DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
CHANGES TO ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE TABLED ............................. 1
GOVT COMMITTED TO FIGHT TRIAD .......................................... 1
BILL TO REGULATE PRIVATE RETIREMENT SCHEMES MOVED ...................... 3
INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS TO MEET DEMANDS IN NORTH-WEST NT ............... 7
INSIDER DEALING BILL INTRODUCED ........................................ 8
SECURITIES (DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS)(AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 INTRODUCED ... 9
TRADE DESCRIPTIONS BILL INTRODUCED INTO LEGCO .......................... 12
BILL TO LIFT PROHIBITION ON SHARE REPURCHASES INTRODUCED ............... 14
HOTEL LICENSING SCHEME EXPLAINED ....................................... 16
WAR MEMORIAL PENSIONS BILL INTRODUCED .................................. 17
GOVT WELCOMES THINK TANKS ON INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT .................... 19
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES FOR DEMOLITION OF UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES ....... 20
SHW ON OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH ............................................. 21
SEM ON OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH ............................................. 22
SHW ON ELDERLY TRAVEL CONCESSIONS ...................................... 27
INFORMATION ON FEE REFUNDS LISTED ...................................... 27
MOTION ON REVIEW OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY PASSED .............. 28
HK GOVERNMENT'S COMMENTS ON GENEVA MEETING ............................... 30
RE-APPOINTMENT TO SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION ...................... 31
VEHICLES MEETING NEW STRINGENT EMISSION STANDARDS CAN REGISTER NOW ....... 31
CONSULTATION ON COPYRIGHT LAW ENDS ....................................... 32
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............... 33
PAU CHUNG STREET BUILDINGS DECLARED LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS ........... 34
MONG KOK PRE-WAR BUILDING DECLARED DANGEROUS ............................. 35
APPLICATIONS FOR FORESTRY WORK CAMP INVITED .............................. 36
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991
CHANGES TO ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE TABUED
*****
A SUMMARY OF ALL CHANGES MADE TO THE APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1990-91 WAS TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING ON THE REPORT OF CHANGES TO THE APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID THE SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION OF $696.7 MILLION WAS APPROVED.
"IT WAS FULLY OFFSET EITHER BY SAVINGS UNDER THE SAME OR OTHER HEADS OF EXPENDITURE OR BY THE DELETION OF FUNDS UNDER THE ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS SUBHEADS," MR MACLEOD SAID.
HE SAID THIS INCLUDED $327 MILLION IN CONNECTION WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY ON \UGUST 1, 1990 AND $263 MILLION FOR PAYMENT OF THE REVISED HOME PURCHASE ALLOWANCE AND THE SPECIAL ALLOWANCE TO OFFICERS ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE UNDER THE HOME PURCHASE SCHEME AND THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW HOME FINANCING SCHEME.
DURING THE PERIOD, APPROVED NON-RECURRENT COMMITMENTS WERE INCREASED BY $177.9 MILLION AND NEW NON-RECL'RRENT COMMITMENTS OF $26.9 MILLION WERE ALSO APPROVED.
MR MACLEOD ALSO NOTED THAT A NET INCREASE OF 1,131 POSTS WAS APPROVED IN THE SAME PERIOD.
"ITEMS IN THE SUMMARY HAVE BEEN APPROVED EITHER BY FINANCE COMMITTEE OR UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY.
"THE LATTER HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(8)(A) OF THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE," HE ADDED.
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GOVT COMMITTED TO FIGHT TRIAD *****
THE GOVERNMENT REMAINS COMMITTED TO COMBATTING THE TRIAD PROBLEM, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON IAN STRACHAN, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON POON CHI-FAI, MR-STRACHAN SAID EFFECTIVE LEGISLATION WAS AT THE FOREFRONT OF THESE EFFORTS.
HE SAID WHILST IT WOULD NOT BE REALISTIC TO EXPECT THAT TRIADS COULD BE FULLY ELIMINATED, THE POLICE BELIEVED THEY WERE BEING CONTAINED AS A RESULT OF REGULAR OPERATIONS AGAINST TRIADS, THEIR ASSOCIATES AND PREMISES.
/MR STRACHAN .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991
- 2 -
MR STRACHAN CITED THE INCIDENT ON APRIL 15 AS AN EXAMPLE WHEN OVER 200 GANG MEMBERS WERE REPORTED TO HAVE TAKEN TO THE STREET IN WAN CHAI DISTRICT.
HE SAID FOLLOWING THE INCIDENT, OPERATIONS WERE CONDUCTED ON FIVE SUCCESSIVE NIGHTS AGAINST THE TWO TRIAD SOCIETIES INVOLVED, THAT IS, SUN YEE ON AND WO HOP TO.
"IN THIS OPERATION 13 PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED FOR A VARIETY OF OFFENCES, IN ADDITION TO THE 14 ARRESTED ON THE NIGHT OF THE INCIDENT," HE SAID.
MR STRACHAN NOTED THAT THE POLICE HAD ALSO HAD SOME NOTABLE UCCESSES RECENTLY AGAINST THE HIGHER ECHELONS OF THE MORE ORGANISED I’RIAD SOCIETIES.
"IN ONE CASE, THE POLICE INTERRUPTED A TRIAD INITIATION CEREMONY USING FULL TRADITIONAL REGALIA AND INSIGNIA WHILST IT WAS IN PROGRESS.
"THIS CASE HAS RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST THE ALLEGED ’INCENSE MASTER’," HE SAID.
MR STRACHAN POINTED OUT THAT ALMOST A THIRD OF THE 50 DIFFERENT TRIAD SOCIETIES IN HONG KONG WERE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES RANGING FROM LOW LEVEL STREET CRIME TO SOPHISTICATED PROTECTION RACKETS.
SUCH GROUPS VARIED ASSOCIATIONS OF PETTY THUGS WITH THOUSANDS OF MEMBERS.
TN SIZE FROM SMALL LOOSELY-KNIT
TO LARGE HIGHLY STRUCTURED SYDN1CATES
"THERE IS CONSIDERABLE INTER-GANG VIOLENCE.
"TRIAD INFLUENCE PERMEATES VARIOUS LEVELS OF SOCIETY, AND SOME INFLUENTIAL PROFESSIONS," HF SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT THE ANTI-TRIAD OPERATIONS WOULD CONTINUE TO BE CARRIED OUT AT THE DISTRICT, REGIONAL AND TERRITORY-WIDE LEVELS.
HE SAID RECENT MEASURES HAD BEEN TAKEN TO AUGMENT THE LEGAL POWERS IN THE AREAS OF ILLEGAL GAMBLING AND PROSTITUTION, TWO AREAS WHERE TRIADS WERE OFTEN INVOLVED.
AND THE ADMINISTRATION WAS CURRENTLY DRAFTING A BILL TO TACKLE ORGANISED CRIME.
"THE BILL, WHICH WILL BE PUBLISHED FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION THIS SUMMER, PROPOSES HEAVY PENALTIES FOR ORGANISED CRIME OFFENCES AND INCLUDES PROVISIONS FOR CONFISCATION OF PROCEEDS OF ORGANISED CRIME.
"THE INTENT OF THESE PROVISIONS IS TO STRIKE AT THE ECONOMIC AND PHYSICAL POWERS OF ORGANISED CRIME SYNDICATES," HE SAID.
/MR STRACHAN .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991
- 3 -
MR STRACHAN ALSO ENCOURAGED THE PUBLIC TO TELL THE POLICE PROMPTLY WHEN THEY WERE INTIMIDATED OR THREATENED.
"THE POLICE WILL PROTECT THE ANONYMITY OF INFORMANTS.
"THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY MUST JOIN TOGETHER TO DEMONSTRATE OUR STRENGTH AND THE RESOLVE TO STAMP OUT TRIAD ACTIVITIES," HE SAID.
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BILL TO REGULATE PRIVATE RETIREMENT SCHEMES MOVED
* * « » t
THE AIM OF THE OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES BILL 1991 IS TO PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK FOR THE REGULATION OF PRIVATE RETIREMENT SCHEMES IN HONG KONG SO AS TO ENSURE THAT RETIREMENT BENEFITS PROMISED TO EMPLOYEES WILL BE PAID WHEN THEY FALL DUE.
MOVING THE SECOND READI.NG OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID IT WAS NOT INTENDED TO COMPEL EMPLOYERS TO SET UP . RETIREMENT SCHEMES, NOR TO SPECIFY A MINIMUM LEVEL OF BENEFITS.
IN JULY 1990, THE GOVERNMENT PUBLISHED THE OCCUPATIONAL PENSION SCHEMES (COMMERCE, TRADE AND INDUSTRY ETC) BILL 1990 AS A WHITE BILL FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
DURING THE TWO-MONTH CONSULTATION PERIOD, SUBMISSIONS WERE RECEIVED FROM ABOUT 40 BUSINESS, PROFESSIONAL AND LABOUR ORGANISATIONS, INDICATING STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE REGULATION OF PRIVATE RETIREMENT SCHEMES.
THERE WERE ALSO COMMENTS ON THE DETAILED PROVISIONS OF THE WHITE BILL.
"WE HAVE CAREFULLY EXAMINED ALL THE COMMENTS AND AS A RESULT MADE SOME CHANGES TO THE ORIGINAL PROPOSALS.
"THE OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES BILL 1991 NOW PLACED BEFORE THIS COUNCIL IS THE RESULT OF THIS PROCESS," MR MACLEOD SAID.
HE SAID THE KEY FEATURES OF THE BILL WERE AS FOLLOWS:
FIRSTLY, THE BILL HAD A WIDE COVERAGE. ALL SCHEMES WHICH WERE OPERATING IN HONG KONG AND ALL SCHEMES TOWARDS WHICH CONTRIBUTIONS WERE MADE IN HONG KONG WERE COVERED.
"THIS IS NECESSARY TO AVOID POSSIBLE ABUSE BY EMPLOYERS SETTING UP SCHEMES WITH AN OVERSEAS DOMICILE TO EVADE THE REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS," THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
/SECONDLY, WHILE ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991
SECONDLY, WHILE CASTING A WIDE NET, THE GOVERNMENT WAS MINDFUL NOT TO IMPOSE UNNECESSARY RESTRICTIONS UPON GLOBAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES OPERATED BY MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS.
THE REGISTRAR OF OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES WAS, THEREFORE, GIVEN A LIMITED POWER TO EXEMPT CERTAIN SCHEMES FROM REGISTRATION.
”A SCHEME WHICH HAS BEEN APPROVED OR REGISTERED BY AN OVERSEAS REGULATORY BODY PERFORMING A SIMILAR FUNCTION TO THE REGISTRAR MAY ALSO APPLY FOR EXEMPTION.
“WE BELIEVE THAT THE EXEMPTION QUALIFICATIONS ARE ABOUT RIGHT.
"WE WILL, NEVERTHELESS, REVIEW THESE CRITERIA TN THE LIGHT OF OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE," HE NOTED.
THIRDLY, THE BILL WAS DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT IN MOST CASES COMPLIANCE WITH THE RELEVANT CRITERIA WOULD ENABLE REGISTRATION TO BE AUTOMATIC.
“IN OTHER WORDS, THE REGISTRAR SHALL NORMALLY REGISTER ALL SCHEMES WHICH COMPLY.
"ALL SCHEMES WHICH ARE DOMICILED IN HONG KONG WILL NORMALLY BE REGISTERED IF THEY ARE SET UP AS TRUSTS OR SUBJECT TO AN INSURANCE ARRANGEMENT.
"SCHEMES DOMICILED OVERSEAS WILL NORMALLY BE REGISTERED IF THEY ARE SET UP AS TRUSTS, AND IF THE TRUSTEES MAKE A SUBMISSION TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE HONG KONG COURTS IN RELATION TO THE ENTITLEMENT AND QUANTUM OF BENEFITS OF THE SCHEME MEMBERS," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD NOTED THAT WHERE A SCHEME DID NOT MEET THE RELEVANT CRITERIA FOR REGISTRATION, THE REGISTRAR WAS GIVEN A VERY LIMITED DISCRETION TO APPROVE REGISTRATION.
HE SAID THE REGISTRAR MIGHT REGISTER THE SCHEME ONLY IF HE WAS SATISFIED THAT IT WOULD BE UNREASONABLE TO REQUIRE FULL COMPLIANCE.
FOURTHLY, MR MACLEOD SAID THE REGISTRAR WOULD NOT ACTIVELY INTERVENE IN THE AFFAIRS OF A REGISTERED RETIREMENT SCHEME.
BUT HE WAS EMPOWERED TO INTERVENE WHEN CONCERN WAS EXPRESSED ABOUT A SCHEME, FOR EXAMPLE, THROUGH THE ANNUAL RETURNS OF THE SCHEME, HE SAID.
HE MIGHT REQUIRE THE SUBMISSION OF SPECIAL REPORTS AND CERTIFICATES, AND APPOINT A PERSON TO INQUIRE INTO THE OPERATION OF THE SCHEME, HE SAID.
THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE REGULATORY SYSTEM IN THE BILL EMBODIED FOUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES.
/THEY WERE .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991
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THEY WERE SEPARATION OF ASSETS OF THE RETIREMENT SCHEME FROM THOSE OF THE EMPLOYER, PROVISION OF SUFFICIENT FUNDING TO MEET THE SCHEME’S LIABILITIES, INDEPENDENT ANNUAL AUDIT OF THE ACCOUNTS OF THE SCHEME AND ADEQUATE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO SCHEME MEMBERS.
"TO ACHIEVE THE PRINCIPLE OF SEPARATION OF ASSETS, THE BILL REQUIRES THAT RETIREMENT SCHEMES SHOULD BE GROUNDED ON TRUST OR SUBJECT TO AN INSURANCE ARRANGEMENT.
"IN RESPECT OF THOSE GROUNDED ON TRUST, THE BILL REQUIRES THAT THERE SHOULD NORMALLY BE AN INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE AT ALL TIMES," HE SAID.
FURTHERMORE, THE BILL STIPULATED THAT NOT MORE THAN 10 PER CENT OF THE ASSETS OF A SCHEME MIGHT BE INVESTED IN SECURITIES ISSUED BY THE EMPLOYER OR HIS ASSOCIATES.
"INVESTMENT BY WAY OF LOANS TO THE EMPLOYER OR ASSOCIATES ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED," HE ADDED.
ON THE QUESTION OF FUNDING, MR MACLEOD SAID ALL SCHEMES WERE REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ASSETS TO MEET THEIR IMMEDIATE LIABILITIES, THAT WAS, ALL SCHEMES MUST BE SOLVENT.
HE SAID FOR DEFINED CONTRIBUTION SCHEMES, CONTRIBUTIONS WERE TO BE MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES OF THE SCHEME.
FOR DEFINED BENEFIT SCHEMES, CONTRIBUTIONS WERE TO BE MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ACTUARIAL ADVICE.
"THE BILL STIPULATES THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR ONGOING ACTUARI AL CERT IFI CATI ON.
"TRIENNIAL ACTUARIAL REVIEWS ARE REQUIRED AND, WHERE A SCHEME IS INSOLVENT, ANNUAL REVIEWS ARE REQUIRED TO ENSURE THAT THE SCHEME ACHIEVES SOLVENCY WITHIN THREE YEARS," HE ADDED.
FOR SCHEMES WHICH EXISTED BEFORE THE LEGISLATION CAME INTO FORCE, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THERE WERE TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS TO ALLOW SHORTFALLS IN FUNDING TO BE MET WITHIN FIVE YEARS.
IN RESPECT OF AUDITS AND ACCOUNTS, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE BILL REQUIRED THE TRUSTEES OR SCHEME MANAGERS TO KEEP PROPER ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS OF ALL FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS OF A RETIREMENT SCHEME.
AN ANNUAL STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS AND A REPORT PREPARED BY AN AUDITOR INDEPENDENT OF THE EMPLOYER WERE REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE REGISTRAR, HE ADDED.
AS REGARDS INFORMATION DISCLOSURE, MR MACLEOD SAID THE BILL PROVIDED THAT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEES MIGHT BE APPOINTED FOR CONTRIBUTORY RETIREMENT SCHEMES WITH MORE THAN 50 MEMBERS.
"THIS PROVISION IS DIFFERENT FROM THAT PROPOSED IN THE WHITE BILL, WHICH STIPULATED THAT FOR ALL SCHEMES WHERE A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS SO WISHED, A CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED, HE SAID.
/HE NOTED .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991
6
HE NOTED THAT VIEWS WERE EXPRESSED DURING THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION EXERCISE THAT AN ACROSS-THE-BOARD REQUIREMENT TO SET UP CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEES COULD DISCOURAGE EMPLOYERS FROM SETTING UP RETIREMENT SCHEMES.
"WHILST WE RECOGNISE THAT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEES CAN PROVIDE A USEFUL FORUM FOR THE EXCHANGE OF VIEWS, WE AGREE THAT THE REGULATORY REQUIREMENT SHOULD NOT BE SO ONEROUS AS TO INHIBIT THE SETTING UP OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES, AND WE THEREFORE, MODIFIED THE PROVISION.
"IN ADDITION TO SERVING AS A FORUM FOR THE EXCHANGE OF VIEWS, CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEES ARE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE CERTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT THE RELEVANT RETIREMENT SCHEMES. WHERE NO COMMITTEES ARE SET UP, INDIVIDUAL SCHEME MEMBERS MAY REQUEST FOR THE INFORMATION," MR MACLEOD SAID.
NOTING THAT THE BILL WAS SILENT ON THE TAX STATUS OF CONTRIBUTIONS, HE SAID THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE PROVIDED THAT CONTRIBUTIONS BY AN EMPLOYER TOWARDS A RETIREMENT SCHEME APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE WAS TAX DEDUCTIBLE.
"IN FUTURE, A SCHEME MUST BE REGISTERED WITH THE REGISTRAR OF OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES TO QUALIFY FOR TAX RELIEF, BUT ONLY ONE APPLICATION WILL NEED TO BE LODGED WITH THE REGISTRAR.
"NO SEPARATE APPLICATION TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR INLAND REVENUE WILL BE REQUIRED," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD SAID THE BILL, WHEN ENACTED, WOULD HAVE WIDE IMPLICATIONS FOR EMPLOYERS WHO WERE OPERATING RETIREMENT SCHEMES FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES.
HE SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO ENSURE THAT THEIR SCHEMES COMPLY WITH THE NEW REQUIREMENTS ON TRUSTEESHIP, ASSET INVESTMENT, FUNDING, ACCOUNTING, AUDITING, INFORMATION DISCLOSURE AND SO ON.
"A TRANSITIONAL PERIOD OF TWO YEARS WILL BE PROVIDED FOR THE SCHEMES TO BECOME REGISTERED.
"ON EXPIRY OF THE TWO-YEAR PERIOD, IT WILL BE AN OFFENCE TO OPERATE AN UNREGISTERED RETIREMENT SCHEME," HE ADDED.
THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID WHEN THE WHITE BILL WAS ISSUED FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION LAST SUMMER, ONE MAJOR CRITICISM OF THE BILL WAS ITS COMPLEXITY.
"IT IS TRUE THAT THE BILL IS A TECHNICAL AND COMPLICATED PIECE OF LEGISLATION, BECAUSE THE SUBJECT OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES IS FAR FROM SIMPLE.
"WE HAVE MADE A POLICY DECISION THAT THE BILL SHOULD COVER ALL SCHEMES OPERATING IN HONG KONG AND TOWARDS WHICH CONTRIBUTIONS ARE MADE IN HONG KONG, REGARDLESS OF THEIR DOMICILE," HE EXPLAINED.
HAI) THE SCOPE BEEN LIMITED TO SCHEMES WHICH WERE DOMICILED IN HONG KONG, HE SAID THE BILL AND THE SPEECH WOULD BE MUCH SHORTER.
/"HOWEVER, AS ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991
"HOWEVER, AS I EXPLAINED EARLIER, THE PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION COULD BE FRUSTRATED IF ITS SCOPE WERE REDUCED.
"WE APPRECIATE THAT THE BILL MAY NOT BE AS ’USER-FRIENDLY’ AS ONE WOULD LIKE, BUT THE REGISTRATION PROCEDURE ITSELF IS STRAIGHTFORWARD.
"ALSO, TO ASSIST EMPLOYERS IN UNDERSTANDING THEIR STATUTORY DUTIES, WE WILL PUBLISH EXPLANATORY PAMPHLETS BEFORE BRINGING THE LEGISLATION INTO OPERATION," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD SAID IT HAD ALSO BEEN POINTED OUT THAT SELECTED PROVISIONS IN THE BILL, IN PARTICULAR, THE REQUIREMENT TO SUBMIT STATEMENTS AND CERTIFICATES TO THE REGISTRAR, WOULD LEAD TO INCREASED COSTS IN THE OPERATION OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES.
"WHILE THIS IS A FAIR COMMENT, I THINK IT IS GENERALLY ACCEPTED THAT THERE IS A PRICE ATTACHED TO EVERY REGULATORY REGIME.
"WHILE THE REQUIREMENTS IN THE BILL MAY RESULT IN HIGHER ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS FOR RETIREMENT SCHEMES, THIS IS A REASONABLE PRICE TO PAY IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE BETTER PROTECTION FOR SCHEME MEMBERS," HE EXPLAINED.
HE SAID THERE HAD BEEN EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION ON THE SUBJECT OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, ADDING THAT MANY CONSTRUCTIVE COMMENTS HAD BEEN OFFERED BY VARIOUS PROFESSIONAL BODIES, ADVISORY COMMITTEES AND TRADE ORGANISATIONS DURING THIS PERIOD.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS TO MEET DEMANDS IN NORTH-WEST NT
*****
SEVERAL MAJOR TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN THE NORTH-WEST NEW TERRITORIES ARE EITHER UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR BEING PLANNED TO KEEP PACE WITH THE POPULATION GROWTH IN THE AREA, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAU WONG-FAT, MR LEUNG SAID THESE PROJECTS INCLUDED THE TUEN MUN - YUEN LONG EASTERN CORRIDOR, NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION, WHICH WOULD PROVIDE A DUAL TWO-LANE HIGHWAY LINKING THE TWO NEW TOWNS BY MID-1993.
THE FINAL PHASE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD BETWEEN AU TAU AND FAIRVIEW PARK WAS DUE FOR COMPLETION BY MID-1992.
DESIGN FOR THE YUEN LONG SOUTHERN BYPASS WAS NEARLY COMPLETED AND IT WAS HOPED THAT TENDERS FOR THIS PROJECT COULD BE INVITED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, MR LEUNG SAID.
/THE LIGHT
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991
- 8 -
THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT EXTENSION TO TIN SHUl WAI WAS ALSO BEING BUILT, AND WAS DUE FOR COMPLETION AT THE END OF 1992, HE ADDED.
MR LEUNG POINTED OUT THAT THE COUNTRY PARK SECTOR OF ROUTE 3 BETWEEN TING KAU AND YUEN LONG HAD ALL ALONG BEEN PLANNED FOR COMPLETION IN THE LATE 1990’S. THERE WAS THEREFORE NO ’’PROTRACTED DELAY OR INDEFINITE DEFERMENT” OF ROUTE 3, HE SAID.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT ADDED THAT VARIOUS TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND IMPROVEMENT MEASURES WOULD SHORTLY BE PUT IN HAND TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOWS PARTICULARLY ALONG CASTLE PEAK ROAD BETWEEN TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG.
--------------0-------- INSIDER DEALING BILL INTRODUCED * * * * *
A BILL TO SEEK AMENDING THE SECURITIES (INSIDER DEALING) ORDINANCE TO CLARIFY THE DUTY OF OFFICERS OF A CORPORATION IN RELATION TO INSIDER DEALING BY THE CORPORATION WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE SECURITIES (INSIDER DEALING) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID THE ORDINANCE IMPOSED A DUTY ON EVERY OFFICER OF A CORPORATION TO TAKE ALL REASONABLE PRECAUTIONS TO PREVENT INSIDER DEALING BY THE CORPORATION.
WHERE AN INSIDER DEALING TRIBUNAL IDENTIFIED A CORPORATION AS AN INSIDER DEALER, THE TRIBUNAL MIGHT ALSO IDENTIFY ANY OFFICER OF THAT CORPORATION WHOSE BREACH OF DUTY HAD LED, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, TO THE INSIDER DEALING IN QUESTION, AND MIGHT MAKE AN ORDER AGAINST HIM AS IF HE WERE AN INSIDER DEALER.
THESE PROVISIONS, AS PRESENTLY WORDED, PRODUCED AN UNINTENDED EFFECT BECAUSE THEY OVERLOOKED THE DISTINCTION DRAWN IN THE ORDINANCE BETWEEN ’’INSIDER DEALER” AND ’’INSIDER DEALING", THE SECRETARY NOTED.
MR MACLEOD POINTED OUT THAT THE TRIBUNAL MIGHT MAKE AN ORDER AGAINST ANY PERSON WHICH IT FOUND TO BE AN INSIDER DEALER.
BUT A PERSON WHO ENGAGED IN CONDUCT WHICH WAS, BY DEFINITION, INSIDER DEALING, MIGHT BE HELD, IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, NOT TO BE AN INSIDER DEALER BY VIRTUE OF THE DEFENCES AVAILABLE UNDER THE ORDINANCE, HE ADDED.
"THUS, THE OFFICERS OF A CORPORATION ARE REQUIRED TO PREVENT CONDUCT WHICH MAY IN THE EVENT BE EXCUSED,” HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD SAID THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERED IT MOST UNLIKELY THAT AN OFFICER IN TECHNICAL BREACH OF HIS DUTY WOULD EVER HAVE AN ORDER MADE AGAINST HIM.
/THE GOVERNMENT ......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991
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THE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTED, HOWEVER, THAT THE TERMS OF AI.Y STATUTORY DUTY SHOULD BE STATED UNAMBIGUOUSLY.
"WE PROPOSE THEREFORE TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE OFFICER’S DUTY IS TO PREVENT THE COMPANY FROM ENGAGING IN CONDUCT WHICH MIGHT CAUSE IT TO BE IDENTIFIED BY THE TRIBUNAL AS AN INSIDER DEALER," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO TAKEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPLACE AN OBSOLETE REFERENCE IN THE ORDINANCE TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR SECURITIES WITH A REFERENCE TO THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION.
THE SECURITIES (INSIDER DEALING) ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED IN JULY 1990 BUT HAD YET TO BE BROUGHT INTO FORCE, MR MACLEOD SAID.
AT THE TIME OF ENACTMENT, FEARS WERE EXPRESSED THAT THE NEW LEGISLATION WOULD HAVE AN ADVERSE EFFECT ON MARKET LIQUIDITY.
”WE HAVE UNDERTAKEN THEREFORE NOT TO BRING THE ORDINANCE INTO OPERATION UNTIL PROPOSALS TO ALLOW BUYBACK OF SHARES BY LISTED COMPANIES, AND STOCK BORROWING AND LENDING FREE OF STAMP DUTY, HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED," HE ADDED.
MR MACLEOD SAID THESE PROPOSALS WERE WELL ADVANCED, AND HE HAD TODAY INTRODUCED AMENDMENTS TO THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE TO PERMIT LOCAL COMPANIES TO PURCHASE THEIR OWN SHARES.
ALSO, THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION AND THE STOCK EXCHANGE WERE NOW FINALISING THE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS TO REGULATE STOCK BORROWING.
"SUBJECT TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE PROPOSALS AND THE ENACTMENT OF THIS BILL NOW BEFORE THE COUNCIL, IT IS OUR INTENTION TO BRING THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE INTO FORCE ON 1 AUGUST 1991," MR MACLEOD SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
0
SECURITIES (DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS)(AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 INTRODUCED
*****
A BILL TO EXTEND THE SCOPE OF THE SECURITIES (DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS) ORDINANCE TO COVER OVERSEAS COMPANIES LISTED IN HONG KONG WAS INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID AT PRESENT THE ORDINANCE APPLIED ONLY TO LOCAL COMPANIES LISTED IN HONG KONG.
/HOWEVER, IT ........
•f.1,
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991
- 10 -
HOWEVER, IT HAD ALWAYS BEEN THE INTENTION THAT THE DISCLOS RE OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE ORDINANCE SHOULD ALSO APPLY TO OFFICERS AND SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS OF OVERSEAS COMPANIES LISTED IN HONG KONG IN ORDER TO PROTECT LOCAL INVESTORS, HE NOTED.
"WE PROPOSE, THEREFORE, TO EXTEND THE ORDINANCE TO OVERSEAS COMPANIES LISTED IN HONG KONG, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN OTHER AMENDMENTS TO THE ORDINANCE TO RECOGNISE THE NEED FOR POSSIBLE EXEMPTIONS, THE PROBLEMS OF ENFORCEMENT IN RELATION TO OVERSEAS COMPANIES AND THE NEED FOR EQUAL TREATMENT IN LOCAL AND FOREIGN COMPANIES LISTED IN HONG KONG, MR MACLEOD SAID.
HE SAID ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVED THAT, AS A GENERAL RULE, THE ORDINANCE SHOULD APPLY TO ALL COMPANIES LISTED IN HONG KONG, IT ACCEPTED, HOWEVER, THAT RELIEF MIGHT BE JUSTIFIED IN CERTAIN CASES.
THE INTENTION WAS TO EASE THE ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN ON LISTED COMPANIES OF DUPLICATE FILING REQUIREMENTS WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE NEED FOR ADEQUATE INVESTOR PROTECTION, HE EXPLAINED, ADDING THAT MUCH WOULD DEPEND UPON THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF EACH CASE.
"WE PROPOSE, THEREFORE, THAT THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION BE GIVEN A GENERAL POWER TO EXEMPT COMPANIES FROM SOME OR ALL OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE.
"HOWEVER, FOR THE SAKE OF TRANSPARENCY, THIS DISCRETION WILL NEED TO BE EXERCISED IN THE LIGHT OF GUIDELINES TO BE PUBLISHED BY THE COMMISSION AFTER CONSULTING THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY," MR MACLEOD SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE COMMISSION HAD ISSUED DRAFT GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION IN ADVANCE OF THEIR SUBMISSION TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
"THESE GUIDELINES ENVISAGE TWO BROAD CLASSES OF EXEMPTION, UPON APPLICATION, FOR ELIGIBLE COMPANIES LISTED OR INTENDING TO LIST IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
FIRST, A COMPLETE EXEMPTION MIGHT BE GIVEN TO A LARGE MULTINATIONAL COMPANY WHERE THE MAIN MARKETS IN ITS SECURITIES WERE ON MAJOR INTERNATIONAL STOCK EXCHANGES OTHER THAN HONG KONG, AND WHERE THE PROPORTION OF THE COMPANY’S WORLDWIDE SHARE TURNOVER TAKING PLACE IN HONG KONG WAS OR WAS LIKELY TO BE ONLY NOMINAL.
SECONDLY, MR MACLEOD SAID AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE ORDINANCE MIGHT BE GIVEN TO A COMPANY WHERE THE PROPORTION OF THE COMPANY’S WORLDWIDE SHARE TURNOVER TAKING PLACE IN HONG KONG WAS NOT OR WAS NOT LIKELY TO BE SIGNIFICANT, AND WHERE THE COMPANY WAS SUBJECT TO COMPARABLE STATUTORY DISCLOSURE PROVISIONS ELSEWHERE.
"SUCH EXEMPTION WOULD BE CONDITIONAL UPON THE REGULATORY AUTHORITIES IN HONG KONG RECEIVING COPIES OF NOTIFICATIONS REQUIRED TO BE FILED IN THAT OTHER JURISDICTION," HE ADDED.
MR MACLEOD SAID THE DRAFT GUIDELINES WOULD BE REVIEWED IN THE LIGHT OF PUBLIC COMMENT.
/"WE AIM
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991
- 11 -
"WE AIM TO ENSURE THAT THEY REFLECT THE PROPER BALANCE BETWEEN THE NEED TO PROTECT LOCAL INVESTORS AND THE NEED TO ENCOURAGE FOREIGN ISSUERS TO LIST AND RAISE CAPITAL IN HONG KONG," HE NOTED.
MR MACLEOD SAID THE EXISTING PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE PROVIDED THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND THE HIGH COURT MIGHT ORDER THAT THE SHARES IN QUESTION BE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS, COMMONLY KNOWN AS A 'FREEZING ORDER’, IF AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE OWNERSHIP OF A COMPANY’S SHARES MET WITH OBSTRUCTION.
THESE RESTRICTIONS OPERATED TOGETHER TO FREEZE THE TRANSFER, EXERCISE OF VOTING RIGHTS, PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND BONUS ISSUES IN RESPECT OF THE SHARES OF A DEFAULTING SHAREHOLDER, HE EXPLAINED.
AT PRESENT, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A RESTRICTION ON TRANSFERS IN HONG KONG, THESE PROVISIONS COULD NOT BE ENFORCED IN PRACTICE AGAINST FOREIGN COMPANIES.
THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID TO RETAIN THEM FOR LOCAL COMPANIES ONLY WAS NEITHER DESIRABLE NOR NECESSARY.
"UNLESS PRACTICAL AND PRUDENTIAL CONSIDERATIONS DICTATE OTHERWISE, WE SHOULD AVOID A DISPARITY IN TREATMENT BETWEEN LOCAL AND FOREIGN COMPANIES.
"OUR AIM MUST BE TO PROVIDE A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD," HE ADDED.
"WE PROPOSE, THEREFORE, TO REPLACE THE PRESENT PROVISIONS BY A RESTRICTION ON THE TRANSFER OF SHARES REGISTERED IN HONG KONG.
"WE BELIEVE THAT THIS SANCTION, WHICH WILL BE APPLICABLE TO ALL LISTED COMPANIES, SHOULD BE ADEQUATE AND EFFECTIVE IN THE GENERALITY OF CASES.
"BECAUSE OF THE REQUIREMENT IN THE STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING RULES THAT SHARES TRADED ON THE EXCHANGE BE MAINTAINED ON A REGISTER KEPT IN HONG KONG, IT WILL EFFECTIVELY PREVENT THE SHARES BEING TRADED IN HONG KONG.
"WE ARE ALSO ASSURED THAT TRADING ELSEWHERE WILL BE MADE MORE DIFFICULT BECAUSE THE GREAT MAJORITY OF OVERSEAS COMPANIES LISTED IN HONG KONG HAVE THEIR PRIMARY, IF NOT THEIR SOLE, LISTING IN HONG KONG," MR MACLEOD NOTED.
PUBLICITY AND OTHER MEASURES WERE BEING WORKED OUT BY THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION TO ENSURE THAT THE RESTRICTION ON TRANSFERS WAS WORKABLE AND EFFECTIVE.
NEVERTHELESS, TO STRENGTHEN THE SANCTION AND LIMIT THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVASION, TWO FURTHER MEASURES WERE PROPOSED.
"FIRST, A FREEZING ORDER WILL INCLUDE NEW RESTRICTIONS ON THE CANCELLATION OF SHARE CERTIFICATES AND REMOVAL OF SHARES FROM HONG KONG.
/"THESE ARE .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991
- 12 -
"THESE ARE INTENDED TO HELP THE FROZEN SHARES TO BE TRACED IN HONG KONG AND TO INHIBIT THE REGISTRATION OF TRANSFERS OVERSEAS," THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
"UNDER PROPER ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES AND SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY LAW OF THE PLACE OF INCORPORATION, SHARES OF AN OVERSEAS COMPANY MUST FIRST BE REMOVED FROM THE BRANCH REGISTER IN HONG KONG BEFORE A TRANSACTION INVOLVING THE SAME SHARES CAN BE REGISTERED ON THE PRINCIPAL REGISTER OVERSEAS.
"SECONDLY, A LISTED COMPANY AND ITS OFFICERS WHO ACT IN CONTRAVENTION OF THE PROPOSED RESTRICTIONS ON REGISTRATION, ISSUE, CANCELLATION AND REMOVAL OF SHARES COMMIT AN OFFENCE AND ARE LIABLE UPON CONVICTION TO THE SAME PENALTIES AS THE DEFAULTING SHAREHOLDER WHO ATTEMPTS TO EVADE THE RESTRICTIONS," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD NOTED THAT THE SECURITIES (DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS) ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED IN JULY L988 , BUT HAD YET TO BE BROUGHT INTO FORCE.
"IN THE INTERESTS OF EQUITY AND INVESTOR PROTECTION, WE HAVE UNDERTAKEN NOT TO BRING THE ORDINANCE INTO FORCE UNTIL ITS REQUIREMENTS WERE ALSO MADE APPLICABLE TO OVERSEAS COMPANIES LISTED IN HONG KONG.
"SUBJECT TO THE ENACTMENT OF THIS BILL NOW BEFORE THIS COUNCIL, IT IS OUR INTENTION To BRING THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE INTO OPERATION ON 1 AUGUST 1991," HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-----0------
TRADE DESCRIPTIONS BILL INTRODUCED INTO LEGCO
*****
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO AMEND THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS ORDINANCE TO PERMIT THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE TO SPECIFY THE PLACE OF MANUFACTURE OR PRODUCTION OF CERTAIN GOODS, SUBJECT TO A SPECIAL LICENSING SCHEME, WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, POINTED OUT THAT UNDER THE BILL, THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL WOULD HAVE THE POWER TO SPECIFY, BY NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE, THE KIND OF GOODS TO BE COVERED UNDER SUCH A SCHEME.
HE SAID THESE AMENDMENTS WERE DESIGNED TO ENABLE US TO DEAL WITH A PARTICULAR PROBLEM RELATING TO PIECE-KN1TTED GARMENTS, WHICH INVOLVED TWO MAJOR STEPS : THE KNITTING OF KNIT-TO-SHAPE PANELS, AND THE LINKING-AND-LOOPING OF SUCH PANELS INTO FINISHED PRODUCTS.
/"IN HONG .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991
- 13 -
"IN HONG KONG, AS IN MOST OTHER PLACES, LINKING-AND-LOOPING IS REGARDED AS THE ORIGIN-CONFERRING PROCESS.
"THUS PIECE-KNITTED GARMENTS MAY CARRY THE LABEL OF 'MADE IN HONG KONG' ONLY IF THE KNIT-TO-SHAPE PANELS ARE LINKED-AND-LOOPED IN HONG KONG," MR MACLEOD SAID.
HE NOTED THAT PREVIOUSLY THE U.S. RULES WERE THE SAME AS THOSE OF HONG KONG, BUT THE RULES WERE UNILATERALLY CHANGED IN 1985.
SINCE THEN, HE SAID, UNDER THE U.S. RULES, THE KNITTING PROCESS FOR PIECE-KNITTED GARMENTS MUST BE CARRIED OUT IN HONG KONG TO ENABLE THEM TO CARRY THE LABEL OF "MADE IN HONG KONG" ON IMPORTATION INTO THE U.S.
MR MACLEOD ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE TRADE DEPARTMENT HAD PRESSED THE U.S. AUTHORITIES TO REVERT TO THEIR OLD RULES, BUT TO NO AVAIL.
"THUS AT PRESENT HONG KONG EXPORTS OF PIECE-KNITTED GARMENTS TO THE U.S. MUST MEET BOTH THE HONG KONG AS WELL AS THE U.S. ORIGIN REQUIREMENTS FOR LABELLING.
"AS A RESULT, EXPORTS MUST BE BOTH KNITTED AND LINKED-AND-LOOPED IN HONG KONG.
"NO RELOCATION OF EITHER PROCESS ELSEWHERE, FOR THE PURPOSE OF REDUCING COSTS, IS POSSIBLE," HE SAID.
AT A TIME WHEN THE HONG KONG KNITWEAR INDUSTRY HAD TO FACE INCREASING COMPETITION IN THE U.S. MARKET, SUCH DOUBLE REQUIREMENT WAS A SEVERE RESTRICTION ON THE INDUSTRY’S ABILITY TO COMPETE, MR MACLEOD SAID, ADDING THAT THE KNITWEAR INDUSTRY HAD ASKED THE ADMINISTRATION TO ALLOW RELEVANT PIECE-KNITTED GARMENTS FOR EXPORT TO THE U.S. TO CARRY THE LABEL OF "MADE IN HONG KONG" IN ACCORDANCE ONLY WITH THE U.S. REQUIREMENTS.
"WE AGREE WITH THE INDUSTRY THAT IT IS NOT REASONABLE TO SUBJECT THEM TO DOUBLE REQUIREMENTS WHICH ADVERSELY AFFECT THEIR COMPETITIVE EDGE.
"IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES, WHERE THE INDUSTRY HAS NO OPTION BUT TO COMPLY WITH THE U.S. RULES, WE HAVE CONCLUDED THAT SPECIAL PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE REQUIRED.
"WE HAVE, THEREFORE, PROPOSED THE PROVISIONS SET OUT IN THE BILL BEFORE MEMBERS TODAY. THE INTENTION IS TO IMPLEMENT, WITH EFFECT FROM JULY 1 THIS YEAR, A SPECIAL LICENSING SCHEME FOR PIECE-KNITTED GARMENTS FOR EXPORT TO THE U.S., THUS APPLYING THE U.S. RULES ONLY," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD SAID IT WAS DIFFICULT TO PREDICT WHAT PROPORTION OF THE LINKING-AND-LOOPING WORK FOR SUCH PIECE KNITTED GARMENTS COULD BE RELOCATED ELSEWHERE, BUT THE ADMINISTRATION RECOGNISED THAT THE PROPOSED CHANGES MIGHT HAVE IMPLICATIONS FOR LOCAL EMPLOYMENT.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991
14
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD DISCUSSED THE SITUATION WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MAJOR KNITWEAR ASSOCIATIONS AND THEY HAD GIVEN THEIR ASSURANCE THAT THEY WOULD DO WHAT THEY COULD TO IMPRESS UPON THEIR MEMBERS THE NEED TO TREAT FAIRLY ANY WORKERS WHO MIGHT BE AFFECTED AS A RESULT.
ALSO, THE ASSOCIATIONS HAD ALSO UNDERTAKEN TO MEDIATE IN ANY CASES OF ALLEGED UNFAIR TREATMENT AND TO HELP WITH HARDSHIP CASES, AND THEY WOULD SET UP A SERVICE CENTRE TO HELP INDIVIDUALS FIND NEW JOBS, MR MACLEOD ADDED.
HE NOTED THAT GIVEN THE SHORTAGE OF EXPERIENCED WORKERS IN HONG KONG IN GENERAL, AND IN THE GARMENT INDUSTRY IN PARTICULAR, ANY WORKER WHO MIGHT BE DISPLACED SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIND ALTERNATIVE EMPLOYMENT WITHOUT A GREAT DEAL OF DIFFICULTY.
"THE GOVERNMENT WILL DO ALL IT CAN TO ENSURE THAT THE INTEREST OF THE WORKFORCE IS PROTECTED,” THE SECRETARY SAID, ADDING THAT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT STOOD READY TO CLARIFY WORKERS’ STATUTORY ENTITLEMENTS UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND TO ADVISE ON ALTERNATIVE EMPLOYMENT.
"IF THERE IS A NEED FOR RE-TRAINING, THE DEPARTMENT WILL HELP TO PUT THOSE AFFECTED IN TOUCH WITH THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY OR THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL," HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-----0------
BILL TO LIFT PROHIBITION ON SHARE REPURCHASES INTRODUCED
*****
THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991, WHICH SEEKS TO LIFT THE PRESENT PROHIBITION ON SHARE REPURCHASES BY LOCAL COMPANIES, SUBJECT TO A NUMBER OF SAFEGUARDS TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF SHAREHOLDERS AND CREDITORS, WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO UPDATE THE PROVISION ON THE GIVING OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND TO INTRODUCE A DEFINITION OF DISTRIBUTABLE
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE ACTING FINANCIAL ‘ ^2!^ETARY’ THE H0N HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID COMPANY SHARE REPURCHASES WERE PERMITTED IN MANY PLACES, INCLUDING THE UK, CANADA, THE UNITED STATES AND AUSTRALIA; AND IN CONSIDERING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SECURITIES MARKET IN HONG KONG, THE SECURITIES REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT RECOMMENDED THAI’ ALLOWING COMPANIES IN HONG KONG TO PURCHASE THEIR OWN SHARES SHOULD BE FAVOURABLY CONSIDERED.
/HE POINTED .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991
- 15 -
HE POINTED OUT THAT IN JANUARY 1990 THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION AND THE STOCK EXCHANGE ISSUED FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION JOINT PROPOSALS TO PERMIT COMPANY SHARE REPURCHASES IN HONG KONG.
"THESE PROPOSALS WHICH RECEIVED BROAD SUPPORT IN THE MARKET FOLLOW CLOSELY THOSE IN THE UK COMPANIES ACT," MR MACLEOD SAID.
"IT IS GENERALLY ACCEPTED THAT THE OPTION OF A COMPANY SHARE REPURCHASE SCHEME IS A USEFUL FINANCIAL TOOL AND CAN WORK TO THE BENEFIT OF COMPANIES AND SHAREHOLDERS.
"AMONG OTHER THINGS, IT ENABLES A COMPANY TO RETURN SURPLUS CASH TO ITS SHAREHOLDERS, SUPPORT ITS SHARE PRICE DURING PERIODS OF TEMPORARY WEAKNESS AND PREVENT OR INHIBIT UNWELCOME TAKEOVER BIDS," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD SAID WITH A FEW TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS, THE PROPOSALS WERE SUBSEQUENTLY ENDORSED BY THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON COMPANY LAW REFORM IN JUNE 1990.
HIGHLIGHTING SOME OF THE SALIENT FEATURES OF THE BILL, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID: "FIRST, THE BILL PROVIDES THAT AN UNLISTED COMPANY MAY PURCHASE ITS OWN SHARES UNDER A CONTRACT AUTHORISED IN ADVANCE RY A SPECIAL RESOLUTION OF THE COMPANY.
"\ COPY OF THE CONTRACT OR A WRITTEN MEMORANDUM OF ITS TERMS MUST HE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION Hl MEMBERS OF Till': COMPANY PRIOR TO AND AT THE MEETING XT WHICH THEY AUTHORISE THE REPURCHASE.
"SECONDLY, HIE BILL PROVIDES THAT A LISTED COMPANY MAY PURCHASE ITS OWN SHARES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SHARP REPURCHASE CODE ISSUED AND ADMINISTERED IO THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION.
"ESSENTIALLY, THE APPROACH IS TO REQUIRE COMPANY SHARE REPURCHASES T" BE ACHIEVED IO WAY OF A GENERAL OFFER TO ALL SHAREHOLDERS IN V '<■' 'RDOli E WITH RULES SIMILAR 1'0 THOSE APPLICABLE TO TAKEOVER BIDS.
"THE REQUIREMENT FOR LISTED COMPANIES TO OBTAIN PRIOR SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL APPEARS IN ’THE REPURCHASE CODE AND THE LISTING RULES, AND Nor IN THE BILL.
"THIS DEPARTURE FROM THE UK APPROACH IS INTENDED IO PROVIDE THE NECESSARA Fl .FX I B I I. I T1 IN TIMES OF MARKET 'RISIS, SINCE THE SECURITIES AND I l’TURFS COMMISSION AND THE STOCK EX’TIXNGE IIAA F Till- RIGHT TO WAIVE SUI II REQI11 KI MEETS UNDER HIE CODE AND I HI LISTING RULES AS MAY BP WARRAN TED BY EXCEPT IONAL CIRCUMSTANCRS.
"THIRDLY, THE NON-STATUTORY SHARE REPURCHASE CODE AND THE LISTING RULES ARE GIVEN STATUTORY BACKING FOR THE PURPOSE OF COMPANY SHARE REPURCHASES.
"FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE CODE AND THE LISTING RULES IN RESPECT OF SHARE REPURCHASES WILL THUS ATTRACT THE SAME PENALTIES AS FAILURE TO OBSERVE THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL.
/"LASTLY, REPURCHASED .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991
- 16 -
"LASTLY, REPURCHASED SHARES ARE TO BE TREATED AS CANCELLED, THUS REDUCING THE COMPANY’S ISSUED SHARE CAPITAL BUT NOT ITS AUTHORISED SHARE CAPITAL. THIS FOLLOWS THE APPROACH IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
"WE HAVE CONSIDERED THE U.S. APPROACH OF RETAINING REPURCHASED SHARES AS TREASURY STOCK WHICH MAY BE RESOLD IN FUTURE. HOWEVER, WE PREFER ON BALANCE THE UK APPROACH WHICH, WE BELIEVE, PROVIDES BETTER SAFEGUARD AGAINST THE POSSIBILITY OF COMPANIES TRAFFICKING IN THEIR OWN SHARES," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD SAID THE BILL ALSO INTRODUCED MORE COMPREHENSIVE PROVISIONS ON THE GIVING OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BY A COMPANY TO A THIRD PARTY FOR THE PURCHASE OF ITS SHARES.
"THE NEW PROVISIONS MAINTAIN THE GENERAL PROHIBITION ON THE GIVING OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, SUBJECT TO A NUMBER OF EXCEPTIONS ESPECIALLY IN THE CASE OF UNLISTED COMPANIES," HE SAID.
FINALLY, HE SAID, THE BILL INTRODUCED A DEFINITION OF DISTRIBUTABLE PROFITS, NOTING THAT THERE WAS AT PRESENT NO STATUTORY PROVISION GOVERNING THE DISTRIBUTION OF PROFITS BY A COMPANY TO ITS SHAREHOLDERS, ALTHOUGH THERE WERE ACCEPTED PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES GOVERNED BY COMMON LAW.
"THE NEW PROVISIONS SERVE IN EFFECT TO CODIFY EXISTING GOOD ACCOUNTING PRACTICE," HE SAID.
"A STATUTORY DEFINITION IS DESIRABLE IN ITSELF AND WILL STRENGTHEN THE POSITION OF CREDITORS SINCE SHARE REPURCHASES MAY ONLY BE MADE OUT OF DISTRIBUTABLE PROFITS," HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
--------0-----------
HOTEL LICENSING SCHEME EXPLAINED ♦ ♦ ♦ t *
THE PROPOSED HOTEL LICENSING SCHEME AIMS AT REGULATING ESTABLISHMENTS WHICH OFFER TEMPORARY SLEEPING ACCOMMODATION TO THEIR CUSTOMERS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE HOTEL ACCOMMODATION BILL 1990, MR TSAO SAID IT WAS NOT THE INTENTION OF THE ADMINISTRATION TO CONTROL PREMISES WHICH WERE LET OUT ON MONTHLY BASIS OR AS LEASED TENANCIES.
HE NOTED THAT AS THE FIRST PHASE OF THE LICENSING SCHEME WOULD COVER HOTELS AND GUESTHOUSES, IT HAD OBVIOUSLY AROUSED CONSIDERABLE INTEREST FROM THE INDUSTRY.
/AND ALTHOUGH .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991
- 17 -
AND ALTHOUGH THERE WAS GENERAL SUPPORT FOR THIS BILL, MR TSAO SAID THE HOTEL INDUSTRY NEVERTHELESS HAD RESERVATIONS ON THE SHORT TITLE OF THE ORDINANCE.
FOR THIS REASON, THE AD HOC GROUP STUDYING THE BILL FELT THAT
THE SHORT TITLE SHOULD BE AMENDED TO "HOTEL AND GUESTHOUSE ACCOMMODATION ORDINANCE" TO DISPEL POSSIBLE MISUNDERSTANDING ON THE
TYPES OF ESTABLISHMENTS SUBJECT TO THE BILL, HE SAID.
"WHILE I MYSELF DO NOT SEE ANY STRONG REASON FOR AMENDING THE TITLE, AND MAKING SOME 80 INCIDENTAL AMENDMENTS AS WELL, IF STRONG CONCERN HAS BEEN EXPRESSED, AND IF THE AD HOC GROUP’S AMENDMENTS WOULD FIX THEM, NUMEROUS THOUGH THEY MAY BE, THEN I SHALL NOT STAND IN THE WAY OF THESE AMENDMENTS," MR TSAO SAID.
THIS BILL, HE STRESSED, DEALT WITH SAFETY OF LIFE A^D LIMB AND WAS NOT AN ATTEMPT TO CATEGORISE HOTELS INTO CLASSES OF LUXURY WHETHER OR NOT THEY WERE PURPOSE-BUILT.
HIGHLIGHTING SOME OF THE AMENDMENTS HE WOULD BE MOVING AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE, MR TSAO SAID THEY INCLUDED A PROPOSAL TO DOUBLE THE FINANCIAL PENALTY BUT WITHOUT CHANGE TO THE IMPRISONMENT TERM.
ANOTHER AMENDMENT WAS THAT AN APPLICANT WOULD BE GIVEN NOTICE IN THE EVENT THAT THE AUTHORITY INTENDED TO REFUSE HIS APPLICATION UNDER CLAUSE 8 (3).
ALSO, CLAUSE 19 (1) (A) WOULD BE DELETED IN THE LIGHT OF REPRESENTATIONS FROM THE HOTEL INDUSTRY THAT THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS’ POWER TO GIVE DIRECTIVE REGARDING THE OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT OF A HOTEL OR A GUESTHOUSE WAS TOO WIDE AND THAT THE ADMINISTRATION SOULD NOT GET INVOLVED IN SUCH MATTER.
-----0------
WAR MEMORIAL PENSIONS BILL INTRODUCED
*****
THE HONG KONG WAR MEMORIAL PENSIONS BILL 1991 WHICH SEEKS TO PROVIDE FOR THE PAYMENT OF PENSIONS TO BENEFICIARIES OF THE EXISTING HONG KONG WAR MEMORIAL FUND AND FAR EASTERN RELIEF FUND, AND TO APPLICANTS WHO MEET THE QUALIFYING CRITERIA STIPULATED IN THE BILL WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, SAID THESE PENSIONS WOULD BE PAID IN RECOGNITION OF THE RECIPIENTS’ WAR-TIME SUFFERING AND THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF BEING HELD IN CAPTIVITY.
AT PRESENT, BENEFICIARIES OF THE TWO FUNDS WERE REQUIRED TO DECLARE THAT THEIR PERSONAL INCOME WAS BELOW A SPECIFIED INCOME THRESHOLD IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR A GRANT, MRS WONG SAID.
/THE INCOME .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY J, 1991
- 18 -
THE INCOME THRESHOLD REQUIREMENT WAS INTRODUCED ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF A SELECT COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHICH CONCLUDED, IN 1986, THAT THE TERMS OF THE EXISTING HONG KONG WAR MEMORIAL FUND ORDINANCE REQUIRED THAT ASSISTANCE FROM THE FUND MUST BE BASED ON NEED.
"IN FEBRUARY LAST YEAR, I WAS ASKED IN THIS COUNCIL WHETHER GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER CONVERTING THE EXISTING GRANTS INTO PENSIONS.
"SUBSEQUENTLY, I MET WITH MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG WAR MEMORIAL FUND COMMITTEE AND RE-EXAMINED THE CURRENT POLICY IN THE LIGHT OF NEW EVIDENCE PRESENTED BY THE COMMITTEE," MRS WONG SAID.
THE COMMITTEE POINTED TO THE SUFFERING ENDURED BY HONG KONG’S OWN EX-PRISONERS OF WAR AND THE GROWING BODY OF EVIDENCE IN A NUMBER OF MEDICAL STUDIES REGARDING THE PARTICULAR LONG-TERM PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF BEING HELD IN CAPTIVITY IN ASIA DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR, THE SECRETARY SAID.
SHE SAID THESE STUDIES OFFERED NEW INSIGHT INTO THE DETRIMENTAL EFFECT OF LONG-TERM CAPTIVITY ON OUR EX-PRISONERS OF WAR; THE MAJORITY OF WHOM WERE ELDERLY AND IN DETERIORATING HEALTH.
SHE ADDED THAT THE REMOVAL OF THE INCOME THRESHOLD REQUIREMENT AND THE AWARD OF PENSIONS, PAYABLE AS RECOGNITION OF INJURIES SUSTAINED IN THE DEFENCE OF HONG KONG AND SUFFERING ENDURED BY EXPRISONERS OF WAR IN CAPTIVITY WAS WARRANTED.
"IT HAS LONG BEEN THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY THAT A DEBT OF GRATITUDE IS OWED.
"THE SPECIAL CASE OF EX-PRISONERS OF WAR, ACKNOWLEDGED IN THE PAST BY PAYMENT OF DISCRETIONARY GRANTS, WILL NOW BE RECOGNISED THROUGH CONVERSION OF THESE GRANTS INTO PENSIONS," MRS WONG SAID.
THE HONG KONG WAR MEMORIAL PENSIONS BILL FOLLOWED DIRECTLY FROM THIS CHANGE IN POLICY, MRS WONG NOTED.
THE BILL PROVIDED FOR THE REPEAL OF THE HONG KONG WAR MEMORIAL FUND ORDINANCE AND THE DISSOLUTION OF THE FUND AND ITS COMMITTEE IN ORDER TO PAVE THE WAY FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW LEGISLATION AND ARRANGEMENTS CATERING SPECIFICALLY FOR THE AWARD OF STATUTORY PENSIONS.
THESE STEPS WERE NECESSARY BECAUSE, AS THE SELECT COMMITTEE OF THIS COUNCIL CONCLUDED, THE EXISTING ORDINANCE REQUIRED AN APPLICANT’S NEED FOR ASSISTANCE TO BE ASSESSED.
MRS WONG SAID IT WAS ALSO PROBABLE THAT THE LEGAL STATUS OF THE WAR MEMORIAL FUND WAS THAT OF A DISCRETIONARY CHARITABLE TRUST, THUS MAKING IT AN INAPPROPRIATE VEHICLE FOR THE PAYMENT OF STATUTORY PENSIONS.
"PENSIONS OF THIS KIND ARE MORE PROPERLY PAID DIRECTLY BY
GOVERNMENT," THE SECRETARY EXPLAINED.
/MRS WONG ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 19^1
19
MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT WITH THE WINDING UP OF THE W 7 MEMORIAL FUND, IT FOLLOWED THAT ITS COMMITTEE WOULD NO LONGER BE AB.E TO FUNCTION IN ITS PRESENT FORM.
"HOWEVER, THE COMMITTEE WILL BE RECONSTITUTED THROUGH THIS BILL AS AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO ADVISE ON THE ELIGIBILITY OF APPLICANTS AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE PENSIONS LEGISLATION," MRS WONG SAID.
IN ADDITION TO SLIGHTLY OVER 700 EXISTING BENEFICIARIES OF THE WAR MEMORIAL FUND AND THE FAR EASTERN RELIEF FUND, THE PROPOSED PENSIONS WOULD ALSO BENEFIT NEW APPLICANTS WHO MET BASIC ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA DERIVED FROM THE EXISTING WAR MEMORIAL FUND ORDINANCE.
IN OTHER WORDS, SHE SAID, PENSIONS WOULD BE PAID TO PERSONS WHO, WHILE SERVING IN SPECIFIED VOLUNTEER UNITS, WERE HELD IN CAPTIVITY BY THE ENEMY AND TO THE WIDOWS OR WIDOWERS OF THOSE WHO WERE KILLED DURING THE FIGHTING OR WHO DIED IN SUBSEQUENT CAPTIVITY.
"CIVILIANS WHO WERE TORTURED AND THE WIDOWS OR WIDOWERS OF THOSE EXECUTED FOR ACTS OF RESISTANCE WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO BE ELIGIBLE," MRS WONG ADDED.
IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT THERE WERE 48 POTENTIAL APPLICANTS WHO MET THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND WOULD BENEFIT FROM THE REMOVAL OF THE INCOME THRESHOLD REQUIREMENT.
THE EXISTING LEVEL OF BENEFITS UNDER THE HONG KONG WAR MEMORIAL FUND WOULD PROVIDE THE BENCHMARK FOR PAYMENTS UNDER THE NEW PENSION ARRANGEMENTS, MRS WONG SAID, ADDING THAT THESE PAYMENTS WOULD BE REVIEWED ANNUALLY IN LINE WITH INFLATION.
MRS WONG ALSO NOTED THAT AS THIS YEAR MARKED THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEFENCE OF HONG KONG. THE AWARD OF PENSIONS WAS FITTING RECOGNITION FOR THE SUFFERING WHICH AN UNBOWED GROUP OF MEN AND WOMEN ENDURED AND HAD HAD TO LIVE WITH SINCE THOSE PAINFUL DAYS.
THE DEBATE ON THIS BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
--------0-----------
GOVT WELCOMES THINK TANKS ON INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
******
THE GOVERNMENT WELCOMES INITIATIVES FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND THE TERTIARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO SET UP THINK TANKS AND ADVISE IT ON HOW TO KEEP PACE WITH INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE REGION, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PAUL CHENG, MR MACLEOD SAID A RECENT STUDY ON "TECHNOLOGY ROAD MAPS" IN HONG KONG WAS A GOOD EXAMPLE IN POINT.
/"THIS PROJECT .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991
20
"THIS PROJECT WAS INITIATED AND CONDUCTED BY ACADEMICS FROM 1 E SIX TERTIARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT, HAVING CONSIDERED THEIR STUDY PROPOSALS, AND ON THE ADVICE OF THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD, HAS AGREED TO FUND PART OF THE COSTS.
"WHERE THE EXPERTISE OR RESOURCES ARE NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION, AND WE RESORT TO THE USE OF CONSULTANTS, IT IS FAIRLY COMMON TO REQUIRE OR ENCOURAGE BIDDERS TO INCLUDE PEOPLE OR ORGANISATIONS WITH LOCAL KNOWLEDGE IN THEIR PROPOSALS, WHERE THIS SEEMS APPROPRIATE,” HE SAID.
FOR EXAMPLE, IN STUDIES ON INDUSTRIAL MATTERS, THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL WAS FREQUENTLY INVOLVED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH A LOCAL OR OVERSEAS CONSULTANT, HE ADDED.
