATIONS, WITH THE BOARD’S DECISIONS ON THESE APPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION.
FOR DETAILS OF THE NEW PROCEDURES, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY CONTACT THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT’S PLANNING INFORMATION AND TECHNICAL ADMINISTRATION UNIT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL OR ON TEL. 848 2402.
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HUMAN RESOURCES MUST BE CHANNELLED IN RIGHT DIRECTION *****
HUMAN RESOURCES MUST BE CHANNELLED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND DEVELOPED TO THE FULLEST EXTENT IF THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG IS NOT TO BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED, A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, PROFESSOR POON CHUNG-KWONG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE "CAREERS ’91 EXHIBITION" AT THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL, PROF POON SAID THE FAR-REACHING IMPLICATIONS OF MAKING A PROPER CAREERS CHOICE COULD NOT BE OVER-EMPHASISED AND ITS IMPORTANCE SHOULD NOT BE OVERLOOKED, ESPECIALLY IN THE CONTEXT OF HONG KONG WHOSE HUMAN RESOURCES WERE ITS GREATEST NATURAL ASSETS.
STRESSING THAT A PROPER CHOICE OF CAREERS WAS ESSENTIALLY A MATCH BETWEEN A PERSON AND A JOB, HE SAID: "YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THEMSELVES, FOR EXAMPLE, THEIR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES, INTERESTS AND INCLINATIONS, STANDARDS AND VALUES, ATTRIBUTES AND SPECIAL APTITUDES.
"TO HELP THEM CHOOSE THEIR CAREERS, YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD BE ADVISED TO MAKE WISE AND REALISTIC CHOICES TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THEIR OWN APTITUDES, TALENTS AND INTERESTS," HE ADDED.
THIS YEAR, 24 EXHIBITORS FROM A WIDE CROSS-SECTION OF COMMERCE, INDUSTRIES, SERVICES, PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TAKE PART IN THE EXHIBITION ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WERE THE REGIONAL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND.
WINNERS OF A STUDENT BOOKMARK DESIGN COMPETITION ORGANISED IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXHIBITION RECEIVED THEIR PRIZES AT THE CEREMONY.
THE FIRST PRIZE WENT TO CHAN TAK-FONG (16) OF BAPTIST LUI MING CHOI SECONDARY SCHOOL, THE SECOND TO YU WAI-CHI (17) OF METHODIST COLLEGE AND THE THIRD TO CHAN SHAN (13) OF JOCKEY CLUB TI-I COLLEGE.
/THE 10-DAY .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1990
12
THE 10-DAY EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN FROM 9.30 AM TO 6.30 PM DAILY UNTIL NOVEMBER 19.
A SERIES OF CAREERS TALKS AND VIDEO SHOWS GIVING THE LATEST CAREERS INFORMATION ON VARIOUS TRADES, PROFESSIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL BE HELD AT THE EXHIBITION VENUE.
IN ADDITION, JOB DEMONSTRATIONS AND DISPLAYS WILL BE STAGED BY VARIOUS DISCIPLINED AND AUXILIARY SERVICES AT THE OPEN SPACE BETWEEN SHA TIN TOWN HALL AND NEW TOWN PLAZA ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS DURING THE EXHIBITION PERIOD. DETAILS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
NOVEMBER 10 (SATURDAY) - ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE
NOVEMBER 11 (SUNDAY) - AUXILIARY SERVICES:
CIVIL AID SERVICES, ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) AND AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES
NOVEMBER 17 (SATURDAY)
CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT
NOVEMBER 18 (SUNDAY)
FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT
- - 0 - -
NO NEW AIDS CASE IN OCTOBER *****
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF AIDS (ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME) CASES IN HONG KONG REMAINS AT 42 TO DATE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SO FAR, A TOTAL OF 29 AIDS PATIENTS HAVE PASSED AWAY WHILE 13 OTHERS ARE EITHER UNDER COUNSELLING AND TREATMENT OR HAVE LEFT HONG KONG.
RELEASING THE MONTHLY STATISTICS ON THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, THE SPOKESMAN SAID TWO MORE MEN WERE FOUND TO BE POSITIVE FOR THE HIV ANTI-BODY TEST, BRINGING TO 151 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF HIV CARRIERS WHO HAVE NOT YET DEVELOPED AIDS.
OF THESE, 54 WERE HAEMOPHILIACS, 79 ACQUIRED THE INFECTION SEXUALLY, FOUR WERE DRUG ABUSERS, THREE ACQUIRED THE INFECTION THROUGH BLOOD TRANSFUSION AND THE INFORMATION FOR THE OTHER 11 WAS INADEQUATE FOR CLASSIFICATION.
UNDER THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME WHICH STARTED IN 1985, A TOTAL OF 171,620 BLOOD SPECIMENS HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR THE AIDS VIRUS.
THE HONG KONG RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE HAS ALSO SCREENED ALL BLOOD DONORS FOR AIDS.
UP TO THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, 782,643 UNITS OF BLOOD WERE TESTED AND 13 WERE FOUND POSITIVE.
/13
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1990
- 13 -
t rfA $ & # M
AIDS Virus (HIV) Antibody Testing % .'A.
virus Unit, Department of Health
Apr 85-Aug 90 Sep 90 Total
No. No.
No. No. No. No.
tested* +ve tested* +ve tested* +ve
Referrals from Govt, hospitals and clinics 11442 63 364 0 11806 63
Zl-bJM- >m H sfLTti Referrals from private practitioners and subvented hospitals 2004 40 17 0 2021 40
Attendances at social hygiene clinics 149400 22 2333 2 151733 24
& ,!*/§ Haemophiliacs 459 59 7 0 466 59
<&fl| #*.04"** t* drug abusers 4518 1 87 0 4605 1
.‘A'fl -fMJ Referrals from Family Planning Association 210 0 4 0 214 0
’Health care personnel 741 0 34 0 775 0
J&lc TOTAL 163774 190 2846 2 171620 192
$ 6 fa :isk A- ' ♦ This indicates the number A* /< ■& , a A 4 O 'fa
of specimens and not persons as t>^3 tS
are repeated for certain indiv iduaie. Aug 85-Aug 90 Sep 90 Total
No. No. No. No. No. Ne.
tested +ve t nested +ve tested +ve
Hong Kong Red Cross Blood transfusion Service 768846 13 13797 0 732643 13
Department of Health October 1990
---------0-----------
/14 .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1990
MAXIMUM FARES FOR LICENSED FERRIES REVISED
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE MAXIMUM FARES FOR THE LICENSED FERRY SERVICES FROM SAI WAN HO TO RENNIE’S MILL, FROM PENG CHAU TO HEI LING CHAU AND FROM ABERDEEN TO SOK KWU WAN VIA MO TAT WILL BE REVISED FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE SINGLE JOURNEY FARE FOR ADULTS FOR THE FIRST TWO SERVICES WILL BE REVISED TO $4 WHILE THAT FOR CHILDREN UNDER 12, STUDENTS AND THE ELDERLY OVER 70 WILL BE REVISED TO $2.
CHARGES FOR FREIGHT WILL BE $4 PER PICUL OR 0.11 CUBIC METRE.
FARES FOR FERRY SERVICES FROM ABERDEEN TO SOK KWU WAN WILL BE $5 FOR ADULTS AND $2.5 FOR CHILDREN UNDER 12 ON MONDAYS TO SATURDAYS. ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, THE FARES WILL BE $6.5 FOR ADULTS AND $3.2 FOR CHILDREN. FREIGHT WILL BE CHARGED AT $3 PER PICUL OR 0.11 CUBIC METRE ON ALL DAYS.
FOR THE MO TAT TO SOK KWU WAN SECTION, THE FARES WILL BE $1 FOR ADULTS AND 50 CENTS FOR CHILDREN EXCEPT ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS WHEN AN ADULT CAN BE CHARGED $1.50 AND A CHILD $1.
MEANWHILE, THE MAXIMUM FARES FOR THE FERRY SERVICES FROM KOWLOON POINT TO MUI WO AND CHEUNG CHAU WILL BE REVISED FROM SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 11).
FARES WILL BE $10 FOR ADULTS AND $5 FOR CHILDREN UNDER 12 ON ORDINARY CLASS AND $18 FOR ADULTS AND $11 FOR CHILDREN UNDER 12 ON DELUXE CLASS. CHILDREN UNDER THREE YEARS OLD CAN BE CARRIED FREE OF CHARGE ON ORDINARY CLASS.
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS APPROVED THE APPLICATIONS FROM THE LICENSED FERRY COMPANIES TO OFFSET INCREASES IN OPERATING COST.
- - 0 - -
ACTING SHA ’LIGHTS UP’ DISTRICT FESTIVAL
* * * * *
A PRESS OF THE BUTTON TO SWITCH ON FESTIVE LIGHTS AT THE KOWLOON PARK ARCADE BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR ADOLF HSU, THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING MARKED THE OPENING OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT FESTIVAL ’90.
ADDRESSING TO A LARGE CROWD OF SPECTATORS, MR HSU ATTRIBUTED THE SUCCESS OF YAU TSIM, WHICH HAD EMERGED AS A RESIDENTIAL-COMMERCIAL DISTRICT AS WELL AS A RENOWNED TOURIST AND SHOPPING CENTRE, TO THE CONCERTED EFFORTS OF BOTH THE RESIDENTS AND THE GOVERNMENT.
/HE SAID
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1990
- 15 -
HE SAID THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE ARRANGED THE MANY ACTIVITIES MAINLY TO STIMULATE RESIDENTS PARTICIPATION IN DISTRICT AFFAIRS WITH A VIEW TO STRIVING FOR A BETTER COMMUNITY AND CONTRIBUTING TO THE PROSPERITY OF THE TERRITORY.
"THE SPIRIT OF COOPERATION AND ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IS WHAT IS NEEDED FOR HONG KONG TO FACE ANY FUTURE CHALLENGES," HE SAID.
MR HSU ALSO URGED RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY IN THE FESTIVAL WHICH WILL HIGHLIGHT THE THEME OF "BUILD UP YAU TSIM FOR A PROSPEROUS HONG KONG”.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE FESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHIU YU-HEI, SAID THE AIM OF THE FESTIVAL WAS TO FOSTER A SENSE OF BELONGING AMONG LOCAL RESIDENTS AND TO ENHANCE THEIR PATICIPATION IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.
THE FESTIVAL, WHICH COST SOME $1.4 MILLION, WILL LAST UNTIL MID-JANUARY NEXT YEAR. IT WILL INCLUDE A CARE-FOR-ELDERLY ACTIVITIES DAY, AN INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL NIGHT, AN EXHIBITION ON THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DISTRICT, A ROAD SAFETY CARNIVAL AND A GRAND CONCERT AT THE HONG KONG COLISEUM.
TO MARK THE OPENING, A VARIETY SHOW ON THE MAJOR FEATURES OF THE DISTRICT WAS BROADCAST* LIVE ON TVB JADE AT 10.20 PM.
MEANWHILE, COLOURFUL BUNTINGS HAVE BEEN PUT UP IN THE MAIN THOROUGHFARES WHILE POSTERS AND LEAFLETS HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED AMONG THE RESIDENTS TO HELP PUBLICISE THE FESTIVAL.
MORE THAN 50 EVENTS WILL BE HELD DURING THE FESTIVAL.
ADMISSION TO MOST ARE FREE AND PROGRAMME LEAFLETS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE AT 15 MIDDLE ROAD.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE CEREMONY WERE THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH, AND YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ANNIE TANG.
--------0-----------
LAYING OF SUBMARINE CABLES FOR STONECUTTERS *****
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO GRANT PERMISSION TO CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY LIMITED FOR THE DREDGING OF A TRENCH AND LAYING OF TWO SUBMARINE CABLES BETWEEN TAI KOK TSUI AND STONECUTTERS ISLAND.
THE PROPOSED WORK OF THE DREDGING AND THE LAYING OF TWO 11-KILOVOLT SUBMARINE CABLES WILL BE CARRIED OUT WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 11.6 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEA-BED TO IMPROVE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY TO THE STONECUTTERS ISLAND.
/THE WORK .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1990
- 16 -
THE WORK WILL BEGIN IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR AND WILL BE COMPLETED IN MARCH.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED HAS BEEN DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS 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 NOVEMBER 8, 1991.
THE NOTICE OF SUCH OBJECTION SHALL DESCRIBE THE INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT OF THE OBJECTOR AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED.
------0--------
REMEMBRANCE DAY ON SUNDAY » « » * *
THE REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE CENOTAPH IN STATUE SQUARE ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 11) IN HONOUR OF THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES ON ACTIVE SERVICE.
WREATHS WILL BE LAID BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON; THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, MAJOR GENERAL PETER DUFFELL; THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG; REPRESENTATIVES OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS; COMMONWEALTH COMMISSIONERS; THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR GERRY FORSGATE; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, AND CHAIRMEN OF DISTRICT BOARDS.
THE CEREMONY WILL START AT 11 AM AND WILL END ABOUT 11.30 AM.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
A PRESS POSITION WILL BE SET UP TO THE WEST OF THE CENOTAPH. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE OUTSIDE ENTRANCE ONE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUILDING FACING STATUE SQUARE BY 10.15 AM SHARP TO COLLECT BADGES FOR ADMISSION TO THE CEREMONY. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ESCORT THEM TO THE PRESS POSITION.
PRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS AND TV CAMERAMEN SHOULD NOTE THAT TELEPHOTO LENSES MAY BE REQUIRED.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE CEREMONY MAY BE SUBJECT TO SECURITY CHECKS.
--------0-----------
/17........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1990
- 17 -
SOUTHERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME EXHIBITION OPENS TOMORROW ******
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT INTER-SCHOOL FIGHT CRIME EXHIBITION WILL OPEN AT 2 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE AP LEI CHAU COMMUNITY HALL, AP LEI CHAU ESTATE.
AS A MAJOR EVENT OF THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN, THE LARGE-SCALE EXHIBITION AIMS TO PUT ACROSS CRIME-PREVENTION AND FIGHT-CRIME MESSAGES TO LOCAL RESIDENTS.
IT WILL FEATURE A VARIETY OF VIDEOS, SLIDE SHOWS AND DISPLAY PANELS HIGHLIGHTING THE THEMES OF HOME SECURITY, ANTI-NARCOTICS AND ANTI-TRIAD.
TAKING PART WILL BE NINE LOCAL SCHOOLS, THE POLICE, THE WESTERN JUNIOR POLICE CALL AND THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 9 PM DAILY UNTIL NOVEMBER 24. ADMISSION IS FREE AND ALL ARE WELCOME.
OFFICIATING AT ITS OPENING TOMORROW WILL BE THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HUI YUNG-CHUNG; AN ASSISTANT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHARLES CHAN; POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICER (WESTERN), MR LAU WAI-CHUNG; VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT JOINT SCHOOLS’ CONFERENCE, MR JOSEPH CHAN; AND SOUTHERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHAN YAU-YUE.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER.
----0------
SHAM SHUI PO EYE-CARE CAMPAIGN BEGINS
*******
A MONTH-LONG EYE-CARE CAMPAIGN FOR THE ELDERLY IN SHAM SHUI PO STARTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AT CHEUNG SHA WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, URGED LOCAL RESIDENTS AND ORGANISATIONS TO GIVE THEIR FULL SUPPORT TO THE CAMPAIGN.
HE NOTED THAT THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT IS ONE OF THE EARLIEST DEVELOPED DISTRICTS IN THE TERRITORY AND NOW HAS MORE THAN 65,000 RESIDENTS AGED ABOVE 60, ACCOUNTING FOR ABOUT 16 PER CENT OF THE DISTRICT’S POPULATION.
"THESE PEOPLE HAVE CONTRIBUTED A GREAT DEAL TO THE EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG. ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE BECOME OLD, THEY ARE STILL PLAYING AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE COMMUNITY AND THEREFORE DESERVE OUR RESPECT AND CARE," MR LAN SAID.
/FROM NOVEMBER .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1990
- 18 -
FROM NOVEMBER 12 TO DECEMBER 5, ABOUT 3,000 RESIDENTS OVER THE AGE OF 60 WILL BE PROVIDED WITH FREE EYE TESTS AND IF NECESSARY, THEY WILL BE GIVEN FREE SPECTACLES OR REFERRED TO THE KWONG WAH HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT.
THERE WILL ALSO BE TALKS AND RELATED EXHIBITIONS AND PAMPHLETS ON EYE-CARE WILL BE DISTRIBUTED.
THE CAMPAIGN IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD AND THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS.
-------------------0------- ACTION ON ILLEGAL STRUCTURE IN MONG KOK * * * * *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE AN UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE ON THE ROOF OVER 3 SHANTUNG STREET, MONG KOK, SO THAT IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS OR THE PUBLIC.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON DECEMBER 28 WAS POSTED ON THE STRUCTURE TODAY (FRIDAY).
UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE, A CLOSURE ORDER IS REQUIRED BEFORE DEMOLITION CAN BE CARRIED OUT.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORK WILL START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS GRANTED.
-----0-------
NG CHAU TRACK IN TA KWU LING TO BE WIDENED
******
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO WIDEN NG CHAU TRACK BETWEEN PING CHE AND WO KENG SHAN IN TA KWU LING, NORTH DISTRICT, NEW TERRITORIES.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S (FRIDAY) GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
THE PROPOSED WORKS WILL INCLUDE:
* WIDENING OF A SECTION OF 1.8 KILOMETRES OF NG CHAU TRACK TO 3.5 METRES;
* CONSTRUCTION OF A 1.6-METRE-WIDE AND 400-METRE-LONG FOOTPATH ALONG THAT SECTION OF THE TRACK;
* CONSTRUCTION OF A CARPARKING AREA NEAR TIN HAU TEMPLE; AND
* ASSOCIATED EARTH, DRAINAGE AND LANDSCAPING WORKS.
/THE PLAN .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1990
19
THE PLAN AND SCHEME MAY BE INSPECTED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY
SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN
ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG;
* NORTH DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, AND NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE,
GROUND FLOOR, FANLING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 3 PIK
FUNG ROAD, FANLING, NEW TERRITORIES.
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 JANUARY 8 NEXT YEAR.
- - 0 - -
ANTI-DRUG KARAOKE SINGING CONTEST ON SUNDAY ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE FINALS OF THE "SAY YES TO LIFE" KARAOKE SINGING CONTEST WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 11) AT THE MUSIC FOUNTAIN ATRIUM OF THE SHA TIN NEW TOWN PLAZA.
ORGANISED BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN) YOUTH VOLUNTEER GROUP, THE CONTEST WILL START AT 2.30 PM.
A TOTAL OF 15 FINALISTS SELECTED FROM OVER 150 ENTRANTS AT THE PRELIMINARY COMPETITION LAST WEEK WILL BE COMPETING FOR VARIOUS PRIZES.
THE TOP THREE WINNERS WILL BE AWARDED DELUXE MICROPHONES PLUS CASH COUPONS VALUED FROM $2,000 TO $5,000.
ACAN MEMBER MR PAO PING-WING AND POPULAR SINGERS MR CHOI KWOK-KUEN AND MISS BO PUI-YU WILL BE THE ADJUDICATORS OF THE CONTEST. THE TWO SINGERS WILL ALSO PERFORM AT THE EVENT.
TO ENCOURAGE SPECTATORS, PARTICULARLY YOUNGSTERS, TO ADOPT A HEALTHY AND HAPPY LIFESTYLE, ALL THE 15 FINALISTS WILL SING THE 1990 ANTI-DRUG THEME SONG "TO CREATE A BRIGHT TOMORROW" AT THE CLOSING OF THE CONTEST.
A NARCOTICS DIVISION SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THE CONTEST WILL BE AN ATTRACTIVE EVENT FOR POPULAR MUSIC LOVERS.
"WE HOPE THAT THROUGH MUSIC WE COULD WIDELY DISSEMINATE THE ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE IN THE COMMUNITY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVE ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE FINAL CONTEST. NARCOTICS DIVISION STAFF WILL BE ON HAND TO HELP.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES ***
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LONG-TERM CAMPAIGN TO COMPLEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION STRATEGY . 1
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FESTIVAL OPENS WITH SHOW IN VICTORIA PARK.. 2
HOSPICE CARE - A NEW IDEA TO HK: LADY WILSON ....................... 4
Il'S TO BE RETURNED QUICKLY ........................................ 6
COMMISSIONER LAYS WREATH AT CEREMONY OF REMEMBRANCE...i............. 6
DECREASE IN INCIDENCE OF CRIME VICTIMISATION ....................... 7
WIGGHAM COMMENDS CSD STAFF TRAINING ................................ 9
FIVE EMPLOYEES' REPRESENTATIVES ELECTED TO LAB ..................... 10
IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH REMINDED ...................... 11
1,322 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS REPORTED IN OCTOBER ........................ H
EXHIBITION TO INTRODUCE POLICE WORK ................................ 12
CASH ASSISTANCE TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ........................ 12
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1990
LONG-TERM CAMPAIGN TO COMPLEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION STRATEGY
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FESTIVAL SIGNIFIES THE BEGINNING OF A LONG-TERM PUBLICITY AND EDUCATION CAMPAIGN TO COMPLEMENT THE GOVERNMENT’S ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION STRATEGY, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FESTIVAL AT THE VICTORIA PARK, SIR DAVID SAID THE PUBLICATION OF THE WHITE PAPER LAST YEAR AND THE STATUTORY WASTE DISPOSAL PLAN HAD MAPPED OUT A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE PROGRESSIVE STEPS TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT AND TO REDUCE POLLUTION TO ACCEPTABLE LEVELS.
"THE STRATEGY IS A FAR-SIGHTED ONE WHICH TAKES US WELL INTO THE 21ST CENTURY.
"IT INCLUDES MEASURES TO IMPROVE AIR AND WATER QUALITY, CONTROL WASTE DISPOSAL AND TO DEVELOP AND UPGRADE A SEWAGE SYSTEM WHICH SERVES THE WHOLE OF HONG KONG,” SIR DAVID SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE HAD A KEY ROLE TO PLAY IN PROMOTING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THIS WORTHWHILE CAUSE.
HE SAID BY LAUNCHING THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FESTIVAL WHICH WAS THE FIRST-EVER BEING HELD IN HONG KONG, THE COMMITTEE HAD BECOME AN IMPORTANT FOCUS IN OUR EFFORTS TO PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT AGAINST POLLUTION.
THE FESTIVITIES WOULD BE FOLLOWED BY A RANGE OF DISTRICT ACTIVITIES, SAID SIR DAVID, ADDING THAT EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT ALSO PROVIDED ALL SECONDARY SCHOOLS WITH EDUCATIONAL KITS ON PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT.
"THIS CAMPAIGN WILL STIMULATE DISCUSSION OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND GREATER AWARENESS OF POLLUTION PROBLEMS," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID HE WAS VERY ENCOURAGED TO SEE SUCH A WIDE CROSSSECTION OF THE COMMUNITY, REPRESENTING DISTRICT BOARDS, COMMUNITY GROUPS, BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY, GATHERING TODAY.
"BY HELPING THE ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE TO SPREAD INFORMATION ABOUT OUR ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS, AND WHAT INDIVIDUALS CAN DO TO HELP REDUCE THESE PROBLEMS, YOU HELP US ALL TO FACE THE CHALLENGE OF IMPROVING OUR ENVIRONMENT.
"THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT TASK AND I WISH THE COMMITTEE EVERY SUCCESS," HE ADDED.
/SIR DAVID .......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1990
- 2 -
SIR DAVID THANKED THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, MRS PEGGY LAM, AND FELLOW COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR MAKING AN EXCELLENT START.
"I SHOULD ALSO SAY HOW GRATEFUL WE ARE TO THE JOCKEY CLUB FOR THEIR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION WHICH HAS FINANCED THE COMMITTEE’S ACTIVITIES IN ITS FIRST YEAR," HE SAID.
-----0------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FESTIVAL OPENS WITH SHOW IN VICTORIA PARK
*****
HONG KONG'S FIRST EVER ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FESTIVAL OPENED THIS MORNING (SATURDAY) IN VICTORIA PARK, WITH THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, PLACING THE FIRST BLOSSOM ON THE COMMITMENT TREE, THE SYMBOL FOR THE FESTIVAL.
THE FORTNIGHT-LONG FESTIVAL, ORGANISED BY THE NON-GOVERNMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE (ECC) SET UP EARLY THIS YEAR, WILL COMBINE A WIDE VARIETY OF COMMUNITY EFFORTS TARGETTED AT IMPROVING ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN THE TERRITORY.
AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, MRS PEGGY LAM, CHAIRMAN OF THE ECC SAID: "IN HONG KONG, EVERYBODY HAS BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE TERM 'ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION’, BUT FEW SEEM TO HAVE A CLEAR AND CONCRETE ANSWER AS TO HOW IT CAN BE IMPLEMENTED IN THEIR DAILY LIVES.
"THIS IS THE REASON WHY THE ECC HAS FOCUSED SPECIFICALLY ON THE 3RS - REDUCE, RE-USE AND RECYCLE - FOR THIS FESTIVAL. THESE REPRESENT VITAL ACTIVITIES WHICH ARE FUNDAMENTAL TO IMPROVING OUR ENVIRONMENT."
THE OPENING INCLUDED THE LAUNCH OF THE COMMITMENT TREE, THE SYMBOL OF THE FESTIVAL, ON WHICH PEOPLE ARE INVITED TO PIN LEAVES DURING THE FORTNIGHT TO SIGNIFY THEIR PERSONAL AND COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS THE ENVIRONMENT.
"EVERY LEAF ON THE TREE REPRESENTS A COMMITMENT TOWARDS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION," SAID MRS PEGGY LAM.
"BY PINNING A LEAF ON THE TREE, WE SYMBOLISE THE RESTORATION OF LIFE TO OUR AILING ENVIRONMENT.
"BY CONTRIBUTING INDIVIDUALLY IN A SMALL WAY, WE CAN MAKE A GREAT DIFFERENCE WHEN OUR EFFORTS ARE ADDED TOGETHER. THAT IS WHY OUR SLOGAN 'ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION STARTS WITH ME’, IS SO PERTINENT," SHE ADDED.
THE ECC HAS PUT ITS SLOGAN INTO PRACTICE WHEN ORGANISING ITS ACTIVITIES: ALL SOUVENIR PROGRAMMES, POSTERS AND EVEN PLASTIC BAGS ARE MADE OF RECYCLED MATERIALS.
/TO OPEN .......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1990
3
TO OPEN THE FESTIVAL, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, REPRESENTING THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, PLACED THE FIRST BLOSSOM ON THE COMMITMENT TREE.
THE OPENING CEREMONY WAS FOLLOWED BY AN ARTISTS’ SHOW ON THE MAIN STAGE AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL FAIR RESPECTIVELY.
THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 30 BOOTHS WITH DISPLAYS AND GAMES WITH AN ENVIRONMENTAL FLAVOUR, AIMED AT AROUSING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
’’WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF DISTRICT BOARDS, ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND SCHOOLS ON THE SUBJECT OF RECYCLING, THE FAIR WILL ENABLE US TO SEE HOW MUCH OR HOW LITTLE IS BEING DONE TO PROTECT HONG KONG’S ENVIRONMENT,” SAID MRS LAM.
CONSIDERABLE SUPPORT FOR THIS FESTIVAL HAS COME FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, WITH COMPANIES INCLUDING CITIBANK, N.A., ESPRIT DE CORP (ASIA) LTD, THE HONG KONG ELECTRIC CO LTD, HONG KONG TRADE FAIR GROUP, ISETAN OF JAPAN LTD, JARDINE PACIFIC, PARFUMS CHRISTIAN DIOR AND SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST PUBLISHERS LTD BECOMING MAJOR SPONSORS. THE ECC ITSELF IS SUPPORTED BY A SUBSTANTIAL DONATION FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
MEDIA INVOLVEMENT IS ALSO REMARKABLE IN THE FESTIVAL. COMMERCIAL RADIO PRODUCED THE OPENING CEREMONY AND THE STAGE SHOW. TELEVISION BROADCASTS LIMITED ALSO SENT MISS HONG KONG TITLE-HOLDERS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EVENT. BOTH STATIONS WILL PRODUCE ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMMES DURING THE FESTIVAL PERIOD.
THE SYMBOL OF THE FESTIVAL, THE COMMITMENT TREE, WILL BE MOVED TO FOUR LOCATIONS DURING THE FORTNIGHT, TWO ON EACH SIDE OF THE HARBOUR. FROM VICTORIA PARK, IT WILL BE MOVED TO TELFORD GARDENS FROM NOVEMBER 11 TO 17 AND THEN TO SHA TIN NEW TOWN PLAZA FOR NOVEMBER 17 TO 24. THE COMMITMENT TREE WILL THEN BE TRANSPORTED BACK ACROSS THE HARBOUR FOR THE CLOSING CEREMONY IN CHATER GARDEN ON NOVEMBER 24.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO COME TO THESE SITES TO HANG LEAVES AS THEIR PERSONAL COMMITMENT.
THE FIRST BATTALION OF THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF WALES HAS GENEROUSLY OFFERED TO HELP BY TAKING CARE OF THE TRANSPORTATION OF THE COMMITMENT TREE TO THESE SPOTS.
DURING THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FESTIVAL, THE WIDEST RANGE OF ACTIVITIES ARE PLANNED AT EVERY LEVEL IN THE COMMUNITY. A PUBLIC HOUSING WASTE PAPER COLLECTION PROGRAMME IS TO BE LAUNCHED AT 01 MAN ESTATE IN HO MAN TIN ON NOVEMBER 11. THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL TRADE FAIR AT THE CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE IS TAKING THE ENVIRONMENT AS ITS SPECIAL THEME FROM NOVEMBER 19 TO 22.
SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, YOUTH ORGANISATIONS, COMMUNITY GROUPS AND ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANISATIONS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY ARE MAKING THE 3RS A CENTRAL THEME OF ACTIVITIES THEY HAVE PLANNED FOR THE PERIOD OF THE FESTIVAL.
/MANY OF .......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1990
MANY OF THE ACTIVITIES WILL BE CONTINUING ON WELL INTO DECEMBER AND 1991. "IT WOULD BE A PITY IF ALL OF THE ACTIVITIES GENERATED BY THE FESTIVAL WERE TO FINISH AS SOON AS THE FORTNIGHT IS OVER," MRS LAM SAID.
"WE MUST CONTINUE OUR ACTIONS TOWARDS PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT, AND CONTINUE TO BUILD PRESSURE ON GOVERNMENT FOR TIGHTER CONTROLS AND MORE SUPPORT FOR WASTE REDUCTION AND FACILITIES FOR RECYCLING.
"WE MUST ALSO ENCOURAGE THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO BECOME EVEN MORE CLOSELY INVOLVED IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION. IN THAT WAY, PEOPLE WILL BEGIN TO REALLY FEEL THEY CAN DO SOMETHING AND THAT IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT IS NOT AN ISSUE WHICH IS BEYOND THEIR CONTROL," SHE ADDED.
THE ECC IS A BROAD-BASED NON-GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE, THE MEMBERS OF WHICH ARE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON. IT AIMS TO BRING TOGETHER A WIDE RANGE OF INTERESTED PEOPLE FROM BUSINESS, GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC SERVICE, DISTRICT BOARDS, ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS AND OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS, THE MEDIA AND HONG KONG'S SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES, TO COORDINATE PROGRAMMES WORKING TOWARDS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FESTIVAL REPRESENTS THE CULMINATION OF ECC’S FIRST YEAR OF WORK AIMED AT IMPROVING AWARENESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN THE TERRITORY AND THE MEASURES WHICH MUST BE TAKEN AT ALL LEVELS - FROM LEGISLATION TO INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS - TO PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT.
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HOSPICE CARE - A NEW (DEA TO HK: LADY WILSON
*****
MUCH COULD BE DONE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE REMAINING TIME OF A CANCER PATIENT, LADY WILSON SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR THE BRADBURY HOSPICE, LADY WILSON SAID FOR SUCH PATIENTS, MEDICAL SCIENCE MAY OFFER NO CURE.
"BUT WE GAN HELP IN OTHER WAYS," SHE SAID, ADDING THAT THE SOCIETY FOR THE PROMOTION OF HOSPICE CARE AIMED TO DO JUST THAT.
LADY WILSON SAID IT WAS A SAD FACT OF LIFE THAT MORE THAN 8,000 MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN DIED OF CANCER IN HONG KONG EACH YEAR.
"THE INEVITABILITY OF DEATH DOES NOT MEAN ABANDONMENT OF HUMAN VALUES," SHE SAID.
/HOSPICE CARE
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1990
- 5 -
HOSPICE CARE, SHE POINTED OUT, WAS A CONCEPT THAT AFFIRMED THE FULLNESS OF LIFE, DIGNITY OF DYING AND THE CARING CONCERN OF SUPPORTIVE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS.
"HOSPICE CARE IS A RELATIVELY NEW IDEA IN THE WORLD AND IT IS VERY NEW TO HONG KONG," SHE ADDED.
IN ESTABLISHING THE BRADBURY HOSPICE, LADY WILSON SAID IT HAS OPENED A NEW AND IMPORTANT CHAPTER IN HONG KONG’S MEDICAL HISTORY.
"THE BUILDING, SOON TO BE CONSTRUCTED IN THIS SPLENDID SETTING, MAY BE MODEST IN SIZE; BUT THE IDEAL IT EMBODIES IS GRAND IN SCALE.
"THE SCOPE OF THE SOCIETY’S PLANS SHOULD NOT BE MEASURED BY PHYSICAL SIZE," LADY WILSON SAID.
WHEN COMPLETED IN 1992, THE BRADBURY HOSPICE, WHICH WAS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG, WOULD OFFER A TOTAL CARE PACKAGE.
IT WOULD PROVIDE PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL, SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL SUPPORT TO MANY CANCER SUFFERERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
"EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT IN ORDER TO BE MOST EFFECTIVE, A HOSPICE SHOULD NOT BE TOO LARGE, SHOULD BE HIGHLY PROFESSIONAL, AND EQUIPPED WITH UP-TO-DATE FACILITIES WITH TRAINED NURSES, WHO KNOW ALL THERE IS TO KNOW ABOUT PAIN CONTROL," LADY WILSON SAID.
EACH YEAR, THE 26 BEDS WOULD SERVE AN ESTIMATED 1,100 IN-PATIENTS AND THE NURSING STAFF WOULD MAKE 12,000 HOME VISITS.
THE BUILDING WOULD ALSO HOUSE A CENTRE FOR CANCER RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND INFORMATION. THE SOCIETY WOULD USE IT AS A VENUE FOR PROVIDING TRAINING FOR PROFESSIONALS AND VOLUNTEERS WHO WORK WITH THE TERMINALLY ILL.
THE BUILDING ITSELF WOULD COST AN ESTIMATED $33 MILLION TO BUILD AND FURNISH AND OPERATING COSTS WOULD REQUIRE SOME $14 MILLION A YEAR.
"SO FAR, $35 MILLION HAS BEEN RAISED AND I AM AWARE THAT THE SOCIETY IS WORKING HARD TO SECURE MORE," LADY WILSON SAID.
LADY WILSON ALSO CONGRATULATED ALL THOSE INVOLVED IN THE PLANNING OF THIS UNIQUE FACILITY ON THEIR ENTERPRISE AND INITIATIVE ESPECIALLY THE SOCIETY FOR THE PROMOTION OF HOSPICE CARE WHICH HAD ACHIEVED A GREAT DEAL SINCE IT WAS SET UP IN 1987.
TODAY ALSO MARKED THE BEGINNING OF HOSPICE WEEK WHICH WOULD LAST UNTIL NOVEMBER 17.
IT WOULD FEATURE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES ON HOSPICE CARE AND ALSO FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES.
"I HOPE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WILL GIVE GENEROUSLY TO THIS VERY WORTHWHILE PROJECT," LADY WILSON SAID.
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/6 ........
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1990
Il’S TO BE RETURNED QUICKLY * * * * ♦
THE GOVERNMENT WILL RETURN TO CHINA QUICKLY II MOTHERS AND CHILDREN WHO ARE CURRENTLY SURRENDERING TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT.
THIS WAS REVEALED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY.
"TO IMPLEMENT THIS, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HAS REDEPLOYED STAFF TO PROCESS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE THE CASES OF THE II MOTHERS AND CHILDREN WHO HAVE COME FORWARD IN THE PAST WEEK. THIS WILL ENABLE THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED AS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO BE SENT BACK IN A FEW DAYS," HE EXPLAINED.
MR ASPREY REITERATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD NO INTENTION OF CHANGING ITS POLICY AND THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO POSSIBILITY OF AN AMNESTY.
"ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO FALL FOR THE RUMOURS SPREAD BY SNAKEHEADS ARE DELUDING THEMSELVES AND ARE WASTING THEIR TIME," HE POINTED OUT.
MR ASPREY SAID THOSE WHO WISHED TO COME TO HONG KONG FOR FAMILY REUNION MUST APPLY UNDER THE ONE-WAY PERMIT SYSTEM.
HE ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES REQUESTING THEM TO STEP UP PREVENTIVE MEASURES AND TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE IN GUANGDONG PROVINCE ABOUT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S STRICT POLICY ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, AND THAT THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF AN AMNESTY, NOW OR IN THE FUTURE.
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COMMISSIONER LAYS WREATH AT CEREMONY OF REMEMBRANCE
*»**♦♦*
A CEREMONY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR MEMBERS OF THE POLICE FORCE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES DURING WORLD WARS I AND II, AND WHILE ON DUTY IN TIMES OF PEACE, WAS HELD AT THE POLICE HEADQUARTERS THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING.
AFTER OBSERVING A TWO-MINUTE SILENCE, THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA, LAID A WREATH OF POPPIES BENEATH THE MEMORIAL BOOKS AT THE ENTRANCE TO CAINE HOUSE, POLICE HEADQUARTERS.
OTHER WREATHS WERE LAID BY THE COMMANDANT OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY POLICE FORCE, MR (’HAN TAI-WING, AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS POLICE FORMATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS.
AMONG OTHER SENIOR OFFICERS WHO ATTENDED THE CEREMONY WERE THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, OPERATIONS, MR JOHN SHEPPARD; THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MANAGEMENT, MR GEORGE HINDHAUGH; THE POLICE ADMINISTRATION OFFICER, MR MICHAEL PAGLIARl; AND THE DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL BRANCH, MR JOHN THORPE.
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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1990
DECREASE IN INCIDENCE OF CRIME VICTIMISATION
*****
THE INCIDENCE OF CRIME VICTIMISATION HAS DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY, FROM 293,400 CASES IN 1986 TO 205,800 CASES IN 1989 -A DROP OF 30 PER CENT.
THIS WAS ONE OF THE MAIN FINDINGS OF THE CRIME VICTIMISATION SURVEY CARRIED OUT BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IN JANUARY THIS YEAR.
THE SURVEY WAS THE FOURTH OF ITS KIND CONDUCTED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE. IT WAS FIRST CONDUCTED IN 1979 AND THEN IN 1982 AND 1987.
CRIMES AGAINST BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS WERE NOT COVERED IN THIS SERIES OF SURVEYS. NEITHER WERE CRIMES INVOLVING TRIADS, DRUGS AND BRIBERY.
IN THE 1990 SURVEY, 51,000 PERSONS AGED 12 AND ABOVE FROM 17,000 RANDOMLY SELECTED HOUSEHOLDS WERE INTERVIEWED TO GATHER INFORMATION ON CRIMINAL VICTIMISATION THAT AFFECTED THEM IN THE YEAR 1989 WITH THE EXCEPTIONS MENTIONED ABOVE.
THE DECLINE IN CRIME VICTIMISATION WAS PARTICULARLY SIGNIFICANT WITH REGARD TO PERSONAL CRIMES (39 PER CENT). THIS WAS LARGELY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE DECREASE IN CRIMES OF THEFT, ESPECIALLY PICKPOCKETING. THE INCIDENCE OF HOUSEHOLD CRIMES FELL BY 14 PER CENT.
THE CRIME REPORTING RATE HAS CONTINUED TO INCREASE, FROM 32 PER CENT IN 1986 TO 34 PER CENT IN 1989. THE INCREASE WAS MORE SIGNIFICANT FOR INCIDENTS OF ROBBERY, SNATCHING, BURGLARY AND THEFT FROM VEHICLES.
THE RESULTS OF THE SURVEY INDICATED THAT THE REPORTING RATE WAS 45 PER CENT FOR VIOLENT CRIMES, 41 PER CENT FOR CRIMES OF THEFT AND 24 PER CENT FOR HOUSEHOLD CRIMES.
THE MAIN REASON GIVEN BY VICTIMS FOR NOT REPORTING CRIME TO THE POLICE WAS THAT THEY BELIEVED THAT IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO REPORT AS THEY SUFFERED LITTLE OR NO LOSS OR CONSIDERED THE INCIDENTS NOT IMPORTANT.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THIS SERIES OF SURVEYS, PERSONS AGED 18 AND ABOVE WERE ASKED TO GIVE THEIR OPINIONS ON ISSUES RELATING TO CAPITAL PUNISHMENT AND LIFE IMPRISONMENT SENTENCES. THEIR AWARENESS AND ASSESSMENT OF THE TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME WERE ALSO SOUGHT IN THE SURVEY.
ABOUT 46 PER CENT OF THIS AGE GROUP FELT THAT THE MOST APPROPRIATE TREATMENT FOR OFFENDERS SENTENCED TO DEATH WAS FOR THEIR SENTENCE TO BE COMMUTED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT; 28 PER CENT HELD THAT THE OFFENDERS SHOULD BE EXECUTED; AND 21 PER CENT HAD NO OPINION.
/ABOUT HALF........
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1990
- 8 -
ABOUT HALF CONSIDERED THAT THE DEATH SENTENCE SHOULD NOT BE ABOLISHED;. 30 PER CENT SUPPORTED ITS ABOLITION; AND 20 PER CENT HAD NO OPINION.
THE MAJORITY HAD HEARD OF THE TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME. AMONG THEM. 48 PER CENT THOUGHT THAT THE SCHEME WAS EFFECTIVE IN WEAKENING THE POWER OF THE TRIAD SOCIETY; 31 PER CENT DID NOT FIND IT EFFECTIVE; AND 21 PER CENT HAD NO OPINION.
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST AMONG THE FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING:
* THE VICTIMISATION RATE FOR PERSONAL CRIMES WAS 24 PER 1,000 POPULATION AGED 12 AND ABOVE IN 1989 COMPARED WITH 40 PER 1,000 IN THE SAME AGE GROUP IN 1986. THE RATE FOR HOUSEHOLD CRIMES WAS 61 PER 1,000 HOUSEHOLDS IN 1989, COMPARED WITH 74 PER 1,000 IN 1986.
* IN 1989, CRIMES OF VIOLENCE ACCOUNTED FOR 15 PER CENT OF ALL VICTIMISATION CASES. ROBBERY WAS THE MOST COMMON TYPE OF VIOLENT CRIME. PICKPOCKETING ACCOUNTED FOR 22 PER CENT OF ALL VICTIMISATION CASES, AND WAS THE MOST COMMON TYPE OF NON-VIOLENT CRIME.
* PERSONS AGED 12 TO 19 HAD THE HIGHEST VICTIMISATION RATE OVERALL (31 PER 1,000) AND ALSO THE HIGHEST RATE FOR CRIMES OF VIOLENCE. FOR CRIMES OF THEFT, THOSE IN THE AGE GROUP OF 30 TO 39 HAD THE HIGHEST RATE.
* OVERALL, 43 PER CENT OF ALL VICTIMISATION OCCURRED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, 40 PER CENT IN KOWLOON AND 16 PER CENT ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
* THE HIGHEST RISK OF VICTIMISATION FOR HOUSEHOLD CRIMES OCCURRED IN TEMPORARY HOUSING.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID DIRECT COMPARISON OF THE FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY WITH POLICE STATISTICS WAS NOT APPROPRIATE BECAUSE OF THE DIFFERENCE IN COVERAGE BETWEEN THE TWO SETS OF FIGURES.
"WHILE THE SURVEY DATA COVERS CRIME INCIDENTS INVOLVING HOUSEHOLDS AND PERSONS AGED 12 AND ABOVE, WHETHER REPORTED TO THE POLICE OR NOT, POLICE STATISTICS ONLY INCLUDE CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS OF ANY AGE WHICH ARE REPORTED.
"POLICE STATISTICS ALSO INCLUDE CRIMES AGAINST BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS AND CRIMES WITHOUT SPECIFIC VICTIMS," HE EXPLAINED.
"THE OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF THE SURVEY IS TO PROVIDE THOSE INVOLVED IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE WITH INFORMATION ON THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF CRIME, NOT OTHERWISE AVAILABLE FROM OFFICIAL RECORDS, TO COMPLEMENT AVAILABLE DATA FOR THE PURPOSES OF PLANNING, EVALUATION AND ANALYSIS.
/"APART FROM .......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1990
"APART FROM PROVIDING A BASIS FOR THE PLANNING OF ANTI-CRIME STRATEGIES, THE SURVEY ALSO REFLECTS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CRIME PREVENTION MEASURES AND THE LEVEL OF SUCCESS IN ENCOURAGING THE PUBLIC TO REPORT CRIME," HE SAID.
THE ENGLISH VERSION OF THE SURVEY REPORT IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AND THE PUBLICATIONS OFFICE OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON THE 19TH FLOOR, WANCHA1 TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD. THE CHINESE VERSION IS EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
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WIGGHAM COMMENDS CSD STAFF TRAINING * * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR CIVIL SERVICE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, TODAY (SATURDAY) PRAISED THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (CSD) FOR THE PART IT PLAYED IN THE TRAINING OF CORRECTIONAL STAFF.
"I BELIEVE THAT THE DEPARTMENT’S ACHIEVEMENTS IN RUNNING PENAL INSTITUTIONS AND IN PROVIDING AFTERCARE SERVICES AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MADE WITHOUT THE CONTRIBUTION FROM ITS STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE," HE SAID.
MR WIGGHAM WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE INSTITUTE’S OPEN DAY IN STANLEY.
HE ALSO COMMENDED CSD FOR ITS CONTINUOUS EFFORTS IN RECRUITING STAFF TO TACKLE THE DEPARTMENT’S MANPOWER SHORTAGE.
HE SAID IN RECENT YEARS, THE INFLUX INTO HONG KONG OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE AND CHINESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HAD EXERTED GREAT PRESSURE ON THE DEPARTMENT’S MANPOWER AND OTHER RESOURCES.
MR WIGGHAM SAID HE HOPED THIS YEAR’S OPEN DAY WOULD BE OF HELP TO THE CSD’S RECRUITMENT DRIVE.
THE OPEN DAY IS AN ANNUAL EVENT ORGANISED WITH THE AIM OF INTRODUCING THE DEPARTMENT’S WORK TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. IT ALSO FORMS PART OF CSD’S RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN.
MORE THAN 3,000 PEOPLE, MOST OF THEM STUDENTS AND YOUNGSTERS, VISITED THE INSTITUTE TODAY.
THROUGH VARIOUS DISPLAYS, THEY KNEW MORE ABOUT THE DIFFERENT CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES IN THE PENAL INSTITUTIONS AS WELL AS THE TRAINING FOR CORRECTIONAL STAFF.
THERE WERE ALSO DEMONSTRATIONS ON HANDCUFFING TECHNIQUE, ANTI-RIOT CONTROL AND SELF-DEFENCE EXERCISE.
THE INSTITUTE WILL ALSO BE OPEN TO VISITORS FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
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/10 .......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1990
- 10 -
FIVE EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES ELECTED TO LAB
*****
FIVE EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES NOMINATED BY REGISTERED TRADE UNIONS WERE TODAY (SATURDAY) ELECTED FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD FOR TWO YEARS WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1991.
THEY WERE:
* MR CHEUNG KWOK-BUI, FELIX (124 VOTES) HONG KONG CIVIL SERVANTS GENERAL UNION
* MS LI FUNG-YING (126 VOTES)
HONG KONG &• KOWLOON ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY EMPLOYEES’ GENERAL UNION
* MR LEUNG TSZ-LEUNG (114 VOTES) AMALGAMATED UNION OF SEAFARERS, HONG KONG
* MR CHU MING (100 VOTES)
HONG KONG PROSTHETISTS & ORTHOTISTS ASSOCIATION
* MR LEUNG FU-WAH (137 VOTES)
HONG KONG &. KOWLOON RUBBER & PLASTIC WORKERS GENERAL UNION
AT TODAY’S ELECTION AT QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOLS, 256 REGISTERED EMPLOYEES’ TRADE UNIONS TURNED OUT TO VOTE, WHILE 251 VOTES CAST WERE DECLARED VALID.
THE ELECTION WAS SUPERVISED BY ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR MR MAK SAI-YIU, WHO ACTED AS THE RETURNING OFFICER.
THE VOTES WERE COUNTED IN THE PRESENCE OF MR ROBERT CHAN WHO REPRESENTED THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, AND MR LEE SIK-CHIU WHO REPRESENTED THE REGISTRAR OF TRADE UNIONS.
MEANWHILE, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING NOMINATIONS FROM FIVE MAJOR EMPLOYERS’ ORGANISATIONS FOR EMPLOYERS’ REPRESENTATIVES TO SERVE ON THE BOARD. THEY ARE:
* MR A.R. HAMILTON OF THE EMPLOYERS’ FEDERATION OF HONG KONG
♦ MR R.A. ZALA OF THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
* MR HENRY TANG OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES
* DR LUI MING-WAH OF THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG
* MR HO SAI-CHU OF THE CHINESE GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
IN ADDITION, ONE EMPLOYER AND ONE EMPLOYEE MEMBERS WILL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO SIT ON THE BOARD. THEIR APPOINTMENTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT A LATER DATE.
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/U.....
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1990
- 11 IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH REMINDED * * * * *
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE TODAY (SATURDAY) CALLED UPON TO ATTACH GREATER IMPORTANCE TO THE EFFECT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ON HEALTH.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF A CARNIVAL ON ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH AT SOUTHORN PLAYGROUND THIS AFTERNOON, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR K.H. PANG, SAID ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH WERE CLOSELY RELATED.
"IN FACT, MOST OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION CAN BE AVOIDED THROUGH DEVELOPING AMONG THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE A SENSE OF OBLIGATION TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT,” DR PANG ADDED.
THE CARNIVAL, TITLED "OUR PLANLET, OUR HEALTH; THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY", WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN SUPPORT OF THE WORLD HEALTH DAY SINCE APRIL THIS YEAR.
DURING THAT PERIOD, HEALTH MESSAGES WERE DISSEMINATED THROUGH A 24-HOUR PRE-RECORDED TELEPHONE INFORMATIVE SERVICE, PHOTO CONTEST, INTER-SCHOOLS ESSAY COMPETITION, WORKSHOPS FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS AND TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR YOUNG HEALTH LEADERS.
TODAY’S PROGRAMME FEATURED AN EXHIBITION ON ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH, VIDEO SHOWS ON HEALTH EDUCATION, AND THE DISPLAY OF WINNING ENTRIES OF PHOTO AND ESSAY COMPETITIONS. THERE WERE ALSO 15 GAMES STALLS.
IN ADDITION, THE HONG KONG CHILDREN’S CHOIR WAS ALSO IN ATTENDANCE.
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1,322 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS REPORTED IN OCTOBER ******
A TOTAL OF 1,773 CASUALTIES WAS REPORTED IN 1,322 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS WHICH OCCURRED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY LAST MONTH.
A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT 325 OF THESE ACCIDENTS OCCURRED ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 735 IN KOWLOON AND 262 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR OCTOBER SHOWED THAT 30 PERSONS WERE KILLED, 354 PERSONS WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED AND 1,389 SLIGHTLY INJURED IN THESE ACCIDENTS.
THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS REPRESENTED A DECREASE OF 5.7 PER CENT OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR WHILE THE NUMBER OF CASUALTIES SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 1.6 PER CENT.
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/12 .......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1990
EXHIBITION TO INTRODUCE POLICE WORK
t * * *
A LIVELY PERFORMANCE BY THE POLICE DOG UNIT WAS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF A POLICE OUTDOOR PRESENTATION HELD IN SHA TIN TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE PRESENTATION, STAGED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE AS AN ASSOCIATED ACTIVITY OF THE CAREERS '91 EXHIBITION, WAS AIMED AT INTRODUCING TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC VARIOUS ASPECTS OF POLICE WORK.
APART FROM LIVE PERFORMANCES AND PROFESSIONAL DEMONSTRATIONS, THERE WERE ALSO EXHIBITION COUNTERS FROM THE MARINE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL, RECRUITMENT GROUP, CRIMINAL RECORDS BUREAU, NARCOTICS BUREAU, FORCE MUSEUM, POLICE TACTICAL UNIT, ROAD SAFETY SECTION AS WELL AS THE AUXILIARY POLICE.
OTHER DISPLAY ITEMS INCLUDED DIFFERENT TYPES OF POLICE VEHICLES, THE ROAD SAFETY BUS AND A MARINE INFLATABLE.
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CASH ASSISTANCE TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS *****
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) APPROVED $61,420 FROM THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE (TAVA) FUND TO THE TAXI DRIVER KILLED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT AT CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD ON OCTOBER 21.
THE TAVA SCHEME PROVIDES QUICK FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS OR THEIR DEPENDENTS WITHOUT TAKING REGARD OF THE MEANS OF A FAMILY OR THE ELEMENT OF FAULT IN CAUSING THE ACCIDENT.
BENEFICIARIES UNDER THE SCHEME WILL RETAIN THE RIGHT TO MAKE CLAIMS FOR LEGAL DAMAGES OR COMPENSATION FROM OTHER SOURCES IN THE USUAL WAY.
HOWEVER, THOSE WHO RECEIVE OTHER DAMAGES OR COMPENSATION IN RESPECT OF THE SAME ACCIDENT ARE REQUIRED TO REPAY THE AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE ALREADY RECEIVED FROM THE SCHEME. BUT ANY CASE, THE AMOUNT TO BE REPAID WOULD NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGES OR COMPENSATION AWARDED.
ENQUIRIES ON APPLICATION FOR ASSISTANCE UNDER THE SCHEME MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE DEPARTMENT’S TAVA SECTION AT 15, WATSON ROAD, VICTORIA CENTRE, FIRST FLOOR, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG OR BY CALLING 570 2410.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
GOVERNOR LAYS WREATH AT REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONY .............................. 1
PROMOTING HK OVERSEAS BY TARGETING INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE: SIR DAVID............... 1
COUNTRY PARK FACILITIES FOR PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND THE ABLE-BODIED .. 2
ED HAS VITAL ROLE FOR WELL-TRAINED WORKFORCE .................................. 3
30TH ANNIVERSARY FOR WONG TAI SIN GROUP WORK UNIT.............................. 5
EARLY REGISTRATION OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS AND MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS URGED .......................................................... 7
FESTIVE OPENING FOR YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE ............................... 8
ATHLETIC MEET FOR KOWLOON CITY RESIDENT........................................ 8
BOAT DWELLERS URGED TO KEEP HARBOUR CLEAN ..................................... 9
CAMPAIGN TO BOOST FIRE AND CHEMICAL SAFETY ................................... 10
ENTRIES INVITED FOR STUDENT PHOTO CONTEST .................................... 10
MUSIC OFFICE YOUTH CHOIR RECRUITS MEMBERS .................................... 11
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1990
GOVERNOR LAYS WREATH AT REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONY
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, LAID A WREATH AT THE CENOTAPH IN STATUE SQUARE THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING TO HONOUR THOSE WHO HAD GIVEN THEIR LIVES ON ACTIVE SERVICE.
THE SOLEMN CEREMONY MARKING REMEMBRANCE DAY BEGAN AT 11 AM WITH THE FIRING OF A GUN AT HMS TAMAR WHICH SIGNALLED THE OBSERVANCE OF TWO MINUTES’ SILENCE.
AT THE FIRING OF A SECOND GUN, BUGLERS OF THE 1ST BATTALION, THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF WALES SOUNDED THE ’’LAST POST”.
WREATHS WERE ALSO LAID BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG; THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, MAJOR GENERAL PETER DUFFELL; REPRESENTATIVES OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS; COMMONWEALTH REPRESENTATIVES; THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR GERRY FORSGATE; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG; AND DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMEN.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY LAYING OF WREATHS BY SERVICE COMMANDERS, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION, SERVICE UNITS, COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS, EX-SERVICEMEN’S ASSOCIATIONS, SOCIETIES AND OTHER BODIES.
---------0-----------
PROMOTING HE OVERSEAS BY TARGETING INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE: SIR DAVID
********
A KEY PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S STRATEGY IN PROMOTING HONG KONG OVERSEAS IS TO TARGET PEOPLE WHO HAVE AN INFLUENCE OVER THE TERRITORY’S ECONOMY, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS BEFORE HIS DEPARTURE ON A 10-DAY OFFICIAL VISIT TO NORTH AMERICA AND LONDON, SIR DAVID SAID: "BY THAT 1 MEAN BUSINESS PEOPLE, FINANCIERS; BANKERS AND TRADERS."
"SO THE MAIN PART OF MY VISIT WILL BE TALKING TO THOSE SORT OF GROUPS OF PEOPLE," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID WILL BE GIVING KEYNOTE SPEECHES IN SAN FRANCISCO, SEATTLE, VANCOUVER AND LONDON AND TALKING TO GROUPS INFORMALLY.
"I WILL ALSO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO ACADEMICS AND TO STUDENTS," HE SAID.
/WHILE IN .......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1990
WHILE IN LONDON, THE CHIEF SECRETARY WILL MEET WITH THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, LORD CAITHNESS, AND OTHER OFFICIALS AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE.
IN RESPONSE TO A SUGGESTION THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT SHOULD FINANCE THE MACAU'AIRPORT, SIR DAVID SAID: "WE CERTAINLY HOPE THE MACAU AIRPORT WILL BE A SUCCESS. IT WILL, I THINK, HELP RELIEVE SOME OF THE CONGESTION AT KAI TAK."
"BUT, CLEARLY AS FAR AS WE ARE CONCERNED, WE MUST FOCUS OUR INVESTMENT ON OUR OWN AIRPORT AND NOT ON OTHER AIRPORTS IN THE REGION," HE SAID.
ASKED TO COMMENT ON THE RECENT INCREASE IN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, SIR DAVID REITERATED THAT THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF AN AMNESTY BEING EXTENDED ON A GENERAL BASIS.
"AND THAT IS THE MESSAGE WHICH CLEARLY MUST GO BACK ACROSS THE BORDER. IT IS VERY UNFORTUNATE FOR PEOPLE TO COME HERE BELIEVING THAT THERE IS SOME HOPE OF AN AMNESTY WHEN CLEARLY THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE," HE SAID.
COUNTRY PARK FACILITIES FOR PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND THE ABLE-BODIED *****
MOST OF THE BARBECUE AND PICNIC SITES DEVELOPED IN COUNTRY PARKS IN RECENT YEARS ARE CATERED FOR BOTH PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND ABLE-BODIED PERSONS.
OFFICIATING AT THE PHAB WALK ’90 AT THE TAI TONG MANAGEMENT CENTRE, TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK TODAY (SUNDAY), THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, SAID THE AIM WAS TO COPE WITH AND PROMOTE THE CONCEPT OF "INTEGRATION OF THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND THE ABLE-BODIED".
THE PHAB WALK '90 IS THE 17TH PHAB WALK ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG PHAB ASSOCIATION. OVER 1,000 PEOPLE TOOK PART IN THIS YEAR’S EVENT WITH MORE THAN 200 SUPPORTING WORKERS AND VOLUNTEERS.
CITING A TAI TONG SITE AS AN EXAMPLE, DR LEE SAID MOST OF THE NEWLY DEVELOPED FACILITIES IN COUNTRY PARKS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH ACCESS ROADS, COULD SUITABLY BE SHARED BY THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND THE ABLE-BODIED. THEREFORE, IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO PUT UP PARTICULAR SIGN OF "PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND THE ABLE-BODIED PLAYGROUND".
/ON THE
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1990
- 3 -
ON THE FACILITIES IN COUNTRY PARKS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED, DR LEE POINTED OUT THAT IN COUNTRY PARKS IN SAI KUNG, PLOVER COVE, CLEAR WATER BAY AND ABERDEEN, THERE WERE SPECIALLY DESIGNED BARBECUE PITCHES AND WHEELCHAIR TRAILS.
AND IN ABERDEEN COUNTRY PARK, THERE WAS A NATURE TRAIL AND A FITNESS TRAIL FOR BOTH THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND THE ABLE-BODIED.
BESIDES, MOST OF THE TOILETS IN THE COUNTRY PARKS WERE SUITABLY EQUIPPED FOR THE HANDICAPPED, HE SAID.
DR LEE SAID: "THE COUNTRY PARKS ARE SET UP TO SERVE THE WHOLE POPULATION OF HONG KONG - MAN OR WOMAN, OLD OR YOUNG, PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED OR ABLE-BODIED WITH VARIOUS KINDS OF RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN THE SCENIC COUNTRYSIDE.
"WE HAVE TRIED OUR BEST TO OVERCOME THE NATURAL BARRIERS DESPITE THE HILLY AND RUGGED TERRAIN IN MOST OF THE COUNTRYSIDE IN HONG KONG. FOR THIS PURPOSE, WE HAVE INSTALLED A SERIES OF SPECIALLY DESIGNED FACILITIES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE SO THAT THEY WILL ALL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY A DAY OUT IN THE COUNTRYSIDE," HE ADDED.
DR LEE COMMENDED THE HONG KONG PHAB ASSOCIATION FOR ITS EFFORTS IN PROMOTING THE CONCEPT OF "INTEGRATION OF THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND THE ABLE-BODIED" AS WELL AS ITS CONTRIBUTIONS TO VARIOUS KINDS OF COMMUNITY SERVICES.
THE PHAB WALK ’90 IS ORGANISED WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF PROMOTING MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND COOPERATION BETWEEN THE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED AND THE ABLE-BODIED THROUGH WALKATHON ACTIVITIES. SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS HAYE BEEN MADE ALONG THE WHOLE ROUTE WHICH IS ABOUT 1.6 KILOMETRES.
ALSO PRESENT AT TODAY’S FUNCTION WERE THE HONG KONG PHAB ASSOCIATION’S HONORARY PRESIDENT, MR LI KWAN-HUNG, CHAIRMAN MR ERIC LI AND VICE-CHAIRMAN DR DICKEN YUNG.
---------------------0-------- ED HAS VITAL ROLE FOR WELL-TRAINED WORKFORCE *****
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, APART FROM PROVIDING EDUCATION FOR THE HONG KONG YOUTH, HAS A VITAL ROLE IN ENSURING A STEADY SUPPLY OF WELL-TRAINED WORKFORCE IN THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS TO PRODUCE SERVICES THAT WILL MEET WORLD-CLASS STANDARDS.
THIS IS ACHIEVED THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT’S HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE WHICH PROVIDES TRAINING FOR TRAINERS FROM COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
/A TOTAL ......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1990
4
A TOTAL OF 496 TRAINING PERSONNEL OF THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS RECENTLY GRADUATE FROM THE 1989-90 COURSES AND OF THESE, 35 PER CENT WERE FROM PRIVATE FIRMS, 25 PER CENT FROM THE SERVICING INDUSTRIES, 20 PER CENT FROM THE TRAINING WINGS OF 10 GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, AND FIVE PER CENT FROM PUBLIC UTILITIES.
THE TRAINER-INSTRUCTOR TRAINING ADVISORY COMMITTEE ADVISES THE COLLEGE ON THE PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT AND MONITORING OF COURSES.
AND, ACCORDING TO THE PRINCIPAL OF THE COLLEGE, MR DAVID PUN, VARIOUS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS HAVE HELPED THE COLLEGE KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE CURRENT TRENDS IN MANPOWER TRAINING AND OBTAIN THE LATEST INFORMATION ON THE TRAINING NEEDS OF THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY FROM A CROSS-SECTION OF THE MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY.
THESE ORGANISATIONS INCLUDE THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, THE INSTITUTE OF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT, THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, THE CIVIL SERVICE TRAINING CENTRE, THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE CO AND THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION.
’’THE COLLEGE RUNS SEVEN TRAINER TRAINING COURSES WHICH EITHER FOCUSES ON SPECIFIC ASPECTS OF A TRAINER’S WORK OR CATERS FOR SPECIFIC CATEGORIES OF TRAINERS,” MR PUN SAID.
THE COURSES ARE:
♦ THE BASIC COURSE IN INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES;
* THE ADVANCED COURSE IN INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES;
♦ THE CERTIFICATE IN TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT COURSE;
♦ THE INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES COURSE FOR WORKSHOP INSTRUCTIONS IN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES;
♦ THE WORKSHOP MANAGEMENT COURSE FOR WORKSHOP INSTRUCTORS IN PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS;
* THE IN-SERVICE COURSE FOR TEACHING AND INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF WORKING WITH THE HANDICAPPED; AND
♦ THE FURTHER AND ADULT EDUCATION TEACHERS’ CERTIFICATE COURSE.
THE CERTIFICATE IN TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT COURSE IS DESIGNED TO DEVELOP IN PARTICIPANTS THE CAPABILITIES TO PLAN, ORGANISE AND CONDUCT STAFF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES GEARED TO SPECIFIED ORGANISATIONAL NEEDS AND CIRCUMSTANCES.
"THERE IS A GREAT DEMAND FROM TRAINING PERSONNEL IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS FOR THIS COURSE WHICH REQUIRES ATTENDANCE OF ONE YEAR IN THE PART-TIME DAY PLUS PART-TIME EVENING MODE,” MR PUN SAID.
GRADUATES OF THIS COURSb ARE ELIGIBLE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP OF THE INSTITUTE OF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
/MR PUN ........
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1990
5 -
MR PUN SAID THE COLLEGE WAS THE FIRST CENTRE IN HONG KONG GRANTED PERMISSION BY THE CITY AND GUILDS OF LONDON INSTITUTE TO OFFER THE FURTHER AND ADULT EDUCATION TEACHER’S CERTIFICATE COURSE.
THIS COURSE PROVIDES THE BEGINNER OR UNTRAINED PRACTITIONERS IN FURTHER AND ADULT EDUCATION THROUGH A PARTICIPATORY APPROACH, WITH AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF EFFECTIVE PERFORMANCE IN THE CLASSROOM OR OTHER EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS, AS WELL AS A FEELING FOR THE CHALLENGES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND SATISFACTION OF TEACHING.
MR PUN SAID THE COLLEGE HAD BEEN DOING ITS UTMOST TO INCREASE THE PLACES ON THE IN-SERVICE COURSE FOR TEACHING AND INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF WORKING WITH THE HANDICAPPED.
"IT SEEMS THAT WE CAN NEVER SATISFY THE STRONG DEMAND THAT EXISTS, AND THE LATEST ESTIMATE IS THAT THE NUMBER OF TEACHING AND INSTRUCTIONAL PERSONNEL WAITING TO ATTEND THE COURSE IS NO LESS THAN 200," HE SAID.
IN VIEW OF THE LARGE BACKLOG OF UNTRAINED PERSONNEL, HE SAID THE COLLEGE HAD ACCEPTED A REHABILITATION AND DEVELOPMENT COORDINATING COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATION ON A 10-DAY PRELIMINARY COURSE FOR NEW STAFF OF REHABILITATION INSTITUTIONS.
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, AT THE GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE COLLEGE HELD RECENTLY, POINTED OUT THAT IF HONG KONG WERE TO MAINTAIN ITS PRESENT ECONOMIC STABILITY AND PROSPERITY, PARTICULARLY IN THE RUN-UP TO 1997, IT WAS IMPERATIVE AND ESSENTIAL THAT THE TERRITORY COULD COUNT ON A STEADY SUPPLY OF WELL-TRAINED WORKFORCE.
"IN FACT, OUR ’ECONOMIC MIRACLE’ DEPENDS TO A LARGE EXTENT ON OUR WORKFORCE’S ABILITY TO COPE WITH AND RESPOND TO THE MANY CHALLENGES OF CHANGES, WHICH INCLUDE THE RAPIDITY OF TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE, THE DEMANDS OF INCREASED COMPETITION, AND THE NEED TO PENETRATE NEW MARKETS," HE SAID.
TO PRODUCE THIS WORKFORCE, HE SAID THAT HONG KONG MUST HAVE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTORS AND TRAINERS WITH A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF THE OPERATIONAL NEEDS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY.
---------0---------
30TH ANNIVERSARY FOR WONG TAI
SIN GROUP WORK UNIT
******
FOR THE PAST THREE DECADES, THE WONG TAI SIN GROUP WORK UNIT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN QUIETLY SERVING THE LOCAL RESIDENTS.
OFFICERS OF THE UNIT HAVE GREATLY ENHANCED THE QUALITY OF THE COMMUNITY LIFE OF LOCAL RESIDENTS THROUGH A VARIETY OF GROUP WORK SERVICES.
/THE WONG .......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1990
6
THE WONG TAI SIN COMMUNITY CENTRE GROUP WORK UNIT, WHICH IS UNDER THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT (SWD), WILL BE CELEBRATING ITS 30TH ANNIVERSARY ON COMING SUNDAY.
AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR ALEXANDER FUNG, WHO WAS AMONG THE FIRST BATCH OF SWD OFFICERS WORKING IN THE FIRST COMMUNITY CENTRE IN THE TERRITORY DATING BACK TO 1961, TODAY (SUNDAY) RECALLED HOW HE MANAGED TO MEET THE WORKING CHALLENGES IN A DENSELY-POPULATED DISTRICT WHERE THE BIGGEST HOUSING ESTATE WAS SITUATED.
"DURING THAT TIME, THE LOCAL RESIDENTS JUST TREATED ME AS THEIR NEIGHBOUR SINCE I LIVED IN A STAFF QUARTER INSIDE THE COMMUNITY CENTRE.
"MANY OFTEN, PARTICULARLY DURING SOME CHINESE TRADITIONAL FESTIVALS, I WAS INVITED BY NEIGHBOURING KAI FONGS TO JOIN THEIR FAMILY GATHERINGS AND ENJOYED THEIR MEALS," HE ADDED.
THROUGH AN INTIMATE AND FRIENDLY APPROACH, MR FUNG HAD FINALLY SUCCEEDED IN PUTTING ACROSS THE MESSAGE OF GOOD NEIGHBOURHOOD, AN IMPORTANT CONCEPT IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN WONG TAI SIN.
IN FACT, MANY LOCAL CELEBRITIES WERE FORMER MEMBERS OF THE WONG TAI SIN GROUP WORK UNIT.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE RESIDENTS HAD DEVELOPED AN "ESPRIT DE CORP” WHICH MADE WONG TAI SIN A CONCERTED COMMUNITY.
IN ADDITION TO TREATING THE COMMUNITY CENTRE AS THEIR SOCIAL CLUB, THE RESIDENTS HAD FREQUENTED THE CENTRE WHERE THEY COULD ENJOY A WIDE RANGE OF INTEGRATED SERVICES FOR FAMILY, CHILDREN AND YOUTH, LIBRARY, NURSERY, REHABILITATION AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING, MR FUNG SAID.
THE DEPARTMENT OPERATES A GROUP WORK UNIT IN EACH OF THE 11 COMMUNITY CENTRES AND IN TWO ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRES MANAGED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
THESE GROUPS CATERED FOR RESIDENTS OF ALL AGES IN THE COMMUNITY WITH AN AIM OF DEVELOPING PERSONAL CHARACTER, INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, SENSE OF COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITIES, LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL AND MEETING INDIVIDUAL SOCIAL NEEDS.
IT ALSO PROVIDES THREE MAIN CATEGORIES OF SERVICE, FOR DEVELOPMENT GROUPS, SUPPORTIVE GROUPS, READING AND STUDY.
AS AT THE END OF AUGUST THIS YEAR, THERE WERE 698 DEVELOPMENTAL GROUPS, 29 SUPPORTIVE GROUPS WITH A REGISTERED MEMBERSHIP OF 13,855.
- - 0 - -
/7........
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1990
EARLY REGISTRATION OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS AND MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS URGED
* * * ♦
PEOPLE WISHING TO REGISTER AS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS AND MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS ARE URGED TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS EARLY TO AVOID A LAST-MINUTE RUSH.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARIAT OF THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS BOARD AND THE MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT APPLICANTS SHOULD HAND IN THEIR APPLICATIONS BY JANUARY 31 NEXT YEAR ALTHOUGH LATE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BEYOND THAT DAY. EARLY RETURN IS TO ALLOW SUFFICIENT TIME FOR THE RELEVANT STATUTORY BOARDS TO COMPLETE THE REGISTRATION PROCEDURE BEFORE AUGUST 1, 1991.
THE OBJECTIVE OF THE EXERCISE IS TO PROVIDE BETTER PROTECTION TO THE PUBLIC BY MAINTAINING ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS IN THE PRACTICE OF THESE TWO SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS.
’’OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS AND MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO BE REGISTERED BEFORE AUGUST 1 NEXT YEAR,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE RELEVANT SECTIONS IN THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS ORDINANCE IN RESPECT OF THESE TWO PROFESSIONS COME INTO EFFECT ON AUGUST 1 NEXT YEAR.
AFTER THAT DATE, UNREGISTERED PERSONS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO PRACTISE IN THESE PROFESSIONS.
AS REGARDS PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION WHICH IS A ONE-OFF EXERCISE, APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED TILL JUNE 30 NEXT YEAR. LATE APPLICATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
THOSE WHO HAVE APPLIED FOR PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION ARE DEEMED TO BE REGISTERED UNTIL THE RESULTS OF THEIR APPLICATIONS ARE KNOWN.
DETAILS ON THE REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES ARE CONTAINED IN A BOOKLET ON "GUIDE TO APPLICANTS".
THE BOOKLET TOGETHER WITH THE APPLICATION FORM ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION IN PERSON OR BY WRITING TO THE SECRETARIAT OF THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS BOARD AND THE MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD AT SUNNING PLAZA, SIXTH FLOOR, 10 HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY.
THEY ARE ALSO OBTAINABLE FROM QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL, TANG SHIU KIN HOSPITAL AND TSAN YUK HOSPITAL ON HONG KONG ISLAND; KOWLOON HOSPITAL, LAI CHI KOK HOSPITAL AND QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL IN KOWLOON; CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL, FANL1NG HOSPITAL, KWAI CHUNG HOSPITAL, PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL, PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL, ST. JOHN HOSPITAL ON CHEUNG CHAU, SIU LAM HOSPITAL, SOUTH LANTAO HOSPITAL AND TUEN MUN HOSPITAL IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE BY TELEPHONING 890 0514 OR 890 0843.
- - 0 - -
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1990
- 8 -
FESTIVE OPENING FOR YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE * * * * *
THE HENRY G. LEONG YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE WILL HOLD AN OPEN DAY ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 17), BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM.
THE OPEN DAY IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CENTRE’S MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, URBAN COUNCIL AND RESIDENT ORGANISATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE CURRENT YAU TSIM DISTRICT FESTIVAL ’90.
THERE WILL BE GAMES, A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION, CRAFTS DEMONSTRATION, KARAOKE AND A VARIETY SHOW FEATURING MAGIC AND SINGING PERFORMANCES.
FREE TICKETS TO THE OPEN DAY CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 60 PUBLIC SQUARE STREET, YAU MA TEI AND THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE AT 15 MIDDLE ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI.
YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ANNIE TANG; YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH AND YAU TSIM DISTRICT FESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHIU YU-HEI, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPEN DAY.
BUILT LN 1982, THE CENTRE COMPRISES A SEVEN-FLOOR WELFARE
BLOCK OFFERING A HOST OF SERVICES BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
THESE INCLUDE A DAY-CENTRE FOR EX-MENTAL PATIENTS BY THE HONG KONG MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION AMITY CLUB; A NURSERY OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND AN ELDERLY CENTRE OF THE ASIAN WOMEN’S LEAGUE.
IT ALSO HOUSES AN OUTREACH!NG SOCIAL WORK TEAM MEMORIAL METHODIST SOCIAL SERVICE CENTRE AND THE DEPARTMENT GROUP WORK UNIT AND SERVES AS THE OFFICES TEI (NORTH AND SOUTH AREA) YIN NGAI SOCIETY AND YAU WELFARE ASSOCIATION.
OF THE SOCIAL
OF THE
MA TEI
YANG’S WELFARE YAU MA KAI FONG
------0--------
ATHLETIC MEET FOR KOWLOON CITY RESIDENT *****
KOWLOON CITY RESIDENTS ARE INVITED TO KOWLOON CITY ATHLETIC MEET TO BE HELD IN PLAYGROUND ON NOVEMBER 25.
TAKE
THE
PART IN THE KOWLOON TSAI
19TH
PARK
THE ATHLETIC MEET WHICH AIMS AT PROMOTING BETTER RELATIONSHIP AMONG RESIDENTS IS KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE AND KOWLOON RECREATIONAL ASSOCIATION.
SPORTS AND
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY CITY DISTRICT SPORTS
FOSTERING
THE
AND
/IT WAS .......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1990
- 9 -
IT WAS FIRST HELD IN 1972 AND LATER DEVELOPED INTO AN ANNUAL EVENT.
THERE WILL BE 18 EVENTS IN THE MEET. THEY INCLUDE TRACKS, HURDI.ES, LONG JUMP, HIGH JUMP, JAVELIN, DISCUS AND RELAYS.
ENTRY FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, GRol ND FLOOR, 111 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, TO KWA WAN; HUNG HOM SUB-OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, PHASE V, WHAMPOA GARDEN; LUNG SHING SUB-OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, G8 JUNCTION ROAD; AND RECREATION, AMENITIES AND SPORTS OFFICE (KOWLooN CITY), 10TH FLOOR, 165, TOKWAWAN UC COMPLEX.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE NADI' ON TEL. 711 0171.
------0--------
BOAT DWELLERS URGED TO KEEP HARBOUR CLEAN ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
BOAT DWELLERS IN EASTERN DISTRICT’S TYPHOON SHELTERS WERE URGED TO KEEP THE HARBOUR CLEAN DURING A JOINT OPERATION BY EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND CLEANSING SQUADS EROM THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.
TRAVELLING ON MOTORISED SAMPANS, THE DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS HAaDED OU I T-SHIRTS AND COLOURFUL PENNANTS TO BOAT PEOPLE AND ADVISFD THEM ON ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE.
MARINE DEPARTMENT STAFF PICKED Up FLOATING REFUSE ON BOARD THE VESSEL ’WATER WITCH" WHILE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT CLEANSING SQUAD MEMBERS REMOVED RUBBISH ON THE BREAKWATERS AND WATER FRONT AREAS.
REPRESEN IA I IVES OF SEVEN LOCAL FISHERMEN GROUPS ALSO JOINED THE BOARD MEMBERS IN THEIR CAMPAIGN TOUR OF THE CAUSEWAY BAY TYPHOON HANDLING BASIN^*™ TYPHOON SHELTER AND THE CHAI WAN CARGO
CHE AC I IV I I\ KAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT BOARD IN SUPPORT OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
TAKING PART IN TODAY’S EVENT INCLUDED THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR SHUM (’HOI-SANG AND AN ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER (EASTERN), MISS SANDY CHAN.
------0-----------
/10 ........
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1990
- 10 -
CAMPAIGN TO BOOST EIRE AND CHEMICAL SAFETY
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS MOUNTING A CAMPAIGN TO DRIVE HOME THE MESSAGE OF FIRE AND CHEMICAL SAFETY TO BOTH FACTORY PROPRIETORS AND WORKERS.
THE CAMPAIGN WILL LAST TILL THE END OF THE YEAR.
FACTORY INSPECTORS ARE CONCENTRATING THEIR EFFORTS ON THOSE FACTORIES WHICH POSE HIGH FIRE RISKS, INCLUDING THOSE FOUND IN POORLY-MANAGED INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS, THOSE WHICH CONDUCTED FIRE-HAZARDOUS TRADES AND THOSE INVOLVED IN EXTENSIVE USE OF INFLAMMABLE CHEMICALS OR COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS.
DURING THEIR VISITS, THE INSPECTORS WILL EXPLAIN TO THE FACTORY MANAGEMENT AND WORKERS THEIR OBLIGATION UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (FIRE PRECAUTIONS IN NOTIFIABLE WORKPLACES) AND (DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES) REGULATIONS AND WILL HELP THEM COMPLY WITH THESE REGULATIONS.
"IT IS IMPORTANT FOR FACTORIES TO STEP UP THEIR EFFORTS IN FIRE PREVENTION AND THE SAFE-HANDLING OF DANGEROUS CHEMICALS WHICH POSE HIGH FIRE AND EXPLOSION RISKS PARTICULARLY DURING THE COMING DRY SEASON," DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR CHAN TAT-KING, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
MR CHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WILL PROSECUTE THOSE WHO SERIOUSLY BREACHED THE SAFETY REGULATIONS.
HE SAID THE FIRE SAFETY CAMPAIGN LAST YEAR HAD SUCCESSFULLY CONVEYED THE FIRE AND CHEMICALS SAFETY MESSAGE TO MANY FACTORIES THROUGH MORE THAN 20,000 VISITS AND 368 PROSECUTIONS.
"THIS YEAR, WE WILL ALSO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADVISE PROPRIETORS TO OBSERVE THE LAW ON GENERAL DUTIES IN WORK SAFETY WHICH WILL COME INTO EFFECT IN MID NEXT MONTH," MR CHAN ADDED.
--------0-----------
ENTRIES INVITED FOR STUDENT PHOTO CONTEST ******
SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE WELCOME TO ENTER A PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE "CAREERS ’91 EXHIBITION" CURRENTLY HELD IN THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL.
"THE COMPETITION AIMS TO AROUSE STUDENTS’ INTEREST IN THE EXHIBITION WHICH IS OPEN FROM 9.30 AM TO 6.30 PM DAILY UNTIL NOVEMBER 19," A LABOUR OFFICER OF THE CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE, MRS NORA YEUNG, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
/"THE THEME .......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1990
"THE THEME OF THE ENTRIES SHOULD BE ON THE EXHIBITION AND ITS OUTDOOR JOB DEMONSTRATIONS AND DISPLAYS," MRS YEUNG SAID.
"ENTRIES SUBMITTED CAN BE IN COLOUR OR BLACK AND WHITE, MUST BE MOUNTED ON CARDBOARDS, AND SHOULD MEASURE 20.3 CM BY 25.4 CM (8R)," SHE SAID.
"THE TOP THREE WINNERS WILL EACH RECEIVE A CAMERA, WHILE THE FIRST 100 ENTRIES RECEIVED WILL EACH BE AWARDED A SOUVENIR," MRS YEUNG ADDED.
ENTRIES TOGETHER WITH THE PARTICIPANT’S PARTICULARS SUCH AS NAME, IDENTITY CARD NUMBER, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER, SCHOOL AND CLASS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE AT 16TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, BY DECEMBER 8.
ENQUIRIES ON THE COMPETITION CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 835 2044.
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MUSIC OFFICE YOUTH CHOIR RECRUITS MEMBERS ******
THE MUSIC OFFICE IS RECRUITING MEMBERS FOR ITS YOUTH CHOIR. MUSIC LOVERS AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 23 WHO CAN READ SCORE ARE WELCOME TO APPLY.
ESTABLISHED IN 1980, THE CHOIR STAGES REGULAR PERFORMANCES. ITS PROGRAMME INCLUDES MASSES BY MOZART AND BEETHOVEN, CHORAL MASTERPIECES BY VIVALDI AND HAYDN AS WELL AS CHINESE COMPOSITION.
REHEARSALS ARE HELD AT THE MONG KOK MUSIC CENTRE ON SATURDAYS FROM 4.30 PM TO 7 PM.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE. COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE MUSIC OFFICE, 25TH FLOOR, WAN CHAI TOWER 1, HARBOUR ROAD BY DECEMBER 3.
QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND AN AUDITION ON DECEMBER 15. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 823 5321.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR VISITS POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL ................................ 1
CHINESE OFFICIALS TO VISIT HONG KONG .................................. 1
GOVT STATEMENT ON VBP JUDGEMENT........................................ 2
STATEMENT ON MARINE DEPT'S DECISION CONCERNING SURVEYS OF SHIPS ....... 2
HK LOOKS FORWARD TO SATISFACTORY OUTCOME OF TALKS ..................... 3
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR SEPTEMBER RELEASED ...................... 4
11 QUESTIONS, SIX BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA ............................... 12
SUNNIER THAN NORMAL IN OCTOBER ........................................ 12
DETAILS OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCED ................... 15
SURVEY ON AIR-CONDITIONED TRANSPORT SERVICES .......................... 16
QUALITY SERVICES DIVISION OFFICES ON MOVE ............................. 16
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT SEMINARS FOR EASTERN RESIDENTS .............. 17
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1990
1
GOVERNOR VISITS POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL * * * * * *
_^T___ THE govERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (MONDAY) VISITED POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL AND SAW THE ACTUAL TRAINING IN PHASES OF RECRUITS•
ACCOMPANIED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA THE DIRECTOR OF PERSONNEL AND TRAINING, MR KEITH LOMAS, SIR DAVID A FIRST-HAND LOOK AT THE RECRUITS TRAINING IN BEAT INCIDENTS, SECURITY, FIREARMS TRAINING AND SELF DEFENCE.
THE NEW
AND
HAD
INTERNAL
SIR DAVID LATER JOINED THE STAFF AT THE JUNIOR POLICE STAFF CLUB FOR REFRESHMENTS.
OFFICERS
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CHINESE OFFICIALS TO VISIT HONG KONG * * * * *
AT THE INVITATION OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, A GROUP OF FIVE OFFICIALS OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAO AFFAIRS OFFICE, CHINESE STATE COUNCIL WILL VISIT HONG KONG FROM NOVEMBER 23 TO DECEMBER 1 FOR A NINE-DAY PROGRAMME OF VISITS AND BRIEFINGS.
THE GROUP WILL BE LED BY MR CHEN ZUO’ER, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF A DEPARTMENT OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAO AFFAIRS OFFICE.
THE VISIT IS ONE OF A SERIES WHICH HAVE TAKEN PLACE OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS TO GIVE CHINESE OFFICIALS A FIRST-HAND UNDERSTANDING OF HOW HONG KONG WORKS.
THE VISITORS WILL BE BRIEFED BY SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ON VARIOUS KEY ASPECTS OF HONG KONG, INCLUDING GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE AND OPERATIONS, HOUSING AND SOCIAL WELFARE DEVELOPMENTS, BROADCASTING, FINANCIAL AND MONETARY AFFAIRS, AND THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM.
THEY WILL VISIT THE CONTAINER TERMINAL, THE STOCK EXCHANGE, THE FUTURES EXCHANGE AND THE CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, AND OBSERVE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND A COURT IN ACTION.
- - 0-----------
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1990
2
GOVT STATEMENT ON VBP JUDGEMENT *****
AT THE SUPREME COURT TODAY (MONDAY) JUDGEMENT WAS GIVEN IN FAVOUR OF A GROUP OF 111 VIETNAMESE IN THEIR CLAIM THAT THEY HAD BEEN ILLEGALLY DETAINED UNDER SECTION 13D(1) OF THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL STUDY THE DECISION VERY CLOSELY AND WILL CONSIDER WHETHER TO APPEAL.
PHESE PEOPLE WILL BE EXAMINED UNDER SECTION 4 OF THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE AND WILL BE DETAINED PENDING THAT EXAMINATION " AS IT APPEARS THEY HAVE NO RIGHT TO LAND IN HONG KONG, IT IS LIKELY THAT THEY WILL THEN BE DETAINED PENDING THEIR REMOVAL FROM HONG KONG
- - 0---------
STATEMENT ON MARINE DEPT’S DECISION CONCERNING SURVEYS OF SHIPS
*****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, THE MARINE DEPARTMENT CLARIFIES THAT THERE IS INDEED A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT AND SOME MEMBERS OF THE SHIP SURVEYOR GRADE AND THEIR STAFF ASSOCIATION, ON THE DEPARTMENT’S DECISION TO FURTHER DELEGATE SURVEYS OF SHIPS JOINING THE NEW AUTONOMUS HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER WHICH WILL BE OPENED FOR BUSINESS ON DECEMBER 3 THIS YEAR, MARINE OFFICERS ARE NOT INVOLVED IN THIS ISSUE.
AT THE MOMENT, MOST OF THE SURVEYS WHICH ARE ASSESSMENTS OF THE FITNESS OF A SHIP FOR REGISTRATION ON THE HONG KONG REGISTER ARE ALREADY DONE BY RECOGNISED PROFESSIONAL SURVEY AUTHORITIES WHICH ARE KNOWN AS CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES.
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT’S DECISION IN RESPONSE TO HONG KONG SHIPOWNERS’ REQUEST IS TO ALLOW AUTHORISED CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES IN ADDITION TO THE DEPARTMENT TO UNDERTAKE THE FOLLOWING SURVEYS:
- SAFETY EQUIPMENT
- TELECOMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT, AND
- CREW ACCOMMODATION
IN OTHER WORDS, MARINE DEPARTMENT SURVEYORS WOULD NOT AS A RULE CONDUCT THESE SURVEYS BUT WOULD CARRY OUT A THOROUGH AUDIT INSPECTION OF ALL THE SURVEYS INCLUDING THE ABOVE CONDUCTED BY THE CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES.
/THIS IS .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1990
- 3 -
THIS IS TO ENSURE THAT THE SHIP MEETS ALL THE REQUIREMENTS WITH REGARD TO SAFETY, POLLUTION PREVENTION AND CREW WELFARE BEFORE THE SHIP IS ACCEPTED FOR REGISTRATION.
THE DEPARTMENT IS OF THE VIEW THAT THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS, WHICH ARE WELCOME TO HONG KONG SHIPOWNERS, WOULD NOT ONLY PRESERVE THE MERiTS OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF SHIP SURVEYS BUT WOULD ALSO STRENGTHEN THE CLOSE LINK BETWEEN HONG KONG AND SHIPS ON ITS REGISTER.
IN ADDITION, IT ALSO GIVES AN OPPORTUNITY TO MONITOR THE CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES’ INTERPRETATION OF THE REGULATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS TO SURVEYORS APPLICABLE TO HONG KONG REGISTERED SHIPS.
UNFORTUNATELY, DESPITE A NUMBER OF DISCUSSIONS WITH THE STAFF ASSOCIATION AND SURVEYORS, THERE IS A RELUCTANCE ON THE PART OF SOME SURVEYORS TO ACCEPT THESE NEW ARRANGEMENTS.
WHILST THE DEPARTMENT HAS SOME SYMPATHY TO THE SURVEYORS CONCERNS REGARDING THE DETAIL ASPECTS OF THESE ARRANGEMENTS, THE DEPARTMENT TOTALLY REJECTS THEIR ASSERTION THAT THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS ARE IMPRACTICAL AND WOULD COMPROMISE THE SAFETY STANDARDS OF HONG KONG REGISTERED SHIPS.
INDEED THE NEW SURVEY ARRANGEMENTS ARE IN LINE WITH THE PRACTICE OF THE MAJORITY OF THE WORLD’S RESPECTED SHIPPING REGISTERS.
THE DEPARTMENT HAS ALSO STUDIED VERY CAREFULLY THE ALTERNATIVE PUT UP BY THE STAFF ASSOCIATION BUT HAS COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT FOR LEGAL, ETHICAL AND OTHER REASONS IT IS UNABLE TO ENDORSE IT.
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HK LOOKS FORWARD TO SATISFACTORY OUTCOME OF TALKS ******
HONG KONG LOOKS FORWARD TO A SATISFACTORY OUTCOME OF THE URUGUAY ROUND TALKS RESULTING IN AN AGREEMENT WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO LIBERALISATION OF WORLD TRADE IN TEXTILES AND CLOTHING.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID THIS TODAY (MONDAY) AT THE OPENING OF THE FOURTH INTERSTOFF ASIA IN HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL FABRIC SHOW AT THE CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE.
MR CHAN SAID AS A FREE TRADE ECONOMY HONG KONG WAS A STAUNCH SUPPORTER OF THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM ADVOCATED BY THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT) AND ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE URUGUAY ROUND.
HE SAID ONE OF THE SUBJECTS UNDER DISCUSSION IN THE URUGUAY ROUND, WHICH FOR OBVIOUS REASONS WAS OF VITAL CONCERN TO HONG KONG, WAS TEXTILES AND CLOTHING.
/HE SAID .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1990
HE SAID THE NEGOTIATING GROUP FOR THIS TOPIC WAS TASKED TO SEEK AGREEMENT ON A MODALITY TO PHASE OUT DISCRIMINATORY RESTRAINTS UNDER THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT.
"THESE RESTRICTIONS ARE A DEPARTURE FROM GATT PRINCIPLES AND HAVE LIMITED AND DISTORTED WORLD TRADE IN TEXTILES AND CLOTHING SINCE 1974.
"HONG KONG SUPPORTS THE INTEGRATION OF THE TEXTILES AND CLOTHING SECTOR INTO THE GATT BY MEANS OF AN MFA-BASED TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENT. INDEED, THIS IS THE VIEW OF THE MAJORITY OF PARTICIPANTS," HE SAID.
NEARLY 300 MANUFACTURERS FROM 25 COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES ARE TAKING PART IN THE THREE-DAY EXHIBITION.
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EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR SEPTEMBER RELEASED
******
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN SEPTEMBER 1990, AT $108,476 MILLION, GREW BY 12 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS AS COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1989, ACCORDING TO THE DETAILED FIGURES ON THE VALUE OF TRADE IN SEPTEMBER 1990 RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS, AT $19,525 MILLION, SHOWED VIRTUALLY NO CHANGE, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 15 PER CENT TO $35,100 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 9 PER CENT TO $54,625 MILLION. THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 15 PER CENT TO $53,852 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER 1990, AT $910,162 MILLION, INCREASED BY 8 PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989. OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY 1 PER CENT TO $161,600 MILLION, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 15 PER CENT TO $292,694 MILLION.
THUS, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 8 PER CENT TO $454,294 MILLION. THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 8 PER CENT TO $455,869 MILLION.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
/COMPARING SEPTEMBER
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1990
- 5 -
COMPARING SEPTEMBER 1990 WITH SEPTEMBER 1989, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO SINGAPORE RECORDED A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE OF 46 PER CENT. DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, TAIWAN, THE NETHERLANDS AND CHINA ALSO INCREASED, BY 23 PER CENT, 19 PER CENT, 18 PER CENT AND 10 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CANADA, THE USA, JAPAN AND AUSTRALIA DECREASED BY 20 PER CENT, 12 PER CENT, 11 PER CENT AND 9 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THAT TO THE UNITED KINGDOM WAS VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED.
COMPARING JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER 1990 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989, SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO TAIWAN AND SINGAPORE, BY 36 PER CENT AND 27 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO BOTH THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND CHINA INCREASED BY 7 PER CENT, AND THAT TO THE NETHERLANDS INCREASED BY 3 PER CENT.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO AUSTRALIA, CANADA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM DECREASED BY 17 PER CENT, 16 PER CENT AND 15 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO JAPAN AND THE USA ALSO DECREASED IN VALUE TERMS, BY 10 PER CENT AND 8 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER 1990 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989, INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR TOBACCO AND TOBACCO MANUFACTURES (BY $764 MILLION OR 56 PER CENT); ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, AND CELLULOSE ESTERS AND ETHERS (BY $562 MILLION OR 21 PER CENT); PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $535 MILLION OR 4 PER CENT); AND TEXTILES (BY $12 MILLION OR LESS THAN 0.5 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED IN MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $1,819 MILLION OR 9 PER CENT), AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $807 MILLION OR 6 PER CENT). DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF CLOTHING DECREASED BY $192 MILLION OR LESS THAN 0.5 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE SUMMARISED IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING SEPTEMBER 1990 WITH SEPTEMBER 1989, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM ALL THE MAJOR SUPPLIERS INCREASED. A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE OF 41 PER CENT WAS RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM SWITZERLAND.
/THOSE FROM .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1990
- 6 -
THOSE FROM THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, ITALY, SINGAPORE, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, JAPAN, TAIWAN, CHINA, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE USA INCREASED BY 21 PER CENT, 19 PER CENT, 17 PER CENT, 17 PER CENT, 16 PER CENT, 16 PER CENT, 14 PER CENT, 13 PER CENT AND 6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER 1990 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM ALL MAJOR SUPPLIERS. THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM CHINA, SWITZERLAND AND THE USA INCREASED BY 17 PER CENT, 15 PER CENT AND 11 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THOSE FROM SINGAPORE, TAIWAN, ITALY, THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, JAPAN AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY INCREASED BY 7 PER CENT, 6 PER CENT, 4 PER CENT, 3 PER CENT, 2 PER CENT, 1 PER CENT AND 1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
TABLE 4 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER 1990 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989, CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WERE RECORDED IN CLOTHING (BY $6,394 MILLION OR 20 PER CENT); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $5,899 MILLION OR 22 PER CENT); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $5,631 MILLION OR 19 PER CENT); AND TEXTILES (BY $2,082 MILLION OR 4 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR IRON AND STEEL (BY $1,627 MILLION OR 17 PER CENT), AND TEXTILE FIBRES AND THEIR WASTES (BY $1,449 MILLION OR 26 PER CENT).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO HONG KONG’S 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 5.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO ALL THE MAJOR MARKETS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS IN SEPTEMBER 1990 OVER SEPTEMBER 1989.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, FRANCE, TAIWAN AND THE UNITED KINGDOM, BY 71 PER CENT, 45 PER CENT, 37 PER CENT AND 22 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THOSE TO CANADA, CHINA, THE USA, SINGAPORE, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND JAPAN INCREASED BY 13 PER CENT, 11 PER CENT, 9 PER CENT, 7 PER CENT, 5 PER CENT AND 4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER 1990 OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, FRANCE, THE UNITED KINGDOM, TAIWAN, CANADA, THE USA AND SINGAPORE INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY, BY 57 PER CENT, 35 PER CENT, 27 PER CENT, 26 PER CENT, 25 PER CENT, 23 PER CENT AND 17 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
/THOSE TO .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1990
THOSE TO JAPAN INCREASED BY 2 PER CENT, WHILE THOSE TO THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND CHINA DECREASED BY 4 PER CENT AND LESS THAN 0.5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
TABLE 6 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER 1990 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989, CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $9,633 MILLION OR 32 PER CENT); CLOTHING (BY $6,954 MILLION OR 26 PER CENT); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $5,424 MILLION OR 28 PER CENT); AND TEXTILES (BY $1,471 MILLION OR 5 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS WERE RECORDED IN TEXTILE FIBRES AND THEIR WASTES (BY $1,748 MILLION OR 44 PER CENT), AND MACHINERY SPECIALISED FOR PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES (BY $1,039 MILLION OR 16 PER CENT).
ALL THE TRADE STATISTICS DESCRIBED 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 SEPTEMBER 1990 WILL BE RELEASED IN EARLY DECEMBER 1990.
DETAILED STATISTICS ON TRADE VALUE BY COMMODITY AND BY COUNTRY ARE PUBLISHED IN TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
THE SEPTEMBER 1990 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE" WITH DETAILED ANALYSES ON IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS IN SEPTEMBER 1990 WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AROUND NOVEMBER 20 AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AT $27 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL. NO. 842 8802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE STATISTICS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. 823 4915).
TABLE 1: DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET SEP 1990 (HKD MN.) SEP 90 OVER SEP 89 ( % ) JAN-SEP 1990 (HKD MN.) JAN-SEP 90 OVER JAN-SEP 89
( % )
USA 6,013 - 12 48,100 — 8
CHINA 4,051 + 10 34,126 + 7
/F.R. OF GERMANY .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1990
- 8 -
F.R. OF GERMANY 1,454 + 23 12,219 + 7
UK 1 , 180 * 9,227 - 15
JAPAN 1 , 165 - 11 8,635 - 10
SINGAPORE 752 + 46 5,402 + 27
TAIWAN 475 + 19 4 , 174 + 36
CANADA 416 - 20 4,018 - 16
NETHERLANDS 398 + 18 3,588 + 3
AUSTRALIA 317 — 9 2,571 ■» 17
♦ DENOTES LESS THAN 0.5%
TABLE 2: DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
SEP SEP 90 JAN-SEP JAN-SEP 90
COMMODITY 1990 OVER 1990 OVER
DIVISION SEP 89 JAN-SEP 89
(HKD MN.) ( % ) (HKD MN.) ( % )
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 6,364 - 3 51,099 ♦
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES) i 2,198 - 11 19,048 — 9
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1,967 + 12 14,820 + 4
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 1,471 - 3 12,503 - 6
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 1 , 353 - 8 12,281 ♦
/TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1990
- 9 -
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND
SOUND RECORDING AND
REPRODUCING APPARATUS
AND EQUIPMENT 1,465 +6 12,127 + 1
* DENOTES LESS THAN 0.5%
TABLE 3: IMPORTS FROM 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS
MAJOR SUPPLIER SEP 1990 (HKD MN.) SEP 90 OVER SEP 89 ( % ) JAN-SEP 1990 (HKD MN.) JAN-SEP 90 OVER JAN-SEP 89
( % )
CHINA 20,248 + 14 166,729 + 17
JAPAN 8,712 + 16 72,270 + 1
TAIWAN 4,739 4- 16 40,782 + 6
USA 4,660 + 6 38,838 + 1 1
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 2,148 + 17 20,257 + 2
SINGAPORE 1,888 + 17 17,382 + 7
F.R. OF GERMANY 1,241 + 21 10,366 + 1
UK 1,112 + 13 10,070 + 3
SWITZERLAND 925 + 41 8,076 + 15
ITALY 833 + 19 7,920 + 4
TABLE 4: IMPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
SEP SEP 90 JAN-SEP JAN-SEP 90
COMMODITY 1990 OVER 1990 OVER
DIVISION SEP 89 JAN-SEP 89
(HKD MN.) ( % ) (HKD MN.) ( % )
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS
+ 4
6,237
+ 6 56,313
/ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1*990
- 10 -
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 5,435 + 18 45,917 + 8
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 4,854 + 9 38,166 + 20
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 4,299 + 26 34,806 + 19
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES,TOYS,GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 4,005 + 10 33,131 + 22
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 2,981 + 32 23,974 + 11
TABLE 5: RE-EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET SEP 1990 (HKD MN.) SEP 90 OVER SEP 89 ( % ) JAN-SEP 1990 (HKD MN.) JAN-SEP 90 OVER JAN-SEP 89
( << K )
CHINA 8,981 + 11 78,165 ♦
USA 8,107 + 9 63,863 + 23
JAPAN 2, 164 + 4 16,677 + 2
TAIWAN 1,716 + 37 15,321 + 26
F.R. OF GERMANY 1,933 + 71 14,663 + 57
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 1,029 + 5 9,621 - 4
SINGAPORE 981 + 7 9,324 + 17
UK 1,106 + 22 8,431 + 27
/CANADA .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1990
- 11 -
CANADA 581 + 13 4,925 + 25
FRANCE 537 + 45 4,532 4- 35
* DENOTES LESS THAN 0.5%
TABLE 6: RE-EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION (H SEP 1990 KD MN.) SEP 90 OVER SEP 89 ( % ) JAN-SEP 1990 (HKD MN.) JAN-SEP 90 OVER JAN-SEP 89 ( % )
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES,TOYS,GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 5,438 + 14 39,976 + 32
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 4 , 185 + 8 34,019 + 26
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 3,819 + 5 33,197 + 5
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 3,205 + 16 27,179 + 9
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 3,225 + 28 25,003 + 28
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS 1 , 186 <• 19 11,081 4- 27
/12.........
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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1990
- 12 -
11 QUESTIONS, SIX BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA ******
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 11 Qvl.ST.ONS AND CONSIDER SIX BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 14).
OF THE SIX BILLS, ONE WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS AND DEBATES ON IT WILL BE ADJOURNED. IT IS THE CRIMINAL LAW (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990.
THE OTHER BILLS ARE EACH DUE TO BE GIVEN A SECOND READING, AND THEN TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING.
THEY ARE THE CONTROL OF EXEMPTION CLAUSES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, MERCHANT SHIPPING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, AGRICULTURAL PESTICIDES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, AND EVIDENCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990.
IN ADDITION, THE REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT ON THE. ACCOUNTS OF THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1990 AND THE RESULTS OF VALUE FOR MONEY AUDITS, AND THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES AND THE ACCOUNTS OF HONG KONG FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1990 WILL BE TABLED.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERIES AND THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY TELEPHONING 844 0899.
--------0------------
SUNNIER THAN NORMAL IN OCTOBER * * ♦ ♦
OCTOBER 1990 WAS SUNNIER THAN NORMAL, ACCORDING TO THE MONTHLY WEATHER REPORT RELEASED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY TODAY (MONDAY).
THE MONTH HAD ONE OF THE HIGHEST MONTHLY MEAN ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE ON RECORD, RANKING SEVENTH WITH AN AVERAGE OF 1,015.7 HPA.
THE MONTHLY RAINFALL WAS 100.7 MILLIMETRES, 17 PER CENT BELOW THE OCTOBER NORMAL OF 121.2 MILLIMETRES.
MOST OF THE RAIN FELL EARLY IN THE MONTH. THE TOTAL RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY I, 1990 AMOUNTED TO 2,009.9 MILLIMETRES, WHICH WAS SEVEN PER CENT BELOW THE NORMAL OF 2,164.7 MILLIMETRES FOR THE SAME PERIOD.
THE FINE WEATHER AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER CONTINUED INTO THE FIRST DAY OF OCTOBER. THE MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 30 DEGREES RECORDED THAT DAY WAS THE HIGHEST FOR THE MONTH.
/FRESH TO .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1990
- 13 -
FRESH TO STRONG EASTERLY WINDS BROUGHT SOME LIGHT RAIN EARLY ON OCTOBER 2 AND SUBSEQUENTLY MUCH CLOUDIER WEATHER FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.
AS TROPICAL DEPRESSION IR/X LANDED AND DISSIPATED OVER VIETNAM, THE MOISTURE AND RAIN THUS RELEASED SPREAD NORTHWARDS TO THE SOUTH CHINA COASTAL AREAS.
TWO OUTBREAKS OF RAIN OCCURRED ON THE MORNINGS OF OCTOBER 4 AND 5 AND BROUGHT ABOUT 95 MILLIMETRES OF RAINFALL. THE RAIN WAS MUCH HEAVIER ON OCTOBER 5 AND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS.
CLOUDS BROKE DURING THE DAY ON OCTOBER 5, AND A DRY NORTHERLY AIRSTREAM SET IN THAT NIGHT.
FOR THE NEXT SEVEN DAYS, THE DAILY MINIMUM RELATIVE HUMIDITY WAS CONSISTENTLY BELOW 60 PER CENT AND FINE WEATHER PREVAILED APART FROM SOME LIGHT RAIN IN THE EARLY HOURS OF OCTOBER 9.
IT BECAME MORE CLOUDY ON OCTOBER 13 ALONG WITH THE RETURN OF MOISTER CONDITIONS.
UNDER THE COMBINED EFFECT OF A PERSISTENT RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE OVER EASTERN CHINA AND THE PASSAGES OF A COUPLE OF TROPICAL DISTURBANCES OVER THE SOUTH CHINA SEA, A FRESH EASTERLY AIRSTREAM PREVAILED FOR THE NEXT SEVEN DAYS, WITH WINDS REACHING STRONG OFFSHORE EARLY ON OCTOBER 18.
THE WEATHER, MEANWHILE, STAYED ON THE FINE SIDE WITH ONLY SOME OCCASIONAL DRIZZLE AT NIGHT.
A CLOUDY INTERLUDE ON OCTOBER 21 WAS FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER THREE FINE DAYS. THE WEATHER ALSO WARMED UP GRADUALLY AHEAD OF AN APPROACHING COLD FRONT.
THE COLD FRONT CROSSED THE SOUTH CHINA COAST TOWARDS THE EVENING OF OCTOBER 24 AND BROUGHT SOME RAIN DURING THE NIGHT.
THE WEATHER REMAINED CLOUDY OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS AS THE COOL NORTHERLIES BROUGHT THE TEMPERATURE DOWN TO A MINIMUM OF 19.7 DEGREES EARLY ON OCTOBER 26. THIS WAS THE LOWEST FOR THE MONTH AS WELL AS THE LOWEST SO FAR IN THE CURRENT COOL SEASON.
THE COOL AIRSTREAM GRADUALLY LOOSENED ITS GRIP AND WINDS TURNED EASTERLY AGAIN ON OCTOBER 27. APART FROM SOME DRIZZLE WHICH OCCURRED MAINLY DURING THE NIGHT, THE WEATHER STAYED FINE TILL THE END OF THE MONTH.
FIVE TROPICAL CYCLONES OCCURRED OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA.
DURING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER, NO AIRCRAFT WAS DIVERTED DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER. THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON OCTOBER 4 AND 5 AND A FLOOD WARNING WAS ISSUED ON OCTOBER 5.
/THE RED .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 19^0
- 14 -
THE RED FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON OCTOBER 26 AND 27. THE YELLOW FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON OCTOBER 6, 7, 21, 27 AND 28.
SIGNALS HOISTED DURING THE MONTH WERE AS FOLLOWS:
WEATHER SYSTEM SIGNAL DATE AND TIME OF HOISTING DATE AND TIME OF LOWERING
WINTER STRONG MONSOON MONSOON WINTER STRONG MONSOON MONSOON WINTER STRONG MONSOON MONSOON THE MONTH’S FIGURES AND OCTOBER 2 6.35 AM OCTOBER 9 10.40 AM OCTOBER 18 2.10 AM DEPARTURES FROM OCTOBER 3 4.45 AM OCTOBER 10 10.20 AM OCTOBER 18 10 AM NORMAL WERE:
TOTAL BRIGHT SUNSHINE 233.8 HOURS ; 23.9 HOURS ABOVE
MEAN DAILY GLOBAL 16 .17 MJ/SQUARE ; NORMAL 0.33 MJ/SQUARE METRE
SOLAR RADIATION METRE ABOVE NORMAL
TOTAL RAINFALL 100.7 MM ; 20.5 MM BELOW NORMAL
MEAN AMOUNT OF CLOUD 47 PER CENT ; 5 PER CENT LESS THAN
MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY 73 PER CENT ; NORMAL 1 PER CENT HIGHER THAN
MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM 27.2 DEGREES ; NORMAL 0.7 DEGREE CELSIUS
AIR TEMPERATURE MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE CELSIUS 25.1 DEGREES ; BELOW NORMAL 0.1 DEGREE CELSIUS
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM CELSIUS 23.5 DEGREES ; ABOVE NORMAL 0.8 DEGREE CELSIUS
AIR TEMPERATURE MEAN DEW POINT CELSIUS 19.8 DEGREES ; ABOVE NORMAL 0.5 DEGREE CELSIUS
TOTAL EVAPORATION CELSIUS 131.7 MM ; ABOVE NORMAL 27.2 MM BELOW NORMAL
- - 0----------
/15 .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1990
- 15 -
DETAILS OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCED
*****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE INTERESTED IN SINGING OR COMPOSING LYRICS ARE INVITED TO JOIN A FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION (FLE) MUSIC CONTEST WHICH IS PART OF THIS YEAR’S FLE PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN.
ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF THE CAMPAIGN AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (MONDAY), THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR ALFRED CHUI, SAID ENTRY FORMS FOR THE CONTEST WERE AVAILABLE AT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S YOUTH OFFICE AND BRANCH OFFICES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE ENTRY IS NOVEMBER 22.
MR CHUI POINTED OUT THAT THIS YEAR THE CAMPAIGN’S THEME WAS THE MAINTENANCE OF A GOOD RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ADOLESCENTS AND THEIR PARENTS.
THE MUSIC CONTEST IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE FLE PUBLICITY COMMITTEE, COMMERCIAL RADIO 1 AND THE MUSIC OFFICE.
IT WILL BE DIVIDED INTO THE LYRICS COMPETITION AND THE SINGING COMPETITION.
"FOR THE LYRICS COMPETITION, PARTICIPANTS CAN WRITE LYRICS EITHER TO THE MELODY OF POPULAR SONGS OR TO A MELODY THEY COMPOSED THEMSELVES," MR CHUI SAID.
"FOR THE SINGING COMPETITION, CONTESTANTS CAN EITHER PERFORM THE SONGS SUGGESTED BY THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE OR OTHER SONGS THAT CONVEY THE THEME OF THE FLE CAMPAIGN," HE ADDED.
THE CONTEST WILL BE HELD AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM ON JANUARY 5 AND WILL BE BROADCAST ON COMMERCIAL RADIO 1 THE FOLLOWING DAY.
"IN ADDITION TO THE MUSIC CONTEST, THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE HAS PRODUCED A SERIES OF PUBLICITY MATERIALS INCLUDING POSTERS, RADIO PROGRAMMES, A TV COMMERCIAL AND A BOOKLET TO DISSEMINATE THE FLE MESSAGE," MR CHUI SAID.
"THEY WILL BE SUPPLEMENTED BY A SERIES OF FLE ACTIVITIES WHICH WILL BE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL."
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE, THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR, MRS AGNES ALLCOCK, SAID TRAINING COURSES ON SINGING, PERFORMANCE AND LYRIC WRITING SKILLS WOULD BE ORGANISED FOR RESIDENTS fN THE SWD’S MA TAU WAI GIRLS’ HOME AND O PUI SHAN BOYS’ HOME.
"WE HOPE THAT THROUGH THESE COURSES AND THE COMPETITION, THE MESSAGE OF HARMONIOUS FAMILY CAN REACH EVERY FAMILY IN THE TERRITORY," SHE SAID.
ALSO PRESENT AT TODAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE WAS THE SENIOR PRODUCER OF COMMERCIAL RADIO 1, MS JOANNE KAI.
------0--------
/16 .....
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1990
- 16 -
SURVEY ON AIR-CONDITIONED TRANSPORT SERVICES
******
A SURVEY ON THE TRAVELLING CHARACTERISTICS OF AIR-CONDITIONED BUS AND COACH PASSENGERS WILL BE CONDUCTED FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 16).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID INSPECTORS CARRYING GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARDS WILL INTERVIEW PASSENGERS ON AIR-CONDITIONED DOUBLE-DECKER BUSES AND COACHES AS WELL AS AT BUS TERMINI THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
HE URGED THE PUBLIC TO CO-OPERATE IN THE SURVEY, ADDING THAT THE DATA COLLECTED WILL BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND USED FOR REFERENCE ONLY.
--------0------------
QUALITY SERVICES DIVISION OFFICES ON MOVE
*****
THREE SECTIONS OF THE QUALITY SERVICES DIVISION OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WILL OPERATE FROM NEW PREMISES AT WANCHAI TOWER II FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THEY ARE THE PRODUCT STANDARDS INFORMATION BUREAU (PSIB), THE OFFICE OF THE HONG KONG LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME (HOKLAS) AND THE QUALITY ASSURANCE UNIT, WHICH WILL BE LOCATED ON THE 36TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER II, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN TELEPHONE 829 4800 FOR ENQUIRIES.
THE QUALITY SERVICES DIVISION MAINTAINS MEASUREMENT AND DOCUMENTED STANDARDS AS AUTHORITATIVE REFERENCE POINTS FOR INDUSTRY. IT ALSO PROVIDES CALIBRATION SERVICES AND OPERATES A LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME.
THROUGH PSIB, THE DIVISION PROVIDES AN INFORMATION SERVICE TO INDUSTRY ON OVERSEAS PRODUCT SAFETY, HEALTH AND CERTIFICATION STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS.
IT ALSO OPERATES THE HOKLAS TO ASSESS AND ACCREDIT LOCAL TESTING LABORATORIES TO INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS.
ANOTHER SECTION OF THE DIVISION -- THE STANDARD AND CALIBRATION LABORATORY -- WILL ALSO BE MOVING TO WANCHAI TOWER II EARLY NEXT YEAR. A FURTHER ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE MADE NEAR THE TIME OF ITS REMOVAL.
THE LABORATORY PROVIDES A CALIBRATION SERVICE TO MANUFACTURERS TO ENABLE THEM TO MEET MEASUREMENT STANDARDS REQUIRED FOR THEIR PRODUCTS.
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/17........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1990
- 17 -
ENVIROM'.e.NTAL IMPROVEMENT SEMINARS FOR EASTERN RESIDENTS ***»»»
RESIDENTS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ENV1;<O" i-NTAL IMPROVEMENT WORKS IN EASTERN DISTRICT AT THREE SEMINARS TO BE ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE FROM MID-NOVEMBER.
THE SEMINARS HAVE BEEN ORGANISED FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR TO PROVIDE A FORUM FOR MEMBERS OF AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON DISTRICT MATTERS.
SPEAKERS AT THE SEMINARS WILL BE THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEVE BARCLAY, AND OFFICIALS FROM THE URBAN SERVICES, TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING DEPARTMENTS.
THE FIRST SEMINAR WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 16) AT THE CAUSEWAY BAY COMMUNITY CENTRE FOR RESIDENTS IN NORTH POINT AND CAUSEWAY BAY AREAS. IT WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM.
FOR THOSE LIVING IN QUARRY BAY AND SHAU KEI WAN, THEY MAY ATTEND THE SEMINAR TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 19 (MONDAY), BEGINNING AT 7.30 PM AT THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM.
A THIRD SEMINAR WILL BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 30 (FRIDAY) AT THE CHAI WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE. IT WILL ALSO BEGIN AT 7.30 PM.
EACH SEMINAR WILL LAST ABOUT TWO HOURS. ADMISSION IS FREE.
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR PRESENTS INSIGNIA TO 79 ....................................... 1
CS STARTS BUSY WEST COAST PROGRAMME .................................... 5
INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR SECOND QUARTER ...................... 5
SEPARATE TAXATION SYSTEM FURTHER EXPLAINED ............................. 8
CHALLENGES IN A CIVIL SERVICE CAREER ................................... 9
STATEMENT ON '111 VBP' ................................................. 11
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS ......................................... 12
CONCERT TO SPREAD 'PREVENT AIDS' MESSAGE ............................... 12
SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE ON MEAT CONSUMPTION ............................. 13
TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF PIER AT PO TOI ..................... 14
KAIFONG ASSN PRAISED FOR BOOSTING CIVIC AWARENESS ...................... 15
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1990
- 1 -
GOVERNOR PRESENTS INSIGNIA TO 79 ♦ * * * *
INSIGNIA FOR 79 PEOPLE WERE PRESENTED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, AT A CEREMONY AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING.
