DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, JULY 1, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY FOR APRIL RELEASED ........... 1
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPT COMES INTO OPERATION ....................................... 4
ADULT EDUCATION - FROM EARLY 50'S TO TODAY .............................. 5
PRAISE FOR WORK OF AMS IN NEW TOWN ...................................... 7
SWINGING SUMMER FORTNIGHT FOR SOUTHERN RESIDENTS ........................ 8
SUMMER FUN FOR YAU TSIM YOUNGSTERS ...................................... 9
RECRUITMENT DRIVE FOR COMMUNITY ORGANISERS .............................. 9
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER LAUNCHING CLEANLINESS CAMPAIGN ................. 10
CONTAINER DEPOT INSPECTIONS HELP PROMOTE SAFETY ......................... 11
REMINDER ON DANGER OF USING DEFECTIVE TYRES ............................. 12
RECLAMATION FOR GAS TURBINE POWER STATION ............................... 13
REFUSE COLLECTION POINT FOR HUNG HOM .................................... 14
WATER CUTS IN WESTERN DISTRICT AND STANLEY .............................. 14
SUNDAY, JULY 1, 1990
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY FOR APRIL RELEASED
*********
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN APRIL 1990, ESTIMATED AT $8,783 MILLION, INCREASED BY 4 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH APRIL 1989 'WHILE THEIR VOLUME DECREASED BY 2 PER CENT, ACCORDING TO THE PROVIS. )NAL RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (SUNDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
IN MARCH 1990, THE VALUE AND THE VOLUME OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES INCREASED BY 8 PER CENT AND 1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER MARCH 1989.
COMPARED WITH APRIL 1989, FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND •; TOBACCO ROSE BY 9 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 2 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME, WHILE RETAIL SALES OF FUELS INCREASED BY 13 PER CENT IN VALUE BUT DECREASED BY 4 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
. V-
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLES DECREASED BY 1 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 4 PER CENT IN VOLUME. SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS DROPPED BY 3 PER CENT •- 'TN VALUE AND 10 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
RETAIL SALES OF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS ROSE BY 4 PER CENT IN VALUE BUT FELL BY 2 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, RETAIL SALES BY SUPERMARKETS INCREASED BY 24 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 12 PER CENT IN VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS WENT UP BY 5 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 3 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. DEPARTMENT STORES SALES ROSE BY 7 PER CENT IN VALUE BUT DROPPED BY 1 PER CENT IN VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS DECREASED BY 8 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 14 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
COMPARING THE PERIOD JANUARY TO APRIL 1990 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989, TOTAL RETAIL SALES INCREASED BY 2 PER CENT IN VALUE BUT DECREASED BY 4 PER CENT IN VOLUME. FUELS WENT UP BY 18 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 2 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO ROSE BY 11 PER CENT TN VALUE AND 4 PER ’CENT IN VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS DROPPED BY 2 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 8 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLES WENT DOWN BY 6 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 9 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
SALES OF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 1 PER CENT IN VALUE BUT DECREASED BY 5 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, RETAIL SALES BY SUPERMARKETS INCREASED BY 21 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 11 PER CENT IN VOLUME, WHILE THOSE OF DEPARTMENT STORES ROSE BY 8 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 1 PER CENT IN VOLUME. CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS DECREASED BY 2 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 4 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS DROPPED BY 10 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 16 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
/COMPARED WITH .......
SUNDAY, JULY 1, 1990
- 2 -
COMPARED WITH MARCH 1990, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RETAIL SALES FOR APRIL 1990 DECREASED BY 5 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 7 PER CENT IN VOLUME. FUELS WENT DOWN BY 2 PER CENT IN SALES VALUE AND 3 PER CENT IN SALES VOLUME. FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO DROPPED BY 9 PER CENT IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND SALES VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS WENT UP BY 5 PER CENT IN VALUE BUT REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED IN VOLUME, WHILE THOSE FOR CONSUMER DURABLES DROPPED BY 9 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 10 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
%
SALES OF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS DECREASED BY 5 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 6 PER CENT IN VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, DEPARTMENT STORES SALES REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED IN VALUE BUT DROPPED BY 3 PER CENT IN VOLUME. SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS DECREASED BY 7 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 9 PER CENT IN VOLUME. SUPERMARKET SALES WENT DOWN BY 8 PER CENT IN VALUE AND 9 PER CENT IN VOLUME, WHILE CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS RECORDED A DECREASE OF 10 PER CENT IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND VOLUME.
THE ACCOMPANYING TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL RETAIL SALES FIGURE FOR MARCH 1990 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR APRIL 1990.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES IN MARCH 1990 AND APRIL 1990 (A) FOR ALL RETAIL TRADES, (B) BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS AND (C) BY SELECTED TRADES (WHICH FORM PART OF THE RELEVANT MAJOR TRADE GROUPS), WITH AVERAGE RETAIL SALES FROM OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 TAKEN AS 100.
COMPARISONS OF APRIL 1990 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR MARCH 1990 AND WITH THOSE FOR APRIL 1989, AND COMPARISONS OF RETAIL SALES IN THE PERIOD JANUARY TO APRIL 1990 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989, ARE ALSO GIVEN.
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OF APRIL 1990 SURVEY RESULTS IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AT $1 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. 556 5240).
NOTE TO EDITORS:
TABLES 1 AND 2 WILL BE SENT BY FACSIMILE.
/TABLE 1
SUNDAY, JULY 1, 1990
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TABLE 1 : TOTAL RETAIL SALES
Total Retail Sales lor April for March
1990 (Provisional Figure) = HKI 8,783 million
1990 (Revised Figure) s HKI 9,290 million
TABLE 2 : VALUE AMO VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES
FOR MARCH 1990 AND APRIL 1990
(Monthly average of Oct. 34 - Sept. 35 - 100)
; 1 Index of ! Item : Retail March 1990 April 1990 April 1990 compared with March 1990 April 1990 compared with April 1989 Jan.-Apr. 1990 ! compared with !
1 Sales Jan.-Apr. 1989
। (Revised (Provisional Points X Points I Points Z
: (A) FOR ALL RETAIL TRADES Value figures) 156 figures) 15? -Q -5 *5 U ♦3 ♦2
Volume 124 116 -8 -7 -3 -2 -5 -4
1 (8) BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS — Foodstuffs, alcoholic Value 158 144 -14 -9 ♦12 ♦9 ♦15 ♦ 11
drinks and tobacco Volume 118 108 -10 -9 ♦2 ♦2 ♦4 ♦4 :
1 1 Fuels Value 119 117 -2 -2 ♦ 14 ♦13 ♦17 ♦18 i
1 1 Volume 105 102 -3 -3 -4 -4 ♦2 ♦2 1
1 1 1 Clothing, footwear Value 178 187 ♦9 *5 -6 -3 -3 -2 I
1 1 and allied products Volume 126 126 1 1 -14 -10 -12 -8 1 1 1
1 1 1 Consumer durables Value 159 145 -14 -9 -1 -1 -10 -6 1 I
I Volume 117 105 -12 -10 -4 -4 -11 -9 1 1
1 1 1 Other consumer goods Value 178 168 -9 -5 ♦6 ♦4 ♦ 1 ♦1 1
1 1 Volume 132 125 -8 -6 -2 -2 -6 -5 1 • i
1 : (C) • • । » BY SELECTED TRADES (see note 1 below) Supermarkets Value 208 192 -16 -8 ♦37 ♦24 ♦35 ♦21 1 1 1 1 1 1 • »
। Volume 150 137 -13 -9 ♦15 ♦ 12 ♦ 14 ♦11 • 1
• 1 1 Motor vehicles 1 Value 286 264 -21 -7 -21 -8 -33 -10 I
1 1 and parts ) Volume 182 164 -17 -9 -26 -14 -33 -T6 1
1 1 1 Consumer durables ! Value 120 108 -12 -10 ♦5 ♦5 -2 -2
1 other than motor 1 Volume 97 87 -10 -10 ♦2 ♦3 -4 -4 •
1 1 vehicles and parts Department stores । ! Value 201 201 -1 1 ♦ 12 ♦7 -1 ♦ 18 ♦8 1 1 1
' Volume 143 138 -5 -3 -1 ♦2 ♦ 1 1
NOTES : 1. In order to analyse the sales of certain trades WITHIN major trade groups, the value and volume indexes in respect of the following selected trades are compiled :
(a) ’Supermarkets* - a trade in the ’Foodstuffs, alcoholic drinks and tobacco' group.
(b) ’Motor vehicles and parts’ - a trade in the 'Consumer durables' group.
(c) 'Consumer durables other than motor vehicles and parts’ - a trade in the ’Consumer durables group.
(d) ’Department stores’ - a trade in the 'Other consumer goods' group.
2. Figures denoting changes are derived from the unrounded index figures.
3. '•' denotes a figure within *0.5.
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/4 ........
SUNDAY, JULY I, 1990
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INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPT COMES INTO OPERATION
THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT WILL COME INTO OPERATION TON >RR( W (MONDAY)TO TAKE OVER FROM THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT THE REI PONSIBILITY FOR THE REGISTRATION OF THE TRADE MARKS FOR GOODS AND PATENTS AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT WAS PROMPTED BY A NEED TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG’S INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION REGIME WAS COMMENSURATE WITH ITS STATUS AS AN INTERNATIONAL TRADING AND FINANCIAL CENTRE.
"A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF HONG KONG’S INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY REGIME IS ALREADY UNDER WAY UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION AND DIFFERENT GOVERNMENT BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS.
"THE NEW DEPARTMENT WILL PROVIDE A FOCAL POINT FOR THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION REGIME," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AS A PRIORITY TASK, THE DEPARTMENT WILL CONSIDER THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW SYSTEM OF REGISTRATION OF TRADE MARKS FOR SERVICES.
"THIS WILL BE THE BEGINNING OF A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME TO MODERNISE AND LOCALISE HONG KONG’S EXISTING INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION REGIME.
AS A LONGER TERM OBJECTIVE, THE DEPARTMENT WILL DEVELOP PROPOSALS FOR THE PROTECTION OF OTHER FORMS OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SUCH AS INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS, INTEGRATED CIRCUITS AND PETTY PATENTS.
MS ALICE TAI YUEN-YING HAS BEEN APPOINTED AS THE DIRECTOR OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.
"SHE HAS REPLACED THE REGISTRAR GENERAL AS THE REGISTRAR OF PATENTS AND REGISTRAR OF TRADE MARKS, AND ASSUMED ALL THE STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITIES AND POWERS PREVIOUSLY EXERCISED BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL UNDER THE REGISTRATION OF PATENTS ORDINANCE AND THE TRADE MARKS ORDINANCE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
MS TAI IS ASSISTED BY A DEPUTY DIRECTOR AND TWO ASSISTANT DIRECTORS IN THE RUNNING OF THE NEW DEPARTMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE NEW DEPARTMENT WAS STAFFED BY A NEW PROFESSIONAL GRADE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY EXAMINERS WHO REPLACED THE ASSISTANT REGISTRARS IN THE TRADE MARKS AND PATENTS REGISTRY.
/"THE CREATION .......
SUNDAY, JULY 1, 3990
- 5 -
"THE CREATION OF THE NEW GRADE IS TO REFLECT MORE FULLY THE SPECIALISATION OF THE NEW DEPARTMENT AND TO ENABLE IT TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN STAFF OF AN APPROPRIATE CALIBRE IN TERMS OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
THE NEW DEPARTMENT IS TEMPORARILY ACCOMMODATED ON THE 21ST, 20TH, AND 15TH FLOORS (TRADE MARKS AND PATENTS REGISTRY) OF QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
INVESTIGATION AND LAW ENFORCEMENT IN RELATION TO INFRINGEMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS WILL NOT BE AFFECTED BY THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW DEPARTMENT AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE CARRIED OUT BY THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT.
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ADULT EDUCATION - FROM EARLY 50’S TO TODAY *****
ADULT EDUCATION FOR THE THOUSANDS OF IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA, MOST OF WHOM WERE ILLITERATE, BEGAN IN THE EARLY 50’S WITH THE BOOK OF A THOUSAND CHINESE CHARACTERS.
POST-WAR HONG KONG WAS THEN A CITY FILLED WITH THESE IMMIGRANTS WHO LIVED A HAND-TO-MOUTH EXISTENCE.
IN ORDER TO HELP THESE PEOPLE, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ALSO RAN BUDGET-SAVING NON-FORMAL COURSES - SEWING AND DRESS-MAKING - FOR HOUSEWIVES SO THAT THEY COULD MAKE CLOTHES FOR THE FAMILY.
"IN THOSE EARLY YEARS, THEIR EARNINGS WERE POOR AND TO FURTHER HELP THEM, THE NON-FORMAL OR DO-IT-YOUSELF COURSES WERE EXTENDED TO KNITTING, CROCHET, COOKERY AND FOR MEN, WOODWORK SO THAT THEY COULD REPAIR THEIR FURNITURE," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
CLASSES WERE HELD IN SCHOOL PREMISES, HE SAID.
THESE CLASSES COULD BE DESCRIBED AS THE FORERUNNER OF COMMUNITY CENTRES AND THE WIDE VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES ORGANISED FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC IN THEIR OWN DISTRICTS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ADULT EDUCATION FOLLOWED THE SUCCESS OF HONG KONG TO RISE FROM THE RAVAGES OF WAR TO BECOME A LEADING FINANCIAL, INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL CENTRE - FROM THE BOOK OF A THOUSAND CHINESE CHARACTERS, THE BASIC LITERACY COURSE BECAME THE GENERAL BACKGROUND COURSE WHICH COMPRISED CHINESE, ENGLISH, MATHEMATICS AND SOCIAL STUDIES.
/"THESE CLASSES .......
SUNDAY, JULY 1, 1990
- 6 -
"THESE CLASSES, FOR PEOPLE AGED 18 OR ABOVE, ARE EQUIVALENT TO PRIMARY 3 TO 6. NO TUITION IS CHARGED, WHICH IS IN LINE WITH THE FREE PRIMARY INITIAL EDUCATION POLICY, AND NO ENTRANCE TEST IS REQUIRED FOR ADMISSION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF PRIMARY 6 LEVEL, THEY MAY BE RECOMMENDED FOR DIRECT ENTRY TO THE GOVERNMENT EVENING SECONDARY SCHOOL COURSE STARTING FROM SECONDARY 1.
FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS, THE COURSE HAS BEEN OFFERED IN 17 CENTRES IN BORROWED SCHOOL PREMISES IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE TERRITORY.
THE PRACTICAL DO-IT-YOURSELF COURSES, CURRENTLY HELD IN 29 CENTRES, LAST FROM SIX MONTHS TO A YEAR EACH. TUITION FEES RANGE FROM $80 TO $290.
THERE ARE ALSO CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTING ACTIVITIES AT 19 ADULT EDUCATION AND RECREATION CENTRES.THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE ELEMENTARY ENGLISH, PUTONGHUA AND JAPANESE COURSES, TAI CHI, AEROBICS AND HAIR-DRESSING.
THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMICAL CONDITIONS OF HONG KONG 40 YEARS AGO CANNOT BE COMPARED TO TODAY’S AFFLUENCE AND PROGRESS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HONG KONG TODAY HAS MANY ORGANISATIONS, COMMERCIAL OR OTHERWISE, RUNNING SIMILAR COURSES - SUCH AS COOKING - NOT FOR ECONOMICAL REASONS AS IN THE PAST, BUT BECAUSE OF A DESIRE TO ENHANCE THE FAMILY DINNER.
"FORTY YEARS HAVE PASSED AND IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE AT THIS TIME TO REVIEW THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT SOME OF THEM ARE DUPLICATED BY COMMERCIAL AND SUBVERTED ORGANISATIONS AND THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE CITED TAT CHI AND AEROBICS AS EXAMPLES - THESE ARE AVAILABLE AT AFFORDABLE RATES AT THE INDOOR SPORTS CENTRES RUN BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE REVIEW TO CONSOLIDATE AND RATIONALISE SERVICES RESULTED IN:
* GOVERNMENT EVENING SECONDARY SCHOOLS: THE NUMBER OF CENTRES RUNNING GOVERNMENT EVENING SECONDARY COURSES WILL BE REDUCED FROM 15 TO 12 AS THREE OF THEM ARE RUNNING ONLY A FEW CLASSES. COURSES RUN BY THESE CENTRES WILL BE COMBINED AT THE REMAINING CENTRES WHICH WILL BENEFIT APPLICANTS AS THEY WILL HAVE A WIDER SELECTION OF THE CURRICULUM SUCH AS THE'CHOICE OF SCIENCE, ARTS OR COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS.
/* PRACTICAL, NON-FORMAL
SUNDAY, JULY 1, 1990
» PRACTICAL, NON-FORMAL COURSES: THE 29 CENTRES RUNNING COURSES SUCH AS SEWING, KNITTING, COOKERY AND WOODWORK WILL BE CLOSED FROM SEPTEMBER 1990 SINCE THE NECESSITY TO RUN THEM FOR ECONOMICAL REASONS HAS CHANGED. HOWEVER, THE DEPARTMENT WILL TRANSFER, DEPENDING ON DEMAND, WOODWORK AND OTHER' PRACTICAL COURSES TO THE ADULT EDUCATION AND RECREATION CENTRES.
* ADULT EDUCATION AND RECREATION CENTRES: THE 19 CENTRES WILL BE REDUCED TO 14 BECAUSE OF INADEQUATE USAGE.
"BUT THE DEPARTMENT WILL STILL MAINTAIN THE ELEMENTARY LANGUAGE COURSES AS THERE IS STILL A NEED TO PROVIDE NEW IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA WITH BASIC KNOWLEDGE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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PRAISE FOR WORK OF AMS IN NEW TOWN *****
SINCE TSEUNG KWAN 0 NEW TOWN CAME INTO BEING, THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES (AMS) HAS PROVIDED MEDICAL SUPPORT AND SERVICES FOR RESIDENTS THERE ON MANY OCCASIONS, SUCH AS DURING CARNIVALS, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES, AND CHARITY FUNCTIONS.
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR FREDERICK TONG, SAID THIS AT THE SERVICES’ SAI KUNG DISTRICT PARADE INSPECTION AND RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN HELD AT PO LAM ESTATE TODAY (SUNDAY).
"TSEUNG KWAN 0 IS A FAST DEVELOPING AREA WHERE THE PRESENT POPULATION OF ABOUT 60,000 IS EXPECTED TO RISE TO 150,000 BY 1995. WITH SUCH A PACE OF DEVELOPMENT, THERE WILL BE A GROWING DEMAND FOR AMS SERVICES ARISING FROM MORE COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES FOR THE RESIDENTS IN THE NEAR FUTURE," MR TONG SAID.
"THE AMS IS A MEDICAL CIVIL DEFENCE CORPS WITH DEDICATED MEMBERS COMING FROM DIFFERENT SECTORS OF SOCIETY. THEY ARE TRAINED TO HELP IN PROVIDING FIRST AID SERVICE AND CARE FOR THE SICK.
"EACH DISTRICT HAS ITS RESCUE TEAM TO ENSURE THAT ORGANISED RESCUE SERVICE WILL BE AVAILABLE IN TIME OF EMERGENCIES."
MR TONG SAID THAT TO ENSURE THAT TSEUNG KWAN O WAS COVERED BY AMS SERVICE IN CASE OF EMERGENCIES, THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT UNIT OF THE AMS WAS TODAY BEGINNING A RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN IN THE NEW TOWN.
THE CAMPAIGN TODAY INCLUDED A FIRST AID DEMONSTRATION AND AN EXHIBITION, AS WELL AS A BAND PERFORMANCE, WITH THE HOPE THAT RESIDENTS WOULD GET TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE WORK OF THE CORPS, AND BE PREPARED TO JOIN.
/TWO MORE........
SUNDAY, JULY 1, 1990
- 8 -
TWO MORE TEAMS WOULD BE SET UP UNDER THE AMS SAI KUNG DISTRICT UNIT WITH A VIEW TO PROVIDING MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES FOR RESIDENTS OF TSEUNG KWAN O DURING EMERGENCIES, MR TONG SAID.
THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES, INAUGURATED IN DECEMBER 1950, NOW HAS MORE THAN 5,800 VOLUNTEERS, AMONG WHOM ABOUT ARE 1,000 PROFESSIONALS, SUCH AS DOCTORS, NURSES, PHARMACISTS, DISPENSERS, RADIOGRAPHERS AND PARAMEDICAL PERSONNEL, ALL WORKING IN THE PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SECTORS.
MANY RESIDENTS IN TSEUNG KWAN O SHOWED INTEREST IN THE RECRUIMENT EXERCISE TODAY, AND ENQUIRED ABOUT APPLICATION PROCEDURES FOR JOINING.
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SWINGING SUMMER FORTNIGHT FOR SOUTHERN RESIDENTS ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
SOUTHERN DISTRICT RESIDENTS WILL BE TREATED TO FUN AND GAMES AND OPERA SHOWS IN A "SWINGING SUMMER FORTNIGHT” TO BE HELD FROM JULY 14 TO 28.
THE PROGRAMME HAS BEEN ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES OF THE AP LEI CHAU COMMUNITY HALL AND THE LEI TUNG COMMUNITY HALL.
’’THERE WILL BE A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES FOR PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT INTERESTS AND AGES,” A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE CURTAIN-RAISER WILL BE AN OPENING CEREMONY AND CANTONESE OPERA NIGHT ON JULY 14 IN THE LET TUNG COMMUNITY HALL. SENIOR RESIDENTS WILL BE ENTERTAINED BY THREE CANTONESE OPERA SHOWS PERFORMED BY THE WONG TAI SIN OPERA TROUPE.
FROM JULY 15 TO 27, THERE WILL BE A TABLE TENNIS COMPETITION IN THE AP LEI CHAU COMMUNITY HALL, AND A BADMINTON CONTEST IN THE LEI TUNG COMMUNITY HALL.
FOR CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN FOUR AND 14, A DRAWING COMPETITION WILL BE HELD ON JULY 22, FROM 2 PM TO 5 PM, IN BOTH COMMUNITY HALLS. ENTRIES IN THE COMPETITION CAN BE MADE ON THE SPOT AND EACH PARTICIPANT WILL BE GIVEN A SOUVENIR.
THE PROGRAMME WILL CLOSE ON JULY 28 WITH A CEREMONY AND A VARIETY SHOW IN THE AP LEI CHAU COMMUNITY HALL.
THE SHOW WILL FEATURE PERFORMANCES BY SINGERS AS WELL AS ACROBATIC AND MAGIC SHOWS. WINNERS OF THE VARIOUS CONTESTS WILL BE PRESENTED PRIZES DURING THE EVENT.
INFORMATION PAMPHLETS FOR THE "SWINGING SUMMER FORTNIGHT”, FREE ADMISSION TICKETS AND ENTRY FORMS FOR THE VARIOUS CONTESTS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE TWO COMMUNITY HALLS AS WELL AS AT THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
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SUNDAY, JULY 1, 1990
9
SUMMER FUN FOR YAU TSIM YOUNGSTERS * t t t *
YOUNGSTERS IN YAU TSIM DISTRICT ARE INVITED TO ’’SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THE COMMUNITY" BY TAKING PART IN THE 1990 SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME.
THE PROGRAMME IS ORGANISED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
FROM NEXT SUNDAY (JULY 8), A TOTAL OF 128 ACTIVITIES WILL BE ORGANISED BY VOLUNTARY GROUPS IN THE DISTRICT FOR THOSE AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 25.
COPIES OF A PAMPHLET LISTING THE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES CAN BE OBTAINED FROM YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE IN MIDDLE ROAD AND ITS SUB-OFFICE IN CARNARVON ROAD, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE SAID.
"THESE ACTIVITIES, BOTH EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL, INCLUDE LEADERSHIP TRAINING, READERS’ AWARDS, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WORKSHOPS AND ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPS.
"THIS IS TO ENABLE YOUNGSTERS TO DEVELOP THEIR CAPABILITIES AND SOCIAL SKILLS, CULTIVATE A SENSE OF BELONGING AS WELL AS TO UNDERSTAND THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TOWARDS THE COMMUNITY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AN OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD NEXT SUNDAY AT THE NEW WORLD PLAZA.
THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A VARIETY SHOW FEATURING A LION DANCE, MONGOLIAN DANCE, KARATE AND POP SONGS.
MORE THAN 20,000 YOUNGSTERS TOOK PART IN THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME LAST YEAR, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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RECRUITMENT DRIVE FOR COMMUNITY ORGANISERS
******
THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) IS STILL RECRUITING COMMUNITY ORGANISERS IN 11 DISTRICTS TO ASSIST WITH VOTER REGISTRATION ACTIVITIES IN AUGUST.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CNTA SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT COMMUNITY ORGANISERS WERE REQUIRED BY DISTRICT OFFICES IN WAN CHAI, EASTERN, CENTRAL AND WESTERN, SOUTHERN, SHAM SHUI PO, KWUN TONG, MONG KOK, SHA TIN, YUEN LONG, NORTH AND TAI PO.
/"EIGHT DISTRICTS .......
SUNDAY, JULY 1, 1990
"EIGHT DISTRICTS I'WE RECRUITED THE REQUIRED NUMBER OF COMMUNITY ORGANISERS FOLLOWING THE LAST RECRUITMENT EXERCISE IN MAY," HE SAID.
APPLICANTS SHOULD HAVE COMPLETED FORM FIVE OR ABOVE AND HAVE WORKING EXPERIENCE, AND BE AGED BETWEEN 18 AND 45.
A COMMUNITY ORGANISER WILL BE REQUIRED TO WORK IRREGULAR HOURS, MAINLY IN THE AFTERNOONS AND EVENINGS. HE WILL ALSO HAVE TO WORK ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
THE MONTHLY SALARY FOR THE POST IS $2,000.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT OFFICES FOR WHICH THE APPLICANTS WISH TO WORK.
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DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER LAUNCHING CLEANLINESS CAMPAIGN
*******
THE SQUATTER AREAS COMMITTEE OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD WILL CONSIDER ON TUESDAY (JULY 3) THE ALLOCATION OF $40,000 FOR LAUNCHING A CLEANLINESS CAMPAIGN IN SQUATTER AREAS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE ACTIVITIES OF THE CAMPAIGN WILL INCLUDE IMPROVING DUMPING SITES, CLEARING BLOCKED DRAINS, AND INTRODUCING PEST CONTROL IN CROWDED HUTS AND AT DRAINS.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE ALLOCATION OF $17,800 IN DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS TO CLEAR A CHANNEL AT WAH CHING PATH IN DIAMOND HILL, REMOVE RUBBISH AND SILT IN A STREAM IN DIAMOND NEW VILLAGE AND TO CUT GRASS AT LION ROCK UPPER VILLAGE.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA FOR THE MEETING INCLUDE REPORTS ON THE PROGRESS OF MINOR WORKS PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED BY THE COMMITTEE, AND ON CASES OF LANDSLIPS, MUDSLIPS, STRUCTURAL FAILURE, FIRE AND OTHER HAPPENINGS IN SQUATTER AREAS IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD’S SQUATTER AREAS COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY (JULY 3) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, FOURTH FLOOR, SAN PO KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, KING FUK STREET.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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/II
SUNDAY, JULY 1, 1990
- 11 -CONTAINER DEPOT INSPECTIONS HELP PROMOTE SAFETY
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY LAUNCHED TERRITORY-WIDE INSPECTIONS OF CONTAINER DEPOTS TO DRIVE HOME THE MESSAGE OF WORK SAFETY TO MANAGEMENT AND WORKERS IN THE CONTAINER HANDLING INDUSTRY.
WITH THE ADVENT OF THE TYPHOON SEASON, THE DEPARTMENT’S FACTORY INSPECTORATE CONDUCTED INSPECTIONS LAST MONTH OF ALL 81 CONTAINER DEPOTS IN THE TERRITORY, 58 OF WHICH ARE LOCATED IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
"THE OPERATION FOCUSSED PARTICULARLY ON THE SAFE USE OF MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT, SLING OPERATORS WORKING AT HEIGHT, CONDITIONS OF THE GROUND, STACKING HEIGHT OF CONTAINERS AND HOW THEY WERE STACKED UP AND PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN AGAINST STRONG WINDS," AN ACTING DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR KAN HON-SANG, EXPLAINED.
"TO HELP CONTAINER INDUSTRY PERSONNEL UNDERSTAND THE PROVISION WHICH IMPOSES GENERAL DUTIES ON PROPRIETORS AND WORKERS WITH REGARD TO SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK, FACTORY INSPECTORS ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN TO THEM THE SPIRIT AND DETAILS OF THE LEGISLATION," HE SAID.
THE PROVISION UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1989 WILL BE IMPLEMENTED TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR.
PUBLICATIONS ON THE NEW PROVISION AND CONTAINER HANDLING SAFETY, INCLUDING THE BOOKLET "SAFE PRACTICES FOR CONTAINER HANDLING" PUBLISHED BY THE CENTRAL CONTAINER HANDLING SAFETY COMMITTEE, WERE DISTRIBUTED DURING THE INSPECTIONS.
MR KAN NOTED THAT MOST OF THE DEPOTS HAD APPOINTED SUPERVISORS TO LOOK AFTER SAFETY MATTERS, WHILE SOME 30 DEPOTS WERE EQUIPPED WITH MODERN CONTAINER STACKING EQUIPMENT TO SAVE THE NEED FOR SLING OPERATORS, WHICH SHOULD HELP IN IMPROVING SAFETY STANDARDS AT CONTAINER DEPOTS.
TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS, HE SUGGESTED THE MANAGEMENT TOOK THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES:
- ALL MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT IN CONTAINER YARDS SHOULD BE IN GOOD ORDER AND PROPERLY MAINTAINED BY COMPETENT TECHNICIANS;
- ALL LIFTING APPLIANCES AND LIFTING GEAR SHOULD BE TESTED AND THOROUGHLY EXAMINED BY A COMPETENT EXAMINER AND BE ISSUED WITH RELEVANT CERTIFICATES;
- ALL LIFTING APPLIANCES SHOULD BE OPERATED BY COMPETENT PERSONS;
/- WHERE A.........
SUNDAY, JULY 1, 1990
- 12 -
- WHERE A PERSON OPERATING A LIFTING APPLIANCE DOES NOT HAVE A CLEAR AND UNRESTRICTED VIEW OF ITS VICINITY, THERE SHOULD BE ANOTHER PERSON TO GIVE EFFECTIVE SIGNALS TO THE OPERATOR;
- THE DEPOT MANAGEMENT SHOULD PROVIDE SUITABLE SAFETY BELTS OR HARNESSES, INDEPENDENT LIFELINES OR FALL ARRESTING DEVICES TO THOSE WORKING AT HEIGHT WHO ARE REQUIRED TO MAKE USE OF ALL SAFETY EQUIPMENT PROVIDED;
- THE GROUND SHOULD BE FIRM, LEVEL AND COMPACT;
- CONTAINER STACKING HEIGHT SHOULD BE AS LOW AS POSSIBLE;
- WHEN STRONG WIND SIGNALS ARE HOISTED, THE STACKING HEIGHT SHOULD BE REDUCED AND CONTAINERS ARE TO BE PROPERLY LASHED, AND STEPS SHOULD ALSO BE TAKEN FOR POSSIBLE CLOSURE OF THE DEPOT; AND
- AT LEAST ONE MANAGEMENT LEVEL STAFF MEMBER SHOULD BE APPOINTED TO LOOK AFTER SAFETY MATTERS IN EACH DEPOT.
IN ADDITION, MR KAN ALSO CALLED FOR GREATER CO-OPERATION BETWEEN MANAGEMENT AND WORKERS IN THE INDUSTRY IN THEIR JOINT EFFORT TO CURB ACCIDENTS.
’’THE MANAGEMENT SHOULD PROVIDE A SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT, SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND SAFETY TRAINING FOR ITS STAFF, WHILE THE LATTER SHOULD COMPLY WITH THE SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND USE THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT PROVIDED,” HE SAID.
ENQUIRIES ON CONTAINER HANDLING SAFETY MAY BE MADE AT ANY BRANCH OFFICE OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE.
------0--------
REMINDER ON DANGER OF USING DEFECTIVE TYRES
TYRES HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR UP TO 50 PER CENT OF TOTAL DEFECTS FOUND DURING RECENT EXAMINATIONS OF VEHICLES INVOLVED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
LAST YEAR, A TOTAL OF 657 VEHICLES WITH DEFECTIVE TYRES INVOLVED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, REPRESENTING A 20 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
WARNING AGAINST THE DANGER OF USING DEFECTIVE TYRES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "IF THE TYRE TREADS ARE ALL WORN AND THE ROAD SURFACE IS WET, THE MAXIMUM ADHESION POSSIBLE MAY BE AS LOW AS 15 PER CENT, AS COMPARED TO THE NORMAL DRAG FACTOR OF 45 TO 80 PER CENT.
"FOR SAFETY’S SAKE, MOTORISTS SHOULD PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE FREQUENCY OF PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE OF TYRES," HE ADDED.
/ALL MOTOR ......
SUNDAY, JULY 1, 1990
ALL MOTOR VEHICLES MUST BE FITTED WITH PNEUMATIC TYRES WHICH ARE COVERED BY TREADS WITH AT LEAST ONE MM IN DEPTH AND ARE CORRECTLY INFLATED TO THE RECOMMENDED PRESSURE.
THE TYRES SHOULD BE FREE FROM DAMAGE AND ARE RECUT ONLY TO THF EXTENT THAT THE FABRIC IS NOT EXPOSED.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO REMINDED MOTORISTS THAT TYRES OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF STRUCTURE MUST NOT BE FITTED TO THE SAME AXLE. CROSS-PLY TYRES SHOULD BE FITTED AT THE FRONT WHILE RADIAL-PLY TYRES AT THE REAR AXLE.
"BETTER AND MORE FREQUENT MAINTENANCE OF TYRES WOULD CONSIDERABLY REDUCE PEDESTRIAN CASUALTIES AND THE LOSS OF LIFE," HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
RECLAMATION FOR GAS TURBINE POWER STATION
AUTHORISATION HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR THE RECLAMATION OF LAND AND DREDGING OF SEABED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A GAS TURBINE POWER STATION AT CHOK KO WAN, LANTAU ISLAND, BY CHINA LIGHT AND POWER CO LTD.
THE POWER STATION WILL BE BUILT WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 6.58 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT CHOK KO WAN.
THE AREA WILL BE USED AS WORKS AREA FOR RECLAMATION OF LAND, DREDGING OF SEABED AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE POWER STATION.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED HAS BEEN DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE OF AUTHORISATION PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE GAZETTE.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED WILL BE INJURIOUSLY AFFECTED BY THE ABOVE UNDERTAKING MAY DELIVER TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION ON OR BEFORE JUNE 28, 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.
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/14
I t
t
SUNDAY, JULY 1, 1990
- 14 -
REFUSE COLLECTION POINT FOR HUNG HOM *****
A $6.2 MILLION CONTRACT HAS RECENTLY BEEN AWARDED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT AND PUBLIC TOILETS IN HUNG HOM.
LOCATED IN HOK YUEN STREET, THE PROJECT INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TWO-STOREY REFUSE COLLECTION POINT AND PUBLIC TOILETS WITH ANCILLARY FACILITIES SUCH AS AN OFFICE, A STOREROOM, A SWITCH ROOM, PUMP ROOMS AND A WATER SCRUBBER.
WORK HAS STARTED AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR.
------0--------
WATER CUTS IN WESTERN DISTRICT AND STANLEY ♦ *♦♦♦♦
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN WESTERN WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON TUESDAY (JULY 3) DUE TO TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF ELECTRICITY SUPPLY.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES IN NGA CHOI HANG VILLAGE AND TAI WAN SHAN VILLAGE.
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO ALL PREMISES IN STANLEY WILL ALSO BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON TUESDAY (JULY 3) TO 5 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, JULY 2, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FIVE QUESTIONS, EIGHT BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA ........................................... 1
YOUTH AND ELDERLY SERVICES PROVIDE FOR BALANCED COMMUNITY ............................. 1
LAB DISCUSSES COMPENSATION LAW AMENDMENTS ............................................. 2
ILLEGAL DEDUCTION FROM WAGES PROHIBITED ............................................... 4
FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF NEW GMB ROUTES CAREFULLY CONSIDERED ............................ 4
DB TO DISCUSS PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY REPORT ................................... 5
EYE-CARE CAMPAIGN ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA .............................................. 6
CABLE LAYING WORKS ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ............................................. 6
TUEN MUN YOUTH AMBASSADORS TO MAKE OVERSEAS VISIT...................................... 7
GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY FOR JULY TO SEPT.............................................. 8
NEW SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX IN SHA TIN................................................... 8
WATER STORAGE FIGURE .................................................................. 9
FRESH WATER CUT IN YAU MA TEI ......................................................... 9
TEMPORARY SUSPENSION AT CARPARK IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT .................................. 9
MONDAY, JULY 2, 1990
FIVE QUESTIONS, EIGHT BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF FIVE QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER EIGHT BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 4).
OF THE EIGHT BILLS, FIVE WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS AND DEBATES ON THEM WILL BE ADJOURNED.
THEY ARE THE RATING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990; THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1989-90) BILL 1990; THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (REGISTRATION) BILL 1990; THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990; AND THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL (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 EDUCATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990; THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990; AND THE GAS SAFETY BILL 1990.
ALSO, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL MOVE MOTIONS UNDER THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE, THE RATING ORDINANCE AND THE BETTING DUTY ORDINANCE.
IN ADDITION, HE WILL SPEAK ON THE REPORT OF CHANGES TO THE APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE APPROVED DURING THE FINAL QUARTER OF 1989-90.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG WILL MOVE A MOTION WHICH READS: "THAT THIS COUNCIL TAKES NOTE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S RECENT RELAXATION OF THE POLICY ON IMPORTATION OF LABOUR."
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.
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YOUTH AND ELDERLY SERVICES * «
PROVIDE FOR BALANCED COMMUNITY * * * *
qpRVTCFS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE ELDERLY ARE
e£J)e2l?, BEING RUN BY THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS.
/MRS GOODSTADT........
MONDAY, JULY 2, 1990
- 2 -
MRS GOODSTADT SAID THE IMPORTANT WORK OF YOUTH CENTRES WAS TO FOSTER AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE A CORRECT SENSE OF VALUES AND MORALITY, AND TO DEVELOP THEIR ABILITY TO MAKE SOUND JUDGEMENTS.
AS TO CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY, SHE SAID EMPHASIS SHOULD BE PLACED ON HELPING SENIOR CITIZENS TO ADJUST TO A RAPIDLY CHANGING SOCIETY, AND TO BE OPTIMISTIC.
MRS GOODSTADT PRAISED THE TUNG WAH GROUP FOR OPERATING THE TWO CENTRES ON A NEIGHBOURHOOD BASIS TO ENABLE THE YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE ELDERLY TO WORK CLOSELY WITH EACH OTHER, TO PUT INTO EFFECT VARIOUS COMMUNITY EDUCATION ACTIVITIES AND SOCIAL SERVICE PROJECTS.
"THIS ARRANGEMENT WILL ECONOMISE THE USE OF RESOURCES AND MANPOWER OF THE CENTRES," SHE NOTED.
MRS GOODSTADT ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE WORKING PARTY ON SOCIAL WELFARE POLICIES AND SERVICES HAD STUDIED THE MERITS OF CO-OPERATION AMONG VARIOUS CENTRES.
"THE OPENING OF THE TWO CENTRES IS A GOOD MODEL TO GAUGE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS KIND OF CO-OPERATION," SHE SAID.
IN CONCLUSION, MRS GOODSTADT HOPED THAT THE TWO CENTRES WOULD PUT THEIR RESOURCES TO GOOD USE SO AS TO BUILD A COMMUNITY IN WHICH PEOPLE WERE READY TO HELP EACH OTHER AND HAD A SENSE OF BELONGING.
--------0-----------
LAB DISCUSSES COMPENSATION LAW AMENDMENTS * ★ * * *
THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD TODAY (MONDAY) CONSIDERED A NUMBER OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE.
A MAJOR AMENDMENT WAS THAT THE AMOUNT OF MEDICAL EXPENSES RECOVERABLE BY AN INJURED EMPLOYEE SHOULD BE BASED ON THE RATE IN FORCE AT THE DATE OF THE MEDICAL TREATMENT INSTEAD OF AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT UNDER THE EXISTING PROVISION.
ANOTHER AMENDMENT WAS THAT PROPOSALS TO REVISE THE RATES BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL RESOLUTION SHOULD BE MADE AS SOON AS THE NEW RATES OF MEDICAL CHARGES AT GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS OR CLINICS ARE ANNOUNCED BY THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
AT PRESENT, THESE RATES AND THOSE FOR OTHER COMPENSATION ITEMS ARE REVIEWED BIENNIALLY.
THE PRINCIPLE OF THESE TWO PROPOSALS IS TO MAINTAIN THE ADEQUACY OF COMPENSATION.
/THE BOARD.......
MONDAY, JULY 2, 1990
- 3 -
THE BOARD ALSO DISCUSSED A PROPOSAL TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF ’’MEDICAL EXPENSES” TO ENABLE EMPLOYEES INJURED IN THE COURSE OF EMPLOYMENT OUTSIDE HONG KONG TO CLAIM SUCH EXPENSES AS DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR.
SIMILARLY, AN EMPLOYEE WHO IS INJURED WHILE WORKING OUfSIDE HONG KONG AND WHO HAS ONLY RECEIVED TREATMENT OVERSEAS WILL BE ABLE TO CLAIM THE COSTS FOR THE SUPPLY AND FITTING OF A PROSTHESIS OR SURGICAL APPLIANCE UNDER THE ORDINANCE IF THE PROSTHESES AND SURGICAL APPLIANCES BOARD (PSAB) APPROVES THEM.
IN DETERMINING THE NECESSITY AND COSTS FOR SUPPLY, INITIAL FITTING, NORMAL REPAIR AND RENEWAL OF AN APPARATUS IN CASES WHERE SUCH APPARATUS HAS BEEN FITTED OVERSEAS, THE PSAB SHOULD PROCEED ON THE B SIS THAT SUCH APPARATUS WOULD BE FITTED IN HONG KONG.
THE BOARD ALSO DISCUSSED A FURTHER PROPOSAL THAT WHILE CALCULATING AN INJURED EMPLOYEE’S PERIODICAL PAYMENTS AND COMPENSATION FOR PERMANENT INCAPACITY PAID 12 MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT, HIS MONTHLY EARNINGS SHOULD BE DEEMED TO BE SUCH AN AMOUNT AS HE WOULD HAVE RECEIVED AT THE TIME OF PAYMENT HAD THE ACCIDENT NOT OCCURRED.
ALSO, TO ENSURE THAT THE EARNINGS WILL BE SUFFICIENTLY ADJUSTED TO COVER THE GENERAL RISE IN THE COST OF LIVING, THE RATE OF ADJUSTMENT OF THE MONTHLY EARNINGS SHOULD NOT BE LESS THAN THE RATE OF INCREASE IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX BETWEEN THE TIME OF ACCIDENT AND THE TIME OF PAYMENT.
UNDER ANOTHER PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE ORDINANCE, THE COURT WILL HAVE GREATER DISCRETION TO AWARD COMPENSATION FOR THE COST OF ATTENDING TO AN INJURED EMPLOYEE IN DESERVING CASES IN WHICH AN EMPLOYEE SUFFERS "SERIOUS AND PERMANENT INCAPACITY’’.
THE COURT WOULD HAVE A DISCRETIONARY POWER TO EXTEND BY 12 MONTHS THE MAXIMUM PERIOD OF TEMPORARY INCAPACITY IN THE CASE OF AN INJURED EMPLOYEE WHO HAS RECEIVED PERIODICAL PAYMENTS FOR 24 MONTHS BUT WHO IS NOT YET READY FOR ASSESSMENT BY THE ORDINARY/SPECIAL ASSESSMENT BOARD BECAUSE HIS CONDITION HAS NOT STABILISED.
OTHER PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE ORDINANCE DISCUSSED TODAY WERE EITHER OF A TECHNICAL NATURE OR RELATIVELY MINOR.
THE BOARD WAS INFORMED AT TODAY’S MEETING THAT THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR HAD EXTENDED FOR ANOTHER YEAR FROM YESTERDAY (SUNDAY) A SCHEME GOVERNING NIGHT WORK FOR WOMEN IN INDUSTRY AS A REVIEW OF IT HAD FOUND NO ABUSE.
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MONDAY, JULY 2, 1990
4
ILLEGAL DEDUCTION FROM WAGES PROHIBITED ******
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED TO MAKE DEDUCTIONS FROM THE WAGES OF THEIR EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING FOREIGN WORKERS IN HONG KONG, EXCEPT ON THOSE CONDITIONS PERMITTED BY LAW.
ACCORDING TO THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, AN EMPLOYER COULD ONLY MAKE DEDUCTIONS FROM WAGES ON GROUNDS OF THE EMPLOYEE’S ABSENCE FROM WORK, DAMAGE TO OR LOSS OF THE EMPLOYER’S PROPERTY, FOOD AND ACCOMMODATION SUPPLIED AND FOR THE RECOVERY OF ADVANCE OR OVER-PAYMENT OF WAGES OR LOANS MADE TO THE EMPLOYEE.
"ANY OTHER DEDUCTIONS ARE ILLEGAL AND OFFENDING EMPLOYERS ARE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000," A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES WERE ONLY ALLOWED TO CHARGE JOB-SEEKERS AT THE RATE SET OUT IN THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY REGULATIONS.
"AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY MAY CHARGE A JOB-SEEKER A MAXIMUM OF $5 FOR REGISTRATION AND ANOTHER $5 FOR RENEWAL AFTER THREE MONTHS.
"COMMISSION CHARGEABLE FOR SUBSEQUENT PLACEMENT IS ALSO LIMITED TO NOT MORE THAN 10 PER CENT OF THE JOB-SEEKER’S PAY IN THE FIRST MONTH," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
"ANY OVERCHARGE WILL BE AN OFFENCE WHICH CARRIES A MAXIMUM FINE OF $20,000," HE SAID.
REGARDING COMPLAINTS ABOUT DEDUCTIONS FROM WAGES OF IMPORTED WORKERS AND THEIR BEING OVERCHARGED BY EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THEY SHOULD IMMEDIATELY REPORT SUCH MALPRACTICES TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON ITS COMPLAINT HOTLINE 815 2200.
HE REITERATED THAT ALL COMPLAINTS WOULD BE THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED AND TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE.
----------------------------0-------- FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF NEW GMB ROUTES CAREFULLY CONSIDERED ******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS GIVEN CAREFUL CONSIDERATION TO THE FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF THE LATEST BATCH OF 34 GREEN MINIBUS (GMB) ROUTES TO BE PUT UP FOR APPLICATION LATER THIS MONTH, A PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT OFFICER, MR ALAN LUI, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
AT A REGULAR MEETING WITH GREEN MINIBUS OPERATORS, MR LUI SAID THE ROUTES WERE BEING GROUPED INTO 18 PACKAGES IN AN EFFORT TO IMPROVE THEIR FINANCIAL VIABILITY.
/HE ADDED .......
MONDAY, JULY 2, 1990
- 5 -
HE ADDED THAT THE ROUTES WOULD PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTARY TRANSPORT SERVICES TO VARIOUS PARTS OF THE TERRITORY INCLUDING NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS IN .TSEUNG KWAN O, MA ON SHAN AND TSING YI.
OF THESE NEW ROUTES, THREE WOULD OPERATE THROUGH THE SHING MUN TUNNELS AND ANOTHER THREE WOULD PROVIDE ROUND-THE-CLOCK SERVICE AS AN ALTERNATE TRANSPORT MODE WHEN THE MTR AND REGULAR FRANCHISED BUS SERVICES HAD CEASED OPERATION.
IN LINE WITH THE POLICY LAID DOWN IN THE TRANSPORT WHITE PAPER, MR LUI SAID THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE ITS EFFORT TO CONVERT MORE RED MINIBUSES INTO GREEN MINIBUSES.
’’THEY WILL NOT ONLY PROVIDE MORE CONVENIENT AND RELIABLE SCHEDULED SERVICES TO AREAS WHICH THEY SERVE, BUT ALSO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF RED MINIBUSES IN THE URBAN AREA WHICH IS CONGESTED AND WELL SERVED BY THE MASS CARRIERS,” HE SAID.
THE DISTRICT BOARDS, FRANCHISED TRANSPORT OPERATORS AND THE PUBLIC LIGHT BUS TRADE ARE BEING CONSULTED ON THE PROPOSED NEW ROUTES.
APPLICATIONS FOR THE OPERATION OF NEW ROUTES WILL BE INVITED WHEN THE ROUTES ARE GAZETTED IN LATE JULY. SUCCESSFUL OPERATORS ARE EXPECTED TO INTRODUCE THE NEW ROUTES BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
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DB TO DISCUSS PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY REPORT ♦ ♦ * t ♦
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DICUSS THE REPORT OF THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO STUDY THE LONG-TERM IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR LEI MUK SHUE ESTATE AND THE ANNUAL WORK PROGRAMMES FOR THE DISTRICT TO BE CARRIED OUT BY VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDE REPORTS ON THE WORK OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND VARIOUS DISTRICT BOARD COMMITTEES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE MAIN CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, SECOND FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, TSUEN WAN.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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/6........
MONDAY, JULY 2,
1990
- 6
EYE-CARE CAMPAIGN ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA
*****
THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS DETAILS OF AN EYE-CARE CAMPAIGN FOR THE ELDERLY AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE CAMPAIGN, TO BE LAUNCHED IN OCTOBER, WILL BE CO-ORGANISED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD AND THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS.
THE AIM IS TO DISSEMINATE EYE-CARE KNOWLEDGE TO RESIDENTS AND TO GIVE FREE EYE CHECK-UPS TO SENIOR CITIZENS.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO CONSIDER RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FINDINGS OF A SURVEY OF CHILD CARE SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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CABLE LAYING WORKS ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA *****
THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE IMPACT OF HONG KONG CABLE COMMUNICATIONS’ (HKCC) CABLE LAYING WORKS ON ROAD TRAFFIC AT A MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HKCC WILL ATTEND THE MEETING TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS.
MEMBERS WILL PROPOSE INTRODUCING CIRCULAR BUS ROUTES IN CHAI WAN TO SERVE THE GROWING POPULATION BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE COMPLETION OF SEVERAL NEW HOUSING ESTATES.
/THE COMMITTEE .......
MONDAY, JULY 2, 1990
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE 1990-91 SETTLED BUS AND FERRY ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AND THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, FIRST FLOOR, 880-886 KING’S ROAD. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
- - 0 - -
TUEN MUN YOUTH AMBASSADORS TO MAKE OVERSEAS VISIT
FIVE YOUNG PEOPLE FROM TUEN MUN DISTRICT WILL GO ON A SEVEN-DAY STUDY VISIT TO SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA LATER THIS MONTH.
THE FIVE "YOUTH AMBASSADORS" HAVE BEEN SELECTED FROM 50 PARTICIPANTS IN THE DISTRICT’S "HEALTHY YOUTH SCHEME", WHICH WAS ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (DFCC) AND SPONSORED BY YAN OI TONG.
ACCORDING TO A DFCC SPOKESMAN, PARTICIPANTS IN THE SCHEME HAVE ACQUIRED NEW SKILLS UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF TUTORS AND TAKEN PART IN COMMUNITY SERVICE, SUCH AS VISITING HOMES FOR THE AGED OR HELPING IN PROJECTS ORGANISED BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
TO PROVIDE THE YOUNG AMBASSADORS WITH ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE OF HONG KONG AND OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT, A BRIEFING WILL BE HELD FOR THEM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON AT THE TUEN MUN TOWN HALL.
OMELCO MEMBERS MRS ROSANNA TAM AND MR KINGSLEY SIT, AND THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JOHN WAN, WILL PRESENT A FLAG TO THE YOUNG AMBASSADORS AT A SENDING-OFF CEREMONY FOLLOWING THE BRIEFING.
MRS TAM WILL ALSO GIVE A SPEECH ON THE ROLE OF YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY NOW AND IN THE FUTURE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FLAG PRESENTATION WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 3.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE TUEN MUN TOWN HALL, 3 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
- - 0 - -
MONDAY, JULY 2, 1990
8
GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY FOR JULY TO SEPT
♦ ♦ » ♦ »
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO CONDUCT THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY DURING THE QUARTER FROM JULY TO SEPTEMBER 1990.
THE SURVEY, CONDUCTED MONTHLY SINCE AUGUST 1981, COLLECTS INFORMATION ON EMPLOYMENT, UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT, AND THE GENERAL SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION.
IN ADDITION, QUESTIONS ON HONG KONG RESIDENTS’ EXPENDITURE ABROAD, SMOKING HABIT, DOCTOR CONSULTATION, SICK LEAVE AND MATERNITY LEAVE PATTERN OF EMPLOYEES AND HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE ON RENT WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE QUARTER OF JULY TO SEPTEMBER 1990.
ABOUT 4,000 HOUSEHOLDS ARE SELECTED AT RANDOM EACH MONTH FROM ALL DISTRICTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE SURVEY.
ABOUT 40 PER CENT OF THE HOUSEHOLDS INTERVIEWED THREE MONTHS AGO, WILL BE SURVEYED AGAIN TO MEASURE MORE ACCURATELY THE CHANGES THAT HAVE OCCURED SINCE THEN.
AN OFFICIAL LETTER HAS BEEN SENT TO THE SAMPLED HOUSEHOLDS TO EXPLAIN THE PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY AND TO SEEK THEIR VOLUNTARY CO-OPERATION.
CENSUS OFFICERS, EACH CARRYING A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD AND A CERTIFICATE FOR CONDUCTING THE SURVEY, WILL VISIT THESE HOUSEHOLDS TO COLLECT THE REQUIRED INFORMATION.
THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY IS CONDUCTED UNDER PART IIIA OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 316 OF THE LAWS OF HONG KONG) AS NOTIFIED IN THE GENERAL NOTICE NO. 212 IN THE JANUARY 19, 1990 ISSUE OF THE GAZETTE.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE, DATA RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL PERSONS OR HOUSEHOLDS COLLECTED WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL AND WILL NOT BE RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC, ANY PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS OR OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
------0--------
NEW SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX IN SHA TIN * * » * »
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES THE CONSTRUCTION OF PHASE ONE OF A AREA 17, SHA TIN.
DEPARTMENT IS INVITING
PUBLIC LEISURE POOL
TENDERS
COMPLEX
FOR AT
THE PROJECT WILL COMPRISE A LEISURE POOL WITH WATFR qi TDP<? CHILDREN’S POOL, TRAINING POOL, SUNBATHING AREA, LIGHT REFRESHMENT RESTAURANT AND A SERVICE BUILDING WITH TOILET AND CHANGING FACILITIES.
/CONSTRUCTION SHOULD........
MONDAY, JULY 2, 1990
- 9 -
CONSTRUCTION SHOULD START IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR AND THE SCHEDULED COMPLETION DATE IS DECEMBER NEXT YEAR.
ON JUL yT^DERS MUST BE EMITTED TO THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD BY NOON
--------0-----------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
*****
Am Ao oST0RAGE IN H0NG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (iiONDn AT 48.2 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 282.577 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
(MONDAY)
STOOD
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 326 697 CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 55.7 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
MILLION
---------0-----------
FRESH WATER CUT IN YAU MA TEI *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN YAU MA TEI WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 4) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES BOUNDED BY KANSU STREET, NATHAN ROAD, WING SING LANE, RECLAMATION STREET, PUBLIC SQUARE STREET AND CHING PING STREET.
--------0-----------
TEMPORARY SUSPENSION AT CARPARK IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT
* * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 4), USE OF THE YUE LEI STREET CARPARK WILL BE SUSPENDED FOR ABOUT TWO AND A HALF MONTHS TO FACILITATE WORK ON A RETAINING WALL AND ON PAVEMENT RECONSTRUCTION AT TIN WAN STREET AND ABERDEEN PRAYA ROAD.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, JULY 3, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
GOVERNOR BRIEFS SCOTTISH FINANCIAL COMMUNITY .......................................... 1
PROPOSED WAIVER OF STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS ON REGISTERED PERSONS ....................... 2
BILLS SEEK TO STANDARDISE TIME LIMITS TO APPROVE EXCHANGE RULES ........................ 5 :
RS CALLS FOR SUPPORT FOR VOTER REGISTRATION ........................................... 6
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS MEDICAL SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY .............................. 7
f
SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR CENTRAL AND WESTERN YOUTHS ...................................... 7
SUMMER FUN FOR YOUTHS IN NORTH DISTRICT ............................................... 8
SOCIAL WELFARE UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW .................................................. 9
PRIVATE STREETS IN HUNG HOM TO BE RESUMED FOR REPAIR ................................. 10
TRANSPORT INTERCHANGE PROPOSED IN THEN MUN ........................................... 11
MORE ROADS TO SERVE YUEN LONG VILLAGE ................................................ 11
FIRE STATION AND AMBULANCE DEPOT IN TIN SHUI WAI ..................................... 12
TENDERS INVITED FOR SAI WAN HO PUMPING STATION ....................................... 13
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES IN SHA TIN ................................................... 13
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF FLYOVER ......................................................... 14
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ON TAI PO ROAD ................................................ 14
TUESDAY, JULY 3, 1990
1
GOVERNOR BRIEFS SCOTTISH FINANCIAL COMMUNITY
******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, HAS PRAISED THE MAJOR ROLE PLAYED BY SCOTLAND’S FINANCIAL COMMUNITY IN HONG KONG AND SOUTH EAST ASIA.
HE MADE THE REMARK AT A LUNCH HOSTED BY THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTI.AND AND AT A SEMINAR ORGANISED BY SCOTTISH FINANCIAL ENTERPRISE, AN EDINBURGH-BASED ORGANISATION WHICH PROMOTES AND REPRESENTS SCOTLAND’S FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTOR, DURING HIS VISIT TO EDINBURGH ON MONDAY.
SIR DAVID TOLD THE SEMINAR THAT HONG KONG REMAINED "AN EXCELLENT BASE FOR BUSINESS WITH CHINA AND EAST ASIA".
HE EXPLAINED TO THE BANKERS, INSURANCE EXECUTIVES AND FUND MANAGERS PRESENT THAT THE JOINT DECLARATION HAD PROVIDED A FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH HONG KONG’S AUTONOMY WOULD BE PRESERVED AND ITS REMARKABLE ECONOMIC SYSTEM CONTINUE TO DEVELOP AFTER 1997.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG HAD EXPERIENCED REAL ECONOMIC GROWTH OF OVER EIGHT PER CENT PER ANNUM FOR 20 YEARS. "THIS. HAS GIVEN US A PER CAPITA GDP AMONG THE HIGHEST IN ASIA, AND AHEAD OF FOUR MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID ACKNOWLEDGED THAT EVENTS OF LAST SUMMER IN CHINA HAD HAD A DAMAGING PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT ON HONG KONG. "BUT HONG KONG IS NOT WALLOWING IN DESPAIR. IT IS A DYNAMIC ECONOMY DETERMINED TO MAKE A SUCCESS OF THE FUTURE.
"HONG KONG REMAINS A GREAT FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS CENTRE FOR CHINA, THE FAR EAST AND THE WORLD," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS IN CHINA’S INTEREST TO ENSURE THE GUARANTEES PROVIDED UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION WERE MAINTAINED. HONG KONG WAS CHINA’S MAIN TRADING PARTNER, THE SOURCE OF 70 PER CENT OF CHINA’S EXTERNAL INVESTMENT, AND OVER 30 PER CENT OF ITS FOREIGN EXCHANGE. IT WAS THE ONLY DEEPWATER PORT ON THE COAST OF SOUTH CHINA.
THE GOVERNOR OUTLINED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S PLANS TO INVEST IN THE LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S PORT AND AIRPORT INFRASTRUCTURE. THESE PLANS WOULD BENEFIT THE FUTURE PROSPERITY OF THE SAR GOVERNMENT AFTER 1997.
SIR DAVID ALSO OUTLINED THE DEVELOPMENT AND REFORM OF HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL MARKETS SINCE THE WORLD CRASH OF OCTOBER 1987. HE EXPLAINED HOW THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAD MOVED QUICKLY TO SET UP A SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE UNDER MR IAN HAY DAVISON IN THE IMMEDIATE AFTERMATH OF THE MARKET CRASH.
/FOLLOWING THE ........
TUESDAY, JULY 3, 1990
- 2 -
FOLLOWING THE COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS, HONG KONG’S STOCK AND FUTURES EXCHANGES HAD NOW FULLY RECONSTITUTED THEMSELVES, COMBINING A MIX OF LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL INTERESTS. HONG KONG HAD ESTABLISHED A NEW REGULATORY BODY, THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION, TO OVERSEE MARKET OPERATIONS.
SIR DAVID STRESSED THAT HONG KONG WOULD NOT BECOME OVER-REGULATED. "IT IS CRUCIAL TO ACHIEVE THE RIGHT MIXTURE OF REGULATION AND FREE MARKET FORCES.
"I BELIEVE WE HAVE THAT BALANCE ABOUT RIGHT," HE SAID.
------0-----------
PROPOSED WAIVER OF STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS ON REGISTERED PERSONS
*****
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO ENABLE THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC) TO WAIVE OR MODIFY CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS ON PERSONS APPLYING TO BE REGISTERED AND REGISTERED PERSONS UNDER THE SFC ORDINANCE, SECURITIES ORDINANCE AND COMMODITIES TRADING ORDINANCE WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JULY 18.
EXPLAINING THE OBJECTIVE OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK SAID THAT CERTAIN STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS IMPOSED ON PERSONS APPLYING TO BE REGISTERED AND REGISTERED PERSONS GIVE RISE TO PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES, NOT ONLY FOR SUCH PERSONS BUT ALSO FOR THE SFC.
"WE BELIEVE THAT THE PROPOSED POWER OF WAIVER AND MODIFICATION WILL ASSIST THE SFC IN AVOIDING HAVING TO PERFORM ITS FUNCTIONS WITH UNNECESSARY RIGIDITY," MR NENDICK SAID.
THE PROPOSALS HAVE BEEN INITIATED BY THE SFC IN RESPONSE TO MARKET DEVELOPMENTS AND PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE.
"THEY WILL ALLOW GREATER FLEXIBILITY FOR THE REGISTERED PERSONS IN COMPLYING WITH THE RELEVANT STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS," HE ADDED.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE PROPOSAL WILL BE WELCOMED BY THE MARKET, ESPECIALLY BY THOSE REGISTERED PERSONS WHO HAVE ENCOUNTERED DIFFICULTIES IN COMPLYING WITH THE RELEVANT REQUIREMENTS.
"THE BILL PROPOSED THAT THE SFC SHOULD ONLY EXERCISE SUCH POWER IF COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS WOULD CREATE UNDUE BURDEN FOR THE PERSON CONCERNED; AND WAIVING THE REQUIREMENTS WOULD NOT RESULT IN UNDUE RISK TO THE INVESTING PUBLIC," MR NENDICK SAID.
/THE BILL .......
TUESDAY, JULY 3, 1990
3
THE BILL WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE ON FRIDAY (JULY 6).
FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS TO WHICH THE PROPOSED POWER OF WAIVER AND MODIFICATION WILL APPLY:
REGISTRATION PRACTICAL
REQUIREMENTS DIFFICULTIES
SECURITIES ORDINANCE (CAP. 333)
S.48(1A)
& 49(1A)
S.65B(8)
AT LEAST ONE DIRECTOR OF A CORPORATION HAS TO BE REGISTERED WITH THE SFC AND ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE CORPORATION’S BUSINESS.
S.65B SETS OUT THE CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION.
THESE ARE BEING REVISED BY THE SFC.
THE DIRECTORS OF SOME FOREIGN CORPORATIONS MAY BE ENTIRELY NONEXECUTIVE OR BASED OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
S.67
S.84
S.88
REGISTERED PERSONS TO MAINTAIN A REGISTER OF ALL SECURITIES IN WHICH THEY HAVE AN INTEREST.
DEALERS TO DEPOSIT CLIENT MONEYS, WITHIN FOUR DAYS OF RECEIPT, INTO TRUST ACCOUNTS KEPT AT A HONG KONG LICENSED BANK.
DEALERS TO FURNISH THE SFC WITH FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS WITHIN FOUR MONTHS FROM THE END OF THEIR FINANCIAL YEAR.
S.65B(8) EMPOWERS THE THE SFC TO WAIVE OR MODIFY THE CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS OF REGISTERED DEALING PARTNERSHIPS. THE SAME FLEXIBILITY SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO ALL DEALERS.
CREATES UNNECESSARY BURDEN FOR FUND MANAGERS WITH DIVERSIFIED PORTFOLIOS WHICH ARE ACTIVELY TRADED.
CREATES PROBLEMS FOR HONG KONG DEALERS WHO TRADE FOR HONG KONG CLIENTS IN OVERSEAS MARKETS.
S.88(2) EMPOWERS THE SFC TO EXTEND THE PERIOD, BUT ONLY BY ONE MONTH. THIS IS INSUFFICIENT IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES E.G. RESIGNATION OF THE AUDITOR.
/COMMODITIES TRADING .......
TUESDAY, JULY 3, 1990
COMMODITIES TRADING ORDINANCE (CAP. 250)
S.26(2 ) &(3)
S.46
S.50
EVERY DIRECTOR/ EMPLOYEE OF A CORPORATION SHOULD BE REGISTERED WITH THE SFC BEFORE THE CORPORATION MAY CONDUCT BUSINESS.
SIMILAR TO S.84 OF ABOVE.
SIMILAR TO S.88 OF ABOVE.
SEE S.48(1A) AND 49(1A) OF SECURITIES ORDINANCE ABOVE.
SECURITIES ORDINANCE
SECURITIES ORDINANCE
SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION ORDINANCE (ORD. NO. 10/89)
S.23(2)(B)
A CORPORATE APPLICANT TO SATISFY THE SFC THAT EACH OF ITS DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS ARE FIT AND PROPER.
S.27
EVERY REGISTERED PERSON TO NOTIFY THE SFC IN ADVANCE OF THE LOCATION WHERE BUSINESS RECORDS ARE KEPT OR INTENDED TO BE KEPT.
ENORMOUS DIFFICULTIES FOR LARGE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATIONS WITH HUNDREDS OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. INFORMATION FROM SELECTED DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS MAY SUFFICE.
SOME RECORDS ARE KEPT BY STORAGE COMPANIES. DEALERS HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THEIR MOVEMENT BETWEEN WAREHOUSES.
_ _ 0----------
TUESDAY, JULI 3, 1990
- 5 -
BILLS SEEK TO STANDARDISE TIME LIMITS TO APPROVE EXCHANGE RULES *******
THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, ANNOU CED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT PROPOSED LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS TO STANDARDISE EXISTING TIME LIMITS FOR THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC) TO APPROVE RULES PROPOSED BY THE STOCK AND FUTURES EXCHANGES AND CLEARING HOUSES WOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JULY 18.
HE SAID LEGISLATIVE-PROPOSALS TO ALLOW FOR EXTENSION OF SUCH TIME LIMITS AND TO ENABLE THE SFC TO RECOGNISE A CLEARING HOUSE FOR SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS WOULD ALSO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON THE SAME DAY.
THESE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS ARE ENSHRINED IN THE STOCK EXCHANGES UNIFICATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, COMMODITIES TRADING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 AND SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1990. :
"THE AMENDMENTS ARE A RESPONSE TO PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED IN THE COURSE OF DEALINGS WITH THE EXCHANGES AND CLEARING HOUSES,” MR NENDICK SAID.
THE AMENDMENTS AIM TO STANDARDISE THE STATUTORY TIME LIMITS FOR THE SFC TO APPROVE RULES PROPOSED BY THE EXCHANGES AND CLEARING HOUSES AT SIX WEEKS. THEY ALSO ALLOW FOR EXTENSION OF THE TIME LIMITS BY MUTUAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE SFC AND THE EXCHANGE OR THE CLEARING HOUSE CONCERNED.
"ALTHOUGH THE SFC WILL ALWAYS AIM TO EXAMINE AND PRONOUNCE UPON PROPOSED RULE CHANGES AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, THE PRESENT TIME LIMIT IN RELATION TO THE HONG KONG FUTURES EXCHANGE IS ONLY TWO WEEKS AND THIS HAS BEEN GENERALLY FOUND TO BE INADEQUATE.
"MOREOVER, THERE IS NO STATUTORY PROVISION ALLOWING FOR EXTENSION BY MUTUAL AGREEMENT.
"THE BILLS AIM TO REMOVE SOME INCONSISTENCIES AND RIGIDITIES IN EXISTING LEGISLATION," MR NENDICK SAID.
TO TIE IN WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF CENTRAL CLEARING AND SETTLEMENT ARRANGEMENTS IN RESPECT OF TRANSACTIONS RECORDED ON THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG, THE BILLS ALSO PROVIDE FOR THE SFC TO BE ABLE TO RECOGNISE A CLEARING HOUSE AND APPROVE ITS RULES AND CONSTITUTION.
THIS WILL BRING IN LINE THE RELEVANT LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS FOR THE CLEARING FACILITIES ON BOTH THE FUTURES AND SECURITIES MARKETS.
"IN VIEW OF THE IMPORTANCE OF CLEARING ARRANGEMENTS TO THE MARKET IT IS PROPOSED THAT BEFORE EXERCISING THIS POWER THE SFC SHOULD CONSULT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY," MR NENDICK SAID.
THE BILLS WILL BE GAZETTED THIS FRIDAY (JULY 6).
- - 0---------
/6 ........
TUESDAY, JULY 3, 1990
- 6 -
RS CALLS FOR SUPPORT FOR VOTER REGISTRATION ******
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, TODAY (TUESDAY) CALLED ON FACTORY PROPRIETORS TO SUPPORT THE VOTER REGISTRATION CAMPAIGN WHICH WILL BEGIN IN THE MIDDLE OF NEXT MONTH.
HE ALSO CALLED ON MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG KWUN TONG COMMERCE AND INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION TO ENCOURAGE THEIR STAFF MEMBERS TO REGISTER AS VOTERS.
OFFICIATING AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE ASSOCIATION'S DIRECTORS, MR LAN NOTED THAT THE MORE THAN 7,000 FACTORIES IN KWUN TONG ARE EMPLOYING OVER 180,000 WORKERS.
”1 THEREFORE APPEAL TO EVERY ONE OF YOU TO ENCOURAGE YOUR STAFF MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO DISCHARGE THEIR CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES BY SIGNING UP AS VOTERS.
"THOSE WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED BUT HAVE CHANGED THEIR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES SHOULD NOTIFY THE AUTHORITIES IMMEDIATELY.
"ON POLLING DAY, THEY OUGHT TO EXERCISE THEIR CIVIC RIGHT BY CASTING THEIR VOTES TO ELECT OUR LEADERS. THIS WILL BE VERY IMPORTANT TO BUILDING A BETTER HONG KONG," HE SAID.
MR LAN DESCRIBED THE 1990'S AS AN IMPORTANT "HISTORICAL MOMENT" FOR HONG KONG’S CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
"HONG KONG WILL BE ENTERING A NEW ERA IN 1991 WHEN THE PUBLIC WILL BE TAKING PART IN THE DISTRICT BOARD AND MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS, AND THERE WILL BE DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR THE FIRST TIME," HE SAID.
MR LAN SAID HONG KONG NEEDED LEADERS WITH A SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE COMMUNITY TO TAKE PART IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS, TO GUIDE THE TERRITORY THROUGH THE TRANSITION PERIOD AND TO HELP HONG KONG SUSTAIN ITS PROSPERITY AND STABILITY.
"DURING HONG KONG'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, THERE HAS BEEN NO LACK OF TALENTS IN COMMERCE AND INDUSTRIES.
4
"MEMBERS OF YOUR ASSOCIATION COME FROM DIFFERENT TRADES, AMONG THEM MANY ARE KEEN TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE FOR THE TERRITORY," HE SAID.
"I AM CONVINCED THAT EVERY ONE OF YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE TERRITORY’S CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT," HE ADDED.
/7........
TUESDAY, JUL 3, 1990
7
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS MEDICAL SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY
********
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING AND SERVICES COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS RECOMMENDATIONS OF A SURVEY REPORT TO IMPROVE MEDICAL SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY IN SAI YING PUN AT A MEETING ON THURSDAY (JULY 5).
THE REPORT, PUBLISHED BY THE CARITAS HONG KONG - FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION SERVICE, CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT AND OUTLYING ISLANDS, SUGGESTS SETTING UP A GERIATRIC DAY HOSPITAL, A GERIATRIC CLINIC AND A DAY CARE CENTRE IN SAI YING PUN FOR THE AGED AND INFIRM.
THE MEETING WILL STUDY A PROPOSAL TO ORGANISE THREE CANTONESE OPERA PERFORMANCES FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE DISTRICT. MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROPOSED ARRANGEMENT OF THEIR VISITS TO WELFARE FACILITIES SUCH AS CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY, CENTRES FOR THE HANDICAPPED AND YOUTH CENTRES.
THE URBAN COUNCIL’S RECREATION AND SPORTS PROGRAMME FOR CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT IN 1990-91 WILL BE TABLED AT THE MEETING.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING AND SERVICES COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON THURSDAY (JULY 5) IN ROOM 1416, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
- - 0 - -
SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR CENTRAL AND WESTERN YOUTHS
******
MORE THAN 50,000 YOUNG PEOPLE IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PART IN A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES ORGANISED UNDER THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME (SYP) THIS YEAR.
A TOTAL OF 700 PROJECTS AIMED AT PROMOTING A MORE BALANCED DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTH WILL BE HELD DURING THE SUMMER VACATION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNGSTERS AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 25.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT’S SYP CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR OR SHING-MOK, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT APART FROM RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES, THERE WILL BE A NUMBER OF PROJECTS SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO ENHANCE SOCIAL AWARENESS AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION.
/"TRAINING CAMPS
TUESDAY, JULY 3, 1 90
- 8 -
'TRAINING CAMPS FOR VOLUNTARY WORKERS WILL BE PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION, AND ACTIVITIES RELATED TO PROTECTION WILL BE HELD FOR YOUNGSTERS IN OUR DISTRICT,"
ORGANISED TO ENVIRONMENTAL HE SAID.
"Ci'HER ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS VISITS, SAILING, CAMPING, DANCING, LANGUAGE LEARNING, BALL GAMES, CALLIGRAPHY, SWIMMING, DRAMA, KEEP-FIT AND MARTIAL ARTS CLASSES, WILL PROVIDE PARTICIPANTS WITH LOTS OF FUN AND CHANCES TO DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL," HE ADDED.
THE 1990 CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT SYP IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE POLICE, THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION, AREA COMMITTEES, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND OTHER LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, WITH A $409,000 SPONSORSHIP FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
IT WILL START OFF WITH A VARIETY SHOW AT THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT IN CENTRAL ON SUNDAY (JULY 8) AFTERNOON.
BROCHURES FOR THE SYP ACTIVITIES AND FREE STALL GAMES COUPONS FOR SUNDAY’S EVENT ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF HARBOUR BUILDING, ITS SUB-OFFICES IN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING) AND IN KENNEDY TOWN, AS WELL AS THE WESTERN COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 36 WESTERN STREET.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 852 3002.
--------0-----------
SUMMER FUN FOR YOUTHS IN NORTH DISTRICT *****
YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE NORTH DISTRICT ARE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A SERIES OF RECREATIONAL, EDUCATIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES WHICH WILL RUN UNTIL THE END OF AUGUST.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NORTH DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME (SYP) CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT ABOUT 30,000 YOUTHS AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 25 WERE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN A TOTAL OF 147 EVENTS ORGANISED BY 59 LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS.
FOCUSSING ON THE THEME "SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THE COMMUNITY", THE ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE SINGING, PAINTING AND CALLIGRAPHY COMPETITIONS, LEADERSHIP AND VOLUNTARY WORKERS TRAINING, VISITS, OUTINGS, CAMPING, CARNIVALS AND A HEALTH EXHIBITION.
/"THIS YEAR .......
TUESDAY, JULY 3, 1990
- 9 -
"THIS YEAR THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB HAS DONATED $200,000 FOR SUMMER ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
A VARIETY SHOW AND CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE 1990 NORTH DISTRICT SYP WILL BE HELD ON AUGUST 24 IN THE NORTH DISTRICT TOWN HALL. ADMISSION IS FREE.
A PROGRAMME PAMPHLET IS NOW AVAILABLE AT THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE AT JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS BRANCH OFFICE IN CHOI YUEN ESTATE, SHEUNG SHUI, THE SHA TAU KOK COMMUNITY HALL, AND AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES LOCATED IN CHEUNG WAH ESTATE, FANLING, IN SAN FUNG AVENUE, AND IN TIN PING ESTATE, SHEUNG SHUI.
--------0-----------
SOCIAL WELFARE UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW
*****
SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES AND POLICIES ARE UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW, AND THIS IS WHY A MAJOR REVIEW IS BEING CONDUCTED IN HONG KONG, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ROSE GOODSTADT, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
AT A MEETING WITH A FIVE-MEMBER DELEGATION FROM SINGAPORE AT THE SWD HEADQUARTERS, MRS GOODSTADT SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT SOCIAL WELFARE ISSUES.
SHE TOLD THE DELEGATION, LED BY SINGAPORE’S MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION, DR SEET AI MEE, THAT SIMILAR REVIEWS HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT IN THE LAST TWO DECADES.
THE DELEGATION WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE FIRST SECRETARY OF THE SINGAPORE COMMISSION (EDUCATION) IN HONG KONG, MISS SHARON GOH. THEY CALLED AT THE SWD TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON WELFARE FACILITIES AND SERVICES FOR FAMILY AND THE ELDERLY.
UNDER THE SWD’S ARRANGEMENT, THE DELEGATION ALSO VISITED A NUMBER OF SERVICE UNITS OF THE DEPARTMENT AND OF VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
0
/10 ........
TUESDAY, JULY 3, 1990
10
PRIVATE STREETS IN HUNG HOM TO BE RESUMED FOR REPAIR * * * ♦ ♦
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO RESUME AND TO REPAIR WING KWONG STREET AND THE ADJACENT SIDE LANES WITHIN LOT NO. KML 52 AND EXTENSION IN HUNG HOM.
THE PROJECT COMPRISES THE REPAIR OF THE CARRIAGEWAYS, FOOTWAYS, SIDE LANES AND THE IMPROVEMENT WORKS TO THE RELATED DRAINAGE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THOSE PRIVATE STREET/SIDE LANES WERE AT PRESENT NOT PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND MANAGED BECAUSE THEY WERE UNDER MULTIPLE SUBDIVIDED OWNERSHIP.
AS A RESULT, THEY WERE GENERALLY IN POOR CONDITION IN TERMS OF MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT GIVING RISE TO ENVIRONMENTAL AND ACCESS PROBLEMS.
IT WAS THEREFORE NECESSARY IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO RESUME THESE PRIVATE STREET/SIDE LANES TO ENABLE THEIR PROPER MAINTENANCE AND USE, HE SAID.
THE REPAIR WORKS ARE PROGRAMMED TO COMMENCE BY MID-1991 AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL WERE PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE GAZETTE.
THE PLAN AND SCHEME MAY BE INSPECTED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FREE OF CHARGE 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 WEST, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON; AND
♦ KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, 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 AUGUST 28 THIS YEAR.
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/Il .......
TUESDAY, JULY 3, 1990
- 11
TRANSPORT INTERCHANGE PROPOSED IN TUEN MUN
******
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT A TRANSPORT INTERCHANGE IN AREA 27 OF TUEN MUN NEW TOWN TO PROVIDE AN INTERCHANGE WITH THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM.
THE PROPOSED WORKS FORM PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF TUEN MUN NEW TOWN.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL WERE PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE GAZETTE AND A NOTICE HAS BEEN PLACED ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE . ITE OF THE PROPOSED WORKS.
THE PLAN AND SCHEME MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
r
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG;
* TUEN MUN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO OBJECT TO THE PROPOSED WORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN AUGUST 21 THIS YEAR.
------0--------
MORE ROADS TO SERVE YUEN LONG VILLAGE *****
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO CARRY OUT ROAD CONSTRUCTION WORKS TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE DRAINAGE CHANNELS OF THE SHAN PUI RIVER FOR MAINTENANCE PURPOSE AND TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO CHUNG HAU TSUEN IN YUEN LONG.
THE PROPOSED WORKS ARE PART OF THE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME TO A SECTION OF THE RIVER FROM CHUNG HAU TSUEN TO INNER DEEP BAY.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL WERE PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE GAZETTE AND A NOTICE HAD BEEN POSTED ON NOTICE BOARDS NEAR THE SITE OF THE PROPOSED WORKS.
THE WORKS PROPOSED INCLUDE:
* CONSTRUCTION OF A SECTION OF CARRIAGEWAY AND SECTIONS OF FOOTPATHS AT CHUNG HAU TSUEN;
/* CONSTRUCTION OF ........
I
TUESDAY, JULY 3, 1990
- 12 -
♦ CONSTRUCTION OF MAINTENANCE ROADS WHICH WILL BE RESTRICTED TO USE BY MAINTENANCE VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS;
* RECONSTRUCTION OF A SECTION OF THE EXISTING ROAD AND FOOTPATH AT CHUNG HAU TSUEN;
* CLOSURE OF SOME EXISTING PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES AND TRACKS. DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, ALTERNATIVE ACCESS WILL BE MAINTAINED AND TEMPORARY DIVERSIONS PROVIDED;
* REPROVJSIONING OF FISH POND BUNDS; AND
* ASSOCIATED EARTH, DRAINAGE AND SLOPE WORKS.
THE PLANS AND SCHEME CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING) MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG; THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, NINTH TO 11TH FLOORS, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG; AND THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE, YUEN LONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, 269 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG.
ANY PERSON WHO OBJECTS TO THE PROPOSED WORKS SHOULD WRITE TO. THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD NOT LATER THAN AUGUST 21.
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FIRE STATION AND AMBULANCE DEPOT IN TIN SHUI WAI ******
A SUB-DIVISIONAL FIRE STATION AND AN AMBULANCE DEPOT WILL BE BUILT IN TIN SHUI WAI.
A $16.8 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THEIR CONSTRUCTION HAS BEEN AWARDED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO ABLE ENGINEERING CO. LTD.
THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO FOUR-STOREY BLOCKS TO SEPARATELY HOUSE THE FIRE STATION AND THE AMBULANCE DEPOT.
THE BLOCKS WILL SHARE A COMMON DRILL YARD AND EXERCISE ROOM, BUT WILL HAVE SEPARATE CANTEENS, RECREATIONAL AREAS, OFFICES, ACCOMMODATION, KITCHENS, TOILETS AND STORE FACILITIES.
CONSTRUCTION WILL START SOON AND THE PROJECT IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION BY SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR.
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/13........
TUESDAY, JULY 3, 1990
- 13 -
TENDERS INVITED FOR SAI WAN HO PUMPING STATION ******
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SALT WATER PUMPING STATION AND ASSOCIATED INTAKE CULVERT IN SAI WAN HO.
THIS CONTRACT FORMS PART OF THE SHAU KEI WAN FLUSHING SYSTEM PROJECT.
ON COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT, SALT WATER SUPPLY FOR FLUSHING WILL BE AVAILABLE TO SHAU KEI WAN AREAS AND THE HIGH LEVEL AREAS OF KORNHILL DEVELOPMENT.
CONSTRUCTION WORK WILL COMMENCE IN OCTOBER AND WILL TAKE ABOUT TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.
TENDERS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD BY NOON ON JULY 20.
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TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES IN SHA TIN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT IN ORDER TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORK, THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF ROADS IN SHA TIN WILL BE CLOSED DURING THE PERIODS SPECIFIED BELOW:
* FROM 7 PM TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY ON THURSDAY (JULY 5) AND FRIDAY (JULY 6), THE FAST LANE OF THE NORTHBOUND SLIP ROAD FROM SHA TIN ROAD TO TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD.
* FROM 7 PM TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY ON JULY 12, 13 AND 14, THE SLOW AND CENTRE LANES OF THE NORTHBOUND SLIP ROAD FROM SHA TIN ROAD TO TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD.
MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO DRIVE WITH CARE AND PATIENCE. APPROPRIATE TEMPORARY TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE PROVIDED TO GUIDE THEM.
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/14........
TUESDAY, JULY 3, 1990
- 14
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF FLYOVER
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 1 AM TO 5.45 AM ON THURSDAY (JULY 5), THE FLYOVER LEADING FROM WESTBOUND KWUN TONG ROAD TO THE JUNCTION OF LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC.
THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE IS TO FACILITATE THE RELOCATION OF TWO HIGH MAST STREETLIGHTS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, ALL VEHICLES ON WESTBOUND KWUN TONG ROAD HEADING FOR THE JUNCTION OF LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA KWUN TONG ROAD, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST WESTBOUND, CONCORDE ROAD, FLYOVER, PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST EASTBOUND AND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD.
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TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ON TAI PO ROAD * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE INNERMOST LANE OF TAI PO ROAD NORTHBOUND BETWEEN HO TUNG LAU AND MA LIU SHUI INTERCHANGE, IN SHA TIN, WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 AM ON THURSDAY (JULY 5) TO 8 PM ON SATURDAY (JULY 7).
THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE IS TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORK.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING: NEED TO SUSTAIN GROWTH MOMENTUM OF ECONOMY: SEM ........................................ 1
SUPPORT FOR RELAXATION OF LABOUR IMPORTATION POLICY .................................. 6
LABOUR PLAN IS FOR LONG-TERM GOOD .................................................... 7
ADEQUATE WORKFORCE NEEDED FOR INDUSTRIES ............................................. 8
IMPORTED WORKERS SHOULD BE TOLD OF STATUS ............................................ 8
COMMUNITY SHOULD SUPPORT LABOUR IMPORTATION SCHEME ................................... 9
LABOUR IMPORTATION A MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION .................................... 10
EMPLOYERS UNDERSTAND LABOUR'S CONCERN ............................................... 10
RELAXING LABOUR IMPORTATION A RIGHT MOVE ............................................ 11
CALL TO PROTECT WORKERS' RIGHT TO WORK .............................................. 12
PRACTICAL STEPS TAKEN TO ASSIST IVORY WORKERS ....................................... 13
CALL TO GIVE LOANS TO IVORY TRADE .................................................... H
FULL PUBLICITY PROGRAMME ON GAS SAFETY BILL'S PROVISIONS ............................ 15
GAS BILL AIMS TO ENSURE SAFETY ...................................................... 16
REVIEW OF EDUCATION ORDINANCE GIVEN PRIORITY ........................................ 16
EDUCATION BILL MAY AGGRAVATE DELINQUENCY ............................................ 18
BILL REMOVES REDUNDANT PROVISIONS IN RATING ORDINANCE ............................... 19
SURPLUS FOR 1989-90 FINALISED AT $11,063 MILLION .................................... 20
BILL PROVIDES FOR SETTING UP OF HK SHIPPING REGISTER ................................ 21
TWO AMENDMENT BILLS INTRODUCED TO REMOVE LOOPHOLES .................................. 24
MOTIONS TO IMPLEMENT BUDGET REVENUE PROPOSALS PASSED ................................ 25
SUMMARY OF CHANGES TO APPROVED ESTIMATES ............................................ 26
MEDICAL CERTIFICATES REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPORTED WORKERS EXPLAINED .................... 27
TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS A HELP TO GOVT'S RESEARCH PROJECTS ............................ 28
/ANTI-SMOKING .......
ANTI-SMOKING MEASURES DIRECTED AT YOUNG PEOPLE ................................... 29
GOVT'S POLICY TO MAINTAIN PURCHASING POWER OF PENSIONS ........................... 30
ACTION TO ENSURE ROADS AND PAVEMENTS ARE KEPT FREE ............................... 30
MOTION ON IMPORTATION OF LABOUR PASSED............................................ 31
EXCO APPROVES REVISION OF VEHICLE EXAMINATION FEES .................................. 32
EXPANDING AND OPENING UP MARKETS IMPORTANT .......................................... 32
STATUTORY COMPOUND INTEREST ON DEBT RECOMMENDED ..................................... 33
SUMMER FUN FOR EASTERN YOUNGSTERS ................................................... 35
DB TO DISCUSS UC DISTRICT WORKS PROJECTS............................................. 36
IMPORTATION OF FOREIGN LABOUR ON AGENDA ............................................. 36
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS .......................................... 37
THREE OVERSTAYERS FROM CHINA ARRESTED ............................................... 38
ACTION ON ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN SHEK KIP MEI ........................................ 38
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN WESTERN DISTRICT ............................................. 39
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY IN MONG KOK ................................................ 39
URBAN CLEARWAY IN KWAI CHUNG......................................................... 39
URBAN CLEARWAY IN SHA TIN ........................................................... 40
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN FANLING ........................................... 40
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4,
1990
- 1 -
NEED TO SUSTAIN GROWTH MOMENTUM OF ECONOMY: SEM
*****
THE GOVERNMENT’S AIM IN ALLOWING FURTHER IMPORTATION OF LABOUR IS FOUNDED UPON THE NEED TO SUSTAIN THE GROWTH MOMENTUM OF THE ECONOMY, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON K.Y. YEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE DEBATE ON THE MOTION CONCERNING IMPORTATION OF LABOUR, MR YEUNG SAID THE FORECAST TREND GROWTH RATE OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) OF 5.5 PER CENT COULD BE PLACED IN JEOPARDY IF THE PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY OF OUR INDUSTRIES WAS CONSTRAINED BY THE MUCH SLOWER GROWTH RATE IN THE SUPPLY OF LABOUR.
HE ALSO SAID THAT WITH THE BENEFIT OF THE EXPERIENCE THE GOVERNMENT HAD GAINED OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS IN REGULATING THE IMPORTATION OF FOREIGN TECHNICIANS AND CRAFTSMEN, THE OPPORTUNITY HAD BEEN TAKEN TO INTRODUCE TWO MEASURES THAT WOULD HAVE THE EFFECT OF SIMPLIFYING PROCEDURES AND SPEEDING UP DECISION-MAKING.
AT THE OUTSET OF HIS SPEECH, IN WHltH HE SUPPORTED THE MOTION, MR YEUNG SAID HE WELCOMED THE DEBATE PARTLY BECAUSE IT HELPED THE COMMUNITY TO FOCUS ATTENTION ON THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE AND PARTLY BECAUSE IT PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO OUTLINE THE THINKING BEHIND THE GOVERNMENT’S RECENT REVIEW OF ITS POLICY IN IMPORTING LABOUR.
HE SAID HONG KONG HAD SUSTAINED A SHORTAGE OF LABOUR FOR SOMETHING OVER FIVE YEARS.
AS FAR AS COULD BE ASCERTAINED FROM VARIOUS EMPLOYMENT SURVEYS UNDERTAKEN BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES ACROSS ALL INDUSTRIES HAD INCREASED STEADILY FROM 32,000 IN 1985, OR JUST UNDER ONE PER CENT OF ACTUAL EMPLOYMENT IN THAT YEAR, TO A PEAK OF 125,000 IN 1988, OR OVER FOUR PER CENT OF ACTUAL EMPLOYMENT IN THAT YEAR.
"WHILST THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES HAVE DECLINED IN 1989 TO 102,000, OR 3.6 PER CENT OF ACTUAL EMPLOYMENT, PRELIMINARY SURVEY RESULTS SHOW THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NO FURTHER DECLINES DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990," HE SAID.
AS TO HOW DAMAGING WAS THIS PHENOMENON, MR YEUNG SAID IN AN OPEN ECONOMY SUCH AS HONG KONG’S, THE UPWARD PRESSURE ON COSTS AND PRICES ARISING FROM AN EXCESS OF DEMAND FOR LABOUR SHOULD, IN THE SHORT TERM, HELP TO RESTRAIN DEMAND TO A LEVEL MORE COMMENSURATE WITH THE ECONOMY’S PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY.
"AS THIS OCCURS, THE DEMAND FOR LABOUR SHOULD BECOME LESS INTENSE," HE SAID. "BUT IT IS NOW CLEAR FROM THE PERSISTENT RISE IN THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS THAT THIS CONSTRAINT HAS NOT WORKED AND DEMAND HAS CONTINUED TO OUTSTRIP SUPPLY.
/"WE MUST .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
2
"WE MUST THEREFORE LOOK TO THE LONGER TERM TO SEE HOW DAMAGING THE LABOUR SHORTAGE MIGHT BE FOR THE GROWTH PROSPECTS OF OUR ECONOMY."
MR YEUNG SAID THE GROWTH RATE OF LABOUR SUPPLY IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE 1980’S HAD DECLINED FROM 2.8 PER CENT IN 1986 TO NIL IN 1989, AND THIS TREND OF DECLINE WAS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE INTO THE 1990’S AND BEYOND.
"OUR FORECAST IS FOR AN ANNUAL AVERAGE GROWTH RATE IN THE LABOUR SUPPLY OF ABOUT l.l PER CENT IN THE PERIOD 1991 TO 1996, 0.8 PER CENT IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1990S, AND 0.5 PER CENT IN THE FIRST FIVE YEARS OF THE NEXT DECADE.
"THIS IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO A VARIETY OF FACTORS, NOTABLY IMPROVED EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, RISING INDIVIDUAL AFFLUENCE AND A TENDENCY TO RETIRE EARLIER, ALL OF WHICH HAVE THE EFFECT OF DEPRESSING LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATES," HE SAID.
MR YEUNG NOTED THAT SOME MEMBERS HAD ARGUED THAT INVESTORS AND EMPLOYERS SHOULD CONSIDER REDUCING THEIR RELIANCE ON LABOUR, BY INVESTING IN PRODUCTIVITY GROWTH, MECHANISATION. VOCATIONAL TRAINING, AND SO ON.
"WE CERTAINLY SUPPORT SUCH MOVES AND, AS OTHER MEMBERS HAVE QUITE RIGHTLY POINTED OUT, A GREAT DEAL OF INVESTMENT HAS ALREADY GONE INTO THESE AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT.
"AT THE END OF 1988 THE LEVEL OF RETAINED IMPORTS OF MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT FOR USE IN MANUFACTURING WAS MORE THAN DOUBLE THAT IN 1983, AND THROUGHOUT THE 1980S LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY IN MANUFACTURING ALONE HAS GROWN BY ABOUT 10 PER CENT A YEAR," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, MR YEUNG EMPHASISED THAT IN SPITE OF THESE IMPRESSIVE RECORDS, THE FACT THAT HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIES WERE RELATIVELY LABOUR INTENSIVE HAD TO BE RECOGNISED.
"INDEED, THE CONTINUING SHIFT FROM MANUFACTURING TO THE SERVICES SECTOR COULD RENDER OUR ECONOMY EVEN MORE DEPENDENT ON LABOUR THAN IS THE CASE AT PRESENT.
"IN ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES, CONTINUING HEALTHY GROWTH FOR THE ECONOMY, THE KEY TO PROSPERITY, DEPENDS ON OUR GIVING OUR INDUSTRIES THE WHEREWITHAL TO INCREASE THEIR PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY.
"THERE ARE LIMITS TO WHICH OUR INDUSTRIES CAN FURTHER INVEST IN NEW PLANT, MACHINERY AND IMPROVED PROCESSES, AND IT IS NECESSARY TO RECOGNISE THAT FURTHER CAPITAL FORMATION MIGHT NOT TAKE PLACE UNLESS IT IS ALSO COMPLEMENTED BY AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF LABOUR," HE SAID.
MR YEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD TAKE FULLY INTO ACCOUNT MEMBERS’ VIEWS THAT LABOUR IMPORTATION SCHEMES MUST WORK WITH A MINIMUM OF BUREAUCRACY, WERE ADMINISTERED EFFICIENTLY, AND THAT ADEQUATE STEPS WERE TAKEN TO PREVENT UNSCRUPULOUS EMPLOYERS FROM EXPLOITING THEIR IMPORTED WORKERS.
/AT PRESENT .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
AT PRESENT, THE INTER-DEPARTMENTAL STEERING GROUP ON THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR UNDER HIS CHAIRMANSHIP WAS AIMING TO LAUNCH THE SCHEMES BY INVITING APPLICATIONS IN THE THIRD WEEK OF JULY.
EMPLOYERS WOULD BE ALLOWID ABOUT A MONTH WITHIN WHICH TO LODGE APPLICATIONS WITH THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, AND IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT A MONTH FOR ALL APPLICATIONS TO BE EXAMINED.
ONCE AN APPLICATION HAD BEEN APPROVED, THE EMPLOYER WOULD BE NOTIFIED AND ALLOWED A FURTHER PERIOD OF UP TO THREE MONTHS WITHIN WHICH TO SOURCE LABOUR AND TO API LY FOR VISAS.
THIS SECOND STEP WOULD TAKE BETWEEN THREE TO FIVE WEEKS, DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF VISAS NEEDING TO BE PROCESSED.
IN SHORT, THE ESTIMATED TIME REQUIRED FOR THE TWO PROCESSES SHOULD NOT EXCEED TWO MONTHS, HE SAID.
MR YEUNG SAID THE FIRST OF THE TWO MEASURES TO SIMPLIFY PROCEDURES AND SPEED UP DECISION-MAKING WOULD BE THE PUBLICATION OF MEDIAN WAGES IN RESPECT OF TECHNICIANS, CRAFTSMEN AND EXPERIENCED OPERATIVES.
THIS WOULD PROVIDE EMPLOYERS WITH A READY BENCHMARK AGAINST WHICH THEY COULD OFFER WAGES FOR IMPORTED LABOUR.
IT WOULD ALSO GIVE LOCAL WORKERS AN ASSURANCE THAT THEY WOULD COME UNDER NO THREAT OF LOW-WAGE COMPETITION.
THE SECOND MEASURE WAS REMOVAL OF THE REQUIREMENT THAT A PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYER MUST NOT ALLOW MORE THAN 20 PER CENT OF JOBS IN HIS BUSINESS TO BE FILLED BY IMPORTED WORKERS. THIS SHOULD REMOVE A SOURCE OF QUOTA UNDER-UTILISATION, HE SAID.
ON THE CREATION OF SAFEGUARDS TO PREVENT FOREIGN WORKERS FROM BEING ABUSED OR EXPLOITED, MR YEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO AMEND THE EXISTING STANDARD CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT BY STIPULATING THAT ACCOMMODATION MUST BE PROVIDED BY THE EMPLOYER TO CERTAIN STANDARDS AND BY EMPHASISING THAT EMPLOYERS MAY NOT MAKE REDUCTION FROM THE WAGES OF THEIR EMPLOYEES, SAVE FOR THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES ALLOWED UNDER SECTION 32 OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.
”1 RECOGNISE THAT THIS MAY CREATE SOME PROBLEMS FOR THOSE EMPLOYERS WHO HAVE TO RELY ON EXTERNAL AGENCIES AND COMPANIES TO FIND WORKERS FOR THEM, BECAUSE THEIR PRACTICE IS TO CHARGE A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF THE WORKERS’ PAY AS A FEE FOR THEIR PROCUREMENT SERVICES.
"I AM CONFIDENT, HOWEVER, THAT THESE DIFFICULTIES CAN BE OVERCOME. FOR EXAMPLE, WHILE THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE DOES NOT PERMIT AN EMPLOYER TO DEDUCT WAGES AUTOMATICALLY FOR REMITTANCE TO EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD HAVE NO OBJECTION IF AN EMPLOYER WERE TO REMIT A PART OF HIS EMPLOYEES’ WAGES PROVIDED THAT THIS IS DONE AT THE EXPLICIT REQUESTS OF HIS EMPLOYEES.
/IN OTHER .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
"IN OTHER WORDS WE REGARD THE PAYMENT OF WAGES IN FULL AS BEING INVIOLATE, BUT WE WOULD NOT STAND IN THE WAY OF AN EMPLOYER ENTERING INTO A PRIVATE ARRANGEMENT WITH HIS EMPLOYEES OVER REMITTANCES," HE SAID.
MR YEUNG SAID THAT MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WOULD BE PROVIDED WITH ADDITIONAL STAFF TO COPE WITH THE WORK ARISING FROM THESE IMPORTATION SCHEMES.
"INSOFAR AS THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS CONCERNED, THE WORK INVOLVED IN ENSURING THAT THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE IS COMPLIED WITH INCLUDES THE BRIEFING OF BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES ON THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS, AND ON INSPECTIONS OF BOTH WORKPLACES AND DOMESTIC ACCOMMODATION.
"THE SCHEMES WILL, OF COURSE, BE MONITORED BY THE STEERING GROUP ON A REGULAR BASIS AND I SHALL KEEP THE OMELCO MANPOWER PANEL INFORMED OF PROGRESS FROM TIME TO TIME.
”1 SHOULD PERHAPS ADD THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL HAVE NO HESITATION IN TAKING BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO COURT FOR BREACHES OF EMPLOYMENT LEGISLATION OR OF VISA CONDITIONS," HE SAID.
ON CONSULTATION, MR YEUNG NOTED THAT IN RECENT WEEKS THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN CRITICISED FOR HAVING FAILED TO CONSULT THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD BEFORE IT ANNOUNCED ITS DECISION TO ALLOW FURTHER IMPORTS OF LABOUR, AND SEVERAL MEMBERS OF LEGCO HAD ECHOED THIS CRITICISM.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD CAREFULLY CONSIDERED THE PROPRIETY OF CONSULTING THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSALS WERE PUT TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, AND HAD COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT IT WOULD NOT BE ENTIRELY APPROPRIATE TO TAKE THIS STEP.
IN THE FIRST PLACE, HE SAID, THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD ADVISED 'THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR ON SUCH MATTERS AFFECTING LABOUR, INCLUDING LEGISLATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION, AS THE COMMISSIONER MAY REFER TO IT ...’, WHEREAS THE ISSUES BEING DEBATED AFFECTED THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMY AND WENT WELL BEYOND PURELY LABOUR CONSIDERATIONS.
"SECONDLY, THE VIEWS OF BOTH EMPLOYERS’ REPRESENTATIVES AND TRADE UNION REPRESENTATIVES ARE ALREADY WELL KNOWN, FOR THEY HAVE BEEN DEBATED LONG AND HARD IN RECENT YEARS.
"THIRDLY, GIVEN THAT THOSE VIEWS ARE DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED, THE ADVICE OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD WOULD MOST LIKELY HAVE BEEN SO FINELY BALANCED AS TO HAVE BEEN INCONCLUSIVE," HE SAID.
MR YEUNG ALSO SAID HE COULD NOT AGREE WITH SUGGESTIONS THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD NOT DONE ENOUGH TO IMPROVE THE WELL-BEING OF LOCAL WORKERS, PARTICULARLY IN THE AREA OF EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.
/"AS I .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
- 5 -
"AS I SAID WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1990 LAST WEEK, THE AIM OF THE GOVERNMENT’S LABOUR POLICIES IS TO ACHIEVE A LEVEL OF STATUTORY PROTECTION FOR OUR WORKFORCE BROADLY COMPARABLE TO (HE BEST IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION.
"WITHIN THE PAST 12 MONTHS ALONE, WE HAVE EXTENDED THE SCOPE OF THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND TO COVER SEVERANCE PAYMENTS, WE HAVE AMENDED THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE TO PROTECT REGULAR PART-TIME WORKERS, WE HAVE INTRODUCED IN 1'0 THIS COUNCIL A BILL THAT WILL EXTEND PAID ANNUAL LEAVE FROM SEV’ N TO 14 DAYS A YEAR.
"I EXPECT THAT, DURING THE NEXT SESSION, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE INTRODUCING NEW LEGISLATION FOR THE PRUDENTIAL SUPERVISION OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES, AND AMENDING LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE A HIGHER DEGREE OF SECURITY FOR SEVERANCE PAYMENT ENTITLEMENTS AGAINST THE RISK OF BUSINESS INSOLVENCIES.
"I CAN ASSURE HONOURABLE
WILL PRESS AHEAD WITH FORESIGHT
MEMBERS THAT THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD AND VIGOUR," HE SAID.
MR YEUNG ALSO NOTED THAT THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG HAD QUESTIONED THE NEED TO ALLOW FURTHER IMPORTATION OF OPERATIVES ON THE GROUNDS THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S MANPOWER SURVEY OF MARCH 1990 INDICATED A SURPLUS OF MANPOWER AT THE LOWER SECONDARY EDUCATION LEVEL BY 1991.
"I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE MANPOWER SURVEY WAS DESIGNED TO HELP US ASSESS EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING NEEDS; IT WAS NOT AN EXERCISE TO PROJECT THE DEMAND FOR AND THE SUPPLY OF LABOUR.
"IN OTHER WORDS, THE EXCESS OF ABOUT 33,000 PEOPLE AT THE LOWER SECONDARY EDUCATION LEVEL BY 1991 MEANS THAT BY NEXT YEAR, THERE WILL BE ABOUT 33,000 PEOPLE IN ACTUAL EMPLOYMENT WHOSE JOBS CALL FOR A HIGHER LEVEL OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING THAN THEY HAD ACTUALLY ACHIEVED WHEN THEY LEFT FORM 3.
"THE OBVIOUS CONCLUSION TO BE DRAWN FROM THIS IS THAT THERE WILL BE A GREATER NEED FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION AND RE-TRAINING IN RESPECT TO WHICH WE HAVE THE HELP OF THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE AND THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
"IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT IMPORTING EXPERIENCED OPERATIVES WOULD RESULT IN THESE 33,000 PEOPLE BEING DISPLACED," MR YEUNG SAID.
/6........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
- 6 -
SUPPORT FOR RELAXATION OF LABOUR IMPORTATION POLICY ******
RELAXATION OF THE POLICY ON IMPORTATION OF LABOUR IS A MEASURED STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, THE HON PAUL CHENG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION ON THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR, MR CHENG SAID SUCH IMPORTATION WAS A MEANS OF ADDRESSING THE TERRITORY’S INFLATION PROBLEM THAT WAS CURRENTLY COUPLED WITH ESCALATING WAGES AND A HIGH RATE OF LABOUR TURNOVER.
HE SAID THE PROPOSAL TO ALLOW IN 14,700 FOREIGN WORKERS SUPPORTED MEASURES TO BREAK CONTINUING INFLATION AS WELL AS FITTING IN WITH PLANS FOR MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS WHICH WOULD HAVE HUGE MANPOWER REQUIREMENTS.
"SIMILARLY, THE POLICY DECISION PAVES THE WAY FOR THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT PLANS SO AS TO PREVENT ANY DELAY IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THESE PROJECTS," HE SAID.
MR CHENG SAID THE POLICY DECISION ALSO ADDRESSED A MOST ACUTE LABOUR SHORTAGE IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR WHICH NEEDED SEMI-SKILLED AND UNSKILLED WORKERS.
FURTHERMORE, THE DECISION ENCOURAGED LOCAL MANUFACTURERS TO RETAIN THEIR FACTORIES IN HONG KONG, AND THIS MEANT MORE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL WORKERS, HE SAID.
MR CHENG POINTED OUT THAT IMPORTED LABOUR WAS NOT CHEAP, NOTING THAT EMPLOYERS MUST ALLOW FOR TRANSPORT AND HOUSING COSTS AND THAT COMMITMENT TO MEDIAN WAGES WOULD BE A PREREQUISITE FOR THIS POLICY.
MR CHENG CALLED ON LABOUR UNIONS WHO OPPOSED THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR TO SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE.
"THE COMBINATION OF A TIGHT LABOUR MARKET WITH RISING WAGES JEOPARDISES THE COMPETITIVENESS OF HONG KONG PRODUCTS AND THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF HONG KONG TO INVESTORS," HE SAID.
HE ALSO STRESSED THE NEED TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES SO THAT THERE WAS UNDERSTANDING THAT THE LIMITED IMPORTATION OF FOREIGN WORKERS WAS A CONTRIBUTION TO SOLVING A MUCH BIGGER PROBLEM THAN LABOUR OPPOSITION WAS CURRENTLY FACING.
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/7........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
- 7 -
LABOUR PLAN IS FOR LONG-TERM GOOD *****
EMPLOYERS SUPPORT THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR NOT FOR SHORT-TERM EFFECT BUT FOR THE LONG-TERM GOOD OF THE ECONOMY, THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
NOTING THAT EMPLOYERS GENERALLY HAD A WIDE CHOICE OF MEANS TO CARRY OUT THEIR INVESTMENT PLANS, MR CHEONG ASKED WHY THEY SHOULD RUN THE RISK OF BEING LABELLED UNFAIRLY AND PUT SO MUCH EFFORT INTO PRESENTING THE MACRO ECONOMIC PICTURE IF THEY DID NOT GENUINELY WISH TO SEE HONG KONG DO WELL.
SPEAKING IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR, MR CHEONG SAID HONG KONG NEEDED ALL SECTORS TO WORK TOGETHER TO ADDRESS PROBLEMS COOLLY, CALMLY, RATIONALLY AND IN A NON-CONFRONTATIONAL ATMOSPHERE. "RADICAL ACTIONS ARE NOT CONDUCIVE TO LONG-TERM STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG. I WOULD PLEAD THAT LEADERS OF ALL SECTORS OF OUR COMMUNITY SHOULD BEAR THIS IN MIND IF THEY REALLY WISH TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THE CONTINUED SUCCESS OF HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
MR CHEONG SUGGESTED THE IMPORTED LABOUR ISSUE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED NOT ONLY FROM THE SHORT-TERM NEGATIVE ANGLE BUT OVER A WIDER AND LONGER TERM PERSPECTIVE.
HE SAID THE SHORTAGE OF LABOUR WAS EVIDENT IN GENERAL AMONG ALL SECTORS, AND THAT HONG KONG WOULD BE UNLIKELY TO ACHIEVE THE AVERAGE GROWTH OF 5.5 PER CENT IN GNP AS PREDICTED FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS UNLESS SUFFICIENT HUMAN RESOURCES WERE AVAILABLE.
SHOULD HONG KONG FAIL TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM, INVESTMENTS WOULD BE LIMITED AND PATCHY, RESULTING IN A REDUCTION IN JOB OPPORTUNITIES, HE SAID.
’’SUCH A SITUATION WILL LEAD TO VERY QUICK AND SHARP WAGE LEVEL DECLINES WHENEVER HONG KONG IS HIT BY ECONOMIC RECESSION,” HE SAID.
MR CHEONG NOTED THAT THE EXPERIENCE OF COUNTRIES SUCH AS WEST GERMANY AND SINGAPORE HELPED TO ILLUSTRATE THAT IMPORTATION OF LABOUR WOULD HELP TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE.
HE SAID HONG KONG WAS IN THE COURSE OF UPGRADING THE SKILLS OF ITS WORKFORCE. FEWER PEOPLE WISHED TO TAKE UP MENIAL JOBS, AND IMPORTATION WOULD BE THE SOLUTION.
THIS WOULD ALSO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR HONG KONG WORKERS TO BE BETTER TRAINED SO AS TO EARN MORE AND TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG, HE SAID.
- - 0----------
/8.........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
- 8
ADEQUATE WORKFORCE NEEDED FOR INDUSTRIES t t * t ♦
THE ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S PLAN TO RELAX THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR IS TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE WORK FORCE FOR HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIES SO THAT ITS CONTINUED ECONOMIC GROWTH IS SATISFACTORILY MAINTAINED, THE HON CHENG HON-KWAN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION ON THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR, MR CHENG SAID HE AGREED THAT INITIALLY 2,000 WORKERS SHOULD BE IMPORTED TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED INFRASTRUCTURES WHICH MUST BE COMPLETED WITHIN A VERY TIGHT SCHEDULE.
“THESE PROJECTS ARE ADDITIONAL TO THE NORMAL PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME, THEREFORE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FROM ELSEWHERE ARE REQUIRED WITHOUT DISRUPTING OTHER NORMAL WORKS PROJECTS,” HE SAID.
IN DUE COURSE, MR CHENG ADDED, HE WOULD URGE EVEN MORE RESOURCES TO BE PROVIDED AS NECESSARY WHEN THE WORKLOAD OF THE AIRPORT PROJECTS INCREASED.
MR CHENG WARNED, HOWEVER, THAT IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SCHEME, IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THAT THE INTEREST OF THE LOCAL WORKERS WAS WELL PROTECTED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS PERHAPS A NEED TO SET UP A POLICING SYSTEM TO MONITOR THE WORKING OF THE SCHEMES.
”IT IS NECESSARY TO MANAGE THE SCHEMES FLEXIBLY TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE SITUATION OF DEMAND AND SUPPLY IN EACH TRADE AT THE TIME AND MAKE SUITABLE ADJUSTMENT WHERE APPROPRIATE,” MR CHENG SAID.
--------------------0-------- IMPORTED WORKERS SHOULD BE TOLD OF STATUS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
FOREIGN WORKERS SHOULD BE TOLD IN CLEAR AND UNAMBIGUOUS TERMS OF THEIR STATUS IN HONG KONG, THE HON RONALD ARCULLI SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE DEBATE ON THE MOTION ON IMPORTATION OF LABOUR, MR ARCULLI SAID THAT IN FAIRNESS TO HONG KONG AND THE FOREIGN WORKERS TO BE BROUGHT HERE ISSUES RELATED TO THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BEFORE GOING AHEAD WITH IMPORTATION OF LABOUR.
WHILE IN FAVOUR OF IMPORTED LABOUR, MR ARCULLI SAID ONE PROBLEM TO BE ADDRESSED WOULD BE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMAN WHERE EITHER OR BOTH MIGHT BE FOREIGN WORKERS; OR WHERE ONE MIGHT BE A FOREIGN WORKER AND THE OTHER A HONG KONG PERMANENT RESIDENT.
/HE NOTED .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
- 9
HE NOTED THAT UNDER PRESENT IMMIGRATION REGULATIONS, FOREIGN WORKERS WHO WERE NOT OF CHINESE ORIGIN DID NOT HAVE THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD STAYED HERE FOR OVER SEVEN YEARS.
THE PROBLEM COULD BECOME MORE COMPLICATED AS THEY MIGHT GET MARRIED AND HAVE CHILDREN HERE.
”WE CERTAINLY WOULD NOT WANT HONG KONG TO WITNESS A REPEAT OF THE HEART-BREAKING SCENES OF THE SEPARATION OF PARENT AND CHILD NOR THE DETENTION IN PRISON OF PARENT AND CHILD,” HE SAID..
WITH REGARD TO WORKERS FROM CHINA, HE SAID: ”1 BELIEVE THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD CONSIDER WHETHER FOREIGN WORKERS FROM MAINLAND CHINA, WHO ARE OF THE CHINESE RACE AND WHO HAVE BEEN ORDINARY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG FOR SEVEN YEARS CONTINUOUSLY, WOULD ACQUIRE THE RIGHT OF ABODE HERE.
’’MOREOVER, WHETHER BY THEIR EMPLOYMENT HERE ARE THEY ORDINARY : RESIDENT IN HONG KONG?”
COMMUNITY SHOULD SUPPORT LABOUR IMPORTATION SCHEME
******
THE COMMUNITY SHOULD SUPPORT THE GOVERNMENT POLICY ON THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR WHICH IS TO THE BENEFIT OF HONG KONG AS A WHOLE, THE HON MARTIN BARROW SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION IN THE DEBATE ON THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR, MR BARROW SAID FEARS THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S LABOUR IMPORTATION PLAN WOULD DAMPEN JOB OPPORTUNITIES OR SUPPRESS WAGES FOR THE LOCAL WORKFORCE WERE UNFOUNDED, BECAUSE THE NUMBER INVOLVED REPRESENTED ONLY HALF A PER CENT OF THE TOTAL WORKFORCE.
HE ALSO SAID THERE WOULD BE EXCITING DEVELOPMENTS AHEAD HONG KONG’S ECONOMY. IN ADDITION TO INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT, TERRITORY WOULD CONTINUE TO PROMOTE ITSELF AS A REGIONAL CENTRE AS A FINANCIAL CENTRE, AS A TOURISM DESTINATION, AS A BASE BUSINESS WITH CHINA, AND AS A SPECIALIST MANUFACTURING CENTRE; ALL OF THESE WOULD NEED A REASONABLE SUPPLY OF LABOUR.
FOR THE AND FOR AND
MR BARROW ADDED THAT INCREASES IN WAGES STANDARDS OF HONG KONG’S LABOUR FORCE WOULD EMPLOYERS CONTINUED TO INVEST IN THE TERRITORY. DO SO IF THERE IS SUFFICIENT LABOUR AVAILABLE,”
AND IMPROVED LIVING ONLY BE POSSIBLE IF ’’BUT THEY WILL ONLY HE SAID.
/NOTING THAT
WEDNESDAY, JULY '• , 1990
- 10 -
N I I NG THAT PROTECTION OF THE LOCAL PEOPLE AND THE NEE!) FOR PROPER SYSTEMS TO BE IN PLACE WAS FULLY RECOGNISED IN THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSALS, MR BARROW SAID MONITORING ARRANGEMENTS AND SPOT CHECKS BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WERE ESSENTIAL, BOTH TO ENSURE IMPORTED WORKERS WERE OT EXPLOITED AND THAT THE SCHEME WAS MEETING ITS OBJECTIVES.
HE CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT NOT TO WRAP THE SCHEME UP IN SO MUCH RED TAPE AS TO MAKE IT UNWORKABLE.
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LABOUR IMPORTATION A MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
THE IMPORTATION OF 14,700 TECHNICIANS, EXPERIENCED OPERATIVES AND CONSTRUCTION WORKERS IS A MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, BUT IT MUST BE IMPLEMENTED IN A MANNER THAT IS WELL MANAGED AND CONTROLLED.
THE HON NELLIE FONG SAID THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION ON THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
EXPRESSING SYMPATHY FOR THE WORKERS’ CONCERN REGARDING THEIR JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND WAGE LEVEL, MRS FONG SAID THE LABOUR SHORTAGE IN HONG KONG, IF NOT REMEDIED, WOULD AFFECT THE TERRITORY’S PROSPERITY AND THE WELL-BEING OF ITS PEOPLE.
"WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE THE GOAL OF MAINTAINING AND INCREASING PROSPERITY OF THE TERRITORY AND THIS REQUIRES CO-OPERATION AND UNDERSTANDING," SHE SAID.
---------0------------
EMPLOYERS UNDERSTAND LABOUR’S CONCERN * * * * * * *
EMPLOYERS UNDERSTAND VERY WELL THE EXPRESSED CONCERNS OF LABOUR AND THE NEED TO ENSURE AGAINST ANY FORM OF EXPLOITATION OF LABOUR NOW AND IN THE FUTURE, THE HON JAMES MCGREGOR SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID EMPLOYERS HAI) WORKED CONSTRUCTIVELY WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES OF LABOUR IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS AND IN MANY DIFFERENT FORMS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF SOCIAL LEGISLATION AND SECURITY.
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION IN THE DEBATE ON THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR, MR MCGREGOR SAID HE WAS WELL AWARE OF THE ESSENTIAL INTERESTS OF LABOUR AND WAS NOT LIKELY TO DO ANYTHING WHICH WOULD HARM LABOUR.
/HE NOTED .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
- 11 -
HE NOTED THAT HONG KONG HAD A LONG HISTORY OF MUTUAL CO-OPERATION BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES AND SUCH EFFORTS HAD GIVEN THE TERRITORY ONE OF THE BEST MANAGEMENT/LABOUR RELATIONS RECORDS IN THE WORLD WITH FEWER MAN DAYS LOST IN INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES THAN VIRTUALLY ALL OTHER ECONOMIES IN THE WORLD.
MR MCGREGOR SAID EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES FORMED A NATURAL ECONOMIC ALLIANCE EACH DEPENDING UPON THE OTHER AND EACH RESPECTING THE OTHER.
"ALL OF US ENJOY THE SAME RIGHTS AND ARE ENTITLED TO THE SAME DIGNITY,” HE SAID.
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RELAXING LABOUR IMPORTATION A RIGHT MOVE
*****
THE PROPOSALS RELAXING LABOUR IMPORTATION ARE A VERY DEFINITE MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, THE HON JAMES TIEN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION ON THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR, MR TIEN SAID HE STRONGLY BELIEVED THAT INFLATION IN HONG KONG WAS THE DIRECT RESULT OF LABOUR SHORTAGE AND THAT INFLATION WOULD QUICKLY SUBSIDE WITH THE ARRIVAL OF AN ADEQUATE LABOUR FORCE.
MR TIEN SPOKE ON THE SITUATION OF THE GARMENT INDUSTRY AND THE EFFECT OF THE LABOUR IMPORT SCHEME ON IT.
HE SAID THE POSSIBLE ALLOCATED FIGURE OF 3,000 OPERATIVES TO THE GARMENT SECTOR WOULD COVER ROUGHLY 10 PER CENT OF ITS VACANCIES.
HE BELIEVED THAT THIS SMALL IMPROVEMENT OF 10 PER CENT COULD HAVE DRAMATIC POSITIVE EFFECTS ON THE INDUSTRY’S EFFICIENCY AS NEW OPERATIVES COULD BE PROFITABLY EMPLOYED IN ’’BOTTLENECK AREAS”.
MR TIEN EXPLAINED THAT AS A RESULT OF SEVERE LABOUR SHORTAGE BUILT UP IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, HONG KONG WORKERS NOW TENDED TO BE RATHER SPECIALISED AND CHOOSY ABOUT THEIR JOB.
’’FOR EXAMPLE, IN A SHIRT FACTORY, A WORKER MAKING COLLARS WILL ONLY MAKE COLLARS, NOT SLEEVES, CUFFS OR ANY OTHER OPERATIONS.
’’WHAT WE REQUIRE IS TO IMPORT OPERATIVES PREPARED TO ACT.... LIKE UTILITY PLAYERS. THESE NEW WORKERS CAN BE FLEXIBLE, ACCOMMODATING, AND PUT TO UNBLOCK THE BOTTLENECKS.”
MR TIEN SAID THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY HAD CONSISTENTLY BEEN ACCUSED OF ’’SALINE DRIPPING”, THAT IS, NOT PROVIDING SPECIALISED WORKERS WITH ADEQUATE WORK EVERY DAY.
/HE FELT .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
HE KELT THAT UTILITY WORKERS COULD HELP EVEN OUT THE FLOW OF PRODUCTION IN BOTTLENECK AREAS AND WOULD REDUCE THE SO CALLED ’’SALINE DRIPPING” FOR HONG KONG WORKERS.
NOTING THAT THE PROPOSALS ENVISAGED PAYMENT OF MEDIAN WAGES IN ALL SECTORS FOR IMPORTED LABOUR, HE SAID THEIR SALARY AND BENEFITS WOULD NOT UNDERCUT LOCAL WORKERS, NOR WOULD THEY BE USED AS A PAWN FOR BARGAINING BY EMPLOYERS.
MR TIEN ADDED THAT ONCE THE LABOUR IMPORT POLICY WAS SHOWN TO BE SUCCESSFUL, THE TREND OF MANUFACTURERS LEAVING HONG KONG FOR PLACES WITH ABUNDANT LABOUR WOULD IN SOME MEASURE BE REVERSED.
- - 0 - -
CALL TO PROTECT WORKERS’ RIGHT TO WORK *****
HONG KONG WORKERS’ RIGHT TO WORK SHOULD BE PROTECTED IN CONSIDERING THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR, THE HON ELSIE TU TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON IMPORTATION OF LABOUR, MRS TU NOTED THAT THERE MIGHT BE SHORTAGE OF LABOUR IN CERTAIN INDUSTRIES, AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CAREFULLY IDENTIFY WHERE THE SHORTAGE WAS, BEFORE SETTING OUT ON A COURSE THAT COULD LEAD TO LABOUR UNREST.
SHE SUGGESTED THAT WORKERS SHOULD BE INFORMED WHICH FACTORIES NEEDED THE WORKERS TO HELP JUSTIFY WHETHER THERE ACTUALLY WAS A LABOUR SHORTAGE, OR THIS MOVEMENT WAS INTENDED TO REDUCE WAGES.
MRS TU SAID THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ALSO MONITOR THE SITUATION AND PASS LEGISLATION TO CONTROL MALPRACTICE SHOULD SUCH NEED ARISE.
"WE SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT THE STABLE DOORS ARE SHUT BEFORE THE HORSES CAN BOLT, INSTEAD OF FINDING OUT TOO LATE THAT OPEN DOORS HAVE BEEN LEFT FOR DISHONEST PEOPLE.
"THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT ALLOW FREE ENTERPRISE TO CHEAT WORKERS OF THE FRUITS OF THEIR LABOURS OTHERWISE WHAT FREEDOM IS LEFT TO THE WORKERS?" SHE ASKED.
- - 0 - -
/13
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
- 13 -
PRACTICAL STEPS TAKEN TO ASSIST IVORY WORKERS *****
THE ADMINISTRATION HAS TAKEN PRACTICAL STEPS TO ASSIST THOSE FORMERLY EMPLOYED IN THE IVORY CARVING INDUSTRY, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON ANSON CHAN, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THESE INCLUDED HELPING THE DISPLACED IVORY WORKERS TO FIND ALTERNATIVE EMPLOYMENT AND ARRANGING PART-TIME TRAINING COURSES IN BONE AND HORN CARVING IN RESPONSE TO A REQUEST BY THE HONG KONG IVORY MANUFACTURING WORKERS UNION, SHE SAID.
WINDING UP THE SECOND READING DEBATE ON THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, MRS CHAN NOTED THAT ON JUNE 29, MEMBERS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE HAD APPROVED EXPENDITURE OF SOME $5.88 MILLION TO MEET THE COST OF THESE COURSES AND TO PROVIDE FOR A MONTHLY SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCE OF $2,500 TO EACH WORKER PARTICIPATING IN THE RE-TRAINING SCHEME.
ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NOTHING THE GOVERNMENT COULD DO TO ALTER THE CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH HAD LED TO THE NEED TO ENACT THE BILL, THE GOVERNMENT DID SYMPATHISE WITH THOSE WHOSE LIVELIHOOD HAD BEEN ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THE CONVENTION ON THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES) BAN, MRS CHAN SAID.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS IN SPECIFIC RECOGNITION OF THEIR DIFFICULTIES THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD PERSUADED THE UNITED KINGDOM TO ENTER A SIX-MONTH RESERVATION, ON BEHALF OF HONG KONG, TO ENABLE LOCAL TRADERS TO TRY AND DISPOSE OF AS MUCH OF THEIR STOCKS AS POSSIBLE TO COUNTRIES WHO WERE NOT PARTIES TO CITES, OR WHO HAD ALSO ENTERED RESERVATIONS.
NOTING THAT THIS SIX-MONTH PERIOD WOULD EXPIRE ON JULY 17 THIS YEAR, MRS CHAN SAID IT WAS NECESSARY THAT THE REQUISITE LOCAL LEGISLATION BE ENACTED BEFORE THAT DATE IN ORDER TO FULFIL HONG KONG’S INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS.
"THE ADMINISTRATION HAS NOT FELT ABLE TO ACCEDE TO REQUESTS BY THE IVORY WORKSHOP OPERATORS FOR DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THEM IN THE FORM OF CASH COMPENSATION TO COVER LOSSES AND INTEREST-FREE LOANS TO ASSIST THEM IN STARTING UP NEW BUSINESSES.
"AS A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE WE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT PUBLIC FUNDS (WHETHER IN THE FORM OF OUTRIGHT GRANTS OR OF INTEREST-FREE LOANS), SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO INDUSTRIES OR TRADES WHICH ARE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY CHANGES IN ECONOMIC OR COMMERCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL," MRS CHAN SAID.
"EVEN IF WE WERE TO CONSIDER SUCH A COURSE, IN THIS CASE, WE WOULD FACE ENORMOUS PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES IN DECIDING WHO SHOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR SUCH ASSISTANCE AND ON WHAT BASIS," SHE ADDED.
/MRS CHAN .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
- 14 -
MRS CHAN PAID TRIBUTE TO THE HON ANDREW WONG AND HIS COLLEAGUES ON THE AD HOC GROUP ON IVORY, FOR THE VERY CAREFUL CONSIDERATION THEY HAD GIVEN TO THE PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THE DECISION BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO BAN THE COMMERCIAL IMPORT AND EXPORT OF RAW IVORY AND IVORY PRODUCTS.
SHE NOTED THAT THE AD HOC GROUP HAD DEVOTED ITS TIME AND EFFORT TO THIS ISSUE AND HAD PROVIDED A VALUABLE CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATION AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE IVORY TRADE.
"THEY HAVE APPROACHED THEIR TASK IN A CONSTRUCTIVE SPIRIT AND WITH GREAT SENSITIVITY TO OUR INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS," SHE SAID.
----0------
CALL TO GIVE LOANS TO IVORY TRADE
******
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER OFFERING LOAN FACILITIES TO THE IVORY TRADE BY ACCEPTING AS SECURITY IVORY STOCKS HELD BY THEM, THE HON ANDREW WONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR WONG SAID THE REQUEST WAS MADE BY THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP, OF WHICH HE IS THE CONVENER, TO STUDY THE IVORY TRADE IN VIEW OF THE LARGE SIZE OF THE STOCK HELD AND THE LIMITED MARKET OPENED TO THE TRADE.
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE OF THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, HE SAID THE AD HOC GROUP WAS AWARE OF THE DIFFICULTIES INVOLVED BUT HOPED THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD GIVE FURTHER CONSIDERATION TO THE PROPOSAL IN HELPING THE TRADERS WHO WOULD FACE THE BAN ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE ON IVORY.
MR WONG SAID ARRANGEMENTS HAD BEEN MADE FOR THE RE-TRAINING OF IVORY WORKERS WHO WOULD ALSO RECEIVE SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCE DURING THE RE-TRAINING PERIOD.
AS FOR IVORY TRADERS AND OPERATORS, THE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED WOULD PROVIDE ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE AS APPROPRIATE, HE ADDED.
MR WONG NOTED THAT CITES, THE ACRONYM OF THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA, HAD DECIDED TO BAN INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN IVORY WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY THIS YEAR AND THE GOVERNMENT HAD SECURED A SIX-MONTH RESERVATION PERIOD FOR THE EXPORT OF EXISTING STOCK OF IVORY.
"HAVING CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE BILL, THE AD HOC GROUP IS IN UNANIMOUS AGREEMENT THAT BEING PART OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, HONG KONG MUST BE SEEN TO BE PLAYING ITS ROLE IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS.
/"BY SEEKING
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
- 15 -
"BY SEEKING A SIX-MONTH RESERVATION TO THE BAN IVORY EXPORTS, HONG KONG
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.
HAS
CITES DECISION
ATTRACTED SEVERE CRITICISM FROM
TO THE
"IT IS, THEREFORE, IN EFFECT STRICT ENFORCEMENT RESERVATION PERIOD ON JULY 1
THE WIDER INTERESTS OF OF THE BAN AFTER THE 7, 1990," MR WONG SAID.
HONG EXPIRY
KONG TO OF THE
----0------
FULL PUBLICITY PROGRAMME ON GAS SAFETY BILL’S PROVISIONS
****»»»
THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON ANSON CHAN, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SHE FULLY AGREED WITH A LEGCO AD HOC GROUP THAT THERE SHOULD BE A FULL PROGRAMME OF PUBLICITY FOR THE PROVISIONS OF THE GAS SAFETY BILL 1990 AND THE SIX SETS OF REGULATIONS WHICH WOULD EMBODY THE DETAILED AND TECHNICAL MEASURES OF THE LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE.
"THIS PROGRAMME WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN CONSULTATION WITH THE GAS INDUSTRY AND THE GAS SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE AS THE PROVISIONS OF THE LEGISLATION COME INTO EFFECT," MRS CHAN SAID IN WINDING UP THE SECOND READING DEBATE ON THE BILL.
SHE THANKED PROF THE HON C.K. POON AND HIS COLLEAGUES ON THE AD HOC GROUP FOR THEIR DETAILED EXAMINATION OF THE BILL, WHICH HAD RESULTED IN THE SUGGESTION OF A NUMBER OF SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS TO BOTH THE ENGLISH AND CHINESE VERSIONS.
ALL THE AMENDMENTS WHICH WOULD BE MOVED DURING THE COMMITTEE STAGE BY PROF POON, THE HON CHENG HON-KWAN AND THE HON MIRIAM LAU HAD THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATION, SHE ADDED.
"SPECIFICALLY, THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO CLAUSE 12, WHICH WOULD EXPLICITLY LIMIT TO EMERGENCY SITUATIONS ONLY GAS SAFETY INSPECTORS’ POWER OF ENTRY TO DOMESTIC PREMISES WITHOUT A WARRANT DOES, I BELIEVE, REFLECT A PROPER CONCERN FOR THE PROTECTION OF PRIVACY.
"SECONDLY, THE AD HOC GROUP’S PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO CLAUSE 18 WHICH WOULD EXCLUDE OFFICERS FROM THE SAME DEPARTMENT AS THE GAS AUTHORITY FROM BEING APPOINTED TO AN APPEAL BOARD WOULD, I BELIEVE, GIVE APPELLANTS A WELCOME ADDITIONAL ASSURANCE OF THE IMPARTIALITY OF APPEAL BOARDS," MRS CHAN SAID.
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/16 .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
- 16 -
GAS BILL AIMS TO ENSURE SAFETY
THE OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF THE GAS SAFETY BILL 1990 IS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF GAS CUSTOMERS, THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND ALL PERSONS EMPLOYED IN THE GAS INDUSTRY AGAINST RISKS IN RELATIONS TO FUEL GASES, PROFESSOR THE HON POON CHUNG-KWONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL, PROF POON SAID THE BILL WOULD PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK FOR COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY LEGISLATION WITH RESPECT TO FUEL GASES.
HE NOTED THAT THE ONLY FUEL GAS RELATED ACTIVITIES COVERED BY LEGISLATION AT PRESENT WERE THE STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION OF LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS, UNDER THE DANGEROUS GOODS ORDINANCE, AND THE STORAGE OF TOWN GAS IN GAS HOLDERS, UNDER THE GASHOLDERS EXAMINATION ORDINANCE.
• : • t * ■'
ALL OTHER ASPECTS OF FUEL GAS SUPPLY, MANUFACTURE AND USE WERE OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF EXISTING LEGISLATION, HE ADDED.
AS CONVENER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AD HOC GROUP THAT STUDIED THE BILL, PROF POON SAID THE AD HOC GROUP MET NINE TIMES AND : PUT FORTH SOME 60 POINTS OF QUERY AND CONCERN ON THE LEGAL PROVISIONS, AS WELL AS ON THE ENGLISH AND CHINESE TEXTS OF THE BILL.
AS A RESULT, ABOUT 30 AMENDMENTS WOULD BE MOVED TO THE DRAFT BILL, HE ADDED.
PROF POON SAID A MAJOR CONCERN OF THE AD HOC GROUP WAS ON THE FORCIBLE ENTRY INTO DOMESTIC PREMISES BY AN AUTHORISED OFFICER AND IT WAS AGREED THAT SUCH ACTION COULD ONLY TAKE PLACE WHERE THERE WAS AN IMMINENT DANGER TO ANY PERSON OR PROPERTY.
"THE AD HOC GROUP IS SATISFIED THAT THIS WOULD HELP TO AVOID ANY POSSIBLE ABUSE OF POWERS IN THE FUTURE," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
REVIEW OF EDUCATION ORDINANCE GIVEN PRIORITY
* * » * »
A REVIEW OF THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE IS BEING GIVEN PRIORITY AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY EARLY NEXT YEAR, THE COVENER OF THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP THAT STUDIED THE EDUCATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE HON DAVID CHEUNG, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON IT, MR CHEUNG STRESSED THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO SLIPPAGE IN THE REVIEW.
/MR CHEUNG .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
- 17 -
MR CHEUNG SUMMARISED THE MAJOR AREAS OF THE BILL WHICH THE AD HOC GROUP HAD STUDIED. HE NOTED THAT THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL WAS THE PROPOSAI, TO REPEAL THE SECTION OF THE ORDINANCE WHICH EMPOWERED THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO MAKE REGULATIONS PROHIBITING POLITICAL, SUBVERSIVE OR TENDENTIOUS ACTIVITIES OR PROPAGANDA IN SCHOOLS AND AMONGST TEACHERS AND PUPILS.
INSTEAD, THE ADMINISTRATION PROPOSED THAT THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION COULD EXERCISE CONTROL ON EDUCATIONAL GROUNDS BY ISSUING GUIDELINES TO SCHOOLS RELATING TO POLITICAL ACTIVITIES.
HF SAID WHILST SOME LEGCO MEMBERS WERE IN SUPPORT OF REPEALING THIS SECTION, OTHERS WERE WORRIED THAT THE USE OF ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES WOULD NOT BE A SUFFICIENT SAFEGUARD TO STUDENTS AGAINST INFLUENCES FROM UNDESIRABLE POLITICAL INDOCTRINATION AND BIASED POLITICAL EDUCATION.
MR CHEUNG SAID MEMBERS AGREED, AFTER DISCUSSION WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, THAT THE SECTION BE AMENDED TO EMPOWER THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO MAKE REGULATIONS PROVIDING FOR THE CONTROL OF THE DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION, OR EXPRESSION OF OPINION, OF A CLEARLY BIASED POLITICAL NATURE IN SCHOOLS.
THE BILL ALSO PROPOSED TO AMEND THE ORDINANCE SO THAT WHERE A PARENT HAD NO REASONABLE EXCUSE FOR NOT SENDING HIS CHILD TO SCHOOL, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION MIGHT SERVE AN ATTENDANCE ORDER ON THE PARENT TO REQUIRE THE CHILD TO ATTEND, HE SAID.
IN RESPONSE TO CONCERN AMONG SOME SCHOOLS THAT THEY MIGHT BECOME DUMPING GROUNDS FOR SCHOOL DROP-OUTS, MR CHEUNG SAID THE ADMINISTRATION HAD AGREED THAT AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE SHOULD BE APPOINTED TO ADVISE ON THE GUIDELINES TO BE FOLLOWED IN THE SELECTION OF SCHOOL PLACES FOR CHILDREN WHO MIGHT BECOME THE SUBJECT OF ATTENDANCE ORDERS.
NOTING THAT THERE WAS STILL SOME CONCERN ABOUT THE USE OF ATTENDANCE ORDERS, MR CHEUNG SAID UNLESS THE CONCEPT OF COMPULSORY EDUCATION WERE NOT ACCEPTED, THERE APPEARED TO BE NO VALID GROUNDS FOR NOT TAKING REASONABLE STEPS TO ENSURE THAT A CHILD BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE APPROPRIATE SCHOOLING.
ON THE NEW SECTION WHICH PROVIDED THAT NO PERSON SHOULD, WITHOUT THE PERMISSION IN WRITING OF THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, EXPEL OR SUSPEND A CHILD PLACED IN A SCHOOL UNDER AN ATTENDANCE ORDER, THE GROUP NOTED THAT UNDER THE EXISTING CODES OF AID, SCHOOLS NEEDED TO INFORM THE DIRECTOR ONLY WHEN THE SUSPENSION OF A PUPIL WAS FOR MORE THAN THREE SCHOOL DAYS, MR CHEUNG SAID.
HE SAID THE GROUP CONSIDERED IT INAPPROPRIATE TO REQUIRE A SCHOOL TO SEEK THE DIRECTOR’S PERMISSION BEFORE IT SUSPENDED EVEN FOR ONE DAY, A PUPIL PLACED UNDER AN ATTENDANCE ORDER ON GROUNDS OF UNSATISFACTORY CONDUCT, AS ALL PUPILS IN A SCHOOL SHOULD BE DEALT WITH TN SIMILAR MANNER IN DISCIPLINARY MATTERS.
/TO MEET ......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
- 18 -
TO MEET MEMBERS' POINT, THE ADMINISTRATION HAD AGREED TO DELETE EROM THE NEW SECTION THAT PART WHICH PROHIBITED THE SUSPENSION OF A PUPIL.
INSTEAD, THE ISSUE OF SUSPENSION WOULD BE DEALT WITH ADMINISTRATIVELY BY AMENDING THE CODES OF AID FOR SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DIRECTOR NEEDED ONLY BE INFORMED WHERE A CHILD NAMED IN AN ATTENDANCE ORDER WAS TO BE SUSPENDED FOR UP TO THREE SCHOOL DAYS, MR CHEUNG SAID.
ON THE SUGGESTED MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR CONTRAVENING NEW SUBSECTIONS REGARDING THE ATTENDANCE ORDERS - A’ FINE OF $5,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS - THE GROUP FELT THAT A TWO-YEAR IMPRISONMENT WAS TOO HARSH ON SCHOOLS AND SHOULD BE REDUCED TO THREE MONTHS, MR CHEUNG SAIL), ADDING THAT THIS HAD BEEN ENDORSED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
-----0------
EDUCATION BILL MAY AGGRAVATE DELINQUENCY
*****
A PROPOSED AMENDMENT IN THE EDUCATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 MAY AGGRAVATE JUVENILE DELINQUENCY IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS, THE HON ELSIE TU SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE SECOND READING DEBATE ON THE BILL, MRS TU SAID SHE COULD NOT FULLY SUPPORT THE AMENDMENT TO SECTION 74 OF CLAUSE 6 OF THE BILL, WHICH SOUGHT TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF DELINQUENCY BY PUTTING RESPONSIBILITY UPON PARENTS, TEACHERS AND SCHOOL MANAGEMENTS.
SHE SAID IN HER ESTIMATION, THE AMENDMENT WAS IN BREACH OF THE INTERNATONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS WHICH THE GOVERNMENT CLAIMED TO SUPPORT.
NOTING THAT THE COVENANT RECOMMENDED FREE EDUCATION BUT DID NOT MENTION THAT IT SHOULD BE COMPULSORY, MRS TU SAID THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WOULD REMOVE FURTHER THE RIGHT OF A CHILD AND HIS PARENTS TO REJECT A FORM OF EDUCATION WHICH WAS NOT ONLY UNSUITABLE FOR THE CHILD BUT WAS ACTUALLY HARMFUL TO HIMSELF, HIS PARENTS AND HIS SCHOOL.
MRS TU SAID THAT AT THE END OF FORM ONE, THE SIGNALS WERE CLEAR WHETHER THE TYPE OF EDUCATION A CHILD WAS RECEIVING WAS SUITABLE FOR HIS NATURE OR HIS FUTURE.
"THE CHILD AT THIS POINT NEEDS TO BE GIVEN A CHOICE, TO TAKE UP APPRENTICESHIP OR TO ENTER A PRE-VOCATIONAL COURSE.
”IF HE HAS SERIOUS BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS HE SHOULD ENTER A REFORMATORY SCHOOL WHICH PROVIDES PSYCHOTHERAPY TO DISCOVER THE CAUSE OF DELINQUENCY AND GIVE APPROPRIATE TREATMENT,” SHE ADDED.
MRS TU SAID THE SECTION OF THE AMENDMENT COULD PREVENT THE SCHOOLS FROM RESCUING THEIR PUPILS AND TEACHERS, BY PROHIBITING EXPULSION AND LIMITING SUSPENSION OF THOSE WITH SERIOUS BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS.
- - 0----------
/19........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
- 19 -
BILL REMOVES REDUNDANT PROVISIONS IN RATING ORDINANCE
*****
THE RATING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, WHICH SEEKS TO AMEND THE RATING ORDINANCE TO DELETE A NUMBER OF PROVISIONS WHICH ARE NOW REDUNDANT AND TO CLARIFY OTHER PROVISIONS WHICH, IN RECENT YEARS, HAVE GIVEN RISE TO CERTAIN ADMINISTRATIVE DIFFICULTIES, WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID ONE OF THE REDUNDANT PROVISIONS CONCERNED SPECIFIED RATING AREAS.
’’LIABILITY FOR RATES WAS INTRODUCED IN HONG KONG ON A GRADUAL BASIS, AND THERE ARE NOW 47 SPECIFIED RATING AREAS, EACH REQUIRING THE PUBLICATION OF A SEPARATE VALUATION LIST IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 11(1) OF THE ORDINANCE.
"SINCE APRIL 1, 1988, THE RATING ORDINANCE HAS BEEN APPLICABLE THROUGHOUT HONG KONG AND CONSEQUENTLY, ALL RATEABLE TENEMENTS ARE NOW SITUATED IN EITHER THE URBAN COUNCIL AREA OR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA.
"THE BILL THEREFORE PROPOSES TO DELETE ALL REFERENCES TO SPECIFIED AREAS IN THE RATING ORDINANCE AND REPLACE THEM, WHERE APPROPRIATE, WITH REFERENCES TO THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCIL AREAS," SIR PIERS SAID.
HE SAID THE PROVISION CONCERNING NOTICES OF NEW RATEABLE VALUES GAVE RISE TO SOME ADMINISTRATIVE DIFFICULTIES.
"FOLLOWING A GENERAL REVALUATION EXERCISE, THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION IS REQUIRED TO SERVE UPON THE OWNER OR OCCUPIER OF A TENEMENT A NOTICE OF A NEW RATEABLE VALUE," HE SAID.
THIS HAD TO BE DONE NOT LATER THAN THE FIRST DAY OF MARCH OF THE YEAR IN WHICH THE REVALUATION WAS TO TAKE EFFECT.
THE TIMING OF THAT REQUIREMENT PRESENTED A PROBLEM IN THAT STRICT ADHERENCE TO THE DEADLINE DICTATED THAT DECISIONS CONCERNING RATES PERCENTAGE CHARGES AND ANY RATES RELIEF SCHEME WOULD HAVE TO BE TAKEN IN ADVANCE OF THE BUDGET, SIR PIERS SAID.
"FURTHERMORE, THE NECESSITY TO SERVE NOTICES OF NEW RATEABLE VALUE IS CONSIDERED TO BE OF SECONDARY IMPORTANCE IN RELATION TO THE PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVE OF A GENERAL REVALUATION EXERCISE, WHICH IS TO PRODUCE A NEW VALUATION LIST.
"THE BILL THEREFORE SEEKS TO REMOVE THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENT TO SERVE NOTICES OF NEW RATEABLE VALUE.
"THAT REQUIREMENT WILL BE REPLACED BY AN ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENT WHEREBY DETAILS OF THE NEW RATEABLE VALUE WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE SECOND QUARTER RATES DEMAND SENT TO RATEPAYERS IN MARCH OR APRIL OF THE YEAR IN WHICH THE VALUATION LIST TAKES EFFECT," HE SAID.
/SIR PIERS .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
- 20 -
SIR PIERS EMPHASISED THAT RATEPAYERS WOULD NOT BE DISADVANTAGED BY THAT PROPOSAL BECAUSE THEIR RIGHT TO OBJECT TO A NEW RATEABLE VALUE WOULD NOT BE DIMINISHED IN ANY WAY.
"IN ADDITION, THE BILL SEEKS TO INTRODUCE A FEW MINOR AMENDMENTS TO CLARIFY CERTAIN AMBIGUOUS PROVISIONS, TO REMOVE CERTAIN OUTDATED PROVISIONS AND TO ASSIST IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE," HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
--------0-----------
SURPLUS FOR 1989-90 FINALISED AT $11,063 MILLION ******
THE FINAL GOVERNMENT CONSOLIDATED CASH SURPLUS FOR THE 1989-90 FINANCIAL YEAR IS $11,063 MILLION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS WAS A HELPFUL INCREASE OVER THE REVISED SURPLUS OF $9.3 BILLION FORECAST IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH, SIR PIERS SAID IN MOVING THE SECOND READING ON THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1989-90) BILL 1990.
THE ACCOUNTS FOR 1989-90 HAD BEEN FINALISED BY THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES, HE SAID.
ON THE GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT, ACTUAL REVENUE AMOUNTED TO $74,365 MILLION AND TOTAL EXPENDITURE AMOUNTED TO $69,662 MILLION INCLUDING TRANSFERS TO FUNDS OF $17,700 MILLION.
THE FINAL SURPLUS ON GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT AFTER TRANSFERS TO FUNDS WAS THUS $4,703 MILLION. IF THE FUND ACCOUNTS WERE INCLUDED, ACTUAL TOTAL REVENUE AMOUNTED TO $82,429 MILLION AND TOTAL EXPENDITURE AMOUNTED TO $71,366 MILLION.
SIR PIERS SAID THE EXPENDITURE CHARGED TO 55 HEADS WAS IN EXCESS OF THE SUM APPROPRIATED FOR THOSE HEADS BY THE APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE 1989. THIS WAS BECAUSE SUFFICIENT OFFSETTING SAVINGS COULD NOT BE FOUND WITHIN THE HEADS CONCERNED.
"IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 9 OF THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE, THIS EXCESS HAS BEEN INCLUDED IN THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1989-90) BILL 1990 NOW BEFORE MEMBERS.
"THE BILL SEEKS TO GIVE FINAL LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY FOR THE AMOUNT OF SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION APPROVED IN RESPECT OF PARTICULAR HEADS OF EXPENDITURE BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OR UNDER POWERS DELEGATED BY IT," HE SAID.
THE TOTAL NET SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION REQUIRED IN RESPECT OF THE 55 HEADS OF EXPENDITURE WAS $3,749.4 MILLION.
/THIS EXCESS .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
- 21 -
THIS EXCESS WAS LARGELY ACCOUNTED FOR BY THE 1989 PAY ADJUSTMENT AND THE DIRECTORATE SALARY STRUCTURE REVIEW IN RESPECT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE ($1,729.4 MILLION) AND GOVERNMENT SUBVERTED ORGANISATIONS ($939.5 MILLION).
OTHER MAJOR CONTRIBUTING FACTORS INCLUDED THE ADVANCE PAYMENT OF WATER CHARGES ($474.0 MILLION) AND ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE ON PENSION AND GRATUITY PAYMENTS ARISING FROM PENSION AND SALARY INCREASES ($324.1 MILLION).
SIR PIERS SAID THE COST OF THE 1989 PAY ADJUSTMENT AND PENSION INCREASE HAD BEEN ANTICIPATED IN THE 1989-90 ESTIMATES UNDER THE "ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS" SUBHEAD.
"SAVINGS WERE ALSO MADE IN OTHER SUBHEADS THROUGH CONTINUED TIGHT CONTROL OVER PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE CONTROLLING OFFICERS AND OTHERS WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO RESTRAINT.
"BECAUSE OF THESE SAVINGS AND THE PROVISION MADE FOR ADDITT 'NAL COMMITMENTS, TOTAL EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR IS WITHIN THE SUM APPROPRIATED IN THE APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE 1989," HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-----0-----
BILL PROVIDES FOR SETTING UP OF HK SHIPPING REGISTER
******
THE ADMINISTRATION HOPES THAT, FOLLOWING THE ENACTMENT OF THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (REGISTRATION) BILL 1990 BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER WILL BE ABLE TO COME INTO OPERATION BY THE END OF 1990, 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 SETTING UP OF AN INDEPENDENT HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER WOULD GREATLY ENHANCE HONG KONG’S STATUS AS A LEADING CENTRE OF SHIPPING AND MARITIME COMMERCE.
"IT WILL ALSO MARK AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN EXPLAINED THAT THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS UNDER WHICH HONG KONG REGISTERED SHIPS FORMED PART OF THE UNITED KINGDOM REGISTER COULD NOT CONTINUE BEYOND 1997.
SHE NOTED THAT A PROVISION IN THE JOINT DECLARATION STIPULATED THAT "THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION SHALL BE AUTHORISED BY THE CENTRAL PEOPLE’S GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN A SHIPPING REGISTER AND ISSUE RELATED CERTIFICATES UNDER ITS OWN LEGISLATION IN THE NAME OF ’HONG KONG, CHINA’".
/"IN ORDER .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
- 22 -
"IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THIS PROVISION AND TO ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION OF THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE NEW HONG KONG REGISTER, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT IT BE ESTABLISHED WELL BEFORE 1997," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN SAID THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (REGISTRATION) BILL 1990 CONTAINED DETAILED PROVISIONS COVERING THE SETTING UP OF THE NEW REGISTER OF HONG KONG AND ITS ADMINISTRATION; THE REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES PERTAINING TO REGISTRATION, CLOSURE OF REGISTRATION AND PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION; THE TRANSFER AND TRANSMISSION OF PROPERTY IN REGISTERED SHIPS; THE REGISTRATION OF SHIP MORTGAGES; THE REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER OF GOVERNMENT SHIPS; SPECIFICATIONS ON THE FLYING OF THE PROPER COLOURS; AND THE ARRANGEMENTS TO BE APPLIED DURING THE PERIOD OF TRANSITION FROM THE OLD TO THE NEW REGISTER.
THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS OF PLANNING FOR THE NEW REGISTER, THE GOVERNMENT HAD CONSIDERED IT ESSENTIAL THAT ITS PROVISIONS SHOULD REFLECT HONG KONG’S OBLIGATIONS AS AN ASSOCIATE MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANISATION, PARTICULARLY AS THESE RELATED TO SAFETY.AT SEA AND THE WELFARE OF SEAMEN, MRS CHAN SAID.
"WE HAVE ALSO CONSIDERED IT MOST IMPORTANT TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE NEEDS OF THOSE WHO WILL SEEK TO USE THE REGISTER IN FUTURE, AS WELL AS THE NEEDS OF THE ORGANISATIONS CONCERNED WITH THE WELFARE, CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AND TRAINING OF SHIPS' CREWS," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN SAID A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT WAS PUBLISHED IN 1985 SETTING OUT THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES ON WHICH THE INDEPENDENT HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER SHOULD OPERATE, AND THE HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER PLAN WAS PREPARED AND PUBLISHED IN OCTOBER 1986 IN THE LIGHT OF THE RESPONSE TO THIS DOCUMENT.
THE PLAN CALLED FOR THE SETTING UP OF A STEERING GROUP TO WORK OUT DETAILED RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER.
THE STEERING GROUP, WHICH WAS DULY CONVENED IN FEBRUARY 1987, COMPRISED VIRTUALLY ALL PARTIES WITH AN INTEREST IN THE FUTURE REGISTER, NOTABLY SHIPOWNERS, BANKERS, MARITIME LAW EXPERTS, SEAMEN'S UNIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
IN EXPRESSING APPRECIATION FOR THE TIME AND EFFORT CONTRIBUTED BY MEMBERS OF THE STEERING GROUP AND ITS VARIOUS SB-COMMITTEES, MRS CHAN SAID THEIR ADVICE HAD PROVED INVALUABLE, AND VIRTUALLY ALL OF ITS RECOMMENDATIONS HAD BEEN ADOPTED IN THE DRAFTING OF THE BILL.
MRS CHAN EMPHASISED THAT THE HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER WOULD IN NO SENSE BE A "FLAG OF CONVENIENCE".
SHE NOTED THAT SHIPOWNERS SEEKING REGISTRATION WOULD NEED TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THEY HAD, OR WERE PREPARED TO ESTABLISH, GENUINE LINKS WITH HONG KONG.
"IN PRACTICE THIS MEANS EITHER THAT A MAJORITY OF THE INTEREST IN THE SHIP MUST BE OWNED BY ONE OR MORE 'QUALIFIED PERSONS'; OR THAT THE SHIP IS OPERATED UNDER DEMISE CHARTER BY A BODY CORPORATE BEING A 'QUALIFIED PERSON’.
/"QUALIFIED PERSONS .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
- 23 -
"’QUALIFIED PERSONS’, AS DEFINED IN THE BILL, ARE EITHER HOLDERS OF VALID IDENTITY CARDS WHO ARE ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG, COMPANIES INCORPORATED IN HONG KONG, OR OVERSEAS COMPANIES REGISTERED IN HONG KONG UNDER PART XI OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE," SHE SAID.
SHE ADDED THAT THE OWNER MUST ALSO ARRANGE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A "REPRESENTATIVE PERSON" TO REPRESENT THE SHIP’S OWNERS IN RESPECT OF ALL MATTERS CONCERNING THE SHIP’S OPERATION UNDER THE TERMS OF THE REGISTER.
THIS PERSON MUST EITHER BE A QUALIFIED OWNER OR PART OWNER OF THE SHIP, OR A HONG KONG COMPANY WHICH WAS IN THE BUSINESS OF MANAGING OR ACTING AS AN AGENT FOR SHIPS, SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT THE TERMS OF THE HONG KONG REGISTER WOULD BE MORE FLEXIBLE, IN MANY ASPECTS, THAN THOSE NOW APPLICABLE UNDER THE UNITED KINGDOM REGISTER.
UNLIKE THE UK REGISTER WHICH RESTRICTED THE NUMBER OF PAST OWNERS OF A SHIP THAT COULD BE REGISTERED, THE CURRENT BILL PROVIDED FOR THE PROPERTY IN A SHIP TO BE DIVIDED INTO ANY NUMBER OF SHARES OR PARTS HAVING ANY NUMBER OF OWNERS FOR THE PURPOSE OF REGISTRATION, SHE SAID.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDED FOR A SYSTEM OF PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION WHICH WOULD ENABLE OWNERS TO REGISTER THEIR SHIPS INITIALLY FOR A PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS, WITHIN WHICH TIME IT WOULD BE NECESSARY FOR THE OWNER TO COMPLETE THE VARIOUS SURVEY REQUIREMENTS, SHE ADDED.
MRS CHAN NOTED THAT SUCH ARRANGEMENT WOULD ALLOW OWNERS THE FLEXIBILITY TO REGISTER THEIR SHIPS INITIALLY, EVEN WHILE IN PORTS REMOTE FROM HONG KONG, PROVIDING THEY COULD ENSURE THAT THE NECESSARY SURVEYS WERE CARRIED OUT WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME LIMIT.
TO FACILITATE THE PROCESS OF TRANSITION TO THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS, MRS CHAN SAID THE BILL PROVIDED THAT SHIPS NOW REGISTERED ON THE CURRENT REGISTER WOULD BE DEEMED TO BE REGISTERED UNDER THE NEW HONG KONG REGISTER.
SHIPS FOR WHICH AN APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION IN HONG KONG WAS PENDING AT THE TIME THE HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER CAME INTO OPERATION WOULD BE REGISTERED UNDER THE NEW HONG KONG REGISTER, PROVIDING THEY COMPLIED FULLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE FORMER REGISTER, SHE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
--------0-----------
/24........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
- 24 -
TWO AMENDMENT BILLS INTRODUCED TO REMOVE LOOPHOLES * * * * *
TWO AMENDMENT BILLS WHICH CONTAIN A MISCELLANY OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS AIMED AT REMOVING THE LOOPHOLES AND ANOMALIES CURRENTLY EXISTING IN THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) ORDINANCE AND THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL ORDINANCE WERE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) AMENDMENT BILL 1990, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE HON ANSON CHAN, SAID THE MORE IMPORTANT AMENDMENTS RELATED TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE APPLICATION OF THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS AT SEA 1972.
THESE INCLUDED EXTENDING THE APPLICATION OF THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) (DISTRESS SIGNALS AND PREVENTION OF COLLISIONS) REGULATIONS TO JUNKS AND TRAWLERS, AND TO LICENSED VESSELS WHILST OUTSIDE THE WATERS OF HONG KONG, AND INCREASING THE MAXIMUM PENALTIES FOR CONTRAVENTIONS OF THE REGULATIONS.
"ANOTHER PROPOSAL IS TO ALLOW MORE FLEXIBILITY IN ADOPTING TECHNICAL STANDARDS UNDER THE SCHEDULES OF THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) REGULATIONS BY ALLOWING THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE TO PRESCRIBE SUCH STANDARDS," MRS CHAN SAID.
MRS CHAN EXPLAINED THAT THE POWERS TO PRESCRIBE TECHNICAL STANDARDS WERE CURRENTLY VESTED IN THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.
"IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL MAY, IF HE THINKS FIT, DELEGATE SUCH POWERS TO THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE WHEN HE CONSIDERS THE ADOPTION OF FUTURE MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) REGULATIONS," SHE SAID.
TO STREAMLINE OPERATIONS, MRS CHAN SAID IT WAS ALSO PROPOSED THAT THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, RATHER THAN THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, SHOULD BE GIVEN POWERS TO GRANT EXEMPTIONS FROM THE PROVISIONS OF THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) ORDINANCE AND ITS REGULATIONS.
"THESE EXEMPTIONS WILL CONTINUE TO BE GRANTED ON CONDITION THAT THE SAFETY OF THE SHIPS CONCERNED AND THE WELFARE OF THE CREW ON BOARD ARE NOT COMPROMISED," SHE SAID.
ON ANOTHER FRONT, MRS CHAN NOTED THAT EXPERIENCE SHOWED THAT THE SUBMISSION OF EVIDENCE FROM OVERSEAS MARITIME AUTHORITIES FREQUENTLY TOOK LONGER THAN THE CURRENT SIX-MONTH PERIOD WITHIN WHICH CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS MIGHT BE BROUGHT.
"THE ADMINISTRATION HAS THEREFORE PROPOSED THAT THE TIME LIMIT FOR THE INITIATION OF CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS FOR OFFENCES AGAINST THE TWO ORDINANCES SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO TWO YEARS FOR OFFENCES COMMITTED OUTSIDE HONG KONG," SHE SAID.
/OTHER MINOR.........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
- 25 -
OTHER MINOR AMENDMENTS INCLUDED PROPOSALS AIMED AT HARMONISING THE LEVELS OF MAXIMUM PENALTIES UNDER DIFFERENT REGULATIONS, AND EMPOWERING THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE TO AUTHORISE CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES TO ISSUE LOAD LINE CERTIFICATES.
MRS CHAN EXPLAINED THAT LOAD LINES, WHICH WERE PAINTED ON SHIPS’ SIDES, SPECIFIED THE LIMIT TO WHICH A SHIP MIGHT BE IMMERSED WHEN FULLY LADEN AND LOAD LINE CERTIFICATES WERE ISSUED BY MARITIME ADMINISTRATIONS, OR CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES ON THEIR BEHALF, IN ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL SAFETY CONVENTIONS.
"THE PRESENT PROPOSAL IS TO EMPOWER THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE TO DELEGATE THE AUTHORITY TO ISSUE THE CERTIFICATES TO SOME OF THESE SOCIETIES.
"THIS WILL GIVE SHIPOWNERS ADDITIONAL FLEXIBILITY IN FULFILLING THE REQUIREMENT TO REGISTER THEIR SHIPS IN HONG KONG THROUGH THE SOCIETIES’ GLOBAL NETWORK OF SURVEY OFFICES," SHE SAID.
WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT HER COMMENTS ON THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 ALSO APPLIED TO THIS BILL.
MRS CHAN SAID THE TWO AMENDMENT BILLS WERE TECHNICAL IN NATURE AND DID NOT INVOLVE ANY CHANGE IN CURRENT POLICIES.
DEBATES ON THE TWO BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
--------------------------0-------- MOTIONS TO IMPLEMENT BUDGET REVENUE PROPOSALS PASSED ******
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED THREE MOTIONS MOVED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, TO IMPLEMENT REVENUE PROPOSALS IN THE 1990 BUDGET.
THEY CONCERN INCREASES IN DUTIES PAYABLE AND RATES CHARGEABLE UNDER THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE, THE RATING ORDINANCE AND THE BETTING DUTY ORDINANCE.
IN MOVING THE FIRST MOTION UNDER THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE, SIR PIERS SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE MOTION WAS TO INCREASE THE DUTY PAYABLE UNDER THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE ON HYDROCARBON OILS BY ABOUT 30 PER CENT, THE SPECIFIC DUTY RATE ON INTOXICATING LIQUOR AND ALCOHOL BY 10 PER CENT, AND AD VALOREM RATE ON CHAMPAGNE AND SPARKLING WINES FROM 20 PER CENT TO 35 PER CENT, AND THE AD VALOREM RATE ON BRANDY, LIQUEURS, WHISKY, GIN, RUM VODKA AND OTHER SPIRITUOUS LIQUORS FROM 30 PER CENT TO 35 PER CENT.
/"IN ADDITION .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
- 26 -
"IN ADDITION THE MOTION SEEKS TO MERGE THE TWO CATEGORIES OF STILL WINES INTO ONE, AND INCREASES THE DUTY ON TOBACCO BY ABOUT 25 PER CENT.
"THE TOTAL ADDITIONAL REVENUE FROM THESE MEASURES IS ESTIMATED TO BE APPROXIMATELY $1 BILLION PER ANNUM," HE SAID.
UNDER THE MOTION, THE INCREASES ARE EFFECTIVE FROM MARCH 7 THIS YEAR.
ON THE SECOND MOTION UNDER THE RATING ORDINANCE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE MOTION WAS TO INCREASE THE GENERAL RATES CHARGE BY 1.5 PERCENTAGE POINTS.
"THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL RATES PERCENTAGE CHARGES WILL REMAIN UNALTERED BUT THE OVERALL RATES CHARGE WILL NOW BE 7.5 PER CENT," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE PROPOSAL WOULD HELP TO REDRESS THE DECLINE IN RATES REVENUE EXPRESSED AS A PROPORTION OF RENTAL VALUES IN RECENT YEARS. THE ADDITIONAL YIELD TO GENERAL REVENUE IN 1990-91 WAS ESTIMATED TO BE APPROXIMATELY $1.3 BILLION.
UNDER THE MOTION, THE INCREASE IS EFFECTIVE FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
IN MOVING THE THIRD MOTION UNDER THE BETTING DUTY ORDINANCE, SIR PIERS SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE MOTION WAS TO INCREASE THE RATES CHARGEABLE ON BOTH STANDARD AND EXOTIC BETS BY ONE PERCENTAGE POINT TO 10.5 PER CENT AND 17 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY WITH EFFECT FROM SEPTEMBER 1 THIS YEAR.
"THE INCREASE IN DUTY WILL BE BORNE ENTIRELY BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB THROUGH A REDUCTION IN THE CLUB’S COMMISSION.
"ADDITIONAL REVENUE IS ESTIMATED TO BE $340 MILLION IN THE YEAR 1990-1991," HE SAID.
ALL THREE MOTIONS INVOLVED NO STAFFING IMPLICATIONS, HE ADDED.
------0--------
SUMMARY OF CHANGES TO APPROVED ESTIMATES * ♦ » » *
A SUMMARY OF ALL CHANGES MADE TO THE APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE FINAL QUARTER OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1989-90 WAS TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS.
SIR PIERS SAID SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION OF $3,876.9 MILLION WAS APPROVED.
/"THIS INCLUDED .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
- 27 -
"THIS INCLUDED $2,668.9 MILLION FOR THE 1989 PAY ADJUSTMENT AND THE DIRECTORATE SALARY STRUCTURE REVIEW IN RESPECT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE AND GOVERNMENT SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS.
"OF THE AMOUNT OF $3,876.9 MILLION, $3,037.5 MILLION WAS OFFSET BY SAVINGS UNDER THE SAME OR OTHER HEADS OF EXPENDITURE OR BY THE DELETION OF FUNDS UNDER THE ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS SUBHEADS.
"THE REMAINING $839.4 MILLION WAS NET SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION," HE SAID.
APPROVED NON-RECURRENT COMMITMENTS WERE INCREASED BY $123.1 MILLION DURING THE PERIOD, AND NEW NON-RECURRENT COMMITMENTS OF $68.3 MILLION WERE ALSO APPROVED.
IN THE SAME PERIOD, A NET DECREASE OF 1,478 POSTS WAS APPROVED.
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.
--------0----------
MEDICAL CERTIFICATES REQUIREMENTS FOR *******
IMPORTED WORKERS EXPLAINED *
THERE IS AT PRESENT NO STATUTORY REQUIREMENT FOR IMPORTED WORKERS TO PRODUCE MEDICAL CERTIFICATES BEFORE THEY ARE ALLOWED TO ENTER HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG, MRS WONG SAID THAT AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURE, HOWEVER, MEDICAL CERTIFICATES WERE REQUIRED TO BE PRODUCED BEFORE THE STANDARD CONTRACTS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS WERE ATTESTED OR EMPLOYMENT VISAS WERE ISSUED TO WORKERS IMPORTED UNDER THE 1989 SCHEME FOR IMPORTATION OF SKILLED LABOUR.
"T IE REQUIREMENT FOR A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES IS FOR THE PURPOSE OF DETERMINING THE WORKER’S FITNESS FOR 1MPLOYMENT AND TO MEET INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONVENTION STANDARDS.
"IT IS NOT INTENDED AS A PREVENTIVE MEASURE AGAINST THE POSSIBLE SPREAD OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES," MRS WONG EXPLAINED.
MRS WONG SAID THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION HAD ADVISED THAT THE MOST EFFECTIVE MEANS OF PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES WAS THROUGH AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM.
/HONG KONG.......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
- 28 -
”HONG KONG ALREADY HAS SUCH A SYSTEM THROUGH ITS COMPREHENSIVE NETWORK OF OUT-PATIENT CLINICS, ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER MEDICAL FACILITIES.
"THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS SYSTEM HAS BEEN PROVEN BY OUR SUCCESSFUL CONTROL OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES IN THE PAST,” SHE SAID.
AS TO DR LEONG’S QUESTION ABOUT THE COST TO GOVERNMENT IN PROVIDING HEALTH AND HOSPITAL SERVICES TO IMPORTED WORKERS, MRS WONG SAID THERE WAS NO DATA AVAILABLE ON THE UTILISATION OF THESE SERVICES AND THE COST COULD THEREFORE NOT BE CALCULATED.
-----0-----
TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS A HELP TO GOVT’S RESEARCH PROJECTS
*******
THE GOVERNMENT IS ALREADY MAKING USE OF THE GROWING EXPERTISE IN THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS TO HELP IT CARRY OUT CONSULTANCY WORK, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM DR THE HON DANIEL TSE, MR BARNES SAID THE SERVICES AVAILABLE WERE SOMEWHAT LIMITED SO THAT ONLY QUITE SMALL CONSULTANCIES COULD BE HANDLED IN THIS WAY.
MR BARNES SAID ACADEMIC STAFF IN THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS HAD THEIR NORMAL TEACHING AND OTHER DUTIES TO PERFORM SO THAT THEY COULD NOT NORMALLY DEVOTE THEMSELVES FULL TIME TO CONSULTANCY WORK, NOR COULD THEY ACCEPT THE SAME DEGREE OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR WORK AS COMMERCIAL CONSULTANTS DID.
HE ADDED THAT WHERE THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS WERE PARTICULARLY USEFUL IN SCORE WAS IN CARRYING OUT CONTRACT RESEARCH.
"PROJECTS CONNECTED WITH CONSTRUCTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS HAVE BEEN HANDLED IN THIS WAY SINCE 1981 AND SEVERAL ARE AT PRESENT IN HAND," THE SECRETARY SAID.
MR BARNES SAID ANOTHER GOOD WAY IN WHICH EXPERT TALENTS IN OUR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS HAD BEEN EMPLOYED IN GOVERNMENT WORKS HAD BEEN THROUGH THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN CONSULTANCIES LET OUT TO COMMERCIAL CONSULTANTS.
"I THINK THIS IS AN EXCELLENT WAY TO GET THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS INVOLVED AND WE SHOULD ENCOURAGE IT WHENEVER SUCH ARRANGEMENTS ARE PROPOSED," HE SAID.
MR BARNES ADDED THAT THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN VERY MUCH INVOLVED IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A BUILDING SERVICES RESEARCH CENTRE AT THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, AND IT WAS ENVISAGED THAT THIS WOULD PROVIDE CONSULTANCY SERVICES TO THE GOVERNMENT WHEN IT BECAME OPERATIONAL.
--------0-----------
/29........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
- 29 -
ANTI-SMOKING MEASURES DIRECTED AT YOUNG PEOPLE »**«»*
A GOVERNMENT-SUBVENTED STATUTORY BODY, THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH, IS ENGAGED IN EDUCATING THE PUBLIC, ESPECIALLY THE YOUNGER GENERATION, ON THE HEALTH HAZARDS OF SMOKING, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON DAVID CHEUNG, MRS WONG SAID THE COUNCIL’S PUBLICITY AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN THE COMING TWO YEARS WOULD BE DIRECTED SPECIFICALLY TOWARDS THE PROBLEM OF SMOKING AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE.
SHE SAID AS A FIRST STEP, A SURVEY ON SMOKING PREVALENCE AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS SMOKING AMONG JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS HAD RECENTLY BEEN COMPLETED.
"THIS PROVIDES BASIC INFORMATION FOR THE PLANNING OF ACTIVITIES AND ESTABLISHES BASELINE DATA FOR SUBSEQUENT EVALUATION."
IN ADDITION TO A POP CONCERT AND A FAIR STAGED IN STATUE SQUARE ON MAY 27 TO MARK THE BEGINNING OF A YOUTH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME, OTHER ACTIVITIES WOULD BE ORGANISED TO INCREASE THE AWARENESS AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE OF THE ADVERSE HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF SMOKING, TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO TAKE ACTION TO HELP CREATE A "SMOKE-FREE" ENVIRONMENT AND TO HELP YOUNG SMOKERS TO BREAK THE HABIT, SHE SAID.
MRS WONG SAID AN ANTI-SMOKING YOUTH PROJECT WOULD BE LAUNCHED LATER THIS YEAR TO SUPPLEMENT THE COUNCIL’S EFFORT.
"THIS CAMPAIGN IS FUNDED BY A $2 MILLION GRANT FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND ADMINISTERED BY THE COUNCIL, WITH THE SUPPORT OF A PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRM.
"OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS VARIOUS MESSAGES ON SMOKING WILL APPEAR IN THE MASS MEDIA, AND YOUNG PEOPLE WILL BE INVOLVED IN VARIOUS CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES."
MRS WONG ADDED THAT SEVERAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS SUPPORTED THE COUNCIL’S ANTI-SMOKING ACTIVITIES.
THE CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAD INCLUDED THE HEALTH HAZARDS OF SMOKING AS ONE OF THE THEMES IN THE YOUNG HEALTH LEADERS TRAINING COURSE WHICH IT ORGANISED FOR FORM THREE AND FIVE STUDENTS, SHE NOTED.
--------0-----------
/30 .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4
1990
- 30 -
GOVT’S POLICY TO MAINTAIN PURCHASING POWER OF PENSIONS
******
IT HAS BEEN THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO MAINTAIN THE PURCHASING POWER OF CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS AGAINST PRICE INFLATION AND THIS IS IMPLEMENTED THROUGH ANNUAL PENSION ADJUSTMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE UPWARD MOVEMENTS OF CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A).
THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, IN HIS CAPACITY AS CHIEF SECRETARY, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON JAMES MCGREGOR.
’’THERE HAS THEREFORE BEEN NO INCREASE IN THE LEVEL OF CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS IN REAL TERMS NOR IS IT THE POLICY TO DO SO,” HE SAID.
CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS HAVE BEEN INCREASED AT THE FOLLOWING RATE IN THE PAST 10 YEARS:
YEAR.
PENSION INCREASE AWARDED
1981 14 PER CENT
1982 12 PER CENT
1983 9 PER CENT
1984 11 PER CENT
1985 6 PER CENT
1986 3 PER CENT
1987 3 PER CENT
1988 6 PER CENT
1989 9 PER CENT
1990 10 PER CENT
CUMULATIVE TOTAL 120.8 PER CENT
SIR DAVID ADDED THAT PENSION INCREASES ALSO COVERED WIDOWS’ PENSIONS PAYABLE UNDER THE WIDOWS AND ORPHANS PENSION SCHEME AND THE WIDOWS’ AND CHILDREN’S PENSIONS SCHEME.
-----0-----
ACTION TO ENSURE ROADS AND PAVEMENTS ARE KEPT FREE
******
THE RELEVANT AUTHORITIES WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE ENFORCEMENT ACTION WHENEVER MANPOWER RESOURCES PERMIT, TO ENSURE THAT CARRIAGEWAYS AND PAVEMENTS ARE KEPT FREE FOR THEIR INTENDED PURPOSES, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON LEUNG WAI-TUNG, MR LEUNG SAID CARRIAGEWAYS AND PAVEMENTS WERE FACILITIES BUILT FOR PUBLIC ACCESS, AND AS A GENERAL RULE THE NON-TRANSPORT USE OF SUCH CARRIAGEWAYS AND PAVEMENTS WAS TO BE DISCOURAGED.
/THE COMMON........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
- 31 -
THE COMMON FORMS OF MISUSE OF ROAD SPACE INCLUDED HAWKING ACTIVITIES BASED ON LORRIES AND VANS PARKED ON STREET, AND THE LONG-TIME OCCUPATION OF PARKING SPACES FOR STORAGE OR CAR REPAIRING PURPOSES.
HE SAID UNLICENSED HAWKING ACTIVITIES, WHETHER OR NOT CONDUCTED FROM A VEHICLE, WERE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE.
THE ROAD TRAFFIC (PARKING) REGULATIONS PROVIDED FOR A MAXIMUM PERIOD OF PARKING OF NO MORE THAN 24 HOURS. IT WAS ALSO AN OFFENCE TO REPAIR A VEHICLE ON A ROAD OTHER THAN IN AN EMERGENCY.
MR LEUNG ADDED THAT UNDER EXISTING LEGISLATION, THE PERMITTED USES OF CARRIAGEWAYS AND PAVEMENTS WERE NORMALLY SHOWN BY APPROPRIATE SIGNS.
CONTRAVENING THE PRESCRIBED USE, SUCH AS ILLEGAL PARKING ON PAVEMENTS, WOULD BE SUBJECT TO A PENALTY UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE AND REGULATIONS AND THE FIXED PENALTY (TRAFFIC CONTRAVENTIONS) ORDINANCE.
OBSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC PLACES CAUSED BY A VEHICLE OTHER THAN IN CONNECTION WITH LEGAL PARKING WAS SUBJECT TO PROSECUTION UNDER THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE, UNDER WHICH THE POLICE TOOK ENFORCEMENT ACTION, MR LEUNG SAID.
--------0-----------
MOTION ON IMPORTATION OF LABOUR PASSED
******
A MOTION ON THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE MOTION, WHICH WAS MOVED BY THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG, READ: "THAT THIS COUNCIL TAKES NOTE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S RECENT RELAXATION OF THE POLICY ON IMPORTATION OF LABOUR."
TWENTY-ONE MEMBERS SPOKE IN THE DEBATE ON THE MOTION AND THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
THREE MOTIONS MOVED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY UNDER THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE, THE RATING ORDINANCE AND THE BETTING DUTY ORDINANCE WERE ALSO PASSED.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, THREE BILLS WERE PASSED. THEY WERE THE EDUCATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, AND THE GAS SAFETY BILL 1990.
IN ADDITION, FIVE BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. THEY WERE THE RATING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990; THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1989-90) BILL 1990; THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (REGISTRATION) BILL 1990; THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990; AND THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990.
DEBATES ON THESE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
------0--------
/32 .....
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
- 32 -
EXCO APPROVES REVISION OF VEHICLE EXAMINATION FEES »»»**»«
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE REVISION OF VEHICLE EXAMINATION FEES CHARGED AT GOVERNMENT VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRES, WITH THE REVISION TO TAKE EFFECT FROM AUGUST 1.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT, IN DOLLAR TERMS, VEHICLE OWNERS WOULD PAY ONLY $150 TO $260 MORE A YEAR.
THE LAST REVISION OF CHARGES WAS MADE IN 1985.
THE NEW FEES WILL BE REVISED TO $190 FOR A MOTOR CYCLE; $310 FOR A PRIVATE CAR, TAXI OR TRAILER; $370 FOR A LIGHT BUS AND GOODS VEHICLE OR SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLE NOT EXCEEDING 5.5 TONNES PERMITTED GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT; $500 FOR A SINGLE-DECKER BUS AND GOODS VEHICLE OR SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLE EXCEEDING 5.5 TONNES PERMITTED GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT; AND $560 FOR DOUBLE-DECKER BUSES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT VEHICLE EXAMINATION FEES AT GOVERNMENT VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRES HAD BEEN CHARGED AT A LEVEL WELL BELOW THE OPERATING COSTS OF THESE CENTRES.
THEY NEEDED TO BE INCREASED IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE SUBSTANTIAL LOSSES INCURRED IN OPERATING THE CENTRES, HE ADDED.
EVEN WITH THE REVISED CHARGES, THE FEES WOULD NOT COVER THE FULL OPERATING COST OF SERVICES PROVIDED BY GOVERNMENT VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRES, WHICH WOULD STILL OPERATE AT A LOSS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS NECESSARY FOR THE FEES TO BE REVIEWED ANNUALLY WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF GRADUALLY RECOVERING THE FULL COST.
-----0-----
EXPANDING AND OPENING UP MARKETS IMPORTANT
******
IT IS IMPORTANT FOR HONG KONG TO CONTINUE TO EXPAND EXISTING MARKETS, TO OPEN UP NEW MARKETS AND TO UPGRADE THE QUALITY AND DESIGN OF ITS PRODUCTS, THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR T.H. CHAU, SAID THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORNING.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL FASHION JEWELLERY AND ACCESSORIES FAIR 1990 AND THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL STATIONERY AND PREMIUM FAIR 1990, MR CHAU SAID HONG KONG DEPENDED HEAVILY ON EXTERNAL TRADE.
HE SAID HONG KONG’S TOTAL TRADE AMOUNTED TIMES ITS GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AND HONG KONG BECOME THE WORLD’S 11TH LARGEST TRADING ENTITY.
TO NEARLY TWO-AND-HALF HAD IN RECENT YEARS
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
- 33 -
HE SAID IF THE EEC COUNTRIES WERE COUNTED AS ONE, HONG KONG WAS ACTUALLY THE SIXTH LARGEST TRADING ENTITY IN THE WORLD.
"THE LARGEST TRADING NATION, THE UNITED STATES - WITH A POPULATION 40 TIMES THAT OF HONG KONG - HAS A TOTAL TRADE VALUE ONLY ABOUT SIX TIMES THAT OF HONG KONG.
"OURS IS A TRULY REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT," HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID HONG KONG WAS BOTH A MAJOR MANUFACTURER AND A MAJOR EXPORTER OF JEWELLERY ITEMS.
"WHERE FASHION JEWELLERY IS CONCERNED, WE ARE THE WORLD’S LEADING EXPORTER.
"FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS HONG KONG HAS MAINTAINED THE POSITION AS THE WORLD’S LARGEST EXPORTER OF COSTUME JEWELLERY, WITH AN EXPORT VALUE OF $1.2 BILLION IN 1989," HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID STATIONERY AND PREMIUM ITEMS WERE ALSO PRODUCTS WITH GOOD MARKET POTENTIAL.
HE SAID HONG KONG’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF OFFICE AND STATIONERY SUPPLIES HAD BEEN GROWING STEADILY OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.
"AS REGARDS PREMIUM ITEMS, WE ARE THE WORLD’S SECOND LARGEST EXPORTER OF BOTH WATCHES AND TOYS.
"GIVEN HONG KONG’S SOPHISTICATION IN DESIGN, QUALITY AND MARKETING, I CAN SEE VERY GOOD OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR EXPORTS OF STATIONERY AND PREMIUM ITEMS," HE SAID.
------0-------
STATUTORY COMPOUND INTEREST ON DEBT RECOMMENDED
******
THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION HAS RECOMMENDED THE PROVISION BY LAW OF COMPOUND INTEREST ON DEBTS THAT ARE NOT PAID ON TIME SO THAT CREDITORS DO NOT HAVE TO BEAR THE FINANCIAL BURDEN CAUSED BY LATE PAYERS.
THE RECOMMENDATION IS CONTAINED IN A REPORT ON THE LAW ON INTEREST ON DEBT AND DAMAGES PUBLISHED BY THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE REPORT IS THE RESULT OF FOUR YEARS’ WORK BY THE COMMISSION, AND A SUB-COMMITTEE CHAIRED BY MR GRAHAM CHENG, TO EXAMINE THIS COMPLEX AREA OF THE LAW WHICH DIRECTLY AFFECTS MANY PEOPLE.
EXPLAINING THE COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATION, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMISSION SAID THAT IT OFTEN HAPPENS THAT A DEBT IS PAID LATE, DEPRIVING THE CREDITOR OF THE USE OF THE MONEY UNTIL IT IS PAID. THE CREDITOR THEN HAS TO TAKE THE MATTER TO COURT IN ORDER TO GET A JUDGMENT AGAINST THE DEBTOR FOR THE MONEY OWED.
/UNDER THE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
- 34 -
UNDER THE PRESENT LAW UNLESS THERE IS A PRIOR AGREEMENT THAT INTEREST SHOULD BE PAID THE CREDITOR CAN RECOVER INTEREST ON THE DEBT ONLY IF HE TAKES THE DEBTOR TO COURT.
IF THE DEBTOR PAYS THE DEBT BEFORE HE IS TAKEN TO COURT, THE CREDITOR CANNOT RECOVER ANY INTEREST. THE RESULT IS THAT THE DEBTOR WHO PAYS LATE, EVEN AS LATE AS THE DAY BEFORE HE RECEIVES THE COURT DOCUMENT TELLING HIM HE IS BEING SUED, DOES NOT HAVE TO PAY INTEREST.
THE COMMISSION SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE PRESENT LAW THEREFORE PLACES THE SMALL CREDITOR AT A SERIOUS DISADVANTAGE.
THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION HAS CONCLUDED THAT IT IS UNJUST THAT CREDITORS SHOULD HAVE TO BEAR THE FINANCIAL BURDEN CAUSED BY LATE PAYERS.
IT PROPOSES THAT THE CREDITOR WHO IS NOT PAID ON TIME SHOULD BE ENTITLED, BY LAW, TO COMPOUND INTEREST ON THE MONEY HE IS OWED UNTIL HE IS PAID, UNLESS THERE HAS BEEN A PRIOR AGREEMENT TO THE CONTRARY.
THE STATUTORY INTEREST RATE SHOULD BE THE BEST LENDING RATE PLUS THREE PER CENT PER ANNUM, AND SHOULD BE AWARDED AT INTERVALS OF ONE MONTH.
THE COMMISSION RECOMMENDS THAT DEBTS PAYABLE IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES BUT SUBJECT TO HONG KONG LAW SHOULD ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE SCHEME. THE STATUTORY INTEREST RATE SHOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO THE FOREIGN CURRENCY IN QUESTION.
THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT SHOULD DETERMINE THE APPROPRIATE MARGIN OVER THE RECOGNISED BASE LENDING RATES; AND THE STATUTORY INTEREST SHOULD BE AWARDED AT COMPOUND RATES AND AT INTERVALS OF ONE MONTH.
THE COMMISSION CONSIDERS THAT CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS TO THE STATUTORY INTEREST SCHEME WOULD BE DESIRABLE:
* OVERDUE RENTS SHOULD BE EXCLUDED SINCE THEIR RECOVERY INVOLVES SPECIAL POLICIES PECULIAR TO THE LAW OF LANDLORD AND TENANT.
* THE PROPOSED RIGHT TO STATUTORY INTEREST IS DIFFICULT TO APPLY TO MONEY RECOVERABLE INDEPENDENTLY OF A CONTRACT, OR WHERE THERE IS NO CONTRACT AT ALL. QUASI-CONTRACTUAL
OBLIGATIONS SHOULD THEREFORE BE EXCLUDED BECAUSE THEY ARE DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE AND ARE NOT STRICTLY CONTRACT DEBTS.
* A DEBT PAYABLE UNDER AN OBLIGATION TO INDEMNIFY, AND ALL KINDS OF INDEMNITY INSURANCE SHOULD ALSO BE EXCLUDED FROM THE SCHEME. AN INDEMNIFIER IS NOT IN THE SAME POSITION AS THE ORDINARY DEBTOR SINCE HE IS LIABLE TO PAY WHEN THE CLAIM HAS BEEN PRESENTED AND HE NEEDS TIME TO INVESTIGATE AND VERIFY THE CLAIM. IT WOULD NOT BE FAIR TO REGARD HIM AS WITHHOLDING PAYMENT.
/APART FROM .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
APART FROM INTEREST ON DEBT, THE COMMISSION’S REPORT ALSO DEALS WITH INTEREST ON DAMAGES. THE REPORT CONCLUDES THAT THERE IS NO GENERAL NEED FOR REFORM, BUT PROPOSES SOME MINOR CHANGES TO THE LAW.
THE COMMISSION IS OF THE VIEW THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO GENERAL ENTITLEMENT TO INTEREST ON DAMAGES BUT THAT THE AWARD OF INTEREST ON DAMAGES SHOULD BE LEFT TO THE COURT’S DISCRETION.
IT PROPOSES THAT THE APPROPRIATE RATE OF INTEREST TO COMPENSATE THE PLAINTIFF IN RESPECT OF SPECIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOSS OF EARNINGS AND OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES TO THE DATE OF TRIAL, IN PERSONAL INJURY CASES SHOULD BE HALF OF THE TOTAL OF ADDING THREE PER CENT TO THE BEST LENDING RATE AT THE TIME OF THE AWARD.
IT RECOMMENDS THAT THE RATE OF INTEREST IN RESPECT OF GENERAL DAMAGES TO COMPENSATE THE PLAINTIFF FOR PAIN, SUFFERING AND LOSS OF AMENITIES, WHICH ARE NON-PECUNIARY LOSS, IN PERSONAL INJURY CASES SHOULD BE AWARDED AT THE LOW RATE OF TWO PER CENT FROM THE SERVICE OF THE WRIT TO THE DATE OF TRIAL AS THE AWARD ALREADY TAKES INTO ACCOUNT INFLATION AND THE EXACT JUDGMENT SUM IS UNKNOWN AT THE DATE OF SERVICE OF THE WRIT.
IT ALSO RECOMMENDS THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO DIVISION OF THE AWARD OF PAIN, SUFFERING AND LOSS OF AMENITIES, AND INTEREST SHOULD BE AWARDED ON THE WHOLE AWARD.
----------------0------- SUMMER FUN FOR EASTERN YOUNGSTERS *****
NO FEWER THAN 250 RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES ARE IN STORE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TN THE EASTERN DISTRICT THIS SUMMER.
THE ACTIVITIES, ORGANISED BY 42 LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, HAVE BEEN CO-ORDINATED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT YOUTH RECREATIONAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT A MAIN FEATURE OF THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME WAS TO ENABLE PARTICIPANTS TO EXPERIENCE COMMUNITY SERVICE WORK, WHILE HAVING FUN DURING THE TWO-MONTH HOLIDAY.
A NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN DESIGNED TO ENHANCE THEIR AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, BUILDING FOR A BETTER HONG KONG AND CARING FOR THE ELDERLY.
ALSO, THERE WILL BE A NUMBER OF LEADERSHIP TRAINING COURSES AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES TO HELP THEM DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIALS AND INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS.
/TO MARk .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
- 36 -
TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE PROGRAMME, A THREE-HOUR CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD IN VICTORIA PARK ON SUNDAY'(JULY 8), BEGINNING AT 2 PM.
ADMISSION IS FREE. TICKETS FOR STALL GAMES ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AT 880-886 KING’S ROAD.
ENQUIRIES ON DETAILS OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT SYP CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 561 4649.
-----0------
DB TO DISCUSS UC DISTRICT WORKS PROJECTS
*****
THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE DISTRICT WORKS PROJECTS UNDER THE URBAN COUNCIL’S FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
MEMBERS WILL BE CONSULTED ON THE PRIORITY OF CAPITAL WORKS PROJECTS BEING PLANNED FOR THE DISTRICT.
THEY WILL CONSIDER THE ALLOCATION OF $300,000 FOR INSTALLATION OF CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR LIGHTING, $80,000 FOR CARRYING OUT AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN AND $80,000 FOR HOLDING A CONCERT AT THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE.
IN ADDITION, MEMBERS WILL STUDY PROGRESS REPORTS BY THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND VARIOUS COMMITTEES OF THE DISTRICT BOARD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, FIRST FLOOR, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
-----0-------
IMPORTATION OF FOREIGN LABOUR ON AGENDA
*****
THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE IMPORTATION OF FOREIGn LABOUR AT A MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE PROGRESS OF A SURVEY OF THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN TUEN MUN.
/THE COMMITTEE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
- 37 -
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO EXAMINE AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDS TO REPAIR THE DB ’ S NOTICE BOARDS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER A MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, THIRD FLOOR, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
---------------------u------- DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS ******
THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S RECREATION AND CULTURE COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER A NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS FOR ORGANISING RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO STUDY THE COMMITTEE’S FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND A REPORT OF THE NORTH DISTRICT ARTS ADVANCEMENT ASSOCIATION.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE USE OF MAJOR RECREATIONAL VENUES IN THE DISTRICT, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL’S ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME FOR THE DISTRICT IN JULY AND AUGUST, AND THE ATTENDANCE RATE FOR CULTURAL ACTIVITIES IN THE NORTH DISTRICT TOWN HALL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S RECREATION AND CULTURE COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
------0--------
/38 .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
- 38 -
THREE OVERSTAYERS FROM CHINA ARRESTED
******
IMMIGRATION INVESTIGATORS CONDUCTED IDENTITY CHECKS ON 71 PERSONS AT 32 LOCATIONS DURING AN OPERATION IN TSING YI AND KWAI CHUNG AREAS YESTERDAY (TUESDAY).
DURING THE OPERATION, THREE OVERSTAYERS -- TWO WOMEN AGED 21 AND 28, AND ONE MAN AGED 27 -- WERE APPREHENDED. THEY ARE ALL NATIVES OF FUKIEN.
THEY ARE TWO-WAY PERMIT HOLDERS AND HAVE OVERSTAYED IN HONG KONG FOR ABOUT TWO TO FOUR MONTHS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT REITERATED THAT THOSE WHO BREACH THEIR CONDITION OF STAY HERE ARE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION AND UPON CONVICTION TO A FINE OF $5,000 AND TWO YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT.
-----0------
ACTION ON ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN SHEK KIP MEI
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE CERTAIN ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN SHEK KIP MEI, KOWLOON, SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS OR THE PUBLIC.
THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES ARE LOCATED AT THE COMMON STAIRCASE LANDINGS ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF NOS. 1 AND 3, 9 AND 11, 13 AND 15, 21 AND 23 AND 25 AND 27, BERWICK STREET.
IN THE SAME OPERATION, ACTION WILL ALSO BE TAKEN AGAINST THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AT A YARD ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF NOS. 1 TO 25 (ODD NUMBERS ONLY EXCEPT NUMBER 17), AND ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF NO. 25, BERWICK STREET.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS FROM THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT COURT ON AUGUST 23 THIS YEAR WERE POSTED ON A CONSPICUOUS PART OF.THE STRUCTURES TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE, A CLOSURE ORDER IS REQUIRED BEFORE DEMOLITION CAN BE CARRIED OUT.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE OBTAINED.
--------0 - -
/39 .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
- 39 -
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN WESTERN DISTRICT
♦ « » « »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 6), THE EXISTING RIGHT-TURN FROM SOUTHBOUND CHIU KWONG STREET INTO WESTBOUND DES VOEUX ROAD WEST WILL BE BANNED.
VEHICLES ON CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST HEADING FOR WESTBOUND DES VOEUX ROAD WEST WILL BE DIVERTED VIA KA ON STREET.
-----0-----
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY IN MONG KOK
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 6), THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF ROAD IN MONG KOK WILL BE TEMPORARILY DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY FOR ABOUT SEVEN WEEKS TO FACILITAE ROAD WORKS AT THE JUNCTION OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST AND SAI YEE STREET:
- THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST FROM
ITS JUNCTION WITH SAI YEE STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 130
METRES TO THE EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
- THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF SAI YEE STREET FROM ITS
J UNCTION WITH PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WEST TO A POINT ABOUT 25
METRES TO THE SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
------0--------
URBAN CLEARWAY IN KWAI CHUNG
* * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 6), THE SLIP ROAD LINKING THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF KWAI CHUNG ROAD AND CONTAINER PORT ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY 24 HOURS DAILY.
ALL MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING FOR PASSENGERS AND GOODS WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREA.
------0-----------
/40........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1990
- 40 -
URBAN CLEARWAY IN SHA TIN * * * »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 6), THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF THE 1JNNAMED ROAD BETWEEN THE EGRESS FROM THE CARPARK AT GRANDWAY GARDEN AND TAI WAI ROAD IN SHA TIN WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
------U-------
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN FANLING
♦ * » » *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TO FACILITATE THE INSTALLATION OF PRECAST BEAMS AT KIU TAU VEHICULAR BRIDGE, IN FANLING, THE FOLLOWING TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES AND TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON FRIDAY (JULY 6) AND SATURDAY (JULY 7) FROM 12.01 AM TO 5.30 AM:
* THE SOUTHBOUND TAI PO ROAD (FANLING) SECTION BETWEEN WO HOP SHEK INTERCHANGE AND KIU TAU WILL BE CLOSED.
MOTORISTS ON SOUTHBOUND TAI PO ROAD FANLING HEADING FOR KOWLOON ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA TAI WO SERVICE ROAD EAST TO REJOIN TAI PO ROAD (FANLING);
* THE NORTHBOUND TAI PO ROAD (TAI WO) SECTION BETWEEN LAM KAM ROAD INTERCHANGE AND WO HOP SHEK INTERCHANGE WILL BE CLOSED."
MOTORISTS ON NORTHBOUND TAI PO ROAD (FANLING) HEADING FOR FANLING, SHEUNG SHUI AND YUEN LONG ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA LAM KAM ROAD INTERCHANGE, TAI WO SERVICE ROAD WEST, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, ROAD D3 AND KAI LENG ELEVATED ROUNDABOUT TO REJOIN TAI PO ROAD (FANLING).
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, JULY 5, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR MAY PUBLISHED.................................................. 1
GOVERNMENT CONSIDERING TAX EXEMPTION FOR SHIPPING REGISTER ............................ 5
REVIEW OF RENT CONTROL ON DOMESTIC PREMISES ........................................... 6
PRIVATE INDUSTRY THE KEY TO SUCCESSFUL WASTE RECYCLING ............................... 8
$120M MECHANISED LETTER SORTING SYSTEM FOR POST OFFICE ............................... 8
PRIVATISATION OF VEHICLE EXAM CENTRE’S MANAGEMENT .................................... 9
ENFORCEMENT ON SITE SAFETY STEPPED UP ................................................ 10
MARKET STALL CLEANING COMPETITION IN MONG KOK ........................................ 11
SAI KUNG FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN TO START................................................ 12
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS POLLUTION CAUSED BY INCINERATORS ............................. 12
THREE GOVT LOTS TO LET BY TENDER ..................................................... 13
NEW FIRE STATION IN TUEN MUN ......................................................... 14
JUNE 1990 SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL................................. 14
THURSDAY, JULY 5, 1990
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR MAY PUBLISHED *****
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS GREW MORE RAPIDLY IN MAY THAN IN APRIL, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH.
HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY, EXCEPT THE NARROWEST DEFINITION, INCREASED DURING MAY. TOTAL LOANS AND ADVANCES ALSO RECORDED AN INCREASE DURING THE MONTH.
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS, ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS, GREW BY 2.3 PER CENT IN MAY, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 0.6 PER CENT AND 1.2 PER CENT IN MARCH AND APRIL RESPECTIVELY.
OF THESE DEPOSITS, HONG KONG DOLLAR SAVINGS AND TIME DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 1.7 PER CENT AND 3.1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY DURING MAY WHILE DEMAND DEPOSITS DECLINED BY 0.9 PER CENT.