MR MACLEOD ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD HAD RECENTLY ADVISED THAT THE TERTIARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO PLAY A LARGER PART IN FUTURE CONSULTANCY STUDIES.
”WE ARE NOW EXAMINING HOW’THIS MIGHT BEST BE DONE WHILST STILL ENSURING THE QUALITY AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS THAT STEM FROM COMPETITION,” HE SAID.
------0-----------
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES
FOR DEMOLITION OF UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES ♦ ♦♦♦**
STAFF OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT (BLD) PAY FREQUENT VISITS TO BUILDINGS WHERE DEMOLITION OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS JfL ™ takb PLACE T0 ENSURE THAT SAFETY measures are actually IMPLEMEN1ED.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON MARTIN LEWIS, IN REPLY TO BY THE HON CHUNG PUI-LAM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY
PLANNING, A QUESTION (WEDNESDAY).
MR LEWIS SAID SAFETY WAS AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF THE EXERCISE TO DEMOLISH UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES, WHICH WAS ALREADY WELL UNDERWAY.
THE STAFF OF BLD WERE, THROUGH FREQUENT CONTACTS WITH BUILDING MANAGEMENT ORGANISATIONS AND THE OWNERS THROUGH THE MEDIA, IMPRESSING UPON THE OWNERS AND THE THAT ONLY RESPONSIBLE AND EXPERIENCED CONTRACTORS SHOULD BE TO CARRY OUT THE REMOVAL ’
CONCERNED,
GENERAL
WORKS, HE SAID.
THE
AND
PUBLIC ENGAGED
THE OWNERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC WERE ALSO PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES SUCH AS SCAFFOLDING, PROTECTIVE CATCH-FANS AND PLATFORMS SHOULD BE PUT UP WHERE NECESSARY DEMOLITION WORK TOOK PLACE.
TOLD THAT
SCREENS, BEFORE ANY
M$ LEWIS .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991
- 21 -
MR LEWIS SAID: "TO MAKE SURE THESE SAFETY MEASURES ARE ACTUALLY IMPLEMENTED, STAFF FROM THE DEPARTMENT ARE ALSO PAYING FREQUENT VISITS TO THE BUILDINGS CONCERNED."
HE SAID ADVICE ON IDENTIFICATION AND REMOVAL OF ASBESTOS WAS BEING GIVEN BY BLD STAFF DURING THE CONTACTS WITH THE OWNERS AND CONTRACTORS.
"SIMPLE GUIDELINES CONCERNING ASBESTOS HANDLING AND DISPOSAL ARE BEING MADE AVAILABLE TO OWNERS AND CONTRACTORS, WHO CAN, IF NECESSARY, ALSO SEEK FURTHER ADVICE FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE ENVIRNONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT," MR LEWIS SAID.
-----0------
SHW ON OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
*****
FOLLOWING IS THE SPEECH ON THE MOTION DEBATE ON "OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY" BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON MRS ELIZABETH WONG, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SIR,
IT HAS BEEN THE ESTABLISHED GOVERNMENT POLICY TO PRESERVE AND PROMOTE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH.
IN HONG KONG, WE HAVE A HIGHLY PRODUCTIVE WORKFORCE OF SOME 2.8 MILLION PEOPLE. PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH MAKES FOR A PRODUCTIVE WORKFORCE AND CONTRIBUTES TO OUR ECONOMIC GROWTH.
OVER THE YEARS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN PROVIDING A WHOLE RANGE OF PREVENTIVE, PROMOTIVE AND REHABILITATIVE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES TO THE WORKING COMMUNITY. CURRENTLY, UNDER OUR EXISTING REHABILITATION POLICY, REHABILITATION SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY DISABLED MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY IRRESPECTIVE OF THE CAUSES OF DISABILITY. SHOULD A WORKER BECOME DISABLED AS A RESULT OF AN INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT, HE WILL GET THE REQUIRED MEDICAL AND VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION TO ENABLE HIM TO ACHIEVE MAXIMUM RESTORATION OF HIS IMPAIRED ABILITY. ALL THIS IS, OF COURSE, NOT ENOUGH. FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE ADMIRABLE WORDS OF SOME SPEAKERS BEFORE ME, WHAT PREVENTIVE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH MEASURES ARE THERE FOR THOSE OF US WITH LOWER BACK PAIN WHO BUMBLE AWAY LIKE THE BUSY BUMBLE BEES THAT WE ARE OR HUMBLE BEES THAT SOME OF US HOPE TO BE.
/SIR, THE ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991
- 22 -
SIR, THE IMPORTANCE OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SHOULD BE RECOGNISED. IT IS RECOGNISED IN THE REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY ON PRIMARY HEALTH CARE WHICH I TABLED IN THIS COUNCIL LAST WEDNESDAY. IN THE SAID REPORT, OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH IS RECOGNISED AS AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE. THE REPORT RECOMMENDS, INTER ALIA, THAT AN OVERALL REVIEW OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SHOULD NOW BE CONDUCTED IN THE LIGHT OF CHANGING PRACTICES IN INDUSTRY, EMERGING PATTERNS OF OCCUPATION AND NEW CONCEPTS OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH. WE ARE NOW CONSULTING THE PUBLIC ON THIS REPORT AND WILL GIVE DUE CONSIDERATION TO THE VALUABLE VIEWS AND OPINIONS EXPRESSED ON THIS SUBJECT TODAY. FURTHERMORE, POLICIES AND SERVICES ON REHABILITATION AS A WHOLE ARE CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW AND WILL BE COVERED IN A GREEN PAPER TO BE PUBLISHED FOR CONSULTATION LATER THIS YEAR AND I LOOK FORWARD TO MEMBERS VIEWS.
I THINK, SIR, TO BE TRULY SUCCESSFUL, PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH WILL NEED AN INTEGRATED APPROACH VIA THE COMBINED EFFORTS OF SOCIAL WORKERS, HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS, EMPLOYERS, EMPLOYEES AND THE GOVERNMENT. BETTER OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH CARE MUST BE PARTICIPATORY, WITH DUE INVOLVEMENT OF ALL CONCERNED.
SIR, WITH THESE REMARKS, I SUPPORT THE MOTION.
-----0------
SEM ON OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
*****
FOLLOWING IS THE SPEECH ON THE MOTION DEBATE ON OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON K. Y. YEUNG, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SIR,
I HAVE LISTENED WITH GREAT INTEREST TO THE POINTS MADE BY DR LEONG AND OTHER MEMBERS THIS AFTERNOON. THE MOTION BEFORE US COVERS TWO PROGRAMME AREAS, NAMELY, EMPLOYMENT AND REHABILITATION. MY COLLEAGUE THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE HAS ALREADY DEALT WITH THE LATTER. I WILL NOW DEAL WITH THE EMPLOYMENT RELATED ISSUES OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY. IN SO DOING I SHALL TRY AS FAR AS POSSIBLE TO RESPOND TO THE POINTS OF PRINCIPLE MADE BY VARIOUS MEMBERS IN THIS DEBATE.
/HAZARD PREVENTION .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991
23
HAZARD PREVENTION
LET ME DEAL FIRST WITH HAZARD PREVENTION. THE GOVERNMENT TAKES THE VIEW THAT THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK RESTS WITH THOSE WHO CREATE THE RISKS AND THOSE WHO WORK WITH THE RISKS. THIS PRINCIPLE UNDERLIES THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE - THE MAIN STATUTE GOVERNING HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK. AS A RESULT, MAJOR AMENDMENTS INTRODUCED IN DECEMBER 1989, THE ORDINANCE NOW MAKES EMPLOYERS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ALL PEOPLE WORKING WITHIN THEIR UNDERTAKINGS. EQUALLY IT MAKES EMPLOYEES RESPONSIBLE FOR ESTABLISHING A RISK FREE WORKING ENVIRONMENT AS FAR AS POSSIBLE. THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IMPLEMENTS THIS LEGISLATION IN TWO WAYS. FIRST OF ALL, IT PROMOTES UNDERSTANDING OF THE ORDINANCE THROUGH PUBLICITY, EDUCATION AND TRAINING. AS MR HO SAI-CHU HAS ALREADY POINTED OUT, THIS EFFORT IS ABLY COMPLEMENTED BY THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL.
AS A RESULT, MORE BUSINESSES ARE TAKING THE INITIATIVE IN EMPLOYING SAFETY AND HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TO ADVISE THEM ON THEIR WORK PROCEDURES. SECONDLY, THE DEPARTMENT INSPECTS INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS TO ENSURE THAT BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES ARE COMPLYING WITH THE LAW. AND HERE I SHOULD PERHAPS REMIND HONOURABLE MEMBERS THAT WHERE A SERIOUS BREACH OF THE LAW HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED, SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION CAN RESULT IN THE IMPOSITION OF CUSTODIAL PENALTIES.
THE COMBINED EFFECT OF BOTH OUR PROMOTIONAL AND REGULATORY EFFORT HAS BEEN A STEADY REDUCTION IN THE INCIDENCE AND SEVERITY OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS. OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS THE NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS HAS STABLISED AT ABOUT 53 000 A YEAR. BUT WHAT IS MORE ENCOURAGING IS THE FACT THAT THE NUMBER OF SERIOUS INJURIES, PARTICULARLY THOSE CAUSED BY POWER DRIVEN MACHINERY, AND I AM SURE MY COLLEAGUE THE SECRETARY FROR HEALTH AND WELFARE WILL AGREED WITH ME, IT IS THESE INJURIES WHICH ARE REALLY NASTY. THESE INJURIES HAVE DECLINED FROM NEARLY 10 000 IN 1986 TO ABOUT 8 000 LAST YEAR. SO, WE HAVE BEEN ACHIEVING STEADY PROGRESS. NEVERTHELESS THE LEVEL OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IS STILL A MATTER OF CONCERN, PARTICULARLY IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, AND WE CANNOT AFFORD TO RELAX OUR VIGILANCE.
SEVERAL MEMBERS HAVE SUGGESTED THAT THE AMBIT OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO ALL INDUSTRIES. THE ORDINANCE NOW COVERS FACTORIES, CONSTRUCTION SITES, MINES AND QUARRIES AND, FROM THE END OF THIS YEAR, ALL CATERING ESTABLISHMENTS. IN CONSIDERING FURTHER EXTENSIONS, WE WILL NEED TO BEAR IN MIND THAT RESOURCES ARE LIMITED. I AM NOT TROTTING OUT A GLIB FACE IN SAYING RESOURCES ARE LIMITED, THEY ARE TRULY LIMITED. MEMBERS OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DO NOT GROWN ON TREES, THEY HAVE TO BE RECRUITTED; TIME HAS TO BE SPEND ON TRAINING THEM; THEY HAVE TO BE GIVEN TIME TO GAIN EXPERIENCE. EVEN WITH THE BEST WILL IN THE WORLD, EVEN WITH UNLIMITED RESOURCES IT WILL NEED TIME AND PATIENCE TO WORK UP AN INCREASED CAPABILITY. SO FAR WE HAVE BEEN CONCENTRATING ON THE HIGHER RISK AREAS, SUCH AS CONSTRUCTION AND MANUFACTURING, WITH SOME MEASURE OF SUCCESS. AS I MENTIONED EARLIER WE HAVE MANAGED TO KEEP THE OVERALL LEVEL OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS STABLE OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS AND THERE HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF SERIOUS INJURIES. WE MUST NOT SPREAD OUR RESOURCES SO THINLY THAT WE PUT AT RISK THE SUCCESS THAT WE HAVE FOUGHT SO HARD FOR SO LONG TO SECURE.
/SEVERAL MEMBERS .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991
- 24 -
SEVERAL MEMBERS HAVE CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO REQUIRE ALL BUSINESSES TO SET UP SAFETY COMMITTEES. THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY HERE IS TO ENCOURAGE, NOT TO COMPEL. THE EXPERIENCE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SUGGESTS THAT SAFETY COMMITTEES TEND TO BE PRACTICABLE AND EFFECTIVE ONLY WHERE THE INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS INVOLVED EMPLOY LARGE NUMBERS OF WORKERS. MANY BUSINESSES, HOWEVER, EMPLOY FEWER THAN 50 WORKERS. IT WOULD NOT BE PRACTICABLE FOR THEM TO SET UP SAFETY COMMITTEES. THAT BEING SO, THE CASE FOR LEGISLATION OR PERHAPS SOME OTHER FORM OF COMPULSION IS NOT A COMPELLING ONE. WITH SMALL BUSINESSES THE IMPROVEMENT OF SAFETY DEPENDS MUCH MORE ON EDUCATIVE PUBLICITY, COUPLED PERHAPS WITH QUICK, PRACTICAL CASH ASSISTANCE, SUCH AS THAT NOW PROVIDED BY THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL AS AN INDUCEMENT TO WORKERS TO IMPROVE WORK PROCEDURES.
DISABILITY ASSESSMENT AND COMPENSATION
TURNING NOW TO DISABILITY ASSESSMENT AND COMPENSATION, THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY IS TO ENSURE THAT EMPLOYEES ARE COMPENSATED BY THEIR EMPLOYERS FOR INJURIES SUSTAINED IN WORK, AND FOR OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES. THIS POLICY IS IMPLEMENTED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON THE BASIS OF TWO STATUTES. THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE REQUIRES EMPLOYERS TO INSURE THEMSELVES AGAINST THEIR LIABILITY TO COMPENSATE THEIR EMPLOYEES FOR WORK INJURIES AND OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES. THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS (COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE PROVIDES FOR A SYSTEM OF ASSESSMENT AND COMPENSATION FOR WORKERS SUFFERING FROM THIS DISEASE.
UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE, DISABILITY OF A PERMANENT NATURE REQUIRES ASSESSMENT AND CERTIFICATION BY A BOARD CONSTITUTED UNDER THE ORDINANCE. IN STRAIGHT FORWARD CASES, WHERE THE INJURY IS EITHER SPECIFIED IN THE ORDINANCE OR THE DISABILITY CAN CLEARLY BE IDENTIFIED, AN ORDINARY ASSESSMENT BOARD IS CONVENED TO DETERMINE THE LOSS OF EARNING CAPACITY. WHERE THE ORDINARY ASSESSMENT BOARD FINDS THAT THE STANDARDS PRESCRIBED UNDER THE ORDINANCE DO NOT REFLECT ACCURATELY THE LOSS OF EARNING CAPACITY, IT MAY REFER THE CASE TO A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT BOARD. INJURED EMPLOYEES WHO ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH THE FINDINGS OF THE ASSESSMENT MAY ASK FOR A REVIEW. THOSE WHO ARE STILL NOT SATISFIED WITH THE RESULTS MAY TAKE THEIR CASE TO THE COURTS.
SO, IT IS NOT TRUE THAT INJURED EMPLOYEES HAVE NO RECOURSE, THEY HAVE RECOURSE WITH THE FULL RANGE OF SEMI-JUDICIAL AND JUDICIAL AVENUES OF APPEAL.
THE ORDINANCE ALSO PRESCRIBES LEVELS OF COMPENSATION FOR PERMANENT DISABILITY, HAVING REGARD TO THE AGE OF THE EMPLOYEE, HIS EARNINGS AT THE TIME OF THE INJURY AND THE DEGREE OF HIS DISABILITY. THE LEVELS OF COMPENSATION ARE REVIEWED EVERY TWO YEARS, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT MOVEMENTS IN WAGES.
/AND HERE .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991
25
AND HERE, PERHAPS I SHOULD RESPOND SPECIFICALLY TO TWO POINTS MADE BY MR TAM YIU-CHUNG WHEN HE ASKED ABOUT THE ORIGINS OF THE 96-MONTH RULE AND THE CEILING FOR COMPENSATION SET AT $485,000. THE PRESENT SYSTEM AS REFLECTED IN THE STATUTE IS DERIVED AFTER VERY CAREFUL CONSULTATION BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES. THAT IS THE SIMPLE ANSWER TO HIS QUESTION OF HOW THESE ARRANGEMENTS HAVE COME ABOUT. BUT I THINK IN FAIRNESS IT SHOULD BE SAID THAT THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS REQUIRE EMPLOYERS TO PAY COMPENSATION REGARDLESS OF HETHER OR NOT THEY ARE AT FAULT. THIS MEANS THAT IF EMPLOYERS HAD DEEN FOUND TO BE AT FAULT, THEY MAY ALSO BE SUED FOR DAMAGES AND AS WE HAVE SEEN RECENTLY IN THE PRESS, A CERTAIN EMPLOYER HAS BEEN SUED HEAVILY FOR DAMAGES. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT COMPENSATION PAYABLE BY EMPLOYERS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAD BEEN AT FAULT.
SO IN CONSIDERING WHETHER OR NOT WE SHOULD BE RAISING THESE LEVELS OF COMPENSATION, WHETHER WE SHOULD BE RAISING THESE COMPENSATION CEILINGS, WE MUST BEAR IN MIND TWO POINTS. THE FIRST, THAT THERE WILL BE A NEED TO CONSULT, FOR BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO CONSULT; AND THE SECOND IS THAT THE BENEFITS TO BE OBTAINED FROM RAISING THE LEVEL OF COMPENSATION OR THE CEILINGS INVOLVED MUST ALSO BE CAREFULLY COUNTER-BALANCED AGAINST THE COST TO EMPLOYERS AND THEREFORE TO THE ECONOMY OF BRINGING ABOUT THESE BENEFITS.
SEVERAL MEMBERS HAVE ASKED FOR A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF DISABILITY ASSESSMENT AND COMPENSATION. THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT DOES IN FACT KEEP THE SYSTEM UNDER REGULAR REVIEW AND MEMBERS’ SUGGESTIONS WILL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN THIS PROCESS. MEMBERS MAY WISH TO KNOW THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY CONSIDERING TWO POSSIBLE IMPROVEMENTS. FIRST, WITH THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD, WE ARE EXAMINING A SYSTEM OF DIRECT SETTLEMENT IN CASES OF MINOR INJURIES. THIS WOULD ENABLE EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO SETTLE CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION QUICKLY, WITHOUT INVOLVING THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT. THE NECESSARY AMENDING LEGISLATION IS BEING DRAFTED. SECONDLY, AND AGAIN WITH THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD, WE ARE LOOKING AT THE FEASIBILITY OF A SCHEME THAT WOULD COMPENSATE EMPLOYEES FOR LOSS OF HEARING AS A RESULT OF EXPOSURE TO OCCUPATIONAL NOISE. SIMPLE AS IT MAY SOUND, THE PROPOSED SCHEME IS PROVING TO BE QUITE DIFFICULT TO DEVISE. LOSS OF HEARING CAN TAKE PLACE OVER A LONG PERIOD AND IT IS NOT EASY TO ESTABLISH STAGES IN THE LOSS OF HEARING, NEVER MIND APPORTIONING RESPONSIBILITY TO SPECIFIC EMPLOYERS AND SPECIFIC JOBS IN THE PAST. NEVERTHELESS, I AM GLAD TO SAY THAT THE PRACTICAL SOLUTION IS NOW IN SIGHT AND THAT I WILL SHORTLY BE GETTING LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING PROPOSALS FROM THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR.
/MANY MEMBERS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991
- 26 -
MANY MEMBERS HAVE POINTED OUT A NUMBER OF INADEQUACIES IN TE / PNEUMOCONIOSIS (COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE. AS I SAID IN THIS COUNCIL ON 30 JANUARY IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM MR TAM YIU-CHUNG, AN INTERDEPARTMENTAL WORKING PARTY IS NOW REVIEWING THE ORDINANCE. WHILE THE WORKING PARTY HAS YET TO COMPLETE ITS TASK, ITS PRELIMINARY FINDINGS POINT TO THE NEED FOR A NUMBER OF MAJOR CHANGES TO BE MADE TO THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF ASSESSMENT AND COMPENSATION. GIVEN THE PROGRESSIVE NATURE OF THE DISEASE, WHICH IS AN UNDENIABLE FACT, WE CANNOT RULE OUT THE POSSIBILITY OF THE PRESENT TWO-STAGE ASSESSMENT PROCESS BEING REPLACED BY MORE FREQUENT AND REGULAR ASSESSMENTS AND COMPENSATION PAYMENTS. BUT HERE AGAIN, WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL. WHILE THERE APPEARS, ON THE FACE OF IT, TO BE A FAIR CASE FOR MORE FREQUENT ASSESSMENTS OF DISABILITY LEADING TO FURTHER PAYMENTS OF COMPENSATION, WE MUST TRY TO AVOID A SITUATION IN WHICH WORKERS ALREADY SUFFERING FROM THIS DISEASE WOULD FURTHER EXPOSE THEMSELVES TO THE SAME OR GREATER HAZARDS. IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO FIND A WAY IN WHICH THESE WORKERS ARE REQUIRED TO PERFORM OTHER, NON-HAZARDOUS WORK, FOLLOWING RE-TRAINING IF NECESSARY.
THE WAY FORWARD
SIR, THE MOTION BEFORE US URGES THE ADMINISTRATION TO CONDUCT WITH URGENCY A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF ITS POLICIES ON OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY. AS THIS SUBJECT COVERS TWO PROGRAMME AREAS, AND AS MEMBERS HAVE MADE A CONVINCING CASE FOR THE MANY RELATED SERVICES AND ISSUES TO BE LOOKED AT AS A WHOLE, IT WOULD SEEM SENSIBLE FOR THE VARIOUS INVESTIGATIONS NOW BEING UNDERTAKEN BY THE TWO POLICY BRANCHES AND THEIR DEPARTMENTS TO BE JOINTLY MONITORED. MY COLLEAGUE THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE WELCOMES THIS. ACCORDINGLY, WE HAVE AGREED TO SET UP A JOINT STEERING COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE THREE COMPONENT ELEMENTS THAT WE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING THIS AFTERNOON. FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH HER AND MY SUCCESSOR, I CAN SAY THAT WB ARE HOPEFUL WE SHALL BE ABLE TO REPORT MEANINGFUL PROGRESS TO THE OMELCO PANELS CONCERNED BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
SIR, AS THE MOTION POINTS OUT, TODAY IS INTERNATIONAL LABOUR DAY. IT ALSO HAPPENS TO BE MY LAST DAY AS SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER. I SHALL THEREFORE HAVE TO LEAVE THE TASK OF THIS JOINT REVIEW TO MY SUCCESSOR INSOFAR AS THE EMPLOYMENT SIDE IS CONCERNED. AS THE NEXT SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, I SHALL, OF COURSE CONTINUE TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE SUBJECT. AND I SHOULD VERY MUCH HOPE THAT, FOLLOWING THE PROCESS OF CONSULTATION WITH THE RELEVANT OMELCO PANELS, I WILL NOT BE ON THE RECEIVING END OF INCALCULABLY EXPENSIVE PROPOSALS - LIKE FOR EXAMPLE, COMPENSATION FOR OMELCONIOSIS.
SIR, WITH THESE REMARKS I SUPPORT THE MOTION.
/27........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991
27
SHW ON ELDERLY TRAVEL CONCESSIONS
FOLLOWING IS THE SPEECH ON ADJOURNMENT DEBATE : ’’CONCESSIONARY FARES SYSTEM FOR ALL SENIOR CITIZENS OF 65 OF AGE” BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON MRS ELIZABETH WONG, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SIR,
IT IS QUITE EVIDENT FROM THE QUALITY OF THOSE SHORTEN SPEEDY DEBATE THIS EVENING THAT WE IN HONG KONG DO HONOUR AND RESPECT ELDERLY MEMBERS IN OUR COMMUNITY. I SUPPORT ALL THAT HAS BEEN SAID. CLEARLY, WE NEED TO SET PRIORITIES AND EXPLORE WAYS AND MEANS TO ENHANCE THE MOBILITY OF OUR ELDERLY CITIZENS. MY COLLEAGUES AND I IN THE GOVERNMENT WILL ENDEAVOUR TO PURSUE THIS ENERGETICALLY IN THE LIGHT OF MEMBERS1 VIEWS.
MIGHT I ADD, BEFORE WE ADJOURN, SIR, THAT I AM GRATEFUL FOR HONOURABLE MEMBERS’ WISE COUNSEL AND AS A FUTURE BENEFICIARY, I THANK THEM ALL IN ADVANCE.
u
INFORMATION ON FEE REFUNDS LISTED *****
THE NUMBER OF WATER DEPOSIT REFUND CASES OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT INCREASED FROM 67,498 IN 1988/89 TO 73,990 IN 1989/90.
THIS INFORMATION WAS CONTAINED IN A WRITTEN REPLY BY THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PETER WONG HONG-YUEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN THE REPLY, MR MACLEOD SAID THE TIME TAKEN TO EFFECT REFUND WAS FOUR WEEKS.
THE NUMBER OF WATER DEPOSIT REFUND CASES IN 1987/88 WAS 64,247.
AS FOR WATER CHARGES REFUND CASES, THE NUMBER DROPPED FROM 791-IN 1988/89 TO 770 IN 1989/90. THE NUMBER IN 1987/88 WAS 680. THE TIME TAKEN TO EFFECT REFUNDS WAS ONE TO TWO WEEKS.
IN 1989/90, THE NUMBER OF REFUND CASES FOR CONNEX1 ON/1NSTALLATION FEE DECREASED TO 346 FROM 552 IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR. THE NUMBER FOR 1987/88 WAS 501. TWO TO THREE WEEKS WAS REQUIRED TO EFFECT REFUNDS.
IN ADDITION, THE NUMBER OF REFUND CASES WAS 28, 27 AND 34 FOR RECONNECTION FEE IN 1987/88, 1988/89 AND 1989/90 RESPECTIVELY AND 486, 292 AND 276 FOR WATER TEST FEE OVER THE SAME THREE-YEAR PERIOD. TIME TAKEN TO EFFECT REFUNDS FOR BOTH ITEMS WAS FOUR WEEKS.
/AS FOR ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991
28
AS FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THE NUMBER OF REFUND CASES WAS 544 IN 1987/88 AND 577 IN 1988/89.
SINCE THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT WAS DIVIDED INTO THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ON APRIL 1, 1989, THE NUMBER OF REFUND CASES IN 1989/90 WAS 521 FOR THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND 24 FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
THE LONGEST REFUND TIME TAKEN FOR THE HOSPITAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WAS 211 DAYS AND THE SHORTEST TIME TAKEN WAS FIVE MINUTES.
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE LONGEST TIME TAKEN TO EFFECT REFUNDS WAS 45 DAYS WHILE THE SHORTEST 12 DAYS.
THERE WAS ONLY ONE REFUND CASE (IN 1988/89) FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT OVER THE THREE-YEAR PERIOD AND THE TIME REQUIRED WAS 53 DAYS.
MR MACLEOD NOTED THAT THE FIGURES, IN THE CASE OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, INDICATED ONLY THE AVERAGE PROCESSING TIME TAKEN BY THE DEPARTMENT ITSELF AND DID NOT INCLUDE THE TWO TO THREE WEEKS THAT THE TREASURY MIGHT HAVE TAKEN TO EFFECT THE PAYMENTS.
HE ADDED THAT BECAUSE OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF TRANSACTIONS INVOLVED, THE ACTUAL LONGEST AND SHORTEST PROCESSING TIME WAS NOT AVAILABLE FROM THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT.
------0--------
MOTION ON REVIEW OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY PASSED
* * * * *
A MOTION ON THE REVIEW OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE MOTION, MOVED BY DR THE HON C.H. LEONG, READ: "THIS COUNCIL URGES THE ADMINISTRATION ON THIS INTERNATIONAL LABOUR DAY THAT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY BE CONDUCTED WITH URGENCY. IN PARTICULAR THREE ASPECTS MUST BE EXPLORED: HAZARD PREVENTION; DISABILITY ASSESSMENT AND COMPENSATION' AND REHABILITATION."
FOURTEEN MEMBERS, INCLUDING THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE AND THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, SPOKE ON THE MOTION.
MEANWHILE, 15 NON-GOVERNMENT MEMBERS SPOKE IN AN ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE MATTER OF "CONSIDERATION BY THE GOVERNMENT OF PROVISION TO ENABLE A CONCESSIONARY FARES SYSTEM FOR ALL SENIOR CITIZENS OF 65 YEARS OF AGE AND OVER BY ALL MAJOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMPANIES" RAISED BY THE HON J.D. MCGREGOR. THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
/IN ADDITION .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991
- 29 -
IN ADDITION, FOUR BILLS WERE PASSED BY THE COUNCIL. THEY WERE THE SECURITIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991, ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, HOTEL AND GUESTHOUSE ACCOMMODATION BILL 1991 AND LEGAL AID (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991.
SIX OTHER BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS, AND DEBATES ON THEM WERE ADJOURNED.
THEY WERE THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991, OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES BILL 1991, SECURITIES (DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, SECURITIES (INSIDER DEALING) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, TRADE DESCRIPTIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 AND HONG KONG WAR MEMORIAL PENSIONS BILL 1991.
ALSO, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY SPOKE ON THE REPORT OF CHANGES TO THE APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE APPROVED DURING THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990-91 UNDER THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE SECTION 8.
-------------- - 0------------------------------
/30........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991
HK GOVERNMENT’S COMMENTS ON GENEVA MEETING
*****
SPEAKING FROM GENEVA TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY GAVE THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S REACTION TO THE OUTCOME OF THE FOURTH MEETING OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INDOCHINESE REFUGEES.
HE SAID THE MEETING PROVIDED AN IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW AND REAFFIRM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION AS 16 MONTHS WAS FAR TOO LONG SINCE THE LAST MEETING OF THE GOVERNMENTS CONCERNED.
"AS A RESULT OF THE MEETING, THE UNHCR AND OTHER GOVERNMENTS WERE NOW VERY CONSCIOUS OF THE DISPROPORTIONATE BURDEN BEING BORNE BY HONG KONG AS VIRTUALLY THE ONLY CURRENT DESTINATION OF THOSE LEAVING VIETNAM CLANDESTINELY," MR ASPREY SAID.
HE WELCOMED THE PERSONAL ATTENDANCE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES.
"AT THE MEETING, BOTH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE UK GOVERNMENT MADE IT CLEAR THAT THERE ARE LIMITS TO HONG KONG’S RESOURCES AND PATIENCE IN ACCOMMODATING A CONTINUING LARGE-SCALE INFLUX OF NON-REFUGEES FROM VIETNAM," HE ADDED.
MR ASPREY SAID THE POSITIVE REAFFIRMATION OF THE CPA WAS WELCOME, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING THE MESSAGE THROUGH TO THE SCREENED OUT THAT THERE WAS ' NO PROSPECT OF THEIR HAVING ACCESS TO RESETTLEMENT FROM HONG KONG AND NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO RETURN TO VIETNAM.
"THE REPRESENTATIVES AT THE MEETING GAVE A CLEAR INTERNATIONAL MESSAGE TO DISPEL RUMOURS AND COUNTER-COUNSELLING ABOUT ANY CHANGE IN POLICY OR CUT-OFF DATES," HE SAID.
"IT WAS ALSO HELPFUL THAT THE GUARANTEE OF NON-PERSECUTION FOR ALL THOSE WHO RETURN WAS REITERATED BY VIETNAM," HE ADDED.
MR ASPREY SAID, HOWEVER, THAT DESPITE A CONSENSUS ON THE NEED FOR THE SCREENED OUT TO RETURN, IT WAS DISAPPOINTING THAT FINAL AGREEMENT HAD NOT YET ACHIEVED THE MEANS OF BRINGING THIS ABOUT.
"THE STEERING COMMITTEE AGREED THAT A SUB-COMMITTEE SHOULD MEET AS A MATTER OF URGENCY TO CONSIDER WAYS OF ACHIEVING THE RETURN OF ALL THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN SCREENED OUT, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THAT HAPPENING IN THE NEAR FUTURE."
HE ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S OBJECTIVES WERE NOW TO WORK WITH OTHER KEY PARTICIPANTS TO ACHIEVE EARLY AGREEMENT ON MEANS OF REPATRIATION OF ALL THE SCREENED OUT.
"IN THE MEANTIME, WE WILL REDOUBLE OUR EFFORTS WITH THE UNHCR TO UNDERLINE THE TWIN MESSAGES OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE. FOR THOSE IN CAMPS, THAT THERE IS NO PROSPECT OF RESETTLEMENT FOR • THE SCREENED OUT AND FOR THOSE IN VIETNAM, THAT THE ONLY LEGITIMATE AVENUE TO RESETTLEMENT OVERSEAS IS THROUGH THE ORDERLY DEPARTURE PROGRAMME."
- - 0 - -
/31
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1,
1991
- 31 -
RE-APPOINTMENT TO SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION
*****
THE GOVERNOR HAS RE-APPOINTED MESSRS DENIS CHANG, DENYS CONNOLLY AND PETER WONG AS NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC), AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, AS MEMBERS OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES APPEALS PANEL, FROM MAY 1 FOR PERIODS FROM SIX MONTHS TO ONE YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE SFC ORDINANCE, THE GOVERNOR SHALL APPOINT NOT LESS THAN EIGHT DIRECTORS TO THE SFC, HALF OF WHOM SHALL BE NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS. AT PRESENT THE COMMISSION IS SERVED BY 12 DIRECTORS.
"THE NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS WILL CONTINUE TO BRING AN INDEPENDENT VIEW TO THE MANAGEMENT AND ORGANISATION OF THE SFC.
"THEY WILL BE FULLY INVOLVED IN ITS POLICY DEVELOPMENT," MR NENDICK SAID.
--------------------. 0--------------------
VEHICLES MEETING NEW STRINGENT EMISSION STANDARDS CAN REGISTER NOW
******
AS A RESULT OF THE SMOOTH INTRODUCTION OF UNLEADED PETROL (ULP) IN HONG KONG, THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT HAS ADVISED THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT THAT REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES COMPLYING WITH THE NEW STRINGENT EMISSION STANDARDS CAN COMMENCE TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"SINCE WE ARE SATISFIED WITH THE LEAD CONTENT IN OUR ULP, WE ARE PREPARED TO ALLOW VEHICLES MEETING THE NEW STANDARDS TO BE REGISTERED STARTING FROM TODAY, PROVIDED OF COURSE, THAT FULL CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE FROM THE MANUFACTURER IS SUPPLIED AND THAT THE VEHICLES MEET ALL OTHER REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT," AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, MR FRED TROMP, SAID.
MR TROMP SAID THE GOVERNMENT RECENTLY CONDUCTED AN ANALYSIS OF ULP SAMPLES TAKEN FROM PETROL FILLING STATIONS ACROSS THE TERRITORY, AND RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE LEAD LEVELS WERE MUCH LOWER THAN THE STANDARD SET BY LAW.
"THE LAW REQUIRES THAT THE LEAD CONCENTRATION IN ULP MUST NOT ' EXCEED 0.013 GRAMS PER LITRE. THE LEVELS IN OUR SAMPLES ' ARE MUCH LOWER THAN THIS," HE SAID.
LEAD LEVELS HAVE TO BE LIMITED TO PROTECT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, WHICH IS THE VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL DEVICE THAT ENABLES PETROL VEHICLES TO MEET THE STRINGENT EMISSION STANDARDS MANDATED UNDER THE NEW REGULATIONS.
/"IMPLEMENTATION OF
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991
- 32 -
"IMPLEMENTATION OE THESE STANDARDS REQUIRES FULL AVAILABILITY OF ULP, BECAUSE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ARE DAMAGED BY THE LEAD IN LEADED PETROL," MR TROMP SAID.
THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS DRASTICALLY REDUCE THE EMISSIONS OF AIR POLLUTANTS SUCH AS OXIDES OF NITROGEN (NOX), CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) AND HYDROCARBONS (HC), BY CONVERTING THEM TO CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2), WATER VAPOUR AND NITROGEN, WHICH ARE NORMAL CONSTITUENTS OF I'NPOLLUTED AIR.
UNDER THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL (VEHICLE DESIGN STANDARDS) (EMISSION) REGULATIONS GAZETTED ON APRIL 4, 1991, ALL PETROL VEHICLES REGISTERED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, NEXT YEAR MUST MEET STRINGENT EMISSION STANDARDS.
THE REGULATIONS ALSO SPECIFY NEW STANDARDS FOR DIESEL VEHICLES OF LESS THAN 2.5 TONNES DESIGN WEIGHT.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THIS MOVE TO ALLOW REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES MEETING THE SPECIFICATIONS OF THE NEW STANDARD WILL BE WELCOMED BY LOCAL CAR DEALERS, WHO ARE EAGER TO TAKE HONG KONG INTO THE NEW PHASE OF MODERN AND CLEAN MOTORING.
---------0 - -
CONSULTATION ON COPYRIGHT LAW ENDS
*****
THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION COPYRIGHT SUB-COMMITTEE PUBLISHED A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON THE REFORM OF THE LAW RELATING TO COPYRIGHT ON JANUARY 28 THIS YEAR.
THE THREE-MONTH CONSULTATION PERIOD EXPIRED YESTERDAY (APRIL 30).
AS AT YESTERDAY, THE COMMISSION SECRETARAIT HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 53 SUBMISSIONS, SOME OF WHICH ARE LENGTHY AND DETAILED.
THE COPYRIGHT SUB-COMMITTEE WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THOSE INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANISATIONS, ROTH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS, FOR THEIR TROUBLE TO SUBMIT THEIR VIEWS ON ALL ASPECTS OF THE REFORM OF THE COPYRIGHT LAW OF HONG KONG.
EACH SUBMISSION WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE COPYRIGHT SUB-COMMITTEE IN A SERIES OF MEETINGS BEGINNING THIS MONTH.
AFTER IT HAS REVIEWED ALL ITS TENTATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE LIGHT OF THE RESPONSES RECEIVED, THE COPYRIGHT SUB-COMMITTEE WILL THEN REPORT TO THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION. IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE SUB-COMMITTEE WILL DO SO BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.
/THE COMMISSION .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991
- 33 -
THE COMMISSION WILL CONSIDER THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND MAY ENDORSE, REJECT OR MODIFY THEM. IT WILL THEN PUBLISH A LAW REFORM COMMISSION REPORT ON COPYRIGHT, WHICH WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT IT WILL BE FOR THE GOVERNMENT, NOT THE COMMISSION, TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO PROPOSE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ANY RECOMMENDATIONS THE COMMISSION MAY MAKE.
---------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE EUNI) MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ****** HKEF $ MILLION
DATE
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 30.4.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 1.5.91 + 303
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -303
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.0 *-0.5*
1.5.91
ISSUE NUMBER HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEI
MATURI NG ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
QI 15 10.7.91 360 + 120
QI 16 17.7.91 . 360 + 120
QI 17 24.7.91 308.5 +171.5
QI 18 31.7.91 4 60 + 20
Q106 8.5.91 627.5 -147.5
Q107 15.5.91 491 -11
Q108 22.5.91 410 + 70
QI 09 29.5.91 530 -50
QI 10 5.6.91 320 + 160
QI 11 12.6.91 380 + 100
QI 12 19.6.91 630 -150
QI 1 3 26.6.91 470 + 10
QI 1 4 3.7.91 460 + 20
/HONG KONG........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991
- 34 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEJ
182-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
H002 15.5.91 227.5 + 32.5
H003 29.5.91 220 + 40
H004 12.6.91 250 + 10
H005 26.6.91 230 + 30
H1 01 10.7.91 143 + 117
Hl 56 24.7.91 150 + 110
Hl 57 7.8.91 189.5 + 70.5
H158 21.8.91 200 + 60
Hl 59 4.9.91 150 + 110
Hl 60 18.9.91 260 + 0
H 1 6 1 2.10.91 -10 + 270
H 162 17.10.91 84 + 176
H163 30.10.91 190 + 70
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
364-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEK
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
Y187 26.2.92 170 + 90
Y188 25.3.92 190 + 70
Y189 22.4.92 200 + 60
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 26.4.91 WAS 5,438 MN
- - - 0---------
PAU CHUNG STREET BUILDINGS DECLARED LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE BUILDINGS AT 103-105 PAU CHUNG STREET, TO KWA WAN AS THEY ARE DECLARED LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.
IN A STATEMENT ISSUED TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THAT IN JANUARY THIS YEAR, THE BUILDINGS HAD BEEN DECLARED LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE CLOSURE AND DEMOLITION OF THE ADJOINING BUILDINGS AT NOS. 99 AND 101 WHICH HAD BEEN DECLARED DANGEROUS AT THE TIME.
/HOWEVER, THE ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991
HOWEVER, THE OWNERS OF THE GROUND FLOOR SHOPS AT NOS. 103 AND 105 FROMALLY APPEALED AGAINST THE BUILDING AUTHORITY’S DECISION IN RESPECT OF THEIR BUILDINGS, AND THEREFORE THE PROPOSED APPLICATION FOR CLOSURE ORDER WAS CANCELLED.
THE APPEAL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE WAS FORWARDED TO THE APPEAL TRIBUNAL (BUILDINGS) IN FEBRUARY.
THE TRIBUNAL, HAVING CONSIDERED THE REPRESENTATIONS BY THE APPELLANTS, HAD DISMISSED THE APPEAL ON THE GROUND THAT PUBLIC SAFETY MUST TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER THE APPELLANTS’ INTEREST.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON MAY 21 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY.
- - 0 - -
MONG KOK PRE-WAR BUILDING DECLARED DANGEROUS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY HAS DECLARED THE BUILDING AT 483 SHANGHAI STREET, MONG KOK, TO BE DANGEROUS.
THE STRUCTURE IS A FOUR-STOREY PRE-WAR BUILDING CONSTRUCTED OF LOADBEARING BRICK AND MASONRY WALLS WITH REINFORCED CONCRETE FLOOR BEAMS AND ROOF.
IN A STATEMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THE BUILDING, CURRENTLY USED AS A BOOKSHOP ON THE GROUND FLOOR AND FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES ON THE FIRST FLOOR WITH THE REMAINING UPPER FLOORS BEING USED AS A SHOE MANUFACTORY, WAS LAST REPAIRED IN 1979.
RECENT INSPECTION HAVE SHOWN THAT IT IS IN BADLY DILAPIDATED CONDITION AS EVIDENCED BY THE DEFECTS TO THE REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS AND ROOF WHICH ARE PARTICULARLY BAD ON THE UPPER STOREYS.
FURTHERMORE, THE LOADBEARING BRICKWORK TN THE REAP KITCHEN PORTIONS OF THE BUILDING JS SEVERELY DILAPIDATED WITH THE INDICATIONS THAT MOVEMENT HAS TAKEN PLACE, AND THE REAR WALL TO THE MAIN BUILDING IS FRACTURED.
IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THE BUILDING IS IN DANGEROUS CONDITION AND IN ORDER TO PROTECT LIVES AND PUBLIC SAFETY, THE BUILDING SHOULD BE CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED. •
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON MAY 31 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY.
- - 0 - -
/36
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1991
36
APPLICATIONS FOR FORESTRY WORK CAMP INVITED ♦ * * ♦ ♦
YOUNGSTERS NOW HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE FOR A FEW DAYS IN A BEAUTIFUL OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT AND AT THE SAME TIME INVOLVE THEMSELVES IN COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT WORK.
’ THEY CAN TAKE PART IN THE 1991 FORESTRY WORK CAMP WHICH IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD) IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW INVITED FROM SCHOOLS AND ORGANISED GROUPS OF YOUNG PEOPLE AGED BETWEEN 14 AND 25 FOR THIS YEAR’S FORESTRY WORK CAMP WHICH WILL BE HELD BETWEEN JULY 8 AND AUGUST 23.
THE SCHEME IS AN ANNUAL EVENT TO PROVIDE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE IN COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION AS WELL AS A CHANCE TO TAKE PART IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE COUNTRYSIDE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY.
PARTICIPANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO TAKE PART IN COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT EACH DAY PERIOD. A DAILY ALLOWANCE WILL JBE GRANTED FROM THE JOCKEY CLUB DONATION TO EACH CAMPER.
HALF-DAY WORK ON DURING THE CAMP ROYAL HONG KONG
THEY ARE ENCOURAGED TO ORGANISE EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES OR USE THE FACILITIES IN THE COUNTRY PARKS DURING THE REST OF THE DAY.
AFD WILL PROVIDE CAMPING FACILITIES IN 18 COUNTRY PARK MANAGEMENT CENTRES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND ON LANTAU AND HONG KONG ISLAND WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 400 PERSONS.
BARRACK ACCOMMODATION WITH SLEEPING, COOKING, DINING AND
TOILET FACILITIES WILL BE PROVIDED.
THE CAMPS ARE OPENED TO YOUNG PEOPLE FROM ORGANISED GROUPS AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS UNDER THE CHARGE OF AT LEAST ONE ADULT LEADER OR TEACHER. THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS IN EACH GROUP MAY RANGE FROM 15 TO 23.
APPLICANTS CAN CHOOSE TO JOIN EITHER A THREE-DAY CAMP OR A FIVE-DAY CAMP. ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE MAY 10.
INTERESTED ORGANISATIONS CAN CONTACT AFD’S CONSERVATION EDUCATION UNIT ON TEL. 733 2121 TO ENQUIRE ABOUT APPLICATION AND CAMPING ARRANGEMENTS.
APPLICATIONS FROM SCHOOLS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED THROUGH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
---------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, MAY 2, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR VISITS HEALTH AND CHILD ASSESSMENT CENTRES ..................... 1
GOVT PLANS TO ISSUE BONDS IN PAPERLESS FORM ............................. 1
DECONTROL OF RENTS IN THREE TO FOUR YEARS PLANNED: SHA .................. 2
TAX AUDIT ENCOURAGES GREATER COMPLIANCE ................................. 4
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .............. 7
FOURTH QUARTER CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT STATISTICS RELEASED .................. 9
BALLOON EXTRAVAGANZAS FOR MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS ................... 11
CHILD CARE SERVICES TO EXPAND ........................................... 13
PROPOSALS TO REGISTER PLANNERS AND SURVEYORS ............................ 14
LOCALLY-GROWN EXOTIC VEGETABLES ON SALE ................................. 15
729 VRS RESETTLED OVERSEAS LAST MONTH ................................... 16
HEUNG YEE KUK SPECIAL COUNCILLORS ELECTED ............................... 16
SWD EXPLAINS SALARY SCALES OF STAFF ..................................... 16
SCHOOLS ENGLISH DRAMA GALA EVENING ...................................... 17
THURSDAY, MAY 2, 1991
GOVERNOR VISITS HEALTH AND CHILD ASSESSMENT CENTRES
******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, VISITED TWO CENTRES RUN BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TODAY (THURSDAY). HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY LADY WILSON, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, AND THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR S.H. LEE.
SIR DAVID BEGAN BY VISITING THE ARRAN STREET CHILD ASSESSMENT CENTRE IN MONG KOK, SET UP IN 1977 TO PROVIDE ADVICE AND CARE ON PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY YOUNG CHILDREN.
HE WAS SHOWN THE CHILD DEVELOPMENTAL ASSESSMENT WORK UNDERTAKEN AT THE CENTRE AND WAS BRIEFED ON PLANS TO SET UP FOUR MORE SUCH CENTRES OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, ONE EACH IN HONG KONG AND KOWLOON AND TWO IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE GOVERNOR THEN VISITED THE LI PO CHUN HEALTH CENTRE, ALSO IN MONG KOK. HE TOURED THE GENERAL OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT AND THE MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRE.
HE WAS BRIEFED ON IMPROVEMENTS INTRODUCED IN GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINICS SINCE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WAS ESTABLISHED TWO YEARS AGO, INCLUDING AN INDIVIDUAL RECORDS SYSTEM AND NEW APPOINTMENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR CHRONIC CASES.
HE WAS ALSO SHOWN HOW VIDEOS ON HEALTH EDUCATION ARE DISPLAYED IN THE WAITING AREA.
"OUR HEALTH CARE HAS TO REACH OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY,” SAID SIR DAVID AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE VISIT.
’’THE TWO CENTRES I HAVE JUST VISITED ARE GOOD EXAMPLES OF THE HARD WORK BEING PUT IN AT DISTRICT LEVEL TO IMPROVE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES,” HE SAID.
------0--------
GOVT PLANS TO ISSUE BONDS IN PAPERLESS FORM ******
THE GOVERNMENT IS PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO THE LOANS ORDINANCE SO THAT GOVERNMENT BONDS CAN BE ISSUED UNDER THAT ORDINANCE IN A PAPERLESS FORM.
THE INTENTION TO FURTHER DEVELOP THE GOVERNMENT DEBT MARKET WITH A MODEST PROGRAMME OF TWO AND THREE-YEAR GOVERNMENT BONDS WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH ON MARCH 6.
DETAILS OF THIS PROPOSED BOND PROGRAMME ARE BEING WORKED OUT BY THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND.
/•'THE LEGISLATIVE.......
THURSDAY, MAY 2, 1991
2
’’THE LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS WOULD ENABLE THE BOND PROGRAMME TO BE RUN IN A PAPERLESS FORM, IN THE SAME MANNER AS THE EXCHANGE FUND BILLS PROGRAMME," THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND, MR JOSEPH YAM, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"A PAPERLESS SYSTEM IS A VERY COST EFFECTIVE WAY OF RUNNING A GOVERNMENT DEBT MARKET. IT ALSO ENCOURAGES ACTIVITY IN THE SECONDARY MARKET," MR YAM SAID.
"PRINTING, SAFE CUSTODY AND PHYSICAL HANDLING COSTS WILL BE HIGH IF BONDS ARE ISSUED IN THE TRADITIONAL WAY IN BEARER FORM, THIS WILL RESULT IN FAIRLY HIGH TRANSACTION COSTS AND ALSO DETER THEIR TRADING IN THE SECONDARY MARKETS," HE SAID.
THE LOANS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 ALSO SEEKS TO EMPOWER THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO EXCLUDE AGREEMENTS RELATED TO THE BONDS FROM THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENT THAT A COPY OF A LOAN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND A LENDER SHALL BE TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
ALSO RELATED TO THE PROPOSED BOND PROGRAMME, THE GOVERNMENT IS SEEKING TO AMEND THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE AND THE STAMP DUTY ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR THE EXEMPTION OF GOVERNMENT BONDS ISSUED UNDER THE LOANS ORDINANCE FROM PROFITS TAX AND STAMP DUTY, IN THE SAME MANNER AS THE EXCHANGE FUND BILLS.
THE LOANS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL 1991 AND THE STAMP DUTY (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991 WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE THREE BILLS ARE DUE TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 15.
---------0-----------
DECONTROL OF RENTS IN THREE TO FOUR YEARS PLANNED: SHA
******
THE GOVERNMENT IS SEEKING CHANGES TO THE PRESENT RENT INCREASE MECHANISMS TO ALLOW THE DECONTROL OF RENTS TO BE EFFECTED WITHIN THE NEXT THREE TO FOUR YEARS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO, TOLD A ROTARY CLUB LUNCHEON THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
HOWEVER, HE STRESSED THAT THIS WOULD BE ACHIEVED "WITHOUT UNACCEPTABLE SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES".
"THIS WILL INVOLVE ADJUSTING THE CONTROL FORMULAE TO ALLOW THE CONTROL CEILINGS TO BE RAISED PROGRESSIVELY WITHIN THREE OR FOUR YEARS TO A STAGE WHERE THEY REPRESENT 85 PER CENT OF THE PREVAILING MARKET LEVELS FOR RENTS," HE SAID.
IF THIS COULD BE ACHIEVED, HE SAID, THE RENT CONTROLS CONTAINED IN PARTS I AND II OF THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE WERE LIKELY TO BE CAPABLE OF BEING DISPENSED WITH WITHOUT HARDSHIP TO AFFECTED TENANTS.
/MR TSAO.......
THURSDAY, MAY 2, 1991
- 3 -
MR TSAO ADDED THAT HE HOPED TO BE IN A POSITION TO PRESENT CONCRETE PROPOSALS TO THIS END TO THE GOVERNMENT LATER THIS YEAR.
THE SECRETARY ALSO SAID HE FELT OBLIGED TO ENTER A CAVEAT ON THE DECLARED INTENTION TO DECONTROL RENTS.
HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IT WAS QUITE APPARENT THAT RISING INFLATION WAS A CAUSE OF CONCERN AND ITS EFFECT ON THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY MARKET COULD BE VERY SIGNIFICANT, PARTICULARLY IN THE MIDDLE TO LOWER INCOME BRACKETS.
"RECENTLY WE HAVE SEEN INORDINATELY HIGH JUMPS IN PROPERTY PRICES FOR NEW MIDDLE- TO SMALL-SIZE FLATS COMING ON THE MARKET.
"WORRYING - YES. BUT STATISTICS INDICATE THAT IN 1990 THE PRODUCTION OF PRIVATE DOMESTIC UNITS WAS 29,400, PROJECTED TO RISE IN 1991 AND 1992 TO 32,500 AND 36,700 RESPECTIVELY.
"GIVEN THAT PRODUCTION CYCLES GENERALLY HAVE A TWO-YEAR SPAN, THE PRESENT PRICE SURGE MIGHT WELL BE A SPECULATION WHICH WILL GO WRONG.
"I THEREFORE DOUBT WHETHER WE SHALL SEE AN UNACCEPTABLE INCREASE IN RENTS IN THE NEAR FUTURE AND I DO NOT ENVISAGE THAT OUR STRATEGY TO DECONTROL THE RENTS OF A RELATIVELY LIMITED AND DIMINISHING NUMBER OF CONTROLLED PREMISES IS LIKELY TO BE THWARTED," HE SAID.
MR TSAO SAID HE WAS REASSURED BY THE FACT THAT THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION WOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SITUATION AND WOULD PROFFER GOOD ADVICE ON THE WAY AHEAD.
"HE WILL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE ADMINISTRATION’S SUBSCRIPTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY THAT IN THIS PARTICULAR AREA SOCIAL CONSIDERATIONS MAY WELL OUTWEIGH ECONOMIC FORCES.
"I AM ALSO REASSURED BY THE FACT THAT THE LEGISLATION WHICH WILL CONTINUE TO BE IN PLACE AFTER OUR PRESENT REVIEW WILL PREVENT THE EXPLOITATION OF TENANTS WHO ARE WILLING TO PAY PREVAILING MARKET RENTS WHILE AT THE SAME TIME POSSIBLY INCREASING THE CONFIDENCE OF LANDLORDS AND ENCOURAGING INVESTORS IN THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY MARKET," HE SAID.
EARLIER IN HIS SPEECH, MR TSAO NOTED THAT IT MIGHT COME AS SOMETHING OF A SURPRISE TO VISITORS THAT SOME 33 PER CENT OF PRIVATE DOMESTIC RENTAL UNITS IN HONG KONG WERE SUBJECT TO GOVERNMENT-IMPOSED RENT CONTROLS IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT THE TERRITORY'S ECONOMIC SUCCESS WAS DERIVED FROM ITS BASICALLY FREE-ENTERPRISE, MARKET-DISCIPLINED SYSTEM WITH MINIMAL GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
CURRENTLY, THERE ARE SOME 940 PRE-WAR DOMESTIC UNITS CONTROLLED UNDER PART I OF THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE AND SOME 43,000 POST-WAR DOMESTIC TENANCIES SUBJECT TO PART II CONTROL.
/MR TSAO ......
THURSDAY, MAY 2, 1991
- 4 -
MR TSAO NOTED THAT THE NUMBER OF CONTROLLED TENANCIES WAS DIMINISHING STEADILY DUE TO REPOSSESSION BY THE OWNERS, FRESH LETTINGS AT MARKET RENTS, DEMOLITION FOR REDEVELOPMENT AND SO ON.
HE RECALLED THAT IN 1981 THE COMMITTEE OF REVIEW OF LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE RECOMMENDED, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT RENTS SHOULD BE DECONTROLLED BUT OBSERVED THAT THE PHASING OUT OF CONTROLS SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISO THAT SOCIAL DISRUPTION AND HARDSHIP BE AVOIDED AND THIS REMAINED THE INTENTION AND THE POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT.
HOWEVER THIS DECLARED OBJECTIVE OF CLOSING THE GAP BETWEEN CONTROLLED AND MARKET RENTS CONTINUED TO BE FRUSTRATED LARGELY DUE TO THE ONGOING AND RELATIVELY RAPID RISE IN MARKET RENTS IN RECENT YEARS, HE SAID.
AS AT JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR THE AVERAGE CONTROLLED RENT IN THE CONTEXT OF PART II PREMISES WAS ABOUT 62 PER CENT OF THE MARKET LEVEL. THIS COMPARES WITH PART I PREMISES WHERE THE CURRENT AVERAGE PERMITTED RENT IS SOME 65 PER CENT OF THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT.
------0-------
TAX AUDIT ENCOURAGES GREATER COMPLIANCE » » » » »
THE MAIN GOAL OF INTRODUCING TAX AUDIT IS TO ENCOURAGE GREATER COMPLIANCE, THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE, MR ANTHONY AU-YEUNG, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR AU-YEUNG WAS ADDRESSING A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS IN WHICH HE DISCUSSED IN DETAILS ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH TAX AUDIT.
HE SAID THAT ALTHOUGH TAX AUDIT WAS A NEW INITIATIVE FOR THE TAX ADMINISTRATION IN HONG KONG, IT HAD BEEN WIDELY USED ELSEWHERE WITH GOOD RESULTS.
MR AU-YEUNG POINTED OUT THAT UP UNTIL NOW THE TRADITIONAL ASSESSING APPROACH OF CHECKING THE ACCURACY OF TAX RETURNS HAD BEEN THE STANDARD METHOD OF DETERMINING THE REVENUE COLLECTED.
"THIS APPROACH WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY A QUALITY CONTROL EXAMINATION OF THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION PROVIDED BY TAXPAYERS, HAS PROVED NOT TO BE THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY OF ENSURING COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW," HE SAID, ADDING THAT OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE, AND STUDIES CARRIED OUT BY THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT (IRD), CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE DISCLOSURE PROBLEMS.
THE COMMISSIONER SAID THE IRD WAS CONCERNED NOT SO MUCH WITH WHAT WAS REPORTED IN THE RETURNS, IT WAS MORE WORRIED ABOUT WHAT HAD BEEN OMITTED, OVERCLAIMED OR INCORRECTLY CLASSIFIED.
/THE GOVERNMENT .......
THURSDAY, MAY 2, 1991
- 5 -
THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVED THAT A SYSTEM OF SELECTIVE TAX AUDIT WOULD HELP IN THIS REGARD, HE SAID.
MR AU-YEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S LONG-TERM AIM WAS NOT SO MUCH TO FOCUS ATTENTION ON PARTICULAR TAXPAYERS, BUT RATHER TO TARGET ITS EFFORTS AT INDUSTRIES AND GROUPS IN THE COMMUNITY WHERE COMPLIANCE PROBLEMS WERE PREVALENT.
"THE THRUST OF OUR ACTION WILL BE TO ATTACK THE ROOT CAUSES OF THE PROBLEM,” HE SAID.
MR AU-YEUNG POINTED OUT THAT AT PRESENT HE COULD NOT BE TOO SPECIFIC ABOUT THE CRITERIA FOR AUDIT SELECTION AND THAT THE EXPERIENCE GAINED FROM AUDITS WOULD PLAY AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF IDEAS.
"FROM A PRACTICAL POINT OF VIEW WE WILL OBVIOUSLY SEEK TO TARGET OUR EFFORTS AGAINST THOSE AREAS WHERE WE BELIEVE EVASION IS GREATEST," HE SAID.
ON THE CONDUCT OF THE TAX AUDIT, THE COMMISSIONER POINTED OUT THAT AUDIT WOULD NOT BE CONCERNED SIMPLY WITH THE VERIFICATION OF ACCOUNTS LODGED BY TAXPAYERS, RATHER, IT WOULD BE CONDUCTED FOR THE PURPOSE OF SATISFYING THE AUDITOR THAT THE TAXPAYER HAD COMPLIED WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE LAW.
AS THE IRD WOULD BE SEEKING TO MAXIMISE THE RETURN FROM ITS EFFORTS, IT GAVE RISE TO TWO CONSIDERATIONS IN TAX AUDIT, HE SAID.
"FIRSTLY, CASES WILL NOT BE CHOSEN FOR AUDIT UNLESS THEY EXHIBIT CHARACTERISTICS INDICATING POSSIBLE NON-COMPLIANCE.
"SECONDLY, OUR AUDITORS WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE PRODUCTIVE USE OF THEIR TIME. THEY WILL NEITHER BE ENCOURAGED TO INITIATE UNWARRANTED ENQUIRIES I.E. TO GO ON ’FISHING EXPEDITIONS’ NOR TO CHASE THE ’LAST DOLLAR’," THE COMMISSIONER SAID.
THE OBJECTIVE OF THE AUDITORS WOULD BE A QUALITY AUDIT WHICH MEANT THAT THE AUDITOR HAD EXAMINED A TAXPAYER’S AFFAIRS IN SUFFICIENT DEPTH ACCORDING TO INTERNAL GUIDELINES AND WAS SATISFIED THAT MATERIAL ERRORS AND OMISSIONS HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED AND CORRECTED.
RISK MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES WOULD BE ADOPTED IN DECIDING THE APPROPRIATE POINT TO CLOSE THE AUDIT, MR AU-YEUNG SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT IN ALL AUDIT CASES, THE AUDITOR WOULD BE EXPECTED TO CONDUCT THE AUDIT IN A COURTEOUS MANNER CAUSING A MINIMUM OF DISRUPTION TO THE TAXPAYER.
"WE IN THE DEPARTMENT ARE CLEARLY OF THE VIEW THAT NOBODY WINS THROUGH THE ADOPTION OF CONFRONTATIONAL ATTITUDES, WHETHER BY THE AUDITOR, THE TAXPAYER OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE.