SIXTY-NINE RECIPIENTS WERE DECORATED OR COMMENDED BY THE QUEEN FOR SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC, WHILE 10 WERE AWARDED THE GOVERNOR’S COMMENDATION.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE LIST OF INSIGNIA RECIPIENTS:
OBE
THE HON HO SAI-CHU
DR JOHN LO SIEW-KIONG
THE HON MRS ROSANNA TAM
HON OBE
MR LAM SHAN-MUK
ISO
MR DARWIN CHEN
MBE
MR LEON CHOI
MR CHUN SIK-BIU
MR MICHAEL JOHN JAMES HANSON
MR HO YU-HO
MR LEUNG SHUI-FAT
MR TAI TUNG-NGOK
MR WU MAN-KONG
/HON MBE .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1990
- 2 -
HON MBE
SISTER MARY GABRIEL O’MAHONY
MBE (MILITARY DIVISION)
MAJOR JOHN WILLIAM MCNALLY
BEM
MR CHAN KWAI-CHEONG
MR CHAN WAI-CHUNG
MR CHEUNG KAM-TO
MR HUI SHIU-HUNG
MF?. KAM HF NG-PONG
MRS NANO KHOO
MR LAN SIU-KEUNG
MR LAW YEN-PIN
MR LEE TSE-ON
MR LEUNG CHEUNG
MF? LI WING-WA
MR ROGER PENNELS
MRS TING LEE YOU-DIT
MRS WONG CHENG YI-PAT
MISS YU MEI-YING
BEM (MILITARY DIVISION)
SERGEANT HEMCHANDRA RAI
LANCE CORPORAL DHANKUMAR DEWAN
/QPM........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1990
- 3 -
QPM
MR JOHN CHARLES CLEMENCE
MR CHING KWOK-HOO
QFSM
MR LI KWOK-CHOI
CPM
MR MICHAEL ROGER CAFFEREY
MR KENNETH GEORGE WALLIS
MR ALEXANDER DUNCAN SOMMERVILLE
MR HUI YUE-KWAN
MR CHENG PUI-KEUNG
MR KEITH RATCLIFFE
MR CHAN CHI-KEUNG
MR TAM MAN-KEI
MR TSUI WAI-CHUN
MR WONG WAI-CHI
MR WONG YUK-KEI
MR LIU CHEUK-FAI
MRS LAM LAU LAI-HA
MR LEE TUNG-SHIN
MR LEUNG KIM-LIN
MRS WONG CHAN KWAI-HING
MR DOONG HWA
MR TSANG MA-SHING
MR YUEN WING-KEE
MR CHEUNG KAM-TONG
/BADGE_OF_ HONOUR...............
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1990
4
BADGE OF HONOUR
MR CHAN CHEONG-LAP
MRS CHAU SO YUEN-YEE
MR CHOI WAI-CHIU
MR CHUE CHEE-YUN
MISS HONG FUNG-KIT
MR NG SZE-FUK
MR NG YEE-LAM
MR NGAI WAI-MING
MR TAM WAH-CHING
MR TANG KWOK-YUNG
MR WONG TAK-WAI
MR YEUNG SIU-WAI
MR YU KAM-KEE
QUEEN’S COMMENDATION FOR BRAVE CONDUCT
MR WONG CHI-HUNG
MR KAM MAN-WAI
GOVERNOR’S COMMENDATION
MR LOK KIM-MAN
MR TAM KWOK-FAI
MR LUI KAM-TONG
MR KWOK WING-FAI
MR LEUNG CH I-KIN
MR KUO KWOK-TUNG
MR LAM H1N-KWAN
MR AU CHUN-HUNG
MR LAU TING-LEUNG
MR ANTHONY ALAN GODFREY -----------------------------------0------- /5
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1990
- 5 -
CS STARTS BUSY WEST COAST PROGRAMME *****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, YESTERDAY (MONDAY) BEGAN THE WEEK IN SAN FRANCISCO WITH A FULL DAY OF OFFICIAL CALLS.
HE STARTED THE MORNING WITH AN EDITORIAL BOARD MEETING AT THE BAY AREA’S LEADING DAILY PAPER, THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, AND LATER IN THE DAY BRIEFED MEMBERS OF THE SAN FRANCISCO CHINESE LANGUAGE PRESS.
SIR DAVID MET A NUMBER OF LEADING BUSINESSMEN OVER A LUNCHEON HOSTED BY THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS FORUM. WIDE-RANGING TOPICS DISCUSSED INCLUDED HONG KONG’S POSITION AS A GATEWAY TO CHINA.
HE ALSO ASSURED THE FORUM THAT STEPS WERE BEING TAKEN TO AMELIORATE THE EFFECTS OF THE BRAIN DRAIN AND ENSURE HONG KONG’S ONGOING SUCCESS AS A REGIONAL CENTRE THROUGH CONTINUITY UP TO AND BEYOND 1997 IN INSTITUTIONAL, LEGAL AND BUSINESS FIELDS.
•DURING THE AFTERNOON, SIR DAVID MET HONG KONG STUDENTS ATTENDING SIX BAY AREA UNIVERSITIES - UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY; STANFORD UNIVERSITY; UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO; SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY; ACADEMY OF ART COLLEGE; AND SAN FRANCISCO ART INSTITUTE — AND REITERATED THAT HONG KONG RELIED ON ITS OVERSEAS STUDENTS TO RETURN TO THE TERRITORY TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE FUTURE.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A MEETING WITH THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF BECHTEL, MR CORDELL HULL, AND OTHER EXECUTIVES, REGARDING BECHTEL’S ROLE AS PROJECT MANAGER IN HONG KONG’S PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT.
THE DAY CONCLUDED WITH A RECEPTION AND DINNER IN SIR DAVID’S HONOUR WITH BAY AREA CIVIC AND BUSINESS LEADERS.
-----0-----
INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR SECOND QUARTER
******
THE INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990, AT 121, WAS 2 POINTS OR 1.6 PER CENT LOWER THAN THAT FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1989, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THIS COMPARES WITH THE YEAR-ON-YEAR DECLINE OF 3.7 PER CENT IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990. THE AVERAGE GROWTH RATE FOR 1989 OVER 1988 WAS 0.8 PER CENT.
/COMPARED WITH .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1990
6 -
COMPARED WITH THE 1ST QUARTER OF 1990, THE INDEX SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 16 POINTS OR 15.2 PER CENT. THIS SIGNIFICANT INCREASE WAS A SEASONAL PHENOMENON DUE MAINLY TO THE LARGER NUMBER OF WORKING DAYS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OVER THE FIRST QUARTER WHEN MOST OF THE MANUFACTURING WORKERS HAD THEIR LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
AMONG THE EIGHT BROAD INDUSTRY GROUPS, THREE RECORDED INCREASES IN PRODUCTION IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990 OVER THE SAME QUARTER OF 1989. THEY WERE: FOOD, BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO (+11.9 PER CENT); PAPER PRODUCTS AND PRINTING (+10.3 PER CENT); AND ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS, PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT AND OPTICAL GOODS (+2.1 PER CENT).
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE OTHER BROAD INDUSTRY GROUPS • SHOWED DECREASES IN PRODUCTION IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990 COMPARED WITH THE SAME QUARTER OF 1989, WITH THE LARGEST PERCENTAGE DECREASES RECORDED IN THE FOLLOWING GROUPS : BASIC METALS, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND NON-ELECTRICAL MACHINERY (-9.7 PER CENT); AND CHEMICALS, RUBBER, PLASTIC AND NON-METALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS (-8.2 PER CENT).
COMPARING THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990 WITH THAT IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER, BUT BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON IS MUCH AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, ALL EIGHT BROAD INDUSTRY GROUPS SHOWED INCREASES IN PRODUCTION.
THE LARGEST PERCENTAGE INCREASES IN PRODUCTION WERE RECORDED IN THE FOLLOWING BROAD INDUSTRY GROUPS : TEXTILES (INCLUDING KNITTING) (+33.7 PER CENT); PAPER PRODUCTS AND PRINTING (+21.3 PER CENT); AND ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS, PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT AND OPTICAL GOODS (+17.9 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 VOLUME OF LOCAL PRODUCTION IS MEASURED AFTER DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES.
MORE DETAILED INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND IN THE "REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, SECOND QUARTER 1990", WHICH IS ON SALE AT $3 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AND AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS 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 ON TEL. 839 3238.
THE FOLLOWING IS A TABLE SHOWING CHANGES IN THE INDEXES OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IN GREATER DETAIL:
/INDEXES OF
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1990
1
INDEXES OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION BY
BROAD INDUSTRY GROUP AND SELECTED INDUSTRY GROUP
(1986 = 100)
BROAD INDUSTRY GROUP/ SELECTED INDUSTRY GROUP INDEXES FOR 2ND QTR. 1990 PERCENTAGE CHANGE OVER
2ND QTR. 1989 1ST QTR. 1990
FOOD, BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO 132 + 11.9 + 4.8
WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT KNITWEAR AND FOOTWEAR 105 -2.8 + 10.5
TEXTILES (INCLUDING KNITTING) 115 -1.7 + 33.7
PAPER PRODUCTS AND PRINTING 182 + 10.3 + 21.3
CHEMICALS, RUBBER, PLASTIC AND NON-METALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS 89 -8.2 + 11.3
-- PLASTIC PRODUCTS (77) (-14.4) (+13.2)
BASIC METALS, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND NON-ELECTRICAL MACHINERY 130 -9.7 + 11.1
— FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, EXCEPT MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT (111) (-11.2) (+7.8)
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS, PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT AND OPTICAL GOODS 145 + 2.1 + 17.9
-- CONSUMER ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS (132) (-0.8) (+12.8)
-- ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC PARTS, ACCESSORIES AND MACHINERY (164) (+2.5) (+17.1)
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 109 -5.2 + 4.8
121 -1.6 +15.2
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
NOTE : BEFORE 1990, PRODUCTION INDEXES FOR 21 INDUSTRY GROUPS AND ’’ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES” WERE PUBLISHED. AS FROM 1990, ONLY THE INDEXES FOR 8 BROAD INDUSTRY GROUPS AND ’’ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES” ARE PUBLISHED WHILE THOSE FOR THE 21 INDUSTRY GROUPS, EXCEPT 4 WHICH CARRY LARGER WEIGHTS AND ARE MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THE RESPECTIVE BROAD INDUSTRY GROUPS, ARE NOT PUBLISHED. FOR EASY READING, FIGURES FOR THE 4 SELECTED INDUSTRY GROUPS ARE SHOWN IN BRACKETS.
---------0-----------
/8.........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1990
- 8 -
SEPARATE TAXATION SYSTEM FURTHER EXPLAINED
*****
IN RESPONSE TO THE CURRENT CONCERN EXPRESSED BY SOME MARRIED WOMEN AT THE HIGHER THAN EXPECTED AMOUNT OF THEIR 1989/90 SALARIES TAX TO BE PAID, AN INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THIS WAS DUE, IN MANY CASES, TO THE FACT THAT THEY HAD NO PROVISIONAL SALARIES TAX FOR SET-OFF IN THEIR ASSESSMENTS.
WHERE A MARRIED WOMAN HAD NOT ELECTED, UNDER THE PREVIOUS SYSTEM OF ASSESSING THE INCOMES OF HUSBANDS AND WIVES TOGETHER, TO RECEIVE A SEPARATE NOTICE OF ASSESSMENT FOR THE TAX PAYABLE ON HER OWN INCOME, THE ASSESSMENT WAS ISSUED TO THE HUSBAND AND HE WAS REQUIRED TO PAY IT.
THE PROVISIONAL TAX THUS PAID IS CREDITED TO THE HUSBAND. ACCORDINGLY, FOR THIS YEAR, HIS TAX WILL BE SOMEWHAT LESS THAN WOULD USUALLY BE THE CASE.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT NO HUSBAND AND WIFE WOULD, IN TOTAL, PAY MORE TAX UNDER SEPARATE TAXATION THAN WOULD HAVE BEEN PAID UNDER THE PREVIOUS SYSTEM.
HE EXPLAINED THAT ONCE A HUSBAND AND WIFE HAD BOTH RECEIVED THEIR DEMAND NOTES THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO COMPARE THE TOTAL TAX PAYABLE BY THEM AS INDIVIDUALS WITH THAT PAYABLE HAD ALL OF THEIR INCOME BEEN TAXED IN THE NAME OF THE HUSBAND. MANY COUPLES WILL HAVE A REDUCED TAX LIABILITY.
FOR THESE COUPLES WHO WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO PAY MORE TAX, BECAUSE EITHER ONE OF THEM COULD NOT FULLY UTILISE HIS OR HER PERSONAL ALLOWANCES OR BECAUSE THEY HAD VERY SMALL INCOMES, THE LAW PERMITS THEM TO ELECT TO BE ASSESSED, AS PREVIOUSLY, ON THEIR JOINT INCOME.
THE INI,AND REVENUE DEPARTMENT ESTIMATES THAT THIS YEAR IT WILL BE TO THE ADVANTAGE OF SOME 70,000 MARRIED COUPLES TO ELECT TO BE ASSESSED JOINTLY RATHER THAN SEPARATELY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD DEVELOPED COMPLEX COMPUTER PROGRAMMES TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY ALL MARRIED COUPLES WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM SUCH AN ELECTION.
THESE PROGRAMMES HAVE TAKEN SOME TIME TO DEVELOP AND TEST, AND ARE ABOUT TO BECOME FULLY OPERATIONAL. TO DATE, MORE THAN 20,000 ADVICES OF THE ADVANTAGE OF A JOINT ASSESSMENT ELECTION HAVE BEEN ISSUED.
THIS YEAR THE DEPARTMENT HAS ISSUED A RECORD HIGH OF 1.4 MILLION RETURNS TO TAXPAYERS - A 40 PER CENT INCREASE OVER LAST YEAR.
A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THE INCREASE IN RETURNS ISSUED THIS YEAR IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE INTRODUCTION OF SEPARATE TAXATION BECAUSE MARRIED WOMEN ARE REQUIRED, FOR THE FIRST TIME, TO COMPLETE AND LODGE THEIR OWN INDIVIDUAL RETURNS.
/TO DETERMINE .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1990
- 9 -
TO DETERMINE WHETHER IT IS TO THE ADVANTAGE OF A MARRIED COUPLE TO BE JOINTLY ASSESSED, IT IS FIRST NECESSARY TO FINALISE THE ASSESSMENTS OF BOTH THE HUSBAND AND THE WIFE.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS UNLIKELY THAT BOTH THE HUSBAND’S AND THE WIFE’S RETURNS COULD BE ASSESSED AT THE SAME TIME. HE DID, HOWEVER, CONFIRM THAT THE DEPARTMENT IS TAKING EVERY POSSIBLE ACTION TO EXPEDITE THE PROCESSING OF ALL TAXPAYERS’ RETURNS WITH A VIEW TO ISSUING ALL JOINT ASSESSMENT ELECTION NOTIFICATIONS TO TAXPAYERS PRIOR TO THE DUE DATE FOR PAYMENT OF THEIR SPOUSES’ FIRST TAX INSTALMENT.
TO ALLOW THE MAXIMUM EFFORT TO BE DIRECTED TOWARDS THE FINALISATION OF ASSESSMENTS, THE SPOKESMAN REQUESTED TAXPAYERS NOT TO TELEPHONE THEIR ASSESSORS AT THIS STAGE.
HE ALSO ASKED HUSBANDS AND WIVES WHO HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE ADVANTAGE OF JOINT ASSESSMENTS TO SEND BACK THE COMPLETED ELECTION FORMS AT THE EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY, THUS ALLOWING THEM TO BE PROCESSED WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE DUE DATE FOR PAYMENT OF ANY TAX.
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CHALLENGES IN A CIVIL ♦ * * *
SERVICE CAREER *
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, TODAY (TUESDAY) CALLED ON UNIVERSITY STUDENTS TO CONSIDER JOINING THE CIVIL SERVICE UPON THEIR GRADUATION.
HE WAS OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE ’’BUSINESS INFORMATION DAY” ORGANISED BY THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STUDENTS IN ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
"IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR CHALLENGES IN YOUR JOB, I CAN PROMISE YOU THAT THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE CAN OFFER YOU PLENTY,” HE TOLD THE STUDENTS.
’’ONE OF THESE LIES IN MEETING THE NEEDS AND SATISFYING THE WISHES OF THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE DESPITE ALL THE CONSTRAINTS AND RESTRICTIONS INHERENT IN A BUREAUCRATIC SYSTEM.
’’FURTHERMORE WE ARE CONSTANTLY UPDATING OURSELVES ON PROCEDURAL OPERATIONS WITH A VIEW TO DELETING UNESSENTIAL AND OUTDATED RULES OR REGULATIONS, AS WELL AS SIMPLIFYING ALL GOVERNMENT BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS,” HE SAID.
FOLLOWING THE SIGNING OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION? HE SAID, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAD ON THE ONE HAND TO ATTEND TO THE PRESENT DAY NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND ON THE OTHER TO PLAN AND LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR AN EVEN MORE PROSPEROUS TOMORROW.
/"WE ARE .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1990
- 10 -
"WE ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING A PERIOD OF UNPRECEDENTED POLITICAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES. THESE CHANGES HAVE TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN SUCH A WAY THAT THEY WILL NOT ENDANGER OUR STABILITY.
"WE AIM TO DEVELOP A NEW POLITICAL SYSTEM THAT WILL WORK BEST FOR HONG KONG’S FUTURE, BUT THIS HAS TO BE BUILT UPON INSTITUTIONS AND TRADITIONS WHICH HAVE SERVED US WELL, AND IN WHICH OUR COMMUNITY HAS CONFIDENCE.
’’THIS IS A TALL ORDER TO FULFIL AND THE CIVIL SERVANTS IN HONG KONG HAVE A KEY ROLE TO PLAY IN THE PROCESS," MR LAN SAID.
"THEY ALSO HAVE TO BE CONSTANTLY ADJUSTING AND ADAPTING TO THE CHANGES THAT THEY THEMSELVES HAVE EFFECTED, AND TO RESOLVE THE COMPETING CLAIMS AND DEMANDS MADE UPON THE GOVERNMENT BY DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY," HE ADDED.
HE ADMITTED THAT THE WORK INVOLVED WOULD BE DEMANDING AND TAXING AND AT TIMES STRESSFUL BUT IT WAS ALSO INTERESTING AND REWARDING.
"IT IS MEANINGFUL AND SATISFYING WORK AS WELL BECAUSE ONE WOULD BE POSITIVELY PARTICIPATING IN MAPPING OUT THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG, AND PERSONALLY WITNESSING HISTORICAL CHANGES TAKING PLACE," HE ADDED.
HE FURTHER NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT, AS A GOOD EMPLOYER, PROVIDED FAIR AND STEADY PROMOTION PROSPECTS.
CITING THE EXECUTIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE GRADES AS EXAMPLES, HE SAID THAT IN RECENT YEARS THE PROMOTION PROSPECTS HAD BEEN EVEN BETTER, PARTLY BECAUSE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S LOCALISATION POLICY AND EXPANSION, AND PARTLY BECAUSE THE CIVIL SERVICE, LIKE OTHER SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY, WAS SUFFERING FROM BRAIN DRAIN.
"HOWEVER, THE GREATER REWARD IN A CIVIL SERVICE CAREER DOES NOT LIE IN SALARY INCREASE AND MATERIALISTIC GAINS. THOSE WHO LOOK FOR WEALTH SHOULD JOIN THE PRIVATE RATHER THAN THE PUBLIC SECTOR.
"A CIVIL SERVICE JOB OFFERS JOB SATISFACTION, SECURITY, A REASONABLY GOOD STANDARD OF LIVING, AND MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, THE OPPORTUNITY OF SERVING ONE’S COMMUNITY AND CONTRIBUTING TO ITS STABILITY AND PROSPERITY," HE CONCLUDED.
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/Il .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1990
- 11 -
STATEMENT ON '111 VBP’ * » * *
THE 111 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE DETAINED YESTERDAY AFTER THE COURT RULING ON THEIR HABEAS CORPUS ACTION WILL BE RELEASED TODAY ON THEIR OWN RECOGNISANCE, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WAS CONSIDERING APPEALING AGAINST THE COURT RULING, AND WOULD MAKE A DECISION AFTER READING THE WRITTEN JUDGEMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT FOLLOWING THE GROUP’S RELEASE BY THE COURT FROM DETENTION UNDER SECTION 13(D)(1) OF THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE, THE 111 HAD BEEN DETAINED TO ENABLE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TO DETERMINE THEIR STATUS.
"THIS IS NORMAL PROCEDURE WHERE AN IMMIGRANT WITHOUT DOCUMENTS OR PERMISSION TO LAND IS FOUND IN HONG KONG," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"ONCE THEY HAVE BEEN EXAMINED BY IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT OFFICERS, AND EVEN IF REFUSED PERMISSION TO LAND, THEY CAN STILL BE RELEASED AT THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION’S DISCRETION.
"IN THIS CASE, THE EXAMINATION HAS BEEN COMPLETED AT VICTORIA IMMIGRATION CENTRE AND THEY ARE BEING OFFERED RELEASE ON THEIR OWN RECOGNISANCE."
"IF THE COURT RULING IS NOT OVER-TURNED," THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED, "THEN AT SOME STAGE ACTION MAY BE TAKEN TO REMOVE ALL 111 FROM HONG KONG."
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT JAPAN, THE COUNTRY TO WHICH THE GROUP OF 111 WISHED TO TRAVEL, HAD ALREADY INDICATED THAT IT WOULD NOT ACCEPT THEM.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT IN THE GOVERNMENT’S VIEW, THE TREATMENT OF THIS GROUP HAD AT ALL STAGES BEEN IN FULL ACCORDANCE WITH THE LETTER AND SPIRIT OF HONG KONG LAW.
UPON THEIR RELEASE, THE GROUP WILL BE PUT IN THE CARE OF THE OFFICE OF THE UNHCR, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
PENDING THE APPEAL, THE GOVERNMENT HAS OFFERED TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION TO THE 111 IN KAI TAK TRANSIT CENTRE.
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/12........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1990
- 12 -
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS * * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 17), BEGINNING AT 10 AM AT THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL.
A TOTAL OF 40 SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR
BIDDING. THEY ARE:
EM1138 EL120 EM908 HK55 EL369 EL6088 171 EL314 EM1328 EL633 AA128 HK1737 EDI EL881 DF90 CA986 EM29 EL911 EK8133 AA162 EE8 EL109 EK889 EM817 747 EL988 EL220 EL1838 EM102 EE66 EK3228 EM272 HK1776 EM1100 EK1928 EL615 EL9996 EL6023 EL3278 EK9332
SUCCESSFUL BIDDING. BIDDERS MUST PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE
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 157TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
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CONCERT TO SPREAD ’PREVENT AIDS’ MESSAGE
*****
THE PREVENT AIDS MESSAGE WILL BE DISSEMINATED THROUGH SONGS IN A CONCERT TO BE PRESENTED BY THE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON AIDS AT THE VICTORIA PARK, CAUSEWAY BAY ON DECEMBER 8.
POPULAR SINGERS INCLUDING MISS SALLY YEH, MR DANNY CHAN AND MISS SANDY LAM WILL PERFORM IN THE CONCERT TO BE PRODUCED BY COMMERCIAL RADIO ONE.
/FREE ADMISSION .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1990
- 13 -
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE PUBLIC FROM MONDAY (NOVEMBER 19) AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND COMMERCIAL RADIO IN BROADCAST DRIVE.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (TUESDAY), THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLICITY WORKING GROUP ON AIDS, MR HO SAI-CHU, SAID OF THE PEOPLE INFECTED BY THE AIDS VIRUS IN HONG KONG, 47 PER CENT WERE AGED UNDER 30.
"YOUNG PEOPLE LIKE EXCITEMENT AND OFTEN TAKE RISK WITHOUT THINKING OF THE CONSEQUENCES. IF THEY UNFORTUNATELY CONTRACTED AIDS, THEIR BRIGHT FUTURE WILL COME TO AN END.
"THROUGH THIS CONCERT, IT IS HOPED THAT YOUNG PEOPLE WILL NOT ONLY UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTION BUT WILL ALSO SHOW MORE CARE AND CONCERN TOWARDS AIDS PATIENTS," HE SAID.
MR HO POINTED OUT THAT ALTHOUGH THE AIDS PROBLEM WAS NOT CONSIDERED TOO SERIOUS IN HONG KONG, EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY WORK HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT SINCE 1985 TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE DEADLY DISEASE.
"WORK ON EDUCATING YOUNGSTERS IS CONTINUING. IN ADDITION TO ORGANISING THIS CONCERT, WE ARE PRODUCING A COMIC BOOK TO DISSEMINATE THE PREVENT AIDS MESSAGE," HE ADDED.
THE CONCERT ON AIDS WILL BE HELD FROM 3 TO 5 PM ON DECEMBER 8 (SATURDAY) AT THE VICTORIA PARK FOOTBALL PITCHES NOS. 4 TO 6. IT WILL BE RECORDED FOR BROADCAST ON COMMERCIAL RADIO ONE ON DECEMBER 10 (MONDAY).
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SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE ON MEAT CONSUMPTION
******
THE JULY 1990 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS CONTAINS A SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE ON MEAT CONSUMPTION IN HONG KONG.
THE CONSUMPTION OF MEAT IN HONG KONG HAS BEEN INCREASING STEADILY IN RECENT YEARS. IN 1989, HONG KONG PEOPLE CONSUMED OVER 279 MILLION KILOGRAMS OF MEAT, THE TWO MAJOR TYPES BEING PORK AND BEEF.
THE SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE DESCRIBES PART OF A STUDY ON THE MEAT CONSUMPTION PATTERN IN HONG KONG FROM 1980 TO 1988 CONDUCTED BY THE RESEARCH AND STATISTICS CENTRE OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR TO ASSIST IN THE PRIVATISATION OF ABATTOIRS.
/IN THE ........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1990
- 14 -
IN THE ARTICLE, THE CHANGES IN THE NUMBER OF LIVE ANIMALS SLAUGHTERED, THE CONSUMPTION PATTERN OF PORK AND BEEF, AND THE COMPARISON BETWEEN FRESH MEAT AND FROZEN MEAT CONSUMPTION ARE PRESENTED TO THROW LIGHT ON CONSUMPTION TRENDS, IMPACT OF FROZEN MEAT ON FRESH MEAT, AND SUBSTITUTION BETWEEN PORK AND BEEF IN HONG KONG.
THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS IS NOW ON SALE AT $40 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
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TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF PIER AT PO TOI
*****
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PUBLIC PIER AT PO TOI ISLAND TO LANDING FACILITIES FOR THE PUBLIC.
TENDERS IMPROVE
THE CONTRACT COMPRISES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 34-METRE-LONG SOLID CONCRETE PIER AND A 25-METRE-LONG CATWALK.
WORK IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN NEXT JANUARY NINE MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
AND WILL TAKE ABOUT
THE
THE
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED CHIEF ENGINEER, PORT WORKS DIVISION, CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE DEPARTMENT ON THE EIGHTH FLOOR, EMPIRE CENTRE, 68 MODY ROAD,
FROM OF
TSIM
SHA TSUI.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON NOVEMBER 30.
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/15........
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1990
- 15 -
KAIFONG ASSN PRAISED *
FOR BOOSTING CIVIC AWARENESS * * * *
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN TODAY (TUESDAY) PRAISED THE KENNEDY TOWN KAIFONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION FOR ITS ZEALOUS SUPPORT TO THE VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE DURING A COURTESY VISIT TO THE ASSOCIATION.
THE ASSOCIATION’S ASSISTANCE IN URGING THE DISTRICT’S SENIOR RESIDENTS TO SIGN UP HAD ENHANCED CIVIC AWARENESS AMONG THEM AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE SUCCESS OF THE VOTER REGISTRATION CAMPAIGN," HE
MR LAN POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALL ALONG BEEN GIVING SUPPORT TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS BECAUSE THE NEIGHBOURHOOD SPIRIT WHICH THEY FOSTERED WITHIN THE COMMUNITY WAS THE BASIS OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME.
HE ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THE ASSOCIATION’S SUSTAINED SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY FOR THE PAST 40 YEARS
PARTICULARLY THE ACTIVITIES ORGANISED FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE IN ' THE DISTRICT.
"AS THE ELDERLY POPULATION IN KENNEDY TOWN IS ON THE RISE, THE ASSOCIATION WILL PLAY A MORE CRUCIAL ROLE IN EASING THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR SERVICES TO THEM,” HE ADDED.
MR LAN MET THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ASSOCIATION, MR CHOW YIN-SUM, AND ABOUT 100 ELDERLY RESIDENTS FROM THE DISTRICT DURING HIS VISIT.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
GOVERNMENT TO RESTRICT USE OF LEVERAGED LEASING AS A TAX SHELTER ...... 1
LOCAL EFFORTS TO REDUCE OZONE DEPLETION ............................... 2
ADEQUATE POWERS TO DEAL WITH KNOWN UBW'S .............................. 3
GOVT INTENDS TO REPLACE OFFICIAL SECRETS ACTS WITH LOCAL LAW........... 5
SFC TAKEN ENFORCEMENT ACTION IN 282 CASES ............................. 5
BILL SEEKING TO EXTEND PROTECTION OF WORKERS' SAFETY AND HEALTH PASSED 6 ?' ) GOVT PLAN FOR TAX RELIEF FOR MORTGAGE INTEREST PAYMENTS .......... 6
COMPENSATION FOR POST-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES TO BE REVIEWED ............ 7
BILL SEEKS TO LOCALISE JURISDICTION OF HK COURTS ...................... 8
NO GREATER SECURITY OF TENURE FOR MAGISTRATES NEEDED: JACOBS .......... 9
PLANNED INCREASE IN F.6 PLACES WILL MEET REQUIREMENTS ................. 10
CHILDREN TO SCHOOL IN DISTRICT THEY LIVE: YEUNG SAYS .................. 11
METHANE IN TSEUNG KWAN 0 AIR TOO LOW TO POSE THREAT ................... 13
LAM KAM ROAD IMPROVEMENTS START........................................ 14
FIVE BILLS PASSED .....................................................
AIRPORT PLAN A KEY STRATEGIC DECISION ................................... 15
CS' VISIT TO NORTH AMERICA .............................................. i7
GUIDELINES FOR EMPLOYERS ON II WORKERS .................................. I7
1
QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED ............................... 20
TRADE DEPT'S RESPONSE TO EC'S IMPOSITION OF PROVISIONAL ANTI-DUMPING DUTY ................................................................... 22
NEW AIR CARGO TERMINAL TO BE COMPLETED NEXT YEAR ......................... 23
NEW DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES ...................................... 24
TAR YIELD OF CIGARETTES DECREASED ........................................ 24
GUIDELINES ON BRINGING SCHOOL DROPOUTS BACK TO CLASSROOM ISSUED .......... 25
SEMINAR FOR PRESSURE EQUIPMENT PERSONNEL ................................. 26
PAC HEARINGS NEXT WEEK .................................................. 26
FINANCE COMMITTEE TO MEET ON FRIDAY ...................................... 27
ZJSIC OFFICE TO ENHANCE MUSIC TRAINING FOR YOUTH AND DISABLED............. 27
CARE FOR ELDERLY DAY IN YAU TSIM
29
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1990
GOVERNMENT TO RESTRICT USE OF LEVERAGED LEASING AS A TAX SHELTER
*****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, MADE A STATEMENT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON ON LEVERAGED LEASING. THE FULL TEXT OF HIS STATEMENT IS AS FOLLOWS:
SIR,
I HAVE BECOME CONCERNED AT THE INCREASING USE BEING MADE IN HONG KONG OF LEVERAGED LEASING AND SIMILAR ARRANGEMENTS AS TAX SHELTERING DEVICES. THE AMOUNT OF TAX REVENUE DEFERRED AS A RESULT OF THESE TRANSACTIONS IS ALREADY THREATENING TO REACH $1,000 MILLION THIS YEAR, A LEVEL THAT CANNOT BE TOLERATED. I THEREFORE PROPOSE TO SEEK AN AMENDMENT TO THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE TO RESTRICT THE SCOPE OF THE TAX BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO PERSONS ENTERING INTO LEVERAGED LEASING ARRANGEMENTS.
A LEVERAGED LEASE TRANSACTION IS TYPICALLY ONE IN WHICH A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF INVESTORS, USUALLY CORPORATIONS, ACQUIRES MACHINERY OR PLANT, COMMONLY AIRCRAFT, WHICH IS THEN LEASED BY THAT PARTNERSHIP FOR A TERM OF 10 YEARS OR MORE TO A LESSEE. BY REASON OF THE "LEVERAGE" OBTAINED FROM BORROWING A SUBSTANTIAL NON-RECOURSE LOAN, THE PARTNERSHIP IS EFFECTIVELY AT RISK FOR NO MORE THAN A SMALL PART OF THE ASSET COST. ON THE OTHER HAND, FOR HONG KONG TAX PURPOSES THE PARTNERSHIP IS ENTITLED TO INITIAL AND ANNUAL DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCES ON THE FULL COST OF THE ASSET, AND THE INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE PARTNERSHIP CAN SET OFF THEIR RESPECTIVE SHARE OF THE RESULTANT PARTNERSHIP LOSS AGAINST TAXABLE PROFITS THEY MAY DERIVE FROM OTHER BUSINESSES.
IN 1986 LEGISLATION WAS INTRODUCED WITH THE INTENTION OF DENYING DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCES WHERE SHIPS OR AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN ACQUIRED THROUGH LEVERAGED LEASE TRANSACTIONS AND THE LESSEE, REFERRED TO AS THE END-USER, WAS NOT A HONG KONG SHIP OR AIRCRAFT OPERATOR. HOWEVER, MORE AND MORE EXAMPLES OF SCHEMES ARE BEING ENCOUNTERED WHERE THE END-USER OF SHIPS AND AIRCRAFT ACQUIRED THROUGH A HONG KONG LIMITED PARTNERSHIP IS A FOREIGN OPERATOR. NONETHELESS, UNDER THE EXISTING LEGISLATION DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCES CANNOT BE DENIED TO THESE SCHEMES.
SUBJECT TO THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, AMENDMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN THE COMING YEAR TO ENSURE THAT FOREIGN OPERATORS DO NOT GET THE BENEFIT OF SUCH DEPRECIATION ALLOWANCES. TN ADDITION, I PROPOSE TO INTRODUCE FURTHER AMENDMENTS TO RESTRICT THE ABILITY OF THE PARTNERS OF A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP TO SET OFF THEIR SHARE OF THE LOSSES INCURRED BY SUCH A PARTNERSHIP. IN FUTURE, THE SHARE OF LOSS THAT CAN BE SET OFF AGAINST OTHER INCOME WILL BE LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT THE LIMITED PARTNER ACTUALLY HAS AT RISK IN THE PARTNERSHIP.
SUBJECT TO ITS BEING PASSED IN THIS COUNCIL, THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION WILL APPLY TO TRANSACTIONS ENTERED INTO ON OR AFTER TOMORROW’S DATE, THAT IS, 15 NOVEMBER 1990.
/FOR THE .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1990
- 2 -
FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF TAXPAYERS, THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE CURRENTLY OPERATES AN ADMINISTRATIVE ADVANCED RULING PROCEDURE IN RESPECT OF PROPOSED LEVERAGED LEASE TRANSACTIONS. UNDER THIS PROCEDURE THE COMMISSIONER, ON APPLICATION, GIVES A RULING AS TO WHETHER HE CONSIDERS A PROPOSED TRANSACTION IS LIKELY TO BE CHALLENGED UNDER THE GENERAL ANTI-AVOIDANCE PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN SECTION 6 LA OF THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE. A NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FOR ADVANCE CLEARANCE ARE NOW BEING CONSIDERED BY THE COMMISSIONER, AND THESE WILL BE CONSIDERED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EXISTING L W AND PRACTK HOWEVER, IN CONSIDERING APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED AFTER TODAY, THE COMMISSIONER WILL HAVE REGARD TO THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION. AS IN THE PAST, THE ISSUE OF AN ADVERSE RULING WILL NOT IN ANY WAY AFFECT A TAXPAYER’S RIGHT OF OBJECTION AND APPEAL AGAINST ANY SUBSEQUENT ASSESSMENT.
THESE MEASURES WILL HELP STEM A MAJOR HAEMORRHAGE AFFECTING THE 'PUBLIC REVENUE. I MIGHT ADD THAT SIMILAR MEASURES HAVE BEEN USED IN OTHER TAX JURISDICTIONS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOLLOW-UP ENQUIRIES ON THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S STATEMENT SHOULD BE MADE WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE, MR ANTHONY AU-YEUNG OR SENIOR ASSESSOR, MR GARY LAIRD (TEL. 894 5001, 895 2116) OR WITH MR STEPHEN SELBY OF THE FINANCE BRANCH (TEL. 8 iO 2370).
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LOCAL EFFORTS TO REDUCE OZONE DEPLETION *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS EXPLORING WAYS TO STRENGTHEN LOCAL FFORTS TO REDUCE OZONE DEPLETION, FOLLOWING THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE SECOND MEETING OF THE PARTIES TO THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL ON SUBSTANCES PH AT DEPLETE THE OZONE LAYER.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PETER WONG.
MR BARNES SAID: ’’THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE SECOND MEETING OF THE PARTIES TO THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL IN SUBSTANCES THAT DEPLETE THE OZONE LAYER REFLECT AND CODIFY A CONSENSUS OF SOME YEARS THAT THE PHASING OUT OF CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS (CFC’S) SHOULD BE ACCELERATED AND THAT ALONS AND CARBON TETRACHLORIDE AND METHYL CHLOROFORM SHOULD BE BROUGHT INTO THE NET.
/"AT THE .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1990
- 3 -
”AT THE SECOND MEETING OF THE PARTIES, THE TIMETABLE FOR CONTROL OF CONSUMPTION OF CFC’S WAS ALTERED,” MR BARNES SAID.
’’THE NEW TIMETABLE ALLOWS 100 PER CENT OF 1986 LEVELS UNTIL JANUARY 1, 1995 AND THEN A PROGRESSIVE DECREASE TO ZERO ON AND AFTER JANUARY 1, 2000.
"PREVIOUSLY, CONSUMPTION AT 100 PER'CENT OF 1986 LEVELS WAS PERMITTED UNTIL JULY 1, 1993, AND THEN A DECREASE UNTIL 50 PER CENT OF THAT LEVEL WAS REACHED ON AND AFTER JULY 1, 1988 WAS REQUIRED,” HE SAID.
HE SAID PREVIOUSLY HALONS WERE NOT PERMITTED TO INCREASE ABOVE 1986 LEVELS. NOW, HE SAID, THE USAGE OF NON-ESSENTIAL HALONS WAS REQUIRED TO DECREASE PROGRESSIVELY FROM JANUARY 1, 1995 TO ZERO ON AND AFTER JANUARY 1, 2000.
’’THESE DECISIONS ARE BINDING ON THE PARTIES WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT AND THE ADMINISTRATION IS CONSIDERING THE EFFECT OF THESE CHANGES.
’’LEGISLATION TO COMPLY WITH THESE CHANGES OR, IF POSSIBLE, IMPROVE ON THEM WILL BE PREPARED SHORTLY FOR DISCUSSION,” HE SAID.
THE SECOND MEETING HELD IN JUNE THIS YEAR ALSO RECOMMENDED CERTAIN AMENDMENTS TO THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL.
"THESE WILL NOT COME INTO EFFECT UNTIL 20 OR MORE PARTIES HAVE RATIFIED THEM, JANUARY 1, 1992 BEING THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE DATE," MR BARNES SAID.
THESE AMENDMENTS WOULD REQUIRE OTHER CFC’S, CARBON TETRACHLORIDE, AND METHYL CHLOROFORM TO BE CONTROLLED, UNDER SYSTEMS WHICH CALL FOR PROGRESSIVE DECREASES IN USAGE TO ZERO ON JANUARY 1, 2000 FOR OTHER CFC’S AND CARBON TETRACHLORIDE, AND ON JANUARY 1, 2005 FOR METHYL CHLOROFORM.
"THE ADMINISTRATION IS ASSUMING THAT THESE RECOMMENDED AMENDMENTS WILL BE ADOPTED, AND IS PREPARING THE NECESSARY LEGISLATION," MR BARNES SAID.
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ADEQUATE POWERS TO DEAL WITH KNOWN UBW’S * * * * ♦
THERE ARE ADEQUATE POWERS IN THE PRESENT BUILDINGS ORDINANCE TO DEAL WITH KNOWN UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS (UBW’S), AND THE BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) NO. 2 BILL INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST WEEK WILL SPEED UP THE EXERCISE OF THESE POWERS.
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THIS IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM DR THE HON DANIEL TSE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
/MR BARNES .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1990
<
MR BARNES SAID: ’’THERE ARE MOREOVER ADEQUATE STAKE RESOURCES TO DEAL EXPEDITIOUSLY WITH UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS, WHICH ARE ALSO KNOWN TO BE DANGEROUS.
"INDEED DANGER, KNOWN DANGER, IS THE HIGHEST PRIORITY TARGET OF THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS SECTION OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE. SOME SUCH BUILDING WORKS, SUCH AS SOME RUSTY PROJECTING WINDOW CAGES ARE OBVIOUSLY BOTH ILLEGAL AND DANGEROUS AND ARE ACTED UPON EITHER ON THE BASIS OF PUBLIC COMPLAINT OR ON THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE’S INITIATIVE.
’’IN OTHER WORKS, HOWEVER, WHICH MAY APPEAR LIKE LEGAL BUILDING WORKS, NEITHER THE DANGER NOR THE ILLEGALITY MAY BE APPARENT, AND THESE MAY BE AN EVEN GREATER THREAT TO LIFE AND LIMB."
MR BARNES SAID COLLAPSES OF A SCALE SIMILAR TO THE RECENT ONE AT TO KWA WAN WOULD CONTINUE TO BE RARE AND THE CASE, WHICH WOULD BE THE SUBJECT OF A CORONER’S INQUEST, HAD CAUSED A VERY HIGH DEGREE OF PUBLIC CONCERN.
HE SAID GOVERNMENT INSPECTIONS, ENFORCEMENT OF REPAIRS AND ACTION AGAINST UBW’S ON A DAY TO DAY’ BASIS ENSURED THAT THERE WERE FAR LESS BUILDING COLLAPSES THAN THAT OTHERWISE WOULD BE. AND SINCE THE TO KWA WAN. CASE, THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE HAD BEEN GIVING SPECIAL ATTENTION 'I'O CANOPIES WHICH NEED ROUTINE INSPECTION. BUT THE LEGAL AND MORAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SAFETY OF A PRIVATE BUILDING WAS FIRMLY IN THE HANDS OF ITS OWNER.
MR BARNES SAID THERE WAS NO WAY IN WHICH THE RESOURCES OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE COULD BE BROUGHT UP TO THE LEVEL REQUIRED TO RELIEVE OWNERS OF THIS RESPONSIBILITY OR THAT THEY SHOULD BE.
MR BARNES ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS WOULD REPORT EARLY NEXT YEAR ON MEASURES TO STRENGTHEN BUILDING SAFETY CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT.
HE SAID: "I AM CONFIDENT THAT THE OPEN CONSULTATION THAT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS PRESENTLY CONDUCTING WILL RESULT IN POSITIVE RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO HOW PUBLIC AND PRIVATE RESOURCES CAN BE POOLED MOST EFFECTIVELY, FOR IT IS ONLY' WITH SUCH A JOINT EFFORT AND MUTUAL COOPERATION THAT THIS IMMENSE PROBLEM CAN BE SUCCESSFULLY TACKLED.
"IT FOLLOWS FROM WHAT I HAVE SAID THAT THE LIABILITY FOR COMPENSATION TO INJURED PERSONS MUST IN MOST CASES LIE WITH THE PARTY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE NEGLIGENCE, IF ANY, WHICH RESULTED IN THE INJURY AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NEGLIGENCE AND LIABILITY MUST REMAIN A JUDICIAL PROCESS," MR BARNES ADDED.
------0 - -
/5 ........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1990
5
GOVT INTENDS TO REPLACE OFFICIAL SECRETS ACTS WITH LOCAL LAW *****
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO INTRODUCE BEFORE 1997 LOCAL LEGISLATION TO REPLACE THE OFFICIAL SECRETS ACTS, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY INFORMED LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (LEGCO) TODAY (WEDNESDAY).^
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MRS ELSIE TU, MR ASPREY SAID SECTION 2 OF THE OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT 1911, WHICH WAS REPEALED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM BY THE OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT 1989, REMAINS IN FORCE IN HONG KONG BECAUSE THE 1989 UNITED KINGDOM ACT HAS NOT BEEN APPLIED TO THE TERRITORY.
’’THE ADMINISTRATION IS NOW CONSIDERING WHETHER THE 1989 UNITED KINGDOM ACT SHOULD BE APPLIED TO HONG KONG,” MR ASPREY SAID.
THE
COUNCIL OR
ACT COULD BE GIVEN EFFECT IN HONG KONG EITHER BY ORDER IN IN THE FORM OF AN ORDINANCE ENACTED BY THE LEGCO HE SAID.
---------0-----------
SFC TAKEN ENFORCEMENT ACTION IN 282 CASES * * * * *
THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION HAS TAKEN ENFORCEMENT ACTION IN 282 CASES SINCE ITS ESTABLISHEMENT ON MAY 1, 1989, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON DAVID LI, SIR PIERS SAID THE ENFORCEMENT ACTION HAD RESULTED IN THE ISSUE OF 53 LETTERS OF WARNING OR ADVICE AND 48 SUMMONSES.
’’CURRENTLY, ENQUIRIES ON 59 CASES ARE CONTINUING," HE ADDED.
SIR PIERS SAID IN TERMS OF ROUTINE SURVEILLANCE OF MARKET INTERMEDIARIES AND ADVERTISEMENTS, THE COMMISSION HAD HANDLED 366 CASES SINCE ITS INCEPTION.
’’THIS HAD RESULTED IN THE ISSUE OF 176 LETTERS OF WARNING OR ADVICE," HE SAID, ADDING THAT CURRENTLY ENQUIRIES ON 63 CASES ARE CONTINUING.
THE VARIOUS TYPES OF ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS TAKEN INCLUDED MISCONDUCT BY REGISTERED PERSONS, UNREGISTERED ACTIVIT\, SHARE DEALING ENQUIRIES, BREACH OF PROTECTION OF INVESTORS ORDINANCE, ALLEGED FRAUD AND OTHER OFFENCES, ENQUIRIES FROM OVERSEAS AND OTHERS. ROUTINE COMPLIANCE AND SURVEILLANCE CASES INCLUDED INSPECTION OF INTERMEDIARIES, MATTERS RELATING TO REGISTERED PERSONS AND ADVERTISEMENT SURVEILLANCE.
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/6 ........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1990
- 6 -
BILL SEEKING TO EXTEND PROTECTION OF WORKERS’ SAFETY AND HEALTH PASSED *****
THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, WHICH SEEKS TO EXTEND THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE TO THE CATERING TRADE BY INCLUDING CATERING ESTABLISHMENTS WITHIN THE DEFINITION OF AN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING, WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE ORDINANCE, WHICH PROTECTS THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF WORKERS, NOW COVERS FACTORIES AND CONSTRUCT ION SITES ONLY BUT NOT RESTAURANTS AND OTHER CATERING ESTABLISHMENTS.
THANKING THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG FOR SUPPORTING THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON K.Y. YEUNG, POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SPARE NO EFFORT IN ENCOURAGING WORKERS IN THE CATERING TRADE TO ADOPT SAFE PRACTICES.
"I AM SURE THAT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL BE VERY ENCOURAGED TO KNOW THAT THEY HAVE THE STRONG SUPPORT OF THE TRADE UNIONS BEHIND THEIR EFFORT TO PROMOTE SAFETY AT WORK," HE ADDED.
MR YEUNG SAID SINCE 1987 THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN ENCOURAGING AND HELPING BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO FORM IN-PLANT SAFETY COMMITTEES ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS, AND IT WOULD CONTINUE TO DO SO.
"WE WOULD LIKE TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE COMMITTEES ON THE PROMOTION OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY BEFORE CONSIDERING WHETHER THEIR FORMATION SHOULD BE MADE COMPULSORY," HE SAID.
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NO GOVT PLAN FOR TAX RELIEF FOR MORTGAGE INTEREST PAYMENTS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO PLANS AT PRESENT TO PROVIDE TAX RELIEF FOR INTEREST PAYMENTS ON MORTGAGE OF OWNER-OCCUPI ED PREMISES.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID THIS IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON DAVID LI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SIR PIERS SAID THE POTENTIAL COST OF SUCH PLANS TO REVENUE WOULD BE HIGH.
"MORTGAGES ARE LONG-TERM AND THE ROLL-OVER EFFECT COUPLED WITH AN UPWARD MOVEMENT IN HOUSE PRICES COULD PRODUCE SIGNIFICANT LONG-TERM REVENUE LOSSES," HE SAID.
/NOTING THAT .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1990
- 7 -
NOTING THAT HE WAS NOT INSENSITIVE TO THE HARDSHIP PACED BY MIDDLE INCOME SALARY EARNERS WITH DEBT REPAYMENTS DURING A TIME OF INFLATION. SIR PIERS SAID HE WAS DISINCLINED TO USE FISCAL MEANS FOR SOCIAL ENDS.
"WE HAVE A SIMPLE TAXATION SYSTEM WITH LOW RATES.
"IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO DEMONSTRATE THAT SOME SPECIFIC INEQUITY OR HARDSHIP HAD ARISEN BEFORE WE WOULD WISH TO CONTEMPLATE COMPROMISING THE SIMPLICITY PRINCIPLE," HE SAID.
AS REGARDS THOSE REPAYING MORTGAGES ON PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY, SIR PIERS SAID HE SAW NO INEQUITY.
"INDEED, IT IS ARGUABLE THAT A DEGREE OF INEQUITY WOULD COME ABOUT FOR THOSE WHO RENT THEIR HOMES OR THOSE WHO HAVE PURCHASED WITHOUT MORTGAGE, IF WE WERE TO INTRODUCE SPECIAL MEASURES TO BENEFIT MORTGAGE-PAYERS ALONE.
"WE WOULD ALSO HAVE TO BE AWARE OF POTENTIAL AREAS OF ABUSE OF ANY SUCH CONCESSION," HE SAID.
------0 ------
COMPENSATION FOR POST-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES TO BE REVIEWED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL REVIEW NEXT YEAR THE LEVEL OF COMPENSATION PAYABLE TO DISPOSSESSED DOMESTIC TENANTS IN POST-WAR PREMISES BY REASON OF REDEVELOPMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MRS SO CHAU YIM-PING, MR TSAO SAID THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE WAS REVIEWED ANNUALLY AND THE 1991 REVIEW WOULD EXAMINE WHETHER THE CURRENT LEVEL OF COMPENSATION PAYABLE TO THESE TENANTS SHOULD BE ADJUSTED TO PROTECT THEM FROM UNDUE HARDSHIP ON THE ONE HAND AND ON THE OTHER HAND TO FACILITATE DESIRABLE REDEVELOPMENT.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE LAW PROVIDED FOR A MINIMUM LEVEL OF COMPENSATION AND WAS DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE LANDLORDS AND TENANTS TO AGREE COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS WITHOUT RECOURSE TO LITIGATION.
MR TSAO SAID: "THE CURRENT PROVISIONS APPEAR TO BE WORKING SATISFACTORILY IN AS MUCH AS IN THE YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 1990 OVER 90 PER CENT OF THE COMPENSATION CASES WERE RESOLVED BY AGREEMENT RESULTING IN THE PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION AT AN AVERAGE OF SEVEN TIMES THE 1983 RATEABLE VALUES.
"IN RESPECT OF THE BALANCE OF CASES WHERE COMPENSATION WAS AWARDED BY THE LANDS TRIBUNAL, THE AVERAGE PAYMENT WAS ABOUT THREE TIMES THE 1983 RATEABLE VALUES."
------0-------
/8 ........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1990
- 8 -
BILL SEEKS TO LOCALISE JURISDICTION OF HK COURTS
* * * * *
THE CRIMINAL LAW (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 SEEKS TO LOCALISE THE JURISDICTION OF HONG KONG COURTS IN RELATION TO CRIMES COMMITTED AT SEA, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR MATHEWS SAID THE COURTS CURRENTLY DERIVED THEIR JURISDICTION TO DEAL WITH SUCH CRIMES FROM UNITED KINGDOM ENACTMENTS WHICH APPLIED TO HONG KONG.
"THESE ARE ENACTMENTS WHICH, AFTER JUNE 1997, CAN NO LONGER BE PART OF OUR LAW.
"THEREFORE, OUR OWN LEGISLATION IS REQUIRED, AND THIS BILL WILL MEET THAT REQUIREMENT," HE SAID.
MR MATHEWS SAID THE BILL WOULD GIVE HONG KONG COURTS JURISDICTION OVER CRIMES AT SEA WHERE THERE WAS A HONG KONG "CONNECTION" PRESENT:
"FIRST, OVER ANY ACT WHICH TAKES PLACE ON BOARD A HONG KONG SHIP ON THE HIGH SEAS AND WHICH WOULD BE AN OFFENCE IF IT TOOK PLACE IN HONG KONG;
"SECOND, OVER ANY ACT WHICH TAKES PLACE ON BOARD ANY SHIP IN HONG KONG WATERS AND WHICH WOULD AMOUNT TO AN INDICTABLE OFFENCE IF IT TOOK PLACE ON BOARD A HONG KONG SHIP (IN SUCH CASES THE GOVERNOR’S CONSENT IS REQUIRED TO PROSECUTE A PERSON WHO IS NOT A BRITISH NATIONAL AND WHERE THE ACT TAKES PLACE ON A SHIP THAT IS NEITHER A HONG KONG SHIP NOR A BRITISH SHIP);
"THIRD, OVER ANY ACT OF A BRITISH NATIONAL (INCLUDING A HONG KONG BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZEN) WHICH TAKES PLACE ON BOARD A HONG KONG SHIP IN ANY PORT OUTSIDE HONG KONG (OR ON BOARD ANY OTHER SHIP TO WHICH THE PERSON DOES NOT BELONG) AND WHICH WOULD BE AN OFFENCE IF IT TOOK PLACE IN HONG KONG;
"FOURTH, OVER ANY ACT OF A MASTER, SEAMAN OR APPRENTICE EMPLOYED ON A HONG KONG SHIP OR WHO WAS SO EMPLOYED WITHIN THE PRECEDING THREE MONTHS, WHEREVER THE ACT TAKES PLACE, IF THE ACT AMOUNTS TO AN OFFENCE AGAINST THE PERSON OR AGAINST PROPERTY; AND
"FIFTH AND FINALLY, OVER ANY ACT THAT TAKES PLACE ON THE HIGH SEAS OR IN ANY OTHER PLACE OUTSIDE HONG KONG RESULTING IN THE DEATH IN HONG KONG OF A PERSON AND WHERE THE ACT WOULD AMOUNT TO MURDER OR MANSLAUGHTER (OR BEING ACCESSORY TO THOSE CRIMES) IF IT TOOK PLACE IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
MR MATHEWS POINTED OUT THAT THE REFERENCE TO "A HONG KONG SHIP" WAS NEW, FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM ENACTMENTS REFERRED TO BRITISH SHIPS.
HE SAID THE CHANGE WAS IN LINE WITH THE PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER.
/"FOR THE .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1990
9
"FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE BILL, A HONG KONG SHIP WILL BE ONE REGISTERED OR LICENSED IN HONG KONG.
"UNTIL JUNE 30, 1997, THE HONG KONG COURTS WILL, IN ADDITION, RETAIN JURISDICTION OVER CRIMES COMMITTED ON BOARD BRITISH SHIPS.
"IN SO FAR AS THE BILL MAKES REFERENCE TO BRITISH NATIONALS, IT WILL OF COURSE NOT BE APPROPRIATE AFTER JUNE 1997 FOR THE COURTS TO EXERCISE JURISDICTION BASED ON BRITISH NATIONALITY.
"IN DUE COURSE WE PLAN TO LOOK AT SUCH REFERENCES IN ALL OUR LEGISLATION AND TO MAKE THE NECESSARY CHANGES," MR MATHEWS SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
--------0-----------
NO GREATER SECURITY OF TENURE FOR MAGISTRATES NEEDED: JACOBS * * * * *
THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION WILL CONSIDER AND ADVISE THE CHIEF JUSTICE ON APPLICATION MADE BY A MAGISTRATE FOR RENEWAL OF CONTRACT, THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON J.D. MCGREGOR, SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT THE COMMISSION WAS AN INDEPENDENT BODY, THE DELIBERATIONS OF WHICH WERE, BY THEIR VERY NATURE, CONFIDENTIAL.
"THE COMMISSION DOES NOT DISCLOSE THE CRITERIA IT ADOPTS IN MAKING ITS RECOMMENDATIONS," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT ALL MAGISTRATES WERE INITIALLY EMPLOYED ON A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT, WHICH MIGHT BE REGARDED AS A PROBATIONARY PERIOD.
"IF, AT THE END OF THAT CONTRACT, THE MAGISTRATE WISHES TO CONTINUE HIS EMPLOYMENT, AND THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION SUPPORT HIS APPLICATION, THEN THE MAGISTRATE, WHETHER EXPATRIATE OR LOCAL, MAY APPLY TO JOIN THE PERMANENT AND PENSIONABLE ESTABLISHMENT.
"THIS WILL GIVE HIM SECURITY OF TENURE TO THE AGE OF 60, WHICH IS THE NORMAL RETIREMENT AGE FOR MAGISTRATES,” HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID THAT IF A MAGISTRATE CHOSF. TO REMAIN ON CONTRACT TERMS, THEN HE COULD STILL APPLY AT ANY TIME TO JOIN THE PERMANENT AND PENSIONABLE ESTABLISHMENT.
"GIVEN THESE OPTIONS, IT IS NOT CONSIDERED THAT ANY GREATER SECURITY OF’ TENURE FOR MAGISTRATES IS REQUIRED," SIR PIERS SAID.
------0-----------
710........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1990
10
PLANNED INCREASE IN F.6 PLACES WILL MEET REQUIREMENTS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONFIDENT THAT THE PLANNED INCREASE IN SIXTH FORM PLACES AND THE PULL-THROUGH INTO THESE PLACES WILL MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE TERTIARY EDUCATION EXPANSION PROGRAMME IN TERMS OF STUDENT NUMBERS, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON K.Y. YEUNG, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON DAVID CHEUNG, MR YEUNG STATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT PLANNED TO INCREASE THE PROVISION OF SUBSIDISED SECONDARY 6 PLACES FROM 18,270 PLACES AT THE PRESENT TIME TO 22,240 PLACES IN SEPTEMBER 1992 AND TO 23,000 IN SEPTEMBER 1994.
’’FUNDS WILL BE SOUGHT IN THE 1991-92 DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE TO START CONVERSION WORKS FOR ADDITIONAL CLASSROOMS TO MEET THIS TARGET,” HE SAID.
MR YEUNG SAID THE INCREASE IN PROVISION WAS IN LINE WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY, STATED IN THE 1978 WHITE PAPER ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SENIOR SECONDARY AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, TO PROVIDE SUBSIDISED SIXTH FORM PLACES FOR UP TO ONE-THIRD OF THE STUDENTS ENTERING SUBSIDISED SECONDARY I PLACES TWO YEARS PREVIOUSLY.
"TOGETHER WITH NON-SUBSI DISED PLACES, THE INCREASE IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR WILL PRODUCE SOME 26,000 SIXTH FORM PLACES IN 1994.
"SET AGAINST THE TARGET OF 15,000 FIRST YEAR, FIRST DEGREE PLACES IN THE SAME YEAR, THIS PROVISION OF SIXTH FORM PLACES WOULD ENABLE SIX OUT OF 10 STUDENTS LEAVING SIXTH FORM TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY FOR A DEGREE COURSE AT THE TERTIARY-INSTITUTIONS," HE SAID.
AS TO MR CHEUNG’S QUESTION ON WHETHER ALL SIXTH FORM PLACES FOR THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR HAD BEEN OCCUPIED AND THE COMPARISON WITH THA'i OF LAST YEAR, MR YEUNG SAID A HEAD-COUNT IN ALL GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOLS CONDUCTED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN THE FIRST WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 1990 INDICATED THAT 87 PER CENT OF THE SECONDARY 6 PLACES HAD BEEN FILLED, COMPARED WITH 79 PER CENT LAST YEAR.
"THE PERCENTAGE DROPPED TO 81 PER CENT IN EARLY OCTOBER WHEN THE POLYTECHNICS, COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTES ANNOUNCED THEIR STUDENT INTAKE.
"THIS WASTAGE OCCURS ANNUALLY AND IS CAUSED BY SECONDARY 6 ENTRANTS SIMULTANEOUSLY APPLYING FOR COURSES AT OTHER INSTITUTIONS, AND THEN DROPPING OUT OF SCHOOL WHEN THEY RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE," MR YEUNG EXPLAINED.
MR YEUNG SAID GIVEN THE TREND OF UNDER-ENROLMENT, THE GOVERNMENT’S NEXT TASK WAS TO ACHIEVE THE FULLEST POSSIBLE UTILISATION OF SECONDARY 6 PLACES IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR.
/"TO THIS .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1990
- 11 -
"TO THIS END WE NEED TO ACHIEVE A INTO THE SIXTH FORM,” HE SAID.
33 PER CENT PULL-THROUGH
MR YEUNG POINTED OUT THAT THE MAIN REASONS UNDER-ENROLMENT COULD BE TRACED TO UNNECESSARILY CRITERIA FOR SITTING A-LEVELS, THE HIGHLY SELECTIVE ADOPTED BY MANY SCHOOLS, AND THE PRACTICE OF CANDIDATES APPLYING SUCCESSFUL!A FOR ADMISSION SCHOOL.
FOR THE TREND OF RESTRICTIVE ENTRY ADMISSION POLICY WELL QUALIFIED TO MORE THAN ONE
'TO OVERCOME THESE PROBLEMS THE EDUCATION RECENTLY FORMULATED A PACKAGE OF PROPOSALS.
DEPARTMENT HAS
"THIS INCLUDES LOWERING THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR SITTING EXAMINATIONS (WHICH IS JUSTIFIED NOW THAT THE BROADENED SIXTH RFnnrTMrRR’iuuLUM *S N° L0NGER INTENDED ONLY FOR MATRICULATION) ; REDUCING THE LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY OF A-LEVEL EXAMINATIONS PARTICULARLY IN THE SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (WHICH ARE ACCEPTED AS nOyT»G A DrFF1CULTY LEVEL TWO GRADES ABOVE EQUIVALENT A-LEVELS IN THE UK), HE SAID.
OTHER PROPOSALS INCLUDED ASKING SCHOOLS TO FILL ALL THEIR 6 PLACES, BY ADOPTING A FIVE-STAGE ADMISSION PROCEDURE; AND ENCOURAGING SCHOOLS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY OR WHICH WERE UNDER THE SAME SPONSOR TO SPECIALISE, AND TO CO-OPERATE WITH EACH OTHER BY EXCHANGING STUDENTS FOR VARIOUS SUBJECTS.
YEUNG SAID THE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY AND VARIOUS SCHOOLS COUNCILS WERE BEING CONSULTED ON THESE MEASURES, AND IT WAS HOPED TO INTRODUCE THEM STARTING FROM SEPTEMBER 1991.
---------0-----------
CHILDREN TO SCHOOL IN DISTRICT THEY LIVE: YEUNG SAYS
*****
SCHOOL IS NOT TRAVEL
^L.Tn»2f)VERNMENT S P0LTCY To ALLOCATE PRIMARY SCHOOL PLACES CHILDREN WITHIN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN WHICH THEY LIVE YET ALWAYS POSSIBLE IN PRACTICE TO GUARANTEE THAT NO CHILD ’ BEYOND 400 METRES TO GET TO SCHOOL.
TO
IT WILL
tmp mam’Tv ^ STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION THE HON K.Y. YEUNG, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
AND MANPOWER, DAVID CHEUNG IN
AS A PLANNING GUIDELINE, MR YEUNG SAID
PUBLIC SECTOR SHOULD PREFERABLY BE LOCATED „ < > „ i „ AREAS T0 ENSURE THAT YOUNG CHILDREN DO NO
EXCESSIVE DISTANCES TO GET TO SCHOOL.
PRIMARY
WITHIN
SCHOOLS IN THE
400 METRES OF T HAVE TO TRAVEL
"I MUST EMPHASISE, HOWEVER, THAT THIS IS A PLANNING AND NOT THE POLICY ITSELF," HE SAID.
GUIDELINE,
/REFERRING TO .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1990
- 12 -
REFERRING TO THE CASE WHEREBY PARENTS OF A GROUP OF PRIMARY ONE STUDENTS IN LONG PING ESTATE, YUEN LONG REFUSED TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOLS ORIGINALLY LOCATED TO THEM, MR YEUNG SAID RESIDENTS OF LONG PING ESTATE WERE SERVED BY THREE PRIMARY SCHOOLS SITUATED WITHIN THE ESTATE, AND BY OTHER PRIMARY SCHOOLS LOCATED OUTSIDE THE ESTATE BUT WITHIN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
HOWEVER, COMPLAINTS AROSE THIS SUMMER WHEN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ALLOCATED TO 110 CHILDREN LIVING IN LONG PING ESTATE PRIMARY ONE PLACES IN SCHOOLS LOCATED IN THE ADJACENT YUEN LONG ESTATE IN SPITE OF VACANCIES WITHIN THE LONG PING ESTATE SCHOOLS.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TOOK THIS STEP PARTLY BECAUSE LONG PING ESTATE WAS EXPECTING A FURTHER INTAKE OF 500 FAMILIES AT THE END OF NEXT YEAR AND CONSIDERED IT PRUDENT TO SET PLACES ASIDE FOR THEIR CHILDREN, AND PARTLY BECAUSE THE SCHOOLS IN THE ADJACENT YUEN LONG ESTATE WERE UNDER-ENROLLED.
’’HOWEVER," MR YEUNG SAID, "OSTENSIBLY BECAUSE THIS ALLOCATION WOULD INVOLVE THE 110 CHILDREN OF LONG PING ESTATE HAVING TO TRAVEL A DISTANCE OF AT LEAST 700 METRES, THE PARENTS COMPLAINED."
"I SAID OSTENSIBLY BECAUSE IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT THE PARENTS REGARD THE TWO SCHOOLS IN THE ADJACENT YUEN LONG ESTATE TO BE. SOMEWHAT INFERIOR," HE ADDED.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY REPRESENTATIONS MADE BY PARENTS TO THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE OMELCO, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND TO THE GOVERNOR.
AFTER FURTHER DISCUSSIONS WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, PARENTS OF 67 CHILDREN ACCEPTED THE DEPARTMENT’S ALLOCATION, WHILE THE REMAINING 43 REFUSED TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL.
FACED WITH THESE CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, MR YEUNG SAID THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION DECIDED THAT IT WOULD BE DESIRABLE TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE REMAINING CHILDREN COULD BE ACCOMMODATED IN THE LONG PING ESTATE SCHOOLS AND, SECONDLY, WHETHER BY CONVERTING CERTAIN GENERAL PURPOSE ROOMS THE CHILDREN OF THE EXPECTED INTAKE OF FAMILIES INTO THE ESTATE COULD ALSO BE ACCOMMODATED.
THIS WAS DONE IN ORDER TO AVOID A SITUATION IN WHICH THE CHILDREN WERE KEPT AWAY FROM SCHOOL AND NOT TO PROLONG THE CONFRONTATION, MR YEUNG ADDED.
"UNFORTUNATELY, BECAUSE THE SCHOOL SUPERVISORS WERE AWAY ON VACATION, IT WAS NOT UNTIL THE BEGINNING OF THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR THAT A FINAL DECISION COULD BE TAKEN TO PLACE THE 43 CHILDREN IN ONE OF THE LONG PING ESTATE SCHOOLS.
"FOLLOWING THIS, A FURTHER 13 CHILDREN ACCEPTED AN OFFER BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO TAKE UP PRIMARY ONE PLACES IN ANOTHER SCHOOL IN LONG PING ESTATE," HE SAID.
/MR YEUNG .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1990
- 13 -
MR YEUNG SAID THE INCIDENT HAD NO EFFECT ON EXISTING POLICY ON THE ALLOCATION OF PRIMARY ONE SCHOOL PLACES IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR.
HE SAID: ’’WHILE IT MAY ENCOURAGE OTHER PARENTS TO APPLY PRESSURE ON THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AGAINST ANY ALLOCATION THEY DO NOT LIKE, AND WHILE THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO DEAL WITH REQUESTS FOR CHANGE THAT ARE JUSTIFIED, IT MUST BE REMEMBERED THAT THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION HAS TWO IMPORTANT TASKS TO PERFORM.
’’THE FIRST IS TO SORT OUT AND PLACE UPWARDS OF 75,000 CHILDREN INTO PRIMARY ONE EACH YEAR; THE SECOND IS TO ENFORCE OUR SYSTEM OF FREE AND COMPULSORY EDUCATION."
THUS, IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, MR YEUNG SAID IF PARENTS REFUSED TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION WOULD HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO ISSUE ATTENDANCE ORDERS TO THEM UNDER SECTION 74 OF THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE.
IN THE MEANTIME, MR YEUNG SAID THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WOULD STEP UP ITS PUBLICITY EFFORTS WITH A VIEW TO GIVING PARENTS A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE PRIMARY ONE ALLOCATION SYSTEM.
------0--------
METHANE IN TSEUNG KWAN 0 AIR TOO LOW TO POSE THREAT * * * * *
CHECKS ON LEVELS OF METHANE ON LEVELS AT TSEUNG KWAN O (JUNK BAY) AVERAGE LEVELS OF OTHER LOCATIONS IN PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE AIR HAD INDICATED THAT WERE SLIGHTLY LESS THAN HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY HON GRAHAM BARNES, TOLD
THE THE FOR THE
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG SAID A CHECK BY THE GOVERNMENT ON OXYGEN PRODUCED AT THE O PLANT OF THE HONG KONG OXYGEN AND ACETYLENE COMPANY METHANE CONTAMINATION OF 10 TO 30 PARTS PER MILLION.
, MR
TSEUNG
HAD
BARNES
KWAN FOUND
"THERE WOULD NOT, THEREFORE, APPEAR TO BE ANY SIGNIFICANT CONI AMINA I I ON OF OXYGEN PRODUCED AT JUNK BAY BY METHANE FROM THE JUNK BAY LANDFILL," MR BARNES SAID.
tua. ™AT THE HOSPITA^ SERVICES DEPARTMENT WAS SATISFIED 1 HAr THE PRESENCE OF METHANE IN SUCH SMALL QUANTITIES WAS NOT A THREAT TO HUMAN HEALTH.
CHECKS ON THE STANDARD OF OXYGEN PRODUCED AT THE PLANT BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAD CONFIRMED EARLIER STATEMENT THAT THE OXYGEN PRODUCED WAS 99.6 PER MR BARNES SAID.
TSEUNG KWAN O THE COMPANY’S CENT OXYGEN,
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/14 .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1990
14
LAM KAM ROAD IMPROVEMENTS START *****
THE WORKS TO IMPROVE LAM KAM ROAD BETWEEN TAI PO ROAD AND KADOORIE FARM STARTED LAST MONTH, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, MR LEUNG SAID THE WORKS INCLUDING ROAD WIDENING AND RECONSTRUCTION, IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ALIGNMENT, AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A CLIMBING LANE ON THE STEEP SECTIONS WOULD BE COMPLETED BY EARLY 1993.
THERE WERE ALSO PLANS TO IMPROVE CERTAIN SECTIONS OF LUK KENG ROAD TO SMOOTH OUT THE SHARPER BENDS, IMPROVE MOTORISTS’ SIGHT LINES, AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FOOTPATHS. WORK COULD START WHEN FUNDS WERE AVAILABLE, HE SAID.
MR LEUNG SAID KAM SHEUNG ROAD WAS ONLY A LOCAL ACCESS ROAD AND COULD COPE ADEQUATELY WITH PRESENT TRAFFIC FLOW. THERE WAS THEREFORE NO PLAN TO WIDEN OR UPGRADE IT AT PRESENT.
HE SAID ROUTE TWISK HAD ENOUGH CAPACITY TO COPE WITH PRESENT AND FUTURE TRAFFIC FLOWS UP TILL THE LATE 1990'S
ADDITIONAL CAPACITY WOULD IN THE LONGER TERM BE PROVIDED BY . THE ROUTE 3 COUNTRY PARK SECTION BETWEEN TSING YI AND YUEN LONG, MR LEUNG ADDED.
-------o'- :------
FIVE BILLS PASSED *****
FIVE BILLS WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THEY WERE THE CONTROL OF EXEMPTION CLAUSES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, MERCHANT SHIPPING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, AGRICULTURAL PESTICIDES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 AND EVIDENCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990.
THE CRIMINAL LAW (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 WAS INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATE ON IT WAS ADJOURNED.
IN ADDITION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, MADE A STATEMENT ON LEVERAGED LEASING.
TWO REPORTS WERE TABLED: THE "ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES AND THE ACCOUNTS OF HONG KONG FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1990", AND THE "REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT ON THE ACCOUNTS OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1990 AND THE RESULTS OF VALUE FOR MONEY AUDITS".
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1990
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AIRPORT PLAN A KEY STRATEGIC DECISION
*****
THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK IS A KEY STRATEGIC DECISION FOR HONG KONG’S LONG TERM PLANNING, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID IN SAN FRANCISCO ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 13).
ADDRESSING A JOINT LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AND SAN FRANCISCO WORLD TRADE CLUB, SIR DAVID SAID THAT THE DECISION TO BUILD THE NEW AIRPORT UNLOCKED SEVERAL. OTHER DECISIONS ON THE EXPANSION OF THE PORT AND THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE OVERCROWDED OLDER PARTS OF THE CITY.
MUCH OF THIS WORK, FOR EXAMPLE, ALMOST ALL OF THE PORT FACILITIES WOULD BE PRIVATELY FINANCED, BUILT AND OPERATED, HE SAID.
SIR DAVID EXPLAINED THAT THIS WAS HOW HONG KONG WORKED: GOVERNMENT PROVIDED THE BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE AND LEFT BUSINESSMEN TO READ THE SIGNALS OF THE MARKET PLACE.
"THEY READ THEM BETTER THAN BUREAUCRATS," HE ADDED.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TRUE TO ITS OPEN MARKET ECONOMIC PHILOSOPHY, WAS INVITING: INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION IN THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW AIRPORT.
"AMERICAN FIRMS HAVE TENDED IN THE PAST TO SHY AWAY FROM HONG KONG IN THE MISTAKEN BELIEF THAT BRITISH COMPANIES WERE GIVEN PREFERENCE.
"BOTH BECHTEL AND GREINER HAVE FOUND THIS NOT TO BE THE CASE AND HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPETED AGAINST A VARIETY OF FOREIGN FIRMS FOR PARTS OF THE PROJECT,” HE SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT LOOKED FORWARD TO MORE AMERICAN INTEREST IN ALL OF HONG KONG’S PROJECTS FROM DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION TO FITTING, FINISHING AND THE SUPPLY OF PARTS AND EQUIPMENT.
SIR DAVID STRESSED THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT DID NOT FORGET THE SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN ITS LONG-TERM PLANNING EITHER.
HE OUTLINED THE GOVERNMENT’S PLANS FOR DRAMATIC GROWTH IN EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME WHICH WOULD PROVIDE ANOTHER 430,000 HOMES BY THE TURN OF THE CENTURY ON TOP OF THE THREE-QUARTERS OF A MILLION THE GOVERNMENT HAD BUILT SO FAR.
"WE HAVE JUST PUBLISHED A BLUE PRINT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMMES AND ANOTHER ON THE CARE AND REHABILITATION OF THE HANDICAPPED WILL BE PUBLISHED NEXT YEAR.
"WE STRONGLY BELIEVE IN PLANNING TO MEET THE ASPIRATIONS OF THE PEOPLE WHO WILL STAY IN HONG KONG, FOR WHOM HONG KONG IS HOME AND WHO WANT THE BEST FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES.
/"WE WOULD .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1990
- 16 -
"WE WOULD BE FAILING IN OUR DUTY IF WE WERE NOT PLANNING TO GO ON IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF THEIR LIVES NOT JUST BEFORE 1997 BUT WELL INTO THE NEXT CENTURY," SIR DAVID SAID.
NOTING THAT IT WAS FASHIONABLE TO TALK IN PESSIMISTIC TERMS ABOUT 1997, SIR DAVID OFFERED THREE PERSONAL REASONS WHY HE WAS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
"FIRST, I KNOW HONG KONG TOO WELL.
"THOSE OF US WHO LIVED THROUGH THE DARK DAYS OF 1967, THE ECONOMIC CRISES OF THE 1970’S AND THE TENSE PERIOD OF NEGOTIATIONS OVER THE FUTURE KNOW HOW RESILIENT HONG KONG REALLY IS,” HE SAID.
SECONDLY, SIR DAVID SAID, PEOPLE’S LIVES DID NOT SIMPLY STOP JUST BECAUSE OF A DATE IN THE CALENDAR.
"THERE ARE CHILDREN NOW ENTERING SCHOOL WHO WERE BORN AFTER THE JOINT DECLARATION.
"THERE ARE YOUNG GRADUATES NOW JOINING THE CIVIL SERVICE WHO DO SO WITH THEIR EYES WIDE OPEN.
"THERE ARE BUSINESSMEN PUTTING MONEY INTO HONG KONG AND INTO GUANGDONG WHO ARE SETTING THE PATTERN FOR TRADE AND BUSINESS BETWEEN THESE PLACES FOR THE FUTURE," HE SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THEY WERE TAKING INTELLIGENT RISKS LIKE BUSINESSMEN ALL OVER THE WORLD AND THEIR HORIZONS EXTENDED BEYOND 1997 AND SO DID THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR DECISIONS.
"THEY, LIKE THE GOVERNMENT, REFUSE TO LET 1997 BE A BARRIER," HE SAID.
THIRDLY, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID, THERE WAS A CERTAIN ARROGANCE ABOUT THE VIEW, WHICH HE DID NOT SHARE, WHICH SAID JUST BECAUSE BRITISH SOVEREIGNTY CAME TO AN END, HONG KONG WOULD GO DOWNHILL.
"IT IS ARROGANT BECAUSE IT IGNORES THE FACT THAT LESS THAN TWO PER CENT OF THE 190,000 PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ARE BRITISH, AND THAT ALREADY MY CHINESE COLLEAGUES OCCUPY MORE THAN HALF OF THE TOP POSTS AND ARE PERFECTLY CAPABLE OF TAKING OVER THE OTHER HALF IN THE COMING FEW YEARS.
"IT ALSO OVERLOOKS THE FACT THAT THE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND LEGAL STRUCTURE WHICH HAS BEEN FUNDAMENTAL TO HONG KONG’S SUCCESS UNDER A BRITISH ADMINISTRATION WILL REMAIN INTACT UNDER CHINESE SOVEREIGNTY," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS ALSO AN OUT-OF-DATE VIEW BECAUSE IT IGNORED THE CHANGES WHICH HAD ALREADY TAKEN PLACE IN HONG KONG’S RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA AND IN PARTICULAR THE ECONOMIC LINKS WITH CHINA’S SOUTHERN PROVINCES, PROVINCES WHICH HAD MADE SUCH GIANT ECONOMIC STRIDES OVER THE PAST DECADE.
/"THESE ARE .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1990
- 17 -
’’THESE ARE THE FACTORS WHICH PROVIDE GOOD GROUNDS FOR OPTIMISM.
"CERTAINLY, WE IN THE GOVERNMENT ARE FIRMLY COMMITTED TO GIVING HONG KONG BEsi POSSIBLE START IN 1997 AND ARE DOING ALL «E CAN TO ENSURE ITS CONTINUING SUCCESS THEREAFTER,' SIR DAVID SAID.
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CS’ VISIT TO NORTH AMERICA * * * * «
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, GAVE A KEYNOTE SPEECH IN SAN FRANCISCO YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) TO AN AUDIENCE OF SOME 300 INFLUENTIAL BAY AREA BUSINESS PEOPLE AT A JOINT LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE SAN FRANCISCO WORLD TRADE CLUB AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.
SIR DAVID STARTED THE DAY WITH A BREAKFAST MEETING HOSTED BY THE LEGAL FIRM, GRAHAM AND JAMES.
HE UPDATED HIS AUDIENCE OF ATTORNEYS AND THEIR GUESTS ON HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR US PROFESSIONALS IN HONG KONG.
IN THE AFTERNOON, SIR DAVID LEFT SAN FRANCISCO FOR THE PACIFIC NORTH WEST. HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY MINISTER (WASHINGTON), PETER LO, AND DIRECTOR OF THE SAN FRANCISCO ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE, PETER JOHNSON.
HIS FIRST STOP WAS SEATTLE WHERE HE ATTENDED A DINNER HOSTED IN HIS HONOUR BY ONE OF THE REGION’S LEADING BANKS, THE SECURITY PACIFIC BANK.
------0----------
GUIDELINES FOR EMPLOYERS ON II WORKERS
*****
THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR IAN STRACHAN, HAS SUGGESTED SOME PRACTICAL MEASURES FOR EMPLOYERS AND THOSE IN CHARGE OF CONSTRUCTION SITES TO MAKE SURE THAT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARE NOT EMPLOYED ON THEIR PREMISES.
HE WAS SPEAKING TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AT A SEMINAR ON THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE AND THE PERSONNEL PROFESSIONAL, ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT.
/ONE OF .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1990
- 18 -
ONE OF THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE SEMINAR WAS TO DISCUSS RECENTLY ENACTED AMENDMENTS TO THE ORDINANCE WHICH INCLUDED HEAVIER PENALTIES FOR THE EMPLOYERS OF Il’S BUT ALSO PROVIDED FOR A DEFENCE FOR THOSE WHO COULD SHOW THAT ALL PRACTICABLE STEPS HAD BEEN TAKEN TO DETERMINE WHETHER WORKERS WERE LAWFULLY EMPLOYABLE AND TO PREVENT Il’S FROM BEING ON A CONSTRUCTION SITE.
MR STRACHAN SAID WHILE THE GOVERNMENT WAS PREPARED TO PROPOSE GUIDELINES IN RESPONSE TO REQUESTS FROM INDUSTRY, HE STRESSED THAT WHAT AMOUNTED TO ’’ALL PRACTICABLE STEPS” WOULD BE FOR THE COURTS TO DETERMINE IN EACH CASE.
HE SUGGESTED THAT EMPLOYERS COULD CHECK THE DETAILS OF AN IDENTITY CARD AGAINST OTHER SUPPORTING EVIDENCE SUCH AS BANK BOOK, DRIVING LICENCE AND CREDIT CARDS.
"THEY CAN SCRUTINISE THE PHOTOGRAPH ON THE IDENTITY CARD CAREFULLY AGAINST THE PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEE AND CHECK THE AGE RECORDED.
"THEY CAN ALSO INSTITUTE IDENTITY CHECKS AT RANDOM TIMES AND SPOT CHECK PEOPLE ENTERING THE PREMISES."
MR STRACHAN ALSO SUGGESTED THAT EMPLOYERS COULD MAKE CONDITION OF ENTRY, ESPECIALLY TO A CONSTRUCTION. SITE, CONTINGENT ON PRODUCTION OF AN IDENTITY CARD AND INFORM EMPLOYEES THAT FAILURE TO PRODUCE A CARD WOULD RESULT IN EXPULSION FROM THE SITE.
"RECORDS OF IDENTITY CARDS PRODUCED AND THE RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS GIVEN SHOULD BE KEPT."
MR STRACHAN OFFERED SOME ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS WHICH WERE PARTICULARLY RELEVANT TO CONSTRUCTION SITES:
- MAKE IT KNOWN TO SUB-CONTRACTORS THAT IF THEY EMPLOY Il’S THEY WILL RECEIVE NO FURTHER WORK FROM THE COMPANY;
- MAKE IT A BREACH OF CONTRACT FOR A SUB-CONTRACTOR TO EMPLOY AN II;
- PUT UP SIGNS OR POSTERS STATING THAT Il’S WILL NOT BE EMPLOYED ON THE SITE AND ANY FOUND WILL BE REPORTED TO THE POLICE;
- POST SIGNS THAT STATE NO ONE WILL BE ALLOWED TO REMAIN ON THE SITE IF THEY REFUSE TO PRODUCE THEIR IDENTITY CARD WHEN REQUESTED BY A SUPERVISOR;
- TELL SUB-CONTRACTORS THEY MUST KEEP A FULL LIST OF WORKERS’ NAMES AND IDENTITY CARD NUMBERS WHICH MUST BE PRODUCED TO THE SITE OFFICE DAILY;
- SECURE THE SITE AT NIGHT AND TELL THE SECURITY GUARD THAT NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO SLEEP ON THE SITE;
/- OFFER A .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1990
- 19 -
- OFFER A REWARD TO ANY EMPLOYEE WHO REPORTS THE PRESENCE OF AN JI: THIS COULD BE PUBLICISED ON POSTERS;
- REPORT ANY SUSPECTED Il’S IMMEDIATELY TO THE POLICE;
- CONTACT YOUR LOCAL POLICE DIVISIONAL COMMANDER AND ASK FOR A VISIT FROM THE CRIME PREVENTION OFFICER WHO CAN ADVISE ON SITE SECURITY;
- FULLY BRIEF ALL SUPERVISORY STAFF ON THE PROCEDURES AND HAVE A RECORD OF THIS IN A COMPANY WRITTEN CODE OF PRACTICE.
MR STRACHAN SAID WHILE HE HOPED THESE GUIDELINES WERE HELPFUL, HE REITERATED THAT THE DECISION ON WHETHER THE MEASURES TAKEN CONSTITUTED AN ADEQUATE DEFENCE WAS A MATTER FOR THE COURTS.
IT WAS POINTED OUT BY MR STRACHAN THAT THE MAJORITY OF Il’S CAME TO HONG KONG FOR ECONOMIC REASONS AND THAT THE RECENT LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS WERE NECESSARY BECAUSE THE PENALTIES PREVIOUSLY IN FORCE WERE NO LONGER HAVING THE DESIRED DETERRENT EFFECT.
MR STRACHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED THE NEED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE FACT THAT THE PRESENT LABOUR MARKET IN HONG KONG WAS VERY TIGHT, AND THAT THERE WERE VERY CLOSE ECONOMIC AND FAMILY LINKS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND SOUTHERN CHINA.
HE ALSO EXPLAINED THAT THERE WERE THREE LEGAL AVENUES THROUGH WHICH THESE NEEDS COULD BE MET. THESE WERE THE ONE-WAY PERMIT SYSTEM THROUGH WHICH 75 PERSONS A DAY OR 27,000 A YEAR ARE PERMITTED TO ENTER HONG KONG FROM CHINA; PERMISSION OF ENTRY FOR EMPLOYMENT FOR THOSE WITH PROFESSIONAL AND MANAGERIAL SKILLS WHICH ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY IN HONG KONG; AND THE RECENTLY EXPANDED IMPORTATION OF LABOUR SCHEME WHICH WILL ALLOW SOME 15,000 TECHNICIANS AS WELL AS SKILLED AND SEMISKILLED WORKERS TO ENTER HONG KONG OVER THE NEXT 12 MONTHS.
MR STRACHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT REGULARLY REVIEWED AND ADJUSTED ITS IMMIGRATION POLICIES TO ENSURE THAT THEY REMAINED CONSISTENT WITH THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL OBJECTIVES OF HONG KONG.
"BUT THE GOVERNMENT ALSO BELIEVES STRONGLY THAT IMMIGRATION NEEDS TO BE REGULATED PROPERLY THROUGH LEGAL MEANS, AND NOT THROUGH TURNING A BLIND EYE TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.
"THIS IS IN THE INTERESTS NOT ONLY OF HONG KONG, BUT ALSO OF THE IMMIGRANTS THEMSELVES, WHO DESERVE PROTECTION FROM EXPLOITATION BY THOSE WHO ORGANISE ILLEGAL ENTRY, AND BY THE SMALL NUMBER OF ■UNSCRUPULOUS EMPLOYERS," HE SAID.
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/20 ........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1990
- 20 -
QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED
******
FIRMS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR EXPERIENCED A MILD IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990 WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF THE QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
IN GENERAL, FIRMS IN THIS SECTOR EXPECT BUSINESS TO REMAIN RELATIVELY STABLE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER, ALTHOUGH THE EXPECTATIONS OF FIRMS IN INDIVIDUAL INDUSTRIES VARY.
THESE COMPARISONS ARE, HOWEVER, LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS. AS FAR AS MANUFACTURING ACTIVITY IS CONCERNED, THE THIRD ■ QUARTER AND THE FOURTH QUARTER OF A YEAR ARE SEASONALLY MORE ACTIVE PERIODS THAN THE SECOND QUARTER.
FIRMS IN MOST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, PARTICULARLY THOSE IN THE FOOD, BEVERAGE AND TOBACCO AND THE PRINTING INDUSTRIES, EXPERIENCED AN IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990. ON THE OTHER HAND, BUSINESS IN THE TEXTILES AND PLASTICS INDUSTRIES REMAINED RELATIVELY STABLE OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
AS REGARDS THE BUSINESS PROSPECTS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER, FIRMS IN THE WEARING APPAREL, ELECTRONICS, PRINTING, AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES ANTICIPATE A FURTHER IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS OVER THE THIRD QUARTER, WHILE FIRMS IN THE TEXTILES AND PLASTICS INDUSTRIES EXPECT A DETERIORATION IN BUSINESS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.
BUSINESS IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR REMAINED STABLE IN THE THIRD QUARTER. FIRMS IN THIS SECTOR GENERALLY EXPECT THE SITUATION TO CONTINUE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.
FIRMS IN THE DISTRIBUTIVE AND CATERING TRADES SECTOR GENERALLY EXPERIENCED AN IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS IN THE THIRD QUARTER, EXCEPT FOR HOTELS WHICH REPORTED A MILD DETERIORATION IN BUSINESS.
REGARDING THE BUSINESS OUTLOOK FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER, FIRMS IN THIS SECTOR, PARTICULARLY HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS, EXPECT AN IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS.
IN THE OTHER SERVICES SECTOR, WHILE BANKS AND FIRMS IN THE TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION SERVICES EXPERIENCED AN IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS IN THE THIRD QUARTER, BUSINESS IN THE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED SERVICES REMAINED STABLE.
REGARDING THE BUSINESS PROSPECTS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER, FIRMS IN THE TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION SERVICES AND THE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED SERVICES EXPECT BUSINESS TO REMAIN STABLE, WHILE BANKS EXPECT A DETERIORATION IN BUSINESS.
ABOUT 1,000 FIRMS FROM VARIOUS INDUSTRIES AND TRADES, FORMING A CROSS-SECTION OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, PARTICIPATED IN THE SURVEY. THEY WERE ASKED ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS EXPERIENCES AND EXPECTATIONS AS WELL AS THE BUSINESS PROBLEMS THEY FACED.
/IN THE ........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1990
21
IN THE THIRD QUARTER. OF 1990, FIRMS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR GENERALLY EXPERIENCED LABOUR SHORTAGES, PARTICULARLY IN SKILLED LABOUR; HIGH MATERIAL PRICES; INSUFFICIENT BUSINESS ORDERS OR CONTRACTS; AND HIGH WAGE RATES.
THE PROBLEM OF HIGH MATERIAL PRICES WAS PARTICULARLY WIDESPREAD FOR FIRMS IN THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY. THESE PROBLEMS ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, FIRMS REPORTED PROBLEMS OF HIGH WAGE RATES; SHORTAGE OF LABOUR, PARTICULARLY SKILLED LABOUR; AND PRICE COMPETITION FROM LOCAL FIRMS IN THE THIRD QUARTER. THESE PROBLEMS ARE EXPECTED TO SUSTAIN IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.
IN THE DISTRIBUTIVE AND CATERING TRADES SECTOR AND OTHER SERVICES SECTOR, A SIGNIFICANT PROPORTION OF FIRMS CITED SHORTAGE OF STAFF GENERALLY; HIGH STAFF TURNOVER; HIGH STAFF COSTS; AND PRICE COMPETITION AS THEIR MAJOR BUSINESS PROBLEMS IN THE THIRD QUARTER.
IN ADDITION TO THESE PROBLEMS, HOTELS WERE PARTICULARLY AFFECTED BY THE PROBLEM OF INSUFFICIENT BUSINESS WHILE BANKS REPORTED THE PROBLEM OF SHORTAGE OF EXPERIENCED STAFF. THESE SITUATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO PERSIST IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.
ACCORDING TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, RESULTS OF THE QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY, 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 FROM A SHORT-TERM PERSPECTIVE.
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 THIRD QUARTER OF 1990 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 FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990.
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 EMPLOYMENT SIZE GROUP.
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 THE PUBLIC MAY PURCHASE COPIES OF THE SURVEY REPORT FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, OR FROM THE PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT $5.50 PER COPY.
FURTHER DETAILS OF THE QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 839 3223.
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1990
- 22 -
TRADE DEPT’S RESPONSE TO EC’S IMPOSITION OF PROVISIONAL ANTI-DUMPING DUTY ♦ ♦ t * ♦
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES HAS IMPOSED A PROVISIONAL ANTI-DUMPING DUTY AT A RATE OF 2.4 PER CENT ON IMPORTS OF AUDIO CASSETTE TAPES FROM HONG KONG, EXCEPT FOR FOUR COMPANIES, WITH EFFECT FROM TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRADE DEPARTMENT SAID THE PROCEEDING WAS INITIATED IN JANUARY 1989 AGAINST FIVE HONG KONG COMPANIES WHICH PARTICIPATED IN THE INVESTIGATION INTO DUMPING ALLEGATIONS.
FOUR OF THEM -------------- SWIRE MAGNETICS, MAGNETIC ENTERPRISES, FORWARD ELECTRONICS AND TOMEI MAGNETICS ---- WERE FOUND TO HAVE ZERO OR NEGLIGIBLE DUMPING MARGINS AND WERE, THEREFORE, NOT SUBJECT TO ANY ANTI-DUMPING MEASURE.
THE REMAINING COMPANY WAS FOUND TO HAVE A DUMPING MARGIN OF 2.4 PER CENT AND A PROVISIONAL ANTI-DUMPING DUTY AT THE SAME RATE HAS NOW BEEN IMPOSED ON IT, AS WELL AS ON OTHER HONG KONG COMPANIES WHICH DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE INVESTIGATION.
THE SPOKESMAN DISPUTED THE COMMISSION’S RATIONALE FOR IMPOSING THE ANTI-DUMPING DUTY.
’’THE NORMAL SCENARIO ASSOCIATED WITH DUMPING IS THAT AN EXPORTER USES HIGH PRICES IN A PROTECTED DOMESTIC MARKET IN ORDER TO REDUCE PRICES OVERSEAS AND THUS UNDERMINE THE DOMESTIC INDUSTRY OF THE IMPORTING COUNTRIES.
’’HONG KONG HAS AN OPEN ECONOMY AND DOES NOT HAVE A PROTECTED MARKET. IT IS MOST UNLIKELY THAT HONG KONG COMPANIES, MOST OF WHICH ARE OF SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZE, WOULD DUMP.
"WE HAVE DRAWN THE COMMISSION’S ATTENTION TO THESE FACTS, BUT REGRET THAT THE COMMISSION HAS NOT TAKEN THEM INTO ACCOUNT WHEN DECIDING ON THE IMPOSITION OF PROVISIONAL ANTI-DUMPING MEASURES.
"WE SHALL CONTINUE TO CONSULT WITH THE COMMISSION WITH A VIEW TO SEEKING TERMINATION OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST HONG KONG," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
EXPRESSING THE DEPARTMENT’S DISSATISFACTION OVER THE RULING, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT IMPORTS OF THE AUDIO CASSETTE TAPES IN QUESTION FROM HONG KONG INTO THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY HAD BEEN VERY SMALL, OCCUPYING ONLY ABOUT 1.5 PER CENT OF THE EEC MARKET SHARE.
"IN ADDITION, THE COMMISSION’S INVESTIGATIONS SHOW THAT FOUR OF THE FIVE COMPANIES INVESTIGATED ARE EXONERATED. AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND, IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT IMPORTS FROM HONG KONG COULD HAVE CAUSED ANY SIGNIFICANT INJURY TO THE EEC INDUSTRY," HE SAID.
THE FINAL DETERMINATION ON THE DEFINITIVE ANTI-DUMPING DUTY WILL BE MADE WITHIN SIX MONTHS.
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/23......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1990
- 23 -
NEW AIR CARGO TERMINAL TO BE COMPLETED NEXT YEAR
******
THE COMPLETION OF THE $1.3 BILLION AIR CARGO TERMINAL PROJECT AT KAI TAK LATER NEXT YEAR IS A SIGNIFICANT VOTE OF CONFIDENCE, NOT ONLY IN HONG KONG’S FUTURE GENERALLY BUT ALSO IN ITS FUTURE AS AN AIR CARGO CENTRE OF WORLD IMPORTANCE, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE TOPPING OUT CEREMONY OF TERMINAL TWO OF HACTL THIS MORNING, MRS CHAN SAID THE EFFICIENT PROCESSING OF AIR CARGO WAS VITAL IN SUPPORTING HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC GROWTH.
"ABOUT 30 PER CENT OF OUR EXPORT, 20 PER CENT OF OUR IMPORTS AND 16 PER CENT OF OUR RE-EXPORTS WERE CARRIED BY AIR IN 1989,” SHE SAID.
SHE NOTED THAT $36.5 BILLION WORTH OF FASHION WEAR AND WATCHES AND CLOCKS ALONE WERE EXPORTED THROUGH TERMINAL ONE LAST YEAR.
"TERMINAL ONE IS ALREADY OPERATING BEYOND ITS DESIGN CAPACITY. THE SECOND TERMINAL WOULD ENABLE HACTL TO HANDLE UP TO A STAGGERING 1.4 MILLION TONNES OF AIR CARGO PER YEAR.
"WITH TERMINAL TWO OPERATING, THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR KAI TAK TO TAKE ON AN EVEN MORE PROMINENT ROLE IN THE RECORD BOOKS AS REGARDS AIR CARGO.
"THIS PROMINENCE HAS BEEN WON OVER A RELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME," SHE SAID, ADDING THAT IN 1947, 846 TONNES OF AIR CARGO PASSED THROUGH KAI TAK AND IN 1976, WHEN HACTL COMMENCED OPERATION 163,000 TONNES WERE HANDLED.
"BY 1983, ONLY SEVEN YEARS LATER, THE CARGO TO 368,000 TONNES. AND TODAY, ANOTHER SEVEN THROUGHPUT HAS ONCE MORE DOUBLED," SHE SAID.
THROUGHPUT DOUBLED
YEARS LATER THAT
MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT OPENING OF THE NEW AIRPORT, KAI RESULTING FROM A STEADY INCREASE
OVER THE COMING YEARS, UNTIL THE TAK WOULD FACE ENORMOUS PRESSURES IN TRAFFIC GROWTH.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO ENHANCING THE CAPACITY OF KAI TAK IN THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE WAY BUT OUR EFFORTS MUST GO HAND IN HAND WITH THE ENDEAVOURS OF THE PRIVATE OPERATORS AT KAI TAK IF WE ARE TO MEET SUCCESSFULLY THE CHALLENGES IN THE YEARS AHEAD," SHE SAID.
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/24.........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1990
- 24 -
NEW DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES ******
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE APPOINTMENT OF MR BILLY LAM CHUNG-LUN TO SUCCEED MR ROY KILVERT AS DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES IN JANUARY 1991.
MR KILVERT, WHO JOINED THE GOVERNMENT IN MAY 1951 AS AN ASSISTANT STORES OFFICER, WILL BE RETIRING AFTER 40 YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE. HE BECAME THE DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES IN 1979 AND IS ONE OF THE LONGEST SERVING HEADS OF DEPARTMENT IN THE GOVERNMENT.
AGED 42, MR LAM JOINED THE GOVERNMENT AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN 1970. HE ROSE TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE B IN 1985. HE ATTENDED THE SLOAN PROGRAM AT THE STANFORD UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS FROM 1985 TO 1986 AND OBTAINED A MASTERS DEGREE IN MANAGEMENT SCIENCE.
MR LAM HAS SERVED IN A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND BRANCHES.’
FROM JUNE 1986 TO DECEMBER 1987, HE WAS HEAD OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE AFFAIRS OFFICE IN SAN FRANCISCO. HE WAS DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS FROM JUNE 1988 TO AUGUST 1989, BEFORE HE TOOK UP HIS PRESENT APPOINTMENT AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES.
--------0-----------
TAR YIELD OF CIGARETTES DECREASED *****
THE AVERAGE TAR YIELD AMONG THE 109 TOP BEST-SELLING CIGARETTES IN HONG KONG HAS DECREASED BY 0.5MG/CIGARETTE TO
14.5MG/CIGARETTE COMPARED WITH THE FIGURE OF 15.OMG/CIRGARETTE IN THE LAST SURVEY, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST SIX-MONTH REVIEW OF TAR AND NICOTINE FIELDS OF CIGARETTES RELEASED BY THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY). THE AVERAGE NICOTINE YIELD OF CIGARETTES HAS, HOWEVER, REMAINED AT THE SAME LEVEL OF 1.27MG/CIGARETTE AS IN THE LAST SURVEY. A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE FIGURES FROM THE LATEST ANALYSIS SHOW THAT THE AVERAGE TAR YIELD HAS FALLEN TO A RECORD LOW SINCE THE COMMENCEMENT OF PERIODICAL SURVEYS OF TAR AND NICOTINE YIELDS OF CIGARETTES SOME SEVEN YEARS AGO.
’’APART FROM THE REDUCTION IN THE AVERAGE TAR YIELD, THE PRESENT SURVEY HAS NOT REVEALED ANY SIGNIFICANT CHANGE FROM THE POSITION SIX MONTHS AGO,” HE ADDED.
/AS IN ........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1990
- 25 -
AS IN PREVIOUS SURVEYS, NO HIGH TAR CIGARETTES WERE FOUND IN THIS TEST PROGRAMME AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF BRANDS OF VARIOUS TAR GROUPS BETWEEN THE CURRENT AND PREVIOUS SURVEYS HAD REMAINED VERY MUCH THE SAME.
A FULL REPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S FINDINGS ON TAR AND NICOTINE YIELDS HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST EDITION OF "CHOICE" MAGAZINE.
------0--------
GUIDELINES ON BRINGING SCHOOL DROPOUTS BACK TO CLASSROOM ISSUED
*****
GUIDELINES ON BRINGING SCHOOL DROPOUTS BACK TO THE CLASSROOM ARE BEING ISSUED TO SCHOOLS TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
RECEIVING THE GUIDELINES ARE ALL GOVERNMENT AND AIDED PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS, PREVOCATIONAL AND CAPUT SCHOOLS, ASSISTED PRIVATE SCHOOLS, PRIVATE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS IN THE BOUGHT PLACE SCHEME, AND SPECIAL SCHOOLS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID THE NEW ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE PLACEMENT OF PUPILS APPROVED THE GUIDELINES AT ITS FIRST MEETING HELD ON OCTOBER 27. .
"WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT, DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICERS WILL PLACE DROPOUT PUPILS TO SCHOOLS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GUIDELINES AND ONLY DIFFICULT CASES WHICH CANNOT BE PLACED WILL BE REFERRED TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, THE ORIGINAL SCHOOL WHERE THE PUPIL DROPPED OUT SHOULD HAVE THE OBLIGATION TO RE-ADMIT THE PUPIL, HE SAID.
"THE OBVIOUS ADVANTAGE OF THIS ARRANGEMENT IS THAT THE PUPIL CAN ADJUST TO THE ENVIRONMENT EASILY," THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
HE ADDED THAT IF BEING RE-ADMITTED TO THE ORIGINAL SCHOOL WOULD AFFECT THE PUPIL’S MOTIVATION IN STUDY OR CAUSE OTHER PROBLEMS, A TRANSFER TO A MORE SUITABLE SCHOOL WOULD BE CONSIDERED.
BUT THE PHYSICAL LOCATION OF THE NEW SCHOOL IN RELATION TO THE PUPIL’S HOME SHOULD ALSO BE CONSIDERED.
SCHOOLS HAVE ALSO BEEN ADVISED THAT:
* A SCHOOL WITH MORE VACANCIES SHOULD HAVE MORE OBLIGATION TO ADMIT THE PUPIL;
* IN GENERAL, THE ABILITY BAND OF THE PUPIL SHOULD NOT BE TOO DIFFERENT FROM THOSE OF THE OTHER PUPILS OF THE NEW SCHOOL;
AND
* IN PRINCIPLE, NO DISTINCTION SHOULD BE MADE BETWEEN GOVERNMENT, AIDED OR BOUGHT-PLACE PRIVATE SCHOOLS ON THE PLACEMENT OF THESE PUPILS.
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/26 .....
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1990
- 26 -
SEMINAR FOR PRESSURE EQUIPMENT PERSONNEL
*****
THE PRESSURE EQUIPMENT DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL ORGANISE A TWO-DAY RESIDENTIAL SEMINAR FOR ITS STAFF, APPOINTED EXAMINERS AND PERSONNEL FROM THE RELATED TRADES FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE SEMINAR WILL PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR STAFF OF THE DIVISION TO APPRAISE THEIR PROFESSIONAL AND ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITIES IN A DETACHED MANNER AND TO EXCHANGE VIEWS WITH OTHER PERSONNEL-IN THE FIELD ON TOPICS OF COMMON CONCERN AND INTEREST.
TWO EXPERTS FROM JAPAN AND LOCAL SPECIALISTS WILL ADDRESS THE GATHERING ON SUCH TOPICS AS QUALITY CONTROL, MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF BOILERS AS WELL AS SAFETY IN THE USE OF STEAM RECEIVER IN THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY.
THE SEMINAR WILL BE OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL, MR HO SAI-CHU, TOMORROW AT 10.15 AM AT LEI YUE MUN PARK HOLIDAY VILLAGE.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE PRESSURE EQUIPMENT DIVISION SEMINAR WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 10.15 AM AT LEI YUE MUN PARK HOLIDAY VILLAGE TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
A VAN (AM 5605) TAKING MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO THE VENUE WILL LEAVE HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, AT 9 AM.
------0-----------
PAC HEARINGS NEXT WEEK *****
OPEN HEARING OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE WILL BE HELD NEXT WEEK FOLLOWING THE TABLING OF THE REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE REPORT IS ON THE ACCOUNTS OF THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31 AND THE RESULTS OF VALUE FOR MONEY AUDITS.
TWO SESSIONS OF PUBLIC HEARINGS WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER IN THE MORNINGS OF NOVEMBER 19 (MONDAY) AND NOVEMBER 22 (THURSDAY), STARTING AT 9 AM.
/CONTROLLING OFFICERS .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1990
27
controlling officers will appear before the committee in
RELATION TO POINTS MADE IN THE REPORT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
COPIES OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT’S REPORT WILL BE BOXED. NOTE THAT REPORTERS ATTENDING THE OPEN HEARINGS NEXT WEEK BRING A COPY OF THE REPORT WITH THEM.
- - 0 - -
FINANCE COMMITTEE TO MEET ON FRIDAY *****
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A MEETING ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 16) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE COMMITTEE’S PROCEEDINGS FROM THE CHAMBER’S PUBLIC GALLERIES AND THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY TELEPHONING 844 0899.
THE AGENDA OF THE MEETING WILL BE SENT BY FACSIMILE.
- - 0 - -
MUSIC OFFICE TO ENHANCE MUSIC TRAINING FOR YOUTH AND DISABLED
*****
ONE OF THE LONG-TERM OBJECTIVES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE IS TO PROVIDE FOR THE UNDERPRIVILEGED, ESPECIALLY THE DISABLED, WITH THE OPPORTUNITY OF MUSIC APPRECIATION AND TRAINING, THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR OF MUSIC OFFICE, MRS AGNES ALLCOCK, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE VICTORIA LIONS CLUB, MRS ALLCOCK SAID THE NEEDS OF THE PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY HANDICAPPED FOR MUSIC TRAINING HAD NOT BEEN NEGLECTED.
MRS ALLCOCK SAID ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE INCLUDED CHORAL CLASSES FOR PATIENTS AT THE LAI CHI KOK HOSPITAL AND PIANO-AND-THEORY CLASSES FOR STUDENTS OF THE EBENEZER SCHOOL AND HOME FOR THE BLIND. NO TUITION FEES FOR THESE CLASSES WERE CHARGED SO AS TO ENCOURAGE MAXIMUM PARTICIPATION.
/"IN THE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1990
- 28 -
"IN THE PAST YEAR, THE MUSIC OFFICE HAD PRESENTED VARIOUS CONCERTS AT HOME, HOSTELS, AND SPECIAL SCHOOLS FOR THE DISABLED.
"THIS YEAR, WE HAD TAKEN ACTIVE STEPS TO INCREASE OUR INPUT IN THIS AREA. WE HAVE ACTIVELY INVITED MEMBERS OF ORGANISATIONS FOR THE DISABLED TO ATTEND OUR MAJOR CONCERTS," MRS ALLCOCK SAID.
SHE SAID IN APRIL THIS YEAR, THE MUSIC OFFICE, WAI YIN CLUB, TVB AND THE ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS JOINTLY ORGANISED A CHARITY CONCERT TO RAISE A TOTAL OF $200,000 FOR THE HONG KONG ARTS WITH THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION TO PROMOTE MUSIC AMONG THE DISABLED.
WHILE THE MUSIC OFFICE WAS SET UP TO RUN A FULL-SCALE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TRAINING PROGRAMME, BOTH CHINESE AND WESTERN, TO PROMOTE AN INTEREST IN MUSIC ESPECIALLY AMONG THE YOUNGER GENERATION AND TO ENCOURAGE AND ASSIST IN THE ORGANISING OF MUSIC ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG, MRS ALLCOCK SAID MORE THAN 4,000 YOUNG PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 23 WERE CURRENTLY UNDERTAKING TRAINING PROGRAMMES ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE.
"TRAINEES ARE ALSO PROVIDED WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO ATTEND AURAL AND THEORY CLASSES AND MASTERCLASSES, LECTURE-DEMONSTRATIONS AND WORKSHOPS BY VISITING ARTISTS THROUGH WHICH THEIR MUSICAL EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE ARE FURTHER ENHANCED," SHE SAID.
MRS ALLCOCK A1SO POINTED OUT THAT REGULAR MUSIC ACTIVITIES SUCH AS THE YOUTH MUSIC CAMP, THE- HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE MUSIC FESTIVAL AND YOUTH BAND FESTIVAL WERE ORGANISED ANNUALLY FOR THE YOUTH AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
"THE ’MUSIC FOR THE MILLIONS’ CONCERTS, A MUSIC PROMOTION PROGRAMME PERFORMED BY OUR INSTRUCTORS, HAVE BEEN ORGANISED FOR MORE THAN 4,800 TIMES AND HAVE ATTRACTED OVER THREE MILLION AUDIENCE," MRS ALLCOCK SAID.
REVIEWING THEIR CONNECTION WITH OTHER CULTURAL ORGANISATIONS, THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR SAID THE MUSIC OFFICE PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN ADVISING LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND SCHOOLS ON ISSUES PERTAINING TO MUSIC.
"WE ARE INVITED TO SERVE AS OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVES ON THE CULTURE SUB-COMMITTEES OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS, ARTS AND CULTURE ASSOCIATIONS AND DISTRICT CHOIR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES," MRS ALLCOCK SAID.
THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR ALSO SAID INTERNATIONAL MUSIC EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES WERE REGULARLY ORGANISED FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS TO IMPROVE THEIR INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING AND TO WIDEN THEIR HORIZON.
DURING THE PAST YEARS, THE MUSIC OFFICE HAD ORGANISED OVERSEAS TOURS FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS TO AUSTRALIA, CHINA, CYPRUS AND THE UK. VISITING GROUPS FROM THESE COUNTRIES WERE ALSO INVITED TO PLAY WITH YOUNG MUSICIANS IN HONG KONG.
"IN JULY THIS YEAR, THE 66-STRONG HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA TOURED USA AND CANADA, GIVING A TOTAL OF 12 HIGHLY-ACCLAIMED PERFORMANCES IN VANCOUVER, SAN FRANCISCO AND LOS ANGELES. AND WE ARE NOW PLANNING TO BRING THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ABROAD NEXT YEAR,” MRS ALLCOCK ADDED.
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/29 .....
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1990
- 29 -
CARE FOR ELDERLY DAY IN YAU TSIM *****
A ’’CARE FOR ELDERLY” ACTIVITIES DAY WILL 4,000 SENIOR RESIDENTS AT THE KOWLOON PARK PIAZZA ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 18).
BE HELD FOR OVER FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM
IT IS ORGANISED BY THE YAU ELDERLY PROJECT WORKING GROUP TO AGED.
TSIM DISTRICT FESTIVAL CARE PROMOTE THE CARE /ND WELFARE
FOR OF
THE
THE
THERE WILL BE FREE MEDICAL CHECK-UP AND INTRODUCING WELFARE SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY PRODUCTS, AN OPERA SHOW AND A ’’RIGHTS FOR THE AGED
ADVICE, DISPLAY ” QUIZ.
GAME STALLS
OF HEALTH
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS ARE NOW
DISTRICT OFFICE,
AVAILABLE
15 MIDDLE ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI.
AT
THE
YAU
TSIM
AN OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT OFFICIATING WILL BE THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH;
CHIU YU-HEI;
11.30
AM
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR OFFICER (WEST KOWLOON),
DISTRICT
MRS PUN LEE WAI-CHUN.
AND REGIONAL
MISS FESTIVAL
THAT ANNIE
DAY.
TANG;
ORGANISING
SOCIAL WELFARE
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ELDERLY” ACTIVITIES DAY AND ITS OPENING CEREMONY ON SUNDAY JS) AT THE KOWLOON PARK PIAZZA. THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE 11.30 AM.
’’CARE FOR (NOVEMBER HELD AT
---------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK/CHINA RELATIONS ARE CENTRAL TO SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION: CS .............. 1
CHIEF SECRETARY CONTINUES U.S. TOUR ...................................... 2
SURVEYORS PLAY IMPORTANT ROLE IN HK’S DEVELOPMENT......................... 4
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR JULY - SEPTEMBER.......... 5
STATISTICS ON TRADE WITH CHINA OF OUTWARD PROCESSING NATURE RELEASED ..... 7
IMPORTANCE OF SAFE PRESSURE EQUIPMENT STRESSED............................ 9
REMINDER FOR WOMEN BORN BETWEEN 1941-46 .................................. 10
HONG KONG FILM FOCUS ..................................................... 11
EDUCATIONAL SPIRIT OF FMO PRAISED......................................... 12
REMOVAL OF TREASURY HEADQUARTERS ......................................... 13
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES CLEARED TO IMPROVE ENVIRONMENT ........................ 14
246 VBP RETURN TO VIETNAM ................................................ 14
CHILDREN'S DRAWING AND COLOURING CONTEST ON SUNDAY ....................... 15
FSD DEMONSTRATIONS IN SHA TIN ............................................ 16
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SEMINAR IN TAI PO................................ 16
UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE IN CAUSEWAY BAY TO BE CLOSED....................... 17
ARTS CARNIVAL IN VICTORIA PARK............................................ 18
DFCC MEMBERS VISIT DETECTIVE TRAINING SCHOOL ............................. 18
SEMINAR FOR TIN WAN AND SHEK PAI WAN RESIDENTS ........................... 19
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1990
- 1 -
HK/CHINA RELATIONS ARE CENTRAL TO SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION: CS *****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD SAID IN SEATTLE ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 14) THAT HONG KONG’S RELATIONS WITH CHINA WERE CENTRAL TO A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION.
"HONG KONG’S POSITION IN RELATION TO CHINA HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE ESSENTIAL POLITICAL FACT OF LIFE," SAID SIR DAVID WHEN ADDRESSING A JOINT LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE SEATTLE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL, WASHINGTON COUNCIL ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND WASHINGTON STATE CHINA RELATIONS COUNCIL.
"FOR MANY YEARS HONG KONG HAS BEEN DEPENDENT ON CHINA FOR MUCH OF ITS FOOD, AND MORE RECENTLY FOR MOST OF ITS DRINKING WATER.
"FOR NEARLY FOUR DECADES HONG KONG PEOPLE HAVE KNOWN THAT, IF CHINA CONSIDERED HONG KONG DEVELOPMENTS TO BE SERIOUSLY AT ODDS WITH CHINA’S OWN BASIC NATIONAL INTERESTS, HONG KONG’S SPECIAL POSITION WOULD BE PUT AT RISK," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE CONTACTS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA HAD INCREASED DRAMATICALLY OVER RECENT TIMES.
TEN YEARS AGO THE ONLY WAY FROM HONG KONG TO CHINA WAS TO WALK ACROSS THE RAILWAY BRIDGE AT THE BORDER AND LAST YEAR HONG KONG’S SIX MILLION PEOPLE MANAGED TO MAKE 15 MILLION VISITS ACROSS THE BORDER.
THIS TRANSLATED INTO 14,000 VEHICLES CROSSING THE LAND BORDER EVERYDAY, WITH OTHER TRAVELLERS HAVING THE CHOICE OF PLANE, TRAIN, BOAT, HOVER-FERRY, BUS OR CAR, HE SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID COMMERCE CONTINUED TO DRIVE HONG KONG AND CHINA CLOSER. "WE ARE EACH OTHERS’ LARGEST TRADING PARTNERS AND TRADE CONTINUES TO GROW FURIOUSLY.
"HONG KONG ENTREPRENEURS EMPLOY ABOUT TWO MILLION PEOPLE IN GUANGDONG PROVINCE ALONE - TWO-AND-A-HALF TIMES HONG KONG’S OWN MANUFACTURING WORKFORCE. SOME 50,000 SKILLED HONG KONG PEOPLE WORK REGULARLY INSIDE CHINA,” HE SAID.
AT OFFICIAL LEVEL, SIR DAVID SAID, THERE WERE NOW DAILY CONTACTS ON IMMIGRATION, CRIME, SMUGGLING, TRANSPORT, AND THE ENVIRONMENT WITH THE NEIGHBOURING GUANGDONG PROVINCE.
"BUT HONG KONG AND CHINA STILL HAVE MUCH TO LEARN ABOUT EACH OTHER. MORE AND MORE GROUPS FROM HONG KONG, BUSINESS, PROFESSIONALS AND ACADEMIC, VISIT THE MAINLAND.