ON A YEAR-ON-YEAR COMPARISON, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 11.8 PER CENT IN MAY, BROADLY IN LINE WITH THE GROWTH OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS ROSE BY 0.8 PER CENT IN MAY, AFTER INCREASES OF 0.9 PER CENT AND 0.8 PER CENT IN MARCH AND APRIL RESPECTIVELY.
AMONG THESE DEPOSITS, U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS RECORDED ZERO GROWTH WHILE NON-U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS ROSE BY 1.5 PER CENT. OVER THE YEAR, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 22.8 PER CENT.
DEPOSITS OF ALL CURRENCIES WITH LICENSED BANKS AND DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES ROSE BY 1.5 PER CENT AND 3.9 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN MAY WHILE THOSE WITH RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS DECLINED BY 1.9 PER CENT.
COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER, THEIR GROWTH RATES WERE 18.4 PER CENT, -12.1 PER CENT AND 36.9 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
MONEY SUPPLY
HK$M1 FELL BY 1.3 PER CENT WHILE HK$M2 AND HK$M3 BOTH ROSE BY 2.1 PER CENT IN MAY. THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES IN APRIL WERE 0.4 PER CENT, 1.0 PER CENT AND 1.0 PER CENT.
FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDING MAY, THESE MONETARY AGGREGATES ROSE BY 3.8 PER CENT, 13.8 PER CENT AND 11.5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
/TOTAL Ml .......
THURSDAY, JULY 5, 1990
- 2 -
TOTAL Ml DECREASED BY 1.7 PER CENT WHILE TOTAL M2 AND M3 BOTH ROSE BY 1.5 PER CENT DURING MAY. THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES IN APRIL WERE 2.1 PER CENT, 0.8 PER CENT AND 0.9 PER CENT.
OVER THE YEAR,- TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 GREW BY 6.0 PER CENT, 17.9 PER CENT AND 17.1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED BY 6.8 PER CENT IN MAY, FOLLOWING A DECLINE OF 0.5 PER CENT IN MARCH AND AN INCREASE OF 0.5 PER CENT IN APRIL.
OF THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS, THOSE DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLARS GREW BY 1.3 PER CENT DURING MAY. FOREIGN CURRENCY DENOMINATED LOANS GREW BY 10.7 PER CENT, LARGELY ATTRIBUTABLE TO AN INCREASE IN EURO-YEN LOANS.
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG ROSE BY 1.2 PER CENT IN MAY, FOLLOWING A DECLINE OF 0.6 PER CENT IN MARCH AND AN INCREASE OF 1.1 PER CENT IN APRIL. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 4.1 PER CENT.
OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG GREW BY 0.9 PER CENT IN MAY COMPARED WITH INCREASES OF 1.9 PER CENT AND 1.8 PER CENT IN MARCH AND APRIL RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 18.9 PER CENT.
LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG INCREASED BY 13.6 PER CENT IN MAY, FOLLOWING DECLINES OF 1.3 PER CENT AND 0.7 PER CENT IN MARCH AND APRIL RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 69.6 PER CENT.
LOANS TO FINANCE MERCHANDISING TRADE NOT TOUCHING HONG KONG FELL BY 3.1 PER CENT IN MAY, AFTER INCREASES OF 11.7 PER CENT AND 9.9 PER CENT IN MARCH AND APRIL RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 3.6 PER CENT.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBERS OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS AND RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS BOTH INCREASED BY ONE TO 165 AND 38 RESPECTIVELY. THE NUMBER OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECREASED BY ONE TO 196.
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 ..........
THURSDAY, JULY 5, 1990
3 -
(2) IN THE TEXT ABOVE, TOTAL HK$ DEPOSITS, HK$ TIME DEPOSITS, HK$M2 AND HK$M3 HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS. ON THE OTHER HAND, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS AND US$ DEPOSITS HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED TO EXCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS.
’’SWAP DEPOSITS” ARE DEPOSITS INVOLVING CUSTOMERS BUYING FOREIGN CURRENCIES (MOSTLY U.S. DOLLARS) IN THE SPOT MARKET AND PLACING THEM AS DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED 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.
/MONETARY STATISTICS
THURSDAY, JULY 5, 1990
MONETARY STATISTICS - MAY 1990
(HKSun)
May 1990 Earlier months (X :hange to May 1990)
«•*«»»****
Honey Supply Apr 1990 Feb 1990 May 1989
Ml - HKS — — —
82.103 83,189 ( -1.3 X) 84.842 ( -3.2 X) 79.113 ( 3.8 X)
Foreign currency 10.823 11,382 ( -4.9 X) 11.598 ( -6 7 X) 8,533 ( 26.5 X) in
Total 92.926 94.571 ( -1.7 X) 96.441 ( -3.6 X) 87.646 ( 6.0 X)
M2 - HKS* 488.269 477.996 ( 2.1 X) 471.636 ( 3.5 X) 429,079 (• 13.8 X;
Foreign currency* 571.225 565,514 ( 1.0 X) 560,272 ( 2.0 X) 469.780 ( 21.6 X)
Total 1.059.495 1.043.510 ( 1.5 X) 1,031,908 ( 2.7 X) 898.859 ( 17.3 X)
M3 - HKS* 520.003 509.437 ( 2.1 X) 502.477 ( 3.5 X) 466.456 ( 11.5 X;
Foreign currency* 615.721 609,774 ( 1.0 X) 600.156 ( 2.6 X) 503,263 ( 22.3 X »
Total 1.135,724 1.119,211 ( 1.5 X) 1.102.633 ( 3.0 X) 969,718 ( 17.1 X)
Notes arid coins in circulation 38.901 39.747 ( -2.1 X) 40.537 ( -4 0 1) 35.143 ( 10.7
of which held by public 33.664 34,308 ( -1.9 X) 35,598 ( -5.4 X) 30.307 ( 11.1 X)
Total Deposits
Total Demand deposits 59.261 60,263 ( -1.7 X) 60.843 ( -2.6 X) 57.339 ( 3.4 X;
Total Savings deposits 189.748 187.512 ( 1.2 X) 192.478 ( -1.4 X) 163.268 ( 16.2 X)
1 Total Time deposits with licensed banks 759.273 745.264 ( 1.9 X) 726.387 ( 4.5 X) 630.836 ( 20.4 X) 1
Total Time deposits with restricted licence banks 40.183 40.370 ( -1.9 X) 26.871 ( 9.0 X) 29.352 ( * ’ 1
Total Time deposits with deposit-taking companies 34,568 33,265 ( 3.9 X) 32.419 ( 6.6 X) 39.347 ( -12.1
HKS deposits* 473.481 462.813 ( 2.3 X) 454.645 ( 4 1 X) 423.571 ( 11.8 x; 1
USS deposits* 266.840 266,945 ( 0.0 X) 261.143 ( 2.2 X) 242.146 ( 10.2 X) o
Other foreign currency deposits 342.713 337.515 ( 1.5 X) 333.209 ( 2.9 X) 254,425 ( 34.7 X) ।
1 All deposits 1.083,034 1,067,274 ( 1.5 X) 1,046,997 ( 3.2 X) 920,142 ( 17.7 X) i
Foreign currency swap deposits 68,578 66,290 ( 3.5 X) 61,734 ( 11.1 X) 55,147 ( 24.4 X) I
Total Loans and advances I
To finance H.K.’s visible trade 65,152 64.405 ( 1.2 X) 64,089 ( 1.7 X) 62,561 ( 4 . 1 X)
To finance merchandising trade 9.672 9,979 ( -3.1 X) 8.126 ( 19.0 X) 9.332 ( 3.6 X)
not touching H.K. •
Other loans for use in H.K. 635,100 629,498 ( 0.9 X) 606,886 ( 4.6 X) 533,923 ( 18.9 X)
Other loans for use outside H.K. 633.982 558.243 ( 13.6 X) 569.594 ( 11.3 X) 373,7’8 ( 69.6 X)
Other loans where the place of 98,009 88.182 ( 11.1 X) 101,382 ( -3.3 X) 69,643 ( 40.7 X)
use is not known
Loans in HKS 571,007 563,490 ( 1.3 X) 547.319 ( 4.3 X) 483,831 ( 18.0 *;
Loans in foreign currencies 870.SC8 786.816 ( 10.7 X) 802.758 ( 8.5 X) 565,347 ( 54.0 X) X)
Total loans and advances 1,441,915 1,350,306 ( 6. 8 X) 1,350.077 ( 6.8 X) 1,049,177 ( 37.4
* Adjusted for foreign currency swap deposits
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.
THURSDAY, JULY 5, 1990
5
GOVERNMENT CONSIDERING TAX EXEMPTION FOR SHIPPING REGISTER
******
THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THE GOVERNMENT IS ACTIVELY CONSIDERING PROPOSALS WHICH WOULD MEAN THAT SHIPS REGISTERED IN HONG KONG WOULD BE EXEMPTED FROM PAYING HONG KONG PROFITS TAX ON THEIR EARNINGS ARISING FROM THE INTERNATIONAL OPERATION OF OCEAN-GOING SHIPPING.
SPEAKING AT A LUNCH MEETING OF THE HONG KONG SHIPOWNERS ASSOCIATION THIS AFTERNOON, MRS CHAN SAID THAT ONCE THE BEST APPROACH TO THE QUESTIONS OF TAXATION OF SHIPPING PROFITS WAS DETERMINED, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SEEK THE NECESSARY AMENDMENTS TO THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE.
SHE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WELL UNDERSTOOD THAT SHIPOWNERS WORLDWIDE WOULD WANT TO KNOW THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S POSITION ON TAXATION BEFORE THEY COMMITTED THEMSELVES TO THE HONG KONG REGISTER.
"WE HAVE BEEN VERY MUCH AWARE, ALL THROUGH THE PLANNING PROCESS FOR THE REGISTER, THAT SHIPOWNERS WORLDWIDE ARE WATCHING CLOSELY TO SEE WHAT ARRANGEMENTS WE WILL BE MAKING FOR TAXATION OF HONG KONG-REGISTERED SHIPS," SHE SAID.
"IN CONSIDERING OUR POLICY IN THIS RESPECT, WE HAVE HAD TO RECOGNISE THE KEEN COMPETITION WE FACE FROM ESTABLISHED REGISTERS AROUND THE WORLD," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN PAID TRIBUTE TO THE CONTRIBUTION MADE BY MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG SHIPOWNERS ASSOCIATION AND OTHER SECTORS OF THE MARITIME COMMUNITY TO THE WORK OF DESIGNING THE NEW REGISTER.
"I BELIEVE WE HAVE, WITH YOUR HELP, DESIGNED A REGISTER OF WHICH HONG KONG PEOPLE CAN BE PROUD NOW, AND IN THE FUTURE: ONE WHOSE TERMS REFLECT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT'S COMMITMENTS TO THE HIGHEST INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS OF MARITIME SAFETY AND YET TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE REALITIES OF DOING BUSINESS IN TODAY’S HIGHLY COMPETITIVE COMMERCIAL ENVIRONMENT," SHE SAID.
"THE DESIGN OF THE NEW HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER IS, I BELIEVE, A FINE EXAMPLE OF THE BENEFITS OF GOOD TEAMWORK BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR,” SHE ADDED.
"WE HAVE BEEN ACUTELY CONSCIOUS, THROUGHOUT THE PLANNING PROCESS, THAT WE MUST PROVIDE FOR A REGISTER THAT IS LEGALLY SOUND, REPUTABLE, USER FRIENDLY, AS WELL AS ENSURING THAT HONG KONG SEAFARERS HAVE ACCESS TO APPROPRIATE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS," SHE STRESSED.
"BY SPECIFYING AND ENFORCING INTERNATIONALLY BASED STANDARDS OF VESSEL CONSTRUCTION, EQUIPMENT AND CREW STANDARDS, WE HAVE PROVIDED FOR A SAFE REGISTER, CONSISTENT WITH OUR OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANISATION CONVENTIONS, IN PARTICULAR, ON THE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA, TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION OF CREW AND PROTECTION OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT.
/"BY INSISTING .......
THURSDAY, JULY 5, 1990
- 6 -
"BY INSISTING THAT ALL WHO MAKE USE OF THE REGISTER MUST HAVE, OR MUST ESTABLISH A REAL LINK WITH HONG KONG, WE HAVE ENSURED THAT WE ARE COMPLYING WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE YET-TO-BE RATIFIED UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON CONDITIONS FOR REGISTRATION OF SHIPS.
"BY INCORPORATING INTERNATIONAL SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS, BY ALLOWING GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN MEETING MANNING REQUIREMENTS; BY PROVIDING FOR PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION OF SHIPS IN PORTS OUTSIDE HONG KONG, WE HAVE DONE OUR BEST TO DESIGN A REGISTER WHICH IS PRACTICAL AND IN TUNE WITH THE DEMANDS OF THE MODERN MERCHANT SHIPPING ENVIRONMENT.
"BY RECOGNISING THE NEED TO PITCH OUR FEES AND CHARGES AT LEVELS WHICH ARE TRULY COMPETITIVE WITH OTHER POPULAR REGISTERS, WE HAVE RECOGNISED THE IMPORTANCE OF MAKING THE REGISTER ATTRACTIVE TO SHIPOWNERS BOTH IN HONG KONG AND OVERSEAS," SHE POINTED OUT.
MRS CHAN NOTED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A DEMAND FOR AN INDEPENDENT HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS.
"AS A RESULT, NOT ALL HONG KONG - OWNED SHIPS ARE PRESENTLY REGISTERED IN HONG KONG," SHE SAID.
ONCE HONG KONG HAD ITS OWN REGISTER, MORE HONG KONG SHIPOWNERS AND SHIP MANAGERS WOULD BE ATTRACTED TO THE NEW REGISTER, SHE ADDED.
"IT CONTAINS ALL THE FEATURES WHICH MEET OUR REQUIREMENTS AS A RESPONSIBLE MARITIME ADMINISTRATION WHILE, AT THE SAME TIME, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE DEMANDS AND PRESSURE YOU FACE AS BUSINESSMEN OPERATING IN AN INCREASINGLY COMPETITIVE WORLD.
"I BELIEVE THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS AND WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY ITS PART. THE BALL IS VERY MUCH IN YOUR COURT.
"WITH YOUR SUPPORT, I KNOW HONG KONG CAN LOOK TO A BRIGHT AND INCREASINGLY PROSPEROUS FUTURE AS ONE OF THE WORLD’S LEADING PORTS AND CENTRES OF MARITIME COMMERCE," SHE SAID.
---------0-----------
REVIEW OF RENT CONTROL ON DOMESTIC PREMISES
******
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED A NUMBER OF MEASURES TO UPDATE THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
UNDER THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) RESOLUTION 1990, WHICH IS DUE TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JULY 18, IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE PERMITTED RENT OF PRE-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES BE INCREASED FROM 43 TO 48 TIMES THE STANDARD RENT WITH EFFECT FROM NOVEMBER 1 THIS YEAR.
/THE RESOLUTION .....
THURSDAY, JULY 5, 1990
THE RESOLUTION ALSO PROPOSES TO RAISE THE MINIMUM PERCENTAGE COMPONENT IN THE RENT INCREASE MECHANISM IN PART II OF THE ORDINANCE FROM 65 TO 70 PER CENT OF THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT, EFFECTIVE FROM DECEMBER 19 THIS YEAR.
IN ANNOUNCING THESE PROPOSALS, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THEY WERE DRAWN UP FOLLOWING ANOTHER REVIEW OF THE WORKING OF THE ORDINANCE, AN ASSESSMENT OF MARKET CONDITIONS AND HAVING REGARD TO THE INTERESTS OF BOTH LANDLORDS AND TENANTS.
THESE MEASURES WERE ALSO IN KEEPING WITH GOVERNMENT’S PREVIOUSLY STATED INTENTION TO PHASE OUT RENT CONTROL WITHOUT CAUSING ADVERSE SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES, HE ADDED.
FOLLOWING THE ESTABLISHED POLICY OF ALLOWING ANNUAL INCREASE IN THE PERMITTED RENT OF PRE-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES, THE FACTOR TO BE APPLIED TO THE "STANDARD RENT" (THAT IS, RENT AS AT DECEMBER 25, 1941) TO ARRIVE AT THE PERMITTED RENT WILL BE CHANGED FROM 43 TO 48.
THE PROPOSED INCREASE WILL AFFECT SOME 1,200 PRE-WAR DOMESTIC UNITS EFFECTIVELY CONTROLLED UNDER PART I OF THE ORDINANCE.
RAISING THE FACTOR FROM 43 TO 48 WOULD RESULT IN AN AVERAGE INCREASE OF ABOUT 12 PER CENT OR $180 PER MONTH OVER THE CURRENT PERMITTED RENT, AND WOULD BRING SUCH RENTS TO ABOUT 76 PER CENT OF THE PREVAILING MARKET LEVEL.
IF APPROVED, THIS PROPOSAL WOULD TAKE EFFECT FROM NOVEMBER 1 THIS YEAR.
ALSO IN LINE WITH GOVERNMENT’S POLICY OF PROGRESSIVE DECONTROL, IT IS PROPOSED TO INCREASE, WITH EFFECT FROM DECEMBER 19 THIS YEAR, THE MINIMUM PERCENTAGE COMPONENT IN THE RENT INCREASE MECHANISM IN PART II OF THE ORDINANCE FROM 65 TO 70 PER CENT OF THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT.
ASSUMING THAT MARKET RENTS REMAIN RELATIVELY STABLE, THIS WILL HAVE A NET EFFECT OF INCREASING THE NUMBER OF TENANCIES AFFECTED BY THE MINIMUM PERCENTAGE COMPONENT BY 2,260 AND INCREASING THE AVERAGE CONTROLLED RENTS BY AN ADDITIONAL $129 PER MONTH.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION REGARDING THESE PROPOSED CHANGES CAN APPROACH THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT AND THE DISTRICT OFFICES.
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/8 .......
THURSDAY, JULY 5, 1990
- 8
PRIVATE INDUSTRY THE KEY TO SUCCESSFUL WASTE RECYCLING
PRIVATE INDUSTRY IS HU. KEY TO SUCCESSFUL RECYCLING WASTE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE LUBRICATING OIL MANUFACTURING AND WASTE OIL REFINING PLANT OF LUBRICO (HK) LTD.
MR BARNES SAID AS THE POTENT I \L PRODUCER OF, AND CUSTOMER FOR, RECYCLABLE PRODUCTS, PRIVATE INDUSTRY COULD SUPPLY THE MARKET-BASED IMPETUS WHICH WOULD HELP RECYCLING SCHEMES SUCCEED.
LUBRICO IS THE FIRST SUCH PLANT IN ASIA. IT AIMS AT COLLECTING ABOUT 20,000 TONNES OF WASTE OIL ANNUALLY FROM THE LOCAL MARKET, REPRESENTING ALMOST 80 PER CENT OF THE WASTE OIL PRODUCED IN HONG KONG EVERY YEAR.
MR BARNES SAID THERE HAD BEEN A GROWING INTEREST IN RECYCLING OF WASTE IN HONG KONG.
’’BECAUSE WE HAVE SCARCE NATURAL RESOURCES, LIMITED SPACE IN LANDFILLS FOR DUMPING WASTES, AND BECAUSE THE COST OF WASTE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL IS HIGH, AND THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS TO THE ENVIRONMENT CAUSED BY THE IMPROPER DISPOSAL OF WASTES ARE VERY SERIOUS, RECOVERY AND RECYCLING ARE LOGICAL AND POSITIVE ANSWERS TO THESE PROBLEMS,” HE SAID.
MR BARNES POINTED OUT THAT WASTES HAD VALUE AND COULD BECOME REVENUE GENERATING RESOURCES.
’’THESE OPPORTUNITIES ARE HERE TOO,” HE SAID.
WASTE RECOVERY WAS WIDELY PRACTISED IN HONG KONG, BUT MOST OF THE RECOVERED WASTE WAS EXPORTED FOR RECYCLING ELSEWHERE. THERE WERE VERY FEW RECYCLING PLANTS IN HONG KONG, HE NOTED.
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$120M MECHANISED LETTER SORTING SYSTEM FOR POST OFFICE
THE POST OFFICE HAS INSTALLED A $120 MILLION MECHANISED LETTER SORTING SYSTEM, COMPRISING OPTICAL CHARACTER RECOGNITION, VIDEO CODING AND LETTER SORTING MACHINES, TO SPEED UP THE PROCESSING OF MAIL ITEMS AND ENHANCE ITS EFFICIENCY.
THE NEW SYSTEM IS THE FIRST OPTICAL CHARACTER RECOGNITION SYSTEM IN THE WORLD TO MACHINE-READ MULTI-LINE ADDRESSES WITHOUT POSTCODES OR ZIPCODES.
/THE SECRETARY .......
THURSDAY, JULY 5, 1990
- 9
THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, AND THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, WILL OFFICIATE AT A CEREMONY TO MARK THE OFFICIAL COMMISSIONING OF THE SYSTEM AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE ON MONDAY (JULY 9).
THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN INSTALLED IN THE MAIL PROCESSING CENTRES OF THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, THE INTERNATIONAL MAIL CENTRE AND SEVEN LARGE DISTRICT MAIL DELIVERY OFFICES IN THE TERRITORY.
"IT WILL SUBSTANTIALLY SPEED UP THE PROCESSING OF MILLIONS OF MAIL ITEMS EACH DAY, ENHANCE EFFICIENCY AND IMPROVE THE GENERAL WORKING ENVIRONMENT FOR STAFF," A POST OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
A POSTCARD SHOWING ONE OF THE NEW LETTER SORTING MACHINES IN CONTRAST TO A SCENE IN THE MAIL SORTING ROOM OF THE GENERAL POST OFFICE IN 1946 WILL BE ISSUED TO COMMEMORATE THE SYSTEM’S OFFICIAL COMMISSIONING.
THE POSTCARD, AT $1 EACH, WILL BE PLACED ON SALE ON MONDAY (JULY 9) AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE AS WELL AS THE BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, PEAK, AIRPORT, GRANVILLE ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI AND SHA TIN CENTRAL POST OFFICES.
A RESTRICTION OF FIVE POSTCARDS PER PURCHASE WILL BE IMPOSED ON THE DAY OF ISSUE. THERE WILL ALSO BE A HAND-BACK SERVICE GIVEN TO POSTCARDS WITH FULL POSTAGE PREPAID AT THE SEVEN OFFICES THAT DAY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE COMMISSIONING CEREMONY TO BE HELD ON MONDAY (JULY 9) ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, 2 CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL. IT WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM.
A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE COMMEMORATIVE POSTCARD AND THE PROGRAMME OF THE CEREMONY WILL BE BOXED TODAY (THURSDAY).
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PRIVATISATION OF VEHICLE EXAM CENTRE’S MANAGEMENT
*****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS AGREED IN PRINCIPLE TO PRIVATISE THE MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF THE NEW COMPUTERISED KOWLOON BAY VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE, WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN OCTOBER.
THE CENTRE WILL ENSURE THE ANNUAL EXAMINATION OF ALL GOODS
/WHEN COMPLETED ......
THURSDAY, JULY 5, 1990
- 10 -
WHEN COMPLETED, THE KOWLOON BAY CENTRE WOULD BE MANNED INITIALLY BY TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT STAFF REDELOPED FROM THE OTHER FIVE VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
IN THE MEANTIME, ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE MADE TO FULLY PRIVATISE THE CENTRE BY MANAGEMENT CONTRACT WITH EFFECT FROM 1992/93, HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ONLY CONTRACT OUT THE CENTRE’S MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION, AND WOULD CONTINUE TO OWN THE CENTRE.
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S EXISTING MONITORING TEAM WOULD ALSO BE STRENGTHENED TO ENSURE THAT THE PRIVATISED CENTRE WAS PROPERLY OPERATED, HE SAID.
FEES CHARGED FOR VEHICLE EXAMINATIONS WOULD CONTINUE TO BE UNDER GOVERNMENT CONTROL.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT PRIVATISING THE MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF THE NEW FACILITY WOULD GENERATE GREATER PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH PRIVATE SECTOR MANAGEMENT INCENTIVES.
IT WOULD ALSO HELP ALLEVIATE THE PRESSURE ON GOVERNMENT TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN STAFF AND WOULD AVOID UNNECESSARY COMPETITION WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN THE LABOUR MARKET, HE SAID.
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ENFORCEMENT ON SITE SAFETY STEPPED UP
******
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S SPECIAL TASK FORCE WILL TAKE INTENSIVE ENFORCEMENT ACTION ON CONSTRUCTION SITES BETWEEN NOW AND SEPTEMBER TO PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AMONG CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS.
UNDER THE THIRD PHASE OF A FOUR-AND-A-HALF MONTH SPECIAL INSPECTION CAMPAIGN STARTED IN MAY, THE TASK FORCE WILL CONCENTRATE ON SITES WITH POOR RECORDS OF ACCIDENTS AND PROSECUTIONS.
’’FOUR SPECIAL TASK FORCE TEAMS COMPRISING 14 EXPERIENCED FACTORY INSPECTORS WILL PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO HIGH-RISK AREAS ON SITES LIKELY TO CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS,” THE CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR YIP YUK-LUN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
’’THEY INCLUDE PLACES LIABLE TO CAUSE FALLS OF PERSONS OR OBJECTS, CAISSON WORK, UNFENCED CIRCULAR SAWS AND OPENINGS AS WELL AS THE WEARING OF SAFETY HELMETS.
/"PROSECUTION WILL .......
THURSDAY, JULY 5, 1990
- 11 -
’•PROSECUTION WILL BE TAKEN OUT DURING THE INSPECTIONS AGAINST BLATANT OFI NDERS TO MAKE THEM TAKE SAFETY MORE SERIOUSLY,” HE SAID.
MR iIP NOTED THAT THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY HAS CONTINUED TO REGIS!.,R THE HIGHEST ACCIDENT RATE AMONG ALL TRADES, WITH 26,399 ACCIDENTS LAST YEAR.
"THE TASK FORCE OPERATION IS SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO CURB SUCH UPSURGE OF ACCIDENTS AND HAS PROVED TO BE MOST EFFECTIVE PARTICULARLY IN THE WET AND WINDY SEASONS," HE EXPLAINED.
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MARKET STALL CLEANING COMPETITION IN MONG KOK
A MARKET STALL CLEANING COMPETITION TO DRAW PUBLIC ATTENTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANLINESS WILL BE HELD AT THE FA YUEN STREET MARKET IN MONG KOK ON SUNDAY (JULY 8).
THE COMPETITION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CLEAN ENVIRONMENT SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE MONG KOK ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
DIVIDED INTO SMALL STALLS, LARGE STALLS AND COOKED FOOD STALLS SECTIONS, THE COMPETITION IS ALSO AIMED AT ENCOURAGING STALL OPERATORS TO MAINTAIN A CLEAN AND TIDY ENVIRONMENT.
A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM ON THE PODIUM LEVEL, THIRD FLOOR OF THE URBAN COUNCIL FA YUEN STREET COMPLEX.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE AN URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR CHAN KWOK-MING, AND THE MONG KOK DISTRICT HYGIENE SUPERINTENDENT, MR LEUNG NAI-MING.
THE COMPETITION IS ORGANISED IN SUPPORT OF THE CLEAN HONG KONG DAY. IT IS ALSO PART OF THE DISTRICT’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN WHICH FOCUSSES ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT OF STREETS THIS YEAR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE MONG KOK MARKET STALL CLEANING COMPETITION TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM ON SUNDAY (JULY 8) ON THE PODIUM LEVEL, THIRD FLOOR, URBAN COUNCIL FA YUEN STREET COMPLEX.
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/12........
THURSDAY, JULY 5, 1990
- 12 -
SAI KUNG FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN TO START
******
A CEREMONY TO MARK THE START OF THE 1990-91 SAI KUNG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY (JULY 7) MORNING AT CLEAR WATER BAY SECOND BAY.
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR FREDERICK TONG, WILL PRESENT AN APPOINTMENT LETTER TO THE DISTRICT’S "FIGHT CRIME STAR", TV ARTISTE MISS LEE SZE-KEE.
MISS LEE WILL MAKE A FIGHT CRIME APPEAL AFTER THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL INCLUDE THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WILLIAM WAN; DISTRICT COMMANDER OF THE WONG TAI SIN POLICE STATION, MR PAANG KUI-SAN; DISTRICT LEISURE MANAGER (SAI KUNG) OF THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR LAM TIN-KEE; CHAIRMAN OF THE 1990-91 SAI KUNG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR CHEUNG CHUN-HOI; AND CONVENER OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN ORGANISING GROUP, MR MAK HON-KAI.
THE PARTY WILL UNVEIL A FIGHT CRIME PUBLICITY SIGNBOARD PUT UP AT THE BEACH. MORE SUCH SIGNBOARDS WILL BE INSTALLED AT OTHER BEACHES AND VARIOUS CARPARKS IN THE DISTRICT IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
THESE SIGNBOARDS WILL REMIND BEACHGOERS TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR BELONGINGS AND TO REPORT ANY THEFT TO THE POLICE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN OPENING CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT CLEAR WATER BAY SECOND BAY, SAI KUNG, AT 11 AM ON SATURDAY (JULY 7).
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS POLLUTION CAUSED BY INCINERATORS
*******
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE POLLUTION PROBLEMS CAUSED BY VILLAGE INCINERATORS AT TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU AND TAI O, LANTAU AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
MEMBERS WILL DISCUSS THE INSTALLATION OF WELCOME SIGNBOARDS AND VISITS TO SITES EARMARKED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT IN THE DISTRICT.
/A PROGRESS .......
THURSDAY, JULY 5, 1990
13
A PROGRESS REPORT ON ENVIRONMENTAL 1990-91 WILL BE TABLED.
IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.15 PM.
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THREE GOVT LOTS TO LET BY TENDER
*****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCY OF THREE LAND LOTS IN KOWLOON.
THE FIRST LOT IS LOCATED BETWEEN SHATIN PASS ROAD AND MUK LUN STREET, WONG TAI SIN.
IT COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 4,375 SQUARE METRES AND IS FOR A FEE-PAYING PARKING AREA FOR GOODS VEHICLES, EXCLUDING CONTAINER VEHICLES, CURRENTLY LICENSED UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE.
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 380 SQUARE METRES, THE SECOND LOT IS LOCATED AT YEE KUK STREET, CHEUNG SHA WAN AND IS FOR OPEN STORAGE PURPOSES.
THE TENANCY IS FOR TWO YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE THIRD LOT IS LOCATED AT THE JUNCTION OF CHA KWO LING ROAD AND CHO YUEN STREET, YAU TONG.
IT COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 6,350 SQUARE METRES AND IS FOR A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC PARKING AREA FOR PRIVATE MOTOR VEHICLES, TAXIS AND GOODS VEHICLES CURRENTLY LICENSED UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE, BUT EXCLUDING CONTAINER VEHICLES WITH TRAILER/CHASSIS ATTACHED.
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE MONTHLY AFTERWARDS.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JULY 20.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICES AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLANS INSPECTED AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 1OTH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
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/14
THURSDAY, JULY 5, 1990
14
NEW FIRE STATION IN TUEN MUN ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS AWARDED A $9.9 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SUB-DIVISIONAL FIRE STATION IN TUEN MUN. z
LOCATED AT AREA 40, PILLAR POINT, THE FIRE STATION WILL CONSIST OF A FOUR-STOREY BLOCK, A FOUR-BAY APPLIANCE ROOM AND A DRILL YARD.
FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED ALSO INCLUDE AN OFFICE, A DUTY/SERVICE ROOM, BARRACKS, A CANTEEN/RECREATION ROOM, A
STORE/EQUIPMENT ROOM, A REFILLING STATION, AN UNDERGROUND OIL FUEL TANK CHAMBER, AND SERVICES MAINS AND CABLE DUCTS.
CONSTRUCTION WORK WILL START SOON AND IS SCHEDULED TO BR COMPLETED IN JULY NEXT YEAR.
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JUNE 1990 SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL
* ♦ » ♦ *
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS CONDUCTING THE JUNE 1990 ROUND OF THE SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL IN MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY.
THE SURVEY COVERS ABOUT 100,000 ESTABLISHMENTS WHICH ARE DRAWN FROM VARIOUS SECTORS INCLUDING THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR (MINING AND QUARRYING; MANUFACTURING; ELECTRICITY AND GAS), THE DISTRIBUTIVE TRADES SECTOR (WHOLESALE, RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS) AND THE SERVICES SECTOR (TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION; FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES; COMMUNITY, SOCIAL AND PERSONAL SERVICES).
QUESTIONNAIRES WERE MAILED TO INDIVIDUAL SAMPLE ESTABLISHMENTS AT THE END OF LAST MONTH. REMINDERS ARE NOW BEING SENT TO ESTABLISHMENTS NOT RESPONDING TO THE INITIAL QUESTIONNAIRES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT IN ACCORDANCE WITH A CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDER GAZETTED ON MARCH 5, 1982, ESTABLISHMENTS RECEIVING QUESTIONNAIRES ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THEM TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD.
INFORMATION IS BEING SOUGHT ON THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED AND EXISTING VACANCIES ON JUNE 29 THIS YEAR FOR EACH SAMPLED ESTABLISHMENT.
SOME 10,000 ESTABLISHMENTS HAVE BEEN RANDOMLY SELECTED FROM THIS SAMPLE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PAYROLL IN EACH OF THE THREE MONTHS DURING THE REFERENCE PERIOD OF APRIL-JUNE 1990.
SHOULD RESPONDENTS FIND DIFFICULTIES IN COMPLETING THE FORMS, THEY ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT FOR ASSISTANCE ON TEL. 823 5076.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, JULY 6, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
1989 SHIPPING, PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS RELEASED ...................................... 1
SUMMARY RESULTS OF 1988 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION ................................ 3
BRITISH NATIONALITY (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL TO BE GAZETTED 7
ELECTRICITY SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS GAZETTED ............................................ 8
CSD DOING IMPORTANT AND DIFFICULT WORK ................................................. 9
TRADE ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERSHIP ANNOUNCED ............................................. 10
THIRTEEN DISTRICTS TO LAUNCH SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMMES .................................. 11
EXHIBITION TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION ................................................. 12
• SAI KUNG TO CLEAN UP ON SUNDAY ........................................................ 13
SHAM TSENG SAN TSUEN ACCESS ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS TO BE AMENDED ................... 14
MORE ROADS TO BE BUILT IN SHEUNG SHUI ................................................. 15
COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS PROJECTS ON DISPLAY ............................................... 15
SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS APPLICATION REMINDER ................................................ 16
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN FO TAN ......................................................... 17
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ON TUEN MUN ROAD ............................................... 17
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN TUEN MUN .................................................... 17
FRIDAY, JULY 6, 1990
1989 SHIPPING, PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS RELEASED
» » » * *
IN 1989, 17,763 SHIPS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 107.6 MILLION NET REGISTERED TONS (NRT) ARRIVED IN HONG KONG, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 1 352 (OR 8 PER CENT) IN NUMBER AND OF 9.6 MILLION NRT (OR 10 PER CENT) IN CAPACITY OVER 1988.
THIS IS RELEASED IN THE "HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS REPORT 1989" PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
IN 1989, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CARGO DISCHARGED IN HONG KONG FROM INCOMING SHIPS (ESTIMATED FROM A SAMPLE OF MANIFEST CONSIGNMENTS) INCREASED BY 3 PER CENT OVER 1988.
WHEN ANALYSED BY SHIP TYPE, MAJOR INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF OIL TANKERS (+808), CONTAINER VESSELS (+627) AND CONVENTIONAL CARGO VESSELS (+133), WHILE MAJOR DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF SEMI-CONTAINER VESSELS (-117) AND ROLL-ON/ROLL-OFF VESSELS (-97).
WHEN ANALYSED BY FLAG OF VESSELS, MAJOR INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF SHIPS REGISTERED IN CHINA (+853), PANAMA (+286), NORWAY (+56) AND WEST GERMANY (+55), WHILE MAJOR DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THOSE REGISTERED IN JAPAN (-124), THE PHILIPPINES (-44) AND TAIWAN (-40).
THE NUMBER OF INCOMING SHIPS WITH A CAPACITY OF LESS THAN 10,000 DEADWEIGHT TONS INCREASED BY 888 WHILST THE NUMBER OF THOSE WITH A LARGER CAPACITY INCREASED BY 464.
IN 1989, THERE WERE 17,785 OUTGOING SHIPS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 107.9 MILLION NRT, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 1,420 (OR 9 PER CENT) IN NUMBER AND OF 10.1 MILLION NRT (OR 10 PER CENT) IN CAPACITY OVER 1988.
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CARGO LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS (ESTIMATED FROM A SAMPLE OF MANIFEST CONSIGNMENTS) ROSE BY 11 PER CENT. ABOUT 68 PER CENT OF THE DEPARTING SHIPS STAYED IN HONG KONG FOR LESS THAN TWO DAYS.
OF THE CARGO DISCHARGED FROM INCOMING SHIPS, 86 PER CENT IN TERMS OF TONNAGE WAS IMPORTS AND 14 PER CENT WAS TRANSHIPMENT CARGO. OF THE CARGO LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS, 61 PER CENT WAS EXPORTS (INCLUDING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS) AND 39 PER CENT WAS TRANSHIPMENT CARGO.
THE MAJOR COUNTRIES OF LOADING FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS IN TONNAGE TERMS WERE SINGAPORE (17 PER CENT), JAPAN (14 PER CENT), SOUTH AFRICA (13 PER CENT), CHINA (11 PER CENT), AUSTRALIA (9 PER CENT), TAIWAN (8 PER CENT) AND THE USA (5 PER CENT), WHILE THE MAJOR COUNTRIES OF DISCHARGE FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS WERE THE USA (21 PER CENT), CHINA (17 PER CENT), TAIWAN (12 PER CENT), JAPAN (5 PER CENT) AND SINGAPORE (5 PER CENT).
/TRANSHIPMENT CARGO .......
FRIDAY, JULY 6, 1990
2 -
TRANSHIPMENT CARGO WAS MAINLY LOADED IN CHINA (32 PER CENT) AND THE USA (18 PER CENT), AND WAS MAINLY DISCHARGED IN CHINA (19 PER CENT) AND THE USA (13 PER CENT).
COMPARING 1989 WITH 1988, MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM ECUADOR (+38 PER CENT), AUSTRALIA (+21 PER CENT), JAPAN (+19 PER CENT) AND SINGAPORE (+19 PER CENT), WHILE MAJOR DECREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM BRAZIL (-26 PER CENT), WEST GERMANY (-15 PER CENT) AND TAIWAN (-10 PER CENT). AS A WHOLE, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF SEABORNE IMPORTS ROSE BY 5 PER CENT.
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, MAJOR INCREASES IN CARGO TONNAGE WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS OF TEXTILE FIBRES (+32 PER CENT), PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (+26 PER CENT) AND CEREALS AND CEREAL PREPARATIONS (+18 PER CENT), WHILE MAJOR DECREASES WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS OF IRON AND STEEL (-21 PER CENT) AND LOGS AND TIMBER (-20 PER CENT).
COMPARING 1989 WITH 1988, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF SEABORNE EXPORTS (DOMESTIC EXPORTS PLUS RE-EXPORTS) INCREASED BY 15 PER CENT. MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS TO CHINA (+50 PER CENT), THE PHILIPPINES (+32 PER CENT), THE USA (+25 PER CENT), AUSTRALIA (+19 PER CENT) AND THE NETHERLANDS (+18 PER CENT), WHILE A MAJOR DECREASE WAS RECORDED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS TO SOUTH KOREA (-8 PER CENT).
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS OF PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (+83 PER CENT), FOOTWEAR (+39 PER CENT), CLAY AND KAOLIN (+27 PER CENT), COTTON GARMENTS (+25 PER CENT) AND GARMENTS OF MIXED MATERIALS OR OTHER MATERIALS, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED (+24 PER CENT), WHILE A MAJOR DECREASE WAS RECORDED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS OF PULP AND WASTE PAPER (-7 PER CENT).
OF THE CARGO DISCHARGED FROM INCOMING SHIPS, INCLUDING SEABORNE IMPORTS AND INWARD TRANSHIPMENT, 33 PER CENT IN TERMS OF TONNAGE WAS CONTAINERISED CARGO. OF THOSE LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS, INCLUDING SEABORNE EXPORTS AND OUTWARD TRANSHIPMENT, 77 PER CENT WAS CONTAINERISED CARGO.
IN TERMS OF TONNAGE, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR 27 PER CENT OF SEABORNE IMPORTS. IN PARTICULAR, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR A LARGE PROPORTION OF SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM ITALY (99 PER CENT), FRANCE (98 PER CENT), THE USA (82 PER CENT), THE UNITED KINGDOM (81 PER CENT) AND THE NETHERLANDS (80 PER CENT).
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CONTAINERISED SEABORNE IMPORTS IN 1989 ROSE BY 6 PER CENT OVER 1988.
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR, IN TONNAGE TERMS, 95 PER CENT OF SEABORNE IMPORTS OF ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, 93 PER CENT OF OTHER ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC APPLIANCES AND PARTS, 90 PER CENT OF PAPER, PAPERBOARD AND ARTICLES OF PAPER PULP, OF PAPER OR OF PAPERBOARD AND 84 PER CENT OF MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURES OF METAL AND NON-METALLIC MINERALS, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED.
/FOR SEABORNE .......
FRIDAY, JULY 6, 1990
- 3 -
FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR 69 PER CENT IN TERMS OF TONNAGE. IN PARTICULAR, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR ALL SEABORNE EXPORTS TO CANADA, AND ALMOST ALL TO WEST GERMANY, THE NETHERLANDS, THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE USA, AUSTRALIA AND FRANCE. THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CONTAINERISED SEABORNE EXPORTS IN 1989 ROSE BY 12 PER CENT OVER 1988.
SEABORNE EXPORTS OF SOME PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES WERE NEARLY ALL CONTAINERISED. THESE INCLUDED TOYS; COTTON GARMENTS; GARMENTS OF MIXED MATERIALS OR OTHER MATERIALS, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED; FOOTWEAR; COTTON TEXTILES AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED.
SHIPPING STATISTICS ARE COMPILED PRIMARILY FROM GENERAL DECLARATIONS SUBMITTED TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT BY SHIPMASTERS OR AUTHORISED SHIPPING AGENTS AND COVER ALL OCEAN-GOING VESSELS ENTERING AND LEAVING HONG KONG, EXCLUDING YACHTS AND PLEASURE CRAFT.
PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS ARE COMPILED FROM OCEAN CARGO MANIFESTS SUPPLIED BY SHIPPING COMPANIES OR AGENTS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
BECAUSE OF RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS, A SAMPLE OF ALL CONSIGNMENTS LISTED IN THE MANIFESTS IS USED FOR COMPILING PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS. THE SAMPLING METHOD IS DESCRIBED IN THE EXPLANATORY NOTES OF THE REPORT.
MORE DETAILS ON SHIPPING, PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS FOR 1989 ARE CONTAINED IN THE "HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS REPORT 1989", WHICH IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT CENTRE, CENTRAL AT $37.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ON STATISTICS PROVIDED IN THE REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE TRADE SURVEYS AND SHIPPING STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 823 4887.
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SUMMARY RESULTS OF 1988 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION *******
THE SUMMARY STATISTICS COMPILED FROM THE SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION COVERING THE REFERENCE YEAR 1988 WAS RELEASED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY).
FIELD WORK FOR THE SURVEY WAS UNDERTAKEN BETWEEN MAY 1989 AND EARLY 1990.
THE SURVEY RESULTS INDICATED THAT 51,671 MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS HAD OPERATED FOR THE WHOLE OR PART OF 1988.
/THE OUTPUT ......
FRIDAY, JULY 6, 1990
THE OUTPUT OF THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY SHOWED SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN 1988. THE VALUE OF GROSS OUTPUT DURING 1988 WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $315,940 MILLION, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 11.5 PER CENT IN MONEY TERMS COMPARED WITH 1987.
THE EXPENSES OF MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS IN 1988 INCLUDED $213,067 MILLION ON THE PURCHASES OF MATERIALS, SUPPLIES AND INDUSTRIAL WORK/SERVICES; $49,062 MILLION ON COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES; AND $27,115 MILLION ON OTHER EXPENSES.
THE TOTAL VALUE ADDED OF THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY STOOD AT $83,182 MILLION IN 1988, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 9.8 PER CENT IN MONEY TERMS OVER 1987.
VALUE ADDED IS A MEASURE OF THE NET OUTPUT OF THE INDUSTRY AND REFLECTS THE INDUSTRY’S CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.
RANKED ACCORDING TO THE VALUE ADDED, THE TOP FIVE BROAD INDUSTRY GROUPS WITHIN THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG WERE : WEARING APPAREL ( $17,858 MILLION OR 21 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VALUE ADDED OF THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY ) ; BASIC METALS, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT ( $15,408 MILLION OR 19 PER CENT ) ; TEXTILES ( $12,925 MILLION OR 16 PER CENT ) ; ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS ( $12,670 MILLION OR 15 PER CENT ) ; AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS ( $6,619 MILLION OR 8 PER CENT).
AS REGARDS THE GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS, THE MOST IMPORTANT AREAS WERE "TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG, TSING YI” AND "NGAU TAU KOK, KWUN TONG, LEI YUE MUN".
ESTABLISHMENTS IN THESE LOCATIONS TOGETHER ACCOUNTED FOR 47 PER CENT AND 44 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OF THE GROSS OUTPUT AND VALUE ADDED OF THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY.
WHEN ANALYSED BY THE EMPLOYMENT SIZES OF MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS, THE STATISTICS SHOWED THAT ABOUT 69 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS HAD ENGAGED LESS THAN 10 PERSONS.
HOWEVER, THESE SMALL ESTABLISHMENTS ONLY ACCOUNTED FOR 9 PER CENT, 11 PER CENT AND 15 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OF THE GROSS OUTPUT, VALUE ADDED AND TOTAL WORKFORCE OF THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY.
IN CONTRAST, ONLY ABOUT 3 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS HAD ENGAGED 100 OR MORE PERSONS, BUT THEY ACCOUNTED FOR ABOUT 49 PER CENT OF THE GROSS OUTPUT, 49 PER CENT OF VALUE ADDED AND 41 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL WORKFORCE OF THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY.
/THE 1988 .......
FRIDAY, JULY 6, 1990
- 5
THE 1988 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION WAS ONE IN A SERIES OF ANNUAL ECONOMIC SURVEYS CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT FOR ASCERTAINING THE STRUCTURE AND OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS. OF THE RELEVANT ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES, AND FOR ESTIMATING THE CONTRIBUTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES TO THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT OF HONG KONG.
APART FROM THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, THE SURVEY ALSO COVERED ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED IN MINING AND QUARRYING AND IN THE SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY, GAS AND WATER.
SUMMARY STATISTICS FOR THE 1988 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE JUNE 1990 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
MORE DETAILED RESULTS TOGETHER WITH THE DESCRIPTIONS OF THE BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY OF THE SURVEY WILL BE GIVEN IN THE SURVEY REPORT ENTITLED ”1988 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION”, WHICH WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN AUGUST AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; AND AT THE PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 823 4823.
/SUMMARY RESULTS .......
FRIDAY, JULY 6, 1990
- 6 -
Sum ary results of the 1988 Survey of Industrial Production Analysis by broad manu factoring industry group
Broad industry group Number of establishments Number of persons engaged Purchases of materials, supplies and industrial Value added (I to)
Compensation work/ Other expenses ($ to) Gross output ($ to)
of employees ($ to) services (1 to)
Food, beverages & tobacco 979 (1.1) 25 274 (-0.5) 1,607 (12.4) 6,888 (20.6) 1,672 (16.3) 12,335 (20.3) 4,140 (29.2)
Textiles (including knitting) 5 197 (-3.0) 124 354 (-3.9) 7,644 (7.0) 31,314 (6.7) 4,017 (5.9) 47,445 (6.9) 12,925 (2.8)
Wearing apparel, except knitwear 4 footwear 9 530 (0.1) 252 571 (-8.9) 13,041 (0.6) 38,004 (-2.1) 5,495 (0.4) 59,771 (-1.7) 17,858 (0.1)
Leather, wood & ccrk products 2 705 (-7.3) 24 415 (-9.6) 1,215 (2.4) 4,036 (-0.1) 612 (3.7) 6,292 (•) 1,744 (-0.5)
Paper products, prlntlr^ & publishing 6 1»23 (13.1) 58 353 (10.4) 3,474 (29.6) 11,518 (37.3) 2,214 (44.3) 19,631 (35.3) 6,525 (30.8)
Chemicals, rubber & non-metallic mineral products 1 333 (-5.4) 15 857 (-11.6) 1,031 (3.6) 7,753 (27.5) 1,091 (7.3) 10,816 (21.5) 2,148 (10.7)
Plastic products 5 566 (2.9) 74 483 (-16.6) 3,846 (-0.7) 16,389 (4.4) 2,196 (2.4) 24,966 (5.0) 6,619 (9.2)
Basic metals, fabricated metal products, machinery & equipment 15 059 (5.4) 155 771 (-1.8) 8,775 (14.9) 41,645 (23.9) 4,260 (23.5) 60,093 (23.6) 15,408 (22.9)
Electrical & electronic products 1 977 (-5.7) 121 944 (-6.1) 6,510 (10.8) 44,922 (15.4) 4,687 (17.3) 60,186 (12.7) 12,670 (9.5)
Other manufacturing industries 2 902 (-8.7) 32 941 (-9.8) 1,920 (7.7) 10,597 (22.4) 871 (9.7) 14,405 (16.1) 3,146 (-4.4)
Total 51 671 885 963 (1.8) (-6.2) 49,062 (7.7) 213,067 (12.5> 27,115 (11.9) ^15,940 (11.5) 83,182 (9.8)
Notes f (T) Individual entries rounding. may not add up exactly to the ; respective totals due to
(2) Figures in brackets represent percentage changes in 1988 compared with 1987.
(3) Value added is a measure of the contribution of an industry to Hong Kong’s Gross Domestic Product.
(1| ) The "Number of persons engaged" are ’fall-year equivalent’ figures, i.e. for an establishment which operated for only part of 1988, the number of persons engaged as at the end of the quarters during which the establishment operated are sunraed up and divided by 4.
(5) • denotes a percentage change within ± 0.5?,
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/7........
FRIDAY, JULY 6, 1990
7 -
BRITISH NATIONALITY (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL TO BE GAZETTED *******
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO MAKE IT AN OFFENCE FOR ANYONE TO MAKE A FALSE STATEMENT WHEN APPLYING FOR BRITISH CITIZENSHIP UNDER THE NATIONALITY PACKAGE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS ALREADY AN OFFENCE TO MAKE A FALSE STATEMENT UNDER THE BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT 1981. THE OFFENCE CARRIES A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF A $15,000 FINE AND IMPRISONMENT FOR THREE MONTHS.
"THE BRITISH NATIOALITY (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, TO BE GAZETTED NEXT WEEK, SEEKS TO EXTEND THE SCOPE OF THIS OFFENCE TO COVER THE BRITISH NATIONALITY (HONG KONG) ACT 1990, WHEN ENACTED," HE SAID.
ANOTHER CLAUSE OF THE BILL PROPOSES TO MAKE IT AN OFFENCE FOR ANYONE INVOLVED WITH PROCESSING APPLICATIONS UNDER THE NATIONALITY PACKAGE TO DISCLOSE ANY INFORMATION RELATING TO THE APPLICANTS WITHOUT PROPER AUTHORITY.
"THIS IS A ROUTINE PROVISION IN CASES WHERE A LARGE AMOUNT OF DETAILED INFORMATION HAS TO BE PROVIDED.
"SIMILAR PROVISIONS ALREADY EXIST TO PROTECT THE PRIVACY OF INFORMATION GIVEN TO THE GOVERNMENT UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE AND THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE.
"THE PROPOSED MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR UNAUTHORISED DISCLOSURE OR PUBLICATION OF SUCH INFORMATION IS A FINE OF $50,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS.
"THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES THAT NO PROSECUTION FOR SUCH AN OFFENCE SHOULD BE INSTITUTED WITHOUT THE WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL,” HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THESE PROVISIONS HAVE TO BE IN PLACE TO FACILITATE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONALITY PACKAGE ONCE THE BRITISH NATIONALITY (HONG KONG) BILL 1990, TOGETHER WITH ITS SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION, WAS ENACTED.
"WE EXPECT THIS TO BE IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR," HE SAID.
THE BRITISH NATIONALITY (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 IS DUE TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JULY 25.
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/8 ........
FRIDAY, JULY 6, 1990
8
ELECTRICITY SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS GAZETTED
*****
FIVE SETS OF SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS UNDER THE ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE 1990 WERE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS, TOGETHER WITH THE ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE WHICH WAS ENACTED ON MARCH 23 THIS YEAR, AIM AT ACHIEVING THE DUAL PURPOSE OF REPLACING THE EXISTING ELECTRICITY SUPPLY ORDINANCE, THE PROVISIONS OF WHICH HAVE BECOME OUT OF DATE AND DEFICIENT IN A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT AREAS; AND INTRODUCING MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE SAFETY STANDARDS IN RELATION TO ELECTRICAL WORK AND APPLIANCES.
THE SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS WHICH WERE ENACTED TODAY INCLUDE:
ELECTRICITY (REGISTRATION) REGULATIONS 1990
WHICH SET OUT THE PROCEDURES, QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION OF ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS AND GENERATING FACILITIES;
ELECTRICITY (WIRING) REGULATIONS 1990
WHICH PRESCRIBE MINIMUM SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE WIRING OF FIXED ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS AND THE REQUIREMENT OF PERIODIC TESTING OF FIXED INSTALLATIONS IN SOME SPECIFIED TYPES OF PREMISES;
ELECTRICITY (EXEMPTION) REGULATIONS 1990
WHICH SPECIFY THE SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES OR TYPES OF FIXED ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS IN RESPECT OF WHICH EXEMPTION MAY BE GRANTED BY THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES UNDER THE ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE;
ELECTRICITY SUPPLY (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1990 AND ELECTRICITY SUPPLY (SPECIAL AREAS) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1990
WHICH ARE AMENDMENTS TO RESPECTIVE PRINCIPAL REGULATIONS AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE IMPENDING REPEAL OF THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY ORDINANCE (CAP. 103).
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/9.........
FRIDAY, JULY 6, 1990
- 9 -
CSD DOING IMPORTANT AND DIFFICULT WORK
******
THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS DOING IMPORTANT WORK WHICH HAS NOW BECOME VERY MUCH MORE DIFFICULT AS A RESULT OF OVERCROWDING IN PRISONS AND STAFF SHORTAGES, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE OVERCROWDING IN PRISONS WAS CAUSED MAINLY BY THE LARGE AND GROWING NUMBER OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA BEING IMPRISONED, WHILE STAFF SHORTAGES WERE EXACERBATED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S INVOLVEMENT IN MANAGING DETENTION CENTES FOR OVER 30,000 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, MR ASPREY SAID.
"I HAVE TO SAY THAT THESE PROBLEMS ARE LIKELY TO BE WITH US FOR SOME TIME YET," MR ASPREY SAID WHEN OFFICIATING AT A PASSING OUT PARADE OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT OFFICERS.
"ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION FROM CHINA HAS BECOME ONCE AGAIN A SERIOUS PROBLEM, AND WE ARE DETERMINED TO DEMONSTRATE FIRMLY THAT THERE IS NO QUESTION OF AN AMNESTY OR ANY RELAXATION IN OUR POLICY," HE SAID.
"ONLY WHEN THIS MESSAGE GETS HOME ARE WE LIKELY TO SEE A GRADUAL REDUCTION IN THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT PRISON POPULATION."
HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD ALSO HAVE TO RETAIN A RESPONSIBILITY FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.
"BUT HERE I HOPE I CAN OFFER SOME PROSPECT OF GRADUAL RELIEF," HE SAID.
"THE DEPARTMENT HAS ALREADY RELINQUISHED ITS RESPONSIBILITY FOR REFUGEE CENTRES; IF ARRIVALS REMAIN LOW, AND THE PRESENT RATE OF REPATRIATION IS MAINTAINED OR INCREASED, I BELIEVED THAT WE SHALL BY THE END OF THE YEAR BE ABLE TO CLOSE SOME OF THE SMALLER DETENTION CENTRES, FOR EXAMPLE AT NEI KWU, CHI MA WAN (LOWER), AND CAPE COLLISON."
THIS SHOULD HELP EASE, THOUGH ONLY IN A SMALL WAY, STAFFING AND ACCOMMODATION PROBLEMS, MR ASPREY SAID.
HE SAID THAT DESPITE THE DIFFICULTIES, THE DEPARTMENT HAS MAINTAINED ITS HIGH STANDARDS IN ALL AREAS OF ITS OPERATIONS, AND HAS INDEED CONTINUED TO DEVELOP AND IMPROVE ITS PROGRAMMES OF AFTERCARE, EDUCATION AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING, AS WELL AS CORRECTIONAL SERVICES INDUSTRIES.
"THE SERVICE AS A WHOLE HAS MET THE CHALLENGES AND OVERCOME THE DIFFICULTIES. THIS IS THE TRUE MEASURE OF A SERVICE WITH HIGH STANDARDS, PROFESSIONAL PRIDE AND GOOD MORALE," HE SAID.
/MR ASPREY .......
FRIDAY, JULY 6, 1990
- 10 -
MR ASPREY SAID HE WAS SURE THAT THE OFFICERS WHO WERE PASSING OUT TODAY WILL CARRY FORWARD THESE TRADITIONS, AND ENHANCE THE HIGH REPUTATION WHICH HONG KONG’S CORRECTIONAL SERVICES ENJOYED INTERNATIONALLY FOR THE STANDARDS OF ITS PENAL CARE.
THE PARADE, HELD AT THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE AT STANLEY, MARKED THE PASSING OUT OF 26 OFFICERS AND 50 ASSISTANT OFFICERS WHO HAVE JUST COMPLETED A 26-WEEK BASIC TRAINING AT THE INSTITUTE.
MR ASPREY ALSO PRESENTED SILVER WHISTLES TO THE TWO BEST RECRUITS.
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TRADE ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERSHIP ANNOUNCED *****
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) THE NEW MEMBERSHIP OF THE TRADE ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE YEAR STARTING FROM JULY 1, 1990.
THE TERMS OF 12 OF THE NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS ON THE BOARD HAVE BEEN EXTENDED FOR ANOTHER YEAR.
AT THE SAME TIME, MR BOB CHONG HOT-HOI, MR CLIFF SUN KAI-LIT, MR HERBERT WONG WAN-CHAM AND MR HOWARD YOUNG HOW-WAH HAVE BEEN APPOINTED NEW MEMBERS TO THE BOARD WHILE MR WILLIAM TURNBULL AND DR KENNETH K.K. WANG HAVE RETIRED.
MR CHONG IS THE DIRECTOR OF CHUNG NAM WATCH CO LTD. MR SUN IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF KIN HIP METAL AND PLASTIC FACTORY LTD. MR WONG IS THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF W. HAKING ENTERPRISES LTD AND MR YOUNG IS THE DIRECTOR OF SWIRE TRAVEL LTD.
THE THREE OFFICIAL MEMBERS — THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY AND THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE --REMAIN ON THE BOARD. THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY CONTINUES TO BE THE EX-OFFICIO CHAIRMAN.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOHN CHAN, HAS PAID TRIBUTE TO MR TURNBULL AND DR WANG WHO HAVE SERVED ON THE BOARD FOR SEVEN YEARS AND FOUR YEARS RESPECTIVELY.
MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN REAPPOINTED ARE: MR PAUL CHENG, MR RAYMOND K.F. CH’IEN, MR GARY N. HARILELA, MR HO SAI-CHU, MR RAY MAN LEUNG, MRS ELEANOR C.M. LING, MR J.D. MCGREGOR, MR JACK SO, MR VINCENT S.T. WAN, MR PAUL K.C. WONG, MR LOUIS K.C. WONG AND MISS SYLVIA S.F. YAU.
THE TRADE ADVISORY BOARD, COMPRISING MAINLY NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS, IS CONSULTED ON ALL MATTERS AFFECTING HONG KONG’S TRADE, OTHER THAN TRADE IN TEXTILES AND GARMENTS.
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/Il.......
FRIDAY, JULY 6, 1990
11
THIRTEEN DISTRICTS TO LAUNCH SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMMES
*******
THIRTEEN DISTRICTS WILL BE LAUNCHING THEIR DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMMES WITH VARIETY SHOWS, CARNIVALS AND GAMES TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AND ON SUNDAY.
THEY ARE KOWLOON CITY, MONG KOK, SHAM SHUI PO, KWUN TONG, YAU TSIM, SHA TIN, SAI KUNG, TUEN MUN, TSUEN WAN, TAI PO, EASTERN, WAN CHAI AND CENTRAL AND WESTERN.
EACH OF THE DISTRICTS HAS ORGANISED A RICH PROGRAMME OF RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 25.
BEARING THE THEME OF "SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THE COMMUNITY", THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE LEADERSHIP TRAINING COURSES, EXHIBITIONS, CAMPING, SPORTS AND GAMES COMPETITIONS, SEMINARS, VISITS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES.
EACH DISTRICT HAS ALSO PRODUCED A BOOKLET ON DETAILS OF ITS PROGRAMME. COPIES ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN THE DISTRICT OFFICES AND THEIR SUB-OFFICES.
BEGINNING THEIR PROGRAMMES TOMORROW ARE SHAM SHUI PO, KWUN TONG, TAI PO AND TSUEN WAN.
SHAM SHUI PO WILL HOLD THE OPENING CEREMONY OF ITS PROGRAMME AT THE MAPLE STREET PLAYGROUND, BEGINNING AT 7 PM; KWUN TONG AT
WELLINGTON COLLEGE, TELFORD GARDEN, AT 7 PM; TAI PO AT THE TAI PO PLAYGROUND, HEUNG SZE WUI STREET, AT 8 PM; AND TSUEN WAN AT THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA COMMUNITY CENTRE, TAI HO ROAD, AT 9.30 AM.
THE VENUES AND TIMES OF THE OPENING CEREMONIES IN THE OTHER
DISTRICTS ON SUNDAY ARE: KOWLOON CITY MA TAU WAI ROAD FOOTBALL PITCH 2.30 PM
MONG KOK MACPHERSON PLAYGROUND YAU TSIM NEW WORLD PLAZA SAI KUNG TSUI LAM ESTATE COMMUNITY HALL TUEN MUN TUEN MUN CULTURAL SQUARE EASTERN VICTORIA PARK WAN CHAI SOUTHORN INDOOR STADIUM 4 PM 2.30 PM 2 PM 10 AM 2.30 PM 3 PM
/CENTRAL AND .......
FRIDAY, JULY 6, 1 -'JO
- 12 -
CENTRAL AND WESTERN CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT
2.30 PM
SHA TIN
CENTRAL PARK
3.30 PM
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER CEREMONIES FOR THE DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMMES.
THE OPENING
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EXHIBITION TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION
*****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN A BETTER INSIGHT INTO THE MEANING OF AND THE PRINCIPLES BEHIND ELECTIONS BY VISITING AN EXHIBITION TO BE STAGED BY THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION.
THE EXHIBITION, WITH "FREE TO CHOOSE" AS ITS THEME, WILL BE HELD BETWEEN JULY 7 AND 9 AT THE EXHIBITION HALL, LOW BLOCK, CITY HALL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID: "WE HOPE TO ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO ACQUIRE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF ELECTIONS AND OTHER ASSOCIATED ISSUES AND TO PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY IN THE 1991 ELECTIONS.
"WE ALSO HOPE TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION IN A BROAD SENSE," HE ADDED.
THE FIRST PART OF THE EXHIBITION WILL BE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG, INCLUDING THE MEANING AND PRINCIPLES OF ELECTIONS, HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT CANDIDATES AND HOW TO MONITOR THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ELECTED MEMBERS IN ALL TIERS OF THE POLITICAL SYSTEM.
THE SECOND PART, WHICH FEATURES CONTRIBUTIONS FROM DISTRICT BODIES AND ORGANISERS OF OUTSTANDING CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECTS, WILL INCLUDE DISPLAYS ON DEMOCRACY, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF LEGAL EDUCATION.
TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION, A CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE EXHIBITION VENUE TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT 10.30 AM.
OFFICIATING WILL BE THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION, DR DANIEL TSE.
MR TSAO WILL ALSO BE PRESENTING PRIZES TO WINNERS OF THE OUTSTANDING CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECT AWARDS.
/THE DATES .......
FRIDAY, JULY 6, 1990
- 13 -
THE DATES AND TIMES OF THE EXHIBITION WILL BE AS FOLLOWS:
JULY 7 (SATURDAY) - 12 NOON TO 7 PM
JULY 8 (SUNDAY) - 10 AM TO 7 PM
JULY 9 (MONDAY) - 10 AM TO 5 PM
ADMISSION TO THE EXHIBITION IS FREE AND ALL VISITORS WILL RECEIVE A CIVIC EDUCATION CARTOON BOOKLET AND A BOOKMARK AS SOUVENIR.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION AND PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOR THE OUTSTANDING CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECT AWARDS TO BE HELD AT THE EXHIBITION HALL, LOW BLOCK, CITY HALL, TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT 10.30 AM.
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SAI KUNG TO CLEAN UP ON SUNDAY *****
THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN IN SAI KUNG WILL BEGIN ON SUNDAY (JULY 8).
THERE WILL BE AN OPENING CEREMONY AND AFTER THIS A CLEAN-UP WILL BE MADE OF THE GREEN BELTS AT PO LAM AND TSUI LAM ESTATES IN TSEUNG KWAN O.
ABOUT 50 STUDENTS OF THE CARMEL DIVINE GRACE FOUNDATION SECONDARY SCHOOL AT PO LAM ESTATE WILL TAKE PART IN THE CLEAN-UP OPERATION.
, THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF CLEAN-UP ACTIVITIES IN IS ALSO A DISTRICT PROGRAMME IN SUPPORT OF THE " ORGANISED BY THE JOINT URBAN/REGIONAL COUNCIL
THE OPERATION SAI KUNG THIS YEAR, "CLEAN HONG KONG DAY
KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE.
THE TERRITORY-WIDE CAMPAIGN IS AIMED AT ENHANCING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE NEED TO KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN.
/THE CAMPAIGN .......
FRIDAY, JULY 6, 1)90
- 14 -
THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE LAUNCHED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR FREDERICK TONG; CHAIRMAN OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, MR WILLIAM WAN; CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE, MR HO KOON-SHUN; CONVENER OF THE WORKING GROUP ON KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN 1990-91, MR EDWARD PONG; AND THE DISTRICT HYGIENE SUPERINTENDENT (SAI KUNG) OF THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR CHU WING-WAI.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1990-91 SAI KUNG DISTRICT KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN AND THE CLEAN-UP OPERATION IN TSEUNG KWAN O.
THE CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT THE TSUI LAM ESTATE AMPHITHEATRE AT 2.30 PM ON SUNDAY (JULY 8).
------0--------
SHAM TSENG SAN TSUEN ACCESS ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS TO BE AMENDED
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO AMEND THE WORKS FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE SHAM TSENG SAN TSUEN ACCESS ROAD, DETAILS OF WHICH WERE DESCRIBED IN A GAZETTE NOTICE PUBLISHED ON OCTOBER 13 AND 20 LAST YEAR.
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WORKS INCLUDE OMITTING THE LAY-BY AND A SHORT LENGTH OF THE FOOTPATH NEAR BUILDING C.L.L. 9440, AND RETAINING THE STRUCTURES ON C.L.L. 9440 AND C.L.L. 9423 AND THE STRUCTURE ON GOVERNMENT LAND ADJACENT TO C.L.L. 9423.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE CONSTRUCTION WORKS ARE PROGRAMMED TO COMMENCE EARLY NEXT YEAR FOR COMPLETION IN EARLY 1992.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY INSPECT THE AMENDMENT PLAN AND SCHEME AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY; AND AT THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, BOTH AT TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
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 BY AUGUST 28 THIS YEAR.
------0-------
/15 .......
FRIDAY, JULY 6,
1990
- 15 -
MORE ROADS TO BE BUILT IN SHEUNG SHUI ******
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS PLANNING TO BUILD MORE ROADS IN SHEUNG SHUI AREA 30A TO PROVIDE VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS TO THE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREA.
THE PROPOSED WORKS INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SECTION OF A LOCAL DISTRIBUTOR ROAD (ROAD LIO) OF ABOUT 500 METRES IN LENGTH, LOCAL ROADS 3001, 3002 AND 3004, VEHICULAR ACCESSES, FOOTPATHS, CYCLE TRACKS, ROADSIDE AMENITIES AND STREET FURNITURE TOGETHER WITH ANCILLARY DRAINAGE WORKS.
A BUS TERMINUS, A GREEN MINIBUS TERMINUS, CARPARK AND LORRY PARK AND A PEDESTRIAN SUBWAY ACROSS ROAD D4 WILL ALSO BE BUILT.
PERMANENT ALTERNATIVE ACCESSES WILL BE PROVIDED TO CATER FOR THE EXISTING ACCESSES THAT HAVE TO BE CLOSED.
DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESSES WILL BE MAINTAINED SO THAT ANY INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC WILL BE MINIMISED.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG; AND AT THE NORTH DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, BOTH AT JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING ROUNDABOUT, FANLING.
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 NOT LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 4 THIS YEAR.
---------0-----------
COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS PROJECTS ON DISPLAY
*****
AN EXHIBITION OF THE BEST OF MORE THAN 200 COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS PROJECT COMPETITION ENTRIES IS NOW OPEN FOR PUBLIC VIEWING AT THE HONG KONG TEACHERS’ CENTRE IN NORTH POINT STARTING FROM TODAY (FRIDAY) UNTIL TUESDAY (JULY 10) DURING OFFICE HOURS.
THE COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS PROJECT COMPETITION WAS ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE CHINESE GOLD AND SILVER EXCHANGE SOCIETY TO AROUSE THE INTEREST OF SECONDARY STUDENTS IN VARIOUS BUSINESS ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG.
/STUDENTS WERE .......
FRIDAY, JULY 6, 1990
- 16 -
STUDENTS WERE REQUIRED TO CONDUCT RESEARCH AND ANALYSE DATA ON HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL MARKET, ADVERTISING, RETAIL BUSINESS, ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE, OFFICE AUTOMATION, FOREIGN TRADE OR OTHER BUSINESS ACTIVITIES, AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
HE SAID THROUGH PARTICIPATION, STUDENTS COULD INTEGRATE THE KNOWLEDGE THEY LEARNT IN THE CLASSROOM INTO FIELDWORK STUDIES.
THE PROJECTS ON DISPLAY WERE PRESENTED IN THE FORM OF AN ESSAY, MODELS, PHOTOGRAPHS, DRAWINGS, SLIDES AND SOUND TAPES OR MIXED COMBINATION.
---------0-----------
SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS APPLICATION REMINDER
******
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDED STUDENTS WISHING TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS AND MARINE FISH SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS TO MAKE THEIR APPLICATIONS EARLY.
"ONLY ONE WEEK IS LEFT FOR APPLICATIONS FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION SUBSIDIES BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE ON JULY 13. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED," A SPOKESMAN SAID.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS ON THE 12TH FLOOR OF CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON, AND FROM VARIOUS DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL AND FISHERIES LIAISON OFFICES.
THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS AND MARINE FISH SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS AIM AT HELPING PEOPLE WHO WISH TO SERVE THE LOCAL AGRICULTURAL AND FISHERIES INDUSTRIES OR RELATED TRADES ON COMPLETION OF THEIR STUDIES, AND ALSO THOSE EMPLOYED IN THE INDUSTRIES WHO WISH TO PURSUE FURTHER TRAINING.
ANOTHER AIM IS TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO CHILDREN OF FARMING AND FISHING FAMILIES TO COMPLETE THEIR TERTIARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLING.
THE AWARDS WILL BE TENABLE AT ANY UNIVERSITY IN HONG KONG, THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, CITY POLYTECHNIC, BAPTIST COLLEGE, ANY ACCEPTABLE OVERSEAS INSTITUTION AND ANY SECONDARY SCHOOL IN HONG KONG.
APPLICANTS IN TERTIARY EDUCATION SHOULD BE HONG KONG RESIDENTS UNDER 30 YEARS OF AGE. THEY SHOULD STUDY COURSES ON AGRICULTURE, VETERINARY SCIENCE, MARINE SCIENCE AND BIOLOGY OR ANY APPLIED SCIENCE DIRECTLY RELEVANT TO THE LOCAL AGRICULTURE OR FISHERIES INDUSTRIES AND RELATED TRADES.
/MEANWHILE, APPLICATIONS .......
FRIDAY, JULY 6, 1990
- 17 -
MEANWHILE, APPLICATIONS ARE ALSO OPEN TO CHILDREN OF FARMING AND FISHING FAMILIES WHO ARE IN NEED OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO COMPLETE FORMS 4 TO 7.
’’APPLICATIONS FOR SUCH ASSISTANCE WILL CLOSE ON AUGUST 15.” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE FUNDS AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES MADE ON TEL. 733 2244 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
CAN BE
-----0-----
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN FO TAN
*♦♦♦♦♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT WITH EFFECT FROM 10 AM ON SUNDAY (JULY 8), NGAU WU TOK STREET IN FO TAN WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY ANTI-CLOCKWISE FROM SHAN MEI STREET TO SUI WO ROAD INSTEAD OF ONE-WAY CLOCKWISE FROM SUI WO ROAD TO SHAN MEI STREET.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
--------0-----------
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ON TUEN MUN ROAD
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TO FACILITATE RESURFACING WORKS, TWO TRAFFIC LANES OF THE NEW TERRITORIES BOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TUEN MUN ROAD SECTION BETWEEN PAI MIN KOK AND TSING LUNG TAU WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED IN TURN FROM 9.30 PM ON SUNDAY (JULY 8) TO 6 PM ON JULY 15.
CLOSURE OF TWO TRAFFIC LANES WILL ONLY BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 9.30 PM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY. ONE TRAFFIC LANE WIL BE CLOSED FOR THE REST OF THE CLOSURE PERIOD.
II OT ------U-------
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE
IN TUEN MUN
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT REPAIR WORKS AS NECESSITATED BY
ANNOUNCES THAT TO A WATERMAIN BURST,
FACILITATE
ROAD
CARRIAGEWAY OF TSUN WEN ROAD BETWEEN HO TIN > STREET IN TUEN MUN HAS BEEN CLOSED AS FROM
STREET
THE AND
(FRIDAY)
ONE WEEK.
SOUTHBOUND
KIN FOR
WING ABOUT
TMiq PFRIOD TRAFFIC ON SOUTHBOUND TSUN WEN HEADING FOR RO ^ ROAoT^ BE DIVERTED VIA KIN FUNG CIRCUIT.
DURING
ROAD
♦ »
* * *
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, JULY 7, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, SAYS THE GOVERNOR ................................... 1
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS POSSIBLE WITH RESOLUTE ACTION ............................... 2
PUBLIC URGED TO PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY IN ELECTIONS ...................................... 3
YOUNG PEOPLE URGED TO HELP IN REHABILITATION WORK....................................... 4
DIRECTOR OF AFD PRAISES LOCAL FARMERS .................................................. 5
FRENCH STUDENTS LEARN MORE ABOUT HK .................................................... 6
USD HOTLINE CONTINUES TO SERVE PUBLIC WELL ............................................. 8
SAI KUNG FIGHT CRIME STAR APPOINTED..................................................... 9
STREET CLEARANCE ON CHEUNG CHAU........................................................ 10
KEEP HK CLEAN PUBLICITY DRIVE IN SOUTHERN ............................................. 11
INAUGURATION CEREMONY FOR AUXILIARY LITTER WARDEN SCHEME .............................. 11
OBSTRUCTING LABOUR OFFICER AN OFFENCE ................................................. I2
DEMOLITION OF LAI CHI KOK THA ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA .................................. 13
FLOODING ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ....................................................... 13
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS BUS ROUTE CANCELLATION ........................................ 14
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN HO MAN TIN ............I.............................. I5
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY IN WAN CHAI .................................................. 15
TEMPORARY CLOSURES OF TOLO HIGHWAY .................................................... 15
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES IN SHA TIN .................................................... 16
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN YAU MA TEI .................................................... 16
SATURDAY, JULY 7, 199U
- 1 -
NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, SAYS THE GOVERNOR ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
HONG KONG KEPT IN VERY CLOSE TOUCH WITH THE GUANGDONG AUTHORITIES ON THE QUESTION OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
NOTING THAT THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS RECENTLY, SIR DAVID STRESSED THAT THERE WAS NO QUESTION EVER OF AN AMNESTY.
’’THOSE WHO ARE FOUND HERE TO BE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WILL BE SENT BACK ,TO CHINA. THAT MESSAGE MUST GET ACROSS VERY LOUDLY AND CLEARLY TO GUANGDONG,” HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR WAS SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE AIRPORT ON HIS RETURN FROM LONDON.
"WE HAVE VERY STRICT CONTROL AT THE MOMENT. WE WATCH VERY CAREFULLY THE BORDER AND THAT WILL BE MAINTAINED AT A HIGH LEVEL. THOSE WHO ARE FOUND AS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HERE, WHETHER THEY ARE FOUND COMING INTO HONG KONG OR WHETHER THEY ARE FOUND HAVING WORKED HERE, WILL BE SENT BACK TO CHINA," SIR DAVID POINTED OUT.
HE SAID THAT THOSE WHO TRIED TO MAKE UNSCRUPULOUS USE OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS BY EMPLOYING THEM MUST ALSO BE DEALT WITH UNDER THE LAW.
"WE HAVE LAWS TO DEAL WITH THAT AND WE MUST TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE APPLIED EFFECTIVELY," HE ADDED.
ASKED IF HE WAS AWARE OF ANY CHANGE OF AMERICAN STANCE ON THE QUESTION OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, SIR DAVID SAID THAT THERE HAD BEEN SOME CHANGE IN THE ATTITUDE OF PEOPLE WHO HAD REALLY BEEN FOLLOWING THE PROBLEM IN DETAIL.
"THEY REALISE THAT IN ORDER TO DEAL WITH THIS SITUATION YOU HAVE GOT TO HAVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR RETURNING TO THEIR HOMES PEOPLE WHO ARE FOUND NOT TO BE GENUINE REFUGEES. AND I HAVE FOUND AN INCREASING WILLINGNESS TO UNDERSTAND THAT AMONGST MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND THE WELL INFORMED PRESS IN THE UNITED STATES," HE SAID.
ON THE STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD IN GENEVA LATER THIS MONTH, SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS VERY HARD TO SAY AT THE MOMENT WHAT THE OUTCOME WOULD BE.
HE SAID THAT THERE WAS NEAR UNANIMOUS AGREEMENT AT THE EARLIER MEETING IN JANUARY THIS YEAR AND HE HOPED THAT THE WORLD COMMUNITY WOULD PUSH THIS ONE FORWARD.
ON HIS VISIT TO BRITAIN, THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT HE HAD FOUND AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF INTEREST IN HONG KONG AND HE WELCOMED THE OPPORTUNITY HE HAD HAD TO TALK TO PEOPLE ABOUT THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES THERE WERE HERE FOR INVESTORS.
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/2.........
SATURDAY, JULY 7, 1990
- 2 -
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS ♦ * *
POSSIBLE WITH RESOLUTE ACTION * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
WITH RESOLUTE ACTION, IT IS POSSIBLE TO BRING ABOUT WORTHWHILE AND SOME!INI'S DRAMATIC IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ENVIRONMENT, THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DR STUART REED, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
HE CITED AS AN EXAMPLE THE VERY RECENT SUBSTANTIAL REDACTIONS OF AIR POLLUTION LEVELS IN INDUSTRIAL AREAS WHICH HAD RESULTED FROM THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE FUEL RESTRICTION REGULATIONS.
THE NEW REGULATIONS CAME INTO FORCE ON JULY 1, REQUIRING THAT ALL INDUSTRIAL BOILERS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT BURNING HEAVY, DIRTY HIGH SULPHUR FUEL OIL SHOULD CHANGE TO LIGHT, LOW SULPHUR DIESEL FUEL OIL.
"IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS, WE HAVE SEEN A DRAMATIC AND SUBSTANTIAL DROP IN AIR POLLUTION LEVELS IN INDUSTRIAL/RESIDENTIAL AREAS," DR REED SAID.
"NOT ONLY SULPHUR DIOXIDE, BUT ALSO OXIDES OF NITROGEN AND SMOKE HAVE DECREASED AND THE AIR OVER TSUEN WAN AND KWUN TONG IS DISTINCTLY CLEANER," HE SAID.
DR REED WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF A FIVE-DAY JOINT SCHOOL EXHIBITION ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ORGANISED BY THE SCHOOL CONSERVANCY CLUBS’ LIAISON BOARD, FRIENDS OF THE EARTH AND JARDINE’S AMBASSADORS.
"IT IS, OF COURSE, ESSENTIAL THAT WE CONTINUE, THROUGH MEANS SUCH AS THIS EXHIBITION, TO WAKE UP OUR COMMUNITY FROM ITS ENVIRONMENTAL SLEEP WALKING IN WHICH WE ARE TRAMPLING ALL OVER OUR OWN PRECIOUS ENVIRONMENT AND MAKE INDIVIDUALS REALISE THE DAMAGE THAT THEY ARE DOING.
"BUT THERE IS ALWAYS A DANGER THAT IN FOCUSSING ON THE PROBLEMS, WE LOSE SIGHT OF THE FACT THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY ACHIEVE IMPROVEMENTS, GIVEN THE WILL TO FIGHT FOR THEM.
"WE MANAGED TO AVERT THE CLOSURE OF THE BATHING BEACHES ON THE SOUTH OF HONG KONG ISLAND LAST SUMMER, THOUGH ONLY JUST WITH SOME FIRST AID MEASURES.
"THE STREAM IN FO TAN AND THE LAM TSUEN RIVER NOW RUN MUCH MORE CLEARLY AND FREELY AND THERE IS NO LONGER A STINK OF ROTTING PIG WASTES IF YOU STROLL IN THE EVENING ALONG STANLEY MAIN STREET," HE SAID.
"EVEN THE BLACK RIVER IN SAI KUNG MUST BE BEGINNING TO FORGET ITS NAME NOW THAT IT IS RECOVERING FROM DECADES OF DYE-WORKS POLLUTION AND THE STONES ALONG THE RIVER BED, WASHED CLEAN BY THE RECENT STORMS, ONCE MORE REFLECT THE NATURAL SUNLIGHT RATHER THAN THE LATEST FASHION SHADE OF BLUE JEANS BLUE," HE ADDED.
/DR REED .......
SATURDAY, JULY 7 , 1990
- 3 -
DR REED SAID ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN THE MAKING.
THERE WERE OF COURSE MORE THAN ENOUGH REMAINING IN HONG KONG AND POTENTIAL PROBLEMS
AND GROUPS SUCH AS THE ORGANISERS OF THIS EXHIBITION CONTINUE TO FOCUS THE COMMUNITY’S ATTENTION ON THE THREAT POLLUTION POSES TO OUR HEALTH AND WELL BEING.
MUST THAT
"BUT LET US NOT LOSE SIGHT OF THE FACT THAT IF WE FIGHT HARD ENOUGH WE CAN BRING ABOUT REAL IMPROVEMENTS IN OUR ENVIRONMENT, THAT WILL MAKE HONG KONG A HEALTHIER AND MORE AGREEABLE PLACE IN WHICH TO LIVE," HE CONCLUDED.
------0-----------
PUBLIC URGED TO PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY IN ELECTIONS * * * ♦ ♦
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO, TODAY (SATURDAY) URGED THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN THE 1991 ELECTIONS.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION AT THE CITY HALL EXHIBITION HALL.
"NEXT YEAR’S THREE-TIER COUNCIL ELECTIONS, IN PARTICULAR THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTION TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WILL BE A MILESTONE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S POLITICAL SYSTEM," HE SAID.
HE URGED THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN THE ELECTIONS THROUGH VARIOUS WAYS AND MEANS, EITHER TO STAND AS CANDIDATES, TO HELP OUT IN ELECTIONEERING ACTIVITIES OR TO CAST VOTES.
"WE SHOULD POOL OUR EFFORTS TO MAKE NEXT YEAR’S ELECTIONS A SUCCESS AND TO ELECT THE TALENTED TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY,” HE SAID.
ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION, MR TSAO SAID THE MAIN OBJECTIVE WAS TO ENABLE PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT EACH INDIVIDUAL WAS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE SOCIETY SO THAT THEY COULD ACQUIRE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE SOCIETY AND BECOME MORE CONCERNED WITH ITS DEVELOPMENT.
"MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT IS HOPED THAT PEOPLE CAN BE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE PART WIDELY IN POLITICAL AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS IN BUILDING OUR FUTURE,” HE SAID.
HE SAID HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT WITH DETERMINATION AND A PRAGMATIC ATTITUDE, WE COULD BE SUCCESSFUL IN BUILDING A BRIGHT FUTURE.
AT THE SAME CEREMONY, MR TSAO ALSO PRESENTED PRIZES TO THE WINNERS OF THE OUTSTANDING CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECT AWARDS.
/THE DATES........
SATURDAY, JULY 7 , 1990
THE DATES AND TIMES OF THE CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION, ORGANISED BY THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION, ARE AS FOLLOWS:
JULY 7 (SATURDAY) - 12 NOON TO 7 PM
JULY 8 (SUNDAY) - 10 AM TO 7 PM
JULY 9 (MONDAY) - 10 AM TO 5 PM
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO, OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION AT THE GIS NEWSROOM LATER TODAY.
--------0------------
YOUNG PEOPLE URGED TO HELP IN REHABILITATION WORK
YOUNG PEOPLE ARE ENCOURAGED TO HELP IN THE WORK OF INTEGRATING THE DISABLED PEOPLE INTO THE COMMUNITY.
THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ROSE GOODSTADT, MADE THIS APPEAL WHEN OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE S.K.H. HOLY TRINITY CHURCH SOCIAL SERVICE CENTRE IN KOWLOON CITY.
SHE SAID EVERY PERSON, INCLUDING THE DISABLED, SHOULD HAVE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE PART IN COMMUNITY LIFE.
NOTING THAT THE 200 CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES IN THE TERRITORY BOASTED A MEMBERSHIP OF MORE THAN 100,000, MRS GOODSTADT HOPED THESE YOUNGSTERS COULD KEEP AN OPEN MIND BY TAKING PART IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES TOGETHER WITH THE DISABLED.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS QUITE A NUMBER OF MILD-GRADED DISABLED PEOPLE, AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 21, AND THAT THEY TOO NEEDED GROUP ACTIVITIES AND OTHER PEOPLE’S RESPECT.
’’CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES CAN HELP IN INTEGRATING THE DISABLED INTO THE COMMUNITY AS THEIR ACTIVITIES AND FACILITIES ARE ACCESSIBLE TO THESE PEOPLE,” SHE SAID.
SHE CALLED ON MEMBERS OF THESE CENTRES TO PLAY A MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN ENCOURAGING THOSE AT SPECIAL SCHOOLS, TRAINING CENTRES OR SHELTERED WORKSHOPS TO TAKE PART IN THEIR ACTIVITIES.
ON THE OPENING OF THE HOLY TRINITY CHURCH SOCIAL SERVICE CENTRE, MRS GOODSTADT COMMENDED THE CHURCH FOR ITS CONTINUOUS EFFORT IN MEETING THE NEEDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT.
------0-------
/5.........
SATURDAY, JULY 7,
1990
5
DIRECTOR OF AFD PRAISES LOCAL FARMERS *****
THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, TODAY (SATURDAY) COMMENDED FARMERS FOR THE IMPORTANT ROLE THEY PLAYED AND THEIR READINESS IN ADOPTING NEW TECHNIQUES.
SPEAKING AT THE DINNER RECEPTION TO CELEBRATE THE 68TH INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATIVE DAY, DR LEE PRAISED THE FEDERATION OF VEGETABLES MARKETING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT TO THE MARKET MANAGEMENT IN INTRODUCING THE PESTICIDE-RESIDUE MONITORING SCHEME.
HE ACKNOWLEDGED THEIR KEEN PARTICIPATION IN PROJECTS TO PROMOTE NEW CULTIVATION TECHNIQUES SUCH AS THE MASS SEEDLING PRODUCTION METHOD AND CULTIVATION OF EXOTIC VEGETABLES, AS WELL AS THEIR EFFORT IN UNDERTAKING AND CO-ORDINATING PROJECTS TO IMPROVE AGRICULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN THEIR OWN AREA.
"I AM PLEASED TO NOTE THAT ALL THESE PROJECTS WERE HIGHLY APPRECIATED BY THE FARMERS CONCERNED," HE SAID.
DR LEE SAID UNDER THE SPONSORSHIP OF THE FEDERATION AND THE VEGETABLES MARKETING ORGANISATION, 17 FARMERS HAD RECENTLY COMPLETED A STUDY VISIT TO EUROPEAN COUNTRIES TO GAIN FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE OF VEGETABLE CULTIVATION AND MARKETING AND TO EXCHANGE EXPERIENCE AND INFORMATION WITH THEIR OVERSEAS COUNTERPARTS.
REFERRING TO THE 24 PIG RAISING AND AGRICULTURAL CREDIT CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES, DR LEE SAID THEY PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN PROMOTING LOCAL PIG PRODUCTION BY HELPING THEIR MEMBERS TO UPGRADE BREEDING STOCK AND TO OBTAIN THE LATEST TECHNICAL INFORMATION ON MODERN PIG PRODUCTION.
DR LEE ALSO POINTED OUT THE IMPORTANT ROLE THE FARMERS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES CONTINUED TO PLAY IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF AGRICULTURAL CREDIT.
"DURING 1989-90, 36 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL $11.6 MILLION ISSUED AS LOANS TO FARMERS FROM THE VARIOUS LOAN FUNDS ADMINISTRATED BY THE DEPARTMENT WAS CHANNELLED THROUGH THESE SOCIETIES," HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE FISH FARMERS, DR LEE SAID IN THE PAST YEAR FISHERMEN ENJOYED FAVOURABLE WEATHER AND BENEFITTED FROM SATISFACTORY PRICES FOR THEIR CATCHES.
"LANDINGS MADE BY FISHERMEN IN 1989 AT THE FISH MARKETS OF THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION (FMO) AMOUNTED TO 74,392 TONNES AND VALUED AT $618 MILLION.
"ALTHOUGH THE AMOUNT OF LANDINGS HAS RECORDED A SLIGHT DECREASE OF ABOUT TWO PER CENT, THE VALUE HAS SHOWN A MODERATE INCREASE OF FIVE PER CENT OVER THE AMOUNTS IN 1988," HE SAID.
/DR LEE .......
SATURDAY, JULY 7 , 1990
- 6 -
DR LEE SAID FISHERMEN’S CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES HAD DONE VERY WELL IN THE PAST YEAR. A TOTAL SURPLUS OF SOME $362,000 WAS REGISTERED IN 1989 FOR ALL THE 66 FISHERIES CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES AND THE CUMULATIVE REVOLVING LOAN FUND CAPITAL BUILT UP FROM MEMBERS’ SAVINGS STOOD AT $6.5 MILLION.
MEMBERS OBTAINED LOANS AMOUNTING TO SOME $11.58 MILLION FROM THEIR OWN LOAN FUNDS AND FROM THE LOAN FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR PRODUCTIVE PURPOSES SI' H AS BUILDING OF NEW FISHING VESSELS AND THE PURCHASE OF FISHING EQUIPMENT.
DR LEE SAID IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR, 12 MEMBERS OF FISHERMEN’S COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES PARTICIPATED IN AN 11-DAY FISHERIES STUDY TOUR TO HOLLAND, WEST GERMANY AND DENMARK ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
"THIS STUDY TOUR PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PARTICIPANTS TO EXAMINE THE MODERN FISHING TECHNOLOGY USED IN THESE COUNTRIES AND TO GAUGE THEIR SUITABILITY FOR ADOPTION IN THE HONG KONG FISHING INDUSTRY.
"I HOPE THE TOUR WOULD GIVE ADDED INSPIRATION TO OUR FISHERMEN TO IMPROVE THEIR FISHING TECHNIQUES TO THE BENEFIT OF THE INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE," HE SAID.
DR LEE ADDED THAT AT THE END OF MARCH THIS YEAR, THERE WERE 388 CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES REGISTERED WITH THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WITH A TOTAL MEMBERSHIP OF 23,053.
DR LEE AND MRS LEE LATER PRESENTED AWARD CERTIFICATES TO CO-OPERATIVE WORKERS IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE MOVEMENT OVER THE PAST YEARS.
-----0-----
FRENCH STUDENTS LEARN MORE ABOUT HK
******
FOR 10 FRENCH STUDENTS ON A STUDY TRIP IN THE TERRITORY, THEIR MEETING TODAY (SATURDAY) WITH THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, HAS BEEN "MOST INTERESTING, ENLIGHTENING AND USEFUL".
MR LAN IS NO STRANGER TO THE STUDENTS - ALL FROM THE INSTITUT D’ETUDE POLITIQUE.
BACK IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR, HE GAVE A TALK ON "HONG KONG IN THE 1990’S" AT THEIR UNIVERSITY IN PARIS.
THE TALK GENERATED SO MUCH INTEREST ABOUT HONG KONG THAT SOME STUDENTS DECIDED TO MAKE A STUDY TRIP TO THE TERRITORY.
/THIS MORNING .......
SATURDAY, JULY 7, 1990
- 7 -
THIS MORNING 10 STUDENTS CALLED ON MR LAN AND LEARNED MORE FROM HIM ABOUT THE TERRITORY’S SUCCESS STORY AND ITS PLANS FOR THE FUTURE.
THE GROUP’S LEADER, MISS HELENE WAJNBLUM, COMMENTED AFTER THE MEETING: "THE BRIEFING GIVEN BY MR LAN THIS MORNING IS MOST ENLIGHTENING AND USEFUL. WE ARE VERY IMPRESSED WITH HONG KONG’S SUCCESS AS A THRIVING INTERNATIONAL CITY, AND THE HARD WORK OF ITS PEOPLE".
AT THE MEETING, MR LAN GAVE A DETAILED BRIEFING ON WHAT MAKES HONG KONG TICK, AND ON THE TERRITORY’S AMBITIOUS INFRASTRUCTURAL PLANS FOR THE FUTURE.
TO BEGIN WITH, HE HIGHLIGHTED THE CHARACTERISTICS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE ----- HARDWORKING, ADAPTABLE AND RESOURCEFUL. "THESE CHARACTERISTICS HAVE MADE HONG KONG WHAT IT IS TODAY," HE SAID.
HONG KONG HAS A "DYNAMIC AND COHESIVE" COMMUNITY ALWAYS TAKING A POSITIVE OUTLOOK, MR LAN STRESSED.
"WE ARE ALSO A CARING COMMUNITY, BREAKING MANY RECORDS IN RAISING FUNDS FOR EDUCATION, SOCIAL WELFARE AND THE LESS PRIVILEGED. NOTABLE EXAMPLES ARE THE GOOD WORK BY THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS, PO LEUNG KUK, LOK SIN TONG, AND SO ON.
"AT THE GRASSROOT LEVEL, OUR DISTRICT BOARDS ARE MAKING A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS BUILDING A COHESIVE AND HARMONIOUS COMMUNITY, APART FROM PERFORMING OTHER USEFUL FUNCTIONS.
"THE DISTRICT FESTIVALS ORGANISED BY THE BOARDS HAVE BEEN WELL RECEIVED BY THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY AS A MAJOR COMMUNITY-BUILDING EFFORT," HE SAID.
ON HONG KONG’S CURRENT PROBLEMS, MR LAN STRESSED THAT "WE ARE NEVER DAUNTED BY THEM AND ARE TAKING ALL POSSIBLE MEASURES TO TACKLE THEM.
"WE HAVE A BRAIN DRAIN, MANY VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE AND A LABOUR SHORTAGE. NEVERTHELESS, WE ARE CONFIDENT OF TIDING THEM OVER AS WE DID IN THE PAST. WE ARE ALSO CONFIDENT OF BOUNCING BACK AND EMERGING EVEN STRONGER THAN BEFORE," HE SAID.
ELABORATING ON THE MEASURES, MR LAN POINTED OUT THAT THE TERRITORY, IN PARTICULAR, SAW THE NEED TO GROOM YOUNG PEOPLE FOR THE FUTURE.
"WE HAVE THEREFORE PLANNED TO INCREASE SUBSTANTIALLY THE NUMBER OF FIRST-YEAR PLACES IN TERTIARY EDUCATION FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. WELL-EDUCATED AND WELL-TRAINED YOUNG PEOPLE ARE OUR IMPORTANT ASSET AND RESOURCE,” HE ADDED.
MR LAN POINTED OUT THAT OTHER PLANS FOR THE FUTURE INCLUDED A NEW AIRPORT AND IMPROVED PORT FACILITIES, ALL OF WHICH UNDERLINED THE GOVERNMENT’S FIRM COMMITMENTS TO THE TERRITORY UP TO AND BEYOND 1997.
/"NEXT YEAR .......
SATURDAY, JULY 7, 1990
- 8 -
’’NEXT YEAR, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OUR HISTORY, WE WILL HAVE DIRECT ELECTIONS TO OUR LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THIS WILL BE A VERY IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT FOR OUR FUTURE, AND MANY NEW LEADERS WILL SIT ON THE LEGISLATURE WHICH WILL SERVE RIGHT THROUGH THE CHANGE OF SOVEREIGNTY IN 1997," HE ADDED.
CITING EXAMPLES OF HONG KONG’S ACHIEVEMENTS, MR LAN SAID THE TERRITORY HOUSED WELL OVER HALF OF ITS POPULATION IN DECENT SUBSIDISED PUBLIC HOUSING, AND ENJOYED A LOW INFANT MORTALITY RATE AND A HIGH LIFE EXPECTANCY.
"WE ARE DETERMINED TO DO EVEN BETTER. WE WELCOME TALENT AND INVESTMENT FROM OVERSEAS TO HELP US BUILD AN EVEN BRIGHTER FUTURE," HE CONCLUDED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A PHOTOGRAPH SHOWING MR LAN PRESENTING THE 1990 HONG KONG YEAR BOOK TO THE VISITING STUDENTS WILL BE BOXED.
-----0-----
USD HOTLINE CONTINUES TO SERVE PUBLIC WELL
******
THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT HOTLINE 8680000 HANDLED 701 ENQUIRIES AND COMPLAINTS LAST MONTH (JUNE), REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 15 PER CENT OVER THE AVERAGE MONTHLY FIGURE OF 610 IN THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.
"THE HIGH FIGURE REFLECTS -THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE MORE AWARE OF THE CONVENIENT SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE 24-HOUR HOTLINE," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
ENQUIRIES AND COMPLAINTS ABOUT PEST CONTROL MATTERS RECEIVED BY THE HOTLINE DURING THE MONTH BELONGED TO THE CATEGORY WITH THE HIGHEST INCREASE RATE WITH 118 CALLS AS COMPARED WITH A MONTHLY AVERAGE OF 47 IN THE PRECEDING FIVE MONTHS.
"MOST CALLERS IN THIS CATEGORY COMPLAINED ABOUT MOSQUITO NUISANCE IN THEIR NEIGHBOURHOOD OR SOUGHT ADVICE ON PREVENTION MEASURES, AND ON WAYS TO GET RID OF RATS IN OLD TENEMENT BUILDINGS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
MATTERS CONCERNING ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE, RANGING FROM REFUSE, NUISANCE AND FOOD HYGIENE, WERE ON TOP OF THE ENQUIRY AND COMPLAINT LIST WITH A TOTAL OF 255 CALLS.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
SATURDAY, JULY 7, 1990
9 -
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT THE HOTLINE SERVICE HANDLED COMPLAINTS AND ENQUIRIES CONCERNING VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE DEPARTMENT’S WORK, INCLUDING MARKET FACILITIES AND HAWKER PROBLEMS AS WELL AS RECREATION, AMENITIES AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES.
"ALL COMPLAINTS RECEIVED WILL BE PROMPTLY REFERRED TO RELEVANT SECTIONS/DIVISIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR IMMEDIATE FOLLOW-UP ACTION TO ENSURE SPEEDY SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS," HE ADDED.
------0--------
SAI KUNG FIGHT CRIME STAR APPOINTED * ♦ * ♦ t
THE 1990-91 SAI KUNG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN STARTED TODAY (SATURDAY) WITH THE APPOINTMENT OF A DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME STAR AND THE UNVEILING OF A PUBLICITY SIGNBOARD AT CLEAR WATER BAY SECOND BEACH.
AT A CEREMONY, THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR FREDERICK TONG, PRESENTED AN APPOINTMENT LETTER TO TV ARTISTE, MISS LEE SZE-KEE, THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME STAR OF THE YEAR.
MISS LEE APPEALED TO THE PUBLIC TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE POLICE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME. SHE WILL RENDER FULL SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE TO ALL FIGHT CRIME ACTIVITIES ORGANISED IN THE DISTRICT IN THE YEAR TO COME.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE 1990-91 SAI KUNG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR CHEUNG CHUN-HOI, ENCOURAGED SAI KUNG RESIDENTS TO REPORT CRIME AND TO PARTICIPATE IN ANTI-CRIME ACTIVITIES.
TODAY'S CEREMONY WAS ALSO ATTENDED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WILLIAM WAN; DISTRICT COMMANDER OF THE WONG TAI SIN POLICE STATION, MR PANG KUI-SAN; DISTRICT LEISURE MANAGER (SAI KUNG) OF THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR LAM TIN-KEE; AND CONVENER OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN ORGANISING GROUP, MR MAK HON-KAI.
AFTER THE CEREMONY, THE PARTY UNVEILED A PUBLICITY SIGNBOARD REMINDING BEACHGOERS TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR BELONGINGS AND TO REPORT THEFTS TO THE POLICE.
SIMILAR SIGNBOARDS WILL BE PUT UP AT OTHER BEACHES AND VARIOUS CARPARKS IN THE DISTRICT IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
OTHER FIGHT CRIME ACTIVITIES IN SAI KUNG WILL INCLUDE BADGE AND SLOGAN DESIGN COMPETITIONS, SEMINARS, FORUMS, VISITS, A CARNIVAL AND A VARIETY SHOW.
/EMPHASIS WILL .......
SATURDAY, JULY 7, 1990
- 10 -
EMPHASIS WILL BE PUT ON FIGHTING YOUTH CRIME, PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND HOME SECURITY ESPECIALLY THE PREVENTION OF BURLGARIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN AT THE 1990-91 SAI KUNG DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION AT THE GIS NEWSROOM LATER TODAY (SATURDAY).
-----0-----
STREET CLEARANCE ON CHEUNG CHAU
******
A SERIES OF OPERATIONS TO REMOVE OBSTACLES FROM STREETS AND ALLEYS HAS STARTED ON CHEUNG CHAU IN THE PAST WEEK.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT OBSTACLES SUCH AS GAS CYLINDERS, BICYCLES, FOUR-WHEELED CARTS AND OTHER ABANDONED ITEMS HAD LONG BEEN REGARDED AS EYESORES ON THE ISLAND.
"THEY CAUSE OBSTRUCTION TO BOTH PEDESTRIANS AND VILLAGE VEHICULAR TRAFFIC.
"TABLES AND CHAIRS PLACED ON THE ROADSIDE BY RESTAURANTS ALSO CAUSE SERIOUS OBSTRUCTION BECAUSE STREETS ON CHEUNG CHAU ARE ALREADY NARROW," HE SAID.
THE CLEARANCE OPERATIONS ARE BEING CARRIED OUT IN PHASES, STARTING WITH THE SECTION OF PRAYA ROAD BETWEEN PAK TAI PLAYGROUND AND THE OLD FIRE STATION.
BEFORE THE OPERATIONS, THE LANDS OFFICE WILL ISSUE NOTICES TO URGE THE OWNERS ASKING THEM TO REMOVE THE OBSTACLES.
IF NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN, STAFF OF THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL THEN CARRY OUT THE CLEARANCE WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE POLICE.
"THE OPERATIONS, TO COVER ALL THE STREETS AND BACK LANES WITHIN CHEUNG CHAU OLD TOWN, MAY TAKE SEVERAL WEEKS TO COMPLETE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AFTER THE CLEARANCES, PEOPLE FOUND LEAVING OBSTRUCTING ITEMS IN PUBLIC PLACES WILL BE PROSECUTED," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
/Il .......
SATURDAY, JULY 7, 1990
- 11 -
KEEP HK CLEAN PUBLICITY DRIVE IN SOUTHERN ******
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE HAS ORGANISED A PUBLICITY BUS TOUR TO TAKE PLACE TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON IN SUPPORT OF THE TERRITORY-WIDE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
LED BY THE CHAIRMAN, MR TSE KIT-TO, COMMITTEE MEMBERS WILL VISIT VARIOUS DENSELY POPULATED AREAS ON BOARD A DOUBLE-DECKER OPEN-TOP BUS TO PROMOTE THE ’’KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN’’ MESSAGE.
A GROUP OF PRIMARY STUDENTS WILL ALSO TAKE PART IN THE EVENT.
THE DRIVE WILL GET UNDERWAY WITH A STARTING CEREMONY AND A CLEAN-UP DEMONSTRATION AT ABERDEEN CENTRE.
A PUBLICITY TEAM WILL THEN SET OUT ON BOARD THE BUS, TOURING THE DISTRICT AND STOPPING AT THE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AT WAH FU, TIN WAN, WONG CHUK HANG AND AP LEI CHAU.
AT THESE STOPS, THE PUBLICITY TEAM WILL BROADCAST VARIOUS ’’KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN” THEME SONGS AND APPEAL FOR PUBLIC SUPPORT IN KEEPING THE TERRITORY CLEAN. THEY WILL ALSO DISTRIBUTE SOUVENIRS BEARING THE "KEEP CLEAN" MESSAGE TO PASSERS-BY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN PUBLICITY DRIVE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT. THE EVENT WILL START AT 2.15 PM WITH A STARTING CEREMONY AND A CLEAN-UP DEMONSTRATION AT ABERDEEN CENTRE.
--------0-----------
INAUGURATION CEREMONY FOR AUXILIARY LITTER WARDEN SCHEME ♦ » ♦ ♦ »
THE 11TH AUXILIARY LITTER WARDEN SCHEME WILL BE INAUGURATED BY AN URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR JOSEPH CHAN, AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL ON MONDAY (JULY 9).
THE SCHEME IS ONE OF THE STUDENT PARTICIPATION ACTIVITIES ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL IN SUPPORT OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN. ABOUT 600 STUDENTS WILL PARTICIPATE THIS YEAR.
/COMING FROM .......
SATURDAY, JULY 7, 1990
- 12 -
COMING FROM 45 SECONDARY SCHOOLS, THESE FORM THREE TO FORM SIX STUDENTS WILL HELP THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO CLEAN UP THE BEACHES BOTH IN THE URBAN AREA AND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES DURING THE SUMMER VACATION.
THESE BEACHES INCLUDE REPULSE BAY, DEEP WATER BAY, SHEK O, STANLEY MAIN BEACH AND BIG WAVE BEACH IN THE URBAN AREA; AND BUTTERFLY BEACH, SILVER STRAND BEACH, LIDO BEACH AND CLEAR WATER BAY (SECOND) BEACH IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THEY WILL ALSO ADVISE BEACHGOERS TO DISPOSE OF THEIR LITTER PROPERLY AND TO PICK UP LITTER LEFT ON THE BEACH.
AT THE CEREMONY, THE STUDENTS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THEIR DUTY AND WILL RECEIVE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN CAPS AND T-SHIRTS WHICH THEY WILL WEAR WHILE GOING ABOUT THEIR TASKS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY WHICH WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY (JULY 9), AT 3 PM IN THE AUDITORIUM OF THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL. INFORMATION OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
--------0-----------
OBSTRUCTING LABOUR OFFICER AN OFFENCE
******
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED RESIDENTS THAT IT WAS AN OFFENCE TO OBSTRUCT A DEPARTMENTAL OFFICER IN PERFORMING HIS LAWFUL DUTIES.
ACCORDING TO THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE, ANY PERSON WHO OBSTRUCTS A PUBLIC OFFICER IN CARRYING OUT IS DUTY HIS LIABLE TO SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT IN ADDITION TO A FINE OF $1,000.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT NOTED THAT AN EMPLOYEE OF THE SILVER LAKE RESTAURANT WAS RECENTLY CONVICTED FOR OBSTRUCTING A LABOUR INSPECTOR.
DURING A VISIT TO THE RESTAURANT, THE INSPECTOR WAS OBSTRUCTED BY THE EMPLOYEE FROM CARRYING OUT HIS LAWFUL DUTY, THOUGH HE HAD PRODUCED PROOF OF HIS IDENTITY AND EXPLAINED HIS POWERS UNDER THE LABOUR LAWS.
THE EMPLOYEE WAS FINED $400 BY A SAN PO KONG MAGISTRATE.
------0-------
/13 .......
SATURDAY, JULY 7,
1990
- 13 -
DEMOLITION OF LAI CHI KOK THA ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA *******
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE DEMOLITION OF THE LAI CHI KOK TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA AT ITS MEETING ON MONDAY (JULY 9).
THE LAND LEASE FOR THE 13-YEAR OLD THA WILL EXPIRE AT THE END OF THIS YEAR. ABOUT 800 PEOPLE ARE LIVING THERE.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS PROPOSALS TO REDUCE NOISE NUISANCE TO RESIDENTS NEAR THE WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR.
THE COMMITTEE WILL BE ASKED TO APPROVE SEVEN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS INCLUDING IMPROVEMENT WORKS AT THE SHUN NING ROAD SITTING-OUT AREA, PROVISIONS OF PLANTERS NEAR THE SHAM SHUI PO MTR STATION AND THE INSTALLATION AND REPAIR OF DISTRICT BOARD NOTICE BOARDS AND PUBLICITY CUBES.
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDE PARKING FACILITIES IN THE NAM CHEONG AREA, SEWERAGE WORKS AT THE FAT TSEUNG STREET TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA, TERMITE PROBLEMS IN CHAK ON ESTATE AND DEMOLITION AND REHOUSING WORK AT PAK TIN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD ON MONDAY (JULY 9) AT THE SHEK KIP MEI COMMUNITY HALL, BLOCK 42, SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE, NAM CHEONG STREET.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM.
-----0-------
FLOODING ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA
******
THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND WORKS COMMITTEE WILL LOOK INTO THE FLOODING PROBLEM IN THE DISTRICT AT A MEETING ON MONDAY (JULY 9).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO STUDY THE PROGRESS REPORT OF THE TAI PO ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL WORKING GROUP.
/IN ADDITION .......
SATURDAY, JULY 7, 1990
- 14 -
IN ADDITION, THEY WILL DISCUSS THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN 1990-91.
DISTRICT’S MINOR
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND WORKS COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON MONDAY (JULY 9) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 152 KWONG FUK ROAD, TAI PO.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
-----0------
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS BUS ROUTE CANCELLATION
******
THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE PROPOSED CANCELLATION OF A BUS ROUTE AT A MEETING ON MONDAY (JULY 9).
KOWLOON MOTOR BUS HAS PROPOSED THE CANCELLATION OF ROUTE 74K RUNNING BETWEEN TAI PO MARKET RAILWAY STATION AND SAM MUN TSAI ON THE GROUNDS THAT IT IS SUFFERING HEAVY FINANCIAL LOSS.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE LION ROCK TUNNEL TOLL AND THE FINDINGS OF A SURVEY ON KCRC MAINTENANCE SERVICES.
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDE THE GREEN PUBLIC LIGHT BUS SERVICES AND THE BUS ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IN THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON MONDAY (JULY 9) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 152 KWONG FUK ROAD, TAI PO.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM.
------0--------
/15........
SATURDAY, JULY 7, 1990
15
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN HO MAN TIN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JULY 9), FOR A PERIOD OF ABOUT 10 DAYS, THE SECTION OF SHEK KU STREET BETWEEN SHEUNG SHING STREET AND KING TAK STREET IN HO MAN TIN WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM TWO-WAY OPERATION TO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS.
DURING THIS PERIOD, MOTORISTS ON SHEK KU STREET HEADING FOR SHEUNG SHING STREET ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA PERTH STREET, PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, SHEUNG HING STREET AND SHEUNG SHING STREET.
- - 0 - -
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY IN WAN CHAI
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY-(JULY 9), THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF LEIGHTON LANE, IN WAN CHAI, FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH LEIGHTON ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES TO THE SOUTH WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY FOR ABOUT 10 WEEKS TO FACILITATE MANHOLE BUILDING WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
- - 0 - -
TEMPORARY CLOSURES OF TOLO HIGHWAY
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT SEVERAL SECTIONS OF TOLO HIGHWAY AND TAI PO ROAD (FANLING), IN TAI PO, WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS.
A SECTION OF ABOUT 1.8 KILOMETRES OF THE OUTERMOST LANE OF TOLO HIGHWAY SOUTHBOUND NEAR ISLAND HOUSE INTERCHANGE WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY (JULY 9 AND 10).
A SECTION OF ABOUT 1.1 KILOMETRES OF THE SLOW LANE OF TAI PO ROAD (FANLING) SOUTHBOUND NEAR HONG LOK YUEN WILL BE CLOSED ON JULY 16 AND 17.
A SECTION OF ABOUT 1.95 KILOMETRES OF THE OUTERMOST LANE OF TOLO HIGHWAY NORTHBOUND NEAR LAM KAM ROAD INTERCHANGE WILL BE CLOSED ON JULY 23.
/A SECTION
SATURDAY, JULY 7, 1990
16
A SECTION OF ABOUT 0.25 KILOMETRE OF THE OUTERMOST LANE OF TOLO HIGHWAY NORTHBOUND NEAR LAM KAM ROAD INTERCHANGE WILL BE CLOSED ON JULY 24.
A SECTION OF ABOUT 1.85 KILOMETRES OF THE OUTERMOST LANE OF TOLO HIGHWAY SOUTHBOUND NEAR LAM KAM ROAD INTERCHANGE WILL BE CLOSED ON JULY 25.
A SECTION OF ABOUT 0.25 KILOMETRE OF THE OUTERMOST LANE OF TOLO HIGHWAY SOUTHBOUND NEAR LAM KAM ROAD INTERCHANGE WILL BE CLOSED ON JULY 26.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
-----0------
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES IN SHA TIN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT SEVERAL SECTIONS OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD, TAI PO ROAD AND TOLO HIGHWAY IN SHA TIN WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS.
THE FAST LANE OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD NORTHBOUND BETWEEN HUNG MUI KUK AND TSANG TAI UK WILL BE CLOSED FROM 11 PM ON MONDAY (JULY 9) TO 6 AM ON TUESDAY (JULY 10).
THE INNERMOST LANE OF TOLO HIGHWAY AND TAI PO ROAD SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN MA LIU SHUI INTERCHANGE AND FO TAN NULLAH WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 AM ON THURSDAY (JULY 12) TO 8 PM ON SATURDAY (JULY 14).
THE INNERMOST LANE OF TOLO HIGHWAY NORTHBOUND BETWEEN MA LIU SHUI AND PAK SHEK KOK WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 AM ON JULY 18 TO 8 PM ON JULY 19.
THE INNERMOST LANE OF TOLO HIGHWAY SOUTHBOUND BETWEEN PAK SHEK KOK AND MA LIU SHUI WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 AM ON JULY 20 TO 8 PM ON JULY 21.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
------0-------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN YAU MA TEI
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) ANNOUNCED THE TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS TO BE IMPLEMENTED AT THE JUNCTION OF DUNDAS STREET AND SHANGHAI STREET IN YAU MA TEI FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JULY 9) FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
VEHICULAR TRAFFIC ON SHANGHAI STREET SOUTHBOUND WILL BE ALLOWED TO TURN LEFT ONTO DUNDAS STREET EASTBOUND.
THE SECTION OF HAMILTON STREET BETWEEN SHANGHAI STREET AND PORTLAND STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY EASTBOUND TO WESTBOUND.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
------0-------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, JULY 8, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
KEEP HK CLEAN CAMPAIGN NEEDS COMMUNITY'S SUPPORT ............................... 1
84,044 PRIMARY 6 PUPILS ALLOCATED FREE SECONDARY 1 SCHOOL PLACES ............... 2
HOSPITAL WARD STEWARD SCHEME PROVES HELPFUL .................................... 4
SIX-MONTH RESERVATION PERIOD ON IVORY EXPORT TO EXPIRE ON JULY 17 .............. 5
MORE SAFETY COURSES IN THE PIPELINE ............................................ 6
TELEMATCH TO PROMOTE VOTERS REGISTRATION ....................................... 7
48 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN APRIL ........................................ 8
CLEAN-UP OPERATION IN TAI PO ................................................... 9
SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED TO YOUNG MUSICIANS AND DANCERS ............................ 9
SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME STARTS IN MONG KOK ..................................... 10
DB MEMBERS TAKE PART IN CLEAN-UP EXERCISE .................................... 11
CONSTRUCTION OF ROAD TO FANLING TONG HANG VILLAGE ............................. 11
KOWLOON CITY SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME BEGINS .................................... 12
TENDERS INVITED FOR SPORTS COMPLEX PROJECT .................................... 13
SAI KUNG KEEP CLEAN CAMPAIGN STARTS ........................................... 13
WAN CHAI SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME STARTS ........................................ 14
SERVICES FOR PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS ON AGENDA ................................. 14
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WESTERN DISTRICT ...................................... 15
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF WATERLOO ROAD FLYOVER .................................... 15
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN WONG TAI SIN ............................................... 16
SUNDAY, JULY
'igo
- 1 -
KEEP IIK CLEAN CAMPAIGN NEEDS COMMUNITY’S SUPPORT ******
TO MAKE THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN A LASTING SUCCESS, THE FUL! BACKING OF THE COMMUNITY IS NEEDED, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE CLEAN HONG KONG DAY OPENING CEREMONY AT THE EDINBURGH PLACE, SIR DAVID APPEALLED TO ALL TO MAKE AN EFFORT TO HELP KEEP THE NEIGHBOURHOOD CLEAN.
"EVERY TIME WE PITCH LITTER INTO A BIN WE WILL BE ADDING TO THE IMPETUS OF THE CAMPAIGN," HE SAID.
"WHILST OUR STREETS ARE NOW MORE PRESENTABLE THAN BEFORE TO VISITORS FROM ABROAD, MUCH REMAINS TO BE DONE WITH LITTER BUGS.
VI AM PLEASED TO SEE THAT VIGILANT ENFORCEMENT WILL BE A KEY ELEMENT'OF THIS YEAR’S CAMPAIGN. WE MUST NOT BE COMPLACENT, QUITE A NUMBER OF ’LAP SAP CHUNGS’ REMAIN AND THEY MUST BE CAUGHT," HE ADDED.
THE CLEAN HONG KONG DAY IS A MAJOR EVENT TO START OFF THE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT SCHEME OF THIS YEAR’S KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE 19 DISTRICTS, YOUTH AND COMMUNITY GROUPS, CORPORATE SPONSORS, ARTISTES AND DISC JOCKEYS ATTENDED THE OPENING CEREMONY.
DURING THE CEREMONY, SIR DAVID, TOGETHER WITH OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE 19 DISTRICTS, TOOK PART IN A SYMBOLIC CLEAN-UP.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A CLEAN-UP GAME PARTICIPATED BY DISTRICT BOARD REPRESENTATIVES, COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB MEMBERS, DISC JOCKEYS AND ARTISTES.
THE CEREMONY WAS BROADCAST LIVE ON COMMERCIAL RADIO I.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, MR TONG KAM-BIU, SAID THE AIM OF THE CLEAN HONG KONG DAY WAS TO SOLICIT EXTENSIVE PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT TO KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN AND TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC SPIRITED ORGANISATIONS AND COMPANIES TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE CAMPAIGN.
AS FOR THIS YEAR’S CAMPAIGN, MR TONG SAID THE PUBLICITY STRATEGY WAS TO STRESS THAT LITTERING WOULD NOT BE TOLERATED AND WOULD BE PUNISHED.
"TO THIS END BOTH THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS ARE EXAMINING HOW ENFORCEMENT CAN BE STEPPED UP AND DETERRENCE INCREASED.
/"IN THIS .......
SUNDAY, JULY 8, 1990
- 2 -
"IN THIS CONNECTION, WE ARE STUDYING A RANGE OF OPTIONS INCLUDING FIXED PENALTY TICKETS. OUR AIM WILL BE A SYSTEM THAT LEADS TO GENUINE DETERRENCE AND YET IS RELATIVELY EASY TO ADMINISTER AND AT THE SAME TIME AVOIDS UNNECESSARY CONFRONTATION," HE SAID.
MR TONG INTRODUCED THE NEW MASCOT FOR THE CAMPAIGN, THE "DRAGON OF CLEANLINESS", A CARTOON FIGURE DRESSED IN A SMART GREEN WORKING SUIT WITH A BROOM IN HIS HAND.
"ALTHOUGH THE MASCOT LOOKS AMUSING, THERE IS A SERIOUS INTENTION BEHIND THE RETIREMENT OF ’LAP SAP CHUNG’.
"THE ’DRAGON OF CLEANLINESS’ FOLLOWS FROM OUR EFFORTS TO ENCOURAGE THE COMMUNITY TO PITCH-IN," HE SAID.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS AT TODAY’S CEREMONY WERE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR H.M.G. FORSGATE; CHAIRMAN OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG; MEMBER OF THE JOINT UC/RC KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, MR POON CHIN-HUNG; DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR JAMES SO; AND ACTING DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES, MISS JACQUELINE WILLIS.
I'-
DURING THE DAY, SEVERAL DISTRICT CLEAN-UP ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY VARIOUS DISTRICT BOARDS IN SUPPORT OF THE CLEAN HONG KONG DAY WILL BE HELD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AND THE FULL TEXT OF THE SPEECHES BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY AND MR TONG KAM-BIU ARE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE GIS NEWSROOM.
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84,044 PRIMARY 6 PUPILS ALLOCATED FREE SECONDARY 1 SCHOOL PLACES ♦ * * * * t t
ALL 84,044 PUPILS PARTICIPATING IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION SYSTEM HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED SECONDARY 1 PLACES IN GOVERNMENT, AIDED OR PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
THE NUMBER INCLUDES 2,962 PUPILS (3.52 PER CENT) WHO HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN APPLYING FOR DISCRETIONARY PLACES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT 38,963 (46.36 PER CENT) WERE ALLOCATED ACCORDING TO THEIR FIRST CHOICE.
"THE PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS WHO WERE ALLOCATED ACCORDING TO THEIR FIRST THREE CHOICES IS 67.52 PER CENT, OR 56,746 PUPILS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/"ALL PLACES .......
SUNDAY, JULY 8, 1990
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"ALL PLACES ALLOCATED ARE THREE-YEAR PLACES FOR WHICH NO TUITION FEES WILL BE CHARGED," HE SAID.
ALLOCATION RESULTS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM PUPILS’ PRIMARY SCHOOLS ON THURSDAY (JULY 12).
PUPILS SHOULD FOLLOW THE ARRANGEMENTS SET DOWN BY THEIR SCHOOLS AND COLLECT THE ADMISSION SI. P AND ALLOCATION SLIP CONTAINED IN THEIR PRIMARY 6 IDENTIFICATION FORM FROM THEIR SCHOOLS.
"THERE IS ONLY ONE REGISTRATION PERIOD - JULY 18 AND 19 (WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY) - THIS YEAR.
"ALL PUP U.S MUST REPORT DURING THE REGISTRATION PERIOD TO THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED. FAILING TO DO SO MAY MEAN THAT THEY HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO TAKE UP THE PLACES ALLOCATED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN CASE BOTH THE PUPIL AND THE PARENT/GUARDIAN ARE AWAY FROM HONG KONG DURING THE REGISTRATION PERIOD, THEY SHOULD AUTHORISE IN WRITING REPRESENTATIVES TO COMPLY WITH THE REGISTRATION PROCEDURES ON THEIR BEHALF. COPIES OF LETTERS OF AUTHORISATION ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THEIR SCHOOLS, HE SAID.
IN CASE OF GENUINE DIFFICULTIES THE PARENTS OR PUPILS SHOULD INFORM THE SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION SECTION BEFORE THE END OF THE REGISTRATION PERIOD SO THAT ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS MAY BE MADE.
"AFTER THE REGISTRATION PERIOD, VACANCIES ARISING FROM NON-REPORTEES WILL BE FILLED AT THE ENTIRE DISCRETION OF THE SCHOOLS," HE ADDED.
WHEN REPORTING TO THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOR REGISTRATION, PUPILS ARE EXPECTED TO WEAR THEIR SCHOOL UNIFORM AND MUST BRING THE FOLLOWING:
(A) PRIMARY 6 IDENTIFICATION FORMS AND THEIR ALLOCATION SLIPS;
(B) THE ADMISSION SLIPS;
(C) BIRTH CERTIFICATES, HONG KONG JUVENILE IDENTITY CARDS OR OTHER DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE OF THEIR DATE OF BIRTH AND THEIR STATUS AS PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF HONG KONG (NOTE: PUPILS SHOULD ALSO BRING ALONG THEIR TRAVELLING DOCUMENTS IF THE SYMBOL ’C’ (FOR CONDITIONAL STAY) IS FOUND AT LINE 7 OF THE NEW TYPE HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD);
(D) LATEST SCHOOL REPORT, IF ANY; AND
(E) TWO RECENT PASSPORT-SIZE PHOTOGRAPHS.
PARENTS SEEKING TRANSFERS FOR THEIR WARDS HAVE TO APPROACH THE SCHOOLS OF THEIR WISH DIRECT FOR APPLICATION. ACCEPTANCE IS AT THE ENTIRE DISCRETION OF THE SCHOOLS.
/SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS .......
SUNDAY, JULY 8, 1990
- 4 -
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS HAVE TO RETRIEVE THE ADMISSION SLIPS FROM THE SECONDARY SCHOOLS WHICH THEY HAVE REGISTERED AND HAND THEM TO THE SCHOOLS OF TRANSFER.
”PARENTS/PUPILS ARE REMINDED THAT BY RETRIEVING THEIR ADMISSION SLIPS, THEIR REGISTRATION WITH THE SCHOOLS WILL AT THE SAME -TIME BE CANCELLED,” THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
’’SHOULD THE TERRITORY BE AFFECTED BY TYPHOON OR PERSISTENT RAIN DURING THE REGISTRATION PERIOD, HEADS OF SCHOOLS AND PARENTS ARE ADVISED TO PAY HEED TO ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE MEDIA FOR ANY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS,” HE SAID.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE ALLOCATION RESULTS SHOULD BE REFERRED TO THE SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 891 2200.
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HOSPITAL WARD STEWARD SCHEME PROVES HELPFUL
*****
THE WARD STEWARD SCHEME OF THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS HELPED TO RELIEVE WARD STAFF IN MAJOR HOSPITALS OF THEIR NON-CLINICAL AND NON-PROFESSIONAL DUTIES.
WARD STEWARDS WERE INTRODUCED LAST AUGUST INTO BUSY WARDS AND HAVE BEEN CONTRIBUTING WELL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT THE SCHEME WAS LAUNCHED TO MAXIMISE PROFESSIONAL STAFF RESOURCES SO AS TO ACHIEVE BETTER PATIENT SERVICE.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE SCHEME HAS BEEN CLOSELY MONITORED AND REVIEWED BY A STEERING COMMITTEE WHICH COMPRISES NURSES, DOCTORS AND HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORS.
’’THE STEERING COMMITTEE HAS BEEN RECEIVING POSITIVE AND ENCOURAGING FEEDBACK. DOCTORS AND NURSES APPRECIATE THE HELP OF WARD STEWARDS. THEY CAN NOW BETTER CONCENTRATE ON THEIR PROFESSIONAL AND CLINICAL DUTIES AND PROVIDE BETTER CARE FOR PATIENTS.”
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE 110 WARD STEWARDS WORKING IN THE FOUR REGIONAL HOSPITALS: QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL, QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL, PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL AND PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL. THEY ALSO WORK IN THE TWO PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS: CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL AND KWAI CHUNG HOSPITAL.
THE DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY LAUNCHED ANOTHER ROUND OF RECRUITMENT EXERCISES TO EMPLOY ABOUT 70 MORE WARD STEWARDS. THE NEW RECRUITS WILL BE POSTED TO THE SIX MAJOR HOSPITALS.
/”OUR PLAN .......
SUNDAY, JULY 8, 1990
- 5 -
"OUR PLAN IS THAT EVENTUALLY ALL BUSY WARDS WITH 34 BEDS OR MORE IN MAJOR HOSPITALS WILL EACH BE SERVED BY ONE WARD STEWARD," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
WARD STEWARDS WORK A FIVE-AND-A-HALF-DAY WEEK FOR EIGHT HOURS A DAY BETWEEN 8 AM AND 6 PM.
"NEW RECRUITS GO THROUGH A SIA-DAY INDUCTION PROGRAMME BEFORE THEY START TO WORK IN THE WARDS. THE PROGRAMME AIMS TO BRIEF THEM ON THEIR DUTIES AND TO FAMILIARISE THEM WITH THE WARD SITUATION."
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT ALL PERSONS BELOW 45 YEARS OF AGE WHO HOLD A HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION WITH FIVE PASSES AND SPEAK FLUENT CANTONESE CAN APPLY FOR THE JOB. THE FIVE PASSES INCLUDE ENGLISH LANGUAGE (SYLLABUS A).
THE SALARY IS $5,515 A MONTH.
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SIX-MONTH RESERVATION PERIOD ON IVORY EXPORT TO EXPIRE ON JULY 17 ***»*»*»
L ..
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED IVORY TRADERS THAT THE SIX-MONTH RESERVATION PERIOD WILL NOT BE EXTENDED WHEN IT EXPIRES ON TUESDAY, JULY 17.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID IVORY TRADERS WHO WISH TO APPLY FOR A LICENCE TO EXPORT THEIR LEGALLY ACQUIRED IVORY TO NON-CITES (CONSERVATION ON TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA) PARTIES OR TO PARTIES WITH APPROPRIATE RESERVATION SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATION BEFORE JULY 16.
HONG KONG IS A PARTY TO THE CITES THROUGH THE UNITED KINGDOM MEMBERSHIP.
MEANWHILE, THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 HAS BEEN PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND WILL TAKE EFFECT ON THE EXPIRY DATE.
THE NEW AMENDED LEGISLATION WILL PROHIBIT BOTH THE IMPORT AND EXPORT OF IVORY AND OTHER HIGHLY ENDANGERED SPECIES LISTED UNDER THE SIXTH SCHEDULE OF THE ORDINANCE.
TO HELP CONSERVE THE AFRICA ELEPHANTS, CITES IMPOSED A TOTAL BAN ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE OF IVORY SINCE JANUARY THIS YEAR.
HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF HONG KONG’S UNIQUE POSITION AS AN IVORY PROCESSING CENTRE IN THE WORLD, THE UK ENTERED A SIX-MONTH RESERVATION TO THE CITES DECISION ON HONG KONG’S BEHALF TO PROVIDE TIME FOR CARVERS TO ACQUIRE THE NECESSARY RE-TRAINING AND TO SEEK ALTERNATIVE EMPLOYMENT.
/IT ALSO .......
SUNDAY, JULY 8, 1990
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IT ALSO PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE TRADERS TO DISPOSE OF THEIR LEGALLY ACQUIRED IVORY STOCKS TO NON-CITES PARTIES OR TO PARTIES WITH APPROPRIATE RESERVATION.
AT PRESENT, IMPORT, EXPORT AND POSSESSION OF IVORY ARE SUBJECT TO LICENSING CONTROLS IN HONG KONG.
THE IMPORT OF IVORY INTO HONG KONG HAS ALREADY BEEN BANNED SINCE JUNE LAST YEAR AND COMMERCIAL EXPORT OF IVORY WILL NOT BE AUTHORISED WHEN THE AMENDMENT BILL TAKES EFFECT ON JULY 17, 1990.
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MORE SAFETY COURSES IN THE PI ELINE
* * * » * ♦
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO OFFER A WIDE RANGE OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY COURSES FOR PEOPLE IN VARIOUS INDUSTRIES IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR UNDER ITS ONGOING SAFETY TRAINING PROGRAMME.
THE COURSES ARE INTENDED TO HELP PARTICIPANTS IDENTIFY UNSAFE ACTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS IN THEIR WORKPLACES AND TO EQUIP THEM WITH THE NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE IN TACKLING SAFETY PROBLEMS.
’’SINCE 1972, THE DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE (ISTC) HAS BEEN RUNNING FREE SAFETY TRAINING COURSES ON A REGULAR BASIS, AND HAS ALREADY PROVIDED TRAINING FOR OVER 133,000 PEOPLE UP TO THE END OF LAST YEAR,” THE ACTING SUPERINTENDENT OF FACTORY INSPECTORS (ISTC), MR CHUNG BING-WOR, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
"WE WILL OFFER ANOTHER 171 COURSES OF 26 TYPES BETWEEN NOW AND DECEMBER FOR PROPRIETORS, SUPERVISORS, SAFETY PERSONNEL AND WORKERS IN INDUSTRY, EACH LASTING FOR HALF A DAY TO FIVE DAYS,” HE ADDED.
MR CHUNG SAID EMPHASIS WOULD BE LAID PARTICULARLY ON SAFETY LEGISLATION TO ENHANCE PARTICIPANTS’ UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAW AND HELP THEM COMPLY WITH THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS.
"MOREOVER, GREATER ATTENTION WILL ALSO BE PAID TO PAST CASE STUDY AND ANALYSIS SO THAT PARTICIPANTS MAY LEARN A USEFUL LESSON FROM PAST EXPERIENCES.
"TO COINCIDE WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1989 AT THE END OF THE YEAR, THE ISTC WILL INTRODUCE A NUMBER OF HALF-DAY COURSES ON THE PROVISION WHICH IMPOSES GENERAL DUTIES ON PROPRIETORS AND EMPLOYEES TO MAINTAIN SAFETY AT WORK.
/"THERE MAY .......
SUNDAY, JULY 8 , 1990
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"THERE MAY ALSO BE MORE COURSES ON SUBJECTS RELATED TO GENERAL DUTIES SUCH AS SAFETY PROGRAMME AND SAFETY PROMOTION," MR CHUNG NOTED.
THE COURSES ARE CONDUCTED MAINLY IN CANTONESE AND OFFERED FREE OF CHARGE, THOUGH APPLICATION MUST PE MADE THROUGH EMPLOYERS.
COURSE PROSPECTUS AND APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW OBTAINABLE FROM THE CENTRE ON 13TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 852 3563.
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TELEMATCH TO PROMOTE VOTERS REGISTRATION
ABOUT 500 MEMBERS FROM THE 15 AREA COMMITTEES IN THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT TODAY (SUNDAY) TOOK PART IN A TELEMATCH SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO PROMOTE VOTERS REGISTRATION.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TELEMATCH, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, SAID NEXT YEAR’S ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND THE DISTRICT BOARDS WOULD BE A MILESTONE IN THE POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG.
"IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT IN THE FUTURE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO TAKE PART IN POLICY FORMULATION AND DIFFERENT TYPES OF POLITICAL ACTIVITIES.
"AND AREA COMMITTEES, AS AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME AND AN IMPORTANT TERRITORY-WIDE ADVISORY BODY, HAVE PLAYED AN INDISPENSABLE ROLE IN CULTIVATING A SENSE OF BELONGING IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES AND IN BUILDING A HARMONIOUS AND STABLE SOCIETY BY ACTIVELY ORGANISING VARIOUS COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION SCHEMES," HE SAID.
MR LAN SAID ONE OF THE MAJOR TASKS OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION IN 1990-91 WAS TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO REGISTER AS ELECTORS AND TO EXERCISE THEIR CIVIC RIGHT TO CAST THEIR VOTE AT POLLING STATIONS.
IN THIS RESPECT, AREA COMMITTEES HAD LINED UP A SERIES OF FUNCTIONS TO PROMOTE VOTERS REGISTRATION, HE NOTED.
TODAY’S TELEMATCH, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD AND RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG, WAS HELD AT THE KOWLOON BAY INDOOR GAMES HALL.
IT SERVED AS A PRELUDE TO THE LAUNCHING OF THE SOLAR PROJECT ’90 OPENING CONCERT WHICH WILL BE HELD ON JULY 22 AT THE KWUN TONG RECREATION GROUND TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE 1991 ELECTIONS.
/THE AREA........
SUNDAY, JULY 8, 1990
- 8 -
THE AREA COMMITTEE MEMBERS PARTICIPATING IN THE TELEMATCH WERE ALSO APPOINTED AS "VOTERS REGISTRATION AMBASSADORS" TO HELP PROMOTE VOTERS REGISTRATION IN THE DISTRICT.
OTHER GUESTS PRESENT AT THE OPENING CEREMONY INCLUDED THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRIS WAN, AND DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM HANG-FAI.
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48 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN APRIL *****
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE APPROVED A TOTAL OF 48 NEW BUILDING PLANS IN APRIL.
OF THE PLANS, 21 WERE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 10 IN KOWLOON AND 17 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE APPROVED PLANS INCLUDED 15 FOR APARTMENT, APARTMENT/ COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS; 14 FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT; AND SIX FOR FACTORY AND GODOWN PURPOSES.
DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE GAVE CONSENT FOR WORK TO START ON 35 PROJECTS, INVOLVING 38,600.9 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 231,518.3 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE NON-DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA.
THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH WAS ABOUT $877 MILLION. THE USABLE FLOOR AREAS FOR DOMESTIC AND NON-DOMESTIC USES WERE ABOUT 144,238 SQUARE METRES AND 73,115.4 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
ALSO DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE ISSUED 24 OCCUPATION PERMITS, EIGHT FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, THREE FOR KOWLOON AND 13 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN ADDITION, THE OFFICE ISSUED 38 DEMOLITION CONSENTS AFFECTING 81 BUILDINGS.
THE CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT DIVISION RECEIVED 461 COMPLAINTS ON ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS, CARRIED OUT 728 INSPECTIONS AND ISSUED 180 REMOVAL ORDERS.
THE DANGEROUS BUILDING SECTION INSPECTED 336 BUILDINGS AND OBTAINED THREE EMERGENCY CLOSURE ORDERS.
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Z9.........
SUNDAY, JULY 8, 1990
9
CLEAN-UP OPERATION IN TAI PO ♦ * * * ♦
MORE THAN 400 TAI PO RESIDENTS JOINED AN EXTENSIVE CLEAN-UP OPERATION IN THE DISTRICT THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON TO HIGHLIGHT THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN DAY.
CALLED THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN DAY PIONEERS MASSIVE CLEAN-UP OPERATION, THE ACTIVITY WAS ORGANISED BY THE WORKING GROUP ON TAI PO DISTRICT KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
THE AIM WAS TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THE ENVIRONMENT CLEAN.
THE PARTICIPANTS, FORMED INTO 21 TEAMS, CLEANED UP THE STREETS IN LUEN YICK FISHERMEN’S VILLAGE, YUEN CHAU TSAI, TAI PO PLAZA AND TAI WO ESTATE.
A LAUNCHING CEREMONY WAS HELD EARLIER TODAY AT TAI PO CENTRAL TOWN SQUARE WITH THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD, MR HO YUNG-SANG OFFICIATING.
AN EXHIBITION ON THE RE-CYCLING OF REFUSE WAS HELD AT THE SAME VENUE.
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SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED TO YOUNG MUSICIANS AND DANCERS
NINE TALENTED YOUNG MUSICIANS AND DANCERS WHO WERE AWARDED SCHOLARSHIPS UNDER THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND WILL LEAVE FOR BRITAIN, CANADA, AUSTRALIA AND THE UNITED STATES TO RECEIVE FURTHER TRAINING IN MUSIC AND DANCE.
THEY ARE YIP CHING, CHENG WAI, ANDREW MA, YIU SONG-LAM. CHRISTINE WONG, LAU CHIN-YAN, RONLY KONG, CATHEDRAL MA AND CHRIS HO.
THEY WERE SELECTED FROM A GROUP OF 57 CANDIDATES FOR THE OVERSEAS SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED BY THE MUSIC FUND FOR 1990-91 AFTER AN AUDITION TEST AND AN INTERVIEW HELD EARLIER THIS YEAR.
THE PURPOSE OF THE SCHOLARSHIP IS TO ASSIST EXCEPTIONALLY TALENTED YOUNG PEOPLE TO RECEIVE TRAINING INPOST-DIPLOMA STUDIES AT OVERSEAS INSTITUTES.
YIP CHING, CHENG WAI, ANDREW MA, YIU SONG-LAM, CHRISTINE WONG AND LAU CHIN-YAN WILL PURSUE THEIR MUSICAL INSTRUMENT COURSES IN BRITAIN, CANADA, AUSTRALIA AND THE UNITED STATES.
RONLY KONG, CATHEDRAL MA AND CHRIS HO WILL ATTEND MODERN DANCE COURSES IN BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES.
/THE HONG .......
SUNDAY, JULY 8, 1990
10
THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND IS ESTABLISHED IN 1980 WITH A DONATION OF $10 MILLION FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
IT IS A NON-STATUTORY TRUST FUND FOR THE PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF MUSIC, DANCE AND RELATED ACTIVITIES IN THE TERRITORY BY WAY OF GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS.
SINCE 1980, THE MUSIC FUND HAS AWARDED 48 MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS AND 16 DANCE SCHOLARSHIPS TO ENABLE 31 YOUNG MUSICIANS AND 12 DANCERS TO FURTHER THEIR TRAINING OVERSEAS.
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SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME STARTS IN MONG KOK *****
THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE TOOK PART IN AN ART AND HANDICRAFT FAIR AT THE MACPHERSON PLAYGROUND IN MONG KOK TODAY (SUNDAY) TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME (SYP).
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SYP COMMITTEE, MR PETER LEE, SAID YOUNG PEOPLE PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN SOCIETY.
BY PARTICIPATING IN RECREATIONAL, SOCIAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES, YOUNG PEOPLE COULD DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL AND TALENTS AND BECOME MORE CIVIC-MINDED, HE SAID.
THIS YEAR’S ACTIVITIES INCLUDE SEMINARS ON LAW, QUIZ COMPETITIONS, ESSAY AND DRAWING COMPETITIONS ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, TALKS ON CIVIC RIGHTS AND DUTIES, CAMPING, PICNICS AND SPORTS.
MORE THAN 40,000 YOUNG PEOPLE BETWEEN THE AGES OF SIX AND 25 ARE EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 121 ACTIVITIES OVER THE NEXT TWO MONTHS.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SYP CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR HO FEI-CHI, ENCOURAGED YOUNGSTERS TO TAKE PART IN THE ACTIVITIES WHICH WERE DESIGNED TO ENHANCE THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S CEREMONY WERE THE MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS LORNA MA, DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHOW CHUN-FAI, AN URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR CHAN KWOK-MING, AND THE REGIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (WEST KOWLOON), MRS PUN LEE WAI-CHUN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION AT THE GIS NEWSROOM LATER TODAY.
--Ao--
/ii
SUNDAY, JULY 8, 1990
11
OB MEMBERS TAKE PART IN CLEAN-UP EXERCISE
*****
FJ'-k SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS TODAY (SUNDAY) JOINED HANDS WITH LOCAL RESIDENTS IN A CLEAN-UP EXERCISE TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN DAY.
AFTER MOUNTING TWO PUBLICITY BANNERS AT PROMINENT LOCATIONS IN THE DISTRICT, THE GROUP WENT TO THE NAM CHEONG STREET SITTING-OUT AREA, ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR RECREATIONAL GROUNDS FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS, TO CLEAN UP THE PLACE.
THEY WERE ASSISTED BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE 10 AREA COMMITTEES IN THE DISTRICT. * * f' • •-••••
ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD’S KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN WORKING GROUP, THE EVENT WAS PART OF THE GROUP’S YEAR-LONG EFFORT TO PROMOTE RESIDENTS’ AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE.
OTHER PUBLICITY EVENTS TO BE ORGANISED LATER IN THE YEAR . INCLUDE THE PRINTING OF POSTERS, A CARNIVAL AND A CLEAN-UP EXERCISE IN LOCAL TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS. |
THE GROUP WILL ALSO SUBSIDISE LOCAL AREA COMMITTEES TO ORGANISE ACTIVITES TO DRIVE HOME THE CLEAN HONG KONG MESSAGES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN AT THE CLEAN-UP EXERCISE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE GIS DUTY OFFICER.
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CONSTRUCTION OF ROAD TO FANLING TONG HANG VILLAGE
******
THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE IS PLANNING TO CONSTRUCT A ROAD LEADING TO FANLING TONG HANG VILLAGE, SOUTHEAST OF LUEN WO MARKET, TO PROVIDE VEHICULAR ACCESS AND IMPROVED PEDESTRIAN ACCESS TO THE VILLAGE.
. . ’ f‘ ; * '■>' > » . »;.« > ■ ;
AS PART OF THE ”IMPROVEMENT TO URBAN FRINGE AND RURAL AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES” PROGRAMME, THE PROPOSED WORKS INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SINGLE TRACK ACCESS ROAD WITH ASSOCIATED TURNING AREA, FOOTPATH AND DRAINAGE WORKS.
DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, PEDESTRIAN ACCESS WILL BE MAINTAINED TO MINIMISE ANY INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE.
/A NOTICE .......
SUNDAY, JULY 8, 1990
- 12 -
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE GAZETTE.
A PLAN SHOWING.THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT" OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, MAIN ENTRANCE LOBBY, HONG KONG; AND AT THE NORTH DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, BOTH AT JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING ROUNDABOUT, FANLING.
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 AUGUST 28 THIS YEAR.
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KOWLOON CITY SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME BEGINS
MORE THAN 320 ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN ORGANISED FOR THE YOUNGSTERS OF KOWLOON CITY IN A TWO-MONTH-LONG SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME THAT BEGAN TODAY (SUNDAY).
ADDRESSING THE OPENING CEREMONY AT THE MA TAU WAI ROAD FOOTBALL PITCH, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR TANG TAI-CHUEN, SAID IT WAS HOPED THAT YOUNG PEOPLE BY TAKING PART IN VARIOUS CULTURAL, COMMUNITY, RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES, WOULD DEVELOP HEALTHY HABITS AND CIVIC AWARENESS.
KOWLOON CITY RESIDENTS AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 25 ARE WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAMME. A BOOKLET GIVING DETAILS OF THE PROGRAMME IS AVAILABLE FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
THIS YEAR’S DISTRICT PROGRAMME IS SPONSORED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, WITH FUNDS ALSO COMING FROM PRIVATE DONATIONS.
A VARIETY SHOW AND GAMES FOLLOWED THE OPENING CEREMONY.
GUESTS INCLUDED MR KWOK KA-MING, MEMBER OF THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME COMMITTEE; MR WONG SIK-KONG, CHAIRMAN OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD; MS JOEY LAM, ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER; AND MR CHEUNG HON-LEUNG, KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER.
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/13........
SUNDAY, JULY 8, 1990
13
TENDERS INVITED FOR SPORTS COMPLEX PROJECT
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SPORTS COMPLEX AT THE JUNCTION OF JOCKEY CLUB ROAD AND LUNG SUM AVENUE IN SHEUNG SHUI.
THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 2,500-SEAT SPECTATOR STAND, AN EIGHT-LANE ALL-WEATHER 400 METRE SYNTHETIC SURFACED RUNNING TRACK, A TURFED SOCCER PITCH, A VOLLEYBALL COURT, AND SIX TENNIS AND THREE BASKET BALL COURTS.
IT WILL ALSO HAVE A PLAY AREA WITH ASSOCIATED FACILITIES FOR CHILDREN.
CONSTRUCTION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
TENDERS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD BEFORE NOON ON JULY 27 THIS YEAR.
- - 0 - -
SAI KUNG KEEP CLEAN CAMPAIGN STARTS ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
ABOUT 50 STUDENTS OF CARMEL DIVINE GRACE FOUNDATION SECONDARY SCHOOL TOOK PART IN A CLEAN-UP OPERATION TODAY (SUNDAY) AT PO LAM AND TSUI LAM ESTATES IN TSEUNG KWAN O.
THE OPERATION IS THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF CLEAN-UP ACTIVITIES IN THE DISTRICT THIS YEAR.
ORGANISED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S WORKING GROUP ON KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN, THE ACTIVITIES ARE AIMED AT ENHANCING RESIDENTS’ AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THEIR LIVING ENVIRONMENT CLEAN.
OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S EVENT WERE THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR FREDERICK TONG; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WILLIAM WAN; CHAIRMAN OF THE DB’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE, MR HO KOON-SHUN; CONVENER OF THE WORKING GROUP ON KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN 1990-91, MR EDWARD PONG; AND THE DISTRICT HYGIENE SUPERINTENDENT (SAI KUNG) OF THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR CHU WING-WAI.
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SUNDAY, JULY 8, 1990
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WAN CHAI SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME STARTS
******
OVER 200 ACTIVITIES WILL BE ORGANISED FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN WAN CHAI THIS SUMMER, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER MANN, SAID THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME (SYP), MR MANN SAID THE SYP CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE JOINTLY ORGANISES WITH LOCAL VOLUNTARY AGENCIES MANY ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT EVERY YEAR.
OF THE $260,000 FOR THIS YEAR’S SYP, $220,000 WAS DONATED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND THE REMAINDER BY PRIVATE SPONSORS, HE SAID.
THE THEME OF THIS YEAR’S SYP IS AGAIN ’’SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THE COMMUNITY”, REMINDING YOUNG PEOPLE TO HELP BUILD THE COMMUNITY WHILE TAKING PART IN THE ACTIVITIES, HE SAID.
FROM TODAY UNTIL LATE AUGUST, CHILDREN AND YOUTHS AGED SIX TO 25 WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE PART IN SUMMER CAMPS, PICNICS, SPORTS COMPETITIONS, SEMINARS AND TRAINING CLASSES.
TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY WAS FOLLOWED BY A VARIETY SHOW AT THE SOUTHORN STADIUM, FEATURING A LION DANCE, AND SINGING AND DANCING PERFORMANCES BY LOCAL CHOIRS.
THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE EVENT WAS A PARADE BY OVER 200 PARTICIPANTS FROM ABOUT 20 YOUTH CENTRES AND SCHOOLS ALONG JOHNSTON ROAD AND HENNESSY ROAD.
A CARNIVAL WAS ALSO HELD TODAY AT THE SOUTHORN PLAYGROUND WITH TELEMATCHES, STALL GAMES AND KARAOKE SINGING.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT’S SYP CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR LIU WING-TING, AND THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BRYAN CHAN.
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SERVICES FOR PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS ON AGENDA
******
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING AND AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS TOMORROW (MONDAY) THE SERVICES BEING PROVIDED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT FOR SINGLETON TENANTS LIVING AT PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE TWO DEPARTMENTS WILL BE PRESENT AT THE MEETING TO HEAR MEMBERS’ VIEWS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS.
/THE COMMITTEE ......
SUNDAY, JULY 8, 1990
- 15 -
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO CONSIDER A NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FROM LOCAL BODIES FOR DB FUNDS FOR ORGANISING COMMUNITY BUILDING FUNCTIONS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE SOUTHRN DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING AND AFFAIRS COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (MONDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, 7-11 NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN CENTRE.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE LATTER HALF OF THE MEETING, WHICH WILL DEAL WITH APPLICATIONS FOR DB FUNDS, WILL BE HELD IN CAMERA.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WESTERN DISTRICT
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JULY 10), THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN WESTERN DISTRICT AS PART OF THE POK FU LAM ROAD TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME:
* THE SECTION OF FIRST STREET BETWEEN POK FU LAM ROAD AND WESTERN STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY WESTBOUND TO ONE-WAY EASTBOUND; AND
* THE SECTION OF SECOND STREET BETWEEN POK FU LAM ROAD AND WESTERN STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY EASTBOUND TO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND.
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TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF WATERLOO ROAD FLYOVER
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE SOUTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF THE FLYOVER AT WATERLOO ROAD ADJACENT TO HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE WILL BE CLOSED FROM 1 AM TO 6 AM ON TUESDAY (JULY 10) AND WEDNESDAY (JULY 11) TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, SOUTHBOUND VEHICLES FROM THE LION ROCK TUNNEL WILL BE DIRECTED TO THE GROUND LEVEL OF WATERLOO ROAD.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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/16........
SUNDAY, JULY 8, 1990
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URBAN CLEARWAYS IN WONG TAI SIN A *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JULY 10), THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF YING FUNG LANE IN WONG TAI SIN WILL BE DESIGNATED 24-HOUR DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS:
t THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF THE EASTERN ARM OF YING FUNG LANE FROM A POINT ABOUT 70 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH FUNG TAK ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 82 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
♦ THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF THE SOUTHERN ARM OF YING FUNG LANE FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH THE EASTERN ARM OF THE SAME LANE TO A POINT ABOUT 47 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, JULY 9, 1990
CONTENTS
EIGHT QUESTIONS, SEVEN BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA ................................. NEW SYSTEM PUTS HK AT FOREFRONT OF LETTER SORTING TECHNOLOGY ................. PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN APRIL ........................ REGISTRATION OF PARAMEDICS BEGINS LATER THIS YEAR ............................ MORE FIRMS USING DISKETTE SUBMISSION SCHEME .................................. EPCOM SUPPORTS SETTING UP TWO MORE WATER CONTROL ZONES ....................... CHILD SUPPLEMENT FOR PA FAMILIES ............................................. COMMON RECRUITMENT EXAMINATION 1990-91 ....................................... REAR STAIRCASE OF POST-WAR BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS ...................... ALL 345 REDUNDANT TEACHERS FOUND JOBS ........................................ GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY REPORT ON LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS .............. JOINT GRADUATION CEREMONY OF COLLEGES OF EDUCATION ............................ IMMIGRATION OFFICES ON MOVE ................................................... CLOSURE OF OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE OFFICE ....................................... CHLORINE STORAGE ON DB AGENDA ................................................. STUDENTS PITCHIN TO KEEP BEACHES CLEAN ........................................ BUS AND FERRY SERVICES ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ................................. CONSTRUCTION OF TOWN HALL ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA .............................. WATER STORAGE FIGURE .......................................................... WATER CUT IN YAU MA TEI ....................................................... TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE OF TUEN MUN ROAD ....................................... TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SHA TIN WAI ROAD..................................................................................... URBAN CLEARWAYS IN WESTERN DISTRICT............................................*...........................................*. TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN WAN CHAI .....................................
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MONDAY, JULY 9, 1990
1
EIGHT QUESTIONS, SEVEN BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA
*****
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF EIGHT QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER SEVEN BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (JULY'11).
OF THE SEVEN BILLS, THREE WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS AND DEBATES ON THEM WILL BE ADJOURNED.
THEY ARE THE HANG LUNG BANK (ACQUISITION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT (REPEAL) BILL 1990 AND A PRIVATE BILL, THE MORRISON SCHOLARSHIPS FUND 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 JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, THE LAWS (LOOSE-LEAF PUBLICATION) BILL 1990, THE BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, AND THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1990.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY WILL MOVE A MOTION ON HOMOSEXUALITY.
IT READS: "THAT MEASURES BE PRESENTED TO THIS COUNCIL — (A) TO REMOVE THE CRIMINAL PENALTIES RELATING TO HOMOSEXUAL ACTS COMMITTED IN PRIVATE BY CONSENTING MEN WHO HAVE REACHED THE AGE OF 21; AND (B) TO EXTEND TO MEN AND BOYS, WHERE APPROPRIATE, THE PROTECTION FROM SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AFFORDED BY THE CRIMES ORDINANCE TO WOMEN AND GIRLS."
ALSO, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE RADIATION ORDINANCE.
IN ADDITION, DR THE HON DANIEL TSE WILL SPEAK ON THE 1989 ANNUAL REPORT BY THE COMMISSIONER OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SITTINGS FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERIES AND THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY TELEPHONING 844 0899.
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MONDAY, JULY 9, 1990
- 2 -
NEW SYSTEM PUTS HK AT FOREFRONT OF LETTER SORTING TECHNOLOGY *******
THE COMMISSIONING OF THE MECHANISED LETTER SORTING SYSTEM (MLSS) IN THE POST OFFICE PUTS HONG KONG FIRMLY AT THE FOREFRONT OF MECHANISED LETTER SORTING TECHNOLOGY, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT T11E OFFICIAL COMMISSIONING OF THE NEW SYSTEM, MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT POSTAL TRAFFIC IN HONG KONG CONTINUED TO GROW AT A COMPOUND RATE OF 10 PER CENT EACH YEAR WITH OVER TWO MILLION ITEMS OF MAIL NOW HANDLED EACH DAY.
THIS ADDED UP TO AN ASTONISH ING'FIGURE OF OVER 800 MILLION POSTAL ITEMS HANDLED BY THE POST OFFICE IN 1989.
MRS CHAN SAID THE OVER $100 MILLION MLSS WENT A LARGE STEP FURTHER IN MECHANISATION BY EMPLOYING, FOR THE FIRST TIME ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, OPTICAL CHARACTER RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY WHICH READ ADDRESSES TYPED OR MACHINE PRINTED IN ENGLISH WITHOUT THE NEED FOR POSTAL CODES.
AUTOMATIC SORTING WAS NOT LIMITED TO THOSE LETTERS WITH ADDRESSES TYPED OR PRINTED IN ENGLISH, SHE SAID.
"LETTERS WITH ADDRESSES TYPED, PRINTED OR HANDWRITTEN IN CHINESE OR HANDWRITTEN IN ENGLISH ARE ALSO PROCESSED FOR AUTOMATIC SORTING BY THIS SYSTEM USING VIDEO CODING MACHINES.
"THESE MACHINES ALLOW OPERATORS TO VIEW THE LETTERS ON A SCREEN AND TYPE IN AN APPROPRIATE BAR CODE REPRESENTING THE ADDRESS WHICH IS PRINTED ON THE ENVELOPE TO FACILITATE MACHINE SORTING," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN SAID TAKEN AS A WHOLE, THE SYSTEM SHOULD RESULT IN THE AUTOMATIC SORTING OF 90 PER CENT OF ALL LETTERS HANDLED BY THE POST OFFICE, AMOUNTING TO 1.7 MILLION ITEMS A DAY AND WELL OVER 600 MILLION ITEMS IN A YEAR AT CURRENT LEVELS OF POSTAL VOLUME.
"THE BENEFIT OF THE SYSTEM TO THE TAXPAYER AND POSTAL SERVICE CUSTOMER IS THAT IT WILL ALLOW THE POST OFFICE TO MAINTAIN ITS CUSTOMARY HIGH STANDARD OF SERVICE WITHOUT HAVING TO ENGAGE SUBSTANTIAL NUMBERS OF ADDITIONAL STAFF TO COPE WITH THE FAST GROWING VOLUME OF POSTAL TRAFFIC AND TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO THE RAPIDLY INCREASING NEW TOWN POPULATIONS.
"IN THE FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION ALONE WE ESTIMATE THAT SOME 200 POSTS WILL BE SAVED AS A RESULT OF THE INTRODUCTION OF THE SYSTEM," SHE SAID.
HOWEVER, MRS CHAN STRESSED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO NEED FOR REDUNDANCIES.
"SOME POSTS WILL BE ALLOWED TO LAPSE AS THEY BECOME VACANT DUE TO NORMAL WASTAGE THROUGH RESIGNATION OR RETIREMENT.
/"THE REST .......
MONDAY, JULY 9, 1990
- 3 -
"THE REST WILL BE REDEPLOYED TO COPE WITH AREAS OF INCREASING DEMAND SUCH AS IN THE NEW TOWNS," SHE SAID.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, SAID THE COMMISSIONING OF THE MLSS WAS THE CULMINATION OF EFFORTS IN INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY AND IMPROVING EFFICIENCY, AND IN RELYING ON MECHANISATION AND AUTOMATION AS FAR AS POSSIBLE.
HE SAID IN ORDER TO REAP THE FULL BENEFITS OF THE NEW EQUIPMENT, THE POST OFFICE NEEDED THE CO-OPERATION OF EVERYONE IN HONG KONG IN PROPERLY ADDRESSING AND MAKING UP MAIL ITEMS SO THAT THEY COULD BE READ BY THE EQUIPMENT AND THUS REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF MANUAL SORTING.
"WITH PUBLIC CO-OPERATION I AM SURE THAT OUR MAIL CAN BE PROCESSED MORE QUICKLY AND THAT IT CAN REACH RECIPIENTS FASTER," HE ADDED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN AT THE COMMISSIONING CEREMONY AND COPIES OF SPEECHES BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES AND THE POSTMASTER GENERAL WILL BE BOXED.
----0-----
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN APRIL
********
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY 5 PER CENT, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS GREW BY 6 PER CENT IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 1990 AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989, ACCORDING TO THE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
TAKING THEM TOGETHER, THERE WAS AN OVERALL INCREASE OF 1 PER CENT IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS. IMPORTS INCREASED BY 1 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 2 PER CENT AND 4 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........
MONDAY, JULY 9, 1990
COMPARING THE MONTH OF APRIL 1990 WITH APRIL 1989, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY 7 PER CENT, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 6 PER CENT. AS SUCH, THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 1 PER CENT. THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 4 PER CENT. OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 1 PER CENT AND 4 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 APRIL 1990 AS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1989 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF MOST COMMODITY GROUPS DECREASED IN APRIL 1990 AS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1989, INCLUDING RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-45 PER CENT); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (-37 PER CENT); METAL MANUFACTURES (-25 PER CENT); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (-23 PER CENT); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (-22 PER CENT); FOOTWEAR (-22 PER CENT); WATCHES AND CLOCKS(-9 PER CENT); METAL ORES AND SCRAP (-8 PER CENT); CLOTHING (-5 PER CENT); TEXTILE FABRICS (-5 PER CENT); AND TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (-4 PER CENT). ON THE OTHER HAND, AN INCREASE IN DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME WAS RECORDED IN ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+11 PER CENT).
THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF MOST COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED IN APRIL 1990 COMPARED WITH APRIL 1989. THESE INCLUDED METAL MANUFACTURES (+5 PER CENT); ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+5 PER CENT); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (+4 PER CENT); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+4 PER CENT); FOOTWEAR (+3 PER CENT); TEXTILE FABRICS (+3 PER CENT); DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (+2 PER CENT); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (+2 PER CENT); CLOTHING (+1 PER CENT); AND RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (+1 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES WERE RECORDED IN METAL ORES AND SCRAP (-8 PER CENT) AS WELL AS WATCHES AND CLOCKS (-3 PER CENT).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR APRIL 1990 AS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1989 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
IMPORTS OF FOODSTUFFS DECREASED BY 4 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS IN APRIL 1990 COMPARED WITH APRIL 1989. DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF WHEAT AND FLOUR; RICE; AND FISH AND FISH PREPARATIONS. INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF MEAT AND MEAT PREPARATIONS; LIVE POULTRY; AND TEA AND COFFEE.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 13 PER CENT. COMMODITY ITEMS WITH CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME INCLUDED ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; TOBACCO MANUFACTURES; FOOTWEAR AND WATCHES. A DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN IMPORT VOLUME OF CAMERAS, FLASHLIGHT APPARATUS AND SUPPLIES FOR PHOTOGRAPHY.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES DECREASED BY 1 PER CENT IN APRIL 1990 COMPARED WITH APRIL 1989.
/THE MAJOR .......
MONDAY, JULY 9, 1990
- 5 -
THE MAJOR DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF WOOL AND OTHER ANIMAL HAIR; RAW COTTON; AND IRON AND STEEL. INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR WOOD, LUMBER AND CORK; FABRICS OF MANMADE FIBRES: PAPER AND PAPERBOARD; AND THERMIONIC CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES, DIODES, TRANSISTORS AND ELECTRICAL MICROCIRCUITS.
IMPORTS OF FUl.LS INCREASED BY 75 PER CENT IN VOLUME TERMS IN APRIL 1990 A COMPARED WITH APRIL 1989.
AS REGARDS ( Al L GOODS, THE IMPORT VOLUME DECREASED BY 3 PER CENT TN APRIL 1990 o APRIL 1989. DECREASES IN THE IMPORT VOLUME WERE RECORD! > FOR TRAN ORT EQUIPMENT; AND OTHER INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY (OTHER THAN I EXTILE MA' NERY AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY).
ON TIE OTHER HAND, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN OFFICE MACHINES; AND SCIc.Nl it IC, MliblCAL, OPTICAL, MEASURING AND CONTROLLING INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS.
COMPARING APRIL 1990 WITH APRIL 1989, THE IMPORT PRICES OF MOST END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED : FUELS (+6 PER CENT); CONSUMER GOODS (+4 PER CENT); FOODSTUFFS (+4 PER CENT); AND CAPITAL GOODS (+1 PER CENT). 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 APRIL 1990 AS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1989 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
THE VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS OF FUELS INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY BY 86 PER CENT, WHILE THAT OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 22 PER CENT IN APRIL 1990 AS COMPARED WITH APRIL 1989. HOWEVER, THE RE-EXPORT VOLUME OF FOODSTUFFS; RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES; AND CAPITAL GOODS DECREASED, BY 23 PER CENT, 9 PER CENT AND 1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF ALL END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED IN APRIL 1990 COMPARED WITH APRIL 1989: FUELS (+8 PER CENT); CONSUMER GOODS (+5 PER CENT); RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES (+3 PER CENT); CAPITAL GOODS (+3 PER CENT) AND FOODSTUFFS (+1 PER CENT).
FURTHER DETAILS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE APRIL 1990 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS” WHICH WILL BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AROUND JULY 14 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 .......
MONDAY, JULY 9, 1990
- 6 -
TABLE 1: CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP
COMMODITY GROUP VALUE % COMPARING APR 1990 WITH APR 1989 COMPARING JAN-APR 1990 WITH JAN-APR 1989
UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME %
CLOTHING -4 1 -5 -2 2 -3
TEXTILE FABRICS -2 3 -5 6 4 2
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD -21 4 -23 -11 4 -15
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES -2 2 -4 -4 3 -6 '
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS -44 1 -45 -34 * -34
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS 16 5 11 13 2 11
FOOTWEAR -19 3 -22 -22 1 -23
METAL MANUFACTURES -22 5 -25 -19 6 -23
METAL ORES AND SCRAP -16 -8 -8 -26 -6 -21
WATCHES AND CLOCKS -11 -3 -9 -4 -2 -2
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES -19 4 -22 -18 4 -21
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES -36 2 -37 -35 2 -36
ALL COMMODITIES -6 1 -7 -4 2 -5
* LESS THAN 0.5%
/TABLE 2 .......
MONDAY, JULY 9, 1990
TABLE 2: CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE % COMPARING APR 1990 WITH APR 1989 COMPARING JAN-APR 1990 WITH JAN-APR 1989
UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % UNIT VALUE VOLUME
% %
FOODSTUFFS -1 4 -4 * 3 -3
CONSUMER GOODS 18 4 13 15 5 9
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES -2 -1 -1 -5 ♦ -5
FUELS 86 6 75 10 11 -1
CAPITAL GOODS -3 1 -3 1 1 »
ALL COMMODITIES 6 2 4 3 2 1
* LESS THAN 0.5%
TABLE 3: CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE % COMPARING APR 1990 WITH APR 1989 COMPARING JAN-APR 1990 WITH JAN-APR 1989
UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % UNIT VALUE VOLUME
% %
FOODSTUFFS -22 1 -23 -13 2 -15
CONSUMER GOODS 28 5 22 28 5 22
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES -6 3 -9 • -5 4 -9
FUELS 102 8 86 93 14 69
CAPITAL GOODS 2 3 -1 3 3 -1
ALL COMMODITIES 10 4 6 10 4 6
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MONDAY, JULY 9, 1990
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REGISTRATION OF PARAMEDICS BEGINS LATER THIS YEAR
******
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT REGISTRATION OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS AND MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS WOULD COMMENCE LATER THIS YEAR.
THIS FOLLOWED THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL’S APPROVAL OF SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS ORDINANCE IN RESPECT OF THESE TWO PROFESSIONS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
DETAILED PROVISIONS REGARDING THE REGISTRATION AND DISCIPLINE OF THE TWO PROFESSIONS WOULD BE GAZETTED ON FRIDAY (JULY 13).
’’THESE REGULATIONS WILL PROVIDE BETTER PROTECTION TO THE PUBLIC BY MAINTAINING ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS TN THE PRACTICE OF THESE TWO SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT AFTER THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS ORDINANCE IN RESPECT OF THESE TWO PROFESSIONS CAME INTO EFFECT, ONLY PERSONS REGISTERED IN THE PROFESSION WOULD BE ALLOWED TO PRACTISE THE PROFESSION.
IT WOULD BE AN OFFENCE FOR ANY UNREGISTERED PERSON TO PRACTISE THE PROFESSION OR FOR ANY PERSON, INCLUDING MEDICAL DOCTORS, TO EMPLOY UNQUALIFIED PERSONNEL TO PRACTISE THESE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS.
HOWEVER, CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF PERSONS WHO MIGHT PERFORM FUNCTIONS THAT COME WITHIN THE SCOPE OF WORK OF A PARTICULAR SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSION IN THE COURSE OF THEIR OWN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE WOULD BE EXEMPTED FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE REGULATIONS.
IN THE CASE OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, THESE WOULD INCLUDE REGISTERED MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS AND STUDENTS UNDERGOING TRAINING IN MEDICINE OR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE REGULATIONS HAD BEEN DRAWN UP AFTER EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION WITH THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS BOARD, THE MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD, THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS COUNCIL AND OTHER RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS.
THE REGULATIONS WOULD BE CONTAINED IN THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS (REGISTRATION AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE) REGULATIONS 1990 AND THE MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS (REGISTRATION AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE) REGULATIONS 1990.
’’THEY PRESCRIBE THE FORM OF THE REGISTER, SPECIFY THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION, AND PROVIDE FOR PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO THE DISCIPLINE OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS AND MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/UNDER THE .......
MONDAY, JULY 9, 1990
- 9 -
UNDER THE REGULATIONS, THE REGISTER FOR BOTH PROFESSIONS WOULD BE DIVIDED INTO THREE PARTS: PART I AND II FOR FULL REGISTRATION AND PART III FOR PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION.
ONLY PROFESSIONALS REGISTERED IN PART I CAN PRACTISE WITHOUT SUPERVISION. THOSE REGISTERED IN PART II AND PART III WILL HAVE TO PRACTISE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A PERSON REGISTERED IN PART I.
THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS AND WITH NOT LESS THAN ONE YEAR POST-QUALIFICATION EXPERIENCE RECOGNISED BY THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS BOARD WOULD BE REGISTERED IN PART I OF THE REGISTER. THE QUALIFICATIONS ARE:
- A PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ISSUED BY THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC; OR
- A DIPLOMA ISSUED BY THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS; OR
- A CERTIFICATE FROM THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS BOARD FOR FULL REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 12(1)(A) OF THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS ORDINANCE.
THOSE WHO POSSESS ANY OF THE ABOVE QUALIFICATIONS BUT WITHOUT THE ONE YEAR POST-QUALIFICATION EXPERIENCE WILL BE REGISTERED IN PART II OF THE REGISTER, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
PERSONS CURRENTLY PRACTISING THE PROFESSION BUT WHO HAVE NO RECOGNISED QUALIFICATIONS OR FORMAL TRAINING WILL BE REGISTERED IN PART III WHEN THEY HAVE BEEN ADMITTED TO PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION BY THE BOARD.
IN THE CASE OF MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS, A PERSON WHO HOLDS ANY OF THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS TOGETHER WITH NOT LESS THAN THREE YEARS POST-QUALIFICATION EXPERIENCE RECOGNISED BY THE MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD WILL BE REGISTERED IN PART I OF THE REGISTER. THE QUALIFICATIONS ARE:
- A HIGHER CERTIFICATE IN MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EXTRA-MURAL STUDIES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG; OR
- A HIGHER DIPLOMA IN MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE ISSUED BY THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC; OR
- AN ASSOCIATE OR A FELLOW OF THE UNITED KINGDOM INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCES.
THOSE WHO HOLD ANY OF THE ABOVE QUALIFICATIONS BUT WHO DO NOT HAVE THE REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, OR ANY PERSON WHO HOLDS THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS WILL BE REGISTERED IN PART II:
- A DIPLOMA IN MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE ISSUED BY THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC; OR
I- AN ORDINARY
MONDAY, JULY 9, 1990
- 10 -
- AN ORDINARY CERTIFICATE IN MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EXTRA-MURAL STUDIES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG; OR
- A CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY IN MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY ISSUED BY THE FORMER MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT PRIOR TO 1982; OR
- A CERTIFICATE FROM THE BOARD FOR FULL REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 12(1)(A) OF THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS ORDINANCE.
PERSONS CURRENTLY PRACTISING THE PROFESSION BUT WHO HAVE NO RECOGNISED QUALIFICATIONS OR FORMAL TRAINING WILL BE REGISTERED IN PART III WHEN THEY HAVE BEEN ADMITTED TO PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION BY THE BOARD.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT PERSONS WHO HOLD OTHER OVERSEAS QUALIFICATIONS IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY OR MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE MAY ALSO APPLY TO THE RESPECTIVE BOARD FOR REGISTRATION.
THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS COUNCIL, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE RELEVANT BOARD, WILL DECIDE WHETHER THAT PARTICULAR OVERSEAS QUALIFICATION IS REGISTRABLE AND, IF SO, WHETHER ITS HOLDER BE REGISTERED IN PART I OR PART II OF THE REGISTER.
TO FACILITATE SUCH APPLICATIONS, THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS COUNCIL, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE RELEVANT BOARD, WILL SHORTLY DRAW UP A LIST OF OVERSEAS QUALIFICATIONS ELIGIBLE FOR FULL REGISTRATION UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
TURNING TO THE DISCIPLINE OF PERSONS IN THE TWO PROFESSIONS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS WERE SET OUT IN THE REGULATIONS WHICH PROVIDED FOR THE FORMATION OF A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE UNDER THE BOARD TO INQUIRE INTO ANY CASE OF COMPLAINT REFERRED TO THE BOARD.
APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION WILL BE RECEIVED BY THE BOARD FROM OCTOBER 1, 1990. TO ALLOW ADEQUATE TIME FOR MEMBERS OF THE PROFESSION TO OBTAIN THEIR REGISTRATION, IT IS EXPECTED THAT RELEVANT PROVISIONS IN THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS ORDINANCE WHICH PROHIBIT PRACTICE OF THE PROFESSION BY UNREGISTERED PERSONS WOULD NOT COME INTO EFFECT UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THESE TWO PROFESSIONS WERE THE FIRST TO COMMENCE REGISTRATION UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS ORDINANCE. IT WAS HOPED THAT REGISTRATION OF PHYSIOTHERAPISTS, RADIOGRAPHERS AND OPTOMETRISTS WOULD BE ABLE TO COMMENCE NEXT YEAR.
• • ■ • i . .
DETAILED PROCEDURES REGARDING APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION WILL BE ANNOUNCED BY THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS BOARD AND THE MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD NEARER THE TIME OF COMMENCEMENT OF REGISTRATION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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/Il
MONDAY, JULY 9, 1990
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MORE FIRMS USING DISKETTE SUBMISSION SCHEME
MORE AND MORE TRADING FIRMS ARE NOW USING THE DISKETTE SUBMISSION SCHEME, INTRODUCED IN JULY LAST YEAR, TO LODGE THEIR IMPORT AND EXPORT DECLARATIONS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
"BY THE END OF LAST MONTH, ABOUT 500 FIRMS ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE SCHEME, SUBMITTING MORE THAN 40,000 DECLARATIONS EACH MONTH," HE SAID.
THE SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED IN JULY 1, 1989 IN VIEW OF THE INCREASING NUMBER OF FIRMS NOW HANDLING THEIR TRADE DOCUMENTATION BY COMPUTERS.
"IT PROVIDES TRADING FIRMS WITH AN ADDITIONAL OPTION TO SUBMIT DECLARATIONS ON MICRO-COMPUTER DISKETTES.
"THROUGH THE USE OF COMPUTER, TRADERS CAN PREPARE AND LODGE THEIR IMPORT AND EXPORT DECLARATIONS IN A MORE ACCURATE AND EFFICIENT WAY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE NUMBERS OF PARTICIPATING FIRMS AND DECLARATIONS SUBMITTED IN THE SCHEME ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO GROW STEADILY," HE ADDED.
HE SAID FEEDBACK FROM PARTICIPANTS INDICATED THAT THE SCHEME HAD GREATLY FACILITATED THEIR DECLARATION WORK, PARTICULARLY THE PREPARATION, SUBMISSION AND SIGNING OF DECLARATIONS.
ACCORDING TO THE PARTICIPANTS, THEIR EFFORT SPENT ON PREPARING DECLARATIONS HAVE BEEN CONSIDERABLY REDUCED, FROM ABOUT EIGHT MINUTES PER DECLARATION BEFORE JOINING THE SCHEME TO FOUR MINUTES, REPRESENTING A REDUCTION OF 50 PER CENT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID AS ASSESSMENT OF DECLARATION CHARGES AT THE DECLARATION COLLECTION OFFICES WAS NOW BEING DONE BY COMPUTER, EFFICIENCY IN COLLECTING TRADE DECLARATIONS AND CHARGES AT THE COLLECTION COUNTERS HAD BEEN IMPROVED CONSIDERABLY.
"TRADERS ONLY NEED TO SPEND, ON AVERAGE, LESS THAN FOUR MINUTES IN SUBMITTING A DISKETTE CONTAINING MORE THAN 100 DECLARATIONS. THERE IS VIRTUALLY NO MORE QUEUING REQUIRED AT THE COLLECTION OFFICES FOR USERS OF THE SCHEME.
"FOR DECLARATIONS SUBMITTED IN PAPER, IT TAKES ABOUT HALF A MINUTE TO PROCESS EACH DECLARATION AT THE COLLECTION COUNTERS AND HENCE 50 MINUTES WILL BE REQUIRED FOR PROCESSING 100 DECLARATIONS.
"MOREOVER, FOR DECLARATIONS SUBMITTED ON THE SAME DISKETTE, ONLY ONE SIGNATURE IS REQUIRED TO BE ENTERED ON A SUMMARY FORM," HE SAID.
/TO TRADERS .......
MONDAY, JULY 9, 1990
- 12 -
TO TRADERS SUBMITTING MANY TRADE DECLARATIONS, THE SCHEME OFFERED GREAT BENEFITS, HE STRESSED.
TO JOIN THE SCHEME, TRADERS NEED ONLY A MICRO-COMPUTER SYSTEM WHICH RUNS ON MS-DOS OF VERSION 2.0 OR HIGHER.
FOR TRADERS WHO ARE USING COMPUTERS BUT HAVE NOT YET COMPUTERISED THEIR TRADE DOCUMENTATION WORK, THE GOVERNMENT HAS MADE AVAILABLE A USER FRIENDLY MICRO-COMPUTER SOFTWARE TO FACILITATE THEM IN PREPARING IMPORT AND EXPORT DECLARATIONS USING MICRO-COMPUTERS AND AT THE SAME TIME PRODUCING OUTPUTS THAT MEET ALL THE FORMAT REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
THE SOFTWARE TOGETHER WITH THE OPERATION MANUAL ARE AVAILABLE AT $160 PER SET FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
NEVERTHELESS, THE USE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S SOFTWARE WAS NOT MANDATORY FOR JOINING THE SCHEME, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’TRADERS CAN DEVELOP THEIR OWN COMPUTER SYSTEMS TO MEET THEIR SPECIFIC NEEDS AND SUBMIT DECLARATIONS ON DISKETTES TO GOVERNMENT SO LONG AS THE OUTPUT FORMATS OF DECLARATIONS CONFORM TO THE GOVERNMENT’S SPECIFICATIONS," HE SAID.
HE SAID ONE MAJOR ADVANTAGE OF USING THE GOVERNMENT’S SOFTWARE WAS THAT IT ENABLED A TRADING FIRM TO SET UP A PRODUCT FILE TO CONTAIN SUCH PARTICULARS AS THE FIRM’S OWN PRODUCT CODES, PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS AND THE CORRESPONDING HARMONIZED SYSTEM CODES.
"BY SIMPLY INPUTTING THE TRADING FIRM’S OWN PRODUCT CODES, THE OTHER PRE-STORED PARTICULARS CAN BE OUTPUT AUTOMATICALLY.
"THUS, THE NEED OF KEYING IN PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS AND HARMONIZED SYSTEM CODES IS DISPENSED WITH.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID A PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED PRODUCT FILE WOULD GREATLY FACILITATE THE PREPARATION OF IMPORT OR EXPORT DECLARATIONS.
"IN THIS RESPECT, A TRADING FIRM JOINING THIS SCHEME MAY SEND ITS PREPARED PRODUCT FILE TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, WHERE SPECIALISED STAFF WOULD EXAMINE THE PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS AND THE CORRESPONDING HARMONIZED SYSTEM CODES," HE SAID.
FOR THOSE TRADERS INTERESTED IN THE SCHEME BUT HAVING DIFFICULTIES IN OPERATING THE GOVERNMENT SOFTWARE, THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS ORGANISED A NUMBER OF SEMINARS AND DEMONSTRATIONS TO ASSIST THEM IN LEARNING HOW TO USE THE SOFTWARE.
MORE SUCH SEMINARS WILL BE ORGANISED. FOR DETAILS, THOSE INTERESTED MAY WRITE TO COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS (ATTN. : SENIOR STATISTICIAN (TRADE) 2) WANCHAI TOWER I, 17TH FLOOR, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI (REF. : DISKETTE SUBMISSION SCHEME).
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MONDAY, JULY 9, 1990
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EPCOM SUPPORTS SETTING UP TWO MORE WATER CONTROL ZONES
MEMBERS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EPCOM), AT A MEETING THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON, DISCUSSED AND UNANIMOUSLY SUPPORTED THE PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH TWO NEW WATER CONTROL ZONES IN DEEP BAY AND MIRS BAY.
THE DEEP BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE’S CATCHMENT EXTENDS FROM YUNG LONG BATHING BEACH AND YUEN LONG/KAN TIM SUBZONES IN THE WEST TO THE RIVER GANGES SUBZONE IN THE NORTH.
THE MIRS BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE MAINLY COVERS THE STRETCH OF WATER IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE TERRITORY.
IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE CONTROLS IN THE TWO ZONES SHOULD COME INTO EFFECT ON OCTOBER 1 THIS YEAR, OR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE COMES INTO EFFECT.
EPCOM NOTED WITH GRAVE CONCERN THE DETERIORATION IN THE QUALITY OF HONG KONG’S WATERS, THE INEFFECTIVENESS OF THE EXISTING LEGISLATION AND THE DELAY IN ENACTING THE AMENDMENTS TO STRENGTHEN THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE.
THE AMENDMENTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LATER THIS MONTH.
EPCOM CHAIRMAN, DR WANG GUNGWU, EMPHASISED THE NEED TO TAKE IMMEDIATE AND EFFECTIVE ACTION TO CONTROL POLLUTION AND IMPROVE WATER QUALITY.
HE REMARKED THAT THE EXEMPTION PROVISIONS IN THE EXISTING LEGISLATION EFFECTIVELY CONFERRED A LICENCE TO POLLUTE AND THEIR REPEAL WAS OVERDUE. HE ALSO CRITICISED INDUSTRY FOR DRAGGING ITS FEET ON THE AMENDMENT BILL.
INDUSTRY’S OBJECTION WAS GENERALISED, WITHOUT CONCRETE DATA TO SUPPORT ITS CLAIM THAT THE MAJORITY OF FACTORIES, SUCH AS THOSE IN THE TEXTILE BLEACHING AND DYEING SECTOR, WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO COMPLY WITH THE EFFLUENT STANDARDS AND WOULD GO OUT OF BUSINESS.
POINTING OUT THAT EVERYONE HAD A PART TO PLAY IN REDUCING POLLUTION, DR WANG URGED INDUSTRY TO STOP POSTURING AND ADOPT A MORE POSITIVE STANCE AND TAKE STEPS TO SEEK ADVICE, INTRODUCE WASTE MINIMISATION MEASURES, AND, WHERE NECESSARY, INSTALL TREATMENT FACILITIES.
HE SAID THAT AVAILABLE DATA SHOWED THAT THE CAPITAL COST OF TREATMENT FACILITIES FOR TEXTILE FACTORIES WITH FLOW RATES OF 3,000 TO 4,000 CUBIC METRES PER DAY AMOUNTED TO ONLY A FEW PER CENT (1.2 PER CENT TO 3.4 PER CENT) OF THE FACTORIES’ CAPITAL INVESTMENT.
TECHNICAL ADVICE WAS AVAILABLE FROM THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL AND THE CENTRE OF ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY FOR INDUSTRY, AS WELL AS MANY PRIVATE CONSULTANCY FIRMS, HE ADDED.
/HE REGRETTED .......
MONDAY, JULY 9, 1990
- 14 -
HE REGRETTED THAT MOST FACTORIES WERE ADOPTING A WAIT AND SEE ATTITUDE, AND THERE WERE ALSO CASES OF PERSISTENT OFFENDERS, WHICH COULD NO LONGER BE TOLERATED.
DR WANG STRESSED THAT THERE WAS NO TIME TO LOSE IN MAKING THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL INTO LAW, AND BRINGING IT INTO EFFECT. THIS SHOULD BE DONE WITHOUT FURTHER ADO.
EPCOM ALSO CONSIDERED PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL (SMOKE) REGULATIONS, AND RECOMMENDED THAT A MORE STRINGENT STANDARD ON THE EMISSION OF DARK SMOKE SHOULD BE INTRODUCED.
TWO PROGRESS REPORTS ON THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY AND MARICULTURE WERE ALSO PRESENTED FOR EPCOM’S INFORMATION.
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CHILD SUPPLEMENT FOR PA FAMILIES **»»»♦
OVER 20,000 CHILDREN WILL BE BENEFITTED FROM A CHILD SUPPLEMENT WHICH WILL BE INTRODUCED IN 1991, SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.
AT ITS LAST MEETING, MEMBERS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SWAC) ENDORSED IN PRINCIPLE THAT A CHILD SUPPLEMENT AT ONE QUARTER OF THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE BASIC RATE SHOULD BE GIVEN TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN OF FAMILIES WHO ARE ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE. THESE CHILDREN MUST BE STUDENTS BELOW 18 YEARS OF AGE, AND ARE NOT IN GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT.
SPEAKING AT A SWAC MEETING TODAY (MONDAY), THE ACTING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR KWOK NAI-SIK, POINTED OUT THAT CHILDREN ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AT PRESENT RECEIVED A BASIC RATE OF $515, $505 OR $495 A MONTH DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE FAMILY.
"THESE LEVELS OF PAYMENT ARE INSUFFICIENT FOR THE HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN. JUST AS THE ELDERLY AND THE DISABLED, CHILDREN HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS APART FROM THOSE WHICH THE BASIC RATE IS MEANT TO COVER," HE SAID.
SWAC MEMBERS AGREED THAT AT THE PRESENT BASIC RATE, CHILDREN WERE LIKELY TO BE CONFINED TO A RESTRICTED DIET AND DEPRIVED OF SUFFICIENT SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL STIMULATION.
THEY FELT THAT THESE CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY THOSE RECEIVING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE ON A LONG TERM BASIS SUCH AS CHILDREN OF WIDOWS, THE UNEMPLOYED OR THE SEVERELY-DISABLED, WOULD GO THROUGH CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE DEPRIVED OF MANY ACTIVITIES ESSENTIAL TO NORMAL HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT AND MIGHT GROW UP SOCIALLY DEPRIVED.
/THEY ALSO .......
MONDAY, JULY 9, 1990
- 15 -
THEY ALSO HELD THE VIEW THAT ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE ON THEIR SPECIAL NEEDS WOULD RE MODEST BUT NEVERTHELESS ESSENTIAL FOR NORMAL HEALTHY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT.
THE ESTIMATED INCREASE IN ANNUAL PUBLIC ASSISTANCE EXPENDITURE ARISING FROM THE NEW SCHEME AS AT MID-1990/91 WILL BE ABOUT $45 MILLION.
SWAC MEMBERS RECOMMENDED THAT, TO MEET THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN, A CHILD SUPPLEMENT OF $170 PER CHILD BE PAID TO FAMILIES ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE FOR USE AT THEIR DISCRETION.
ON ANOTHER ISSUE, SWAC MEMBERS RECOMMENDED THAT LEGISLATION PROHIBITING PARENTS AND GUARDIANS FROM LEAVING CHILDREN UNATTENDED IN THE HOME SHOULD NOT BE INTRODUCED. INSTEAD, PUBLICITY SHOULD BE STEPPED UP.
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COMMON RECRUITMENT EXAMINATION 1990-91 ******
THE ANNUAL COMMON RECRUITMENT EXAMINATION (CRE) FOR FIVE CIVIL SERVICE GRADES WILL BE HELD ON A SATURDAY IN MID-NOVEMBER THIS YEAR, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
THE FIVE GRADES ARE: ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER (AO), EXECUTIVE OFFICER II (EO II), ASSISTANT LABOUR OFFICER (ALO), MANAGEMENT SERVICES OFFICER II (MSO II) AND ASSISTANT TRADE OFFICER II (ATO II).
"IN GENERAL, GRADUATES WHO POSSESS A DEGREE FROM A HONG KONG OR BRITISH UNIVERSITY, OR EQUIVALENT, WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY.
"UNDERGRADUATES WHO ARE TAKING THEIR FINAL DEGREE EXAMINATIONS IN SUMMER 1991 MAY ALSO APPLY WHILE DIPLOMA HOLDERS MAY ALSO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE MSO II POSTS, AND EXCEPTIONALLY FOR THE EO II POST," HE SAID.
FIRST HELD IN 1984, THE EXAMINATION HAS BEEN USED TO SHORTLIST THE LARGE NUMBER OF CANDIDATES WHO MEET THE MINIMUM ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS FOR INTERVIEW.
"IT WAS INTRODUCED TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF SEPARATE EXAMINATIONS WHICH CANDIDATES HAD TO TAKE FOR DIFFERENT CIVIL SERVICE JOBS .
"IT HAS ESPECIALLY RELIEVED THE BURDEN OF MULTIPLE EXAMINATIONS ON UNDERGRADUATES WHO PREPARE FOR THEIR FINAL UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THIS YEAR’S CRE WILL FOLLOW THE PATTERN OF PREVIOUS YEARS’ AND CONSIST OF THREE PAPERS.
/PAPER 1 .......
MONDAY, JULY 9, 1990
16
PAPER I IS ’USE OF ENGLISH’, PAPER 2 IS ’OBJECTIVE TESTS’ WHILE PAPER 3 IS ’TASK PAPER’. THE WEIGHTINGS ARE 30 PER CENT, 20 PER CENT AND 50 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
PAPERS 1 AND 2 ARE EXAMINED IN ENGLISH WHEREAS HALF OF PAPER 3 MUST BE ANSWERED IN CHINESE.
"CANDIDATES SHOULD NOTE THAT FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF THEIR APPLICATIONS WILL BE BASED ON THEIR OVERALL PERFORMANCE IN THIS EXAMINATION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
CANDIDATES INTERESTED IN THE WORK OF THE FIVE GRADES ARE REQUESTED TO WATCH OUT FOR THE NEWSPAPER ADVERTISEMENT ON CIVIL SERVICE VACANCIES ON SATURDAYS IN EARLY SEPTEMBER. THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS WILL BE IN THE THIRD OR FOURTH WEEK OF SEPTEMBER.
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REAR STAIRCASE OF POST-WAR BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (MONDAY) DECLARED THE EXTERNAL REAR STAIRCASE AT 203 AND 205 PORTLAND STREET IN KOWLOON DANGEROUS AND THE MAIN BUILDINGS AT 203 AND 205 PORTLAND STREET LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.
IN A STATEMENT ISSUED THIS MORNING THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THE BUILDINGS WERE SIX STOREYS (WITH COCKLOFTS) POST-WAR REINFORCED CONCRETE FRAMED STRUCTURES WITH REINFORCED CONCRETE FLOORS AND ROOFS AND BRICK INFILL PANEL WALLS.
THE EXTERNAL STAIRCASE AT THE REAR SERVING BOTH 203 AND 205 PORTLAND STREET IS AT ADVANCED STAGE OF DETERIORATION WITH SEVERELY SPALLED AND CRACKED REINFORCED CONCRETE MEMBERS.
SUCH STAIRCASE IS CONSIDERED TO BE BEYOND REASONABLE ECONOMIC REPAIR AND SHOULD THEREFORE BE CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED.
THE REAR PORTIONS OF THE MAIN BUILDINGS ARE ALSO BADLY DILAPIDATED AS EVIDENCED BY SPALLED CONCRETE BEAMS, CEILINGS, WINDOW HOODS, LOOSE EXTERNAL RENDERING AND LOOSE INTERNAL PLASTER.
THERE ARE OTHER MINOR DEFECTS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE MAIN BUILDINGS.
THE DEMOLITION OF THE REAR STAIRCASE WILL RENDER THE BUILDINGS DANGEROUS BY REASON OF LACK OF ADEQUATE MEANS OF ESCAPE AND THEREFORE THE BUILDINGS THEMSELVES SHOULD ALSO BE CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED.
A BUILDING AUTHORITY SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEFECTS APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED IN PART BY LACK OF ADEQUATE MAINTENANCE BY THE OWNERS OF THE BUILDINGS OVER THE PRECEDING YEARS.
/WHILST THERE .......
MONDAY, JULY 9, 1990
WHILST THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE TO COMPEL OWNERS TO CONTINUALLY MAINTAIN THEIR BUILDINGS, HE SAID A PRUDENT OWNER WOULD DO SO IN ORDER TO SAFEGUARD THE VALUE OF HIS PROPERTY.
SHOULD THE OWNERS WISH TO REBUILD THE REAR STAIRCASE, THE BUILDING AUTHORITY WOULD CONSIDER ANY FORMAL APPLICATIONS MADE IN THIS RESPECT, HE ADDED.
HOWEVER, UNTIL SUCH TIME AS ALL REQUIRED WORKS TO MAKE THE BUILDINGS SAFE GENERALLY HAD BEEN SATISFACTORILY COMPLETED, THE BUILDINGS SHOULD REMAIN CLOSED.
THIS CASE WAS DISCOVERED AS A RESULT OF THE INTENSIFIED ACTIVITIES OF THE DANGEROUS BUILDINGS SECTION OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE WHICH COMMENCED IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS IN HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 AM ON OCTOBER 9, 1990 WERE POSTED TODAY ON THE BUILDINGS.
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ALL 345 REDUNDANT TEACHERS FOUND JOBS ******
ALL 345 REDUNDANT TEACHERS IN AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS WHO HAVE REGISTERED WITH THE PLACEMENT SERVICE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY PLACED IN VARIOUS SCHOOLS.
"THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS EXTREMELY GRATEFUL TO SCHOOL AUTHORITIES FOR THEIR FULL SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION IN ACCEPTING THE REDUNDANT TEACHERS REFERRED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO FILL THEIR VACANCIES," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
THE PLACEMENT SERVICE WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1975 TO ASSIST REDUNDANT TEACHERS IN AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS SEEKING ALTERNATIVE JOBS AS A RESULT OF A DROP IN THE POPULATION OF PRIMARY SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN AND A POPULATION SHIFT FROM URBAN AREAS TO THE NEW TOWNS.
ABOUT 6,000 TEACHERS HAVE BEEN HELPED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO SECURE ALTERNATIVE POSTS BETWEEN 1975 AND THIS YEAR, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN THE MEANTIME, WRITTEN ADVICE IS BEING SENT TO ALL AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS INFORMING THEM THAT THEY CAN NOW ENTER INTO EMPLOYMENT WITH TRAINED TEACHERS FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE SCHOOLS ARE ALSO ADVISED THAT A LIST OF THIS YEAR’S GRADUATES FROM THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION IS AVAILABLE AT DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICES.
"IN CASE THEY FAIL TO FIND SUITABLE TRAINED TEACHERS, THEY ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT THE SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER IN THEIR DISTRICT FOR ASSISTANCE," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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MONDAY, JULY 9, 1990
18
GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY REPORT ON LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS
******
THE REPORT ON THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY FOR JANUARY-MARCH 1990, CONTAINING STATISTICS ON EMPLOYMENT, UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FOR THE QUARTER, IS NOW AVAILABLE.
THE REPORT ALSO CONTAINS DETAILED ANALYSIS OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF MEMBERS OF THE LABOUR FORCE, INCLUDING THEIR AGE AND SEX STRUCTURE, EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, ACTIVITY STATUS, OCCUPATION, INDUSTRY, HOURS WORKED PER WEEK, MONTHLY EMPLOYMENT EARNINGS AS WELL AS REASON FOR UNEMPLOYMENT AND DURATION OF UNEMPLOYMENT FOR THE UNEMPLOYED.
COPIES OF THE REPORT AT $11.5 EACH CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
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JOINT GRADUATION CEREMONY * ♦ *
OF COLLEGES OF EDUCATION * * *
A TOTAL OF 1,794 GRADUATES FROM THE GRANTHAM, NORTHCOTE AND SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE WILL RECEIVE THEIR CERTIFICATES AT A JOINT GRADUATION CEREMONY AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THEY ARE GRADUATES OF THE ADVANCED COURSES OF TEACHER EDUCATION; THE FULL-TIME INITIAL COURSES OF TEACHER EDUCATION; THE PART-TIME IN-SERVICE COURSES OF TRAINING FOR TEACHERS OF PRIMARY, SECONDARY, SPECIAL SCHOOLS AND KINDERGARTENS; AND THE PART-TIME IN-SERVICE COURSES OF TRAINING FOR LECTURERS OF TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR K.Y. YEUNG, WILL ADDRESS THE GATHERING AND PRESENT CERTIFICATES AND PRIZES TO THE GRADUATES.
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, WILL CHAIR THE CEREMONY AND THE PRINCIPAL OF THE NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, MRS IRENE CHIU, WILL DELIVER A JOINT REPORT OF THE FOUR COLLEGES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CEREMONY AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM, 01 KWAN ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT 3.45 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
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MONDAY, JULY 9, 1990
19
IMMIGRATION OFFICES ON MOVE
******
THE SHEUNG SHUI DISTRICT BIRTHS REGISTRY AND SHEUNG SHUI MARRIAGE REGISTRY CURRENTLY SITUATED AT GROUND FLOOR, 26 SAN FUNG AVENUE WILL BE REPROVISIONED TO SECOND FLOOR, FANLING GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 3 PIK FUNG ROAD, FANLING ON JULY 23, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY).
’’THE TWO OFFICES WILL BE RENAMED FANLING DISTRICT BIRTHS REGISTRY AND FANLING MARRIAGE REGISTRY RESPECTIVELY UPON REMOVAL,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE OFFICE HOURS OF THE NEW REGISTRIES WILL BE FROM 8.J3 AM TO 12.45 PM AND 2 PM TO 4.45 PM MONDAY TO FRIDAY AND FROM 9 AM TO 11.30 AM ON SATURDAY.