"ACCORDINGLY, WHILST THE TASK WITH WHICH OUR AUDITORS ARE CHARGED MAY NOT BE APPRECIATED BY TAXPAYERS, IT IS NONE THE LESS ESSENTIAL AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN A FAIR, IMPARTIAL AND REASONABLE MANNER, WITH DUE RESPECT BEING ACCORDED AT ALL TIMES," HE SAID.
/DETAILING THE .......
THURSDAY, MAY 2, 1991
6
DETAILING THE AUDIT PROCEDURE, MR AU-YEUNG SAID ANY CONTENTIOUS ISSUES WOULD BE DISCUSSED TO AVOID POSSIBLE DISPUTES ADDING THAT PROTRACTED DISCUSSIONS ON ADJUSTMENTS WOULD AS FAR AS POSSIBLE BE AVOIDED AS THEY WOULD NOT BE IN ANYONE’S BEST INTERESTS.
’’AUDITORS WILL ATTEMPT TO NEGOTIATE MUTUALLY AGREEABLE SETTLEMENTS OF ISSUES IN DISPUTE WHENEVER POSSIBLE,” HE SAID.
ON THE SUBJECT OF ACCESS TO AUDIT AND TAX WORKING PAPERS, THE COMMISSIONER SAID SITUATIONS WOULD OCCASIONALLY ARISE WHEN AUDITORS WOULD NEED ACCESS TO WORKING PAPERS TO RECONCILE ACCOUNTS WITH RETURNS AND TO GENERALLY UNDERSTAND THE TAXPAYER’S BUSINESS.
"IT IS MY HOPE THAT AUDITS WILL BE CONDUCTED IN A SPIRIT OF COOPERATION. IF IT PREVAILS, THEN I DO NOT FORESEE TAXPAYERS AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO HOLD BACK WORKING PAPERS.
"CLEARLY, THESE PAPERS WILL ASSIST IN THE RECONCILIATION PROCESS, OR OTHERWISE EXPLAIN THE COMPUTATION OF A TAX LIABILITY. THIS WILL SAVE TIME AND EFFORT FOR ALL CONCERNED," HE SAID.
TURNING TO LEGAL PROFESSIONAL PRIVILEGE, MR AU-YEUNG POINTED OUT THAT, AS HE UNDERSTOOD THE PRINCIPLE, IT PROTECTED FROM DISCLOSURE CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS PASSING BETWEEN A LEGAL ADVISOR AND HIS CLIENT.
"MORE SPECIFICALLY, COMMUNICATIONS ARE ONLY PRIVILEGED WHEN THEIR DOMINANT PURPOSE IS FOR THE CLIENT TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE OR THEY REFER TO A CURRENT OR CONTEMPLATED LEGAL ACTION INVOLVING THE CLIENT.
"THE ESSENCE OF LEGAL PRIVILEGE IS THEREFORE FOUNDED SUBSTANTIVELY ON THE PROTECTION FROM DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL ADVICE," HE EXPLAINED.
NOTING THAT THE LAW PERMITTED, WITHIN BOUNDS, IRD OFFICERS TO HAVE ACCESS TO TAXPAYERS’ DOCUMENTS AND RECORDS TO ASCERTAIN COMPLIANCE, MR AU-YEUNG SAID HE ACCEPTED THAT IT WAS COMMON PRACTICE FOR TAXPAYERS TO SEEK ADVICE FROM THEIR ACCOUNTANTS IN RESPECT OF TAX MATTERS ON A CONFIDENTIAL BASIS.
"UNDERSTANDABLY ACCOUNTANTS AND TAXPAYERS MAY WISH THAT DOCUMENTS RELATING TO SUCH DISCUSSIONS REMAIN WITHIN THEIR CONFIDENCE.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, THERE IS A NEED TO WITH THE EFFICIENT ADMINISTRATION OF THE LAW. ISSUE I HAVE HAD REGARD TO OUR OPERATIONAL PRACTICES IN A NUMBER OF OVERSEAS JURISDICTIONS OF DISPENSATION FROM DISCLOSURE," HE SAID.
BALANCE SUCH DESIRES IN CONSIDERING THIS REQUIREMENTS AND TO THAT OPERATE SOME FORM
MR AU-YEUNG APPEALED TO TAXPAYERS FOR CO-OPERATION POINTING OUT THAT IT WAS PLANNED THAT TAX AUDITS SHOULD NOT BE PROTRACTED DRAWN OUT AFFAIRS.
/”WE WILL .......
THURSDAY, MAY 2, 1991
7
"WE WILL WANT TO MOVE IN AND OUT QUICKLY. OUR INITIAL TARGET FOR SMALLER CASES WILL BE 14 WORKING DAYS. TO ASSIST IN ACHIEVING THIS OBJECTIVE, IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF ALL RELEVANT INFORMATION IS PROVIDED TO THE AUDITOR, PREFERABLY AT THE TIME OF THE INITIAL INTERVIEW.
"UNNECESSARY WRITTEN ENQUIRIES WILL ONLY PROLONG THE DURATION OF THE AUDIT. I HOPE THAT TAX REPRESENTATIVES WILL ALSO IMPRESS THIS POINT ON THEIR CLIENTS," HE SAID.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT WHERE THERE WAS ANY SUSPICION OF FRAUD OR MATERIAL EVASION, ALL DOCUMENTS WOULD BE SUBJECT TO PRODUCTION, UPON REQUEST, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 51(4) OF THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE.
ON THE QUESTION OF PENALTIES AND PROSECUTIONS, THE COMMISSIONER SAID IT WOULD ONLY ARISE WHERE INCORRECT RETURNS HAD BEEN LODGED, OR FALSE OR MISLEADING STATEMENTS MADE WITHOUT REASONABLE EXCUSE OR THERE WAS WILFUL INTENT TO EVADE TAX.
HE ASSURED THAT IN ANY CAgE WHERE REASONABLE EXCUSE EXISTED, THERE COULD NOT BE ANY QUESTION OF PENALTY OR PROSECUTION.
"IT HAS, HOWEVER, BEEN OUR POLICY TO PROSECUTE TAXPAYERS IN THE COURTS WHERE THERE IS EVIDENCE OF A WILFUL EVASION. THIS POLICY WILL CONTINUE TO APPLY WITH EQUAL FORCE TO AUDIT CASES.
"FOR NON-WILFUL INTENT CASES, UNDERSTATEMENTS OF INCOME WILL CONTINUE TO BE DEALT WITH ADMINISTRATIVELY BY WAY OF MONETARY PENALTIES UNDER SECTION 82A," HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE IRD DID TREAT LENIENTLY CASES WHERE TAXPAYERS CAME FORWARD VOLUNTARILY TO REGULARISE THEIR AFFAIRS AND THE PENALTY IMPOSED ON A FULL VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE BASIS WAS SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN WOULD OTHERWISE BE THE CASE.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT EXPECT DRAMATIC RESULTS OVERNIGHT AND IT WAS HOPED THAT THEY WOULD BE ACHIEVED OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS BY MAINTAINING AN ON-GOING AND EFFECTIVE AUDIT PROGRAMME. "I TRUST THAT THE RESULTS WILL, IN TIME, JUSTIFY OUR EFFORTS," HE ADDED.
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEF
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * ♦ ♦ ♦ t
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 1.5.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 2.5.91 -49
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING + 49
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NFUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.2 »+0.2» 2.5.91
/HONG KONG........
THURSDAY, MAY 2, .1991
8
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEI
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
QI 15 10.7.91 340 +140
QI 16 17.7.91 360 +120
Q117 24.7.91 338.5 +141.5
QI 18 31.7.91 540 -60
Q106 8.5.91 627.5 -147.5
Ql 07 15.5.91 481 -1
Q108 22.5.91 430 +50
Q109 29.5.91 510 -30
quo 5.6.91 280 +200
Ql 11 12.6.91 360 +120
Q112 19.6.91 610 -130
Ql 13 26.6.91 450 +30
Ql 14 3.7.91 450 +30
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT 182-DAY EXCHANGE EXCHANGE FUND FUND BILLS HKEJ
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
11002 15.5.91 227.5 +32.5
H003 29.5.91 210 +50
H004 12.6.91 250 +10
H005 26.6.91 230 +30
Hl 01 10.7.91 143 +117
Hl 56 24.7.91 150 +110
H157 7.8.91 189.5 +70.5
Hl 58 21.8.91 200 +60
H159 4.9.91 150 +110
Hl 60 18.9.91 270 -10
H161 2.10.91 30 +230
Hl 62 17.10.91 84 +176
H163 30.10.91 180 +80
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT 364-DAY EXCHANGE EXCHANGE FUND FUND BILLS HKEK
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
Y187 26.2.92 230 +30
Y188 25.3.92 180 +80
Y189 22.4.92 180 +80
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDI 0 - - NG 26.4.91 WAS 5,438 MN
/9 ........
THURSDAY, MAY 2, 1991
9 -
FOURTH QUARTER CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT STATISTICS RELEASED » » » » *
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS (WHICH MAY BE GENERAL CONTRACTORS OR SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS) IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990 AMOUNTED TO $16,901 MILLION, WHICH WAS 6.8% HIGHER THAN IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990 AND 25.6% HIGHER THAN IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1989, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
MAIN CONTRACTORS MAY BE GENERAL CONTRACTORS OR SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS. WHEREAS GENERAL CONTRACTORS ARE ENGAGED IN NEW CONSTRUCTION WORK AND RENOVATION AND MAINTENANCE, SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS ARE ENGAGED IN SPECIALISED JOB AREAS SUCH AS CONCRETING, SCAFFOLDING, CARPENTRY, PLUMBING AND GAS WORK.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT THE INCREASE OF 25.6% IN THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990 OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1989 WAS PARTLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE INCREASE IN CONSTRUCTION COSTS.
NEVERTHELESS, AFTER DISCOUNTING THE COST INCREASES, THE REAL GROWTH IN THE VOLUME OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED SHOULD STILL BE SIGNIFICANT.
THE INDEX OF GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990 WAS 256.5, WITH THE QUARTERLY AVERAGE OF 1982 BEING TAKEN AS 100.
THE CORRESPONDING INDEXES FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1990 AND THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1989 WERE 240.2 AND 204.2 RESPECTIVELY.
OF THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN. CONTRACTORS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990, $15,432 MILLION WAS
ATTRIBUTABLE TO WORK PERFORMED BY GENERAL CONTRACTORS. THIS WAS 6.4% AND 26.3% HIGHER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1989 RESPECTIVELY.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS WAS $1,468 MILLION, WHICH WAS 11.1% AND 18.7% HIGHER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1989 RESPECTIVELY.
OF THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY GENERAL CONTRACTORS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990, $8,267 MILLION WAS RELATED TO NEW CONSTRUCTION WORK AT PRIVATE SECTOR CONSTRUCTION SITES, BEING 9.2% AND 34.7% HIGHER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1989 RESPECTIVELY.
SOME $3,892 MILLION WAS RELATED TO NEW CONSTRUCTION WORK AT PUBLIC SECTOR (INCLUDING THE GOVERNMENT, MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION) CONSTRUCTION SITES, REPRESENTING DECREASES OF 0.4% AND 0.3% WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1989 RESPECTIVELY.
/THE REMAINING .......
THURSDAY, MAY 2, 1991
- 10 -
THE REMAINING $3,273 MILLION WAS RELATED TO NEW CONSTRUCTION WORK AT MINOR WORK LOCATIONS, AND RENOVATION AND MAINTENANCE AT ERECTED BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES.
THIS WAS 8.1% AND 50.5% HIGHER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1989 RESPECTIVELY.
WHEN ANALYSED BY END-USE OF BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES, THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES IN RESPECT OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS (INCLUDING COMBINED RESIDENTIAL AND NON-RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS) IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990 WAS $5,304 MILLION.
THIS REPRESENTED INCREASES OF 8.1% AND 17.4% WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1989 RESPECTIVELY.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES IN RESPECT OF COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990 WAS $2,175 MILLION, REPRESENTING INCREASES OF 2.7% AND 75.4% WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1989 RESPECTIVELY.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES IN RESPECT OF TRANSPORT PROJECTS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990 WAS $1,554 MILLION, WHICH WAS 1.0% AND 6.2% LOWER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1989 RESPECTIVELY.
OWING TO THE WIDESPREAD SUB-CONTRACTING PRACTICE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, A CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENT CAN BE A MAIN CONTRACTOR FOR ONE CONTRACT AND A SUB-CONTRACTOR FOR ANOTHER CONTRACT SIMULTANEOUSLY.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS (WHICH MAY BE GENERAL CONTRACTORS OR SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS) REFERS TO THE OUTPUT OF THOSE CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE PROJECTS IN WHICH THEY TAKE THE ROLE OF A MAIN CONTRACTOR, AND DOES NOT INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT OF PROJECTS IN WHICH THEY PLAY THE ROLE OF SUB-CONTRACTORS.
HOWEVER, SUB-CONTRACTORS' CONTRIBUTION TO PROJECTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY THE MAIN CONTRACTORS FOR WHOM THEY WORKED.
MORE DETAILED STATISTICS ON CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT ARE GIVEN IN THE "REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT, 4TH QUARTER 1990”.
THE REPORT IS NOW ON SALE AT $2.50 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL OR AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, WANCHA1 TOWER I, 19TH FLOOR, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI. REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION MAY ALSO BE ARRANGED.
ENQUIRIES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 839 3265.
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711 ......
THURSDAY, MAY 2, 1991
11 BALLOON EXTRAVAGANZAS FOR MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS » » * * *
TO PROMOTE THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS ON SUNDAY (MAY 5), TWO BALLOON EXTRAVAGANZAS WILL BE HELD OUTSIDE SHA TIN TOWN HALL AND HONG KONG CITY HALL THAT MORNING, BEGINNING AT 9 AM AND 10.30 AM RESPECTIVELY.
OFFICIATING AT THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL CEREMONY WILL BE THE REGIONAL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, AND AT THE CITY HALL CEREMONY, THE URBAN COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, MR H.M.G. FORSGATE. THEY WILL DOT THE EYES OF THE LIONS IN HONG KONG’S FIRST BALLOON LION DANCES.
FEATURED AT THE EVENTS WILL ALSO BE A "GIANT BALLOON CONTEST" IN WHICH PARTICIPANTS WILL BE INVITED TO ESTIMATE THE NUMBER OF BALLOONS USED IN THE BALLOON SPECTACULAR.
AFTER THE CEREMONIES, BALLOON-DECORATED OPEN-DECK BUSES WILL TOUR THE TERRITORY AND VISIT A NUMBER OF POLLING STATIONS IN THE TWO MUNICIPAL DISTRICTS TO PROMOTE THE "VOTE ’91" MESSAGE.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CEREMONIES AND THE BUS TOURS ON SUNDAY (MAY 5).
TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES. FOR THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL CEREMONY, TWO VANS WILL LEAVE EDINBURGH PLACE IN CENTRAL, NEAR HMS TAMAR, AT 8.10 AM AND A COACH (CAR NO. EN645) WILL LEAVE THE KOWLOON TONG KCR STATION, AT 8.20 AM.
PRESS MEMBERS WILL BE TAKEN BY COACH TO CITY HALL AFTER THE SHA TIN CEREMONY. GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
DETAILS OF THE TWO CEREMONIES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
REGIONAL COUNCIL CEREMONY
VENUE:
OUTSIDE SHA TIN TOWN HALL FACING NEW TOWN PLAZA
PROGRAMME: 8.40 AM MARCHING BAND PERFORMANCE
9 AM BRIEF SPEECH BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, FOLLOWED BY RIBBON CUTTING TO RELEASE FOUR GIANT BALLOON BOUQUETS WITH VOTE ’91 STREAMERS WHICH WILL RISE ABOVE SHA TIN TOWN HALL
9.15 AM MR CHEUNG TO DOT THE EYES OF A BALLOON SCULPTURED LION
/9.17 AM .......
THURSDAY, MAY 2, 1991
12
9.17 AM LION DANCE PERFORMANCE
9.30 AM MARCHING BAND PERFORMANCE
9.45 AM VOTE ’91 BUS LEAVES, WITH CELEBRITIES AND LION DANCE ABOARD, TO VISIT THE FOLLOWING POLLING STATIONS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES:
TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL AT 10.30 AM, CHEUNG HONG ESTATE ON TSING YI AT NOON, YAU 01 ESTATE IN TUEN MUN AT 2.15 PM, LONG PING ESTATE IN YUEN LONG AT 3.30 PM, AND TAI WO ESTATE IN TAI PO AT 5.15 PM.
URBAN COUNCIL CEREMONY
VENUE:
EDINBURGH PLACE FACING QUEEN’S PIER
PROGRAMME: 10.10 AM MARCHING BAND PERFORMANCE
10.30 AM BRIEF SPEECH BY THE URBAN COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, MR H.M.G. FORSGATE, FOLLOWED BY RIBBON CUTTING TO RELEASE FIVE GIANT BALLOON BOUQUETS WITH VOTE ’91 STREAMERS WHICH WILL RISE ABOVE THE LOW BLOCK OF CITY HALL
10.45 AM MR FORSGATE TO DOT THE EYES OF A BALLOON SCULPTURED LION
10.47 AM LION DANCE PERFORMANCE
11 AM MARCHING BAND PERFORMANCE
11.15 AM VOTE ’91 BUS LEAVES, WITH CELEBRITIES AND LION DANCE ABOARD, TO VISIT THE FOLLOWING POLLING STATIONS IN THE URBAN AREA: HAN KUNG MANSION PODIUM IN TAIKOO SHING AT NOON, YUE WAN COMMUNITY CENTRE IN CHAI WAN AT 1.30 PM, LOK WAH ESTATE IN KWUN TONG AT 3 PM, AND TSUI LAM ESTATE IN TSEUNG KWAN 0 AT 4.15 PM.
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THURSDAY, MAY 2, 1991
13 CHILD'CARE SERVICES TO EXPAND * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
AIDED NURSERY PLACES WILL BE INCREASED TO ABOUT 26,800 BY 1995-96 AND FURTHER TO MORE THAN 31,600 BY 1999-2000 TO MEET THE GROWING NEED, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. CARTLAND, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF HONG KONG AND KOWLOON KAIFONG WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION WAN TSUI DAY NURSERY IN WAN TSUI ESTATE, CHAI WAN, MR CARTLAND NOTED THAT AT PRESENT, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PLACES IN CHILD CARE CENTRES PROVIDING CARE FOR CHILDREN, AGED UNDER SIX, WERE 33,800 - OF WHICH SOME 22,600 WERE AIDED OR NON-PROFIT MAKING PLACES WHILE THE REMAINING WERE IN PRIVATE NURSERIES.
NEW APPROACHES IN OPERATING CHILD CARE CENTRES, SUCH AS FLEXIBLE WORKING HOURS, OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE SERVICES AND MORE WORK-BASED CENTRES, WERE BEING TESTED AND IMPLEMENTED TO COPE WITH CHANGING NEEDS, HE ADDED.
"AS REGARDS CRECHES FOR I-NFANTS UNDER TWO, THE POLICY IS TO CONVERT THE CURRENT 1,000 SUBVENTED PLACES TO AIDED PLACES AND TO TREBLE THE NUMBER BEFORE THE END OF THIS DECADE," HE SAID.
MR CARTLAND POINTED OUT THAT CHILD CARE, IN ALL ITS ASPECTS, WAS A MAJOR PRIORITY AREA IN THE WELFARE FIELD, ADDING THAT THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR THE SERVICES WAS REFLECTED IN A MARKED INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF NUCLEAR FAMILIES, MORE WORKING MOTHERS AND A GROWING NUMBER OF SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES.
"THE WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1990’S AND BEYOND CLEARLY STATES THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO THE PROVISION AND EXPANSION OF CHILD CARE.
"WHILE THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROPER CARE OF CHILDREN MUST REST WITH PARENTS, IT IS NEVERTHELESS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE NURSERY FACILITIES FOR THOSE PARENTS WHO CANNOT TAKE CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN DURING THE DAY," HE CONTINUED.
NOTING THAT THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF CHILD CARE SERVICES DEPENDED TO A LARGE EXTENT ON COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND SUPPORT, MR CARTLAND SAID WITH ITS EXPERIENCE AND DEDICATION, THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON KAIFONG WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION WOULD RUN THE DAY NURSERY IN A WAY THAT WOULD MEET THE NEEDS OF THE PARENTS.
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/14 ........
THURSDAY, MAY 2, 1991
14
PROPOSALS TO REGISTER PLANNERS AND SURVEYORS
*****
PROPOSALS DESIGNED TO ESTABLISH THE PROFESSIONAL STATUS OF QUALIFIED PLANNERS AND SURVEYORS OF VARIOUS DISCIPLINES AND SAFEGUARD THE RIGHTS OF THE CONSUMER PUBLIC HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
TWO BILLS, THE PLANNERS REGISTRATION BILL 1991 AND THE SURVEYORS REGISTRATION BILL 1991, WILL SHORTLY BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THEY WILL FORM THE FRAMEWORK FOR SETTING UP REGISTRATION BOARDS FOR PRACTISING PLANNERS AND SURVEYORS IN HONG KONG.
THESE BILLS ARE BASED ON THE SAME PRINCIPLES WHICH WERE FOLLOWED IN THE ARCHITECTS REGISTRATION ORDINANCE 1990 AND THE ENGINEERS REGISTRATION ORDINANCE ENACTED IN MAY LAST YEAR.
HOWEVER, A PRIVATE BILL WILL NEED TO BE INTRODUCED FIRST TO ESTABLISH THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF PLANNERS (HKIP) AS AN INCORPORATED BODY.
THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS (HKIS) IS ALREADY AN INCORPORATED BODY ESTABLISHED UNDER THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS ORDINANCE 1990.
UNDER THE BILLS, THE REGISTRATION BOARDS INDEPENDENT OF THE TWO PROFESSIONAL BODIES INVOLVED WILL BE ESTABLISHED.
"THE CONCEPT OF REGISTRATION IS TO CONFER ON SUITABLE APPLICANTS A TITLE WHICH DEMONSTRATES TO FELLOW PROFESSIONALS AND TO THE PUBLIC A HIGH STANDARD OF PROFESSIONAL TRAINING, CURRENT COMPETENCE TO PRACTISE AND RELEVANT BACKGROUND FOR WORKING IN HONG KONG," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE REGISTER WILL LIST ONLY COMPETENT PRACTISING PROFESSIONALS WORKING IN HONG KONG AND REGISTRATION HAS TO BE RENEWED ANNUALLY.
APART FROM SETTING OUT QUALIFICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION, THE BILLS WILL ALSO OUTLINE DETAILS OF DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE SCHEME TO MAINTAIN PUBLIC CONFIDENCE.
"CLOSE CONSULTATION HAS BEEN HELD WITH HKIP AND HKIS AND BOTH BODIES HAVE SIGNIFIED THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE TWO BILLS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
---------0 - -
THURSDAY, MAY 2,
1991
15
LOCALLY-GROWN EXOTIC VEGETABLES ON SALE
******
A VARIETY OF LOCALLY-GROWN EXOTIC VEGETABLE SPECIES, INCLUDING THE POPULAR "GOLD AND SILVER" SUPER SWEET CORN, ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE DAILY IN SUPERMARKETS.
OTHER THAN SUPER SWEET CORN, LOCAL FARMERS HAVE ATTEMPTED AT OTHER UP-MARKET VEGETABLES, INCLUDING BUTTERHEAD, RED LETTUCE, CHERRY TOMATO, RADISH, FRENCH BEANS, AND MINI CUCUMBERS UNDER THE SPRING PRODUCTION PROGRAMME OF THE EXOTIC VEGETABLES PROJECT INITIATED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
THESE EXOTIC VEGETABLES ARE MARKETED THROUGH THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION (VMO).
AS PART OF THE ORGANISATION'S EFFORTS TO PROMOTE LOCALLY-PRODUCED EXOTIC VEGETABLES, PERMANENT VMO COUNTERS WILL BE SET UP FROM THIS MONTH IN SUPERMARKETS OF SEVERAL LEADING DEPARTMENT STORES.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
A TOUR WILL BE ORGANISED TOMORROW (FRIDAY) FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES TO SEE HOW EXOTIC VEGETABLES GROW IN FARMERS’ FIELDS IN TSIU KENG, SHEUNG SHUI.
ARRANGEMENTS WILL ALSO BE MADE FOR A VISIT TO A VMO COUNTER IN ONE OF THE DEPARTMENT STORES.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO JOIN THE TOUR. TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED AND WILL LEAVE AFD HEADQUARTERS, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON, AT 9 AM.
THE SENIOR MANAGER OF THE VMO, MR EDWARD LAI, TOGETHER WITH AFD’S AGRICULTURAL OFFICER, MR HO KOON-YU, AND INFORMATION UNIT STAFF WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
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/16 .......
THURSDAY, MAY 2, 1991
- 16 -
729 VRS RESETTLED OVERSEAS LAST MONTH
« » » * »
A TOTAL OF 729 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES LEFT HONG KONG FOR RESETTLEMENT OVERSEAS LAST MONTH (APRIL).
OF THOSE WHO LEFT FOR OVERSEAS RESETTLEMENT, 60 DEPARTED FOR AUSTRALIA, 140 FOR CANADA, 22 FOR FRANCE, 25 FOR JAPAN, 111 FOR SWEDEN, 8 FOR SWITZERLAND, 55 FOR UNITED KINGDOM AND 116 FOR USA.
MEANWHILE, A TOTAL OF 192 REFUGEES LEFT FOR THE PHILIPPINES TO AWAIT RESETTLEMENT OVERSEAS.
--------0-----------
HEUNG YEE KUK SPECIAL COUNCILLORS ELECTED
* * t ♦ ♦
SEVEN SPECIAL COUNCILLORS FOR THE SOUTHERN ELECTORAL DISTRICT OF THE 28TH TERM OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK WERE ELECTED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THEY ARE:
MR HO PING-CHIU MR CHEUNG FU MR LAW KAM-FAI MR LAM SAI-CHEUNG MR YUEN WAI MR FU YUEN-HUNG MR LO CHUEN-SANG
--------0------------
SWD EXPLAINS SALARY SCALES OF STAFF ******
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROTEST ACTION ON PAY SCALES BY THE HONG KONG CHINESE CIVIL SERVANTS' ASSOCIATION’S SOCIAL WORK ASSISTANT BRANCH, A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE SALARY SCALES OF THE SOCIAL WORK ASSISTANT GRADE AND THE WELFARE WORKER GRADE WERE RECOMMENDED BY THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.
HE EXPLAINED THAT SOCIAL WORK ASSISTANT IS A RECRUITMENT RANK AND SENIOR WELFARE WORKER IS A PROMOTION RANK.
IN THE CASE OF SOCIAL WORK ASSISTANTS, THEY WOULD HAVE THE CHANCE OF MOVING UP TO HIGHER RANKS IN THE GRADE IN THE LONG RUN WHILE THE POST OF SENIOR WELFARE WORKER IS THE ONLY PROMOTION RANK WITHIN THE GRADE, HE SAID.
------0--------
/17......
THURSDAY, MAY 2, 1991
SCHOOLS ENGLISH DRAMA GALA EVENING ***»»*
WINNERS OF THE 1990-91 SCHOOLS ENGLISH DRAMA PROJECT WILL RECEIVE THEIR PRIZES AT A GALA EVENING AND PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT SHOUSON THEATRE, HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE, TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
THE THREE DRAMAS ARE CINDERELLA, PRESENTED BY BUDDHIST KOK KWONG SECONDARY SCHOOL; THE STOLEN PRINCE, BY ST JOAN OF ARC SECONDARY SCHOOL; AND THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE, BY KWUN TONG GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL.
TWENTY-SIX SCHOOLS TOOK PART IN THIS YEAR’S ENGLISH DRAMA PROJECT ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND SPONSORED BY THE LOK SIN TONG BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.
AWARDS TO THE WINNERS WILL BE GIVEN BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LOK SIN TONG BENEVOLENT SOCIETY, MR CHEUNG .NIM-PING, AND VICE-CHAIRMEN, MR YU CHIEN-MING AND MR YEUNG CHOR-HANG.
THE SCHOOLS ENGLISH DRAMA PROJECT, WHICH MADE ITS DEBUT LAST YEAR, AIMED AT PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH AN EXCITING AND INTERESTING FOCUS FOR LANGUAGE ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE GALA EVENING AND PRIZE PRESENTATION OF THE SCHOOLS ENGLISH DRAMA PROJECT AT SHOUSON THEATRE OF THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE TOMORROW (FRIDAY). THE EVENT WILL BEGIN AT 7.30 PM.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS ON SUNDAY ............................................ 1
NO SIGNS OF INVESTORS FLEEING HK: SMA ............................................ 2
REFUGEE CO-ORDINATOR WELCOMES U.S. STATEMENT ON VM'S ............................. 3
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ....................... 3
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY FOR FEBRUARY RELEASED ................. 5
SUMMER HYGIENE REMINDER ..................'....................................... 9
WASTE DISPOSAL BILL PUBLISHED ................................................... 10
WORK TO IMPROVE ACCESS FOR AIRCRAFT PARKING ..................................... 11
PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF SEWAGE SCREENING PLANT ................................. 12
DRAFT LDC PLAN FOR MONG KOK DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED ............................... 12
ROAD PROJECTS FOR TIN SHUI WAI DEVELOPMENT....................................... 14
SPECIAL MARINE TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR TIN HAU FESTIVAL ........................ 14
ATLA PUBLIC INQUIRY NEXT WEEK ................................................... 15
PRACTICE OF REGISTERING TEACHERS TO BE REGULARISED .............................. 16
SUPER SWEET CORN HITS MARKET AGAIN .............................................. 16
NEW TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR FIRE SERVICES DEPT .................................... 18
NEW FISH CULTURE ZONE DESIGNATED ................................................ 18
TUEN MUN DRAGON BOAT RACES ...................................................... 19
YOUNG THESPIANS TO PERFORM AT GALA EVENING ...................................... 20
TENDERS INVITED FOR SPORTS COMPLEX SURFACING PROJECT ............................ 20
PO LEUNG KUK PRAISED ............................................................ 21
FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1991
MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS ON SUNDAY t ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
HONG KONG WILL WITNESS THE SECOND MAJOR SET OF ELECTIONS OF THE YEAR THIS SUNDAY, MAY 5, WITH THE ELECTION OF MEMBERS TO THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL, THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS, MR SUEN SAID 36 CANDIDATES WOULD BE CONTESTING 14 SEATS IN THE URBAN COUNCIL AND 23 CANDIDATES WOULD BE VYING FOR 11 SEATS IN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
’’ADDITIONALLY, ONE CANDIDATE EACH HAS BEEN ELECTED UNCONTESTED IN THE WONG TAI SIN NORTH CONSTITUENCY IN THE URBAN COUNCIL AREA, AND THE NORTH CONSTITUENCY IN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA,” HE SAID.
MR SUEN NOTED THAT A RECORD OF SOME 1.7 MILLION REGISTERED ELECTORS IN THE 25 CONTESTED CONSTITUENCIES WOULD BE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE.
"AS WITH THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS HELD EARLIER IN MARCH AND THE COMING DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN SEPTEMBER, THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD ON A SUNDAY.
"THE ARRANGEMENT IS INTENDED TO FACILITATE REGISTERED ELECTORS TO VOTE. FOR A GOOD PERCENTAGE OF THE PUBLIC, SUNDAY IS A HOLIDAY AND THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF TIME FOR THEM TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT WHETHER BEFORE OR AFTER THEIR LEISURE ACTIVITIES," HE SAID.
ALL 311 POLLING STATIONS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY WILL BE OPEN FROM 7.30 AM UNTIL 10.30 PM. THE POLLING STATIONS ARE THE SAME AS THE ONES USED FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS AND ARE ALL SITUATED WITHIN A SHORT DISTANCE OF THE ELECTORS’ HOME.
"VOTING ITSELF ONLY TAKES ABOUT THREE MINUTES," MR SUEN SAID. ON ARRIVAL AT THE DESIGNATED POLLING STATION, AN ELECTOR’S STATUS WOULD BE VERIFIED; HE WOULD BE GIVEN A BALLOT PAPER AND ALL HE HAS TO DO IS MARK A CROSS IN THE BOX AGAINST THE CANDIDATE OF HIS CHOICE, FOLD THE BALLOT PAPER AND PUT IT TN THE BALLOT BOX.
"THE WHOLE PROCESS IS QUICK AND SECRECY OF VOTING IS MAINTAINED THROUGHOUT," HE ADDED.
MR SUEN URGED ELECTORS TO BRING ALONG THEIR POLL CARDS AS THIS WOULD SPEED UP THE PROCESSING. "HOWEVER, IN CASE THE POLL CARDS HAVE BEEN MISLAID OR ARE NOT ON HAND, I URGE VOTERS STILL TO GO TO THE DESIGNATED STATIONS TO CAST THEIR VOTES. THE PRODUCTION OF THEIR IDENTITY CARDS WILL BE SUFFICIENT."
A HOTLINE, 827 1122, WHICH WILL BE MANNED FROM 7 AM UNTIL THE POLLS CLOSE AT 10.30 PM ON ELECTION DAY, HAS BEEN SPECIFICALLY SET UP TO ANSWER ENQUIRIES ON THE ELECTIONS. IF VOTERS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, FOR EXAMPLE ABOUT THEIR ELECTORAL STATUS OR THE POLLING DETAILS, THEY CAN CALL THIS NUMBER.
/STAFF AT .......
FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1991
STAFF AT THE POLLING STATIONS WILL ALSO BE READY TO ASSIST THOSE VOTERS WHO ARE UNABLE TO MARK THEIR BALLOT PAPERS ON THEIR OWN.
COUNTING OF VOTES WILL BEGIN SOON AFTER THE POLLS CLOSE AT 10.30 PM AT THE 17 COUNTING STATIONS, WITH THE FIRST RESULTS EXPECTED AROUND 2 AM EARLY MONDAY MORNING, AND THE LAST RESULTS AT DAWN.
MR SUEN SAID AS A STEP TO PUBLICISE THE ELECTIONS, TWO "VOTE ’91" BUS TOURS TOGETHER WITH PERFORMANCES BY A BALLOON SCULPTURED LION WILL BE ORGANISED FOR BOTH THE URBAN COUNCIL AREA AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA.
"THE TOURS WILL BE LAUNCHED BY THE CHAIRMEN OF THE TWO COUNCILS OUTSIDE THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL AND THE CITY HALL AT DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE MORNING AND ENTERTAINMENT CELEBRITIES WILL ALSO BE ON HAND TO ASSIST IN THE PUBLICITY,” HF SAID.
"ON DISPLAY AT THE TWO VENUES WILL BE A 20-FOOT BALLOON SCULPTURE OF THE 'VOTE '91' LOGO AND BALLOON GARLANDS," HE ADDED.
"I AM SURE REGISTERED ELECTORS ARE AWARE OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE WORK OF THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS AND THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS IN BETTERING THE QUALITY OF OUR LIFE," MR SUEN SAID.
- - 0 - -
NO SIGNS OF INVESTORS FLEEING HK: SMA
DESPITE SOME RECENT UNCERTAINTIES, THERE HAVE BEEN NO SIGNS OF INVESTORS FLEEING THE TERRITORY, ALTHOUGH THIS HAS BEEN SUGGESTED BY SOME, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDTCK, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE FIRST PACIFIC BANK CENTRE, MR NENDICK SAID HONG KONG’S HISTORY HAD BEEN MARKED BY PERIODS OF UNCERTAINTY.
"YET DESPITE THIS, THE TERRITORY HAS ACHIEVED REMARKABLE GROWTH OVER THE PAST 40 YEARS AND HAS EMERGED AS ONE OF THE WORLD’S LEADING FINANCIAL CENTRES," HE SAID.
MR NENDICK STRESSED THAT HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL MARKETS WOULD BE ABLE TO MEET HIE CHALLENGES AHEAD AND HONG KONG WOULD CONTINUE TO FLOURISH AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS HOWEVER CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO MAINTAIN AN ENVIRONMENT WHICH IS CONDUCIVE TO INVESTMENT AND A LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK WHICH AFFORDS ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO THE SAVINGS OF THE COMMUNITY WITHOUT STIFLING THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT.
"WE ARE TAKING STEPS TO ENSURE THAT OUR FINANCIAL MARKETS CONTINUE TO MEASURE UP TO INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS.
/"AS AN
FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1991
3
"AS AN EXAMPLE, THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991, WHICH WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY, AIMS AT AMENDING THE PROVISIONS IN THE BANKING ORDINANCE GOVERNING LARGE EXPOSURE LIMITS TO BRING THE REGULATORY REGIME INTO LINE WITH RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BASLE COMMITTEE," HE SAID.
MR NENDICK POINTED OUT THAT THE ACQUISITION OF A NEW OFFICE BY THE FIRST PACIFIC BANCSHARES GROUP REFLECTED THE GROUP’S CONTINUING COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG.
---------0----------
REFUGEE CO-ORDINATOR WELCOMES U.S. STATEMENT ON VM’S
*****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES TODAY (FRIDAY), THE REFUGEE CO-ORDINATOR, MR CLINTON LEEKS, WELCOMED THE STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE UNITED STATES WHICH QUASHED RUMOURS THAT VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS STRANDED IN FIRST ASYLUM TERRITORIES MIGHT BE ABLE TO GO TO KUWAIT FOR ITS POST-WAR RECONSTRUCTION.
SUCH RUMOURS ONLY RAISED FALSE HOPES AMONG THE VIETNAMESE, WITH THE CRUEL EFFECT THAT SOME VIETNAMESE MIGHT BE MISLED INTO FLEEING VIETNAM, ONLY TO FIND THEMSELVES TN DETENTION CENTRES WITHOUT ANY PROSPECT OF OVERSEAS RESETTLEMENT.
AS HAS BEEN MADE VERY CLEAR BY THE STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING IN GENEVA, THE ONLY PROSPECT AWAITING NON-REFUGEES IS TO RETURN TO VIETNAM, HE SAID.
------0-------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS HKEF
* * * *
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON
♦ ♦ DATE $ MILLION
2.5.91 480
3.5.91 -40
+ 40
NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.2 *+0.0* 3.5.91
/HONG KONG .......
FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1991
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEI
ISSUE NUMBER MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
QI 15 10.7.91 340 + 140
Q116 17.7.91 360 + 120
QI 1 7 24.7.91 318.5 +161.5
Q118 31.7.91 490 -10
Q106 8.5.91 533.5 -53.5
Q107 15.5.91 501 -21
Q108 22.5.91 490 -10
Q109 29.5.91 510 -30
QI 10 5.6.91 280 + 200
QI 11 12.6.91 344 + 136
QI 12 19.6.91 610 -130
Q113 26.6.91 430 + 50
QI 14 3.7.91 490 -10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
182-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEJ
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
H002 15.5.91 227.5 + 32.5
H003 29.5.91 210 + 50
H004 12.6.91 250 + 10
H005 26.6.91 230 + 30
Hl 01 10.7.91 143 + 117
Hl 56 24.7.91 150 + 110
Hl 57 7.8.91 189.5 + 70.5
H158 21.8.91 200 + 60
Hl 59 4.9.91 200 + 60
Hl 60 18.9.91 280 -20
Hl 61 2.10.91 80 + 180
H162 17. 10.91 84 + 176
H163 30.10.91 180 + 80
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
36 1-DAY EXCHANGE
EXCHANGE FUND FUND BILLS
HKEK
ISSUE
NUMBER
MATURING ON
OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
Y187 26.2.92 230 + 30
Y188 25.3.92 180 + 80
Y189 22.4.92 190 + 70
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 3.5.91 WAS 5,ORO MN
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/5 ........
FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1991
3
"AS AN EXAMPLE, THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991, WHICH WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY, AIMS AT AMENDING THE PROVISIONS IN THE BANKING ORDINANCE GOVERNING LARGE EXPOSURE LIMITS TO BRING THE REGULATORY REGIME INTO LINE WITH RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BASLE COMMITTEE," HE SAID.
MR NENDICK POINTED OUT THAT THE ACQUISITION OF A NEW OFFICE BY THE FIRST PACIFIC BANCSHARES GROUP REFLECTED THE GROUP’S CONTINUING COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG.
- - 0 - -
REFUGEE CO-ORDINATOR WELCOMES U.S. STATEMENT ON VM’S
* » * » *
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES TODAY (FRIDAY), THE REFUGEE CO-ORDINATOR, MR CLINTON LEEKS, WELCOMED THE STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE UNITED STATES WHICH QUASHED RUMOURS THAT VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS STRANDED IN FIRST ASYLUM TERRITORIES MIGHT BE ABLE TO GO TO KUWAIT FOR ITS POST-WAR RECONSTRUCTION.
SUCH RUMOURS ONLY RAISED FALSE HOPES AMONG THE VIETNAMESE, WITH THE CRUEL EFFECT THAT SOME VIETNAMESE MIGHT BE MISLED INTO FLEEING VIETNAM, ONLY TO FIND THEMSELVES TN DETENTION CENTRES WITHOUT ANY PROSPECT OF OVERSEAS RESETTLEMENT.
AS HAS BEEN MADE VERY CLEAR BY THE STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING IN GENEVA, THE ONLY PROSPECT AWAITING NON-REFUGEES IS TO RETURN TO VIETNAM, HE SAID.
------0--------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS HKEF
«»♦»»»
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 2.5.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 3.5.91 -40
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING + 40
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.2 *+0.0» 3.5.91
/HONG KONG .......
FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1991
4
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEI
ISSUE NUMBER MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
QI 1 5 10.7.91 340 + 140
Q116 17.7.91 360 + 120
QI 1 7 24.7.91 318.5 +161.5
Q118 31.7.91 490 -10
Q106 8.5.91 533.5 -53.5
Q107 15.5.91 501 -21
Q108 22.5.91 490 -10
Q109 29.5.91 510 -30
quo 5.6.91 280 + 200
QI 11 12.6.91 344 + 136
QI 1 2 19.6.91 610 -130
Q113 26.6.91 430 + 50
QI 14 3.7.91 490 -10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 182-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEJ
ISSUE NUMBER MATURING ON OUTSTANDING
$ MILLION
H002 15.5.91 227. 5 +32.5
H003 29.5.91 210 + 50
H004 12.6.91 250 + 10
H005 26.6.91 230 + 30
H101 10.7.91 143 + 117
Hl 56 24.7.91 150 + 110
H157 7.8.91 189. 5 +70.5
Hl 58 21.8.91 200 + 60
Hl 59 4.9.91 200 + 60
H160 18.9.91 280 -20
Hl 61 2.10.91 80 + 180
H162 17.10.91 84 + 176
H163 30.10.91 180 + 80
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
36 1-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEK
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
Y187 26.2.92 230 + 30
Y188 25.3.92 180 + 80
Y189 22.4.92 190 + 70
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 3.5.91 WAS 5,ORO MN
/5.........
FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1991
5
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY FOR FEBRUARY RELEASED
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 1991 COMBINED INCREASED BY 10% WHILE THEIR VOLUME INCREASED BY 2% WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE 2% INCREASE IN VOLUME WAS ACTUALLY MADE UP OF A DECREASE OF 7% IN JANUARY AND AN INCREAS|? OF 14% IN FEBRUARY.
THE LARGE INCREASE IN FEBRUARY WAS MAINLY DUE TO THE TIMING OF i HE LUNAR NEW YEAR, WHICH OCCURRED IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR BUT IN JANUARY LAST YEAR.
CHANGES IN THE VOLUME OF RETAIL SALES REFER TO CHANGES IN THE VALUES OF RETAIL SALES AFTER DISCOUNTING ESTIMATED CHANGES IN PRICES.
THE INDICATORS OF PRJCE CHANGES USED FOR THE PURPOSE ARE THE RESPECTIVE COMPONENTS OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX WHICH CORRESPOND TO THE BROAD CATEGORY OF GOODS IN QUESTION.
COMPARING THE PERIOD JANUARY TO FEBRUARY 1991 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990, FUELS WENT UP BY 35% IN SALES VALUE AND 5% IN SALES VOLUME, WHILE RETAIL SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO INCREASED BY 11% IN VALUE AND 2% IN VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS ROSE BY 12% IN SALES VALUE AND 4% IN SALES VOLUME, WHILE SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLES DECREASED BY 1% IN VALUE AND 6% IN VOLUME.
RETAIL SALES OF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 11% IN VALUE \ND 5% IN VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, RETAIL SALES OF SUPERMARKETS IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 1991 COMBINED WENT UP BY 14% IN VALUE AND 3% IN VOLUME AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990.
CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 10% IN SALES VALUE AND 4% IN SALES VOLUME.
DEPARTMENT STORES SALES ROSE BY 2% IN VALUE BUT DROPPED BY 5% IN VOLUME. MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS DECREASED BY 18% IN SALES VALUE AND 25% IN SALES VOLUME.
COMPARING FEBRUARY 1991 WITH FEBRUARY 1990, TOTAL RETAIL SALES INCREASED BY 22% IN VALUE AND 14% IN VOLUME. RETAIL SALES OF FUELS GREW BY 37% IN VALUE AND 9% IN VOLUME, WHILE THAT OF FOODSTUFFS, LCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO ROSE BY 35% IN VALUE AND 22% IN VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS WENT UP BY 33% IN VALUE AND 23% IN 'LUME.
/CONSUMER DURABLES .......
FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1991
6
CONSUMER DURABI.ES, HOWEVER, DROPPED BY 6% TN SALES VALUE AND J% IN SALES VOLUME.
RETAIL SALES OF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS ROSE BY 24% IN VALUE AND 18% IN VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, SALES OF SUPERMARKETS BY 55% IN VALUE AND 41% IN VOLUME.
INCREASED
SALES IN DEPARTMENT STORES WENT UP BY 21% IN VALUE AND 12% IN VOLUME.
RETAIL SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS INCREASED BY 15% IN VALUE AND 9% IN VOLUME, WHILE THAT OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS DROPPED BY 32% IN VALUE AND 37% IN VOLUME.
COMPARING FEBRUARY 1991 WITH JANUARY 1991, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RETAIL SALES FOR FEBRUARY 1991 INCREASED BY 1% IN VALUE BUT REMAINED ALMOST UNCHANGED IN VOLUME.
RETAIL SALES OF FOODSTUFFS, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO WENT UP BY 13% IN VALUE AND 9% TN VOLUME. FUELS DROPPED BY 18% TN SALES VALUE AND 17% IN SALES VOLUME.
ON THE SAME BASIS OF COMPARISON, RETAIL SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS INCREASED BY 7% IN VALUE AND 8% IN VOLUME, WHILE THAT OF CONSUMER DURABLES DECREASED BY 14% IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME.
RETAIL SALES OF OTHER CONSUMER GOODS WENT UP BY 2% IN VALUE AND 1% IN VOLUME.
ANALYSED BY SELECTED TRADES, SUPERMARKET SALES ROSE BY 21% IN VALUE AND 20% IN VOLUME. ON THE OTHER HAND, DEPARTMENT STORES AND "CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS” DROPPED BY 9% AND 13% RESPECTIVELY IN BOTH SALES VALUE AND SALES VOLUME, WHILE RETAIL SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS DECREASED BY 17% IN VALUE AND 18% IN VOLUME.
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OF FEBRUARY 1991 SURVEY RESULTS IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, AT $1.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 802 1258.
/NOTE TO .......
FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1991
7
NOTE TO EDITORS:
TWO TABLES SHOWING RETAIL SALES SURVEY RESULTS WILL BE SENT BY FACSIMILE.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL RETAIL SALES FIGURE FOR JANUARY 1991 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR FEBRUARY 1991.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 1991 (A) FOR ALL RETAIL TRADES, (B) BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS AND (C) BY SELECTED TRADES (WHICH FORM PART OF THE RELEVANT MAJOR TRADE GROUPS), WITH AVERAGE RETAIL SALES FROM OCTOBER 1984 TO SEPTEMBER 1985 TAKEN AS 100. COMPARISONS OF FEBRUARY 1991 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR JANUARY 1991 AND WITH THOSE FOR FEBRUARY 1990, AND COMPARISONS OF RETAIL SALES TN THE PERIOD JANUARY TO FEBRUARY 1991 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990, ARE ALSO GIVEN.
/TABLE 1 .......
FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1991
8
TABLE 1 : TOTAL RETAIL SALES
Total Retail Sales for February 1991 (Provisional Figure) for January 1991 (Revised Figure)
HK$10,647 Billion
HR$10,552 Billion
TABLE 2 : VALUE AMD VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES FOR JANUARY 1991 AND FEBRUARY 1991
(Monthly average of Oct. 84 - Sept. 85 = 100)
1 | Itei 1 Index of Retail Sales January 1991 1 1 February I 1991 February coipared January 1991 1 with 1 1991 1 February 1991 1 coipared with 1 Jair.-Feb. 1991 I coipared with 1
February 1990 I Jan.-Feb. 1990 { 1
1 I (Revised 1 (Provisional Points 9 1 Points 9 1 Points 9 1
1 figures) 1 figures) 1 I 1
1 (A) FOR ALL RETAIL TRADES 1 I 1 1 1 I 1 1
1 | Value 188 1 190 ♦2 ♦1 I ♦34 ♦22 1 ♦17 ♦10 1
1 Voluie 134 1 133 1 1 1 I I ♦16 ♦14 1 I ♦3 ♦2 1 1
1 1 (B) BY MAJOR TRADE GROUPS 1 | I J 1 I I 1
I 1 Foodstuffs, alcoholic Value 162 I 184 ♦22 ♦13 1 ♦47 ♦35 1 ♦17 ♦11 1
1 drinks and tobacco Voluie 116 I .126 ♦10 ♦9 S I ♦23 ♦22 : | ♦3 ♦2 I |
I Fuels Value 160 I 131 -29 -18 1 ♦ 36 ♦37 1 ♦37 ♦35 1
1 Voluie 116 I 96 -20 -17 1 । ♦8 ♦9 1 । ♦5 ♦5 1 |
1 1 Clothing, footwear Value 233 1 248 ♦ 15 ♦7 I ♦62 ♦33 I ♦26 ♦12 1
1 and allied products Voluie 153 1 165 ♦12 *8 I | ♦31 ♦23 1 J ♦6 ♦4 1 1
1 1 Consuier durables Value 176 1 151 -25 -14 ! -10 -6 1 -2 -I । ।
1 Voluie 125 I 107 -18 -14 1 । -11 -9 1 -7 -6 1 |
1 1 Other consuier goods Value 203 1 1 207 ♦4 ♦2 1 ♦40 ♦24: ♦20 ♦ 11 1
1 Voluie 145 1 147 1 ♦2 ♦1 1 | ♦22 ♦ 18 1 J ♦7 ♦5 1 I
1 1 (0 BY SELECTED TRADES 1 | 1 I I I 1 1
I 1 (see note 1 below) I 1 1 1
1 Superiarkets Value 207 I 249 ♦43 ♦21 1 ♦88 ♦55 I ♦28 ♦14 1
1 Voluie 139 1 167 ♦28 ♦20 ! । ♦ 48 ♦41 I । ♦5 ♦ 3 1 |
1 1 Kotor vehicles Value 257 1 1 213 44 -17 1 -99 -32 1 -51 -18 1
1 and parts Voluie 152 I 125 -27 -18 I । -75 -37 I I -45 -25 1 |
1 1 Consuier durables Value 152 1 132 -19 -13 I ♦ 18 ♦ 15 1 ♦13 ♦10 I
1 other than lotor Voluie 117 I 102 -15 -13 1 ♦8 ♦9 I ♦4 ♦4 I
1 vehicles and parts 1 । 1 | 1 | I 1
1 1 Department stores Value 289 1 264 -26 -9 1 ♦46 ♦21 1 ♦7 ♦2 I
1 Voluie 195 1 178 -17 -9 1 ♦ 19 ♦ 12 I -10 -5 I
NOTES : 1. In order to analyse the sales of certain trades WITHIN lajor trad® groups, the value and voluie indexes
in respect of the following selected trades are coipiled •
(a) 'Superiarkets' - a trade in the 'Foodstuffs, alcoholic drinks and tobacco group.
(b) 'Kotor vehicles and parts' - a trade in the 'Consuier durables' group.
(c) 'Consuier durables other than lotor vehicles and parts' - a trade in the ’Consuier durables' group.
(d) "Department stores’ - a trade in the 'Other consuier goods' group. 2. Figures denoting changes are derived froi the unrounded index figures. 3. 'I' denotes a figure within t0.5.
- - 0----------
/9 ........
FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1991
9
SUMMER HYGIENE REMINDER
WITH THE APPROACH OF SUMMER, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDED TO TAKE SPECIAL PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES AGAINST GASTRO-INTESTINAL DISEASES.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HEALTH (HYGIENE), DR M.B. ALI, POINTED OUT THAT FOOD-BORNE DISEASES SUCH AS CHOLERA, DYSENTERY, TYPHOID, FOOD POISONING AND VIRAL HEPATITIS A ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE EATING AND DRINKING OF UNCLEAN FOOD AND WATER.
’’PROPER PRACTICE IN FOOD AND PERSONAL HYGIENE SHOULD THEREFORE • E OBSERVED TO ENSURE THAT THE FOOD CONSUMED IS HYGIENIC AND FREE ROM CONTAMINATION AND DETERIORATION,” HE SAID.
MEANWHILE, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, AND THE URBAN AND ’ EGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS HAVE TAKEN POSITIVE MEASURES TO PREVENT HIE SPREAD OF GASTRO-INTESTINAL DISEASES.
THESE INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF HEALTH EDUCATION MESSAGES AND \DV1CE TO THE LICENSEES AND STAFF OF LICENSED FOOD PREMISES AND RESIDENTS IN REMOTE AREAS AS WELL AS PROSECUTIONS AGAINST ILLEGAL FOOD HAWKERS.
STEPPED-UP PUBLICITY HAS ALSO BEEN MOUNTED TO DISSEMINATE HEALTH MESSAGES TO THE PUBLIC ON FOOD, PERSONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE.
DR ALI ADVISED THE PUBLIC NOT TO PATRONISE ILLEGAL FOOD HAWKERS AND UNLICENSED FOOD PREMISES AS THEIR JOpD MIGHT BE UNCLEAN, HUS POSING A THREAT TO HEALTH.
CUT FRUIT FROM ANY ILLEGAL FRUIT VENDORS, HE ADDED, SHOULD NOT 'E PURCHASED AS OPEN CUT FRUIT CAN EASILY GET CONTAMINATED.
DR ALI REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING POINTS WHEN EATING AT HOME:
* MAINTAIN A CLEAN KITCHEN;
♦ WASH HANDS AFTER TOILET AND BEFORE PREPARING FOOD;
* USE WHOLESOME FOOD AND WATER AND CLEAN COOKING UTENSILS;
♦ STORE PERISHABLE FOOD IN A REFRIGERATOR IF NOT FOR IMMEDIATE CONSUMPTION;
♦ THAW OUT FROZEN FOOD ONLY WHEN NEEDED;
♦ CLEAN THE CHOPPING BLOCK AND KNIFE BEFORE USE, ESPECIALLY AFTER CUTTING RAW FOOD, SUCH AS MEAT AND POULTRY;
♦ WASH VEGETABLES THOROUGHLY BEFORE COOKING;
/* EAT COOKED........
FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1991
10
* EAT COOKED FOOD WHILST IT IS STILL HOT, DO NOT LEAVE IT EXPOSED FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME;
* FOOD TO BE KEPT OVERNIGHT SHOULD BE PUT IN A REFRIGERATOR AND RE-COOKED THOROUGHLY BEFORE EATING; AND
* STORE ALL GARBAGE AND WASTE IN A COVERED CONTAINER BEFORE DISPOSAL.
DR ALI ALSO REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT WHEN TRAVELLING TO TROPICAL COUNTRIES, THEY SHOULD EXERCISE EXTRA CARE TN CHOOSING THEIR FOODS AND DRINKS.
SAFE FOOD, AND GOOD PERSONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE ARE THE MOST EFFECTIVE MEASURES TO PREVENT GASTRO-INTESTINAL DISEASES,” HE
------0-------
WASTE DISPOSAL BILL PUBLISHED ♦ ♦ ♦ * *
THE WASTE DISPOSAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) LAYS THE GROUNDWORK FOR A COMPREHENSIVE SCHEME OF CONTROL ON CHEMICAL WASTE WHICH WILL COVER ALL ASPECTS OF THE HANDLING OF SUCH WASTE, INCLUDING PACKAGING, STORAGE, TRANSPORTATION AND DISPOSAL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH SAID: ’’THE GOVERNMENT HAS RECOGNISED THE NEED FOR PROPER CONTROLS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF CHEMICAL WASTE FOR SOME TIME. BUT THERE HAS BEEN A SHORTAGE OF PROPER FACILITIES FOR DISPOSAL IN HONG KONG.
"WITH THE NEW CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT FACILITIES ON TSING YI COMING ON STREAM TOWARDS THE END OF 1992, THIS WILL NO LONGER BE THE CASE. THE TIME IS THEREFORE RIGHT TO BRING IN REGULATORY CONTROLS.”
THE BILL ENABLES ’’CHEMICAL WASTE” TO BE DEFINED IN REGULATIONS AND CLARIFIES THAT PROVISIONS IN THE ORDINANCE RELATING TO LICENSING OF COLLECTORS AND DISPOSAL FACILITIES CAN BE APPLIED TO CHEMICAL WASTE.
THE BILL ALSO EXPANDS THE POWER OF THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO MAKE REGULATIONS UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
’’MOST OF THE CONTROLS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED THROUGH DETAILED CHEMICAL WASTE REGULATIONS,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED. ’’THE BILL IS NEEDED TO PREPARE FOR THESE REGULATIONS.”
”WE ARE CURRENTLY CONSULTING THE INDUSTRY ON THE DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED SCHEME OF CONTROL AND WILL THEN FINALISE THE REGULATIONS FOR SUBMISSION TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN THE SUMMER.
/"WE EXPECT........
FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1991
- 11 -
"WE EXPECT TO IMPLEMENT THE CONTROLS IN TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BILL IS DUE TO BE INTRODUCED INTO COUNCIL ON MAY 15.
PHASES BEGINNING
THE LEGISLATIVE
------0-------
WORK TO IMPROVE ACCESS FOR AIRCRAFT PARKING
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CONSTRUCT A TAXIWAY BRIDGE ACROSS THE SEA CHANNEL BETWEEN THE EXISTING RUNWAY AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AND THE KOWLOON BAY RECLAMATION AREA FOR AIRPORT EXPANSION PURPOSES.
UPON COMPLETION BY MID-1993, THE BRIDGE WILL PROVIDE ACCESS FOR AIRCRAFT FROM THE RUNWAY TO THE KOWLOON BAY RECLAMATION AREA, WHICH WILL BE CONVERTED INTO AN AIRCRAFT PARKING APRON UNDER THE KAI TAK IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME.
ABOUT 3.45 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROJECT.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED WAS- DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED TN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS BEFORE JULY 2.
THE NOTICE TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS NEAR THE SITE.
THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAP1ING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL (WHERE COPIES CAN BE PURCHASED ON ORDER) AND AT THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, 141-143 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD.
------0-------
/12 .......
FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1991
- 12 -
PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF SEWAGE SCREENING PLANT
*****
T-HE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CARRY OUT RECLAMATION AND DREDGING WORKS OVER AND UPON AN AREA OF ABOUT 2.05 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT ROCKY BAY IN SHEK O.
THIS IS TO PROVIDE ABOUT 3,160 SQUARE METRES OF LAND FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SEWAGE SCREENING PLANT AND THE ASSOCIATED ACCESS ROAD.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED WAS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE JULY 2.
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.
THE NOTICE TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS NEAR THE SITE.
THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, CENTRA). (WHERE COPIES CAN BE PURCHASED ON ORDER) AND AT THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, SHOP 25, GROUND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, 7-11 NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN.
DRAFT LDC PLAN FOR MONG KOK DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED
*****
THE TOWN PLANNING HOARD TODAY GAZETTE THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION PROPOSED REDEVELOPMENT SCHEME IN SHAMCHUN
(FRIDAY) PUBLISHED (LDC) SCHEME PLAN STREET IN MONG KOK.
IN
FOR
THE
THE
THE OBJECTIVE OF THE SCHEME AREA AS ’’COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT.
PLAN IS TO DESIGNATE THE SCHEME AREA” FOR THE LDC TO UNDERTAKE
APART PROPERTIES IN PUT UP IN THE
FROM THE EXISTING MONG KOK MARKET, THE SCHEME AREA ARE GENERALLY SIX TO SEVEN
1960’S.
MOST OF THE EXISTING LOTS WITHIN THE AREA SATISFACTORY REDEVELOPMENT ON THEIR OWN.
THE PRIVATE
STOREYS HIGH
ARE TOO SMALL FOR
/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS .......
FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1991
13
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS WITHIN THE AREA ARE POOR OWING TO THE CONCENTRATION OF ON-STREET WET AND DRY GOODS HAWKERS, WHICH CAUSE PROBLEMS OF HYGIENE, REFUSE AND OBSTRUCTION TO FREE PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICULAR TRAFFIC MOVEMENT.
THE EXISTING ROAD SYSTEM IS INEFFICIENT AND REQUIRES RATIONALISATION TO IMPROVE THE CIRCULATION.
IN ORDER TO RESOLVE THE EXISTING PROBLEMS AND CREATE A BETTER ENVIRONMENT FOR PEOPLE TO LIVE AND WORK, THE SCHEME PLAN PROVIDES THE FRAMEWORK FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE SCHEME AREA BY RESTRUCTURING THE EXISTING LAND USE PATTERN AND AT THE SAME TIME PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT.