"DELEGATIONS FROM ALL OVER CHINA VISIT HONG KONG IN EVER-INCREASING NUMBERS. FOR THOSE WITH A THEORETICAL KNOWLEDGE OF FREE MARKET ECONOMICS HONG KONG’S SUCCESS, ITS JUSTICE AND GOOD ORDER, ARE A POWERFUL ILLUSTRATION," THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
/EXPLAINING WHY .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1990
EXPLAINING WHY THE HONG KONG ECONOMY COULD NOT BE REGARDED IN ISOLATION KROM CHINA, SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE MOST SIGNIFICANT EVENT IN RECENT YEARS FOR HONG KONG HAD BEEN CHINA’S RE-OPENING TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD AND THE ENORMOUS IMPETUS WHICH THIS HAD GIVEN TO DEVELOPMENT THERE AND PARTICULARLY IN THE SOUTH.
"HONG KONG’S DEEP-WATER HARBOUR - THE ONLY ONE IN THE AREA -DEFINES ITS NATURAL ROLE AS THE PRINCIPAL PORT FOR SOUTH CHINA. THAT IS HOW HONG KONG STARTED AND THAT IS WHERE ITS FUTURE LIES," HE SAID.
ON THE QUESTION HOW THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT SAW THE FUTURE, SIR DAVID SAID GOVERNMENT’S PLANNING HORIZONS WERE NOT BOUND BY 1997 AND IT SAW BEYOND THAT DATE INTO THE NEXT CENTURY.
"OUR PLANS ARE BASED ON A CLEAR VISION OF HOW HONG KONG SHOULD POSITION ITSELF FOR THE NEXT CENTURY.
"WE SEE HONG KONG AS AN IMPORTANT REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ROLE, AS AN ENTREPOT, A MAJOR FINANCIAL AND SERVICES CENTRE AND A MANUFACTURING CENTRE FOR SOPHISTICATED PRODUCTS," SIR DAVID SAID.
NOTING THAT OCCASIONALLY, THERE WERE SUGGESTIONS THAT OTHER CITIES WERE TIPPED TO TAKE OVER HONG KONG’S ROLE, SIR DAVID SAID HE HOPED THAT SUCH CLAIMS WOULD BE GREETED WITH APPROPRIATE SCEPTICISM IN THE STATES.
YOU, LIKE US, KNOW THAT LOCATION IS NOT REPLACEABLE.
"THE SHORTER SEA JOURNEY, THE DAY SAVED ON THE RAILROAD MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE FOR YOU IN COMPETITION.
"FOR HONG KONG THE NATURAL DEEP-WATER PORT GIVES US THE EDGE OVER GUANGZHOU’S RIVER PORT, AND NO OTHER PLACE COMBINES OUR PROXIMITY TO CHINA, CONTACTS AND KNOW-HOW," HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
CHIEF SECRETARY CONTINUES U.S. TOUR * * * * »
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 14) CONTINUED HIS TOUR OF THE WESTERN UNITED STATES IN THE CITY OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON STATE, WITH ANOTHER BUSY SCHEDULE OF SPEECHES, BRIEFINGS AND MEDIA INTERVIEWS.
HIS DAY STARTED WITH A BREAKFAST BRIEFING HOSTED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS FROM THE WASHINGTON COUNCIL ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND THE WASHINGTON STATE CHINA RELATIONS COUNCIL DURING WHICH TALKS FOCUSSED ON THE IMPORTANCE OF TWO-WAY TRADING LINKS BETWEEN WASHINGTON SATE AND HONG KONG, AND ON THE TERRITORY’S COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WITH CHINA.
/SIR DAVID
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1990
- 3 -
SIR DAVID LATER CALLED ON THE MAYOR OF SEATTLE, MR NORMAN RICE. HE NOTED THE SIMILARITY OF THE TWO CITIES WITH THEIR STRATEGIC GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE PACIFIC, WITH SEATTLE BEING ONE OF THE MAIN ENTRY POINTS FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE ON THE WEST COAST.
HE ALSO ATTENDED AN EDITORIAL BOARD MEETING OF THE SEATTLE TIMES.
OVER LUNCH, SIR DAVID ADDRESSED AN AUDIENCE OF 170 MEMBERS AND GUESTS OF THE SEATTLE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL.
A HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY WAS A VISIT TO THE BOEING AIRCRAFT CORPORATION PLANT AT EVERETT, ABOUT 30 MILES NORTH OF SEATTLE IN WASHINGTON STATE.
SIR DAVID WAS MET BY MR WILLIAM SHINEMAN, VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER OF THE EVERETT DIVISION, BOEING COMMERCIAL AIRPLANE GROUP.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE MINISTER OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN WASHINGTON, MR PETER LO, AND THE DIRECTOR OF HONG KONG ECONOMIC AFFAIRS IN SAN FRANCISCO, MR PETER JOHNSON, SIR DAVID WAS THEN TAKEN ON A TOUR OF THE PLANT BY MR LEWIS ZINK, SERVICE MANAGER OF THE EVERETT DIVISION 747/746 PROGRAMMES.
SIR DAVID WATCHED THE VARIOUS STAGES OF AIRLINE ASSEMBLY AT THE 23,400-EMPLOYEE PLANT, INCLUDING THE FINISHING TOUCHES BEING PUT TO A CATHAY PACIFIC BOEING 747 AIRCRAFT WHICH WILL LEAVE THE FACTORY IN DECEMBER TO GO INTO SERVICE WITH CATHAY PACIFIC EARLY NEXT YEAR.
SIR DAVID WAS TOLD HOW THE WIDEBODY ASSEMBLY PLANT AT EVERETT HAD BEEN BUILT BY THE BOEING COMPANY IN 1966 IN ORDER TO MANUFACTURE THE WORLD’S LARGEST AIRLINER -------- THE 747 SUPERJET. THE PLANT CURRENTLY PRODUCES ONE 747 OR 767 EVERY FOUR DAYS.
THE DAY ENDED WITH A RECEPTION HOSTED BY THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION IN SEATTLE, WHERE SIR DAVID MET A NUMBER OF THE CITY’S LEADING BUSINESS EXECUTIVES AND ACADEMICS, AND DINNER.
TOMORROW SIR DAVID LEAVES SEATTLE FOR VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA.
- - 0 - -
/4 ........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1990
4
SURVEYORS PLAY IMPORTANT ROLE IN HE’S DEVELOPMENT
*****
AS THE 1990’S UNFOLD, THERE WILL BE EVEN STRONGER DEMANDS FOR THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY SURVEYORS IN THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING AT THE JOINT ANNUAL DINNER OF THE ROYAL INSTITUTION OF CHARTERED SURVEYORS (HONG KONG BRANCH) AND THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS, SIR PIERS SAID THE HIGH PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS THAT HONG KONG HAD COME TO EXPECT FROM MEMBERS OF THIS PROFESSION WOULD CONTINUE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY WELL.
"JUST AS BEFORE WITH OUR GREAT SURGE OF PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT IN THE SIXTIES, THE SURVEYORS’ PROFESSION WILL PLAY ITS PART IN DEVELOPMENTS THAT WILL AFFECT THE LIFE OF EVERY MEMBER OF THIS COMMUNITY WELL INTO THE NEXT CENTURY.
"IN THE YEARS AHEAD, WE FACE MANY INTERESTING AND, INDEED, EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL THOSE ENGAGED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROPERTY.
"IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN HONG KONG WILL PROBABLY DOMINATE THE SCENE. BUT IN ADDITION, THE PUBLIC HOUSING AND NEW TOWN PROGRAMMES INITIATED IN 1972 TO PROVIDE MODERN ACCOMMODATION FOR SQUATTERS AND LOW INCOME FAMILIES WILL CONTINUE STEADILY," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT THESE PROGRAMMES HAD BEEN A RESOUNDING SUCCESS AND HAD RECEIVED INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION ON MANY OCCASIONS.
"ULTIMATELY, EIGHT NEW TOWNS WILL BE COMPLETED TO HOUSE SOME 3.5 MILLION PEOPLE. TO DATE, WE HAVE ALREADY PASSED THE HALF WAY MARK WITH 2.2 MILLION RESIDENTS LIVING COMFORTABLY IN NEW HOMES.
"I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THE PRIVATE SECTOR WILL BE EQUALLY ACTIVE. THERE ARE MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW OFFICES, SHOPS, APARTMENT BLOCKS AND OTHER FACILITIES," HE ADDED.
HE NOTED THAT NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE WERE AWARE OF THE ROLE WHICH SURVEYORS WERE ALREADY PLAYING IN THE MANY PORT AND AIRPORT PROJECTS.
"LAND SURVEYORS HAVE BEEN CALLED UPON TO MAP OUT AREAS, PROVIDE DATA FOR THE LAND INFORMATION SYSTEM AND DEAL WITH BOUNDARIES," HE SAID.
"AS THE VARIOUS CIVIL ENGINEERING AND BUILDING PROJECTS DEVELOP, QUANTITY SURVEYORS WILL BECOME INVOLVED IN WORKING OUT COST ESTIMATES AND CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENTS.
/"BUILDING SURVEYORS .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1990
- 5 -
"BUILDING SURVEYORS WILL BE INVOLVED IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND BUILDING CONTROLS. VALUATION SURVEYORS ARE BUSY GIVING ADVICE ON DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS AND LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMMES," HE SAID.
SURVEYORS CERTAINLY HAD DONE MUCH TO BUILD UP THE PROPERTY SECTOR IN HONG KONG AS THEY HAD IN OTHER DENSELY POPULATED PARTS OF THE WORLD, SIR PIERS POINTED OUT.
HE NOTED THAT THE VALUE OF LAND HAD BEEN OF ENORMOUS HELP IN DRIVING HONG KONG’S ECONOMY AND SURVEYORS, TOGETHER WITH ARCHITECTS, LAWYERS, BANKERS, INVESTMENT MANAGERS HAD THRIVED IN HONG KONG’S ECONOMY DRIVEN AT VARIOUS TIMES BY PROPERTY INVESTMENT.
"AND, OF COURSE, THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO OFFER THEIR SERVICES IN OTHER TOTALLY UNRELATED FIELD, THUS, CONTRIBUTING TO THE GROWTH OF HONG KONG AS A GREAT SERVICE CENTRE," SIR PIERS SAID.
"HENCE, THE SEEDING PROVIDED BY THE PROPERTY SECTOR HAS BEEN OF ENORMOUS IMPORTANCE TO THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG AS A COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL CENTRE," HE ADDED.
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR JULY - SEPTEMBER
******
BOTH THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AND THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE REMAINED STABLE AT A LOW LEVEL DURING THE PERIOD JULY - SEPTEMBER 1990, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR JULY - SEPTEMBER 1990 WAS 1.7 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH 1.6 PER CENT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JUNE 1990 AND 1.4 PER CENT FOR THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER.
THE INCREASE OF 0.1 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT OVER THE PRECEDING THREE-MONTH PERIOD IS STATISTICALLY NOT SIGNIFICANT WHILE THE INCREASE OF 0.3 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT OVER THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER IS STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS IN JULY - SEPTEMBER 1990 WAS ESTIMATED AT 47,100, COMPARED WITH 43,900 IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JUNE 1990 AND 37,500 IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN 1989.
THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR JULY - SEPTEMBER 1990 WAS 1.0 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH 0.9 PER CENT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JUNE 1990 AND 0.6 PER CENT FOR THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD OF 1989.
INCREASE OF 0.1 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT OVER THE PRECEDING r .. ..-.Y phl.-.,is STATISTICALLY NOT SIGNIFICANT WHILE THE INCREASE ; i. \ ,'iJ (STAGE POINT OVER THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD OF 1989 IS STAT. .'.TICALLY SIGNIFICANT .
/THE ESTIMATED .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1990
6
THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS IN JULY -SEPTEMBER 1990 WAS 28,800, COMPARED WITH 26,100 IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JUNE 1990 AND 17,400 IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING SEPTEMBER 1989.
CONSISTENT WITH THE CURRENT RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION (ILO), PERSONS WHO WORKED LESS THAN 35 HOURS A WEEK DUE TO ECONOMIC REASONS (SUCH AS SLACK WORK, MATERIAL SHORTAGE, MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN AND INABILITY TO FIND FULL-TIME WORK) WERE REGARDED AS UNDEREMPLOYED ONLY IF THEY WERE EITHER SEEKING OR AVAILABLE FOR MORE WORK.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS SAID THAT BECAUSE THE PROPORTION OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS (FOR EXAMPLE PEOPLE WHO HAVE JUST LEFT SCHOOL) VARIES FROM MONTH TO MONTH, UNEMPLOYMENT RATES THAT HAD BEEN SEASONALLY ADJUSTED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE VARIATIONS IN THE NUMBER OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS SHOULD BE USED IN MAKING COMPARISONS OVER TIME.
THE COMMISSIONER ADDED THAT, BASED ON A SYSTEM OF PROVISIONAL COUNTS, THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATES COVERING THE LATEST THREE-MONTH PERIOD COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE WITHIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE SURVEY. THESE PROVIDE AN EARLY INDICATION OF THE LATEST UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT SITUATION.
THE PROVISIONAL SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR AUGUST - OCTOBER 1990 WAS 1.5 PER CENT AND THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 1.0 PER CENT-
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS WERE OBTAINED FROM A CONTINUOUS GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY FOR JULY - SEPTEMBER 1990 COVERED A QUARTERLY SAMPLE OF SOME 11,400 HOUSEHOLDS OR 41,000 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 SEPTEMBER 1990 WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AROUND DECEMBER 20 AT $11.50 PER COPY.
------0 - -
/7........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1990
7
STATISTICS ON TRADE
WITH CHINA
i
< , Li'
OF OUTWARD PROCESSING NATURE RELEASED * * * *
IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990, SOME 64 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S IMPORTS FROM CHINA WAS RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY).
ON THE OTHER HAND, SOME 58 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA WAS FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING; THE FIGURE WAS 80 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, AND 49 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA.
THE CORRESPONDING PROPORTIONS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1989 WERE 57 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS, 54 PER CENT FOR TOTAL EXPORTS, 76 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND 46 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS.
IN JANUARY - JUNE 1990, SOME 61 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S IMPORTS FROM CHINA WAS RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING.
ON THE OTHER HAND, SOME 57 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA WAS FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING; THE FIGURE WAS 79 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, AND 48 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA.
THE CORRESPONDING PROPORTIONS IN JANUARY - JUNE 1989 WERE 58 PER CENT FOR IMPORTS, 50 PER CENT FOR TOTAL EXPORTS, 74 PER CENT FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND 41 PER CENT FOR RE-EXPORTS.
TO PROVIDE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE NATURE AND IMPORTANCE OF OUTWARD PROCESSING IN CHINA BY HONG KONG FIRMS, THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN CONDUCTING A SAMPLE SURVEY AS FROM THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988 TO DISTINGUISH HONG KONG’S EXPORTS TO CHINA -BOTH DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS - INTO THOSE WHICH ARE FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING AND THOSE WHICH ARE NOT.
THE SCOPE OF THE SURVEY HAS ALSO BEEN EXTENDED AS FROM THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989 SO AS TO SEGREGATE HONG KONG’S IMPORTS FROM CHINA INTO THOSE WHICH ARE RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING AND THOSE WHICH ARE NOT. THE RESULTS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990 ARE NOW AVAILABLE.
TN VALUE TERMS, SOME $36,796 MILLION OF IMPORTS FROM CHINA TN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990 WERE RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 33 PER CENT OVER THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING TN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990, AT $22,923 MILLION, WAS 11 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THAT IN THE SAME QUARTER A YEAR AGO.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING GREW BY 12 PER CENT TO $9,398 MILLION AND 9 PER CENT TO $13,526 MILLION RESPECTIVELY.
IN JANUARY - JUNE 1990, SOME $62,984 MILLION OF IMPORTS FROM CHINA WERE RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 23 PER CENT OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
/THE VALUE
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1990
8
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING IN JANUARY - JUNE 1990, AT $40,497 MILLION, WAS 12 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THAT IN THE SAME PERIOD A YEAR AGO.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING GREW BY 10 PER CENT TO $16,351 MILLION AND 13 PER CENT TO $24,146 MILLION RESPECTIVELY.
THE ESTIMATES FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990 AND JANUARY - JUNE 1990 AND THE CORRESPONDING CHANGES OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989 ARE SUMMARISED IN THE TABLE BELOW.
ESTIMATED VALUE AND PROPORTION OF OUTWARD PROCESSING TRADE FOR IMPORTS FROM CHINA AND EXPORTS (DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS) TO CHINA
2ND QUARTER OF 1990 AND JANUARY - JUNE 1990
TRADE TYPE ESTIMATED VALUE OF OUTWARD PROCESSING TRADE ESTIMATED PROPORTION OF OUTWARD PROCESSING TRADE
% CHANGE % CHANGE
2ND OVER JAN- OVER 2ND 2ND JAN- JAN-
QTR 2ND QTR JUN. JAN-JUN QTR QTR JUN JUN
1990 1989 1990 1989 1990 1989 1990 1989
— — —
(HKD MN. ) (%) (HKD MN.) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%)
IMPORTS FROM CHINA 36,796 + 33.1 62,984 + 23.0 64.5 57.0 61.3 57.7
TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA 22,923 + 10.5 40,497 + 12.0 58.3 54.3 57.3 50.0
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA 9,398 + 12.3 16,351 + 10.2 80.3 75.9 79.0 74.2
RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA 13,526 + 9.3 24 , 146 + 13.3 49.0 45.5 48.4 40.7
FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY, EXPORTS TO CHINA FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING REFER TO THE EXPORTING OF RAW MATERIALS OR SEMIMANUFACTURES FROM HONG KONG TO CHINA FOR PROCESSING, WITH THE RESULTING PROCESSED GOODS BEING SUBSEQUENTLY RE-IMPORTED INTO HONG KONG.
/IMPORTS FROM .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1990
- 9
IMPORTS FROM CHINA RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING REFER TO THE IMPORTING OF GOODS FROM CHINA OF WHICH ALL OR PART OF THEIR RAW MATERIALS OR SEMI-MANUFACTURES ARE UNDER CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENT EXPORTED FROM OR THROUGH HONG KONG TO CHINA FOR PROCESSING.
A SAMPLE OF TRADE DECLARATIONS IN RESPECT OF HONG KONG’S TRADE WITH CHINA (IMPORTS, DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS) ARE SELECTED FOR ENUMERATION TO OBTAIN THE REQUIRED INFORMATION FROM ESTABLISHMENTS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED SYSTEM OF RECORDING TRADE FLOWS, ALL MOVEMENTS OF GOODS ACROSS THE BORDER, FOR WHATEVER PURPOSE, ARE RECORDED AS EXTERNAL TRADE. THUS THE MOVEMENTS OF GOODS ASSOCIATED WITH OUTWARD PROCESSING ARE CORRECTLY INCLUDED IN THE REGULAR TRADE STATISTICS.
’’THE FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY, HOWEVER, FACILITATE A MORE INFORMED ANALYSIS OF THE NATURE OF HONG KONG-CHINA TRADE.
”IN THIS RESPECT, THE SURVEY RESULTS ARE A USEFUL SUPPLEMENT TO THE REGULAR TRADE STATISTICS,” HE SAID.
SURVEY RESULTS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990 WILL BE INCLUDED IN PART I OF THE SEPTEMBER 1990 ISSUE OF THE ’’HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE”, WHICH WILL BE ON SALE AROUND NOVEMBER 20 AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AT $27 PER COPY.
-----0------
IMPORTANCE OF SAFE PRESSURE EQUIPMENT STRESSED
*****
HONG KONG HAS ACHIEVED A REMARKABLE SAFETY RECORD PRESSURE EQUIPMENT AS A RESULT OF THE COMBINED EFFORTS OF AND PRIVATE SECTORS, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH COUNCIL, MR HO SAI-CHU, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
IN USING THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND
WARNING AGAINST COMPLACENCY, MR HO STRESSED THAT SAFETY MUST REMAIN THE PRIME CONCERN OF EVERYBODY IN THE TRADE AS THE COST OF THE ACCIDENTS IN TERMS OF BOTH HUMAN MISERY AND FINANCIAL LOSS WAS TOO HIGH FOR ANYONE TO BEAR.
MR HO WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF A TWO-DAY RESIDENTIAL SEMINAR OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S PRESSURE EQUIPMENT DIVISION AT I FT YUE MUN PARK HOLIDAY VILLAGE.
THE SEMINAR IS DESIGNED AS A VENUE FOR THE DIVISION’S STAFF AND PERSONNEL FROM RELATED TRADES TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON TOPICS OF COMMON INTEREST IN PRESSURE EQUIPMENT.
/TURNING TO .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1990
- 10 -
TURNING TO THE NEW BOILERS AND PRESSURE VESSELS ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS, MR HO SAID THEY WERE BASED ON THE CONCEPT OF MAKING THE BEST USE OF RESOURCES AND EXPERTISE AVAILABLE IN BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS.
"THE INSPECTION SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR ARE OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE IN ENSURING THE COMPLIANCE OF THE LAW AND SAFETY IN USING PRESSURE EQUIPMENT," HE ADDED.
MR HO ALSO SAID THE PRESSURE EQUIPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE IS A TRIPARTITE ADVISORY BODY COMPRISING PROMINENT MEMBERS FROM USERS, MANUFACTURERS, INSPECTION BODIES AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
"THE ADVICE FROM THIS COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS IS INVALUABLE IN ADOPTING NEW TECHNIQUES IN HONG KONG AND IN ENHANCING THE SAFETY STANDARD IN THE FIELD," HE SAID.
--------0 - -
REMINDER FOR WOMEN BORN BETWEEN 1941-46
*****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED WOMEN BORN FROM 1941 TO 1946 TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS BEFORE DECEMBER 8.
"TO AVOID A LAST-MINUTE RUSH, WOMEN OF THIS AGE GROUP WHO HAVE NOT YET APPLIED FOR A NEW I.D. CARD SHOULD COME FORWARD WITHOUT DELAY," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
"FAILURE TO APPLY FOR A NEW I.D. CARD WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD IS AN OFFENCE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $3,000," HE ADDED.
APPLICANTS CAN GO TO ANYONE OF THE EIGHT NEW I.D. CARD ISSUE OFFICES TO REPLACE THEIR I.D. CARDS.
THE OFFICE HOURS OF THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM, MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS, AND FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM ON SATURDAYS.
ALL OFFICES CLOSE ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
APPLICANTS MAY ALSO MAKE USE OF THE PHONE-IN SERVICE TO ARRANGE FOR AN APPOINTMENT BY CALLING THE OFFICES OF THEIR CHOICE.
THE ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE:
HONG KONG : BASEMENT, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI
TEL. NO. 574 7070
EAST KOWLOON : AMOY PLAZA, SECOND FLOOR, 77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD, NGAU TAU KOK TEL. NO. 755 3669
/WEST KOWLOON .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1990
WEST KOWLOON : CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, YAU MA TEI TEL. NO. 723 2424
TSUEN WAN : EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 29-37 TSUEN FU STREET TEL. NO. 498 0117
SHA TIN : SHOP 8A, SECOND FLOOR, CHANWAY SHOPPING CENTRE, 11-17, SHA TIN CENTRE STREET TEL. NO. 605 9108
YUEN LONG : HOP YICK CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 31 HOP YICK ROAD TEL. NO. 477 1543
TUEN MUN : CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, CHI LOK FA YUEN TEL. NO. 458 0646
SHEUNG SHUT : TSUEN WO TAI LAU, GROUND FLOOR, 82-84 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI TEL. NO. 672 7191
THEY MAY MAKE CALLING 824 0303 FOR USE OF THE 24-HOUR RECORDED MESSAGE SERVICE BY DETAILS OF THE DOCUMENTS TO BE BROUGHT ALONG.
THE SPOKESMAN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR
--------0-----------
HONG KONG FILM FOCUS * * * * *
THE HONG KONG FILM INDUSTRY HAS COME A LONG WAY IN RECENT YEARS, FLOURISHING WITH WRITERS, PRODUCERS AND DIRECTORS INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN FOR THEIR WORKS OF VISION, ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT AND SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS, MR JOHN YAXLEY, HONG KONG COMMISSIONER IN LONDON SAID ON TUESDAY EVENING.
SPEAKING AT A RECEPTION TO MARK "HONG KONG FOCUS" - A SERIES OF.NEW FILMS FROM THE TERRITORY - NOW BEING SCREENED IN THE LONDON FILM FESTIVAL, MR YAXLEY SAID:
"HONG KONG DOES HAVE A STRONG CULTURAL HERITAGE AND A DIVERSE ARTS SCENE WHICH ARE NOT PERHAPS WIDELY APPRECIATED.
"OUR ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE ARTS ARE OFTEN BURIED UNDER THE WEIGHT OF ALL THE MANY OTHER STORIES WHICH COME OUT OF HONG KONG, STORIES WHICH TEND TO HAVE A PREOCCUPATION WITH POLITICS AND ECONOMICS."
/HENCE, THE ........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1990
- 12 -
HENCE, THE HONG KONG FOCUS GIVES THE CITY AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW THAT "WE ARE NOT PHILISTINES" AND, INDEED, THAT IT IS JUST AS PROUD OF ITS FILM MAKERS, PAINTERS, DANCERS, ACTORS, AS IT IS OF ITS INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL SUCCESSES, SAID MR YAXLEY.
THE RECEPTION WAS ATTENDED BY OVER 200 GUESTS, INCLUDING MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT AND OTHER DIGNITARIES.
LADY PAMELA YOUDE, WIFE OF THE FORMER GOVERNOR; MISS CHEUNG MAN-YEE, DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING; REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CHINESE EMBASSY IN LONDON; MEMBERS FROM THE CHINESE COMMUNITY IN THE UK; AND PROMINENT CITY BUSINESSMEN WERE ALSO PRESENT.
MR ALLEN LEE, SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS THE GUEST OF HONOUR. A LIVELY DRAGON DANCE DELIGHTED THE GUESTS AND ENLIVENED THE EVENING.
10 HONG KONG FILMS ARE BEING SCREENED IN THE NATIONAL FILM THEATRE AND OTHER VENUES IN LONDON UNTIL NOVEMBER 25.
-----0------
EDUCATIONAL SPIRIT OF FMO PRAISED
*****
THE CONTINUATION OF STABILITY, PROSPERITY AND PROGRESS OF HONG KONG DEPENDS VERY MUCH ON THE INVOLVEMENT OF ITS UPCOMING YOUTHS WHO ARE EDUCATED AND IDEALISTIC, LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR MR ANDREW WONG SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
ADDRESSING MORE THAN 300 GRADUATES ATTENDING THE 21ST FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION (FMO) SCHOOLS JOINT GRADUATION CEREMONY AT THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL, MR WONG SAID THE FMO SCHOOLS HAD FULFILLED THE ROLE OF PROVIDING EDUCATION EXTENSIVELY TO THE NEXT GENERATION FOR THE COMMUNITY ON A REGIONAL BASIS.
MR WONG SAID THROUGHOUT THE PAST 40 YEARS, THE FMO SCHOOLS HAD MAINTAINED THEIR GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR EDUCATION BY ENSURING THAT THEIR STUDENTS COULD RECEIVE ALL-ROUNDED EDUCATION WHICH PLACED EQUAL EMPHASIS ON ACADEMIC STUDIES AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT.
HE NOTED THAT IMPROVEMENTS IN FISHING AND AQUACULTURE TECHNIQUES AS WELL AS THE GROWING PROPORTION OF FISHERMEN’S CHILDREN IN PURSUING HIGHER EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING CLEARLY DEMONSTRATED THE CONTRIBUTION OF FMO SCHOOLS TO THE EDUCATION OF LOCAL FISHERMEN.
"IN RECENT YEARS, IN LINE WITH THE PRESENT TRENDS OF EDUCATION, THE FMO SCHOOLS HAVE EXTENDED THEIR ENROLMENT, NO LONGER RESTRICTED TO THE FISHING COMMUNITY, SO THAT STUDENTS FROM DIFFERENT FAMILY BACKGROUNDS AND OF DIFFERENT CALIBRES CAN STUDY TOGETHER," MR WONG SAID.
/"THIS CHANGE .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1990
13 -
"THIS CHANGE IS SIMILAR TO THE DIVERSIFICATION OF TRADES AMONG FISHERMEN’S CHILDREN, WHO ARE NOW SERVING SOCIETY IN ALL WALKS OF LIFE, INSTEAD OF STICKING TO FISHING PRACTICES FOR GENERATIONS," HE ADDED.
MR WONG EXPRESSED HIS HEARTFELT APPRECIATION OF THE EDUCATIONAL SPIRIT OF THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION AS WELL AS THE DEVOTION AND EFFORTS OF THE TEACHERS OF FMO SCHOOLS.
TO THE GRADUATES, HE HOPED THAT THEY COULD BASE ON WHAT THEY HAD ALREADY ATTAINED SO FAR TO STRIVE FOR FURTHER ACHIEVEMENTS IN THEIR STUDIES AND CAREERS.
EARLIER IN HIS INTRODUCTORY SPEECH, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, PRAISED MR WONG FOR HIS ENTHUSIASM IN PROMOTING PUBLIC WELFARE AND HIS ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT IN COMMUNITY SERVICES.
DR LEE SAID: "MR WONG IS ALSO A RENOWNED EDUCATIONALIST IN THE TERRITORY, HAVING TRAINED UP SO MANY DEDICATED STUDENTS, HIS CONTRIBUTIONS ARE OBVIOUS TO ALL."
THE FMO SCHOOLS, FORMERLY KNOWN AS FISHERMEN’S CHILDREN’S SCHOOLS, NOW RUNS THE ABERDEEN SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL WITH 487 STUDENTS AND SEVEN OTHER PRIMARY SCHOOLS WITH A STUDENT POPULATION OF ABOUT 850.
------0 -f-----
REMOVAL OF TREASURY HEADQUARTERS
* * * * *
THE TREASURY HEADQUARTERS WILL BE RELOCATED FROM THE WEST WING OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 11 ICE HOUSE STREET, CENTRAL TO WANCHAI TOWER II, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, NEXT MONDAY (NOVEMBER 19) .
STARTING FROM MONDAY, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WANT TO INQUIRE ON RATES, CROWN RENTS AND LAND PREMIA SHOULD COME TO THE 30TH FLOOR WHILE ENQUIRIES ON STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENTS SHOULD BE MADE ON THE 29TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER II.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY ALSO MAKE ENQUIRY BY TELEPHONING 829 5011.
A NEW COLLECTION AND PAYMENT OFFICE WILL BE OPEN ON THE FIRST FLOOR WANCHAI TOWER II COMMENCING FROM MONDAY. HOWEVER, THE EXISTING CENTRAL SUB-TREASURY AT 11 ICE HOUSE STREET, CENTRAL WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE.
THESE TWO OFFICES WILL OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 4 PM ON WEEKDAYS AND FROM 9 AM TO NOON ON SATURDAYS.
------0--------
/14........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1990
- 14 -
ILLEGAL STRUCTURES CLEARED TO IMPROVE ENVIRONMENT
*****
SIXTEEN ILLEGAL STRUCTURES WERE REMOVED IN A CLEARANCE OPERATION IN YAU TSIM DISTRICT TODAY (THURSDAY).
COORDINATED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, THE OPERATION WAS PART OF THE DISTRICT’S 1990-91 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CLEARANCE PROGRAMME.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINSTRATION SAID THESE STRUCTURES WERE USED AS CANOPIES, SQUATTER HUTS, STORAGE CABINETS AND SHOP EXTENSIONS.
THEY WERE SCATTERED IN THE REAR LANES ON NATHAN ROAD, HAMILTON STREET, RECLAMATION STREET, DUNDAS STREET, TAK HING STREET, TAK SHING STREET, JORDAN ROAD AND COX ROAD.
THOSE AFFECTED BY THE CLEARANCE WERE OFFERED REHOUSING OR EX-GRATIA COMPENSATION TOTALLING $80,000.
"THE CLEARANCES OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT SINCE 1982 TO IMPROVE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT.
"A TOTAL OF 1,000 SUCH STRUCTURES IN 139 REAR LANES HAVE BEEN DEMOLISHED SINCE THEN," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
TAKING PART IN TODAY’S OPERATION WERE THE POLICE AND STAFF FROM HOUSING, URBAN SERVICES, BUILDINGS AND LANDS, SOCIAL WELFARE AND HIC WAYS DEPARTMENTS.
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246 VBP RETURN TO VIETNAM *****
A GROUP OF 246 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE TODAY (THURSDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PRCGRAMME.
COMPRISING 89 MEN, 60 WOMEN, 45 BOYS AND 52 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 39 BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
SO FAR, A TOTAL OF 5,379 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY.
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/15........
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1990
- 15 -
CHILDREN’S DRAWING AND COLOURING CONTEST ON SUNDAY
*****
CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN FOUR AND 13 ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A DRAWING AND COLOURING CONTEST TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 18) AT THE URBAN COUNCIL CENTENARY GARDEN IN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
ORGANISED BY THE TSIM SHA TSUI AREA COMMITTEE IN SUPPORT OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT FESTIVAL, THE CONTEST IS SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE TSIM SHA TSUI EAST PROPERTY DEVELOPERS ASSOCIATION AND MCDONALD RESTAURANTS.
PARTICIPANTS IN THE DRAWING SECTION WILL BE REQUIRED TO FOCUS ON THE THEME "LOVELY HONG KONG". CHILDREN UNDER NINE YEARS OLD CAN JOIN THE COLOURING SECTION.
GIFTS AND CERTIFICATES WILL BE AWARDED TO THE TOP THREE WINNERS AND THE 20 OUTSTANDING ENTRIES IN EACH SECTION.
THOSE WHO WISH TO TAKE PART CAN ENROL FROM 1.30 PM THAT DAY AT THE VENUE. CRAYONS AND DRAWING PAPERS WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE ORGANISER.
AN OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 1 PM. YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ANNIE TANG; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH; YAU TSIM DISTRICT FESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHIU YU-HEI; POLICE DEPUTY DISTRICT COMMANDER, YAU TSIM, MR HARRY BLUD; AND CHAIRMAN OF TSIM SHA TSUI EAST PROPERTY DEVELOPERS ASSOCIATION, MR LUI CHI-WO, WILL OFFICIATE.
A VARIETY SHOW WITH SINGING AND MAGIC PERFORMANCES WILL BEGIN AT 3 PM.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE YAU TSIM CHILDREN’S DRAWING AND COLOURING CONTEST AND VARIETY SHOW TO BE HELD FROM 1 PM TO 5 PM ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 18) AT THE URBAN COUNCIL CENTENARY GARDEN, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1990
- 16 -
FSD DEMONSTRATIONS IN SHA TIN *****
FIREMEN WILL DEMONSTRATE THEIR RESCUE AND FIRE-FIGHTING SKILLS IN THE OPEN AREA OUTSIDE SHA TIN TOWN HALL ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 18) AS PART OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN.
THE DEMONSTRATIONS - PART OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE CAREERS '91 EXHIBITION ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT - WILL BE HELD BETWEEN 10.30 AM AND 4.30 PM.
SKILLS TO BE DEMONSTRATED WILL INCLUDE RESCUE OF PEOPLE FROM HEIGHT BY USING A TURN-TABLE AND A SNORKEL; EXTRICATION OF PEOPLE TRAPPED INSIDE A WRECKED VEHICLE BY USING HURST RESCUE TOOL; THE USING OF CUTTING EQUIPMENT; INTRODUCTION OF CARDIAC-PULMONARY RESUSCITATION; AND THE USE OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS.
VARIOUS TYPES OF FIRE APPLIANCES, FIRE-FIGHTING AND RESCUE EQUIPMENTS WILL BE ON DISPLAY.
THE DEMONSTRATIONS ARE AIMED TO INTRODUCE THE WORK OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND ATTRACT THE INTERESTED PEOPLE TO JOIN THE DEPARTMENT.
A RECRUITMENT COUNTER WILL BE SET UP TO GIVE INFORMATION AND ON-THE-SPOT TEST TO THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED TO JOIN THE DEPARTMENT.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE DEMONSTRATIONS AND DISPLAY TO BE STAGED BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN THE OPEN AREA OUTSIDE SHA TIN TOWN HALL ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 18) BETWEEN 10 AM AND 4.30 PM.
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SEMINAR IN TAI PO
*****
A PUBLIC SEMINAR ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WILL BE HELD IN TAI PO ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 17) TO HELP RESIDENTS UNDERSTAND BETTER ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN THEIR DAILY LIFE.
SPONSORED BY. THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD, THE SEMINAR WILL BEGIN AT 3 PM IN THE TAI PO COMMUNITY CENTRE IN HEUNG SZE WUI STREET, TAI PO MARKET. ADMISSION IS FREE.
SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE FRIEND OF THE EARTH, THE WORLD WIDE FUND AND THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD'S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND WORKS COMMITTEE.
/A PRIZE .......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1990
A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE "PITCHING IN - PRESERVING THE ENVIRONMENT OF TAI PO" PHOTO COMPETITION WILL BE HELD AFTER THE SEMINAR. WINNING ENTRIES WILL BE EXHIBITED.
THE SEMINAR IS PART OF THE ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT WORKING GROUP ON WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY TO MARK THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FESTIVAL BETWEEN NOVEMBER 10 AND 24.
THE WORKING GROUP WILL ALSO ORGANISE VISITS TO THE TAI PO SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT AND THE TAI PO GAS PRODUCTION PLANT DURING THE TWO-WEEK FESTIVAL.
MEANWHILE, A PAPER RECYCLING SCHEME, WHICH IS SPONSORED BY A WASTE PAPER COMPANY, IS BEING LAUNCHED IN THE DISTRICT.
OVER 40 SCHOOLS, VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS AND FACTORIES ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE SCHEME.
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UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE IN CAUSEWAY BAY TO BE CLOSED
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE AN ILLEGAL STRUCTURE IN CAUSEWAY BAY SO THAT IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE STRUCTURE IS ON THE FLAT ROOF AT FLAT I, FIRST FLOOR, LEI SHUN COURT, CAROLINE HILL ROAD, HONG KONG.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON JANUARY 10 NEXT YEAR WAS POSTED ON THE STRUCTURE TODAY (THURSDAY).
UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE, THE CLOSURE ORDER IS REQUIRED BEFORE THE DEMOLITION CAN BE CARRIED OUT.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT ONCE A CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
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/18
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1990
- 18 -
ARTS CARNIVAL IN VICTORIA PARK
*****
RESIDENTS ARE WELCOME TO SHARE THE EUN OF A CARNIVAL ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 18) IN VICTORIA PARK.
THERE WILL BE A PUPPET SHOW, CHINESE HANDICRAFT DISPLAYS AND CALLIGRAPHY DEMONSTRATIONS, AS WELL AS PERFORMANCES BY FAMOUS POP SINGERS.
CHILDREN MAY ALSO JOIN IN TO PAINT A SIX-FOOT BY 24-FOOT MURAL ON THE THEME OF "TOWARDS A FULLER LIFE".
THE THREE-HOUR CARNIVAL IS ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT ARTS COUNCIL AND CO-ORGANISED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL. IT IS ALSO SPONSORED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD AND THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION.
OFFICIATING AT THE CARNIVAL WILL BE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEVE BARCLAY; THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS OF ICAC, MR LEUNG CHIN-MAN; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD, MR SHUM CHOI-SANG; AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT ARTS COUNCIL, MS CHRISTINA TING.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ARTS CARNIVAL ON SUNDAY AT THE VICTORIA PARK FOOTBALL PITCHES NO. ONE TO THREE. THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT 3 PM.
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DFCC MEMBERS VISIT DETECTIVE TRAINING SCHOOL
*****
MEMBERS OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (DFCC) VISITED THE POLICE DETECTIVE TRAINING SCHOOL IN KWUN TONG THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING TO GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE SCHOOL’S OPERATIONS.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR RAYMOND YOUNG, THE PARTY WAS BRIEFED BY A SENIOR POLICE OFFICER ON THE TRAINING COURSES AND OBSERVED A SIMULATED CRIME EXERCISE.
THE DFCC CHAIRMAN, MR DAVID HO, SAID THE COMMITTEE HAD ORGANISED A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS THE TSUEN WAN CITIZEN FIGHT CRIME AWARD SCHEME, TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO ASSIST THE POLICE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME.
/THE CLOSING ......
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1990
THE CLOSING DATE OF NOMINATION FOR THE AWARD SCHEME IS DECEMBER 31. NOMINATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE TSUEN WAN POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICE.
CERTIFICATES OF COMMENDATION AND SOUVENIRS WILL BE PRESENTED TO WINNERS AND THEIR NOMINATORS DURING THE TSUEN WAN FIGHT CRIME AND ANTI-NARCOTICS CARNIVAL IN JANUARY.
OTHER FIGHT CRIME ACTIVITIES FOR THE DISTRICT INCLUDE THE WATCHMEN LIAISON SCHEME, A COLOURING CONTEST, AND A POSTER AND SLOGAN DESIGN COMPETITION.
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SEMINAR FOR TIN WAN AND SHEK PAI WAN RESIDENTS
******
THE TIN WAN AND SHEK PAI WAN AREA COMMITTEE WILL REPORT ITS WORK TO REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL RESIDENT ORGANISATIONS AT A SEMINAR TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE SEMINAR IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE AREA COMMITTEE AND THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON DISTRICT MATTERS.
THERE WILL BE GROUP DISCUSSIONS ON THE AREA’S ENVIRONMENT, COMMUNITY BUILDING, TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT ISSUES AS WELL AS A SLIDE SHOW TO INTRODUCE THE VARIOUS FACETS OF THE AREA.
TOPICS RAISED DURING THE DISCUSSIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BE FOLLOWED UP BY THE AREA COMMITTEE AND RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
ATTENDING THE SEMINAR WILL BE REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL RESIDENT BODIES, INCLUDING MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS CORPORATIONS, RESIDENT ASSOCIATIONS, AND OFFICIALS FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
THE SEMINAR IS ALSO OPEN TO LOCAL RESIDENTS AND PEOPLE WORKING IN THE AREA.
SIMILAR SEMINARS HAD BEEN HELD IN WONG CHUK HANG, WAH FU AND AP LEI CHAU. THREE MORE WILL BE HELD FOR RESIDENTS IN POK FU LAM, ABERDEEN AND HARBOUR, AND STANLEY, SHEK 0 AND BAYS AREAS LATER THIS MONTH.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE "TIN WAN AND SHEK PAI WAN AREA COMMITTEE MEETS RESIDENT ORGANISATIONS" SEMINAR TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT 8 PM IN THE ABERDEEN CARITAS SOCIAL CENTRE, TIN WAN STREET.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CS ARRIVES IN VANCOUVER ................................................... 1
OFFICIALS FROM CHINESE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE TO VISIT HK .................... 1
STATEMENT ON HKCC'S DECISION .............................................. 2
GOVERNMENT TO MAINTAIN LINKED EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM ........................ 2
AUTONOMOUS HK SHIPPING REGISTER TO BE OPEN NEXT MONTH ..................... 5
CONTROL OF EXEMPTION CLAUSES ORDINANCE TO TAKE EFFECT ON DEC 1 ............ 8
FULLER USE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN HEALTH SECTOR REFORMS ............ 10
FC APPROVES MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR NEW VBP CENTRE ................... 11
PREQUALIFICATION OF CONTRACTORS FOR TSING MA AND KAP SHUI MUN BRIDGES .... 12
WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION WORK TO START SOON .............................. 13
LAND RESUMPTION FOR NEW AIRPORT AND TA KWU LING STREAM IMPROVEMENT ....... 16
YAU MA TEI POST-WAR BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS ......................... 17
FOUR LOTS FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ..................................... 18
TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF UC COMPLEX ........................... 19
FAREWELL TO CSD CHIEF .................................................... i9
TERRITORY-WIDE EXERCISE NEXT WEEK ........................................ 21
$3M DONATION TO POLICE EDUCATION TRUSTS .................................. 22
APPLY FOR TRAVEL DOCUMENT NOW TO AVOID CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY RUSH ............ 22
LIVE CAREERS SHOWS AT WEEKEND ............................................ 23
STUDENTS VIEW OF HK'S FUTURE DEVELOPMENT ................................. 24
CLEAN COUNTRYSIDE CONCERT IN SAI KUNG..................................... 25
YOUTH URGED TO TAKE PART IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS ............................ 26
EASTERN DISTRICT STARTS SCHEME TO BEAUTIFY SLOPES ........................ 26
NEW PHASE FOR WAN CHAI TREE-PLANTING PROJECT ............................. 27
COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB TO HOLD ANNUAL PARADE ............................... 28
WOMEN'S WORKSHOP ON AIDS ................................................. 29
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1990
- 1 -
OS ARRIVES IN VANCOUVER * * * * *
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR
FROM SEATTLE ON THURSDAY FOR THE
DAVID FORD, ARRIVED
FINAL LEG OF HIS NORTH
IN VANCOUVER
AMERICAN TOUR.
AT A LUNCHEON SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT ORGANISED BY THE VANCOUVER BOARD OF TRADE AND CO-SPONSORED BY THE HONG KONG CANADA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION, SIR DAVID UNDERLINED TO HIS AUDIENCE OF MORE THAN 200 SEN.OR EXECUTIVES OF LEADING VANCOUVER CORPORATIONS THE IMPORTANCE OF HONG KONG’S EVER GROWING LINKS WITH CANADA.
HE SAID ONE OF THE IRONIES OF THE LATEST MIGRATION FROM HONG KONG TO THE PACIFIC COAST OF NORTH AMERICA IS THE ENORMOUS BOOST IT HAS GIVEN TO BUSINESS BETWEEN THE TERRITORY AND BRITISH COLUMBIA.
SIR DAVID HELD INDIVIDUAL MEDIA INTERVIEWS WITH THE CANADIAN NATIONAL PRESS IN THE AFTERNOON.
IN THE EVENING, HE WAS GUEST OF HONOUR AT A RECEPTION GIVEN BY T'iE HONG KONG BANK OF CANADA. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A DINNER HOSTED BY [TISH COLUMBIA MINISTER FOR INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND IMMIGRATION, THE HON ELLWOOD VEITCH.
- - 6 ---------
OFFICIALS FROM CHINESE MINISTRY
OF JUSTICE TO VISIT HK
******
AT THE INVITATION OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, MR XU JIAN, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE NOTARISATION DEPARTMENT OF THE CHINESE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE, WILL LEAD A DELEGATION OF EIGHT OFFICIALS FROM THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE AND THE HONG KONG AND MACAO OFFICE OF THE CHINESE STATE COUNCIL TO VISIT HONG KONG FROM NOVEMBER 18 TO 25.
THEY WILL MEET HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS, ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE, INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION, CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE JUDICIARY.
THE PURPOSE OF THE VISIT IS TO FAMILIARISE CHINESE OFFICIALS WITH HONG KONG’S LEGAL AND JUDICIAL SYSTEMS.
SIMILAR VISITS HAVE BEEN HELD IN THE PAST. IN TURN, HONG KONG OFFICIALS HAVE UNDERTAKEN SIMILAR VISITS TO THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.
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/2 ........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1990
- 2 -
STATEMENT ON HKCC’S DECISION * * * * *
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE DECISION BY THE HONG KONG CABLE COMMUNICATIONS LTD NOT TO GO AHEAD WITH THE CABLE TV P/OJSCT, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT TODAY ( FR £ DAY) :
’’THIS IS A COMMERCIAL DECISION MADE BY BUSINESSMEN. WE RESPECT THAT DECISION AND IT IS NOT OUR POLICY TO INTERFERE IN SUCH MATTERS. THE GOVERNMENT REMAINS COMMITTED TO THE CONCEPT THAT THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO THE WIDEST POSSIBLE RANGE OF BROADCASTING SERVICES, TAKING ADVANTAGE OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY.”
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GOVERNMENT TO MAINTAIN LINKED EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO INTENTION OF DEPARTING FROM THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING.
SPEAKING TO MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA AFTER OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE 12TH ASIA-PACIFIC FOREIGN EXCHANGE ASSEMBLY, SIR PIERS SATD THE GOVERNMENT HAD THOUGHT OF MANY DIFFERENT ALTERNATIVES BUT THE PRESENT SYSTEM ”IS THE ONE THAT SUITS US BEST.”
"IT WORKS. IT HAS BEEN TESTED FROM TIME TO TIME. WE STRENGTHENED IT. WE HAVE NO INTENTION OF DEPARTING FROM IT,” HE STRESSED.
ASKED TO ELABORATE ON THE REASON WHY THE FOREX TAX WAS NOT A GOOD IDEA, SIR PIERS REPLIED: "MAINLY BECAUSE IT WILL BE A DISINCENTIVE TO FOREX DEALINGS. ACTUALLY IT WILL CHASE BUSINESS AWAY FROM HONG KONG.”
ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT HAS CONSIDERED THE STOCK EXCHANGE’S SUGGESTION TO REDUCE THE STAMP DUTY ON SHARES TRANSACTIONS, SIR PIERS SAID HONG KONG WOULD CERTAINLY HAVE TO KEEP THE OVERALL DEALING COSTS COMPETITIVE.
”1 AM AWARE THAT MANY PLACES IN THE WORLD ARE LOOKING AT STAMP DUTY ON STOCK EXCHANGE TRANSACTIONS AND THEY ARE LOOKING AT IT IN PARTICULAR IN THE CONTEXT OF NEW ELECTRONIC CLEARING SYSTEMS," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT OBVIOUSLY THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO CONSIDER THE EFFECT OF ANY INCREASE OR REDUCTION IN A PARTICULAR TAX OR DUTY ON BUSINESS ACTIVITY.
/ASKED IF .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1990
ASKED IF THERE WAS A NEED FOR HONG KONG TO RAISE EXTRA REVENUE TO FUND THE INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS, SIR PIERS SAID AS HE HAD SAID BEFORE, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT CONSIDER THIS IN RELATION TO ANY ONE SINGLE PROJECT OR GROUP OF PROJECTS.
"WE LOOK AT AN OVERALL BUDGETARY POSITION AND I CAN'T OBVIOUSLY SAY AT THIS STAGE WHAT OUR BUDGETARY PROPOSALS ARE, WHETHER WE WILL NEED TO RAISE NEW REVENUE IN THE CONTEXT OF THOSE OVERALL BUDGETARY PROPOSALS," HE SAID, ADDING THAT HE WOULD DEAL WITH THIS IN MARCH.
IN RESPONSE TO A QUESTION ON THE POSSIBILITY OF BORROWING MONEY TO SUPPORT THE INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS, SIR PIERS SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS KEEPING ITS OPTIONS OPEN.
"IT IS NOT SO MUCH A NEED TO BORROW AS THAT I HAPPEN TO THINK THAT BORROWING COULD BE THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT WAY OF FINANCING LARGE INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS OF THIS NATURE. AND BORROWING WOULD ENABLE US TO SPREAD THE COST OVER A MUCH LONGER PERIOD OF TIME AND LEAVE US IN A MUCH STRONGER FINANCIAL POSITION.
"SO ONE LOOKS AT IT IN TERMS OF EFFECTIVENESS, MOST OF ALL, NOT IN TERMS OF NEED," HE SAID.
HE WENT ON TO SAY THAT WHEN THINKING OF GOING INTO THE MARKET TO BORROW, ONE HAS TO LOOK AT THE GLOBAL SITUATION AND THE CREDIT SITUATION.
”1 CAN’T MAKE ANY SPECIFIC COMMENT THIS MORNING BECAUSE WE ARE NOT BORROWING TODAY,” HE SAID, ADDING THAT HE COULD NOT BE MORE PRECISE BECAUSE ONE WOULD BE DEALING AT ALL TIME WITH A DYNAMIC SITUATION.
IN HIS SPEECH TO THE 12TH ASIA-PACIFIC FOREIGN EXCHANGE ASSEMBLY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE THAT HONG KONG WOULD REMAIN THE MOST IMPORTANT REGIONAL CENTRE FROM WHICH FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS COULD SERVICE THEIR CUSTOMERS THROUGHOUT THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION.
"IT WILL ALSO CONTINUE AS THE MAJOR SERVICE CENTRE FOR SOUTHERN CHINA IN GENERAL AND THE PEARL RIVER DELTA REGION IN PARTICULAR," HE SAID.
"HONG KONG IS A PLACE THAT HAS ITS OWN UNIQUE QUALITIES THAT WILL SUSTAIN IT IN THE FUTURE.
"I BELIEVE, AND SO DO MANY OTHERS, THAT HONG KONG IS, AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE, AN EXCELLENT PLACE IN WHICH TO INVEST, TO DO BUSINESS AND TO MAKE MONEY.
"HONG KONG IS THE MOST IMPORTANT BASE FOR TRADE WITH AND INVESTMENT IN CHINA, AND HONG KONG HAS A CRUCIAL ROLE TO PLAY IN CHINA’S CONTINUING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
/•'THERE IS..........
4
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1990
4
’’THERE IS A HUGE POTENTIAL MARKET INSIDE CHINA, AND THERE ARE EVEN LARGER MARKETS OUTSIDE FOR CHINA’S PRODUCTS. HONG KONG IS AN EXCELLENT BASE FOR EXPLOITING THESE MARKETS,” HE SAID.
HE AFFIRMED THE GOVERNMENT'S COMMITMENT TO THREE GENERAL PRINCIPLES IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE APPROPRIATE ENVIRONMENT FOR HONG KONG TO CONTINUE TO PROSPER AS A CENTRE OF COMMERCE AND FINANCE.
’’FIRST, OUR PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, PARTICULARLY PORT AND AIRPORT FACILITIES, MUST KEEP PACE WITH FUTURE DEMAND.
"SECONDLY, OUR PEOPLE MUST HAVE THE NECESSARY SKILLS AND EXPERTISE TO SUSTAIN OUR ECONOMIC GROWTH AND, THROUGH THE TRANSFER OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT SKILLS, ASSIST IN CHINA'S DEVELOPMENT.
"AND LASTLY, OUR FINANCIAL MARKETS MUST MEASURE UP TO INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AND MUST BE ABLE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF HONG KONG, CHINA AND THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION,” HE SAID.
ON HONG KONG'S REGULATORY FRAMEWORK, SIR PIERS SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS OFTEN ACCUSED OF DRIFTING IN THE DIRECTION OF OVERREGULATION.
"LET ME SAY WITHOUT ANY EQUIVOCATION THAT WE ARE FIRMLY COMMITTED TO THE FREE MARKET PHILOSOPHY. WE IN GOVERNMENT SEE OUR ROLE AS PROVIDING THE NECESSARY ENVIRONMENT AND LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK IN WHICH BUSINESSES CAN FLOURISH.
"INTERVENTION IS LIMITED TO THE MINIMUM NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT THE INTEGRITY AND EFFICIENCY OF THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM IS MAINTAINED AND THAT A PROPER MEASURE OF PROTECTION IS PROVIDED FOR MARKET PARTICIPANTS, PARTICULARLY NON-PROFESSIONAL INVESTORS," HE SAID.
TO MAINTAIN THE INTEGRITY OF OUR FINANCIAL MARKETS, THERE ARE CERTAIN SAFEGUARDS WHICH WE FEEL WE MUST PUT IN PLACE, SIR PIERS SAID.
"THUS, WE WILL SOON HAVE IN FORCE LEGISLATION DEALING WITH DISCLOSURE OF SHAREHOLDINGS AND SHARE DEALINGS BY DIRECTORS AND CHIEF EXECUTIVES, REVISED INSIDER DEALING LAWS, AND LAWS ALLOWING LISTED COMPANIES TO BUY BACK THEIR OWN SHARES SUBJECT, OF COURSE, TO ADEQUATE SAFEGUARDS.
"DESPITE THE LEGISLATION MENTIONED ABOVE, WE ARE FULLY AWARE OF THE NEED TO AVOID OVER-REGULATION. OUR PRESENT SYSTEM AIMS TO PROMOTE, BUT NOT STIFLE, MARKET DEVELOPMENT.
"AS POLICY-MAKERS, WE ARE FULLY AWARE OF THE NEEDS OF THE MARKET. WE ARE DETERMINED TO STRIKE THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN DEVISING THE CONTROLS NECESSARY TO PRESERVE MARKET INTEGRITY AND MAINTAINING THE FREEDOM REQUIRED FOR THE MARKET TO GROW AND TO INNOVATE,” HE SAID.
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/5 ........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1990
- 5 -
AUTONOMOUS HK SHIPPING REGISTER TO BE OPEN NEXT MONTH ♦ * * * *
THE NEW AUTONOMOUS HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER WILL BE OPEN ON DECEMBER 3 THIS YEAR AND WILL REPLACE THE PRESENT REGISTER WHICH IS PART OF THE BRITISH REGISTER.
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR MICHAEL C.C. SZE, ANNOUNCED THIS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (FRIDAY).
"THE NEW HONG KONG REGISTER WILL BE A HIGH QUALITY REGISTER WITH NO COMPROMISE ON SAFETY, POLLUTION PREVENTION AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS STIPULATED IN THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION AND INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION CONVENTIONS.
"IT HAS TAKEN INTO FULL ACCOUNT REQUIREMENT OF HONG KONG SHIPOWNERS WHO CURRENTLY OWN OR MANAGE 10 PER CENT OF THE WORLD TONNAGE," HE SAID.
MR SZE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT IN THE SHIP REGISTRY FOR ITS REVENUE - INDEED IT WOULD BE A LITTLE TIME BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT FULLY RECOVERED THE COST OF OPERATING THE NEW HONG KONG REGISTER -AND WAS NOT ATTRACTING NEW TONNAGE FOR ITS OWN SAKE.
"OUR EMPHASIS WILL BE ON A GENUINE AND CLOSE LINK BETWEEN THE SHIP AND HONG KONG.
"IN OTHER WORDS MY PRIMARY TARGET IS SHIPS OWNED OR MANAGED BY COMPANIES IN HONG KONG WHICH, AS I SAID, IS 10 PER CENT OF THE WORLD FLEET BUT LESS THAN ONE PER CENT OF WHICH IS CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
"WE WILL ALSO BE LOOKING FOR QUALITY TONNAGE - SHIPS OF HIGH QUALITY AS THERE CANNOT BE ANY COMPROMISE ON OUR CURRENT HIGH STANDARDS OF SAFETY," HE ADDED.
THE REGISTRATION FEE AND ANNUAL CHARGE OF THE NEW HONG KONG REGISTER WOULD BE COMPETITIVE WITH RESPECTED SHIPPING REGISTERS IN THE WORLD.
"THE FEES REFLECT THE HIGH QUALITY OF REGISTRATION AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED FOR SHIPOWNERS BOTH IN HONG KONG AND OVERSEAS," MR SZE SAID.
HONG KONG HAS HAD A SHIPPING REGISTER SINCE 1850. HOWEVER, IT IS A PART OF THE BRITISH REGISTER AND THEREFORE CANNOT CONTINUE BEYOND 1997. THUS THE NEED FOR A SEPARATE AND AUTONOMOUS HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER WAS RECOGNISED AND PROVIDED FOR IN THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION.
/THE NEW .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1990
6
THE •W AUTONOMOUS HONG KONG REGISTER BEING ESTABLISHED NOW IS TO ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION FOR SHIPS ON THE EXISTING REGISTER WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE TO LEAVE BY 1997. NEVERTHELESS, HONG KONG REGISTERED SHIPS WILL CONTINUE TO BE CONSIDERED AS BRITISH SHIPS UNTIL 1997.
DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AUTONOMOUS HON .- KONG REGISTER WERE DEVELOPED BY A STEERING GROUP COMPRISING GOVERNMENT AND SHIPPING INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES AND WERE APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR ON THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN JUNE THIS YEAR.
THESE FORMED THE BASIS OF THE LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH THE NEW HONG KONG REGISTER.
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT HAS PRODUCED A SET OF FACT SHEETS ON THE NEW AUTONOMOUS HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER AND THESE WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO SHIPOWNERS, SHIPPING MANAGERS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
ON THE MANNING LEVELS AND CERTIFICATION FOR HONG KONG SHIPS, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MARINE (SHIPPING), MR JOHN TSE, SAID LICENCES WOULD BE ISSUED TO HOLDERS OF FOREIGN QUALIFICATIONS CONSIDERED TO BE EQUIVALENT IN STANDARD TO THOSE ISSUED IN HONG KONG TO ENABLE HOLDERS TO SERVE AS MASTER AND SENIOR OFFICERS ON SHIPS R.,'.. iSTERED UNDER THE NEW AUTONOMOUS HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER.
"A VALIDATION PANEL COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES OF SHIPOWNERS, SEAFARERS ORGANISATIONS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTES HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED TO ASSESS THE STANDARDS OF FOREIGN QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE ISSUE OF SUCH LICENCES," HE SAID.
"THIS REFLECTS THE GOVERNMENT’S CONCERN THAT SHIPS REGISTERED IN HONG KONG SHOULD BE PROPERLY MANNED BY COMPETENT OFFICERS TO PROVIDE ADEQUATELY FOR THE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA AND THE PREVENTION OF POLLUTION OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT.
"THE VALIDATION PANEL HAS ALREADY HELD MEETINGS TO CONSIDER THE STANDARDS OF CERTAIN FOREIGN QUALIFICATIONS WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF REPORTS MADE BY OFFICERS OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WHO HAVE MADE VISITS TO THE TRAINING INSTITUTIONS AND EXAMINATION AUTHORITIES IN THE COUNTRIES CONCERNED."
MR TSE ALSO ANNOUNCED THE NEW SURVEY ARRANGEMENTS FOR SHIPS TO BE REGISTERED UNDER THE NEW HONG KONG REGISTER.
"SURVEYS FOR TWO OF THE FIVE ’TRADING’ CERTIFICATES FOR A SHIP COMING ONTO THE HONG KONG REGISTER FOR THE FIRST TIME MAY BE UNDERTAKEN EITHER BY PROFESSIONAL BODIES, CALLED THE CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES, OR BY GOVERNMENT SURVEYORS OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.
"IF THESE TWO SURVEYS, NAMELY THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND THE SAFETY RADIO INSTALLATIONS SURVEYS, ARE UNDERTAKEN BY CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES, THEN AN AUDIT INSPECTION OF THE WHOLE SHIP BY A GOVERNMENT SURVEYOR IS REQUIRED BEFORE THE SHIP IS REGISTERED.
/"THE OWNER .......
f
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1990
"THE OWNER ALSO HAS AN ALTERNATIVE TO INVITE THE GOVERNMENT SURVEYOR TO CONDUCT THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT SURVEY. HOWEVER, THE GOVERNMENT SURVEYOR WILL ALSO CONDUCT AN AUDIT INSPECTION OF THE WHOLE SHIP," HE SAID.
MR TSE SAID THIS AUDIT INSPECTION WAS TO ENSURE THAT THE SAFETY STANDARDS OF THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION AND INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION CONVENTIONS AND THE HONG KONG REGULATIONS HAD BEEN MET, AND THAT SHIPS OF HIGH SAFETY STANDARD WOULD BE REGISTERED.
"UNDER THE HONG KONG REGULATIONS, THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT OF EVERY HONG KONG SHIP IS REQUIRED TO BE SURVEYED BY THE GOVERNMENT SURVEYOR ONCE IN EVERY FIVE YEARS, THUS ENSURING THAT HIGH SAFETY STANDARDS ARE MAINTAINED," HE SAID.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MARINE (TECHNICAL POLICY), MR TSUI SHUNG-YIU, SAID THE FOLLOWING PERSON OR COMPANIES COULD REGISTER A SHIP UNDER THE NEW HONG KONG REGISTER:
* AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HOLDS A VALID HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD AND WHO IS ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG,
* A BODY CORPORATE INCORPORATED IN HONG KONG, AND
* AN OVERSEAS COMPANY REGISTERED UNDER PART XI OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
HE SAID TO ESTABLISH A REAL LINK BETWEEN THE OWNER AND HONG KONG, IT WOULD BE NECESSARY FOR THE OWNER TO APPOINT A REPRESENTATIVE PERSON IN HONG KONG FOR EACH SHIP ON THE REGISTER.
"THE OWNER MUST HAVE A PRESENCE IN HONG KONG, THUS REINFORCING A LINK WITH THE MARINE DEPARTMENT FOR ALL MATTERS RELATING TO THE REGISTRATION, SURVEY AND MANAGEMENT OF THE SHIP," HE SAID.
IN COMMON WITH MANY OTHER REGISTERS, MR TSUI SAID, THE FEES AND CHARGES WERE BASED ON TONNAGE, AND WERE ON A SLIDING SCALE WITH A NUMBER OF "PLATFORMS".
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/8 ........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1990
- 8 -
CONTROL OF EXEMPTION CLAUSES ORDINANCE
*****
TO TAKE EFFECT ON DEC 1
AN ORDINANCE WHICH WILL SOON BE INTRODUCED WILL BE CLOSELY RELATED TO OUR DAILY LIVES AND PROTECT THE SMALL AND THE WEAK, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT A MEETING OF THE DIRECTORS OF THE PO LEUNG KUK ABOUT THE CONTROL OF EXEMPTION CLAUSES ORDINANCE WHICH WAS PASSED ON NOVEMBER 15 LAST YEAR AND WILL TAKE EFFECT IN JUST UNDER TWO WEEKS (DECEMBER 1).
MR CHAN SAID "NO LIABILITY" WAS A POWERFUL EXPRESSION WHICH WOULD CLEAR ONE FROM ALL LIABILITIES.
"I BELIEVE THAT WE RARELY USE THIS EXPRESSION IN OUR DEALINGS WITH OTHERS IN OUR DAILY LIVES.
"HOWEVER, IF WE THINK CAREFULLY, IT WILL NOT BE DIFFICULT FOR US TO REALISE THAT IN REALITY MANY PEOPLE WITHOUT BEING AWARE OF IT WOULD BE BITTEN BY THIS INHUMANE EXPRESSION WHICH ERODES OR DEPRIVES THEM OF THEIR REASONABLE RIGHTS AND INTERESTS,” HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID IN THE PAST ABUNDANT FUNDS AND STRONG INFLUENCE IN THE MARKET HAD PUT MOST TRADERS, ESPECIALLY THE LARGE FIRMS, IN AN ADVANTAGEOUS- POSITION IN TRANSACTIONS.
"THEIR ATTITUDE TOWARDS CONSUMERS IS: IF YOU WANT TO BUY IT, YOU HAVE TO DO IT THE WAY I WANT IT AND ON MY TERMS.
"A MOST PRACTICAL EXAMPLE IS THE CREDIT CARD YOU HAVE WITH YOU.
"HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE OBTAINED YOUR GOLD CARD WITHOUT FILLING IN A PREPRINTED FORM?
"HOW MANY OF YOU ARE EXEMPTED FROM THE RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY THE CONDITIONS OF THE APPLICATION, INCLUDING THE EXEMPTION CLAUSES?
"AS CONSUMERS ARE OFTEN AT A DISADVANTAGE IN THE NEGOTIATIONS FOR TRANSACTIONS, AND THERE IS FREQUENT ABUSE OF EXEMPTION CLAUSES IN CONTRACTS OR NOTICES, THE AUTHORITIES HAVE DECIDED TO LEGISLATE TO PROTECT THE SMALL AND THE WEAK," MR CHAN SAID.
HE SAID THE CONTROL OF EXEMPTION CLAUSES ORDINANCE WAS RATHER COMPLEX IN ITS WORDING. IT ALSO INVOLVED A NUMBER OF TECHNICAL LEGAL CONCEPTS, BUT THE PURPOSE AND SPIRIT WERE QUITE OBVIOUS AND SIMPLE.
IN ESSENCE, THE ORDINANCE INTRODUCED TWO MAJOR ARRANGEMENTS WHEREBY CONSUMERS COULD BE PROTECTED: AUTOMATICALLY INEFFECTIVE EXEMPTION CLAUSES; AND EXEMPTION CLAUSES WHICH WERE EFFECTIVE ONLY IF THEY SATISFIED THE REQUIREMENT OF "REASONABLENESS".
/MR CHAN .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1990
- 9 -
MR CHAN SAID THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THE ORDINANCE WAS TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF CONSUMERS, WHOM HE DEFINED AS: "A PARTY TO A CONTRACT ’DEALS AS A CONSUMER’ IF HE DOES NOT MAKE THE CONTRACT IN THE COURSE OF A BUSINESS, WHILE THE OTHER PARTY DOES MAKE THE CONTRACT IN THE COURSE OF A BUSINESS.”
BESIDES, A PARTY ALSO DEALT AS A CONSUMER IF THE CONTRACT WAS GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF SALE OF GOODS AND THE GOODS WERE OF A TYPE SUPPLIED FOR PRIVATE USE OR CONSUMPTION, HE SAID.
HE SAID IN APPLYING THE TEST OF REASONABLENESS THE COURTS WERE REQUIRED TO HAVE REGARD TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES SPECIFIED IN THE ORDINANCE, INCLUDING THE BARGAINING STRENGTH OF THE PARTIES TO A CONTRACT, THE LANGUAGE IN WHICH THE TERM OR NOTICE WAS EXPRESSED, AND THE KNOWLEDGE OF A CONSUMER REGARDING THE EXISTENCE AND APPLICATION OF THE EXEMPTION CLAUSES.
’’THE ROLE OF THE COURTS IS TO DETERMINE, ON THE WHOLE, WHETHER THE CLAUSES ARE FAIR AND REASONABLE,” HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID: ’’YOU MAY WONDER AS THE ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR WHY SHOULD IT BECOME EFFECTIVE ON DECEMBER 1 THIS YEAR?
"IN MAKING THIS DECISION, THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION THAT IT SHOULD GIVE ADEQUATE AND REASONABLE TIME FOR THE BUSINESS SECTOR TO REVIEW THEIR CONTRACTS IN USE AND TO MAKE SUITABLE AMENDMENTS.
"IN FACT, AFTER THE PASSAGE OF THE ORDINANCE, THE GOVERNMENT WROTE TO VARIOUS BUSINESS FIRMS EXPLAINING THE RELATED CHANGES."
THE CONSUMER COUNCIL HAD ALSO MADE SUITABLE ARRANGEMENTS TO HELP CONSUMERS AND BUSINESS FIRMS TO UNDERSTAND THE CONTENT OF THE ORDINANCE.
MR CHAN SAID BASED ON THE PRINCIPLES OF JUSTICE AND TRUTH, IF A CONSUMER SUSTAINED A LOSS BECAUSE THE OTHER PARTY FAILED TO FULFIL HIS DUTY, THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT BE BLOCKED FROM THE CHANNELS OF COMPLAINT JUST BECAUSE THE OTHER PARTY WAS RICH AND POWERFUL.
"THE OBJECTIVE OF THE CONTROL OF EXEMPTION CLAUSES ORDINANCE IS TO CHANGE ’NO LIABILITY’ INTO ’UNSHIRKABLE LIABILITY’," HE SAID.
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/io........
«
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1990
- 10 -
FULLER USE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN HEALTH SECTOR REFORMS * * * * *
MUCH FULLER USE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COULD BE EXPECTED IN HONG KONG’S HEALTH SECTOR REFORMS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE FIRST HONG KONG CONFERENCE ON MEDICAL INFORMATICS, MRS WONG SAID HONG KONG NEEDED TO HAVE AN ENVIRONMENT WITHIN WHICH EFFICIENCY AND QUALITY OF CARE COULD BE MEASURED AND PROMOTED SO THAT MAJOR REFORMS IN HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT AND PRIMARY HEALTH CARE COULD BE SUCCEEDED.
"THIS IS EXACTLY WHERE MEDICAL INFORMATICS CAN COME INTO PLAY," SHE SAID.
MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS IMMENSE SCOPE FOR THE APPLICATION OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY IN THE HEALTH SECTOR.
"IN HOSPITAL SERVICES, A PROJECT IN COMPUTERISED HOSPITAL INFORMATION IS UNDERWAY AT THE PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL.
"THIS WILL MAKE FOR FASTER INFORMATION RETRIEVAL AND ALLOW ENDUSERS TO ACCESS READILY A MASS OF PATIENT DATA FOR CLINICAL PURPOSES."
MRS WONG ALSO SAID THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY FULLY RECOGNISED THE ESSENTIAL ROLE OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN GOOD HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT.
"A CONSULTANCY STUDY HAS ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED WITH RECOMMENDATIONS ON INFORMATION SYSTEMS STRATEGY READY FOR FURTHER EXPERIMENTATION BY THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY SHORTLY TO BE ESTABLISHED," SHE SAID.
NOTING THAT MEDICAL INFORMATION WAS EQUALLY IMPORTANT IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE, MRS WONG SAID THE WORKING PARTY ON PRIMARY HEALTH CARE AND THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH HAD PLACED EMPHASIS ON THE NEED FOR DEVELOPING A HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEM AS A MEANS TO IMPROVE THE DELIVERY OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
MRS WONG ADDED THAT THERE WERE ABUNDANT OPPORTUNITES FOR COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EXPERTS.
FOR THE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS, MRS WONG SAID THEY WERE IN THE BEST POSITION TO ADVISE ON WHAT SERVICE REQUIREMENTS WERE AND WHERE AND HOW COMPUTERISATION SHOULD COME IN.
"FOR THE COMPUTER INDUSTRY, WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT IN PROVIDING THE NECESSARY SOFTWARE FOR THE DIFFERENT NEEDS OF HOSPITALS AND CLINICS AS WELL AS TECHNICAL ADVICE IN THEIR APPLICATION," SHE SAID.
- - 0 - -
/Il ........
I
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1990
- 11 -
FC APPROVES MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR NEW VBP CENTRE
*******
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (FRIDAY) APPROVED MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE NEW VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE DETENTION CENTRE ON TAI A CHAU WHICH WILL COST ABOUT $40 MILLION PER ANNUM.
THE MANAGEMENT WILL BE CARRIED OUT UNDER CONTRACT BY THE HONG KONG HOUSING SERVICES FOR REFUGEES (HKHSR), A NON-PROFIT MAKING AGENCY WHICH HAS BEEN MANAGING THE PILLAR POINT OPEN REFUGEE CENTRE IN TUEN MUN SINCE 1989 UNDER AN AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID WITH THE DOUBLING OF THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE POPULATION IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, THE TASK OF MANNING THE DETENTION CENTRES HAD PLACED A CONSIDERABLE BURDEN ON THE POLICE, CORRECTION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND CIVIL AID SERVICES.
"THIS FACTOR, COUPLED WITH INCREASING DEMAND ON THEIR NORMAL DUTIES, SUCH AS LAW ENFORCEMENT, LED THE GOVERNMENT TO EXPLORE ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF RUNNING TAI A CHAU DETENTION CENTRE WITHOUT STRETCHING THE RESOURCES OF THESE DEPARTMENTS ANY FURTHER.
"FOLLOWING CAREFUL STUDY AND CONSULTATIONS WE CONCLUDED THAT THE BEST OPTION WOULD BE TO CONTRACT OUT THE MANAGEMENT TO A PRIVATE AGENCY WITH PROVEN CAPABILITY AND EXPERIENCE IN MANAGING A VIETNAMESE CAMP, AND THIS HKHSR HAS," THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
"AN ADDITIONAL ADVANTAGE WILL BE THAT ENTRUSTING THE MANAGEMENT TO A VOLUNTARY AGENCY WILL ENABLE THEM TO TRY A NEW AND MORE LIBERAL APPROACH IN RUNNING THE NEW CENTRE," HE ADDED.
HKHSR WILL BE REQUIRED TO ASSUME A FULL RANGE OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES AT TAI A CHAU, FROM THE DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD AND RELIEF ITEMS TO GENERALLY ENFORCING CENTRE RULES AND KEEPING DISCIPLINE.
THE AGENCY WILL OPERATE UNDER THE OVERALL SUPERVISION OF THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE BUT WILL HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF AUTONOMY IN ITS DAY-TO-DAY RUNNING OF THE CENTRE. MEDICAL SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH UNTIL A SUITABLE VOLUNTARY AGENCY CAN BE FOUND.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE COST OF HIRING STAFF AND OTHER SERVICES WILL BE $38.9 MILLION A YEAR. THIS EXPENDITURE IS IN ADDITION TO THE $230 MILLION IT COST TO BUILD THE NEW CENTRE, WHICH IS BEING FUNDED ON A 50 - 50 BASIS BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE UK GOVERNMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE NEW CENTRE WAS EXPECTED TO BE READY TO RECEIVE ITS FIRST OCCUPANTS BY MID-DECEMBER AND THIS WOULD ALLOW SOME REDISTRIBUTION OF THE CURRENT POPULATION OF 44,600 BOAT PEOPLE, MANY OF WHOM WERE LIVING IN CROWDED CONDITIONS IN THE EXISTING CENTRES.
/"TAI A .......
I
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1990
- 12 -
"TAI A CHAU HAS A DESIGN CAPACITY OF 10,000. WHILE DETAILED PLANS HAVE YET TO BE FINALISED, WE ENVISAGE THAT ABOUT 8,000 BOAT PEOPLE WILL BE TRANSFERRED FROM HIGH ISLAND, SHEK KONG, WHITEHEAD AND ARGYLE CENTRES OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
"THIS WILL ENABLE OTHER TRANSFERS TO BE MADE AMONG THE EXISTING CENTRES WITH A VIEW TO REDUCING THE POPULATION IN SOME AND CLOSING OTHERS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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PREQUALIFICATION OF CONTRACTORS FOR TSING MA AND KAP SHUI MUN BRIDGES
*******
THE GOVERNMENT IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FROM CIVIL ENGINEERING FIRMS OR CONSORTIA TO PREQUALIFY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO TENDER FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TWO MAIN BRIDGES OF THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING.
NOTICE OF INVITATION WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) AND ADVERTISEMENTS WERE PLACED IN MAJOR LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL NEWSPAPERS.
THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR KWEI SEE-KAN, SAID TWO CONTRACTS WERE INVOLVED: THE CONSTRUCTION OF TSING MA BRIDGE; AND THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE KAP SHUI MUN BRIDGE INCLUDING THE LINKING VIADUCTS ON MA WAN ISLAND.
THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION FOR PREQUALIFICATION IS DECEMBER 21 THIS YEAR.
FOLLOWING THE PREQUALIFICATION EXERCISE, TENDERS WOULD BE INVITED FROM THE PREQUALIFIED CONTRACTORS IN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR WITH RETURN OF TENDERS FOR TSING MA BRIDGE IN JULY AND KAP SHUI MUN BRIDGE IN AUGUST THE SAME YEAR.
THE AWARD OF CONTRACTS WOULD BE MADE LATE NEXT YEAR AND EARLY 1992 RESPECTIVELY.
MR KWEI SAID THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BRIDGES WOULD BE COMPLETED BY LATE 1996.
ON THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING, MR KWEI SAID THE CROSSING, WHICH WOULD CARRY A DUAL THREE-LANE HIGHWAY AND A TWIN-TRACK RAILWAY, WAS PART OF THE EXTENSIVE INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORTING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW AIRPORT AND PORT ON LANTAU ISLAND.
THE TSING MA BRIDGE WOULD CROSS THE NAVIGABLE CHANNEL BETWEEN TSING YI AND MA WAN ISLANDS IN THE FORM OF A SUSPENSION BRIDGE WITH A MAIN SPAN OF 1,377 METRES AND A TOTAL DECK LENGTH OF 2,032 METRES.
/UNDER THE .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1990
13
UNDER THE SIX-LANE HIGHWAY ON THE TOP DECK, THERE WOULD BE A DOUBLE TRACKED RAILWAY WITH TWO WEATHER PROTECTED ROAD TRAFFIC LANES.
HE SAID THE KAP SHUI MUN BRIDGE WOULD CONNECT MA WAN ISLAND TO LANTAU. THE MAIN SPAN OF THIS BRIDGE WOULD BE ABOUT 440 METRES AND THE TOTAL DECK LENGTH, 670 METRES, WITH A CONFIGURATION SIMILAR TO THAT OF THE TSING MA BRIDGE.
THE MA WAN ISLAND VIADUCT, WHICH WOULD CONNECT THE TWO LARGE BRIDGES, WOULD BE ABOUT 550 METRES IN LENGTH.
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WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION WORK TO START SOON * * » * *
AUTHORISATION HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO BEGIN SHORTLY THE MAIN WORKS OF THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION PROJECT UNDER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED (RECLAMATION) ORDINANCE FOLLOWING A DECISION BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL.
THE RECLAMATION WILL INVOLVE ABOUT 357.8 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE EXISTING WEST KOWLOON WATERFRONT WHICH STRETCHES FROM SOUTH OF AUSTIN ROAD UP TO MEI FOO SUN CHUEN.
THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION IS AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT IN THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR PROVIDING LAND FOR TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE SUCH AS THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, THE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY AND THE AI.RPORT RAILWAY WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL LINKS BETWEEN THE URBAN AREAS AND THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (FRIDAY) POINTED OUT THAT THE PROJECT, COSTING $9,630 MILLION, WAS ALSO ONE OF THE MAJOR AREAS IDENTIFIED IN THE METROPLAN.
HE EMPHASISED THAT EVEN IF THERE HAD BEEN NO PLANS TO BUILD THE NEW AIRPORT, THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION WOULD HAVE TO GO AHEAD AS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S METROPLAN STRATEGY.
ACCORDING TO THE METROPLAN, THE RECLAMATION WOULD PROVIDE LAND FOR PUBLIC HOUSING, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL LAND TO MEET ECONOMIC GROWTH OF THE TERRITORY AND CONTAINER BACK-UP AREAS TO SUPPORT THE PLANNED WESTWARD SHIFT OF THE PORT NUCLEI.
IT WOULD ALSO PRESENTS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE OPEN SPACE, GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTIONAL AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES TO REDRESS THE SUBSTANTIAL SHORTFALL OF SUCH FACILITIES AT THE CONGESTED AREAS OF WEST KOWLOON.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT FOLLOWING COMPLETION OF THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION, COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTRIAL LAND WOULD BE RELEASED FOR SALE.
/"BY THE........■
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1990
14
"BY THE YEAR 2006, IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE NET LAND REVENUE AFTER DEDUCTING THE ENGINEERING COSTS IS LIKELY TO STAND AT $17 BILLION AT 1989 PRICES," HE ADDED.
AS ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN APRIL THIS YEAR, THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION PROJECT IS DIVIDED INTO TWO MAIN PARTS -THE NORTHERN AREA AND THE SOUTHERN AREA.
THE NOTICES OF AUTHORISATION OF BOTH AREAS WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY.
THE SOUTHERN AREA RECLAMATION COMPRISING 167 HECTARES OF SEABED WILL START IN EARLY 1991 AND IS SCHEDULED TO COMPLETE BY ABOUT THE END OF 1996.
WORKS WILL MAINLY BE RECLAMATION OVER THE EXISTING YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER WHEN THE NEW TYPHOON SHELTER TO THE WEST OF THE EXISTING ONE IS COMPLETED BY AROUND EARLY 1993.
THE NORTHERN AREA RECLAMATION COVERING 190.8 HECTARES OF SEABED WILL BE PHASED OVER A PERIOD OF FOUR YEARS, WITH THE FIRST CONTRACT COMMENCING IN APRIL 1991.
THE FIRST PHASE OF THE RECLAMATION WILL PROVIDE LAND FOR THE REPROVISIONING OF EXISTING WATERFRONT USERS BEFORE THESE ARE RENDERED INOPERATIVE THROUGH LOSS OF MARINE ACCESSES.
WATERFRONT USERS WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE SECOND PHASE OF WORK WOULD BE NOTIFIED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE DATE WHEN RECLAMATION SHOULD AFFECT THEIR OPERATIONS.
DISCUSSIONS HAVE BEEN HELD BY THE GOVERNMENT WITH THE AFFECTED WATERFRONT USERS FOR SUITABLE REPROVISIONING ARRANGEMENTS.
AN AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT NORTH TSING YI HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED FOR RELOCATION OF HONG KONG FERRY (HOLDINGS) CO. LTD’S EXISTING SHIPYARD AT TAI KOK TSUI SERVING THE FERRIES.
IN ADDITION, A SITE ON THE PROPOSED RECLAMATION NEAR TAI KOK TSUI WILL BE GRANTED TO THE COMPANY FOR REFUELLING AND MINOR REPAIR SERVICES WHICH IF MOVED TO NORTH TSING YI WOULD ENTAIL HIGH DEAD MILEAGE FOR ITS ENFRANCHISED FERRIES.
THE EXISTING FERRY PIERS AT JORDAN ROAD, TAI KOK TSUI AND SHAM SHUI PO WILL BE RATIONALISED AND RELOCATED TO THE EDGE OF THE NEW RECLAMATION.
MEANWHILE, A PERMANENT SITE AT SIU LAM, TUEN MUN HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN PROPOSED TO BE RECLAIMED BY THE GOVERNMENT FOR RELOCATION OF THE EIGHT SHIPYARDS AT CHEUNG SHA WAN.
HOWEVER, ALL THE SHIPYARDS REJECTED THE PROPOSAL ON GROUNDS OF ITS PURPORTEDLY REMOTE LOCATION.
/ANOTHER SITE .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1990
15
A'. THER SITE AT THE NEW RECLAMATION OFF WILL NO BE OFFERED TO THE .EXISTING SHIPYARDS SUBJE . TO A FIXED TERM OF 10 YEARS.
STONECUTTERS ISLAND AT CHEUNG SHA WAN
THIS LEASE TERM IS TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE PROSPECT OF KE< ...s.YATlON AND POTENTIAL WATER POLLUTION AT THIS LOCATION.
FUTURE
AN EXISTING PIER AT CHINA RESOURCES (HOLDINGS) CO. LTD’S GODOWN WILL BE RELOCATED TO THE NEW RECLAMATION.
IN ADDITION A BACK-UP AREA TO FACILITATE CARGO HANDLING WILL ALSO BE GRANTED TO THE COMPANY AT A PREMIUM. THIS WILL ENABLE THE COMPANY TO CONTINUE THE TRANSHIPMENT OF CARGO CURRENTLY CARRIED OUT AT ITS PRESENT SITE AT CHEUNG SHA WAN.
REGARDING OTHER ARRANGEMENTS, A PUMP-HOUSE WILL BE SIMILARLY REP? VISIONED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO THE NEW SEA FRONT FOR SERVING THE AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM OF FIVE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATIONS.
PUBLIC LANDING FACILITIES WILL BE INCORPORATED INTO THE DESIGN OF THE SEAWALL T.0 MEET THE NEEDS WHICH ARE CURRENTLY FULFILLED BY FLOATING PONTOONS HELD UNDER LICENSES FROM THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.
GOVERNMENT FACILITIES INCLUDING THE GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD, PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS, THE WHOLESALE VEGETABLE MARKET, FISH MARKETS, POULTRY MARKET, FRUIT MARKET AND THE WATER BOAT DOCK WILL ALSO BE RELOCATED UNDER THIS PROJECT.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS AFFECTED WAS DESCRIBED IN TWO NOTICES OF AUTHORISATION PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED WILL BE AFFECTED MAY DELIVER TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 15, 1991.
HE SHOULD STATE IN HIS SUBMISSION THE SUM OF MONEY WHICH HE IS WILLING TO ACCEPT IN FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT OF HIS CLAIM AND SHOULD SUBMIT SUCH PARTICULARS WHICH HE POSSESSES TO SUBSTANTIATE HIS CLAIM.
THE NOTICES TOGETHER WITH RELATED PLANS CAN BE SEEN AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG (WHERE COPIES CAN BE PURCHASED ON ORDER); YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, MIDDLE ROAD CARPARK BUILDING, 15 MIDDLE ROAD, KOWLOON; MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE, TUNG PING BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST, KOWLOON; AND SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, 37-39 TONKIN STREET, GROUND FLOOR, KOWLOON.
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/16........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1990
- 16 -
LAND RESUMPTION FOR
NEW AIRPORT AND TA *****
KWU LING STREAM IMPROVEMENT
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO RESUME A TOTAL OF MORE THAN 50,000 SQUARE METRES OF LAND IN CHEK LAP KOK AND TA KWU LING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW AIRPORT AND IMPROVEMENT OF STREAMS RESPECTIVELY.
DETAILS OF THE RESUMPTION WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE RESUMPTION AT CHEK LAP KOK COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 44,553 SQUARE METRES OF AGRICULTURAL LAND AND 539 SQUARE METRES OF BUILDING LAND.
THE LAND TO BE RESUMED
COMPRISES 157 PRIVATE LOTS
IN THE AREA.
IN TA KWU LING, 13 PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL LOTS WITH A TOTAL AREA OF 5,215.7 SQUARE METRES ARE TO BE RESUMED FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF STREAMS IN PING YEUNG VILLAGE.
MEANWHILE, A NOTICE OF AUTHORISATION FOR RECLAMATION AT THE NORTHERN END OF CHEK LAP KOK ISLAND TO FORM A WORKS AREA FOR THE MAIN AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT WAS ALSO PUBLISHED IN TODAY'S GAZETTE.
THE NOTICE ALSO DESCRIBED THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED WILL BE INJURIOUSLY AFFECTED BY THE PROJECT MAY DELIVER A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 15, 1991.
HE SHOULD STATE IN HIS SUBMISSION THE SUM OF MONEY WHICH HE IS WILLING TO ACCEPT IN FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT OF HIS CLAIM AND SHOULD SUBMIT SUCH PARTICULARS WHICH HE POSSESSES TO SUBSTANTIATE HIS CLAIM.
THE NOTICE TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN ON THE NOTICE BOARDS AT THE TUNG CHUNG RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE; MA WAN CHUNG, TUNG CHUNG; SHAM WAN TSUEN, CHEK LAP KOK; CHEK LAP KOK VILLAGE OFFICE; TAI O RURAL COMMITTEE; SHAN SHEK WAN VILLAGE; SHAM SHEK VILLAGE; SHA LO WAN VILLAGE; SHA LO WAN VILLAGE OFFICE; SHA LO WAN JETTY; SAN TAU VILLAGE; SAN TAU VILLAGE OFFICE; AND ALSO, AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG (WHERE COPIES CAN BE PURCHASED ON ORDER) AND AT THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
- - 0 - -
/17........
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1990
- 17 -
Y.. ?.A TEI POST-WAR BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS
******
,'LS' BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (FRIDAY) DECLARED THE EXTERNAL R:AR STAIRCASES AT NOS. 470 AND 470 A TO G RECLAMATION STREET, YAU MA T. , DANGEROUS AND THEIR MAIN BUILDINGS LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.
IN A STATEMENT ISSUED TODAY, THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING S ! .'E . OR SAID THESE POST-WAR BUILDINGS, ALL 34 YEARS OLD, ARE FIVE STOREYS HIGH WITH COCKLOFTS ON THE GROUND FLOOR.
THEY ARE REINFORCED CONCRETE FRAMED BUILDINGS WITH REINFORCED CONCRETE FLOORS AND ROOFS, AND BRICK INFILL PANEL WALLS.
THE EXTERNAL STAIRCASES AT THE REAR OF THE BUILDINGS ARE AT AN ADVANCED STAGE OF DETERIORATION, WITH SEVERELY SPALLED AND CRACKED REINFORCED CONCRETE MEMBERS.
THE STAIRCASE AT THE REAR OF NOS. 470 F AND G IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.
SUCH STAIRCASES ARE CONSIDERED TO BE BEYOND REASONABLE ECONOMIC REPAIR AND SHOULD THEREFORE BE CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED.
THERE ARE OTHER DEFECTS THROUGHOUT THE MAIN BUILDINGS, MORE NOTICEABLY AT THE FRONT AND REAR PORTIONS INCLUDING THE FRONT MAIN STAIRCASES ESPECIALLY THE STAIRCASE HOODS.
THE DEMOLITION OF THE REAR STAIRCASES WOULD RENDER THE U.. iNGS DANGEROUS BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF ADEQUATE MEANS OF ESCAPE. THEREFORE, THE BUILDINGS THEMSELVES SHOULD BE DEMOLISHED.
THE DEFECTS APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED IN PART BY LACK OF ADEQUATE MAINTENANCE BY THE OWNERS OF THE BUILDINGS OVER THE PRECEEDING YEARS.
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY ADVISES THAT SHOULD THE OWNERS WISH TO RE-BUILD THE REAR STAIRCASES, FORMAL APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED FOR ITS CONSIDERATION.
UNTIL SUCH TIME AS ALL REQUIRED WORKS TO MAKE THE BUILDINGS SAFE GENERALLY HAD BEEN SATISFACTORILY COMPLETED, THE BUILDINGS SHOULD REMAIN CLOSED.
ABOUT 160 PEOPLE WOULD BE AFFECTED BY THE CLOSURE OF THE UPPER DOMESTIC FLOORS OF THE BUILDINGS.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS IN HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON FEBRUARY 6, 1991 WERE POSTED TODAY ON THE BUILDINGS.
--------0-----------
/18 .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1990
- 18 -
FOUR LOTS FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION *****
FOUR LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT AT A PUBLIC AUCTION TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 11.
THE AUCTION WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM IN THE JADE BALLROOM OF HOTEL FURAMA.
THE FIRST LOT IS LOCATED AT LAM WAH STREET, KOWLOON BAY. IT COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 5,194 SQUARE METRES.
THE LOT IS FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING HOTEL, RESIDENTIAL, GODOWN AND CINEMA) PURPOSES, IN PARTICULAR A PUBLIC FEE-PAYING CARPARK. NOT LESS THAN 2,500 SQUARE METRES SHALL BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF BANKS, RESTAURANTS AND A FAST FOOD CENTRE.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 31,800 SQUARE METRES HAS TO BE COMPLETED ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1994.
THE SECOND LOT IS LOCATED AT THE JUNCTION OF SUN YIP STREET AND ON YIP STREET, CHAI WAN.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,383 SQUARE METRES, THE LOT IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSES (COMMERCIAL USE WILL BE PERMITTED ON GROUND AND FIRST FLOORS ONLY).
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 21.447 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1994.
THE OTHER TWO LOTS ARE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
ONE IS LOCATED IN AREA 11, ON PING STREET, SHA TIN WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 4,724 SQUARE METRES.
IT IS FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN (EXCLUDING DANGEROUS GOODS GODOWN) PURPOSES. THE BUILDING COVENANT STIPULATES THAT A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 26,930 SQUARE METRES HAS TO BE COMPLETED ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1994.
THE OTHER LOT IS LOCATED IN AREA 6, MA WO, TAI PO AND HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 9,820 SQUARE METRES FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
THE BUILDING COVENANT STIPULATES THAT A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 14,140 SQUARE METRES HAS TO BE COMPLETED ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1994.
FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND SALE PLANS INSPECTED AT THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
* THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD,
/* THE CENTRAL ........
I *
k FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1990
- 19 -
* THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), GROUND FLOOR, AND
* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET.
CONDITIONS OF SALE WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT VARIOUS DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
-----0------
TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF UC COMPLEX
*****
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN URBAN COUNCIL COMPLEX AT ELECTRIC ROAD, NORTH POINT, HONG KONG.
THE CONTRACT WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A THREE-STOREY BLILDING COMPRISING TWO FLOORS OF MARKETS, AND ONE FLOOR OF COOKED FOOD CENTRE AND LIBRARY. THERE SHOULD BE PROVISION FOR FUTURE EXTENSION FOR ADDITIONAL FLOORS.
WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO START NEXT FEBRUARY AND BE COMPLETED IN MAY, 1992.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON DECEMBER 7.
-----0------
FAREWELL TO CSD CHIEF
*****
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT EXPANDED IN THE PAST DECADES AND BECOME MUCH RUNNING SPECIALISED CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMMES FOR
(CSD) HAS GREATLY
MORE PROFESSIONAL IN
DIFFERENT TYPES OF
THESE WERE THE REMARKS MADE BY THE OUTGOING COMMTQqthmvd CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR CHAN WA-SHEK, AT A^FAREWELL PARADE SeLD AFTERNOON^ ™E DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE THIS
OF IN
(FRIDAY)
/MR CHAN ......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1990
- 20 -
MR CHAN SAID DEPARTMENT HAD GROWN CURRENT 7,050, AND INSTITUTIONS. THIS IS SAME PERIOD.
SINCE HE JOINED THE SERVICE IN 1951, THE FROM AN ESTABLISHMENT OF 502 STAFF TO THE FROM FOUR PENAL ESTABLISHMENTS TO 19 PENAL IN ADDITION TO SIX BOAT PEOPLE CAMPS DURING THE
TO DATE, HE SAID, CSD PROVIDES VARIOUS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BY CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS, DIETITIANS, EDUCATION SPECIALISTS, NURSES, PRODUCTION ENGINEERS, SOCIAL WORKERS AND EXPERIENCED CUSTODIAL OFFICERS.
MR CHAN SAID THERE WERE A NUMBER CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMMES FOR INMATES.
OF RECENT INNOVATIONS
IN THE
"IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, WE HAVE COMPLETELY REVAMPED EDUCATION AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS, INTRODUCED VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR ADULT PRISONERS, ADOPTED AN ECOLOGICAL APPROACH IN THE SUPERVISION OF EX-OFFENDERS IN THE COMMUNITY, INTRODUCED THE RELEASE UNDER SUPERVISION AND THE WORK RELEASE SCHEMES, IMPROVED ON THE SUICIDE PREVENTION MEASURES, ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND, TOGETHER WITH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, ESTABLISHED THE YOUNG OFFENDERS PANEL TO SERVE SOME OF THE LAW COURTS.
"THESE EFFORTS HAVE RESULTED IN MARKEDLY BETTER SUCCESS RATES IN ALL THE TREATMENT-ORIENTED PROGRAMMES," HE ADDED.
TO IMPROVE THE DEPARTMENT’S ABILITY TO REACT TO MASS DISTURBANCE OR A NATURAL DISASTER, MR CHAN SAID THE CSD’S TACTICAL R SPONSE SQUADRON WAS ESTABLISHED, AS WAS THE DOG UNIT, AS A NECESSARY BOOST TO SECURITY.
HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD ALSO INTRODUCED MORE SCIENTIFIC TECHNIQUES IN CORRECTION SERVICES, SUCH AS THE MORE REFINED CATEGORISATION OF VIOLENT OFFENDERS INCLUDING THOSE SERVING LIFE IMPRISONMENT, WHICH LED TO THE ESTABLISHING OF BEHAVIOURAL ADJUSTMENT UNITS IN TWO MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISONS.
BUT MR CHAN SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE MANY MORE SCIENTIFIC TECHNIQUES BEING INTRODUCED INTO CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMMES.
"AND I STILL ADVOCATE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INSTITUTE OF CRIMINOLOGY, NOT FOR ACADEMIC PURSUE, BUT FOR TAKING THE SPECIFIC TASK TO FIGHT CRIME," HE ADDED.
MR CHAN ALSO REVEALED THAT THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES INDUSTRIES HAS INCREASED ITS OUTPUT FROM $33 MILLION IN 1980 TO $211 MILLION LAST YEAR AND TO A FORECAST OUTPUT OF $254 MILLION FOR 1990/91.
ON THE PROBLEMS FACING THE DEPARTMENT, MR CHAN SAID HE WAS HAPPY TO SEE THAT THE SERVICE HAD SUCCESSFULLY CONTAINED SERIOUS OVERCROWDING OF PENAL INSTITUTIONS AND HAD MANAGED TO COPE WITH THE INFLUX OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.
/HE ALSO .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1990
; !
HE ALSO COMMENDED CSD STAFF FOR THEIR UNSWERVING LOYALTY AND DEDICATION TO THEIR WORK.
MR CHAN WILL RETIRE LATER THIS MONTH AFTER 39 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE DEPARTMENT.
HE JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE AS A WARDER IN THE THEN PRISONS DEPARTMENT IN 1951 AND WAS PROMOTED TO DEPUTY COMMISSIONER IN 1980 AND TO COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES IN 1985.
ON PARADE TODAY WERE 185 CSD STAFF. THE EVENT ALSO MARKED THE PASSING-OUT OF 32 ASSISTANT OFFICERS WHO HAD JUST COMPLETED A 26-WEEK BASIC TRAINING AT THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE.
- - 0 - -
TERRITORY-WIDE EXERCISE NEXT WEEK
******
A TERRITORY-WIDE EXERCISE WILL BE CONDUCTED ON NOVEMBER 22 AND 23 TO TEST THE GOVERNMENT’S ABILITY TO RESPOND TO AN OFF-SITE EMERGENCY AT THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR POWER STATION.
THE EXERCISE WILL BE FICTITIOUS. IT WILL INVOLVE 22 GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND WILL TEST THE GOVERNMENT’S ABILITY TO DEAL WITH A RADIOACTIVE PLUME AFFECTING HONG KONG AND PROCEDURES TO MONITOR FOOD AND WATER FOR CONTAMINATION.
THE PUBLIC WILL NOT BE INCONVENIENCED AS THERE WILL BE NO PHYSICAL DEPLOYMENT OF PERSONNEL.
THE EXERCISE IS BEING HELD THIS YEAR SO THAT THE GOVERNMENT CAN, DURING 1991, RE-EVALUATE AND REVISE ITS ABILITY TO RESPOND TO AN OFF-SITE EMERGENCY AT DAYA BAY WELL BEFORE THE PLANT BECOMES OPERATIONAL IN OCTOBER 1992.
AN EXERCISE PLANNING TEAM, HEADED BY A CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE AND ASSISTED BY EXPERTS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, WILL RUN THE EXERCISE AND WILL EVALUATE THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE.
- - 0 - -
/22
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1990
- 22 -
$3M DONATION TO POLICE EDUCATION TRUSTS *****
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, MR GORDON M. MACWHINNIE, PRESENTED A CHEQUE FOR $3 MILLION TO THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA, AT THE POLICE OFFICERS’ CLUB TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE GENEROUS DONATION OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB BROUGHT WELL WITHIN SIGHT THE POLICE EDUCATION TRUSTS’ TARGET IN A FUND-RAISING CAMPAIGN TO BOOST THE CAPITAL FUNDS OF THE POLICE CHILDREN’S EDUCATION TRUST AND THE POLICE EDUCATION WELFARE TRUST, BOTH SET UP IN 1967 TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO POLICE OFFICERS FOR THE EDUCATION OF THEIR CHILDREN. ... _
DUE TO THE GROWING DEMAND FOR BURSARIES AND THE INCREASE IN EDUCATION COSTS, THE EXPENDITURE OF THE TWO TRUSTS HAD BEEN GREATER THAN INCOME, CREATING A DEFICIT IN THE YEARS 1988 AND 1989, MAKING IT NECESSARY TO "EAT INTO" THE CAPITAL FUNDS.
IN VIEW OF THIS, THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE TRUSTS DECIDED IN APRIL 1989 TO LAUNCH A. FUND-RAISING CAMPAIGN WITH A COMBINED TARGET SET AT $8 MILLION.
AFTER 18 MONTHS, THE CAMPAIGN HAD RAISED ALMOST $4.5 MILLION, CONSISTING OF LONG-TERM MONTHLY CONTRIBUTIONS BY SERVING POLICE OFFICERS, AND DONATIONS FROM PAST BENEFICIARIES AND CONCERNED INDIVIDUALS.
"THE AMOUNT WAS CONSIDERABLE BUT STILL FELL FAR SHORT OF THE TARGET," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE POLICE EDUCATION TRUSTS’ MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE SAID.
"NOW, WITH THE $3 MILLION DONATION FROM THE JOCKEY CLUB, $2 MILLION OF WHICH GOES TO THE POLICE CHILDREN’S EDUCATION TRUST AND $1 MILLION TO THE POLICE EDUCATION WELFARE TRUST, WE ARE AT LONG LAST GETTING CLOSE TO OUR GOAL."
THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB HAS A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE TRUSTS, BEING ONE OF ITS FIRST DONORS. IN 1967, THE JOCKEY CLUB GAVE $1 MILLION THAT HELPED TO LAUNCH THE POLICE EDUCATION WELFARE TRUST.
---------0------------
APPLY FOR TRAVEL DOCUMENT NOW TO AVOID CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY RUSH ******
ANYONE INTENDING TO TRAVEL ABROAD DURING THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS SHOULD APPLY FOR TRAVEL DOCUMENT NOW.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE TRAVELLING OUTSIDE HONG KONG WILL BE GREATLY INCREASED DURING THIS TIME OF THE YEAR.
/"IN ORDER.......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1990
"IN ;)ER TO AVOID LAST MINUTE RUSH, PEOPLE ARE ADVISED TO APPLY FOK .oSPORT AND CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE DATE ON WJlCH THEY INTEND TO TRAVEL," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT NOW TAKES 20 WORKING DAYS (THAT IS ABOUT FOUR WEEKS) TO ISSUE A BRITISH HONG KONG PASSPORT AND 15 WORKING DAYS (THAT IS ABOUT THREE WEEKS) TO ISSUE 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, FOR HE HAS TO OBTAIN ONE AT THE SAME TIME, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
"RE-ENTRY PERMIT AND DOCUMENT OF IDENTITY FOR VISA PURPOSES ARE NORMALLY ISSUED ON THE SAME DAY BUT DELAY IS LIKELY IF THERE ARE MANY APPLICANTS COMING AT THE SAME TIME, FOR EXAMPLE, ON SATURDAY IN WHICH WE COULD ONLY PROVIDE A LIMITED SERVICE WITH HALF STRENGTH," HE NOTED.
"THE PERIOD BEFORE THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS IS ONE OF THE BUSIEST TIME OF THE YEAR. BY APPLYING EARLY, IT WILL NOT ONLY SPREAD. r? WORKLOAD OF THE DEPARTMENT BUT WILL ALSO GIVE APPLICANTS EXTRA T ME TO MEET ANY FURTHER VISA PROCESSING REQUIREMENTS WHERE NECESSARY," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
- - 0 - -
LIVE CAREERS SHOWS AT WEEKEND * * * * *
TWO DISCIPLINED FORCES WILL STAGE LIVE SHOWS AND DISPLAY THEIR PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENTS ON THE OPEN AREA OUTSIDE THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL OVER THE WEEKEND AS PART OF THE "CAREERS ’91 EXHIBITION" JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT STAFF WILL GIVE DEMONSTRATIONS ON WEIGHING EQUIPMENTS AND THERE WILL ALSO BE DRUG DETECTOR DOG SHOWS FROM 11 AM TO NOON AND FROM 2.30 PM TO 3.30 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
IT WILL ALSO SHOW VISITORS THE USE OF WALK-THROUGH METAL DETECTOR WHILE A MOBILE X-RAY VAN WILL BE DISPLAYED.
ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 18), THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL STAGE LIVE SHOWS TO DEMONSTRATE THE USE OF A WIDE RANGE OF EQUIPMENTS INCLUDING RESCUE TOOLS, TURNTABLE LADDERS, SNORKELS AND CUTTING EQUIPMENTS.
THESE SHOWS ARE SCHEDULED FROM 10.30 AM TO 1 PM AND FROM 2.30 PM TO 5 PM.
/IN ADDITION
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1990
- 24 -
XN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE A DISPLAY OF ANTIQUE FIRE EQUIPMENTS AND APPLIANCE, AN i.MERGENCY TENDER AND A DIVING TENDER. A MOBILE COMMAND UNIT, A MOBILE CASUALTY TREATMENT CENTRE, AN AMBULANCE AND AN AMBULANCE CYCLE WILL ALSO BE DISPLAYED.
’’THESE SHOWS ARE THE CENTRE OF ATTRACTION OF THE EXHIBITION AND THOSE STAGED LAST WEEKEND BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE AND THE AUXILIARY SERVICES HAD DRAWN MORE THAN 78,000 PEOPLE,” A LABOUR Ol’-r -X OF THE CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, MRS NORA YEUNG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE "CAREERS ’91" IS OPEN FROM 9.30 AM TO 6.30 PM DAILY UNTIL MONDAY (NOVEMBER 19) AT THE EXHIBITION GALLERY AND THE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HALL OF THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL.
SOME 50,000 PEOPLE HAD VISITED THE EXHIBITION SINCE IT WAS OPENED LAST SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 10).
"VISITORS, ESPECIALLY SECONDARY STUDENTS, ARE ABLE TO OBTAIN UP-TO-DATE CAREERS INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE FROM THE STAFF MANNING THE STANDS ON A WIDE RANGE OF TRADES, PROFESSIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
"THE STUDENTS WILL ALSO HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN A CAMERA AND OTHER PRIZES IF THEY ENTER A PHOTO COMPETITION CURRENTLY HELD IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXHIBITION," MRS YEUNG SAID.
ENTRIES, WHICH SHOULD DEPICT THE EXHIBITION AND ITS OUTDOOR DEMONSTRATIONS, MAY BE IN COLOUR OR BLACK AND WHITE. THEY SHOULD MEASURE 20.3 CM BY 25.4 CM (8R) AND SHOULD BE MOUNTED ON CARDBOARDS.
THE TOP THREE WINNERS WILL EACH RECEIVE A CAMERA, WHILE THE FIRST 100 ENTRIES WILL EACH RECEIVE A SOUVENIR.
ENTRIES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE ON 16TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, BY DECEMBER 8.
-----0-----
STUDENTS VIEW OF HK’S FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
******
FIFTY PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS TOOK PART IN THIS YEAR’S INTER-SCHOOL CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECT COMPETITION AIMED AT INCREASING STUDENTS’ AWARENESS OF HONG KONG’S FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.
PARTICIPATING STUDENTS USED VISUAL MATERIALS SUCH AS PHOTOGRAPHS, SLIDES, REPORTS, VIDEOS AND MODELS TO ILLUSTRATE HONG KONG’S POLITICAL, SOCIAL AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE 1990’S UNDER THE THEME, "BUILD HONG KONG FOR THE FUTURE".
/THE PROJECTS .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1990
25
AnTTmT^ PROJECTS WERE TODAY (FRIDAY) JUDGED BY A ADJUDICATORS LED BY EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR TSE, WHO IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION EDUCATION.
PANEL OF
DR DANIEL
OF CIVIC
0THER adjudicators were the principal lecturer of SCHOOL OF DESIGN, HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, MR LAM HIN-TONG-PUBLIC EDUCATION OFFICER, ICAC, MS GRACE CHEUNG;
OF EDUCATION (CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS), MR WONG PRINCIPAL OF HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE,
THE
THE
SWIRE
CHIEF
ASSISTANT
SIK-WAH;
MR DAVID PUN.
DIRECTOR
AND THE
PROJECTS FROM QUEEN’S COLLEGE AND FUK WING ST PRIMARY AM SCHOOL WERE CHOSEN AS THE BEST ENTRY IN THE PRIMARY GROUPS AND EACH WILL WIN A $5,000 BOOK COUPON.
STREET
GOVERNMENT
SECONDARY AND
TX. xx-rr, rHE WINNrNG PROJECTS WILL BE DISPLAYED IN THE TEACHERS’ IN MID-JANUARY.
CENTRE
------------------0------- CLEAN COUNTRYSIDE CONCERT IN SAI KUNG ******
A CLEAN COUNTRYSIDE CONCERT, ORGANISED BY THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 18) AFTERNOON AT PAK TAM CHUNG, SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK.
THE CONCERT AIMS AT DISSEMINATING KEEP CLEAN MESSAGES TO THE PUBLIC THROUGH PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR SINGERS AND GAMES INVOLVING SPECTATORS.
THE AUDIENCE WILL BE REMINDED IN PARTICULAR OF THE NEED TO DISPOSE OF THEIR REFUSE PROPERLY AFTER ENJOYING VARIOUS FACILITIES IN THE COUNTRY PARKS.
THE PROGRAMME WILL BE PRODUCED AND BROADCAST LIVE BY COMMERCIAL RADIO ONE FROM 2 PM TO 3 PM.
AN OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 1.30 PM.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR HAROLD KWOK; SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WILLIAM WAN; CHAIRMAN OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE, MR HO KOON-SHUN; AND MEMBERS OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, MR KAN CHUNG-NIN AND MR MA LEE-WO.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CONCERT ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 18). A VAN (RC 828) WILL PICK UP REPORTERS AT MIDDLE ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI (BEHIND PENINSULA HOTEL) AND LEAVE FOR PAK TAM CHUNG, SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK AT 12.15 PM SHARP. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1990
26
YOUTH URGED TO TAKE PART IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS * * * * *
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ADOLF HSU, TODAY (FRIDAY) URGED YOUNG PEOPLE TO TAKE AN ACTIVE PART IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND TO MAKE SUGGESTIONS ON COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT.
MR HSU SAID THESE ARE WAYS TO RAISE THE STANDARD OF LIVING IN HONG KONG.
SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY TO MARK THE SPEECH DAY OF KIANGSU-CHEKIANG COLLEGE (SHA TIN), MR HSU SAID THE DIVERSIFIED NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF LOCAL RESIDENTS IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS WOULD BE TAKEN FULL CONSIDERATION IN THE FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES.
"THE GOVERNMENT ALWAYS ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN AND EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON DISTRICT AFFAIRS SO THAT IT CAN RESPOND ACCORDINGLY,” HE SAID.
MR HSU POINTED OUT THAT 1991 WILL BE AN IMPORTANT T THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT AS THE ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL BE HELD.
YEAR
IN
FIRST.
NOTING THAT ALL SOCIETAL DEVELOPMENTS, PARTICULARLY THE GOVERNMENT MACHINERY, WILL HAVE A DIRECT BEARING PEOPLE’S LIVELIHOOD, HE URGED STUDENTS TO TAKE MORE CARE ON AFFAIRS.
THAT OF ON LOCAL COMMUNITY
HE ALSO BELIEVED THAT CIVIC EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS SHOULD STEPPED UP TO BETTER STUDENTS’ UNDERSTANDING OF THE COMMUNITY AND ENHANCE THEIR SENSE OF BELONGING AND RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS
BE
TO
THE
SOCIETY.
---------0-----------
EASTERN DISTRICT STARTS SCHEME TO BEAUTIFY SLOPES
******
A PILOT SCHEME TO BEAUTIFY CUT SLOPES THROUGH THE PLANTING OF CREEPERS AND VINES HAS BEEN EMBARKED IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT, THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEVE BARCLAY, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
ADDRESSING A SEMINAR ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT IN THE DISTRICT, HE SAID A SLOPE ON A KUNG NGAM ROAD IN SHAU KEI WAN HAD ALREADY BEEN SELECTED FOR THE SCHEME.
MANY BARREN SLOPES HAVE BECOME EYESORES AS A RESULT OF THE OVERLAYING OF CONCRETE AND PLASTER IN SLOPE STABILISATION PROJECTS, HE SAID.
/OUTLINING THE .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1990
- 27 -
OUTLINING THE WORK OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, HE SAID THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE WERE CONSIDERING TO CARRY OUT TREE-PLANTING PROJECTS IN THE OLD URBAN AREAS.
MR BARCLAY SAID TREES ARE CRUCIAL ELEMENTS FOR A GREEN ENVIRONMENT AND HENCE EVERY EFFORT SHOULD BE MADE TO PRESERVE THEM.
"FOR INSTANCE, WE FOUND SOME IMPRESSIVE BANYAN TREES IN A SITE AT SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST WHICH WAS PROPOSED FOR SALE. AFTER CONSIDERING OUR ADVICE, THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE HAS AGREED IN PRINCIPLE TO KEEP THE TREES BY CHANGING IT TO A PERMANENT OPEN SPACE," HE SAID.
THE DISTRICT BOARD ALSO FUNDED THE CONSTRUCTION OF MANY MINOR AMENITIES AND RAIN SHELTERS FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS.
TURNING TO PRIVATE STREETS, MR BARCLAY SAID A RESUMPTION PROGRAMME WAS STARTED IN 1984 WITH A VIEW TO SOLVING THE TRAFFIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS.
REGARDING THE MANAGEMENT OF PRIVATE BUILDINGS, HE SAID THE DISTRICT’S BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATING TEAM WAS PLAYING AN ACTIVE ROLE IN ADVISING OWNERS ON REMEDIAL MEASURES AGAINST ILLEGAL STRUCTURES, OBSTRUCTION AND DRAINAGE PROBLEMS.
MR BARCLAY PRAISED THE AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS BUILDING A BETTER LIVING ENVIRONMENT FOR RESIDENTS.
TODAY’S SEMINAR WAS THE FIRST IN A SERIES BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE TO PROVIDE A FORUM FOR RESIDENTS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON DISTRICT MATTERS. TWO MORE WILL BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 19 AND 30.
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NEW PHASE FOR WAN CHAI TREE-PLANTING PROJECT
*****
A TREE-PLANTING CEREMONY TO KICK OFF "WAN CHAI GREENERY" PHASE TWO PROJECT WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON OUTSIDE THE SOUTHORN PLAYGROUND.
OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL INCLUDE THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DR STUART REED; WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER MANN AND WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MRS PEGGY LAM. THEY WILL EACH PLANT TWO TREES.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM DEPARTMENTS SUCH AS THE URBAN SERVICES, HIGHWAYS, TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT, TRANSPORT AND ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES WILL ALSO BE PRESENT TO CELEBRATE THE SUCCESS OF THE FIRST PHASE OF THIS DISTRICT BOARD-FUNDED PROJECT.
/A CITY ......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1990
- 28 -
A CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THE PROJECT, WHICH WAS AIMED AT GIVING WAN CHAI A ’’GREEN FACELIFT”, HAD BEEN PROGRESSING SMOOTHLY.
”SO FAR, 45 TREES HAD BEEN PLANTED AND ANOTHER 30 WILL BE PLANTED BEFORE THE END OF THIS FINANCIAL YEAR,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE PRIVATE SECTOR CAN ALSO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE PROJECT, HE SAID, ADDING THAT MAJOR BUSINESS CORPORATIONS WOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO HELP BOOST TREE-PLANTING ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO EXPECTED PRIVATE SPONSORS TO INJECT SOME $2 MILLION INTO THE PROJECT IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TREE-PLANTING CEREMONY WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) OUTSIDE THE ENTRANCE TO THE SOUTHORN PLAYGROUND, LUARD ROAD, WAN CHAI.
THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER MANN, WILL ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE PROJECT’S PRIVATE PARTICIPATION SCHEME.
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COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB TO HOLD ANNUAL PARADE
******
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, WILL TAKE THE SALUTE AT THE 10TH ANNUAL PARADE OF THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB (CYC) AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 20).
MR LI WILL ALSO PRESENT AWARDS TO CYC MEMBERS FOR THEIR SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY AND TO SCHOOL HEADS AND TEACHERS FOR THEIR DEDICATED CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MOVEMENT.
MORE THAN 3,000 CYC MEMBERS, SCHOOL HEADS AND TEACHERS WILL ATTEND THE FUNCTION WHICH WILL INCLUDE A MARCHING BAND AND CHINESE ORCHESTRA PERFORMANCES.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CYC ANNUAL PARADE AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM AT OI KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI, ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 20), BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT THE STADIUM’S MAIN ENTRANCE AT 2.15 PM.
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/29 .......
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER'16, 1990
- 29 -
WOMEN’S WORKSHOP ON AIDS
*****
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDED INTERESTED WOMEN TO TAKE PART IN THE FIRST WOMEN’S WORKSHOP ON AIDS TO BE HELD BETWEEN 2 PM AND 6 PM ON DECEMBER 1.