THEY WILL BE CLOSED ON SUNDAY AND PUDLIC HOLIDAYS.
ALSO ON JULY 23, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT’S SHEUNG SHUI OFFICE CURRENTLY SITUATED AT GROUND FLOOR, NOS. 44, 44A AND B SAN FUNG AVENUE WILL BE MOVED TO SECOND FLOOR, FANLING GOVERNMENT OFFICES. IT WILL BE RENAMED THE FANLING OFFICE.
THE NEW OFFICE WILL CONTINUE TO ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FOR BRITISH PASSPORTS, HONG KONG CERTIFICATES OF IDENTITY, EXTENSIONS OF STAY, RE-ENTRY VISAS, HONG KONG RE-ENTRY PERMITS AND OTHER IMMIGRATION FACILITIES.
ITS OFFICE HOURS WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED: FROM 9 AM TO 12.45 PM AND 2 PM TO 4.30 PM MONDAY TO FRIDAY AND FROM 9 AM TO 12.30 PM ON SATURDAY.
IT WILL BE CLOSED ON SUNDAY AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
FOR ENQUIRIES, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY TELEPHONE 824 6111.
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CLOSURE OF OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE OFFICE ♦ * » ♦ ♦
INJURED EMPLOYEES IN THE WESTERN NEW TERRITORIES AREA SEEKING MEDICAL CLEARANCES FOR COMPENSATION PURPOSES SHOULD APPROACH THE KWAI CHUNG OFFICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE UNIT FROM FRIDAY (JULY 13).
THE TSUEN WAN OFFICE PRESENTLY LOCATED AT TSUEN WAN GARDEN PHASE II, THIRD FLOOR, TEXACO ROAD, WILL BE CLOSED TEMPORARILY DUE TO STAFF SHORTAGE.
/ITS WORK .......
MONDAY, JULY 9, 1990
ITS WORK WILL THEN BE TAKEN UP BY THE KWAI CHUNG OFFICE LOCATED AT KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SIXTH FLOOR, 166-174, HING FONG ROAD, KWAI < HUNG.
THE OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE UNIT ASSISTS INJURED EMPLOYEES IN PROCESSING CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION AND PERFORMS MEDICAL CLEARANCES FOR EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION CASES.
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CHLORINE STORAGE ON DB AGENDA *****
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WELFARE COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS AT A MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS OF STORING EXCESSIVE CHLORINE IN THE SHA TIN WATER TREATMENT WORKS.
AT THE SAME TIME, A MOTION WILL BE MOVED TO URGE THE GOVERNMENT TO SPEED UP THE EXTENSION OF THE OBSTETRIC UNIT AND LI KA SHING SPECIALIST CLINIC OF THE PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL AND TO COMPLETE ALL CONSTRUCTION WORKS WITHIN ONE YEAR.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO PROPOSE REFORMS TO THE ALLOCATION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES AND DISCUSS MEASURES TO PREVENT THE CONSUMPTION OF CONTAMINATED FISH CAUGHT FROM THE FO TAN NULLAH.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE ANNUAL PROGRAMMES OF THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WELFARE COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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/21
MONDAY, JULY 9, 1990
- 21 -
STUDENTS PITCHIN TO KEEP BEACHES CLEAN ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE 11TH AUXILIARY LITTER WARDEN SCHEME, ONE OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES ORGANISED TO INVOLVE STUDENTS TO KEEP PUBLIC BEACHES CLEAN, WAS INAUGURATED BY URBAN COUNCILLOR, MR JOSEPH CHAN, AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL TODAY (MONDAY).
ABOUT 600 SECONDARY STUDENTS FROM 45 SCHOOLS JOINED THE SCHEME THIS YEAR.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, MR CHAN SAID THE EMPHASES OF THE CAMPAIGN WERE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND EDUCATION, ESPECIALLY EDUCATION OF THE YOUNGER GENERATION.
"WE ARE THEREFORE VERY GLAD TO SEE THAT THE STUDENTS ARE ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING IN COMMUNITY SERVICES,” HE SAID.
HE HOPED THAT BY PARTICIPATING IN THE SCHEME, THE STUDENTS WOULD UNDERSTAND THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF A CITIZEN AND SET A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR THEIR FRIENDS AND OTHER CITIZENS.
IN THE PREVIOUS YEARS, THE AUXILIARY LITTER WARDEN SCHEME COVERED ONLY BEACHES IN THE URBAN AREA; BUT THIS YEAR IT WILL BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE BEACHES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE STUDENTS WILL BE ON DUTY ON SUNDAYS IN JULY AND AUGUST AT REPULSE BAY, DEEP WATER BAY, SHEK O, STANLEY MAIN BEACH IN THE URBAN AREA; AND THE BUTTERFLY BEACH, SILVER STRAND BEACH, LIDO BEACH AND CLEAR WATER BAY (2ND) BEACH IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
BESIDES CLEANING UP THE BEACHES, THEY WILL ADVISE SWIMMERS AGAINST LITTERING AND REMIND THEM TO CLEAN UP THE RUBBISH BEFORE LEAVING.
AT THE CEREMONY THE STUDENTS WERE BRIEFED ON THE GUIDELINES OF THEIR DUTY. THEY WERE ALSO PRESENTED WITH KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAPS AND T-SHIRTS TO BE WORN WHILE PERFORMING THEIR DUTIES ON THE BEACHES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE AUXILIARY LITTER WARDEN SCHEME WILL BE BOXED.
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MONDAY, JULY 9, 1990
22
BUS AND FERRY SERVICES ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA
******
THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THF YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS A DOCUMENT ON THE DISTRICT’S SETTLED BUS AND FERRY ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AT A MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE DOCUMENT, TO BE PRESENTED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, WILL FORM THE BASIC GUIDE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT FROM NOW UNTIL THE END OF 1991.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF TWO PEDESTRIAN SUBWAYS ACROSS SALISBURY ROAD AT ITS JUNCTIONS WITH NATHAN ROAD AND MIDDLE ROAD.
IN ADDITION, THEY WILL CONSIDER ALLOCATING FUNDS FOR ORGANISING ROAD SAFETY ACTIVITIES TARGETTED AT ELDERLY PEDESTRIANS AND DRIVERS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, GROUND FLOOR, MIDDLE ROAD CARPARK BUILDING, TSIM SHA TSUI. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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CONSTRUCTION OF TOWN HALL ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA
******
THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S RECREATION, SPORTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS AGAIN THE NEED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TOWN HALL AT ITS MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 11).
MEMBERS WILL SUGGEST LOCATIONS FOR INSTALLING AN EMERGENCY TELEPHONE ALONG THE TOLO HIGHWAY CYCLING TRACK.
/OTHER AGENDA
MONDAY, JULY 9, 1990
23
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS ON THE RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS AND PLANNED ACTIVITIES FOR THE NEXT TWO MONTHS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S RECREATION, SPORTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 11) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 152 KWONG FUK ROAD, TAI PO.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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WATER STORAGE FIGURE
*****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 48.7 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 285.446 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 325.978 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 55.6 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
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WATER CUT IN YAU MA TEI *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN YAU MA TEI WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 11) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT CERTAIN PREMISES BOUNDED BY JORDAN ROAD, WOOSUNG STREET, BOWRING STREET AND NATHAN ROAD, INCLUDING PARKES STREET AND PILKEM STREET.
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TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE OF TUEN MUN ROAD
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TO FACILITATE THE RESURFACING WORKS, TWO TRAFFIC LANES OF THE KOWLOON-BOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TUEN MUN ROAD BETWEEN TSING LUNG TAU AND PAI MIN KOK WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED IN TURN FROM 9.30 PM ON JULY 11 TO 6 PM ON JULY 17.
CLOSURE OF THE TWO TRAFFIC LANES WILL ONLY BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 9.30 PM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY. ONE TRAFFIC LANE WILL BE CLOSED FOR THE REST OF THE CLOSURE PERIOD.
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/24 .....
MONDAY, JULY 9, 1990
- 24 -
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SHA TIN WAI ROAD *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT A SECTION OF SHA TIN WAI ROAD WESTBOUND BETWEEN NGAN SHING STREET AND THE SOUTHBOUND SLIP ROAD OF SHA TIN ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED BETWEEN 1 AM AND 6 AM DAILY FROM WEDNESDAY (JULY 11) TO FRIDAY (JULY 13) TO FACILITATE ROAD CONSTRUCTION WORKS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS ON SHA TIN WAI ROAD WESTBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SIU LEK YUEN ROAD, TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD AND SHA TIN ROAD TO REJOIN SHA TIN WAI ROAD WESTBOUND.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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URBAN CLEARWAYS IN WESTERN DISTRICT ******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 11), THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF ROADS IN WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY:
* THE SECTION OF WATER STREET FROM A POINT ABOUT 35 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH QUEEN’S ROAD WEST TO A POINT ABOUT 15 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
* THE SECTION OF QUEEN’S ROAD WEST FROM A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH WATER STREET TO A POINT ABOUT EIGHT METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
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TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN WAN CHAI
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT DUE TO A WATERMAIN BURST, A SECTION OF THE INNER TRAFFIC LANE ON HARCOURT ROAD WESTBOUND OUTSIDE THE POLICE HEADQUARTERS, IN WAN CHAI, WILL BE CLOSED FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) FOR ABOUT THREE DAYS TO FACILITATE REPAIR WORKS.
MOTORISTS ON GLOUCESTER ROAD WESTBOUND HEADING FOR CENTRAL DISTRICT ARE ADVISED TO GO VIA TONNOCHY ROAD FLYOVER, CONVENTION AVENUE AND FENWICK PIER STREET, OR FENWICK STREET AND HENNESSY ROAD.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, JULY 10, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ENHANCEMENTS TO HOSPITAL AUTHORITY TERMS APPROVED .................................... 1
STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES ON SERVICES NEGOTIATIONS PRAISED ............................. 4
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS ....................................................... 5
HK-GUANGDONG ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP FORMED .............................................. 5
MEASURES TO RESTORE MORALE OF TEACHING PROFESSION .................................... 7
RAINFALL IN JUNE NEAR NORMAL ................................................
UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES IN YUEN LONG TO BE CLOSED.................................... 12
SOCIAL SERVICES AWARD SCHEME IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT.................................... 12
ISLANDERS URGED TO REGISTER AS VOTERS ............................................... 14
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR WORKING AT HEIGHTS ........................................... 14
CYC MEMBERS ON OVERSEAS EDUCATIONAL TRIPS ........................................... 15
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS UC CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME .................................. 16
DB TO DISCUSS BUS ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME ....................................... 16
DB TO DISCUSS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME ................................... 17
DB TO DISCUSS CANCELLATION OF BUS ROUTES ............................................ 18
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WESTERN DISTRICT ............................................ 18
TUESDAY, JUL
1990
1
ENHANCEMENTS TO HOSPITAL AUTHORITY TERMS APPROVED
*******
TH EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS AGREED TO A NUMBER OF MODIFICATIONS TO THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY’S TERMS OF SERVICE AND BRIDGING-OVER ARRANGEMENTS FOR CIVIL SERVANTS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON.
"THESE WERE MADE IN THE LIGHT OF THE LEGITIMATE CONCERNS EXPRESSED BY STAFF AND WERE LARGELY BASED ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY," SHE SAID.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF THE MODIFICATIONS, MRS WONG SAID THE ENHANCED PACKAGE WAS A CONSIDERABLE IMPROVEMENT ON THE PREVIOUS PROPOSALS.
SEVERAL OF THE MORE IMPORTANT IMPROVEMENTS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
(A) IN THE ORIGINAL PROPOSALS BY THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, DEPARTMENTAL QUARTERS WERE EXCLUDED FROM THE COSTING OF THE GOVERNMENT PACKAGE OF FRINGE BENEFITS. IT HAS NOW BEEN AGREED THAT, EXCEPT FOR STAFF ON THE TRAINING PAY SCALE, ALL DEPARTMENTAL QUARTERS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE COSTING, ON THE GROUNDS THAT IN PRACTICE THE QUARTERS REPRESENT A HOUSING BENEFIT TO THE STAFF WHO OCCUPY THEM.
TO INCLUDE THESE QUARTERS IN THE CALCULATION WOULD CONSIDERABLY INCREASE THE CASH ALLOWANCE TO STAFF IN THE SECOND BAND (RANKS WITH MPS POINTS BEGINNING AT 34 OR ENDING BETWEEN 34 AND 44B ON THE NEW SCALE). HOWEVER, THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WILL IN FUTURE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT DEPARTMENTAL QUARTERS ARE ALLOCATED STRICTLY ON OPERATIONAL GROUNDS.
(B) THE GOVERNMENT HAS ACCEPTED THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY’S VIEW THAT A HOUSING LOAN SCHEME SHOULD BE PROVIDED TO STAFF. THE HOUSING LOAN SCHEME WILL BE THE SUBJECT OF DETAILED EXPLANATION BY THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
(C) THE ORIGINAL PACKAGE PROVIDED THAT THE CASH ALLOWANCE SHOULD BE REDUCED BY 10 PER CENT. THIS REDUCTION HAS BEEN REMOVED.
(D) CIVIL SERVANTS BETWEEN MPS POINTS 34 AND 44B ON THE NEW SCALE (BAND 2), WHO MAY HAVE PRIVATE TENANCY ALLOWANCE, HAVE BEEN PARTICULARLY DISSATISFIED OVER THE CASH ALLOWANCE PERCENTAGE THEY WOULD RECEIVE. BY SPLITTING THIS BAND INTO TWO, THE CASH ALLOWANCE WILL CORRESPOND MORE CLOSELY TO THE VALUE OF CIVIL SERVICE BENEFITS RECEIVED FOR THE RESPECTIVE BANDS.
/(E) ANOTHER MODIFICATION ........
TUESDAY, JULY 10, 1990
- 2 -
(E) ANOTHER MODIFICATION IS IN RELATION TO THE BRIDGING-OVER ARRANGEMENTS IN TERMS OF THE EARNED PENSION OF CIVIL SERVANTS. PREVIOUSLY, CIVIL SERVANTS OPTING FOR FULL HA TERMS CAN HAVE THEIR EARNED PENSION DEFERRED OR FROZEN DEPENDING ON WHETHER THEY ARE ON THE NEW OR OLD PENSION TERMS, AND WHETHER THEY HAVE 10 YEARS OF SERVICE.
TWO CHANGES ARE NOW MADE :
(1) FOR THOSE WHO OPT FOR FULL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY TERMS, THE CALCULATION OF THEIR EARNED PENSION WILL BE BASED ON THEIR SALARY POINT AT THE TIME OF THEIR DEPARTURE FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE (INSTEAD OF THE SALARY AMOUNT ADJUSTED BY ANNUAL PENSION INCREASE). THE PENSION THEY WOULD GET ON RETIREMENT FROM THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WILL THUS BENEFIT FROM ANY SUBSEQUENT IMPROVEMENT IN CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES.
(2) STAFF CAN ALSO HAVE THE CHOICE OF CONTINUING TO EARN PENSION ENTITLEMENTS AS IF THEY WERE CIVIL SERVANTS DURING THE PERIOD OF THEIR EMPLOYMENT' WITH THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY; THOSE WHO SO OPT WILL NOT RECEIVE BENEFITS UNDER THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY PROVIDENT FUND AND THEIR CASH
ALLOWANCE WILL BE REDUCED BY SIX TO 11
PERCENTAGE POINTS, SINCE A PENSION SCHEME IS MORE COSTLY TO THE EMPLOYER THAN A PROVIDENT FUND.
SINCE THE REPORT OF THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WAS TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON APRIL 4, THERE HAS BEEN A THREEMONTH CONSULTATION EXERCISE.
COMMENTING ON THE ENHANCED PACKAGE, MRS WONG SAID THIS HAD BEEN PREPARED HAVING REGARD TO FEEDBACK FROM STAFF.
"THE PACKAGE IS CONSIDERED TO BE MOST REASONABLE, AND HAS FULLY TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE LEGITIMATE INTERESTS OF STAFF. THIS IS THE GOVERNMENT’S FINAL OFFER.
"HOWEVER, STAFF WILL STILL HAVE THE OPTION TO REMAIN IN THE CIVIL SERVICE. THEY WILL BE GIVEN THREE YEARS TO EXERCISE THE OPTION," SHE POINTED OUT.
ON THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS, MRS WONG SAID THE INCLUSION OF THE VALUE OF THE DEPARTMENTAL QUARTERS IN THE CASH ALLOWANCE COULD COST AN ADDITIONAL $70 MILLION A YEAR, BUT THIS COST WOULD BE OFFSET INSOFAR AS IT WAS POSSIBLE TO RECOVER THE DEPARTMENTAL QUARTERS CURRENTLY OCCUPIED BY HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT STAFF.
"THE REINSTATEMENT OF THE 10 PER CENT REDUCTION OF THE CASH ALLOWANCE IS ESTIMATED TO COST AN ADDITIONAL $50 MILLION PER ANNUM, AS COMPARED TO THE TERMS PRESENTLY ON OFFER," SHE SAID.
/MRS WONG .......
TUESDAY, JULY 10, 1990
- 3 -
MRS WONG ADDED THAT THE OTHER MAIN CONCERNS OF THE STAFF WERE ALSO BEING ADDRESSED, INCLUDING THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY’S FUTURE PERSONNEL POLICIES AND THE NEW HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.
"WITH REGARD TO THE FORMER, THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WILL SOON ISSUE THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY’S PERSONNEL POLICIES SUMMARY AND EMPLOYEES’ HANDBOOK TO STAFF FOR THEIR COMMENTS.
"THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY IS IN THE PROCESS OF REVISING THE PROPOSED HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, AND WILL SHORTLY CONSULT CONCERNED STAFF AGAIN,” SHE SAID.
REGARDING SUBVENTED HOSPITALS, THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY IS APPROACHING INDIVIDUAL BOARDS OF DIRECTORS TO DISCUSS DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS.
THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS WILL BE GIVEN A GRACE PERIOD OF ONE . YEAR TO CONSIDER WHETHER TO JOIN THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AND SEPARATE SUBVENTION OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WILL CEASE AT THE END OF THE THIRD YEAR.
AS REGARDS FEE-CHARGING, MRS WONG STRESSED THAT NO CHANGE TO THE CURRENT FEE-CHARGING BASIS WOULD BE MADE UNTIL A BROAD STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FEES AND WAIVER ARRANGEMENTS HAD BEEN DEVISED IN CONSULTATION WITH THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
SHE FURTHER STRESSED THAT UNDER THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY BILL ITSELF, THERE WAS PROVISION WHICH STATED CLEARLY THAT NO PERSON SHOULD BE PREVENTED, THROUGH LACK OF MEANS, FROM OBTAINING ADEQUATE MEDICAL TREATMENT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
TWO TABLES SHOWING THE COMPARISON OF THE MAIN FEATURES OF THE PACKAGE WHICH HAVE BEEN CHANGED IN VARIOUS STAGES, AND THE PREVIOUS AND PRESENT BRIDGING-OVER ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE SENT BY FACSIMILE AND BOXED.
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/4 ........
TUESDAY, JULY 10,
1990
4
STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES ON SERVICES NEGOTIATIONS PRAISED
********
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) COMMENDED THE EFFORTS OF THE HONG KONG COALITION OF SERVICE INDUSTRIES (HKCSI) IN PRODUCING A STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES ON THE URUGUAY ROUND SERVICES NEGOTIATIONS CONDUCTED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT).
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID IT WAS GRATIFYING TO SEE THE OUTCOME OF AN EXTENSIVE EXERCISE UNDERTAKEN BY THE HKCSI ON ITS OWN INITIATIVE.
HE SAID THE EXERCISE HAD PRODUCED VALUABLE INPUTS TO THE CONSULTATIVE PROCESS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR REGARDING THE CURRENT URUGUAY ROUND NEGOTIATIONS ON TRADE IN SERVICES.
’’THE HKCSI’S STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES CONSISTS OF VIEWS FROM A WIDE SPECTRUM OF SERVICE INDUSTRIES ON THE MAIN PROVISIONS THAT SHOULD BE COVERED IN A SERVICE AGREEMENT.
"THE STATEMENT WOULD DEFINITELY BE USEFUL IN PROVIDING GUIDANCE TO OUR STRATEGY IN THESE NEGOTIATIONS.
"NOT ONLY DOES THE STATEMENT FACILITATE THE GOVERNMENT’S ASSESSMENT OF THE INDUSTRIES’ BROAD THINKING ON WHETHER FUNDAMENTAL GATT PRINCIPLES SHOULD APPLY HERE, BUT IT ALSO SHEDS MUCH LIGHT ON THE ACTUAL BARRIERS ENCOUNTERED BY OUR SERVICE INDUSTRIES IN EXPORTING THEIR SERVICES OVERSEAS," MR CHAN SAID.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT SHARED WITH THE HKCSI A FIRM COMMITMENT TOWARDS THE SUCCESS OF THE URUGUAY ROUND MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS, AND IN PARTICULAR TOWARDS CONCLUDING A MULTILATERAL FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT ON TRADE IN SERVICES.
"THE STRONG SUPPORT RENDERED BY THE HKCSI AND OUR SERVICE INDUSTRIES HAS INDEED STRENGTHENED THE HANDS OF OUR NEGOTIATORS IN THE DIFFICULT TALKS AHEAD," MR CHAN SAID.
"THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE HONG KONG COALITION OF SERVICE INDUSTRIES, NOT ONLY IN THE RUN-UP TO THE END OF THE URUGUAY ROUND BUT ALSO BEYOND, IN PROMOTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S SERVICE INDUSTRIES WHICH ARE COMMANDING AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT SHARE IN HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC GROWTH,” HE ADDED.
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/5.........
TUESDAY, JULY 10, 1990
- 5 -
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS ON SATURDAY (JULY 14) AT 10 AM AT THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL.
A TOTAL OF 40 SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR
BIDDING. THEY ARE •
EH8288 BW 88 EH 228 AE3383
BB3502 EH 378 EH9283 EG6789
EG 871 EH9887 EK 100 EH 990
CX 350 EG 218 EH 133 EH4000
AJ7227 EH 14 7393 EH3809
EG 339 EH9983 CF9968 EG 418
CT1122 EF 823 EH1128 EF6377
EF8689 EJ 299 EK 9 AP6848
EH 130 EH2823 EG8128 EH1800
BC 638 EH3223 EH 883 EF8898
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MUST PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE
BIDDING.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED BIDDERS THAT THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBER WOULD BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE AUCTION.
THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION MUST BE PRODUCED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE AUCTION IF THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK IS TO BE REGISTERED UNDER THE NAME OF A BODY CORPORATE.
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION WILL AS USUAL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
THE COMING AUCTION WILL BE THE 153RD ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
-----0------
HK-GUANGDONG ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP FORMED
******
THE HONG KONG-GUANGDONG ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LIAISON GROUP IS OFFICIALLY FORMED TODAY (TUESDAY) AFTER THE SIGNING OF THE MEMORANDUM ON ITS ESTABLISHMENT BY RESPECTIVE OFFICIALS.
REPRESENTING THE HONG KONG SIDE OF THE GROUP AT THE SIGNING CEREMONY WAS THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR GRAHAM BARNES. REPRESENTING THE CHINESE SIDE WAS THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE GUANGDONG ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION COMMITTEE, MR QIANG BINGHUAN.
/MR BARNES .......
TUESDAY, JULY 10, 1990
MR BARNES SAID HONG KONG AND GUANGDONG HAD REGULAR CONTACTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ISSUES IN RECENT YEARS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THIS HIGH-LEVEL COMMITTEE WOULD FURTHER ENHANCE THE CO-OPERATION AND CO-ORDINATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND POLLUTION CONTROL EFFORTS IN AREAS BORDERING GUANGDONG AND HONG KONG.
"ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION DOES NOT RESPECT BOUNDARIES. THERE ARE ISSUES OF MUTUAL, INTERNATIONAL INTEREST AND PROBLEMS AFFECTING 'ERRITORIES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER," MR BARNES SAID.
THE LIAISON GROUP, WHICH WILL HOLD REGULAR JOINT MEETINGS ALTERNATELY IN GUANGDONG AND HONG KONG, WILL:
* CONSULT ON AIR QUALITY, WATER QUALITY AND OTHER
ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVES RELATING TO AREAS OF MUTUAL
CONCERN;
* REVIEW EXISTING AND PLANNED DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS THAT MAY GIVE RISE TO ADVERSE EFFECTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS IN BOTH HONG KONG AND GUANGDONG, AND CONSULT ON APPROPRIATE MITIGATING MEASURES TO REDUCE SUCH EFFECTS;
* CONSULT ON CONTINGENCY PLANS FOR DEALING WITH POLLUTION INCIDENTS WHICH AFFECT BOTH SIDES;
* ARRANGE EXCHANGES OF INFORMATION ON COMMON POLLUTANTS, ECOLOGY, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, WASTE TREATMENT AND OTHER MATTERS INVOLVING ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION THAT ARE OF MUTUAL CONCERN; AND
* REVIEW PERIODICALLY THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE LIAISON GROUP IN RELATION TO BOTH ITS ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS AND THE TECHNICAL CONTENT OF ITS PROGRAMME, INCLUDING THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAMMES.
IF NECESSARY, AND WITH THE AGREEMENT OF BOTH SIDES, AD HOC MEETINGS OF THE LIAISON GROUP MAY BE HELD TO RESOLVE SPECIFIC PROBLEMS.
THE GROUP WILL, IF REQUIRED, SET UP SUB-GROUPS OF TECHNICAL SPECIALISTS. THE TASK OF THE SUB-GROUPS WILL BE TO COMPILE AND PREPARE MATERIAL FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE LIAISON GROUP.
MEMBERS OF THE GROUP ARE MADE UP OF RELEVANT OFFICERS FROM THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND GUANGDONG. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG SIDE OF THE GROUP IS MR BARNES AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE GUANGDONG SIDE IS MR QIANG.
- - 0 - -
/7........
TUESDAY, JULY 10, 1990
MEASURES TO RESTORE MORALE OF TEACHING PROFESSION
******
THE GOVERNMENT IS WORKING HARD TO FORMULATE SHORT AND MEDIUM TERM MEASURES TO RESTORE MORALE OF THE TEACHING PROFESSION AND TO IMPROVE ITS ATTRACTIVENESS, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR K.Y. YEUNG, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE JOINT GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION THIS AFTERNOON, MR YEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONSIDERING TWO SHORT TERM MEASURES TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS OF SERVICE GENERALLY FOR TEACHERS IN GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SCHOOLS.
THE FIRST AIMED TO IMPROVE THEIR PAY AND PROMOTION PROSPECTS.
HE NOTED THAT A COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE OF PROPOSALS REGARDING THE PAY, STRUCTURE AND RELATED MATTERS OF ALL THE EDUCATION GRADES HAD BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.
"ALTHOUGH THE STANDING COMMISSION IS ONLY CONCERNED WITH CIVIL SERVANTS ANY PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE GOVERNMENT TEACHING STREAM WILL ALSO AFFECT AIDED SCHOOLS,” MR YEUNG SAID.
WHILE HE DECLINED TO RELEASE THE DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED PACKAGE SO AS NOT TO PRE-EMPT OR INFLUENCE THE DELIBERATION OF THE COMMISSION, MR YEUNG, HOWEVER, TOLD THE GRADUATES THAT THE PROPOSED PACKAGE SOUGHT TO IMPROVE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION BY MAKING THE TEACHING PROFESSION MORE ATTRACTIVE IN TERMS OF PAY SCALES AND PROMOTION PROSPECT.
"IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE STANDING COMMISSION WILL MAKE ITS RECOMMENDATION TO THE GOVERNMENT BY THE END OF THIS YEAR," HE SAID.
"THE OTHER SHORT TERM MEASURE WE ARE LOOKING INTO RELATES TO THE AIDED, RATHER THAN THE GOVERNMENT SECTOR," MR YEUNG SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO GIVE TEACHERS IN AIDED SCHOOL PARITY OF TREATMENT WITH THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS.
"FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCES EXIST IN THE TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND AIDED SECTORS, BUT IT SHOULD BE POSSIBLE FOR THE GAP TO BE NARROWED FOR AIDED SCHOOL TEACHERS, FOR EXAMPLE IN SUCH AREAS AS ASSISTANCE TOWARDS HOUSING," HE SAID.
"THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT ARE NOW EXPLORING VARIOUS POSSIBILITIES AND I AM HOPEFUL THAT, IF ALL GOES WELL, WE WOULD BE ABLE TO CONSTRUCT A PACKAGE OF APPROPRIATE MEASURES BY THE END OF THE YEAR," MR YEUNG SAID.
ON MEDIUM TERM MEASURES, MR YEUNG SAID THE ENHANCEMENT OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT WAS ONLY ONE FACET OF IMPROVING THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF THE TEACHING PROFESSION.
/"MORE NEED .......
TUESDAY, JULY 10, 1990
- 8 -
"MORE NEED TO BE DONE IN THE NON-MONETARY AREAS, FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE AREA OF JOB SATISFACTION, IN THE EXERCISE OF INITIATIVE AND CREATIVITY, IN THE ENHANCEMENT OF PROFESSIONALISM THROUGH TRAINING, IN THE INTRODUCTION-OF MORE EFFECTIVE TEACHING METHODS, AND IN THE DEVOLUTION OF A GREATER DEGREE OF AUTHORITY TO HEADMASTERS AND TEACHERS," HE SAID.
MR YEUNG POINTED OUT THAT THE ACADEMIC ATTAINMENT TARGETS AND CRITERION-REFERENCED TESTS, AND THE DEVOLUTION OF RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO SCHOOLS WERE TWO POSSIBLE CHANGES IN THIS DIRECTION.
ON THE INTRODUCTION OF THE ACADEMIC ATTAINMENT TARGETS AND CRITERION-REFERENCED TESTS, MR YEUNG SAID ON THE PEDAGOGICAL LEVEL, THE TESTING INVOLVED CHANGING THE EMPHASIS IN SCHOOLS FROM TEACHING TO LEARNING.
UNDER THE CRITERION-REFERENCED SYSTEM, TEACHERS COULD ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO PROGRESS AT THEIR OWN PACE, AND COULD ADDRESS THEIR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES AS SHOWN UP BY THE ASSESSMENTS, MR YEUNG SAID. .
"TEACHERS WILL THUS HAVE A MUCH CLEARER IDEA OF WHAT IS EXPECTED OF THEM AND THIS MUST LEAD TO GREATER JOB SATISFACTION AND SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT.
"UNDER SUCH A SYSTEM, A STUDENT WILL BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT PROGRESS HE OR SHE HAS ATTAINED UP THE LADDER OF ATTAINMENT TARGETS.
"ALTHOUGH EACH STUDENT WILL PROGRESS AT A DIFFERENT PACE, THEIR PROGRESS IS VISIBLE AND THIS CREATES GREAT INCENTIVE FOR THEM TO MOVE ON TO THE NEXT HIGHER STEP.
"TEACHING AND LEARNING SHOULD BE GREAT FUN AFTER THIS," HE SAID.
REGARDING THE DEVOLUTION OF RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO SCHOOLS, MR YEUNG SAID WHEN MANY SCHOOL BODIES WERE INEXPERIENCED AND SOME WERE MOTIVATED BY POLITICAL AS WELL AS EDUCATION AIMS, THE GOVERNMENT NEEDED FIRM CENTRAL CONTROL OVER THE SYLLABUS AND THE SCHOOL ACTIVITIES, AND OVER THE MANNER IN WHICH SCHOOLS SPENT THE PUBLIC FUNDS.
"NOW THAT OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM IS MATURING, WE ARE REVIEWING THE WAY IN WHICH THE CODES OF AID ARE BEING INTERPRETED AND APPLIED, IN ORDER TO GIVE SCHOOLS A GREATER DEGREE OF AUTONOMY AND INITIATIVE," HE SAID.
"THE DEVOLUTION OF DECISION-MAKING POWER TO THE SCHOOLS WILL MAKE THEM MORE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR PERFORMANCE AND SHOULD FOSTER STRONGER LEADERSHIP AMONG SCHOOL HEADS AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES.
"IT WILL HAVE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE ROLE OF TEACHERS WITHIN THE SCHOOLS, WHOSE JOB AS A RESULT WILL BECOME LESS CONSTRAINED BY BUREAUCRACY," MR YEUNG SAID.
/LOOKING INTO .......
TUESDAY, JULY 10, 1990
9
LOOKING INTO FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS, MR YEUNG SAID THE SHOULD NEED TO CONSIDER THE DESIRABILITY AND PRACTICABILITY TOWARDS AN ALL-GRADUATE, TRAINED TEACHING PROFESSION.
GOVERNMENT
OF MOVING
"AS FAR AS THE PREPARATION OF GRADUATE TEACHERS WE ARE CONCENTRATING ON ACHIEVING TEACHER TRAINING FOR ALL GRADUATE TEACHERS BY 1994 AS RECOMMENDED IN COMMISSION’S SECOND REPORT PUBLISHED IN 1986," HE SAID.
IS CONCERNED, 80 PER CENT OF THE EDUCATION
"WE HAVE SOME WAY TO GO TO PROFESSION, SUCH AS HAS BEEN ACHIEVED DEVELOPED COUNTRIES.
REACH AN ALL-GRADUATE TEACHING IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND OTHER
"HOWEVER EXPENSIVE, AND HOWEVER DIFFICULT THIS MAY BE FROM POINT OF VIEW OF SUPPLY OF GRADUATES WILLING TO GO INTO TEACHING BELIEVE THAT THE CASE FOR IT MUST AT LEAST BE EXAMINED WITH CARE,”
THE
I HE
MR YEUNG SAID HE SHOULD BE RECOMMENDING TO THE COMMISSION THAT IT SHOULD LOOK EVEN MORE CLOSELY THAN IT PREVIOUSLY AT THE TEACHING PROFESSION.
EDUCATION
HAD DONE-1
--------0-----------
RAINFALL IN JUNE NEAR NORMAL
*****
RAINFALL IN JUNE WAS CLOSE TO NORMAL, WITH THE 448.1 MILLIMETRES RECORDED BEING ONLY FOUR PER CENT ABOVE THE NORMAL FIGURE OF 431.8 MILLIMETRES, THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY SAID IN ITS MONTHLY WEATHER REPORT TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE ACCUMULATED RAINFALL OF 1,081.2 MILLIMETRES FOR THE FIRST HALF OF 1990 WAS ABOUT NINE PER CENT ABOVE THE NORMAL OF 992.9 MILLIMETRES.
AFTER MAY ENDED IN FINE CONDITIONS, THE WEATHER DETERIORATED ON THE FIRST DAY OF JUNE AS A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE FROM GUANGDONG CROSSED THE SOUTH CHINA COAST LATER THAT DAY. HEAVY DOWNPOURS ACCOMPANIED BY SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS OCCURRED AHEAD OF AND DURING THE PASSAGE OF THE TROUGH.
THE DAILY RAINFALL OF 144.8 MILLIMETRES WAS THE HIGHEST RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY SO FAR FOR THE YEAR. OVER 100 MILLIMETRES FELL DURING A TWO-HOUR PERIOD AROUND NOON TIME. THE DELUGE RESULTED IN 18 CASES OF FLOODING BEING REPORTED IN HONG KONG ISLAND AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.
ALTHOUGH NO FLOODING WAS REPORTED IN KOWLOON, RAIN-RELATED INCIDENTS CAUSED DISRUPTIONS OF ROAD TRAFFIC.
/AS THE ........
TUESDAY, JULY 10, 1990
10
AS THE RAIN GRADUALLY EASED OVER THE NEXT . TWO DAYS, A FRESH EASTERLY AIRSTREAM MAINTAINED CLOUDY CONDITIONS AND BROUGHT SLIGHTLY COOLER WEATHER. THE MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 23 DEGREES CELSIUS ON JUNE 3 WAS THE LOWEST RECORDED FOR THE MONTH.
FOLLOWING THE MODERATION OF THE EASTERLIES LATER THAT DAY, THE WEATHER ON JUNE 4 TO 7 WAS A MIXTURE OF BRIEF SUNSHINE AND PASSING SHOWERS.
THE WEATHER BECAME MORE UNSETTLED AGAIN ON JUNE 8 WITH THE OCCASIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF THUNDERSTORMS AS ANOTHER TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE PASSED THROUGH THAT EVENING.
WHILE THE EASTERLIES FRESHENED OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, RAINY WEATHER WITH ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS PERSISTED UNTIL THE MORNING OF JUNE 11. THE WEATHER IMPROVED LATER THAT DAY ONCE THE EASTERLIES SUBSIDED. BESIDES SOME OFFSHORE FOG PATCHES OVERNIGHT, THE WEATHER BECAME GENERALLY FINE FOR THE NEXT FOUR DAYS.
AS AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE WEST OF LUZON DEVELOPED INTO A TROPICAL DEPRESSION CALLED NATHAN, THE EASTERLIES FRESHENED AGAIN IN . HONG KONG ON THE NIGHT OF JUNE 15.
A STRENGTHENING NATHAN TRACKED WEST-SOUTHWESTWARDS TO XISHA EARLY ON JUNE 16 BEFORE TURNING TO A NORTH-NORTHWESTWARD COURSE THAT NIGHT. ANOTHER DIRECTIONAL CHANGE TO THE NORTHWEST LATER ON JUNE 17 TOOK NATHAN ACROSS LEIZHOU PENINSULA THE NEXT DAY.
WHILE NATHAN WAS MOVING ACROSS THE NORTHERN PART OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA, DISTURBED WEATHER ALONG THE PERIPHERY OF ITS CIRCULATION BROUGHT WINDY CONDITIONS AND SQUALLY SHOWERS TO THE SOUTH CHINA COASTAL AREAS.
A CARGO SHIP, THE TIEN FU, SANK ON THE NIGHT OF JUNE 16 NEAR THE NINEPIN ISLANDS. THE CAPTAIN OF THE SHIP WAS MISSING AND THREE OF THE CREW MEMBERS WERE DROWNED IN ROUGH SEAS.
IN HONG KONG, TWO PEOPLE WERE SWEPT AWAY BY SURGING WAVES WHILE SWIMMING AND ROWING IN SAI KUNG.
ACCIDENTS INSHORE WERE MOSTLY CONNECTED WITH COLLAPSED SCAFFOLDINGS, FALLING DEBRIS AND UPROOTED TREES.
AS NATHAN DISSIPATED OVER GUANGXI, SUNNY AND HOT WEATHER SET IN ON JUNE 19. THE FINE SPELL WAS INTERRUPTED BY A HAZY DAY ON JUNE 22 AS WINDS TURNED WEST TO NORTHWESTERLY. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A CLOUDY DAY BEFORE THE FINE WEATHER RETURNED ON JUNE 24.
DURING THE FOLLOWING THREE DAYS, SHOWERS OCCURRED IN THE EARLY HOURS OF THE MORNING, THE HEAVIEST BEING ACCOMPANIED BY THUNDER AND LIGHTNING ON THE MORNING OF JUNE 26.
HOWEVER, THESE SHOWERS DID LITTLE TO ALLEVIATE THE INTENSE HEAT DURING DAYTIME. THE MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 32.9 DEGREES CELSIUS ON JUNE 27 WAS THE HIGHEST FOR THE MONTH AND ALSO THE HIGHEST SO FAR THIS YEAR.
/THE WEATHER .......
TUESDAY, JULY 10, 1990
- 11 -
THE WEATHER TURNED CLOUDY ON JUNE 29 AS TYPHOON PERCY APPROACHED THE SOUTHEAST COAST OF CHINA. AN OUTER RAINBAND OF PERCY BROUGHT SOME SHOWERS THAT MORNING. HOWEVER, HEAVIER RAIN DID NOT MATERALISE TILL THE NEXT DAY AS PERCY MOVED FURTHER INLAND.
AN UNSTABLE SOUTHWESTERLY AIRSTREAM ENCROACHED UPON THE COASTAL AREAS IN THE WAKE OF PERCY. INTENSE RAIN CLOUDS DEVELOPED FREQUENTLY OVER.THE PEARL RIVER ESTUARY AND MOVED IN SUCCESSION ACROSS THE TERRITORY, BRINGING PERIODS OF HEAVY RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS WHICH PERSISTED THROUGHOUT THE DAY.
THREE CASES OF LANDSLIPS AND OVER 30 CASES OF FLOODING WERE RPORTED, MOSTLY IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES. A BOY WAS DROWNED AFTER BEING WASHED AWAY IN A FLOODED CULVERT IN KWAI CHUNG.
THE SEVERE WEATHER ALSO DISRUPTED ROAD TRAFFIC IN MANY PARTS OF THE TERRITORY.
FOUR TROPICAL CYCLONES OCCURRED OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA IN JUNE.
DURING THE MONTH, NINE AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER. THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS WERE IN EFFECT ON JUNE 1, 6-11, 17, 26, 28-30. FLOOD WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON JUNE 1, 8, 16 AND 30 AND LANDSLIP WARNINGS WERE ISSUED ON JUNE 1 AND 30.
SIGNALS HOISTED DURING THE MONTH WERE AS FOLLOWS:
WEATHER DATE AND TIME DATE AND TIME
SYSTEM SIGNAL OF HOISTING OF LOWERING
SEVERE TROPICAL 1 JUNE 17 JlftlE 17
4.05 PM 10 PM
STORM NATHAN 3 JUNE 17 JUNE 18
10 PM 10.10 AM
TYPHOON PERCY 1 JUNE 28 JUNE 29
8 AM 1.30 PM
THE MONTH ’S FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WERE:
TOTAL BRIGHT SUNSHINE 149.7 HOURS ; 9.5 HOURS BELOW NORMAL
MEAN DAILY GLOBAL SOLAR 13.89 MJ/SQ.M ; 2.80 MJ/SQ.M BELOW NORMAL
RADIATION
TOTAL RAINFALL 448.1 MM ; 16.3 MM ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN AMOUNT OF CLOUD 77 PER CENT ; 2 PER CENT MORE THAN
NORMAL
MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY 85 PER CENT ; 1 PER CENT HIGHER THAN
NORMAL
/MEAN DAILY .......
TUESDAY, JULY 10, 1990
- 12 -
MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE AIR 30.1 DEGREES ; CELSIUS 0.3 DEGREE NORMAL CELSIUS BELOW
MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE 27.9 DEGREES ; CELSIUS 0.2 DEGREE NORMAL CELSIUS ABOVE
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM TEMPERATURE AIR 26.2 DEGREES ; CELSIUS 0.6 DEGREE NORMAL CELSIUS ABOVE
MEAN DEW POINT 25.0 DEGREES ; CELSIUS 0.5 DEGREE NORMAL CELSIUS ABOVE
TOTAL EVAPORATION 105.6 MM ; 42.1 MM BELOW NORMAL
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UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES IN YUEN LONG TO BE CLOSED
******
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE CERTAIN ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN YUEN LONG SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE STRUCTURES ARE LOCATED AT FLAT D, SECOND FLOOR, HANG FAT MANSION, 8-18 CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT COURT ON SEPTEMBER 6 THIS YEAR WAS POSTED ON A CONSPICUOUS PART OF THE STRUCTURES TODAY (TUESDAY).
UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE, A CLOSURE ORDER IS REQUIRED BEFORE THE DEMOLITION CAN BE CARRIED OUT.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
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SOCIAL SERVICES AWARD SCHEME IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT
*****
RESIDENTS AND ORGANISATIONS IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT ARE INVITED TO NOMINATE CANDIDATES FOR THE 1990-91 SOUTHERN DISTRICT SOCIAL SERVICES AWARD SCHEME.
NOW IN ITS FIFTH YEAR, THE SCHEME IS ORGANISED BY THE COMMUNITY BUILDING AND AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD.
/AIMING TO .......
TUESDAY, JULY 10, 1990
- 13 -
AIMING TO GIVE DUE RECOGNITION TO VOLUNTEERS WHO HAVE MADE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY THROUGH SOCIAL OR COMMUNITY SERVICES, THE SCHEME ALSO ENCOURAGES PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN VOLUNTARY SERVICES.
’’ANY ONE WHO HAS RENDERED SOCIAL SERVICES FOR THE NEEDY, SUCH AS THE ELDERLY AND THE HANDICAPPED, OR HAS SERVED IN LOCAL RESIDENTS OR COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS ARE ELIGIBLE TO BE NOMINATED,” A DISTRICT BOARD SPOKESMAN SAID.
THERE ARE SIX DIVISIONS IN THE AWARD SCHEME, NAMELY:
* CHILDREN DIVISION (AGED UNDER 15),
» STUDENTS DIVISION (AGED 15 OR ABOVE),
* WORKING PEOPLE DIVISION,
» NON-WORKING PEOPLE DIVISION (AGED UNDER 60),
♦ SENIOR CITIZENS DIVISION (FOR RETIREES AGED 60 OR ABOVE), AND
* GROUP DIVISION.
’’LOCAL ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, SCHOOLS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, KAI FONG ASSOCIATIONS, YIN NGAI SOCIETIES AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ARE ALL WELCOME TO PUT FORWARD THEIR NOMINATIONS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS IS SEPTEMBER 10.
ABOUT 100 NOMINEES, INCLUDING THE THREE WINNERS IN EACH OF THE SIX DIVISIONS, WILL BE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN A DAY CAMP IN THE LEI YUE MUN PARK IN OCTOBER TO SHARE THEIR VIEWS AND EXPERIENCE IN VOLUNTARY SERVICES.
THE WINNERS WILL ALSO BE AWARDED OUTSTANDING SERVICE CERTIFICATES AND BOOK COUPONS AT A PRIZE PRESENTATION TO BE HELD AT THE CAMP.
DETAILS OF THE AWARD SCHEME AND NOMINATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE IN ABERDEEN CENTRE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES IN ABBA COMMERCIAL BUILDING, LEI TUNG ESTATE, WAH FU ESTATE AND STANLEY VILLAGE ROAD.
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 552 0508.
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/14 .......
V TUESDAY, JULY 10, 1990
- 14 -
ISLANDERS URGED TO REGISTER AS VOTERS ***** ’ ■ , ' .-J'S' • RESIDENTS LIVING ON THE OUTLYING ISLANDS SHOULD TAKE THE CHANCE TO SIGN UP AS VOTERS DURING THE VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE NEXT MONTH, THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KIM SALKELD, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
"AS REGISTERED VOTERS, THEY CAN CAST THEIR VOTES IN THE DISTRICT BOARD, MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR,” HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME (SYP), MR SALKELD ALSO URGED YOUNG ISLANDERS TO PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS TO WIDEN THEIR SCOPE OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE.
"TO REGISTER AS A VOTER IS AN ESSENTIAL STEP TOWARDS COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, WHILE TO TAKE PART IN THE SYP WOULD HELP DEVELOP YOUR POTENTIALS THROUGH COMMUNITY SERVICES," HE SAID.
AFTER THE OPENING, 250 YOUTHS TOOK PART IN A TELEMATCH AT THE TAI O PUBLIC SCHOOL ON LANTAU. s
TWENTY-FIVE LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS HAVE LINED UP OVER 50 RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNGSTERS AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 25 ON THE ISLANDS THIS YEAR, WITH A SPONSORSHIP OF $122,000 FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
A PROGRAMME LEAFLET OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT SYP CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES AT MUI WO, LANTAU AND ON CHEUNG CHAU.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 852 4327.
--------------------0------- SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR WORKING AT HEIGHTS ******
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) REMINDED BUILDING CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS OF THE DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH WORKING AT HEIGHTS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES.
"ACCIDENTS OFTEN OCCUR AS A RESULT OF INADEQUATE PRECAUTIONS BEING TAKEN OR FAILURE TO USE THE SAFETY BELTS PROVIDED," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE REMINDER WAS GIVEN FOLLOWING THREE ACCIDENTS LAST WEEKEND IN WHICH THREE WORKERS WERE KILLED AFTER FALLING FROM HEIGHTS.
/"UNDER THE .......
TUESDAY, JULY 10, 1990
- 15 -
"UNDER THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS, BUILDING CONTRACTORS ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE SAFE MEANS OF ACCESS AND EGRESS, SUITABLE WORKING PLATFORMS, SECURED GUARDRAILS FOR FLOOR EDGES AND SUITABLE COVERS FOR FLOOR OPENINGS," HE SAID.
"WHERE IT IS NOT PRACTICABLE TO ADOPT THE PRECAUTIONS, SUITABLE SAFETY BELTS SHOULD BE PROVIDED AND BE KEPT READILY ACCESSIBLE FOR USE BY SITE WORKERS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
HE ALSO URGED WORKERS TO CO-OPFRATE WITH THEIR EMPLOYERS BY USING THE SAFETY BELTS AS INSTRUCTED.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO REAFFIRMED THAT THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE WILL CONTINUE ITS RIGOROUS ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST ANY FAILURE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PRECAUTIONS FOR WORKERS WORKING AT HEIGHTS.
"ANY CONTRACTOR WHO FAILS TO OBSERVE THE PRECAUTIONS IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $50,000," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
CYC MEMBERS ON OVERSEAS EDUCATIONAL TRIPS ♦ t ♦ ♦ ♦
FORTY-ONE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB (CYC) MEMBERS OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL LEAVE FOR JAPAN AND SINGAPORE ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY (JULY 14 AND 15) ON OVERSEAS EDUCATIONAL TOURS.
THE TRIPS ARE IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE IN THIS YEAR’S CYC MERIT AWARD SCHEME.
THE TRIPS ARE SPONSORED BY THE LAW’S FOUNDATION, WITH THE HELP OF THE TOKYO METROPOLITAN BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE SINGAPORE COMMISSION IN HONG KONG.
TO MARK THEIR DEPARTURE, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, WILL PRESENT A FLAG TO THE DELEGATION AT A CEREMONY TO BE HELD TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE FLAG PRESENTATION CERMONY WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE CAROLINE ROOM, LEE GARDENS HOTEL, FIRST FLOOR, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY AT 4.15 PM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
------0--------
/X6 ........
TUESDAY, JULY 10, 1990
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS UC CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME
******
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT AND WORKS COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE URBAN COUNCIL’S FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME FOR THE DISTRICT AT ITS MEETING ON THURSDAY (JULY 12).
MEMBERS WILL COMMENT ON THE PRIORITY OF THE PROJECTS IN THE APPROVED, ADVANCED AND PRELIMINARY STAGES OF PLANNING.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO EXAMINE THE PROPOSALS FOR SETTING UP A MEDICAL AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICE CENTRE AT THE SITE OF THE FORMER MENTAL HOSPITAL IN HIGH STREET AND CONVERTING THE EXISTING SHEK TONG TSUI MARKET IN HILL ROAD INTO A SITTING-OUT AREA.
A QUESTION ON THE SANITARY CONDITIONS OF OUTDOOR REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS WILL BE RAISED AND A PAPER ON THE CENTRAL, WESTERN AND WAN CHAI WEST SEWERAGE MASTERPLAN STUDY WILL BE TABLED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT AND WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON THURSDAY (JULY 12) IN ROOM 1416, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
- - 0 - -
DB TO DISCUSS BUS ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
*****
THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD WILL CONSIDER THE SETTLED BUS ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR 1990-91 AT A MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE PROGRAMME, PREPARED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, WILL FORM THE BASIC GUIDELINE FOR THE BUS SERVICE DEVELOPMENT IN NORTH DISTRICT IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS A PROPOSAL TO CANCEL FOUR MONEY-LOSING BUS ROUTES IN THE DISTRICT.
/OTHER ITEMS
TUESDAY, JULY 10, 1990
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OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE NAMING OF ROADS IN THE FANLING/SHEUNG SHUI NEW TOWN AND AN INFORMATION PAPER ON RECENT DEVELOPMENTS OF-.THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM.
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DB TO DISCUSS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME
******
THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS TO THE DISTRICT AT A MEETING ON THURSDAY (JULY 12).
THEY WILL ALSO CONSIDER FOUR FUND APPLICATIONS TO BEAUTIFY ENVIRONMENT AND TO ORGANISE PUBLICITY ACTIVITIES ON KEEPING ENVIRONMENT CLEAN.
THE
THE
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY (JULY 12) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.15 PM.
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/18 .......
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TUESDAY, JULY 10, 1990
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DB TO DISCUSS CANCELLATION OF BUS ROUTES
******
MEMBERS OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRITC BOARD TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE CANCELLATION OF TWO MONEY-LOSING BUS ROUTES SERVING THE DISTRICT AT A MEETING ON THURSDAY (JULY 12).
THESE TWO ROUTES ARE 6E, WHICH PLYS BETWEEN KWUN TONG AND CHEUNG SHA WAN, AND 7IX, WHICH RUNS BETWEEN SHEUNG SHUI AND CHEUNG SHA WAN.
A DETAILED BUS ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME OF THE DISTRICT FOR 1990-91 WILL BE TABLED FOR MEMBERS’ INFORMATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY (JULY 12) AT THE SHEK KIP MEI COMMUNITY HALL, BLOCK 42, SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE, NAM CHEONG STREET. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WESTERN DISTRICT
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON THURSDAY (JULY 12), RIGHT-TURNING FROM SOUTHBOUND POKFULAM ROAD INTO THIRD STREET (NEAR ST ANTHONY’S CHURCH) WILL BE BANNED.
VEHICLES ON SOUTHBOUND POKFULAM ROAD HEADING FOR THIRD STREET WILL BE DIVERTED TO MAKE U-TURN AT THE POKFIELD ROAD BUS TERMINUS ONTO NORTHBOUND POKFULAM ROAD, BEFORE JOINING THIRD STREET.
AT THE SAME TIME, RIGHT-TURNING FROM NORTHBOUND POKFULAM ROAD INTO FIRST STREET WILL BE BANNED.
VEHICLES ON NORTHBOUND POKFULAM ROAD HEADING FOR FIRST STREET WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THIRD STREET (NEAR ST ANTHONY’S CHURCH), EASTERN STREET, SECOND STREET, CENTRE STGREET, QUEEN’S ROAD WEST, POKFULAM ROAD BEFORE JOINING FIRST STREET.
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<
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES ■ BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
CONTENTS ’ PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
REALITY CANNOT BE IGNORED : CS .................................................... 1
HOMOSEXUAL BEHAVIOUR NOT A MATTER FOR GOVT REGULATION: CS ......................... 2
LEGAL POLICY CONSIDERATIONS CONCERNING HOMOSEXUALITY EXPLAINED ................... .7
HOMOSEXUALS WILL COME TO TERMS WITH SOCIETY ....................................... 9
DECRIMINALISATION OF HOMOSEXUAL ACTS SUPPORTED ................................... 10
NOT JUST THEIR OWN AFFAIR ........................................................ 10
CHANGES SHOULD BE INTRODUCED ..................................................... 12
CURRENT LAW ON HOMOSEXUALITY NOT APPROPRIATE ..................................... 12
BALANCE SHOULD BE STRUCK ......................................................... 13
ALL ABOUT THE RIGHT TO RESPECT FOR PRIVATE LIFE .................................. 14
DECRIMINALISING HOMOSEXUAL ACTS WOULD HAVE UNIMAGINABLE CONSEQUENCES ............. 16
CALL TO REVIEW HANDLING OF SEXUAL OFFENCES ....................................... 17
HOMOSEXUALITY NOT A DISEASE ...................................................... 18
REDUCTION IN MAXIMUM PENALTIES SUPPORTED ......................................... 19
TIMES HAVE CHANGED ............................................................... 20
MOTION ON RADIATION REGULATIONS PASSED ........................................... 21
VIEWS OF SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY SHOULD PREVAIL IN JSC .............................. 23
BILL TO EXPAND JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION'S MEMBERSHIP .......................... 25
BETTER BUILDING CONTROL IN NORTHWESTERN NT ....................................... 26
HANG LUNG BANK (ACQUISITION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 INTRODUCED..................... 27
MORE EFFECTIVE SENTENCING ALTERNATIVES AVAILABLE ................................. 27
POLICY ON DETENTION OF YOUNG CHILDREN REVIEWED ................................... 28
11 SETS OF REGULATIONS GOVERN PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT ...................... 29
CS EXPLAINS DIRECTORATE MANPOWER PROJECTIONS ..................................... 30
LIMITS ON PESTICIDE RESIDUE IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE SET .......................... 32
CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS ON CONTROL OF CFC'S ........................................ 33
GOVT CONSIDERING SETTING UP FILM ARCHIVES ........................................ 33
REVIEW OF POLICY ON VISITORS FROM EASTERN EUROPE ................................. 34
/NATURALISATION REQUIREMENT .....
NATURALISATION REQUIREMENT FOR UK NATIONALITY SCHEME PUBLICISED ................... 35
ICAC OPERATIONS DEPT HANDLED 2,423 CASES IN 1989 .................................. 36
LEGCO PASSES MOTION ON DECRIMINALISATION OF HOMOSEXUAL ACTS ....................... 37
CIVIL SERVANTS HAVE TO BE PREPARED FOR CHANGE ....................................... 38
STATEMENT ON HK-GUANGDONG ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION .................................. 40
GUANGDONG DELEGATION VISITS REFUSE TRANSFER STATION ................................. 41
MORE WINDING-UP AND BANKRUPTCY CASES ................................................ 42
SENIOR CITIZENS SHOULD REMAIN ACTIVE ................................................ 42
DB COMMITTEE TO STUDY REMOVAL OF SHIPYARD............................................ 43
NEW MARKET ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ..................•................................ 44
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES ............................... 44
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER INSTALLING SIGNBOARD ....................................... 45
MERIT TRIP FOR OUTSTANDING CYC MEMBERS .............................................. 45
STUDENTS WIN READING AWARDS ......................................................... 46
UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE IN KWUN TONG TO BE CLOSED .................................... 47
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICTS .................................... 47
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT ......................................... 48
URBAN CLEARWAY IN KWUN TONG.......................................................... 48
SPEED LIMIT IN KWUN TONG............................................................. 49
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SHA TIN ROAD ................................................... 49
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
1 REALITY CANNOT BE IGNORED : OS * * * * *
ANYONE WHO VOTED IN FAVOUR OF DECRIMINALISING HOMOSEXUAL ACTS DID NOT SIGNIFY THAT HE CONDONED HOMOSEXUAL BEHAVIOUR, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, SAID WHEN HE WOUND UP THE MOTION DEBATE ON HOMOSEXUALITY IN THE LEGI 'LATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"A VOTE IN FAVOUR SIMPLY SIGNIFIES RECOGNITION THAT PERSONAL MORAL CODES MAY DIFFER AND CAN CO-EXIST IN A SOCIETY.
"NOR DOES A VOTE IN FAVOUR SIGNIFY A STATE OF APPROVAL, IT SIGNIFIES ONLY RECOGNITION OF AN INDIVIDUAL’S RIGHT TO PERSONAL CHOICE IN HIS PRIVATE SEXUAL PRACTICES.
"A VOTE IN FAVOUR DOES NOT SIGNIFY P'RSONAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE RIGHTNESS OR WRONGNESS OF SUCH ACT, BUT ONLY SUGGESTS WHETHER SUCH ACTS COMMITTED BETWEEN CONSENTING ADULTS AND IN PRIVATE MERIT THE MOBILISATION OF THE FULL MACHINERY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT," THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
NOTING THAT WE COULD NOT LET TIME STAND STILL ON THIS ISSUE, SIR DAVID SAID THAT TO SUGGEST LEAVING THINGS AS THEY WERE IGNORED THE REALITY.
"BECAUSE IF WE VOTE TODAY AGAINST THIS MOTION, WE CANNOT IGNORE THE LAW AS IT NOW STANDS.
"WE WILL HAVE TO REDEPLOY THE POLICE AND OTHER PERSONNEL IN THE TASK OF INVESTIGATION AND THE GATHERING OF EVIDENCE, IN THE PROSECUTION AND THE TRIAL OF PEOPLE WHO ARE COMMITTING THAT CRIMINAL OFFENCE.
"THIS WILL MEAN THAT EVERY ALLEGATION, REGARDLESS OF WHO MAKES IT OR AGAINST WHOM IT IS LEVELLED, WILL HAVE TO BE PURSUED," HE ADDED.
THE MOTION WAS PASSED.
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 11,
1990
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I
HOMOSEXUAL BEHAVIOUR NOT A MATTER FOR GOVT REGULATION: CS
*******
HOMOSEXUAL BEHAVIOUR IS A MATTER FOR PERSONAL CHOICE BETWEEN CONSENTING ADULTS AND NOT FOR GOVERNMENT REGULATION, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING A MOTION ON THE DECRIM[NALISATION OF PRIVATE HOMOSEXUAL ACTS BY CONSENTING ADULT MALES, SIR DAVID SAID: ”WHAT IS AT ISSUE IS A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE: THE DIVIDING LINE BETWEEN THE MORAL AND THE LEGAL CODES, WHERE THE INDIVIDUAL’S RIGHT TO PRIVACY BEGINS AND THE GOVERNMENT’S DUTY TO INTERFERE ENDS.”
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THIS WAS AN IMPORTANT PRINCIPLE, AND ITS IMPLICATIONS EXTENDED BEYOND THE IMMEDIATE SUBJECT.
’’AND IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT IN ADDRESSING IT WE CLEAR OUR MINDS OF PRECONCEPTION, PREJUDICE AND EMOTION.
”IF WE DO NOT, IF WE ALLOW PERSONAL MORALITY ALONE TO DICTATE THE SCOPE OF CRIMINAL LAW, THEN THERE IS A REAL DANGER THAT THE LAW WILL BECOME AN INSTRUMENT FOR IMPOSING MORAL VALUES RATHER THAN PRESERVING PUBLIC ORDER AND PROTECTING THE CITIZEN,” SIR DAVID SAID.
THE MOTION BEING DEBATED READ:
’’THAT MEASURES BE PRESENTED TO THIS COUNCIL -
(A) TO REMOVE THE CRIMINAL PENALTIES RELATING TO HOMOSEXUAL ACTS COMMITTED IN PRIVATE BY CONSENTING MEN WHO HAVE REACHED THE AGE OF 21; AND
(B) TO EXTEND TO MEN AND BOYS, WHERE APPROPRIATE, THE PROTECTION FROM SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AFFORDED BY THE CRIMES ORDINANCE TO WOMEN AND GIRLS.
THE MOTION WAS PASSED AFTER DEBATE.
OUTLINING THE PRESENT POSITION ON HOMOSEXUALITY, SIR DAVID SAID BEING A HOMOSEXUAL WAS NOT IN ITSELF A CRIME UNDER THE PRESENT LAW.
’’BUT FOR A MAN TO ENGAGE IN A HOMOSEXUAL ACT IS A CRIME.
"THERE IS NO REASON TO SUPPOSE THAT HOMOSEXUAL ADULTS HAVE ANY LESS DESIRE TO EXPRESS THEIR FEELINGS IN A PHYSICAL WAY THAN HETEROSEXUAL ADULTS.
’’THEY ARE COMMITTING THOSE ACTS PRIVATELY AND CONSENSUALLY WITHOUT DOING HARM TO OTHERS BUT NONETHELESS CRIMINALLY,” HE SAID.
IN THEORY THEN A LARGE PROPORTION OF THE MALE HOMOSEXUAL POPULATION OF HONG KONG SHOULD BE IN PRISON, SIR DAVID SAID.
/"IT IS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
3
"IT IS NOT SATISFACTORY THAT A CRIMINAL ACT GOES UNPUNISHED," HE SAID.
"IMAGINE THE PUBLIC OUTCRY IF A BLIND EYE WERE TURNED TO THE COMMISSION DAY AFTER DAY, HUNDREDS LET ALONE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF TIMES, OF ANY OTHER CRIMINAL ACT.
"YET, IN OUR HEART OF HEARTS, ALL OF US KNOW THAT THESE ACTS ARE COMMITTED AND THAT IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR THE POLICE FORCE TO STAMP THEM OUT," SIR DAVID SAID.
WHILE NOTING THAT THE MANPOWR REQUIRED WOULD BE ENORMOUS, SIR DAVID SAID THE INVASION OF PRIVACY THAT WOULD RESULT WOULD BE UNACCEPTABLE.
THE POLICE CRACKED DOWN HARD ON UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR IN PUBLIC, AND ON ANY ABUSE OF MINORS. BUT ACTS IN PRIVATE BETWEEN CONSENTING ADULTS HAD, GENERALLY SPEAKING, FOR MANY YEARS BEEN IGNORED, HE SAID.
"IT IS SIGNIFICANT THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO PUBLIC OUTCRY ABOUT THIS STATE OF BENIGN NEGLECT.
"SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE IT DEMONSTRATES THE TACIT TOLERANCE WHICH . THE COMMUNITY ACCORDS THE PRIVATE PRACTICES OF CONSENTING ADULT HOMOSEXUALS," SIR DAVID SAID.
"SIGNIFICANT BUT NOT, I SAY AGAIN, SATISFACTORY," HE ADDED.
TURNING TO AN EXAMINATION OF THE ARGUMENTS AGAINST DECRIMINALISATION, SIR DAVID SAID TRADITIONALLY THREE ARGUMENTS HAD BEEN PUT AGAINST DECRIMINALISING HOMOSEXUAL ACTS BETWEEN CONSENTING ADULTS IN PRIVATE. THEY WERE:
* THAT IT THREATENED SOCIAL HEALTH AND STABILITY;
* THAT IT WAS HARMFUL TO NORMAL FAMILY LIFE; AND
* THAT IT PUT YOUNG BOYS AT RISK.
REGARDING THE SUGGESTION THAT THE TOLERANCE OR ENCOURAGEMENT OF SEXUAL FREEDOM LED TO THE DECAY OF NATIONS, SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS INGENIOUS BUT DISINGENUOUS.
"THERE NEVER HAS BEEN A DIRECT CAUSAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SEXUAL LICENCE OR INHIBITION, ON THE ONE HAND, AND THE RISE AND FALL OF CIVILISATIONS ON THE OTHER.
"SEXUAL MORALITY IS THE PRODUCT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT NOT ITS ENGINE," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID NOTED IT WAS SOMETIMES ARGUED THE FABRIC OF SOCIETY MIGHT BE UNDERMINED WHERE HOMOSEXUAL BEHAVIOUR LEFT PUBLIC OFFICERS AND OTHERS VULNERABLE TO BLACKMAIL.
/"BUT VULNERABILITY .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
- 4 -
"BUT VULNERABILITY TO BLACKMAIL MAY ARISE FROM A WEAKNESS FOR WINE, WOMEN AND GAMBLING JUST AS EASILY AS FROM HOMOSEXUAL BEHAVIOUR.
"DECRIMINALISATION REDUCES RATHER THAN INCREASES THE LIKELIHOOD OF EXTORTION," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID SEVERE SOCIAL DISAPPROVAL OF HOMOSEXUALITY MEANT THAT THE POSSIBILITY OF BLACKMAIL COULD NEVER BE COMPLETELY ELIMINATED. >■
BUT THE PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES PROVIDED THE VICTIM WITH NO DEFENCE WHATEVER.
"IN ORDER TO SECURE PROTECTION FROM ONE DREADFUL CRIME, BLACKMAIL, HE MUST FIRST HIMSELF CONFESS TO ANOTHER, HOMOSEXUALITY. YET, WHILE THE ONE HAS A REAL VICTIM, THE OTHER INVOLVES MUTUAL CONSENT," HE SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THE SECOND ARGUMENT THAT DECRIMINALISING ADULT MALE HOMOSEXUALITY WOULD THREATHEN FAMILY LIFE WAS EQUALLY GROUNDLESS.
"WHERE HOMOSEXUAL ACTS ARE CRIMINAL, THE LIKELIHOOD OF A HOMOSEXUAL MALE FEELING OBLIGED TO SEEK THE RESPECTABILITY OF A HETEROSEXUAL MARRIAGE IS GREATER, AS IS THE RISK OF SUCH AN UNHAPPY UNION EVENTUALLY FALLING APART.
"SUCH MARRIAGES ARE MUCH MORE COMMON THAN MOST OF US WOULD IMAGINE AND WE SHOULD DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO LESSEN THE POSSIBILITY OF THEIR TAKING PLACE.
"CLEARLY DECRIMINALISATION WOULD HELP," SIR DAVID SAID.
AS TO MINORS, SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S FIRM INTENTION TO PROTECT THE YOUNG.
"INDEED, WE WOULD LIKE TO STRENGTHEN THAT PROTECTION," HE STRESSED.
SIR DAVID SAID IT WAS OFTEN ARGUED THAT DECRIMINALISING HOMOSEXUAL ACTS WOULD ENCOURAGE LICENCE AND EXPERIMENTATION; THAT FREED OF THE FEAR OF PROSECUTION FOR SEXUAL RELATIONS WITH A CONSENTING ADULT MALE PARTNER, THE PROMISCUOUS HOMOSEXUAL WOULD SEEK EXCITEMENT IN THE SEDUCTION OF YOUNG BOYS.
"This is nonsense," he said.
"ALL THE EVIDENCE POINTS STRONGLY TOWARDS A CLEAR DISTINCTION BETWEEN MEN WHO SEEK OTHER ADULT MALES AS PARTNERS AND THOSE WHO ARE ATTRACTED BY YOUNG BOYS.
"THE EVIDENCE ALSO INDICATES THAT THOSE WITH ADULT PARTNERS SELDOM SEEK RELATIONS WITH YOUNG BOYS, AND, VICE VERSA, THE PAEDOPHILIAC SELDOM SEEKS INTIMACY WITH AN ADULT MALE," HE ADDED.
/SIR DAVID .......
*
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
- 5 -
SIR DAVID SAID THAT ''NDER THE PRESENT LAW SOME HOMOSEXUALS DID SEEK SEXUAL RELATIONS WITH BOYS IN THE BELIEF THAT NAIVETY AND FEAR OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE INVOLVED WAS MORE LIKELY TO PROTECT THEM FROM EITHER BLACKMAIL OR PROSECUTION.
"IT IS MY FIRM BELIEF THAT DECRIMINALISING ACTS BETWEEN CONSENTING ADULTS WILL PROVIDE A GREATER DEGREE OF PROTECTION OF YOUNG PEOPLE THAN THE PRESENT ANOMALOUS SITUATION ALLOWS," HE SAID.
ON ANOTHER ARGUMENT THAT HOMOSEXUAL BEHAVIOUR WOULD RESULT IN THE SPREAD OF THE AIDS VIRUS, SIR DAVID SAID WHILE HE APPRECIATED THE PUBLIC CONCERN OVER THIS MATTER, i E DID NOT ACCEPT THE ARGUMENT.
"HOMOSEXUAL MEN ARE ONE OF THE HIGH-RISK GROUPS FOR AIDS.
"MAINTAINING EXISTING LAWS TENDS TO FORCE THEM UNDERGROUND, MAKES PREVENTIVE EDUCATION AND COUNSELLING MORE DIFFICULT AND THEREFORE HAMPERS OUR EFFORTS TO COUNTER THE DISEASE.
"CHANGING THE LAW MAY NOT REMOVE THE SOCIAL STIGMA, BUT IT WILL CERTAINLY MAKE IT EASIER TO IDENTIFY AND THEREFORE HELP THIS GROUP," HE SAID.
CONSIDERING THE WAY FORWARD, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID HE SUGGESTED THAT WE SHOULD AIM TO ACHIEVE THREE OBJECTIVES.
"FIRST, TO PROTECT OUR YOUTH AND ANY OTHER VULNERABLE GROUP.
"SECONDLY, TO MAKE A CLEAR DISTINCTION BETWEEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE BEHAVIOUR.
"THIRDLY, TO SET SENSIBLE PARAMETERS FOR OUR CRIMINAL LAW AND ITS ENFORCEMENT BY DECRIMINALISING HOMOSEXUAL ACTS BETWEEN CONSENTING ADULTS IN PRIVATE," SIR DAVID SAID.
ACHIEVING THESE AIMS WOULD REQUIRE LEGISLATIVE CHANGE AND CAREFUL DEFINITION, HE ADDED.
REGARDING THE ISSUE OF CONSENT, SIR DAVID SAID THE SAME CONSIDERATIONS APPLIED TO RELATIONS BETWEEN HOMOSEXUALS AS BETWEEN HETEROSEXUALS.
"A MAN WHO IMPOSES HIS WILL ON ANOTHER BY VIOLENCE, THREAT OF VIOLENCE, FRAUD OR USE OF DRUGS CANNOT BE SAID TO HAVE THE CONSENT OF HIS PARTNER ANY MORE A MAN WHO FORCES HIMSELF ON A WOMAN."
ON THE LIMITS OF PRIVACY, SIR DAVID SAID PHYSICAL INTIMACY BETWEEM PARTNERS OF EITHER SEX WAS SOMETHING TO BE EXPRESSED OUT OF THE PUBLIC GAZE.
HE STRESSED THAT IN CHANGING THE LAW, THE INTENTION WOULD NOT BE TO OFFEND AGAINST PUBLIC DECENCY.
ON THE DEFINITION OF ADULTHOOD, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID A NUMBER OF FACTORS HAD TO BE CONSIDERED.
/WE MUST........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
6
"WE MUST ENSURE THAT THE YOUNG, INNOCENT AND IMMATURE ARE PROTECTED AGAINST ADVANCES BY THE OLDER AND MORE EXPERIENCED.
"THE AGE SET IN RESPECT OF HETEROSEXUAL RELATIONS IS CURRENTLY 16 AND THERE IS, I SUPPOSE, SOME LOGIC IN SETTING THE SAME AGE FOR HOMOSEXUALS,” HE SAID.
VIEWED FROM ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE, SIR DAVID SAID, THE AGE OF MAJORITY FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN FOR ALL CONTRACTUAL PURPOSES OTHER THAN MARRIAGE, WAS BEING LOWERED TO 18.
"IF A MAN IS JUDGED LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONDUCT OF BUSINESS AFFAIRS AT THAT AGE, SHOULD HE NOT ALSO BE DEEMED RESPONSIBLE FOR MATTERS OF SEXUAL CHOICE?" HE SAID.
"IN COMING TO A DECISION ON THE QUESTION OF THE AGE OF CONSENT I AM SURE THAT THE COMMUNITY WOULD WISH US TO ERR ON THE SIDE OF PROTECTING THE YOUNG AND IMMATURE EVEN IF THIS MEANS ACCEPTING A DEGREE OF INCONSISTENCY WITH OUR OTHER LAWS ON THE AGE OF MAJORITY.
"ABOVE ALL WE MUST ENSURE THAT THE DECISION OF YOUNG PEOPLE TO ENGAGE IN HOMOSEXUAL LIAISONS IS AN INFORMED AND CONSCIOUS ONE," HE ADDED.
ON THE QUESTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, SIR DAVID SAID: "THOSE COMMUNITIES WITH MORE EXPERIENCE OF DEMOCRACY THAN HONG KONG HAVE COME INESCAPABLY TO ONE CONCLUSION: THAT THE MAJORITY SHOULD ONLY IMPOSE ITS WILL ON THE MINORITY IN CASES WHERE THE WIDER PUBLIC INTEREST OVERWHELMINGLY REQUIRES, AND THAT OTHERWISE THERE SHOULD BE MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY.
"INDEED FOR MANY THE DEGREE OF TOLERANCE OF MINORITIES IS A MEASURE OF THE CIVILISED QUALITY OF A SOCIETY.
"WHILE THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS MAKES NO SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO HOMOSEXUALITY OUR PRESENT LAW WOULD, WE BELIEVE, BE OPEN TO CHALLENGE UNDER THE BILL OF RIGHTS ENDORSED BY THIS COUNCIL IN ITS DEBATE TWO WEEKS AGO."
IN CONCLUSION, SIR DAVID SAID: "THE COMMUNITY HAS NO REAL WISH FOR THE AUTHORITIES TO SEEK OUT AND PROSECUTE HOMOSEXUAL MALES WHO BEHAVE DECENTLY IN PUBLIC.
"I SUSPECT THAT THIS IS BECAUSE THE COMMUNITY INSTINCTIVELY RECOILS FROM THE INVASION OF PRIVACY WHICH SUCH A FRIGHTFUL ENFORCEMENT WOULD ENTAIL."
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7
LEGAL POLICY CONSIDERATIONS CONCERNING HOMOSEXUALITY EXPLAINED *****
IT COULD NOT BE CREDIBLY ARGUED THAT ADULTS OF NORMAL MENTAL CAPACITY WHO FREELY PARTICIPATED IN SEXUAL CONDUCT IN THE PRIVACY OF THEIR OWN HOMES NEEDED TO BE PROTECTED FROM SUCH CONDUCT BY THE CRIMINAL LAW, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION ON HOMOSEXUALITY, MR MATHEWS MADE REFERENCE TO THE IMPORTANT LEGAL POLICY CONSIDERATIONS.
FIRST, HE SAID, ONE OF THE MAIN PURPOSES OF THE CRIMINAL LAW WAS TO PROTECT FROM HARM THOSE WHO WERE IN NEED OF PROTECTION FROM THE ACTS OF OTHERS.
HE NOTED THAT HE WAS WELL AWARE OF THE ARGUMENT THAT HARM WAS NOT A PREREQUISITE FOR MAKING CERTAIN CONDUCT A CRIMINAL OFFENCE, AND THAT OFFENSIVE BEHAVIOUR WHICH CAUSED NO HARM TO OTHERS OUGHT, OF ITSELF, TO GIVE RISE TO CRIMINAL SANCTIONS.
HOWEVER, MR MATHEWS SAID HE PREFERRED THE ARGUMENT PROPOUNDED BY THE WOLFENDEN COMMITTEE, WHICH SOME 30 YEARS AGO IN ENGLAND : CONSIDERED THE VERY SAME QUESTIONS WHICH CONFRONTED MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL TODAY.
IT WAS THE VIEW OF THAT COMMITTEE THAT THE PROPER FUNCTION OF THE CRIMINAL LAW WAS "TO PRESERVE PUBLIC ORDER AND DECENCY, TO PROTECT THE CITIZEN FROM WHAT IS OFFENSIVE OR INJURIOUS, AND TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT SAFEGUARDS AGAINST EXPLOITATION AND CORRUPTION OF OTHERS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO ARE SPECIALLY VULNERABLE BECAUSE THEY ARE YOUNG, WEAK IN BODY OR MIND, INEXPERIENCED, OR IN A STATE OF SPECIAL PHYSICAL, OFFICIAL, OR ECONOMIC DEPENDENCE".
"I EMPHASISE THE USE OF THE WORDS PUBLIC ORDER AND DECENCY IN THIS CONTEXT.
"IN MY VIEW, THE CRIMINAL LAW SHOULD NOT INTERVENE IN THE PRIVATE LIVES OF CITIZENS, OR SEEK TO ENFORCE ANY PARTICULAR PATTERN OF BEHAVIOUR, UNLESS IT IS NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE PURPOSES JUST OUTLINED," MR MATHEWS SAID.
HE SAID THE SECOND LEGAL POLICY CONSIDERATION WAS A PRACTICAL ONE.
"IF PART OF THE ROLE OF THE CRIMINAL LAW IS TO PRESERVE PUBLIC ORDER AND DECENCY, THE LAW SHOULD COMMAND THE RESPECT AND OBSERVANCE OF THE COMMUNITY.
"IT INEVITABLY FALLS INTO DISREPUTE IF IT IS CONTINUALLY IGNORED AND FLOUTED WITH IMPUNITY," HE SAID.
/MR MATHEWS .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
8
MR MATHEWS POINTED OUT THAT THE PARTICIPANTS WERE RARELY PROSECUTED, FOR THE SIMPLE REASON THAT THE POLICE COULD NOT INVESTIGATE WITHOUT KNOWING WHERE OR WHEN THESE ACTS OCCURRED, BECAUSE OF THE CONSENSUAL NATURE OF THE CONDUCT.
HE SAID TO ENFORCE THE LAW WOULD ENTAIL ALL THE CONSEQUENCES OF WHICH PERHAPS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT WOULD BE WHAT WOULD BE REGARDED AS THE MOST UNACCEPTABLE - THE INVASION OF PRIVACY.
"A LAW WHICH IS NOT ENFORCED ENGENDERS DISRESPECT FOR THE LAW AND FOR ITS PROCESSES," HE SAID.
FINALLY, MR MATHEWS SAID, HONG KONG HAD AN INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATION TO PROTECT THE INDIVIDUAL FROM ARBITRARY AND UNLAWFUL INTERFERENCE WITH HIS PRIVACY.
THIS RIGHT TO PRIVACY FOUND EXPRESSION IN BOTH THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS.
A SIMILAR RIGHT TO PRIVACY CONTAINED IN THE EUROPEAN CONVENTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS HAD BEEN INTERPRETED BY THE EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN . RIGHTS TO INCLUDE THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM FROM INTERFERENCE IN RESPECT OF CONSENSUAL SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR BETWEEN ADULTS IN PRIVATE.
"WHILST IT CANNOT BE SAID CONCLUSIVELY THAT HONG KONG LAWS IN THIS AREA ARE ARBITRARY OR UNLAWFUL SINCE THEY HAVE NOT BEEN TESTED IN THE COURTS, THE INTERPRETATION BY THE EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS OF THE EQUIVALENT PROVISION IN THE EUROPEAN CONVENTION MAKES IT LIKELY THAT, TO THE EXTENT THAT THE PRESENT LAW OF HONG KONG INTERFERES WITH THE SEXUAL ACTIVITIES OF CONSENTING ADULTS IN PRIVATE, THAT LAW IS AT VARIANCE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS.
"IT HARDLY NEEDS SAYING THAT THE LAWS OF HONG KONG ARE REQUIRED, IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS, TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THOSE OBLIGATIONS,” MR MATHEWS SAID.
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/9 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
- 9 -
HOMOSEXUALS WILL COME TO TERMS WITH SOCIETY ***** r.
DECRIMINALISATION WILL ENABLE PRACTISING HOMOSEXUALS NOT TO LIVE IN FEAR OF BLACKMAIL AND TO COME TO TERMS WITH THEIR OWN SEXUALITY AND WITH SOCIETY, THOUGH IT MAY NOT REMOVE SOCIAL STIGMA, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION IN THE DEBATE ON DECRIMINALISATION OF PRIVATE HOMOSEXUAL ACTS BY CONSENTING MALE ADULTS, MRS WONG SAID: ’’OBJECTIONS TO DECRIMINALISATION APPEAR TO COME FROM THE BELIEF THAT IT MIGHT LEAD TO AN EXPLOSION OF HOMOSEXUAL ACTIVITIES, THEREBY DESTABILISING SOCIETY; THAT IT COULD IN TURN LEAD TO THE SPREAD OF AIDS VIRUS; AND THAT LAWMAKERS HAVE A DUTY TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY FROM CORRUPTING INFLUENCES.”
COMMENTING THAT HOMOSEXUAL BEHAVIOUR WAS AN INTERPLAY BETWEEN. GENETIC BIOLOGICAL MAKE-UP AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS, MRS WONG SAID AETIOLOGICAL STUDIES SUGGESTED THAT THIS SEXUALITY COULD BE BOTH NATURAL AND/OR NURTURED; AND WAS EITHER EGO-SYNTONIC OR EGO-DYSTONIC.
’’THERE IS NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT WE CAN PREVENT HOMOSEXUAL BEHAVIOUR MERELY BY PUNISHING IT UNDER THE LAW, ANY MORE THAN WE CAN PREVENT ADULTERY BY STATUTORY PENALTY,” SHE SAID.
’’THUS, IF ONE LIQUIDATES THE RHETORIC OF THE OBJECTIONS RAISED, IT IS EASY TO SEE THAT THE LAW IS ARCHAIC.
"TO TAKE REFUGE BEHIND THE STATUS QUO IS TO ESCAPE REALITY AND EVADE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY,” SHE SAID.
MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT WHILST HOMOSEXUALS OCCUPIED A FAIR PROPORTION OF THE REPORTED AIDS CASES, TRANSMISSION TOOK PLACE HETEROSEXUALLY AS WELL, FROM MALE TO FEMALE AND ALSO FEMALE TO MALE.
"ON EXPERT AUTHORITY, I BELIEVE THAT IT HAD BEEN LONG KNOWN THAT AIDS CAN BE ACQUIRED THROUGH HETEROSEXUAL CONTACT, AND, INDEED, IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT, NO VIRUS CAN SURVIVE IN EVOLUTION IF TRANSMITTED ONLY BY HOMOSEXUALS,” SHE SAID.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION RECOMMENDATION, PREVENTION OF AIDS AND REDUCTION IN THE INFECTION RATE COULD BE ACHIEVED THROUGH EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY AND OTHER MEASURES TO MODIFY SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR.
"HOMOSEXUAL ACTIVITIES PER SE ARE NOT BELIEVED TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SPREADING THE DISEASE, AND IT WOULD BE WRONG TO ASSUME THAT THE DISEASE CAN BE PREVENTED BY THE MERE EXISTENCE OF THE LAW WHICH IS PURPORTED TO PUNISH HOMOSEXUAL ACTS," SHE SAID.
MRS WONG STRESSED THAT IT WAS OF CARDINAL IMPORTANCE THAT DECRIMINALISATION SHOULD NOT BE MISTAKEN AS A MOVE TO CONDONE OFFENSIVE BEHAVIOUR WHICH WAS REPUGNANT TO THE COMMUNITY.
/IN THIS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
- 10 -
IN THIS RESPECT, SHE SAID SHE BELIEVED THAT THE LAW SHOULD BE CONSISTENT IN ITS APPROACH TO MALES AND FEMALES ALIKE.
"TO THAT EXTENT, I WOULD SUPPORT ANY MEASURE WHICH INTRODUCES APPROPRIATE PUNISHMENT FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES ARISING FROM- HOMOSEXUAL ACTIVITIES COMPARABLE TO THOSE ARISING FROM HETEROSEXUAL ACTIVITIES; FOR EXAMPLE, EXPLOITATION, INDECENT ASSAULT AND OTHER SEXUAL OFFENCES, PaStIcOlARLY WHEN SUCH OFFENCES ARE COMMITTED AGAINST YOUNG PERSONS, MRS WONG ADDED.
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DECRIMINALISATION OF HOMOSEXUAL ACTS SUPPORTED
*****
IF TWO MEN WHO ARE ADULTS AND WILLINGLY COMMIT A HOMOSEXUAL ACT IN PRIVATE, THEY SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN AS CRIMINALS, THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE HON ALLEN LEE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION IN THE DEBATE ON HOMOSEXUALITY, MR LEE ADMITTED THAT FACING A COMMUNITY THAT WAS GENERALLY HOSTILE TOWARDS HOMOSEXUALITY, IT WAS NOT EASY TO OBJECTIVELY ANALYSE THE PROBLEM, AND TO CONSIDER THE CONTROVERSY AND COME TO A CONCLUSION.
"IT IS A CHOICE BETWEEN MORALITY AND PRIVACY AND TO A GREAT EXTENT, HUMAN RIGHTS ALSO COME INTO PLAY," HE SAID.
MR LEE SAID HE HAD CONSIDERED THIS PROBLEM LONG AND HARD AND HAD REACHED A CONCLUSION THAT CRIMINAL PENALTIES SHOULD BE REMOVED EVEN THOUGH PERSONALLY IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR HIM TO ACCEPT HOMOSEXUAL ACTS.
-----0--------
NOT JUST THEIR OWN AFFAIR * * * *
TO DECRIMINALISE AN ACT ON THE GROUND THAT WHAT CONSENTING ADULTS DO IN PRIVATE IS ENTIRELY THEIR OWN AFFAIR IS AN OVER-SIMPLISTIC APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM, THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AGAINST THE MOTION ON THE DECRIMINALISATION OF HOMOSEXUAL ACTS BETWEEN CONSENTING MALE ADULTS IN PRIVATE.
/MR CHEONG........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
- 11 -
MR CHEONG ARGUED THAT IF ONE ACCEPTED THE LOGIC THAT WHATEVER ACT TWO CONSENTING ADULTS PERFORMED IN PRIVATE WAS A MATTER FOR THEM ONLY AND NOT FOR ANYONE ELSE, THEN THE SAME LOGIC SHOULD APPLY TO THE ACT OF BUGGERY BETWEEN TWO CONSENTING ADULTS OF WHOM ONE WAS A FEMALE, POLYGAMY AND INCESTUOUS ACTS BETWEEN TWO CONSENTING ADULTS, BE THEY MOTHER AND SON OR BROTHERS AND SISTERS.
HE ALSO DISAGREED THAT THE CURRENT LAW ON HOMOSEXUALITY SHOULD BE RE-EXAMINED BECAUSE THE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS PERFORMING AN HOMOSEXUAL ACT WERE PROTECTED BY THE FORTHCOMING HUMAN RIGHTS BILL.
HE SAID THAT IF THE SAME LOGIC WAS APPLIED TO OTHER ISSUES THAT HAD A MORAL UNDERTONE, IT WOULD LEAD TO SOME STARTLING AND PERHAPS UNACCEPTABLE CONCLUSIONS; AND THERE WAS A DANGER THAT, ARMED WITH THE "SHIELD OF HUMAN RIGHTS”, HONG KONG MIGHT BECOME AN ANARCHIC AND PERMISSIVE SOCIETY WITH LOOSE MORAL VALUES.
HE SAID, "SOCIETY IS NO MORE THAN THE AGGREGATE OF ITS INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS AND HOW PEOPLE FEEL AND BEHAVE IN PRIVATE OR PUBLIC REFLECTS THE GENERAL PERCEPTION OF WHAT IS RIGHT OR WRONG WHICH IN TURN DETERMINES THE SOCIETY’S OVERALL VALUES".
MR CHEONG SAID HE FELT STRONGLY THAT IF THE ADMINISTRATION WAS SERIOUS ABOUT INTRODUCING A BILL ON HOMOSEXUALITY, VIEWS FROM A WIDE CROSS SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY SHOULD BE SOUGHT.
HE BELIEVED THAT HOMOSEXUAL ACTS WERE NOT WIDELY PRACTISED NOR WIDELY ACCEPTED BY THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, AND THAT IT WOULD NOT BE RIGHT TO ARGUE THAT WE HAD TO LEGALISE THEM BECAUSE OTHER DEMOCRATIC COUNTRIES LIKE THE UK AND U.S. HAD DONE SO.
"THIS LINE OF THINKING MAY GIVE THE WRONG IMPRESSION TO THE COMMUNITY IN THAT PROGRESS AND DEMOCRACY IS EQUATED WITH ACCEPTING HOMOSEXUAL ACTS AS BEING LEGAL," HE SAID.
"ALSO IT POSES AN IMPORTANT QUESTION THAT WHETHER THE YOUNGER MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY WOULD BE LIABLE TO RUN A GREATER RISK OF BEING EXPOSED TO, ENTICED OR EVEN GOADED INTO TAKING PART IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ACT SO THAT THEY CAN PROVE TO THEIR CONTEMPORARIES THAT THEY ARE PROGRESSIVE, LIBERAL, DEMOCRATIC AND WITH IT," HE ADDED.
CONCLUDING, MR CHEONG SAID: "EACH AND EVERY SOCIETY HAS ITS OWN CULTURAL BACKGROUND, AND ITS OWN MORAL VALUES. WE SHOULD NOT READILY FORSAKE OUR OWN MORAL VALUES TO OPT FOR A CHANGE SIMPLY TO CONFORM WITH OTHER VALUES PREVAILING ELSEWHERE."
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/12 .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
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CHANGES SHOULD BE INTRODUCED *****
THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD INTRODUCE THE NECESSARY LEGISLATIVE CHANGES REGARDING THE DECRIMINALISATION OF HOMOSEXUAL ACTS BETWEEN CONSENTING MALE ADULTS IN PRIVATE AT THE EARLIEST OPPORTUNE TIME, THE HON RITA FAN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION ON HOMOSEXUALITY, MRS FAN NOTED THAT REMOVAL OF PENALTIES DID NOT IMPLY LEGAL APPROVAL.
SHE RECALLED THAT THE ’’DECRIMINALISATION" OF HOMOSEXUAL ACTS BETWEEN CONSENTING MALE ADULTS IN PRIVATE, PROPOSED BY THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION IN 1983, WAS TRANSLATED INTO "LEGISLATION” OF THESE ACTS BY MANY REPORTS IN CHINESE AT THAT TIME.
MRS FAN SAID THIS MIGHT BE WHY THE PROPOSAL WAS REJECTED BY MANY PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY INCLUDING HERSELF AS SHE DID NOT WISH TO SEE THESE ACTS GIVEN THE STAMP OF APPROVAL THROUGH GAINING A "LAWFUL STATUS".
SHE SAID THAT IN FACT THE REMOVAL OF A CRIMINAL OFFENCE ON THESE ACTS WAS COUPLED WITH THE RETENTION OF AN EXISTING OFFENCE WHICH APPLIED TO HOMOSEXUAL ACTS BETWEEN MALES UNDER OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES, THE EXTENSION OF PROTECTIVE MEASURES TO MALES FROM SEX EXPLOITATION AND THE STRENGTHENING OF LAW ON PUBLIC BEHAVIOUR MAKING IT CLEAR THAT HOMOSEXUAL ACTS WERE IMMORAL.
MRS FAN, A MEMBER OF THE HONG KONG PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, SAID SHE AGREED WITH THE SOCIETY WHICH HAD EXPRESSED FULL SUPPORT FOR THE MOVE TOWARDS DECRIMINALISATION OF HOMOSEXUAL ACTS BETWEEN CONSENTING ADULTS.
THE SOCIETY HELD THAT TO CRIMINALISE THE SEXUAL EXPRESSION OF ADULT HOMOSEXUALS ENGAGING IN RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER VOLUNTARILY CONSENTING ADULTS IN PRIVATE WAS CONTRARY TO CONSIDERATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND MENTAL HEALTH.
-----U------
CURRENT LAW ON HOMOSEXUALITY NOT APPROPRIATE
*****
STRONG COMMUNITY DISAPPROVAL OF HOMOSEXUALITY DOES NOT P^0V^5 SUFFICIENT JUSTIFICATION FOR IMPOSING HARSH CRIMINAL PENALTIES ON THE PARTIES INVOLVED, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS TOLD TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION IN THE DEBATE ON THE DECRIMINALISATION OF PRIVATE HOMOSEXUAL ACTS BETWEEN CONSENTING MALE ADULTS, THE HON MARTIN LEE SAID: "THE CURRENT LAW - UNDER WHICH ADULTS CAN BE IMPRISONED FOR LIFE FOR A PRIVATE, CONSENSUAL ACT - IS
NOT APPROPRIATE."
/MR LEE ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
- 13 -
MR LEE COMMENTED THAT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN HONG KONG HAD TAKEN THE POSITION THAT ALTHOUGH HOMOSEXUALITY BETWEEN CONSENTING ADULTS WAS A SIN, IT WAS NOT A CRIME FOR WHICH THE STATE OUGHT TO PUNISH PEOPLE.
"INDEED, THERE ARE MANY ACTS WHICH MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY MAY STRONGLY CONDEMN - SUCH AS INFIDELITY TO ONE’S SPOUSE OR DISHONESTY WITH ONE’S FRIENDS - BUT FOR WHICH THE STATE DOES NOT LEVY CRIMINAL PENALTIES," HE SAID.
ON THE CONNECTION BETWEEN HOMOSEXUALITY AND AIDS, MR LEE SAID THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE TO SHOW THAT CRIMINALLY PENALISING HOMOSEXUALITY WOULD PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE, ESPECIALLY SINCE SUCH CRIMINAL PENALTIES WOULD OFTEN PREVENT PEOPLE FROM RECEIVING COUNSELLING, TESTING, OR EDUCATION.
----0------
BALANCE SHOULD BE STRUCK
*****
A BALANCE SHOULD BE STRUCK BETWEEN MAINTAINING MORAL VALUES AND PROTECTING THE RIGHT OF EVERY CITIZEN, HOMOSEXUAL OR NOT, TO RESPECT FOR HIS PRIVATE LIFE, THE HON RONALD ARCULLI SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE NOTED THAT THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION ESTIMATED SEVEN YEARS AGO THAT THE NUMBER OF HOMOSEXUALS COULD AMOUNT TO NEARLY 10 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL POPULATION.
"IT IS THEREFORE RATHER UNSATISFACTORY THAT SUCH A SIGNIFICANT MINORITY OF OUR COMMUNITY, WHO MAY OTHERWISE BE LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS, HAVE TO FEAR PROSECUTION DAY IN AND DAY OUT FOR THEIR HOMOSEXUAL ACTS, WHICH IF CONDUCTED CONSENSUALLY IN PRIVATE DO NO HARM TO OTHER PEOPLE," HE SAID.
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION IN THE DEBATE ON HOMOSEXUALITY, MR ARCULLI SAID HE WOULD SEEK CLARIFICATIONS ON THREE ISSUES FROM THE ADMINISTRATION.
FIRSTLY, HE FOUND THE MOTION DID NOT SEEM TO PROVIDE A FULL PICTURE OF THE LEGAL AND SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES OF ANY CHANGE IN THE EXISTING.LAW.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE MOTION SEEMED TO CONFORM WITH THE SECOND OF THE THREE OPTIONS PROPOSED IN THE 1988 CONSULTATION PAPER, BUT IT WAS NOT CLEAR WHETHER THE NINE OFFENCES LISTED IN APPENDIX A OF THAT PAPER AS BEING OFFENCES TO BE RETAINED WOULD FORM PART OF ANY CHANGE IN THE EXISTING LAW.
/ALSO, THE ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
- 14 -
ALSO, THE SECOND PART OF THE MOTION CALLED FOR THE EXTENSION OF PROTECTION TO BOTH MEN AND BOYS FROM SEXUAL EXPLOITATION GIVEN TO WOMEN AND GIRLS BY THE CRIMES ORDINANCE BUT NO DETAILS HAD BEEN GIVEN AS TO THE EXTENT OF SUCH PROTECTION, HE SAID.
SECONDLY, HE NOTED THAT THE MOTION DID NOT DEAL WITH THE EXISTING OFFENCE OF BUGGERY.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION RECOMMENDED IN 1983 THAT THE LAW SHOULD NO LONGER PROHIBIT ANY FULLY CONSENSUAL SEXUAL CONDUCT IN PRIVATE BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMAN WHERE BOTH WERE OVER 16 YEARS OLD.
THE 1988 CONSULTATION PAPER DID NOT RAISE THIS MATTER BUT THE REFERENCE IN APPENDIX A TO NON-CONSENSUAL BUGGERY AND BUGGERY WITH A GIRL UNDER 16 AS OFFENCES TO BE RETAINED MIGHT BE MISUNDERSTOOD SO AS TO IMPLY THAT CONSENSUAL BUGGERY AS -OUTLINED BY THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION MIGHT BE PERMISSIBLE, HE SAID.
HE HOPED THE ADMINISTRATION COULD CLARIFY WHETHER IT INTENDED FOR CONSENSUAL BUGGERY BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMAN TO CONTINUE TO BE AN OFFENCE.
THIRDLY, MR ARCULLI NOTED THAT A CIVIL SERVICE CIRCULAR ISSUED • IN 1982 STATED THAT NO KNOWN HOMOSEXUAL SHOULD BE APPOINTED TO THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE, IRRESPECTIVE OF RANK OR GRADE, AND THAT A SERVING OFFICER IF CONVICTED OF A HOMOSEXUAL OFFENCE FACED IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL.
HE QUESTIONED WHETHER THIS POLICY WOULD BE REVIEWED IN THE LIGHT OF ANY PROPOSAL TO DECRIMINALISE CONSENSUAL HOMOSEXUAL ACTS.
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ALL ABOUT THE RIGHT TO RESPECT FOR PRIVATE LIFE
THE DEBATE ON THE DECRIMINALISATION OF HOMOSEXUAL ACTS BETWEEN CONSENTING MALE ADULTS IN PRIVATE IS ALL ABOUT ’’THE RIGHT TO RESPECT FOR PRIVATE LIFE”, THE HON PAUL CHENG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION IN THE DEBATE ON HOMOSEXUALITY, MR CHENG SAID THAT THE DEBATE WAS A BATTLE OVER WHETHER OR NOT THE RIGHT OF INDIVIDUAL PRIVACY SHOULD BE PROTECTED, AND NOT A BATTLE OVER WHETHER OR NOT MORALS SHOULD BE LOOSENED.
’’HIGH STANDARDS OF GOVERNANCE OF HONG KONG SHOULD EMBODY THE PROTECTION OF INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS SO LONG AS THEY DO NOT INFRINGE ON PUBLIC SAFETY, SOCIAL ORDER, OR NATIONAL SECURITY,
/"IN OTHER .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
- 15 -
"IN OTHER WORDS, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD WORK TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS OF EACH PERSON WITH THE CONSTRAINT THAT IT PROTECTS THE RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS OF ALL THE PEOPLE IT SERVES," HE SAID.
MR CHENG REMINDED HIS COLLEAGUES THAT THEY HAD SUPPORTED THIS POSITION AS A LEGISLATIVE BODY JUST A SHORT TIME AGO DURING THE DRAFT BILL OF RIGHTS DEBATE.'
"TO DECIDE TO MAKE HOMOSEXUALITY AN EXCEPTION TO THIS POSITION THAT WE SUPPORTED JUST A FEW WEEKS EARLIER IS UNJUST AND ILLOGICAL," HE SAID.
' »*‘ ... •
HE SAID THAT MORALITY COULD NOT BE LEGISLATED. TO DO THAT, PEOPLE WOULD BE MAKING A MOCKERY OF LAW FOR THE VERY FACT THAT BEHAVIOUR IN PRIVATE WAS NOT VISIBLE TO- THE PUBLIC, AND COULD NOT THUS BE CONTROLLED.
HE MAINTAINED THAT THE LAW AS IT CURRENTLY STOOD WAS NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO ENFORCE. IT WOULD REQUIRE ENORMOUS POLICE RESOURCES AND A COMPLETE DISREGARD FOR AN INDIVIDUAL’S RIGHT TO PRIVACY, MR CHENG EXPLAINED.
"THE RESULT IS THAT WE HAVE AN UNENFORCEABLE LAW - AND UNENFORCEABLE LAWS STIMULATE DISRESPECT FOR THE LAW AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM.
"TO AVOID THIS, WE MUST DO OUR BEST TO LEGISLATE MEASURES THAT ENABLE THE EXERCISE OF INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS RESTRICTED TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY FOR ACCOMMODATING THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS," HE SAID.
MR CHENG BELIEVED THAT DECRIMINALISING CONSENSUAL HOMOSEXUAL ACTS IN PRIVATE WOULD REMOVE A DETERRENT TO POSSIBLE AIDS CARRIERS COMING FORWARD FOR MEDICAL TESTING AND HELP.
HE ADDED THAT STATISTICS REFUTED THE ARGUMENT THAT AIDS WAS MOST RIFE IN COUNTRIES WHERE HOMOSEXUALITY WAS LEGAL.
MR CHENG STRESSED THAT HE WAS ENDORSING LEGISLATION WHICH ACKNOWLEDGED THE LOGICALITV OF DECRIMINALISING AN ACT THAT TOOK PLACE IN PRIVATE BY TWO CONSENTING ADULTS, AND NOT ADVOCATING SOMETHING WHICH WOULD IN TURN PERMIT AN INDIVIDUAL TO CORRUPT THE MINDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE OR TO OFFEND THE SENSIBILITIES OF OTHERS.
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/16 .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11,
1990 ’
- 16 -
DECRIMINALISING HOMOSEXUAL ACTS WOULD HAVE
»***»*»**«
UNIMAGINABLE CONSEQUENCES
THE DECRIMINALISATION OF HOMOSEXUAL ACTS IN PRIVATE BETWEEN TWO CONSENTING ADULTS WOULD OPEN THE FLOODGATES LEADING TO UNIMAGINABLE CONSEQUENCES, THE HON DAVID CHEUNG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
OPPOSING THE MOTION IN THE DEBATE ON HOMOSEXUALITY, MR CHEUNG SAID THE VALUE AND LIFESTYLE OF A MINORITY GROUP OF HOMOSEXUALS WOULD THEREBY BE DISSEMINATED THROUGH SOCIETY IF DECRIMINALISATION WERE ALLOWED.
"IF ADOLESCENTS ARE EXPOSED TO A HOMOSEXUAL LIFESTYLE OR ARE EFFECTIVELY INFLUENCED BY THOSE WHO ARE THEMSELVES HOMOSEXUALS, THEN THIS MAY AFFECT THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND HAVE LONG TERM DAMAGING EFFECTS ON THE YOUTHS," HE SAID.
HE SAID ALTHOUGH THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION HAD SAID THAT DECRIMINALISATION DID NOT NECESSARILY•IMPLY LEGAL APPROVAL, TO THE YOUNG MINDS, IT WOULD PASS A DEADLY-WRONG-YET-STRAIGHT-FORWARD MESSAGE THAT SUCH ACTS WERE ACCEPTABLE TO SOCIETY AND THEREFORE COULD BE PRACTISED.
MR CHEUNG ARGUED THAT BY DECRIMINALISATION, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE CONTRADICTING ITSELF: ON THE ONE HAND, IT ENCOURAGED MORK MORAL AND PROPER SEX EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS BUT, ON THE OTHERi ENCOURAGED PERMISSIVENESS OF HOMOSEXUAL ACTS.
HE SAID THAT DECRIMINALISATION OF HOMOSEXUAL ACTS WOULD ALSO OPEN THE FLOODGATE OF VERY DAMAGING OPPORTUNITIES, AS THE MOVE WOULD GIVE RISE TO OPPORTUNITY FOR SERIOUS ATTEMPTS TO SECURE RIGHTS FOR HOMOSEXUAL PERSONS TO MARRY ONE ANOTHER, CLAIMING SPOUSAL STATUS FOR TAX AND SOCIAL BENEFITS, AND ADOPTING AND RAISING CHILDREN. FURTHER, THERE WAS THE AIDS FACTOR.
MR CHEUNG STRESSED THAT HE WANTED A CLEAR MORAL STANDARD BACKED UP BY LEGAL CONSTRAINTS TO BE MAINTAINED.
"THIS WILL GIVE A CLEAR MESSAGE TO SOCIETY THAT HOMOSEXUALITY IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE FORM OF BEHAVIOUR FROM SOCIETY’S POINT OF VIEW.
"IT WILL ALSO PREVENT THE FLOODGATE FROM BEING OPENED WHICH MIGHT LEAD TO ALL KINDS OF UNDESIRABLE POSSIBILITIES."
NOTING THAT SOME PEOPLE FAVOURED DECRIMINALISATION ON THE BASIS OF HUMAN RIGHTS, MR CHEUNG SAID AS MUCH AS HE SUPPORTED THE BILL OF RIGHTS, THE BILL MUST NOT BE SEEN AS AN INSURANCE OR A PROTECTIVE UMBRELLA FOR WRONGDOINGS.
"FROM WHATEVER ANGLE WE LOOK AT THE ISSUE, THE RIGHT A PERSON HAS DOES NOT GIVE HIM/HER THE RIGHT TO DO WHAT IS WRONG OR SOCIALLY UNACCEPTABLE," HE SAID.
MR CHEUNG PROPOSED THAT HOMOSEXUALS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO SEEK PSYCHOTHERAPY. HE SUGGESTED THAT AN ALL-OUT PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN SHOULD BE MOUNTED TO ENCOURAGE HOMOSEXUALS TO COME FORWARD TO GET HELP, SO AS TO CHANGE THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATION.
- - 0 - -
/17
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
17
CALL TO REVIEW HANDLING OF SEXUAL OFFENCES
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD REVIEW THE PRESENT METHOD OF HANDLING ALLEGED CASES OF SEXUAL OFFENCE TO AVOID FURTHER HURTING THE VICTIMS WHILE IT PROCEEDS WITH LEGISLATION TO DECRIMINALISE CERTAIN HOMOSEXUAL ACTS, THE HON NELLIE FONG SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION IN THE DEBATE ON HOMOSEXUALITY, MRS FONG SAID AT PRESENT THE VICTIM OF SUCH CASES WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH CROSS EXAMINATIONS DURING TRIAL TO EXPOSE HIS OR HER PRIVATE LIVES, BUT IN RETURN WOULD GAIN NOTHING OTHER THAN TO SEE JUSTICE BEING UPHELD.
”1 BELIEVE THAT WHILE WE GO FORWARD WITH LEGISLATION ON THE ISSUE OF DECRIMINALISATION OF CERTAIN HOMOSEXUAL ACTS, WE SHOULD FOCUS ON HOW CASES OF ALLEGED SEXUAL OFFENCES, HOMOSEXUAL OR OTHERWISE, COULD BE HANDLED TO AVOID THE VICTIM EITHER NOT BRINGING CHARGES DUE TO THE INEVITABLE NEGATIVE EXPOSURE, OR THE VICTIM’S LIFE BEING SERIOUSLY DAMAGED IN THE COURSE OF A TRIAL CONDUCTED ALONG THE LINES TRIALS ARE CONDUCTED TODAY,” SHE SAID.
MRS FONG SAID SHE FAILED TO SEE WHY HOMOSEXUAL ACTS COMMITTED IN PRIVATE BY CONSENTING ADULTS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS CRIMINAL OFFENCES IF THE ACTS DID NOT BRING HARM TO ANYONE.
SHE SAID HER CONCERN ON THE ISSUE FOCUSSED ON WHETHER ANYONE GOT HURT, AND THAT THIS TIED IN WITH THREE ISSUES.
FIRSTLY, THAT THE REMOVAL OF CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR SPECIFIC HOMOSEXUAL ACTS SHOULD NOT IMPLY LEGAL APPROVAL OR PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE OF THOSE ACTS.
SECONDLY, SINCE HOMOSEXUALITY WAS SUCH A COMPLICATED ISSUE FROM MANY POINTS OF VIEW, INCLUDING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL ASPECTS, IT WOULD BE QUESTIONABLE WHETHER AGE 21 WAS SUFFICIENT FOR A PERSON TO BE CAPABLE OF DECIDING ON THEIR ACTIONS.
THIRDLY, HOW TO DETERMINE WHETHER THERE WAS CONSENT BECAUSE IT WAS DOUBTFUL WHETHER THE PERSONS WHO WERE HARMED WOULD EVER COME FORWARD TO CHALLENGE THEIR AGGRESSORS AND RISK EXPOSURE AND POTENTIAL MARGINALISATION BY THE COMMUNITY.
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/18........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
18
HOMOSEXUALITY NOT A DISEASE
*****
THE PRESENT LAWS SHOULD BE CHANGED SO THAT NO PARTICULAR INJUSTICE IS DONE TO A SECTION OF THE POPULATION OVER WHOSE SEXUAL INCLINATION THEY HAVE NO CONTROL, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS TOLD TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF A MOTION ON THE DECRIMINALISATION OF HOMOSEXUAL ACTS, DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG SAID THAT HOMOSEXUALITY PER SE WAS ONLY A VARIATION OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AND NOT A DISEASE.
ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HOMOSEXUALITY AND AIDS, DR LEONG SAID IT WAS MOST MISLEADING TO ARGUE THAT A LAW WHICH MADE HOMOSEXUALITY A CRIME COULD PROTECT THE PUBLIC AGAINST THE SPREAD OF AIDS.
HE HELD THAT THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY OF CONTROLLING AIDS WAS THROUGH EDUCATION.
"THE TASK OF MAKING SURE THAT THOSE WHO MOST NEED THIS EDUCATION GET IT COULD BE MADE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT BY A LAW WHICH PREVENTS OPEN DISCUSSION ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY AND DRIVES THE HOMOSEXUAL COMMUNITY UNDERGROUND," HE ADDED.
DR LEONG SAID MANY HOMOSEXUALS WERE SUBJECTED TO CONSIDERABLE STRESS AS A RESULT OF STRONG DISAPPROVAL OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC, THE CONDEMNATION OF HOMOSEXUALITY BY RELIGIOUS AUTHORITY AND CERTAIN DRACONIAN LAW SECTIONS FORCING THEM TO KEEP THEIR SEX LIVES SECRET.
DR LEONG ALSO OUTLINED THE STANDPOINT OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION IN RELATION TO THE EXISTING LAW.
HE SAID THE HONG KONG MEDICAL ASSOCIATION HELD THE VIEW THAT CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR HOMOSEXUAL ACTS IN PRIVATE BETWEEN CONSENTING ADULTS SHOULD BE REMOVED, AND THAT THE PRESENT LAW DISCRIMINATED AGAINST THE MALE HOMOSEXUALS AS FEMALE HOMOSEXUAL ACTIVITIES OCCURRING IN PRIVATE WERE NOT PUNISHABLE BY LAW.
THE ASSOCIATION ALSO HELD THAT PUNISHMENT FOR BUGGERY WITHOUT CONSENT SHOULD BE THE SAME AS PUNISHMENT FOR RAPE WHILE PUNISHMENT FOR INDECENT ASSAULT IN HOMOSEXUAL ACTS SHOULD BE THE SAME AS THE PUNISHMENT FOR INDECENT ASSAULT ON FEMALES.
"I WANT TO EMPHASISE HERE THAT THE POSITION OF THE HONG KONG MEDICAL ASSOCIATION SHOULD IN NO WAY BE TAKEN TO IMPLY THAT WE CONDONE HOMOSEXUAL ACTIVITIES,” DR LEONG ADDED.
THE HON JIMMY MCGREGOR, WHO IS IN EUROPE, HAD ASKED DR LEONG TO INFORM THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT HE SUPPORTED THE PROPOSAL TO DECRIMINALISE HOMOSEXUAL ACTS.
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/19........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
- 19 -
REDUCTION IN MAXIMUM PENALTIES SUPPORTED
*****
THE HON JAMES TIEN SUPPORTED A REDUCTION IN THE MAXIMUM PENALTIES FOR HOMOSEXUAL ACTS ALTHOUGH HE DISAPPROVED OF ANY MOVE TOWARDS COMPLETE DECRININALISATION OF SUCH BEHAVIOUR.
SPEAKING TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AGAINST THE MOTION IN THE LEGCO DEBATE ON THE DECRIMINALISATION OF HOMOSEXUAL ACTS, MR TIEN SAID HE SAW MERIT IN ADOPTING "A MORE REALISTIC APPROACH" TO THE ISSUE.
HE WAS OF THE VIEW THAT A REDUCTION IN SENTENCES WOULD BRING THE LAW INTO LINE WITH THE PRESENT POLICING PRACTICE AND THE PATTERN OF SENTENCING BY THE COURTS WHILE AVOIDING THE UNDESIRABLE CONSEQUENCES WHICH MIGHT BE ASSOCIATED WITH REMOVAL OF THE CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR HOMOSEXUAL ACTS IN PRIVATE BETWEEN CONSENTING ADULTS.
MR TIEN POINTED OUT THAT ORIENTAL CULTURES WERE IN BROAD TERMS UNSYMPATHETIC, OR EVEN HOSTILE, TO HOMOSEXUAL BEHAVIOUR.
HE SAID IT WOULD BE WRONG TO ARGUE THAT RIGHTS FOR HOMOSEXUALS WERE PART AND PARCEL OF RIGHTS GENERALLY.
THE BILL OF RIGHTS WAS NOT RELEVANT IN THIS RESPECT, HE ADDED.
"THE ARGUMENT FOR SO-CALLED GAY RIGHTS ASSUMES THAT GAY PERSONS HAVE A MORAL CLAIM TO PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE OR APPROVAL.
"GAY RIGHTS REPRESENTS A SCALE OF VALUES WHICH IS OUT OF HARMONY WITH OUR MORAL VALUES. IT IS OUT OF HARMONY WITH ASIAN CULTURES IN THEIR BROAD TRADITION, AS WELL AS THEIR HOPES FOR THEIR FUTURE WELL-BEING.
"I JUST DO NOT SEE WHY WE SHOULD INHERIT OCCIDENTAL PREJUDICES IN MORALITY AND CULTURE," HE SAID.
MR TIEN SAID MEMBERS WERE APPARENTLY BEING ASKED A NARROW LEGAL, RATHER THAN A MORAL, QUESTION.
"DECRIMINALISING HOMOSEXUALITY BETWEEN CONSENTING MEN OVER 21 YEARS OF AGE IS A CLEAR MATTER OF EXPEDIENCY. WHAT DOES THE ARGUMENT BOIL DOWN TO? THE PROPOSAL SIMPLY ARGUES THIS : IF YOU CAN’T EFFECTIVELY POLICE IT, YOU SHOULDN’T REGULATE IT."
HE SAID WHAT THE ARGUMENT ON NARROW LEGALITY IGNORED, HOWEVER, WAS THAT WHAT WENT ON IN PRIVATE OFTEN SPILLED OVER INTO THE PUBLIC ARENA.
HOMOSEXUALITY IF PERMITTED BY LAW IN PRIVATE, MIGHT LEAD TO THE GREATER SOLICITATION OF YOUNG BOYS IN PUBLIC PLACES AND SUCH DEVIANT BEHAVIOUR HAD ALSO BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH OTHER CRIMES, HE ADDED.
MR TIEN SAID IF THE COUNCIL ACCEPTED THE PROPOSAL TO DECRIMINALISE HOMOSEXUALITY, IT WOULD SEND A WRONG MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
/"THIS WOULD ......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
- 20 -
"THIS WOULD INDICATE SOME SORT OF APPROVAL TO THE IDEA, NOT THE LAW, ABOUT THIS SENSITIVE MATTER. PEOPLE WON’T SEE THE SUBTLETIES.
"WHAT WE SHOULD SAY IS THAT, WE DO NOT WISH TO APPROVE SOMETHING ... WHEN, IN FACT, WE DO NOT APPROVE OF IT ALL.
"FOR IT IS NOT JUST A QUESTION OF ’YES’ OR ’NO’ TO A RATHER AMBIGUOUS LAW. IT IS A QUESTION OF WHETHER THE HONG KONG PUBLIC WILL SEE THIS COUNCIL AS CONDONING OR ENCOURAGING SOMETHING WHICH IT FEFI S OUR PEOPLE FIND OVERWHELMINGLY REPUGNANT," HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
TIMES HAVE CHANGED * * * *
TIMES HAVE CHANGED AND CONTINUING TO TREAT HOMOSEXUAL ACTS AS A CRIME CERTAINLY DOES NOT ASSIST THOSE BORN OR CAUGHT UP WITH SUCH A PROBLEM, THE HON PETER WONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION IN THE DEBATE ON HOMOSEXUALITY, MR WONG SAID HE FOUND DERISORY THE ARGUMENT THAT HOMOSEXUAL LOVE WOULD DESTROY TRADITIONAL FAMILY VALUES.
"SURELY, OUR TRADITIONAL VALUES ARE BASED ON FIRMER FOUNDATIONS THAN THAT SUGGESTED, AND I AM CONFIDENT THAT DECRIMINALISATION SHOULD ALLOW US TO TREAT THE PROBLEM WITH OPENNESS AND HUMANITY."
MR WONG NOTED THAT THE NON-ENFORCEMENT OF THE ORDINANCE AGAINST ACTS COMMITTED IN PRIVATE AND THE LIGHT SENTENCES IMPOSED IN RECENT YEARS ON THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN CAUGHT IN PUBLIC COMMITTING SUCH ACTS, HAD NOT AT THE TIME PRODUCED STRONG PUBLIC OUTCRY ONE MIGHT EXPECT IF THEY HAD OUTRAGED PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS.
HE ALSO FOUND THE ARGUMENT THAT HOMOSEXUAL ACTS SHOULD BE ALLOWED FOR MEN OF 21 AND OVER TO BE ILLOGICAL WHEN 18 WAS CONSIDERED TO BE OLD ENOUGH FOR ALMOST EVERYTHING ELSE.
/21 .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
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MOTION ON RADIATION REGULATIONS PASSED
*****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A MOTION APPROVING THE RADIATION (CONTROL OF IRRADIATING APPARATUS) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1990 AND THE RADIATION (CONTROL OF RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1990 MADE BY THE RADIATION BOARD ON JUNE 8 THIS YEAR.
MOVING THE MOTION, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, EXPLAINED THAT SECTION 13(1) OF THE RADIATION ORDINANCE EMPOWERED THE RADIATION BOARD TO MAKE REGULATIONS SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MANY OF THE AMENDMENTS TO THE REGULATIONS IN THE CURRENT EXERCISE WERE TECHNICAL IN NATURE, SHE SAID.
FOLLOWING THE RECENT INCREASE IN THE LEVEL OF FINES FOR OFFENCES UNDER THE RADIATION ORDINANCE APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL, MRS WONG SAID, THE TWO SETS OF AMENDMENT REGULATIONS SOUGHT TO INTRODUCE A THREE-FOLD INCREASE IN THE LEVEL OF FINES FOR VARIOUS OFFENCES UNDER THE REGULATIONS.
"THESE FINES HAVE NOT BEEN REVISED SINCE THE REGULATIONS CAME INTO FORCE IN 1965 BECAUSE THE NUMBER OF OFFENCES PROSECUTED WAS VERY SMALL.
"HOWEVER, WE CONSIDER IT NECESSARY TO INCREASE THE FINES IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THEIR DETERRENT EFFECT," SHE SAID.
MRS WONG SAID THAT UNDER THE RADIATION (CONTROL OF IRRADIATING APPARATUS) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1990, REGULATION 2 SOUGHT TO UPDATE THE EXISTING TERMINOLOGY AND DEFINITIONS WHICH WERE CONSIDERED OUTMODED.
"THESE INCLUDE CHANGING THE TERM ’DENTAL X-RAY MACHINE’ TO ’DENTAL IRRADIATING APPARATUS’ AND THE REFERENCE OF ’MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE DOSE’ TO ’DOSE-EQUIVALENT LIMIT’, INTRODUCING THE TERMS ’DIAGNOSTIC IRRADIATING APPARATUS’ AND ’THERAPEUTIC IRRADIATING APPARATUS’ AND DEFINING THESE NEW TERMS IN ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED STANDARDS," SHE SAID.
IN ADDITION, REGULATION 7 AMENDED REGULATION 17 TO EXTEND THE OFFENCES OF LICENSEES IN RELATION TO THE IMPROPER USE OF PROTECTIVE MATERIALS AND SAFETY PRACTICES TN CASE OF IRRADIATING APPARATUS TO ALL PERSONS SO AS TO ENSURE THAT THESE PROVISIONS COULD BE ENFORCED TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY PROTECTION FROM RADIATION HAZARDS IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER A LICENCE WAS IN FORCE.
"IN PRACTICE, THE RADIATION BOARD HAS AT TIMES FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO IDENTIFY THE LICENSEE IN ENFORCING THIS REGULATION WHEN A LICENCE IS EITHER NOT RENEWED OR IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING APPLIED FOR," SHE SAID.
/MRS WONG ......
WEDNESDAY, JULY JI, 1990
22
MRS WONG SAID REGULATION 8 UPDATED AND SPELT OUT EXPLICITLY FILTRATION REQUIREMENTS FOR DENTAL AND DIAGNOSTIC IRRADIATING APPARATUS AND LIMITS ON RADIATION LEAKAGE RATES FROM THE PROTECTIVE HOUSING OF X-RAY TUBES.
"THESE SPECIFICATIONS ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED STANDARDS,” SHE SAID.
REGULATION 8 ALSO SOUGHT TO REPEAL REGULATION 20 WHICH WAS INCONSISTENT WITH PROVISIONS IN THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE.
"REGULATION 20 WAS ENACTED IN 1970 WITH AN INTENTION TO PROHIBIT THE MANUFACTURE, SALE OR POSSESSION OF ANY TELEVISION SET WHICH EMITS IONIZING RADIATION AT A RATE EXCEEDING 130 NANOCOULOMBS PER KILOGRAM PER HOUR OR THE EQUIVALENT OF FIVE MICROSIEVERTS PER HOUR.
"HOWEVER, SECTIONS 2 AND 7 IN THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE WHEN TAKEN TOGETHER WILL IMPLY THAT ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO MANUFACTURE, SELL OR POSSESS SUCH TELEVISION SETS MAY APPLY TO THE RADIATION BOARD FOR A LICENCE.
"THE BOARD IS OF THE VIEW THAT SUCH INCONSISTENCIES SHOULD BE REMOVED AND IN THE LIGHT OF SUFFICIENT CONTROLS OVER SUCH EQUIPMENTS IN THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE, REGULATION 20 SHOULD BE REPEALED," MRS WONG EXPLAINED.
FURTHERMORE, UNDER THE RADIATION (CONTROL OF RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1990, AMENDMENTS WERE INTRODUCED TO REPEAL AN OUTDATED DEFINITION OF "VESSEL" AND TO SUBSTITUTE THE TERM "MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE DOSE" BY THE NEW TERM "DOSE-EQUIVALENT LIMIT" AS PROPOSED IN THE RADIATION (CONTROL OF IRRADIATING APPARATUS) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS.
THE REGULATIONS ALSO SOUGHT TO REPEAL REGULATION 7(6) WHICH CURRENTLY PROHIBITED THE CARRYING OF PASSENGERS IN VEHICLES OR VESSELS WHICH WERE AT THE SAME TIME CONVEYING RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES AND REQUIRED THAT SUCH SUBSTANCES BE PLACED IN A SEPARATE COMPARTMENT FROM THE CREW.
"■THESE PROVISIONS ARE CONSIDERED TO BE UNREALISTIC WHEN THE RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES CONVEYED AT ANY ONE TIME ARE IN SMALL QUANTITIES AND OF VERY LOW RADIOACTIVITY.
"INSTEAD, THE BOARD FEELS THAT THE EXISTING PERMIT ARRANGEMENTS UNDER REGULATION 7(1) WILL PROVIDE THE BASIS FOR MORE RATIONAL CONTROLS OVER THE CONVEYANCE OF RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES ON VEHICLES OR VESSELS," MRS WONG SAID.
ACCORDINGLY, MRS WONG SAID, THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENT THAT RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES SHOULD NOT BE CARRIED IN THE SAME VESSEL WITH OTHER DANGEROUS GOODS UNDER REGULATION 7(7) WAS ALSO REMOVED.
"APPROPRIATE CONDITIONS ON THE CONVEYANCE OF RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES ON VEHICLES OR VESSELS WILL, HOWEVER, BE IMPOSED BY THE BOARD IN THE ISSUE OF THE PERMIT,” SHE ADDED.
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/23 .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
23
VIEWS OF SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY SHOULD PREVAIL IN JSC
*******
THE ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERS THAT A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY ON THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION (JSC) SHOULD BE ABLE TO PREVAIL OVER THE VIEWS OF A MINORITY AND TENDER ADVICE ACCORDINGLY, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
WINDING UP THE SECOND READING DEBATE ON THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989, SIR'DAVID EXPLAINED THAT THE BILL WAS A REVISED VERSION OF A BILL FIRST INTRODUCED IN JUNE 1988.
IT ALREADY MODIFIED THE EARLIER BILL AS A RESULT OF VIEWS EXCHANGED WITH THE LEGAL PROFESSION AT THE SUGGESTION OF THE AD HOC GROUP ON THE FIRST BILL, HE SAID.
’’FURTHER DISCUSSIONS WITH THE AD HOC GROUP ON THE PRESENT BILL, AND THROUGH THE AD HOC GROUP WITH THE LEGAL PROFESSION, HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT SINCE THIS BILL WAS INTRODUCED,’’ SIR DAVID ADDED.
HE SAID THE MAIN OUTSTANDING ISSUES CONCERNED THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS REQUIRED TO FORM A QUORUM; THE MECHANISM WHEREBY THE GOVERNOR SHOULD CONSULT THE PROFESSION REGARDING THE APPOINTMENT OF BARRISTER AND SOLICITOR MEMBERS OF THE JSC; AND THE NUMBER OF DISSENTING VOTES TO BE ALLOWED IN MAKING THE RECOMMENDATION.
"THE ADMINISTRATION IS PREPARED TO ACCEPT AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL IN RESPECT OF THE FIRST TWO MATTERS,” SIR DAVID SAID.
AS TO THE NUMBER OF DISSENTING VOTES TO BE ALLOWED, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID MENTION HAD BEEN MADE OF THE FACT THAT RESOLUTIONS OF THE COMMISSION MUST AT PRESENT BE UNANIMOUS.
’’THIS ARRANGEMENT CAN GIVE RISE TO A SITUATION IN WHICH A SINGLE MEMBER COULD VETO A DECISION OF THE REMAINDER.
"THAT IS NOT A SATISFACTORY SITUATION, AND THE UNANIMITY RULE IS FELT-TO BE UNWORKABLE IN REALLY DIFFICULT CASES.
"IT IS OUR VIEW THAT A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY ON THE COMMISSION SHOULD BE ABLE TO PREVAIL OVER THE VIEWS OF A MINORITY AND TENDER ADVICE ACCORDINGLY," SIR DAVID EXPLAINED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IF, THEN, THE PRINCIPLE OF MAJORITY VOTING WAS ACCEPTED, THE ONLY QUESTION THAT REMAINED WAS THE SIZE OF THE MAJORITY.
THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALWAYS ACCEPTED THAT THERE SHOULD BE A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY AND ITS ORIGINAL PROPOSAL, CONTAINED IN THE BILL INTRODUCED IN 1988, HAD BEEN FOR A TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY.
/"THE LEGAL .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
- 24 -
"THE LEGAL PROFESSION HAVE ARGUED THAT IF THE PRESENT REQUIREMENT FOR UNANIMITY IS TO BE MODIFIED, IT SHOULD BE MODIFIED ONLY TO THE EXTENT OF ALLOWING RESOLUTIONS TO BE PASSED WITH NOT MORE THAN ONE DISSENTING VOTE.
"THAT SIMPLY DOES NOT GO FAR ENOUGH TOWARDS THE OBJECT OF MOVING AWAY FROM THE PRESENT REQUIREMENT FOR UNANIMITY.
"INDEED, GIVEN THAT THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION IS TO BE EXPANDED FROM SIX MEMBERS TO NINE MEMBERS, IT IS HARDLY ANY IMPROVEMENT ON THE PRESENT SITUATION," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE BILL WOULD ENABLE THE COMMISSION TO TENDER ADVICE PROVIDED THAT THERE WERE NO MORE THAN TWO DISSENTING VOTES AND THUS, IF ALL NINE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION WERE PRESENT, SEVEN WOULD HAVE TO AGREE BEFORE A RESOLUTION COULD BE EFFECTIVE.
THIS LIMITED MOVE AWAY FROM UNANIMOUS VOTING TOWARDS SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY VOTING WAS SOMETHING WHICH WAS NEEDED NOW AND IT WOULD BE EVEN MORE NECESSARY IN THE FUTURE, HE SAID.
AT PRESENT THE COMMISSION ADVISED THE GOVERNOR, WHO WAS NOT BOUND IN LAW TO ACCEPT ITS ADVICE.
"IN FUTURE THE GOVERNOR, OR AFTER 1997 THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE, WILL BE BOUND TO ACCEPT THE COMMISSION’S ADVICE.
"THAT IS BECAUSE THE JOINT DECLARATION PROVIDES THAT 'JUDGES OF THE HKSAR COURTS SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE HKSAR ACTING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF AN INDEPENDENT COMMISSION COMPOSED OF LOCAL JUDGES, PERSONS FROM THE LEGAL PROFESSION AND OTHER EMINENT PERSONS’,"SIR DAVID SAID.
THAT PROVISION WAS NOW REFLECTED IN THE BASIC LAW, HE ADDED.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT SITUATION COULD ARISE IF THE COMMISSION WERE UNABLE TO PASS EFFECTIVE RESOLUTIONS.
TO ADOPT THE "8 OUT OF 9" VOTING FORMULA INSTEAD OF THE FORMULA PROPOSED IN THE BILL WOULD INCREASE THE CHANCES OF THAT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT SITUATION ARISING, HE REMARKED.
"IT IS OUR JUDGEMENT THAT THE FORMULA PROPOSED IN THE BILL MEETS OUR TWIN OBJECTIVES OF MOVING AWAY FROM THE UNANIMITY RULE, WHILST RETAINING THE REQUIREMENT OF A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY," SIR DAVID SAID.
LATER, IN THE BILL’S COMMITTEE STAGE, SIR DAVID OPPOSED AN AMENDMENT MOTION MOVED BY THE HON RONALD ARCULLI, SAYING THAT THE FURTHER AMENDMENTS TO CLAUSES 2(D) AND 2(E) MOVED BY MR ARCULLI, IF ACCEPTED, WOULD MEAN THAT RESOLUTIONS OF THE COMMISSION COULD ONLY BE PASSED IF THERE WERE NOT MORE THAN ONE DISSENTING VOTE.
SIR DAVID SAID THE ADMINISTRATION HAD MOVED AWAY FROM ITS ORIGINAL POSITION IN THE BILL OF A TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY TO ITS PRESENT POSITION. "IT’S NOT TO SUGGEST THAT WE’VE HAD NO FLEXIBILITY," HE SAID.
/THE ADMINISTRATION .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
- 25 -
THE ADMINISTRATION BELIEVED THAT IF THERE WAS ONE DISSENTING VOTE, THAT WOULD PUT A POWER OF VETO TOO STRONGLY IN THE HANDS OF VERY LIMITED NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION AND DID NOT GO FAR ENOUGH TOWARDS THE OBJECT OF MOVING AWAY FROM THE PRESENT REQUIREMENT FOR UNANIMITY.
"I EXPLAINED IN MY REPLY TO THE DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING WHY WE CONSIDERED IT ESSENTIAL TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE UNANIMITY RULE, WHILST RETAINING THE REQUIREMENT OF A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY.
"THE FORMULA PROPOSED IN THE BILL MEETS THOSE OBJECTIVES. THE AMENDMENT DOES NOT," SIR DAVID SAID.
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BILL TO EXPAND JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION’S MEMBERSHIP
**«**♦.
THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 SEEKS TO EXPAND THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION (JSC), TO PROVIDE FOR AN INCREASE IN THE QUORUM AND TO PROVIDE THAT RESOLUTIONS SHOULD BE PASSED WITH NO MORE THAN TWO DISSENTING VOTES, THE HON RONALD ARCULLI SAID IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN HIS CAPACITY AS CONVENER OF THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP TO STUDY THE BILL, MR ARCULLI SAID THE ISSUES THAT RAISED CONCERN AMONG THE LEGAL PROFESSION AND HIS AD HOC GROUP WERE THE ADVICE OF THE JSC; THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S MEMBERSHIP ON THE COMMISSION; QUORUM; THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION AS WELL AS THE NUMBER OF DISSENTING VOTES PERMISSIBLE.
MR ARCULLI SAID THE AD HOC GROUP, AFTER THOROUGH DELIBERATIONS, SATISFACTORILY RESOLVED THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE LEGAL PROFESSION WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE NUMBER OF DISSENTING VOTES PERMISSIBLE IN THE MAKING OF RESOLUTION.
HE NOTED THAT AS THE BILL WAS DRAFTED AT PRESENT, A RESOLUTION MIGHT BE CARRIED EVEN IF THERE WERE TWO DISSENTING VOICES, BUT IN THE EXISTING ORDINANCE A RESOLUTION WAS CARRIED ONLY IF IT WAS PASSED BY ALL MEMBERS PRESENT.
"IT WILL BE MOVING TOO QUICKLY FROM THE EXISTING RULE OF UNANIMITY IF TWO DISSENTING VOTES ARE ALLOWED.
"MOREOVER, THERE SEEMS TO BE NO EVIDENCE TO SUBSTANTIATE ANY CONCERN BY THE JUDICIARY THAT THE LEGAL PROFESSION HAS IN ANY WAY ABUSED THE EXISTING RIGHT OF VETO," HE SAID.
HE SAID HE HIMSELF WAS PARTICULARLY CONCERNED THAT IF A CANDIDATE DID NOT RECEIVE THE SUPPORT OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION OR THE CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, HE OR SHE WOULD NEVERTHELESS BE APPOINTED.
/"PERSONALLY I .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
26
"PERSONALLY I AM IN FAVOUR OF THE AD HOC GROUP’S RECOMMENDATION THAT ONLY ONE DISSENTING VOTE SHOULD BE PERMISSIBLE." HE ADDED.
HAVING SAID THAT, MR ARCULLI SAID THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PRESENT BILL DID NOT MERELY LIE IN THE FACT THAT THE JSC ADVISED THE GOVERNOR IN THE APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES BEFORE 1997, IT WOULD ALSO FORM THE BASIS OF AN INDEPENDENT COMMISSION IN THE FUTURE SAR WHICH WOULD BY THEN ASSUME AN EXECUTIVE ROLE.
WITH THIS IN MIND, HE HOPED THE CHANGES PROPOSED TODAY WOULD HELP UNDERLINE AND ENHANCE THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE PRESENT AS WELL AS THE FUTURE JUDICIAL SYSTEM.
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BETTER BUILDING CONTROL IN NORTHWESTERN NT ♦ ****•
THE BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, I ENACTED, WILL PROVIDE BETTER CONTROL OVER THE GEOTECHNICAL ASPECTS OF BUILDING WORKS IN THE KARST MARBLE AREA OF THE NORTHWESTERN NEW TERRITORIES, THE HON CHENG HON-KWAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS TAKING THE RIGHT STEP TO EMPOWER THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TO TIGHTEN GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OVER BUILDING WORKS IN THE NORTHWESTERN NEW TERRITORIES IN VIEW OF THE HIGHLY COMPLEX GEOLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN SOME AREAS OF THE REGION.
MR CHENG SAID HE AGREED THAT TO ENSURE SAFE DEVELOPMENT OF A SITE IN SUCH A GEOLOGICALLY COMPLEX AREA, A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF THE GEOLOGICAL FEATURES UNDERLYING THE SITE WAS ESSENTIAL.
"IT IS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO REQUIRE SUBMISSION OF GROUND INVESTIGATION PLANS FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE BUILDING AUTHORITY PRIOR TO COMMENCEMENT OF GROUND INVESTIGATION WORKS," HE SAID.
AS THIS WOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT AND WOULD TAKE EXTRA TIME FOR APPROVAL, MR CHENG SUGGESTED THE BUILDING AUTHORITY ADOPT A SENSIBLE APPROACH TO AVOID UNNECESSARY DELAY IN THE PROCESSING OF THE GROUND INVESTIGATION PLANS.
"AFTER ALL, THE FINAL INVESTIGATION RESULTS WILL BE GIVEN IN THE GEOTECHNICAL REPORT WHICH WILL ACCOMPANY THE SUBMISSION OF THE FOUNDATION PLAN AT A LATER STAGE," HE SAID.
MR CHENG NOTED THAT THE BILL ALSO SOUGHT TO EMPOWER THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE THE SUBMISSION OF PERFORMANCE REVIEWS OF FOUNDATION WORKS.
HE SAID THERE WAS A NEED TO CONTINUE THE PERFORMANCE REVIEWS FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD UNTIL AT LEAST THE SUPERSTRUCTURE WAS COMPLETED WITH A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF LOADS ALREADY IMPOSED ONTO THE FOUNDATION.
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/27......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
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HANG LUNG BANK (ACQUISITION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 INTRODUCED ***♦♦♦*
THE HANG LUNG BANK (ACQUISITION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE PURPOSE OF WHICH IS TO AMEND THE HANG LUNG BANK (ACQUISITION) ORDINANCE SO THAT THE BANK, WHICH HAS BEEN SOLD BY GOVERNMENT, CAN BE PUT BACK ON THE SAME FOOTING AS OTHER BANKS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID THE BILL SOUGHT TO REPEAL A NUMBER OF PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF THE BANK BY GOVERNMENT BECAUSE THEY WERE NO LONGER APPROPRIATE.
ON THE OTHER HAND, IT WAS NECESSARY TO LEAVE SOME EXISTING PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE INTACT, HE SAID.
”OF THESE SECTIONS 6(3) TO ’ (5) PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS TO BE DISCLAIMED BY THE BANK IF SO DIRECTED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
”IT IS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST THAT SUCH A RIGHT BE PRESERVED BECAUSE GOVERNMENT HAS GIVEN THE PURCHASER OF THE BANK CERTAIN INDEMNITIES AND WARRANTIES IN RESPECT OF LIABILITIES INCURRED BY THE BANK BEFORE ITS ACQUISITION BY GOVERNMENT,” SIR PIERS SAID.
SIR PIERS ADDED THAT SINCE THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY THAT SOME RIGHTS TO COMPENSATION CONFERRED BY SECTIONS 8(2) AND (3) OF THE ORDINANCE WOULD NOT BE TIME-BARRED, THE BILL ALSO LEFT THESE PROVISIONS INTACT, TOGETHER WITH PARTS OF SECTION 9, WHICH ALLOWED REGULATIONS RELATING TO SUCH COMPENSATION TO BE MADE.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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MORE EFFECTIVE SENTENCING ALTERNATIVES AVAILABLE ♦ ♦ ♦ * * ♦
THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVES THAT THERE ARE MORE EFFECTIVE SENTENCING ALTERNATIVES THAN CORPORAL PUNISHMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT (REPEAL) BILL 1990, MR ASPREY SAID THE BILL SOUGHT TO REPEAL THE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT ORDINANCE WHICH GAVE THE COURTS THE POWER TO AWARD SENTENCES OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.
HE EMPHASISED THAT THE PROPOSAL TO REPEAL THE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT ORDINANCE DID NOT REPRESENT A RELAXATION OF THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME.
/ALTHOUGH AT .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
- 28 -
ALTHOUGH AT PRESENT JUDICIAL CORPORAL PUNISHMENT MIGHT BE IMPOSED FOR A WIDE RANGE OF OFFENCES, IN PRACTICE THE COURTS HAD USED IT VERY SPARINGLY, HE SAID.
"IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, CORPORAL PUNISHMENT HAS BEEN AWARDED BY THE COURTS ON ONLY 23 OCCASIONS, AND ON NO OCCASION SO FAR IN 1990,” MR ASPREY SAID.
"I BELIEVE THAT THE COURTS CONSIDER THAT CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IS UNNECESSARY AND OUTDATED, AND THAT THERE ARE OTHER SENTENCING OPTIONS AVAILABLE WHICH BETTER ACHIEVE THE PENAL OBJECTIVES OF PUNISHMENT, DETERRENCE AND REHABILITA ION.
"THAT ALSO IS THE VIEW OF THE ADMINISTRATION FOLLOWING A REVIEW OF THE ADEQUACY OF ALTERNATIVE SENTENCES AND PUNISHMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE COURTS TO DEAL WITH OFFENDERS, AND IN THE LIGHT OF THE RESULTS OF A PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY WHICH WE COMMISSIONED FROM A PRIVATE MARKET RESEARCH COMPANY," HE SAID.
"ALTHOUGH MANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SUPPORT THE RETENTION OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT, MOST ALSO CONSIDER THAT I IS LESS EFFECTIVE AS A PUNISHMENT THAN IMPRISONMENT OR OTHER FORMS OF PUNISHMENT," HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
----0------
POLICY ON DETENTION OF YOUNG CHILDREN REVIEWED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY IS NOT TO DETAIN YOUNG CHILDREN IN PRISON UNLESS THERE IS NO PRACTICAL ALTERNATIVE, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ELSIE TU, MR ASPREY SAID THE DETAILED IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS POLICY HAD BEEN REVIEWED FOLLOWING RECENT COURT CASES.
"WE DO NOT NORMALLY DETAIN YOUNG CHILDREN NOR THEIR MOTHERS WHEN THE LATTER SURRENDER THEMSELVES AS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
"BUT IN FUTURE WE WILL ENSURE THAT WE WILL NOT DETAIN CHILDREN WHERE RECOGNIZANCE IS PROVIDED, WHERE THE FATHER OR A CLOSE RELATIVE IS WILLING AND CAPABLE OF LOOKING AFTER THE CHILD, AND WHERE THE MOTHER HAS GIVEN HER CONSENT," MR ASPREY SAID.
"ONLY WHERE THE ABOVE CONDITIONS CANNOT BE MET, OR WHERE THERE ARE STRONG REASONS TO BELIEVE THE CHILD WILL BE ASSISTED TO ABSCOND, OR WHERE AN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CHILD IS LIKELY TO BE REMOVED FROM HONG KONG WITHIN A FEW DAYS WILL A CHILD BE DETAINED," HE STRESSED.
/"OUR OBJECTIVE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
- 29 -
"OUR OBJECTIVE IS TO DETAIN AS FEW CHILDREN AS POSSIBLE.
"BUT IN PRACTICE, MANY MOTHERS WISH TO KEEP THEIR YOUNG CHILDREN WITH THEM, PARTICULARLY IN THE CASE OF VERY YOUNG INFANTS," MR ASPREY ADDED.
HE NOTED THAT MOTHERS WHO HAD BEEN ARRESTED AS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WERE ANOTHER MATTER.
"THEY ARE NOT INNOCENT PARTIES. THEY HAVE DELIBERATELY BROKEN THE LAW, EVADED OUR IMMIGRATION CONTROLS AND MAY HAVE LIVED ILLEGALLY IN HONG KONG FOR A SUBSTANTIAL PERIOD OF TIME, SOMETIMES MANY YEARS.
"IF RELEASED, THEY MAY WELL SEEK TO GO INTO HIDING AGAIN. THEY WILL THEREFORE USUALLY BE DETAINED PENDING REPATRIATION," HE EXPLAINED.
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11 SETS OF REGULATIONS GOVERN PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT *******
THERE ARE AT PRESENT 11 SETS OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH REGULATIONS THAT SPECIFY THE PROVISION AND USE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON K.Y. YEUNG, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG, MR YEUNG SAID THESE REGULATIONS COVERED ALL AREAS OF WORK WHERE THE INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES INVOLVED REQUIRED THE USE OF SUITABLE PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.
"TO THIS EXTENT IT CANNOT BE SAID THAT THE RANGE OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY LEGISLATION IS INADEQUATE," HE SAID.
ON MR TAM’S QUESTION ABOUT THE GUIDELINES FOR THE EQUIPMENT'S SAFETY STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS, MR YEUNG SAID HONG KONG FOLLOWED THE UNITED KINGDOM APPROACH IN THAT WHILE SAFETY LEGISLATION LAID DOWN BROAD PRINCIPLES, THERE WERE CODES OF PRACTICE WHICH OUTLINED THE SAFE PROCEDURES, EQUIPMENT STANDARDS AND THE RANGE OF ACCEPTABLE VARIATIONS.
IN THE AREA OF PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, 19 CODES OF PRACTICE HAD ALREADY BEEN INTRODUCED AND MORE WERE BEING DEVELOPED, HE SAID.
ELABORATING ON THE ADEQUACY OF THE PROTECTION, MR YEUNG SAID FIVE OF THE 11 SETS OF REGULATIONS, WHICH DEALT WITH HIGH RISK OPERATIONS, REQUIRED THE PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT EITHER TO BE APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR OR TO MEET THE SPECIFICATIONS LAID DOWN IN THE REGULATIONS OR CODES OF PRACTICE.
"THE REMAINING SIX SETS OF REGULATIONS SPECIFY THAT THE PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE SUITABLE TO THE WORK OR ACTIVITY INVOLVED," HE ADDED.
/"HOWEVER, HE.........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
- 30 -
HOWEVER, HE EXPLAINED THAT THE USE OF INADEQUATE OR INEFFECTIVE PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT OF ITSELF WAS NOT A CAUSE OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS.
’’SERIOUS ACCIDENTS ARE CAUSED MAINLY BY FALLING OBJECTS, THE FALL OF PERSONS AND MACHINERY,” HE SAID.
’’OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS NOT REGISTERED ANY INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT THAT INVOLVED PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT THAT IS DEFECTIVE.
’’RECENTLY, HOWEVER, CONCERN HAS BEEN EXPRESSED ABOUT THE ABILITY OF SOME LOCALLY MADE SAFETY HELMETS TO WITHSTAND THE IMPACT OF FALLING OBJECTS,” MR YEUNG NOTED.
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WAS INVESTIGATING THESE REPORTS, INCLUDING THE VALIDITY OF THE TESTS INVOLVED, AND WOULD CONSIDER WHETHER OR NOT IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO PRESCRIBE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR THE EQUIPMENT, HE SAID.
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CS EXPLAINS DIRECTORATE MANPOWER PROJECTIONS
*****
THERE IS NO SINGLE 10-YEAR PROJECTION OF MANPOWER NEEDS FOR THE ENTIRE DIRECTORATE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
’’BECAUSE OF DIFFERENT CHARACTERISTICS OF DIFFERENT CIVIL SERVICE GRADES, THE MANPOWER NEEDS ARE DONE ON A GRADE BY GRADE BASIS, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE AGE DISTRIBUTION OF SERVING OFFICERS, WASTAGE RATES, GROWTH TRENDS AND VACANCY POSITION,” HE SAID.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PAUL CHENG, SIR DAVID SAID SOME GRADES DID A LONGER RANGE PROJECTION WHILE SOME PROJECTED FOR THE SHORT TO MEDIUM TERM ONLY.
ON THE SUBJECT OF GOVERNMENT’S OVERSEAS RECRUITMENT EFFORTS, SIR DAVID EXPLAINED WHILST THE MAJORITY OF POSITIONS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE WOULD CONTINUE TO BE FILLED BY LOCAL TALENT, THOSE WITH INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE COULD PLAY A VERY USEFUL ROLE IN SERVING HONG KONG, IN VIEW OF OUR OPEN ECONOMY AND THE COSOMPOLITAN CHARACTER OF OUR COMMUNITY.
HE SAID THAT WITHIN THE BROAD FRAMEWORK OF THE LOCALISATION POLICY, IT WAS USEFUL TO HAVE THE BENEFIT OF HONG KONG PEOPLE WHO HAD STUDIED OR WORKED OVERSEAS.
/REGARDING THE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
- 31 -
REGARDING THE TRACK RECORD ON OVERSEAS RECRUITMENT, SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALWAYS RECRUITED FROM OVERSEAS WHEN SUITABLE LOCAL CANDIDATES WERE NOT AVAILABLE OR WERE AVAILABLE IN INSUFFICIENT NUMBERS.
A
THE MAJORITY OF THOSE APPOINTEES WERE POLICE INSPECTORS, SURVEYORS, ENGINEERS, ARCHITECTS AND LAWYERS,
"IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, A TOTAL OF 507 OVERSEAS OFFICERS HAVE BEEN RECRUITED," HE SAID,
SIR DAVID SAID SINCE 1988, THE ADMINISTRATIVE GRADE HAD MOUNTED OVERSEAS RECRUITMENT EXERCISES TARGETTED AT FORMER HONG KONG RESIDENTS AND HONG KONG STUDENTS OVERSEAS.
"IN 1988-89, THREE CANDIDATES FROM THE UK AND THREE FROM USA WERE RECRUITED, OUT OF A TOTAL OF 25 APPOINTEES.
"IN THE EXERCISE THAT HAS JUST BEEN COMPLETED IN 1989-90, APPOINTMENT IS BEING OFFERED TO FOUR CANDIDATES IN THE UK, FIVE IN -THE USA AND TWO IN CANADA, OUT OF A TOTAL OF 37 CANDIDATES TO BE OFFERED APPOINTMENT," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID NOTED IN ADDITION TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE GRADE, THE SOCIAL WORK GRADE HAD ALSO ATTEMPTED A SMALL SCALE EXERCISE TO RECRUIT FROM CANADA IN 1989.
SO FAR NO SUITABLE CANDIDATE HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED FOR APPOINTMENT IN THAT EXERCISE AND A SECOND ATTEMPT WOULD BE MADE THIS YEAR.
ON HOW THE DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES FOR RECRUITMENT IN DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS WAS DETERMINED, SIR DAVID EXPLAINED THE DISTRIBUTION WAS DETERMINED ON A NEED BASIS.
"CLEARLY WE SHALL PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO CANADA AND AUSTRALIA WHERE WE KNOW THERE IS A GROWING POOL OF FORMER HONG KONG RESIDENTS WHO MAY WISH TO RETURN TO HONG KONG TO WORK AFTER ACQUIRING THE RIGHT OF ABODE THERE," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT RECRUITMENT IN THE UK WAS CONDUCTED THROUGH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN LONDON WHERE A SMALL DEDICATED TEAM OF STAFF WAS STATIONED TO HANDLE ALL RECRUITMENT RELATED MATTERS FOR ALL CIVIL SERVICE GRADES.
IN NORTH AMERICA, THE ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICES IN SAN FRANCISCO AND WASHINGTON PROVIDED ASSISTANCE.
"IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND WHERE THERE IS NO HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE, EX-CIVIL SERVANTS ARE ENGAGED TO HELP IN CO-ORDINATION WORK, FOR EXAMPLE SORTING APPLICATIONS, CO-ORDINATING INTERVIEW SCHEDULES AND SETTING UP INTERVIEW FACILITIES.
"AFTER INITIAL SCREENING AND WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS, SELECTION INTERVIEWS WITH PROSPECTIVE APPOINTEES ARE USUALLY CONDUCTED BY SENIOR OFFICERS FROM HONG KONG, IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT CONSISTENT STANDARDS ARE APPLIED BOTH LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS," SIR DAVID SAID.
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LIMITS ON PESTICIDE RESIDUE IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE SET
#»****#♦
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY SET LIMITS ON PESTICIDE RESIDUES IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE HAVING REGARD TO RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE JOINT FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL ORGANISATION/WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (FAO/WHO) CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PEGGY LAM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
NOTING THAT MOST OF HONG KONG’S FRESH AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE CAME FROM OR THROUGH SHENZHEN, MRS WONG SAID FOLLOWING DISCUSSIONS WITH THE SHENZHEN IMPORT AND EXPORT INSPECTION COMMODITY BUREAU IN 1988, FARMERS IN CHINA HAD BEEN REQUIRED TO SUBMIT TO THE BUREAU WRITTEN PARTICULARS OF THE KINDS AND CONCENTRATIONS OF PESTICIDES APPLIED TO THEIR EXPORT VEGETABLE CROPS, THE DATES OF APPLICATION AND HARVESTING.
"THIS INFORMATION, SUPPLEMENTED BY RANDOM TESTS, ALLOWS THE BUREAU TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE VEGETABLES ARE SAFE FOR FOOD.
"IF SO, THE PRODUCE WILL BE CLEARED BY THEM FOR EXPORT AND TAGGED FOR IDENTIFICATION," SHE SAID.
MRS WONG ALSO POINTED OUT THAT STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH STATIONED AT BORDER CONTROL POINTS KEPT A CLOSE WATCH FOR UNTAGGED OR INADEQUATELY-TAGGED VEGETABLES TO PREVENT THEM FROM BEING CHANNELLED INTO THE LOCAL MARKET.
"SUCH PRODUCE IS DETAINED AND MAY, IF FOUND UNSUITABLE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION, BE DESTROYED."
INSPECTION OF IMPORTED PRODUCE FOR TAGGING WAS AUGMENTED BY SCREENING TESTS AND SAMPLING FOR LABORATORY ANALYSIS OF ANY PESTICIDE RESIDUES, BOTH AT BORDER CROSSING POINTS AND ALSO AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN VEGETABLE WHOLESALE MARKET.
"LOCALLY-PRODUCED VEGETABLES ARE SUBJECT TO SIMILAR ROUTINE SAMPLING AT VARIOUS STAGES OF THE DISTRIBUTION PROCESS," MRS WONG ADDED.
TOGETHER THESE MEASURES SHOULD PREVENT POISONING CAUSED BY THE CONSUMPTION OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE CONTAINING EXCESS PESTICIDE RESIDUE, MRS WONG STRESSED.
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CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS ON CONTROL OF CFC’S
*****
CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS IS BEING MADE IN IMPLEMENTING THE OBLIGATIONS IMPOSED BY THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL IN THE CONTROL OF THE USE OF CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS (CFC'S).
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, STATED THIS IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PETER WONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERN IENT BANNED LOCAL MANUFACTURE OF CFC’S AND HALONS FROM JULY 1, 1989.
FROM THE SAME DATE, THE GOVERNMENT ALSO FROZE THE IMPORT OF CFC’S AT 1986 LEVELS, SETTING UP A SCHEME TO REGISTER IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS OF THESE SUBSTANCES, ALLOCATING A MAXIMUM IMPORT QUOTA TO THEM, AND LICENSING EACH IMPORT AND EXPORT SHIPMENT.
THE GOVERNMENT WAS COMMITTED TO REDUCING USE TO 80 PER CENT OF THE 1986 LEVELS BY 1993, AND TO 50 PER CENT BY 1998 AND DID NOT ANTICIPATE PROBLEMS IN ACHIEVING THESE TARGETS, HE SAID.
FROM JANUARY 1, 1990, THE GOVERNMENT BANNED THE IMPORT OF REGULATED CFC’S AND HALONS FROM COUNTRIES WHICH HAD NOT RATIFIED THE ’ MONTREAL PROTOCOL.
MR BARNES SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS CURRENTLY DRAFTING LEGISLATION WHICH WOULD BAN THE MANUFACTURE AND IMPORT OF NON-ESSENTIAL AEROSOL PRODUCTS CONTAINING CFC’S AND HALONS.
THE GOVERNMENT WAS THEREFORE MORE THAN MEETING THE INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS, AND WOULD KEEP THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION ORDINANCE UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW, SO AS TO FALL IN LINE WITH ANY NEW INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS THAT THE TERRITORY WAS REQUIRED TO MEET, AND TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE AVAILABILITY OF ANY NEW CFC SUBSTITUTES, HE SAID.
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GOVT CONSIDERING SETTING UP FILM ARCHIVES ******
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING SETTING UP A FILM ARCHIVES, WITH ACQUISITION, PRESERVATION, DOCUMENTATION AND EDUCATION BEING ITS FOUR BASIC FUNCTIONS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ELSIE TU, MR TSAO SAID PRELIMINARY ESTIMATES INDICATED THAT THE CAPITAL COST OF SETTING UP OF A FILM ARCHIVES COULD BE IN THE REGION OF $8 MILLION AND THE RECURRENT COSTS AROUND $4 MILLION A YEAR.
/"THESE ESTIMATES
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
34
"THESE ESTIMATES DO NOT INCLUDE THE EXPENSES FOR ACQUISITION AND RESTORATION OF FILMS NOR RENTAL CHARGES FOR OFFICE AND STORAGE FACILITIES.
"BESIDES THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS, THE CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE ARCHIVES AND THE PRODUCERS AND DISTRIBUTORS OF THE FILMS, INCLUDING COPYRIGHTS, WOULD NEED TO BE EXAMINED IN DETAIL."
IN THIS CONNECTION, MR TSAO SAID, A SURVEY OF FILM COMPANIES HAD RECENTLY BEEN CONDUCTED AND THE RESULTS WERE BEING ANALYSED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF A CONSULTANCY COMMISSIONED IN 1989.
"IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE RESULTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN TWO TO THREE MONTHS. THIS WILL PAVE THE WAY FOR A DECISION ON WHETHER OR NOT A FILM ARCHIVES SHOULD EVENTUALLY BE SET UP," HE ADDED.
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REVIEW OF POLICY ON VISITORS FROM EASTERN EUROPE
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS RECENTLY REVIEWED ITS POLICY ON THE ENTRY OF VISITORS FROM EASTERN EUROPE AND THE SOVIET UNION, AND THE FOLLOWING CHANGES WILL BE INTRODUCED FROM JULY 16:
(A) VISITORS FROM THE GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC (EAST GERMANY) WILL BE TREATED IN THE SAME WAY AS VISITORS FROM THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (WEST GERMANY), THAT IS THEY WILL BE ABLE TO VISIT HONG KONG FOR UP TO 30 DAYS WITHOUT A VISA; AND
(B) VISAS FOR THE PURPOSE OF TOURISM AND SIGHTSEEING WILL BE AVAILABLE TO VISITORS FROM CZECHOSLOVAKIA, HUNGARY AND POLAND.
IN GIVING A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON MARTIN BARROW, MR ASPREY SAID THE POLICY ON VISITS FROM THE SOVIET UNION AND OTHER EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES (BULGARIA, ROMANIA, ALBANIA) WOULD REMAIN UNCHANGED FOR THE TIME BEING.
"VISAS WILL BE ISSUED ONLY TO BUSINESSMEN, SPORTSMEN AND ENTERTAINERS OF INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION, DELEGATES TO CONFERENCES, CONVENTIONS AND TRADE FAIRS, MERCHANT SEAMEN, AND A FEW OTHER MINOR CATEGORIES.
"BUSINESSMEN WILL NEED TO DEMONSTRATE ONLY THAT THE PURPOSE OF THEIR VISIT IS BUSINESS; SIMILARLY FOR DELEGATES TO CONFERENCES, CONVENTIONS AND TRADE FAIRS," HE SAID.
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35
NATURALISATION REQUIREMENT FOR UK NATIONALITY SCHEME PUBLICISED * * * * * * *
ANY NON-BRITISH SUBJECTS WHO WISH TO APPLY FOR BRITISH CITIZENSHIP UNDER THE UK NATIONALITY SCHEME SHOULD APPLY FOR NATURALISATION AS BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENS (HONG KONG) (BDTCS(HK)) BEFORE THE ENACTMENT OF THE BRITISH NATIONALITY (HONG KONG) BILL 1990, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ROSANNA TAM, SIR DAVID SAID: "THIS IS A PRE-REQUISITE UNDER THE BILL.”
"ANYONE WHO HAS LIVED IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS AND IS NOT SUBJECT TO LIMIT OF STAY CAN APPLY FOR NATURALISATION AS A BDTC, IRRESPECTIVE OF RACE OR NATIONALITY," HE SAID.
APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE MADE TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT.
"SPOUSES AND CHILDREN OF PROSPECTIVE APPLICANTS ARE HOWEVER NOT REQUIRED TO MEET THIS NATIONALITY REQUIREMENT," SIR DAVID SAID.
"IT IS EXPECTED THAT ROYAL ASSENT TO THE BILL WILL BE OBTAINED IN LATE JULY.
"ACCORDINGLY, ANYONE WHO DOES NOT FULFIL THE NATIONALITY REQUIREMENT BUT IS INTERESTED IN APPLYING UNDER THE SCHEME IS ADVISED TO APPLY FOR NATURALISATION IMMEDIATELY," THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT CONTINUOUS EFFORTS WERE BEING MADE TO INFORM THE PUBLIC THAT PROSPECTIVE APPLICANTS WHO WERE NON-BRITISH SUBJECTS SHOULD APPLY FOR NATURALISATION AS BDTCS BEFORE THE ENACTMENT OF THE BILL.
"THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICISED THIS WHEN THE BILL WAS PUBLISHED IN APRIL.
"THE DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION HAS STRESSED THIS IN MEDIA INTERVIEWS MANY TIMES OVER THE PAST THREE MONTHS," HE SAID.
THE PUBLIC WAS REMINDED OF THIS REQUIREMENT IN THE PRESS STATEMENT FOLLOWING THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL THROUGH ITS SECOND READING IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS ON JUNE 29.
A FURTHER REMINDER WAS GIVEN IN THE TELEVISION "ACCESS" PROGRAMME ON JULY 1, SIR DAVID SAID.
"THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO RECEIVE ROYAL ASSENT BEFORE THE END OF THIS MONTH AND FURTHER REMINDERS WILL BE ISSUED," HE ADDED.
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ICAC OPERATIONS DEPT HANDLED 2,423 CASES IN 1989 ♦ * ♦ * ♦
THE OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION INVESTIGATED 2,423 REPORTS ALLEGING CORRUPTION IN 1989, AN EIGHT PER CENT INCREASE ON 1988, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON CORRUPTION, DR THE HON DANIEL TSE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
TABLING THE ICAC ANNUAL REPORT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, DR TSE SAID THAT OF PARTICULAR SIGNIFICANCE WAS THAT 1,573 OF THESE REPORTS WERE CAPABLE OF INVESTIGATION -- THE HIGHEST NUMBER IN ONE YEAR SINCE THE COMMISSION WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1974.
ALTHOUGH ALLEGATIONS OF CORRUPTION INVOLVING THE PUBLIC SERVICES HAD DECREASED BY ONE PER CENT COMPARED WITH THOSE IN 1988, DR TSE SAID ALLEGATIONS IN RESPECT OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAD INCREASED BY 15 PER CENT TO 1,326, THE HIGHEST NUMBER RECORDED SINCE 1974.
HE SAID THAT AS A RESULT OF THE INCREASED NUMBER OF ALLEGATIONS CAPABLE OF INVESTIGATION, THE NUMBER OF PERSONS PROSECUTED AND CAUTIONED IN 1989 WAS 487, THE FOURTH HIGHEST SO FAR.
ACCORDING TO DR TSE, ONE CONSEQUENCE OF THE INCREASE IN ALLEGATIONS INVOLVING THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAD BEEN THAT THE CORRUPTION PREVENTION DEPARTMENT WAS RECEIVING AN INCREASING NUMBER OF REQUESTS FROM PRIVATE SECTOR ORGANISATIONS TO ADVISE ON MEASURES TO PREVENT CORRUPTION AND FRAUD.
’’DURING 1989, THE DEPARTMENT SO ASSISTED 176 ORGANISATIONS, THE HIGHEST NUMBER SINCE THE DEPARTMENT’S PRIVATE SECTOR ADVISORY SERVICE WAS ESTABLISHED,” HE SAID.
HE SAID THAT ANOTHER REASON FOR THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF ALLEGATIONS CAPABLE OF INVESTIGATION WAS THE PUBLICITY THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN GIVING THROUGH DIRECT CONTACTS WITH THE PUBLIC AND THROUGH THE MASS MEDIA.
DR TSE NOTED THAT IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING THE MESSAGE ACROSS TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR, THE ICAC HAD HAD CONSIDERABLE HELP FROM COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS.
HE SAID THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD ALSO FOCUSSED PARTICULAR ATTENTION ON GETTING THE ANT I-CORRUPTI ON MESSAGE ACROSS TO THE YOUNG, AND THE RESPONSE WAS GENERALLY FAVOURABLE.
/37........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
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LEGCO PASSES MOTION ON DECRIMINALISATION OF HOMOSEXUAL ACTS *******
f.
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A MOTION ON THE DECRIMINALISATION OF PRIVATE HOMOSEXUAL ACTS BY CONSENTING ADULT MALES.
THE MOTION, MOVED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, READ:
"THAT MEASURES BE PRESENTED TO THIS COUNCIL -
(A) TO REMOVE THE CRIMINAL PENALTIES RELATING TO HOMOSEXUAL ACTS COMMITTED IN PRIVATE BY CONSENTING MEN WHO HAVE REACHED THE AGE OF 21; AND
(B) TO EXTEND TO MEN AND BOYS, WHERE APPROPRIATE, THE
PROTECTION FROM SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AFFORDED BY THE
CRIMES ORDINANCE TO WOMEN AND GIRLS".
THE MOTION WAS PASSED BY VOICE VOTE AND, IN A DIVISION REQUESTED BY THE HON JAMES TIEN, THE VOTE WAS 31 FOR, 13 AGAINST, WITH SIX ABSTENTIONS.
TWENTY-THREE MEMBERS SPOKE IN THE DEBATE, WHICH WAS LED OFF AND WOUND UP BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE ALSO SPOKE FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, A MOTION MOVED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE UNDER THE RADIATION ORDINANCE WAS ALSO PASSED.
FOUR BILLS WERE PASSED. THESE WERE THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE LAWS (LOOSE-LEAF PUBLICATION) BILL 1990, THE BUILDING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 AND THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1990.
THE DATE OF THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION AMENDMENT BILL WAS CHANGED TO 1990, FROM 1989, AT THE THIRD READING STAGE.
IN ADDITION, THREE BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. THESE WERE THE HANG LUNG BANK (ACQUISITION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT (REPEAL) BILL 1990 AND A PRIVATE BILL, THE MORRISON SCHOLARSHIPS FUND BILL, WHICH WAS INTRODUCED BY THE HON SZETO WAH.
DEBATES ON THESE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
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38
CIVIL SERVANTS HAVE TO BE PREPARED FOR CHANGE
*****
CIVIL SERVANTS IN HONG KONG HAVE TO BE PREPARED FOR CHANGE, TO INITIATE CHANGE AND BE PART OF THE CHANGE, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR WIGGHAM SAID CIVIL SERVANTS, AS MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME ANXIETIES ABOUT THE FUTURE AS OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.
"THERE ARE HOWEVER SOME ASPECTS OF THE CHANGE OF SOVEREIGNTY WHICH AFFECT CIVIL SERVANTS MORE DIRECTLY," HE TOLD A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE LION’S CLUB OF VICTORIA.
MR WIGGHAM SAID CIVIL SERVANTS FOR INSTANCE WOULD HAVE TO ADJUST TO A NEW POLITICAL SYSTEM, GIVEN THE INEVITABLE CHANGES THAT WOULD RESULT FROM THE 1991 AND 1995 DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE' LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"SENIOR CIVIL SERVANTS - POLICY SECRETARIES - WILL CEASE TO BE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL; AND DIFFERENT METHODS WILL HAVE TO BE DEVELOPED FOR STEERING LEGISLATION, GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND EXPENDITURE ITEMS THROUGH," HE SAID.
MR WIGGHAM SAID THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CIVIL SERVANTS AND LOCAL LEADERS AND POLITICIANS WOULD ALSO CHANGE.
ALTHOUGH SOME OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF THESE PARTICULAR CHANGES WOULD BE FAR REACHING, CHANGE ITSELF WAS NOTHING NEW; EVEN THE CIVIL SERVICE HAD OVER THE YEARS NOT ESCAPED CHANGE-FREE.
"I HAVE PERSONALLY BEEN VERY MUCH INVOLVED IN SOME OF THOSE CHANGES, AND HAVE SEEN HOW SUCCESSFUL FELLOW BUREAUCRATS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ADJUST," HE SAID.
THERE WOULD BE CHANGES IN CIVIL SERVANTS’ RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA, MR WIGGHAM SAID.
MOST CIVIL SERVANTS DID NOT HAVE ANY FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE OF DEALING WITH THEIR EQUIVALENTS IN CHINA, HE NOTED.
"I CAN’T HELP FEELING THAT THE MORE WE CIVIL SERVANTS KNOW ABOUT AND UNDERSTAND THE WORKING OF THE CHINESE BUREAUCRACY - AND VICE VERSA - THE BETTER IT WILL BE FOR BOTH PARTIES," HE SAID.
"THERE IS ALREADY CONSIDERABLE CONTACT AND A STEADY STREAM OF OFFICIAL VISITORS: BUT THIS IS MAINLY AT WHAT ONE MIGHT CALL THE WORKING LEVEL, BETWEEN EXPERTS.
"WE NEED TO GIVE MORE THOUGHT TO ARRANGEMENTS SPECIFICALLY TO STUDY AND LEARN ABOUT EACH OTHER AT A DIFFERENT LEVEL: THIS CAN ONLY BE TO OUR MUTUAL BENEFIT.”
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
- 39 -
HE SAID MUTUAL TRUST BETWEEN CHINA AND HONG KONG WAS NEEDED FOR THE TERRITORY, UNDER ITS OWN SEPARATE SYSTEMS, TO BE ABLE TO ENJOY TO THE FULL THE PROMISED HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY.
"FOR HISTORICAL REASONS THIS IS NOT LIKELY TO HAPPEN OVERNIGHT: BOTH PARTIES NEED TO WORK AT IT."
MR WIGGHAM NOTED THAT SOMETIME AGO THE GOVERNMENT EMBARKED ON A PROGRAMME OF VISITS BY GROUPS OF SENIOR HONG KONG CIVIL SERVANTS TO THE MAINLAND; THERE WERE A NUMBER OF VISITS BY CHINESE OFFICIALS IN RETURN.
"WE SHOULD NOW CONSIDER WHETHER THE TIME IS RIGHT TO RESUME SUCH A PROGRAMME, TAKING CARE ALWAYS TO ENSURE THAT THE PURPOSE OF SUCH TWO-WAY VISITS IS NOT MISUNDERSTOOD," HE SAID.
TURNING TO CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS, MR WIGGHAM SAID THAT ANXIETY ABOUT THE FUTURE HAD LED MANY CIVIL SERVICE STAFF ASSOCIATIONS TO ASK FOR FUNDING OF THEIR PENSIONS, OR THE INSTITUTION OF WHAT WERE SEEN AS BETTER SAFEGUARDS THAN THE EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS OF THE GOVERNMENT MEETING ITS PENSION LIABILITIES OUT OF GENERAL REVENUE AS THEY FELL DUE.
HE SAID THAT ACTUALLY ALL THE BENEFITS ACCRUING TO CIVIL SERVANTS WERE GUARANTEED BY CURRENT PENSIONS LEGISLATION, AND IN FUTURE BY THE BASIC LAW.
"I HAVE AGREED TO LOOK AT STAFF SUGGESTIONS IN THE CONTEXT OF EXPERIENCE ELSEWHERE, AND HAVING REGARD TO OUR CURRENT ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL SITUATION," HE SAID.
"THE ONLY CONCLUSION AT THIS STAGE IS THAT WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO FUND OUR PENSION SCHEMES, AS THIS WOULD REQUIRE US TO SET ASIDE SOME $120 BILLION IF SUFFICIENT INVESTMENT INCOME WERE TO BE GENERATED TO MEET OUR ACCRUED PENSION LIABILITIES BY 1997.
"CHANGES TO EXISTING SCHEMES CAN ONLY BE CONTEMPLATED IF THEY DO NOT IMPOSE A DISPROPORTIONATE FINANCIAL BURDEN ON THE TAXPAYERS: BUT WE ARE CONSIDERING VARIOUS POSSIBILITIES, INCLUDING GREATER FLEXIBILITY."
MR WIGGHAM ALSO SAID ONE OF THE PROBLEMS OF MANAGING THE CIVIL SERVICE WAS ITS SIZE: THE GOVERNMENT WAS THE BIGGEST EMPLOYER IN HONG KONG, WITH 190,000 CIVIL SERVANTS AT THE LAST COUNT.
"IT IS, IN MY VIEW, INEVITABLE THAT IN SUCH A LARGE ORGANISATION THERE WILL BE AT ANY ONE TIME SOME GROUP OR OTHER WITH A COMPLAINT OR A DEMAND OR A CONCERN WHICH, MORE SO NOW THAN IN THE PAST, THEY ARE PREPARED TO EXPRESS PUBLICLY.
"IT WOULD BE A MISTAKE TO CONCLUDE FROM THIS, HOWEVER. THAT HONG KONG’S CIVIL SERVICE IS A SEETHING MASS OF DISCONTENT. THE VAST MAJORITY ARE CONTINUING TO PUT IN A HARD AND HONEST DAY’S WORK," HE SAID.
/HE ADDED .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
- 40 -
HE ADDED THAT THE POINT MIGHT HAVE BEEN REACHED WHERE THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT NEEDED TO BE RESTRUCTURED, SO THAT THE BRANCH MIGHT BECOME EVEN MORE EFFECTIVE IN ACHIEVING ITS OVERALL OBJECTIVES AND BE MORE RESPONSIVE TO DEMANDS.
ON CIVIL SERVICE PAY POLICY, MR WIGGHAM SAID THE ANNUAL CIVIL SERVICE PAY ADJUSTMENT WAS NORMALLY BASED ON A SURVEY OF PAY TRENDS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
THIS GAVE RISE TO A PERCEPTION PROBLEM. SINCE INEVITABLY A PAY AWARD WAS MADE IN THE PERIOD FOLLOWING THE SURVEY PERIOD. THE TTMF LAG COULD LEAD TO MISUNDERSTANDING.
THIS PROBLEM OF PERCEPTION, WHERE THE GOVERNMENT’S
CATCHING-UP’ IS MISTAKEN AS ’TREND SETTING’, IS DIFFICULT TO ?sE=nt?^T.WSlARE CURRENTLY giving THOUGHT AS TO WHETHER ANY CHANGE
------o--------
STATEMENT ON HK-GUANGDONG ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE HONG KONG-GUANGDONG ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LIAISON GROUP AT THE END OF ITS TWO-DAY MEETING:
FOLLOWING YESTERDAY’S SIGNING OF THE MEMORANDUM ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HONG KONG-GUANGDONG ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LIAISON GROUP, BY MR GRAHAM BARNES (SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS), AND MR QIANG BINGHUAN, DIRECTOR, GUANGDONG ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION BUREAU, THE LIAISON GROUP CONVENED FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORNING. TWO ISSUES WERE DISCUSSED --ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN DEEP BAY AND ITS CATCHMENT AREA, AND THE LOCATION OF THE OCEANIC OUTFALL FOR THE SEWAGE STRATEGY.
ON DEEP BAY, HAVING REVIEWED PRESENT AND PROPOSED FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREA, IT WAS AGREED THAT A JOINT WORKING GROUP OF EXPERTS SHOULD BE SET UP TO CONSIDER COMMON STANDARDS AND OBJECTIVES FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OF DEEP BAY’S ECOSYSTEM, IN PARTICULAR THE GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE AREA AND THE BENEFICIAL USES WHICH COULD BE SUSTAINED. THE HONG KONG SIDE WOULD BE LED BY THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND INCLUDE STAFF FROM AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT. THE GUANGDONG SIDE WOULD INCLUDE STAFF IN CHARGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, PLANNING, AS WELL AS THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT AND THE OCEANIC ADMINISTRATION. THE WORKING GROUP WOULD HAVE ITS FIRST MEETING IN AUGUST AND WOULD REPORT BACK TO THE LIAISON GROUP AT ITS NEXT MEETING IN EARLY 1991 IN GUANGZHOU.
/ON THE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
41
ON THE OCEANIC OUTFALL LOCATION FOR THE SEWAGE STRAP GY, THE HONG KONG SIDE PRESENTED TO THE GUANGDONG SIDE THREE VOLUMES OF DETAILED FINDINGS ON THE SEWAGE STRATEGY, AND THE GUANGDONG SIDE PRESENTED TO THE HONG KONG SIDE COPIES OF CHINESE LEGISLATION GOVERNING WATER QUALITY AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF MARINE TUNNELS. LIAISON ARRANGEMENTS FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION OF THE STRATEGY WERE ALSO AGREED.
THE MEETING WAS HELD IN A FRIENDLY AND CO-OPERATIVE ATMOSPHERE AND BOTH CHAIRMEN EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE THAT FUTURE MEETINGS WOULD BE EQUALLY SUCCESSFUL.
-----0------
GUANGDONG DELEGATION VISITS REFUSE TRANSFER STATION
**««»**«
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CHINESE SIDE OF THE HONG KONG-GUANGDONG ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LIAISON GROUP TODAY (WEDNESDAY) VISITED THE KOWLOON BAY REFUSE TRANSFER STATION TO GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF ITS OPERATION.
THE FACILITY IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG. AT THE STATION, REFUSE BROUGHT IN BY COLLECTION VEHICLES IS DISCHARGED INTO HOPPERS. HYDRAULIC RAMS IN THE HOPPERS WILL PUSH THE REFUSE INTO LARGE SCALED CONTAINERS FOR TRANSPORT TO THE DISPOSAL SITE.
THE DELEGATION, LED BY VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE GUANGDONG ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION COMMITTEE, MR QIANG BINGHUAN, WAS ACCOMPANIED ON THE VISIT BY THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DR STUART REED.
THE DELEGATION LEARNED THAT THE KOWLOON BAY REFUSE TRANSFER STATION MARKED THE FIRST STAGE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S WASTE DISPOSAL STRATEGY FOR THE 1990’S AND BEYOND.
"IT IS THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF FACILITIES THAT HAS BEEN CONSTRUCTED AS PART OF AN EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM DEVELOPED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT BY USING THE MOST ADVANCED TECHNIQUES SUCH AS COMPUTER MODELLING," DR REED TOLD THE DELEGATION.
OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE SYSTEM WILL INCLUDE THREE VERY LARGE LANDFILLS AND SEVEN OR MORE REFUSE TRANSFER STATIONS, PLUS AN INTEGRATED TREATMENT CENTRE FOR CHEMICAL WASTE.
CONSIDERATION IS BEING GIVEN TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ADVANCED INCINERATION PLANT AND A FACILITY TO DEAL WITH THE RAPIDLY INCREASING QUANTITY OF CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL WASTE FROM HOSPITALS.
"AND WE ARE PLEASED TO SHOW COLLEAGUES OF THE CHINESE SIDE OUR LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES.
"THIS IS PART OF THE CONTINUING EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION AND OF EXPERIENCES IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL FIELD THAT STARTED NEARLY A DECADE AGO AND WHICH HAS LED TO VALUABLE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROBLEMS AND PLANS OF EACH SIDE," DR REED SAID.
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/42.........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
- 42 -
MORE WINDING-UP AND BANKRUPTCY CASES
******
THERE WERE 142 NEW COMPULSORY WINDING-UPS AND 93 NEW PERSONAL BANKRUPTCIES DURING THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR AS COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES OF 74 AND 86 IN 1989, THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IT COULD BE SEEN, THEREFORE, THE RATE OF NEW INSOLVENCIES HAD INCREASED BY 46.88 PER CENT WHICH WAS A REVERSAL OF THE DOWNWARD TREND SINCE 1986, HE SAID.
BY COMPARISON THERE WAS A 20.4 PER CENT DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF NEW INSOLVENCIES IN THE FIRST HALF YEAR OF 1989 OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF 1988.
THE MORE COMPLICATED OR SIGNIFICANT INSOLVENCIES DURING THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR WERE MAGNIFICENT GARMENTS LTD, GRAND UNION LIFE ASSURANCE LTD, HANG LUNG INSURANCE LTD AND ARMOUR INSURANCE CO. LTD.
TOTAL DIVIDENDS DECLARED BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER DURING THE FIRST HALF YEAR OF 1990 AMOUNTED TO $38.99 MILLION IN 122 INSOLVENCIES, AS AGAINST $88.60 MILLION IN 153 INSOLVENCIES FOR THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD OF 1989.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ACTIVE INSOLVENCY CASES BEING HANDLED BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE AT THE END OF JUNE THIS YEAR WAS 1,624 — 884 COMPULSORY WINDING-UPS AND 740 PERSONAL BANKRUPTCIES.
FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER AT THE END OF JUNE THIS YEAR TOTALLED $845 MILLION, A DECREASE OF 33.04 PER CENT AS AGAINST $1,262 MILLION AT THE END OF JUNE 1989.
THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER ALSO ADMINISTERED A SUM OF US$7.5 MILLION TOGETHER WITH A JOINT OVERSEAS LIQUIDATOR.
SENIOR CITIZENS SHOULD REMAIN ACTIVE
******
SENIOR CITIZENS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO CONTINUE CONTRIBUTING TO THE WELL-BEING OF SOCIETY SO AS TO MAKE THEIR OWN LIVES MORE MEANINGFUL AND REWARDING, THE SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE 11TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON SENIOR CITIZENS’ WELFARE ASSOCIATION.
MR LAN NOTED THAT AS HONG KONG STEPPED INTO THE 90’S, THE NUMBER OF ELDERLY PEOPLE WOULD BE ON THE INCREASE.
/THE PROBLEM .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
- 43 -
"HE PROBLEM OF AN AGEING POPULATION HAD TO A CERTAIN EXTENT BEEN CO’’OUNDED BY THE MISCONCEPTION THAT PEOPLE OVER 60 SHOULD BE REGA' ’ AS OLD AND THEREFORE SHOULD RETIRE, HE SAID.
HOWEVER, HE WAS OF THE VIEW THAT AS FAR AS HONG KONG WAS CONCERNED, MOST PEOPLE OVER 60 WERE ABLE TO REMAIN HEALTHY AND ENERGETIC WHICH MEANT THAT THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO CONTINUE MAKING USE OF THEIR EXPERIENCE AND ABILITIES TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.
MR LAN HOPED THAT THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON SENIOR CITIZENS1 SOCIETY WOULD ENCOURAGE ITS MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE THAT THE ELDERLY SHOULD CONTINUE TO WORK FOR THE WELL-BEING OF SOCIETY SO AS TO MAKE THEIR OWN LIVES MORE MEANINGFUL AND REWARDING.
HE COMMENDED THE ASSOCIATION FOR ITS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE WELFARE OF THE ELDERLY IN THE PAST 11 YEARS.
------0--------
DB COMMITTEE TO STUDY REMOVAL OF SHIPYARD
A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICE WILL PRESENT A FEASIBILITY STUDY REPORT ON THE REMOVAL OF A SHIPYARD FROM CHEUNG SHA WAN TO SIU LAM, TUEN MUN, AT A MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
MEASURES TO CONTROL THE NOISE NUISANCE PRODUCED BY BUSES, REPUGNANT SMELL FROM A RIVER RUNNING BETWEEN SIU HONG COURT AND TZE TIN TSUEN, AND POTENTIAL FLOODING AT CHI LOK FA YUEN WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED.
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDE A REPORT BY THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN WORKING GROUP, A PROPOSAL TO FORM A TUEN MUN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WORKING ORGANISATION, AND AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDS FOR ORGANISING ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACTIVITIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, THIRD FLOOR TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
---------0 - -
/44 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
- 44 -
NEW MARKET ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ******
THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE OPENING OF THE URBAN COUNCIL KWUN CHUNG MARKET AT A MEETING ON FRIDAY (JULY 13).
MEMBERS WILL BE INFORMED OF THE PROPOSED ARRANGEMENTS FOR REPROVISIONING EXISTING MARKET STALLS AS WELL AS RESITING ON-STREET HAWKERS INTO THE NEW MARKET AND COOKED FOOD CENTRE. THE MARKET IS DUE TO BE OPENED NEXT MONTH.
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO CONSIDER AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDS FOR CONDUCTING A BUILDING MANAGEMENT PROMOTION CAMPAIGN.
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDE THE POSSIBILITY OF BUILDING A ROOF FOR THE JADE HAWKER MARKET IN KANSU STREET.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVFR THE MEETING OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE ON FRIDAY (JULY 13) AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, GROUND FLOOR, MIDDLE ROAD CARPARK BUILDING, TSIM SHA TSUI.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
-----0-----
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES
******
THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN THE DISTRICT AT A MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO EXAMINE THE REPORTS BY OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ON THE PROVISION OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND FACILITIES IN THE DISTRICT IN THIS FINANCIAL YEAR.
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDE REPORTS BY THE WORKING GROUPS ON YOUTH PROJECTS AND ON COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 152 KWONG FUK ROAD, TAI PO.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
45
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER INSTALLING SIGNBOARD ******
THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S PROMOTION AND PUBLICITY COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER, AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY), PUTTING UP A DISTRICT SIGNBOARD OUTSIDE TAI PO MARKET KCR STATION.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE LOCATIONS OF TRAFFIC SIGNS ALONG THE CYCLING TRACKS IN THE DISTRICT.
IN ADDITION, THEY WILL STUDY A REPORT FROM THE WORKING GROUP ON PUBLICATION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S PROMOTION AND PUBLICITY COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 152 KWONG FUK ROAD, TAI PO.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM.
- - 0 - -
MERIT TRIP FOR OUTSTANDING CYC MEMBERS
*****
TWENTY-TWO SECONDARY SCHOOL AND 19 PRIMARY SCHOOL MEMBERS OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB (CYC) WILL BE LEAVING FOR JAPAN AND SINGAPORE ON SATURDAY (JULY 14) AND SUNDAY (JULY 15) FOR A WEEK-LONG EDUCATIONAL TOUR.
THE 41 MEMBERS WERE SELECTED FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS THIS YEAR UNDER THE CYC MERIT AWARD SCHEME.
THE SCHEME, WHICH WAS INTRODUCED IN 1978, IS AIMED AT BUILDING UP A STRONG COMMUNITY SPIRIT THROUGH VARIOUS ACTIVITIES ORGANISED FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL CHILDREN.
AT A CEREMONY THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, PRESENTED FLAGS TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CYC KWUN TONG DISTRICT COMMITTEE, MRS TO KWONG WAI-YIN WHO WILL LEAD THE SECONDARY GROUP, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CYC TAI PO DISTRICT COMMITTEE, MR KWONG KAI-TO WHO WILL LEAD THE PRIMARY GROUP.
MR LI CALLED ON THE AWARD RECIPIENTS TO PROMOTE THE SPIRIT AND THE GOOD WORK OF CYC WHILE VISITING THE TWO COUNTRIES.
/"AS REPRESENTATIVES
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
- 46 -
"AS REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 300,000 MEMBERS IN HONG KONG, YOU SHOULD SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH FELLOW MEMBERS ON YOUR RETURN," MR LI ADDED. x
THE TRIPS THIS YEAR ARE SPONSORED BY THE LAW’S FOUNDATION WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF TOKYO METROPOLITAN BOARD OF EDUCATION AND SINGAPORE COMMISSION IN HONG KONG.
THE PROGRAMME FOR BOTH GROUPS INCLUDE SIGHTSEEING AS WELL AS VISITS TO LOCAL PRIMARY AND HIGH SCHOOLS, OLD PEOPLE’S HOMES, PEOPLE’S ASSOCIATIONS AND HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE FLAG PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE BOXED.
-----0------
STUDENTS WIN READING AWARDS
*****
WINNERS OF THIS YEAR’S READING AWARD SCHEME FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL RECEIVE THEIR PRIZES TOMORROW (THURSDAY) FROM THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI, AT A CEREMONY.
THE SCHEME, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUBS ASSOCIATION AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S LIBRARY SECTION, IS DESIGNED TO DEVELOP STUDENTS’ READING HABITS, IMPROVE THEIR LANGUAGE SKILLS AND TO PROMOTE THE USE OF LIBRARY RESOURCES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HONG KONG TEACHERS’ CENTRE, 4 PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT, AT 3 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
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/47........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
47
UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE IN KWUN TONG TO BE CLOSED
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE AN ILLEGAL STRUCTURE IN KWUN TONG SO THAT IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE STRUCTURE IS ON THE REINFORCED CONCRETE CANOPY ADJOINING UNIT B, FIRST FLOOR, KIN TAK FUNG INDUSTRIAL BUILDING, 174 WAI YIP STREET AND 39 TSUN YIP STREET.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE SHA TIN DISTRICT COURT ON AUGUST 10 THIS YEAR HAD BEEN POSTED ON A CONSPICUOUS PART OF THE STRUCTURE.
UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE, A CLOSURE ORDER IS REQUIRED BEFORE DEMOLITION CAN BE CARRIED OUT.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
- - 0 - -
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICTS
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 13), THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF POTTINGER STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTIONS WITH CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL AND DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY 24 HOURS DAILY FOR A PERIOD OF ABOUT FOUR MONTHS TO FACILITATE ROAD RE-CONSTRUCTION WORKS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING URBAN CLEARWAY ON THIS ROAD SECTION FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM WILL BE TEMPORARILY CANCELLED.
ALSO, THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WESTBOUND CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN ITS JUNCTIONS WITH KA ON STREET AND WHITTY STREET, EXCLUDING THE LAY-BY, WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY 24 HOURS DAILY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
- - 0 - -
/48
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
- 48 -
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 13), THE SECTION OF TIN WAN STREET SOUTH OF SHEK PAI WAN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A RETAINING WALL AND A PAVEMENT AT TIN WAN STREET AND ABERDEEN PRAYA ROAD.
-----0------
URBAN CLEARWAY IN KWUN TONG
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS IN KWUN TONG WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY 24 HOURS DAILY WITH EFFECT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 13).
* THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF JUNK BAY ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH LEI YUE MUN ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 800 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION;
* THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF JUNK BAY ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH LEI YUE MUN ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 130 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION;
* THE WESTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF JUNK BAY ROAD FROM A POINT ABOUT 150 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH LEI YUE MUN ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 800 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
* THE SECTION OF KAI TIN ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH JUNK
BAY ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 100 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME
JUNCTION.
ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES AND THOSE WITH PERMITS
ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM
STOPPING FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
------0------------
/49 .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1990
- 49 -
SPEED LIMIT IN KWUN TONG * * * * *
}■
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT A SPEED LIMIT OF 70 KILOMETRES PER HOUR WILL BE INTRODUCED ON THE SECTION OF JUNK BAY ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH LEI YUE MUN ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 800 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WITH EFFECT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 13).
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
--------0-----------
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF SHA TIN ROAD
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT SEVERAL SECTIONS OF SHA TIN ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS.
A SECTION OF ABOUT 200 METRES OF THE FAST LANE OF SHA TIN ROAD NORTHBOUND NEAR TSANG TAI UK WILL BE CLOSED FROM FRIDAY (JULY 13) TO SUNDAY (JULY 15)
THE SLOW LANE OF SHA TIN ROAD NORTHBOUND BETWEEN TSANG TAI UK AND PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL WILL BE CLOSED FROM MONDAY (JULY 16) TO FRIDAY (AUGUST 17).
A SECTION OF ABOUT 200 METRES OF THE FAST LANE OF SHA TIN ROAD SOUTHBOUND NEAR TSANG TAI UK WILL BE CLOSED FROM MONDAY (JULY 16) TO SUNDAY (JULY 22).
THE SLOW LANE OF SHA TIN ROAD SOUTHBOUND NEAR TSANG TAI UK FOR A SECTION OF ABOUT 200 METRES WILL BE CLOSED FROM MONDAY (JULY 23) TO SUNDAY (JULY 29).
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1990
CONTENTS
140 NET OUTFLOW OF MONEY FROM HK .............................................. EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR MAY RELEASED .................................... REPEAL OF LOITERING PROVISION RECOMMENDED......................................’..................................... TECHNOLOGY THE KEY TO HIGH VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS ............................... FINANCE COMMITTEE TO MEET TOMORROW ........................................................................................ TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS DROP FOUR PER CENT IN 1989-90 ............................. SURVEY OF WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS .. GOVERNOR OF MACAU TO VISIT HK ..................................................
262 SUBMISSIONS OF SOCIAL WELFARE DEVELOPMENT RECEIVED ........................ VARIETY OF TOPICS COVERED BY GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY ......................... SPECIAL ARTICLE ON MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY FROM CANCER IN HK .................. NEW GOVT CONTRACTS SIGNED FOR BETTER CLEANING SERVICE ......................... LABOUR COMMISSIONER VISITS WATCH FACTORY ...................................... FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PROVIDES GUIDANCE TO THE YOUNG ..........................« YOUNG PEOPLE URGED TO PREPARE FOR CHALLENGE ................................... GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY ................................................ DISTRICT OFFICE CAUSEWAY BAY SUB-OFFICE ON MOVE ............................... BEWARE OF BOGUS SWD OFFICERS .................................................. FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR NEIGHBOURHOOD ACTIVITIES .................................. ISLANDS DB STUDY TOUR TO THAILAND ............................................. DB WORKING GROUP TO BE BRIEFED ON ASSISTANCE TO FARMERS ....................... DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS .................................... DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS UC RECREATION AND SPORTS PROGRAMME..................... TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WONG TAI SIN ................................ OPENING OF UNNAMED ROAD IN KOWLOON CITY ....................................... TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF WUHU VEHICULAR UNDERPASS ................................. EXTENSION OF OPERATING HOURS OF NT GMB ROUTES 33, 35 ..........................
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THURSDAY, JULY 12,
1990
1
NO NET OUTFLOW OF MONEY FROM HK *******
BOTH FROM THE GEOGRAPHICAL AND FROM THE CURRENCY POINTS OF VIEWS, THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY OUTFLOW OF MONEY FROM HONG KONG, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR JOSEPH YAM, SAID YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE CANADIAN CLUB IN TORONTO, MR YAM STRESSED THAT THERE HAD NOT BEEN ANY NET OUTFLOW OF MONEY FROM HONG KONG OR FROM THE HONG KONG DOLLAR.
HE SAID THAT WITH 1997 ON THE HORIZON AND WITH EVENTS SUCH AS THOSE IN JUNE 1989, IT WAS VERY EASY FOR ONE TO POINT TO THE MOVEMENTS OF MONEY AND JUMP QUICKLY TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THERE WAS ENORMOUS ’’CAPITAL FLIGHT” FROM HONG KONG.
’’BUT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO TRY AND LOOK CAREFULLY FOR EVIDENCE,” HE SAID, ’’AND EVIDENCE IS SIMPLY NOT THERE.”
HE SAID THAT IF MONEY WAS MEASURED BY THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF DEPOSITS IN THE BANKING SYSTEM, THEN MONEY IN HONG KONG HAD NEARLY TRIPLED OVER THE FIVE-YEAR PERIOD FROM 1985 TO 1989, THAT WAS SINCE THE SIGNING OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AT THE END OF 1984.
IN 1989 WHEN THE MYTH OF OUTFLOW OF MONEY FROM HONG KONG RECEIVED INCREASING ATTENTION, AS A RESULT OF EVENTS IN CHINA, TOTAL DEPOSITS IN THE BANKING SYSTEM IN HONG KONG GREW BY 19 PER CENT, MR YAM SAID.
HE SAID THAT THE GROWTH IN 1989 WAS SLOWER THAN THE AVERAGE GROWTH RATE IN PREVIOUS YEARS, BUT THIS WAS BECAUSE THE HONG KONG ECONOMY WAS EXPERIENCING A SLOW DOWN.
IN ANY CASE, EVEN AT 19 PER CENT WAS VERY HIGH BY INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS, HE ADDED.
TURNING TO THE OUTFLOW OF MONEY FROM HONG KONG DOLLAR TO FOREIGN CURRENCIES, MR YAM STRESSED THAT THE FACTS DID NOT SUPPORT THIS CONTENTION ALSO.
SINCE THE SIGNING OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AT THE END OF 1984, MONEY IN HONG KONG DOLLARS, AS MEASURED BY THE AMOUNT OF HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS IN THE BANKING SYSTEM OF HONG KONG, HAD ON AVERAGE BEEN GROWING AT A HEALTHY RATE OF 16 PER CENT PER ANNUM, BROADLY CONSISTENT WITH THE GROWTH RATE OF THE ECONOMY, HE SAID.
REGARDING THE FALL IN THE SHARE OF HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS TO TOTAL DEPOSITS IN HONG KONG, FROM ABOUT 60 PER CENT AT THE END OF 1984 TO ABOUT 45 PER CENT AT THE END OF 1989, MR YAM SAID THERE WAS A VERY GOOD EXPLANATION BEHIND THIS.
AS HONG KONG HAD BEEN DEVELOPING RAPIDLY AS A FINANCIAL CENTRE, MORE AND MORE FOREIGN FUNDS IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES WERE BEING MOVED INTO HONG KONG, HE SAID.
/’’THIS STARTED...........
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1990
2 -
"THIS STARTED WAY BACK IN 1982 WHEN INTEREST WITHHOLDING TAX ON FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WAS REMOVED. THE AVERAGE GROWTH RATE OF NONHONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS FOR THE FIVE YEAR 1985 TO 1989 IS OVER 30 PER CENT PER ANNUM,” HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT A COMMON FEATURE OF DEVELOPING FINANCIAL CENTRES WAS THAT FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS TENDED TO GROW FASTER THAN DEPOSITS IN DOMESTIC CURRENCY, SO THAT THE SHARE OF DEPOSITS IN THE DOMESTIC CURRENCY WILL FALL OVER TIME.
MR YAM SAID THAT DEPOSITS IN DOMESTIC CURRENCIES REPRESENT ONLY THE MINORITY OF THE TOTAL DEPOSIT BASE, ADDING THAT IN LONDON STERLING DEPOSITS REPRESENT ONLY 40 PER CENT OF TOTAL DEPOSITS AND IN SINGAPORE THE CORRESPONDING SHARE WAS ABOUT 50 PER CENT.
MOREOVER, CASH RICH HONG KONG COMPANIES HAD BEEN SEEKING OUT OVERSEAS INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES AS THEY EXPANDED, IN THE SAME WAY AS JAPANESE, U.S. OR CANADIAN COMPANIES HAD EXPANDED OVERSEAS.