THE SCHEME PLAN WILL MAKE PROVISION FOR THE ACCOMMODATION OF A MARKET, A COOKED FOOD CENTRE, PET-BIRD STALLS AND AN AREA COMMUNITY CENTRE AT THE LOWER FLOORS AND TWO RESIDENTIAL TOWERS ABOVE THE PODIUM.
PUBLIC OPEN SPACE WILL BE PROVIDED ON THE PODIUM LEVEL TO SERVE THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND USERS OF THE BUILDINGS.
LDC WOULD BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT A MASTER LAYOUT PLAN FOR THE SCHEME AREA TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD FOR CONSIDERATION.
THE DRAFT SCHEME PLAN IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION FOR TWO MONTHS AT THE FOLLOWING PLACES:
* GROUND FLOOR ENTRANCE, WEST WING, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, ICE HOUSE STREET, CENTRAL;
* TOWN PLANNING BOARD SECTION, PLANNING DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL;
» MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 30 LUEN WAN STREET.
COPIES OF THE PLANS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD AND THE KOWLOON MAP SALES SECTION, 382 NATHAN ROAD AT $10 EACH UNCOLOURED AND $60 EACH COLOURED.
ANY OBJECTION TO THE LDC SCHEME PLAN SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O PLANNING DEPARTMENT, FOURTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD BY JULY 3.
-----0-----------
/14 ........
FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1991
14
ROAD PROJECTS FOR TIN SHUI WAI DEVELOPMENT * * * * *
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT NEW ROADS, FOOTPATHS, CYCLE TRACKS AND A FOOTBRIDGE AS PART OF THE TIN SHUI WAI DEVELOPMENT.
EXISTING ACCESSES WILL BE MAINTAINED THROUGHOUT THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD.
ON COMPLETION OF THE WORKS, ACCESS TO THE NORTHERN PART OF TIN SHUI WAI CAN BE MADE THROUGH THE NEW ROADS ON THE EASTERN PART OF THE NEW TOWN.
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL ARE PUBLISHED IN A GOVERNMENT GAZETTE NOTICE TODAY (FRIDAY). THE NOTICE CAN ALSO BE SEEN NEAR THE SITE OF THE PROPOSED WORKS.
THE PLANS AND SCHEME OF THE PROPOSED WORKS MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR,- HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL;
* YUEN LONG DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND TAI KIU MARKET, NINTH TO 11TH FLOORS, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG;
* YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE, YUEN LONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, 269 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG.
THOSE WHO WISH TO OBJECT TO THE PROPOSED WORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN JULY 2.
--------0-----------
SPECIAL MARINE TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS FOR TIN HAU FESTIVAL
*****
BAY GOING
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT SPECIAL MARINE TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AT JOSS HOUSE ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY (MAY 6 AND 7) TO FACILITATE WORSHIPPERS TO TIN HAU TEMPLE TO CELEBRATE THE TIN HAU FESTIVAL.
MARINE AND EASTERN
THE SENIOR MARINE OFFICER (EAST REGION) OF THE DEPARTMENT, MR KHIN HLA, SAID: "SPECIAL EMBARKATION
DISEMBARKATION ARRANAGEMENTS WILL BE MADE AT THE PIER ON THE
SIDE OF JOSS HOUSE BAY.
"OFFICERS FROM THE MARINE DEPARTMENT AND MARINE POLICE WILL BE ON SPECIAL PATROL DUTY TO ASSIST OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF LOCAL CRAFT TRANSPORTING WORSHIPPERS."
/MR HLA ........
FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1991
15
MR HLA URGED ALL LOCAL CRAFT OWNERS AND OPERATORS HEADING FOR JOSS HOUSE BAY TO PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO MARINE SAFETY AND NCI TO OVERLOAD THEIR VESSELS.
"THEY SHOULD EXERCISE SELF-DISCIPLINE AND BE CONSIDERATE TO OTHER USERS," MR HLA SAID.
WORSHIPPERS SHOULD TAKE CARE WHEN BOARDING AND ALIGHTING THE VESSELS INCLUDING SPECIAL HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY FERRIES OPERATING BETWEEN JOSS HOUSE BAY AND NORTH POINT NEXT MONDAY AND TUESDAY.
IN ADDITION, HE ADVISED MASTERS OF OCEAN-GOING SHIPS NAVIGATING THROUGH TATHONG CHANNEL DURING THESE TWO DAYS TO PROCEED WITH CAUTION BECAUSE NUMEROUS LOCAL CRAFT WOULD BE SAILING THROUGH LEI YUE MUN TO JOSS HOUSE BAY.
------0-------
ATLA PUBLIC INQUIRY NEXT WEEK * * * * »
THE AIR TRANSPORT LICENSING AUTHORITY (ATLA) WILL HOLD AN INQUIRY IN THE WEEK BEGINNING MAY 6, 1991 (EXCEPT ON MAY 7) TO CONSIDER THE APPLICATION BY CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS LIMITED (CATHAY) TO OPERATE SCHEDULED AIR SERVICES TO THE FOLLOWING ROUTE, COVERING 26 POINTS IN ASIA AND EUROPE:
HONG KONG/BANGKOK/CALCUTTA/BOMBAY/DELHI/COLOMBO/
BAHRAIN/DUBAI/ABU DHABI/JEDDAH/DHAHRAN/FRANKFURT/
PARIS/ZURICH/ROME/AMSTERDAM/MANCHESTER/LONDON/MUNICH/
COLOGNE (BONN)/BERLIN/DUSSELDORF/MILAN/MADRID/
COPENHAGEN/STOCKHOLM AND VICE VERSA
EXCEPT FOR THE APPLICATION TO BERLIN, WHICH IS CONTESTED BY AIR HONG KONG LIMITED, CATHAY IS ALREADY LICENSED TO SERVE ALL OTHER POINTS BY ATLA LICENCE NO. 10 OF 1989.
JOINING THE CHAIRMAN OF ATLA, MR JUSTICE PENLINGTON, FOR THIS INQUIRY WILL BE PANEL MEMBERS MESSRS ANTHONY Y.M. KAN AND TANG KWAI-NANG.
THE INQUIRY IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND WILL TAKE PLACE AT COURT NO. 12, SIXTH FLOOR, SUPREME COURT, QUEENSWAY.
THE HOURS OF SITTING WILL BE FROM 9.30 AM TO 1 PM AND 2.15 PM TO 5 PM EACH DAY.
NOTE:
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WILL BE A FIVE-MINUTE PHOTO SESSION FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES AT 9.30 AM ON MONDAY (MAY 6), RIGHT BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE INQUIRY.
- - 0---------
/16........
FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1991
- 16 -
PRACTICE OF REGISTERING TEACHERS TO BE REGULARISED ******
THE EDUCATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 WHICH SEEKS TO REGULARISE THE PRESENT PRACTICE OF REGISTERING TEACHERS, IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE BILL PROPOSES THAT A PROSPECTIVE TEACHER IS DEEMED NOT TO CONTRAVENE SECTION 42 OF THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE IF IN THE PREVIOUS SIX MONTHS HE HAS SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION, OR HIS EMPLOYER HAS SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION TO EMPLOY HIM AS A PERMITTED TEACHER, PROVIDED THAT THIS APPLICATION IS NOT PART OF A SUCCESSION OF SIMILAR APPLICATIONS.
’’UNDER THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE, ONLY A REGISTERED TEACHER OR A PERMITTED TEACHER IS ALLOWED TO TEACH IN A SCHOOL,” A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS REQUIREMENT ALSO CONSTITUTES AN OFFENCE FOR THE EMPLOYER,” HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID AS TEACHING VACANCIES FREQUENTLY OCCURRED AT SHORT NOTICE, IT WAS DESIRABLE FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF REPLACEMENT TEACHER TO COMMENCE WITHOUT DELAY.
”TO ENSURE THAT THE EDUCATION OF PUPILS WILL NOT BE INTERRUPTED, THE PRESENT PRACTICE IS NOT TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST A PROSPECTIVE TEACHER WHILE HIS APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OR A PERMIT IS BEING PROCESSED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
’’WHILE THE PRESENT PRACTICE HAS NOT CAUSED PRACTICAL PROBLEMS AS ONLY A VERY SMALL NUMBER OF REGISTRATION OR PERMIT APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN REFUSED, THE OPPORTUNITY IS TAKEN TO RECTIFY THIS ANOMALY,” HE SAID.
THE BILL IS DUE TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 15.
-----0-----
SUPER SWEET CORN HITS MARKET AGAIN
*****
LOCALLY-PRODUCED SUPER SWEET CORN IS HITTING THE MARKET AGAIN.
AN AVERAGE OE 4,000 COBS OF "GOLD AND SILVER" SUPER SWEET CORN ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE DAILY IN SUPERMARKETS OF MAJOR JAPANESE DEPARTMENT STORES.
THE SUPPLY IS EXPECTED TO LAST UNTIL THE END OF JUNE.
/THE "GOLD .......
FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1991
- 17 -
THE "GOLD AND SILVER" SUPER SWEET CORN IS AMONG A VARIETY OF EXOTIC VEGETABLES GROWN BY LOCAL FARMERS UNDER A PILOT PROJECT INITIATED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD) TO HELP FARMERS MOVE UP MARKET.
THE DEPARTMENT’S AGRICULTURAL OFFICER, MR HO KOON-YU, SAID SOME 60 FARMERS HAD GROWN EXOTIC VEGETABLES ON SEVEN HECTARES OF LAND THIS SPRING.
"SUPER SWEET CORN IS STILL THE FAVOURITE AMONG FARMERS, BUT OTHER EXOTIC VEGETABLE VARIETIES, INCLUDING BUTTERHEAD, RED LETTUCE, CHERRY TOMATO, RADISH, ENDIVE, FRENCH BEANS, AND MINI CUCUMBERS ARE ALSO GROWN," MR HO ADDED.
HE SAID 48 FARMERS HAD SET ASIDE 5.5 HECTARES OF LAND FOR GROWING EXOTIC VEGETABLES IN THE PRODUCTION PROGRAMME LAST AUTUMN.
"THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS AND THE ACREAGE OF LAND USED FOR THE SPRING PRODUCTION SHOWS THAT MORE AND MORE FARMERS ARE NOW CONVINCED OF THE MERITS OF GROWING EXOTIC VEGETABLES AND ARE THUS WILLING TO GIVE IT A TRY.
"SOME OF THESE FARMERS HAVE JOINED THE SPRING PRODUCTION PROGRAMME ORGANISED BY THE FEDERATION OF VEGETABLE MARKETING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES WITH AFD’S ASSISTANCE. OTHERS CHOOSE TO GROW EXOTIC VEGETABLES ON THEIR OWN AFTER ACQUIRING THE GENERAL CONCEPT AND SKILLS FROM AFD," MR HO SAID.
THE FARMERS’ PRODUCE ARE ALL MARKETED THROUGH THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION (VMO), A STATUTORY AND NON-PROFIT-MAKING PUBLIC BODY RESPONSIBLE FOR MARKETING LOCALLY-PRODUCED VEGETABLES.
THE EXOTIC VEGETABLES HAVE BEEN FETCHING GOOD PRICES BECAUSE BUYERS OF HOTEL CATERERS AND SUPERMARKET CHAINS WERE IMPRESSED WITH THEIR FRESHNESS AND GOOD QUALITY, ACCORDING TO SENIOR MANAGER OF THE VMO, MR EDWARD LAI.
MR LAI SAID IN MARKETING THE EXOTIC VEGETABLES, THE VMO HAD STARTED A TRIAL SCHEME IN MARCH THIS YEAR TO ENSURE A STEADY SUPPLY FOR BUYERS AND AT THE SAME TIME GUARANTEE A MARKET FOR GROWERS.
"FIRST OF ALL WE WOULD APPROACH BUYERS TO IDENTIFY WHICH VEGETABLE SPECIES ARE NEEDED AS WELL AS THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY WANTED. WE WOULD ALSO SEEK THE BUYERS’ ASSURANCE THAT THEY WOULD PURCHASE FROM THE VMO IF THE VEGETABLES COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPECIFIED TERMS.
"WE THEN APPROACH EXPERIENCED FARMERS, TELL THEM OF THE BUYERS’ REQUIREMENTS, AND ASK THEM TO GROW THE IDENTIFIED VEGETABLE SPECIES, BUT NO MORE THAN THE AMOUNT THE BUYERS NEEDED TO AVOID WASTAGE. IN SUCH CASES, THE CROP MAY HAVE TO BE STAGGERED TN ORDER TO KEEP UP A STABLE SUPPLY WITHIN A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME," MR LAI EXPLAINED.
CURRENTLY, EIGHT VEGETABLE FARMERS WELL-VERSED WITH THEIR TRADE HAD BEEN ENGAGED IN THIS GROW-ON-REQUEST TRIAL WHICH HAS PROVEN TO BE SUCCESSFUL SO FAR, MR LAI CONTINUED.
/"SOME BUYERS
FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1991
18
"SOME BUYERS ARE SO KEEN THAT THEY HAVE EVEN OFFERED TO PROVIDE SEEDS TO FARMERS. THE VMO IS HOPING TO EXTEND THIS MATCH-MAKING SCHEME BIT BY BIT," HE SAID.
MR LAI ADDED THAT AS PART OF HIS ORGANISATION’S EFFORTS TO PROMOTE LOCALLY-GROWN VEGETABLES, PERMANENT VMO COUNTERS WOULD BE SET UP FROM THIS MONTH IN SUPERMARKET OF SEVERAL LEADING DEPARTMENT. STORES.
"ALL VEGETABLES SOLD THROUGH SUCH COUNTERS WILL BEAR THE VMO uABEL, WHICH IS A GUARANTEE FOR FRESH AND HIGH-QUALITY VEGETABLES," BE SAID.
TO IMPROVE ITS MARKETING SERVICE, THE VMO HAS RECENTLY SET UP A COOL STORE AT THE ORGANISATION’S PREMISES AND ADDED TWO REFRIGERATING TRUCKS TO ITS FLEET OF LORRIES FOR TRANSPORTING VEGETABLES.
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NEW TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR FIRE SERVICES DEPT
*****
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT THE FIRE HAZARD HOTLINE AND A NUMBER OF TELEPHONE NUMBERS AT THE FIRE SERVICES COMMUNI CAT I ON CENTRE (FSCC) WILL BE CHANGED FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE FIRE HAZARD HOTLINE IS FOR THE PUBLIC TO REPORT ANY ALLEGED FIRE HAZARD, AND TO ENQUIRE AND COMPLAIN ABOUT ANY BREACH OF THE DANGEROUS GOODS AND FIRE SAFETY LEGISLATION.
THE NEW TELEPHONE NUMBERS TO BE IN USE FROM 8 AM TOMORROW ARE AS FOLLOWS:
FIRE HAZARD HOTLINE: 723 8787
FIRE SERVICES MAIN EXCHANGE: 723 2233
AMBULANCE SERVICES MAIN EXCHANGE: 735 3355
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NEW FISH CULTURE ZONE DESIGNATED
*****
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THE DESIGNATION OF A SITE OFF TUNG LUNG CHAU AS A NEW FISH CULTURE ZONE FOR RELOCATING THE TIN HA WAN MAR1CULTURISTS.
A NOTICE ON THE DESIGNATION OF THE NEW ZONE, COVERING AN AREA OF EIGHT HECTARES NORTH OF TUNG LUNG CHAU, WAS PUBLISHED IN TODAY’S GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
THE SENIOR FISHERIES OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, DR PATSY WONG, SAID THE DESIGNATION WAS MADE BECAUSE THE TIN HA WAN FISH CULTURE ZONE HAD TO BE CLEARED BEFORE JUNE TO MAKE WAY FOR TSEUNG KWAN O DEVELOPMENT.
/"THE DEVELOPMENT .......
FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1991
19
"THE DEVELOPMENT WORKS WILL MAKE WATERS IN TIN HA WAN UNSUITABLE FOR FISH FARMING, AND MARICULTURISTS THEREFORE HAVE TO BE RELOCATED.
"THE DECISION TO DESIGNATE TUNG LUNG CHAU AS A NEW FISH CULTURE ZONE IS MADE AFTER A SERIES OF STUDIES AND CAREFUL CONSIDERATION BY ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT CONCERNED,” SHE SAID.
THE TIN HA WAN ZONE, WITH AN AREA OF 3.9 HECTARES AND A TOTAL OF 63 LICENSED MARICULTURISTS, WAS DESIGNATED IN 1983 UNDER THE MARINE FISH CULTURE ORDINANCE.
THE ZONE, UPON CLEARANCE OF ALL MARICULTURE OPERATIONS, WILL BE DEGAZETTED IN DUE COURSE.
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TUEN MUN DRAGON BOAT RACES ♦ ♦ » ♦ ♦
THE TUEN MUN DRAGON BOAT RACE COMMITTEE 1991 WILL HOLD DRAGON BOAT RACES ON JUNE 16 (SUNDAY) TO CELEBRATE THE TRADITIONAL TUEN NG FESTIVAL.
ORGANISATIONS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY AS WELL AS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CAN FORM TEAMS TO COMPETE IN THE RACES WHICH WILL BE HELD AT CASTLE PEAK BAY ADJACENT TO AREA 16, TUEN MUN.
FOR TEAMS COMPETING IN THE LARGE DRAGON BOAT CATEGORY, THE CREW MUST NOT EXCEED 58 MEMBERS, INCLUDING THE COXSWAIN AND DRUMMER. THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF A TEAM IN THE MEDIUM DRAGON BOAT RACES SHOULD BE BETWEEN 22 AND 26, WHILE THAT IN THE SMALL DRAGON BOAT RACE IS LIMITED TO NINE AND IN THE PHOENIX BOAT RACE, TO 12.
THERE WILL BE AN ENTRY FEE OF BETWEEN $300 AND $500 FOR THE MEDIUM AND THE SMALL BOAT COMPETITIONS.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE’S WU KING/BUTTERFLY SUB-OFFICE AT ROOM 108, FIRST FLOOR, BUTTERFLY BAY COMMUNITY CENTRE.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE ABOVE OFFICE BEFORE MAY 15. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 467 6380.
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FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1991
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YOUNG THESPIANS TO PERFORM AT GALA EVENING
YOUNG THESPIANS WILL BE PERFORMING AND RECEIVING THEIR PRIZES AT A SPECIAL GALA EVENING TO BE HELD AT THE SHOUSON THEATRE OF THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
SELECTED TO PERFORM AT THE GALA EVENING ARE STUDENTS FROM TUEN MUN CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL, QUEEN’S COLLEGE AND HO L*P COLLEGE.
THEY WERE SELECTED FROM 42 SCHOOLS WHICH TOOK PART IN THE SCHOOLS CHINESE DRAMA PROJECT ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND SPONSORED BY THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION.
THE GUESTS OF HONOUR WILL INCLUDE THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING; MTRC’S DEPUTY OPERATIONS DIRECTOR, MR ROGER KYNASTON; KCRC’S LIGHT RAIL DIRECTOR, MR JONATHAN YU AND HEAD OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS, MR BARRY CHOI; AND THE DEAN OF DRAMA, HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, MR CHUNG KING-FAI.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE CHINESE DRAMA GALA EVENING AND PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE 1991 SCHOOLS CHINESE DRAMA PROJECT TO BE HELD AT SHOUSON THEATRE, HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE, TOMORROW (SATURDAY). THE EVENT WILL BEGIN AT 7.30 PM.
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TENDERS INVITED FOR SPORTS COMPLEX SURFACING PROJECT
♦ t t ♦ *
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SUPPLY AND LAYING OF ALL WEATHER SPORTS SURFACING FOR THE SPORTS COMPLEX AT AREA 22, TAI PO.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN JULY AND WILL TAKE THREE MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
FORM OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
TENDERS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE PUBLIC WORKS TENDER BOARD BEFORE NOON ON MAY 24.
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PO LEUNG KUK PRAISED * t t ♦ ♦ ♦
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. CARTLAND, TODAY (FRIDAY) COMMENDED PO LEUNG KUK FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY.
IN A MEETING WITH THE KUK’S NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS DURING THEIR COURTESY CALL ON THE DEPARTMENT, MR CARTLAND NOTED THAT THE KUK’S SERVICES FOCUSSED ON RESIDENTIAL CHILD CARE, DAY NURSERY AND SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, AS WELL AS REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.
HE ASSURED THE VISITORS THAT THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THEM.
DURING THE MEETING THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, MRS KATHY LEE, OUTLINED THE KUK’S EXISTING SERVICES AND PLANNED PROJECTS, AND EXPRESSED APPRECIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR ITS GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT OVER THE YEARS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN DURING THE COURTESY VISIT WILL BE BOXED.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
SATURDAY, MAY 4, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LADY WILSON PRAISES ABILYMPICS .......................................... 1
FULL-TIME MASTER OF WEDDING IN ACTION ................................... 2
POLICE COMMISSIONER RETURNS AFTER MEETINGS IN CHINA ..................... 4
POLICE PASSING OUT PARADE ............................................... 5
1,155 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS REPORTED IN APRIL ............................... 5
PEDESTRIAN NEGLIGENCE MAJOR CAUSE OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS .................. 6
APPLICATION FOR DB FUNDS INVITED ........................................ 7
WORSHIPPERS URGED TO USE SEA TRANSPORT .................................. 7
SATURDAY, MAY 4, 1991
LADY WILSON PRAISES ABILYMPICS * * * * *
ABILYMPICS - THE OLYMPICS OF ABILITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES - WERE COMPETITIONS INTENDED TO INCREASE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE ABILITIES OF DISABLED PEOPLE, LADY WILSON SAID THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING.
SPEAKING AT THE THIRD HONG KONG ABILYMPICS PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY, SHE SAID: "THEY ALSO TEACH THE DISABLED A GOOD DEAL ABOUT THEMSELVES, BY ENCOURAGING THEM TO REACH BEYOND WHAT THEY PREVIOUSLY AW AS THEIR LIMITS AND BY INSPIRING THEM TO EXPLORE THE FULL EXTENT F THEIR PHYSICAL ABILITIES."
IN DOING SO, LADY WILSON SAID, THEY SERVED TO SHOW THE COMMUNITY JUST HOW MUCH DISABLED PEOPLE COULD DO.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT THE MOTTO FOR THE THIRD HONG KONG ABILYMPICS: ’EQUALITY THROUGH PARTICIPATION’ WAS WELL CHOSEN.
FOR THE PAST WEEKS, SHE SAID, A VARIETY OF EXCITING AND IMAGINATIVE CONTESTS, FROM COOKING TO MODEL-MAKING, FROM KITE-FLYING TO FLOWER ARRANGING HAD BEEN ARRANGED.
"THESE EVENTS HAVE PROVIDED A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE DISABLED AND THE ABLE-BODIED PEOPLE TO COME TOGETHER AND DEMONSTRATE THEIR SKILLS THROUGH FRIENDLY COMPETITION," SHE SAID.
LADY WILSON NOTED THAT THE WINNERS OF THE VARIOUS COMPETITIONS HAD PERFORMED VERY WELL AND THEY WOULD BE LOOKING FORWARD TO REPRESENT HONG KONG IN THE THIRD INTERNATIONAL ABILYMPICS TO BE HELD IN THE REGION IN AUGUST.
SHE WAS ALSO DELIGHTED TO LEARN THAT THE UNITED NATIONS HAD TAKEN ON THE THIRD INTERNATIONAL ABILYMPICS AS AN OFFICIAL EVENT TO CELEBRATE THE CLOSING OF THE UNITED NATIONS DECADE OF DISABLED PERSONS.
LADY WILSON EXPRESSED HER THANKS TO PROFESSOR HARRY FANG AND ALL THOSE WHO HAD CONTRIBUTED TO THE SUCCESS OF THE THIRD HONG KONG ABILYMPICS, AND HAD BEEN WORKING SO HARD IN PREPARING FOR THE INTERNATIONAL ABILYMPICS.
SHE ALSO CONGRATULATED ALL THOSE CONTESTANTS WHO TOOK PARt IN THE VARIOUS COMPETITIONS.
"WHETHER OR NOT YOU WON, YOU HAVE SHOWN BY YOUR EXAMPLE THAT DISABLED PEOPLE REALLY ARE FULL, ADMIRABLE, PARTICIPATING MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY," SHE SAID.
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/2........
SATURDAY, MAY 4, 1991
2
FULL-TIME MASTER OF WEDDING IN ACTION
* *
* * *
A LILAC-CARPETED HALL, WITH MATCHING CURTAINS AND THE GLITTERING RADIANCE OF THE LUCID CRYSTAL LIGHTS, ADDS TINTS OF SOLEMN MAJESTY TO THE TOUCHES OF ROMANCE.
TO MANY COUPLES, THIS IS THE MEMENTO OF THAT VERY DAY WHEN THEY MADE THEIR WEDLOCK PLEDGE.
TO MRS DEBORAH LEE, THIS IS THE PLACE WHERE SHE HELPS TIE THE LOVE KNOTS.
AS A DEPUTY REGISTRAR OF MARRIAGES, MRS LEE HAS IN THE PAST TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS EXPLAINED TO HUNDREDS OF PAIRS OF LOVERS THE SOLEMN AND BINDING CHARACTER OF REGISTRY WEDDING, AND THE MONOGAMOUS NATURE OF MARRIAGE IN HONG KONG.
IN AN AUSPICIOUS DAY WHEN THE MARRIAGE HALLS ARE FULLY LOOKED, MRS LEE HAS TO PERFORM IN SOME 20 WEDDINGS, NON-STOP.
MONOTONOUS THOUGH IT MAY SEEM, MRS LEE, WITH A COMPLACENT SMILE, SAID: "EVERYTHING IS JOVIAL IN MARRIAGE. YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO SHARE OTHERS’ JOY AND THIS IS WHAT MAKES THE WORK OF A DEPUTY REGISTRAR DIFFERENT FROM OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICES.
"OUR AIM IS TO MAKE THE WEDDING CEREMONY SOLEMN AND MEMORABLE," SHE SAID.
FALLING BACK INTO HER CHAIR, MRS LEE SAID THEY HAVE AN UNWRITTEN AND YET STRICTLY FOLLOWED ’CODE OF DRESSING’. THAT IS, TIE AND SUIT FOR MEN; DRESS AND MAKE-UP FOR WOMEN.
"THE CHOICE OF COLOUR IS BY NO MEANS RANDOM," SHE ADDED.
"FOR INSTANCE, AS WHITE IS TRADITIONALLY CONSIDERED BY CHINESE AS AN OMINOUS COLOUR, TO MATCH IT, ONE HAS TO WEAR SOME GLAMOROUS-COLOURED ACCESSORIES," SHE WENT ON.
THE NEXT THING IS THE SETTING.
"INSTEAD OF THE CONVENTIONAL GLOWING RED, THE FURNISHINGS OF NEWER MARRIAGE HALLS ARE ADORNED IN SOFTER SHADES TO MAKE THEM LOOK WARM, SNUG AND TRENDY.
"THOSE IN OLDER HALLS, LIKE THE ONES IN THE CITY HALL, ARE ALSO BEING ’TOUCHED UP’.
"BUT THE OUTSIDE SETTING IS AS IMPORTANT AS THAT OF THE INSIDE," MRS LEE SAID.
SITUATED NEXT DOOR TO THE YET-TO-BE-COMPLETED HONG KONG PARK, THE COTTON TREE DRIVE MARRIAGE REGISTRY IS TIPPED TO BECOME A 'COMING ATTRACTION’.
/WHEN THE ,
SATURDAY, MAY 4, 1991
- 3 -
WHEN THE PARK IS OPENED LATER THIS MONTH, IT WOULD PROVIDE A SUPERB SETTING FOR HUSBANDS- AND WIVES-TO-BE TO CAPTURE THEIR EUPHORIC MOMENTS, SHE SAID.
SOMETIMES THE INTERPOLATION OF EPISODES MAY CREATE A MORE MNEMONIC EFFECT, BOTH TO THE COUPLES AND TO THE DEPUTY REGISTRARS.
REMINISCING HER EXPERIENCES IN DIFFERENT MARRIAGE REGISTRIES, MRS LEE VOLUBLY RECOUNTED HER INTERESTING ENCOUNTERS.
SOMETIMES A HIGH-SPIRITED PERSON MIGHT PUT THE WEDDING RING ON THE PARTNER’S WRONG FINGER OR THE RING MIGHT BE STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF IT DESPITE REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO FORCE IT THROUGH.
"THERE WERE ALSO CASES WHERE COUPLES, BEING TEASED BY THEIR GUESTS AND COULD NOT HELP BUT LAUGHING, ENDED UP IN ’STACCATOS’ WHEN TAKING OATHS.
"BUT THE REAL FANFARE COMES WHEN THE PROTAGONISTS ARE MOVIE OR TV CELEBRITIES.
"PEOPLE WERE EVERYWHERE WITH CAMERA-CLICKING REPORTERS SHOVING HERE AND THERE FOR A GOOD SHOOTING ANGLE. THE COUPLES WERE OFTEN REQUESTED TO EITHER ’PLAYBACK’ A -PARTICULAR EPISODE OF THE CEREMONY OR SIMPLY HAD IT DONE IN SLOW MOTION," SHE SAID.
AS THE ’MASTER OF WEDDING’, MRS LEE HAS TO KEEP HER COUNTENANCE ON THE ONE HAND TO MAINTAIN THE SOLEMNITY OF THE CEREMONY, WHILE ON THE OTHER SHE HAS TO BE CAREFUL NOT TO APPEAR TOO ALIEN TO SPOIL THE JOY OF THE WEDDING.
IT IS NOT EASY TO STRIKE THE BALANCE, SHE CONFESSED.
TO THOSE OVER-EXCITED PAIRS, MRS LEE HAS ONE ADVICE TO GIVE.
"DON’T WORRIED. THEY WOULD BE BRIEFED THOROUGHLY IN ADVANCE ON THE PROCEDURES.
"IF THEY STILL FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE, THEY CAN GO TO THE REGISTRY BEFORE THE WEDDING DAY AND ASK FOR AN ADVANCED READING OF THE WEDLOCK STATEMENT," MRS LEE SAID.
APART FROM PERFORMING IN WEDDING CEREMONIES, DEPUTY REGISTRARS ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR OFFICE ADMINISTRATION AND DOCUMENTATION.
BUT THEIR WORK IS NOT TOTALLY OFFICE-BOUND.
IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A CONVENIENT SERVICE TO PEOPLE LIVING IN FAR-OFF PLACES, A DEPUTY REGISTRAR IS PUT IN CHARGE OF THE MOBILE REGISTRY, ACCORDING TO CHIEF IMMIGRATION OFFICER, MR CHAN KI- WAI.
MR CHAN, WHO IS IN CHARGE OF THE BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGE REGISTRATION ADMINISTRATION SECTION, SAID THE MOBILE REGISTRY WOULD PROVIDE WEEKLY SERVICES TO RESIDENTS IN SAI KUNG AND CHEUNG CHAU, AND MONTHLY SERVICES TO THOSE ON LANTAU.
/SOMETIMES, A .......
SATURDAY, MAY 4, 1991
SOMETIMES, A PAIR WHO WANT TO GET MARRIED MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GO TO A MARRIAGE REGISTRY OR A LICENSED PLACE OF WORSHIP TO CELEBRATE THEIR MARRIAGE.
"FOR EXAMPLE, THEY MAY BE CRITICALLY ILL OR PRISONERS," HE EXPLAINED.
AFTER OBTAINING A SPECIAL LICENCE FROM THE GOVERNOR, THEY CAN THEN HOLD THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY AT A SPECIFIED PLACE AND TIME WITH A DEPUTY REGISTRAR TRAVELLING ALL THE WAY TO THE DESIGNATED PLACE TO PROVIDE THE SERVICE.
WITH ABOUT 50 ’MASTERS OF WEDDING’ DEPLOYED IN 14 MARRIAGE REGISTRIES, MR CHAN SAID THEY HAD PERFORMED A TOTAL OF 44,640 WEDDINGS OR OVER 90 PER CENT OF REGISTERED MARRIAGES IN HONG KONG LAST YEAR.
_ _ _ _ u _ _ _ _
POLICE COMMISSIONER RETURNS AFTER MEETINGS IN CHINA
»*•»»*»
THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA, RETURNED TO HONG KONG LAST NIGHT (FRIDAY) FROM CHINA WHERE HE HELD A SERIES OF MEETINGS WITH SENIOR OFFICIALS OF THE PUBLIC SECURITY BUREAU.
MR LI DESCRIBED THE MEETINGS AS VERY USEFUL AND PRODUCTIVE AND SAID THEY REFLECTED WELL ON THE GOOD UNDERSTANDING AND CO-OPERATION EXISTING BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES.
MATTERS DISCUSSED TOUCHED ON A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES INCLUDING COMMERCIAL CRIME, NARCOTICS, THE USE OF GUNS IN CRIME, AND SMUGGLING OFFENCES.
WITH REGARD TO THE THEFT OF CARS IN HONG KONG WHICH HAD SUBSEQUENTLY BEEN SMUGGLED INTO CHINA, MR LI CONFIRMED THAT THEY WOULD BE RETURNED TO THE TERRITORY.
HE SAID THAT IN CASES WHERE IT COULD BE SHOWN THAT THE CARS HAD BEEN STOLEN, THEY WOULD BE HANDED OVER.
MR LI ALSO SAID THAT THE CARS WOULD BE RETURNED UNCONDITIONALLY.
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SATURDAY, MAY 4, 1991
5
POLICE PASSING OUT PARADE * ♦ ♦ ♦ »
THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES MUST PLAY THEIR FULL PART IN HELPING TO PRESERVE THE STABILITY OF HONG KONG UPON WHICH THE PROSPERITY OF THIS PLACE WILL CONTINUE TO DEPEND.
THIS WAS STATED BY A MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, MR JOHN SWAINE, WHEN HE ADDRESSED A POLICE PASSING OUT PARADE AT THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL IN WONG CHUK HANG TODAY (SATURDAY).
POINTING OUT THAT THEY WOULD BE IN THE FOREFRONT OF THESE ACTIVITIES, MR SWAINE URGED THE GRADUATES TO REMEMBER THAT THEY WERE THE STARTING POINT OF CONTACT BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND THE AGENCIES OF LAW AND ORDER WHEN THEY WALKED A BEAT OR MANNED A POLICE POST.
’’THE COMMUNITY WILL JUDGE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE POLICE FORCE BY YOUR RESPONSES.
"THEREFORE BE FIRM BUT FAIR IN YOUR DEALINGS WITH THE PUBLIC,” HE SAID.
MR SWAINE TOLD THE GRADUATES THAT THE UNDERPINNING OF THEIR JOB WAS THE MAINTENANCE OF LAW AND ORDER IN HONG KONG, AND THAT ROLE WOULD BECOME INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT AS HONG KONG EVOLVED IN THE DAYS AHEAD.
"THE TRAINING YOU HAVE UNDERGONE WILL HAVE HELPED YOU TO DEVELOP YOUR OWN POTENTIAL AND TO GROW IN STATURE, AS WELL AS EQUIP YOU FOR THE JOB ITSELF, WHICH IS BOTH DEMANDING AND VARIED," HE ADDED.
ON PARADE TODAY WERE 32 POLICE INSPECTORS AND 115 CONSTABLES WHO HAVE JUST COMPLETED THEIR BASIC TRAINING.
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1,155 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS REPORTED IN APRIL
A TOTAL OF 1,445 CASUALTIES WERE REPORTED IN 1,155 TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS WHICH OCCURRED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY LAST MONTH.
A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT 296 OF THESE ACCIDENTS OCCURRED ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 613 IN KOWLOON AND 246 IN T11B NEW TERRITORIES.
THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR APRIL SHOWED THAT 22 PEOPLE WERE KILLED, 284 PEOPLE WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED AND 1,139 SLIGHTLY INJURED IN THESE ACCIDENTS.
THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS AND CASUALTIES REPRESENTED A DECREASE OF 13 PER CENT AND 17.5 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990.
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PEDESTRIAN NEGLIGENCE MAJOR CAUSE OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS
******
ABOUT 70 PER CENT OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS INVOLVING PEDESTRIAN CASUALTIES ON HONG KONG ISLAND WERE DUE TO THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE PEDESTRIANS THEMSELVES, THE POLICE REGIONAL COMMANDER OF HONG KONG ISLAND, MR GEOFFREY ROPER, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE PEDESTRIAN ROAD SAFETY EDUCATION PROGRAMME, MR ROPER SAID ON HONG KONG ISLAND 47 PEDESTRIANS WERE KILLED AND 1,501 PEDESTRIANS WERE INJURED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN 1990.
HE POINTED OUT THAT EACH YEAR THE DEATH TOLL IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND WAS FAR GREATER THAN THAT FOR HOMICIDES.
"OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS 86 PERSONS HAD BEEN MURDERED ON THE ISLAND, BUT 304 PERSONS HAD BEEN KILLED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, THE RATIO BEING 3.5 TRAFFIC FATALITIES TO ONE HOMICIDE.
"THIS IS A SHOCKING SITUATION," HE SAID.
MR ROPER NOTED THAT IT WAS NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE TO SEPARATE PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICLE MOVEMENT BY ROAD ENGINEERING MEANS AND THIS LED TO A HIGH DEGREE OF PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICULAR CONFLICT.
"IT IS OUR DUTY TO MINIMISE THE ACCIDENTS ARISING FROM THIS SITUATION THROUGH BOTH EDUCATION AND ENFORCEMENT," HE SAID.
THE PEDESTRIAN ROAD SAFETY EDUCATION PROGRAMME, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE ROAD SAFETY ASSOCIATION AND POLICE TRAFFIC HONG KONG ISLAND, WAS SPECIALLY PLANNED FOR THIS PURPOSE.
"DURING THIS WEEKEND THERE WILL BE A PERIOD OF EDUCATION WHILST DURING THE COMING WEEK THERE WILL BE A PERIOD OF ENFORCEMENT ACTION BY HONG KONG ISLAND POLICE OFFICERS AT BLACK SPOTS ON THE ISLAND," MR ROPER SAID.
JOINING MR ROPER AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WAS MOVIE STAR MR JACKIE CHAN.
AFTER THE CEREMONY, MR ROPER AND MR CHAN PROCEEDED TO PEDDER STREET IN CENTRAL TO ASSIST SCHOOL ROAD SAFETY PATROL MEMBERS IN DISTRIBUTING EDUCATIONAL LEAFLETS TO PEDESTRIANS.
A TOTAL OF 164 SCHOOL ROAD SAFETY PATROL MEMBERS WERE DEPLOYED TODAY AT SEVEN TRAFFIC BLACK SPOTS AT KING’S ROAD/SHU KUK STREET; JAVA ROAD/NORTH POINT ROAD; HENNESSY ROAD/CANAL ROAD; JOHNSTON ROAD/WAN CHAI ROAD; DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL/PEDDER STREET; DES VOEUX ROAD WEST/SUTHERLAND STREET AND QUEEN’S ROAD WEST/CENTRE ROAD.
THE EXERCISE WILL BE REPEATED TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
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SATURDAY, MAY 4, 1991
7
APPLICATION FOR DB FUNDS INVITED *****
THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD IS INVITING LOCAL ORGANISATIONS TO APPLY FOR DISTRICT BOARD FUNDS TO CARRY OUT COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES BETWEEN JULI AND OCTOBER THIS YEAR.
APPLICATIONS MUST REACH THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT ON THE GROUND FLOOR, 15 MIDDLE ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI ON OR BEFORE JUNE 1.
PROJECTS REQUIRING SPONSORSHIP SHOULD COMPLY WITH THE THEMES "PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, BUILD UP OUR COMMUNITY" AS LAID DOWN BY THE COMMITTEE.
THE ACTIVITIES SHOULD ALSO MEET ONE OF THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES:
* PROMOTE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION AND REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT;
* PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING CIVIC EDUCATION;
* IDENTIFY SPECIAL NEEDS OF THE DISTRICT OR SOLUTIONS TO THOSE PROBLEMS PARTICULAR TO THE DISTRICT;
* FOSTER A SENSE OF COMMUNITY SERVICES AND MUTUAL HELP AMONG THE RESIDENTS, AND
* PROVIDE RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING ELDERLY AND YOUTH PROGRAMMES.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD SECRETARIAT.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 301 2149.
-----0------
WORSHIPPERS URGED TO USE SEA TRANSPORT
*****
WORSHIPPERS INTENDING TO VISIT THE TIN HAU TEMPLE AT JOSS HOUSE BAY IN SAI KUNG ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY (MAY 6 AND 7) CELEBRATE THE SEA GODDESS FESTIVAL ARE URGED TO MAKE FULL USE OF SEA TRANSPORT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE SAID AS MORE THAN 30,000 VISITORS WERE EXPECTED, ROAD TRAFFIC TO THE TEMPLE WOULD BE VERY HEAVY.
/FOR THIS .......
SATURDAY, MAY 4, 1991
- 8 -
FOR THIS REASON, THE SECTION OF TAI AU MUN ROAD BETWEEN CLEARWATER BAY NO. 2 BEACH AND PO TOI O VILLAGE WILL BE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC FROM 8 AM ON MONDAY TO 6 PM ON TUESDAY.
ALL PARKING SPACES IN THE VICINITY OF TIN HAU TEMPLE AND THE CLEAR WATER BAY GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB WILL ALSO BE SUSPENDED.
THE PUBLIC ARE THEREFORE ADVISED TO MAKE USE OF THE SPECIAL FERRY SERVICES PLYING BETWEEN NORTH POINT EAST FERRY PIER AND JOSS HOUSE BAY.
THE FIRST FERRY WILL DEPART NORTH POINT AT 10 AM ON MONDAY, WHILE THE LAST FERRY WILL LEAVE JOSS HOUSE BAY AT 4 PM ON TUESDAY.
THE FREQUENCY WILL RANGE FROM 45 TO 90 MINUTES, WITH OVERNIGHT SERVICES ON TUESDAY MORNING.
ADVANCE FERRY TICKETS ARE ON SALE ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF JORDAN ROAD FERRY PIER AND ON THE MEZZANINE FLOOR OF CENTRAL HARBOUR SERVICES PIER, CENTRAL.
TICKETS WILL ALSO BE ON SALE AT NORTH POINT EAST PIER ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO REMINDED WORSHIPPERS TO TAKE SPECIAL CAUTION TO MINIMISE FIRE RISK.
WORSHIPPERS WILL BE ALLOWED TO BRING A MAXIMUM OF THREE JOSS STICKS INTO THE TEMPLE. THE BURNING OF PAPER OFFERINGS WILL BE PROHIBITED INSIDE THE TEMPLE. SUFFICIENT INCINERATORS WILL BE PLACED OUTSIDE THE TEMPLE FOR THIS PURPOSE.
THE PUBLIC ARE ALSO ADVISED NOT TO USE LOUD SPEAKERS AND RADIO CASSETTES IN THE TEMPLE AND TO FOLLOW POLICE INSTRUCTIONS.
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR FREDERICK TONG, WILL TAKE PART IN A WORSHIPPING CEREMONY AT THE TEMPLE ON TUESDAY MORNING.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE WORSHIPPING CEREMONY TO BE ATTENDED BY THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR FREDERICK TONG, ON TUESDAY (MAY 7) MORNING.
A PRESS COACH WILL LEAVE THE CARPARK OF SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING IN SAI KUNG TOWN AT 10 AM.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
SUNDAY, MAY 5, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
23 PER CENT TURNOUT RATE FOR MC ELECTIONS ...................................... 1
CHIEF SECRETARY URGES ELECTORS TO VOTE ......................................... 1
ENCOURAGING START FOR ELECTIONS ................................................ 2
MORE PEOPLE URGED TO GO TO THE POLLS ........................................... 3
DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES URGES THE PUBLIC TO VOTE ............................ 4
BALLOON EXTRAVAGANZAS TO ADD COLOUR TO MC ELECTIONS ............................ 4
HK OFFICIALS TO ATTEND ITCB COUNCIL MEETING IN BALI ............................ 5
TREE PLANTING VITAL TO NATURE CONSERVATION ..................................... 6
ED TO LAUNCH PLACEMENT SERVICE FOR TEACHERS .................................... 7
COURSES FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION OFFERED .......................................... 8
A TSIM SHA TSUI LANDMARK TO BE RESTORED ....................................... 9
50 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN JANUARY .................................... 10
TENDERS INVITED FOR ROAD WORKS IN TSUEN WAN .................................. 11
FLUSHING WATER CUT IN TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG ................................ 11
SUNDAY, MAY 5, 1991
- 1 -
23 PER CENT TURNOUT RATE FOR MC ELECTIONS ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
THE VOTER TURNOUT FOR THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS ON SUNDAY WAS 392,496, REPRESENTING 23 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ELECTORS. ■■
IN THE URBAN COUNCIL AREA, 214,544 PEOPLE OR 20.86 PER CENT OF THE ELECTORATE CAST THEIR BALLOTS, WHILE 177,952 PEOPLE OR 26.33 PER CENT OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTORS VOTED.
SAI KUNG DISTRICT, IN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA, HAD THE HIGHEST TURNOUT RATE WITH 31.02 PER CENT, OR 10,847 ELECTORS, HAVING CAST THEIR BALLOTS.
THE WONG TAI SIN SOUTH CONSTITUENCY HAD THE HIGHEST VOTER TURNOUT RATE IN THE URBAN COUNCIL AREA WITH 28.48 PER CENT OF THE ELECTORATE, OR 17,875 VOTERS, TURNING OUT TO VOTE.
--------0-----------
CHIEF SECRETARY URGES ELECTORS TO VOTE
******
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, TODAY (SUNDAY) URGED VOTERS TO COME OUT AND CAST THEIR BALLOTS IN THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS AS THE ELECTIONS ARE IMPORTANT.
"THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL SPEND OVER $5 BILLION EVERY YEAR ON SERVICES FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG," SIR DAVID SAID, AFTER CASTING HIS BALLOT THIS MORNING.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER HE AND LADY FORD CAST THEIR VOTES, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THE TWO COUNCILS SPEND TO BUILD RECREATION BUILDINGS AND CULTURAL BUILDINGS, AND PROVIDE AMONG OTHER THINGS, ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES WHICH ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO EVERYBODY.
"SO, IT IS AN IMPORTANT ELECTION. IT IS OUR CHANCE TO INFLUENCE THE PEOPLE WHO WILL BE MAKING THOSE DECISIONS, SPENDING TAXPAYERS’ MONEY AND I URGE EVERYBODY TO COME OUT AND VOTE TODAY,” SIR DAVID SAID.
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO, ALSO URGED ELECTORS TO COME OUT AND VOTE IN THE ELECTIONS.
HE REMINDED ELECTORS THAT IF THEY HAD LOST OR NOT RECEIVED THEIR POLLING CARDS, THEY COULD STILL VOTE AS LONG AS THEY BRING ALONG THEIR IDENTITY CARDS.
"IF THEY HAVE VOTED IN THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS IN MARCH, THEY HAVE ALREADY REGISTERED AS A VOTER AND THERE IS NO NEED TO WORRY ABOUT REGISTRATION BECAUSE THEY ARE REGISTERED," HE SAID.
/"THE MUNICIPAL .......
SUNDAY, MAY 5, 1991
- 2 -
"THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS HAVE TRADITIONALLY ATTRACTED DIFFERENT RATE FROM THE OTHER ELECTION CYCLES AND I WOULDN’T WANT TO FORECAST THE OUTCOME," MR TSAO ADDED.
THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, SAID HE HOPED THAT AS MANY CIVIL SERVANTS AS POSSIBLE WOULD COME OUT AND VOTE. ,
"AS MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY I HOPE THEY WILL SHOW THEIR INTEREST IN THE COMMUNITY AND THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR SYSTEMS," MR WIGGHAM ADDED.
---------------0------- ENCOURAGING START FOR ELECTIONS
THERE IS AN ENCOURAGING VOTER TURNOUT IN THE FIRST THREE HOURS OF MUNICIPAL COUNCIL POLLING THIS MORNING, THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, SAID.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS BRIEFING THIS MORNING, MR SUEN SAID THERE WAS AN INCREASE, BOTH IN THE NUMBER OF VOTERS AND IN THE PERCENTAGE, AS COMPARED WITH THAT OF THE LAST MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN 1989.
HE SAID SOME 44, 658 PEOPLE TURNED OUT TO VOTE IN THE FtRSt THREE HOURS OF VOTING THIS MORNING, REPRESENTING 2.62 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VOTERS. THE PERCENTAGE IN THE LAST MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS WAS 2.3 PER CENT.
IN TERMS OF NUMBER, THE TURNOUT RATE HAD INCREASED CONSIDERABLY, MR SUEN SAID, NOTING THAT THE TOTAL NUMBER LAST TIME WAS ONLY 27,767.
HE ATTRIBUTED IT TO THE FACT THAT MOST OF THE CONSTITUENCIES THIS TIME HAD TO BE CONTESTED.
THE SECRETARY SAID HE WAS SATISFIED WITH THE TURNOUT RATE SO FAR AS COMPARED WITH THE RATE IN THE PREVIOUS MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
HE SAID THIS WAS A CHANCE FOR VOTERS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS AND TO ELECT THOSE WHO COULD REPRESENT THEM IN THE COUNCILS.
MR SUEN SAID HE DID NOT BELIEVED THERE WAS A POLITICAL APARTHY AMONG THE LOCAL POPULATION.
"AS WE HAVE SEEN IN THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS WHICH TOOK PLACE IN MARCH THIS YEAR, THERE WAS A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF PEOPLE TURNING OUT TO VOTE, ELECTING THEIR REPRESENTATIVES TO SIT ON THE DISTRICT BOARD TO SPEAK ON THEIR BEHALF," HE SAID.
/HE ADDED .......
SUNDAY, MAY 5, 1991
3
added that the db elections compared favourably with the
TURNOUT RATE FOR OTHER DEMOCRACIES.
ON THE PURPOSE OF HOLDING THE ELECTIONS ON A SUNDAY, MR SUEN SAID THIS WAS TO FACILITATE PEOPLE TO COME OUT AND VOTE.
’’AS A HOLIDAY, THEY CAN PICK AND CHOOSE THEIR TIME IN TAKING PART IN THIS PROCESS, THEY DON’T HAVE TO CONFINE THEMSELVES NON-WORKING HOURS OF THE DAY. THAT IS THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF
TO THE
IT,” HE
NOTED.
- - 0 - -
MORE PEOPLE URGED TO GO TO THE POLLS » * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON URGED MORE PEOPLE TO GO TO THE POLLING BOOTHS TO MAKE THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS A GREATER SUCCESS.
SPEAKING AT HIS SECOND PRESS BRIEFING ON THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS, MR SUEN SAID SOME 202,862 PEOPLE VOTED IN THE FIRST NINE HOURS OF POLLING, REPRESENTING 11.9 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VOTER POPULATION.
HE SAID THIS COMPARED FAVOURABLY WITH 75,696 PEOPLE OR 6.3 PER CENT WHO VOTED DURING THE SAME PERIOD IN THE LAST MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN 1989.
’’DOING A STRAIGHT COMPARISON, WE SHOULD BE RATHER PLEASED WITH OURSELVES.
’’BUT I DON’T THINK WE SHOULD BE COMPLACENT. I THINK THERE IS STILL A LOT TO BE DONE,” MR SUEN SAID.
THE SECRETARY TOOK THIS OPPORTUNITY TO APPEAL TO ALL ELIGIBLE VOTERS WHO DID NOT VOTE TO COME AND VOTE IN ORDER TO ’’MAKE THE FINAL TURNOUT RATE A GREATER SUCCESS”.
MR SUEN SAID THE ELECTION TREND SO FAR FOLLOWED FAIRLY CLOSELY THE TREND THE GOVERNMENT HAD OBSERVED FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS IN MARCH.
"OF COURSE, THE NEXT HOUR IS GOING TO BE CRUCIAL, BECAUSE ACCORDING TO THE TREND IN MARCH, WE SHOULD REALLY BE SEEING AN UPSWING IN THE TURNOUT RATE. IF THAT MATERIALISES, THEN OF COURSE WE FOLLOW VERY CLOSELY THE PATTERN THAT WAS SET FOR SUNDAY VOTING AT THE LAST DB ELECTIONS.
"BUT OF COURSE, THE SUNDAY ELECTIONS WAS ONLY DONE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MARCH AND THE PATTERN WE HAVE SEEN, I DON’T THINK WE CAN TAKE IT AS FIXED," HE NOTED.
HE ALSO HOPED THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE MORE ACCUSTOMED TO VOTING IN THE FIRST DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN SEPTEMBER.
"I THINK WE ARE NOT TOO UNREASONABLE TO EXPECT HIGHER TURNOUT RATE FOR THE COMING DIRECT ELECTIONS FOR LEGCO IN SEPTEMBER," MR SUEN SAID.
------0--------
/4 .....
SUNDAY, MAY 5, 1991
4
DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES URGES THE PUBLIC TO VOTE
******
THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR JAMES SO, TODAY (SUNDAY) SET A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR HIS 16,300 STAFF IN THE DEPARTMENT BY EXERCISING HIS CIVIC RIGHT AS A REGISTERED ELECTOR AND CASTING M1S VOTE IN HIS CONSTITUENCY IN TAI WAI, SHA TIN.
"THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS ARE IMPORTANT PARTS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS IN HONG KONG AND ARE ESSENTIAL IN ENSURING THE CONTINUING PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF THE TERRITORY.
"THE SUCCESS OF THE PROCESS DEPENDS ENTIRELY ON PUBLIC SUPPORT AND I WOULD THEREFORE URGE EVERYONE TO FULFIL HIS OBLIGATION AND TAKE PART IN THE ELECTIONS TODAY,” SAID MR SO AFTER CASTING HIS VOTE AT THE TAI WAI POLLING STATION.
"AS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR THE RIGHT PEOPLE TO BE ELECTED AS COUNCILLORS.
"AND GOOD COUNCILLORS ARE VITAL PARTS IN THE FORMULATION OF SOUND POLICIES TO BETTER SERVE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG,” MR SO ADDED.
-----0------
BALLOON EXTRAVAGANZAS TO ADD COLOUR TO MC ELECTIONS
*****
THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCIL CHAIRMEN TODAY (SUNDAY) URGED THE PUBLIC TO PLAY THEIR PART IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS AND CAST THEIR VOTES IN TODAY’S MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S BALLOON EXTRAVAGANZA HELD OUTSIDE SHA TIN TOWN HALL TO PROMOTE THE ELECTIONS, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, REITERATED THAT REGIONAL COUNCILLORS ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING THE PUBLIC WITH A WELL BALANCED PROGRAMME OF MUNICIPAL SERVICES.
"HOWEVER, IT IS ONLY WITH THE SUPPORT AND THE PARTICIPATION OF THE PUBLIC THAT THEY COULD ACHIEVE THEIR OBJECTIVES AND IMPLEMENT THEIR IDEAS," HE SAID.
"WE ALL WANT TO LIVE IN A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT AND TO ENJOY A WIDE RANGE OF CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES. WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO VOTE FOR THE BEST CANDIDATES WHO COULD REPRESENT AND UNDERSTAND OUR NEEDS SO AS TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE FOR US," MR CHEUNG ADDED.
SPEAKING AT THE OTHER BALLOON EXTRAVAGANZA HELD OUTSIDE HONG KONG CITY HALL, THE URBAN COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, MR GERRY FORSGATE, SAID THE COUNCIL SERVES AN URBAN POPULATION OF 3.5 MILLION AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CITY’S PUBLIC HEALTH, ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE, LEISURE AND RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL SERVICES.
/"IN THE .......
SUNDAY, MAY 5, 1991
5
"IN THE YEARS AHEAD, THE COUNCIL WILL CONTINUE TO UPGRADE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN HONG KONG, AND TO ENABLE THE COUNCIL TO SERVE YOU BETTER, IT NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT IN ELECTING SUITABLE PEOPLE AS COUNCILLORS," HE SAID.
BOTH EXTRAVAGANZAS, SET AGAINST TWO 20-FOOT-IN-DIAMETER BALLOON SCUPLTURES OF THE VOTE ’91 LOGO, WERE HERALDED OFF WITH THE SOUNDS OF MARCHING BANDS.
AT THE CEREMONIES, STRINGS OF GIANT BALLOON BOUQUETS WITH VOTE '91 STREAMERS ROSE ABOVE THE LOW BLOCK OF CITY HALL AND SHA TIN TOWN HALL.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY BALLOON LION DANCES, THE FIRST-EVER IN HONG KONG.
SOME 30 CELEBRITIES, INCLUDING A FASHION DESIGNER, AN ATHLETE, SINGERS, ACTORS/ACTRESSES, DISC JOCKEYS AND CONTESTANTS FOR THE MISS HONG KONG BEAUTY PAGEANT PARTICIPATED IN THE TWO FUNCTIONS TO HELP PUBLICISE THE VOTE ’91 MESSAGE.
AFTER THE FUNCTIONS, TWO OPEN DECK BUSES, CARRYING LION DANCERS AND THE CELEBRITIES, TOURED AROUND THE TERRITORY TO ENCOURAGE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE.
--------0-----------
HK OFFICIALS TO ATTEND ITCB COUNCIL MEETING IN BALI
******
A DELEGATION OF TRADE OFFICIALS LED BY THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR T.H. CHAU, HAS LEFT HONG KONG FOR BALI TO ATTEND THE FOURTEENTH COUNCIL MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL TEXTILES AND CLOTHING BUREAU (ITCB).
THE COUNCIL MEETING WILL BE HELD FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY) UNTIL THE END OF THIS WEEK.
THE ITCB, THE GENEVA-BASED ORGANISATION OF TEXTILES-EXPORTING DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES, PROVIDES THE FORUM FOR ITS 22 MEMBERS, INCLUDING HONG KONG, TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND CO-ORDINATE ACTIONS ON MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN TEXTILES AND CLOTHING.
"THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE BALI MEETING IS TO DISCUSS AND FORMULATE THE ITCB’S POSITION ON THE FUTURE OF THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA) WHICH WILL BE ON THE AGENDA OF THE TEXTILES COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULED FOR MAY 16 IN GENEVA," A TRADE DEPAR1MENI SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE TEXTILES COMMITTEE, CHARGED BY THE MFA WITH REVIEWING THE OPERATION AND CONSIDERING THE FUTURE OF THE ARRANGEMENT, HAS AS ITS MEMBERS ALL PARTICIPANTS OF THE MFA.
/"A MULTILATERAL
SUNDAY, MAY 5, 1991
6
"A MULTILATERAL DIALOGUE ON THE FUTURE OF THE MFA IS NECESSARY IN VIEW OF THE EXPIRY OF THE ARRANGEMENT AT THE END OF JULY THIS YEAR," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG DELEGATION ARE DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR ROBERT FOOTMAN, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR PATRICK LAU AND DEPUTY REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN GENEVA, MR ANDREW WONG.
-----0------
TREE PLANTING VITAL TO NATURE CONSERVATION
*****
IT IS ONLY WHEN MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY ARE AWARE OF THE VALUE OF TREES THAT EFFORTS WILL BE MADE TO CONSERVE THEM.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, WHEN HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE ROTARY TREE PLANTING DAY AT HOI HA IN SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING.
DR LEE SAID: "TREES ARE IMPORTANT TO OUR COMMUNITY. APART FROM PROVIDING AN ATTRACTIVE GREEN CANOPY TO OUR COUNTRYSIDE, THEY ARE ESSENTIAL ESPECIALLY IN STOPPING SOIL EROSION AND IN AFFORDING NATURAL HABITATS FOR A VARIETY OF OUR WILDLIFE."
TODAY’S PLANTING ACTIVITY WAS ORGANISED BY ROTARY INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 345 TO KICK OFF ITS THREE-YEAR "PRESERVE PLANET EARTH" PROJECT IN HONG KONG. THE PROJECT IS LAUNCHED BY ROTARY INTERNATIONAL WORLDWIDE TO HELP THE EARTH FROM DECAYING.
DR LEE COMMENDED THE ROTARIANS FOR THEIR SUPPORT IN NATURE CONSERVATION AND FOR MOBILISING THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS TO TAKE PART IN TREE PLANTING.
IN ADDITION, HE THANKED THE ROTARY CLUBS FOR THEIR GENEROUS SPONSORSHIP OF $50,000 FOR THE PUBLICATION OF COUNTRY PARK LEAFLETS TO PROMULGATE THE COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION MESSAGE.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S FUNCTION WERE THE VICE-CHANCELLOR OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, PROFESSOR CHARLES KAO, AND THE DISTRICT GOVERNOR OF ROTARY INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 345, MR ARTHUR AU.
PROFESSOR KAO POINTED OUT THAT TREE PLANTING WAS A VITAL STEP IN REFORESTATION AND A FUNDAMENTAL STEP IN PRESERVING THE NATURAL BALANCE OF LIFE ON EARTH.
TREES COULD PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN RESOLVING PROBLEMS SUCH AS DEPLETION OF THE OZONE LAYER, ACID RAIN AND THE GRADUAL WARMING OF OUR CLIMATE THROUGH A GREEN HOUSE EFFECT, WHICH WERE CAUSED BY EXCESSIVE GENERATION OF CARBON DIOXIDE AND OTHER GASES, PROFESSOR KAO ADDED.
/"TREE PLANTING .......
SUNDAY, MAY 5, 1991
7
7REE PLANTING TRADITIONALLY CONNOTES FAITH IN THE FUTURE YOUDARRSnprTMrB|BrQGTnED T° ™R R0TARIANS WH0 HAVE ORGANISED THIS EVENT.’ YOU ARE URGING US IO BELIEVE LN THE FUTURE AND THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US IN HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
PARTICULARLY
MR ARTHGR AG SAID THE TREE PLANTING ACTIVITY TODAY THE ROTARIANS’ DETERMINATION TO PRESERVE THE PLANET EARTH GUARDIAN OF OUR HABITAT.