THE WORKSHOP IS ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY ON AIDS UNDER THE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON AIDS, IN SUPPORT OF THE THIRD WORLD AIDS DAY 1990.
ENTITLED ’’PREVENTION OF AIDS - A WOMEN’S MISSION”, THE WORKSHOP AIMS TO GIVE PARTICIPANTS A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF AIDS WHICH WILL, IN TURN, HELP THEM IN THEIR WORK TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE AND IN CARING FOR HIV CARRIERS.
THE WORKSHOP WILL BE CONDUCTED IN CANTONESE AT THE LADY TRENCH AUDITORIUM, DUKE OF WINDSOR SOCIAL SERVICE BUILDING, 15 HENNESSY ROAD.
IT WILL CONSIST OF A SERIES OF TALKS ON THE IMPACT OF AIDS ON WOMEN, THE EFFECT OF THE DISEASE ON THE SOCIETY, AND EDUCATION AND PREVENTION ON AIDS.
THERE WILL BE GROUP DISCUSSIONS AFTER THE TALKS. THERE WILL ALSO BE A PHOTOGRAPHIC DISPLAY AND VIDEO SHOW ON AIDS.
ADMISSION IS FREE AND ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
RESERVATION CAN BE MADE BY TELEPHONING 835 1820.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PARTNERSHIP NECESSARY TO EFFECTIVELY FIGHT CRIME ........................ 1
CS COMPLETES NORTH AMERICAN VISIT........................................ 2
LITTLE THINGS COULD HELP IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT......................... 4
FIRST PAC PUBLIC HEARING ON MONDAY ...................................... 5
SEPT ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLL FIGURES RELEASED ............ 6
SYMPOSIUM ON SAFETY AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT................................ 10
SEMINAR ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT IN MONG KOK............................... 11
$2M EARMARKED FOR WAN CHAI GREENERY ..................................... 12
PROPOSED RECLAMATION FOR SEWAGE WORKS ................................... 13
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD BY AUCTION ..................................... 13
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1990
- 1 PARTNERSHIP NECESSARY TO EFFECTIVELY FIGHT CRIME ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT REMAINS RESOLUTE IN ITS COMMITMENT TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG REMAINS A SAFE CITY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE 1990 FIGHT CRIME CONFERENCE, SIR DAVID SAID THAT CRIME WAS A SOCIAL PROBLEM THAT MUST BE FOUGHT RELENTLESSLY.
NOTING THAT THE GOVERNMENT COULD NOT EFFECTIVELY FIGHT CRIME ON ITS OWN, SIR DAVID SAID THE PUBLIC HAD A VITAL ROLE IN THE MAINTENANCE OF LAW AND ORDER.
"EVERY ONE OF US HAS A CIVIC DUTY TO HELP THE POLICE BY REPORTING CRIME; BY BEING PREPARED TO COME FORWARD AS A WITNESS; AND BY TAKING PREVENTIVE MEASURES AT WORK AND AT HOME," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE THAT WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP, THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC COULD FIGHT CRIME EFFECTIVELY.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, IN HIS CAPACITY AS DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (FCC), ALSO SHARED THE VIEW THAT SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION OF THE COMMUNITY WAS VITAL.
"A SPECIAL PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN WILL BE MOUNTED LATER THIS YEAR TO GET THIS MESSAGE ACROSS TO THE PUBLIC.
"THE CENTRAL THEME IS ’JOIN FORCES AGAINST CRIME' THROUGH PREVENTING, REPORTING AND PROVING CRIME," HE SAID.
IN SUPPORT OF THIS, MR MATHEWS SAID THE POLICE WERE REVIEWING PEPORTING PROCEDURES TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE PUBLIC TO PERFORM THEIR DUTY, WHILST AT THE SAME TIME SEEKING TO ASSURE THE PUBLIC THAT THEY WOULD BE PROTECTED AS WITNESSES.
ON THE OPERATIONS SIDE, THE POLICE WERE TAKING POSITIVE ACTION AGAINST THE HIERARCHIES OF TRIAD SOCIETIES AND THEIR ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES.
"TO CURB THE ILLEGAL IMPORTATION OF FIREARMS IN HONG KONG, THE POLICE HAVE ALSO ESTABLISHED CLOSE LIAISON WITH THE GUANGDONG AUTHORITIES.
"THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES HAVE ALSO ACHIEVED SUCCESS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING WITH SOME MAJOR SEIZURES," HE SAID.
REFERRING TO LEGISLATIVE MEASURES, MR MATHEWS SAID LEGISLATION AIMED AT TRIADS AND OTHER ORGANISED CRIMINAL ORGANISATIONS WAS BEING PREPARED.
THIS WOULD ENABLE THE COURTS TO CONSIDER THE WHOLE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES OF ORGANISED CRIMINALS AND WOULD PROVIDE FOR HEAVIER PENALTIES.
/"STRONG FORFEITURE .......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1990
- 2 -
"STRONG FORFEITURE PROVISIONS WILL BE PROPOSED SEEKING TO DEPRIVE CRIMINALS OF THE PROCEEDS OF THEIR CRIMES.
"A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF 25 YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR TAKING PART IN ORGANISED CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES WILL BE SUGGESTED IN THE DRAFT LEGISLATION,” MR MATHEWS SAID.
DURING THE LAST 18 MONTHS, LEGISLATION HAD ALSO BEEN ENACTED WHICH IMPOSED HEAVIER PENALTIES ON PEOPLE RUNNING ILLEGAL GAMBLING OPERATIONS.
"WE HAVE ALSO SOUGHT, THROUGH LEGISLATION, TO BETTER CONTROL NUISANCES ASSOCIATED WITH PROSTITUTION AND TO ENSURE FORFEITURE OF THE PROCEEDS OF DRUG TRAFFICKING," HE ADDED.
BOTH THE GOVERNOR AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ACKNOWLEDGED THE CONTRIBUTION OF DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES (DFCC) TO GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS IN FIGHTING CRIME, AND NOTED THAT TODAY’S CONFERENCE WAS A VALUABLE FORUM FOR AN EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON THE CRIME SITUATION.
TODAY’S CONFERENCE WAS CHAIRED BY FCC MEMBER, MRS ROSANNA TAM, AND WAS ATTENDED BY SOME 400 DELEGATES COMPRISING FCC AND DFCC MEMBERS AS WELL AS GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES.
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SERVING AS PANELISTS AT THE PLENARY SESSION WERE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS; SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY; SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO; SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND . WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG; COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA; DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING; AND COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR CHAN WA-SHEK.
DURING THE CONFERENCE, THE REPORTS ON FOUR PRE-CONFERENCE MEETINGS WERE DISCUSSED AND THEIR FINDINGS FURTHER EXAMINED.
THE DISCUSSION TOPICS WERE "YOUTH CRIMES WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO SHOPTHEFT, ROBBERY, CRIMINAL DAMAGES AND INTIMIDATION", "PARENTAL CARE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE", "CRIME INVOLVING TRIADS, STREET GANGS AND ORGANISED CRIME SYNDICATES" AND "CRIME PREVENTION AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE PROMOTION OF HOME SECURITY".
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CS COMPLETES NORTH AMERICAN VISIT
*****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, LEFT VANCOUVER FOR LONDON ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 16) EVENING AFTER A WEEK-LONG VISIT TO NORTH AMERICA.
SIR DAVID SAID HIS VISIT TO SAN FRANCISCO, SEATTLE AND VANCOUVER HAD BEEN A HECTIC SCHEDULE BUT A MOST ENJOYABLE ONE.
/HE SAID .......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1990
- 3 -
HE SAID IT HAD BEEN EXTREMELY USEFUL TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK PERSONALLY TO A NUMBER OF OPINION-FORMERS ON THE WEST COAST OF NORTH AMERICA INCLUDING POLITICIANS, ACADEMICS AND MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA.
"IT HAS ALSO BEEN INVALUABLE TO MEET BUSINESSMEN WHO HAVE CLOSE INTERESTS IN DEVELOPING TRADE AND INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG.
"I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PAINT A PICTURE OF HONG KONG LIFTING ITSELF AFTER THE GLOOM OF LAST YEAR AND GRADUALLY RETURNING TO A STEADY LEVEL OF ECONOMIC GROWTH."
SIR DAVID SAID HE HAD ALSO DISCUSSED HONG KONG’S PROBLEMS, SUCH AS THE BRAIN DRAIN, VERY FRANKLY AND OPENLY WITH EVERYONE HE HAD MET.
"I HAVE ALSO ENJOYED MEETING MANY HONG KONG PEOPLE IN NORTH AMERICA WHERE THEY ARE MAKING A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE ECONOMY.
"I WAS MUCH ENCOURAGED BY THE FACT THAT THEY ALL RETAIN VERY STRONG LINKS WITH HONG KONG AND WERE EAGER TO HEAR MY ASSESSMENT OF THE SITUATION IN HONG KONG."
THE FINAL DAY OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY’S BUSY NORTH AMERICAN TOUR ON FRIDAY BEGAN WITH A STIMULATING ROUND-TABLE DISCUSSION ON ISSUES CONCERNING HONG KONG-CHINA RELATIONS.
A BREAKFAST MEETING IN VANCOUVER, HOSTED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR ROSS BELSHER, WAS ATTENDED BY OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AS WELL AS LEADING ACADEMICS AND PROMINENT MEMBERS OF THE VANCOUVER CHINESE COMMUNITY INCLUDING MR ALDERMAN SANDRA WILKINS, AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG CANADA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION, MR DANNY GAW.
ACCOMPANIED BY HONG KONG’S MINISTER IN WASHINGTON, MR PETER LO, AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN SAN FRANCISCO, MR PETER JOHNSON, SIR DAVID THEN FLEW BY HELICOPTER TO VICTORIA ON THE SOUTHERN TIP OF VANCOUVER ISLAND FOR TALKS AND LUNCHEON AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE HOSTED BY THE LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, MR DAVID LAM, AND HIS WIFE.
SIR DAVID AND THE LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR DISCUSSED RAPIDLY DEVELOPING LINKS BETWEEN BRITISH COLUMBIA AND HONG KONG INCLUDING TRADE OPPORTUNITIES IN BOTH PLACES AND THE SIGNIFICANT IMPACT WHICH HONG KONG PEOPLE ARE HAVING UPON THE PROVINCE.
THE DAY’S PROGRAMME ALSO INCLUDED TWO MEDIA INTERVIEWS.
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/4 ........
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1990
4
LITTLE THINGS COULD HELP IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DR STUART REED, TODAY (SATURDAY) CALLED ON THE PUBLIC TO DO AT LEAST LITTLE THINGS TO HELP SAFEGUARD AND PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT.
SPEAKING AT A CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE SHELL BETTER ENVIRONMENT AWARD SCHEME, DR REED SAID LITTLE BY LITTLE TOGETHER, HONG KONG WOULD SUCCEED IN IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT.
DR REED SAID HE WAS BROUGHT TOGETHER SHELL AND FRIENDS OF THE EARTH, WHICH HEALTHIER AND MORE PLEASANT
DELIGHTED TO SEE THAT THE SCHEME HAD A MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL PRESSURE GROUP, HAD THE SAME GOAL OF MAKING THE EARTH A PLACE IN WHICH TO LIVE.
"WE WERE DELIGHTED TOO BECAUSE THE STRUCTURE OF THE SCHEME MEANS THAT IT REACHES OUT TO SO MANY SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY. NOT ONLY YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INVOLVED, BUT ALSO THE ELDERLY AND THE DISABLED ON EQUAL TERMS.
"THE ELDERLY AND THE DISABLED WILL EXCHANGE WITH THEIR VARIOUS CONTACTS THE INFORMATION THEY HAVE GAINED THROUGH THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN THESE PROJECTS.
"AND THE CHILDREN WILL INEVITABLY USE THEIR EXPERIENCE TO LET THEIR PARENTS KNOW WHAT THEY SHOULD DO TO SAFEGUARD AND IMPROVE OUR ENVIRONMENT.
"SO WHAT THE SHELL SCHEME IS DOING, IS TO SPREAD, TO DIFFUSE, A NEW ENVIRONMENTAL CONSCIOUSNESS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY AND TO CREATE A NEU ENVIRONMENTAL ETHIC -- AN ETHIC WHERE WE COME TO REGARD THE ENVIRONMENT AS SOMETHING PRECIOUS TO BE NURTURED RATHER THAN SOMETHING AVAILABLE FREE, TO BE EXPLOITED," HE SAID.
DR REED SAID WE SHOULD NOT CREATE NEW ETHIC OVERNIGHT, AND HE WAS SURE WE WERE ALL PAINFULLY AWARE THAT INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS WERE MINUTE COMPARED WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS THAT WE HAD TO FACE IN TERMS OF THE DESPOILATION OF FORESTS AND SEAS AND EVEN THE VERY AIR THAT WE BREATHE.
"BUT NOBODY MAKES A GREATER MISTAKE IN LIFE THAN HE WHO DOES NOTHING BECAUSE HE CAN DO SO LITTLE AND THIS IS NOWHERE MORE TRUE THAN IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL FIELD," HE CONCLUDED.
THE SHELL BETTER ENVIRONMENT AWARD SCHEME, LAUNCHED IN APRIL THIS YEAR, IS AIMED AT DEVELOPING ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AMONG THE GRASSROOT LEVELS INTO ACTIVE CONCERN THROUGH THEIR OWN INITIATIVES AND EFFORTS.
A TOTAL OF 52 GRANTS HAVE BEEN AWARDED TO SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY PROJECTS, INCLUDING PARTICIPATION BY THE ELDERLY AND THE DISABLED.
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/5
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1990
5
FIRST PAC PUBLIC HEARING ON MONDAY * * * * ♦
THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A TWO-DAY PUBLIC HEARING ON THE REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT WHICH WAS TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY.
THE REPORT IS ON THE ACCOUNTS OF THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31 AND THE RESULTS OF VALUE FOR MONEY AUDITS.
THE HEARINGS WILL TAKE PLACE ON MONDAY (NOVEMBER 19) AND THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 22) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
ON MONDAY, THE HEARING WILL START FROM 9 AM. APPEARING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE TO ANSWER POINTS RAISED IN THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT’S REPORT WILL BE THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TRAFFIC OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE, THE DIRECTOR OF HOSPITAL SERVICES, A PRINCIPAL MEDICAL OFFICER AND THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE.
THE TIMETABLE FOR MONDAY’S HEARING IS AS FOLLOWS:
9 AM SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY
PARAGRAPHS 4.1 - 4.17
9.30 AM SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, SECRETARY FOR
TRANSPORT, COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TRAFFIC OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE, PARAGRAPHS 3.4 - 3.13
10.30 AM DIRECTOR OF HOSPITAL SERVICES AND A PRINCIPAL MEDICAL OFFICER, PARAGRAPHS 7.1 - 7.14
11.15 AM SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, PARAGRAPHS 5.1 - 5.11
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE PUBLIC HEARING ARE ADVISED TO BRING WITH THEM A COPY OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT’S REPORT.
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/6 ........
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1990
6
SEPT ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLL FIGURES RELEASE!) *****
THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IN SEPTEMBER 1990, REPORTED BY THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1990, BUT DECREASED BY 1 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1989, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARED WITH AUGUST 199p, THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IN SEPTEMBER 1990 DECREASED MODERATELY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY, BUT SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE IN ALL OTHER MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED.
COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1989, THE ORDERS POSITION IN SEPTEMBER 1990 DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES, AND TO A LESSER EXTENT IN THE TEXTILES AND WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRIES.
ON THE OTHER HAND, ORDERS IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY INCREASED MODERATELY OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IS MEASURED IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF MONTHS AND REFERS TO ORDERS OUTSTANDING AS AT THE ENI) OF THE REFERENCE MONTH.
ON EMPLOYMENT, THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED REPORTED THAT THEIR TOTAL WORKFORCE IN SEPTEMBER. 1990 DECREASED BY 2 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1990, AND BY 11 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1989.
COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1990, EMPLOYMENT IN SEPTEMBER 1990 DECREASED MODERATELY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY, AND TO A LESSER EXTENT IN MOST OTHER MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED. THESE DECREASES WERE PARTLY DUE TO THE DEPARTURE OF SUMMER WORKERS EMPLOYED IN THE PRECEDING MONTHS BY SOME COMPANIES SURVEYED.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, EMPLOYMENT IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS INDUSTRY SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE.
COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1989, EMPLOYMENT IN SEPTEMBER 1990 DECREASED SIGNIF1CANTLY IN MOST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, WITH THE LARGEST DECREASES RECORDED IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS, THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS AND TEXTILES INDUSTRIES.
HOWEVER, A SLIGHT INCREASE IN EMPLOYMENT WAS REPORTED IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS INDUSTRY OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
IN SEPTEMBER 1990, PER CAPITA EARNINGS TN THE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SURVEYED INCREASED BY 4 PER CENT IN MONEY TERMS WHEN COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1990.
/OVER THIS .......
7
OVER THIS PERIOD, ONLY SLIGHT INCREASES IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS WERE RECORDED IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES. THE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND TEXTILES INDUSTRIES WERE MAINLY DUE TO THE ISSUE OF BONUSES BY SOME COMPANIES SURVEYED.
ON THE OTHER HAND, PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRY DECREASED MODERATELY IN SEPTEMBER 1990 WHEN COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1990, FOLLOWING THE ISSUE OF BONUSES IN AUGUST BY SOME COMPANIES SURVEYED.
COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1989, PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN SEPTEMBER 1990 INCREASED BY 15 PER CENT IN MONEY TERMS IN THE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SURVEYED. INCREASES IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS WERE RECORDED IN ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, WITH THE LARGEST INCREASES RECORDED IN THE TEXTILES, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES SURVEYED, EMPLOYMENT IN SEPTEMBER 1990 DECREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1990 AND SEPTEMBER 1989. PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN SEPTEMBER 1990 DECREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1990, BUT SHOWED A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE OVER SEPTEMBER 1989.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT FIGURES FOR THIS INDUSTRY COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
IN THE SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS, THE OVERALL EMPLOYMENT IN SEPTEMBER 1990 AS REPORTED BY THE COMPANIES SURVEYED SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1990, BUT INCREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1989.
IN SEPTEMBER 1990, PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR THE SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS TAKEN TOGETHER INCREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1990. A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS WAS RECORDED IN THE PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES OVER THIS PERIOD, MAINLY DUE TO THE ISSUE OF BONUSES IN SEPTEMBER.
COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1989, PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN SEPTEMBER 1990 INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY FOR ALL THE SERVICE SECTORS SURVEYED.
THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS ARE SHOWN IN TABLES 1 TO 3.
THE SURVEY COVERED A PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES AND THE 50 LARGEST COMPANIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY 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 ........
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1990
8
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 SEPTEMBER 1990 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AND AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT $2.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 839 3222.
TABLE 1 : ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
ORDERS-ON-HAND
AS AT THE END OF
COMPARED WITH
CHANGE WHEN
INDUSTRY SEPTEMBER 1990 AUG. 90 SEP. 89
(MONTHS) (%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 4.24 ♦ -1
— — _ — — — —
WEARING APPAREL 4.66 * -2
TEXTILES 2.11 * -5
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 2.44 -5 -12
FABRICATED METAL 4.08 ♦ -9
PRODUCTS
ELECTRICAL AND 5.26 ♦ + 4
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
OTHERS 4.11 * -1
* CHANGES WITHIN +/- 0.5%
/TABLE 2 .......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1990
9
TABLE 2 : EMPLOYMENT
PERSONS ENGAGED
AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER 1990
INDUSTRY/SERVICES CHANGE WHEN AUG. 90 COMPARED WITH SEP. 89
(%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES -2 -11
— — — —
FOOD AND DRINKS ♦ + 1
WEARING APPAREL -1 -10
TEXTILES -3 -13
PLASTIC PRODUCTS -7 -18
FABRICATED METAL -1 -7
PRODUCTS
ELECTRICAL AND -2 -15
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
OTHERS -1 -3
CONSTRUCTION # -1 -2
— —
SERVICES t + 3
- — —
BANKS ♦ f :<
HOTELS ♦ - 1
PUBIIC UTILITIES ♦ 4 I
OTHERS ♦ + S
* CHANGES WITHIN + /- 0.5%
# PERSONS ENGAGED (’OVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS IMPLoYFD JO LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
TABLE 3 : PER CAPITA EARNINGS
PER CAPITA EARNINGS
AVERAGE CHANGE WHEN AS IN COMPARED WITH
INDUSTRY/SERVICES SEPTEMBER 1990 AUG. 90 SEP. 89
(HK$ ) (%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 6,183 + 4 + 15
FOOD AND DRINKS 7,005 + 3 + 11
/WEARING APPAREL .......
SATURDAY. NOVEMBER 17, 1990
- 10 -
WEARING APPAREL 4,709 -6 + 10
TEXTILES 6,533 + 18 + 20
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 6,879 + 20 + 18
FABRICATED METAL 6,080 + 2 + 19
PRODUCTS
ELECTRICAL AND 5,845 + 1 + 14
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
OTHERS 7,807 + 3 + 14
CONSTRUCTION # 8,359 -1 + 12
— — — — — — — — —
SERVICES - 10,540 + 2 + 16
— — __—
BANKS 9,441 » + 13
HOTELS 6,370 * + 13
PUBLIC UTILITIES 11,337 + 11 + 14
OTHERS 11,436 -6 + 20
» 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 COMPANIES SURVEYED, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED BY THE COMPANIES SURVEYED IS NOT MEANINGFUL INFORMATION ON ITS OWN (BECAUSE THIS IS A PANEL SURVEY) AND IS THEREFORE NOT SHOWN.
-----0------
SYMPOSIUM ON SAFETY AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT
*****
SUPERVISORS AND MANAGERS IN LOCAL INDUSTRIES WILL BE ABLE TO EXCHANGE VIEWS WITH EXPERTS IN PROMOTING SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK AT A SYMPOSIUM TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 4.
THE SYMPOSIUM ON SAFETY AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT IS ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE JAPAN INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ASSOCIATION (JISHA).
THE SYMPOSIUM WILL IDENTIFY THE ROLE OF THE MANAGEMENT IN ACHIEVING A HIGHER STANDARD OF SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK.
/"WE HAVE .......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1990
11
"WE HAVE INVITED JISHA TO TAKE PART AGAIN THIS YEAR BECAUSE IT HAS DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB IN RAISING JAPAN’S INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS THROUGH VOLUNTARY PREVENTIVE ACTIVITIES AMONG BUSINESS IN THE PAST 26 YEARS," THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S DIVISIONAL FACTORY INSPECTOR (TRAINING), MR WONG CHI-KAI, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
"PARTICIPANTS WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE JAPAN’S EXPERIENCE IN ACHIEVING SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK THROUGH EXCELLENT INDUSTRIAL MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES," HE ADDED.
ONE OF THE KEY SPEAKERS AT THE SYMPOSIUM WILL BE MR MASAAKI HIROTA, GENERAL MANAGER OF THE SAFETY AND WORK ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT OF MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION. HE WILL SPEAK ON "HOW TO ORGANISE AN IN-PLANT EFFECTIVE SAFETY AND HEALTH PROMOTIONAL PROGRAMME".
ANOTHER SPEAKER WILL BE MR HIROHISA KOMINE, SENIOR INDUSTRIAL HYGIENIST OF THE SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION CO-ORDINATION DEPARTMENT OF TONEN CORPORATION. HIS TALK WILL BE ON "CONTROL ON THE SAFE HANDLING AND USE OF CHEMICALS IN TRADE PROCESSES".
THE THIRD SPEAKER WILL BE THE CHIEF SAFETY AND SECURITY ADVISER OF SHELL HONG KONG LIMITED, MR LEE HUNG-KWONG, WHO WILL SPEAK ON "SAFETY MANAGEMENT IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY OF HONG KONG".
THE SYMPOSIUM, TO BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, WILL HAVE PLACES FOR 300 PARTICIPANTS. SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION IN ENGLISH AND CANTONESE WILL BE PROVIDED.
ENROLMENT FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE ON 13TH FLOOR, . HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE ON TEL. 852 3562 AND 852 3565.
--------0-----------
SEMINAR ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT IN MONG KOK
*****
A BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR WILL BE HELD AT THE FA YUEN STREET URBAN COUNCIL COMPLEX IN MONG KOK TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
IT HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE BUILDING MANAGEMENT SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE MONG KOK ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD.
PROFESSIONALS IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT WILL GIVE TALKS ON THE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES.
THEY INCLUDE A SENIOR HOUSING MANAGER OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, MR RAYMOND FONG; BUILDING MANAGEMENT SUB-COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR WONG SHEUNG-HUNG; AND AN ASSISTANT ESTATE MANAGER, MR TANG WAI-MTNG.
/AN EXHIBITION .......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1990
AN EXHIBITION WILL ALSO BE STAGED AT THE VENUE.
seminar will be followed by visits to a private building
AND A HOUSING ESTATE ON NOVEMBER 25.
AN OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD PRIOR TO THE SEMINAR. OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL INCLUDE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS LORNA MA; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHOW CHUN-FAI; CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE, DR CHIU WING-YUE; AND MONG KOK ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR Y M KWOK-ON.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MONG KOK BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR. WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE FA YUEN STREET URBAN COUNCIL COMPLEX, 10TH FLOOR, 123A FA YUEN STREET.
- - 0 - -
$2M EARMARKED FOR WAN CHAI GREENERY ******
TWENTY PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT COMPANIES AND HOTELS IN WAN CHAI HAVE AGREED TO CONTRIBUTE $2 MILLION NEXT YEAR TO THE DISTRICT’S ’’GREENERY PROJECT”, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER MANN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT A TREE-PLANTING CEREMONY OUTSIDE SOUTHORN PLAYGROUND TO MARK THE BEGINNING OF ANOTHER PHASE OF THE PROJECT.
MR MANN NOTED THAT THE PROJECT, WHICH WAS AIMED AT GIVING THE DISTRICT A "GREEN FACELIFT’’, WOULD BE AN EVEN GREATER SUCCESS WITH SUPPORT FROM PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS.
UNDER THE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME, ABOUT 200 TREES WERE EXPECTED TO BE PLANTED IN THE DISTRICT BEGINNING NEXT APRIL UNDER. THE SUPERVISION OF A LANDSCAPE CONSULTANT COMPANY, HE SAID.
THE DISTRICT OFFICER ADDED THAT SINCE THE LAUNCHING OF THE PROJECT IN NOVEMBER. LAST YEAR, ABOUT 260 POTTED PLANTS HAD BEEN PLACED ALONG LOCKHART ROAD.
A TOTAL OF 15 TREES HAD BEEN PLANTED SO FAR THIS YEAR AND 30 MORE WOULD BE PLANTED BEFORE MARCH 1991.
ALSO ATTENDING TODAY’S CEREMONY WERE THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DR STUART REED; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MRS PEGGY LAM; AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE URBAN SERVICES, HIGHWAYS, TRANSPORT AND TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS.
- - 0 - -
/13
1
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1990
- 13 -
PROPOSED RECLAMATION FOR SEWAGE WORKS * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CARRY OUT RECLAMATION IN STANLEY TO PROV E LAND FOR FUTURE SEWAGE WORKS.
THE WORKS WILL BE CARRIED OUT WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 1.55 HECTARES ALONG THE EASTERN PORTION OF THE FORESHORE AND SEABED AT STANLEY BAY.
RECLAMATION WILL BE CARRIED OUT TO FORM ABOUT 6,200 SQUARE ME7R S OF LAND AND CONSTRUCTION OF A SEA WALL APPROXIMATELY 210 METRES IN LE..GTH.
THE RECLAIMED LAND IS FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A GRAVITY SEWER PIPE AND ASSOCIATED UNDERGROUND STRUCTURES AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN EMERGENCY ROADWAY AND ASSOCIATED WORKS AND LANDSCAPING.
ALSO, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO GRANT A LEASE WITHIN AN AREA OF APPROXIMATELY 4.10 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT NORTH TSING Y1 TO PROVIDE LAND FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SHIPYARD.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS AFFECTED WERE DESCRIBED IN NOTICES PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE GAZETTE.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 15, 1991.
THE NOTICE OF SUCH OBJECTION SHALL DESCRIBE THE INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT OF THE OBJECTOR AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED.
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD BY AUCTION
*****
FORTY SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE AUCTION THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $1,940,000 GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES.
PUT UP WHICH
FOR
WILL
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL, SAW THE REGISTRATION NUMBER EE8 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $310,000.
ANOTHER NUMBER EDI WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $220,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $3,000 FOR EL6023.
/FOLLOWING ARE .......
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1990
- 14 -
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY’S AUCTION:
EMI 138 $ 6,000 AA128 $ 210,000 EE8 $ 310,000 EK3228 $ 35,000
EL120 25,000 HK1737 15,000 EL109 10,000 EM272 35,000
EM908 8,000 EDI 220,000 EK889 25,000 HK1776 10,000
HK55 105,000 EL881 15,000 EM817 15,000 EMI 100 20,000
EL369 10,000 DF90 35,000 747 160,000 EK1928 15,000
EL6088 6,000 CA986 16,000 EL988 30,000 EL615 4,000
171 150,000 EM29 50,000 EL220 13,000 EL9996 6,000
EL314 6,000 EL911 60,000 EL1838 21,000 EL6023 3,000
EM 1328 15,000 EK8133 11,000 EM102 29,000 EL3278 8,000
EL633 19,000 AA162 95,000 EE66 110,000 EK9332 4,000
SUCCESSFUL ■ BIDDERS WERE REQUIRED TO PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY
AFTER THE BIDDING.
THE NUMBERS AUCTIONED WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.
TODAY’S SALE, THE 157TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT
SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CHARITY REALISED SO FAR TO $109,056,505.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
36 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN SEPTEMBER .............................. 1
ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS TO QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL .................... 1
TENDERS INVITED FOR PUMPING STATION EXTENSION ............................ 2
MODIFICATION TO LOCKHART ROAD COMPLEX .................................... 3
CARE FOR ELDERLY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL ............................... 3
COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT BY BOYS' HOME WINS AWARD ....................... 4
RS STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF NEXT YEAR'S ELECTIONS TO TAOISTS ............... 5
CARE-FOR-THE-ELDERLY DAY ................................................. 6
BOOKLET ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT OUT ....................................... 6
CONCERT SPREADS CLEAN COUNTRYSIDE MESSAGE ................................ 7
CONTESTS TO PROMOTE HEALTH EDUCATION AMONG STUDENTS ...................... 8
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1990
36 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN SEPTEMBER ******
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE APPROVED A TOTAL OF 36 NEW BUILDING PLANS IN SEPTEMBER.
OF THE PLANS, 13 WERE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 12 IN KOWLOON AND 11 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE' APPROVED PLANS INCLUDED 17 FOR APARTMENT, APARTMENT/COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS; 10 FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT; AND ONE FOR FACTORY PURPOSES.
DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE GAVE CONSENT FOR WORK TO START ON 39 PROJECTS, INVOLVING 45,930.1 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 175,883.5 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE NON-DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA.
THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH WAS ABOUT $447 MILLION. THE USABLE FLOOR AREAS FOR DOMESTIC AND NON-DOMESTIC USES WERE ABOUT 56,810.9 SQUARE METRES AND 7,130.7 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
ALSO DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE ISSUED 20 OCCUPATION PERMITS, SIX FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, SEVEN FOR KOWLOON AND SEVEN FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN ADDITION, THE OFFICE ISSUED 25 DEMOLITION CONSENTS AFFECTING 40 BUILDINGS.
THE CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT DIVISION RECEIVED 551 COMPLAINTS ON ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS, CARRIED OUT 512 INSPECTIONS AND ISSUED 183 REMOVAL ORDERS.
THE DANGEROUS BUILDING SECTION INSPECTED 408 BUILDINGS AND OBTAINED TWO EMERGENCY CLOSURE ORDERS.
------0-----------
ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS TO QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL
*****
THE ARCHITECTURAL VARIOUS ALTERATIONS AND KOWLOON.
SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING ADDITIONS TO QUEEN ELIZABETH
TENDERS FOR
HOSPITAL IN
THE PROJECT WILL OFFICES, OBSERVATION WARDS IN FIVE SEPARATE LOCATIONS COMPLEX.
COMPRISE EXTENSIONS A SPECIALIST CLINIC WITHIN AN EXISTING
AND IMPROVEMENTS TO AND TREATMENT ROOMS FUNCTIONING HOSPITAL
/DETAILS OF .......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1990
- 2
DETAILS OF THE WORKS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
* AT THE OBSERVATION WARD IN THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY ''DEPARTMENT, COMPRISING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TWO-STOREY STRUCTURE AND THE DEMOLITION OF THE PEDESTRIAN ACCESS;
* THE EXTENSION TO OFFICES AT GROUND AND FIRST FLOOR LEVELS IN BLOCKS C AND E, COMPRISING THE ENCLOSING AND
PARTITIONING OF BALCONIES ON EACH FLOOR;
* ADDITIONS TO THE SPECIALIST CLINIC AT GROUND FLOOR LEVEL, TO PROVIDE OFFICES AND CONSULTING FACILITIES AND THE PROVISION OF A COVERED WAITING AREA TO THE CARPARK;
* ADDITIONAL OFFICE ACCOMMODATION AT ROOF OF BLOCK H, COMPRISING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SINGLE-STOREY EXTENSION TO AN EXISTING BLOCK; AND
* ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION FOR TWO HIGH-ENERGY LINEAR ACCELERATORS AND A MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SYSTEM, COMPRISING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SINGLE-STOREY STRUCTURE AND THE DEMOLITION OF THE LINEAR ACCELERATOR TREATMENT ROOM.
WORK SCHEDULED TO START IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR AND BE COMPLETED IN FEBRUARY 1992.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON DECEMBER 7 THIS YEAR.
A NOTICE INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT WAS PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE GAZETTE.
--------0-----------
TENDERS INVITED FOR PUMPING STATION EXTENSION
******
THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE EXTENSION OF PAK KOK TSUI PUMPING STATION.
THE STATION FORMS PART OF THE PILLAR POINT SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS PROJECT AND SERVES TO CONVEY SEWAGE FROM TUEN MUN NEW TOWN TO THE PILLAR POINT SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT.
THE CONTRACT WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ADDITIONAL PUMPING STATION BUILDING TOGETHER WITH THE ASSOCIATED CHAMBERS, ROADS . AND DRAINAGE WORKS.
WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN MARCH 1991 AND TAKE 23 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON DECEMBER 7.
------0-------
/3 ........
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1990
- 3 -
MODIFICA' ION TO LOCKHART ROAD COMPLEX
******
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE MARKET MODIFICATION WORKS TO THE URBAN COUNCIL LOCKHART ROAD COMPLEX IN WAN CHAI.
THE WORKS WILL INCLUDE THE CONVERSION OF MARKET STALLS ON THE GROUND FLOOR, THE INSTALLATION OF POLYCARBONATE CANOPIES AT FRONTAGES ALONG LOCKHART ROAD AND HENNESSY ROAD, AND THE INSTALLATION OF EXTERNAL SIGNS FOR COOKED FOOD CENTRE.
WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR AND TAKE ABOUT SEVEN MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE DEADLINE FOR TENDER SUBMISSION IS NOON ON DECEMBER 7.
------0--------
CARE FOR ELDERLY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL * * * * ♦
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. CARTLAND, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT CARE FOR THE ELDERLY IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL, NOT JUST THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VARIOUS NON-GOVERNMENT WELFARE ORGANISATIONS, BUT THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE AND EVERY SINGLE FAMILY WITHIN IT.
ADDRESSING THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE FESTIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY AT VICTORIA PARK THIS MORNING, MR CARTLAND POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG HAD \N AGING POPULATION AND WHERE THE NUMBER OF ELDERLY PERSONS OVER THE AGE OF 60 HAD ALREADY REACHED NEARLY THREE-QUARTERS OF A MILLION.
"WHILE A VERY SMALL PROPORTION OF THIS POPULATION WILL REQUIRE PERMANENT RESIDENTIAL CARE, THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEM CAN EXPECT TO REMAIN SUFFICIENTLY FIT AND ACTIVE TO STAY IN THEIR OWN HOMES AND WITH THEIR OWN FAMILIES.
"HERE THE FAMILY IS THE MAIN SOURCE OF SUPPORT AND CHINESE FAMILIES HAVE TRADITIONALLY TREASURED THEIR ELDERLY MEMBERS.
"HOWEVER, THE NUCLEAR FAMILY APPEARS TO BE INCREASING AT THE EXPENSE OF THE EXTENDED FAMILY IN HONG KONG AND THIS RESULTS IN MANY ELDERLY PEOPLE LIVING ALONE," MR CARTLAND SAID.
HE ADDED THAT IT WAS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT TO KEEP THE NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY IN MIND, WHETHER THEY WERE FOR SOCIAL CONTACTS OR DIRECT ASSISTANCE THROUGH SUCH COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES AS SOCIAL CENTRES,DAY CARE CENTRES OR HOME HELP SERVICES.
/"COMMUNITY EDUCATION .......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1990
4
“COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAMMES SUCH AS THIS FESTIVAL HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN DRAWING ATTENTION TO THE NEEDS OF THE EDLERLY, RE-AFFIRMING THE TRADITIONAL VALUES OF CARE AND RESPECT FOR THE ELDERLY, AND ENCOURAGING AND CHANNELLING SUPPORT FOR THE ELDERLY FROM THE COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
MR CARTLAND PAID TRIBUTE TO THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE FOR ITS EFFORTS IN ORGANISING THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY.
"THE - FESTIVAL, AS A TERRITORY-WIDE COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAMME, HAS REGULARLY ATTRACTED THE SUPPORT AND PARTICIPATION OF A GREAT MANY COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS, DISTRICT BODIES, VOLUNTARY GROUPS, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE PUBLIC," HE ADDED.
---------0-----------
COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT BY BOYS’ HOME WINS AWARD
*****
A COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT BY A TEAM FROM THE CASTLE PEAK BOYS’ HOME OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS CLINCHED AN AWARD OF OUTSTANDING SERVICES PROJECT FOR THE ELDERLY.
THE YOUNGSTERS WERE EXALTED WITH PRIDE WHEN THEY RECEIVED THE AWARD AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY AT VICTORIA PARK TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE CONTEST, ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE, RECEIVED 13 ENTRIES FROM VARIOUS YOUTH GROUPS THROUGHOUT THE TERR I TOR\ .
A MEMBER OF THE WINNING TEAM SAID: "THE AWARD IS A REAL ENCOURAGEMENT TO US AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE PART IN COMMUNITY SERVICE."
DURING THIS SUMMER, THE BOYS HELPED A LONE OLD WOMAN LIVING IN A REMOTE VILLAGE IN CASTLE PEAK TO REPAIR HER HUT AND THE NEARBY ACCESS ROADS.
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT BOYS AND GIRLS OF THE DEPARTMENT’S RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTIONS REGULARLY TOOK PART IN COMMUNITY SERVICE.
"ANOTHER PROJECT WAS AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OPERATION CARRIED OUT BY A GROUP OF BOYS FROM O PUI SHAN BOYS’ HOME THIS SUMMER," HE SAID.
"THEIR EFFORTS IN IMPROVING THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT OF CHEUNG HANG VILLAGE IN KWAI TSING DISTRICT WERE MUCH APPRECIATED BY THE VILLAGERS."
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1990
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT PARTICIPATION IN SUCH ACTIVITIES WOULD HELF’ THESE YOUNGSTERS REBUILD THEIR CONFIDENCE AND SELF-RESPECT.
WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT THEY WILL BECOME GOOD CITIZENS AND CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY AFTER REINTEGRATING INTO THE COMMUNITY.
APART EROM URGING THE BOYS AND GIRLS TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY SERV ICI- , WE ALSO PROVIDE RESIDENTIAL TRAINING, WHICH HAS PROVEN EFFECTIVE IN ENCOURAGING THEM TO STEER A STRAIGHT PATH IN LIFE,” HE SAID.
"DURING THEIR STAY IN THE INSTITUTIONS, THE YOUNGSTERS ALSO HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN USEFUL SKILLS, WHICH WILL STAND THEM IN GOOD STEAD IN FUTURE,” HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
RS STRESSES IMPORTANCE OF NEXT YEAR’S ELECTIONS TO TAOISTS
******
PEOPLE CAN "BUILD A ROAD TO SUCCESS" FOR THE COMMUNITY BY EXERCISING THEIR CIVIC RIGHTS AND CASTING THEIR VOTES IN THE THREE-TIER ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE 1OTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TAOISM KOWLOON BIK YUEN, MR LAN CALLED UPON ITS MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE IN DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SO AS TO CREATE A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR HONG KONG’S 5.7 MILLION PEOPLE.
NOTING THAI’ HONG KONG WAS UNDERGOING A PERIOD OF CHANGE IN ITS POLITICAL SYSTEM, MR LAN ALSO URGED THE TAOISTS TO GIVE THEIR FULL SUPPORT TO MATTERS WHICH WOULD BENEFIT SOCIETY.
HE APPEALED TO THEM TO MAKE USE OF THE LAST TWO DAYS BEFORE THE CLOSING OF VOTER REGISTRATION ON NOVEMBER 20 TO ENROL AS ELECTORS SO THAT THEY COULD CAST THEIR VOTES IN NEXT YEAR’S ELECTIONS.
"ONLY THROUGH ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN SOCIAL AFFAIRS CAN YOU PURSUE A HARMONIOUS SOCIETY," MR LAN SAID.
- - 0 - -
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1990
- 6 -
CARE-FOR-THE-ELDERLY DAY
*****
MORE THAN 4,000 ELDERLY RESIDENTS IN YAU TSIM DISTRICT TOOK PART IN A "CARE-FOR-THE-ELDERLY" ACTIVITIES DAY AT THE KOWLOON PARK PIAZZA TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE FUNCTION WAS ORGANISED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT FESTIVAL CARE-FOR-THE-ELDERLY PROJECT WORKING GROUP TO PROMOTE THE CARE AND THE WELFARE OF THE AGED.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WORKING GROUP SAID THE PROJECT WAS FIRST IMPLEMENTED LAST YEAR IN THE FACE OF A GROWING ELDERLY POPULATION IN THE DISTRICT. TO DATE, THERE ARE OVER 20,000 LOCAL RESIDENTS AGED 60 OR ABOVE, ACCOUNTING FOR 14 PER CENT OF THE DISTRICT’S POPULATION.
THE ACTIVITIES DAY INCLUDED A DISPLAY OF HEALTH PRODUCTS; FREE MEDICAL CHECK-UPS AND ADVICE COUNTERS; GAME STALLS INTRODUCING THE FACILITIES IN ELDERLY CENTRES; AN OPERA SHOW; AND A QUIZ ON THE RIGHTS OF THE AGED.
OFFICIATING GUESTS AT TODAY’S FUNCTION INCLUDED THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ANNIE TANG; YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH; DISTRICT FESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHIU YU-HEI; AND REGIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (WEST KOWLOON), MRS PUN LEE WAT-CHUN.
---------0 - -
BOOKLET ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT OUT
*****
AN UPDATED BOOKLET ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT HAS BEEN PUBLISHED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND IS NOW AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES.
THE BOOKLET, WHICH WAS FIRST PUBLISHED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN 1988, AIMS AT ASSISTING FLAT OWNERS AND TENANTS TO TACKLE MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS IN THEIR BUILDINGS SO AS TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVING ENVIRONMENT, A CNTA SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS HAD GIVEN ADVICE ON THE BOOK’S CONTENTS, HE ADDED.
THE 13 CHAPTERS OF THE PUBLICATION DETAIL THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF BUILDING MANAGEMENT INCLUDING DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT; OWNERS CORPORATION AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES; THE DUTIES OF OWNERS CORPORATIONS’ CHAIRMAN, SECRETARY AND TREASURER; MANAGEMENT WORKS AND FINANCE.
/THEY ALSO .......
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1990
7
THEY ALSO COVER MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS, CRIME PREVENTION AND SECURITY, ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE, FIRE PREVENTION, UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES AND ILLEGAL OCCUPATION OF THE COMMON AREAS.
INTRODUCTION TO THE LABOUR ORDINANCE, INSURANCE OF BUILDINGS, THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE AS WELL AS PURCHASING AND TENDERING PROCEDURES ARE ALSO INCLUDED.
------0--------
CONCERT SPREADS CLEAN COUNTRYSIDE MESSAGE * * * * *
VISITORS TO COUNTRY PARKS CAN HELP SOLVE THE LITTER PROBLEM BY DISPOSING OF THEIR REFUSE PROPERLY.
THIS CLEAN COUNTRYSIDE MESSAGE WAS DISSEMINATED TO HUNDREDS OF VISITORS AT PAK TAM CHUNG, SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK DURING A CONCERT TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE EVENT, ORGANISED BY THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, WAS PRODUCED AND BROADCAST LIVE BY COMMERCIAL RADIO.
"ABOUT 4,000 TONNES OF LITTER WERE COLLECTED IN COUNTRY PARKS LAST YEAR, WITH THE MAIN BULK COLLECTED FROM THE 5,000 LITTER BINS AND STOCKADES PROVIDED IN THE PARKS," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID.
"WE HOPE RESIDENTS WILL SHARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF KEEPING OUR COUNTRYSIDE CLEAN AFTER ENJOYING VARIOUS FACILITIES IN THE COUNTRY PARKS," HE ADDED.
DURING THE CONCERT, VISITORS AS WELL AS THE AUDIENCE WERE URGED TO MAKE USE OF THE LITTER BINS PROVIDED AND NOT TO DUMP ANY RUBBISH IN PICNIC AND CAMPING SITES, ALONG FOOTPATHS OR ON STEEP SLOPES.
"LITTERING IN COUNTRY PARKS IS AN OFFENCE WHICH CARRIES A MAXIMUM FINE OF $2,000 AND THREE MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"DURING THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THE YEAR, A TOTAL OF 429 PEOPLE WERE PROSECUTED FOR LITTERING. THE PROSECUTION DRIVE WAS STEPPED UP IN OCTOBER AND 204 PEOPLE WERE BROUGHT TO COURT."
THE ONE-HOUR CONCERT FEATURED POPULAR SINGERS AND DISC JOCKEYS IN VARIOUS MUSICAL PERFORMANCES.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CONCERT WERE THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR HAROLD KWOK; SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WILLIAM WAN; CHAIRMAN OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE, MR HO KOON-SHUN; AND MEMBERS OF THE JOINT UC/RC KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, MR KAN CHUNG-NIN AND MR MA LEE-WO.
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/8 ........
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1990
- 8 -
CONTESTS TO PROMOTE HEALTH EDUCATION AMONG STUDENTS * ♦ * * *
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CURRENT PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES BY PARTICIPATING IN TWO HEALTH EDUCATION COMPETITIONS.
THE "1991 INTER-SECONDARY SCHOOL HEALTH EDUCATION PROJECT EXHIBITION COMPETITION" AND THE "INTER-PRIMARY SCHOOL HEALTH EDUCATION PAINTING COMPETITION" ARE .JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL, REGIONAL COUNCIL, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE TOP FIVE WINNERS IN THE CONTESTS WILL RECEIVE TROPHIES AND BOOK COUPONS WORTH BETWEEN $200 AND $3,500.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A PRIZE FOR THE BEST DESIGN IN THE EXHIBITION COMPETITION.
ALL PRIZE-WINNING PAINTINGS AND PROJECTS WILL BE PUT ON • DISPLAY AT A JOINT EXHIBITION TO BE HELD AT THE CITY HALL IN MARCH NEXT YEAR.
THOSE WISHING TO JOIN THE COMPETITIONS SHOULD CONTACT THEIR OWN SCHOOL FOR DETAILS AND TO OBTAIN ENTRY FORMS.
COMPLETED ENTRY FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EIGHTH FLOOR, URBAN COUNCIL FA YUEN STREET COMPLEX, 123A FA YUEN STREET, KOWLOON.
ACCEPTANCE OF ENTRIES FOR THE EXHIBITION AND PAINTING CONTESTS WILL CLOSE RESPECTIVELY ON JANUARY 11 AND 25 NEXT YEAR.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 723 6234.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
EDUCATION QUESTIONS MUST BE ADDRESSED WITH ENTHUSIASM, IMAGINATION........ 1
CAS DOING HK A GREAT SERVICE: GOVERNOR ............................................ 2
SALARY INDEXES FOR MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES RELEASED ................. 3
OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUSINESSMEN IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.......................... 5
Sr
TWO-PART SURVEY ON FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRY ................................ 6
POLICE FAREWELL TO OUTGOING SENIOR ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER ......................... 8
LEGCO MEETING ON WEDNESDAY ........................................................ 9
CONSULTATION ON LICENSING FOR MOBILE PHONE SERVICES ............................... 9
SATISFACTORY TEST RESULTS ON AUSTRALIAN MINERAL WATER ............................ 10
SUPER SWEET CORN AVAILABLE FOR SALE .............................................. 10
THIRTY-FOUR LIFE SAVERS HONOURED ................................................. 12
PRESTIGE STAMP BOOKLET TO MARK CENTENARY OF ELECTRICITY SUPPLY ................... 13
THREE GOVT LOTS TO LET BY TENDER
13
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1990
1
EDUCATION QUESTIONS MUST BE ADDRESSED WITH ENTHUSIASM, IMAGINATION
*****
NOW THAT HONG KONG HAS ALMOST REACHED ITS TARGETS IN PROVIDING SCHOOL PLACES, THE TERITORY MUST ADDRESS WITH RENEWED ENTHUSIASM AND IMAGINATION THE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS OF QUALITY IN ITS EDUCATION SYSTEM, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
"ONLY IN THIS WAY CAN WE MAKE THE LEARNING PROCESS AS FRUITFUL, REWARDING AND EFFICIENT AS POSSIBLE," HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY AND NINTH GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE HANG SENG SCHOOL OF COMMERCE, SIR DAVID SAID THE NEXT DECADE WOULD SEE FAR-REACHING CHANGES.
"ONE OF THE PRINCIPAL AREAS WHERE WE HOPE TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS IS IN THE SCHOOLS CURRICULUM," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE EDUCATION COMMISSION HAD BEEN STUDYING THIS QUESTION FOR THE PAST YEAR AND IT WOULD SOON PUBLISH ITS RECOMMENDATIONS IN ITS FOURTH REPORT.
"I WOULD URGE YOU ALL TO READ IT. THE DECISIONS THAT WE TAKE AFTER THE CONSULTATION PERIOD WILL BE CRUCIAL IN DETERMINING THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN OUR SCHOOLS' IN THE 1990’S," SIR DAVID SAID.
ON PRIVATE SCHOOLS, THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG HAD GENERALLY NOT HAD THE RESOURCES TO COMPETE WITH THE PUBLIC SECTOR AND THAT THIS HAD BEEN A DRAWBACK.
"GOOD PRIVATE SCHOOLS, LIKE THE HANG SENG SCHOOL OF COMMERCE, CAN CONCENTRATE ON SPECIALIST AREAS.
"THEY CAN PROVIDE GREATER CHOICE WITHIN OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM.
"THE GOVERNMENT SEES IT AS IMPORTANT TO INCREASE PARENTAL CHOICE BY ENCOURAGING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A HEALTHLY PRIVATE SCHOOL SECTOR," HE SAID.
TO HELP ACHIEVE THIS, SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD INTRODUCED THE DIRECT SUBSIDY SCHEME WHERE, FOR THE FIRST TIME, PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS COULD RECEIVE A GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY BASED ON THE NUMBER OF PUPILS ENROLLED AND THE FEES CHARGED.
HE SAID BY SUCH MEASURES THE GOVERNMENT HOPED TO ENCOURAGE PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
"BUT THE REAL EFFORT MUST COME FROM THEIR FOUNDERS; THEIR ADMINISTRATORS; THEIR TEACHERS; AND THEIR PUPILS.
"IT IS TO THEM THAT WE MUST LOOK FOR PROGRESS. AND WHEN THEY SUCCEED, IT IS THEY WHO DESERVE THE PRAISE," HE SAID.
/SIR DAVID .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1990
- 2 -
ST? DAVID NOTED THAT THE SCHOOL HAD ACHIEVED A GREAT DEAL SINCE IT WAS FOUNDED BY A GROUP OF DEDICATED PEOPLE IN NOVEMBER 1979.
"MANY HUNDREDS OF YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN HAVE BENEFITTED FROM THE TEACHING OBTAINED HERE.
’’THEY HAVE GONE ON TO SUCCESSFUL CAREERS IN THE BANKING AND SERVICES SECTORS, AND HAVE MADE AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG’S RAPIDLY EXPANDING ACTIVITIES IN THESE FIELDS,” SIR DAVID SAID.
CONGRATULATING THE FOUNDERS OF THE SCHOOL ON THEIR ACHIEVEMENT, SIR DAVID SAID THE SCHOOL WAS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF BOTH COMMUNITY SPIRIT, AND COMMERCIAL FAR-SIGHTEDNESS.
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CAS DOING HK A GREAT SERVICE: GOVERNOR
♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (MONDAY) PRAISES THE CIVIL AID SERVICES FOR ITS WORK IN MANAGING CENTRES FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.
SPEAKING AT A CAS ANNUAL DINNER, SIR DAVID SAID EFFORTS OF THE CAS HAD MADE AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE GOVERNMENT’S ABILITY TO MANAGE A VERY DIFFICULT SITUATION.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT WHEN HE LAST SPOKE AT THE CAS ANNUAL DINNER IN 1988, HE SAID HE HOPED THE CAS WOULD VERY SOON BE ABLE TO PASS ITS REMAINING RESPONSIBILITIES FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE TO THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
’’UNFORTUNATELY THIS HAS NOT PROVED POSSIBLE. THE TREMENDOUS INFLUX OF BOAT PEOPLE IN 1989 HAS MEANT THAT YOU HAVE HAD TO CONTINUE BEARING THIS HEAVY BURDEN,” HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE REALISED THAT IT WAS NOT A POPULAR JOB AND IT HAD ALSO BEEN A DEMANDING ONE FOR ALL THOSE INVOLVED.
ON THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE CAS OVER THE PAST YEAR, SIR DAVID SAID THEY WERE THE RESULT OF A GREAT DEAL OF VOLUNTARY HARD WORK BY PEOPLE WHO WERE COMMITTED TO THE CONCEPT OF PUBLIC SERVICE.
’’THE CAS CAN BE PROUD OF THIS. SO TOO CAN HONG KONG.
"IT SAYS A GREAT DEAL ABOUT THIS COMMUNITY THAT THERE ARE SO MANY YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN READY TO DEVOTE SO MUCH OF THEIR LEISURE TIME TO PUBLIC SERVICE," SIR DAVID SAID.
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/3 ........
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1990
- 3 -
SALARY INDEXES FOR MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES RELEASED * ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE OVERALL NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (A), MEASURING CHANGES IN AVERAGE SALARY LEVELS FOR MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES, AT 216.2 TN JUNE 1990, WAS 13.6 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN JUNE 1989, ACCORDING TO THE FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY OF SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS - MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES (EXCLUDING TOP MANAGEMENT) RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE OVERALL NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (B), WHICH MEASURES CHANGES IN AVERAGE SALARY LEVELS ONLY FOR THOSE MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES WHO REMAINED IN THE SAME JOB AND IN THE SAME COMPANY IN BOTH 1989 AND 1990, WAS 269.8 IN JUNE 1990, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 16.7 PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH JUNE 1989.
THESE SALARY INDEXES USED JUNE 1983 AS THE BASE PERIOD.
BETWEEN JUNE 1989 AND JUNE 1990, THE NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (A) FOR LARGE COMPANIES INCREASED BY 13.6 PER CENT AND THAT FOR MEDIUMSIZED COMPANIES ALSO BY 13.6 PER CENT. AS REGARDS THE NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (B), THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES WERE 18.6 PER CENT AND 16.1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THESE DIFFERENCES IN SALARY INCREASES AS REFLECTED IN THE TWO INDEXES WERE LARGELY DUE TO THE EFFECT OF LABOUR TURNOVER OVER THE PERIOD CONCERNED.
THE NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (A) AND NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (B) FOR JUNE 1990 ANALYSED BY THE MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS OF COMPANY ARE SHOWN IN THE TABLE BELOW.
BY DEFLATING THE NOMINAL SALARY INDEXES BY THE HANG SENG CONSUMER PRICE INDEX, THE REAL SALARY INDEXES ARE OBTAINED TO MEASURE CHANGES IN THE PURCHASING POWER OF THE AMOUNT OF MONEY EARNED.
THE OVERALL REAL SALARY INDEX (A) STOOD AT 126.9 IN JUNE 1990, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 2.1 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH JUNE 1989.
THE OVERALL REAL SALARY INDEX (B), ON THE OTHER HAND, STOOD AT 158.3 IN JUNE 1990, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 4.9 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH JUNE 1989.
BOTH SALARY INDEXES (A) AND (B) ARE DESIGNED FOR THE PURPOSE OF MEASURING CHANGES IN SALARY LEVELS.
HOWEVER, BY CONFINING TO THOSE EMPLOYEES WHO REMAINED IN THE SAME JOB AND IN THE SAME COMPANY IN 1989 AND 1990, THE SALARY INDEX (B) ONLY ACCOUNTS FOR SALARY CHANGES DUE TO GENERAL INCREMENT, MERITORIOUS INCREASE AND GAIN IN SENIORITY.
/ON THE ........
i
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1990
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE SALARY INDEX (A) TAKES INTO ACCOUNT EFFECTS OF LABOUR MOBILITY AS WELL.
THE RATE OF INCREASE IN THE SALARY INDEX (B) IS USUALLY HIGHER THAN THAT IN THE SALARY INDEX (A) BECAUSE THE SALARY INDEX (A) INCLUDES THE SALARIES OF NEWLY RECRUITED AND NEWLY PROMOTED EMPLOYEES, WHO TEND TO BE PAID COMPARATIVELY LOWER SALARIES THAN THOSE ALREADY IN THE SAME RANK.
AMONG THE MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES COVERED IN THE SURVEY, IT WAS FOUND THAT 70 PER CENT OF THEM WERE ENTITLED TO PROFIT-SHARING BONUS. MOREOVER, 36 PER CENT WERE ENTITLED TO HOUSING BENEFITS OF SOME KIND AND 77 PER CENT TO PROVIDENT/RETIREMENT FUND OR PENSION. IT WAS ALSO FOUND THAT 83 PER CENT OF THEM WERE ENTITLED TO GUARANTEED YEAR-END BONUS.
THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN CONDUCTING THE ANNUAL SURVEY OF SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS - MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES (EXCLUDING TOP MANAGEMENT) SINCE 1984 TO MEASURE CHANGES IN SALARY RATES FOR THE MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES.
A SAMPLE OF 203 LARGE AND MEDIUM-SIZED COMPANIES WAS SELECTED. IN THE SURVEY, ONLY EMPLOYEES WORKING IN COMMON OCCUPATIONS OF MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL LEVELS ARE COVERED. BOTH LOCAL AND EXPATRIATE STAFF ARE ENUMERATED. -
IN THE SURVEY, THE SALARY RATE IS DEFINED TO INCLUDE, IN ADDITION TO BASIC SALARIES, COST-OF-LIVING ALLOWANCE, GUARANTEED YEAREND BONUS, COMMISSION AND TIPS, AND OTHER GUARANTEED AND REGULAR BONUSES AND ALLOWANCES.
OTHER ITEMS WHICH MAY CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE TOTAL PAY PACKAGE OF EMPLOYEES AT THIS LEVEL, SUCH AS PROFIT-SHARING BONUS AND HOUSING ALLOWANCE, ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE DEFINITION OF THE SALARY RATE.
HOWEVER, STATISTICS ON FRINGE BENEFITS ARE SEPARATELY COMPILED. THEY ARE EXPRESSED IN TERMS OF PERCENTAGES OF EMPLOYEES INCLUDED IN THE SURVEY ENTITLED TO THEM.
DETAILS OF THE SALARY MOVEMENT, AVERAGE SALARY RATE FOR MAJOR OCCUPATIONS AND STATISTICS ON EMPLOYEE ENTITLEMENT TO VARIOUS FRINGE BENEFITS, TOGETHER WITH A DESCRIPTION OF THE METHODOLOGY, ARE PUBLISHED IN A "REPORT OF SALARY AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS - MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES (EXCLUDING TOP MANAGEMENT)".
COPIES OF THIS REPORT ARE AVAILABLE AT $25 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SALARY INDEXES CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE WAGES AND LABOUR COSTS STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 823 4746 OR 823 4747.
/NOMINAL SALARY .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1990
5
NOMINAL SALARY INDEXES(A) AND (B) ANALYSED BY MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTOR FOR JUNE 1990
(JUNE 1983 = 100)
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTOR NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (A)* NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (B)*
MANUFACTURING/ELECTRICITY, GAS & STEAM 204.8 (+11.2) 249.0 (+13.5)
BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION AND RELATED TRADES 212.6 (+16.8) 274.6 (+17.6)
WHOLESALE/RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES 217.5 (+9.7) 273.7 (+15.3)
TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION 185.1 (+9.7) 245.7 (+17.7)
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND INSURANCE 245.3 (+16.9) 290.2 (+18.9)
ALL SECTORS ABOVE 216.2 (+13.6) 269.8 (+16.7)
* ALL INDEXES ARE ROUNDED TO ONE DECIMAL PLACE.
FIGURES TN BRACKETS ARE PERCENTAGE CHANGES FOR JUNE 1990 OVER JUNE 1989 AND ARE CALCULATED FROM INDEXES ROUNDED TO ONE DECIMAL PLACE.
_ _ 0 - -
OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUSINESSMEN IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
*****
THERE ARE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUSINESSMEN TO TAKE AND GIVE IN HONG KONG’S ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROGRAMMES, THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DR STUART REED, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
1.
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, DR REED SAID THROUGH VARIOUS BUSINESS ACTIVITIES, MEMBERS OF THE CHAMBER COULD DO MUCH TO IMPROVE HONG KONG’S ENVIRONMENT.
HE SAID THIS COULD BE DONE BY PROVIDING SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FIELD TO SUPPORT THE VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMMES THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD IN HAND, AND BY MAKING SURE THAT ANY PRODUCTS THEY INTRODUCE TO THE HONG KONG MARKET WERE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY.
/"FOR EXAMPLE .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1990
- 6 -
"FOR EXAMPLE, I NOTICE THAT HONG KONG IMPORTED OVER $180 MILLION OF UK MANUFACTURED VEHICLES IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1990, SO I HOPE THAT ANY OF YOU WHO ARE INVOLVED IN THAT BUSINESS WILL BE READY TO IMPORT THE VERSIONS FITTED WITH CATALYTIC CONVERTERS SHORTLY AFTER WE INTRODUCE NO-LEAD PETROL ON APRIL 1, 1991 AND IN ADVANCE OF THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENT FOR NEW CARS TO BE FITTED WITH CONVERTERS.
"I BELIEVE YOU IMPORTED INTO HONG KONG OVER $250 MILLION OF PAPER AND PAPER BOARD LAST YEAR. I HOPE THAT AT LEAST SOME OF THIS WAS OF THE RECYCLED VARIETY," HE SAID.
"WE IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT ARE CERTAINLY VERY KEEN TO PROMOTE THE USE OF RECYCLED PAPER WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT AND ELSEWHERE IN HONG KONG AND THE NOTION REALLY SEEMS TO BE CATCHING ON IN OUR COMMUNITY," DR REED ADDED.
DR REED SAID THE SECOND THING THAT MEMBERS COULD CONTRIBUTE TO IMPROVE HONG KONG’S ENVIRONMENT WAS WHERE THEY WERE RESOURCING BRITISH IMPORTS FROM HONG KONG, THEY COULD USEFULLY TAKE A DIRECT INTEREST IN THE EFFECT THAT THE PRODUCTION OF SUCH ITEMS HAD ON THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT.
"FOR EXAMPLE, HONG KONG EXPORTED AND RE-EXPORTED TO BRITAIN NEARLY $2.75 BILLION OF CLOTHING IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1990.
"I WOULD NOT GO SO FAR AS TO SUGGEST TO YOU THAT YOU DON’T SOURCE THESE GOODS FROM FACTORIES THAT PUSH OUT WAVES OF BLUE AND ORANGE DYES INTO THE NEW TERRITORIES STREAMS AND OUR COASTAL WATERS.
"BUT PERHAPS THERE ARE OTHER WAYS OF INFLUENCING SOME OF YOUR SUPPLIERS TO STOP THE UNSUSTAINABLE EXPLOITATION OF OUR LIMITED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSET."
DR REED SAID MEMBERS OF THE CHAMBER SHOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO GAIN COMMERCIALLY AND FINANCIALLY FROM HONG KONG’S ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMMES.
OUTLINING THE GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMMES AND POLICIES FOR PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT OVER THE COMING DECADE, DR REED SAID ALL THIS ACTIVITY IN DESIGNING, CONSTRUCTING AND OPERATING FACILITIES AND ENFORCEMENT OF LEGISLATION WOULD GIVE RISE TO MANY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN MEETING THE DEMAND FOR RELATED PRODUCTS, GOODS AND SERVICES.
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TWO-PART SURVEY ON FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRY
******
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO CONDUCT A TWO-PART SURVEY ON THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG.
IN THE FIRST PART, FROM WHICH THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT HOPES TO OBTAIN A QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT, DETAILED QUESTIONNAIRES ARE BEING SENT TO 200 TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS SEEKING THE COLLECTIVE VIEW OF THEIR MEMBERS ON HOW INDUSTRY SHOULD DEVELOP HERE BETWEEN NOW AND 2011.
/SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1990
SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE DEPARTMENT WILL SEND A SIMPLIFIED VERSION TO 10,000 INDIVIDUAL MANUFACTURERS TO OBTAIN QUANTITATIVE ANSWERS TO SIMILAR QUESTIONS.
THE DEPARTMENT IS SEEKING INFORMATION SUCH AS HOW INDUSTRIALISTS CONSIDER MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY WILL DEVELOP IN THE FUTURE, HAVING REGARD TO SUCH FACTORS AS OUTWARD PROCESSING ACTIVITIES IN CHINA.
IT ALSO WANTS VIEWS ON THE METROPLAN, THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STUDY (PADS) AND THE LABOUR SHORTAGE.
REPLIES ARE TO BE GIVEN UNDER SHORT-TERM (1990-1993), MEDIUM-TERM (1994-1997) AND LONG-TERM (1998-2011) DEVELOPMENT SCENARIOS.
THERE ARE ALSO QUESTIONS ON THE IMPLICATIONS OF FUTURE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ON INDUSTRIAL ACCOMMODATION AND HOW THE GOVERNMENT’S INDUSTRIAL LAND POLICY SHOULD BE MODIFIED TO HELP LOCAL INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.
ON THE METROPLAN, THEY ARE BEING ASKED WHAT MEASURES THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE TO ENCOURAGE INDUSTRIES TO RELOCATE FROM THE URBAN AREA AND THEIR IDEAS ON SUITABLE PLACES TO MOVE TO.
THE RESPONDENTS WILL BE ASKED WHETHER THEY CONSIDER NORTH LANTAU, YUEN LONG AND TIN SHUI WAI, AND TUEN MUN ARE SUITABLE FOR NEW INDUSTRIAL AREAS; WHAT INFRASTRUCTURAL SUPPORT SHOULD BE PROVIDED TO ENCOURAGE INDUSTRY TO MOVE INTO THESE AREAS; WHAT OTHER MEASURES THEY THINK THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE TO ATTRACT INDUSTRY TO MOVE TO THESE AREAS; WHAT TYPES OF INDUSTRIES ARE MOST LIKELY TO MOVE INTO THESE AREAS AND WHAT KINDS OF PREMISES THEY WILL REQUIRE, AND HOW THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE INDUSTRIAL LAND IN THESE AREAS BEING DISPOSED OF.
THEY WILL BE QUESTIONED ON WHETHER THEY THINK HONG KONG NEEDS A SCIENCE PARK OR A BUSINESS PARK, AND IF SO WHERE IT SHOULD BE LOCATED.
ON THE TOPIC OF OUTWARD PROCESSING ACTIVITIES TO CHINA BY HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS, THE QUESTIONNAIRE TO THE TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS ASKS WHETHER SUCH ACTIVITIES ARE BENEFICIAL TO HONG KONG AND IF SO WHAT MEASURES COULD THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT INTRODUCE IN THE FORM OF PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO HELP INTEGRATION OF MANUFACTURING ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG AND CHINA.
INDIVIDUAL MANUFACTURERS ARE ASKED IF THEY OWN MANUFACTURING PLANTS IN GUANGDONG PROVINCE; WHETHER THEY HAVE PLANS TO EXPAND OPERATIONS IN THE PROVINCE; AND WHETHER THEY HAVE PLANS TO RELOCATE FURTHER PARTS OR ALL OF THEIR EXISTING HONG KONG OPERATION THERE.
IN A LETTER ACCOMPANYING THE QUESTIONNAIRES, THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, REFERS TO THE METROPLAN AND PADS AND SAYS THE PROPOSALS CONTAINED IN BOTH STUDIES OFFER UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDUSTRY.
/"AS YET .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1990
8
’’AS YET," THE LETTER STATES, "THE PLANS CONSIST SIMPLY OF LINES ON A MAP WITHOUT ATTEMPTING TO PREDICT THE PRECISE SIZE AND FORM OF INDUSTRY IN THE FUTURE.
"BUT, HAVING TAKEN DECISIONS ABOUT KEY PROJECTS SUCH AS THE SITE OF THE NEW AIRPORT AND FUTURE CONTAINER TERMINALS, THE GOVERNMENT IS NOW TURNING ITS ATTENTION TOWARDS THE QUESTION OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT UP TO THE YEAR 2011."
IT WAS DIFFICULT HOWEVER TO PLAN WITHOUT SOME APPRECIATION OF HOW INDUSTRIALISTS THEMSELVES SAW THE FUTURE.
"IN ORDER TO INPUT SUCH KEY INFORMATION INTO THE PLANNING PROCESS THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN TASKED WITH CO-ORDINATING SURVEYS TO SEEK THE VIEWS OF INDUSTRIALISTS," MR BARMA SAID.
ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONNAIRES WOULD HELP THE GOVERNMENT FORMULATE SPECIFIC PROPOSALS AS REGARDS DEVELOPING LAND, ACCOMMODATION AND SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE FOR INDUSTRY UP TO THE YEAR 2011, HE SAID.
MR BARMA URGES RECIPIENTS OF THE QUESTIONNAIRES TO RESPOND, STATING: "AT THE MOMENT THE GOVERNMENT IS OPEN TO ANY AND ALL SUGGESTIONS, BUT ONCE FORMAL PLANNING HAS TAKEN PLACE IN SOME DETAIL IT WILL BECOME MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO MAKE RADICAL CHANGES."
THE QUESTIONNAIRES ARE TO BE RETURNED EARLY NEXT MONTH.
------0--------
POLICE FAREWELL TO OUTGOING SENIOR ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER
* * * * * * ♦
HUNDREDS OF FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES TODAY (MONDAY) ATTENDED A TRADITIONAL GUARD OF HONOUR TO BID FAREWELL TO OUTGOING SENIOR ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR ERIC MCCOSH, WHO HAS SERVED 32 YEARS IN THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE.
MR MCCOSH WILL TAKE UP THE POST OF COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES ON NOVEMBER 21.
THE ASSEMBLY, WHICH TOOK PLACE AT THE COMPOUND OF THE POLICE HEADQUARTERS, WAS ATTENDED BY REGULAR AND AUXILIARY POLICE OFFICERS, CIVILIAN STAFF AND THEIR FAMILIES.
THE GUARD WAS DRAWN FROM THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL, UNDER THE COMMAND OF SUPERINTENDENT BILL FULLERTON.
MR MCCOSH JOINED THE POLICE FORCE AS A PROBATIONARY SUB-INSPECTOR IN 1958 AND HAS BEEN PROMOTED THROUGH THE RANKS TO SENIOR ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF POLICE IN NOVEMBER 1988. HIS LAST POSTING WAS THE DIRECTOR OF MANAGEMENT AND INSPECTION SERVICES.
HE WAS AWARDED THE QUEEN’S POLICE MEDAL AND THE COLONIAL POLICE MEDAL IN 1987 AND 1981 RESPECTIVELY.
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/9
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1990
- 9 -
LEGCO MEETING ON WEDNESDAY *****
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL ASK A TOTAL OF EIGHT QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER FIVE BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 21).
OF THE FIVE BILLS, THREE WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS AND DEBATES ON THEM WILL BE ADJOURNED.
THEY ARE THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, POLICE FORCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 AND THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990.
THE OTHER TWO BILLS ARE SET FOR SECOND READING BEFORE GOING THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING.
THEY ARE THE ROAD TRAFFIC (DRIVING-OFFENCE POINTS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH (ANIMALS AND BIRDS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990.
THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE TELEPHONE ORDINANCE.
MEANWHILE, THE HON PROF C.K. POON WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE AND THE HON KINGSLEY SIT WILL MOVE A MOTION ON THE PORT AND AIRPORT STRATEGY.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERIES AND THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY TELEPHONING 844 0899.
------0-------
CONSULTATION ON LICENSING FOR MOBILE PHONE SERVICES
*****
A NEXT THE
THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY TODAY (MONDAY) ISSUED CONSULTATIVE PAPER ON THE FUTURE LICENSING POLICY FOR I HE GENERATION OF PUBLIC MOBILE RADIOTELEPHONE SERVICES BASED ON
DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY SAID: "THE EXISTING PUBLIC MOBILE RADIOTELEPHONE SERVICES USING THE ANALOGUE TECHNIQUES HAVE BEEN VERY POPULAR.
’’THERE ARE NOW OVER 120,000 SUBSCRIBERS AND THE GROWTH RATE HAS BEEN OVER 3,000 SUBSCRIBERS PER MONTH.
/"TO MEET .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1990
- 10 -
”TO MEET FURTHER GROWTH IN THE DEMAND WITHOUT ANY DETERIORATION IN STANDARDS, IT IS NECESSARY TO INTRODUCE THE NEXT GENERATION OF PUBLIC MOBILE RADIOTELEPHONE SERVICES INTO HONG KONG.”
INTERESTED PARTIES MAY OBTAIN COPIES OF THE CONSULTATIVE PAPER FROM THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS BRANCH, FIFTH FLOOR, SINCERE BUILDING, 173 DBS VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
COMMENTS ON THE PAPER SHOULD BE SENT TO THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY BEFORE JANUARY 18, 1991.
---------0 - -
SATISFACTORY TEST RESULTS ON AUSTRALIAN MINERAL WATER
*****
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HEALTH (HYGIENE), DR MAHOMMED BIN ALI, SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT LABORATORY FINDINGS ON AN AUSTRALIAN BRAND OF JUICE-FLAVOURED MINERAL WATER INDICATED THAT THE DRINK WOULD POSE NO HEALTH PROBLEM TO THE CONSUMERS.
TEST RESULTS OF SIX SAMPLES OF THE BEVERAGE TAKEN BY THE DEPARTMENT'S HYGIENE DIVISION FOR THE EXAMINATION OF BENZENE DURING THE PAST FEW DAYS WERE DESCRIBED AS SATISFACTORY.
"SAMPLES OF VARIOUS BRANDS OF MINERAL WATER PRODUCTS HAVE ALSO BEEN TAKEN FOR EXAMINATION FOR MONITORING PURPOSE," DR ALI ADDED.
------0--------
SUPER SWEET CORN AVAILABLE FOR SALE *****
LOCALLY-GROWN "GOLD AND SILVER" SUPER SWEET CORN WILL AGAIN BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE, AND THIS TIME ON A LARGER SCALE.
STARTING TOMORROW (TUESDAY), ABOUT 4,000 COBS OF SILVER" SUPER SWEET CORN WILL BE SUPPLIED TO SUPERMARKET SUPPLY IS EXPECTED TO LAST SIX WEEKS.
"GOLD DAILY.
AND THE
"GOLD AND SILVER" SUPER SWEET CORN LAST CAME ON END OF MAY THIS YEAR, WITH 1,000 COBS OF CORN MADE MARKETING DAILY FOR A 50-DAY PERIOD UNDER A PILOT PRODUCE EXOTIC VEGETABLES.
MARKET AROUND
AVAILABLE FOR
PROGRAMME TO
THE COBS WERE SNAPPED UP GENERAL REACTION TO THE PRODUCE
AS SOON AS THEY HIT WAS VERY FAVOURABLE.
THE
MARKET AND
THE VARIETY DIFFERS FROM COMMON SWEET CORNS OR SWEET CORNS IN THE COLOUR OF ITS GRAIN WHICH IS IN BRIGHT WHITE SET IN A RANDOM PATTERN ON THE COB.
OTHER SUPBR
YELLOW AND
/THE TENDER .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1990
11
THE TENDER AND SUCCULENT GRAINS PROVIDE AN UNIQUE COMPLEMENT TO THE SWEETNESS NOT EASILY POUND IN OTHER VARIETIES.
THE PILOT SCHEME, JOINTLY ADMINISTERED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD) AND THE FEDERATION OF THE VEGETABLE MARKETING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES (FVMCS), WAS A FOLLOW-UP TO AFD’S EFFORTS IN JANUARY THIS YEAR TO ENCOURAGE AND HELP LOCAL FARMERS GROW UP-MARKET EXOTIC VEGETABLES BY WAY OF THE MASS SEEDLING PRODUCTION TECHNIQUE.
THE DEPARTMENT BELIEVES THAT THESE VEGETABLES HAVE GREAT MARKET POTENTIALS.
HAVING GAINED MUCH USEFUL EXPERIENCE FROM THE PILOT PRODUCTION PROGRAMME, THE FVMCS THIS TIME PLAYS A MUCH MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN ORGANISING THE PRODUCTION OF THE "GOLD AND SILVER” SUPER SWEET CORN TO ENSURE STABLE SUPPLY.
MARKETING OF THE PRODUCE AND LIAISON WITH BUYERS ARE LOOKED AFTER BY THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION (VMO).
A TOTAL OF 48 FARMERS, ALL WELL-EXPERIENCED IN VEGETABLE GROWING, HAVE JOINED THE PRODUCTION PROGRAMME AROUND THE END OF SEPTEMBER ON ABOUT 5.5 HECTARES OF LAND.
AND FOR THE FIRST TIME PRODUCTION ARE RAISED BY THE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFERRED FROM AFD.
THE VEGETABLE SEEDLINGS USED FOR FARMERS THEMSELVES ADOPTING THE
THE FVMCS RAISED THE SEEDLINGS IN A GREEN HOUSE AT AFD’S TAI
LUNG EXPERIMENTAL STATION USING THE MASS SEEDLING TECHNIQUE AND SUPPLIED THEM TO FARMERS AT COST.
PRODUCTION
MEANWHILE, PLANS ARE AFOOT TO SET UP THE FVMCS’ OWN GREEN HOUSES AT TSIU KENG AND TA KWU LING FOR MASS SEEDLING PRODUCTION.
WHEN THE GREEN HOUSE PLAN MATERAL1SES, THE FEDERATION WILL BE IN A BETTER POSITION TO PLAN AND CO-ORDINATE PRODUCTION FOR SUPPLY TO SPECIFIC BUYERS THROUGH THE VMO.
THIS PLANNED AND MARKET-ORIENTED APPROACH, IF SUCCESSFUL, WILL SET A MILESTONE FOR HONG KONG’S AGRICULTURE, BECAUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME, EFFORTS ARE MADE TO BALANCE THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND OF A CROP TO AVOID WASTAGE AND TO ENSURE A STEADY SUPPLY FOR CONSUMERS AS WELL AS TO SECURE REASONABLY GOOD RETURN FOR PRODUCERS.
TO SECURE BUYERS’ CONFIDENCE IN THE "GOLD AND SILVER" SUPER SWEET CORN, THE VMO AND THE FVMCS TODAY (MONDAY) ORGANISED A TASTING PANEL AND A TRIP FOR THEM TO ACTUALLY SEE THE CORN IN THE FIELDS OF TSIU KENG, SHEUNG SHUT.
PRODUCTION PROGRAMMES FOR OTHER EXOTIC VEGETABLE TYPES HAVE BEEN WORKED OUT AND THE NEXT CROP, WHICH INCLUDED RED LETTUCE, SAVOY CABBAGE AND PURPLE CABBAGE, WILL BE MARKETED EARLY NEXT YEAR.
AT A LATER STAGE, CROPS SUCH AS TOMATO, BRINJAL, CELERY, SWEET PEPPER AND JAPANESE RADISH WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE CROPPING PROGRAMME IN ADDITION TO SUPER SWEET CORN.
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/12
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1990
- 12 -
THIRTY-FOUR LIFE SAVERS HONOURED * * * * *
THIRTY-FOUR MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WERE COMMENDED TODAY (MONDAY) FOR THEIR COURAGE IN SAVING 65 PEOPLE FROM DROWNING.
THE GROUP WAS PRESENTED THE RESCUE STAR, THE HIGHEST HONOUR FOR WATER RESCUE, BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE.
SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY HELD AT THE HONG KONG LIFE GUARD CLUB (HKLGC) IN REPULSE BAY, DR LEE PRAISED THE LIFE SAVERS’ SELFLESS AND GALLANT ACTS, ADDING THAT THEY HAD SET A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR US ALL.
THE ANNUAL AWARD WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1962 TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN LIFE-SAVING OPERATIONS AT SEA. SINCE THEN, 809 PEOPLE HAD RECEIVED RESCUE STARS.
THIS YEAR’S AWARD WENT TO 10 FISHERMEN AND 24 LIFEGUARDS FROM THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (RSD) AND THE OCEAN PARK.
MR HO DING-FAT, WHO LED THE FISHERMEN GROUP TO RESCUE 19 BRITISH SOLDIERS OFF TAP MUN ON JUNE 17 THIS YEAR, WAS NAMED LIFE SAVER OF THE YEAR AND WAS HONOURED WITH THE TIEN HAU TROPHY.
AT THE TIME OF RESCUE, THE NO. 1 TYPHOON SIGNAL WAS HOISTED AND THE BRITISH SOLDIERS, WHOSE BOAT HAD SUNKEN, WERE FOUND FLOATING AT SEA. DESPITE THE INCLEMENT WEATHER AND THE ROUGH SEAS, THE FISHERMEN RUSHED OUT IN SAMPANS AND RESCUED ALL THE SOLDIERS.
AMONG THE LIFEGUARDS, MR YUNG KAM-PUI OF RSD’S TUEN MUN PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL SAVED THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF LIVES. IN THE SWIMMING SEASON OF THIS YEAR, MR YUNG ALTOGETHER RESCUED NINE SWIMMERS WHILE HIS COLLEAGUE AT THE SAME SWIMMING POOL, MR LAM CHI-YUNG, SAVED FIVE PEOPLE.
ANOTHER RSD LIFEGUARD, MR HO PUI, ALSO RESCUED FIVE SWIMMERS AT BUTTERFLY BEACH, TUEN MUN, IN THIS SWIMMING SEASON.
IN 1990, THE HKLGC PROVIDED SOME 4,400 VOLUNTEER LIFEGUARD SERVICES AT BATHING BEACHES, SWIMMING POOLS AND VARIOUS WATER RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY SOCIAL BODIES, AND A TOTAL OF 1,007 PEOPLE WERE RESCUED FROM DROWNING.
MOREOVER, THE CLUB CONTINUED TO PROMOTE YOUTH PROGRAMMES WITH 6,700 PEOPLE PARTICIPATING IN ITS SWIMMING COMPETITIONS, POSTER DESIGN CONTEST AND TRAINING SESSIONS ON LIFE-SAVING, SWIMMING AND FIRST AID.
/THE CLUB .......
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1990
THE CLUB ALSO ACTIVELY TOOK PART IN INTERNATIONAL LIFEGUARD ACTIVITIES THROUGH WHICH LOCAL ACTIVITIES IN THIS AREA WERE MADE KNOWN TO LIFEGUARD CLUBS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.
’’THIS HAS RAISED THE PRESTIGE OF HONG KONG,” DR LEE SAID, WHILE THANKING THE CLUB FOR ITS VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY OVER THE YEARS.
- - 0 - -
PRESTIGE STAMP BOOKLET TO MARK CENTENARY OF ELECTRICITY SUPPLY »*♦»♦*
A PRESTIGE STAMP BOOKLET WILL BE ISSUED ON NOVEMBER 29 TO MARK THE CENTENARY OF ELECTRICITY SUPPLY IN HONG KONG, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY).
THE BOOKLET WILL BE AVAILABLE AT ALL POST OFFICES AT $26 EACH.
"THIS IS THE THIRD PRESTIGE STAMP BOOKLET ISSUED BY THE HONG KONG POST OFFICE,” MR WONG SAID.
"THE BOOKLET WILL COVER THE HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF ELECTRICITY SUPPLY IN HONG KONG FROM THE LAST CENTURY, INI ERLEAVED WITH FOUR SOUVENIR SHEETS.
”1 EXPECT THIS PRODUCT TO BE WELL RECEIVED BY PHILATELISTS, AS THOSE ON THE LAST TWO OCCASIONS."
IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE RELEASE OF THE BOOKLET, A CACHET WILL BE INTRODUCED ON NOVEMBER 29. A HAND-BACK SERVICE USING THE CACH T WILL BE AVAILABLE AT ALL POST OFFICES ON THAT DAY.
- - 0 - -
THREE GOVT LOTS TO LET BY TENDER
*****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCY OF THREE LOTS IN KOWLOON.
THE FIRST LOT, LOCATED AT THE JUNCTION OF HAMMER HILL ROAD AND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, MEASURES ABOUT 8,400 SQUARE METRES.
IT IS FOR FEE-PAYING PUBLIC PARKING AREA FOR MOTOR VEHICLES (EXCLUDING CONTAINER VEHICLES WITH THEIR TRAILERS/CHASSIS ATTACHED) CURRENTLY LICENSED UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE.
/THE TENANCY
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1990
14
THE TENANCY IS SET FOR ONE YEAR AND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
LOCATED AT WAN HOI STREET, HUNG HOM, THE SECOND LOT IS AN 8,350-SQUARE-METRE SITE DESIGNATED FOR OPEN STORAGE EXCLUDING CONTAINER VEHICLES WITH THEIR TRAILER/CHASSIS ATTACHED, SAND, CEMENT AND AGGREGATE.
THE TENANCY IS SET FOR 18 MONTHS AND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE THIRD LOT, LOCATED AT LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, MEASURES ABOUT 5,350 SQUARE METRES. IT IS FOR OPEN STORAGE (EXCLUDING STORAGE OF CONTAINER BOXES).
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR AND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT, THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES, KOWLOON, 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.
- - 0--------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
RPAG SUBMITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO GOVT ..................................... 1
REVISION OF POSTAGE RATES AND CHARGES .................................... 2
SECOND PAC HEARING ON THURSDAY ........................................... 3
LAW DRAFTSMAN DIES ....................................................... 4
DSS SCHOOLS TO HAVE SUBSTANTIAL FREEDOM ...............................5
WIDER TARGETS ON CYC'S COMMUNITY SERVICES ................................ 6
THREE LOTS FOR SALE BY AUCTION ........................................... 6
EXHIBITION TO PROMOTE EMPLOYMENT OF DISABLED ............................. 7
ANTI-POLLUTION PROSECUTION FIGURE RELEASED ............................... 8
MAIL SERVICES FOR CHRISTMAS SEASON ....................................... 14
WATER SUSPENSION TO THREE AREAS .......................................... 14
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1990
1
RPAG SUBNITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO GOVT ★ ★ ir ★ ★
T:i? RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION ADVISORY GROUP (RPAG), AN EXPERT GROUP FORMED IN JUNE LAST YEAR TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON HEALTH MATTERS IN THE EVENT OF ACCIDENTAL RELEASES OF RADIATION FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES, HAS SUBMITTED TWO REPORTS TO THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH.
CHAIRED BY PROFESSOR POON CHUNG-KWONG, THE GROUP WAS SET UP ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE CONTINGENCY PLANNING REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BY THE UNITED KINGDOM ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY.
THE TWO REPORTS ARE ENTITLED "DERIVED INTERVENTION LEVELS" AND "RESOURCES REQUIREMENT FOR SCIENTIFIC STUDIES".
THE FIRST REPORT CONTAINS RECOMMENDATIONS ON INTERVENTION LEVELS (IL’S) OF RADIATION DOSES AND DERIVED INTERVENTION LEVELS (DIL’S) OF RADIONUCLIDES OR RADIATION PRESENT IN ENVIRONMENTAL MATERIALS ABOVE WHICH APPROPRIATE COUNTERMEASURES WILL NEED TO BE CONSIDERED IN HONG KONG IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT AT THE GUANGDONG NUCLEAR POWER STATION AT DAYA BAY LEADING TO A RELEASE OF RADIONUCLIDES.
THE SECOND REPORT IDENTIFIES A NUMBER OF SCIENTIFIC STUDIES WHICH NEED TO BE CARRIED OUT TO REFINE ITS PRESENT ESTIMATION ON DIL'S BY TAKING LOCAL CHARACTERISTICS INTO ACCOUNT.
PROF POON POINTED OUT THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS ON IL’S AND DIL’S ARE IN LINE WITH INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED INTERVENTION LEVELS O, DOSE, WHICH MAY BE SUBJECT TO REVISION IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE AND RESEARCH.
"THE IL’S RECOMMENDED ARE ESSENTIALLY THE SAME AS THOSE PROPOSED BY THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY (IAEA), WHICH IS AN UNITED NATIONS ORGANISATION, AND THOSE PROPOSED BY THE INTERNATIONA), COMMISSION ON RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION (ICRP), WHICH IS THE INTERNATIONAL AUTHORITY ON MATTERS RELATING TO RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION," HE ADDED.
PROF POON SAID IL’S AND DIL’S FOR A FULL RANGE OF COUNTERMEASURES ARE LISTED IN THE REPORT FOR COMPLETENESS AND IN KEEPING WITH INTERNATIONAL PRACTICES.
THEY COMPRISE SHELTERING INDOOR, EVACUATION OR RELOCATION OF THE AFFECTED POPULATION, CONTROL OF FOOD SUPPLIES AND THE USE OF STABLE IODINE FOR SELECTED GROUPS OF INDIVIDUALS.
HOWEVER, HE EMPHASISED THAT RPAG DOES NOT IN ANY WAY SUGGEST THAT THESE LEVELS WOULD BE REACHED IN THE EVENT OF ACCIDENTAL RADIOLOICAL RELEASE AT DAYA BAY, OR THAT PLANS SHOULD NECESSARILY BE FORMULATED FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ALL THESE COUNTERMEASURES.
/"IN PARTICULAR .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1990
- 2 -
”TN PARTICULAR, THE FEASIBILITY OR PRACTICALITY OF EVACUATION AND RELOCATION AND OF SHELTERING FOR THE WHOLE POPULATION OF HONG KONG ARE ISSUES THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE INTERNATIONAL NORMS INTO CONSIDERATION BEFORE FINALISING CONTINGENCY PLANS,” HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE REPORT ON ’’RESOURCE REQUIREMENT FOR SCIENTIFIC STUDIES”, PROF POON SAID THE GROUP PROPOSES THAT THREE SCIENTIFIC STUDIES SHOULD BE CONDUCTED ON LOCAL CONDITIONS, NAMELY THE CHARACTERISTIC SHIELDING FACTORS FOR BUILDINGS, THE DOSE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM FOOD CHAIN PATHWAYS USING A DYNAMIC MODEL AND THE DIL FOR UNTREATED WATER.
”RPAG FEELS THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO DEVELOP LOCAL EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE, ESPECIALLY IN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, THROUGH THESE PROPOSED SCIENTIFIC STUDIES,” PROF POON SAID.
REVISION OF POSTAGE RATES AND CHARGES ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT SOME POSTAGE RATES AND MISCELLANEOUS CHARGES WILL BE INCREASED AS FROM APRIL 1, 1991.
THESE RATES AND CHARGES WERE LAST REVISED MORE THAN TWO YEARS AGO ON SEPTEMBER 1, 1988.
COMMENTING ON THE REVISED RATES, MR WONG SAID:
”AS A RESULT OF THE SHARP INCREASE IN OPERATING EXPENDITURE IN THE PAST THREE YEARS DUE TO HIGH INFLATION, SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED STAFF COSTS, HIGHER OUTPAYMENTS TO OVERSEAS POSTAL ADMINISTRATIONS AND HIGHER COST OF MAIL CONVEYANCE, IT IS NECESSARY TO REVISE POSTAGE RATES AND CHARGES IN ORDER TO RESTORE THEIR REAL VALUE.”
EVEN AFTER THESE INCREASES NEXT YEAR, MR WONG SAID LOCAL MAIL AND SURFACE MAIL SERVICES WILL STILL BE OPERATED AT A LOSS.
’’THIS SITUATION IS PARTICULARLY MARKED IN THE PRINTED PAPER SERVICE WHICH IS LARGELY USED BY BUSINESSES FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS AND PROMOTIONAL MAILINGS.
’’THESE SERVICES ARE CURRENTLY BEING CROSS-SUBSIDISED BY OTHER PROFITABLE SERVICES,” MR WONG SAID.
IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE EXTENT OF SUBSIDIES TO BUSINESSES, THE INCREASES FOR PRINTED PAPER MAIL SERVICES ARE COMPARATIVELY HIGHER. ON THE OTHER HAND, HE SAID, AIR MAIL RATES WILL BE INCREASED MORE MODESTLY, GENERALLY LOWER THAN THE INFLATION RATE.
/THE BASIC .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1990
3
THE BASIC RATES FOR LOCAL LETTERS AND PRINTED PAPERS, AND FOR SURFACE MAIL TO CHINA, TAIWAN AND MACAU WILL ALL BE INCREASED BY 20 CENTS, THAT IS, IN THE LOCAL SERVICE FROM 60 CENTS TO 80 CENTS FOR LETTERS AND FROM 50 CENTS TO 70 CENTS FOR PRINTED PAPERS; IN THE CASE OF SURFACE MAIL TO CHINA, TAIWAN AND MACAU FROM 70 CENTS TO 90 CENTS FOR LETTERS AND FROM 60 CENTS TO 80 CENTS FOR PRINTED PAPERS.
FOR SURFACE MAIL TO OTHER COUNTRIES, THE BASIC RATES WILL BE INCREASED BY 40 CENTS, THAT IS, FROM $1.30 TO $1.70 FOR LETTERS AND FROM $1.20 TO $1.60 FOR PRINTED PAPERS.
THE BASIC RATES OF AIR MAIL LETTERS WILL BE INCREASED BY 40 CENTS FROM $1.40 TO $1.80 FOR ZONE 1 (MAINLKY ASIAN COUNTRIES) AND BY 50 CENTS FROM $1.80 TO $2.30 FOR ZONE 2 (THE REST OF THE WORLD).
REGISTRATION FEE WILL BE INCREASED FROM $7 TO $9.
ANNUAL RENTAL FOR POST OFFICE BOXES WILL BE INCREASED, FOR EXAMPLE, FROM $350 TO $460 FOR LARGE BOXES AND FROM $280 TO $370 FOR SMALL BOXES AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE AND THE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE. RENTALS AT OTHER POST OFFICES ATTRACT SMALLER INCREASES.
----0------
SECOND PAC HEARING ON THURSDAY
******
THE SECOND SESSION OF THIS YEAR’S OPEN HEARINGS OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE ON THE REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 22).
THE REPORT, WHICH WAS TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST WEDNESDAY, IS ON THE ACCOUNTS OF THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31 AND THE RESULTS OF VALUE FOR MONEY AUDITS.
THE HEARING WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER FROM 9 AM.
APPEARING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE TO ANSWER POINTS RAISED IN THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT’S REPORT WILL BE THE DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING, THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY AND THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES.
THE TIMETABLE FOR THE HEARING IS AS FOLLOWS:
9 AM DIRECTOR OF BROADCASTING,
PARAGRAPHS 8.1 - 8.7
9.30 AM SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY AND DIRECTOR OF
WATER SUPPLIES, PARAGRAPHS 9.1 - 9.15
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE PUBLIC HEARING ARE ADVISED TO BRING WITH THEM A COPY OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT’S REPORT.
------0--------
/4 .....
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1990
4 LAW DRAFTSMAN DIES * * ♦
THE LAW DRAFTSMAN, MR JAMES O’GRADY, QC, OBE, PASSED AWAY IN QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING AFTER A LONG ILLNESS. HE WAS AGED 55.
MR O’GRADY WAS BORN IN IRELAND IN 1935. HE GRADUATED FROM THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF DUBLIN IN 1955 AND WAS CALLED TO THE BAR AT KING’S INN, DUBLIN IN 1957.
AFTER PRACTISING FOR THREE YEARS AT THE IRISH BAR, MR O'GRADY WENT TO WORK IN NORTHERN RHODESIA IN 1960 WHERE HE EVENTUALLY BECAME PARLIAMENTARY DRAFTSMAN. HE WAS ALSO THE PARLIAMENTARY DRAFTSMAN IN THE SEYCHELLES FROM 1973 TO 1975.
HE CAME TO HONG KONG AND JOINED THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AS A CROWN COUNSEL IN 1976, AND WAS APPOINTED LAW DRAFTSMAN IN 1985. HE SPENT ALL OF HIS TIME IN THE LAW DRAFTING DIVISION.
AS THE LAW DRAFTSMAN, MR O’GRADY WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSEEING THE DRAFTING OF ALL LEGISLATION IN HONG KONG.
HIS STANDING IN THE LEGAL COMMUNITY WAS SUCH THAT IN 1988 HE WAS APPOINTED ONE OF HER MAJESTY’S COUNSEL IN HONG KONG, AND HE WAS AWARDED THE OBE IN THE SAME YEAR.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, AND STAFF OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT ARE DEEPLY GRIEVED BY THE LOSS OF A CLOSE COLLEAGUE AND FRIEND.
MR MATHEWS PAID PARTICULAR TRIBUTE TO MR O’GRADY’S IMMENSE CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG. HE POINTED OUT THAT MR O’GRADY WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BILINGUAL LAW DRAFTING PROGRAMME, AS WELL AS THE DRAFTING OF SEVERAL MAJOR PIECES OF LEGISLATION INCLUDING THE COMPANY LAW REFORMS OF 1984.
"HE WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR THE EXCELLENCE OF HIS ADVICE AND FOR HIS STEADY LEADERSHIP OF THE DRAFTING DIVISION," MR MATHEWS SAID.
"THOSE WHO KNEW HIM WILL REMEMBER HIM ALWAYS AS A GENTLE MAN, DEEPLY DEVOTED TO HIS FAMILY. HE WAS KIND AND SOFT-SPOKEN, AND HAD THE INTERESTS OF HIS COLLEAGUES TO THE FOREFRONT OF HIS MIND," HE SAID.
MR O’GRADY’S WIFE, MAIREAD, DIED LAST YEAR, AND HE IS SURVIVED BY TWO DAUGHTERS AND TWO SONS.
FUNERAL SERVICE WILL BE HELD AT ST JOSEPH’S CHURCH, GARDEN ROAD, ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 24), BEGINNING AT 11.30 AM.
------0------------
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1990
5
DSS SCHOOLS TO HAVE SUBSTANTIAL FREEDOM *****
QUALIFIED NON-GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS JOINING THE DIRECT SUBSIDY SCHEME (DSS) WILL HAVE SUBSTANTIAL FREEDOM IN SELECTING PUPILS, SETTING THE CURRICULA AND MANAGING THEIR OWN FINANCES.
ANOTHER ADVANTAGE OF THE SCHEME IS THAT IT WILL PROVIDE MORE SCHOOLS FOR PARENTS TO CHOOSE FOR THEIR CHILDREN, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL SPEECH DAY OF THE DIOCESAN GIRLS’ SCHOOL, MR LI ALSO SAID THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAD STARTED TO DELEGATE MORE AUTHORITY TO SCHOOLS TO GIVE THEM GREATER AUTONOMY IN DETERMINING PROGRAMMES AND USING THE RESOURCES AT THEIR DISPOSAL.
"TODAY, WHEN WE HAVE REACHED THE POINT OF SUFFICIENT SCHOOL PLACES FOR ALL CHILDREN OF THE APPROPRIATE AGE GROUP, WE ARE AGAIN FACED WITH NEW CHALLENGES OF RAISING STANDARDS AND TACKLING MANY QUALITY RELATED ISSUES," HE SAID, r
MR LI EXPLAINED THAT ON THE QUESTION OF QUALITY IN EDUCATION, IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE RELATING TO SCHOOL BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT, TEACHER EDUCATION AND THE CURRICULUM.
"HOWEVER, THESE IMPROVEMENTS ARE NOT ENOUGH. WE STILL NEED TO REVIEW FURTHER THE CURRICULUM AND BEHAVIOUR PROBLEMS RELATING TO THE NINE YEARS OF FREEiAND COMPULSORY EDUCATION AND TO EXAMINE WHETHER INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES AMONG STUDENTS HAVE BEEN FULLY CATERED FOR," HE SAID. *
MR LI STRESSED THAT THERE WAS ALSO THE NEED TO TACKLE THE "HOTLY-DEBATED" QUESTION OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION AND TO DECIDE WHAT SOLUTION WOULD BEST MEET THE NEEDS AND ASPIRATION OF THE COMMUNITY.
ALL THESE ISSUES, WOULD BE DEALT WITH BY THE EDUCATION COMMISSION IN ITS FOURTH REPORT WHICH WOULD BE PUBLISHED SOON, HE SAID.
"THERE WILL BE A CHANCE FOR PUBLIC DISCUSSION AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE MOST INTERESTED IN THE VIEWS GENERATED FROM DISCUSSIONS WITHIN THE EDUCATIONAL CIRCLE AS WELL AS IN THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE," HE ADDED.
- - 0---------
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1990
6
WIDER TARGETS ON CYC’S COMMUNITY SERVICES *****
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, TODAY (TUESDAY) OUTLINED THE COMMUNITY SERVICE TARGETS SET BY THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB (CYC) FOR ITS 280,000 MEMBERS.
ADDRESSING THE CLUB’S 10TH ANNUAL PARADE AT QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM, MR LI SAID A NEW TELEVISION SERIES WILL BE PRODUCED TO PUBLICISE ITS OBJECTIVES AND SERVICES.
THROUGH VARIOUS ACTIVITIES, THE CLUB WILL ALSO PUBLICISE THE IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TO ALL ITS MEMBERS.
MR LI SAID THE CYC COUNTRY PARKS ADOPTION SCHEME, WHICH INVOLVES SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE PHYSICAL CARE OF COUNTRY PARKS, HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO OVER 50 PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS.
"TO INCREASE MEMBERS’ CIVIC AWARENESS AND TO MOTIVATE MEMBER SCHOOLS TO ORGANISE THEIR OWN ACTIVITIES, A RE-STRUCTURING PILOT SCHEME ON THE CYC MOVEMENT WAS INTRODUCED IN MORE THAN 10 SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS," MR LI SAID.
"IF SUCCESSFUL, IT WILL BE EXTENDED TO ALL SECONDARY AND PRIMARY MEMBER SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY."
MR LI ALSO SAID CYC IS NOW LINKED WITH THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD SCHEME ON CERTAIN AWARD POINTS FOR THEIR MEMBERS.
MORE THAN 3,000 CYC MEMBERS, SCHOOL PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS ATTENDED THE PARADE WHICH INCLUDED A MARCHING BAND AND CHINESE ORCHESTRA PERFORMANCES.
AT THE CEREMONY, MR LI PRESENTED AWARDS TO MEMBERS, PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR SERVICES AND DEDICATION TO THE CYC MOVEMENT.
- - 0 - -
THREE LOTS FOR SALE BY AUCTION *****
THREE GOVERNMENT LAND LOTS WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT AT A PUBLIC AUCTION TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 22) IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE.
THE AUCTION WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
THE LOTS INCLUDE A 7,198-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT YEN CHOW STREET, SHAM SHUI PO, KOWLOON WHICH IS FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT TERMINUS, MULTI-STOREY CARPARK AND NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES, EXCLUDING GODOWN, HOTEL AND RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
/THE OTHER
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1990
7
THE OTHER TWO LOTS, BOTH FOR IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
ONE IS A 16,305-SQUARE-METRE
THE OTHER IS LOCATED IN AREA AREA OF ABOUT 12,670 SQUARE METRES.
PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES, ARE
SITE IN AREA 37A, SHA TIN.
29A, FANLING, WHICH COVERS AN
-----0------
EXHIBITION TO PROMOTE EMPLOYMENT OF DISABLED
*****
LADY WILSON WILL OPEN A WEEK-LONG EXHIBITION ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 23) TO ENHANCE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORKING ABILITIES OF DISABLED PEOPLE.
THE FIFTH ANNUAL EXHIBITION ON "EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DISABLED" IS ORGANISED BY THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT DIVISION (SPD) OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
"IT IS AIMED AT PROMOTING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DISABLED IN THE INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL AND SERVICE SECTORS," THE SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (SELECTIVE PLACEMENT), MR HOUDINI HO, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY). %
"THE EXHIBITION WILL FEATURE EMPLOYMENT AIDS AND MACHINES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE DISABLED, JOB-MATCHING AND A COMPUTER QUESTION-AND-ANSWER QUIZ," MR HO SAID.
THERE WILL BE DEMONSTRATIONS BY DISABLED WORKERS ON SUCH WORK AS LEATHER SEWING, MACHINE LINKING, ELECTRONIC KNITTING, COMPUTER PROCESSING OF INFORMATION, CHINESE TYPEWRITING, MAKING JEWELLERY BOXES AND DRAWING GARMENT PATTERNS.
"TO MARK THE SPD’S 10TH ANNIVERSARY, THE EXHIBITION WILL ALSO HIGHLIGHT THE DIVISION’S WORK OVER THE YEARS AND EXAMPLES OF SUCCESSFUL PLACEMENTS," MR HO SAID.
"THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT AND A NUMBER OF SERVICE ORGANISATIONS WILL ALSO TAKE PART IN THE EXHIBITION," HE ADDED.
/THE EXHIBITION .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1990
8
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD AT THE NEW WORLD PLAZA IN TSIM SHA TSUI UNTIL NOVEMBER 29. IT WILL BE OPEN FROM 10 AM TO 6.30 PM. ADMISSION IS FREE.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ’’EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DISABLED” EXHIBITION ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 23) AT 9.30 AM AT THE FOUR SEASONS SUITES, SECOND FLOOR, NEW WORLD HOTEL, TSIM SHA TSUI. THE EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD AT THE NEW WORLD PLAZA.
A PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD TO AWARD SOUVENIRS TO WINNERS OF THE OUTSTANDING DISABLED EMPLOYEES’ AWARD AND TO EMPLOYERS WHO HAVE EMPLOYED DISABLED PEOPLE.
------0-------
ANTI-POLLUTION PROSECUTION FIGURE RELEASED * * * * *
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (TUESDAY) RELEASED A LIST OF COMPANIES THAT HAD BEEN FOUND GUILTY IN THE COURTS, DURING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER, OF BREACHING ANTI-POLLUTION LEGISLATION CURRENTLY ENFORCED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
SIMILAR ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL BE MADE REGULARLY ON A MONTHLY BASIS.
THE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS COULD BE VERY TIME CONSUMING AND AS A RESULT THERE WAS SOMETIMES A LENGTHY TIME GAP BETWEEN THE DATE OF THE OFFENCE AND THE CONVICTION DATE.
THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF PROSECUTION CASES AND THE FINES IMPOSED BY THE COURTS DURING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER THIS YEAR:
NAME (COMPANY/ PERSON) ADDRESS DATE OF OFFENCE NATURE OF OFFENCE FINES($) RECORD OF OFFENCE COURT
1.GRAND HYATT HONG KONG CO LTD NATHAN RD, TSIM SHA TSUI 1.8.89- 28.2.90 APCO: UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 4,000 1ST CENTRAL
2.MAXIM’S CATERERS LTD LUK YEUNG SUN CHUEN, TSUEN WAN 18.1.90- 5.2.90 APCO: UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION 4,500 13TH TSUEN WAN
OR ALTERATION
OF FURNACES
/3.KONG NAM .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1990
9 -
3.KONG NAM TSUEN CO LTD ON CHEE RD, TAI PO 10.2.90- 24.2.90 APCO: FAILURE TO FURNISH THE REQUIRED INFORMATION TO THE AUTHORITY 750 1ST SHA TIN
4.FRIEND- WILL BLEACHING & DYEING FACTORY LTD KUNG YIP ST, KWAI CHUNG 20.2.90 APCO: EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
5.HUNG FAT DYEING WORKS LTD KWAI WING RD, KWAI CHUNG 5.3.90 APCO: EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
6.BO LAI LAUNDRY FACTORY LTD WANG LUNG ST, TSUEN WAN 15.3.90 APCO: EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 2,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
7.SUI SUN LAUNDRY & DYEING FACTORY CHAI WAN KOK ST, TSUEN WAN 16.3.90 APCO: EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,500 2ND TSUEN WAN
8.HUNG FAT DYEING WORKS LTD KWAI WING RD, KWAI CHUNG 26.3.90 APCO: FAILURE TO TAKE MEASURES TO ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY AIR POLLUTANT 4,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
9.WIDA SIZING WORKS LTD MA KOK ST, TSUEN WAN 30.3.90 APCO: EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
10.SHUN ON STEEL FACTORY CHAI WAN KOK ST, TSUEN WAN 6.4.90 APCO: FAILURE TO TAKE MEASURES TO ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY AIR POLLUTANT 7,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
11.SUNFOONG DYEING & BLEACHING FACTORY KUNG YIP ST, KWAI CHUNG 10.4.90 APCO: EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
12.WAH SUN SILK DYEING & FINISHING WORKS LTD LAM TIN ST, KWAI CHUNG 10.4.90 APCO: EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
/13.JUNPOINT DEVELOPMENT
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1990
10
13.JUNPOINT DEVELOPMENT LTD LAM TIN ST, KWAI CHUNG 12.4.90 APCO: EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 2,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
14.ONAD-VANCE DYEING & FINISHING CO LTD FU UK RD, KWAI CHUNG 3.5.90 APCO: EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
15.CARRIER HONG KONG LTD SHING CHUEN RD, SHA TIN 3.5.90 OLPO: IMPORTING A SCHEDULED SUBSTANCE WITHOUT A LICENCE 3,000 1ST TSUEN WAN
16.CARRIER HONG KONG LTD 13.5.90 it 3,000 2ND TSUEN WAN
17.FLORA SCREEN PRINTING FACTORY LTD KWAI WING RD, KWAI CHUNG 15.5.90 APCO: EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,500 2ND TSUEN WAN
18.ETERNAL CAPITAL LAUNDRY FACTORY TSING YI INDUSTRIAL CENTRE, TSING YI 16.5.90 APCO: EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 4,500 2ND TSUEN WAN
19.UNIVER- SAL DOCKYARD LTD SHING MUN RIVER, SHA TIN 20.5.90 NCO: 750 CARRY OUT CONSTRUCTION WORK NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH CONDITIONS IN A PERMIT 1ST SHA TIN
20.JUNPOINT DEVELOPMENT LTD LAM TIN ST, KWAI CHUNG 23.5.90 APCO: EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,500 2ND TSUEN WAN
21.WAH HING HO POLYSTYRENE FOAM INDUSTRIAL KIN WAH ST, TUEN MUN 23.5.90 APCO: EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 2,000 1ST TUEN MUN
22.KIN YUEN DYEING FACTORY LTD TA CHUEN PING ST, KWAI CHUNG 12.6.90 APCO: EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
/23.YEUNG YUK .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1990
11
23.YEUNG YUK-LUN HING LUNG BACK ST, CHEUNG CHAU 12.6.90 NCO: FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 2,000 1ST WESTERN
24.HUNG FAT DYEING WORKS LTD KWAI WING RD, KWAI CHUNG 15.6.90 APCO: EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,500 2ND TSUEN WAN
25.CHEONG FAT DYEING FACTORY LTD FUI YIU KOK ST, TSUEN WAN 15.6.90 APCO: EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 4,000 2ND TSUEN WAN
26.WINSUM ENTERPRISES CO LTD CHAI WAN KOK ST, TSUEN WAN 19.6.90 APCO: FAILURE TO TAKE MEASURES TO ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY AIR POLLUTANT 5,000 1ST TSUEN WAN
27.HUNG FAT DYEING WORKS LTD KWAI WING RD, KWAI CHUNG 19.6.90 APCO: FAILURE TO TAKE MEASURES TO ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY AIR POLLUTANT 4,500 2ND TSUEN WAN
28.SUNFOONG DYEING & BLEACHING FACTORY KUNG YIP ST, KWAI CHUNG 21.6.90 APCO: EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,500 2ND TSUEN WAN
29.WAI DACK KNITTING FACTORY TSUEN KING CIRCUIT, TSUEN WAN 6.7.90 APCO: FAILURE TO TAKE MEASURES TO ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY AIR POLLUTANT 200 3RD TSUEN WAN
30.AMIYA PRINTING CO LTD TSING YI INDUSTRIAL CENTRE, TSING YI 20.7.90 APCO: EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
/31.LI CHUNG
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1990
- 12 -
31 .LI CHUNG-LING KAM WA ST, SHAU KEI WAN 23 .7 .90 DASO: SHORT DUMPING OF 250 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 2,500 1ST CENTRAL
32.PLATFORM CO LTD (VICKING RESTAURANT) PAK SHA WAN, SAI WAN 25 .7 .90 WPCO: DISCHARGE OF TRADE EFFLUENT WITHOUT A LICENCE 5,000 1ST KWUN TONG
33.INCORPORATED OWNERS OF SEA VIEW VILLA, LOT 760 LOT 760, SAI KUNG 26 .7 .90 WPCO: DISCHARGE OF UNTREATED DOMESTIC SEWAGE IN BREACH OF A LICENCE 5,000 1ST KWUN TONG
34.U-TEAM CO LTD CHAI WAN KOK ST, TSUEN WAN 27 .7 .90 APCO: EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
35.CHAN YUM-SIK CHIU HEUNG BEAM FACTORY, HO CHUNG, SAI KUNG 30 .7 .90 WPCO : DISCHARGE OF TRADE EFFLUENT WITHOUT A LICENCE 3,000 1ST KWUN TONG
36.WAH SUN SILK DYEING & FINISHING WORKS LTD LAM TIN ST, KWAI CHUNG 1. 8. 90 APCO: EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,500 2ND TSUEN WAN
37.MAXMILLION INDUSTRY LTD SHING FONG ST, KWAI CHUNG 1 . 8. 90 APCO: EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 2,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
/38.LEUNG KAN .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1990
- 13 - ONOM/GN3
38.LEUNG LAU CHEONG 14.8.90 DASO: 3,000 1ST KAN-YAU KEE MARINE SHORT DUMPING (TUG ENGINEERING OF 700 CUBIC MASTER) CO, NATHAN METRES OF RD, MONG KOK DREDGED MARINE MUD AT SEA OFFSHORE NEAR DEVIL’S PEAK WITHOUT A LICENCE CENTRAL
39.FANTA WAI CHING 23.8.90 DASO: 3,500 1ST CONSTRUC- ST, SHORT DUMPING TION CO LTD YAU MA TEI OF 750 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA NEAR A KUNG NGAM WITHOUT A LICENCE AND CENTRAL
SHEK PING- FANTA ” ” 5,000 3RD KEE CONSTRUC- (TUG TION MASTER) CO LTD AND »»
HO NGAU- KAM LUN ” ” 3,000 1ST CHAI MARINE (BARGE WORKS LTD, OPERATOR) FA YUEN ST, MONG KOK »•
NOTE:
APCO: AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE
DASO: DUMPING AT SEA ACT 1974 (OVERSEAS TERRITORIES) ORDER 1975 NCO : NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE
OLPO: OZONE LAYER PROTECTION ORDINANCE
WPCO: WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE
AN EPD SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE TUG MASTER IN CASE NUMBER 39 WAS A REPEATED OFFENDER AND WAS FINED A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000 FOR SHORT DUMPING OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA WITHOUT A LICENCE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE EPD IS PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE DAMAGE TO THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT CAUSED BY ILLEGAL DUMPING. THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO STEP UP ITS ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST ANY MALPRACTICE OF ILLEGAL DUMPING ACTIVITIES.
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/14 .......
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1990
14
MAIL SERVICES FOR CHRISTMAS SEASON *****
THE LATEST DATE FOR POSTING CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR LOCAL DELIVERY BEFORE CHRISTMAS IS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
"POSTINGS AFTER THIS DATE MIGHT NOT BE DELIVERED IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS," HE SAID, ADDING THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD POST AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID A LAST MINUTE RUSH.
MR WONG ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT SPECIAL LETTER DELIVERIES WOULD BE PROVIDED ON DECEMBER 23 AND 26 IF NECESSARY.
THE GENERAL POST OFFICE AND THE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE WOULD OPEN FOR BUSINESS FROM 9 AM TO NOON ON DECEMBER 26.
ON CHRISTMAS DAY AND NEW YEAR’S DAY NO LETTER DELIVERY WOULD BE PROVIDED AND ALL POST OFFICES WOULD BE CLOSED.
-----0------
WATER SUSPENSION TO THREE AREAS
*****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN YAU MA TEI, KOWLOON, WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 22) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE AFFECTED AREA IS BOUNDED BY WATERLOO ROAD, SHANGHAI STREET, WING SING LANE, RECLAMATION STREET, PUBLIC SQUARE STREET, CHING PING STREET, TUNG KUN STREET AND CANTON ROAD.
ON THE SAME DAY, TWO AREAS ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL BE AFFECTED BY FLUSHING WATER SUSPENSION TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
ALL PREMISES WITHIN THE AREA BOUNDED BY THE WESTERN SIDE OF CONNAUGHT PLACE, PEDDER STREET, WYNDHAM STREET, GLENEALY, THE NORTHERN SIDE OF CAINE ROAD, BONHAM ROAD, POK FU LAM ROAD, HOK SZ TERRACE AND THE EASTERN SIDE OF SANDS STREET WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE SUSPENSION FROM 9.30 AM TO 4 PM.
ALSO, THE PREMISES IN KENNEDY TOWN, POKFIELD ROAD, SMITHFIELD AND LUNG WAH STREET WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE SUSPENSION FROM 9 AM TO 4 PM.