"THIS NATURAL DIVERSIFICATION OF BUSINESS HAS ALSO INVOLVED THE MOVEMENT OF MONEY OUT OF HONG KONG OR OUT OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR," MR YAM NOTED.
ANY OUTFLOW OF FUNDS, FOR POLITICAL OR ECONOMIC REASONS, MUST HAVE BEEN OFFSET BY AN INFLOW OF FUNDS INTO HONG KONG AND INTO THE HONG KONG DOLLAR; OTHERWISE THE POOL OF MONEY IN HONG KONG WOULD NOT HAVE CONTINUED TO GROW AT THE RATES THAT HONG KONG WAS EXPERIENCING AND THE HONG KONG DOLLAR EXCHANGE RATE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SO STABLE, HE SAID.
"THE OVERALL PICTURE IS THEREFORE THAT, WHEREAS THERE HAS INEVITABLY BEEN SOME OUTFLOW OF MONEY FROM RESIDENTS OF HONG KONG, GIVEN HEALTHY MONETARY GROWTH AND A STABLE EXCHANGE RATE, THERE MUST HAVE BEEN OFFSETTING INFLOWS FROM NON-RESIDENTS," MR YAM SAID.
"SOME HAVE ARGUED THAT THIS IS NOT A HEALTHY STATE OF AFFAIRS. THEY EXPRESSED SOME DOUBT ABOUT THE LEVEL OF COMMITMENT OF NONRESIDENTS TO THE LONG TERM STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG.
"WITH RESPECT, THESE PEOPLE ARE HOLDING A VERY NARROW VIEW OF WHAT HONG KONG REALLY IS," MR YAM SAID.
"HONG KONG HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PLACE FOR MAKING MONEY. WHOEVER YOU ARE OR WHATEVER NATIONALITY YOU HOLD, AS LONG AS YOU FOLLOW THE RULES OF THE GAME, WE WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK," HE ADDED.
"NARROW DISTINCTIONS OF WHO IS A RESIDENT AND WHO IS A NONRESIDENT, AND WHETHER THE MONEY MADE IN HONG KONG ACCRUES TO HONG KONG PEOPLE OR CANADIANS ARE MEANINGLESS," MR YAM SAID.
"AS LONG AS PEOPLE ARE PREPARED TO PUT THEIR MONEY IN HONG KONG AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE MORE OF IT, HONG KONG WILL STAY PROSPEROUS.
/"MONEY STAYS .......
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1990
- 3 -
"MONEY STAYS IN HONG KONG BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE SURE THAT MONEY CAN BE MOVED OUT OF HONG KONG ANY TIME THEY WANT TO, WITHOUT QUESTIONS BEING ASKED AND FORMS TO BE FILLED IN.
"THIS WILL CONTINUE. IT WILL CONTINUE BEYOND 1997. ALL CONCERNED RECOGNISE THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS TO HONG KONG," MR YAM SAID, ADDING THAT THIS HAS BEEN VERY CLEARLY WRITTEN IN THE JOINT DECLARATION.
TURNING TO THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM, MR YAM GAVE THE ASSURANCE THAT THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO INTENTION FOR THE LINK TO BE ABANDONED OR THE RATE CHANGED.
’ONE OF THE CRUCIAL ELEMENTS OF STABILITY' IN HONG KONG IS THE STABILITY OF THE EXCHANGE VALUE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR," MR YAM SAID.
WITHOUT THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM, AND THE VARIOUS REFORM MEASURES THAT HAD BEEN INTRODUCED RECENTLY TO HONG KONG’S MONETARY SYSTEM, THE MONETARY ENVIRONMENT WOULD HAVE BEEN CHAOTIC, MR YAM NOTED.
"IN HONG KONG’S CASE, THERE WERE ONLY NINE YEARS IN THE HISTORY OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR THAT IT WAS FLOATING.
"AND THE EXPERIENCE OF THOSE NINE YEARS, FROM 1974 TO 1983 WAS, TO PUT IT MILDLY, UNPLEASANT," MR YAM SAID.
"FOR MOST OF THE TIME AND PARTICULARLY IN THE SECOND HALF OF THAT NINE-YEAR PERIOD, THE HONG KONG DOLLAR WAS DEPRECIATING. INFLATION AS A RESULT WAS HIGH, SO WERE THE GROWTH RATES OF MONEY AND CREDIT.
"ALTHOUGH INTEREST RATES WERE KEPT HIGH, THEY WERE LARGELY INEFFECTIVE IN CONTAINING THE SPIRAL OF MONETARY EXPANSION, INFLATION AND CURRENCY DEPRECIATION.
"WITH THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT, EVEN IF THERE HAD NOT BEEN CONCERN THEN ABOUT THE POLITICAL FUTURE OF HONG KONG, WE MIGHT STILL HAVE FOR ECONOMIC REASONS RETURNED TO A FIXED EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM IN 1983," MR YAM STRESSED.
HE SAID THE WORLD WAS NOWADAYS MOVING TOWARD AN ENVIRONMENT WITH MORE STABLE EXCHANGE RATES, IF NOT FIXED EXCHANGE RATES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MR YAM’S SPEECH WILL BE BOXED.
------0--------
/4 ........
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1990
4
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR MAY RELEASED
*******
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN MAY 1990, AT $110,209 MILLION, GREW BY 17 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS AS COMPARED WITH MAY 1989, ACCORDING TO THE DETAILED FIGURES ON THE VALUE OF TRADE IN MAY 1990 RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 6 PER CENT TO $18,826 MILLION, WHILE THAT OF REEXPORTS ROSE BY 25 PER CENT TO $34,892 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 18 PER CENT TO $53,718 MILLION. THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 16 PER CENT TO $56,491 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN JANUARY TO MAY 1990, AT $470,406 MILLION, INCREASED BY 7 PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY 2 PER CENT TO $81,693 MILLION, WHILE THAT OF REEXPORTS INCREASED BY 13 PER CENT TO $148,901 MILLION.
THUS, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 8 PER CENT TO $230,594 MILLION. THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 6 PER CENT TO $239,812 MILLION.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMPARING MAY 1990 WITH MAY 1989, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO TAIWAN, SINGAPORE, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND CHINA INCREASED BY 65 PER CENT, 46 PER CENT, 24 PER CENT AND 10 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE NETHERLANDS ALSO RECORDED A SLIGHT INCREASE IN VALUE TERMS BY 1 PER CENT.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CANADA, JAPAN, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE USA DECREASED BY 6 PER CENT, 2 PER CENT, 2 PER CENT AND 1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING JANUARY TO MAY 1990 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED KINGDOM AND CANADA DECREASED BY 19 PER CENT AND 14 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO JAPAN, FRANCE, THE USA AND Till: NETHERLANDS ALSO DECREASED IN VALUE TERMS BY 9 PER CENT, 6 PER CENT, 4 PER CENT, AND 2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE RECORDED FOR THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO TAIWAN AND SINGAPORE, BY 60 PER CENT AND 22 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA AND THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY ALSO INCREASED BY 2 PER CENT AND 1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
TABLE 2 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
/COMPARING JANUARY .......
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1990
- 5 -
COMPARING JANUARY TO MAY 1990 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989, INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR TOBACCO AND TOBACCO MANUFACTURES (BY $549 MILLION OR 78 PER CENT); OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $334 MILLION OR 6 PER CENT); CLOTHING (BY $208 MILLION OR 1 PER CENT); AND TEXTILES (BY $192 MILLION OR 3 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED FOR MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $547 MILLION OR 5 PER CENT) AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $500 MILLION OR 7 PER CENT).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE SUMMARISED IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING MAY 1990 WITH MAY 1989, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM MOST OF THE MAJOR SUPPLIERS INCREASED.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WERE RECORDED FROM THE USA, CHINA, SINGAPORE AND TAIWAN, BY 46 PER CENT, 25 PER CENT, 20 PER CENT AND 18 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. THOSE FROM THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, SWITZERLAND, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY AND ITALY ALSO INCREASED BY 10 PER CENT, 8 PER CENT, 6 PER CENT AND 4 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM AND JAPAN DECREASED BY 5 PER CENT AND 4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING JANUARY TO MAY 1990 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM THE USA AND CHINA INCREASED BY 19 PER CENT AND 17 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. THOSE FROM SWITZERLAND, ITALY, SINGAPORE AND TAIWAN ALSO INCREASED BY 9 PER CENT, 6 PER CENT, 5 PER CENT AND 3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, IMPORTS FROM THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM DECREASED IN VALUE TERMS BY 7 PER CENT, 6 PER CENT, 6 PER CENT AND 3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
TABLE 4 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING JANUARY TO MAY 1990 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989, CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WERE RECORDED FOR CLOTHING (BY $3,380 MILLION OR 22 PER CENT); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $2,903 MILLION OR 22 PER CENT); OTHER TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT (BY $2,242 MILLION OR 265 PER CENT); AND TEXTILES (BY $1,185 MILLION OR 4 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR IRON AND STEEL (BY $1,465 MILLION OR 26 PER CENT) AND TEXTILE FIBRES AND THEIR WASTES (BY $1,011 MILLION OR 32 PER CENT).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO HONG KONG’S 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 5.
/THE VALUE .......
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1990
- 6 -
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO ALL MAJOR MARKETS INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS IN MAY 1990 OVER MAY 1989. SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED FOR THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, TAIWAN, FRANCE, SINGAPORE, CANADA, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE USA, BY 65 PER CENT, 52 PER CENT, 50 PER CENT, 48 PER CENT, 40 PER CENT, 34 PER CENT AND 34 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THOSE TO THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, JAPAN AND CHINA ALSO INCREASED IN VALUE TERMS BY 10 PER CENT, 10 PER CENT AND 5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING JANUARY TO MAY 1990 OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989, REEXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, FRANCE, CANADA AND THE USA INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN VALUE TERMS, BY 53 PER CENT, 36 PER CENT, 30 PER CENT AND 29 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
INCREASES WERE ALSO RECORDED FOR THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO TAIWAN, SINGAPORE, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND JAPAN, BY 25 PER CENT, 24 PER CENT, 22 PER CENT AND 5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THOSE TO CHINA AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA DECREASED IN VALUE TERMS BY 7 PER CENT AND 2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
TABLE 6 ILLUSTRATES THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING JANUARY TO MAY 1990 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989, CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $5,115 MILLION OR 41 PER CENT); CLOTHING (BY $3,568 MILLION OR 28 PER CENT); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $2,589 MILLION OR 26 PER CENT); AND TEXTILES (BY $1,139 MILLION OR 7 PER CENT).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS WERE RECORDED FOR TEXTILE FIBRES AND THEIR WASTES (BY $1,139 MILLION OR 47 PER CENT), AND MACHINERY SPECIALISED FOR PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES (BY $894 MILLION OR 23 PER CENT).
ALL 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 MAY 1990 WILL BE RELEASED EARLY NEXT MONTH.
DETAILED STATISTICS ON TRADE VALUE BY COMMODITY AND BY COUNTRY ARE PUBLISHED IN TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
THE MAY 1990 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE" WITH DETAILED ANALYSES ON IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS IN MAY 1990 WILL BE AVAILABLE ON SALE AROUND JULY 16 AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AT $27 PER COPY.
/ENQUIRIES REGARDING .......
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1990
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).
• ,r '
TABLE I: DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAJOR MARKET MAY 1990 (HKD MN.) MAY 90 OVER MAY 89 (%) JAN-MAY 1990 (HKD MN.) JAN-MAY 90 OVER
JAN-MAY (%) 89
U.S.A. 5,540 -1 24,037 -4
CHINA 4,259 + 10 17,198 < + 2
F.R. OF GERMANY 1,311 + 24 5,886 + 1
U.K. 1 , 126 -2 4,514 -19
JAPAN 870 -2 4,326 -9
SINGAPORE 640 + 46 2,647 + 22
TAIWAN 534 + 65 2,365 +60
CANADA 441 -6 2,014 -14
NETHERLANDS 369 + 1 1,814 -2
FRANCE 325 ♦ < • V *r • 1,388 -6
• • .r • - ♦ DENOTES LESS THAN 0. 5%
TABLE 2: DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION MAY 1990 (HKD MN.) MAY 90 OVER MAY 89 (%) * » JAN-MAY 1990 (HKD MN.) JAN-MAY 90 OVER JAN-MAY 89 (%)
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 5,496 + 10 • * • 1* * 23,918 + 1
/MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED .......
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1990
8
MISCELLANEOUS
MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES) 2,179 -5 ' { J -! -• . 10,068 -5
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1,673 ; i + 5 7,232 -3
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 1,640 + 14 6,690 -7
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 1,512 + 1 6,676 + 3
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 1,440 + 5 6,117 -4
TABLE 3; IMPORTS FROM 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS
MAJOR SUPPLIER MAY 1990 (HKD MN.) MAY 90 OVER MAY 89 (X) JAN-MAY 1990 (HKD MN.) JAN-MAY 90 OVER JAN-MAY 89 (X)
CHINA 20,300 + 25 84,206 + 17
JAPAN 8,081 -4 37,268 -6
U.S.A. 5,457 + 46 22,162 + 19
TAIWAN 5,480 + 18 21,650 + 3
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 2,718 + 10 10,880 -6
SINGAPORE 2,468 + 20 9,502 + 5
/F.R. OF
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1990
9
F.R. OF GERMANY 1,284 + 6 5,387 -7
U.K. 1,077 -5 5,383 -3
ITALY 866 + 4 4,354 + 6
SWITZERLAND 951 + 8 4,324 + 9
TABLE 4: IMPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION MAY 1990 (HKD MN.) MAY 90 OVER MAY 89 (%) JAN-MAY 1990 (HKD MN.) JAN-MAY OVER JAN-MAY (%)
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 7,430 + 8 30,400 + 4
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 5,746 + 15 24,077 + 3
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 4,352 + 29 18,625 + 22
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 4,174 + 23 17,713 + 13
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 3,899 + 29 f , 16,054 € + 22
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 2,789 + 12 12,106 -1
/TABLE 5 .......
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1990
- 10 -
TABLE 5: RE-EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAY MAJOR MARKET 1990 (HKD MN.) MAY 90 OVER MAY 89 (%) JAN-MAY 1990 (HKD MN.) JAN-MAY 90 OVER JAN-MAY 89 (%)
CHINA 9,758 + 5 • 40,725 -7
U.S.A. 7,197 + 34 30,230 + 29
JAPAN 1,757 + 10 8,756 + 5
TAIWAN 2,093 + 52 8,414 + 25
F.R. OF GERMANY 1,654 + 65 7,046 + 53
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 1,230 + 10 5,465 -2
SINGAPORE 1,188 + 48 5, 148 + 24
U.K. 922 + 34 3,744 + 22
CANADA 549 + 40 2,374 + 30
FRANCE 586 + 50 2,345 + 36
TABLE 6: RE -EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION MAY 1990 (HKD MN.) MAY 90 OVER MAY 89 (%) JAN-MAY 1990 (HKD MN.) JAN-MAY 90 OVER JAN-MAY 89 (%)
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 4,571 + 51 17,743 + 41
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 4,288 + 12 17,523 + 7
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 3,556 + 36 16,170 + 28
/ELECTRICAL MACHINERY
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1990
- 11 -
ELECTRICAL MACHINE^ APPARATI S AND APPLIAN ES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 3,542 + 26 14,815 + 8
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 2,982 + 39 12,399 + 26
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS 1,373 + 34 5,822 + 33
--------0-----------
REPEAL OF LOITERING PROVISION RECOMMENDED ★ * ★ * *
THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION HAS RECOMMENDED THE REMOVAL OF A SUBSECTION OF THE CRIMES ORDINANCE COMMONLY USED TO PROSECUTE PEOPLE FOR LOITERING IF A SATISFACTORY EXPLANATION FOR A PERSON’S PRESENCE IS NOT GIVEN.
THE COMMISSION, HOWEVER, PROPOSES THAT TWO OTHER SUB-SECTIONS RELATING TO LOITERING OFFENCES - ONE ON WILFUL OBSTRUCTION TO OTHERS AND THE OTHER ON CAUSING A PERSON CONCERN FOR HIS SAFETY - BE RETAINED.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE CONTAINED IN A REPORT ON THE LAW OF LOITERING PUBLISHED BY THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE REPORT IS THE RESULT OF MORE THAN TWO YEARS’ WORK BY THE COMMISSION, AND A SUB-COMMITTEE CHAIRED BY EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR MRS ROSANNA TAM TO EXAMINE THE APPLICATION OF THE THREE SUB-SECTIONS.
THE REPORT EXPLAINS THAT LOITERING, IN THE LEGAL CONTEXT, IS NOT TO BE INTERPRETED AS MERELY STANDING OR WAITING IN A PUBLIC PLACE SUCH AS A STREET OR STAIRWAY, BUT RATHER LOITERING IN SUCH PLACES IN SUCH A WAY AS TO REASONABLY INDICATE TO AN OBSERVER THAT THE LOITERER IS IDLING FOR SOME UNLAWFUL PURPOSE.
THERE ARE THREE SUB-SECTIONS UNDER SECTION 160 OF THE CRIMES ORDINANCE THAT DEAL WITH LOITERING OFFENCES.
/SUB-SECTION (1) .......
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1990
-12 “
SUB-SECTION (1) MAKES IT AN OFFENCE IF A LOITERER FAILS TO GIVE A SATISFACTORY EXPLANATION AT THE TIME FOR HIS PRESENCE THERE.
SUB-SECTION (2) SAYS THAT IT IS AN OFFENCE FOR A LOITERER IN ANY WAY TO WILFULLY OBSTRUCT ANY OTHER PERSON.
UNDER SUB-SECTION (3), A LOITERER COMMITS AN OFFENCE IF HE CAUSES ANY PERSON REASONABLY TO BE CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY.
THE COMMISSION PROPOSES THAT SUB-SECTION (1) BE REPEALED WHILE SUB-SECTIONS (2) AND (3) SHOULD BE RETAINED. THE COMMISSION CONSIDERED THAT THE LATTER TWO SUB-SECTIONS WERE OPERATING SATISFACTORILY AND POINTED OUT THAT THERE HAD BEEN NO CRITICISM OF THOSE PROVISIONS.
CONVICTIONS UNDER SUB-SECTION (1) - LOITERING WITHOUT SATISFACTORY EXPLANATION - FORM A LARGE MAJORITY OF CASES.
IN MAKING ITS RECOMMENDATIONS, THE COMMISSION CRITICISED THE OPERATION OF SUB-SECTION (1) FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF ABUSE BY THE POLICE SINCE POLICE TESTIMONY ALONE WAS HABITUALLY USED TO CONVICT.
IN ADDITION, THE REQUIREMENT FOR A SUSPECT TO PROVIDE A SATISFACTORY ACCOUNT OF HIMSELF AND A SATISFACTORY EXPLANATION FOR HIS PRESENCE AT THE SCENE OF THE ALLEGED CRIME WAS FELT TO RAISE QUESTIONS REGARDING AN ACCUSED’S RIGHT TO SILENCE, ALTHOUGH THIS REQUIREMENT WAS ORIGINALLY INSERTED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE SUSPECT.
UNDER THE COMMON LAW DOCTRINE, A PERSON ACCUSED OF A CRIME COULD REFUSE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTION PUT TO HIM BY A POLICE OFFICER OR ANY OTHER PERSON. THE COMMISSION FELT THAT THE REQUIREMENT IMPOSED ON A SUSPECT BY THE LAW TO PROVIDE AN EXPLANATION RAN COUNTER TO THE GENERAL RULE ON A RIGHT TO SILENCE.
THE COMMISSION ALSO CONSIDERED THAT THE POWERS GIVEN TO THE POLICE UNDER SECTION 54 OF THE POLICE FORCE ORDINANCE PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE SUBSTITUTE FOR SECTION 160(1) OF THE CRIMES ORDINANCE WITHOUT SUFFERING FROM THE DRAWBACKS.
SECTION 54 OF THE POLICE FORCE ORDINANCE EMPOWERS THE POLICE TO STOP AND SEARCH AND IF NECESSARY ARREST AND DETAIN ANY PERSON FOUND ACTING IN A SUSPICIOUS MANNER OR WHOM AN OFFICER SUSPECTS OF HAVING COMMITTED OR OF BEING ABOUT TO COMMIT ANY OFFENCE.
THE COMMISSION EMPHASISED THAT THE POLICE SHOULD HAVE SUCH POWERS AND THAT SUCH POWERS ALREADY EXISTED IN THE POLICE FORCE ORDINANCE.
UNLIKE SECTION 160(1) OF THE CRIMES ORDINANCE, SECTION 54 OF THE POLICE FORCE ORDINANCE DOES NOT LEAD TO A PROSECUTION, BUT MERELY EMPOWERS THE POLICE TO ARREST AND DETAIN A PERSON FOR FURTHER INQUIRIES WHERE NECESSARY.
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/13 .......
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1990
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TECHNOLOGY THE KEY TO HIGH VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS
******
TECHNOLOGY IS THE KEY TO ACHIEVING HIGH VALUE-ADDED THROUGH PRODUCTIVITY GROWTH, QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AND PRODUCT PRECISION AND INNOVATION, THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY). >•
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE INTERCHEM 90 CONFERENCE, MR BARMA SAID THAT AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF KEEN COMPETITION FROM ECONOMIES WITH AN ABUNDANT SUPPLY OF CHEAPER LABOUR AND THE INCREASINGLY SOPHISTICATED REQUIREMENTS OF HONG KONG’S MAJOR EXPORT MARKETS, LOCAL MANUFACTURERS HAD TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER UPGRADING PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES AND MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES.
MR BARMA SAID WHILE HONG KONG’S PLASTICS INDUSTRY WAS STILL COMPETITIVE IN THE WORLD MARKETS, THE POSITION WAS BEING THREATENED BY THE PACE OF TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE AND THE IMPROVED CAPABILITIES OF ITS COMPETITORS.
"THIS REINFORCES THE NEED FOR OUR MANUFACTURERS TO MOVE TOWARDS GREATER EFFICIENCY AND HIGHER VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS, IF THEY ARE TO MAINTAIN THEIR COMPETITIVENESS," HE SAID.
HE SAID IT WAS WORKABLE ONLY IN THE SHORT TERM FOR SOME OF THE LOCAL MANUFACTURERS TO SHIFT THEIR LABOUR-INTENSIVE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES OUTSIDE HONG KONG TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CHEAP LABOUR SO AS TO MAKE THEIR PRODUCTS COMPETITIVE IN TERMS OF PRICE.
"AS OUR COMPETITORS CHALLENGE US AT THE LOWER VALUE-ADDED END OF THE MARKET AND OUR OVERSEAS MARKETS DEMAND HIGHER LEVELS OF QUALITY FROM US, THE TREND WILL BE TOWARDS KNOWLEDGE-BASED MANUFACTURING PRODUCING HIGH QUALITY AND HIGH VALUE-ADDED GOODS," MR BARMA SAID.
MR BARMA SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS AWARE OF THE NEED TO PROMOTE THE WIDER APPLICATION OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY AND IT HAD TAKEN MANY INITIATIVES TO ASSIST MANUFACTURERS TO UPGRADE THEIR OPERATIONS AND ACHIEVE HIGHER VALUE-ADDED CONTENT OF THEIR PRODUCTS IN RECENT YEARS.
WITH A PRIVATE DONATION AND THE ASSISTANCE OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, THE GOVERNMENT SET UP THE HONG KONG PLASTICS TECHNOLOGY CENTRE IN 1988.
"THE PURPOSE OF THE CENTRE IS TO PROVIDE A TECHNOLOGY-ORIENTED CONSULTANCY SERVICE TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT NEEDS OF LOCAL PLASTICS MANUFACTURERS, AND TO ASSIST THEM TO INCREASE EFFICIENCY AND PROFITABILITY THROUGH TECHNOLOGY.
"IT IS DEVELOPING AN INCREASINGLY WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES AND IS LAUNCHING AN INDUSTRIAL CLUB SCHEME TO ENSURE THAT THE SERVICE WILL REACH A GREATER NUMBER OF PLASTICS MANUFACTURERS," HE SAID.
/THE INDUSTRY .......
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1990
- 14 -
THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ALSO COMMISSIONS PERIODIC TECHNO-ECONOMIC AND MARKET RESEARCH STUDIES ON THE MAJOR GROUPS OF MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, INCLUDING THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY.
’’SUCH A STUDY IS BEING UNDERTAKEN RIGHT NOW TO EXAMINE, INTER ALIA, HOW LOCAL', REGIONAL AND GLOBAL TRENDS IN TECHNOLOGY MIGHT AFFECT HONG KONG’S PLASTICS INDUSTRY.
’’WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, THE CONSULTANTS, NAMELY ARTHUR D. LITTLE ASIA PACIFIC INC. AND HONG KONG PLASTICS TECHNOLOGY CENTRE, WILL CONDUCT A MAILING SURVEY AND OVER 100 INTERVIEWS IN HONG KONG TO ASSESS THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE LOCAL PLASTICS INDUSTRY,” HE SAID.
MR BARMA APPEALED TO PLASTICS MANUFACTURERS TO RENDER THEIR ASSISTANCE IN THIS STUDY AS AND WHEN REQUIRED.
"THE ENTIRE STUDY IS EXPECTED TO COMPLETE TOWARDS THE END OF THIS YEAR.
"IN THE LIGHT OF ITS FINDINGS, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE IN A BETTER POSITION TO DECIDE WHAT FURTHER BASIC SUPPORT SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR PLASTICS MANUFACTURERS," HE SAID.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
COPIES OF MR BARMA’S SPEECH WILL BE BOXED.
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FINANCE COMMITTEE TO MEET TOMORROW * t * * * t
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY), 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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/15........
THURSDAY, ULY 12, 1990
- 15 -
TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS DROP FOUR. PER CENT IN 1989-90 * * ★ * ★
THE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT (TCU) OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 9,908 COMPLAINTS IN 1989-90, A DECREASE OF FOUR PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE 1988-89 FIGURES.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (THURSDAY) TO RELEASE THE UNIT’S ANNUAL REPORT, THE ACTING EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF THE UNIT, MR MARIUS CHAN, SAID PUBLIC TRANSPORT SIRVICES AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS REMAINED THE MAIN TARGETS OF PUBLIC COMPLAINTS.
OF THE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED, 53 PER CENT WERE ABOUT PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES, THE SAME AS LAST YEAR; AND 22 PER CENT WERE ABOUT TRAFFIC CONDITIONS, WHICH REPRESENTED A SLIGHT DROP OF TWO PER CENT.
OTHER MAJOR AREAS OF COMPLAINT WERE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ROAD MAINTENANCE.
COMPLAINTS ON BUS SERVICES STOOD AT 2,502 OR AN INCREASE OF 13.7 PER CENT. THEY WERE MOSTLY RELATED TO INADEQUATE SERVICE AND STANDARD OF SERVICE.
REGARDING INADEQUATE SERVICE, THERE WERE 116 COMPLAINTS LEVELLED AGAINST CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY (CMB) WHILE 497 WERE AGAINST THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY (KMB).
LAST YEAR, THE COMPLAINTS AGAINST CMB AND KMB WERE 185 CASES AND 462 CASES RESPECTIVELY.
MOST OF THESE COMPLAINTS WERE ABOUT FREQUENCY OF BUS SERVICES OR ROUTEINGS, PARTICULARLY TO NEW TOWNS.
FOR CROSS HARBOUR BUS SERVICES, THERE WERE 79 COMPLAINTS, TWO CASES LESS THAN LAST YEAR.
COMPLAINTS RELATING TO THE STANDARD OF SERVICE OF FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES INCLUDED FAILURE TO KEEP TO SCHEDULES AND DRIVERS’ BEHAVIOUR.
WITH REGARD TO CMB, THE UNIT RECORDED 584 COMPLAINTS, AN INCREASE OF 46 CASES, WHEREAS KMB ATTRACTED 846 COMPLAINTS, A RISE OF 190 CASES.
FOR CROSS HARBOUR BUS SERVICES, THERE WERE 267 COMPLAINTS, COMPARED WITH 174 IN LAST YEAR.
ON TAXI SERVICE, MR CHAN SAID A TOTAL OF 1,625 COMPLAINTS, OR A DECREASE OF 19 PER CENT WERE RECEIVED IN 1989-90.
OF THESE, 1,555 WERE RELATED TO TAXI MALPRACTICES, A DROP OF 301 CASES. THE MAJOR COMPLAINT WAS REFUSING HIRE/SOLICITING PASSENGERS.
/THE UNIT .......
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1990
- 16 -
THE UNIT RECEIVED 2,170 COMPLAINTS ABOUT TRAFFIC CONDITIONS, OF WHICH 1,178 WERE RELATED TO ROAD CONGESTION.
THE MAIN CONGESTION AREAS WERE EASTERN, CENTRAL, WESTERN AND WAN CHAI ON HONG KONG ISLAND; KWUN TONG, KOWLOON CITY, WONG TAI SIN IN KOWLOON; AND KWAI TSI NG, SHA TIN AND TUEN MUN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
SUGGESTIONS TO IMPROVE ROAD CONGESTION AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT HAD ACCOUNTED FOR 1,693 CASES AS AGAINSI 1,462 CASES IN 1988-89.
MR CHAN SAID THE UNIT WAS SET UP UNDER THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO RECEIVE AND MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND SUGGESTIONS ON TRANSPORT MATTERS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WANT TO MAKE ANY SUGGESTION OR COMPLAINT MAY TELEPHONE THE TCU HOTLINE, 577 6866, WHICH OPERATES AROUND THE CLOCK.
AFTER INVESTIGATING THE COMPLAINTS, I’ll UNIT WOULD GIVE THE COMPLAINANT A VERBAL OR WRITTEN REPLY AS DEEMFI APPROPRIATE, MR CHAN SAID.
ALSO ATTENDING TODAY'S PRESS CONFERENCE WAS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TCU SUB-COMMITTEE, DR STEPHEN TANG LUNG-WAI.
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SURVEY OF WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND RESTAURANTS AND **♦♦♦♦
IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, HOTELS ♦
A TOTAL OF 125,367 WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT ESTABLISHMENTS, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS/BOARDING HOUSES WERE OPERATION DURING THE WHOLE OR PART OF 1988, ACCORDING TO THE SUMMARY RESULTS OF THE 1988 SURVEY OF WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
WHEN COMPARED WITH 1987, THE NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS INCREASED BY 8 PER CENT.
IN 1988, THESE ESTABLISHMENTS GENERATED $1,019,230 MILLION OF SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS; AND SPENT $44,958 MILLION ON COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES, $95,213 MILLION ON OPERATING EXPENSES AND $839,333 MILLION ON PURCHASES OF GOODS FOR SALE.
WHEN COMPARED WITH 1987, SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS INCREASED BY 25 PER CENT, WHILE COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES, OPERATING EXPENSES AND PURCHASES OF GOODS FOR SALE ROSE BY 24 PER CENT, 32 PER CENT AND 25 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
/THE SECTOR'S .......
THURSDAY ULY 12, 1990
- 17 -
THE SECTOR’S VAI.UE ADDED INCREASED BY 23 PER CENT TO $104,359 MILLION IN 1988, FROM $84,793 MILLION IN 1987. VALUE ADDED IS A MEASURE OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF AN ECONOMIC SECTOR TO HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.
ALL VALUE FIGURES IN THIS PRESS RELEASE ARE EXPRESSED IN CURRENT PRICE TERMS. PERCENTAGE CHANGES DERIVED FROM THESE FIGURES HAVE NOT BEEN ADJUSTED FOR PRICE INCREASES.
WHEN ANALYSED BY ECONOMIC ACTIVITY, THE IMPORT/EXPORT TRADE RECORDED THE LARGEST SHARE OF SALES AID OTHER RECEIPTS, AT $762,401 MILLION OR 75 PER CENT OF THE SECTOR TOTAL.
RETAIL TRADE ACCOUNTED FOR 13 PER CENT, WHILE WHOLESALE TRADE TOOK UP 9 PER CENT, RESTAURANTS 3 PER CENT AND HOTELS/BOARDING HOUSES 1 PER CENT.
IN 1988, THE IMPORT/EXPORT TRADE ALSO ACCOUNTED FOR THE LARGEST SHARE (60 PER CENT) OF TOTAL VALUE ADDED IN THF SECTOR. THE REST WAS CONTRIBUTED BY RETAIL TRADE (17 PER CENT), RES’! URANTS (11 PER CENT), WHOLESALE TRADE (6 PER CENT) AND HOTELS/BOARDING HOUSES (6 PER CENT).
WHEN COMPARED WITH 1987, THE IMPORT/EXPORT TRADE RECORDED THE LARGEST PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS (+29 PER CENT), FOLLOWED BY HOTELS/BOARDING HOUSES (+24 PER CENT), RETAIL TRADE (+23 PER CENT), RESTAURANTS (+15 PER CENT) AND WHOLESALE TRADE (+5 PER CENT).
IN TERMS OF VALUE ADDED, THE RETAIL TRADE RECORDED THE LARGEST PERCENTAGE INCREASE (+28 PER CENT), FOLLOWED BY HOTELS/BOARDING HOUSES (+27 PER CENT), IMPORT/EXPORT TRADE (+24 PER CENT), RESTAURANTS (+17 PER CENT) AND WHOLESALE TRADE (+8 PER CENT).
THE 1988 SURVEY WAS ONE IN A SERIES OF ANNUAL SURVEYS CONDUCTED FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON THE STRUCTURE AND OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR AND ON THE SECTOR’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT OF HONG KONG.
DATA COLLECTED IN THE SURVEY INCLUDED TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, FLOOR AREA, NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED, NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES, COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES, OPERATING EXPENSES, PURCHASES OF GOODS FOR SALE, STOCKS, SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS, AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE.
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY OF THE SURVEY, TOGETHER WITH ANALYTICAL TABLES SHOWING THE PRINCIPAL STATISTICS FOR ALL ESTABLISHMENTS CLASSIFIED BY MAJOR GROUP/ACTIVITY AND ANALYSED BY VARIOUS ECONOMIC VARIABLES, ARE INCLUDED IN THE STATISTICAL REPORT ENTITLED "1988 SURVEY OF WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS".
THIS REPORT WILL BE ON SALE NEXT MONTH AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; AND THE PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
/STATISTICS CONTAINED
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1990
- 18 -
STATISTICS CONTAINED IN THE REPORT WILL BE USEFUL TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR DECISION MAKING, ECONOMIC ANALYSIS AND MARKET RESEARCH.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 556 1394.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A TABLE ON THE COMPARISON OF SELECTED PRINCIPAL STATISTICS FOR ALL ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND 1MPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR BETWEEN 1987 AND 1988 WILL BE SENT BY FACSIMILE AND BOXED.
/COMPARISON OF .......
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1990
Comparison of Selected Principal Statistics for all establishments in the Wholesale, Retail and Import/Export Trades, Restaurants and Hotels Sector between 1987 and 1988
Activity Number of establishments Number of persons engaged Number of employees Compensations of employees Operating expenses Purchases of goods for sale Changes in stocks Sales and other receipts Value added
$ Mn. $ Mn. $ Mn. $ Mn. $ Mn. $ Mn.
Wholesale 1988 14 917 68 229 51 359 3,029 5,530 76,966 1,166 87,363 6,199
trade 1987 14 843 67 055 49 984 2,578 5,221 73,931 1,109 83,532 5,759
% change +2 +3 +17 +6 *4 *5 *5 *8
Retail trade 1988 51 233 190 145 129 690 7,806 14,506 99,191 3,298 127,596 17,463
1987 50 943 178 744 115 250 6,199 11,909 81,271 2,919 103,659 13,617
% change +1 +6 +13 +26 + 22 +22 +13 +23 +28 1
Import/export trade 1988 1987 50 195 41 198 295 141 •255 715 264 007 223 191 23,293 18,110 64,557 45,801 648,963 501,060 11,939 7,215 762,401 589,427 63,032 50,754 1
1 % change +22 +15 +18 +29 +41 + 30 +65 *29 +24 l
Restaurants 1988 7 654 168 768 159 359 8,774 7,404 13,251 47 32,272 11,719 I
1987 7 463 168 351 158 223 7,661 6,400 11,834 110 28,025 9,987 o
% change *3 1 +1 +15 +16 *12 -58 +15 +17 i
Hotels/ 1988 1 369 31 058 29 777 2,056 3,217 961 13 9,599 5,947 i
i boarding 1987 1 241 29 149 28 119 1,717 2,569 808 16 7,756 4,677
houses % change +10 +7 +6 +20 + 25 +19 -17 +24 + 27 1 i
Total 1988 125 367 753 341 634 192 44,958 95,213 839,333 16,464 1,019,230 104,359
1987 115 688 699 015 574 768 36,265 71,901 668,905 11,369 812,400 84,793
% change +8 +8 +10 +24 +32 +25 +45 +25 +23
Notes : (1) Individual items may not add up to total due to rounding.
(2) Value added is a measure of the contribution of an economic sector to Hong Kong's Gross Domestic Product.
(3) Figures denoting changes are derived from unrounded figures.
(4) I denotes changes within * 0.5%.
THURSDAY, JULY I . 1990
- 20 -
GOVERNOR OF MACAU TO VISIT HK *****
THE GOVERNOR OF MACAU, MR CARLOS MELANCIA, WILL VISIT HONG KONG NEXT MONDAY (JULY 16) AT THE INVITATION OF THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG, SIR DAVID WILSON.
DURING THE VISIT, THE GOVERNOR WILL HOLD DISCUSSIONS AND HAVE LUNCH WITH MR MELANCIA.
MR MELANCIA WILL ALSO TAKE A HELICOPTER TOUR OF HONG KONG DURING WHICH HE WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE GOVERNOR OF MACAU, MR CARLOS MELANCIA, WILL BE GREETED ON ARRIVAL BY THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG, SIR DAVID WILSON, AT THE HONG KONG AND MACAU FERRY TERMINAL.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING MR MELANCIA'S ARRIVAL SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE PERMIT OFFICE OF MARINE DEPARTMENT ON THE THIRD FLOOR, SHUN TAK CENTRE, AT 10.15 AM ON MONDAY. THEY ARE REQUESTED TO BE PUNCTUAL TO FACILITATE THE ISSUING OF RESTRICTED AREA PERMITS.
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262 SUBMISSIONS ON SOCIAL WELFARE DEVELOPMENT RECEIVED
******
A TOTAL OF 262 WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS ON THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES HAD BEEN RECEIVED BY JULY 9, THE DEADLINE FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO PUT FORWARD THEIR VIEWS.
THE SECRETARY OF THE WORKING PARTY ON SOCIAL WELFARE POLICIES AND SERVICES, MRS LOUISE WONG, TODAY (THURSDAY) EXPRESSED GRATITUDE AT THE VOLUME AND QUALITY OF THE SUBMISSIONS.
THESE SUBMISSIONS HAD BEEN CIRCULATED TO MEMBERS OF THE WORKING PARTY AND ITS SUB-COMMITTEES, SHE SAID.
/THE PUBLIC .......
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1990
21 -
THE PUBLIC WOULD HAVE FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO COMMENT ON THE DRAFT WHITE PAPER DURING A THREE-MONTH CONSULTATIVE PERIOD FALLOWING ITS PUBLICATION LATE NEXT MONTH, SHE ADDED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE WORKING PARTY ON SOCIAL WELFARE POLICIES AND SERVICES WILL HOLD A MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL.
A MEET-THE-MEDIA SESSION WILL FOLLOW. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO ATTEND THE SESSION ARE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE AT THE CGO PRESS ROOM AT 5.30 PM.
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VARIETY OF TOPICS COVERED BY GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY
********
SUPPLEMENTARY ENQUIRIES ON A VARIETY OF TOPICS ARE INCLUDED IN THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY WHICH IS CONDUCTED ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE AIM IS TO COLLECT SOCIAL DATA REQUIRED BY THE GOVERNMENT FOR PLANNING THE PROVISION OF SERVICES AND FOR A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE SOCIAL CONDITION OF THE TERRITORY.
THE JUST-PUBLISHED SPECIAL TOPICS REPORT NO. VI COVERS SEVEN TOPICS BASED ON ENQUIRIES CONDUCTED DURING THE PERIOD FROM AUGUST 1988 TO MARCH 1989.
THEY TOPICS ARE COUNTRY PARKS, HERITAGE PRESERVATION, DOCTOR CONSULTATION, EXPENDITURE ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO AND FROM WORK, TAXI WAITING TIME, DOMESTIC HELPERS AND HONG KONG RESIDENTS WORKING IN CHINA.
ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, IT WAS ESTIMATED FROM A SURVEY CONDUCTED DURING THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1988 THAT SOME 52,300 HONG KONG RESIDENTS AGED 15 AND OVER HAD WORKED IN CHINA DURING THE REFERENCE YEAR BEFORE THE SURVEY, REPRESENTING 1.9 PER CENT OF THE LABOUR FORCE.
A SIGNIFICANT PROPORTION OF THEM, 43 PER CENT, WERE IN PRODUCTION OCCUPATIONS, 26 PER CENT WERE IN PROFESSIONAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND MANAGERIAL OCCUPATIONS AND 20 PER CENT IN SALES OCCUPATIONS. ABOUT FOUR-FIFTHS WERE STILL IN THE COUNTRY AT THE TIME OF THE SURVEY.
/ON THE ........
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1990
- 22 -
ON THE TOPIC OF DOCTOR CONSULTATION, A SUPPLEMENTARY ENQUIRY CONDUCTED IN JANUARY 1989 SHOWED THAT FOR EVERY 1,000 POPULATION, 131 HAD CONSULTED A DOCTOR DURING A TWO-WEEK REFERENCE PERIOD.
CHILDREN AGED UNDER FIVE HAD THE HIGHEST CONSULTATION RATE AT 287 PFR 1,000, FOLLOWED BY THE ELDERLY AGED 65 AND OVER, AT 200 PER 1,000. IN GENERAL, THE CONSULTATION RATE FOR FEMALES, 150 PER 1,000, WAS HIGHER THAN THAT FOR MALES, 113 PER 1,000.
ON THE TOPIC OF DOMESTIC HELPERS, A TOTAL OF ABOUT 59,000 (OR 3.8 PER CENT) DOMESTIC HOUSEHOLDS WERE EMPLOYING ONE OR MORE DOMESTIC HELPERS IN 1988, COMPARED WITH A LOWER FIGURE OF 54,100 (OR 3.6 PER CENT) IN 1987.
ABOUT SEVEN OUT OF 10 OF THESE HOUSEHOLDS EMPLOYED "LIVE-IN” DOMESTIC HELPERS (THOSE WHO STAYED OVERNIGHT IN THEIR EMPLOYERS’ HOME), AND ONE OUT OF FIVE EMPLOYED PART-TIME DOMESTIC HELPERS (THOSE WHO WORKED LESS THAN 40 HOURS PER WEEK).
FROM ANOTHER SURVEY CONDUCTED IN MARCH 1989, IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 43 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION AGED 12 AND ABOVE HAD USED TAXI DURING THE REFERENCE MONTH BEFORE THE SURVEY.
AS REGARDS THE WAITING TIME OF THEIR LAST TAXI TRIP, 57 PER CENT HAD WAITED FOR LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES, AND LESS THAN 25 PER CENT FOR FIVE TO LESS THAN 10 MINUTES.
THE SPECIAL TOPICS REPORT NO. VI CONTAINS MANY MORE FINDINGS AND DETAILED TABLES ON THE SUBJECTS CONCERNED.
THE REPORT IS NOW ON SALE AT $28 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AND THE PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
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SPECIAL ARTICLE ON MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY FROM CANCER IN HK
*******
A SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE ENTITLED ’’MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY FROM CANCER IN HONG KONG - THE LAST 20 YEARS” IS CONTAINED IN THE MARCH 1990 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS, NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE.
CANCER CONTINUES TO BE THE TOP KILLING DISEASE IN HONG KONG DURING THE PAST 20 YEARS. THE SPECIAL ARTICLE PRESENTS DETAILED ANALYSES ON THE TREND OF CANCER MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY OBSERVED DURING THE REVIEW PERIOD.
/DIFFERENCES IN .......
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1990
- 23 -
DIFFERENCES IN PATTERNS BETWEEN MALES AND FEMALES AND AMONG VARIOUS AGE GROUPS ARE STUDIED. SIMILAR INDICATORS OF SELECTED COUNTRIES ARE COMPARED. EFFORTS SPENT BY THE HEALTH AUTHORITY AND RELATED ORGANISATIONS ON FIGHTING AGAINST CANCER ARE ALSO REVIEWED.
THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS, AT $40 PER COPY, CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
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NEW GOVT CONTRACTS SIGNED FOR BETTER CLEANING SERVICE
*****
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS INTRODUCED NEW AND IMPROVED DOCUMENTATION AND CONTROL MEASURES TO ENSURE THAT CONTRACTORS PERFORM PROPERLY AND DELIVER GOOD QUALITY CLEANING SERVICE TO GOVERNMENT OFFICES.
THE FIRST BATCH OF 12 NEW CLEANING CONTRACTS TO EFFECT THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS WERE SIGNED BETWEEN THE DIRECTOR OF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES, MR JOSE LEI, AND SIX CONTRACTORS TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE VALUE OF THE CONTRACTS AMOUNTED TO $68.3 MILLION.
THE SIX CONTRACTORS ARE RELIANCE SERVICES CO. LTD, ORIENTAL CLEANING SERVICES CO. LTD, UNIVERSAL CLEANING SERVICES LTD, LEE ON REALTY (PROPERTY MANAGEMENT) LTD, JOHNSON CLEANING SERVICES CO. AND YU’S TIN SING ENTERPRISES CO. LTD.
EXPLAINING THE DETAILS OF THE NEW PACKAGE, THE SENIOR PROPERTY SERVICES MANAGER (BUILDING MANAGEMENT) OF THE DEPARTMENT, MR NG TAT-CHOI, SAID ONE SIMPLE AND FAIR UNIT RATE SYSTEM IS ADOPTED FOR PRICING TENDERS AND VARIATIONS.
THIS WOULD ENABLE BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE CONTRACTORS TO IMMEDIATELY APPRECIATE THE COST IMPLICATIONS OF ANY TENDER AND SUBSEQUENT VARIATION WITHOUT THE NEED FOR COMPLICATED CALCULATIONS AND POSSIBLE DISPUTES, HE SAID.
"CLEARLY LAID OUT SCHEDULES ARE USED TO SPECIFY THE BUILDINGS TO BE CLEANED, THE LEVEL OF SERVICE REQUIRED AT EACH PARTICULAR LOCATION,' AND THE FLOOR OR WINDOW AREAS INVOLVED.
"DRAWINGS ARE INCORPORATED TO PRECISELY INDICATE THE EXTENT AND SPREAD OF THE WORK TO ASSIST THE DEPARTMENT’S SUPERVISORY STAFF, THE ’LAY’ CLIENTS AND THE CONTRACTORS TO SUPERVISE THE CONTRACTS MORE EASILY AND EFFECTIVELY," HE SAID.
THE PERFORMANCE AND FACILITIES SPECIFICATION HAS ALSO BEEN REVISED TO PUT FIRMLY ON THE SHOULDERS OF THE CONTRACTORS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO MANAGE THEIR OWN STAFF.
/"THE CONTRACTORS
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1990
- 24 -
"THE CONTRACTORS HAVE TO STATE IN THEIR TENDERS DETAILS OF THEIR PROPOSED LABOUR DEPLOYMENT AT EACH JOB LOCATION, AND ARE REQUIRED TO EMPLOY A DEDICATED TEAM OF MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL TO ADMINISTER EACH CONTRACT," MR NG SAID.
"THE NEW SPECIFICATION CLEARLY SPELLS OUT THE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS REQUIRED OF THE CONTRACTORS AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR FAILURE TO DO SO."
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE SPECIFICATION ALSO CONTAINS A DEMERIT POINT SYSTEM TO SERVE AS A YARDSTICK TO MEASURE THE CONTRACTOR’S PERFORMANCE TO FACILITATE EASY REMOVAL OF HABITUALLY NON-PERFORMING CONTRACTORS.
TO ENSURE THAT THE GOVERNMENT GETS GOOD QUALITY CLEANING SERVICE FOR THE PRICE IT PAYS, THE DEPARTMENT IS ARRANGING TO INVITE A CLEANING CONSULTANT FROM BRITAIN TO TRAIN ITS PROPERTY MANAGEMENT STAFF ON THE SUITABLE METHODS, MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT FOR EVERY ASPECT OF BUILDING CLEANING, THE SUPERVISION OF CLEANING OPERATIONS AND THE RESULTS TO LOOK FOR.
ON COMPLETION OF THE COURSE, THE ASD STAFF WILL IN TURN PROVIDE TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL ADVICE TO THEIR CLIENTS IN VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
THE COURSE WILL ALSO BE EXTENDED TO CONTRACTORS AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE. THEIR ACQUIRED SKILLS WILL RECEIVE THE RECOGNITION OF THE CITY AND GUILDS OF LONDON INSTITUTE UNDER THE OPERATIVES PROFICIENCY CERTIFICATION SCHEME, AND MAY LATER BECOME THE QUALIFICATION FOR ADMITTING NEW CONTRACTORS TO AND RETAINING SERVING CONTRACTORS ON THE APPROVED LIST OF CONTRACTORS.
"WITH A GOOD CONTRACT, A TEAM OF DEDICATED, PROFESSIONALLY TRAINED AND COMPETENT PROPERTY MANAGEMENT STAFF, AND KNOWLEDGEABLE AND SKILLED CONTRACTORS, THE GOVERNMENT CAN CONFIDENTLY LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING AND WORKING IN CLEANER BUILDINGS AT A REASONABLE COST," MP NG SAID.
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LABOUR COMMISSIONER VISITS WATCH FACTORY * * * * *
THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND, TODAY (THURSDAY) VISITED A WATCH MANUFACTURING FACTORY IN KWUN TONG TO KEEP ABREAST OF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT ON THE LABOUR SCENE.
ESTABLISHED IN 1970, SUNCITI MANUFACTURERS LTD NOW EMPLOYS
ABOUT 900 EMPLOYEES, WITH PRODUCTS FOR SALE IN BOTH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MARKETS.
/MR HAMMOND ......
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1990
- 25 -
MR HAMMOND WAS RECEIVED BY THE FACTORY’S MANAGING DIRECTOR MR Y. ASABA AND THE ADMINISTRATION MANAGER MR K. ICHIMATA WHO BRIEFED HIM ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND GENERAL EMPLOYMENT SITUATION OF THE COMPANY.
HE LATER TOURED THE PLANT’S INFORMATION AND ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING, PRODUCT DESIGN AND PRODUCTION SECTIONS TO SEE WORKERS AT WORK.
HE NOTED THAT THE COMPANY HAS SET UP 60 TO 70 QUALITY CONTROL CIRCLES AT THE GRASSROOT LEVEL IN ALL DEPARTMENTS TO MAINTAIN A BALANCE BETWEEN MAXIMUM CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT DEMOCRACY.
IT HAS ALSO FORMED A SAFETY SUB-COMMITTEE COMPRISING SENIOR STAFF MEMBERS AND REGULARLY ORGANISES SAFETY COMPETITIONS TO AROUSE WORKERS’ AWARENESS OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.
MR HAMMOND WAS PLEASED TO LEARN THAT THF COMPANY HAS NO RECORD OF SERIOUS ACCIDENTS AND HAS NOT BEEN PROSECUT: D UNDER THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY LAWS IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
BEFORE CONCLUDING HIS VISIT, MR HAMMOND ALSO HAD A BRIEF DISCUSSION WITH THE COMPANY’S MANAGEMENT ON GENERAL LABOUR RELATIONS ISSUES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN DURING THE VISIT WILL BE BOXED.
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FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PROVIDES GUIDANCE TO THE YOUNG ♦ ♦ t * * ♦ *
FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT PROVIDES GUIDANCE IN THOSE ASPECTS OF FAMILY LIFE ON WHICH THE YOUNGER GENERATION MAY FIND IT DIFFICULT TO SEEK ADVICE FROM THEIR PARENTS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE PO LEUNG KUK DIRECTORS LUNCHEON MEETING, MRS WONG SAID MUCH OF THE MAIN PROGRAMME AREAS OF FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION WAS THEREFORE AIMED AT ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS.
THE FOUR MAIN PROGRAMME AREAS ARE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND BEHAVIOUR, SEX EDUCATION, HUMAN ROLES AND RELATIONSHIPS, AND HOME MANAGEMENT AND HEALTH EDUCATION.
/IT WAS
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1990
- 26 -
IT WAS EASY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO ASK THEIR PARENTS FOR ADVICE OR INFORMATION ON MOST SUBJECTS, BUT WHEN IT CAME TO SUBJECTS SUCH AS SEX EDUCATION OR PERHAPS THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN SOCIETY, THIS MIGHT NO LONGER RE THE CASE, MRS WONG NOTED.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT THE TRADITIONAL VIEW ON THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN SOCIETY WOULD BE IN COMPLETE CONTRAST TO THE MORE WESTERN VIEWS OF SEXUAL EQUALITY, AND THE FREEDOM TO "LIVE ONE’S OWN LIFE”.
"TRYING TO STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN THE TWO ROLES IS NOT EASY, AND IS THE SORT OF AREA IN WHICH FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION CAN BE OF GREAT HELP, IN THAT THE SOCIAL WORKERS MAY GIVE ADVICE FROM A FAIRLY NEUTRAL VIEWPOINT," SHE SAID.
MRS WONG SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT ADEQUATE FACILITIES WERE AVAILABLE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY TO ENABLE YOUNG PEOPLE TO RECEIVE PROPER FACTUAL INFORMATION AND TO DEVELOP HEALTHY ATTITUDES ABOUT SEXUALITY, AND ITS PLACE IN A RELATIONSHIP.
"IT IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT FOR PARENTS TO ‘E ABLE TO SEEK ADVICE AS TO HOW TO DEAL WITH THEIR CHILDREN’S QUESTIONS ON THIS ISSUE, AS WELL AS HOW TO ENSURE THAT THEY DO NOT DEVIATE FROM AN INDIVIDUAL’S ROLE IN SOCIETY.
"THUS, BOTH THE ATTITUDE AND THE COMMITMENT TO THE SUBJECT BY THE GOVERNMENT IS IMPORTANT,” SHE SAID.
SHE NOTED THAT THROUGH FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION, NOT ONLY COULD YOUNG PEOPLE, AS WELL AS THEIR PARENTS, ACQUIRE AN APPROPRIATE SET OF VALUES, BUT ALSO THEY WERE ABLE TO RECEIVE INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE ON SUBJECTS WHICH AFFECTED THEIR FUTURE LIFE AND HAPPINESS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
COPIES OF MRS WONG’S SPEECH WILL BE BOXED.
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YOUNG PEOPLE URGED TO PREPARE FOR CHALLENGE ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD PREPARE THEMSELVES TO COPE CHANGES AND CHALLENGES FACING HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
WITH THE
HONG KONG
OFFICIATING AT THE CARITAS PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS DAY, MR LAN SAID HONG KONG WOULD FACE A SERIES OF CHALLENGES IN THE NEXT SEVEN YEARS.
JOINT SPEECH
CHANGES AND
/"AND YOUNG .......
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1990
27
’’AND YOUNG PEOPLE, AS THE FUTURE MAINSTAY OF THE SOCIETY, SHOULD SEIZE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO ACQUIRE MORE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS, TO DEVELOP THEIR CHARACTER AND TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS SO THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE THE MAXIMUM CONTRIBUTION TO THE SOCIETY IN THEIR RESPECTIVE ROLES IN THE FUTURE,” HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE OBJECTIVE OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME LAUNCHED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN 1981 WAS TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE MORE SPEEDY RESPONSE TO THE NEEDS OF LOCAL RESIDENTS, INCLUDING THOSE OF YOUNG PEOPLE, THROUGH A NETWORK OF DISTRICT BOARDS AND DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES.
”IT IS ALSO HOPED THAT MORE RESIDENTS, AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN PARTICULAR, WILL' ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN LOCAL AFFAIRS AND VOICE THEIR OPINIONS,” HE SAID.
’’ONE POINT WORTH NOTING IS THAT NEARLY 40 PER CENT OF THE DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS ARE UNDER 40 YEARS OF AGE AND AT PRESENT, THERE ARE MANY YOUNG PEOPLE SERVING AS CO-OPTED MEMBERS ON VARIOUS COMMITTEES UNDER THE DISTRICT BOARDS.
’’THIS GOOD TRAINING HELPS GROOM THE YOUNG PEOPLE INTO FUTURE DISTRICT LEADERS,” HE ADDED.
MR LAN COMMENDED CARITAS FOR ENCOURAGING ITS STUDENTS TO TAKE PART IN EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND FOSTERING THEIR CIVIC AWARENESS.
HE NOTED THAT PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL WAS AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF HONG KONG’S EDUCATION SYSTEM AS IT PROVIDED AN ALTERNATIVE TO GRAMMAR SCHOOL AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE IN MEETING THE DIFFERENT ABILITIES AND APTITUDE OF THE STUDENTS AND THE NEEDS OF THE SOCIETY.
------0--------
H *
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED GRADES ON THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF ALL BATHING BEACHES IN HONG KONG.
THE PURPOSE OF THE GRADING SYSTEM IS TO INFORM SWIMMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE STATE OF BACTERIAL POLLUTION AT VARIOUS BEACHES. THE GRADING WILL BE ANNOUNCED BIWEEKLY DURING THE BATHING SEASON TO COINCIDE WITH THE FREQUENCY AT WHICH BEACH WATERS AR? USUALLY SAMPLED.
THE GRADING IS BASED ON THE MOST RECENT E. COLI DATA OBTAINED BY THE EPD IN ITS ROUTINE MONITORING PROGRAMME. AS WITH LAST YEAR, THE GRADING ALSO INCLUDES AN ESTIMATE OF THE RISK OF SUFFERING SOME MINOR SKIN OR GASTROINTESTINAL COMPLAINTS AS A RESULT OF SWIMMING AT A BEACH WHICH HAS SOME DEGREE OF POLLUTION. THE ESTIMATE IS BASED ON A VERY LARGE BODY OF STATISTICAL INFORMATION GATHERED IN HONG KONG IN RECENT BATHING SEASONS.
/THE GRADING .......
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1990
- 28 -
THE GRADING OF SOME BEACHES MAY VARY DURING THE SUMMER. THIS REPRESENTS A NATURAL FLUCTUATION IN THE BACTERIAL QUALITY OF BATHING WATERS IN MOST CASES, AS RAIN AND TIDES BRING MORE OR LESS POLLUTION TO THE BEACHES. HOWEVER, THE GRADES GIVE A GOOD GENERAL PICTURE OF THE WATER QUALITY AT BATHING BEACHES AT THE TIME OF REPORTING AND FORM THE BEST AVAILABLE FORECAST FOR THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.
THE SYSTEM FOR GRADING BEACH WATER QUALITY IS AS FOLLOWS:
GRADE "1” INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS GOOD. THE E. COL1 COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 24 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED RISK OF MINOR ILLNESS TO SWIMMERS IS UNDETECTABLE.
GRADE ”2” INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS FAIR. THE E. COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 180 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS NO MORE THAN 10 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
GRADE ”3” INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS ACCEPTABLE. THE E. COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 610 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS NO MORE THAN 15 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
GRADE ”4” INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS POOR. THE E. COLI COUNT IS MORE THAN 610 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS MORE THAN 15 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO CLOSE A BEACH TO SWIMMERS IS BASED ON A JUDGEMENT OF WHAT DEGREE OF POLLUTION IS ACCEPTABLE.
NORMALLY, THE CLOSURE OF A BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED BY THE URBAN OR REGIONAL COUNCIL IF A "4" GRADING OCCURRED REPEATEDLY, SO THAT THE AVERAGE HEALTH RISK OVER THE BATHING SEASON EXCEEDED 15 CASES PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
SIMILARLY, THE REOPENING OF A CLOSED BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED IF A ”3” GRADE OR BETTER WERE CONSISTENTLY OBTAINED.
AT PRESENT, TWO BATHING BEACHES, NAMELY CASTLE PEAK AND OLD CAFETERIA, HAVE BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES, BASED ON THE WATER QUALITY DURING PAST SEASONS.
THEY ARE POLLUTED BY FAECAL WASTES AND FAIL TO ACHIEVE CONSISTENTLY THE HONG KONG STANDARDS. THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED NOT TO SWIM IN THE WATER AT THESE TWO BEACHES.
IN ADDITION, ROCKY BAY BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING •PURPOSES BY THE URBAN COUNCIL. THESE THREE BEACHES ARE IDENTIFIED BY AN ”X” IN THE FOLLOWING LIST.
/THE GRADES .......
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1990
- 29 -
THE GRADES ON THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY IN HONG KONG AS AT TODAY ARE LISTED BELOW:
OF VARIOUS BEACHES
BEACH
HONG KONG SOUTH
BIG WAVE BAY
CHUNG HOM KOK
DEEP WATER BAY
HAIRPIN
MIDDLE BAY
REPULSE BAY
SHEK O
SOUTH BAY
ST STEPHEN’S
TURTLE COVE
STANLEY MAIN
ROCKY BAY
TO TEI WAN*
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
OLD CAFETERIA
NEW CAFETERIA
CASTLE PEAK
KADOORIE
BUTTERFLY
LAST GRADING
(AS AT 28.6.90)
3
2
1
3
1
1
4
1
2
2
2
X
1
X
2
X
2
3
PRESENT GRADING
(AS AT 12.7.90)
3
1
1
2
1
1
3
1
2
2
2
X
1
X
2
X
3
3
/ISLANDS DISTRICT .......
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1990
- 30 -
ISLANDS DISTRICT
- : 1 •
CHEUNG SHA UPPER 1
CHEUNG SHA LOWER 2
DISCOVERY BAY* •. 2
HUNG SHING YEH 1
KWUN YAM WAN 1
TONG FUK 1
LO SO SHING 1
PUI O 1
SILVERMINE BAY 3
TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU 1
TUNG O* 2
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
CAMPERS 2
CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH 2
CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND BEACH 2
HAP MUN BAY 1
KIU TSUI 1
PAR SHA CHAU 1
SILVERSTRAND 3
TRIO (HEBE HAVEN) 3
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
ANGLERS’ 3
APPROACH 2
CASAM 2
GEMINI 2
HOI MEI WAN 2
/LIDO 2 ........
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
2
2
2
2
1
2
1
3
3
4
3
2
2
2
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1990
- 31 -
LIDO 2 2
TING KAU 4 4
TUNG WAN, MA WAN 1 1
NOTE: "X” THE BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES.
* NON-GAZETTED BEACHES.
THE FOLLOWING BEACHES HAVE CHANGED GRADING ON THIS OCCASION:
CHUNG HOM KOK AND DISCOVERY BAY, FROM ”2” TO ”1”; HAIRPIN, FROM ”3” TO ”2”; KIU TSUI, FROM ”1” TO ”2”; APPROACH AND KADOORIE, FROM ”2” TO ”3".
THE CHANGES ARE WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE OF FLUCTUATION OF THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF THESE BEACHES.
SHEK O, FROM ”4” TO ”3”.
SHEK 0 BEACH IS UPGRADED ON THIS OCCASION. THE PREVIOUS GRADE WAS DUE TO THE HEAVY RAINFALL IN JUNE WHICH HAD CAUSED THE POLLUTANTS IN THE BEACH HINTERLAND TO BE WASHED INTO THE BEACH WATER. SAMPLES TAKEN RECENTLY AT THE BEACH INDICATE THE WATER QUALITY HAS RETURNED TO ACCEPTABLE CONDITION.
• - • ' • * I • f
ANGLERS’, FROM ”3” TO ”4'’.
HEAVY RAINFALL AT THE BEGINNING OF JULY RESULTED IN POLLUTANTS BEING FLUSHED INTO THE SEAWATER AT THIS BEACH.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT THE PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTION OFFICER (WATER POLICY) OF EPD, MR PAUL R. HOLMES, ON TEI. 835 1234.
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DISTRICT OFFICE CAUSEWAY BAY SUB-OFFICE ON MOVE ♦ ♦ ♦ t ♦
THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE’S CAUSEWAY BAY SUB-OFFICE WILL MOVE TO NEW PREMISES ON THE GROUND AND FIRST FLOORS OF THE RECENTLY COMPLETED CAUSEWAY BAY COMMUNITY CENTRE, AT 7 FOOK YUM ROAD, ON MONDAY (JULY 16).
THE SUB-OFFICE WILL PROVIDE PUBLIC ENQUIRY AND STATUTORY DECLARATION SERVICES TO RESIDENTS FROM 9 AM TO 5.30 PM ON WEEKDAYS, AND FROM 9 AM TO NOON ON SATURDAYS.
/IT WILL .......
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1990
- 32 -
IT WILL ALSO RECEIVE APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE UNDER THE FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME.
THE TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR PUBLIC ENQUIRIES WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED AT 566 2 150, BUT THE MAIL EXCHANGE NUMBER WILL CHANGE TO 570 4125.
IN ADDITION, THE COMMUNITY CENTRE WILL MAKE AVAILABLE ITS CONFERENCE ROOM AND A MULTJ - PURPOSE HALL FOR USE BY LOCAL GROUPS BETWEEN 10 AM AND 10 PM DAILY, EXCEPT ON SUNDAYS.
MEMBERS Ol- THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO MAKE TELEPHONE BOOKINGS ON 566 2011.
------0-------
BEWARE OF BOGUS SWD OFFICERS
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED RESIDENTS TO BE WATCHFUL WHEN APPROACHED BY PEOPLE CLAIMING TO BE OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
THE ADVICE WAS GIVEN FOLLOWING A RECENT COMPLAINT FROM A CLIENT OF THE DEPARTMENT WHO REPORTED THAT SHE WAS APPROACHED BY A PERSON CLAIMING TO BE AN SWD OFFICER AND ASKING FOR PERSONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING ONE OF HER FAMILY MEMBERS.
"AS WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVANTS, OFFICERS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ARE ISSUED WITH A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, WHEN IN DOUBT, SHOULD REQUEST THE INTERVIEWER TO PRODUCE HIS IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENT, OR TELEPHONE SWD’S DISTRICT OFFICES, FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES OR FIELD UNIT OFFICES BEFORE SUPPLYING THEIR PERSONAL INFORMATION TO THE PERSON," HE ADDED.
THE SWD OPERATES 31 FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES AND 34 FIELD UNIT OFFICES TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO RESIDENTS IN THE TERRITORY.
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/33........
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1990
33
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR NEIGHBOURHOOD ACTIVITIES
******
RESIDENTS’ ORGANISATIONS IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT CAN NOW APPLY TO THEIR AREA COMMITTEES FOR SUBSIDIES FOR ORGANISING NEIGHBOURHOOD ACTIVITIES.
UNDER A ’’BLOCK ALLOCATION SCHEME”, AREA COMMITTEES IN SOUTHERN HAVE BEEN ENTRUSTED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING AND AFFAIRS COMMITTEE (CBAC) TO VET APPLICATIONS FOR DB FUNDS FROM MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATIONS AND OTHER RESIDENTS’ BODIES.
”A TOTAL OF $100,000 HAS BEEN EARMARKED FOR ALLOCATION TO THESE ORGANISATIONS THROUGH THE SEVEN AREA COMMITTEES IN THE DISTRICT,” A DB SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
’’THE CBAC WILL CONSIDER THE RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE AREA COMMITTEES AND MAKE GRANTS TO THE APPLICANT ORGANISATIONS DIRECT,’’ HE ADDED.
THE MAXIMUM GRANT IS $1,800. HOWEVER, FOR PURE ENTERTAINMENT FUNCTIONS SUCH AS PICNICS, BARBECUES AND VEGETARIAN MEALS, THE MAXIMUM GRANT WOULD BE $1,000.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE SCHEME AIMS TO STRENGTHEN THE TIES AMONG THE DISTRICT BOARD, AREA COMMITTEES AND RESIDENTS’ ORGANISATIONS, AND TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL RESIDENTS TO ORGANISE MORE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT APPLICATION PROCEDURES CAN BE MADE THE TO AREA COMMITTEES DIRECT, OR TO THE DISTRICT OFFICE OR ITS SUB-OFFICES, OR BY TELEPHONING MISS WINNIE CHONG ON 554 0271.
-----U-------
ISLANDS DB STUDY TOUR TO THAILAND
*****
AN ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD OVERSEAS STUDY GROUP, LED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM WAI-KEUNG, LEFT TODAY (THURSDAY) FOR A SEVEN-DAY VISIT TO THAILAND.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR KIM SALKELD, AND THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARY, MRS MARINA WOODHEAD, THE GROUP COMPRISED EIGHT DB MEMBERS, FOUR CO-OPTED MEMBERS AND SOME LOCALS.
MR LAM SAID THAILAND WAS CHOSEN BECAUSE THE COUNTRY’S EMPHASIS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM WAS SIMILAR TO THAT OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT.
/"THE AIM .......
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1990
34
"THE AIM OF THE TOUR IS TO ENABLE MEMBERS TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF A SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRY WHICH HAS A SOCIO-ECONOMIC BACKGROUND AND ACTIVITIES SIMILAR TO THAT OF OUR DISTRICT," HE SAID.
"IT IS HOPED THAT MEMBERS WILL BE INSPIRED THROUGH SITE VISITS AND EXCHANGES OF IDEAS WITH THAI OFFICIALS," HE ADDED.
THE GROUP WILL FIRST VISIT PATTAYA WHERE THE CHIEF OF THE LOCAL TOURISM AUTHORITY WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE JOM TIEN BEACH DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.
THEY WILL ALSO VISIT THE EASTERN SEABOARD PROJECT AND SOME MARICULTURE FARMS NEAR PATTAYA.
IN BANGKOK, THE GROUP WILL CALL ON THE TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND TO ATTEND A BRIEFING ON TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION IN THE COUNTRY BY THE DIRECTOR OF INVESTMENT CO-ORDINATION DIVISION.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD STUDY GROUP TAKEN AT THE AIRPORT WILL BE BOXED.
- - 0 - -
DB WORDING GROUP TO BE BRIEFED ON ASSISTANCE TO FARMERS
******
MEMBERS OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S WORKING GROUP ON AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE ASSISTANCE BEING OFFERED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TO THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT WILL REPORT THEIR FINDINGS ON THE WATER QUALITY NEAR A CONCRETE BATCHING PLANT AT YIM TIN TSAI.
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDE THE PROPOSED DESIGNATION OF NEW FISH CULTURE ZONES IN THE DISTRICT AND THE PROPOSED EXTENSION OF THE SHAM WAN FISH CULTURE ZONE BOUNDARY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S WORKING GROUP ON AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF TAI PO COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 152 KWONG FUK ROAD, TAI PO.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM.
- - 0 - -
/35
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1990
35
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS
*****
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER SEVERAL APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE FUNDS WILL BE USED TO PROMOTE VOTER REGISTRATION, TO PRODUCE THE DISTRICT BOARD REPORT, AND TO FINANCE AN EXCURSION FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AND AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROJECT.
ALSO ON THE AGENDA ARE PROGRESS REPORTS FROM VARIOUS WORKING GROUPS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE MAIN CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, SECOND FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, TSUEN WAN.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
------0--------
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS UC RECREATION AND SPORTS PROGRAMME *****
THE CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS AND COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE URBAN COUNCIL’S RECREATION AND SPORTS PROGRAMME FOR THE DISTRICT AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO STUDY REPORTS ON PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS IN KWUN TONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS AND COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, 6 TUNG YAN STREET.
------0 ----------
/36........
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1990
- 36 . -
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WONG TAI SIN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL RE IMPLEMENTED IN CHOI WAN ESTATE, WONG TAI SIN, FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JULY 14) FOR SEVEN WEEKS TO FACILITATE RECONSTRUCTION WORKS AT THE SECTION OF JAT’S INCLINE BETWEEN NGAU CHI WAN STREET AND CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD.
THE SECTION OF JAT’S INCLINE BETWEEN NGAU CHI WAN STREET AND CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM THE EXISTING TWO-WAY TRAFFIC TO ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND.
THE SECTION OF NGAU CHI WAN STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH JAT’S INCLINE AND A POINT ABOUT 100 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM THE EXISTING TWO-WAY TRAFFIC TO ONE-WAY EASTBOUND.
VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TURN RIGHT FROM CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD WESTBOUND ONTO JAT’S INCLINE NORTHBOUND, TO TURN LEFT FROM CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD EASTBOUND ONTO JAT’S INCLINE NORTHBOUND, AND TO TURN RIGHT FROM JAT’S INCLINE SOUTHBOUND ONTO NGAU CHI WAN STREET WESTBOUND.
MOTORISTS ON CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD WESTBOUND HEADING FOR THE SECTION OF JAT’S INCLINE BETWEEN CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD AND NGAU CHI WAN STREET ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD WESTBOUND, CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD EASTBOUND, FUNG SHING STREET AND NGAU CHI WAN STREET.
MOTORISTS ON CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD EASTBOUND HEADING FOR THE SAME SECTION OF JAT’S INCLINE ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD EASTBOUND, FUNG SHING STREET AND NGAU CHI WAN STREET.
THOSE ON JAT’S INCLINE SOUTHBOUND HEADING FOR NGAU CHI WAN STREET ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA JAT’S INCLINE SOUTHBOUND, CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD WESTBOUND, CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD EASTBOUND AND FUNG SHING STREET.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE THEM.
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/37........
THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1990
- 37 -
OPENING OF UNNAMED ROAD IN KOWLOON CITY ******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JULY 14), THE UNNAMED ROAD BENEATH THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT MULTI-STOREY CARPARK AND TO THE NORTH OF ARRIVALS ROAD WILL BE OPENED FOR VEHICULAR TRAFFIC.
CONCURRENTLY, THIS ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY 24 HOURS DAILY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
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TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF WUHU VEHICULAR UNDERPASS
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE WUHU VEHICULAR UNDERPASS LEADING FROM CHATHAM ROAD NORTH (NORTHBOUND) TO GILLIES AVENUE (SOUTHBOUND) WILL BE CLOSED FROM 1 AM TO 5 AM ON SATURDAY (JULY 14) TO FACILITATE CLEANSING WORK THERE.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS FROM TSTM SHA TSUI, YAU MA TEI AND THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL WISHING TO PROCEED TO HUNG HOM AREA ARE ADVISED TO USE EITHER CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH, CHEONG WAN ROAD, ON WAN ROAD, CHEONG WAN ROAD AND GILLIES AVENUE; OR GASCOIGNE ROAD, CHATHAM ROAD SOUTH, CHATHAM ROAD NORTH, PAK KUNG STREET, SHUN YUNG STREET, FAT KWONG STREET AND MA TAU WAI ROAD.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
------U--------
EXTENSION OF OPERATING HOURS OF NT GMB ROUTES 33, 35
**♦♦♦♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE OPERATING HOURS OF NEW TERRITORIES GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 33 (YUEN LONG (TAI FUNG STREET) TO HA PAK NAI) AND ROUTE 35 (YUEN LONG (TAI FUNG STREET) TO SHA KIU (TSIM BEI TSUI)) WILL BE EXTENDED FROM SATURDAY (JULY 14), FROM 9 PM TO 9.30 PM DAILY.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, JULY 13, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LABOUR IMPORTATION APPLICATIONS TO START NEXT WEEK ........................ 1
DRAMATIC IMPROVEMENT IN AIR QUALITY ....................................... 2
CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT FOR WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION ........................ 4
S157M EFFLUENT TUNNEL CONTRACT AWARDED .................................... 5
UK SHIPPERS BRIEFED ON HK REGISTER ........................................ 6
FUNDS FOR A TECHNOLOGY CENTRE APPROVED .................................... 7
FUNDS APPROVED FOR COMMISSIONING CONSULTANCY .............................. 8
OVER 30,000 SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS REGISTERED IN FIRST HALF OF 1990 . 9
FIRST QUARTER SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES ................. 12
NEW HELICOPTERS FOR RHKAAF................................................. i5
NEW RESCUE VESSEL FOR AIRPORT ............................................. i6
AIRCRAFT CRASH/RESCUE EXERCISE ............................................ i6
FORMER KCR CLOCK TOWER DECLARED MONUMENT .................................. i7
REFURBISHMENT OF SEWERAGE AND DRAINAGE SYSTEMS IN STANLEY ................. 18
REMINDER ON DISPLAY OF GOLD AND PLATINUM MARKING ORDER NOTICES ............ 18
RATEPAYERS GIVEN REMINDER ON THIRD QUARTER PAYMENT ........................ 19
SUMMER FUN FOR YUEN LONG YOUTHS ........................................... 21
WONG TAI SIN SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME TO START ON SUNDAY .................... 21
STUDENT AMBASSADORS VISIT CSD TRAINING INSTITUTE .......................... 22
COMPULSORY INSPECTION OF LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES ............................. 23
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN KOWLOON CITY ............................. 23
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ON TOLO HIGHWAY IN SHA TIN ......................... 23
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TSING YI BRIDGE ...................................... 24
FRIDAY, JULY 13, 1990
1
LABOUR IMPORTATION APPLICATIONS TO START NEXT WEEK *******
THE INTER-DEPARTMENTAL STEERING GROUP ON IMPORTATION OF LABOUR HAS FINALISED THE IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMME FOR TWO SCHEMES UNDER WHICH 2,700 SKILLED WORKERS AND 10,000 EXPERIENCED OPERATIVES CAN BE IMPORTED.
ANNOUNCING DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR K.Y. YEUNG SAID APPLICATIONS MAY BE LODGED WITH THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION FROM NEXT MONDAY (JULY 16).
"HOWEVER, THE SCHEME TO IMPORT 2,000 CONSTRUCTION WORKERS FOR THE NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS WILL NOT COMMENCE YET. DETAILS WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER IN THE YEAR," HE SAID.
STRESSING THAT THE STEERING GROUP WHICH HE CHAIRS WILL MONITOR CLOSELY THE SCHEMES’ IMPLEMENTATION TO ENSURE EFFICIENT ADMINISTRATION, MR YEUNG ADDED THAT ADEQUATE STEPS WOULD BE TAKEN TO PREVENT UNSCRUPULOUS EMPLOYERS FROM EXPLOITING IMPORTED WORKERS.
"AS A SAFEGUARD, WE HAVE AMENDED THE STANDARD CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT BY STIPULATING THAT ACCOMMODATION MUST BE PROVIDED BY THE EMPLOYER TO CERTAIN STANDARDS AND BY EMPHASISING THAT EMPLOYERS MAY NOT MAKE DEDUCTIONS FROM THE WAGES OF THEIR EMPLOYEES, EXCEPT FOR THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES ALLOWED UNDER SECTION 32 OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE," HE SAID.
THE STANDARD CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT FOR A PERIOD NOT EXCEEDING TWO YEARS WILL ALSO SPECIFY THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS UNDER HONG KONG LABOUR LAWS AND WILL COVER AREAS SUCH AS WAGES, HOLIDAYS, MEDICAL BENEFIT AND FREE PASSAGE.
ADDRESSING CONCERN OVER THE POSSIBILITY OF LOW-WAGE COMPETITION FOR LOCAL WORKERS, MR YEUNG SAID THE PUBLICATION OF MEDIAN WAGES IN RESPECT OF TECHNICIANS, CRAFTSMEN, SUPERVISORS AND EXPERIENCED OPERATIVES WOULD GIVE HONG KONG WORKERS AN ASSURANCE THAT THEY WOULD COME UNDER NO SUCH THREAT.
"I WOULD LIKE TO REITERATE THAT ONLY THOSE APPLICATIONS OFFERING WAGES AT OR ABOVE THE MEDIAN LEVEL WILL BE CONSIDERED.
MOREOVER, BEFORE AN APPLICATION IS PROCESSED, THE EMPLOYER WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE THAT HE HAS FAILED TO RECRUIT LOCALLY AT MARKET WAGES.
"HE CAN EITHER ADVERTISE VACANCIES IN NEWSPAPERS OR REGISTER VACANCIES WITH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
"VALID APPLICATIONS WILL THEN BE CONSIDERED IN AN ORDER OF PRIORITY THAT HAS REGARD TO RECENT VACANCY RATES AND RATES OF WAGE INCREASE.
/"IT IS .......
FRIDAY, JULY 13, 1990
2
"IT IS ENVISAGED TIIA Til I INDUSTRIES THAT HAVE BEEN SUFFERING FROM THE HIGHEST VACANC. RA1 is AND SUSTAINING THE HIGHEST GROWTH RATE IN WAGES WOULD BE GIVEN A HIGHER PRIORITY," HE SAID.
MR YEUNG SAID THAT FOR EACH SCHEME, A LIST OF INDUSTRIES AND SERVICES RANKED ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES AND THE RATE OF WAGE INCREASE, AND A SECOND LIST OF THE PRINCIPAL JOB TITLES IN EACH INDUSTRY OR SERVICE RANKED ACCORDING TO THEIR VACANCY SITUATION HAD BEEN COMPILED. THE LISTS WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST FROM THE IMMIGRATION AND LABOUR DEPARTMENTS.
"THESE LISTS WILL HELP PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYERS UNDERSTAND HOW THEIR APPLICATIONS WILL BE ASSESSED.
"A PAMPHLET, IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE, DESCRIBING THE PROCEDURE FOR IMPORTING LABOUR WILL ALSO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO HELP EMPLOYERS TO MAKE USE OF THE SCHEMES," HE SAID.
ON THE TIME-SCALE FOR IMPLEMENTATION, MR YEUNG SAID EMPLOYERS WOULD BE GIVEN SIX WEEKS UNTIL THE END OF AUGUST TO LODGE APPLICATIONS WITH THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, AND IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT A MONTH FOR ALL APPLICATIONS TO BE EXAMINED.
"ONCE AN APPLICATION HAS BEEN APPROVED, WE WILL NOTIFY THE EMPLOYER, AND ALLOW HIM UP TO THREE MONTHS WITHIN WHICH TO RECRUIT WORKERS AND TO ARRANGE FOR THE WORKERS TO APPLY FOR VISAS.
"VISA APPLICATION WILL TAKE BETWEEN THREE TO FIVE WEEKS, DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF VISAS REQUIRING TO BE PROCESSED.
"IT IS THEREFORE EXPECTED THAT THE FIRST BATCH OF WORKERS TO BE IMPORTED UNDER THE SCHEMES WILL ARRIVE IN HONG KONG EARLY NEXT YEAR," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL BE PROVIDED WITH ADDITIONAL STAFF TO COPE WITH THE WORK ARISING FROM THESE SCHEMES.
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DRAMATIC IMPROVEMENT IN AIR QUALITY ******
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (FRIDAY) RELEASED THE FIRST DETAILED AIR QUALITY DATA RESULTING FROM THE INTRODUCTION OF AIR POLLUTION (FUEL RESTRICTION) REGULATIONS WHICH CAME INTO FORCE ON JULY 1 THIS YEAR.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY, ACTING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EPD, MR FRED TROMP SAID THE IMPROVEMENTS IN AIR QUALITY THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD OBSERVED OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS HAD BEEN NOTHING SHORT OF DRAMATIC.
/"IN KWAI .......
FRIDAY, JULY 13, 1990
3 -
"IN KWAI TSING DISTRICT WHERE RESIDENTS HAVE LONG SUFFERED HIGH LEVELS OF AIR POLLUTION, WE HAVE SEEN LEVELS OF SULPHUR DIOXIDE GAS DROP BY OVER 80 PER CENT. THERE HAS ALSO BEEN A LOWERING OF LEVELS OF NITROGEN DIOXIDE GAS AND GENERAL DUST LEVELS.
"AIR POLLUTION LEVELS IN OTHER DISTRICTS AFFECTED BY INDUSTRIAL EMISSIONS, SUCH AS KWUN TONG AND TSUEN WAN HAVE SHOWN SIMILAR IMPROVEMENTS," MR TROMP SAID.
"WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE PUBLIC,” MR TROMP EXPLAINED, "IS THAT THE AIR NOT ONLY LOOKS A LOT CLEANER, BUT WILL BE MUCH SAFER TO BREATHE."
"DOCTORS AND CLINICS IN THESE AREAS CAN EXPECT TO SEE A REDUCTION IN THE INCIDENCE OF RESPIRATORY AND LUNG ILLNESSES SUCH AS ASTHMA, BRONCHITIS AND THROAT INFECTIONS.”
THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL (FUEL RESTRICTION) REGULATIONS 1990 WHICH WERE GAZETTED IN JANUARY THIS YEAR AND TOOK EFFECT ON JULY 1, RESTRICT THE SULPHUR CONTENT OF LIQUID FUELS TO 0.5 PER CENT AND THAT OF SOLID FUELS TO 1.0 PER CENT. THERE IS ALSO A VISCOSITY RESTRICTION FOR LIQUID FUEL.
BEFORE THE NEW REGULATIONS CAME INTO EFFECT, MOST FUEL BURNING INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG USED A THICK, HEAVY FUEL OIL WHICH IS DIFFICULT TO BURN AND HAS A SULPHUR CONTENT OF AROUND 2.5 PER CENT.
THE NEW, LIGHTER AND CLEANER FUEL IS EASIER TO BURN, AND THE EPD HAS DISCOVERED THAT CHIMNEYS EMITTING BLACK SMOKE, WHICH WAS A COMMON FEATURE OF INDUSTRY IN THE PAST, IS NOW AN EXCEPTION RATHER THAN THE RULE.
OTHER VISIBLE EMISSIONS, SUCH AS WHITE AND BLUE HAZES HAVE ALSO ALMOST DISAPPEARED.
EPD WELCOMED THE CO-OPERATION AND EFFORTS MADE BY THE INDUSTRIES CONCERNED AND THEIR FUEL SUPPLIERS. INTENSIVE INVESTIGATION BY EPD OFFICERS HAVE SHOWN THAT ALL FACTORIES VISITED SO FAR (AROUND 20 PER CENT OF ALL FUEL USERS) ARE NOW COMPLYING WITH THE NEW REGULATIONS.
MR TROMP WARNED THAT, IN THE FACE OF AN EVER-GROWING AND PROSPEROUS HONG KONG, FURTHER AIR POLLUTION CONTROLS WERE URGENTLY NEEDED IF THE GOVERNMENT’S AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVES FOR ALL AIR POLLUTANTS WERE TO BE MET.
"PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT WILL BE THE IMPOSITION OF STRINGENT VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL MEASURES WHICH WILL FOLLOW THE INTRODUCTION OF UNLEADED PETROL NEXT YEAR. FURTHER CONTROLS ON SOME INDUSTRIAL OPERATIONS ARE ALSO NEEDED," HE SAID.
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/4........
FRIDAY, JULY 13, 1990
CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT
FOR. WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION I * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) SIGNED AN AGREEMENT WITH A CONSULTANCY FIRM ON WORKS RELATED TO THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION, WHICH IS A KEY PART OF THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT.
THE 330-NECTARE RECLAMATION, EXTENDING ALONG THE WATERFRONT FROM YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER TO LAI CHI KOK, WILL PROVIDE LAND FOR ESSENTIAL TRANSPORT SERVICES TO THE NEW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK.
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS BEING PLANNED ON THE RECLAMATION INCLUDE RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, PORT-RELATED, GOVERNMENT/ INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY AND OPEN SPACE USES.
IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO COMPLETE THE MAJOR PORTION OF THE RECLAMATION WORKS WITHIN A PERIOD OF ABOUT FOUR YEARS, THE TECHNIQUES OF RECLAMATION AND SEAWALL CONSTRUCTION AS WELL, AS THE DREDGING AND DISPOSAL OF SEA MUD TOGETHER WITH ASSOCIATED ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES DURING AND AFTER CONSTRUCTION, WILL BE CAREFULLY EXAMINED.
THE CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT SIGNED BY THE DIRECTOR OF TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT, DR NIP KAM FAN AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MOTT MACDONALD HONG KONG LIMITED, WOULD INVOLVE THE DESIGN AND SUPERVISION OF THE 160 HECTARES OF RECLAMATION AND SEAWALL IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION, TOGETHER WITH AGREED LOCAL ROADS SYSTEM, DRAINAGE AND LANDSCAPING FOR THE TOTAL AREA OF 330 HECTARES.
THE NECESSARY ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS WOULD ALSO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE CONSULTANT.
IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE FIRST CONTRACT IN THE AREA TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE CONSULTANT WOULD BE LET IN EARLY 1991 WITH A VIEW TO ACHIEVING SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION OF RECLAMATION WORKS BY MID-1994.
OF THE 330 HECTARES TO BE RECLAIMED, ABOUT 170 HECTARES FORMING THE SOUTHERN PART WILL BE DESIGNED AND SUPERVISED BY THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT. THE WORKS, WHICH WILL INCLUDE ASSOCIATED SEAWALLS AND DRAINAGE, WILL COMMENCE NEXT MONTH.
THE ESTIMATED COST OF THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION IS ABOUT $8.3 BILLION.
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/5.........
FRIDAY, JULY 13, 1990
- 5 -
$157M EFFLUENT TUNNEL CONTRACT AWARDED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
A $157 MILLION CONTRACT WAS AWARDED BY THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN EFFLUENT TUNNEL AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE TOLO HARBOUR EFFLUENT EXPORT SCHEME.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT, MR K.T. KUO, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CONTRACTOR, AN ITALIAN FIRM OPERATING LOCALLY.
THE EFFLUENT EXPORT SCHEME IS BEING IMPLEMENTED AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $873 MILLION AS THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO REDUCE POLLUTION IN TOLO HARBOUR WHERE THERE HAS BEEN EVIDENCE OF A PROGRESSIVE INCREASE IN NUTRIENT CONCENTRATION, LEADING TO THE FORMATION OF "RED TIDES”.
AT PRESENT, TREATED SEWAGE EFFLUENT IS DISCHARGED FROM THE SHA TIN AND TAI PO SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS INTO TOLO HARBOUR. THIS HAS BEEN ONE OF THE NUTRIENT SOURCES TO THE NEARBY WATERS.
TO REMEDY THE SITUATION, THE EFFLUENT EXPORT SCHEME HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO TOTALLY REMOVE THIS SOURCE OF NUTRIENT LOAD TO THE HARBOUR BY EXPORTING EFFLUENT FROM THE TWO TREATMENT WORKS TO THE VICTORIA HARBOUR VIA KAI TAK NULLAH FOR DISCHARGE.
THIS WOULD REQUIRE THE INTERCEPTION OF ALL THE FINAL TREATED SEWAGE EFFLUENT FROM THE TWO TREATMENT WORKS AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SERIES OF PUMPING STATIONS, PIPELINE, SUBMARINE PIPELINE, AND A TUNNEL FOR EXPORTING THE EFFLUENT TO KOWLOON.
THE TUNNEL FOR WHICH THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED TODAY IS OF DRIVEN BORE AND CONCRETE LINED TYPE, MEASURING 7.5 KILOMETRE LONG AND 3.2 METRE IN DIAMETER.
IT WILL RUN UNDERNEATH TATE’S CAIRN TO CARRY TREATED EFFLUENT FROM SHA TIN TO DIAMOND HILL AND IS THE FIRST CONTRACT SIGNED FOR STAGE I OF THE SCHEME.
ONE UNIQUE FEATURE OF THE CONTRACT IS THAT TUNNEL EXCAVATION WILL BE CARRIED OUT BY A TUNNEL BORING MACHINE AND NOT BY THE CONVENTIONAL DRILL AND BLAST METHOD.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT SUCH A MECHANISED METHOD OF EXCAVATION HAS BEEN USED ON A GOVERNMENT CONTRACT IN HONG KONG.
APART FROM SOME INITIAL ESTABLISHMENT WORKS, THE NEW TUNNELLING METHOD WOULD AVOID LARGE SCALE USE OF EXPLOSIVES WITH A CONSEQUENT ABSENCE OF ASSOCIATED VIBRATIONS IN THE VICINITY OF THE WORKS.
/ALSO, THE
FRIDAY, JULY 13, 1990
6 -
BORING MACHINE TOGETHER WITH A
SHOULD SPEED UP WORK AND REDUCE TO
TWO-AND-A-HALF YEAR CONSTRUCTION
TUNNELLING.
ALSO, THE USE OF THE TUNNEL PRECAST CONCRETE SEGMENTAL LINING TWO YEARS WHAT SHOULD. HAVE BEEN A PERIOD USING CONVENTIONAL MEANS OF
IT IS SCHEDULED THAT STAGE I WORKS OF THE SCHEME TO SERVE SHA TIN NEW TOWN WILL BE COMMISSIONED IN EARLY 1993 WHILE STAGE II WORKS FOR TAI PO ARE EXPECTED TO COMPLETE IN MID 1994.
WHEN FULLY OPERATIONAL, THE SCHEME WILL SERVICE THE PLANNED TOTAL POPULATION OF ONE MILLION OF SHA TIN AND TAI PO.
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UK SHIPPERS BRIEFED ON HK REGISTER * * * * *
THE HONG KONG COMMISSIONER IN LONDON, MR JOHN YAXLEY, YESTERDAY (THURSDAY) HOSTED A RECEPTION FOR SENIOR REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED KINGDOM’S SHIPPING INDUSTRY TO PRESENT TO THEM THE TERRITORY’S NEW INDEPENDENT SHIPPING REGISTER.
THE HONG KONG MERCHANT SHIPPING (REGISTRATION) BILL WHICH PRESCRIBES IN LAW THE ARRANGEMENTS UNDER WHICH THE NEW REGISTER WILL OPERATE, MOVED THROUGH ITS SECOND READING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL RECENTLY AND IS EXPECTED TO BE ENACTED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
’’THIS WILL MARK AN IMPORTANT STEP IN THE TERRITORY’S EVOLUTION FROM A BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORY TO A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF CHINA WITH WIDE POWERS OF SELF GOVERNMENT,” MR YAXLEY SAID.
"BY SPECIFYING AND ENFORCING INTERNATIONALLY BASED STANDARDS OF VESSEL CONTRUCTION, EQUIPMENT AND CREWING, WE HAVE PROVIDED A HIGH QUALITY REGISTER.
"THESE STANDARDS ARE CONSISTENT WITH OUR OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE IMO (INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANISATION) CONVENTIONS IN PARTICULAR AS REGARDS THE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA, CERTIFICATION OF CREWS AND PROTECTION OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT," HE ADDED.
EXPLAINING THE BACKGROUND OF THE NEW REGISTER, CAPTAIN TONY JESTICO OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT TOLD THE AUDIENCE THAT THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENT UNDER WHICH HONG KONG-REGISTERED SHIPS FORMED PART OF THE BRITISH REGISTER COULD NOT CONTINUE AFTER JULY 1, 1997.
ACCORDING TO THE JOINT DECLARATION, THE HONG KONG SAR IS AUTHORISED BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN A SHIPPING REGISTER AND ISSUE RELATED CERTIFICATES UNDER ITS OWN LEGISLATION IN THE NAME OF "HONG KONG, CHINA".
/THE SETTING .......
FRIDAY, JULY 13, 1990
THE SETTING UP OF AN INDEPENDENT SHIPPING REGISTER WOULD THEREFORE MARK AN IMPORTANT STEP IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AS WELL AS ENHANCE IIONG KONG’S STATUS AS A LEADING CENTRE OF SHIPPING AND MARITIME COMMERCE, CAPT JESTICO SAID.
HE STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF ESTABLISHING A REGISTER OF GOOD REPUTE WHICH WOULD SPECIFY AND ENFORCE INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED STANDARDS OF SHIP CONSTRUCTION, EQUIPMENT, MAINTENANCE AND SAFETY.
"IN NO SENSE WILL THE NEW REGISTER BE A FLAG OF CONVENIENCE, EITHER NOW OR IN THE FUTURE," HF SAID, ADDING THAT THE IMO CONVENTIONS FOR SAFETY AT SEA AND THE PROTECTION OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT WOULD BE FULLY INCORPORATED IN HONG KONG’S LEGISLATION.
HE SAID SO FAR AS MANNING WAS CONCERNED, THERE WOULD BE NO NATIONALITY OR RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT FOR THE MASTER OR ANY MEMBER OF THE CREW.
ON THE FINANCIAL SIDE, CAPT JESTICO SAID THE FEES AND CHARGES WHICH SHIPOWNERS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY WOULD BE CALCULATED TO RECOVER COSTS RATHER THAN TO RAISE REVENUE.
DETAILS ON TAXATION WOULD BE ANNOUNCED IN OCTOBER, HE ADDED.
ALSO ATTENDING THE RECEPTION WERE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S MARINE ADVISER IN LONDON, MR DERRICK HALL, AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR JOHN TSE.
THE GUESTS INCLUDED MR D.A. DEARSLEY OF THE GENERAL COUNCIL OF BRITISH SHIPPING; MR G.A. HAVILLAND OF MESSRS JOHN SWIRE & SONS; MR J.C.S. HORROCKS OF INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF SHIPPING; AND MR M.T. STEELE OF WESCOL INTERNATIONAL MARINE SERVICES.
FUNDS FOR A TECHNOLOGY CENTRE APPROVED ♦ * * * »
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TODAY (FRIDAY) APPROVED FUNDS FOR CONSTRUCTING AND OPERATING A TECHNOLOGY CENTRE.
THE FUNDS ARE IN THE FORM OF A GRANT OF $250 MILLION AND A LOAN OF $188 MILLION FROM THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND.
IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAD APPROVED THE SETTING UP OF A STATUTORY CORPORATION FOR THE TECHNOLOGY CENTRE AND THAT A PRIVATE TREATY GRANT OF ABOUT 5,600 SQUARE METRES OF GOVERNMENT LAND AT THE JUNCTION OF TAT CHEE AVENUE AND FA PO STREET SHOULD BE MADE TO THE STATUTORY CORPORATION AT NOMINAL PREMIUM.
/A SPOKESMAN .......
FRIDAY, JULY 13, 1990
- 8
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT SAID THE SETTING UP OF A TECHNOLOGY CENTRE IN HONG KONG WOULD ASSIST THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR TO RESPOND TO THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEW TECHNOLOGY MORE EFFECTIVELY.
"A KEY FUNCTION OF THE TECHNOLOGY CENTRE IS TO PROVIDE PURPOSE-BUILT ACCOMMODATION FOR HIGH-TECHNOLOGY DESIGN, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND PRODUCT PROTOTYPING,” HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE TECHNOLOGY CENTRE WOULD ALSO PROVIDE PRODUCT DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES AND SET UP TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER FACILITIES TO ASSIST MANUFACTURERS IN PRODUCT INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY UPGRADING.
IT IS ENVISAGED THAT THE STATUTORY CORPORATION, KNOWN AS THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY CENTRE CORPORATION, WILL BE ESTABLISHED IN ABOUT A YEAR’S TIME.
MEANWHILE, A PROVISIONAL HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY CENTRE COMPANY LIMITED HAS BEEN SET UP TO PERFORM THE NECESSARY FUNCTIONS AND ACTIVITIES IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THE GOAL OF HAVING THE TECHNOLOGY CENTRE OPERATIONAL IN 1993.
A BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS ALSO BEEN APPOINTED TO OVERSEE THE OPERATIONS OF THE COMPANY.
DR RAYMOND CH’IEN HAS BEEN APPOINTED CHAIRMAN WHILE THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOHN CHAN, HAS BEEN APPOINTED DEPUTY CHAIRMAN.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD INCLUDE THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, PROFESSOR Y.C. CHENG, MR DAVID GAIRNS, PROFESSOR CHARLES KAO, MR JEFFREY LAM, MR J.P. LEE, DR CHRISTOPHER LEONG, MR C.D. TAM AND MR ALLAN WONG.
THE COMPANY SECRETARY IS AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR MAXIMUS LI.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE BOARD WILL HOLD ITS FIRST MEETING SHORTLY.
-----0--------
FUNDS APPROVED FOR COMMISSIONING CONSULTANCY
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TODAY (FRIDAY) APPROVED AN ADDITIONAL ADVANCE OF $760 MILLION FROM THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND TO THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY (PAA).
I THIS WILL ENABLE THE PAA TO COMMISSION THE AIRPORT MASTER PLAN CONSULTANCY TO ESTABLISH A MAJOR WORKS SITE AT CHEK LAP KOK FOR THE SUBSEQUENT USE OF THE MAJOR RECLAMATION CONTRACTOR.
/THE AIRPORT .......
FRIDAY, JULY 13, 1990
9
THE AIRPORT MASTER PLAN CONSULTANCY WILL TAKE 16 MONTHS AND WILL COVER THE PREPARATION OF AN AIRPORT MASTER PLAN, A CIVIL ENGINEERING ASSIGNMENT AND AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT STUDY.
IN ORDER TO AVOID UNDUE DELAY IN STARTING THE MAIN RECLAMATION WORKS FOR THE AIRPORT PLATFORM, THE AVAILABILITY OF A SUITABLE WORKS SITE ON CHEK LAP KOK FROM WHICH THE MAIN CONTRACTOR(S) CAN OPERATE IS A PREREQUISITE.
ALTHOUGH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE WORKS AREA WOULD NORMALLY BE A LEAD COMPONENT OF THE MAIN SITE FORMATION CONTRACT, IT IS CONSIDERED PRUDENT TO AWARD A SEPARATE CONTRACT FOR WORKS TO START IN EARLY 1991 IN ORDER THAT THE WORKS SITE IS AVAILABLE IN 1992 FOR USE BY THE MAIN CONTRACTOR(S) WHEN THE AIRPORT SITE FORMATION CONTRACT IS LET.
THE WORKS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROJECT INCLUDE:
♦ FORMATION OF ABOUT 25 HECTARES’ OF FLAT LAND AT THE NORTH OF CHEK LAP KOK, AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF SUPPORTING FACILITIES;
* CONSTRUCTION OF A STAGING AREA ON THE MAINLAND COAST NEAR CHEK LAP KOK TO SERVE AS A CENTRAL POINT FOR THE COLLECTION AND DESPATCH OF PLANT AND MATERIALS; AND
♦ REPROVISIONING OF AN AIR-TRAFFIC BEACON AND METEOROLOGICAL STATION, WHICH ARE CURRENTLY LOCATED IN NORTHEAST CHEK LAP KOK AND WILL BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY NEARBY CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES.
A SITE FOR THE WORKS AREA HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THE NORTHERN TIP OF CHEK LAP KOK WHICH MEETS ALL THE NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS.
PRELIMINARY DESIGN HAS BEEN COMPLETED BY CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES DEPARTMENT. DETAILED DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISION CAN BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE AIRPORT MASTER PLAN CONSULTANT TO ENSURE COMPATIBILITY WITH THE FUTURE AIRPORT MASTER PLAN.
--------0-----------
OVER 30,000 SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS REGISTERED IN FIRST HALF OF 1990
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS OF FLATS, THE GREAT MAJORITY OF THEM IN UNCOMPLETED BUILDINGS, REGISTERED IN THE LAND OFFICE DECREASED BY 6.7 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE FIRST HALF BUT INCREASED BY 3.9 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE SECOND HALF OF 1989, THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL GLEESON, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
REPORTING ON HIS DEPARTMENT’S FIGURES FOR THE FIRST HALF OF 1990, MR GLEESON SAID IN ALL 30,158 SUCH AGREEMENTS WERE REGISTERED DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 1990.
/THE TOTAL .......
FRIDAY, JULY 13, 1990
10
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE CONSIDERATIONS IN THESE AGREEMENTS DECREASED BY 21.5 PER CENT FROM $50.44 BILLION IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1989 BUT INCREASED SLIGHTLY FROM $39.26 BILLION IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1989 TO $39.60 BILLION IN THE CURRENT HALF YEAR.
DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 1990, 45,733 ASSIGNMENTS OF UNITS IN COMPLETED BUILDINGS, THE MAJORITY RESIDENTIAL, WERE REGISTERED, COMPARED WITH 47,780 AND 39,896 RESPECTIVELY DURING THE FIRST AND SECOND HALVES OF 1989, SHOWING A DECREASE OF 4.3 PER CENT AND AN INCREASE OF 14.6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF CONSIDERATIONS IN ASSIGNMENTS OF FLATS DECREASED BY 7.1 PER CENT FROM $57,558 BILLION IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1989 BUT INCREASED BY 29.5 PER CENT FROM $41,284 BILLION IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1989 TO $53,447 BILLION.
A TOTAL OF 4,372 ASSIGNMENTS OF FLATS WERE COMPLETED BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT ON BEHALF OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY UNDER THE GOVERNMENT HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, COMPARED WITH 3,135 AND 7,574 IN THE FIRST AND SECOND HALVES OF 1989 RESPECTIVELY.
THERE WERE 200 ASSIGNMENTS OF LOTS AND SECTIONS. THIS WAS 61.8 PER CENT AND 15.6 PER CENT LESS THAN IN THE FIRST AND SECOND HALVES OF 1989 RESPECTIVELY.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE CONSIDERATIONS IN THESE ASSIGNMENTS DECREASED BY 38.1 PER CENT FROM $22,787 BILLION IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1989 BUT INCREASED BY 68.2 PER CENT FROM $8,389 BILLION IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1989 TO $14,112 BILLION.
THIRTY-TWO BUILDING MORTGAGES AND 46,451 OTHER MORTGAGES WERE REGISTERED DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 1990, COMPARED WITH 31 AND 51,178 RESPECTIVELY IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1989 AND 29 AND 39,644 RESPECTIVELY IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1989.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED UNDER BUILDING MORTGAGES REGISTERED DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 1990 ROSE BY 711.2 PER CENT FROM $0,727 BILLION IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1989 AND BY 222.4 PER CENT FROM $1,829 BILLION IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1989 TO $5,895 BILLION.
THIS FIGURE WAS ACCOUNTED FOR, AS TO A TOTAL OF $5,547 BILLION, BY FIVE PARTICULARLY LARGE BUILDING MORTGAGES ONE OF WHICH, ALONE, WAS FOR $3.3 BILLION.
THE AMOUNT SECURED UNDER MORTGAGES OTHER THAN BUILDING MORTGAGES DROPPED BY 14.3 PER CENT FROM $33,426 BILLION IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1989 BUT INCREASED BY 9.5 PER CENT FROM $26,171 BILLION IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1989 TO $28,657 BILLION.
THE AMOUNTS ACTUALLY DRAWN DOWN ON THESE MORTGAGES AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME MAY BE SIGNIFICANTLY LESS THAN THE AMOUNTS SECURED.
REPAYMENTS UNDER MORTGAGES OF ALL KINDS, AS EVIDENCED BY DISCHARGES AND MORTGAGEE’S RECEIPTS, WERE DOWN BY 34.5 PER CENT FROM $18,791 BILLION IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1989 AND BY 24.2 PER CENT FROM $16,239 BILLION IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1989 TO $12,316 BILLION.
/SEARCHES IN .......
FRIDAY, JULY 13, 1990
11
SEARCHES IN THE LAND OFFICE BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC DURING THE FIRST HALF OF' 1990 TOTALLED 736,455, DOWN BY 8.4 PER CENT AND 3.3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY COMPARED WITH THE FIRST AND SECOND HALVES OF 1989.
THERE WERE 721 SURRENDERS AND RESUMPTIONS OF LAND WITH A TOTAL COMPENSATION OF $0,405 BILLION PAID IN BOTH THE URBAN AREA AND THE NEW TERRITORIES, COMPARED WITH 850 AND $0,347 BILLION IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1989 AND 1,245 AND $1,221 BILLION IN THE SECOND HALF OF 1989 RESPECTIVELY.
MR GLEESON SAID THAT OF THE EIGHT NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT LAND REGISTRIES, SEVEN HAD NOW BEEN TAKEN OVER BY HIS DEPARTMENT. IT WAS INTENDED THAT THE DEPARTMENT WOULD TAKE OVER THE REMAINING REGISTRY AT NORTH AT THE END OF JULY 1990.
DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 1990, THE SEVEN NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT LAND REGISTRIES OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT REGISTERED A TOTAL OF 144,511 INSTRUMENTS, INCLUDING 25,625 SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS OF FLATS, 36,364 ASSIGNMENTS OF FLATS, 2,046 ASSIGNMENTS OF LOTS AND SECTIONS, 47 BUILDING MORTGAGES, 45,379 OTHER MORTGAGES AND 19,693 MORTGAGEE’S RECEIPTS, RE-ASSIGNMENTS AND CERTIFICATES OF SATISFACTION WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF CONSIDERATIONS OF $20,880 BILLION, $24,249 BILLION, $3,202 BILLION, $1,227 BILLION, $9,902 BILLION AND $4,168 BILLION RESPECTIVELY.
A TOTAL OF 617 GOVERNMENT LAND TRANSACTIONS WERE COMPLETED DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 1990 IN BOTH THE URBAN AREA AND THE NEW TERRITORIES COMPARED WITH 656 AND 724 IN THE FIRST AND SECOND HALVES OF 1989 RESPECTIVELY.
THE MORE SIGNIFICANT GOVERNMENT LAND TRANSACTIONS COMPLETED DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 1990 WERE THE FOLLOWING:
* THE SALE BY CASH TENDER ON JANUARY 3 OF A 11,220-SQUARE METRE SITE (RURAL BUILDING LOT NO. 3) AT PEAK ROAD TO STOOKET LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF $328,000,000 FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.
* THE SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ON JANUARY 23 OF A 2,941-SQUARE METRE SITE (NEW KOWLOON INLAND LOT NO. 5971) AT WANG HOI ROAD, KOWLOON BAY TO SOLANA LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF $238,000,000 FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.
» THE SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ON JANUARY 23 OF A 5,220-SQUARE METRE SITE (HUNG HOM INLAND LOT NO. 545) AT MAN LOK STREET, HUNG HOM TO VIEW SUCCESS INVESTMENTS LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF $200,000,000 FOR GODOWN PURPOSES.
* THE SALE BY LETTER A/B TENDER ON FEBRUARY 2 OF A 27,290-SQUARE METRE SITE (SHA TIN TOWN LOT NO. 307) IN AREA 100, MA ON SHAN TOWN CENTRE, SHA TIN TO SHUNG KING DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LIMITED (54.7 PER CENT), EVERCOT
ENTERPRISE COMPANY LIMITED (29.2 PER CENT) AND MILLAP COMPANY LIMITED (16.1 PER CENT) AT A PREMIUM OF
$137,837,150 FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (INCLUDING A TRANSPORT INTERCHANGE BUT EXCLUDING GODOWN) PURPOSES.
/* THE SALE ........
FRIDAY, JULY 13, 1990
12
* THE SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ON JUNE 22 OF A 2,900-SQUARE METRE SITE (INLAND LOT NO. 8740) AT HOI CHAK STREET, QUARRY BAY TO DELOSA INVESTMENT COMPANY LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF $130,000,000 FOR GODOWN PURPOSES.
* THE GRANT ON JUNE 26 OF A 7,337-SQUARE METRE UNDERGROUND STRATUM OF LAND (INLAND LOT NO. 8762) AT ADMIRALTY, QUEENSWAY, TO GTM CARPARKS HONG KONG LIMITED AT A PREMIUM OF $25,400,000 FOR THE PURPOSES OF A FEE-PAYING UNDERGROUND PUBLIC CARPARK.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PROPERTY OWNERS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY ROSE BY 4 PER CENT FROM 1,166,201 IN- JUNE 1989 TO 1,213,000 IN DECEMBER 1989 AND AGAIN BY 4.7 PER CENT TO 1,270,158 IN JUNE 1990.
- - 0---------
FIRST QUARTER SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES
*******
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE ENTIRE RESTAURANT SECTOR IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990, ESTIMATED AT $8,660 MILLION, WAS 12 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME QUARTER OF 1989, WHILE THE VOLUME WAS 4 PER CENT LOWER, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE PROVISIONAL ESTIMATE OF TOTAL PURCHASES BY RESTAURANTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990 WAS $3,458 MILLION, WHICH WAS 5 PER CENT HIGHER IN VALUE TERMS THAN IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989.
ANALYSED BY TYPE OF RESTAURANT, BARS, FAST FOOD SHOPS AND NONCHINESE RESTAURANTS INCREASED BY 24 PER CENT IN THE VALUE OF TOTAL RECEIPTS WHEN COMPARED WITH THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989. THESE WERE FOLLOWED BY CHINESE RESTAURANTS (8 PER CENT) AND "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES" - COMPRISING HERB TEA SHOPS, CREAMERIES AND OTHER OUTLETS SELLING BEAN CURD JELLY, AND SO ON (5 PER CENT).
IN VOLUME TERMS, THE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF BARS, FAST FOOD SHOPS AND NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS INCREASED BY 16 PER CENT, 9 PER CENT AND 7 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THOSE FOR "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES" AND CHINESE RESTAURANTS DECREASED BY 7 PER CENT AND 8 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990 WITH THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1989 - AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON IS LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS - TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS INCREASED BY 2 PER CENT IN VALUE BUT DECREASED BY 2 PER CENT IN VOLUME, WHILE THE VALUE OF PURCHASES BY RESTAURANTS FELL BY 1 PER CENT.
IN VALUE TERMS, TOTAL RECEIPTS OF CHINESE RESTAURANTS AND NONCHINESE RESTAURANTS ROSE BY 3 PER CENT AND 2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THOSE FOR "OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES", FAST FOOD SHOPS AND BARS, DROPPED BY 1 PER CENT, 2 PER CENT AND 8 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
/IN VOLUME .......
FRIDAY, JULY 13, 1990
-13-
■2- •*. ' I • -I’Y: i^, ■ - r ' • ’ l ,i
IN VOLUME TERMS, TOTAL RECEIPTS OF CHINESE RESTAURANTS, ’’OTHER EATING AND DRINKING PLACES", NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS, FAST FOOD SHOPS AND BARS DECREASED BY 1 PER CENT, 1 PER CENT, 4 PER CENT, 5 PER CENT AND 8 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED FIGURES FOR THE TOTAL RECEIPTS AND TOTAL PURCHASES OF THE ENTIRE RESTAURANT SECTOR FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1989 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF TOTAL RECEIPTS BY TYPE OF RESTAURANT FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1989 AND FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990, WITH THE QUARTERLY AVERAGE FROM OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 TAKEN AS 100. ■» . . .
ALSO TABULATED ARE COMPARISONS OF THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1989 AND FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989.
THE REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990 IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AT $1 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ON THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. : 556 5240).
NOTE TO EDITORS:
TABLES 1 AND 2 WILL BE SENT BY FACSIMILE AND BOXED.
/TABLE 1 .......
r
FRIDAY, JULY 13, 1990
14
TABLE 1 : TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS ANO PURCHASES
4th qtr. 1989 (Revised figures)
1st qtr. 1990 (Provisional figures)
Total restaurant receipts
(in HKI Million)
8 466
8 660
Total purchases by restaurants (in HKI Billion)
3 490
3 458
TABLE 2 : VALUE AND
RECEIPTS FOR
VOLUME INDEXES OF TOTAL RESTAURANT 4TH QUARTER 1989 AND 1ST QUARTER 1990
(Quarterly average of October 84 - September 85 = 100)
1 i 1 1 Type of restaurant 1 Index of total restaurant receipts 4th quar ter 1989 1st quarter 1990 1 1 1st qtr. J cotpared ' 4th qtr. 1990 with 1989 1st qtr. 1990 cotpared with 1st qtr. 1989 » • । । । i -»
; ———— 1 (Revised (Provisional 1 Points X Points X ।
figures) figur es) I । ।
I Chinese restaurants Value 178 183 : *6 • ♦3 ♦13 *8 1 ।
। Volute 120 120 1 4 -1 -10 -8
। । । • । i
I Non-Chinese restaurants Value 183 187 1 *4 ♦2 ♦36 <24 i
। ।
I Volute 128 123 1 -5 -4 ♦8 <7 । ■
। । । । ■
। ! I Fast food shops Value 236 231 । ’ -4 -2 ♦45 *24 •
। >
Volute 175 165 ’ -9 -5 ♦13 H I
1 । । i • i i i
J Bars Value 164 151 1 -12 -8 ♦29 424 i
। 1 ■ ।
। Volute 131 120 1 -11 -8 ♦17 +16 !
। । । ।
• । (Other eating and drinking places Value 145 144 • 1 -1 -1 ♦6 ♦S । । 1
। •
» Volute 101 100 1 -1 -1 -7 -7 । । _ ।
• । । • । 1
' Entire restaurant sector Value 182’ 187 1 *4 ♦2 ♦20 H2 । ।
। । I
• । Volute 126 123 1 -2 -2 -5 -4 1
1 • 1
Note: Figures denoting changes are derived frot unrounded figures.
- - O - -
/15
FRIDAY, JULY 13, 1990
. - 15 -
NEW HELICOPTERS FOR RHKAAF *****
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, TODAY (FRIDAY) ATTENDED A CEREMONY TO MARK THE BRINGING INTO SERVICE OF THREE NEW HELICOPTERS BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE (RHKAAF).
MR ASPREY SAID THE RHKAAF WAS IN THE PROCESS OF ACQUIRING A NEW FLEET OF AIRCRAFT. TWO TWIN-ENGINE BEECH 200 SUPERKING AIR AND FOUR SINGLE-ENGINE SLINGSBY TRAINING AIRCRAFT HAD ALREADY ENTERED SERVICE.
THE THREE EXISTING DAUPHIN HELICOPTERS ARE BEING REPLACED BY THREE SIKORSKY S 76 AIRCRAFT NOW, AND FIVE OTHERS WOULD BE ADDED BY MID-1911.
MR ASPREY SAID THE DAUPHIN HELICOPTERS WERE BEING RETIRED AFTER SERVING HONG KONG WELL FOR 10 YEARS, FLYING 16,500 HOURS, CARRYING OUT 3,600 EMERGENCY MEDICAL EVACUATIONS AND SEARCH AND RESCUE FLIGHTS, AND CARRYING SOME 60,000 PASSENGERS.
NEW TECHNOLOGY IS ALSO BEING INTRODUCED TO THE RHKAAF, INCLUDING ADVANCED NAVIGATION AND AVIONICS SYSTEMS AND INFRA-RED NIGHT SURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT FOR USE IN SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS. CONNECTED WITH THIS IS AN EXTENSIVE PROGRAMME FOR THE TRAINING OF STAFF, BOTH AIR CREW AND GROUND CREW, TO OPERATE THE NEW EQUIPMENT.
NEW STAFF ARE ALSO BEING RECRUITED AND TRAINED, AND THERE IS A PROGRAMME TO LOCALISE THE RHKAAF’S PILOTS. THE INTENTION WAS TO TRAIN UP TO 30 CADET PILOTS TO OPERATIONAL STANDARD OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
MR ASPREY ALSO SAID NEW ACCOMMODATION WAS BEING PLANNED, WITH TWO NEW FACILITIES AT SEK KONG AND KOWLOON BAY DUE FOR COMPLETION IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
THE RHKAAF IS BEING TRANSFORMED INTO A FULL-TIME CIVILIAN DISCIPLINED SERVICE. THIS WILL REQUIRE NEW LEGISLATION, A NEW ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE AND COMPLIANCE WITH NEW LICENSING AND OPERATING REQUIREMENTS.
THE NEW ORGANISATION WILL BE REQUIRED TO TAKE ON ADDITIONAL TASKS INCLUDING A MUCH GREATER SEARCH AND RESCUE ROLE AND A COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING AIR SUPPORT FOR THE POLICE AS THEY PROGRESSIVELY TAKE OVER FROM THE ARMY RESPONSIBILITY FOR BORDER PATROL DUTIES.
----0-------
/16 ........
FRIDAY, JULY 13, 1990
— 16 -
NEW RESCUE VESSEL FOR AIRPORT ♦ t ♦ * ♦
AFTER OVER 15 YEARS OF SERVICE THE RESCUE VESSEL AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IS TO BE REPLACED.
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT HAS JUST ACCEPTED DELIVERY OF A BRAND NEW BRIGHT YELLOW CATAMARAN AFTER 10 MONTHS’ CONSTRUCTION IN A LOCAL SHIPYARD.
AT A COST OF $9 MILLION THE PERFORMANCE OF THE 23 METRE LONG ALUMINIUM CRAFT IS NOT ONLY BETTER THAN THE OLD VESSEL, BUT HAS EXCEEDED THE CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS BY ACHIEVING OVER 27 KNOTS ON TRIALS.
"AT THESE SPEEDS SHE CAN REACT TO AN AIRCRAFT EMERGENCY FROM HER STANDBY BERTH AND REACH ANYWHERE INSIDE LEI YUE MUN IN LESS THAN SEVEN MINUTES,” THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MARINE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE GOVERNMENT FLEET, MR PETER CRISP, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE DESIGN CONCEPT, WHICH WAS THE WORK OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT’S OWN GOVERNMENT NEW CONSTRUCTION SECTION, INVOLVES THE DEPLOYMENT OF INFLATABLE LIFERAFTS FROM THE VESSEL FOR 250 PEOPLE AND ALSO THE CRAFT’S OWN SPECIALLY ARRANGED RESCUE CAPACITY FOR A FURTHER 250 PEOPLE.
THIS COVERS THE FULL PASSENGER LOAD OF TODAY’S BIGGEST JUMBO JETS.
’’THE NEW BOAT WILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT VERY SOON,” MR CRISP SAID.
”1 AM SURE THEY WILL TEST HER TO THE LIMITS, BUT I HOPE THERE WILL NEVER BE A NEED TO USE HER CAPABILITIES IN EARNEST,” HE ADDED.
AIRCRAFT CRASH/RESCUE EXERCISE
♦ » » * *
AND FOR
an AIRCRAFT CRASH/RESCUE EXERCISE WILL BE HELD TOMORROW < o ATIIROAV > S SU PO TO PROVIDE CONTINUATION TRAINING
ll AIRCRAFT CRASH/RESCUE TECHN18UES AND PROCEDURES
THOSE WHO WOULD BE INVOLVED IN SUCH OPERATIONS.
THE EXACT TIME OF THE EXERCISE IS BEING WITHHELD TEST THE ALERTNESS OF THE PARTIES INVOLVED IN DEALING EMERGENCIES.
IN ’ WITH
ORDER
TO
SIMILAR
OF THE
THE CIVIL
ROYAL HONG
TAKING PART IN THE EXERCISE WILL BE STAFF avtatton DEPARTMENT, THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, So TOLICB FORCE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, HOSPITAL SERVICES CIVIL ’*XD SERVICES, AUXILIARY MEDICAL services REPRESENTATIVES OF CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS.
AND
A SPOKESMAN FOR INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC MINIMUM.
THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT DURING THE EXERCISE WOULD BE KEPT TO
SAID THE
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/17........
FRIDAY, JULY 13, 1990
17
FORMER KCR CLOCK TOWER DECLARED MONUMENT »»»*»*
THE FORMER KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY (KCR) CLOCK TOWER IN TSIM SHA TSUI WAS TODAY (FRIDAY) GAZETTED AS A MONUMENT UNDER THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS ORDINANCE.
THE HONG KONG SECTION OF THE KCR WAS OPENED IN 1910, AND CONSTRUCTION OF A TERMINUS TOGETHER WITH A CLOCK TOWER BEGAN IN APRIL 1913.
THE CLOCK TOWER WAS COMPLETED AS PART OF THE TERMINUS PROJECT IN 1915.
BUILT OF RED BRICKS WITH GRANITE BLOCKS AT THE FOUR CORNERS, THE CLOCK TOWER IS A 44-METRE HIGH STRUCTURE SURMOUNTED BY A SEVEN-METRE ANTENNA ON A SLENDER STEEL SUPPORT.
THE SQUARE TOWER IS TOPPED BY A CONCRETE DOME MOUNTED ON A DRUM-SHAPED BASE. THE COLUMNS OF THE BASE ARE ALTERNATIVELY PIERCED BY DOORS ON FOUR SIDES, EACH LEADING TO A BALCONY WITH A CURVED METAL BALUSTRADE.
INSTALLATION OF THE ELECTRIC TURRET CLOCK AND THE ONE-TON HOUR BELL STARTED IN 1920 AND WAS COMPLETED IN 1921. IT BEGAN FUNCTIONING ON MARCH 22, 1921 .
DURING THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION THE CLOCK STOPPED FUNCTIONING. IT WAS RE-ACTIVATED ON OCTOBER 2, 1945.
BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTIES IN MAINTAINING A CLOCK OPERATED BY BATTERIES, FOUR MOTORS, ONE FOR EACH FACE OF THE TOWER, WERE INSTALLED. AS A RESULT, THE TIMES SHOWN ON EACH FACE WERE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT AND THE USE OF THE BELL WAS THEREFORE DISCONTINUED IN 1950.
THE CLOCK TOWER, LOCATED AT A PROMINENT POSITION ON THE TSIM SHA TSUI WATERFRONT, HAS BECOME A FAMILIAR HISTORICAL LANDMARK EASILY RECOGNISED BY BOTH LOCAL RESIDENTS AND OVERSEAS TOURISTS.
FOLLOWING THE REMOVAL OF THE KCR TERMINUS TO HUNG HOM IN 1975, THE TERMINUS BUILDING WAS DEMOLISHED TO MAKE WAY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW CULTURAL CENTRE.
THE CULTURAL CENTRE WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED BY THE PRINCE OF WALES IN NOVEMBER 1989. THE CLOCK TOWER HAS BEEN INCORPORATED INTO THE DESIGN OF THE PIAZZA OUTSIDE THE CENTRE’S AUDITORIA BLOCK.
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/18 ........
FRIDAY, JULY 13, 1990
18
REFURBISHMENT OF SEWERAGE AND DRAINAGE SYSTEMS IN STANLEY
*******
THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE REFURBISHMENT OF EXISTING SEWERAGE AND DRAINAGE SYSTEMS WITHIN THE STANLEY AREA.
THE EXISTING SEWERAGE AND DRAINAGE SYSTEMS IN THE AREA HAD BEEN INSPECTED AS PART OF THE HONG KONG ISLAND SOUTH SEWERAGE MASTER PLAN STUDY.
THESE INVESTIGATIONS IDENTIFIED THE NEED FOR REPAIR AND REFURBISHMENT OF CERTAIN PIPELINES. THE PROPOSED WORKS ARE DESIGNED TO RETURN THE EXISTING SEWERAGE AND DRAINAGE SYSTEMS TO A FULLY OPERATIONAL STATE AT A MINIMUM COST.
WORK ON THE PROJECT, COMPRISING CLEANSING, RELINING AND REPAIR OF EXISTING SEWERS AND DRAINS, IS SCHEDULED TO START IN NOVEMBER AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE MAJORITY OF THE WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT FROM EXISTING MANHOLES WITH EXCAVATION FROM ROAD SURFACE BEING KEPT TO AN ABSOLUTE MINIMUM.
THE PROJECT IS ALSO PART OF THE STANLEY AREA SEWERAGE AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL SCHEME WHICH WILL PROVIDE SEWERAGE FOR THE TAI TAM REDHILL AND STANLEY AREAS BY 1993 TOGETHER WITH A PLANT TO TREAT AND DISPOSE OF THE SEWAGE COLLECTED.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON AUGUST 10.
- - 0 - -
REMINDER ON DISPLAY OF GOLD AND PLATINUM MARKING ORDER NOTICES
*******
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) URGED GOLD AND JEWELLERY SHOPS OPERATORS TO DISPLAY IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE WITHIN THEIR SHOPS THE GOLD AND PLATINUM MARKING ORDER NOTICES LEST THEY SHOULD CONTRAVENE THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS ORDINANCE.
THE REMINDER WAS MADE FOLLOWING A TOTAL OF NINE SHOPS WERE FOUND TO HAVE FAILED TO PROPERLY DISPLAY THE GOLD AND PLATINUM MARKING ORDER NOTICE IN A TWO-DAY OPERATION, WHICH ENDED TODAY, BY THE DEPARTMENT’S TRADING STANDARD INVESTIGATION BUREAU TO INSPECT GOLD AND PLATINUM JEWELLERY SHOPS.
THE PRINCIPAL TRADE CONTROLS OFFICER, MR ANDREW WONG, SAID A TOTAL OF 48 GOLD AND PLATINUM JEWELLERY SHOPS LOCATED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THE OUTLYING ISLANDS OF CHEUNG CHAU AND LANTAU WERE INSPECTED.
/"UNDER THE
FRIDAY, JULY 13, 1990
- 19 -
’’UNDER THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS (MARKINGS) (GOLD AND GOLD ALLOY) ORDER 1981 AND THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS (MARKINGS) (PLATINUM) ORDER 1988, A SHOP IS REQUIRED TO DISPLAY THE MARKING ORDER NOTICES IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE WITHIN THE SHOP PREMISES WHERE GOLD OR PLATINUM ARTICLES ARE SUPPLIED OR OFFERED FOR SUPPLY IN THE COURSE OF TRADE OR BUSINESS.
’’THE GOLD MARKING ORDER NOTICE OR THE PLATINUM MARKING ORDER NOTICE SHOULD INDICATE THAT EVERY ARTICLE OF GOLD, GOLD ALLOY OR PLATINUM THAT IS SUPPLIED OR OFFERED FOR SUPPLY IN THE COURSE OF TRADE, SHOULD BEAR A MARK INDICATING THE FINENESS OF THE GOLD ALLOY OR PLATINUM,” MR WONG SAID.
IN AUGUST 30 LAST YEAR, SIMILAR INSPECTIONS WERE CONDUCTED ON 63 GOLD AND PLATINUM JEWELLERY SHOPS IN DIFFERENT DISTRICTS OF KOWLOON AND HONG KONG ISLAND.
AS A RESULT, 16 SHOPS WERE FOUND FAILING TO DISPLAY THE REQUIRED NOTICES AND 14 SHOP OWNERS WERE LATER PROSECUTED AND FINED FROM $750 TO $5,000.
MR WONG REMINDED TRADERS OF GOLD AND PLATINUM ARTICLES THAT CUSTOMS OFFICERS WOULD FROM TIME TO TIME INSPECT THEIR SHOPS TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAD COMPLIED WITH THE REQUIREMENTS IN THE LEGISLATION.
’’SIMILAR PROSECUTION ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AGAINST THE SHOP OWNERS WHO ARE FOUND FAILING TO DISPLAY THE REQUIRED NOTICES IN THE PRESENT OPERATION,” HE ADDED.
------0--------
RATEPAYERS GIVEN REMINDER ON THIRD QUARTER PAYMENT
RATEPAYERS SHOULD BY NOW HAVE RECEIVED DEMAND NOTES FOR RATES FOR THE QUARTER JULY 1 TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1990 WHICH ARE DEMANDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RATING ORDINANCE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TREASURY SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANY RATEPAYER WHO HAS NOT RECEIVED A DEMAND NOTE MAY BRING A RATES DEMAND NOTE OF ANY PREVIOUS QUARTER AND MAKE PAYMENT AT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:-
* THE TREASURY CENTRAL COLLECTION AND PAYMENT OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), 11 ICE HOUSE STREET, HONG KONG;
* THE NORTH POINT SUB-TREASURY, ODEON BUILDING 1ST FLOOR, 28 SHU KUK STREET, HONG KONG;
» THE YAU MA TEI SUB-TREASURY, 4TH FLOOR,
405 NATHAN ROAD (MARKET STREET ENTRANCE), KOWLOON;
/* THE KOWLOON
FRIDAY, JULY 13, 1990
- 20 -
* THE KOWLOON CITY SUB-TREASURY, MAN SANG COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 1ST FLOOR, 348-352 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD (CORNER OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD AND JUNCTION ROAD), KOWLOON.
ANY RATEPAYER WHO HAS NOT RECEIVED A DEMAND NOTE AND CANNOT PRODUCE A RATES DEMAND NOTE FOR ANY PREVIOUS QUARTER SHOULD INQUIRE FORTHWITH AT THE TREASURY RATES SECTION, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), NINTH FLOOR, 11 ICE HOUSE STREET, HONG KONG.
NON-RECEIPT OF THE DEMAND NOTE DOES NOT ALTER THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE RATES MUST BE PAID BY 4 PM ON JULY 31, 1990 AND UNLESS SO PAID MAY BE SUBJECT TO A SURCHARGE OF FIVE PER CENT IMPOSED UNDER SECTION 22 OF THE RATING ORDINANCE.
A FURTHER SURCHARGE OF 10 PER CENT MAY BE ADDED TO ACCOUNTS (INCLUDING THE NORMAL FIVE PER CENT SURCHARGE) WHICH REMAIN UNPAID SIX MONTHS AFTER THE DUE DATE.
RATEPAYERS WHO HAVE SUBMITTED A VALID DIRECT DEBIT AUTHORISATION SHOULD NOTE THAT PAYMENT SHOULD BE MADE BY POST OR IN PERSON AS STIPULATED IN THE DEMAND NOTE UNLESS THE WORDING 'PAYMENT TO BE MADE BY AUTOPAY’ IS SHOWN IN THE DEMAND NOTE.
IN THIS CASE THEIR PAYMENT OF RATES WILL BE MADE BY DIRECT DEBIT TO THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS ON JULY 31, 1990. RATEPAYERS SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS CONTAIN THE NECESSARY FUNDS ON THAT DATE.
RATEPAYERS ARE ALSO ADVISED THAT THE AMOUNT PAYABLE ON OR BEFORE THE ABOVE-MENTIONED DATE IS INDICATED ON THE DEMAND NOTE BY AN ARROW-HEAD IN THE 'TOTAL AMOUNT DUE’ BOX.
RATES ARE PAYABLE ON VACANT PROPERTIES BUT ARE REFUNDABLE UNDER THE CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 30 OF THE ORDINANCE.
UNDER SECTIONS 30(1A) AND (2A), HOWEVER, NO REFUNDS WILL BE PAYABLE IN THE CASE OF A VACANT TENEMENT LAST USED OR INTENDED TO BE USED WHOLLY OR PRIMARILY FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES OR FOR THE PARKING OF VEHICLES (UNLESS VACANT BY REASON OF AN ORDER OF THE GOVERNMENT).
TO AVOID THE POSSIBLE INCONVENIENCE OF QUEUEING, RATEPAYERS ARE URGED TO PAY BY CHEQUE OR MONEY ORDER SENT BY POST OR BY EARLY PERSONAL ATTENDANCE AT ANY OF THE OFFICES LISTED ON THE BACK OF THE DEMAND NOTE.
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/21 .......
FRIDAY, JULY 13, 1990
- 21 -
SUMMER FUN FOR YUEN LONG YOUTHS * * * * *
YOUNG PEOPLE IN YUEN LONG WILL HAVE A FUN FILLED SUMMER THIS YEAR AS OVER 170 RECREATIONAL, SPORTING AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN ARRANGED FOR THEM, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT’S SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME (SYP) CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR CHOW YIU-WING, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
"THERE ARE ALSO A NUMBER OF OTHER PROJECTS TO ENHANCE THE CIVIC AWARENESS AND COMMUNITY SPIRIT OF YOUNG PEOPLE," HE ADDED.
THE SYP IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND OTHER LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, WITH A DONATION OF OVER $260,000 FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
IT WILL BE KICKED OFF BY A PAINTING COMPETITION AT THE YUEN LONG CHILDREN PLAYGROUND AROUND NOON TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE YUEN LONG ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR JOSEPH LAI; THE CHAIRMAN OF YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD, MR TAI KUEN; AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SYP, MR PETER LEE, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY.
A PROGRAMME PAMPHLET IS NOW AVAILABLE AT THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE, THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD, AND THE LONG PING COMMUNITY HALL.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF THE YUEN LONG SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME TO BE HELD AT 12.30 PM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE YUEN LONG CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND, HONG LOK ROAD.
- - 0--------
WONG TAI SIN SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME TO START ON SUNDAY *****
THE 1990 WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME (SYP) WILL BEGIN ON SUNDAY (JULY 15) WITH AN OPENING CEREMONY AND CARNIVAL AT THE LOK FU SHOPPING CENTRE.
THE SYP HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTHS AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 25 TO ENJOY A HAPPY AND MEANINGFUL SUMMER BY TAKING PART IN RECREATIONAL, SPORTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES.
MORE THAN 600 ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN ARRANGED BY 41 LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES FOR LOCAL PEOPLE THIS YEAR, AND THE SLOGAN IS "I LOVE SUNSHINE, I LOVE VIGOUR”.
/THE ANNUAL .......
FRIDAY, JULY 13, 1990
- 22 -
THE ANNUAL PROGRAMME IS ORGANISED BY THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT SYP CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE 1990 AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY ON SUNDAY WILL BE THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BRIAN LAU; REGIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (EAST KOWLOON) OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, MR LOK MAN-PAN; REGIONAL LEISURE MANAGER (KOWLOON EAST) OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR CHAN WING-FONG; AND CHIEF HOUSING MANAGER (ISLAND AND KOWLOON CENTRAL) OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, MR CHOY KI-WONG.
IT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A YOUTH LION DANCE, A MAGIC SHOW, SINGING AND BRASS BAND PERFORMANCES AND A CARNIVAL WITH STALL GAMES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE 1990 WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME OPENING CEREMONY AND CARNIVAL WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON SUNDAY (JULY 15) AT THE OPEN DECK AND PERFORMANCE STAGE OF THE LOK FU SHOPPING CENTRE, KOWLOON.
--------U-----------
STUDENT AMBASSADORS VISIT CSD TRAINING INSTITUTE ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
PROGRAMME
VISITED
FIFTY PARTICIPANTS OF THE STUDENT AMBASSADOR
ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION TODAY (FRIDAY) THE STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT --------------- ttPADM madk AuniiT THE PROVISION OF CORRECTIONAL
(CSD) AT STANLEY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
THE
PROVISION
THE STUDENTS FIRST ATTENDED A TALK WHICH DEPARTMENT’S WORK, THE OPERATION OF THE PENAL SYSTEM, CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMMES FOR OFFENDERS.
OUTLINED THE AND THE VARIOUS
TO SEE THE FACILITIES FOR THE TRAINING COURT ROOM, MOCK CELL,
THEY THEN TOURED THE INSTITUTE TRAINING OF CSD STAFF, INCLUDING THE INDOOR FIRING RANGE AND GYMNASIUM.
THE STUDENT AMBASSADOR PROGRAMME IS STUDENTS WHO ARE ABOUT TO FURTHER THEIR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ABOUT HONG KONG.
DESIGNED TO FURNISH
STUDIES OVERSEAS WITH
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/23
FRIDAY, JULY 13, 1990
23
COMPULSORY INSPECTION OF LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES
**♦♦♦♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT ALL LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES WITH A GROSS WEIGHT NOT EXCEEDING 1.9 TONNES MANUFACTURED IN 1983 OR BEFORE WHICH REQUIRE A NEW LICENCE ON OR AFTER NOVEMBER 1 MUST BE INSPECTED AT A DESIGNATED CAR TESTING CENTRE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT SUCH VEHICLES SHOULD BE INSPECTED ON OR AFTER AUGUST 1 AND A CERTIFICATE OF ROADWORTHINESS OBTAINED PRIOR TO RELICENSING.
’’THE CERTIFICATE IS ONLY VALID FOR RELICENSING DURING THE FOUR MONTHS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE DATE OF ISSUE," HE SAID.
---------0-----------
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN KOWLOON CITY
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 9 AM TO 7 PM ON SUNDAY (JULY 15), THE RIGHT-TURN VEHICULAR MOVEMENT FROM SAN MA TAU STREET ONTO LONG YUET STREET IN KOWLOON CITY WILL BE TEMPORARILY BANNED TO FACILITATE THE URGENT REPAIRING OF A WATERMAIN AT THE JUNCTION OF THESE TWO STREETS.
--------0-----------
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ON TOLO HIGHWAY IN SHA TIN
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT SEVERAL SECTIONS OF TOLO HIGHWAY IN SHA TIN WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS.
THE INNER-MOST LANE OF TOLO HIGHWAY SOUTHBOUND NEAR MA LIU SHUI FOR A SECTION OF ABOUT 500 METRES WILL BE CLOSED FROM 8 AM ON SUNDAY (JULY 15) TO 8 PM ON FRIDAY (JULY 20).
THE CENTRE LANE OF TOLO HIGHWAY SOUTHBOUND NEAR MA LIU SHUI FOR A SECTION OF ABOUT 500 METRES WILL BE CLOSED BETWEEN 8 PM EACH DAY AND 6 AM NEXT MORNING FROM SUNDAY (JULY 15) TO THURSDAY (JULY 19).
MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO DRIVE WITH CARE AND PATIENCE.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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/24 ........
FRIDAY, JULY 13, 1990
24 TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TSING YI BRIDGE *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TO FACILITATE REGULAR MAINTENANCE WORKS, THE TSING YI BRIDGE WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED ON SUNDAY (JULY 15), FROM AFTER MIDNIGHT TO 2 AM AND FROM 2 PM TO 4 PM.
DURING THE CLOSURE, THE BRIDGE WILL BE RE-OPENED TO GENERAL TRAFFIC AT A TEN-MINUTE INTERVAL AND IMMEDIATELY FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES.
APPROPRIATE SIGNS WILL BE SET UP AND POLICE OFFICERS WILL BE ON SITE TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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/
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, JULY 14, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MARCH-MAY UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS RELEASED ...................... 1
MARCH EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS RELEASED ......................... 2
NEW AIRPORT MASTER PLAN CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT SIGNED ................................ 7
OVER 8,500 CANCER DEATHS LAST YEAR .................................................. 8
HK TAKES LEAD IN COPYRIGHT PROTECTION ............................................... 9
CIVIC EDUCATION IMPORTANT TO YOUNG PEOPLE ........................................... 9
WAN CHAI FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN STARTS ............................................... 10
KWAI TSING SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME STARTS ............................................ H
GOVT LAND TO LET BY TENDER .......................................................... H
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES START ................................................. 12
TALKS TO PROMOTE SUMMER JOB SAFETY ................................................. 12
NEW PUBLIC EARTH DUMP TO OPEN IN TUEN MUN .......................................... 13
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD BY AUCTION ................................................ 14
WATER CUTS IN SHEUNG WAN AND CHEUNG CHAU ........................................... 14
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGMENT IN TSIM SHA TSUI ...................................... 15
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY IN WAN CHAI ............................................... 15
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN TO KWA WAN ...................................................... 16
EXTENSION OF GMB OPERATING HOURS ................................................... I6
SATURDAY, JULY 14, 1990
MARCH-MAY UNEMPLOYMENT AND *
UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS RELEASED * * * t *
THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE REMAINED AT A LOW LEVEL WHILE THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE INCREASED DURING THE PERIOD MARCH - MAY 1990.
THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY Till' CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT INDICATE THAT ALTHOUGH THE D , I OR LABOUR HAS PROBABLY BECOME LESS INTENSE, STRONG SIGNS OF EASING IN THE LABOUR MARKET WERE NOT YET APPARENT.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR MARCH - MAY 1990 WAS 1.6 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH 1.5 PER CENT FOR BOTH THE THREE MONTHS ENDJi.. FEBRUARY 1990 AND THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER.
THE INCREASES OF 0.1 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT OVER THE PRECEDING THREE-MONTH PERIOD AND THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER ARE BOTE STATISTICALLY NOT SIGNIFICANT.
THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS IN MARCH - MAY 1990 WAS ESTIMATED AT 44,200, COMPARED WITH 40,800 IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1990 AND 40,300 IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN 1989.
THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR MARCH - MAY 1990 WAS 1.0 PER CENT, COMPARED WITH 0.6 PER CENT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1990. AND 0.9 PER CENT FOR THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER.
THE INCREASE OF 0.4 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT OVER THE PRECEDING THREE-MONTH PERIOD IS STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT WHILE THE INCREASE OF 0.1 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT OVER THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER IS STATISTICALLY NOT SIGNIFICANT.
THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS IN MARCH - MAY 1990 WAS 26,900, COMPARED WITH 17,500 IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1990 AND 25,800 IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING MAY 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 .......
SATURDAY, JULY 14, 1990
2
THE PROVISIONAL SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR APRIL - JUNE 1990 WAS 1.6 PER CENT AND THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 0.9 PER CENT.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS WERE OBTAINED FROM A CONTINUOUS GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY FOR MARCH - MAY 1990 COVERED A QUARTERLY SAMPLE OF SOME 11,500 HOUSEHOLDS OR 41,100 PERSONS, SELECTED SCIENTIFICALLY TO REPRESENT THE LAND-BASED CIVILIAN NON-1NSTITUTIONAL POPULATION IN HONG KONG.
PERSONAL ' AND LABOUR FORCE DATA WERE OBTAINED IN THE SURVEY BY / NTER'IEWING EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER AGED 15 AND ABOVE IN THE ' HOUSE OLDS 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 JUNE 1990 WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AROUND SEPTEMBER 20 AT $11.50 PER COPY.
-----U-----
MARCH EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS RELEASED
*******
IN MARCH 1990, EMPLOYMENT IN THE SERVICES SECTOR INCREASED COMPARED WITH MARCH 1989, WHILE EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR DECREASED, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THUS THE SHIFT IN EMPLOYMENT FROM MANUFACTURING TO SERVICES CONTINUED.
THERE WERE 764,700 PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN MARCH 1990, REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF 6.1 PER CENT IN COMPARISON WITH MARCH 1989.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AT 773,400 IN MARCH 1990, WAS 9.4 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN MARCH 1989.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, AT 263,300, WAS UP BY 9.3 PER CENT.
/EMPLOYMENT AT .......
SATURDAY, JULY 14, 1990
- 3 -
EMPLOYMENT AT CONSTRUCTION SITES INCREASED BY 1.7 PER CENT COMPAI ED WITH MARCH 1989.
THE OVERALL EMPLOYMENT FIGURES FOR MARCH 1990 IN THESE SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS, WITH COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR MARCH 1989 AND DECEMBER 1989, ARE AS FOLLOWS :
PERSONS ENGAGED (EMPLOYMENT) IN* PERCENTAGE CHANGE**
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY MAR 89 DEC 89 MAR 90 MAR 90 ON MAR 89 MAR 90 ON DEC 89
MANUFACTURING 814,200 791,500 764,700 -6.1 -3.4
CONSTRUCTION (MANUAL WORKERS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES ONLY) 73,000 69,500 74,200 + 1.7 + 6.7
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 707,100 774,000 773,400 + 9.4 -0.1
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 241,000 254,800 263,300 + 9.3 + 3.4
t FIGURES ARE ROUNDED TO THE NEAREST 100. tt BASED ON UNROUNDED EMPLOYMENT FIGURES.
COMPARING MARCH 1990 WITH DECEMBER 1989, EMPLOYMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION SITES AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTORS INCREASED BY 6.7 PER CENT AND 3.4 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR DECREASED BY 3.4 PER CENT. EMPLOYMENT IN THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE.
A DEPARTMENTAL SPOKESMAN SAID THE STATISTICS FOR SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY IN MARCH 1990 WERE DERIVED FROM THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
/THESE SECTORS .......
SATURDAY, JULY 14, 1990
THESE SECTORS COVER THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR; THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR; AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR. THERE IS A SEPARATE EMPLOYMENT SURVEY COVERING CONSTRUCTION SITES.
THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL ALSO PROVIDES VACANCY STATISTICS FOR THESE SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS (EXCEPT CONSTRUCTION SITES WHICH ARE COVERED IN A SEPARATE SURVEY).
THE VACANCY DATA TOGETHER WITH A COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR MARCH 1989 AND DECEMBER 1989 ARE AS FOLLOWS:
NUMBER OF REPORTED
VACANCIES IN* PERCENTAGE CHANGE**
SELECTED MAJOR
SECTORS OF THE MAR 90 ON MAR 90 ON
ECONOMY MAR 89 DEC 89 MAR 90 MAR 89 DEC 89
MANUFACTURING 57,050 36,170 38, 270 -32.9 UI 00
WHOLESALE AND 37,720 27,050 34, 910 - 7.5 + 29.0
RETAIL, IMPORT
AND EXPORT TRADES
AND RESTAURANTS
AND HOTELS
FINANCING, 11,630 10,520 10,930 - 6.0 + 4.0
INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES
* FIGURES ARE ROUNDED TO THE NEAREST 10.
* * BASED ON UNROUNDED VACANCY FIGURES.
114 LINE WITH THE SLACKENING IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY SINCE THE LATTER HALF OF 1989, THE DEMAND FOR LABOUR SEEMED TO HAVE BECOME LESS INTENSE. THE NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES FOR THE MANUFACTURING, THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTORS DECREASED BY 32.9 PER CENT, 7.5 PER CENT AND 6.0 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY BETWEEN MARCH 1989 AND MARCH 1990.
HOWEVER, COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1989, AND BEARING IN MIND THE INFLUENCE OF SEASONAL FACTORS, THE NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES IN THE MANUFACTURING, THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTORS, HOWEVER INCREASED BY 5.8 PER CENT, 29.0 PER CENT AND 4.0 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN MARCH 1990.
/ALSO AVAILABLE .......
SATURDAY, JULY 14, 1990
- 5 -
ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE SURVEY ARE STATISTICS ON MONTHLY PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR; THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL,
IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR ; AND THE
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR.
QUARTERLY FOLLOWING TABLE : TOTALS FOR EACH OF THESE SECTORS ARE SHOWN IN THE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY TOTAL QUARTERLY PAYROLL IN 1ST QTR. 1ST QTR. 1989 1990 HK$ MN HK$ MN % 1ST 1ST CHANGE* QTR. 1990 ON QTR. 1989
MANUFACTURING 11,712 12,63 + 7.8 4
WHOLESALE AND 11,071 14,088 + 27.2
RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS
FINANCING, 5,970 7,358 +23.2
INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES
♦ BASED ON UNROUNDED PAYROLL FIGURES
COMPARED WITH THE SAME QUARTER A YEAR AGO, PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN THE ABOVE THREE SECTORS INCREASED BY 7.8 PER CENT, 27.2 PER CENT AND 23.2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990.
AFTER ADJUSTMENT FOR VARIATIONS IN TOTAL MONTHLY PAYROLL OUTLAYS IN MARCH 1989 AND MARCH 1990, ARISING FROM CHANGES IN THE LEVEL OF EMPLOYMENT, A NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IS OBTAINED.
TO ALLOW FOR THE EFFECTS OF PRICE CHANGES, THE NOMINAL INDEX IS DEFLATED BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) TO GIVE THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED. THESE TWO INDICES FOR MARCH 1989 AND MARCH 1990 ARE GIVEN IN THE TABLES BELOW :
/NOMINAL INDEX .......
SATURDAY, JULY 14, 1990
6 -
NOMINAL INDEX OF
PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED t iiimp i non - 1 nn \ % CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY MAR 90 ON MAR 89
MAR 89 MAR 90
MANUFACTURING 297.0 338.5 + 14.0
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 290.0 334.0 + 15.2
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 288.6 316.4 + 9.6 • • V r
REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED % CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY MAR 90 ON MAR 89
MAR 89 MAR 90
MANUFACTURING 151.2 156.7 + 3.6
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 147.7 154.6 i ■. ■ • • *j + 4.7
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 146.9 146.5 • -0.3
BETWEEN MARCH 1989 AND MARCH 1990, AN INCREASE OF 14.0 PER CENT WAS REGISTERED IN THE NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
FOR THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, THE INCREASE WAS 15.2 PER CENT AND FOR THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, THE INCREASE WAS 9.6 PER CENT.
/THE RELATIVELY .......
SATURDAY, JULY 14, 1990
- 7 -
THE RELATIVELY SMALL INCREASE IN THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR WAS LARGELY DUE TO THE SMALL INCREASE IN THE NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IN THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR (BY 5.5%).
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED REGISTERED AN INCREASE OF 3.6 PER CENT FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, 4.7 PER CENT FOR THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, IMPORT AND EXPORT TRADES AND RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, BUT A DECREASE OF 0.3 PER CENT FOR THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR. \
DETAILED BREAKDOWNS OF THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE QUARTERLY REPORT OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS, MARCH 1990, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $ 11 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AND AT THE SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
-------------------------0-------- NEW AIRPORT MASTER PLAN CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT SIGNED ******
THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY (PAA) TODAY (SATURDAY) SIGNED THE FIRST MAJOR CONTRACT MARKING AN IMPORTANT STEP IN TAKING FORWARD THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT.
THE CONTRACT, WHICH IS FOR THE AIRPORT MASTER PLAN CONSULTANCY, WAS SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE PAA BY ITS CHAIRMAN, SIR PIERS JACOBS, AND ON BEHALF OF THE GREINER-MAUNSELL JOINT VENTURE BY THE DIRECTOR OF GRIENER INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, MR SAM MILITELLO, AND THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA LIMITED, MR FRANCIS BONG.
FOR THE AIRPORT MASTER PLAN, THE CONSULTANTS WILL REVIEW AIR TRAFFIC DEMAND FORECASTS; DEFINE THE SERVICE PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES; PLAN THE AIRPORT CONFIGURATION AND LAYOUT; DEFINE THE AIRSPACE STRUCTURE AND AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM; IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES FOR GENERATING CONCESSION REVENUE AT THE AIRPORT; AND ESTABLISH THE PROGRAMME AND THE COST FOR THE PROJECT, INCLUDING THE FUTURE AIRPORTS OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE COSTS.
FOR THE CIVIL ENGINEERING ASSIGNMENT, THE CONSULTANTS WILL UNDERTAKE FURTHER SITE INVESTIGATION; PREPARE PRELIMINARY DESIGNS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS FOR THE ENTIRE AIRPORT; PREPARE TENDER DOCUMENTS FOR THE INITIAL PHASE(S) OF THE AIRPORT SITE PREPARATION; AND OVERSEE THE CONTRACT FOR THE FORMATION OF AN ADVANCE WORKS SITE ON CHEK LAP KOK.
FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT, THE CONSULTANTS WILL EXAMINE METHODS TO MINIMISE POLLUTION AND NUISANCE ARISING FROM THE TOTAL DEVELOPMENT, CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF THE NEW AIRPORT; IDENTIFY AND EVALUATE THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ARISING FROM CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF THE AIRPORT; AND IDENTIFY AND SPECIFY MEASURES TO MITIGATE THESE IMPACTS AND REDUCE THEM TO ACCEPTABLE LEVELS.
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/8......
SATURDAY, JULY 14, 1990
- 8 -
OVER 8,500 CANCER DEATHS LAST YEAR *****
MORE THAN 8,500 PEOPLE DIED OF CANCER IN HONG KONG LAST YEAR, REPRESENTING 30 PER CENT OF TOTAL DEATHS IN THE TERRITORY, THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR S.H. LEE, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION ON CANCER ORGANISED BY THE MEDICAL SOCIETY OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, DR LEE SAID ACCORDING TO THE CANCER REGISTRY THE NUMBER OF NEW CANCER CASES NOTIFIED IN 1988 WAS 14,500.
"MANY OF THE CANCER CASES ARE IN FACT CLOSELY RELATED TO OUR LIFE-STYLES," HE SAID. "ONE OF THE MOST NOTABLE EXAMPLES IS THE RELATION OF CIGARETTE SMOKING AND LUNG CANCER.”
DR LEE POINTED OUT THAT LUNG CANCER ACCOUNTED FOR 2,592 DEATHS OR 30 PER CENT OF TOTAL CANCER DEATHS LAST YEAR, AND THAT 90 PER CENT OF THE LUNG CANCER CASES WERE ATTRIBUTABLE TO SMOKING AND WERE THUS : PREVENTABLE.
WHILE "CANCER" MIGHT BE A VERY FRIGHTENING WORD, THE CURE RATE OF SOME OF THE CANCERS WAS VERY PROMISING IF THE DISEASE WAS DIAGNOSED AND TREATED AT AN EARLY STAGE, HE SAID.
HE SAID PUBLIC EDUCATION ON THE PREVENTION AND EARLY DETECTION OF CANCER WAS THEREFORE CONSIDERED EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.
"THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS DETERMINED TO PROMOTE AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN ACTIVE IN ORGANISING CANCER PREVENTION PROGRAMMES," DR LEE STRESSED.
"ITS FAMILY HEALTH SERVICE PROVIDES FREE CERVICAL SMEAR EXAMINATIONS FOR THE EARLY DETECTION OF CANCER OF THE CERVIX FOR WOMEN ABOVE THE AGE OF 30.
"BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION IS ALSO PROMOTED THROUGH THE FAMILY HEALTH SERVICE AND THE CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT."
DR LEE SAID THE IMMUNISATION OF ALL NEWBORNS IN HONG KONG AGAINST VIRAL HEPATITIS B INFECTION WAS STARTED IN NOVEMBER 1988.
THIS WAS ANOTHER PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURE TO PREVENT CANCER OF THE LIVER, THE SECOND MOST COMMON CANCER DEATH IN HONG KONG.
IN THE PROMOTION OF CANCER EDUCATION, HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT WORKED CLOSELY WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS THE COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH AND THE HONG KONG ANTI-CANCER SOCIETY.
DR LEE PRAISED THE MEDICAL STUDENTS OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN ORGANISING THE EXHIBITION WHICH HE SAID WAS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE PROMOTION OF HEALTH IN SOCIETY.
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/9 ........
SATURDAY, JULY ll, 1990
- 9 -
HK TAKES LEAD IN COPYRIGHT PROTECTION * * * * *
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN TRYING HARD TO COMBAT VARIOUS COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT ACTIVITIES TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF COPYRIGHT OWNERS, THE ACTING COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR TONG KANG-SING, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE "COPYRIGHT AND YOU" EXHIBITION ORGANISED BY THE PENINSULA JAYCEES, MR TONG SAID SUCH COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT ACTIVITIES INCLUDED PIRATED POP MUSIC CASSETTES, MOVIES AND TELEVISION PROGRAMMES, PHOTOCOPIED AND PIRATED REFERENCE BOOKS AND COMPUTER MANUALS.
HE SAID HONG KONG HAD BEEN TAKING A LEAD IN PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF COPYRIGHT OWNERS, AND HAD HENCE ATTRACTED A RAPID INCREASE IN OVERSEAS TECHNOLOGY AND INVESTMENTS.
HE SAID HONG KONG WAS ONCE REFERRED TO AS "THE PARADISE OF COMPUTER SOFWARE INFRINGEMENT", WHICH HAD AFFECTED THE TERRITORY’S REPUTATION AND IMPEDED ITS ECONOMY, HE NOTED.
BUT NOW OTHER THAN A SMALL NUMBER OF TOUTS WHO WENT UNDERGROUND, NO PIRATED PRODUCTS WERE SOLD IN PUBLIC, MR TONG SAID.
"DUE TO EFFECTIVE ENFORCEMENT, THE BENEFIT AND REPUTATION OF PUBLISHERS, MANUFACTURERS AND SINGERS CAN BE PROTECTED AND FURTHER IMPROVED.
"SUCH PROTECTION PROVIDES INVESTORS THE CONFIDENCE TO TAKE ON MORE VENTURES, SUCH AS ORGANISING CONCERTS OF TOP SINGERS," HE SAID.
MR TONG SAID UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE, MANY COUNTRIES HAD ADOPTED A MORE POSITIVE APPROACH TOWARDS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS.
"A COUNTRY WILL BE FACING TRADE SANCTIONS IF IT DOES NOT EXERCISE EFFECTIVE MEASURES TO PROTECT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS," HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
CIVIC EDUCATION IMPORTANT TO YOUNG PEOPLE *****
CIVIC EDUCATION HAS BECOME A VERY ESSENTIAL PART OF THE EDUCATION OF THE YOUNG IN THE LIGHT OF FUTURE CHANGES IN HONG KONG, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE FUNFUL ENGLISH PRIMARY SCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN.
/MR LAN ........
SATURDAY, JULY 14, 1990
- 10 -
MR LAN TOLD HIS YOUNG AUDIENCE THAT HONG KONG’S FUTURE WAS IN THEIR HANDS.
"ALTHOUGH AT THIS STAGE YOU ARE TOO YOUNG TO PARTICIPATE DIRECTLY IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, YOU SHOULD MAKE GOOD USE OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN AND TO PARTICIPATE TO PREPARE YOURSELVES TO MAKE CONTRIBUTION TO THE SOCIETY IN FUTURE," HE SAID.
"IN ADDITION, I HOPE THAT PARENTS CAN SET A GOOD EXAMPLE AND HELP THEIR CHILDREN TO DEVELOP HEALTHY HABITS AND A GOOD CHARACTER SO AS TO LAY A SOUND FOUNDATION FOR THEIR FUTURE," HE ADDED.
HE PRAISED THE SCHOOL FOR SPARING NO EFFORTS IN ENHANCING THE STUDENTS’ CIVIC AWARENESS.
- - 0---------
WAN CHAI FIGHT *
CRIME CAMPAIGN STARTS * * * * *
THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (DFCC) HAS BEEN ORGANISING YEARLY ACTIVITIES TO HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF CRIME PREVENTION AND TO ENCOURAGE THE COMMUNITY TO HELP POLICE FIGHT CRIME, THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER MANN, SAID THIS (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME AND ANTI-NARCOTICS CAMPAIGN, MR MANN SAID THIS YEAR’S PUBLICITY DRIVE WOULD FOCUS ON THREE SUBJECTS, NAMELY, YOUTH CRIME, PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND CONTROL, AND HOME SECURITY.
HE ADDED THAT VARIOUS FUNCTIONS WOULD BE ORGANISED TO MAKE YOUNG PEOPLE MORE AWARE OF THE DANGERS OF ABUSING NARCOTICS AND SOFT DRUGS.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDED THE DFCC CHAIRMAN, MR LESTER KWOK, DEPUTY POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, MR ALBERT CHEUNG, AND THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MRS PEGGY LAM.
THE OPENING CEREMONY WAS FOLLOWED BY A MARCHING BAND PARADE AND CHOIR PERFORMANCES AT THE WEST GARDEN OF HENNESSY CENTRE IN CAUSEWAY BAY.
A BUS TOUR TO PUT ACROSS THE FIGHT CRIME AND ANTI-DRUG MESSAGES WAS ALSO HELD, DURING WHICH PUBLICITY PAMPHLETS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO PASSERS-BY.
- - 0 - -
/Il .......
SATURDAY, JULY 14, 1990
11
KWAI TSING SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME STARTS
*****
MORE THAN 560 SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD IN KWAI TSING DISTRICT EROM TODAY (SATURDAY) UNTIL THE END OF AUGUST.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME (SYP) TODAY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR TONG MAN-YIU, SAID A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES HAD BEEN ARRANGED FOR PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 25.
"IN ADDITION TO WATER AND LAND SPORTS, COMMUNITY SERVICES ACTIVITIES WILL ALSO BE ORGANISED TO INCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY WHILE HAVING FUN," HE SAID.
OVER 10,000 COPIES OF THE PROGRAMME BOOKLET ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
THE OPENING CEREMONY WAS HELD AT THE OR SAD1CK MEMORIAL GAMES HALL. OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDED THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR TANG KWOK-WAI; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LEE WING-TAT; AND REGIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, MR STEPHEN CHAU.
THE CEREMONY WAS FOLLOWED BY AEROBIC AND FOLK DANCES, MARCHING BAND AND A LION DANCE PERFORMED BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM EIGHT SUB-DISTRICTS.
THIS YEAR’S KWAI TSING DISTRICT SYP, WITH A BUDGET OF $580,000, IS SPONSORED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND THE DISTRICT BOARD.
------0-------
GOVT LAND TO LET BY TENDER *****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCY OF A LAND LOT ON TSING TSUEN ROAD, KWAI CHUNG.
THE SITE COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 11,600 SQUARE METRES. IT IS FOR A FEE-PAYING PUBLIC PARTING AREA FOR PRIVATE MOTOR VEHICLES, TAXIS AND GOODS VEHICLES CURRENTLY LICENSED UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE, EXCLUDING CONTAINER VEHICLES WITH TRAILERS ATTACHED.
THE TENANCY IS FOR 18 MONTHS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS. THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JULY 27.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLANS INSPECTED AT THE 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, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
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/12 ........
SATURDAY, JULY 14, 1990
12
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES START t * * » I
MORE THAN 100 YOUNGSTERS WILL TAKE PART IN A YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME ORGANISED RY THE WEST KOWLOON REGIONAL OFFICE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROGRAMME, THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF REGIONAL YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES, WAS AIMED AT FOSTERING A SENSE OF CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY AMONG THE YOUNG PEOPLE AND ENCOURAGING THEIR PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY SERVICES.
"THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE A SEMINAR, AN OPEN FORUM AND AN OPINION SURVEY," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE SEMINAR WILL BE THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR ALEXANDER FUNG. GUEST SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE A LECTURER OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, MR TSANG WING-KWONG, AND A CIVIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEMBER, MR CHENG KA I-NAM.
FOUR OTHER REGIONAL PROGRAMMES WILL BE ORGANISED IN AUGUST AND OCTOBER THIS YEAR ON THE TOPICS OF YOUNG PEOPLE’S ROLES IN MEETING NEW CHALLENGES AND THE WORK OF VOLUNTEERS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE SEMINAR ON YOUTH DEVELOPMENT TO BE HELD TOMORROW (SUNDAY) IN THE ACADEMY ROOM, FIRST FLOOR, HOLIDAY INN HARBOUR VIEW HOTEL, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, BEGINNING AT 9 AM.
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT INFORMATION OFFICER WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
- - 0 - -
TALKS TO PROMOTE SUMMER JOB SAFETY
* » t * «
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS MAKING EVERY EFFORT TO INSTIL IN STUDENTS THE MESSAGE OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TO AVOID ACCIDENTS IN SUMMER JOBS.
"UNDER A SAFETY PROGRAMME FOR STUDENTS STARTED IN MAY, FACTORY INSPECTORS HAVE VISITED 40 SECONDARY SCHOOLS OVER THE TERRITORY AND TALKED TO SOME 12,000 STUDENTS," THE DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR HO SING-CHUEN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
/"DURING THE
SATURDAY, JULY 14, 1990
13
"DURING THE VISITS, STUDENTS WERE BRIEFED ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY REGULATIONS AND SOME BASIC WORK SAFETY PRACTICES AND WERE SHOWN FILMS ON RELATED TOPICS.
"IT IS DEPLORABLE TO SEE YOUNG STUDENTS INJURED AT SHORT-TIME SUMMER WORK, ESPECIALLY WHEN SUCH TRAGEDIES RESULTED IN PERMANENT DISABILITIES," HE SAID.
ACCORDING TO DEPARTMENTAL STATISTICS, 29 SUMMER-JOB WORKERS WERE INJURED LAST YEAR, COMPARED WITH 35 IN 1988 AND 41 IN 1987.
THOUGH THE NUMBER OF INJURIES HAD SHOWN A DECLINE, MR HO SAID THE ACCIDENT RATE WAS STILL UNDESIRABLE GIVEN THE LIMITED NUMBER OF STUDENTS TAKING SUMMER JOBS WITHIN A PERIOD OF ABOUT TWO MONTHS.
"LACKING PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING IN WORK SAFETY, STUDENTS ARE MORE PRONE TO ACCIDENTS THAN OTHER WORKERS," HE NOTED.
MR HO URGED STUDENTS TO REFRAIN PARTICULARLY FROM WORKING AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, OPERATING HEAVY MACHINERY, VIGOROUS MANUAL WORK AND PROCESSES INVOLVING FIRE AND DANGEROUS SUBS I \NCES.
"IF IN DOUBT ABOUT THE NATURE OF WORK, THEY SHOULD CONSULT THEIR PARENTS AND CAREERS TEACHERS, OR SEEK ADVICE FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S FACTORY INSPECTORATE ON TEL. 852 3565," HE SAID.
----0-----
NEW PUBLIC EARTH DUMP TO OPEN IN TUEN MUN
******
A NEW PUBLIC EARTH DUMP AT WONG CHU ROAD, TUEN MUN NEW TOWN WILL BE OPENED TO THE PUBLIC ON MONDAY (JULY 16).
THE PUBLIC EARTH DUMP IN AREA 16, TUEN MUN NEW TOWN WILL BE CLOSED FROM TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
DUMPING PERMIT IS REQUIRED AT THE WONG CHU ROAD EARTH DUMP. VALID DUMPING PERMITS PREVIOUSLY ISSUED FOR AREA 16 CAN ALSO BE USED THERE.
APPLICATIONS FOR DUMPING PERMITS CAN BE MADE TO THE TUEN MUN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, SEVENTH FLOOR, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
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/14 ........
SATURDAY, JULY 14, 1990
- 14 -
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD BY AUCTION » t * * * *
FORTY SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE PUT UP FOR AUCTION THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $718,000 WHICH WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL, SAW THE REGISTRATION NUMBER BW 88 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $235,000.
ANOTHER NUMBER EK 9 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $80,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1,000 FOR EF 6377.
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY’ S AUCTION:
$ $ $ $
EH8288 22,000 BW 88 235,000 EH 228 38,000 AE3383 10,000
BB3502 3,000 EH 378 5,000 EH9283 2,000 EG6789 22,000
EG 871 2,000 EH9887 2,000 EK 1 00 50,000 EH 990 10,000
CX 350 4,000 EG 218 11,000 EH 133 15, ’00 EH4000 10,000
AJ7227 4,000 EH 14 10,000 7 393 30,000 EH3809 9,000
EG 339 8,000 EH9983 4,000 CF9968 4,000 EG 418 2,000
CT1122 13,000 EF 823 6,000 EH1 128 6,000 EF6377 1,000
EF8689 4,000 EJ 299 5,000 EK 9 80,000 AP6848 4,000
EH 130 5,000 EH2823 6,000 EG8128 5,000 EH1800 20,000
BC 638 11,000 EH3223 16,000 EH 883 18,000 EF8898 6,000
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 153RD ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CHARITY REALISED SO FAR TO $103,344,505.
--------0-----------
WATER CUTS IN SHEUNG WAN AND CHEUNG CHAU
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SHEUNG WAN WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON MONDAY (JULY 16) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES AT 127-133 (ODD NUMBERS) HOLLYWOOD ROAD, 76-130 (EVEN NUMBERS) HOLLYWOOD ROAD, LADDER STREET BETWEEN HOLLYWOOD ROAD AND QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, CIRCULAR PATHWAY, SHING WONG STREET BETWEEN GOUGH STREET AND HOLLYWOOD ROAD, 1-2 TSUI ON LANE, AND 270-290 (EVEN NUMBERS) QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL.
/ON TUESDAY .......
»
SATURDAY, JULY 14, 1990
- 15 -
ON TUESDAY (JULY 17), FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES ON CHEUNG CHAU WILL ALSO BE SUSPENDED FOM 10 AM TO 4 PM TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES AT THE SOUTHERN HALF OF CHEUNG CHAU INCLUDING TAI HING TAI ROAD, 92-173 TAI SAN STREET, TAI SAN BACK STREET, NAM SHE TONG, PEAK ROAD, KWUN YAM WAN, FA PENG, TAI CHOI YUEN DISTRICT, KO SHAN TSUEN, LUNG TSAI TSUEN, NAM TAM, TAI SHEK HAU, SIN YAN TSENG, SHUI HANG, ROUND TABLE FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD VILLAGES, SHUN YEE VILLAGE, SAI WAN, AND CARE VILLAGE.
-----0-----
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN TSIM SHA TSUI
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TO FACILITATE THE LAYING OF A WATERMAIN, COX’S ROAD BETWEEN AUSTIN ROAD AND TAK SHING STREET, IN TSIM SHA TSUI, WILL BE RE-ROUTED ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JULY 16) FOR A PERIOD OF ABOUT SEVEN DAYS.
MOTORISTS ON JORDAN ROAD HEADING FOR AUSTIN ROAD CAN TRAVEL VIA PARKES STREET SOUTHBOUND ONTO AUSTIN ROAD.
FROM MONDAY (JULY 16) TO SUNDAY (JULY 22), BUSES OF KMB ROUTE 2C (TAT CHEE AVENUE TO STAR FERRY) WILL BE DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA NATHAN ROAD ON JOURNEYS TO STAR FERRY.
DURING THIS PERIOD, BUS STOPS FOR KMB ROUTE 2C WILL BE DESIGNATED OUTSIDE NOS. 230, 134 AND 26 OF NATHAN ROAD, WHILE EXISTING BUS STOPS IT OBSERVES ON COX’S ROAD SOUTHBOUND, CHEONG WAN ROAD AND CHATHAM ROAD SOUTHBOUND WILL BE SUSPENDED.
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TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAY IN WAN CHAI
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JULY 16), THE SECTION OF JOHNSTON ROAD WESTBOUND BETWEEN SPRING GARDEN LANE AND TAI YUEN STREET, IN WAN CHAI, WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY FOR ABOUT FOUR WEEKS TO FACILITATE MAINLAYING WORKS.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
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/16........
SATURDAY, JULY 14, 1990
- 16 -
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN TO KWA WAN
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JULY 16), THE FOLLOWING URBAN CLEARWAYS WILL BE IMPOSED IN TO KWA WAN FOR ABOUT 60 WEEKS:
♦ THE EXISTING 7 AM TO 10 AM AND 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY ON THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TO KWA WAN ROAD BETWEEN SAN MA TAU STREET AND SAN SHAN ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY CONVERTED TO AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY; AND
♦ THE EXISTING 7 AM TO 10 AM AND 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAY IN SAN MA TAU STREET, FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH TO KWA WAN ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION, WILL BE TEMPORARILY CONVERTED TO AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
--------0-----------
EXTENSION OF GMB OPERATING HOURS
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE OPERATING HOURS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 33 (YUEN LONG TAI FUNG STREET TO HA PAK NAI) AND ROUTE 35 (YUEN LONG TAI FUNG STREET TO SHA KIU TSIM BEI TSUI) WILL BE EXTENDED FROM 9 PM TO 9.30 PM DAILY AS FROM TODAY (SATURDAY).
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, JULY 15, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
DB DELEGATION LEAVES FOR THAILAND AND SINGAPORE .............................
WONG TAI SIN SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME STARTS .......................................... 1
OVERTIME WORK FOR WOMEN MUST BE REPORTED ............................................. 3 .
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES FOR FIVE REGIONS ...............................
LONGER NURSERY OPENING HOURS BEING CONSIDERED ....................................... 4
PROPRIETORS ALERTED ON IMPOSTERS ............................................
REVIEW OF DESIGN METHODS FOR EXCAVATIONS PUBLISHED ..........................
REFUSE COLLECTION POINT FOR NORTH POINT .....................................
REFUSE TRANSFER STATION ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ..............................
URBAN CLEARWAY IN KWUN TONG .................................................
SUNDAY, JULY 15, 1990
- 1 -
DB DELEGATION LEAVES FOR THAILAND AND SINGAPORE ******
A WAN CHAT DISTRICT BOARD DELEGATION DEPARTED TODAY (SUNDAY) FOR THAILAND AND SINGAPORE ON A SEVEN-DAY STUDY VISIT.
THE 10-MEMBER DELEGATION WILL FIRST VISIT THAILAND AND STAY THERE UNTIL WEDNESDAY (JULY 18).
DURING THEIR STAY, MEMBERS WILL MEET OFFICIALS FROM THE THAI EXPRESSWAY AUTHORITY, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, THE ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICE AND BANGKOK’S METROPOLITAN ADMINISTRATION.
IN SINGAPORE, THEY WILL VISIT THE ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT, THE MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION.
THEY WILL ALSO BE BRIEFED ON THE GREENERY PROJECTS IN THE ISLAND REPUBLIC BY OFFICIALS OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT.
LED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MRS PEGGY LAM, THE DELEGATION COMPRISES SEVEN OTHER DB MEMBERS. THEY ARE MR ARTHUR CHAM, MR RAYMOND CHOW, MR WARREN CHOW, MR CHUNG YEE-ON, MS JACQULINE HA, MR LEE LAU-SHEK AND MR NORMAN LO.
THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER MANN, AND A DISTRICT SENIOR EXECUTIVE OFFICER ARE ACCOMPANYING THE GROUP.
THE DELEGATION IS EXPECTED TO RETURN TO HONG KONG ON SATURDAY (JULY 21).
- - 0----------
WONG TAI SIN SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME STARTS
******
IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE GOVERNMENT’S AIM TO PROVIDE EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR THE YOUNGER GENERATION, THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BRIAN LAU, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
"THEREFORE, A GREAT VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE DEVELOP A GOOD PHYSIQUE AND PLEASANT PERSONALITY," HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1990 WONG TAI SIN SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME (SYP) AT THE LOK FU SHOPPING CENTRE, MR LAU SAID THE SYP WAS A COMMUNITY BUILDING EXERCISE TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNGSTERS IN THE DISTRICT TO ENJOY A HEALTHY AND RELAXING SUMMER HOLIDAY.
/"THROUGH TAKING
SUNDAY, JULY 15, 1990
- 2 -
"THROUGH TAKING PART IN VARIOUS RECREATIONAL, SPORTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES, THEY CAN LEARN ABOUT THE DUTIES OF A GOOD CITIZEN AND PUT INTO PRACTICE THE SYP THEME OF 'SHARE THE FUN, SERVE THE COMMUNITY’ , " HE SAID.
MR LAU SAID THE WONG TAI SIN SYP’S SLOGAN -- "I LOVE SUNSHINE, I LOVE VIGOUR" -- AIMED TO ENCOURAGE YOUNGSTERS TO TAKE PART IN THE ACTIVITIES AND MAKE USE OF THE LONG HOLIDAY TO ENRICH AND ENJOY THEMSELVES.
ON THE SUBJECT OF CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES, MR LAU SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SOON LAUNCH A VOTER REGISTRATION CAMPAIGN TO PREPARE FOR THE DISTRICT BOARDS, MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR.
"THE COMMUNITY ORGANISERS OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICE WILL CONDUCT DOOR-TO-DOOR VISITS IN THE DISTRICT IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO SIGN UP,” HE SAID.
UNDER THIS YEAR’S SYP, MORE THAN 600 RECREATIONAL, SPORTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY 41 LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WILL BE HELD IN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS.
THESE INCLUDE CAMPS, PICNICS, LIFE EXPERIENCING SCHEMES, INTEREST CLASSES, TRAINING COURSES, SEMINARS, EXHIBITIONS AND CARNIVALS.
AN AMOUNT OF ABOUT $600,000 FOR THE ACTIVITIES HAS BEEN DONATED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD.
ALSO PRESENT AT TODAY’S OPENING CEREMONY WERE THE REGIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER (EAST KOWLOON), MR LOK MAN-PAN; REGIONAL LEISURE MANAGER (KOWLOON EAST), MR CHAN WING-FONG; CHIEF HOUSING MANAGER (ISLAND AND KOWLOON CENTRAL), MR CHOY Kl-WONG; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT’S SYP CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR CHOI LUK-SING.
AFTER THE CEREMONY, THE AUDIENCE WAS TREATED TO A LION DANCE, MAGIC SHOW, AND SINGING AND BRASS BAND PERFORMANCES.
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SUNDAY, JULY 15, 1990
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OVERTIME WORK FOR WOMEN MUST BE REPORTED
■ i f. -r
FACTORY PROPRIETORS ARE TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED THAT THEY MUST REPORT TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ANY INTENDED CHANGE IN THE PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT OF THEIR FEMALE WORKERS, OTHF WISE THEY MAY BE PROSECUTED.
ACCORDING TO THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (INDUSTRY) REGULATIONS, NO CHANGE SHOULD BE MADE IN THE PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT OR INTERVALS FOR MEALS OR REST FOR WOMEN EMPLOYED IN AN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING UNLESS THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN DULY NOTIFIED IN WRITING.
6
“A NOTICE OF PERMISSIBLE HOURS OF WORK CONTAINING DETAILS OF SUCH CHANGE SHOULD ALSO BE POSTED IN THE WORKPLACE 48 HOURS BEFORE THE CHANGE TAKES EFFECT,” THE SENIOR LABOUR 01 ICER (PROSECUTIONS), MR TSANG KIN-WOO, EXPLAINED.
MR TSANG NOTED THAT TWO MANUFACTURERS WERE RECENTLY FINED HEAVILY BY THE COURT FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT.
THE WINNERTEX FASHION LIMITED AND HERMES TEXTILE INDUSTRY (HK) LIMITED WERE FOUND DURING INSPECTIONS TO HAVE EMPLOYED 30 AND 15 WOMEN RESPECTIVELY OUTSIDE THEIR NORMAL PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT AND HAD NOT SUBMITTED OVERTIME REPORTS TO THE DEPARTMENT.
’’THE FORMER WAS SENTENCED THE MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000 BY A KWUN TONG MAGISTRATE, WHILE THE LATTER WAS FINED $9,000 BY A TSUEN WAN MAGISTRATE,” MR TSANG SAID.
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YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES FOR FIVE REGIONS ******
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD A SERIES OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES IN FIVE REGIONS TO AROUSE YOUNG PEOPLE’S CONCERN ABOUT SOCIETY AND TO ENCOURAGE THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR ALEXANDER FUNG, SAID THIS TODAY (SUNDAY) WHEN ADDRESSING THE OPENING OF A SEMINAR TO MARK THE START OF THE PROGRAMMES.
HE NOTED THAT YOUNG PEOPLE WOULD BE FACING MORE CHALLENGES AS HONG KONG UNDERWENT RAPID CHANGES IN THE 90’S.
"IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE A STRONG SENSE OF CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY AND ACTIVELY TAKE PART IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE TERRITORY’S PROSPERITY AND STABILITY,” HE SAID.
/MR FUNG .......
SUNDAY, JULY 15, 1990
MR FUNG APPEALED TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE TO PUT INTO PRACTICE WHAT THEY HAD LEARNED ABOUT CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY.
MORE THAN 100 YOUNGSTERS ATTENDED TODAY’S SEMINAR, WHICH INCLUDED TALKS ON CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY AND YOUNGSTERS IN THE 90’S BY A LECTURER OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, MR TSANG WING-KWONG, AND BY A CIVIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEMBER, MR CHENG KAI-NAM.
THE OTHER REGIONAL PROGRAMMES, COVERING THE TOPICS OF YOUNG PEOPLE’S ROLES IN MEETING NEW CHALLENGES AND THE WORK OF VOLUNTEERS, WILL BE HELD IN AUGUST AND OCTOBER THIS YEAR.
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LONGER NURSERY OPENING HOURS BEING CONSIDERED
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS LOOKING INTO THE POSSIBILITY OF EXTENDING THE OPENING HOURS OF DAY NURSERIES TO COPE WITH THE NEEDS OF PARENTS, THE ACTING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR CARLOS LEUNG, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE FOURTH GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE ALICE LAN AND VERA SHEN EDUCATION FUND DELIA PEI NURSERY IN SHA TIN, MR LEUNG POINTED OUT THAT CHILDREN’S PRE-SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT HAD AN IMPORTANT EFFECT ON THEIR FUTURE PROGRESS.
"THAT IS WHY THE DEPARTMENT AND ORGANISATIONS ENGAGED IN CHILD CARE SERVICES HAVE BEEN WORKING HARD IN PROMOTING PRE-SCHOOL SERVICE FOR THE YOUNGER GENERATION," HE SAID.
AT PRESENT THERE IS A TOTAL OF 18,937 PLACEMENTS FOR CHILDREN AGED TWO TO SIX AT THE EXISTING 173 REGISTERED SUBVENTED DAY NURSERIES TERRITORY-WIDE. THEIR OPENING HOURS ARE FROM 8 AM TO 6 PM DAILY.
MR LEUNG SAID HE HOPED THESE NURSERIES COULD BE MORE FLEXIBLE IN COPING WITH THE PARENTS’ NEEDS.
"IN THIS RESPECT, WE ARE NOW WORKING WITH THE SUBVENTED NURSERIES TO LOOK INTO THE POSSIBILITY OF EXTENDING THEIR OPENING HOURS," HE ADDED.
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/5........
SUNDAY, JULY 15, 1990
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PROPRIETORS ALERTED ON* IMPOSTERS
* ♦ * * *
A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (SUNDAY) ADVISED COMPANY PROPRIETORS TO BE WATCHFUL FOR PEOPLE IMPERSONATING AS OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID A NUMBER OF COMPANIES HAD RECENTLY BEEN APPROACHED BY PEOPLE CLAIMING TO BE LABOUR OFFICERS AND ASKING FOR PARTICULARS OF THE COMPANIES.
HE EXPLAINED THAT DEPARTMENTAL OFFICERS WHEN MAKING ENQUIRIES WOULD ALWAYS PROVIDE THEIR NAMES AND THE DIVISIONS THEY WERE WORKING IN.
’’OFFICERS CONDUCTING SITE INSPECTIONS ARE ALSO INSTRUCTED TO IDENTIFY THEMSELVES BY PRODUCING THEIR WARRANT CARDS,” HE ADDED.
"IF PROPRIETORS HAVE ANY DOUBT ABOUT Till CALLER’S IDENTITY, THEY SHOULD ASK FOR HIS CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBER OR ADDRESS FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES.
"THEY COULD ALSO CHECK WITH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT OR REPORT IMMEDIATELY TO THE NEAREST POLICE STATION," HE SAID.
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REVIEW OF DESIGN METHODS FOR EXCAVATIONS PUBLISHED
******
THE GEOTECHNICAL CONTROL OFFICE HAS PUBLISHED A TECHNICAL DOCUMENT ENTITLED "REVIEW OF DESIGN METHODS FOR EXCAVATIONS".
THIS PUBLICATION PRESENTS THE RESULTS OF A REVIEW CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICE ON THE DESIGN OF EXCAVATION SUPPORT SYSTEMS AND IN THE PREDICTION OF GROUND MOVEMENT AROUND EXCAVATIONS.
THE ACTING HEAD OF THE OFFICE, MR JOHN MASSEY, SAID IN THE LAST DECADE, THERE HAD BEEN A RAPID INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AND BUILDING WORKS IN HONG KONG WHICH REQUIRED THE CONSTRUCTION OF DEEP EXCAVATIONS.
"IN RESPONSE, THE OFFICE HAS BEGUN WORK SEVERAL YEARS AGO ON THE REVIEW OF LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE ON THE SUBJECT OF EXCAVATIONS," HE SAID.
THE AIM OF THE REVIEW IS TO FACILITATE THE USE OF MODERN METHODS AND KNOWLEDGE IN THE DESIGN OF EXCAVATION SUPPORT SYSTEMS.
IT IS NOW AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION SALES OUTLETS AT A COST OF $30. USERS OF THE PUBLICATION ARE INVITED TO COMMENT ON ITS CONTENTS.
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SUNDAY, JULY 15, 1990
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REFUSE COLLECTION POINT FOR NORTH POINT ♦ ♦*♦♦♦
A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT WILL BE BUILT IN NORTH POINT FOLLOWING THE AWARD OF . A $2.36 MILLION CONTRACT BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
OCCUPYING A 540-SQUARE-METRE SITE AT MARBLE ROAD, THE SINGLE-STOREY REFUSE COLLECTION POINT WILL ACCOMMODATE A CARBON FILTRATION SYSTEM TO PREVENT THE EMISSION OF FOUL SMELL.
FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED WILL INCLUDE AN OFFICE, A PUMP ROOM AND STAFF CHANGING ROOMS.
WORK WILL START LATER THIS MONTH AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN MAY NEXT YEAR.
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REFUSE TRANSFER STATION ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ♦ * * ♦ ♦
THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE CONSTRUCTION OF A REFUSE TRANSFER STATION IN CHAI WAN AT ITS MEETING ON TUESDAY (JULY 17).
THE STATION WILL HANDLE 1,200 TONNES OF WASTES ON HONG KONG ISLAND PER DAY. IT IS EXPECTED TO COME INTO OPERATION BY THE END OF 1992.
ALSO, MEMBERS WILL SUGGEST WAYS TO PROMOTE GREATER USE OF RECYCLED PAPER AND THE COLLECTION OF WASTE PAPER FOR RECYCLING.
IN ADDITION, THE COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE PROBLEMS AT THE NORTH POINT TRAM TERMINUS, THE CAUSEWAY BAY TYPHOON SHELTER AND PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES IN CHAI WAN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY (JULY 17) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, FIRST FLOOR, 880-886 KING’S ROAD.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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SUNDAY, JULY 15, 1990
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URBAN CLEARWAY IN KWUN TONG ♦ ♦ ♦ » »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JULY 17), THE SECTION OF HIU KWONG STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH SAU MING ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 120 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION IN KWUN TONG WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
’-------------------------------o---------------------------------------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, JULY 16, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
14 QUESTIONS, EIGHT BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA ................ 1
CLOSE TIES NEEDED FOR HK AND MACAU ....................... 1
WAGE INDEXES FOR MARCH PUBLISHED ......................... 2
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS ON FOREX DEALINGS ............... 6
NEW YAU TSIM OFFICE CONTINUES TO SERVE DISTRICT .......... 6
PROPER LABELLING FOR PREPACKAGED FOOD .................... 7
OVERSEAS YOUNG MUSICIANS TAKE PART IN MUSIC CAMP ......... 8
NEW PLAYGROUNDS FOR WESTERN DISTRICT AND KOWLOON BAY ..... 9
KWUN TONG DB REPORT PUBLISHED ............................ 10
PARENTS INVITED TO APPLY FOR KINDERGARTEN FEE REMISSION .. 10
HK REGIONAL HEPATITIS B VACCINATION CENTRE ON MOVE ....... 11
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS ............... 11
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS PREFERENTIAL SCHEME FOR ELDERLY .. 12
REPERTORY THEATRE TO PERFORM IN SOUTHERN ................. 12
PRESERVATION OF SCENERY ON DB AGENDA ..................... 13
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ..................................... 13
WATER CUT IN TAI KOK TSUI ................................ 14
TEMPORARY PARTIAL LANE CLOSURE ON TOLO HIGHWAY ........... 14
MONDAY, JULY 16, 1990
14 QUESTIONS, EIGHT BELLS ON LEGCO AGENDA t * * * t
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 14 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER EIGHT BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 18).
OF THE EIGHT BILLS, FOUR WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS AND DEBATES ON THEM WILL BE ADJOURNED.
THEY ARE THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE COMMODITIES TRADING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE STOCK EXCHANGES UNIFICATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, AND THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) 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 RATING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1989-90) BILL 1990, THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, AND THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990.
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE ■ LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE.
IN ADDITION, DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP WILL SPEAK ON THE REPORT ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE TRAVEL AGENTS’ RESERVE FUND FOR THE PERIOD APRIL 1, 1988 TO MARCH 31, 1989, AND THE HON PETER POON WILL SPEAK ON THE REPORT OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE ON REPORT NO. 15 OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT ON THE RESULTS OF VALUE FOR MONEY AUDITS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SITTINGS FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERIES AND THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY TELEPHONING 844 0899.
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CLOSE TIES NEEDED FOR HK AND MACAU ♦ ♦ ♦ t ♦
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT HONG KONG AND MACAU, BOTH HAVING MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PLANS, SHOULD KEEP CLOSELY IN TOUCH WITH EACH OTHER TO ENSURE THAT EACH SIDE KNOWS WHAT THE OTHER IS DOING, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON.
SIR DAVID WAS SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE HONG KONG MACAU FERRY TERMINAL WHERE HE BID FAREWELL TO THE MACAU GOVERNOR, DR CARLOS MELANCIA.
THIS WAS A RETURN VISIT OF THE MACAU GOVERNOR TO THE TERRITORY AFTER SIR DAVID OFFICIALLY VISITED MACAU IN JANUARY LAST YEAR.
/”WE ARE
MONDAY, JULY 16, 1990
"WE ARE VERY CLOSE NEIGHBOURS AND WHAT ONE DOES AFFECTS THE OTHER,” THE GOVERNOR SAID.
WHEN ASKED TO COMMENT ON THE NEW AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT IN MACAU, STR DAVID SAID: "I SEE THE AIRPORT IN MACAU AS SOMETHING WHICH IS VERY MUCH COMPLEMENTARY TO HONG KONG, NOT IN ANY WAY A THREAT TO HONG KONG’S DEVELOPMENT PLANS.”
HE DID No! THINK THE EARLY ( f MPLET1ON OF THE MACAU AIRPORT WOULD DO ANY DAMAGE AT ALL TO HONG KONG’S PLANS.
SIR DAVID \DDED THAT THE ONE THING BOTH SIDES MUST WORK OUT
TOGETHER WOULD BE HOW TO DEAL WITH AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL BECAUSE OF THE RELATIVELY’ CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THE TWO AIRPORTS.
THE MACAU GOVERNOR ARRIVED THIS MORNING AND HELD A DISCUSSION WITH SIR DAVID IN THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE ON MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST.
IN THE AFTERNOON, DR MELANC'IA VISITED MODERN TERMINALS LIMITED IN KWAI CHUNG TO SEE THE FACILITIES THERE. HE LATER FLEW BY HELICOPTER TO CHEK LAI’ KOK WHERE HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT.
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WAGE INDEXES FOR MARCH PUBLISHED
THE OVERALL NOMINAL WAGE INDEX FOR MARCH 1990, AT 199.1, INCREASED BY 12.7 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH MARCH 1989 AND BY 6.6 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER 1989, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE OVERALL REAL WAGE INDEX, AT 115.2 IN MARCH 1990, WAS 2.4 PER (ENT HIGHER THAN THAT IN MARCH 1989 AND 2.5 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THAT IN SEPTEMBER 1989.
WHILE THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX MEASURES CHANGES IN WAGE RATES IN
MONEY TERMS, THE REAL WAGE INDEX, WHICH IS OBTAINED BY DEFLATING THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A), MEASURES CHANGES IN THE PURCHASING POWER OF THE WAGES RECEIVED.
IN MARCH 1990, THE YEAR-ON-YEAR RATE OF INCREASE OF THE NOMINAL
WAGE INDEX FOR THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR WAS 11.2 PER CENT, AND FOR THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR WAS 16.7 PER CENT.
WHEN COMPARING MARCH 1990 WITH SEPTEMBER 1989, IT IS NOTED THAT
THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX WAS HIGHER BY 3.4 PER CENT IN THE TRANSPORT SERVICES SECTOR, AND BY’ 8.5 PER CENT IN THE BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR.
/the ruminal
MONDAY, JULY 16, 1990
3
THE NOMINAL ANH REAL WAGE INDEXES FOR THE PERIOD MARCH 1989 TO MARCH 1990 FOR SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS ARE GIVEN IN TABLE 1 AND TABLE 2 RESPECTIVELY. DETAILED BREAKDOWNS OF THE NOMINAL WAGE INDEX FOR THE MANUFACTUR1 NG SECTOR ARE GIVEN'. IN TABLE *3.
THE WAGE INDEXES ARE DERIVED FROM THE SURVEY OF WAGES, SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY COVERS ROTH MANUAL ANU NON-MANUAL WORKERS (EXCLUDING EMPLOYEES AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROFESSIONAL LEVELS) IN SELECTED INDUSTRIES IN FIVE MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS.
THE FREQUENCY OF THE SURVEY HAS BEEN CHANGED FROM QUARTERLY TO HALF-YEARLY BASIS STARTING FROM SEPTEMBER 1989. FOLLOWING THE MARCH 1990 SURVEY, THE NEXT HALF-YEARLY SURVEY WJL1/. BE CONDUCTED IN SEPTEMBER 1990. THE BASE PERIOD OF THE WAGE INDEX, IS MARCH 1982.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS' DEPARTMENT DREW ATTENTION TO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE WAGE INDEXES AND THE INDEXES OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED WHICH ARE PUBLISHED AT QUARTERLY INTERVALS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT WHILE WAGE RATES PROVIDE A MEASURE OF THE UNIT PRICE OF LABOUR, PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IS A MEASURE OF PER CAPITA EARNING.
WAGE RATES REPRESENT THE AMOUNT OF REMUNERATION FOR NORMAL HOURS OF WORK, AND ARE DEFINED TO INCLUDE BASIC WAGES AND SALARIES, COST-OF-LIVING ALLOWANCE, MEAL BENEFITS, COMMISSION AND TIPS, GOOD ATTENDANCE BONUS AND NIGHT SHIFT ALLOWANCE, YEAR-END BONUS AND OTHER GUARANTEED AND REGULAR BONUSES AND ALLOWANCES.
TOTAL PAYROLL IS THE AMOUNT OF DIRECT CASH PAYMENT THAT EMPLOYEES RECEIVE FROM EMPLOYERS, AND THEREFORE ALSO INCLUDES OVERTIME PAY AND OTHER NON-GUARANTEED AND IRREGULAR BONUSES AND ALLOWANCE.
HENCE, STATISTICS ON PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED TEND TO BE SENSITIVE TO CHANGES IN THE NUMBER OF HOURS ACTUALLY WORKED, THE TIMING OF THE PAYMENT OF BONUSES AND BACK-PAY, AND THE COMPOSITION OF THE LABOUR FORCE.
AS A RESULT, MOVEMENTS IN WAGE RATES DO NOT NECESSARILY CONFORM WITH THOSE IN PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED.
THE SURVEY FINDINGS ARE PUBLISHED IN A REPORT ON HALF-YEARLY SURVEY OF WAGES, SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS STATISTICS VOLUME I, MARCH 1990 WHICH WILL BE ON SALE SHORTLY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
THE VOLUME II ISSUE OF THE REPORT CONTAINING DETAILED OCCUPATIONAL STATISTICS, SUCH AS WAGE RATES, NUMBER OF NORMAL HOURS OF WORK AND NUMBER OF STANDARD WORKING DAYS IS EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE IN THE MIDDLE OF NEXT MONTH.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE WAGE INDEXES CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE WAGES AND LABOUR COSTS STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 823 4744 OR 823 4747.
/TABLE 1 .......
MONDAY, JULY 1$, 1990
TABLE 1: NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES BY SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS
INDEXES (MARCH 1982 = 100)
% CHANGE % CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS MAR. 1989 SEPT. 1989 MAR. 1990 MAR. 1990/ SEPT. 1989 MAR. MAR. 1990/ 1989
MANUFACTURING 171.3 180.6 192.2 ♦ 6.4 + 12 .2
WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES. RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 174.8 181.0 194.3 ♦ 7.3 + 11 .2
TRANSPORT SERVICES 199.9 222.3 229.9 ♦ 3.4 + 15.0
BUSINESS SERVICES 201.7 217.0 235.4 ♦ 8.5 + 16 .7
PERSONAL SERVICES 194.8 209.4 224.1 +7.2 + 15 .2
ALL SECTORS ABOVE 176.7 186.7 199.1 +6.6 + 12 .7
TABLE 2: REAL WAGE INDEXES BY SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS
SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS INDEXES (MARCH 1982 = 100)
MAR. 1989 SEPT. 1989 MAR. 1990 % CHANGE MAR. 1990/ SEPT. 1989 % CHANGE
MAR. MAR. 1990/ 1989
MANUFACTURING 109.1 108.7 111.2 + 2.3 + 1 .9
WHOLESALE/RETAIL, IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 111.3 108.9 u- 112.5 + 3.3 + 1 . 1
TRANSPORT SERVICES 127.2 133.8 133.0 -0.6 + 4 .6
BUSINESS SERVICES 128.4 130.6 136.2 + 4.3 + 6 . 1
PERSONAL SERVICES 124.0 126.1 129.9 + 3.0 + 4 .8
ALL SECTORS ABOVE 112.5 112.4 115.2 + 2.5 + 2 .4
/TABLE 3 ......