STARTED
AND BE
OFF THE
---------0-----------
ED TO LAUNCH PLACEMENT SERVICE FOR TEACHERS *****
THE PLACEMENT SERVICE UNIT OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL AGAIN LAUNCH FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY) AN ANNUAL EXERCISE TO ASSIST ELIGIBLE REDUNDANT TEACHERS IN AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS TO OBTAIN NEW TEACHING POSTS.
FIRST INTRODUCED IN 1975, THE PLACEMENT SERVICE AIMS TO HELP REDUNDANT TEACHERS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS SEEK EMPLOYMENT AS A RESULT OF THE DROP IN SCHOOL ENROLMENT IN SOME PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND A SHIFT OF POPULATION FROM URBAN AREAS TO NEW TOWNS.
THE UNIT HAS HELPED ABOUT 6,000 SUCH TEACHERS IN SECURING TEACHING POSTS OVER THE PAST YEARS.
”WE WILL BE GIVING THESE TEACHERS FULL ASSISTANCE AGAIN THIS YEAR. OUR 100 PER CENT SUCCESS RATE OVER THE PAST YEARS OWES MUCH TO THE SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION OF SCHOOL HEADS AND THE SCHOOL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES FOR WHICH THE DEPARTMENT IS MOST GRATEFUL,” SAID SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER, MR LIU TSO-TIM, WHO HEADS THE PLACEMENT SERVICE UNIT THIS YEAR.
THE UNIT, STAFFED BY A TEAM OF FOUR OFFICERS FROM THE SCHOOLS DIVISION OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, IS LOCATED IN ROOM 703, SEVENTH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD.
REDUNDANT TEACHERS ARE REQUESTED TO REGISTER WITH THE UNIT BETWEEN MAY 17 - 24 (9 AM - 12.45 PM AND 2.15 PM - 4.45 PM).
THE SCHEDULE OF REGISTRATION IS AS FOLLOWS:
MAY 17 (FRIDAY)
MAY 20 (MONDAY)
MAY 21 (TUESDAY)
FOR TEACHERS ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES (SAI KUNG AND ISLANDS)
FOR TEACHERS IN KOWLOON (KWUN TONG AND
YAU TSIM)
FOR TEACHERS IN KOWLOON (WONG TAI SIN, MONG KOK, SHAM SHUI PO AND KOWLOON CITY)
,MAY 22 .......
SUNDAY, MAY 5, 1991
8
MAY 22 (WEDNESDAY) FOR TEACHERS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES (TAI PO, NORTH AND TSUEN WAN)
MAY 23 (THURSDAY) FOR TEACHERS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES
(KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI)
MAY 24 (FRIDAY) FOR TEACHERS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES
(TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG AND SHA TIN)
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING REGISTRATION MATTERS MAY BE MADE ON TEL 780 0354, 780 0452, 780 0523 AND 780 0528 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
MR LIU SAID TEACHERS CONCERNED WOULD BE INFORMED BY LETTER OF THEIR REDUNDANCY UNDER THE AGREED PRINCIPLE OF "LAST IN, FIRST OUT" AND IT IS IMPORTANT, HE STRESSED, THAT THEY SHOULD REGISTER WITH THE UNIT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ABOVE SCHEDULE FOR PLACEMENT TO TEACH IN AN AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
------0-------
COURSES FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION OFFERED ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
TWO IN-SERVICE SPECIAL EDUCATION COURSES FOR TEACHERS WISHING TO TEACH CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS WILL BE OFFERED IN 1991-92.
THESE COURSES WILL EACH LAST FOR TWO YEARS AND COMPRISE 16 WEEKS OF FULL-TIME STUDY AT THE SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND ITS SHA TIN ANNEXE, AND TO BE FOLLOWED BY 18 MONTHS OF SUPERVISED PRACTICAL TEACHING IN THE PARTICIPANTS’ OWN SCHOOLS.
THERE WILL ALSO BE TUTORIALS, SEMINARS AND DISCUSSIONS.
THE CURRICULUM WILL COVER ESSENTIAL AREAS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION INCLUDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPECIAL EDUCATION IN HONG KONG, UNDERSTANDING AND THE ASSESSMENT OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS, SPECIAL EDUCATION CURRICULA, TEACHING APPROACH, AND THE MANAGEMENT OF BEHAVIOUR.
PARTICIPANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO SPECIALISE IN THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF THE CHILDREN THEY ARE OR WILL BE TEACHING.
ON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE COURSE, PARTICIPANTS WILL BE AWARDED A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER’S CERTIFICATE AND A SPECIAL ALLOWANCE.
QUALIFIED NON-GRADUATE TEACHERS WITH RECOGNISED INITIAL TEACHER TRAINING QUALIFICATION AND THOSE CURRENTLY TEACHING OR SELECTED TO TEACH IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS OR SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSES ARE INVITED TO APPLY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TEACHERS ADMITTED TO THE COURSES WILL BE RELEASED FROM NORMAL SCHOOL DUTIES DURING TRAINING.
/SUPERVISORS OR
SUNDAY, MAY 5, 1991
9 -
SUPERVISORS OR HEADS OF SCHOOL MAY APPOINT SUPPLY TEACHERS ON A MONTH-TO-MONTH BASIS TO REPLACE THE TEACHERS UNDERGOING TRAINING.
• • •' -• :
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AT LEE GARDENS, HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY AND ITS SUB-OFFICE AT TH# ** KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, OR FROM THE SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION.
> ■ ’ • ■ •: . ■ ..
THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION IS JUNE 7.
AT PRESENT,
OVER 250 TEACHERS ARE UNDERGOING THE COURSE.
--------0-----------
A TSIM SHA TSUI LANDMARK TO BE RESTORED ******
A 90-YEAR-OLD BUILDING IN TSIM SHA TSUI WILL HAVE A FACELIFT AND ACCOMMODATE THE OFFICE OF THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH.
THE RESTORATION WORK WILL SOON BE CARRIED OUT BY THE' ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WITH A PRICE-TAG OF $4.9 MILLION.
THE RED-BRICK BUILDING FACING THE KOWLOON PARK HAS LONG BEEN A LANDMARK IN NATHAN ROAD - THE GOLDEN MILE OF HONG KONG.
BURIED AMONG SKYSCRAPERS IN THE AREA, IT WAS USED AS THE PREMISES OF THE TSIM SHA TSUI KAIFONG ASSOCIATION SINCE 1946.
THE BUILDING WAS ORIGINALLY USED AS A SCHOOL AND THE CONSTRUCTION COSTS WERE MET BY A DONATION FROM A WELL-KNOWN RESIDENT, SIR ROBERT HOTUNG.
THIS SMALL BRITISH SCHOOL WAS OPENED BY THE THEN ADMINISTRATOR OF THE TERRITORY, MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM GASCOIGN, IN 1902.
WITH 39 PUPILS AND THREE STAFF RIGHT AT THE START, THE SMALL SCHOOL HAD DEVELOPED INTO THE PRESENT KING GEORGE V SCHOOL AND KOWLOON JUNIOR SCHOOL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT , SAID AFTER THE RESTORATION WORK, THERE WOULD BE A CONSERVATION WORKSHOP, A LIBRARY AND AN OFFICE.
HE SAID THE OLD ASSEMBLY HALL WOULD BE CONVERTED INTO AN EXHIBITION HALL FOR AUDIO/VISUAL DISPLAYS ON ASPECTS OF CONSERVATION IN THE TERRITORY.
MEANWHILE, A TWO-STOREY EXTENSION TO THE BUILDING WILL BE DEMOLISHED. EXTENSIVE REPAIRS AND REFURBISHMENT WILL BE CARRIED OUT AND A NEW AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM WILL BE INSTALLED TO REPLACE THE WINDOW UNITS.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
SUNDAY, MAY 5, 1991
- 10 -
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ALTERATIONS TO THE ORIGINAL 1902 STRUCTURE WILL BE KEPT TO A MINIMUM. THERE WOULD ONLY BE A MINOR TOUCH-UP IN THE ASSEMBLY HALL AND THE HEADMASTER’S STUDY TO RETAIN THE OLD-DAY CHARMS OF THE SCHOOL.
THE RESTORATION AND THE FITTING-OUT WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
-----0-----
50 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN JANUARY
*****
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT APPROVED A TOTAL OF 50 NEW BUILDING PLANS IN JANUARY.
OF THE PLANS, 18 WERE FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, 15 FOR KOWLOON AND 17 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE APPROVED PLANS INCLUDED 26 FOR APARTMENT, APARTMENT/COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS, EIGHT FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND TWO FOR WORKSHOP AND INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.
DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE GAVE CONSENT FOR WORK TO START ON 55 PROJECTS, INVOLVING 104,732.5 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 155,017.2 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE NON-DOMEST1C FLOOR AREA.
THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH WAS ABOUT $2,474 MILLION. USABLE FLOOR AREAS FOR DOMESTIC AND NON-DOMESTIC USES WERE ABOUT 131,368.8 SQUARE METRES AND ABOUT 174,977.7 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
ALSO DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE ISSUED 49 OCCUPATION PERMITS; 19 FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, 10 FOR KOWLOON AND 20 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN ADDITION, 37 DEMOLITION CONSENTS AFFECTING 73 BUILDINGS WERE ISSUED.
THE CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT DIVISION RECEIVED 741 COMPLAINTS ON ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS, CARRIED OUT 1,196 INSPECTIONS AND ISSUED 140 REMOVAL ORDERS.
THE DANGEROUS BUILDINGS SECTION INSPECTED 618 BUILDINGS AND NO EMERGENCY CLOSURES WERE REQUIRED.
---------0-----------
/Il ........
SUNDAY, MAY 5, 1991
11 TENDERS INVITED FOR ROAD WORKS IN TSUEN WAN *****
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT’S TSUEN WAN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE IS INVITING TENDERS FOR A ROAD WORK AND RECLAMATION PROJECT AS PART OF THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TSUEN WAN NEW TOWN.
THE CONTRACT COMPRISES THE EXTENSION OF TAM KON SHAN ROAD (ROAD TY18) AND RECLAMATION ALONG THE NORTH COAST OF TSING Yl ISLAND FOR THE RELOCATION OF EXISTING SHIPYARDS IN NORTH TSING YI.
THE WORKS ARE PROGRAMMED TO BEGIN IN JULY AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 17 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE DEADLINE FOR THE SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON MAY 24.
--------0-----------
H FLUSHING WATER CUT IN TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG
*****
FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY TO TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 9.30 AM TO 4 PM ON TUESDAY (MAY 7) TO FACILITATE MAINTENANCE WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG INCLUDING SHEUNG KWAI CHUNG, HA KWAI CHUNG AND CONTAINER TERMINALS.
---------0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
MONDAY, MAY 6, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
RESULTS OF 1991 MC ELECTIONS ..................................................... 1
MC ELECTIONS VOTER TURNOUT RATE SATISFACTORY ..................................... 4
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR MARCH PUBLISHED .......................................... 5
PRELIMINARY HEAD COUNT OF 1991 POPULATION CENSUS ................................ 10
CRIMINALS THE TARGET OF ANTI-SMUGGLING MEASURES ................................. 13
NINE QUESTIONS, 17 BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA ........................................ 14
HAMMER HILL ROAD FLYOVER OPENS TOMORROW ......................................... 15
ADDITIONAL SURFACE PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO RELIEVE MTR CONGESTION ................... 16
REMINDER ON SAFE OPERATION OF LIFTING APPLIANCES NEAR OVERHEAD CABLES ... 17
WATER CUTS IN KOWLOON ........................................................... 18
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ...................... 18
MONDAY, MAY 6, 1991
1
RESULTS OF 1991 MC ELECTIONS ♦ * t ♦ *
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF THE 1991 MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS :
URBAN COUNCIL
COUNCIL
CANDIDATES
VOTES RECEIVED RESULT
CENTRAL AND WESTERN CONSTITUENCY :
CHAN TAK-CHOR 7,442
WONG SHUI-LAI 9,327 ELECTED
WAN CHAI CONSTITUENCY : WONG HON-CHING, SAN STEPHEN 4,714 ELECTED
YEUNG WAN-KING, SUSANNA 4,460
NORTH POINT CONSTITUENCY : AU YUK-LUN 1,289
WONG TAK-LUN 4,040
MAN SAI-CHEONG 12,177 ELECTED
SHAU KEI WAN CONSTITUENCY ! LAI CHI-KEONG, JOSEPH 4 , 178
CHIU KIN-MAN 3,868
BERNACCHI, BROOK ANTONY 9,04 5 ELECTED
SOUTHERN CONSTITUENCY ! CHAN YUEY-SUT, JOSEPH 10,593 ELECTED
YEUNG CHUI-CHUN, HARLANNA 4,743
HO CHUN-YAN 9,693
KOWLOON CITY WEST CONSTITUENCY : CHAN CHI-KWAN 5,868
CHIANG SAI-CHEONG 6,686 ELECTED
KOWLOON CITY EAST CONSTITUENCY : WONG HOU-KEI 546
TSANG KIN-SHING 4 , 187
PAO PING-WING 6,372 ELECTED
/KWUN TONG
MONDAY, May 6, 1991
- 2 -
KWUN TONG WEST CONSTITUENCY :
CHAN KAM-LAM 11,325
LEE CHUN-MING 765
TU, ELSIE 14,556 ELECTED
KWUN TONG EAST CONSTITUENCY :
WONG PING-KUEN LI WAH-MING 8,064 12,476 ELECTED
MONG KOK CONSTITUENCY !
CHAN KWOK-MING KUNG PO-CHUK LAW WING-CHEUNG 4,475 905 3,339 ELECTED
SHAM SHUI PO EAST CONSTITUENCY :
FUNG KIN-KEE LI YAU-WAI 9,944 1,304 ELECTED
SHAM SHUI PO WEST CONSTITUENCY : WONG KUEN-WAI 6,062
MA LEE-WO 7,931 ELECTED
WONG TAI SIN SOUTH CONSTITUENCY ! WONG KAM-CHI 6,725
MOK YING-FAN 11,089 ELECTED
YAU TSIM CONSTITUENCY : WOO YAN-YUE 642
YU HON-BIU 171
WONG KWOK-TUNG 3,028 ELECTED
TONG CHOR-YIN 2,568
REGIONAL COUNCIL
CANDIDATES
VOTES
RECEIVED
RESULT
ISLANDS CONSTITUENCY :
KWONG KWOK-KAM FUNG PAK-TAI
2,822
3,922
ELECTED
/SAI KUNG ........
MONDAY, MAY 6, 1991
3
SAI KUNG CONSTITUENCY :
WONG SHUI-SANG LEUNG KAM-HO, GILBERT SHA TIN EAST CONSTITUENCY : 3,604 7,179 ELECTED
WONG HONG-CHUNG, JOHNSTON LEE YORK-FAI KAN CHUNG-NIN, TONY 11 ,475 462 11,381 ELECTED
SHA TIN WEST CONSTITUENCY :
WAI HING-CHEUNG LAU KONG-WAH 4,893 16,755 ELECTED
TAI PO CONSTITUENCY :
CHENG CHUN-PING FUNG CH I-WOOD 7,673 10,064 ELECTED
TSUEN WAN CONSTITUENCY :
IP YEUNG FUK-LAN CHAN WAI-YIP, ALBERT 7,478 13,232 ELECTED
TUEN MUN EAST CONSTITUENCY !
TSO SHIU-WAI 7,975 ELECTED
NG WAI-CHO, WILLY 3,805
TUEN MUN WEST CONSTITUENCY :
NG MING-YUM 14,010 ELECTED
LI KOI-HOP, PHILIP 3,736
YUEN LONG CONSTITUENCY :
NGAN KAM-CHUEN 10,003 ELECTED
CHAN YAT-TUNG 4,952
KWAI CHUNG EAST CONSTITUENCY :
LEE WING-KIN 2,830
CHOW YICK-HAY 9,960 ELECTED
KWAI CHUNG WEST AND TSING YI CONSTITUENCY :
TING YIN-WAH 13,154 ELECTED
YOUNG FUK-KI, SARENA 5,787
---------0-----------
/4 ........
MONDAY, MAY 6, 1991
- 4 -
MC ELECTIONS VOTER TURNOUT RATE SATISFACTORY
******
THE VOTER TURNOUT RATE AND THE NUMBER OF VOTERS WHO TURNED UP FOR THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS WERE SATISFACTORY, THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, SAID LAST (SUNDAY) NIGHT.
SPEAKING AT HIS THIRD PRESS BRIEFING ON THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS, MR SUEN SAID THAT WHEN THE POLL ENDED AT 10.30 PM, 393,932 PEOPLE HAD CAST THEIR VOTES, REPRESENTING 23.11 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VOTER POPULATION.
THIS YEAR'S FIGURE OBVIOUSLY OUTNUMBERED THE 213,200 PEOPLE OR 17.6 PER CENT WHO VOTED IN THE LAST MUNICIPAL COUNCIL FLECTIONS IN 1989.
HE ATTRIBUTED THE HIGHER VOTER TURNOUT RATE TO THE FACT THAT 1991 WAS A YEAR OF ELECTIONS. MANY PEOPLE WERE AWARE THAT THE THREE-TIER ELECTIONS WERE HELD IN DIFFERENT MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.
THE SYSTEMATIC PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN FOR THIS YEAR’S MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS LAUNCHED IN MARCH HELPED BOOST THE VOTER TURNOUT RATE, HE SAID.
THE SECRETARY NOTED THAT THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS IN MARCH AND THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS HAD PROVED THAT THERE WAS A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE VOTER TURNOUT RATE AND THE HABIT OF RESIDENTS DURING HOLIDAYS. THEY USUALLY TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE WHEN THEY LEFT THEIR HOMES.
MR SUEN SAID THAT THEY HAD THE CHANCE TO VOTE MOST OF THE TIME DURING SUNDAYS WHEN THEY WERE NOT REQUIRED TO GO TO WORK.
"WE WOULD CONSIDER WAYS TO STRENGTHEN THE EFFECTS OF THE SUNDAY ELECTIONS. FOR INSTANCE, ENCOURAGING MORE PEOPLE TO VOTE IN THE MORNING SO AS TO TRIGGER A HIGHER VOTER TURNOUT RATE," HE SAID.
MR SUEN POINTED OUT THAT THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS WERE CONDUCTED SMOOTHLY YESTERDAY WITHOUT ANY COMPLAINTS LODGED. THE ORDER AT VARIOUS POLLING STATIONS WAS GENERALLY GOOD AND THE AUTHORITIES CONCERNED HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY COMPLAINTS FROM CANDIDATES OR OTHER PEOPLE CONCERNING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ELECTIONS.
THE SECRETARY SAID THAT HE HOPED AND TRUSTED THE VOTER TURNOUT RATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS WOULD FAR EXCEED THAT IN YESTERDAY’S MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS AND THE DB ELECTIONS IN MARCH.
--------0-----------
/5 ........
MONDAY, MAY 6, 1991
- 5 -
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR MARCH PUBLISHED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS DECREASED SLIGHTLY DURING MARCH, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH.
THIS FALL WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE BOOKING OF SUBSCRIPTION MONIES FOR A NEW SHARES ISSUE WHICH AMOUNTED TO OVER $8 BILLION AS FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS (WITH FORWARD CONTRACTS TO COVER THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNTS).
NOTWITHSTANDING THE MONTHLY DECLINE, HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 14.5% COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER, BROADLY IN LINE WITH THE GROWTH IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES.
HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY ON ALL DEFINITIONS DECLINED DURING MARCH, PARTLY DUE TO THE FALL IN HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS AND PARTLY DUE TO THE SEASONAL DECLINE IN CASH HOLDING AFTER THE CHINESE NEW YEAR.
HONG KONG DOLLAR LOANS, ON THE OTHER HAND, INCREASED DURING THE MONTH, IN PART TO FUND THE SUBSCRIPTION FOR THE NEW SHARES ISSUE.
TABLE 1 SETS OUT SUMMARY FIGURES FOR MARCH 1991 AND COMPARISONS WITH EARLIER MONTHS. TABLE 2 PRESENTS FIGURES FROM THE QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS AND ADVANCES FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR.
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS, ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS, DECREASED BY 0.8% IN MARCH, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 2.1% IN JANUARY AND A DECREASE OF 0.6% IN FEBRUARY.
OF THESE DEPOSITS, DEMAND DEPOSITS AND SAVINGS DEPOSITS BOTH DECREASED BY 6.8% WHILE TIME DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 3.9% IN MARCH. COMPARED WITH A YEAR AGO, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 14.5%.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS ROSE BY 1.5% IN MARCH, AFTER AN INCREASE OF 1.9% IN JANUARY AND A DECREASE OF 0.4% IN FEBRUARY.
AMONG THESE DEPOSITS, U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS AND NON-U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS ROSE BY 0.9% AND 1.8% RESPECTIVELY IN MARCH. OVER THE YEAR, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 22.1%.
DURING MARCH, DEPOSITS OF ALL CURRENCIES WITH LICENSED BANKS AND RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS ROSE BY 0.3% AND 6.5% RESPECTIVELY WHILE DEPOSITS WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES FELL BY 1.2%.
/COMPARED WITH .......
MONDAY, MAY 6, 1991
- 6 -
COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER, DEPOSITS WITH LICENSED BANKS AND RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS INCREASED BY 20.2% AND 6.7% RESPECTIVELY WHILE THOSE WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES FELL BY 8.3%.
MONEY SUPPLY
HKSM1, HK$M2 AND HK$M3 DECREASED BY 6.0%, 1.2% AND 1.1% RESPECTIVELY IN MARCH. THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES IN FEBRUARY WERE 3.2%, 0.4% AND 0.05%.
OVER THE YEAR, THESE MONETARY AGGREGATES ROSE BY 13.6%, 15.7% AND 14.3% RESPECTIVELY.
TOTAL Ml FELL BY 7.7% WHILE TOTAL M2 AND M3 ROSE BY 0.1% AND 0.3% RESPECTIVELY IN MARCH. THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES IN FEBRUARY WERE 5.4%, 0.1% AND -0.2%.
OVER THE YEAR, TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 GREW BY 16.5%, 19.8% AND 18.5% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS DECREASED BY 1.2% IN MARCH, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 3.0% AND 0.9% IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY RESPECTIVELY.
OF THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS, THOSE DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLARS GREW BY 2.5% DURING MARCH, WHILE THOSE DENOMINATED IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES FELL BY 3.0%. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 14.8% AND 52.2% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG GREW BY 1.2% IN MARCH, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 3.1% AND 0.4% IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 17.0%.
OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG GREW BY 2.9% IN MARCH FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 1.3% AND 1.2% RESPECTIVELY IN THE PRECEDING TWO MONTHS. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 17.6%.
LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG FELL BY 2.3% IN MARCH, AFTER INCREASES OF 4.6% AND 2.1% IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 63.8%.
LOANS TO FINANCE MERCHANDISING TRADE NOT TOUCHING HONG KONG FELL BY 4.8% IN MARCH, AFTER DECLINES OF 3.9% AND 8.1% RESPECTIVELY IN THE PRECEDING TWO MONTHS. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS FELL BY 10.8%, BUT ITS ABSOLUTE AMOUNT WAS INSIGNIFICANT IN COMPARISON TO OTHER CATEGORIES OF LOANS.
QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS AND ADVANCES FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR
IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991, TOTAL LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG, EXCLUDING THOSE FOR TRADE FINANCING, INCREASED BY 5.5%.
/OF THESE .......
MONDAY, MAY 6, 1991
7
OF THESE, LOANS TO THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT SECTOR INCREASED BY 1.9%, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 2.9% EACH IN THE PREVIOUS TWO QUARTERS. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 8.9%.
LOANS TO INDIVIDUALS FOR THE PURCHASE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY, OTHER THAN FLATS IN THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, GREW BY 7.2%, AFTER INCREASES OF 5.3% AND 10.3% RESPECTIVELY IN THE PRECEDING TWO QUARTERS. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 31.9%.
LOANS TO FINANCE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE DECREASED BY 1.7%, AFTER INCREASES OF 1.4% AND 5.7% RECORDED IN THE THIRD AND FOURTH QUARTERS OF 1990 RESPECTIVELY. OVER THE YEAR, THE LOANS GREW BY 12.3%.
LOANS TO FINANCIAL CONCERNS, OTHER THAN AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS, ROSE BY 6.5%, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 5.5% AND 5.8% IN THE PREVIOUS TWO QUARTERS. OVER THE YEAR, THOSE LOANS GREW BY 23.3%.
LOANS FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR ROSE BY 5.2%, AFTER A DECLINE OF 0.3% IN THE THIRD QUARTER AND AN INCREASE OF 0.1% IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990. OVER THE YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 7.9%.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBERS OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS AND RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 165 AND 45 RESPECTIVELY. THAT OF DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES DECLINED BY 14 TO 170, AS SOME COMPANIES INACTIVE IN DEPOSIT-TAKING BUSINESS VOLUNTARILY REVOKED THEIR REGISTRATION IN MARCH WHEN THE GRACE PERIOD FOR MEETING THE NEW MINIMUM PAID-UP CAPITAL REQUIREMENT ELAPSED.
NOTES:
I 1) BEFORE FEBRUARY I, 1990, "RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS" AND "DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES" WERE KNOWN AS "LICENSED DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES" AND "REGISTERED DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES" RESPECTIVELY.
(2) IN THE TEXT ABOVE, TOTAL HK$ DEPOSITS, HK$ TIME DEPOSITS, HK$M2 AND HK$M3 HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS. TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS AND US$ DEPOSITS HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED TO EXCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS.
"SWAP DEPOSITS" ARE DEPOSITS INVOLVING CUSTOMERS BUYING FOREIGN CURRENCIES (MOSTLY 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.
/TABLE 1 .......
TABLE 1 : MONETARY STATISTICS - MARCH 1991
(HKSxn)
Money Supply Mar 1991 Earlier months (X change to March 1991)
Feb 1991 Dec 1990 Mar 1990
Ml - HK$ Foreign currency Total M2 - HK$» Foreign currency* Total M3 - HKS* Foreign currency* Total Notes and coins in circulation of which held by public ( Total Deposits 1 Total Demand deposits 94,145 13,689 107,834 547.442 692,270 1,239.712 576.291 738,318 1,314,609 46.422 39,687 68.146 100.167 ( -6.0 X) 16.723 (-18.1 X) 116.889 ( -7.7 X) 554.099 ( -1.2 X) 684,084 ( 1.2 X) 1,238,183 ( 0.1 X) 582,632 ( -1.1 X) 728.194 ( 1.4 X) 1.310.826 ( 0.3 X) 47.559 ( -2.4 X) 41.739 ( -4.9 X) 75.151 ( -9.3 X) 91,826 ( 2.5 X) 15.633 (-12.7 X) 107,509 ( 0.3 X) 539,667 ( 1.4 X) 670,383 ( 3.3 X) 1,210,050 ( 2.5 X) 571,215 ( 0.9 X) 716.813 ( 3.0 X) 1,288.028 ( 2.1 X) 43.261 ( 7.3 X) 37,693 ( 5.3 X) 69,815 ( -2.4 X) 82,848 ( 13.6 X) 9.739 ( 40.6 X) 92,587 ( 16.5 X) 473,225 ( 15.7 561,833 ( 23.2 %> 1,035.058 ( 19.8 X) 504.209 ( 14.3 X) 605.534 ( 21.9 X) 1.109.743 ( 18.5 X) 39.968 ( 16.1 X) 34.861 ( 13.8 X? 57,727 ( 18.0 Xi 190,273 ( 21.4 X) 1 735.871 ( 20.1 X) 40.589 ( 6.7 X» 32,669 ( -8.3 %> 457,202 ( 14.5 %• 261,840 ( 13.3 X» I
l Total Savings deposits 231.006 246.640 ( -6.3 X) 231.672 ( -0.3 X)
Total Time deposits with licensed banks Total Time deposits with restricted licence banks 0 Total Time deposits with deposit-taking companies 883,716 43,305 29,963 857,197 ( 3.1 X) 40,672 ( 6.5 X) 30,335 ( -1.2 X) . 853.632 ( 3.5 X) 43,784 ( -1.1 X) 32,368 ( -7.4 X)
। HKS deposits* 523,581 527.925 ( -0.8 X) 520,115 ( 0.7 X)
□S$ deposits* 296,600 293,976 ( 0.9 X) 294.913 ( 0.6 X)
Other foreign currency deposits I All deposits 435,956 1,256.136 428,094 ( 1.8 X) 1,249.995 ( 0.5 X) 416,243 ( 4.7 X) 1.231,271 ( 2.0 X) 338,085 ( 28.9 X) 1,057,128 ( 18.8 X)
Foreign currency swap deposits Total Loans and advances To finance H.K.’s visible trade To finance merchandising trade not touching H.K. Other loans for use in H.K. Other loans for use outside H.K. Other loans where the place of use is not known Loans in HKS Loans in foreign currencies Total loans and advances 62,010 74.524 8.103 727.234 920.385 106.781 638,725 1.198.303 1.837.027 59,744 ( 3.8 X) 73,604 ( 1.2 X) 8,513 ( -4.8 X) 706,401 ( 2.9 X) 942,529 ( -2.3 X) 127,353 (-16.2 X) 623.255 ( 2.5 X) 1.235,145 ( -3.0 X) 1,858,400 ( -1.2 X) 67.733 ( -8.4 X) 71,087 ( 4.8 X) 9.637 (-15.9 X) 689,368 ( 5.5 X) 882,678 ( 4.3 X) 135,839 (-21.4 X) 607.018 ( 5.2 X) 1.181,591 ( 1.4 X) 1.788.609 ( 2.7 X) 63,529 ( -2.4 X) 63,704 ( 17.0 X) 9,080 (-10.8 X) 618,547 ( 17.6 X) 561,917 ( 63.8 X) 90,589 ( 17.9 X» 556,436 ( 14.6 X) 787.401 ( 52.2 X) 1.343,837 ( 36.7 X)
♦ Adjusted for foreign currency swap deposits
MONDAY, MAY 6, 1991
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.
o
TABLE 2 : QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR - MARCH 1991 « *
Mar 1991
Earlier quarters (X change to March 1991)
(HKSnm)
Dec 1990 Sep 1990 Mar 1990
Manufacturing 51,871 49.315 ( 5.2 X) 49.287 ( 5.2 X) 48,062 ( 7.9 X)
Transport and transport equipment 43.543 41.232 ( 5.6 X) 38.971 ( 11.7 X) 37.149 ( 17.2 X)
Building, construction, property development and investment 110,183 108.112 ( 1.9 X) 105,088 ( 4.8 X) 101,149 ( 8.9 X)
1 Wholesale and retail trade 73.399 74,641 ( -1.7 X) 70.629 ( 3.9 X) 65.358 ( 12.3 X)
Financial concerns ♦ 1 111.575 104,730 ( 6.5 %) 98,988 ( 12.7 X) 90.507 ( 23.3 X)
1 Individuals: • •
to purchase flats in the Home 1 Ownership Scheme and Private 1 Sector Participation Scheme 15.071 13.664 ( 10.3 X) 13.899 ( 8.4 X) 12.660 ( 19.0
to purchase other residential 1 property 141.648 132,166 ( 7.2 X) 119.858 ( 18.2 X) 107,406 ( 31.9 X)
other purposes 65,271 60,896 ( 7.2 X) 60,599 ( 7.7 X) 56,828 ( 14.9 X)
Others 114.673 104,612 ( 9.6 X) 101,968 ( 12.5 X) 99,428 ( 15.3 X)
Total 727.234 689,368 ( 5.5 X) 659,287 ( 10.3 X) 618,547 ( 17.6 X)
« Starting from December 1988. more detailed statistics on loans to the transport sector, to building, construction, property development and investment and to financial concerns are available. They are published in the Monthly Digest of Statistics from the January 1939 issue onwards.
+ In December 1988. the return for reporting loans for use by sector was revised. As a result of this, some authorised institutions have now more properly classified their loans according to intended usage rather than the business of the loan recipients.
♦ This excludes funds advanced to authorized institutions
MONDAY, MAY 6, 1991
MONDAY, NAY 6, 1991
- 10 -
PRELIMINARY HEAD COUNT OF 1991 POPULATION CENSUS
THE 1991 POPULATION CENSUS ENUMERATED A TOTAL OF 5,785,000 PERSONS IN HONG KONG. THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS, MR BENJAMIN MOK, TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED THE PRELIMINARY FINDINGS OF THE CENSUS WHICH WAS CONDUCTED DURING THE PERIOD MARCH 15 TO 24, 1991.
"THIS PRELIMINARY HEAD COUNT COMPRISES 5,698,000 LOCAL RESIDENTS, 35,000 TRANSIENTS AND 52,000 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS. THE RESIDENT POPULATION OF 5,698,000 INCLUDES 146,000 LOCAL RESIDENTS . WHO WERE TEMPORARILY AWAY FROM HONG KONG AT THE TIME OF THE CENSUS, HE SAID.
THE "DE FACTO" POPULATION ON MARCH 15, 1991 WAS 5,639,000. BY "DE FACTO" POPULATION, IT REFERS TO ALL PERSONS PRESENT IN THE TERRITORY ON THAT DATE, HENCE THOSE LOCAL RESIDENTS TEMPORARILY AWAY FROM HONG KONG ARE NOT INCLUDED.
COMPARED WITH THE 1981 CENSUS, THE RESIDENT POPULATION INCREASED BY 588,000, OR 11.5 PER CENT OVER THE DECADE. THE POPULATION GREW AT A SLOWER PACE DURING THE SECOND HALF OF THE DECADE. THE ANNUAL GROWTH RATE AVERAGED 0.7 PER CENT OVER THE PERIOD 1986-91, COMPARED WITH AN AVERAGE RATE OF 1.5 PER CENT OVER THE PERIOD 1981-86.
THE 1991 POPULATION CENSUS SHOWED THAT THERE WAS A SUBSTANTIAL RE-DISTRIBUTION OF THE POPULATION FROM THE OLDER DISTRICTS TO I HE NEW TOWNS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES DURING THE PAST DECADE.
THE RESIDENT POPULATION IN THE NEW TERRITORIES INCREASED MARKEDLY FROM 1.3 MILLION IN 1981 TO 2.4 MILLION IN 1991. THE NEW TERRITORIES HAD A 42 PER CENT SHARE OF THE TOTAL RESIDENT POPULATION IN 1991, COMPARED WITH 26 PER CENT 10 YEARS AGO.
IN KOWLOON AND NEW KOWLOON, THE POPULATION DROPPED FROM 2.5 MILLION TO 2.0 MILLION IN THE DECADE. IN TERMS OF SHARE OF THE TOTAL RESIDENT POPULATION, IT REPRESENTED A DECREASE FROM 49 PER CENT TO 36 PER CENT.
POPULATION ON HONG KONG ISLAND SHOWED NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGE, WITH ONLY A MODERATE INCREASE FROM 1.22 MILLION TO 1.26 MILLION OVER THE DECADE. ITS SHARE OF THE TOTAL RESIDENT POPULATION IN 1991 WAS 22 PER (ENT.
THE RESIDENT POPULATION IN EACH DISTRICT BOARD DISTRICT, AS COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING RESULTS OF THE 1986 BY-CENSUS, IS GIVEN IN A SEPARATE TABLE.
/THE RE-DISTRIBUTION .......
MONDAY, MAY 6, 1991
11 -
THE RE-DISTRIBUTION OF POPULATION FROM THE MAIN URBAN AREAS TO THE NEW TOWNS HAD RESULTED IN A MARKED DECLINE IN THE POPULATION DENSITY IN THE OLDER DISTRICTS. ALL DISTRICTS IN KOWLOON AND NEW KOWLOON AS WELL AS WAN CHAI RECORDED A SUBSTANTIAL DECREASE IN DENSITY OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
MONG KOK, KWUN TONG AND SHAM SHUI PO, THE THREE MOST DENSELY-POPULATED DISTRICTS, HAD THEIR DENSITY DECLINED BY 18 PER CENT, 16 PER CENT AND 11 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY. MONG KOK STILL HAD THE HIGHEST DENSITY, WITH 116,400 PERSONS PER SQUARE KILOMETER. THE OVERALL POPULATION DENSITY OF HONG KONG WAS 5,400 PERSONS PER SQUARE KILOMETRE.
"PROCESSING OF THE CENSUS DATA IS NOW IN FULL SWING. FINAL RESULT OF THE HEAD COUNT AND SOME OTHER MORE DETAILED RESULTS WILL BE RELEASED IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR," THE COMMISSIONER SAID.
/RESIDENT POPULATION .......
MONDAY, MAY 6, 1991
Appendix
- 12 -
Resident population by District Board district, 1986 and 1991
District Board Resident ] Population Increase
District 1986 1991 Number %
Hong Kong Island
Central & Western 257 131 253 000 -4 000 -1.6
Wan Chai 217 147 180 000 -38 000 -17.3
Eastern 484 561 564 000 79 000 416.3
Southern 242 620 260 000 17 000 47.0
Sub-total 1 201 459 1 256 000 54 000 44.5
Kowloon and New Kowloon
Yau Tsim 146 496 113 000 -34 000 -23.2
Mong Kok 206 955 170 000 -37 000 -17.9
Sham Shui Po 430 752 384 000 -47 000 -10.8
Kowloon City 432 894 405 000 -28 000 -6.5
Wong Tai Sin 438 417 387 000 -51 000 -11.6
Kwun Tong 691 593 581 000 -110 000 -15.9
Sub-total 2 347 107 2 040 000 -307 000 -13.1
New Territories
Kwai Tsing 422 786 442 000 19 000 44.5
Tfcuen Wan 245 287 269 000 23 000 49.5
Tuen Mun 289 912 381 000 91 000 431.6
Yuen Long 207 753 232 000 24 000 411.6
North 149 037 171 000 22 000 414.8
Tai Po 139 622 205 000 65 000 446.9
Sha Tin 362 502 507 000 145 000 +39.9
Sai Kung 45 234 130 000 85 000 4187.9
Islands 47 236 50 000 3 000 +6.1
Sub-total 1 909 369 2 387 000 478 000 +2J.0
(phis Marine population) 37 553 15 000 -22 000 -59.9
Total 5 495 488 5 698 000 203 000 43.7
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/13 .......
MONDAY, MAY 6, 1991
- 13 -
CRIMINALS THE TARGET OF ANTI-SMUGGLING MEASURES *♦***»
THE GOVERNMENT’S ANTI-SMUGGLING MEASURES ARE DIRECTED AGAINST CRIMINALS WHO PARTICIPATE IN SMUGGLING ACTIVITIES, THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR TONG KANG-SING, SAID THIS (MONDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING AT A MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF TERRITORIES, MR TONG SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD NO INTENTION ANY UNREASONABLE RESTRICTIONS ON BUSINESSMEN WHO CONDUCTED
THE NEW TO IMPOSE LEGITIMATE
ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES.
"THE POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT ALL ALONG HAS BEEN TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG OPERATES AS A FREE MARKET WITH A LOW TAX RATE AND AS LITTLE INTERFERENCE WITH TRADE AS POSSIBLE.
"IT IS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROTECTING LAW-ABIDING BUSINESSMEN THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS SO DETERMINED TO CONTROL SMUGGLING," HE SAID.
MR TONG SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ALSO CONTINUE TO REGUi.ARLY REVIEW MEASURES AGAINST THESE ACTIVITIES AND STRENGTHEN EXISTING REGULATIONS IF THERE WAS SUCH A.NEED.
THE NEGATIVE EFFECT OF SMUGGLING WAS NO LESS THAN THAT OF OTHER CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES, HF SAID.
SMUGGLERS STEERED AT HIGH SPEED IN HONG KONG WATERS REGARDLESS OF THE SAFETY OF OTHER VESSELS AND, BESIDES SMUGGLING LARGE QUANTITIES OF ELECTRICAL GOODS, THEY WERE ALSO ENGAGED IN TRANSPORTING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, DANGEROUS DRUGS, ARMS AND OTHER CONTROLLED ITEMS.
"SHOULD THE FLOW OF THESE ITEMS INTO THE TERRITORY INCREASE DRASTICALLY, THE SOCIAL EFFECTS AND THE IMPACT ON LAW AND ORDER WOULD BE SIGNIFICANT," HE SAID.
AS REGARDS ECONOMIC LOSSES TO THE TERRITORY, MR TONG SAID THE LARGE QUANTITIES OF SMUGGLED ITEMS COULD DISTORT IMPORT AND EXPORT FIGURES, THUS MAKING THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY DIFFICULT TO ASSESS AND LOSING GOVERNMENT REVENUE FROM TRADE DECLARATIONS.
HE SAID THERE COULD ALSO BE A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF REVENUE FROM DUTIABLE COMMODITIES, AND ILLEGALLY IMPORTED FOODS COULD BE A HAZARD TO HEALTH.
MR TONG SAID THAT, ACCORDING TO FIGURES SUPPLIED BY THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT GOODS SMUGGLED LAST YEAR FROM HONG KONG TO CHINA WERE VALUED AT $50 BILLION.
"IF EXPORT OF THESE GOODS HAD BEEN DECLARED, THE DECLARATION FEES WOULD HAVE RAISED $25 MILLION. THUS, THE EFFECT OF SMUGGLING UPON THE ECONOMY CAN BE CONSIDERABLE," HE SAID.
MR TONG SAID SMUGGLING BETWEEN CHINA AND HONG KONG WAS NOT A ONE-WAY PROBLEM.
/"AT ABOUT .......
MONDAY, MAY 6, 1991
"AT ABOUT THIS TIME LAST YEAR, SMUGGLERS WERE ILLEGALLY TRANSPORTING LARGE QUANTITIES OF CIGARETTES TO CHINA.
"BUT, SINCE THE SUBSTANTIAL RISE IN HONG KONG TOBACCO TAX IN MARCH THIS YEAR, THE DIFFERENCE IN PRICE IN THE TWO AREAS IS NOW SO LARGE THAT CIGARETTES ARE BEING SMUGGLED INTO HONG KONG IN RETURN," HE SAID.
MR TONG SAID THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT HAD, OF COURSE, STEPPED UP INSPECTIONS IN THE FACE OF THIS CHANGE.
"IN LESS THAN TWO MONTHS, MARCH AND APRIL, OVER 230 CASES OF TOBACCO SMUGGLING WERE DETECTED," HE SAID.
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NINE QUESTIONS, 17 BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA ******
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK NINE QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER 17 BILLS, INCLUDING A PRIVATE BILL, AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (MAY 8).
OF THE 17 BILLS, SIX WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS, AND DERATES ON THEM WILL BE ADJOURNED.
THEY ARE THE RANKING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991, EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE BILL 1991, PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY (AMENDMENT) RILL 1991, BUSINESS REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, CLUBS (SAFETY OF PREMISES) BILL 1991 AND TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991 .
DEBATES ON THE OTHER 11 RILLS WILL BE RESUMED AND EACH IS DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
THE 10 GOVERNMENT BILLS ARE THE URBAN COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, REGIONAL COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, LIMITATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990, CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, PREVENTION OF BRIBERY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, APPRENTICESHIP (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, INDUSTRIAL TRAINING (CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING (CLOTHING INDUSTRY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991.
THE PRIVATE BILL IS THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF PLANNERS INCORPORATION BILL 1991.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, THE HON LEUNG WAI-TUNG WILL RAISE UNDER STANDING ORDER 9(5) THE MATTER OF "THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S PROPOSED SCHEME OF SALE OF FLATS TO SITTING TENANTS" FOR. ADJOURNMENT DEBATE.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SITTING AND THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR SEATS IN THE PUBLIC GALLERIES BY TELEPHONING 844 0899.
- - 0 - -
/15
MONDAY, MAY 6, 1991
- 15 -
HAMMER HILL ROAD FLYOVER OPENS TOMORROW * * * * ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT IN CONNECTION WITH THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL PROJECT, THE HAMMER HILL ROAD FLYOVER WILL BE OPEN TO TRAFFIC TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
AT THE SAME TIME, THE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED:
» THE LEFT-TURN MOVEMENTS FROM LUNG CHEUNG ROAD EASTBOUND TO HAMMER HILL ROAD NORTHBOUND AND THE RIGHT-TURN MOVEMENTS FROM HAMMER HILL ROAD NORTHBOUND TO LUNG CHEUNG ROAD EASTBOUND WILL BE BANNED;
* THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF HAMMER HILL ROAD SECTION BETWEEN CHOI HUNG ROAD AND LUNG CHEUNG ROAD WILL BE CLOSED; AND
* THE NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF LUNG POON STREET AND THE HAMMER HILL ROAD FLYOVER WILL BE OPEN TO TRAFFIC.
UPON THE OPENING OF HAMMER HILL ROAD FLYOVER, URBAN CLEARWAYS WILL BE IMPOSED ON THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF ROADS:
URBAN CLEARWAYS FROM 7 AM TO 7 PM DAILY:
* THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF ('HOT HUNG ROAD EASTBOUND FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH LUEN YEE ROAD TO THE JUNCTION OF CHOI HUNG ROAD EASTBOUND AND THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM CHOI HUNG ROAD EASTBOUND TO LUNG CHEUNG ROAD WESTBOUND;
THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM CHOI HUNG ROAD EASTBOUND TO LUNG CHEUNG ROAD WESTBOUND;
THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CHOI HUNG ROAD WES'.’BOUND BETWEEN A POINT ABOUT 10 METRES WEST OF ITS JUNCTION WITH CHOI HUNG ROUNDABOUT AND A POINT ABOUT 90 METRES WEST \F THE SAME JUNCTION; AND \
THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF LUNG POON STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH THE ACCESS ROAD TO LUNG POON COURT TO A POINT ABOUT 95 METRES SOUTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION.
URBAN CLEARWAYS 24 HOURS DAILY:
* THE SECTION OF HAMMER HILL ROAD FLYOVER BETWEEN ITS JUNCTION WITH CHOI HUNG ROAD AND A POINT ABOUT 250 METRES NORTH OF THE SAME JUNCTION;
* THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF THE SLIP ROAD LEADING FROM HAMMER HILL ROAD FLYOVER WESTBOUND TO CHOI HUNG ROUNDABOUT;
/* THE SOUTHERN ........
MONDAY, MAY 6, 1991
- 16 -
♦ THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF THE SAFETY ISLANDS AT THE JUNCTION OF HAMMER HTLL ROAD FLYOVER WESTBOUND AND CHOI HUNG ROAD WESTBOUND;
* THE SOUTHBOUND CARRI AGEWAY OF HAMMER HTLL ROAD SECTION BETWEEN LUNG ('HEUNG ROAD AND (’HOI HUNG ROUNDABOUT;
» CHOI HUNG ROUNDABOUT;
* THE SOUTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF CHOI HUNG ROAD WESTBOUND FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH ('HOI HUNG ROUNDABOUT TO A POINT ABOUT 10 METRES WEST OF THE SAME JUNCTION; AND
* THE NORTHERN KERBSIDE LANE OF THE SERVICE ROAD LEADING FROM PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD TO LUNG POON STREET; AND
♦ THE WESTERN KERBSIDE LANE OF LUNG POON STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH THE SERVICE ROAD LEADING FROM PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD SOUTHBOUND TO A POINT ABOUT 95 METRES SOUTH OF ITS JUNCTION WITH THE ACCESS ROAD TO LUNG POON COURT.
NO VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS < )R GOODS IN THE URBAN CLEARWAYS.
THE TERMINUS OF KMB ROUTE 3 WILL BE RELOCATED TO LUNG POON STREET OUTSIDE LUNG POON COURT. KMB ROUTE 3M WILL BE COVERTED INTO A CIRCULAR ROUTE TERMINATING AT TSZ WAN SHAN (NORTH) ONLY.
THE ROUTEINGS OF KMB ROUTES 3, 3M, 3D, 3E, 10, 90, 91, 91R, 92, 95, 96R, 15A, 21, 290, 42C, 61X, 62X, 113 AND 116, AND THAT OF KOWLOON GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 19 WILL BE DIVERTED.
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ADDITIONAL SURFACE PUBLIC' TRANSPORT TO RELIEVE MTR CONGESTION
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ENDORSED A PLAN TO PROVIDE SURFACE PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN THREE PHASES TO HELP ALLEVIATE PEAK HOUR CONGESTION ALONG THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY NATHAN ROAD CORRIDOR.
THE FIRST PHASE INVOLVES THE INTRODUCTION OF KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY’S ROUTE 300 FROM MONDAY (MAY 13) FOR COMMUTERS TRAVELLING FROM MONG KOK TO CENTRAL.
THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT (NEW TERRITORIES), MRS DOROTHY CHAN, SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT NEW AIR-CONDITIONED CROSS HARBOUR BUSES WOULD BE USED TO CARRY COMMUTERS FROM THE MTR PRINCE EDWARD AND MONG KOK STATIONS.
SHE SAID THE AREAS AROUND PRINCE EDWARD AND MONG KOK WERE CHOSEN AS THE STARTING POINTS FOR THE BUS JOURNEY BECAUSE THEY WERE SOME OF THE MOST CONGESTED PARTS OF THE MTR SYSTEM FOR CROSS HARBOUR JOURNEYS.
/"PROVIDING THESE .......
MONDAY, MAY 6, 1991
17 -
"PROVIDING THESE COMMUTERS WITH A BUS SERVICE WHICH IS COMFORTABLE, ECONOMICAL AND FAST WOULD HELP RELIEVE CONGESTION IN THE MTR," SHE SAID.
TO FACILITATE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FIRST PHASE OF THE BUS PLAN, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS TAKEN A NUMBER OF MEASURES TO SPEED UP THE MOVEMENT OF BUSES ALONG NATHAN ROAD AND GASCOIGNE ROAD AND INTO THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL.
THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT (URBAN), MR LEE SHU-CHEE, SAID ALL THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS ALONG NATHAN ROAD SOUTH OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD AND GASCOIGNE ROAD WOULD BE LINKED IN THE MORNING PEAK HOURS TO ENSURE SMOOTH FLOW OF TRAFFIC TO THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL.
A BUS LANE WILL BE PROVIDED ON THE LOOP FROM CHATHAM ROAD NORTH TO THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL APPROACH TO FACILITATE BUS MOVEMENTS.
AT THE TOLL PLAZA, THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY HAD AGREED TO SEPARATE THE TRAFFIC LANE ADJACENT TO THE EXISTING WEIGHT BRIDGE DURING THE MORNING PEAK HOURS TO ALLOW BUSES TO BYPASS THE QUEUEING TRAFFIC, MR LEE SAID.
"AS A RESULT OF THESE MEASURES, WE ESTIMATE THAT THE JOURNEY TIME OF THE BUSES FROM PRINCE EDWARD TO CENTRAL WOULD BE ABOUT 25 MINUTES," HE ADDED.
THE SECOND PHASE OF THE ACTION PLAN WILL START IN M1D-JUNE TO PROVIDE A NEW EXPRESS AIR-CONDITIONED BUS SERVICE FROM THE KOWLOON KCR STATION BUS TERMINUS TO CENTRAL.
THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS PHASE IS TO ENCOURAGE KCR PASSENGERS FROM THE EASTERN NEW TERRITORIES TO INTERCHANGE FOR BUSES AT KOWLOON STATION INSTEAD OF TAKING MTR AT KOWLOON TONG INTERCHANGE.
AFTER THE LAUNCHING OF THE FIRST TWO PHASES, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL REVIEW THE OPERATION OF THE SERVICES.
------0------------
REMINDER ON SAFE OPERATION OF LIFTING APPLIANCES NEAR OVERHEAD CABLES
******
IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO OPERATE LIFTING APPLIANCES NEAR OVERHEAD CABLES, PARTICULARLY DURING THE WET SEASON, THE DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR CHAN TAT-KING, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
”A SERIOUS OR EVEN FATAL ACCIDENT WILL OCCUR IF A LIFTING APPLIANCE COMES INTO CONTACT WITH A CABLE," HE SAID.
"ALSO A WORKER WILL BE INJURED IN FLASHOVER CAUSED BY A LIFTING APPLIANCE GETTING TOO CLOSE TO A POWER LINE," MR CHAN ADDED.
/"TO PREVENT .......
MONDAY, MAY 6, 1991
- 18 -
"TO PREVENT SUCH ACCIDENTS, LIFTING APPLIANCES SHOULD NOT BE OPERATED IN THE VICINITY OF OVERHEAD CABLES UNLESS THE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS HAVE BEEN TAKEN.
"THESE INCLUDE PUTTING ADEQUATE BARRIERS IN SUITABLE PLACES TO PREVENT LIFTING APPLIANCES FROM COMING TOO NEAR TO POWER LINES,” MR OHAN SAID.
ENQUIRIES ON THE SAFE OPERATION OF LIFTING APPLIANCES NEAR OVERHEAD CABLES CAN BE MADE TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S FACTORY INSPECTORATE ON TEL. 815 0678.
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WATER CUTS IN KOWLOON ******
FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY TO HO MAN TIN AND KING’S PARK IN KOWLOON WILL BE TURNED OFF TOMORROW (TUESDAY), FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM, TO FACILITATE MAINTENANCE WORKS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT KING GEORGE V SCHOOL, HO MAN TIN ESTATE, 01 MAN ESTATE, CHUN MAN COURT AND VALLEY ROAD ESTATE.
MEANWHILE, FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN YAU TONG WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (MAY 8) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR LEAKAGE TESTS.
IT WILL AFFECT PREMISES IN KO FAI ROAD, TUNG YUEN STREET, YAN YUE WAI, SHUNG TAK WAI AND INCLUDING 10 SHUNG SHUN STREET.
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *♦♦♦♦♦ HKEF $ MILLION
DATE
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 4.5.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 6.5.91 -69
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING 4-69
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.5 *-0.1* 6.5.91
/HONG KONG .......
MONDAY, MAY 6, 1991
- 19 -
ISSUE NUMBER HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEI
MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
QI 15 10.7.91 34 0 + 140
QI 16 17.7.91 360 + 120
QI 1 7 24.7.91 368.5 +111.5
QI 18 31.7.91 440 + 40
Q106 8.5.91 533.5 -53.5
Q107 15.5.91 461 + 19
Q108 22.5.91 480 + 0
Q109 29.5.91 540 -60
QI 10 5.6.91 350 + 130
QI 1 1 12.6.91 464 + 16
Q112 19.6.91 610 -130
QI 13 26.6.91 4 50 + 30
QI 14 3.7.91 480 + 0
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
ISSUE NUMBER 182-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEJ
MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
H002 15.5.91 227.5 + 32.5
H003 29.5.91 210 + 50
H004 12.6.91 250 + 10
H005 26.6.91 230 + 30
H101 10.7.91 143 + 117
H156 24.7.91 150 + 110
H157 7.8.91 209.5 + 50.5
H158 21.8.91 200 + 60
H159 4.9.91 190 + 70
H160 18.9.91 120 + 140
H161 2.10.91 110 + 150
H162 17.10.91 94 + 166
H163 30.10.91 70 + 190
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
364-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEK
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
Y187 26.2.92 230 + 30
Y188 25.3.92 180 + 80
Y189 22.4.92 190 + 70
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 3.5.91 WAS 5,080 MN
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
NEW SCHEME TO PROVIDE HOME OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY ..................... 1
LIMITATION (AMENDMENT) BILL PASSED ................................... 2
VIGILANT WATCH TO SAFEGUARD INTEGRITY OF ELECTORAL PROCESS ........... 4
BANKING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991 INTRODUCED ..................... 4
BILL TO CREATE WORKERS' COMPENSATION SCHEME INTRODUCED ............... 6
TWO PILLS TO BETTER PROTECT WORKERS INTRODUCED ....................... 7
NEW LAW TO ENSURE SAFETY OF PRIVATE CLUB-HOUSE ....................... 9
BILL PROVIDES FOR IMPROVED SYSTEM OF APPEAL, AGAINST TOWN PLANNING BOARD'S DECISIONS ..................................................... 11
BIGGER GRANTS TO REFLECT HIGHER FEE .................................. 12
VISA NO GUARANTEE FOR ADMITTANCE ..................................... 13
CONTROL OF KARAOKE ACTIVITIES BEING CONSIDERED ....................... 14
PRICING CONTROL ON PROPERTIES RULED OUT .............................. 14
LAND FUND INVESTMENTS A MATTER FOR ITS TRUSTEES ...................... 15
MORE VEHICLES DIVERTED TO LOK MA CHAU CROSSING ....................... 15
GOVT INFORMED IN ADVANCE MERGING DECISION ............................ 16
VICTIMS ARE PROTECTED TO AVOID EMBARRASSMENT ......................... 17
CROSS-BORDER IMPROVEMENT SOUGHT IN PROCEDURES TO CURB POISONOUS VEGETABLES ............................................................ 18
/Il BILLS .......
11 BILLS PASSED IN LEGCO............................................... 19
HOPE FOR FURTHER ROUND OF DISCUSSIONS ON AIRPORT SOON: GOVERNOR........ 20
CIVIL SERVICE CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY .................................... 21
APPOINTMENTS TO SECURITIES AND FUTURES APPEALS PANEL .................... 22
FINANCE COMMITTEE TO MEET ON FRIDAY ..................................... 23
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFORM THE WAY BUSINESS IS DONE................ 23
INTAKES TO IT-RELATED COURSES TO INCREASE ............................... 25
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROJECTS PROVIDE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES ........ 26
PROPER TREATMENT OF LIVESTOCK WASTES NEEDED ............................. 27
APPLICATIONS FOR UK PASSPORTS TO BE PROCESSED IN HK...................... 29
$1.4 BILLION FOR SUBVENTED AGENCIES ..................................... 29
FEWER SUMMER JOB STUDENTS INJURED ....................................... 30
COMPREHENSIVE CLEARANCE OF UBW'S IN WAN CHAI ............................ 31
UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE IN MONG KOK TO BE CLOSED.......................... 32
TWO GOVT LOTS FOR LET BY TENDER ......................................... 32
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .............. 33
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1991
- I -
NEW SCHEME TO PROVIDE HOME OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE SALE OF RENTAL FLATS TO SITTING TENANTS PROPOSED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WOULD PROVIDE MANY FAMILIES WITH AN OPPORTUNITY THEY WOULD NOT OTHERWISE HAVE TO OWN THEIR HOME, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
WINDING UP THE ADJOURNMENT DERATE ON THE PROPOSED SCHEME IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR TSAO SAID HOME OWNERSHIP WAS OF GREAT BENEFIT IN FOSTERING A SENSE OF BELONGING AND ENGENDERING SOCIAL STABILITY AND SHARED PROSPERITY.
MR TSAO REJECTED AS "PATENT NONSENSE” AN ASSERTION BY THE HON KINGSLEY SIT THAT AFFECTED TENANTS WOULD RE FORCED OR COMPELLED TO PURCHASE FLATS UNDER I IIIS S( HFME.
"IT IS A MATTER OF CHOICE NOT COMPULSION,” HE STRESSED.
THE SCHEME, MR TSAO ADDED, WILL RE PUT TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR APPROVED.
HE ALSO SAID OFFER LETTERS TO TENANTS SHOULD BE ISSUED TOWARDS THE END OF JULY THIS YEAR.
"THIS SHOULD ENABLE THE FIRST PHASE OF THE SALES PROGRAMME TO BE COMPLETED BY Till- END OF THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR,” HE SAID.
ON THE PRICING FORMULA, MF? TSAO SAID A MARKET PRICE WOULD BE DETERMINED, WITH DUE ALLOWANCE MADE FOR THE LESS ATTRACTIVE DESIGN OF THE RENTAL BLOCK COMPARED WITH A PURPOSE-BUILT SALE BLOCK, THE LACK OF UPGRADING OF THE PLASTERING, WIRING, SECURITY SYSTEM AND OTHER FACILITIES, AND THE AGE OF THE BLOCK.
HE SAID A SIMILAR DISCOUNT TO THAT GIVEN UNDER HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME (HOS) SALES WOULD BE APPLIED TO PRODUCE THE SELLING PRICE AS RECOMMENDED IN A REPORT BY A SPECIAL AD HOC COMMITTEE UNDER THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
’’THE LEVEL OF DISCOUNT FROM A COMPARABLE FLAT IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAS BEEN AT 30 PER CENT IN MOST RECENT HOS SALES, THOUGH IT HAS AT TIMES VARIED IN ORDER TO HAVE MORE FLATS WITHIN THE AFFORDABILITY RANGE OF LESS WELL-OFF FAMILIES.
’’THE HOUSING AUTHORITY SUGGESTED THAT A DISCOUNT OF 40 PER CENT WOULD TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE SPECIAL NATURE OF THESE SALES AND PRODUCE MORE AFFORDABLE PRICES," MF? TSAO SAID.
ON SUGGESTIONS THAI' IT WOULD BE UNFAIR FOR SITTING TENANTS TO BE GIVEN A GREATER DISCOUNT THAN WOULD NORMALLY APPLY UNDER HOS SALE, MF? TSAO SAID THE HOUSING AUTHORITY FELT THAT THE TWO SCHEMES WERE DIFFERENT IN NATURE AND IN THE TARGET GROUP WHICH THEY AIMED TO REACH.
"THE PRESENT SCHEME AIMS TO REACH A BROADER RANGE OF PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS, INCLUDING THOSE OR AVERAGE ON BELOW-AVERAGE INCOMES," MR TSAO SAID.