------0------------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
ACTING CS' SPEECH ON CHEONG'S AMENDED MOTION ON PADS ................ 1
ACTING CS' SPEECH ON LEE'S AMENDED MOTION ON PADS ................... 3
RESOLUTION TO AMEND TELEPHONE ORDINANCE SCHEDULE PASSED ............. 4
BILL TO IMPLEMENT KCRC'S NEW MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE ................... 5
BILLS SEEK TO AMEND POLICE FORCE AND ICAC ORDINANCES ................ 6
BUILDING ORDINANCE REVIEW TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY ................... 7
MEASURES TO CHECK JOB-SEEKERS' IDENTIFICATION OUTLINED .............. 8
NO TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR POLITICAL ORGANISATIONS ....................... 9
PRIVATISATION OF POLICE DRIVER TRAINING IMPRACTICABLE ............... 9
GOVT TRIES TO SETTLE DISPUTES THROUGH CONSULTATION .................. 10
MEASURES TO EXPAND PRISON CAPACITY .................................. 11
APPLICATIONS FOR UK CITIZENSHIP TO BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE .. 11
POLICE OFFICERS TRANSFERRED ON THE INCREASE ......................... 12
CONDOLENCES ON DEA.TH OF LAW DRAFTSMAN .............................. 13
AMENDED MOTION BY STEPHEN CHEONG ON PADS PASSED...................... 13
CS ENCOURAGED BY INTEREST SHOW IN HK .................................. 14
BRITISH NATIONALITY SCHEME ORDER MADE ................................. 14
DEVELOPMENT OF TRAINING PROGRAMMES IN FAMILY MEDICINE ................. 16
237 VBP RETURN TO VIETNAM ............................................. 19
LABOUR COMMISSIONER VISITS HONG KONG ELECTRICITY ...................... 20
FESTIVAL FOR ELDERLY IN SAI KUNG....................................... 20
TWO GOVT LOTS TO LET BY TENDER ........................................ 21
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1990
ACTING CS’
SPEECH ON CHEONG’S AMENDED MOTION ON PADS
* * * * *
THE FOLLOWING IS THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE SPEECH BY THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 21, 1990, ON THE AMENDED MOTION MOVED BY THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG ON THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY.
SIR, I SHALL BE AS BRIEF AS I CAN. I AM GRATEFUL FOR MEMBERS’ SUPPORT FOR THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY RELATED PROJECTS. AS MANY MEMBERS HAVE INDICATED, THESE PROJECTS ARE VITAL TO THE FUTURE PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG. THE SUPPORT OF THIS COUNCIL TO THE PROJECT, IN CLEAR TERMS, WILL, I AM SURE, BE WELCOMED BY THE COMMUNITY WHICH WE ALL SERVE.
SIR, AS MR JAMES TIEN AND MISS LEUNG WAI-TUNG AND OTHERS HAVE INDICATED, MANY OF THE POINTS THAT WERE RAISED TN THIS DEBATE HAVE ALREADY BEEN COVERED IN THE DEBATE HELD ON THE 31 OCTOBER THIS YEAR, SO I DON'T INTEND TO REPEAT ALL THE COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE ON THAT OCCASION. BUT THERE ARE SOME POINTS THAT WERE RAISED, IN PARTICULAR, MR KINGSLEY SIT’S SPEECH, THAT I FEEL I MUST COMMENT UPON BECAUSE THE REMARKS MADE, IF LEFT UNCONTRADICTED OR UNCHALLENGED, COULD BE MISLEADING TO MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL AND TO THE PUBLIC.
CHEK LAP KOK AS A PROJECT, OF COURSE HAS A LONG HISTORY, AS SOME MEMBERS COMMENTED. IT WAS, AS MEMBERS WILL REMEMBER, SHELVED IN 1983. THERE WERE VERY CLEAR REASONS AS TO WHY IT WAS SHELVED. FIRST OF ALL, AT THAT TIME THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG WAS NOT CLEAR AND WE COULD NOT GO AHEAD WITH THE PROJECT UNTIL THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG HAD BEEN SETTLED. IN 1984, OF COURSE IT WAS SETTLED BY THE JOINT DECLARATION AND SO THE WAY WAS CLEAR FOR THE PROJECT TO GO AHEAD, BUT BY THAT TIME, THE BUDGET WAS NOT LOOKING PARTICULARLY STRONG AND SO THE PROJECT WAS TEMPORARILY SHELVED, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BUDGETARY SITUATION AT THE TIME, NOT - AND I REPEAT NOT - BECAUSE OF OTHER TECHNICAL OR OPERATIONAL FACTORS, AS ALLEGED BY MR SIT.
THE BRIEF GIVEN TO Till'' CONSULTANTS FOR THE PADS STUDY, WHICH IS AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS, DID INDEED REFER. TO THE NON-V1 AB ILITY OF CHEK LAP KOK IN 1983, BUT IT IS DISTRESSING TO HEAR THAT MR SIT HAS CHOSEN TO MISLEAD THIS COUNCIL BY EXTENDING THE RESERVATIONS REGARDING FINANCING TO INCLUDE THE ACTUAL SITING OF CHEK LAP KOK ITSELF. MAY I THEREFORE REPEAT ONCE AGAIN THAT TAKING ALL RELEVANT FACTORS INTO ACCOUNT, CHEK LAP KOK IS INDEED THE MOST SUITABLE AND THE MOST VIABLE SITE FOR OUR NEW AIRPORT.
STR, GIVEN THE IMPORTANCE OF PADS PROJECTS TO OUR FUTURE, THE GOVERNMENT FULLY APPRECIATES THE WISH AND THE NEED FOR THE PUBLIC IN GENERAL, AND THIS COUNCIL IN PARTICULAR, TO RE KEPT INFORMED. AS MEMBERS ARE AWARE, WE ARE ALREADY IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP FORMED UNDER MR STEPHEN CHEONG’S CONVENORSHIP. WE WILL CONTINUE TO BRIEF THE AD HOC GROUP ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROJECTS, AS WE HAVE ALREADY BEEN DOING. ONLY LAST MONTH, ALL THE SENIOR OFFICIALS INVOLVED GAVE THE GROUP AN EXTENSIVE BRIEFING. MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL WILL NO DOUBT, IN FUTURE, CLOSELY SCRUTINISE THE FUNDING OF THE PROJECTS AS SUBMISSIONS ARE MADE TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR APPROVAL.
/SIR, AS ........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1990
2
SIR, AS INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS PROCEED, DISTRICT BOARDS DIRECTLY AFFECTED WILL OF COURSE BE CONSULTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LONGSTANDING PRACTICE FOR CONSULTATION WITH REGARD TO PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS. THIS FRIDAY, A BRIEFING SESSION FOR THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE HEUNG YEE KUK WILL TAKE PLACE. AS THE PROJECTS TAKE SHAPE WE WILL MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO FULLY, REGULARLY, AND COMPREHENSIBLY EXPLAIN WHAT IS HAPPENING, AND JUST AS IMPORTANT, WHY IT IS HAPPENING.
SIR, ONE OF HONG KONG’S GREAT ATTRACTIONS IS THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO GET THINGS DONE HERE. PLANS, ONCE THEY ARE AGREED, ARE IMPLEMENTED QUICKLY. AS SIR DAVID FORD INDICATED IN HIS SPEECH IN THE DEBATE ON THE OPENING ADDRESS ONLY THREE WEEKS AGO, AND AS MR STEPHEN CHEUNG HAS TODAY EXPLAINED, TO HOLD EXHAUSTIVE PUBLIC INQUIRIES, WHICH IS THE ROUTE FOLLOWED IN SOME PLACES, IS NOT ALWAYS THE SWIFTEST WAY OF ACHIEVING RESULTS. IT HAS A COST - THE COST IS DELAY AFTER DELAY. THAT IS NOT HONG KONG’S WAY OF DOING THINGS. THE HONG KONG STYLE IS TO TAKE A VISION OF THE FUTURE, TO DECIDE, BOLDLY, WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO ACHIEVE THAT VISION, AND THEN TO GET ON WITH IT.
MEMBERS WILL RECOLLECT THAT IN MY SPEECH I STRESSED TO THIS COUNCIL ON 31 OCTOBER, THE FACT THAT THE GOVERNMENT FULLY RECOGNISES THE IMPORTANCE OF PRUDENT MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC FINANCES, INCLUDING THE FINANCING OF PADS. WORK IS IN HAND TO ENSURE THAT CAREFUL PROGRAMMING AND PACKAGING OF WORKS CONTRACTS LEADS TO THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE APPROACH IN IMPLEMENTING THE PROJECTS. A CENTRAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAM COMPRISING GOVERNMENT STAFF AND CONSULTANTS HAS ALREADY BEEN SET UP TO ENSURE THE BEST POSSIBLE USE OF RESOURCES THROUGH MODERN MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES.
SIR, IN THE COURSE OF ONE OF THE SPEECHES - A SPEECH MADE BY MR DANIEL LAM - THERE WAS REFERENCE TO THE EXCHANGE FUND. THE EXCHANGE FUND IS OF SUCH IMPORTANCE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON WHAT WAS SAID, VERY BRIEFLY. THE EXCHANGE FUND, OF COURSE, WILL NOT BE USED FOR FINANCING THIS PROJECT, THE PADS PROJECT, OR ANY PART OF IT. THE EXCHANGE FUND IS THERE FOR A SPECIFIC STATUTORY PURPOSE - TO BACK THE CURRENCY. SIR, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT, TN THE CONTEXT OF THIS WHOLE DEBATE, BECAUSE THE EXCHANGE FUND IS STRONG, IT IS PROPERLY AND VERY PRUDENTLY MANAGED, AND WHATEVER HAPPENS WITH THIS PROJECT AS IT UNFOLDS, OUR CURRENCY WILL BE VERY STRONGLY AND FIRMLY BACKED, AND IT IS A POINT I WOULD LIKE MEMBERS TO KNOW.
SIR, THERE WAS ANOTHER COMMENT MADE - I THINK BY MR MARTIN LEE - REGARDING THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY OF WHICH I AM CHAIRMAN. WE EXPLAINED THE REASON WHY WE ESTABLISHED THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY TO HANDLE THESE PROJECTS. WE ARE FOLLOWING A WELL-TRIED AND TESTED PATH; WE ESTABLISHED A PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY TO START THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY, AND OF COURSE EVENTUALLY THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION WAS SET UP. ONE ADVANTAGE OF OUR APPROACH IS THAT IT ENABLES LEADING AND KNOWLEDGEABLE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TO BE APPOINTED TO THE AUTHORITY, SO THAT IT MAY BENEFIT FROM THEIR INDIVIDUAL TECHNICAL, FINANCIAL AND MANAGERIAL SKILLS. NOW ALL MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORITY ARE WELL AWARE THAT CONFLICT OF INTEREST SITUATIONS CAN ARISE AND THE ESTABLISHED PRACTICE IS, FOR ANY MEMBER INVOLVED IN A CONFLICT OF INTEREST SITUATION, TO DECLARE HIS INTEREST. THEREAFTER, HE DOES NOT PARTICIPATE TN THE RELATED DECISION MAKING PROCESS. SIR, I CAN ASSURE MEMBERS THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY, AND THF. AIRPORT AUTHORITY IN DUE COURSE, DOES NOT BRING INTO BEING ANY ABUSES OR POSSIBILITIES OF ANY ABUSES WHATSOEVER.
/SIR, WE ........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1990
- 3 -
SIR, WE ALL UNDERSTAND THE URGENT NEED FOR A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT. WE CANNOT IGNORE THE REALITIES OF AN INCREASINGLY CONGESTED KAI TAK, WE CANNOT AFFORD UNDUE DELAY. GETTING ON WITH THE PROJECT IS IN THE BEST LONG-TERM INTERESTS OF HONG KONG.
SIR, WITH THESE REMARKS, I SUPPORT THE AMENDED MOTION.
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ACTING CS’ SPEECH ON LEE’S AMENDED MOTION ON PADS
*****
THE FOLLOWING IS THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE SPEECH BY THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 21, 1990, ON THE AMENDED MOTION BY THE HON MARTIN LEE ON THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY.
MY LAST BUDGET HAS A GREEN COVER AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS POSSIBLY ENOUGH TO ESTABLISH MY CREDENTIALS IN RELATION TO ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. MR STEPHEN CHEONG’S AMENDMENT IS PROPERLY COUCHED IN WIDE AND GENERAL TERMS, IT CONTAINS A REQUIREMENT UPON THE GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE TO MAKE PUBLIC RELEVANT INFORMATION. THE GOVERNMENT HAS EVERY INTENTION OF FULLY HONOURING THAT COMMITMENT.
SIR, MR MARTIN LEE, BY CONTRAST, IN HIS AMENDMENT HAS CHOSEN TO BE NARROW. HE HAS REFERRED TO THE RELEASE OF A SERIES OF SPECIFIC REPORTS DEALING WITH ONLY ONE ASPECT, NAMELY, THE ENVIRONMENT. OF COURSE, WE ACCEPT THE GREAT IMPORTANCE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THESE PROJECTS, BUT I SUGGEST THAT THE INFORMATION THAT MR MARTIN LEE REQUIRES WILL IN FACT BE RELEASED, ALBEIT IN MORE GENERAL BUT NEVERTHELESS TOTALLY INFORMATIVE TERMS, UNDER MR STEPHEN CHEONG’S AMENDMENT. THEREFORE, WHAT PURPOSE DOES MR MARTIN LEE’S AMENDMENT ACTUALLY SERVE?
SIR, FOR THESE REASONS, I SHARE MR STEPHEN CHEONG’S VIEWS AND I SHALL VOTE AGAINST MR MARTIN LEE’S AMENDMENT.
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/4 ........
)
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1990
4
RESOLUTION TO AMEND TELEPHONE ORDINANCE SCHEDULE PASSED
*****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A RESOLUTION THAT IT APPROVED TO AMEND THE SCHEDULE TO THE TELEPHONE ORDINANCE, BY ADDING TO IT THE CHARGES THAT THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY LTD PROPOSES TO LEVY FOR ITS PROPOSED INTERPRETER HANDLING SERVICE.
MOVING A MOTION TO AMEND THE SCHEDULE, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON ANSON CHAN, SAID THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY PROPOSED TO PROVIDE AN INTERPRETER HANDLING SERVICE TO FACILITATE INTERPRETATION DURING AN INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE CALL.
MRS CHAN SAID CALLS REQUIRING THE SERVICE WOULD NEED TO BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE.
THE COMPANY WOULD THEN ARRANGE FOR AN INDEPENDENT TRANSLATION AGENCY TO PROVIDE CONSECUTIVE INTERPRETATION DURING THE CONVERSATION BY USING THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY’S CONFERENCE CALL FACILITY.
"UNDER SECTION 26(1) OF THE TELEPHONE ORDINANCE, THE COMPANY MAY ONLY LEVY CHARGES NOT EXCEEDING THOSE SPECIFIED IN THE SCHEDULE TO THE ORDINANCE," MRS CHAN POINTED OUT.
SHE SAID THE CHARGES FOR THE NEW SERVICE, AS SET OUT IN THE . RESOLUTION, WERE $143 PER CALL FOR COMPLETED CALLS USING THE TRANSLATION SERVICE AND $60 PER CALL FOR CALLS WHICH HAD BEEN BOOKED BY A SUBSCRIBER BUT SUBSEQUENTLY CANCELLED.
IN ADDITION, MRS CHAN SAID, A CUSTOMER MAKING USE OF THE SERVICE WOULD HAVE TO PAY' THE NORMAL CHARGES FOR THE RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE CALL, THE INTERNATIONAL OPERATOR ASSISTED CONFERENCE CALL AND FOR THE ADVICE OF DURATION OF INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE CALL, AS WELL AS THE CHARGE FOR INTERPRETATION RAISED BY THE INDEPENDENT TRANSLATION AGENCY.
"THE ADMINISTRATION HAS EXAMINED THE NEW CHARGES SPECIFIED IN THE RESOLUTION AND CONSIDERS THEM TO BE A REASONABLE REFLECTION OF THE COST OF PROVIDING THE SERVICE," SHE ADDED.
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/5........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1990
- 5 -
BILL TO IMPLEMENT KCRC’S NEW MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE *****
THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, WHICH IMPLEMENTS THE NEW MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE OF THE CORPORATION, WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID AS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUING PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SECTOR ADMINISTRATION, A REVIEW OF THE GOVERNMENT’S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE KCRC WAS CONDUCTED IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR.
THE REVIEW RECOMMENDED A NUMBER OF ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES AIMED AT IMPROVING THE GOVERNMENT’S OVERALL MONITORING OF THE CORPORATION’S PERFORMANCE. THESE RECOMMENDATIONS HAD BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND WERE NOW BEING IMPLEMENTED.
"THESE INCLUDED SETTING POLICY OBJECTIVES FOR THE CORPORATION, APPOINTING A FULL-TIME CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE TO OVERSEE THE OPERATION OF THE CORPORATION AND TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ITS PERFORMANCE, AND REQUIRING THE CORPORATION TO SUBMIT ANNUALLY ITS BUDGET AND FIVE-YEAR PROGRAMME."
MR LEUNG SAID AS THE NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE CORPORATION IN HIS OTHER CAPACITY AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE WOULD TAKE OVER THE FULL DUTIES OF THE MANAGING DIRECTOR, IT WAS NO LONGER NECESSARY TO PROVIDE FOR THE SEPARATE APPOINTMENT OF A MANAGING DIRECTOR.
THE BILL ACCORDINGLY REPEALED THE PROVISIONS OF THE KCRC ORDINANCE CONCERNING THE APPOINTMENT AND MANNER OF APPOINTMENT OF A MANAGING DIRECTOR.
IT ALSO SET OUT THAT THE CHAIRMAN SHOULD BE THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE PERFORMING ON BEHALF OF THE CORPORATION SUCH FUNCTIONS AS THE ORDINANCE OR THE CORPORATION MIGHT ASSIGN TO HIM.
THE RESPONSIBILITIES WHICH WERE PREVIOUSLY UNDERTAKEN BY THE MANAGING DIRECTOR WOULD NOW BE ASSIGNED TO THE CHAIRMAN.
MR LEUNG SAID THE BILL, IF ENACTED, SHOULD BECOME EFFECTIVE ON DECEMBER 24 THIS YEAR TO COINCIDE WITH THE COMMENCEMENT DATE OF THE TERM OF OFFICE OF THE NEW CHAIRMAN APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/b........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1990
6
BILLS SEEK TO AMEND POLICE FORCE AND ICAC ORDINANCES
*****
THE POLICE FORCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 CLARIFIES THAT THF IDENTIFYING PARTICULARS OF AN ARRESTED PERSON SHOULD BE DESTROYED OR RETURNED TO SUCH PERSON, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR ASPREY POINTED OUT THAT THIS IS PROVIDED IF:
* A DECISION IS TAKEN NOT TO CHARGE THE PERSON WITH AN OFFENCE;
* THE PERSON IS CHARGED WITH AN OFFENCE BUT DISCHARGED BY A COURT BEFORE CONVICTION OR ACQUITTED AT HIS TRIAL OR ON APPEAL; OR
* IN THE CASE OF A CAUTIONED JUVENILE, WHEN THE PERSON ATTAINS THE AGE OF 17 YEARS AND HAS NOT BEEN CONVICTED OF ANY OFFENCE.
THE BILL WOULD EMPOWER THE POLICE TO TAKE PALM-PRINTS, SOLE-PRINTS AND TOE-PRINTS WHEN A PERSON WAS ARRESTED, MR ASPREY SAID.
HE SAID IT ALSO SOUGHT TO ENABLE THE POLICE TO RETAIN THESE IDENTIFYING PARTICULARS WHERE A PERSON HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY CONVICTED OF AN OFFENCE, WAS THE SUBJECT OF A REMOVAL ORDER UNDER THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE, OR WAS A JUVENILE UNDER 17 YEARS OF AGE AND HAD BEEN CAUTIONED FOR THE OFFENCE FOR WHICH HE WAS ARRESTED.
AT PRESENT, SECTION 59 OF THE POLICE FORCE ORDINANCE EMPOWERED THE POLICE TO TAKE THE PHOTOGRAPHS, FINGER-PRINTS, WEIGHT AND HEIGHT MEASUREMENTS OF A PERSON WHO HAD BEEN ARRESTED OR CONVICTED OF AN OFFENCE.
"THERE IS NO EXPRESS AUTHORITY TO TAKE PALM-PRINTS, SOLE-PRINTS OR TOE-PRINTS, ALTHOUGH IT HAS BEEN THE PRACTICE FOR THE POLICE TO DO THIS IN CERTAIN CRIMINAL CASES, WHERE SUCH EVIDENCE CAN BE AN IMPORTANT AID IN THE INVESTIGATION OF CRIME," HE SAID.
SECTION 59 OF THE ORDINANCE WAS ALSO UNCLEAR AS TO WHETHER THE IDENTIFYING PARTICULARS OF AN ARRESTED PERSON SHOULD BE DESTROYED OR RETURNED TO HIM IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, FOR EXAMPLE WHERE THE PERSON WAS NOT PROSECUTED, MR ASPREY ADDED.
MEANWHILE, MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, MR ASPREY SAID THE BILL SOUGHT TO AMEND SECTION 10D OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION ORDINANCE, TO CLARIFY THAT THE COMMISSIONER, ICAC MIGHT RETAIN THE IDENTIFYING PARTICULARS OF A PERSON ARRESTED OR CONVICTED OF AN OFFENCE UNDER SECTION 10 OF THE ORDINANCE WITH TWO EXCEPTIONS.
/THEY WERE .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1990
THEY WERE WHERE A DECISION WAS TAKEN NOT TO CHARGE THE ARRESTED PERSON, AND WHERE THE ARRESTED PERSON WAS DISCHARGED BY A COURT BEFORE CONVICTION OR ACQUITTED AT HIS TRIAL OR ON APPEAL, HE SAID.
"THIS IS IN LINE WITH THE AMENDMENTS PROPOSED IN THE POLICE FORCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990,” MR ASPREY SAID.
DEBATES ON THE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
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BUILDING ORDINANCE REVIEW TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY
» * » * »
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING WHETHER AND HOW EXISTING LEGISLATION COULD OR SHOULD BE STRENGTHENED TO ENSURE THAT THE PRIVATE BUILDINGS ARE MAINTAINED PROPERLY THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES AND THE PUBLIC SAFETY IS ENFORCED AND ENSURED.
this Forms the first part of the review by the director of
BUILDINGS AND LANDS WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED EARLY NEXT YEAR.-
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LEUNG WAI-TUNG.
MR BARNES NOTED THAT THE LAW IN HONG KONG DID NOT ENFORCE MAINTENANCE TO PREVENT THE STRUCTURE FROM BECOMING DILAPIDATED.
IN MANY CASES, HE SAID, LITTLE OR NO PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN DONE.
"THE LAW IN HONG KONG ENSURES THAT BUILDINGS ARE PROPERLY DESIGNED AND BUILT BY AUTHORISED PERSONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPROVED PLAN.
"IT PROVIDES PROCEDURES TO DEAL WITH KNOWN UNAUTHORISED ADDITIONS AND TO ENFORCE THE REPAIR AND/OR DEMOLITION OF PARTS OR THE WHOLE OF THE STRUCTURE IF THEY ARE OR IT IS KNOWN TO HAVE BECOME DANGEROUS," HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID IN A SURVEY RECENTLY UNDERTAKEN BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE, OVER 55,000 PRIVATE BUILDINGS WERE INSPECTED EXTERNALLY, OF WHICH 16,700 WERE CLASSIFIED AS CATEGORY II BUILDINGS.
HE STRESSED THAT CATEGORY II DID NOT MEAN THAT A DANGER HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED.
"IT ONLY REFERS TO BUILDINGS WHICH APPEAR FROM THE OUTSIDE TO BE IN A SUSPECT CONDITION AND THEREFORE REQUIRE DETAILED INVESTIGATION," HE SAID.
/THE BUILDINGS .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1990
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE HAD ALREADY STARTED ON THE DETAILED INSPECTION OF CATEGORY II BUILDINGS. UP TO NOW, 1,800 FULL AND DETAILED INSPECTIONS HAD BEEN MADE AND 1,600 ORDERS HAD BEEN SERVED, INCLUDING 20 DEMOLITION ORDERS FOR 20 BUILDINGS.
MR BARNES SAID EFFORTS WERE BEING FOCUSED ON THE PRE-WAR BUILDINGS AS A RESULT OF THE RECENT SHEUNG WAN INCIDENT AND IT WAS EXPECTED THAT DETAILED INSPECTIONS ON ALL THE 970 CATEGORY II PRE-WAR BUILDINGS IDENTIFIED WOULD BE COMPLETED BY FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR.
INSPECTIONS OF ALL REMAINING CATEGORY II POST-WAR BUILDINGS IS
ESTIMATED TO BE COMPLETED IN FIVE TO EIGHT YEARS, DEPENDING ON STAFF RESOURCES," HE SAID.
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MEASURES TO CHECK JOB-SEEKERS’ IDENTIFICATION OUTLINED
*****
MEASURES WHICH EMPLOYERS CAN TAKE TO VERIFY THE VALIDITY OF THE IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS OF APPLICANTS SEEKING EMPLOYMENT ARE OUTLINED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON JAMES TIEN, MR ASPREY SAID SUCH MEASURES INCLUDED:
» SCRUTINISING CAREFULLY THE PHOTOGRAPH ON THE IDENTITY CARD;
* CHECKING THAT THE AGE AND OTHER DETAILS ON THE IDENTITY
CARD FIT THE APPLICANT; AND CHECKING OTHER EVIDENCE OF
IDENTITY, SUCH AS A DRIVING LICENCE OR BANK BOOK;
* IF AN EMPLOYER SUSPECTS THAT THE IDENTITY CARD MAY NOT
BELONG TO THE APPLICANT, OR THAT IT MAY NOT BE GENUINE, THE
EMPLOYER SHOULD RING THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT’S HOTLINE SERVICE GIVING THE APPLICANT’S ID CARD NUMBER AND NAME. HE MAY ALSO MAKE A REPORT TO THE POLICE.
MR ASPREY SAID HE HAD OUTLINED AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE SECOND READING DEBATE ON THE IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, SOME OF THE MEASURES WHICH EMPLOYERS COULD TAKE TO ENSURE THAT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WERE NOT EMPLOYED ON THEIR PREMISES.
"WE HAVE DISCUSSED THESE MEASURES WITH THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT, AND THEY HAVE BEEN WIDELY PUBLICISED," HE ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1990
NO TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR POLITICAL ORGANISATIONS
******
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOB, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT NO AMENDMENT WOULD BE PROPOSED TO THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE FOR THE PURPOSE OF GRANTING SPECIFIC EXEMPTIONS FOR POLITICAL ORGANISATIONS.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PETER WONG, SIR PIERS SAID IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES SUCH ORGANISATIONS MIGHT ALREADY BE EXEMPT.
HE SAID MUCH DEPENDED UPON THE CONSTITUTION OF THE ORGANISATION.
”IF, FOR EXAMPLE, A POLITICAL ORGANISATION WERE CONSTITUTED AS A CLUB AS DEFINED IN SECTION 24(1) OF THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE THEN IT MIGHT NOT BE DEEMED TO BE CARRYING ON BUSINESS FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE.
’’AND THUS, IT WOULD NOT BE LIABLE TO PROFITS TAX,” SIR PIERS SAID.
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PRIVATISATION OF POLICE DRIVER TRAINING IMPRACTICABLE
*****
PRIVATISATION OF POLICE DRIVER TRAINING IS AT PRESENT NEITHER PRACTICABLE NOR COST-EFFECTIVE, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON J.D. MCGREGOR, MR ASPREY SAID THIS WAS THE CONCLUSION OF A DETAILED STUDY CONDUCTED BY THE POLICE ON THE POSSIBILITY OF PRIVATISING POLICE DRIVER TRAINING EARLY THIS YEAR.
HE SAID THERE WAS A NEED TO PROVIDE SPECIALISED DRIVING TRAINING TO EQUIP POLICE OFFICERS TO RESPOND TO EMERGENCY OR 999 CALLS, OR TO UNDERTAKE HIGH SPEED PURSUITS.
THIS TRAINING, HE SAID, REQUIRED EXPERTISE CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE TN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
’’FURTHERMORE, EVEN IF A PRIVATE COMPANY WERE TO TAKE OVER POLICE DRIVER TRAINING, AFTER QUALIFYING ITS TRAINERS AS SPECIALIST DRIVING INSTRUCTORS, THE STUDY INDICATED THAT THIS WOULD BE LIKELY TO COST MORE THAN THE CURRENT POLICE DRIVING SCHOOL,” HE SAID.
MR ASPREY POINTED OUT THAT CIVILIANISATION IN OTHER AREAS WAS, HOWEVER, BEING PURSUED. AND THE POLICE HAD STARTED A SERIES OF REVIEWS TO THIS END.
/AS A........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1990
"AS A RESULT, WE HOPE TO CIVILIANISE OVER 50 POSTS IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR TO RELEASE POLICE OFFICERS FOR OPERATIONAL DUTIES, HE SAID.
FURTHER STUDIES TO IDENTIFY OTHER POSTS WHICH COULD BE CIVILIANISED WERE BEING AND WOULD BE CONDUCTED, MR ASPREY ADDED.
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GOVT TRIES TO SETTLE DISPUTES THROUGH CONSULTATION
******
THE GOVERNMENT IN GENERAL TRIES TO SETTLE ANY DISPUTES THAT ARISE THROUGH CONSULTATION BETWEEN MANAGEMENT AND STAFF AND THIS PROCESS, BY AND LARGE, HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL, THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON DAVID CHEUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR PIERS SAID IN CASES WHERE A PARTICULAR GROUP OF CIVIL SERVANTS HAD RESORTED TO INDUSTRIAL ACTION, THE DEPARTMENT AFFECTED WAS EXPECTED TO MAINTAIN A CONTINUING DIALOGUE WITH THE STAFF CONCERNED, WITH A VIEW TO SETTLING THE ISSUE THROUGH NEGOTIATION.
"IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS TO ENSURE THAT AS FAR AS POSSIBLE SERVICES ARE NOT DISRUPTED EVEN WHERE INDUSTRIAL ACTION IS TAKEN.
"SOMETIMES THIS MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE BUT MEMBERS MAY REST ASSURED THAT HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND OTHERS HOLDING RESPONSIBILITY ARE FULLY CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO MINIMISE DISRUPTION TO THE PUBLIC SERVICES," SIR PIERS SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT UNDER CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE MIGHT AUTHORISE DEDUCTION OF AN APPROPRIATE SUM FROM SALARIES OF THE STAFF REFUSING TO PERFORM ALL OR PART OF THEIR NORMAL DUTIES.
ALTERNATIVELY, HE MIGHT SUSPEND THEM FROM DUTY WITHOUT PAY.
"I MUST EMPHASISE, HOWEVER, THAT THE CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS ARE INVOKED ONLY AS A LAST RESORT,” SIR PIERS SAID.
/Il
- - 0 - -
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1990
- 11 -
MEASURES TO EXPAND PRISON CAPACITY
*****
A NUMBER OF MEASURES HAVE BEEN AND WILL BE TAKEN TO EXPAND THE CAPACITY AND REDUCE THE POPULATION OF HONG KONG’S PRISONS, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MICHAEL CHENG, MR ASPREY SAID ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION FOR 120 PRISONERS WAS BEING BUILT IN SHA TSUI DETENTION CENTRE AND HEI LING CHAU ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE TO EXPAND THEIR CAPACITY.
FURTHER ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION FOR SOME 200 PRISONERS WAS PLANNED AT TAI LAM PRISON AND 60 AT TUNG TAU CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, HE SAID.
IN THE MEDIUM TERM, MR ASPREY SAID HE HOPED THAT FOLLOWING THE OPENING OF THE TAI A CHAU DETENTION CENTRE NEXT YEAR, AND ASSUMING A GRADUAL REDUCTION IN THE BOAT PEOPLE POPULATION, IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO RELEASE DETENTION CENTRE ACCOMMODATION ON HEI LING CHAU BACK TO THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AS ADDITIONAL PRISON ACCOMMODATION.
HE ADDED THAT THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE HAD BEEN RECENTLY AMENDED TO IMPOSE MORE SEVERE PENALTIES ON THOSE WHO EMPLOYED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. . .
IN THE LONGER TERM, THE GOVERNMENT’S AIM WAS THAT THESE RECENT ENACTED AMENDMENTS WOULD REDUCE THE NUMBER OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS COMING TO HONG KONG, AND IN TURN GRADUALLY REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE PRISON POPULATION, MR ASPREY SAID.
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APPLICATIONS FOR UK CITIZENSHIP TO BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE
*****
ALL APPLICATIONS FOR BRITISH CITIZENSHIP UNDER THE BRITISH NATIONALITY (HONG KONG) ACT 1990 WILL BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE.
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID THIS IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR ASPREY SAID UNDER THE NEWLY ENACTED BRITISH NATIONALITY (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1990, IT WAS AN OFFENCE FOR ANY PERSON INVOLVED IN THE PROCESSING OF SUCH APPLICATIONS TO DISCLOSE, WITHOUT AUTHORISATION, THE IDENTITY OF APPLICANTS OR ANY INFORMATION RELATING TO THEIR APPLICATIONS.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1990
12
HE SAID ALL DATA RELATING TO UNSUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS WOULD BE DESTROYED AFTER THREE YEARS.
HE ADDED THAT DATA RELATING TO BENEFICIARIES UNDER THE SCHEME WOULD BE HANDED OVER TO THE HOME OFFICE BEFORE JULY 1, 1997 AND WOULD BECOME PART OF THE RECORDS OF HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT.
"NO LIST OF NAMES OR PERSONAL DATA DERIVED FROM APPLICATIONS WILL BE PASSED TO THE FUTURE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION GOVERNMENT.
"WE DO NOT HAVE A FULL LIST OF BRITISH CITIZENS RESIDENT IN HONG KONG, NOR DO WE HAVE ANY INFORMATION SYSTEMS DESIGNED TO CAPTURE THE NATIONAL STATUS OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS," MR ASPREY SAID.
SUCH SYSTEMS MIGHT, HOWEVER, HAVE TO BE ESTABLISHED IN FUTURE TO EXTEND THE RIGHT OF ABODE TO NON-CHINESE NATIONALS WHO HAD LIVED IN HONG KONG CONTINUOUSLY FOR SEVEN YEARS AND HAD TAKEN HONG KONG AS THEIR PLACE OF PERMANENT RESIDENCE, HE SAID.
"BUT THESE SYSTEMS WILL ONLY CONTAIN INFORMATION VOLUNTEERED BY THOSE RESIDENTS WHO WISH TO ESTABLISH THEIR RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG.
"THEY WILL NOT BE A COMPREHENSIVE RECORD ON THE NATIONAL STATUS OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS.
"NOR WILL THEY INCLUDE INFORMATION ON HOW A RESIDENT HAS ACQUIRED HIS NATIONAL STATUS," HE ADDED.
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POLICE OFFICERS TRANSFERRED ON THE INCREASE *****
THE PRESENT RULES GOVERNING PAY ON TRANSFER, WHEREBY AN OFFICER TRANSFERRING TO ANOTHER POSITION CARRIES HIS FORMER SALARY NOTWITHSTANDING THAT THE MINIMUM PAY OF THE NEW JOB IS LOWER, ARE ANOMALOUS, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON DAVID CHEUNG, MR ASPREY SAID THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE PROPOSED TO AMEND THE RULES TO REMOVE THE PRESENT ANOMALY.
ON WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE STEPS TO PREVENT POLICE OFFICERS FROM TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS TO CARRY THEIR PAY ON TRANSFER TO OTHER POSTS, MR ASPREY SAID: "THERE ARE MANY REASONS WHY A CIVIL SERVANT IN ONE DEPARTMENT OR GRADE MIGHT DECIDE TO TRANSFER TO ANOTHER DEPARTMENT OR GRADE.
"IT IS NEITHER POSSIBLE, NOR DESIRABLE TO SEEK TO PREVENT SUCH TRANSFERS," HE SAID.
/GOVERNMENT STATISTICS .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1990
- 13 -
GOVERNMENT STATISTICS HAD SHOwN THAT THE NUMBERS OF POLICE OFFICERS WHO HAD TRANSFERRED TO OTHER GOVERNMENT POSTS IN 1988, 1989
AND 1990 (FROM JANUARY TO OCTOBER) WERE 92, 227 AND 312 RESPECTIVELY.
"THE NUMBER OF SUCH TRANSFERS HAS BEEN ON THE INCREASE OVER THIS PERIOD," MR ASPREY SAID.
-----0------
CONDOLENCES ON DEATH OF LAW DRAFTSMAN
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, AT THE BEGINNING OF TODAY’S (WEDNESDAY) LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING, EXPRESSED CONDOLENCES ON THE DEATH OF THE LAW DRAFTSMAN, MR JAMES O’GRADY, WHO DIED YESTERDAY AFTER A LONG ILLNESS.
”1 AM SURE THAT THE COUNCIL WOULD WISH ME TO NOTE WITH DEEP REGRET THE DEATH YESTERDAY OF MR JAMES O’GRADY, WHO IS COUNSEL TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SINCE SEPTEMBER 1985, AND TO RECORD BOTH OUR-REGRET AND OUR CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY,” SIR DAVID SAID.
-----0-------
AMENDED MOTION BY STEPHEN CHEONG ON PADS PASSED
******
A MOTION MOVED BY THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG TO AMEND THE MOTION RAISED BY THE HON KINGSLEY SIT ON THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (PADS) WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE ORIGINAL MOTION BY MR SIT AND ANOTHER AMENDED MOTION BY THE HON MARTIN LEE WERE NOT SUPPORTED.
THIRTY-ONE LEGISLATORS SPOKE ON THE MOTIONS ON PADS AND THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
TWO OTHER MOTIONS, ONE ON THE TELEPHONE ORDINANCE WHICH WAS MOVED BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES AND THE OTHER ON THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE WHICH WAS MOVED BY THE HON C.K. POON, WERE ALSO PASSED.
MEANWHILE, TWO BILLS WERE PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THEY WERE THE ROAD TRAFFIC (DRIVING-OFFENCE POINTS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH (ANIMALS AND BIRDS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990.
THREE BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. THEY WERE THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE POLICE FORCE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 AND THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990.
DEBATES ON THESE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
------0--------
/14 .....
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1990
14
CS ENCOURAGED BY INTEREST SHOWN IN HE *****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID HE WAS VERY ENCOURAGED BY THE INTEREST SHOWN IN HONG KONG EVERYWHERE HE WENT DURING HIS VISITS TO NORTH AMERICA AND LONDON.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE AIRPORT ON HIS RETURN, SIR DAVID SAID HE HAD A VERY BUSY 10 DAYS VISITING FOUR CITIES WHERE HE MADE SPEECHES AND ATTENDED NUMEROUS MEETINGS.
"I SAW A LOT OF BUSINESS PEOPLE; I SAW POLITICIANS AND OFFICIALS; I SAW STUDENTS AND THE MEDIA, AND ALL OF THEM EXPRESSED A GREAT DEAL OF INTEREST IN HONG KONG, AND SYMPATHY AND GENERAL ENCOURAGEMENT.
"I THOUGHT IT WAS A VERY USEFUL WAY OF STAYING IN TOUCH WITH THE PEOPLE IN NORTH AMERICA AND INDEED IN LONDON," HE SAID.
WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE COURT CASE INVOLVING THE 111 VIETNAMESE LAST WEEK, SIR DAVID SAID PLENTY HAD BEEN SAID ABOUT IT IN HONG KONG: "I REALLY HAVE NOTHING TO ADD ONLY TO SAY THAT IT DIDN’T CROP UP IN MY QUESTIONS WHEN I WAS OVERSEAS."
ON THE QUESTION OF RESPECT FOR THE RULE OF LAW, SIR DAVID SAID THE POSITION HAD BEEN MADE VERY CLEAR: "WE CLEARLY DO FOLLOW THE RULE OF LAW METICULOUSLY AND HAVE DONE SO IN THAT CASE."
WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE LOCALISATION POLICY, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID IT WAS A GRADUAL PROCESS IN WHICH LOCAL OFFICERS HAD BEEN INTRODUCED TO SENIOR POSITIONS IN THE GOVERNMENT FOR MANY YEARS.
"WE NOW HAVE MORE THAN HALF OF THE SENIOR POSITIONS FILLED BY LOCAL OFFICER," SIR DAVID SAID.
"WE WILL CONTINUE WITH THAT PROCESS UP UNTIL 1997; UNTIL WE MAKE SURE THAT IN ADVANCE OF 1997 WE MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE BASIC LAW AND THAT THERE ARE CHINESE NATIONALS IN THE MOST SENIOR POSITIONS OF GOVERNMENT SO AS TO ENSURE CONTINUITY ACROSS 1997," HE ADDED.
_ _ 0 - -
BRITISH NATIONALITY SCHEME ORDER MADE *****
THE BRITISH NATIONALITY (HONG KONG) (SELECTION SCHEME) ORDER 1990, WHICH SETS OUT THE SELECTION MECHANISM FOR CHOOSING 50,000 HEADS OF HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG TO BE REGISTERED AS BRITISH CITIZENS UNDER THE BRITISH NATIONALITY SELECTION SCHEME, WAS MADE BY THE PRIVY COUNCIL YESTERDAY (TUESDAY).
THE ORDER WILL COME INTO FORCE ON DECEMBER 1, 1990.
/A HONG
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1990
- 15 -
A HONG KONG GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT WITH THE COMPLETION OF ALL LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURES, APPLICATIONS FOR BRITISH CITIZENSHIP UNDER THE SCHEME WOULD BE OPEN FROM DECEMBER 1, 1990 TO FEBRUARY 28, 1991.
"DURING THIS PERIOD, APPLICATION FORMS, TOGETHER WITH A DETAILED GUIDANCE NOTE TO HELP APPLICANTS COMPLETE THE FORM, WILL BE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE FROM MORE THAN 200 OUTLETS INCLUDING ALL DISTRICT OFFICES, ALL POST OFFICES, IMMIGRATION OFFICES, AND THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE," HE SAID.
"IN COMPLETING THE APPLICATION FORMS, AN APPLICANT WILL HAVE TO FILL IN VARIOUS COMPUTER CODES RELATING TO HIS OCCUPATION, GENERAL EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS, PROFESSIONAL AND FURTHER QUALIFICATIONS, AND DIFFERENT TYPES OF VOLUNTARY OR COMMUNITY SERVICE.
"A TOTAL OF NINE REFERENCE MANUALS WILL BE PUBLISHED TO HELP APPLICANTS IN DIFFERENT OCCUPATIONS FIND THEIR COMPUTER CODES.
"THESE MANUALS COVER THE SEVEN BROAD AREAS OF WORK INCLUDED IN THE GENERAL OCCUPATIONAL CLASS, THE APPROVED OCCUPATIONS, AND THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES CLASS RESPECTIVELY.
"THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM DECEMBER 1 AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES, POST OFFICES, IMMIGRATION OFFICES AND PUBLIC LIBRARIES FOR THE REFERENCE OF APPLICANTS.
"AN APPLICANT CAN ALSO BUY A COPY OF THE MANUAL RELATING TO HIS OCCUPATION FOR HIS OWN REFERENCE.
"THESE MANUALS, AT $20 A COPY, WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE FROM DECEMBER 1 AT MORE THAN 80 OUTLETS INCLUDING ABOUT 40 DISTRICT OFFICES, ABOUT 20 POST OFFICES, IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, 20 SING TAO CENTRES, AND FIVE TV WEEK SERVICE CENTRES," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT NO APPLICANT WOULD NEED TO BUY ALL NINE MANUALS.
"IN MOST CASES, ALL THAT AN APPLICANT NEEDS TO HELP HIM FIND HIS COMPUTER CODES IS THE MANUAL WHICH COVERS HIS OCCUPATION.
"DETAILS OF THE OCCUPATIONAL GROUPS COVERED BY EACH MANUAL, AS WELL AS THE INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONS INCLUDED IN EACH OCCUPATIONAL GROUP, ARE INCLUDED IN THE FREE PUBLICATION ’A GENERAL GUIDE TO THE BRITISH NATIONALITY SELECTION SCHEME’.
"THE GENERAL GUIDE, WHICH ALSO GIVES MORE DETAILS ON APPLICATION PROCEDURES AS WELL AS THE POINTS SYSTEM UNDER THE SELECTION SCHEME, ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES, POST OFFICES, IMMIGRATION OFFICES, AND THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE."
THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED ALL APPLICANTS TO CAREFULLY STUDY THE GENERAL GUIDE, THE APPLICATION FORM, THE GUIDANCE NOTES FOR THE APPLICATION FORM, AND THE RELEVANT REFERENCE MANUAL BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FORM.
/"IT IS .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1990
- 16 -
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT FULL AND ACCURATE INFORMATION FORM SINCE INITIAL SCORES WILL THERE,” HE STRESSED.
IN THE APPLICATION INFORMATION PROVIDED
BE
IS GIVEN
BASED ON
THE SPOKESMAN RUN FOR THREE MONTHS APPLICATION IN EARLY.
POINTED OUT THAT THE AND THERE WAS NO NEED
APPLICATION
TO HURRY
PERIOD WOULD
TO GET ONE’S
’’ALL APPLICATIONS RECEIVED BY PROCESSED IN THE SAME WAY AND THERE IS NO SUBMITTING AN EARLY APPLICATION.
FEBRUARY 28,
ADVANTAGE TO
1991 WILL BE
BE GAINED BY
’’THE ONLY EXCEPTION APPLIES
TO
APPLICANTS
UNDER 18 --
WITH AT THE
NEARING THE AGE OF 18 SINCE ONLY CHILDREN
THEIR APPLICATION -- WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR REGISTRATION AS CITIZENS IF THEIR OWN APPLICATIONS ARE SUCCESSFUL.
CHILDREN
TIME OF
BRITISH
AGE OF 18 SHOULD APPLICATION FORM TO
APPLICANTS WITH CHILDREN APPROACHING THE
MAKE SURE THAT THEY FILL IN THE SECTIONS IN THE APPLY FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO BE REGISTERED AND TO SUBMIT THE FORM BEFORE THEIR CHILDREN’S
SAID.
AS BRITISH CITIZENS, 18TH BIRTHDAY,” HE
- - 0 - -
DEVELOPMENT OF TRAINING PROGRAMMES IN FAMILY MEDICINE *****
ACTION IS NOW IN HAND TO DEVELOP THE NGAU TAU KOK POLYCLINIC AT KWUN TONG AND THE YAN 01 POLYCLINIC AT TUEN MUN AS TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL CENTRES IN FAMILY MEDICINE.
ANNOUCING THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR S.H. LEE, SAID THE POSSIBILITY OF PROVIDING POSTGRADUATE TRAINING IN FAMILY MEDICINE AT THE FUTURE AP LEI CHAU CLINIC AND THE EXISTING LEK YUEN HEALTH CENTRE WOULD ALSO BE EXAMINED TOGETHER WITH THE TWO UNIVERSITIES.
DR LEE WAS SPEAKING AT A SEMINAR JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE HONG KONG COLLEGE OF GENERAL PRACTITIONERS, ON A CONSULTANCY REPORT BY DR WESLEY E. FABB ON "TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES IN FAMILY MEDICINE".
DR FABB, WHO IS THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION OF THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE OF GENERAL PRACTITIONERS, RECENTLY SUBMITTED HIS REPORT FOLLOWING A STUDY HE CONDUCTED AT THE INVITATION OF THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH EARLIER THIS YEAR ON THE TRAINING NEEDS IN FAMILY MEDICINE IN HONG KONG.
AS RECOMMENDED BY THE CONSULTANT, DR LEE SAID, THE DEPARTMENT AIMED TO START THE TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES FOR DOCTORS IN FAMILY MEDICINE IN THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR.
/THEIR SUCCESS .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1990
THEIR SUCCESS WOULD DEPEND ON THE CLOSE COOPERATION OF ALL THE PARTIES CONCERNED -- THE HONG KONG COLLEGE OF GENERAL PRACTITIONERS (HKCGP), THE UNIVERSITIES, THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPART?;? i , THE FUTURE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, THE ACADEMY OF MEDICINE AS WELL AS THE MEDICAL ASSOCIATIONS, HE SAID.
TO COORDINATE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAMMES, DR LEE SAIL A CONSULTANT TN FAMILY MEDICINE WAS EXPECTED TO BE APPOINTED EARLY NEXT YEAR.
"PRIMARY MEDICAL CARE PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE DELIVERY OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SERVICE.
"IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THIS OBJECTIVE, THERE MUST BE A POOL OF MOTIVATED AND WELL-TRAINED FAMILY PHYSICIANS IN OUR GENERAL OUT-PATIENT (GOP) DEPARTMENT," HE SAID.
DR LEE SAID WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF A VARIETY OF TRAINING PROGRAMMES TN FAMILY MEDICINE THERE SHOULD BE GREATER INCENTIVE AND OPPORTUNITY FOR DEVELOPING A BETTER CAREER STRUCTURE FOR THE GOP DEPARTMENT DOCTORS.
HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT AIMED TO DEVELOP FAMILY MEDICINE AS A SPECIALTY IN ITS GOP CLINICS.
"TO THIS END, THE DEPARTMENT HAS FIRM INTENTION TO CREATE CONSULTANT POSTS IN FAMILY MEDICINE.
"THESE CONSULTANTS WILL NOT ONLY PROVIDE EXPERT ADVICE IN FAMILY MEDICINE IN GOP CLINICS BUT WILL ALSO SERVE AS SUPERVISORS OF DOCTORS UNDER TRAINING IN FAMILY MEDICINE," HE SAID.
"BUILDING UP A POOL OF GOOD QUALITY FAMILY PHYSICIANS WOULD RESULT IN BETTER USE OF EXISTING RESOURCES AND IMPROVE THE INTERFACE BETWEEN HOSPITAL DOCTORS AND FAMILY PHYSICIANS IN THE FOLLOW-UP AND CONTINUING CARE OF PATIENTS," HE ADDED.
DR LEE STRESSED THAT THE TRAINING FACILITIES IN FAMILY MEDICINE WOULD, THEREFORE, NOT BE RESTRICTED TO DOCTORS IN THE DEPARTMENT. THEY WOULD ALSO BE OPEN TO DOCTORS WORKING IN THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT OR IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
TO ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION, IT MIGHT BE NECESSARY TO ORGANISE DIFFERENT TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES TO SUIT THE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUAL GROUPS, HE SAID.
INTRODUCTING HIS REPORT, DR FABB SAID IN DISCUSSIONS WITH GOP DEPARTMENT DOCTORS IT BECAME APPARENT THAT FOUR DIFFERENT TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES OR STREAMS WOULD BE NEEDED.
THEY ARE:
* A FOUR-YEAR VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMME IN FAMILY MEDICINE LEADING TO FELLOWSHIP OF THE HKCGP;
/* A TWO-YEAR ........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1990
- 18 -
* A TWO-YEAR ADVANCED TRAINING PROGRAMME IN FAMILY MEDICINE LEADING TO FELLOWSHIP OF THE HKCGP;
* A COURSE OF ADVANCED EDUCATION IN FAMILY MEDICINE WHICH WOULD ENHANCE THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS OF SERVING DOCTORS; AND
* A CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMME IN FAMILY MEDICINE.
DR FABB SAID THESE PROGRAMMES WERE TAILORED TO SUIT THE NEEDS OF DIFFERENT GROUPS OF DOCTORS.
HE ALSO STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF INVOLVEMENT OF PEOPLE WHO HAD A PART TO PLAY.
"IT IS WIDELY RECOGNISED THAT THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IS ONE WHERE ALL SECTORS CONTRIBUTE OPTIMALLY," HE SAID.
"WEAKNESS IN ONE SECTOR, OR POOR COMMUNICATION OR COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE SECTORS, ADVERSELY AFFECTS THE WHOLE SYSTEM."
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE SEMINAR, THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE HKCGP, DR STEPHEN FOO, GAVE THE COLLEGE’S FULL SUPPORT TO ALL THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN THE CONSULTANCY REPORT.
HE SAID THE COLLEGE WAS PARTICULARLY SUPPORTIVE OF THE PROPOSED CREATION OF A POST OF DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION WHO WOULD BE THE OVERLORD IN MEDICAL EDUCATION AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR.
REFERRING TO THE RECOMMENDED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES, DR FOO SAID IT COULD BE MORE COST-EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT FOR THE HKCGP WHICH HAD THE REQUIRED EXPERTISE AND HUMAN RESOURCES TO PROVIDE THE SERVICE ON A CONTRACT BASIS.
THE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND FAMILY MEDICINE OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, PROFESSOR DAVID WATSON, SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD HAVE TO INCREASE RESOURCES FOR TEACHING IF IT DESIRED TO IMPROVE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE.
HE SAID VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMMES WERE ESSENTIAL TO SET AND MAINTAIN HIGH STANDARD IN PRIMARY CARE.
"SUCH PROGRAMMES SHOULD BE DESIGNED CAREFULLY TO MEET THE NEEDS IN HONG KONG AND THE WORK SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, FAMILY PHYSICIANS AND ACADEMICS FROM THE TWO UNIVERSITIES," HE SAID.
"TN AN ATTEMPT TO REDUCE ESCALATING HOSPITAL COSTS, THERE IS A RETURN TO AMBULATORY HEALTH CARE WORLDWIDE AND THIS TYPE OF HEALTH CARE PROVES A LOT MORE COST-EFFECTIVE THAN THAT GIVEN BY HOSPITALS," PROF WATSON ADDED.
THE SENIOR MEDICAL AND HEALTH OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, DR C.S. KWOK, CITED A SERIES OF PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY DOCTORS AT GOVERNMENT GOP DEPARTMENTS.
/THESE RANGED .......
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1990
THESE RANGED FROM LACK OF MEDICAL RECORDS AND THE LARGE NUMBER OF PATIENTS TO INEFFICIENT UTILISATION AND ALLOCATION OF FUNDS AND RESOURCES, AND INADEQUATE COMMUNICATION WITH FRONT-LINE STAFF.
DR KWOK WAS PLEASED THAT GOOD IMPROVEMENTS HAD BEEN MADE IN THESE AREAS SINCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ABOUT 20 MONTHS AGO, ADDING THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE BETTER TRAINING PROGRAMMES AND CAREER STRCTURE FOR GOP DEPARTMENT DOCTORS.
IN HIS CONCLUDING REMARKS, THE PRESIDENT OF THE HKCGP, DR NATALIS YUEN, SAID THERE WAS STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE DEVEOPMENT OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN HONG KONG, FOR THE CLOSER LINK BETWEEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS AND FOR BETTER COLLABORATION AND COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE AND HOSPITAL CARE.
HE ADDED THAT IT WAS TIME FOR THE MEDICAL EDUCATORS AND THE AUTHORITY TO REVIEW THE PRESENT MEDICAL CURRICULUM TO SEE IF IT PRODUCED THE KIND OF DOCTORS THE COMMUNITY NEEDED.
DR YUEN CONGRATULATED THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH AND HIS DEPARTMENT FOR THE VISION AND COMMITMENT TO IMPROVE GOVERNMENT CLINIC SERVICES AND PRAISED DR FABB FOR HIS REPORT WHICH WAS DESCRIBED AS COMPREHENSIVE AND CONCISE.
- - 0 - -
237 VBP RETURN TO VIETNAM *****
A GROUP OF 237 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 84 MEN, 57 WOMEN, 45 BOYS AND 51 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 40TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
SO FAR, A TOTAL OF 5,616 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE HAVE RETURNED
VOLUNTARILY.
- - 0 - -
/20
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1990
- 20 -
LABOUR COMMISSIONER VISITS HONG KONG ELECTRICITY
*****
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) VISITED THE HONG KONG ELECTRIC COMPANY TO KEEP ABREAST OF THE DEVELOPMENT IN THE LABOUR SCENE.
THE COMPANY HAS A WORKFORCE OF ABOUT 2,800 COMPRISING 1,940 STAFF AND 880 OPERATIVES.
ON ARRIVAL AT THE ELECTRIC HOUSE IN KENNEDY ROAD, MR HAMMOND WAS MET BY THE COMPANY’S MANAGING DIRECTOR, MR EWAN YEE, AND WAS BRIEFED ON ITS OPERATION.
HE WAS TOLD THAT THE COMPANY HAS ESTABLISHED VARIOUS CHANNELS FOR COMMUNICATION WITH ITS STAFF, INCLUDING 10 JOINT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEES AND A MONTHLY IN-HOUSE BULLETIN.
MR HAMMOND NOTED THAT THE COMPANY HAS A SAFETY AND TRAINING DEPARTMENT TO LOOK AFTER ALL SAFETY MATTERS WHILE THE STAFF COMMITTEE IN THE GENERATION PLANT MEETS REGULARLY TO DISCUSS IMPROVEMENTS IN SAFETY MEASURES.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE COMPANY’S MANAGERIAL STAFF, MR HAMMOND THEN VISITED ITS OPERATIONAL HEADQUARTERS ON AP LEI CHAU WHERE HE SAW THE TRAINING SCHOOL AND SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES PROVIDED FOR THE STAFF.
MR HAMMOND WAS TOLD THAT THE COMPANY HAS EXPERIENCED HIGH LABOUR TURNOVER IN RECENT YEARS AND HAS TRAINED MANY OF ITS STAFF.
---------0-----------
FESTIVAL FOR ELDERLY IN SAI KUNG
*****
THE 1990 SAI KUNG DISTRICT FESTIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY WAS KICKED OFF TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WITH A LARGE-SCALE FOOD CARNIVAL AT THE CARPARK IN PAK TAM CHUNG, SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK.
MORE THAN 1,000 ELDERLY RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT WERE TREATED TO CHINESE SNACKS AND REFRESHMENT.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, MISS OPHELIA CHAN, SAID COMMUNITY SUPPORT WAS ESSENTIAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THE GOVERNMENT POLICY ON ELDERLY SERVICES.
’’WHILE THE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CARE OF THE ELDERLY, THIS ROLE SHOULD BE SHARED WITH THE COMMUNIIY REPRESENTED BY THE FAMILY AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS," SHE SAID.
/MISS CHAN ........
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1990
21
MISS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT WITH THE INCREASE OF LIFE EXPECTANCY IN HONG KONG, THE ELDERLY WOULD OCCUPY 15 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION BY 1999, WHILE THE FIGURE IN 1989 STOOD AT 13 PER CENT.
SHE SAID THE GROWING ELDERLY POPULATION IN HONG KONG HAD RESULTED IN AN INCREASING DEMAND FOR ELDERLY SERVICES, IN TERMS OF BOTH QUANTITY AND VARIETY, IN THE 1990’S.
"THERE ARE ABOUT 10,000 PEOPLE AGED OVER 60 IN SAI KUNG. IN VIEW OF THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF THE TSEUNG KWAN O NEW TOWN, THE GOVERNMENT AND OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS HAVE COOPERATED CLOSELY TO HELP THESE SENIOR CITIZENS ADAPT TO THE NEW ENVIRONMENT," SHE SAID.
NEW ELDERLY CENTRES AND HOSTELS HAVE BEEN SET UP IN TSUI LAM ESTATE, PO LAM ESTATE, AND KING LAM ESTATE.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS AT TODAY’S CEREMONY INCLUDED SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WILLIAM WAN; PRESIDENT OF THE FESTIVAL’S ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR LEE SPIEGAL; AND AN ASSISTANT SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS BERNADETTE LINN.
TODAY’S CARNIVAL ALSO FEATURED LION-DANCE PERFORMANCE, CANTONESE OPERAS, A FOOD-ANI MATION CONTEST AND VARIETY SHOWS PERFORMED BY THE ELDERLY.
OTHER ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING HEALTH CHECK-UPS, VISITS, AND CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMES, WILL BE ORGANISED DURING THE FESTIVAL PERIOD.
THE FESTIVAL WILL LAST UNTIL DECEMBER 18 AND WILL BE CONCLUDED WITH SEVERAL LARGE BANQUETS TO BE HELD IN TSEUNG KWAN O, HANG HAU AND SAI KUNG TOWN.
ENQUIRES CAN BE MADE ON TELEPHONE 792 4455 EXT. 26.
-----0-----
TWO GOVT LOTS TO LET BY TENDER
*****
TENDERS ARE BEING INVITED BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCY OF TWO GOVERNMENT LAND LOTS.
BEING THE BACK-UP AREAS OF CONTAINER TERMINALS 6 AND 7 IN LAI CHI KOK, THE FIRST LOT COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 3.635 HECTARES AND IS FOR OPEN STORAGE OF CONTAINERS (EXCLUDING STUFFING AND DESTUFFING).
THE TENANCY FOR THE LOT IS TWO YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
THE OTHER LOT IS IN AREA 26C OF KWAI CHUNG. IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 5,350 SQUARE METRES.
THE SITE IS FOR A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC CARPARK. BUT IT IS ONLY FOR GOODS VEHICLES, CONTAINER TRACTORS AND TRAILERS CURRENTLY LICENSED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE.
/THE TENANCY .......
r
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1990
- 22 -
THE TENANCY FOR THE LOT IS SIX MONTHS, RENEWABLE MONTHLY THEREAFTER.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS OF THE TWO LOTS IS NOON ON DECEMBER 7.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT, THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KWAI TSING; 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.
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
BRITISH POLICY TOWARDS HK NOT AFFECTED BY UK LEADERSHIP CONTEST: GOVERNOR ................................................................. 1
DIRECTION UNDER NATIONALITY SCHEME ISSUED ................................ 1
EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 4 PUBLISHED .............................. 2
BRIEFINGS ON EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 4 ........................... 5
LAW REFORM COMMISSION STUDY ON INSOLVENCY ................................ 6
RECONSTITUTION OF JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION ............................ 7
GOVT LAND SOLD FOR $641M ................................................. 8
SEMINAR ON TSEUNG KWAN 0 TUNNEL .......................................... 9
HONG KONG MAY NEED A DATA PROTECTION AUTHORITY ........................... 9
PROMPT ACTION NEEDED ON ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS .......................... 12
TREES PLANTED TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT................................. 13
TRAFFIC SAFETY DAY ON LANTAU ............................................ 13
AN EVENING OF ENTERTAINMENT FOR YAU TSIM RESIDENTS ...................... 14
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FESTIVAL WINS OVERWHELMING SUPPORT ............. 14
MORE PARKING SPACES AT AIRPORT CARPARK .................................. 15
FIRING PRACTICE IN DECEMBER ............................................. 16
SUPPLY OF NON-CONFIDENTIAL ESTABLISHMENT PARTICULARS .................... 16
1
BRITISH POLICY TOWARDS HK NOT AFFECTED BY UK LEADERSHIP CONTEST: GOVERNOR »*»*»*
WHATEVER EMERGES FROM THE LEADERSHIP CONTEST IN THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY WILL NOT MEAN ANY CHANGE AT ALL TO BRITISH POLICY TOWARDS HONG KONG, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) IN RESPONSE TO THE RESIGNATION OF PRIME MINISTER, MRS MARGARET THATCHER.
"IT IS SOMETHING WHICH IS AN INTERNAL POLITICAL MATTER IN THE UK AND NOT SOMETHING I WOULD EXPECT TO AFFECT POLICY TOWARDS HONG KONG AT ALL,” HE SAID.
"POLICY IS A MATTER FOR A GOVERNMENT AND IT IS NOT JUST A MATTER FOR ONE SINGLE PARTY, THAT IS A VERY IMPORTANT POINT AS ONE LOOKS TOWARDS THE FUTURE," HE ADDED.
"POLICY IS ESTABLISHED AND THAT CONTINUES AND IT IS NOT JUST A QUESTION OF THAT POLICY CONTINUING WHOEVER THE LEADER OF THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY IN OFFICE IS.
"THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF BI-PARTISAN SUPPORT FOR THE POLICY ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AND I WOULD NOT EXPECT THAT TO CHANGE AT ALL," SIR DAVID SAID.
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DIRECTION UNDER NATIONALITY SCHEME ISSUED
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THE HOME SECRETARY HAS ISSUED A DIRECTION TO THE GOVERNOR UNDER SECTION 1(3) OF THE BRITISH NATIONALITY (HONG KONG) ACT 1990 TO SPECIFY THE TIMESCALE AND THE NUMBER OF HEADS OF HOUSEHOLDS TO BE RECOMMENDED FOR BRITISH CITIZENSHIP DURING THE FIRST PHASE OF THE BRITISH NATIONALITY SCHEME.
UNDER THIS DIRECTION, THE FIRST PHASE OF THE SCHEME WILL BEGIN ON DECEMBER 1, 1990 AND END ON JANUARY 1, 1994.
"DURING THIS PERIOD, THE GOVERNOR MAY RECOMMEND FOR BRITISH CITIZENSHIP NOT MORE THAN 32,700 APPLICANTS IN THE GENERAL OCCUPATIONAL CLASS, OF WHICH NOT MORE THAN 400 ARE TO BE FOR APPLICANTS IN APPROVED OCCUPATIONS," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"DURING THE SAME PERIOD, THE GOVERNOR MAY RECOMMEND NOT MORE THAN 6,200 APPLICANTS IN THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES CLASS, AND NOT MORE THAN 3,850 IN THE SENSITIVE SERVICE CLASS.
/"THE HOME........
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"THE HOME SECRETARY HAS MADE NO DIRECTION FOR THIS PERIOD IN RELATION TO THE ENTREPRENEURS CLASS AND, ACCORDINGLY, THE GOVERNOR MAY RECOMMEND UP TO 500 APPLICANTS IN THIS CLASS FOR BRITISH CITIZENSHIP DURING THIS PERIOD OR ANY LONGER PERIOD AS HE SEES FIT, HE SAID.
THE REMAINING PLACES IN THE GENERAL OCCUPATIONAL CLASS, DISCIPLINED SERVICES CLASS AND SENSITIVE SERVICE CLASS WILL BE RESERVED FOR A SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT PHASE.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT DETAILS OF QUOTAS FOR THE 20 OCCUPATIONAL GROUPS AND APPROVED OCCUPATIONS UNDER THE GENERAL OCCUPATIONAL CLASS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ONCE THEY ARE APPROVED B1) THE GOVERNOR.
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EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 4 PUBLISHED
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THE FOURTH REPORT OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION, CHAIRED BY MRS RITA FAN, WAS PUBLISHED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE REPORT COVERED A WIDE RANGE OF EDUCATIONAL ISSUES CONNECTED WITH NINE YEARS FREE AND COMPULSORY EDUCATION.
THE COMMISSION MADE 74 RECOMMENDATIONS IN THIS REPORT ON VARIOUS TOPICS INCLUDING CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL PROVISION, ASSESSMENT SYSTEMS, LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION, AND MIXED MODE SCHOOLING.
ON CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDED THAT A CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE (CDI), A FULL-TIME PROFESSIONAL BODY WITHIN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, SHOULD BE CREATED TO ENSURE THAT THE PROCESS OF CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT IS MORE EFFECTIVE AND INNOVATIVE.
THE COMMISSION ENVISAGED THAT THE CDI SHOULD HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO EMPLOY THOSE PROFESSIONALS, BOTH FROM WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE CIVIL SERVICE, BEST ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT WORK.
TWO CHAPTERS OF THE REPORT WERE DEVOTED TO THE QUESTION OF SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL PROVISION IN HONG KONG, ONE ON SUPPORT SERVICES IN SCHOOLS AND THE OTHER ON EDUCATION ENHANCEMENT MEASURES.
ON SUPPORT SERVICES IN SCHOOLS, THE COMMISSION BELIEVED THAT THESE BE SCHOOL-BASED AND THAT THE "WHOLE SCHOOL APPROACH" SHOULD BE ADOPTED. THE GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING SERVICES PROVIDED IN SCHOOLS SHOULD BE IMPROVED, SINCE ALL STUDENTS MAY REQUIRE SUCH SUPPORT AT SOME TIME DURING THEIR SCHOOLING.
/IT ALSO .......
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IT ALSO RECOMMENDED MEASURES TO HELP STUDENTS WHO HAVE LEARNING DIFFICULTIES, STUDENTS WHO ARE UNMOTIVATED, OR WHO HAVE SEVERE LEARNING PROBLEMS. THESE MEASURES INCLUDE THE IMPROVEMENT OF REMEDIAL TEACHING AND THE PROVISION OF SPECIAL PURPOSE SCHOOLS FOR THOSE WHO ARE UNMOTIVATED AND THOSE WHO HAVE SEVERE LEARNING PROBLEMS.
FOR GIFTED CHILDREN, THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDED THAT A PILOT PROJECT FOR DEVELOPING THEIR POTENTIAL BE CONDUCTED.
THE COMMISSION HOPES THAT THOSE FOR WHOM SPECIAL PURPOSE SCHOOLS ARE BEING PROPOSED WILL BECOME MORE SELF-CONFIDENT AND REGAIN THEIR INTEREST IN LEARNING BY BEING IN AN ENVIRONMENT MORE APPROPRIATE TO THEIR INTERESTS AND ABILITIES.
HAVING LOOKED AT CURRENT ASSESSMENT SYSTEMS IN HONG KONG, THE COMMISSION PROPOSED THAT A FRAMEWORK OF ATTAINMENT TARGETS AND RELATED ASSESSMENTS BE INTRODUCED IN HONG KONG, COVERING ENGLISH, CHINESE AND MATHEMATICS, UP TO SECONDARY 3 LEVEL. IT IS ENVISAGED THAT THESE ASSESSMENTS MAY REPLACE SOME EXISTING INTERNAL EXAMINATIONS.
PUT SIMPLY, THIS MEANS THAT BROAD TARGETS AT DIFFERENT LEVELS ARE DRAWN UP FOR EACH AREA OF A SUBJECT AND STUDENTS WORK TOWARDS THESE TARGETS. BY ASSESSING THEIR PERFORMANCE AGAINST THE TARGETS AT KEY STAGES IN THE EDUCATION PROCESS, THE PROGRESS THAT THEY HAVE MADE AND THEIR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES IN DIFFERENT AREAS ARE REVEALED.
THIS NEW SYSTEM OF TARGETS AND ASSESSMENT COULD HAVE FAR-REACHING EFFECTS ON OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM. IT WILL ENABLE THE MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT OF WHAT OUR STUDENTS HAVE LEARNT TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE AND MAY WELL ENCOURAGE IMPROVEMENTS IN TEACHING AND LEARNING.
ANOTHER ISSUE ADDRESSED IN THE REPORT BY THE COMMISSION IS THAT OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION. THE COMMISSION HAS REVIEWED THE REFORMS PROPOSED IN ECR 1 AND ECR 2 AND ALSO THE FINDINGS IN THE REPORT OF THE WORKING GROUP SET UP TO REVIEW LANGUAGE IMPROVEMENT MEASURES.
AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND IT PROPOSED A FRAMEWORK FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT. THE FRAMEWORK HAS THREE UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES, TWO OF WHICH ARE ESTABLISHED POLICY.
THE FIRST IS THAT SECONDARY SCHOOLS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO USE CHINESE AS THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION, SINCE ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL, TEACHING AND LEARNING ARE GENERALLY MORE EFFECTIVE IF THE MOTHER TONGUE IS USED.
THE SECOND IS THAT SCHOOLS SHOULD THEMSELVES DECIDE WHICH MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION TO USE.
THE NEW THIRD PRINCIPLE, DRAWN UP BY THE COMMISSION, IS THAT THE USE OF MIXED-CODE IN SCHOOLS SHOULD BE REDUCED IN FAVOUR OF THE CLEAR AND CONSISTENT USE OF ONE MEDIUM IN CLASS IN RESPECT OF TEACHING, TEXTBOOKS AND EXAMINATIONS.
/MIXED-CODE IS .......
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MIXED-CODE IS THE PRACTICE WHERE TEXTBOOKS, WRITTEN WORK AND EXAMINATIONS ARE IN ONE LANGUAGE BUT TEACHERS USE ANOTHER TO EXPLAIN LESSON MATERIAL TO STUDENTS OR TO CONDUCT DISCUSSIONS WITH THEM.
THE COMMISSION BELIEVES THAT WHILST STUDENTS CAN LEARN BETTER IN THEIR MOTHER TONGUE, THOSE WHO HAVE THE PROVEN ABILITY TO LEARN EFFECTIVELY IN ENGLISH SHOULD BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO.
FOR HONG KONG TO MAINTAIN HER INTERNATIONAL POSITION, WE WILL NEED TO PRODUCE ENOUGH WELL-EDUCATED PEOPLE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE. THE COMMISSION BELIEVES THAT ITS FRAMEWORK WILL ENSURE THAT THE NEED FOR USERS OF BOTH LANGUAGES IS MET.
THE FRAMEWORK RECOMMENDED IN THE REPORT PROVIDES FOR THE GROUPING OF STUDENTS IN TERMS OF THEIR ABILITY TO LEARN IN ENGLISH OR CHINESE AS DETERMINED THROUGH OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENTS AT PRIMARY 6.
THE FRAMEWORK ALSO PROVIDES FOR SCHOOLS TO CHOOSE THEIR MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION. STARTING IN 1991-92, SCHOOLS MAY ADOPT ONE OF THREE OPTIONS. THE FIRST IS TO USE CHINESE. THE SECOND IS TO USE ENGLISH. THE THIRD IS TO OPERATE AN ENGLISH LANGUAGE GROUPING AND A CHINESE LANGUAGE GROUPING IN THE SAME SCHOOL.
IN 1994-95, SCHOOLS WILL BE ABLE TO USE THE INFORMATION FROM THE TARGET RELATED ASSESSMENTS AT PRIMARY 6 TO FIND OUT WHETHER THEY HAVE CHOSEN THE APPROPRIATE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION OR PROPORTION OF CLASSES IN EACH MEDIUM TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THEIR STUDENTS.
STUDENTS WILL BE ALLOCATED THEIR PLACES FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS THROUGH THE SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION. USING THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE PRIMARY 6 ASSESSMENTS, PARENTS WILL BE ABLE TO SELECT SCHOOLS BEST SUITED FOR THEIR CHILDREN.
IN 1989 THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED THAT MIXED MODE SCHOOLING SHOULD BE INTRODUCED. UNDER THIS SYSTEM, STUDENTS FROM PRIMARY 1 TO PRIMARY 4 ATTEND SCHOOL FOR HALF A DAY AND STUDENTS AT PRIMARY 5 AND PRIMARY 6 LEVELS ATTEND SCHOOL FOR THE WHOLE DAY.
THE COMMISSION’S ADVICE ON THE BEST MEANS TO IMPLEMENT THIS POLICY WAS SOUGHT BY THE GOVERNMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF THIS REPORT. THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDED THAT SUCH SCHOOLING BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 1992.
IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO BUILD 33 NEW SCHOOLS AND TO PROVIDE JUST OVER 700 ADDITIONAL TEACHERS TO IMPLEMENT MIXED MODE SCHOOLING.
THE COMMISSION RECOGNISES THAT DESPITE THE LACK OF EVIDENCE OF SYSTEMATIC PENETRATION OF SCHOOLS BY TRIAD SOCIETIES, THERE ARE OTHER NON-TRIAD RELATED GANG ACTIVITIES. IN CHAPTER 8, THEREFORE, THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDED THAT THE POLICE AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SHOULD MAKE EFFORTS TO COMBAT ALL GANG ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOLS WHETHER TRIAD RELATED OR NOT.
THE COMMISSION ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IN SCHOOLS BE ABOLISHED.
/IN THE ........
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IN THE LAST CHAPTER OF THE REPORT, THE COMMISSION URGED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE ITS PROPOSALS AS A PACKAGE AND FUND THEM ACCORDINGLY.
EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 4 WILL COST A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY TO IMPLEMENT. ANNUAL RECURRENT EXPENDITURE WILL RISE FROM AROUND $27 MILLION IN 1991-92 TO AROUND $408 MILLION IN 2000-01, WHILE AGGREGATE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE OVER THE SAME PERIOD WILL BE AROUND $1,159 MILLION.
COMMENTS ON ALL ASPECTS OF THE REPORT ARE WELCOMED DURING THE TWO-MONTH CONSULTATION PERIOD ENDING ON .JANUARY 31. ALL VIEWS RECEIVED WILL BE CONSIDERED BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT TAKES DECISIONS ON THE COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS.
COPIES OF THE REPORT ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, DISTRICT OFFICES, MARKETING OFFICE OF THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO SEND THEIR VIEWS ON THE REPORT TO THE SECRETARY, EDUCATION COMMISSION, C/O EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH, 12TH FLOOR, WEST WING, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, HONG KONG.
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BRIEFINGS ON EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 4
*****
TO ENHANCE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 4, A SERIES OF BRIEFINGS WILL BE HELD FOR DIFFERENT SECTORS OE’ THE COMMUNITY FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO DECEMBER 1.
THEY WILL BE CONDUCTED BY THE CHAIRMAN, MRS RITA FAN, AND VARIOUS MEMBERS OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION.
DETAILS OF THE BRIEFINGS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
* BRIEFING FOR NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS
DATE: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1990
TIME: 10 AM
VENUE: REGIONAL COUNCIL CHAMBER, SECOND FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING
* BRIEFING FOR URBAN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS
DATE: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1990
TIME: 10 AM
VFNUE: CONFERENCE ROOM, 30TH FLOOR, CNTA HEADQUARTERS, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI
/* BRIEFING FOR
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* BRIEFING FOR THE EDUCATION COMMUNITY
DATE: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1990
TIME: 2.30 PM
VENUE: ROOM 608, SIXTH FLOOR, HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, WAN CHAI
* BRIEFING FOR PARENTS
DATE: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1990
TIME: 2.30 PM
VENUE: ROOM 608, SIXTH FLOOR, HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, WAN CHAI
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LAW REFORM COMMISSION STUDY ON INSOLVENCY ******
THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION HAS BEEN ASKED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO REVIEW THE LAW OF INSOLVENCY.
A SUB-COMMITTEE HAS BEEN FORMED UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF COMMISSION MEMBER, PROFESSOR TED TYLER, HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL LEGAL EDUCATION, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
MEMBERS OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE ARE DRAWN FROM THE ACCOUNTANCY AND LEGAL PROFESSIONS, BANKING, GOVERNMENT, TRADE UNIONS AND BUSINESS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE SUB-COMMITTEE WILL REVIEW THE LAW AND PRACTICE RELATING TO THE INSOLVENCY OF BOTH INDIVIDUALS (BUSINESS AND NON-BUSINESS) AND CORPORATE BODIES IN HONG KONG AND IN PARTICULAR THE PROVISIONS OF THE BANKRUPTCY ORDINANCE AND THE WINDING UP PROVISIONS OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
THE SECRETARY OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE IS MR JEREMY GLEN, TO WHOM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT ON THE ISSUE SHOULD WRITE: THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION SECRETARIAT, FIRST FLOOR, HIGH BLOCK, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
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RECONSTITUTION OF JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION
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FOLLOWING THE PASSAGE OF THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE IN JULY, THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED NOVEMBER 26 AS THE DAY ON WHICH THE ORDINANCE SHALL COME INTO OPERATION.
THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION ADVISES THE GOVERNOR ON THE FILLING OF VACANCIES IN JUDICIAL OFFICES, REPRESENTATIONS FROM A JUDICIAL OFFICER CONCERNING CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AS MAY BE REFERRED TO IT BY THE GOVERNOR AND ANY MATTER AFFECTING JUDICIAL OFFICERS WHICH MAY BE PRESCRIBED OR WHICH THE GOVERNOR MAY REFER TO THE COMMISSION.
THE ORDINANCE PROVIDES FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION FROM SIX TO NINE, CONSISTING OF THREE MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY, INCLUDING THE CHIEF JUSTICE AS CHAIRMAN, TWO MEMBERS OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION, THREE LAY MEMBERS AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AS AN EX-OFFICIO MEMBER.
THE GOVERNOR HAS ALSO MADE THE FOLLOWING APPOINTMENTS TO THE RECONSITUTED COMMISSION, WITH EFFECT FROM NOVEMBER 26:
JUDGES
- THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE JOHN JAMES RHIND, JUDGE OF THE HIGH COURT.
- THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE SYED KEMAL BOKHARY, JUDGE OF THE HIGH COURT.
BARRISTER AND SOLICITOR
- MR ANDREW LI KWOK-NANG, A BARRISTER AND A CURRENT MEMBER OF THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION.
- MR LARRY KO SAI-KIT OF LO AND LO, A SOLICITOR AND A CURRENT
MEMBER OF THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION.
LAY MEMBERS
- MR ROBERT KWOK CHIN-KUNG OF JARDINE MATHESON HOLDINGS LIMITED. MR KWOK WAS A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION FROM 1984 UNTIL LAST MONTH.
- MR JOSEPH E. HOTUNG, A PRIVATE INVESTOR AND A MEMBER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG COUNCIL.
- MR YEUNG KA-SING OF WARDLEY LIMITED, A PERSONNEL MANAGER AND A MEMBER OF THE HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY ESTABLISHMENT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE AND OF THREE TRIBUNALS.
ALL THE MEMBERS WILL SERVE A TERM OF TWO YEARS EXCEPT MR ANDREW LI, WHO WILL SERVE UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 1991, WHEN BUT FOR THE RECONSTITUTION OF THE JSC HIS PRESENT APPOINTMENT WOULD HAVE EXPIRED.
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GOVT LAND SOLD FOR $64 IM * * ♦ *
THREE PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND WERE SOLD FOR A TOTAL OF $641 MILLION BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT AT A PUBLIC AUCTION TODAY (THURSDAY).
TOPPING THE LIST IS A LOT AT YEN CHOW STREET, SHAM SHUI PO, KOWLOON, WHICH WAS BOUGHT BY FOTOSKY INVESTMENT LIMITED FOR $280 MILLION. BIDDING OPENED AT $190 MILLION.
THE LOT, WHICH MEASURES ABOUT 7,198 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT TERMINUS, MULTI-STOREY CARPARK AND NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES, EXCLUDING GODOWN, HOTEL AND RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, EXCEEDING 77,738 SQUARE METRES HAS TO BE SEPTEMBER 30, 1994.
THE SECOND LOT, WHICH IS DESIGNATED PURPOSES, IS LOCATED IN AREA 29A, FANLING.
BIDDING OPENED AT $180 MILLION AND YENISEY COMPANY LIMITED FOR $256 MILLION.
A GROSS FLOOR AREA NOT COMPLETED ON OR BEFORE
FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL
THE LOT WAS BOUGHT BY
THE LOT COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 12,670 SQUARE METRES, AND THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 25,087 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1993.
THE THIRD LOT, ALSO FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES, IS IN AREA 37A, SHA TIN, AND HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 16,305 SQUARE METRES.
BIDDING OPENED AT $85 MILLION AND THE LOT WAS BOUGHT BY TASUDI INVESTMENT LIMITED FOR $105 MILLION.
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA NOT LESS THAN 9,960 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1994.
THE GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR TIM MILLS, WHO CONDUCTED THE AUCTION, DESCRIBED THE BIDDING AS ACTIVE AND WAS PLEASED WITH THE RESULTS.
THE AUCTION WAS HELD AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE.
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SEMINAR ON TSEUNG KWAN O TUNNEL
* * * * *
PROFESSIONAL OFFICERS OF THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT (TDD) WILL BE THE GUEST SPEAKERS ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 24) AT A SEMINAR ON THE RECENTLY OPENED TSEUNG KWAN O TUNNEL.
THE SEMINAR, ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERS, WILL BE ATTENDED BY ABOUT 70 PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS.
IT WILL BE HELD AT THE INSTITUTE’S PREMISES ON THE NINTH FLOOR, ISLAND CENTRE, 1 GREAT GEORGE STREET, CAUSEWAY BAY.
HEADING THE TDD TEAM WILL BE DR Y.L. CHOI, PROJECT MANAGER OF THE SOUTH EAST NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT OFFICE WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TSEUNG KWAN 0 TUNNEL AND TSEUNG KWAN O NEW TOWN.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES INTERESTED IN INTERVIEWING DR CHOI ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF TSEUNG KWAN O NEW TOWN SHOULD ARRIVE AT THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERS AROUND NOON ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 24).
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HONG KONG MAY NEED A DATA PROTECTION AUTHORITY
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HONG KONG MAY HAVE TO CONSIDER THE NEED FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A STATUTORY DATA PROTECTION AUTHORITY AND TO DEVISE PROVISIONS TO REGULATE CERTAIN TRANS-BORDER FLOWS OF DATA, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT A DINNER MEETING OF THE HONG KONG INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FEDERATION, HE SAID THE WORKING GROUP ON DATA PROTECTION LEGISLATION WAS STUDYING ON THESE ISSUES.
THE WORKING GROUP WAS SET UP BY THE GOVERNMENT IN JULY 1988 TO EXAMINE THE LAWS AND EXPERIENCES OF SOME SELECTED COUNTRIES, AND ON THE BASIS OF THIS STUDY, TO FURTHER EXAMINE THE DIRECTION TO BE TAKEN IN DRAFTING HONG KONG’S DATA PROTECTION LEGISLATION.
”SO FAR, THE WORKING GROUP HAS COMPLETED ITS STUDIES OF THE NATIONAL LEGISLATION OF OTHER COUNTRIES AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF DELIBERATING THE BASIC FEATURES WHICH HONG KONG'S LEGISLATION SHOULD ENSHRINE," MR TSAO SAID.
/•'THE MAJOR...........
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"THE MAJOR PROBLEM WHICH HAS BEEN CONFRONTING POLICY-MAKERS AND LEGISLATORS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, HOWEVER, IS HOW TO ENSURE THAT THE RESULTING PRODUCT DOES NOT OVER-REGULATE OR UNDER-REGULATE DATA USER ACTIVITIES," HE ADDED.
AS FAR AS HONG KONG WAS CONCERNED, HE SAID, WE HAD TAKEN HEED OF THE EXPERIENCE OF OTHER COUNTRIES AND WERE PARTICULARLY CONSCIOUS OF THE REQUIREMENT TO BALANCE, ON THE ONE HAND, THE NEED OF ORGANISATIONS TO ENJOY A FREE FLOW OF THE KIND OF INFORMATION THAT WAS ESSENTIAL TO THE SUCCESSFUL CONDUCT OF THEIR BUSINESS AND, ON THE OTHER, THE RIGHTS OF THOSE PEOPLE ABOUT WHOM SUCH DATA WAS COLLECTED TO EXPECT A PROPER DEGREE OF PROTECTION AND PRIVACY.
"OUR AIM IS TO DEVISE LEGISLATION WITH MINIMUM COMPLEXITY AND WITH NO GREATER BURDEN ON OUR RESOURCES THAN IS NECESSARY WHICH WILL NONETHELESS BALANCE THE INTERESTS OF THE DATA USER, THE DATA SUBJECT AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE," MR TSAO SAID.
HE WENT ON TO SAY THAT ALTHOUGH HONG KONG WAS STILL DELIBERATING ON THE FUNDAMENTAL FEATURES OF HONG KONG’S OWN LEGISLATION AND HAD YET TO REACH FIRM CONCLUSIONS, THE WORKING GROUP’S INITIAL VIEW AT THIS STAGE WAS THAT DATA PROTECTION FOR HONG KONG SHOULD COVER COMPUTERISED PERSONAL RECORDS PERTAINING TO PHYSICAL PERSONS AND APPLY TO ALL USERS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR.
"ITS APPLICATION TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR SHOULD BE FOCUSSED ON, AND LIMITED TO, REGULATING ORGANISATIONS WHO HOLD DATA IMPORTANT ENOUGH FOR DATA SUBJECTS TO BE PROTECTED AND WHO HAVE THE CAPACITY TO COPE WITH THE REGULATORY PROVISIONS.
"GREATER VISIBILITY OF THE USE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION WILL BE REQUIRED AND A SYSTEM OF REGISTRATION MAY HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED," HE SAID, ADDING THAT HONG KONG MIGHT HAVE TO CONSIDER THE NEED FOR A STATUTORY DATA PROTECTION AUTHORITY," THE SECRETARY SAID.
MR TSAO ALSO SAID THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION HAD BEEN ASKED TO CONSIDER THE LAW OF PRIVACY IN GENERAL AND ITS REFERENCE COVERS THE FIELD OF DATA PROTECTION IN PARTICULAR. IN THIS CONNECTION, THE WORKING GROUP AND THE PRIVACY COMMITTEE WERE COOPERATING CLOSELY IN THEIR RESPECTIVE EFFORTS IN THIS IMPORTANT AREA.
TURNING TO THE IMPACT OF DATA PROTECTION ON INFORMATION MANAGEMENT, HE RECALLED THAT IN MARCH 1988, THE GOVERNMENT PUBLISHED A SET OF DATA PROTECTION PRINCIPLES AND GUIDELINES TO BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS SETTING OUT STANDARDS ON THE USE OF COMPUTERS FOR PROCESSING PERSONAL INFORMATION.
HE SAID A SURVEY WOULD BE CONDUCTED SHORTLY TO ASSESS FROM DATA USERS’ EXPERIENCE THE APPLICABILITY AND RELEVANCY OF THESE PRINCIPLES TO LOCAL DATA PROCESSING PRACTICES.
"SUBJECT TO THE RESULTS OF THE SURVEY, IT IS HOPED THAT THESE PRINCIPLES, WITH MODIFICATIONS WHERE NECESSARY, WILL PROVIDE A USEFUL BASIS FOR THE WORKING GROUP TO FORMULATE HONG KONG’S LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS," HE SAID.
/IN BROAD .......
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IN BROAD OUTLINE, THE PRINCIPLES STATE THAT PERSONAL DATA MUST BE OBTAINED FAIRLY AND LAWFULLY, BE ACCURATE, RELEVANT TO THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH THE DATA ARE COLLECTED AND NOT EXCESSIVE FOR THAT PURPOSE. THEY SHOULD BE HELD NO LONGER THAN IS NECESSARY, AND SHOULD NOT BE DISCLOSED WITHOUT PROPER AUTHORITY.
IN PARTICULAR, THE PRINCIPLES STATE THAT THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH PERSONAL DATA ARE USED MUST BE SPECIFIED AND THAT THE DISCLOSURE MUST BE COMPATIBLE WITH THOSE PURPOSES.
THEY ALSO SUGGEST THAT A PERSON SHOULD BE ABLE TO OBTAIN CONFIRMATION OF WHETHER OR NOT HIS PERSONAL DATA ARE HELD, AND WHERE APPROPRIATE, TO HAVE SUCH DATA CORRECTED OR ERASED.
CONCEDING THAT THE MEASURES NEEDED TO PROTECT THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF PERSONAL INFORMATION WOULD ENTAIL SOME COSTS FOR SOCIETY, MR TSAO SAID HIS INTENTION WAS THAT EVERYTHING POSSIBLE WOULD BE DONE TO ENSURE NEITHER THE LEGISLATION NOR THE REGULATIONS MADE UNDER IT WOULD IMPOSE UNNECESSARILY COSTLY REQUIREMENT.
"DESPITE MY PROMISE, AN EFFECTIVE DATA PROTECTION SYSTEM, r HOWEVER SIMPLE, IS GOING TO MEAN THAT SOME USERS WILL NEED TO INCUR INCREASED CAPITAL COSTS FOR DEVELOPING THEIR HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE SYSTEMS TO INCORPORATE THE NECESSARY SAFEGUARDS.
"BUT THIS ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE HAS TO BE BALANCED AGAINST THE POTENTIAL ADMINISTRATIVE, TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS WHICH COULD RESULT FROM CONTROL," HE SAID.
"I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT OBSERVANCE OF DATA PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS BY ORGANISATIONS IN HONG KONG CAN BE MADE WITHOUT GIVING RISE TO MAJOR PROBLEMS OR HUGE INCREASES IN COSTS FOR THEM.
"FURTHERMORE, LET’S NOT FORGET THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF DATA PROTECTION LEGISLATION WILL HELP TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG’S SUBSTANTIAL INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN INFORMATION, AND ITS ROLE AS A CROSSROAD ON THE INTERNATIONAL DATA HIGHWAY, ARE NOT COMPROMISED," HE ADDED.
IN CONCLUSION, HE SAID, DATA PROTECTION LEGISLATION WOULD PROVIDE NEW RIGHTS FOR ALL PERSONS WHOSE PERSONAL INFORMATION IS PROCESSED IN HONG KONG, AND WOULD PLACE CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS ON THE USERS OF THAT INFORMATION.
"I HAVE, THEREFORE, TENDED TO TREAD WARILY BEFORE PUTTING LEGISLATION OF THIS SCOPE AND MAGNITUDE THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.
"THE VARYING INTERESTS OF DATA USERS AND DATA SUBJECTS HAVE TO BE CAREFULLY BALANCED TO ENSURE THAT WE WILL NOT UNDULY AFFECT THE OPERATION OF DATA USERS NOR THE INTEREST OF DATA SUBJECTS.
"I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT WITH OUR FINE TRADITION OF PRAGMATISM, WE SHALL BE ABLE TO DESIGN A PIECE OF LEGISLATION WHICH WILL BEST SUIT OUR CIRCUMSTANCES," MR TSAO SAID.
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/12 .......
12
PROMPT ACTION NEEDED ON ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS
******
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS SHOULD BE PROMPTLY DEALT WITH AS THEY POSE A POTENTIAL THREAT TO THE SAFETY OF BOTH TENANTS AND PASSERS-BY, EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEVE BARCLAY, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR BARCLAY SAID THIS WHEN VISITING THREE TARGETTED BUILDINGS IN THE DISTRICT FOR IMPROVEMENTS.
HE NOTED THAT THE DISTRICT OFFICE’S BUILDING MANAGEMENT COORDINATING TEAM HAD GIVEN TOP PRIORITY TO IDENTIFYING ILLEGAL STRUCTURES DURING REGULAR INSPECTIONS OF PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS.
THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS OF TACKLING THE PROBLEMS ARE THEN DISCUSSED AT MEETINGS OF THE INTER-DEPARTMENTAL BUILDING MANAGEMENT COORDINATING COMMITTEE, HE SAID.
LAST YEAR, MR BARCLAY SAID THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT HAD ISSUED 252 ENFORCEMENT ORDERS REQUIRING THE DEMOLITION OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN TARGETTED BUILDINGS IN THE DISTRICT.
"DEMOLITION WORKS HAVE BEEN GOING ON SMOOTHLY WITH ONLY 120 ORDERS STILL OUTSTANDING, THANKS TO THE COOPERATION OF THE OWNERS," HE SAID. • '
APART FROM UNAUTHORISED EXTENSIONS, OTHER COMMON PROBLEMS FACING THE 100 BUILDINGS INSPECTED BY THE TEAM IN THE PAST YEAR INCLUDED THE LACK OF MAINTENANCE IN COMMON AREAS, OBSTRUCTION OF FIRE EXITS AND HYGIENE PROBLEMS.
MANY OF THE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN TACKLED THROUGH THE JOINT EFFORTS OF VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THE OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS OR MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, HE SAID.
MR BARCLAY SAID OWNERS OF ANOTHER 11 TARGETTED BUILDINGS WOULD GET HELP FROM THE TEAM THIS YEAR.
STRESSING THAT OWNERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THEIR PREMISES, HE SAID A MAJOR TASK OF THE TEAM WAS TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO FORM OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS TO LOOK AFTER THEIR OWN PROPERTIES.
TO ENHANCE OWNERS’ AWARENESS OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY, THE TEAM REGULARLY ORGANISES EDUCATIONAL TALKS, SEMINARS, EXHIBITIONS AND TRAINING COURSES.
A LARGE-SCALE SEMINAR AND EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD AT THE CAUSEWAY BAY COMMUNITY CENTRE ON DECEMBER 8.
"A WELL-KEPT BUILDING NOT ONLY RAISES ITS MARKET VALUE, BUT ALSO PROVIDES A SAFE, PLEASANT LIVING ENVIRONMENT FOR THE RESIDENTS," HE STRESSED.
ACCOMPANYING MR BARCLAY IN HIS VISIT TODAY WERE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS, POLICE, FIRE SERVICES AND URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENTS.
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/13
13
TREES PLANTED TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT * * * * *
THE SHAM SHUT PO DISTRICT LOOKED A LITTLE GREENER TODAY (THURSDAY) AFTER THE PLANTING OF 20 HIBISCUS TILIACEUS ALONG FAT TSEUNG STREET.
THESE TREES WERE PLANTED BY 13 SHAM SHUT PO DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS IN RESPONSE TO AN APPEAL BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE.
THE TREE PLANTING WAS ALSO PART OF THE DISTRICT BOARD’S YEAR-LONG EFFORT TO IMPROVE THE DISTRICT’S ENVIRONMENT.
THE DISTRICT BOARD HAS ALLOCATED MORE THAN $650,000 SO FAR THIS YEAR FOR VARIOUS MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.
THESE INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES FOR MORNING WALKERS, CONSTRUCTION OF RAINSHELTERS, IMPROVEMENTS TO RECREATIONAL GROUNDS, INSTALLATION OF FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT AT TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS AND THE PAINTING OF MURAL.
- - 0 - -
TRAFFIC SAFETY DAY ON LANTAU *****
A TRAFFIC SAFETY DAY WILL BE HELD AT THE NEW TERRITORIES HEUNG YEE KUK SOUTHERN DISTRICT SECONDARY SCHOOL IN MUI WO, LANTAU, ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 24).
THERE WILL BE SINGING PERFORMANCE, GAME STALLS, TRAFFIC SAFETY QUIZ AND AN EXHIBITION. THE FUNCTION WILL START AT 2 PM. ADMISSION IS FREE.
ORGANISED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE, THE TRAFFIC SAFETY DAY AIMS AT ALERTING ISLANDERS, BOTH DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS, TO THE IMPORTANCE OF OBSERVING TRAFFIC REGULATIONS.
A CALENDER CARD WITH FERRY SERVICES TIMETABLE WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AS SOUVENIRS.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR MR LAM WAI-KEUNG; THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KIM SALKELD; AND ISLANDS POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR WILLIAM WORRAL.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ISLANDS DISTRICT TRAFFIC SAFETY DAY TO BE HELD AT THE NEW TERRITORIES HEUNG YEE KUK SOUTHERN DISTRICT SECONDARY SCHOOL IN MUI WO, LANTAU ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 24). IT WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM.
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/14
14
AN EVENING OF ENTERTAINMENT FOR YAU TSIM RESIDENTS
*****
ABOUT 3,000 YAU TSIM RESIDENTS WILL BE TREATED TO A VARIETY SHOW AT THE JORDAN ROAD VEHICULAR FERRY CONCOURSE ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 25). IT WILL BEGIN AT 7.30 PM.
ENTITLED "FERRY POINT NITE", THE SHOW IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE FERRY POINT AREA COMMITTEE AND THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD TO ENHANCE THE SENSE OF BELONGING AND COMMUNITY SPIRIT AMONG LOCAL RESIDENTS.
THERE WILL BE A LION DANCE, PERFORMANCES BY TV ARTISTES AND A LUCKY DRAW.
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, 15 MIDDLE ROAD, MIDDLE ROAD CARPARK BUILDING, TSIM SHA TSUI.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ANNIE TANG; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, 'MR YIP WAH; AND ICAC REGIONAL OFFICER (KOWLOON WEST), MRS ANITA LEE.
-----------------------------0------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FESTIVAL WINS OVERWHELMING SUPPORT * * * .* •*
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE MADE THEIR PERSONAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION COMMITMENTS BY HANGING LEAVES ON THE COMMITMENT TREE OF THE CURRENT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FESTIVAL ORGANISED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE (ECC).
AS A RESULT OF ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSES, THE ECC HAD TO ORDER AN ADDITIONAL OF 3,000 NEW LEAVES. THIS IS DESPITE THE PREPARATION OF THE FIRST BATCH OF MORE THAN 15,000 LEAVES FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO WRITE THEIR COMMITMENTS ON.
AN ECC SPOKESMAN SAID: "THE COMMITMENT TREE HAS BEEN ON A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL TOUR THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY. THOUSANDS OF COMMITMENT LEAVES WERE TURNED IN AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE FESTIVAL AT VICTORIA PARK ON NOVEMBER 10.
"POPULARITY OF THE TREE GREW WHEN IT TOURED AROUND TELFORD GARDENS IN KOWLOON BAY AND NEW TOWN PLAZA IN SHA TIN. LAST SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 17) ALONE, OVER 2,500 LEAVES WERE DISTRIBUTED TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC VISITING THE DISPLAY AT NEW TOWN PLAZA," HE SAID.
THE FORTNIGHTLY ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FESTIVAL, DURING WHICH MORE THAN 70 ACTIVITIES ARE ORGANISED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, WILL CONCLUDE WITH A CLOSING CEREMONY AT CHATER GARDEN AT 3 PM ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 24).
/SENIOR MEMBER .......
15
SENIOR MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, BARONESS DUNN, IS EXPECTED TO OFFICIATE AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY. BARONESS DUNN WILL HANG THE LAST BLOSSOM ONTO THE COMMITMENT TREE AS A SYMBOL TO END THE FESTIVAL.
"MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN BUILDING THE COMMITMENT TREE SHOULD COME TO THE CHATER GARDEN BEFORE THE CLOSING CEREMONY ON THE LAST DAY OF THE FESTIVAL," THE SPOKESMAN URGED.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FESTIVAL’S CLOSING CEREMONY WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 3 PM ON SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 24) AT CHATER GARDEN.
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MORE PARKING SPACES AT AIRPORT CARPARK
*****
AN ADDITIONAL 342 PARKING SPACES ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE AIRPORT PASSENGER TERMINAL MULTI-STOREY CARPARK WITH THE COMPLETION LAST WEEK OF THREE ADDITIONAL FLOORS' ON THE EASTERN SECTION OF THE CARPARK BUILDING.
THE PARKING SPACES WERE HANDED OVER TO THE AIRPORT MANAGEMENT ON THURSDAY AND ENTERED INTO SERVICE THE FOLLOWING DAY.
THE NEW ADDITIONS BRING TO 888 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES SERVING THE PASSENGER TERMINAL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AIRPORT MANAGEMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE ADDITIONAL PARKING SPACES WOULD GO A LONG WAY TO MEETING THE INCREASING DEMANDS OF AIRPORT USERS, AND THAT A FURTHER TWO FLOORS WOULD BE ADDED TO THE WESTERN SECTION OF THE CARPARK BUILDING.
WHEN COMPLETED IN MID-1991, AN ADDITIONAL 190 PARKING SPACES WOULD THEN BE PROVIDED, HE SAID.
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/16
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FIRING PRACTICE IN DECEMBER *****
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN/CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 16 DAYS NEXT MONTH.
THE PUBLIC IS WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.
FOLLOWING ARE THE DATES AND TIMES THAT FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE:
DATE TIME
DECEMBER 1 (SATURDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
DECEMBER 3 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
DECEMBER 4 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
DECEMBER 5 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
DECEMBER 6 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
DECEMBER 7 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
DECEMBER 10 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
DECEMBER 11 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
DECEMBER 12 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 11.59 PM
DECEMBER 13 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
DECEMBER 14 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
DECEMBER 17 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
DECEMBER 18 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
DECEMBER 19 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
DECEMBER 20 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
DECEMBER 21 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
0---------
SUPPLY OF NON-CONFIDENTIAL
* * *
ESTABLISHMENT PARTICULARS * * ♦
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT MAINTAINS A COMPREHENSIVE AND UP-TO-DATE COMPUTERISED CENTRAL REGISTER OF AROUND 350,000 ESTABLISHMENTS IN HONG KONG TO SERVE MAINLY AS THE SAMPLING FRAME FOR VARIOUS ECONOMIC SURVEYS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
MANY OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ALSO MAKE USE OF THE REGISTER FOR PUBLICITY, SURVEY AND RESEARCH WORK.
A SAMPLE LISTING CONTAINING 20 PER CENT OF THE RECORDS RANDOMLY SELECTED FROM THE CENTRAL REGISTER WILL BE CREATED FOR USE OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN THEIR MARKET RESEARCH, STATISTICAL SURVEYS AND BUSINESS OR PRODUCT PROMOTION.
/APPLICATIONS FOR .......
17
APPLICATIONS FOR THE SUPPLY OF A PHOTOCOPY OR A MAGNETIC TAPE OF THE LISTING OF NON-CONFIDENTIAL PARTICULARS SUCH AS THE NAME, THE ADDRESS, THE MAJOR TYPE OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY AND THE EMPLOYMENT SIZE CLASS OF INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS IN THIS 20 PER CENT SAMPLE LISTING CAN BE MADE TO THE CENTRAL REGISTER SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT.
A CHARGE WILL BE LEVIED FOR THIS SERVICE, AND THE RATES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
* $3.20 PER PAGE OF PHOTOCOPY; AND
* A MINIMUM CHARGE OF $400 FOR A JOB REQUIRING UP TO 20 CRU’S (COMPUTER RESOURCES UNITS) PLUS $20 FOR EACH CRU IN EXCESS OF 20 CRU’S, IF THE INFORMATION IS REQUIRED ON MAGNETIC TAPES. THE MAGNETIC TAPES ARE TO BE PROVIDED BY APPLICANTS.
FURTHER DETAILS ABOUT THE SERVICE CAN BE OBTAINED BY TELEPHONING THE CENTRAL REGISTER SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT ON 823 4760.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
THIRD QUARTER ECONOMIC REPORT PUBLISHED ................................... 1
ESTABLISHMENT OF HOSPITAL AUTHORITY ON DEC 1 .............................. 6
STUDY ON CONTAINER TERMINAL 9 TO COMPLETE IN MID-1991 ..................... 8
GOVERNOR'S DIRECTION ON PREPARATION OF NEW VALUATION LISTS GAZETTED .... 9
CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT CENTRE ON TSING YI .............................. 10
GOVT'S OBJECTIVE TO HELP RECOGNISE RIGHTS OF DISABLED ..................... H
HK CMAC PLAYS IMPORTANT ROLE IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT..................... 13
ASSURANCE LETTER TO FACILITATE BRITISH CITIZENS' SPOUSES TO SETTLE IN UK 15
BANKING LICENCE GRANTED .................................................. 15
VIEWS SOUGHT ON MEASURES TO ENSURE FULLEST POSSIBLE SIXTH-FORM ENROLMENT 16
SHA TIN LOT FOR SALE BY TENDERS .......................................... 17
75TH ANNIVERSARY OF VICTORIA PEAK FIRE STATION ........................... 18
EDUCATION CAMP ON AIDS FOR YOUTH ......................................... 19
CARNIVAL TO START CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ............................... 20
ANTI-SMOKING CAMPAIGN IN EASTERN ........................................ 20
ANTI-NARCOTICS PARADE IN TSEUNG KWAN O ON SUNDAY ......................... 21
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR IN KOWLOON CITY .............................. 22
MOCK DB MEETINGS TOMORROW ................................................ 22
1
THIRD QUARTER ECONOMIC REPORT PUBLISHED *****
DESPITE THE UNCERTAINTIES CREATED BY THE GULP CRISIS AND A DOWNTURN IN THE U.S. ECONOMY, THE THIRD QUARTER ECONOMIC REPORT 1990, PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY), SHOWS THAT THE PERFORMANCE OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMY HAS IMPROVED COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS FOUR QUARTERS.
EXPORTS HAVE GROWN SIGNIFICANTLY, WITH THE DECLINE IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BEING MORE THAN OFFSET BY A FURTHER MARKED INCREASE IN REEXPORTS. RETAINED IMPORTS HAVE ALSO SHOWN A MARKED REVIVAL, THE REPORT NOTED.
THE SLOW-DOWN IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY SINCE THE MIDDLE OF LAST YEAR HAS HELPED TO EASE SOME OF THE LOCAL INFLATIONARY PRESSURES. BUT THE OIL PRICE HIKE SINCE AUGUST HAS KEPT THE INFLATION RATE HIGH, THE REPORT SAID.
"ON THE BASIS OF THIS REPORT AND THE LATEST AVAILABLE INFORMATION, A REVIEW HAD BEEN MADE OF THE FORECASTS OF THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) AND OF PRICE TRENDS FOR 1990," THE GOVERNMENT ECONOMIST, MR K.Y. TANG, SAID.
"AS A RESULT OF THIS REVIEW, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF THE GDP IS REVISED SLIGHTLY DOWNWARD TO 2.3 PER CENT, FROM 2.5 PER CENT IN THE AUGUST UPDATE," HE SAID.
"THE FORECAST RATE OF INCREASE IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) IS RAISED SLIGHTLY FROM 9.5 PER CENT TO 9.7 PER CENT, WHILE THB FORECAST RATE OF INCREASE IN THE GDP DEFLATOR REMAINS UNCHANGED AT 9 PER CENT," MR TANG ADDED.
IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990, DOMESTIC EXPORTS CONTINUED TO DECREASE, BY ABOUT 2 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS OVER A YEAR EARLIER.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE VARIOUS MAJOR MARKETS SHOWED A MIXED PERFORMANCE. DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA PICKED UP FURTHER, AND THOSE TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY ALSO RECORDED APPRECIABLE GROWTH.
HOWEVER, DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES, JAPAN AND THE UNITED KINGDOM CONTINUED TO DECLINE. THE SHARE OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE TOTAL VALUE OF HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS FELL FURTHER, FROM 32 PER CENT IN 1989 TO 30 PER CENT IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1990.
RE-EXPORTS SHOWED A RAPID INCREASE OF ABOUT 14 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990 OVER THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR.
AS RE-EXPORTS CONTINUED TO GROW CONSIDERABLY FASTER THAN DOMESTIC EXPORTS, ITS SHARE IN THE TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED FURTHER TO 64 PER CENT IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1990, FROM 61 PER CENT IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
LARGELY DUE TO THE CONTINUED INCREASE IN OUTWARD PROCESSING ACTIVITIES ACROSS THE BORDER, RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA RECORDED AN 8 PER CENT GROWTH IN VALUE TERMS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OVER A YEAR EARLIER. THIS GROWTH WAS ALSO THE RESULT OF REFLATIONARY MEASURES IMPLEMENTED IN CHINA EARLIER THIS YEAR.
/THE PERFORMANCE .......
2
THE PERFORMANCE OF RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN CONTINUED TO BE ROBUST. CHINA REMAINED THE LARGEST MARKET FOR AS WELL AS THE LARGEST SOURCE OF HONG KONG'S RE-EXPORTS, ACCOUNTING FOR 27 PER CENT AND 58 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1990.
IMPORTS ROSE BY ABOUT 12 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990 OVER A YEAR EARLIER. RETAINED IMPORTS ALSO ROSE SIGNIFICANTLY, BY ABOUT 10 PER CENT OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
AMONG THE VARIOUS END-USE CATEGORIES, RETAINED IMPORTS OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES PICKED UP SUBSTANTIALLY, WHILE RETAINED IMPORTS OF FOODSTUFFS AND CAPITAL GOODS ALSO SHOWED MODERATE INCREASES. RETAINED IMPORTS OF CONSUMER GOODS AND FUELS, HOWEVER, RECORDED DECLINES.
A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $1,575 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 0.3 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.
"THIS IS COMPARABLE TO THE DEFICIT OF $1,515 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 0.4 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR,” MR TANG SAID.
DOMESTIC DEMAND IMPROVED IN. THE THIRD QUARTER FROM THE PREVIOUS FEW QUARTERS. THE DECLINE IN RETAINED IMPORTS OF CONSUMER GOODS HAD MODERATED SIGNIFICANTLY.
MEANWHILE, THE VOLUME OF RETAIL SALES SHOWED A REBOUND IN JUNE, JULY AND AUGUST COMBINED.
ON INVESTMENT, RETAINED IMPORTS OF CAPITAL GOODS ROSE BY ABOUT 4 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OVER A YEAR EARLIER.
MR TANG POINTED OUT THAT CONSUMER PRICE INFLATION REMAINED HIGH IN THE THIRD QUARTER.
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) ROSE BY 9.5 PER CENT IN THE THIRD QUARTER OVER A YEAR EARLIER. THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES WERE 9.4 PER CENT IN THE FIRST QUARTER AND 9.3 PER CENT IN THE SECOND QUARTER.
COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER, THE CPI(A) WAS HIGHER BY 9.4 PER CENT IN JULY, 9.4 PER CENT IN AUGUST AND 9.7 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER 1990.
"THE ADDITIONAL INFLATIONARY PRESSURES ARISING FROM THE OIL PRICE HIKE SINCE AUGUST WERE BECOMING MORE APPARENT TOWARDS THE END OF THE QUARTER," MR TANG SAID.
"THE LABOUR MARKET WAS STILL TIGHT IN GENERAL TERMS. THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AND THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE, AT 1.7 PER CENT AND 1.0 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN THE THIRD QUARTER, WIRE STILL RELATIVELY LOW," MR TANG NOTED.
"BUT THEY WERE HIGHER THAN THE CORRESPONDING RATES OF 1.4 PER CENT AND 0.6 PER CENT A YEAR EARLIER.
/"DURING THE .......
3
"DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR, THE PROPORTION OF THE EMPLOYED POPULATION WORKING LONG HOURS WAS REDUCED, AND THE VACANCIES SITUATION HAD IMPROVED SIGNIFICANTLY IN MOST SECTORS," MR TANG SAID.
COMPETITION FOR LABOUR THUS APPEARED TO HAVE BECOME LESS INTENSE.
TURNING TO PROPERTY, MR TANG SAID THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY MARKET CONTINUED TO BE ACTIVE IN THE THIRD QUARTER.
"THE DEMAND FOR SMALL TO MEDIUM-SIZED FLATS REMAINED STRONG, WHILE THERE WAS RENEWED DEMAND FOR LARGE FLATS IN CERTAIN AREAS. PRECOMPLETION SALES OF FLATS WERE GENERALLY WELL RECEIVED.
ON SHOPPING SPACE, DEMAND STAYED FIRM EXCEPT IN THE FRINGE LOCATIONS. THE MARKET FOR OFFICE AND FACTORY SPACE, HOWEVER, CONTINUED TO SOFTEN.
IN THE FINANCIAL SECTOR, THE FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS WERE OBSERVED DURING THE THIRD QUARTER.
FIRST, REFLECTING THE MOVEMENT OF THE U.S. DOLLAR, THE EFFECTIVE EXCHANGE RATE INDEX OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR FELL FROM 110.1 AT THE END OF JUNE TO 107.5 AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER.
SECONDLY, INTEREST RATES IN THE LOCAL MONEY MARKET REMAINED FIRM DURING MOST OF THE THIRD QUARTER.
THIRDLY, DOMESTIC LOANS AND ADVANCES ROSE MORE SLOWLY DURING THE THIRD QUARTER THAN DURING THE SECOND QUARTER. THEIR GROWTH RATE WAS ALSO SLOWER THAN THAT OF HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS DURING THE THIRD QUARTER.
FOURTHLY, LOCAL SHARE PRICES AND TURNOVER WERE ON A RISING TREND IN THE EARLIER PART OF THE THIRD QUARTER BEFORE THE OUTBREAK OF THE GULF CRISIS, BUT FELL SHARPLY IN THE REMAINDER OF THE QUARTER FOLLOWING DECLINES IN MAJOR STOCK MARKETS OVERSEAS.
THE GOVERNMENT ECONOMIST SAID THAT IN UPDATING THE GDP AND PRICE FORECASTS FOR 1990 IN THE LIGHT OF THESE DEVELOPMENTS, ADJUSTMENTS WERE ALSO MADE TO THE COMPONENT FORECASTS AS APPROPRIATE.
IN THE EXTERNAL SECTOR, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF RE-EXPORTS WAS FURTHER RAISED TO 12.5 PER CENT, FROM 11 PER CENT IN THE AUGUST UPDATE.
"THERE WAS A CONSISTENTLY STRONG SURGE IN RE-EXPORTS SINCE THB EARLY PART OF THIS YEAR," MR TANG SAID.
"THE CONTINUED INCREASE IN OUTWARD PROCESSING ACTIVITIES, COUPLED WITH THE RECOVERY IN RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA, SHOULD CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE TO RE-EXPORT GROWTH IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS," HE ADDED.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS ARE EXPECTED TO DECREASE BY ABOUT 0.5 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS IN 1990, MAINLY REFLECTING THE DECLINES IN THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF THE YEAR.
/THE SIGNIFICANT .......
4
THE SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN RETAINED IMPORTS OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES IN THE SECOND AND THIRD QUARTERS, HOWEVER, SUGGESTS THAT A MARKED IMPROVEMENT IN THE PERFORMANCE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER IS LIKELY.
"ALTHOUGH THE GULF CRISIS WOULD DAMPEN ECONOMIC GROWTH IN HONG KONG’S MAJOR MARKETS AND RESTRAIN THEIR DEMAND FOR HONG KONG’S EXPORTS, THERE ARE POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS ON OTHER FRONTS," MR TANG NOTED.
"THE RE-UNIFICATION OF GERMANY, THE EXPANSION IN OUTWARD PROCESSING TRADE, AND THE REFLATIONARY MEASURES IN CHINA SHOULD CONTINUE TO BENEFIT HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO GERMANY AND CHINA.
"MEANWHILE, DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES, UNITED KINGDOM AND JAPAN WILL PROBABLY REMAIN SLUGGISH," HE SAID.
IN LINE WITH THE RECENT TRENDS IN RE-EXPORTS AND RETAINED IMPORTS, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF IMPORTS OF GOODS IS RAISED FROM 7.2 PER CENT TO 8.7 PER CENT.
THE DEMAND FOR TRADE-RELATED SERVICES WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE IN LINE WITH THE GROWTH IN OVERALL TRADE.
MOREOVER, BOTH INWARD AND OUTWARD TOURISM ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE FURTHER IN THE FOURTH QUARTER. THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF EXPORTS OF SERVICES IS THUS RAISED FROM 6 PER CENT TO 7.5 PER CENT, AND THAT OF IMPORTS OF SERVICES FROM 7.5 PER CENT TO 11.5 PER CENT.
GIVEN THESE DIFFERENTIAL RATES OF INCREASE, A DECLINE IN NET EXPORTS OF SERVICES IS FORECAST FOR THE YEAR AS A WHOLE.
IN THE DOMESTIC SECTOR, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE IS REVISED UPWARD FROM 3.5 PER CENT TO 4.5 PER CENT.
CONSUMER DEMAND, PARTICULARLY FOR SERVICES, HAS CONTINUED TO REVIVE. BUT THE CURRENT GROWTH RATE IS ALSO A REFLECTION OF THE WEAK CONSUMER SPENDING IN THE SECOND HALF OF LAST YEAR.
"THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF GROSS DOMESTIC FIXED CAPITAL FORMATION IS ALSO RAISED FROM 1.5 PER CENT TO 2.8 PER CENT, REFLECTING A STEADY INCREASE IN PRIVATE SECTOR EXPENDITURE ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION AND A GRADUAL PICK-UP IN INVESTMENT IN PLANT AND MACHINERY," MR TANG SAID.
"HOWEVER, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATES OF GOVERNMENT CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE, AND OF PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION AND ON PLANT AND MACHINERY, ARE ADJUSTED DOWNWARDS, CONSISTENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS TO RESTRAIN PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE," HE NOTED.
TURNING TO INFLATION, MR TANG SAID THE GLOBAL SURGE IN OIL PRODUCT PRICES SINCE AUGUST HAS ADDED TO THE LOCAL INFLATIONARY PRESSURES.