MONDAY, JULY 16, 1990
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TABLE 3 : NOMINAL WAGE INDEXES FOR MAJOR INDUSTRIES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR
SELECTED MAJOR INDUSTRIES MAR. 1989 INDEXES SEPT. 1989 (MARCH 1982 = 100) % CHANGE MAR. 1990/ MAR. 1989
MAR. 1990 % CHANGE MAR. 1990/ SEPT. 1989
GARMENTS 144.2 153.1 160.9 + 5. 1 + 11.6
GLOVES 189.1 192.2 191.0 -0.6 + 1.0
HANDBAGS 162.2 180.5 192.2 + 6.5 + 18.5
COTTON SPINNING/WEAVING 190.3 193.0 210.7 + 9.2 + 10.7
KNITTING 161.6 168.3 175.0 + 4.0 + 8.3
BLEACHING AND DYEING 189.6 200.6 207.7 + 3.5 + 9.5
PRINTING 203.5 222.9 238.5 + 7.0 + 17.2
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 165.2 170.5 184.1 + 8.0 + 11.4
METAL PRODUCTS 182.7 193.9 201.7 + 4.0 + 10.4
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES 208.0 227.7 244.4 + 7.3 + 17.5
ELECTRONICS 202.8 210.6 228.4 + 8.5 + 12.6
WATCHES AND CLOCKS 215.3 224.6 243.4 + 8.4 + 13.1
MANUFACTURING 171.3 180.6 192.2 + 6.4 + 12.2
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MONDAY, JULY 16, 1990
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DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS ON FOREX DEALINGS ******
WRITTEN-.SUBMISSIONS TO THE WORKING GROUP SET UP TO STUDY THE NEED TO IMPOSE CONTROL ON LEVERAGED DEALINGS IN FOREIGN EXCHANGE BY RETAIL INVESTMENT COMPANIES HAVE TO BE MADE BEFORE THE END OF THIS (JULY) MONTH, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
THE GROUP, WHICH WAS FORMED BY THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS UNDER THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH, HAS BEEN INVITING WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS ON THE SUBJECT IN EARLY JUNE.
"SINCE THEN A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANISATIONS HAVE SENT IN THEIR SUBMISSIONS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
CHAIRED BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, THE WORKING GROUP INCLUDES REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER OF BANKING AND THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION.
"IT WILL EXAMINE ALL THE SUBMISSIONS BEFORE DECIDING WHETHER. AND IF SO WHAT CONTROL SHOULD BE IMPOSED ON LEVERAGED DEALINGS IN FOREIGN EXCHANGE BY COMPANIES WHICH ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE EXISTING SUPERVISION AND REGULATION FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING AND THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS AT THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH, 24TH FLOOR, ADMIRALTY CENTRE, TOWER 2, 18 HARCOURT ROAD.
ALL WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS WILL BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE.
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NEW YAU TSIM OFFICE CONTINUES TO SERVE DISTRICT ******
REDEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN IN YAU TSIM IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS WILL BRING ABOUT A FACELIFT FOR THE DISTRICT, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE NEW OFFICE OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE AND YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD.
CITING THE "SIX STREETS” REDEVELOPMENT SCHEME AS EXAMPLE, MR LAN SAID THIS WAS TO BE COMPLETED IM TWO PHASES AND THE WHOLE SCHEME WOULD EVENTUALLY PROVIDE THE DISTRICT WITH A LARGE NUMBER OF BUILDINGS, EITHER FOR SALE OR FOR RENTAL, AS WELL AS COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND RECREATIONAL AREAS.
"THIS, TOGETHER WITH THE REDEVELOPMENT OF YUNNAN LANE AND THE RECLAMATION OF THE YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER, WOULD RESULT IN A NEW OUTLOOK FOR THE DISTRICT," HE SAID.
/IN THE ......
MONDAY, JULY 16, 1990
IN THE MEANTIME, A SERIES OF IMPROVEMENT WORKS WAS BEING PLANNED AS STOP-GAP MEASURES TO COPE WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN THE OLDER PARTS OF THE DISTRICT, MR LAN NOTED.
IN THIS RESPECT, THE DISTRICT OFFICE HAD SET UP A BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM IN 1985 TO PROVIDE LOCAL RESIDENTS, OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES WITH EXPERT ADVICE ON IMPROVING THE MANAGEMENT OF THEIR BUILDINGS.
ON COMMUNITY BUILDING, MR LAN SAID THE DISTRICT OFFICE ASSISTED LOCAL NON-PROFIT MAKING GROUPS IN ORGANISING VARIOUS ACTIVITIES SUCH AS THE ANNUAL SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN.
TO HELP PROMOTE RESIDENTS’ SENSE OF BELONGING AND ENCOURAGE GREATER COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION, THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND DISTRICT BOARD WOULD HOLD THE SECOND DISTRICT FESTIVAL WHICH WOULD LAST FROM NOVEMBER UNTIL JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
MR LAN URGED ALL RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT TO TAKE AN ACTIVE-PART IN THE THREE-MONTH FESTIVAL WHICH WOULD PROVIDE MORE THAN 40 ACTIVITIES INCLUDING A CONCERT, AN EXHIBITION ON YAU TSIM’S TOMORROW AND A CARNIVAL.
ON THE WORK OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE, MR LAN NOTED THAT THE OFFICE HANDLED MORE THAN 10,000 CASES EVERY MONTH. THESE INCLUDED GENERAL ENQUIRIES, COMPLAINTS, DECLARATION SERVICE AND FREE LEGAL ADVICE AS WELL AS BOOKING APPOINTMENTS FOR MEETING DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS.
MR LAN SAID WITH THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, THE ROLE OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE HAD BECOME MORE IMPORTANT.
"TO MEET THIS CHALLENGE, THE DISTRICT OFFICE WILL FURTHER STRENGTHEN ITS ROLE AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC," HE SAID.
"IT WILL ALSO CANVASS MORE VIGOROUSLY THE SUPPORT OF GRASS-ROOT ORGANISATIONS IN PROMOTING PUBLIC CAMPAIGNS, COMMUNITY BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT IN THE DISTRICT," HE ADDED.
------0--------
PROPER LABELLING FOR PREPACKAGED FOOD *****
FOOD MANUFACTURERS AND RETAILERS ARE TODAY (MONDAY) REMINDED TO SELL FOOD ITEMS IN PREPACKAGED FORM, WHETHER COMPLETELY OR PARTIALLY PACKED, WITH PROPER LABELLING AS REQUIRED BY THE THIRD SCHEDULE OF THE FOOD AND DRUGS (COMPOSITION AND LABELLING) REGULATIONS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH POINTED OUT THAT OFFENDERS MAY BE FINED A MAXIMUM OF $25,000 AND JAILED FOR SIX MONTHS, u
/the reminder.........
MONDAY, JULY 16, 1990
8
THE REMINDER FOLLOWS RECENT COURT CASES IN WHICH FOUR RETAILERS WERE FINED FROM $750 TO $2,000.
LN THE FIRST TWO CASES, A SUPERMARKET IN CENTRAL AND A GINSENG AND DRIED SEAFOOD COMPANY IN KOWLOON WERE EACH FINED $2,000 FOR SELLING PREPACKAGED FOOD ITEMS, ALMONDS AND INSTANT NOODLES AND PISTACHIO WITHOUT PROPER MARKING OR LABELLING.
THE ITEMS DID NOT HAVE THE LIST OF INGREDIENTS, INDICATION OF MINIMUM DURABILITY, THE NAME OR DESIGNATION OF THE FOOD, NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MANUFACTURER OR PACKER, NUMERICAL COUNT OF THE CONTENTS OR THE NET WEIGHT OR NET VOLUME OF THE FOOD AS STIPULATED IN THE THIRD SCHEDULE OF THE FOOD AND DRUGS (COMPOSITION AND LABELLING) REGULATIONS.
FOR CONTRAVENING THE SAME REGULATIONS, TWO SHOPS IN TUEN MUN AND CENTRAL, SELLING PREPACKAGED DRIED PORK, OX LIVER WITH ONION AND COOKED CHICKEN WITH VEGETABLES WERE FINED $750 AND $1, 500 RESPECTIVELY.
0
OVERSEAS YOUNG MUSICIANS TAKE PART IN MUSIC CAMP
*****
THREE HUNDRED YOUNG MUSICIANS INCLUDING 10 FROM OVERSEAS COUNTRIES ARE TAKING PART IN THE 11TH HONG KONG YOUTH MUSIC CAMP AT LEI YUE MUN PARK IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT.
ADDRESSING THE YOUNG MUSICIANS AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CAMP TODAY (MONDAY), THE ACTING COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MRS RACHEL CARTLAND, SAID THE MUSIC CAMP OFFERED A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG MUSIC TALENTS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND EXPERIENCES WITH FELLOW MUSIC LOVERS THROUGH AN INTENSIVE PROGRAMME OF MUSIC TRAINING AND APPRECIATION.
"THE REASON WE CHOSE A HOLIDAY CAMP SITE FOR THE EVENT IS TO PROVIDE A CONGENIAL ATMOSPHERE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES TO CULTIVATE FRIENDSHIP AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING," SHE SAID.
"I AM DELIGHTED TO SEE YOUNG MUSICIANS FROM AUSTRALIA, CANADA, CHINA, JAPAN, MACAU, MALAYSIA, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE UNITED STATES TAKING PART THIS YEAR, AND I HOPE YOU WILL ENJOY THIS STIMULATING EXPERIENCE," SHE ADDED.
THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR OF THE MUSIC OFFICE, MRS AGNES ALLCOCK, PAID TRIBUTE TO THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE WESTERN JUNIOR POLICE CALL AND THE FRINGE CLUB FOR THEIR UNFAILING SUPPORT IN PLANNING AND ORGANISING THE MUSIC CAMP.
AFTER THE CEREMONY, MEMBERS OF THE WESTERN JUNIOR POLICE CALL PERFORMED A LION DANCE, WHILE THE HONG KONG FRINGE CLUB PRESENTED A MIME SHOW, ACROBATICS AND JUGGLING AND CLOWN MAGIC SHOWS.
/THE YOUNG
•IONDAY, JULY 16, 1990
THE YOUNG MUSICIANS ATTENDING THE CAMP WILL JOIN EITHER THE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, CHINESE ORCHESTRA, STRING ORCHESTRA, SYMPHONIC BAND OR THE COMBINED YOUTH CHOIR.
DURING THE TWO-WEEK CAMPING PERIOD, THEY WILL RECEIVE INSTRUCTION AND GUIDANCE FROM LOCAL MUSICIANS AS WELL AS GUEST MUSICIANS FROM CHINA, JAPAN, THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED KINGDOM.
THEY WILL ALSO TAKE PART IN ORCHESTRAL AND SECTIONAL REHEARSALS, MASTER CLASSES AND DEMONSTRATION CONCERTS.
IN ADDITION, A WIDE RANGE OF RECREATIONAL AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES WILL BE ARRANGED TO PROVIDE A BALANCED PROGRAMME FOR THE CAMPERS.
- - 0 - -
NEW PLAYGROUNDS FOR WESTERN DISTRICT AND KOWLOON BAY *******
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND IN WESTERN DISTRICT AND A PLAYGROUND AT KOWLOON BAY.
WORK ON THE 594-SQUARE-METRE CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND IN MUI FONG STREET, WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED IN MARCH NEXT YEAR.
IT WILL PROVIDE FACILITIES INCLUDING PLANTERS, SITTING BENCHES, CHESS TABLES AND PLAY EQUIPMENT WITH SAFETY MATTING.
THE PLAYGROUND IN LAM WAH STREET, KOWLOON BAY, MEASURING ABOUT 5,900 SQUARE METRES, WILL CONSIST OF A MINI SOCCER PITCH AND A SITTING-OUT AREA WITH LANDSCAPING, ELEVATED ARCADE, ARBOURS AND TOILETS.
WORK IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR AND TAKE ABOUT 10 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS FOR BOTH PROJECTS IS NOON ON AUGUST 3.
- - 0 - -
/10
MONDAY, JULY 16, 1990
10
KWUN TONG DB REPORT PUBLISHED
* * * *
A REPORT ON THE WORK AND ACHIEVEMENTS OE THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD FOR THE YEAR 1989-90 IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE 28-PAGE BOOKLET, IN FULL COLOUR, IS ENTITLED "FOURTH TERM KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD WORK REPORT 1989-90" WITH CHAPTERS ON THE BOARD’S COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS AS WELL AS ITS STRUCTURE AND MEMBERSHIP.
THE BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM HANG-FAI, SAID THE REPORT WOULD GIVE LOCAL RESIDENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WORK OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, INCLUDING ITS ACHIEVEMENTS DURING THE PAST FINANCIAL YEAR.
A TOTAL OF 50,000 COPIES, COSTING ABOUT $100,000, HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED. COPIES OF THE REPORT WILL RE SENT TO LOCAL ORGANISATIONS INCLUDING AREA COMMITTEES, N'TUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS AND PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
THEY ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTERS OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
------0 - - - -
PARENTS INVITED TO APPLY FOR KINDERGARTEN FEE REMISSION
*****
HONG KONG RESIDENTS WITH CHILDREN AGED THREE OR ABOVE STUDYING IN REGISTERED KINDERGARTENS ARE BEING INVITED TO APPLY FOR FEE REMISSION.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE NEW KINDERGARTEN FEE REMISSION SCHEME CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE KINDERGARTENS IN WHICH THEIR CHILDREN ARE ATTENDING, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
"PARENTS MAY FORWARD APPLICATIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT THROUGH THE KINDERGARTENS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR OR AT ANY TIME WHEN FEE REMISSION IS NEEDED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE RETURNED WITH COPIES OF SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS TO THE KINDERGARTENS, BUT THE DEPARTMENT WILL DIRECTLY INFORM PARENTS OF THE RESULT.
"THE GOVERNMENT WILL PAY THE REMITTED FEES TO SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS THROUGH THE KINDERGARTENS,” HE SAID.
A LEAFLET INTRODUCING THE KINDERGARTEN FEE REMISSION SCHEME HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
/PARENTS MAY
MONDAY, JULY 16, 1990
PARENTS MAY OBTAIN IHE LEAFLETS FROM KINDERGARTENS, OFFICES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, EDUCATION OFFICES AND THE KINDERGARTEN FEE REMISSION SCHEME THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
DISTRICT DISTRICT UNIT OF
ENQUIRIES MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE KINDERGARTEN FEE REMISSION SCHEME UNIT, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, ON TEL. 839 2546 OR 839 2344.
------0--------
HK REGIONAL HEPATITIS B VACCINATION CENTRE ON MOVE * * * * «
THE HONG KONG REGIONAL HEPATITIS B VACCINATION CENTRE IS OPERATING FROM ITS NEW ADDRESS AT WESTERN MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRE, ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF DAVID TRENCH REHABILITATION CENTRE, BONHAM ROAD, WESTERN DISTRICT FROM TODAY (MONDAY), THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ANNOUNCED.
THE CENTRE WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICE AND FOLLOW-UP INJECTIONS FOR BABIES BORN TO HEPATITIS B CARRIER MOTHERS.
THE NEW TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 540 7011. THE HOURS OF OPERATION WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.
-----0------
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS
*****
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S FINANCE AND GENERAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER THREE APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS TOTALLING $201,210 AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE AMOUNT WILL BE USED FOR RECONSTRUCTING A FOOTPATH AT TUNG LO WAN, AND ORGANISING A DRAMA FESTIVAL AND A YOUTH DRAMA PROJECT.
THE WORKING GROUP ON PUBLIC RELATIONS WILL ALSO REPORT ON ITS WORK PROGRESS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD’S FINANCE AND GENERAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM ON SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 11.30 AM.
- - 0-------
/12 .......
MONDAY, JULY 16, 1990
- 12 -
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS PREFERENTIAL SCHEME FOR ELDERLY ******
THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS A PREFERENTIAL PRIVATE MEDICAL AND TRANSPORT SCHEME FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE DISTRICT AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS A FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PROGRAMME FOR THE DISTRICT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD’S SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, 6 TUNG YAN STREET.
-------0
REPERTORY THEATRE TO PERFORM IN SOUTHERN
*****
SOUTHERN DISTRICT RESIDENTS WILL BE TREATED TO A PLAY BY THE HONG KONG REPERTORY THEATRE ON SUNDAY (JULY 22).
SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE PERFORMANCE IS JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT ARTS AND CULTURE ASSOCIATION (SDACA) AND THE URBAN COUNCIL. IT WILL OPEN AT 8 PM AT THE AP LEI CHAU COMMUNITY HALL, AP LEI CHAU ESTATE.
ENTITLED ’’THE CUSTOMS”, THE PLAY IS ABOUT THE UNEXPECTED REUNION OF A PAIR OF FORMER LOVERS WHILE BEING HELD HOSTAGE BY A DRUNKARD AT THE CUSTOMS SECTION OF AN AIRPORT.
"IT IS HOPED THAT THE PERFORMANCE WILL NOT ONLY PROVIDE ENTERTAINMENT FOR RESIDENTS BUT ALSO PROMOTE THEIR INTEREST IN THEATRE ARTS,” A DB SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
FREE TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE SDACA OFFICE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF LEI CHAK HOUSE, AP LEI CHAU ESTATE AND THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
------0--------
MONDAY, JULY 16, 1990
- 13 -
PRESERVATION OF SCENERY ON DB AGENDA ♦ ♦ « ♦ ♦
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD WILL STUDY THE NEED FOR PRESERVING THE SCENERIES IN THE DISTRICT AT A MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
A MEMBER WILL SUGGEST THAT THE GOVERNMENT PROTECT THE OLD PINE GROVE AT KAM TSIN VILLAGE IN SHEUNG SHUI, PLANT MORE TREES AND CONTROL THE NUMBER OF GRAVES ON THE HILLSLOPE BEHIND FUNG YING SIN KOON, FANLING. ’
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER WHETHER TO ORGANISE A CARNIVAL IN SUPPORT OF THE KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, AND PROGRESS REPORTS ON SQUATTER AREA IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AND VILLAGE LIGHTING INSTALLATIONS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, JOCKEY CLUB ROAD, FANLING.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM.
-------0----------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE *****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 50 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 293.192 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 324.578 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 55.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
0
MONDAY, JULY 16, 1990
- 14 -WATER CUT IN TAI KOK TSUI ♦ * » ♦ ♦
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN TAI KOK TSUI WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 18) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT CERTAIN PREMISES BOUNDED BY TONG MEI ROAD, FUK TSUN STREET, IVY STREET, ANCHOR STREET, TAI KOK TSUI ROAD AND CHERRY STREET INCLUDING ASH STREET, OAK STREET, PINE STREET, BEECH STREET, POK HOK LANE, TIT SHU STREET AND 1-18 ELM STREET.
------0----------
TEMPORARY PARTIAL LANE CLOSURE ON TOLO HIGHWAY
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 9 AM ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 18) TO 6 AM ON JULY 26, THE THREE TRAFFIC LANES OF TOLO HIGHWAY NORTHBOUND (HEADING FOR FANLING) NEAR HA WUN YIU, TAI PO WILL BE PARTIALLY CLOSED IN TURN TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS.
CLOSURE OF TWO TRAFFIC LANES WILL ONLY BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 10 PM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY. ONE TRAFFIC LANE WILL BE CLOSED FOR THE REST OF THE PERIOD.
--------0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, JULY 17, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK AND AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL: NO DIFFERENCE IN AIMS ............................ 1
PASSAGE OF NATIONALITY BILL IN HOUSE OF IORDS .................................. 3
CITES RESERVATION ENDS ......................................................... 3
MAY ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLL FIGURES RELEASED .................... 5
JUNE ANTI-POLLUTION PROSECUTION FIGURE RELEASED ................................ 9
HK A FAVOURED PLACE FOR JAPANESE INVESTORS .................................... 72
SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION MEETING ON THURSDAY .............................. 13
1989 ANNUAL ECONOMIC SURVEYS .................................................. 13
UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES IN YAU MA TEI TO BE CLOSED ............................ 15
DB TO DISCUSS MID-LEVELS REDEVEIiOPMENT IMPACT ................................ 15
DB TO DISCUSS UC CAPTIAL MORKS PROGRAMME ...................................... I6
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS .................................... 17
DB TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS .............................................. I7
TUESDAY, JULY 17, 1990
1
HK AND AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL: NO DIFFERENCE IN AIMS
******
THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE WHATEVER IN THE FUNDAMENTAL AIMS OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL AND THOSE OF THE BRITISH AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS, THE MINISTER OF STATE AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, MR FRANCIS MAUDE, SAID IN HIS REPLY TO AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL.
THE REPLY, WHICH REPRESENTED THE JOINT VIEWS OF BOTH THE BRITISH AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS, WAS IN RESPONSE TO AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL’S LETTER DATED JUNE 22 SENT TO MR MAUDE CONCERNING AMNESTY’S MEMORANDUM ISSUED IN JANUARY.
"WE HAVE A COMMON INTEREST IN ENSURING THAT THE PRINCIPLE OF FIRST ASYLUM IS PRESERVED, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THAT NO VIETNAMESE ARE RETURNED TO THEIR COUNTRY IF THERE IS ANY CHANCE THAT THEY WOULD IN ANY WAY BE PERSECUTED IN THE TERMS OF THE 1951 CONVENTION AND 1967 PROTOCOL RELATING TO THE STATUS OF REFUGEES," MR MAUDE SAID IN THE REPLY LETTER DATED JULY 13.
"BUT I HOPE THAT YOU WILL AGREE THAT AT THE SAME TIME WE MUST ENSURE THAT THE CHANNEL OF RESETTLEMENT REMAINS OPEN FOR THOSE WHO MIGHT BE SUBJECTED TO PERSECUTION AND IS NOT ABUSED TO THE EXTENT THAT THE FUTURE OF THOSE WITH A LEGITIMATE CLAIM TO REFUGEE STATUS IS PUT AT RISK."
MR MAUDE NOTED THAT TO THIS END, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, WORKING IN CO-OPERATION WITH UNHCR, HAD DEVISED A PRACTICAL AND OPERABLE SYSTEM OF SCREENING.
"CONTRARY TO THE ASSERTION IN THE MEMORANDUM, NEITHER WE, NOR UNHCR, ACCEPT THAT THE PROCESS IS ’CRITICALLY FLAWED’,” MR MAUDE SAID.
HE SAID THAT HE DID NOT ACCEPT THAT ANY SERIOUS RISKS EXISTED IN THE SCREENING SYSTEM.
"INDEED I BELIEVE THAT TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE AMNESTY MEMORANDUM IN FULL WOULD INEVITABLY CAUSE THE PROCESS TO BECOME MUCH SLOWER, AND THUS MEAN FAMILIES LINGERING IN HONG KONG IN UNCERTAINTY FOR FURTHER MONTHS, IF NOT YEARS, TO NO PURPOSE.”
MR MAUDE ALSO SAID THE UNHCR AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WORKED CLOSELY TO INTRODUCE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SCREENING SYSTEM WHERE APPROPRIATE, AND SOME RECENT EXAMPLES ACCORDED WITH RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE AMNESTY MEMORANDUM.
ONE RECENT IMPROVEMENT WAS THAT THE HONG KONG AUTHORITIES HAD AGREED WITH UNHCR THAT IN FUTURE A WRITTEN EXPLANATION WOULD BE GIVEN FOR DECISIONS OF THE REVIEW BOARD, WHETHER POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE. THE FIRST OF THESE HAD NOW BEEN ISSUED.
/another improvement
TUESDAY, JULY 17, 1990
2
ANOTHER IMPROVEMENT WAS THAT TO ENABLE ASYLUM SEEKERS TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE SCREENING PROCESS, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WAS NOW SUPPLEMENTING UNHCR’S BRIEFING WITH A PAMPHLET TO BE GIVEN TO ALL ASYLUM SEEKERS EXPLAINING THE SCREENING PROCEDURES IN DETAILS.
MR MAUDE NOTED THAT UNHCR’S LEGAL COUNSELLORS WERE ALLOWED TO BE PRESENT TO MONITOR ANY INTERVIEW, AND THAT UNHCR HAD ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE TO ASYLUM SEEKERS AT ALL STAGES OF THE SCREENING AND REVIEW PROCESS.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT WORKSHOPS TO IMPROVE INTERPRETATION SKILLS WERE BEING ORGANISED FOR INTERPRETERS, AND THAT ALL INFORMATION OBTAINED DURING INTERVIEWS WAS RECORDED IN THE ASYLUM SEEKERS’ FILE, COPIED TO UNHCR WHO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECTIFY ANY OMISSIONS OR ERRORS WHEN PREPARING AN APPEAL TO THE REFUGEE STATUS REVIEW BOARD.
MR MAUDE POINTED OUT THAT THE HONG KONG AUTHORITIES HAD NO ULTERIOR INTEREST IN THE OUTCOME OF SCREENING INTERVIEWS SINCE NEITHER REFUGEES NOR NON-REFUGEES WOULD REMAIN IN THE TERRITORY.
TURNING TO THE MANAGEMENT OF VBP CENTRES, MR MAUDE SAID MOST OF THE PROBLEMS WHICH HAD ARISEN IN THE CENTRES WERE DUE TO OVERCROWDING.
"WHILE THE HONG KONG AUTHORITIES HAVE BEEN BUILDING ADDITIONAL CENTRES TO IMPROVE SPACE AND CONDITIONS, THE ONLY REAL SOLUTION IN THE LONG-TERM IS FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT REFUGEES TO RETURN TO THEIR COUNTRY OF ORIGIN," HE SAID.
NEVERTHELESS, IMPORTANT STEPS HAD BEEN TAKEN. THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THAT THE BOAT PEOPLE WERE TO BE ALLOWED GREATER INVOLVEMENT IN THE RUNNING OF CENTRES.
"ONE ELEMENT OF THIS GREATER INVOLVEMENT IS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MECHANISM TO ENABLE THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO CONSULT THE VIETNAMESE COMMUNITY LEADERS, UNHCR AND THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES ON THE IDENTIFICATION AND TRANSFER OF INDIVIDUALS WHOSE BEHAVIOUR HAD DISRUPTED GOOD ORDER IN DETENTION CENTRES.
"SOME PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER CENTRE AT CHI MA WAN WITH THE RESULT THAT THERE HAS BEEN A MARKED REDUCTION OF TENSION IN THE WHITEHEAD DETENTION CENTRE,” HE NOTED.
-------0----------
TUESDAY, JULY 17, 1990
- 3 -
PASSAGE OF NATIONALITY BILL IN HOUSE OF LORDS *****
A HONG KONG GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) IT WAS ENCOURAGING TO SEE THE BRITISH NATIONALITY (HONG KONG) BILL PASS THROUGH ITS COMMITTEE STAGE IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS WITHOUT AMENDMENTS.
”IF THERE ARE NO AMENDMENTS DURING ITS THIRD READING IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS, THE BILL WILL NOT HAVE TO BE REFERRED BACK TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, AND WE CAN EXPECT TO OBTAIN ROYAL ASSENT BEFORE THE END OF THIS MONTH,” HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO REMIND HONG KONG RESIDENTS WHO ARE NON-BRITISH NATIONALS THAT THEY MUST APPLY FOR NATURALISATION BEFORE ENACTMENT OF THE BILL IF THEY WISH TO BECOME ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR BRITISH CITIZENSHIP WHEN THE SCHEME IS LAUNCHED.
’’ANY PERSON WHO HAS LIVED IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS AND IS NOT SUBJECT TO ANY LIMIT OF STAY CAN APPLY FOR NATURALISATION, IRRESPECTIVE OF RACE OR NATIONALITY,” HE SAID.
’’THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT ONE MUST HOLD A CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY BEFORE HE CAN APPLY FOR NATURALISATION. FURTHER INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE INFORMATION SECTION OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ON 829 3333 OR 824 6111," HE ADDED.
-------0----------
CITES RESERVATION ENDS * * * ♦ »
HONG KONG WILL COMPLY FROM TODAY (TUESDAY) WITH A BAN ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN IVORY IMPOSED BY THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES) IN JANUARY 1990.
THIS COINCIDES WITH THE EXPIRY OF A SIX-MONTH RESERVATION OF THE BAN SECURED BY THE UNITED KINGDOM ON HONG KONG’S BEHALF TO ALLOW TIME FOR LOCAL TRADERS TO DISPOSE OF THEIR LEGALLY ACQUIRED STOCKS AND FOR CARVERS TO ACQUIRE RE-TRAINING TO SEEK ALTERNATIVE EMPLOYMENT.
THE AMENDMENTS TO THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE, WHICH COME INTO EFFECT TODAY, BRING HONG KONG LAW INTO FULL COMPLIANCE WITH CITES REQUIREMENTS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THIS FOLLOWED THE UPGRADING OF THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT TO APPENDIX I OF CITES, MAKING IT A HIGHLY ENDANGERED SPECIES.
TUESDAY, JULY 17 1%'J
"WHILE THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALWAYS MAINTAINED A POLICY OF ADOPTING CONTROLS TO HELP THE SURVIVAL OF ELEPHANTS WHILE CAUSING THE LEAST DISTURBANCE TO TRADERS, MORE STRINGENT MEASURES ARE NOW REQUIRED AS PART OF THE INTERNATIONAL EFFORT TO SAVE THE ELEPHANT FROM EXTINCTION," HE EXPLAINED.
THE IMPORT OF COMMERCIAL IVORY TO HONG KONG HAS BEEN BANNED SINCE JUNE 1989.
ADDITIONAL CONTROLS WERE INTRODUCED IN OCTOBER 1989 REQUIRING LICENCES TO BE OBTAINED FOR THE POSSESSION AND EXPORT OF ANY QUANTITY OF RAW IVORY AND WORKED IVORY FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES, AND MORE THAN FIVE KILOGRAMS OF WORKED IVORY CLASSIFIED AS PERSONAL EFFECTS.
LICENCES HAVE ALSO BEEN REQUIRED FOR THE IMPORT OF ANY QUANTITY OF RAW IVORY AND FOR MORE THAN ONE KILOGRAM OF WORKED IVORY CLASSIFIED AS PERSONAL EFFECTS.
THE ORDER PUBLISHED TODAY PROVIDES FOR HONG KONG RESIDENTS TO CONTINUE TO BE EXEMPT FROM CONTROLS FOR THE EXPORT OF UP TO FIVE KILOGRAMS OF IVORY CLASSIFIED AS PERSONAL OR HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS BUT REQUIRES VISITORS TO OBTAIN A LICENCE TO EXPORT IVORY PURCHASED IN HONG KONG, REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT TO BE EXPORTED.
RETURNING RESIDENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN IMPORT LICENCES FROM HONG KONG BEFORE ENTERING WITH ANY AMOUNT OF IVORY CLASSIFIED AS PERSONAL EFFECTS WHICH IS ACQUIRED OUTSIDE THEIR COUNTRY OF USUAL RESIDENCE.
ANY LICENCE FOR THE EXPORT OF IVORY WILL NOT BE GRANTED IN FUTURE UNTIL THE OWNERS OBTAINS AN IMPORT LICENCE FROM THE COUNTRY FOR WHICH IT IS DESTINED.
VISITORS WILL BE INFORMED OF THE NEW REGULATIONS WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE LEGISLATION WAS PART OF A WORLDWIDE TREND, RESULTING IN A SLUMP IN THE IVORY EXPORT TRADE GENERALLY AND THE CLOSURE OF MOST OF HONG KONG’S MARKETS.
"DESPITE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL TRADERS TO SELL THEIR IVORY STOCKS TO NON-CITES COUNTRIES AND THOSE WITH SIMILAR EXEMPTIONS FROM THE BAN DURING THE RESERVATION PERIOD, LESS THAN TWO PER CENT OF THE TOTAL STOCK IN HONG KONG HAS BEEN EXPORTED IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS," HE SAID.
REGARDING HELP FOR THE TRADE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL WAS ORGANISING RE-TRAINING COURSES FOR CARVERS AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WAS ASSISTING DISPLACED CARVERS TO FIND ALTERNATIVE JOBS.
------0-------
TUESDAY, JULY 17, 1990
5
MAY ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PAYROLL FIGURES RELEASED
IN MAY 1990, THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND REPORTED BY FHE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH APRIL 1990, BUT DECREASED BY 1 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH MAY 1989, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
•0
COMPARED WITH APRIL 1990, THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MAY 1990 INCREASED SLIGHTLY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES, BUT SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY. OVER THE SAME PERIOD, ORDERS DECREASED MODERATELY IN THE TEXTILES INDUSTRY AND SLIGHTLY IN THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRY.
COMPARING MAY 1990 WITH MAY 1989, THE OFFERS POSITION DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY AND TO A LESSER EXTENT IN THE WEARING APPAREL AND TEXTILES INDUSTRIES. ON THE OTHER HAND, ORDERS INCREASED MODERATELY IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY AND SLIGHTLY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY.
THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IS MEASURED IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF MONTHS AND REFERS TO ORDERS OUTSTANDING AS AT THE END OF THE REFERENCE MONTH.
ON EMPLOYMENT, THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED REPORTED THAT THEIR TOTAL WORKFORCE IN MAY 1990 DECREASED BY 1 PER CENT AND 10 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH APRIL 1990 AND MAY 1989 RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARED WITH APRIL 1990, EMPLOYMENT IN MAY 1990 DECREASED MODERATELY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY AND SLIGHTLY IN THE WEARING APPAREL, TEXTILES AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES. ON THE OTHER HAND, EMPLOYMENT INCREASED SLIGHTLY IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS INDUSTRY WHILE THAT IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE.
COMPARING MAY 1990 WITH MAY 1989, EMPLOYMENT DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN MOST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, WITH THE LARGEST DECREASES RECORDED IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS AND THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES. HOWEVER, A MODERATE INCREASE IN EMPLOYMENT WAS RECORDED IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS INDUSTRY OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
IN MAY 1990, PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SURVEYED INCREASED BY 2 PER CENT IN MONEY TERMS WHEN COMPARED WITH APRIL 1990.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, PER CAPITA EARNINGS INCREASED FAIRLY SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE TEXTILES, PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRIES AND TO A LESSER EXTENT IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY. THESE INCREASES WERE DUE PARTLY TO MORE OVERTIME WORK AS REPORTED BY SOME OF THE COMPANIES SURVEYED AND MORE WORKING DAYS IN MAY WHEN COMPARED WITH APRIL.
/on the •••••••
TUESDAY, JULY 17, 1990
- 6
ON THE OTHER HAND, PER CAPITA EARNINGS DECREASED MODERATELY IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND THE FOOD AND DRINKS INDUSTRIES FOLLOWING THE ISSUE OF SPECIAL BONUSES IN APRIL BY SOME COMPANIES SURVEYED.
COMPARING MAY 1990 WITH MAY 1989, PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SURVEYED INCREASED BY 15 PER CENT IN MONEY TERMS. INCREASES IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS WERE RECORDED IN ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, WITH THE PERCENTAGE INCREASES BEING MOST SIGNIFICANT IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES SURVEYED, EMPLOYMENT IN MAY 1990 WAS ABOUT THE SAME AS IN APRIL 1990, BUT DECREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH MAY 1989. PER CAPITA EARNIN S IN MAY 1990 INCREASED MODERATELY WHEN COMPARED WITH APRIL 1990, (IT SHOWED A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE OVER MAY 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 MAY 1990 AS REPORTED BY THE COMPANIES SURVEYED SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH APRIL 1990, BUT INCREASED SLIGHTLY OVER MAY 1989.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS FOR THE SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS TAKEN TOGETHER DECREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN MAY 1990 WHEN COMPARED WITH APRIL 1990, MAINLY DUE TO THE ISSUE OF SPECIAL BONUSES IN APRIL BY SOME COMPANIES SURVEYED. COMPARING MAY 1990 WITH MAY 1989, PER CAPITA EARNINGS INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN MOST SERVICE SECTORS SURVEYED.
THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS ARE SHOWN IN THE ATTACHED TABLES 1 TO 3.
THE SURVEY COVERED A PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES AND THE 50 LARGEST COMPANIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION 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 SCli’MTIFICALLY SELECTED SAMPLE, THE MAGNITUDES OF CHANGE INDICATED BY THE SURVEY RESULTS ARE MERELY A REFLECTION OF THE EXPERIENCE OF THE COMPANIES SURVEYED. HOWEVER, GIVEN THE COMPOSITION OF THE PANEL, IT SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A USEFUL INDICATION OF THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE FOR MAKING A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE ECONOMY IN THE SHORT TERM.
THE SURVEY REPORT FOR MAY 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 $2.50 PER COPY.
/enquiries about ......
TUESDAY, JULY 17, 1990
- 7 -
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION - OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 823 -1820.
TABLE 1 : ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
ORDERS-ON-HAND
INDUSTRY AS AT THE END OF MAY 1990 CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH ’ ' Z‘‘ —
APR. 90 MAY 89
(MONTHS) 3 XV -A. (X)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 4.3$ •• f v’-z'K ' >
' ■„ •..ust .-. jr .'w ';
WEARING APPAREL 4.61 -1 -4
TEXTILES 2.48 -4 -3
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 3.33 U • . V +1 ♦ 3
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 4.31 ♦ -12
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS 5.37 + 2 + 5
OTHERS 4.14 ♦ -1
* CHANGES WITHIN +/- 0.5X
TABLE 2-t EMPLOYMENT --------w-----------
PERSONS ENGAGED AT THE END OF MAY 1990
INDUSTRY/SERVICES
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
FOOD AND DRINKS
WEARING APPAREL
TEXTILES
PLASTIC PRODUCTS
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS
ELECTRICAL AND
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS OTHERS
CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
APR. 90 MAY 89
(X) (%)
-1 -10
as — — —
41 + 5
-1 -9
-1 -9
-6 -10
♦ -13
-1 -17
-1 ♦
/CONSTRUCTION #
TUESDAY, JULY 17, 1990
8
CONSTRUCTION #
-2
SERVICES
+ 3
BANKS
HOTELS
PUBLIC UTILITIES
OTHERS
♦ 1 -1 t *
42
-4
42
47
« CHANGES WITHIN ♦/- 0.5*
# PERSONS ENGAGED COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
TABLE 3 : PER CAPITA EARNINGS
PER CAPITA EARNINGS
INDUSTRY/SERVICES AVERAGE AS IN MAY 1990 CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
APR. 90 MAY 89
(HKt) (X) (X)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 5,843 42 + 1B
FOOD AND DRINKS 6,358 -6« + 14
WEARING APPAREL 4,673 46 413
TEXTILES 5,673 49 410
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 5,449 48 48
FABRICATED METAL 5,735 -60 422
PRODUCTS
ELECTRICAL AND 5,701 41 416
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
OTHERS 7,686 * 416
CONSTRUCTION # 8,390 45 417
/services
TUESDAY, JULY 17, 1990
SERVICES 9,956 -21 *19
BANKS 9,718 + 3 + 18
HOTELS 6,460 + 1 + 15
PUBLIC UTILITIES 9,749 + 9 + 21
OTHERS 11,217 -48© + 17
* CHANGES WITHIN +/- 0.5%
# PER CAPITA EARNINGS COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
© THE DECREASES WERE MAINLY DUE TO SPECIAL BONUSES BEING ISSUED BY SOME OF THE COMPANIES IN APRIL 1990.
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------- JUNE ANTI-POLLUTION PROSECUTION FIGURE RELEASED
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (TUESDAY) RELEASED A LIST OF COMPANIES THAT HAVE BEEN FOUND GUILTY IN THE COURTS, DURING THE MONTH OF JUNE, OF BREACHING ANTI-POLLUTION LEGISLATION CURRENTLY ENFORCED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
THE EPD HAS DECIDED TO MAKE SIMILAR ANNOUNCEMENTS ON A MONTHLY BASIS.
AN EPD SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT THE DEPARTMENT MEASURED ITS SUCCESS IN TERMS OF POLLUTION PROBLEMS AVOIDED AND IMPROVEMENT IN THE ENVIRONMENT, NOT BY THE NUMBER OF SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTIONS.
"BUT INEVITABLY, THERE IS A SMALL NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO, EVEN AFTER ADVICE AND WARNINGS, DO NOT TAKE SERIOUSLY THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TOWARDS THE COMMUNITY."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID SOME CASES, EVEN SIMPLE ONES, MAY TAKE A LONG TIME TO COME BEFORE THE COURT BECAUSE IT WAS OFTEN NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT DETAILED INVESTIGATIONS FOR THE COLLECTION OF EVIDENCE AND LABORATORY ANALYSES.
ALL OF THIS 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
TUESDAY, JULY 17, 1990
10
THE FOLLOWING IS THE LIST OF PROSECUTION CASES AND THE
ASSOCIATED FINES IMPOSED BY THE COURTS DURING THE MONTH OF JUNE:
NAME (COMPANY) ADDRESS DATE OF OFFENCE NATURE OF OFFENCE FINES($) RECORD OF OFFENCE COURT
MASTER LINK DEVELOPMENT LTD FORTUNE PLAZA, TAI PO 1.9.89- 5.10.89 APCO: UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 1,000 1ST SHA TIN
FAR BAST POLYFOAM LTD ON LOK TSUEN, FANLING 13.9.89 APCO: USING PROHIBITED FUEL IN A FUEL RESTRICTION AREA 5,000 1ST FANLING
TRANS CONTINENTAL PRODUCTS LTD HENNESSY RD, WAN CHAI 15.9.89- 29.10.89 APCO: UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 3,000 1ST CENTRAL
CHINA DYEING HOLDINGS LTD TSUEN KING CIRCUIT, TSUEN WAN 2.10.89- 4.10.89 APCO: UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 3,000 1ST TSUEN WAN .1
KWAN KBE SIU LIK YUEN, SHA TIN 3.10.89 APCO: EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 1,000 2ND SHA TIN
RAIN & COAT GARMENT FACTORY LTD YIP FAT ST, WONG CHUK HANG 20.10.89 APCO: FAILURE TO TAKE MEASURES TO ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY AIR POLLUTANTS 2,000 2ND CENTRAL
HOI WAN (SZE YAU) RESTAURANT SHEK PAI WAN RD, ABERDEEN 31.10.89 APCO: FAILURE TO TAKE MEASURES TO ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY AIR POLLUTANTS 5,000 1ST CENTRAL
/SHRINK FU........
TUESDAY, JULY 17, 1990
SHRINK STANDARD DYEING & LAUNDRY LTD FU UK RD, KWAI CHUNG 6.11.89 APCO: EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,000 1ST TSUEN WAN
HENRY CLOTHING MFRS. LTD CASTLE PEAK RD, KWAI CHUNG 20.11.89 APCO: EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 2,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
DIAMOND FABRIC PRINTERS WANG WO TSAI ST, TSUEN WAN 28.11.89 APCO: EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 2,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
BESTGARY LTD NATHAN RD, MONG KOK 29.11.89 APCO: EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,000 1ST TSUEN WAN
KWAN KEE SIU LIK YUEN, SHA TIN 6.12.89 APCO: EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 1,000 3RD SHA TIN
GAMMON-NISHIMATSU JOINT VENTURE DIAMOND HILL, WONG TAI SIN 7.1.90 nco: BREACH PERMIT CONDITION 5,000 1ST SAN PO KONG
GAMMON-NISHIMATSU JOINT VENTURE SHEUNG YUEN LENG, WONG TAI SIN 7.1.90 NCO: BREACH PERMIT CONDITION 5,000 1ST SAN PO KONG
MANFIELD BUILDING CONTRACTORS LTD OLD PEAK RD, CENTRAL 14.2.90 nco: BREACH PERMIT CONDITION 20,000 2ND WESTERN
PAUL Y. CONSTRUCTION CO. OLD PEAK RD, CENTRAL 14.2.90 NCO: BREACH PERMIT CONDITION 20,000 2ND WESTERN
UNITED CIRCUITS (H.K.) LTD CHAI WAN KOK ST, TSUEN WAN 19.2.90 APCO: FAILURE TO ABATE AN AIR 2,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
POLLUTANT NUISANCE (GENERAL)
/SIMON NATHAN.......•
TUESDAY, JULY 17, 199°
12
SIMON NATHAN 9.3.90 apco: 1,500
CONSTRUC- RD, FAILURE TO
TION & MONG KOK ABATE AN AIR
ENGINEE- «• POLLUTANT
RING CO. NUISANCE
(GENERAL)
4TH WESTERN
ON THE PROVISIONS OF THE NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE RELATING TO NEIGHBOURHOOD NOISE, A TOTAL OF 15 PERSONS WERE PROSECUTED BY THE POLICE FOR CAUSING EXCESSIVE NOISE FROM DOMESTIC PLACES AT NIGHT WITH FINES RANGING FROM $200 TO $500.
NOTE
APCO: AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE NCO: NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE
AN EPD SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT ENFORCEMENT OF WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE IN JUNK BAY AND PORT SHELTER CONTROL ZONES BECAME EFFECTIVE ON APRIL 1 THIS YEAR, MORE PROSECUTION CASES ARE EXPECTED IN THE COMING MONTHS.
0
HK A FAVOURED PLACE FOR JAPANESE INVESTORS
******
FOR MORE THAN A DECADE, HONG KONG HAS BEEN ONE OF THE FAVOURED PLACES FOR JAPANESE INVESTORS, THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF WINGTAI FOOD MANUFACTURERS LTD AT TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, MR BARMA SAID JAPANESE COMPANIES PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING SECTOR, WITH MORE THAN 170 FACTORIES.
JAPAN WAS THE LARGEST OVERSEAS INVESTOR IN 1988 AND RANKED SECOND IN THE TABLE OF OVERSEAS INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG, ACCOUNTING FOR 27 PER CENT OF SUCH INVESTMENTS.
MR BARMA SAID THE OPENING OF THE FACTORY OF WINGTAI FOOD MANUFACTURERS LTD WAS ANOTHER EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF THE CONTINUING JAPANESE INTEREST IN HONG KONG AS AN OFFSHORE MANUFACTURING BASE.
"IT IS ALSO FURTHER EVIDENT THAT JAPANESE COMPANIES ARE INCREASINGLY AWARE OF HONG KONG’S ADVANTAGES AND ATTRACTION FOR INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT," HE ADDED.
/A NUMBER .......
TUESDAY, JULY 17, 1990
A NUMBER OF JAPANESE COMPANIES HAD EXPRESSED THEIR READINESS TO EXPAND THEIR OPERATIONS IN HONG KONG.
HE SAID SOME OF THEM WOULD BE MOVING INTO OTHER CLOSELY RELATED OPERATIONS, WHEREAS OTHER INTENDED TO SHIFT FROM TRADITIONAL ASSEMBLY-TYPE OPERATIONS AND DIVERSIFY INTO RELATIVELY SOPHISTICATED PRODUCTS OF HIGHER QUALITY.
"THE HONG KONO GOVERNMENT BELIEVES THAT BUSINESS DECISIONS ARE BEST LEFT TO BUSINESSMEN.
"SO THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT SEEK TO DIRECT WHICH INDUSTRIES SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT BE DEVELOPED.
"IT LEAVES COMPANIES TO MAKE THEIR DECISIONS BASED ON THEIR OWN FEASIBILITY STUDIES," MR BARMA SAID.
"IN GENERAL, THOSE COMPANIES WHICH HAVE A REASONABLY HIGH LEVEL OF TECHNOLOGY, AND WHICH ARE EXPORT-ORIENTED OR PROVIDE SERVICES TO MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, ARE ABLE TO OPERATE VERY PROFITABLY IN HONG KONG.
"BUT SOME HAVE FOUND SPECIAL NICHES IN WHICH THEY CAN OPERATE WITH MUCH SUCCESS," HE SAID.
-------0----------
SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION MEETING ON THURSDAY
******
THE TWO SIDES OF THE SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION HAVE AGREED THAT THE COMMISSION’S 20TH MEETING WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY, JULY 19, AT 9.30 AM.
THE MEETING WILL DISCUSS THE AVERAGE COST OF LAND PRODUCTION FOR THE 1990-91 FINANCIAL YEAR.
0---------
1989 ANNUAL ECONOMIC SURVEYS *******
QUESTIONNAIRES ON A NUMBER OF ECONOMIC SURVEYS FOR 1989 ARE TO BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED BY THE END OF THIS MONTH, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES COVERED:
* INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION;
/» WHOLESALE AND
TUESDAY, JUDY 17, 1990
- 14 -
* WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS;
* BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS;
» TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES; AND
» STORAGE, COMMUNICATION, FINANCING, INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES.
"THESE SURVEYS ARE CONDUCTED ANNUALLY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TO COLLECT ECONOMIC STATISTICS FOR ASCERTAINING THE STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE OF DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES IN THE ECONOMY, AND FOR ASSESSING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THESE ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES TO THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT OF HONG KONG," HE SAID.
"RESULTS OF THE SURVEYS WILL BE USEFUL TO BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN FORMULATING POLICIES AND MAKING DECISIONS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
QUESTIONNAIRES WERE MAILED TO SOME 24,000 ESTABLISHMENTS SAMPLED FOR THE 1989 SURVEYS IN APRIL - MAY THIS YEAR.
THE ESTABLISHMENTS CONCERNED ARE LEGALLY REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THE QUESTIONNAIRES TO THE DEPARTMENT BY THE END OF THIS MONTH.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS APPEALED TO THE MANAGEMENTS OF THE SAMPLED ESTABLISHMENTS TO RETURN THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES WITHOUT DELAY.
"THOSE WHO FAIL TO DO SO MAY BE COMMITTING AN OFFENCE.
"EACH QUESTIONNAIRE HAS BEEN SO DESIGNED THAT RESPONDENTS MAY COMPLETE IT THEMSELVES.
"IF NECESSARY, OFFICERS OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, WHO CARRY A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD AND A CERTIFICATE FOR CONDUCTING THE RESPECTIVE SURVEYS, CAN VISIT THE ESTABLISHMENTS CONCERNED TO ASSIST THEM IN COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRES," HE SAID.
THE COMMISSIONER POINTED OUT THAT AUDITED ACCOUNTS WERE NOT ESSENTIAL FOR THE SUPPLY OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE DATA REQUIRED IN THESE SURVEYS.
"THE DEPARTMENT ACCEPTS FIGURES BASED ON PRELIMINARY ACCOUNTS OR ESTIMATES WHICH ARE CORRECT TO THE BEST OF THE RESPONDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE AT THE TIME OF SUBMISSION OF RETURNS.
"THE ESTABLISHMENTS CONCERNED THEREFORE NEED NOT WAIT FOR THEIR AUDITED ACCOUNTS IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THEIR QUESTIONNAIRES," HE SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT INFORMATION RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WOULD BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE UNDER THE PROVISION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE, AND THAT ONLY AGGREGATE INFORMATION WHICH DID NOT REVEAL DETAILS OF INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WOULD BE RELEASED.
-----0--------
TUESDAY, JULY 17,
1990
15
UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES IN YAU MA TEI TO BE CLOSED »♦»♦♦*
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE CERTAIN UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES IN YAU MA TEI SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE STRUCTURES, PROJECTING FROM THE EXTERNAL WALL OF THE BUILDING, ARE IN THE LIGHT WELL ADJACENT TO THE FLATS ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF 482 AND 484 NATHAN ROAD.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON SEPTEMBER 18 THIS YEAR WAS POSTED ON A CONSPICUOUS PART OF THE STRUCTURES TODAY (TUESDAY).
UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE, A CLOSURE ORDER IS REQUIRED BEFORE DEMOLITION CAN BE CARRIED OUT.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
- 0 - -
DB TO DISCUSS MID-LEVELS REDEVELOPMENT IMPACT
******
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS A REPORT BY A WORKING GROUP ON THE IMPACT OF REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN THE MIDLEVELS AT ITS MEETING ON THURSDAY (JULY 19).
THE WORKING GROUP WAS FORMED UNDER THE DISTRICT BOARD IN MARCH THIS YEAR TO STUDY WHETHER THE EXTENSIVE PRIVATE REDEVELOPMENTS IN THE MID-LEVELS HAVE RESULTED IN INADEQUATE INFRASTRUCTURAL FACILITIES IN THE AREA.
INFORMATION SUCH AS POPULATION DENSITY, TRAFFIC VOLUME, PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICES, NUMBER OF SCHOOL PLACES AND CARPARKS ARE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT.
AT THE MEETING, QUESTIONS RELATING TO GOVERNMENT’S MEASURES TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF DILAPIDATED BUILDINGS, THE STRATEGIC SEWAGE DISPOSAL SCHEME BEING IMPLEMENTED BY THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE ALLOCATION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES TO NON-CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT STUDENTS WILL BE RAISED.
/members will
TUESDAY, JULY 17, 1990
- 16 -
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR ORGANISING A SPORTS FESTIVAL, A ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN AND A CANTONESE OPERA FOR THE ELDERLY.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 3 PM ON THURSDAY (JULY 19) IN ROOM 1416, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
0
DB TO DISCUSS UC CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME
******
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL, AT ITS MEETING ON THURSDAY (JULY 19), DISCUSS THE VARIOUS PROJECTS TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE URBAN COUNCIL IN THE DISTRICT UNDER ITS FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE PLANNED PROVISION OF 12.26 HECTARES OF ADDITIONAL OPEN SPACE IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS TO FACILITATE THE RECONSTRUCTION OF ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD.
ANOTHER AGENDA ITEM IS THE PUBLICATION OF THE 1988-91 SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD REPORT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY (JULY 19) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, 7-11 NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN CENTRE.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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TUESDAY, JULY 17, 1990
17
DB COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS
*****
THE CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD WILL EXAMINE 28 APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS BY LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
A PAPER SUMMING UP 730 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR THIS QUARTER WILL BE TABLED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, THIRD FLOOR, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM
DB TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS
»»«»**
THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER 18 APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS TO ORGANISE ACTIVITIES FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS AT A MEETING ON THURSDAY (JULY 19).
THESE INCLUDE A MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL LANTERNS CARNIVAL, SPORTS COMPETITIONS AND CIVIC EDUCATION AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY (JULY 19) IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE AT 141 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.15 PM.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING: MEASURES TO BRING RENTS UP TO REALISTIC LEVEL ........................................ 1
SECOND READING OF SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL ............... 3
COMMODITIES TRADING (AMENDMENT) BILL EXPLAINED ..................................... 4
STOCK EXCHANGES UNIFICATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 EXPLAINED ........................ 5
SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL EXPLAINED ............... 6
ENTRY POINT FOR TAIWANESE UNIVERSITIES' GRADUATES BEING CONSIDERED ................. 6
CABLE AND SATELLITE TV POLICY UNDER REVIEW ......................................... 7
GOVT PREFERS TO IMPROVE TEACHER TRAINING AND TO SET MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR ENGLISH ............................................................................ 7
USE OF LOUDSPEAKERS IN PUBLIC PLACE REQUIRES POLICE APPROVAL ....................... 8
CRITERIA USED IN APPROVING FUND-RAISING APPLICATIONS ............................... 9
MORE EFFECTIVE ACTION AGAINST EMPLOYERS ESSENTIAL ................................. 10
PLANS AND MEASURES TO SOLVE FLOODING PROBLEMS OUTLINED ............................ 10
PAYMENT OF OLD AGE ALLOWANCE EXPLAINED ............................................ 12
USA ENCOURAGED TO TAKE CONSTRUCTIVE APPROACH ...................................... 12
SKETCH PLANS FOR SMITHFIELD JOINT USER BUILDING TO BE PREPARED..................... 13
RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STUDY PLANNED FOR 1991 ........................................ i4
TUEN MUN HOSPITAL IN FULL OPERATION BY LATE 1992 .................................. 15
AMOUNT OF HK CURRENCY EXTRACTED UNDER DURESS UNKNOWN .............................. 16
NO PLANS FOR TRAVEL AGENTS TO HAVE SEGREGATED BANK ACCOUNTS ....................... 16
SELF-REGULATION FOR TRAVEL INDUSTRY TO BE REVIEWED ................................ I7
COST-EFFICIENCY IN PUBLIC FUNDS MANAGEMENT STRESSED ............................... 18
MOTION UNDER LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE PASSED ................. 19
HONG KONG BILL OF RIGHTS BILL 1990 .................................................. 20
BILL TO CLARIFY TAXATION OF FRINGE BENEFITS ......................................... 22
/IMMIGRATION FACILITIES ........
IMMIGRATION FACILITIES FOR URGENT TRAVEL TO THE PHILIPPINES ...............
GOV RNOR VISITS SHAM SHUI PO TOMORROW .....................................
INVESTIGATION INTO AFFAIRS OF PALADIN LIMITED CONCLUDED ............................ 24
HK TO CLOSELY MONITOR US TRADE BILL ................................................ 24
DIRECT MAILING OF VOTER REGISTRATION FORMS ......................................... 25
NEWSPAPER R!PORT ON VBP REFUTED .................................................... 26
CSD TAKES PART IN INTERNATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OLYMPICS ........................... 27
ANNUAL SEMINAR FOR CAREERS TEACHERS ................................................ 28
EQUIPPING STUDENTS FOR THE FUTURE .................................................. 28
SAI KUNG DB TO STUDY PHA REPORT .................................................... 29
PERSONS TAKING UNAPPROVED EMPLOYMENT ARRESTED ...................................... 30
BEACH IMPROVEMENT PROJECT UPGRADED ................................................. 30
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND ........................................... 31
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN EASTERN DISTRICT ........................................... 32
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WAN CHAI ......................................... 33
PUBLIC LIGHT BUS BAN ZONE IN YAU TONG............................................... 34
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 1990
1
MEASURES TO BRJ’-'G RENTS Uf TO REALISTIC LEVEL
*****
THE GOVERNMENT’S LONG-TERM OBJECTIVE IN RESPECT OF RENT CONTROL IS THAT EVERY EFFORT SHOULD BE MADE TO ACCELERATE THE PHASING OUT OF RENT CONTROL, PROVIDED THAT SOCJ\L DISRUPTION AND ECONOMIC HARDSHIP CAN BE AVOIDED, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE WAS MOVING THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE (AMENDMENT) RESOLUTION 1990 1 THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE FIRST PROPOSAL IN THE 1 ESOLUTION SEEKS TO RAISE THE PERMITTED RENT OF PRE-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES COVERED BY PART I OF THE ORDINANCE, TO A MORE REALISTIC LEVEL.
THE SECOND PROPOSAL IS TO RAISE THE SO-CALLED "MINIMUM PERCENTAGE COMPONENT" IN THE RENT INCREASE MECHANISM THAT APPLIES TO POST-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES PROTECTED UNDER PART II OF THE ORDINANCE.
MR TSAO SAID THOSE RENT CONTROLS WOULD ' REVIEWED AGAIN NEXT YEAR, TAKING ACCOUNT OF THE STATE OF THE PR TERTY MARKET AND THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES.
"IF THE CURRENT PROPERTY AND RENTAL MARKETS CONTINUE TO BE REASONABLY STABLE IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, THE ADMINISTRATION EXPECTS THAT THE MINIMUM PERCENTAGE COMPONENT CAN BE REVISED ANNUALLY SO THAT, WITHIN ABOUT TWO TO THREE YEARS OR EVEN EARLIER, RENTS WILL HAVE INCREASED TO A LEVEL AT WHICH PART II CONTROLS CAN BE ALLOWED TO LAPSE WITHOUT CAUSING UNDUE HARDSHIP TO THE TENANTS. IT IS ALSO INTENDED TO PHASE OUT PART I CONTROLS AT THE SAME TIME," HE SAID.
"AT THAT POINT, THE WHOLE ORDINANCE INCLUDING PART IV WILL BE LOOKED AT TO SEE WHAT CHANGES WOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO BRING THE PROVISIONS UP TO DATE,” HE ADDED.
ON THE INCREASE IN THE PERMITTED RENT OF PRE-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES, MR TSAO EXPLAINED THAT THE RENT OF SUCH PREMISES WAS DERIVED FROM A "STANDARD RENT" PAYABLE AS AT DECEMBER 25, 1941.
THE CURRENT "PERMITTED RENT" WAS SET AT 43 TIMES THIS LEVEL, AND IT WAS NOW PROPOSED TO INCREASE THIS TO 48 TIMES THE STANDARD RENT, HE SAID.
HE NOTED THIS CHANGE WOULD BRING THE AVERAGE PERMITTED RENT OF PRE-WAR DOMESTIC PREMISES UP FROM 71 PER CENT TO 76 PER CENT OF THE PREVAILING MARKET LEVEL.
IT WOULD RESULT IN AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 12 PER CENT, OR $180 PER MONTH, ON CURRENT PERMITTED RENTS AND WOULD AFFECT ABOUT 1,200 DOMESTIC PREMISES.
REGARDING THE PROPOSED CHANGE IN THE "MINIMUM PERCENTAGE COMPONENT", MR TSAO SAID THE AMOUNT OF INCREASE IN RENT IN RESPECT OF TENANCIES PROTECTED UNDER PART II OF THE ORDINANCE WAS LIMITED TO THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CURRENT RENT AND THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT, BUT SUBJECT TO A CEILING OF 30 PER CENT OF THE CURRENT RENT.
/"HOWEVER; IF ........
WEDNI DAY, JULY 18, 1990
2
"HOWEVER, IF THE NEW RENT CALCULATED ACCORDING TO THIS FORMULA IS LESS THAN A SPECIFIED PERCENTAGE (AT PRESENT 65 PER CENT) OF THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT, THE PERMITTED RENT INCREASE SHALL BE THE AMOUNT WHICH WILL BRING THE NEW RENT UP TO THIS MINIMUM PERCENTAGE.
"THE REASON FOR SPECIFYING THIS MINIMUM PERCENTAGE, WHICH IS KNOWN AS THE MINIMUM PERCENTAGE COMPONENT IS TO ENSURE THAT CONTROLLED RENTS DO NOT FALL TOO FAR OUT OF LINE WITH THE PREVAILING MARKET RENTS AND TO ENABLE RENT CONTROL ; TO BE PHASED OUT WITHIN THE SHORTEST POSSIBLE TIME WITHOUT ADVERSE SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES," HE SAID.
MR TSAO POINTED OUT THAT THE AVERAGE CONTROLLED RENTS FOR PART II TENANCIES NOW STOOD AT ABOUT 62 PER CENT OF THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT. HOWEVER, FOR ABOUT 54 PER CENT OF THESE TENANCIES, THE CONTROLLED RENT WAS BELOW THIS OVERALL AVERAGE.
"IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT CONTROLLED RENTS DO NOT FALL TOO FAR BEHIND THE PREVAILING MARKET RENTS, THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO INCREASE THE MINIMUM PERCENTAGE COMPONENT FROM 5 PER CENT TO 70 PER CENT OF THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT," HE SAID.
"ASSUMING THAT MARKET RENTS REMAIN RELATIVELY STABLE, THIS WILL HAVE A NET EFFECT OF INCREASING THE NUMBER OF TENANCIES AFFECTED BY THE MINIMUM PERCENTAGE COMPONENT FROM ABOUT 7,200 TO 9,500.
"THE RESULTING ADDITIONAL INCREASE IN THE AVERAGE CONTROLLED RENT OF THE AFFECTED TENANCIES WILL BE $129 PER MONTH," HE ADDED.
ELABORATING FURTHER ON HOW THE PERMITTED INCREASE IN RENT IS DETERMINED, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT SAID THE PERMITTED INCREASE WAS DETERMINED BY TAKING THE LESSER AMOUNT OF THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT AND THE CURRENT RENT OR 30 PER CENT OF THE CURRENT RENT.
"HOWEVER, IF THE INCREASE SO DETERMINED, WHEN ADDED TO THE CURRENT RENT, RESULTS IN A SUM OF LESS THAN 70 PER CENT OF THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT, THE PERMITTED INCREASE WILL BE AN AMOUNT NECESSARY TO BRING THE CURRENT RENT UP TO 70 PER CENT OF THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT," HE SAID.
THE METHOD OF DETERMINING THE PERMITTED INCREASE AND THE PERCENTAGE COMPONENTS CONTAINED THEREIN ARE PRESCRIBED IN THE ORDINANCE, WHEREAS THE CURRENT RENT IS THE RENT ACTUALLY PAID BY THE TENANT. ONLY THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT IS AN ASSESSMENT MADE BY THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION.
THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT IS ASSESSED BY REFERENCE TO EVIDENCE OF FREELY-NEGOTIATED OPEN MARKET RENTS, BUT NOT CONTROLLED RENTS, OF SIMILAR PREMISES IN THE LOCALITY. FINANCIAL STATUS AND PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE LANDLORD AND THE TENANT ARE NOT FACTORS WHICH CAN PROPERLY BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN THE ASSESSMENT.
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 18,
1990
- 3 -
SECOND READING OF SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL
*****
THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL, WHICH AIMS TO ENABLE THE COMMISSION TO WAIVE OR MODIFY CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS IN RESPECT OF PERSONS APPLYING TO BE REGISTERED AND REGISTERED PERSONS UNDER THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION ORDINANCE, THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE AND THE COMMODITIES TRADING ORDINANCE, WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID: WE BELIEVE THE BILL WILL BE OF ASSISTANCE TO MARKET INTERMEDIARIES, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE ENCOUNTERED DIFFICULTIES IN COMPLYING WITH THE RELEVANT REQUIREMENTS.
"I SHOULD ADD, HOWEVER, THAT THE PROPOSED DISCRETION IS NOT UNFETTERED".
SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT THE COMMISSION WOULD ONLY BE ABLE TO EXERCISE ITS DISCRETION IF COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS CREATED AN UNDUE BURDEN FOR THE PERSON CONCERNED, AND,PROVIDED THAT WAIVER OR MODIFICATION OF THE REQUIREMENTS DID NOT RESULT IN UNDUE RISK TO THE INVESTING PUBLIC.
HE SAID DURING THE PASSAGE OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION BILL EARLY LAST YEAR, HE HAD STRESSED THE NEED TO STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN CONTROLS DESIGNED TO MAINTAIN MARKET INTEGRITY AND FREEDOM TO ENCOURAGE MARKETS TO GROW AND INNOVATE.
THE ENACTMENT OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE REPRESENTED A FIRST BUT IMPORTANT PHASE OF A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF SECURITIES LEGISLATION IN HONG KONG.
HE SAID THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION, SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT ON MAY 1 LAST YEAR HAD BEEN CONTINUING THE REVIEW PROCESS.
"IN REVIEWING THE SYSTEM OF REGISTRATION OF MARKET INTERMEDIARIES, THE COMMISSION HAS FOUND THAT CERTAIN STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS IMPOSED ON MARKET INTERMEDIARIES GIVE RISE TO PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES, NOT ONLY FOR SUCH INTERMEDIARIES BUT ALSO FOR THE COMMISSION.
"TO AVOID UNNECESSARY RIGIDITY IN THE WAY THE COMMISSION PERFORMS ITS FUNCTIONS, WE CONSIDERED IT ESSENTIAL THAT THE COMMISSION BE ENABLED TO WAIVE OR MODIFY THESE REQUIREMENTS IN RESPONSE TO MARKET NEEDS AND DEVELOPMENTS," SIR PIERS SAID.
/THE STATUTORY .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 1990
4
THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS IN QUESTION RELATED TO THE REGISTRATION OF DIRECTORS, CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS, MAINTENANCE OF A REGISTER OF SECURITIES, TRUST ACCOUNTS, FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS AND RECORD KEEPING.
"THESE ARE ALL ISSUES WHICH ARE UNDER REGULAR REVIEW BY THE COMMISSION.
"THE PROPOSED DISCRETION IS REQUIRED SO THAT THE COMMISSION CAN APPLY THE REQUIREMENTS FLEXIBLY," SIR PIERS SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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COMMODITIES TRADING *
(AMENDMENT) BILL EXPLAINED
* » t t »
THE COMMODITIES TRADING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 AIMS TO REMOVE THE RIGIDITIES IN EXISTING LEGISLATION WHICH IMPAIRED THE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT EXERCISE OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR PIERS SAID THESE RIGIDITIES WERE IDENTIFIED BY THE COMMISSION IN THE COURSE OF ITS PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE OVER THE PAST 14 MONTHS.
SIR PIERS SAID AT PRESENT, THE TIME LIMIT FOR THE COMMISSION TO APPROVE RULES RELATING TO THE FUTURES EXCHANGE AND ITS CLEARING HOUSE WAS ONLY TWO WEEKS.
"THIS HAS BEEN FOUND TO BE INADEQUATE.
"WE THEREFORE PROPOSE TO EXTEND THIS TIME LIMIT TO SIX WEEKS, AS IS ALREADY THE CASE FOR THE STOCK EXCHANGE, AND TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FLEXIBILITY BY ENABLING THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO EXTEND THE PERIOD FURTHER IN PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES," HE SAID.
HE SAID THERE WAS ALSO NO STATUTORY PROVISION ALLOWING EXTENSION OF TIME LIMITS BY MUTUAL AGREEMENT.
"WE PROPOSE THAT THE COMMISSION SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO FURTHER EXTEND THE TIME LIMITS SUBJECT TO AGREEMENT BY THE EXCHANGE OR CLEARING HOUSE CONCERNED," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT PUBLISHED IN JUNE 1988 HAD POINTED OUT THAT PROPER AND ADEQUATE REGULATION LAY AT THE HEART OF ITS PROPOSALS.
/"BOTH THE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 1990
- 5 -
"BOTH THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION AND THE EXCHANGES WOULD HAVE RESPONSIB I LIT I S, AND THIS REQUIRED THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CLOSE WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COMMISSION AND THE EXCHANGES," HE SAID.
"SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT ON MAY 1, 1989, THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION HAS BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE EXCHANGES ON POLICY MATTERS RELATING TO TRADING PRACTICES AND THE FUNCTIONING AND DEVELOPMENT OF MARKETS, AS WELL AS IN REVIEWING RULES AND PROCEDURES WITH A VIEW TO ENSURING THAT RISK MANAGEMENT AND CLIENT PROTECTION SYSTEMS ARE EFFECTIVE, AND THAT Ti E RULES ARE DEVELOPED IN THE INTERESTS OF THE MARKET AS A WHOLE," SIR PIERS SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS IT WAS THE COMMISSION’S INTENTION TO COMPLETE ITS EXAMINATION OF ANY PROPOSED RULES AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE SO THAT A RULING MAY BE GIVEN.
"IT IS JUST THAT A LITTLE MORE LEEWAY NEEDS TO BE GIVEN FOR THE EXCEPTIONAL CASES," HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
STOCK EXCHANGES UNIFICATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 EXPLAINED *******
THE STOCK EXCHANGES UNIFICATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 SEEKS TO EXTEND THE TIME LIMIT FOR THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION TO APPROVE RULES RELATING TO THE STOCK EXCHANGE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, SIR PIERS SAID THIS PROVISION WAS SIMILAR TO THE ONE PROPOSED IN THE COMMODITIES TRADING (AMENDMENT) BILL AND THE REASONS FOR ITS INTRODUCTION WERE IDENTICAL.
"THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE COMMISSION TO RECOGNISE A CLEARING HOUSE AND TO APPROVE ITS RULES AND CONSTITUTION.
"THIS TIES IN WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF CENTRAL CLEARING AND SETTLEMENT ARRANGEMENTS IN RESPECT OF SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS," SIR PIERS SAID.
"THE PROVISIONS IN RESPECT OF THE TIME LIMITS FOR APPROVAL WILL BE IN LINE WITH THOSE WHICH ARE PROPOSED FOR THE CLEARING HOUSE OF THE FUTURES EXCHANGE IN THE COMMODITIES TRADING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990.
"IN ADDITION, WE PROPOSE THAT THE COMMISSION SHOULD CONSULT ME BEFORE EXERCISING ITS POWER TO RECOGNISE A CLEARING HOUSE, AND THAT IT SHOULD TAKE BOTH THE PUBLIC INTEREST AND THE NEED FOR ADEQUATE MARKET REGULATION INTO ACCOUNT IN REACHING ITS DECISION," SIR PIERS SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/6.........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18,
1990
SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL EXPLAINED
********
THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1990 SEEKS TO SPECIFY THAT THE PROPOSED POWER IN THE EXCHANGES UNIFICATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 TO RECOGNISE A CLEARING HOUSE FOR SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS AND APPROVE ITS RULES AND CONSTITUTION CANNOT BE DELEGATED, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR PIERS SAID THAT IN THE PASSAGE OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION BILL THROUGH THIS COUNCIL IN 1989, MEMBERS WERE CONCERNED THAT IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION SHOULD BE RESERVED FOR DECISION BY THE FULL COMMISSION.
"SCHEDULE 1 TO THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION ORDINANCE SPECIFIES A NUMBER OF FUNCTIONS THE PERFORMANCE OF WHICH ARE NOT TO BE DELEGATED BY THE COMMISSION TO ITS COMMITTEES, INDIVIDUAL DIRECTORS OR STAFF.
"AMENDMENTS TO THIS SCHEDULE CAN ONLY BE EFFECTED BY A RESOLUTION OF THIS COUNCIL," SIR PIERS SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED
- - 0 - -
ENTRY POINT FOR TAIWANESE UNIVERSITIES’ GRADUATES BEING CONSIDERED
******
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS CONSIDERING WHETHER DEGREE HOLDERS FROM TAIWAN UNIVERSITIES AND HOLDERS OF OTHER NON-STANDARD QUALIFICATIONS SHOULD HAVE THEIR ENTRY POINT REVISED, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON K.Y. YEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE RESULTS OF THIS EXERCISE WERE BEING FINALISED AND WOULD SHORTLY BE FORWARDED TO THE RELEVANT POLICY BRANCHES FOR CONSIDERATION, HE ADDED.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON SZETO WAH, MR YEUNG STRESSED THAT NO TAIWAN UNIVERSITY GRADUATE HAD EVER BEEN HIRED TO TEACH IN GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG.
"THE DISCREPANCY BETWEEN THE ENTRY POINT SPECIFIED BY THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS REGRETTABLE BUT THEORETICAL, IN AS MUCH AS ITS EXISTENCE HAS NOT AFFECTED ANY TEACHER," HE SAID.
/MR YEUNG
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 19°'
- 7 -
MR YEUNG POINTED OUT THAT THE DISCREPANCY AROSE AS A RESULT OF LACK OF CO-ORDINATION BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES INVOLVED, BUT HAD NOW BEEN REMOVED.
"IN JANUARY 1989, THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH AMENDED THE ENTRY POINT FOR GRADUATES FROM TAIWAN UNIVERSITIES FROM MASTER PAY SCALE 17 TO MASTER PAY SCALE 15 SO AS TO BRING IT INTO LINE WITH THE GENERAL PRACTICE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT,” HE SAID.
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CABLE AND SATELLITE TV POLICY UNDER REVIEW
» » » » *
THE GOVERNMENT IS REVIEWING ITS POLICY ON CABLE AND SATELLITE TELEVISION, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PETER WONG, MR TSAO SAID THERE WAS AT PRESENT NO ESTABLISHED POLICY ON SATELLITE TV.
"WE ANNOUNCED LAST YEAR A GENERAL INTENTION TO EXEMPT FROM LICENSING SATELLITE TELEVISION RECEPTION AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS WHICH ARE DESIGNED FOR GENERAL RECEPTION AND ARE RESTRICTED TO SINGLE PROPERTY DEVELOPMENTS.
"IN THE LIGHT OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN CABLE AND SATELLITE TELEVISION WE ARE CURRENTLY REVIEWING OUR POLICY IN THIS AREA.”
HE ADDED THAT THERE HAD BEEN AN EXCHANGE OF LETTERS BETWEEN HONG KONG CABLE COMMUNICATIONS LTD AND THE GOVERNMENT CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEM AND A SECOND TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORK.
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GOVT PREFERS TO IMPROVE TEACHER TRAINING AND TO SET MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR ENGLISH ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ »
AT PRESENT 292 SECONDARY SCHOOLS USE OR CLAIM TO USE ENGLISH AS THEIR MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION WHILE 136 USE CHINESE FULLY OR PARTLY AS THEIR MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON K. Y. YEUNG, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON DAVID CHEUNG, MR YEUNG SAID: ”WE DO NOT KNOW PRECISELY TO WHAT EXTENT TEACHERS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS WHICH USE OR CLAIM TO USE ENGLISH AS A MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION ARE PROFICIENT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE.”
/NEVERTHELESS, THE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 1990
- 8 -
NEVERTHELESS, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S REPORT ON LANGUAGE IMPROVEMENT MEASURES, PUBLISHED IN MAY 1989, HAD SUGGESTED THAT THE ENGLISH OF SOME OF THESE TEACHERS WAS NOT UP TO THE SCRATCH, HE ADDED.
’’THIS HAS BEEN CONSIDERED BY THE EDUCATION COMMISSION IN THE CONTEXT OF ITS FOURTH REPORT, WHICH INCLUDES A REVIEW OF THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ON LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION,” MR YEUNG SAID.
MR YEUNG SAID, WITHOUT WISHING TO MAKE A PREMATURE DISCLOSURE OF THE COMMISSION’S FINDINGS, HE THOUGHT THE WAY FORWARD MIGHT BE PARTLY TO DEVELOP A MECHANISM BY WHICH THE LANGUAGE ABILITY OF ALL STUDENTS WAS ASSESSED OBJECTIVELY, AND PARTLY FOR SCHOOLS TO MAKE A CLEAR-CUT CHOICE AS TO WHICH MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION THEY WOULD USE.
’’THE AIM WOULD BE TO PLACE STUDENTS IN SCHOOLS USING THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION BEST SUITED TO THEIR COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT,” HE SAID.
’’THUS, RATHER THAN DEPLOYING SCARCE RESOURCES ON RESEARCH TO ESTABLISH THE PROFICIENCY OF EXISTING TEACHERS USING ENGLISH AS A MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION, WE WOULD PREFER TO DEPLOY THESE RESOURCES TO SET MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR ENGLISH AND TO IMPROVE TEACHER TRAINING,” MR YEUNG ADDED.
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USE OF LOUDSPEAKERS IN PUBLIC PLACE REQUIRES POLICE APPROVAL
THE USE OF LOUDSPEAKERS IN A PUBLIC PLACE REQUIRES THE APPROVAL OF THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE UNDER THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE, UNLESS THE USE OF SUCH EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN SEPARATELY AUTHORISED UNDER THE PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE.
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON HUI YIN-FAT.
HE SAID THE NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE ALSO PROHIBITED THE USE OF LOUDSPEAKERS WHICH WERE A SOURCE OF ANNOYANCE TO THE PUBLIC.
’’EACH APPLICATION TO USE LOUDSPEAKERS IS CONSIDERED ON ITS OWN MERITS.
”IN GENERAL, A PERMIT IS ISSUED IF THE COMMISSIONER IS SATISFIED THAT THE USE OF SUCH EQUIPMENT IS NECESSARY AND WILL NOT CAUSE A NUISANCE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC,” MR ASPREY SAID.
AS APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WERE NOT CATEGORISED BY THE TYPE OF PERSON OR BODY MAKING THE APPLICATION, STATISTICS ON APPLICATIONS FROM VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND SCHOOLS ALONE WERE NOT AVAILABLE, HE SAID.
/HOWEVER, THERE ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18,
- 9 -
HOWEVER, THERE WERE FIGURES FOR THE TOTAL NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED, AND PERMITS ISSUED IN THE PAST TWO AND A HALF YEARS.
IN 1988, THERE WERE 487 APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AND 481 PERMITS ISSUED. LAST YEAR, THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES WERE 402 AND 391. FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1990, 285 APPLICATIONS WERE RECEIVED AND 272 PERMITS ISSUED. TWELVE APPLICATIONS WERE STILL BEING PROCESSED.
"IN SUM, IN THE LAST 30 MONTHS, NEARLY 1,200 APPLICATIONS FOR PERMITS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED, OF WHICH SOME 97 PER CENT HAVE BEEN APPROVED," MR ASPREY SAID.
HE NOTED THAT SINCE THE POLICE LICENSING OFFICE ISSUED MANY DIFFERENT LICENCES AND PERMITS, IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO CALCULATE SEPARATELY THE COST OF PROCESSING APPLICATIONS TO USE LOUDSPEAKERS.
"HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THE TOTAL ANNUAL COST IS SMALL," MR ASPREY ADDED.
------0--------
CRITERIA USED IN APPROVING FUND-RAISING APPLICATIONS ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, BEFORE APPROVING FUND-RAISING APPLICATIONS FROM ORGANISATIONS, FIRST NEEDS TO ESTABLISH THAT THERE WILL BE AN ACTIVE SOLICITATION OF FUNDS, AND THAT THE COLLECTION WILL TAKE PLACE IN A PUBLIC PLACE, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MRS WONG WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON RONALD CHOW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
SHE SAID: ’’WHEN THIS HAS BEEN CONFIRMED EACH APPLICATION WILL BE CONSIDERED ON ITS MERITS, HAVING REGARD TO THE FOLLOWING FACTORS:
♦ THE STATUS OF THE ORGANISATION - WHETHER THE APPLICANT IS A BONA-FIDE NON-PROFIT-MAKING CHARITABLE OR WELFARE ORGANISATION;
♦ THE NATURE OF THE ACTIVITY - WHETHER THE ORGANISATION’S ACTIVITIES ARE CHARITABLE OR WELFARE RELATED; AND
♦ THE FUND-RAISING OBJECTIVE - WHETHER THE MONEY RAISED WOULD SUPPORT CHARITABLE OR WELFARE WORK.”
THE STATUTORY POWER FOR THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE TO GRANT PERMITS FOR FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES IN PUBLIC PLACES WAS PROVIDED IN SECTION 4(17) OF THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE, CAP. 228, MRS WONG ADDED.
--------0---------
/10.........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1
0
- 10 -
MORE EFFECTIVE ACTION AGAINST EMPLOYERS ESSENTIAL * * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID HE BELIEVED THAT MORE EFFECTIVE ACTION AGAINST EMPLOYERS IS ESSENTIAL TO COMBAT THE THREAT OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON LEUNG WAI-TUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR ASPREY SAID: “I THEREFORE INTEND TO SEEK THIS COUNCIL’S APPROVAL EARLY NEXT SESSION OF MEASURES TO FACILITATE THE PROSECUTION OF EMPLOYERS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, AND TO PROVIDE MORE STRINGENT PENALTIES FOR EMPLOYERS CONVICTED OF THIS SERIOUS AND IRRESPONSIBLE OFFENCE.”
HE NOTED THAT THE SUB-CONTRACTING SYSTEM USED ON CONSTRUCTION SITES MADE IT DIFFICULT IN MOST CASES TO IDENTIFY THE EMPLOYER OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FOUND WORKING ON SUCH SITES.
"AS A RESULT, IT HAS USUALLY NOT BEEN POSSIBLE TO BRING PROSECUTIONS AGAINST EMPLOYERS IN SUCH CASES, DESPITE EXTENSIVE POLICE ENQUIRIES," HE SAID.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WERE NORMALLY RELUCTANT TO IDENTIFY THEIR EMPLOYER, MR ASPREY ADDED.
--------0-----------
PLANS AND MEASURES TO SOLVE FLOODING PROBLEMS OUTLINED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS BOTH LONG-TERM STRATEGIES AND CONTINGENCY MEASURES TO PREVENT AND SOLVE THE FLOODING PROBLEMS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES DURING THE RAINY SEASON.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, MR BARNES SAID THE LONG TERM STRUCTURAL MEASURES INCLUDED THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW DRAINAGE CHANNELS, IMPROVING EXISTING CHANNELS AND PROVIDING PROTECTIVE WORKS AND FLOOD PUMPING STATION IN VILLAGES WHICH WERE AT PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE LOCATIONS.
HE NOTED THAT THESE PROJECTS, WITH A TOTAL ESTIMATED COST OF SOME $6 BILLION, HAD BEEN INCLUDED IN THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES FOR THE TUEN MUN, NORTH WEST AND NORTH EAST DEVELOPMENT OFFICES.
"THESE ARE MAJOR AND DIFFICULT WORKS AND CAN ONLY BE IMPLEMENTED OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL YEARS,” HE SAID.
"ALSO BECAUSE OF THE TERRAIN, MOST OF THESE AREAS ARE NOT ONLY AFFECTED BY RAINFALL BUT ALSO BY TIDE AND STORM SURGES.
/"SO TOTAL ......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 1990
11
"SO TOTAL PREVENTION OF FLOODING IS NOT PRACTICAL AND THE LONGTERM STRATEGY IS AIMED AT REDUCING THE FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY OF FLOODING," HE ADDED.
MR BARNES SAID OTHER LONG-TERM MEASURES TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT INCLUDED THE DRAWING UP OF RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT PLANS BY THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AS WELL AS THE DRAFTING OF LEGISLATION TO CONTROL LAND USE IN FLOOD PRONE AREAS.
"THE BASIN MANAGEMENT PLANS WILL IDENTIFY THE FUNCTION OF MAIN STREAMCOURSES, THE CAPACITY OF FLOW WHICH THEY MUST MAINTAIN AND THE WORKS AND CONTROL NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT THESE CAPACITIES ARE MAINTAINED.
"DRAFTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR A LAND DRAINAGE ORDINANCE ARE BEING PREPARED AND UNDER THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE AN ASSESSMENT OF THE DRAINAGE IMPACT WILL BE REQUIRED FOR ANY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT WHICH IS LIABLE TO HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE DRAINAGE OF A BASIN," HE SAID.
MR BARNES ALSO NOTED THAT WATERCOURSE MAINTENANCE WAS CURRENTLY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS. IT WOULD BE CENTRALISED WITH THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS IN ORDER TO ENSURE A CLEAR LINE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND A MORE EFFICIENT MAINTENANCE SERVICE.
"AS FOR CONTINGENCY MEASURES, THE DEPARTMENT, WHICH WAS SET UP LAST YEAR, ALSO CO-ORDINATES FLOOD PREVENTION AND REMEDIAL ACTION AGAINST FLOODING."
IF FLOODING OCCURRED, MR BARNES SAID, THERE WERE PRACTICAL MEASURES THAT COULD BE TAKEN TO RELEASE THE WATER. VILLAGES COULD TELEPHONE THE DISTRICT OFFICES OR THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT EMERGENCY NUMBERS FOR HELP. A MAINTENANCE GANG WOULD BE DESPATCHED TO THE AREA TO REMOVE MATERIALS FROM CULVERTS OR TO CLEAR BLOCKED DRAINS.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT IN A MAJOR FLOOD, SUCH AS WAS EXPERIENCED DURING TYPHOON BRENDA, THERE WAS VERY LITTLE THAT COULD BE DONE.
"IN SUCH AN EVENT, THE POLICE, AMBULANCE, FIRE SERVICES ARE DEPLOYED TO EFFECT RESCUES AND THEY IN TURN MAY HAVE TO CALL IN THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE AND THEIR HELICOPTER TEAMS," HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID THE GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE ON MAINTENANCE OF FLOODING BLACK SPOTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WAS SOMETHING LIKE $35 MILLION PER ANNUM.
THE WORKS INCLUDED ROUTINE INSPECTION OF SEWERS AND STORMWATER DRAINS AND CARRYING OUT CLEARANCE TO BLOCKAGES.
FROM NOVEMBER 1989 TO MAY 1990, NEW FLAPGATES HAD ALSO BEEN INSTALLED, PARTICULARLY IN THE YUEN LONG NULLAH AREA IN WHICH ALL OR PART OF 125 VILLAGES WOULD BE BENEFITTED, HE SAID.
MR BARNES NOTED THAT A TOTAL OF 197 BLACK SPOTS HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED.
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/12 .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18,
1990
- 12 -
PAYMENT OF OLD AGE ALLOWANCE EXPLAINED
*****
OLD AGE ALLOWANCE WAS WITHHELD FROM 5,400 RECIPIENTS OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS ON THE GROUNDS THAT THEY HAD BEEN ABSENT FROM HONG KONG FOR MORE THAN 90 DAYS IN A YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG, MRS WONG SAID THE AVERAGE PERIOD OF ABSENCE IN THESE CASES WAS 210 DAYS.
MRS WONG EXPLAINED THAT OLD AGE ALLOWANCE WAS A NON-CONTRIBUTORY WELFARE PAYMENT FUNDED BY GENERAL REVENUE, AND WAS INTENDED, AMONG OTHER THINGS, TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL RESIDENTS TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR ELDERLY FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS TO MEET EXTRA EXPENSES ARISING FROM OLD AGE.
"WHILE IT IS ASSUMED THAT RECIPIENTS WILL BE RESIDING IN HONG KONG IF THEY ARE TO RECEIVE THE ALLOWANCE, AT PRESENT THEY ARE PERMITTED TO BE ABSENT FOR UP TO 90 DAYS A YEAR IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR NEED TO GO ANYWHERE OVERSEAS FOR SHORT VISITS, BE THESE FOR MEDICAL OR SOCIAL REASONS," SHE SAID.
AT PRESENT, WHEN INTENDING TO BE ABSENT FROM HONG KONG FOR OVER 90 DAYS TO GO TO CHINA OR, INDEED, ELSEWHERE FOR MEDICAL REASONS, THE RECIPIENT MIGHT SEEK PERMISSION TO EXTEND HIS ELIGIBILITY FOR CONTINUED PAYMENT OF THE OLD AGE ALLOWANCE.
"IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MERITS OF THE CASE, SUCH PERMISSION MAY BE GIVEN FOR PERIODS OF TIME AS REQUIRED IN THAT PARTICULAR CASE," SHE SAID.
--------0-----------
USA ENCOURAGED TO TAKE CONSTRUCTIVE APPROACH
THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IS ENCOURAGING THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO TAKE A CONSTRUCTIVE APPROACH TO DEVELOPING SOLUTIONS TO THE MIGRATION OF PEOPLE FROM VIETNAM, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON MARTIN BARROW, MR ASPREY SAID: ’’FOR ITS PART, HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT RECOGNISE THE NEED TO TACKLE THE ROOT CAUSES OF THE MIGRATION OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.”
ON MAY 17 THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCED THE SETTING UP OF A SPECIAL SCHEME TO SUPPORT THE ACTIVITIES OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS (NGO’S) IN THOSE PARTS OF NORTHERN VIETNAM FROM WHICH BOAT PEOPLE HAD PREDOMINANTLY COME IN RECENT YEARS, HE SAID.
/"UNDER THE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 1990
13 -
"UNDER THE SPECIAL SCHEME, THE OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (ODA) WILL MEET 80 PER CENT OF THE COSTS OF AGREED HUMANITARIAN AND ECONOMIC PROJECTS PUT FORWARD BY BRITISH NGO’S IN THE TARGET AREAS."
HE NOTED THAT A SUM OF ONE MILLION POUND STERLING HAD BEEN SET ASIDE TO SUPPORT THESE PROJECTS.
"IN ADDITION, HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO ADD VIETNAM TO THE LIST OF COUNTRIES PARTICIPATING IN THE GENERAL JOINT FUNDING SCHEME, UNDER WHICH THE ODA MEETS 50 PER CENT OF THE COSTS OF AGREED NGO PROJECTS," MR ASPREY SAID.
"THERE ARE NO GEOGRAPHICAL LIMITATIONS UNDER THIS SCHEME," HE ADDED.
--------0-----------
SKETCH PLANS FOR SMITHFIELD JOINT USER BUILDING TO BE PREPARED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE SCHEDULE FOR ACCOMMODATION FOR ALL THE USERS OF THE SMITHFIELD ROAD JOINT USER BUILDING WAS APPROVED EARLIER THIS MONTH AND SKETCH PLANS WILL NOW BE PREPARED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, STATED THIS IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON MARTIN LEE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE POINTED OUT THAT THIS PROJECT WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING ALLOCATION OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS UNDER THE 1989 RESOURCE ALLOCATION SYSTEM.
"IT WILL HAVE TO COMPETE AGAINST OTHER PRIORITY PROJECTS FOR GOVERNMENT FUNDS THIS YEAR.
"IT IS NOT POSSIBLE THEREFORE AT THIS STAGE TO INDICATE A NEW START OR COMPLETION DATE FOR THE PROJECT," HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID THE COMPLETION DATE OF DECEMBER 1993 ORIGINALLY GIVEN TO THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICER FOR THE PROJECT WAS VERY OPTIMISTIC AND WAS BASED ON THE ASSUMPTIONS THAT FUNDS WOULD BE AVAILABLE FROM THE ANNUAL ALLOCATION EXERCISE FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THAT PREPARATION OF SKETCH PLANS WOULD COMMENCE IN JUNE 1989.
------0------------
/14 .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18,
1990
- 14 -
RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STUDY PLANNED FOR 1991
******
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO COMMISSION A RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STUDY EARLY NEXT YEAR IN ORDER TO TAKE AN OVERALL VIEW ON PRIORITIES AND TIMING OF FUTURE RAIL PROJECTS, SUBJECT TO FUNDS BEING AVAILABLE.
THIS WAS STATED IN A WRITTEN REPLY BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON TAI CHIN-WAH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR LEUNG SAID THE RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STUDY WOULD REASSESS AND UPDATE FUTURE RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR BOTH PASSENGER AND FREIGHT TRAFFIC IN THE TERRITORY.
THE STUDY, TAKING FULL ACCOUNT OF THE AIRPORT RAILWAY, WOULD EVALUATE A NUMBER OF POTENTIAL RAILWAY PROJECTS WITHIN A TIME FRAME EXTENDING TO 2011.
THESE MIGHT INCLUDE, APART FROM THE NORTH WEST NEW TERRITORIES RAIL LINK, THE EXTENSION OF MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY TO TSEUNG KWAN 0, A THIRD RAIL HARBOUR CROSSING, AND OTHER RAIL LINKS IDENTIFIED IN RECENT DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, SUCH AS THE METROPLAN.
MR LEUNG SAID THE RAIL PROJECTS SELECTED FOR IMPLEMENTATION WOULD THEN BE SUBJECT TO MORE DETAILED INVESTIGATION TO ESTABLISH THEIR ENGINEERING FEASIBILITY, FINANCIAL VIABILITY AND CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMMES.
THE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME UP TO THE YEAR 2001 RECOMMENDED BY THE SECOND COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY (CTS-2) INCLUDED A PROPOSED NORTH WEST NEW TERRITORIES RAIL LINK TO SERVE THE NEW TOWNS OF TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG AND TIN SHUI WAI, HE ADDED.
TWO ALTERNATIVE
THE TUEN MUN-TSUEN WAN
ROUTES WERE IDENTIFIED FOR DETAILED STUDY LINK, AND THE YUEN LONG-TSUEN WAN LINK.
SINCE THE COMPLETION OF CTS-2, THE GOVERNMENT HAD ANNOUNCED THE CONSTRUCTION OF A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK, TOGETHER WITH RELATED RAIL AND ROAD LINKS.
AS THESE PROJECTS AND THE ADVANCEMENT OF ROUTE 3 TO TIE IN WITH THE OPENING OF THE NEW AIRPORT HAD MAJOR IMPLICATIONS ON THE TIMING AND ALIGNMENT OF THESE RAILWAYS RECOMMENDED BY CTS-2, A FURTHER REVIEW OF THE NORTH WEST NEW TERRITORIES RAIL LINK AND OTHER RAIL PROJECTS WAS REQUIRED.
AS PRIORITY HAD TO BE GIVEN TO THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT, FINANCIAL AND ENGINEERING FEASIBILITY STUDIES HAD BEEN COMMISSIONED ON THE AIRPORT RAILWAY, TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR. THIS WOULD THEN BE FOLLOWED BY A RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STUDY, MR LEUNG SAID.
- - 0----------
/15 ......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 1990
- 15 -
TUEN MUN HOSPITAL IN FULL OPERATION BY LATE 1992
******
TUEN MUN HOSPITAL WILL BE BROUGHT INTO OPERATION IN FIVE PHASES, AND BECOME FULLY OPERATIONAL IN LATE 1992, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON TAI CHI-WAH, MRS WONG SAID THE FIRST PHASE WAS OPENED BETWEEN MARCH 8 AND APRIL 2 THIS YEAR.
"IT IS PLANNED TO OPEN PHASE TWO IN LATE 1990/EARLY 1991 AND TO PROCEED WITH SUCCESSIVE PHASES UNTIL THE HOSPITAL IS IN FULL OPERATION IN LATE 1992.
"ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICES WILL ALSO BE PHASED-IN TO MATCH THE BUILD-UP OF SPECIALTY BEDS TO ACCOMMODATE ADMISSION CASES AND THE AVAILABILITY OF SUFFICIENT ANCILLIARY FACILITIES."
SHE SAID THESE SERVICES WOULD START ON A 9 AM TO 5 PM BASIS FROM JULY 30 AND WOULD BE EXTENDED TO 12-HOUR SERVICE IN JANUARY 1991 AND 24-HOUR SERVICE IN JULY 1991.
MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS THE NORMAL PRACTICE FOR ANY NEW MAJOR HOSPITAL TO BE CONSTRUCTED AND COMMISSIONED IN PHASES.
THE OPENING DATE FOR PARTICULAR PHASES WAS DETERMINED ONCE THE COMPLETION DATE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND COMMISSIONING WORK WAS KNOWN.
FOR TUEN MUN HOSPITAL, MRS WONG SAID CONSTRUCTION WORK COMMENCED ON AUGUST 30, 1984, WITH A 36-MONTH WORK PERIOD FOR PHASE ONE AND A 42-MONTH PERIOD FOR PHASE TWO.
"DURING THE COURSE OF CONSTRUCTION, 506 DAYS’ EXTENSION OF TIME WAS GIVEN FOR PHASE ONE AND 463 DAYS’ EXTENSION TO PHASE TWO, MAINLY DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE OUTBREAK OF A FIRE IN THE RADIOTHERAPY BLOCK AND A REQUIREMENT TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL FIRE SERVICES INSTALLATIONS.
"THESE EXTENDED THE CONTRACTUAL COMPLETION DATES TO JANUARY 16, 1989 AND JUNE 6, 1989 RESPECTIVELY," SHE SAID.
MRS WONG SAID CONSTRUCTION WORK WAS CONTRACTUALLY CONSIDERED TO BE "SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETE" ON JANUARY 16, 1989 FOR PHASE ONE, WHICH WAS ON TIME, AND ON AUGUST 9, 1989 FOR PHASE TWO, WHICH WAS TWO MONTHS LATE.
SHE SAID A CONTRACTUAL SIX-MONTH PERIOD OF DEFECTS RECTIFICATION AND COMPLETION OF ANY OUTSTANDING WORKS COMMENCED ON AUGUST 9, 1989, IN PARALLEL WITH TESTING AND COMMISSIONING OF EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES.
/"IN TAKING .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 1990
- 16 -
"IN TAKING OVER EACH AREA, END-USERS HAVE IDENTIFIED ADDITIONAL WORKS, DESIGN CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS.
"THESE ARE NOW BEING CARRIED OUT AS POST-CONTRACT VARIATION," MRS WONG SAID.
"THE AIM OF THESE MEASURES IS TO ENSURE EQUIPMENT RELIABILITY AND PATIENTS’ WELL-BEING BEFORE HOSPITAL SERVICES ARE INTRODUCED," SHE ADDED.
------0--------
AMOUNT OF HK CURRENCY EXTRACTED UNDER DURESS UNKNOWN
IT IS NOT KNOWN HOW MUCH HONG KONG CURRENCY WAS EXTRACTED UNDER DURESS FROM HONG KONG RESIDENTS IN EXCHANGE FOR MILITARY CURRENCY DURING THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ELSIE TU.
AS TO THE QUESTION OF REDEMPTION, SIR PIERS SAID AS HONG KONG WAS A BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORY, IT WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR HONG KONG TO RAISE THIS MATTER WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN.
"QUESTIONS OF THIS KIND CONCERNING THE ALLEGED RESPONSIBILITY OF A FOREIGN GOVERNMENT IN RELATION TO CITIZENS OF HONG KONG ARE MATTERS FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND NOT THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
"WE ARE CURRENTLY IN CONSULTATION WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM REGARDING A POSSIBLE WAY FORWARD," HE ADDED.
------0--------
NO PLANS FOR TRAVEL AGENTS TO HAVE SEGREGATED BANK ACCOUNTS ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
THE ADMINISTRATION HAS NO PLANS AT PRESENT TO REQUIRE TRAVEL AGENTS TO HAVE SEGREGATED BANK ACCOUNTS FOR CLIENTS’ MONEY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PETER WONG, SIR PIERS SAID THE CONCEPT OF SUCH ACCOUNTS WAS CONSIDERED IN DETAIL IN 1987, WHEN THE ADMINISTRATION WAS SEARCHING FOR REMEDIES TO PLUG THE LOOPHOLE EXPOSED BY THE AUSTRAVEL CASE.
/FOLLOWING EXTENSIVE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 1990
17 -
FOLLOWING EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION WITH THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRAVEL AGENTS, REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS, MAJOR OPERATIONAL AND PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES WERE IDENTIFIED.
’’THESE INCLUDED THE NEED TO DETERMINE AND PRESCRIBE IN DETAIL THE LEGAL AND CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN TRAVEL AGENTS, THEIR CLIENTS, THE 'CUSTODIANS’ OF THE MONEY AND THE BANKS WITH WHICH THE ACCOUNTS ARE OPENED,” SIR PIERS SAID.
’’ALTHOUGH THESE PROBLEMS WERE NOT INSURMOUNTABLE, THEY WERE NEVERTHELESS COMPLEX IN NATURE AND WOULD HAVE REQUIRED MUCH TIME TO RESOLVE,” HE ADDED.
"IN THE END, THE ADMINISTRATION DECIDED IN FAVOUR OF THE PRESENT SCHEME OF SELF-REGULATION WHICH INCLUDES, INTER ALIA, THE PROVISION OF SOME ASSURANCE FOR OUTBOUND TRAVELLERS THROUGH THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL RESERVE FUND," SIR PIERS SAID.
---------0-----------
SELF-REGULATION FOR TRAVEL INDUSTRY TO BE REVIEWED ♦ * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONDUCTING A REVIEW TO EXAMINE THE ENTIRE PACKAGE OF SELF-REGULATION FOR THE OUTBOUND TRAVEL INDUSTRY, DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
TABLING THE REPORT ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE TRAVEL AGENTS’ RESERVE FUND FOR THE FISCAL YEAR STARTING APRIL 1, 1988, DR IP SAID IN TERMS OF COST-EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCY, THERE WERE AREAS IN THE PRESENT SYSTEM THAT COULD BE REFINED.
THE THE TO
AGENTS AND
TRAVEL
TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL RESERVE FUND, DR IP POINTED ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE OF SELF-REGULATION FOR THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY ------------------------------------------ TKAVELLBKo
AS CHAIRMAN OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON
OUT
THAT WAS
CREATE A SOUND FRAMEWORK OF OPERATION FOR THE
BENEFIT
OF
AND OPERATORS ALIKE.
"ALTHOUGH BOTH THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL AND THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL RESERVE FUND HAVE GAINED EXPERIENCE AND CONFIDE IN THEIR RESPECTIVE ROLES AND RESERVES ARE BEING BUILT UP AT HEALTHY RATE, THERE IS NOT YET ROOM FOR COMPLACENCY.
FOR INSTANCE, COULD THE EXISTING
RATE OF EX-GRATIA PAYMENT
PEGGED AT 70 PER CENT BE IMPROVED? RESERVE FUND BE FURTHER STREAMLINED?
COULD
ADMINISTRATION FOR
SHOULD THE ONE PER CENT LEVY
THE ON
PACKAGE TOURS BE LOWERED?
/•'ALL THESE...........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 1990
- 18 -
"ALL THESE, I AM CONFIDENT, WILL BE CRITICALLY EXAMINED IN THE REVIEW," SHE SAID.
FOR THE TRAVEL AGENTS’ RESERVE FUND, DR IP SAID VIRTUALLY ALL THE 2,300 FORMER CLIENTS OF THE DEFUNCT AUSTRAVEL COMPANY LIMITED AND P.C. TRAVEL SERVICE LTD, WHO HAD OPTED FOR A ONE-OFF 70 PER CENT PAYMENT OF AMOUNT CLAIMED HAD BEEN PAID.
FOR THOSE 800-ODD FORMER CLIENTS WHO OPTED FOR 100 PER CENT PAYMENT, DR IP SAID THE THIRD AND FINAL INSTALMENT WAS EXPECTED TO BE PAID BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
IN ALL, $10 MILLION HAD BEEN PAID TO FORMER CLIENTS AND IT WAS HOPED THAT OUTSTANDING CLAIMS ON THE TWO DEFUNCT AGENCIES COULD BE SETTLED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, SHE SAID.
THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL RESERVE FUND, A BODY CORPORATE FORMED WITH A VIEW TO REPLACING THE TRAVEL AGENTS’ RESERVE FUND, HAD CONTINUED TO PROVIDE A SAFETY NET FOR OUTBOUND TRAVELLERS, DR IP SAID.
BY CHARGING A ONE PER CENT LEVY ON TOUR PACKAGES, A HEALTHY RESERVE WAS GRADUALLY BEING BUILT UP, STANDING AT $33 MILLION AT PRESENT, SHE SAID.
DR IP NOTED THAT ONY A FEW TRAVEL AGENTS HAD FAILED SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF SELF-REGULATION INCURRING LIMITED LIABLILITY ON THE FUND.
SHE SAID BY NOW TRAVELLERS WERE AWARE OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF RECEIVING RECEIPTS FOR THEIR TOURS BEARING THE ONE PER CENT FRANKING MACHINE MARK.
WITH SUCH RECEIPTS, THEY WERE ABLE TO CLAIM UP TO 70 PER CENT OF THEIR LOSS SHOULD THE TRAVEL AGENT FAIL, DR IP ADDED.
-----0------
COST-EFFICIENCY IN PUBLIC FUNDS MANAGEMENT STRESSED
*****
THE NEED FOR COST-EFFICIENCY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC FUNDS HAS NEVER BEEN GREATER, GIVEN THE AMBITIOUS PROGRAMMES OF INFRASTRUCTURAL IMPROVEMENT OUTLINED BY THE GOVERNMENT, AND THE MAJOR EXPANSION PLANNED FOR THE TERTIARY EDUCATION.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE (PAC), THE HON PETER POON, SAID THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN TABLING PAC REPORT NO. 15 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MR POON SAID IT WAS NOW WIDELY UNDERSTOOD AND ACCEPTED BY ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT THAT THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR PROFLIGACY WITH THE PUBLIC PURSE.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18,
- 19 -
HE SAID THE CHANGE IN ATTITUDES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS WAS WELL ILLUSTRATED AT THE PUBLIC HEARINGS OF THE COMMITTEE HELD IN MAY THIS YEAR.
"THE DEFENSIVE ATTITUDES ADOPTED BY SOME WITNESSES IN THE PAST HAD BEEN REPLACED BY A REFRESHING WILLINGNESS TO ADMIT PAST MISTAKES AND ACCEPT THAT IMPROVEMENTS COULD, AND SHOULD BE MADE TO IMPROVE ECONOMY AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS IN THE FUTURE."
MR POON SAID GIVEN THIS HEIGHTENED AWARENESS OF, AND ATTENTION TO, THE NEED FOR COST-EFFICIENCY, HE TRUSTED THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN REPORT NO. 15 WOULD BE ACCEPTED IN THE SPIRIT IN WHICH THEY WERE OFFERED; THAT IS, NOT TO PUNISH OR RAKE OVER PAST FAULTS, BUT TO LOOK FORWARD, AND TO IDENTIFY THE SCOPE FOR FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS.
HE ALSO SAID HE BELIEVED THAT THE ENCOURAGING TRENDS PAC MEMBERS CHARTED THROUGH THEIR REPORTS IN THE LATTER HALF OF THE 1980’3 COULD BE MAINTAINED THROUGH THE 1990’S.
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MOTION UNDER LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE PASSED *****
A MOTION MOVED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS UNDER THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
FOUR BILLS WERE ALSO PASSED. THEY WERE THE RATING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1989-90) BILL 1990, THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 AND THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990.
IN ADDITION, FOUR BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. THEY WERE THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE COMMODITIES TRADING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE STOCK EXCHANGES UNIFICATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 AND THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1990.
DEBATES ON THESE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
- - 0---------
/20 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY IE, 1990
- 20 -
HONG KONG BILL OF RIGHTS BILL 1990 ******
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) APPROVED THE INTRODUCTION OF THE HONG KONG BILL OF RIGHTS BILL 1990 INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JULY 25, 1990.
"THE BILL HAS BEEN PREPARED IN THE LIGHT OF PUBLIC VIEWS ON AN EARLIER WHITE BILL WHICH WAS PUBLISHED IN MARCH THIS YEAR," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
EXPLAINING THE BILL, THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN HIGHLIGHTED THE MAJOR CHANGES WHICH HAD BEEN INTRODUCED.
CLAUSE 1(2) OF THE BILL SEEKS TO PROVIDE A FREEZE OF THE EFFECT OF THE BOR IN RESPECT OF EXISTING LEGISLATION FOR THE FIRST YEAR AFTER THE ENACTMENT OF THE BILL, TO BE FOLLOWED BY A SELECTIVE FREEZE IN RESPECT OF LEGISLATION LISTED IN A SCHEDULE FOR A FURTHER PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN ONE YEAR TO BE DECIDED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THE SCHEDULE SHOULD BE APPROVED BY A RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THE FREEZE WILL ALSO COVER ACTS DONE UNDER STATUTORY POWERS, INCLUDING THE EXERCISE OF DISCRETIONARY POWERS.
"THIS FREEZE DOES NOT IMPLY THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY DECIDED THAT ANY OF OUR LEGISLATION IS INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS (ICCPR) AS APPLIED TO HONG KONG, BUT WILL PROVIDE TIME FOR A FULL REVIEW TO BE UNDERTAKEN," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE DEFINITIONS PROVIDED IN THE WHITE BILL ON "NATIONAL SECURITY" AND "LIFE OF THE NATION” BY INCLUDING HONG KONG SPECIFICALLY HAVE NOW BEEN DELETED.
"UNDER THE ICCPR, RESTRICTIONS AND DEROGATIONS IN RESPECT OF CERTAIN RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS MAY BE IMPOSED ON THE GROUNDS OF ’NATIONAL SECURITY’, OR IN TIMES OF PUBLIC EMERGENCY WHICH ’THREATEN THE LIFE OF THE NATION’. HOWEVER, IT HAS BEEN POINTED OUT THAT THE DEFINITIONS IN THE WHITE BILL WOULD PERMIT RIGHTS TO BE RESTRICTED OR TAKEN AWAY IN CIRCUMSTANCES DIFFERENT FROM THOSE ALLOWED BY THE ICCPR AND COULD THEREFORE BE REGARDED AS INCONSISTENT WITH THE ICCPR. HENCE THEIR DELETION," THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
CLAUSE 2(3) OF THE WHITE BILL HAS BEEN AMENDED BY MAKING REFERENCE ONLY TO THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL WHICH IS TO IMPLEMENT FURTHER THE ICCPR AS APPLIED TO HONG KONG.
"THE AMENDMENT WILL AVOID GIVING THE IMPRESSION THAT THE BILL ADVOCATES A DEPARTURE FROM ESTABLISHED LEGAL PRACTICE, WHICH COULD BE REGARDED AS CONTRARY TO THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW," THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
CLAUSE 6(1) OF THE WHITE BILL WHICH PROVIDES THAT A VIOLATION IN RELATION TO A PERSON IS ACTIONABLE AS A TORT IS DELETED, WITH CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS TO CLAUSE 6(2).
/"THE DELETION .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 1990
- 21 -
"THE DELETION IS MADE BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT THERE IS SOME FORCE IN THE ARGUMENT THAT A TORT ACTION, WHICH IF SUCCESSFUL NORMALLY LEADS TO A REMEDY IN DAMAGES, WOULD NOT ALWAYS BE APPROPRIATE FOR A BREACH OF BOR," THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
"THE NEW CLAUSE WILL ENABLE COURTS AND TRIBUNALS TO GRANT AN EFFECTIVE REMEDY IN RESPECT OF BREACHES OF THE BOR, AND DAMAGES ARE TO BE AWARDED ONLY WHEN IT IS APPROPRIATE AND JUST TO DO SO," HE SAID.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES THAT THE APPLICATION OF ARTICLE 14 (THE RIGHT TO PRIVACY) TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR SHOULD ENTER INTO FORCE AT A LATER DATE WHEN SPECIFIC LEGISLATION ON PROTECTION OF PRIVACY IS ENACTED. AT PRESENT THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION IS ALREADY WORKING ON PRIVACY LEGISLATION WHICH ALSO COVERS FREEDOM OF INFORMATION.
THE COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL SECTORS FEEL THAT SOME OF THE ARTICLES IN THE BILL OF RIGHTS AS REGARDS OBLIGATIONS BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS ARE TOO BROAD AND THEIR EFFECTS UNCERTAIN. THEY FEAR THAT SUCH RIGHTS AS COUCHED IN THE GENERAL TERMS OF THE ICCPR PROVISIONS, COULD LEAD TO CONFUSION WITHIN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, WITH REGARD TO THE LEGALITY OF CERTAIN EXISTING OBLIGATIONS AND CURRENT PRACTICES.
"WE ACCEPT THAT SOME OF THESE CONCERNS ARE VALID. OUR VIEW IS THAT THE MAJOR PROBLEMATIC AREA LIES IN ARTICLE 14 RELATING TO PRIVACY, SINCE THERE IS AT PRESENT NO SPECIFIC LEGISLATION GOVERNING THIS AREA OF HUMAN RIGHTS. WE THEREFORE PROPOSE TO DEFER THE APPLICATION OF THIS ARTICLE TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
"THE OTHER TWO ARTICLES IDENTIFIED BY THE COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL SECTORS AS PROBLEMATIC, I.E. ARTICLE 16 RELATING TO RIGHT TO INFORMATION AND ARTICLE 23 OF THE WHITE BILL RELATING TO NONDISCRIMINATION, SHOULD NOT LEAD TO SUCCESSFUL CLAIMS AGAINST THE PRIVATE SECTOR," THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
ARTICLE 17 AND CLAUSE 13 OF THE WHITE BILL HAVE BEEN DELETED.
ARTICLE 17 STATES THAT PROPAGANDA FOR WAR OR ADVOCACY OF NATIONAL, RACIAL OR RELIGIOUS HATRED "SHALL BE PROHIBITED BY LAW". THIS ARTICLE CORRESPONDS TO ARTICLE 20 OF THE ICCPR, BUT UNDER A RESERVATION ENTERED BY THE UK, THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO INTRODUCE "FURTHER LEGISLATION". THE WHITE BILL ATTEMPTED TO REFLECT THIS RESERVATION BY INCORPORATING CLAUSE 13 TO THE EFFECT THAT THERE IS NO OBLIGATION TO LEGISLATE FURTHER IN RESPECT OF ARTICLE 17. HOWEVER, ARTICLE 17 MAY BE CONSTRUED AS CREATING AN OBLIGATION TO LEGISLATE IN RESPECT OF PROPAGANDA FOR WAR ETC. SINCE SUCH AN OBLIGATION CONTRADICTS CLAUSE 13 WHICH SAYS THERE IS NO SUCH OBLIGATION, IT COULD LEAD TO CONFUSION.
"DELETION OF BOTH ARTICLE 17 AND CLAUSE 13 WILL AVOID SUCH CONFUSION. THE MATTERS REFERRED TO IN THE ARTICLE WILL CONTINUE TO BE COVERED BY EXISTING LAWS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THERE ARE ALSO OTHER MINOR AND TEXTUAL CHANGES INTRODUCED TO THE WHITE BILL. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ONE INVOLVES CHANGING THE CHINESE TITLE OF THE BILL FROM "RENQUAN XUANYAN" TO "RENQUAN FA’AN” IN ORDER TO CONFORM WITH THE GENERALLY ACCEPTED CHINESE TRANSLATION FOR THE BILL OF RIGHTS.
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/22 .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 1990
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BILL TO CLARIFY TAXATION OF FRINGE BENEFITS ******
THE GOVERNMENT IS INTRODUCING A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO AMEND THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE TO REFLECT THE GOVERNMENT'S PRACTICE IN RESPECT OF THE TAXATION OF FRINGE BENEFITS.
THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1990, TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LATER THIS YEAR, WILL BE GAZETTED ON FRIDAY (JULY 20).
EXPLAINING THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IT AIMED TO CLARIFY THE GOVERNMENT'S PRESENT POSITION ON TAXATION OF FRINGE BENEFITS FOLLOWING THE DECISION ON THE DAVID HARDY GLYNN V. THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE CASE, BY THE COURT OF APPEAL IN DECEMBER 1988.
’’THE BILL HAS BEEN INTRODUCED BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS THAT IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE AT THIS POINT IN TIME TO BROADEN THE EXTENT TO WHICH FRINGE BENEFITS ARE TAXED,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN BROAD TERMS, THE GLYNN CASE WAS CONCERNED WITH THE QUESTION OF WHETHER SCHOOL FEES PAID BY MR GLYNN’S EMPLOYER IN RESPECT OF HIS DAUGHTER'S EDUCATION, ESCAPED CHARGEABILITY TO SALARIES TAX BY VIRTUE OF THE ARRANGEMENTS USED TO MAKE THE PAYMENTS.
A DECISION HANDED DOWN BY THE COURT OF APPEAL IN THAT CASE RULED THAT THE WORD "PERQUISITE” IN THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE SHOULD BE GIVEN ITS ORDINARY MEANING AND HENCE ALL BENEFITS DERIVED BY AN EMPLOYEE FROM HIS EMPLOYMENT WERE CHARGEABLE TO SALARIES TAX.
"THIS CREATED SOME UNCERTAINTY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID, ADDING THAT PRIOR TO THE DECISION, THE DEPARTMENT’S PRACTICE WAS THAT BENEFITS RECEIVED IN A FORM OTHER THAN MONEY, UNLESS COVERED BY SPECIFIC PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE, WERE NOT TAXED IF THEY DID NOT TAKE THE FORM OF "MONEY’S WORTH".
A BENEFIT IS REGARDED AS CONSTITUTING "MONEY’S WORTH" IF IT IS CAPABLE OF BEING CONVERTED INTO MONEY BY THE RECIPIENT OR IT IS THE DISCHARGE BY THE EMPLOYER OF A LIABILITY OF THE EMPLOYEE.
IN A STATEMENT MADE IN MARCH 1989, THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE ANNOUNCED THAT LEGISLATION WOULD BE INTRODUCED TO ACCORD WITH THE PRE-GLYNN PRACTICE CONCERNING THE TAXATION OF FRINGE BENEFITS.
AT THAT TIME HE HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE PRACTICE WOULD BE FOLLOWED FOR 1988-89 AND 1989-90 ASSESSMENTS RAISED PRIOR TO THE INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION.
IN THE MEANTIME, THE CASE PROCEEDED TO THE PRIVY COUNCIL. THE PRIVY COUNCIL’S RULING, LIKE THAT OF THE COURT OF APPEAL, ALTHOUGH NOT TO THE SAME EXTENT, ALLOWS THE TAXATION OF FRINGE BENEFITS ON A WIDER SCALE THAN THE DEPARTMENT’S PRACTICE.
/23 .......
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WEDNESDAY, JULY
90
- 23 -
IMMIGRATION FACILITIES FOR URGENT TRAVEL TO THE PHILIPPINES * * ♦ ♦ ♦
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE DEPARTMENT IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS WHO MIGHT HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN THE PHILIPPINES BECAUSE OF THE EARTHQUAKE THAT OCCURRED ON JULY 16.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD LIAISED WITH THE TWO LOCAL TRAVEL AGENCIES WHICH HAD ORGANISED TOURS TO THE PHILIPPINES TO IDENTIFY HONG KONG RESIDENTS WHO WERE VISITING THE COUNTRY.
FAMILY MEMBERS WHO WISH TO TRAVEL TO THE PHILIPPINES AND NEED ASSISTANCE FOR URGENT ARRANGEMENT OF TRAVEL DOCUMENT AND VISA MAY CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 829 3075 OR 829 3076.
THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN MANILA HAD ALSO BEEN ASKED TO INFORM THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ONCE THE EMBASSY RECEIVED ANY NEWS ON CASES INVOLVING HONG KONG RESIDENTS. FAMILY MEMBERS MAY ALSO CALL THE ABOVE TELEPHONE NUMBERS TO CHECK THE LATEST SITUATION.
RESIDENT FILIPINE NATIONALS WHO WISH TO TRAVEL TO THE PHILIPPINES URGENTLY MAY APPROACH THE DEPARTMENT’S EXTENSION SECTION ON FIFTH FLOOR, TOWER II, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI FOR IMMIGRATION FACILITIES SUCH AS RE-ENTRY VISAS.
------U--------
GOVERNOR VISITS SHAM SHUI PO TOMORROW ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL VISIT THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON TO HAVE A FIRST HAND LOOK AT THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT THERE.
HE WILL TOUR MEI FOO SUN CHUEN, THE NAM CHEONG STREET SITTING-OUT AREA AND NAM CHEONG ESTATE.
SIR DAVID WILL ALSO INSPECT WORKS BEING CARRIED OUT BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE TO RENOVATE 38 BUILDINGS AT THE BERWICK STREET AREA.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT TO SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
/THOSE WISHING .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 1990
- 24 -
THOSE WISHING TO MAKE USE OF GOVERNMENT TRANSPORT ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT THE ENTRANCE OF SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI. PRESS VANS WILL DEPART PUNCTUALLY AT 1.30 PM FOR MEI FOO SUN CHUEN, WHICH IS THE FIRST STOP OF THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT.
THOSE WHO WISH TO MAKE THEIR OWN WAY TO MEI FOO SUN CHUEN SHOULD ASSEMBLE OUTSIDE 16 NASSAU STREET (JUNCTION OF NASSAU STREET AND HUMBERT STREET) AT 2.35 PM.
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INVESTIGATION INTO AFFAIRS OF PALADIN LIMITED CONCLUDED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, IN EXERCISE OF THE POWERS CONFERRED ON HIM BY SECTION 143(1)(C) OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE, APPOINTED MR MARVIN K.T. CHEUNG ON MARCH 1 THIS YEAR AS INSPECTOR TO INVESTIGATE THE AFFAIRS OF PALADIN LIMITED.
A LIMITED INVESTIGATION HAS NOW BEEN CONCLUDED AND THE INSPECTOR HAS SUBMITTED A REPORT TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY EARLIER THIS MONTH.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 146(3)(A) OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE, SIR PIERS HAS SENT A COPY OF THE REPORT TO THE COMPANY INVESTIGATED.
AS THE REPORT CONTAINS MATERIAL WHICH MAY HAVE A BEARING ON POSSIBLE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS, IT IS NOT CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE TO PUBLISH THE REPORT.
HOWEVER, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY MAY SEND COPIES OF THE REPORT TO REGULATORY BODIES CONCERNED.
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HK TO CLOSELY MONITOR US TRADE BILL
THE TEXTILE, APPAREL AND TRADE BILL OF 1990 SEEKING TO FURTHER LIMIT THE GROWTH OF TEXTILE, APPAREL AND FOOTWEAR IMPORTS INTO THE UNITED STATES WAS PASSED BY THE UNITED STATES SENATE YESTERDAY (TUESDAY).
"BUT THIS DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THAT IT WILL BECOME LAW. THE BILL HAS YET TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,” THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR T.H. CHAU, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
/MR CHAU .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 1990
- 25 -
MR CHAU SAID THE PRESENT BILL WAS SIMILAR TO 1'1.ti JENKINS BILL (1985) AND THE TEXTILES BILL (1987), BOTH VETOED BY MR REAGAN.
"PRESIDENT BUSH OPPOSED THE 1987 BILL DURING HIS PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN. HE CAN BE EXPECTED TO VETO THIS ONE IF IT REACHES HIS DESK," HE SAID.
INDEED, HE ADDED, THE US ADMINISTRATION HAD INDICATED IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS ITS STRONG OPPOSITION TO THE BILL.
"AMBASSADOR RON SORINI, THE UNITED STATES CHIEF TEXTILE NEGOTIATOR, HAD STRESSED IN THE SENATE HEARING EARLIER THAT THE BILL WAS UNNECESSARY, UNJUSTIFIED ON ECONOMIC GROUNDS, WOULD VIOLATE US’ BILATERAL AND MULTILATERAL OBLIGATIONS AND UNDERMINE THE TEXTILES AND CLOTHING NEGOTIATIONS IN THE URUGUAY ROUND.
"THE BILL HAS APPARENTLY BEEN INTRODUCED TO PUT PRESSURE ON THE US NEGOTIATORS IN THE URUGUAY ROUND OF GATT TALKS AGAINST MAKING CONCESSIONS ON TEXTILES AND APPAREL.
"DESPITE THE VOTE IN THE SENATE, 68 TO 32, RECENT DEVELOPMENTS SUGGEST THAT INTEREST IN AND SUPPORT FOR THE BILL IS WANING. RECENTLY, LEADING US APPAREL MANUFACTURERS HAVE JOINED FORCES WITH THE APPAREL RETAILERS TO VOICE THEIR OPPOSITION TO THE BILL," MR CHAU SAID.
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT IS CLOSELY MONITORING DEVELOPMENTS THROUGH ITS WASHINGTON OFFICE.
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DIRECT MAILING OF VOTER REGISTRATION FORMS
*******
HALF OF THE ABOUT TWO MILLION HOUSEHOLDS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG WILL BE RECEIVING VOTER REGISTRATION FORMS ALONG WITH THEIR WATER BILLS BETWEEN JULY AND SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THIS DIRECT MAILING OF VOTER REGISTRATION FORMS IS PART OF THIS YEAR’S SPECIAL EFFORTS TO MAKE SUCH FORMS AS READILY AVAILABLE AS POSSIBLE TO PROSPECTIVE ELECTORS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE REMAINING ONE MILLION HOUSEHOLDS WOULD RECEIVE THE VOTER REGISTRATION FORMS ALONG WITH THEIR WATER BILLS AFTER SEPTEMBER.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE FORM SERVED A DUAL PURPOSE: FOR MAKING AN INITIAL APPLICATION BY A PROSPECTIVE ELECTOR WHO HAD NOT YET REGISTERED, OR FOR REPORTING A CHANGE OF RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS BY A REGISTERED VOTER.
"A REGISTERED ELECTOR IS NOT REQUIRED TO FILL IN A FRESH REGISTRATION FORM UNLESS HE HAS CHANGED HIS RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. AND IT IS JUST AS IMPORTANT TO KEEP THE ELECTORAL ROLL UPDATED AS TO HAVE MORE NAMES ADDED TO IT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ADDITIONAL REGISTRATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES, POST OFFICES AND PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE OFFICES, HE ADDED.
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/26 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 1990
- 26 -
NEWSPAPER REPORT ON VBP REFUTED *****
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REFUTED A NEWSPAPER REPORT WHICH CLAIMED THAT VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE WERE REMOVED TO CHI MA WAN (UPPER) DETENTION CENTRE BECAUSE OF THEIR POLITICAL OPINIONS AND ACTIVITIES.
HE ALSO DENIED THAT THEY WERE BEING PERSECUTED.
"AS STATED BEFORE, CHI MA WAN IS A DETENTION CENTRE AND NOT A PRISON, AND THE BOAT PEOPLE THERE ARE NOT TREATED AS PRISONERS.
"THE STATUTORY RULES APPLIED THERE ARE THE SAME AS IN OTHER CENTRES, ALTHOUGH THERE IS STRICTER SECURITY IN KEEPING WITH THE REASONS WHY THE BOAT PEOPLE ARE SENT IN THE FIRST PLACE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID THE BOAT PEOPLE WHO WERE TRANSFERRED TO CHI MA WAN INCLUDED THOSE WHO WERE BEING INVESTIGATED BY I'HE POLICE FOR ALLEGED CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES, AND THOSE WHO HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN OR HAD ATTEMPTED TO CAUSE DISTURBANCES AT VBP DETENTION CENTRES.
PEOPLE MIGHT ALSO BE TAKEN THERE FOR THEIR OWN PROTECTION IF THERE WAS ANY POSSIBILITY OF VIOLENCE AND INTIMIDATION AGAINST THEM IN THEIR OWN CENTRES, HE SAID.
"CHI MA WAN WAS BROUGHT INTO USE TO ASSIST US TO PRESERVE PEACE AND ORDER AT DETENTION CENTRES GENERALLY, AND THIS IS IN THE INTEREST OF THE BOAT PEOPLE THEMSELVES AS WELL AS MANAGEMENT," THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED.
"IT IS NOT USED AS A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE ARE TAKEN BECAUSE OF THEIR POLITICAL VIEWS.”
FOUR MAJOR DISTURBANCES BROKE OUT AT WHITEHEAD DETENTION CENTRE IN APRIL AND MAY, AND A NUMBER OF BOAT PEOPLE WERE TRANSFERRED FOLLOWING A SEARCH FOR WEAPONS.
"THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMOVAL OF CERTAIN DISRUPTIVE AND CRIMINAL ELEMENTS TO CHI MA WAN IS EVIDENCED BY THE FACT THAT NO MAJOR DISTURBANCE HAS OCCURRED AT WHITEHEAD SINCE THAT TIME AND IT HAS BECOME A MORE PEACEFUL PLACE," THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT.
HE ADDED THAT THOSE WHO WERE TRANSFERRED WERE INFORMED OF THE REASONS PRIOR TO BEING MOVED AND WERE TOLD FOR HOW LONG THEY MIGHT HAVE TO REMAIN IN CHI MA WAN. A BOARD OF REVIEW MEETS EVERY WEEK TO DECIDE ON THE TIMING OF THEIR RETURN.
COMMENTING ON THE TREATMENT OF BOAT PEOPLE AT CHI MA WAN, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THEY WERE NOT SEGREGATED AS THEY COULD ASSOCIATE WITH OTHER BOAT PEOPLE AT THE CENTRE DURING THE DAY AND WITH THEIR ROOMMATES AT NIGHT.
/"DORMITORY FACILITIES
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 1990
- 27 -
"DORMITORY FACILITIES ARE NOT A REWARD FOR GOOD BEHAVIOUR," HE SAID. "AS A MATTER OF RULE, ALL NEW ARRIVALS AT CHI MA WAN ARE tFIRST PUT UP IN CELL TYPE ACCOMMODATION AND THEN GRADUALLY MOVED TO DORMITORIES AS THEIR RETURN NEARS AND WHEN SPACE BECOMES AVAILABLE."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ALL THE BOAT PEOPLE AT CHI MA WAN WERE ALLOWED VISITS ONCE A MONTH AND TO SEND AND RECEIVE LETTERS.
"VOLUNTARY AGENCY AND UNHCR STAFF HAVE ACCESS TO THE CENTRE AND ANY COMPLAINANTS CAN CONVEY THEIR GRIEVANCES TO THE UNHCR OR TO VISITING JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
"A MEDICAL OFFICER IS AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES AT THE CENTRE," HE ADDED.
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CSD TAKES PART IN INTERNATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OLYMPICS
******
A 25-MEMBER DELEGATION OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (CSD) WILL TAKE PART IN THE 1990 INTERNATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OLYMPICS (ILEO) TO BE HELD IN EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA, BETWEEN JULY 29 AND AUGUST 4.
THE ILEO IS A TWO-YEARLY EVENT IN WHICH LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTS SUCH AS CORRECTIONS OFFICERS, POLICE OFFICERS, IMMIGRATION OFFICERS AND JUSTICE PERSONNEL FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD MEET AND COMPETE IN VARIOUS SPORTS.
THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR CHAN WA-SHEK, THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON PRESENTED THE DEPARTMENTAL FLAG TO THE TEAM MANAGER OF THE DELEGATION, MR LEE GA-SAN, TO MARK THE START OF THE JOURNEY.
ADDRESSING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY HELD AT THE CSD’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE, THE COMMISSIONER SAID AT A TIME WHEN CSD’S STAFFING SITUATION WAS STRINGENT, THE DEPARTMENT’S COMMITMENT TO TAKE PART IN THE ILEO IN A SUBSTANTIAL WAY WAS PARTICULARLY SIGNIFICANT.
"IT REFLECTS THE IMPORTANCE THE DEPARTMENT ATTACHES TO PROMOTING SPORTS AND PHYSICAL FITNESS AMONG ITS MEMBERS AND TO THE KIND OF INTERACTION AND EXPERIENCE THAT WILL BE GAINED FROM TAKING PART IN THE INTERNATIONAL EVENT," MR CHAN SAID.
THE COMMISSIONER SAID HE BELIEVED ALL THE DELEGATES WOULD TAKE PART IN THE GAMES WITH THE GREATEST ENTHUSIASM AND TO THE BEST OF THEIR ABILITIES, NOT ONLY IN THE COMPETITIONS BUT ALSO IN PROMOTING THE GOOD NAME OF THE DEPARTMENT.
CSD’S PARTICIPATION IN THE ILEO IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS DONATIONS OF $100,000 AND $50,000 RESPECTIVELY FROM THE DUTY FREE SHOPPERS CHARITABLE TRUST AND THE HONGKONG BANK FOUNDATION.
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 1990
- 28 -
ANNUAL SEMINAR FOR CAREERS TEACHERS ******
MORE THAN 80 SECONDARY SCHOOL CAREERS TEACHERS WILL ATTEND A ONE-DAY SEMINAR ON CAREERS EDUCATION AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG ON FRIDAY (JULY 20).
ENTITLED "PREPARING SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR THE CHANGING WORLD OF THE 90’S”, THE SEMINAR IS ORGANISED FOR THE 12TH YEAR BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS AND GUIDANCE MASTERS.
"IT WILL EXAMINE WAYS TO HELP STUDENTS COPE WITH THE CHALLENGES IN THE CHANGING WORLD OF THE 90'S IN THEIR SEARCH FOR A SUITABLE CAREER," THE SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE), MR LEUNG LIT-CHEONG, SAID.
"IN ADDITION, THE SEMINAR ALSO PROVIDES A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR TEACHERS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND SHARE EXPERIENCE IN CAREERS GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING," HE SAID.
THERE WILL BE TALKS BY EXPERTS ON MOTIVATIONS FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS, AND CAREERS OPPORTUNITIES AND ASPIRATIONS OF YOUTH IN THE RUN-UP TO 1997, FOLLOWED BY GROUP DISCUSSIONS.
THE SEMINAR WILL BE OPENED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND, AND THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR JOHN WINFIELD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SEMINAR ON CAREERS EDUCATION AT 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 20) AT THE INSTITUTE OF CHINESE STUDIES, CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, SHA TIN.
TRANSPORT HAS BEEN ARRANGED TO PICK UP MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE EVENT AT THE KCR UNIVERSITY STATION, SHA TIN, AT 9.30 AM SHARP.
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EQUIPPING STUDENTS FOR THE FUTURE *****
HONG KONG HAS EXPERIENCED RAPID POLITICAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHANGES IN RECENT YEARS, THE SENIOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR ROBERT LO, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN OPENING AN EXHIBITION ON MORAL EDUCATION AT THE HONG KONG TEACHERS’ CENTRE.
IN VIEW OF THE RAPID CHANGES, THOSE IN THE TEACHING PROFESSION SHOULD HELP STUDENTS EQUIP THEMSELVES AND DEVELOP A STRONG PERSONALITY IN PREPARATION FOR THE FUTURE, HE SAID.
/"BEING AND .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 1990
"BEING AND BECOMING, THE THEME OF THE EXHIBITION, POINTED AT A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS LIFE," MR LO SAID.
"TO HELP STUDENTS DEVELOP CORRECT VALUES, A NEW TEACHING KIT -IN SEARCH OF VALUE - WILL BE SENT TO SCHOOLS," HE ADDED.
THE EXHIBITION, OPEN UNTIL JULY 20 AT THE HONG KONG TEACHERS’ CENTRE, WAS ORGANISED BY THE RELIGIOUS/ETHICAL EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO ACQUAINT TEACHERS WITH APPROACHES AND TEACHING MATERIALS TO PROMOTE MORAL EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS. ✓ '
A TOTAL OF 15 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION TOOK PART IN THIS YEAR’S EXHIBITION.
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SAI KUNG DB TO STUDY PHA REPORT * * * * *
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD WILL STUDY THE REPORT OF THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AT ITS MEETING ON FRIDAY (JULY 20).
A PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR TSANG HING-KAY, WILL BE PRESENT TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
A TOWN PLANNER OF THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, MISS PAULA HUNG, WILL BRIEF MEMBERS ON THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS IN NORTHERN HANG HAU, TSEUNG KWAN O.
THE COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER AN APPLICATION FOR $48,650 IN DB FUNDS FOR HOLDING A FOOD CARNIVAL FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE DISTRICT.
A NUMBER OF PROGRESS REPORTS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMITTEES WILL BE TABLED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY (JULY 20) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 34 CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM.
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 1990
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PERSONS TAKING UNAPPROVED EMPLOYMENT ARRESTED *****
IMMIGRATION INVESTIGATORS ARRESTED SIX FILIPINO DOMESTIC HELPERS AND A FEMALE TWO-WAY PERMIT HOLDER AT A FOOD PROCESSING FACTORY IN YUEN LONG AREA TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE SIX FILIPINO DOMESTIC HELPERS, FIVE WOMEN AND A MAN, AGED BETWEEN 30 AND 38, AND THE FEMALE TWO-WAY PERMIT HOLDER, AGED 32, WERE FOUND TO HAVE TAKEN UNAPPROVED EMPLOYMENT AT THE FACTORY.
THE PERSON-IN-CHARGE OF THE FACTORY IS NOW ASSISTING WITH INVESTIGATIONS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID THAT UNDER THE LAWS OF HONG KONG, A FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPER IS ONLY ALLOWED TO WORK FOR A SPECIFIC EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT ATTESTED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
"THE EMPLOYER SHOULD NOT ASK THE HELPER TO WORK IN ANOTHER HOUSEHOLD OR CARRY OUT NON-HOUSEHOLD CHORES," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THOSE WHO HAVE BREACHED THEIR CONDITION OF STAY HERE ARE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION AND TO A FINE OF $5,000 AND TWO YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT.
THOSE WHO AID AND ABET OTHER PEOPLE TO COMMIT THE OFFENCE ARE ALSO LIABLE TO PROSECUTION AND PENALTY.
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BEACH IMPROVEMENT PROJECT UPGRADED
*****
THE IMPROVEMENTS TO CLEAR WATER BAY SECOND BEACH FACILITIES PROJECT WAS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) UPGRADED TO CATEGORY I UNDER THE REGIONAL COUNCIL CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME.
THE APPROVAL TO UPGRADE THE PROJECT FOLLOWED DISCUSSION BY MEMBERS AT A MEETING OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL CAPITAL WORKS SELECT COMMITTEE THIS MORNING.
A COUNCIL SPOKESMAN SAID THE COMMITTEE’S APPROVAL WOULD ENABLE THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WHICH IS UNDERTAKING THE OVERALL ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROJECT INCLUDING SITE SUPERVISION, TO LET OUT TENDER FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROJECT.
THE COMPLETION OF WORKING DRAWINGS, CONTRACT DOCUMENTS AND PROJECT COSTING HAD ALSO PREPARED THE IMPROVEMENTS TO CLEAR WATER BAY SECOND BEACH FACILITIES PROJECT TO BE UPGRADED, HE SAID.
UNDER THE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, EXISTING BEACH FACILITIES IN CLEAR WATER BAY SECOND BEACH IN SAI KUNG WHICH WERE BUILT IN 1968 AND ARE NOW DILAPIDATED, WOULD HAVE TO BE DEMOLISHED AND REPLACED.
/NEW FACILITIES
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 1990
- 31 -
NEW FACILITIES WILL COMPRISE A BUILDING ACCOMMODATING CHANGING ROOMS, OPEN SHOWER BOOTH, TOILETS, FIRST-AID ROOM AND MANAGEMENT FACILITIES.
TO ENSURE THAT WATER QUALITY OF CLEAR WATER BAY SECOND BEACH NOT BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED, A PUMPING AND DRAINAGE SYSTEM WILL BE BUILT TO CONVEY SEWAGE AND WASTE SHOWER WATER FROM THE BEACH FACILITIES TO A NEARBY SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT.
OTHER NEW FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE A SITTING OUT/CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA AND THE REFURBISHMENT OF THE EXISTING REFRESHMENT KIOSK.
IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT CONSTRUCTION OF THE $9.86 MILLION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT WOULD START IN OCTOBER 1990 AND BE COMPLETED IN LATE 1991.
DURING THE SAME MEETING, THE IMPROVEMENTS TO YUEN LONG STADIUM PROJECT WAS ALSO UPGRADED FROM CATEGORY III TO CATEGORY II TO ENABLE THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO PROCEED WITH DETAILED WORKING DRAWINGS, CONTRACT DOCUMENTS AND PROJECT COSTING.
IMPROVEMENTS TO THE STADIUM, WHICH WAS BUILT IN 1968, WILL INCLUDE RELAYING OF THE RUNNING TRACK WITH ALL-WEATHER SYNETHETIC MATERIALS AND ADJUSTING THE DIMENSIONS OF THE LONG JUMP AND TRIPLE JUMP RUNWAYS AND SAND PITS TO FOLLOW INTERNATIONAL AMATEUR ATHELETIC FEDERATION STANDARDS.
THE JAVELIN-THROW RUNWAY AND CIRCLE WILL BE RELOCATED TO A POSITION KEEPING CLEAR OF GOAL POSTS ON THE SOCCER PITCH AND RELAYING THE RUNWAY. AT THE SAME TIME, THE SAFETY CAGE FOR DISCUS AND HAMMER CIRCLE WILL BE REPLACED AND THE SHOT PUT CIRCLE WILL BE RELOCATED AND TURFED.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 20), THE BEACH ROAD CARPARK OFF HOUSE NO. 33 IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT WILL BE DESIGNATED A BAN ZONE TO ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT PRIVATE CARS AND MOTOR CYCLES.
ALL VEHICLES, EXCEPT PRIVATE CARS AND MOTOR CYCLES AND THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE BAN ZONE 24 HOURS DAILY.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE SECTION OF HENNESSY ROAD IN WAN CHAI FROM LUARD ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 70 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH FLEMING ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY FOR ABOUT 15 MONTHS TO FACILITATE SUBWAY CONSTRUCTION WORKS ACROSS HENNESSY ROAD BY THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION.
/ALSO, THE ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 1990
- 32 -
ALSO, THE EXISTING URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY ON THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF THE ABOVE SECTION OF HENNESSY ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY CANCELLED.
IN ADDITION, THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WING LOK STREET IN SHEUNG WAN BETWEEN HOUSE NOS. 11 AND 43 WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY 24 HOURS DAILY FOR ABOUT SIX WEEKS TO FACILITATE ROAD DRAINAGE WORKS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY ON THIS SECTION OF ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY CANCELLED.
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TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN EASTERN DISTRICT
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 20), THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF ROADS IN CAUSEWAY BAY WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS TO FACILITATE WATERMAIN LAYING WORKS:
* THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF ELECTRIC ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH WING HING STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 25 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
* WING HING STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH ELECTRIC ROAD AND A PIONT ABOUT 30 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
ALSO, THE EXISTING URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY ON THE SAME SECTIONS OF ELECTRIC ROAD AND WING HING STREET WILL BE TEMPORARILY CANCELLED.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE FOLLOWING TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FOR ABOUT FIVE MONTHS TO FACILITATE THE RECONSTRUCTION OF KING’S ROAD.
THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF ROADS WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY:
* THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF FORTRESS HILL ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH KING’S ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 35 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION;
* KING’S ROAD WESTBOUND FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH FORTRESS HILL ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 10 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
/* KING'S ROAD ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 1990
- 33 -
♦ KING’S ROAD WESTBOUND FROM A POINT ABOUT 35 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH FORTRESS HILL ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 100 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
ALSO, THE EXISTING URBAN CLEARWAYS FOR ALL MOTOR VEHICLES FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY ON THE SAME SECTIONS OF FORTRESS HILL ROAD AND KING’S ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY CANCELLED.
KING’S ROAD WESTBOUND, FROM A POINT ABOUT 100 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH FORTRESS HILL ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 120 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION, WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FOR GOODS VEHICLES FROM 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY.
WITHIN THE RESTRICTED ZONE, ALL GOODS VEHICLES, EXCEPT THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING 24-HOUR RESTRICTED AREA FOR ALL MOTOR VEHICLES ON THE SAME SECTION OF KING’S ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY CANCELLED.
IN ADDITION, QUARRY BAY STREET, AND THE SECTION OF MOUNT PARKER ROAD SOUTH OF QUARRY BAY STREET WILL BE CLOSED FROM 1 AM FOR ABOUT FOUR HOURS ON FRIDAY TO FACILITATE FOOTBRIDGE CONSTRUCTION WORKS.
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TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN WAN CHAI
* ♦ ♦ » ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 20), TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON HENNESSY ROAD, IN WAN CHAI, FOR ABOUT 15 MONTHS TO FACILITATE SUBWAY CONSTRUCTION WORKS ACROSS HENNESSY ROAD BY THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION.
THE SECTION OF HENNESSY ROAD FROM LUARD ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 70 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH FLEMING ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
THE THREE BUS STOPS OUTSIDE HOUSE NOS. 125 - 147 HENNESSY ROAD EASTBOUND FOR BUS ROUTES 1, 75, 90, 97, AND CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL BUS ROUTES 101, 103, 111, 119, 182 AND A3 WILL BE RELOCATED TO OUTSIDE HOUSE NOS. 153 - 173 HENNESSY ROAD.
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/34 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 1990
34
PUBLIC LIGHT BUS BAN ZONE IN YAU TONG
» * » ♦ *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 20), THE SECTION OF BIK WAN ROAD NORTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH KO CHIU ROAD IN YAU TONG WILL BE DESIGNATED A PUBLIC LIGHT BUS BAN ZONE.
ALL PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES EXCEPT THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE BAN ZONE 24 HOURS DAILY.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, JULY 19, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HIGH-LEVEL MINISTERIAL CONTACTS NEEDED BETWEEN BRITAIN/CHINA ... 1
PROVISIONAL DATES FOR 1990-91 LEGCO SESSION .................... 2
EXTRA FC MEETING NEXT WEEK ..................................... 4
HK HEADING DETERMINATELY FOR THE 21ST CENTURY .................. 4
SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION MEETING TODAY ..................... 8
GOVERNOR SEES IMPROVING LIVING ENVIRONMENT IN SHAM SHUI PO ..... 8
JOINT EFFORTS TO HELP STREET SLEEPERS .......................... 10
CAREERS SEMINAR FOR POST-SECONDARY GRADUATES ................... 11
ID CARD REMINDER FOR MEN BORN IN 1917 OR BEFORE ................ 12
REPORT ON 1988 SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE
SECTORS ON SALE ............................................... 13
YOUNG BRITONS VISIT HONG KONG .................................. 14
YOUNG MUSICIANS TO PERFORM IN NORTH AMERICA .................... 15
SEVEN IMMIGRATION OFFICERS ON OVERSEAS TRAINING ................ 16
ILLEGAL STRUCTURE IN WAN CHAI TO BE CLOSED ..................... 17
NAM CHEONG STREET HALF-WAY HOUSE ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ........ 17
INSTALLATION OF PARKING METERS IN KWAI CHUNG ................... 18
URBAN CLEARWAY IN WAN CHAI ..................................... 18
URBAN CLEARWAY IN YUEN LONG..................................... 19
URBAN CLEARWAYS ON TAI HA STREET................................ 19
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN KWAI CHUNG................................... 20
THURSDAY, .JULY 19, 1990
- 1 -
HIGH-LEVEL MINISTERIAL CONTACTS NEEDED BETWEEN BRITAIN/'"!! I NA » t * » *
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THERE SHOULD BE HIGH-LEVEL MINISTERIAL CON'IAi IS BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA, TH! GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER A VISIT TO SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT, SIR DAVID SAID THE VISIT TO PEKING NEXT WEEK OF BRITISH MINISTER OF STATE OF FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, MR FRANCIS MAUDE, WAS IMPORTANT.
SIR DAVID SAID WHAT CONCERNED US WAS THAT MR MAUDE WOULD BE ESTABLISHING COMMUNICATION AT MINISTERIAL LEVEI. BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA.
"AND THAT I THINK IS HELPFUL TO US IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
WHEN ASKED TO COMMENT WHETHER THE NATIONALITY PACKAGES AND THE BILL OF RIGHTS WOULD AFFECT THE ATMOSPHERE OF TALKS IN PEKING, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE DID NOT THINK THAT SHOULD SERIOUSLY INFLUENCE MR MAUDE’S VISIT.
ON THE PROBLEM OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, SIR DAVID SAID THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ARRESTED HAD BEEN GOING WELL OVER A HUNDRED A DAY AND THAT WAS A SERIOUS SITUATION THAT WE MUST TRY TO DEAL WITH.
HE ATTRIBUTED THE REASON FOR THE PROBLEM TO PARTLY, UNEMPLOYMENT IN CHINA, AND PARTLY, A LACK OF LABOUR HERE.
TO PREVENT ILLEGAL USE OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, SIR DAVID SAID, "WE MUST NOT GIVE ANY IMPRESSION AT ALL THAT THERE WOULD BE A SLACKENING OF OUR EFFORTS IN DEALING WITH ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION PROBLEM. THERE WOULD BE NO SLACKENING AND THERE WOULD NEVER BE AN AMNESTY."
NOTING THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM OF OVERCROWDING IN OUR PRISONS WITH THE IMPRISONMENT OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAUGHT WORKING IN HONG KONG, HE SAID, "WE’VE GOT TO TRY TO SEE BETTER WAYS OF DEALING WITH PEOPLE WHO EMPLOY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AT WORK SITES.
"IT’S VERY DIFFICULT AT THE MOMENT TO PIN DOWN WHO PRECISELY IS RESPONSIBLE. IF WE CAN DO THAT, AND WE CAN IMPOSE PENALITIES ON THOSE PEOPLE, THEN, THAT MIGHT HELP TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM."
SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE WORKING AT WAYS TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. AND IF THERE WOULD BE LEGISLATIVE CHANGES TO BE BROUGHT IN, THEN, THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE DONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WHEN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL RESUMED AFTER THE SUMMER RECESS.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO SAID THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN FREQUENTLY IN TOUCH WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES WHO ARE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROBLEM.
/HE SAID .......
THURSDAY, JULY 19, 1990
2
HE SAID THERE WAS A CONSTANT LIAISON ON THE PROBLEM IN BORDER LIAISON AND ALSO BETWEEN POLITICAL ADVISER’S OFFICE AND THE XINHUA NEWS AGENCY.
ON THE QUESTION OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE, SIR DAVID SAID BRITAIN, ON BEHALF OF HONG KONG, WOULD CONTINUE TO DISCUSS WITH THE ASEAN COUNTRIES TRYING TO WORK OUT \ COMMON POSITION TO DEAL WITH THESE PROBLEMS.
"AND WE ALSO TRY TO LIAISE WITH OTHER COUNTRIES FOR THE MEETING OF THE SC4 BECAUSE IT IS NOT JUST A QUESTION OF AN ISOLATED GROUPS OF FIRST ASYLUM COUNTRIES, WE HAVE SUPPORTS FOR OUR POLICIES FROM MANY OTHER COUNTRIES AS WELL, LIKE AUSTRALIA, FOR INSTANCE.
"SO WE DON’T WANT TO BE JUST A SMALL GROUP, WE WANT TO TRY TO GET THE AGREEMENT OF AS MANY AS COUNTRIES T KING PART IN SC4 AS POSSIBLY CAN.
"IN MANY WAYS, THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTIONS IS ALREADY SUFFERING AS A RESULT OF NOT HAVING FOUND A PROPER SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN SCREENED OUT. AND THE LONGER IT GOES OUT WITHOUT A PROPER SOLUTION, THEN MORE THREAT THE WHOLE CONCEPT OF THE FIRST ASYLUM MUST COME UNDER."
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PROVISIONAL DATES FOR 1990-91 LEGCO SESSION
THE 1990-91 SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL OPEN ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, WHEN THE GOVERNOR WILL GIVE HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE COUNCIL.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE PROVISIONAL DATES FOR THE COUNCIL’S
SITTINGS IN THE NEW SESSION:
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 10 OPENING OF THE 1990-91 SESSION (GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS)
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 17 REGULAR SITTING
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 24 DEBATE ON MOTION OF THANKS
THURSDAY OCTOBER 25 (MEMBERS OTHER THAN OFFICIALS SPEAK)
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 31 DEBATE ON MOTION OF THANKS (OFFICIALS SPEAK)
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 7 REGULAR SITTING
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 14 REGULAR SITTING
/WEDNESDAY .......
THURSDAY, JULY 19, 1990
3
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 21 REGULAR SITTING
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 28 REGULAR SITTING
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 5 REGULAR SITTING
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 12 REGULAR SITTING
(CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR RECESS)
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 9 REGULAR SITTING
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 16 REGULAR SITTING
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 23 REGULAR SITTING
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 30 REGULAR SITTING
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 6 REGULAR SITTING
(LUNAR NEW YEAR RECESS)
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 27 REGULAR SITTING
WEDNESDAY MARCH 6 FIRST BUDGET SITTING (FINANCIAL SECRETARY PRESENTS BUDGET)
WEDNESDAY MARCH 13 REGULAR SITTING
(SPECIAL FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETINGS ON MARCH 21 AND 22)
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY MARCH 27 MARCH 28 SECOND BUDGET SITTING (MEMBERS OTHER THAN OFFICIALS SPEAK)
(EASTER RECESS)
WEDNESDAY APRIL 17 THIRD BUDGET SITTING (OFFICIALS SPEAK AND FINAL STAGES OF APPROPRIATION BILL 1991)
WEDNESDAY APRIL 24 REGULAR SITTING
WEDNESDAY MAY 1 REGULAR SITTING
WEDNESDAY MAY 8 REGULAR SITTING
WEDNESDAY MAY 15 REGULAR SITTING
WEDNESDAY MAY 22 REGULAR SITTING
WEDNESDAY MAY 29 REGULAR SITTING
/WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY, JULY 19, 1990
WEDNESDAY JUNE 5 REGULAR SITTING
(QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY RECESS)
WEDNESDAY JUNE 26 REGULAR SITTING
WEDNESDAY JULY 3 REGULAR SITTING
WEDNESDAY JULY 10 REGULAR SITTING
WEDNESDAY JULY 17 REGULAR SITTING
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EXTRA FC MEETING NEXT WEEK ♦ * * * *
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD AN EXTRA MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 25) DUE TO URGENT BUSINESS BEFORE THE SUMMER RECESS.
THE MEETING WILL COMMENCE AFTER THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING ON THAT DAY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
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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HK HEADING DETERMINATELY FOR THE 21ST CENTURY ******
HONG KONG’S SUSTAINED ECONOMIC GROWTH IN SPITE OF EXTERNAL FACTORS BEYOND ITS CONTROL HAS PLACED IT IN AN IMPORTANT POSITION IN THE WORLD’S ECONOMIC SYSTEM THAT WILL CONTINUE BEYOND THE 20TH CENTURY, AMERICAN BUSINESSMEN HAVE BEEN TOLD.
ADDRESSING THE ASIAN FINANCIAL SOCIETY IN NEW YORK, THE FORMER DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR ANDREW LEUNG, SAID FROM A ’’BARREN ROCK” HONG KONG HAD TRANSFORMED ITSELF INTO ONE OF THE MOST DYNAMIC CITIES IN THE WORLD, WITH A GDP PER CAPITA IN ASIA ONLY BEHIND JAPAN AND BRUNEI.
THE ASIAN FINANCIAL SOCIETY IS AN ORGANISATION OF INDIVIDUALS DOING BUSINESS AS REPRESENTATIVES OF FINANCIAL SERVICE AND INVESTMENT FIRMS, BANKS AND OTHER BUSINESSES.
/IN HIS .......
THURSDAY, JULY 19, 1990
5
IN HIS ADDRESS ON "HONG KONG IN THE 1990s: RISK OR OPPORTUNITY?", MR LEUNG WHO IS TOURING MAJOR CITIES IN THE UNITED STATES AT THE INVITATION OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT UNDER A MONTH-LONG INTERNATIONAL VISITORS PROGRAMME, DISCUSSED THE CURRENT AND PROJECTED FUTURE BUSINESS CLIMATE IN HONG KONG AND OTHER RELATED ISSUES.
HE SAID HONG KONG’S ECONOMY HAD ALWAYS BEEN HEAVILY DEPENDENT ON EXTERNAL TRADE. ITS TRULY OPEN ECONOMY HAD LED ITS TRADING POSITION TO ADVANCE TO THE 11TH PLACE BOTH AS AN EXPORTER AND AN IMPORTER.
HE SAID IN 1989 HONG KONG’S TOTAL TRADE WAS EQUIVALENT TO 231 PER CENT OF ITS ESTIMATED GDP. IN THE PERIOD FROM 1986 TO 1989 HONG KONG'S TOTAL TRADE WITH THE UNITED STATES GREW BY 73.5 PER CENT IN MONEY TERMS WHILE THE CORRESPONDING FIGURE FOR U.S. IMPORTS INTO HONG KONG REACHED A HIGHER GROWTH OF 99 PER CENT.
REGIONALLY, MR LEUNG SAID, HONG KONG WAS PLAYING A PIVOTAL ROLE IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC. HE SAID THERE WERE OVER 4,000 OVERSEAS COMPANIES IN HONG KONG AND AMONG THEM WERE MANY REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS, OVER 130 LICENSED BANKS, NEARLY 160 REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES OF FOREIGN BANKS AND MORE THAN 600 MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS WITH OVERSEAS INTERESTS.
MR LEUNG SAID HONG KONG’S PIVOTAL IMPORTANCE WAS ALSO HIGHLIGHTED BY THE EXTENT OF U.S. AND JAPANESE INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG.
TOTAL U.S. INVESTMENT IN 1988 WAS THE LARGEST IN THE REGION, ACCOUNTING FOR 27 PER CENT OF THE U.S. TOTAL AND REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 28.5 PER CENT IN MONEY TERMS FROM US$3.9 BILLION IN 1986 TO US$5 BILLION IN 1988. DURING THESE TWO YEARS JAPAN HAD ALSO INCREASED ITS INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG BY 231 PER CENT.
"WITH HIGHLY DEVELOPED TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES, CONVENIENT AND EFFICIENT TRANSPORT CONNECTIONS WITH ALL THE MAJOR COMMERCIAL CENTERS IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC, AND AN INFRASTRUCTURE WELL-GEARED FOR BUSINESS, HONG KONG IS AN IDEAL REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL BASE,” HE SAID.
AS EXAMPLES OF HOW HONG KONG WAS KEEPING UP WITH THE LATEST TELECOMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY, MR LEUNG TOLD HIS AUDIENCE THAT IT WAS THE FIRST PLACE IN THE WORLD TO INTRODUCE DATAFAX, A SERVICE WHICH ENABLES SUBSCRIBERS TO SEND FAX MESSAGES DIRECT FROM THEIR PERSONAL COMPUTERS TO ANY FAX MACHINE LOCALLY THROUGH THE PUBLIC PACKET SWITCHED SERVICE WITH NO ADDITIONAL HARDWARE. HONG KONG WAS ALSO THE FIRST TO INTRODUCE SUPERTELEX WHICH SENDS TELEXES THROUGH A PERSONAL COMPUTER AND WAS AMONG THE FIRST IN THE FAR EAST TO OFFER PUBLIC VIDEO-CONFERENCING.
TURNING TO HONG KONG’S CHINA DIMENSION, MR LEUNG SAID HONG KONG HAD PROVIDED MUCH OF THE CAPITAL THAT HAD FLOWED INTO THAT COUNTRY IN RECENT YEARS, ESPECIALLY SOUTHERN CHINA.
/BETWEEN 1979 .......
THURSDAY, JULY 19, 1990
- 6 -
BETWEEN 1979 AND 1988, HONG KONG ACCOUNTED FOR TWO-THIRDS OF THE CONTRACTUAL VALUE OF FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN CHINA, AS WELL AS A LARGE PROPORTION OF CHINA’S FOREIGN LOANS.
AT THE END OF MARCH 1989, THE OUTSTANDING CLAIMS OF HONG KONG’S BANKING SECTOR ON CUSTOMERS IN CHINA AMOUNTED TO US$5.4 BILLION. THE SOUTHERN PROVINCE OF GUANGDONG ATTRACTED THE LARGEST PROPORTION OF FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN CHINA AMOUNTING TO 45 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL WHILE HONG KONG IN TURN ACCOUNTED FOR ABOUT 70 PER CENT OF REALISED FOREIGN INVESTMENT THERE AND NEARLY ALL OF ITS OUTWARD PROCESS ING ARRANGEMENTS.
MR LEUNG SAID INVESTMENT HAD LIKEWISE FLOWED INTO HONG KONG FROM CHINA WHICH WAS WIDELY REGARDED AS THE LARGEST NON-LOCAL INVESTOR WITH CUMULATIVE INVESTMENT IN ALL ECONOMIC SECTORS ESTIMATED AT BETWEEN US$6 BILLION AND US$8 BILLION.
HE SAID CHINA BECAME HONG KONG’S LARGEST TRADING PARTNER IN 1985 AND LAST YEAR ACCOUNTED FOR 30 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL TRADE COMPRISING 19.3 PER CENT OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS, 30 PER CENT OF REEXPORTS AND 35 PER CENT OF IMPORTS.
THESE FACTS, HE SAID, BORE OUT HONG KONG’S UNIQUE ROLE AS THE GATEWAY TO CHINA.
MR LEUNG SAID WITH THE IMPENDING REVERSION OF SOVEREIGNTY TO CHINA ON JULY 1, 1997 QUESTION MARKS BEGAN TO APPEAR, ESPECIALLY AFTER JUNE LAST YEAR AND THE WORLD WAS BEGINNING TO ASK, OPENLY OR INWARDLY, WHETHER HONG KONG WAS A RISK OR AN OPPORTUNITY?
"NOTHING CAN ALTER HONG KONG’S GEO-POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC POSITION AS THE GATEWAY’ TO CHINA IN THE HUB OF THE DYNAMIC ASIA-PACIFIC REGION. THIS IS BORNE OUT BY THE FACT THAT SINCE MID-1989, WHILE SENTIMENTS HAVE BECOME MORE CAUTIOUS, THERE HAS BEEN A SIZEABLE LIST OF NEW INVESTMENTS IN HONG KONG WORTH NEARLY US$5 BILLION INVOLVING BOTH OVERSEAS AND LOCAL INTERESTS," HE SAID.
FOR ITS PART, MR LEUNG POINTED OUT, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAD A CLEAR VISION OF WHAT IT WAS TRYING TO ACHIEVE, AND WAS CONTINUING TO PLAN FOR AND INVEST IN THE FUTURE TO TAKE HONG KONG THROUGH TO THE NEXT CENTURY.
HE SAID THERE WAS TO BE A NEW MARK-UP IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT YEAR AND THE GOVERNMENT WAS WORKING TO INTRODUCE A BILL OF RIGHTS. TERTIARY EDUCATION WAS BEING EXPANDED WITH AN EXPENDITURE OF US$1.7 BILLION IN THE NEXT DECADE; A NEW WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE WAS BEING PREPARED; PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES WERE BEING EXPANDED; MORE THAN HALF A MILLION NEW PUBLIC HOUSING FLATS WERE TO BE BUILT FROM NOW UNTIL 2001 AND THE GOVERNMENT WAS TO SPEND US$2.6 BILLION ON IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT.
MR LEUNG SAID THERE WOULD BE ENORMOUS INVESTMENTS IN HONG KONG’S PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW AIRPORT AND PORT FACILITIES WHICH WILL ALSO SEE THE OPENING UP OF NEW AREAS FOR INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL USE.
/A NEW .......
THURSDAY, JU I
990
A NEW METROPLAN HAD ALSO BEEN LAUNCHED TO CHANGE THE SHAPE OP URBAN Vji OTHER SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT BY 2011 AND US$3 BILLION WOULD 3B SPENT ON IMPROVING THE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE.
AMONG IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, A NEW UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WAS EXPECTED TO OPEN IN 1991 J A NEW TECHNOLOGY CENTRE WAS EXPECTED TO BECOME OPERATIONAL IN 1993 TO PROVIDE FACILITIES FOR NEW AND SMALL HIGH-TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES TO GROW THROUGH PRODUCT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND A THIRD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE WAS TO BE DEVELOPED.
IN FINANCIAL SERVICES, THE GOVERNMENT HAD KEPT ITS REGULATORY MEASURES UNDER REGULAR REVIEW AND A SERIES OF CHANGES TO REINFORCE HONG KONG’S BANKING SYSTEM WERE BEING INTRODUCED.
MR LEUNG SAID THAT HONG KONG, LIKE OTHER HIGH-GROWTH ECONOMIES, ALSO HAD ITS FAIR SHARE OF DIFFICULTIES, AMONG THEM INCREASED EMIGRATION WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WAS TACKLING BY INCREASING TERTIARY AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND FACILITATING THE RETURN TO HONG KONG OF THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY OBTAINED AN INSURANCE POLICY IN THE FORM OF A FOREIGN PASSPORT. THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TOO, HE ADDED, WAS ASSISTING BY PROVIDING PASSPORTS TO 50,000 HEADS OF HOUSEHOLDS TO ENCOURAGE KEY PEOPLE TO STAY.
ON THE REPORTED PROBLEM OF CAPITAL OUTFLOW, MR LEUNG SAID IT WAS COMMON KNOWLEDGE THAT SOME PEOPLE WERE ACQUIRING ASSETS ABROAD AS A FORM OF INSURANCE, BUT THAT DID NOT APPEAR TO AFFECT THE AMOUNT OF DEPOSITS IN HONG KONG’S BANKING SYSTEM.
TOTAL DEPOSITS, HE SAID, HAD BEEN GROWING RAPIDLY AND CONTINUOUSLY, AT A RATE IN 1989 OF 20 PER CENT FOR ALL CURRENCIES AND 15 PER CENT FOR HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS, HIGHER THAN THE GROWTH RATE OF HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT IN MONEY TERMS.
THE HONG KONG DOLLAR EXCHANGE RATE TOO HAD REMAINED VERY STABLE, EVEN IN MID-1989, WITHOUT ANY SIGNIFICANT INTERVENTION.
"EVEN IF ONE IS NOT TO QUESTION THE RELIABILITY OF SOME OF THE MORE COMMONLY QUOTED ’ESTIMATES’ PRODUCED, US$2.87 BILLION A YEAR, THIS IS QUITE INSIGNIFICANT COMPARED WITH THE DAILY TURNOVER OF US$49 BILLION IN HONG KONG’S FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARKET," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG SAID HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC MIRACLE HAD NEVER BEEN A BED OF ROSES. "IN PARTICULAR, AS A TOTALLY EXTERNALLY ORIENTED ECONOMY, IT REMAINS HIGHLY SENSITIVE TO OUTSIDE EVENTS BEYOND ITS CONTROL. YET, THROUGH VICISSITUDES, THE ECONOMY HAS ALWAYS BOUNCED BACK WITH ENHANCED VIGOUR."
HE SAID HONG KONG MIGHT BE ENTERING INTO ANOTHER TROUGH AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF IMPRESSIVE GROWTH. "BUT WITH POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS IN EUROPE, THE U.S.A. AND CANADA AND THE ASIA-PACIFIC, FURTHER NEW HEIGHTS ARE APPEARING ON THE HORIZON AND ARE WITHIN HONG KONG’S REACH.
/"MOREOVER, HONG
THURSDAY, J
, 1990
"MOREOVER, HONG KONG’S LONG-TERM ECONOMIC FUNDAMENTALS REMAIN. ITS MANY FORMAL AND INFORMAL INTERNATIONAL LINKS WILL CONTINUE BEYOND THE 20TH CENTURY, AND ITS ALREADY EXCELLENT BUSINESS INFRASTRUCTURE WILL HAVE BEEN EVEN BETTER DEVELOPED BY THE END OF THIS DECADE," HE SAID.
EARLIER MR LEUNG HAD ADDRESSED THE NATIONAL CONVENTION OF ORGANISATIONS OF CHINESE AMERICANS IN WASHINGTON DC AT WHICH THERE WERE ABOUT 150 GUESTS INCLUDING A SENATOR, THREE CONGRESSMEN AND OTHER NOTED MEMBERS OF THE CHINESE COMMUNITY.
ON JULY 23, HE WILL SPEAK TO THE HONG KONG BUSINESS ASSOCIATION OF THE MID-WEST IN CHICAGO;
DURING HIS VISIT HE HAD ALSO BEEN MEETING CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF U.S. CORPORATIONS AND SPEAKING IN COMPANY BOARDROOMS ABOUT HONG KONG. AMONG THESE CORPORATIONS WERE EXXON, MOBIL OIL, ALLIED SIGNALS, JOHNSON & JOHNSON, FORBES AND TEXAS INSTRUMENTS. APART FROM NEW YORK AND CHICAGO HIS ITINERARY COVERS PITTSBURGH, ST. PAUL, MINNEAPOLIS, HOUSTAN, DALLAS AND SEATTLE.
- - 0 - -
SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION MEETING TODAY
******
THE 20TH MEETING OF THE SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION WAS HELD ON JULY 19, 1990. THE TWO SIDES AGREED THAT THE AVERAGE COST OF LAND PRODUCTION FOR THE 1990/91 FINANCIAL YEAR WOULD BE HK$2,770 PER SQUARE METRE.
THE LAND COMMISSION ALSO AGREED TO ADJUST THE 1990/91 LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME SO AS TO PROVIDE 6.06 HECTARES OF LAND FOR THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL TECHNICAL COLLEGE.
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GOVERNOR SEES IMPROVING LIVING ENVIRONMENT IN SHAM SHU1 PO
********
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (THURSDAY) SAW FOR HIMSELF THE EFFORTS BEING MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT.
SIR DAVID BEGAN HIS VISIT BY TOURING MEI FOO SUN CHUEN WHICH HOUSES MORE THAN 45,000 PEOPLE.
/THE GOVERNOR
THURSDAY, J"LY 19, 1990
- 9 -
1 GOVERNOR COMMENDED THE RESIDENTS OF MEI FOO SUN CHUEN FOR CONTI • । ING TO EFFECTIVE BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND TO CREATING A PLEASAN' LIVING ENVIRONMENT FOR THEMSELVES.
HE WAS TOLD THAT STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN TO ALLAY RESIDENTS’ CONCERN ON THE POSSIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION AND FUTURE OPERATION OF THE CONTAINER TERMINALS 7 AND 8.
THESE WILL INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF AN OPEN SPACE AS A BUFFER BETWEEN THE ESTATE AND THE CONTAINER TERMINALS AS WELL AS THE PROPOSED ROUTE 3 HIGHWAY.
SIR DAVID WAS THEN TAKEN TO A ROOF-TOP ON TAI PO ROAD FOR A BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF THE 38 BLOCKS OF FLATS SELECTED FOR A COMPREHENSIVE RENOVATION SCHEME INITIATED BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE.
THE THREE-PHASE RENOVATION, WHICH STARTED LAST AUGUST, HAS BEEN MAKING STEADY PROGRESS. THE CONDITION OF THE BUILDINGS WILL BE GREATLY IMPROVED ON COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT.
THE GOVERNOR THEN VISITED A SITTING-OUT AREA AT NAM CHEONG STREET NULLAH DECK AND WAS TOLD THAT THE AREA WILL BE CONVERTED INTO A TEMPORARY MARKET TO FACILITATE THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE SHAM SHU1 PO MARKET AT PEI HO STREET.
"THE REDEVELOPMENT SCHEME WILL BE A MAJOR STEP FORWARD IN RESOLVING HAWKING PROBLEMS IN THE AREA," SIR DAVID SAID. HE WAS TOLD THAT THE SITTING-OUT AREA WILL BE BACK IN PLACE BY 1997 FOLLOWING RECONSTRUCTION OF THE NAM CHEONG STREET NULLAH DECK.
SIR DAVID THEN TOURED THE NEW NAM CHEONG ESTATE, COMPLETED IN EARLY 1989. "THE ESTATE HAS WELL-DESIGNED ACCOMMODATION AND MANY COMMUNITY FACILITIES. IT IS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUING EFFORTS TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS FOR THOSE WHO LIVE IN SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT," SIR DAVID SAID.
BEFORE LEAVING THE DISTRICT, THE GOVERNOR MET MEMBERS OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD AND LOCAL PERSONALITIES AT THE NAM CHEONG DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE.
SIR DAVID WAS ACCOMPANIED ON THE VISIT BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN; SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALAN FUNG; AND SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR TAI TUNG-NGOK.
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/10 .......
THURSDAY, JULY 19
>0
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JOINT EFFORTS TO HELP STREET SLEEPERS * * * * *
>01 NT GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES COMMITTEE HAS BEEN SET UP TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO STREET SLEEPERS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE HOME OF LOVE OF THE MISSIONARIES OF CHARITY AT NAM CHEONG ESTATE, SHAM SHUI PO.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAD SPECIAL TEAMS TO CONTACT STREET SLEEPERS INDIVIDUALLY AND TO HELP THEM TO FIND SUITABLE ACCOMMODATION OR TO ENTER INSTITUTIONS.
"WE HAVE HAD SOME SUCCESS, AND THE NUMBER OF STREET SLEEPERS WITH THE DEPARTMENT HAS REDUCED FROM 1,300 TO 1,000."
SIR DAVID SAID SIX MORE SHELTER HOMES HAD BEEN SET UP RECENTLY FOR STREET SLEEPERS AND OTHER HOMELESS PEOPLE.
"THE EXPERIENCE IN HONG KONG AND OVERSEAS IS THAT WHILST THESE SHELTER HOMES CANNOT ON THEIR OWN RESOLVE THE COMPLEX PROBLEMS OF THE PEOPLE, THE SHELTER PROVIDES THEM WITH A LIFELINE FOR KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH THE COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG COULD BE PROUD OF ITS MANY ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ACHIEVEMENTS, SUCH AS THE NEW TOWNS, MODERN TRANSPORT FACILITIES, THE HOUSING PROGRAMME AND RISING EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS, BUT RAPID DEVELOPMENT HAD ALSO BROUGHT WITH IT THE STRESSES AND STRAINS OF A MODERN SOCIETY.
"ALTHOUGH OUR SOCIAL SERVICES ARE EXTENSIVE AND WE CAN BE PROUD OF THE STANDARDS THEY ACHIEVE, THERE ARE STILL GROUPS OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS - SUCH AS THE HOMELESS AND STREET SLEEPERS FOR WHOM A COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE IS NOT YET AVAILABLE," HE SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID MANY OF THEIR PROBLEMS WERE COMPLEX AND DEEP-ROOTED, AND THEY DTD NOT FIT EASILY INTO THE CONVENTIONAL FACILITIES WHICH WERE PROVIDED.
ON THE WORK OF THE SISTERS OF MISSIONARIES OF CHARITY, SIR DAVID NOTED THAT THEY NOT ONLY PROVIDED PHYSICAL SHELTER TO STREET SLEEPERS, BUT DID SO WITH THE COMPASSION AND UNDERSTANDING WHICH WAS SO CRUCIAL TO BRING STREET SLEEPERS OUT OF ISOLATION AND BACK INTO THE FOLD OF THE COMMUNITY.
SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1985, THE HOME OF LOVE HAS SERVED ABOUT 600 HOMELESS ADULTS, PARTICULARLY THE OLD, THE INFIRM AND THE UNDERPRIVILEGED.
PREVIOUSLY LOCATED AT THE SHAM SHUI PO EX-ARMY CAMP UNTIL APRIL THIS YEAR, THE HOME HAS BEEN REPROVISIONED TO NAM CHEONG ESTATE TO MAKE WAY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC HOUSING IN THE CAMP SITE.
/THE NEW ........
THURSDAY, JULY 19, 1990
11
THE NEW HOME HAS A CAPACITY OF 70 FOR THE HOMELESS WHO ARE IN NEED OF TEMPORARY SHELTER, CARE AND CONCERN.
AS A GESTURE OF ITS CHARITABLE MOVE AND COMMUNITY SERVICE, THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB (CHARITIES) LIMITED HAS MADE A DONATION 01 $1.36 MILLION FOR THE FITTING-OUT AND REFURBISHMENT OF THE HOME 01 LOVE AT ITS EXISTING PREMISES WHERE IT CAN CONTINUE WITH ITS SERVICE FOR THE DESTITUTE.
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CAREERS SEMINAR FOR POST- <CONDARY GRADUATES
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL ORGANISE A CAREERS SEMINAR NEXT MONTH SPECIFICALLY FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS GRADUATES WITH POST-SECONDARY QUALIFICATIONS TO MEET THEIR EMPLOYMENT NEEDS.
THE SEMINAR IS AIMED AT EQUIPPING PARTICIPANTS WITH THE NECESSARY JOB-HUNTING SKILLS AND PROVIDING THEM WITH UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON THE JOB MARKET.
"IT WILL COMPRISE TALKS ON BASIC JOB-HINTING TECHNIQUES SUCH AS CHOOSING THE RIGHT CAREERS, WRITING APPLICATION LETTER AND RESUME AS WELL AS ATTENDING JOB INTERVIEWS," LABOUR OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT’S HIGHER EDUCATION EMPLOYMENT SERVICE (HEES), MRS MIRANDA LAM, SAID.
"OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE CAREERS IN BANKING, ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING AND BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND MARKETING.
"THE TALKS AND RELATED WORKSHOPS WILL BE CONDUCTED BY SPECIALISTS FROM WELL-ESTABLISHED COMPANIES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR," SHE ADDED.
ADMISSION TO THE SEMINAR, WHICH WILL BE HELD ON AUGUST 11 AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, IS FREE.
APPLICATION FOR ENROLMENT CAN NOW BE MADE AT THE HEES ON THE SIXTH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, OR BY TELEPHONING 852 3232 OR 852 3234.
THE HEES PROVIDES FREE EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE TO BOTH EMPLOYERS AND JOB-SEEKERS WITH POST-SECONDARY OR RECOGNISED PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS.
"OVERSEAS STUDENTS OF HONG KONG ORIGIN WHO WISH TO RETURN AND WORK IN THE TERRITORY MAY ALSO REGISTER FOR ASSISTANCE IN WRITING," MRS LAM SAID.
"WE NOW SEND A MONTHLY PUBLICATION ’PRIME JOBS IN HONG KONG’ TO SOME 600 OVERSEAS UNIVERSITIES, TERTIARY INSTITUTES AND STUDENT BODIES TO HELP HONG KONG STUDENTS LOOKING FOR JOBS HERE.
"ANOTHER PUBLICATION 'CANDIDATE PROFILE* WHICH CONTAINS ESSENTIAL PARTICULARS OF SELECTED REGISTRANTS IS DISTRIBUTED TO SOME 1,000 EMPLOYERS EVERY MONTH,” SHE SAID.
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/12
THURSDAY, JULY 19, 1990
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ID CARD REMINDER FOR MEN BORN IN 1917 OR BEFORE *****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED MEN BORN IN 1917 OR BEFORE TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS BEFORE AUGUST 11.
"TO AVOID THE LAST-MINUTE RUSH, MEN OF THIS AGE GROUP WHO HAVE NOT YET APPLIED FOR A NEW IDENTITY CARD SHOULD COME FORWARD WITHOUT DELAY," A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"FAILURE TO APPLY FOR A NEW IDENTITY CARD WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD IS AN OFFENCE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $3,000," HE ADDED.
APPLICANTS CAN GO TO ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICES TO REPLACE THEIR IDENTITY 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 I
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
THURSDAY, JULY 19, 1990
- 13 -
SHEUNG SHUI : TSUEN WO TAI LAU, GROUND FLOOR, 82-84 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI TEL. NO. 672 7191
ENQUIRIES ABOUT DETAILS OF THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED MAY BE MADE ON THE 24-HOUR RECORDED MESSAGE SERVICE, 824 0303.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
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REPORT ON 1988 SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS ON SALE ■ ******
A STATISTICAL REPORT ENTITLED "1988 SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS" HAS RECENTLY BEEN PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AND IS NOW ON SALE AT $26 PER COPY.
IT IS ONE IN A SERIES OF REPORTS PUBLISHED ANNUALLY ON THE SURVEY.
THE REPORT CONTAINS A WIDE RANGE OF STATISTICS ON THE STRUCTURAL AND OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE INDUSTRIES FOR THE YEAR 1988, BASED ON THE DATA COLLECTED FROM ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED IN THESE ACTIVITIES.
BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS REFER TO THE INDUSTRIES OF BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION; REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT, LEASING, BROKERAGE AND MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT SERVICES; AND ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING AND PROJECT ENGINEERING SERVICES.
EXAMPLES OF THE STATISTICAL ITEMS INCLUDED IN THE REPORT ARE:
* NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES;
* GROSS OUTPUT, SERVICE INCOME AND OTHER INCOME;
* VALUE ADDED (A MEASURE OF CONTRIBUTION TO GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT);
* PURCHASE OF GOODS AND MATERIALS;
t OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES; AND
* GROSS ADDITIONS TO FIXED ASSETS.
/APART FROM .......
THURSDAY, JULY 19, 1990
- 14 -
APART FROM STATISTICS RELATING TO THE YEAR 1988, THE REPORT ALSO CONTAINS SOME SUMMARY STATISTICS FOR THE YEARS 1986 AND 1987 TO SHOW THE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE INDUSTRIES IN RECENT YEARS,
THE STATISTICS CONTAINED IN THE REPORT ARE USEFUL TO BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR POLICY FORMULATION, DECISION MAKING, ECONOMIC ANALYSIS AND MARKET RESEARCH.
COPIES OF THE REPORT MAY BE PURCHASED AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, FNTRAL OR AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES OUNTER, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 839 3204.
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YOUNG BRITONS VISIT HONG KONG *****
SIX YOUNG PEOPLE FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM ARE NOW IN HONG KONG FOR A THREE-WEEK VISIT UNDER THE COMMONWEALTH YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAMME.
THE YOUNG VISITORS, AGED BETWEEN 19 AND 24, ARE FROM THE COUNTY OF SOUTH GLAMORGAN IN WALES. THEY ARRIVED IN THE TERRITORY YESTERDAY.
THE GROUP CALLED ON THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION TODAY (THURSDAY), WHERE THEY WERE BRIEFED BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR BOWEN LEUNG, ON HONG KONG’S DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME AND THE FUNCTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
DURING THEIR STAY IN HONG KONG, THE GROUP WILL TOUR NEW TOWNS, PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL FACILITIES, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, YOUTH CENTRES, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES AND HOSPITALS.
THEY WILL ALSO VISIT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE POLICE FORCE, THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG BEFORE RETURNING TO THE UK ON AUGUST 8.
SINCE 1977, THE CNTA HAS BEEN CO-ORDINATING HONG KONG’S PARTICIPATION IN THE YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAMME, WHICH IS AIMED AT ENABLING YOUNG PEOPLE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN THE COMMONWEALTH THROUGH BILATERAL EXCHANGE VISITS.
SO FAR, 42 LOCAL YOUNG PEOPLE, SIX IN EVERY TWO YEARS, HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE UK, AND HONG KONG IN RETURN HAS RECEIVED 36 YOUNG FRIENDS FROM THE UK.
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/15 .......
THURSDAY, JULY 19, 1990
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YOUNG MUSICIANS TO PERFORM IN NORTH AMERICA ******
SIXTY-SIX OUTSTANDING MUSICIANS FROM THE HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA OF THE MUSIC OFFICE ARE GETTING READY FOR PERFORMANCES IN CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES LATER THIS MONTH.
AGED BETWEEN 12 AND 23, THE YOUNG MUSICIANS WILL VISIT VANCOUVER, SAN FRANCISCO AND LOS ANGELES FROM JULY 23 TO AUGUST 7 AS PART OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S INTERNATIONAL YOUTH CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMME.
UNDER THE BATON OF ITS MUSIC DIRECTOR, MR TONG LEUNG-TAK, AND ASSISTANT MUSIC DIRECTOR, MR HO MAN-CHUEN, THE ORCHESTRA WILL GIVE A SERIES OF PERFORMANCES IN THE THREE CITIES.
THERE WILL BE TWO FUND-RAISING CONCERTS IN VANCOUVER AND SAN FRANCISCO ON JULY 25 AND AUGUST 1 RESPECTIVELY. THE FUNDS RAISED WILL BE USED TO PROMOTE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES THERE.
"ALL OF US ARE VERY HAPPY AND EXCITED TO BE GIVEN THIS OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE CHINESE MUSIC TO THE PEOPLE OF NORTH AMERICA," THE TOUR DIRECTOR, MRS AGNES ALLCOCK, SAID AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (THURSDAY).
"TRADITIONAL CHINESE MUSIC IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF CHINESE CULTURE AND IS RECEIVING INCREASING RECOGNITION THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
"WE HOPE THE PERFORMANCES OF OUR MEMBERS WILL HELP PEOPLE IN CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES TO BETTER APPRECIATE CHINESE MUSIC," SHE SAID.
"A BOOKLET INTRODUCING CHINESE MUSIC AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS HAS BEEN PRINTED FOR THIS TOUR AND COPIES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO MUSIC LOVERS IN THESE TWO COUNTRIES," SHE ADDED.
THE YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA WAS FORMED IN 1978 TO PROVIDE ORCHESTRAL TRAINING TO YOUNG PEOPLE PRACTISING CHINESE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS IN HONG KONG.
"OVER THE YEARS, OUR MEMBERS’ PERFORMANCES IN THE UK, FRANCE, ISRAEL, SINGAPORE AND CYPRUS WERE HIGHLY ACCLAIMED BY MUSIC CRITICS AND CHINESE MUSIC LOVERS THERE," THE MUSIC DIRECTOR, MR TONG LEUNG-TAK, SAID.
HE SAID OVERSEAS PERFORMANCES WERE CERTAINLY A WAY TO BROADEN MEMBERS’ MUSICAL KNOWLEDGE AND APPRECIATION.
"MAKING MUSIC WITH YOUNG PEOPLE IS ALSO GREAT FUN - THEY ARE IMPROVING ALL THE TIME," MR TONG SAID.
THE ASSISTANT MUSIC DIRECTOR, MR HO MAN-CHUEN, SAID THE REPERTOIRE OF THE TOURING ORCHESTRA WILL COMPRISE 35 PIECES OF MUSIC RANGING FROM TRADITIONAL TO MODERN WORKS.
/"WE WILL .......
THURSDAY, JULY 19, 1990
- 16 -
"WE WILL TAKE ABOUT 120 MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH US. SOME OF THERE SUCH AS GUZHENG, SHENG, BIANQING AND BIANZHONG HAVE A HISTORY OF OVER 3,000 YEARS,” HE SAID.
THE MUSICAL DELEGATION WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON AUGUST 8.
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SEVEN IMMIGRATION OFFICERS ON OVERSEAS TRAINING *****
SEVEN OFFICERS OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WILL LEAVE LATER THIS MONTH AND IN AUGUST FOR TRAINING IN THE UNITED STATES, EUROPE AND JAPAN.
CHIEF IMMIGRATION OFFICERS MR CHAN TIN-LUN AND MR YIM KWAN-HOI WILL SPEND NINE MONTHS IN THE STUDY OF SYSTEM ANALYSIS, PROJECT PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY, USA.
CHIEF IMMIGRATION OFFICERS MR IP HON-TONG AND MR HUI CHIU-YIN, AND SENIOR IMMIGRATION OFFICERS MR CHOW LAP-KWOK AND MR WAI CHUEN WILL LEAVE FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM, NETHERLANDS AND WEST GERMANY ON AN EIGHT-WEEK STUDY OF THE IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES IN THESE COUNTRIES.
IMMIGRATION OFFICER MR TAM HON-CHUNG WILL TAKE UP A FOUR-MONTH TRAINING COURSE IN INFORMATION PROCESSING PERSONNEL (PERSONAL COMPUTER PROGRAMMING) IN JAPAN.
AT A BRIEFING TODAY (THURSDAY) BEFORE THE OFFICERS’ DEPARTURE, THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR LAURENCE LEUNG, URGED THE OFFICERS TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO WIDEN THEIR HORIZON AND TO ACHIEVE SELF ENRICHMENT.
HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO OFFICERS RECEIVING OVERSEAS TRAINING AS WELL AS ESTABLISHING CONTACTS WITH AND LEARNING FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF FOREIGN IMMIGRATION SERVICES.
’’THE STUDY TRIPS WILL ASSIST OFFICERS IN SELF DEVELOPMENT AND ENABLE THEM TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE DIFFERENT CULTURAL AND SOCIAL BACKGROUND OF OVERSEAS VISITORS WHOM THEY MET IN THE COURSE OF THEIR DUTIES,” HE SAID.
’’THE DEPARTMENT FULLY RECOGNISES THE LONG TERM BENEFITS THAT CAN BE ACHIEVED THROUGH THESE STUDY TRIPS AND EVERY EFFORT IS MADE TO PROVIDE OFFICERS WITH SUCH OPPORTUNITIES, DESPITE STAFF SHORTAGE DUE TO RECRUITMENT AND WASTAGE PROBLEMS," HE ADDED.
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/17........
THURSDAY, JULY 19, 1990
- 17 -
ILLEGAL STRUCTURE IN WAN CHAI TO BE CLOSED
******
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE AN ILLEGAL STRUCTURE AT THE REAR LANE OF 118 JAFFE ROAD, WAN CHAI SO THAT IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND TO THE PUBLIC.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON SEPTEMBER 20 THIS YEAR WAS POSTED ON A CONSPICUOUS PART OF THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURE TODAY (THURSDAY).
UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE, A CLOSURE ORDER IS REQUIRED BEFORE THE DEMOLITION CAN BE CARRIED OUT.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
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NAM CHEONG STREET HALF-WAY HOUSE ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA *****
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY WELFARE COMMITTEE WILL SEEK DETAILS OF THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSAL TO BUILD A HALF-WAY HOUSE AT NAM CHEONG STREET FOR EX-MENTAL PATIENTS AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY REPORT. THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR TSANG HING-KAY, WILL BE PRESENT TO BRIEF MEMBERS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY WELFARE COMMITTEE MEETING TO BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE SHEK KIP MEI COMMUNITY HALL, BLOCK 42, SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE, NAM CHEONG STREET.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM.
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/18
THURSDAY, JUI 19, 1990
- 18 -
INSTALLATION OF PARKING METERS IN KWAI CHUNG
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT PARKING METERS WILL BE INSTALLED AT THE OFF-STREET PARKING SPACES IN SHEUNG KOK STREET OUTSIDE BLOCK 6 OF KWAI CHUNG ESTATE. THE PARKING METERS WILL COMMENCE OPERATION IN THREE STAGES:
« STAGE ONE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JULY 21), INVOLVING 30 METERS;
* STAGE TWO WILL BEGIN OPERATION FROM 10 AM ON JULY 28,
INVOLVING 27 METERS;
* STAGE THREE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 10 AM ON AUGUST 4
INVOLVING 20 METERS.
THE TYPE OF PARKING METERS WILL BE TWO-HOUR METERED PARKING SPACES FOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN MEDIUM AND HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES, BUSES, MOTOR CYCLES AND PEDAL CYCLES. IT WILL OPERATE FROM 8 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, AND THE CHARGE WILL BE $1 FOR EVERY 30 MINUTES.
------0-----------
URBAN CLEARWAY IN WAN CHAI *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JULY 21), THE SECTION OF CONVENTION AVENUE BETWEEN FLEMING ROAD AND TONNOCHY ROAD WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EXISTING URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY ON THE ABOVE SECTION OF CONVENTION AVENUE WILL BE CANCELLED.
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/19 .......
THURSDAY, JULY 19, 1990
- 19 -
URBAN CLEARWAY IN YUEN LONG *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JULY 21), THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF ROADS WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY 24 HOURS DAILY:
* THE NORTHBOUND KERBSIDE LANE OF FUNG KAM STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH FUNG HEUNG STREET AND A POINT APPROXIMATELY 25 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
* THE WESTBOUND KERBSIDE LANE OF FUNG HEUNG STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH FUNG KAM STREET AND A POINT APPROXIMATELY 100 METRES FROM THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
-----0------
URBAN CLEARWAYS ON TAI HA STREET
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JULY 21), THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF TAI HA STREET IN KWAI CHUNG WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY:
* THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF THE SECTION OF TAI HA STREET
BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH TAI WO HAU ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT
100 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
* THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF THE SECTION OF TAI HA STREET
BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH TAI WO HAU ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT
55 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREAS, ALL MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEPT THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING FOR PASSENGERS AND GOODS.
THE EXISTING 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT URBAN CLEARWAY ON THE TWO KERBSIDE LANES OF THE SECTION OF TAI HA STREET BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH TAI WO HAU ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 55 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE CANCELLED.
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/20
THURSDAY, JULY 19, 1990
- 20 -
URBAN CLEARWAYS IN KWAI CHUNG ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JULY 21), THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF KWAI CHUNG ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH WO TONG TSUI STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 230 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY 24 HOURS DAILY.
WITHIN THE RESTRICTED AREA, ALL MOTOR VEHICLES EXCEPT THOSE (TH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM STOPPING FOR PASSENGERS AND GOODS.
THE EXISTING 24-HOUR RESTRICTED AREA ON THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF KWAI CHUNG ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH WO TONG TSUI STREET AND A POINT ABOUT 65 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE CANCELLED.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF THE SECTION OF LAI KING HILL ROAD FROM A POINT OPPOSITE LAI WAN GARDEN TO A POINT ABOUT 380 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH LAI WAN ROAD WILL ALSO BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY 24 HOURS DAILY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, JULY 20, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ENABLING LEGISLATION FOR 1991 ELECTIONS ............................................ 1
1HK'S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 1989’ PUBLISHED ..............................
COMPANIES REGISTRY RELEASED HALF-YEARLY FIGURES .................................... 5
7
CANING: THING OF THE PAST ...................................................
ACTIVE VOLUNTARY SECTOR HELPFUL TO SERVE COMMUNITY ................................. 7
POLICE STATEMENT ABOUT VBP AT HIGH ISLAND ........................................... 8 .
CAREERS EDUCATION TO KEEP PACE WITH CHANGES ....................................... 10
PRIORITIES FOR MARINE DEPARTMENT FOR 1990 HIGHLIGHTED .............................. H
TAI A CHAU FISH CULTURE ZONE DEGAZETTED............................................ 12
MORE ASSISTANCE FOR DAY NURSERY SERVICE .....................................
POP CONCERT TO PROMOTE VOTER REGISTRATION ......................................... 14
EDUCATIONAL TALKS FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND BOAT PEOPLE ......................... 14
ALLEN LEE TO OFFICIATE AT YOUTH SERVICE DAY ....................................... 15
DRAFT OZP REFERRED BACK FOR AMENDMENT ............................................. 16
REAR STAIRCASES OF FOUR POST-WAR BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS ..................... 16
EXHIBITIONS ON EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE .........................................
DRAINAGE CHANNEL TO BE CONSTRUCTED NEAR TAN KWAI TSUEN ............................ 18
PROPOSED RECLAMATIONS AT PO TOI ISLAND AND KWAI CHUNG.............................. 18
LAND RESUMPTION FOR COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT ..................................... 19
STATUTORY REQUIREMENT FOR DISPLAY OF FARE TABLES IN TAXIS ......................... 19
20 FIGHT BEACH CRIME DRIVE IN SOUTHERN .........................................
21 FIRING PRACTICE IN AUGUST....................................................
FRIDAY, JULY 20, 1990
- 1 -
ENABLING LEGISLATION FOR 1991 ELECTIONS *»»*»»«
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBLISHED SIX BILLS PROVIDING i NECESSARY LEGISLATION FOR THE THREE SETS OF ELECTIONS WHICH WILL TAI PLACE IN 1991.
REGARDING ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE LEGISLATIVE FRA! WORK HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE SINCE 1982 AND THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 SEEKS TO EXPAND THE SCOPE OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE DIRECT ELECTIONS.
THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO CLARIFY THE LIST OF DISQUALIFYING OFFI ES IN THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS ORDINANCE FOR THE PURPOSES OF BEING ELECTED OR NOMINATED AS A CANDIDATE FOR OR HOLDING OFFICE AS A MEMEJR OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, A MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OR DISTRICT BOARD.
FIRSTLY, THE TERM "PUBLIC OFFICE" IN THE EXISTING DISQUALIFICATION WILL BE REPLACED BY REFERENCES TO OFFICES IN THE CIVIL SERVICE AND THE JUDICIAL SERVICE, THE ARMED FORCES AND IN A SCHEDULE OF SPECIFIC OFFICES WHICH SHOULD BE DISQUALIFIED ON ACCOUNT OF THE INDEPENDENT NATURE OF THE PUBLIC FUNCTIONS THEY PERFORM.
SECONDLY, THE BILL PROVIDES THAT A PERSON IN THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ALSO BE DISQUALIFIED. AT PRESENT ONLY THOSE EMPLOYED BY THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ARE DISQUALIFIED.
THIRDLY, THE BILL SEEKS TO REMOVE THE EXISTING DISQUALIFICATION ON GROUNDS OF DISMISSAL FROM THE GOVERNMENT OR THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, WHICH IS CONSIDERED TOO HARSH AS OTHER DISQUALIFICATIONS ARE BASED ON MORE SERIOUS OFFENCES SUCH AS A SENTENCE OF IMPRISONMENT AND CONVICTION OF CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES.
FOURTHLY, THE BILL SEEKS TO CLARIFY THAT THE CHAIRMEN AND VICE-CHAIRMEN OF THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ARE NOT EMPLOYEES OF THE COUNCILS.
THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES TO BRING FORWARD THE STATUTORY PERIOD FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ELECTORS FOR GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES TO APRIL AND MAY EACH YEAR, COINCIDING WITH THAT FOR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE OBJECTIVE WAS TO SYNCHRONISE THE REGISTRATION OF ELECTORS IN THE GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES AND FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AND TO ENABLE ELIGIBLE PERSONS TO REGISTER IN BOTH CATEGORIES OF CONSTITUENCIES AT THE SAME TIME.
OTHER MAJOR AMENDMENTS TO THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS ORDINANCE AIM TO DEAL WITH FALSE REGISTRATION OF ELECTORS, WHICH IS ONE OF THE PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED IN PREVIOUS ELECTIONS TO THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS.
"THE BILL PROPOSES TO MAKE IT A MANDATORY REQUIREMENT UNDER THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE A RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS FOR REGISTRATION PURPOSES TO ENABLE THE REGISTRATION OFFICER TO DEAL WITH FALSE REGISTRATIONS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/"IT IS .......
FRIDAY, JU1 '0, 1990
- 2 -
"IT IS ALSO PROPOSED THAT ANY DELIBERATE ATTEMPT BY AN APPLICANT TO FALSELY REGISTER AS AN ELECTOR SHOULD DISQUALIFY HIM OR HER FROM BOTH REGISTRATION AS A VOTER AND FROM STANDING FOR ELECTION."
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVISIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 SEEKS TO AMEND THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR THE REMOVAL OF ELECTORAL COLLEGE CONSTITUENCIES, THE CREATION OF THE ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, THE CLARIFICATION OF THE DISQUALIFYING OFFICES FOR NOMINATION AND ELECTION AS PROPOSED UNDER THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL, AND THE lMULTANEOUS REGISTRATION IN A GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCY AND A FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY.
THE AMENDMENT BILL ALSO SEEKS TO DEFINE THE ELECTORATE FOR THE SEVEN NEW FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES FOR 1991, NAMELY, THE URBAN COUNCIL, REGIONAL COUNCIL, TOURISM, FINANCIAL SERVICES, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE, RURAL INTERESTS AND ENGINEERING. ? ”?