/IN REPLY .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 199.1
2
IN REPLY TO QUESTIONS ON THE REASON FOR THE PRICE OF FL/ S SOLD TO SITTING TENANTS AND FLATS SOLD UNDER THE HOS SHOULD BE TAGGED TO MARKET PRICES, MR TSAO SAID THE HOUSING AUTHORITY BELIEVED THAT AN APPROPRIATE RELATIONSHIP TO MARKET PRICES NEEDED TO BE ESTABLISHED TO AVOID THE CREATION OF TOO GREAT A DIVISION BETWEEN THE SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY THAT WAS ELIGIBLE TO BUY FLATS UNDER THESE SCHEMES AND THOSE WHO HAD NO CHOICE OTHER THAN TO BUY IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
"IF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WERE TO SELL ITS FLATS AT PRICES THAT WERE TOO FAR BELOW MARKET PRICES, THIS WOULD IMPACT ADVERSELY ON THE STRENGTH OF THE PRIVATE PROPERTY MARKET,” MR TSAO SAID.
"THE POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AS LAID DOWN IN THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY HAS BEEN TO ENCOURAGE THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO EXTEND ITS OWN PRODUCTION OF SMALL FLATS.
ON THE CONDITION OF THE BLOCKS TO BE SOLD, MR TSAO SAID THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WOULD ONLY SELL BLOCKS THAT WERE IN SOUND STRUCTURAL CONDITION.
"TENANTS WILL BE ABLE TO REPORT DEFECTS FOUND INSIDE THEIR FLATS AND THOSE WHICH ARE CONFIRMED TO BE GENUINE AND NOT CAUSED BY THE TENANTS’ WILL BE REPAIRED AT THE AUTHORITY’S EXPENSE," MR TSAO SAID.
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LIMITATION (AMENDMENT) BILL PASSED
*****
THE LIMITATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 WILL ONLY EXTEND THE POTENTIAL LIABILITY OF PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS IN THE LIMITED SITUATION WHERE A CLIENT WITH A CLAIM IN NEGLIGENCE DOES NOT KNOW THE FACTS RELEVANT TO THE CAUSE OF ACTION AT THE DATE WHEN THE DAMAGE TO HtS INTERESTS OCCURRED.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID DURING THE SECOND READING DEBATE OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SUCH A CLIENT WOULD HAVE SIX YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHtCH THE DAMAGE OCCURRED TO BRING AN ACTION, THAT WAS THE NORMAL LIMITATION, OR THREE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF ACQUIRING THE REQUISITE KNOWLEDGE POR BRINGING AN ACTION, WHICHEVER PERIOD WAS TO END LATER, HE SAID.
"WITHOUT SUCH A PROVISION, PERSONS WHO HAVE SUFFERED DAMAGE THROUGH THE NEGLIGENCE OF THEIR PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS BUT ARE UNAWARE OF IT WOULD BE DENIED RELIEF WHERE THE DAMAGE IS NOT DISCOVERED UNTIL AFTER A PERIOD OF SIX YEARS.
"THIS IS AN UNFAIR RESULT WHICH THIS BILL WILL RECTIFY," MR MATHEWS SAID.
/MR MATHEWS .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1991
- 3 -
MR MATHEWS WAS REPLYING TO MR PETER WONG’S RESERVATIONS TO THE EFFECT THAT THE LATENT DAMAGE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL WOULD SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASE THE EXPOSURE OF ACCOUNTANTS TO NEGLIGENCE CLAIMS.
MR WONG ALSO REFERRED TO THE ACCOUNTANTS’ PLEA FOR SPECIAL CONSIDERATION AND THE POSSIBILITY OF AN EXEMPTION FROM THE OPERATION OF THE NEW PROVISIONS.
TO ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITY THAT SOMEONE WAS SUED BY VIRTUE OF THIS NEW PROVISION MANY YEARS AFTER THE ALLEGED NEGLIGENT ACT OR OMISSION OCCURRED, MR MATHEWS SAID, THE BILL PROVIDED THAT NO ACTION SHOULD BE BROUGHT AFTER THE EXPIRY OF 15 YEARS FROM THE DATE OF THAT ACT OR OMISSION.
"THIS IS A BENEFIT THAT POTENTIAL DEFENDANTS DO NOT PRESENTLY HAVE," HE SAID.
MR MATHEWS NOTED THAT THE ACCOUNTANTS WERE THE ONLY PROFESSIONAL GROUP TO HAVE SOUGHT SUCH AN EXEMPTION. "THE VIEW THAT THE PROVISIONS IN THE BILL CONCERNING LATENT DAMAGE WILL SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASE THE POTENTIAL LIABILITY OF PROFESSIONALS IS, I THINK, UNFOUNDED."
ON MR WONG’S OBSERVATION THAT THE BILL WAS INTRODUCED TO DEAL WITH HIDDEN DEFECTS ARISING FROM CONSTRUCTION WORK, MR MATHEWS SAID THE BILL WAS BASED ON THE ENGLISH LATENT DAMAGE ACT 1986 WHICH GAVE EFFECT TO RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ENGLISH LAW REFORM COMMITTEE.
MR MATHEWS SAID WHILE THE COMMITTEE, IN ITS REPORT, RECOGNISED THAT THE MAJORITY OF CLAIMS FOR LATENT DAMAGE HAD ARISEN OUT OF BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION WORK, IT EXPRESSLY REJECTED A SUGGESTION THAT THE SPECIAL THREE-YEAR LIMITATION PERIOD SHOULD BE RESTRICTED TO CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF BUILDINGS.
PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL DURING THE COMMITTEE STAGE, MR MATHEWS SAID THE NEW DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF THE ORDINANCE WOULD BE JULY 1, 1991.
PROPOSED NEW SECTION 33 OF THE BILL WAS DELETED AS THE SECTION HAD BEEN RENDERED UNNECESSARY FOLLOWING A RECENT DECISION OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS.
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Z4.........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1991
VIGILANT WATCH TO SAFEGUARD INTEGRITY OF ELECTORAL PROCESS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE ADMINISTRATION IS MINDFUL OF THE NEED TO KEFP A VIGILANT WATCH SO AS TO SAFEGUARD THE INTEGRITY AND FAIRNESS OF THE ELECTORAL AND POLITICAL PROCESS, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING IN THE SECOND READING DEBATE ON THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR MATHEWS SAID THIS BILL AND THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 SOUGHT TO ADDRESS, AMONG OTHER MATTERS, THE EXISTING ANOMALY BETWEEN INCUMBENT AND NON-INCUMBENT MEMBERS AS REGARDS THEIR ABILITY TO RECEIVE DONATIONS FOR THEIR ELECTION EXPENSES.
MR MATHEWS ALSO CONFIRMED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WAS CAREFULLY LOOKING INTO THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP’S CONCERN ABOUT A SIMILAR ANOMALY REGARDING DONATIONS FOR RUNNING A POLITICAL OFFICE.
’’MEMBERS ARE OF COURSE AWARE THAT IT IS THE INTENTION OF THE ADMINISTRATION TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS AFTER THE SEPTEMBER ELECTIONS TO THIS COUNCIL,” HE SAID.
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BANKING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
BILL 1991 ♦
INTRODUCED
THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991 WHICH SEEKS TO IMPROVE THE REGIME REGULATING THE CHANGE OF CONTROL OF LOCALLY INCORPORATED AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS AND TO UPDATE THE REGULATIONS ON RISK CONCENTRATIONS 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 PRESENT REGIME REGULATING THE CHANGE OF CONTROL OF AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS HAD SOME DEFECTS.
’’FIRST, THERE IS No CONTROL OYER THE ACQUISITION OF SIGNIFICANT SHAREHOLDINGS, WHICH STOP SHORT OF FULL CONTROL, IN AN AUTHORISED INSTITUTION’S HOLDING COMPANY.
’’SECONDLY, SHAREHOLDERS OF LOCALLY INCORPORATED INSTITUTIONS ARE ONLY REQUIRED TO SEEK Till-. APPROVAL OF Till- COMMISSIONER OF BANKING FOR HIE EXERCISE • H- I III- I R \ OTI NG RI GUI’S AND CONTROL OVER. THE INSTITUTION AFTER THEY HAYE ACQUIRED THEIR INTERESTS.
’’THIRDLY, THERE IS NO PROVISION ENABLING CONSENT TO BE WITHDRAWN FROM A SHAREHOLDER OR CONTROLLER WHEN THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT HE IS NO LONGER I II’ AND PROPER,” SIR PIERS SAID.
/TO REMEDY .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1991
5
TO REMEDY THESE DEFECTS, SIR PIERS’ TO EMPOWER THE COMMISSIONER TO OBJECT, PERSONS BECOMING OR REMAINING CONTROLLERS INCORPORATED IN HONG KONG.
SAID THE GOVERNMENT SOUGHT
ON SPECIFIED GROUNDS, TO OF AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS
"IN ADDITION, PROSPECTIVE CONTROLLERS KILL BE REQUIRED TO SEEK THE COMMISSIONER’S PRIOR APPROVAL BEFORE ACQUIRING THEIR HOLDINGS," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID THIS WOULD APPLA TO HOLDINGS OF 10 PER. CENT OR MORE IN AN AUTHORISED INSTITUTION’S HOLDING COMPANY AND THE PROPOSED SYSTEM WAS SIMILAR TO THAT CONTAINED IN THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE, WHICH IN TURN WAS MODELLED ON THE BANKING ACT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM.
"THE CONCEPT OF A ’CAPITAL BASE’, WHICH WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE ORDINANCE IN 1986 IN CONNECTION WI TH THE CALCULATION OF CAPITAL ADEQUACY RATIOS, IS NOW ACCEPTED \S A MORE APPROPRIATE MEASURE OF AN INSTITUTION’S ABILITY TO ABSORB RISK.
"THE PROPOSAL IS TO USE THIS CONCEPT IN PLACE OF ’CAPITAL AND RESERVES’ AS THE BASIS FOR APPLY ING THE LARGE EXPOSURF LIMITS UNDER PART XV OF THE ORDINANCE," HE SAID, ADDING THAT THE EXPOSURE LIMITS, NOAPPL1CABLE TO BANKS ONLY, WOULD BE APPLIED TO ALL THREE CLASSES OF INSTITUTIONS.
SIR PIERS SAID WHEN THE INDUSTRY WAS CONSULTED ON PROPOSED CHANGES TO PART XV, THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS HAD EXPRESSED SOME CONCERN ABOUT THE PROPOSED REDUCTION OF THE PERIOD OF EXEMPTION FROM THE MAXIMUM PRUDENT LENDING LIMIT FOR THE UNDERWRITING OF EQUITIES AND DEBT FROM THE IX I STI NG THREE MONTHS TO SEVEN DAYS.
"THE PROPOSAL IS INTENDED To ENABLE ANA POTENTIAL EXPOSURE EXCEEDING THE 25 PER CENT LIMIT To BE BROUGHT UNDER SUPERVISION AT AN EARLY STAGE," HE SAID.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THOSE INSTITUTIONS WHICH WERE LEAD UNDERWRITERS WOULD BE EXPECTED TO DISCUSS WITH THE COMMISSIONER AND AGREE UPON A SET OF LIMITS WITHIN WHICH THEY WOULD EXPECT TO CONFINE THEIR RISKS IN RESPECT OF UNDERWRITING POSITIONS ONCE THE BILL WAS ENACTED.
"ARMED WITH FORE-KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT THE COMMISSIONER WOULD BE PREPARED TO APPROVE WITHIN AGREED LIMITS, INSTITUTIONS SHOULD BE ABLE TO OPERATE FREELY AND WI THOUT DISRUPTION OF THE MARKET, WHILST ADHERING TO AN AGREED FRAMEWORK WHICH LIMITS RISK EXPOSURE," SIR PIERS SAID.
NOTING I HAT I’HF Hill \I.SO SOUGHT TO REMOVE unnecessary BARRIERS IO DISC I.OSI I I* I • • INAPIJ ( I ’SI I UONT \<’T AND COLLABORATION BETWEEN BANKING AND OTHER I I NAN( I AL REG I I.ATORS Lo( ALIA AND ABROAD, SIR PIERS SAID THE OVERALL CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION RECEIVED FOR SUPERVISORS PURPOSES WAS, HOWEVER, PRESERVED.
’’THE PRINCIPAL PROPOSALS IN THE PILL HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED WITH AND ARE SUPPORTED BY THE BANKING ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMP AN IIS ADVISORY COMMITTEE," HF ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/6 .....
WEDNESDAY; MAY 8, 1991
- 6
BILL TO CREATE WORKERS’ COMPENSATION SCHEME INTRODUCED
♦ » * ♦ i
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO CREATE THE EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE SCHEME TO PROTECT THE FULL ENTITLEMENT OE WORKERS UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE, IS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON CHRISTINE (’HOW, IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE BILL 1991, SAID THE EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE SCHEME WAS AN IMPORTANT LANDMARK IN LABOUR LEGISLATION.
"IT INCREASES THE LEVEL OF PROTECTION FOR EMPLOYEES AGAINST UNFORESEEN CONTINGENCIES OF THEIR WORKING LIVES AND GUARANTEES THEIR ENTITLEMENT TO COMPENSATION UNDER THE LAW," SHE SAID.
EXPLAINING HIE GOVERNMENT'S DECISION TO ESTABLISH THE SCHEME, MISS (’HOW SAID UNDER THE EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION ORDINANCE, • A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF EMPLOYMENT - RELATED COMPENSATION WAS AVAILABLE TO PROTECT WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES AGAINST LOSS OF INCOME IN THE EVENT OF INJURY AND DEATH.
EMPLOYERS HAD BEEN REQUIRED BY LAW SINCE 1984 TO INSURE THEMSELVES AGAINST THEIR LIABILITIES TO COMPENSATE THEIR EMPLOYEES, SHE ADDED.
HOWEVER, MISS (’HOW NOTED: "DESPITE THIS PROVISION, SOME WORKERS STILL FAIL TO RECEIVE COMPENSATION BECAUSE OF DEFAULTING EMPLOYERS OR INSOLVENT INSURERS."
BETWEEN JANUARY 1981 AND JULY LAST YEAR, THERE WERE 86 SUCH CASES INVOLVING ABOUT $1 MILLION OF UNSETTLED COMPENSATION CLAIMS.
MISS CHOW SAID THE BILL SOUGHT TO CREATE THE EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE SCHEME BY PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE FUND AND OF A STATUTORY BOARD TO ADMINISTER IT.
THE FUND BOARD WOULD BE A BODY’ CORPORATE WHICH SHOULD CONSIST OF A CHAIRMAN, TWO MEMBERS REPRESENTING EMPLOYERS, TWO MEMBERS REPRESENTING EMPLOYEES, ONE MEMBER WITH EXPERTISE IN THE PRACTICE OF ACCOUNTING, INVESTMENT OR LAW, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE, AND THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDED FOR THF POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE BOARD, AND OTHER MATTERS RELATING TO THE OPERATION OF THE SCHEME, SHE SAID.
MISS CHOW SAID THE EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE SCHEME WOULD BE FUNDED BY A ONE PER CENT LEVY ON EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION INSURANCE PREMIA.
THIS LEVY CAME INTO EFFECT ON JULY I LAST YEAR WHEN THE EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION INSURANCE LEVIES ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED.
/MISS CHOW .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1991'
MISS CHOW CONTINUED: "THE SCHEME WILL COVER CLAIMS EMPLOYEES WHO ARE INJURED AS A RESULT OF ACCIDENTS ARISING OUT OF / .D IN THE COURSE OF THEIR EMPLOYMENT, OR DEPENDANTS OF EMPLOYEES KILLED AS A RESULT OF SUCH ACCIDENTS, WHO FAIL TO RECEIVE COMPENSATION BECAUSE OF DEFAULTING EMPLOYERS OR INSOLVENT INSURERS.
"SUBJECT TO A QUEUING SYSTEM, PAYMENTS WILL BE MADE IN ALL SUCH CASES IN RESPECT OF ACCIDENTS OCCURRING ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 1984,
WHEN COMPULSORY INSURANCE WAS FIRST INTRODUCED."
IN THE CASE OF INSOLVENCY OF INSURERS, MISS CHOW SAID THE SCHEME WOULD EITHER PAY THE COMPENSATION ON BEHALF OF THE EMPLOYER OR RE-IMBURSE HIM.
THE SCHEME WOULD COVER ACCIDENTS OCCURRING ON OR AFtfcR JULY 1 LAST YEAR, PROVIDED THESE WERE A VALID POLICY OF INSURANCE ON WHICH THE LEVY HAD BEEN PAID, SHE SAID.
IT WOULD NOT, HOWEVER, COVER THE EMPLOYER’S LIABILITY IN RESPECT OF ACCIDENTS OCCURRING BEFORE JULY 1 LAST YEAR, THE DATE WHEN THE LEVY BECAME EFFECTIVE.
"ANY EMPLOYER WHO HAS NOT PAID THE LEVY AND WHO HAS DOUBTS ABOUT THE SOLVENCY OF AN INSURER SHOULD CONSIDER EXTENDING OR RENEWING HIS INSURANCE POLICY, THEREBY PAYING THE LEVY AND SECURING PROTECTION AGAINST THE INSOLVENCY OF HIS INSURER FROM A CURRENT DATE," SHE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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TWO BILLS TO
BETTER PROTECT WORKERS INTRODUCED * * * * ♦
TWO BILLS WERE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO PROVIDE BETTER PROTECTION TO HONG KONG’S WORKERS.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON CHRISTINE CHOW SAID THE BILL SOUGHT TO EXTEND THE COVER FOR SEVERANCE PAYMENT UNDER THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND FROM $4,000 TO $8,000 AND 50 PER CENT OF ANY ENTITLEMENT IN EXCESS OF $8,000.
AT PRESENT, THE FUND PROVIDED FOR THE PAYMENT OF WAGES IN ARREARS UP TO $8,000, UNPAID WAGES IN LIEU OF NOTICE UP TO $2,000 AND SEVERANCE PAYMENT UP TO $4,000 TO AN EMPLOYEE WHOSE EMPLOYER MAD BECOME INSOLVENT, MISS CHOW SAID.
"COMPARED WITH THE PRESENT SITUATION IN WHICH AN EMPLOYEE EARNING, SAY, $10,000 PER MONTH WITH 20 YEARS’ SERVICE BEHIND HIM GETS ONLY $4,000 AGAINST HIS ENTITLEMENT OF $120,000, HE WILL NOW OBTAIN $64,000," SHE NOTED.
/EXPLAINING THE .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1991
- 8 -
EXPLAINING THE REASONS FOR EXTENDING THE SEVERANCE PAYMINT COVER, THE ACTING SECRETARY SAID THOUGH THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE REQUIRED AN EMPLOYER TO MAKE LONG SERVICE PAYMENTS TO HIS EMPLOYEES UNDER CERTAIN PRESCRIBED CIRCUMSTANCES, THE LAW DID NOT REQUIRE HIM TO MAKE ANY PROVISION FOR THESE LIABILITIES.
IT HAD BEEN ARGUED, WITH SOME JUSTIFICATION, THAT IF AN EMPLOYER DID NOT MAKE SUFFICIENT PROVISION FOR HIS LONG SERVICE PAYMENT LIABILITIES, HE MIGHT RUN INTO FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES WHEN SUCH LIABILITIES AROSE, RESULTING IN HIS EMPLOYEES BEING UNABLE TO OBTAIN THEIR ENTITLEMENTS, SHE SAID.
"THE MAIN PROBLEM IN REQUIRING EMPLOYERS TO FUND THEIR LONG SERVICE PAYMENT LIABILITIES IS THAT IT WOULD TIE UP LARGE AMOUNTS OF WORKING CAPITAL AND, FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, CREATE DISPROPORTIONATE ADMINISTRATIVE OVERHEADS.
"AN EMPLOYER SHOULD BE ABLE TO MEET HIS LONG SERVICE PAYMENT LIABILITIES UNLESS HE IS INSOLVENT, IN WHICH EVENT, SEVERANCE PAYMENT WOULD BE PAYABLE," MISS CHOW SAID.
SHE SAID RATHER THAN PURSUING THE FUNDING OF LONG SERVICE PAYMENT, THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSED, INSTEAD, THAT THE EMPLOYEES’ SEVERANCE PAYMENT ENTITLEMENT SHOULD BE MORE ADEQUATELY PROTECTED BY EXTENDING THE COVER UNDER THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND.
MISS CHOW POINTED OUT THAT THE PROPOSED EXTENSION WOULD ENSURE THAT FULL COVERAGE WOULD BE GIVEN TO THOSE LOWER-PAID EMPLOYEES WHOSE ENTITLEMENTS DID NOT EXCEED $8,000.
IT WOULD ALSO PROTECT THE FUND FROM BEING DEPLETED TOO QUICKLY, SHE SAID.
"IF WE WERE TO COVER SEVERANCE PAYMENT ENTITLEMENTS IN FULL FOR ALL EMPLOYEES, THE COST WOULD BE VERY HIGH.
"THERE IS THE ADDED DANGER THAT SUCH A MEASURE MIGHT ENCOURAGE CONTRIVED INSOLVENCIES AS A MEANS OF PASSING ON TO THE FUND THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAKING SEVERANCE PAYMENTS," MISS CHOW SAID.
THE ACTING SECRETARY NOTED THAT THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND WAS PRESENTLY FINANCED BY A LEVY OF $100 PER ANNUM ON EACH BUSINESS REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE AND BRANCH CERTIFICATE.
"TO ENABLE THE FUND TO MEET THE ADDITIONAL COMMITMENT ARISING FROM THE EXTENDED COVER, IT IS NECESSARY TO INCREASE THE RATE OF THE LEVY ON EACH BUSINESS REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE AND BRANCH CERTIFICATE FROM $100 TO $250.
"THIS SHOULD GENERATE SUFFICIENT INCOME TO COVER FORECAST EXPENDITURE UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES," SHE ADDED.
THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, WHICH WAS ALSO GIVEN A SECOND READING TODAY, SOUGHT TO INCREASE THE RATE OF LEVY FROM $100 TO $250.
/MISS CHOW
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1991
9
MISS CHOW SAID TOGETHER WITH THE BILL ON THE PRUDENTIAL SUPERVISION OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES MOVED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY LAST WEEK AND THE BILL ON EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE INTRODUCED TODAY, THESE PROPOSALS WERE A SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD IN ACHIEVING THE TARGET OF A LEVEL OF LABOUR LEGISLATION COMPARABLE TO THE BEST PREVAILING IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION.
DEBATES ON THE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
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NEW LAW TO ENSURE SAFETY OF PRIVATE CLUB-HOUSE
******
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO INTRODUCE A STATUTORY SCHEME REQUIRING ALL CLUB-HOUSES TO OBTAIN A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE WITH FIRE AND BUILDING REGULATIONS WAS PROPOSED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO, AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE CLUBS (SAFETY OF PREMISES) BILL, MR TSAO SAID:
"WITH THE ENACTMENT OF THE BILL, ANY PERSON WHO OPERATES A CLUB-HOUSE WITHOUT A VALID CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE OR EXEMPTION WILL COMMIT AN OFFENCE AND IS LIABLE ON CONVICTION TO A FINE OF $200,000 AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS AND TO A FINE OF $20,000 FOR EACH DAV DURING WHICH THE OFFENCE CONTINUES."
THERE WAS A'l PRESENT NO SYSTEMATIC OR COMPREHENSIVE CONTROL OF SAFETY CONDITIONS IN CLUB PREMISES.
"ENFORCEMENT ACTION UNDER THE FIRE SERVICES ORDINANCE AND THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE IS TAKEN ON AN AD HOC BASIS OR IN RESPONSE TO COMPLAINTS," MR TSAO SAID.
THIS BILL, HE STRESSED, SOUGHT TO ESTABLISH A SCHEME FOR THE REGULATION AND CONTROL OF CLUB-HOUSES TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS.
BUT HE ADDED THAT CLUBS WHICH HAD NO CLUB-HOUSES WOULD BE OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF THE BILL.
"NEITHER WILL THE BILL BE CONCERNED WITH THE FORMATION OF CLUBS, WHICH WILL REMAIN A TASK FOR THE REGISTRAR OF SOCIETIES AND THE REGISTRAR GENERA!,."
DUE TO RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS, MR TSAO POINTED OUT THAT IT WOULD BE IMPRACTICAL TO ENFORCE CONTROLS ON ALL CLUBS WITH CLUB-HOUSES IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE ENACTMENT OF THE BILL.
THE CERTIFICATION SCHEME WOULD THEREFORE BE PHASED, WITH THE FIRST PHASE TARGETTED AT PROPRIETARY OR SHAM CLUBS WHICH USED THEIR CLUB-HOUSES AS ORDINARY BUSINESS PREMISES, HE SAID.
/PHASING OF .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1991
- 10 -
PHASING OF CONTROL PRIORITIES WOULD BE ACHIEVED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS ISSUING CERTIFICATES OF EXEMPTION IO THOSE CLUB-HOUSES WHICH WOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE CERTIFICATION SCHEME Al LATER STAGES.
APPLICANTS FOR A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE HAD TO SATISFY THE CERTIFYING AUTHORITY THAT THEIR PREMISES HAD COMPLIED WITH THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE FIRE SERVICES ORDINANCE AND THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE. .
THE CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE WOULD HAVE TO BE RENEWED UPON EXPIRATION.
THE PREMISES WOULD BE REINSPECTED TO ENSURE THAT THE SAFETY STANDARDS HAD BEEN MAINTAINED BEFORE A CERTIFICATE WAS RENEWED.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDED FOR APPEALS ARISING FROM ENFORCEMENT OF THE LEGISLATION TO BE DETERMINED BY AN APPEAL BOARD CHAIRED BY A PERSON QUALIFIED FOR APPOINTMENT AS A DISTRICT JUDGE.
THE GOVERNOR WOULD APPOINT THE CHAIRMAN AND A PANEL OF PERSONS WHOM HE CONSIDERED SUITABLE FOR APPOINTMENT AS MEMBERS OF THE APPEAL BOARD TO HEAR ANY APPEAL, MR TSAO SAID.
"IT IS, HOWEVER, THE INTENTION OF THE ADMINISTRATION THAT THE APPEAL BOARD CONSTITUTED UNDER THE HOTEL AND GUESTHOUSE ACCOMMODATION ORDINANCE WILL ALSO HEAR APPEALS UNDER THIS BILL," MR TSAO SAID.
FEES WOULD BE PAYABLE FOR THE ISSUE OF CERTIFICATES OF EXEMPTION OR COMPLIANCE. A CLAUSE IN THE BILL PROVIDED FOR THE MAKING OF REGULATIONS FOR SUCH FEES BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.
THE TOTAL COST OF THE SCHEME, MR TSAO SAID, WOULD BE RECOVERED BY WAY OF CERTIFICATE FEES.
THE CERTIFICATION SCHEME, TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE LICENSING OFFICE FOR HOTELS AND GUESTHOUSES, WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE ENACTMENT OF THE BILL, MR TSAO CONCLUDED.
DEBATE OF THE BILL WAS ADJOURRED.
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/Il ........
11 -
J I
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1991
BILL PROVIDES FOR IMPROVED SYSTEM OF APPEAL AGAINST TOWN PLANNING BOARD’S DECISIONS *****
THE TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1991 PROVIDES FOR AN INDEPENDENT AND PRACTICABLE SYSTEM OF APPEAL AGAINST DECISIONS OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD UNDER SECTION 17 OF THE EXISTING ORDINANCE, AND IN SO DOING ADDRESSES MUCH OF THE CONCERN ON THE INADEQUACIES OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF APPEALS.
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON MARTIN LEWIS, STATED THIS WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1991 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR LEWIS SAID THE QUESTION OF ESTABLISHING AN INDEPENDENT APPEAL SYSTEM TO CONSIDER OBJECTIONS TO PLANS PREPARED BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD WAS BEING ACTIVELY CONSIDERED BY THE ADMINISTRATION AS PART OF THE OVERALL REVIEW OF THE ORDINANCE.
"THE BILL INTRODUCED TODAY SETS OUT THE ESTABLISHMENT, POWERS, : MEMBERSHIP AND PROCEDURES OF THAT APPEALS BODY.
"IN ADDITION, IT PROVIDES FOR A FURTHER RIGHT OF REVIEW IN RESPECT OF CONDITIONS IMPOSED ON PLANNING PERMISSION, WHICH IS CURRENTLY NOT PROVIDED FOR IN THE EXISTING ORDINANCE, AS AN APPLICANT CAN ONLY ASK THE BOARD TO REVIEW ITS DECISION OF REFUSAL OF PLANNING PERMISSION," HE SAID.
THE AMENDMENTS CONTAINED IN THE BILL WILL MAKE THE FOLLOWING CHANGES TO THE ORDINANCE. THEY WILL:
* PROVIDE A RIGHT OF REVIEW IN RESPECT OF CONDITIONS IMPOSED ON THE PLANNING PERMISSION;
* PROVIDE FOR AN INDEPENDENT APPEAL BOARD TO BE SUBSTITUTED FOR THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL UNDER SECTION 17(7);
* SET OUT THE ESTABLISHMENT, MEMBERSHIP, POWERS AND PROCEDURE OF THE APPEAL BOARD;
* PROVIDE FOR REGULATIONS PRESCRIBING THE PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED IN MAKING AN APPEAL, AND IN THE HEARING AND DETERMINATION OF AN APPEAL; AND
* PROVIDE FOR THE REGISTRATION OF NOTICES SERVED UNDER SECTION 23(1), (2) AND (3).
THE BASIC APPROACH IS TO SUBSTITUTE THE APPEAL BOARD FOR THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL AS THE INDEPENDENT CHANNEL OF APPEAL AGAINST THE BOARD'S DECISION ON A REVIEW UNDER SECTION 17, EXTENDED TO INCLUDE THE RIGHT OF REVIEW OF AN APPLICANT AGGRIEVED BY THE CONDITIONS THE BOARD IMPOSED ON A PLANNING PERMISSION.
"THE APPEAL BOARD MAY ADJOURN A HEARING, CONFIRM, REVERSE OR VARY THE DECISION APPEALED AGAINST. ITS DECISION ON ANY APPEAL SHALL BE FINAL," MR LEWIS SAID.
/"TO DETER........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1991
- 12 -
"TO DETER FRIVOLOUS APPEALS, THE BILL PROVIDES FOR THE APPEAL BOARD TO ORDER, AS IT THINKS FIT, THE PAYMENT OF COSTS TO ANY PARTY OF THE APPEAL.
"SUBSEQUENT TO THE PUBLICATION OF THE BILL AND IN THE COURSE OF DRAFTING THE REGULATIONS, I HAVE RECEIVED LEGAL ADVICE 1 HAI IHE CLARIFICATION ON THE LIMITATION OF COSTS TO EXPENSES REASONABLY INCURRED IN THE PREPARATION OR PRESENTATION OF AN APPEAL SHOULD APPEAR IN THE ORDINANCE RATHER THAN THE REGULATIONS," MR LEWIS SAID.
"I SHALL BE MOVING AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE AN AMENDMENT TO THIS EFFECT," HE ADDED.
MR ' LEWIS SAID THE PROCEDURE AND DRAFT REGULATIONS PRESCRIBING THOSE PROCEDURES HAD BEEN DRAWN UP WITH A VIEW TO ENSURING A FAIR BUT EFFICIENT HEARING, RECOGNISING THAT TIME WAS A VITAL CONSIDERATION FOR DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENTS.
"MEMBERS MAY WISH TO NOTE THAT BY ALLOWING BOTH THE APPELLANT AND THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD EACH 60 DAYS TO PREPARE THEIR RESPECTIVE CASE, THE SECRETARY TO THE APPEAL BOARD SHOULD BE ABLE TO ARRANGE A HEARING WITHIN 15 WEEKS OF THE RECEIPT OF A NOTICE OF AN APPEAL.
"A DRAFT OF THE TOWN PLANNING (APPEALS) REGULATIONS 1991 HAS ALSO BEEN PRESENTED FOR MEMBERS’ INFORMATION AND TO EXPLAIN TO MEMBERS HOW THE APPEAL BOARD WILL OPERATE.
"SHOULD THE BILL BE ENACTED, THE DRAFT REGULATIONS WILL BE FINALISED FOR SUBMISSION TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL FOR THE REGULATIONS TO BE MADE AND PROMULGATED," MR LEWIS SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
------0--------
BIGGER GRANTS TO REFLECT HIGHER FEE
*****
THE MAXIMUM GRANT PAYABLE UNDER THE LOCAL STUDENT FINANCE SCHEME WILL BE INCREASED TO REFLECT THE CHANGES IN TUITION FEES IN 1993-94, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON CHRISTINE CHOW, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE MAXIMUM GRANT WOULD GO UP FROM THE PRESENT $18,260 TO $28,500, MISS CHOW SAID.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON C. K. POON, SHE SAID "THIS SHOULD ENSURE THAT NO STUDENT WHO HAS BEEN OFFERED A PLACE WILL BE DENIED OF TERTIARY EDUCATION BECAUSE OF LACK OF MEANS."
MISS CHOW POINTED OUT THAT UNDER THE SCHEME, GRANTS AND LOANS WERE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS STUDYING AT UPGC-FUNDED INSTITUTIONS.
/GRANTS WERE .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 1991
- 13 -
GRANTS WERE PROVIDED TO COVER TUITION FEES AND OTHER ACADEMIC EXPENSES WHILE LOANS WERE FOR LIVING EXPENSES, SHE SAID.
"THE SCHEME IS MEANS-TESTED BUT NOT SUBJECT TO ANY CASH LIMIT.
"THE LEVEL OF ASSISTANCE WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE ADJUSTED IN THE LIGHT OF INFLATION AND CHANGES IN FEE LEVEL," SHE ADDED.
----------------0------- VISA NO GUARANTEE FOR ADMITTANCE ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE POSSESSION OF A VISA DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE VISITOR WILL DEFINITELY BE ADMITTED INTO HONG KONG, THE ACTING SECRETRAY FOR SECURITY, THE HON IAN STRACHAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PANG CHUN-HOI, MR STRACHAN SAID VISAS DID NOT CONFER THE RIGHT TO LAND, NOR THE RIGHT OF ABODE.
THEREFORE, UNDER SECTION 11(1) OF THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE, AN IMMIGRATION OFFICER MIGHT REFUSE A VISITOR LEAVE TO ENTER HONG KONG, EVEN IF HE HELD A VISA, HE SAID.
"SUCH A VISITOR CAN, FOR EXAMPLE, BE REFUSED ADMISSION IF IT IS DISCOVERED THAT FALSE REPRESENTATIONS WERE EMPLOYED OR MATERIAL FACTS WERE CONCEALED FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING THE VISA; OR THAT THERE HAD BEEN A CHANGE OF CIRCUMSTANCES SINCE THE VISA WAS ISSUED WHICH REMOVED THE BASIS OF THE HOLDER’S CLAIM TO ADMISSION," HE SAID.
MR STRACHAN NOTED THAT THE NUMBER OF VISITORS WHO HELD VISAS FOR HONG KONG BUT WERE SUBSEQUENTLY REFUSED PERMISSION TO LAND WAS 575 IN 1988, 614 IN 1989, 305 LAST YEAR AND 94 SO FAR THIS YEAR.
HOWEVER, MR STRACHAN POINTED OUT THAT ANY PERSON AGGRIEVED BY A DECISION OF AN IMMIGRATION OFFICER MIGHT LODGE AN OBJECTION UNDER SECTION 53(1) OF THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE.
"IN THE CASE OF A VISITOR WITH A VISA FOR HONG KONG, THIS SHOULD BE BY NOTICE IN WRITING TO THE CHIEF SECRETARY WITHIN 14 DAYS," HE SAID.
THE OBJECTION WOULD THEN BE CONSIDERED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL WHO MIGHT VARY, REVERSE, OR COMPLETELY CHANGE THE ORIGINAL DECISION.
"HOWEVER, MAKING AN OBJECTION IN THIS WAY DOES NOT GIVE A VISITOR THE RIGHT TO REMAIN HERE PENDING A DECISION. THIS IS MADE CLEAR IN SECTION 53(7) OF THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE," HE ADDED.
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/14 .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1991
14
CONTROL OF KARAOKE ACTIVITIES BEING CONSIDERED * * * * *
THE ADMINISTRATION IS NOW LOOKING INTO THE PRACTICABILITY OF LICENSING CONTROL OF KARAOKE ACTIVITIES THROUGH A LICENSING SYSTEM, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MRS ELSIE TU, MR TSAO SAID AT PRESENT, THERE WAS NO REQUIREMENT FOR KARAOKE CENTRES TO OBTAIN SPECIFIC LICENCES FOR THEIR OPERATION.
HOWEVER, AS MANY OF THEM WERE LOCATED WITHIN ESTABLISHMENTS WHICH PROVIDED FOOD AND/OR LIQUOR FOR CONSUMPTION, OPERATORS WERE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A LICENCE UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE.
"AS A PRE-REQUISITE FOR OBTAINING SUCH A LICENCE, THEY ARE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN FIRE SAFETY AND STRUCTURAL SAFETY CERTIFICATES FROM THE RELEVANT AUTHORITIES,” HE SAID.
HE ALSO SAID AS SOME KARAOKE CENTRES WERE RUN AS CLUBS, THESE PREMISES WOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE CLUBS (SAFETY OF PREMISES) BILL.
- - 0 - -
PRICING CONTROL ON PROPERTIES RULED OUT *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO INTENTION TO EXERCISE PRICING CONTROL ON PROPERTIES BUT IS CURRENTLY ASSESSING EXISTING MEASURES TO SEE IF FURTHER ACTION IS REQUIRED TO REDUCE UNSCRUPULOUS TRADING IN THE PROPERTY MARKET, AND TO IMPROVE PRE-SALE ARRANGEMENTS.
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON MARTIN LEWIS, SAID THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN REPLY TO A QUESTION RAISED BY THE HON DAVID CHEUNG CONCERNING THE RECENT INCREASE IN FLAT PRICES.
MR LEWIS NOTED THAT THE RECENT INCREASE IN THE PRICES OF FLATS APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A COMBINATION OF FACTORS, SUCH AS RENEWED INTEREST IN PURCHASES AFTER THE GULF WAR, RISING AFFLUENCE STIMULATING FURTHER DEMAND FOR BOTH FIRST-TIME HOME OWNERSHIP AND TRADE-UPS, LOWERING OF MORTGAGE INTEREST, AND GENERAL RELAXATION IN BANK LOANS.
OTHER FACTORS INCLUDED INCREASE IN THE COST OF CONSTRUCTION AND LABOUR, MARKETING STRATEGIES OF PROPERTY DEVELOPERS, AND AN EXPECTATION THAT PRICES MAY GO UP FURTHER.
MR LEWIS TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT WITH CURRENT MARKET CONDITIONS IN MIND, A NUMBER OF MEASURES HAD BEEN TAKEN TO REDUCE UNSCRUPULOUS TRADING IN THE PROPERTY MARKET, AND TO IMPROVE PRE-SALE ARRANGEMENTS.
/"THE ADMINISTRATION
15
WEDNESDAY, MAY ft, 1991
• •.. ,
"THE ADMINISTRATION IS CURRENTLY ASSESSING THESE MEASURES TO SEE IF FURTHER ACTION IS WARRANTED," HE SAID, WHILE STRESSING THAT GOVERNMENT POLICY WAS NOT TO INTERVENE IN A FREE MARKET ECONOMY, OR EXERCISE PRICING CONTROL ON PROPERTIES.
MR LEWIS ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUED TO ENCOURAGE HOME OWNERSHIP THROUGH A NUMBER OF PROVEN SCHEMES.
THESE INCLUDED THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, THE PUBLIC SECtOft PARTICIPATION SCHEME, AND THE HOME PURCHASE LOAN SCHEME; AND ALSO A PROPOSAL THAT SITTING TENANTS IN RENTAL FLATS IN HOUSING AUTHORITY ESTATES. PURCHASED THEIR OWN FLATS.
-----0------
LAND FUND INVESTMENTS A MATTER FOR ITS TRUSTEES
*****
INVESTMENTS BY THE SAR LAND FUND IS A MATTER FOR THE FUND TRUSTEES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
LAND TOLD
REPLYING A QUESTION BY THE THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WAS AWARE LAND FUND IN BUYING A SIX PER CENT TERMINALS LIMITED.
HON CHAN YING-LUN, SIR PIERS SAID OF THE RECENT INVESTMENT OF THE STAKE IN HONGKONG INTERNATIONAL
"BUT
DISCOURAGE ANY
IT IS NOT FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO PARTICULAR INVESTMENT," HE ADDED.
ENCOURAGE
OR
- - 0---------
MORE VEHICLES DIVERTED TO LOK MA CHAU CROSSING
******
ABOUT 1,300 VEHICLES WOULD BE DIVERTED FROM THE MAN KAM TO BORDER CROSSING TO THE LOK MA CHAU CROSSING FROM THIS MONTH WITH THE FULL CO-OPERATION OF THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MI.CHAEL LEUNG, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, MR LEUNG SAID THIS MEASURE WOULD BRING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VEHICLES TO BE DIVERTED TO LOK MA CHAU SO FAR TO 3,200, THEREBY BRINGING FURTHER RELIEF TO THE MAN KAM TO CROSSING FACILITY.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SITUATION AND WORK CLOSELY WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES TO ACHIEVE A MORE EVEN DISTRIBUTION OF TRAFFIC BETWEEN THE THREE CROSSINGS AT MAN KAM TO, SHA TAU KOK AND LOK MA CHAU.
/OF THE ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1991
16
OF THE THREE BORDER CROSSINGS, MAN KAM TO WAS THE OLDEST AND A WELL-ESTABLISHED ROUTE WHICH PROVIDED A DIRECT AND CONVENIENT LINK TO THE CENTRE OF SHENZHEN CITY.
FOR THIS REASON, MANY HONG KONG LORRY DRIVERS PREFERRED TO USE THIS ROUTE, THE SECRETARY SAID.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS AWARE OF THE CURRENT CONGESTION AT MAN KAM TO AND HAD TAKEN STEPS IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES TO RELIEVE THE SITUATION.
FOLLOWING THE OPENING OF LOK MA CHAU CROSSING IN DECEMBER 1989, ABOUT 1,900 VEHICLES PREVIOUSLY USING MAN KAM TO HAD BEEN DIVERTED TO THE NEW CROSSING.
AS REGARDS THE SHA TAU KOK CROSSING, THERE WAS AN AVERAGE DAILY TRAFFIC OF ABOUT 2,000 VEHICLES, WHICH WAS CONSIDERED TO BE THE OPTIMAL LEVEL FOR THE UTILISATION OF THIS CROSSING, MR LEUNG ADDED.
------0-----------
GOVT INFORMED IN ADVANCE MERGING DECISION *****
THE GOVERNMENT WAS INFORMED IN ADVANCE OF THE HONG KONG TELECOM GROUP’S INTENTION TO MERGE CERTAIN FUNCTIONS IN THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY AND HONG KONG TELECOM INTERNATIONAL AND TO MAKE REDUNDANT STAFF CONSIDERED BY THE COMPANIES TO BE IN EXCESS OF OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON CHRISTINE CHOW, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG, MISS CHOW SAID DISCUSSIONS WERE HELD WITH THE GROUP TO ENSURE THAT THE CHANGES WOULD NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT THEIR SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC AND THE GOVERNMENT’S ABILITY TO REGULATE THEIR FRANCHISED ACTIVITIES.
SHE SAID THE GOVERNMENT ALSO OFFERED ADVICE TO THE GROUP ON LABOUR RELATIONS ASPECTS, PARTICULARLY THE DESIRABILITY TO CONSULT EMPLOYEES.
"THE STAFF LEVELS MAINTAINED BY PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES ARE ESSENTIALLY A MATTER FOR THE COMPANIES CONCERNED.
"SO LONG AS THEY MEET THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THEIR FRANCHISES, THERE WOULD BE NO GROUNDS FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO INTERFERE IN THIS ASPECT OF COMPANY MANAGEMENT," SHE SAID.
HOWEVER, MISS CHOW SAID THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT DID PLAY AN ADVISORY AND MONITORING ROLE IN STAFF RETRENCHMENT EXERCISES IN GENERAL.
THE DEPARTMENT ADVISED EMPLOYERS ON HOW TO HANDLE RETRENCHMENTS IN A WAY THAT WOULD MINIMISE THE IMPACT ON THE EMPLOYEES INVOLVED, SHE SAID.
/MISS CHOW .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1991
17
MISS CHOW NOTED THAT THE EMPLOYEES WERE ADVISED OF THEIR ENTITLEMENTS UNDER THE LAW AND WERE ASSISTED IN FINDING ALTERNATIVE EMPLOYMENT.
"WHERE THERE ARE DISPUTES BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES OVER RETRENCHMENT TERMS, THE DEPARTMENT PROVIDES A CONCILIATION SERVICE TO RESOLVE THE DIFFERENCES.
"WHERE NECESSARY, CASES WILL RE REFERRED TO THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL FOR ADJUDICATION," SHE ADDED.
MISS CHOW SAID THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE PROVIDED SOME DEGREE OF JOB SECURITY.
THE EMPLOYER WAS REQUIRED TO GIVE NOTICE OR PAYMENT IN LIEU OF NOTICE BEFORE AN EMPLOYEE COULD BE DISMISSED, EXCEPT FOR SERIOUS MISCONDUCT ON THE PART OF THE EMPLOYEE, SHE ADDED.
ADDITIONALLY, MISS CHOW SAID IF AN EMPLOYEE WAS DISMISSED BY REASON OF REDUNDANCY, HE WOULD BE ENTITLED TO SEVERANCE PAYMENT.
SHE SAID LONG SERVING EMPLOYEES WHO WERE DISMISSED BY REASON OTHER THAN REDUNDANCY AND ELDERLY EMPLOYEES WHO RETIRED ON OLD AGE OR HEALTH GROUNDS WERF ENTITLED TO LONG SERVICE PAYMENTS.
"WE DO NOT CONSIDER IT FEASIBLE TO IMPOSE STATUTORY RESTRICTIONS ON RETRENCHMENT.
"WE MUST NOT PUT UNDUE RESTRICTIONS ON THE RIGHT OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO ENTER INTO EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS OR TO TERMINATE THEM," SHE SAID.
MISS CHOW POINTED OUT THAT HIRE AND FIRE SHOULD REMAIN THE PREROGATIVE OF MANAGEMENT.
"EQUALLY, AN EMPLOYEE SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO RESIGN AND MOVE ON TO ANOTHER JOB.
"OUR MAIN CONCERN SHOULD BE TO ENSURE THAT THE EMPLOYEES’ ENTITLEMENT UNDER THE ORDINANCE TO COMPENSATION IN THE EVENT OF RETRENCHMENT IS FULLY PROTECTED," SHE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
VICTIMS ARE PROTECTED TO AVOID EMBARRASSMENT ♦ * * * ♦
THE POLICE DO HAVF STANDARD PROCEDURES TO PROVIDE FOR FLEXIBILITY IN RESPECT OF LOCATION IN RECEIVING REPORTS OR TAKING STATEMENTS FROM ALL VICTIMS OF CRIMES, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON IAN STRACHAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HENRIETTA IP, MR STRACHAN SAID THAT THESE WERE LAID DOWN IN THE POLICE GENERAL ORDERS AND THE MANUAL OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION FOR THE GUIDANCE OF ALL OFFICERS.
/FOR CASES
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1991
- 18 -
FOR CASES OF OFFENCES SUCH AS BATTERED WIVES AND CHILD ABUSE, A PLAINCLOTHES OFFICER COULD, UPON REQUEST, TAKE STATEMENTS FROM THE VICTIM AND OTHER WITNESSES AT A PLACE OR PLACES OF THEIR CHOICE, THE SECRETARY NOTED.
IF THE VICTIM WAS WILLING TO GIVE A STATEMENT IN A POLICE STATION, A SEPARATE ROOM WOULD ALWAYS BE USED, MR STRACHAN ADDED.
"IN THE CASE OF SEXUAL OFFENCES IN PARTICULAR, EVERY EFFORT IS MADE TO PROTECT THE VICTIM AND TO AVOID EMBARRASSMENT AND DISTURBANCE TO THAT VICTIM.
"FEMALE VICTIMS OF SUCH CASES ARE ALWAYS INTERVIEWED BY A WOMAN OFFICER,” MR STRACHAN SAID.
-----0------
CROSS-BORDER IMPROVEMENT SOUGHT IN PROCEDURES TO CURB POISONOUS VEGETABLES
*****
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAS BEEN MEETING WITH THE SHENZHEN COMMODITY INSPECTION BUREAU ON WAYS FOR THEM TO IMPROVE THE TAGGING SYSTEM, VEGETABLE INSPECTION AND FARM MANAGEMENT IN VIEW OF THE FREQUENT OCCURRENCE OF VEGETABLE POISONING CASES IN THE TERRITORY.
THIS FOLLOWED THE REVIEW OF THE DEPARTMENT’S HYGIENE SERVICES COMMITTEE ON THE EXISTING PROCEDURES ON INSPECTION AND TESTING OF IMPORTED VEGETABLES IN WAKE OF THE OUTBREAK EARLIER THIS YEAR OF POISONING VEGETABLES.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MICHAEL CHENG TAK-KIN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, STATED THAT THE COMMITTEE RECOGNISED THAT, IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, THE BEST MEANS OF CONTROL WAS MORE EFFECTIVE ENFORCEMENT AT SOURCE.
THIS COMMITTEE, COMPRISING THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED, HAD RECOMMENDED ENHANCING CONTROL, INTENSIFYING VEGETABLE SAMPLING AT THE BORDER AND STRENGTHENING PUBLIC EDUCATION ON THE PROPER PREPARATION OF VEGETABLES.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT THE SHENZHEN BUREAU HAD ALREADY BARRED THE OFFENDING FARMS FROM FURTHER EXPORTING VEGETABLES TO HONG KONG.
"THE DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN CLOSE CROSS-BORDER CO-OPERATION AND HOLD REGULAR MEETINGS WITH THE BUREAU," MRS WONG SAID.
UNER THE PRESENT PROCEDURES, THE SHENZHEN IMPORT AND EXPORT COMMODITY INSPECTION BUREAU REQUIRED FARMS WHICH GREW VEGETABLES FOR EXPORT TO SUBMIT INFORMATION ON THE TYPE, CONCENTRATION AND DATE OF PESTICIDES USED ON THE CROP.
/"THIS, SUPPLEMENTED .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1991
"THIS, SUPPLEMENTED BY RANDOM TESTS, ENABLE THE BUREAU TO DETERMINE IF THE VEGETABLES ARE SAFE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION," MRS WONG SAID.
THE VEGETABLES WERE THEN CLEARED FOR EXPORT AND TAGGED FOR IDENTIFICATION, SHE ADDED.
IN HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY SAID, STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH STATIONED AT BORDER CONTROL POINTS ENSURED THAT ONLY PROPERLY-TAGGED VETETABLES WERE IMPORTED.
SCREENING, SAMPLING AND EXAMINATION OF IMPORTED VEGETABLES WERE ALSO CARRIED OUT IN HONG KONG.
"ANY VEGETABLE FOUND TO BE CONTAMINATED ARE DESTROYED," SHE
NOTED.
- - 0 - -
11 BILLS PASSED IN LEGCO »«****
A TOTAL OF 11 BILLS WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAI (WEDNESDAY).
TEN OF THEM WERE GOVERNMENT RILLS.
THEY WERE URBAN COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, REGIONAL COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, LIMITATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, PREVENTION OF BRIBERY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, APPRENTICESHIP (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, INDUSTRIAL TRAINING (CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING (CLOTHING INDUSTRY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991.
THE ELEVENTH ONE WAS A PRIVATE BILL, THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF PLANNERS INCORPORATION BILL 1991, MOVED BY THE HON CHENG HON-KWAN.
MEANWHILE, SIX BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS AND DEBATES ON THEM WERE ADJOURNED.
THEY WERE BANKING (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1991, EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE BILL 1991, PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, BUSINESS REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, CLUBS (SAFETY OF PREMISES) BILL 1991 AND TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1991.
TWELVE NON-GOVERNMENT MEMBERS SPOKE IN AN ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON THE MATTER OF "THE HOUSING AUTHORITY'S PROPOSED SCHEME OF SALE OF FLATS TO SITTING TENANTS" RAISED BY THE HON LEUNG WAI-TUNG. THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
- - 0 - -
/20
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1991
- 20 -
HOPE FOR FURTHER ROUND OF DISCUSSIONS ON AIRPORT SOON: GOVERNOR *»**»»
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY) THAT HE HOPED THAT THERE WOULD BE A FURTHER ROUND OF DISCUSSIONS SOMETIME SOON ON THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS BEFORE LEAVING FOR VISITS TO AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND, SIR DAVID SAID HE COULD NOT, AT THE MOMENT, SAY THAT THERE WAS A PARTICULAR TIME FIXED FOR THE NEXT ROUND OF DISCUSSIONS WITH CHINA.
ASKED IF HE WOULD INTRODUCE THE AIRPORT PROJECT TO PARTIES CONCERNED IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE OBJECT OF HIS VISITS WAS NOT TO TALK ABOUT OR TO SELL THE AIRPORT.
"BUT I HAVE NO DOUBT AT ALL THAT I SHALL BE TALKING ABOUT THE AIRPORT IN ANSWERING QUESTIONS. BUT THAT IS NOT THE SOLE OBJECT OF MY JOURNEY," HE SAID.
"I WILL TALK ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT THE AIRPORT PROJECT IS FOR THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG. I WILL DESCRIBE THE STATE OF OUR DISCUSSIONS WITH CHINA ON THE AIRPORT," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID SAID THE REASON FOR HIS VISITS TO AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND WAS TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT THE SORT OF INVESTMENT FROM AUSTRALIA AND THE USE THAT AUSTRALIA MAKES OF HONG KONG AS AN ENTREPOT FOR ITS TRADE PARTICULARLY WITH CHINA, CONTINUED.
"MY MESSAGE IS THAT HONG KONG IS A PLACE WHICH IS STILL VERY MUCH ALIVE ECONOMICALLY AND A PLACE WHICH WELCOMES EXTERNAL INVESTMENT AND WELCOMES OTHER COUNTRIES LIKE AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND MAKING USE OF HONG KONG AS A BASE IN THE REGION, AND A PLACE FOR THEIR OWN ENTREPOT TRADE PARTICULARLY WITH CHINA,” HE SAID.
WHEN ASKED TO COMMENT ON THE RESIGNATION OF THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE HAD HEARD THE NEWS THAT MR PHILIP WONG HAD RESIGNED. "BUT I DON’T WANT TO COMMENT ON WHAT HIS REASONS MIGHT BE. THAT IS A PERSONAL MATTER."
"THE ONLY POINT I WOULD MAKE ABOUT THE STOCK EXCHANGE, AND IT IS TOTALLY UNRELATED TO PERSONALITIES, IS THAT WHAT WE NEED IS A STOCK EXCHANGE WHICH IS WELL RUN AND WHICH HAS THE CONFIDENCE OF THE PEOPLE WHO OPERATE IN THE STOCK EXCHANGE HERE AND INTERNATIONALLY," SIR DAVID SAID.
SIR DAVID AND LADY WILSON WERE SEEN OFF AT THE AIRPORT BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD; THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, BARONESS DUNN; AND THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ALLEN LEE.
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/21 ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8,
1991
- 21 -
CIVIL SERVICE CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY
******
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ACCEPTED MOST OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE (STANDING COMMISSION) IN ITS REPORT, ’’CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY IN THE CIVIL SERVICE".
THE REPORT COVERS THE SECOND OVERALL REVIEW OF THE CONSULTATIVE ARRANGEMENTS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE CONDUCTED BY THE STANDING COMMISSION.
IT WAS PUBLISHED IN DECEMBER 1988, AND CONTAINED OVER 50 RECOMMENDATIONS.
SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ADMINISTRATION CARRIED OUT FURTHER EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION WITH STAFF ASSOCIATIONS AND DEPARTMENTS ON THE STANDING COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT HAVING CONSIDERED THESE COMMENTS AND THE ADMINISTRATION’S VIEWS ON THE SUBJECT, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAD DIRECTED THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS BE ACCEPTED AND IMPLEMENTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE STANDING COMMISSION RECOGNISED THE IMPORTANCE AND THE VALUE OF EFFECTIVE CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY IN THE CIVIL SERVICE.
IT FOUND THE EXISTING SYSTEM GENERALLY WORKING WELL RUT ALSO MADE A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS.
"THE STANDING COMMISSION IS OF THE VIEW THAT THE SENIOR CIVIL SERVICE COUNCIL AS PRESENTLY CONSTITUTED HAS PROVIDED A SUITABLE FORUM FOR DIALOGUE BETWEEN MANAGEMENT AND STAFF ASSOCIATIONS AND HAS BEEN OPERATING SATISFACTORILY SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1968," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’THE GOVERNMENT HAS ACCEPTED THE RECOMMENDATION THAT THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF CONSULTATION SHOULD BE MAINTAINED AND THAT THE CURRENT POLICY OF NOT ALLOWING FEDERAL BODIES TO JOIN CENTRAL CONSULTATIVE COUNCILS SHOULD BE UPHELD," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ONF OF THE MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE STANDING COMMISSION HAS ALREADY BEEN IMPLEMENTED. IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT A NEW CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES OF ALL THE NON-POL1CE DISCIPLINED SERVICES SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED.
THE SAME RECOMMENDATION WAS MADE BY THE REVIEW COMMITTEE ON DISCIPLINED SERVICES PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AND THIS LED TO THE FORMATION OF THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES f’ONSULTATIVF COUNCIL IN FEBRUARY LAST YEAR.
/CONSULTATION OF........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1991
- 22 -
CONSULTATION AT DEPARTMENTAL LEVEL WILL BE IMPROVED BY A RELAXATION OE THE MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENT FOR UNION REPRESENTATION AT DEPARTMENTAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEES.
INFORMAL CONSULTATION ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE FURTHER PROMOTED IN DEPARTMENTS AND SENIOR OFFICERS WILL CONDUCT MORE GOODWILL VISITS.
DEPARTMENTS WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF STAFF COMPLAINTS OFFICERS AND TO CIRCULATE STAFF COMPLAINTS PROCEDURES TO ALL STAFF MORE FREQUENTLY.
WHILE IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THE STAFF SUGGESTIONS SCHEME SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE OPERATED AT CENTRAL LEVEL, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS RAISED THE LEVEL OF MONETARY AWARDS AND WILL TAKE APPROPRIATE STEPS TO ENCOURAGE SUGGESTIONS BY EXTENDING THE SCOPE OF THE SCHEME.
WITH A VIEW TO IMPROVING THE FLOW OF INFORMATION TO STAFF, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS ACCEPTED THE STANDING COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATION TO INCREASE THE FREQUENCY OF THE CIVIL SERVICE NEWSLETTER AND TO REVIEW ITS EDITORIAL POLICY.
THE ADMINISTRATION HAS ALSO AGREED TO DEVELOP A SET OF ADMISSION CRITERIA FOR VETTING APPLICATIONS FROM CIVIL SERVICE UNIONS FOR JOINING THE MODEL SCALE I STAFF CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL.
A RECOMMENDATION FOR THE PROVISION OF RECOURSE TO A COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY FOR THE MOD I COUNCIL WILL BE GIVEN FURTHER CONSIDERATION BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
THIS WILL TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE CHANGES BEING INTRODUCED TO THE COMPOSITION OF THE COUNCIL NECESSITATED BY THE TRANSFER OF THE ART1SAN/SENIOR ARTISAN SEGMENTS OF THE MODEL SCALE 1 TO THE MASTER PAY SCALE.
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APPOINTMENTS TO SECURITIES AND FUTURES APPEALS PANEL tit*
THE GOVERNOR HAS RE-APPOINTED MR WONG CHUNG-HIN AND MR LESLIE WRIGHT AS THE CHAIRMAN AND DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES APPEALS PANEL (SFAP) AND MR LESTER KWOK CHI-HANG, MR SELWYN MAR, MR FRANK PONG FAI AND MR YAO KANG AS INDEPENDENT MEMBERS OF THE PANEL.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, SAID THE GOVERNOR. HAS ALSO APPOINTED MR DENNIS LAM HAW-SHUN TO SUCCEED MRS ALICE LAM AS A MEMBER OF THE PANEL.
MR LAM IS THE GENERAL MANAGER OF COMMERCIAL BANK OF HONG KONG AND SERVES ON THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND AIR TRANSPORT LICENSING AUTHORITY.
"I. AM MOST GRATEFUL TO MRS LAM FOR HER SERVICE TO THE PANEL SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN MAY 1989," MR NENDICK SAID.
/ALL THE .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1991
23
ALL THE APPOINTMENTS ARE FOR THE PERIOD FROM MAY 8, 1991 TO APRIL 30, 1993.
SECTION 18 OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC) ORDINANCE PROVIDES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN SFAP TO HEAR APPEALS AGAINST DECISIONS BY THE SFC IN RELATION TO APPLICATION FOR, OR SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF REGISTRATION AND THE EXERCISE OF INTERVENTION POWERS BY THE COMMISSION.
THE SFAP HAS 12 MEMBERS, NAMELY THE CHAIRMAN AND DEPUTY CHAIRMAN, WHO ARE BOTH QUALIFIED IN LAW, THE FIVE NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF THE SFC, AND THE FIVE INDEPENDENT MEMBERS.
EACH APPEAL WILL BE HEARD BY A TRIBUNAL OF THREE CONSISTING OF EITHER THE CHAIRMAN OR THE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN, ONE INDEPENDENT MEMBER AND ONE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SFC.
- - 0 - -
FINANCE COMMITTEE TO MEET ON FRIDAY *****
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A MEETING ON FRIDAY (MAY 10) 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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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFORM THE WAY BUSINESS IS DONE * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
SCIENCE ANO TECHNOLOGY ARE TRANSFORMING THE WAY BUSINESS IS DONE IN ALMOST ALL AREAS OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER (DESIGNATE), MR JOHN CHAN, SAID THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVEN ING.
SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ASSOCIATIONS FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MR CHAN SAID MOST INDUSTRIES WERE, OR WOULD BECOME, TECHNOLOGY-OR KNOWLEDGE-INTENSIVE.
"NEW MATERIALS, ELECTRONICS, INFORMATION SYSTEMS - ALL OF THESE MANIFESTATIONS OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY ARE CONSTANTLY CREATING NEW POSSIBILITIES BOTH FOR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AND FOR THE PROCESSES BY WHICH THEY ARE PRODUCED.
/"TECHNOLOGY-DRIVfcN INNOVATION
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1991
24
''TECHNOLOGY-DRIVEN INNOVATION INCREASINGLY UNDERPINS ECONOMIC HEALTH AND THE GAINS IN STANDARDS OF LIVING WHICH THAT BRINGS,” HE SAID.
TO TRANSLATE TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES INTO TANGIBLE ECONOMIC BENEFITS REQUIRED EFFORT TO PROMOTE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, TO FOSTER THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION AND IDEAS AND TO ENCOURAGE COLLABORATION, PARTICULARLY BETWEEN SCIENTISTS AND INDUSTRIALISTS.
"I AM SURE THAT THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF ASSOCIATIONS FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WILL MAKE AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO THIS EFFORT AT THE INTERNATIONAL LEVEL IN THE SAME WAY AS ITS INDIVIDUAL MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS DO AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.
"I BELIEVE THAT HONG KONG ALSO HAS A PART TO PLAY, AS A CENTRE TO FACILITATE THE DISSEMINATION AND EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WITHIN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION AND MORE WIDELY,” MR CHAN SAID.
TURNING TO THE SUBJECT OF MANUFACTURING INVESTMENT, MR CHAN SAID AT THE SAME TIME AS HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS HAD BEEN DIVERSIFYING THEIR INVESTMENTS TO (’HINA, AND OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE REGION WHICH OFFERED ADVANTAGES IN TERMS OF LAND AND LABOUR COSTS, HONG KONG ITSELF HAD CONTINUED TO ATTRACT INVESTMENT FROM OVERSEAS.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF OVERSEAS COMPANIES BASED IN HONG KONG HAD INCREASED FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS AT THE RATE OF NEARLY 60 PER YEAR.
THERE WAS A STRONG OVERSEAS PRESENCE IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND IN MANY SERVICE INDUSTRIES SUCH AS RETAILING AND BANKING.
HONG KONG WAS THE BASE FOR THE REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS OF MANY MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES.
"AND, WITH ITS WELL-DEVELOPED FINANCIAL SECTOR, HONG KONG IS ALSO A NATURAL CHANNEL FOR INVESTORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD WHO WANT TO EXPLORE THE OPPORTUNITIES PRESENTED BY THE OPENING AND MODERNISATION OF UH I NA," MR (’HAN SAID.
"IN ESSENCE, HONG KONG IS EMERGING AS A BUSINESS HUB WITHIN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION WITH CONNECTIONS REACHING TO EVERY PART OF .THE GLOBE.
"THIS ROLE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY HONG KONG’S NATURAL ASSETS: ITS GEOGRAPHY AND ITS SUPERB DEEP-WATER HARBOUR.
"BUT THE PROVISION OF A SOUND ECONOMIC AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND SOUND INFRASTRUCTURE HAS BEEN - AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE - THE KEY UNLOCKING HONG KONG’S POTENTIAL AS A REGIONAL BUSINESS CENTRE.”
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1991
- 25 -
INTAKES TO IT-RELATED COURSES TO INCREASE ******
THERE WILL BE A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN INTAKES TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT)-RELATED COURSES IN TERTIARY EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTES IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER (DESIGNATE), MR JOHN CHAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE COMPUTER CONFERENCE '91 AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, MR CHAN SAID INTAKES TO IT-RELATED COURSES IN THE TERTIARY EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS CURRENTLY STOOD AT 1,750 AND THE INTENTION WAS TO EXPAND EXISTING COURSES AND TO INTRODUCE NEW COURSES TO MAKE AVAILABLE AN ADDITIONAL 680 PLACES THIS YEAR.
’’THE NUMBER OF ADDITIONAL PLACES IS INTENDED TO RISE TO OVER 1,000 BY 1994/95,” HE SAID.
AS REGARDS TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, MR CHAN SAID THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL HAD INCREASED INTAKES ON IT-RELATED COURSES FROM 1,730 IN 1989/90 TO 3,175 IN 1990/91.
"A FURTHER INCREASE TO 3,345 IS PLANNED FOR 1991/92 - NEARLY DOUBLE THE 1989/90 NUMBERS,” HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID THE COUNCIL WAS INTRODUCING A RANGE OF NEW COURSES IN RESPONSE TO CHANGING SKILLS NEEDS.
’’THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL ALSO PROVIDES TRAINING IN IT, OFFERING IN-CLASS TRAINING PLACES AS WELL AS SEMINARS AND IN-COMPANY TRAINING,” HF SAID.
ALL IN ALL, MR CHAN SAID, THERE HAD BEEN AND WOULD CONTINUE TO BE A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN INVESTMENT IN IT EDUCATION AND TRAINING.
’’THE ADMINISTRATION WILL CONTINUE TO CONSIDER HOW BEST TO RESPOND TO IT USERS' NEEDS FOR SKILLED MANPOWER.
’’THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY HAS RECENTLY MADE A NUMBER OF CONSTRUCTIVE PROPOSALS FOR FURTHER ACTION BASED ON ITS SURVEY OF THE IT ENVIRONMENT AND MANPOWER IN HONG KONG.
’’THE ADMINISTRATION IS CONSIDERING THESE PROPOSALS AND WILL RESPOND SOON,” HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID THE DEMAND FOR SKILLED STAFF WAS LIKELY TO INTENSIFY IN THE COMING YEARS AS IT USERS UPGRADED THEIR SYSTEM AND DEVELOPED NEW APPLICATIONS, AND AS OTHER ORGANISATIONS STARTED USING IT FOR THE FIRST TIME.
’’THE TYPE OF SKILLS REQUIRED WILL ALSO CHANGE, AS THE EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS PLANNED FOR NEW APPLICATIONS FOLLOW STATE OF THE ART TRENDS,” HE SAID.
/MR CHAN ......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1991
- 26 -
MR CHAN SAID SHORTAGES OF SKILLED PEOPLE PROBLEM IN HONG KONG, WHERE UNEMPLOYMENT LEVELS BEEN LOW.
WERE NOT A NEW HAD TRADITIONALLY
"HONG KONG MANAGERS HAVE HAD TO BECOME ADEPT AT FINDING SOLUTIONS TO VACANCIES AND SHORTAGES AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO.
"THE APPROACHES ADOPTED INCLUDE RECRUITMENT FROM OVERSEAS; THE SUB-CONTRACTING OF SOME WORK OFF-SHORE; AND MORE INTENSIVE TRAINING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT FOR IT PROFESSIONALS," HE SAID.
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROJECTS PROVIDE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
*****
HONG KONG’S DETERMINATION TO CLEAN UP ITS ENVIRONMENT HAS PROVIDED ATTRACTIVE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR BOTH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS COMPANIES, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN SAN FRANCISCO, MR JACK CHAN, SAID YESTERDAY (TUESDAY).
HE WAS ADDRESSING A SEMINAR IN LOS ANGELES HELD BY THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA COMMISSION FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CHAIRED BY THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA, MR LEO MCCARTHY.
MR CHAN SAID IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS HONG KONG WOULD BE SPENDING AT LEAST US$30 BILLION ON MASSIVE CIVIL ENGINEERING AND OTHER PROJECTS TO CLEAN UP THE ENVIRONMENT.
HE EXPLAINED THAT MANY OF THE TERRITORY’S POLLUTION PROBLEMS WERE TYPICAL OF THOSE ASSOCIATED WITH A RAPIDLY DEVELOPING ECONOMY.
"IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE ANNUAL GENERATION OF WASTES NORMALLY INCREASES IN LINE WITH POPULATION AND GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT. HONG KONG IS NO EXCEPTION.
"OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS, OUR POPULATION HAS INCREASED BY 30 PER CENT, OUR GDP BY 300 PER CENT AND OUR WASTES ALSO BY 300 PER CENT.
"IT IS THESE WASTES, IN THE WRONG PLACE OR AT THE WRONG TIME, THAT CAUSE POLLUTION," MR CHAN SAID.
CONCEDING OUT THAT IN THE PAST HONG KONG HAD GIVEN TOO LITTLE EMPHASIS TO THE NEEDS OF THE ENVIRONMENT, MR CHAN SAID IN ADDITION TO ALLOCATING MORE FINANCIAL RESOURCES, ADDITIONAL STAFF WOULD BE REQUIRED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN CONNECTION WITH MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROJECTS.
HE TOLD HIS AUDIENCE THAT SOME AMERICAN COMPANIES HAD ALREADY TAKEN A LEAD IN EXPLORING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CLEANING UP HONG KONG’S ENVIRONMENT.
/"FIVE MONTHS .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 1551
- 27 -
"FIVE MONTHS AGO, A NEWLY FORMED COMPANY CALLED ENVIROPACE, 70 PER CENT OWNED BY WASTE MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL INC OF ILLINOIS, WAS AWARDED A US$166 MILLION CONTRACT TO BUILD AND OPERATE A MAJOR CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT CENTRE IN HONG KONG.
"OVERALL DESIGN OF THE CENTRE WILL BE HANDLED BY BECHTEL ENVIRONMENT IN<’ OF SAN FRANCISCO," HE SAID.
"ANOTHER MAJOR .PROJECT SOON TO OPEN FOR BIDS IS THE US$1.8 BILLION UPGRADE OF HONG KONG’S SEWAGE SYSTEM WHICH WILL INCLUDE ONE OF THE WORLD’S LONGEST SEA OUTFALLS," HE ADDED.
IN ADDITION TO ELIMINATING, OR AT LEAST ALLEVIATING, EXISTING PROBLEMS, MR CHAN EMPHASISED THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT CONSIDERED IT EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO AVOID CREATING NEW ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS.
WORKING TOWARDS THESE ENDS INCLUDED ADOPTING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCESS IN THE PLANNING AND ASSESSMENT OF MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS, MR CHAN SAID.
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PROPER TREATMENT OF LIVESTOCK WASTES NEEDED *****
THE SUCCESS OF THE LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY DEPENDS ON EFFECTIVE CONTAINMENT OF ANIMAL WASTES THROUGH PROPER TREATMENT MEASURES AND RECYCLING PROCESSES, THE DIRECTOR OF THE KADOORIE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTRE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, PROFESSOR DANIEL CHAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
PROF CHAN WAS SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE HELD AT THE RESEARCH CENTRE TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF HONG KONG’S FIRST-EVER INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON "MODERN TECHNOLOGY IN TREATMENT AND RECYCLING OF LIVESTOCK WASTES".
HE SAID: "THE QUEST FOR A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS OFTEN IN DIRECT CONFLICT WITH REARING LIVESTOCK ESPECIALLY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA WHERE PEOPLE, FARM ANIMALS AND MANUFACTURI NG INDUSTRY COMPETE FOR SPACE AND WATER RESOURCES.
"THERE IS A NEED, THEREFORE, FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO INTRODUCE SOME FORM OF CONTROL ON DISPOSAL OF LIVESTOCK WASTES AT THIS POINT OF TIME."
PROF CHAN SAID THE TIGHT PROFIT MARGIN AND LIMITED LAND SFACE IN THE TERRITORY, AS WELL AS IN MOST ASIAN REGION, IMPOSED SEVERE CONSTRAINTS ON THE LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY SO THAT THE TRADITIONAL MEANS OF TREATING ANIMAL WASTES WAS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE.
/"THERE IS .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1991
28
"THERE IS THUS AN URGENT NEED TO IDENTIFY A MEANS OF WASTE TREATMENT THAT IS BOTH ECONOMICAL AND PRACTICAL TO THE FARMERS ND SCIENTIFICALLY EFFICIENT," HE SAID.
"THROUGH THE HARD WORK OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, THE PIG-ON-LITTER (POL) SYSTEM, WHICH OFFERS A VIABLE AND ATTRACTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO THE DRY AND WET MUCK OUT METHODS, WAS DEVELOPED.
"THE SYSTEM ALSO AROUSES INTERESTS FROM. ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH WORKERS AND SOME WORK HAS BEEN CONDUCTED TO UNDERSTAND THE MECHANISM OF THE DEGRADATION OF WASTES IN SITU, THE PROPERTY AND QUALITY OF THE WASTES AND THEIR USEFUL RECYCLING."
THE SYMPOSIUM WILL FOCUS ON THE TECHNICAL AND PRACTICAL ASPECTS OF THE POL SYSTEM AND COMPARE THIS WITH OTHER LIVESTOCK WASTES TREATMENT AND RECYCLING METHODS, WITH THE VIEW OF DEVISING APPLICATION MODELS FOR THE ASIAN PIG FARMERS.
"WE FEEL THAT THIS IS AN OPPORTUNE TIME FOR US TO SHARE WITH OUR COUNTERPARTS OUR FINDINGS AND EXPERIENCE IN THE PROPER TREATMENT AND RECYCLING OF LIVESTOCK WASTES," PROF CHAN SAID.
THE SYMPOSIUM IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE HKU, THE JOINT FEDERATION OF HONG KONG AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AND MARKETING SOCIETIES (JFHKAPMS) AND THE AFI).
MORE THAN 80 DELEGATES, INCLUDING EXPERTS AND PEOPLE FROM THE LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY, FROM AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, THE U.S., JAPAN, THE UK, HOLLAND, SWITZERLAND, ITALY, TAIWAN AND CHINA HAVE REGISTERED FOR PARTICIPATION.
LOCAL PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE BIOCHEMISTS, BOTANISTS AND ZOOLOGISTS FROM HKU, THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THE CITY POLYTECHNIC AS WELL AS OFFICERS FROM AFD AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT.
THE SYMPOSIUM WILL SPREAD OVER A PERIOD OF FIVE DAYS FROM MAY 13 TO 17.
THE PROGRAMME CONSISTS OF SCIENTIFIC SESSIONS WHERE INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS EXCHANGE THE LATEST TECHNICAL INFORMATION ON THE TREATMENT AND RECYCLING OF PIG WASTES AND ASSESS ITS IMPACTS ON INTEGRATED FARMING PLUS AN EXHIBITION WHICH IS OPEN FREE TO THE PUBLIC.
IN ADDITION, TRAINING COURSES WILL BE ORGANISED FOR FARMERS ON WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND THE USE OF COMPOST FROM PIG WASTE IN CROP PRODUCTION, HORTICULTURE AND LANDSCAPE GARDENING.
A FIELD EXCURSION TO SEE THE LOCAL AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES WILL ALSO BE ARRANGED.
ALSO PRESENT AT TODAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE WERE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE JFHKAPMS, MR CHAN KWOK-WAI, AND AFD’S SENIOR AGRICULTURAL OFFICER, MISS VERA SO.
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/29 .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY «, 1991
- 29 -
APPLICATIONS FOR UK PASSPORTS TO BE PROCESSED IN UK t ♦ ♦ ♦ *
WITH EFFECT FROM JUNE 1, APPLICATIONS FOR UK PASSPORTS NEED NOT BE SENT TO THE UK FOR PROCESS, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE TIME REQUIRED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO ISSUE A UK PASSPORT WILL NORMALLY BE 20 WORKING DAYS, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
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$1.4 BILLION FOR SUBVENTED AGENCIES ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
SUBVENTED AGENCIES, TOTALLING 161 IN NUMBER, WILL THIS YEAR RECEIVE GRANTS MORE THAN $1.4 BILLION, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. (’ARTLAND SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
ADDRESSING A DINNER CONCERT ORGANISED BY THE YAN (’HAI HOSPITAL, MR CARTLAND POINTED OUT THAT THE GRANTS WERE WELL OVER TWO-THIRDS OF TOTAL GOVERNMENT RECURRENT EXPENDITURE ON SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES.
"IF THE GOVERNMENT IS PICKING UP THE MAJOR PORTION OF THE BILL, DO WELFARE AGENCIES NEED TO PUT SO MUCH TIME AND EFFORT INTO FUND RAISING?" HE ASKED.
MR CARTLAND SAID THE FACT WAS THAT THE AGENCIES WERE NOT A PART OR AN EXTENSION OF THE GOVERNMENT.
"THEY ARE FREE TO SUPPLEMENT SUBVENTIONS FROM OTHER SOURCES AND HAVE A DEGREE OF FLEXIBILITY IN THE DEPLOYMENT OF RESOURCES," HE NOTED.
HE SAID HONG KONG HAD BEEN WELL-SERVED BY THE MANY AGENCIES THAT WERE INVOLVED IN THE DIRECT PROVISION OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES.
THE YAN CHAI HOSPITAL WAS AN EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLE OF HOW THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE AGENCY COULD WORK IN PRACTICE TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE THE PROVISION OF WELFARE SERVICES, HE ADDED.
"FROM ITS CORE ACTIVITY OF RUNNING A HOSPITAL, YAN CHAI HAS EXTENDED ITS ACTIVITIES INTO THE AREAS OF EDUCATION AND SOCIAL WELFARE," HE NOTED.
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/30 ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1991
30 FEWER SUMMER JOB STUDENTS INJURED ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING SUMMER JOB STUDENTS HAS BEEN ON THE DECLINE SINCE THE MOUNTING OF A JOINT PUBLICITY PROGRAMME FOUR YEARS AGO, THE CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, MR YIP YUK-LUN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF A BOOKMARK DESIGN COMPETITION ON WORK SAFETY FOR STUDENTS, MR YIP SAID THERE WERE 18 SUCH ACCIDENTS LAST YEAR, COMPARED WITH 41 IN 1987.
ALL THE ACCIDENTS LAST YEAR WERE MINOR ONES WITH 13 STUDENT WORKERS INJURED BY MACHINERY AND THE REST BY HOT OR CORROSIVE SUBSTANCES, STEPPING ON OR STRIKING AGAINST OBJECTS, AND HAND TOOLS.
WHILE DESCRIBING THE FALLING TREND AS "ENCOURAGING", MR YIP URGED STUDENT WORKERS TO BE "ALWAYS ON THE ALERT AGAINST POSSIBLE INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS".
"TO BRING HOME THE MESSAGE OF WORK SAFETY, FACTORY INSPECTORS WILL VISIT SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTES TO GIVE TALKS AND DISTRIBUTE PUBLICITY LEAFLETS TO STUDENTS BETWEEN NOW AND EARLY JULY," HE ADDED.
TODAY’S PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WAS PART OF A PUBLICITY PROGRAMME ON SUMMER JOB SAFETY ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE LABOUR AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENTS AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS AND GUIDANCE MASTERS.
RECEIVING PRIZES AT THE CEREMONY WERE THE WINNER AU SIU-MAN (16) OF KWUN TONG GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL, THE FIRST RUNNER-UP WONG KWOK-LEI (19) OF CMA CHOI CHEUNG KOK PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL AND THE SECOND RUNNER-UP CHAN WAI-HONG (19) OF KWUN TONG VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE.
BOOKMARKS USING THE CHAMPION’S DESIGN DISTRIBUTION TO SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
HAVE BEEN PRINTED FOR
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WERE THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Oh EDUCATION (SERVICES), MRS GRACE YUNG; CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS AND GUIDANCE MASTERS, MR CHAN JOE-CHAK; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE SAFETY PROMOTION COMMITTEE, MR K.Y. TONGSON.
/31 ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1991
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COMPREHENSIVE CLEARANCE ♦ ♦ ♦
OF UBW’S IN WAN CHAI t ♦
A COMPREHENSIVE CLEARANCE OPERATION OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS (UBW’S) IN FIVE WAN CHAI BUILDINGS HAS RESULTED IN MORE THAN 90 PER CENT OF THE REMOVAL ORDERS ISSUED BY THE BUILDING AUTHORITY HAVING BEEN VOLUNTARILY COMPLIED WITH BY THE OWNERS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID: ’’THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF THE RESIDENTS W1LL BE IMPROVED FOLLOWING THE REMOVAL OF THE UBW’S AND REPAIR WORKS TO THE UNDERGROUND DRAINAGE SYSTEM IN THE REAR LANES AND YARDS.
’’THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED 1N MARCH NEXT YEAR.”
HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT CARRIED OUT THE OPERATION IN FIVE BUILDINGS AT 10 CANAL ROAD WEST, 11-12 CANAL ROAD WEST, 13 CANAL ROAD WEST, 2-16 BOWRINGTON ROAD AND 418-430 HENNESSY ROAD.
A TOTAL OF 268 ORDERS FOR THE REMOVAL OF UBW’S WERE ISSUED.
"THE OWNERS ARE REQUIRED TO REMOVE THE UBW’S AND REPAIR THE DETERIORATED PARTS OF THE BUILDINGS AND THE DEFECTIVE DRAINS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’THEY ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO CARRY OUT OTHER WORKS TO ENSURE THAT THE BUILDINGS COMPLY WITH THE MINIMUM STANDARDS OF HEALTH AND SAFETY AS LAID DOWN IN THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE.”
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OPERATION IS DIVIDED INTO TWO PHASES, PHASE I BEING ON 10 CANAL ROAD WEST AND THE REAR LANE SYSTEM TO THE FIVE BUILDINGS, AND PHASE II BEING ON THE REMAINING FOUR BUILDINGS.
A TOTAL OF 88 REMOVAL ORDERS WERE ISSUED IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR IN THE PHASE I OPERATION AND A TOTAL OF 180 REMOVAL ORDERS ISSUED IN FEBRUARY IN THE PHASE II OPERATION.
"REPAIR WORKS TO THE UNDERGROUND DRAINAGE SYSTEM IN THE REAR LANES AND YARDS WILL BE CARRIED OUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES IN THE LANES AND YARDS HAVE BEEN REMOVED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEMOLITION AND REPAIR ORDERS ISSUED IN THIS OPERATION, IT IS THE OPINION OF THE BUILDING AUTHORITY THAT THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES AT THE FLAT ROOF ADJOINING FLAT Bl, THIRD FLOOR, 10 CANAL ROAD WEST SHOULD BE CLOSED IN ORDER THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPANTS AND TO THE PUBLIC.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTICT COURT, AT 9.30 AM ON AUGUST 8 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DEMOLITION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER 1S GRANTED.
-----0 - -
/32 ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1991
- 32 -
UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE IN MONG KOK TO BE CLOSED
* * i * ♦
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE AN UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE AT LOK HING MANSION, 240-242 TUNG CHOI STREET, MONG KOK, SO THAT IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE STRUCTURE IS ON THE FLAT ROOF ADJOINING FLAT A ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON JULY 9 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DEMOLITION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
-----0-----
TWO GOVT LOTS FOR LET BY TENDER
*****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCY OF TWO PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND.
THE FIRST SITE, MEASURING ABOUT 4,125 SQUARE METRES, IS LOCATED AT CHA KWO LING ROAD, YAU TONG IN KOWLOON.
IT IS FOR OPEN STORAGE OF NON-DANGEROUS GOODS.
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR AND QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT, THE KOWLOON EAST DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON AND THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
THE SECOND SITE IS IN AREA 56C, KAU TO, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES.
WITH AN AREA ABOUT 6,350 SQUARE METRES, THE SITE IS INTENDED FOR STORAGE OF GOODS, EXCLUDING DANGEROUS GOODS, CONTAINER VEHICLES AND TRAILERS WITH OR WITHOUT CONTAINERS, BUT INCLUDING MAINTENANCE OF PLANT BELONGING TO THE TENANT.
THE TENANCY IS FOR THREE YEARS AND QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT, THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, THE SHA TIN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 2 TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD, SHA TIN, AND THE KOWLOON DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES, LOTH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS FOR BOTH SITES IS NOON ON MAY 24.
--------0 - -
/33 .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1991
- 33 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONE\ MARKET OPERATIONS HKEF
******
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 7.5.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 8.5.91 +219
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -219
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.3 *-0.2* 8.5.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEI
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
QI 15 10.7.91 350 + 130
QI 16 17.7.91 350 + 130
QI 1 7 24.7.91 378.5 +101.5
QI 1 8 31.7.91 430 + 50
Q1 19 7.8.91 400 + 80
Q107 15.5.91 431 + 49
Q108 22.5.91 440 + 40
Q109 29.5.91 530 -50
Q110 5.6.91 410 + 70
QI 1 1 12.6.91 454 + 26
Q112 19.6.91 610 -130
QI 13 26.6.91 460 + 20
QI 14 3.7.91 4 80 + 0
/HONG KONG .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1991
- 34 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 182-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEJ
ISSUE NUMBER MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
H002 H003 H004 H005 H10 1 H156 H157 H158 Hl 59 Hl 60 H161 H162 H163 15.5.91 29.5.91 12.6.91 26.6.91 10.7.91 24.7.91 7.8.91 21.8.91 4.9.91 18.9.91 2.10.91 17.10.91 30.10.91 227.5 210 250 230 143 150 209.5 150 170 140 110 94 177.5 + 32.5 + 50 + 10 + 30 + 117 + 110 + 50.5 + 110 + 90 + 120 + 150 + 166 + 82.5
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT 364-DAY EXCHANGE EXCHANGE FUND FUND BILLS HKEK
ISSUE NUMBER MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
Y187 VI 88 Y189 26.2.92 25.3.92 22.4.92 230 180 190 + 30 + 80 + 70
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK END I NG 3.5.91 WAS 5,080 MN
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR BEGINS FIRST AUSTRALIAN VISIT WITH BUSINESS DISCUSSIONS ....... 1
DEMANDS FOR EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE ON THE INCREASE .................... 2
NO COMMENT ON WONG'S RESIGNATION ....................................... 4
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN FEBRUARY ............... 4
HK SHIFTS TO CAPITAL AND TECHNOLOGY-INTENSIVE MANUFACTURING ACTIVITIES . 9
PENSION BENEFITS FOR VTC STAFF ......................................... 10
BILL TO ENABLE PRIVATISATION OF GOVT TUNNELS ........................... 11
NEW UK SHORT-TERM MULTIPLE ENTRY CLEARANCE ............................. 11
TANG CHUNG LING ANCESTRAL HALL TO BE RESTORED .......................... 12
CHAIRMEN OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN DB COMMITTEES ELECTED .................. 13
CHAIRMEN OF SHA TIN DB COMMITTEES ELECTED .............................. 14
TUEN MUN DP COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN ELECTED ................................. 14
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY ......................................... 15
SUPPLY OF NON-CONFIDENTIAL ESTABLISHMENT PARTICULARS ................... 18
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING IN SHAM SHUT PO TO BE CLOSED ..................... 19
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............. 19
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1991
GOVERNOR BEGINS FIRST AUSTRALIAN VISIT WITH BUSINESS DISCUSSIONS
******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (THURSDAY) HAD USEFUL DISCUSSIONS WITH SOME OF AUSTRALIA’S LEADING BUSINESSMEN AT THE START OF AN INTENSIVE SIX-DAY OFFICIAL VISIT TO AUSTRALIA - THE FIRST BY A GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG.
SIR DAVID AND LADY WILSON ARRIVED IN MELBOURNE THIS MORNING AFTER AN OVERNIGHT FLIGHT FROM HONG KONG. AFTER MEETING THE GOVERNOR OF VICTORIA, DR DAVIS MCCAUGHEY, SIR DAVID WENT STRAIGHT INTO A LUNCHEON MEETING IN THE BOARDROOM OF ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S TOP COMPANIES, THE AMP SOCIETY, WHICH HAS INVESTMENTS WORLDWIDE.
THE LUNCH WAS HOSTED BY SIR JAMES BALDERSTONE, THE CHAIRMAN OF AMP, WHO HAD INVITED CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF A NUMBER OF COMPANIES, INCLUDING BHP, WOODSIDE PETROLEUM, COLES MYER LTD (AUSTRALIA’S BIGGEST RETAIL TRADING GROUP) AND J.B. WERE & SON, A LEADING STOCKBROKING HOUSE.
AFTER THE LUNCH, THE GOVERNOR DESCRIBED THE MEETING AS VERY GOOD.
"THE POINT THAT CAME ACROSS MOST STRONGLY WAS THAT THEY DO SEE A GREAT INTEREST IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION IN GENERAL. AND WHEN THEY LOOK AT HONG KONG, THEY LOOK BOTH AT THE TERRITORY AND THE LONG TERM PROSPECTS IN SOUTHERN CHINA.
"I GOT THE IMPRESSION THAT PEOPLE IN THE GROUP WERE THINKING LONG TERM - BEYOND 1997 AND NOT THINKING 1997 WAS THE END OF ANY PARTICULAR PERIOD."
THE GOVERNOR SAID THERE WAS A GENERAL DISCUSSION ABOUT POLITICS IN HONG KONG AND THE FUTURE. HOWEVER, HE DID NOT GET THE FEELING THAT THERE WERE ANY OVERWHELMING CONCERNS ABOUT 1997.
HE ADDED THAT THE AIRPORT WAS DISCUSSED VERY BRIEFLY, BUT IT WAS ONE OF MANY SUBJECTS THAT CAME UP.
FOLLOWING THE LUNCH, SIR DAVID SPENT SOME TIME WITH THE PREMIER OF VICTORIA, MRS JOAN KIRNER, AT HER OFFICE IN THE VICTORIAN STATE PARLIAMENT BUILDING.
HE DESCRIBED THE VISIT OF A HONG KONG GOVERNOR TO AUSTRALIA AS LONG OVERDUE CONSIDERING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO CENTRES.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS, TRADE WITH AUSTRALIA HAD GROWN BY FIVE TIMES.
TOMORROW, THE GOVERNOR WILL HOLD ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS WITH ANOTHER GROUP OF BUSINESSMEN HEADED BY MR BRIAN LOTON, THE MANAGING DIRECTOR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF AUSTRALIA’S BIGGEST COMPANY, BHP LTD. THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A KEYNOTE ADDRESS TO THE COMMITTEE FOR THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF AUSTRALIA (CEDA), BEFORE MEETING WITH MEMBERS OF THE CHINESE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN MELBOURNE.
0 - -
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1991
- 2 -
DEMANDS FOR EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE ON THE INCREASE
*****
THE MORE CONSERVATIVE LENDING POLICY OF COMMERCIAL BANKS IN SOME MARKETS, COUPLED WITH THE OPENING OF NEW MARKETS, HAVE INCREASED THE DEMAND FOR SUPPLIER CREDITS AND INSURANCE PROTECTION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT A KOWLOON ROTARY CLUB LUNCHEON, SIR PIERS SAID THIS IMPROVED BUSINESS PROSPECT HOWEVER CARRIED WITH IT A HIGHER LEVEL OF CREDIT RISKS.
"TO CAPITALISE ON THE INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE, THE HONG KONG EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE CORPORATION (ECIC) WILL IMPROVE ITS ACCESS TO UPDATED INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF OVERSEAS BUYERS, AS WELL AS ON THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF IMPORTING COUNTRIES," SIR PIERS SAID.
"MEANWHILE, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE INCREASED CREDIT RISKS, ECIC WILL KEEP ABREAST OF MODERN UNDERWRITING TECHNIQUES WHILE MAINTAINING A PRUDENT CREDIT MANAGEMENT STRATEGY.
"IN LINE WITH THE DEVELOPMENTS IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, ECIC HAS UPGRADED ITS COMPUTER SYSTEM, WITH THE INSTALLATION OF MODERN ELECTRONIC DEVICES WHICH ARE CAPABLE OF PROVIDING ON-LINE ACCESS TO STATUS REPORTS AND EXCHANGING BUYER DATA WITH OTHER CREDIT INSURERS.
"ECIC ALSO INTENDS TO MAKE EXTENSIVE USE OF ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE TECHNIQUES, THEREBY FULFILLING THE OBJECTIVE OF IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY OF ITS SERVICES TO EXPORTERS."
SIR PIERS SAID IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA, ECIC HAD BEEN PLAYING AN INCREASINGLY ACTIVE PART IN THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OF CREDIT AND INVESTMENT INSURERS, OR THE BERNE UNION, OF WHICH IT HAD BEEN A MEMBER SINCE 1969.
"THROUGH REGULAR EXCHANGES OF INFORMATION IN UNDERWRITING TECHNIQUES AND SO ON WITH MEMBERS OF ALL LEADING EXPORT CREDIT AGENCIES IN THE WORLD AND ATTENDANCE OF REGULAR WORKSHOPS ON VARIOUS TECHNICAL ASPECTS, ECIC HAS BEEN TRYING ITS BEST TO EQUIP ITSELF WITH THE LATEST TECHNIQUES IN EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE SO AS TO MEET ANY UPCOMING CHALLENGES," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS FULLY COMMITTED IN SUPPORTING ECIC’S SERVICES TO THE EXPORT SECTOR, ADDING THAT TO COPE WITH ECIC’S ENCOURAGING GROWTH IN BUSINESS, THE GOVERNMENT HAD RECENTLY APPROVED TO RAISED ITS STATUTORY MAXIMUM LIABILITY FROM $6 BILLION TO $7.5 BILLION.
THE ECIC WAS CREATED BY STATUTE WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF PROVIDING, ON THE GOVERNMENT'S BEHALF, A WAY TO OBTAIN INSURANCE COVER FOR EXPORTERS AGAINST THE RISKS OF NON-PAYMENT BY OVERSEAS BUYERS FOR GOODS EXPORTED OR SERVICES RENDERED.
/THE GOVERNMENT ......
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1991
3
THE GOVERNMENT HAD PROVIDED A TOTAL CAPITAL OF $20 MILLION AND A 100 PER CENT GUARANTEE OF ALL MONEYS THE CORPORATION WAS LIABLE TO PAY, SIR PIERS SAID.
HE NOTED THAT ALTHOUGH ECIC WAS THE ONLY STATUTORY ORGANISATION RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE SERVICES, IT DID NOT HAVE A MONOPOLY IN THE PROVISION OF SUCH SERVICE.
"OTHER FIRMS ARE FREE TO ENTER THE MARKET. CERTAIN INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANIES, INSURANCE BROKERS AND FACTORING COMPANIES HAVE BEEN, OVER THE YEARS, OFFERING ALTERNATIVES FOR SHOULDERING EXPORT CREDIT RISKS TO EXPORTERS.
"TO ECIC, THIS IS, IN FACT, A WELCOMING TREND SINCE COMPETITION ENHANCES EXPORTERS’ AWARENESS OF THE VALUE OF EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE, GENERATES GREATER DEMAND FOR INSURANCE COVER AND CREATES A LARGER MARKET," HE SAID.
"IN THE FACE OF SUCH COMPETITIVE PRESSURE, ECIC WILL CONTINUE TO IMPROVE ITS SERVICES AND FACILITIES AND STRENGTHEN ITS CO-OPERATION WITH BANKS, TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS IN ORDER TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THE EXPORT SECTOR IN THE DAYS AHEAD," HE ADDED.
LOOKING AT THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC SCENE, SIR PIERS SAID THE 1990’S WOULD BE A DECADE OF CHANGE AND TRANSFORMATION.
"THE PREVAILING INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC CLIMATE HAS BEEN ONE OF SLOW GROWTH," HE SAID.
"NEVERTHELESS, THE OPENING OF EASTERN EUROPE AND LATIN AMERICA, AS WELL AS THE FORMATION OF A SINGLE EUROPEAN MARKET IN 1992, WILL BRING ABOUT NEW SOURCES OF GROWTH.
"THERE IS ALSO THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND DRAMATIC POLITICAL CHANGES WHICH HAVE RENDERED THE WORLD A MORE CLOSELY INTEGRATED PLACE."
SIR PIERS SAID THE IMPACT OF THESE CHANGES ON THE EXTERNALLY-ORIENTED ECONOMY OF HONG KONG WOULD PRESENT BOTH CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES.
"TO MAINTAIN HONG KONG’S REPUTATION AS AN INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE, MUCH EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE ON THE PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT FRONT.
"THIS INCLUDES THE OPENING UP OF NEW MARKETS, THE DIVERSIFICATION OF EXPORTS AND THE UPGRADING OF PRODUCT QUALITY," HE SAID.
THE ECIC WAS FORMED 25 YEARS AGO WHEN HONG KONG WAS STILL A BUDDING ECONOMY WITH A STRONG NEED TO EXPAND ITS EXPORT TRADE.
OVER THE PAST 25 YEARS, THE NUMBER OF ECIC POLICYHOLDERS HAS INCREASED FROM 250 EXPORTERS SELLING TO 1,000 BUYERS IN 1967 TO ABOUT 2,000 EXPORTERS SELLING TO 15,000 BUYERS TODAY.
THE CORPORATION HAS BEEN GROWING AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF SOME 20 PER CENT IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS. ITS TOTAL INSURED BUSINESS AMOUNTS TO $98 BILLION TODAY.
------0-------
/4 .....
THURSDAY, MAY 9,
1991
NO COMMENT ON WONG’S RESIGNATION
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, REITERATED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT HE HAD NO COMMENTS TO MAKE ON THE RESIGNATION OF DR PHILIP WONG FROM THE STOCK EXCHANGE COUNCIL.
ASKED ABOUT HIS REACTION TO THE INCIDENT, SIR PIERS SAID: "DR WONG HAS MADE HIS OWN DECISIONS. THERE IS NOTHING MORE I CAN SAY. I DON’T THINK IT REFLECTS BADLY ON HONG KONG AS A FINANCIAL CENTRE."
IN RESPONSE TO COMMENTS ABOUT THE LACK OF INFORMATION FROM GOVERNMENT ON THE RECENT EVENTS WITHIN THE STOCK EXCHANGE COUNCIL, SIR PIERS SAID IT WAS REALLY UP TO THE STOCK EXCHANGE ITSELF TO PUT OUT INFORMATION ABOUT ITS OWN INTERNAL AFFAIRS.
HE SAID IT WAS NOT FOR GOVERNMENT TO SPEAK FOR THE STOCK EXCHANGE. HE BELIEVED INFORMATION HAD BEEN GIVEN BY THE ADMINISTRATION WHERE APPROPRIATE.
ASKED ABOUT THE TOBACCO TAX DEBATE TO BE HELD IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT WEEK, SIR PIERS SAID HE WOULD BE MOVING A RESOLUTION DEALING WITH THIS PARTICULAR SUBJECT, BUT IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO HEAR THE VIEWS OF THE MEMBERS.
HE SAID THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF HAVING A DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS TO HEAR VIEWS THAT WERE EXPRESSED AND IF NECESSARY RESPOND TO THEM IN PARTICULAR WAYS.
ON THE RENEWAL OF MFN STATUS FOR CHINA, SIR PIERS SAID THIS WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO HONG KONG BECAUSE A LOT OF THE TERRITORY’S BUSINESS INVOLVED CHINA OR WERE CONNECTED WITH PROCESSINGS CARRIED ON IN CHINA.
"IT WOULD HAVE A VERY GRAVE EFFECT ON OUR BUSINESS. SO WE’VE MADE OUR VIEWS KNOWN WHERE IT COUNTS," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS WAS SPEAKING TO MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA AFTER HIS ADDRESS TO THE KOWLOON ROTARY CLUB LUNCHEON MEETING.
- - 0 - -
PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN FEBRUARY ♦ ♦ * ♦ *
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 10%, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS GREW BY 31% IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 1991 AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1990, ACCORDING TO THE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
TAKING THEM TOGETHER, THERE WAS AN OVERALL INCREASE OF 23% IN THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS. IMPORTS INCREASED BY 25% IN VOLUME TERMS.
/THE GROWTH
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1991
5
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 OE COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS BOTH ROSE BY 2%, WHILE THOSE OF IMPORTS ROSE BY 4%. AS A RESULT, THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX (EXPRESSED AS A RATIO OF TOTAL EXPORT PRICE INDEX TO IMPORT PRICE INDEX) DECREASED BY 1%.
PRICES ARE BASED ON UNIT VALUES WHICH DO NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT CHANGES IN THE COMPOSITION OR QUALITY OF GOODS TRADED, EXCEPT FOR SOME SELECTED COMMODITIES FOR WHICH SPECIFICATION PRICE INDEXES ARE AVAILABLE.
CARE SHOULD BE EXERCISED IN INTERPRETING THE CHANGES IN THE VOLUME OF TRADE IN ANY INDIVIDUAL MONTH IN ISOLATION, IN VIEW OF THE FLUCTUATIONS THAT MAY OCCUR FROM MONTH TO MONTH.
IN PARTICULAR, THE TRADE FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY ARE LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED BY THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS WHICH OCCURRED IN LATE JANUARY LAST YEAR, BUT IN MID-FEBRUARY THIS YEAR.
COMPARING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 1991 WITH FEBRUARY 1990, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 6% AND 26% RESPECTIVELY. TAKING THEM TOGETHER, THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 18%. THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS GREW BY 7%.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 2% AND 3% RESPECTIVELY. IMPORT PRICES INCREASED BY 4%.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP FOR FEBRUARY 1991 AS COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1990 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF SOME COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN FEBRUARY 1991 AS COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1990, INCLUDING METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+52%); CLOTHING (+37%); ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+28%); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (+20%); AND RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (+10%).
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED IN FOOTWEAR (-34%); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (-26%); TEXTILE FABRICS (-15%); WATCHES AND CLOCKS (-8%); AND TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (-7%).
THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF MOST COMMODITY GROUPS INCREASED IN FEBRUARY 1991 AS COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1990.
THESE INCLUDED FOOTWEAR (+7%); RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (+7%); METAL MANUFACTURES (+4%); TEXTILE FABRICS (+4%); TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES (+3%); CLOTHING (+3%); TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (+2%); AND METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+1%).
HOWEVER, A DECREASE IN DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES WAS RECORDED' IN ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (-1%), WHILE THOSE OF TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES; WATCHES AND CLOCKS; AND DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES WERE VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED.
/THE CHANGES ......
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1991
6 -
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR FEBRUARY 1991 AS COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1990 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
IMPORTS OF FOODSTUFFS DECREASED BY 8% IN VOLUME TERMS IN FEBRUARY 1991 AS COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1990. IN PARTICULAR, SIGNIFICANT DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF TEA AND COFFEE; SUGAR; SOYA BEAN OIL, PEANUT OIL AND LARD; AND MEAT AND MEAT PREPARATIONS. INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF SWINE; ANIMALS OF THE BOVINE SPECIES; LIVE POULTRY; AND FRUIT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 16%. COMMODITY ITEMS WITH CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME INCLUDED FOOTWEAR; HOUSEHOLD TYPE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES; AND CLOTHING. HOWEVER, A DECREASE IN IMPORT VOLUME WAS RECORDED FOR WATCHES.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES WAS ABOUT THE SAME IN FEBRUARY 1991 AS COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1990.
DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR YARN OF MAN-MADE FIBRES; WOOL AND OTHER ANIMAL HAIR; AND YARN OF WOOL AND MIXTURES. HOWEVER, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF MAN-MADE FIBRES; AND THERMIONIC CATHODE VALUES AND TUBES, DIODES, TRANSISTORS AND ELECTRICAL MICROCIRCUITS.
IMPORTS OF FUELS DECREASED BY 7% IN VOLUME TERMS IN FEBRUARY 1991 AS COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1990.
AS REGARDS CAPITAL GOODS, THE IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 11% IN FEBRUARY 1991 OVER FEBRUARY 1990. SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN THE IMPORT VOLUME WERE RECORDED IN TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL MACHINERY; AND OFFICE MACHINES. THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY DECLINED SUBSTANTIALLY.
COMPARING FEBRUARY 1991 WITH FEBRUARY 1990, THE IMPORT PRICES OF ALL END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED: FUELS (+43%); CAPITAL GOODS (+5%); FOODSTUFFS (+5%); CONSUMER GOODS (+4%); AND RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES (+2%).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY FOR FEBRUARY 1991 AS COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1990 ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING FEBRUARY 1991 WITH FEBRUARY 1990, THE VOLUME OF REEXPORTS OF CONSUMER GOODS; AND CAPITAL GOODS INCREASED BY 53% AND 17% RESPECTIVELY. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE RE-EXPORT VOLUME OF FUELS; RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES; AND FOODSTUFFS DECREASED BY 40%, 5% AND 4% RESPECTIVELY.
PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF ALL END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED IN FEBRUARY 1991 AS COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1990: FUELS (+50%); FOODSTUFFS (+3%); CONSUMER GOODS (+3%); RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES (+2%); AND CAPITAL GOODS (+1%).
/FURTHER DETAILS .......
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1991
7
FURTHER DETAILS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE FEBRUARY 1991 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 MAY 15 AT $4 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 l: CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP
COMPARING FEB WITH FEB 1991 1990 COMPARING WITH JAN-FEB JAN-FEB 1991 1990
COMMODITY GROUP VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VOLUME % VALUE % UNIT VALUE VOLUME % %
CLOTHING TEXTILE FABRICS 41 -12 3 4 37 -15 17 2 3 3 14 -1
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD -25 2 -26 -5 1 -6
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES 20 * 20 -16 * -16
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS 17 7 10 -7 5 -11
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS FOOTWEAR 27 -29 7 28 -34 53 -19 -1 6 55 -23
METAL MANUFACTURES 3 4 ♦ 8 4 4
METAL ORES AND SCRAP 53 1 52 33 -1 35
WATCHES AND CLOCKS -R ♦ -8 2 * 2
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES -4 3 -7 -7 2 -9
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES ALL COMMODITIES -1 8 ♦ 2 -1 6 14 12 ♦ 2 14 10
* LESS THAN 0.5%
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1991
8
'' •• ” _•/ -J. ,
TABLE 2: CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING FEB 1991 * COMPARING JAN-FEB 1991
WITH FEB 1990 WITH JAN-FEB 1990
END-USE CATEGORY • UNIT UNIT
VALUE VALUE VOLUME VALUE VALUE VOLUME
% % % % % %
FOODSTUFFS -4 5 -8 7 4 3
CONSUMER GOODS 20 4 16 33 3 29
RAW MATERIALS AND
SEMI-MANUFACTURES 2 2 * 25 2 23
• • f »
FUELS 33 43 -7 69 38 22
CAPITAL GOODS 17 5 11 37 4 32
ALL COMMODITIES 11 4 7 . 30 4 25
♦ LESS THAN 0.5% i.; •
TABLE 3: CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY {
•
COMPARING FEB 1991 COMPARING JAN-FEB 1991
' WITH FEB 1990 WITH JAN-FEB 1990
END-USE CATEGORY UNIT UNIT
VALUE VALUE VOLUME VALUE VALUE VOLUME
% % % % % %
FOODSTUFFS -1 3 -4 9 3 6
CONSUMER GOODS 57 3 53 47 3 43
RAW MATERIALS AND
SEMI-MANUFACTURES -3 2 -5 20 2 18
FUELS -10 50 -40 11 49 -25
CAPITAL GOODS 18 1 17 30 1 29
ALL COMMODITIES 29 3 26 35 2 31
, f 1
0----
/9 ........
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1991
9
HK SHIFTS
TO CAPITAL AND TECHNOLOGY-INTENSIVE MANUFACTURING ACTIVITIES
♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
APART FROM EVOLVING INTO A REGIONAL SUPPORT CENTRE FOR MANUFACTURING, HONG KONG IS ASSERTING ITS POSITION AS A MANUFACTURING CENTRE OF ITS OWN RIGHT BY SHIFTING TO CAPITAL AND TECHNOLOGY-INTENSIVE MANUFACTURING ACTIVITIES.
THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR WILFRED WONG, SAID THIS TODAY (THURSDAY) AT THE OPENING OF HONG KONG’S FIRST COPPER FOIL FACTORY AT YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE OPERATED BY NIKKO GOULD FOIL (HONG KONG) LIMITED.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN VARIOUS MEASURES IN TANDEM TO COPE WITH THE CHANGES AHEAD:
* THE FIRST-YEAR INTAKE OF TERTIARY ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS WOULD BE INCREASED FROM 7,500 AT PRESENT TO 15,000 BY 1994/95;
* THE NEW UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WOULD BEGIN TO TAKE IN STUDENTS LATER THIS YEAR;
♦ THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL’S TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND TRAINING CENTRES PROVIDED BASIC OR UPDATING TRAINING FOR 25,000 TRAINERS A YEAR AT MANY DIFFERENT SKILL LEVELS;
* THE NEW TECHNOLOGIES TRAINING SCHEME TO ENABLE MANAGERS AND TECHNOLOGISTS TO UNDERGO LOCAL OR OVERSEAS TRAINING IN NEW TECHNOLOGIES WOULD SOON BE LAUNCHED; AND
♦ OUR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CAPABILITY WOULD BE GREATLY ENHANCED WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTES, AN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE, AND THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY CENTRE.
"WE FULLY RECOGNISE THAT MANUFACTURERS PLAY AN EQUALLY, IF NOT MORE, IMPORTANT PART IN UNDERPINNING HONG KONG’S MOVE TOWARDS MORE SOPHISTICATED MANUFACTURING ACTIVITIES," MR WONG SAID.
NIKKO GOULD’S COPPER FOIL PROJECT WOULD, LIKE MANY FAR-SIGHTED OVERSEAS INVESTMENT PROJECTS, CONTRIBUTE TO THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S INDUSTRY.
"THE COPPER FOIL THAT THE COMPANY PRODUCES WILL NO DOUBT FIND A READY MARKET IN THE LOCAL ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY AND, ONCE ESTABLISHED HERE, I AM SURE THE COMPANY WOULD BE ABLE TO CAPITALISE ON THE MANY STRATEGIC ADVANTAGES THAT WE HAVE TO OFFER,” HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID THE NEW COPPER FOIL FACTORY, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND ESTABLISHED BY THE NIPPON MINING GROUP IN ASIA PACIFIC, SERVED TO TESTIFY THE UNIQUE ADVANTAGES WHICH HONG KONG, AS A REGIONAL MANUFACTURING CENTRE, OFFERED TO OVERSEAS INVESTORS.
/'•HERE, ONE...........
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1991
’’HERE, ONE WILL FIND AN EFFICIENT INFRASTRUCTURE, HIGH QUALITY MANPOWER RESOURCES, AND A STRATEGIC LOCATION, BOTH AS THE GATEWAY TO CHINA AND AS THE HUB OF ASIA PACIFIC,'’ HE SAID.
HE SAID IN RECENT YEARS SOME HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS HAD RELOCATED MORE LABOUR INTENSIVE OPERATIONS TO SOUTHERN CHINA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE RELATIVELY CHEAP LAND AND LABOUR AVAILABLE THERE.
SUCH OUTWARD PROCESSING OPERATIONS HAD LED HONG KONG TO ASSUME THE NEW ROLE OF SUPPLYING QUALITY LINKAGE MATERIALS AND PARTS, AS WELL AS THE PROVISION OF MANAGEMENT, ENGINEERING (DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT), PRODUCT TESTING, QUALITY CONTROL AND MARKETING SERVICES, MR WONG SAID.
- - 0
PENSION BENEFITS FOR VTC STAFF
*****
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS GIVEN APPROVAL FOR THE PENSIONS (SPECIAL PROVISIONS) (VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL) BILL 1991 TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
ANNOUNCING THIS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE BILL WAS REQUIRED TO ENABLE CERTAIN OFFICERS TRANSFERRING FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE TO THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL (VTC) TO OPT TO HAVE THEIR ACCRUED PENSION RIGHTS PRESERVED.
IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL APPROVED A PACKAGE OF BRIDGING-OVER ARRANGEMENTS TO ENABLE STAFF OF THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT TO TRANSFER TO THE VTC.
"ONE OF ITS OPTIONS IS TO TRANSFER WITH MIXED SERVICE PENSION BENEFITS, THAT IS, THE STAFF WILL CONTINUE TO EARN CIVIL SERVICE PENSION BENEFITS AS IF THEY WERE SERVING CIVIL SERVANTS DURING THE PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT WITH THE VTC," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"UNDER THE AGREEMENT REACHED WITH THE VTC, THE GOVERNMENT WILL BEAR THE LIABILITY FOR PAYMENT OF PENSIONS TO THE TRANSFERRED OFFICERS, BUT THE PENSION ON-COSTS FOR THESE OFFICERS WILL BE REIMBURSED TO THE GOVERNMENT BY THE VTC.
"A CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENT TO THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL ORDINANCE IS INTRODUCED TO EMPOWER THE VTC TO MAKE SUCH PAYMENTS TO THE GOVERNMENT."
0 - -
/Il
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1991
11
BILL TO ENABLE PRIVATISATION OF GOVT TUNNELS * * * * *
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THAT LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS SHOULD BE INTRODUCED TO PROVIDE FOR THE PRIVATISATION OF GOVERNMENT ROAD TUNNELS MANAGEMENT.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (THURSDAY) EXPLAINED THAT THE STATUTORY BACKING FOR THE PRIVATISATION MEASURE WAS NECESSARY BEFORE THE MANAGEMENT CONTRACT COULD START.
TO THIS EFFECT THE ROAD TUNNELS (GOVERNMENT) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 WOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 29.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL WOULD BE THE FlfcST GOVERNMENT TUNNEL TO BE PRIVATISED. HE STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD STILL RETAIN ULTIMATE CONTROL OVER THE LEVEL OF TOLLS UNDER THE PRIVATISATION SCHEME.
- - 0 - -
NEW UK SHORT-TERM MULTIPLE ENTRY CLEARANCE »♦♦♦♦»
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT A NEW UK SHORT-TERM MULTIPLE ENTRY CLEARANCE VALID FOR SIX MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF ISSUE WILL BE INTRODUCED FROM MAY 16.
THE PRESENT DOUBLE ENTRY CLEARANCE FOR THE UK WILL NO LONGER BE ISSUED AFTER MAY 15.
’’THE FEE FOR A SIX-MONTH MULTIPLE ENTRY CLEARANCE WILL BE 30 POUNDS, THE SAME AS THAT OF A DOUBLE ENTRY CLEARANCE,” A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’SINGLE ENTRY CLEARANCE FOR THE UK WILL REMAIN AVAILABLE AT 20 POUNDS (10 POUNDS FOR THOSE UNDER 25 YEARS OF AGE).
’’HOWEVER, FOR VISITORS WHO OPT FOR A SINGLE ENTRY CLEARANCE BUT LATER DECIDE TO MAKE MORE THAN ONE ENTRY INTO THE UK, IT WILL BE NECESSARY FOR THEM TO APPLY FOR A FURTHER VISA AT A UK ENTRY CLEARANCE POST OUTSIDE THE UK IN ORDER TO RETURN,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
ALL FEES ARE TO BE CHARGED ON A PER CAPITA BASIS AND COLLECTEb IN HONG KONG DOLLARS CONVERTED FROM THE POUND STERLING AT A CURRENT OFFICIAL EXCHANGE RATE.
AS FROM MAY 16, A NEW VISA EXEMPTION SCHEME WILL ALSO BE INTRODUCED.
/"UNDER THE
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1991
- 12 -
"UNDER THE NEW SCHEME, ANY VISA NATIONAL, INCLUDING A HOLDER OF HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY OR HONG KONG DOCUMENT OF IDENTITY, WHO IS SETTLED IN THE UK AND RETURNS AFTER AN ABSENCE OF NOT MORE THAN TWO YEARS, OR HAS BEEN GRANTED A LIMITED LEAVE OF MORE THAN SIX MONTHS FOR WORK, STUDY OR OTHER LONG-TERM PURPOSES AND RETURNS BEFORE THE EXPIRY OF THAT LEAVE WILL BENEFIT FROM VISA EXEMPTION," THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
"SUCH PEOPLE THEREFORE WILL NOT NEED TO APPLY FOR ANOTHER VISA BEFORE RETURNING TO THE UK. THEY WILL HOWEVER BE LIABLE TO EXAMINATION AT THE PORT OF ENTRY TO ESTABLISH WHETHER THEY STILL MEET IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS," HE ADDED.
VISITORS AND OTHERS GRANTED LEAVE OF SIX MONTHS OR LESS WILL NOT BE VISA EXEMPT.
------0-------
TANG CHUNG LING ANCESTRAL HALL TO BE RESTORED
******
THE TANG CHUNG LING ANCESTRAL HALL IN LUNG YEUK TAU, FANLING WILL BE RESTORED IN THE NEXT NINE MONTHS, WITH A DONATION OF $2.35 MILLION FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
SITUATED IN TSZ TONG TSUFN OF LUNG YEUK TAU, THE TANG CHUNG LING ANCESTRAL HALL IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST AND MOST IMPORTANT ANCESTRAL HALLS IN THE TERRITORY.
IT IS THE MAIN ANCESTRAL HALL OF THE TANG LINEAGE BUILT IN 1525 IN HONOUR OF THEIR FOUNDING ANCESTOR TANG CHUNG-LING (1302-1387).
WITH TWO INTERNAL OPEN COURTYARDS, THE THREE-HALL BUILDING IS UNUSUAL IN THAT IT HAS NO SIDE AISLES. ITS SCREEN DOOR IS AT THE CENTRAL HALL WHILST THREE ANCESTRAL ALTARS ARE ARRANGED AT THE MAIN HALL.
THE WOODCARVINGS OF THE BRACKETS, BEAMS AND EAVES WERE EXQUISITELY DONE AND THE ROOF RIDGES WERE DECORATED WITH SHIWAN CERAMIC FISHES AND LIONS.
THE BUILDING WAS CONFERRED DEEMED MONUMENT STATUS BY THE GOVERNOR LAST YEAR ON THE GROUNDS OF ITS HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE.
IN THE PAST YEARS, THE ANCESTRAL HALL WAS REPAIRED AND RENOVATED MANY TIMES WHICH UNFORTUNATELY OBLITERATED SOME OF THE DECORATIVE FEATURES, PARTICULARLY THE WALL PAINTINGS AND PLASTER MOULDINGS.
"THE CONDITION OF THE BUILDING HAS BEEN DETERIORATING RAPIDLY AND EXTENSIVELY, AND AN INTENSIVE RESTORATION IS NECESSARY," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
/’’THE PROJECT.......
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1991
- 13 -
’’THE PROJECT WILL TAKE NINE MONTHS TO COMPLETE AND WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE ANTIQUITIES SECTION OF THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS OFFICE,” HE ADDED.
THE RESTORATION WORK WOULD COST ABOUT $2.65 MILLION. THE MAJOR PORTION WILL BE BORNE BY THE JOCKEY CLUB AND $0.3 MILLION WILL COME FROM THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH.
THIS IS THE FOURTH HISTORICAL BUILDING BEING RESTORED IN HONG KONG THROUGH THE GENEROUS DONATION OF THE JOCKEY CLUB. THE OTHER THREE ARE THE MAN LUNG FUNG ANCESTRAL HALL AND TAI FU TAI IN SAN TIN, AND THE KUN TING STUDY HALL IN PING SHAN.
---------0-----------
CHAIRMEN OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN DB COMMITTEES ELECTED ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD ELECTED THE CHAIRMEN AND VICE-CHAIRMEN FOR THE BOARD’S VARIOUS COMMITTEES AT A CLOSED-DOOR MEETING TODAY (THURSDAY).
THEY ARE:
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
VICE-CHAIRMAN
COMMUNITY BUILDING AND SERVICES
ENVIRONMENT AND WORKS
FINANCE
TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT
MR PETER LEE SHUNG-TAK
MR IP KWOK-HIM
MR WONG HONG-HIN
MR LAM KIN-LAI
MR SAMMY POONE
MISS VIVIAN CHIH WAN-WAN
MR ALEXANDER CHANG YAU-HUNG
MR CHAN CHIT-KWAt
/14 ........
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1991
14
CHAIRMEN OF SHA TIN DB COMMITTEES ELECTED
*****
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT
COMMITTEES AND A WORKING GROUP
BOARD ELECTED THE CHAIRMEN FOR ITS AT A MEETING THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON,
THEY ARE:
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:
CULTURE AND SPORTS COMMITTEE:
DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING COMMITTEE:
FINANCE AND GENERAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE:
TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE:
HEALTH, EDUCATION AND WELFARE COMMITTEE:
DR FANNY CHEUNG
MR WONG PO-MING
MR CHAN HON-YING
MR WONG LUEN-KIN
MR CHING CHEUNG-YING
MR WONG HONG-CHUNG
CONCERN GROUP ON WHITEHEAD DETENTION'CENTRE: MR LAU KONG-WAH
--------0-----------
TUEN MUN DB COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN ELECTED
******
THE CHAIRMEN OF THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S WORKING COMMITTEES WERE ELECTED AT A SPECIAL DB MEETING THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING.
THEY ARE:
SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE: MISS WAN SHUI-LING
COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE: MR YIP HING-CHUNG
FINANCE, ADMINISTRATION AND PUBLICITY COMMITTEE: MR YING YU-HING
CULTURE, RECREATION AND SPORTS COMMITTEE: MS LEE YING
TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE: MR SO SHIU-SHING
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: MR YIM TIN-SANG
/15 ........
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1991
- 15 -
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY
******
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED GRADES ON THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF ALL BATHING BEACHES IN HONG KONG.
THE EPD SPOKESMAN SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE GRADING SYSTEM IS TO INFORM SWIMMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE STATE OF BACTERIOLOGICAL 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 GRADING OF SOME BEACHES MAY VARY DURING THE SUMMER. THIS REPRESENTS A NATURAL FLUCTUATION IN THE BACTERIOLOGICAL 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 FOfcM THE BEST AVAILABLE FORECAST FOR THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.