/"AGAINST THIS.........
5
"AGAINST THIS, THE MODERATE INFLATION IN CHINA AND THE RELATIVELY STABLE WORLD COMMODITY PRICES FOR NON-OIL PRODUCTS ARE PROVIDING SOME RELIEF.
"WITH THE IMPACT OF HIGHER OIL PRODUCT PRICES CONTINUING TO FILTER THROUGH, AND WITH A REVISION IN PUBLIC HOUSING RENTALS, THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) ROSE BY 10.4 PER CENT IN OCTOBER OVER A YEAR EARLIER," HE POINTED OUT.
"HAVING REGARD TO THE LATEST PRICE TRENDS, IT IS NOW FORECAST THAT THE CPI(A) WILL RISE BY AN AVERAGE OF 9.7 PER CENT FOR 1990 AS A WHOLE," HE ADDED.
THE THIRD QUARTER ECONOMIC REPORT 1990 WILL BE ON SALE TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AT »23 A COPY.
THE UPDATED FORECASTS ARE AS FOLLOWS :
FORECAST FOR 1990 CURRENT UPDATE AS UPDATED ON RELEASED ON
24.8.90 23.11.90
(%) (%)
GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF :
PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE 3.5 4.5
GOVERNMENT CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE 10 7
GROSS DOMESTIC FIXED CAPITAL FORMATION 1.5 2.8
TRANSFER COSTS OF LAND AND BUILDINGS -5 -3
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION 5 4.8
PRIVATE 1 3
PUBLIC 12 8
REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS' MARGIN -2 3
PLANT, MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT 1.5 1.8
PRIVATE 1.5 2
PUBLIC 1 -3
TOTAL EXPORTS OF GOODS 6.7 7.1
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 0.5 -0.5
RE-EXPORTS 11 12.5
IMPORTS OF GOODS 7.2 8.7
EXPORTS OF SERVICES 6 7.5
IMPORTS OF SERVICES 7.5 11.5
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) 2.5 2.3
PER CAPITA GDP 1.4 1.7
GROWTH RATE IN MONEY TERMS OF :
GDP 11.8 11.5
PER CAPITA GDP 10.6 10.8
RATE OF INCREASE IN :
GDP DEFLATOR 9 9
DOMESTIC DEMAND DEFLATOR 8.7 7.9
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) 9.5 9.7
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/6 ........
6
ESTABLISHMENT OF HOSPITAL AUTHORITY ON DEC 1
******
THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WILL BE ESTABLISHED ON DECEMBER 1.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (FRIDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THIS WAS A MONUMENTAL STEP TOWARDS IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY AND QUALITY OF PATIENT CARE IN HONG KONG, FOLLOWING TWO YEARS OF PREPARATION BY THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
UNDER THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY ORDINANCE ENACTED IN JULY THIS YEAR, THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY IS CHARGED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY TO MANAGE AND CONTROL THE PUBLIC HOSPITALS SYSTEM IN WAYS WHICH ARE CONDUSIVE TO ACHIEVING THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES :
* TO USE HOSPITAL BEDS, STAFF, EQUIPMENT AND OTHER RESOURCES EFFICIENTLY TO PROVIDE HOSPITAL SERVICES OF THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE STANDARD WITHIN THE RESOURCES OBTAINABLE;
» TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF HOSPITAL SERVICES BY DEVELOPING APPROPRIATE MANAGEMENT STRUCTURES, SYSTEMS AND PERFORMANCE MEASURES;
* TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF PATIENTS;
» TO ATTRACT, MOTIVATE AND RETAIN QUALIFIED STAFF;
* TO ENCOURAGE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE OPERATION OF THE PUBLIC HOSPITAL SYSTEM; AND
♦ TO ENSURE ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE PUBLIC FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF THE PUBLIC HOSPITALS SYSTEM.
UPON ITS ESTABLISHMENT, THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WILL UNDERTAKE FURTHER PREPARATORY WORK BEFORE TAKING OVER THE MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF EXISTING GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED HOSPITALS NEXT YEAR.
’’THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WILL BE CHAIRED BY SIR S.Y. CHUNG, AND COMPRISE MEMBERS FROM A BROAD CROSS-SECTION OF PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY INTERESTS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE FULL MEMBERSHIP OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, WHICH IS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY, IS AS FOLLOWS :
CHAIRMAN
SIR SZE-YUEN CHUNG
/MEMBERS .......
1
MEMBERS
DR CHAN WOON-CHEUNG
DR CHIU HIN-KWONG THE HONOURABLE RONALD CHOW MEI-TAK MS PAULA W.P. CHOY THE HONOURABLE LAU WAH-SUM MR LEO LEE TUNG-HAI MRS LEE LO YUK-SIM DR THE HONOURABLE LEONG CHE-HUNG PROFESSOR JOHN C.Y. LEONG DR LEUNG NAI-KONG MRS SOPHIE LEUNG LAU YAU-FUN DR W.H.P. LEWIS PROFESSOR ARTHUR LI KWOK-CHEUNG PROFESSOR FELICE LIEH MAK MR A.F. NEOH MR NG SHUI-LAI PROFESSOR TEIK E. OH PROFESSOR DAVID TODD THE HONOURABLE PETER WONG HONG-YUEN MR PETER WOO KWONG-CHING PROFESSOR ROSIE T.T. YOUNG DIRECTOR OF HEALTH OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE DIRECTOR OF HOSPITAL SERVICES OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, HOSPITAL AUTHORITY CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, HOSPITAL AUTHORITY SECRETARY GENERAL, HOSPITAL AUTHORITY
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/8
8
STUDY ON CONTAINER TERMINAL 9 TO COMPLETE IN MID-1991
*****
A DETAILED STUDY ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF CONTAINER TERMINAL 9 ON SITE RECLAMATION AT SOUTH-EASTERN TSING YI IS BEING CARRIED OUT BY THE GOVERNMENT AND WILL BE COMPLETED IN JUNE NEXT YEAR.
KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PAUL TANG KWOK-WAI, SAID THIS AT A MEETING OF THE KWAI TSING FEDERATION OF INDUSTRIES AND COMMERCE TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING ON THE DISTRICT’S FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS, MR TANG SAID: "CONTAINER PORT DEVELOPMENT IS THE MOST PROMINENT FEATURE OF THE DISTRICT AS HONG KONG IS THE WORLD’S BUSIEST CONTAINER PORT FROM 1987 TO 1989.
"GROWTH IN CONTAINER THROUGHPUT IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1990 WAS ABOUT 14 PER CENT AND THE PORT IS STILL GROWING AT A REMARKABLE PACE," HE SAID.
* CONTAINER TERMINAL 9 HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR OPERATION IN EARLY 1995 TO MEET THE INCREASING DEMAND AND A DETAILED STUDY BY RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IS NOW UNDERWAY.
"TO GIVE MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY IN PLANNING PORT-RELATED FACILITIES, THE STUDY WILL CONSIDER THE OPTION OF A MULTI-PURPOSE BERTH ON TSING YI INSTEAD OF JUST A CONTAINER PORT," MR TANG SAID.
HE SAID A BUFFER AREA WOULD BE PROVIDED BETWEEN THE CONTAINER RELATED LAND USE AND THE NEARBY RESIDENTIAL AREAS - THE MAYFAIR GARDEN AND CHEUNG CHING ESTATE.
THE STUDY WOULD ALSO INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF AN ACCESS ROAD TO CONTAINER TERMINAL 9 FROM KWAI CHUNG, HE ADDED.
TURNING TO THE IMPACT OF THE CHEK LAP KOK NEW AIRPORT ON THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT, MR TANG SAID THE DISTRICT WOULD BE THE TRANSPORT LINK BETWEEN THE AIRPORT AND THE REST OF HONG KONG.
THIS LINK CONSISTS OF TWO PARTS. THE FIRST PART IS A COMPREHENSIVE ROAD NETWORK ALONG THE NORTH LANTAU COAST, THE LANTAU BRIDGE AND NORTH TSING YI COAST.
THE SECOND PART IS THE AIRPORT RAILWAY WHICH IS EXPECTED TO STOP ON TSING YI AND IN KWAI CHUNG BEFORE JOINING THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY NETWORK.
"ANOTHER IMPORTANT PROJECT AFFECTING KWAI TSING IS THE ROUTE 3 - A STRATEGIC TRANSPORT LINK BETWEEN CHINA AND HONG KONG," MR TANG SAID.
"MOST OF THESE PROJECTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE 1997 TO COPE WITH THE OPENING OF THE NEW AIRPORT. BY THEN, THE ENVIRONMENT OF KWAI TSING AND HONG KONG AS A WHOLE WILL BE REMARKEDLY IMPROVED," HE CONCLUDED.
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/9 ........
9
GOVERNOR’S DIRECTION ON PREPARATION OF NEW VALUATION LISTS GAZETTED
*****
THE GOVERNOR’S DIRECTION TO THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION TO PREPARE NEW VALUATION LISTS FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL AREAS AND ALSO THE DESIGNATION OF JULY 1, 1990 AS
THE REFERENCE DATE FOR VALUATION PURPOSES WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THIS MEANS THAT ALL PROPERTIES INCLUDED IN THE NEW VALUATION LISTS WILL BE VALUED BY REFERENCE TO RENTAL VALUES AT JULY 1, 1990.
IN ANTICIPATION OF THIS DIRECTION STAFF OF THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN PREPARING VALUATIONS FOR ALL RATEABLE TENEMENTS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
THE VALUATION WORK IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
RATEPAYERS WILL BE INFORMED OF THE NEW RATEABLE VALUES WHEN THEY RECEIVE THE SECOND QUARTER 1991 RATES DEMAND IN LATE MARCH OR EARLY APRIL NEXT YEAR.
THEY WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO INSPECT THE NEW VALUATION LISTS FROM APRIL 1 UNTIL MAY 31, 1991 WHEN THEY WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE PROPOSALS OBJECTING TO THE NEW RATEABLE VALUES.
THE VALUATION LISTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE TREASURY AND AT DISTRICT OFFICES. • •
REFERRING TO THE LIKELY INCREASES IN RATEABLE VALUES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT REVALUATION IS NOT IN ITSELF DESIGNED TO INCREASE RATES REVENUE - ITS PURPOSE FS TO ENSURE THAT RATES ARE SHARED BY DIFFERENT CLASSES OF RATEPAYER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE UP-TO-DATE RENTAL VALUES OF THE PROPERTIES THEY OCCUPY.
HOWEVER THE ACTUAL EFFECT OF THE REVALUATION ON EACH RATEPAYER CANNOT BE DETERMINED UNTIL THE REVALUATION EXERCISE HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND A DECISION HAS BEEN MADE REGARDING THE PERCENTAGE RATE CHARGES FOR 1991-92.
THIS DECISION WILL, AS USUAL, BE MADE AS PART OF THE 1991-92 BUDGET, IN THE LIGHT OF THE REVENUE NEEDS OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS.
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/10........
10
CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT CENTRE ON TSING YI
*****
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) HAS ACCEPTED A TENDER OFFER FROM ENVIROPACE LTD TO DESIGN, CONSTRUCT AND OPERATE FOR 15 YEARS A CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT CENTRE ON TSING YI.
ENVIROPACE LTD WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A CHEMICAL WASTE COLLECTION SERVICE TO CHEMICAL WASTE PRODUCERS.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (WATER 4. WASTE POLICY) OF THE EPD, MR MIKE STOKOE, SAID THE GOVERNMENT WILL REPAY THE CAPITAL COST INCURRED BY THE CONTRACTOR IN THE FORM OF AMORTISED PAYMENTS OVER THE FIRST FIVE YEARS OF OPERATION.
THE CAPITAL REPAYMENT COST OF THE FACILITIES WILL BE $1,300 MILLION AT MONEY-OF - THE PAYMENT - DAY PRICES, WHICH IS EQUIVALENT TO $731 MILLION AT PRESENT VALUE. THE FACILITIES WILL BE FULLY COMMISSIONED BY LATE 1992.
ENVIROPACE LTD IS A HONG KONG COMPANY SPECIFICALLY CREATED FOR THE PROJECT WHOSE SHAREHOLDERS INCLUDE WASTE MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL INC, KIN CHING BESSER LTD, AND CHINA INTERNATIONAL TRUST & INVESTMENT CORPORATION.
A NUMBER OF RENOWNED INTERNATIONAL CORPORATIONS AND LOCAL COMPANIES WILL ALSO PARTICIPATE IN VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THIS HIGH TECHNOLOGY PROJECT. THESE INCLUDE BECHTEL ENVIRONMENTAL INC, GAMMON CONSTRUCTION LTD, DAMES & MOORE INTERNATIONAL, AND ABB RAYMOND.
MR STOKOE SAID THE CHEMICAL’WASTE TREATMENT CENTRE IS A KEY ELEMENT IN THE STRATEGY TO MANAGE CHEMICAL WASTES IN HONG KONG. THE MAJORITY OF HONG KONG CHEMICAL WASTE PRODUCERS ARE SMALL-SCALE INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS THAT POSSESS NEITHER THE TECHNOLOGICAL EXPERTISE NOR THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO ADEQUATELY TREAT CHEMICAL WASTE.
THE CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT CENTRE WILL PROVIDE AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE TO THE HONG KONG INDUSTRY FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE, NAMELY THE EFFICIENT AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SECURE COLLECTION AND TREATMENT OF CHEMICAL WASTES GENERATED BY FACTORIES.
THE INCORPORATION OF THE CENTRE INTO THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF HONG KONG WILL ATTRACT WELL ESTABLISHED ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS TO INVEST AND DEVELOP IN HONG KONG.
THE CENTRE WILL SERVE AS THE DESIGNATED RECEPTION AND DISPOSAL POINT FOR OILY AND NOXIOUS LIQUID WASTES GENERATED FROM SHIPS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH HK’S OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE PREVENTION OF POLLUTION FROM SHIPS (MARPOL).
THE CENTRE HAS A DESIGN CAPACITY TO TREAT ABOUT 100,000 TONNES OF CHEMICAL WASTES PER YEAR. IT WILL COMPRISE AN OIL/WATER SEPARATION SYSTEM TO TREAT AND RECOVER THE OIL FROM OILY WASTE WATER, A HIGH TEMPERATURE INCINERATION SYSTEM FOR THE COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF ORGANIC CHEMICAL WASTES, AND PHYSICAL CHEMICAL TREATMENT UNITS FOR THE COMPLETE TREATMENT OF AQUEOUS INORGANIC CHEMICAL WASTES.
/THE CONTRACTOR .......
11
THE CONTRACTOR WILL ALSO OPERATE A FLEET OF SPECIALLY DESIGNED CHEMICAL WASTE COLLECTION VEHICLES AND BARGES FOR THE COLLECTION OF CHEMICAL WASTES FROM THE PREMISES OF WASTE PRODUCERS AND SHIPS.
MR STOKOE SAID VERY STRINGENT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN SPECIFIED FOR THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, COMMISSIONING AND OPERATION OF THE CENTRE.
DETAILED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT/HAZARD ASSESSMENT WILL BE CONDUCTED BY THE CONTRACTOR DURING THE DETAILED DESIGN STAGE OF THE CENTRE.
THE CENTRE WILL BE OWNED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND EPD STAFF WILL STATION AT THE CENTRE TO ENSURE THE OPERATION WILL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY STANDARDS UNDER THE CONTRACT.
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GOVT’S OBJECTIVE TO HELP RECOGNISE RIGHTS OF DISABLED * » * * »
IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S OBJECTIVE TO HELP TO RECOGNISE THE RIGHTS OF THE DISABLED, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO PROVE THEIR ABILITY, AND TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY IN EVERY POSSIBLE WAY, LADY WILSON SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DISABLED EXHIBITION ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S SELECTIVE PLACEMENT DIVISION (SPD), LADY WILSON SAID TAKING TROUBLE TO PLACE DISABLED PEOPLE INTO JOBS BEST SUITED TO THEIR ABILITY AND INTEREST WOULD ENABLE THEM TO MAKE FULL USE OF THEIR POTENTIAL.
"IT IS VITAL THAT THEY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO WORK AND PARTICIPATE WHEREVER POSSIBLE, IN ORDER TO GAIN INDEPENDENCE AND RETAIN DIGNITY AND SELF-RESPECT,” LADY WILSON SAID.
’’THIS IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY OF INTEGRATING DISABLED PEOPLE INTO OUR COMMUNITY. WE ALL - SOCIETY AND DISABLED PEOPLE - GAIN FROM THIS APPROACH,” SHE SAID.
LADY WILSON NOTED THAT DISABLED PEOPLE WERE NO SMALL PORTION OF OUR POPULATION.
"MORE THAN FOUR PER CENT OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ARB DISABLED BY PHYSICAL, MENTAL OR SENSORY IMPAIRMENT OF SOME KIND," SHE SAID.
LADY WILSON SAID THE PROGRESS WHICH HONG KONG HAD MADE DURING THE PAST 10 YEARS IN INTEGRATING THE DISABLED INTO APPROPRIATE WORK OWED MUCH TO THE EFFORTS OF THE SPD, ADDING THAT THESE ACHIEVEMENTS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF EMPLOYERS WHO ACTIVELY TOOK ON DISABLED EMPLOYEES.
/"DISABLED EMPLOYERS .......
12
"DISABLED EMPLOYEES TOO HAVE GREATLY CONTRIBUTED, BY WORKING HARD AND MAKING EVERYONE REALISE HOW MUCH THEY HAVE TO OFFER," SHE SAID.
"GIVEN THE GOOD WILL AND CONCERTED EFFORTS OF ALL THOSE CONCERNED, I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT EMPLOYMENT OF THE DISABLED WILL CONTINUE TO GROW," SHE ADDED.
LADY WILSON CONGRATULATED THE SPD WHICH CELEBRATED ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR, AND THE EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES FOR ALL THEY HAD DONE TO HELP INTEGRATE THE DISABLED.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND, PAID TRIBUTE TO LADY WILSON FOR HER SUPPORT TO REHABILITATION ACTIVITIES AND KEEN INTEREST IN THE WELFARE OF DISABLED PEOPLE.
HE SAID THE SPD HAD MADE GOOD PROGRESS SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1980 IN PROMOTING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE EMPLOYABILITY OF THE Disabled and in placing disabled people in suitable employment in the OPEN MARKET.
"BETWEEN 1980 AND 1989, THE NUMBER OF PLACEMENTS IN A YEAR CLIMBED STEADILY FROM 100 TO OVER 1,000, AND THE ANNUAL FIGURE OF EMPLOYERS USING THE SERVICE ALSO ROSE FROM 80 TO 500.
"IN 1981, THE TOP 10 EMPLOYERS TOGETHER EMPLOYED JUST ABOUT 100 DISABLED PERSONS, WHILE THIS YEAR THE WINNERS FROM ALL SECTORS HAVE EMPLOYED A TOTAL OF 200," HE SAID.
"THIS SHOWS THAT THERE HAS BEEN A GRADUAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE DISABLED BY EMPLOYERS AND THAT A FIRM FOUNDATION FOR SELECTIVE PLACEMENT WORK HAS BEEN LAID," HE ADDED.
MR HAMMOND WAS CONFIDENT THAT WITH THE SUPPORT OF EMPLOYERS, THE DIVISION WOULD BE ABLE TO CONSOLIDATE ITS PAST ACHIEVEMENTS AND MAKE FURTHER PROGRESS IN FUTURE.
LADY WILSON TODAY ALSO PRESENTED AWARDS TO SIX OUTSTANDING DISABLED PERSONS WHO HAD DEMONSTRATED DILIGENCE, DEVOTION AND ACCOMPLISHMENT IN THEIR JOBS.
THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, NOW IN ITS 10TH YEAR AND ORGANISED BY THE SPD, WAS HELD TO COMMEND DISABLED EMPLOYEES FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING JOB PERFORMANCE DURING THE PAST YEAR.
IT WAS ALSO INTENDED TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE LARGEST EMPLOYERS OF THE DISABLED AND TO THOSE EMPLOYERS WHO HAD MADE SPECIAL EFFORTS TO REARRANGE DUTIES AND REDEPLOY STAFF IN A BID TO ACCOMMODATE DISABLED EMPLOYEES.
THE SIX WINNERS OF THE OUTSTANDING DISABLED EMPLOYEES AWARD WERE: MR SHEH CHI-WAH OF THE AUSTRALIAN CONSULATE GENERAL, MR MUI KO-CHEUNG OF RHEEM (HONG KONG) LTD, MISS SZE MEI-YIU OF SURVEY RESEARCH HONG KONG LTD, MR TO FUK-KAU OF THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR WONG WAI-KEUNG OF HONG KONG MARRIOTT HOTEL, AND MR CHU WAI-CHUEN OF POLYTYPE LTD.
/TO MARK .......
13
TO MARK THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SPD, FOUR SPECIAL AWARDS WERE PRESENTED TO EMPLOYERS WHO HAD GIVEN THE GREATEST SUPPORT IN EMPLOYING DISABLED PERSONS IN THE PAST 10 YEARS.
THEY WERE LO’S CLEANING SERVICES LTD, SECURITY ALLIANCE LTD, URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AND MCDONALD’S RESTAURANTS (HK) LTD.
IN ADDITION, 12 ORGANISATIONS WERE AWARDED SOUVENIR PLAQUES. TOGETHER THEY EMPLOYED 200 DISABLED WORKERS BETWEEN JULY 1989 AND JUNE THIS YEAR.
THEY WERE MCDONALD’S RESTAURANTS (HK) LTD, LO’S CLEANING SERVICES LTD, HONG KONG FACTORY FOR THE BLIND, D & D MESSENGER AND DELIVERY SERVICES CO., SECURITY ALLIANCE LTD, RELIANCE SERVICES CO. LTD, SUNPEACE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LTD, R.G.F. INTERNATIONAL LTD, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, ADVANCED CLEANING SERVICES LTD, MANHATTAN GARMENT (INTERNATIONAL) LTD, AND SAMWA INDUSTRIES.
ALSO, CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION WERE PRESENTED TO SIX ESTABLISHMENTS FOR GIVING FULL CONSIDERATION TO THE EMPLOYMENT OF DISABLED PERSONS OR MAKING SPECIAL EFFORTS TO ACCOMMODATE DISABLED WORKERS.
THEY WERE HUTCHISON PAGING LTD, ASSOCIATION OF NT RADIO TAXICABS LTD, KWONG FAI TRANSWORLD HAULIER CO. LTD, KIN LI HONG, SHING KEE FOLDING CO. LTD, AND DAIWA ASSOCIATE (HK) LTD.
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HK CMAC PLAYS IMPORTANT ROLE IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT *****
THE HONG KONG CATHOLIC MARRIAGE ADVISORY COUNCIL HAS PLAYED A VERY IMPORTANT PART IN DEVELOPING SERVICES FOR OUR COMMUNITY, LADY WILSON SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT A RECEPTION TO CELEBRATE THE SILVER JUBILEE OF THE HONG KONG CATHOLIC MARRIAGE ADVISORY COUNCIL, LADY WILSON SAID THE AIM OF THE COUNCIL HAD BEEN TO PROMOTE, BY MEANS OF ADVICE, GUIDANCE AND EDUCATION, SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGES AND RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD.
"OVER THE PAST TWENTY FIVE YEARS, HONG KONG CATHOLIC MARRIAGE ADVISORY COUNCIL HAS MADE A UNIQUE CONTRIBUTION IN HELPING FAMILIES TO GET THEIR PRIORITIES RIGHT.
"WITH FATHER EDWARD COLLINS, S.J. AS THE COUNCIL’S FIRST CHAIRMAN, THE FOUNDER MEMBERS, INCLUDING YOUR PRESENT CHAIRMAN DR RAMON RUIZ AND HIS WIFE DR IRENE RUIZ, SHOWED GREAT VISION AND FARSIGHTEDNESS IN 1965.
"THEY WERE ENCOURAGED AND SUPPORTED BY THE THEN CATHOLIC BISHOP OF HONG KONG, BISHOP LAWRENCE BIANCHI," SHE SAID.
/LADY WILSON .......
14
LADY WILSON NOTED THAT THE COUNCIL’S VISION RECOGNISED THE NEEDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE, AND THE VALUE OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS AND FAMILY LIFE WHICH WAS BEGINNING TO SHOW SIGNS OF BEING UNDER GREAT PRESSURE EVEN THEN, AND MANY YOUNG PEOPLE WERE CLEARLY IN NEED OF HELP AND SUPPORT.
"THE CATHOLIC MARRIAGE ADVISORY COUNCIL BEGAN AS A VOLUNTARY AGENCY WITH VOLUNTARY MEMBERS IN THE 1960’S.
"THIS EARLY SPIRIT STILL EXISTS, AND AS MANY MEMBERS CONTINUE TO DO VOLUNTARY SERVICE WITH THE COUNCIL," SHE ADDED.
LADY WILSON SAID THE AGENCY IN THOSE FIRST FEW YEARS, DEPENDED FINANCIALLY ON DONATIONS AND IT RECEIVED ITS FIRST SUBSIDY FROM SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN 1969.
SHE SAID THE AGENCY ALSO BECAME ONE OF THE FOUNDER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST.
NOW WORKING ON A VERY DIFFERENT BUDGET, LADY WILSON POINTED OUT THAT THE CATHOLIC MARRIAGE ADVISORY COUNCIL HAD HELPED FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION TO BE RECOGNISED AS A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF EDUCATION.
"IT NOW ORGANISES PRE-MARRIAGE COURSES FOR YOUNG COUPLES PREPARING FOR MARRIAGE, TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND THIS UNIQUE RELATIONSHIP, AND HOW TO GROW TO BE RESPONSIBLE PARENTS.
"THE COUNCIL HAS ALSO STARTED A COUNSELLING SERVICE FOR COUPLES WHO EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTIES OR PROBLEMS IN THEIR MARRIAGE," SHE SAID.
LADY WILSON NOTED THAT THE COUNCIL NOW EMPHASISED THE NEED FOR TRAINING AND IN-SERVICE TRAINING OF FULL-TIME COUNSELLORS AND VOLUNTEERS.
"EXPERTS IN THE FIELD OF COUNSELLING AND FAMILY THERAPY HAVE BEEN INVITED FROM ABROAD TO CONDUCT WORKSHOPS, IN HONG KONG, THUS KEEPING UP TO DATE WITH NEW IDEAS IN THE FIELD.
"THE COUNCIL HAS PRODUCED MANY PUBLICATIONS - A REGULAR NEWSLETTER AND TRANSLATIONS OF SOME EXCELLENT BOOKS ON MARRIAGE.
"THESE HAVE HELPED OTHER AGENCIES IN THE FIELD AS WELL AS HELPING INDIVIDUALS," SHE SAID.
LADY WILSON THANKED THE FULL-TIME STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS OF C.M.A.C. FOR THEIR DEVOTED SERVICE TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES OVER THE PAST TWENTY-FIVE YEARS.
"YOU CAN ALL BE JUSTLY PROUD OF THE SPIRIT AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF YOUR ORGANISATION," SHE ADDED.
0
/15........
15
ASSURANCE LETTER TO FACILITATE BRITISH CITIZENS’ SPOUSES TO SETTLE IN UK
*****
WITH EFFECT FROM MONDAY (NOVEMBER 26), NON-BRITISH CITIZEN WIVES OR HUSBANDS OF BRITISH CITIZENS IN HONG KONG MAY OBTAIN AN ASSURANCE LETTER FROM THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TO FACILITATE ANY FUTURE APPLICATION FOR SETTLEMENT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
"SUCH PERSONS MAY APPROACH THE OVERSEAS VISA SECTION, IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS ON THE NINTH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER II, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, WITH EVIDENCE OF THEIR MARRIAGE WITH BRITISH CITIZENS," A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"A LETTER OF ASSURANCE CONCERNING THEIR ELIGIBILITY TO SETTLE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM IN ACCORDANCE WITH CURRENT UNITED KINGDOM IMMIGRATION RULES WOULD BE ISSUED TO FACILITATE THEIR FUTURE APPLICATIONS FOR SETTLEMENT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THIS LETTER IS NOT AN ENTRY CLEARANCE, BUT IT WILL HELP THE DEPARTMENT TO GIVE SAME PRIORITY TO ANY FUTURE APPLICATION IF THEY WISH TO LEAVE FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM WITH THEIR BRITISH-CITIZEN SPOUSES.
"THE LETTER ALSO CONTAINS AN ASSURANCE THAT THE WIDOWS OR WIDOWERS OF BRITISH CITIZENS WILL BE ALLOWED TO SETTLE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM IF THEY HAVE REMAINED IN HONG KONG AND HAVE NOT REMARRIED AT THE TIME OF THE APPLICATION," HE SAID.
ENQUIRIES ON FURTHER DETAILS CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 824 6111 OR 829 3275.
- - 0 - -
BANKING LICENCE GRANTED
*****
THE SHIZUOKA BANK LTD HAS BEEN GRANTED A BANKING LICENCE TO CONDUCT BUSINESS IN HONG KONG, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE SHIZUOKA BANK LTD IS THE 23RD LARGEST BANK IN JAPAN AND HAS AN 87TH RANKING WORLD-WIDE IN TERMS OF CAPITAL.
IN HONG KONG, IT HAS ESTABLISHED A REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE SINCE 1985 AND A SUBSIDIARY DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY SINCE 1987.
"THE SUSTAINED INTEREST OF FOREIGN BANKS IN ENTERING THE LOCAL MARKET SPOKE FOR HONG KONG’S POSITION AS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/"GIVEN THE
16
"GIVEN THE INCREASING IMPORTANCE OF HONG KONG’S BILATERAL TRADE WITH JAPAN, IT IS MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL FOR JAPAN TO HAVE A GREATER PRESENCE IN THE HONG KONG BANKING SECTOR," HE SAID.
THE GRANTING OF THE LICENCE BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF LICENSED BANKS TO 168, OF WHICH 138 ARE INCORPORATED OUTSIDE HONG KONG. A TOTAL OF FIVE BANKING LICENCES HAVE BEEN GRANTED THIS YBAR.
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VIEWS SOUGHT ON FULLEST POSSIBLE * *
MEASURES TO ENSURE SIXTH-FORM ENROLMENT * * *
SCHOOLS COUNCILS ARE NOW BEING CONSULTED ON REMEDIAL MEASURES TO SECURE THE FULLEST POSSIBLE UTILISATION OF SIXTH-FORM PLACES IN PUBLIC-SECTOR SCHOOLS.
THE NEED FOR THE PROPOSALS AROSE FROM THE FACT THAT THE SIXTH-FORM ENROLMENT RATIO IN THESE SCHOOLS HAD DECLINED FROM 86.8 PER CENT IN 1985 TO 79.2 PER CENT LAST YEAR, THE DEPUTY DIRBCTOR OF EDUCATION, MR JOHN WINFIELD, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
"UNDER-ENROLMENT TO THIS DEGREE IS WASTEFUL OF PUBLIC FUNDS AND OTHER RESOURCES AND QUITE CLEARLY CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE," HE SAID IN AN ADDRESS GIVEN AT THE 25TH ANNUAL SPEECH DAY OF SHAU KEI WAN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL.
MR WINFIELD SAID THE TWO MAIN CAUSES OF UNDER-ENROLMENT WERE THE HIGHLY SELECTIVE ADMISSION POLICIES ADOPTED BY MANY SCHOOLS AND THE PRACTICE OF MANY WELL-QUALIFIED CANDIDATES APPLYING SUCCESSFULLY FOR ADMISSION TO MORE THAN ONE SCHOOL.
"OTHER FACTORS INCLUDE EMIGRATION, OVERSEAS STUDY OPPORTUNITIES AND EARLY DROPOUT FROM SECONDARY 6 BY STUDENTS OFFERED PLACES AFTER THE SCHOOL YEAR HAS BEGUN IN INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION, TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND POLYTECHNICS," HE SAID.
THE REMEDIAL MEASURES INCLUDED REMOVING, OR AT LEAST LOWERING, THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR SITTING A-LEVEL (ADVANCED LEVEL) EXAMINATIONS WHICH, WITH PLANNED TERTIARY EXPANSION, WERE NOW UNNECESSARILY RESTRICTIVE AND AT ODDS WITH THE UNDERLYING SPIRIT OF CURRICULUM REFORM, HE SAID.
ANOTHER MEASURE WOULD BE TO REDUCE WHERE APPROPRIATE, THE LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY OF A-LEVEL EXAMINATIONS, PARTICULARLY IN SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS, BUT WITHOUT AFFECTING STANDARDS OR OVERSEAS RECOGNITION.
SCHOOLS WOULD ALSO BE REQUIRED TO FILL ALL THEIR SECONDARY 6 PLACES BY A FIVE-STAGE ADMISSION PROCEDURE, HE SAID.
/"THE PROPOSED .......
17
"THE PROPOSED DESIGN OF THIS PROCEDURE HAS BEEN BASED ON THE PRINCIPLE THAT ALL PUBLIC-SECTOR SCHOOLS WHICH OPERATE SIXTH-FORM CLASSES SHOULD ADMIT AS MANY AS POSSIBLE OF THEIR OWN STUDENTS WHO SATISFY THE MINIMUM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR A-LEVELS AND TAKE IN STUDENTS FROM OTHER SCHOOLS ONLY IF THERE ARE STILL VACANCIES TO BE FILLED," MR WINFIELD SAID.
THIS PROPOSAL, HE EXPLAINED, INCLUDED SAFEGUARDS TO PROTECT THE INTEREST OF STUDENTS IN SCHOOLS WHICH HAD BETTER THAN AVERAGE ACADEMIC STANDARDS AND WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE BE PLACED AT A DISADVANTAGE.
"ANOTHER IMPORTANT FEATURE OF THIS PROPOSAL IS THE SUGGESTION THAT SCHOOLS SHOULD CO-OPERATE IN OFFERING A WIDER RANGE OF SUBJECT COMBINATIONS TO THEIR SIXTH-FORM STUDENTS," HE SAID.
HE SAID THERE WAS SCOPE FOR THE SENSIBLE SHARING OF SCARCE RESOURCES TO INCREASE THE CHOICES OPEN TO STUDENTS AND THAT SCHOOLS COULD BE GROUPED IN TWOS AND THREES, EITHER BY DISTRICT OR BY SPONSORING BODY, ALL OFFERING SOME COMMON SUBJECTS BUT EACH SPECIALISING IN OTHERS.
BY SHARING THEIR SIXTH-FORM STUDENTS, HE SAID, GROUPS OF PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS SHOULD BE ABLE TO OFFER A MUCH RICHER MIX OF SUBJECTS THAN THEY WOULD IF THEY CONTINUED TO OPERATE IN ISOLATION.
"THIS WOULD HAVE THE ADDED ADVANTAGE THAT SUBJECTS FOR WHICH ACCOMMODATION OR THE HIGH COST OF EQUIPMENT MIGHT PRESENT DIFFICULTIES IN TIMES OF SEVERE BUDGETARY CONSTRAINTS COULD THUS BE INTRODUCED IN ONE SCHOOL IN THE GROUP RATHER THAN IN ALL.
"AN OBVIOUS EXAMPLE IS THE COMPUTER EQUIPMENT WHICH WILL BE REQUIRED FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF AS-LEVEL (ADVANCED SUPPLEMENTARY LEVEL) COMPUTER APPLICATIONS AND A-LEVEL COMPUTER STUDIES," MR WINFIELD SAID.
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SHA TIN LOT FOR SALE BY TENDERS
*****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT 18 INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SALE OF A PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL LOT IN SHA TIN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME (PSPS).
LOCATED TO THE SOUTH OF THE EXISTING YMCA YOUTH CAMP IN WU KAI SHA, THE 4.361-HECTARE SITE IS EARMARKED FOR THE LARGEST PSPS SCHEME IN MA ON SHAN NEW TOWN WHICH IS PLANNED TO HOUSE A POPULATION OF ABOUT 15,000.
THE PSPS DEVELOPMENT IS EXPECTED TO OCCUPY TWO SEPARATE ELEVATED PLATFORMS AT THE FOOT-HILL OF MA ON SHAN WHICH OVERLOOKS THE SCENIC TOLO HARBOUR WITH A DISTANT VIEW OF THE PAT SIN RANGE.
/THE CONSTRUCTION........
18
THE CONSTRUCTION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT IS EXPECTED TO START IN MID NEXT YEAR AND BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF 1993.
UNDER THE SALE CONDITIONS, THE DEVELOPER WILL HAVE TO PROVIDE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS WITH A MAXIMUM GROSS FLOOR AREA OF 244,450 SQUARE METRES AS WELL AS ANCILLARY COMMERCIAL SPACE NOT EXCEEDING 3,000 SQUARE METRES.
THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF RESIDENTIAL FLATS IS 4,500 RANGING IN SALEABLE AREA FROM 35 SQUARE METRES TO 55 SQUARE METRES.
THE DEVELOPMENT PACKAGE WILL ALSO INCLUDE A THIRT1EN-CLASSROOM KINDERGARTEN AND PROVIDE AT LEAST 1.5 HECTARES OF OPEN SPACE FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES.
PLANNING BRIEF WHICH SETS OUT THE DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT AND PARAMETERS OF THE SCHEME WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION UPON APPLICATION IN WRITING TO THE HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT, THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
TENDER DOCUMENTS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE VARIOUS DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON JANUARY 18, 1991.
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75TH ANNIVERSARY OF VICTORIA PEAK FIRE STATION *****
A SENSE OF NOSTALGIA RETURNED TO THE VICTORIA PEAK FIRE STATION TODAY (FRIDAY) WHEN A GROUP OF DISTINGUISHED GUESTS GATHERED THERE TO CELEBRATE THE BUILDING’S 75TH ANNIVERSARY.
THE BUILDING’S PREMISES AT 7 GOUGH HILL PATH WAS THE FORMER PEAK SCHOOL WHICH WAS A SINGLE-STOREY STRUCTURE PUT UP 75 YEARS AGO.
THERE WERE MORE THAN 30 GUESTS IN THE CELEBRATION PARTY. SOME OF THEM HAD EITHER WORKED OR STUDIED IN THE BUILDING SOME 60 YEARS AGO.
THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR JOHN MARCH, AND THE PRINCIPAL OF PEAK SCHOOL, MISS P.L. YOUNG, UNVEILED A PLAQUE TO MARK THE ANNIVERSARY.
GUESTS ATTENDING THE PARTY INCLUDED MRS D.C. BRAY, WHO WAS A STUDENT AT PEAK SCHOOL IN 1930 AND MRS ISABELLA PARK, A HEADMISTRESS OF THE SCHOOL AFTER THE WAR.
/THEY GAVE .......
19
THEY GAVE ACCOUNTS OF THE MEMORABLE EVENTS OF THEIR LIVES IN THE OLD DAYS IN THE PREMISES.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PREMISES WAS COMPLETED IN 1915. IT WAS THEN USED AS THE PREMISES FOR THE PEAK SCHOOL.
IN 1966, THE SCHOOL VACATED THE PREMISES AND MOVED IN TO THE MAIN PEAK SCHOOL IN PLUNKETT’S ROAD FOR MORE CLASSROOMS.
THE PREMISES WAS LATER HANDED OVER TO THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE VICTORIA PEAK FIRE STATION WAS COMMISSIONED IN DECEMBER 1967.
TO DATE, THE STATION HAS 42 FIRE AND AMBULANCE OFFICERS AND A FLEET OF THREE FIRE APPLIANCES AND TWO AMBULANCES TO SERVE RESIDENTS IN THE PEAK AREA.
- - 0 - -
EDUCATION CAMP ON AIDS FOR YOUTH » * * * »
A TWO-DAY EDUCATION CAMP WILL BE HELD NEXT MONTH TO ENABLE YOUNG PEOPLE TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF AIDS.
THE CAMP, WITH ’’HEALTHY LIFE, HEALTHY LIVING" AS ITS THEME, IS AIMED AT FOSTERING A GREATER AWARENESS OF AIDS PREVENTION AND A PROPER ATTITUDE TOWARDS SEX AMONG THOSE AGED BETWEEN 17 AND 35.
ORGANISED BY THE AIDS COUNSELLING AND HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CARITAS HONG KONG AND THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF YOUTH GROUPS, THE CAMP WILL BE HELD AT THE LEI YUE MUN HOLIDAY VILLAGE IN CHAI WAN ON DECEMBER 29 AND 30.
THERE WILL BE 170 PLACES AND PARTICIPANTS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS. EACH CAMPER WILL HAVE TO PAY A $50 ADMISSION FEE.
DURING THE CAMP PERIOD, PARTICIPANTS WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY THE TRANQUIL ENVIRONMENT OF THE CAMP SITE AND ITS FACILITIES, AND WILL BE TREATED TO A BALANCED RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME.
ENTRY FORMS ARE NOW OBTAINABLE FROM THE CARITAS COMMUNITY CENTRES AND YOUTH CENTRES OF THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF YOUTH GROUPS.
APPLICATION FOR ENTRY WILL CLOSE ON DECEMBER 7. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 552 4211 OR 557 0142.
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/20
20
CARNIVAL TO START CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN
*****
A CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD AT YUEN LONG STADIUM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON TO START OFF THE DISTRICT’S CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN.
THERE WILL BE PERFORMANCES BY SEVEN POP SINGERS AND A QUIZ SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO AROUSE CIVIC AWARENESS.
THE PROGRAMME WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE ON COMMERCIAL RADIO ONE, STARTING AT 3 PM. AN OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM.
THE YUEN LONG CIVIC EDUCATION CARNIVAL IS CO-ORGANISED BY THE LION’S CLUB OF YUEN LONG AND THE DISTRICT’S CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN WORKING GROUP, AND IS SPONSORED BY VARIOUS LOCAL COMMERCIAL ORGANISATIONS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE 1990-91 YUEN LONG DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN OPENING CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT YUEN LONG STADIUM, TAI YUK ROAD, YUEN LONG. THE CEREMONY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A CARNIVAL.
- - 0 - -
ANTI-SMOKING CAMPAIGN IN EASTERN *****
RESIDENTS WILL BE ADVISED OF THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF SMOKING DURING A CAMPAIGN TO BE HELD IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT STARTING TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE CAMPAIGN WILL START OFF WITH AN OPENING CEREMONY AT 2 PM TOMORROW AT THE NEW JADE SHOPPING CENTRE IN CHAI WAN, FOLLOWED BY A BUS PARADE.
EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL TOUR THE DISTRICT ON AN OPEN-TOP BUS, AND DISTRIBUTE GIFTS AND PUBLICITY LEAFLETS AT VARIOUS STOPS, INCLUDING HING MAN ESTATE, SHAU KEI WAN TRAM TERMINAL, KORNHILL, NORTH POINT FERRY PIER AND LAU SIN STREET.
ALSO, AN EXHIBITION ON SMOKING AND HEALTH WILL BE HELD AT NEW JADE SHOPPING CENTRE FROM TOMORROW TO NOVEMBER 29, AND THEN AT CITYPLAZA, TAIKOO SHING FROM NOVEMBER 30 TO DECEMBER 3.
/OFFICIATING AT
21
OFFICIATING AT TOMORROW’S OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEVE BARCLAY; CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH, DR RONALD LEUNG; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE, MR SUNNY WU.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT SMOKING AND HEALTH CAMPAIGN TO BE HELD AT 2 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE NEW JADE SHOPPING CENTRE, CHAI WAN.
- - 0 - -
ANTI-NARCOTICS PARADE IN TSEUNG KWAN O ON SUNDAY
*****
A LARGE PARADE WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 25) IN TSEUNG KWAN O TO SPREAD THE ANTI-NARCOTICS MESSAGES.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD AND SAI KUNG CIVIC EDUCATION PROMOTION COMMITTEE, THE PARADE WILL START FROM THE CARMEL DIVINE GRACE FOUNDATION SECONDARY SCHOOL AT PO LAM ESTATE AT 10 AM AND PROCEED TOWARDS TSUI LAM ESTATE.
ALL RESIDENTS ARE WECLOME TO TAKE PART IN THE PARADE WHICH WILL LAST ABOUT ONE HOUR.
OFFICIATING AT THE PARADE’S STARTING CEREMONY WILL BE A MEMBER OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS, MR PAO PING-WING; SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WILLIAM WAN; SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR FREDERICK TONG; AND THE KWUN TONG POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR ARTHUR HIGGINBOTTOM.
AFTER THE PARADE, A CONCERT PERFORMED BY POPULAR SINGERS WILL BE HELD AT THE AMPHITHEATRE OF TSUI LAM ESTATE.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ANTI-NARCOTICS PARADE IN TSEUNG KWAN O ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 25). THE STARTING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 10 AM AT THE CARMEL DIVINE GRACE FOUNDATION SECONDARY SCHOOL AT PO LAM ESTATE, TSEUNG KWAN 0.
- - 0 - -
22
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR IN KOWLOON CITY
******
A BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR TO PROMOTE THE IMPORTANCE OF HOME SAFETY WILL BE HELD IN KOWLOON CITY TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
ORGANISED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE SEMINAR MARKS THE END OF THE DISTRICT’S BUILDING MANAGEMENT MONTH.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT, MR CHUNG PUI-LAM, WILL GIVE A TALK ON THE COMPREHENSIVE BUILDING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, WHILE OTHER SPEAKERS WILL COVER VARIOUS ASPECTS OF HOME SAFETY.
AN EXHIBITION WILL ALSO BE STAGED AT THE VENUE.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 5.30 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT METROPOLE HOTEL, 75 WATERLOO ROAD.
_ _ 0 - -
MOCK DB MEETINGS TOMORROW *****
THIRTY SHAM SHUI PO RESIDENTS WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO FAMILIARISE THEMSELVES WITH THE OPERATION OF THEIR DISTRICT BOARD BY ACTING AS BOARD MEMBERS IN TWO MOCK MEETINGS TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THESE MOCK DISTRICT BOARD MEETINGS ARE ORGANISED BY THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD.
THESE MEETINGS ARE TO ENABLE PARTICIPANTS TO UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT THE WORK OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND TO HAVE A GREATER SENSE OF CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
IN ORDER TO MAKE THE MEETINGS AS REALISTIC AS POSSIBLE, PARTICIPANTS WILL BE GIVEN GENUINE DISTRICT BOARD PAPERS FOR REFERENCE, HE ADDED.
THERE WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSION ON THE PROPOSED SALE OF MARK SIX TICKETS IN SUPERMARKETS AND CONVENIENCE STORES AS WELL AS THE DRAFT WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY.
/THE MEETINGS
23
THE MEETINGS WILL BE CHAIRED BY DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS MR RAYMOND CHOY AND MR LEUNG KAM-TAO.
OFFICIATING THE MEETINGS WILL BE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR TAI TUNG-NGOK, AND SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALAN FUNG.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MOCK DISTRICT BOARD MEETINGS WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.15 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) IN THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM, SEVENTH FLOOR, CHEUNG SHA WAN PLAZA, TOWER 1, CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR CONGRATULATES LU PING FOR HIS NEW APPOINTMENT.................... 1
POLICE MANPOWER PROBLEM CAUSED BY TIGHT LABOUR MARKET .................... 1
CAR SMUGGLING AN INTERNATIONAL PROBLEM: ASPREY ........................... 2
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR OCTOBER PUBLISHED ............................. 3
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FESTIVAL CLOSES, BUT THE WORK GOES ON ........... 6
EFFECTIVE BUILDING MANAGEMENT KEY TO SAFE LIVING ......................... 7
SAFETY MEASURES FOR VILLAGE VEHICLES IN THE PIPELINE.................... 8
VBP RETURN TO VIETNAM .................................................... 9
68,000 YUEN LONG VOTERS REGISTERED........................................ 10
OUTSTANDING PUPILS HONOURED...............................<............... 10
ESCALATORS CLEAN-UP EXERCISE IN CENTRAL .................................. 11
GOOD CITIZEN FORUM FOR STUDENTS .......................................... 12
ATHLETIC MEET AT KOWLOON CITY ............................................ 12
1
GOVERNOR CONGRATULATES LU PING FOR HIS NEW APPOINTMENT
*****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE RETIREMENT OF MR JI PENGFEI AND MR LI HOU, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON SAID:
BOTH MR JI PENGFEI AND MR LI HOU HAVE BEEN CLOSELY INVOLVED IN HONG KONG AFFAIRS AT A VERY IMPORTANT STAGE IN THE TERRITORY’S HISTORY. I HAVE APPRECIATED THE OPPORTUNITY OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS TO DISCUSS WITH BOTH OF THEM THE LAYING OF A SOUND FOUNDATION FOR THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION. I CONGRATULATE MR LU PING ON HIS APPOINTMENT AS DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE OF THE STATE COUNCIL. I HAVE LONG HAD A CLOSE WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM AND LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING AND DEVELOPING IT IN HIS NEW APPOINTMENT.
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POLICE MANPOWER PROBLEM CAUSED BY. TIGHT LABOUR MARKET
******
ALTHOUGH THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE FACES PROBLEMS OF RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION, AS CLEARLY EVIDENCED BY THE RELATIVELY SMALL NUMBER OF OFFICERS PASSING OUT AT THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL TODAY, IT IS OVER-SIMPLISTIC TO EQUATE THAT WITH POOR MORALE, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
ADDRESSING A PASSING OUT PARADE AT THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL, MR ASPREY SAID THAT THE PROBLEMS HAD IN FACT STEMMED PRIMARILY FROM THE VERY TIGHT LABOUR MARKET IN HONG KONG, RESULTING IN TURN FROM A VERY BUOYANT ECONOMY AND INEVITABLE DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES.
"SIMILAR PROBLEMS ARE FACED BY ALL SECTORS OF OUR ECONOMY, AND IT IS PERHAPS UNREALISTIC TO BELIEVE THAT ANY ONE SECTOR COULD BE ENTIRELY IMMUNE," HE SAID.
POINTING OUT THAT THE PROBLEMS WHICH THE POLICE FORCE FACED WERE RECOGNISED AND WERE BEING ADDRESSED, MR ASPREY STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED THAT THE POLICE FORCE SHOULD ENJOY SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE WHICH FULLY RECOGNISE THE SPECIAL DEMANDS OF A POLICE CAREER, THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE JOB, AND THE PARTICULAR PERSONAL QUALITIES REQUIRED OF POLICE OFFICERS.
MR ASPREY ALSO REFUTED ALLEGATIONS OF POOR MORALE WHICH IMPLIED THAT THE FORCE CARRIED OUT ITS DUTIES RELUCTANTLY, HALF-HEARTEDLY AND INEFFECTUALLY, SAYING THAT IT WAS EMPHATICALLY NOT THE CASE.
ASSURING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT THE FORCE WOULD CONTINUE TO CARRY OUT ITS DUTIES WITH PROFESSIONALISM, DEDICATION, DETERMINATION AND COURAGE, THE SECURITY CHIEF SAID THAT "THAT IS THE TRUE MEASURE OF MORALE."
/HE ALSO
2
HE ALSO TOLD THE GRADUATING OFFICERS THAT WHAT THEY HAD LEARNED AT THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL WOULD HAVE PREPARED THEM FOR, AND WOULD STAND THEM IN GOOD STEAD IN, THE OPERATIONAL DUTIES WHICH THEY WOULD TAKE UP.
"THE ESSENCE OF THESE DUTIES IS DEALING WITH PEOPLE SOMETIMES FIRMLY, BUT ALWAYS FAIRLY, WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR. THIS REQUIRES QUALITIES OF PATIENCE, UNDERSTANDING, TACT, HUMOUR, AND, ABOVE ALL, INTEGRITY.
"THESE ARE QUALITIES WHICH TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE MAY DEVELOP AND DIRECT, BUT WHICH IS THE FINAL ANALYSIS YOU MUST EACH FIND WITHIN YOURSELF,” MR ASPREY ADDED.
ON PARADE TODAY WERE 45 PROBATIONARY INSPECTORS AND 62 CONSTABLE RECRUITS WHO HAVE JUST COMPLETED THEIR BASIC TRAINING.
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CAR SMUGGLING AN INTERNATIONAL PROBLEM: ASPREY * t * t t * *
CAR SMUGGLING IS AN INTERNATIONAL PROBLEM AND POLICE ARE INCREASING THEIR LIAISON WITH NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES IN A BID TO OBTAIN BETTER INTELLIGENCE ON THE WELL-ORGANISED SYNDICATES INVOLVED, SECRETARY FOR SECURITY ALISTAIR ASPREY SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING TO MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES AFTER THE PASSING OUT PARADE AT THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL THIS MORNING, MR ASPREY STRESSED THAT CARS WERE BEING SMUGGLED OUT OF HONG KONG AND DESTINED FOR SEVERAL COUNTRIES IN THE REGION, NOT MERELY CHINA. THESE INCLUDED MALAYSIA, THAILAND AND SINGAPORE.
THE SMUGGLING OF CARS WAS OBVIOUSLY A BIG PROBLEM ABOUT WHICH THE POLICE WAS DULY CONCERNED, HE POINTED OUT.
’’THE POLICE HAVE A NUMBER OF ON-GOING LIAISON MEETINGS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES AND, OF COURSE, THEY ALSO DEAL WITH IT THROUGH THE NORMAL INTERPOL NETWORK.
"THEY HAVE ALREADY HAD QUITE A NUMBER OF MEETINGS RECENTLY WITH CHINA, NOT JUST ON THIS SUBJECT, BUT ON POLICE PROBLEMS GENERALLY, AND CERTAINLY SMUGGLING IS ONE OF THE SUBJECTS THAT IS FAIRLY CONSTANTLY DISCUSSED."
MR ASPREY AGREED THAT FIGURES WOULD SEEM TO INDICATE THAT THE PROBLEM IS INCREASING BUT SAID HE WAS SURE THE POLICE WERE TRYING TO TAKE MORE EFFECTIVE ACTION AND WOULD BE GEARING UP THEIR OPERATIONS, THEIR INTELLIGENCE AND THEIR LIAISON WITH OTHER COUNTRIES.
"IT IS NOT ENTIRELY A ONE WAY THING. WE HAVE SMUGGGLING FROM CHINA INTO HONG KONG OF ANTIQUES SO THERE IS A COMMON INTEREST ON BOTH SIDES IN TRYING TO GET TO GRIP WITH THE PROBLEM," HE ADDED.
/ON THE
3
ON THE SUBJECT OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, AND SPECIFICALLY THE REACTIVATION OF TAI A CHAU, MR ASPREY SAID CONSTRUCTION WAS ALMOST FINISHED AND HE EXPECTED THAT THE CAMP WOULD BE READY FOR OCCUPATION BY THE MIDDLE OF DECEMBER.
"THAT’S THE LATEST ESTIMATE AND I THINK WE’LL BE ABLE TO STICK TO IT," HE ADDED.
"POLICE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING LAW AND ORDER AS THEY ARE ANYWHERE ELSE IN HONG KONG, AND I AM QUITE CONFIDENT THAT THEY WILL HAVE SUFFICIENT PRESENCE AND RESOURCES TO BE ABLE TO DO THE JOB. "
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CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES * * * *
FOR OCTOBER PUBLISHED * * *
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) PUBLISHED THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR OCTOBER 1990.
THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) (OCT. 84 - SEP. 85 = 100) FOR OCTOBER 1990, AT 146.4 AND 145.8 RESPECTIVELY, WERE BOTH 10.4 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN OCTOBER 1989.
THE DOUBLE-DIGIT RATES OF INCREASE IN THE MONTH FOR BOTH INDEXES WERE PARTLY DUE TO THE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF THE INCREASE IN THE PRICES OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AS WELL AS THE REVISION OF PUBLIC HOUSING RENTALS IN RECENT MONTHS.
THE CORRESPONDING RATES OF INCREASE IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER 1990 WERE 9.4 PER CENT AND 9.7 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY FOR CPI(A), AND 9.6 PER CENT AND 9.9 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY FOR CPI(B).
FOR THE PERIOD OF JANUARY TO OCTOBER 1990, THE AVERAGE CPI(A) AND AVERAGE CPI(B) BOTH INCREASED BY 9.5 PER CENT OVER THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD OF 1989.
ON A YEAR-ON-YEAR COMPARISON, THE FASTER RATES OF INCREASE IN CPI(A) IN OCTOBER 1990 WERE RECORDED IN THE INDEXES FOR ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION), FUEL AND LIGHT, TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES, AND SERVICES AT 18.3 PER CENT, 17.7 PER CENT, 14.0 PER CENT AND 13.2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE CORRESPONDING RATES OF INCREASE FOR THE SAME COMPONENTS IN THE CPI(B) WERE 18.1 PER CENT, 16.1 PER CENT, 14.7 PER CENT AND 12.4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS, WHICH HAS THE LARGEST WEIGHTING IN THE OVERALL INDEX, INCREASED BY 9.8 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 10.2 PER CENT IN CPI(B).
/THESE FIVE........
4
THESE FIVE COMPONENTS TOGETHER ACCOUNTED FOR 75 PER CENT OF THE OVERALL INCREASE IN THE CPI(A) AND 70 PER CENT OF THE INCREASE IN THE CPI(B).
COMPARING OCTOBER 1990 WITH SEPTEMBER 1990, THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) BOTH INCREASED BY 0.6 PER CENT, LARGELY BECAUSE OF HIGHER CHARGES FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING PLACES, AND HIGHER PRICES OF CHINESE NEWSPAPERS AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS.
THE AVERAGE CPI(A) AND AVERAGE CPI(B) FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 1990, AT 139.5 AND 139.1 RESPECTIVELY, WERE BOTH 9.5 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGE FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 1989.
DURING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 1990, THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CPI(A) AND CPI(B) BOTH INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 0.9 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 92,000 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 OCTOBER 1990 IN RESPECT OF THE NINE COMMODITY/SERVICE SECTIONS IN THE TWO CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES, AS COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1990 AND OCTOBER 1989, ARE GIVEN BELOW.
(OCTOBER 1984 TO OCTOBER 1985 AVERAGE = 100)
CPI(A) CPI(B)
SECTION INDEX FOR OCT. 90 % CHANGE % CHANGE INDEX FOR OCT. 90 % CHANGE % CHANGE
OVER SEP. 90 OVER OCT. 89 OVER SEP. 90 OVER OCT. 89
FOODSTUFFS 147.3 + 0.0* +9.8 149.3 + 0.2 + 10.2
HOUSING 137.3 +0.5 + 10.4 131.2 + 0.3 + 10.3
FUEL AND LIGHT 112.8 + 4.0 + 17.7 111.7 + 3.7 + 16.1
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) 158.2 + 0.2 + 18.3 159.5 +0.3 + 18.1
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 145.9 + 0.3 + 7.5 149.2 + 0.4 + 7.6
DURABLE GOODS 126.9 +0.4 + 3.7 125.9 + 0.4 + 3.6
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 145.1 + 4.4 +8.4 144.5 + 3.4 + 8.0
TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 158.6 + 1.0 + 14.0 158.5 + 1.1 + 14.7
SERVICES 169.3 + 0.5 + 13.2 167.5 + 0.5 + 12.4
ALL ITEMS 146.4 + 0.6 + 10.4 145.8 + 0.6 + 10.4
* LESS THAN 0.05 PER CENT
/COMPARING OCTOBER .......
5
COMPARING OCTOBER 1990 WITH SEPTEMBER 1990, THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS INCREASED MARGINALLY IN CPI(A) AND BY 0.2 PER CENT IN CPI(B). THE INCREASES IN THE CHARGES FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING PLACES AND IN THE RETAIL PRICES OF EDIBLE OILS WERE OFFSET BY DECREASES IN THE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES AND FRESH FRUIT.
THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT INCREASED BY 4.0 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 3.7 PER CENT IN CPI(B), AS A RESULT OF HIGHER PRICES OF KEROSENE AND LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS AS WELL AS THE UPWARD FUEL COST ADJUSTMENT FOR TOWNGAS.
THE INDEX FOR MISCELLANEOUS GOODS INCREASED BY 4.4 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 3.4 PER CENT IN CPI(B) DUE TO HIGHER PRICES OF CHINESE NEWSPAPERS.
THE INDEX FOR TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES INCREASED BY 1.0 PER CENT
IN CPI(A) AND BY 1.1 PER CENT IN CPI(B) BECAUSE OF HIGHER FARES FOR SCHOOL BUS AND AIR TRAVEL, AND HIGHER PRICE OF GASOLINE.
FIGURES HEREIN REFER TO CPI SERIES NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED. ALL PERCENTAGE CHANGES ARE DERIVED FROM CPI FIGURES TAKEN TO MORE THAN ONE DECIMAL PLACE.
MORE DETAILS ARE GIVEN IN THE ’’CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT” FOR OCTOBER 1990, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $5 PER COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; OR FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI; OR FROM THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, CENTRAL FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MAILINGS.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE INDEXES CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 805 6403.
THE HANG SENG CPI WAS 156.4 IN OCTOBER 1990, UP BY 1.1 PER CENT OVER SEPTEMBER 1990 AND BY 12.0 PER CENT OVER OCTOBER 1989.
THE HANG SENG CPI IS BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF THE 10 PER CENT OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG THAT SPENT $10,000-24,999 A MONTH DURING THE 1984/85 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY.
FURTHER DETAILS REGARDING THIS INDEX ARE INCLUDED IN THE HANG SENG CPI REPORT ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF HANG SENG BANK LTD.
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FESTIVAL CLOSES, BUT THE WORK GOES ON
*****
SENIOR MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, BARONESS DUNN, PLACED THE LAST BLOSSOM ON THE COMMITMENT TREE, THE SYMBOL OF HONG KONG’S FIRST EVER ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FESTIVAL, AT THE FESTIVAL'S CLOSING CEREMONY IN CHATER GARDEN THIS (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON.
COMMENTING ON THE TWO-WEEK FESTIVAL, BARONESS DUNN SAID: "OVER THE PAST DECADES, HONG KONG HAS EVOLVED INTO ONE OF THE WORLD’S MAJOR COMMERCIAL CENTRES. BUT IT HAS SUFFERED FROM SERIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION PROBLEMS AS A CONSEQUENCE OF ITS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, ECONOMIC GROWTH AS WELL AS POPULATION GROWTH.
"IT IS TIME FOR US TO CALL A HALT TO THIS DETERIORATING SITUATION. WE SHOULD BEGIN TO TAKE STEPS TO IMPROVE OUR ENVIRONMENT AND BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CREATING A BETTER LIVING PLACE NOT ONLY FOR OURSELVES BUT ALSO OUR COMING GENERATIONS.”
SHE SAID THIS IS IN FACT A LONG-TERM BATTLE AND COULD ONLY BE SUCCEEDED WITH THE CONCERTED EFFORTS OF THE DIFFERENT SECTORS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
"THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FESTIVAL INDEED REPRESENTS A MAJOR INITIATIVE IN AROUSING THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSCIOUSNESS IN OUR SOCIETY AND HAS PROVED TO BE A SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN," BARONESS DUNN SAID.
THE FESTIVAL, ORGANISED BY THE NON-GOVERNMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE (ECC) SET UP EARLY THIS YEAR, HAS COMBINED A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY EFFORTS TARGETED AT IMPROVING ENVIRONMETNAL PROTECTION.
IN HER CLOSING REMARKS, CHAIRMAN OF THE ECC, MRS PEGGY LAM SAID: "THE MOST DRAMATIC AND SIGNIFICANT RESULT OF THIS FORTNIGHT HAS BEEN THE MOBILISATION OF INDIVIDUALS, GROUPS AND BUSINESS AT ALL LEVELS, AND THE COOPERATIVE EFFORT FOR A SHARED CAUSE.
"FOR EXAMPLE, WE ARE GRATEFUL AND EXCITED BY THE PUBLIC RESPONSE TO OUR SYMBOLIC COMMITMENT TREE. NEARLY 18,000 LEAVES WERE DISTRIBUTED TO INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO HAVE RECORDED THEIR OWN PERSONAL PLEDGE TOWARDS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
"ALTHOUGH WE SEE THE FESTIVAL AS AN ENORMOUS SUCCESS IN TERMS OF THE WAY PEOPLE AND COMPANIES HAVE SO ACTIVELY AND WARMLY RESPONDED, THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION TO OUR ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS LIES WITH ALL OF US," MRS LAM SAID.
SHE ALSO STRESSED THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE MUST ALL WORK TO PUT PRESSURE ON THE GOVERNMENT FOR STRONGER LEGISLATION AND ON THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO REDUCE WASTE, RESULTING IN A STRONGER COMMITMENT.
"WE MUST ALSO ENCOURAGE OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILIES TO MAINTAIN A COMMITMENT TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND BUILD SUPPORT FOR THE LONG TERM.
/"TODAY THE .......
7
"TODAY THE TREE IS BRIMMING WITH LEAVES, SYMBOLISING THE RESTORATION OF LIFE WHICH COULD BE ACHIEVED IN OUR AILING ENVIRONMENT IF EVERYONE HOLDS TO THEIR COMMITMENT," SHE ADDED.
MRS LAM SAID THE COMMITTEE WAS ALSO DELIGHTED TO SEE A NUMBER OF MAJOR INITIATIVES IMPLEMENTED DURING THE FORTNIGHT, FOCUSING ON THE 3RS - REDUCE, RE-USE, RECYCLE - WHICH IS THE THEME OF THE FESTIVAL.
MRS LAM POINTED OUT THAT THE PIONEERING SCHEME FOR ENLARGING WASTE PAPER COLLECTION AT PUBLIC HOUSING, LAUNCHED AT OI MAN ESTATE IN HO MAN TIN ON NOVEMBER 11, CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES THE ECC’S COMMITMENT TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECTS FOCUSING ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
MRS LAM ALSO THANKED THE MANY SUPPORTERS OF THE FESTIVAL, PARTICULARLY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB FOR ITS SUPPORT AS A DONOR.
DURING THE FESTIVAL, OVER 70 ACTIVITIES WERE ORGANISED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY BY THE ECC, DISTRICT BOARDS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND SCHOOLS. MANY OF THE ACTIVITIES WILL BE CONTINUING WELL INTO DECEMBER AND 1991.
THE ECC IS A BROAD-BASED NON-GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE WITH ITS MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR. IT AIMS TO BRING TOGETHER A WIDE RANGE OF INTERESTED PEOPLE TO COORDINATE PROGRAMMES WORKING TOWARDS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FESTIVAL REPRESENTS THE CULMINATION OF THE ECC’S FIRST YEAR OF WORK AIMED AT IMPROVING AWARENESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN THE TERRITORY AND MOBILISING EFFORTS WHICH MUST BE TAKEN AT ALL LEVELS - FROM LEGISLATION TO INDIVIDUAL AND PRIVATE SECTOR CONTRIBUTIONS - TO PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT.
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EFFECTIVE BUILDING MANAGEMENT KEY TO SAFE LIVING
******
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT, MR CHUNG PUI-LAM, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO INTRODUCE A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM TO BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
HE ADDED THAT EFFECTIVE BUILDING MANAGEMENT WAS AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT FOR SAFE LIVING.
SPEAKING AT A SEMINAR ON SAFE LIVING ORGANISED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, MR CHUNG POINTED OUT THAT WITH THE RISE IN THE EDUCATION AND LIVING STANDARDS IN HONG KONG, MORE PEOPLE NOW RECOGNISED THE IMPORTANCE OF BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
/"A COMPREHENSIVE .......
"A COMPREHENSIVE BUILDING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SHOULD COMMIT WORK IN FOUR AREAS, NAMELY BUILDING SAFETY, LIVING ENVIRONMENT, BUILDING MAINTENANCE AND MONITORING PROCEDURES," HE SAID.
MR CHUNG SAID THE COMMITTEE HAD URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO SET UP A BUILDING MANAGEMENT TRIBUNAL AND THE POST OF BUILDING MANAGEMENT OFFICER.
"THE FORMER WILL LOOK AFTER DISPUTES OVER PROPERTY RIGHTS AND MANAGEMENT WHILE THE LATTER WILL PLAY A COORDINATING ROLE IN PROVIDING OVERALL ASSISTANCE IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT," HE EXPLAINED.
HE ALSO URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO CARRY OUT IMMEDIATE AND THOROUGH INSPECTION OF ALL OLD BUILDINGS GIVING PRIORITY TO PRE-WAR AND EARLY POST-WAR BUILDINGS.
"ACCORDING TO THE PRESENT LEGISLATION, FLAT OWNERS ARE LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE STRUCTURAL SAFETY OF THEIR PREMISES. INSPECTIONS AND MAINTENANCE SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT REGULARLY ON THESE PREMISES," HE SAID.
HE ALSO URGED FLAT OWNERS TO COOPERATE WITH THE GOVERNMENT WHEN THEY ARE ASKED TO REPAIR THEIR FLATS.
MORE THAN 120 BUILDING MANAGEMENT STAFF AND OFFICE-BEARERS OF OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES ATTENDED TODAY’S SEMINAR.
TALKS ON VARIOUS ASPECTS . OF HOME SAFETY WERE GIVEN BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND PROFESSIONALS IN SECURITY AND ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS.
AN EXHIBITION ON SECURITY EQUIPMENT AND ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS WAS ALSO HELD AT THE VENUE.
SAFETY MEASURES
FOR VILLAGE VEHICLES IN THE PIPELINE *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING TAKING MEASURES AGAINST VILLAGE VEHICLES WHICH, WHEN DRIVEN FAST, WILL BE DANGEROUS TO PEDESTRIANS ON OUTLYING ISLANDS, THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KIM SALKELD, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
"PLANS FOR THE SAFETY MEASURES WILL SOON BE PUT TO THE DISTRICT BOARD," HE SAID.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ’ISLANDS DISTRICT TRAFFIC SAFETY DAY’, MR SALKELD POINTED OUT THAT VILLAGE VEHICLES AND BICYCLES NEEDED SPECIAL ATTENTION AS THEY MIGHT CAUSE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ON PATHS SHARED BY PEDESTRIANS IN MANY AREAS OF THE DISTRICT.
/"THE GOVERNMENT .......
9
"THE GOVERNMENT IS TACKLING THIS PROBLEM, WHERE POSSIBLE, BY PROVIDING SEPARATE ROUTES,” HE SAID.
MR SALKELD CITED MUI WO AS AN EXAMPLE AND SAID A SPECIAL CYCLE TRACK WOULD BE PROVIDED UNDER THE NEXT ROAD WORKS PROGRAMME.
HE REMINDED THE ISLANDERS THAT A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT COULD HAPPEN ON THE ISLANDS AS IN THE CITY IF THEY DID NOT PAY DUE ATTENTION TO OTHER ROAD USERS.
MORE THAN 500 PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT ISLANDS JOINED THE ’TRAFFIC SAFETY DAY’ AT THE NEW TERRITORIES HEUNG YEE KUK SOUTHERN DISTRICT SECONDARY SCHOOL IN MUI WO.
THERE WERE A SINGING PERFORMANCE, A ROAD SAFETY EXHIBITION AND GAME STALLS PUBLICISING ROAD SAFETY MESSAGE.
CALENDER CARDS AND FERRY TIME TABLES WERE ALSO DISTRIBUTED TO THE PARTICIPANTS.
THE TRAFFIC SAFETY DAY WAS ORGANISED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR LAM WAI-KEUNG, AND ISLANDS POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR WILLIAM WORRAL.
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VBP RETURN TO VIETNAM *****
A GROUP OF 130 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE TODAY TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION
(SATURDAY) RETURNED PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 48 MEN, 33 WOMEN, 23 BOYS AND 26 GIRLS, THE 41ST BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THEY WERE
SO FAR, A TOTAL OF 5,746 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE VOLUNTARILY.
HAVE RETURNED
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/io........
10
68,000 YUEN LONG VOTERS REGISTERED *****
SOME 68,000 YUEN LONG RESIDENTS REGISTERED AS ELECTORS DURING THIS YEAR'S VOTER REGISTRATION CAMPAIGN.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THIS YEAR'S DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN, YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ROBIN IP, SAID THE RESPONSE WAS VERY GOOD, AS THIS FIGURE REPRESENTED A 14 PER CENT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF VOTERS REGISTERED IN THE LAST CAMPAIGN TWO YEARS AGO.
’’ONE OF THE CIVIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE'S MAJOR TASK FOR THIS YEAR IS TO FOSTER A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION IN THE ELECTIONS AMONG OUR RESIDENTS,” MR IP SAID.
HE URGED RESIDENTS TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN NEXT YEAR'S THREE-TIERS ELECTIONS AND TO ENCOURAGE THEIR RELATIVES AND FRIENDS TO SUPPORT THE ELECTION ACTIVITIES, SO THAT EVERYONE COULD JOIN IN THE EFFORT TO BUILD UP HONG KONG.
VARIOUS ACTIVITIES SUCH AS INTER-SCHOOL DEBATES, SEMINARS, VISITS AND STALL GAMES WILL BE HELD DURING THE THREE-MONTH CAMPAIGN.
TODAY'S OPENING CEREMONY WAS FOLLOWED BY A CIVIC EDUCATION CARNIVAL AT THE YUEN LONG STADIUM.
CO-ORGANISED BY THE LION'S CLUB OF YUEN LONG AND THE DISTRICT'S CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN WORKING GROUP, THE EVENT IS SPONSORED BY VARIOUS LOCAL COMMERCIAL ORGANISATIONS.
- - 0 - -
OUTSTANDING PUPILS HONOURED
*****
A TOTAL OF 95 PRIMARY PUPILS IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT WERE AWARDED CERTIFICATES OF MERIT AT THE DISTRICT'S OUTSTANDING PUPILS AWARD SCHEME PRESENTATION CEREMONY AT KING’S COLLEGE THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING.
THE STUDENTS WERE NOMINATED BY THEIR SCHOOL HEADMASTERS FOR THEIR EXCELLENT PERFORMANCES IN ACADEMIC WORK, CONDUCT AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES DURING THE PAST YEAR.
SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, CHAIRMAN OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR WU CHOR-NAM, TOLD THE STUDENTS TO KEEP UP WITH THEIR GOOD WORK.
”1 HOPE YOU WILL SET A VERY GOOD EXAMPLE FOR OTHER YOUNGSTERS," MR WU SAID.
/THE CENTRAL
11
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEPHEN FISHER, AND A CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MR HUNG WING-TAT, PRESENTED CERTIFICATES TO THE OUTSTANDING PUPILS, WHO WERE ALSO TREATED TO A ONE-DAY TOUR OF THE OCEAN PARK AFTER THE CEREMONY.
THE AWARD SCHEME WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, WITH THE SUPPORT OF MORE THAN 20 PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT.
- - 0 - -
ESCALATORS CLEAN-UP EXERCISE IN CENTRAL
*****
TWENTY-TWO TEAMS OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN RESIDENTS WILL TAKE PART IN AN ESCALATORS CLEAN-UP EXERCISE ALONG THE ELEVATED PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY IN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT'S KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN WORKING GROUP, THE OPERATION WILL START AT 11 AM.
AS PART OF THE CAMPAIGN, A CHILDREN’S DRAWING COMPETITION WILL BE HELD AT THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT IN THE MORNING. A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AND VARIETY SHOW WILL BE HELD THERE IN THE AFTERNOON.
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR AMBROSE LAU, AND ASSISTANT CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS MONICA CHEN, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AT 2 PM.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ESCALATORS CLEAN-UP EXERCISE, THE VARIETY SHOW AND THE CHILDREN’S DRAWING COMPETITION WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE ELEVATED PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY IN CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT RESPECTIVELY.
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/12
12
GOOD CITIZEN FORUM FOR STUDENTS ******
OMELCO MEMBER MISS MARIA TAM, LEGISLATOR MR SZETO WAH, AND YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH SHARED THEIR EXPERIENCES IN COMMUNITY SERVICE WITH SOME 350 STUDENTS TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE GOOD CITIZEN IMPLEMENTATION FORUM, HELD AT THE HENRY G. LEONG YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE, WAS PART OF THE CURRENT YAU TSIM DISTRICT FESTIVAL AIMING AT CULTIVATING YOUNG PEOPLE’S INTEREST AND CONCERN IN DISTRICT AFFAIRS.
THE DISCUSSIONS ALSO CENTRED ON HONG KONG’S THREE-TIER POLITICAL SYSTEM AND THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION.
OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S FORUM WERE THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ANNIE TANG; DISTRICT FESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR CHIU YU-HEI; AND SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER (YAU TSIM), MISS ROSE LAU.
- - 0 - -
ATHLETIC MEET AT KOWLOON CITY
******
ABOUT 600 RESIDENTS WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE 17TH KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT ATHLETIC MEET AT THE KOWLOON TSAI SPORTS GROUND TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THERE WILL BE 18 TRACK AND FIELD EVENTS INCLUDING LONG JUMP, HIGH JUMP, SHOT PUT, JAVELIN, HURDLES AND RELAY.
PARTICIPANTS WILL BE DIVIDED INTO SIX GROUPS ACCORDING TO THEIR SEX AND AGE. WINNERS WILL BE PRESENTED WITH MEDALS.
OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL INCLUDE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, MR DUNCAN PESCOD; REGIONAL LEISURE MANAGER (KOWLOON EAST) OF URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR RAYMOND CHAN, AND DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS MR CHIANG SAI-CHEONG AND MR MAK KING-LUN.
THE ANNUAL EVENT, AIMED AT PROMOTING RESIDENTS’ INTEREST IN SPORTS AND FOSTERING BETTER RELATIONSHIP AMONG RESIDENTS, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, URBAN COUNCIL AND KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS COUNCIL AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT ATHLETIC MEET TOMORROW (SUNDAY) BEGINNING AT 8 AM AT THE KOWLOON TSAI SPORTS GROUND, INVERNESS ROAD.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO._
GOVERNOR CONGRATULATES RED CROSS ON 40 YEARS OF SERVICE ..................
2
RESPECT FOR NATURE NEEDED: YEUNG .........................................
RAT PREVENTION EDUCATION CAMPAIGN TO BE LAUNCHED .........................
LAN URGES YOUTHS TO JOIN COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS ............................... 4
PARADE TO SPREAD ANTI-NARCOTICS MESSAGES .................................
YAU TSIM FIGHT CRIME SINGING CONTEST......................................
CHRISTMAS PARTY TICKETS ON SALE ..........................................
1
GOVERNOR CONGRATULATES RED CROSS ON 40 YEARS OF SERVICE
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (SUNDAY) CONGRATULATED THE RED CROSS ON 40 YEARS OF DEDICATION AND ACHIEVEMENT IN HONG KONG.
SPEAKING AT THE RED CROSS YOUTH PARADE AT THE HONG KONG STADIUM, SIR DAVID SAID MANY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG KNEW THE RED CROSS BEST FOR ITS BLOOD DONATION PROGRAMME - A PROGRAMME WHICH DEMONSTRATED VIVIDLY THE EMPHASIS ON COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND CARING WHICH CHARACTERISED THIS ADMIRABLE ORGANISATION.
"BUT IT IS BY NO MEANS THE ONLY SERVICE THAT THE RED CROSS PROVIDES," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID WHEN THE RED CROSS WAS FIRST ESTABLISHED IN HONG KONG 40 YEARS AGO, ITS ACTIVITIES WERE LIMITED TO OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IN HOSPITALS AND TO MAKING SURGICAL DRESSINGS.
IT HAS EXPANDED IMPRESSIVELY SINCE THEN:
- EDUCATION FOR CONVALESCING CHILDREN
- RAISING FUNDS FOR INTERNATIONAL DISASTER RELIEF
- TEACHING FIRST AID
- LENDING MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
HE ALSO ADDED THAT THESE WERE JUST SOME OF THE SERVICES WHICH THE RED CROSS OFFERED OUR COMMUNITY.
SIR DAVID SAID A PARTICULARLY VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION WHICH THE RED CROSS HAD MADE TO HONG KONG WAS THE RED CROSS YOUTH.
"THE BOYS AND GIRLS OF THE RED CROSS YOUTH LEARN, IN THE WORKS OF THEIR MOTTO, TO ’SERVE ONE ANOTHER’.
"THEY LEARN SKILLS WITH WHICH TO HELP OTHERS; AND THEY LEARN, THROUGH DIRECT EXPERIENCE, THE SATISFACTION OF BEING ABLE TO HELP OTHERS.
"THEY DO SO IN AN ORGANISATION WHICH PROVIDES DISCIPLINE, PRACTICAL TRAINING AND FRIENDSHIP," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE HAD GREAT PLEASURE TO SEE SO MANY SMART, ENTHUSIASTIC YOUNG MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY TODAY.
"I COMMEND YOU ALL ON THE HARD WORK THAT HAS GONE INTO ORGANISING AND PREPARING FOR THIS EVENT.
"I THANK ALL MEMBERS OF RED CROSS YOUTH IN HONG KONG FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO SERVING ONE ANOTHER AND THE PUBLIC." HE ADDED.
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RESPECT FOR NATURE NEEDED: YEUNG
* * * * *
IT IS VITAL THAT STUDENTS AND PEOPLE OF ALL AGES IN OUR COMMUNITY DEVELOP A RESPECT FOR NATURE AND AN IMPROVED AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF ITS CONSERVATION, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR K.Y. YEUNG SAID.
HE SAID THIS WOULD ENSURE THE FUTURE WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY AND ITS QUALITY OF LIFE.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ’I LOVE GREEN HONG KONG’ CONCERT IN TSUEN WAN TODAY (SUNDAY), MR YEUNG NOTED THAT NO COMMUNITY THAT BLATANTLY DISREGARDED ITS NATURAL HERITAGE COULD MAINTAIN ITSELF FOR LONG.
"WE WOULD BE DOING OURSELVES A DISSERVICE WERE WE NOT TO MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE IN HONG KONG BECOMES FULLY AWARE OF THE PART HE MUST PLAY IN PRESERVING THE ENVIRONMENT," HE SAID.
MR YEUNG ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN ACTIVELY PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL LEVELS.
"FOR THE NEW ADVANCED SUPPLEMENTARY LEVEL COURSES, TO BE INTRODUCED FROM 1992, ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION WILL BE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE LIBERAL STUDIES COURSE. . THESE ARE SUPPLEMENTED BY EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES THROUGH THE INFORMAL CURRICULUM.
"TO COMPLEMENT THESE SCHOOL-BASED EFFORTS, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ESTABLISHED A FIELD STUDY CENTRE IN SAI KUNG IN 1979.
"WE HAVE PLANS FOR A FURTHER THREE FIELD STUDIES CENTRES, TO BE LOCATED IN CHEUNG CHAU, TSUEN WAN AND TUNG CHUNG. THESE WILL BE ESTABLISHED OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS AS AND WHEN FUNDS PERMIT," THE SECRETARY SAID.
SINCE THE SAI KUNG CENTRE HAS BEEN HEAVILY USED, MR YEUNG SAID HE WELCOMED THE INITIATIVE AND FORESIGHT OF THE LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 303 IN SETTING UP THE LIONS NATURE EDUCATION CENTRE IN SAI KUNG TO ADD TO THE PRESENT LIMITED PROVISION.
LOCATED IN A FORMER GOVERNMENT FARM IN SAI KUNG, THE CENTRE WILL CONTAIN AN ARBORETUM OF INDIGENOUS AND RARE TREES, AS WELL AS SPECIMENS OF MEDICINAL PLANTS, FRUIT TREES AND FIELD CROPS, AND AN EXHIBITION HALL WITH EDUCATIONAL DISPLAYS ON HONG KONG’S FLORA, FAUNA, COUNTRY PARKS, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES.
ADDITIONAL ATTRACTIONS WILL INCLUDE AN INSECT HOUSE AND AN ELEVATED WALKWAY THROUGH THE ORCHARD FOR CLOSE-UP INSPECTIONS OF FLOWERS AND FRUITS.
MR YEUNG HOPED THAT THE CONCERT WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN RAISING FUNDS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CENTRE.
--------0----------
/3 ........
3
RAT PREVENTION EDUCATION CAMPAIGN TO BE LAUNCHED *****
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WILL BE LAUNCHING A MONTH-LONG TERRITORY-WIDE RAT PREVENTION EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 1) TO REMIND THE PUBLIC OF THE IMPORTANCE OF A CLEAN AND HYGIENIC ENVIRONMENT FOR GOOD HEALTH.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (SUNDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAID THE CAMPAIGN, UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, AIMS TO HIGHLIGHT THE HAZARDS TO HEALTH THAT RATS WOULD BRING.
THE SPOKESMAN APPEALED TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FOR COOPERATION IN PREVENTING RAT INFESTATIONS.
"RATS ARE NOT ONLY CARRIERS OF THE INFECTIOUS DISEASES LIKE PLAGUE AND TYPHUS, THEY ALSO INDIRECTLY TRANSMIT GASTRO-INTESTINAL DISEASES SUCH AS CHOLERA, TYPHOID FEVER AND FOOD POISONING," HE SAID.
RATS WILL ALSO CREATE NUISANCE AND DAMAGE FITTINGS OF BUILDINGS AND FURNITURE.
DURING THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD, EDUCATIONAL LITERATURES SUCH AS POSTERS, ADVISORY LETTERS AND LEAFLETS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO BUILDING MANAGEMENT OFFICES, OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, FOOD PREMISES, MARKETS AND HOUSING ESTATES.
TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON RAT PREVENTION, A 24-HOUR HEALTH EDUCATION HOTLINE 723 0013 WILL BE SET UP. IT WILL ALSO ANSWER SPECIFIC ENQUIRIES ON RAT PREVENTION.
MEANWHILE, ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE ON RAT PREVENTION ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE PEST CONTROL UNITS IN VARIOUS DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
TO MAINTAIN A GOOD LIVING ENVIRONMENT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PUBLIC SHOULD:
* MAINTAIN THE BUILDINGS PROPERLY TO DEPRIVE RATS OF HARBOURAGE;
* IMPROVE SANITATION TO DEPRIVE RATS OF FOOD SUPPLIES;
* ORGANISE REGULAR CLEARANCE OF JUNKS AND DISUSED ARTICLES FROM PUBLIC PLACES SUCH AS YARDS, STAIR LANDING AND ROOFTOPS;
* STORE FOOD AND DISPOSE OF SCRAPS AND REFUSE PROPERLY; AND
* STORE EDIBLE MATERIAL IN RAT-PROOF CONTAINERS. THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT FOR RESTAURANT AND FOOD BUSINESS OPERATORS.
--------0-----------
/4 ........
4
LAN URGES YOUTHS TO JOIN COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS * * * * »
YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD TAKE A MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS BE JOINING ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS THE ROAD SAFETY ASSOCIATION, REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
MR LAN MADE THIS APPEAL BEFORE TAKING THE SALUTE AT THE ASSOCIATION’S HONG KONG AND ISLANDS REGIONAL ANNUAL PARADE IN VICTORIA PARK.
HE SAID BY BECOMING MEMBERS OF THE ROAD SAFETY PATROLS, YOUNG PEOPLE CAN TAKE AN ACTIVE PART IN MEANINGFUL FUNCTIONS SUCH AS THE COMMUNITY CHEST FUND RAISING DRIVE, CLEAN HONG KONG AND ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGNS.
MR LAN NOTED THAT SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE PATROLS IN 1963, IT HAD HELPED FOSTER A CORRECT CONCEPT AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS ROAD USE AMONG THE YOUNGER GENERATION PARTICULARLY THE STUDENTS.
"THROUGH DISCIPLINARY TRAINING SESSIONS UNDER THE PATROLS, YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE BEEN CULTIVATED WITH LEADERSHIP SKILLS," HE SAID, ADDING THAT THESE HAD PROVED USEFUL TO THEIR HEALTHY BUILD-UP.
ON THE PATROLS’ STRENGTH, MR LAN POINTED OUT THAT IT HAD DEVELOPED, THROUGH THE YEARS, INTO A 227-TEAM FORCE WITH A MEMBERSHIP OF MORE THAN 12,000.
CITING THE ISLANDS DISTRICT AS AN EXAMPLE, HE SAID THE NUMBER OF TEAMS HAD INCREASED FROM ONE IN 1982 TO EIGHT THIS YEAR WHICH INDICATED THAT THIS KIND OF COMMUNITY SERVICE HAD BEEN POPULARLY RECEIVED.
MR LAN WAS ALSO PLEASED TO NOTE THAT IN THE PATROLS’ 27-YEAR HISTORY, NOT EVEN ONE MEMBER WAS INJURED WHILE CARRYING OUT THEIR DUTIES. THE PATROLS TAKES CARE OF MORE THAN 300,000 STUDENTS DAILY THOURGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
"ALTHOUGH THERE ARE MANY SIMILAR SETUPS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD, HONG KONG’S ROAD SAFETY PATROLS SURELY RANKS FIRST IN ITS SYSTEMATIC TRAINING PROGRAMMES, UNIFORM DESIGNS AND SERVICE RECORDS," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
5
PARADE TO SPREAD ANTI-NARCOTICS MESSAGES
*****
ABOUT 1,000 SAI KUNG RESIDENTS TOOK PART IN A LARGE-SCALE PARADE IN TSEUNG KWAN 0 THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING TO PLEDGE SUPPORT TO THE ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN.
SPEAKING AT THE KICK-OFF CEREMONY, CHAIRMAN OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN WORKING GROUP, MR EDWARD PONG, SAID THE PARADE AIMED AT ENCOURAGING YOUNTSERS TO STAY AWAY FROM DRUGS.
HE URGED YOUNG PERSONS TO ADOPT A HEALTHY AND DRUG-FREE LIFESTYLE, SO AS TO CREATE A BRILLIANT FUTURE FOR THEMSELVES.
HOLDING COLOURFUL BANNERS AND SIGNS WITH ANTI-NARCOTICS MESSAGES, THE PARTICIPANTS, MOSTLY FROM THE DISTRICT’S YOUTH ORGANISATIONS, SCHOOLS AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, MARCHED WITH HIGH SPIRIT FROM PO LAM ESTATE TO TSUI LAM ESTATE.
APART FROM CHANTING ANTI-NARCOTICS SLOGANS, THEY ALSO JOINED A CHOIR TO SING THE THEME SONG OF THE CAMPAIGN. HUNDREDS OF RESIDENTS WERE ATTRACTED TO JOIN IN.
THE PARADE LASTED FOR ABOUT ' ONE HOUR AND ENDED UP AT THE AMPHITHEATRE OF TSUI LAM ESTATE, WHERE A POPULAR CONCERT WAS HELD TO ENTERTAIN THE PARTICIPANTS.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS AT THE KICK-OFF 'CEREMONY INCLUDED MEMBER OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS, MR PAO PING-WING; SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WILLIAM WAN; SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR FREDERICK TONG; AND POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER OF KWUN TONG, MR ARTHUR HIGGINBOTTOM.
THE PARADE IS PART OF A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES OF THE SAI KING DISTRICT ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN ORGANISED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD AND THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION PROMOTION COMMITTEE.
OTHER ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE ANTI-NARCOTICS EXHIBITIONS, VISITS TO TAI TAM GAP CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION AND DAWN ISLAND, TALKS AND SEMINARS.
- - 0 - -
YAU TSIM FIGHT CRIME SINGING CONTEST
******
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO COMPETE IN A FIGHT CRIME SINGING CONTEST AND WIN VALUABLE PRIZES INCLUDING POSSIBLE SINGING CONTRACTS.
THE "GLORY OF LIFE" CONTEST IS SPONSORED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD AND THE URBAN COUNCIL AND IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND JUNIOR POLICE CALL.
/THE CONTEST
6
THE CONTEST AIMS AT ENCOURAGING YOUNG MEMBERS TO MAKE GOOD USE OF THEIR LEISURE TIME AND HELP SPREAD CRIME PREVENTION MESSAGES.
THE PARTICIPANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND AN INITIAL INTERVIEW FROM WHICH TEN FINALISTS WILL BE SELECTED TO COMPETE IN THE FINALS.
THE FINALS CONTEST WILL BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE IN MARCH NEXT YEAR.
THE TOP THREE WINNERS WILL BE GIVEN VOICE TESTS AND MAY BE ABLE TO SIGN SINGING CONTRACTS WITH A RECORD COMPANY.
ENTRY FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
♦ YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, 15 MIDDLE ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI;
* YAU TSIM JUNIOR POLICE CALL CLUBHOUSE, POLICE MARRIED QUARTERS, 182 CANTON ROAD; AND
» YAU TSIM CULTURE AND ARTS ASSOCIATION,
33 SALISBURY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 301 2160 AND 722 1020. THE
DEADLINE FOR ENTRY IS DECEMBER 28.
--------0 - -
CHRISTMAS PARTY TICKETS ON SALE ♦ ♦ ♦ » »
TICKETS FOR THIS YEAR’S CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT CHRISTMAS PARTY WILL BE ON SALE FROM WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 28) AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE ON 11TH FLOOR OF HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
A CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SPOKESMAN TODAY (SUNDAY) SAID ONLY 180 TICKETS, AT $55 PER ADULT AND $47 PER CHILD OR ELDERLY, WOULD BE AVAILABLE.
”AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO FAMILY-UNIT PARTICIPANTS TO ENABLE THEM TO SHARE THE FUN OF THE FESTIVE SEASON," HE SAID.
THE ANNUAL FUNCTION WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, AT THE CAINE ROAD CARITAS CENTRE, BEGINNING AT 7.30 PM. THERE WILL BE A BUFFET DINNER, GAMES AND A LUCKY DRAW.
THE PARTY IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE CHUNG WAN AREA COMMITTEE, WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD.
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 852 3499 OR 852 3487.
--------0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR VISITS JAPAN ..................................................... 1
PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVEMENT IN PORT DEVELOPMENT SUBSTANTIAL ................ 2
QUOTAS FOR FIRST PHASE OF BRITISH NATIONALITY SELECTION SCHEME ANNOUNCED .. 3
EXPERT TALKS ON DEFENCE AND PUBLIC ORDER .................................. 5
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR OCTOBER 1990 ................................ 5
CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY VITAL TO WORKS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES ................. 8
JOINT STATEMENT BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY, LTD............................................................... 9
DANGER OF TOO MUCH ENVIRONMENTAL GLOOM AND DOOM ........................... 9
COMMISSIONING OF PAMELA YOUDE HOSPITAL IN MID-1992 ........................ 11
PILOT SCHEME FOR ADOPTION ASSESSMENT ...................................... 12
NEW CORRECTIONAL SERVICES COMMISSIONER ASSUMES HIS OFFICE ................. 14
LEGISLATORS WILL ASK 10 QUESTIONS AT WEDNESDAY'S COUNCIL MEETING .......... 14
REPORT ON SHAM SHUI PO DB'S WORK PUBLISHED
15
1
GOVERNOR VISITS JAPAN * ♦ * ♦
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL LEAVE HONG KONG TOMORROW (TUESDAY) FOR A FIVE-DAY VISIT TO JAPAN AT THE INVITATION OF THE JAPANESE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
THE GOVERNOR WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY LADY WILSON, THE DEPUTY PRIVATE SECRETARY, MR CHRIS JACKSON AND A HONG KONG DELEGATION WHICH WILL INCLUDE BARONESS DUNN AND MR ALLEN LEE.
ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 28), THE GOVERNOR WILL PAY A COURTESY CALL ON THE JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER, MR TOSHIKI KAIFU. HE WILL THEN ADDRESS A LUNCHEON MEETING HOSTED BY THE HONG KONG/JAPAN BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
DURING HIS STAY IN TOKYO, SIR DAVID WILL ALSO BE MEETING THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MR TARO NAKAYAMA, AND OTHER TOP GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND BUSINESS EXECUTIVES.
SIR DAVID AND THE HONG KONG DELEGATION WILL DEPART FOR SAPPORO ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 30) WHERE HE WILL CALL ON THE GOVERNOR OF HOKKAIDO, MR TAKAHIRO YOKOMICHI AND THE MAYOR OF SAPPORO CITY, MR TAKESHI ITAGAKI.
THE GOVERNOR’S ACTIVITIES IN SAPPORO WILL INCLUDE A VISIT TO MARUI IMAI DEPARTMENT STORE WHERE THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WILL BE STAGING A PROMOTION ON HONG KONG PRODUCTS. HE WILL THEN ATTEND A FASHION SHOW JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT STORE AND THE TDC.
THIS WILL BE SIR DAVID’S SECOND OFFICIAL VISIT TO JAPAN FOLLOWING HIS PREVIOUS VISIT IN MARCH 1988.
THE GOVERNOR WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 1).
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL LEAVE FOR TOKYO BY FLIGHT CX 500 AT 4.45 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY). MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO COVER HIS DEPARTURE SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE AIRPORT PRESS ROOM BY 4 PM.
------0------------
2
PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVEMENT IN PORT DEVELOPMENT SUBSTANTIAL
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HOPES THAT SOME 80 PER CENT OF THE COST OF NEW PORT DEVELOPMENT WILL BE PRIVATE SECTOR FINANCED, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1990 SEATRADE HONG KONG CONFERENCE THIS AFTERNOON, SIR PIERS SAID: "WE CAN ONLY ACHIEVE THIS IF WE SUCCEED IN MATCHING SUPPLY CLOSELY WITH THE GROWTH IN DEMAND, THEREBY ASSURING A REASONABLE RETURN ON INVESTMENT FOR ALL CONCERNED.
SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT OVER THE YEARS, HONG KONG HAS BEEN REMARKABLY SUCCESSFUL IN INVOLVING THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PORT FACILITIES, NOTABLY THE CONTAINER TERMINALS, WHICH ARE ALL FINANCED AND OPERATED BY PRIVATE FIRMS.
"MUCH WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE TO REFINE OUR FORECASTS OF GROWTH IN PORT TRAFFIC CARGO OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS AND TO DECIDE ON THE OPTIMAL TIME SCALE FOR EACH STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT," HE SAID.
"TO HELP WITH THESE TASKS WE HAVE RECENTLY ESTABLISHED A PORT DEVELOPMENT BOARD, MADE UP OF SUITABLY HIGH-POWERED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SHIPPING WORLD AND PORT OPERATORS.
"THEIR JOB WILL BE TO ENSURE THAT WE MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON THE BEST POSSIBLE INFORMATION AND ADVICE, AND THAT THE NEW FACILITIES WE BRING ON STREAM ARE USED EFFICIENTLY AND COST-EFFECTIVELY," HE ADDED.
SIR PIERS NOTED THAT 1990 IS A VERY IMPORTANT YEAR FOR HONG KONG IN SHIPPING TERMS.
"IN A FEW DAYS’ TIME, WE WILL BE LAUNCHING RIGHT ON SCHEDULE OUR OWN INDEPENDENT SHIPPING REGISTER.
"THIS MARKS THE CULMINATION OF NEARLY FIVE YEARS OF HARD WORK BY THE GOVERNMENT AND BY MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL SHIPPING FRATERNITY WHO HAVE GIVEN FREELY OF THEIR TIME AND ADVICE TO ENSURE THAT THE REGISTER IS BOTH REPUTABLE AND HAS THE ABILITY TO COMPETE WITH OTHER GOOD QUALITY REGISTERS AROUND THE WORLD," HE ADDED.
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/3 ........
3
QUOTAS FOR FIRST PHASE OF
BRITISH NATIONALITY SELECTION SCHEME ANNOUNCED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED DETAILS OF VARIOUS QUOTAS ALLOCATED TO THE 20 SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONAL GROUPS AND THE APPROVED OCCUPATIONS IN THE GENERAL OCCUPATIONAL CLASS DURING THE FIRST PHASE OF THE BRITISH NATIONALITY SELECTION SCHEME, WHICH WILL EXTEND FROM DECEMBER 1, 1990 TO DECEMBER 31, 1993, BOTH DATES INCLUSIVE.
THIS FOLLOWS A DIRECTION ISSUED BY THE HOME SECRETARY UNDER SECTION 1(3) OF THE BRITISH NATIONALITY (HONG KONG) ACT 1990, SPECIFYING THE TIMESCALE AND THE NUMBER OF HEADS OF HOUSEHOLDS TO BE RECOMMENDED FOR BRITISH CITIZENSHIP DURING THE FIRST PHASE OF THE SCHEME.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT OF THE 32,700 PLACES TO BE RECOMMENDED FOR APPLICANTS IN THE GENERAL OCCUPATIONAL CLASS IN THE FIRST PHASE, 32,300 HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED TO THE 20 SPECIFIED OCCUPATIONAL GROUPS.
THE QUOTAS FOR THESE 20 OCCUPATIONAL GROUPS, WHICH HAVE BEEN DETERMINED ON THE BASIS OF THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF PEOPLE WORKING IN EACH GROUP AND THEIR ESTIMATED EMIGRATION RATE, ARE AS FOLLOWS :
ESTIMATED
OCCUPATIONAL GROUP GROUP SIZE QUOTA
MANAGERS AND ADMINISTRATORS 245,000 14,927
BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS 26,900 961
BUSINESS AND ADMINISTRATION ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONALS 70,900 3,872
ACCOUNTANTS AND AUDITORS 7,100 1,261
ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONALS 5,500 298
ENGINEERS AND RELATED PROFESSIONALS 15,600 1,869
ARCHITECTS, PLANNERS AND SURVEYORS 9,000 434
ENGINEERING ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONALS 32,700 1,031
INFORMATION SCIENCE PROFESSIONALS 7,000 1,870
NEWS EDITORS AND JOURNALISTS 3,300 160
MEDICAL DOCTORS 5,400 469
PHYSICAL AND LIFE SCIENCE PROFESSIONALS 640 40
NURSES AND MIDWIVES 25,400 1,334
/OTHER MEDICAL .......
4
OTHER MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS 3,900 146
(EXCEPT NURSES AND MIDWIVES)
HEALTH ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONALS 9,300 569
(EXCEPT NURSES AND MIDWIVES)
LEGAL PROFESSIONALS 2,100 185
LEGAL ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONALS 1,560 85
TEACHING PROFESSIONALS 7,580 334
(POST-SECONDARY)
EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATORS 3,800 208
OTHER TEACHING PERSONNEL 71,300 2,247
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE REMAINING 400 PLACES IN THE GENERAL
OCCUPATIONAL CLASS FOR THE FIRST PHASE HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED TO THE
APPROVED OCCUPATIONS CATEGORY.
AN APPROVED OCCUPATION IS AN OCCUPATION APPROVED BY THE
GOVERNOR AS REQUIRING TECHNICAL SKILLS OR PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
WHICH HE CONSIDERS NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE FOR THE CONTINUED SUCCESSFUL
ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE APPROVED OCCUPATIONS INCLUDED IN THE
FIRST PHASE AND THE QUOTAS ALLOCATED TO EACH OCCUPATION :
APPROVED OCCUPATION QUOTA
SOCIAL WORK PROFESSIONAL 108
(WITH SPECIALISED TECHNICAL SKILLS
OR PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
NOT BELOW THE LEVEL OF POST-SECONDARY
CERTIFICATE OR DIPLOMA)
TRANSLATOR/INTERPRETER 42
(WITH SPECIALISED TECHNICAL SKILLS
OR PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
NOT BELOW THE LEVEL OF POST-SECONDARY
CERTIFICATE OR DIPLOMA)
PHYSICAL SCIENCE TECHNICIAN 25
(WITH SPECIALISED TECHNICAL SKILLS
OR PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
NOT BELOW THE LEVEL OF POST-SECONDARY
CERTIFICATE OR DIPLOMA)
LIFE SCIENCE TECHNICIAN 25
(WITH SPECIALISED TECHNICAL SKILLS
OR PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
NOT BELOW THE LEVEL OF POST-SECONDARY
CERTIFICATE OR DIPLOMA)
/STATISTICAL ASSISTANT ........
5
STATISTICAL ASSISTANT 50
(WITH SPECIALISED TECHNICAL SKILLS OR PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS NOT BELOW THE LEVEL OF POST-SECONDARY CERTIFICATE OR DIPLOMA)
COMPUTING EQUIPMENT CONTROLLER 150
(WITH SPECIALISED TECHNICAL SKILLS OR PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS NOT BELOW THE LEVEL OF POST-SECONDARY CERTIFICATE OR DIPLOMA)
"IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT ANY PERSON EMPLOYED IN THE ABOVE OCCUPATIONS IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY EVEN THOUGH BY VIRTUE OF ARTICLE 13 (3)(B) AND (5) OF THE BRITISH NATIONALITY (HONG KONG)(SELECTION SCHEME) ORDER 1990, THAT PERSON MAY SCORE NO POINTS FOR PROFESSIONAL AND VOCATIONAL AND FURTHER QUALIFICATIONS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
--------q-----------
EXPERT TALKS ON DEFENCE AND PUBLIC ORDER
*****
A FIFTH ROUND OF TALKS BETWEEN EXPERTS OF THE BRITISH AND CHINESE SIDES OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP TO DISCUSS MATTERS RELATING TO HONG KONG’S FUTURE DEFENCE AND PUBLIC ORDER WILL BE HELD IN HONG KONG TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AND ON WEDNESDAY. THE BRITISH TEAM WILL BE LED BY BRITISH REPRESENTATIVE MR DOUG MARTIN. THE CHINESE TEAM WILL BE LED BY CHINESE REPRESENTATIVE MR WANG JIAJI. THEY WILL BE ASSISTED BY OTHER EXPERTS FROM THE TWO SIDES.
- - 0----------
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR OCTOBER 1990
*****
THE PERFORMANCE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS SHOWED A CONSIDERABLE IMPROVEMENT IN OCTOBER, WHILE RE-EXPORTS CONTINUED TO RISE RAPIDLY, THESE ARE SHOWN IN THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE FIGURES SHOWED THAT RETAINED IMPORTS ALSO RECORDED A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN OCTOBER 1990, AT $22,185 MILLION, WAS $1,336 MILLION OR 6.4 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN OCTOBER 1989.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY $9,854 MILLION OR 30.8 PER CENT TO $41,839 MILLION.
/TAKING DOMESTIC .......
6
TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS ROSE BY $11,190 MILLION OR 21.2 PER CENT OVER A YEAR EARLIER, TO $64,024 MILLION IN OCTOBER 1990.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS GREW BY $14,445 MILLION OR 29.6 PER CENT OVER A YEAR EARLIER, TO $63,208 MILLION IN OCTOBER 1990.
AS THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS WAS LARGER THAN THAT OF IMPORTS, A VISIBLE TRADE SURPLUS OF $816 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 1.3 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN OCTOBER 1990.
THIS COMPARED WITH A SURPLUS OF $4,071 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 8.3 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN OCTOBER 1989.
PUTTING THESE FIGURES IN PERSPECTIVE, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS FOR THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF 1990 WAS $518,318 MILLION, MADE UP OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF $183,785 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS OF $334,533 MILLION.
COMPARED WITH THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF 1989, TOTAL EXPORTS GREW BY $46,769 MILLION OR 9.9 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS, WITH DOMESTIC EXPORTS FALLING BY $991 MILLION OR 0.5 PER CENT AND RE-EXPORTS RISING BY $47,760 MILLION OR 16.7 PER CENT. OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS ROSE BY $50,083 MILLION OR 10.7 PER CENT, TO $519,076 MILLION.
A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $758 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 0.1 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF 1990.
THIS COMPARED WITH A SURPLUS OF $2,556 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 0.5 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989.
COMMENTING ON THE OCTOBER FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID AFTER EXPERIENCING A DECLINE FOR FOUR CONSECUTIVE QUARTERS, DOMESTIC EXPORTS REBOUNDED TO POSITIVE GROWTH IN OCTOBER.
THIS REBOUND WAS PRECEDED*BY A MARKED REVIVAL IN RETAINED IMPORTS OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS.
THE PERFORMANCE OF RE-EXPORTS REMAINED ROBUST, SUPPORTED BY THE CONTINUED RAPID INCREASE IN RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN AND BY A REVIVAL IN RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA.
AS REGARDS RETAINED IMPORTS, A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE OF AROUND 28 PER CENT (AFTER ADJUSTING FOR THE RE-EXPORT MARGIN) WAS RECORDED IN OCTOBER, FOLLOWING SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN THE PREVIOUS THREE MONTHS. THIS UPTREND SHOULD HAVE FAVOURABLE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE LEVEL OF LOCAL DEMAND.
/TRADE FIGURES .......
7
TRADE FIGURES FOR OCTOBER, 1990
The Census, and Statistics Department has released the following provisional merchandise trade figures for October:-
MERCHANDISE:
Domestic Exports Re-exports Total Exports Imports Trade balance
S22,IBS 341,339 364,024 363,208 3816
million million million million mill ion
[in surplus]
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
Latest 3 months
Aug 90 to
Oct 90 HK$ Mn.
Domestic Exports Re-exports Total Exports Imports Trade balance
62,838 115,242 178,080 172,764
5,316
Aug 39 to
Oct 89 HKS Mn.
61,615
94,246 155,861 143,647
12,214
Increase
HKS Mn. %
1,223 2.0
20,996 22.3
22,219 14.3
29,117 20.3
-6,898
Same month last year
October 1990 HK$ Mn.
October 1989 HKS Mn.
Domestic Exports
(% of Total Exports) Re-exports Total Exports Imports Trade balance
22,185 (34.7%)
41,839
64,024
63,208
816
Last month
Domestic Exports
(% of Total Exports) Re-exports Total Exports Imports Trade balance
Calendar year to-date
Domestic Exports
(% of Total Exports) Re-exports Total Exports Imports Trade balance
Last 12 months
Domestic Exports Re-exports Total Exports Imports Trade balance
20,849
31,985
52,834
48,763
4,071
October September
1990 1990
HX$ Mn. HK$ Mn.
22,185 (34.7%)
41,839
64,024
63,208 816
Jan-Oct
1990 HK$ Mn.
183,785
518,318
519,076
-758
54,625
53,852
773
Jan-Oct
1989 HKS Mn.
184,776 (39.2%)
286,773 471,549 468,993
2,556
Nov 89 to Nov 88 to
Oct 90 Oct 89
HK$ Mn. BXS Mn.
223,113 226,001
394,165 342,603
617,278 568,604
612,864 567,402
4,414 1,202
Increase HK$ Mn. %
1,336 6.4
9,854 30.3
11,190 21.2
14,445 29.6
-3,255
Increase HK$ Mn. %
2,660 13.6
6,739 19.2
9,399 17.2
9,356 17.4
43
Increase
HK$ Mn. %
-991 -0.5
47,760 46,769 50,083 -3,314
16.7
9.9
10.7
Increase
HK$ Mn. %
-2,888. -1.3
51,562
48,674
45,462 3,212 8.0
26th November, 1990 GSMSGS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT
/8 ........
8
CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY VITAL TO WORKS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES
*****
MORE THAN ONE-AND-A-HALF MILLION CUBIC METRES OF CONCRETE WILL BE CONSUMED BY WORKS UNDER THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (PADS), THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR KENNETH KWOK, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
ADDRESSING THE CONFERENCE ON CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY AND CONSTRUCTION ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS, MR KWOK SAID THE PADS WAS ONE OF THE MOST AMBITIOUS INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES IN THE WORLD.
HE SAID IN TERMS OF CEMENT CONSUMPTION, HONG KONG SHARED THE POSITION AT THE TOP OF THE INTERNATIONAL TABLE WITH GERMANY, ITALY AND JAPAN AT AROUND 700 KILOGRAMS PER HEAD OF POPULATION.
"CONCRETE, THEREFORE, IS OF FOUNDAMENTAL IMPORTANCE TO THE CONTINUED SUCCESS OF THE INTENSIVE PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES IN HONG KONG," MR KWOK SAID.
MORE THAN NINE-AND-A-HALF MILLION- CUBIC METRES OF CONCRETE, WHICH COST ABOUT $4 BILLION, WOULD BE USED THIS YEAR, WHILE IN 1967, ONLY 1.8 MILLION CUBIC METRES WERE CONSUMED.
"SINCE THEN, WE HAVE BUILT SIX .NEW TOWNS AND TWO MORE ARE UP AND COMING.
"THERE ARE ALSO 43 KILOMETRES OF MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY, 450 KILOMETRES OF ROAD AND BRIDGE WORKS, AND PUBLIC HOUSING FOR OVER TWO-AND-A-HALF MILLION PEOPLE," HE ADDED.
OUTLINING THE DEVELOPMENT IN CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY, MR KWOK SAID IN RECENT YEARS CONCRETE OF UP TO TWO TO THREE TIMES THE PREVIOUS CONVENTIONAL STRENGTHS HAD BEEN USED.
FORMWORK AND PLACING TECHNIQUES HAD BEEN ADVANCED TO GIVE SHORT CYCLE TIMES, SOME DOWN TO THREE DAYS, HE SAID.
"THE WORLDWIDE TREND IS FOR HIGHER, STRONGER BUT MORE EFFICIENT STRUCTURES," MR KWOK SAID.
SUCH DEVELOPMENTS HAD NECESSITATED EQUIVALENT ADVANCES IN MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY AND QUALITY ASSURANCE, HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THERE WAS MUCH ADVANCEMENT ON CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY, INCLUDING THE ASPECTS OF CONCRETE MIX DESIGN AND CEMENT PROPERTIES.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, STRUCTURAL DESIGNS BECAME MORE EXACTING. THINGS WERE GENERALLY DONE MUCH QUICKER," MR KWOK SAID.
------0 - -
9
JOINT STATEMENT BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY, LTD. *****
THE HEARING OF THE ARBITRATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY, LIMITED (’’THE COMPANY”) RELATING TO THE LEVEL OF TOLLS TOOK PLACE IN OCTOBER 1990. THE COMPANY HAD REFERRED THE MATTER TO ARBITRATION IN MARCH 1989 AS PROVIDED IN THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL ORDINANCE FOLLOWING THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL’S REJECTION IN DECEMBER 1988 OF THE COMPANY’S APPLICATION FOR AN INCREASE IN TOLLS.
THE ARBITRATOR, SIR MICHAEL KERR, A RETIRED COURT OF APPEAL JUDGE FROM ENGLAND, HAS NOW FOUND IN FAVOUR OF THE GOVERNMENT.
BOTH PARTIES NOTED THAT THE CASE WAS COMPLEX AND ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD BE STUDYING THE TEXT OF THE ARBITRATOR’S DECISION IN CONJUNCTION WITH THEIR LEGAL ADVISORS.
---------0-----------
DANGER OF TOO MUCH ENVIRONMENTAL GLOOM AND DOOM *****
DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DR STUART REED, TODAY (MONDAY) CAUTIONED THAT TOO MUCH EMPHASIS ON ENVIRONMENTAL GLOOM AND DOOM COULD BE COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE AND CAUSE NEEDLESS ANXIETY OR MAKE PEOPLE FEEL THAT THE SITUATION WAS HOPELESS.
SPEAKING AT THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF ROTARY CLUB OF TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, DR REED SAID: ”WE HAVE BEEN OBLIGED TO FOCUS ON THE PROBLEM IN ORDER TO GET HOME THE MESSAGE THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR URGENT AND DETERMINED ACTION TO SAVE OUR ENVIRONMENT”.
DR REED POINTED OUT THAT ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD, THE ’ENVIRONMENTAL MARTYRS’ OF THE LONDON SMOGS OF THE 1950’S, MINAMATA IN THE 1960’S AND BHOPAL IN THE 1980’S WERE NEEDED TO BRING HOME TO COMMUNITIES THE IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
ALTHOUGH MUCH HAS TO BE DONE TO PROTECT HONG KONG’S ENVIRONMENT, DR REED URGED THAT WE SHOULD NOT LOSE SIGHT OF THE FACT THAT CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS IS NOW BEING MADE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST POLLUTION IN HONG KONG.
THE MOST SPECTACULAR EXAMPLE SO FAR, DR REED SAID, WAS THE DRAMATIC REDUCTION IN AIR POLLUTION, ESPECIALLY IN INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS, THAT WAS BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE REQUIREMENT TO USE ONLY LOW SULPHUR, LOW VISCOSITY OIL.
FOLLOWING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL FUEL (RESTRICTION) REGULATIONS ON JULY 1 THIS YEAR, SULPHUR DIOXIDE LEVELS IN SOME PLACES HAD DROPPED BY UP TO 80 PER CENT, DARK SMOKE EMISSIONS FROM CHIMNEYS WERE ALMOST ELIMINATED AND NITROGEN DIOXIDE CONCENTRATIONS WERE REDUCED SUBSTANTIALLY.
/DR REED .......
10
DR REED SAID ANOTHER EXAMPLE WHERE THERE HAD BEEN SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS WAS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE HONG KONG WASTE DISPOSAL STRATEGY, WHICH IS NOW BEING IMPLEMENTED PROGRESSIVELY.
"THIS STRATEGY SAFEGUARDS OUR MEANS FOR SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL FOR THE NEXT 25-30 YEARS, AND MUCH LONGER IF WE ARE SUCCESSFUL WITH OUR PRESENT PLANS TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF WASTE THAT NEEDS TO BE DISPOSED OF, OR IF WE MANAGE TO RECYCLE A GREATER PROPORTION OF THE UNAVOIDABLE WASTE.
"THE FIRST STOP IN IMPLEMENTING THIS SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL STRATEGY WAS THE COMMISSIONING IN APRIL THIS YEAR OF THE KOWLOON BAY REFUSE TRANSFER STATION WHICH HAS ENABLED THE CLOSURE OF THE TROUBLESOME JORDAN VALLEY LANDFILL AND THE CLOSE-DOWN OF THE LAI CHI KOK INCINERATOR NEXT MONTH," HE SAID.
ON CHEMICAL WASTE, DR REED SAID HIS DEPARTMENT HAD ALREADY ACCEPTED A TENDER FROM A CONSORTIUM OF LOCAL AND AMERICAN FIRMS TO DESIGN, BUILD AND OPERATE AN INTEGRATD TREATMENT PLANT FOR THE DISPOSAL OF CHEMICAL WASTE.
THE PLANT WILL BE THE FIRST IN ASIA TO PROVIDE, ON A SINGLE SITE, ALL THE NECESSARY PROCESSES TO TREAT CHEMICAL WASTE TO HIGH ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS.
ITS COMMISSIONING, TOGETHER WITH THE COMPLEMENTARY CHEMWASTE CONTROLS, WILL BRING TO AN END THE PRESENT PRACTICE OF DISCHARGING WASTE CHEMICALS TO SEWERS AND DRAINS, RESULTING IN THE ELIMINATION OF MANY TONS PER DAY OF TOXIC METALS AND OTHER HARMFUL POLLUTANTS THAT PRESENTLY FOUL THE COASTAL WATERS.
DR REED SAID THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WASTE DISPOSAL STRATEGY REPRESENTS A VERY SUBSTANTIAL AND LONG OVERDUE INVESTMENT IN PUBLIC SECTOR POLLUTION CONTROL FACILITIES.
"A SIMILAR SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENT IS BEING MADE IN THE CONTROL AND DISPOSAL OF DOMESTIC SEWAGE AND WASTE WATERS SO THAT TOTAL ANNUAL PUBLIC SECTOR INVESTMENT IN ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLIC WORKS HAS EXPANDED FROM ABOUT $370 MILLION A YEAR WHEN THE EPD TOOK OVER RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE PROGRAMMES IN 1986, TO $720 MILLION IN 1989 AND AN EXPECTED $1,500 MILLION IN 1990.