>
THE URBAN COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1990, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1990 AND THE DISTRICT BOARDS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 SEEK MAINLY TO APPLY THE CLARIFICATION OF DISQUALIFYING OFFICES PROPOSED UNDER THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 TO THE APPOINTED AND EX-OFFICIO MEMBERSHIP OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, REGIONAL COUNCIL AND DISTRICT BOARD AND TO EXTEND TO EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS THE FULL RANGE OF DISQUALIFICATIONS APPLICABLE TO AN ELECTED OR APPOINTED MEMBER.
"THE INTENTION OF THESE AMENDMENTS IS TO APPLY THE DISQUALIFICATION UNIFORMLY TO DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF MEMBERSHIP ON THE THREE TIERS OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT," THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 SEEKS TO INCREASE THE PENALTY LEVELS UNDER THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT TO DEAL WITH VOTERS GIVING A FALSE ADDRESS, IT IS PROPOSED THAT FRAUDULENT VOTING ON THE BASIS OF FALSE REGISTRATION BE MADE AN OFFENCE. i-
IN VIEW OF A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS OF FALSE CLAIMS OF SUPPORT IN CANDIDATES’ PUBLICITY ACTIVITIES, IT IS PROPOSED THAT A FURTHER DETERRENT SHOULD BE INTRODUCED IN THE FORM OF A PRISON SENTENCE. THIS WOULD BE THREE MONTHS ON SUMMARY CONVICTION AND SIX MONTHS ON CONVICTION ON INDICTMENT, IN ADDITION TO FINES OF $2,500 AND $5,000 RESPECTIVELY.
FOLLOWING A REVIEW OF THE LEVEL OF FINES AND TERMS OF IMPRISONMENT FOR CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES, IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE PENALTIES FOR THESE OFFENCES BE INCREASED TO REFLECT CURRENT MONETARY VALUES.
THE SIX AMENDMENT BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JULY 25.
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/3 ........
FRIDAY, JULY 2( . '990
- 3 -
’HK’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 1989’ PUBLISHED
*****
MO' ‘ THAN HALF (66.9 PER CENT) OF HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURERS CONSIDERED HONG KONG’S OVERALL MANUFACTURING INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT TO BE FAVOURABLE, ACCORDING TO A SAMPLE SURVEY CARRIED OUT BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ift THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1989.
THOSE WHO FELT IT WAS UNFAVOURABLE STOOD AT 40.4 PER CENT WHILE THE REMAINING 2.7 PER CENT HAD NO COMMENT.
RESULTS OF THE SURVEY WERE CONTAINED IN THE LATEST EDITION OF AN ANNUAL PUBLICATION ENTITLED "HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 1989" WHICH WAS PUBLISHED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE SURVEY WAS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND TO BE CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S DATA AND SERVICES DIVISION AND THE INTENTION WAS TO CARRY OUT SIMILAR SURVEYS ANNUALLY IN FUTURE.
"THE SURVEY WAS AIMED AT DISCOVERING HOW MANUFACTURERS SAW THEIR BUSINESS PROSPECTS IN 1990, WHAT THEY THOUGHT OF HONG KONO’S INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT, AND WHETHER THEY SAW ANY CONSTRAINTS ON THE GROWTH OF THEIR INDUSTRIES," HE SAID.
THE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED BETWEEN JUNE AND SEPTEMBER 1989 AND COVERED 6,761 SAMPLED ESTABLISHMENTS IN 14 SELECTED MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, NAMELY, CLOTHING, ELECTRONICS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS, TEXTILES, PLASTICS, TOYS, JEWELLERY, METAL PRODUCTS, HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES, PHOTOGRAPHIC GOODS, OPTICAL GOODS, PRINTING, INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY, AND FOOD AND BEVERAGES.
QUESTIONNAIRES WERE SENT TO THESE ESTABLISHMENTS TO SOLICIT THEIR VIEWS AND A TOTAL OF 1,832 VALID RETURNS WERE RECEIVED.
ON THE FAVOURABILITY OF INVESTMENT FACTORS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID 12 OF THE 20 INVESTMENT FACTORS LISTED IN THE QUESTIONNAIRE RECEIVED FAVOURABLE RATING FROM MORE THAN HALF THE RESPONDENTS.
"THE TOP FOUR WERE HONG KONG’S BANKING AND FINANCIAL FACILITIES (CITED BY 80.2 PER CENT OF RESPONDENTS), INFRASTRUCTURE (79.9 PERCENT), GOVERNMENT ECONOMIC POLICY (70.4 PER CENT) AND REGIONAL LOCATION (70.2 PER CENT).." HE SAID.
SURVEYED MANUFACTURERS WERE ALSO ASKED TO GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON WHAT CONSTRAINTS THEY PERCEIVED ON THE GROWTH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE INDUSTRIES, AND HOW SERIOUS THESE CONSTRAINTS WERE.
"LABOUR SHORTAGE AND HIGH LABOUR COST WERE IDENTIFIED AS VERY SERIOUS CONSTRAINTS BY 40 PER CENT AND 38.6 PER CENT OF RESPONDENTS RESPECTIVELY.
/"OTHER SERIOUS
FRIDAY, JULY 20, ’
"OTHER SERIOUS CONSTRAINTS INCLUDED HIGH COSTS OF INDUSTRIAL PREMISES, HIGH LABOUR TURNOVER, AND HIGH COSTS OF RAW MATERIALS AND PARTS AND COMPONENTS," HE SAID.
ON THE BUSINESS OUTLOOK-ON MARKETS, MOST RESPONDENTS FELT THAT THEIR SALES TO ALL MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF CHINA, WOULD INCREASE OR REMAIN STABLE.
"MANUFACTURERS WERE MOST OPTIMISTIC ABOUT JAPAN; 51.1 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS EXPECTED THAT EXPORTS TO JAPAN WOULD INCREASE IN 1990, 37.9 PER CENT SAID THERE WOULD BE NO CHANGE AND ONLY 11 PER CENT SAID THEY WOULD DECREASE," HE SAID.
"AS REGARDS CHINA, NEARLY HALF (46.3 PER CENT) OF THE RESPONDENTS EXPECTED EXPORTS TO CHINA WOULD DECREASE, WHILE 24.4 PER CENT AND 29.3 PER CENT OF THEM RESPECTIVELY FELT THAT EXPORTS WOULD INCREASE AND REMAIN UNCHANGED," HE ADDED.
THE "HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 1989", BEING PUBLISHED FOR THE SECOND TIME SINCE ITS INAUGURAL ISSUE LAST YEAR, IS AIMED AT PROVIDING AN OVERVIEW OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF MANUFACTURING IN HONG KONG SINCE THE WAR.
"PROFILES ARE GIVEN OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AS A WHOLE AND OF 14 SELECTED MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES WHICH HAVE BEEN CHOSEN EITHER BECAUSE THEY HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO HONG EONO’S DOMESTIC EXPORTS OR HAVE SHOWN RAPID GROWTH IN RECENT YEARS.
"EIGHT SMALLER MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES ARE ALSO COVERED IN THIS EDITION, NAMELY, THE BASIC METAL; CHEMICAL; FOOTWEAR; FURNITURE; HANDBAGS AND TRAVEL GOODS; LEATHER AND LEATHER PRODUCTS; PACKAGING PRODUCTS; AND PROFESSIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC, MEASURING AND CONTROLLING EQUIPMENT INDUSTRIES," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID MANUFACTURING WAS STILL THE LARGEST ECONOMIC SECTOR IN TERMS OF CONTRIBUTION TO EMPLOYMENT, ALTHOUGH ITS SHARE OF TOTAL EMPLOYMENT HAD DECLINED IN RECENT YEARS, FROM 49.7 PER CENT IN 1976 TO 33 PER CENT IN 1989.
IN TERMS OF PRODUCTION, HE SAID THE VALUE OF THE GROSS OUTPUT OF HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE GROWTH RATE OF 12.9 PER CENT FROM $136,628 MILLION IN 1981 TO $283,340 MILLION IN 1987. VALUE ADDED ROSE DURING THE SAME PERIOD AT AN AVERAGE ANNUAL RATE OF 13.2 PER CENT, FROM $36,049 MILLION IN 1981 TO $75,761 MILLION IN 1987.
ON THE OUTLOOK OF HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT AS A SMALL OPEN ECONOMY, HONG KONG WOULD ALWAYS BE SENSITIVE TO ANY CHANGES IN THE INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS WHICH AFFECTED TRADING CONDITIONS, OR SHIFTS IN MARKET AND PRODUCT DEMANDS.
/"THE FUTURE .......
FRIDAY, JULY 20, 1
5 -
"THE FUTURE PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES WILL REQUIRE CONTINUOUS PRODUCT UPGRADING AND MARKET DIVERSIFICATION. INDUSTRIES MUST ACHIEVE A TECHNOLOGICAL LEVEL WHICH WILL ENABLE THEM TO MOVE INTO HIGH VALUE-ADDED AND INNOVATIVE MERCHANDISE.
"OTHERWISE, THEY WILL NOT, IN THE LONG RUN, BE ABLE TO COMPETE SUCCESSFULLY AGAINST THE LOWER-COST PRODUCTS IN DEVELOPING ASIAN AND SOUTH EAST ASIAN ECONOMIES, OR AGAINST THE OTHER ASIAN NEWLY INDUSTRIALISED ECONOMIES IN MORE TECHNOLOGICALLY-ADVANCED MANUFACTURING PRODUCTION," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES COULD EXPECT SLOWER EXPORT GROWTH IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE, WHILE THE ECONOMIES OF ITS MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS ADJUSTED TO THE RECENT DOWNTURN IN THE WORLD’S ECONOMY. THE IMPACT OF CHINA’S AUSTERITY MEASURES ALSO MADE THE OUTLOOK LESS PROMISING FOR HONG KONO’8 DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA.
HOWEVER, HE SAID, AS WORLD TRADE GRADUALLY RECOVERED, HONG KONG’S EXPORTS SHOULD PICK UP AGAIN.
"WHETHER HONG KONG CAN MAINTAIN GROWTH THEREAFTER WILL DEPEND ON THE ABILITY OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR TO IMPROVE ITS PRODUCTIVITY AND TECHNOLOGY LEVELS, UPGRADE ITS PRODUCT QUALITY, AN# DIVERSIFY INTO OTHER MARKETS, PARTICULARLY IN EUROPE AND IN JAPAN AND THE DEVELOPING SOUTHEAST ASIAN ECONOMIES," HE SAID.
COPIES OF THE "HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 1989" ARB NOW AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE FROM THE INDUSTRIAL DATA SECTION OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AT ROOM 1412, 14TH FLOOR, OCEAN CENTRE, CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO GET A COPY ARE REQUESTED TO CALL AT THE ABOVE ADDRESS OR CONTACT MR M.O. CHEUNG ON TEL. 737 2409.
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COMPANIES REGISTRY RELEASED HALF-YEARLY FIGURES
******
GLEESON, INDICATED FOR THE
FIGURES RELEASED BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL, MR NOEL FOR THE COMPANIES REGISTRY OF HIS DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) INCREASES AS WELL AS DECREASES OF ACTIVITY IN VARIOUS AREAS FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THE CALENDAR YEAR 1990 BY COMPARISON WITH THE SAME
PERIOD OF 1989.
THE COMPANIES REGISTRY FIGURES SHOWED THAT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF COMPANIES ON THE REGISTER AT THE END OF JUNE 1990 AS COMPARED WITH THE TOTAL NUMBER AT THE END OF DECEMBER 1989 HAD INCREASED BY 5 PER CENT FROM 242,709 TO 253,804 WHILE THE NUMBER OF NEW COMPANIES REGISTERED DURING THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1990 HAD DECREASED 36 PER CENT FROM 19,500 TO 12,513 AS COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD OF 1989.
/THE TOTAL ......
FRIDAY, JULY 20, 1990
. - 6 -
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF OVERSEAS COMPANIES WHICH HAD ESTABLISHED A PLACE OF BUSINESS IN HONG KONG UNDER PART XI OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE AT THE END OF JUNE 1990 AS COMPARED WITH THE TOTAL NUMBER AT THE END OF DECEMBER 1989 INCREASED BY 4 PER CENT FROM 2,464 TO 2,569.
THE NUMBER OF NEW OVERSEAS COMPANIES ESTABLISHING A PLACE OF BUSINESS IN HONG KONG UNDER PART XI DURING THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1990 WAS 185, AN INCREASE OF 42 PER CENT OVER THE NUMBER OF SUCH COMPANIES DURING THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1989.
NO SEPARATE STATISTICS ARE MAINTAINED ON HOW MANY OVERSEAS COMPANIES INCORPORATE LOCAL SUBSIDIARIES OR TAKE UP A MAJORITY SHAREHOLDING IN A HONG KONG COMPANY.
IN THE FIRST HALF YEAR OF 1990 EXISTING COMPANIES INCREASED THEIR NOMINAL CAPITAL BY $16,388 MILLION, AN INCREASE OF 4 PER CENT OVER THE INCREASE OF $15,698 MILLION IN THE SAME PERIOD OF 1989, WHILE THE NOMINAL CAPITAL OF NEW COMPANIES INCORPORATED DURING JANUARY - JUNE 1990 DECREASED BY 8 PER CENT FROM $1,712 MILLION TO $1,577 MILLION COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED BY CHARGES REGISTERED ON THE ASSETS OF COMPANIES DECREASED BY 42 PER CENT FROM $56,695 MILLION TO $32,637 MILLION AND THE NUMBER OF CHARGES FILED IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1990 HAD DECREASED BY 16 PER CENT FROM 17,239 TO 14,467 OVER THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1989, WHILE THE AMOUNT REPAID ON CHARGES, AS EVIDENCED BY CERTIFICATES OF SATISFACTION, INCREASED BY 31 PER CENT FROM $6,832 MILLION TO $8,970 MILLION, AND THE NUMBER OF CERTIFICATES HAD DECREASED BY 13 PER CENT FROM 7,264 TO 6,345 IN THE SAME PERIOD.
DURING THE PERIOD A TOTAL OF 72 PROSPECTUSES OF PUBLIC COMPANIES, INCLUDING 51 IN RESPECT OF MUTUAL FUNDS, WERE APPROVED AS AGAINST 50 PROSPECTUSES, INCLUDING 18 IN RESPECT OF MUTUAL FUNDS, DURING THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN 1989.
THE NUMBER OF DOCUMENTS RECEIVED FOR FILING DURING THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1990 AS COMPARED WITH THAT FOR THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989 DECREASED BY 18 PER CENT FROM 510,349 TO 416,120.
THE NUMBER OF ENQUIRIES FOR AVAILABILITY OF RESERVATION OF NAMES DURING THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1990 WAS 85,292 WHICH WAS A DECREASE OF 27 PER CENT OVER THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN 1989 WHEN 116,970 ENQUIRIES WERE MADE, BUT WAS AN INCREASE OF 10 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE FIGURE OF 77,796 ENQUIRIES MADE DURING THB SECOND SIX MONTHS OF 1989.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SUMMONSES ISSUED BY THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES AGAINST COMPANIES AND THEIR DIRECTORS FOR BREACHES OF THB COMPANIES ORDINANCE, MAINLY FOR FAILURE TO FILE ANNUAL RETURNS WITH ACCOUNTS, IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1990 WAS 70, COMPARED WITH 103 DURING THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989. DURING THE PERIOD NINE SUMMONSES WERE WITHDRAWN (FOR EXAMPLE BECAUSE OF NON-SERVICE), 78 RESULTED IN CONVICTIONS COMPARED WITH 113 IN THE SAME PERIOD OF 1989 AND 66 REMAIN TO BE HEARD BY THE COURT (122 IN THE SAME PERIOD OF 1989).
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF FINES IMPOSED FOR CONVICTIONS IN THE FIRST HALF YEAR OF 1990 WAS $172,160, COMPARED WITH $300,960 IN THB CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN 1989.
------0-------
FRIDAY, JULY 20, 1990
7 -
CANINO: THING OF THE PAST *****
PERSONS CONVICTED OF POSSESSING AN OFFENSIVE WEAPON WILL NO LONGER BE LIABLE TO CANING OR MANDATORY MINIMUM CUSTODIAL SENTENCES, UNDER PROPOSED LEGISLATION PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE CHANGE IS PROVIDED FOR UNDER THE PUBLIC ORDER (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, WHICH IS DUE TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 24.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT THE REMOVAL OF MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCES SHOULD NOT BE REGARDED AS A RELAXATION OF THE PENAL TREATMENT OF PERSONS CONVICTED OF POSSESSING AN OFFENSIVE WEAPON. TRENDS IN THIS OFFENCE WILL BE CLOSELY MONITORED AND THE MAXIMUM PENALTIES WILL BE REVIEWED IN DUE COURSE.
"CANING IS TO BE ABOLISHED BECAUSE IT IS A PUNISHMENT NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE IN TODAY’S SOCIETY AND ITS RETENTION IN THE STATUES WOULD BE CONTRARY TO THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THIS IS IN LINE WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION TO ABOLISH CORPORAL PUNISHMENT."
THE REMOVAL OF MANDATORY MINIMUM CUSTODIAL SENTENCES WAS TO ALLOW THE COURTS COMPLETE FREEDOM TO SENTENCE AS THEY SEE FIT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IT IS KNOWN THAT MAGISTRATES DISLIKE BEING DEPRIVED OF THE FLEXIBILITY OF TAILORING SENTENCES TO THE INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF OFFENCES AND OFFENDERS."
THE GOVERNMENT WILL ALSO BE ENACTING A CORPORAL PUNISHMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 AND SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION TO REPEAL CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IN ALL OTHER ORDINANCES.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT BOTH BILLS WILL BE ENACTED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
------0-------
ACTIVE VOLUNTARY SECTOR HELPFUL TO SERVE COMMUNITY
*******
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID IT IS FORTUNATE TO HAVE IN HONG KONG THE BENEFIT OF AN ACTIVE VOLUNTARY SECTOR TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY.
SPEAKING AT THE CIVIC RECEPTION OF THE AGENCY FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICE TO COMMEMORATE ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY, SIR DAVID COMMENDED THE AGENCY AS A PIONEER IN HONG KONG IN DEVELOPING VOLUNTEER WELFARE SERVICES.
/"THE PRINCIPLE ......
FRIDAY, JULY 20, 1990
- 8 -
’’THE PRINCIPLE OF THE PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKER AND THE VOLUNTEERS FORMING AN INTEGRAL TEAM TO PROVIDE SERVICES IS A MOST IMPORTANT ONE.
”1 AM PLEASED TO SEE THAT THE AGENCY HAS PROMOTED WITH SUCCESS THIS FINE TRADITION HERE IN HONG KONG,” SIR DAVID SAID.
HE NOTED THAT OVER 1,300 VOLUNTEERS WERE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN HELPING SOME 230 CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS AND THE WORK OF THE AGENCY EXTENDED TO ORGANISING ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH, SERVING THE ELDERLY AND THE DISABLED, AND ASSISTING IN THE REHABILITATION OF THE HANDICAPPED AND DRUG ADDICTS.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY ALSO CONGRATULATED THE AGENCY ON THE COMMISSIONING OF THE NEW CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY IN SAI YING PUN EARLIER THIS YEAR AND FOR INITIATING THE WOMEN VOLUNTEER IN ACTION PROGRAMME IN TAIKOO SHING.
"I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS PROJECT TO MOBILISE WOMEN’S GROUPS TO HELP SERVE THE ELDERLY IN THEIR NEIGHBOURHOODS HAS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL AND THAT THE AGENCY HAS PLANS TO EXTEND THIS TO OTHER DISTRICTS,” HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID VOLUNTEER WORK NOT ONLY HELPED THOSE WHO NEEDED THE SERVICE BUT JUST AS IMPORTANTLY IT BBNEFITTED THE VOLUNTEERS THEMSELVES, AND THROUGH THE CARE AND CONCERN GIVEN AND RECEIVED THE WHOLE COMMUNITY CAME CLOSER TOGETHER.
”1 HAVE NO DOUBT AT ALL, HAVING SPENT A LITTLE TIME WITH YOU THIS AFTERNOON, THAT THE AGENCY FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICE WILL GO FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH, AND I’D LIKE TO EXTEND TO ALL OF YOU WHO SUPPORT ITS WORK MY VERY BEST WISHES FOR THE FUTURE,” HE ADDED.
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POLICE STATEMENT ABOUT VBP AT HIGH ISLAND ******
IN
IN RESPONSE TO MEDIA REPORTS TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT VIBTNAMBSE ROAT PEOPLE WERE BEING IMPRISONED INDEFINITELY IN A SPECIAL ISOLATION hut\t high island, a police spokesman made the following statement :
THE WHICH OTHER
VIETNAMESE AT HIGH ISLAND HAVE A MAJOR INPUT INTO OF THE CENTRE BY MEANS OF THEIR OWN FORUM THROUGH rnMPrATNTS ARE RECEIVED REGARDING THE ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR OF ------- —• the COUMMUNITY. FOLLOWING MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATION OF THESE COMpZaIN^S AND POLICE INFORMATION ON THOSE INVOLVED IN DISTURBANCES, SOME PeSKe ARE MOVED TO AN AREA WHICH IS FENCED OFF FROM THE REST OF
THE
MANAGEMENT
MEMBERS OF
THE CENTRE BUT IS STILL PART OF IT.
/HIGH ISLAND .......
FRIDAY, JULY 20, 1990
- 9 -
HIGH ISLAND WAS DESIGNED WITH THIS FACILITY TO PREVENT THE PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED AT OTHER CENTRES WHERE SEPARATION FOR MANAGEMNT REASONS HAS NOT BEEN POSSIBLE, SUCH AS KAI TAK CAMP WHICH HAS BEEN CONSTANTLY BESET BY DISTURBANCES AND CRIME. AS A RESULT, THERE HAVE BEEN NO OUTBREAKS OF VIOLENCE OR CONFLICT BETWEEN ETHNIC GROUPS AT HIGH ISLAND IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT IT IS THE ONLY FULLY INTEGRATED DETENTION CENTRE IN HONG KONG, WITH A POPULATION OF ABOUT 6 700 BOAT PEOPLE.
THE DORMITORY BUILDING IN THE COMPOUND IS THE STANDARD DORMITORY WHICH IS THE SAME AS IN THE REST OF THE CENTRE. IT IS DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE 300 PEOPLE , AND AT PRESENT HOUSES ONLY 213 PEOPLE.
THE FACILITIES ARE THE SAME AS PROVIDED IN THE REST OF THE CENTRE. HOWEVER, AS THE DORMITORY IS LESS CROWDED THAN THE OTHER HUTS, THE PEOPLE THERE HAVE BETTER ACCESS TO SHOWERS, TOILET FACILITIES, RECREATIONAL EQUIPMENT AND TELEVISION.
FAMILIES ARE KEPT TOGETHER. CHILDREN HAVE FULL ACCESS TO KINDERGARTENS AND SCHOOLS AND THEY RECEIVE PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES FOR TRIPS TO COUNTRY PARKS AND OTHER SUCH VISITS OUTSIDE THE CENTRE. ALL FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE ACCESS TO MEDICAL TREATMENT AT THE CENTRE.
THERE IS UNRESTRICTED ACCESS TO VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND THE UNHCR, WHO PAY VISITS MORE FREQRENTLY THAN THEY DO TO OTHER PARTS OF THE CENTRE.
PEOPLE WHO ARE TRANSFERRED TO THE COMPOUND ARE INFORMED OF THE REASONS AND ARE TOLD THAT THE DURATION OF THEIR STAY WOULD BE SUBJECT TO REVIEW ON A REGULAR BASIS. THE REVIEW IS CONDUCTED BY THE CENTRE MANAGEMENT WITH A VIEW TO REINTEGRATING THE PEOPLE INTO THE MAIN PART OF THE CENTRE AS SOON AS IT IS DEEMED SUITABLE.
IT IS POSSIBLE, THEREFORE, FOR PEOPLE TO SPEND ONLY ONE WEEK IN THE COMPOUND, AND THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. THERE ARE ALSO CASES OF PEOPLE WHO REFUSE TO REJOIN THE REST OF THE CENTRE AFTER A SUCCESSFUL REVIEW.
THE LONGEST THAT A PERSON HAS REMAINED IN THE COMPOUND IS SEVEN MONTHS AND THE ONE PERSON IN QUESTION HAS REFUSED TO MOVE.
THERE IS A DORMITORY REPRESENTATIVE WHO HAS REGULAR MEETINGS WITH THE MANAGEMENT AND ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT TREATMENT BY THE CENTRE STAFF OR ABOUT FACILITIES CAN BE RAISED IN THESE FORUMS AS WELL AS TO VOLUNTARY AGENCY AND UNHCR REPRESENTATIVES.
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/10
FRIDAY, JULY 20,
1990
- 10 -
CAREERS EDUCATION TO KEEP PACE WITH CHANGES ******
XT IS NECESSARY FOR CAREERS TEACHERS TO MOTIVATE STUDENTS TO FACE THE CHALLENGES OF THE CHANGING WORLD OF CAREERS IN ORDER TO HELP THEM EXPLOIT THE OPPORTUNITIES OPEN TO THEM.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR TONY HAMMOND, TODAY (FRIDAY) AT THE OPENING OF AN ANNUAL SEMINAR ON CAREERS EDUCATION JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS AND GUIDANCE MASTERS.
HE SAID THE SEMINAR PROVIDED A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR CAREERS TEACHERS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS, SHARE EXPERIENCES AND DISCUSS PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED IN CAREERS GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING AND TO FIND SOLUTIONS TO THOSE PROBLEMS.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WAS COMMITTED TO PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE CAREERS SERVICE TO YOUNG PEOPLE MORE THAN EVER.
"WE ARE WATCHING CLOSELY NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FIELD OF CAREERS EDUCATION AND WILL UPGRADE OUR SERVICE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE CHANGING SOCIETY," HE STRESSED.
MR HAMMOND NOTED A NUMBER OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE (CAS), INCLUDING A YEAR-ROUND WORK ORIENTATION PROGRAMME, A REVISED MONTHLY CAREERS NEWSLETTER AND A NEW "CONCISE GUIDE TO A CAREERS PROGRAMME" FOR TEACHERS.
HE ALSO ENCOURAGED STUDENTS TO WATCH A SERIES OF 12 CAREERS FILMS PRODUCED BY THE CAS ON THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF CAREERS EDUCATION AND INDIVIDUAL TRADES, BEING SHOWN ON TVB JADE CHANNEL FROM 5.40 PM TO 6.15 PM EVERY MONDAY, UNTIL SEPTEMBER.
"WE WILL, MOREOVER, SET UP A FIFTH CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRE IN MONG KOK NEXT YEAR TO IMPROVE OUR SERVICE TO YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE KOWLOON WEST REGION," HE ADDED.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S OPENING WAS THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR JOHN WINFIELD.
MR WINFIELD DESCRIBED THE SEMINAR AS A WELL-ESTABLISHED POPULAR FORUM FOR IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION OF CAREERS EDUCATION WHICH TOOK INTO ACCOUNT HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND ITS IMPACT ON JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND CAREER CHOICE.
HE FELT THAT IN VIEW OF THE PRESENT PACE OF TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE 1997 DIMENSION FOR HONG KONG, THE SEMINAR HAD RIGHTLY FOCUSSED ON CAREERS ASPIRATIONS AND CHOICE IN THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD UP TO 1997.
/"CAREERS EDUCATION .......
FRIDAY, JULY 20, 1990
"CAREERS EDUCATION, IF IT IS TO BE OF BEAL PRACTICAL VALUE, CAN NEVER STAND STILL BECAUSE THE COMMUNITY WHICH IT SERVES IS CONSTANTLY ON THE MOVE," HE STRESSED.
NOTING THAT CAREERS EDUCATION MUST BE CENTRED ON STUDENTS’ INDIVIDUALITY AND LOOK BEYOND THE IMMEDIATE AND TANGIBLE, MR WINFIELD REMINDED CAREERS TEACHERS THEY MUST ALWAYS STRIVE TO HELP STUDENTS RECOGNISE THEIR POTENTIAL AND TO MORE FULLY UNDERSTAND THEIR PERSONALITY, INTERESTS, STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES.
"THIS WILL HELP STUDENTS MAKE FREE, VOLUNTARY, WELL-INFORMED AND REALISTIC CAREER CHOICES AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF THEIR LIVES," HE SAID.
MR WINFIELD ALSO ASSURED CAREERS TEACHERS OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S CONTINUED ASSISTANCE TO. HELP THEM KEEP ABREAST OF GUIDANCE WORK, PRTICULARLY THROUGH ITS CAREERS EDUCATION CENTRE WHICH PROVIDED USEFUL INFORMATION FOR TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND PARENTS.
- - 0-------
PRIORITIES FOR MARINE DEPARTMENT FOR 1990 HIGHLIGHTED «*»»*»*
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR MICHAEL C.C. SZE, SPOKE AT A KOWLOON NORTH ROTARY CLUB LUNCHEON TODAY (FRIDAY) ON THE SUBJECT OF THE WORK OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT AND ITS PRIORITIES FOR 1990.
MR SZE SAID THAT EVERYONE KNOWS HONG KONG HAS TWO MAIN ASSETS, ITS PORT AND ITS PEOPLE.
HE SAID HE WAS PROUD TO SAY THAT THE MARINE DEPARTMENT MANAGES ONE OF THEM.
MR SZE WENT ON TO LIKEN THE MARINE ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENT TO THE LAND ROLE OF SIX OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO SHOW THE WIDE SPECTRUM OF WORK UNDERTAKEN BY HIS DEPARTMENT.
HE HIGHLIGHTED THE SETTING UP OF THE INDEPENDENT HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER AS ONE OF THE MAIN PRIORITIES FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT FOR 199,0.
MR SZE POINTED OUT THAT EVERY MERCHANT SHIP MUST BE REGISTERED BEFORE IT CAN ENGAGE IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN THE SAME WAY AS A MOTOR VEHICLE MUST BE REGISTERED BEFORE IT CAN BE PUT ON THE ROAD.
OWNERS CAN CHOOSE WHERE TO REGISTER SHIPS AS MANY REGISTERS WERE NOT STRICTLY LINKED TO THE NATIONALS OF ONE COUNTRY.
HE WENT ON TO POINT OUT THAT HONG KONG HAS OPERATED A BRITISH REGISTER OF SHIPPING FOR OVER 100 YEARS BUT THE PROPOSED CHANGE IN 1997 MEANS THAT THIS REGISTER CAN NO LONGER CONTINUE.
/HE SAID .......
FRIDAY, JULY 20, 1990
- 12 -
HE SAID: "THE JOINT DECLARATION AUTHORISES THE SETTING UP OF A NEW REGISTER AND TO THIS END BANKERS, SHIPOWNERS AND SHIP MANAGERS, SEAFARERS’ UNIONS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES AND PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTES HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE SETTING UP OF A NEW REGISTER FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS."
THE NEW REGISTER WOULD BE REPUTABLE AS IT WOULD ENFORCE INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS, MR SZE SAID.
IT WOULD BE ATTRACTIVE AS IT MET MANY OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF LOCAL SHIPOWNERS AND SHIP MANAGERS.
. *"
IT WOULD BE PRACTICAL BECAUSE THERE WOULD BE NO NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS FOR CREWS OR RESTRICTIVE USE OF CERTAIN EQUIPMENT.
IT WOULD BE RESPONSIVE AS IT WOULD ALLOW SPEEDY REGISTRATION OF SHIPS WITH A GOOD PROFESSIONAL BACKUP FOR SURVEYS AND IT WOULD BE COMPETITIVE AS THE FEES AND CHARGES WOULD BE SET AT A REALISTIC LEVEL.
MR SZE CONCLUDED BY SAYING THAT LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH THE NEW REGISTER HAS RECEIVED THE APPROVAL OF THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL AND IS NOW BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION AND ENACTMENT WITH THE AIM OF COMMENCEMENT LATER THIS YEAR.
------0--------
TAI A CHAU FISH CULTURE ZONE DEGAZBTTED ♦ t » * * ♦
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THE REMOVAL OF TAI A CHAU FISH CULTURE ZONE FROM THE LIST OF AREAS OF WATERS DESIGNATED AS FISH CULTURE ZONES.
THE FISH CULTURE ZONE (DESIGNATION) (AMENDMENT) ORDER 1990 WAS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GAZETTE.
THE TAI A CHAU FISH CULTURE ZONE, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 6.6 HECTARES OFF THE SOKO ISLANDS, WAS DESIGNATED AS ONE OF THE 28 FISH CULTURE ZONES IN HONG KONG IN 1982, ACCORDING TO A SPOKESMAN OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
TWELVE MARICULTURISTS WERE LICENSED TO PRACTISE FISH CULTURE IN THE AREA.
"AS THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED EARLY THIS YEAR TO USB THE SOKO ISLANDS AS A PERMANENT VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE RECEPTION CENTRE, THE AREA WOULD POSSIBLY BE AFFECTED BY THE EXTENSION CONSTRUCTION WORKS AND THUS RENDER THE ZONE UNSUITABLE FOR FISH CULTURE.
/"IN VIEW ........
FRIDAY, JULY 20, 1990
13
"IN VIEW OF THIS, THE FINANCE BRANCH APPROVED A SUM OF $1.49 MILLION AS COMPENSATION FOR THE 12 MARICULTURISTS FOR FISH LOSSES RESULTING FROM THE USE OF TAI A CHAU AS A TEMPORARY HOLDING CENTRE FOR BOAT PEOPLE FROM JUNE TO AUGUST LAST YEAR AS WELL AS EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCES FOR TERMINATION OF THEIR BUSINESSES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE MARICULTURISTS ACCEPTED THE COMPENSATION AND EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE AND THEIR LICENCES CANCELLED," HE ADDED.
THE PAYMENT WAS MADE IN APRIL AND THE TAI A CHAU FISH CULTURE ZONE WAS DEGAZETTED TODAY.
------0-------
MORE ASSISTANCE FOR DAY NURSERY SERVICE
******
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS PROPOSED TO RAISE THE NONCONTRIBUTION BASELINE OF THE FEE ASSISTANCE SCHEME BY ONE-THIRD OF THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE BASIC SCALE LEVEL TO BENEFIT MORE LOW-INCOME FAMILIES REQUIRING DAY NURSERY SERVICE, THE ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR ALFRED CHUI, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE GRADUATION CEREMONY OF A GROUP OF CHILD CARE WORKERS AT LEE WAI LEE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, MR CHUI SAID THE ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL EXPENSES FOR THE PROPOSAL WOULD BE $10 MILLION IN 1990/91.
AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDS HAD BEEN FORWARDED TO THB FINANCE COMMITTEE AND WAS EXPECTED TO BE APPROVED BY THE END OF THIS MONTH, HE SAID.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS ALSO CONSIDERING ADOPTING A MORE FLEXIBLE APPROACH TO THE PROVISION OF DAY CRECHE SERVICE TO MEET SOCIAL CHANGES," MR CHUI SAID.
THESE INCLUDED THE POSSIBILITIES OF A PHASED EXPANSION OF DAY CRECHE PLACES AND SETTING UP DAY CRECHES IN NEW TOWNS, SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES.
MR CHUI SAID UNDER THIS NOTION, NEW DAY CRECHES SUCH AS CHILD CARE CENTRES WOULD BE PROVIDED WITH GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION FOR STARTING-UP COSTS, RENTAL, RATES AND RECURRENT EXPENDITURE.
"LOW-INCOME FAMILIES COULD APPLY FOR FEE ASSISTANCE, WHILE CRECHE SERVICE WOULD ALSO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO FAMILIES WHO COULD AFFORD THE FULL COST," HE ADDED.
MR CHUI SAID THERE WOULD BE CONTINUED EXPANSION OF DAY NURSERY PLACES TO MEET SOCIAL NEEDS.
"WHILE A WORKING RATIO OF 100 PLACES FOR 20,000 GENERAL POPULATION WILL CONTINUE, A TOTAL OF 1,600 PLACES HAS BEEN PLANNED THIS YEAR TO MEET THE DEMAND," HE SAID.
"AT PRESENT, THERE ARE ABOUT 300 DAY NURSERIES PROVIDING SOME 32,000 PLACES FOR CHILDREN AGED FROM TWO TO SIX," HE ADDED.
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/14......
FRIDAY, JULY 20, 1990
14
POP CONCERT TO PROMOTE VOTER REGISTRATION
*****
WELL-KNOWN LOCAL SINGERS AND MOVIE STARS WILL APPEAL TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO REGISTER AS VOTERS FOR NEXT YEAR’S ELECTIONS AT A CONCERT IN KWUN TONG ON SUNDAY (JULY 22).
THE CONCERT, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD AND RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG, WILL MARK THE OPENING OF RTHK’S SOLAR PROJECT ’90 WHICH CARRIES THE THEME OF "VOTER REGISTRATION".
ABOUT 5,000 "SUN AMBASSADORS" HAVE BEEN INVITED TO TAKE PART. THEY WILL ASSIST IN PROMOTING THE REGISTRATION CAMPAIGN TO BE LAUNCHED IN MID-AUGUST THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
THE CONCERT WILL BE HELD AT THE KWUN TONG RECREATION GROUND, TSUI PING ROAD, BEGINNING AT 1.30 PM. ADMISSION IS FREE.
THE PROGRAMME WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE ON RTHK RADIO 2 AND SCREENED ON TVB-JADE ON JULY 24 AT 7 PM.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CONCERT WILL BE OMELCO MEMBER MRS RITA FAN AND THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SOLAR PROJECT ’90 CONCERT WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 1.30 PM ON SUNDAY (JULY 22) AT THE KWUN TONG RECREATION GROUND, TSUI PING ROAD.
--------0-----------
EDUCATIONAL TALKS FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND BOAT PEOPLE
*******
A SERIES OF EDUCATIONAL TALKS TO DRIVE HOME THE ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE TO VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND BOAT PEOPLE HAS BEEN LAUNCHED BY THE NARCOTICS DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SOCIETY FOR THE AID AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG ABUSERS (SARDA).
STAFF FROM BOTH ORGANISATIONS VISITED THE ARGYLE STREET DETENTION CENTRE AND KAI TAK VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE (VBP) DETENTION CENTRE THIS WEEK.
• *
THEY WILL GO TO ANOTHER EIGHT VIETNAMESE CENTRES IN THE COMING SIX WEEKS.
/"THIS IS ......
FRIDAY, JULY 20, 1990
- 15 -
"THIS IS PART OF THE ANTI-DRUO CAMPAIGN FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND BOAT PEOPLE AND MORE ACTIVITIES WILL BE LAUNCHED LATER THIS YEAR," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NARCOTICS DIVISION SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE TALK COMPRISES TWO PARTS : A 20-MINUTE SLIDE SHOW ON PREVENTIVE DRUG EDUCATION, TO BE FOLLOWED BY A QUESTION-AND-ANSWER SESSION; AND A BRIEFING ON DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAMMES IN HONG KONG AND THE WORK OF SARDA.
IN ADDITION, INFORMATION CARDS AND POSTERS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO RESIDENTS AT THE CENTRES.
-----0-------
ALLEN LEE TO OFFICIATE AT YOUTH SERVICE DAY
*****
THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ALLEN LEE, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE YOUTH SERVICE DAY TO BE HELD AT THE LIONS . NATURE EDUCATION CENTRE IN TSIU HANG, SAI KUNG ON SUNDAY (JULY 22) AT 10 AM.
THE SERVICE DAY IS TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL INCLUDE THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG; DEPUTY SECRETARY (LANDS AND PLANNING), MR CLIVE OXLEY; DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING; DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE; AND GENERAL MANAGER OF HKTVB, MR KELLY CHENG.
MORE THAN 350 YOUNG PEOPLE FROM EIGHT DIFFERENT YOUTH GROUPS WILL TAKE PART IN VOLUNTARY SERVICES SUCH AS TREE PLANTING, GRASS CUTTING, PATH MAINTENANCE, MAKING OF FIRE BEATERS AS WELL AS PAINTING FENCES AND PLAY EQUIPMENT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE EVENT. TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED AND WILL LEAVE THE CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON AT 8.45 AM ON SUNDAY (JULY 22).
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/16
FRIDAY, JULY 20, 1990
- 16 -
DRAFT OZP REFERRED BACK FOR AMENDMENT
« * « « *
THE DRAFT MID-LEVELS WEST OUTLINE ZONING PLAN HAS BEEN REFERRED BACK TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION AND AMENDMENT.
THE DRAFT PLAN, TOGETHER WITH ALL UNWITHDRAWN OBJECTIONS, WAS SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL ON JULY 17 AS REQUIRED UNDBR THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE.
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL CONSIDERED THAT THE DRAFT PLAN WAS NOT YET READY FOR APPROVAL BECAUSE SOME FURTHER AMENDMENTS TO THE PLAN WERE REQUIRED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD SAID IT WAS QUITE COMMON FOR THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO REFER DRAFT PLANS CONSIDERED NOT YET READY FOR APPROVAL TO THE BOARD FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION AND AMENDMENT.
THE BOARD WOULD GIVE FURTHER CONSIDERATION TO THE DRAFT PLAN AND DECIDE WHAT AMENDMENTS WERE NECESSARY TO MEET THE PLANNING REQUIREMENTS OF THE MID-LEVELS AREA, HE ADDED.
UNDER THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE, ANY FURTHER AMENDMENTS TO THE PLAN AGREED BY THE BOARD WILL HAVE TO BE EXHIBITED FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AND ANY PERSONS AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENTS WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LODGE OBJECTIONS TO THE BOARD.
------0--------
REAR STAIRCASES OF FOUR POST-WAR BUILDINGS DECLARED DANGEROUS
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TODAY (FRIDAY) DECLARED REAR STAIRCASES TO FOUR BUILDINGS IN MONG KOK DANGEROUS.
THE
EXTERNAL
HE ALSO DECLARED THE FOUR EIGHT-STOREY BUILDINGS AT 136-144 (EVEN NUMBERS), SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET, LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.
IN A STATEMENT, THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THE BUILDINGS ARE POST-WAR REINFORCED CONCRETE FRAMED BUILDINGS WITH REINFORCED CONCRETE FLOORS AND ROOFS AND BRICK INFILL PANEL WALLS.
THE EXTERNAL STAIRCASES AT THE REAR SERVING THE SAID BUILDINGS ARE AT AN ADVANCED STAGE OF DETERIORATION WITH SEVERELY SPALLED AND CRACKED REINFORCED CONCRETE MEMBERS.
SUCH STAIRCASES ARE CONSIDERED TO BE BEYOND REASONABLE ECONOMIC REPAIR AND SHOULD THEREFORE BE CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED.
/THE REAR .......
FRIDAY, JULI 20, 1990
- 17 -
THE REAR PORTIONS OF THE MAIN BUILDINGS ARE ALSO BADLY DILAPIDATED AS EVIDENCED BY SPALLED CONCRETE BEAMS, CEILINGS AND WINDOW HOODS, LOOSE EXTERNAL RENDERING AND LOOSE INTERNAL PLASTER.
THERE ARE OTHER MINOR DEFECTS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE MAIN BUILDINGS.
THE DEMOLITION OF THE REAR STAIRCASES WILL RENDER THE BUILDINGS DANGEROUS BY REASON OF LACK OF ADEQUATE MEANS OF ESCAPE AND THEREFORE THE BUILDINGS THEMSELVES SHOULD ALSO BE CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED.
A BUILDING AUTHORITY SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEFECTS APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED IN PART BY LACK OF ADEQUATE MAINTENANCE BY THE OWNERS OF THE BUILDINGS OVER THE PRECEDING YEARS.
WHILST THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT UNDER TH17 BUILDINGS ORDINANCE TO COMPEL OWNERS TO CONTINUALLY MAINTAIN THEIR BUILDINGS, HE SAID A PRUDENT OWNER WOULD DO SO IN ORDER TO SAFEGUARD THE VALUE OF HIS PROPERTY.
HE FURTHER ADVISED THAT SHOULD THE OWNERS WISH TO REBUILD THE REAR STAIRCASES, THE BUILDING AUTHORITY WOULD CONSIDER ANY FORMAL APPLICATIONS MADE IN THIS RESPECT.
HOWEVER, UNTIL SUCH TIME AS ALL REQUIRED WORKS TO MAKE THE BUILDINGS SAFE GENERALLY HAD BEEN SATISFACTORILY COMPLETED, THE BUILDINGS SHOULD REMAIN CLOSED.
THIS CASE WAS DISCOVERED AS A RESULT OF THE INTENSIFIED ACTIVITIES OF THE DANGEROUS BUILDINGS SECTION OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE WHICH COMMENCED IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS IN HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT AT 9.30 AM ON OCTOBER 22 THIS YEAR WERE POSTED ON THE BUILDINGS TODAY.
------0-------
EXHIBITIONS ON EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE
THE LABOUR RELATIONS PROMOTION UNIT OF THE LABOUR WILL STAGE A SERIES OF EXHIBITIONS IN VARIOUS COMMERCIAL THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO ENHANCE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE ORDINANCE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD LABOUR RELATIONS.
DEPARTMENT COMPLEXES EMPLOYMENT
ONE SUCH EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO MONDAY (JULY 23) AT THE GROUND FLOOR OF TELFORD GARDEN COMMERCIAL COMPLEX, KOWLOON BAY.
/OPEN DAILY
FRIDAY, JULY 20, 1990
- 18 -
OPEN DAILY FROM 9 AM TO 5.30 PM, THE EXHIBITION WILL INTRODUCE IN SIMPLE LANGUAGE AND THROUGH INTERESTING ILLUSTRATIONS THE VARIOUS f PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, SUCH AS LONG SERVICE PAY, SEVERANCE PAY, MATERNITY PROTECTION, PAID ANNUAL LEAVE AND TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT.
LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFICERS WILL BE PRESENT TO ANSWER ENQUIRIES ON EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR RELATIONS MATTERS.
THERE WILL ALSO BE A QUIZ ON LABOUR LAWS FOR VISITORS. WINNERS MAY JOIN A LUCKY DRAW AT THE COMPLETION OF THE ROUND OF EXHIBITIONS IN DECEMBER.
------0-------
DRAINAGE CHANNEL TO BE CONSTRUCTED NEAR TAN KWAI TSUEN
THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DRAINAGE CHANNEL NEAR TAN KWAI TSUEN IN YUEN LONG TO REDUCE THE FLOOD HAZARDS IN THE SURROUNDING AREA.
THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF CONCRETE CHANNELS, ASSOCIATED ACCESS ROADS AND FOOTBRIDGES, AND THE RECONSTRUCTION OF EXISTING CROSSINGS ACROSS THE CHANNEL.
WORK IS SCHEDULED TO START IN DECEMBER AND WILL TAKE 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDER IS NOON ON AUGUST 10.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE NEW WORKS DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT ON 14TH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
--------0-----------
PROPOSED RECLAMATIONS AT PO TOI ISLAND AND KWAI CHUNG
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO BUILD A PIER WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 4,360 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT PO TOI ISLAND.
THE PIER IS TO FACILITATE TRANSPORT FOR THE VILLAGERS AND THE PUBLIC.
IN KWAI CHUNG, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CARRY OUT RECLAMATION WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 4.36 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED TO THE NORTH OF THE INCINERATOR FOR THE PROVISION OF AN ANIMAL LANDING AREA AND A POSSIBLE SLAUGHTERHOUSE.
/ANY PERSON .......
FRIDAY, JULY 20, 1990
- 19 -
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, JUGH^ 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 SEPTEMBER 19.
DETAILS OF THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS AFFECTED ARE DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
------0---------
LAND RESUMPTION FOR COMPREH. NSIVE DEVELOPMENT ******
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO RESUME LAND IN HOI PA VILLAGE, TSUEN WAN, FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FINAL- PHASE OF A COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT SCHEME INCLUDING ROAD WORKS AND SITE FORMATION FOR COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.
THE LAND TO BE RESUMED COMPRISES 16 PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL LOTS WITH A TOTAL AREA OF 1,755.8 SQUARE METRES AND 13 PRIVATE BUILDING LOTS TOTALLING ABOUT 681.3 SQUARE METRES IN AREA.
THE LOTS WILL REVERT TO THE GOVERNMENT ON THE EXPIRY OF THREE MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF POSTING OF NOTICES ON THE LOTS.
DETAILS OF THE RESUMPTION WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
----0------
STATUTORY REQUIREMENT FOR DISPLAY OF FARE TABLES IN TAXIS
*******
THE DISPLAY OF STANDARDISED FARE PLATES INSIDE TAXIS WILL BECOME A STATUTORY REQUIREMENT FROM AUGUST 1.
A SPOKESMAN THE PROPER DISPLAY PASSENGERS OF THE
FOR TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) OF FARE TABLES INSIDE TAXIS WOULD SERVE TO APPROVED FARE SCALES AND THUS REDUCE DISPUTES
THAT
INFORM OVER
TAXI FARES.
UNDER THE NEW RULES, A TAXI DRIVER MUST ENSURE THE A FARE PLATE OF A DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND POSITIONING THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT. CONTRAVENTION OF
THE
DISPLAY OF
SPECIFIED BY REQUIREMENT
CARRIES A FINE OF $2,000.
SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE TABLE ARE PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY). THE SPECIFICATIONS HAVE EARLIER BEEN MEMBERS OF ®HE TRADE.
IN THE GAZETTE
MADE KNOWN TO
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE TABLE MUST BE OF CONTAINS THE SCALE OF FARES CHARGEABLE IN CHARACTERS.
A STANDARD SIZE AND ENGLISH AND CHINESE
/IT MUST .......
FRIDAY, JULY 20, 1990
- 20 -
IT MUST BE DISPLAYED AT THE INTERIOR NEARSIDE REAR DOOR AND THE FRONT DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OR THE FRONT NEARSIDE DOOR.
THE TABLE MUST ALSO CONTAIN INFORMATION SUCH AS THE REGISTRATION MARK OF THE TAXI AND THE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT HOTLINE TELEPHONE NUMBER.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENT FOLLOWED THE SUCCESS OF A PILOT SCHEME LAUNCHED ON NOVEMBER 1, 1986 REQUESTING ALL TAXIS TO PUT UP THE DESIGN FARE PLATE ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS.
---------0-----------
FIGHT BEACH CRIME DRIVE IN SOUTHERN *****
MEMBERS OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (DFCC) WILL JOIN FORCE WITH THE POLICE ON SUNDAY (JULY 22) IN A PUBLICITY DRIVE TO COMBAT BEACH CRIMES.
MEMBERS WILL FIRST BE GIVEN A BRIEFING AT THE ABERDEEN POLICE STATION BY DIVISIONAL COMMANDER, MR TSE CHAN-FAI, ON THE CRIME SITUATION AT BEACHES SINCE THE ANNUAL DRIVE WAS FIRST LAUNCHED IN 1988.
THEY ARE EXPECTED TO ASK ABOUT POLICE’S MEASURES AGAINST THEFT, SNATCHING AND OTHER CRIMES ON POPULAR BEACHES IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT.
ACCOMPANIED BY SENIOR POLICE OFFICERS AND SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF, MEMBERS WILL THEN PROCEED TO REPULSE BAY BEACH TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES HOW POLICE OFFICERS PERFORM PATROL DUTIES THERE.
THE GROUP WILL ALSO HAND OUT COPIES OF AN ANTI-BEACH CRIME LEAFLET TO BEACH-GOERS. THE LEAFLET, PRODUCED BY THE WESTERN JUNIOR POLICE CALL, SPELLS OUT IN LIVELY CARTOONS THE PRECAUTIONS THAT BEACHGOERS SHOULD TAKE TO THWART BEACH CRIMES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SOUTHERN DFCC’S ANTI-BEACH-CRIME PUBLICITY DRIVE TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY (JULY 22).
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE USE OF TRANSPORT PROVIDED SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, BY 9.15 AM. THOSE WHO TRAVEL ON THEIR OWN TRANSPORT SHOULD ARRIVE AT THE ABERDEEN POLICE STATION IN WONG CHUK HANG BY 9.50 AM.
INFORMATION OFFICER, MR ALEX LI, WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
------0--------
/21 ...*
FRIDAY, JULY 20,
1990
- 21 -
FIRING PRACTICE IN AUGUST ******
FIRT'G PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN/CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 17 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
AUGUST 1 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 2 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 11.59 PM
AUGUST 3 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 2 PM
AUGUST 7 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 8 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 14 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 16 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 17 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 20 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 21 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 22 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 23 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 24 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 11.59 PM
AUGUST 28 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 29 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 30 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
AUGUST 31 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
--------0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
SATURDAY, JULY 21, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK TO EXAMINE ANTI-DUMPING CASE .................................................... 1
LONGER LEAVE FOR LONG-SERVING WORKERS .............................................. 1
CO-OPERATIVE EFFORTS TO SERVE COMMUNITY ....................................
HK REACHES AN INTERESTING POINT IN ITS CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT ........................ 3
TRAVELLERS WARNED NOT TO BE USED BY DRUG TRAFFICKERS .......................
VISITING SERVICE FOR OUTLYING DISTRICTS ....................................
IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TO LAUNCH A RECRUITMENT DRIVE .......................
FUN PLAZA CARNIVAL IN SOUTHERN TOMORROW ....................................
a SEWERAGE MASTER PLAN ON DB AGENDA ..........................................
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN HUNG HOM ......................................... 10
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS IN WESTERN DISTRICT ..................................... 10
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN WAN CHAI .........................................
VEHICLE LENGTH LIMIT IN WESTERN DISTRICT .......................................... 11
SATURDAY, JULY 21,
1990
1
HK TO EXAMINE ANTI-DUMPING CASE ******
A TRADE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL TODAY (SATURDAY) EXPRESSED CONCERN AT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE’S FINAL DETERMINATION THAT MAN-MADE FIBRE (MMF) SWEATERS FROM HONG KONG WERE BEING SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES AT LESS THAN FAIR MARKET VALUE.
"WE ARE DISAPPOINTED AT THE DECISION," THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR T.H. CHAU SAID.
"OUR MANUFACTURERS ARE OPERATING IN AN OPEN AND HIGHLY COMPETITIVE TRADING ENVIRONMENT, AND ARE UNLIKELY TO BE THE SOURCES OF GOODS SOLD AT LESS THAN FAIR MARKET VALUE."
"WE FEEL THAT THE CALCULATIONS AND METHODOLOGY UNDER U.S. ANTI-DUMPING LEGISLATION MIGHT HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO FINDINGS WHICH BEAR NO RELATIONSHIP TO THE COMMERCIAL REALITIES OF THE BUSINESS AFFECTED."
"THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS EXAMINING THE CASE AND IF NECESSARY WILL TAKE THE MATTER UP WITH THE U.S. AUTHORITIES," HE SAID.
MR CHAU ALSO POINTED OUT THAT, UNDER U.S. LEGISLATION, ALTHOUGH A CASH DEPOSIT EQUAL TO THE DUMPING MARGINS IS IMMEDIATELY EFFECTIVE, THE ANTI-DUMPING DUTY WILL BE CONFIRMED ONLY IF IT IS ESTABLISHED THAT THE "DUMPED" GOODS HAVE CAUSED INJURY TO THE U.S. INDUSTRY PRODUCING SIMILAR PRODUCTS.
AN INJURY STUDY ON MMF SWEATERS IS BEING SEPARATELY CONDUCTED BY THE U.S. INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION (ITC), AND A DECISION ON WHETHER THERE IS INJURY IS EXPECTED BY SEPTEMBER 4, 1990.
"THE TRADE DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE INDUSTRY AND OFFER EVERY POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE," MR CHAU SAID.
- - 0 - -
LONGER LEAVE FOR LONG-SERVING WORKERS *****
WORKERS WILL GET SEVEN MORE DAYS OF PAID ANNUAL LEAVE IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS DEPENDING ON THEIR LENGTH OF SERVICE UNDER A RECENT AMENDMENT TO THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.
"WITH EFFECT FROM JULY 13, AN EMPLOYEE WITH THREE YEARS’ SERVICE IS ENTITLED TO EIGHT DAYS' PAID ANNUAL LEAVE, AN EMPLOYEE WITH FOUR YEARS ENTITLED TO NINE DAYS AND THOSE WITH FIVE YEARS OR LONGER GET 10 DAYS," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
/"THE MAXIMUM
SATURDAY, JULY 21, 1990
- 2 -
"THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF PAID ANNUAL LEAVE FOR EMPLOYEES WITH FIVE YEARS’ SERVICE OR LONGER WILL BE INCREASED FROM 10 TO 14 DAYS OVER A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS," HE ADDED,
THE FOLLOWING TABLE ILLUSTRATES THE PHASED IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROPOSED INCREASE IN PAID ANNUAL LEAVE:
YEAR OF SERVICE OF EMPLOYEE YEAR 1 NUMBER OF DAYS OF PAID ANNUAL LEAVE
YEAR 2 YEAR 3 YEAR 4 YEAR 5
( 1990)* (1991)* ( 1992)* ( 1993)* (1994)*
1 7 7 7 7 7
2 7 7 7 7 7
3 8 8 8 8 8
4 9 9 9 9 9
5 10 10 10 10 10
6 10 11 11 11 11
7 10 11 12 12 12
8 10 11 12 13 13
9 OR ABOVE 10 11 12 13 14
* THE CALENDER YEAR (FOR 1990, THE PART OF THE YEAR AFTER ENACTMENT)
IN WHICH THE EMPLOYEE COMPLETES THE LENGTH OF SERVICE SPECIFIED IN
THE LEFT-HAND COLUMN.
THE LAW ALSO PROVIDES THAT WHERE AN EMPLOYEE’S LEAVE ENTITLEMENT DOES NOT EXCEED 10 DAYS, UP TO THREE DAYS MAY BE GRANTED SEPARATELY AT THE EMPLOYEE’S REQUEST.
"IF THE LEAVE ENTITLEMENT EXCEEDS 10 DAYS, THE NUMBER OF DAYS IN EXCESS OF SEVEN DAYS MAY BE GRANTED SEPARATELY AT THE EMPLOYEE’S REQUEST," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THIS IS TO KEEP IN LINE WITH THE PRINCIPLE THAT A MAJOR PORTION OF THE LEAVE SHOULD BE ENJOYED WITHOUT INTERRUPTION, WHILE MAKING LEAVE-TAKING MORE FLEXIBLE," HE EXPLAINED.
"WITH THE INCREASE IN PAID ANNUAL LEAVE, THE EMPLOYEE WILL BE PERMITTED TO ACCEPT PAYMENT IN LIEU OF THE PART OF HIS LEAVE ENTITLEMENT WHICH EXCEEDS 10 DAYS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE FLEXIBILITY FOR BOTH THE EMPLOYEE AND THE EMPLOYER."
AS A SAFEGUARD AGAINST POSSIBLE ABUSE OF THE PROVISION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WOULD BE AN OFFENCE FOR AN EMPLOYER TO INCLUDE IN AN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT ANY CLAUSE WHICH WOULD COMMIT THE EMPLOYEE CONCERNED TO FOREGO ALL OR ANY OF HIS ANNUAL LEAVE ENTITLEMENT.
"OFFENDERS WILL BE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000," HE WARNED.
"TO HELP MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND THE NEW AMENDMENT, A ’GUIDE TO THE PROVISIONS OF PAID ANNUAL LEAVE’ LEAFLET HAS BEEN PUBLISHED AND IS BEING DISTRIBUTED FREE AT ALL LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE OFFICES," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
------0------------
SATURDAY, JULY 21, 1990
3 -
CO-OPERATIVE EFFORTS TO SERVE COMMUNITY *****
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, TODAY (SATURDAY) STRESSED THE NEED FOR GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS TO BE COMPLEMENTED BY THOSE OF COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS IN PROMOTING THE WELL-BEING OF THE SOCIETY.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE INSTALLATION CEREMONY OF LIONS INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 303 CABINET OFFICERS FOR 1990-91.
HE PRAISED THE LIONS FOR ORGANISING DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING SEMINARS ON HONG KONG’S FUTURE, CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECTS AND COMMUNITY BUILDING WORK, IN THE PAST YEAR.
"THESE PROJECTS HAVE HELPED CULTIVATE RESIDENTS’ SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE COMMUNITY BY ENCOURAGING THEM TO PAY ATTENTION TO GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION AND TO VOICE THEIR OPINIONS AND TO MAKE SUGGESTIONS," MR LAN NOTED.
"THEY HAVE A POSITIVE EFFECT ON MAINTAINING THE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF SOCIETY," HE SAID.
MR LAN WAS PLEASED TO LEARN THAT THE LIONS WERE NOW RAISING FUNDS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A "LIONS NATURE EDUCATION CENTRE" TO ENHANCE YOUNG PEOPLE’S INTEREST IN AND KNOWLEDGE OF NATURAL SCIENCE.
HK REACHES AN INTERESTING POINT IN ITS CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
******
THROUGH THE COMBINED EFFORTS OF THE GOVERNMENT, THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND A NUMBER OF ENTHUSIASTIC COMMUNITY LEADERS OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS, HONG KONG HAS DEVELOPED AN ARTS SCENE THAT ANY COUNTRY WOULD BE PROUD OF, THE COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MRS SHELLEY LAU, SAID IN NEW YORK EARLY THIS WEEK.
SPEAKING AT THE SYMPOSIUM ON "NETWORKING IN THE GLOBAL AGE" BY INTERNATIONAL OF BUSINESS ART ASSOCIATIONS, MRS LAU SAID HONG KONG HAD REACHED AN INTERESTING POINT IN ITS CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT.
IT ALSO HAD WORLD CLASS CULTURAL FACILITIES SUCH AS THE NEWLY OPENED CULTURAL CENTRE AND PUBLIC PERFORMANCES VENUES IN MANY DISTRICT TOWN HALLS.
"WE HAVE MAJOR ARTS FESTIVALS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WHICH ATTRACT BOTH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS AUDIENCE.
/"TWENTY YEARS .......
SATURDAY, JULY 2', 1930
"Ti'iNTY YEARS AGO, IT (HONG KONG) WAS CALLED A CULTURAL DESERT, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR APPRECIATING THE ARTS USUALLY TOOK THE FORM OF IMPORTING OVERSEAS ARTS GROUPS ON RARE OCCASIONS FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF THE MINORITY - A LARGELY EXPATRIATE HIGH INCOME GROUP IN THE COMMUNITY," MRS LAU SAID.
COMMENTING ON BUSINESS SPONSORSHIP FOR THE ARTS, MRS LAU SAID HONG KONG HAD ONLY JUST "SCRATCHED THE SURFACE" AND A LOT HAD DEPENDED ON AD HOCKERY AND PHILANTHROPY.
"WE INTEND TO CHANGE THAT," MRS LAU SAID.
"DESPITE THE FACT THAT HONG KONG IS NOT AN INDEPENDENT COUNTRY, WITH LITTLE POLITICAL CLOUT TO SPEAK OF IN ATTRACTING MAJOR BUSINESS SPONSORS OF THE ARTS, THE POTENTIAL IS VERY MUCH THERE," SHE SAID.
IN THE LAST 10 YEARS, MRS LAU SAID, HONG KONG HAD VIGOROUSLY ENCOURAGED THE GROWTH OF LOCAL ARTISTIC TALENTS, FOR EXAMPLE, THE HONG KONG BALLET, THE CHUNG YING THEATRE COMPANY AND THE CITY CONTEMPORARY DANCE COMPANY.
"THE QUESTION IS HOW TO ATTRACT BUSINESS SPONSORS TO TURN TO SUPPORTING THESE LOCAL TALENTS INSTEAD OF RESPONDING MERELY TO THE BIG NAMES FROM OVERSEAS," SHE ADDED.
MRS LAU SAID THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT FELT THAT MORE BUSINESS SPONSORSHIP SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO HELP FUND THE BURGEONING ARTS GROUPS.
"THROUGH THE COUNCIL FOR PERFORMING ARTS, THE GOVERNMENT FEELS IT SHOULD RETAIN RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEVELOPING NEW ART FORMS AND TO ENCOURAGE EXPERIMENTAL ARTS GROUP THROUGH SEEDING GRANTS," MRS LAU SAID.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT THE COUNCIL HAD RECENTLY INTRODUCED MATCHING GRANTS WHEREBY FOR EVERY'DOLLAR THAT A BUSINESS PLEDGED TO SPONSOR A PERFORMING ARTS GROUP, IT PROVIDED ANOTHER DOLLAR.
"THIS MATCHING GRANT SCHEME HAS KICKED OFF WITH HK$1 MILLION DRAWN FROM THE COUNCIL’S ANNUAL VOTE, AND IS INTENDED TO ENCOURAGE BOTH BUSINESS AND PERFORMING GROUPS TO EXPERIENCE THE MUTUAL BENEFITS OF ASSISTING BUSINESS WITH THE ARTS," SHE SAID.
MRS LAU SAID THIS TWO-MONTH-OLD SCHEME HAD DRAWN A NUMBER OF ENQUIRIES FROM BOTH THE BUSINESS SECTOR AND THE ARTS GROUPS, AND HAD SUCCESSFULLY MATCHED TWO PROJECTS.
SHE ADDED THAT AN EXAMPLE OF CLOSE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE BUSINESS SECTOR COULD BE FOUND IN THE RECENT FORMATION OF A FOUNDATION OF BUSINESS IN SUPPORT OF THE ARTS (FBSA).
"THROUGH THE INITIATIVE OF THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF DHL WITH THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDING SUPPORT WHERE NECESSARY, THIS FOUNDATION IS NOW IN ITS FORMATIVE STAGE," SHE SAID.
/"ITS OBJECTIVE .......
SATURDAY, JULY 21, 1990
- 5 -
"ITS OBJECTIVE IS TO ENCOURAGE, ASSIST AND PROMOTE THE ARTS IN ALL ITS FORMS, INCLUDING NOT JUST PERFORMING ARTS, BUT FESTIVAL ARTS, CERAMICS AND SCULPTURE ETC.
"THE FBSA WILL BE INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING HONG KONG LAUNCH A MORE PROFESSIONAL APPROACH TO BUSINESS SPONSORSHIP," MRS LAU SAID.
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAD ADOPTED THE CENTRAL FUNDING ROLE FOR THE ARTS OWING TO THEIR COMPARATIVELY RECENT DEVELOPMENT, MRS LAU SAID, ADDING THAT IT PLAYED AN INCREASINGLY MATCH-MAKING AND FACILITATING ROLE.
AS THE NEXT STEP OF IMPROVING THE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE BUSINESS AND THE ARTS GROUPS, MRS LAU SAID A CONFERENCE ON BUSINESS SPONSORSHIPS WOULD TAKE PLACE IN SEPTEMBER.
----0------
TRAVELLERS WARNED NOT TO BE USED BY DRUG TRAFFICKERS
*******
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WARNED AGAINST BEING USED BY DRUG TRAFFICKERS TO ACT AS DRUG COURIERS WHEN TRAVELLING ABROAD.
THE WARNING WAS ISSUED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR DAVID WEEKS, AMIDST THE CURRENT SCHOOL SUMMER HOLIDAY, A FAVOURITE TRAVELLING SEASON FOR MANY PEOPLE.
"NAIVE TRAVELLERS ARE ALWAYS LIKELY TO BE THE TARGETS OF DRUG SYNDICATES," HE SAID.
"THE REWARD OFTEN IS SMALL : PERHAPS A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS AND A FREE AIR TICKET, BUT THE PRICE WHEN CAUGHT CAN BE VERY HIGH.
"THE DEATH PENALTY IS MANDATORY FOR TRAFFICKING IN SOME COUNTRIES, AND PRISON SENTENCES OF UP TO 25 YEARS ARE ALSO COMMON," MR WEEKS ADDED.
THE COMMISSIONER NOTED THAT WORLDWIDE CONCERN OVER DRUG ABUSE AND ENHANCED INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION IN RECENT YEARS HAD LED TO MORE STRINGENT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND TOUGHER PENALTIES FOR DRUG OFFENCES IN MOST COUNTRIES.
A TOTAL OF 473 HONG KONG RESIDENTS WERE KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN DETAINED IN OVER 20 COUNTRIES FOR DRUG OFFENCES BETWEEN 1980 AND 1989.
THE COMMISSIONER GAVE THE FOLLOWING ADVICE:
* DON’T CARRY PACKAGES OR BAGGAGE FOR ANYONE UNLESS ABSOLUTELY SURE THEY CONTAIN NO ILLICIT DRUGS OR OTHER PROHIBITED ITEMS.
/* NEVER AGREE
SATURDAY, JULY 21, 1990
6
* NEVER AGREE TO CHECK IN BAGGAGE ON BEHALF OF SOMEONE WHO CLAIMS TO HAVE EXCESS BAGGAGE.
» DON’T BELIEVE PEOPLE WHO SAY "IT IS ALL RIGHT OR LEGAL TO USE DOPE OVER THERE". ALL COUNTRIES PROHIBIT ILLICIT DRUG USE.
» DON’T BELIEVE PEOPLE WHO TELL YOU THAT YOU ARE NOT THE TYPE THE CUSTOMS. GO FOR.
* DO REPORT TO THE POLICE OR THE CUSTOMS IF A POSSIBLE DRUG CARRYING DEAL IS PUT TO YOU. THE SYNDICATE WILL GET THE PROFIT; YOU WILL TAKE THE RISK.
PENALTIES FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING OFFENCES IN HONG KONG WERE VERY SEVERE : THE MAXIMUM PENALTY WAS LIFE IMPRISONMENT AND A FINE OF $5 MILLION, AND THE ASSETS OF CONVICTED DRUG TRAFFICKERS COULD BE CONFISCATED, MR WEEKS STRESSED.
EVEN PERSONS FOUND IN ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF SMALL QUANTITIES OF DRUGS ARE LIABLE TO THREE YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT AND A FINE OF $10,000.
MR WEEKS APPEALED TO THE PUBLIC TO CALL THE POLICE NARCOTICS BUREAU AT 527 1234 OR THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE AT 545 6182 IF
THEY SUSPECTED THAT ANY PERSON WAS A DRUG TRAFFICKER OR PUSHER.
-----0-----
VISITING SERVICE FOR OUTLYING DISTRICTS
»*»»»»
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED MEN BORN IN 1917 OR BEFORE THAT A VISITING SERVICE FOR THE ISSUE OF NEW IDENTITY CARDS WILL START TO OPERATE FROM MONDAY (JULY 23) TILL Aimriom n
THE SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED IN CHEUNG CHAU, LAMMA, MUI WO.
TAI O AND SAI KUNG. 9
’’THE SERVICE IS AIMED AT FACILITATING APPLICATIONS FROM PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THE CURRENT PHASE WHO LIVE IN OUTLYING DISTRICTS,” A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
MEN BORN BETWEEN 1918 AND 1940 WHO HAVE MISSED THEIR TURN TO OBTAIN NEW IDENTITY CARDS MAY ALSO FILE THEIR APPLICATIONS DURING THIS PERIOD.
THE VISITING SERVICE WILL OPERATE ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE:
FROM MONDAY TO SATURDAY,
/OPERATING PERIOD .......
SATURDAY, JULY 21,
OPERATING PERIOD CENTRE OPENING HOURS
JULY 23 TO 26 ISLAND DISTRICT OFFICE, MUI WO SUB-OFFICE, GRAND VIEW MANSION, GROUND FLOOR, SHOP D, 11 MUI WO FERRY PIER ROAD, LANTAU ISLAND. 10 AM - 2 PM - 1 PM 4 PM
JULY 23 CHEUNG CHAU RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE, 10 AM - 1 PM
TO 2 CHURCH ROAD, 2 PM - 4 PM
AUGUST 4 CHEUNG CHAU.
JULY 23 SAI KUNG JOCKEY CLUB TOWN HALL, 10 AM - 1 PM
TO PO TUNG ROAD, 2 PM - 4 PM
AUGUST 4 SAI KUNG.
JULY 30 TAI 0 RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE, 10 .30 AM - 1 PM
TO 29 MARKET STREET, 2 PM - 3.30 PM
AUGUST 4 TAI 0.
AUGUST 6 TO 9 NORTH LAMMA RURAL COMMITTEE OFFICE, 10 AM - 1 PM
YUNG SHU WAN MAIN STREET, 2 PM - 4 PM
NORTH LAMMA.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY
FOR
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
--------0-----------
IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TO LAUNCH A RECRUITMENT DRIVE
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WILL LAUNCH A RECRUITMENT
(JULY 23)
THREE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES STARTING FROM MONDAY PURPOSE OF ATTRACTING YOUNG PEOPLE TO JOIN IMMIGRATION ASSISTANTS.
DRIVE FOR
THE DEPARTMENT
AT THE
AS
CAREER EXHIBITIONS WILL BE HELD AT LOK FU, 01 MAN ON THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULES:
AND WO CHE
LOCATION OPERATING PERIOD
OPENING HOURS
LOK FU SHOPPING CENTRE, JULY 23 TO AUGUST 2 SECOND FLOOR, LOK FU
11 AM TO 7 PM
/OI MAN ........
SATURDAY, JULY 21, 1''
- 8 -
01 MAN CO. 1ERCIAL AUGUST 4 TO AUGUST 16 11 AM TO 7 PM
COMPLEX, FIRST FLOOR, H0MANT1N
WO CHE COMMERCIAL AUGUST 18 TO AUGUST 30 11 AM TO 7 PM
COMPLEX, SECOND FLOOR, SHA TIN
"THOSE WHO WISH TO APPLY FOR THE POST OF IMMIGRATION ASSISTANT CAN OBTAIN AND SUBMIT APPLICATIONS AT THE EXHIBITION COUNTER," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
"MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO MAKE ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE RECRUITMENT PROCEDURES MAY TELEPHONE THE RECRUITMENT SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT AT 829 3294," HE ADDED.
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FUN PLAZA CARNIVAL IN SOUTHERN TOMORROW ******
A "FUN PLAZA" CARNIVAL TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE 1990 SOUTHERN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME (SDSYP) WILL BE HELD AT THE ABERDEEN PROMENADE TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE SDSYP CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AND THE ABERDEEN KAI FONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION, THE CARNIVAL WILL BEGIN AT 1.15 PM AND LAST UNTIL 5 PM.
THERE WILL BE A VARIETY OF GAMES AND ENTERTAINMENT FOR PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT AGES.
FOR CHILDREN, THE MAIN ATTRACTIONS INCLUDE A NUMBER OF ARTS AND CRAFTS STALLS, GAME STALLS, TOYS AND DRAWING CORNERS AND A GIGANTIC DINOSAUR TRAMPOLINE.
FOR YOUNGSTERS, THERE WILL BE A VARIETY SHOW, A KARAOKE CORNER, AN EXHIBITION AND DEMONSTRATIONS ON COOKING, HAIR-CARE, CHINESE ROPE KNOTTING, RIBBON FLOWERS AND SOCIAL DANCE.
ALL LOCAL RESIDENTS ARE WELCOME TO TAKE PART IN THE CARNIVAL AND SHARE THE FUN. GAMES TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FREE AT THE VENUE.
/ort'lCJ.ATlNU At.........
SATURDAY, JULY 21,
- 9 -
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TERRITORY-WIDE SYP COMMITTEE, MR PETER LEE; SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS MAUREEN CHAN; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HUI YUNG-CHUNG; VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE ABERDEEN KAI FONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION COMMUNITY CENTRE, MR CHAN KWONG; AND THE SDSYP CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR YUNG CHEK-CHOW.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE 1990 SOUTHERN DISTRICT SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME OPENING CEREMONY AND "FUN PLAZA" CARNIVAL TO BE HELD AT THE ABERDEEN PROMENADE TOMORROW (SUNDAY). THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BEGIN AT 1.15 PM.
INFORMATION OFFICER, MR ALEX LI, WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
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SEWERAGE MASTER PLAN ON DB AGENDA
*****
THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRANSPORT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI SEWERAGE MASTER PLAN STUDY AT A MEETING ON MONDAY (JULY 23) MORNING. _
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE BUS ROUTE PROGRAMME FOR 1990-91 AND THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT DEVELOPMENT FOR TSUEN WAN WEST.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR TEXACO ROAD AND THE PROPOSED CANCELLATION OF TWO KMB BUS ROUTES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD’S ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRANSPORT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE ON MONDAY (JULY 23) IN THE MAIN CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, SECOND FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, TSUEN WAN.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM.
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/10........
SATURDAY, JULY 21, 1990
- 10 -
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN HUNG HOM
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM MONDAY (JULY 23) FOR A PERIOD OF ABOUT 10 DAYS, A SECTION OF SUNG CHI STREET IN HUNG HOM, FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH BAILEY STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 80 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION, WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
THE ROAD CLOSURE IS TO FACILITATE THE LAYING OF A WATERMAIN IN SUNG CHI STREET.
---------0-----------
TEMPORARY URBAN CLEARWAYS IN WESTERN DISTRICT
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JULY 23), THE FOLLOWING ROAD SECTIONS IN WESTERN DISTRICT WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS IN ORDER TO FACILITATE TRAM TRACK RENEWAL:
THE SECTION OF THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF WATER STREET FROM A POINT ABOUT 25 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST TO A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS.
THE SECTION OF THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF DES VOEUX ROAD WEST BETWEEN CHIU KWONG STREET AND WATER STREET WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY 24 HOURS DAILY FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS.
THE SECTION OF THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF KA ON STREET BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST AND DES VOEUX ROAD WEST WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY 24 HOURS DAILY FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
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/Il ........
SATURDAY, JUL I 1990
11
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN WAN CHAI *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF ROADS NEAR THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL INTERCHANGE WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO FACILITATE ROAD RESURFACING WORKS:
* THE HAPPY VALLEY APPROACH ROAD LEADING FROM CANAL ROAD FLYOVER DOWN RAMP TO THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL WILL BE CLOSED FROM 1 AM TO 6 AM ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY (JULY 23 AND 24). TRAFFIC FROM CANAL ROAD FLYOVER NORTHBOUND HEADING FOR THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL, INCLUDING CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL BUS ROUTES 121 AND 122, WILL BE DIVERTED VIA GLOUCESTER ROAD EASTBOUND, VICTORIA PARK ROAD, FLYOVER AND GLOUCESTER ROAD WESTBOUND.
* THE CAUSEWAY BAY EXIT ROAD AND THE CAUSEWAY BAY FLYOVER WILL BE CLOSED FROM 1 AM TO 6 AM ON JULY 25 AND 26. TRAFFIC FROM CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL HEADING FOR CAUSEWAY BAY WILL BE DIVERTED VIA THE NORTH POINT EXIT ROAD.
VEHICLE LENGTH LIMIT IN WESTERN DISTRICT
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JULY 23), VEHICLES EXCEEDING SEVEN METRES IN LENGTH WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM TURNING RIGHT FROM WATER STREET NORTHBOUND TO DES VOEUX ROAD WEST EASTBOUND FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK TO FACILITATE TRAM TRACK RENEWAL WORKS.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, JULY 22, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
POP CONCERT PROMOTES VOTER REGISTRATION ............................................. 1
PUBLIC WARNED ABOUT SUMMER DISEASES ................................................. 2
NATURAL BEAUTY STILL BEING RETAINED IN HK ........................................... 3
ANTI-CRIME PUBLICITY PAYS OFF AT BEACHES ............................................ 3
IMPORTANCE ON KNOWING NEIGHBOURING COMMUNITIES STRESSED ............................. 5
SOUTHERN SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME BEGINS .............................................. 5
PLEA ON VOLUNTEER SERVICE PARTICIPATION ............................................. 6
ACTIVITY GUIDELINE FOR DAY NURSERY PUBLISHED ........................................ 7
NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE TO MOVE TO NEW PREMISES ...................................... 7
CAUTION AGAINST OVERLOADING OF CRANES ............................................. 8
WATER CUTS IN KOWLOON EAST .......................................................... 9
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN SHA TIN ................................................... 9
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN TSUEN WAN ................................................ 10
INSTALLATION OF PARKING METERS IN SHEUNG SHUI ...................................... 10
SUNDAY, JUL 22, 1990
- 1 -
POP CONCERT PROMOTES VOTER REGISTRATION ******
MORE THAN 8,000 PEOPLE THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON ATTENDED A THREE-HOUR POP CONCERT TO PROMOTE VOTER REGISTRATION IN KWUN TONG.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SOLAR PROJECT ’90 CONCERT AT THE KWUN TONG RECREATION GROUND, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, APPEALED TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO EXERCISE THEIR CIVIC RIGHTS BY REGISTERING AS VOTERS.
"ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND THE DISTRICT BOARDS WILL BE HELD NEXT YEAR.
"AND THE FIRST DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL SET A NEW MILESTONE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S POLITICAL SYSTEM," MR LAN SAID.
"MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO HAVE NOT YET REGISTERED AS VOTERS AND THOSE ELECTORS WHO HAVE CHANGED THEIR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS SHOULD NOW SIGN UP OR NOTIFY THE AUTHORITIES OF THE CHANGE IN ADDRESS SO THAT THEY CAN CAST THEIR VOTE IN THE ELECTIONS," HE ADDED.
MR LAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONDUCT A SIX-WEEK VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE FROM MID-AUGUST, AND THAT TODAY’S CONCERT WAS A PRELUDE.
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD AND RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG, THE CONCERT ALSO MARKED THE OPENING OF THE STATION’S SOLAR PROJECT ’90 TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY BUILDING AND TO HELP PROMOTE VOTER REGISTRATION.
THE PROJECT WOULD BE SUPPORTED BY A NUMBER OF POPULAR LOCAL SINGERS AND MOVIE STARS.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CONCERT TODAY WERE OMELCO MEMBER MRS RITA FAN, HEAD OF RTHK’S CHINESE PROGRAMME SERVICE MR RAYMOND NG, AND PRESIDENT OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT SOLAR PROJECT "90 ORGANISING COMMITTEE MISS YEUNG KAM-CHUN.
OTHER GUESTS INCLUDED KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRIS WAN, AND DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM HANG-FAI.
/2 ........
SUNDAY, JUI ■ 22, 1990
2
PUBLIC WARNED ABOUT SUMMER DISEASES *****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE TODAY (SUNDAY) URGED TO-. TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS AGAINST CHOLERA AND OTHER GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASES DURING SUMMER MONTHS.
IN MAKING THE APPEAL, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAID LAST YEAR THERE WERE 29 CHOLERA CASES AND 188 FOOD POISONING CASES WHICH AFFECTED MORE THAN 760 PEOPLE.
DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR, 39 CASES OF FOOD POISONING AFFECTING 156 PEOPLE WERE REPORTED.
"ALTHOUGH ONLY ONE CHOLERA CASE HAS BEEN REPORTED SO FAR THIS YEAR, THE PUBLIC SHOULD NOT RELAX THEIR PRECAUTIONS AGAINST THE DISEASE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE MOST RELIABLE AND EFFECTIVE METHOD TO PREVENT CHOLERA AND OTHER COMMUNICABLE DISEASES SUCH AV TYPHOID AND DYSENTERY IS TO OBSERVE PERSONAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND .OOD HYGIENE," HE STRESSED.
DURING THE SUMMER SEASON, PEOPLE TEND TO BE LESS CAREFUL IN THE CHOICE OF FOOD AND DRINKS. SINCE MOST GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASES ARE TRANSMITTED THROUGH CONTAMINATED FOOD AND DRINK, PEOPLE SHOULD BE EXTRA CAREFUL IN THEIR EATING HABITS.
THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED THAT ALL FOOD SHOULD BE THOROUGHLY COOKED AND SHOULD NOT BE LEFT UNCOVERED IF NOT TAKEN IMMEDIATELY.
"THE TYPE OF CHOLERA BEING ENCOUNTERED NOWADAYS IS CHOLERA El TOR WHICH IS ENDEMIC IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD AND ISOLATED CASES ARE EXPECTED TO OCCUR EVERY NOW AND THEN," HE SAID.
"THE STRICT ADHERENCE TO THE SIMPLE RULES OF PERSONAL HYGIENE SUCH AS WASHING OF HANDS AFTER TOILET AND BEFORE FOOD PREPARATION, AND THE HYGIENIC HANDLING OF FOOD AND DRINKS ARE THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS OF PREVENTING CHOLERA AND OTHER DIARRHOEA DISEASES," HE ADDED.
PEOPLE TRAVELLING TO OVERSEAS COUNTRIES WHERE CHOLERA AND OTHER GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASES ARE ENDEMIC ARE ALSO ADVISED TO TAKE SPECIAL CARE IN THE SELECTION OF FOOD AND DRINK.
SUNDAY, .JULY 22, 1990
- 3 -
NATURAL BEAUTY STILL BEING RETAINED IN UK ******
THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ALLEN LEE, TODAY (SUNDAY) OFFICIATED AT THE YOUTH SERVICE DAY AT THE LIONS NATURE EDUCATION CENTRE AT TSIU HANG SPECIAL AREA IN SAI KUNG.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, MR LEE SAID IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT HONG KONG, AS A FAST DEVELOPING MODERN CITY, COULD STILL RETAIN SOME OF THE BEST NATURAL BEAUTY OF THE COUNTRYSIDE.
HE NOTED THAT 40 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S LAND WERE COUNTRY PARKS.
HE COMMENDED THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTING SUCH HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT AND PUTTING UP RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN THE COUNTRY PARKS FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF THE PEOPLE.
MR LEE ALSO COMMENDED THE LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG AND MACAU, DISTRICT 303 FOR THEIR WORTHWHILE DONATION TO THE HONG KONG'S FIRST NATURE EDUCATION CENTRE DUE TO BE COMPLETED BY JUNE NEXT YEAR.
HE PRAISED THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, THE LIONS CLUB AND HKTVB FOR ORGANISING SUCH A MEANINGFUL EVENT. IN PARTICULAR, HE PRAISED THE YOUTH, NUMBERED MORE THAN 400, WHO WERE AT TODAY’S FUNCTION FOR HELPING OUT IN MINOR MAINTAINENCE WORK. THIS, HE SAID, HAD SET UP A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS IN THE CARING OF THE COUNTRYSIDE.
MR LEE AND OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDING THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG; DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR CLIVE OXLEY; THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR Y.T. LI; THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE; AND THE HK TVB GENERAL MANAGER, MR KELLY CHENG VISITED THE LIONS NATURE EDUCATION CENTRE AND WAS BRIEFED ON THE PROGRESS OF CONSTRUCTION.
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ANTI-CRIME PUBLICITY PAYS OFF AT
******
BEACHES
PUBLICITY EFFORTS BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT COMMITTEE (DFCC) AND ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS BY THE SUCCEEDED IN KEEPING THE CRIME RATE DOWN AT BEACHES.
FIGHT CRIME
POLICE HAVE
SPEAKING AT AN ANTI BEACH CRIME ACTIVITY TODAY (SUNDAY), DFCC CHAIRMAN, MR CHAN YAU-YUE, SAID THERE HAD BEEN A MARKED DECREASE IN BEACH CRIMES IN SOUTHERN SINCE THE FIRST PUBLICITY DRIVE WAS HELD IN 1988.
/"THERE WERE .......
SUNDAY, JULY 22, 1990
"THERE WERE 117 REPORTED CRIMES IN 1987, AND THE FIGURE DROPPED TO 50 IN 1988 AND TO 31 LAST YEAR," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR COMPLACENCY AND THE DFCC WAS DETERMINED TO CONTINUE ITS EFFORTS IN THIS AREA, MR CHAN SAID.
THE ABERDEEN POLICE DIVISIONAL COMMANDER, MR TSE CHAN-FAI, ATTRIBUTED THE DROP TO STEPPED-UP PATROLS ON BEACHES BY BOTH UNIFORMED AND PLAIN CLOTHES POLICE OFFICERS AND THE PUBLICITY EFFORTS MADE BY THE DFCC.
HE EXPECTED THAT MORE PEOPLE WOULD VISIT THE BEACHES IN SOUTHERN THIS YEAR AS BETTER FACILITIES WERE NOW AVAILABLE FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THE URBAN COUNCIL’S IMPROVEMENT WORKS.
THIS MEANT THAT UNRULY ELEMENTS WOULD NOW HAVE MORE TARGETS TO PREY UPON, MR CHAN SAID.
"ALTHOUGH THE POLICE WILL TRY ITS BEST TO CONTINUE FIGHTING BEACH CRIMES, BEACH-GOERS SHOULD ALSO DO THEIR PART BY TAKING CARE OF THEIR OWN PROPERTY AT ALL TIMES,” HE SAID.
DURING TODAY’S PUBLICITY DRIVE, DFCC MEMBERS WENT TO REPULSE BAY TO DISTRIBUTE COPIES OF A COLOURFUL ANTI BEACH CRIME LEAFLET AND TO GIVE ADVICE TO SWIMMERS.
THE LEAFLET IS PRODUCED BY THE WESTERN JUNIOR POLICE CALL. USING CARTOONS, IT SPELLS OUT THE PRECAUTIONS THAT BEACH-GOERS SHOULD TAKE TO AVOID BECOMING CRIME VICTIMS.
THE PUBLICITY DRIVE AT BEACHES IS PART OF THE DFCC'S ANTI-CRIME CAMPAIGN THIS YEAR.
ANOTHER MAJOR ACTIVITY, AN ANTI-NARCOTICS BEACH CONCERT, WILL BE HELD AT REPULSE BAY IN THE AFTERNOON OF AUGUST 4. IT WILL BE PRODUCED AND BROADCAST LIVE BY COMMERCIAL RADIO.
OTHER ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE VISITS TO SCHOOLS, A FIGHT CRIME EXHIBITION, A "HOME AND SHOP SECURITY” SEMINAR AND A TELEGAMES DAY.
---------0-----------
1990
SUNDAY, JULY 22,
- 5 -
IMPORTANCE ON KNOWING NEIGHBOURING COMMUNITIES STRESSED ******
THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR JOHN WINFIELD, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE SITUATIONS AND DEVELOPMENTS OUTSIDE HONG KONG’S IMMEDIATE COMMUNITIES AS THE TERRITORY MOVES INTO THE 1990’s.
HE TOLD EIGHT PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS - FOUR BOYS AND FOUR GIRLS - LEAVING FOR THE 1990 ASIAN PACIFIC CHILDREN’S CONVENTION TO BE HELD IN FUJUOKA, JAPAN, THAT IT WAS EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE WAY OF LIVING OF OTHER PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY HONG KONG’S NEIGHBOURS IN THE ASIAN-PACIFIC REGION.
' THE STUDENTS WILL REPRESENT HONG KONG IN THE ONE-WEEK
CONVENTION, THE SECOND OF ITS KIND, WITH MORE THAN 300 DELEGATES FROM COUNTRIES IN THE REGION.
MR WINFIELD SAID ACTIVITIES OF THIS TYPE, INVOLVING STUDENT PARTICIPATION FROM MORE THAN 30 COUNTRIES, WERE "AN EXCELLENT WAY OF PROMOTING PEACE AND LOVE AT AN INTERNATIONAL LEVEL".
"YOUR STAY IN JAPAN WILL GIVE YOU A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE LOTS OF NEW FRIENDS, TO LEARN FROM ONE ANOTHER, AND TO UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE CULTURES AND CUSTOMS WHICH YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH," HE TOLD THE YOUNG REPRESENTATIVES.
HE THANKED THE HONG KONG JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR THEIR INITIATIVE IN PROMOTING EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS OF THIS KIND.
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SOUTHERN SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME BEGINS
* * « » »
THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME (SYP) IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT, WHICH STARTED TODAY (SUNDAY), WILL OFFER HUNDREDS OF ACTIVITIES FOR THOSE AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 25 IN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS.
ORGANISED BY MORE THAN 30 LOCAL BODIES, THE ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE CARNIVALS, VARIETY SHOWS, OUTINGS, VISITS, BALL GAMES, CAMPING, LAND AND WATER SPORTS, AS WELL AS INTERESTS AND SKILL CLASSES TO TRAIN PARTICIPANTS TO BE SOCIAL SERVICES VOLUNTEERS.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT’S SYP CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR YUNG CHEK-CHOW, CALLED ON YOUNG PEOPLE TO TAKE PART IN THE ACTIVITIES AND SPEND THEIR SUMMER VACATION IN A MEANINGFUL WAY.
/THE CHAIRMAN ,,,,,,,
SUNDAY, JULY 22, 1990
- 6 -
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TERRITORY-WIDE SYP COMMITTEE, MR PETER LEE, SAID HE HOPED THAT THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN THESE ACTIVITIES, YOUNG PEOPLE WOULD NOT ONLY SHARE THE FUN, BUT WOULD GET TO UNDERSTAND THE MEANING OF THE SYP THEME OF SERVING THE COMMUNITY.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS AT THE OPENING INCLUDED SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS MAUREEN CHAN; DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HUI YUNG-CHUNG; VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE ABERDEEN KAIFONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION COMMUNITY CENTRE, MR CHAN KWONG; AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG SOUTH.
THE OPENING CEREMONY WAS FOLLOWED BY A CARNIVAL AT THE ABERDEEN PROMENADE, WHERE HUNDREDS OF YOUNGSTERS WERE TREATED TO GAMES AND ENTERTAINMENT.
THE CARNIVAL WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT SYP CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AND THE ABERDEEN KAIFONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION.
THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB HAD DONATED OVER $330,000 FOR THE DISTRICT'S SYP ACTIVITIES WHILE THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG SOUTH CONTRIBUTED ABOUT $13,000.
COLOURFUL PROGRAMME BROCHURES OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT SYP ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
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PLEA ON VOLUNTEER SERVICE PARTICIPATION ♦ ♦ ♦ * *
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR ALEXANDER FUNG, TODAY (SUNDAY) APPEALED TO LOCAL EMPLOYERS TO ENCOURAGE THEIR EMPLOYEES TO TAKE PART IN VOLUNTEER SERVICE.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF A SUMMER CAMP FOR CHILDREN OF SMALL GROUP HOMES ORGANISED BY THE AGENCY FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICE, MR FUNG SAID EMPLOYEES' PARTICIPATION IN VOLUNTEER SERVICE WOULD HELP FOSTER AMONG THEM A SENSE OF BELONGING.
"IN ADDITION, IT WILL AUGUR WELL IN MAINTAINING A HARMONIOUS LABOUR RELATION," HE SAID.
MR FUNG ADDED THAT THE EXISTING WORKFORCE IN THE TERRITORY, MORE THAN TWO MILLION IN NUMBER, WAS RESOURCEFUL TO THE VOLUNTEER SERVICE.
TURNING TO THE WORK OF THE AGENCY FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICE, HR COMMENDED THE ORGANISATION FOR ITS PARTICIPATION IN THE PROMOTION OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE AND THE PROVISION OF VARIOUS TRAINING AND SERVICES FOR WORKERS.
------0-------
/7........
SUNDAY, JUL 1990
J
ACTIVITY GUIDELINE FOR DAY NURSERY PUBLISHED ♦ *♦♦♦♦
THE REVISED EDITION OF ACTIVITY GUIDELINE FOR DAY NURSERY WHICH WAS PREPARED BY THE JOINT SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE WORKING GROUP TO DEVELOP ACTIVITY GUIDELINE FOR DAY NURSERY HAS BEEN PUBLISHED,
THE ACTIVITY GUIDELINE WAS FIRST PUBLISHED IN LATE 1988.
THE REVISED EDITION HAS INCORPORATED SUGGESTIONS FROM USERS WHO HAD PROVIDED VALUABLE COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS TO THE JOINT WORKING GROUP.
DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. CARTLAND SAID THE GUIDELINE SERVED AS A USEFUL REFERENCE MATERIAL IN HELPING CHILD CARE CENTRE STAFF TO PLAN THEIR CURRICULUM AND ASSESS THEIR PROGRAMME ACTIVITIES.
"THE ACTIVITY GUIDELINE LISTED OUT THE CHARACTERISTICS AND DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN IN THEIR EARLY YEARS WITH SUGGESTED PROGRAMME ACTIVITIES TO DEVELOP THEIK APTITUDES IN VARIOUS ASPECTS.
"I HOPE THAT CHILD CARE CENTRE SUPERVISORS CAN SHARE WITH THEIR STAFF THE CONTENT AND SPIRIT OF THIS ACTIVITY GUIDELINE AND TRY OUT THE ACTIVITIES PROPOSED IN THEIR CENTRE," MR CARTLAND ADDED.
COPIES OF THE GUIDELINE HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO ALL RELATED PERSONNELS IN CHILD CARE SERVICE.
--------0-----------
NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE TO MOVE TO NEW PREMISES *****
THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE OF THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE (PESC), PRESENTLY LOCATED AT UNIT 115, CHEUNG CHUNG HOUSE IN CHEUNG WAH ESTATE, FANLING WILL MOVE TO THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE NEW FANLING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING AT 3 PIK FUNG ROAD ON SATURDAY (JULY 28).
THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT AT JOCKEY CLUB ROAD IN FANLING WILL ALSO MOVE TO THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE SAME BUILDING ON AUGUST 4.
THE NEW TELEPHONE NUMBERS ARE:
FANLING PESC 675 1606
NORTH DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT 675 1577
/THE OFFICE .......
SUNDAY, JULY 22,
- 8 -
Till- OFFICE HOURS WILL BE FROM 8.45 AM TO 5.15 PM FROM MONDAY TO FRI ).\> , AND FROM 9 AM TO 12 NOON ON SATURDAY.
THE PESC WILL CONTINUE TO OFFER A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES INCLUDING ANSWERING GENERAL ENQUIRIES, DISTRIBUTING GOVERNMENT FORMS, HANDLING SIMPLE COMPLAINTS AGAINST GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, AM RENDERING ASSISTANCE IN SOLVING PERSONAL PROBLEMS. *
STATUTORY DECLARATION SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED AT THE PESC BETWEEN 10 AM AND 12.30 PM ON WEDNESDAYS.
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CAUTION AGAINST OVERLOADING OF CRANES ******
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) WARNED CONTRACTORS AGAINST OVERLOADING OF CRANES TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE FOLLOWING A RECENT COURT CASE IN WHICH THE GUANG LEE PILING ENGINEERING CO. LTD. WAS CONVICTED OF HAVING FAILED TO ENSURE THAT A MOBILE CRANE IT USED WAS NOT OVERLOADED.
IT HAD ALSO FAILED TO PROVIDE THE CRANE WITH AN INDICATOR WHICH SHOWED THE RADIUS OF THE JIB AT ALL TIMES AND THE SAFE WORKING LOAD APPLICABLE TO THAT RADIUS.
THE CRANE OVERTURNED AS A RESULT OF OVERLOADING WHEN USED FOR PILING AT A CONSTRUCTION SITE IN WESTERN DISTRICT EARLY THIS YEAR.
THE COMPANY WAS EVENTUALLY FINED $6,000.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR SAFE USE OF CRANES WERE SET OUT IN THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS.
"FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE REQUIREMENTS BY CONTRACTORS WILL NOT ONLY RESULT IN ACCIDENTS, BUT WILL ALSO RENDER THEM PROSECUTION AND A MAXIMUM FINE OF $50,000," HE WARNED.
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SUNDAY, JULY 22, 1990
9
WATER CUTS IN KOWLOON EAST * * * *
FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN EAST KOWLOON WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM ON TUESDAY (JULY 24) TO 10 AM ON THURSDAY (JULY 26) TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES AT LAM TIN, SAU MAU PING, SHUN TIN ESTATE, SHUN LEE ESTATE, SHUN ON ESTATE, SHUN CHI COURT, CHOI WAN ESTATE, LOK WAH ESTATE AND KUNG LOK ROAD.
ALSO TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS, FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KWUN TONG AND NGAU TAU KOK WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM ON TUESDAY (JULY 24) TO 10 AM THE NEXT DAY.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES AT CHOI HUNG ESTATE, PING SHEK ESTATE, RICHLAND GARDENS, KAI YIP STREET, KAI TAI COURT, TELFORD GARDENS, KOWLOON BAY, NGAU TAU KOK AND KWUN TONG.
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TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN SHA TIN ******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT BETWEEN 1 AM AND 6 AM FROM TUESDAY (JULY 24 ) TO THURSDAY (JULY 26), THE SECTION OF SHA TIN WAI ROAD WESTBOUND BETWEEN NGAN SHING STREET AND THE SOUTHBOUND SLIP ROAD OF SHA TIN ROAD WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROAD T5 IN SHA TIN.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS ON SHA TIN WAI ROAD WESTBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SIU LEI YUEN ROAD, TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD AND SHA TIN ROAD TO REJOIN SHA TIN WAI ROAD WESTBOUND.
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/10
SUNDAY, JULY 22, 1990
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN TSUEN WAN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE FOLLOWING TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN TSUEN WAN FROM 12.45 AM TO 5.30 AM ON TUESDAY (JULY 24) TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION OF FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS YEUNG UK ROAD.
THE SECTION OF YEUNG UK ROAD BETWEEN TEXACO ROAD AND WANG WO TSAI STREET WILL BE CLOSED.
DURING THE CLOSURE, THE SECTION OF YEUNG UK ROAD BETWEEN WANG WO TSAI STREET AND WANG LUNG STREET WILL BE CONVERTED FROM TWO-WAY TRAFFIC TO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND.
MOTORISTS TRAVELLING ON TEXACO ROAD NORTHBOUND HEADING FOR TSUEN WAN WEST ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA SHA TSUI ROAD; WHILE THOSE ON YEUNG UK ROAD EASTBOUND HEADING FOR TSING YI AND SHA TIN ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA KWU HANG ROAD AND SHA TSUI ROAD OR WANG LUNG STREET AND LUNG TAK ROAD.
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INSTALLATION OF PARKING METERS IN SHEUNG SHUI
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JULY 24), EIGHT TWO-HOUR PARKING METERS WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE PARKING SPACES IN THE SECTION OF SAN SHING AVENUE BETWEEN TSUN FU STREET AND SAN FUNG AVENUE IN SHEUNG SHUI FOR CARS, LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES AND PRIVATE LIGHT BUSES.
THE PARKING METERS WILL BE OPERATING DAILY, EXCEPT GENERAL HOLIDAYS, BETWEEN 8 AM AND 8 PM. THE PARKING FEE WILL BE $1 PER 30 MINUTES.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, JULY 23, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FRANCIS MAUDE ARRIVES IN HONG KONG .................................................. 1
12 QUESTIONS AND 21 BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA ..................................
MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES ADEQUATE FOR SOUTH LANTAU ............................... 3
GREATER EFFORTS NEEDED TO BALANCE RESIDENTIAL SERVICES FOR ELDERLY .................. 4
DEPARTMENTAL QUARTERS FOR DISCIPLINED SERVICES ...................................... 5
26 PASSED FINAL LICENTIATE EXAMINATION .............................................. 5
DB DELEGATION LEAVES FOR EUROPEAN STUDY TOUR ........................................ 6
TRADERS REMINDED TO PROPERLY MANIFEST EXPORTED GOODS ................................ 6
SOUTHERN DB GROUP ON STUDY TOUR OF JAPAN ............................................ 7
SURVEY AND LANDS OFFICES IN NORTH DISTRICT ON THE MOVE .............................. 7
PREFERENTIAL TRAVEL SCHEME FOR ELDERLY ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA ....................... 8
DB JOINT COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS LRT VENTILATION PROBLEM ............................... 8
WATER STORAGE FIGURE .......................................................
WATER CUTS IN HO MAN TIN, KING'S PARK AND SHEUNG SHUT ............................... 9
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHAM SHUI PO ...................................... 9
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN TSUEN WAN ................................................ 10
EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN TSIM SHA TSUI ........................ 10
MONDAY, JULY 23, 1990
1
FRANCIS MAUDE ARRIVES IN HONG KONG ♦ » » ♦ *
THE FOLLOWING IS A STATEMENT GIVEN BY MR FRANCIS MAUDE, MINISTER OF STATE OF FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, ON HIS ARRIVAL IN HONG KONG THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON :
I’M ALWAYS VERY GLAD TO COME BACK TO HONG KONG, ALTHOUGH THIS IS ONLY A VERY FLEETING VISIT. I SHOULD BE BACK EVEN MORE BRIEFLY ON FRIDAY. PRESIDENT KENNEDY WAS SAID TO HAVE TWO TRAYS ON HIS DESK. ONE WAS MARKED ’’IMPORTANT”, THE OTHER WAS MARKED "URGENT”. FOR ME, THE TWO COME TOGETHER IN A TRAY WHICH IS SIMPLY MARKED "HONG KONG”. AND THAT’S WHY I’M NOW ON MY WAY TO PEKING. IT’S BECAUSE THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG IS TOO IMPORTANT NOT TO GO, BECAUSE WE HAVE PRACTICAL ISSUES TO.t DISCUSS AND TO RESOLVE OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS. AND TO DO THAT,,.WE NEED TO HAVE A GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH PEKING. BUT I DON’T THINK I NEED TO EXPLAIN THIS TO HONG KONG. HONG KONG PEOPLE ARE PRAGMATIC AND THEY ARE REALISTIC. I SHALL BE SEEING EXCO TOMORROW MORNING TO SEEK THEIR ADVICE AND I KNOW THEIR ADVICE WILL, AS ALWAYS, REFLECT BOTH QUALITIES. IN MAKING THIS VISIT TO PEKING, I HAVEN’T FORGOTTEN THE EVENTS OF LAST JUNE. BUT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAS MADE SOME POSITIVE STEPS IN RECENT MONTHS AND NOTABLY, THE RELEASE OF DETAINEES. I WARMLY WELCOME THOSE STEPS, BUT RECOGNISE THAT WE HOPE TO SEE FURTHER PROGRESS. WE HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD NOW, 1997 IS A REALITY. IT PRESENTS US WITH CHALLENGES AND HONG KONG HAS ALWAYS RISEN TO CHALLENGES. CHALLENGES THAT WE CAN MEET WITH CONFIDENCE AND CONFIDENCE WHICH IS BASED ON THE JOINT DECLARATION, ON THE BASIC LAW AND ON THE CONCEPT OF "ONE NATION, TWO SYSTEMS". THERE’S A REAL COMMITMENT TO THE CONTINUED STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG FROM BOTH THE BRITISH AND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENTS. WE MUST NOW ALL WORK TOGETHER TO FULFIL THAT COMMITMENT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MR MAUDE WILL LEAVE FOR PEKING BY FLIGHT CA 102 AT 12.20 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY). THERE WILL BE A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY AT THE AIRPORT FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER MR MAUDE’S DEPARTURE. THEY SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE AIRPORT PRESS ROOM BY 11.40 AM. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
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/2 ........
MONDAY, JULY 23, 1990
2
12 QUESTIONS AND 21 BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 12 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER 21 BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 25).
OF THE 21 BILLS, EIGHT WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS AND DEBATES ON THEM WILL BE ADJOURNED.
THEY ARE THE HONG KONG BILL OF RIGHTS BILL 1990, 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 BRITISH NATIONALITY (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990. -t
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 MUNICIPAL SERVICES APPEALS BOARDS BILL 1990, THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL 1990, THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 5) BILL 1990, THE HANG LUNG BANK (ACQUISITION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE SECURITIES (INSIDER DEALING) BILL 1989, THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE COMMODITIES TRADING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE STOCK EXCHANGES UNIFICATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1990, THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY BILL 1990, THE CRIMES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 AND A PRIVATE BILL, THE MORRISON SCHOLARSHIPS FUND BILL 1990.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL SPEAK ON THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 1989, AND THE HON EDWARD HO WILL SPEAK ON THE REPORT OF THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD 1988 AND 1989. 9
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE AN EXTRA FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING AFTER THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING DUE TO URGENT BUSINESS BEFORE THE SUMMER RECESS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETINGS FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERIES AND THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY TELEPHONING 844 0899.
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MONDAY, JULY 23, 1990
- 3 -
MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES ADEQUATE FOR SOUTH LANTAU ******
THE GOVERNMENT WILL ENSURE THAT AN ADEQUATE LEVEL OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED FOR RESIDENTS OF SOUTH LANTAU AND TOURISTS TO THE ISLAND WHEN THE SOUTH LANTAO HOSPITAL CLOSES DOWN BY THE END OF THIS YEAR UPON COMPLETION OF THE REPROVISIONING OF MUI WO DISPENSARY.
BRIEFING LANTAU ISLAND RURAL COMMITTEES AND ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS ON THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS TO BE INTRODUCED UPON CLOSURE OF THE SOUTH LANTAO HOSPITAL THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON, AN ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MR ALBERT LAM, SAID AN ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICE WOULD BE INTRODUCED AT THE REPROVISIONED MUI WO DISPENSARY TO COPE WITH DEMAND FROM LOCAL RESIDENTS.
MR LAM POINTED OUT THAT THIS WOULD SUPPLEMENT THE EXISTING ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICE AT THE TAI O JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC.
"THE GOVERNMENT APPRECIATES LOCAL RESIDENTS’ CONCERN THAT ACCESS TO THE CLINIC MAY BE A PROBLEM TO CERTAIN PATIENTS. THEREFORE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AT THE MUI WO DISPENSARY.
"FOR EMERGENCY OR SERIOUS CASES, FERRY, POLICE LAUNCH AND HELICOPTER SERVICE WILL CONTINUE TO BE AVAILABLE FOR TRANSPORTING PATIENTS TO THE URBAN AREA," HE SAID.
TURNING TO GENERAL OUT-PATIENT (GOP) SERVICES, MR LAM SAID THE EXISTING ONES AT TAI O JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC AND MUI WO DISPENSARY WOULD CONTINUE TO BE MAINTAINED AS THEY ARE.
"THE TRAVELLING DISPENSARY OPERATED BY SOUTH LANTAO HOSPITAL WILL BE TAKEN OVER BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE REMOTE PARTS OF SOUTH LANTAU," HE SAID.
THE DECISION TO CLOSE DOWN THE SOUTH LANTAO HOSPITAL WAS BASED ON THE CONTINUING UNDER-UTILISATION OF THE FACILITIES THERE, MR LAM EXPLAINED.
LOCATED IN CHEUNG SHA, THE HOSPITAL WITH 15 IN-PATIENT BEDS IS ONE OF FOUR MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS ON LANTAU ISLAND, THE OTHERS BEING AT TAI O, MUI WO AND TUNG CHUNG.
OWING TO THE POPULATION PATTERN OF LANTAU ISLAND, THE HOSPITAL HAS BEEN UNDER-UTILISED FOR MANY YEARS, AND INDICATIONS ARE THAT THIS TREND WILL CONTINUE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
DURING 1985-89, THE HOSPITAL ADMITTED ONLY AN AVERAGE OF 26 INPATIENTS EACH YEAR, WITH THE OCCUPANCY RATE DROPPING FROM 3.1 PER CENT IN 1985 TO 0.04 PER CENT IN 1989. ALL ADMISSIONS IN RECENT YEARS HAVE BEEN MATERNITY CASES AND IN THE WHOLE OF 1989, THERE WERE ONLY NINE ADMISSIONS.
/FOLLOWING THE .......
MONDAY, JULY 23, 1990
- 4 -
FOLLOWING THE CLOSURE OF THE HOSPITAL, MATERNITY CASES CAN BE TAKEN TO TAI 0 JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC, WHICH OPERATES 15 MATERNITY BEDS AND SHOULD HAVE SUFFICIENT CAPACITY TO CATER FOR DEMAND.
AS FOR ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY AND GOP SERVICES, THE AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCES AT SOUTH LANTAO HOSPITAL IN 1985 TO 1989 WERE ONLY 6.7 AND 14.6 RESPECTIVELY.
IN 1989, THERE WERE 6.1 AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCES FOR ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY AND 12 FOR GOP. THESE REPRESENT AN EXTREMELY LOW UTILISATION RATE.
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GREATER EFFORTS NEEDED TO BALANCE RESIDENTIAL SERVICES FOR ELDERLY * * * * *
GREATER EFFORTS AND PRIORITY FOR RESOURCES WILL BE NEEDED IN THE COMING YEARS TO BALANCE THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND FOR RESIDENTIAL SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY PEOPLE.
THIS WAS SAID TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. CARTLAND, WHEN ADDRESSING THE INAUGURATION OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (1990-92) OF TUEN MUN DISTRICT RESPECT FOR THE AGED ASSOCIATION.
HE NOTED THAT A BIG MAJORITY OF ELDERLY PEOPLE WOULD REMAIN IN THE COMMUNITY EITHER WITH THEIR FAMILIES OR LOOKING AFTER THEMSELVES.
"WHERE NECESSARY THEY CAN BE ASSISTED BY HOME HELP SERVICES, SOCIAL CENTRES, DAY CARE CENTRES AND OTHER SUCH SERVICES DESIGNED TO ENABLE THEM TO REMAIN IN A FAMILIAR ENVIRONMENT," MR CARTLAND SAID. 4l
"UNFORTUNATELY THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A RELATIVELY SMALL PROPORTION OF ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO CAN NO LONGER BE LOOKED AFTER SATISFACTORILY IN THEIR HOMES.
"FOR THEM A VARIETY OF RESIDENTIAL SERVICES ARE NEEDED INCLUDING HOSTELS, HOMES FOR THE AGED AND CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOMES," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR WERE ACTIVELY EXPANDING SERVICES IN THIS AREA, HE SAID.
MR CARTLAND, HOWEVER, POINTED OUT THAT THE SERVICES WERE STILL INADEQUATE, PARTICULARLY OF CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOMES.
HE CALLED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF MORE NON-PROFIT-MAKING SELF-FINANCING HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY.
TURNING TO THE WORK OF THE ASSOCIATION, MR CARTLAND PAID TRIBUTE TO ITS EFFORTS IN KEEPING THE ELDERLY ACTIVE AND INTERESTED, ADDING THAT ALL ITS WORK CERTAINLY HELPED ELDERLY PEOPLE IN THE DISTRICT LEAD A HEALTHIER AND RICHER LIFE.
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MONDAY, JULY 23, 1990
DEPARTMENTAL QUARTERS FOR DISCIPLINED SERVICES
*****
GOVERNMENT APPROVAL HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR THE PURCHASE OF ADDITIONAL QUARTERS FOR THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THE PURCHASE INVOLVED DEPARTMENTAL QUARTERS LOCATED AT OR NEAR THE PLACE OF WORK OF THE INDIVIDUAL SERVICES WHICH WOULD IMPROVE THEIR EFFICIENCY IN DEALING WITH OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS.
THIS IS PART OF AN ONGOING PROGRAMME TO MEET THE QUARTERING NEEDS OF THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES WHICH HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
A SUM OF $600 MILLION HAS BEEN ALLOCATED FOR THE PURCHASE IN 1990-91, INVOLVING ABOUT 700 UNITS. ABOUT 500 UNITS WILL BE ALLOCATED TO THE POLICE AND THE OTHER 200 TO THE OTHER DISCIPLINED SERVICES.
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26 PASSED FINAL LICENTIATE EXAMINATION *****
THE LICENTIATE COMMITTEE OF THE MEDICAL COUNCIL OF HONG KONG ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT 26 OUT OF 86 CANDIDATES HAVE PASSED THE FINAL PART OF THE LICENTIATE EXAMINATION FOR UNREGISTRATABLE DOCTORS.
HELD FROM JULY 10 TO 12, THIS PART OF THE EXAMINATION WAS AN ORAL TEST ON THE ABILITY OF CANDIDATES TO APPLY PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE TO CLINICAL PROBLEMS.
CANDIDATES WERE EXAMINED BY TWO PANELS OF EXAMINERS IN EACH OF THE THREE DISCIPLINES - MEDICINE, SURGERY, AND OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY.
SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WILL BE REQUIRED TO UNDERGO AN 18-MONTH PERIOD OF ASSESSMENT AND TRAINING IN HOSPITALS APPROVED BY THE MEDICAL COUNCIL, STARTING IN SEPTEMBER.
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MONDAY, JULY 23, 1990
6
DB DELEGATION LEAVES FOR EUROPEAN STUDY TOUR
*****
A 26-MEMBER DELEGATION OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD LEFT FOR EUROPE THIS (MONDAY) EVENING ON A TWO-WEEK STUDY TOUR.
LED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM HANG-FAI, THE MEMBERS ARE ACCOMPANIED BY ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MR VINCENT LIU, AND DB SECRETARY, MR CHAN YAU-KEUNG.
’’THE TOUR AIMS AT ENABLING MEMBERS TO OBSERVE HOW OTHER COUNTRIES TACKLE PROBLEMS SIMILAR TO HONG KONG’S," MR LAM SAID.
THE GROUP WILL TOUR SIX COUNTRIES, NAMELY ITALY, SWITZERLAND, FRANCE, BELGIUM, THE NETHERLANDS AND THE UNITED KINGDOM.
MEMBERS WILL VISIT A FACTORY PRODUCING EQUIPMENT FOR TREATING WASTE IN ROME, A TANNERY IN FLORENCE, A NUCLEAR POWER STATION IN PARIS AND THE MUNICIPALITY OF AMSTERDAM.
WHILE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM BETWEEN AUGUST 1 AND 5, THE DELEGATION WILL VISIT WESTMINSTER COUNCIL, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN LONDON, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND THE BIRMINGHAM HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
THE DELEGATION WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON AUGUST 6.
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TRADERS REMINDED TO PROPERLY MANIFEST EXPORTED GOODS
*****
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) REMINDED TRADERS TO PROPERLY MANIFEST THEIR EXPORTED GOODS LEST THEY WOULD CONTRAVENE THE IMPORT AND EXPORT ORDINANCE.
THE REMINDER WAS MADE FOLLOWING THE SEIZURE OF ABOUT $780,000 WORTH OF COLOUR NEGATIVE FILM, SHARK FIN AND GINSENG WITHOUT MANIFEST FROM A LORRY AT MAN KAM TO CONTROL POINT ON SATURDAY (JULY 21).
CUSTOMS OFFICERS INTERCEPTED THE LORRY AT 4.30 PM AND FOUND INSIDE A SECRET COMPARTMENT A TOTAL OF 36 CARTONS OF COLOUR NEGATIVE FILM, 24 CARTONS OF SHARK FIN AND 24 BAGS OF AMERICAN GINSENG.
THE 24-YEAR-OLD DRIVER WAS ARRESTED. HE WAS CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTING TO EXPORT UNMANIFESTED CARGO AND ALTERING THE STRUCTURE OF A VEHICLE FOR THE PURPOSE OF SMUGGLING.
HE HAD BEEN RELEASED ON BAIL AND WILL APPEAR IN FANLING MAGISTRACY ON AUGUST 13.
UNDER THE IMPORT AND EXPORT ORDINANCE, THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR IMPORTING OR EXPORTING UNMANIFESTED CARGO IS $50,000 AND TWO YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT.
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I
MONDAY, JULY 23, 1990
7
SOUTHERN DB GROUP ON STUDY TOUR OF JAPAN
******
A SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD DELEGATION LEFT FOR KUMAMOTO, JAPAN TODAY (MONDAY) ON AN EIGHT-DAY STUDY VISIT.
LED BY THE DB CHAIRMAN, MR HUI YUNG-CHUNG, AND ACCOMPANIED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS MAUREEN CHAN, AND THE DB SECRETARY, MR CHAN KING-CHIU, THE DELEGATION COMPRISES 10 OTHER DB MEMBERS AND THREE CO-OPTED MEMBERS.
MR HUI SAID THE DELEGATION WILL STUDY INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN KUMAMOTO. THEY WILL VISIT THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION DEPARTMENT AND THE MINAMATA PROMOTION OFFICE TO EXCHANGE VIEWS WITH OFFICIALS.
THEY WILL ALSO CALL ON THE SECRETARIAT OFFICE OF THE KUMAMOTO PREFECTURAL ASSEMBLY, THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, THE AGRICULTURAL ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT AND AN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTRE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ASSEMBLY SYSTEM IN JAPAN, AND CITY PLANNING, HOUSING, AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE PREFECTURE.
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SURVEY AND LANDS OFFICES IN NORTH DISTRICT ON THE MOVE ********
THE SURVEY OFFICE AND THE LANDS OFFICE IN NORTH DISTRICT, NEW TERRITORIES WILL MOVE TO NEW PREMISES ON FRIDAY (JULY 27) AND ON SATURDAY (JULY 28) RESPECTIVELY.
AFTER THE MOVE, THE DISTRICT SURVEY OFFICE WILL BE ACCOMMODATED ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF THE FANLING GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 3 PIK FUNG ROAD, FANLING, NEW TERRITORIES. THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE WILL OCCUPY THE SIXTH FLOOR OF THE SAME BUILDING.
TO FACILITATE THE REMOVAL, SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE DISTRICT SURVEY OFFICE WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO THURSDAY, WHILE SERVICES OF THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE WILL BE SUSPENDED ON FRIDAY.
FOR ENQUIRIES, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN CONTACT THE DISTRICT SURVEY OFFICE ON 675 1555 AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE ON 675 1502.
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MONDAY, JULY 23,
1990
- 8 -
PREFERENTIAL TRAVEL SCHEME FOR ELDERLY ON DB COMMITTEE AGENDA
******
THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS A PROPOSED PREFERENTIAL TRAVEL SCHEME FOR THE ELDERLY AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
UNDER THE SCHEME, CONCESSIONARY FARES WILL BE OFFERED TO THE ELDERLY.
THE COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE DB’S PARTICIPATION IN THE 1990 DISTRICT SELECTION OF AN OUTSTANDING KMB BUS CONDUCTOR.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO CONSIDER THE ALLOCATION OF $20,000 IN DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR IMPLEMENTING A COMMUNITY-IN-PERSPECTIVE PROJECT, $22,000 FOR SPONSORING A MID-AUTUMN LANTERN CARNIVAL AND $15,000 FOR ORGANISING FIGHT CRIME ACTIVITIES.
IN ADDITION, A TEAM WILL BE FORMED TO VET APPLICATIONS FOR DB FUNDS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD'S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, FIRST FLOOR, 157 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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DB JOINT COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS LRT VENTILATION PROBLEM *****
THE TUEN MUN/YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARDS’ JOINT COMMITTEE ON MONITORING LRT SERVICES WILL DISCUSS THE FREQUENT BREAKDOWN OF AIR-CONDITIONERS AND INADEQUATE VENTILATION INSIDE LIGHT RAIL VEHICLES AT A MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE COMMITTEE WILL ASK THE LRT MANAGEMENT TO PROVIDE FIGURES ON THE NUMBER OF BREAKDOWNS SINCE LAST MAY, FOLLOWING REPEATED COMPLAINTS BY PASSENGERS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING OF THE TUEN MUN/YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARDS’ JOINT COMMITTEE ON MONITORING LRT SERVICES TO BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT 10 AM IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD, THIRD FLOOR, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
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/9 .....
MONDAY, JULY 23, 1990
9
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ♦ » ♦ ♦
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 50.1 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 293.854 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 339.242 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 57.9 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
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WATER CUTS IN HO MAN TIN, KING’S PARK AND SHEUNG SHUI
*****
FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY TO ALL PREMISES AT HO MAN TIN AND KING’S PARK WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 25) TO FACILITATE THE CLEANING OF THE HO MAN TIN HIGH LEVEL SALT WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES AT HO MAN TIN AND KING’S PARK, INCLUDING KING GEORGE V COLLEGE, HO MAN TIN ESTATE, 01 MAN ESTATE, CHUN MAN COURT AND VALLEY ROAD ESTATE.
ON THURSDAY (JULY 26), FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SHEUNG SHUI WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 10 PM TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE WATER WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT CERTAIN PREMISES AND VILLAGES BESIDE FAN KAM ROAD, INCLUDING FANLING PUMPING STATION, TAI LUNG EXPERIMENTAL FARM, ON PO VILLAGE, TONG KUNG LENG VILLAGE, LIN TONG MEI TSOI YUEN VILLAGE, YEE ON SAN TSUEN, TSIU KENG LO WAI, TSIU KENG PANG UK, LAI TAU TSUI, YING PUN VILLAGE, CHAN UK PO AND TAM SHUI HANG VILLAGE.
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TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHAM SHUI PO ♦ * » » »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 25), FOR A PERIOD OF ABOUT FOUR WEEKS, THE VEHICULAR TURNING MOVEMENTS FROM KWONG LEE ROAD INTO FAT TSEUNG STREET AND FROM FAT TSEUNG STREET ONTO KWONG LEE ROAD IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL BE BANNED TO FACILITATE THE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS WORKS.
MOTORISTS FROM PO ON ROAD HEADING FOR KWONG LEE ROAD ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA CHEUNG FAT STREET OR TONKIN STREET.
MOTORISTS FROM KWONG LEE ROAD HEADING FOR PO ON ROAD ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA TONKIN STREET OR CHEUNG FAT STREET.
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/10
MONDAY, JULY 23, 1990
- 10 -
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN TSUEN WAN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE FOLLOWING TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN TSUEN WAN FROM 12.45 AM TO 5.30 AM ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 25) TO FACILITATE CONSTRUCTION OF A FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS TEXACO ROAD.
A SECTION OF TEXACO ROAD BETWEEN YEUNG UK ROAD AND SHA TSUI ROAD WILL BE CLOSED AND THE LEFT TURNING FROM YEUNG UK ROAD ONTO TEXACO ROAD WILL BE BANNED.
MOTORISTS TRAVELLING ON TEXACO ROAD SOUTHBOUND HEADING FOR TSING YI ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA SHA TSUI ROAD, KWU HANG ROAD AND YEUNG UK ROAD BEFORE RE-JOINING TEXACO ROAD SOUTHBOUND; WHILE THOSE ON TEXACO ROAD NORTHBOUND HEADING FOR KOWLOON AND SHA TIN ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA YEUNG UK ROAD, KWU HANG ROAD AND SHA TSUI ROAD BEFORE RE-JOINING TEXACO ROAD NORTHBOUND.
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EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN TSIM SHA TSUI
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE RE-ROUTEING OF COX’S ROAD BETWEEN AUSTIN ROAD AND TAK SHING STREET, IN TSIM SHA TSUI, INTO ONE WAY NORTHBOUND WILL BE EXTENDED TO 12.01 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 27), TO FACILITATE WATERMAIN LAYING WORKS THERE.
VEHICLES ON JORDAN ROAD HEADING FOR AUSTIN ROAD CAN TRAVEL VIA PARKES STREET SOUTHBOUND ONTO AUSTIN ROAD.
BUSES OF KMB ROUTE 2C (TAT CHEE AVENUE TO STAR FERRY) ARE DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA NATHAN ROAD ON JOURNEYS TO STAR FERRY UNTIL THE SAME TIME THAT DAY.
DURING THIS PERIOD OF ROUTE DIVERSION, BUS STOPS FOR KMB ROUTE 2C HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED AT HOUSE NOS. 230, 134, 26 NATHAN ROAD. THE PREVIOUS BUS STOPS ON COX’S ROAD SOUTHBOUND, CHEONG WAN ROAD AND CHATHAM ROAD SOUTHBOUND OBSERVED BY THE ROUTE WILL CONTINUE TO BE SUSPENDED.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, JULY 24, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NEW APPOINTMENT WILL NOT AFFECT PEKING VISIT : MAUDE .................. 1
HIGHER LIMITS FOR ELECTION EXPENSES ................................... 2
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR JUNE 1990 .................................. 4
FURTHER DIVERSIFICATION AND GROWING TECHNOLOGICAL CONTENT IN MANUFACTURING . 7
NATURALISATION AND NATIONALITY SECTION EXTENDS WORKING HOURS .......... 9
TAC DISCUSSES FERRY, BUS AND TAXI ISSUES .............................. 9
POLICE COMMISSIONER MEETS WITH STAFF ASSOCIATIONS .................... 11
UK YOUNGSTERS VISIT SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ........................ 12
RESIDENTS URGED TO REGISTER AS VOTERS ................................ 12
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME
13
TUESDAY, JULY 24, 1990
NEW APPOINTMENT WILL NOT AFFECT PEKING VISIT : MAUDE *****
MR FRANCIS MAUDE SAID HIS NEW APPOINTMENT AS FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY WILL NOT AFFECT HIS VISIT TO PEKING.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER ATTENDING AN EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING, MR MAUDE SAID HE HAD BEEN VERY MUCH ASSOCIATED WITH THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT'S POSITION ON THE NATIONALITY PACKAGE FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE SO HE WAS AS WELL PLACED AS ANYONE COULD BE TO EXPLAIN THESE POLICIES TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.
MR MAUDE POINTED OUT THAT BOTH THE PRIME MINISTER, MRS MARGARET THATCHER, AND THE SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MR DOUGLAS HURD, ATTACHED HIGH IMPORTANCE TO HIS VISIT TO PEKING.
"THEY WERE QUITE CLEAR THAT I SHOULD GO AHEAD AND MAKE THE VISIT ANYWAY. BUT I THINK THAT WILL BE UNDERSTOOD BY PEKING," HE ADDED.
ON HIS NEW APPOINTMENT, MR MAUDE SAID HE WAS VERY DELIGHTED TO BE HONOURED WITH SUCH A SENIOR POST BUT HE HAD VERY MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT IT.
"LARGELY BECAUSE MY RESPONSIBILITIES FOR BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TOWARDS HONG KONG OVER THE LAST YEAR HAVE BEEN VERY STIMULATING FOR ME.
"IT HAS NOT BEEN AN EASY YEAR IN HONG KONG’S LIFE. THERE HAVE BEEN SOME VERY TOUGH DECISIONS WE HAVE TO FACE. I BELIEVE I’M VERY GLAD TO HAVE THE CHANCE TO BE SO CLOSELY INVOLVED IN THESE DECISIONS.
"AND I’M SAD THAT I SHALL NO LONGER BE SO CLOSELY INVOLVED WITH HONG KONG. BUT I’VE MADE LOTS OF FRIENDS HERE AND HONG KONG HAS A VERY PROMINENT PLACE IN MY AFFECTION," MR MAUDE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WHEN ASKED BY REPORTERS TO COMMENT ON MR MAUDE’S APPOINTMENT, SAID THAT HE WOULD BE SAD TO SEE HIM MOVE AWAY FROM RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG.
"DURING THE LAST YEAR, HE HAS WORKED VERY HARD INDEED FOR HONG KONG. HE HAS WORKED PARTICULARLY HARD ON THE NATIONALITY PACKAGE AND ON THE QUESTION OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE. HE REALLY THREW HIMSELF HEART AND SOUL INTO THE PROBLEMS OF HONG KONG.
"I DO KNOW, FROM WHAT HE SAID THIS MORNING, THAT WE WILL TAKE TO THE TREASURY SOMEBODY WHO IS A REAL FRIEND OF HONG KONG," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
SIR DAVID HOPED THAT WHOEVER COMING TO TAKE UP MR MAUDE’S POST WOULD VERY QUICKLY GET TO KNOW HONG KONG AS WELL AS MR MAUDE DID.
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TUESDAY, JULY 24, 1990
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HIGHER LIMITS FOR ELECTION EXPENSES ******
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL DECIDED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE ELECTION EXPENSES LIMIT FOR THE 1991 DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD BE SET AT $200,000.
"THE LIMIT HAS BEEN DETERMINED BY REFERENCE TO THE BASIC ITEMS OF EXPENDITURE FOR AN ELECTION CAMPAIGN SUCH AS EMPLOYMENT OF ELECTION AGENTS, TRAVELLING EXPENSES, MEALS FOR HELPERS, PRINTING OF PUBLICITY MATERIAL, AND PRODUCTION OF BANNERS, PLACARDS AND POSTERS," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE LIMIT FOLLOWS THE EXISTING APPROACH OF PRESCRIBING A FLAT RATE FOR EACH TYPE OF ELECTION AND HAS TAKEN ACCOUNT OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LARGER CONSTITUENCIES.
"THE NEED TO MAINTAIN RELATIVITY BETWEEN EXPENDITURE LEVELS FOfl ELECTIONS TO THE DIFFERENT TIERS OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO BEEN TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.”
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS ALSO INCREASED THE LIMIT ON ELECTORAL EXPENSES FOR LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES FROM $36,000 TO $50,000, FOR DISTRICT BOARDS FROM $20,000 TO $30,000 AND FOR MUNICIPAL COUNCILS FROM $43,000 TO $70,000. A NEW LIMIT FOR THE ELECTION OF DISTRICT BOARD REPRESENTATIVES TO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS IS SET AT $6,000.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PURPOSE OF APPLYING SUCH LIMITS WAS TO ENSURE THAT CANDIDATES WITH AMPLE FINANCIAL RESOURCES WOULD NOT HAVE AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE OVER OTHER CANDIDATES.
"HOWEVER, IN SETTING LIMITS, IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO AVOID IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS ON ELECTIONEERING ACTIVITIES," HE POINTED OUT.
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS ALSO DECIDED THAT DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE THREE TIERS OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE HELD ON SUNDAYS.
SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECT ELECTIONS AT THE GRASSROOT LEVEL IN 1982 THE OVERALL VOTER TURNOUT RATE FOR DISTRICT BOARD, URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS HAS NEVER EXCEEDED 40 PER CENT.
"NEXT YEAR WILL BE A MILESTONE IN HONG KONG'S POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT AS DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL BE HELD FOR THE FIRST TIME.
"THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO MAKE A SUCCESS OF THE ELECTIONS AND BELIEVES THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WHICH CONVENES IN OCTOBER 1991, WILL PROVIDE A FIRM FOUNDATION ON WHICH TO BASE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF OUR DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/"EXPERIENCE HAS ......
TUESDAY, JULY 24, 1990
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"EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT THE HEAVIEST TURNOUT IN ELECTIONS TAKES PLACE AFTER 7 PM, INDICATING THAT MANY ELECTORS CAN ONLY FIND TIME TO VOTE AFTER WORK,” HE EXPLAINED.
"THE AIM OF HOLDING THE DIRECT ELECTIONS ON A SUNDAY IN 1991 IS TO MAKE IT MORE CONVENIENT FOR VOTERS TO GO TO THE POLLS AND TO ENCOURAGE A HIGHER TURNOUT."
FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTIONS WILL CONTINUE TO BE HELD ON A WORKING DAY BEFORE THE DIRECT ELECTIONS.
"THIS WILL AVOID CONFUSION AMONG THE ELECTORATE, MANY OF WHOM MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE IN BOTH DIRECT ELECTIONS AND FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"WITH SUCH AN ARRANGEMENT, THE PUBLICITY GENERATED BY THE PRECEDING FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES ELECTIONS IS LIKELY TO ENCOURAGE MORE ENTHUSIASTIC PARTICIPATION IN DIRECT ELECTIONS."
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS ALSO APPROVED AMENDMENTS TO THE DELINEATION OF THE EXISTING CONSTITUENCIES OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF PHYSICAL CHANGES IN CERTAIN AREAS WHERE DEVELOPMENT HAS TAKEN PLACE.
AS A RESULT, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CONSTITUENCIES WILL BE INCREASED FROM 157 TO 210, MADE UP OF 146 SINGLE-SEAT AND 64 DOUBLESEAT CONSTITUENCIES.
ANOTHER CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENT ARISING FROM POPULATION CHANGES IN INDIVIDUAL CONSTITUENCIES IS THAT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ELECTED SEATS WILL BE INCREASED FROM 264 TO 274 AND THE APPOINTED SEATS WILL BE REDUCED FROM 141 TO 140, MAINTAINING THE RATIO OF TWO TO ONE.
TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE 27 EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICTS, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS FOR THE NEXT TERM WILL BE INCREASED FROM 432 TO 441.
MINOR ADJUSTMENTS WILL BE MADE TO THE ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL TO BRING THEM INTO LINE WITH THE NEW DELINEATION OF DISTRICTS.
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TUESDAY, JULY 24, 1990
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CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR JUNE 1990
*******
THE CENSUS AND-STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) PUBLISHED THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR JUNE 1990. THE CPI(A) (OCT. 84 - SEP. 85 = 100) FOR JUNE 1990, AT 141.7, WAS 9.1 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN JUNE 1989.
THIS WAS LOWER THAN THE CORRESPONDING RATES OF INCREASE OF 9.4 PER CENT IN APRIL AND 9.3 PER CENT IN MAY. THE CPI(B) FOR JUNE 1990, AT 141.3, WAS 9.3 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN JUNE LAST YEAR. THE CORRESPONDING RATES OF INCREASE IN APRIL AND MAY WERE ALSO 9.3 PER CENT.
FOR THE FIRST HALF OF 1990, THE AVERAGE CPI(A) AND AVERAGE CPI(B) INCREASED BY 9.3 PER CENT AND 9.2 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER THE FIRST HALF OF 1989.
ON A YEAR-ON-YEAR COMPARISON, THE FASTER RATES OF INCREASE IN THE CPI(A) IN JUNE 1990 WERE RECORDED IN THE INDEXES FOR ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION), TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES, SERVICES AND FOODSTUFFS AT 18.2 PER CENT, 15.3 PER CENT, 12.7 PER CENT AND 8.9 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE CORRESPONDING RATES OF INCREASE FOR THE SAME COMPONENTS IN THE CPI(B) WERE 18.0 PER CENT, 15.5 PER CENT, 12.8 PER CENT AND 9.5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE INCREASE IN THE INDEX FOR ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) WAS MAINLY DUE TO HIGHER PRICES OF CIGARETTES AND BEER.
THE INCREASE IN THE INDEX FOR TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES WAS LARGELY DUE TO HIGHER FARES OF BUS, TAXI AND PUBLIC LIGHT BUS.
AS REGARDS THE SERVICES COMPONENT, THE INCREASE WAS PARTLY DUE TO HIGHER SCHOOL FEES AND HIGHER CHARGES FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT.
THE INCREASE IN THE FOODSTUFFS COMPONENT WAS MAINLY DUE TO HIGHER CHARGES FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING PLACES, WHICH MORE THAN OFFSET THE DECREASE IN THE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES.
THESE FOUR COMPONENTS TOGETHER ACCOUNTED FOR ABOUT THREE QUARTERS OF THE OVERALL INCREASE IN BOTH THE CPI(A) AND THE CPI(B).
COMPARING JUNE 1990 WITH MAY 1990, THE CPI(A) INCREASED BY 1.0 PER CENT AND THE CPI(B), BY 0.9 PER CENT.
THE AVERAGE CPI(A) AND AVERAGE CPI(B) FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED JUNE 1990, AT 135.3 AND 134.8 RESPECTIVELY, WERE 9.7 PER CENT AND 9.5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGE FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED JUNE 1989.
/DURING THE
TUESDAY, JULY 24, 1990
- 5 -
DURING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED JUNE 1990, THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CPI(A) INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 0.7 PER CENT PER MONTH AND THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CPI(B), AT 0.8 PER CENT PER MONTH.
THE CPI(A) AND THE CPI(B) ARE BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERNS OF 50 PER CENT AND 30 PER CENT, RESPECTIVELY, OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG, WHICH WERE DERIVED FROM THE 1984/85 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY.
THE CPI(A) REFERS TO HOUSEHOLDS SPENDING BETWEEN $2,000 AND $6,499 A MONTH AT THAT TIME AND THE CPI(B) BETWEEN $6,500 AND $9,999 A MONTH.
CHANGES IN THE INDEXES FOR JUNE 1990 IN RESPECT OF THE NINE COMMODITY/SERVICE SECTIONS IN THE TWO CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES, AS COMPARED WITH MAY 1990 AND JUNE 1989, ARE GIVEN BELOW.
(OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 AVERAGE = 100)
CPI(A) CPI(B)
t SECTION INDEX FOR JUN. 90 % CHANGE OVER MAY 90 % CHANGE OVER JUN. 89 INDEX FOR JUN. 90 % CHANGE OVER MAY 90 % CHANGE OVER JUN. 89
FOODSTUFFS 143.9 + 1.6 + 8.9 145.6 + 1.4 + 9.5
HOUSING 131.1 + 0.7 + 7.9 126.0 + 0.9 + 7.8
FUEL AND LIGHT 103.9 -0.1 + 8.2 104.0 -0.1 + 7.9
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) 157.7 + 0.2 + 18.2 158.7 + 0.3 + 18.0
CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR 147.3 + 0.1 + 7.3 150.6 + 0.1 + 7.3
DURABLE GOODS 125.8 + 0.5 + 2.8 124.9 + 0.5 + 2.7
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 137.3 + 0.1 + 4.4 137.8 +0.2 + 4.9
TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES 155.0 + 0.9 + 15.3 154.5 + 1. 1 + 15.5
SERVICES 157.1 +0.4 + 12.7 157.4 +0.5 + 12.8
ALL ITEMS 141.7 + 1.0 + 9.1 141.3 +0.9 + 9.3
/COMPARING JUNE
TUESDAY, JULY 24, 1990
- 6 -
COMPARING JUNE 1990 WITH MAY 1990, THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 1.6 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 1.4 PER CENT IN CPI(B). THIS WAS MAINLY DUE TO INCREASES IN THE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES, SALT-WATER FISH AND FRESH FRUIT, AND CHARGES FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING PLACES.
THE INDEX FOR HOUSING INCREASED BY 0.7 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 0.9 PER CENT IN CPI(B) AS A RESULT OF HIGHER RENTS FOR SOME PRIVATE HOUSING UNITS.
THE INDEX FOR DURABLE GOODS INCREASED BY 0.5 PER CENT IN BOTH CPI(A) AND CPI(B), REFLECTING INCREASES IN THE PRICES OF ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES, VIDEO AND SOUND EQUIPMENT.
THE INDEX FOR TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES INCREASED BY 0.9 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 1.1 PER CEN T IN CPI(B) DUE TO HIGHER NEW TERRITORIES TAXI FARES AS WELL AS THE EFFECT OF THE RECENT INCREASE IN URBAN TAXI FARES.
THE INDEX FOR SERVICES INCREASED BY 0.4 PER CENT IN CPI(A) AND BY 0.5 PER CENT IN CPI(B) BECAUSE OF HIGHER CHARGES FOR PACKAGE TOURS AND REPAIRS TO HOUSEHOLD GOODS.
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 JUNE 1990, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $5 PER COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GPO BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, 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.
FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE INDEXES, PLEASE TELEPHONE THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT AT 805 6403.
THE HANG SENG CPI WAS 151.0 IN JUNE 1990, UP BY 0.9 PER CENT OVER MAY 1990 AND BY 11.3 PER CENT OVER JUNE 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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TUESDAY, JULY 24, 1990
7
FURTHER DIVERSIFICATION AND GROWING TECHNOLOGICAL CONTENT IN MANUFACTURING ******
THERE WILL BE FURTHER MARKET AND PRODUCT DIVERSIFICATION AS WELL AS A GROWING TECHNOLOGICAL CONTENT OF PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND PRODUCTS IN MANUFACTURING, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
"AND HONG KONG IS LIKELY TO FUNCTION INCREASINGLY AS THE MANAGEMENT BASE OF AN EXTENDED MANUFACTURING NETWORK, WITH THE SERVICES COMPONENT OF MANUFACTURING TAKING ON GREATER IMPORTANCE," MR CHAN SAID AT A LUNCH MEETING TO MARK THE 30TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES.
MR CHAN SAID THE FEDERATION WOULD HAVE AN IMPORTANT PART TO PLAY IN THIS CONTINUED STRUCTURAL CHANGE.
"FIRST, IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE A SOURCE OF VALUABLE ADVICE TO THE GOVERNMENT. THE ADMINISTRATION NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND FULLY THE IMPACT OF OUR POLICIES ON INDUSTRY AND TO UNDERSTAND THE VIEWS AND CONCERNS OF MANUFACTURERS.
"THE FEDERATION HAS CONSISTENTLY FULFILLED ITS STATUTORY DUTY TO PROVIDE ADVICE TO THE GOVERNMENT ON MATTERS AFFECTING HONG KONG INDUSTRIES WITH VIGOUR; AND I EXPECT IT TO BE A FULL PARTICIPANT IN THE DEBATES WHICH LIE AHEAD.
"SECOND, I EXPECT THAT THE FEDERATION WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP A RANGE OF SERVICES TO HELP ITS MEMBERS TO UPGRADE THEIR CAPABILITIES AND EXTEND THEIR MARKET REACH," HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID THE SUCCESS OF THE LOCAL INDUSTRIES OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS HAD BEEN ACHIEVED IN THE FACE OF INCREASINGLY FIERCE COMPETITION ABROAD AND CONSTRAINTS AT HOME IN TERMS OF A TIGHT LABOUR MARKET, RISING COSTS AND SHORTAGE OF INDUSTRIAL LAND.
"THIS SUCCESS REFLECTS THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT OF HONG KONG AND THE VIGOUR WITH WHICH BUSINESSMEN SEEK OUT AND EXPLOIT NEW OPPORTUNITIES.
"THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR HAS PROVED WILLING AND ABLE TO RESPOND FLEXIBLY TO SHIFTING CONDITIONS," HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID-A STRONG TREND HAD BEEN TOWARDS DIVERSIFICATION.
HE SAID NEW MARKETS HAD BEEN TAPPED IN ADDITION TO HONG KONG’S TRADITIONAL MARKETS IN THE U.S. AND EUROPE AND NEW INDUSTRIES HAD EMERGED.
"WITHIN INDUSTRIES, THERE HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIAL PRODUCT DIVERSIFICATION, WITH INCREASINGLY SOPHISTICATED GOODS BEING PRODUCED.
/"AND THE .......
TUESDAY, JULY 24, 1990
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"AND THE MANUFACTURING BASE HAS WIDENED TO INCLUDE NOT ONLY PRODUCTION BUT ALSO A WHOLE RANGE OF ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES FROM DESIGN THROUGH TO DELIVERY," HE SAID.
ON PRODUCT UPGRADING, MR CHAN SAID THAT WITH THE OPENING UP OF CHINA OVER THE LAST DECADE, AND THE SHIFT OF LABOUR-INTENSIVE PRODUCTION OVER THE BORDER TO GUANGDONG, OPERATIONS IN HONG KONG HAD BECOME MORE TECHNOLOGY AND SKILL INTENSIVE.
"AS A RESULT OF THIS INVESTMENT IN PLANT, EQUIPMENT AND PEOPLE, PRODUCTIVITY HAS SHOWN A MARKED IMPROVEMENT OVER THE LAST DECADE.
"AT THE SAME TIME, THERE HAVE BEEN STRONG ADVANCES 11A TERMS OF THE QUALITY AND DESIGN OF MANY OF THE GOODS PRODUCED IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
LOOKING BACK OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS, MR CHAN SAID THERE HAD BEEN DRAMATIC INDUSTRIAL GROWTH SINCE 1960.
HE SAID THE VALUE OF MANUFACTURED EXPORTS IN 1960 WAS LESS : THAN $3 BILLION. IN 1989 IT WAS $224 BILLION, ABOUT 80 TIMES HIGHER.
IN 1960, THERE WERE ABOUT 5,000 FACTORIES. NOW THERE WERE NEARLY 10 TIMES AS MANY, HE SAID.
IN 1960, THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR EMPLOYED ABOUT 400,000 WORKERS. TODAY, IT EMPLOYED 800,000 - AND THAT DID NOT INCLUDE THE MANY WORKERS IN SOUTH CHINA AND ELSEWHERE WHO WERE EMPLOYED BY HONG KONG-FUNDED AND MANAGED ENTERPRISES, MR CHAN ADDED.
"CLEARLY," HE SAID, "AS HONG KONG HAS DEVELOPED STRONGLY AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL AND TRADING CENTRE, THE ROLE OF MANUFACTURING IN THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE HAS BECOME LESS DOMINANT.
"BUT MANUFACTURING REMAINS THE SINGLE LARGEST EMPLOYER, THE MAIN SOURCE OF EXPORTS AND A MAJOR CLIENT FOR THE BURGEONING SERVICES SECTOR.
"AND REGARDLESS OF THE SHIFT IN ITS RELATIVE POSITION WITHIN HONG KONG’S ECONOMY, MANUFACTURING HAS ACHIEVED REMARKABLE GROWTH OVER THE PAST 30 YEARS AND REMAINS A CENTRAL PILLAR OF THE ECONOMY," HE SAID.
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/9
TUESDAY, JULY 24, 1990
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NATURALISATION AND NATIONALITY SECTION EXTENDS WORKING HOURS
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT IN VIEW OF THE DRASTIC INCREASE IN APPLICATIONS FOR NATURALISATION AS BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZEN IN CONNECTION WITH THE UK NATIONALITY PACKAGE, THE DEPARTMENT’S NATURALISATION AND NATIONALITY SECTION WILL EXTEND ITS WORKING HOURS FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW.
THE EXTENDED WORKING HOURS OF THE SECTION AT 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, SECOND FLOOR, WAN CHAI ARE FROM 8.45 AM UNTIL 11.59 PM ON THESE TWO DAYS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY TELEPHONE 829 3013 DURING OFFICE HOURS FOR ENQUIRIES.
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TAC DISCUSSES FERRY, BUS AND TAXI ISSUES
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) TODAY (TUESDAY) DISCUSSED A FARE INCREASE APPLICATION FROM THE STAR FERRY COMPANY LIMITED TO MEET RISING OPERATING COSTS.
THE COMMITTEE NOTED THAT FERRY FARES WERE LAST REVISED ON JULY 2, 1989. THE REVISION DID NOT AFFECT LOWER DECK PASSENGERS ON THE EDINBURGH PLACE TO KOWLOON POINT SERVICE. FARES FOR THE WAN CHAI TO KOWLOON POINT SERVICE HAD ALSO REMAINED UNCHANGED SINCE 1988 WHEN THE SERVICE WAS FIRST INTRODUCED.
IN ASSESSING THE APPLICATION, THE TAC CONSIDERED THAT A GENERAL FARE INCREASE WAS NECESSARY IF THE STAR FERRY WAS TO REMAIN IN A REASONABLY HEALTHY FINANCIAL POSITION. THE COMPANY NEEDED THE PROPOSED FARE RISE TO MAINTAIN THE CURRENT LEVEL OF SERVICE AND CARRY OUT IMPROVEMENTS SET OUT IN THE FORWARD PLANNING PROGRAMME. ONE OF THE REASONS OF THE INCREASE WAS TO REDUCE STAR FERRY’S LOSSES IN ITS FERRY OPERATION.
THE TAC’S RECOMMENDATION WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION.
IN DISCUSSING THE COMPANY’S FORWARD PLANNING PROGRAMME FOR 1989/90 TO 1993/94, THE TAC WAS SATISFIED THAT THE STAR FERRY WOULD HAVE SUFFICIENT FERRY CAPACITY TO MEET PROJECTED DEMAND AND THAT ADEQUATE RESOURCES WERE BEING APPLIED TO UPGRADE FACILITIES.
THE TAC NOTED THAT EXTRA EXPENSES WERE INCURRED FOR THE PURCHASE OF TWO NEW VESSELS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO FERRY PIERS AND THE OLD VESSELS.
/WITH THE
TUESDAY, JULY 24, 1990
- 10 -
WITH THE LAUNCHING OF TWO NEW VESSELS IN 1989, STAR FERRY NOW OWNED A FLEET OF 13 VESSELS.
BY THE END OF THE 1990/91 FINANCIAL YEAR, THE FERRY COMPANY WOULD HAVE RE-ENGINED;, ITS TEN 20-YEAR-OLD VESSELS. IN ADDITION, STAR FERRY HAD BUDGETTED FOR BRIDGE CONTROL AUTOMATION TO SAVE ON STAFF COSTS; AND AIR-CONDITIONING ON ITS VESSELS AND THE PASSENGER WAITING AREA AT ITS PIERS.
THE TAC ALSO EXAMINED PROPOSALS TO RATIONALISE KMB’S LOSS-MAKING ROUTES TO STABILISE THE COMPANY’S ASSET BASE.
OF THE NETWORK OF 269 ROUTES KMB OPERATED AS AT MARCH THIS YEAR, MEMBERS NOTED THAT MORE THAN HALF WERE SUSTAINING LOSSES.
THE LARGE NUMBER OF LOSS-MAKING SERVICES STEMMED FROM HISTORICAL, SOCIAL AND OTHER REASONS. THE SUSTAINED RE-DISTRIBUTION OF POPULATION FROM THE URBAN AREAS TO THE NEW TOWNS OVER THE PAST DECADE HAD CREATED NEW DISPERSED TRAVELLING PATTERNS WHICH KMB FOUND DIFFICULT TO SERVE EFFICIENTLY.
TO AVOID EXCESSIVE CROSS-SUBSIDISATION, TAC HAD SUGGESTED TO THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TO MAKE CONSCIOUS EFFORTS TO RATIONALISE BUS ROUTES.
MEMBERS WERE INFORMED THAT A COST ECONOMY PROGRAMME FOR 24 ROUTES WHICH INCURRED HEAVY LOSSES HAD BEEN DEVELOPED BASED ON A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY CONDUCTED EARLIER THIS YEAR.
ROUTES WHOSE PERFORMANCE WERE EXPECTED TO IMPROVE SOON, OR WHERE SERIOUS DIFFICULTIES MIGHT BE CAUSED TO THE PASSENGERS AFFECTED, HAD NOT BEEN INCLUDED.
UNDER THE COST ECONOMY PROPOSALS, 13 ROUTES HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED FOR CANCELLATION AND WOULD EITHER BE REPLACED BY NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES OR SUBSTITUTED BY IMPROVEMENT TO EXISTING PARALLEL GMB OR KMB SERVICES. PEAK FREQUENCY REDUCTIONS WERE RECOMMENDED FOR SIX ROUTES OPERATING IN AREAS WELL SERVED BY OTHER MODES.
OTHER SERVICE RATIONALISATION MEASURES DISCUSSED INCLUDED CONVERTING WHOLE-DAY SERVICE TO PEAK ONLY OPERATION AND MIXED OPERATION OF AIR-CONDITIONED SMALL COACHES AND CONVENTIONAL DOUBLE DECK BUSES ON SELECTED ROUTES.
HOWEVER, NO ROUTE SO FAR ASSESSED WAS CONSIDERED SUITABLE FOR CONVERSION TO PEAK-ONLY SERVICE.
KMB CONSIDERED THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF MIXED OPERATION WOULD HELP ENSURE ADEQUATE CAPACITY TO SATISFY PEAK DEMAND AS WELL AS ATTRACTIVE FREQUENCIES DURING OFF-PEAK PERIODS. IT WOULD ALSO GIVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO EVALUATE PASSENGERS’ REACTION TO MORE COMFORTABLE COACH SERVICES AT HIGHER FARES.
/ON THE
TUESDAY, JULY 24, 1990
- 11 -
ON THE INTRODUCTION OF MORE RESIDENTIAL SERVICES, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WAS NOW ADOPTING A MORE FLEXIBLE AND LIBERAL APPROACH TO THE LICENSING OF RESIDENTS’ SERVICES WHERE THEY HELPED RELIEVE PRESSURE ON KMB' S (OR FOR THAT MATTER CMB’S) RESOURCES DURING THE PEAK HOURS, THEREBY REDUCING THE NUMBER OF FRANCHISED BUSES THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE REQUIRED.
MEMBERS WERE ALSO BRIEFED ON THE PROPOSED USE OF ROUTE 5 (SHING MUN TUNNELS) BY NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS.
IN RESPONSE TO THE NT TAXI TRADE, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED A REVIEW AFTER THE OPENING OF ROUTE 5 TO TRAFFIC IN APRIL.
THE REVIEW TOOK INTO ACCOUNT THE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS IN SHING MUN TUNNELS AND THE ADJACENT ROAD NETWORKS IN SHA TIN AND TSUEN WAN, THE DEMAND FOR NT TAXIS TO USE SUCH A LINK, LEVEL OF SERVICES PROVIDED BY OTHER PUBLIC TRANSPORT MODES ON THIS ROUTE, LOCAL VIEWS ON THE ISSUE, AND GENERAL POLICY CONSIDERATIONS ON THE ROLE OF NT TAXIS.
FOLLOWING A MEETING WITH THE URBAN TAXI TRADE, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT UNDERTOOK TO CONDUCT A SURVEY ON THE LEVEL OF URBAN TAXI SERVICE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES SO AS TO ASSESS THE NEED FOR NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS TO USE ROUTE 5 OR TO EXPAND ITS OPERATING AREAS.
THE TAC NOTED THAT THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONSULT THE RELEVANT NT DISTRICT BOARDS IN DUE COURSE AFTER WHICH A RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE PRESENTED TO THE TAC FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.
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POLICE COMMISSIONER MEETS WITH STAFF ASSOCIATIONS
THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA, TODAY (TUESDAY) PERSONALLY CONVENED A MEETING WITH THE CHAIRMEN OF THE FOUR STAFF ASSOCIATIONS IN REGARD TO THEIR PROPOSALS THAT AMENDMENTS BE MADE TO THE POLICE FORCE COUNCIL (PFC) CONSTITUTION.
THE COMMISSIONER TOLD THE REPRESENTATIVES THAT NEITHER HE NOR THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE FAVOURED A CHANGE OF CHAIRMANSHIP IN THE POLICE FORCE COUNCIL AS AT PRESENT CONSTITUTED.
HOWEVER, MR LI SAID HE DID AGREE THAT THERE WERE AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT IN THE OPERATION AND EFFICIENCY OF THE PFC AND THAT A Thorough examination would be made into ways in which action on SUBJECTS DISCUSSED COULD BE SPEEDED UP.
MR LI ALSO FULLY SUPPORTED THE STAFF ASSOCIATIONS’ PROPOSAL THAT A COMMITTEE OF ENQUIRY BE SET UP SHOULD STAFF AND ADMINISTRATION COME TO AN IMPASSE IN DELIBERATIONS, AND HE HAD ALREADY TAKEN UP THIS ISSUE WITH GOVERNMENT.
/FINALLY, THE ........
TUESDAY, JULY 24, 1990
- 12 -
FINALLY, THE COMMISSIONER SAID BOTH HE AND THE SCRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE WERE OF THE OPINION THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO HAVE A FORUM FOR DISCUSSION ON IMPORTANT MATTERS, SUCH AS PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, AND THAT WHEN IT WAS CONSIDERED NECESSARY MEETINGS COULD BE CONVENED BY EITHER SCS OR HIMSELF PERSONALLY.
THE COMMISSIONER NOW AWAITS THE STAFF ASSOCIATIONS’ DECISION ON HIS PROPOSALS.
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UK YOUNGSTERS VISIT SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT * ♦ ♦ ♦ »
A SIX-MEMBER DELEGATION FROM BRITAIN TODAY (TUESDAY) VISITED A NUMBER OF SERVICE UNITS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO GET ACQUAINTANCE WITH THE LOCAL SOCIAL WELFARE POLICIES AND SERVICES.
THE MEMBERS, INCLUDING TWO UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, A BANK EMPLOYEE AND A MOTOR VEHICLE ENGINEER, FIRST CALLED AT THE DEPARTMENT’S LADY TRENCH TRAINING CENTRE, WHERE THEY WERE LED TO VISIT A DAY NURSERY AT THE CENTRE AFTER BEING BRIEFED ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES.
THEY THEN VISITED THE SOUTHORN CENTRE IN WAN CHAI, AND TOURED A FAMILY SERVICES CENTRE AND A SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNIT.
BEFORE CONCLUDING THEIR DAY-LONG VISIT, THE GROUP ALSO SAW THE OPERATIONS OF A BOYS' HOME, A HOME FOR THE AGED AND THE ABERDEEN REHABILITATION CENTRE.
THE VISIT BY THE DELEGATION IS PART OF THE ACTIVITIES OF A COMMONWEALTH YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAMME.
'-----o-------
RESIDENTS URGED TO REGISTER AS VOTERS
******
RESIDENTS IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT SHOULD REGISTER AS VOTERS FOR NEXT YEAR’S LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS AS WELL AS DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE BY THE ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS MONICA CHEN, TO REPRESENTATIVES OF WINNING FIRMS IN THIS YEAR’S DISTRICT INTER-HONG SPORTS PROGRAMME DURING THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY TODAY (TUESDAY).
"I HOPE YOU WOULD ENCOURAGE NON-VOTERS TO FULFIL THEIR CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY," MISS CHEN SAID.
/ON THE ........
TUESDAY, JULY 24, 1990
- 13 -
ON THE SPORTS PROGRAMME - NOW IN ITS EIGHTH YEAR, MISS CHEN SAID IT HAD PROVED TO BE POPULAR WITH OFFICE WORKERS IN THE DISTRICT. THIS YEAR’S PROGRAMME ATTRACTED MORE THAN 600 PARTICIPANTS FROM 12 FIRMS.
FOLLOWING KEEN COMPETITION, THE CHINESE GOLD AND SILVER EXCHANGE SOCIETY EMERGED AS THE OVERALL CHAMPION, WHILE THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION AND KAM TAI HONG RANKED FIRST AND SECOND RUNNERS-UP RESPECTIVELY.
ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE DISTRICT RECREATION AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE PROGRAMME FEATURED BASKETBALL, BADMINTON, TABLE TENNIS, SQUASH AND MINI SOCCER.
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DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME
******
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME IN CENTRAL AT ITS MEETING ON THURSDAY (JULY 26).
THE SCHEME, PROPOSED BY A CONSULTANT FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, AIMS AT IMPROVING TRAFFIC FLOW IN THE VICINITY OF CENTRAL MARKET. PART OF THE SCHEME HAS ALREADY BEEN IMPLEMENTED.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS A PROPOSAL TO PROVIDE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING FACILITIES AT THE SECTION OF DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL BETWEEN PEDDER STREET AND POTTINGER STREET.
THEY WILL BE INFORMED OF THE PROPOSED EASTERN EXTENSION OF THE CONNAUGHT ROAD ELEVATED WALKWAY AND THE DISTRICT’S SETTLED BUS AND FERRY ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES FOR 1990-91.
A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE UPGRADING AND DUALLING OF CONNAUGHT ROAD PROJECT WILL BE TABLED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON THURSDAY (JULY 26) IN ROOM 1416, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
CS OUTLINES OBJECTIVES OF BILL OF RIGHTS .................................... 1
BILLS TO PROVIDE LEGISLATION FOR ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR ........................ 7
HA AN IMPORTANT STEP IN REVITALISING PUBLIC HOSPITAL SYSTEM ................ 12
FUTURE HOSPITAL SYSTEM WILL ACHIEVE POSITIVE RESULTS ....................... 18
HA WILL IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY AND COST EFFECTIVENESS ........................ 19
FOUNDATION FOR REORGANISING HEALTH CARE SYSTEM ............................. 20
HOSPITAL AUTHORITY IS FOR THE BENEFIT OF HK ................................ 22
PUBLIC NEEDS MORE FACTS ABOUT HOSPITAL AUTHORITY ........................... 23
ARGUMENTS NOT RELEVANT ..................................................... 24
FLEXIBLE, EFFECTIVE WAY TO TACKLE INSIDER DEALING .......................... 25
AIM IS TO ENSURE RIGHT INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT .............................. 30
SFC SHOULD HAVE MEANS TO BRING INSIDER DEALERS TO BOOK ..................... 33
TWO AREAS OF CONCERN ADDRESSED ............................................. 34
TIME-COSTING WILL POSE ADMINISTRATIVE PROBLEMS ............................. 36
FEAR THAT PROVISION WILL CREATE MORE COST .................................. 37
ADEQUATE FACILITIES FOR COMPANY NAME SEARCHES ............................. '39
POLLUTION CONTROL BILL WILL SAVE ENVIRONMENT ............................... 40
ACT NOW TO ENSURE WATER QUALITY ............................................ 41
INDUSTRY WILL CO-OPERATE TO CREATE A CLEANER HK ............................ 42
HIGH CONTROL STANDARDS NEEDED TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY ..................... 43
CALL FOR SUPPORT PROGRAMME FOR POLLUTION CONTROL BILL ...................... 44
PRESENCE OF COUNCILLOR ENSURES REGARD FOR POLICIES ......................... 45
MUNICIPAL SERVICES APPEALS BOARDS BILL SUPPORTED ........................... 46
CS PAYS TRIBUTE FOR WORK ON BILL ........................................... 47
/PROVISIONS FOR .......
PROVISIONS FOR BRITISH CITIZENSHIP SCHEME INTRODUCED ............................ 48
BILL DEALS WITH PROSTITUTION-RELATED NUISANCES .................................. 49
ADEQUATE LEVEL OF MEDICAL SERVICES ON LANTAU MAINTAINED ......................... 50
DISTINCTION BETWEEN URBAN AND NT TAXIS TO BE MAINTAINED ......................... 51
NO STATUTORY CONTROL ON PAYMENT OF DIRECTORS' FEES .............................. 52
$634 MILLION SO FAR IN AIRPORT PROJECT CONSULTANCIES ............................ 53
OBJECTIVES OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN ELECTIONS OUTLINED ........................ 54
EXHAUST EMISSIONS FROM RESTAURANTS NOT SERIOUS .................................. 55
FULL COST RECOVERY FOR TREATMENT CENTRE AIMED AT................................. 56
MEASURES TO COMBAT ILLEGAL IMPORTATION OF FIREARMS .............................. 56
MEASURES TO PREVENT NOISE POLLUTION FROM INSHORE OPERATIONS ..................... 57
CANDIDATES CONSIDERED ON EQUAL TERMS ............................................ 58
TUNNEL FIGURES SHOW IMPROVED TRAFFIC FLOW IN SHA TIN ............................ 59
NO DECISION YET ON REMOVING BANYAN TREE ......................................... 60
SFC UNDERTAKING ESSENTIAL TASKS ................................................. 61
ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD REPORT TABLED ........................................ 62
GOVERNOR THANKS COUNCILLORS FOR HARD WORK ....................................... 63
THIRTEEN BILLS PASSED IN LEGCO .................................................. 64
PROPOSALS TO EXTEND JURISDICTION OF TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE ....................... 65
JUNE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES RELEASED ........................................... 68
GREATER DIVERSITY SHOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO EDUCATION SYSTEM ...................... 70
STABLE PROPERTY MARKET FOR FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR ................................ 72
WELFARE SERVICES MAINLY FOR NEEDY PEOPLE .......................................... 73
CSD STAGES CAREER DISPLAY IN SHA TIN .............................................. 74
OPENING OF KOTEWALL FIRE STATION .................................................. 75
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS FUNDING PRINCIPLES ........................................ 76
EASTERN DB TO IDENTIFY TOURIST ATTRACTIONS ........................................ 76
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN EASTERN DISTRICT ................................ 77
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN KWUN TONG .................................................. 79
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES IN FANLING AND SHEUNG SHUI ................................ 79
URBAN CLEARWAY IN CENTRAL DISTRICT................................................. 80
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ON TUEN MUN ROAD ........................................... 80
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
1
CS OUTLINES OBJECTIVES OF BILL OF RIGHTS
*******
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ONE OF THE OVERRIDDING PRINCIPLES IN ENACTING A BILL OF RIGHTS HAS BEEN AND WILL BE TO ENSURE THAT IT FULFILS OUR OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION SO THAT IT CAN LAST BEYOND 1997.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE HONG KONG BILL OF RIGHTS BILL 1990 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR DAVID SAID: "WE CAN SEB NO BETTER WAY THAN TO ENACT A COMPREHENSIVE BILL OF RIGHTS."
SIR DAVID RECALLED THAT IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR, THE GOVERNOR HAD STATED THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO ENACT A BILL OF RIGHTS TO GIVE EFFECT IN DOMESTIC LAW TO THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS (ICCPR) AS APPLIED TO HONG KONG.
NOTING THAT A WHITE BILL WAS PUBLISHED FOR PUBLIC DISCUSSION ON MARCH 6, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT RECEIVED 800 WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS FROM GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS WHEN THE CONSULTATION PERIOD ENDED THE BEGINNING OF JUNE.
"WE ALSO DISCUSSED THE WHITE BILL WITH 13 DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE HEUNG YEE KUK.
"THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THESE SUBMISSIONS ARE IN SUPPORT OF THE ENACTMENT OF A BILL OF RIGHTS AS A FURTHER MEASURE TO PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS IN HONG KONG," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY ALSO NOTED THAT A LEGCO AD HOC GROUP ON THE BILL OF RIGHTS, UNDER THE CONVENORSHIP OF THE HON SELINA CHOW, WAS SET UP LAST NOVEMBER.
APART FROM MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ADMINISTRATION, THE GROUP ALSO MET WITH MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND RECEIVED THEIR REPRESENTATIONS.
THE GROUP FORWARDED ITS REPORT ON THE WHITE BILL TO THE ADMINISTRATION IN JUNE THIS YEAR, AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ALSO HELD A MOTION DEBATE ON THE BILL OF RIGHTS ON JUNE 27.
"THE ADMINISTRATION HAS STUDIED VERY CAREFULLY THE COMMENTS MADE BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND BY THE AD HOC GROUP, AND HAS GIVEN SERIOUS CONSIDERATION TO WHAT CHANGES SHOULD BE MADE TO IMPROVE THE WHITE BILL.
"THE BILL NOW BEFORE MEMBERS REFLECTS THE OUTCOME OF THIS CONSIDERATION AND INCORPORATES A NUMBER OF CHANGES TO THE WHITE BILL," SIR DAVID SAID.
"TIE CHANGES MAINLY CONCERN PART I OF THE BILL WHICH DEALS WITH THE APPLICATION OF THE BILL," HE ADDED.
/THE CHIEF .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
- 2 -
THE CHIEF SECRETARY TOLD MEMBERS THAT THE ADMINISTRATION TOOK THE VIEW THAT IT WAS ESSENTIAL THAT THE BILL OF RIGHTS WAS CONSISTENT WITH THE BASIC LAW SO THAT IT COULD CONTINUE TO BE IN FORCE AFTER 1997.
"THIS CAN BEST BE ACHIEVED BY MAKING THE SUBSTANCE OF THE BILL FULLY CONSISTENT WITH THE ICCPR AS APPLIED TO HONG KONG - WHICH BY VIRTUE OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AND ARTICLE 39 OF THE BASIC LAW WILL REMAIN IN FORCE AND BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE LAWS OF THE SAR; AND TO TAKE CARE THAT PROCEDURAL CLAUSES WITHIN THE BILL RUN NO RISK OF CONFLICTING WITH THE BASIC LAW," HE SAID.
"THIS REMAINS THE BASIC CONSIDERATION THROUGHOUT OUR DELIBERATIONS," SIR DAVID STRESSED.
"INDEED, THE ADMINISTRATION IS QUITE CLEAR THAT THE BILL BEFORE MEMBERS TODAY IS FULLY CONSISTENT WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW.
"WE HAVE BEEN AWARE THAT THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES HAVE SOME CONCERN ABOUT THE BILL AND WE HAVE HAD MANY CONTACTS WITH THE CHINESE SIDE THROUGH A NUMBER OF CHANNELS, INCLUDING DISCUSSIONS IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP AND ON INFORMAL OCCASIONS," SIR DAVID SAID.
"BOTH THE WHITE BILL AND THE BILL NOW BEFORE MEMBERS HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO THE CHINESE SIDE AND EXPLAINED TO THEM," HE ADDED.
ON THE PROPOSED FREEZE PERIOD, SIR DAVID SAID THE MAJORITY OF WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS AND DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WHO EXPRESSED A VIEW ON THE ISSUE WERE OPPOSED TO A TWO-YEAR FREEZE PERIOD.
SOME HAD SUGGESTED THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO FREEZE PERIOD AT ALL.
THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP HAD RECOMMENDED THAT THERE SHOULD BE A SELECTIVE FREEZE FOR ONE YEAR ACHIEVED BY LISTING IN A SCHEDULE THE ORDINANCES LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED BY THE BILL OF RIGHTS, AND THAT THE FREEZE COULD BE EXTENDED, UPON THE APPROVAL OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR ANOTHER YEAR.
"THE FREEZE IS NECESSARY TO AVOID THE DESTABILISING EFFECTS OF LEGISLATIVE AND OPERATIONAL VACUUMS WHICH MAY OCCUR IF STATUTORY LAWS ARE FOUND TO BE INVALID AND, IF FOR PRACTICAL REASONS, THERE ARE SUBSTANTIAL DELAYS BEFORE THEY CAN BE REPLACED," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID IT WAS IMPRACTICABLE TO WORK OUT A DETAILED SCHEDULE FOR A SELECTIVE FREEZE AT THE OUTSET, THOUGH THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERED THAT THE CONCERNS OF THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP AND THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE ACCOMMODATED AS FAR AS POSSIBLE.
"INDEED, THE PURPOSE OF THE PROPOSED FREEZE WAS TO ENABLE US TO IDENTIFY ORDINANCES LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED BY THE BILL AND TO TAKE REMEDIAL ACTION.
/"WE PROPOSE........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
3 -
"WE PROPOSE THAT THERE SHOULD BE A BLANKET FREEZE ON EXISTING LEGISLATION FOR ONLY ONE YEAR INSTEAD OF TWO AFTER THE ENACTMENT OF THE BILL.
"WE FURTHER PROPOSE THAT DURING THIS PERIOD, THE COUNCIL SHOULD, FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, DECIDE WHICH PROVISIONS OF OUR ORDINANCES SHOULD BE FROZEN FOR ANOTHER YEAR OR SUCH LONGER PERIOD AS THIS COUNCIL MAY, BY RESOLUTION, DETERMINE.
"TO AVOID ANY DOUBT, WE ALSO RECOMMEND THAT THE BILL SHOULD MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE FREEZE WILL ALSO COVER ACTS DONE UNDER EXISTING STATUTORY POWERS INCLUDING THE EXERCISE OF DISCRETIONARY POWERS," HE ADDED.
"THE ADMINISTRATION REMAINS COMMITTED TO FULL APPLICATION OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE DATE."
THE CHIEF SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT A NUMBER OF PROVISIONS IN THE BILL FOLLOWED THE ICCPR IN ALLOWING RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS TO BE RESTRICTED ON THE GROUNDS OF "NATIONAL SECURITY" OR TO PROTECT "THE LIFE OF THE NATION".
THE WHITE BILL DEFINED THESE TERMS AS INCLUDING THE SECURITY AND LIFE OF HONG KONG.
THERE HAD BEEN SUGGESTIONS TO SUBSTITUTE THEM WITH "SECURITY OF HONG KONG" AND "LIFE OF HONG KONG" RESPECTIVELY.
"THESE FORMULATIONS WOULD, HOWEVER, PERMIT THE RESTRICTION OF RIGHTS IN CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH AFFECT ONLY HONG KONG, THEREBY WIDENING THE SCOPE FOR RESTRICTION ALLOWED BY THE ICCPR.
"IT WOULD THEREFORE BE INCONSISTENT WITH THE ICCPR. WE HAVE THEREFORE CONCLUDED THAT THE LANGUAGE OF THE ICCPR SHOULD BE ADOPTED IN THE BILL," SIR DAVID.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT SOME MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HAD COMMENTED THAT THE PHRASE "THE RULES OF INTERPRETATION APPLICABLE TO OTHER ORDINANCES MIGHT BE DISREGARDED" IN CLAUSE 2(3) OF THE WHITE BILL MIGHT BE SEEN AS ADVOCATING A DEPARTURE FROM ESTABLISHED LEGAL PRACTICE AND COULD BE CONTRARY TO THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW.
"WE HAVE NOW DELETED THESE REFERENCES FROM THE CLAUSE," HE SAID
"FURTHERMORE, GIVEN THE PROVISION IN THE CLAUSE THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL IS TO IMPLEMENT THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS OF THE ICCPR IN HONG KONG, WE BELIEVE COURTS WILL MAKE APPROPRIATE REFERENCE TO DECISIONS IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS RELATING TO THE ICCPR TO HELP INTERPRET AND APPLY THE BILL OF RIGHTS.
"WE HAVE THEREFORE DECIDED IT IS UNNECESSARY TO RETAIN CLAUSE 2(3)(B) OF THE WHITE BILL," THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
/THE CHIEF .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
THE CHIEF SECRETARY ALSO SAID THE PUBLIC EMERGENCY CLAUSE WAS RETAINED AS IT WAS DESIRABLE THAT THERE SHOULD BE PROVISIONS ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH DEROGATION FROM THE BILL WOULD BE PERMISSIBLE, AS PROVIDED UNDER THE ICCPR.
ON THE CRITICISM OF CLAUSE 6(1) OF THE WHITE BILL WHICH CHARACTERISED A BREACH OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS AS A TORT, SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVED THAT THERE WAS SOME FORCE IN THE ARGUMENT AND HA NOW DELETED THIS PROVISION.
"IN OUR VIEW, CLAUSE 6 AS NOW DRAFTED IS SUFFICIENT TO ENABLE COURTS AND TRIBUNALS TO GRANT AN EFFECTIVE REMEDY IN RESPECT OF BREACHES OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS AND WILL ENABLE DAMAGES TO BE AWARDED WHEN IT IS APPROPRIATE AND JUST TO DO SO," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT THE OBLIGATIONS OF INDIVIDUALS TO EACH OTHER PROPOSED IN CLAUSE 7 OF THE WHITE BILL HAD CAUSED CONCERN IN THE BUSINESS SECTOR.
"WE ACCEPT THAT THE CONCERNS ABOUT ARTICLE 14 ON RIGHTS TO PRIVACY ARE VALID BECAUSE, IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY SPECIFIC LEGISLATION, IT COULD BE COMMERCIALLY DISRUPTIVE," HE SAID.
"SINCE THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION IS STUDYING THE SUBJECT OF PRIVACY WITH A VIEW TO MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DETAILED LEGISLATION, WE HAVE CONCLUDED THAT THE APPLICATION OF THIS ARTICLE TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR SHOULD BE DEFERRED UNTIL SUCH LEGISLATION IS ENACTED. CLAUSE 7(3) AND (4) REFLECT THIS," THE CHIEF SECRETARY ADDED.
"WE DO NOT, HOWEVER, ACCEPT THAT THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION (INCLUDING THE FREEDOM TO SEEK, RECEIVE AND IMPART INFORMATION) IN ARTICLE 16 AND THE ANTI-DISCRIMINATION PROVISIONS IN ARTICLE 22 OF THE BILL WOULD ALSO BE DISRUPTIVE.
"THERE WOULD NOT SEEM TO BE MUCH SCOPE FOR CLAIMS AGAINST THE PRIVATE SECTOR UNDER THESE ARTICLES," SIR DAVID SAID.
"AN INDIVIDUAL’S FREEDOM TO RECEIVE INFORMATION, FOR EXAMPLE, DOES NOT MEAN THAT DATA HELD BY A COMMERCIAL CONCERN MUST BE DISCLOSED TO HIM, OR INDEED THAT ANYBODY IS OBLIGED TO GIVE HIM THE INFORMATION HE SEEKS. ARTICLE 16 IS CLEARLY ABOUT PROMOTING AND PROTECTING THE FREE EXCHANGES OF IDEAS BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS," HE EXPLAINED.
THE KIND OF ISSUES WHICH COULD ARISE UNDER THIS ARTICLE COULD INCLUDE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS, LITERARY AND ARTISTIC SELF-EXPRESSION AND RESTRICTIONS ON OR MANIPULATION OF RADIO AND TV BROADCASTING.
ITS POTENTIAL FOR DISRUPTION IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY WAS HARD TO SEE, SIR DAVID SAID.
/"THE APPLICATION .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
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’’THE APPLICATION OF ARTICLE 22 WHICH COVERS DISCRIMINATION WILL BE LIMITED TO THE MAKING OF LAWS; IT IS INTENDED TO BIND THE LEGISLATURE, NOT INDIVIDUALS, AS IS CLEAR FROM ITS TEXT WHICH STATES, INTER ALIA, THAT THE LAW SHALL PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION ON GROUNDS SUCH AS RACE, COLOUR, SEX, LANGUAGE ETC, SIR DAVID POINTED OUT.
’’THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE HAS MADE IT CLEAR, IN TWO CASES, THAT THESE PROVISIONS DO NOT SAY WHAT LAWS MUST BE MADE. THEY DO HOWEVER PROVIDE THAT IF AND WHEN LEGISLATION IS ENACTED IT MUST COMPLY WITH THE RULE AGAINST DISCRIMINATION.
’’THEREFORE, IN THE VIEW OF THE ADMINISTRATION, THESE TWO ARTICLES DO NOT CREATE A DUTY INTHE PRIVATE SECTOR TO DISCLOSE INFORMATION OR GUARANTEE PROTECTION AGAINST DISCRIMINATION,” HE SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD CONCLUDED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO POINT IN A DEFERMENT IN THE APPLICATION OF ARTICLES 16 AND 22 AS THERE WAS NO INTENTION TO INTRODUCE FURTHER LEGISLATION AND THERE WAS NO OBLIGATION UNDER THE ICCPR TO LEGISLATE FURTHER ON THESE MATTERS.
ON PART II OF THE BILL WHICH INCORPORATED THE RELEVANT ARTICLES OF THE ICCPR AS APPLIED TO HONG KONG AND ADHERED CLOSELY TO THE: WORDING OF THE ICCPR, SIR DAVID SAID ONLY TWO CHANGES OF SUBSTANCE HAD BEEN MADE.
’’ARTICLE 17 OF THE WHITE BILL STATES THAT PROPAGANDA FOR WAR OR ADVOCACY OF NATIONAL, RACIAL OR RELIGIOUS HATRED SHALL BE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
’’THIS ARTICLE CORRESPONDS TO A PROVISION OF THE ICCPR, BUT UNDER A RESERVATION ENTERED BY HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT, WE ARE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO INTRODUCE FURTHER LEGISLATION IN RESPECT OF THIS ARTICLE,” THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
’’HOWEVER, ARTICLE 17 ITSELF CREATES AN OBLIGATION TO LEGISLATE IN RESPECT OF THESE MATTERS WHILE CLAUSE 13 WHICH REPEATS THE RESERVATION SAYS THERE IS NO SUCH OBLIGATION.
’’THE INCLUSION OF THESE CONTRADICTORY PROVISIONS WOULD BE MEANINGLESS AND WE HAVE CONCLUDED THAT BOTH ARTICLE 17 AND CLAUSE 13 OF THE WHITE BILL SHOULD BE DELETED,” SIR DAVID SAID.
ON ARTICLE 22 OF THE WHITE BILL WHICH REFERRED TO CITIZENS’ RIGHTS TO PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC LIFE, SIR DAVID SAID THE USE OF THE TERM ’’CITIZEN” WAS INAPPROPRIATE FOR HONG KONG BECAUSE THE CONCEPT OF A HONG KONG CITIZEN WAS UNKNOWN TO OUR LAW.
"WHAT WE NEED IS A GENERIC TERM WHICH HAS A SUFFICIENTLY WIDE MEANING TO EMBRACE THE WHOLE RANGE OF PERSONS IN HONG KONG WHO NOW HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND TO STAND FOR ELECTION.
"WE HAVE CONCLUDED THAT ’’PERMANENT RESIDENT” IS SUCH A TERM AND IT ALSO MIRRORS THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS IN THE BASIC LAW.
/"WE HAVE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
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"WE HAVE THEREFORE MADE THIS SUBSTITUTION IN THE NEW ARTICLE 21 OF THE BILL,” THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
SIR DAVID ASSURED MEMBERS THAT ALL PERSONS WHO UNDER OUR EXISTING LEGISLATION HAD THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND STAND FOR ELECTION WOULD CONTINUE TO ENJOY THESE RIGHTS.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY ALSO NOTED THAT THE CHINESE TITLE OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS HAD BEEN CHANGED FROM "RENQUAN XUANYAN” TO "RENQUAN FA*AN” TO ACCORD WITH THE GENERALLY ACCEPTED TRANSLATION OF THE TERM.
ON THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE CUSTOMS OF THE INDIGENOUS POPULATION IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WOULD BE AFFECTED BY THE BILL OF RIGHTS, SIR DAVID SAID ITS IMPACT ON PRESENT LAW AND POLICY INCLUDING THAT IN RELATION TO CUSTOMARY LAW IN THE NEW TERRITORIES DEPENDED UPON INTERPRETATION OF THE RELEVANT ARTICLES OF THE ICCPR.
EXISTING CUSTOMARY LAW ON INHERITANCE OF COMMUNAL LAND KNOWN AS TSO AND TONG LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES REFLECTED AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF THE SOCIAL FABRIC OF NT VILLAGES, HE SAID.
"WE HAVE STUDIED CAREFULLY THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE ICCPR ON SUCH CUSTOMARY LAW AND HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT IT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE ICCPR AND THIS BILL.
"THE FACT THAT CUSTOMARY LAW IN THE NT TREATS WOMEN IN A WAY DIFFERENT TO MEN DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE LAW IS NECESSARILY DISCRIMINATORY UNDER THE BILL OF RIGHTS,” SIR DAVID SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD NOTED THE ARGUMENTS THAT CUSTOMARY LAW HELPED PRESERVE A TRADITIONAL WAY OF LIFE AND WAS ESSENTIAL IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE CULTURAL LIFE AND MORAL VALUES OF THE NT VILLAGES.
"THAT SAID, THERE CAN BE NO QUESTION OF EXCLUDING INDIGENOUS VILLAGERS IN THE NT FROM THE APPLICATION OF THE BILL AS THIS WOULD CLEARLY FAIL TO BE A FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ICCPR."
NOTING THAT THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT RECOMMEND ANY EXEMPTION TO THE ICAC AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, SIR DAVID SAID: "WE ALL RECOGNISE THAT THERE IS A NEED TO STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN PROTECTION OF INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND THE EFFECTIVE MAINTENANCE OF LAW AND ORDER."
HE SAID HE BELIEVED THAT THIS WAS ONE OF THE ISSUES WHICH HAD TO BE EXAMINED WITH THE UTMOST CARE DURING THE FREEZE PERIOD.
"I AM HOWEVER CONFIDENT THAT WAYS CAN BE FOUND TO ENSURE, ON THE ONE HAND, THAT THE ICAC, AND POLICE AND OTHER ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE AT A HIGH STANDARD OF EFFECTIVENESS, AND ON THE OTHER, THAT THE ORDINANCES IN QUESTION WILL BE CONSISTENT WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY ALSO SAID FURTHER CONSIDERATION WOULD BE GIVEN TO THE PROPOSAL FOR THE SETTING UP OF A HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION FOLLOWING THE ENACTMENT OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS.
/••TO GIVE...........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
"TO GIVE THE BILL OF RIGHTS A SUPREME STATUS OVER ALL LOCAL LAWS AND TO DIRECTLY ENTRENCH IT EITHER CONSTITUTIONALLY OR BY SPECIAL PROCEDURAL DEVICES WILL CLEARLY GO AGAINST PROVISIONS IN THE BASIC LAW.
"INSTEAD WE WILL PROPOSE TO RECOMMEND TO HER MAJESTY’S PRIVY COUNCIL THAT THE LETTERS PATENT BE AMENDED TO PROVIDE THAT NO LAW SHALL BE MADE THAT RESTRICTS THE RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS OF PERSONS IN HONG KONG IN A MANNER WHICH IS INCON.ISTENT WITH ICCPR AS APPLIED TO HONG KONG," SIR DAVID SAID.
"SUCH AN AMENDMENT WILL ENTRENCH IN OUR DOMESTIC LAW THE PRINCIPLE THAT NO LAWS MADE BY THE LEGISLATURE SHALL CONTRAVENE THE ICCPR AND WILL REFLECT THE SIMILAR PROVISION IN ARTICLE 39 OF THE BASIC LAW.
"OUR PRESENT PLAN IS TO SUBMIT THE RECOMMENDATION TO THE PRIVY COUNCIL LATER THIS YEAR, TO COINCIDE WITH THE ENACTMENT OF THE BILL HERE," THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
------0-------
BILLS TO PROVIDE LEGISLATION FOR ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR
» * * « *
SIX BILLS WHICH PROVIDE FOR NECESSARY LEGISLATION FOR THE THREE SETS OF ELECTIONS WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE IN 1991, WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON (WEDNESDAY).
THE BILLS ARE THE 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 BOARD (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 AND THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990.
THE THREE SETS OF ELECTIONS ARE ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND THE DISTRICT BOARDS.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD SAID THAT 1991 WOULD WITNESS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HONG KONG’S HISTORY THE DIRECT ELECTION OF MEMBERS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES.
HE SAID A LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK ALREADY EXISTED IN THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND DISTRICT BOARDS.
/"AS THIS .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
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"AS THIS LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK IS ALREADY FAMILIAR TO ELECTORS AND CANDIDATES, IT IS LOGICAL TO USE IT FOR THE DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THIS COUNCIL.
"THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THE BILL IS THEREFORE TO EXPAND THE SCOPE OF THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS ORDINANCE FOR THIS PURPOSE," HE SAID.
THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO CLARIFY THE LIST OF DISQUALIFYING OFFICES OF THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS ORDINANCE.
FIRST, THE TERM "PUBLIC OFFICE" IN THE EXISTING DISQUALIFICATION WILL BE REPLACED BY REFERENCES TO OFFICES IN THE CIVIL SERVICE AND THE JUDICIAL SERVICE, IN THE ARMED FORCES, AND IN A SCHEDULE OF SPECIFIC OFFICES WHICH SHOULD BE DISQUALIFIED ON ACCOUNT OF THE PUBLIC FUNCTIONS THEY PERFORM DESPITE THEIR INDEPENDENT NATURE.
"THESE SPECIFIC OFFICES INCLUDE THF COMMISSIONER AGAINST CORRUPTION, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS," SIR DAVID SAID.
"SECONDLY, A PERSON HOLDING AN OFFICE OF EMOLUMENT IN THE GIFT OR DISPOSAL OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ALSO BE DISQUALIFIED. AT PRESENT ONLY THOSE EMPLOYED BY THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ARE DISQUALIFIED.
"THIRDLY, THE EXISTING INDEFINITE DISQUALIFICATION ON GROUNDS OF DISMISSAL FROM THE GOVERNMENT OR THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS WILL BE REMOVED. THIS DISQUALIFICATION IS CONSIDERED TOO HA^SH AS OTHER DISQUALIFICATIONS WHICH ARE BASED ON tfORE SERIOUS OFFENCES SUCH AS A SENTENCE OF IMPRISONMENT AND CONvfCTION OF CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES APPLY FOR ,FINITE PERIODS.
"FOURTHLY, THE POSITION OF THE CHAIRMEN AND VICE-CHAIRMEN OF THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS WILL BE CLARIFIED BEYOND DOUBT THAT THEY ARE NOT HOLDING AN OFFICE OF EMOLUMENT IN THE GIFT OR DISPOSAL OF THE RESPECTIVE COUNCIL," HE SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY MOVED SIMILAR AMENDMENTS TO THE EQUIVALENT PROVISIONS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE, THE URBAN COUNCIL ORDINANCE, THE DISTRICT BOARDS ORDINANCE, AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ORDINANCE.
"THE INTENTION IS TO APPLY THE DISQUALIFICATIONS UNIFORMLY TO DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF MEMBERSHIP ON THE THREE TIERS OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT," SIR DAVID EXPLAINED.
THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO RATIONALISE THE EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ELECTORS.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT AT PRESENT, THE STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REGISTRATION OF ELECTORS IN A GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCY WAS BETWEEN AUGUST 15 AND SEPTEMBER 30 EACH YEAR AND A FINAL REGISTER WAS PUBLISHED IN JANUARY THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
/"THUS THE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
9
"THUS THE FINAL REGISTER WILL NOT BE UP-TO-DATE FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHICH WILL BE HELD IN SEPTEMBER 1991 AND SEPTEMBER 1995," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID REGISTRATION OF ELECTORS IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES TOOK PLACE IN APRIL AND MAY EACH YEAR AND AN ELIGIBLE PERSON MUST HAVE BEEN REGISTERED FIRST AS AN ELECTOR IN A GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCY UNDER THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS ORDINANCE.
"BECAUSE OF THESE REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES, AN ELIGIBLE PERSON WILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH REGISTRATION UNDER THE TWO DIFFERENT REGISTERS IN TWO SUCCESSIVE YEARS BEFORE HE IS ABLE TO VOTE IN A FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY. IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN 1985 AND 1988, SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS WERE MADE TO WAIVE THE REQUIREMENT OF PRIOR REGISTRATION IN A GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCY.
"WE PROPOSE THEREFORE THAT THE TWO REGISTRATION EXERCISES IN RESPECT OF GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES AND FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, RESPECTIVELY, SHOULD TAKE PLACE TOGETHER IN APRIL AND MAY EACH YEAR STARTING FROM 1991, AND THAT SIMULTANEOUS REGISTRATION TO THE TWO TYPES OF CONSTITUENCY SHOULD BE PERMITTED.
"THE RESPECTIVE FINAL REGISTERS WILL THEN BE PUBLISHED IN AUGUST OF THE SAME YEAR, I.E. ABOUT ONE MONTH BEFORE THE ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1991," THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
THE BILL PROVIDES THAT A RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS MUST BE SUPPLIED FOR REGISTRATION SO AS TO ENABLE THE REGISTRATION OFFICER TO DEAL WITH SUSPECT REGISTRATIONS, SUBJECT TO THE EXISTING EXTERNAL CHECKS UNDER THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE BY A REVISING OFFICER, WHO WILL BE A MEMBER OF THE JUDICIARY.
"REGISTERING FALSE RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES CAN BE A PROBLEM IN ELECTIONS BASED ON GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES. THIS CAN TAKE THE FORM OF A GROUP OF ELECTORS FALSELY REGISTERING UNDER A COMMON ADDRESS IN ORDER TO VOTE EN BLOC IN A PARTICULAR CONSTITUENCY FOR A PARTICULAR CANDIDATE.
THIS COMPROMISED THE HONESTY OF THE ELECTIONS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE DISENFRANCHISEMENT AND DISQUALIFICATION FROM CANDIDATURE AND OFFICE OF ANYONE WHO MAKES FALSE STATEMENTS IN THE REGISTRATION PROCESS UNDER THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (REGISTRATION OF ELECTORS) REGULATIONS AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVISIONS) (REGISTRATION OF ELECTORS AND APPOINTMENT OF AUTHORISED REPRESENTATIVES) REGULATIONS RESPECTIVELY.
"WE CONSIDER THAT ANY DELIBERATE ATTEMPT BY AN APPLICANT TO FALSELY REGISTER AS AN ELECTOR, WHICH IS EQUIVALENT TO AN ILLEGAL PRACTICE UNDER THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES ORDINANCE, SHOULD BE A DISQUALIFICATION FOR BOTH REGISTRATION AS A VOTER AND STANDING FOR ELECTION," SIR DAVID SAID.
/MOVING THE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
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MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVISIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, SIR DAIVD POINTED OUT THAT THE 1988 WHITE PAPER ON POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCED THAT IN 1991 THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE CONSTITUENCIES, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE TWO SPECIAL CONSTITUENCIES OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, SHOULD BE REPLACED BY DIRECT ELECTIONS FROM GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES.
"FOLLOWING A REVIEW OF THE DECISIONS CONTAINED IN THE 1988 WHITE PAPER IN THE EARLIER PART OF THIS YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED THAT THE NUMBER OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES SHOULD BE INCREASED TO 21. THIS DECISION WAS ANNOUNCED IN THIS COUNCIL ON MARCH 21, 1990.
"THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THE BILL IS THEREFORE TO GIVE EFFECT TO THESE DECISIONS," THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
THE BILL SEEKS TO REMOVE THE PROVISIONS RELATING TO ELECTORAL COLLEGE CONSTITUENCIES WHICH WILL BE ABOLISHED.
THE NEW FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES ARE PROVIDED FOR IN CLAUSE 19 WHICH AMENDS THE SECOND SCHEDULE TO THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE.
"IN CONSIDERING THE AMENDMENTS TO THE SECOND SCHEDULE, WE HAVE REVIEWED THE GROUPING OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES IN THE LIGHT OF THE CHANGES TO BE INTRODUCED IN 1991," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT AT PRESENT THE FINANCE FUNCTIONAL CONSTUTUENCY CONSISTED OF TWO ELECTORAL DIVISIONS, ONE COMPRISING LICENSED BANKS, AND THE OTHER PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS.
"IN 1991 THE FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTOR WILL RETURN A REPRESENTATIVE TO THIS COUNCIL. WE PROPOSE TO GROUP THIS SECTOR WITH THE BANKING SECTOR TO FORM TWO ELECTORAL DIVISIONS IN A RECONSTITUTED FINANCE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY.
"THE EXISTING ACCOUNTANCY DIVISION WILL THEN BECOME THE ACCOUNTANCY FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY," HE SAID.
AT PRESENT THE TEACHING FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY CONSISTS PARTLY OF FULL-TIME TEACHERS IN TERTIARY, POST-SECONDARY AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTIONS.
"WE PROPOSE TO ADD TO THE LIST THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS, THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE OF HONG KONG AND THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT THE SMALL ELECTORATE SIZE OF THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS REQUIRED SPECIAL MEASURES TO ENSURE THAT THEIR ELECTIONS OF REPRESENTATIVES TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAD ADEQUATE ELECTOR PARTICIPATION, SIR DAVID SAID, THE ADMINISTRATION THEREFORE PROPOSED IN THE AMENDED SCHEDULE THAT A PERSON WHO WAS ELIGIBLE TO REGISTER AS AN ELECTOR IN A MUNICIPAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY AS WELL AS IN FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES WOULD ONLY BE ALLOWED TO REGISTER IN THB FORMER.
/"HOWEVER, SINCE ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
"HOWEVER, SINCE THE CHAIRMAN AND THE TWO VICE-CHAIRMEN OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO SERVE ON THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AS EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS, THEY WILL BE GIVEN THE CHOICE TO REGISTER AS ELECTORS IN EITHER THE REGIONAL COUNCIL OR THE RURAL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY," THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES THAT A PERSON CANNOT STAND AT THE SAME TIME FOR BOTH A DIRECT ELECTION AND AN INDIRECT ELECTION, I.E. THROUGH A FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY, TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY ALSO MOVED FOR SECOND READING OF THE URBAN COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1990, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1990 AND THE DISTRICT BOARDS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 WHICH SOUGHT MAINLY TO APPLY THE CLARIFICATION OF DISQUALIFYING OFFICES PROPOSED UNDER THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 TO THE APPOINTED AND EX-OFFICIO MEMBERSHIP OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, REGIONAL COUNCIL AND DISTRICT BOARD AND TO EXTEND TO EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS THE FULL RANGE OF DISQUALIFICATIONS APPLICABLE TO AN ELECTED OR APPOINTED MEMBER.
SIR DAVID EXPLAINED THAT THE INTENTION WAS TO APPLY THE REVISED DISQUALIFICATION UNIFORMLY TO ALL THREE TIERS OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
SPEAKING AT THE SECOND READING OF THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, SIR DAVID SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES ORDINANCE WAS TO PROTECT THE HONESTY AND INTEGRITY OF ELECTIONS.
"IN GENERAL, CORRUPT PRACTICES, SUCH AS BRIBERY, INTIMIDATION, UNDUE INFLUENCE, ARE CONSIDERED TO BE OF A MORE SERIOUS NATURE AND THEREFORE ATTRACT A HIGHER PENALTY THAN ILLEGAL PRACTICES, SUCH AS MISUSE OF ELECTION EXPENSES AND FALSE STATEMENTS.
"A REVIEW OF THE CURRENT LEVEL OF PENALTIES HAS CONCLUDED THAT THEY ARE INADEQUATE TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED DETERRENT EFFECT.
"AS CORRUPT PRACTICES UNDER THE ORDINANCE ARE MOSTLY DISHONEST ACTS CALCULATED TO INFLUENCE THE RESULTS OF AN ELECTION IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THEY SHOULD AT LEAST ATTRACT THE SAME LEVEL OF PENALTY AS THAT FOR MAKING A FALSE STATEMENT IN APPLYING FOR REGISTRATION AS AN ELECTOR, WHICH ATTRACTS A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR 6 MONTHS UPON CONVICTION," HE SAID.