"THIS IS A LONG OVERDUE INCREASED EMPHASIS ON WORKS THAT ARE NEEDED NOT ONLY TO PROVIDE FOR THE SAFE AND HYGIENIC DISPOSAL OF WASTES GENERATED BY THE COMMUNITY BUT TO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR EXISTING AND FUTURE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT".
DR REED ALSO OUTLINED THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT HAD BEEN ACHIEVED FOLLOWING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME AND THE NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE.
- - 0 - -
11
COMMISSIONING OF PAMELA YOUDE HOSPITAL IN MID-1992
*****
PAMELA YOUDE HOSPITAL IN CHAI WAN, PROBABLY ONE OF THE LARGEST HOSPITALS UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN THE WORLD, IS TO BE COMPLETED IN MID-1992, THE DIRECTOR OF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES, MR JOSE LEI, SAID THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON.
SPEAKING AT THE HOSPITAL’S TOPPING OUT CEREMONY, MR LEI SAID: ’’RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING, IT WAS RECOGNISED THAT TO BUILD THIS REGIONAL HOSPITAL OF SUCH MAGNITUDE AND COMPLEXITY ON THIS STEEP HILLSIDE WOULD BE A MAJOR CHALLENGE.”
THE $2.5 BILLION ALL-PURPOSE HOSPITAL, SITUATED ON A 10-HECTARE HILLSIDE SITE, HAS NINE SEPARATE MAJOR PROJECTS. IT CONSISTS OF MAIN BLOCK, SPECIAL BLOCK, PATHOLOGY BLOCK, POLYCLINIC, BARRACKS AND COOLING TOWERS, SECONDARY ACCESS ROAD, SEA WATER MAINS AND PUMP-HOUSE, LANDSCAPE DECKS, AND INTERCONNECTING BRIDGES AND TUNNELS.
TWO ADDITIONAL PARTS BEING CONSTRUCTED SEPARATELY ON THE REAR PLATFORMS WERE THE SENIOR STAFF QUARTERS AND, NURSES TRAINING SCHOOL AND STAFF QUARTERS, MR LEI SAID.
HE ADDED THAT SEVEN FIRMS OF CONSULTANTS, 25 GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND A TEAM OF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT STAFF HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION PROCESS.
MR LEI EMPHASISED ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SPIRIT OF TEAM WORK. HE SAID THE TEAM WAS NOT CONFINED TO HIS STAFF, BUT ALSO INCLUDED THE CLIENT, THE CONSULTANTS, THE CONTRACTORS AND THE WORKMEN ON SITE.
MR LEI SAID THE DEPARTMENT STAFF WOULD CONTINUE TO BE REASONABLE AND UNDERSTANDING FOR THE CONTRACTORS, WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE QUALITY OF THE FINAL PRODUCT.
"FOR OUR CLIENT, ’SERVICES’ IS NOW MY DEPARTMENT’S MOTTO AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO TRY AND MEET THEIR REQUIREMENTS WHICH ARE CHANGING CONSTANTLY TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY, TODAY AND INTO THE FUTURE," HE SAID.
THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE 1,750-BED HOSPITAL WAS LAID 21 MONTHS AGO.
MR LEI SAID THE TOPPING OUT CEREMONY OF PAMELA YOUDE HOSPITAL MARKED ANOTHER MILESTONE IN THE PROCESS OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HOSPITAL.
"THE WORK VISABLE TODAY BOTH INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY, HAS BEEN ACHIEVED IN 27 MONTHS.
"THE NEXT AND FINAL ONE IS THE COMPLETION AND COMMISSIONING WHICH IS EXPECTED IN MID-1992," MR LEI SAID.
/ALSO SPEAKING .......
12
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY WAS THE DIRECTOR OF HOSPITAL SERVICES, DR T Y CHAU. HE SAID IT HAD ALWAYS BEEN THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO ENSURE THAT MEDICAL SERVICES WERE AVAILABLE WITHIN REASONABLE ACCESS OF CENTRES OF POPULATION.
"THE PAMELA YOUDE HOSPITAL BEING A GENERAL HOSPITAL, MEETS THIS PURPOSE, AND WILL SERVE THE RESIDENTS OF EASTERN DISTRICT, WHO REPRESENT ALMOST HALF THE POPULATION OF HONG KONG ISLAND," HE SAID.
A PILOT SCHEME OF B CLASS BEDS WILL ALSO BE INTRODUCED, PROVIDING MORE SPACE AND PRIVACY FOR THOSE WILLING TO PAY MORE FOR A LEVEL OF SERVICE ABOVE THAT OF THE ORDINARY PUBLIC WARDS.
"THIS IS OUR AIM TO PROVIDE A HIGHER QUALITY OF SERVICE DIRECTED AT THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF THE INDIVIDUAL, WHICH ALSO MEANS GIVING PEOPLE A WIDER RANGE OF SERVICES FROM WHICH TO CHOOSE," DR CHAU ADDED.
------0--------
PILOT SCHEME FOR ADOPTION ASSESSMENT » ♦ * » »
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL LAUNCH A PILOT SCHEME TO ASSESS THE SUITABILITY OF APPLICANTS WHO ARE INTERESTED TO ADOPT WARDS OF DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE.
THE NEW ARRANGEMENT IS ANTICIPATED TO SHORTEN THE ASSESSMENT PROCESS BY AN AVERAGE OF TWO TO THREE MONTHS.
OVER THE YEARS, THE ADOPTION UNIT OF SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN REVIEWING AND STREAMLINING ADOPTION PROCEDURES, INCLUDING SERVICES TO PARENTS WHO WISH TO RELINQUISH PARENTAL RIGHTS, MAKING WARDSHIP FOR CHILDREN, ASSESSING APPLICATIONS FOR DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE’S WARDS LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS.
ALL THE IMPROVEMENT MEASURES ARE AIMED AT PLACING CHILDREN IN ADOPTIVE HOMES AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.
FROM DECEMBER 1, THE ADOPTION UNIT WILL ORGANISE A SERIES OF GROUP BRIEFING SESSIONS TO REPLACE INDIVIDUAL INTAKE INTERVIEWS FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE INTERESTED IN ADOPTION OF WARDS OF DSW.
THE PILOT SCHEME WILL BE REVIEWED AFTER SIX MONTHS.
A SWD SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE PURPOSE OF GROUP BRIEFING WAS TO ENABLE APPLICANTS TO ACQUIRE BASIC UNDERSTANDING ON THE OBJECTIVES OF ADOPTION SERVICE, THE GENERAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND REQUIREMENTS, THE MEANING AND COMMITMENT OF ADOPTION.
IN ADDITION, IT WILL GIVE APPLICANTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ADOPTION THROUGH DISCUSSION WITH OTHER APPLICANTS, THUS STIMULATING THEM INTO FURTHER EVALUATION OF THEIR OWN APPROPRIATENESS AND READINESS FOR PARENTING AN ADOPTIVE CHILD.
/AT THE .......
13
AT THE END OF THE GROUP BRIEFING SESSION, A QUESTIONAIRE WHICH IS DESIGNED TO PRELIMINARILY ASSESS APPLICANTS’ ELIGIBILITY FOR ADOPTION APPLICATION WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AND INTERESTED APPLICANTS WILL BE REQUESTED TO RETURN IT FOR INITIAL ASSESSMENT.
ATTENDANCE AT SUCH GROUP BRIEFING SESSION IS DEEMED HIGHLY ESSENTIAL AND BENEFICIAL TO APPLICANTS.
HOWEVER, FOR THOSE APPLICANTS WHO HAVE DIFFICULTIES TO ATTEND THE SESSION IN PERSON, A PACKAGE OF INFORMATION MATERIAL WITH THE QUESTIONAIRE WILL BE MAILED OUT AT THE REQUEST OF THE APPLICANTS.
BASED ON THE APPLICANTS’ RETURN OF THE QUESTIONAIRE, THOSE FOUND TO MEET THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTION APPLICATION WILL BE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE AND FILE IN AN APPLICATION FORM.
THESE APPLICANTS WILL BE FURTHER INVITED TO ATTEND AN INFORMAL GATHERING SESSION. THIS SESSION AIMS AT ENHANCING APPLICANTS TO GIVE FURTHER THOUGHTS INTO OR SOUND OUT THEIR QUERIES ABOUT THEIR ADOPTION APPLICATIONS.
"COUPLES WHO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY ADOPTED WARDS OF DSW WOULD BE INVITED AS FAR AS POSSIBLE TO COME AND SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE ADOPTION APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE FORMALLY REGISTERED AFTER APPLICANTS HAVE RETURNED THE COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS TOGETHER WITH ALL NECESSARY SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS.
"SWD WORKERS WILL THEN START THE ADOPTION PROCESS," HE CONTINUED.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THESE ARRANGEMENTS WOULD ONLY BE APPLIED TO ADOPTION OF WARDS OF DSW.
GROUP BRIEFING WILL BE HELD TWICE A MONTH ON SATURDAY MORNINGS
(ONE FIRST SESSION IN TWO MONTHS CHINESE AND ARE: ONE SESSION IN ENGLISH). SCHEDULE FOR THE
DATE: 1/12/90 (CHINESE SESSION)
15/12/90 (ENGLISH SESSION)
5/1/91 (CHINESE SESSION)
19/1/91 (ENGLISH SESSION)
TIME: 9.30 AM - 11 AM
PLACE: CONFERENCE ROOM, NO. 1420, 14TH FLOOR,
HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
TARGET PARTICIPANTS:
12-15 INTERESTED APPLICANTS
/MEMBERS OF .......
14
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE INTERESTED TO ATTEND THE GROUP BRIEFING SESSION ARE INVITED TO CALL ON TEL. 852 3107 FOR RESERVATION.
AS AT MID-NOVEMBER, THERE WERE 27 CHILDREN AWAITING FOR LOCAL ADOPTION. BETWEEN APRIL AND OCTOBER, 1990, OVER 60 CHILDREN HAVE BEEN PLACED IN ADOPTIVE HOMES LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS
A TOTAL OF 90 CHILDREN WERE PLACED IN ADOPTIVE HOMES LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS IN 1989/90.
---------0-----------
NEW CORRECTIONAL SERVICES COMMISSIONER ASSUMES HIS OFFICE *****
THE NEW COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR ERIC MCCOSH, ASSUMES HIS OFFICE TODAY (MONDAY).
MR MCCOSH, 52, JOINED THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE AS A PROBATIONARY SUB-INSPECTOR OF POLICE IN 1958.
HE WAS PROMOTED TO ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF POLICE IN 1983 AND TO SENIOR ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF POLICE IN 1988.
HE WAS AWARDED THE QUEEN’S POLICE MEDAL AND THE COLONIAL POLICE MEDAL IN 1987 AND 1981 RESPECTIVELY.
--------0-----------
LEGISLATORS WILL ASK
10 QUESTIONS AT WEDNESDAY’S COUNCIL MEETING ******
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 10 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER SEVEN BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (NOVEMBER 28).
ALL THE SEVEN BILLS ARE DUE TO BE GIVEN A SECOND READING, AND THEN TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING.
THEY ARE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVISIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, URBAN COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1990, REGIONAL COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1990, DISTRICT BOARDS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, AND CRIMINAL LAW (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990.
ALSO, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE, WHILE THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS (ASSISTANCE FUND) ORDINANCE, AND THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE.
/IN ADDITION .......
15
IN ADDITION, THE REPORT OF CHANGES TO THE APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE APPROVED DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990-91 AND THE OCEAN PARK CORPORATION ANNUAL REPORT 1989/90 WILL BE TABLED AND ADDRESSED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND THE HON RONALD ARCULLI RESPECTIVELY.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERIES AND THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY TELEPHONING 844 0899.
- - 0 - -
REPORT ON SHAM SHUI PO DB’S WORK PUBLISHED
*****
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD HAS PUBLISHED A COLOUR BOOKLET ON ITS WORK AND ACTIVITIES IN THE PAST FINANCIAL YEAR. A TOTAL OF 10,000 COPIES HAVE BEEN PRINTED.
THE 24-PAGE PUBLICATION ALSO COVERS THE WORK OF THE DISTRICT BOARD’S FOUR COMMITTEES ON ENVIRONMENT, COMMUNITY BUILDING, COMMUNITY WELFARE, TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT AS WELL AS THEIR VARIOUS WORKING GROUPS.
A BRIEF INTRODUCTION ON THE DISTRICT AND ITS FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS ARE ALSO INCLUDED.
THE ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS ARE APPENDED FOR RESIDENTS WHO WISH TO CONTACT THEM.
COPIES OF THE BOOKLET WILL BE SENT TO SCHOOLS, AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND ORGANISATIONS IN THE DISTRICT.
THEY ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE AT THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AT 37 TONKIN STREET AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR VISITING JAPAN TO ATTRACT MORE INVESTMENT ....................... 1
HONG KONG MISSION ARRIVES IN JAPAN ....................................... 2
CONTINUITY OF POLICIES AND PEOPLE IS VITAL TO HK: SIR DAVID .............. 3
BRITISH NATIONALITY (HK) (RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CITIZENSHIP) REGULATIONS 1990 GAZETTED ............................................................. 5
RE-EXPORTS SHOW STRONG GROWTH ............................................ 7
SUBSTANTIVE PROMOTIONS TO TOP GOVT POSTS ANNOUNCED ....................... 8
ALL-OUT EFFORT TO CRACK CAR THEFT AND SMUGGLING ACTIVITIES ............... 9
30,000 COUPLES PAY LESS TAX BY JOINT ASSESSMENT .......................... 9
PAY TREND SURVEY PERIOD BROUGHT FORWARD .................................. 10
GOVT SEARCHING FOR NEW INDUSTRIAL AREAS FOR LARGE WATER USERS ............ 11
RESULTS OF PRIMARY ONE DISCRETIONARY PLACES RELEASED ..................... 12
PUBLIC URGED TO REPORT ON ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS ......................... 14
CONFERENCE TO IMPROVE LABOUR RELATIONS ................................... 14
DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES SOUVENIRS LONG-SERVING STAFF ............. 15
DAYTIME A & F SERVICES AT YAN OI POLYCLINIC SUSPENDS ..................... 16
ACTION ON ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN KWAI CHUNG ............................... 16
THIRD HONG KONG SOCIAL DANCE OPEN COMPETITION ............................ 17
FIGHT CRIME POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION .................................... 17
1
GOVERNOR VISITING JAPAN TO ATTRACT MORE INVESTMENT * * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT HIS TRIP TO JAPAN IS PART OF A STEADY PROCESS OVER THE YEARS TO ENCOURAGE THE JAPANESE TO CONTINUE WITH THEIR INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE AIRPORT BEFORE DEPARTING FOR TOKYO WITH A TRADE DELEGATION, SIR DAVID SAID JAPAN WAS A VERY IMPORTANT TRADING PARTNER FOR HONG KONG AND ALSO A VERY IMPORTANT INVESTOR IN THE TERRITORY.
"SO IT IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT THAT WE SHOULD HAVE A HIGH-POWERED DELEGATION GOING TO JAPAN NOW IN ORDER TO HELP BUILD UP OUR ECONOMIC CONTACTS," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THIS WAS NOT A ONE-OFF BUSINESS: "IT IS A STEADY PROCESS OVER THE YEARS OF BUILDING UP OUR TRADING RELATIONSHIP WITH JAPAN, ENCOURAGING JAPAN TO CONTINUE WITH IT'S INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG."
"OVER THE YEARS THAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING THIS, WE HAVE STEADILY BEEN IMPROVING OUR POSITION AND GETTING ACROSS THE MESSAGE IN JAPAN THAT HONG KONG IS A GOOD SOURCE OF HIGH QUALITY GOODS, FOR INSTANCE, JEWELLERY AND FASHION GOODS IN PARTICULAR.
"IN THE FASHION GOODS CONTEXT, I AM GOING TO PUT ACROSS THIS IDEA THAT HONG KONG IS NOW ONE OF THE LEADING FASHION DESIGNERS IN EAST ASIA," HE SAID.
WHILE IN JAPAN, SIR DAVID SAID HE WILL MEET A LARGE NUMBER OF VERY SENIOR MEMBERS OF THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT INCLUDING THE PRIME MINISTER, THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, OTHER SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND MEMBERS OF A BUSINESS ORGANISATION.
REFERRING TO HIS TRIP TO LONDON NEXT WEEK, SIR DAVID SAID IT HAD BEEN PLANNED FOR A LONG TIME TO GO TO THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ANNUAL DINNER AND TO LEAD OFF IN A SEMINAR FOR BRITISH BUSINESSMEN.
"WHO I WILL BE SEEING IN LONDON WILL DEPEND ON THE RESULTS OF CERTAIN ELECTIONS WHICH ARE GOING ON IN LONDON THIS WEEK," HE SAID.
IN RESPONSE TO A QUESTION ON REPORTS THAT SOME VIETNAMESE WOULD BE TORTURED AFTER BEING SENT BACK TO VIETNAM, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE HAD HEARD THAT PEOPLE WERE SPREADING RUMOURS.
"I WOULD SIMPLY SAY ON THAT: THAT IS THE MOST UNSCRUPULOUS THING YOU COULD POSSIBLY DO BECAUSE IT IS SIMPLY ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO STAY HERE WHERE THEY REMAIN IN CAMP FOR YEAR AFTER YEAR. IT IS CYNICAL AND IT IS NOT AT ALL HELPFUL TO THE VIETNAMESE THEMSELVES," HE SAID.
/CONCERNING THE .......
2
CONCERNING THE SCHEME TO SEND BACK VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT ACTIVELY VOLUNTEERED BUT WOULD NOT RESIST REPATRIATION, SIR DAVID SAID HE HOPED THE SCHEME WOULD START THIS WEEK.
"WE IN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ARE VERY KEEN THAT THIS NEXT STAGE IN THE PROCESS, THAT IS PEOPLE GOING BACK TO VIETNAM WHO HAVEN’T ACTIVELY VOLUNTEERED; THAT THIS SHOULD START AND I HOPE THAT IT WILL BE STARTING THIS WEEK. THIS IS A MATTER FOR THE UNHCR," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
HONG KONG MISSION ARRIVES IN JAPAN *****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, ARRIVED IN TOKYO TONIGHT (TUESDAY) AS THE HEAD OF A HIGH-POWERED ECONOMIC MISSION TO JAPAN.
HE IS ACCOMPANIED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, BARONESS DUNN, THE SENIOR LEGCO MEMBER, MR ALLEN LEE AND 11 OTHER HONG KONG BUSINESS LEADERS AND SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY), SIR DAVID, BARONESS DUNN, AND MR LEE WILL MEET THE JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER, MR TOSHIKI KAIFU, TOGETHER WITH THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO JAPAN, SIR JOHN WHITEHEAD.
LATER, THE GOVERNOR WILL GIVE A KEYNOTE SPEECH TO A LUNCHEON HOSTED BY THE HONG KONG/JAPAN AND JAPAN/HONG KONG BUSINESS COOPERATION COMMITTEES, THE JAPAN/HONG KONG SOCIETY, THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE TOKYO AND THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
BOTH THE GOVERNOR AND BARONESS DUNN WILL LEAD THE MISSION ON A BUSY ROUND OF MEETINGS WITH SENIOR JAPANESE GOVERNMENT LEADERS AND BUSINESSMEN DURING THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
ON FRIDAY, SIR DAVID AND MEMBERS OF THE MISSION WILL FLY TO SAPPORO FOR MEETINGS WITH THE GOVERNOR OF HOKKAIDO, VISIT THE FIRST HONG KONG PROMOTION IN SAPPORO PRIOR TO A GALA FASHION SHOW STAGED BY THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
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/3 ........
3
CONTINUITY OF POLICIES AND PEOPLE IS VITAL TO HK : SIR DAVID
*****
THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID FORD SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT CONTINUITY IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF GOOD GOVERNMENT, BUT THE PROCESS DEPENDS FOR ITS SUCCESS ON CONTINUITY OF PEOPLE.
"I AM STRUCK ON MY VISITS ABROAD HOW WIDELY IT IS ASSUMED THAT, COME 1997, THERE WILL BE A COMPLETELY NEW GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG,” SAID SIR DAVID WHEN ADDRESSING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY FELLOWSHIP DINNER OF THE HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION.
HE POINTED OUT THAT MORE RECENTLY, THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN CRITICISED LOCALLY FOR TAKING DECISIONS ON BEHALF OF THE FUTURE GOVERNMENT OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION.
’’THIS IGNORES THE FUNDAMENTAL OBJECTIVES OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW.
”IT IS INTEGRAL TO BOTH THAT, WHILE SOVEREIGNTY IS TRANSFERRED AND THE SIGNS AND SYMBOLS OF THAT SOVEREIGNTY CHANGE, THERE SHOULD BE CONTINUITY OF INSTITUTIONS, LEGISLATURE AND PEOPLE,” HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THE PEOPLE WHO WERE MAKING MOST OF THE LONG-TERM DECISIONS SO ESSENTIAL TO HONG KONG’S FUTURE PROSPERITY WERE HIS COLLEAGUES IN THE GOVERNMENT WHO WOULD FORM THE CORE OF THE FUTURE SAR GOVERNMENT IN 1997 AND BEYOND.
’’MORE THAN HALF THE SECRETARY POSTS IN THE GOVERNMENT ARE ALREADY FILLED BY LOCAL OFFICERS.
"IT IS OUR CLEAR INTENTION THAT AHEAD OF 1997, THESE TOP POSTS IN THE ADMINISTRATION WILL BE FILLED BY PEOPLE WHO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE BASIC LAW SO THAT THEY CAN SERVE THROUGH 1997.
’’THERE IS NO LACK OF COMMITMENT AMONGST THE GROUP OF YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WHO FORM THAT TRANSITION, NOR IS THERE A LACK OF TALENT,” HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE DEPARTURE OF THE EXPATRIATE ELEMENT FROM THE MOST SENIOR ECHELONS OF THE GOVERNMENT WOULD IN NO WAY WEAKEN THE GOVERNMENT.
’’INDEED, IT SEEMS TO ME A RATHER ARROGANT VIEW TO ASSUME THAT IT WOULD.
”TO HAVE LOCAL PEOPLE AT THE TOP, CLOSELY IN TOUCH WITH ALL SECTORS OF SOCIETY, MUST STRENGTHEN THE GOVERNMENT’S ABILITY TO ENSURE THAT ITS POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES ARE IN TUNE WITH THE COMMUNITY’S ASPIRATIONS,” HE SAID.
MOVING THESE MEN AND WOMEN INTO POSITION, SAID SIR DAVID, WAS A KEY PART OF PLANNING THE PROCESS OF CHANGE.
”1 AM CONFIDENT THAT IN THIS WAY WE WILL SECURE THE CONTINUITY OF BOTH POLK’IES AND PEOPLE NECESSARY TO SEE HONG KONG THROUGH THE TRANSITION AND INTO THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY,” HE SAID.
/SIR DAVID .......
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SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG’S RECIPE FOR SUCCESS HAD BEEN TO INVEST PUBLIC SURPLUSES IN THE PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURES NEEDED TO MAINTAIN THE MOMENTUM OF ECONOMIC GROWTH AND TO LEAVE BUSINESS DECISIONS TO BUSINESSMEN.
"FEW, IF ANY, PLACES IN THE WORLD HAVE PURSUED THIS TYPE OF INVESTMENT IN DEVELOPMENT WITH SUCH SINGLE-MINDED DETERMINATION AND CONSISTENCY.
"THIS IS NOT CRISIS MANAGEMENT. THIS IS MANAGEMENT BY CAREFUL FORE-THOUGHT, BY PRUDENT PLANNING AND BY DECISIVE IMPLEMENTATION," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT AVOIDING CRISIS DEMANDED CONTINUOUS VIGILANCE, SIR DAVID SAID: "IT MEANS ANTICIPATING AND PLANNING FOR CHANGE SO THAT, WHEN CHANGE IS NECESSARY OR INEVITABLE, IT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED WITH AS LITTLE STRESS AS POSSIBLE.
"PLANNING FOR CHANGE PRESENTS A BIGGER CHALLENGE THAN AN INDIVIDUAL CRISIS," HE SAID.
THE TRANSITION OF SOVEREIGNTY IN 1997, SAID SIR DAVID, WAS ONE SUCH CHALLENGE.
"THE BLUEPRINT HAS BEEN DRAWN. IT IS NOW FOR THE COMMUNITY COLLECTIVELY TO MANAGE THE CHANGE.
"FOR THE GOVERNMENT’S PART, A KEY CONTRIBUTION WILL BE TO CONTINUE THE DETERMINED PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS POLICIES TREATING 1997 AS ANY OTHER YEAR," HE SAID, ADDING THAT HE WAS NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT THE AIRPORT, IMPORTANT THOUGH THIS WAS.
"EVERY POLICY SECRETARY HAS PLANS IN HIS PORTFOLIO, WHICH WILL HAVE CONSEQUENCES FOR HONG KONG WELL INTO THE NEXT CENTURY. THIS IS NOT A PR DEVICE.
"IT IS SIMPLY A FACT OF THE WAY GOVERNMENT OPERATES. RATHER LIKE HEAVY UTILITY COMPANIES, WE CANNOT ALLOW QUARTERLY REPORTS TO DOMINATE OUR OPERATIONS; SURVIVAL DEPENDS ON PROJECTING DEMANDS A DECADE AHEAD AND PLANNING NOW TO PROVIDE FOR THEM," SIR DAVID SAID.
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/5........
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BRITISH NATIONALITY (HK ) (RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CITIZENSHIP) REGULATIONS 1990 GAZETTED *****
THE BRITISH NATIONALITY (HONG KONG) (RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CITIZENSHIP) REGULATIONS 1990, WHICH SET OUT THE PROCEDURES FOR APPLICATIONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BRITISH CITIZENSHIP UNDER THE BRITISH NATIONALITY (HONG KONG) ACT 1990, WERE PUBLISHED IN AN EXTRAORDINARY EDITION OF THE GAZETTE TODAY (TUESDAY).
THESE REGULATIONS ARE MADE BY THE GOVERNOR UNDER SECTION 3(1) OF THE BRITISH NATIONALITY (HONG KONG) ACT 1990.
THEY PRESCRIBED THE PROCEDURES BY WHICH PRINCIPAL BENEFICIARIES AS WELL AS SPOUSES AND CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18 CAN APPLY FOR RECOMMENDATION FOR BRITISH CITIZENSHIP.
j
THE REGULATIONS ALSO PRESCRIBED APPLICATION AND REGISTRATION FEES.
’’UNDER THESE REGULATIONS, AN APPLICANT FOR CITIZENSHIP UNDER THE SELECTION SCHEME CAN INCLUDE DETAILS OF HIS SPOUSE AND CHILDREN IN HIS APPLICATION FORM SO THAT THEIR APPLICATIONS CAN BE CONSIDERED TOGETHER WITH HIS OWN," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IN THIS CASE, HE NEEDS TO PAY ONE APPLICATION FEE OF $200."
"SUCH APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY FEBRUARY 28, 1991, EXCEPT IN THE CASE OF APPLICANTS INVITED BY THE GOVERNOR TO APPLY WHO WILL HAVE TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS BY THE TIME LIMIT SPECIFIED IN THE INVITATION.
"ALTERNATIVELY, SEPARATE APPLICATIONS CAN BE MADE BY THE SPOUSE AND ON BEHALF OF THE CHILDREN AFTER AN APPLICATION BY A PRINCIPAL BENEFICIARY IS SUCCESSFUL, IN WHICH CASE SEPARATE APPLICATION FEES OF $200 PER APPLICATION ARE PAYABLE.
"HOWEVER, POTENTIAL APPLICANTS SHOULD NOTE THAT SUCH SEPARATE APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE A DATE TO BE SPECIFIED BY THE GOVERNOR LATER TO ENABLE THEM TO BE PROCESSED BEFORE JUNE 30, 1997, AND IN THE CASE OF A CHILD, BE SUBMITTED BEFORE THAT CHILD REACHES HIS 18TH BIRTHDAY," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE REGULATIONS ALSO EMPOWER THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION TO CALL FOR FURTHER IMFORMATION AND DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE FROM APPLICANTS TO SUBSTANTIATE THEIR CLAIMS IN THEIR APPLICATION FORMS, AND TO REQUIRE THEM TO ATTEND FOR INTERVIEWS.
"THEY ALSO STIPULATE THAT WHERE AN APPLICANT APPEARS TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND BEFORE THE GOVERNOR RECOMMENDS HIM FOR REGISTRATION, THE APPLICANT WILL BE ASKED TO CONFIRM HIS INTENTION TO BE REGISTERED AND THAT HIS ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE ACT HAS NOT CHANGED," HE SAID.
SCHEDULE 1 OF THE REGULATIONS PRESCRIBED DIFFERENT APPLICATION FORMS UNDER THE SCHEME, WHILE SCHEDULE 2 SETS OUT THE FEES FOR APPLICATIONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS ($200) AND FOR REGISTRATION AS A BRITISH CITIZEN UNDER THE ACT ($1,800 EACH).
/ALSO PUBLISHED .......
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ALSO PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE WAS THE BRITISH NATIONALITY (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1990 (COMMENCEMENT) NOTICE 1990, WHICH SPECIFIES THAT THE ORDINANCE WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON DECEMBER 1, 1990, THE DAY WHEN APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
"THE NEW LAW MAKES IT AN OFFENCE FOR ANY PERSON WHO, WITHOUT AUTHORISATION, DISCLOSES ANY INFORMATION ON ANY APPLICATION WHICH HAS COME INTO HIS POSSESSION AS A RESULT OF HIS CARRYING OUT HIS OFFICIAL DUTIES.
"THIS OFFENCE CARRIES A MAXIMUM FINE OF $50,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
TODAY’S EXTRAORDINARY EDITION OF THE GAZETTE ALSO ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE WHICH WILL ADVISE THE GOVERNOR IN MAKING HIS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PEOPLE TO BE REGISTERED UNDER THE SCHEME.
MEMBERS OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE ARE:
SIR DAVID FORD, CHIEF SECRETARY (CHAIRMAN) BARONESS DUNN SIR Q.W. LEE MR ANDREW SO MR PETER WONG HON-YUEN PROFESSOR CHARLES K. KAO
MR PETER HEAP, SENIOR BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER
MR DAVID JEAFFRESON, COMMISSIONER, ICAC
MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SECRETARY FOR SECURITY
ALSO PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE, FOR INFORMATION, ARE VARIOUS UK LEGAL INSTRUMENTS MADE IN CONNECTION WITH THE SCHEME.
THESE ARE THE BRITISH NATIONALITY (HONG KONG) (SELECTION SCHEME) ORDER 1990, THE BRITISH NATIONALITY (HONG KONG) (REGISTRATION OF CITIZENS) REGULATIONS 1990, AND THE BRITISH NATIONALITY (HONG KONG) ACT 1990 (COMMENCEMENT) ORDER 1990.
THE SCHEME WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON DECEMBER 1, 1990 WHEN
APPLICATION FORMS AND GUIDANCE NOTES TO HELP APPLICANTS COMPLETE THE FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES, POST OFFICES, IMMIGRATION OFFICES, AND THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE.
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RE-EXPORTS SHOW STRONG GROWTH
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HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS CONTINUE TO SHOW STRONG GROWTH AND THIS HAS LARGELY COMPENSATED FOR A DECLINE IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS UP TO SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE EIGHTH ASIAN HOROLOGICAL TRADE AND INDUSTRY PROMOTION CONFERENCE, MRS CHAN SAID DOMESTIC DEMAND HAS ALSO SHOWN SIGNS OF RECOVERY IN RECENT MONTHS WITH THE VOLUME OF RETAIL SALES UP ABOUT SEVEN PER CENT IN THE THREE MONTHS TO AUGUST.
’’THE HONG KONG ECONOMY IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING A CYCLICAL SLOW-DOWN ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN SOME ENCOURAGING SIGNS OF IMPROVEMENT IN RECENT MONTHS," SHE SAID.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT OIL PRICE RISES AS A RESULT OF THE GULF CRISIS HAVE KEPT THE LOCAL INFLATION RATE HIGH.
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) WAS 9.5 PER CENT HIGHER IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF THIS YEAR THAN A YEAR EARLIER BUT MUCH OF THE DIFFICULTIES WE ARE FACING HAVE ARISEN BECAUSE DEMAND, PARTICULARLY FOR LABOUR, HAS OUTSTRIPPED SUPPLY.
"OUR ECONOMIC PROSPECTS FOR NEXT YEAR REMAIN UNCERTAIN. MUCH WILL DEPEND ON THE ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF OUR MAJOR EXPORT MARKETS AND ON THE OUTCOME OF THE GULF CRISIS," SHE SAID.
HONG KONG’S GDP GROWTH IN REAL TERMS IN 1990 IS ESTIMATED TO BE 2.3 PER CENT.
"THIS SLOWER GROWTH IS NO BAD THING FOR AN ECONOMY THAT HAS ENJOYED SUSTAINED HIGH LEVELS OF GROWTH IN RECENT YEARS.
"IN THE FOUR YEARS BETWEEN 1986 AND 1989, OUR ECONOMY ENJOYED AN AVERAGE OF NINE PER CENT GROWTH IN REAL TERMS," SHE SAID, ADDING THAT SUCH RAPID GROWTH WAS INEVITABLY NOT WITHOUT ITS PAINS AND HONG KONG HAS HAD TO LIVE WITH HIGHER INFLATION AND A VERY TIGHT LABOUR MARKET.
"SLOWER GROWTH SHOULD ALLOW THE ECONOMY TO ADJUST TO CAPACITY CONSTRAINTS. BUT OUR ECONOMIC FUNDAMENTALS REMAIN STRONG AND WE ARE WELL POSITIONED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ANY UPSWING IN THE WORLD ECONOMY," MRS. CHAN SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT’S MAIN ROLE IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG IS TO PROVIDE THE INFRASTRUCTURE NECESSARY FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO RUN THEIR BUSINESSES AS EFFECTIVELY AS POSSIBLE, SHE EMPHASISED.
HONG KONG STANDS TO LOSE OUT SERIOUSLY ECONOMICALLY IF IT PERMITS ITS AIRPORT TO CONTINUE OPERATING AT OR BEYOND ITS DESIGN CAPACITY FOR A PROTRACTED PERIOD.
/"IT IS .......
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"IT IS THIS FACT THAT IS DRIVING THE TIMING OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF KEY AIRPORT-RELATED ELEMENTS IN THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY,” SHE SAID.
ON THE WATCH AND CLOCK INDUSTRY, MRS CHAN SAID IN TERMS OF BOTH QUALITY AND VALUE, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND HONG KONG HAVE CONSISTENTLY BEEN AMONG THE TOP FIVE EXPORTERS OF WATCHES AND CLOCKS IN RECENT YEARS.
"WITH RAPID ADVANCES LN PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY, THE WATCH AND CLOCK INDUSTRY IN ASIA HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY CAPITAL-INTENSIVE.
"MANY MANUFACTURERS HAVE INSTALLED FULLY AUTOMATED ASSEMBLY LINES, AND HAVE CONDUCTED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TO IMPROVE PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN NEW PRODUCTS.
"THERE IS ALSO A STRONG SUPPORTING SECTOR WHICH PRODUCES HIGH QUALITY PARTS AND COMPONENTS AND PROVIDES AUXILIARY SERVICES FOR THE INDUSTRY WITHIN THE REGION.
"THE INDUSTRY CAN CLEARLY LOOK FORWARD TO A CONTINUING PERIOD OF PROSPERITY AS LIVING STANDARDS IN ASIA IMPROVE," SHE SAID.
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SUBSTANTIVE PROMOTIONS TO TOP GOVT POSTS ANNOUNCED * * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) ANNOUNCED A NUMBER OF SUBSTANTIVE PROMOTIONS TO SENIOR RANKS IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1, 1991.
THREE OFFICERS ARE GIVEN SUBSTANTIVE PROMOTION TO SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT. THE THREE ARE THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN MING-YEUNG; THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY; AND THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG.
SIX OFFICERS ARE GIVEN SUBSTANTIAL PROMOTION TO ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE A. THE SIX ARE: THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS, MR ANTHONY G. EASON; THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR GORDON SIU KWING-CHUE; THE DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY’S OFFICE, MR DONALD TSANG YAM-KUEN; THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR MICHAEL GARTLAND; POSTMASTER GENERAL AND COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY, MR DOMINIC WONG SHING-WAH; AND DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR JOSEPH YAM CHI-KWONG.
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ALL-OUT EFFORT TO CRACK CAR THEFT AND SMUGGLING ACTIVITIES
*****
POLICE IN AN ALL-OUT EFFORT AGAINST VEHICLE THEFT AND SMUGGLING ACTIVITIES HAS PAID OFF WITH 11 CARS RECOVERED IN THE PAST THREE DAYS IN A SERIES OF OPERATIONS.
IN A TERRITORY-WIDE OPERATION CONDUCTED OVER THE WEEKEND, MORE THAN 2,000 POLICE OFFICERS WERE INVOLVED IN RAIDING A TOTAL OF 800 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, INCLUDING GARAGES, PUBLIC AREAS, VACANT LOTS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CAR PARKS AND CONTAINER SITES.
AMONG THE 3,400 PEOPLE QUESTIONED, 24 OF THEM, SUSPECTED TO BE IN CONNECTION WITH VEHICLE SMUGGLING ACTIVITIES, WERE ARRESTED, WHILE 17 PERSONS WERE TAKEN IN FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS. OF THE 3,000 VEHICLES CHECKED, POLICE FOUND FOUR MISSING VEHICLES.
ORGANISED SERIOUS CRIME BUREAU OFFICERS ALSO CAUGHT 10 SUSPECTS, NINE MALES AND ONE FEMALE, RED-HANDED WHEN THEY WERE ALLEGEDLY LOADING A STOLEN CAR AND TWO LEFT-HAND VEHICLES ONTO SPEEDBOATS IN KWAI CHUNG LAST SATURDAY.
ALMOST AT THE SAME TIME, REGIONAL CRIME UNIT OFFICERS FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES RECOVERED THREE MISSING VEHICLES IN A CONTAINER GODOWN IN SO KWUN WAT, TUEN MUN. TWENTY PEOPLE WERE TAKEN IN FOR ENQUIRIES.
MEANWHILE, TWO 35-YEAR-OLD MEN WERE ARRESTED YESTERDAY (NOVEMBER 26) AT HANG HAU, SAI KUNG FOR ALLEGEDLY SMUGGLING A NEW JEEP.
POLICE INVESTIGATIONS ON THE CASES ARE CONTINUING.
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30,000 COUPLES PAY LESS TAX BY JOINT ASSESSMENT
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THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT (IRD) HAD, UP UNTIL NOW, IDENTIFIED SOME 30,000 MARRIED COUPLES WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM A REDUCED TAX LIABILITY BY ELECTING TO BE JOINTLY ASSESSED.
AN IRD SPOKESMAN SAID AN ADVICE, WHICH ALSO SPECIFIED THE TAX SAVING, HAD BEEN ISSUED IN EVERY CASE SO FAR IDENTIFIED.
FOR A COUPLE TO RECEIVE THE BENEFIT OF THE REDUCED TAX LIABILITY, THEY MUST SIGN THE "ELECTION” AT THE FOOT OF THE ADVICE AND RETURN IT TO THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED ALL TAXPAYERS THAT THE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT PASS ON THE BENEFIT OF THE TAX SAVINGS UNDER A JOINT ASSESSMENT UNTIL THE SIGNED ELECTION HAD BEEN RECEIVED.
/HE ADDED
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HE ADDED THAT IT WAS IN TAXPAYERS’ BEST INTERESTS TO RETURN THE COMPLETED ELECTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER THEY RECEIVED THEM. THIS WOULD ENSURE THAT THEY COULD BE PROCESSED PRIOR TO THE DUE DATE OF THE FIRST TAX INSTALMENTS EARLY IN THE NEW YEAR.
IN CONNECTION WITH THE ISSUE OF ASSESSMENTS GENERALLY, WHILST THE DEPARTMENT HAS NOW ISSUED MOST TAXPAYERS' ASSESSMENTS, ADDED EFFORTS ARE BEING MADE TO FINALISE THE REMAINING ASSESSMENTS AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE DATE.
THE DEPARTMENT IS CONFIDENT THAT ALL TAXPAYERS WILL HAVE THEIR 1989/90 ASSESSMENTS IN ADVANCE OF THE DUE DATE FOR PAYMENT OF THEIR SPOUSES' FIRST INSTALMENT.
HE FURTHER STRESSED THAT IT IS NOT NECESSARY, AT THIS STAGE, FOR TAXPAYERS TO TELEPHONE THE TRD TO CHECK THE PROGRESS OF THEIR ASSESSMENTS.
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PAY TREND SURVEY PERIOD BROUGHT FORWARD *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO CHANGE THE PERIOD OF THE ANNUAL PAY TREND SURVEY SO THAT IT REFLECTS MORE UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION FOR CONSIDERATION TN DETERMINING THE SIZE OF THE ANNUAL CIVIL SERVICE PAY ADJUSTMENT.
ANNOUNCING THE DECISION TODAY (TUESDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE OLD SURVEY PERIOD COVERED THE 12 MONTHS FROM FEBURARY 1 OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR TO JANUARY 31 OF THE CURRENT YEAR.
"AS THE ANNUAL CIVIL SERVICE PAY ADJUSTMENT TAKES EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 EACH YEAR, THE INFORMATION GATHERED IN THE SURVEY COULD BE AS MUCH AS 14 MONTHS OUT OF DATE BY THE TIME THE PAY ADJUSTMENT IS DECIDED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THIS PROBLEM HAD BEEN EXAMINED BY THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE. THE STANDING COMMISSION CONCLUDED THAT A TIME LAG WAS UNAVOIDABLE GIVEN THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY THAT CIVIL SERVICE PAY SHOULD FOLLOW, AND NOT LEAD, THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
"HOWEVER, GIVEN THAT TWO-THIRDS OF THE SURVEYED COMPANIES AWARD THEIR ANNUAL OR PRINCIPAL PAY ADJUSTMENT BETWEEN JANUARY AND APRIL, THE COMMISSION CONSIDERED THAT THE EXTENT OF THE TIME LAG COULD BE REDUCED, AND RECOMMENDED CHANGING THE SURVEY PERIOD TO COVER THE 12 MONTHS FROM APRIL 2 OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR TO APRIL 1 OF THE CURRENT YEAR," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE STANDING COMMISSION EXAMINED OTHER SUGGESTIONS FOR REDUCING THE TIME LAG BUT CONCLUDED THAT CHANGING THE SURVEY PERIOD WAS THE MOST EFFECTIVE, AND WOULD INVOLVE LEAST DISRUPTION TO THE PAY TREND SURVEY SYSTEM.
/THE COMMISSION .......
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THE COMMISSION ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT FOR THE TRANSITION YEAR (I.E. 1990-91), THE PERIOD OF THE PAY TREND SURVEY SHOULD BE EXTENDED BY TWO MONTHS TO COVER THE PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 1, 1990 TO APRIL 1, 1991 SO AS TO ENSURE THAT PRIVATE SECTOR PAY AWARDS MADE IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH 1990 WOULD NOT BE OVERLOOKED.
THE DATA RELATING TO COMPANIES WHICH NORMALLY MAKE THEIR PAY AWARD BETWEEN FEBRUARY 1 AND APRIL 1 WILL BE AVERAGED BEFORE INCLUSION IN THE PAY TREND CALCULATIONS.
THE STANDING COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS WERE ACCEPTED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AT ITS MEETING TODAY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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GOVT SEARCHING FOR NEW INDUSTRIAL AREAS FOR LARGE WATER USERS *****
THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN LOOKING INTO THE FEASIBILITY OF DEVELOPING NEW INDUSTRIAL AREAS FOR LARGE USERS OF WATER, THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
MR BARMA WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF A FACTORY OF CONCORDIA PAPER LIMITED IN YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE.
HE SAID WHEN THE CONCORDIA PROJECT WAS FIRST CONTEMPLATED, MUCH THOUGHT WAS GIVEN BY BOTH THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION TO ONE IMPORTANT ISSUE: THE AVAILABILITY OF WATER SUPPLY TO YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, SINCE INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES LIKE THOSE OF CONCORDIA REQUIRED CONSIDERABLE QUANTITIES OF WATER.
"AS A RESULT OF OUR JOINT EFFORTS, AND WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, IT HAS BEEN POSSIBLE TO INCREASE WATER SUPPLY TO THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE TO THE EXTENT THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE A NUMBER OF FACTORIES WHICH ARE FAIRLY LARGE USERS OF WATER.
"REGRETTABLY, THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT IS ALL TOO WELL AWARE THAT THE SUPPLY OF INDUSTRIAL SITES IS STILL INSUFFICIENT TO SATISFY NEEDS OF HEAVY WATER-USING INDUSTRIES, PARTICULARLY THE BLEACHING AND DYEING INDUSTRY," HE SAID.
WITH THIS IN MIND, THE DEPARTMENT HAD OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS BEEN LOOKING INTO THE FEASIBILITY OF DEVELOPING NEW INDUSTRIAL AREAS FOR SUCH INDUSTRIES.
ALREADY, THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION HAD AGREED TO PROVIDE SOME LAND WITHIN THE NEW THIRD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AT TSEUNG KWAN O FOR HEAVY WATER USERS.
/MOREOVER, THE ........
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MOREOVER, THE RESULTS OF A RECENT STUDY OF A SITE IN TUEN MUN, ON THE EASTERN SIDE OF TAP SHEK KOK POWER STATION, INDICATED THAT THE AREA SHOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE FURTHER HEAVY WATER USERS.
"MY DEPARTMENT IS ALSO STILL ACTIVELY PURSUING A PROPOSAL TO USE PART OF THE RECENTLY FORMED LAND IN TIN SHUI WAI FOR SUCH PURPOSES," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID HEAVY WATER USERS ALSO TENDED TO PRODUCE LARGE QUANTITIES OF EFFLUENT.
AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT HAD TO SET VERY STRINGENT TREATMENT STANDARDS.
"CONCORDIA’S OPERATION DEMONSTRATES VERY CLEARLY THAT WITH CAREFUL PLANNING IT IS POSSIBLE TO ACHIEVE THE STRINGENT TREATMENT STANDARDS DEMANDED TN THIS MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS AGE," HE SAID.
"SO, CONCORDIA SHOULD NOT ONLY BE PROUD OF ITS TREATMENT STANDARDS, BUT ALSO ITS ROLE AS A WASTE PAPER RECYCLER."
EACH DAY, CONCORDIA USED AS MUCH AS 260 TONNES OF PAPER, A LARGE PROPORTION OF WHICH WAS WASTE PAPER COLLECTED LOCALLY.
"THE EFFORTS OF CONCORDIA TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL WASTE PAPER RECYCLING DESERVE OUR WHOLEHEARTED SUPPORT," MR BARMA SAID.
CONCORDIA PAPER LIMITED IS A HK$400 MILLION JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN CHIAP HUA GROUP, CHINA INTERNATIONAL TRUST AND INVESTMENT CORPORATION, CHINA NATIONAL PACKAGING IMPORT AND EXPORT CORPORATION, AND CHINA RESOURCES.
IT EMPLOYED 230 PEOPLE AT ITS 29,000 SQUARE METRE MILL WHERE TRIAL PRODUCTION COMMENCED IN MARCH OF LAST YEAR. IT HAD ALREADY REACHED ITS PLANNED DAILY CAPACITY OF 220 TONNES OF PAPERBOARD PRODUCTS WHICH IT SUPPLIED TO THE PRINTING AND PACKAGING INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG.
IT MANUFACTURED ITS PRODUCTS FROM RECYCLED WASTE PAPER WHICH IT OBTAINED FROM LOCAL AND OVERSEAS SOURCES.
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RESULTS OF PRIMARY ONE DISCRETIONARY PLACES RELEASED
*****
RESULTS OF ALLOCATION OF DISCRETIONARY PLACES FOR SEPTEMBER 1991 UNDER THE PRIMARY ONE ADMISSION ( POA ) SYSTEM WILL BE RELEASED ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 30) BY ALL GOVERNMENT AND AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT ABOUT 40,000 OUT OF 72,000 APPLICANTS WILL BE OFFERED A DISCRETIONARY PLACE IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR SCHOOLS.
/PARENTS ARE
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PARENTS ARE ADVISED TO GO BACK TO THE SCHOOL TO WHICH THEY HAVE APPLIED EOR A PRIMARY 1 PLACE, WHETHER THEIR CHILDREN HAVE BEEN INTERVIEWED BY THE SCHOOL OR NOT, ON NOVEMBER 30 BETWEEN 9 AM AND 5 PM OR ON DECEMBER 1 BETWEEN 9 AM AND 12 NOON TO FIND OUT THE RESULTS OF THEIR APPLICATION.
REGISTRATION OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN DECEMBER 5 AND DECEMBER 6 DURING SCHOOL HOURS.
PARENTS WHOSE CHILDREN HAVE BEEN OFFERED A PRIMARY 1 PLACE ARE ADVISED TO NOTE CAREFULLY THE REGISTRATION PROCEDURES AND ANY REQUIREMENTS BY INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS, SUCH AS PRODUCING PARENT’S COPY OF THE POA APPLICATION FORM, AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF THEIR CHILDREN.
"THE REGISTRATION OF THE CHILD WITH THE SCHOOL WILL BE REGARDED AS BINDING ON BOTH THE SCHOOL AND THE PARENT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
PARENTS WHO ARE UNABLE TO REGISTER THEIR CHILDREN WITH THE SCHOOL WITHIN THE SPECIFIED TWO-DAY PERIOD ON DECEMBER 5 AND 6 ARE REQUESTED TO NOTIFY THE SCHOOL CONCERNED OR THROUGH THE POA UNIT OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT (572 4383) TO MAKE ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS.
PARENTS WHO FAIL TO GIVE NOTICE WOULD BE DEEMED TO HAVE GIVEN UP THE PLACE OFFERED TO THEIR CHILDREN, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
COMMENTING ON THE POA SYSTEM, THE SPOKESMAN SAID A GOVERNMENT OR AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOL COULD FILL UP TO A MAXIMUM OF 65 PER CENT OF ITS TOTAL NUMBER OF PRIMARY 1 PLACES AT THEIR OWN DISCRETION.
THE REMAINING 35 PER CENT WOULD BE RESERVED FOR CENTRAL ALLOCATION AT A LATER STAGE, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
PARENTS WHO HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR APPLICATION FOR DISCRETIONARY PLACES WILL BE INFORMED IN MARCH NEXT YEAR OF THE CENTRAL ALLOCATION ARRANGEMENTS.
PARENTS WHO HAVE CHILDREN COMING UP TO PRIMARY 1 SCHOOL AGE BUT HAVE NOT APPLIED FOR A DISCRETIONARY PLACE, WILL ALSO BE NOTIFIED AT THE SAME TIME.
THEY WILL BE ASKED TO GO TO A DISTRI BUT 1ON/COLLECTION CENTRE IN THEIR HOME DISTRICT TO OBTAIN A COPY OF "CHOICE OF SCHOOLS" FORM AND A LIST OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL THEN ALLOCATE A PRIMARY 1 PLACE TO THEIR CHILDREN WITHIN THEIR HOME DISTRICT, WITH THE PARENTS’ CHOICES FULLY TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.
DETAILS OF THE CENTRAL ALLOCATION WILL BE ANNOUNCED EARLY NEXT YEAR, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/14 .......
14
PUBLIC URGED TO REPORT ON ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS * * * * ♦
AN ALERTED PERSON WHO SPOTTED A DILAPIDATED BALCONY HANGING DANGEROUSLY IN TO KWA WAN REPORTED TO A NEWSPAPER AND PROBABLY HAD AVOIDED ANOTHER TRAGIC COLLAPSE INCIDENT FROM HAPPENING.
THE BALCONY, WHICH WAS FOUND TO BE AN ILLEGAL STRUCTURE, WAS LOCATED AT 25 CHEUNG NING STREET.
THE COMPLAINT APPEARED IN A NEWSPAPER ON NOVEMBER 22 AND WAS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED UP BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE (BOO).
THE BALCONY WAS REMOVED IN THE NEXT 48 HOURS.
AT THE SAME TIME, TWO ILLEGAL BALCONIES IN THE SAME BUILDING FOUND TO BE TN A SIMILAR STATE OF DILAPIDATION WHICH MIGHT POSE IMMEDIATE DANGER TO THE PUBLIC, WAS IN THE PROCESS OF DISMANTLING.
A BOO SPOKESMAN TODAY (TUESDAY) URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO REPORT DANGEROUS ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS TO THE GOVERNMENT.
REPORTS MAY BE MADE BY CALLING 848 2340, 848 2369 OR 848 2997 DURING OFFICE HOURS FOR ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES RESPECTIVELY.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED FLATS OWNERS THAT IT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THEIR PREMISES AND IF THEY FAIL TO TAKE NECESSARY ACTION, GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS WILL BE ENGAGED.
OWNERS WILL BE CHARGED FOR THE COST OF THE REMOVAL WORKS.
- - 0 - -
CONFERENCE TO IMPROVE LABOUR RELATIONS
*****
MORE THAN 600 BUSINESS EXECUTIVES, EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES, TRADE UNIONISTS AND PROFESSIONALS WILL EXAMINE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STAFF DEVELOPMENT, LABOUR RELATIONS AND PRODUCTIVITY AT A LARGE-SCALE CONFERENCE ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 30).
THE CONFERENCE - "HONG KONG LABOUR RELATIONS CONFERENCE ’90” -CARRIES THE THEME "PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVED LABOUR RELATIONS". IT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE LABOUR RELATIONS PROMOTION SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD.
”THE CONFERENCE IS INTENDED TO ENHANCE THE AWARENESS OF BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE NEED TO IMPROVE THE PRODUCTIVITY OF INDIVIDUAL WORKERS THROUGH LONG-TERM INVESTMENT IN HUMAN RESOURCES," SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER, MR PONG PING-KWAN, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
/THE ONE-DAY
15
THE ONE-DAY CONFERENCE, TO BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, WILL TAKE THE FORM OF A PLENARY SESSION WITH A NUMBER OF KEYNOTE SPEECHES TO BE DELIVERED IN THE MORNING.
THE TALKS WILL COVER SUCH TOPICS AS THE IMPLICATIONS OF STAFF DEVELOPMENT POLICIES IN THE CHANGING ENVIRONMENT OF HONG KONG, OBLIGATION TO TEAM PERFORMANCE THAT MAXIMISES EFFECTIVENESS, FLEXIBLE TOOLS FOR STAFF DEVELOPMENT, PRODUCTIVITY DRIVE AND LABOUR RELATIONS, AND THE ROLES PLAYED BY TRADE UNIONS IN MANPOWER TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT.
WORKSHOP DISCUSSIONS TN THE AFTERNOON WILL BE CONDUCTED BY EMINENT ENTREPRENEURS, TRADE UNION LEADERS, HEADS OF TRAINING CENTRES, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND SPECIALISTS IN THE FIELD.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE EXECUTIVE COUNCILLOR AND CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION, MR WILLIAM PURVES; CHAIRMAN OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS PROMOTION SUB-COMMITTEE, MR CHAN SUI-KAU; AND COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CONFERENCE AT 9.15 AM AT THEATRE 1, HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, 1 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 30).
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DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES SOUVENIRS LONG-SERVING STAFF ♦ * * * *
DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES, MR ROY KILVERT, TODAY (TUESDAY) SAID HE WILL SADLY MISS EVERYONE IN THE DEPARTMENT WHEN HE RETIRES EARLY NEXT YEAR.
’’THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT (GSD) IS A FAMILY AND THIS CLOSE CONTACT WITH THE FAMILY WILL BE MY GREATEST LOSS WHEN I LEAVE HONG KONG ON RETIREMENT,” MR KILVERT SAID AT A CEREMONY IN WHICH HE PRESENTED GOLD PINS AND LONG SERVICE CERTIFICATES TO 80 STAFF WHO HAD SERVED THE DEPARTMENT FOR OVER 30 YEARS.
MR KILVERT WILL RETIRE FROM THE SERVICE IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR AFTER SERVING THE DEPARTMENT FOR 39-AND-A-HALF YEARS.
THE OUTGOING DIRECTOR JOINED THE SERVICE IN MAY 1951 AS AN ASSISTANT STORES OFFICER AND HAD BEEN THE DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES FOR 11 YEARS.
/DURING HIS .......
16
DURING HIS TENURE OF OFFICE, HE HAD WITNESSED RAPID GROWTH OF THE SUPPLIES GRADE AND THE INTRODUCTION OF MODERN TECHNIQUES AND EXPERTISE IN SUPPLY AND PURCHASING ACTIVITIES FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR.
EARLIER ON, MR KILVERT PRESENTED LONG SERVICE CERTIFICATES TO 302 STAFF WHO HAD SERVED THE DEPARTMENT FOR OVER 20 YEARS.
THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS THE CENTRAL PURCHASING AND SUPPLIES ORGANISATION, RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROCUREMENT, STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION OF SUPPLIES REQUIRED BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND MANY SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS.
THE DEPARTMENT MADE ANNUAL PURCHASES OF ABOUT $3 BILLION AND THESE REQUIREMENTS WERE SOURCED ON A ’WORLDWIDE’ BASIS.
AS THE SOLE HONG KONG ENTITY REGISTERED WITH GATT, THE DEPARTMENT OPERATED UNDER THE RULES OF THE GATT GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT CODE AGREEMENT.
MR BILLY LAM WILL SUCCEED MR ROY KILVERT AS THE DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES IN JANUARY 1991.
-----0-----
DAYTIME A & E SERVICES AT YAN 01 POLYCLINIC SUSPENDS
******
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICES (A & E) BETWEEN 9 AM AND 5 PM AT THE YAN 01 POLYCLINIC IN TUEN MUN WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM MONDAY (DECEMBER 3) .
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE MOVE FOLLOWS THE RECENT OPENING OF THE A & E DEPARTMENT OF THE TUEN MUN HOSPITAL.
THE YAN 01 POLYCLINIC WILL, HOWEVER, CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICES FROM 5 PM TO 9 AM.
------0-------
ACTION ON ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN KWAI CHUNG
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE A NUMBER OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS AT FLAT ROOFS IN UNITS E, F, G AND H, THIRD FLOOR, 21-27 WING YIP STREET, KWAI CHUNG, SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS OR THE PUBLIC.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT COURT ON DECEMBER 11 WAS POSTED ON THE STRUCTURES TODAY (TUESDAY).
/UNDER THE .......
17
UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE, A CLOSURE ORDER IS REQUIRED BEFORE DEMOLITION CAN BE CARRIED OUT.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORKS WILL START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS GRANTED.
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THIRD HONG KONG SOCIAL DANCE OPEN COMPETITION *****
AMATEUR DANCERS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISPLAY THEIR SKILLS IN THE FORTHCOMING 1990-91 SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FESTIVAL.
AS ONE OF THE MAJOR FESTIVAL EVENTS, THE THIRD HONG KONG SOCIAL DANCE OPEN COMPETITION, ORGANISED BY THE SHAM SHUI PO ARTS ASSOCIATION WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD, WILL BE HELD ON JANUARY 6 AT THE CONVENTION HALL OF THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE.
APPLICATION IS NOW INVITED AND ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 361 6282.
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FIGHT CRIME POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION *****
A ’’BEWARE OF PICKPOCKETS” POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION IS NOW OPEN FOR ENTRY FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
THE CONTEST IS PART OF THE FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN ORGANISED BY THE MONG KOK DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE TO AROUSE RESIDENTS' AWARENESS TO PICKPOCKETING ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS TO PROMOTE THEIR INTERESTS IN DESIGN.
ENTRIES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE AT 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, GROUND FLOOR BEFORE DECEMBER 15.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 380 2251.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1990
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
PRESENT SYSTEM OF DIRECT ELECTION WELL-TRIED ........................... 1
INCLUSION OF POLITICAL AFFILIATION IN BALLOT PAPER WILL CONFUSE VOTERS . 2
VOTING AGE TO REMAIN AT 21 FOR THE PRESENT ............................. 3
RESOLUTION ON ESTABLISHMENT OF EMSD SUSPENSE ACCOUNT PASSED ............ 4
REVISION OF LEVIES ON VEHICLE AND DRIVING LICENCES APPROVED ............ 5
PROVISIONS TO TACKLE VIET PROBLEM AND CURB II TRAFFIC EXTENDED ......... 6
CHANGES TO APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR.FIRST QUARTER TABLED .. 8
NO COMPLACENCY FOR MTR EMERGENCY MEASURES AND PROCEDURES ............... 8
ROP 85 - NO GUARANTEE FOR PERMISSION OF STAY ........................... 9
NO MARRIED COUPLE NEED TO PAY MORE TAX UNDER -NEW SYSTEM ............... 10
PROVISIONS ON RECOVERY OF DRUG TRAFFICKING PROCEEDS WIDELY USED ........ 11
MOTORBOAT RESTRICTION AT NON-GAZETTED BEACHES NOT PANACEA TO ENSURE SWIMMERS' SAFETY ....................................................... H
TWO-WEEK RULE FOR FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPER MAINTAINED ................... 12
CONTROLS ON SPECULATIVE PROPERTY ACTIVITIES UNDESIRABLE ................ 13
GOVT SATISFIES WITH AIRPORT EMERGENCY SERVICES ......................... 14
UNOCCUPIED PREMISES SHOULD BE CHARGED .................................. 15
COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR TO APPROVE DOMESTIC HELPER'S CHANGE OF ADDRESS
CONSIDERED ................................................................... 16
SEVEN BILLS PASSED ............................................................. 16
HONG KONG/JAPAN ENJOY EXCELLENT ECONOMIC RELATIONS ....................... 17
GOVERNOR MEETS JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER .......................................... 19
GOVERNOR'S COMMENTS ON NEW BRITISH PRIME MINISTER ........................ 20
DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR'S STATEMENT ON NEW LEADERSHIP ..................... 22
HK'S STATUS AS LEADING MARITIME CENTRE ENHANCED .......................... 22
COMPULSORY PILOTAGE FOR SHIPS OF 1,000-5,000 GRT'S DEFERRED .............. 24
DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE TO JOIN GATT MEETING ........................... 25
FC MEETING ON FRIDAY ..................................................... 25
RESTRICTED BANKING LICENCE REVOKED ....................................... 26
HK STUDENTS JOIN INT'L COMPUTER CONTESTS ................................. 26
GOVERNMENT LOT TO LET BY TENDER .......................................... 27
1
PRESENT SYSTEM OF DIRECT ELECTION WELL-TRIED ♦ » » ♦ ♦
THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF DIRECT ELECTION IS A TYPICALLY HONG KONG SOLUTION BASED ON A WELL-TRIED, SUCCESSFUL APPLIED SYSTEM WITH WHICH THE PUBLIC IS FAMILIAR, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO, SAID AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE SECOND READING DEBATE OF THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, HE SAID IT WAS MODELLED ON THE STATUTORY FRAMEWORK WHICH HAD BEEN USED SINCE 1982 FOR THE DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS.
MR TSAO ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS AFTER 1991 IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCES GAINED IN THE ELECTIONS.
ON THE SUGGESTION OF SETTING UP AN INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION, MR TSAO POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD NO PHILOSOPHICAL PROBLEM WITH THE CONCEPT OF AN INDEPENDENT BODY ATTENDING TO SOME OF THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS.
’’DURING THE COURSE OF OUR DISCUSSION WITH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AD HOC GROUP ON ELECTORAL LEGISLATION, WE INDICATED THAT THE TERMS OF REFERENCE, COMPOSITION, STATUS AND MODUS OPERANDI OF AN ELECTION COMMISSION OR BOUNDARIES COMMISSION WOULD NEED CAREFUL CONSIDERATION IN THE CONTEXT OF CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG; AND THAT TIME WOULD BE NEEDED FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE NECESSARY LEGISLATION WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE ELECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR," HE SAID.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, WE BELIEVE IT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE OF US TO CAST AWAY THE WELL TRIED ELECTORAL SYSTEM AND INSTEAD TO EXPERIMENT WITH AN UNTRIED NEW SYSTEM HASTILY PUT TOGETHER AT THIS STAGE OF HONG KONG’S POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT.
"THE GOVERNMENT HAS, HOWEVER, UNDERTAKEN TO EXAMINE THE CONCEPT AND PRACTICABILITY OF THE PROPOSALS FOR AN INDEPENDENT BODY ON ELECTORAL MATTERS SO THAT THEY COULD, IF NECESSARY, BE IMPLEMENTED IN 1995."
MR TSAO REJECTED THE ACCUSATION THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN GERRYMANDERING OVER ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES.
IN REACHING DECISIONS ON BOUNDARIES, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN ACCOUNT OF THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS AVAILABLE IN 1991, PRESENT AND FUTURE POPULATION DISTRIBUTION, GEOGRAPHICAL CONSIDERATIONS AND THE EXISTING ELECTORAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE BOUNDARIES.
HE STRESSED THAT THE CONSTITUENCY ARRANGEMENTS ANNOUNCED EARLIER THIS YEAR BY THE GOVERNMENT REPRESENTED THE BEST AND INVOLVED NO PARTY POLITICS.
/COMMENTING ON .......
2
COMMENTING ON THE SUGGESTION THAT VOTER REGISTRATION SHOULD BE MADE AUTOMATIC, BASED ON THE RECORDS OF THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS OFFICE, MR TSAO SAID THE PROPOSAL HAD ITS ATTRACTIONS AND FOR THIS REASON HAD BEEN CAREFULLY EXAMINED.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE MAJOR PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES AS THESE RECORDS WOULD NOT ESTABLISH WHETHER A PERSON WAS QUALIFIED TO REGISTER AS AN ELECTOR AND IT WAS ALSO UNLIKELY THAT ADDRESSES WOULD BE UP-TO-DATE, GIVEN THE MOBILITY OF THE POPULATION WITHIN HONG KONG.
MOREOVER, HE SAID, IN A FREE SOCIETY SUCH AS HONG KONG, IT WOULD BE AN UNDESIRABLE FEATURE FOR THE ELECTORAL LAW TO COMPEL PEOPLE TO VOTE.
"I THINK VOTING IS MUCH OF A FREE ACT AS ANY ACT IN HONG KONG. BUT IT IS A MATTER, OF COURSE, THE ADMINISTRATION WILL LOOK INTO WHEN IT UNDERTAKES THE REVIEW."
TURNING TO THE QUESTION OF OVERSEAS VOTING, MR TSAO STRESSED THAT HONG KONG’S ELECTORAL SYSTEM WAS BASED ON RESIDENCE RATHER THAN NATIONALITY CRITERIA.
"ANY PERSON OF ANY NATIONALITY WHO HAVE BEEN RESIDED IN HONG KONG IN THE DEFINITION OF AN ORDINARY RESIDENT WOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE," HE SAID.
"IF AN EX-HONG KONG RESIDENT WISHES TO VOTE, HE CAN COME BACK TO HONG KONG AND WOULD BE GIVEN THE RIGHT TO DO SO,” HE ADDED.
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INCLUSION OF POLITICAL AFFILIATION IN BALLOT PAPER WILL CONFUSE VOTERS *****
POLITICAL PARTIES IN HONG KONG ARE RELATIVELY NEW AND THE PUBLIC IS STILL UNFAMILIAR WITH EVEN THE NAMES OF EMERGING POLITICAL PARTIES LET ALONE THEIR POLITICAL PLATFORMS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY)’.
HE WAS RESPONDING TO A MOTION BY THE HON MARTIN LEE TO AMEND THE BALLOT FORM BY THE INCLUSION, AGAINST THE NAME OF THE CANDIDATE, HIS POLITICAL AFFILIATION DURING THE COMMITTEE STAGE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990.
"PUTTING IT IN A MORE GRAPHIC TERM, WILL ALL THE VOTERS BE ABLE TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN SAY, THE UNITED DEMOCRATS OF HONG KONG, TliH HONG KONG DEMOCRATIC FOUNDATION, THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC FEDERATION OF HONG KONG, THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR DEMOCRACY AND PEOPLE’S LIVELIHOOD AND I CAN GO ON,” HE SAID.
/HE WAS
3
HE WAS THEREFORE OF THE VIEW THAT THE INCLUSION OF POLITICAL AFFILIATION IN THE BALLOT PAPER WOULD CONFUSE, RATHER THAN EDUCATE, THE VOTERS.
"THE ADMINISTRATION’S PREFERENCE IS FOR THE BALLOT PAPER TO BE SIMPLE, EASY TO UNDERSTAND AND THEREFORE EASY TO USE," MR TSAO SAID.
HE DOUBTED WHETHER IT WOULD BE FAIR TO THOSE CANDIDATES WHO WERE NOT AFFILIATED TO SUCH ORGANISATIONS BUT WHO WOULD WISH TO STAND ON THEIR OWN MERITS.
"SHOULD THEY NOT BE GIVEN ANY NOTICE THAT POLITICAL AFFILIATION WOULD BECOME PART OF THE BALLOT PAPER SO THAT THEY COULD THEN HAVE A CHOICE AS TO WHETHER OR NOT TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF A POLITICAL AFFILIATION," HE SAID, ADDING THAT SUCH A DECISION ON THE PART OF THE CANDIDATE MUST BE A COMPLEX MATTER FOR HIM.
MR TSAO DID NOT THINK THAT IT WAS RIGHT OR PROPER TO MAKE THE CHANGE PROPOSED BY MR MARTIN LEE WITHOUT HAVING HAD THE MATTER AIRED AND DEBATED IN PUBLIC.
- - 0 - -
VOTING AGE TO REMAIN AT 21 FOR THE PRESENT
* I » » »
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO MAINTAIN THE VOTING AGE AT 21 FOR THE PRESENT BUT WILL CONSIDER LOWERING IT TO 18 IN 1995 THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE WAS RESPONDING TO A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO LOWER THE VOTING AGE DURING THE COMMITTEE STAGE OF THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (AMENDMENT)
NOTING THAT YOUNG PEOPLE WERE NOW MATURING EARLIER, MR TSAO SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALREADY MOVING TO BRING THE AGE OF MAJORITY FOR SOME OTHER PRACTICAL MATTERS DOWN TO 18.
IT WOULD ALSO LIKE TO DEVELOP A GREATER SENSE OF INVOLVEMENT AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE GOVERNMENT OF THEIR AFFAIRS, HE ADDED.
"AGAINST THESE WE WEIGHED THE VERY MAJOR CHANGES ALREADY PROPOSED FOR 1991 AND THE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD CAUTIOUSLY.
"IN ADDITION, EXPERIENCE OF VOTER REGISTRATION SO FAR SUGGESTS THAT YOUNG PEOPLE ARE SOMEWHAT LESS PREPARED TO COME FORWARD AS VOTERS," MR TSAO ADDED.
- - 0 - -
<
4
RESOLUTION ON ESTABLISHMENT OF EMSD SUSPENSE ACCOUNT PASSED
******
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A RESOLUTION ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT SUSPENSE ACCOUNT.
MOVING THE MOTION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE MOTION WAS TO ESTABLISH A SPECIAL SUSPENSE ACCOUNT UNDER SECTION 30(1) OF THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE FOR FINANCING A SINGLE STORE IN THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (EMSD).
SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF AIR-CONDITIONING, ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT AND BUILDING SERVICES INSTALLATIONS, AND FOR THE UPKEEP OF A FLEET OF ABOUT 7,000 VEHICLES FOR ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
”AT PRESENT, THE MATERIALS AND SPARE PARTS REQUIRED FOR REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE WORK IN THE WORKSHOPS ARE MAINLY DRAWN FROM TWO DIFFERENT STORES, NAMELY THE UNALLOCATED STORES OF THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT AND THE EMSD ALLOCATED STORES,” HE SAID.
SIR PIERS ALSO SAID A REVIEW OF THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS HAD CONCLUDED THAT BOTH THE UNALLOCATED AND ALLOCATED STORES SHOULD BE MERGED TO FORM ONE SINGLE STORE UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES.
’’THIS WILL PROVIDE A SINGLE SOURCE OF FUNDING AND A SINGLE AUTHORITY FOR DETERMINING THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF STOCK-HOLDING.
"IT WILL ENABLE EMSD TO PROVIDE A MORE EFFICIENT MAINTENANCE SERVICE AND IN PARTICULAR, MINIMISE THE DOWNTIME OF GOVERNMENT VEHICLES," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID ESTABLISHING A SPECIAL SUSPENSE ACCOUNT UNDER SECTION 30(1) OF THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE, WOULD SERVE THE PURPOSE OF FINANCING A SINGLE STORE, INSTEAD OF HAVING TWO SEPARATE STORES UNDER TWO DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS AS AT PRESENT.
"SECTION 30(1) OF THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE PROVIDES THAT A SPECIAL SUSPENSE ACCOUNT MAY BE ESTABLISHED FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY COMMERCIAL OR INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY CARRIED ON BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
"SPECIAL SUSPENSE ACCOUNTS FOR FINANCING STORES HAVE ALREADY BEEN ESTABLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT AND THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES INDUSTRIES," HE ADDED.
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/5........
5
REVISION OF LEVIES ON VEHICLE AND DRIVING LICENCES APPROVED ******
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED AN INCREASE IN THE LEVIES ON VEHICLE AND DRIVING LICENCES SO THAT SUFFICIENT INCOME WILL ACCRUE TO THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE FUND FOR DISBURSEMENT TO CLAIMANTS.
UNDER THE NEW RATES, WHICH WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON APRIL 1 NEXT YEAR, THE ANNUAL LEVY ON VEHICLE LICENCES WILL BE INCREASED FROM $30 TO $48, WHEREAS THE ANNUAL LEVY ON DRIVING LICENCES WILL BE RAISED FROM $10 TO $16.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, WHEN MOVING A MOTION UNDER THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS (ASSISTANCE FUND) ORDINANCE ON THE REVISION OF LEVIES ON VEHICLE AND DRIVING LICENCES.
NOTING THAT THE PRESENT LAW ALLOWED ADVANCE RENEWAL OF DRIVING AND VEHICLE LICENCES FOUR MONTHS BEFORE THEIR EXPIRY DATE, MRS WONG SAID TO PREVENT AVOIDANCE OF THE REVISED RATES, THEY WOULD ALSO BE APPLICABLE TO ADVANCE RENEWALS MADE BEFORE APRIL 1 NEXT YEAR FOR A VALIDITY PERIOD COMMENCING ON OR AFTER THAT DATE.
REFERRING TO THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE (TAVA) SCHEME, MRS WONG SAID ITS OBJECTIVE WAS TO MITIGATE THE FINANCIAL HARDSHIP WHICH MIGHT RESULT FROM DRATH OR INJURY IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS.
"IT IS A WELFARE MEASURE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE CASH ASSISTANCE TO THE VICTIMS OF A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT, OR TO HIS DEPENDANTS IN THE CASE OF DEATH, WITHOUT REGARD EITHER TO THE MEANS OF THE FAMILY OR TO ANY ELEMENT OF FAULT IN RESPECT OF THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT.
"THE SCHEME IS FINANCED BY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THREE SOURCES: A LEVY ON VEHICLE LICENCES, A LEVY ON DRIVING LICENCES AND GENERAL REVENUE," SHE SAID.
MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT UNTIL 1985-86, ANNUAL REVENUE OF THE TAVA FUND EXCEEDED ANNUAL EXPENDITURE AND THUS GENERATED A SURPLUS EACH YEAR.
THE POSITION WAS, HOWEVER, REVERSED FROM 1986-87 ONWARDS, RESULTING IN ANNUAL DEFICITS.
"THIS WAS MAINLY DUE TO THE INCREASE IN TAVA PAYMENT RATES ON THE ONE HAND, AND THE GENERAL DOWNTURN OF BANK INTEREST RATES ON THE OTHER.
"THE SURPLUS OF THE FUND WAS FURTHER REDUCED BY THE WITHDRAWAL OF $83.2 MILLION IN 1986 TO FINANCE THE SUPPLEMENTARY TAVA SCHEME," SHE SAID.
EXPENDITURE OF THE FUND WOULD INCREASE FURTHER WHEN A PACKAGE OF IMPROVEMENT TO THE SCHEME IS INTRODUCED IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF NEXT YEAR, MRS WONG SAID.
"THE LATEST PROJECTION INDICATES THAT IF THE LEVIES ARB NOT INCREASED, THE FUND WILL BE COMPLETELY DEPLETED BY 1992-93," SHE ADDED.
6
PROVISIONS TO TACKLE VIET PROBLEM AND CURB II TRAFFIC EXTENDED
******
THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO EXTEND PROVISIONS TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM OF VIETNAMESE ASYLUM SEEKERS AND TO PROVIDE MORE EFFECTIVE SANCTIONS AGAINST THE TRAFFIC IN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, AT LEAST FOR ONE MORE YEAR.
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID THIS WHEN MOVING A MOTION WHICH SOUGHT TO EXTEND SECTION 18(3) AND PARTS VIIA AND VIIB OF THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE FOR A FURTHER YEAR UNTIL THE END OF 1991.
HE EXPLAINED THAT SECTION 18(3) OF THE ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED IN JANUARY 1979 TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM OF VIETNAMESE ASYLUM SEEKERS.
IT REMOVED THE LIMITED OF TWO MONTHS DURING WHICH AN IMMIGRATION OFFICER MIGHT REMOVE A PERSON REFUSED PERMISSION TO LAND IN HONG KONG, IF IT APPEARED TO THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION THAT THAT PERSON WAS PREVIOUSLY RESIDENT IN VIETNAM.
ON THE OTHER HAND, MR ASPREY SAID PARTS VIIA AND VIIB WERE ENACTED IN AUGUST 1979 TO PROVIDE MORE EFFECTIVE SANCTIONS AGAINST THE TRAFFIC IN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
UNDER THE TWO PROVISIONS, ANY PERSON WHO AIDED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO ENTER HONG KONG COMMITTED AN OFFENCE.
HE POINTED OUT THAT OFFENDERS WERE LIABLE ON CONVICTION TO A FINE UP TO $5 MILLION AND IMPRISONMENT FOR LIFE, WHILE THE SHIPS AND OTHER PROPERTY INVOLVED WERE LIABLE TO FORFEITURE.
MR ASPREY ADDED THAT THE SUBSECTION AND THE PROVISIONS HAD BEEN RE-ENACTED ANNUALLY AND WOULD EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31 THIS YEAR UNLESS EXTENDED BY RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL.
HE SAID HE BELIEVED THESE PROVISIONS WERE STILL NECESSARY.
ON THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE (VBP), MR ASPREY NOTED THAT SECTION 18(3) NEEDED TO BE RETAINED TO GIVE THE GOVERNMENT AND UNHCR TIME TO MAKE REPATRIATION WORK.
HE POINTED OUT THAT SO FAR THIS YEAR, SOME 6,000 VBP HAD ARRIVED.
"ALTHOUGH IT IS ENCOURAGING TO NOTE THAT THE NUMBER OF ARRIVALS HAS DECREASED CONSIDERABLY AS COMPARED WITH 1988 OR 1989, THE PROBLEM IS LIKELY TO BE WITH US FOR SOME TIME YET.
"IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT WE SHOULD HAVE ADEQUATE POWERS TO IMPLEMENT IN FULL THE PROCEDURE LAID DOWN IN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS FROM VIETNAM: TO GIVE TEMPORARY ASYLUM, TO SCREEN NEW ARRIVALS TO DETERMINE THEIR CLAIM TO REFUGEE STATUS, TO RESETTLE GENUINE REFUGEES AND TO RETURN NON-REFUGEES SAFELY TO THEIR HOMES IN VIETNAM.
/"THIS IS
7
’’THIS IS A COMPLEX AND DIFFICULT PROCESS,” MR ASPREY SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT THERE WERE STILL SOME 30,000 VBP IN CAMPS AWAITING SCREENING, AND THE PROCESS OF STATUS DETERMINATION INEVITABLY TOOK TIME.
“WE ARE WORKING HARD TO SECURE THE RETURN OF ALL NON-REFUGEES TO VIETNAM, AND I AM PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO SAY THAT THE REPATRIATION PROGRAMME IS NOW DEVELOPING MOMENTUM.
"BUT HOWEVER FAST THE PROGRAMME DEVELOPS - AND I HOPE IT WILL DEVELOP VERY QUICKLY - THE PROCESS OF REPATRIATING ALL THE NON-REFUGEES WILL TAKE TIME," HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA, MR ASPREY EXPLAINED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE CHINESE TO RETURN AS ILLEGAL IMMGRANTS ALL THOSE VIETNAMESE, OF WHOM THERE WERE NOW SOME 200 IN HONG KONG, WHO HAD COME HERE AFTER PREVIOUSLY BEING SETTLED IN CHINA.
"WE AIM TO SECURE THEIR REPATRIATION AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE, BUT THIS PROCESS TOO INEVITABLY TAKES TIME," HE ADDED.
MR ASPREY NOTED THAT OF EVEN MORE CONCERN, HOWEVER, WAS THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA THIS YEAR.
IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF THIS YEAR SOME 24,000 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HAD BEEN ARRESTED, AN INCREASE OF 91 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
HE POINTED OUT THAT MANY OF THESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WERE ARRESTED ON CONSTRUCTION SITES OR AT OTHER PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT.
"PART OF THE REASON FOR THIS RECENT SURGE IN ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IS DELIBERATE MISREPRESENTATION AND THE SPREADING OF FALSE RUMOURS BY THE ’SNAKEHEADS' INVOLVED IN THE TRAFFICKING IN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
’’IT IS NECESSARY TO RETAIN STRONG SANCTIONS AGAINST THOSE WHO ENGAGE IN THIS TRADE," MR ASPREY STRESSED.
MR ASPREY EXPLAINED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD REVIEW THE POSITION AGAIN BEFORE THE END OF NEXT YEAR.
THE MOTION WAS APPROVED.
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/8 ........
8
CHANGES TO APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR FIRST QUARTER TABLED
* ♦ » » »
A SUMMARY OF ALL CHANGES MADE TO THE APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1990-91 WAS TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS.
SIR PIERS SAID SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION OF $55.5 MILLION WAS APPROVED.
"IT WAS FULLY OFFSET EITHER BY SAVINGS UNDER THE SAME OR OTHER HEADS OF EXPENDITURE OR BY THE DELETION OF FUNDS UNDER THE ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS SUBHEADS," THE SECRETARY SAID.
APPROVED NON-RECURRENT COMMITMENTS WERE INCREASED BY $314.1 MILLION DURING THE PERIOD, AND NEW NON-RECURRENT COMMITMENTS OF $78.1 MILLION WERE ALSO APPROVED.
IN THE SAME PERIOD, A NET INCREASE OF 1,483 POSTS WAS APPROVED, INCLUDING OVER 500 FOR HOSPITALS.
SIR PIERS SAID ITEMS IN THE SUMMARY HAD BEEN APPROVED EITHER BY FINANCE COMMITTEE OR UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY. THE LATTER HAD BEEN REPORTED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(8)(A) OF THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE.
- - 0 - -
NO COMPLACENCY FOR MTR EMERGENCY MEASURES AND PROCEDURES ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT WAS GENERALLY SATISFIED WITH THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION’S (MTRC) EMERGENCY MEASURES AND SAFETY PROCEDURES IN ENSURING PASSENGER SAFETY BUT THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR COMPLACENCY IN MATTERS OF PUBLIC SAFETY, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MIRIAM LAU IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR LEUNG STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO ENSURE THAT THE EMERGENCY EQUIPMENTS AND SAFETY PROCEDURES OF THE CORPORATION WERE BEING MAINTAINED AT THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE STANDARD AND THAT MEASURES TO PROTECT PASSENGER SAFETY WERE REVIEWED REGULARLY, AND IMPROVEMENTS INTRODUCED WHEREVER NECESSARY.
HE SAID THE MEASURES AND PROCEDURES PRESENTLY ADOPTED BY THB MTRA WERE SUFFICIENT TO ENSURE THE SAFE AND SPEEDY EVACUATION OF PASSENGERS DURING EMERGENCIES.
THE CORPORATION HAD WELL ESTABLISHED EMERGENCY PROCEDURES ENDORSED BY THE FIRE SERVICES AND THE POLICE.
/THESE WERE
9
THESE WERE SET OUT IN A PROCEDURAL MANUAL WHICH WAS REGULARLY REVIEWED AND UPDATED. IN ADDITION, THERE WERE SEPARATE EVACUATION PLANS FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.
ALL THESE PLANS AND PROCEDURES HAD ALSO BEEN REVIEWED AND ENDORSED INDEPENDENTLY BY THE UNITED KINGDOM CHIEF INSPECTING OFFICER OF RAILWAYS, WHO WAS THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT'S APPOINTED AGENT ON RAILWAY SAFETY AND REPORTED DIRECTLY TO THE GOVERNMENT.
MR LEUNG SAID ALL MTR STAFF ON STATIONS AND TRAINS WERE TRAINED IN EMERGENCY PROCEDURES. THEY ALSO RECEIVED REFRESHER TRAINING REGULARLY.
TWO MAJOR EMERGENCY DRILLS WERE CARRIED OUT ANNUALLY, INVOLVING BOTH THE FIRE SERVICES, POLICE AS WELL AS OTHER RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
HE ADDED THAT THE CORPORATION CARRIED OUT REGULAR CHECKS ON VENTILATION AND POWER CONTROL SYSTEMS AND EMERGENCY LIGHTS.
IT ALSO CONDUCTED SMOKE TESTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO CHICK THE ARRANGEMENTS AND PROCEDURES. IMPROVEMENTS WERE MADE TO THESE SYSTEMS AS AND WHEN NECESSARY, HE SAID.
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ROP 85 - NO GUARANTEE FOR PERMISSION OF STAY
******
PERSONS ISSUED WITH INITIAL APPLICATION FORMS TO REGISTER FOR IDENTITY CARD (ROP 85) HAVE NOT BEEN GIVEN PERMISSION TO TAKB EMPLOYMENT IN HONG KONG. THEY ARE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION IF FOUND WORKING IN HONG KONG.
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID THIS IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ELSIE TU IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR ASPREY EXPLAINED THAT ROP 85 WAS ONLY A FORM OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT WHICH INDICATED THAT THE HOLDER’S IMMIGRATION STATUS WAS BEING INVESTIGATED.
HE SAID THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ISSUED 57 SUCH APPLICATION FORMS IN 1988, 162 IN 1989, AND 2,149 IN THE FIRST 10-AND-A-HALF MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.
THE SECRETARY SAID SO FAR 19 OF THOSE ISSUED WITH THE FORM ROP 85 HAD BEEN ALLOWED TO STAY IN HONG KONG, AND 396 HAD BEEN REPATRIATED.
"THE REMAINDER, INCLUDING MANY WHO SURFACED IN RECENT WBEKS, ARE STILL BEING INVESTIGATED.
"I EXPECT THAT MORE WILL BE REPATRIATED IN THE NEAR FUTURE ONCE INVESTIGATIONS INTO THEIR CASES ARE COMPLETED," HE ADDED.
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/10........
10
NO MARRIED COUPLE NEED TO PAY MORE TAX UNDER NEW SYSTEM
*♦**»*
NO MARRIED COUPLE WILL IN TOTAL BE REQUIRED TO PAY MORE TAX UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM THAN THEY WOULD HAVE PAID UNDER THE PREVIOUS AGGREGATION SYSTEM, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON SELINA CHOW, SIR PIERS SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS AWARE OF THE CONCERN EXPRESSED BY SOME MARRIED WOMEN AT THEIR HIGHER THAN EXPECTED SALARIES TAX ASSESSMENTS FOR 1989-90 FOLLOWING THE INTRODUCTION OF SEPARATE TAXATION FOR MARRIED COUPLES.
"THE CONCERN IS MAINLY DUE TO THE FACT THAT SOME MARRIED WOMEN, WHO HAD NOT ELECTED IN 1988/89 TO RECEIVE SEPARATE NOTICES OF ASSESSMENT FOR THE TAX ATTRIBUTABLE TO THEIR OWN INCOME, HAD NO PROVISIONAL SALARIES TAX FOR SET-OFF IN THEIR ASSESSMENTS.
"A WIFE’S INCOME HAD BEEN GROUPED TOGETHER WITH THAT OF HER HUSBAND, AND THEREFORE, ANY PROVISIONAL .TAX HAD ALREADY BEEN CHARGED AND PAID BY THE HUSBAND.
"SINCE THERE WAS NO LEGAL BASIS TO APPORTION THAT PROVISIONAL TAX, THE HUSBAND HAD BEEN CREDITED WITH THE FULL AMOUNT, AND WOULD PAY LESS IN THE CURRENT YEAR OF ASSESSMENT," SIR PIERS SAID.
HE SAID THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT HAD ISSUED A PRESS RELEASE ON NOVEMBER 13 TO EXPLAIN THE SITUATION.
ON THE ASSURANCE HE GAVE PREVIOUSLY THAT "THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE WILL IDENTIFY AND ISSUE THE APPROPRIATE NOTIFICATION IN EVERY CASE WHERE IT WILL BE TO THE ADVANTAGE OF THE MARRIED COUPLE TO ELECT TO BE JOINTLY ASSESSED SO THAT NO MARRIED COUPLE WILL BECOME WORSE OFF UNDER SEPARATE TAXATION", SIR PIERS SAID A COMPUTER PROGRAM WHICH IDENTIFIED COUPLES WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM JOINT ASSESSMENT WAS NOW FULLY OPERATIONAL.
"ALREADY, SOME 30,000 JOINT ASSESSMENT ELECTION ADVICES HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO THESE COUPLES.
"IN THIS TRANSITIONAL YEAR FROM AGGREGATED FAMILY ASSESSMENTS TO SEPARATE TAXATION, THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT IS TAKING EVERY POSSIBLE ACTION TO EXPEDITE THE PROCESS, AND THE COMMISSIONER IS CONFIDENT THAT ALL WHO SHOULD PAY LESS TAX UNDER JOINT ASSESSMENT WILL BE NOTIFIED BEFORE THE DUE DATE FOR PAYMENT OF THE FIRST TAX INSTALMENT," SIR PIERS ADDED.
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11
PROVISIONS ON RECOVERY OF DRUG TRAFFICKING PROCEEDS WIDELY USED
THE PROVISIONS OF THE DRUG TRAFFICKING (RECOVERY OF PROCEEDS) ORDINANCE HAVE BEEN WIDELY USED SINCE THE ORDINANCE CAME INTO OPERATION LAST YEAR.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON DAVID LI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID: ’’UNDER SECTIONS 10 AND 11 OF THE ORDINANCE, 68 ORDERS HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE COURTS FOR THE RESTRAINT OR CHARGING OF PROPERTY WHICH MAY BE LIABLE TO CONFISCATION AS THE PROCEEDS OF DRUG TRAFFICKING.
"THE TOTAL VALUE OF PROPERTY RESTRAINED OR CHARGED HAS BEEN OVER $240 MILLION.
"UNDER SECTION 3 OF THE ORDINANCE, 11 CONFISCATION ORDERS TO A TOTAL VALUE OF OVER $933,000 HAVE BEEN MADE. OF THIS AMOUNT, OVER $306,000 HAS SO FAR BEEN RECOVERED."
THE SECRETARY SAID UNDER SECTION 20 OF THE ORDINANCE, THE COURTS HAD MADE 253 ORDERS FOR MATERIAL TO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO AUTHORISED OFFICERS FOR THE PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATIONS INTO DRUG TRAFFICKING.
HE SAID THAT A TOTAL OF 196 SEARCH WARRANTS HAD BEEN ISSUED BY THE COURTS UNDER SECTION 21 OF THE ORDINANCE, AND A TOTAL OF 145 DISCLOSURES OF SUSPICIOUS TRANSACTIONS HAD BEEN MADE TO THE AUTHORITIES UNDER SECTION 25(3) OF THE ORDINANCE.
THREE PEOPLE HAD BEEN CHARGED WITH MONEY LAUNDERING OFFENCES UNDER SECTION 25 OF THE ORDINANCE, THE SECRETARY ADDED.
- - 0 - -
MOTORBOAT RESTRICTION AT NON-GAZETTED BEACHES NOT PANACEA TO ENSURE SWIMMERS’ SAFETY *****
THE DESIGNATION OF SPECIFIC LANDING PLACES FOR MOTORBOATS AT NON-GAZETTED BEACHES WOULD NOT IN ITSELF ENSURE THE SAFETY OF SWIMMERS, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON ANSON CHAN, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP, MRS CHAN SAID THIS WAS BECAUSE THE WATERS ADJACENT TO NON-GAZETTED BEACHES WERE NOT MARKED OFF FOR SWIMMING AND MOTORBOATS WOULD STILL BE ABLE TO APPROACH A DESIGNATED LANDING PLACE FROM ANY DIRECTION.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT THE ONLY OTHER OPTION WOULD SEEM TO BE TO PROHIBIT MOTORISED VESSELS FROM ENTERING THE WATERS ADJACENT TO A NONGAZETTED BEACH.
/’’HOWEVER, THE
12
"HOWEVER, THE EFFECT WOULD BE TO DENY MANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ACCESS TO THESE AREAS, MOST OF WHICH ARE REMOTE AND NOT EASILY ACCESSIBLE BY ANY OTHER MEANS.
"SUCH A MEASURE WOULD NOT SEEM TO BE JUSTIFIED IN VIEW OF THE VERY FEW ACCIDENTS INVOLVING SWIMMERS FROM VESSELS OPERATING IN THE WATERS OF HONG KONG," MRS CHAN SAID.
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TWO-WEEK RULE FOR FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPER MAINTAINED
*****
IN ALL CASES WHERE SUFFICIENT AND SELF-EVIDENT REASONS HAVE BEEN ADVANCED IN SUPPORT OF AN EXTENSION OF STAY FOR A FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPER, PERMISSION IS ALWAYS GIVEN, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON K.Y. YEUNG, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PEGGY LAM, MR YEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERED THAT THE "TWO-WEEK RULE" HAD TO BE MAINTAINED.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE RULE WAS NEVER INTENDED FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENABLING DOMESTIC HELPERS TO FIND ALTERNATIVE EMPLOYERS.
"IT WAS INTRODUCED IN 1987 AS A NECESSARY FORM OF CONTROL AGAINST JOB-HOPPING.
"IF A DOMESTIC HELPER HAS A VALID REASON TO SEEK AN ALTERNATIVE EMPLOYER, SHE SHOULD GO TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT FOR COUNSELLING, AND TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER SHE MAY BE PERMITTED TO FIND AN ALTERNATIVE EMPLOYER AND GRANTED AN EXTENSION OF STAY," MR YEUNG SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD RECENTLY REVIEWED THE "TWO-WEEK RULE".
"WE ARE AWARE THAT FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS HAVE ARGUED THAT THE EXISTENCE OF THIS RULE INHIBITS THEM FROM MAKING COMPLAINTS ABOUT BAD TREATMENT BY THEIR EMPLOYERS, AND THAT TWO WEEKS IS IN ANY CASE TOO SHORT A PERIOD OF TIME FOR THE PURPOSE OF FINDING AN ALTERNATIVE EMPLOYER.
"WE HAVE EXAMINED THESE CRITICISMS CAREFULLY, AND HAVE REACHED THE CONCLUSION THAT THERE ARE INSUFFICIENT GROUNDS FOR MODIFYING THE TWO-WEEK RULE,” HE SAID.
EXPLAINING THE RULE, MR YEUNG SAID THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS ENFORCEMENT.
HE NOTED THAT AT THE PRESENT TIME, A FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPER WAS ALLOWED TO WORK IN HONG.KONG FOR A SPECIFIC EMPLOYER UNDER AN APPROVED CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT.
/THE DURATION .......
13
THE DURATION OF THESE CONTRACTS WAS NORMALLY TWO YEARS.
ON ARRIVAL IN HONG KONG, MR YEUNG SAID THE DOMESTIC HELPER’S PASSPORT WAS ENDORSED WITH A CONDITION WHICH ALLOWED HER TO REMAIN IN HONG KONG FOR 12 MONTHS OR FOR TWO WEEKS AFTER THE TERMINATION OF HER CONTRACT, WHICHEVER WAS THE EARLIER.
AT THE END OF THE FIRST 12 MONTHS, SO LONG AS THE DOMESTIC HELPER CONTINUED TO WORK FOR THE SAME EMPLOYER, HER STAY WOULD BE EXTENDED FOR ANOTHER 12 MONTHS, HE ADDED.
MR YEUNG POINTED OUT THAT AT THE END OF THE TWO YEARS, THE DOMESTIC HELPER MIGHT CHOOSE TO ENTER INTO A NEW CONTRACT WITH THE SAME EMPLOYER OR WITH ANOTHER EMPLOYER, OR RETURN TO HER COUNTRY OF ORIGIN.
"PROBLEMS MAY ARISE IF THE CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT IS TERMINATED PREMATURELY.
"IF THE CONTRACT WAS TERMINATED BY THE DOMESTIC HELPER HERSELF, THE TWO-WEEK RULE WOULD APPLY UNLESS THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION IS SATISFIED THAT SHE HAS A GOOD REASON FOR STAYING LONGER.
"IN THAT EVENT, THE DIRECTOR WOULD NORMALLY GRANT HER AN EXTENSION OF STAY,” HE SAID.
SIMILARLY, MR YEUNG SAID IF THE CONTRACT WAS TERMINATED BY THE EMPLOYER UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, THE DOMESTIC HELPER MIGHT ALSO BE GRANTED AN EXTENSION OF STAY.
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CONTROLS ON SPECULATIVE PROPERTY ACTIVITIES UNDESIRABLE
*****
CONTROLS ON SPECULATIVE ACTIVITIES IN PROPERTY IS UNNECESSARY AND MAY NOT BE DESIRABLE, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BARNES SAID SUCH CONTROLS WERE DISRUPTIVE TO DEVELOPMENT FINANCING AND HENCE PROPERTY SUPPLIES AND WOULD PROBABLY DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD TO THE ECONOMY.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LEUNG WAI-TUNG, MR BARNES SAID: "THE GOVERNMENT HAS CONSIDERED CONTROLS ON SPECULATIVE ACTIVITIES IN PROPERTY BEFORE, AT PERIODS WHICH APPEARED TO WARRANT SUCH CONTROLS MUCH MORE THAN NOW."
HE SAID COMPLAINTS TO THE CONSUMER COUNCIL AGAINST PROPERTY NCIES FOR 88/89, 89/90 AND FOR THE PERIOD FROM APRIL 1990 UP TO iW NUMBERED 99, 77 AND 76 RESPECTIVELY.
/THE INDEPENDENT .......
14
THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION RECEIVED S3 COMPLAINTS LAST YEAR AND 46 IN THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, MR BARNES SAID.
’’THESE ARE NOT REALLY HIGH FIGURES IN RELATION TO THE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF TRANSACTIONS DONE THROUGH SOME 2,500 COMPANIES BUT THE SUMS OF MONEY INVOLVED CAN BE VERY LARGE.”
MR BARNES SAID THE CONSUMER COUNCIL WAS SERIOUSLY CONCERNED AND PROPOSED TO MAKE A STUDY OF PROPERTY AGENCIES EARLY NEXT YEAR.
”1 COULD NOT NOW ANTICIPATE WHETHER THE COUNCIL WILL RECOMMEND CONTROLLING LEGISLATION,” HE SAID.
BUT HE ASSURED THAT ITS REPORT WOULD BE TAKEN VERY SERIOUSLY.
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GOVT SATISFIES WITH AIRPORT EMERGENCY SERVICES
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS SATISFIED WITH THE EMERGENCY SERVICES AT KAI TAK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PETER WONG, MR ASPREY SAID KAI TAK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT COMPLIED FULLY WITH INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANISATION (ICAO) STANDARDS AND RECOMMENDED PRACTICES REGARDING RESPONSE TIME TO EMERGENCIES AND LEVEL OF PROTECTION AFFORDED.
THE SECRETARY SAID COMPREHENSIVE PLANS EXISTED TO DEAL WITH ALL SORTS OF EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.
"THESE PLANS ARE REGULARLY UPDATED AND TESTED TO ENSURE THAT ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER AGENCIES ARE AWARE OF THEIR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, AND ARE ABLE TO RESPOND QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY,” MR ASPREY SAID.
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/15
15
UNOCCUPIED PREMISES SHOULD BE CHARGED
******
THERE WERE TWO COMPELLING LEAST A PORTION OF THE RATES ON SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
ARGUMENTS IN FAVOUR OF CHARGING AT UNOCCUPIED PREMISES, THE FINANCIAL JACOBS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE
SIR PIERS SAID UNOCCUPIED PREMISES ARE PROVIDED WITH SERVICES TO THE SAME EXTENT AS THOSE WHICH ARE OCCUPIED, AND CHARGING RATES ON UNOCCUPIED DOMESTIC PREMISES MAY DETER LANDLORDS FROM KEEPING PREMISES VACANT.
HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON RITA FAN.
IN ADDITION, SIR PIERS SAID, THE ADMINISTRATIVE COST OF ACTUALLY REFUNDING RATES PAID AND INSPECTING VACANT PREMISES WAS FAIRLY SUBSTANTIAL.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE RATING ORDINANCE ORIGINALLY PROVIDED FOR A REFUND OF HALF THE RATE PAID TO BE GRANTED IN RESPECT OF ALL UNOCCUPIED PREMISES.
SUBSEQUENTLY, DURING THE 1973/74 BUDGET DEBATE, MEMBERS EXPRESSED CONCERN ON THE NUMBER OF FLATS THEN VACANT AND ARGUED THAT THERE WAS A TENDENCY TO "HOARD" BY DEVELOPERS SEEKING A CAPITAL APPRECIATION AND BY LANDLORDS SEEKING TO RAISE RENTS.
"IN RESPONSE, THE ADMINISTRATION ACKNOWLEDGED THAT A CASE EXISTED FOR AMENDING THE RATING ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR FULL RATES TO BE APPLIED TO VACANT DOMESTIC PREMISES.
"THE RATING ORDINANCE WAS LATER AMENDED WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1, 1974 TO CHARGE FULL, RATHER THAN HALF, RATES FOR VACANT DOMESTIC PREMISES," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID THESE REFUND PROVISIONS HAD BEEN REVIEWED REGULARLY SINCE 1974.
"HOWEVER, BEARING IN MIND THE ARGUMENTS WHICH LED TO THE REFUND PROVISIONS BEING AMENDED IN THE FIRST PLACE, THE ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERS THAT THE PREVAILING CIRCUMSTANCES DO NOT WARRANT A DEPARTURE FROM THE EXISTING POLICY.
"THE DEMAND IS STILL STRONG IN MOST SEGMENTS OF THE DOMESTIC PROPERTY MARKET. ANY RELAXATION OF THE POLICY COULD LEAD TO ADDITIONAL UPWARD PRESSURE BEING EXERTED ON DOMESTIC RENTS. THIS IS CLEARLY NOT DESIRABLE," SIR PIERS ADDED.
HE ALSO SAID HALF REFUNDS FOR VACANT NON-DOMESTIC PREMISES HAD CONTINUED TO BE ALLOWED BECAUSE THERE HAD NEVER BEEN ANY INDICATION THAT SUCH PREMISES WERE BEING HELD VACANT WITH A VIEW TO INFLUENCING THE MARKET.
HOWEVER, THE ADMINISTRATION KEPT THE POLICY TO RATE UNOCCUPIED PREMISES UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW, AND THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WOULD BE SOUGHT IF PROPOSALS WERE DEVELOPED TO CHANGE THE PRESENT PRACTICES.
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/16 ........
16
COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR TO APPROVE DOMESTIC HELPER’S CHANGE OF ADDRESS CONSIDERED *****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT CONSIDERS THAT CHANGES TO THE DOMESTIC HELPER’S PLACE OF RESIDENCE CAN BE APPROVED IN WRITING BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR WITHOUT THE NEED FOR A FORMAL AMENDMENT OF A CLAUSE OF THE STANDARD CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON K.Y. YEUNG, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ELSIE TU, MR YEUNG SAID CLAUSE 3 OF THE STANDARD CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT PROVIDED THAT A FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPER SHOULD RESIDE AND WORK AT A PARTICULAR ADDRESS, THAT WAS, THE EMPLOYER’S ADDRESS.
"THIS CLAUSE CAN BE AMENDED BY MUTUAL AGREEMENT. HOWEVER, UNDER CLAUSE 13, ANY VARIATION OF THE TERMS OF THE CONTRACT WOULD REQUIRE THE CONSENT OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR,” MR YEUNG SAID.
HE SAID THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAD RECENTLY COMPLETED A REVIEW OF THE STANDARD CONTRACT TO SEE IF IT COULD BE SIMPLIFIED.
MR YEUNG SAID A RECOMMENDATION WHICH SOUGHT TO APPROVE CHANGES TO THE HELPER’S PLACE OF RESIDENCE IN WRITING BY THE COMMISSIONER WAS BEING EXAMINED BY THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT.
----0------
SEVEN BILLS PASSED
*****
SEVEN BILLS WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THEY WERE THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVISIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE URBAN COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1990, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1990, THE DISTRICT BOARDS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, AND THE CRIMINAL LAW (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990.
IN THE RESUMED DEBATE OF THE SIX ELECTION-RELATED BILLS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO, SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
THREE MOTIONS, ONE ON THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE MOVED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, ANOTHER ON THE
TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS (ASSISTANCE FUND) ORDINANCE MOVED BY THE
SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, AND THE
THIRD ON THE IMMIGRATION . ORDINANCE MOVED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, WERE ALSO PASSED.
TWO REPORTS WERE TABLED. THEY WERE THE REPORT OF CHANGES TO THE APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE APPROVED DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990-91 AND THE OCEAN PARK CORPORATION ANNUAL REPORT 1989-90. -----------------------------------0--------------
/17........
17
HONG KONG/JAPAN ENJOY EXCELLENT ECONOMIC RELATIONS
*****
THE EXCELLENT ECONOMIC RELATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND JAPAN ARE ONE OF THE SUCCESS STORIES OF REGIONAL CO-OPERATION, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID IN TOKYO TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SIR DAVID WAS ADDRESSING A LUNCHEON MEETING HOSTED BY HONG KONG/JAPAN BUSINESS CO-OPERATION COMMITTEE, JAPAN/HONG KONG SOCIETY AND HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL IN TOKYO.
CITING A FEW FACTS TO ILLUSTRATE THE CLOSE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND JAPAN ON TRADE, FINANCE, INVESTMENT AND TOURISM, SIR DAVID SAID LIKE ANY NEIGHBOURS, THE TWO PLACES WOULD OCCASIONALLY HAVE PROBLEMS TO SORT OUT SO THAT THE RELATIONSHIP COULD GROW.
"ONE CONCERN WE HAVE IS THE SUBSTANTIAL IMBALANCE IN OUR BILATERAL TRADE. WE NOW IMPORT FROM YOU MORE THAN FOUR TIMES AS MUCH AS WE EXPORT TO YOU," SIR DAVID SAID.
NOTING THAT JAPAN’S SECOND LARGEST TRADE SURPLUS WAS WITH HONG KONG, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE RECENT FALL IN THE YEN HAD TAKEN ITS TOLL ON HONG KONG’S EXPORTS TO JAPAN.
"THESE HAVE FALLEN 10 PER CENT IN VALUE SO FAR THIS YEAR, REVERSING THE UPWARD TREND OF MANY YEARS," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG DID NOT SEEK ARTIFICIAL AID TO HELP ITS EXPORTS TO JAPAN.
"WE GENUINELY BELIEVE IN FREE TRADE. WE LOOK ONLY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRACTISE IT," HE SAID.
WELCOMING THE MOVES BEING MADE TO OPEN FURTHER JAPAN’S MARKET AND TO PROMOTE DOMESTIC DEMAND, SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG HOPED THAT MORE COULD BE DONE.
"WE ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A TWO-WAY PROCESS. WE ARB AWARE OF THE NEED FOR MORE PAINSTAKING EFFORTS BY HONG KONG SALESMEN TO PENETRATE THE JAPANESE MARKET," HE SAID.
POINTING OUT THAT HONG KONG WAS AWARE OF THE NEED TO BROADEN THE RANGE OF ITS EXPORTS TO JAPAN, SIR DAVID NOTED THAT MUCH HAD BEEN DONE ON BOTH SIDES TO FACILITATE HONG KONG EXPORTS TO JAPAN.
"MORE REMAINS TO BE DONE. I AM SURE THAT IT WILL BE.
"WE HAVE A COMMON INTEREST IN DEVELOPING OUR COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF ACHIEVING A BRIGHTER, MORE PROSPEROUS FUTURE FOR US BOTH," HE SAID.
OUTLINING <THE ROLE OF HONG KONG IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF CHINA, SIR DAVID SAID IF HONG KONG WAS TO PLAY THAT PART TO THE FULL, THE TERRITORY MUST PLAN AND BUILD FOR THE FUTURE WITH FORESIGHT AND CONFIDENCE.
/"THAT IS .......
18
"THAT IS WHY WE ARE PLANNING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW AIRPORT - AND THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF OUR PORT, ALREADY THE BUSIEST CONTAINER PORT IN THE WORLD," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THOSE PROJECTS WOULD PROVIDE A CONSIDERABLE BOOST TO HONG KONG’S ECONOMY OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS AND THEY WOULD PRESENT OVERSEAS CONTRACTORS WITH SOME VERY CHALLENGING OPPORTUNITIES.
"AND THEY WILL PROVIDE HONG KONG WITH A QUITE OUTSTANDING TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE BEFORE THE TURN OF THIS CENTURY.
"WE ARE STARTING TO BUILD NOW FOR THE FUTURE PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG - AND THE ROLE A PROSPEROUS HONG KONG CAN PLAY IN THE FUTURE ECONOMIC EXPANSION OF SOUTHERN CHINA," SIR DAVID SAID.
IN THIS PROCESS, SIR DAVID SAID HE BELIEVED THAT THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPANDING TRADE, BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT LINKS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND JAPAN WOULD BE TREMENDOUS; WHETHER THIS WAS THE JAPANESE BUYER LOOKING FOR GOOD QUALITY PRODUCTS AT COMPETITIVE PRICES, OR THE JAPANESE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY WITH EXPERIENCE TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS BUILDING HONG KONG’S INFRASTRUCTURE.
TURNING TO MULTILATERAL CONTEXT Op TRADE, SIR DAVID SAID HE HAD NO DOUBT THAT COMMERCIAL RELATIONS BETWEEN JAPAN AND HONG KONO HAD A BRIGHT FUTURE.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT JUST HOW BRIGHT WOULD DEPEND ON MANY FACTORS, AND ONE IMPORTANT FACTOR WAS THE OUTCOME OF THE URUGUAY ROUND OF TRADE TALKS BEING HELD UNDER THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT).
"MINISTERS WILL BE MEETING IN BRUSSELS NEXT WEEK TO TRY TO REACH FINAL AGREEMENTS ON THE MANY HIGHLY COMPLEX TRADE ISSUES DEBATED OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS.
"THESE ARE NO DRY-AS-DUST TECHNICAL TALKS OF LITTLE SIGNIFICANCE TO THE ORDINARY WORLD.
"THEY ARE OF VITAL IMPORTANCE TO ALL OF US. SUCCESS WILL BOOST TRADING AND TRADING POTENTIAL THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. FAILURE WOULD BE A SETBACK FOR THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM - A SYSTEM WHICH HAS DONE SO MUCH TO HELP THE GROWTH OF TRADE OVER THE LAST 40 YEARS," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HONG KONG LIVED BY TRADE, SO IT WAS HARDLY SURPRISING THAT HONG KONG HAD TRIED ITS HARDEST TO PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE URUGUAY ROUND AND HARDLY SURPRISING THAT HONG KONG WAS SO KEEN TO SEE AN OUTCOME THAT WOULD BOLSTER THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM.
"WE LOOK WITH ANXIOUS INTEREST AT THE MINISTERIAL MEETINGS NEXT WEEK. WE WISH THEM A SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME.
"SUCCESS WOULD MEAN MUCH FOR THE STABLE DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE. IT WOULD ALSO SET THE STAGE FOR REGIONAL GROWTH," HE SAID.
/ON ASIA-PACIFIC .......
19
ON ASIA-PACIFIC REGIONAL TRADE, SIR DAVID SAID GROWING ECONOMIC INTERDEPENDENCE REQUIRED CLOSER ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION BOTH BILATERALLY AND REGIONALLY.
"HONG KONG IS BEING ADMITTED TO THE PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION CONFERENCE (PECC), TO JOIN JAPAN AND 14 OTHER ECONOMIES IN THAT WELL-ESTABLISHED REGIONAL FORUM.
"WE HOPE THAT WE CAN JOIN THE INTER-GOVERNMENTAL ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC CONFERENCE (APEC) IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
"FOR IT IS BY EXCHANGING IDEAS, ESTABLISHING CONTACTS AND DEVELOPING MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING THAT WE CAN PROMOTE REGIONAL GROWTH AND THE HARMONIOUS DEVELOPMENT OF TRADE," HE SAID.
AS THE LARGEST AND MOST ADVANCED ECONOMY IN THE REGION, JAPAN WAS PARTICULARLY WELL-PLACED TO TAKE A LEADING ROLE IN THIS PROCESS, SIR DAVID SAID.
"HONG KONG, AS AN OPEN-MARKET ECONOMY THAT LIVES BY TRADE, WILL DO ITS BEST TO PLAY ITS PART TO THE FULL," HE ADDED.
------0-------
GOVERNOR MEETS JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER
*****
THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC TRADE MISSION TO JAPAN, HEADED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, CONCLUDED A HECTIC ROUND OF MEETINGS IN TOKYO TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ON AN ENTHUSIASTIC NOTE.
THE DAY BEGAN WITH THE GOVERNOR MEETING THE JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER, MR TOSHIKI KAIFU. SIR DAVID WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, BARONESS DUNN, THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO JAPAN, SIR JOHN WHITEHEAD, AND THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ALLEN LEE.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE GROWING TRADE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND JAPAN WAS HIGH ON THE AGENDA OF THE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE PRIME MINISTER.
AFTER THE MEETING SIR DAVID TOLD REPORTERS THAT HE HAD MENTIONED THE IMPORTANT ROLE HONG KONG PLAYED IN TERMS OF JAPANESE TRADE WITH CHINA.
HE SAID A QUARTER OF TOTAL JAPANESE EXPORTS TO CHINA WENT THROUGH HONG KONG.
"I THINK MR KAIFU IS VERY INTERESTED IN THE ECONOMIC ROLE THAT HONG KONG CAN PLAY IN TERMS OF JAPANESE ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH CHINA."
SIR DAVID SAID HE WAS STRESSING TO JAPANESE BUSINESSMEN THE ENORMOUS OPPORTUNITIES THAT WERE AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG.
/"IF PEOPLE .......
20
"IF PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO SEIZE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES, THEY ARE THERE.
"WHAT I AM ALSO SAYING IS THAT HONG KONG IS A PLACE WHERE THE ECONOMY IS STILL DOING WELL. IT IS NOT GROWING AT QUITE THE RATE IT WAS IN THE PAST FEW YEARS - THAT’S WHAT WE EXPECTED. BUT IT IS A VERY RESILIENT ECONOMY.
"IT’S A MESSAGE OF OPPORTUNITY, THAT I’M GIVING, RATHER THAN REASSURANCE. HONG KONG IS A PLACE WHERE IF YOU ARE A GOOD BUSINESSMAN KEEN AND COMPETITIVE, YOU CAN BE VERY SUCCESSFUL. SO IT’S A QUESTION OF DO PEOPLE TAKE THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE THERE."
THE GOVERNOR ALSO DELIVERED A KEYNOTE ADDRESS TO A LUNCHEON ATTENDED BY 450 JAPANESE BUSINESS EXECUTIVES. THE FUNCTION WAS ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG/JAPAN BUSINESS CO-OPERATION COMMITTEE, THE JAPAN/HONG KONG SOCIETY AND THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL IN TOKYO.
THE GOOD RESPONSE FROM BUSINESS LEADERS MADE THE FUNCTION ONE OF THE BIGGEST RECENT GATHERINGS FOR A BUSINESS LUNCH IN TOKYO.
PRIOR TO THE LUNCH, THE GOVERNOR AND BARONESS DUNN JOINED OTHER MISSION MEMBERS FOR INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS WITH THE LUNCHEON VIP GUESTS .
THE MISSION ALSO MET WITH MR TARO NAKAYAMA, THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MR ICHIRO OZAWA, SECRETARY GENERAL OF JAPAN’S RULING LIBERAL DEMOCRACTIC PARTY (LDP), AND MR TAKAKAZU KURIYAMA, VICE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
THE GOVERNOR AND LADY WILSON ALSO VISITED THE TOKYO OFFICES OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE, HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, AND THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION WHERE HE WAS BRIEFED BY SENIOR STAFF AND CHATTED INFORMALLY WITH EMPLOYEES.
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GOVERNOR’S COMMENTS ON NEW BRITISH PRIME MINISTER
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON HE DID NOT EXPECT THE CHANGE OF LEADERSHIP IN THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY WOULD LEAD TO ANY CHANGE IN BRITISH POLICY TOWARDS HONG KONG.
ASKED TO COMMENT ON THE EMERGENCE OF MR JOHN MAJOR AS THE NEW BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, SIR DAVID SAID: "WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS WE NOW HAVE A CLEAR PICTURE OF WHO IS GOING TO BE PRIME MINISTER.
"MR MAJOR DOES KNOW A CERTAIN AMOUNT ABOUT THE BACKGROUND OF HONG KONG. ALTHOUGH HE WAS IN THE FOREIGN OFFICE ONLY FOR A SHORT TIME, HE DID BRIEF HIMSELF VERY THOROUGHLY ON HONG KONG DURING THAT TIME.
/"I REMEMBER .......
21
"I REMEMBER HAVING A LONG DISCUSSION WITH HIM WHILE HE WAS IN THE FOREIGN OFFICE.
"I WOULDN’T EXPECT THIS TO LEAD TO ANY CHANGE IN BRITISH POLICY TOWARDS HONG KONG. THAT IS SET AND IS VERY CLEAR BASED ON THE JOINT DECLARATION AND I WOULD EXPECT THAT UNDER MR MAJOR AS PRIME MINISTER WE WOULD CONTINUE TO GET THE SAME SUPPORT FOR THE OBJECTIVES OF BUILDING UP HONG KONG FOR THE FUTURE WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AS WE’VE HAD IN THE PAST."
ASKED IF THE GOVERNOR EXPECTED TO MEET MR MAJOR IN LONDON NEXT WEEK, AND WHETHER HE PLANNED TO EXTEND AN INVITATION TO HIM TO VISIT HONG KONG, SIR DAVID SAID: "ON THE FIRST QUESTION, MR MAJOR WON’T KNOW YET WHAT HIS PROGRAMME WILL BE. SO AS A RESULT I DON’T YET KNOW WHAT MY PROGRAMME WILL BE WHEN I GO TO LONDON. I CAN’T BE CLEAR ON THAT AT THE MOMENT.
"I WOULD HOPE, THAT AS SOON AS HE HAS AN OPPORTUNITY HE WILL TAKE THE CHANCE TO COME TO HONG KONG. HE IS GOING TO HAVE AN AWFUL LOT OF THINGS TO DEAL WITH ON HIS PLATE TO START WITH, SO WHEN THAT MIGHT BE IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO SAY AT THE MOMENT."
ON THE QUESTION OF THE GOVERNOR’S GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH MRS THATCHER AND WHETHER THIS WOULD CONTINUE UNDER MR MAJOR, SIR DAVID SAID: "I’VE MET MR MAJOR ALREADY AND HAD A VERY LONG CONVERSATION WITH HIM ABOUT HONG KONG AFFAIRS LAST SUMMER, JUST AFTER HE HAD TAKEN OVER AS FOREIGN MINISTER.
"SO I’VE HAD A CHANCE TO MEET HIM AND TO TALK TO HIM ABOUT HONG KONG ALREADY, AND I CERTAINLY HOPE THERE WILL BE A CHANCE TO BUILD ON THAT IN THE FUTURE."
ON HONG KONG’S PORT AND AIRPORT PROJECTS, THE GOVERNOR SAID THERE HAD BEEN A LOT OF INTEREST FROM JAPANESE COMPANIES.
HE SAID THERE WERE A LARGE NUMBER OF DIFFERENT PROJECTS INVOLVED IN THE AIRPORT AND PORT AND THE FIRST TENDERING PROCEDURES WERE JUST BEING STARTED.
"IT’S NOT POSSIBLE AT THIS STAGE TO SAY HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL ACTUALLY BE SUCCESSFUL IN WINNING CONTRACTS.
"HOWEVER, THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF INTEREST IN IT AND THERE ARE A LOT OF JAPANESE CONSTRUCTION FIRMS, FOR INSTANCE, WHO WILL CLEARLY BE IN A GOOD POSITION TO BID."
ASKED ABOUT PRIVATE SECTOR FINANCING FOR THE PROJECTS, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE PORT AND AIRPORT HAD TO BE LOOKED AT SEPARATELY.
"THE AIRPORT IS A CLEAR CUT DECISION - YOU DO IT OR YOU DON'T DO IT. THE PORT IS SOMETHING THAT IS DEVELOPED INCREMENTALLY AND THE PORT WILL HAVE A FAR GREATER PERCENTAGE OF PRIVATE SECTOR IN IT THAN THE AIRPORT WILL. BUT ROUGHLY YOU CAN SAY IT IS 40 TO 60 PER CENT."
/SIR DAVID .......
22
SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO SAY HOW MUCH OF THAT INVESTMENT WOULD COME FROM JAPAN AS IT WOULD DEPEND ON THE SUCCESS OF THE VARIOUS BIDS.
HE SAID JAPANESE BANKS WERE INTERESTED IN THE PROJECTS. "BUT WE HAVEN’T YET GOT TO THE POINT WHERE THEY HAVE PUT IN TENDERS WHICH HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL, SO YOU CAN’T SAY WHAT THE END RESULT WILL BE, BUT THE INTEREST IS THERE - THAT’S CLEAR, VERY CLEAR."
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE INTEREST FROM THE JAPANESE IN THE AIRPORT WAS BASED ON THE VERY GREAT JAPANESE INTEREST IN INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG AS A WHOLE.
"THEY ARE ONE OF OUR BIGGEST EXTERNAL INVESTORS NOW," HE ADDED.
_ _ 0 - -
DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR’S STATEMENT ON NEW LEADERSHIP ******
ASKED TO COMMENT ON THE CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP OF THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY, THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORNING :
"I DONT'T THINK THAT THERE IS LIKELY TO BE ANY CHANGE OF POLICY AS A RESULT OF THE CHANGE OF LEADERSHIP OF THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY. INDEED, I AM SURE THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE WARM SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT FROM THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF MR MAJOR. IF, AS IT SEEMS LIKELY, MR HURD STAYS AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE, THAT WILL ALSO BE AN ADDED BONUS FOR HONG KONG IN THAT WE HAVE SOMEONE WHO IS VERY EXPERIENCED IN DEALING WITH CHINA AND IN DEALING WITH HONG KONG AFFAIRS. SO I THINK WE CAN PLACE THE FUTURE UNDER THE NEW LEADERSHIP WITH A GREAT DEAL OF CONFIDENCE.”
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HK’S STATUS AS LEADING MARITIME CENTRE ENHANCED *****
HONG KONG’S OWN SHIPPING REGISTER IS ESTABLISHED TO ENHANCE THE TERRITORY’S POSITION AS A LEADING SHIPPING CENTRE, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
”IT IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SHIPOWNERS WITH A REASONABLY-PRICED, FLEXIBLE AND MODERN REGISTRY BASED ON ESTABLISHED INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS OF SHIP OPERATION AND BACKED UP BY AN EFFICIENT MARITIME ADMINISTRATION BUILT UPON MORE THAN 100 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE,” SHE SAID.
/URGING PARTICIPANTS
23
URGING PARTICIPANTS OF THE 1990 SEATRADE HONG KONG CONFERENCE TO VISIT THE MARINE DEPARTMENT’S STAND IN THE EXHIBITION HALL OF THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT THE REGISTER WAS NOT ESTABLISHED TO RAISE REVENUE, EVEN THOUGH THE GOVERNMENT EXPECTED IT TO BE SELF-FINANCING.
"WE WILL ALSO SHORTLY BE INTRODUCING EXEMPTION FROM PROFITS TAX IN RESPECT OF GOODS UPLIFTED IN HONG KONG BY OCEAN-GOING SHIPS REGISTERED ON THE NEW REGISTER, AND FROM THE CHARTER HIRE OF OCEANGOING SHIPS, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER THE SHIPS ARE REGISTERED LN HONG KONG.
"THIS EXEMPTION IS AN EXCEPTIONAL ARRANGEMENT WHICH WILL GIVE A FURTHER BOOST TO THE NEW REGISTER AND THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF HONG KONG GENERALLY AS A SHIPPING CENTRE," SHE SAID.
/ ON THE SUPPLY OF AND DEMAND FOR QUALIFIED SEAFARERS, MRS CHAN
SAID: "AS RECENT FORECASTS INDICATE THAT WE SHOULD EXPECT A GROWING SHORTAGE OF SEAFARERS WORLDWIDE, HONG KONG WILL NOT BE IMMUNE.
"SO IN PARALLEL WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW SHIPPING REGISTER, WE ARE REMOVING THE NATIONALITY RESTRICTIONS ON THE MASTER AND SENIOR OFFICERS OF HONG KONG SHIPS TO ALLOW SHIPOWNERS GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN THEIR CHOICE OF QUALIFIED SEAFARERS," SHE ADDED.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE GOVERNMENT WAS DOING WHAT IT COULD TO IMPROVE THE EXISTING FACILITIES FOR THE TRAINING OF BOTH OFFICERS AND RATINGS, MRS CHAN SAID.
"THE INSTITUTIONS CONCERNED OFFER COURSES WHICH RANGE FROM BASIC TRAINING IN SHIPBOARD SAFETY AND SEA SURVIVAL TO THE HIGHEST PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS IN MARINE ENGINEERING, NAUTICAL SCIENCE AND RADIO-COMMUNICATIONS.
"THE CURRICULA FOR THE PROFESSIONAL COURSES HAVE BEEN REVIEWED, MODERNISED AND RE-ARRANGED TO ALIGN THEM WITH THE LATEST INTERNATIONAL REQUIREMENTS, AND THE STRUCTURE OF THE NECESSARY EXAMINATIONS HAS BEEN IMPROVED," SHE SAID.
ON THE LOCALISATION OF MERCHANT SHIPPING LEGISLATION, MRS CHAN SAID HONG KONG WAS MAKING STEADY PROGRESS.
"AT THE MOMENT HONG KONG RELIES HEAVILY ON BRITISH SHIPPING LEGISLATION. THIS HAS STOOD US IN GOOD STEAD FOR OVER A CENTURY BUT, AS WITH THE SHIPPING REGISTER, WE MUST MAKE ADJUSTMENTS SO THAT OUR ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEMS CAN MAKE THE TRANSITION IN 1997.
"HONG KONG NEEDS ITS OWN FRAMEWORK OF MERCHANT SHIPPING LEGISLATION. WE THEREFORE BEGAN SOME YEARS AGO THE JOB OF LOCALISING THE VAST AMOUNT OF BRITISH LEGISLATION COVERING SAFETY STANDARDS, CREW WELFARE, LIMITATION OF LIABILITY, POLLUTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL, CARRIAGE OF GOODS AND NUMEROUS OTHER TECHNICAL SUBJECTS.
"THIS EXERCISE IS BEING UNDERTAKEN IN CONSULTATION WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA. SOME LOCALISED LAWS HAVE ALREADY BEEN ENACTED AND MANY OTHERS WILL BE FORTHCOMING," SHE SAID.
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COMPULSORY PILOTAGE FOR SHIPS OF 1,000-5,000 GRT’S DEFERRED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ACCEPTED THE ADVICE OF THE PILOTAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO DEFER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPULSORY PILOTAGE FOR SHIPS BETWEEN 1,000 AND 5,000 GROSS REGISTERED TONS (GRT’S) PENDING FURTHER REVIEW OF THE NEED FOR THIS MEASURE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID THE NEED FOR COMPLUSORY PILOTAGE FOR THIS CATEGORY OF SHIPS WOULD BE REVIEWED BEFORE THE END OF NEXT YEAR.
"THE ADVICE OF THE PILOTAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE WAS BASED ON TWO MAIN FACTORS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"FIRSTLY, UNPILOTED SHIPS BETWEEN 1,000 AND 5,000 GRT’S HAVE HAD A VERY GOOD SAFETY RECORD DURING THE LAST FIVE YEARS AND A VERY SAMLL PROPORTION OF VESSEL MOVEMENTS IN HONG KONG FALL INTO THIS TONNAGE RANGE (ONLY 3.6 PER CENT LAST YEAR).
"MOST OF THESE SHIPS ARE ENGAGED IN THE COASTAL AND RIVER TRADE AND THEIR CREWS ARE SUFFICIENTLY FAMILIAR WITH HONG KONG WATERS AND PORT REGULATIONS.
"SECONDLY, THE INTRODUCTION OF THE COMPUTER-AND-RADAR-BASED VESSEL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR WILL ENHANCE THE SAFETY AND OPERATION OF THE PORT.
"PARTICIPATION IN THE NEW VESSEL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM BY VESSEL OWNERS, AGENTS AND MASTERS IS VOLUNTARY AT THIS EARLY STAGE AND MANDATORY PARTICIPATION IS EXPECTED BY THE SECOND QUARTER OF NEXT YEAR."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO ASSESS MORE CLEARLY WHETHER THE RESIDUAL RISKS JUSTIFIED COMPULSORY PILOTAGE FOR THIS CATEGORY OF SHIPS.
IN 1985 IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT COMPULSORY PILOTAGE WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED IN THREE.PHASES TO COVER ALL SHIPS OVER 1,000 GRT’S.
THE FIRST PHASE OF COMPULSORY PILOTAGE FOR ALL SHIPS OVER 10,000 GRT’S WAS IMPLEMENTED ON AUGUST 1, 1985 AND ON AUGUST 1, 1987 THE SECOND PHASE OF COMPULSORY PILOTAGE FOR ALL SHIPS OVER 5,000 GRT’S WAS IMPLEMENTED.
IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE GAINED, THE PILOTAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAS ADVISED THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE THIRD PHASE OF COMPULSORY PILOTAGE FOR SHIPS BETWEEN 1,000 AND 5,000 GRT’S, ORGINALLY ENVISAGED TO TAKE PLACE LAST YEAR, SHOULD BE DEFERRED.
THE PILOTAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE COMPRISES MASTER MARINERS, LICENSED PILOTS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SHIPPING, DOCKYARD AND CONTAINER HANDLING INDUSTRIES.
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DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE TO JOIN GATT MEETING
*****
THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR CHAU TAK-HAY, LEFT TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY) FOR BRUSSELS TO JOIN THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOHN CHAN, FOR THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE MINISTERIAL MEETING TO CONCLUDE THE URUGUAY ROUND OF MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS.
"WE EXPECT TO WORK LONG DAYS AND NIGHTS IN BRUSSELS," MR CHAU SAID ON DEPARTURE.
"AFTER FOUR YEARS OF NEGOTIATIONS, SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES STILL PERSIST IN A NUMBER OF SUBJECTS, INCLUDING TEXTILES, SAFEGUARDS, ANTI-DUMPING AND TRADE IN SERVICES. THESE AREAS ARE OF MAJOR INTEREST TO HONG KONG.
"AS PROGRESS IN THE VARIOUS AREAS IS LINKED, POLITICAL WILL AND FLEXIBILITY BY THE MAJOR TRADING NATIONS ARE CRUCIAL TO A SATISFACTORY CONCLUSION OF THE ROUND AT BRUSSELS," HE SAID.
STARTING FROM DECEMBER 3, MINISTERS AND SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM 107 COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES WILL BE EXPECTED TO SPEND A GRUELLING WEEK HAMMERING OUT A PACKAGE WHICH WILL HELP TO BREAK DOWN TRADE BARRIERS AND STRENGTHEN THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM.
THE ROUND COVERS 15 NEGOTIATING AREAS, RANGING FROM AGRICULTURAL REFORMS TO LIBERALISATION OF TRADE IN SERVICES.
THE HONG KONG DELEGATION TO THE BRUSSELS MEETING IS LED BY MR CHAN, WHO WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY MR CHAU AND HONG KONG’S PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO THE GATT, MR KEITH BROADBRIDGE, AS WELL AS OTHER HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
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FC MEETING ON FRIDAY * * *
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A MEETING ON FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 30) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE COMMITTEE’S PROCEEDINGS FROM THE CHAMBER’S PUBLIC GALLERIES AND THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY TELEPHONING 844 0899.
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RESTRICTED BANKING LICENCE REVOKED
♦ »♦♦♦♦
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE RESTRICTED BANKING LICENCE OF SCANDINAVIAN FAR EAST LIMITED WAS REVOKED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON NOVEMBER 20, 1990 AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 32(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
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HK STUDENTS JOIN INT'L COMPUTER CONTESTS *****
THREE HONG KONG STUDENTS WILL LEAVE FOR THE PHILIPPINES AND SINGAPORE NEXT WEEK TO TAKE PART IN TWO SEPARATE INTERNATIONAL COMPUTER COMPETITIONS ON DECEMBER 7 AND 12.
THEY WERE CHOSEN FROM 33 SECONDARY STUDENTS WHO TOOK PART IN A PROGRAMMING CONTEST.
THE JUDGES COMPRISED REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG COMPUTER SOCIETY.
PARTICIPANTS IN THE TWO INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS ARE REQUIRED TO BE FAMILIAR WITH GWB AND THE TECHNIQUES OF USING STRING AND NUMERIC MANIPULATION, ARRAYS AND TEXT GRAPHICS IN PROGRAMMING.
THE COMPETITIONS ARE DESIGNED TO ENABLE YOUNG COMPUTER ENTHUSIASTS TO EXPLOIT THEIR PROGRAMMING SKILLS AND TO PROMOTE THE USE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.
THE TRIPS ARE SPONSORED BY THE HONG KONG COMPUTER SOCIETY WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ASSISTING.
TO GIVE MORAL SUPPORT TO THE STUDENTS, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, WILL PRESENT THEM A FLAG AT A CEREMONY TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE FLAG PRESENTATION CEREMONY IN THE FORUM ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, LEE GARDENS HOTEL, TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT 4.30 PM.
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27
GOVERNMENT LOT TO LET BY TENDER
*****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCY OF A LOT IN AREA 17, TSING YI ISLAND.
THE 17,000-SQUARE-METRE LOT IS TO BE USED FOR OPEN STORAGE OF EMPTY CONTAINERS.
THE TENANCY IS FOR TWO YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS. THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON DECEMBER 14.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM, AND TENDER PLANS INSPECTED AT, THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
* KWAI TSING DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, NEW TERRITORIES;
* THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND
♦ THE KOWLOON DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES, 1OTH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK NEEDS TO BUILD FOUNDATIONS FOR FOREIGN RELATIONSHIPS .................. 1
3RD QUARTER EXPORTS STATISTICS RE-CLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN PUBLISHED ................................................................ 2
HK PREPARES FOR INTRODUCTION OF UNLEADED PETROL .......................... 5
OPERATION TOMORROW TO REMOVE 'DANGEROUS' PROJECTIONS ..................... 6
DIRECTOR OF MARINE SIGNS SURVEY AGREEMENTS ............................... 7
TIME TO CONSIDER RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKERS.......... 8
EXPERT MEETING ON COURT OF FINAL APPEAL ON MONDAY ........................ 9
FESTIVE ILLUMINATIONS FOR TSIM SHA TSUI .................................. 9
LABOUR DEPT TO KEEP UP GOOD SERVICES ..................................... 10
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED ................................................. 11
IMPORTANCE OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY STRESSED ............................... 11
CIVIC EDUCATION GALA NIGHT IN EASTERN .................................... 12
FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL FOR ISLANDERS ....................................... 12
TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL TO CLOSE ....................................... 13
1
HK NEEDS TO BUILD FOUNDATIONS FOR FOREIGN RELATIONSHIPS * * * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THERE WAS A NEED FOR HONG KONG TO BUILD THE FOUNDATIONS FOR RELATIONSHIPS WITH JAPAN AND OTHER COUNTRIES THAT WOULD LAST BEYOND 1997.
SPEAKING TO MEMBERS OF THE KEIDANREN, JAPAN’S MOST INFLUENTIAL BUSINESS ORGANISATION, SIR DAVID SAID THE ARRANGEMENTS WERE IN PLACE FOR HONG KONG TO CONTINUE TO LOOK AFTER ITS OWN TRADE, FINANCES, CURRENCY AND LEGAL SYSTEM.
"ALL OF THOSE ARE ARRANGED UNDER THE TREATY ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG BEWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA - SO THE FRAMEWORK IS THERE.
"NOW, I BELIEVE WE NEED TO BUILD ON THAT SO WE HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS AND OUR MOST IMPORTANT NEIGHBOURS WHICH WILL CONTINUE SMOOTHLY BEYOND 1997."
THE GOVERNOR GAVE AS AN INDICATION THE IMPRESSIVE TRADE STATISTICS WHICH SHOWED THE IMPORTANCE OF HONG KONG IN TRADE BETWEEN JAPAN AND CHINA.
HE SAID A QUARTER OF ALL JAPAN’S TRADE WITH CHINA PASSED THROUGH HONG KONG, AND MORE RECENTLY AS MUCH AS ONE THIRD OF ALL JAPAN’S EXPORTS TO CHINA WENT THROUGH THE TERRITORY.
"IF WE BUILD UP THIS RELATIONSHIP THEN AFTER 1997, HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO BE VALUABLE TO CHINA, AND VALUABLE TO JAPAN IN ITS TRADE WITH CHINA - WE WILL BE THE BRIDGE BETWEEN THE TWO."
SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG WOULD WELCOME ADVICE FROM THE JAPANESE ON HOW THIS RELATIONSHIP COULD BE FURTHER DEVELOPED.
EARLIER IN THE DAY, THE GOVERNOR, WHO IS HEADING THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE MISSION TO JAPAN, HELD TALKS WITH A GROUP OF MEMBERS OF JAPAN’S RULING LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY (LDP), LED BY MR TSUTOMU HATA.
SIR DAVID WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, BARONESS DUNN, THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ALLEN LEE, AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE MISSION.
• DURING THE MEETING, MR HATA SPOKE ABOUT THE FORMATION OF A GROUP OF MEMBERS OF THE JAPANESE DIET WITH A PARTICULAR INTEREST IN HONG KONG AFFAIRS.
HE SAID HE HAD GATHERED TOGETHER A GROUP OF YOUNG AND ENTHUSIASTIC MEMBERS OF THE LDP WHO HAVE AN INTEREST IN HONG KONG AND HOPED TO HAVE THE PARTICIPATION OF MEMBERS OF THE OPPOSITION.
SPEAKING AT THE END OF ANOTHER HECTIC ROUND OF ENGAGEMENTS, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WAS ENCOURAGED BY THE ENTHUSIASM THE GROUP HAD SHOWN IN ESTABLISHING LINKS WITH MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"I THOUGHT IT WAS A VERY GOOD MEETING, MR HATA HAD A LARGE NUMBER OF YOUNGER, UP AND COMING MEMBERS OF THE DIET PRESENT.
/"HE'S GETTING .......
2
"HE’S GETTING TOGETHER A GROUP OF PEOPLE TO FORM AN ASSOCIATION - SO THAT THERE WILL BE A JAPAN-HONG KONG PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION.
"THE FACT THAT THIS WAS A GROUP OF YOUNGER PEOPLE WHO ARE CLEARLY GOING TO BE SOME OF THE IMPORTANT LEADERS OF JAPAN IN THE FUTURE, CAN BE SEEN AS SETTING A VERY GOOD FOUNDATION FOR A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE DIET AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL."
SIR DAVID SAID OTHER TALKS WITH THE FOREIGN MINISTRY AND OTHER JAPANESE MINISTRIES HAD CENTRED ON HOW TO BUILD UP THE ROLE HONG KONG COULD PLAY IN DIRECT TRADE AND INVESTMENT BETWEEN THE TERRITORY AND JAPAN, AND HONG KONG’S ROLE AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN CHINA AND THE REST OF THE WORLD. . .
"THIS IS SOMETHING THE JAPANESE ARE VERY INTERESTED IN AS THEY SEE IN CHINA A PLACE OF FUTURE OPPORTUNITY, PARTICULARLY THE ECONOMIC GROWTH OF SOUTHERN CHINA - GUANGDONG AND FUJIAN - IN WHICH HONG KONG PLAYS A KEY ROLE."
SIR DAVID SAID A KEY PART OF ENSURING THE HONG KONG ECONOMY WAS SUCCESSFUL IN THE FUTURE WAS TO HAVE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS, TRADING AND FINANCIAL INVOLVEMENT IN HONG KONG.
"I FOUND ALL THE JAPANESE I TALKED TO VERY INTERESTED IN THAT CONCEPT - THE ROLE THAT HONG KONG CAN PLAY AS A CENTRE OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND FINANCE," SIR DAVID SAID.
------0-------
3RD QUARTER EXPORTS STATISTICS RE-CLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN PUBLISHED *****
ACCORDING TO THE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, THE SIX MOST IMPORTANT INDUSTRY GROUPS IN TERMS OF THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990 WERE : ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS; TEXTILES, INCLUDING KNITTING; WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR AND KNITWEAR; PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT; PLASTIC PRODUCTS; AND BASIC METALS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS.
THEY TOGETHER ACCOUNTED FOR 81.4 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF MERCHANDISE DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990.
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES WITH THE LARGEST INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990 OVER THE SAME QUARTER OF 1989 WERE : PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT (+$380 MILLION); CHEMICALS AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS (+$309 MILLION); TOBACCO (+$179 MILLION); AND PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS, PRINTING AND PUBLISHING (+$168 MILLION).
/IN PERCENTAGE .......
3
• IN PERCENTAGE TERMS, MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES WITH THE LARGEST ikcRBASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OVER THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1989 WERE : TOBACCO (+35.0 PER CENT); BEVERAGES (+24.5 PER CENT); CHEMICALS AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS (+24.2 PER CENT); AND FOOD (+16.5 PER CENT).
ON THE OTHER HAND, SEVERAL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES RECORDED DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990 AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME QUARTER OF 1989.
AMONG THEM WERE : PLASTIC PRODUCTS (-$586 MILLION OR -20.3 PER CENT); BASIC METALS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS (-$375 MILLION OR -14.2 PER CENT); WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR AND KNITWEAR (-$344 MILLIONOR -2.7 PER CENT); TEXTILES, INCLUDING KNITTING (-$275 MILLION OR -2.1 PER CENT); AND MACHINERY, EXCEPT ELECTRICAL (-$113 MILLION OR -5.6 PER CENT).
OUTSIDE THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, DOMESTIC EXPORTS ORIGINATING FROM THE FISHING INDUSTRY DECREASED BY $23 MILLION OR 19.7 PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1989, WHILE DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF ELECTRICITY INCREASED BY $59 MILLION OR 30.1 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 (ISIC), AS DISTINCT FROM THE UNITED NATIONS STANDARD INTERNATIONAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION (SITC) 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 A 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 ATTRIBUTABLE TO ESTABLISHMENTS CLASSIFIED UNDER OTHER INDUSTRIES AS SECONDARY PRODUCTS.
FURTHER DETAILS OF MERCHANDISE DOMESTIC EXPORTS STATISTICS RECLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN MAY BE FOUND IN » A TABLE WHICH IS OBTAINABLE FROM THE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. 839 3223).
A TABLE SHOWING MORE DETAILED BREAKDOWNS OF SIMILAR STATISTICS FOR SELECTED MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IS ALSO INCLUDED IN THE REPORT "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE, SEPTEMBER 1990”.
/VALUE OF .......
4
Value of merchandise domestic exports reclassified by industrial origin for the third quarter of 1990
(HKS’OOO)
Industrial origin of the commodities exported Merchandise domestic exports
1990 3rd qtr. 1989 3rd qtr. Value change % change
Agricultural, Forestry and Fishing
Agricultural, livestock and poultry 2,730 1,949 +781 +40.1
production -22,903 -19.7
Fishing 93,143 116,046
Mining and Quarrying 1,009 1,298 -289 -22.3
Manufacturing
Food 496,823 426,330 +70,493 + 16.5
Beverages 108,295 86,961 +21,334 +24.5
Tobacco 691,730 512,423 +179,307 +35.0
Textiles (including knitting) 13,029,118 13,304,370 -275,252 -2.1
Wearing apparel, except footwear and 12,218,221 12,562,245 -344,023 -2.7
knitwear
Leather and leather products 261,438 259,851 +1,587 +0.6
Footwear 226,020 260,449 -34,429 -13.2
Wood and cork products, furniture and fixtures 159,931 178,036 -18,106 -10.2
Paper and paper products, printing and 1,700,120 1,532,310 +167,811 + 11.0
publishing +24.2
Chemicals and chemical products 1,585,316 1,276,323 +308,993
Products of petroleum and coal 1,781 1,583 + 198 + 12.5
Rubber products 25,781 29,920 -4,140 -13.8
Plastic products 2,305,267 2,891,467 -586,200 -20.3
Non-metallic mineral products 133,056 175,374 -42,318 -24.1
Basic metals and fabricated metal 2,260,926 2,636,266 -375,339 -14.2
products -5.6
Machinery, except electrical 1,924,052 2,037,134 -113,082
Electrical and electronic products 13,892,140 13,984.948 -92,807 -0.7
Transport equipment 43,635 65,159 -21,524 -33.0
Professional and optical equipment 6,023,601 5,643,480 +380,121 +6.7
Other manufacturing industries 3,594,875 3,654,241 -59,367 -1.6
Electricity 255,055 196,091 +58,964 +30.1
Miscellaneous items 27,653 35,850 -8,197 -22.9
(e.g. developed photographic plates and film, antiques, and works of art)
Total 61,061,716 61,870,103 -808,387 -1.3
Individual entries of a column may not add up exactly to the corresponding total due to rounding. All percentage changes are calculated based on unrounded figures.
Industrial Research Section, Census & Statistics Department, Hong Kong.
Tel. : 839 3223
November 1990
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HK PREPARES FOR INTRODUCTION OF UNLEADED PETROL *****
A MAJOR GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY INITIATIVE TO COMBAT AIR POLLUTION CAUSED BY MOTOR VEHICLES WILL MOVE INTO PLACE WITH THE PLANNED INTRODUCTION OF UNLEADED PETROL (ULP) IN HONG KONG ON APRIL 1 NEXT YEAR.
THIS MOVE WILL BE THE FIRST STAGE OF THE VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL STRATEGY SPEARHEADED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD).
ULP WILL FORM THE BASIS FOR MORE STRINGENT EMISSION STANDARDS AND CONTROLS, AND WILL ENABLE PETROL-DRIVEN CARS TO USE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS, THE BEST EMISSION CONTROL TECHNOLOGY IN THE WORLD.
ABOUT 70 PER CENT OF PETROL-DRIVEN CARS IN HONG KONG WILL BE ABLE TO USE THE NEW FUEL IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT MODIFICATION OR ADJUSTMENT AND WITH NO EFFECT ON ENGINE PERFORMANCE OR FUEL ECONOMY. TEN PER CENT WILL NEED ONLY A MINOR ENGINE ADJUSTMENT TO USE ULP.
ANOTHER 14 PER CENT OF CARS CAN RUN ON ULP MOST OF THE TIME BUT SHOULD OCCASIONALLY BE FILLED WITH LEADED PETROL TO LUBRICATE THEIR SOFT VALVE SEATS. THE REMAINING SIX PER CENT OF VEHICLES WILL NEED TO CONTINUE TO USE LEADED PETROL.
TO PROVIDE AN INCENTIVE FOR DRIVERS TO SWITCH TO ULP, THE NEW FUEL WILL GO ON SALE WITH A PRICE ADVANTAGE OF ABOUT $1 PER LITRE OVER LEADED PETROL.
ON THE SUPPLY SIDE, ULP WILL BE AVAILABLE AT ALL FILLING STATIONS WHILE THE SUPPLY OF LEADED PETROL WILL BE MAINTAINED AT ABOUT 50 PER CENT OF THE SERVICE STATIONS FOR VEHICLES WHICH CANNOT USE ULP.
A TERRITORY-WIDE CAMPAIGN, INITIATED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND SUPPORTED BY THE OIL INDUSTRY, MOTOR MANUFACTURERS AND DISTRIBUTORS, WILL BE LAUNCHED EARLY NEXT YEAR TO EDUCATE THE MOTORING PUBLIC ON THE BENEFITS OF ULP AND TO ANSWER QUESTIONS RELATING TO THIS ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY FUEL.
THE CORNERSTONE OF THE CAMPAIGN IS A COMPREHENSIVE BILINGUAL BOOKLET, "THE MOTORISTS GUIDE TO UNLEADED PETROL", WHICH WILL BE MAILED TO ALL REGISTERED OWNERS OF PETROL-DRIVEN VEHICLES DURING LATE JANUARY AND FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR.
IT IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE MOTORISTS WITH FACTUAL AND CONCISE INFORMATION ON THE USE OF ULP AND TO FOSTER A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF WHY IT IS SO ESSENTIAL TO HONG KONG AND ITS ENVIRONMENT. ALL INFORMATION PROVIDED HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY OIL COMPANIES, MOTOR MANUFACTURERS AND DISTRIBUTORS.
THE EDUCATION PROCESS STARTED BY THE BOOKLET WILL BE FURTHER SUPPORTED BY AN EXTENSIVE PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN, TO BEGIN IN LATE JANUARY NEXT YEAR, WHICH WILL INCLUDE POSTER AND WALLCHART DISPLAYS AT GOVERNMENT LOCATIONS AND FILLING STATIONS AND ADVERTISEMENTS IN THE PRESS AND BROADCASTING MEDIA.
/IN ADDITION .......
6
IN ADDITION, A SPECIAL HOTLINE WILL BE SET UP TO ENABLE THE MOTORING PUBLIC TO OBTAIN FURTHER INFORMATION ON ULP AND THE SUITABILITY OF VARIOUS CAR MODELS TO USE IT.
"THE INTRODUCTION OF ULP INTO HONG KONG WILL MARK THE BEGINNING OF THE GOVERNMENT’S SYSTEMATIC ATTACK ON VEHICLE EMISSION," THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION (AIR AND NOISE), MR ROBERT LAW, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) AT A PRESS CONFERENCE.
"THE EPD HAS RECEIVED WIDESPREAD SUPPORT IN ITS ULP INITIATIVE, PRIMARILY FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EPCOM), OIL COMPANIES, MOTOR MANUFACTURERS AND DISTRIBUTORS IN HONG KONG.
"FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF ULP, OIL COMPANIES ARE INVESTING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN BUILDING NEW STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION FACILITIES FOR THE ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY FUEL IN THE FILLING STATIONS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
"EVERYBODY INVOLVED IN THE PLANNING STAGES ENDORSES THE NEED OF BRINGING NEW EMISSION CONTROL TO HONG KONG," HE SAID.
"ULP WILL RESULT IN A CLEANER AND HEATHIER ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL," HE ADDED.
------0-------
OPERATION TOMORROW TO REMOVE ’DANGEROUS’ PROJECTIONS
*****
GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS WILL BEGIN DISMANTLING A NUMBER OF PROJECTIONS, DEEMED TO BE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION, FROM THE EXTERNAL WALLS OF TWO BUILDINGS IN TO KWA WAN TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE STAFF THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON DELIVERED ADVISORY LETTERS TO OWNERS/OCCUPIERS OF THE PROJECTIONS INFORMING THEM OF THE WORK TO BE CARRIED OUT AND SEEKING THEIR CO-OPERATION AND SUPPORT.
THE BUILDINGS ARE AT 68A-70C AND 72-76B TO KWA WAN ROAD, AND 72-76B LOK SHAN ROAD.
LAST SUNDAY, A CANOPY COLLAPSED FROM ONE OF THESE BUILDINGS AND SUBSEQUENT INSPECTIONS BY THE BOO STAFF FOUND THAT CERTAIN PROJECTIONS FROM THE EXTERNAL WALLS ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER AND AN EMERGENCY EXISTS.
THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR OF BOO, MR CHENG WEI-DART, TODAY (THURSDAY) SAID: "WE HAVE IDENTIFIED INITIALLY A TOTAL OF 23 DANGEROUS PROJECTIONS INCLUDING CANOPIES, METAL CAGES, FLOWER RACKS AND OTHER APPENDAGES.
"SOME OF THE PROJECTIONS ARE ILLEGAL AND THERE IS LITTLE EVIDENCE OF ANY ATTEMPT AT MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR.
/"THEY ARE .......
7
’’THEY ARE IN IMMINENT DANGER AND HAVE TO BE REMOVED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE,” MR CHENG SAID.
’’OTHER SIMILAR PROJECTIONS IN THESE TWO BUILDINGS WILL BE SUBJECT TO FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS BY THE BOO AT A FUTURE DATE,” HE ADDED.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR FROM THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, MR CHENG WEI-DART, WILL BE AVAILABLE TO SPEAK TO THE MEDIA AT THE TO KWA WAN SITE AT 9.30 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
INFORMATION OFFICERS FROM THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
- - 0 - -
DIRECTOR OF MARINE SIGNS SURVEY AGREEMENTS
******
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR MICHAEL C.C. SZE, HAS GIVEN APPROVAL FOR SIX SHIP CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES TO CONDUCT SURVEYS OF SHIPS JOINING THE NEW HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER.
THE SURVEYS ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL REQUIREMENTS, TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF OCEAN-GOING SHIPPING, THE PROTECTION OF MARINE ENVIRONMENT AND THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF SEAMEN.
THE SOCIETIES CONCERNED ARE AMERICAN BUREAU OF SHIPPING, BUREAU VERITAS, CHINA CLASSIFICATION SOCIETY, DET NORSKE VERITAS, LLOYD’S REGISTER OF SHIPPING AND NIPPON KAIJI KYOKAI.
THE BRITISH COMMITTEES OF FOUR OF THESE INTERNATIONALLY BASED SOCIETIES HAVE A LONG STANDING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MARINE DEPARTMENT AS THEY HAVE CONDUCTED SURVEYS FOR HONG KONG SHIPS UNDER THE EXISTING HONG KONG REGISTER.
FORMAL PROCEDURES WERE CONCLUDED TODAY (THURSDAY) WHEN MR SZE SIGNED AN AGREEMENT WITH EACH OF THE SIX CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES AT A CEREMONY IN THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.
’’INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS ALLOW MARINE ADMINISTRATIONS TO DELEGATE THE CONDUCT OF SURVEYS TO CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES AS WELL AS USING THEIR OWN SURVEYORS,” MR SZE SAID.
"I AM ADOPTING THIS INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE BY BUILDING ON EXPERIENCE GAINED UNDER THE EXISTING REGISTER AND ALSO RESPONDING TO THE NEEDS OF THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY BY STREAMLINING OFFICIAL PROCEDURES AND BY GIVING THEM THE CHOICE OF USING EITHER MARINE DEPARTMENT SURVEYORS OR SURVEYORS FROM THE APPROVED CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES.”
/THE NEW
8
THE NEW AGREEMENT ALLOWS CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES TO CONDUCT ALL THE SURVEYS. GOVERNMENT SURVEYORS WILL STILL INSPECT SHIPS BEFORE THEY ARE PERMITTED TO BE REGISTERED IN HONG KONG, BUT THEY WILL NOT, UNLESS SO REQUESTED BY THE OWNERS, CARRY OUT THE REQUIRED SURVEYS.
"THIS WILL ENABLE ME TO MAKE SURE CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES INTERPRET THE HONG KONG REGULATIONS IN A SIMILAR MANNER TO GOVERNMENT SURVEYORS AND SO MAINTAIN THE HIGH STANDARDS REQUIRED BY THE NEW HONG KONG REGISTER AS WELL AS THE MAINTENANCE OF A POSITIVE LINK BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE SHIP."
THE NEW HONG KONG REGISTER BEGINS OPERATIONS ON MONDAY (DECEMBER 3).
------0-------
TIME TO CONSIDER RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKERS ******
THE TIME HAS COME FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TO CONSIDER SERIOUSLY WHETHER IT SHOULD PROVIDE ITS WORKERS WITH SOME FORM OF RETIREMENT BENEFIT, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR K.Y. YEUNG, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR YEUNG SAID HE WAS AWARE THAT EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY HAD BEEN DISCUSSING THE FEASIBILITY OF SETTING UP AN INDUSTRY-WIDE WELFARE FUND THAT WOULD PROVIDE RETIREMENT AND OTHER BENEFITS FOR WORKERS.
SPEAKING AT THE 1990 TRAINING COMPLETION CEREMONY OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY THIS AFTERNOON, MR YEUNG SAID THIS DEVELOPMENT WAS WELCOMED.
HE URGED BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO PUSH AHEAD WITH THIS IDEA AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
"THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR AND HIS STAFF STAND READY TO ASSIST THE INDUSTRY WITH ANY ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE IT MAY NEED IN SETTING UP SUCH A FUND," HE SAID.
MR YEUNG NOTED THAT IF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY COULD FINANCE THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE FROM LEVIES ON THE VALUE OF CONTRACTS, THERE WAS NO REASON WHY EMPLOYERS COULD NOT ENLARGE THIS LEVY TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO A RETIREMENT FUND.
HE POINTED OUT THAT MANY BUSINESSES WERE FINDING IT NECESSARY NOT ONLY TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF FRESHLY TRAINED MANPOWER, BUT ALSO TO RETAIN THEIR EXISTING WORKFORCE.
"THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT IN THE CASE OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WHERE WORKING CONDITIONS ARE UNATTRACTIVE COMPARED WITH OTHER INDUSTRIES, AND WHERE THE INCIDENCE OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS HAS BEEN RELATIVELY HIGH," HE SAID.
/MR YEUNG .......
9
MR YEUNG POINTED OUT THAT THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY HAD MADE PLANS TO EXPAND ITS EXISTING CAPACITY BY INTRODUCING ADDITIONAL COURSES AND BY BUILDING A FOURTH TRAINING CENTRE.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS ACTIVELY TRYING TO FIND A SUITABLE SITE FOR THE FOURTH TRAINING CENTRE FOR THE AUTHORITY.
------0-------
EXPERT MEETING ON COURT OF FINAL APPEAL ON MONDAY
♦ * » ♦ *
A MEETING OF EXPERTS OF THE BRITISH SIDE AND THE CHINESE SIDE OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP WILL BE HELD IN HONG KONG ON MONDAY (DECEMBER 3) TO DISCUSS MATTERS RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL.
THE BRITISH TEAM WILL BE LED BY THE DEPUTY REGISTRAR, SUPREME COURT, MR BRIAN SUTTILL.
THE CHINESE TEAM WILL BE LED BY CHINESE REPRESENTATIVE MR ZHENG WEIRONG.
THEY WILL BE ASSISTED BY OTHER EXPERTS FROM THE TWO SIDES.
------0--------
FESTIVE ILLUMINATIONS FOR TSIM SHA TSUI * » * * »
A SWITCHING-ON CEREMONY FOR THE TSIM SHA TSUI EAST FESTIVE ILLUMINATIONS WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT 6 PM AT THE URBAN COUNCIL CENTENARY GARDEN.
A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR STEPHEN CHEONG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY.
THE EVENT IS ORGANISED BY THE TSIM SHA TSUI EAST PROPERTY DEVELOPERS ASSOCIATION AND RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG WITH YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE AS CO-HOSTS.
A CONCERT FEATURING POP SINGERS SANDY LAM AND DANNY CHAN WILL BE STAGED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CEREMONY AND WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE ON RADIO 2, RTHK.
/ALSO OFFICIATING ......
10
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TSIM SHA TSUI EAST PROPERTY DEVELOPERS ASSOCIATION, MR LUI CHE-WOO; YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS ANNIE TANG; AND HEAD OF RTHK’S RADIO 2, MR CHEUNG MAN-SUN.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SWITCHING-ON CEREMONY OF THE TSIM SHA TSUI EAST FESTIVE ILLUMINATIONS AT 6 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE URBAN COUNCIL CENTENARY GARDEN, TSIM SHA' TSUI EAST.
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LABOUR DEPT TO KEEP UP GOOD SERVICES
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO IMPROVE BOTH THE QUALITY AND RANGE OF ITS SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC DESPITE THE STRINGENT CONTROL OF ITS RESOURCES, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR HAMMOND WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 10TH RESIDENTIAL SEMINAR FOR LABOUR INSPECTORS HELD AT THE LEI YUE MUN PARK.
HE PRAISED THE INSPECTORS FOR THEIR HIGH STANDARD OF WORK AND WAS DELIGHTED THAT THE SPECIAL ENFORCEMENT TEAM (SET), SET UP IN JULY 1988 TO ENFORCE CERTAIN STATUTORY PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, HAD PROVED SUCCESSFUL.
"SINCE IT CAME INTO BEING, THE SET HAS CONDUCTED VISITS TO MORE THAN 4,800 ESTABLISHMENTS," MR HAMMOND NOTED.
"AS A RESULT OF THE EFFORTS OF THE TEAM AND THE CO-OPERATION OF EMPLOYERS, MOST OF THE BREACHES OF THE LAW DETECTED BY OUR INSPECTORS HAVE BEEN RECTIFIED," HE SAID, ADDING THAT ONLY EIGHT EMPLOYERS HAD HAD TO BE PROSECUTED FOR FAILING TO TAKE REMEDIAL ACTION DESPITE WARNINGS.
MR HAMMOND SAID THE GENERAL ENQUIRY TELEPHONE SERVICE (GETS) HAD ALSO RECEIVED A WARM RESPONSE FROM THE PUBLIC.
"BETWEEN JULY 1, 1989 AND OCTOBER 31, 1990, SOME 76,500 CALLS WERE RECEIVED," HE SAID.
"THE GETS HAS PROVED ITSELF CAPABLE OF PROVIDING A MORE EFFICIENT AND CO-ORDINATED MEANS OF ANSWERING ENQUIRIES FROM THE PUBLIC ABOUT LABOUR LEGISLATION AND RELATED MATTERS," HE SAID.
/MR HAMMOND
11
MR HAMMOND WAS PLEASED THAT THE FINANCE BRANCH HAD RECOMMENDED FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF BOTH SERVICES.
TURNING TO IMPORTED WORKERS, MR HAMMOND EXPRESSED HOPE THAT THE DEPLOYMENT OF TWO SPECIAL ENFORCEMENT TEAMS TO MONITOR THEIR EMPLOYMENT WOULD ENSURE THAT THE IMPORTATION SCHEMES WERE SUCCESSFUL AND WERE NOT ABUSED BY EMPLOYERS.
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DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED
* * ♦ ♦ *
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF BFG: FINANCE ASIA LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY (THURSDAY) AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
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IMPORTANCE OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY STRESSED
* ♦ * * *
HONG KONG MUST ADOPT COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY EXTENSIVELY IN ITS VARIOUS OCCUPATIONS TO MAINTAIN THE TERRITORY’S VITALITY AND COMPETITIVENESS.
PHIS WAS STATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING TODAY (THURSDAY) AT A FLAG PRESENTATION CEREMONY TO MARK THE DEPARTURE OF THREE STUDENTS WHO WILL TAKE PART IN TWO INTERNATIONAL COMPUTER COMPETITIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES AND SINGAPORE ON DECEMBER 7 AND 12.
MR LI SAID IT IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE TO TRAIN COMPUTER PROFESSIONALS AND TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS ON COMPUTERISATION PARTICULARLY AMONG YOUNG STUDENTS. ’
COMPUTER STUDIES, HE SAID, WAS INTRODUCED AS A SUBJECT AT THE SECONDARY 4 AND 5 LEVELS IN 1982 AND COMPUTER LITERACY AT THE JUNIOR SECONDARY LEVEL.
IT WAS EXTENDED TO SPECIAL SCHOOLS IN 1989.
HE ADDED THAT COMPUTER EDUCATION WOULD FURTHER BE EXTENDED TO SECONDARY 6 AND 7 IN PHASES FROM NEXT YEAR.
NOTING THAT COMPUTER EDUCATION HAS DEVELOPED SIGNIFICANTLY DURING THE PAST EIGHT YEARS, MR LI POINTED OUT THAT ITS DEVELOPMENT LIES NOT ONLY WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT BUT ALSO WITH THE PUBLIC.
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/12 ........
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CIVIC EDUCATION GALA NIGHT IN EASTERN * * » ♦ »
TEN OUTSTANDING YOUNG PERSONS IN EASTERN DISTRICT WILL RECEIVE THEIR AWARDS ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 1) AT A CIVIC EDUCATION GALA NIGHT AT THE SAI WAN HO CIVIC CENTRE.
THEY WERE SELECTED FROM 50 NOMINEES FOR THEIR DISTINGUISHED CONTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITY SERVICE AND VOLUNTARY WORK.
THE GALA NIGHT IS ONE OF THE ACTIVITIES JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT BOARD TO CULTIVATE RESIDENTS’ SENSE OF BELONGING TO HONG KONG.
THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A PROGRAMME COVERING A SLIDE SHOW ENTITLED ’’HONG KONG IS MY HOME”, A DRAMA, AND SINGING AND DANCING PERFORMANCES. THE TWO-HOUR SHOW WILL START AT 7.30 PM.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEVE BARCLAY; EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR SHUM CHOI-SANG; URBAN COUNCILLOR MS CHRISTINA TING; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE, MR SUNNY WU.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EASTERN DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION GALA NIGHT WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 7.30 PM ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 1) AT THE SAI WAN HO CIVIC CENTRE THEATRE.
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FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL FOR ISLANDERS *****
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD AT THE NGAN WAN ESTATE PLAZA IN MUI WO, LANTAU ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 1) AFTERNOON.
THE FINALS OF AN ANTI-CRIME DRAMA COMPETITION AND A SINGING CONTEST WILL BE HELD DURING THE CARNIVAL WHICH WILL START AT 2.30 PM. ADMISSION IS FREE.
THERE WILL ALSO BE PERFORMANCES BY POP SINGERS AND A FIGHT CRIME QUIZ.
THE CARNIVAL, ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, AIMS TO PROMOTE THE HOME SECURITY AND FIGHT CRIME MESSAGES AND STRENGTHEN NEIGHBOURHOOD TIES AMONG THE ISLANDERS.
/A PRIZE
13
A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 4 PM.
OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL INCLUDE A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR LAM WAI-KEUNG; THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KIM SALKELD; POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR WILLIAM WORRAL; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR YUEN CHIT-CHI.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ISLANDS DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL TO BE HELD AT THE NGAN WAN ESTATE PLAZA IN MUI WO, LANTAU ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 1), BEGINNING AT 2.30 PM.
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TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL TO CLOSE *****
THE DRAGON COMPANY OF THE HONG KONG MILITARY SERVICE CORPS AND THE 29 SQUADRON RCT MOTORCYCLE DISPLAY TEAM WILL STAGE A SIMULATED BATTLE AND MOTORCYCLE DEMONSTRATION AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE 12TH TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 1) EVENING.
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR RAYMOND YOUNG, AND A COMMUNITY LEADER, MR CHAN PO-FONG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY AT 8 PM AT THE SHA TSUI ROAD PLAYGROUND.
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICES CENTRES OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE.
THE MONTH-LONG TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL IS ORGANISED BY THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE FEDERATION OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT SPORTS AND RECREATION ASSOCIATIONS.
THE COST OF THE FESTIVAL IS ABOUT $900,000.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE 12TH TSUEN WAN SPORTS FESTIVAL WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 8 PM ON SATURDAY (DECEMBER 1) AT THE SHA TSUI ROAD PLAYGROUND, TSUEN WAN.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HONG KONG MISSION TO JAPAN A SUCCESS ............................................. 1
GOVERNOR IN SAPPORO TO PROMOTE HONG KONG ......................................... 1
HK WILL NOT BE ALLOWED AS OUTPOST FOR SUBVERSION: SIR DAVID FORD.................. 3
HKUST TO PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN FUTURE TERTIARY EDUCATION .......................... 4
FOUR MORE DAYS TO ENTER SINGING CONTEST........................................... 5
TELEMATCHES TO CLOSE CENTRAL AND WESTERN SPORTS FESTIVAL ......................... 6
ELECTION BUS TO TOUR ROUND TUEN MUN .............................................. 7
NEW IDENTITY CARDS FOR WOMEN BORN IN 1935-40 .................................... 7
FS WILL NOT PROPOSE WHOLESALE TAX IN 1991 ........................................ 9
HK'S STATUS AS BUSINESS HUB ENHANCED ............................................ 10
APPLICATION UNDER BRITISH NATIONALITY SCHEME STARTS TOMORROW................... 12
CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TO EDUCATE PUBLIC ON AIDS ..................................... 15
NEW WATER CONTROL ZONES DECLARED AND TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM INTRODUCED ............ 16
NEW INDUSTRIAL SAFETY LAW TO COME INTO OPERATION ................................ 18
GOOD MANAGEMENT OF EMPLOYEES IMPORTANT .......................................... 18
TWO SETS OF MERCHANT SHIPPING REGULATIONS GAZETTED .............................. 20
TELECOMMUNICATION (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1990 GAZETTED ......................... 20
ELDERLY DESERVE TO BE CARED FOR ................................................. 21
TRADERS FINED FOR USING INACCURATE WEIGHING INSTRUMENTS ......................... 22
DREDGING OF SEABED AT EAST OF TUNG LUNG CHAU .................................... 22
LIONS CLUB PRAISED FOR SOCIAL SERVICES .......................................... 23
TUNG LUNG ROAD IN KOWLOON CITY TO BE EXTENDED ................................... 23
NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS NEAR AIRPORT ........................................... 24
1
HONG KONG MISSION TO JAPAN A SUCCESS ******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID IN SAPPORO THAT THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE MISSION TO JAPAN HAS ACHIEVED ITS PURPOSE OF RAISING THE PROFILE OF HONG KONG.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE END OF THE VISIT, SIR DAVID SAID HE THOUGHT THE DISCUSSIONS BOTH IN TOKYO AND IN SAPPORO HAD GONE WELL.
"BUT WE MUST CONTINUE THE WORK OF TALKING TO THE JAPANESE ABOUT WAYS OF IMPROVING OUR TRADE IN JAPAN.
"WE GENUINELY WANT TO ENCOURAGE TWO-WAY TRADE. THERE IS NO DOUBT, HOWEVER, THAT OUR TRADE WITH JAPAN IS CONSIDERABLY LESS THAN JAPAN’S TRADE WITH HONG KONG AND WE WANT TO FIND WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN IMPROVE OUR OWN PERFORMANCE."
SIR DAVID SAID RAISING THE PROFILE OF HONG KONG IN JAPAN WAS ALL PART OF A WIDER PLAN TO ENCOURAGE JAPAN TO CONTINUE TO PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN HONG KONG’S ECONOMY.
"WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS TO BUILD UP HONG KONG’S INTERNATIONAL TRADING, BUSINESS AND FINANCE CONNECTIONS AS MUCH AS WE CAN BECAUSE THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST WAYS OF MAKING SURE THE TERRITORY CONTINUES TO PROSPER.
"IF HONG KONG CONTINUES TO PROSPER THAT IS ONE OF THE BEST WAYS OF CREATING THE RIGHT FOUNDATION FOR THE TERRITORY’S FUTURE UP TO 1997 AND BEYOND."
THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT HONG KONG CONTINUED TO BE AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE WAS WRITTEN INTO THE JOINT DECLARATION.
DURING THE FOUR DAYS, THE GOVERNOR HAD DISCUSSIONS W.ITH THE PRIME MINISTER, THE FOREIGN MINISTER, THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INDUSTRY AND OTHER SENIOR GOVERNMENT LEADERS IN TOKYO.
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GOVERNOR IN SAPPORO TO PROMOTE HONG KONG
*******
JAPAN’S NORTHERNMOST ISLAND OF HOKKAIDO HAS BEEN THE SCENE OF INTENSE HONG KONG ACTIVITY TODAY (FRIDAY) FOLLOWING THE ARRIVAL OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE MISSION LED BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAIVD WILSON.
IT IS THE FIRST VISIT BY SIR DAVID TO SAPPORO, THE CAPITAL OF HOKKAIDO, AND HE HAS CONTINUED HIS HEAVY SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS WITH GOVERNMENT AND CIVIC LEADERS PROMOTING TWO-WAY TRADE AND INVESTMENT BETWEEN HONG KONG AND JAPAN.
/HOKKAIDO'S LEADING .......
I
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HOKKAIDO’S LEADING DEPARTMENT STORE, MARUI IMAI, IS STAGING THE FIRST EVER HONG KONG PROMOTION WHERE THE STORE’S TOP FLOOR HAS BEEN TURNED INTO A MINI HONG KONG BAZAAR, FEATURING A WIDE RANGE OF THE TERRITORY’S PRODUCTS, INCLUDING A FOOD FAIR.
MARUI IMAI TURNED ON AN IMPRESSIVE WELCOME FOR THE GOVERNOR WHEN HE VISITED THE STORE THIS AFTERNOON.
IT WAS JUST ONE OF A NUMBER OF VISITS AND MEETINGS SIR DAVID HAS CRAMMED IN TO HIS HEAVY SCHEDULE.
EARLIER SIR DAVID HAD A MEETING WITH THE GOVERNOR OF HOKKAIDO, MR TAKAHIRO YOKOMICHI, AND EXCHANGED VIEWS ON PROMOTION OF REGIONAL TRADE AND ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION.
"IN TERMS OF RELATIONS BETWEEN HOKKAIDO AND HONG KONG, I FEEL WE ARE JUST AT THE BEGINNING."
HE SAID THERE WAS SOMETHING EXCITING ABOUT BEING AT THE START BECAUSE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT COULD BE OPENED UP.
IN PROMOTING THE NEW DIRECT FLIGHTS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND SAPPORO, THE GOVERNOR SAID THERE COULD BE ADVANTAGES FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN HOKKAIDO UTILISING THE SERVICE AS A SETTING OFF POINT FOR FLIGHTS TO EUROPE.
SIR DAVID SAID HE HAD BEEN TOLD THERE WERE LONG WAITING LISTS FOR BOOKINGS FOR FLIGHTS TO EUROPE THROUGH TOKYO’S MAIN AIRPORT.
AS A RESULT, HE SUGGESTED THAT IT MIGHT BE MUCH EASIER FOR PEOPLE TRAVELLING FROM HOKKAIDO TO FLY DIRECT TO HONG KONG AND THEN MAKE ONWARD BOOKINGS TO EUROPE FROM THE TERRITORY.
GOVERNOR YOKOMICHI SAID HE HOPED THE DIRECT SERVICE, WHICH HAD NOW BEEN IN OPERATION FOR. ONE MONTH, WOULD LEAD TO INCREASED EXCHANGES IN TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT BETWEEN HOKKAIDO AND HONG KONG.
SIR DAVID ALSO HAD MEETINGS WITH THE MAYOR OF SAPPORO, MR TAKESHI ITAGAKI, AND IS TONIGHT ATTENDING A GALA FASHION SHOW JOINTLY HOSTED BY MARUT IMAI INC AND THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
CONINCTDING WITH THE VISIT OF THE HONG KONG DELEGATION IS THE 1OTH ANNIVERSARY OF SAPPORO’S FAMOUS WHITE ILLUMINATION CEREMONY, WHEN THE CITY’S CHRISTMAS DECORATIVE LIGHTS ARE SWITCHED ON.
IN HONOUR OF THE OCCASION, LADY WILSON FLICKED THE SWITCH TO LIGHT UP THE FESTIVE SEASON IN SAPPORO.
EARLIER IN THE DAY, THE GOVERNOR, WHEN SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON HOSTED BY MR YOKOMICHI, SAID HONG KONG AND HOKKAIDO, BOTH BEING PART OF THE RAPIDLY DEVELOPING ASIA PACIFIC REGION, HAD TREMENDOUS FUTURE POTENTIAL.
"TO REALISE THAT POTENTIAL, WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE REGIONAL TRADE AND ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION," SIR DAVID SAID.
/HE SAID .......
3
HE SAID HONG KONG AND HOKKAIDO HAD MUCH IN COMMON, DESPITE THE DIFFERENCES IN SIZE.
"WE ARE COMMUNITIES OF ABOUR SIX MILLION PEOPLE WHICH HAVE GROWN RAPIDLY OVER THE PAST 40 YEARS AS A RESULT OF PEOPLE ARRIVING TO MAKE A NEW LIFE.
"WE HAVE BOTH EXPERIENCED DRAMATIC ECONOMIC GROWTH," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID PAID TRIBUTE TO GOVERNOR YOKOMICHI WHO HAD BEEN VERY ACTIVE IN ENCOURAGING REGIONAL TRADE AND ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION.
HE SAID GOVERNOR YOKOMICHI WHO VISITED HIM TWICE IN HONG KONG AS LEADER OF A DELEGATION FROM HOKKAIDO, PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN ESTABLISHING THE RECENTLY INAUGURATED DIRECT FLIGHTS BETWEEN HOKKAIDO AND HONG KONG.
"AND HE HAS ENCOURAGED THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL’S PROMOTION OF HONG KONG GOODS THIS WEEK IN SAPPORO," SIR DAVID ADDED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE FULL TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH HAS BEEN SENT BY FACSIMILE.
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HK WILL NOT BE ALLOWED AS OUTPOST FOR SUBVERSION: SIR DAVID FORD ********
THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO INTENTION OF ALLOWING HONG KONG TO BE USED AS AN OUTPOST FOR SUBVERSION, THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID FORD, REITERATED TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OFFICIATING AT A TOPPING OUT CEREMONY FOR THE PHASE ONE BUILDINGS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, SIR DAVID SAID: "OUR POSITION ON THIS IS VERY WELL KNOWN.
"IF PEOPLE OPERATE WITHIN THE LAW AND EXPRESS THEMSELVES WITHIN THE LAW, EXPRESS THE FREEDOMS WITHIN THE LAW, THEY ARE SAFE AND SECURE TO DO SO.
"IF THEY BREAK THE LAW, THEN WE WILL TAKE ACTION AGAINST THEM," HE SAID.
"THAT IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR SYSTEM HERE. IT IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF ONE COUNTRY AND TWO SYSTEMS," SIR DAVID STRESSED.
"THAT IS THE PRINCIPLE WE WILL STICK BY IN THE FUTURE," HE Ai DED.
/ASKED IF .......
4
ASKED IF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE DECISION FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION, SIR DAVID SAID: ’’THE DECISIONS WHICH WE ARE TAKING ARE WITHIN OUR OWN AUTONOMY NOW AND * THE PEOPLE WHO ARE MAKING THOSE DECISIONS ARE THE PEOPLE WHO WILL FORM THE BACKBONE OF THE ADMINISTRATION AFTER 1997, MY CHINESE COLLEAGUES; AND THEY ARE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT NOW AND WILL BE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT IN THE FUTURE, SO I DON’T SEE A PROBLEM IN THAT REGARD.”
ASKED WHETHER HE WAS HAPPY WITH POSTAL WORKERS WHO SCALED DOWN THEIR INDUSTRIAL ACTION, SIR DAVID SAID HE DID NOT BELIEVE THAT IT HELPED THEIR CAUSE TO TAKE INDUSTRIAL ACTION TO PURSUE THEIR CAUSE.
’’THE DECISION WILL BE MADE IN DUE COURSE AND WILL NOT BE INFLUENCED BY WHAT THEY ARE DOING.
"WE SHALL CONTINUE WITH OUR CURRENT PROCESS AND THE OUTCOME WOULD BE KNOWN BY THE END OF THE YEAR,” SIR DAVID SAID.
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HKUST TO PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN FUTURE TERTIARY EDUCATION * * ♦ » ♦
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IS AT THE HEART OF GOVERNMENT POLICY TO INCREASE SUBSTANTIALLY THE NUMBER OF GRADUATES IN HONG KONG AND TO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF OUR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE NEW UNIVERSITY, WHICH HAD A PLANNED STUDENT CAPACITY OF 7,000 STUDENTS BY 1993/94, WOULD ALSO PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN ASSISTING IN THE ECONOMIC AS WELL AS THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG, SAID SIR DAVID WHEN ADDRESSING THE TOPPING-OUT CEREMONY OF THE PHASE I BUILDING OF THE UNIVERSITY.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT THE PROJECT, UNDER THE EXPERIENCED AND DYNAMIC LEADERSHIP OF SIR S.Y. CHUNG, MOVED FROM THE PLANNING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION STAGE IN A MATTER OF MONTHS AND IT TOOK A MERE 18 MONTHS FROM THE INCORPORATION OF THE UNIVERSITY IN APRIL 1989, TO THE TOPPING OUT OF THE IMPRESSIVE COMPLEX OF BUILDINGS.
THE UNIVERSITY WHICH HAS THE FULL SUPPORT AND BACKING OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, WILL HAVE THE FIRST INTAKE OF BOTH UNDERGRADUATE AND POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS IN OCTOBER 1991, THREE YEARS AHEAD OF THE ORIGINAL 1994 PLANNING DEADLINE.
AS OF TODAY, THE CLOSING DATE FOR UNDERGRADUATE FOR 1991, SOME 10,000 APPLICATIONS HAD BEEN RECEIVED.
APPLICATIONS
"THIS UNIVERSITY WILL NOT BE SHORT OF QUALITY STUDENTS IN ITS UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES,” SIR DAVID SAID.
/HE SAID .......
5
HE SAID HE HAD ALSO OBSERVED WITH INTEREST AND SATISFACTION THE ENTHUSIASTIC WAY IN WHICH THE UNIVERSITY WAS APPROACHING ITS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ROLE AND THE MAJOR DONATIONS TOWARDS THE SETTING UP OF RESEARCH INSTITUTES IN BIOTECHNOLOGY FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FROM HONG KONG TELECOM ALREADY ACHIEVED.
”IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNMENT WILL MAKE SUBSTANTIAL GRANTS FOR THE PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT.
"SO THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT FIRST CLASS RESEARCH FACILITIES WILL BE PROVIDED WITHIN THESE BUILDINGS," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THIS PROGRESS COULD NOT HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED WITHOUT THE DEDICATED EFFORTS OF ALL CONCERNED, SUCH AS THE UNIVERSITY COUNCIL, THE VICE-CHANCELLOR AND STAFF OF THE UNIVERSITY.
HE ALSO THANKED THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AS DONOR AND PROJECT MANAGER, THE CONSULTANTS AND CONTRACTORS WHO HAD WORKED SO HARD TO MEET VERY TIGHT DEADLINES.
JOINING SIR S.Y. TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE JOCKEY CLUB ROLE, SIR DAVID SAID: "I ALSO BELIEVE THAT, APART FROM THE GENEROSITY OF THE DONATION TOWARDS THE CAPITAL COST OF THE CAMPUS, WITHOUT THEIR SUPPORT, THE 1991 OPENING COULD NOT BE ACHIEVED AND I WOULD LIKE TO ADD MY OWN THANKS TO MR MACWHINNIE AND THE STEWARDS OF THE CLUB."
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE FULL TEXT OF SIR DAVID’S SPEECH WILL BE SENT BY FACSIMILE. COPIES OF A PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN AT THE TOPPING-OUT CEREMONY WILL BE BOXED.
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FOUR MORE DAYS TO ENTER SINGING CONTEST *****
AMATEUR SINGERS FROM CENTRAL AND WESTERN HAVE FOUR MORE DAYS TO ENTER THE DISTRICT’S SINGING COMPETITION SCHEDULED FOR EARLY NEXT YEAR.
A LIMITED NUMBER OF ENTRY FORMS ARE STILL AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE’S THREE PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES AT HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING) IN ICE HOUSE STREET, AND IN 71-77 SMITHFIELD ROAD.
FORMS CAN ALSO BE OBTAINED FROM THE MUSIC OFFICE’S HONG KONG MUSIC CENTRE ON THE NINTH FLOOR OF THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE, 2 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
/THE FORMS .......
6
THE FORMS, TOGETHER WITH THE LYRICS AND MUSICAL NOTATIONS OF THE SONGS TO BE PERFORMED, SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE ABOVE ADDRESSES ON OR BEFORE TUESDAY (DECEMBER 4).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT OFFICE SAID RESIDENTS AGED 15 TO 30 ARE WELCOME TO TAKE PART IN THE SINGING COMPETITION, NOW IN ITS NINTH YEAR.
THE CONTEST WILL BE DIVIDED INTO CLASSICAL SONG SOLO, POP AND FOLK SONG SOLO AND POP AND FOLK SONG ENSEMBLE GROUPS.
THE FINALS WILL BE HELD AT THE SHEUNG WAN CIVIC CENTRE THEATRE NEXT MONTH. *
THE COMPETITION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE MUSIC OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT ARTS AND CULTURE ASSOCIATION, WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 852 3499 OR 528 3257.
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TELEMATCHES TO CLOSE CENTRAL AND WESTERN SPORTS FESTIVAL
******
THREE TELEMATCHES WILL BE HELD AT THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 2) AFTERNOON TO MARK THE FINALE OF THIS YEAR’S CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT SPORTS FESTIVAL.
REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL AREA COMMITTEES, COMMERCIAL FIRMS, SCHOOLS AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS WILL PARTICIPATE.
BEFORE THE START OF THE TELEMATCHES, A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOR WINNERS OF THE DISTRICT’S SQUASH AND VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENTS WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM.
THE AUDIENCE WILL BE TREATED TO A PIPE AND DRUM BAND PARADE BY THE AUXILIARY POLICE FORCE.
OFFICIATING AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEPHEN FISHER, CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT’S RECREATION AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION, MR LEUNG SIK-WAH, AND A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER, MISS ESTHER CHAN.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT SPORTS FESTIVAL PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY AND TELEMATCHES WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 2) AT THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT.
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/7........
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ELECTION BUS TO TOUR ROUND TUEN MUN * * * * *
A ”1991 ELECTION BUS” WILL TOUR ROUND TUEN MUN ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 2) TO PUBLICISE THE THREE-TIER ELECTIONS TO BE HELD NEXT YEAR.
CONVERTED FROM AN OPEN-TOP DOUBLE-DECKER, THE BUS WILL START OFF AFTER A CEREMONY IN LEUNG KING ESTATE AT 10 AM.
IT WILL BE DRIVEN THROUGH DIFFERENT CONSTITUENCIES IN THE DISTRICT, SPREADING MESSAGES TO LURE LOCAL RESIDENTS TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN THE ELECTIONS.
DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS ARE EXPECTED ON BOARD.
WINNING ENTRIES OF THE "HONG KONG IS OUR HOME” ESSAY, DRAWING AND COLOURING COMPETITIONS HELD EARLIER THIS YEAR WILL BE EXHIBITED ON THE BUS.
THE BUS PARADE IS ORGANISED BY THE TUEN MUN CIVIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND IS PART OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE TERRITORY-WIDE CIVIC EDUCATION DAY.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TUEN MUN CIVIC EDUCATION DAY WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY (DECEMBER 2) AT 10 AM AT THE SQUARE ADJACENT TO LEUNG CHI HOUSE, LEUNG KING ESTATE, TUEN MUN.
THE TUEN MUN DB CHAIRMAN, MR LAU WONG-FAT AND THE SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, MISS ROSA CHAN, WILL JOINTLY OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER.
-----0-------
NEW IDENTITY CARDS FOR WOMEN BORN IN 1935-40
******
WOMEN BORN BETWEEN 1935 AND 1940 WILL BE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS FROM DECEMBER 10 TO FEBRUARY 2 NEXT YEAR, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
"WOMEN OF THE ABOVE AGE GROUP CAN CALL AT ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICES DURING THIS PERIOD,” A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE OFFICE HOURS OF THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM, MONDAY TO FRIDAY, AND FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM ON SATURDAY.
/ALL OFFICES .......
8
ALL OFFICES CLOSE ON SUNDAY AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
APPLICANTS MAY ALSO MAKE USE OF THE PHONE-IN SERVICE TO ARRANGE FOR AN APPOINTMENT BY CALLING THE OFFICES OF THEIR CHOICE.
THE ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE:
HONG KONG : BASEMENT, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI TEL. NO. 574 7070
EAST KOWLOON : AMOY PLAZA, SECOND FLOOR, 77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD, NGAU TAU KOK TEL. NO. 755 3669
WEST KOWLOON : CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, YAU MA TEI TEL. NO. 723 2424
TSUEN WAN : EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 29-37 TSUEN FU STREET TEL. NO. 498 0117
SHA TIN : SHOP 8A, SECOND FLOOR, CHANWAY SHOPPING CENTRE, 11-17, SHA TIN CENTRE STREET TEL. NO. 605 9108'
YUEN LONG : HOP YICK CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 31 HOP YICK ROAD TEL. NO. 477 1543
TUEN MUN : CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, CHI LOK FA YUEN TEL. NO. 458 0646
SHEUNG SHUI : TSUEN WO TAI LAU, GROUND FLOOR, 82-84 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI TEL. NO. 672 7191
APPLICANTS MAY MAKE USE OF THE 24-HOUR RECORDED MESSAGE SERVICE BY DIALLING 824 0303 TO OBTAIN DETAILS OF THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED.
HE REMINDED WOMEN BORN BETWEEN 1941 AND 1946 WHO HAVE NOT APPLIED FOR THEIR NEW IDENTITY CARDS TO COME FORWARD WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY AS THERE IS ONLY ONE MORE WEEK LEFT BEFORE THE CURRENT PHASE CLOSES ON DECEMBER 8.
FAILURE TO APPLY FOR A NEW IDENTITY CARD WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD IS AN OFFENCE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $3,000.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
- - 0-----------
/9 ........
9
FS WILL NOT PROPOSE WHOLESALE TAX IN 1991
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT HE WILL NOT BE PROPOSING A WHOLESALE TAX IN 1991 BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT READY TO INTRODUCE IT.
TAKING QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA AFTER THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE CANADIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, SIR PIERS EXPLAINED THE RATIONALE BEHIND THIS IDEA.
"I HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN DISCUSSING THIS TAX EVER SINCE MY FIRST BUDGET IN L987. I BELIEVE AS I HAVE SAID MANY TIMES BEFORE THAT OUR EXISTING TAX SYSTEM IS VULNERABLE. BY THAT I MEAN WE MAY FROM TIME TO TIME FIND OURSELVES SHORT OF REVENUE IF THE ECONOMY WERE TO TURN DOWN. OUR YIELD ON TAX, DIRECT TAX, COULD WELL BE AT RISK.
’’ONE ADVANTAGE OF A BROAD-BASED CONSUMPTION TAX IS THAT WE BELIEVE THAT IT IS LESS VULNERABLE TO DOWNTURNS IN THE ECONOMY,” HE SAID.
THEREFORE OUR WHOLE TAX-BASE WOULD BE MORE STABLE AND WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE TO SUPPORTING OUR PROGRAMME OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE OVER THE YEARS AHEAD, HE ADDED.
ASKED ABOUT HIS TAX PROPOSALS FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR, SIR PIERS SAID: ’’NORMALLY AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR I AM ASKED MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT MY TAX PROPOSALS 'ARE FOR MARCH. INVARIABLY I TELL JOURNALISTS THAT THEY WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE TIME I DELIVER MY BUDGET.
”AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME I AM PUTTING TOGETHER VARIOUS TAX PROPOSALS. THEY WILL HAVE TO BE REFINED AND THEN NEXT YEAR WHEN I DELIVER MY BUDGET YOU WILL INDEED HAVE FULL DETAILS,” HE SAID.
ASKED WHETHER THERE WERE ANY PLANS TO SET UP ANY GUIDELINES ON PROFITS SOURCED FROM OVERSEAS FOLLOWING THE PRIVY COUNCIL DECISION ON THE HANG SENG CASE, SIR PIERS SAID GUIDELINES WERE PROBABLY REQUIRED.
”WE HAVE REQUESTS FOR GUIDELINES FROM AT LEAST TWO SOURCES.
’’THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I AM PURSUING WITH THE COMMISSIONER (OF
INLAND REVENUE) AND SUBJECT TO ANY ADVICE I GET, I THINK WE WOULD HAVE TO ISSUE GUIDELINES.
I DON'T LIKE TO SEE UNCERTAINTIES IN RELATION TO OUR TAX
SYSTEM,” HE SAID.
AS FOR THE PROGRESS OF THE STUDY INTO RAISING GOVERNMENT BONDS TO SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS, SIR PIERS SAID HE HAD SAID PREVIOUSLY THAT HE BELIEVED THE PROGRAMME OF GOVERNMENT BONDS MIGHT SUIT HONG KONG'S NEEDS.
”WE ARE CARRYING OUT SOME WORK ON THIS SUBJECT IN THE APPROPRIATE BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT. 1 HAVE NO SPECIFIC ANNOUNCEMENT TO MAKE TODAY. I WILL CERTAINLY HAVE MORE TO SAY ABOUT THIS ISSUE WHEN I DELIVER MY BUDGET AS YOU WILL EXPECT. BUT WHEN AND IN WHAT AMOUNTS I CANNOT AT THIS STAGE TELL YOU.”
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/10
10
HK’S STATUS AS BUSINESS HUB ENHANCED * * * * ♦
THE INCREASING ORIENTATION TO SERVICES HAS ENHANCED HONG KONG’S POSITION AS A BUSINESS HUB FOR TRADE, FINANCE AND COMMUNICATIONS IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
IN HIS ADDRESS TO THE CANADIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, SIR PIERS FOCUSSED UPON THE CONTINUOUS STRUCTURAL CHANGES WHICH HONG KONG HAD BEEN UNDERGOING TO MEET THE CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES IN THE WORLD ECONOMY.
"SEVERAL CHANGES WHICH GAINED MOMENTUM IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE 1980’S ARE WORTH MENTIONING, AS THEY ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO SHAPE OUR DEVELOPMENTS IN THE 1990’S," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID THE FIRST DEVELOPMENT WAS RELATED TO THE RE-EMERGENCE OF HONG KONG AS AN IMPORTANT ENTREPOT FOR THE REGION.
"THE OPENING UP OF CHINA SINCE THE LATE 1970’S WAS THE MAJOR CONTRIBUTORY FACTOR," HE SAID, POINTING OUT THAT ABOUT 80 PER CENT OF OUR RE-EXPORTS INVOLVED GOODS GOING INTO AND OUT OF CHINA.
"HOWEVER, RE-EXPORTS NOT INVOLVING CHINA HAVE ALSO BEEN INCREASING RAPIDLY, IN LINE WITH THE FAST ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE REGION."
REFLECTING THIS DEVELOPMENT, RE-EXPORTS NOW ACCOUNTED FOR NEARLY 65 PER CENT OF OUR TOTAL EXPORTS, WHEREAS IN 1980 THE CORRESPONDING SHARE WAS MUCH LOWER,. AT 31 PER CENT, SIR. PIERS SAID.
HE SAID THE SECOND DEVELOPMENT WAS RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING ARRANGEMENTS.
"TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE CHEAPER LAND AND LABOUR COSTS IN SOUTH CHINA, THE MORE LABOUR-INTENSIVE PRODUCTION PROCESSES ARE CONTINUOUSLY BEING SHIFTED ACROSS THE BORDER," HE SAID.
"AS A RESULT, LOCAL MANUFACTURERS AND WORKERS CAN CONCENTRATE ON THE HIGHER VALUE-ADDED AND MORE SKILL-INTENSIVE ACTIVITIES."
THE THIRD DEVELOPMENT RELATED TO THE TRANSFORMATION OF HONG KONG INTO A MORE SERVICE-ORIENTED ECONOMY.
"THE RE-EMERGENCE OF HONG KONG’S ROLE AS AN ENTREPOT FOR THE REGION HAS PROVIDED ABUNDANT BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE TRADING, FINANCE AND TRANSPORT SECTORS.
"THE AVAILABILITY OF OUTWARD PROCESSING ACTIVITIES HAS ALSO FACILITATED THE SHIFT OF MANPOWER RESOURCES FROM MANUFACTURING TO SERVICES. THIS DEVELOPMENT IS IN LINE WITH THE TENDENCY TOWARDS REGIONAL DIVISION OF LABOUR," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID THE TENDENCY WAS FOR THE MORE LABOUR-INTENSIVE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES TO CONCENTRATE IN AREAS WHERE LAND AND LABOUR COSTS WERE RELATIVELY LOWER AND THE SERVICE-TYPE ACTIVITIES TO EXPAND IN AREAS WHICH WERE BETTER LOCATED AND HAD A BETTER EDUCATED WORKFORCE AND RELATIVELY ABUNDANT CAPITAL RESOURCES.
/THE SHARE .......
11
THE SHARE OF THE SERVICE SECTORS IN HONG KONG’S TOTAL EMPLOYMENT ROSE FROM 47 PER CENT IN 1980 TO 62 PER CENT IN 1990. IN CONTRAST, THE CORRESPONDING SHARE OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR FELL FROM 41 PER CENT TO 28 PER CENT.
IN TERMS OF CONTRIBUTION TO THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, THAT OF THE SERVICE SECTORS ROSE FROM 64 PER CENT IN 1980 TO 67 PER CENT IN 1988, WHILE THAT OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR FELL FROM 24 PER CENT TO 20 PER CENT.
"SO HONG KONG IS DEVELOPING FAR MORE AS A CENTRE OF MANUFACTURING AND MARKETING AND FINANCING.
"I ACTUALLY THINK THIS IS A VERY EXCITING AND IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT BECAUSE IT SUGGESTS TO ME THAT IN THE YEARS AHEAD THE STANDARD OF LIVING OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO IMPROVE.
"A LOT OF THE VALUE-ADDED WILL BE COMING INTO HONG KONG AND THAT IS GOING TO SERVE US VERY WELL IN THE YEARS AHEAD," HE SAID.
ON THE FINANCIAL SERVICES SIDE, SIR PIERS SAID HONG KONG HAD DONE A GREAT DEAL TO 'MPROVE ITS BANKING - SECTOR.
"REGULATION OF OUR BANKING SECTOR HAS EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS. WE FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE WITH IT. WE ARE NOW DOING A GREAT DEAL ON THE SECURITIES SIDE.
"I THINK HONG KONG HAS NOW DEVELOPED CONSIDERABLY MORE MATURITY AND MORE DEPTH THAN IT HAD MANY YEARS AGO. AGAIN THAT IS GOING TO SERVE US WELL IN THE FUTURE," HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE LABOUR SHORTAGE AND THE BRAIN DRAIN, SIR PIERS SAID THESE WERE OF COURSE MATTERS OF CONCERN.
"WE FELT THAT THE LABOUR SHORTAGE WOULD, OVER NOT TOO LONG A PERIOD OF TIME, ABATE.
"BUT I MUST CONFESS THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HAS CENT FOR MANY MANY MONTHS,
THAT IT NOW SEEMS TO BE ALMOST STRUCTURAL -HOVERED BETWEEN 1.3 PER CENT AND 1.7 PER AND I DON’T SEE ANY RELIEF THERE.
"WE HAVE AS YOU KNOW RECENTLY MODIFIED OUR POLICIES IN RELATION TO THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR, SO WE DO TAKE MORE PEOPLE IN NOW.
”1 THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO WATCH CAREFULLY. I BELIEVE MYSELF THAT WE MAY NEED SOME MORE PEOPLE IN THE FUTURE IF WE ARE GOING TO TAKE SOME OF THE PRESSURE OFF THE LABOUR MARKET.
"BUT OBVIOUSLY WE MUST NOT GO TOO FAR. WE DON’T WISH TO DAMAGE THE EARNINGS OF OUR OWN LABOUR FORCE HERE. NEITHER DO WE WISH TO PUT UNDUE STRAIN ON OUR VARIOUS SOCIAL SERVICES AND OUR HOUSING PROGRAMMES," HE SAID.
"ONE HAS TO STRIKE THE RIGHT BALANCE. BUT CERTAINLY THE SHORTAGE OF LABOUR IS REALLY AT THE ROOT OF OUR INFLATION PROBLEM IN HONG KONG. I THINK THE TWO CANNOT BE VIEWED IN ISOLATION," HE ADDED.
/"IF I .......
12
”IF I WERE ASKED TO SAY WHAT WILL PRESERVE OUR POSITION IN THE YEARS AHEAD, I WOULD EMPHASISE YET AGAIN THE PEOPLE," SIR PIERS POINTED OUT.
"WE REALLY DO HAVE TO CONCENTRATE A GREAT DEAL OF EFFORT ON ENSURING THAT WE HAVE THE RIGHT SORT OF PEOPLE, THE RIGHT SORT OF LABOUR FORCE TO CONTINUE THE TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT THAT I HAVE DESCRIBED, HENCE THE GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSALS IN RELATION TO EDUCATION," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID THE GOVERNMENT SPENT QUITE A SIGNIFICANT PROPORTION OF TOTAL PUBLIC EXPENDITURE ON EDUCATION.
"WE REGARD THAT AS OF CONTINUING AND GROWING IMPORTANCE.
"WE WILL OVER THE YEARS HAVE MANY MORE TERTIARY EDUCATION PLACES IN HONG KONG. AND WE HAVE NO DOUBT THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE RIGHT SORT OF PEOPLE TO FILL THE SORT OF JOBS THAT WILL BE EMERGING IN HONG KONG IN THE YEARS AHEAD," HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
APPLICATION UNDER BRITISH NATIONALITY SCHEME STARTS TOMORROW
APPLICATIONS FOR BRITISH CITIZENSHIP UNDER THE BRITISH NATIONALITY SELECTION SCHEME WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) WHFN APPLICATION FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FROM MORE THAN 200 OUTLETS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN
SAID
TODAY.
THESE OUTLETS INCLUDE ALL DISTRICT OFFICES, OFFICES, POST OFFICES, THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SING TAO CENTRES.
IMMIGRATION
CENTRE,
AND
THE AVAILABLE
SHOULD
SPOKESMAN ADVISED APPLICANTS THAT THEY
ALL RELEVANT DOCUMENTS AND REFERENCE MATERIALS BEFORE
HAVE
THEY
START TO FILL IN THEIR FORMS.
"THESE INCLUDE THE
APPLICATION FORM BN(HK) 1 ITSELF, A GUIDANCE
NOTE TO RELATING PAMPHLET SCHEME’.
HELP
TO 'A
"THE APPLICATION
APPLICANTS FILL IN THE FORM, THE
THE APPLICANT’S OCCUPATION
GENERAL
GUIDANCE
FORM .
QUOTAS ALLOCATED
IN
TO
REFERENCE MANUAL
AND A COPY OF THE
GUIDE TO THE BRITISH NATIONALITY
NOTE WILL BE HANDED OUT
ADDITION, A SEPARATE SHEET THE 20 OCCUPATION GROUPS
OCCUPATION UNDER THE FIRST PHASE OF
INFORMATION SELECTION
TOGETHER WITH THE GIVING DETAILS OF AND THE APPROVED
THE SCHEME WILL BE HANDED OUT AT
THE SAME TIME FOR APPLICANTS’ INFORMATION.
/"THE REFERENCE .......
13
"THE REFERENCE MANUALS, DESIGNED TO HELP APPLICANTS FIND VARIOUS COMPUTER CODES RELATING TO THEIR OCCUPATION, EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS ETC WHICH THEY HAVE TO PUT IN THE APPLICATION FORMS, WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM TOMORROW AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES, POST OFFICES, IMMIGRATION OFFICES AND PUBLIC LIBRARIES FOR THE REFERENCE OF APPLICANTS.
"THEY WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE, AT $20 PER COPY, AT MORE THAN 80 OUTLETS INCLUDING ABOUT 40 DISTRICT OFFICES, ABOUT 20 POST OFFICES, IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, 20 SING TAO CENTRES AND FIVE TV WEEK SERVICE CENTRES.
"A TOTAL OF NINE REFERENCE MANUALS ARE PUBLISHED TO COVER THE 20 OCCUPATIONAL GROUPS, THE APPROVED OCCUPATIONS, AND THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES CLASS, BUT NO APPLICANT WILL NEED TO BUY ALL NINE MANUALS.
"IN MOST CASES, ALL HE NEEDS IS THE MANUAL COVERING HIS OCCUPATION.
"OCCUPATIONAL GROUPS OR OCCUPATIONS COVERED BY EACH MANUAL ARE LISTED ON THE COVER OF THE MANUALS," HE SAID.
AS FOR THE INFORMATION PAMPHLET 'A GENERAL GUIDE TO THE BRITISH NATIONALITY SELECTION SCHEME’, THE. SPOKESMAN SAID IT HAS BEEN AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC SINCE NOVEMBER 1 THIS YEAR.
"THE GENERAL GUIDE PROVIDES DETAILED INFORMATION ON THE POINTS SYSTEM, APPLICATION PROCEDURES, OCCUPATIONS COVERED ETC AND APPLICANTS SHOULD READ IT TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THE SCHEME OPERATES BEFORE FILLING IN THEIR FORMS.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED THOSE WHO WISH TO APPLY FOR BRITISH CITIZENSHIP UNDER THE SCHEME THAT THEY MUST BE HONG KONG BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENS, BRITISH NATIONALS (OVERSEAS), BRITISH OVERSEAS CITIZENS, BRITISH PROTECTED PERSONS, OR BRITISH SUBJECTS AND SETTLED IN HONG KONG.
THOSE WHO HAVE APPLIED FOR NATURALISATION OR REGISTRATION AS BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENS BEFORE JUNE 26, 1990 MAY ALSO APPLY, HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE APPLICATION PERIOD WOULD RUN FOR THREE MONTHS AND THERE WAS NO NEED TO HURRY TO GET ONE’S APPLICATION IN EARLY.
"ALL APPLICATIONS RECEIVED BY FEBRUARY 28, 1991 WILL BE PROCESSED IN THE SAME WAY AND THERE IS NO ADVANTAGE TO BE GAINED BY SUBMITTING AN EARLY APPLICATION.
"THE ONLY EXCEPTION APPLIES TO APPLICANTS WITH CHILDREN NEARING THE AGE OF 18 SINCE ONLY CHILDREN UNDER 18 — AT THE TIME OF THEIR APPLICATION -- WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR REGISTRATION AS BRITISH CITIZENS IF THEIR OWN APPLICATIONS ARE SUCCESSFUL.
/"APPLICANTS WITH ........
14
’’APPLICANTS WITH CHILDREN APPROACHING THE AGE OF 18 SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT THEY FILL IN THE SECTIONS IN THE APPLICATION FORM TO APPLY FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO BE REGISTERED AS BRITISH CITIZENS, AND TO SUBMIT THE FORM BEFORE THEIR CHILD’S 18TH BIRTHDAY,” HE SAID.
"IF AN APPLICANT HAS DIFFICULTY IN OBTAINING COPIES OF DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED WITH THE APPLICATION, FOR EXAMPLE, COPIES OF CERTIFICATE OR DIPLOMA, HE MAY SEND THESE TO IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AFTER THE CLOSING OF THE APPLICATION PERIOD PROVIDED HE HAS RETURNED HIS COMPLETED APPLICATION TO IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT BY THE END OF FEBRUARY 1991.”
ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY REGISTERED MAIL QR PERSONAL DELIVERY TO THE BRITISH NATIONALITY DIVISION, IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI.
A CHEQUE, BANK DRAFT OR CASHIER ORDER FOR $200 TO COVER THE COST FOR PROCESSING APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SENT IN TOGETHER WITH THE APPLICATION FORM.
THE SPOKESMAN AGAIN STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF PROVIDING FULL AND ACCURATE INFORMATION IN THE APPLICATION FORMS SINCE INITIAL SCORES WILL BE BASED ON THIS INFORMATION.
”IT IS ALSO VERY IMPORTANT TO SIGN AND DATE THE APPLICATION FORM SINCE IT WILL NOT BE PROCESSED UNLESS IT IS SIGNED AND DATED.
’’BEFORE SUBMITTING THE FORM, APPLICANTS SHOULD ALSO CAREFULLY GO THROUGH THE CHECK-LIST AT THE END OF THE FORM TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE DONE ALL THAT IS REQUIRED,” HE- SAID.
TO FACILITATE APPLICANTS IN FILLING IN THE FORMS, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT IS OPERATING A SPECIAL HOTLINE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC RELATING TO THE SCHEME. ITS NO. IS 802 3300.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
COPIES OF THE APPLICATION FORM, GUIDANCE NOTES FOR THE APPLICATION FORM, THE SINGLE SHEET GIVING VARIOUS QUOTAS, AND A FULL SET OF NINE REFERENCE MANUALS WILL BE BOXED THIS EVENING.
--------0-----------
/15 .......
15
CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TO EDUCATE PUBLIC ON AIDS
*****
MANY MISCONCEPTIONS EXIST ABOUT AIDS, AND ONLY WITH INCREASED KNOWLEDGE CAN PEOPLE LOOK AT THE DISEASE RATIONALLY AND WILL THEN DEVELOP THE COMPASSION AND TOLERANCE NEEDED TO UNDERSTAND AND CARE FOR AIDS PATIENTS.
THIS WAS SAID BY LADY FORD TODAY (FRIDAY) AT THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF THE 1990/91 EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY ON AIDS CAMPAIGN CUM EXHIBITION HELD AT THE CITY HALL EXHIBITION HALL.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY, SHE POINTED OUT THAT THE PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF AIDS REQUIRED THE CONCERTED AND SUSTAINED EFFORTS OF ALL SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY.
’’THIS EXHIBITION AND EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN IS THE FIRST CONCERTED EFFORT IN PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EDUCATION ON AIDS TO BE INITIATED BY THE COMMUNITY OF HONG KONG.
"IT INVOLVES VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS, PROFESSIONAL BODIES, BUSINESS CORPORATIONS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS, AND IS COORDINATED BY THE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON AIDS,” SHE SAID.
AS PROMULGATED BY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION, THE THEME FOR THIS YEAR’S WORLD AIDS DAY IS ’WOMEN AND AIDS’.
LADY FORD STRESSED THAT IT WAS VITALLY IMPORTANT WERE PROPERLY INFORMED ABOUT AIDS SO THAT THEY UNDERSTOOD TRANSMITTED AND WHERE THEY THEMSELVES MIGHT BE AT RISK.
"THEY WILL THEN BE ABLE TO HELP THEIR CHIDREN AND UNDERSTAND THE DISEASE MORE CLEARLY,” SHE SAID.
THAT WOMEN HOW IT WAS
FAMILIES TO
ALSO OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S CEREMONY WAS DIRECTOR OF HEALTH AND CHAIRMAN OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON AIDS, DR S.H. LEE.
DR LEE POINTED OUT THAT THIS YEAR THE GOVERNMENT REINFORCED ITS COMMITMENT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST AIDS BY UPGRADING THE FORMER EXPERT COMMITTEE ON AIDS TO THE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON AIDS.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE COUNCIL WAS CHARGED WITH THE MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES TO ADVISE ON THE POLICY ON AIDS PREVENTION AND CONTROL AND TO ENSURE AN EFFECTIVE AIDS PREVENTIVE PROGRAMME.
HE SAID THAT THE NUMBER OF AIDS CASES AND HIV INFECTIONS IN HONG KONG WAS STILL SMALL BUT THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION HAD WARNED THAT THE NUMBER WAS EXPECTED TO INCREASE IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN REGION.
"IF WE ARE TO PREVENT AN ESCALATION OF THE DISEASE IN HONG KONG, IT IS TIME FOR US TO ACT NOW,” HE STRESSED.
DR LEE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS AT PRESENT NO CURE OR VACCINE AVAILABLE TO PREVENT AIDS.
’’FOR THE MOMENT, PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EDUCATION REMAIN THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON IN THE FIGHT AGAINST AIDS,” HE SAID.
/HE SAID .......
16
HE SAID THAT IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, THERE WOULD BE A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES INCLUDING EXHIBITIONS, WORKSHOP FOR WOMEN, SEMINARS FOR INTERMEDIARIES SUCH AS SOCIAL WORKERS, HEALTH CARE WORKERS AND TARGET GROUP LIKE DRUG ABUSERS, AND A CONCERT FOR YOUTHS.
"THROUGH THESE ACTIVITIES WE AIM TO REINFORCE AND CONSOLIDATE OUR PAST ACHIEVEMENTS, CHANGE COMMUNITY COMPLACENCY INTO COMMUNITY COMMITMENT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST AIDS,” HE SAID.
DR LEE SAID THE COUNCIL HAD PROPOSED TO ESTABLISH A HONG KONG AIDS FOUNDATION WHICH WOULD BE A NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATION TO COMPLEMENT THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS AGAINST AIDS.
"THE SETTING UP OF THIS FOUNDATION WILL BE THE GREATEST DEMONSTRATION OF THE PUBLIC’S SUPPORT AND INVOLVEMENT IN OUR AIDS EFFORTS. IT WILL ALSO BE REGARDED AS HONG KONG’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE WORLD’S EFFORTS TO TACKLE THE INTERNATIONAL PROBLEM OF AIDS," HE SAID.
ALSO PRESENT AT TODAY’S CEREMONY WERE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS, MRS PEGGY LAM AND MR HO SAI-CHU, CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY ON AIDS AND CHAIRMAN OF PUBLICITY WORKING GROUP ON AIDS RESPECTIVELY.
DURING THE CEREMONY, PRIZES WERE PRESENTED BY MRS LAM TO WINNERS OF THE AIDS POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION HELD EARLIER BY THE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON AIDS. GUESTS THEN TpURED THE EXHIBITION ON AIDS SET UP AT THE VENUE.
THE EXHIBITION FEATURES 40 DISPLAY BOARDS CONTAINING COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF AIDS. VIDEO SHOWS AND COMPUTER GAMES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE TO HELP FURTHER INCREASE VISITORS’ UNDERSTANDING OF THE DISEASE.
IT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC UP TILL DECEMBER 3 BEFORE MOVING TO THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE EXHIBITION GALLERY ON DECEMBER 7.
------0 - _
NEW WATER CONTROL ZONES DECLARED AND TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM INTRODUCED * * * * *
DEEP BAY AND MIRS BAY HAVE BEEN DECLARED WATER CONTROL ZONES UNDER THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL (DEEP BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE) ORDER 1990 AND WATER POLLUTION CONTROL (MIRS BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE) ORDER 1990 WHICH WERE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
ALSO GAZETTED WERE AMENDMENTS TO THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL (GENERAL) REGULATIONS WHICH INTRODUCED SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR THE ISSUE OF LICENCES UNDER THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE, AND CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS TO THIS ORDINANCE ARISING FROM THE REPEAL OF THE EXEMPTION PROVISIONS IN THE ORDINANCE.
THE REVISED REGULATIONS ALSO PROVIDED FOR A DOUBLING OF FINES WHICH COULD PRESENTLY BE IMPOSED FOR OFFENCES UNDER THE REGULATIONS, AND A REVISED FEE STRUCTURE FOR LICENCES ISSUED UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
/ANOTHER ITEM .......
17
ANOTHER ITEM GAZETTED TODAY UNDER THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE WAS A TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM (TM) ON EFFLUENT STANDARDS WHICH SET OUT THE PERMISSIBLE LIMITS OF EFFLUENT DISCHARGES IN A WATER CONTROL ZONE (WCZ).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE WCZ ORDERS, MADE UNDER THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE, WERE AIMED AT CONTROLLING THE DISCHARGES AND DEPOSITS FROM ALL SOURCES IN THE TWO ZONES, OTHER THAN DISCHARGES AND DEPOSITS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WASTE DISPOSAL ORDINANCE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE ORDERS WOULD ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE THE WATER QUALITY AND PROTECT THE BENEFICIAL USES OF THE TWO WATER CONTROL ZONES INCLUDING SEA BATHING, FISHERIES, SECONDARY CONTACT RECREATION (FOR EXAMPLE WATER-SKIING, BOATING AND CANOEING) AND GENERAL AMENITIES.
THE RELATED APPOINTED DAYS ORDERS BY WHICH THE GOVERNOR APPOINTED THE RESPECTIVE DATES FOR THE CONTROLS TO TAKE EFFECT WERE ALSO GAZETTED TODAY.
A LICENCE WOULD BE REQUIRED FOR DISCHARGES OR DEPOSITS WHICH BEGIN AFTER DECEMBER 1 THIS YEAR.
THE DECLARATION OF THE WCZ’S 'HAD THE SUPPORT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AS WELL AS THE DISTRICT BOARDS IN THE REGIONS AFFECTED BY THE NEW WCZ’S.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE TM WAS ALSO AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENT WHICH WOULD GUIDE THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WHEN LAYING DOWN STANDARDS FOR EFFLUENTS THAT WOULD BE LICENSED FOR DISCHARGE IN A WCZ.
THE TM SET DIFFERENT DISCHARGE STANDARDS DEPENDING ON THE RATE AND AREA OF DISCHARGE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID INDUSTRY WOULD FIND THE TM A USEFUL DOCUMENT AS IT WOULD GIVE THEM A CLEAR INDICATION OF WHAT STANDARDS THEY WOULD BE REQUIRED TO MEET TO GET A DISCHARGE LICENCE.
THE DEPUTY SECRETARY (ENVIRONMENT) OF THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH, MR MARTIN LEWIS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) OFFICERS TODAY BRIEFED THE OMELCO PANEL ON ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ON THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE AND THE TM. LATER THEY ALSO BRIEFED KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN MR LEE WING-TAT AND OTHER DB MEMBERS.
IT WAS NOTED THAT THE STANDARDS WERE GEARED TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL AIM OF ACHIEVING HONG KONG’S WATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES.
"THE TM IS VERY COMPREHENSIVE, AND STANDS UP WELL COMPARED TO THE OTHER COUNTRIES," MR LEWIS SAID.
"WE WOULD NOT AGREE OF ANY STANDARD OR PROCEDURE THAT DID NOT ACHIEVE THIS AIM," HE SAID.
FURTHER INFORMATION OF THE WATER CONTROL ZONES AND CONTROL MEASURES, AND THE TM, IS AVAILABLE FROM THE EPD.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE TO THE DEPARTMENT’S PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (WATER POLICY), MR PAUL HOLMES, ON TEL. 835 1234., OR THE PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (LIQUID WASTE? CONTROL), DR MIKE CHIU TAK-LUN, ON TEL. 835 1184.
18
NEW INDUSTRIAL SAFETY i
LAW TO COME INTO OPERATION * * * *
THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1989, WHICH SPELLS OUT THE GENERAL DUTIES OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES IN ENSURING SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK, WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15.
A NOTICE TO THIS EFFECT WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
"THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECES OF LEGISLATION ENACTED IN RECENT YEARS TO PROMOTE A SELF-REGULATION APPROACH TOWARDS INDUSTRIAL SAFETY, BACKED UP BY STIFF PENALTY ON RECKLESS OFFENDERS," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID.
"UNDER THE ORDINANCE, IT SHALL BE THE DUTY OF THE PROPRIETOR OF AN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING TO DEVELOP A SYSTEM OF SAFETY MANAGEMENT, SAFETY TRAINING AND EDUCATION FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES, AND SO FAR AS IS REASONABLY PRACTICABLE, TO PROVIDE A SAFE AND HEALTHY WORKING ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL PERSONS EMPLOYED BY HIM IN THE INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING.
"THE LAW ALSO REQUIRES EVERY. EMPLOYEE WHILE AT WORK TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE PROPRIETOR IN IMPLEMENTING SUCH MEASURES, AND TO TAKE REASONABLE CARE FOR THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF NOT ONLY HIMSELF BUT ALSO OTHER PERSONS WHO MAY BE AFFECTED BY HIS ACTS OR A NEGLIGENCE AT WORK."
THE AMENDMENT ORDINANCE PROVIDES CUSTODIAL PENALTIES FOR OFFENCES WHICH ARE LIABLE TO CAUSE FATAL OR SERIOUS ACCIDENTS OR RISK TO HEALTH, WHICH ARE COMMITTED WILFULLY AND WITHOUT REASONABLE EXCUSE AND WHICH ARE WITHIN THE OFFENDER’S ABILITY TO PREVENT.
UNDER THE ORDINANCE, A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT MAY BE IMPOSED AS AN ADDITIONAL PENALTY FOR OFFENCES WHICH CURRENTLY CARRY A MAXIMUM FINE OF $30,000, AND A MAXIMUM OF 12 MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR THOSE WHICH CURRENTLY CARRY A MAXIMUM FINE OF $50,000.
"THESE PENALTIES APPLY TO BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES WHO BLATANTLY DISREGARDS THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF THOSE WORKING IN AN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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GOOD MANAGEMENT OF EMPLOYEES IMPORTANT *****
GOOD MANAGEMENT OF EMPLOYEES IS THE KEY TO HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY, WHILE HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY IS THE KEY TO HONG KONG’S FUTURE, EXECUTIVE COUNCILLOR AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION LIMITED, MR WILLIAM PURVES, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE "HONG KONG LABOUR RELATIONS CONFERENCE ’90", MR PURVES SAID HONG KONG HAD BECOME A SOPHISTICATED, DEVELOPED ECONOMY AND ITS FUTURE RESTED ON ITS ROLE AS A SERVICE CENTRE.
/"IT NEEDS .......
19
"IT NEEDS TO PROVIDE ITS PEOPLE WITH SPECIALISED SKILLS AND EXPERTISE IN TECHNOLOGY, IN MANUFACTURING, IN FINANCIAL SERVICES, IN LOGISTICS, AND IN ENGLISH," HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT TRAINING EMPLOYEES WAS AN INVESTMENT AS CRITICAL AS INVESTING IN PLANT, EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS.
"INSTEAD OF REGARDING IT AS A COSTLY LUXURY, EMPLOYERS SHOULD CONSIDER TRAINING AN ESSENTIAL PART OF ANY BUSINESS PLAN," MR PURVES SAID.
"WITHOUT A WELL-TRAINED, WELL-MOTIVATED WORKFORCE, WE WILL NEVER REALISE ACCEPTABLE RETURNS ON OUR INVESTMENT IN PLANT AND EQUIPMENT; NOR WILL WE BE IN A POSITION TO MAINTAIN THE CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF SOUTHERN CHINA ON A REGIONAL BASIS," HE ADDED.
WHILE DESCRIBING LABOUR RELATIONS IN HONG KONG AS "TRADITIONALLY GOOD", MR PURVES SAID "WE CANNOT TAKE IT FOR GRANTED THAT THEY WILL CONTINUE SO UNLESS WE PAY ATTENTION TO THE ASPIRATIONS OF OUR WORKFORCE."
ALSO SPEAKING AT TODAY’S CEREMONY, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND, SAID COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND PARTICIPATION HAD BECOME ONE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S GOAL IN ITS EFFORTS TO PROMOTE HARMONIOUS LABOUR RELATIONS.
"WE SEE OURSELVES NOW MORE AS A ’CATALYST’, A FACILITATOR, OR AN AGENT FOR CHANGE THAN A TRADITIONAL PROTECTOR OF LABOUR CONCERNED MERELY WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE PROVISION OF EMPLOYMENT SERVICES.
"WE HAVE FOUND THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS A CAPACITY TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF ITS RESOURCES IF PROPER ATTENTION IS DIRECTED TO THE KEY AREAS," HE SAID.
MR HAMMOND SAID THE CONFERENCE WITH ITS THEME OF "PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVED LABOUR RELATIONS" WAS ONE OF THE WAYS OF BRINGING INTO FOCUS SOME AREAS OF CONCERN TO BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES, AND OF PROVIDING A VENUE AND OCCASION FOR THOSE DIRECTLY AFFECTED TO MEET AND DISCUSS MATTERS OF MUTUAL CONCERN.
THE CONFERENCE HELD AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE ATTRACTED MORE THAN 600 EMPLOYERS, PROPRIETORS, BUSINESS EXECUTIVES, PERSONNEL MANAGERS, EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES, TRADE UNION LEADERS, ACADEMICS AND PROFESSIONALS.
/20........
20
TWO SETS OF MERCHANT SHIPPING REGULATIONS GAZETTED
*****
TWO SETS OF REGULATIONS CONCERNING A NEW LICENSING SYSTEM FOR HOLDERS OF FOREIGN CERTIFICATES OF COMPETENCY TO SERVE AS MASTERS AND OFFICERS ON SHIPS ON THE NEW HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THESE ARE THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (CERTIFICATION OF OFFICERS) REGULATIONS 1990 AND THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (FEES) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) REGULATIONS 1990.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SAID THESE REGULATIONS WOULD COME INTO OPERATION ON MONDAY (DECEMBER 3) WHEN THE NEW HONG KONG REGISTER WOULD BE OPENED.
THE FIRST SET OF REGULATIONS INCORPORATES THE NEW LICENSING SYSTEM FOR HOLDERS OF FOREIGN CERTIFICATES OF COMPETENCY AND SIMPLIFIES THE SYSTEM OF CLASSIFYING CERTIFICATES OF COMPETENCY, WHILE MAINTAINING COMPLIANCE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON STANDARDS OF TRAINING, CERTIFICATION AND WATCHKEEPING.
THE SECOND SET OF REGULATIONS MAKES CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS TO PROVIDE FOR THE FEES PAYABLE UNDER THE NEW LICENSING SYSTEM.
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TELECOMMUNICATION (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1990 GAZETTED *******
THE TELECOMMUNICATION (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1990, WHICH ENABLE SHIPOWNERS AND SHIP MANAGERS GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN MAKING THEIR MANNING ARRANGEMENTS, IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE REGULATIONS PUT INTO EFFECT CERTAIN RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE STEERING GROUP ON THE HONG KONG REGISTER OF SHIPPING, WHICH WERE ADOPTED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN JUNE AS THE BASIS FOR THE NEW HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER.
THE PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVE OF THE REGULATIONS IS TO PROVIDE FOR A SYSTEM WHEREBY RADIO OFFICERS AND RADIO OPERATORS WITH QUALIFICATIONS OF AN ACCEPTABLE STANDARD OBTAINED OVERSEAS WILL BE ISSUED WITH A LICENCE, CALLED AN AUTHORITY TO OPERATE, TO SERVE ON HONG KONG REGISTERED SHIPS IN THE FUTURE.
THE REGULATIONS ALSO PROVIDE FOR THE CHARGING OF FEES TO RECOVER THE COSTS OF ISSUING THE LICENCES AND ADMINISTERING VALIDATION TESTS WHERE NECESSARY AND FOR A REQUIREMENT TO MAKE A DECLARATION OF SECRECY TO CONFORM WITH THE RADIO REGULATIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS UNION.
THE STEERING GROUP ON THE HONG KONG REGISTER OF SHIPPING INCLUDED A WIDE RANGE OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE MARITIME COMMUNITY, INCLUDING THE SEAFARERS’ ORGANISATIONS AND MARITIME EDUCATION INSTITUTES.
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ELDERLY DESERVE TO BE CARED FOR *****
OUR SENIOR CITIZENS DESERVE TO BE CARED FOR WITH DIGNITY AND COMPASSION WHEN THEY CAN NO LONGER LOOK AFTER THEMSELVES.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. CARTLAND, WHEN OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE HELPING HAND KWAI SHING WEST CARE HOME.
THE GOVERNMENT POLICY ON ELDERLY SERVICES REMAINED, AS EXPLAINED IN THE DRAFT WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE, TO ENCOURAGE THE ELDERLY TO CONTINUE LIVING IN THE COMMUNITY FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE WITH THE HELP OF THEIR FAMILIES, FRIENDS AND OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES, HE ADDED.
"THE DRAFT WHITE PAPER PUBLISHED IN SEPTEMBER LOOKS AHEAD TO A TIME, WITHIN THE NEXT 10 YEARS, WHEN SUFFICIENT RESIDENTIAL PLACES SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR ELDERLY POPULATION," MR CARTLAND SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ONLY FOR THOSE WHO COULD NO LONGER REMAIN IN THE COMMUNITY WHETHER BY REASON OF FRAILTY OR NEED FOR CONSTANT ATTENTION WOULD RESIDENTIAL CARE BE THE APPROPRIATE SOLUTION.
"THESE ARE VERY FAR FROM BEING LEECHES ON SOCIETY, RATHER, THEY ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED THEIR LIVES TO BUILDING UP HONG KONG AND DESERVE TO BE CARED FOR WITH DIGNITY AND COMPASSION WHEN THEY CAN NO LONGER LOOK AFTER THEMSELVES IN THEIR OLD AGE," HE CONTINUED.
HE STRESSED THAT THE COMMUNITY. HAD A RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE SATISFACTORILY AND AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE FOR THIS MOST NEEDY GROUP OF ITS ELDERLY CITIZENS.
"THERE IS NO QUESTION THEREFORE THAT ADEQUATE PROVISION OF RESIDENTIAL CARE FOR THE ELDERLY MUST REMAIN A HIGH PRIORITY," MR CARTLAND SAID.
AS REGARDS CONTROL OF HOMES, MR CARTLAND WENT ON TO SAY THAT THE NEED FOR INTRODUCING LEGISLATION WAS CLEAR GIVEN THE LARGE NUMBERS OF PRIVATE PROFIT-MAKING HOMES, SOME WITH A POOR QUALITY OF SERVICES, AND THE OBVIOUS VULNERABILITY OF THE ELDERLY TO THE POSSIBILITY OF EXPLOITATION.
"WHILST SUCH LEGISLATION WOULD INEVITABLY HAVE TO APPLY TO ALL HOMES, IT IS NOT ANTICIPATED THAT IT WOULD NECESSITATE ANY CHANGES FOR SUBVENTED OR NON-PROFIT-MAKING HOMES," HE SAID.
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22
TRADERS FINED FOR USING INACCURATE WEIGHING INSTRUMENTS
*****
FINES TOTALLING MORE THAN $100,000 HAVE BEEN IMPOSED ON TRADERS USING INACCURATE WEIGHING INSTRUMENTS SINCE THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ORDINANCE CAME INTO EFFECT ALMOST TWO YEARS AGO.
ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, 45 OFFENDERS, INCLUDING 38 FOOD RETAILERS AND SEVEN $CRAP DEALERS, HAVE PAID A TOTAL OF $106,550 TO DATE.
THE FIGURES ALSO SHOW THAT, OF THE FOOD RETAILERS CONVICTED, 15 WERE FRUIT RETAILERS AND NINE WERE SEAFOOD RETAILERS. THE REST WERE RETAILERS SELLING VEGETABLES, ROAST MEAT AND POULTRY, AND GROCERIES.
AN ACTING PRINCIPAL TRADE CONTROLS OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT, MR WONG CHUN-KWONG, SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD SO FAR RECEIVED 301 WEIGHTS AND MEASURES COMPLAINTS FROM THE PUBLIC.
"OF THESE COMPLAINTS, 140 WERE NOT SUBSTANTIATED, 119 WERE SUBSTANTIATED AND 42 ARE STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION," HE SAID.
HE REMINDED PRODUCE RETAILERS SUPPLYING GOODS BY WEIGHT OR MEASURE TO CHECK WEIGHING OR MEASURING EQUIPMENT REGULARLY TO ENSURE ACCURACY.
TWO FRUIT RETAILERS, A FISH RETAILER, A POULTRY RETAILER AND A GROCERIES HAWKER WERE FINED A TOTAL OF $7,000 THIS MONTH AFTER TESTS BY OFFICERS OF THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY SHOWED THAT THE READINGS OF THEIR WEIGHING INSTRUMENTS WAS FROM 5.7 TO 21.88 PER CENT IN EXCESS OF THE ACTUAL WEIGHT.
ANY PERSON WANTING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT MALPRACTICES IN RESPECT OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES SHOULD CONTACT EITHER THE TRADING STANDARDS INVESTIGATION BUREAU OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. 714 6146) OR THE CONSUMER COUNCIL.
COMPLAINTS MAY ALSO BE MADE TO DUTY OFFICERS OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 852 3185 AFTER NORMAL OFFICE HOURS.
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DREDGING OF SEABED AT EAST OF TUNG LUNG CHAU
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO PROCEED WITH DREDGING WORK WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,630 HECTARES OF SEABED EAST OF TUNG LUNG CHAU.
THE DREDGING IS TO PROVIDE MATERIALS FOR USE IN CONSTRUCTION AND FUTURE RECLAMATIONS.
IN CONNECTION WITH ANOTHER PROJECT, THE GOVERNMENT IS TO GRANT A LEASE TO HOI KONG CONTAINER SERVICES COMPANY LTD WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 1.25 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED OFF THE EAST COAST OF TSING YI ISLAND.
/THIS WILL .......
23
THIS WILL PROVIDE LAND FOR THE COMPANY TO CONSTRUCT AN OFFLOADING JETTY TO THE SEAWALL OF AN ADJACENT LOT EARMARKED FOR SHORT-TERM TENANCY.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN SEPARATE NOTICES OF AUTHORISATION PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE ABOVE PROJECTS MAY SUBMIT A CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS BEFORE NOVEMBER 29, 1991.
THE NOTICES TOGETHER WITH RELATED PLANS CAN BE SEEN AT TllE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG (WHERE COPIES CAN BE PURCHASED ON ORDER) AND AT THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT OFFICES.
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LIONS CLUB PRAISED FOR SOCIAL SERVICES * * * * *
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING PRAISED THE LIONS INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 303 FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIAL SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
MR LAN SAID THIS WHEN WELCOMING A GROUP OF LIONS CLUB MEMBERS WHO PAID A COURTESY CALL ON THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
HE NOTED THAT SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE CLUB INCLUDE THE ONLY EYE BANK IN HONG KONG, AN EDUCATION CENTRE AND STUDY FOUNDATION ON KIDNEY DISEASES, THE NATURE CENTRE IN SAI KUNG AND A SCHOOL FOR THE MENTALLY-RETARDED.
HE ALSO SAID THAT DISTRICT 303 HAD RECENTLY CO-OPERATED WITH THE CNTA IN PROMOTING CIVIC EDUCATION BY ORGANISING SEMINARS AND CALLING UPON ITS MEMBERS TO REGISTER AS VOTERS.
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TUNG LUNG ROAD IN KOWLOON CITY TO BE EXTENDED * * * * *
THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO EXTE^ TU^ EASTWARD TO LINK UP WITH TUNG KWONG ROAD NEAR NGA TSIN WAI
KOWLOON CITY.
LUNG ROAD
TSUEN IN
REDEVELOPMENT
IN 1992, WILL
THE ROAD EXTENSION PLAN IS PART OF THE PROPOSED OF TUNG TAU ESTATE PHASE 7 WHICH, WHEN COMPLETED PROVIDE 840 FLATS FOR ABOUT.2,700 PEOPLE.
/THE PROPOSED .......
24
THE PROPOSED ROAD WORKS WILL START IN MARCH NEXT YEAR AND WILL TAKE ABOUT NINE MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
DURING CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, A PEDESTRIAN WAY NEXT TO NGA TSIN WAI TSUEN WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED.
THE NORTH-SOUTH SECTION OF THE EXISTING TUNG LUNG ROAD WILL BECOME A HOUSING AUTHORITY ESTATE ROAD AFTER THE TUNG LUNG ROAD EXTENSION IS COMPLETED AND OPEN TO TRAFFIC.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN AND SCHEME OF THE PROPOSED ROAD EXTENSION WORKS MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG;
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON EAST, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON; AND
♦ WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, FOURTH FLOOR, KING FUK STREET, SAN PO KONG, KOWLOON.
ANY PERSON WHO OBJECTS TO THE PROPOSED WORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN JANUARY 22, 1991 .
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NEW TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS NEAR AIRPORT *****
THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT WITH THE PROVISION OF A NEW ROUNDABOUT, A NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS AT THE JUNCTION OF OLYMPIC AVENUE, DAKOTA DRIVE AND CONCORDE ROAD WILL BE IMPLEMENTED TOMORROW (SATURDAY) STARTING FROM 10 AM. THEY ARE:
EASTBOUND TRAFFIC ALONG OLYMPIC AVENUE
THE EXISTING EASTBOUND TRAFFIC FLOW ALONG OLYMPIC AVENUE TOWARDS CONCORDE ROAD FOR KWUN TONG DISTRICT, TO THE PASSENGER TERMINAL DEPARTURE PODIUM, AND TO ARRIVALS ROAD, WILL REMAIN NCHANGED.
/WESTBOUND TRAFFIC
25
WESTBOUND TRAFFIC FROM ARRIVALS ROAD/PUBLIC CAR PARK/DEPARTURES
CIRCUIT
THE U-TURN FACILITY ON OLYMPIC AVENUE EAST OF THE NEW ROUNDABOUT WILL BE PERMANENTLY WITHDRAWN.
VEHICLES FROM THE ARRIVALS ROAD/PUBLIC CAR PARK/WEST DEPARTURES DOWN RAMP SHOULD FOLLOW THE ROUNDABOUT TO TRAVEL WEST ALONG OLYMPIC AVENUE OR JOIN CONCORDE ROAD TO GO TO DEPARTURES CIRCUIT OR KWUN TONG DISTRICT.
DAKOTA DRIVE
AIRLINE VEHICLES, AFTER LEAVING THE RESTRICTED AREA FROM POLICE POST GATE 5, CAN NOW TRAVEL ALONG DAKOTA DRIVE, USE THE NEWLY CONSTRUCTED ROUNDABOUT AND PROCEED TO DEPARTURES CIRCUIT, ARRIVALS ROAD AND THE MAINTENANCE AREA.
A FAST LANE IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR- WESTBOUND TRAFFIC TO SUNG WONG TOI ROAD.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS AND MARKINGS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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