THE BILL SEEKS TO INCREASE THE PENALTY FOR CORRUPT PRACTICES BY INCREASING THE MAXIMUM FINE FROM $1,000 TO $5,000 AND THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE OF IMPRISONMENT FROM THREE MONTHS TO SIX MONTHS ON SUMMARY CONVICTION AND INCREASING THE MAXIMUM FINE FROM $5,000 TO $10,000 ON CONVICTION ON INDICTMENT.
IT ALSO SEEKS TO INCREASE THE PENALTY FOR ILLEGAL PRACTICES BY INCREASING THE MAXIMUM FINE FROM $500 TO $2,500 ON SUMMARY CONVICTION AND FROM $2,000 TO $5,000 ON CONVICTION ON INDICTMENT.
/IT FURTHER .......
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IT FURTHER PROPOSES TO PROVIDE A CUSTODIAL SENTENCE FOR ANY CONTRAVENTION OF SECTION 17 OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE WHICH REGULATES FALSE CLAIMS OF SUPPORT IN A CANDIDATE’S PUBLICITY.
"ANY FALSE CLAIM OF SUPPORT WILL MISLEAD ELECTORS IN VOTING. RECENT EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE," THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS FOR DECLARING ELECTION EXPENSES AFTER AN ELECTION IS INCREASED UNDER THE AMENDMENT BILL.
THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE PROVIDES THAT A PERSON CONVICTED OF A CORRUPT OR ILLEGAL PRACTICE IN AN ELECTION IS DISENFRANCHISED FOR SEVEN YEARS AND DEBARRED FOR 10 YEARS FROM APPOINTMENT OR ELECTION TO THE DISTRICT BOARDS, MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HOWEVER, THERE IS AN ANOMALY IN SECTION 24 OF THE ORDINANCE WHICH REFERS TO DISQUALIFICATION FROM NOMINATION AND ELECTION FOR THREE YEARS. THIS SHOULD BE 10 YEARS AND CLAUSE 5 SEEKS TO RECTIFY THE ANOMALY.
IN ORDER TO DEAL WITH COMPREHENSIVELY, THE PROBLEM ON THE USE OF FALSE RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES FOR THE PURPOSE OF REGISTRATION, IT IS PROPOSED THAT AN OFFENCE SHOULD BE CREATED UNDER THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES ORDINANCE FOR FRAUDULENT VOTING ON THE BASIS OF FALSE REGISTRATION.
A NEW SUB-SECTION IS PROPOSED TO DEAL WITH FRAUDULENT VOTING ON THE BASIS OF A FALSE REGISTRATION AS AN ELECTOR.
DEBATES ON THE SIX BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
----------------(j----------------------
HA AN IMPORTANT STEP IN REVITALISING PUBLIC HOSPITAL SYSTEM *******
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WILL BE THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP IN REVITALISING OUR PUBLIC HOSPITAL SYSTEM, AND IN ENSURING THAT IT WILL SERVE THE NEXT GENERATION BETTER THAN IN THE PAST, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED SECOND READING DEBATE ON THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY BILL 1990, MRS WONG SAID IN DEBATING THIS BILL SHE THOUGHT THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO ASK OURSELVES TWO QUESTIONS : WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY? AND WHERE DID OUR DUTY LIE?
MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT THIS WAS PARTICULARLY NECESSARY AS DURING THE PAST FEW MONTHS OF INTENSIVE BRIEFING AND CONSULTATION, THE DIVERSE VIEWS EXPRESSED, SOME WITHOUT THE FOUNDATION OF FACT, HAD UNFORTUNATELY CLOUDED THE ISSUE.
/"SOME OF .......
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"SOME OF US ARE NO LONGER CERTAIN WHAT WE WANT. WE NEED TO REFOCUS. TO PUT IT SIMPLY, WE WANT THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY BECAUSE WE WANT BETTER SERVICE," SHE STRESSED.
MRS WONG SAID THAT THE SOLE AIM OF SETTING UP THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WAS INTENDED TO MAKE THE SYSTEM BETTER AND MORE USER-FRIENDLY, AND TO IMPROVE PATIENT CARE.
"THIS IS THE FIRST MAJOR STEP FORWARD IN THE WAY OF HEALTH SERVICE REFORMS, SHE SAID.
SHE LISTED THE MAIN BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY AS FOLLOWS :
* IT WILL PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK FOR BRINGING GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED HOSPITALS TOGETHER IN AN INTEGRATED PUBLIC HOSPITAL SYSTEM, WITH BETTER CO-ORDINATION AND DEPLOYMENT OF MANPOWER AND RESOURCES, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME PRESERVING THE TRADITIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF INDIVIDUAL HOSPITALS. SINCE THE AUTHORITY WILL OFFER COMMON TERMS OF SERVICE TO ALL THE STAFF, DIFFERENCES OVER FRINGE BENEFITS, WHICH HAVE BEEN A FREQUENT SOURCE OF COMPLAINT AMONGST STAFF IN THE SUBVENTED SECTOR, WILL EVENTUALLY BE REMOVED;
* BY BEING ESTABLISHED OUTSIDE THE CIVIL SERVICE, THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR GREATER DEVOLUTION OF AUTHORITY FROM THE CENTRAL TO THE OPERATIONAL LEVELS; GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN MANAGEMENT THEREBY RESPONDING MORE QUICKLY TO CHANGING DEMANDS;
* COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN THE PROVISION AND OPERATION OF PUBLIC HOSPITAL SERVICES WILL BE ENHANCED THROUGH THE VARIOUS REGIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEES AND HOSPITAL GOVERNING COMMITTEES THAT WILL BE ESTABLISHED AND IN PARTICULAR THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY BOARD ITSELF.
TURNING TO FEES AND CHARGES, MRS WONG SAID SHE WOULD NEED ONLY TO HIGHLIGHT, AND PERHAPS REPEAT HERSELF AD NAUSEAM, THAT A BROAD STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FEE AND WAIVER ARRANGEMENTS MUST BE PUT IN PLACE BEFORE ANY CHANGES TO THE CURRENT POLICY WERE INTRODUCED; AND THAT UNLESS THERE WERE IMPROVEMENTS TO SERVICES, NO CHANGES TO SUCH FEE POLICY WOULD BE INSTITUTED.
"I DON’T THINK I CAN BE MORE REASSURING OR SAY ANYTHING IN MORE CONCRETE TERMS. THERE IS NO QUESTION OF KEEPING ANYONE IN THE DARK," SHE SAID.
MRS WONG THANKED THE SUGGESTIONS MADE BY MEMBERS ON THE NEED TO INSTITUTE AND PUT IN PLACE OTHER MEASURES TO HELP WITH THE WAIVER SYSTEM SO AS NOT TO COMPLICATE THE ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES.
HOWEVER, MRS WONG SAID THAT LEST THE EMOTIONS OF THE CONCERN OVER FEES AND CHARGES SHOULD ONCE MORE BLUR OUR VISION, IT WAS OF RELEVANCE TO POINT OUT THAT THE BILL CONTAINED IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS.
/"IT ENSURES .......
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"IT ENSURES THAT HOSPITAL FEES REMAIN A MATTER ON WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WILL ULTIMATELY DETERMINE POLICY. THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT WASHED ITS HANDS OF THE MATTER.
"THIS IS FURTHER REINFORCED BY THE AMENDMENTS TO CLAUSE 18 TO BE MOVED IN COMMITTEE.
"MOREOVER, CLAUSE 4(D) STATES THAT NO PERSON SHALL BE PREVENTED, THROUGH LACK OF MEANS, FROM OBTAINING ADEQUATE MEDICAL TREATMENT," SHE SAID.
MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT NEVER BEFORE HAD THIS PRINCIPLE, THE CORNER STONE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ON HEALTH CARE, BEEN SO CLEARLY ENSHRINED IN THE LAW ITSELF, ADDING THAT NEVER BEFORE HAD THERE BEEN SUCH A SAFEGUARD FOR OUR PEOPLE.
TURNING TO STAFF REACTION, SHE SAID THAT THEIR CONCERNS WERE WELL KNOWN.
"ALTHOUGH THESE CONCERNS ARE OUTSIDE THE PROVISIONS OF THIS PIECE OF ENABLING LEGISLATION, I THINK THESE ISSUES ARE VERY IMPORTANT," MRS WONG SAID.
"AND THEREFORE I TEND TO AGREE WITH MY HONOURABLE FRIENDS MR MARTIN LEE, MR RONALD CHOW, MR TAM YIU-CHUNG AND MRS ELSIE TU THAT IT CANNOT BE GOOD FOR THE PUBLIC IF THE HEALTH STAFF THEMSELVES, THE PROFESSIONALS INVOLVED IN THIS BUSINESS, WHO ARE KEY TO OUR PROPOSED REFORMS, ARE UNTRUSTING AND DISGRUNTLED. WE NEED THEIR SUPPORT AND I PLEAD FOR GOODWILL AND UNDERSTANDING," SHE ADDED.
MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT IT WOULD BE A PITY IF THE PLAN WHICH WAS THE RESULT OF MANY YEARS OF HARD WORK BY MANY EXPERTS SHOULD FOUNDER ON A LACK OF TRUST.
"IT WOULD BE A PITY IF WE HAVE TO THROW AWAY THE BABY WITH THE BATH WATER, ON A LACK OF GOODWILL," SHE SAID.
TURNING TO THE SUBJECT OF CONSULTATION, MRS WONG SAID SINCE 1985, THERE HAD BEEN CONTINUOUS, PROTRACTED CONSULTATION.
"AND THIS WAS STEPPED UP IN 1988, CULMINATING IN INTENSIVE BRIEFING AND CONSULTATION SINCE APRIL THIS YEAR, NOT ONLY WITH STAFF AND ALSO WITH THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
"WE’VE HAD NUMEROUS MEETINGS AND PRESENTATION OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY CASE TO DISTRICT BOARDS AND OTHER LOCAL COMMUNITIES.
"WE HAVE ARRANGED 70 SESSIONS WITH STAFF ALTHOUGH 20 OF THEM HAVE BEEN BOYCOTTED. NEVERTHELESS, WE HAD 50 SESSIONS AND IN OUR GENUINE EFFORT TO REACH OUT TO THE STAFF, WE PUBLISHED LEAFLETS, ESTABLISHED HOTLINES, ARRANGED SMALL GROUP DISCUSSIONS, DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY THROUGH MASS FORA, VARIOUS CHANNELS REACHED OUT.
/"NOW, FURTHERMORE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
- 15 -
’’NOW, FURTHERMORE, IN OUR ENDEAVOUR TO EXPLAIN TO STAFF AND DISPEL ANY MISAPPREHENSION, WE RE-ENGAGED AT CONSIDERABLE EXPENDITURE TO THE PUBLIC PURSE, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, A CONSULTANT TO EXPLAIN TO OUR STAFF HOW CERTAIN FORMULAE WERE ARRIVED AT IN ORDER TO DISPEL THEIR FEARS, TO ALLAY THEIR CONCERN,” SHE SAID.
MRS WONG SAID THE ADMINISTRATION IN ITS EARNEST ENDEAVOUR TO ADDRESS THE LEGITIMATE CONCERNS OF STAFF, THE TERMS OF SERVICE AND BRIDGING-OVER ARRANGEMENTS WERE REVISED TO REPRESENT A CONSIDERABLE IMPROVEMENT ON WHAT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN OFFERED.
”1 HOPE THAT MANY MORE OF THE EXISTING HOSPITAL STAFF WILL FIND THE NEW TERMS ATTRACTIVE. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS, IF ANYONE SHOULD STILL BE IN DOUBT AND PERCEIVE A PERSONAL LOSS, HE WILL BE FREE TO RETAIN HIS EXISTING TERMS,” SHE SAID.
MRS WONG SAID NO ONE WOULD BE COMPELLED TO ACCEPT THE HA TERMS OF SERVICE AGAINST HIS WILL AND THEY WOULD HAVE THREE YEARS TO CONSIDER THEIR PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES BEFORE EXERCISING THEIR OPTION.
"THERE WILL BE DETAILED BRIEFING SESSIONS. THERE WILL BE CAREFUL EXPLANATIONS.
"WE INTEND TO CONTINUE WITH BRIEFING SESSIONS FOR BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED SECTORS. FOR WHAT IS WORTH DOING IS WORTH DOING WELL," MRS WONG SAID.
THE PHA, MRS WONG SAID, HAD RE-EXAMINED THE PROPOSED MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE IN THE LIGHT OF THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY NURSES AND CERTAIN MODIFICATIONS HAD BEEN MADE, PARTICULARLY TO THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR STAFF APPRAISAL.
"I AM GIVEN TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE STAFF WILL BE CONSULTED AGAIN,” SHE SAID.
MRS WONG SAID THE NEW MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE WOULD NOT BE INTRODUCED IMMEDIATELY UPON THE INCEPTION OF THE AUTHORITY, AND EVEN THEN ONLY IN THE INITIAL PHASE OF THREE TO FIVE HOSPITALS.
"THERE WILL CLEARLY BE AMPLE TIME FOR FURTHER CONSULTATION," SHE ADDED.
AS REGARDS THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY’S PERSONNEL REGULATIONS, MRS WONG SAID, A SUMMARY WAS BEING PREPARED TOGETHER WITH AN EMPLOYEES’ HANDBOOK AS A BASIS FOR CONSULTATION WITH STAFF.
"THIS PROCESS WILL COMMENCE EARLY NEXT MONTH. THE PERSONNEL POLICIES WILL BE REVISED HAVING REGARD TO STAFF VIEWS BEFORE BEING FINALISED," SHE SAID.
/MRS WONG ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
16
MRS WONG NOTED THAT SOME HAD QUESTIONED THE VIABILITY OF A MIXED STAFF SITUATION AND HAD QUERIED THE PURPOSE OF RETAINING THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, SINCE IT WOULD NO LONGER HAVE OPERATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES ONCE THE PUBLIC HOSPITAL SYSTEM HAD BEEN BROUGHT UNDER THE MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
SHE REITERATED THAT A MIXED STAFF SITUATION WAS ENVISAGED RIGHT FROM THE OUTSET.
"NO DOUBT, DURING THE INITIAL YEARS, THERE WILL BE CIVIL SERVANTS AND SUBVENTED STAFF WORKING FOR THE AUTHORITY BUT RETAINING THEIR EXISTING TERMS.
"THE RETENTION OF THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, EVEN WITH A DIMINISHING ROLE, WILL HELP TO FACILITATE THE PROCESS OF TRANSITION AND ASSURE THOSE CONCERNED THAT THEIR LEGITIMATE INTERESTS WILL BE LOOKED AFTER.
"I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT GIVEN A COMMON OBJECTIVE, GIVEN GOODWILL AND UNDERSTANDING, AND A SENSE OF FAIRNESS UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, WE WILL SURMOUNT ANY PROBLEMS LIKELY TO EMERGE AND WE WILL MAKE IT WORK," MRS WONG SAID.
TURNING TO THE COMMUNICATIONS WHICH SHE RECEIVED LATE YESTERDAY, MENTIONED NOTABLY BY MR ANDREW WONG, MR MARTIN LEE AND MR RONALD CHOW, MRS WONG SAID THE LETTERS, THE REPRESENTATIONS RECEIVED, WERE MAINLY RELATED TO RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE BOARD OF THE SUBVENTED HOSPITAL WITH THAT OF THE FUTURE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
"THESE ARE IMPORTANT COMMUNICATIONS. AND I’M SURE THE PRESENT PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AND THE FUTURE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WILL GIVE DUE CONSIDERATION THAT THESE COMMUNICATIONS DESERVE.
"INDEED, I UNDERSTAND THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY HAS BEEN AND WILL FORMERLY CONSULT INDIVIDUAL SUBVENTED HOSPITAL BOARDS BEFORE FINALISATION OF DETAILS WHICH WILL BE SPELT OUT AGAIN IN A FORMAL AGREEMENT.
"THIS, I BELIEVE, THEY CANNOT DO UNLESS THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY IS SET UP. AND WITHOUT ENACTMENT OF THIS BILL WE CAN’T SET UP THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, SO IT REALLY SPEAKS FOR EARLY PASSAGE OF THE BILL RATHER THAN THE OTHER WAY ROUND.
"AND, OF COURSE, THERE ARE ALWAYS PROVISIONS FOR SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS UNDER EVEN EXISTING LEGAL PROCEDURE," SHE SAID.
MRS WONG SAID SHE WAS GRATEFUL TO ALL THOSE WHO HAD SUPPORTED THE BILL AT THE PRESENT TIME AND SHE WAS SORRY TO HEAR SUGGESTIONS OF DEFERMENT WITH AN IMPLICATION FOR STOPPING NOW AND RETHINKING THE WHOLE THING AGAIN.
SHE REMINDED MEMBERS THAT IT WAS ORIGINALLY PLANNED TO SET UP THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY MUCH EARLIER, ADDING THAT DEFERRING THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL NOW WOULD MEAN FURTHER UNCERTAINTY AND MORE CONFUSION.
/"I BELIEVE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
- 17 -
"I BELIEVE THAT IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO JUSTIFY SUCH A DELAY, PARTICULARLY AS THE MAIN REASONS FOR IT DO NOT AFFECT THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL."
SHE SAID TO TALK ABOUT ALTERNATIVE MEASURES NOW, AS SUGGESTED BY SOME MEMBERS IN THE COUNCIL WOULD BE A LITTLE TOO LITTLE AND A LITTLE TOO LATE.
"IT IS IRONIC THAT AFTER SOME FIVE YEARS OF TALKING, WHEN WE FINALLY COME TO ACTION, SOME OF US SHOULD HAVE COLD FEET!
"I, FOR ONE, SHARE THE OPTIMISTIC BELIEF THAT WE MUST PLAN FOR OUR FUTURE IN ORDER TO HAVE A FUTURE. WE FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT, NOT BECAUSE WE KNOW WE WILL WIN BUT IN ORDER TO WIN," MRS WONG SAID.
"IF WE DO NOT EFFECT REFORM MEASURES NOW, THEN WHEN? IF WE DON’T DO THIS THIS WAY, THEN HOW?" SHE ASKED.
HOWEVER, SHE POINTED OUT THAT IT WOULD BE WRONG, IN HER VIEW, TO UNDERESTIMATE THE MAGNITUDE OF THE MISSION BEFORE US.
"THE SETTING UP OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY INVOLVES SOME 35,000 PEOPLE WORKING IN 34 HOSPITALS; AND INVOLVING ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE, IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, WE ARE ALL STAKEHOLDERS IN THE LONG TERM HEALTH OF THE TERRITORY.
"THE PASSAGE OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY BILL WILL LEAD OTHER REFORM MEASURES AS MENTIONED IN THIS COUNCIL; LIKE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE, IS ALSO INTER-RELATED WITH THE ACADEMY OF MEDICINE ON WHICH WE ARE WORKING.
"IT IS A WHOLE PACKAGE OF REFORMS. THE PASSAGE OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY BILL WILL NOT ONLY MARK THE BEGINNING OF REFORM OR SHOULD I SAY THE BIRTH OF A NEW LIFE. IT ALSO SIGNIFIES THE BEGINNING OF A LIFE-LONG ENDEAVOUR. MORE OPPORTUNITIES WILL BE THERE, OF COURSE, BUT MORE HARD WORK LIES AHEAD.
"THERE IS NO QUESTION OF RESTING. THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF REAL WORK. THOSE OF US, THEREFORE, WHO HAVE HOPE IN THE FUTURE, WHO ARE PREPARED TO GIVE OUR BEST AND WHO BELIEVE THAT WHAT WE DO IS RIGHT, I THINK WE SHOULD STAND UP NOW AND BE COUNTED," SHE SAID.
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/18
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
- 18 -
FUTURE HOSPITAL SYSTEM WILL ACHIEVE POSITIVE RESULTS
******
THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP THAT STUDIED THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY BILL 1990 IS SATISFIED THAT THE PROPOSALS FOR THE FUTURE HOSPITAL SYSTEM CONTAINED IN THE BILL WILL, GIVEN TIME, ACHIEVE THE POSITIVE RESULTS THAT THE COMUNITY HAS COME TO EXPECT.
THE DEPUTY CONVENER OF THE AD HOC GROUP, THE HON ANDREW WONG, SAID THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DURING THE DEBATE ON THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"ANY ALTERNATIVE MEASURES AT THIS STAGE FOR IMPROVING HOSPITAL SERVICES WOULD TAKE A MUCH LONGER TIME TO DEVELOP," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID THE BILL WAS AIMED TO ESTABLISH THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY (HA) AS A BODY CORPORATE TO MANAGE AND CONTROL PUBLIC HOSPITALS IN ORDER TO PROMOTE, DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN HOSPITAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY SUCH HOSPITALS.
HE SAID THE AD HOC GROUP WAS OF THE VIEW THAT WHILST THE HA SHOULD BE GIVEN ADEQUATE POWERS TO DISCHARGE ITS FUNCTIONS, IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT ADEQUATE CONTROL OVER THE ACTIVITIES OF THE HA SHOULD BE RETAINED BY GOVERNMENT WHICH IN TURN SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE GROUP WAS SATISFIED THAT ADEQUATE SAFEGUARD WAS AVAILABLE IN THE BILL TO MONITOR THE WORK OF THE HA.
MR WONG NOTED THAT FROM THE REPRESENTATIONS ON THE BILL RECEIVED BY THE GROUP, TWO ISSUES STOOD OUT AS MAJOR CONTROVERSIES.
THE FIRST WAS ABOUT THE SO CALLED COST-RECOVERY POLICY WHICH COULD BE ADOPTED EVEN IN THE EVENT NO HA WAS ESTABLISHED.
MR WONG SAID THE ADMINISTRATION HAD ASSURED THE GROUP THAT GOVERNMENT HAD NOT ENDORSED THE PROPOSAL THAT FEE LEVELS SHOULD BE AT 15 PER CENT TO 20 PER CENT OF COSTS. ' '
IN DECIDING ON ANY NEW POLICY RECOMMENDED BY THE HA, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE COSTING OF HOSPITAL BEDS; WAIVER ARRANGEMENTS; THE AFFORDABILITY OF PATIENTS; AND THE QUALITY OF THE HOSPITAL SERVICES PROVIDED.
MOREOVER, ANY FEE INCREASES WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED GRADUALLY BY PHASES AND WOULD NOT TAKE PLACE UNTIL SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN SERVICES HAD BEEN MADE, HE SAID.
THE SECOND CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE HAD TO DO WITH HA’S TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT, BRIDGING-OVER ARRANGEMENTS, AND THE MIXED STAFF SITUATION IN THE NEW HA.
MR WONG SAID ALTHOUGH THESE WERE STRICTLY OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF THE BILL, THEY WERE OF GRAVE CONCERN TO THE GROUP.
/NEVERTHELESS, THE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 19
- 19 -
NEVERTHELESS, THE GROUP APPRECIATED THAT IT WOULD NOT BE REASONABLE TO EXPECT ALL MATTERS CONCERNING THE HA’S STAFFING COULD BE IRONED OUT BEFORE ITS ESTABLISHMENT.
THE GROUP HAD THEREFORE URGED THE ADMINISTRATION TO TAKE ALL POSSIBLE STEPS TO FINALISE AGREEMENTS ON STAFFING BEFORE IMPLEMENTING THE INTEGRATED HOSPITAL SYSTEM, MR WONG SAID.
Mfr
MR WONG NOTED THAT THERE WERE LATE REPRESENTATIONS FROM SUBVENTED HOSPITALS REGARDING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE HA AND THE \ GOVERNING BODY OF THE HOSPITALS. 4
HE URGED THE ADMINISTRATION TO STUDY THESE REPRESENTATIONS CAREFULLY WITH A VIEW TO REMOVING THE WORRIES OF THE HOSPITALS BY' LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS EARLY NEXT SESSION, IF NECESSARY.
MR WONG ALSO POINTED OUT THAT A NUMBER OF REPRESENTATIONS HIGHLIGHTED THE IMPORTANCE OF A COMPREHENSIVE WHITE PAPER ON MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES WHICH WAS LONG OVERDUE, THE LAST BEING WAY BACK IN 1974.
HE FOUND THEIR REASONING COGENT AND URGED THE ADMINISTRATION TO TAKE IT UP AS A MATTER OF URGENCY, PERHAPS SOON AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE STUDY.
--------0-----------
HA WILL IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY AND COST EFFECTIVENESS
♦ * * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY IS A CORPORATISATION SCHEME TO IMPROVE THE PRODUCTIVITY AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF THE DELIVERY OF HOSPITAL SERVICES FOR THE WELLBEING OF HONG KONG PEOPLE, THE HON PEGGY LAM SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY BILL 1990 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS LAM STRESSED THAT THE SETTING UP OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WAS NOT A PRIVATISATION FOR SELF-FINANCING OF THE HOSPITAL SERVICES AS MANY HAD THOUGHT.
SHE NOTED THAT IT WAS A DECLARED POLICY THAT NO ONE WOULD BE DEPRIVED OF HOSPITAL SERVICES MERELY BECAUSE OF LACK OF FINANCIAL MEANS AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD STAND BEHIND THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY TO FINANCE ITS SERVICES.
NEVERTHELESS, SHE URGED THAT, APART FROM ADJUSTMENT FOR INFLATION, FEES SHOULD NOT BE RAISED BEFORE SERVICES WERE IMPROVED.
AN EFFICIENT WAIVER SYSTEM SHOULD ALSO BE IMPLEMENTED BEFORE ANY REVISION OF HOSPITAL FEES, SHE ADDED.
/WELCOMING THE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25,
- 20 -
WELCOMING THE INTRODUCTION OF THE BILL, MRS LAM SAID THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY REPORT WOULD CREATE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE PUBLIC HOSPITAL SYSTEM.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT THE REGIONAL ADVISORY BOARD WOULD COMPARE THE EFFICIENCY OF EACH HOSPITAL AND ADVISE ON THE NEED FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF HOSPITAL SERVICES IN THE REGION.
"THIS COMMUNITY FEEDBACK WILL CREATE A JOINT EFFORT TO IMPROVE SERVICES TO PATIENTS,” SHE SAID, ADDING THAT THESE IMPROVEMENTS IN MANAGEMENT WOULD NOT ONLY INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY OF THE SERVICES BUT ALSO MAINTAIN HIGH MORALE AMONG THE MEDICAL STAFF AND ENSURE THEIR EXPERTISE WOULD BE CORRECTLY USED.
MRS LAM SAID IT WOULD ALSO ATTRACT AMBITIOUS YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WOULD FIND IT MEANINGFUL AND WORTHWHILE TO JOIN THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, THROUGH WHICH THEY COULD CONTRIBUTE THEIR SERVICES FOR THE WELL-BEING OF THE PEOPLE.
-----0--------
FOUNDATION FOR REORGANISING HEALTH CARE SYSTEM ♦ * * » ♦
THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY BILL 1990, IF TREATED PROPERLY, COULD BECOME THE FOUNDATION FOR REORGANISING THE OVERALL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN HONG KONG IN THE FUTURE.
HOWEVER, THE BILL WOULD BE SUPERFLUOUS IF IT WERE TO ESTABLISH A HOSPITAL AUTHORITY (HA) THAT WOULD NOT WORK, DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG SAID DURING THE DEBATE ON THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DR LEONG, WHO SUPPORTED THE BILL WITH RESERVATIONS, SAID THAT THERE HAD BEEN FEW, IF ANY, DISSENTING VOICES ARGUING AGAINST THE PRINCIPLES OF THE HA.
THE HONG KONG MEDICAL ASSOCIATION AND THE GOVERNMENT DOCTORS’ ASSOCIATION HAD CONSISTENTLY SUPPORTED THE HA CONCEPT, DR LEONG SAID, ADDING THAT EVEN PRESSURE GROUPS HAD NOT CHALLENGED THIS PRINCIPLE.
YET, THERE WERE CALLS FOR DEFERMENT OR EVEN SCRAPPING OF THE BILL, HE NOTED.
DR LEONG HELD THAT IT WAS NOT THE MANAGEMENT CONCEPT OF THE HA THAT HAD CAUSED CONFUSION BUT THE LACK OF POLICY VISION IN REVAMPING THE ENTIRE MEDICAL SERVICES.
/SIMILARLY, THE ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
- 21 -
SIMILARLY, THE COMPLETE LACK OF DIRECTION IN THE STUDY OF HEALTH ECONOMIES COUPLED WITH THE UNTIMELY INTRODUCTION OF THE CONCEPT OF PARTIAL COST RECOVERY FOR HOSPITAL CARE HAD PRODUCED A PUBLIC OUTCRY, HE SAID.
DR LEONG, FROM THE MEDICAL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY, SAID THE MEDICAL PROFESSION HAD URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE FULL FINANCIAL COMMITMENT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HA, AS WELL AS ENSURING THE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES REQUIRED TO EFFECT IMPROVEMENT IN THE SERVICE UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM.
THEY ALSO CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THERE WERE NO MAJOR CHANGES IN THE FEE STRUCTURE OF PUBLIC HOSPITALS BEFORE THE HA COULD ACHIEVE AN IMPROVEMENT IN SERVICE.
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ENSURE STAFF ACCEPTANCE BY CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH STAFF AND DEMONSTRATION OF THE COMPARABILITY OF THE NEW PACKAGE WITH THEIR EXISTING TERMS OF SERVICE.
NOTING THAT SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS WERE CONCERNED THAT THEIR AUTONOMY APPEARED TO BE ERODING, DR LEONG SAID THIS MUST BE LOOKED INTO AND SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS MADE IN THE ORDINANCE IF DEEMED NECESSARY.
DR LEONG SAID THE MEDICAL PROFESSION FELT THAT THE POLITICAL AND SOCIAL ASPECTS OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HA HAD TO BE ADDRESSED.
THESE WERE THE UNCERTAIN AND AMBIVALENT ROLE OF GOVERNMENT; THE UNCERTAINTY OF THE MONITORING MECHANISM OF THE HA WITH PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY; AND COMPETITION WITH PRIVATE HOSPITALS.
SAYING THAT HEALTH SERVICE REFORM WAS BADLY NEEDED, DR LEONG SUGGESTED THREE FURTHER STEPS THAT "MUST BE ADDRESSED WITHOUT DELAY".
THE FIRST ONE WAS A COMPLETE LOOK AT THE DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES IN THE SHORT AND LONG TERM FUTURE.
SECONDLY, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE A LEADING ROLE IN REVIEWING THE CURRENT HEALTH AND MEDICAL INSURANCE SCHEME IN ORDER TO COMPLEMENT ANY CHANGES IN POLICY.
AS MEDICAL SERVICES COULD NOT AND SHOULD NOT BE SECTORISED, THE UPGRADING OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE MUST THEREFORE BE TAKEN SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THAT OF THE HOSPITAL SERVICE AND PROPER INTEGRATION MUST BE INSTIGATED AT ONCE, DR LEONG SAID.
- - 0----------
/22........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
- 22 -
HOSPITAL AUTHORITY IS FOR THE BENEFIT OF HK *****
THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY (HA) IS FOR THE BENEFIT OF HONG KONG AND ITS MANDATE IS TO RUN THE PRESENT AND FUTURE HOSPITAL SYSTEM IN HONG KONG AS EFFICIENTLY AS POSSIBLE, THE HON JAMES TIEN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY BILL 1990 DURING ITS RESUMED DEBATE, MR TIEN SAID WE SHOULD NOT THINK OF THE SCHEME ONLY AS A MEANS OF STAFF BENEFITS, IMPORTANT THOUGH THEY WERE.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD CONSIDERABLY IMPROVED ON ITS ORIGINAL PROPOSALS, AND ALL TO THE BENEFIT OF STAFF MEMBERS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT FOR RETIREMENT BENEFITS, A PROVIDENT FUND WOULD BE SET UP WHICH WOULD COST THE EMPLOYEE NOTHING, AND THAT THE HA AS AN EMPLOYER WOULD CONTRIBUTE ALL 15 PER CENT TO MAINTAIN THIS FUND.
COMPARED WITH THE PENSION ARRANGEMENTS AVAILABLE TO CIVIL SERVANTS, THE PROPOSALS WERE DEMONSTRABLY MORE GENEROUS. FOR EXAMPLE, THE PROVIDENT FUND WOULD BE FUNDED SEPARATELY AND THERE WAS NO WORRY THAT THE EMPLOYER WOULD BE UNABLE TO DELIVER THE PROMISED PENSION, MR TIEN SAID. ,
HE ALSO SAID THAT THE SCHEME WOULD BE HANDED OVER TO PROFESSIONAL MANAGERS WHOSE OBJECTIVES WOULD BE TO GET THE BEST RETURN TOGETHER WITH THE MOST REASONABLE LEVEL OF SECURITY.
MR TIEN SAID THAT PARTICULARLY IMPRESSIVE WAS THE FLEXIBILITY OF THE SCHEME.
"STAFF WILL NOT HAVE TO WAIT FOR RETIREMENT AGE TO GET THEIR BENEFITS. THEY CAN TAKE AWAY ONE LUMP SUM WHEN THEY LEAVE."
SECONDLY, MR TIEN SAID THE PROPOSAL TO COMMUTE CURRENT FRINGE BENEFITS INTO CASH ALLOWANCES WAS VERY PRACTICAL TO STAFF.
"SUCH CASH ALLOWANCES WILL BE PAID AT RATES RANGING FROM 4.? PER CENT TO 60 PER CENT OF STAFF MEMBER’S SALARY."
MORE THAN THIS WAS THE PARTICULARLY VALUABLE BENEFIT THAT THE CASH ALLOWANCE WOULD BE INCREASED IN PROPORTION WITH SALARY INCREASES AS YEARS WENT ON, HE SAID.
AS FOR HOUSING BENEFITS, MR TIEN SAID STAFF WOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE OUT A MORTGAGE UP TO A MAXIMUM OF 60 MONTHS’ SALARY, AND HA WAS PREPARED TO SUBSIDISE HALF OF THE INTEREST PAYABLE UP TO A MAXIMUM LIABILITY OF SIX PER CENT.
MOREOVER, HA WOULD NEGOTIATE WITH BANKS TO COVER 100 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF THE CHOSEN PROPERTY, AND STAFF WOULD NOT BE REQUIRED TO MAKE ANY DOWN PAYMENT FOR THE FLAT OR PROPERTY CONCERNED, HE ADDED.
/ON BRIDGING
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
- 23 -
ON BRIDGING OVER ARRANGEMENTS, MR TIEN NOTED THAT AS STAFF MOVED OVER TO THE HA FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE, THEY COULD BE ASSURED THAT THEY WOULD ENJOY THE SAME PENSION AS IF THEY HAD STAYED IN THE CIVIL SERVICE.
REFERRING TO THE QUESTION OF FEES AND CHARGES, MR TIEN SAID THEY MIGHT BE AIMED AT RECOVERING 15 PER CENT TO 20 PER CENT OF COSTS OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS, BUT ONLY WHEN HOSPITAL SERVICES HAD SHOWN SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS.
MOREOVER, PATIENTS WHO GENUINELY WERE UNABLE TO AFFORD TO PAY COULD BE RELIEVED EVEN OF THESE MODEST CHARGES, HE SAID.
----u----
PUBLIC NEEDS MORE FACTS ABOUT HOSPITAL AUTHORITY
******
THE PUBLIC NEEDS MORE FACTS BEFORE ANYONE CAN CLAIM THAT THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY IS FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD, THE HON ELSIE TU SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN SPEAKING AGAINST THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY BILL 1990 DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON IT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MRS TU SAID THE PUBLIC HAD BEEN LEFT IN THE DARK ABOUT LIKELY FEES AND CHARGES AND HAD MERELY BEEN TOLD THAT NO ONE WOULD BE LEFT WITHOUT HOSPITAL CARE BECAUSE HE OR SHE WAS POOR.
"BUT WE HAVE NOT BEEN TOLD WHAT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S DEFINITION OF ’POOR’. IS IT SIMILAR TO THE DEFINITION OF ’POOR’ AS APPLIED TO KINDERGARTEN FEE ASSISTANCE, WHICH MEANS LIVING AT OR BELOW THE BREADLINE?
"IS IT SIMILAR TO THE DEFINITION SETTING OUT THE INCOME LIMITS FOR RENTED PUBLIC HOUSING BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, WHICH LEAVES A SANDWICH GROUP THAT CAN NEVER QUALIFY FOR RENTED HOUSING YET ALSO CANNOT AFFORD TO GO FOR HOME OWNERSHIP?" SHE ASKED.
SHE SAID THE PUBLIC NEEDED ASSURANCE IN CONCRETE TERMS BEFORE STEPS WERE TAKEN TO DEPRIVE THEM OF ADEQUATE MEDICAL CARE AT A PRICE THEY COULD AFFORD TO PAY.
TURNING TO HOSPITAL STAFF, MRS TU SAID IT COULD NOT BE GOOD FOR THE PUBLIC IF THE STAFF WHO TOOK CARE OF THE SICK FELT INSECURE AND UNHAPPY ABOUT THEIR CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.
"NOR CAN IT BE IN THE PUBLIC GOOD THAT MEDICAL STAFF ARE DIVIDED INTO GROUPS SERVING DIFFERENT MASTERS, THE CIVIL SERVICE, THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, THE SUBVERTED ORGANISATIONS AND THE UNIVERSITY TEACHING SCHOOL," SHE SAID.
/SHE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
- 24 -
SHE SAID THAT SEEN FROM THE OUTSIDE, THE PICTURE WAS ONE OF UTTER CONFUSION AND MISTRUST, WHICH COULD NOT POSSIBLY BE IN THE PUBLIC’S INTEREST.
MRS TU SAID THAT WHILE IT MIGHT WELL BE THAT THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WAS GOOD FOR ALL CONCERNED, SHE COULD NOT SUPPORT THE BILL UNTIL SHE FELT ASSURED THAT IT CONTAINED WHAT WAS GOOD FOR THE PUBLIC.
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ARGUMENTS NOT RELEVANT * * * *
ARGUMENTS AGAINST THE PASSING OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY BILL 1990 BASING ON FEES AND CHARGES ARE NOT RELEVANT IN THE CONTEXT OF THE OVERWHELMING NEED TO FORM THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY (HA) AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE HON PETER WONG SAID THE OVERRIDING OBJECTIVES OF THE HOSPITAL REFORM WERE TO PLACE THE PUBLIC HOSPITALS UNDER A NEW MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND TO REDRESS THE INEQUITIES OF THE SUBVENTED HOSPITALS.
MR WONG REFUTED ' CHARGES THAT THE GOVERNMENT, THROUGH THE PROVISIONAL HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, WAS ATTEMPTING TO PUT THE CHARGES UP TO 15 PER CENT TO 20 PER CENT OF COSTS.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE TIMING FOR LAUNCHING THE NEW FEE CHARGING SCHEME HAD BEEN MISINTERPRETED.
ON THE REMUNERATION PACKAGE, MR WONG AGREED THAT MORE CONSULTATION BETWEEN THE MANAGEMENT AND STAFF COULD HAVE MINIMISED THE REGRETTABLE CONFLICTS.
HE SAID THAT THE NEW PACKAGE WAS A BONANZA FOR HOSPITAL STAFF BECAUSE THE TERMS OF THE EXISTING PACKAGES WERE SO GOOD AND THE REAL BENEFITS SO WELL DISGUISED THAT CIVIL SERVANTS DID NOT KNOW HOW WELL OFF THEY WERE.
HE SAID THE HOUSING LOAN WAS A GOOD DEAL, ASSUMING A RISING MARKET AND WAS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
NEVERTHELESS, MR WONG SAID THE HA STILL LACKED ONE ESSENTIAL INGREDIENT.
HE REGRETTED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE THE FIRST FULL DRAFT OF THE MEMORANDUM OF ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENT (MAA) OR EVEN THE SECTION CONCERNING THE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE FUTURE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
/THIS WAS .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
- 25 -
THIS WAS VITALLY IMPORTANT TO THE HA BECAUSE IT WOULD SET OUT THE SERVICES AND FUNDING THAT WOULD BE PROVIDED TO EACH OTHER AND HOW THEY WOULD BE PAID FOR, MR WONG SAID.
HE BELIEVED THAT THE DELAY IN FINALISING THE MAA WAS ALSO DETRIMENTAL TO THE NEGOTIATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE HA AND THE SUBVENTED HOSPITALS, SINCE A SUBVENTED HOSPITAL COULD NOT BE PROMISED MORE THAN WHAT THE HA COULD GET FROM THE GOVERNMENT IN THE FIRST PLACE.
FLEXIBLE, EFFECTIVE WAY TO TACKLE INSIDER DEALING *****
THE ADMINISTRATION REMAINS OF THE VIEW THAT INSIDER DEALING SHOULD NOT FOR THE PRESENT BE MADE A CRIMINAL OFFENCE BUT THAT THE POSITION SHOULD BE REVIEWED IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE OF THE EFFECT OF INCREASED TRIBUNAL SANCTIONS AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ENFORCEMENT ACTION.
THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NENDICK, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE SECURITIES (INSIDER DEALING) BILL 1989.
HE SAID CRIMINAL SANCTIONS HAD IN FACT PROVED INEFFECTIVE ELSEWHERE BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTIES OF PROSECUTION AND OF SECURING CONVICTIONS.
"WE FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT, AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE TRIBUNAL APPROACH REPRESENTS THE MOST FLEXIBLE AND EFFECTIVE WAY TO TACKLE THI PROBLEM IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
ON A SUGGESTION THAT, GIVEN THE QUASI-CRIMINAL SANCTIONS BEING MADE AVAILABLE TO THE TRIBUNAL, THE NON-APPLICATION OF THIS RIGHT SHOULD BE LIFTED, MR NENDICK SAID THE ADMINISTRATION DID NOT SUPPORT THIS SUGGESTION.
HE SAID THE PRIVILEGE AGAINST SELF-INCRIMINATION OR "RIGHT TO SILENCE" APPLIED TO CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS, BUT INSIDER DEALING WAS NOT A CRIMINAL OFFENCE, NOTWITHSTANDING THE TRIBUNAL’S POWER TO IMPOSE PENAL SANCTIONS.
"THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF RETAINING THE TRIBUNAL SYSTEM IS TO ENSURE THAT AS FAR AS POSSIBLE THE TRIBUNAL IS ABLE TO GET AT THE TRUTH.
"WE BELIEVE THIS APPROACH IS NECESSARY TO TACKLE MORE EFFECTIVELY THE PROBLEM OF INSIDER DEALING WHICH, BY ITS NATURE, IS MOST DIFFICULT TO PROVE," UE SAID.
/AS FOR ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
- 26 -
AS FOR THE CONCERN ABOUT THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS IN RELATION TO THE ’’RIGHT TO SILENCE”, MR NENDICK SAID THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS HAD BEEN CONSULTED AND THEIR ADVICE WAS THAT IT WOULD BE MOST UNLIKELY FOR THE COURTS TO FIND THE LEGISLATION TO BE IN CONFLICT WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS.
’’THE COURTS CAN BE RELIED UPON TO RESOLVE DOUBTS SHOULD THE NEED ARISE.
"WE FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT CLAUSE 16, WHICH IS CENTRAL TO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE TRIBUNAL APPROACH, SHOULD BE RETAINED," HE SAID.
MR NENDICK SAID THE ADMINISTRATION CONTINUED TO FAVOUR HEARINGS IN PUBLIC WITH A DISCRETION FOR THE TRIBUNAL TO HOLD SITTINGS, OR PART THEREOF, IN PRIVATE IF THE INTERESTS OF JUSTICE SO REQUIRE.
HE SAID THE WIDER PUBLIC INTEREST CALLED FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS.
THE VIRTUE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS WAS THAT PUBLIC SCRUTINY ASSISTED IN PREVENTING OPPRESSIVE OR UNFAIR PROCEDURES BEING EMPLOYED, AND * PUBLIC AWARENESS OF WHAT WAS TAKING PLACE DISPELLED SUSPICION OF OPPRESSION AND UNFAIRNESS.
BUT TO MEET THE LEGITIMATE CONCERN ABOUT POSSIBLE INJUSTICE, THERE MUST BE A DISCRETION TO HOLD SITTINGS IN PRIVATE, AND THE TRIBUNAL WAS BEST PLACED TO EXERCISE THIS DISCRETION, MR NENDICK SAID.
HE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION BELIEVED THE TRIBUNAL PROCEDURES TO BE ADEQUATE AND THAT THEY NEED NOT BE ENSHRINED IN THE LAW.
"FIRST THE INSIDER DEALING TRIBUNAL, LIKE ANY OTHER TRIBUNAL, IS SUBJECT TO THE RULES OF NATURAL JUSTICE.
"THE TRIBUNAL HAS A DUTY TO ACT IN A JUDICIAL AND FAIR MANNER AND NO PERSON SHALL BE CONDEMNED UNLESS HE HAS BEEN GIVEN PRIOR NOTICE OF THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HIM AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD - THE PRINCIPLE OF AUDI ALTERI PARTEM.
"SECONDLY, THEIR ENSHRINEMENT WOULD IMPOSE UNNECESSARY RESTRAINTS UPON THE TRIBUNAL," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT THE TRIBUNAL’S PROCEEDINGS WERE INVESTIGATIVE OR INQUISITORIAL BY NATURE, MR NENDICK SAID THE FLEXIBILITY WHICH THIS APPROACH AFFORDED WAS THE MAIN ATTRACTION OF THE TRIBUNAL SYSTEM AND ANY ATTEMPT TO LAY DOWN FORMAL PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS WOULD INHIBIT THE TRIBUNAL AND WOULD UNDERMINE THE VERY FLEXIBILITY WHICH WAS CRUCIAL TO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SYSTEM.
"WE PREFER THEREFORE TO ALLOW THE TRIBUNAL TO SET ITS OWN PROCEDURES IN THE LIGHT OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF EACH INQUIRY, BEARING IN MIND ITS DUTY TO OBSERVE THE RULES OF NATURAL JUSTICE," HE SAID.
AS TO THE SCOPE OF THE BILL AND ITS EFFECT ON MARKET ACTIVITIES, MR NENDICK EXPLAINED A NUMBER OF SEPARATE POINTS.
/ON THE .....
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
- 27 -
ON THE DEFINITION OF "CONNECTED PERSON" UNDER CLAUSE 3, MR NENDICK NOTED THAT IT WAS SUOOESTED THAT A PERSON MIGHT BE REGARDED AS AN INSIDER DEALER EVEN THOUGH HE DID NOT KNOW THAT THE INFORMATION HE POSSESSED WAS RELEVANT INFORMATION OR THAT HE WAS A CONNECTED PERSON.
"KNOWLEDGE THAT THE INFORMATION IS RELEVANT INFORMATION IS ALREADY A TEST UNDER CLAUSE 8.
"IN FACT WE WOULD EXPECT MOST PEOPLE TO DEAL PRECISELY BECAUSE THEY KNOW THE INFORMATION IN THEIR POSSESSION TO BE RELEVANT I.E. PRICE SENSITIVE.
"WE DO NOT THINK THE DEFINITION OF ’CONNECTED PERSON’ IS UNNECESSARILY WIDE. NOR DO WE BELIEVE THE DEFINITION WILL CAST DOUBT ON NORMAL COMMERCIAL DEALS," HE SAID.
MR NENDICK SAID THE NET MUST BE CAST WIDE TO BE EFFECTIVE, ADDING THAT THERE WERE IMPORTANT TESTS WHICH HAD TO BE APPLIED AND THERE WERE ALSO IMPORTANT PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS.
"I CAN ASSURE MEMBERS THAT THERE WILL BE A CAREFUL SCREENING PROCESS," HE SAID.
"CLAUSE 13(1) OF THE BILL EMPOWERS THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO INSTITUTE AN INQUIRY BY THE TRIBUNAL, WHETHER FOLLOWING REPRESENTATIONS BY THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION OR OTHERWISE.
"IN ACTUAL FACT, WE ENVISAGE THAT AN INVESTIGATION WILL USUALLY BE INITIATED BY THE SFC, AND THE COMMISSION WOULD NOT MAKE REPRESENTATIONS TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY UNLESS IT HAD REASONABLE GROUNDS TO BELIEVE THAT INSIDER DEALING HAD TAKEN PLACE, I.E. THAT THERE WAS A PRIMA FACIE CASE TO BE INVESTIGATED BY A TRIBUNAL.
"THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL ONLY INSTITUTE AN INQUIRY IF HE IS SATISFIED THAT A PRIMA FACIE CASE HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED AND THAT IT WOULD BE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO HAVE A FULL INVESTIGATION.
"HE WILL NORMALLY SEEK LEGAL ADVICE BEFORE DECIDING WHETHER AN INQUIRY SHOULD BE INSTITUTED."
TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM OF NEGLIGENT OFFICERS, THAT IS OFFICERS OF A CORPORATION WHO DO NOT CONSENT TO OR CONNIVE AT AN INSIDER DEALING, BUT ARE NEGLIGENT ABOUT TAKING PRECAUTIONS TO PREVENT SUCH DEALINGS, MR NENDICK SAID THE ADMINISTRATION NOW PROPOSED THAT THE BILL SHOULD REFER TO AN "INSIDER DEALER" INSTEAD OF "A PERSON INVOLVED IN INSIDER DEALING".
THIS WOULD ALLOW A DISTINCTION TO BE DRAWN BETWEEN A TRUE INSIDER DEALER AND A NEGLIGENT OFFICER, WITHOUT RESTRICTING THE TRIBUNAL’S DISCRETION TO HAVE REGARD TO THE NATURE OF INVOLVEMENT OF ALL PERSONS CONCERNED, HE SAID.
/CONCERNING THE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
- 28 -
CONCERNING THE DEFINITION OF "RELEVANT INFORMATION", MR NENDICK SAID IT WAS AGREED THAT A REVISED DEFINITION ALONG THE LINES OF THE DEFINITION I THE UK COMPANY SECURITIES (INSIDER DEALING) ACT, SUBJECT TO MINOR M FICATIONS, SHOULD BE ADOPTED.
HE SAID THE AD HOC GROUP CONSIDERED THAT THE NEW DEFINITION WOULD NARROW DOWN THE SCOPE OF RELEVANT INFORMATION AND BRING GREATER CERTAINTY TO THE MARKET.
MR NENDICK, HOWEVER, POINTED OUT THAT THE PRESENT UK DEFINITION WOULD SHORTLY BE REPLACED BY THE DEFINITION USED IN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES COUNCIL DIRECTIVE CO-ORDINATING REGULATIONS ON INSIDER DEALING, AND IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO CONSIDER IN DUE COURSE WHETHER THE EC DEFINITION SHOULD BE ADOPTED.
"IT IS, THEREFORE, OUR INTENTION TO REVIEW THIS ISSUE IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE OF THE LEGISLATION IN OPERATION," HE SAID.
CONCERNING TRANSACTIONS WHICH WERE NOT TO BE REGARDED AS INSIDER DEALING FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE ORDINANCE, MR NENDICK SAID IT WAS ACCEPTED THAT AN OFF-MARKET TRANSACTION BETWEEN TWO INSIDERS SHOULD BE EXEMPTED IF THE PARTIES CONCERNED CAN ESTABLISH THAT EACH HAD THE SAME LEVEL OF INFORMATION WHEN THEY ENTERED INTO THE TRANSACTION.
ANOTHER DEFENCE TO BE INCLUDED WOULD BE THE SO-CALLED "CAVEAT EMPTOR" PROVISION, UNDER WHICH A PERSON WHO ENTERED INTO A TRANSACTION IN WHICH THE OTHER PARTY WAS AWARE, OR OUGHT REASONABLY TO BE AWARE, THAT HE WAS DEALING WITH A CONNECTED PERSON WOULD NOT BE HELD TO BE AN INSIDER DEALER.
MR NENDICK SAID THE CONNECTED PERSON WOULD, HOWEVER, BE WELL ADVISED TO TAKE THE PRECAUTION OF OBTAINING A WRITTEN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM THE OTHER PARTY THAT HE HAD THE REQUIRED AWARENESS AND TO REPORT THE DETAILS OF THE TRANSACTION TO THE SFC.
ON THE EFFECT OF THE BILL ON MARKET LIQUIDITY, MR NENDICK SAID THE ADMINISTRATION BELIEVED THE LONG-TERM SOLUTION TO THE "LIQUIDITY" PROBLEM WAS TO ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG OF DEALERS WHO WERE ABLE TO ACT AS MARKET MAKERS IN THE PROPER SENSE OF THE TERM AND HAD THE CAPITAL TO SUPPORT SUCH OPERATIONS.
"ANY MARGINAL REDUCTION IN LIQUIDITY OVER THE SHORT TERM WILL, IN OUR VIEW, BE MORE THAN OFFSET OVER TIME BY THE EXTRA INVESTMENT WHICH WILL BE ATTRACTED BY GREATER PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE INTEGRITY OF THE MARKET AND BY IMPROVED PERCEPTION INTERNATIONALLY," HE SAID.
AS FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF GRANTING EXEMPTION TO MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS TO HELP MARKET LIQUIDITY, HE SAID, THE EXEMPTION OF OFF-MARKET DEALS BETWEEN TWO INSIDERS AND THE "CAVEAT EMPTOR" PROVISION WOULD IN FACT PROVIDE A MEASURE OF EXEMPTION TO SUCH PERSONS.
"BUT, THIS APART, IT IS OUR FIRM VIEW THAT INSIDER DEALERS, BIG OR SMALL, SHOULD BE CAUGHT BY THE LAW," HE SAID.
/"IT WOULD
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
- 29 -
"IT WOULD BE UTTERLY UNFAIR TO EXEMPT INSIDER DEALING BY MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS SIMPLY FOR THE SAKE OF MARKET LIQUIDITY.
"THIS WOULD NOT BE IN THE INTEREST OF THE INVESTING PUBLIC AND WOULD TARNISH THE IMAGE OF HONG KONG AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE.
"IF THE BILL IS TO HAVE ANY REAL DETERRENT EFFECT, IT MUST APPLY EQUALLY TO ALL INVESTORS."
MR NENDICK SAID A NUMBER OF MEASURES WERE CURRENTLY BEING DEVELOPED WHICH WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE THE LIQUIDITY OF THE MARKET.
THESE INCLUDED PROPOSALS TO ALLOW THE BUYBACK OF SHARES BY LISTED COMPANIES, STOCK LENDING AND BORROWING FREE OF STAMP DUTY AND SHORT-SELLING.
"THE FIRST TWO OF THESE PROPOSALS ARE IN FACT CLOSE TO BEING FINALISED AND IN RECOGNITION OF THE CONCERN OF THE SECURITIES INDUSTRY AND THE AD HOC GROUP, WE HAVE AGREED NOT TO BRING THIS BILL INTO OPERATION UNTIL THEY HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED.
"DRAFT LEGISLATION IS CURRENTLY UNDER PREPARATION IN RESPECT OF THE BUYBACK OF SHARES BY LISTED COMPANIES; IF EVERYTHING GOES ACCORDING TO PLAN, WILL BE ENACTED BY END OF THE YEAR," HE SAID.
AS REGARDS STOCK BORROWING AND LENDING, THE STAMP DUTY (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1989 HAD ALREADY BEEN ENACTED AND WOULD BE BROUGHT INTO EFFECT ONCE A PROPER RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR STOCK BORROWING AND LENDING WAS IN PLACE, MR NENDICK SAID, ADDING THAT GOOD PROGRESS WAS BEING MADE AND THERE WAS A GOOD PROSPECT OF BRINGING THE ORDINANCE INTO FORCE IN ABOUT THREE MONTHS’ TIME.
MOVING A NUMBER OF AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE, MR NENDICK SAID CLAUSE 1(2) PROVIDED THAT THE ORDINANCE SHALL COME INTO OPERATION ON A DATE TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR TO ENABLE THE BRINGING INTO FORCE OF THE BILL AT A LATER DATE WHEN THE BUYBACK OF SHARES BY LISTED COMPANIES AND STOCK BORROWING AND LENDING FREE OF STAMP DUTY WERE IN PLACE.
CLAUSE 2(1) SET OUT A NEW DEFINITION OF INSIDER DEALER BY REFERENCE TO A PERSON WHO PERPETRATED ANY ACT WHICH WAS AN INSIDER DEALING WITHIN THE MEANING OF CLAUSE 8.
"THIS AVOIDS DIFFICULTIES IN DETERMINING A PERSON’S ’INVOLVEMENT’ IN AN INSIDER DEALING.
"IT ALSO REFERS TO A PERSON WHO IS TO BE REGARDED AS AN INSIDER DEALER UNDER THE NEW CLAUSE 13(6)," MR NENDICK SAID.
CLAUSE 13 WAS AMENDED BY DELETING SUB-CLAUSE (4) AND REPLACING IT BY A NEW SUB-CLAUSE TO DRAW A CLEAR DISTINCTION BETWEEN A "NEGLIGENT OFFICER" AND A "TRUE" INSIDER DEALER.
/"A NEGLIGENT .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
- 30 -
"A NEGLIGENT OFFICER WILL BE A PERSON WHO FAILS TO TAKE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS TO PREVENT A CORPORATION FROM PERPETRATING AN INSIDER DEALING," MR NENDICK SAID.
HE SAID CLAUSE 13 WAS ALSO AMENDED BY ADDING A NEW SUB-CLAUSE (5) TO ENSHRINE THE RIGHT TO BE HEARD BEFORE ANY FINDING IS MADE BY THE TRIBUNAL, WHILE CLAUSE 27 WAS AMENDED BY ADDING A NEW SUB-CLAUSE (2) TO EMPOWER THE COURT OF APPEAL TO MAKE ORDERS AS REGARDS AN APPEAL AGAINST A DECISION OF THE TRIBUNAL.
CLAUSE 19(2)(P)(IV) WAS AMENDED TO EMPOWER THE TRIBUNAL TO FURNISH A COPY OF THE TRIBUNAL REPORT TO ANY PROFESSIONAL BODY OF WHICH AN INSIDER DEALER OR A NEGLIGENT OFFICER WAS A MEMBER.
"THIS WILL SERVE AS A FORMAL NOTICE TO THE PROFESSIONAL BODY UPON WHICH IT MAY CONSIDER TAKING APPROPRIATE DISCIPLINARY ACTION," MR NENDICK SAID.
HE SAID CLAUSE 20(1)(C) WAS AMENDED TO REMOVE ANY CRIMINAL CONNOTATION ASSOCIATED WITH THE WORD "FINE" AND TO ALLOW THE TRIBUNAL TO IMPOSE A PENALTY UPON AN INSIDER DEALING CORPORATION OR AN OFFICER OF SUCH A CORPORATION WHO HAD FAILED TO DISCHARGE HIS DUTY TO PREVENT INSIDER DEALING, REGARDLESS OF WHO MADE THE PROFIT OR AVOIDED THE LOSS.
"THIS IS TO GIVE THE TRIBUNAL THE NECESSARY FLEXIBILITY TO IMPOSE PENALTIES AS IT SEES FIT IN ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES," MR NENDICK SAID.
THE BILL WAS PASSED.
------0--------
AIM IS TO ENSURE RIGHT INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT
*****
THE MAIN OBJECTIVE FOR THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP VESTED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY TO STUDY THE SECURITIES (INSIDER DEALING) BILL 1989 WAS TO STRIKE A BALANCE IN THE LAW TO KEEP HONG KONG AN ATTRACTIVE MARKET FOR INVESTORS, THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL, MR CHEONG SAID THE AD HOC GROUP, AFTER 13 MONTHS’ DELIBERATION, HAD TO ENSURE THAT THE LEGISLATION EVENTUALLY PASSED WAS EFFECTIVE BUT NOT TO THE EXTENT OF KILLING THE MARKET.
HE NOTED THAT MANY OF THE CHANGES TO THE DRAFT BILL WOULD ADDRESS THE VARIOUS CONCERNS IN THE MARKET AS EXPRESSED BY DIFFERENT ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS ABOUT THE SCOPE OF THE BILL.
/MR CHEONG ......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
- 31 -
MR CHEONG, CONVENER OF THE AD HOC GROUP, POINTED OUT THAT A PREDOMINANT CONCERN WAS ON THE WIDTH OF THE SCOPE OF INSIDER DEALING THAT AROSE FROM PROVISIONS, SUCH AS “CONNECTED WITH A CORPORATION" (CLAUSE 3) AND DEFINITION OF "RELEVANT INFORMATION" (CLAUSE 7).
HE SAID UNCERTAINTY OVER THE WIDTH OF THE SCOPE OF INSIDER DEALING MIGHT BECOME A DETERRENT TO MARKET ACTIVITIES, AND WAS NOT CONDUCIVE TO THE CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE.
FOLLOWING DISCUSSIONS WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, A NUMBER OF CHANGES TO THE BILL WERE AGREED TO RESTRICT THE SCOPE OF THE PROVISIONS, TOGETHER WITH A NUMBER OF CLARIFICATIONS, HE SAID.
ON THE DEFINITION OF WHAT CONSTITUTED "RELEVANT INFORMATION", MR CHEONG SAID THE AD HOC GROUP FOUND THE TWO COMPONENTS OF THE DEFINITION, NAMELY INFORMATION WHICH WAS "NOT GENERALLY AVAILABLE" AND INFORMATION WHICH WOULD BE LIKELY TO BRING ABOUT "A MATERIAL CHANGE IN THE PRICE" OF ANY LISTED SECURITIES OF A CORPORATION, WERE WIDE AND LACKED CLARITY.
HE SAID A NEW DEFINITION WOULD BE MOVED BY THE HON MIRIAM LAU TO NARROW THE SCOPE OF "RELEVANT INFORMATION" AND WOULD AFFORD GREATER CERTAINTY TO THE MARKET.
MR CHEONG NOTED THAT THE WIDTH OF THE DEFINITION OF A PERSON "CONNECTED WITH A CORPORATION" UNDER CLAUSE 3 HAD RESULTED IN UNEASE ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A PERSON BEING CAUGHT WITHOUT KNOWING THAT THEY WERE CONNECTED.
THE AD HOC GROUP WAS ASSURED THAT THERE WERE IMPORTANT TESTS, SUCH AS MOTIVE TEST, TO BE APPLIED AND IMPORTANT PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS AGAINST IMPLICATING THE INNOCENT, HE SAID.
HE SAID THE HON PETER WONG WOULD MOVE AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL TO PROVIDE FOR A NUMBER OF ADDITIONAL DEFENCES OR EXCEPTIONS IN THE LEGISLATION.
IN RELATION TO THE CONERN ABOUT THE LACK OF A CLEAR DISTINCTION BETWEEN A TRUE INSIDER DEALER AND A NEGLIGENT PERSON IN GENERAL, THE ADMINISTRATION HAD PROPOSED TO INTRODUCE A NEW CONCEPT OF AN "INSIDER DEALER" IN THE BILL, AND TO MAKE PROVISIONS TO CATER FOR THE CONCERN ABOUT THE NEGLIGENT DIRECTOR BEING IMPLICATED, HE ADDED.
MR CHEONG SAID THE AD HOC GROUP FELT MANY OF THE HYPOTHETICAL CASES PRESENTED BY MARKET ORGANISATIONS HAD STEMMED FROM A LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED FOR THE INVESTIGATION INTO POSSIBLE CASES OF INSIDER DEALING BEFORE A DECISION WAS MADE TO SET UP A TRIBUNAL.
/IT WAS .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
- 32 -
IT WAS ENVISAGED THAT THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR INITIAL INVESTIGATION, AND WOULD HAVE TO BE SATISFIED THAT THERE WAS A CASE TO BE ANSWERED AND INVESTIGATED BY A TRIBUNAL BEFORE MAKING A RECOMMENDATION TO THIS EFFECT TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WHO WOULD HAVE THE ULTIMATE SAY ON WHETHER A TRIBUNAL OUGHT TO BE SET UP, HE SAID.
HE SAID THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WOULD BE REQUESTED TO EXPLAIN IN GREATER DETAIL THE MECHANISM INVOLVED IN TODAY’S LEGCO SITTING AND THE HON MARTIN BARROW WOULD MOVE AMENDMENTS TO CLAUSES 9 AND 10 OF THE BILL TO ADDRESS CONCERN ABOUT THE MECHANISM.
MR CHEONG SAID ANOTHER MAJOR ISSUE DEALT WITH BY THE AD HOC GROUP WAS RELATED TO THE ROLE PLAYED BY CONTROLLING SHAREHOLDERS OF LISTED COMPANIES IN ACTING AS THE BUYERS OR SELLERS OF LAST RESORT IN THE SHARES OF THEIR COMPANIES.
IT WAS A COMMON FEATURE OF THE HONG KONG MARKET IN WHICH A LARGE PROPORTION OF THE SHARES OF MANY LISTED COMPANIES WERE HELD BY CONTROLLING SHAREHOLDERS, WHO WOULD FROM TIME TO TIME BE APPROACHED BY BROKERS FOR THE PURCHASE OR SALE OF LARGE LINES OF THE SHARES OF THEIR COMPANY.
SUCH ACTIVITIES OF THE CONTROLLING SHAREHOLDERS HAD PLAYED A VITAL ROLE IN MAINTAINING THE LIQUIDITY OF THE MARKET, HE ADDED.
MR CHEONG SAID THE ADMINISTRATION MAINTAINED, AFTER A SERIES OF DISCUSSIONS WITH THE AD HOC GROUP, THAT IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE TO MAKE A BLANKET EXCEPTION OF SUCH ACTIVITIES OF CONTROLLING SHAREHOLDERS WHO, UNLIKE GENUINE "MARKET-MAKERS” IN OTHER MARKETS, HAD THE LIBERTY TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO RESPOND, LARGELY TO SUIT THEIR OWN CIRCUMSTANCES.
”HOWEVER, A WAY FORWARD WAS FOUND USING THE ’CAVEAT EMPTOR’ PRINCIPLE BY PROVIDING AN EXCEPTION IN THE BILL ON THE BASIS THAT A DEALING SHOULD NOT BE PROHIBITED IF THE PARTY TO BE INVOLVED IN A TRANSACTION WITH A CONTROLLING SHAREHOLDER WAS AWARE THAT HE WAS DEALING WITH A PERSON WHO WAS A CONNECTED PERSON AND WHO MIGHT THEREFORE BE IN POSSESSION OF RELEVANT INFORMATION, I.E. THE PARTY ACCEPTING THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING DISADVANTAGED BY ENGAGING IN THE DEAL. A NEW CLAUSE 9(6) WILL BE MOVED BY MY COLLEAGUE THE HON PETER WONG.
"IN RESPONSE TO THE AD HOC GROUP’S QUERY ABOUT WHAT WOULD BE DONE SPECIFICALLY TO ADDRESS THE CONCERN ABOUT LIQUIDITY OF THE MARKET, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS SUGGESTED THAT LIQUIDITY WOULD BE ENHANCED BY THREE MEASURES WHICH WOULD BE PUT IN PLACE SOON.
"THE FIRST IS A PROPOSAL TO ALLOW THE BUYBACK OF SHARES BY LISTED COMPANIES, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE IN PLACE BY THE END OF 1990.
"THE SECOND ONE RELATES TO ATTEMPTS TO THE BRINGING INTO FORCE EXISTING LEGISLATION WHICH ALLOWS STOCK BORROWING OR LENDING FREE OF STAMP DUTY.
/•'THE THIRD...........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
- 33 -
"THE THIRD RELATES TO PERMITTING SHORT-SELLING.
"THE ADMINISTRATION HAS FURTHER AGREED TO DEFER THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE ORDINANCE UNTIL LEGISLATION RELATING TO BUYBACK AND STOCK BORROWING ARE INTRODUCED POSSIBLY BY THE END OF 1990.
"THE GROUP'S VIEW IS THAT THESE TWO MEASURES MAY BE MARGINALLY BUT NOT SIGNIFICANTLY EFFECTIVE IN ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF LIQUIDITY.
"THE GROUP ACCEPTS THAT SHORT-SELLING WILL BE MORE OF AN EFFECTIVE TOOL. NEVERTHELESS, GIVEN THE COMPLEXITY OF DRAFTING THE NECESSARY LEGISLATION, THE GROUP ACCEPTS THAT THE INSIDER DEALING ORDINANCE SHOULD NOT BE HELD UP FOR A FURTHER YEAR.
"ACCORDINGLY, WE BELIEVE THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF THE CAVEAT EMPTOR PROVISION PLUS THE INTRODUCTION OF THE TWO MEASURES MENTIONED ABOVE SHOULD GO SOME WAY TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS OF MARKET LIQUIDITY AS UNIQUELY EXPERIENCED IN HONG KONG," MR CHEO-G SAID.
ON THE ISSUE OF CRIMINALISING INSIDER DEALING, MR CHEONG SAID THE AD HOC GROUP FOUND THE ISSUE SHOULD NOT BE PURSUED AT THIS STAGE BECAUSE OF ITS SENSITIVITY BUT HAD ASKED THE ADMINISTRATION TO ADDRESS THE CONCERN ABOUT THE POSSIBLE EROSION OF CIVIL LIBERTY IN THE CONTEXT OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS.
--------0-----------
SFC SHOULD HAVE MEANS TO BRING INSIDER DEALERS TO BOOK *****
THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION SHOULD BE GIVEN EFFECTIVE MEANS TO BRING INSIDER DEALERS TO BOOK, THE HON PETER WONG, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
NEVERTHELESS, MR WONG HELD THAT THESE MEANS SHOULD BE BALANCED AGAINST THE POSSIBLE INTRUSIONS UPON THE RIGHTS OF THE INDIVIDUALS.
HE SAID THE SECURITIES (INSIDER DEALING) BILL 1989 ATTEMPTED TO BALANCE THESE POWERS AND INTRUSIONS.
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL, MR WONG SAID HE SUPPORTED THE BILL AS A WHOLE BUT HAD STRONG RESERVATION ON THE DEFINITION OF "RELEVANT INFORMATION".
HE WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAD GIVEN IN TO THE NEW DEFINITION OF "RELEVANT INFORMATION" WHICH WAS BASED UPON THE EXISTING UK DEFINITION OF "INSIDE INFORMATION".
MR WONG NOTED THAT THE UK DEFINITION WOULD SHORTLY BE REPLACED BY A NEW DEFINITION WHICH WAS CONTAINED IN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY DIRECTIVE.
/THIS MEANT ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
- 34 -
THIS MEANT HONG KONG WAS UNLIKELY TO GET MUCH HELP FROM THE DECISIONS OF THE EUROPEAN COURTS IN INTERPRETING THE FINER POINTS OF THE DEFINITION, HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID HE UNDERSTOOD THAT ONE OF THE REASONS FOR THE NEW WORDING WAS TO ASSIST FINANCIAL ANALYSTS WHO MIGHT BE PASSING ON THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS IN RELATION TO PARTICULAR SECURITIES TO A SELECTED NUMBER OF CLIENTS.
HE FELT THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SEE HOW SUCH RECOMMENDATIONS COULD AMOUNT TO INSIDE INFORMATION IF THEY WERE BASED ON RESEARCH INTO PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INFORMATION.
"IF, ON THE OTHER HAND, THEY RESULT FROM TIPS FROM DIRECTORS IN POSSESSION OF INSIDE INFORMATION, THE ANALYST SHOULD NOT BE DEALING OR ENCOURAGING HIS CLIENTS TO DEAL ON THE BASIS OF SUCH TIPS,” HE SAID.
HE SAID IT WOULD BE BETTER TO LEAVE THE TEXT AS IT WAS IN THE PREVIOUS DRAFT OF THE BILL AND WHICH WAS CURRENTLY IN THE EXISTING LEGISLATION, THAT IS, THE INSIDER MUST SHOW THE INFORMATION WAS ’’GENERALLY AVAILABLE".
---------0-----------
TWO AREAS OF CONCERN ADDRESSED
THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NENDICK, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ADDRESSED TWO AREAS OF CONCERN IN THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL 1990 WHICH RELATED TO THE TIME LIMIT FOR AN APPLICATION FOR CONVERSION TO A VOLUNTARY WINDING-UP (SECTION 209A(1) AND THE VARIOUS MATTERS RELATING TO THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO WHICH THE COURT SHOULD HAVE REGARD (SECTION 209A(2).
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR NENDICK SAID SECTION 209A WAS A PROVISION WHICH STOOD VERY MUCH ON ITS OWN AND WHICH COULD THEREFORE BE AMENDED SEPARATELYt WITHOUT IMPINGING ON THE OTHER WINDING-UP PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE.
HE SAID THAT THE FIRST AREA OF CONCERN RELATED TO THE TIME LIMIT FOR AN APPLICATION FOR CONVERSION TO A VOLUNTARY WINDING-UP AND THE POSSIBILITY OF THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S DIVISION FUNCTIONING ON A TIME-COST BASIS.
ON THE CONCERN THAT THE TIME LIMIT OF THREE MONTHS FROM THE FIRST MEETING OF THE CREDITORS AND CONTRIBUTORIES WAS TOO SHORT AND THAT IT WOULD BE UNNECESSARY TO IMPOSE A TIME LIMIT IF THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER COULD CHARGE FEES ON A TIME-COST BASIS, MR NENDICK SAID THE PROPOSED CHANGE TO A SYSTEM OF TIME-COSTING WOULD POSE SIGNIFICANT PRACTICAL PROBLEMS FOR THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER.
/'•I SHOULD
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
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"I SHOULD, HOWEVER, REITERATE THAT UNDER THE PRESENT SYSTEM, CREDITORS CAN SEEK CONVERSION AT ANY TIME DURING THE COURSE OF A COMPULSORY LIQUIDATION TO AVOID THE PAYMENT OF FEES TO THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER FOR HIS INVESTIGATORY WORK," HE SAID.
MR NENDICK NOTED THAT THE MAIN REASON WHICH HAD BEEN GIVEN IN MOST OF THE SUCCESSFUL CONVERSIONS TO DATE WAS THAT OF AVOIDING PAYMENT OF SUCH FEES.
"THIS IS AN UNSATISFACTORY SITUATION AND NEEDS TO BE RECTIFIED," HE SAID.
"OUR PROPOSAL TO REMEDY THIS WEAKNESS IS TO REQUIRE ANY APPLICATION FOR CONVERSION TO BE MADE WITHIN A PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS FROM THE STATUTORY FIRST MEETINGS.
"WE BELIEVE THAT THIS TIME PERIOD SHOULD IN NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES BE SUFFICIENT FOR CREDITORS TO REACH A DECISION ON THE WAY FORWARD AND FOR THEM TO PREPARE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS."
MR NENDICK SAID, HOWEVER, THAT THERE MIGHT BE PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH CREDITORS WOULD NEED MORE TIME TO CONSIDER THE QUESTION OF CONVERSION.
"ACCORDINGLY, THE BILL PROVIDES FOR AN ADJOURNMENT OF THE MEETING. CREDITORS CAN ALSO APPLY TO THE COURT FOR AN EXTENSION OF THE TIME LIMIT.
"THERE ARE THUS ADEQUATE SAFEGUARDS AVAILABLE TO THE CREDITORS AND CONTRIBUTORIES," HE SAID.
ON THE SECOND AREA OF CONCERN RELATED TO THE VARIOUS MATTERS RELATING TO THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO WHICH THE COURT SHOULD HAVE REGARD AND TO THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S RIGHT OF AUDIENCE BEFORE THE COURT ON THE HEARING OF AN APPLICATION FOR CONVERSION, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE SECTION 209A(2) WAS TO SPECIFY VARIOUS MATTERS OF PUBLIC INTEREST WHICH THE COURT SHALL CONSIDER BEFORE EXERCISING ITS DISCRETION UNDER THE NEW SUBSECTION (1).
"IF CERTAIN FACTORS CANNOT APPLY IN A PARTICULAR CASE, THEN CLEARLY THE COURT WOULD NOT NEED TO HAVE REGARD TO THEM," MR NENDICK SAID.
AS FOR THE VIEW THAT THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER SHOULD MAINTAIN A NEUTRAL STANCE AND THAT HIS RIGHT OF AUDIENCE UNDER THE NEW SUBSECTION 209A(7) SHOULD BE REMOVED, MR NENDICK SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER TO HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE HEARD ON ANY APPLICATION FOR CONVERSION AS THERE MIGHT BE GOOD REASONS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST FOR HIM TO SUPPORT OR OPPOSE A PARTICULAR APPLICATION.
"I AM GLAD THAT THE AD HOC GROUP SHARES OUR VIEW THAT NO AMENDMENT TO SECTION 209A(7) IS REQUIRED," HE SAID.
AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL WERE INTRODUCED BY MR NENDICK DURING THE COMMITTEE STAGE.
/"THE ADDITICN .........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
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"THE ADDITION TO SECTION 209A(l)(B) OF THE WORDS 'FROM THE DATE’ IS TO MAKE THE TIME PERIOD IN THIS SUB-SECTION CONSISTENT WITH THAT IN SECTION 209A(l)(A).
"THE PROPOSAL TO AMEND SECTION 209A(3) IS TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE COURT IS ONLY REQUIRED TO DIRECT SEPARATE MEETINGS OF CREDITORS AND CONTRIBUTORIES IN RESPECT OF SUMMARY PROCEDURE ORDERS UNDER SECTION 227F."
MR NENDICK SAID THAT IN ALL OTHER CASES, THE WISHES OF CREDITORS AND CONTRIBUTORIES AS TO WHETHER TO MAKE A SECTION 209A APPLICATION WOULD USUALLY BE ASCERTAINED AT THE FIRST STATUTORY MEETING (OR ANY ADJOURNED MEETING) HELD UNDER SECTION 194, AND IT WOULD NOT BE NECESSARY TO HOLD TWO SEPARATE MEETINGS TO CONSIDER THESE ISSUES.
"THE AMENDMENT TO SECTION 209C(2) IS NECESSARY TO CLARIFY THAT THE TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS WILL ONLY APPLY TO A COMPANY WOUND UP BY THE COURT AFTER AUGUST 30, 1983 AND BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE AMENDING ORDINANCE, AND CREDITORS OF SUCH COMPANIES ARE GIVEN A THREEMONTH GRACE PERIOD TO APPLY FOR CONVERSION UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE FORMER LAW," HE ADDED.
TIME-COSTING WILL POSE ADMINISTRATIVE PROBLEMS
♦ ♦ ♦ * *
ONE OF THE MAJOR CONCERNS ON THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL 1990 WAS RELATED TO THE ISSUE OF TIME LIMIT FOR MAKING AN APPLICATION FOR CONVERSION OF A COMPULSORY WINDING-UP TO A CREDITORS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING-UP, THE HON MARTIN BARROW SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE NOTED THAT SECTION 209A STIPULATED THAT AN APPLICATION FOR CONVERSION SHOULD BE MADE WITHIN THREE MONTHS OF THE DATE OF A RESOLUTION PASSED AT THE FIRST MEETING OF THE CREDITORS AND CONTRIBUTORIES OR ANY ADJOURNMENT OF THAT MEETING OR WITHIN SUCH FURTHER PERIOD AS THE COURT MIGHT PERMIT.
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL, MR BARROW SAID DEPUTATIONS FROM CONCERNED GROUPS, INCLUDING THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS, SUGGESTED THAT IF THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE COULD FUNCTION ON A TIME-COSTING BASIS, FEES FOR THE WORK DONE BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER IN RESPECT OF A COMPULSORY WINDING-UP COULD BE RECOVERED, AND SUCH A TIME LIMIT WOULD THEN BE UNNECESSARY.
THE AD HOC GROUP WAS INFORMED THAT THE CHANGE TO A SYSTEM OF TIME-COSTING WOULD INVOLVE VERY SUBSTANTIAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROBLEMS FOR THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER, HE SAID.
/•'HAVING CONSIDERED......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
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’’HAVING CONSIDERED THE VIEWS OF THE ADMINISTRATION, WE FEEL THAT THERE ARE REAL DIFFICULTIES FOR THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE TO MAINTAIN A TIME-COSTING SYSTEM AND THAT REGARD MUST BE GIVEN TO THE ADMINISTRATION’S EXISTING POLICY ON THE FINANCING OF THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE.
”WE ALSO CONSIDER IT UNFAIR TO THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER IF HE IS NOT PAID A FEE AFTER HE HAS CARRIED OUT MOST OF THE PRELIMINARY WORK IN A COMPULSORY LIQUIDATION SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THE CONVERSIONS TO A CREDITORS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING UP.
"IT IS ALSO FELT THAT PEOPLE WHO USE THE SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE SHOULD PAY FOR IT: THERE IS NO JUSTIFICATION FOR ANY SUBSIDY FROM THE TAXPAYER’S MONEY.
"IN ESSENCE, WE AGREE THAT THE PROVISION SHOULD BE LEFT AS IT IS," HE SAID.
MR BARROW SAID THE SECOND MAIN CONCERN OF THE AD HOC GROUP WAS RELATED TO THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S RIGHT OF AUDIENCE BEFORE THE COURT ON THE HEARING OF AN APPLICATION FOR CONVERSION.
HE SAID THE AD HOC GROUP FOUND IT WAS APPROPRIATE FOR THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER TO BE GIVEN THE RIGHT TO BE HEARD ON ANY APPLICATION FOR CONVERSION SINCE THE EFFECT OF A CONVERSION TO CREDITORS’ VOLUNTARY WINDING-UP WAS TO REMOVE A LIQUIDATION FROM THE COURT’S SUPERVISION AND THERE MIGHT BE GOOD REASONS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST WHY AN APPLICATION SHOULD BE SUPPORTED OR OPPOSED.
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FEAR THAT PROVISION WILL CREATE MORE COST
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE THREE-MONTH DEADLINE FOR CONVERSION OF A COMPULSORY WINDING-UP TO A CREDITORS* VOLUNTARY WINDING-UP UNDER THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL 1990 WOULD CREATE MORE RED-TAPE AND COST INSTEAD OF STREAMLINING THE OPERATION OF THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER, THE HON PETER WONG SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL, MR WONG SAID THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS WAS FEARFUL THAT THE DEADLINE WOULD MEAN THAT IN ALL BUT THE MOST SIMPLE CASES, LIQUIDATORS WOULD AUTOMATICALLY APPLY FOR AN EXTENSION OF TIME JUST TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AGAINST ANY UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES.
MR WONG, WHO ABSTAINED FROM VOTING ON THE BILL, SAID THE MAIN POINT OF CONTENTION OF ACCOUNTANTS WAS THE INEQUITABLE WAY THAT LIQUIDATIONS UNDERTAKEN BY THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER WERE CHARGED ON A FIXED PERCENTAGE BASIS ON BOTH ASSETS REALISED AND BANK DEPOSIT INCOME.
/’’IT IS...........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
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"IT IS FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD THAT THE OR’S OFFICE IS ESTABLISH; D TO WIND UP THE AFFAIRS OF THE BANKRUPTS AND INSOLVENT COMPANIES. BUT IS IT FAIR THAT THOSE WITH HIGH PROPORTION OF ASSETS SHOULD SUBSIDISE THOSE WITH LITTLE OR NO ASSETS?
"THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS FEELS THAT THIS CENTRAL ISSUE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED WITH A FULL REVIEW OF INSOLVENCY LEGISLATION RATHER THAN PASSING A PIECE-MEAL LEGISLATION THAT THIS NO. 4 AMENDMENT BILL PRESENTS.
"I BELIEVE THAT TIME COSTING RECORDS SHOULD BE KEPT BY ALL PROFESSIONAL STAFF OF THE OR OFFICE SO THAT CHARGES CAN BE BASED ON WORK DONE AND NOT ON PERCENTAGES.
"THIS CONVENIENT, TRADITIONAL PERCENTAGE WAY ENSURES THAT INEFFICIENCIES ARE BURIED AND INDIVIDUAL OFFICERS ARE NOT ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR PERFORMANCE.
"TIME RECORDS ARE A USEFUL MANAGEMENT TOOL FOR ALL PROFESSIONALS WHO HAVE TO ORGANISE THEIR TIME WISELY.
"I UNDERSTAND THAT THE OR OFFICE IS INTRODUCING TIME SHEETS THIS AUTUMN, BUT WOULD STRONGLY URGE THAT THE OR ADOPTS COMMERCIAL DISCIPLINE AND ALSO USES TIME SPENT AS AN ALTERNATIVE AND FAIRER WAY OF CHARGING HIS FEES," HE SAID.
MR WONG, WHO REPRESENTS THE ACCOUNTING PROFESSION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SUGGESTED THAT IT WOULD BE FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD THAT THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER CHARGED HIS WORK ON AN INDIVIDUAL CASE BY CASE BASIS AT TIME COST OR ACTUAL ASSETS AVAILABLE WHICHEVER WAS THE LOWER.
"SHORTFALL ON COMPANY INSOLVENCIES SHOULD BE PAID FOR BY A STANDARD OR SCALED LEVY ON BUSINESSES REGISTERED. INDIVIDUAL BANKRUPTCIES SHOULD BE A CHARGE AGAINST GENERAL REVENUES," HE SAID.
IN CONCLUSION, MR WONG SAID HE FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO SUPPORT THE BILL BECAUSE OF THE FUNDAMENTAL FLAW IN THE MANNER IN WHICH THE EXERCISE WAS TO BE PAID FOR.
"ALTHOUGH THE AMENDED BILL ACHIEVES THE OBJECTIVES SET OUT, THE EXERCISE WILL NOT REALLY HELP IN STREAMLINING INSOLVENCY WORK.
"I WOULD HAVE VOTED AGAINST THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL BUT FOR MY POSSIBLE INTEREST, AND WOULD THEREFORE ABSTAIN," HE SAID.
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/39 ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25,
1990
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ADEQUATE FACILITIES FOR COMPANY NAME SEARCHES «»«»*♦
ADEQUATE FACILITIES FOR NAME SEARCHES WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO ENSURE THAT THE PUBLIC HAS AMPLE ACCESS TO THE RECORD OF COMPANY NAMES, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NENDICK, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 5) BILL 1990, MR NENDICK SAID THIS ENSURED THAT ADEQUATE SAFEGUARDS WERE AVAILABLE FOR EXISTING COMPANIES.
IT WOULD ALSO MINIMISE THE POSSIBLE HARDSHIP TO A NEW COMPANY WHICH MIGHT BE DIRECTED BY THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES TO CHANGE ITS NAME WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF ITS INCORPORATION, HE SAID.
MR NENDICK POINTED OUT THAT UNDER THE PROPOSED SYSTEM, WHERE A COMPANY NAME WAS REGISTERED WHICH, IN THE OPINION OF THE REGISTRAR, WAS TOO SIMILAR TO A NAME ALREADY ENTERED IN THE INDEX OF COMPANIES, THE REGISTRAR MIGHT, WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF REGISTRATION, DIRECTED THE COMPANY TO CHANGE ITS NAME.
BOTH THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE AD HOC GROUP CONSIDERED THAT THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR CHECKING THE INDEX OF COMPANIES TO GUARD AGAINST "TOO LIKE" NAMES SHOULD REST WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR, HE SAID.
"IT IS FOR THE PROMOTERS OF ANY NEW COMPANY TO ENSURE THAT A THOROUGH SEARCH IS CONDUCTED BEFORE APPLYING FOR INCORPORATION.
"AS I HAVE ALREADY SAID, WE SHALL BE ENSURING THAT ADEQUATE FACILITIES ARE MADE AVAILABLE FOR SUCH SEARCHES," HE ADDED.
HE THANKED THE HON MARTIN BARROW AND MEMBERS OF THE AD HOC GROUP FOR THEIR CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF AND SUPPORT FOR THE BILL.
ON THE AD HOC GROUP'S CONCERN ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF ABUSE OF THE NEW SYSTEM BY UNSCRUPULOUS PROMOTERS, MR NENDICK SAID THE GOVERNMENT AGREED A FIRM AND HARD LINE HAD TO BE TAKEN.
IN MOVING COMMITTEE STAGE AMENDMENTS TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES IN RESPECT OF A COMPANY’S FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REGISTRAR’S DIRECTION TO CHANGE ITS NAME, MR NENDICK SAID THERE COULD WELL BE CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE A COMPANY MIGHT REFUSE TO COMPLY WITH THE REGISTRAR’S DIRECTION, REGARDING THE PENALTIES AS BUSINESS EXPENSES.
EVEN A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THE PENALTIES IN MONEY TERMS MIGHT NOT BE ADEQUATE IN SUCH A CASE, HE ADDED.
"WE CONSIDER THAT ONLY THE POSSIBILITY OF IMPRISONMENT WOULD ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE REGISTRAR’S DIRECTION.
/"TO THIS .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
"TO THIS END, WE PROPOSE THAT THE PENALTIES UNDER CLAUSE 10 BE INCREASED TO A ONE-TIME FINE OF $50,000, A DAILY DEFAULT FINE OF $500 AND A MAXIMUM TERM OF IMPRISONMENT OF SIX MONTHS," HE SAID.
THIS PROPOSAL WAS IN LINE WITH OTHER PENALTIES PRESCRIBED UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE, HE NOTED.
AMENDMENTS WERE ALSO MADE TO ENSURE THAT LOCALLY INCORPORATED COMPANIES AND OVERSEAS INCORPORATED COMPANIES WOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE SAME PENALTIES.
- - 0 - -
POLLUTION CONTROL BILL WILL SAVE ENVIRONMENT
*****
THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 WILL SAVE OUR ENVIRONMENT FROM FURTHER DETERIORATION, THE CONVENER OF THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP THAT STUDIED THE BILL, THE HON EDWARD HO, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON IT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR HO SAID THE PROTECTION OF OUR ENVIRONMENT REQUIRED THE CONCERTED EFFORTS OF ALL, AND HE WAS ENCOURAGED BY THE INDUSTRIALISTS’ WILLINGNESS TO CONTRIBUTE TO POLLUTION CONTROL.
OUTLINING THE IMPORTANT CHANGES TO EXISTING PROVISIONS ON EXEMPTIONS WHICH THE BILL SOUGHT TO INTRODUCE, HE SAID, FIRSTLY, THE RIGHT OF EXEMPTION FROM LICENSING WAS DELETED ENTIRELY FOR DISCHARGES IN FUTURE WATER CONTROL ZONES.
SECONDLY, IN EXISTING WATER CONTROL ZONES, THE RIGHT OF EXEMPTION FROM LICENSING WAS DELETED ENTIRELY AFTER TWO YEARS AND REPLACED BY A RIGHT TO A LICENCE UNDER SPECIFIED CONDITIONS.
THIRDLY, WHEN SETTING LICENSING CONDITIONS, THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WAS TO BE GUIDED BY EFFLUENT STANDARDS WHICH WERE TO BE LAID DOWN IN A TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM ISSUED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS.
MR HO SAID IT WAS ASSESSED THAT NINE TRADES GENERATED SIGNIFICANT VOLUME OF EFFLUENTS AND THAT 11,500 ESTABLISHMENTS IN THESE TRADES WOULD INCUR ADDITIONAL COSTS TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE BILL.
HE NOTED THAT REPRESENTATIONS RECEIVED BY HIS GROUP WERE GENERALLY IN SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO CONTROL WATER POLLUTION. HOWEVER, VIEWS WERE CONFLICTING ON THE TIMING OF THE BILL.
/AFTER HEARING
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
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AFTER HEARING THE VIEWS OF DIFFERENT PARTIES, THE AD HOC GROUP FELT THAT THE CONTROVERSY WAS ON THE STANDARDS IN THE TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM, MR HO SAID.
HE SAID THE GROUP AGREED WITH THE ADMINISTRATION THAT A TECHNICAL STANDARDS COMMITTEE SHOULD BE FORMED, COMPRISING MEMBERS OF THE CONCERNED INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATIONS, THE ADMINISTRATION AND INTERESTED INSTITUTIONS TO CONSIDER THE STANDARDS STIPULATED IN THE TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM.
THE GROUP FURTHER SUGGESTED THAT TO ENSURE CONTINUITY OF WORK, THE COMMITTEE SHOULD BE MADE A STANDING ONE AND SHULD PREFERABLY INCLUDE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MR HO ANTICIPATED THAT THE ORDINANCE WOULD TAKE EFFECT NOT LATER THAN DECEMBER 1, 1990.
0
ACT NOW TO ENSURE WATER QUALITY ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
IT WAS VITAL THAT THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 BE PASSED AND THE ANNOUNCED PROGRAMME BE IMPLEMENTED WITHOUT ANY UNNECESSARY SLIPPAGE, THE HON PETER WONG SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE STRESSED THAT THE TIMING WAS CRITICAL AS ANY FURTHER DELAY COULD RESULT IN THE LONG TERM DESTRUCTION OF THE HABITAT.
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL, MR WONG SAID HE TRUSTED INDUSTRIALISTS WERE GENUINELY SUPPORTIVE OF THE AIMS OF THE LEGISLATION AND WOULD NOT USE THE SHORT DELAY IN AGREEMENT OVER THE TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM TO INDEFINITELY STALL THE OPERATION OF THE MEASURES.
HE ALSO URGED THE ADMINISTRATION TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION WITH INDUSTRIALISTS AND TECHNICAL CONSULTANTS.
"WE SIMPLY CANNOT PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT JUST BY ISSUING EDICTS AND RELY ON EVERYONE TO UNDERSTAND AND APPLY THE LAW.
"IT IS A MATTER OF CO-OPERATION WITH AND EDUCATION OF THE POLLUTERS WHO ARE OFTEN NOT IN A GOOD POSITION TO HELP THEMSELVES, ESPECIALLY FACTORY OWNERS OPERATING IN SMALL PREMISES.
"THE ADMINISTRATION MUST SPARE NO EFFORTS TO WORK WITH AND NOT AGAINST THE POLLUTERS. CAJOLING IS FAR MORE EFFECTIVE THAN THREATS, SPECIALLY IF YOU CAN ALSO DEMONSTRATE THE BENEFITS YOU ARE BRINGING.
/"MUCH MORE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
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"MUCH MORE CAN BE DONE BY THE ADMINISTRATION TO FUND INSTITUTES LIKE THE CENTRE OF ENVIRONMENT TECHNOLOGY FOR INDUSTRY AND ALSO TO ENSURE THAT THERE ARE SUFFICIENT CONSULTANTS TO ASSIST INDUSTRIES AT A FAIR PRICE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS.
"THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT SHOULD ALSO GIVE CONVINCING PROOFS THAT IT IS INDEED PRACTICAL FOR THE BULK OF INDUSTRY TO MEET THE STANDARDS IN GOOD TIME. GENUINE CASES OF DIFFICULTY MUST BE HANDLED SYMPATHETICALLY," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID INDUSTRIAL LOBBY WOULD BE FIGHTING FOR THEIR RIGHTS TO MINIMISE THE DOWNSIDE OF THE TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM; BUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, ASSISTED BY ENVIRONMENTALISTS, HAD TO FIGHT EQUALLY HARD AND FAIR TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT.
ON THE PENALTY SIDE, MR WONG SAID DOUBTS HAD BEEN EXPRESSED THAT EVEN THE RAISED LEVEL OF FINES WERE NOT A SUFFICIENT DETERRENT FOR THE DIE HARD POLLUTERS WHO SAW THEM AS A MERE COST OF DOING BUSINESS.
"I HAVE ACCEPTED MY COLLEAGUES’ ASSURANCES THAT WE WILL RE-EXAMINE FINES AS WELL AS POSSIBLE CUSTODIAL SENTENCES IF PERSISTENT POLLUTERS ARE NOT DETERRED BY THE PROPOSED FINES," HE SAID.
INDUSTRY WILL CO-OPERATE TO CREATE A CLEANER HK
*****
THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT INDUSTRY AT LARGE WILL ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY TO TRY THEIR BEST TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS A CLEANER HONG KONG, THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
BUT THE COMMUNITY SHOULD ALSO BE AWARE OF THE KNOCK ON EFFECTS ON THE GENERAL ECONOMY IF SOME INDUSTRIES HAD TO CLOSE DOWN DUE TO INCREASED COSTS IN COMBATTING POLLUTION, HE ADDED.
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, MR CHEONG SAID THE DEATH OF ONE INDUSTRY MIGHT NOT IN ITSELF SEEM SIGNIFICANT.
"HOWEVER, IF WE DELIBERATE WITHOUT CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF ALL THE KNOCK ON ADVERSE IMPACTS, THEN WE RUN THE RISK OF MAKING DECISIONS THE CONSEQUENCE OF WHICH MAY CREATE OTHER SERIOUS PROBLEMS TO THE COMMUNITY LATER," HE SAID.
MR CHEONG POINTED OUT THAT THE DYEING AND FINISHING INDUSTRY AS WELL AS THE ELECTROPLATING INDUSTRY WERE VERY CRUCIAL SUPPORT INDUSTRIES TO OTHER MANUFACTURERS IN HONG KONG.
/THE DEATH .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
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THE DEATH OF THE DYEING AND FINISHING INDUSTRY WOULD BRING IMMEDIATE ADVERSE IMPACT ONTO THE COMPETITIVENESS OF OUR APPAREL INDUSTRY WHICH STILL ACCOUNTED FOR AROUND 38 PER CENT OF TOTAL DOMESTIC EXPORTS, HE SAID.
THE DEATH OF THE ELECTROPLATING INDUSTRY WOULD IMMEDIATELY HAMPER DOMESTIC EXPORT OR EVEN RE-EXPORT OF TOYS, METAL PRODUCTS, WATCHES, JEWELLERY, HOUSE WARE AND GIFT WARE INDUSTRIES, HE ADDED.
MR CHEONG SAID ANOTHER PRACTICAL CONCERN FOR INDUSTRIALISTS WAS THAT THE MAJORITY OF INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISES WERE HOUSED IN MULTI-STOREY FLATTED INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS.
THE INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT TO COPE WITH THE TEMPERATURE AND PROBLEMS OF THE EFFLUENTS MIGHT PHYSICALLY REQUIRE MUCH MORE SPACE THAN WAS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE IN INDIVIDUAL ENTERPRISE, HE SAID.
HE WELCOMED THE SETTING UP OF TH TECHNICAL STANDARDS COMMITTEE WHICH BROUGHT THE ADMINISTRATION AND INDUSTRY TOGETHER IN ADDRESSING THE PRACTICAL ISSUES INVOLVED.
"BOTH THE HON JAMES TIEN AND MYSELF HAVE MADE GREAT EFFORTS TO IMPRESS UPON OUR COLLEAGUES IN INDUSTRY THAT DISCUSSIONS WITHIN THE COMMITTEE SHOULD BE CONDUCTED IN A NON-CONFRONTATIONAL AND PRAGMATIC MANNER,” HE SAID.
MR CHEONG NOTED THAT GIVEN MOST OF THE INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISES WERE SMALL AND MEDIUM IN SIZE, IT HAD TO BE PREPARED TO ACCEPT THAT SOME OF THEM MIGHT HAVE TO CLOSE DOWN BECAUSE OF INCREASED COST.
"WE CAN ONLY HOPE THAT SUCH UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT WILL NOT LEAD TO TOO DEVASTATING AN EFFECT.
"IT IS THEREFORE IMPERATIVE THAT IMPLEMENTATION OF WHATEVER REGULATIONS BE APPROACHED FAIRLY, PRAGMATICALLY AND, WHERE POSSIBLE, WITH A DEGREE OF UNDERSTANDING," HE SAID.
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HIGH CONTROL STANDARDS NEEDED TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY
*****
THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 COULD PROVE TO BE EFFECTIVE IN IMPROVING THE WATER QUALITY OF HONG KONG IF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WOULD APPROVE REASONABLE POLLUTION CONTROL STANDARDS, THE HON MARTIN LEE SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL IN THE COUNCIL, MR LEE SAID IF OVERLY LOOSE RESTRICTIONS WERE ADOPTED, THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF THE BILL WOULD HAVE BEEN THWARTED AND THE BID TO HALT THE TIDE OF POLLUTION WOULD HAVE FAILED.
/"IT IS .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
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"IT IS MY HOPE THAT THE TECHNICAL STANDARDS COMMITTEE CAN ESTABLISH LEVELS THAT WILL PROTECT OUR WATERS AND BE ACCEPTABLE TO BOTH THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE AD HOC GROUP," HE SAID.
MR LEE POINTED OUT THAT THE STANDARDS TO BE SET OUT IN THE TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM WERE CRITICAL IN DETERMINING WHETHER THE SCHEME CONTAINED IN THE BILL WOULD BE EFFECTIVE IN COMBATTING WATER POLLUTION.
AT THE ACTUAL EFFECT ON INDUSTRIES WAS ALMOST ENTIRELY DEPENDENT ON THE STANDARDS PRESCRIBED IN THE TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM, HE ADDED.
MR LEE SAID THE BILL WOULD PROVIDE A BASELINE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AS WELL AS A MORE STRAIGHTFORWARD SYSTEM OF WATER POLLUTION CONTROL.
"THE NEW SYSTEM WILL BE EASIER FOR THE GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY TO IMPLEMENT, FOR IT WILL SET OUT STANDARDS IN A STATUTORY DOCUMENT (THE TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM).
"THE SETTING OF CLEAR STANDARDS WILL ALSO ENABLE FACTORIES TO PLAN RATIONALLY THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS," HE SAID.
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CALL FOR SUPPORT PROGRAMME FOR POLLUTION CONTROL BILL
* » ♦ * »
THE GOVERNMENT MUST INTRODUCE A COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT PROGRAMME TO ENABLE INDUSTRY TO COMPLY WITH THE TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM (TM) THAT WILL FOLLOW THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE HON JAMES TIEN SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SUPPORTING THE BILL, MR TIEN SAID THE TM WAS NECESSARY BECAUSE IT SET OUT CLEARLY THE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLIANCE.
HE POINTED OUT, HOWEVER, THAT HIS MAIN CONCERN WAS THAT HONG KONG FACTORIES LACKED THE KNOWLEDGE OF METHODS BY WHICH WATER POLLUTION COULD BE MINIMISED.
FURTHERMORE, THERE WAS A SERIOUS SHORTAGE OF TECHNICALLY QUALIFIED PERSONS IN POLLUTION CONTROL; AND FACTORIES WERE COMPELLED TO DISCHARGE EFFLUENTS INTO STORM SEWERS BECAUSE THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH FOUL SEWERS AVAILABLE.
MR TIEN STRESSED THAT THE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS IN THE TM MUST BE CONSISTENT WITH TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO INDUSTRY.
/NOTING THAT .......
WEDNESDAY, .' 'I ' 25, 1990
- 45 -
NOTING THAT THE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS AS CURRENTLY LA’D DOWN IN THE TM BECAME MORE STRINGENT AS THE DISCHARGE VOLUME INCRI \SED, MR TIEN URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO REVISE THE REQUIREMENTS TO ENCOURAGE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMUNAL TREATMENT FACILITIES.
HE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD URGE TERTIARY ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS TO GROOM PEOPLE BOTH AT GRADUATE LEVEL TO TAKE ON THE DESIGN WORK OF TREATMENT SYSTEMS, AND AT DIPLOMA LEVEL TO OPERATE AND MAINTAIN TREATMENT FACILITIES.
OBSERVING THAT MANY FACTORIES WERE LOCATED IN AREAS THAT DID NOT HAVE ADEQUATE FOUL SEWERAGE SYSTEM YET, HE CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO ALLOW THOSE FACTORIES TO DISCHARGE INTO DESIGNATED STORM SEWERS AS AN INTERIM MEASURE UNTIL PERMANENT FACILITIES WERE BUILT BY GOVERNMENT AS A MATTER OF URGENCY.
FINALLY, MR TIEN WELCOMED THE SETTING UP OF THE TECHNICAL STANDARD COMMITTEE TO REVIEW DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS AS SET OUT IN THE TM.
HE GAVE ASSURANCE THAT THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL, WHICH WOULD BE REPRESENTED ON THE COMMITTEE AND WHICH HAD OVER TWO DECADES OF CLOSE COLLABORATION AND TRUST IN INDUSTRY, WOULD PLAY ITS FULL ROLE TO ACHIEVE THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE STANDARD THAT INDUSTRY COULD CURRENTLY SUPPORT, BOTH FINANCIALLY AND TECHNICALLY.
--------0----------
PRESENCE OF COUNCILLOR ENSURES REGARD FOR POLICIES *****
THE PRESENCE OF ONE MUNICIPAL COUNCILLOR ON A MUNICIPAL SERVICES APPEALS BOARD WILL BE SUFFICIENT TO ENSURE THAT DUE REGARD IS GIVEN TO COUNCIL POLICIES IN DECIDING APPEALS.
THE COMPOSITION CAN ALSO GIVE THE PUBLIC GREATER CONFIDENCE IN THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE APPEALS BOARDS BECAUSE NON-COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL BE IN A SIGNIFICANT MAJORITY.
THE CONVENER OF THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP THAT STUDIED THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES APPEALS BOARDS BILL 1990, THE HON RITA FAN, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN SPEAKING ON THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL.
SHE EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE BILL, APPEALS AGAINST THE DECISIONS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL, AND CERTAIN OFFICERS, UNDER SPECIFIED LEGISLATION, SHOULD BE MADE TO AN URBAN SERVICES APPEALS BOARD OR REGIONAL SERVICES APPEALS BOARD, AS THE CASE MIGHT BE, AND NOT TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.
MRS FAN SAID THAT THE ORIGINAL BILL PROVIDED THAT EACH OF THE APPEALS BOARDS WOULD HAVE A CHAIRMAN OR A VICE-CHAIRMAN WHO SHALL PRESIDE, TWO OR MORE MEMBERS OF THE RELEVANT COUNCIL, AND AN EQUAL NUMBER OF PERSONS FROM A PANEL APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR AND NOMINATED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE BOARD.
/SHE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
- 46 -
SHE SAID THAT IN STUDYING THE BILL, THE GROUP WAS CONCERNED WHETHER NATURAL JUSTICE WOULD BE SEEN TO BE ACHIEVED FROM THE APPELLANT’S POINT OF VIEW, GIVEN THE PRESENCE OF TWO MEMBERS FROM THE RELEVANT MUNICIPAL COUNCILS OUT OF A TOTAL NUMBER OF FIVE MEMBERS ON THE APPEALS BOARDS.
MRS FAN SAID THE GROUP HAD CONSIDERED A PROPOSAL OF EXCLUDING MUNICIPAL COUNCILLORS FROM THE BOARDS.
"THIS HOWEVER IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS WHO FEEL STRONGLY THAT THERE SHOULD BE A MEMBER OF THE RELEVANT COUNCIL ONTHE BOARD WHO CAN INFORM THE NON-COUNCIL MEMBERS ... OF THE CONSIDERATIONS WHICH INFLUENCED THE COUNCIL WHEN FORMULATING THE POLICY AND HOW POLICIES ACTUALLY WORK," SHE SAID.
SHE SAID THAT AFTER GIVING DUE WEIGHT TO THE SENTIMENT OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND THE CONFIDENCE OF THE ’nPELLANTS, THE MAJORITY OF MEMBERS OF THE GROUP FAVOURED THE 01 ION TO HAVE ONLY ONE MUNICIPAL COUNCILLOR AND TWO NON-COUNCIL MEMBERS ON THE BOARD.
THE GROUP HAD ALSO EXAMINED THE COMPOSITION OF OTHER APPEALS BOARDS AND TRIBUNALS AND FOUND THIS WAS IN LINE WITH THE COMPOSITION OF MOST OF THEM.
MOREOVER, TO ENSURE THAT A DECISION COULD BE MADE IF A BOARD WAS EVENLY DIVIDED OVER AN APPEAL, THE GROUP AGREED THAT THE CHAIRMAN WOULD BE GIVEN AN ORIGINAL AS WELL AS A CASTING VOTE, MRS FAN SAID.
NOTING THAT THERE APPEARED TO BE NO STANDARD PRACTICE IN REGARD TO THE CONSTITUTIONS OF THE VARIOUS STATUTORY APPEALS BODIES IN HONG KONG, MRS FAN SAID THE GROUP FELT THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE ASKED TO CONSIDER ADJUSTING THE MEMBERSHIPS OF EXISTING STATUTORY APPEALS BODIES SO THAT THE NUMBER OF PERSONS WHO MIGHT HAVE BEEN DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY INVOLVED IN MAKING A DECISION WHICH WAS SUBJECT TO APPEAL SHOULD BE REDUCED TO THE ABSOLUTE MINIMUM.
THE PRINCIPLE SHOULD ALSO APPLY IN ANY FUTURE APPEALS BODIES TO BE SET UP, SHE ADDED.
-----0------
MUNICIPAL SERVICES APPEALS BOARDS BILL SUPPORTED
*****
THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES APPEALS BOARDS BILL 1990 IS SUPPORTED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL, WITH ARRANGEMENTS HAVING NOW BEEN MADE FOR HOLDING SEPARATE HEARINGS FOR APPEALS CONCERNING LICENSED PREMISES AND ON MARKET AND STREET TRADERS POLICIES.
THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE URBAN COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE HON ELSIE TU, SAID THIS IN THE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) DURING THE RESUMED SECOND READING DEBATE ON THE BILL.
/UNDER THE .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
- 47 -
UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS, MRS TU SAID, AN URBAN COUNCILLOR WITH THE RELEVANT EXPERTISE MIGHT BE PRESENT AT EACH TYPE OF HEARING.
SHE RECALLED THAT WHEN THE BILL WAS FIRST TABLED, THE GOVERNMENT AND THE URBAN COUNCIL HAD ALREADY REACHED AGREEMENT ON ITS ORIGINAL TERMS, THAT TWO URBAN COUNCILLORS SHOULD BE APPOINTED TO THE APPEALS BOARD.
THE PURPOSE WAS TO ENSURE THAT EXPERTISE WAS AVAILABLE ON BOTH LICENSED PREMISES AND ON MARKET AND STREET TRADERS POLICIES.
WHEN THE AD HOC GROUP AND THE IN-HOUSE MEETING OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DECIDED TO REDUCE REPRESENTATION ON THE APPEALS BOARDS TO ONE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL MEMBER, THE URBAN COUNCIL REQUESTED THAT ARRANGEMENTS BE MADE TO HOLD SEPARATE HEARINGS FOR THE TWO TYPES OF APPEAL, SO THAT AN URBAN COUNCILLOR WITH THE RELEVANT EXPERTISE MIGHT BE PRESENT AT EACH TYPE OF HEARING, SHE SAID.
THE URBAN COUNCIL’S REQUEST WAS GRANTED, AND THOSE ARRANGEMENTS HAD NOW BEEN MADE WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES OF THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES APPEALS BOARDS, SUBJECT TO FORMAL APPROVAL BY THE BOARD CHAIRMAN.
UNDER THESE ARRANGEMENTS, THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS WOULD BE REQUIRED ANUALLY TO SUBMIT TWO SEPARATE LISTS OF COUNCILLORS, ONE WITH KNOWLEDGE OF LICENSED PREMISES AND THE OTHER OF MARKETS AND STREET TRADERS POLICIES.
--------0-----------
CS PAYS TRIBUTE FOR WORK ON BILL *****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THANKED THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP THAT STUDIED THE MEASURE AND THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS FOR COMING TOGETHER AND FINDING A GOOD COMPROMISE WAY OF PROCEEDING WITH THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES APPEALS BOARDS BILL 1990.
WINDING UP THE SECOND READING DEBATE ON THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR DAVID NOTED THAT THE AD HOC GROUP’S CONVENER, THE HON RITA FAN, HAD OUTLINED THE PROPOSALS WHICH SHE WAS PUTTING ON MEMBERSHIP OF THE BOARDS WHICH HAD THE SUPPORT OF THE TWO COUNCILS AND WERE SUPPORTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
HE SAID THE HON ELSIE TU HAD MADE THE THE POINT ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE OF MEMBERS STANDING ON RELEVANT SELECT COMMITTEES AND THE ADMINISTRATION HAD ALSO ACCEPTED THE PROCEDURE WHICH MRS TU HAD OUTLINED.
/"THE PROBLEM .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
- 48 -
’’THE PROBLEM DOESN’T ARISE, I SHOULD SAY, IN TERMS OF THE REGIONAL SERVICES APPEALS BOARD BECAUSE THE REGIONAL COUNCIL HAS A DIFFERENT COMMITTEE STRUCTURE FROM THE URBAN COUNCIL,” HE SAID.
SIR DAVID ALSO REFERRED TO MRS FAN’S POINT THAT THERE APPEARED TO BE NO STANDARD PRACTICE IN REGARD TO THE CONSTITUTIONS OF VARIOUS STATUTORY APPEALS BODIES IN HONG KONG.
"WE FIND IT IS DIFFICULT TO ADOPT A STANDARD PRACTICE BECAUSE OF THE VARIED NATURE OF THE BOARDS.
"SOME OF THEM ARE CONCERNED WITH JUDICIAL APPEALS AND OTHERS WITH ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS AND EACH HAS TO BE LOOKED AT IN THE LIGHT OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE APPEALS BOARDS.
"BUT WE WILL CERTAINLY BEAR IN MIND THE AD HOC GROUP’S VIEWS WHEN CONSIDERING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ANY FUTURE APPEAL BODIES," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID ADDED THAT AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE HE WOULD ALSO MOVE ONE AMENDMENT TO REMOVE A LOOPHOLE WHICH HAD BEEN DETECTED IN CLAUSE 5 AND HE SHOULD ALSO BE MAKING SOME AMENDMENTS TO IMPROVE THE PRACTICAL WORKING OF THE APPEALS BOARDS.
-----0-----
PROVISIONS FOR BRITISH CITIZENSHIP SCHEME INTRODUCED
******
THE BRITISH NATIONALITY (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 WILL INTRODUCE TWO NEW PROVISIONS WHICH ARE NEEDED FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BRITISH CITIZENSHIP SCHEME, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR ASPREY SAID THE GOVERNMENT NEEDED TO HAVE THE LEGISLATION IN PLACE BEFORE INVITING APPLICATIONS UNDER THE BRITISH CITIZENSHIP SCHEME.
"FIRST, CLAUSE 4 WILL MAKE IT AN OFFENCE FOR A PERSON TO MAKE A FALSE STATEMENT WHEN APPLYING FOR BRITISH CITIZENSHIP UNDER THE SCHEME.
"THE OFFENCE WILL CARRY A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF A FINE OF $15,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR THREE MONTHS," HE SAID.
"THIS IS IN LINE WITH OUR EXISTING LAW WHEREBY IT IS AN OFFENCE TO MAKE A FALSE STATEMENT IN ANY APPLICATION UNDER THE BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT 1981,” MR ASPREY ADDED.
/"SECONDLY, CLAUSE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
49
"SECONDLY, CLAUSE 5 WILL MAKE IT AN OFFENCE FOR ANYONE INVOLVED IN THE PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS UNDER THE SCHEME TO DISCLOSE THE IDENTITY OF, OR ANY INFORMATION RELATING TO, PERSONS WHO HAVE APPLIED FOR BRITISH CITIZENSHIP EXCEPT IN THE PERFORMANCE OF DUTY.
"THE OFFENCE WILL CARRY A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF A FINE OF $50,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS," HE SAID.
MR ASPREY POINTED OUT THAT THIS PROVISION WAS NECESSARY BECAUSE A LARGE AMOUNT OF DETAILED PERSONAL INFORMATION WOULD HAVE TO BE PROVIDED TO THE GOVERNMENT IN SUPPORT OF APPLICATIONS UNDER THE SCHEME.
SIMILAR PROVISIONS ALREADY EXISTED TO PROTECT THE PRIVACY OF INFORMATION GIVEN TO THE GOVERNMENT UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE AND THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE, HE SAID.
"THE BRITISH NATIONALITY (HONG KONG) ACT 1990 HAS NOW COMPLETED ITS PASSAGE THROUGH PARLIAMENT, AND IS, I UNDERSTAND, LIKELY TO RECEIVE THE ROYAL ASSENT AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.
"OUR PRESENT PLAN IS TO START RECEIVING APPLICATIONS ON DECEMBER 1, 1990," MR ASPREY SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
--------0-----------
BILL DEALS WITH PROSTITUTION-RELATED NUISANCES
*****
THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE CRIMES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989 IS TO CREATE CRIMINAL SANCTIONS TO DEAL WITH NUISANCES ASSOCIATED WITH PROSTITUTION, THE CONVENER OF THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP THAT STUDIED THE BILL, THE HON CHUNG PUI-LAM, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR CHUNG POINTED OUT THAT ONE OF THE MAIN CONCERNS OF HIS GROUP WAS WHETHER FORFEITURE OF VESSELS WAS IN LINE WITH THE GRAVITY OF THE OFFENCE.
HE SAID THAT AFTER DISCUSSION WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, THE GROUP WAS SATISFIED THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO PHYSICALLY CLOSE A VESSEL, AND TEMPORARY IMPOUNDING WOULD CREATE SERIOUS PROBLEMS IN FINDING MOORINGS AND IN MAINTAINING THE VESSELS.
ANOTHER AREA OF CONCERN WAS THE GRACE PERIOD OF FOUR MONTHS FOR THE LANDLORD TO EVICT THE CONVICTED TENANT FOLLOWING A FIRST VICERELATED CONVICTION.
/MR CHUNG ......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
- 50 -
MR CHUNG SAID THE GROUP WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FOUR-MONTH PERIOD MIGHT NOT BE ADEQUATE BUT IN ORDER NOT TO UNDERMINE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SCHEME, IT WAS AGREED THAT THE GRACE PERIOD SHOULD BE REVIEWED AFTER A TRIAL PERIOD.
ON SERVING WRITTEN NOTICE OF FIRST CONVICTION TO THE REGISTERED OWNER, MR CHUNG SAID THAT THE ARRANGEMENT WOULD BE THAT, APART FROM AFFIXING A NOTICE TO THE PREMISES CONCERNED AND PUBLISHING IT IN NEWSPAPERS, THE REGISTERED OWNER WOULD BE SENT A COPY OF THE REGISTERED NOTIFICATION AT THE LAST KNOWN ADDRESS ACCORDING TO THE RECORDS OF THE LANDS OFFICE.
ON REGISTRATION OF CHARGES AND CONVICTIONS, MR CHUNG SAID THAT TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS AND MORTGAGEE BANKS, PROVISION HAD BEEN INCLUDED IN THE BILL FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ALL CHARGES AND CONVICTIONS. THE SAME PROCEDURES WOULD APPLY IN RELATION TO VESSELS.
ALSO, PROVISION HAD BEEN MADE FOR MORTGAGEES AND CHARGEES TO MAKE A CLAIM IN THE EVENT THEIR PREMISES WERE CLOSED, MR CHUNG ADDED.
TO AVOID POSSIBLE PROCEDURAL PROBLEMS IF A VESSEL OWNER COULD NOT BE LOCATED FOR THE COURT HEARING, MR CHUNG SAID THAT AGREEMENT HAD BEEN REACHED WITH THE ADMINISTRATION THAT AUTOMATIC FORFEITURE SHOULD APPLY IN CASES WHERE NO CLAIMS CAME FORWARD WITHIN A SPECIFIED PERIOD.
FINALLY, CONSIDERING THAT CLOSURE OF PREMISES MIGHT BE TOO SEVERE FOR' OPERATORS OF UNLICENSED MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS, IT HAD BEEN AGREED THAT THERE WAS NO NEED TO EXTEND THE SCHEME TO UNLICENSED MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS, MR CHUNG SAID.
------0------------
ADEQUATE LEVEL OF MEDICAL SERVICES ON LANTAU MAINTAINED
******
ARRANGEMENTS ARE IN HAND TO ENSURE AN ADEQUATE LEVEL OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES ON LANTAU ISLAND UPON THE IMPENDING CLOSURE OF THE SOUTH LANTAO HOSPITAL, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON LAM WAI-KEUNG, MRS WONG SAID ’’SERVICES IN MUI WO WILL BE ENHANCED TO INCLUDE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY (A&E) AND GENERAL OUT-PATIENT (GOP) SERVICES AT THE REPROVISIONED MUI WO DISPENSARY DUE FOR COMPLETION BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
’’IN-PATIENT MATERNITY CASES WILL BE CATERED FOR AT TAI O JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC,” SHE SAID.
/THE CLINIC ......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
- 51 -
THE CLINIC ALSO PROVIDED AN A&E AS WELL AS A GOP SERVICE, MRS WONG NOTED.
"THE TWO CLINICS AT TAI 0 AND MUI WO WILL BE ABLE TO ABSORB THE A&E AND GOP WORKLOAD PREVIOUSLY UNDERTAKEN BY THE SOUTH LANTAO HOSPITAL.
"FURTHERMORE, A VISITING CLINIC PROVIDING GOP SERVICE THREE DAYS A WEEK IS OPERATED AT TUNG CHUNG CLINIC," MRS WONG SAID.
FOR COMPLICATED CASES WHICH REQUIRED MORE SPECIALISED TREATMENT AND POSSIBLE HOSPITAL ADMISSION, THE PATIENTS WOULD BE TRANSPORTED FOR FURTHER MANAGEMENT VIA LAUNCHES OR HELICOPTERS AS APPROPRIATE TO QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL, TUEN MUN HOSPITAL OR PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL.
"THE DENTAL SERVICE AT SOUTH I iAO HOSPITAL CURRENTLY PROVIDES TREATMENT TO CIVIL SERVANTS > THEIR DEPENDANTS, AND EMERGENCY DENTAL TREATMENT FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
"THIS CAN BE ABSORBED BY THE DENTAL SERVICE AT TAI O CLINIC AND ST JOHN HOSPITAL ON CHEUNG CHAU," SHE ADDED.
MRS WONG SAID THE TRAVELLING DISPENSARY WOULD BE RETAINED TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO THE MORE REMOTE PARTS OF THE ISLAND.
"THE SERVICES DESCRIBED ABOVE SHOULD BE ADEQUATE TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF LANTAU RESIDENTS AND HOLIDAY MAKERS, AND WORKERS WHO SUSTAIN INJURIES DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FUTURE CHEK LAP KOK AIRPORT," SHE SAID.
SOUTH LANTAO HOSPITAL IN CHEUNG SHA AT PRESENT HAD 15 IN-PATIENT BEDS AND PROVIDED AN A&E, A GOP, DENTAL, AND A TRAVELLING DISPENSARY SERVICE, MRS WONG NOTED.
--------0-----------
DISTINCTION BETWEEN URBAN AND NT TAXIS TO BE MAINTAINED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO INTENTION TO REMOVE THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE, BUT THEIR OPERATING BOUNDARIES WILL BE KEPT UNDER REVIEW, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON DAVID CHEUNG, MR LEUNG SAID NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS WERE FIRST INTRODUCED IN 1976 TO SERVE RESIDENTS LIVING IN REMOTE OR RURAL AREAS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES NOT ADEQUATELY SERVED BY OTHER FORMS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT, AS WELL AS TO COMBAT ILLEGAL "PAK PAI" OR HIRE CAR ACTIVITIES WHICH WERE PREVALENT AT THAT TIME.
/NT TAXI .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
52
NT TAXI OPERATING BOUNDARIES WERE SPECIFICALLY DRAWN UP TO PREVENT THEIR PENETRATION INTO THE URBAN AREAS, HE SAID.
MR LEUNG SAID TO REMOVE THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN URBAN AND NT TAXIS WOULD ENCOURAGE THE LATTER TO OPERATE IN THE MORE LUCRATIVE URBAN AREAS AND POPULATION CENTRES, THEREBY DEPRIVING NT RESIDENTS IN THE REMOTE OR RURAL AREAS OF A MUCH NEEDED SERVICE, THUS DEFEATING THE VERY OBJECTIVE OF NT TAXIS.
"IT WOULD ALSO AGGRAVATE THE TRAFFIC CONGESTION PROBLEM IN THE NEW TOWN CENTRES AND URBAN AREAS, AND COULD ALSO RESULT IN THE REVIVAL OF ILLEGAL ’PAK PAI’ ACTIVITIES," HE SAID.
A RECENT SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT INDICATED A STRONG DEMAND FOR NT TAXI SERVICES IN THE RURAL AREAS WHERE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES WERE LESS ADEQUATE.
THERE WAS A CONTINUING NEED TO MAP TAIN AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL OF NT TAXI SERVICES, THEREFORE AND IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO MAINTAIN THE TWO CATEGORIES OF TAXIS AND KEEP THEM SEPARATE WITHIN WELL-DEFINED GEOGRAPHICAL BOUNDARIES, MR LEUNG SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS RESPONSIVE TO CHANGING NEEDS.
"IN RECENT YEARS, THE OPERATING BOUNDARIES OF NT TAXIS HAVE BEEN REVIEWED AND, WHERE APPROPRIATE AND JUSTIFIED, ADJUSTED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES SUCH AS THE OPENING OF NEW ROADS, MAJOR CHANGES IN LAND USE, THE ADEQUACY OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES AND OTHER FACTORS AFFECTING TRAVEL DEMAND.
"THIS PRACTICE WILL CONTINUE," HE SAID.
-----0-----
NO STATUTORY CONTROL ON PAYMENT OF DIRECTORS’ FEES
******
THERE IS NO STATUTORY CONTROL OVER THE PAYMENT OF DIRECTORS’ FEES FOR EITHER LISTED OR UNLISTED COMPANIES, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NENDICK, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON CHUNG PUI-LAM, MR NENDICK EXPLAINED THAT THE PAYMENT OF DIRECTORS’ FEES WAS REGULATED BY A COMPANY’S MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION.
THE ARTICLES USUALLY PROVIDED FOR THE COMPANY TO DETERMINE THE REMUNERATION OF DIRECTORS IN A GENERAL MEETING, HE ADDED.
"MEMBERS OF A COMPANY ARE CONSIDERED IN THE BEST POSITION TO DETERMINE AND APPROVE THE QUANTUM OF DIRECTORS’ FEES AS THEIR INTERESTS ARE DIRECTLY INVOLVED," MR NENDICK SAID.
/HE NOTED ......
WEDNESDAY, JULY
- 53 -
HE NOTED THAT ANY REMUNERATION PAYABLE TO THE DIRECTORS OST BE MADE PUBLIC BY DISCLOSURE IN THE COMPANY’S ANNUAL ACCOUNTS UNDER SEC I ON 161 OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
"FAILURE TO TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO COMPLY CARRIES CRIMINAL PENALTIES INCLUDING A FINE OF $10,000 AND SIX MONTHS IMPRISONMENT.
"THERE WOULD BE SIGNIFICANT PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES WERE ONE TO SEEK TO LAY DOWN SPECIFIC CRITERIA FOR THE PAYMENT OF SUCH FEES AS MANY OF THE FACTORS WHICH SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN DETERMINING WHAT IS REASONABLE REMUNERATION ARE HIGHLY SUBJECTIVE AND DIFFICULT TO MEASURE, FOR INSTANCE, THE CALIBRE AND PERFORMANCE OF PARTICULAR DIRECTORS," MR NENDICK SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT EVEN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE COMPANY ITSELF, WHICH WAS ANOTHER IMPORTANT FACTOR, HAD TO BE JUDGED WITHIN THE ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT FACED BY THE COMPANY.
"IT IS, HOWEVER, OPEN TO ANY MEMBER OF A COMPANY WHO CONSIDERS THAT THE AFFAIRS OF A COMPANY ARE BEING CONDUCTED IN A MANNER UNFAIRLY PREJUDICIAL TO THE INTERESTS OF SOME PART OF THE MEMBERS (INCLUDING HIMSELF) TO PETITION TO THE COURT FOR AN ORDER UNDER SECTION 168A OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
"THE COURT MAY MAKE AN ORDER RESTRAINING THE PAYMENT OR SUCH OTHER ORDER AS IT THINKS FIT," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
$634 MILLION SO FAR IN *
AIRPORT PROJECT CONSULTANCIES * * * * *
SINCE THE DECISION WAS TAKEN IN OCTOBER 1989 TO PROCEED WITH THE PROJECT, THE TOTAL AMOUNT INCURRED IN RESPECT OF CONSULTANCIES FOR THE NEW AIRPORT AND ITS APPROACH ROAD AND RAIL SYSTEM IS $634 MILLION, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NENDICK, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"OF THIS $70 MILLION HAS SO FAR BEEN DISBURSED," HE ADDED IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON SELINA CHOW.
MR NENDICK NOTED THAT THE CONSULTANCIES COMMISSIONED SO FAR FOCUSSED MAINLY ON PLANNING AND FEASIBILITY ASPECTS OF THE VARIOUS COMPONENT PROJECTS UNDER THE AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY.
"A MAJOR CONSULTANCY FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE DETAILED MASTER PLAN, THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DESIGN AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF THE NEW AIRPORT WAS COMMISSIONED IN JULY," HE SAID.
/OTHER STUDIES .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY
- 54 -
OTHER STUDIES WERE IN PROGRESS ON THE LANTAU FIXED CROSS.NG, THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, THE AIRPORT RAILWAY AND A PART OF ROUTE THREE.
MR NENDICK SAID TWO FURTHER CONSULTANCIES HAD RECENTLY BEEN AWARDED FOR THE DETAILED DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY AND THE RELATED WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION.
HE ALSO SAID THE FIRST PHASE OF AN OVERALL PROJECT MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY TO DEAL PRIMARILY WITH THE PROGRAMMING AND PROJECT CONTROL ASPECTS FOR THIS COMPLEX PROJECT HAD GOT UNDERWAY IN MAY THIS YEAR.
"AS THE PROJECT ADVANCES, IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO COMMISSION FURTHER CONSULTANCIES."
THESE CONSULTANCIES WOULD INCLUDE THE APPOINTMENT OF AN OVERALL FINANCIAL ADVISER, A STUDY OF THE COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES THAT WERE TO BE RELOCATED WITH THE NEW AIRPORT, DETAILED DESIGN FOR THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING AND DETAILED DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION FOR THE NEW AIRPORT, THE NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY AND A PART OF ROUTE THREE TO CONNECT WITH THE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY, MR NENDICK SAID.
"IT IS ALSO ENVISAGED THAT THE OVERALL PROJECT MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY, COMMISSIONED IN MAY THIS YEAR, COULD BE EXTENDED IN THE LIGHT OF REQUIREMENTS WHEN ITS TERM EXPIRES IN DECEMBER 1991."
HE ADDED THAT A VERY ROUGH ORDER OF COST FOR THESE FURTHER CONSULTANCIES IS $1,400 MILLION.
--------0-----------
OBJECTIVES OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN ELECTIONS OUTLINED
THE GOVERNMENT HAS CONSIDERED CAREFULLY THE QUESTION OF GRANTING FINANCIAL AND OTHER FORMS OF ASSISTANCE TO CANDIDATES IN ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"WE HAVE CONCLUDED THAT SUCH ASSISTANCE SHOULD BE GIVEN BOTH TO ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION AND TO HELP VOTERS IN MAKING THEIR CHOICES," SIR DAVID SAID IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON RONALD CHOW.
HE SAID THAT IN THE 1991 DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PROVIDE TWO ROUNDS OF FREE MAILING FOR EACH CANDIDATE.
THE COST OF THIS WORKED OUT TO BE ABOUT $240,000 FOR A CANDIDATE IN AN AVERAGE CONSTITUENCY WITH 200,000 REGISTERED ELECTORS, HE ADDED.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
- 55 -
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT ALSO DISTRIBUTED INFORMATION LEAFLETS TO REGISTERED ELECTORS ON ALL CANDIDATES IN THEIR CONSTITUENCY AND PROVIDED GENERAL PUBLICITY ON ELECTIONS TO ENCOURAGE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.
"HOWEVER, WE CONSIDER THAT IF A CANDIDATE WISHES TO SPEND MORE ON A CAMPAIGN BY WAY OF ADDITIONAL STAFF OR PRINTING OF PUBLICITY MATERIAL, THESE COSTS SHOULD BE MET BY THE CANDIDATES THEMSELVES AND THOSE SUPPORTING THEM RATHER THAN FROM PUBLIC FUNDS," SIR DAVID SAID.
--------0-----------
EXHAUST EMISSIONS FROM RESTAURANTS NOT SERIOUS
*******
A TOTAL OF 33 CASES OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT SMOKE EMISSIONS FROM RESTAURANTS AND FOOD PREMISES IN YAU TSIM DISTRICT WERE RECEIVED DURING THE LAST 12 MONTHS AND NEARLY ALL OF THEM HAVE BEEN SETTLED BY ADVICE, INCLUDING ADVICE TO IMPROVE THE RESTAURANTS’ EXHAUST SCRUBBING SYSTEM, OR TO REDIRECT THE EMISSION OUTLET TO ANOTHER LOCATION.
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON LEUNG WAI-TUNG.
MR BARNES SAID IF OFFICIAL ADVICE WAS NOT FOLLOWED AND THE NUISANCE PERSISTED, ACTION MIGHT BE TAKEN BY WAY OF A NUISANCE ABATEMENT NOTICE UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE OR THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE.
"DURING THE LAST 12 MONTHS ONLY TWO SUCH NOTICES HAVE BREN ISSUED, ONE EACH FOR A RESTAURANT AND FOOD PREMISE," HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID THAT OF THE 33 COMPLAINTS, THREE WERE RECEIVED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, SEVEN BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, AND 23 BY THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND URBAN COUNCILLORS.
ACCORDING TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT AND THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, NONE OF THE COMPLAINTS AGAINST RESTAURANTS HAD BEEN SERIOUS, MR BARNES SAID.
HE SAID THERE WERE 859 LICENSED RESTAURANTS, AND 312 OTHER LICENSED FOOD PREMISES WITHIN THE DISTRICT.
THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT WAS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT TOURIST AREA IN HONG KONG AND CLEARLY ITS RESTAURANTS WERE A CENTRAL FEATURE OF ITS ATTRACTIVENESS TO TOURISTS AND ALSO OF THE PROSPERITY OF THE DISTRICT AS A WHOLE, HE ADDED.
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FULL COST RECOVERY FOR TREATMENT CENTRE AIMED AT
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO COST RECOVERY AND IS PRESENTLY EXPLORING THE FEASIBILITY OF INDIRECT CHARGING SCHEMES AIMED AT FULL RECOVERY OF THE COST OF CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF THE CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT CENTRE ON TSING YI ISLAND.
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PETER WONG.
"TO THIS END, A CONSULTANTS’ STUDY WAS COMMISSIONED IN NOVEMBER 1989 TO LOOK AT POSSIBLE CHARGING SCHEMES,” MR BARNES SAID.
”THE STUDY HAS JUST BEEN COMPLETED AND THE ADMINISTRATION IS CONSIDERING THE RECOMMENDATIONS.
"FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE ISSUE WILL BE NECESSARY BOTH WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION AND THEN WITH INDUSTRY, BEFORE WE CAN COME TO A FIRM VIEW AND MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL," HE ADDED.
THE CENTRE WAS FIRST TENDERED IN FEBRUARY LAST YEAR, BUT HAD HAD TO BE RE-TENDERED IN JUNE THIS YEAR BECAUSE NONE OF THE FIRST TENDER SUBMISSIONS WAS COMPLETELY ACCEPTABLE.
------------------------0-------- MEASURES TO COMBAT ILLEGAL IMPORTATION OF FIREARMS ******
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) OUTLINED MEASURES TAKEN TO COMBAT THE ILLEGAL IMPORTATION OF GENUINE FIREARMS INTO HONG KONG.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON RITA FAN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ASPREY SAID THE MEASURES WERE:
* POLICE CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE UNITS SOUGHT TO IDENTIFY THE SUPPLIERS OF ILLEGAL FIREARMS, AND THEIR DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS;
♦ POLICE AND CUSTOMS AND EXCISE STAFF AT BORDER CONTROL POINTS GAVE THE HIGHEST PRIORITY TO UNCOVERING THE ILLEGAL IMPORT OF FIREARMS;
» INDIVIDUALS AND SYNDICATES KNOWN TO BE INVOLVED IN THE ILLEGAL IMPORTATION AND USE OF FIREARMS WERE SPECIFICALLY TARGETTED BY POLICE AND THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE;
/*IN-DEPTH INVESTIGATIONS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
- 57 -
* IN-DEPTH INVESTIGATIONS WERE CONDUCTED BY THE POLICE IN EACH AND EVERY CASE WHERE FIREARMS WERE USED ILLEGALLY; AND
♦ CLOSE LIAISON WAS MAINTAINED AND INTELLIGENCE EXCHANGED VIA BORDER LIAISON AND INTERPOL CHANNELS WITH iHE CHINESE AUTHORITIES. HIGH LEVEL MEETINGS BETWEEN THE HONG KONG AND CHINESE POLICE WERE HELD ON A REGULAR BASIS TO MONITOR THE PROBLEM OF ILLEGAL FIREARMS.
--------0-----------
MEASURES TO PREVENT NOISE POLLUTION FROM INSHORE OPERATIONS
******
THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN SEVERAL MORE IMMEDIATE MEASURES TO MITIGATE FOR NEARBY RESIDENTS THE NOISE POLLUTION CAUSED BY THE OPERATION OF SHIPYARDS, WATERFRONT CARGO HANDLING AREAS AND LIGHTERS, PARTICULARLY AT NIGHT.
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON LEUNG WAI-TUNG.
MR BARNES SAID THAT BECAUSE OF THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT NOISE FROM THE SHAM SHUI PO PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA (PCWA), THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE HAD RESTRICTED ITS WORKING HOURS FROM 8 AM TO 7 PM, COMPARED WITH THE NORMAL WORKING HOURS OF PCWA’S OF 7 AM TO 9 PM.
"SPECIAL PERMITS FOR WORKING AT NIGHT, WHICH ARE OCCASIONALLY ISSUED FOR PCWA’S, WILL NOT BE ISSUED FOR SHAM SHUI PO PCWA," HE SAID.
"THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE HAS ALSO ADVISED THE OPERATORS OF PRIVATE SHIPYARDS IN THE VICINITY OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS TO CURTAIL NOISE BY STAGGERING THE EARLY MORNING ’START-UP TIMES’ OF HEAVY MACHINERY AND BY REDUCING THE ’WARM-UP’ PERIOD FOR THEIR ENGINES," HE ADDED.
MR BARNES ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE NOISE FROM THESE FACILITIES WAS ALSO CONTROLLED UNDER PROVISIONS IN THE NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE.
NOISE FROM SHIPYARDS AND DESIGNATED PRIVATE CARGO HANDLING AREAS WAS SUBJECT TO NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICES ISSUED UNDER SECTION 13 OF THE ORDINANCE, WHILE NOISE FROM PUBLIC CARGO HANDLING AREAS WAS CONTROLLED UNDER SECTIONS 4 AND 5 AND WAS ENFORCED BY THE POLICE.
HE NOTED THAT SINCE JANUARY, THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT HAD RECEIVED SEVEN COMPLAINTS OF NOISE EMANATING FROM SHIPYARDS AND 16 COMPLAINTS OF NOISE EMANATING FROM WATERFRONT CARGO HANDLING AREAS.
/ON THE ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
- 58 -
ON THE LONG-TERM MEASURES TO PREVENT NOISE POLLUTION FROM THE OPERATION OF SHIPYARDS, CARGO HANDLING AREAS AND LIGHTERS, MR BARNES SAID THE ONLY WAY WAS TO MOVE THEM AWAY FROM THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF RESIDENTIAL AREAS.
"OUR AIM MUST BE TO ENSURE THAT AS FAR AS POSSIBLE THESE FACILITIES ARE RELOCATED TO AREAS WHICH ARE SUFFICIENTLY SEPARATED FROM RESIDENTIAL AREAS.
"THIS IS BY NO MEANS EASY, AS AREAS WHICH ARE PHYSICALLY AND COMMERCIALLY SUITABLE TO SHIPYARDS ARE FEW. NEVERTHELESS A NUMBER OF PROPOSALS TO REMOVE SHIPYARDS ARE IN TRAIN," HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS WELL AWARE OF THE NOISE POLLUTION PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THESE FACILITIES, BUT WAS HOPEFUL THAT THE MEASURES OUTLINED ABOVE WOULD REDUCE THIS NUISANCE SUBSTANTIALLY AND THEREBY HELP IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT OF NEARBY RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS.
--------0-----------
CANDIDATES CONSIDERED ON EQUAL TERMS
**»*♦*
THE CIVIL SERVICE RECRUITMENT, POLICY PROVIDES FOR ALL CANDIDATES WHO MEET THE PRESCRIBED ENTRY REQUIREMENTS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR APPOINTMENT ON EQUAL TERMS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON DAVID CHEUNG ON THE RATIO OF CHINESE SECONDARY SCHOOL GRADUATES TO ANGLO-CHINESE SECONDARY SCHOOL GRADUATES WHO WERE APPOINTED TO THE CIVIL SERVICE IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS, SIR DAVID SAID APPOINTMENTS TO SCHOOL CERTIFICATE GRADES IN THE CIVIL SERVICE WERE MADE BY INDIVIDUAL HEADS OF DEPARTMENT OR GRADE.
THE INFORMATION WHICH HAD BEEN REQUESTED BY MR CHEUNG WAS NOT KEPT BY DEPARTMENTS, AS IT WAS NOT A FACTOR IN RECRUITMENT, HE SAID.
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59
TUNNEL FIGURES SHOW IMPROVED TRAFFIC FLOW IN SHA TIN *****
THE INTRODUCTION OF DIFFERENTIAL TOLLS AT LION ROCK TUNNEL AND SHING MUN TUNNELS, COUPLED WITH A WIDENED TAI PO ROAD, HAD IMPROVED TRAFFIC FLOW AT BOTH THE TUNNELS AND ALONG TAI PO ROAD, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ANDREW WONG, MR LEUNG SAID EVEN MORE IMPROVEMENTS COULD BE EXPECTED WHEN TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL OPENED NEXT SUMMER.
MR LEUNG SAID BEFORE THE OPENING OF THE SHING MUN TUNNELS AND THE INTRODUCTION OF DIFFERENTIAL TOLLS, THERE WERE ON AVERAGE 104,000 VEHICLES USING THE LION ROCK TUNNEL AND 47,000 VEHICLES USING TAI PO ROAD EVERY DAY.
SINCE THE OPENING OF THE SHING MUN TUNNELS AND THE INTRODUCTION OF DIFFERENTIAL TOLLS ON APRIL 20 THIS YEAR, THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES WERE CURRENTLY 92,000 AND 41,000. AN AVERAGE OF 29,000 VEHICLES USED THE SHING MUN TUNNELS DAILY.
HE SAID THESE FIGURES INDICATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A DECREASE OF 12,000 VEHICLES, OR 12 PER CENT, USING LION ROCK TUNNEL, AND A DECREASE OF 6,000 VEHICLES, OR 13 PER CENT, USING TAI PO ROAD, EVERY DAY.
ABOUT 29,000 VEHICLES, OR 18 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VEHICLES USING THE THREE MAIN CORRIDORS IN THIS AREA, HAD BEEN ATTRACTED TO USE THE NEW ROUTE THROUGH SHING MUN TUNNELS.
REGARDING THE EFFECT OF THE DIFFERENTIAL TOLLS ON THE TRAFFIC FLOWS OF THE TWO TUNNELS AND TAI PO ROAD, MR LEUNG SAID A RECENT SURVEY SHOWED
AT LION ROCK TUNNEL
* THE SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC DURING MORNING PEAK PERIOD (7 AM TO 9 AM) HAD DROPPED BY ABOUT SIX PER CENT;
* THE JOURNEY TIME FROM PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL TO THE NORTH PORTAL OF LION ROCK TUNNEL WAS NINE MINUTES SHORTER; THE AVERAGE QUEUE LENGTH HAD BEEN REDUCED BY ONE KILOMETRE;
* NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC DURING THE MORNING PEAK HAD DECLINED BY SEVEN PER CENT, WITH IMPROVEMENTS IN JOURNEY TIME AND REDUCED QUEUE LENGTH;
* DURING THE EVENING PEAK PERIOD (5 PM TO 6 PM), SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC HAD DROPPED FROM 2,800 TO 2,500 VEHICLES: AN 11 PER CENT REDUCTION, WITH REDUCED JOURNEY TIME, AND SHORTER QUEUE LENGTH; AND
/* NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
60
* NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC DURING THE EVENING PEAK PERIOD (6 PM TO 7 PM) REMAINED AT ABOUT 3,000 VEHICLES, BUT THE JOURNEY TIME FROM WONG TAI SIN, VIA THE WESTERN LUNG CHEUNG ROAD APPROACH TO THE SOUTH PORTALOF LION ROCK TUNNEL, HAD BEEN REDUCED BY NINE MINUTES.
AT TAI PO ROAD
* THE SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC ALONG TAI PO ROAD DURING THE MORNING PEAK PERIOD HAD DROPPED FROM 2,200 TO 1,600 VEHICLES, A 27 PER CENT REDUCTION;
» THE NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC DURING THE MORNING PEAK PERIOD HAD DROPPED FROM 1,100 TO 1,000 VEHICLES, A NINE PER CENT REDUCTION;
* THE SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC DURING THE EVENING PEAK PERIOD HAD DROPPED FROM 1,400 TO 1,200 VEHICLES, A 14 PER CENT REDUCTION;
» THE NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC DURING THE EVENING PEAK PERIOD HAD
INCREASED FROM 1,200 TO 1,400 VEHICLES, A 17 PER CENT
INCREASE; AND
* NO PERSISTENT TRAFFIC QUEUE WAS OBSERVED ON TAI PO ROAD
IN EITHER DIRECTION DURNG EITHER THE MORNING OR EVENING PEAK HOURS.
AT SHING MUN TUNNELS
* THE TRAFFIC FLOWED SMOOTHLY IN BOTH DIRECTIONS, AND NO TRAFFIC QUEUE WAS OBSERVED AT EITHER END OF THE TUNNELS.
--------0------------
NO DECISION YET ON REMOVING BANYAN TREE
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT TAKEN ANY DECISION TO REMOVE THE BANYAN TREE OUTSIDE THE WEST WING OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BARNES STATED THIS IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PETER WONG, WHO HAD EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THE TREE, WHICH WAS BELIEVED TO BE 100 YEAR OLDS, WOULD BE REMOVED.
MR BARNES SAID ON THE CONTRARY, THE GOVERNMENT HAD REQUIRED THE ARCHITECTS FOR THE FOOTBRIDGE PROJECT TO COME UP WITH A PROPOSAL THAT WOULD AVOID ANY SUBSTANTIAL INTERFERENCE WITH THE TREE.
HE SAID THE ARCHITECTS CONCERNED WERE NOW WORKING ON THE PROPOSAL.
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/61 ... ’
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61
SFC UNDERTAKING ESSENTIAL TASKS *****
THE TASKS THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC) IS UNDERTAKING ARE ESSENTIAL FOR THE LONG-TERM WELFARE OF HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL MARKETS AND THAT IT THEREFORE DESERVES FULL SUPPORT, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NENDICK, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
TABLING THE SFC ANNUAL REPORT 1989, MR NENDICK SAID THE COMMISSION HAD HAD A FAIRLY ROUGH RIDE IN ITS FIRST YEAR OR SO OF OPERATION.
HOWEVER, AFTER NOTING THE CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH LED TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COMMISSION ON MAY 1, 1989, MR NENDICK SAID MUCH HAD BEEN ACHIEVED IN A RELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.
"THE VALUE OF THE REFORMS WE HAVE INTRODUCED WAS AMPLY DEMONSTRATED LAST YEAR WHEN OUR MARKETS WITHSTOOD THE SHOCK OF THE EVENTS IN PEKING WELL.
"THIS WAS IN MARKED CONSTRAST TO WHAT HAD HAPPENED IN OCTOBER 1987," HE SAID.
MR NENDICK RECOGNISED THAT THERE MIGHT STILL BE THOSE WHO FEARED THAT HONG KONG WAS MOVING IN THE DIRECTION OF OVER-REGULATION BUT HE REITERATED THAT THAT WAS NOT THE CASE.
"OUR PHILOSOPHY IS, AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE, THAT WE ONLY INTERVENE IN THE WORKINGS OF THE MARKET PLACE WHERE THIS IS NECESSARY EITHER IN THE INTERESTS OF THE INTEGRITY OF THE SYSTEM AS A WHOLE OR OF IMPORTANT PARTS OF IT OR TO PROTECT NON-PROFESSIONAL PARTICIPANTS.
"WE ARE AS CONCERNED AS ANY THAT OUR MARKETS ARE NOT STIFIBD BY A PLETHORA OF RULES AND REGULATIONS, BUT WE MUST EQUALLY ENSURE THAT ORDINARY INVESTORS, BOTH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL, RECEIVE AN ADEQUATE DEGREE OF PROTECTION FROM EXPLOITATION.
"I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE CURRENTLY GOT THE BALANCE ABOUT RIGHT," HE SAID.
MR NENDICK SAID IT OFTEN FAILED TO BE RECOGNISED THAT THE VOICE OF THE ORDINARY INVESTOR WAS SELDOM HEARD IN HONG KONG UNLESS THINGS WENT SERIOUSLY WRONG.
THIS WAS MAINLY BECAUSE ONLY A SMALL PROPORTION OF SHARES HERE WERE HELD BY LOCALLY BASED INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS SUCH AS INSURANCE COMPANIES AND PENSION FUNDS.
ELSEWHERE, SUCH INSTITUTIONS OFTEN HAD SUBSTANTIAL VOTING POWER AND, IN PROTECTING THEIR OWN INTERESTS, THEY COULD IN EFFECT ACT AS WATCHDOGS FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.
/"AS THIS ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
- 62 -
"AS THIS IS NOT THE CASE IN HONG KONG, IT IS LARGELY LEFT TO THE GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF ORDINARY SHAREHOLDERS.
"NEVERTHELESS, WE SHALL CONTINUE TO EXERCISE THIS ROLE WITH SENSITIVITY AND GOOD COMMON SENSE AND TO ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPEMENT OF SELF REGULATION WHEREVER THIS IS POSSIBLE AND PRACTICABLE," MR NENDICK SAID.
--------0-----------
ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD REPORT TABLED
******
MANY PEOPLE ARE SURPRISED WHEN THEY LEARN HOW MUCH REMAINS TO REMIND US OF THE STORY OF HUMAN SETTLEMENT IM AND AROUND HONG KONG, THE HON EDWARD HO SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHEN HE TABLED THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD (AAB) REPORT FOR 1988 AND 1989.
MR HO, WHO IS CHAIRMAN OF THE AAB, SAID HISTORICAL RELICS RANGED FROM THE SITES OF PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT OVER 6,000 YEARS OLD, TO BUILDINGS PUT UP LESS THAN 60 YEARS AGO, DISPLAYING ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES WHICH HAD ALL DISAPPEARED FROM THE TERRITORY’S CONCRETE JUNGLE.
"THE BOARD HAS PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN CONSERVING HONG KONG’S HERITAGE BY ADVISING ON WHICH SITES AND STRUCTURES MERIT DECLARATION AS PROTECTED MONUMENTS SINCE 1976.
"SEVEN MONUMENTS WERE DECLARED INCLUDING THE KUN LUNG GATE HOUSE IN FANLING, THE YEUNG HAU KUNG IN YUEN LONG AND THE FLAGSTAFF HOUSE AND THE FORMER FRENCH MISSION BUILDING IN CENTRAL IN 1988 AND 1989,” HE SAID.
MR HO POINTED OUT THAT THE BOARD HAD ALSO EXPANDED ITS WORK TO GRADE VARIOUS TYPES OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS, TO INCREASE EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY WORK, AND TO SYSTEMATISE REPORTING ON ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS.
HE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB FOR ITS GENEROUS DONATION TO SUPPORT THE RESTORATION WORKS OF TAI FU TAI IN SHA TIN AND KUN TING STUDY HALL IN YUEN LONG AND URGED EMULATION BY OTHER ORGANISATIONS.
"DESPITE THE INEVITABLE DISAPPOINTMENTS WHEN PARTS OF HONG KONG’S HERITAGE ARE SWEPT AWAY BY DEVELOPMENT, THE BOARD REMAINS COMMITTED TO PLAYING ITS PART IN PRESERVING FOR THE COMMUNITY THESE TANGIBLE REMINDERS OF OUR HISTORY AND TRADITIONS," MR HO ADDED.
/THE AAB
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
63
THE AAB WAS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR UNDER THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS ORDINANCE TO ADVISE ON ANY MATTERS IN RELATION TO ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS. IT IS THE EIGHTH REPORT OF THE BOARD SINCE THE ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED IN 1976.
COPIES OF THE BILINGUAL REPORT ARE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE FROM THE HONG KONG MUSEUM OF HISTORY AT KOWLOON PARK, TSIM SHA TSUI, THE SAM TUNG UK MUSEUM IN TSUEN WAN AND THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS OFFICE AT KCR HOUSE IN SHA TIN.
-------------------0-------- GOVERNOR THANKS COUNCILLORS FOR HARD WORK * * * * *
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, PAID TRIBUTE TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY) TO LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS FOR THEIR HARD WORK DURING THE 1989-90 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SESSION.
NOTING THE TIME WAS 10 MINUTES PAST 10, SIR DAVID SAID THIS MADE TODAY’S MEETING THE LONGEST SITTING THIS SESSION.
HE SAID MEMBERS HAD SHOWN GREAT STAMINA IN THE SESSION.
IT HAD IN FACT BEEN A SESSION WITH SOME VERY SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS DONE, HE SAID.
"FOR THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN STATISTICS, THE COUNCIL HAS PASSED A TOTAL OF 90 BILLS DURING THIS SESSION, AND THAT COMPARES WITH 68 LAST SESSION.
"FOR AMENDMENTS, THE COUNCIL HAS PASSED A TOTAL 410 AMENDMENTS, AND 56 OF THOSE RELATED TO ONE PARTICULAR BILL PASSED TODAY," HE ADDED.
BUT, SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE COUNCIL WAS NOT SOME SORT OF LEGISLATIVE OLYMPIC GAMES WHERE COUNCILLORS SIMPLY SAT TO SET RECORDS.
WHAT THE FIGURES DID SHOW WAS THE IMMENSE AMOUNT OF HARD, DETAILED WORK DONE BY MEMBERS.
A GREAT DEAL HAD BEEN DONE DURING THIS YEAR BY MEMBERS TO PROMOTE HONG KONG AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL CENTRE.
"A GREAT DEAL HAS BEEN DONE BY MEMBERS TO MAKE SURE THAT BRITISH MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, IN PARTICULAR, HAVE BEEN KEPT FULLY UP-TO-DATE ON WHAT IS HAPPENING IN HONG KONG, SO THAT THEY KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE WHEN THEY PASS ANY LEGISLATION AFFECTING HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
/IN CONCLUSION .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
64
IN CONCLUSION, SIR DAVID SAID: "I SHOULD LIKE MOST WARMLY TO THANK ALL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE IMMENSE AMOUNT OF HARD WORK WHICH YOU ALL DO, AND NOT SIMPLY THOSE WHO SIT IN THE CHAMBER, BUT THOSE WHO SIT OUTSIDE THE CHAMBER WHO BACK UP THE WORK DONE BY THIS COUNCIL, WITHOUT WHOM THE WORK OF THE COUNCIL COULDN’T BE CARRIED OUT SO EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY AS IT IS, AND THEY HAVE WORKED PARTICULARLY HARD TODAY."
THE NEXT SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10.
- - 0----------
THIRTEEN BILLS PASSED IN LEGCO ♦ » » » *
THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY BILL 1990 AND THE SECURITIES (INSIDER DEALING) BILL 1990 WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
ELEVEN OTHER BILLS WERE ALSO PASSED. THESE WERE THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES APPEALS BOARDS BILL 1990, THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL 1990, THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 5) BILL 1990, THE HANG LUNG BANK (ACQUISITION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE COMMODITIES TRADING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE STOCK EXCHANGES UNIFICATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1990, THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE CRIMES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 AND A PRIVATE BILL, THE MORRISON SCHOLARSHIPS FUND BILL 1990.
THE DATES OF THE SECURITIES (INSIDER DEALING) BILL AND THE CRIMES (AMENDMENT) BILL WERE CHANGED TO 1990, FROM 1989, AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE.
IN ADDITION, EIGHT BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
THESE WERE THE HONG KONG BILL OF RIGHTS BILL 1990, 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 BRITISH NATIONALITY (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990.
DEBATES ON THSES BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 1989 AND THE REPORT OF THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD 1988 AND 1989 WERE TABLED IN THE MEETING.
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
65
PROPOSALS TO EXTEND JURISDICTION OF TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE *****
AMENDING LEGISLATION TO EXTEND THE JURISDICTION OF THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE TO COVER THE RURAL NEW TERRITORIES WHILE AT THE SAME TIME GIVING IT THE POWER TO CONTROL UNAUTHORISED DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREAS TO BE BROUGHT INTO ITS JURISDICTION WILL BE GAZETTED ON FRIDAY (JULY 27).
ENTITLED THE TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, THE DRAFT LEGISLATION PROPOSES FIVE MAIN AREAS OF CHANGE TO THE PRESENT ORDINANCE:
» TO EXTEND THE JURISDICTION OF THE ORDINANCE TO COVER THE WHOLE TERRITORY AND TO EXPAND THE TYPES OF ZONING WHICH THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD (TPB) MAY INCLUDE IN AN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN;
* TO EMPOWER THE TPB TO PREPARE PLANS TO DESIGNATE ANY AREA AS "DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREAS" (DPA), WITHIN WHICH PLANNING PERMISSION UNDER SECTION 16 OF THE ORDINANCE WILL BE REQUIRED FOR ALL DEVELOPMENT, UNLESS OTHERWISE EXEMPTED IN THE PLAN;
* TO PROVIDE FOR MEANS OF ENFORCEMENT AGAINST UNAUTHORISED DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE DPA;
* TO PROVIDE FOR DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY BY THE TPB; AND
* TO PROVIDE TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS.
AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THE BILL HAD BEEN REQUIRED AS EMERGENCY INTERIM LEGISLATION IN ADVANCE OF THE CURRENT COMPREHENSIVE REVISION OF THE ORDINANCE BECAUSE OF CONTINUING DEGRADATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE RURAL AREAS.
BUT HE STRESSED THAT THE INTERIM AMENDMENTS WOULD NOT DELAY WORK ON THE CURRENT COMPLETE REVISION OF THE ORDINANCE.
MR BARNES NOTED THAT THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE, WHICH WAS ENACTED IN 1939, HAD SEEN NO CHANGES IN THE LEGISLATION EXCEPT FOR A FEW MINOR AND PIECEMEAL AMENDMENTS ALTHOUGH HONG KONG HAD UNDERGONE DRAMATIC CHANGES IN ITS SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT SINCE THEN.
THE EXISTING TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE PROVIDES FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF THE TPB, WHICH IS AN INDEPENDENT STATUTORY BODY APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, TO PREPARE PLANS FOR THE FUTURE LAY-OUT OF EXISTING AND POTENTIAL URBAN AREAS.
OVER THE YEARS, STATUTORY OUTLINE ZONING PLANS (OZP’S) HAVE BEEN PREPARED FOR THE URBAN AREAS AND FOR THE NEW TOWNS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. THESE STATUTORY PLANS PROVIDE A BASIC FRAMEWORK TO GUIDE DEVELOPMENT, AND WITHIN WHICH TO OPERATE A SYSTEM OF PLANNING PERMISSION, AND HAVE PROVED TO BE VERY EFFECTIVE.
/HOWEVER, MR ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
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HOWEVER, MR BARNES SAID THE LACK OF STATUTORY PLANNING CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT POWER HAD BECOME A PARTICULAR PROBLEM IN RECENT YEARS IN THE RURAL AREAS.
HE NOTED THAT FOR MANY YEARS CONTROL OF THE USE OF AGRICULTURAL LAND WAS EXERCISED EFFECTIVELY THROUGH THE LEASE CONDITIONS. BUT, AS A RESULT OF A CHALLENGE IN THE COURTS ON THE VALIDITY OF THE EXERCISE OF THESE POWERS, THIS MEANS OF CONTROL HAD NOW BEEN DISCONTINUED IN RESPECT OF CONVERSION OF AGRICULTURAL LAND TO OPEN STORAGE AND ALLIED USES.
’’MANY OF THESE DEVELOPMENTS HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT IN A HAPHAZARD AND DISORDERLY MANNER, CREATING ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRAFFIC PROBLEMS, AND IN MANY CASES RESULTING IN INCOMPATIBLE LAND USES.
’’MUCH AGRICULTURAL LAND HAS BEEN CONVERTED TO OPEN STORAGE USES, FOR USE AS CAR DUMPS, OPEN AIR WORKSHOPS, CONTAINER STORAGE AND VEHICLE PARKS.
”IN MANY CASES THESE DEVELOPMENTS HAVE DEGRADED THE ENVIRONMENT CREATING PROBLEMS FOR ADJACENT SITES, AND THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON CAUSE OF COMPLAINT FROM RESIDENTS.
’’THESE CHANGES OF USE HAVE EITHER COMPROMISED ENVIRONMENTAL OR CONSERVATION OBJECTIVES, OR MADE IT MORE DIFFICULT TO ACHIEVE PROPERLY PLANNED AND SERVICED DEVELOPMENT,” HE SAID.
MR BARNES EXPLAINED THAT AS A MAJOR STEP TO IMPROVE THE RURAL ENVIRONMENT, IN PARTICULAR TO CONTROL THE PROLIFERATION OF UNPLANNED URBAN ACTIVITIES INTO THE RURAL AREAS, THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERED THAT THERE WAS AN URGENT NEED TO EXTEND THE JURISDICTION OF THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE TO COVER THE RURAL NEW TERRITORIES SO AS TO PROVIDE A STATUTORY PLANNING FRAMEWORK TO GUIDE AND CONTROL PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT OUTSIDE NEW TOWNS.
"THIS WILL ENABLE THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TO MAKE ADEQUATE PROVISION TO GUIDE DEVELOPMENT IN AREAS WHERE IT IS NEEDED, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME CONSERVING THOSE AREAS WHERE DEVELOPMENT IS A THREAT,” MR BARNES SAID.
UNDER THE PROVISIONS IN THE AMENDMENT BILL, THE TPB MAY, AS DIRECTED BY THE GOVERNOR, DESIGNATE AREAS WHICH REQUIRE IMMEDIATE PLANNING CONTROL AS DPA’S.
THE DPA PLAN, WHICH WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM THE DATE OF GAZETTING, WILL BE EXHIBITED IN THE SAME MANNER AND SUBJECT TO THE SAME OBJECTION PROCEDURES AS THE CURRENT STATUTORY OZP/S.
WITHIN THESE DPA’S SOME AREAS WILL BE ZONED SO AS TO INDICATE WHICH TYPES OF DEVELOPMENT ARE ALWAYS PERMITTED, OR MAY BE PERMITTED ON APPLICATION. WHERE NO ZONING IS SHOWN WITHIN A DPA THEN ALL FORMS OF DEVELOPMENT WOULD REQUIRE PERMISSION.
/REGARDING ENFORCEMI
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
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REGARDING ENFORCEMENT WITHIN THE DPA, THE BILL ALSO EMPOWERS THE AUTHORITY (THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING) TO ENTER THE LAND AND TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO ENSURE THE DISCONTINUANCE OF UNAUTHORISED DEVELOPMENTS, TO PREVENT THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF SUCH DEVELOPMENTS, OR TO REINSTATE THE LAND.
OFFENDERS ARE LIABLE TO A FINE OF $500,000, IMPRISONMENT FOR ONE YEAR AND A FINE OF $10,000 FOR EACH DAY ON WHICH THE OFFENCE IS PROVED TO HAVE CONTINUED.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE, THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING, MR ROBERT UPTON, SAID EXISTING USES PREDATING THE GAZETTING OF DPA PLANS WOULD BE TOLERATED.
"BUT TO PREVENT A RUSH TO CONVERT EXISTING AGRICULTURAL LAND TO OPEN STORAGE THE BILL CONTAINS A CLAUSE ALLOWING INTERIM DPA’S TO BE DESIGNATED IN ANTICIPATION OF THE BILL’S ENACTMENT."
INTERIM DPA’S WOULD BE PUBLISHED ADMINISTRATIVELY, AND WITHIN THEM A SYSTEM OF PERMISSIONS SIMILAR TO THAT TO BE BROUGHT IN ON THE ENACTMENT OF THE LEGISLATION WOULD BE OPERATED.
PERMISSION GRANTED BY THE AUTHORITY WOULD BE HONOURED WHEN INTERIM DPA’S WERE REPLACED BY STATUTORY DPA’S.
ANY DEVELOPMENTS IN INTERIM DPA’S WHICH DID NOT HAVE PERMISSION WOULD BE SUBJECT TO ENFORCEMENT ACTION WHEN THE STATUTORY DPA WAS GAZETTED. ALL INTERIM DPA’S WOULD BE SO REPLACED SOON AFTBR THE ENACTMENT OF THE LEGISLATION.
MR UPTON SAID COPIES OF A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT OUTLINING ALL THE INTERIM AMENDMENTS PROPOSED IN THE TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ON FRIDAY FROM THE VARIOUS DISTRICT OFFICES, DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES AND DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICES.
"THE GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE FULL ACCOUNT OF ALL VIEWS BEFORE THE BILL IS FORMALLY INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN OCTOBER 1990.
"IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO PRODUCE A DETAILED CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON THE COMPREHENSIVE REVISION OF THE FULL ORDINANCE AT THE BEGINNING OF 1991, AND IT IS ENVISAGED THAT THE REVISED ORDINANCE SHOULD BE ENACTED IN 1992," HE SAID.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON THE AMENDMENT BILL SHOULD BE SENT BY SEPTEMBER 30 TO THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
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JUNE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES RELEASED *****
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS RECORDED A SMALL DECREASE IN JUNE OVER A YEAR EARLIER, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS CONTINUED TO RISK SIGNIFICANTLY.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS SHOWED A MODERATE INCREASE, BUT THAT OF RETAINED IMPORTS DECREASED OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
THESE ARE SHOWN IN THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN JUNE 1990 WAS *18,846 MILLION, $111 MILLION OR 0.6 PER CENT LESS THAN IN JUNE 1989, WHILE THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY $4,310 MILLION OR 14.4 PER CENT TO $34,196 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS (DOMESTIC EXPORTS PLUS RE-EXPORTS), AT $53,041 MILLION IN JUNE 1990, WAS THUS $4,199 MILLION OR 8.6 PER CENT HIGHER THAN IN JUNE 1989.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS GREW BY $1,967 MILLION OR 3.9 PER CENT OVER A YEAR EARLIER, TO $52,021 MILLION IN JUNE 1990.
AS THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS WAS LARGER THAN THAT OF IMPORTS, A VISIBLE TRADE SURPLUS OF $1,020 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 2.0 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN JUNE 1990.
THIS COMPARES WITH A DEFICIT OF $1,212 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 2.4 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN JUNE 1989.
PUTTING THESE FIGURES IN PERSPECTIVE, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS FOR THE FIRST HALF OF 1990 WAS $283,635 MILLION, MADE UP OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF $100,538 MILLION AND RE-EXPORTS OF $183,097 MILLION.
COMPARED WITH THE FIRST HALF OF 1989, TOTAL EXPORTS GREW BY $20,481 MILLION OR 7.8 PER CENT IN VALUE TERMS, WITH DOMESTIC EXPORTS FALLING BY $1,520 MILLION OR 1.5 PER CENT AND RE-EXPORTS RISING BY $22,001 MILLION OR 13.7 PER CENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS ROSE BY $15,210 MILLION OR 5.5 PER CENT, TO $291,833 MILLION.
A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $8,198 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 2.8 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1990. THIS COMPARES WITH A DEFICIT OF $13,469 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 4.9 PER CENT OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SPOKESMAN SAID THE PERFORMANCE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WAS STILL SLUGGISH IN JUNE 1990, AFTER A REVIVAL TO POSITIVE GROWTH IN MAY.
/ON THE ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1
- 69 -
ON THE OTHER HAND, RE-EXPORTS CONTINUED TO RISE SIGNIFICANTLY IN JUNE, LARGELY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE STRONG GROWTH IN RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN.
AS REGARDS RETAINED IMPORTS, THERE WAS, HOWEVER, A DECLINE IN JUNE 1990 FROM A YEAR EARLIER.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE PRESENTS THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR JUNE 1990.
MERCHANDISE: DOMESTIC EXPORTS RE-EXPORTS TOTAL EXPORTS IMPORTS TRADE BALANCE
$18,845 MILLION
$34,196 MILLION
$53,041 MILLION
$52,021 MILLION
$1,020 MILLION [IN SURPLUS]
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
APR 90 TO APR 89 TO INCREASE
LATEST 3 MONTHS JUN 90 JUN 89
HK$ MN. HK$ MN. HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 54,078 54,130 -52 -0.1
RE-EXPORTS 99,948 85,975 13,973 16.3
TOTAL EXPORTS 154,026 140,105 13,921 9.9
IMPORTS 159,152 146,593 12,559 8.6
TRADE BALANCE -5,126 -6,488 1,362
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR JUNE 1990 HK$ MN. JUNE 1989 HK$ MN. INCREASE
HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 18,845 18,956 -Ill -0.6
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS} (35.5%) (38.8%)
RE-EXPORTS 34,196 29,886 4,310 14.4
TOTAL EXPORTS 53,041 48,842 4,199 8.6
IMPORTS 52,021 50,054 1,967 3.9
TRADE BALANCE 1,020 -1,212 2,232
JUNE MAY INCREASE
LAST MONTH 1990 1990
HK$ MN. HK$ MN. HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 18,845 18,826 19 0.1
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (35.5%) (35.0%)
RE-EXPORTS 34,196 34,892 -696 2.0
TOTAL EXPORTS 53,041 53,718 -677 1.3
IMPORTS 52,021 56,492 -4,471 7.9
TRADE BALANCE 1,020 -2,774 3,794
/CALENDAR YEAR
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
- 70 -
CALENDAR YEAR TO-DATE JAN-JUN 1990 HK$ MN. JAN-JUN 1989 HK$ MN. INCREASE
HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 100,538 102,058 -1,520 -1.5
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (35.4%) (38.8%)
RE-EXPORTS 183,097 161,096 22,001 13.7
TOTAL EXPORTS 283,635 263,154 20,481 7.8
IMPORTS 291,833 276,623 15,210 5.5
TRADE BALANCE -8,198 -13,469 5,271
JUL 89 TO JUL 88 TO INCREASE
LAST 12 MONTHS JUN 90 JUN 89
HK$ MN. HK$ MN. HK* MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 222,585 224,103 -1,518 -0.7
RE-EXPORTS 368,406 319,180 49,226 15.4
TOTAL EXPORTS 590,991 543,283 47,708 8.8
IMPORTS 577,991 553,730 24,261 4.4
TRADE BALANCE 13,000 -10,447 23,447
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GREATER DIVERSITY SHOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO EDUCATION SYSTEM *««**»««
THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO INJECT GREATER DIVERSITY INTO HONG KONG’S EDUCATION SYSTEM TO CATER FOR THOSE WHO NEED A DIFFERENT SORT OF EDUCATION, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR K.Y. YEUNG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE 34TH GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG JUVENILE CARE CENTRE, MR YEUNG SAID THAT COMPULSORY EDUCATION HAD MEANT THAT STUDENTS WITH A WIDE RANGE OF ABILITIES, INTERESTS AND NEEDS HAD BEEN BROUGHT INTO THE EDUCATION SYSTEM.
WHILE THE COMMON CORE CURRICULUM WAS MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE MAJORITY OF STUDENTS, NO MATTER HOW MUCH DIVERSITY WAS INTRODUCED, IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE COMMON CORE CURRICULUM WOULD STILL FAIL TO MEET THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS WHO WERE EITHER AT THE EXTREMES OF THE ABILITY RANGE OR WERE UNMOTIVATED TO LEARNING, MR YEUNG SAID.
"IT IS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO PROVIDE THEM WITH ALTERNATIVE CURRICULA AND EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES," HE POINTED OUT.
REGARDING THE POSSIBLE MEASURES IN THIS DIRECTION, MR YEUNG SAID THAT A FIRST POSSIBILITY MIGHT BE THE INTRODUCTION OF BRIDGING COURSES FOR STUDENTS WISHING TO TRANSFER TO PRE-VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS AT SECONDARY 2 OR SECONDARY 3.
/"FOR GRA'
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71
"FOR GRAMMAR SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO ARE MORE INCLINED TO PRACTICAL SUBJECTS, IT MAY BE BETTER FOR THEM TO FURTHER THEIR STUDIES IN THE PRE-VOCATIONAL STREAM WHICH IS MORE SUITED TO THEIR APTITUDES AND INTERESTS," HE SAID.
"IN FACT, SOME DROPOUTS IN SECONDARY GRAMMAR SCHOOLS HAVE EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN THE KIND OF COURSES OFFERED IN PRE-VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS," HE SAID.
A SECOND POSSIBILITY, MR YEUNG SAID, WOULD BE PRACTICAL SCHOOLS FOR ACADEMICALLY UNMOTIVATED STUDENTS WHO MIGHT BECOME DROPOUTS OR POSSIBLY DELINQUENTS.
"IT IS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM WHICH PLACE LESS EMPHASIS ON THE ACADEMIC SUBJECTS AND MORE ON THE PRACTICAL," MR YEUNG SAID.
PRACTICAL SCHOOLS, WITH A DIVERSIFIED CURRICULUM, WOULD PREPARE THEM FOR EITHER DIRECT EMPLOYMENT OR APPRENTICESHIP SCHEMES, HE EXPLAINED.
"A THIRD POSSIBILITY IS THE CREATION OF SKILLS OPPORTUNITY SCHOOLS FOR CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES," MR YEUNG SAID.
"THESE WOULD SERVE ANOTHER GROUP OF CHILDREN, THOSE WHO CANNOT BENEFIT FROM THE EXISTING CORE CURRICULUM OF ORDINARY SCHOOLS EVEN WITH THE HELP OF REMEDIAL TEACHING, BECAUSE THEY ARE BORDERING ON BEING MENTALLY HANDICAPPED," HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT SOME PEOPLE WOULD ARGUE THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SUCH SCHOOLS WOULD GIVE A NEGATIVE LABEL TO STUDENTS.
"HOWEVER, THE INTEGRATION OF SUCH STUDENTS IN ORDINARY SCHOOLS HAS GIVEN RISE TO PROBLEMS IN CLASS AND MET WITH PARENTAL AND TEACHERS’ RESISTANCE.
"MOREOVER, THE STUDENTS THEMSELVES ARE NOT ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM THE MAIN STREAM CURRICULUM," HE SAID.
"I BELIEVE IT MORE DESIRABLE TO GROUP THEM TOGETHER IN A NEW TYPE OF SCHOOLS WITH A CURRICULUM MORE SUITED TO THEIR NEEDS, THAN TO TRY TO PERSUADE TEACHERS OR PARENTS TO ACCEPT UNWANTED CHANGES IN SCHOOLS," HE STRESSED.
HE NOTED THAT WHETHER THE EDUCATION COMMISSION RECOMMENDED CHANGES SUCH AS THESE HAD YET TO BE SEEN.
EARLIER IN HIS SPEECH, MR YEUNG SAID THAT THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WAS NOW IN THE MIDDLE OF AN OVERALL REVIEW OF THE COMMON CORE CURRICULA FOR ALL LEVELS OF EDUCATION.
THE REVIEW, THE PURPOSE OF WHICH WAS THREEFOLD, WAS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, HE SAID.
/THE FIRST
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THE FIRST PURPOSE WAS TO RE-EXAMINE THE SUBJECT CONTENT AGAINST CLEARLY DEFINED EDUCATIONAL AIMS, WITH A VIEW TO STRIKING A BALANCE BETWEEN THE DIFFERING DEMANDS OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND SOCIAL RELEVANCE, MR YEUNG SAID.
"THE SECOND IS TO RE-EXAMINE THE SCOPE OF THE COMMON CORE IN THE LIGHT OF PRESENT AND POSSIBLE FUTURE COMMUNITY PRESSURE FOR INCLUDING ADDITIONAL SUBJECTS.
"THE THIRD PURPOSE IS TO EXAMINE HOW SCHOOL-BASED CURRICULA MIGHT BE FURTHER DEVELOPED TO SUIT THE NEEDS OF PUPILS IN INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS, WHILE MAINTAINING CURRICULUM CONTINUITY AND CONSISTENCY,” HE SAID.
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STABLE PROPERTY MARKET FOR FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR * ♦ * * * ♦
THE PROPERTY MARKET IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR BOTH IN THE SALES AND RENTAL FIELD CAN BE REGARDED AS STABLE FOLLOWING A REMARKABLE RECOVERY IN THE SECOND HALF OF LAST YEAR.
THIS WAS STATED IN A REPORT ON THE PROPERTY MARKET CONSIDERED AT A MEETING OF THE LAND AND BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE REPORT STATED THAT PERFORMANCE IN THE VARIOUS SECTORS OF PROPERTY HAD BEEN MIXED WITH SMALL TO MEDIUM SIZED FLATS BEING THE MOST ACTIVE.
THE ONE PER CENT INCREASE IN THE MORTGAGE RATE IN APRIL THIS YEAR APPEARED TO HAVE LITTLE EFFECT.
IN TERMS OF VOLUME OF TRANSACTIONS, THE NUMBER OF PROPERTY TRANSFER ASSIGNMENTS FELL BY SIX PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH THE FIRST HALF OF 1989, WITH A SIMILAR FALL IN VALUE.
THE MARKET FOR SMALL TO MEDIUM SIZED RESIDENTIAL FLATS (BELOW 100 SQUARE METRES) WAS ACTIVE WITH PRICES GENERALLY HIGHER THAN THE PEAK ACHIEVED DURING THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989.
THE MARKET FOR LARGER FLATS (OVER 100 SQUARE METRES) WAS RELATIVELY QUIET WITH FEW PROJECTS BEING RELEASED.
SUPPLY OF NEW OFFICE SPACE DURING THE FIRST HALF OF 1990 REACHED 101,000 SQUARE METRES, REPRESENTING A 31 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
ALTHOUGH ADVERTISED RENTALS HAD NOT DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY, NEGOTIATED RENTALS HAD FALLEN WELL BELOW ADVERTISED LEVELS WITH UP TO SIX MONTHS’ RENT-FREE PERIODS OFFERED.
/THE RETAIL .......
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
73
THE RETAIL SECTOR REMAINED SOFT IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1990 PARTLY DUE TO AN INCREASED SUPPLY AND PARTLY BECAUSE OF THE SLOWDOWN IN EXPENDITURE OF TOURISTS AND LOCALS ALIKE. THE SECTOR ENJOYED A 10 PER CENT RISE IN OCCUPANCY RATES WHICH WAS INCREASED TO 81 PER CENT IN JUNE 1990.
HOWEVER, UPON COMPLETION OF CENTRAL, THE INCREASE IN OCCUPANCY
A NUMBER OF NEW HOTEL PROJECTS RATES WOULD BE DAMPENED.
IN
THE MARKET FOR INDUSTRIAL FLoOR SPACE REMAINED QUIET WITH AN AVERAGE FIVE PER CENT DECREASE IN SELLING PRICES.
IT WAS CONSIDERED THAT THE MARKET WOULD REMAIN WEAK FOR THE TIME BEING IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR, CONSENT TO COMMENCE WORK IN NEW INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS WAS GIVEN FOR 473,000 SQUARE METRES OF FLOOR SPACE, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 32 PER CENT OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989.
REGARDING LAND SALES, SOME 6.6 HECTARES WERE SOLD BY AUCTION OR TENDER AT GENERALLY SATISFACTORY PRICES. SOME LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL SITES ACHIEVED ENCOURAGING RESULTS BUT INDUSTRIAL SALES ATTRACTED A RELATIVELY WEAK RESPONSE.
--------------------0------- WELFARE SERVICES MAINLY FOR NEEDY PEOPLE ******
WELFARE SERVICES ARE TARGETTED MAINLY AT THOSE WHO NEED THEM AND THE GOVERNMENT TRIES NOT TO PURSUE SOCIAL POLICIES THAT WOULD UNDERMINE THE COMPETITIVE AND PRODUCTIVE ENGINE OF THE ECONOMY, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. CARTLAND, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE SHUN TAK FRATERNAL ASSOCIATION’S 12TH PARTY FOR ABOUT 1,000 ELDERLY PEOPLE AT THE CITY HALL CONCERT HALL.
MR CARTLAND NOTED THAT THE LOCAL WELFARE SERVICES PACKAGE WAS NOT DESIGNED TO PROVIDE THE TYPE OF FAR-REACHING COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT, WHICH WAS A FEATURE OF WESTERN STYLE WELFARE STATES.
HE POINTED OUT THAT SUCH SYSTEMS RESULTED IN CRIPPLING TAX BURDENS AND AT THE SAME TIME LOWERED THE ABILITY OF THE POPULACE.
"IN THE LONG RUN THE RESULTS ARE DECLINING NATIONAL INCOME AND DETERIORATING LIVING STANDARDS," HE OBSERVED.
MR CARTLAND STRESSED THAT "THOSE WHO ARE SELF-SUFFICIENT ARE ENCOURAGED TO REMAIN SO".
"HOWEVER, THE ELDERLY IS CLEARLY ONE GROUP THAT MERITS PARTICULAR ATTENTION," HE SAID.
/HE NOTED .......
t
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
74
HE NOTED THAT THERE WERE ABOUT 730,000 ELDERLY PEOPLE OVER THE AGE OF 60 IN HONG KONG AND THAT APPROXIMATELY HALF OF THEM HAD ALREADY BENEFITTED FROM SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS.
"THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEM COULD EXPECT TO REMAIN SUFFICIENTLY FIT AND ACTIVE TO STAY IN THEIR OWN HOMES AND WITH THEIR OWN FAMILIES," HE SAID.
"ALTHOUGH FOR THIS PURPOSE SOME OF THEM WILL NEED THE SUPPORT OF SPECIFIC SERVICES, INCLUDING SOCIAL CENTRES, DAY CARE CENTRES AND HOME HELP SERVICES, DESIGNED TO ENABLE THEM TO REMAIN IN A FAMILIAR ENVIRONMENT FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE," HE ADDED.
MR CARTLAND ALSO PRAISED THE ASSOCIATION FOR ITS EFFORTS IN PROMOTING THE WELL-BEING OF ELDERLY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG.
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CSD STAGES CAREER DISPLAY IN SHA TIN * * t t t t
A THREE-DAY CAREER DISPLAY STAGED BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (CSD) BEGAN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AT THE NEW TOWN PLAZA IN SHA TIN.
THE DISPLAY, CONSISTING OF SIX PANELS, FEATURES VARIOUS CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMMES FOR ADULT OFFENDERS, YOUNG OFFENDERS AND DRUG ADDICTS; SUCCESS RATES OF CORRECTIONAL AND REHABILITATION WORK; JOB NATURE OF CSD OFFICERS AND THEIR TRAINING, WELFARE AND PROMOTION PROSPECTS.
A CSD SPOKESMAN SAID THE DISPLAY FORMED PART OF THE DEPARTMENT’S MAJOR RECRUITMENT EXERCISE FOR 1990/91.
"THE DEPARTMENT AIMS TO RECRUIT SOME 1,300 YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR TO FILL THE VACANCIES OF OFFICERS AND ASSISTANT OFFICERS," HE SAID.
IN ORDER TO MEET THIS TARGET, SIMILAR CAREER DISPLAYS WOULD BE STAGED IN OTHER PLACES LATER THIS YEAR, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
DURING THE DISPLAY PERIOD, CSD OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ANSWER ENQUIRIES FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
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OPENING OF KOTEWALL FIRE STATION ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
RESIDENTS OF THE MID-LEVELS WERE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ASSURED OF BETTER PROTECTION DURING FIRE AND OTHER EMERGENCIES FOLLOWING THE OPENING OF THE KOTEWALL FIRE STATION.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE FIRE STATION, THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER OF HONG KONG COMMAND, MR RAYMOND JOHNSTON, SAID: "WITH THE COMMISSIONING OF THIS STATION, THERE ARE TWO APPLIANCES ON RUN DAY AND NIGHT AND THE RESPONSE TIME TO EMERGENCIES WITHIN THE REGION CAN BE MADE WELL WITHIN THE TARGET TIME OF SIX MINUTES WHICH THE FIRE SERVICES TRY TO GUARANTEE.
’’RESIDENTS OF THE AREA CAN THEREFORE BE REST A LITTLE EASIER KNOWING THAT THEY ARE VERY WELL PROTECTED.”
IN TIMES OF DANGER BE IT FIRE OR FLOODING, TYPHOON OR RAINSTORM, THE FIREMEN OF THIS STATION WOULD CONTINUE TO RENDER THEIR DEDICATED SERVICE IN THE TRUE TRADITION OF THE FIRE SERVICES HERE AND ELSEWHERE IN THE TERRITORY AS AND WHEN THEIR SERVICES WERE REQUIRED, MR JOHNSTON SAID.
THE KOTEWALL FIRE STATION COVERS AN AREA OF A POPULATION OF ABOUT 50,000, SERVING THE MID-LEVELS ABOVE BONHAM ROAD AND CAINE ROAD AND EXTENDING EASTWARDS TO GLENEALY AND WESTWARDS TO POK FU LAM ROAD AND INCLUDING THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
WITHIN THE AREA, THERE EXIST ONE HOSPITAL, ONE REHABILITATION CENTRE, NINE SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES, TWO KINDERGARTENS, AND 42 HIGH-RISE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION SITES IN ADDITION TO THE NUMEROUS EXISTING HIGH-RISE DOMESTIC BUILDINGS.
MR JOHNSTON RECALLED THE KOTEWALL ROAD DISASTER WHICH OCCURRED IN JUNE 1972 AT A SITE WHICH WAS JUST ABOUT ONE MINUTE’S WALK FROM THE FIRE STATION. IN THIS TRAGEDY 67 PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVES IN A LANDSLIDE AND BUILDING COLLAPSE CAUSED BY A RAINSTORM.
HE SAID IN THIS INCIDENT THE FIRE SERVICES WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RESCUE OPERATION AND WERE ABLE TO RESCUE 21 PEOPLE ALIVE.
AS A RESULT OF THEIR EFFORTS, EIGHT FIREMEN AND OFFICERS RECEIVED AWARDS FOR GALLANTRY FROM THE QUEEN AND ONE OF THEM WAS THE RECIPIENT OF THE GEORGE MEDAL FOR GALLANTRY WHICH IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST CIVILIAN AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING BRAVERY, MR JOHNSTON SAID.
ALSO ATTENDING TODAY’S FUNCTION WERE THE ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR, MR CHEUNG SHU-SHING, AND CHIEF FIRE OFFICER (HEADQUARTERS), MR PETER CHEUNG.
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS FUNDING PRINCIPLES * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE GUIDING PRINCIPLESGOVERNING THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS TOTALLING MORE THAN $80,000 FOR CARRYING OUT ACTIVITIES WHICH INCLUDE A PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR, A MOCK DISTRICT BOARD MEETING, CALLIGRAPHY COMPETITION, CANTONESE OPERA AND OTHER RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD’S COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE SHEK KIP MEI COMMUNITY HAIL, BLOCK 42, SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE, NAM CHEONG STREET.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM
- - 0 - -
EASTERN DB TO IDENTIFY TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WILL IDENTIFY LOCAL TOURIST ATTRACTIONS AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
MEMBERS WILL SUBMIT THEIR SUGGESTIONS TO THE OMBLCO FOR USE IN PROMOTIONAL WORK AIMED AT ENCOURAGING VISITORS TO STAY LONGER IN HONG KONG.
THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PROGRESS OF THE RESUMPTION OF PRIVATE STREETS AND WHETHER TO CONTINUE MAKING GOODWILL VISITS TO LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, FIRST FLOOR, 880-886 KING’S ROAD.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 26,
1990
- 77 -
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN EASTERN DISTRICT
««*«**
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 27), THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF ROADS IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT WILL BE DESIGNATED URBAN CLEARWAYS FOR A PERIOD OF ABOUT FIVE MONTHS TO FACILITATE THE RECONSTRUCTION OF KING’S ROAD:
FROM 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY
* KING’S ROAD EASTBOUND FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH OIL STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 30 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION;
♦ KING’S ROAD EASTBOUND FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH TIN CHONG STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 40 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION;
* THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF ELECTRIC ROAD FROM A POINT ABOUT 25 METRES WEST OF OIL STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 35 METRES EAST OF OIL STREET;
* THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF ELECTRIC ROAD FROM A POINT ABOUT FIVE METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH WHARF ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 56 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION;
* THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF ELECTRIC ROAD FROM A POINT ABOUT 70 METRES EAST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH WHARF ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 130 METRES EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION;
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF ELECTRIC ROAD FROM A POINT ABOUT 25 METRES WEST OF OIL STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 25 METRES EAST OF TIN CHONG STREET;
♦ OIL STREET BETWEEN KING’S ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 20 METRES NORTH OF ELECTRIC ROAD;
» POWER STREET BETWEEN KING’S ROAD AND ELECTRIC ROAD;
♦ THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TIN CHONG STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH KING’S ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 35 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
* THE EASTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TIN CHONG STREET FROM ELECTRIC ROAD TO KING’S ROAD.
FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY
* THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF ELECTRIC ROAD FROM A POINT ABOUT 35 METRES EAST OF OIL STREET TO A POINT ABOUT FIVE METRES EAST OF WHARF ROAD;
/* WHARF ROA" ........
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
4
78
» WHARF ROAD BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH ELECTRIC ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 10 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
♦ THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF TIN CHONG STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH ELECTRIC ROAD TO A POINT ABOUT 25 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
AT THE SAME TIME, A SERIES OF TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED. THE SECTION OF KING'S ROAD EASTBOUND BETWEEN OIL STREET AND TIN CHONG STREET WILL BE CLOSED.
OIL STREET BETWEEN ELECTRIC ROAD AND KING'S ROAD WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND TO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND, AND POWER STREET WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND TO ONE-WAY NORTHBOUND. THE RE-ROUTEING WILL REMAIN PERMANENT AFTER THE COMPLETION OF RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
THE RIGHT TURNING MOVEMENT FROM FORTRESS HILL ROAD NORTHBOUND TO KING'S ROAD EASTBOUND WILL BE BANNED.
VEHICLES ON KING'S ROAD EASTBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA OIL STREET, ELECTRIC ROAD AND TIN CHONG STREET TO REJOIN KING’S ROAD EASTBOUND. CMB ROUTES 2, 8, 18, 20, 21, 22, 80, 81, 81M AND 87, AND CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL BUS ROUTES 102, 106, 110, 112, 116 AND 601 WILL FOLLOW THE SAME DIVERSION.
CMB ROUTES 10, 10A, 19, 23, 27, 38, 41, 42, 63 AND 65, AND CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL BUS ROUTE 122 WILL BE DIVERTED VIA OIL STREET, ELECTRIC ROAD, JAVA ROAD AND SHU KUK STREET BEFORE TERMINATING AT NORTH POINT FERRY PIER.
VEHICLES ON OIL STREET NORTH OF ELECTRIC ROAD HEADING FOR KING'S ROAD WESTBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA ELECTRIC ROAD AND TIN CHONG STREET TO REJOIN KING'S ROAD WESTBOUND.
VEHICLES ON OIL STREET NORTH OF ELECTRIC ROAD HEADING FOR THE SECTION OF OIL STREET BETWEEN ELECTRIC ROAD AND KING’S ROAD WILL FOLLOW THE SAME DIVERSION AND CONTINUE VIA TSING FUNG STREET, HING FAT STREET, WING HING STREET AND KING’S ROAD EASTBOUND TO REJOIN OIL STREET.
VEHICLES ON ELECTRIC ROAD AT ITS JUNCTION WITH POWER STREET HEADING FOR KING'S ROAD EASTBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA ELECTRIC ROAD AND TIN CHONG STREET TO REJOIN KING’S ROAD EASTBOUND.
VEHICLES ON ELECTRIC ROAD AT ITS JUNCTION WITH POWER STREET HEADING FOR FORTRESS HILL ROAD WILL BE DIVERTED VIA ELECTRIC ROAD, TIN CHONG STREET AND KING’S ROAD WESTBOUND TO REJOIN FORTRESS HILL ROAD.
VEHICLES ON ELECTRIC ROAD HEADING FOR POWER STREET WILL BE DIVERTED VIA ELECTRIC ROAD, TIN CHONG STREET, KING'S ROAD WESTBOUND, TIN HAU TEMPLE ROAD AND FORTRESS HILL ROAD TO REJOIN POWER STF :ET
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/79 .
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25,
1990
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN KWUN TONG
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 27), THE RIGHT-TURN MOVEMENT FROM SHEUNG YUET ROAD WESTBOUND ONTO WANG HOI ROAD NORTHBOUND, IN KWUN TONG, WILL BE BANNED.
VEHICLES HEADING FOR WANG HOI ROAD NORTHBOUND MAY MAKE USE OF SHEUNG YUET ROAD, WANG TAI ROAD AND WANG YUEN STREET.
- - 0 - -
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES IN FANLING AND SHEUNG SHUI
******
' THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT SEVERAL SECTIONS OF TAI RO ROAD FANLING AND NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD WILL BE PARTIALLY CLOSED TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS.
THE OUTER-MOST LANE OF NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD NORTHBOUND NEAR SHEUNG SHUI ROUNDABOUT FOR A SECTION OF ABOUT 1.2 KILOMETRES WILL BE CLOSED FROM FRIDAY (JULY 27) TO SATURDAY (JULY 28).
THE OUTER-MOST LANE OF NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD SOUTHBOUND NEAR SHEUNG SHUI ROUNDABOUT FOR A SECTION OF ABOUT 1.2 KILOMETRES WILL BE CLOSED FROM MONDAY (JULY 30) TO TUESDAY (JULY 31).
THE OUTER-MOST LANE OF TAI PO ROAD FANLING NORTHBOUND NEAR KAI LENG ROUNDABOUT FOR A SECTION OF ABOUT 1.5 KILOMETRES WILL BE CLOSED FROM JULY 31 TO AUGUST 2.
THE OUTER-MOST LANE OF TAI PO ROAD FANLING SOUTHBOUND NEAR KAI LENG ROUNDABOUT FOR A SECTION OF ABOUT 1.4 KILOMETRES WILL BE CLOSED FROM AUGUST 6 TO AUGUST 8.
MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO DRIVE WITH CARE AND PATIENCE. APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990
URBAN CLEARWAY IN CENTRAL DISTRICT
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (JULY 27), THE SECTION OF QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH THE ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO THE GARDEN ROAD MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK TO A POINT ABOUT 50 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY 24 HOURS DAILY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
- - 0 - -
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE ON TUEN MUN ROAD ♦ ♦ ♦ » »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT TO FACILITATE ROAD MAINTENANCE WORKS, THE THREE TRAFFIC LANES OF THE TUEN MUN fcOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TUEN MUN ROAD NEAR TAI LAM CHUNG WILL BE PARTIALLY CLOSED IN TURN FROM 9.30 PM TODAY (WEDNESDAY) UNTIL 6 AM ON JULY 31.
CLOSURE OF TWO TRAFFIC LANES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED DURING THE NIGHT TIME (FROM 9.30 PM TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY), WHILE ONE TRAFFIC LANE WILL BE CLOSED FOR THE REST OF THE CLOSURE PERIOD.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
I
THURSDAY, JULY 26, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
VACANCIES AT BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES ........................................ 1
FIRST QUARTER SHIPPING, PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS RELEASED .......................... 2
ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE 1990 EXPLAINED ................................................ 5
EXCO ENDORSES PROPOSED TITLE REGISTOATION SYSTEM .................................... 7
STUDENT TRAVEL ALLOWANCE SCHEME REVISED ............................................. 8
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY ...................................................... 9
HEALTH LEADERS HELP BUILD HEALTHY COMMUNITY ........................................ 13
WOMEN'S TURN TO GET NEW IDENTITY CARD............................................... 14
TWO SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO BE BUILT IN TUEN MUN ...................................... 15
DB TO STUDY DIRECT ELECTION ........................................................ 16
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TOURISM PROMOTION .......................................... 16
URBAN CLEARWAY AND TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF UNDERPASS .................................. 17
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KWUN TONG......................................... 18
BAN ZONE IN TSING YI ............................................................... 18
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN CENTRAL................................................... 18
THURSDAY, JULY 26, 1990
- 1 -VACANCIES AT BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES ******
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MANUAL WORKERS ENGAGED AT BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SITES IN MARCH 1990 WAS 74,177 AND THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VACANCIES WAS 3,047, ACCORDING TO A SURVEY OF VACANCIES AT CONSTRUCTION SITES CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY COVERED SOME 424 PUBLIC SECTOR SITES AND 921 PRIVATE SECTOR SITES WHICH WERE ACTIVE IN M. RCH 1990.
THE VACANCY RATE, WHICH IS THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES EXPRESSED AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE SUM TOTAL OF THE NUMBER OF MANUAL WORKERS ENGAGED AND THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES, WAS 3.9 PER CENT IN MARCH 1990.
OF THE 3,047 VACANCIES REPORTED FROM THE SITES ENUMERATED, 2,235 WERE FOUND IN PUBLIC SECTOR SITES AND 812 IN PRIVATE SECTOR SITES. THE VACANCY RATES FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR AND PRIVATE SECTOR SITES WERE RESPECTIVELY 7.0 PER CENT AND 1.8 PER CENT.
A SUMMARY OF THE SURVEY FINDINGS IS GIVEN IN THE TABLE BELOW •
PUBLIC SECTOR SITES PRIVATE SECTOR SITES TOTAL
NO. OF ACTIVE SITES 424 921 1,345
NO. OF MANUAL WORKERS 29,652 44,525 74,177
AVERAGE NO. OF WORKERS
PER SITE 69.9 48.3 55.2
NO. OF VACANCIES 2,235 812 3,047
AVERAGE NO. OF VACANCIES
PER SITE 5.3 0.9 2.3
VACANCY RATE (PER CENT) 7.0 1.8 3.9
WHEN COMPARED WITH MARCH 1989, THERE WERE DECREASES IN BOTH THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VACANCIES AND THE VACANCY RATE. IN MARCH 1989, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VACANCIES WAS 5,715 AND THE VACANCY RATE WAS 7.3 PER CENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTIES IN DEFINING AND OBTAINING ACCURATE INFORMATION ON THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, DUE NOTE SHOULD BE TAKEN OF THE DEFINITION OF VACANCY ADOPTED AND THE LIMITATIONS OF THE SURVEY WHEN INTERPRETING THE SURVEY RESULTS.
IN THE SURVEY, VACANCIES REFER TO THOSE UNFILLED, IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE JOB OPENINGS FOR WHICH ACTIVE STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN TO RECRUIT THE WORKERS. THIS DEFINITION IS CONSISTENT WITH THAT ADOPTED IN OTHER SURVEYS CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
/"HOWEVER, IT ........
THURSDAY, JULY 26, 1990
- 2 -
"HOWEVER, IT IS BELIEVED THAT THERE ARE SUBSTANTIAL SUBSTITUTION AND RE-SCHEDULING POSSIBILITIES IN THE EMPLOYMENT OF WORKERS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, IN RESPONSE TO CHANGES IN LABOUR SUPPLY AND WORK REQUIREMENTS," HE SAID.
"CONSEQUENTLY, THE CONCEPT OF VACANCIES TAKES ON A MUCH LOOSER SENSE AS FAR AS BUILDING CONTRACTORS ARE CONCERNED. THIS ALSO HAS THE CONSEQUENCE THAT VACANCY DATA SUPPLIED BY CONTRACTORS OR SUBCONTRACTORS ARE LIKELY TO BE SUBJECT TO RELATIVELY LARGE VARIATION IN REPORTING BEHAVIOUR," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
AMONG THE SITES SURVEYED IN MARCH 1990, SOME WERE FOUND TO HAVE NO VACANCIES AT THE TIME OF THE SURVEY. IT IS DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE WHETHER IN THESE SITES THE CONTRACTORS WERE ABLE TO FILL ALL VACANCIES OR THEY HAD IN FACT DELAYED THE PROJECTS INSTEAD.
DETAILS OF THE SURVEY FINDINGS, TOGETHER WITH A DESCRIPTION OF THE METHODOLOGY, ARE PUBLISHED IN A "REPORT OF VACANCIES AT CONSTRUCTION SITES". COPIES OF THIS REPORT ARE AVAILABLE AT $7 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG.
FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY, PLEASE CONTACT THE EMPLOYMENT AND EARNINGS STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 823 4758 OR 823 4753.
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FIRST QUARTER SHIPPING, PORT * * * t
AND CARGO STATISTICS RELEASED * * * *
IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990, 4,431 SHIPS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 26.3 MILLION NET REGISTERED TONS (NRT) ARRIVED IN HONG KONG, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 337 (OR 8 PER CENT) IN NUMBER AND OF 1.7 MILLION NRT (OR 7 PER CENT) IN CAPACITY OVER THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989.
THIS IS CONTAINED IN THE "HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS REPORT JANUARY - MARCH 1990" PUBLISHED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CARGO DISCHARGED IN HONG KONG FROM INCOMING SHIPS (ESTIMATED FROM A SAMPLE OF MANIFEST CONSIGNMENTS) DECREASED BY 3 PER CENT OVER THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989.
WHEN ANALYSED BY SHIP TYPE, MAJOR INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF CONTAINER VESSELS (+163), OIL TANKERS (+84), DRY BULK CARRIERS (+39), CONVENTIONAL CARGO VESSELS (+32) AND GAS CARRIERS/TANKERS (+19).
/WHEN ANALYSED
THURSDAY, JULY 26, 1990
- 3 -
WHEN ANALYSED BY ELAG OF VESSELS, MAJOR INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF SHIPS REGISTERED IN CHINA (+174), PANAMA (+42), LIBERIA (+39), WEST GERMANY (+32), NORWAY (+19) AND THE UNITED KINGDOM (+15), WHILE MAJOR DECREASES WERE RECORDED FOR THOSE REGISTERED IN THE PHILIPPINES (-11) AND JAPAN (-11).
THE NUMBER OF INCOMING SHIPS WITH A CAPACITY OF LESS THAN 10,000 DEADWEIGHT TONS INCREASED BY 210 WHILST THE NUMBER OF THOSE WITH A LARGER CAPACITY INCREASED BY 127.
IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990, THERE WERE 4,437 OUTGOING SHIPS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 26.2 MILLION NRT, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 322 (OR 8 PER CENT) IN NUMBER AND OF 1.4 MILLION NRT (OR 6 PER CENT) IN CAPACITY OVER THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989.
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CARGO LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS (ESTIMATED FROM A SAMPLE OF MANIFEST CONSIGNMENTS) ROSE BY 6 PER CENT. ABOUT 69 PER CENT OF THE DEPARTING SHIPS STAYED IN HONG KONG FOR LESS THAN TWO DAYS.
OF THE CARGO DISCHARGED FROM INCOMING SHIPS, 86 PER CENT IN TERMS OF TONNAGE WAS IMPORTS AND 14 PER CENT WAS TRANSHIPMENT CARGO. OF THE CARGO LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS, 61 PER CENT WAS EXPORTS (INCLUDING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS) AND 39 PER CENT WAS TRANSHIPMENT CARGO.
THE MAJOR COUNTRIES OF LOADING FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS IN TONNAGE TERMS WERE SINGAPORE (17 PER CENT), JAPAN (15 PER CENT), SOUTH AFRICA (11 PER CENT), CHINA (11 PER CENT), AUSTRALIA (7 PER CENT), AND TAIWAN (7 PER CENT), WHILE THE MAJOR COUNTRIES OF DISCHARGE FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS WERE THE USA (19 PER CENT), CHINA (15 PER CENT), TAIWAN (14 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (5 PER CENT) AND JAPAN (5 PER CENT).
TRANSHIPMENT CARGO WAS MAINLY LOADED IN CHINA (35 PER CENT) AND THE USA (18 PER CENT), AND WAS MAINLY DISCHARGED IN THE USA (14 PER CENT) AND CHINA (13 PER CENT).
COMPARING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990 WITH THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989, MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM INDONESIA (+46 PER CENT), MALAYSIA (+40 PER CENT), THE USA (+18 PER CENT) AND CHINA (+11 PER CENT); WHILE MAJOR DECREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM AUSTRALIA (-31 PER CENT), SOUTH KOREA (-28 PER CENT) AND TAIWAN (-20 PER CENT).
AS A WHOLE, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF SEABORNE IMPORTS DROPPED BY 3 PER CENT.
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, MAJOR INCREASES IN CARGO TONNAGE WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS OF LOGS AND TIMBER (+34 PER CENT), CORK AND WOOD MANUFACTURES (EXCLUDING FURNITURE) (+32 PER CENT), ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS (+22 PER CENT) AND MISCELLANEOUS EDIBLE PRODUCTS (+20 PER CENT); WHILE A MAJOR DECREASE WAS RECORDED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS OF CEREALS AND CEREAL PREPARATIONS (-23 PER CENT).
/COMPARING THE .......
THURSDAY, JULY 26, 1990
4
COMPARING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990 WITH THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF SEABORNE EXPORTS (DOMESTIC EXPORTS PLUS REEXPORTS) INCREASED BY 9 PER CENT.
MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS TO WEST GERMANY (+45 PER CENT), THAILAND (+39 PER CENT), SINGAPORE (+24 PER CENT), CHINA (+23 PER CENT) AND THE PHILIPPINES (+11 PER C'NT); WHILE MAJOR DECREASES WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS TO SOUTH KOREA (-29 PER CENT) AND JAPAN (-13 PER CENT).
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS OF ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS (+42 PER CENT), FOOTWEAR (+33 PER CENT), PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (+29 PER CENT), TOYS (+23 PER CENT) AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURES OF METAL AND NON-METALLIC MINERALS, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED (+22 PER CENT); WHILE A MAJOR DECREASE WAS RECORDED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS OF PULP AND WASTE PAPER (-15 PER CENT).
OF THE CARGO DISCHARGED FROM INCOMING SHIPS, INCLUDING SEABORNE IMPORTS AND INWARD TRANSHIPMENT, 35 PER CENT IN TERMS OF TONNAGE WAS CONTAINERISED CARGO. OF THOSE LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS, INCLUDING SEABORNE EXPORTS AND OUTWARD TRANSHIPMENT, 79 PER CENT WAS CONTAINERISED CARGO.
IN TERMS OF TONNAGE, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR 29 PER CENT OF SEABORNE IMPORTS. IN PARTICULAR, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR A LARGE PROPORTION OF SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM THE USA (89 PER CENT), WEST GERMANY (83 PER CENT), TAIWAN (78 PER CENT) AND THE NETHERLANDS (63 PER CENT).
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CONTAINERISED SEABORNE IMPORTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990 ROSE BY 12 PER CENT OVER THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989 .
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR, IN TONNAGE TERMS, 98 PER CENT OF SEABORNE IMPORTS OF ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, 94 PER CENT OF TEXTILES OF MIXED MATERIALS AND OTHER MATERIALS, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED, 94 PER CENT OF TEXTILE FIBRES AND 94 PER CENT OF PAPER, PAPERBOARD AND ARTICLES OF PAPER PULP, OF PAPER OR OF PAPERBOARD.
FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR 71 PER CENT IN TERMS OF TONNAGE. IN PARTICULAR, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR ALL SEABORNE EXPORTS TO WEST GERMANY, THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE NETHERLANDS, AND ALMOST ALL TO THE USA AND THE PHILIPPINES.
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CONTAINERISED SEABORNE EXPORTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990 ROSE BY 10 PER CENT OVER THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989 .
/SEABORNE EXPORTS .......
THURSDAY, JULY 26, 1990
5 -
SEABORNE EXPORTS OF SOME PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES WERE ALL OR NEARLY ALL CONTAINERISED. THESE INCLUDED COTTON GARMENTS; GARMENTS OF MIXED MATERIALS OR OTHER MATERIALS, NOT ELSEWHERE SPEC FIED; TOYS; COTTON TEXTILES; FOOTWEAR; PLASTIC MANUFACTURES, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES, NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED.
SHIPPING STATISTICS ARE COMPILED PRIMARILY FROM GENERAL DECLARATIONS SUBMITTED TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT BY SHIPMASTERS OR AUTHORISED SHIPPING AGENTS AND COVER ALL OCEAN-GOING VESSELS ENTERING AND LEAVING HONG KONG, EXCLUDING YACHTS AND PLEASURE CRAFT,
PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS ARE COMPILED FROM OCEAN CARGO MANIFESTS SUPPLIED BY SHIPPING COMPANIES OR AGENTS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
BECAUSE OF RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS, A SAMPLE OF ALL CONSIGNMENTS LISTED IN THE MANIFESTS IS USED FOR COMPILING PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS. THE SAMPLING METHOD IS DESCRIBED IN THE EXPLANATORY NOTES OF THE REPORT.
MORE DETAILS ON SHIPPING, PORT AND CARGO STATISTICS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990 ARE CONTAINED IN THE "HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS REPORT JANUARY TO MARCH 1990”, WHICH IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AT $26.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ON STATISTICS PROVIDED IN THE REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE TRADE SURVEYS AND SHIPPING STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 823 4887.
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ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE 1990 EXPLAINED
♦ i i ♦ ♦
THE ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE 1990 ENACTED ON MARCH 23 THIS YEAR PROVIDES A FRAMEWORK FOR NEW STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS COVERING ELECTRICITY-RELATED MATTERS, THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES, MR MIAO CHI, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO EXPLAIN DETAILS OF THE SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS UNDER THE ORDINANCE, MR MIAO SAID FIVE SETS OF REGULATIONS WERE ENACTED ON JULY 6, 1990 WHICH INCLUDED THE ELECTRICITY (REGISTRATION) REGULATIONS 1990, ELECTRICITY (WIRING) REGULATIONS 1990, ELECTRICITY (EXEMPTION) REGULATIONS 1990, ELECTRICITY SUPPLY (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1990 AND ELECTRICITY SUPPLY (SPECIAL AREAS) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1990.
HE SAID: "THESE FIVE NEW SETS OF SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION ARE MAINLY AIMED AT INTRODUCING MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE SAFETY STANDARDS IN RELATION TO ELECTRICAL WORK AND FIXED ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS.
/IN ORDER .......
THURSDAY, JULY 26, 1990
6
IN ORDER TO ENSURE FUTURE ELECTRICAL WORK WAS ONLY UNDERTAKEN BY QUALIFIED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS, A REGISTRATION SYSTEM WHICH ENTAILED COMPULSORY REGISTRATION FOR ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS AND REQUIRED CONSUMERS TO ENGAGE REGISTERED WORKERS THROUGH REGISTERED CONTRACTORS TO PERFORM ELECTRICAL WORK WAS BEING PROVIDED UNDER THE NEW ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE, HE SAID.
THE ELECTRICITY (REGISTRATION) REGULATIONS 1990, THEREFORE SET OUT IN DETAILS THE PROCEDURES, QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FuR REGISTRATION OF ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS, GENERATING FACILITIES, THE TERMS OF REGISTRATION, RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION, FEES FOR APPLICATIONS AND CERTIFICATES, HE EXPLAINED.
ON THE ELECTRICITY (WIRING) REGULATIONS 1990, MR MIAO SAID! "THE REGULATIONS SET OUT THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE WIRING OF FIXED ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS WHICH ALL REGISTERED ELECTRICAL WORKERS AND CONTRACTORS HAVE TO COMPLY IN THEIR WORK.
"TO ENSURE THAT NEW ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS AND INSTALLATIONS THAT ARE SUBSTANTIALLY ALTERED ARE SAFE Fi ■' USE, THEY ARE REQUIRED TO BE INSPECTED, TESTED AND CERTIFIED BY REGISTERED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS BEFORE BEING ENERGISED FOR USE."
THE REGULATIONS ALSO REQUIRE SPECIFIED TYPES OF FIXED ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS TO BE PERIODICALLY TESTED AT LEAST EITHER ONCE EVERY YEAR OR ONCE EVERY FIVE YEARS DEPENDING ON THE NATURE OF THE INSTALLATIONS.
HOWEVER, UNDER THE ELECTRICITY (EXEMPTION) REGULATIONS 1990, EXEMPTION MIGHT BE GRANTED TO SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES OR CERTAIN TYPES OF FIXED ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS.
THESE REGULATIONS ALLOW THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES TO EXEMPT THOSE FIXED ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS OF SPECIALISED NATURE AND FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES, SUCH AS FOR GENERATING AND SUPPLYING ELECTRICITY, OPERATING AND RUNNING OF A RAILWAY AND PROVISION OF PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES.
THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1990 AND THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY (SPECIAL AREAS) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1990, ARE ONLY MINOR AMENDMENTS TO THE EXISTING REGULATIONS.
REFERRING TO THE TIMING OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGULATIONS, MR MIAO SAID THE REGISTRATION REGULATIONS WOULD TAKE EFFECT FIRST.
HE SAID: "THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO REGISTER EXISTING ELECTRICAL WORKERS AND CONTRACTORS WITHIN A PERIOD OF ABOUT 18 MONTHS. REGISTRATION OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS WILL COMMENCE FROM NOVEMBER 2, 1990. THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE REGISTRATION OF ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS, WHICH WILL BE ABOUT 12 MONTHS LATER, THAT IS AROUND NOVEMBER 1991."
/AFTER THE .......
THURSDAY, JULY 26, 1990
AFTER THE 18 MONTHS PERIOD, IN MID-1992, THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENT THAT ELECTRICAL WORK ON FIXED ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS CAN ONLY BE CARRIED OUT OR SUPERVISED BY REGISTERED CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS WILL BE EFFECTED. THE WIRING REGULATIONS WILL ALSO BE MADE EFFECTIVE AT THE SAME TIME.
"AROUND SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1990, A PUBLICITY PROGRAMME WILL BE UNDERTAKEN TO FULLY FAMILIARISE THE ELECTRICAL TRADE WITH THE REGISTRATION SYSTEM OF WORKERS," MR MIAO SAID.
THE EXEMPTION REGULATIONS WOULD BE EFFECTED AT THE SAME TIME AS THE REGISTRATION REGULATIONS WHILE THE TWO SETS OF AMENDMENT REGULATIONS WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED TO TIE IN WITH THE REPEAL OF THE CORRESPONDING PROVISIONS IN THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY ORDINANCE, HE ADDED.
--------0-----------
EXCO ENDORSES PROPOSED TITLE REGISTRATION SYSTEM
******
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS IN PRINCIPLE ENDORSED A PROPOSAL TO CONVERT THE PRESENT LAND REGISTRATION SYSTEM TO A TITLE REGISTRATION SYSTEM.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE PROPOSAL WAS AIMED AT ENHANCING THE SECURITY OF TITLE TO LAND AND SIMPLIFYING THE LEGAL PROCEDURES INVOLVED IN THE TRANSFER OF LAND AND PREMISES.
"THE PROPOSED SYSTEM WOULD BRING HONG KONG INTO LINE WITH MOST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES AND WOULD HELP TO KEEP DOWN CONVEYANCING COSTS AND EXPENSES AND FACILITATE PROPERTY TRADING IN THE LONG RUN," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
TO EXAMINE THE CONVERSION PROCESS IN DETAIL, FURTHER STUDIES ON THE ACTUAL CONVERSION TO AND THE OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING THE SUPPORTING LEGAL FRAMEWORK, WOULD BE UNDERTAKEN BY A WORKING PARTY CHAIRED BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL.
AREAS WHICH REQUIRED DETAILED STUDY INCLUDE PRIORITY OF DEALINGS, ENCUMBRANCES, SHORT TERM TENANCIES, CERTIFICATES OF TITLE, OVERRIDING INTERESTS, MISTAKES, CORRECTIONS AND RECTIFICATIONS.
UNDER THE PROPOSAL, THE EXISTING LAND REGISTER WOULD BE CONVERTED TO A TITLE REGISTER ON A DAY TO BE APPOINTED.
"THIS MEANS THAT THE PERSONS WHOSE NAMES WERE ON THE REGISTER ON THAT DAY WOULD THEN BE DEEMED BY LAW TO BE THE FULL OWNERS SUBJECT ONLY TO THE REGISTERED ENCUMBRANCES," HE SAID.
/"SINCE NOT .......
THURSDAY, JULY 26, 1990
- 8 -
"SINCE NOT ALL TITLES ON THE REGISTER ARE GOOD TITLES, THERE WOULD BE A LEAD-IN PERIOD, PROBABLY THREE YEARS, BEFORE FULL CONVERSION OF ALL TITLES TO ABSOLUTE TITLES WOULD TAKE PLACE," HE ADDED.
OTHER FEATURES OF THE PROPOSAL INCLUDE THE ISSUING OF A TITLE CERTIFICATE FOR EACH PROPERTY OWNER WHO WANTS ONE.
"THE CERTIFICATE WOULD REPLACE ALL OLD DOCUMENTS OF TITLE AND WOULD ITSELF BECOME THE SOLE DOCUMENT OF TITLE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AS FOR CONVEYANCING, THIS WOULD CONTINUE TO BE CARRIED OUT BY SOLICITORS AS UNDER THE PRESENT SYSTEM, HE ADDED.
---------0----------
STUDENT TRAVEL ALLOWANCE SCHEME REVISED *****
STARTING FROM THE COMING SCHOOL YEAR, STUDENTS COMMUTING TO AND FROM SCHOOL WILL BE SUBSIDISED UNDER A MODIFIED STUDENT TRAVEL ALLOWANCE SCHEME.
THE REVISED SCHEME, WHICH HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, IS BASED ON ACTUAL STUDENT TRAVEL PATTERNS ACQUIRED THROUGH A SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMET IN MARCH LAST YEAR.
"THE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED TO SEEK IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PRESENT TRAVEL ALLOWANCE SCHEME WHICH WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 1988," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY.
THE AREAS COVERED BY THE SURVEY WERE IN THE METHOD OF CALCULATING AVERAGE FARES WITHIN AND BETWEEN THE 19 DISTRICT BOARD AREAS; THE DISCREPANCY OVER THE LEVEL OF SUBSIDY BETWEEN SHORT TRIPS WHICH CROSSED BOUNDARIES AND LONGER TRIPS WITHIN THE SAME DISTRICT; ACTUAL TRAVEL PATTERNS AND ACTUAL NUMBER OF SCHOOL AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITY TRIPS THAT STUDENTS MADE EACH WEEK COMPARED WITH THE 14 TRIPS ALLOWED FOR UNDER THE EXISTING SCHEME.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE SURVEY COVERED 10 PER CENT OF ALL FULL-TIME STUDENTS, INCLUDING SIXTH FORMERS, ATTENDING SECONDARY DAY SCHOOLS AND THOSE ATTENDING POST-SECONDARY AND TERTIARY INSTITUTES WHO HAD APPLIED FOR THE TRAVEL ALLOWANCE IN THE 1988 SCHOOL YEAR.
THE MAIN FEATURES OF THE REVISED SCHEME ARE:
* MORE REFINED GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS - THE 271 TERTIARY PLANNING UNITS - WILL REPLACE THE CURRENT LARGER 19 DISTRICT BOARD AREAS, THUS ENSURING A FAIRER AND MORE REALISTIC CALCULATION OF ALLOWANCE;
/* SUBSIDY FOR ......*
THURSDAY, JULY 26, 1990
- 9
* SUBSIDY FOR TRAVELLING ON THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY, CURRENTLY BASED ON THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE STUDENT FARE AND HALF THE ADULT FARE, WILL BE REVISED TO HALF OF THE STUDENT FARE;
* BASED ON THE FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY, THE TRAVEL ALLOWANCE WILL BE CALCULATED ON 11 SCHOOL TRIPS AND ONE
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITY (ECA) TRIP EACH WEEK FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY STUDENTS AND 11 SCHOOL AND THREE ECA TRIPS EACH WEEK FOR TERTIARY STUDENTS; AND
* THE REVISED SCHEME WILL COST ABOUT $7.6 MILLION MORE PER ANNUM, ASSUMING THE SAME NUMBER OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS AND THE SAME FARE LEVELS.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE REVISED SCHEME, BECAUSE OF THE MORE REFINED ZONING ARRANGEMENTS AND THE MORE REALISTIC TRAVEL PATTERNS USED, STUDENTS WHO SHOULD RECEIVE MORE SUBSIDY PER TRIP COMPARED WITH NOW WILL GET MORE AND THOSE WHO SHOULD RECEIVE LESS WILL GET LESS.
"THE REVISED SCHEME IS THEREFORE A MUCH FAIRER ONE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
FINANCE COMMITTEE APPROVAL OF THE REVISED SCHEME WILL BE SOUGHT.
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GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY ******
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED GRADES ON THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF ALL BATHING BEACHES IN HONG KONG.
THE PURPOSE OF THE GRADING SYSTEM IS TO INFORM SWIMMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE STATE OF BACTERIAL POLLUTION AT VARIOUS BEACHES.
THE GRADING WILL BE ANNOUNCED BIWEEKLY DURING THE BATHING SEASON, TO COINCIDE WITH THE FREQUENCY AT WHICH BEACH WATERS ARE USUALLY SAMPLED.
THE GRADING IS BASED ON THE MOST RECENT E. COLI DATA OBTAINED BY THE EPD IN ITS ROUTINE MONITORING PROGRAMME.
AS WITH LAST YEAR, THE GRADING ALSO INCLUDES AN ESTIMATE OF THE RISK OF SUFFERING SOME MINOR SKIN OR GASTROINTESTINAL COMPLAINTS AS A RESULT OF SWIMMING AT A BEACH WHICH HAS SOME DEGREE OF POLLUTION. THE ESTIMATE IS BASED ON A VERY LARGE BODY OF STATISTICAL INFORMATION GATHERED IN HONG KONG IN RECENT BATHING SEASONS.
/THE GRATIN
THURSDAY, JULY 26, 1990
- 10 -
THE GRADING OF SOME BEACHES MAY VARY DURING THE SUMMER. THIS REPRESENTS A NATURAL FLUCTUATION IN THE BACTERIAL QUALITY OF BATHING WATERS IN MOST CASES, AS RAIN AND TIDES BRING MORE OR LESS POLLUTION TO THE BEACHES.
HOWEVER, THE GRADES GIVE A GOOD GENERAL PICTURE OF THE WATER QUALITY AT BATHING BEACHES AT THE TIME OF REPORTING AND FORM THE BEST AVAILABLE FORECAST FOR THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.
THE SYSTEM FOR GRADING BEACH WATER QUALITY IS AS FOLLOWS:
GRADE "1" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS GOOD. THE E. COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 24 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED RISK OF MINOR ILLNESS TO SWIMMERS IS UNDETECTABLE.
GRADE "2" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS FAIR. THE E. COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 180 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS NO MORE THAN 10 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
GRADE "3" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS ACCEPTABLE. THE ECOLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 610 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS NO MORE THAN 15 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
GRADE "4" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS POOR. THE E. COLI COUNT IS MORE THAN 610 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS MORE THAN 15 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO CLOSE A BEACH TO SWIMMERS IS BASED ON A JUDGEMENT OF WHAT DEGREE OF POLLUTION IS ACCEPTABLE.
NORMALLY, THE CLOSURE OF A BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED BY THE URBAN OR REGIONAL COUNCIL IF A "4" GRADING OCCURRED REPEATEDLY, SO THAT THE AVERAGE HEALTH RISK OVER THE BATHING SEASON EXCEEDED 15 CASES PER 1,000 SWIMMERS. SIMILARLY, THE REOPENING OF A CLOSED BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED IF A "3" GRADE OR BETTER WERE CONSISTENTLY OBTAINED.
AT PRESENT, TWO BATHING BEACHES, NAMELY CASTLE PEAK AND OLD CAFETERIA, HAVE BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES, BASED ON THE WATER QUALITY DURING PAST SEASONS.
THEY ARE POLLUTED BY FAECAL WASTES AND FAIL TO ACHIEVE CONSISTENTLY THE HONG KONG STANDARDS. THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED NOT TO SWIM IN THE WATER AT THESE TWO BEACHES.
IN ADDITION, ROCKY BAY BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES BY THE URBAN COUNCIL. THESE THREE BEACHES ARE IDENTIFIED BY AN "X" IN THE FOLLOWING LIST.
/THE GRADES . .
THURSDAY, JULY 26, 1990
- 11 -
THE GRADES ON THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF VARIOUS BEACHES IN HONG KONG AS AT TODAY ARE LISTED BELOW:
BEACH LAST GRADING PRESENT GRADING
(AS AT 12.7.90) (AS AT 26.7.90)
HONG KONG SOUTH
BIG WAVE BAY 3 3
CHUNG HOM KOK 1 1
DEEP WATER BAY 1 2
HAIRPIN 2 2
MIDDLE BAY 1 1
REPULSE BAY 1 1
SHEK 0 3 2
SOUTH BAY 1 1
ST STEPHEN’S 2 2
TURTLE COVE 2 2
STANLEY MAIN 2 1
ROCKY BAY X X
TO TEI WAN* 1 1
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
OLD CAFETERIA X X
NEW CAFETERIA 2 3
CASTLE PEAK X X
KADOORIE 3 3
BUTTERFLY 3 3
/ISLANDS DISTRICT .......
THURSDAY, JULY 26, 1990
ISLANDS DISTRICT
CHEUNG SHA UPPER
CHEUNG SHA LOWER
DISCOVERY BAY*
HUNG SHING YEH
KWUN YAM WAN
TONG FUK
LO SO SHING
PUI O
SILVERMINE BAY
TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU
TUNG O*
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
CAMPERS
CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH
CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND BEACH
HAP MUN BAY
KIU TSUI
PAK SHA CHAU
SILVERSTRAND
TRIO (HEBE HAVEN)
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
ANGLERS’
APPROACH
CASAM
GEMINI
- 12 -
1 i
2 2
1 1
1 1
1 1
1 1
1 1
1 1
3 2
1 1
2 1
2 2
2 2
2 2
1 1
2 1
1 1
3 2
3 2
4 4
3 3
2 3
2 2
/HOI MEI ........
THURSDAY , JULY 26, 1990
2 3
2 3
4 4
1 2
HOT MEI WAN
LIDO
TING KAU
TUNG WAN, MA WAN
NOTE: "X" THE BEACH HAS BEL. CLOSED FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES. * NON-GAZETTED BEACHES.
THE FOLLOWING BEACHES HAVE CHANGED GRADING ON THIS OCCASION:
STANLEY MAIN, KIU TSUI AND TUNG O, FROM "2" TO ”1"; SHEK 0, SILVERMINE BAY, SILVERSTRAND AND TRIO (HEBE HAVEN), FROM "3" TO ”2"; DEEP WATER BAY AND TUNG WAN ON MA WAN, FROM "1" TO "2"; CASAM, HOI MEI WAN, LIDO AND NF’’ CAFETERIA, FROM "2" TO ”3" .
THE CHANGES ARE WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE OF FLUCTUATION OF THE BACTERIAL WATER QUALITY OF THESE BEACHES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT THE PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (WATER POLICY) OF THE EPD, MR PAUL R. HOLMES, ON TEL. 835 1234.
------0--------
HEALTH LEADERS HELP BUILD HEALTHY COMMUNITY * * * * *
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR MARGARET CHAN, TODAY (THURSDAY) APPEALED TO YOUNG PEOPLE TO ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN HELPING TO ESTABLISH A HEALTHY COMMUNITY.
SPEAKING AT THE GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE 11TH YOUNG HEALTH LEADER TRAINING PROJECT, SHE SAID THERE WERE ABOUT 1,500 YOUNG HEALTH LEADERS FROM 131 SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY DISSEMINATING HEALTH MESSAGES AT HOMES, IN SCHOOLS AND IN THE SOCIETY, ALL IN AN EFFORT TO PROMOTE HEALTH EDUCATION.
THE YOUNG HEALTH LEADER TRAINING PROJECT WAS INTRODUCED IN 1983 WITH AN AIM TO TEACH YOUTHS WAYS OF KEEPING FIT, BOTH PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY, SO THAT THEY COULD PASS ON WHAT THEY HAVE LEARNT, THROUGH HEALTH EDUCATION ACTIVITIES, TO THEIR SCHOOLMATES, FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS, THUS HELPING THEM ENJOY GOOD PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH.
/IN THE
THURSDAY, JULY 26, 1990
- 14 -
TN THE LATEST TRAINING PROJECT, A TOTAL OF 247 HEALTH LEADERS FROM 45 SCHOOLS GRADUATED, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER TO 1,477.
"WE HOPE THESE YOUNG HEALTH LEADERS WILL INITIATE A DRIVE TO HELP BUILD A HEALTHY COMMUNITY," SHE ADDED.
ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT (I HEALTH, THE WEEK-LONG TRAINING PROJECT, FOR THE FIRST TIME, COMPRISED A SUBJECT ON ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION IN ADDITION TO OTHER FUNDAMENTAL ONES SUCH AS CONCEPTS OF HEALTH AND HEALTH EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS, GOOD HABITS OF HEALTHY LIFE, PREVENTION OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES, ADOLESCENCE AND SEX AS WELL AS SKILLS IN COMMUNICATION AND LEADERSHIP.
MEANWHILE, TO COINCIDE WITH THIS YEAR’S WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION SLOGAN - "OUR PLANET, OUR HEALTH; THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY", PARTICIPANTS WERE ALSO GIVEN AN IN EPTH AND COMPREHENSIVE INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
TO FURTHER BROADEN THE SCOPE OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE, TRAINED HEALTH LEADERS, UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT’S CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT (CHEU), WILL TAKE PART IN PROMOTING HEALTH EDUCATION IN DISTRICTS AND HELP IMPLEMENT AN ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH CARNIVAL IN NOVEMBER THIS YEAR.
DR CHAN ATTRIBUTED THE SUCCESS OF THE PROJECT CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND SUPPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT.
TO THE CLOSE
CHEU AND THE
UNIT AND THE
SHE ALSO THANKED THE SCHOOL PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS FOR THEIR UNRESERVED SUPPORT.
"KITH THE FULL SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY, WE HAVE MOVED A GREAT STEP FORWARD IN OUR EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE HEALTH FOR EVERYBODY IN HONG KONG," SHE SAID.
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WOMEN’S TURN TO GET NEW IDENTITY CARD ******
WOMEN BORN IN 1950 OR BEFORE WILL SOON BE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS.
"THOSE BORN IN 1947, 1948, 1949 AND 1950 WILL BE THE FIRST GROUP TO BE CALLED UPON TO COME FORWARD FOR THEIR NEW IDENTITY CARDS," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
HE URGED WOMEN OF THIS AGE GROUP TO WATCH OUT FOR THE EXACT DATES FOR THEIR APPLICATION.
/"FULL DETAILS .......
i-'
THURSDAY, JULY 26, 1990
15
"FULL DETAILS OF THE DIFFERENT PHASES FOR THE ISSUE OF NEW IDENTITY CARDS FOR WOMEN WILL BE WIDELY PUBLICISED THROUGH TELEVISION AND RADIO ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND IN NEWSPAPERS IN DUE COURSE, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
APPLICANTS NORMALLY NEED TO BRING ALONG THEIR EXISTING IDENTITY CARDS IF THEIR CARDS WERE FIRST REGISTERED NOT LESS THAN SEVEN YEARS AGO AND BEAR THE *** SYMBOL.
HOWEVER, IF AN APPLICANT’S IDENTITY CARD WAS FIRST REGISTERED LISS THAN SEVEN YEARS AGO OR DOES NOT HAVE THE *** SYMBOL, SHE IS REQUIRED TO FURNISH MORE PERSONAL PROOFS.
IN ADDITION TO PRODUCING HER EXISTING IDENTITY CARD, SHE MUST PRODUCE HER TRAVEL DOCUMENT AND EITHER OF THE FOLLOWING (IF ANY) --HONG KONG BIRTH CERTIFICATE, HONG KONG NATURALISATION CERTIFICATE OR HONG KONG REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
TWO SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO BE BUILT IN TUEN MUN ******
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO NEW "FLEXI DESIGN" SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN TUEN MUN.
LOCATED AT A I 1,170-SQUARE-METRE SITE IN AREA 2B, LEUNG TIN ESTATE, EACH SCHOOL WILL CONSIST OF A SEVEN-STOREY CLASSROOM BLOCK, AN ASSEMBLY HALL, A SEVEN-STOREY SPECIAL CLASSROOM BLOCK AND AN ANCILLARY BUILDING INCLUDING STAFF QUARTERS.
THERE WILL BE 26 GENERAL CLASSROOMS, 14 SPECIAL ROOMS, AN ASSEMBLY HALL, TWO COVERED PLAYGROUNDS, A BASKETBALL COURT AND A CARPARK IN EACH SCHOOL.
WORK ON BOTH SCHOOLS ARE EXPECTED TO COMMENCE AROUND OCTOBER THIS YEAR AND TAKE ABOUT 20 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON AUGUST 17.
------0-------
716 ........
16
THURSDAY, JULY 26, 1990
DB TO STUDY DIRECT ELECTION * * * *
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD WILL EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF DIRECT ELECTION FOR DISTRICT BOARDS AT A MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ASK IF THE GOVERNMENT HAS CONSIDERED INTRODUCING FULLY-ELECTED DISTRICT BOARDS AND IF THERE WILL BE ANY CHANGE IN THE RATIO BETWEEN APPOINTED AND ELECTED DB MEMBERS FOR THE 1991-1994 TERM.
THEY WILL ALSO LOOK INTO THE IMPACT OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S HOUSING SUBSIDY POLICY ON PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS IN SHA TIN.
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE WILL SUBMIT A PAPER ON THE VOTER REGISTRATION EXERCISE WHICH WILL BEGIN NEXT MONTH.
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE A PROGRESS REPORT BY THE CONCERN GROUP ON WHITEHEAD DETENTION CENTRE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE DISTRICT BOARD CONFERENCE ROOM, SIXTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 9.30 AM.
---------0-----------
DB COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS TOURISM PROMOTION *****
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S TOURISM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE WILL DISCUSS THE DETAILS OF THE TOURISM PROMOTION CAMPAIGN FOR THE DISTRICT AT ITS MEETING TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE TARGETTED AT BOTH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS VISITORS. PUBLICITY WILL INCLUDE THE PRODUCTION OF A VIDEO ON THE SCENIC SPOTS ON OUTLYING ISLANDS AND MOBILE EXHIBITIONS ON ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDINGS IN THE DISTRICT.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE PRESERVATION OF THE ROCK INSCRIPTION AT TAI SHEK HAU, CHEUNG CHAU AND THE PROVISION OF PARKING FACILITIES AT LANTAU COUNTRY PARK.
/OTHER AGENDA
THURSDAY, JULY 26, 1990
- 17 -
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDE THE INSTALLATION OF TOURIST MAP BOARDS AND THE PREVENTION OF NUISANCE CAUSED BY HOLIDAY-MAKERS ON BOARD FERRIES TO OUTLYING ISLANDS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD’S TOURISM DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.15 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
--------0----------
URBAN CLEARWAY AND TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF UNDERPASS ******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JULY 28), THE FOLLOWING 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY URBAN CLEARWAYS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN HUNG HOM:
* THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF PO LOI STREET BETWEEN HUNG HOM WAN STREET AND BULKELEY STREET;
* THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF BAKER STREET BETWEEN PO LOI STREET AND MING ON STREET.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
IN ADDITION, THE WINSLOW STREET VEHICULAR UNDERPASS THE DISTRICT WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 1 AM AND 5 AM DAILY FROM SATURDAY (JULY 28) TO AUGUST 14 TO FACILITATE MAINTENANCE WORKS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, MOTORISTS ON WINSLOW STREET HEADING FOR TO KWA WAN ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA WINSLOW STREET, CHATHAM ROAD NORTH, COOKE STREET, GILLIES AVENUE AND WUHU STREET.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE THEM.
--------0-----------
718
THURSDAY, JULY 26, 1990
- 18 -
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN KWUN TONG
******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE SLIP ROAD ADJOINING JUNK BAY ROAD EASTBOUND AND LIN TAK ROAD SOUTHBOUND, IN KWUN TONG, WILL BE CLOSED TOR TRAFFIC FROM 1 PM ON SATURDAY (JULY 28) TO 1 PM ON SUNDAY (JULY 29) TO FACILITATE ROAD RECONSTRUCTION WORKS.
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES EXCEEDING SIX METRES LONG ARE ADVISED TO USE LEI YUE MUN ROAD AND KAI TIN ROAD FOR ACCESS TO LAM TIN.
VEHICLES BELOW THAT LENGTH MAY MAKE USE OF JUNK BAY ROAD, SAU MAU PING ROAD, THE MINI-ROUNDABOUT AT THE JUNCTION WITH SAU MAU PING ROAD, PO LAM ROAD AND SAU MAU PING ROAD FOR ACCESS TO LIN TAK ROAD.
AT THE SAME TIME, KMB ROUTES 16 AND 16M, ON LAM TIN BOUND JOURNEYS, WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SAU MAU PING ROAD, HIU KWONG STREET, HIU KWONG STREET BUS TERMINUS, HIU KWONG STREET, SAU MAU PING ROAD AND LIN TAK ROAD.
APPROPRIATE TEMPORARY TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE PUT UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
------0-------
BAN ZONE IN TSING YI *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON SATURDAY (JULY 28), THE ACCESS ROAD BETWEEN CHING KING ROAD AND TAM KON SHAN ROAD, ON TSING YI ISLAND, WILL BE DESIGNATED A BAN ZONE.
ALL MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES, TAXIS, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES (SCHEDULED) SERVICE AND THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE ACCESS ROAD 24 HOURS DAILY.
TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE IN CENTRAL ******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT CHIU LUNG STREET IN CENTRAL WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED FROM 2 PM ON SATURDAY (JULY 28) TO 6 AM ON JULY 30 TO FACILITATE TELEPHONE DUCT LAYING WORKS.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, JULY 27, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
IMPROVED SECURITY AT VBP CENTRES ................................ 1
WHITE BILL ON REGULATION OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES PUBLISHED ........ 2
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION EXPANSION APPROVED ... 4
SIX INTERIM DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA PLANS PUBLISHED ......... 6
HK IS BUILDING FOR THE 21ST CENTURY ............................. 8
JOINT STATEMENT BY HK GOVT AND GUANGDONG PROVINCIAL GOVT ........ 11
HK EXPRESSED CONCERN AT NO REAL PROGRESS IN GATT TALKS .......... 11
TWO NT LOTS FOR SALE BY AUCTION ................................. 13
AIRPORT RESCUE VESSEL COMMISSIONED .............................. 14
PROPOSED ROAD IMPROVEMENT SCHEME IN KOWLOON CITY ................ 15
ANNUAL REGISTRATION FEE FOR CERTIFICATION INTRODUCED ............ 16
CIVIC EDUCATION SEMINAR FOR WOMEN ............................... I7
APPLY NOW FOR FEE ASSISTANCE SCHEME ............................. I7
PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF MARINE STOCKPILE AREA .................. 18
TAX RELIEF FOR APPROVED CHARITABLE DONATIONS .................... 20
YAU TSIM TO LAUNCH FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN ......................... 20
LEISURE AND ENTERTAINMENT LEAD TO A RELIEF OF STRESS ............ 21
SUSPENSION OF PAK SHA WAN CAR PARK .............................. 21
WATER CUT IN KOWLOON WEST .......................................
FRIDAY, JULY 27, 1990
IMPROVED SECURITY AT VBP CENTRES ♦ * t * *
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TODAY (FRIDAY) APPROVED ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE OF $57 MILLION TO FURTHER IMPROVE SECURITY AND LIVING CONDITIONS AT THREE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE CENTRES.
THIS FOLLOWS A GOVERNMENT REVIEW OF STANDARDS AT ALL DETENTION CENTRES IN THE WAKE OF AN ESCAPE FROM WHITEHEAD DETENTION CENTRE BY 102 BOAT PEOPLE AND THE DISCOVERY OF SOME 2,500 OFFENSIVE WEAPONS, CAUSING CONSIDERABLE PUBLIC CONCERN ABOUT SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS GENERALLY.
THE THREE CENTRES IDENTIFIED AS REQUIRING SIGNIFICANT WORKS ARE WHITEHEAD, SEK KONG AND LO WU.
THE IMMEDIATE RESPONSE TO THE LARGE SCALE ESCAPES FROM WHITEHEAD INCLUDED THE DEPLOYMENT OF ADDITIONAL AND MORE EXPERIENCED CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT STAFF, AN INCREASE IN THE FREQUENCY AND INTENSITY OF PERIMETER PATROLLING AND THE INTRODUCTION OF A MORE EFFECTIVE RAPID RESPONSE ARRANGEMENT.
TO COMPLEMENT THESE EFFORTS, THE WHOLE LENGTH OF THE PERIMETER FENCE WOULD NOW BE REINFORCED BY STEEL PANELS, EXPANDED METAL MESH AND BARBED WIRE, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’WITHIN THE CENTRE THERE IS A NEED TO STRENGTHEN THE GATES, WINDOWS, DOORS AND LOCKS. THE SIZE OF THE CENTRE ALSO MAKES IT NECESSARY TO INSTALL A CENTRAL ALARM SYSTEM WHICH WILL ENABLE THE MANAGEMENT TEAMS TO RESPOND QUICKLY TO EMERGENCIES.”
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ADDITIONAL FUNDS WERE APPROVED TO IMPROVE SECURITY AT SHEK KONG THE MAIN ELEMENT IS THE STRENGTHENING OF THE PERIMETER.
’’STAFF QUARTERS AND ASSOCIATED FACILITIES ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY AT WHITEHEAD AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION ON SITE WILL PROVIDE FOR AN IMMEDIATE AND MORE EFFECTIVE DEPLOYMENT OF STAFF, ESPECIALLY IN CONTAINING TROUBLE,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
LO WU IS THE MAIN DEPARTURE CENTRE FOR VOLUNTEERS WAITING TO RETURN TO VIETNAM AND IT WAS DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE 600 PEOPLE. ANOTHER 400 PLACES WERE MADE AVAILABLE AT CAPE COLLINSON CENTRE WITH THE EXPANSION OF THIS PROGRAMME.
”IT HAS BECOME APPARENT THAT THIS SPLIT IS FAR FROM IDEAL WHILE THE USE OF CAPE COLLINSON HAS PRESENTED ITS OWN PROBLEMS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’THEREFORE, IT HAS BECOME NECESSARY TO EXPAND THE FACILITIES AT LO WU IN ORDER TO CONCENTRATE RETURNING VOLUNTEERS AT ONE CENTRE, WHICH WILL MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO CLOSE CAPE COLLINSON.”
THE PROGRAMME AT LO WU WILL INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF ADDITIONAL DORMITORIES, IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SANITATION SYSTEM AND THE STRENGTHENING OF THE PERIMETER FENCE.
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FRIDAY, JULY 27, 1990
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WHITE BILL ON REGULATION
* *
OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES PUBLISHED
* * * * »
A WHITE BILL WHICH SETS OUT THE LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS ON THE PRUDENTIAL REGULATION OF PRIVATE RETIREMENT SCHEMES IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
RELEASING DETAILS OF THE OCCUPATIONAL PENSION SCHEME (COMMERCE, TRADE & INDUSTRY ETC) BILL AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK POINTED OUT THAT THE PUBLIC WOULD BE GIVEN TWO MONTHS TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS.
THE PROPOSALS ARE LARGELY THE SAME AS THOSE CONTAINED IN THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ISSUED IN JUNE 1988.
"THE REGULATION OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES IS A NOVEL AND COMPLICATED SUBJECT AND PROPOSALS WILL AFFECT SOLICITORS, ACCOUNTANTS, ACTUARIES, AUTHORISED INSURERS AND TRUSTEES WHO ARE OR WILL BE INVOLVED IN THE OPERATION OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES.
"WE THEREFORE CONSIDER IT APPROPRIATE TO CONSULT THE PUBLIC AND THE PROFESSIONALS ON THE REGULATOR! PROPOSALS IN THE FORM OF A WHITE BILL," HE SAID.
"THE PRIME OBJECTIVE OF THE REGULATORY SYSTEM IS TO ENSURE THAT RETIREMENT BENEFITS WILL BE PAID WHEN THEY FALL DUE," MR NENDICK EXPLAINED.
"IT IS NOT TO REQUIRE EMPLOYERS TO SET UP RETIREMENT SCHEMES OR TO SPECIFY A MINIMUM LEVEL OF BENEFITS," HE ADDED.
A SYSTEM OF REGISTRATION IS PROPOSED AND TO OBTAIN REGISTRATION, A RETIREMENT SCHEME MUST COMPLY WITH CERTAIN BASIC REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS. THESE INCLUDE SEPARATION OF ASSETS, PROVISION OF ADEQUATE FUNDING, CONDUCTING INDEPENDENT AUDIT AND DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION.
"THE BILL PROVIDES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGISTRAR OF OCCUPATIONAL PENSION SCHEMES AND SETS OUT THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS IN DETAIL.
"AN APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN AFFIDAVIT BY A SOLICITOR CERTIFYING WHETHER THE SCHEME IS SET UP UNDER TRUST OR AN ASSURANCE ARRANGEMENT AS WELL AS THE PROPER LAW OF THE SCHEME.
"A FURTHER AFFIDAVIT BY THE REGISTRAR, CERTIFYING THAT PROPER BOOKS AND ACCOUNTS ARE MAINTAINED, IS ALSO REQUIRED. THIS IS TO ENSURE THAT, AMONG OTHER THINGS, ASSETS OF THE SCHEME ARE SEPARATED FROM THOSE OF THE EMPLOYER,” HE SAID.
/IN ADDITION .......
3
IN ADDITION TO COMPLYING WITH THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS, MR NENDICK POINTED OUT THAT A SCHEME’S "DESIGNATED PERSON" (I.E. A PERSON WHO UNDERTAKES TO PEREORM CERTAIN SPECIFIED DUTIES) WAS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR SUBMITTING AN ANNUAL RETURN, ANNUAL AUDITED ACCOUNTS AS WELL AS AN ANNUAL AUDITOR’S CERTIFICATE, AND WHERE APPROPRIATE, AN ACTUARIAL CERTIFICATE TO THE REGISTRAR.
"THESE PROVISIONS ENSURE THAT PROPER ACCOUNTS ARF KEPT, THAT THE SCHEME IS FUNDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES OF THE SCHEME, AND THAT ADEQUATE FUNDS ARE THERE TO MEET THE SCHEME’S LIABILITIES," HE SAID.
ON THE ROLE OF THE REGISTRAR, MR NENDICK SAID THE REGISTRAR WOULD NOT PLAY AN ACTIVE PART IN REGULATING PRIVATE RETIREMENT SCHEMES. "INSTEAD, A NUMBER OF INTERVENTIONARY MEASURES ARE AVAILABLE TO THE REGISTRAR IF THE SITUATION SO REQUIRES."
"HE MAY SEEK INFORMATION ON THE OPERATION OF THE SCHEME, INCLUDING AN EXTRAORDINARY AUDITOR’S CERTIFICATE AND AN ACTUARY’S CERTIFICATE.
"HE MAY ALSO APPOINT A PERSON TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY INTO THE OPERATION OF THE SCHEME ITSELF," HE SAID.
"THE ULTIMATE SANCTION AGAINST NON-COMPLIANCE OF THE LEGISLATION IS DE-REGISTRATION. SCHEMES MAY BE DE-REGISTERED WHERE THERE IS A FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REPORTING, DISCLOSURE OR FUNDING REQUIREMENTS OF THE BILL," HE SAID.
MEMBERS OF A DE-REGISTERED SCHEME MAY APPLY TO THE HIGH COURT FOR CERTAIN COURT ORDERS.
"FOR EXAMPLE, WHERE THE SCHEME IS SET UP UNDER HONG KONG LAW, THE HIGH COURT MAY ORDER THAT THE SCHEME BE WOUND UP. WHERE THE ASSETS OF SUCH A SCHEME ARE INADEQUATE TO MEET ITS LIABILITIES THE COURT MAY DETERMINE A SUM EQUAL TO THE SHORTFALL AND GIVE JUDGEMENT AGAINST THE EMPLOYER FOR THAT AMOUNT," MR NENDICK EXPLAINED.
HOWEVER, WHERE THE SCHEME WAS NOT GOVERNED BY HONG KONG LAW, THE COURT COULD NOT MAKE A WINDING UP ORDER, HE POINTED OUT.
"THE COURT MAY, UPON APPLICATION DIRECT AN INQUIRY INTO THE ENTITLEMENTS OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SCHEME IN HONG KONG. WHERE THERE IS A SHORTFALL THE COURT MAY GIVE JUDGEMENT FOR THIS AGAINST THE EMPLOYER. MEMBERS MAY THEN SEEK ENFORCEMENT OF THE JUDGEMENT UNDER THE RELEVANT JURISDICTION," MR NENDICK SAID.
TURNING TO THE ROLE OF THE SCHEME MEMBERS, HE EXPLAINED THAT WHERE A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SCHEME SO WISH, A CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE COULD BE SET UP. "THE BILL PROVIDES THAT AN EMPLOYER IS REQUIRED TO CONVEY THE COMMITTEE’S VIEWS TO THE DESIGNATED PERSON OF THE SCHEME."
/FURTHERMORE, THE .......
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FRIDAY, JULY 27, 1990
4
FURTHERMORE, THE DESIGNATED PERSON IS ALSO REQUIRED TO FURNISH INFORMATION ABOUT THE SCHEME TO THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE OR TO SCHEME MEMBERS UPON REQUEST.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES THAT THE TRUSTEES OR THE DESIGNATED PERSON OF A SCHEME SHOULD PROVIDE TO EVERY SCHEME MEMBER AN ANNUAL STATEMENT REGARDING THEIR ACCRUED BENEFITS.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS SET OUT IN THE BILL INCLUDE THE RESTRICTION OF THE EMPLOYER OR HIS ASSOCIATE FROM ACTING AS THE SOLE TRUSTEE OF A SCHEME AS WELL AS CERTAIN RESTRICTION ON THE INVESTMENT OF SCHEME ASSETS (I.E. UP TO 10 PER CENT IN THE EMPLOYER OR HIS ASSOCIATES' BUSINESS AND A PROHIBITION OF LOANS TO THE EMPLOYER).
i
THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE WILL INCLUDE THE SEEKING OF COMMENTS FROM CERTAIN PROFESSIONAL, TRADE AND ADVISORY BODIES.
I
’’COMMENTS RECEIVED WILL BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED WHEN THE GOVERNMENT PREPARES A BILL FOR INTRODUCTION INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LATER THIS YEAR,” MR NENDICK SAID.
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IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR TERTIARY EDUCATION EXPANSION APPROVED
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED A RECOMMENDATION BY THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE (UPGC) ON THE IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMME FOR THE FURTHER EXPANSION OF TERTIARY EDUCATION.
ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF ADDITIONAL STUDENT NUMBERS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT UPGC’S RECOMMENDATION WOULD PUT IN PLACE THE GOVERNMENT'S PLAN TO INCREASE THE PERCENTAGE OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE RELEVANT AGE GROUP TAKING FIRST DEGREES FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 1994-95 FROM THE ORIGINAL TARGET OF 12.9 PER CENT TO NO LESS THAN IS PER CENT.
IN ACTUAL NUMBERS, THIS WOULD MEAN BOOSTING THE NUMBER OF FIRST YEAR FIRST DEGREE PLACES FROM 10,510 TO APPROXIMATELY 15,000 PLACES.
’’PART OF THE RECOMMENDATION IS TO EXPAND THE FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT (FTE) STUDENT PLACES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG TO 11,500 EACH, RESULTING IN A TOTAL PROVISION OF 6,240 FIRST YEAR FIRST DEGREE PLACES.
’’THE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED TARGET OF 5,070 FTE PLACES FOR THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY HAS BEEN REAFFIRMED, LEADING TO PROVISION OF 1,990 FIRST YEAR FIRST DEGREE PLACES,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/FOR THE .......
FRIDAY, JULY 27, 1990
5
FOR THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC AND THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG, THE LEVEL OF DEGREE PLACES OFFERED, WITHIN A TOTAL POPULATION OF 25,200 FTE STUDENTS, WILL BE INCREASED FROM 40 PER CENT TO 65 PER CENT. THE TWO POLYTECHNICS WILL TOGETHER PROVIQE 4,970 FIRST YEAR FIRST DEGREE PLACES.
PLANS FOR EXPANDING THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE WILL BE BROUGHT FORWARD TO ACHIEVE A STUDENT POPULATION OF 4,000 FTE, PROVIDING 1,110 FIRST YEAR FIRST DEGREE PLACES.
ANOTHER 690 FIRST YEAR FIRST DEGREE PLACES WILL BE PROVIDED BY LINGNAN COLLEGE WHICH WILL BE UPGRADED TO A DEGREE AWARDING INSTITUTION WITH A TOTAL STUDENT POPULATION OF 2,000 FTE.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT UPGC'S PLAN WOULD REPRESENT THE SUREST WAY OF DELIVERING THE ADDITIONAL NUMBERS WITHIN THE TIGHT TIMETABLE ENVISAGED, WHILE MAINTAINING THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF QUALITY.
"THE UPGC WILL ALSO BE MONITORING THE PLAN CLOSELY AND WILL BE CONSIDERING MEASURES TO ACHIEVE MAXIMUM COST-EFFECTIVENESS, SUCH AS THROUGH THE REVIEW OF STUDENT: STAFF RATIO, AND TO ENSURE VALUE FOR MONEY GENERALLY.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS SATISFIED THAT UPGC’S RECOMMENDATION WILL ENSURE THAT INCREASED PROVISION OF PLACES WILL NOT BE ACHIEVED AT THE EXPENSE OF QUALITY. THIS ALSO TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE NEED FOR BALANCED GROWTH BETWEEN THE UNIVERSITY AND NON-UNI VERSITY SECTORS," HE ADDED.
AS A RESULT OF THE DECISION TO FURTHER EXPAND TERTIARY EDUCATION AND THE UPGC’S RECOMMENDATION TO LIMIT DEGREE PLACES AT THE TWO POLYTECHNICS TO 65 PER CENT, SOME OF THE EXISTING AND PLANNED SUBDEGREE LEVEL COURSES HAVE TO BE TRANSFERRED FROM THE TWO POLYTECHNICS TO THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL (VTC) SO THAT BY 1996-97, 16,200 SUB-DEGREE FTES WILL BE PROVIDED WITH THE TWO POLYTECHNICS EACH PROVIDING 4,725 AND THE VTC 6,750.
"TO PUT THIS INTO EFFECT, A NUMBER OF PROPOSALS ON NEW FACILITIES AND EXPANSION OF EXISTING ONES FOR THE VTC WERE ACCEPTED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
A NEW TECHNICAL COLLEGE WILL BE BUILT AT TSING Y1 TO PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION FOR .3,100 FTE. THE BUILDING WILL BE DESIGNED IN SUCH A WAY TO ALLOW FOR FUTURE EXPANSION.
THE CHAT WAN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE WILL BE EXPANDED AND UPGRADED TO A TECHNICAL COLLEGE TO ACCOMMODATE A FURTHER 3,350 FTE.
THE REMAINING SEVEN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL WILL BE MODIFIED AND EXPANDED TO TAKE ON Till' TECHNICIAN COURSES DECANTED FROM THE CHAI WAN TECHNICAL INSTITUTE.
A NEW TRAINING CENTRE COMPLEX SITUATED AT POKFULAM WILL BE CONSTRUCTED BY AUGUST 1992 TO ACCOMMODATE ALL THF CRAFT COURSES DISPLACED FROM THF FIGHT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES.
/"THE ESTIMATED .......
FRIDAY, JULY 27, 1990
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’’THE ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL CAPITAL COST AT MID-1990 PRICES FOR THE UPGC AND THE VTC COMPONENTS OF THE TERTIARY EXPANSION PROGRAMME IS $2,071 MILLION.
"BASED ON EXISTING SALARY SCALES AND ON THE AVERAGE UNIT COSTS UPDATED TO MID-1991 PRICES, THE UPGC ESTIMATES THAT THE ADDITIONAL RECURRENT EXPENDITURE REQUIRED FOR THE UPGC COMPONENT OF THE EXPANSION PROGRAMME WOULD AMOUNT TO $2,341 MILLION OVER THE FOUR YEARS 1991-92 TO 1994-95. THE ESTIMATED RECURRENT COST OF PROVIDING 6,750 SUBDEGREE PLACES AT THE VTC WOULD BE ABOUT $405 MILLION AT MID-1991 PRICES," HE SAID.
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SIX INTERIM DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA PLANS PUBLISHED ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
FOLLOWING THE APPROVAL BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF THE TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 EARLIER THIS WEEK, THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THE PUBLICATION OF INTERIM DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA PLANS FOR SIX ARESA IN THE RURAL NEW TERRITORIES.
THE SIX AREAS, COVERING A TOTAL OF ABOUT 3,782 HECTARES, ARE PING CHE AND TA KWU LING, KWU TUNG SOUTH, SAN TIN, MAI PO AND FAIRVIEW PARK, NAM SANG WAI, AND HO CHUNG.
THE TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) BILL, WHICH WAS GAZETTED TODAY, HAS BEEN INTRODUCED TO EXTEND THE JURISDICTION OF THE EXISTING TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE TO COVER THE RURAL NEW TERRITORIES SO AS TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT AND TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE TO PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT.
A PLANNING DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT CONVERSION OF AGRICULTURAL LAND IN THE RURAL AREA INTO OPEN STORAGE USES HAD GROWN AT AN ALARMING RATE OVER THE LAST YEAR, CREATING ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS FOR THE AREAS. TO AVOID FURTHER DETERIORATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT, IN PARTICULAR, TO CONTROL THE PROLIFERATION OF UNPLANNED URBAN ACTIVITIES AND INCOMPATIBLE LAND USES IN THE RURAL AREAS, THE GOVERNMENT HAD DECIDED THAT THERE WAS AN URGENT NEED TO INTRODUCE PLANNING CONTROL IN THESE AREAS.
UNDER THE PROVISION OF THE TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, HE SAID, THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING MAY DESIGNATE AREAS AS INTERIM DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREAS WITHIN WHICH DEVELOPMENT SHALL NOT BE UNDERTAKEN OR CONTINUED OTHER THAN IN CONFORMITY WITH THE INTERIM DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA PLAN OR WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR.
/DEVELOPMENT IN .......
FRIDAY, JULY 27, 1990
DEVELOPMENT IN CONTRAVENTION OF THE PLANS WOULD BE SUBJECT TO ENFORCEMENT PROCEEDINGS UPON COMMENCEMENT OF THE TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE, ON ENACTMENT, THE INTERIM DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREAS WOULD BE INCLUDED IN STATUTORY DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREAS, AND THE DIRECTOR COULD THEN SERVE NOTICE REQUIRING REINSTATEMENT OF THE LAND TO THE CONDITION IT WAS IN IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE GAZETTING OF THE PLANS OR RESTORATION OF THE LAND TO HIS SATISFACTION,
"FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH SUCH A NOTICE WOULD BE AN OFFENCE AND THE OFFENDER WOULD BE LIABLE TO A FINE OF $500,000, IMPRISONMENT FOR ONE YEAR AND $10,000 FOR EACH DAY DURING WHICH THE OFFENCE WAS PROVED TO HAVE CONTINUED."
WITHIN THE FIRST SIX INTERIM DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREAS, THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT ZONES HAD BEEN DESIGNATED TO ALLOW VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT AND OPEN STORAGE. THE MAI PO AND FAIRVIEW PARK AREA ALSO INCLUDED ZONINGS TO GIVE ADDITIONAL PROTECTION TO THE NATURE RESERVES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT EXISTING USES WOULD BE TOLERATED WITHIN THE INTERIM DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREAS. ALSO, PERMISSION GRANTED BY THE DIRECTOR WOULD HAVE ITS EFFECT RETAINED WHEN THE INTERIM DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREAS WERE INCLUDED INTO STATUTORY DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREAS.
IF PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING FOR DEVELOPMENT IS REQUIRED, AN APPLICATION FOR SUCH PERMISSION SHOULD BE SENT TO THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG. THE APPROPRIATE APPLICATION FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE GENERAL REGISTRY OF THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT. INDIGENOUS NEW TERRITORIES VILLAGERS WISHING TO APPLY FOR SMALL HOUSE SITES IN AREAS COVERED BY THE NEW INTERIM DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREAS SHOULD CONTINUE TO APPLY TO THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICER.
THE INTERIM PLANNING PERMISSION AREA PLANS CAN BE INSPECTED UNTIL SEPTEMBER 27 THIS YEAR AT THE FOLLOWING PLACES:
(A) THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, ICE HOUSE STREET, HONG KONG;
(B) PLANNING DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND
(C) RELEVANT DISTRICT OFFICES AND DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICES.
COPIES OF THE PLANS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND KOWLOON MAP SALES SECTION, 10TH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 105 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON AT $10 EACH UNCOLOURED AND $60 EACH COLOURED.
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HK IS BUILDING FOR THE 21ST CENTURY *****
THE IMMEDIATE TASK FACING HONG KONG IN THE NEXT SEVEN YEARS IS TO STRENGTHEN ITS ECONOMIC FOUNDATION AND TO PUT IN PLACE A POLITICAL AND SOCIAL STRUCTURE THAT MEETS ITS UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING THE REALITY OF CHINA RESUMING THE EXERCISE OF SOVEREIGNTY OVER HONG KONG IN 1997.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID THIS TODAY (FRIDAY) AT A SEMINAR ON "HONG KONG/GUANGDONG - A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP" IN GUANGZHOU.
SPEAKING ON "HONG KONG’S PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY - BUILDING FOR THE 21ST CENTURY", MR CHAN SAID HONG KONG HAD MADE SOME DIFFICULT BUT IMPORTANT DECISIONS TO DEVELOP ITS POLITICAL SYSTEM AND PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, TO IMPROVE ITS ENVIRONMENT AND TO PROVIDE FOR MORE AND BETTER SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES.
"THESE PLANS CARRY ON WELL BEYOND 1997 AND ARE ALL ESSENTIAL TO OUR FUTURE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND WELL-BEING.
"WITH THESE PLANS, COUPLED WITH OUR GEOGRAPHICAL ADVANTAGES AND OUR COMMITMENT TO THE PRINCIPLES OF FREE ENTERPRISE AND FREE TRADE ,WE HAVE EVERY REASON TO BELIEVE THAT HONG KONG WILL REMAIN A BUSINESS CENTRE OF CHOICE WHERE HUMAN INGENUITY AND ENTERPRISE CAN FLOURISH,"HE SAID.
ON THE AIRPORT, MR CHAN SAID THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS USING KAI TAI AIRPORT HAI) GROWN INCESSANTLY IN RECENT YEARS TO REACH MORE THAN 16 MILLION LAST YEAR.
"EVEN ON THE BASIS OF A CONSERVATIVE FORECAST WHICH ASSUMES \N ANNUAL GROWTH RATE OF FIVE PER CENT, KAI TAK WILL BE UNABLE TO COPF BEYOND 1996, AND AIR PASSENGER TRAFFIC WILL MORE THAN TRIPLE TO ABOUT 50 MILLION IN 2011,” HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID THE ECONOMIC DISBENEFITS OF NOT PROVIDING A NEW AIRPORT WERE OVERWHELMING - IN CASH TERMS THEY AMOUNTED TO SOME $100 BILLION BETWEEN THE END OF 1996 AND 2010.
"THIS IS MUCH MORE THAN THE COST OF BUILDING A NEW AIRPORT AND ITS TRANSPORT LINKS," HE SAID.
LIKE THE AIRPORT, MR CHAN SAID, HONG KONG’S PORT HAD EXPERIENCED HIGH ANNUAL GROWTH IN UTILISATION IN RECENT YEARS.
LAST YEAR OVER 19,000 OCEAN-GOING VESSELS AND SOME 96,000 RIVER CRAFT USED THE PORT. IN TERMS OF CARGO OVER 85 MILLION TONNES WERE HANDLED, INCLUDING 4.5 MILLION CONTAINERS.
/"AGAIN, EVEN ..
FRIDAY, JULY 27, 1990
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"AGAIN, EVEN AT A CONSERVATIVE GROWTH RATE OF 8.6 PER CENT PER ANNUM, WE FORECAST PORT CARGO TO INCREASE FIVE-FOLD BY 2011. I MIGHT SAY THAT THE AVERAGE ANNUAL GROWTH IN TRAFFIC OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS HAS BEEN NEARLY 14 PER CENT," HE SAID.
"KNOWING THAT WE WOULD NEED BOTH A NEW AIRPORT AND MASSIVE NEW PORT FACILITIES IN THE SECOND HALF OF THIS DECADE, WE HAD TO DECIDE WHERE THEY SHOULD BE PUT," MR CHAN ADDED.
"WE STUDIED OVER 40 DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES, AND HAVE OPTED FOR AN INTEGRATED APPROACH THAT PROVIDES THE BEST OPTIONS IN TERMS OF OVERALL DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF RESOURCES."
MR CHAN SAID THE PLANS WERE THAT THE NEW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WOULD BUILT ON CHEK LAP KOK ISLAND NORTH OF LANTAU AND WOULD COVER ABOUT 1,000 HECTARES.
"WITH APPROPRIATE DEMAND MANAGEMENT MEASURES, IT WILL BE ABLE TO HANDLE UP TO 80 MILLION PASSENGERS AND FOUR MILLION TONNES OF AIR CARGO A YEAR. IT WILL BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH 70 AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS PER HOUR.
"THE FIRST RUNWAY SHOULD OPEN IN EARLY 1997; THE SECOND RUNWAY COULD BECOME OPERATIONAL TWO YEARS LATER IF DEMAND SO REQUIRES," HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO CREATE A STATUTORY AIRPORT AUTHORITY IN ORDER TO BUILD AND BRING THE AIRPORT INTO USE IN THE QUICKEST AND MOST EFFICIENT WAY. THE AUTHORITY WOULD CONSTRUCT AND MANAGE THE NEW AIRPORT.
HE SAID A PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED TO OVERSEE THE IMMEDIATE TASKS INVOLVED IN MOVING THE AIRPORT PROJECT FORWARD.
"AS TO FUNDING," HE SAID, "OUR INITIAL THINKING IS THAT THE AUTHORITY SHOULD BE FUNDED THROUGH GOVERNMENT EQUITY AND PRIVATE LOAN FINANCE; WE HAVE NOT, AT THIS STAGE, RULED OUT THE POSSIBILITY OF DRAWING ON PRIVATE EQUITY."
"TENANT FACILITIES AT THE AIRPORT (FOR EXAMPLE, AIRCRAFT REPAIR, AIR CARGO HANDLING, CATERING AND OTHER PASSENGER SERVICES) SHOULD BE LARGELY, IF NOT WHOLLY, FINANCED, AS THEY ARE NOW, BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
MR CHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD JUST AWARDED A CONSULTANCY TO THE AMERCIAN FIRM GREINER TO PREPARE A MASTER LAYOUT OF THE AIRPORT AND TO CARRY OUT CIVIL ENGINEERING DESIGN AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT. THE CONSULTANTS WERE EXPECTED TO REPORT BEFORE THE END OF 1991.
BEFORE THEN, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT EXPECTED TO TENDER FOR THE MAJOR SITE FORMATION WORKS INCLUDING SEAWALL CONSTRUCTION, RECLAMATION AND THE EXCAVATION OF CHEK LAP KOK.
/AS REGARDS .......
FRIDAY, JULY 27, 1990
- 10 -
AS REGARDS THE PORT, MR CHAN SAID THE MAIN DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SHORT TERM WOULD INCLUDE TWO NEW CONTAINER TERMINALS EACH OF 1.5 MILLION TEI’S. THE FIRST BERTH OF THE FIRST OF THESE TERMINALS SHOULD BECOME AVAILABLE DURING 1993.
"WE WILL NEED THE SECOND ADDITIONAL TERMINAL BY EARLY 1995," HE SAID.
IN THE LONGER TERM, MR CHAN SAID, AFTER THE BRIDGE TO LANTAU WAS IN PLACE, NEW PORT DEVELOPMENT WOULD TAKE PLACE THERE.
UE SAID CONTAINER TERMINALS AND MULTI-PURPOSE BERTHS WOULD BE CONSTRUCTED INCREMENTALLY AND THE GREATER PART OF THIS DEVELOPMENT WOULD TAKE PLACE AFTER 1997.
MR CHAN SAID BOTH THE PORT AND THE AIRPORT WOULD BE SUPPORTED BY NEW AND EFFICIENT TRANSPORT NETWORKS WHICH WOULD INCLUDE A 12-KILOMETRE, SIX LANE EXPRESSWAY FROM THE AIRPORT, ALONG THE NORTHERN COAST OF LANTAU ISLAND, AND A 1.4-KILOMETRE SUSPENSION BRIDGE LINKING LANTAU WITH TSING YI ISLAND.
"A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE ROUTE HAS JUST BEEN COMPLETED AND WORK ON DETAILED DESIGN WILL START SOON. THIS ROUTE HAS BEEN CHOSEN AFTER CAREFUL ECONOMIC AND TRANSPORT EVALUATION OF SEVERAL ALTERNATIVES," HE SAID.
THERE WOULD ALSO BE A COMPLEMENTARY RAIL ACCESS AND THE GOVERNMENT EXPECTED DEDICATED EXPRESS TRAINS TO CARRY ABOUT HALF OF ALL AIRPORT TRAVELLERS IN THE MAXIMUM OF COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE, MR CHAN ADDED.
HE SAID IT WAS GOVERNMENT POLICY TO ENCOURAGE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION IN TRANSPORT PROJECTS.
MR CHAN SAID THE EXACT DETAILS AS TO HOW SUCH PROJECTS WOULD BE PRIVATISED REMAINED TO BE WORKED OUT, BUT THE GOVERNMENT ENVISAGED THAT OPEN INVITATIONS WOULD BE MADE BEFORE NEXT YEAR TO PRIVATE SECTOR CONSORTIA, BOTH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL, TO PARTICIPATE IN THESE PROJECTS ON THE BASIS OF "BUILD, OPERATE AND TRANSFER" ARRANGEMENTS.
HE SAID SOME WORK HAD NOW STARTED ON ALL THE TRANSPORT PROJECTS AND ENGINEERING FEASIBILITY STUDIES HAD EITHER COMMENCED OR WERE BEING PLANNED.
"THE NEXT STAGE IS DETAILED FINANCIAL ANALYSIS TO ENABLE US TO DECIDE WHICH PROJECTS SHOULD BE PRIVATISED AND IN WHAT FORM," MR CHAN SAID.
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/Il ........
FRIDAY, JULY 27, 1990
JOINT STATEMENT BY UK GOVT « ♦
11 -
AND GUANGDONG PROVINCIAL GOVT * * * *
FOLLOWING IS A JOINT STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE GUANGDONG PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT:
ON THE MORNINGS OF 25 JULY AND 26 JULY, SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM GUANGDONG AND HONG KONG RESPECTIVELY LED BY MR CHEN WEN-LI, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, PUBLIC SECURITY DEPARTMENT. GUANGDONG PROVINCE AND MR C A J SHEPPARD, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, OPERATIONS, RHKP HELD A FRIENDLY DISCUSSION AT SHENZHEN AND AT TAI PG, HONG KONG ON THE ISSUES OF ANTI -ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION, ANT I-SMUGGLI NG AND RELATED MATTERS.
BOTH SIDES HAVE EXCHANGED INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA TO HONG KONG, SMUGGLING ACTIVITIES AT SEA AND OTHER ISSUES. THE MEETING AGREED FURTHER TO STRENGTHEN COOPERATION AND CONSIDERED MEASURES AND TACTICS IN ORDER TO COMBAT ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION, SPEED BOAT SMUGGLING ACTIVITIES AND IN PARTICULAR THE ILLEGAL TRANSPORTATION OF FIRFARMS AND OTHER RELATED PROBLEMS BETWEEN THE TWO TERRITORIES.
DURING THE MEETING, FOR THE PURPOSES OF PROSECUTING THE SUSPECTS AND THE NEED TO CONCLUDE THE CASE AS WELL AS TO RETURN THE CARS TO OWNERS, THE HONG KONG DELEGATION REQUESTED THE GUANGDONG AUTHORITIES TO RELEASE THE THREE VEHICLES WHICH WERE CONFISCATED IN THE "3RD MAY" SMUGGLING INCIDENT. HAVING VERIFIED THE DETAILED PARTICULARS OF THE VEHICLES, AND HAVING CONSIDERED THE REQUIREMENT OF THE HONG KONG SIDE FOR EXHIBITS AND FOR CONCLUDING THE CASE, AND THE MORAL PRINCIPLE OF RETURNING STOLEN PROPERTY TO THE ORIGINAL OWNER, AS WELL AS THE FRIENDLY COOPERATION AND GOOD RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES, THE GUANGDONG DELEGATION AGREED TO RETURN THE THREE VEHICLES TO THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE. THE HONG KONG DELEGATION EXPRESSED THANKS FOR THIS.
BOTH SIDES EXPRESSED APPRECIATION FOR THE GOOD COOPERATION BETWEEN THE GUANGDONG AND HONG KONG POLICE.
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HK EXPRESSED CONCERN AT NO REAL PROGRESS »«»»»»«
IN GATT TALKS
HONG KONG HAS EXPRESSED CONCERN AT THE LACK OF REAL PROGRESS IN THE CURRENT GATT URUGUAY ROUND NEGOTIATIONS ON TEXTILES.
SPEAKING AT THE MEETING OF THE TRADE NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE HELD IN GENEVA EARLIER THIS WEEK, THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR T.H. CHAU, POINTED OUT THAT THERE COULD BE NO PROGRESS UNLESS THE MAJOR PARTICIPANTS WERE PREPARED TO ADDRESS SUBSTANTIVELY THE FUNDAMENTALS IN SUCH IMPORTANT ISSUES AS TEXTILES.
/"WE NEED .......
FRIDAY, JULY 27, 1990
- 12 -
"WE NEED TN TUTS AREA AN INJECTION OF UNEQUIVOCAL POLITICAL WILL FROM THE MAJOR PARTICIPANTS IN ORDER TO GET OVER THE PRESENT IMPASSE," MR CHAU SAID IN HIS STATEMENT TO THE MEETING WHICH WAS ATTENDED BY SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM SOME 105 COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES PARTICIPATING IN THE URUGUAY ROUND OF MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS.
THE TALKS, WHICH STARTED IN URUGUAY ALMOST FOUR YEARS AGO, ARE SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION THIS DECEMBER. THE TEXTILES AND CLOTHING SECTOR IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT COVERED BY THE NEGOTIATIONS.
A BASIC PROBLEM IN THE TEXTILES NEGOTIATIONS IS THE FAILURE TO DATE TO AGREE ON THE MODALITY FOR THE PHASING OUT OF MFA RESTRICTIONS AND INTEGRATION OF THE SECTOR INTO THE GATT.
INSISTENCE UPON GLOBAL QUOTAS BY THE U.S. AND CANADA HAS BROUGHT THE NEGOTIATIONS TO A VIRTUAL STANDSTILL, MR CHAU SAID.
ON ANTI-DUMPING, ANOTHER AREA OF PARTICULAR CONCERN TO HONG KONG, HONG KONG HAS REJECTED THE DRAFT OF A TEXT PRODUCED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ANTI-DUMPING GROUP AS A BASIS FOR NEGOTIATIONS.
"THE DRAFT ENVISAGES AN EXTENSION OF ANTI-DUMPING INTO NEW AREAS, WHILE PROPOSALS TO INTRODUCE GREATER DISCIPLINES ON THE USE OF ANTI-DUMPING MEASURES HAVE AT BEST ONLY BEEN PARTIALLY REFLECTED IN THE PAPER," MR CHAU SAID.
HONG KONG ALSO TOLD THE MEETING OF THE CRUCIAL IMPORTANCE IT ATTACHED TO THE CONCLUSION OF A COMPREHENSIVE AGREEMENT ON SAFEGUARDS (I.E. EMERGENCY ACTION TO RESTRICT INJURIOUS IMPORTS) BASED ON THE MOST FAVOURED NATION PRINCIPLE.
"HONG KONG IS ENCOURAGED TO NOTE THAT THE OVERRIDING SENSE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS IS FOR A SOLIDLY NON-SELECTIVE AGREEMENT, WHICH IS IMPORTANT GIVEN THAT WE ARE TO BRING SUCH SENSITIVE SECTORS AS AGRICULTURE AND TEXTILES INTO THE GENERAL GATT FRAMEWORK," MR CHAU SAID.
SPEAKING AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THE FOUR-DAY MEETING, MR CHAU SAID THE LACK OF SUBSTANTIVE DISCUSSION ON THE OBSTACLES IN THE VARIOUS NEGOTIATING AREAS WAS RATHER DISAPPOINTING.
ON THE OTHER HAND, HE WAS ENCOURAGED BY THE AGREEMENT REACHED ON A WORK PROGRAMME AND TIMETABLE FOR THE NEGOTIATIONS IN THE RUN-UP TO THEIR CONCLUSION IN DECEMBER. HE REMAINED REASONABLY OPTIMISTIC THAT THEY WOULD CONCLUDE ON TIME.
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/13 .......
FRIDAY, JULY 27, 1990
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TWO NT LOTS FOR SALE BY AUCTION ♦ ♦ ♦ * *
TWO GOVERNMENT LOTS WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT AT A PUBLIC AUCTION ON AUGUST 21.
THE AUCTION, TO BE HELD AT THE JADE BALLROOM OF FURAMA HOTEL, WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
THE FIRST LOT IS A 2,I76-SQLARE-METRE SITE AT AREA 25, ON LOK TSUEN, FANLING. IT IS FOR 1NDUSTRIAI AND/OR GODOWN PURPOSE (EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADE).
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 7,428 SQUARE METRES HAS TO BE COMPLETED ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, 1994.
THE OTHER LOT IS LOCATED AT AREA 2A, THEN MUN, AND HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 6,700 SQUARE METRES.
IT IS FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING GODOWN) PURPOSES. THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 20,100 SQUARE METRES WITHIN 18 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF POSSESSION.
FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE SALE PI ANS INSPECTED AT THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
♦ THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG;
♦ THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, CENTRAL ENQUIRY OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), GROUND FLOOR, HONG KONG; AND
* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
CONDITIONS OF SALE IS ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE VARIOUS DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
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/14
FRIDAY, JULY 27, 1990
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AIRPORT RESCUE VESSEL COMMISSIONED » » * * *
A NEW AIRPORT RESCUE VESSEL, CIVIL AVIATION 3, WHICH COST $10 MILLION TO BUILD AND EQUIP, WAS TODAY (FRIDAY) COMMISSIONED BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN.
THE 23-METRE, ALUMINIUM CATAMARAN, WAS BUILT IN A LOCAL SHIPYARD AND REPLACES THE EXISTING CATAMARAN WHICH WAS BROUGHT INTO SERVICE IN 1973.
SPEAKING AT THE COMMISSIONING CEREMONY, MRS CHAN SAID THE CATAMARAN WAS THE FASTEST FIRE BOAT IN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE ONLY FIRE-FIGHTING BOAT WITH RESCUE FACILITIES IN HONG KONG.
IT HAS A MAXIMUM SUSTAINED SPEED IN EXCESS OF 25 KNOTS WHICH MEANS THAT IT COULD, IF REQUIRED TO, REACH LEI YUE MUN FROM ITS MOORING POSITION AT THE AIRPORT SUB-FIRE STATION WITHIN SEVEN MINUTES.
IT IS HIGHLY MANEUVERABLE BUT ST BLE, AND CAN CARRY 250 PERSONS ON BOARD PLUS 260 ON EIGHT LIFE RAFTS. IT COULD THEREFORE RESCUE A FULL PASSENGER LOAD OF A BOEING 747 AIRCRAFT SHOULD THIS EVER BE NECESSARY.
"IT HAS TAKEN 10 MONTHS TO CONSTRUCT THIS VESSEL TO THE EXACTING PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS SPECIFIED BY OUR CIVIL AVIATION, FIRE SERVICES AND MARINE DEPARTMENT," SHE SAID.
WITH THIS LATEST ADDITION TO THE AIRPORT FIRE CONTINGENT’S FLEET OF APPLIANCES, MRS CHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S ABILITY TO RESPOND PROMPTLY AND EFFICIENTLY TO ANY ACCIDENT AT OR AROUND THE AIRPORT WOULD BE ENHANCED.
SHE NOTED THAT DESPITE THE CONSTRAINTS IMPOSED BY A SINGLE RUNWAY IN THE MIDST OF A VERY DENSELY POPULATED AREA, KAI TAK HAD COPED REMARKABLY WELL WITH THE INCREASING PRESSURES OF AIR TRAFFIC GROWTH IN RECENT YEARS.
"THE GOVERNMENT HAS SPARED NO EFFORTS TO IMPROVE FACILITIES AT THE AIRPORT BUT A GREAT DEAL OF THE CREDIT MUST GO TO THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO WORK AT THE AIRPORT, SOMETIMES UNDER VERY TRYING CIRCUMSTANCES.
MRS CHAN PAID TRIBUTE TO THE DIRECTOR AND HIS STAFF AND TO THE STAFF OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, THE MARINE DEPARTMENT AND THE MANY OTHER DEPARTMENTS WHO CO-OPERATED IN ENSURING THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY AT THE AIRPORT.
"WE HAVE A RECORD OF WHICH ALL CAN BE JUSTIFIABLY PROUD,” SHE SAID.
/ALSO SPEAKING .......
FRIDAY, JULY 27, 1990
15
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE COMMISSIONING CEREMONY, THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, MR PETER LOK, NOTED THAT KAI TAK NOW HANDLED NEARLY 17.2 MILLION INTERNATIONAL PASSENGERS AND 99,700 INTERNATIONAL AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS A YEAR.
"IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT AN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OF SUCH A SCALE BE EQUIPPED WITH A MATCHING AIRCRAFT CRASH AND RESCUE SERVICE TO ENABLE US TO RESPOND TO ANY AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT OR INCIDENT OCCURRING AT, OR IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF THE AIRPORT.
"THIS WE CERTAINLY HAVE AND WE ARE PROUD OF IT, IN TERMS OF SCALE OF EQUIPMENT AND THE STANDARD OF ITS CREW," MR LOK SAID.
THE NEW RESCUE VESSEL JOINED THE EXISTING FLEET OF APPLIANCES IN KAI TAK’S AIRPORT FIRE CONTINGENT WHICH COMPRISES 10 VEHICLES AND THREE VESSELS.
IN MARCH NEXT YEAR, ANOTHER VEHICLE WILL BE ADDED TO THE FLEET. IT WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH A JACKLESS HYDRAULIC WORKING PLATFORM TO ENABLE THE FIRE-FIGHTING TEAM TO COMBAT TAIL ENGINE FIRES ON TRIJETS.
MR LOK SAID THE COMMISSIONING OF THE NEW VESSEL REPRESENTED THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO STRENGTHEN AND UPGRADE THE AIRPORT’S FIRE FIGHTING AND RESCUE CAPABILITY.
IT ALSO EPITOMISES THE CLOSE CO-OPERATION AMONG THE FIRE SERVICES, THE MARINE AND CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENTS WHO TOGETHER EVOLVE THE SPECIFICATIONS, WITH THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SUPERVISING THE CONSTRUCTION AND ACCEPTANCE TRIALS.
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PROPOSED ROAD IMPROVEMENT SCHEME IN KOWLOON CITY » * » t * * *
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO IMPLEMENT AN IMPROVEMENT SCHEME AT FU NING STREET AND SHING TAK STREET, KOWLOON CITY TO ENHANCE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION AT THE JUNCTION OF MA TAU CHUNG ROAD AND SUNG WONG TOI ROAD, WHICH IS CURRENTLY THE MOST CRITICAL JUNCTION IN THE VICINITY OF HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
THE PROPOSAL INCLUDES RECONSTRUCTION AND CONVERSION OF FU NING STREET BETWEEN MA TAU CHUNG ROAD AND SHING TAK STREET TO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND, SHING TAK STREET TO ONE-WAY SOUTHBOUND AND THE RELOCATION OF THE BUS TERMINUS IN SHING TAK STREET TO THE EASTERN SIDE OF THE ROAD IN ASSOCIATION WITH FOOTPATH WIDENING.
THE PROJECT IS SCHEDULED TO COMMENCE IN APRIL 1991 AND WILL TAKE ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS TO COMPLETE. THE EXTENT OF THE WORKS IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN AND SCHEME MAY BE INSPECTED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
/* CENTRAL AND ......
FRIDAY, JULY 27, 1990
16
» 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 CARPARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON; AND
* KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, 141-143 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, FIRST FLOOR, 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 SEP I EMBER 25, 1990.
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ANNUAL REGISTRATION FEE FOR CERTIFICATION INTRODUCED * * * * *
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THE INTRODUCTION OF AN ANNUAL FEE FOR REGISTRATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT FOR CERTIFICATION PURPOSES.
UNDER THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (FEES) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) REGULATIONS 1990 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY, A REGISTRATION FEE OF $500, WHICH WILL BE EFFECTIVE FROM AUGUST 1, 1990, IS INTRODUCED FOR PERSONS REGISTERED OR TO BE REGISTERED UNDER REGULATION 7 OF THE EXPORT (CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN) REGULATIONS.
CONCURRENTLY, THE EXPORT (CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) REGULATIONS 1990 HAVE BEEN MADE TO PROVIDE FOR REGISTRATION WITH VALIDITY NOT EXCEEDING 12 MONTHS ON PAYMENT OF THE PRESCRIBED FEE.
MANUFACTURERS APPLYING FOR CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN MUST THEREFORE BE REGISTERED WITH THE TRADE DEPARTMENT AND THE REGISTRATION MUST BE RENEWED BY THEM ANNUALLY OR IT WILL LAPSE AUTOMATICALLY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRADE DEPARTMENT SAID PAYMENT OF THE PRESCRIBED ANNUAL FEE WAS ONE OF THE CONDITIONS FOR REGISTRATION OR FOR RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION FOR CERTIFICATION PURPOSES.
"AT PRESENT, THE REGISTRATION IS FREE OF CHARGE. BUT AS IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY THAT FEES AND CHARGES SHOULD RECOVER THE COSTS OF OPERATING THE ORIGIN CERTIFICATION SYSTEM, AN ANNUAL REGISTRATION FEE NEEDS TO BE INTRODUCED IN ORDER TO RECOVER THE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS INCURRED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN REGISTERING PERSONS FOR CERTIFICATION PURPOSES," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE TRADE ADVISORY BOARD HAD BEEN CONSULTED AND SUPPORTED THE INTRODUCTION OF THE ANNUAL REGISTRATION FEE.
ANY ENQUIRIES ON THE SUBJECT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE TRADE DEPARTMENT ON TELEPHONE NUMBER 737 2480 OR 737 2489.
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FRIDAY, JULY 27, 1990
’ CIVIC EDUCATION SEMINAR FOR WOMEN *****
THE IMPACT OF DIRECT ELECTIONS ON FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY WILL BE EXPLORED AT A SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE WAYS TO ENCOURAGE WOMEN TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED.
SPEAKERS AT THE SEMINAR WILL BE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR ANDREW WONG, THE WORKER-IN-CHARGE OF CARITAS’S WOMEN DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN SHAU KEI WAN, MISS TSE YUEN-HING, AND TELEVISION PERSONALITY MS MARY CHEUNG.
THE EVENT IS A PRELUDE TO A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES AIMED AT PROMOTING CIVIC EDUCATION AMONG DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY.
ACTIVITIES TO BE HELD IN THE COMING MONTHS INCLUDE A SEMINAR FOR HAWKERS, AN AWARD SCHEME FOR OUTSTANDING YOUNG PEOPLE AND A CIVIC EDUCATION NIGHT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CIVIC EDUCATION SEMINAR TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT CLUB GRAND ON THE NINTH FLOOR OF GRAND PLAZA HOTEL, QUARRY BAY. THE EVENT WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
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APPLY NOW FOR FEE ASSISTANCE SCHEME *****
PARENTS REQUIRING FEE ASSISTANCE FOR THEIR CHILDREN ATTENDING DAY NURSERIES ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS NOW, A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
EXISTING RECIPIENTS OF SUCH ASSISTANCE ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO APPLY AGAIN.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT APPLICATION FORMS WERE AVAILABLE FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNITS AND FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES AS WELL AS ALL DAY NURSERIES.
TO FACILITATE APPLICATIONS TO BE MADE DURING THE PERIOD FROM JUNE TO AUGUST EACH YEAR, THE SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNIT, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF OPERATORS OF DAY NURSERIES, MAY ARRANGE FOR INTERVIEWS TO TAKE PLACE AT THE CENTRE CONCERNED FOR PROCESSING APPLICATIONS IN GROUPS.
/"THE AMOUNT
FRIDAY, JULY 27, 1990
- 18 -
"THE AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE PAYABLE IS CALCULATED WITH REGARD TO THE FAMILY’S NET INCOME WHICH IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE FAMILY’S TOTAL INCOME AND THE RECOGNISED RENT," HE SAID.
THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE PAYABLE WOULD BE BASED ON THE APPROVED FEES BEING CHARGED IN NON-PROFIT-MAKING DAY NURSERIES, HE ADDED.
MEANWHILE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TODAY APPROVED THE INCOME BASELINE FOR MAXIMUM ASSISTANCE BE RAISED TO ONE AND ONE-THIRD OF THE EXISTING LEVEL, EFFECTIVE FROM THE 1990-91 SCHOOL YEAR.
UNDER THIS IMPROVEMENT, FAMILIES WITH NET INCOMES AT OR BELOW ONE AND ONE-THIRD PUBLIC ASSISTANCE BASIC SCALE RATE LEVEL WILL NOT HAVE TO PAY ANY' FEES AT ALL, AND ALL REMAINING RECIPIENTS OF FEE ASSISTANCE WILL BENEFIT FROM REDUCTIONS IN THE LEVEL OF THEIR REQUIRED CONTRIBUTION.
THE FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF IMPLEMENTING THIS IMPROVEMENT MEASURE IS ESTIMATED TO BF $9.6 MILLION IN 1990/91.
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PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF MARINE STOCKPILE AREA » ♦ « * »
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CONSTRUCT A MARINE STOCKPILE AREA AT KWAI SHEK IN NORTH LANTAU.
THE AREA WILL BE USED FOR TEMPORARY STOCKPILING OF ROCK WHICH WILL BE SUBSEQUENTLY RECOVERED FOR USE FOR GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AS AND WHEN THE NEED ARISES.
THE PROPOSED WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 41.7 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEA-BED NEAR KWAI SHEK OF NORTH LANTAU.
IN TSING YI, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO GRANT A LEASE TO A CONTAINER SERVICE COMPANY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A JETTY.
THE OFFLOADING JETTY WILL BE BUILT WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 1.25 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEA-BED OFF THE EAST COAST OF TSING YI ISLAND.
ALSO, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CONSTRUCT A SLIPWAY WITHIN AN AREA OF APPROXIMATELY 367.5 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEA-BED AT MAN YEE IN SAI KUNG.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS AFFECTED WERE DESCRIBED IN NOTICES PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
/ANY PERSON .......
FRIDAY, JULY 27, 1990
- 19 -
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEA-BED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 26, 1990.
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.
MEANWHILE, AUTHORISATION HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO UNDERTAKE SEWAGE DISPOSAL WORKS IN STANLEY.
THE PERMANENT WORKS INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN EFFLUENT PIPE ACROSS TWEED BAY BEACH FROM THE PROPOSED STANLEY SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT AND THE INSTALLATION OF A SUBMARINE EFFLUENT OUTFALL TO LINK WITH THE COASTAL EFFLUENT PIPE.
THE TEMPORARY WORKS COMPRISE WORKS ON THE TWEED BAY FORESHORE AREA, DREDGING AND BACKFILLING OF THE SEA-BED WITHIN THE LIMITS SHOWN IN THE GAZETTE NOTICE.
BOTH WORKS WILL BE CARRIED OUT WITHIN AN AREA OF APPROXIMATELY 39 HECTARES INCLUDING THE FORESHORE AT TWEED BAY AND THE SEA-BED BETWEEN TWEED BAY AND THE MOUTH OF TAI TAM BAY.
THE WORK WILL COMMENCE IN LATE THIS YEAR AND WILL BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF 1992.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTD WAS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE OF AUTHORISATION PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEA-BED INVOLVED WILL BE INJURIOUSLY AFFECTED BY THE ABOVE UNDERTAKING MAY DELIVER TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION ON OR BEFORE JULY 26, 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.
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/20........
FRIDAY, JULY 27, 1990
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TAX RELIEF FOR APPROVED CHARITABLE DONATIONS ♦ * * ♦ ♦
A REVISED LIST OF CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS AND TRUSTS WHICH HAVE, AS AT MAY 31 THIS YEAR, BEEN RECOGNISED AS EXEMPT FROM TAX UNDER SECTION 88 OF THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THIS REVISED LIST SUPERSEDES ALL PREVIOUS LISTS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT SAID.
"THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE PROVIDES, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN LIMITATIONS, TAX RELIEF FOR PERSONS WHO MAKE DONATIONS OF MONEY TO ANY CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS OR TRUST OF A PUBLIC CHARACTER WHICH IS EXEMPT UNDER SECTION 88 OF THE ORDINANCE," THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
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YAU TSIM TO LAUNCH FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN
*****
THE 1990-91 YAU TSIM DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN, WHICH FOCUSED ON THE THEME OF "JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND HOME SECURITY", WILL BE LAUNCHED THIS SUNDAY (JULY 29) AFTERNOON.
IT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD AND DISTRICT OFFICE.
AN OPENING CEREMONY, WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM, WILL BE OFFICIATED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD, MR YIP WAH; DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WONG HON-HO; POLICE REGIONAL COMMANDER, KOWLOON, MR PETER LEE LAM-CHUEN; ACTING POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, YAU TSIM, MR HARRY BLUD; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR YANG TZE-KIANG.
A VARIETY SHOW FEATURING PERFORMANCES BY A MARCHING BAND AND POPULAR SINGERS WILL BE STAGED. ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS WILL BE "ROBOTCOP".
AN EXHIBITION ON CRIME PREVENTION WILL ALSO BE HELD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1990-91 YAU TSIM DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON SUNDAY (JULY 29) AT THE NEW WORLD PLAZA, TSIM SHA TSUI.
/21 .......
II'IDAY, JULY 27, 1990
LEISURE AND ENTERTAINMENT LEAD TO A RELIEF OF STRESS
*****
LEISURE AND ENTERTAINMENT ACTIVITIES ARE AN ESSENTIAL MEANS TO HELP RELAX AND RELIEVE BUSY PEOPLE OF HONG KONG FROM STRESS, THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR A.K. CHUI, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE LEISURE AND HOBBY EXPO *90 AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, MR CHUI SAID MANY PEOPLE TOOK PART TN VARIOUS KINDS OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AND CULTIVATED THEIR INTEREST AFTER WORK TO IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH AND WORK EFFICIENCY.
QUOTING THE FINDINGS OF A RECENT SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WHICH ORGANISED THE EXPO, MR CHUI SAID SPORTS WERE ONE OF THE MOST FAVOURABLE PASTIMES OF HONG KONG PEOPLE, WITH JOGGING, CYCLING, SWIMMING, SAILING, WINDSURFING, CAMPING, FOOTBALL AND SQUASH BEING THE MOST POPULAR.
ON THE INCREASING CONSCIOUSNESS OF L AL PEOPLE ON HEALTH AND FITNESS, MR CHUI SAID INDOOR FITNESS EXERCISES WERE GROWING IN POPULARITY, LEADING TO A MUSHROOMING OF FITNESS CLUBS AND GYMNASIA.
"KARAOKE, THE LATEST FAD, HAS ALSO BECOME A POPULAR PASTIME AMONG OUR YOUTHS AND FAMILIES ALIKE," MR CHUI ADDED.
MR CHUI SAID OTHER FAVOURABLE HOBBIES INCLUDED DANCING, SINGING, FLYING KITES, PHOTOGRAPHY, MARTIAL ARTS, PHILATELY, ROCK CLIMBING, POTTERY PRODUCTION AND CHESS GAMES.
FURTHERMORE, HONG KONG PEOPLE WERE AVID TRAVELLERS. MR CHUI SAID STATISTICS SHOWED THAT LOCAL PEOPLE HAD MADE MORE THAN 20 MILLION TRIPS OVERSEAS LAST YEAR.
MR CHUI CONGRATULATED THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL FOR ITS SUCCESS IN ORGANISING THE EXPO WHICH HAD ATTRACTED MORE THAN 100 EXHIBITORS TO TAKE PART.
- - 0 - -
SUSPENSION OF PAK SHA WAN CAR PARK
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 8 AM ON SUNDAY (JULY 29) TO 6 PM ON AUGUST 10, THE PAK SHA WAN CAR PARK WHICH IS LOCATED AT NORTH OF THE JUNCTION OF HIRAM’S HIGHWAY WITH THE ACCESS ROAD TO PAK SHA WAN FERRY PIER, IN SAI KUNG, WILL BE SUSPENDED.
THE ARRANGEMENT IS TO FACILITATE THE HOLDING OF THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES IN CELEBRATION OF THE KWUN YUM FESTIVAL.
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/22
FRIDAY, JULY 27, 1990
- 22 -
WATER CUT IN KOWLOON WEST
*****
PHISHING WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN KOWLOON WEST WILL J AM TO 9 PM ON SUNDAY (JULY 29 > TO FACILITATE
BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM TO 9 PM
WATER WORKS.
CHI
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT CERTAIN PREMISES AT LAI CMPIINC SHA WAN SO UK, TAI WO PING, SHEK KIP MEI, YAU YAT CHUEN, SHUT TO TAI KOK TSUI, MONGKOK, BROADCAST DRIVE, MARCONI FESSENDEN RoId/a SECTION OF LUNG CHEUNG ROAD BETWEEN NAM STREET AND LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD, AND BEACON HEIGHTS.
KOK,
SHAM ROAD, CHEONG
---------o-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, JULY 28, 1990
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
GOVT STATEMENT ON BRITISH NATIONALITY SCHEME ...............................
HOME ENVIRONMENT DRIVE TO BE LAUNCHED ......................................
TUEN MUN HOSPITAL TO START A & E SERVICES ..................................
ENVIRONMENT HK 1990 AVAILABLE FOR SALE .....................................
POLICE TO FACE OTHER CHALLENGES ............................................
STUDENTS SEE WORLD OF WORK .................................................
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS ..................................
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TOLL LANE IN LION ROCK TUNNEL .........................
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN KOWLOON TONG ..............................
SATURDAY, JULY 28, 1990
1 GOVT STATEMENT ON BRITISH NATIONALITY SCHEME * * * *
IN ANSWER TO QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CHINESE STATEMENT ON THE BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TONIGHT (SATURDAY) SAID: ’’THE CHINESE POSITION ON THE BRITISH NATIONALITY SCHEME IS ALREADY WELL-KNOWN.
"AS MR MAUDE EXPLAINED DURING HIS VISIT, THE ONLY AIM OF THE BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT 1990 IS TO PROVIDE ASSURANCES TO KEEP PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WHO ARE OF CRUCIAL IMPORTANCE TO MAINTAINING ITS STABILITY AND PROSPERITY IN THE LONG RUN.
"WE HAVE MADE CLEAR MANY TUES THAT THERE IS NOTHING IN THE ACT WHICH CONTRAVENE THE JOINT DECLARATION OR THE ASSOCIATED EXCHANGE OF MEMORANDA.
"THE KEY POINT IS THAT RECIPIENTS OF BRITISH CITIZENSHIP UNDER THE ACT WILL HAVE ABSOLUTE ASSURANCE OF THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM."
------0-------
HOME ENVIRONMENT DRIVE TO BE LAUNCHED *****
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WILL BE LAUNCHING A TERRITORY-WIDE CAMPAIGN NEXT MONTH (AUGUST) TO REMIND THE PUBLIC OF THE IMPORTANCE OF A BETTER HOME ENVIRONMENT FOR GOOD HEALTH.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (SATURDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE "LOOK AFTER OUR HOME ENVIRONMENT DRIVE”, UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, AIMED TO HIGHLIGHT THE SIGNIFICANCE AND NEED OF KEEPING A CLEAN AND TIDY LIVING ENVIRONMENT SO AS TO SECURE A HAPPY AND HEALTHY LIFE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE HOT AND HUMID SUMMER IN HONG KONG FAVOURED THE BREEDING OF HARMFUL PESTS LIKE RATS, FLIES AND COCKROACHES.
AN UNCLEAN ENVIRONMENT, HE ADDED, WOULD FURTHER ACCELERATE THEIR PROLIFERATION WHICH MIGHT RESULT IN THE SPREAD OF GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASES SUCH AS CHOLERA, DYSENTERIES, TYPHOID FEVER AND FOOD POISONING.
”ON THE CONTRARY, A CLEAN ANT) HEALTHY LIVING ENVIRONMENT WOULD NOT ONLY MINIMISE THE SPREAD OF THESE DISEASES BUT WOULD ALSO ENHANCE OUR MENTAL HEALTH,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
DURING THE MONTH-LONG CAMPAIGN, A RADIO ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST (APT) WILL BE BROADCAST. EDUCATIONAL LITERATURES SUCH AS POSTERS, LEAFLETS AND STICKERS WILL ALSO BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE MANAGEMENT OF LARGE HOUSING ESTATES, OWNERS’ INCORPORATIONS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND SCHOOLS.
/THESE PUBLICITY .......
SATURDAY, JULY 28, 1990
- 2 -
THESE PUBLICITY MATERIALS ARE ALSO OBTAINABLE FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICES (ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE) OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
TO KEEP A CLEAN AND HEALTHY HOME ENVIRONMENT, THE SPOKESMAN APPEALED TO THE PUBLIC TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING MEASURES:
♦ DO NOT LITTER. REFUSE SHOULD BE PUT INTO A DUSTBIN WITH A PROPER COVER AND DISPOSED OF AT LEAST ONCE A DAY.
» KEEP THE COMMON AREAS OF BUILDINGS CLEAN. BULKY ARTICLES AND JUNK SHOULD BE REMOVED T > NEARBY REFUSE COLLECTION POINTS FOR DISPOSAL.
* REPAIR IMMEDIATELY ANY CHOKED OR DEFECTIVE DRAINAGE PIPES; AND
♦ TAKE GOOD CARE OF ONE’S DOGS. FOULING OF STREET AND THE COMMON AREAS OF BUILDINGS IS AN OFFENCE EXCEPT IN AREAS SET ASIDE AS LATRINE AREAS FOR DOGS.
"WE SHOULD RIGHT NOW JOIN HANDS IN A DRIVE TO LOOK AFTER OUR HOME ENVIRONMENT, WHICH IN TURN WOULD MAKE HONG KONG A CLEANER AND HAPPIER PLACE TO LIVE IN," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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TUEN MUN HOSPITAL TO START A & E SERVICES t * ♦ t »
ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICES AT TUEN MUN HOSPITAL WILL START ON A 9 AM TO 5 PM BASIS EVERY DAY FROM NEXT MONDAY (JULY 30), THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY).
IT IS INTENDED TO EXTEND THE SERVICES TO 12 HOURS A DAY IN JANUARY 1991 AND 24 HOURS IN JULY 1991, SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE INTRODUCTION OF THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICES WOULD BE PHASED IN TO MATCH THE BUILDUP OF SPECIALLY BEDS TO ACCOMMODATE ADMISSION CASES AND THE AVAILABILITY OF SUFFICIENT ANCILLARY FACILITIES.
RESIDENTS IN THE REGION WHO REQUIRE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICES OUTSIDE THE OPENING HOURS OF THE TUEN MUN HOSPITAL’S ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT CAN GO TO POK 01 HOSPITAL, YAN 01 POLYCLINIC, LADY TRENCH POLYCLINIC AND PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL WHERE 24-HOUR ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICES ARE PROVIDED.
’’THESE PATIENTS WILL BE REFERRED TO PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL FOR ADMISSION IF HOSPITALISATION IS ADVISED BY THE DOCTORS OF ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/THE COMMISSIONING
SATURDAY, JULY 28, 1990
THE COMMISSIONING OF THE 1,606-BED TUEN MUN HOSPITAL IS BEING CARRIED OUT IN FIVE PHASES. THE FIRST PHASE WAS OPENED BETWEEN MARCH 8 AND APRIL 2 THIS YEAR.
IT IS PLANNED TO OPEN PHASE TWO IN LATE 1990/EARLY 1991 AND TO PROCEED WITH SUCCESSIVE PHASES UNTIL THE “HOSPITAL IS IN FULL OPERATION IN LATE 1992.
- - 0 - -
ENVIRONMENT HK 1990 AVAILABLE FOR SALE *****
THE CHINESE VERSION OF ENVIRONMENT HONG KONG 1990 - AN ANNUAL REPORT PUBLISHED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE FROM MONDAY (JULY 30).
PACKED WITH DIAGRAMS AND PICTURES, THE 143-PAGE REPORT GIVES AN ACCOUNT OF THE MANY AND VARIED ACTIVITIES OF THE GOVERNMENT IN THE FIELD OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DURING 1989.
THE ENGLISH VERSION OF THE REPORT HAS BEEN AVAILABLE FOR SALE SINCE JUNE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR EPD SAID THE YEAR 1989 WAS A MILESTONE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WITH THE PUBLICATION OF THE "WHITE PAPER ON POLLUTION IN HONG KONG - A TIME TO ACT", THE FIRST COMPREHENSIVE STATEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMMES AND POLICIES IN THE TERRITORY’S HISTORY.
THE WHITE PAPER SPELLS OUT THE GOVERNMENT’S TARGETS AND OBJECTIVES IN ALL THE MAIN AREAS OF POLLUTION FOR THE NEXT DECADE. PROGRESS ON SOME OF THE INITIATIVES IS REPORTED IN ENVIRONMENT HONG KONG 1990.
TO CATER FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SIMPLY A GENERAL CONCERN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, A CHAPTER HAS BEEN INCLUDED WHICH DESCRIBES IN NON-TECHNICAL TERMS THE WORK CARRIED OUT BY THE GOVERNMENT IN THE FIELD OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
FOR READERS WHO ARE MORE INTERESTED IN SPECIFIC TOPICS, THERE ARE SEPARATE CHAPTERS COVERING WATER AND WASTES, AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT, NOISE, ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND ASSESSMENT.
A NEW CHAPTER ON ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND AWARENESS HAS ALSO BEEN INTRODUCED TO REFLECT THE INCREASING CONCERN ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN THE COMMUNITY.
CHINESE VERSION OF ENVIRONMENT HONG KONG 1990 IS AVAILABEL AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AT $20 A COPY FROM MONDAY.
_ _ 0 - -
SATURDAY, JULY 28, 1990
4
POLICE TO FACE OTHER CHALLENGES
*****
APART FROM THEIR TRADITIONAL DUTIES, POLICE OFFICERS HAVE TO FACE UP TO OTHER CHALLENGES, SOME OF WHICH WILL STEM FROM THE VERY PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG ITSELF AT THIS TIME.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, MAJOR GENERAL PETER DUFFELL, WHEN HE TOOK THE SALUTE AT A PASSING OUT PARADE AT THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL IN WONG CHUK HANG TODAY (SATURDAY).
MAJOR GENERAL DUFFELL POINTED OUT THAT POLICE OFFICERS MIGHT FIND THEMSELVES DEALING WITH SMUGGLING AND TRIAD ACTIVITIES, DEMONSTRATIONS AND CROWD CONTROL, OR THE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THE INFLUX OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE OR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
NOTING THAT THE FORCE WOULD SOON START TO TAKE OVER NEW DUTIES ON THE BORDER FROM THE MILITARY, HE TOLD THE GRADUATING OFFICERS THAT HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE SORT OF QUALITIES FIRST INSTILLED IN THEIR BASIC TRAINING WOULD STAND IT IN GOOD STEAD AS IT DID SO.
"YOUR WHOLE RANGE OF DUTIES WILL TEST YOUR PHYSICAL COURAGE AND MENTAL ROBUSTNESS, YOUR RESTRAINT AND PATIENCE, YOUR JUDGEbffiNT AND COMPASSION," HE SAID.
"IF YOU ACT WITH COMMON SENSE, APPLY THE PRINCIPLES THAT YOU HAVE LEARNT DURING TRAINING AND USE YOUR CONSIDERABLE POWERS WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR, YOUR CONDUCT CAN ONLY EARN THE RESPECT AND TRUST OF THE COMMUNITY YOU SERVE.”
■ WT’-
POINTING OUT THE MAINTAINING OF LAW AND ORDER AND THE PROTECTION OF INDIVIDUALS’ RIGHTS AND PROPERTY WERE AT THE HEART OF A POLICE OFFICER'S DUTIES, THE CBF SAID THAT THEIR ACHIEVEMENT WAS A FUNDAMENTAL REQUIREMENT OF A CIVILISED SOCIETY - THEY WERE NEEDS THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG CARED ABOUT VERY MUCH INDEED.”
IN CONCLUSION, MAJOR GENERAL DUFFELL ADVISED THE GRADUATES TO RISE TO THE CHALLENGE THAT THEY WOULD FACE IN THE COMING YEARS AND SERVE THE FORCE AND THE TERRITORY WITH COURAGE AND HONOUR.
ON PARADE TODAY WERE 32 INSPECTORS AND 113 CONSTABLES WHO HAVE COMPLETED THEIR TRAINING.
- - 0 - -
STUDENTS SEE WORLD OF WORK * ♦ * ♦
MORE THAN 720 STUDENTS FROM 25 SECONDARY SCHOOLS HAD A FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE ON THE REAL WORKING LIFE OF HONG KONG IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS THROUGH VISITS ARRANGED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
SINCE APRIL, THEY HAD VISITED 26 ESTABLISHMENTS IN VARIOUS SECTORS UNDER THE SECOND PHASE OF THE DEPARTMENT’S WORK ORIENTATION PROGRAMME THIS YEAR.
THESE INCLUDED
SATURDAY, JULY 28, 1990
5
THESE INCLUDED BROADCASTING COMPANIES, BANKS, HOTELS, AIRLINES, NEWSPAPERS, LIBRARIES, FACTORIES, PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES, TRAINING INSTITUTES AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
’’THE PROGRAMME IS AIMED AT HELPING STUDENTS GAIN A REALISTIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD OF WORK THROUGH VISITS TO WORK PLACES,” SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE), MR LEUNG LIT-CHEONG EXPLAINED.
HE ADDED THAT DURING THE VISITS, STUDENTS WERE GIVEN A GUIDED TOUR OF FACILITIES AND WERE BRIEFED ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE COMPANIES’ ORGANISATION AND STRUCTURE, EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AND RECRUITMENT PROCEDURES.
MR LEUNG ALSO NOTED THAT THE PROGRAMME HAD RECEIVED VERY FAVOURABLE RESPONSE FROM BOTH THE PARTICIPATING STUDENTS AND CAREERS TEACHERS.
HE QUOTED ONE TEACHER AS SAYING: "THE VISITS ARE VERY
INFORMATIVE AND VERY USEFUL TO STUDENTS AND WE WOULD LIKE TO
PARTICIPATE IN MORE SUCH VISITS IN THE FUTURE.”
”A STUDENT ALSO ADMITTED THAT AFTER VISITING A HOTEL, HE HAD
COME TO KNOW WHAT IT WAS LIKE WORKING THERE AND HAD EXPRESSED
INTEREST IN THE WORK OF A RECEPTIONIST,” HE SAID.
IN VIEW OF THE FAVOURABLE RESPONSE, MR LEUNG SAID THE CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE WOULD ORGANISE MORE VISITS IN THE NEXT SCHOOL TERM.
"WE WILL ALSO BE READY TO HELP THOSE STUDENTS SEEKING ADVICE ON CAREERS AFTER ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE RESULTS OF THIS YEAR’S MAJOR PUBLIC EXAMINATION.
"YOUNG PEOPLE IN NEED OF CAREERS GUIDANCE ARE WELCOME TO VISIT THE FOUR CAS CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRES WHICH ARE EACH EQUIPPED WITH AN AUDIO-VISUAL UNIT AND A REFERENCE LIBRARY CONTAINING UP-TO-DATE CAREERS MATERIALS," HE SAID.
THE CENTRES ARE LOCATED AT:
SOUTHORN CENTRE, 16TH FLOOR,
130 HENNESSY ROAD,
WAN CHAI.
TEL. 835 2044
TO KWA WAN MARKET AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES, NINETH FLOOR, 165 MA TAV WAI ROAD, TO KWA WAN.
TEL. 715 3635
TAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR,
16 TSUN WEN ROAD,
TUEN MUN.
TEL. 463 6855
CHANWAY SHOPPING CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, SHOP 8B,
11-17 SHA TIN CENTRE STREET,
SHA 'DN.
TEL. 601 5101
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/6 ........
SATURDAY, JULY 28, 1990
FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR * *
6 -
FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS
* * *
LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND RESIDENTS’ BODIES IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT CAN NOW APPLY TO THE DISTRICT BOARD FOR SUBSIDIES TO ORGANISE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS.
"APPLICATIONS CAN BE MADE TO THE DB’S COMMUNITY BUILDING AND AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, WHICH HAS SET ASIDE $162,000 FOR SPONSORING ACTIVITIES FOR THE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL AND THE LUNAR NEW YEAR," A DB SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE SEVEN AREAS IN THE DISTRICT HAVE EACH BEEN ALLOCATED $20,000 TO $35,000, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
MEANWHILE, THE COMMITTEE IS ALSO INVITING LOCAL ORGANISATIONS TO APPLY FOR SUBSIDIES FOR ORGANISING DISTRICT-BASED COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES.
THOSE INTERESTED MAY REFER TO THE GUIDELINES ON APPLICATIONS FOR SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS FOR DETAILS.
COPIES OF THE GUIDELINES, TOGETHER WITH APPLICATION FORMS, CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE COMMITTEE’S SECRETARY, SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, 7-11 NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN CENTRE.
ALL APPLICATIONS MUST REACH THE SECRETARY BY AUGUST 13.
"THE COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER THE APPLICATIONS AT ITS MEETING ON SEPTEMBER. 3. APPLICANTS WILL BE INFORMED OF THE RESULTS OF THEIR APPLICATIONS IN WRITING," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 554 0271.
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TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF TOLL LANE IN LION ROCK TUNNEL
* * * * »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM MONDAY (JULY 30) UNTIL LATE DECEMBER THIS YEAR, ONE TOLL LANE IN LION ROCK TUNNEL WILL BE CLOSED ALTERNATIVELY TO TRAFFIC TO FACILITATE EQUIPMENT INSTALLATION WORKS.
— — — — u — — — —
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT IN KOWLOON TONG » ♦ t ♦ ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (JULY 30) FOR A PERIOD OF ABOUT TWO AND A HALF MONTHS, THE SECTION OF LANCASHIRE ROAD BETWEN OXFORD ROAD AND LA SALLE ROAD TN KOWLOON TONG WILL BE RE-ROUTED FROM TWO-WAY OPERATION TO ONE-WAY WESTBOUND TO FACILITATE ROAD WORKS.
DURING THE ABOVE PERIOD, MOTORISTS ON OXFORD ROAD HEADING FOR NGA TSIN WAI ROAD ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA LANCASHIRE ROAD WESTBOUND, CAMBRIDGE ROAD, HAMPSHIRE ROAD, OXFORD ROAD, DURHAM ROAD, LA SALLE ROAD AND NGA TSIN WAI ROAD.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, JULY 29, 1990
CONTENTS
NATIONALITY PACKAGE AIMS AT KEEPING PEOPLE IN HK ............................. INCREMENTAL POINT FOR WARD STEWARDS APPROVED ................................. COMPLAINTS ABOUT INACCURATE WEIGHING AND MEASURING INSTRUMENTS INCREASED ... POLICE ARRESTED 1,113 PEOPLE IN 3,519 RAIDS IN JUNE .......................... FINALE CONCERT TO CLOSE THE YOUTH MUSIC CAMP ................................. CLEAN BEACH SHOW AT REPULSE BAY .............................................. AIDS EDUCATION CAMP FOR YOUTH - A SUCCESS .................................... OVER 267,000 HIGHER OLD AGE ALLOWANCE RECIPIENTS ............................. SENIOR CITIZENS ADVISED TO BE CAUTIOUS OF BOGUS SWD STAFF .................... VARIETY SHOW PUTS ACROSS FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE ................................. •SOUTHERN DISTRICT IN PERSPECTIVE’ CONTEST.................................... PHOTO CONTEST ON TAI PO ENVIRONMENT........................................... DRUG ADDICT PROBLEM ON DB AGENDA ............................................. DB TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS ............................................. CAREERS EDUCATION SECTION TO EXTEND SERVICE HOURS ............................ TEN NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES AWARDED ......................................... CAR TESTING CENTRES FOR LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES ................................. TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHAM SHUI PO ............................... URBAN CLEARWAY IN YAU MA TEI ................................................. PARTIAL LANE CLOSURE OF TUEN MUN ROAD ........................................ TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE IN SHA TIN ............................................ TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TAI PO.................................................
PAGE NO.
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SUNDAY, JULY 29, 1990
1
NATIONALITY PACKAGE AIMS AT KEEPING PEOPLE IN HK * * * * *
THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF THE NATIONALITY PACKAGE IS TO PROVIDE SECURITY FOR PEOPLE TO STAY IN HONG KONG, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID LAST (SATURDAY) NIGHT AT THE AIRPORT BEFORE DEPARTING FOR FIVE WEEKS' LEAVE IN SCOTLAND.
HE SAID HE DID HOPE THAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT COULD UNDERSTAND THIS AS MR MAUDE HAD EXPLAINED TO THEM IN PEKING.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT THE STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY ON THE NATIONALITY PACKAGE WAS VERY MUCH WHAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN SAYING BEFORE AND HE DID NOT THINK THERE WERE ANY PARTICULAR NEW POINTS IN IT.
THE KEY THING ABOUT A BRITISH PASSPORT UNDER THAT PACKAGE WAS THAT IT WOULD GIVE THE PERSON THE TOTAL RIGHT TO GO AND SETTLE IN BRITAIN AND THE HOPE WAS, WITH THAT SECURITY, PEOPLE WOULD WANT TO STAY IN HONG KONG, SIR DAVID SAID.
"I HOPE IT WILL GIVE THEM THAT SENSE OF SECURITY," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID HE THOUGHT THE PEOPLE WHO HAD THE PASSPORTS WOULD ACTUALLY WANT TO STAY IN HONG KONG BECAUSE THEY KNEW THAT IF NECESSARY THEY COULD GO AND SETTLE ELSEWHERE.
"THEY WILL ALSO REALISE THAT HONG KONG IS A PLACE WHICH IS VERY WORTH STAYING IN IT, A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN MAKE A SUCCESS OF YOUR OWN LIFE. THIS PLACE IS WHERE, AFTER ALL, MOST HONG KONG PEOPLE WANT TO STAY IF THEY POSSIBLY CAN."
ON THE QUESTION WHETHER IT WAS POSSIBLE FOR THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO STOP PEOPLE USING THE BRITISH PASSPORTS, SIR DAVID SAID THE JOINT DECLARATION DID MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THERE WOULD BE FREEDOM TO MOVE IN AND OUT OF HONG KONG.
IT ALSO SAID QUITE CLEARLY THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE ABLE TO USE PASSPORTS ISSUED BY FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS, HE ADDED.
HE SAID THAT HE WOULD BE GOING TO MEET THE NEW MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, LORD CAITHNESS IN OXFORDSHIRE AT THE END OF HIS LEAVE.
SIR DAVID SAID HE WOULD BRIEF HIM ON THE SITUATION IN HONG KONG AND TO ASK HIM TO VISIT HONG KONG AS SOON AS HE COULD SO THAT HE COULD GET UP-TO-DATE PERSONALLY ON WHAT’S HAPPENING IN HONG KONG.
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/2 ........
SUNDAY, JULY 29, 1990
2
INCREMENTAL POINT FOR WARD STEWARDS APPROVED
♦ * * * »
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED A PROPOSAL FOR WARD STEWARDS TO PROCEED ONE SALARY POINT ON COMPLETION OF ONE YEAR’S SATISFACTORY SERVICE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID WARD STEWARDS WERE CURRENTLY RENUMERATED AT A FIXED SALARY PEGGED AT POINT 5 OF THE MASTER PAY SCALE ($5,515).
’’AFTER THE APPROVAL GIVEN BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE SALARY OF WARD STEWARDS WILL PROCEED TO POINT 6 ($5,875) ON COMPLETION OF ONE YEAR’S SATISFACTORY SERVICE.
"THIS WILL SERVE AS AN INTERIM MEASURE PENDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY."
THE WARD STEWARD SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED BY THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT LAST AUGUST INTO BUSY WARDS IN MAJOR HOSPITALS TO HELP RELIEVE WARD STAFF OF THEIR NON-CLINICAL AND NON-PROFESSIONAL DUTIES.
"THE SCHEME HAS BEEN CONTRIBUTING WELL TO MAXIMISE PROFESSIONAL STAFF RESOURCES SO AS TO ACHIEVE BETTER PATIENT CARE.
"THE SCHEME HAS BEEN CLOSELY MONITORED AND REVIEWED BY A STEERING COMMITTEE WHICH COMPRISES NURSES, DOCTORS AND HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
"THE STEERING COMMITTEE HAS BEEN RECEIVING POSITIVE AND ENCOURAGING FEEDBACKS. DOCTORS AND NURSES APPRECIATE THE HELP OF WARD STEWARDS. THEY CAN NOW BETTER CONCENTRATE ON THEIR PROFESSIONAL AND CLINICAL DUTIES AND PROVIDE BETTER CARE FOR PATIENTS."
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE ABOUT 110 WARD STEWARDS WORKING IN THE FOUR REGIONAL HOSPITALS: QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL, QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL, PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL AND PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL. THEY ALSO WORK IN THE TWO PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS: CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL AND KWAI CHUNG HOSPITAL.
THE DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY LAUNCHED ANOTHER ROUND OF RECRUITMENT EXERCISES TO EMPLOY ABOUT 70 MORE WARD STEWARDS. THE NEW RECRUITS WILL BE POSTED TO THE SIX MAJOR HOSPITALS.
"OUR PLAN IS THAT EVENTUALLY ALL BUSY WARDS WITH 34 BEDS OR MORE IN MAJOR HOSPITALS WILL EACH BE SERVED BY ONE WARD STEWARD," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/WARD STEWARDS .......
SUNDAY, JULY 29, 1990
3 -
U'\: I) STEWARDS WORK A FIVE-AND-A-HALF-DAY WEEK FOR EIGHT HOURS A DAY BETWEEN 8 AM - 6 PM.
"NEW RECRUITS GO THROUGH A SIX-DAY INDUCTION PROGRAMME BEFORE THEY START TO WORK IN THE WARDS. THE PROGRAMME AIMS TO BRIEF THEM ON THEIR DUTIES AND TO FAMILIARISE THEM WITH THE WARD SITUATION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ALL PERSONS BELOW 45 YEARS OF AGE WHO HOLD A HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION WITH FIVE PASSES AND SPEAK FLUENT CANTONESE CAN APPLY FOR THE JOB. THE FIVE PASSES INCLUDE ENGLISH LANGUAGE (SYLLABUS A).
--------0-----------
COMPLAINTS ABOUT INACCURATE WEIGHING AND MEASURING INSTRUMENTS INCREASED *****
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT HAS PROSECUTED 27 TRADERS FOR OFFENCES UNDER THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ORDINANCE WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1, 1989.
A TOTAL FINE OF $63,050 WAS IMPOSED. WRITTEN WARNINGS WERE ALSO SERVED ON 37 TRADERS.
PRINCIPAL TRADE CONTROLS OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT’S TRADING STANDARDS INVESTIGATION BUREAU, MR ANDREW WONG, SAID CUSTOMERS HAD BECOME MORE AWARE OF THEIR RIGHT TO REPORT MALPRACTICES CONCERNING WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
HE SAID THIS WAS REFLECTED IN THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT TRADERS USING INACCURATE WEIGHING AND MEASURING INSTRUMENTS OR GIVING SHORT WEIGHT, WHICH HAS GONE UP FROM SIX IN JANUARY TO 22 IN JUNE THIS YEAR.
"WE RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 106 COMPLAINTS IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, COMPARED TO ONLY 47 DURING THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD SO FAR RECEIVED 200 COMPLAINTS SINCE THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES ORDINANCE CAME INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1, 1989.
"OF THESE COMPLAINTS, 64 WERE SUBSTANTIATED, 93 WERE NOT SUBSTANTIATED AND THE OTHERS ARE STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION."
APART FROM CONDUCTING ENQUIRIES INTO COMPLAINTS, THE DEPARTMENT CARRIED OUT 343 SPOT CHECKS IN DIFFERENT DISTRICTS IN THE SAME PERIOD.
/THE LATEST .......
SUNDAY, JULY 29, 19
4
THE I TEST CASES INVOLVED A SEAFOOD RETAILER, A FRUIT HAWKER AND AN OPERATOR OF A ROAST MEAT RESTAURANT, WHO WERE FINED A TOTAL OF $6,000 FOR USING INACCURATE WEIGHING INSTRUMENTS.
THE DEFENDANTS, WHO ALL PLEADED GUILTY TO THE CHARGES, WERE MR LAU MAN.. A SEAFOOD RETAILER OF LUEN HING FISH STALL AT YUE KWONG MARKET, YUE KWONG ROAD, ABERDEEN; MR CHAM KAM-MAN, A FRUIT HAWKER OF A STALL IN FA YUEN STREET, MONG KOK; AND MR YIU TAI-HO, THE MANAGING PARTNER OF TAK CHEONG ROASTER MEAT RESTAURANT ON THE GROUND FLOOR, 21 TAI WING LANE, TAI PO HUI, THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN ALL THESE CASES, THE DEFENDANTS’ WEIGHING INSTRUMENTS WERE FOUND TO BE INACCURATE ON PRELIMINARY CHECKS.
TESTS BY THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY LATER REVEALED THAT THE HIGHEST ERRORS OF THEIR WEIGHING INSTRUMENTS RANGED FROM 9.4 PER CENT TO 28.13 PER CENT IN EXCESS OF THE ACTUAL WEIGHTS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID 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 ON 714 6146 OR THE CONSUMER COUNCIL.
HE SAID COMPLAINTS COULD ALSO BE MADE TO DUTY OFFICERS OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT ON 862 3185 AFTER NORMAL OFFICE HOURS.
---------0-----------
POLICE ARRESTED 1,118 PEOPLE IN 3,519 RAIDS IN JUNE
*****
POLICE CONTINUED THEIR THREE-PRONGED ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST DRUGS, ILLEGAL GAMBLING AND VICE ACTIVITIES LAST MONTH, RESULTING IN THE ARREST OF 1,113 PEOPLE IN 3,519 RAIDS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT DURING THE MONTH, 131 PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED IN 309 RAIDS ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 699 PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED IN 2,952 RAIDS IN KOWLOON AND 269 PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED IN 225 RAIDS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN ADDITION, NARCOTICS BUREAU OFFICERS ARRESTED 14 PEOPLE IN 33 ANTI-DRUG OPERATIONS.
IN THEIR SUSTAINED EFFORTS AGAINST VICE ACTIVITIES, POLICE ARRESTED 123 PEOPLE IN 2,709 RAIDS AND SEIZED 533 PRONOGRAPHIC VIDEO TAPES AND NINE OBJECTIONABLE MAGAZINES.
ON THE ANTI-GAMBLING FRONT, POLICE CONDUCTED 86 RAIDS AND ARRESTED 473 PEOPLE, SEIZING $163,000 IN TABLE MONEY AND BETTING SLIPS WORTH ABOUT $525,000.
POLICE ALSO CARRIED OUT 724 RAIDS AND ARRESTED 517 PEOPLE IN THEIR FIGHT AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING IN JUNE. THE DRUGS SEIZED INCLUDED 8.93 KILOGRAMS OF NO.3 HEROIN, 8.5 KILOGRAMS OF NO. 4 HEROIN, 237 GRAMS OF OPIUM, 342 GRAMS OF CANNABIS, AND 5.12 GRAMS OF MORPHINE.
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/5
5
SUNDAY, JULY 29, 1990
FINALE CONCERT TO CLOSE THE YOUTH MUSIC CAMP ♦ * * » »
A GRAND FINALE CONCERT TO MARK THE CLOSING OF THE TWO-WEEK 1990 HONG KONG YOUTH MUSIC CAMP WAS HELD AT THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE CONCERT HALL THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
MORE THAN 200 LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MUSICIANS FROM AUSTRALIA, CANADA, UNITED STATES AND OTHER COUNTRIES TOOK PART IN THE CONCERT.
THE FINALE CONCERT REPRESENTED THE CULMINATION OF HARD WORK BY THE INSTRUCTORS AND PARTICIPANTS AT THE MUSIC CAMP HELD AT LEI YUE MUN PARK.
IT ALSO PROVIDED THE PARTICIPANTS WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEMONSTRATE IN PUBLIC THE INTENSIVE TRAINING THEY HAD RECEIVED IN THE CAMP.
THE TWO-HOUR CONCERT FEATURED CHINESE AND WESTERN PIECES INCLUDING ’GENERAL’S COMMAND’, ’THE FIVE HEROES OF LANG YA MOUNTAIN’, AND ’THEMES FROM 007’.
------0--------
CLEAN BEACH SHOW AT REPULSE BAY » » » » «
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, ESPECIALLY BEACH-GOERS, WERE URGED TO KEEP HONG KONG BEACHES CLEAN IN A SHOW HELD AT REPULSE BAY TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE EVENT WAS ORGANISED BY THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE AS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS YEAR’S KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN CAMPAIGN.
"TO ACHIEVE A CLEANER AND THUS, A BETTER ENVIRONMENT, KEEPING BEACHES CLEAN MUST NOT BE NEGLECTED," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID.
"HOWEVER, INDISCRIMINATE LITTERING CAN STILL BE COMMONLY SEEN ON MANY BEACHES, MANY OF WHICH ARE FACING SERIOUS POLLUTION PROBLEMS," HE ADDED.
FOR THE PAST 17 MONTHS ENDING THIS MAY, THERE WERE ALREADY 87 REPORTED CASES OF LITTERING ON BEACHES IN THE URBAN AREAS WHILE THERE WERE 184 SUCH CASES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT IT WAS NOT SOLELY THE
GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY BUT ALSO THE FULL SUPPORT OF
COMMUNITY THAT WAS NEEDED TO ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM AND BETTER THE ENVIRONMENT.
/THE ONE-AND-HALF .......
SUNDAY, JULY 29, 1990
6
THE ONE-AND-HALF HOUR SHOW, FEATURING A VARIETY OF PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR SINGERS AND DISC JOCKEYS, WAS PRODUCED AND BROADCAST LIVE BY COMMERCIAL RADIO II.
DURING THE SHOW, THE NEED TO DISPOSE OF REFUSE PROPERLY IN THE LITTER BINS PROVIDED ON BEACHES WAS EMPHASISED AND BEACH-GOERS WERE ASKED TO SHARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF KEEPING THE BEACHES CLEAN AFTER ENJOYING THE FACILITIES.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE MEMBERS OF THE JOINT URBAN COUNCIL/REGIONAL COUNCIL KEEP HONG KONG CLEAN STEERING COMMITTEE, MR FUNG KWONG-CHUNG AND MR LAI KWOK-IU, AND ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER (SOUTHERN), MR DAVID LEUNG.
---------0-----------
AIDS EDUCATION CAMP FOR YOUTH - A SUCCESS
♦ ♦♦♦♦»
THE SUCCESS OF AN AIDS EDUCATION CAMPAIGN REQUIRES NOT ONLY A CONCERTED EFFORT FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES BUT ALSO THE SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, A MEMBER OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON AIDS, THE REV ALFRED J. DEIGNAN, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE END OF A TWO-DAY AIDS EDUCATION CAMP FOR YOUTH, HE SAID IN THE ABSENCE OF A CURE FOR THE DISEASE, THE ONLY AND EFFECTIVE WAY TO TACKLE THE ISSUE WAS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC.
THE AIMS OF THE CAMP, HE ADDED, WERE TO AROUSE AWARENESS AMONG THE YOUNGER GENERATION ABOUT THE RISK OF HIV INFECTION AND ITS RELATION TO SEXUAL PRACTICES; TO EDUCATE THEM THAT AIDS CAN BE PREVENTED BY RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOURS; TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO JOIN IN THE EFFORT TO STOP HIV INFECTION BY TAKING PART IN AIDS EDUCATION ACTIVITIES AND TO FOSTER A SYMPATHETIC AND SUPPORTIVE ATTITUDE AMONG THE COMMUNITY TOWARDS AIDS PATIENTS AND CARRIERS.
’’ALTHOUGH THE AIDS PROBLEM IN HONG KONG AT PRESENT IS COMPARATIVELY SPEAKING NOT SERIOUS, WE SHOULD NOT BE COMPLACENT,” REV DEIGNAN SAID. ’’PREVENTIVE MEASURES MUST BE TAKEN AND TAKEN EARLY. OTHERWISE, THE SITUATION MIGHT DETERIORATE TO WHAT CAN BE SEEN IN OTHER CONTINENTS.”
HE CALLED ON THOSE, WHO PARTICIPATED IN VARIOUS ACTIVITIES IN THE CAMP, TO HELP SPREAD THE HEALTH MESSAGES OR WHAT THEY HAD LEARNED IN THE PAST TWO DAYS TO ECHO THE THEME OF THE CAMP -- "OUR LIVBS, OUR WORLD -- LET’S TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER”.
REV DEIGNAN THANKED THOSE ORGANISATIONS TAKING PART FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND PRAISED THE YOUTHS FOR THE EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE AND TEAM WORK WHICH MADE THE EVENT A GREAT SUCCESS.
/SOME 70 ......
SUNDAY, JULY 29, 1990
7
SOME 70 YOUTHS, AGED BETWEEN 16 AND 25, TOOK PART IN THE CAMP, ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE AIDS COUNSELLING AND HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION AND THE HONG KONG CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES.
ACTIVITIES OF THE CAMP, HELD AT THE SAI KUNG OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTRE, INCLUDED TALKS ON AIDS, GAMES AND COMPETITIONS.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HEALTH DR T.A. SAW, PRESENTED PRIZES TO WINNERS OF THE COMPETITIONS. ALSO PRESENT WAS MR DAVID LEE OF THE HONG KONG CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES.
---------0---------
OVER 267,000 HIGHER OLD AGE ALLOWANCE RECIPIENTS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ t *
VETERAN MOVIE AND TELEVISION ARTISTE SHEK KIN HAS BEEN DONATING HIS OLD AGE ALLOWANCE FOR CHARITY PURPOSE DURING THE PAST SIX YEARS, DESPITE HIS RENOWNED "VILLAINY” ON THE SCREEN.
UNCLE KIN, AGED 78, AND HIS WIFE, ARE AMONG MORE THAN 267,000 SENIOR CITIZENS RECEIVING THE HIGHER OLD AGE ALLOWANCE - $393 PER MONTH.
LIVING IN A WELL-FURNISHED ELAT, UNCLE KIN SAID: "THOUGH THE AMOUNT IS NOT FOUND TO BE A NEED TO US, WE TREAT IT AS AN OFFICIAL RECOGNITION OF OUR RIPE AGE AND OUR CONTRI BUT ION TO THE COMMUNITY IN THE PAST.
"MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN DONATING OUR ALLOWANCE TO CHARITY ORGANISATIONS, KNOWING THAT IT WILL BE MORE MEANINGFUL TO OTHERS IN NEED OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE," UNCLE KIN ADDED.
ON THE EXISTING ELDERLY SERVICE, HE SAID A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT HAD BEEN MADE IN THE PAST DECADE, ADDING THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN ATTACHING IMPORTANCE TO THE WELFARE OF SENIOR CITIZENS.
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (SUNDAY) POINTED OUT THAT ANY PERSON, AGED 70 OR ABOVE, IS ELIGIBLE FOR A HIGHER OLD AGF ALLOWANCE WITHOUT ANY MEANS TEST.
"THE QUALIFYING AGE FOR OLD AGE ALLOWANCE HAS BEEN LOWERED TO 67 SINCE APRIL 1989 AND WILL RE FURTHER LOWERED TO 65 BY PHASES IN 1991," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT PAID OUT MORE THAN $1,124 FINANCIAL YEAR FOR HIGHER OLD AGE ALLOWANCE AND EXPENDITURE FOR THE ALLOWANCE FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL $1,324 MILLION, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
MILLION LAST
THE ESTIMATED
YEAR IS ABOUT
ANYONE, WHO HAVE ENQUIRIES ON THE MATTER, COULD APPROACH THE 34 SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNITS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, OR CALL THE SWD HOTLINE 313 2255. ’
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/8 ........
SUNDAY, JULY 29, 1990
- 8 -
SENIOR CITIZENS ADVISED TO BE CAUTIOUS OF BOGUS SWD STAFF ******
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (SUNDAY) ADVISED THE PUBLIC, PARTICULARLY SENIOR CITIZENS, TO BE CAUTIOUS OF PEOPLE WHO IMPERSONATED OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
THE ADVICE WAS GIVEN BECAUSE SWD RECENTLY RECEIVED A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS IN WHICH SENIOR CITIZENS WHO WERE RECEIVING SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS WERE BEING CHEATED OF MONEY RY UNSCRUPULOUS PEOPLE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "THE DEPARTMENT’S SERVICES IN MAKING ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS ARE ENTIRELY -FREE OF CHARGE.
"TO PROTECT YOUR INTEREST, YOU SHOULD NOT HAND OVER ANY MONEY TO OUR STAFF, NOR ANY CASH COUPONS OR BANK PASSBOOKS TO ANY STRANGERS," HE EMPHASISED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ALL SWD STAFF CARRIED DEPARTMENTAL IDENTITY CARDS. "AND IN CASE OF DOUBT, YOU SHOULD ASK THEM TO SHOW YOU THESE CARDS TO PROVE THEIR IDENTITY, OR ENQUIRE AT THE SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNIT WHERE YOUR CASE IS REGISTERED."
"REMEMBER THAT IT IS ALWAYS SAFE TO DEAL WITH PAYMENT MATTERS IN OUR OFFICES OR IN FRONT OF A WITNESS WHO IS WELL FAMILIAR TO YOU," HE ADDED.
-----0-----
VARIETY SHOW PUTS ACROSS FIGHT CRIME MESSAGE
*****
THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS IN YAU TSIM DISTRICT ATTENDED A ’FIGHT CRIME’ VARIETY SHOW AT THE NEW WORLD PLAZA THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE SHOW, WITH THE THEME "JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND FAMILY EDUCATION TO COMBAT YOUTH CRIMES AND HOME SECURITY", MARKED THE OPENING OF THE 1990-91 YAU TSIM DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR YANG TZE-KIANG, SAID A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES HAD BEEN ORGANISED TO PUT ACROSS ANTI-CRIME MESSAGES.
"ONE OF THESE WILL BE A CRIME PREVENTION SURVEY IN SEPTEMBER.
"THIS WILL BE CONDUCTED AMONG JEWLLERY SHOPS, HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, DEPARTMENT STORES AND KARAOKES IN THE DISTRICT TO LOOK INTO AREAS WHERE CRIME PREVENTION CAN BE IMPROVED," MR YANG SAID.
POSTERS WITH FIGHT CRIME THEMES IN RELATION TO PICKPOCKETING AND INDECENT ASSAULT CASES WOULD BE PUT UP IN MTR STATIONS IN THE DISTRICT, MR YANG ADDED.
/MR YANG .......
SUNDAY, JULY 29, 1990
9 -
MR YANG NOTED THAT A LARGE-SCALE FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL WOULD 3E HELD IN DECEMBER.
TODAY’S SHOW FEATURED PERFORMANCES BY A SILVER BAND AND POPULAR SINGERS AND THE APPEARANCE OF A "ROBOTCOP".
IT WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY T E YAU TSIM DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD AND DISTRICT OFFICE.
ALSO PRESENT AT THE CEREMONY WERE THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR YIP WAH; DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WONG HON-HO; POLICE REGIONAL COMMANDER, KOWLOON, MR PETER LEE LAM-CHUEN; AND ACTING POLICE DISTRICT COMMANDER, YAU TSIM, MR HARRY BLUD.
------0-----------
’SOUTHERN DISTRICT IN PERSPECTIVE’ CONTEST * * * * *
COMMUNITY CENTRES, SCHOOLS AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT ARE INVITED TO ENTER TEAMS IN A LOCAL AFFAIRS STUDY CONTEST ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT’S COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION.
CO-ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE "SOUTHERN DISTRICT IN PERSPECTIVE" CASE STUDY CONTEST AIMS AT ENHANCING LOCAL PEOPLE’S INTERESTS AND KNOWLEDGE IN DISTRICT AFFAIRS.
PEOPLE WHO LIVE, WORK OR STUDY’ IN THE DISTRICT ARE ALSO WELCOME TO FORM TEAMS, EACH OF WHICH SHOULD COMPRISE AT LEAST FOUR MEMBERS, TO TAKE PART IN THE CONTEST.
CONTESTANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO CARRY OUT A RESEARCH PROJECT ON AN ISSUE RELATED TO THE DISTRICT, SUCH AS HOUSING, TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT, EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES, CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL AMENITIES, ENVIRONMENT, DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES, SOCIAL SERVICES, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROGRAMMES, CIVIC AWARENESS, LAW AND ORDER AS WELL AS TRADES.
AN ADJUDICATING PANEL WILL SELECT 10 TEAMS FOR THE FINALS.
THE FINALISTS WILL EACH PRODUCING A SLIDE SHOW TO PRESENT TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 2 SO AS TO EDUCATION DAY.
THE FIRST THREE WINNING PRIZES WHILE THE OTHER FINALISTS
BE GIVEN A SUBSIDY OF $500 FOR THEIR FINDINGS AT AN OPEN SYMPOSIUM TIE IN WITH THE TERR I TORY-WI DE CIVIC
TEAMS WILL BE AWARDED ATTRACTIVE ILL BE GIVEN SOUVENIRS.
/ENTRY FORMS .......
SUNDAY, JULY 29, 1990
- 10 -
ENTRY FORMS FOR THE CONTEST ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS AUGUST 10.
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CALL 552 1006.
----------------0-------- PHOTO CONTEST ON TAI PO ENVIRONMENT *****
PEOPLE LIVING, STUDYING OR WORKING IN TAI PO ARE INVITED TO JOIN A PHOTO COMPETITION ON THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT.
THE COMPETITION, ORGANISED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT WORKING GROUP ON WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY, AIMS AT AROUSING PEOPLE’S CONCERN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND PROMOTING CIVIC AWARENESS.
IT WILL BE DIVIDED INTO THE STUDENT AND OPEN SECTIONS. WINNERS WILL BE AWARDED CAMERAS AND TROPHIES.
ALL ENTRIES SHOULD BE COLOUR PICTURES MEASURING 20 CM X 25 CM (8 INCH X 10 INCH). THERE WILL BE NO RESTRICTIONS ON THE NUMBER OF ENTRIES.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS SEPTEMBER 14. TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 657 7111 EXT. 247.
DRUG ADDICT PROBLEM ON DB AGENDA *****
MEMBERS OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD WILL DISCUSS AT A MEETING ON TUESDAY (JULY 31) THE ABUSE OF DRUGS BY ADDICTS NEAR THE ROBERT BLACK METHADONE CLINIC AND UNDERNEATH THE CHOI HUNG ROAD FLYOVER IN SAN PO KONG.
THEY WILL ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO REVIEW ITS METHADONE SERVICE WITH SPECIAL REGARD TO MANAGEMENT PROBLEM.
THE PROBLEM OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT WORKERS IN HONG KONG WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED.
IN ADDITION, THEY WILL DISCUSS THE PREPARATION OF A LIST OF TOURIST SPOTS IN WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT FOR OMELCO’S STANDING PANEL ON COMMUNITY AND NEW TERRITORIES AFFAIRS.
/OTHER ITEMS .......
SUNDAY, JULY 29, 1990
- 11 -
OTHER ITEMS ON THE AGENDA INCLUDE THE CHANGE OF MEMBERSHIP OF THE BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE AND PROVISION OF A DISTRICT OPEN SPACE AT TAI HOM.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY (JULY 31) AT FUNG MING HALL, SIK SIR YUEN, WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM.
---------0------------
DB TO CONSIDER FUND APPLICATIONS ♦ ♦ * ♦ *
THE CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET ON TUESDAY (JULY 31) TO CONSIDER A NUMBER OF DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS APPLICATIONS FROM LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
THE FUNDS, TOTALLING ABOUT $83,000, WILL BE USED FOR SINGING, DANCING AND SWIMMING CLASSES; AN ATHLETIC MEET; A SOCCER MATCH; A SWIMMING GALA AND A BADMINTON COMPETITION.
THE LATEST FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE COMMITTEE AND THE SAI KUNG DISTR ICT BOARD FUNDS WILL ALSO BE DISCUSSED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE MEETING ON TUESDAY (JULY 31) IN THE BOARD’S CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 34 CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 10 AM.
------0--------
CAREERS EDUCATION SECTION TO EXTEND SERVICE HOURS
THE CAREERS EDUCATION SECTION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL EXTEND ITS OPENING HOURS FROM AUGUST 7 TO 10 FOR SECONDARY 5 STUDENTS WISHING TO SEEK COUNSELLING AND GUIDANCE ON THEIR CHOICE OF CAREERS AND STUDIES, AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
STUDENTS CAN GET ACCESS TO MATERIALS ON OPPORTUNITIES FOR FURTHER STUDIES AND 'IRAI NING, \ND INFORMATION ON VARIOUS PROFESSIONS AT THE SECTION IN ROOM 105, LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY, HE SAID.
/NORMAL OPENING
SUNDAY, JULY 29, 1990
- 12 -
NORMAL OPENING HOURS OF THE SECTION ARE: 9.30 AN TO 12.30 PM AND 2.30 PM TO 4.30 PM FROM MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS, AND 9.30 AM TO 11.45 AM ON SATURDAYS.
FROM NEXT TUESDAY TO AUGUST 10 THE SECTION WILL BE OPEN WITHOUT A BREAK FROM 8.30 AM TO 6 PM.
---------0-----------
TEN NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES AWARDED ******
TEN NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES (GMB) SERVING DISTRICTS IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL COME INTO OPERATION BY THE END OF SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, A SPOKESMAN FOR THF TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE INTRODUCTION OF THESE ROUTES IS A RESULT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUING EFFORT TO IDENTIFY AREAS WHERE GMB SERVICES CAN USEFULLY BE INTRODUCED SO AS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES.
THE 10 ROUTES FORMED PART OF THE 11 PACKAGES COMPRISING 15 NEW PROPOSED GMB ROUTES ANNOUNCED IN FEBRUARY. THEY WILL SERVE SHAM SHU1 PO, MONG KOK, YAU TS1M DISTRICT, SHA TIN, TSUEN WAN AND NORTH DISTRICT. APPLICATIONS TO OPERATE THESE ROUTES WERE INVITED ON FEBRUARY 16 AND A TOTAL OF 19 APPLICTIONS HAD BEEN RECEIVED WHEN THE INVITATION CLOSED ON MARCH 6.
NO APPLICATIONS WERE RECEIVED FOR FIVE ROUTE PACKAGES SERVING YUEN LONG DISTRICT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE CURRENT SELECTION PROCESS ALLOWED APPLICANTS TO ASSESS THE VIABILITY OF ANY NEW GMB ROUTES. THIS LIMITED THE POSSIBILITY THAT UNPROFITABLE ROUTES WOULD BE INTRODUCED.
THE GREEN MINIBUS OPERATORS SELECTION BOARD HAS JUST COMPLETED THE SELECTION AND HAS CHOSEN OPERATORS FOR SIX PACKAGES COMPRISNG THE 10 ROUTES.
WHEN MAKING ITS SELECTION, THE BOARD HAD TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE APPLICANTS’ EXPERIENCE IN PUBLC LIGHT BUS AND GREEN MINIBUS OPERATION, FINANCIAL RESOURCES, THE APPLICANT’S MANAGEMENT RIGHTS OVER THE VEHICLES, THE MAINTENANCE RECORD OF THE VEHICLES, THE AGE OF THE VEHICLES TO BE DEPLOYED AND ANY PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT LOCAL FACTORS.
"AS ONLY ONE OPERATOR CAN BE SELECTED FOR ANY PARTICULAR PACKAGE OF GREEN MINIBUS SERVICE, THE FACT THAT AN APPLICANT IS UNSUCCESSFUL MERELY IMPLIES THAT, ON THIS OCCASION, ANOTHER APPLICANT IS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD TO BE MORE SUITABLE. IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT HE IS NOT QUALIFIED TO OPERATE A GREEN MINIBUS SERVICE OR WOULD IT AFFECT HIS FUTURE APPLICATIONS," THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
/ALL APPLICANTS .......
SUNDAY, JULY 29, 1990
- 13 -
ALL APPLICANTS WILL BE INFORMED OF THE RESULTS OF THEIR APPLICATIONS AND UNSUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WILL BE NOTIFIED PRIOR TO THE SUCCESSFUL ONES. THIS ARRANGEMENT WILL ALLOW TIME FOR UNSUCCESSFUL BIDDERS TO MAKE FURTHER REPRESENTATIONS TO THE SELECTION BOARD, HE ADDED.
IF AN UNSUCCESSFUL APPLICANT CONSIDERS THERE IS NEW EVIDENCE WHICH MERITS THE BOARD TO RECONSIDER HIS APPLICATION, HE SHOULD SEND HIS LETTER BY REGISTERED MAIL TO THE SECRETARY OF THE GREEN MINIBUS OPERATORS SELECTION BOARD, TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT 28TH FLOOR, HIGH BLOCK, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 3, 1990.
------0--------
CAR TESTING CENTRES FOR LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES CAN BE INSPECTED AT 14 OF THE 17 DESIGNATED CAR TESTING CENTRES FOR PRIVATE VEHICLES FROM WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 1).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THREE CAR TESTING CENTRES WOULD NOT PROVIDE INSPECTION SERVICES FOR LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES BECAUSE OF INSUFFICIENT SPACE.
THE THREE CAR TESTING CENTRES ARE DAH CHONG HONG (MOTOR SERVICE CENTRE) LTD. AT QUARRY BAY; BMW CONCESSIONARIES (HK) LTD. AT TO KWA WAN AND M.D. MOTORS LTD. AT ABERDEEN.
UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE, OWNERS OF ALL LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES SIX YEARS OLD OR MORE, WHO REQUIRE A NEW LICENCE COMMENCING ON OR AFTER NOVEMBER 1, 1990, ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT THEIR VEHICLES FOR INSPECTION AT ANY DESIGNATED CAR TESTING CENTRE FOR THE ISSUE OF A CERTIFICATE OF ROADWORTHINESS AS A .PRE-REQUISITE FOR LICENCE RENEWAL.
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TEMPORARY TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN SHAM SHUI PO
»»»»*»
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT A SECTION OF LAI CHI KOK ROAD BETWEEN YEN CHOW STREET AND NAM CHEONG STREET WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC AT THE FOLLOWING PERIODS OF TIME TO FACILITATE THE DEMOLITION OF A FOOTBRIDGE AT THE JUNCTION OF LAI CHI KOK ROAD AND PEI HOI STREET:
* LAI CHI KOK ROAD WESTBOUND BETWEEN YEN CHOW STREET AND NAM CHEONG STREET WILL BE CLOSED FROM 12 MIDNIGHT TO 6 AM FROM TUESDAY (JULY 31) TO SATURDAY (AUGUST 4).
/* LAI CHI .........
SUNDAY, JULY 29, 1990
14
* LAI CHI KOK ROAD EASTBOUND BETWEEN YEN CHOW STREET AND NAM
CHEONG STREET WILL BE CLOSED FROM 1.30 AM TO 5.30 AM FROM
THURSDAY (AUGUST 2) TO FRIDAY (AUGUST 3).
DURING THE ABOVE PERIODS, MOTORISTS FROM LAI CHI KOK ROAD
WESTBOUND EAST OF NAM CHEONG STREET HEADING FOR LAI CHI KOK ROAD
WESTBOUND WEST OF NAM CHEONG STREET ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA LAI CHI KOK ROAD WESTBOUND, NAM CHEONG STREET SOUTHBOUND AND YEE KUK STREET WESTBOUND.
MOTORISTS FROM LAI CHI KOK ROAD EASTBOUND WEST OF YEN CHOW STREET HEADING FOR LAI CHI KOK ROAD EASTBOUND EAST OF YEN CHOW STREET ARE ADVISED TO TRAVEL VIA LAI CHI KOK ROAD EASTBOUND, YEN CHOW STREET SOUTHBOUND, TUNG CHAU STREET EASTBOUND, NAM CHEONG STREET NORTHBOUND AND REJOIN LAI CHI KOK ROAD EASTBOUND.
APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
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URBAN CLEARWAY IN YAU MA TEI * * » » »
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JULY 31), THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF DUNDAS STREET IN YAU MA TEI WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY.
* THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF DUNDAS STREET FROM ITS
JUNCTION WITH PORTLAND STREET TO A POINT OF ABOUT 17 METRES
TO THE WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION;
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF DUNDAS STREET FROM ITS
JUNCTION WITH PORTLAND STREET TO A POINT ABOUT 12 METRES TO
THE WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
* THE SECTION OF DUNDAS STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH PORTLAND STREET TO'a POINT OF ABOUT 43 METRES TO THE EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
CONCURRENTLY, THE EXISTING URBAN CLEARWAY FOR GOODS VEHICLES FROM 7 AM TO 10 AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM DAILY AT THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF DUNDAS STREET WILL BE CANCELLED.
* THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF DUNDAS STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH PORTLAND STREET TO A POINT OF ABOUT 17 METRES TO THE WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
» THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF DUNDAS STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH PORTLAND STREET TO A POINT OF ABOUT 43 METRES TO THE EAST OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
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/15 .......
SUNDAY, JULY 29. 1990
- 15 -
PARTIAL LANE CLOSURE OF TUEN MUN ROAD * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THREE TRAFFIC LANES OF THE TUEN MUN BOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF TUEN MUN ROAD NEAR SHAM TSENG INTERCHANGE WILL BE CLOSED IN TURN FROM 9.30 PM ON TUESDAY (JULY 31) TO 6 AM ON AUGUST 2 TO FACILITATE ROAD RESURFACING WORKS.
CLOSURE OF TWO TRAFFIC LANES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM 9.30 PM TO 6 AM OF THE FOLLOWING DAY WHILE ONE TRAFFIC LANE WILL BE CLOSED FOR THE REST OF THE PERIOD.
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TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE IN SHA TIN
♦ ♦ » » ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF SHING MUN TUNNELS ROAD IN SHA TIN WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC TO FACILITATE ROAD INSPECTION:
♦ THE TSUEN WAN BOUND SLOW LANE NEAR PAK TIN FOR A SECTION OF ABOUT 200 METRES WILL BE CLOSED FROM 9.30 AM ON TUESDAY (JULY 31) TO 4.30 PM ON WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 1).
» THE SHA TIN BOUND SLOW LANE NEAR PAK TIN FOR A SECTION OF ABOUT 200 METRES WILL BE CLOSED FROM 9.30 AM ON THURSDAY (AUGUST 2) TO 4.30 PM ON FRIDAY (AUGUST 3).
* THE SHA TIN BOUND SLOW LANE NEAR MEI LAM ESTATE FOR A SECTION OF ABOUT 200 METRES WILL BE CLOSED FROM 9.30 AM ON MONDAY (AUGUST 6) TO 4.30 PM ON TUESDAY (AUGUST 7).
MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO DRIVE WITH CARE AND PATIENCE. APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AIDS WILL BE SET UP TO GUIDE MOTORISTS.
------U-------
TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS IN TAI PO * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY (JULY 31), THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW AT TING KOK ROAD.
THE RIGHT-TURN MOVEMENT FROM DAI FAT STREET NORTHBOUND TO TING KOK ROAD EASTBOUND WILL BE BANNED.
THE LEFT-TURN MOVEMENT FROM TING KOK ROAD WESTBOUND TO DAI FAT STREET SOUTHBOUND WILL BE BANNED.
MOTORISTS ON TING KOK ROAD WESTBOUND FOR TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE ARE ADVISED TO USE DAI KWAI STREET.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
MONDAY, JULY 30, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HSD TO SET UP EXPERT GROUP ON SAFE USE OF MEDICAL GAS .............................. 1
CHINESE MUSIC UNITES PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS ............................... 2
DB TO STUDY OIL LEAKAGE REPORT .............................................
WATER STORAGE FIGURE .......................................................
WATER CUT IN SHAM SHUI PO .......................................................... 4
AMENDMENT OF FERRY OPERATING HOURS ................................................. 4
CANCELLATION OF KMB ROUTE 82X ...................................................... 4
URBAN CLEARWAY IN SAI KUNG .................................................
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE IN SHA TIN ..........................................
MONDAY, JULY 30,
1990
HSD TO SET UP EXPERT GROUP ON SAFE USE OF MEDICAL GAS *****
A SPECIAL EXPERT GROUP IS BEING SET UP BY THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (HSD) TO ADVISE ON THE SAFE PRACTICE IN ANAESTHESIOLOGY AND WILL HOLD A MEETING WITHIN THIS WEEK, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
THE GROUP, TO BE CHAIRED BY A CONSULTANT ANAESTHETIST, WILL BRING TOGETHER THE TOP EXPERTS IN THE FIELD FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND THE SUBVERTED SECTORS AND THE ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS.
THEY WILL LOOK INTO THE SAFE PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE IN THE USB OF MEDICAL GAS IN HOSPITALS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID THAT AS THIS IS TO DO WITH PATIENT CARE, THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE INCIDENT INVOLVING THE USE OF NITROUS OXIDE AT THE CARITAS MEDICAL CENTRE. A FULL-SCALE INVESTIGATION IS NOW UNDERWAY.
"ACTION, BOTH ON INVESTIGATION AND PRACTICABLE PREVENTIVE MEASURES, WERE TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE HSD WAS ALERTED LAST FRIDAY (JULY 27) AFTERNOON TO THE INCIDENT.
"THE HSD PROMPTLY DREW THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF ALL GOVERNMENT, SUBVENTED AND PRIVATE HOSPITALS URGING THEM TO EXERCISE EXTRA CARE IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF ANAESTHETIC," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
CONCURRENTLY, THE SUPPLIER, HONG KONG OXYGEN AND ACETYLENE CO. LTD, WAS INFORMED OF THE INCIDENT AND HSD OBTAINED AN ASSURANCE FROM THE MANAGEMENT THAT ITS STAFF WOULD BE CONDUCTING EMERGENCY CHECKS ON ALL CYLINDERS IN EACH HOSPITAL.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT HSD HAS BEEN IN CLOSE LIAISON WITH THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT (FSD), THE AUTHORITY FOR GAS SAFETY, TO ENSURE THE CORRECT LABELLING AND SAFE SUPPLY OF MEDICAL GASES TO ALL HOSPITALS.
ADDRESSING CONCERN OVER POSSIBLE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE LATEST INCIDENT AND THE CASE INVOLVING A MIX-UP OF OXYGEN AND NITROGEN, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE CIRCUMSTANCES WERE DIFFERENT.
"THE PREVIOUS CASE INVOLVED THE CENTRAL SUPPLY SYSTEM WHILE THE PRESENT CASE INVOLVED AN INDIVIDUAL CYLINDER ATTACHED TO AN ANAESTHETIC MACHINE.
"THE WORKING PARTY TO REVIEW THE SAFETY SYSTEM AND PROCEDURES OF THE HONG KONG OXYGEN AND ACETYLENE CO. LTD, SET UP IN THE FSD AFTER THE UNFORTUNATE CASE INVOLVING THE OXYGEN MIX-UP, HAS ALREADY COMPLETED ITS REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE BEING STUDIED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
/"THE RECOMMENDATIONS .......
MONDAY, JULY 30, 1990
2
"THE RECOMMENDATIONS REQUIRE THOROUGH EXAMINATION BECAUSE OF THE COMPLEXITY OF THE SUBJECT.
"NEVERTHELESS, GUIDELINES ON THE HANDLING OF OXYGEN SUPPLY FOR MEDICAL USE HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO ALL HOSPITALS IN ORDER TO ENSURE PATIENT SAFETY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT ENQUIRIES BY THE FSD INTO THE LATEST INCIDENT WERE CONTINUING IN CONJUNCTION WITH ALL PARTIES CONCERNED.
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CHINESE MUSIC UNITES PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS * * t * *
CHINESE MUSIC HAS TAKEN ON A DIFFERENT MEANING THESE DAYS TO THE PEOPLE IN VANCOUVER. IT ACTS TO CONNECT AND UNITE PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS.
THESE CHANGES WERE PARTICULARLY EVIDENT FOLLOWING THE VISIT OF A GROUP OF 66 TALENTED YOUNG MUSICIANS FROM THE HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA TO VANCOUVER LAST SUNDAY (JULY 22). THE GROUP IS CURRENTLY ON A TWO-WEEK GOODWILL CONCERT TOUR OF NORTH AMERICA.
"WE ARE HERE TO INTRODUCE LOVELY CHINESE MUSIC TO OUR FRIENDS IN THE WESTERN COMMUNITY," MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR OF THE MUSIC OFFICE, MRS AGNES ALLCOCK, WHO ORGANISED THE TOUR, SAID.
THE ORCHESTRA HAS GIVEN FOUR HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL CONCERTS IN VANCOUVER INCLUDING ONE AT THE PRESTIGIOUS ORPHEUM THEATRE ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 25).
IT ENTHRALLED AUDIENCES, CHINESE AND WESTERNERS ALIKE, WITH RENDITIONS OF BOTH TRADITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY CHINESE MUSIC INTERPRETED ON ETHNIC CHINESE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, SOME OF WHICH HAVE A HISTORY OF OVER 3,000 YEARS.
"I HAVE NEVER HEARD CHINESE MUSIC BEFORE AND 1 DIDN’T KNOW THAT IT COULD BE SO BEAUTIFUL," AN IMPRESSED CANADIAN SAID AFTER LISTENING TO THE ORCHESTRA’S PERFORMANCE AT THE SEA FESTIVAL ON LAST TUESDAY NIGHT (JULY 24).
THE CONCERT AT THE ORPHEUM WAS PRESENTED BY THE HONG KONG -CANADA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION AND THE VANCOUVER DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL SOCIETY AND WAS ATTENDED BY SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM THE PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE CONCERT, THE COMMISSIONER FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE OF HONG KONG, MRS SHELLEY LAU, SAID THE HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA’S VISIT WAS ONLY THE BEGINNING OF A SERIES OF CULTURAL EXCHANGES PLANNED FOR HONG KONG AND CANADA.
/"ALL THESE .......
MONDAY, JULY 30, 1990
- 3 -
’’ALL THESE EXCHANGES WILL NO DOUBT FOSTER CLOSER TIES BETWEEN CANADA AND HONG KONG AND STRENGTHEN THE BOND THAT ALREADY EXISTS FOR MUTUAL BENEFIT,” MRS LAU SAID.
MRS LAU’S VIEW WAS SHARED BY PREMIER WILLIAM VANDER ZALM OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AND DEPUTY MAJOR SANDRA WILKING OF THE CITY OF VANCOUVER.
”WE ARE THRILLED BY THE TREMENDOUS RESPONSE TO OUR PERFORMANCES BY THE CANADIAN AUDIENCES,” MRS ALLCOCK SAID.
”WE HAVE HAD FULL HOUSES AND STANDING OVATIONS EVERYWHERE WE GO. IT IS WONDERFUL TO SEE HOW MUCH JOY AND HAPPINESS OUR YOUNG MUSICIANS HAVE BROUGHT TO THE PEOPLE OF VANCOUVER,” SHE ADDED.
A COLOURFUL BOOKLET INTRODUCING THE VARIOUS EXOTIC CHINESE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS WAS SPECIALLY PRODUCED FOR THE TOUR THROUGH DHL AND HAD PROVED TO BE EXTREMELY POPULAR.
THE ORCHESTRA LEFT VANCOUVER FOR SAN FRANCISCO LAST SATURDAY (JULY 28) AND WILL CONTINUE ITS GOODWILL VISIT IN CALIFORNIA.
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DB TO STUDY OIL LEAKAGE REPORT
» » » ♦ *
THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD WILL STUDY THE REPORT ON THE OIL LEAKAGE INCIDENT AT THE MOBILE DEPOT ON TSING YI ISLAND IN MAY AT A MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
MEMBERS WILL ALSO LOOK INTO THE IMPACT OF HEAVY RAIN ON ROAD CONDITIONS AND TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS IN THE DISTRICT AND WORK OUT MEASURES TO PREVENT FLOODING.
THEY WILL ASK IF THERE HAS BEEN ANY IMPROVEMENT TO THE AIR QUALITY IN THE DISTRICT FOLLOWING THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE AIR POLLUTION (FUEL RESTRICTION) REGULATION.
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDE SAFETY MEASURES FOR CONTAINERS CARRYING CHEMICALS, A SURVEY ON PRIVATE HOUSING, AND THE LOCAL POLICE STRENGTH.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD MEETING WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, 10TH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG.
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/4 ........
MONDAY, JULY 30, 1990
4
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
*****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 50.1 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 293.792 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 342.387 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 58.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
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WATER CUT IN SHAM SHUI PO
» » » »
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 1) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT CERTAIN PREMISES BOUNDED BY KIU KIANG STREET, CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, KWEILIN STREET AND KOWLOON ROAD, INCLUDING CASTLE PEAK ROAD, UN CHAU STREET, FUK WING STREET, FUK WA STREET AND YEN CHOW STREET.
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AMENDMENT OF FERRY OPERATING HOURS
» * » » «
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 1), THE OPERATING HOURS OF THE HONGKONG AND YAUMATI FERRY CO. LTD PASSENGER FERRY SERVICE FROM CENTRAL TO TAI KOK TSUI WILL BE CHANGED TO OPERATE BETWEEN 6.40 AM AND 8 PM FROM MONDAYS TO SATURDAYS AND BETWEEN 6.40 AM AND 7.35 PM ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
------0--------
CANCELLATION OF KMB ROUTE 82X
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT KMB NEW TERRITORIES EXPRESS ROUTE 82X (CITY ONE SHA TIN - KOWLOON TONG MTR STATION) WILL BE CANCELLED FROM WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 1).
AT THE SAME TIME, KMB NEW TERRITORIES URBAN ROUTE 88M (HIN KENG - KOWLOON TONG MTR STATION) WILL BE EXTENDED FROM SOMERSET ROAD TO SUFFOLK ROAD IN KOWLOON TONG.
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/5 ........
MONDAY, JULY 30, 1990
URBAN CLEARWAY IN SAI KUNG *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT FROM 10 AM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) THE OFFSIDE LANE OF CHAN MAN STREET IN SAI KUNG WILL BE DESIGNATED AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 10 AM TO 9 PM DAILY.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS THERE.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE CURRENT 7 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY RESTRICTION IN CHAN MAN STREET WILL BE CANCELLED.
ALSO, THE CARPARK ALONG HIRAM’S HIGHWAY ABOUT 500 METRES NORTH OF THE JUNCTION OF THE HIGHWAY WITH THE ACCESS ROAD TO PAK SHA WAN FERRY PIER WILL BE DESIGNATED A 24-HOUR URBAN CLEARWAY FOR GOODS VEHICLES ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
ALL GOODS VEHICLES, EXCEPT THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE PROHIBITED ZONE DURING THE SPECIFIED PERIOD.
- - 0 - -
TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURE IN SHA TIN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT DAILY BETWEEN 8 PM AND 6 AM THE NEXT DAY FROM WEDNESDAY (AUGUST 1) TO AUGUST 9, A SECTION OF ABOUT 600 METRES OF SHA TIN ROAD SOUTHBOUND NEAR TSANG TAI UK WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC ONE LANE AT A TIME TO FACILITATE RESURFACING WORK.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, JULY 31, 1990
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
RISK ASSESSMENT REPORT ON DAYA BAY RELEASED................................ 1
HK'S ECONOMIC POLICIES BRING ABOUT CONCRETE ACHIEVEMENTS .................. 3
APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR IMPORTATION OF LABOUR ............................ 6
ONE MORE AIDS CASE CONFIRMED............................................... 7
HK CONTINUES TO BUILD FOR ITS FUTURE ...................................... 9
NON-ATTENDANCE OF OFFICIALS AT DB ON AGENDA .............................. 10
PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO HIRAM'S HIGHWAY ................................. 11
UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES IN WAN CHAI TO BE CLOSED ......................... 11
REMINDER ON COMPULSORY INSPECTION OF LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES ................ 12
TEMPORARY NIGHT ROAD CLOSURE IN SHA TIN .................................. 12
TUESDAY, JULY 31, 1990
1
RISK ASSESSMENT REPORT ON DAYA BAY RELEASED *******
HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ACCIDENTS AT THE NUCLEAR POWER STATION BEING BUILT AT DAYA BAY IN CHINA ARE MUCH LOWER, BY A VERY WIDE MARGIN, THAN OTHER RISKS ENCOUNTERED BY HONG KONG PEOPLE IN EVERYDAY LIFE, ACCORDING TO AN INDEPENDENT RISK ASSESSMENT.
A SUMMARY REPORT ON THE RISK ASSESSMENT, MADE BY THE UNITED KINGDOM ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY, POINTS OUT THAT MANY NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS SIMILAR TO THAT BEING BUILT AT DAYA BAY ARE OPERATING AROUND THE WORLD AND ARE CONSIDERED BY THE RELEVANT AUTHORITIES TO POSE AN ACCEPTABLY SMALL RISK TO THEIR SURROUNDING POPULATION.
THE ASSESSMENT INCLUDES AN ANALYSIS OF THE PLANT SYSTEM, AIMED AT EVALUATING ACCIDENT PROBABILITIES AND POSSIBLE HEALTH RISKS IN HONG KONG.
THE REPORT SAYS THE RESULTS OF THE PLANT ANALYSIS ARE GENERALLY CONSISTENT WITH DETAILED STUDIES OF SIMILAR REACTOR TYPES PERFORMED BY OTHERS.
"THIS, AND THE FACT THAT NO OBVIOUS PLANT-SPECIFIC WEAKNESSES ARE APPARENT FROM THE PRESENT WORK, PROVIDES AN ASSURANCE THAT THE DAYA BAY PLANT RISKS WILL BE IN LINE WITH THOSE OF MANY OTHER PRESSURIZED WATER REACTOR (PWR) PLANTS OF THE SAME DESIGN," IT SAYS.
COMMENTING ON THE REPORT, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ELIZABETH BOSHER, SAID TODAY THE CONSULTANTS’ FINDINGS WERE REASSURING IN THAT NO OBVIOUS PLANT SPECIFIC WEAKNESSES ARB REVEALED BY THE STUDY AND THAT THE LIKELIHOOD OF THE HEALTH OF HONG KONG PEOPLE BEING AFFECTED BY ACCIDENTS AT DAYA BAY IS INDEED MUCH LOWER, BY A VERY LARGE MARGIN, THAN ANALOGOUS RISKS ENCOUNTERED BY HONG KONG PEOPLE IN EVERYDAY LIFE.
"THEY SHOULD THEREFORE HELP ALLAY PUBLIC CONCERN ABOUT THE LEVEL OF RISK THAT MAY BE POSED TO HONG KONG BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NUCLEAR POWER STATION AT DAYA BAY," SHE SAID.
MRS BOSHER NOTED THAT THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE STUDY HAVE NOT REVEALED ANYTHING THAT CAUSE INTO QUESTION THE FINDINGS OF AN EARLIER STUDY ON CONTINGENCY PLANNING, AND SAID THE DATA PROVIDED BY THE CURRENT STUDY WOULD PROVIDE USEFUL ADDITIONAL REFERENCE IN THE PREPARATION OF THE CONTINGENCY PLAN, WHICH WILL BE READY FOR TESTING SOME TIME IN NOVEMBER THIS YEAR. FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS EXERCISE WILL BE RELEASED NEARER THE TIME.
THE REPORT POINTS OUT THAT "RISK" IS RELATED TO BOTH THE LIKELIHOOD OF AN OCCURRENCE AND THE MAGNITUDE OF THE HARMFUL CONSEQUENCES. A PARTICULAR ACTIVITY COULD BE CONSIDERED MORE RISKY IF ACCIDENTS OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY OR IF THEY RESULTED IN MORE HARM.
/TWO GENERAL .......
TUESDAY, JULY 31, 1990
- 2 -
TWO GENERAL FORMS OF RISK ARE CONSIDERED : INDIVIDUAL RISK AND SOCIETAL RISK. INDIVIDUAL RISK REFERS TO THE CHANCE, IN ANY ONE YEAR, THAT AN INDIVIDUAL WILL EXPERIENCE SOME SPECIFIED HARM WHILE SOCIETAL RISK IS ESSENTIALLY EXPRESSED IN TERMS OF THE PROBABILITY IN ANY ONE YEAR WITH WHICH SPECIFIC NUMBERS OF INDIVIDUALS, IN A PARTICULAR COMMUNITY, ARE HARMED.
THE REPORT SAYS THE RISK TO BE CONSIDERED AT DAYA BAY IS A MOST UNLIKELY SEQUENCE OF FAILURES OCCURRING AT THE SAME TIME WHICH COULD CAUSE THE REACTOR CORE OF A UNIT TO OVERHEAT. IF THAT HAPPENED AND WAS NOT STOPPED, SOME RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL COULD BE RELEASED INTO THE PRESSURE VESSEL AND FROM THERE POSSIBLY INTO THE CONTAINMENT BUILDING.
SHOULD THE CONTAINMENT FAIL - THOUGH THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED IN A PWR BEFORE - RADIOACTIVE PARTICLES AND GASES WOULD BE RELEASED INTO THE ENVIRONMENT, WHERE THEY WOULD BE DISPERSED AND, VIA A NUMBER OF EXPOSURE PATHWAYS, COULD CAUSE HARMFUL EFFECTS TO HUMANS.
IN SUMMARIZING SOME OF THE IMPORTANT FEATURES OF THE CALCULATED RISKS, THE REPORT GIVES TWO EXAMPLES OF SOCIETAL RISK. THESE ARE :
THE PROBABILITY, PER YEAR OF STATION OPERATION, OF THE OCCURRENCE OF ONE OR MORE EARLY DEATHS IS ONE CHANCE IN A MILLION. LARGER NUMBERS OF EARLY DEATHS ARE LESS LIKELY.
THE PROBABILITY, PER YEAR OF STATION OPERATION, OF THE OCCURRENCE OF ONE OR MORE FATAL CANCERS IS ONE CHANCE IN 50,000. LARGER NUMBERS ARE AGAIN LESS LIKELY.
TWO EXAMPLES OF INDIVIDUAL RISK ARE GIVEN AND THESE ARE :
THE AVERAGE INDIVIDUAL RISK OF EARLY DEATH, PER YEAR OF STATION OPERATION, IS ONE IN 500 MILLION.
THE AVERAGE INDIVIDUAL RISK OF FATAL CANCER, PER YEAR OF
STATION OPERATION, IS LESS THAN ONE IN 10 MILLION.
IN ASSESSING THE ABOVE RISKS, A NUMBER OF DELIBERATE PESSIMISTIC ASSUMPTIONS HAD BEEN MADE. THUS THEY ARE CONSIDERED TO BE OVERESTIMATES OF THE ACTUAL RISKS.
"THE ABOVE RISKS CAN BE PUT IN SOME PERSPECTIVE BY COMPARING THEM WITH OTHER RISKS TO WHICH INDIVIDUALS IN HONG KONG ARE ALREADY SUBJECTED," THE REPORT SAYS.
"IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT OF A NUCLEAR ACCIDENT, EARLY DEATHS WOULD BE CLEARLY IDENTIFIABLE AS RESULTING FROM THE EVENT. THUS THE NATURAL COMPARISON IS WITH OTHER FORMS OF ACCIDENTAL DEATH.
"FATAL CANCERS WOULD OCCUR RANDOMLY OVER A PERIOD OF ABOUT 50 YEARS FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT AND WOULD BE INDISTINGUISHABLE FROM NORMALLY OCCURRING CANCERS. THE NATURAL COMPARISON HERE, THEREFORE, IS WITH THE NORMAL CANCER DEATH RATE."
/ESTIMATING THE .......
TUESDAY, JULY 31, 1990
3 -
ESTIMATING THE NORMAL ACCIDENTAL DEATH RISK AT JUST OVER ONE IN 10,000 AND THE NORMAL FATAL CANCER RISK AT JUST OVER ONE IN 1,000, THE REPORT NOTES :
"COMPARING THESE INDIVIDUAL RISK FIGURES WITH THOSE QUOTED EARLIER INDICATES THE REACTOR ACCIDENT-RELATED EARLY DEATH RISK IS LOWER THAN THE NORMAL ACCIDENTAL DEATH RISK BY A FACTOR OF ABOUT 60,000; EQUALLY, THE REACTOR ACCIDENT-RELATED CANCER FATALITY RISK IS LESS THAN THE NORMAL CANCER RISK BY ABOUT 20,000."
COPIES OF THE REPORT ARE ON SALE AT $66 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
COPIES OF THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE MAY BE OBTAINED FREE OF CHARGE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AND FROM THE GIS MARKETING OFFICE AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, BATTERY PATH, CENTRAL.
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HK’S ECONOMIC POLICIES BRING ABOUT CONCRETE ACHIEVEMENTS »*»»»*
HONG KONG’S "FREE, OPEN AND PRUDENT" ECONOMIC POLICIES ARE FAVOURABLE TO HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND HAVE BROUGHT ABOUT CONCRETE ACHIEVEMENTS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A SEMINAR ON "HONG KONG/GUANGDONG - A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP" IN SHENZHEN, MR CHAN SAID WHAT WAS IMPLEMENTED IN HONG KONG WAS A FREE-ENTERPRISE SYSTEM DIRECTED BY MARKET FORCES.
"THE PRIMARY ROLE OF THE GOVERNMENT IS TO PROVIDE A STABLE AND APPROPRIATE SYSTEM TO ENABLE INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE TO OPERATE EFFECTIVELY AND SMOOTHLY WITH MINIMUM INTERVENTION," HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID HONG KONG'S ECONOMIC POLICY HAD ONCE BEEN DESCRIBED AS "LAISSEZ-FAIRE", WHICH WAS, IN FACT, GREATLY MISLEADING.
HE SAID LAISSEZ-FAIRE WAS NEGATIVE AND INDIFFERENT, BUT THE NON-INTERVENTION POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT WAS POSITIVE.
"IN FACT, NON-INTERVENTION IS ONLY A BROAD POLICY DIRECTION AND IS NOT ABSOLUTE AND INVARIABLE.
"WHEN THERE ARE ECONOMIC OR SOCIAL NEEDS, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD MONITOR OR INTERVENE IN THE OPERATION OF THE INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL SECTORS IN AN APPROPRIATE MANNER TO PROMOTE OVERALL ECONOMIC GROWTH OR TO BALANCE THE INTERESTS OF DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
/MR CHAN .......
TUESDAY, JULY 31, 1990
4
MR CHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY HAD FORCED MANUFACTURERS TO MAKE CONTINUOUS EFFORTS TO SEEK THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE MEANS OF PRODUCTION, THEREBY ACHIEVING THE EFFECT OF SHARPENING THE COMPETITIVE EDGE OF OUR PRODUCTS.
HE SAID HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS, BEING CONSTANTLY EXERCISED BY SUCH AN OPERATING ENVIRONMENT, HAD GENERALLY DEVELOPED A HIGH DEGREE OF FLEXIBILITY AND ADAPTABILITY, AS WELL AS A STRONG ABILITY TO GRASP OPPORTUNITIES.
"THE INITIATIVE TAKEN BY HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS IN THE PAST 10 YEARS TO MAKE MAJOR INVESTMENTS AND TO PURSUE OTHER ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION ACTIVITIES IN SHENZHEN AND OTHER PARTS OF GUANGDONG PROVIDE THE BEST EXAMPLES OF THEIR ABILITY TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED BY CHINA’S OPENING UP TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS OF HIGH LAND PRICES AND LABOUR SHORTAGE WITH WHICH THEY WERE FACED IN HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC POLICY WAS SUITED TO THE TERRITORY’S UNIQUE ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES.
”AS A SMALL AND OPEN ECONOMY, HONG KONG IS VULNERABLE TO EXTERNAL FACTORS, AND GOVERNMENT’S CAPACITY TO TAKE EFFECTIVE MEASURES TO OFFSET UNFAVOURABLE EXTERNAL INFLUENCES IS LIMITED.
”IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, IT IS USUALLY MORE EFFECTIVE FOR THE ALLOCATION OF ECONOMIC RESOURCES TO BE DECIDED BY THE MARKET FORCES OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND.
’’WITH THIS POLICY, COUPLED WITH A TAXATION SYSTEM WHICH PROVIDES STRONG INCENTIVES FOR OUR LABOUR TO WORK HARD AND FOR OUR ENTREPRENEURS TO INVEST, HONG KONG HAS DEVELOPED INTO AN INTERNATIONALLY-RENOWNED INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL CENTRE IN THREE TO FOUR DECADES.
’’THIS IS REALLY A REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT AND IS RECOGNISED AS AN ECONOMIC MIRACLE BY MANY PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD,” HE SAID.
HE SAID WHILE THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT PROTECT OR SUBSIDISE HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIES, IT ACTIVELY PROVIDED THE NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL SUPPORT TO PROMOTE AND ENCOURAGE THEIR GROWTH.
AS FAR AS INFRASTRUCTURE WAS CONCERNED, THROUGH DIRECT INVESTMENT AND CONSTRUCTION, CO-OPERATION WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND MONITORING OF THE PRIVATELY-OWNED PUBLIC UTILITIES, THE GOVERNMENT ENSURED THAT THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR WAS PROVIDED WITH ADEQUATE AND EFFICIENT FACILITIES AND SERVICES AT REASONABLE COSTS IN THE SUPPLY OF WATER AND ELECTRICITY, TELECOMMUNICATION AND TRANSPORTATION.
AS REGARDS INDUSTRIAL LAND, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD GRANT LAND ON SPECIAL TERMS TO INDUSTRIES WHICH REQUIRE A LOT OF LAND AND CAPITAL IN ORDER TO DEVELOP THE FOUNDATION OF HONG KONG’S INDUSTRY AND RAISE THE STANDARD OF INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY.
/"WE ALSO .......
TUESDAY, JULY 31, 1990
- 5
"WE ALSO GRANT LAND THROUGH THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE CORPORATION, WHICH IS A STATUTORY BODY, TO HIGH-TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRIES WHICH CANNOT OPERATE IN ORDINARY MULTI-STOREY FACTORY BUILDINGS," HE SAID.
AS REGARDS DEVELOPMENTAL SUPPORT, MR CHAN SAID THE PRIMARY ROLE OF THE GOVERNMENT WAS TO TRAIN UP MANAGERIAL AND TECHNICAL PERSONNEL, AS WELL AS SKILLED AND QUALITY WORKERS FOR OUR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, THROUGH OUR EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING FACILITIES.
"BESIDES, THE GOVERNMENT ALSO PROVIDES GENERAL SERVICES TO THE INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL SECTORS THROUGH THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AND VARIOUS STATUTORY BODIES WHICH ARE SUBVENTED BY THE GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID WHILE ENCOURAGING AND SUPPORTING INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, THE GOVERNMENT MUST ALSO EXERCISE SOME CONTROL ON THE INDUSTRIAL SECTORS.
"WE HAVE ENACTED COMPREHENSIVE LABOUR LEGISLATION TO MAKE STEADY IMPROVEMENT TO THE WORKING ENVIRONM NT AND THE EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS OF OUR WORKERS.
"WE HAVE ALSO PROMULGATED A NUMBER OF REGULATIONS ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY SO AS TO CONTROL HIGH-RISK INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES AND TO ENSURE THAT WORKERS ARE PROPERLY PROTECTED.
"IN ORDER TO TACKLE THE GROWING POLLUTION PROBLEM, IT IS NECESSARY TO INTRODUCE LAWS TO CONTAIN NOISE, AIR AND WATER POLLUTION ARISING FROM INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES AND OTHER SOURCES," HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID ALTHOUGH HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES WERE BASICALLY IN THE HANDS OF PRIVATE ENTERPRISES, THE GOVERNMENT PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE PROVISION OF SUPPORT SERVICES^ AND THE EXERCISE OF LIMITED CONTROL. A
"WE ATTACH GREAT IMPORTANCE TO CUTTING OUR COAT ACCORDING TO OUR CLOTH AND MAINTAINING A BROA'D’\BALANCE OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE.
V
"BUT IN PUTTING THIS PRINCIPLE INTO PRACTICE, WB WILL TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE MEDIUM RANGE AND LONGER-TERM FORECAST OVER SEVERAL CONSECUTIVE FINANCIAL YEARS, SO AS TO PREVENT GOVERNMENT PROJECTS FROM BEING UNDULY INFLUENCED BY SHORT-TERM, CYCLICAL ECONOMIC FLUCTUATIONS, RESULTING IN SPASMODIC PROGRESS.
"WE INSIST THAT THE GROWTH OF PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE SHOULD BE MAINTAINED AT A LEVEL BROADLY COMPARABLE TO THE RATE OF ECONOMIC GROWTH.
"WE ALSO INSIST ON KEEPING THE PROPORTION WHICH PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE ACCOUNTS FOR IN THE OVERALL EXPENDITURE OF THE ECONOMY AT A STABLE RATE, SO THAT THE PUBLIC SECTOR DOES NOT COMPETE UNDULY WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR OUR LIMITED ECONOMIC RESOURCES," HE SAID.
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TUESDAY, JULY 31,
1990
- 6 -
APPLICATION DEADLINE F .R IMPORTATION OF LABOUR
*****
A SPOKESMAN FOR IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 31 IF THEY WISH TO EMPLOY FOREIGN TECHNICIANS, CRAFTSMEN, SUPERVISORS AND EXPERIENCED OPERATIVES UNDER THE NEW SCHEMES ON IMPORTATION OF LABOUR.
"EMPLOYERS SHOULD COMPLETE THE STANDARD REQUEST (ID 408C) AND PRELIMINARY APPLICATION FORMS (ID 408B) AND SUBMIT THEM, TOGETHER WITH SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS, TO THE ENTRY VISA SECTION ON THE SEVENTH FLOOR, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"ALL APPLICATIONS WILL BE EXAMINED AND DECIDED ON DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER.
"ONCE AN APPLICATION HAS BEEN APPROVED, WE WILL NOTIFY THE EMPLOYER OF HIS SHARE OF THE QUOTA.
"FROM THAT DATE THE EMPLOYERS WILL HAVE THREE MONTHS WITHIN WHICH TO RECRUIT WORKERS, AND TO ARRANGE FOR THE WORKERS TO APPLY FOR VISAS," HE SAID.
"A VISA APPLICATION WILL TAKE THREE TO FIVE WEEKS TO PROCESS," HE ADDED.
A LIST OF THE PRINCIPAL JOB TITLES IN EACH INDUSTRY WITH MEDIAN WAGE LEVELS, THE "HOW TO IMPORT LABOUR FROM OUTSIDE HONG KONG UNDER THE SPECIAL SCHEME" PAMPHLET, APPLICATION FORM, EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT AND GUIDANCE NOTES ARE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST FROM THE IMMIGRATION AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENTS.
ENQUIRIES ON IMMIGRATION MATTERS MAY BE MADE TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 829 3220 AND 829 3222.
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/7........
TUESDAY, JULY 31,
7
ONE MORE AIDS CASE CONFIRMED » » » » ♦
ONE MORE CASE OF AIDS (ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME) HAS BE.sN CONFIRMED, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF AIDS CASES IN HONG KONG TO 38, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE NEW PATIENT DIED IN JUNE SHORTLY AFTER HE HAD BEEN CONFIRMED TO BE SUFFERING FROM THE DISEASE. IN ADDITION, THREE OTHER AIDS PATIENTS DIED THIS MONTH (JULY).
SO FAR, A TOTAL OF 27 AIDS PATIENTS HAVE PASSED AWAY WHILE 11 OTHERS ARE UNDER COUNSELLING AND TREATMENT.
RELEASING THE MONTHLY STATISTICS ON THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID FOUR MORE MEN WERE FOUND TO BE POSITIVE FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY TEST.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF HIV CARRIERS WHO HAVE NOT YET DEVELOPED AIDS WAS 149 AS AT THE END OF JUNE. OF THESE, 54 WERE HAEMOPHILIACS, 77 ACQUIRED THE INFECTION SEXUALLY, THREE WERE DRUG ABUSERS, THREE ACQUIRED THE INFECTION THROUGH BLOOD TRANSFUSION AND THE INFORMATION FOR THE OTHER 12 WAS INADEQUATE FOR CLASSIFICATION.
UNDER THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME WHICH STARTED IN 1985, A TOTAL OF 163,303 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 LAST MONTH, 738,632 UNITS OF BLOOD HAD BEEN TESTED AND 12 WERE FOUND POSITIVE.
TUESDAY, Ji
1990
- 8 -
AIDS Virus (HIV) Antibody Testing
Virv^Unitf Depl^nieht^f Health i
■’ * • Apr 85 - May 90 June No. . No. Total No. - No.
Referrals from Govt. tested +ve tested *ve tested ♦ve
10 690 62 227 2 10 917 64
hospitals and clinics Referrals from private 40 • 20 0 1 972 40
practitioners and subverted hospitals Itter.dances at social' 1 142 418 21 2 1 • 330 0 144 748 21
hygiene clinics Sae^opniliacs 4’2 56 6 2 438 58
IV drug abusers 4 20? 1 113 0 4 320 1
Wk i\ ' V* Referrals from 204 0 3 0 207 0
Family Planning Association uka.^ Health care personnel 695 0 6 0 701 0
160 598 180 2 705 * 163 303 18*
* This indicates the number cf specimens and not persons as tests are repeated for certain individuals.
Aug 85 - May 90 June Total
No. No. , No. No. No. No.
1 «‘ “■ 4- —I \ tested 4-ve tested *ve tested *ve
Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service 725 507 12 13 125 0 738 632 12
Department of Health
July 1990
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/9.........
TUESDAY, JULY
0
- 9 -
HK CONTINUES TO BUILD FOR ITS FUTURE
* » » ♦ »
'NG KONG WILL CONTINUE WITH ITS INFRASTRUCTURAL, HOUSING AND S Cl L DEVELOPMENTS AND THE PROVISION OF A WELL-REGULATED BUSINESS ENVII 1NMENT SO AS TO RETAIN THE CONFIDENCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND OF HONG KONG PEOPLE AND TO ENSURE THE TERRITORY'S CONTINUED PROSPERITY AND STABILITY.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN, SAID THIS TODAY (TUESDAY) WHEN OUTLINING THE TERRITORY'S LATEST ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS TO A MINISTERIAL DELEGATION FROM LUXEMBOURG.
THE VISITORS WERE LED BY THE COUNTRY’S MINISTER FOR ECONOMIC AFFAIRS, TRANSPORT AND PUBLIC WORKS, MR ROBERT GOEBBELS,* AND ACCOMPANIED BY THE HONORARY CONSUL, MR JAMES KUNG.
THEY LEARNED THAT THE TERRITORY'S MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS FOR THE FUTURE RELATED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE, AND IN PARTICULAR, THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK.
THE AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT, TOGETHER WITH THE ASSOCIATED TRANSPORT LINKS AND SUPPORTING FACILITIES, COULD BE SEEN AS A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE TOWARDS THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG, MR LAN TOLD THE VISITORS.
’’HOWEVER,” HE ADDED, ’’APART FROM INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT, HONG KONG IS ALSO INVESTING HEAVILY ON ITS MANPOWER RESOURCES.’’
HE POINTED OUT THAT A THIRD UNIVERSITY WAS NOW BEING BUILT AND WAS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED IN 1991.
ON THE ECONOMIC FRONT, MR LAN NOTED THAT HONG KONG HAD TO ITS CREDIT OF BEING THE TRADING CENTRE OF SOUTHEAST ASIA, THE GATEWAY TO CHINA AND THE WORLD’S 11TH LARGEST TRADING ECONOMY.
’’THE VALUE OF TOTAL OVERSEAS INVESTMENT AT THE END OF 1988 WAS OVER US$3,000 MILLION, MORE THAN DOUBLE THE FIGURE RECORDED IN 1984,” HE SAID.
TURNING TO POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT, MR LAN SAID NEXT YEAR WOULD BE A MILESTONE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG AS, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE TERRITORY’S HISTORY, THERE WOULD BE DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE ALSO EXPLAINED TO THE VISITORS THE ELECTION SYSTEMS FOR THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS.
IN CONCLUSION, MR LAN SAID THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION HAD PROVIDED THE BLUEPRINT FOR HONG KONG’S FUTURE.
/"UNDER THE
TUESDAY, JULY 31, 1990
- 10 -
’’UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION, SPECIAL CARE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG WILL BE ABLE TO GO ON DOING BUSINESS JUST AS IT DOES TODAY.
’’THE FOREIGN BUSINESS COMMUNITY SHOULD CONTINUE TO FIND HONG KONG AN ATTRACTIVE, PROFITABLE AND SECURE PLACE IN WHICH TO LIVE, WORK AND INVEST.
’’THE CHANGE IN 1997 WILL BE SIGNIFICANT, AND PREPARING FOR IT IS A MAJOR CHALLENGE," HE SAID.
"BUT WITH THE RESILIENCE, RESOURCEFULNESS AND DETERMINATION OF HONG KONG PEOPLE, I AM SURE THAT HONG KONG WILL BE ABLE TO RISE TO ANY CHALLENGE," HE ADDED.
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NON-ATTENDANCE OF OFFICIALS AT DB ON AGENDA
*****
MEMBERS OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD WILL MEET ON THURSDAY (AUGUST 2) TO GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE PROPOSED NON-ATTENDANCE OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AT FUTURE DISTRICT BOARD MEETINGS.
THEY WILL ALSO DISCUSS WHETHER TO SUPPORT THE DISTRICT OFFICE’S RECOMMENDATION TO DESIGNATE LEI CHENG UK BRANCH MUSEUM AND THE MULTI-SERVICE CENTRE FOR THE BLIND AT NAM CHEONG STREET AS TOURIST ATTRACTIONS AND TO FORWARD IT TO THE OMELCO.
THE DISTRICT OFFICE HOPED THIS WOULD ENCOURAGE TOURISTS TO STAY LONGER IN HONG KONG.
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE WILL ALSO PRESENT A PAPER ON THE RESUMPTION OF TWO PRIVATE STREETS, KIM SHIN LANE AND KIM YAM STREET, FOR MEMBERS’ INFORMATION.
REPORTS BY THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND THE FOUR COMMITTEES OF THE DISTRICT BOARD WILL ALSO BE TABLED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY (AUGUST 2) AT THE SHEK KIP MEI COMMUNITY HALL, BLOCK 42, SHEK KIP MEI ESTATE, NAM CHEONG STREET. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM.
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/Il........
TUESDAY, JULY 31, 1990
- 11 -PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO HIRAM’S HIGHWAY ♦ ♦ ♦ * *
THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD WILL LOOK INTO PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE SECTION OF HIRAM’S HIGHWAY IN PAK SHA WAN AT ITS MEETING ON THURSDAY (AUGUST 2).
THE PROPOSALS INCLUDE WIDENING THE ROAD NEAR ITS JUNCTION WITH THE ACCESS ROAD TO PAK SHA WAN PIER, THE CONSTRUCTION OF BUS BAYS AND LAY-BYS NEAR MAN KEI TOI, AND THE PROVISION OF 15 PARKING SPACES ADJACENT TO THE EXISTING PUBLIC LIGHT BUS STAND IN PAK SHA WAN.
ADDITIONAL RAILINGS, FOOTPATHS, TRAFFIC ISLANDS AND A SIGNAL CONTROLLED CROSSING ARE PROPOSED TO ENSURE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.
IN ADDITION, MEMBERS WILL BE CONSULTED ON THE MERGING OF SEVERAL BUS ROUTES. THE SETTLED BUS ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR THE DISTRICT WILL ALSO BE TABLED.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE MEETING TO BEGIN AT 10 AM ON THURSDAY (AUGUST 2) IN THE DB CONFERENCE ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 34 CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG TOWN.
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UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES IN WAN CHAI TO BE CLOSED * * ♦ * *
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE CERTAIN UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES IN WAN CHAI SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE STRUCTURES ARE IN THE REAR LANE OF 271 LOCKHART ROAD.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON OCTOBER 2 THIS YEAR WAS POSTED ON A CONSPICUOUS PART OF THE STRUCTURES TODAY (TUESDAY).
UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE, A CLOSURE ORDER IS REQUIRED BEFORE THE DEMOLITION CAN BE CARRIED OUT.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS OBTAINED.
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Z12 ........
TUESDAY, JULY 31, 1990
- 12 -
REMINDER ON COMPULSORY INSPECTION OF LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES
* * * ♦ *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT REMINDED OWNERS OF ALL LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES WITH A GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT NOT EXCEEDING 1.9 TONNES MANUFACTURED IN 1983 OR BEFORE WHICH REQUIRE A NEW LICENCE ON OR AFTER NOVEMBER 1 MUST HAVE THEIR VEHICLES INSPECTED AT A DESIGNATED CAR TESTING CENTRE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THE VEHICLES COULD BE INSPECTED AT 14 OF THE 17 DESIGNATED CAR TESTING CENTRES FOR PRIVATE CARS FROM TOMORROW (AUGUST 1) FOR THE ISSUE OF A CERTIFICATE OF ROADWORTHINESS AS A PRE-REQUISITE FOR LICENCE RENEWAL.
"THE CERTIFICATE IS ONLY VALID FOR RELICENSING DURING THE FOUR MONTHS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE DATE OF ISSUE," HE SAID.
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TEMPORARY NIGHT ROAD CLOSURE IN SHA TIN *****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT BETWEEN 1 AM AND 6 AM FROM THURSDAY (AUGUST 2) TO SATURDAY (AUGUST 4), THE SECTION OF SHA TIN WAI ROAD WESTBOUND BETWEEN NGAN SHING STREET AND THE SOUTHBOUND SLIP ROAD OF SHA TIN ROAD WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC.
THE CLOSURE IS TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROAD T5 IN SHA TIN.
DURING THE CLOSURE, VEHICLES TRAVELLING ON SHA TIN WAI ROAD WESTBOUND WILL BE DIVERTED VIA SIU LEK YUEN ROAD, TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD AND SHA TIN ROAD TO REJOIN SHA TIN WAI ROAD WESTBOUND.
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