"BEACHES WITH HIGHLY DEVELOPED HINTERLANDS ARE LIKELY TO BE MORE POLLUTED THAN THE GRADES SUGGEST DURING AND AFTER HEAVY RAIN," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"BATHERS SHOULD AVOID SUCH BEACHES FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS AFTER A STORM, LONGER IF THE WEATHER REMAINS OVERCAST OR LESS IF THERE IS STRONG SUNSHINE.”
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" .......
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1991
- 16 -
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” GRADE 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 ON THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF VARIOUS BEACHES IN HONG KONG AS AT TODAY ARE LISTED BELOW:
BEACH
PREVIOUS GRADING
PRESENT GRADING
(AS AT 25.4.91)
(AS AT 9.5.91)
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*
2 1
1 1
1 1
2 1
1 1
2 X
1
2 1
1 1
1 1
2 1
1 1
2 X
1
/TUEN MUN .......
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1991
17 -
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
OLD CAFETERIA X
NEW CAFETERIA 3
CASTLE PEAK X
KADOORIE 3
BUTTERFLY 2
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
CAMPERS 1
CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH 1
CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND BEACH 1
HAP MUN BAY 1
KIU TSUI 1
PAK SHA CHAU 1
SILVERSTRAND 3
TRIO (HEBE HAVEN) 1
ISLANDS DISTRICT
CHEUNG SHA UPPER 1 CHEUNG SHA LOWER 2 DISCOVERY BAY* 1 HUNG SHING YEH 1 KWUN YAM WAN 1
TONG FUK 1 LO SO SHING 1
PUI 0 1
SILVERMINE BAY 2 TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU 2 TUNG O* 1
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
ANGLERS’ 2
APPROACH 3
CASAM 2
GEMINI 3
HOI MEI WAN 3
LIDO 2
TING KAU 4
TUNG WAN, MA WAN 2
t'JGJPJMMNWGJ »—kC'OCs3>—‘ M >— CO hl M CO X X
NOTE: ”X” THE BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR * NON-GAZETTED BEACHES.
SWIMMING PURPOSES.
/THE FOLLOWING .......
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1991
- 18 -
THE FOLLOWING BEACHES HAVE CHANGED GRADING ON THIS OCCASION:
ANGLERS’, FROM "2" TO ”3"; GEMINI, HOI MEI WAN, NEW CAFETERIA AND KADOORIE, FROM "3" TO "2"; TING KAU, FROM "4" TO "3”.
THE CHANGES ARE WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE OF FLUCTUATION OF THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF THESE BEACHES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT THE PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (WATER POLICY) OF EPD, MR P.R. HOLMES, ON TEL. 835 1234.
--------0-----------
SUPPLY OF NON-CONFIDENTIAL ESTABLISHMENT PARTICULARS
*****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT MAINTAINS A COMPREHENSIVE AND UP-TO-DATE COMPUTERISED CENTRAL REGISTER OF AROUND 350,000 ESTABLISHMENTS IN HONG KONG TO SERVE MAINLY AS THE SAMPLING FRAME FOR VARIOUS ECONOMIC SURVEYS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
MANY OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ALSO MAKE USE OF THE REGISTER FOR PUBLICITY, SURVEY AND RESEARCH WORK.
A SAMPLE LISTING CONTAINING 20 PER CENT OF THE RECORDS RANDOMLY SELECTED FROM THE CENTRAL REGISTER WILL BE CREATED FOR USE OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN THEIR MARKET RESEARCH, STATISTICAL SURVEYS AND BUSINESS OR PRODUCT PROMOTION.
APPLICATIONS FOR THE SUPPLY OF A PHOTOCOPY OR A MAGNETIC TAPE OF THE LISTING OF NON-CONFIDENTIAL PARTICULARS SUCH AS THE NAME, THE ADDRESS, THE MAJOR TYPE OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY AND THE EMPLOYMENT SIZE CLASS OF INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS IN THIS 20 PER CENT SAMPLE LISTING CAN BE MADE TO THE CENTRAL REGISTER SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT.
A CHARGE WILL BE LEVIED FOR THIS SERVICE, AND THE RATES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
- $4 PER PAGE OF PHOTOCOPY; AND
- A MINIMUM CHARGE OF $400 FOR A JOB REQUIRING UP TO 20 CRU’S (COMPUTER RESOURCES UNIT) PLUS $20 FOR EACH CRU IN EXCESS OF 20 CRU’S, IF THE INFORMATION IS REQUIRED ON MAGNETIC TAPES. THE MAGNETIC TAPES ARE TO BE PROVIDED BY APPLICANTS.
FURTHER DETAILS ABOUT THE SERVICE CAN BE OBTAINED BY CALLING THE CENTRAL REGISTER SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 823 4760.
--------0----------
/19 ........
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1991
- 19 -
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING IN SHAM SHUI PO TO BE CLOSED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING ON THE ROOF OVER THE FIFTH FLOOR OF 35 NAM CHEONG STREET IN SHAM SHUI PO SO THAT IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON AUGUST 8 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (THURSDAY).
DEMOLITION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START ONCE THE ORDER IS ISSUED.
------0--------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS HKEF
******
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 8.5.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 9.5.91 +169
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -169
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.5 *+0.2* 9.5.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEI
ISSUE MATURING NUMBER ON Q115 10.7.91 Q116 17.7.91 Q117 24.7.91 Q118 31.7.91 Q119 7.8.91 Q107 15.5.91 Q108 22.5.91 Q109 29.5.91 QI 10 5.6.91 Qlll 12.6.91 QI 12 19.6.91 Q113 26.6.91 Q114 3.7.91 OUTSTANDING $ MILLION 340 +140 350 +130 378.5 +101.5 450 +30 420 +60 391 +89 450 +30 550 -70 420 +60 434 +46 610 -130 480 +0 480 +0 /HONG KONG
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1991
20
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 182-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEJ
ISSUE NUMBER MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
H002 15.5.91 227.5 + 32.5
H003 29.5.91 210 • +50
H004 12.6.91 250 + 10
H005 26.6.91 230 + 30
H101 10.7.91 143 + 117
H156 24.7.91 150 + 110
H157 7.8.91 209.5 + 50.5
Hl 58 21.8.91 150 + 110
H159 4.9.91 170 + 90
Hl 60 18.9.91 150 + 1 10
H161 2.10.91 110 + 150
H162 17.10.91 74 + 186
H163 30,10.91 HONG KONG GOVERNMENT 364-DAY EXCHANGE 181.5 +78.5 EXCHANGE FUND FUND BILLS HKEK
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
Y187 26.2.92 230 + 30
Y188 25.3.92 180 + 80
Y189 22.4.92 190 + 70
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 3.5.91 WAS 5,080 MN
- 0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CONTINUITY THE HALLMARK OF GOVT POLICIES FOR TRANSITION .................... 1
MELBOURNE CHINESE COMMUNITY GIVES WARM WELCOME TO GOVERNOR ................. 2
INVITATION TO APPLY FOR SMATV LICENCES ..................................... 4
METRO BROADCAST LTD AWARDED SECOND COMMERCIAL RADIO LICENCE ............
BILL BRINGS CHANGES TO LEGAL PRACTICES .................................
ARBITRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 GAZETTED .............................
TENDERS INVITED FOR TENANCY OF OLD STANLEY POLICE STATION ..............
PREOUALTFICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF MAJOR LANDFILLS .....
HEUNG YEE KUK MEMBERS BRIEFED ON WATER CONTROL REQUIREMENTS ............
HEALTH EDUCATION EXHIBITIONS AT TUEN MUN HOSPITAL.......................... 10
FARE INCREASE OF GMB ROUTES 1, IM AND 2 .................................. H
NEW IDENTITY CARDS FOR WOMEN BORN TN 1916-22 .............................. 33
1990 CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT ON SALE .................................. 13
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ................ 13
STUDY ON EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION ON RESPIRATORY HEALTH COMMISSIONED ... 15
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1991
1
CONTINUITY THE HALLMARK OF GOVT POLICIES FOR TRANSITION * * * * *
THE CHALLENGE FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG IS TO MANAGE THE POLITICS OF THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD BETWEEN NOW AND 1997 WHILE MAINTAINING ECONOMIC MOMENTUM AND RETAINING HONG KONG’S ATTRACTIONS AS A SERVICE CENTRE, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON SAID IN MELBOURNE TODAY (FRIDAY).
"THE HALLMARK OF OUR POLICIES FOR THE TRANSITION IS THEREFORE CONTINUITY: CONTINUITY OF POLICIES, OF INSTITUTIONS, OF PERSONNEL, OF PUBLIC INVESTMENT, AND OF PURPOSE," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR WAS ADDRESSING THE COMMITTEE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF AUSTRALIA IN WHICH HE OUTLINED THE CHALLENGES WHICH FACED HONG KONG BOTH POLITICALLY AND ECONOMICALLY IN THE LAST DECADE OF THE 20TH CENTURY.
HE SAID ONE POINT WHICH HE HAD FOUND ON HIS TRAVELS TO BE POORLY UNDERSTOOD WAS THAT, WHETHER PEOPLE LIKED THE 1997 ARRANGEMENT OR NOT, THERE WAS NO OTHER PRACTICAL SOLUTION FOR HONG KONG.
"THE EXPIRY THAT YEAR OF THE LEASE WHICH COVERS ALMOST THE ENTIRE TERRITORY PUTS A DEFINITE ENI) TO BRITISH RULE. THE REMARKABLE IDEA OF 'ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS', PUT FORWARD BY THE CHINESE, IS NOT JUST A CATCH-PHRASE.
"IT IS A POLITICALLY PRAGMATIC WAY OF ACHIEVING CHINA’S LONG DESIRED OBJECTIVE ON REUNIFICATION, WHILE PRESERVING HONG KONG AS AN ECONOMIC SUCCESS. FACING THIS REALITY, AND THIS CHALLENGE, IT IS OUR TASK TO GIVE IT THE BEST POSSIBLE CHANCE OF SUCCEEDING," HE SAID.
TURNING TO ECONOMIC CHALLENGE, THE GOVERNOR SAID IF HONG KONG WAS TO MANAGE THE POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE NEXT FEW YEARS IT MUST, ABOVE ALL ELSE, REMAINED ECONOMICALLY STRONG.
"THIS IS JUST AS IMPORTANT NOW FOR CHINA AS IT IS FOR HONG KONG. HONG KONG HAS BECOME A KEY ELEMENT IN THE GROWTH OF MUCH OF SOUTHERN CHINA," SIR DAVID ADDED.
HE SAID WHILE ATTENTION TENDED TO BE FOCUSSED ON THE CURRENT TALKS OVER THE AIRPORT PLANS, IT WAS AS WELL TO REMEMBER THAT HONG KONG’S PHYSICAL AS WELL AS POLITICAL RELATIONS WITH CHINA HAD IMPROVED OUT OF ALL RECOGNITION OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS.
"A KEY FACTOR IN THIS HAS BEEN CHINA’S OWN DRIVE FOR MODERNISATION AND ITS MORE OPEN ATTITUDE TO TRADE AND INVESTMENT," HE SAID.
ON PRACTICAL DAILY MATTERS, SIR DAVID SAID RELATIONS WERE AS NORMAL AS ACROSS ANY BORDER IN EUROPE.
"BORDER LIAISON ON POLICE AND CUSTOMS IS CLOSE AND COOPERATIVE. FOR THE BUSINESSMAN AND POTENTIAL INVESTOR THIS IS WHAT MATTERS," HE SAID.
/STR DAVID .......
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1991
2
SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG AND AUSTRALIA BOTH WERE PLACES OF OPPORTUNITY AND BOTH WERE DYNAMIC, BUSINESS-ORIENTED, COMMUNITIES INCREASINGLY CONSCIOUS OF BELONGING TO A GREATER PACIFIC COMMUNITY.
THE GOVERNOR PAID TRIBUTE TO THE PART AUSTRALIA HAD PLAYED IN INITIATING AND CEMENTING ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION IN THE REGION, FIRST THROUGH THE PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION CONFERENCE (PECC) AND MORE RECENTLY IN PROPOSING THE ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION FORUM (APEC).
"HONG KONG LOOKS FORWARD TO RATIFICATION OF ITS ENTRY AS A FULL MEMBER OF THE PECC AT THE MEETING IN SINGAPORE IN TWO WEEKS TIME,” HE SAID.
HE ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE IMPORTANT ROLE AUSTRALIA HAD PLAYED IN THE URUGUAY ROUND OF MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS UNDER THE GATT.
"IN HONG KONG, WHERE SO MUCH OF OUR ECONOMY DEPENDS ON TRADE, WE ARE CONCERNED THAT MOMENTUM HAS BEEN LOST. I KNOW THAT IN AUSTRALIA, AS LEADERS OF THE CAIRNS GROUP, YOU SHARE THIS CONCERN," SIR DAVID ADDED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT WHAT NEEDED TO BE DONE WAS TO FOCUS THE MINDS OF THE LARGER PLAYERS ON THE VITAL NECESSITY OF PRESERVING A NON-DISCRIMINATORY FREE TRADE REGIME.
"THE CHALLENGE IS TO IMPROVE ON WHAT WE HAVE SO FAR ACHIEVED, NOT TO DISCARD IT JUST BECAUSE IT IS NOT PERFECT.
"THIS IS WHERE I HOPE TO SEE US WORK TOGETHER AS WE HAVE OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS. REGIONAL TRADE BLOCKS ARE VERY MUCH A SECOND BEST,” SIR DAVID SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HONG KONG FACED MANY CHALLENGES AND LIKE OTHERS IT HAD FACED, THEY CONTAINED THE SEEDS OF NEW OPPORTUNITIES.
"HONG KONG HAS NEVER BEEN A PLACE FOR THE FAINT OF HEART. IT HAS ALWAYS REWARDED THOSE WHO, WITHOUT FLINCHING AT THE CHALLENGES, HAVE SEIZED THE OPPORTUNITIES," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
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MELBOURNE CHINESE COMMUNITY GIVES WARM WELCOME TO GOVERNOR
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (FRIDAY) RECEIVED AN ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION FROM CHINESE COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS IN MELBOURNE.
MORE THAN 200 CHINESE AND AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS PEOPLE, STUDENTS AND WORKERS PACKED THE STATE BANK THEATRETTE IN MELBOURNE TO LISTEN AND TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG.
/IN A .......
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1991
3 -
IN A BRIEF SPEECH, SIR DAVID SAID THERE WERE TWO MAIN REASONS FOR HIS VISIT TO AUSTRALIA - THE FIRST BY A HONG KONG GOVERNOR.
"FIRSTLY I BELIEVE IT’S NECESSARY FOR US IN HONG KONG TO GO OUT AND TO TELL PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE TERRITORY, NOT TO TRY TO OBSCURE THE EXISTENCE OF PROBLEMS, NOT TO OBSCURE THE WORRIES THAT EXIST ABOUT 1997, BUT TO FIT IN WITH THE BACKGROUND SCENERY ABOUT THE CONTINUING SUCCESS STORY OF HONG KONG.
"SECONDLY, AUSTRALIA IS LOOMING MUCH MORE LARGELY IN HONG KONG AFFAIRS, IT’S NOT JUST THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE FROM HONG KONG WHO ARE COMING TO SETTLE HERE OR THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS STUDYING IN AUSTRALIA - THAT’S PART OF THE STORY.
"THE OTHER PART OF THE STORY IS THE INCREASING WAY IN WHICH AUSTRALIA IS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF HONG KONG AS A BASE FOR TRADE," HE SAID. '
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT ON A PER CAPITA BASIS HONG KONG BOUGHT MORE GOODS FROM AUSTRALIA THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD.
HE SAID THAT BUSINESSMEN IN AUSTRALIA SEEMED TO BE MOST INTERESTED IN HONG KONG’S ROLE AS A GATEWAY TO CHINA.
ASKED ABOUT THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT, SIR DAVID SAID HE BELIEVED THE FEELING IN AUSTRALIA WAS SIMILAR TO THAT IN HONG KONG THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO GET ON WITH THE PROJECT. HE HOPED THE DISCUSSIONS WITH CHINA WOULD REACH A GOOD, SENSIBLE RESOLUTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND THIS HOPE HAD BEEN EXPRESSED BY A NUMBER OF AUSTRALIAN BUSINESSMEN.
EARLIER IN THE DAY, THE GOVERNOR SPENT ONE AND A HALF HOURS IN A ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION WITH SOME OF AUSTRALIA’S LEADING BUSINESS PEOPLE.
THE MEETING WAS CHAIRED BY THE MANAGING DIRECTOR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF BHP LTD, MR BRIAN LOTON, AND INCLUDED SENIOR REPRESENTATIVES FROM COMPANIES SUCH AS DAVEY MCKEE PACIFIC, MAUNSELL & PARTNERS, NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK, PRICE WATERHOUSE AND AUSTRALIAN CONSTRUCTION SERVICES INTERNATIONAL.
SIR DAVID ALSO GAVE A KEYNOTE SPEECH TO THE COMMITTEE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF AUSTRALIA BEFORE GOING ON TO MEET REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMMITTEE FOR MELBOURNE - A GROUP OF BUSINESS AND POLITICAL LEADERS INTERESTED IN DEVELOPING THE INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS OF THE CITY.
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/4 ........
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1991
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INVITATION TO APPLY FOR SMATV LICENCES ******
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE LICENCE FOR SATELLITE MASTER ANTENNA TELEVISION (SMATV) SYSTEM OPERATORS.
THE TELECOMMUNICATION (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1991 WHICH PROVIDE FOR THIS LICENCE ARE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
UNDER THIS LICENCE, OPERATORS WILL BE ALLOWED TO INSTALL AND OPERATE SATELLITE TELEVISION RECEIVING DISHES ON BUILDINGS AND DISTRIBUTE PROGRAMMES TO INDIVIDUAL FLATS IN SINGLE BUILDINGS OR BUILDING BLOCKS WITHIN A SINGLE DEVELOPMENT.
THE SMATV LICENCE PLACES A NUMBER OF CONDITIONS ON OPERATORS, WHO WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO CHARGE VIEWERS ANY FEE FOR VIEWING SATELLITE TV PROGRAMMES, EXCEPT FOR SMATV SYSTEM INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE CHARGES.
LICENSEES WILL ONLY BE ALLOWED TO DISTRIBUTE PROGRAMMES INTENDED FOR GENERAL RECEPTION.
THEY MUST ALSO COMPLY WITH THE TECHNICAL AND SAFETY STANDARDS LAID DOWN IN THE LICENCE.
THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, HAS TODAY INVITED COMPANIES INTERESTED TO BE SMATV SYSTEM OPERATORS TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS FOR LICENCES.
DETAILED GUIDANCE NOTES FOR APPLICANTS ARE AVAILABLE FROM SINCERE BUILDING, FIFTH FLOOR, 173 DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE ON TEL. 852 9653 OR BY FAX ON 541 9058.
APPLICATIONS WITH FULL INFORMATION RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE MAY 31 WILL BE PROCESSED AS A GROUP.
THOSE WHICH ARE SUCCESSFUL WILL BE ISSUED LICENCES SIMULTANEOUSLY.
APPLICATIONS WITH INCOMPLETE INFORMATION OR THOSE SUBMITTED AFTER THIS DATE WILL BE HANDLED AFTER THE FIRST GROUP OF APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN PROCESSED.
"THIS WILL CERTAINLY ENABLE SATELLITE DISHES TO BE INSTALLED UNDER LICENCE VERY SOON TO RECEIVE SATELLITE TELEVISION SIGNALS," MR WONG SAID.
"SMATV LICENSEES WILL BE REQUIRED TO PUBLISH THEIR CHARGES FOR INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE OF SMATV SYSTEMS.
"CONSUMERS SHOULD THEREFORE BE ABLE TO SELECT A LICENSEE WHO OFFERS THE BEST PRICE AND SERVICE TO MEET THEIR OWN NEEDS," MR WONG ADDED.
/EXISTING SMATV .......
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1991
- 5 -
EXISTING SMATV INSTALLATIONS REGISTERED WITH THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY BEFORE AUGUST 31 LAST YEAR WILL NEED TO BE MAINTAINED AND OPERATED BY A LICENSED SMATV OPERATOR NOT LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 30 THIS YEAR.
SATELLITE TELEVISION RECEIVE-ONLY AERIALS FOR CONNECTION TO A SINGLE TELEVISION SET (THAT IS TVRO) WILL CONTINUE TO BE PERMITTED WITHOUT LICENCE.
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METRO BROADCAST LTD AWARDED SECOND COMMERCIAL RADIO LICENCE
*****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS AWARDED HONG KONG’S SECOND SOUND BROADCASTING LICENCE TO METRO BROADCAST CORPORATION LIMITED.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE INCREASED COMPETITION TO BE PROVIDED BY METRO WAS A HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT FOR THE INDUSTRY.
"THE PUBLIC COULD EXPECT TO BE INTRODUCED TO NEW CONCEPTS OF PROGRAMMING FOR HONG KONG, TO HAVE A WIDER CHOICE OF PROGRAMMES AND TO BENEFIT FROM STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY," HE SAID.
METRO WHO EXPECT TO COMMENCE THEIR SERVICE IN JULY WILL OPERATE TWO FM CHANNELS - ONE IN CANTONESE DEDICATED TO THE YOUTH OF HONG KONG, AND THE OTHER, WHICH WILL BE BILINGUAL, IN AN ADULT ORIENTED EASY LISTENING FORMAT - AND ONE AM CHANNEL, WHICH WILL BE AN ENGLISH-LANGUAGE ALL-NEWS SERVICE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE AWARD OF THE LICENCE HAD BEEN MADE ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY.
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BILL BRINGS CHANGES TO LEGAL PRACTICES *****
STATUTORY AUTHORITY WILL BE GIVEN FOR THE LAW SOCIETY TO INTRODUCE A MANDATORY CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION (MCLE) SCHEME UNDER THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE BILL WOULD ALSO EMPOWER THE BAR ASSOCIATION TO ISSUE PRACTISING CERTIFICATES TO ITS MEMBERS WHILE AT THE SAME TIME REMOVING RESTRICTIONS FOR SOLICITORS TO SEEK ADMISSION TO THE BAR.
/A GOVERNMENT ......
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1991
6
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THERE WAS A CONSENSUS AMONG TRAINEE SOLICITORS (ARTICLED CLERKS) AND SOLICITORS THAT THERE SHOULD BE COURSES RELATING TO SUBSTANTIVE LAW AND SKILLS WHICH COMPLEMENTED THEIR ACTIVITIES TN PRACTICES.
JUDGING FROM SUCCESS IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS WITH SIMILAR SCHEMES, THE LAW SOCIETY DECIDED THAT MANDATORY CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION COURSES SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED TO IMPROVE THE TRAINING AND COMPETENCE OF SOLICITORS.
IT WAS INTENDED TO BENEFIT THE SOLICITORS AND THE PUBLIC THROUGH THE PROVISION OF BETTER LEGAL SERVICES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
INITIALLY, THE SCHEME WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO TRAINEE SOLICITORS AND JUNIOR SOLICITORS IN THEIR FIRST TWO YEARS OF PRACTICE.
CLAUSES 3, 4 AND 10 OF THE BILL AMEND THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS ORDINANCE BY PERMITTING THE LAW SOCIETY TO IMPLEMENT AND SUPERVISE A MCLE SCHEME AND TO ISSUE CONDITIONAL PRACTISING CERTIFICATES TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE SCHEME.
AT PRESENT, THE ISSUANCE OF PRACTISING CERTIFICATES FOR LAWYERS IN HONG KONG IS DONE BY THE LAW SOCIETY FOR SOLICITORS AND BY THE REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT FOR BARRISTERS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS BELIEVED THAT THE BAR ASSOCIATION SHOULD HAVE CONTROL OVER THE ISSUANCE OF PRACTISING CERTIFICATES FOR BARRISTERS, SO THAT THE BAR COULD BE SEEN TO BE INDEPENDENT AND SELFREGULATING.
THE BILL PROVIDES THAT THE BAR COUNCIL WOULD REPLACE THE REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT TO ISSUE PRACTISING CERTIFICATES, AND WOULD MAKE RULES ON ISSUANCE SUBJECT TO THE PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE CHIEF JUSTICE.
ON ADMISSION OF BARRISTERS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT HAD BEEN DIFFICULT UNDER THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS ORDINANCE FOR SOME SOLICITORS WHO HAD PRACTISED FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS IN HONG KONG TO CHANGE THEIR LEGAL PRACTICE TO BARRISTERS.
CLAUSE 5(a) OF THE BILL AMENDS THE ORDINANCE TO PERMIT A HONG KONG SOLICITOR WITH AT LEAST THREE YEARS’ RECENT EXPERIENCE TO BE ADMITTED AS A BARRISTER.
FOR BARRISTERS WHO PRACTISED OUTSIDE HONG KONG IN JURISDICTIONS WITH A FUSED PROFESSION (WHERE PERSONS COULD BE BOTH SOLICITORS AND BARRISTERS SIMULTANEOUSLY), CLAUSES 5(b) AND 7 OF THE BILL REMOVE RESTRICTIONS UPON THEM FROM BEING QUALIFIED AND ADMITTED AS A BARRISTER.
THIS WOULD ENABLE MORE PERSONS FROM OVERSEAS TO BE ADMITTED TO THE BAR, SUBJECT TO THEIR BEING QUALIFIED AS A BARRISTER UNDER THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS ORDINANCE.
IT WOULD ALSO PERMIT BARRISTERS IN HONG KONG TO BE ADMITTED TO PRACTISE IN JURISDICTIONS WITH A FUSED PROFESSION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/THE BILL .......
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1991
THE BILL ALSO MAKES MINOR AMENDMENTS TO THE ORDINANCE BY REPLACING THE TERM "ARTICLED CLERK" WITH "TRAINEE SOLICITOR" ANx THE TERM "BAR COMMITTEE" WITH "BAR COUNCIL".
THESE AMENDMENTS WERE PROPOSED UPON RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE LAW SOCIETY.
THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 22.
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ARBITRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 GAZETTED
*****
THE EXISTING POWERS OF THE HIGH COURT WILL APPLY TO BOTH DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATIONS UNDER THE ARBITRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 WHICH IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THESE POWERS RELATE TO THE ISSUING OF WRITS OF SUBPOENA REQUIRING A PERSON TO TESTIFY OR PRODUCE DOCUMENTS AT AN ARBITRATION; AND THE MAKING OF VARIOUS ORDERS OF INTERIM RELIEF, SUCH AS INJUNCTION.
IN 1989, THE ARBITRATION ORDINANCE WAS AMENDED TO PROVIDE THAT ARBITRATIONS COULD BE BROUGHT IN HONG KONG UNDER TWO REGIMES: THE DOMESTIC ARBITRATION LAW OR THE UNCITRAL (UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE LAW) MODEL LAW.
BY ADDING A NEW SECTION, THE BILL MAKES CLEAR THAT SECTION 14(4), (5) AND (6) OF THE ARBITRATION ORDINANCE APPLY TO INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION GOVERNED BY THE UNCITRAL MODEL LAW.
THE BILL IS DUE TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 22.
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TENDERS INVITED FOR TENANCY OF OLD STANLEY POLICE STATION ******
THE OLD POLICE STATION AT 88 STANLEY VILLAGE ROAD, HONG KONG IS TO BE LEASED OUT FOR RESTAURANT OR COMMERCIAL USE.
A TENDER INVITATION WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY) AND THE CLOSING DATE FOR BIDS IS NOON ON JUNE 21.
CLOSE TO STANLEY MARKET, THE OLD STANLEY POLICE STATION IS SAID TO HAVE BEEN BUILT IN 1859 AND HAS BEEN DECLARED A MONUMENT.
/"IT IS .......
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1991
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"IT IS A VERY ATTRACTIVE OLD BUILDING AND WE EXPECT IT BE IN GREAT DEMAND FOR RESTAURANT OR COMMERCIAL USE," THE CHIEF PRC .RTY MANAGER OF THE GOVERNMENT PROPERTY AGENCY, MR GRAHAM HEATH, SAID.
SINCE THE POLICE HAS MOVED OUT INTO A NEW STATION, THE BUILDING HAS BEEN USED FOR OTHER OFFICE PURPOSES, BUT THERE IS NOT ENOUGH DEMAND TO FULLY UTILISE THE BUILDING.
MR HEATH SAID IN CASES SUCH AS THIS, THE GOVERNMENT WAS ANXIOUS THAT THE BUILDING SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES AND THIS WAS ONE OF A NUMBER OF CASES WHERE BUILDINGS WOULD BE OFFERED TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR RENT.
IT COULD NOT BE SOLD FOR REDEVELOPMENT BECAUSE IT WAS LISTED UNDER THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS ORDINANCE, HE SAID.
FUTURE USERS WILL HAVE TO RESPECT THE HISTORICAL FEATURES OF THE BUILDING AND WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO MAKE STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS WHICH WOULD IMPAIR ITS ARCHITECTURAL INTEREST.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE TENDER CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 523 7606. FORMS OF TENDER MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE GOVERNMENT PROPERTY AGENCY, EIGHTH FLOOR, ST JOHN’S BUILDING, 33 GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL.
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PREQUALIFICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF MAJOR LANDFILLS
******
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) IS INVITING CONTRACTORS TO TAKE PART IN A PREQUALIFICATION EXERCISE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF THREE MAJOR LANDFILLS.
A NOTICE OF PREQUALIFICATION OF TENDERERS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID TENDERS WOULD BE INVITED LATER THIS YEAR AND EARLY NEXT YEAR FROM APPLICANTS SELECTED IN THIS PREQUALIFICATION EXERCISE FOR THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION, FINAL RESTORATION AND AFTERCARE OF THREE MAJOR NEW LANDFILL SITES.
THEY ARE THE WEST NEW TERRITORIES (WENT), NORTH EAST NEW TERRITORIES (NENT) AND SOUTH EAST NEW TERRITORIES (SENT), LANDFILLS.
THE THREE CONTRACTS FOR THE THREE LANDFILLS WILL BE LET SEPARATELY, BUT IT IS UNLIKELY THAT ONE CONTRACTOR WILL BE AWARDED ALL THREE CONTRACTS.
EACH CONTRACT WILL HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL ELEMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS INCLUDING LINING OF THE SITES AND A FULL RANGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION MEASURES TO BE PROVIDED TO HIGH INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS.
/LARGE INTERNATIONAL .......
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1991
9
LARGE INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES, CONSORTIA OR JOINT VEi TUfeES WITH PROVEN EXPERIENCE IN THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION, RESTORATION AND AFTERCARE OF MAJOR LANDFILL SITES RECEIVING HOUSEHOLD, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE AND WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE OF HONG KONG CIVIL ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION WILL BE INVITED TO SEND IN PREQUALIFICATION SUBMISSIONS.
PREQUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM SCOTT WILSON KIRKPATRICK & CO LTD, 1720 OCEAN CENTRE, CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON FROM MONDAY (MAY 13).
COMPLETED PREQUALIFICATION SUBMISSIONS SHOULD BE SENT IN AS DIRECTED IN THE PREQUALIFICATION DOCUMENT NOT LATER THAN NOON ON JUNE 27.
IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE ANALYSIS AND REVIEW OF THE SUBMISSIONS WILL TAKE ABOUT TWO MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
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t
HEUNG YEE KUK MEMBERS BRIEFED ON WATER CONTROL REQUIREMENTS
*******
GOVERNMENT OFFICERS TODAY (FRIDAY) ATTENDED A MEETING OF THE LAND POLICY LIAISON COMMITTEE’S SMALL HOUSE WORKING GROUP TO EXPLAIN TO HEUNG YEE KUK MEMBERS THE CONTROL REQUIREMENTS OF THE SEPTIC TANKS OF VILLAGE HOUSES IN THE UNSEWERED AREAS.
THEY ARE MR TONY COOPER FROM THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH, AND MR MURRAY LUO AND MR BARRY CHOW FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT.
THE MEETING WAS TOLD THAT UNDER THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE WHICH BECAME EFFECTIVE ON DECEMBER 1 LAST YEAR, ALL DISCHARGES IN A DECLARED WATER CONTROL ZONE, EXCEPT FOR DOMESTIC SEWAGE DISCHARGES INTO PUBLIC SEWERS AND UNPOLLUTED DISCHARGES INTO ENVIRONMENTAL WATERS, ARE SUBJECT TO CONTROL.
THE OFFICERS EXPLAINED THAT LICENSING OF ALL THE DISCHARGES, INCLUDING LICENSING OF SEPTIC TANKS, IN A WATER CONTROL ZONE IS ESSENTIAL BECAUSE ONLY THROUGH THIS WAY THAT THE DATABASE NECESSARY FOR ENFORCEMENT WORK CAN BE BUILT UP AND THAT PARTICULAR TERMS AND CONDITIONS RELATING TO THE DISCHARGE CAN BE IMPOSED TO ACHIEVE EFFECTIVE CONTROL.
THEY STRESSED THAT CONTROL OF SEPTIC TANKS IS NECESSARY BECAUSE MANY SEPTIC TANKS DO CAUSE POLLUTION DUE TO LACK OF MAINTENANCE.
THE EXTENT OF THE POLLUTION PROBLEMS CAUSED BY SEPTIC TANKS WAS AGAIN EXPLAINED TO HEUNG YEE KUK MEMBERS AT THE MEETING.
/THE DISTRICT.......
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1991
10
THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE ISSUES A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE ON COMPLETION OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SEPTIC TANK TO CERTIFY THAT THE TANK HAS BEEN BUILT TO THE DESIGN STANDARDS.
THE SEPTIC TANK, HOWEVER, REQUIRES REGULAR DESLUDGING AND OTHER GENERAL MAINTENANCE, OTHERWISE, THE SOAKAWAY PIT WHICH ALLOWS THE SEPTIC TANK EFFLUENT TO SEEP INTO THE GROUND MAY BE CLOGGED, CAUSING SURFACE OVERFLOW OF THE EFFLUENT INTO STREAMS.
THE LICENCE FOR A SEPTIC TANK WILL LAST FOR ITS ENTIRE USEFUL LIFE WIHTOUT THE NEED TO RENEW AND THE $120 LICENCE APPLICATION FEE IS FAR LESS THAN THE ACTUAL ADMINISTRATION COSTS TO BE INCURRED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
AS AN ULTIMATE SOLUTION TO THE POLLUTION PROBLEMS, THE GOVERNMENT IS TO UPGRADE THE SEWERAGE SYSTEMS IN THE TERRITORY FOLLOWING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SEWERAGE MASTER PLAN STUDIES.
TO DATE, MORE THAN $400 MILLION HAVE BEEN COMMITTED TO THE RURAL SEWERAGE SCHEMES WITH CONSTRUCTION OF SOME OF THE WORKS ALREADY STARTED.
ALSO, $230 MILLION HAVE BEEN SET ASIDE UNDER THE RURAL PLANNING AND IMPROVEMENT SCHEME FOR IMPROVING THE SEWERAGE AND SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITIES IN THE RURAL AREAS IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS AND MORE FUNDS WILL BE INJECTED LATER.
THE MEETING WAS TOLD THAT THE VILLAGERS WILL BE GRANTED LICENCES TO CONTINUE DISCHARGING DOMESTIC SEWAGE UNDER THE PRESENT CONDITIONS PROVIDED THAT THEY ARE NOT IN CONTRAVENTION OF THE LEASE CONDITIONS OR AGREEMENTS MADE PREVIOUSLY WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
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HEALTH EDUCATION EXHIBITIONS AT TUEN MUN HOSPITAL ******
A SERIES OF HEALTH EDUCATION EXHIBITIONS ARE BEING HELD IN TUEN MUN HOSPITAL TO HELP RESIDENTS IN THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPORTANCE OF A HEALTHY LIFE.
THE EXHIBITIONS, WHICH COVER SEVEN TOPICS, ARE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE TUEN MUN HOSPITAL.
HELD IN THE HOSPITAL’S ENTRANCE LOBBY, THE EXHIBITIONS WHICH STARTED ON MAY 1 WILL CLOSE ON SEPTEMBER 24.
THE TOPICS AND THE DATES OF THE EXHIBITIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
- HEALTH MESSAGES (MAY 1-21)
INFECTIOUS DISEASES (MAY 22 - JUNE 11)
/- SMOKING AND ........
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1991
- 11 -
- SMOKING AND HEALTH (JUNE 12 - JULY 2)
- HEART DISEASE (JULY 3-23)
- AIDS (JULY 24 - AUGUST 13)
- PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES (AUGUST 14 - SEPTEMBER 3)
- HEPATITIS (SEPTEMBER 4-24)
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO VISIT THE EXHIBITIONS, WHICH ARE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 8 PM DAILY. HEALTH EDUCATION LEAFLETS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION AT THE VENUE.
0----------
FARE INCREASE OF GMB ROUTES 1, IM AND 2 * * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT THE FARE OF THREE GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES IN KOWLOON WILL BE ADJUSTED FROM SUNDAY (MAY 12).
THE FARE OF BOTH GMB ROUTE 1 AND IM WILL BE ADJUSTED TO $2 AND THAT OF GMB ROUTE 2 TO $4.
THE SECTIONAL FARE OF GMB ROUTE 1 WILL BE ADJUSTED TO $1.60 AND THAT OF ROUTE 2 TO $2.30.
A NOTICE OF THE NEW FARES WILL BE PUT UP AT THE BUS TERMINUS.
------0--------
NEW IDENTITY CARDS FOR WOMEN BORN IN 1916-22 ♦ * * * *
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT WOMEN BORN IN 1916, 1917, 1918, 1919, 1920, 1921 AND 1922 WILL BE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS FROM MAY 20 TO JULY 6.
’’WOMEN OF THE ABOVE AGE GROUP CAN CALL AT ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW IDENTITY CARD ISSUE OFFICES DURING THIS PERIOD,” A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE OFFICE HOURS OF THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM, MONDAY TO FRIDAY, AND FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM ON SATURDAY.
ALL OFFICES CLOSE ON SUNDAY AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
APPLICANTS MAY MAKE USE OF THE PHONE-IN SERVICE TO ARRANGE FOR AN APPOINTMENT BY CALLING THE OFFICES OF THEIR CHOICE.
/THE ADDRESSES .......
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1991
- 12 -
THE ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE:
HONG KONG : BASEMENT, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI
TEL.' NO. 574 7070
EAST KOWLOON : AMOY PLAZA, SECOND FLOOR, 77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD, NGAU TAU KOK TEL; NO. 755 3669
WEST KOWLOON : CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, YAU MA TEI TEL. NO. 723 2424
TSUEN WAN : EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 29-37 TSUEN FU STREET TEL. NO. 498 0117
SHA TIN : SHOP 8A, SECOND FLOOR, CHANWAY SHOPPING CENTRE
11-17 SHA TIN CENTRE STREET TEL. NO. 605 9108
YUEN LONG : HOP YICK CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 31 HOP YICK ROAD TEL. NO. 477 1543
TUEN MUN : CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, CHI LOK FA YUEN TEL. NO. 458 0646
SHEUNG SHU1 : TSUEN WO TAI LAU, GROUND FLOOR, 82-84 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI TEL. NO. 672 7191
APPLICANTS MAY ALSO MAKE USE OF THE 24-HOUR RECORDED MESSAGE SERVICE BY DIALLING 824 0303 TO OBTAIN DETAILS OF THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED.
"AS THE APPLICANTS IN THE COMING PHASE ARE OVER 65 YEARS OLD, SOME MAY, DUE TO HEALTH REASONS, FIND IT INCONVENIENT TO GO TO THE ISSUE OFFICES AND WISH TO BE EXEMPTED FROM THE REGISTRATION OF NEW IDENTITY CARDS.
"THEY MAY APPLY IN WRITING FOR A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION UNDER THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS REGULATIONS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO APPLY FOR A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED TO TELEPHONE THE DEPARTMENT’S INFORMATION OFFICE ON 824 6111.
HE REMINDED WOMEN BORN IN 1923, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927 AND 1928 WHO HAVE NOT YET APPLIED FOR THEIR NEW IDENTITY CARDS TO COME FORWARD WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY AS THERE IS ONLY ANOTHER WEEK LEFT BEFORE THE CURRENT PHASE CLOSES ON MAY 18.
FAILURE TO APPLY FOR A NEW IDENTITY CARD WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD IS AN OFFENCE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $3,000.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO AMNESTY FOR
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
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/13 ........
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1991
- 13 -
1990 CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT ON SALE *****
THE ANNUAL REPORT ON THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (CPI) FOR 1990, PROVIDING A COMPREHENSIVE ACCOUNT OF THE MOVEMENTS OF THE CPI’S DURING LAST YEAR, IS NOW ON SALE.
THE BILINGUAL REPORT, PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, ALSO INCLUDES THREE CHARTS AND FIVE TABLES SHOWING MOVEMENTS OF THE 1984/85-BASED CPI(A) AND CPI(B) BY SECTION AND BY GROUP OF COMMODITY/SER.VICE, AS WELL AS THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE OVERALL CHANGE IN THE INDEXES.
APART FROM STATISTICS ON THE CPI’S, THE REPORT ALSO EXPLAINS THE CONCEPTS AND COMPUTATION METHOD OF THE CPI’S TO HELP READERS OBTAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND PROPER INTERPRETATION OF THE CPI’S.
THE REPORT IS NOW AVAILABLE AT $27 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AND THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THIS REPORT CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 805 6403.
------0------------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ******
HKEF
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 9.5.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 10.5.91 + 10
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -10
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.4 *-0.1*
10.5.91
/HONG KONG .......
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1991
14 -
ISSUE NUMBER HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEI
maturing ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
QI 15 QI 16 QI 17 QI 18 QI 19 10.7.91 17.7.91 24.7.91 31.7.91 7.8.91 350 350 378.5 4 60 430 + 130 + 130 +101.5 + 20 + 50
Q107 Q108 Q109 QI 10 QI 1 1 QI 12 QI 13 Q1 1 4 15.5.91 22.5.91 29.5.91 5.6.91 12.6.91 19.6.91 26.6.91 3.7.91 351 470 580 4 10 44 4 610 480 480 + 129 + 10 -100 + 70 + 36 -130 + 0 + 0
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT 182-DAY EXCHANGE EXCHANGE FUND fund BILLS HKEJ
ISSUE NUMBER maturing ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
11002 H003 11004 H005 H101 111 56 11157 11158 Hl 59 Hl 60 Hl 61 Hl 62 H163 15.5.91 29.5.91 12.6.91 26.6.91 10.7.91 24.7.91 7.8.91 21 .8.91 4.9.91 18.9.91 2.10.91 17.10.91 30.10.91 227.5 210 250 230 143 150 209.5 150 170 140 110 74 170 + 32.5 + 50 + 10 + 30 + 117 + 110 + 50.5 + 110 + 90 + 120 + 150 + 186 + 90
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT 364-DAY EXCHANGE EXCHANGE FUND FUND RILLS HKEK
ISSUE NUMBER MATUR1 NG ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
Y 187 ¥188 YI89 26.2.92 25.3.92 22.4.92 230 180 190 + 30 + 80 + 70
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 10.5.91 WAS 3,882 MN
/15 ........
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1991
- 15
STUDY ON EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION ON RESPIRATORY HEALTH COMMISSIONED ******
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (FRIDAY) SIGNED A $1.4 MILLION AGREEMENT WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG TO COMMENCE A STUDY ON THE EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION ON RESPIRATORY HEALTH.
THE STUDY WILL BE CONDUCTED BY THE HKU DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY MEDICINE OVER A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS.
EPD’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (AIR AND NOISE), MR FRED TROMP, SAID THE STUDY WOULD GIVE MORE INFORMATION ON THE LOCAL EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION ON HUMAN HEALTH.
HE HOPED THE STUDY COULD ALSO SHOW THE HEALTH IMPROVEMENTS RESULTING FROM THE IMPLEMENTATION IN JULY LAST YEAR OF REGULATIONS WHICH CONTROL THE SULPHUR CONTENT OF INDUSTRIAL FUELS.
"SINCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FUEL RESTRICTION REGULATIONS, WE HAVE RECORDED DRASTIC REDUCTIONS IN THE LEVELS OF SULPHUR DIOXIDE AND SOME IMPROVEMENTS AS WELL FOR OTHER AIR POLLUTANTS AROUND TH MAJOR INDUSTRIAL AREAS.
"WE EXPECT THAT FOR THE PEOPLE LIVING IN THESE AREAS, THERE SHOULD BE IMPROVEMENTS IN RESPIRATORY HEALTH. I HOPE WE CAN FIND OUT THE EXTENT OF IMPROVEMENTS IN THIS STUDY," MR TROMP SAID.
DURING THE STUDY PERIOD, QUESTIONNAIRES WILL BE ISSUED TO 9,000 PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN AS WELL AS THEIR PARENTS IN THE KWAI TSING AND SOUTHERN DISTRICTS.
MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS WILL ALSO BE CARRIED OUT ON THESE CHILDREN.
PROFESSOR HEDLEY OF HKU’S DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY MEDICINE SAID THE KWAI TSING AND SOUTHERN DISTRICTS WERE CHOSEN FOR THE STUDY BECAUSE THEY SHOULD REPRESENT THE GREATEST CONTRAST IN AIR POLLUTION IN HONG KONG.
HE SAID HE HOPED TO FIND OUT HOW THIS CONTRAST WAS REFLECTED IN THE RESPIRATORY HEALTH OF THE SCHOOL CHILDREN.
THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY MEDICINE HAS CONDUCTED A SMALLER SCALE STUDY OF SIMILAR NATURE IN 1989, BEFORE THE FUEL RESTRICTION REGULATIONS CAME INTO FORCE.
THE RESULTS OF THAT STUDY SHOWED THAT OVER 35 PER CENT OF THE RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS SUFFERED BY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN KWAI TSING MIGHT HAVE BEEN PREVENTED HAD THE AIR BEEN CLEANER.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, MAY 11, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ITCB BID TO EXTEND MFA WELCOMED................................................. 1
APRIL DRIER AND SUNNIER THAN NORMAL ............................................ 2
IMPORTANCE OF SEX EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS RECOGNISED .............................. 4
HEALTH NURSES' ROLE IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE ..................................... 5
PUBLIC URGED TO SUPPORT CHILD SPONSORSHIP SCHEME ............................... 6
DISABLED SOCIAL WORKER AWARDED ................................................. 6
SATURDAY, MAY 11, 1991
1
ITCH BID TO EXTEND MFA WELCOMED »»»««»
THE DECISION OF THE INTERNATIONAL TEXTILES AND CLOTHING BUREAU (ITCB) TO PROPOSE AN EXTENSION OF THE MULTIFIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA) WAS WELCOMED BY MR T.H. CHOW, DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE.
A COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY THE ITCB AT THE END OF ITS WEEK-LONG MEETING IN BALI, INDONESIA, STATED THAT THE BUREAU PROPOSES AN EXTENSION OF THE MFA FOR 17 MONTHS FROM 1 AUGUST 1991 TO 31 DECEMBER 1992. IT ALSO PROVIDES FOR AN EXTENSION OF EXISTING BILATERAL AGREEMENTS ON THE SAME OR BETTER TERMS FOR EXPORTERS.
"THE PROPOSAL SEEKS TO SECURE CERTAINTY, STABILITY AND PREDICTABILITY FOR OUR TRADERS. IT IS NECESSARY BECAUSE NEGOTIATIONS ON A NEW MULTILATERAL TEXTILES AGREEMENT UNDER THE URUGUAY ROUND HAVE NOT BEEN COMPLETED. HIE NEW ARRANGEMENT SHOULD BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN THE EXPIRY OF THE MFA THIS JULY AND THE INTRODUCTION OF ANY NEW AGREEMENT MADE IN THE URUGUAY ROUND," SAID MR CHAU WHO LED THE HONG KONG DELEGATION TO THE BALI MEETING.
"THE ITCB PROPOSAL IS A CONSTRUCTIVE RESPONSE TO SUGGESTIONS BY THE IMPORTING COUNTRIES TO EXTEND THE MFA. AN EARLY AGREEMENT AMONG IMPORTING AND EXPORTING COUNTRIES WILL BE IN EVERYONE’S INTEREST," MR CHOW ADDED.
THE ITCB PROPOSAL WILL BE FORMALLY SUBMITTED FOR CONSIDERATION BY ALL MFA SIGNATORIES AT A MEETING TO BE HELD ON 16 MAY IN GENEVA.
THE BALI MEETING ALSO REVIEWED THE STATE OF THE TEXTILES NEGOTIATIONS IN THE URUGUAY ROUND AND URGED ALL PARTICIPANTS TO WORK TOWARDS THE EARLY COMPLETION OF THE TALKS.
THE GENEVA-BASED ITCB COMPRISES 22 MAJOR TEXTILES-EXPORTING DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES INCLUDING HONG KONG AND HAS BEEN PLAYING A KEY ROLE IN THE URUGUAY ROUND TALKS ON TEXTILES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE ITCB COMMUNIQUE WILL BE ISSUED THROUGH FAX MANAGER LATER TODAY.
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/2 ........
SATURDAY, MAY 11, 1991
- 2 -
APRIL DRIER AND SUNNIER THAN NORMAL ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
APRIL 1991 WAS DRIER AND SUNNIER THAN NORMAL, ACCORDING TO THE MONTHLY WEATHER REPORT RELEASED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY TODAY (SATURDAY).
IT WAS THE SEVENTH DRIEST APRIL ON RECORD. THE MONTHLY RAINFALL AMOUNT OF 34.7 MILLIMETRES WAS 79 PER CENT BELOW THE APRIL NORMAL OF 161.1 MILLIMETRES.
MOST OF THE RAIN FELL ON THE LAST DAY OF THE MONTH AND COULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO A DISSIPATING TROPICAL CYCLONE OVER WESTERN GUANGDONG.
RAINFALL OVER THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 1991 WAS THE 10TH LOWEST ON RECORD FOR THE PERIOD. THE TOTAL SINCE JANUARY 1 AMOUNTED TO 123.1 MILLIMETRES AND WAS 59 PER CENT BELOW THE CLIMATOLOGICAL NORMAL OF 299.8 MILLIMETRES.
AN INTENSE SURGE OF THE NORTHEAST MONSOON TOWARDS THE END OF MARCH LED TO UNSEASONABLY COOL WEATHER DURING THE EARLY PART OF APRIL.
THE MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 12.1 DEGREES ON THE MORNING OF APRIL 1 WAS THE LOWEST FOR THE MONTH. WINDS TURNED EASTERLY DURING THE DAY AND FRESHENED THE NEXT DAY.
THE WEATHER WAS GENERALLY FINE ON THE FIRST THREE DAYS OF APRIL BUT BECAME CLOUDIER ON APRIL 4. LIGHT RAIN STARTED TO FALL ON THE NIGHT OF APRIL 5 AS A WEAK REPLENISHMENT OF THE NORTHEAST MONSOON REACHED THE SOUTH CHINA COASTAL AREAS.
THE WEATHER BECAME BRIGHTER ON APRIL 7 BUT RAIN RETURNED ON APRIL 8 AS THE EASTERLIES FRESHENED.
THE RAIN AND DRIZZLE TURNED INTO MIST AND LOW CLOUDS ON APRIL 9. FOG HOVERED OVER OFFSHORE WATERS AND ALSO AFFECTED THE HARBOUR AREA IN THE MORNING. AN OIL TANKER RAN AGROUND IN FOGGY WEATHER NEAR JUNK ISLAND. AIR TRAFFIC WAS ALSO DISRUPTED AS A RESULT OF POOR VISIBILITY.
MORNING FOG ON APRIL 10 GAVE WAY TO BRIGHTER THE DAY. TEMPERATURES ROSE BY SEVERAL DEGREES AS A AIRSTREAM BECAME ESTABLISHED.
WEATHER DURING WARM SOUTHERLY
THE WEATHER FOR THE NEXT THREE DAYS REMAINED GENERALLY FINE AND WARM EXCEPT FOR SOME MORNING AND EVENING MIST. AN EASTERLY INTERLUDE ON APRIL 14 BROUGHT COOLER AND GENERALLY MISTY CONDITIONS.
THE TEMPERATURE SOON RECOVERED OVER THE NEXT FOUR DAYS BUT THE VISIBILITY REMAINED POOR AT TIMES, PARTICULARLY OVER OFFSHORE AREAS.
ANOTHER SURGE OF THE WINTER MONSOON IN THE MORNING OF APRIL 19 BROUGHT FRESH NORTHEASTERLY WINDS AND COOLER CONDITIONS. THE WEATHER BECAME CLOUDY WITH PATCHES OF LIGHT RAIN.
/THE RAIN .......
SATURDAY, MAY 11, 1991
3
THE RAIN EASE!) OFF AFTER THE MORNING OF APRIL 21, BUT THE CLOUDS DI!) NOT BREAK UNTIL APRIL 23.
FINE WEATHER PREVAILED FOR THE NEXT THREE DAYS WITH TEMPERATURES GENERALLY ON THE RISE. THE MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 30.4 DEGREES ON APRIL 26 WAS THE HIGHEST FOR THE MONTH AND ALSO THE WARMEST SO FAR THIS YEAR.
CLOUD AMOUNT INCREASED ON APRIL 27, LEADING TO MISTY CONDITIONS THE NEXT DAY AND MORE FREQUENT OCCURRENCE OF DRIZZLE. THE DRIZZLE TURNED INTO RAIN IN THE EVENING OF APRIL 29 AS CLOUDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE REMNANT OF TROPICAL STORM VANESSA SPREAD TOWARDS THE SOUTH CHINA COASTAL AREAS.
HEAVY DOWNPOUR AND THUNDERSTORMS OCCURRED OVER THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE TERRITORY IN THE MORNING OF APRIL 30. ALTHOUGH THE RAINFALL AMOUNT RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY FOR THE DAY WAS NO MORE THAN 30 MILLIMETRES, OVER 100 MILLIMETRES WERE RECORDED AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN HONG KONG ISLAND.
TROPICAL STORM VANESSA WAS THE ONLY TROPICAL CYCLONE THAT OCCURRED OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA IN THE MONTH OF APRIL.
OF THE 24 AIRCRAFT DIVERSIONS IN APRIL, MOST WERE DUE TO THE FOGGY WEATHER ON APRIL 9. THE YELLOW FIRE DANGER WARNING WAS IN EFFECT ON APRIL 5. THUNDERSTORM WARNING WAS ISSUED ON APRIL 30.
THE ONLY SIGNAL HOISTED DURING THE MONTH WAS AS FOLLOWS:
WEATHER DATE & TIME DATE & TIME
SYSTEM SIGNAL OF HOISTING OF LOWERING
WINTER STRONG MARCH 31 APRIL 1
MONSOON MONSOON 4.05 PM 7.30 AM
THE MONTH’S FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WERE:
TOTAL BRIGHT SUNSHINE 128.7 HOURS ; 19.8 HOURS ABOVE
NORMAL
MEAN DAILY GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION 13.44 MJ/SQ.M. ; 0.30 MJ/SQ.M. ABOVE NORMAL
TOTAL RAINFALL 34.7 MM ; 126.8 MM BELOW
NORMAL
MEAN AMOUNT OF CLOUD 73 PER CENT ; 5 PER CENT LESS
THAN NORMAL
MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY 81 PER CENT ; 2 PER CENT LOWER
THAN NORMAL
MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM 25.6 DEGREES CELCIUS ; 0.7 DEGREE CELC1US
AIR TEMPERATURE ABOVE NORMAL
/MEAN AIR .......
SATURDAY, MAY II, 1991
MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE
22.8 DEGREES CELCIUS
; 0.6 DEGREE CELCIUS ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE
20.9 DEGREES CELCIUS
; 0.7 DEGREE CELCIUS ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN DEW POINT
19.2 DEGREES CELCIUS
; 0.2 DEGREE CELCIUS ABOVE NORMAL
TOTAL EVAPORATION
91.6 MM ; 15.3 MM BELOW NORMAL
- - 0 - -
IMPORTANCE OE SEX EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS RECOGNISED * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
SEX EDUCATION PLAYS AN IMPORTANT PART IN HELPING STUDENTS DEVELOP A POSITIVE AND HEALTHY ATTITUDE TOWARDS SEX.
THIS POSITIVE AND HEALTHY ATTITUDE WOULD LEAD TO A GREATER AWARENESS AND APPRECIATION OF MATTERS OF PERSONAL AND INTERPERSONAL INTEREST, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
MR LI SAID THIS IN OPENING A SEX EDUCATION ACTION GUIDELINES FORUM ORGANISED BY THE FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION, THE HONG KONG PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS' UNION AND RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG.
HE SAID SEX EDUCATION WAS REGARDED AS AN ESSENTIAL FEATURE OF THE CURRICULUM AND ITS IMPORTANCE WAS RECOGNISED BY SCHOOLS AND THEIR SPONSORS.
A SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT LAST YEAR SHOWED THAT 46 PER CENT OF SCHOOLS, COMPARED TO 30 PER CENT IN 1987, HAD A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME ON SEX EDUCATION, HE SAID.
"AND 67 PER CENT HAVE EITHER APPOINTED A CO-ORDINATING ( OMMITTEE OR A TEACHER TO CO-ORDINATE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SEX EDUCATION IN SCHOOL."
TWELVE PER CENT OF SCHOOLS IN THE SURVEY HAD ALSO INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD SET UP A SEX EDUCATION CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE IN THE 1990-91 SCHOOL YEAR.
MR LI SAID THE IMPORTANT ROLES OF THE FAMILY AND SOCIAL WORKERS IN PROVIDING COUNSELLING AND SUCCESSFUL SEX EDUCATION SHOULD NOT BE OVERLOOKED.
HE HOPED THAT PRINCIPALS, TEACHERS, PARENTS AND SOCIAL WORKERS COULD SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE IN THE FORUM AND WORK OUT A SET OF ACTION GUIDELINES IN SEX EDUCATION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
- - 0 - -
SATURDAY, MAY 11, 1991
- 5 - 1
HEALTH NURSES’ ROLE IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE ******
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PLANS TO REDEFINE THE ROLE AND SCOPE OF HEALTH NURSES IN THE FUTURE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE (PHC) SYSTEM, T1TE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR S.H. LEE, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
"WHILE THE LEVEL OF SKILLS AND EXPERTISE OF NURSES IN THE DEPARTMENT’S GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINICS IS INDISPUTABLE, THE WORKING PARTY ON PHC HAS RECOGNISED THAT THERE IS SCOPE FOR GREATER PARTICIPATION AND MORE EFFECTIVE UTILISATION OF THEIR EXPERTISE," HE SAID.
DR LEE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION ON "ENVIRONMENT AND MENTAL HEALTH", ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG NURSING ASSOCIATION AND THE' HONG KONG COLLEGE OF NURSING TN CELEBRATION OF THIS YEAR’S INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY.
HE NOTED THAT IT WAS THE CURRENT PRACTICE IN MANY COUNTRIES THAT NURSES WERE ASSUMING INCREASING RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE DELIVERY OF PHC.
"APART FROM PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO DOCTORS IN THE TREATMENT OF PATIENTS, NURSES ARE ALSO TAKING UP AN EXPANDED ROLE OF A 'HEALTH NURSE’ WHICH INCLUDES HEALTH PROMOTION, AND REHABILITATIVE, PREVENTIVE AND EDUCATIONAL WORK.
"AS FOR HONG KONG, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAS INVITED EXPERTS FROM OVERSEAS, INCLUDING TWO FROM THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (WHO), TO COME TO HONG KONG TO ADVISE ON THE SUBJECT," DR LEE SAID.
"THEIR PROPOSALS ARE IN LINE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WORKING PARTY ON PHC," HE ADDED.
DR LEE STRESSED THAT THE SUCCESS OF THE FUTURE PHC SYSTEM WOULD RELY ON THE SUPPORT AND CONTRIBUTION OF THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF AND THE CLOSE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS.
TURNING TO THE EXHIBITION, THE DIRECTOR SAID THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH WAS INCREASINGLY BEING RECOGNISED.
"THE WORKING PARTY ON PHC HAS RECOMMENDED THAT HEALTH EDUCATION SHOULD BE ENHANCED TO INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF COMMON MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS AND TO PREVENT THE ONSET OF DISEASE.
"THIS IS PARTICULARLY RELEVANT IN A SOCIETY LIKE HONG KONG WHICH IS CHARACTER ISED BY INTENSE COMPETITION AND STRESS, HE SAID.
DR LEE SAID THE WHO HAD ALSO STRESSED THE NEED TO INTRODUCE A MENTAL HEALTH COMPONENT INTO PHC PARTICULARLY ON THE PREVENTION OF MENTAL AND NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS.
PROVISION OF
PREVENT THEIR
FOR SPECIALIST
"EARLY DETECTION .OF THESE DISORDERS AND APPROPRIATE CARE AT A PHC SETTING WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY DETERIORATION AND, IN TURN, LESSEN THE DEMAND
SERVICES," HE SAID.
/6 ........
SATURDAY, MAY 11, 1991
PUBLIC URGED TO SUPPORT CHILD SPONSORSHIP SCHEME »»*»»*
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ROSE GOODSTADT, TODAY (SATURDAY) CALLED ON THE PUBLIC TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE PO LEUNG KUK’S CHILD SPONSORSHIP SCHEME FOR. THE BENEFIT OF CHILDREN IN RESIDENTIAL CARE.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE PO LEUNG KUK SPONSORS’ DAY AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM, MRS GOODSTADT SAID THE SCHEME, WHICH HAD BEEN IN OPERATION FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, GAVE THE CHILDREN A SENSE OF LOVE AND CARE WHICH WAS VITAL TO THEIR DEVELOPMENT.
"THROUGH REGULAR VISITS AND ATTENTION BY THE SPONSORS, THE CHILDREN AT PO LEUNG KUK WILL BE ABLE TO WIDEN THEIR SOCIAL CIRCLE AND INCREASE THEIR CONTACTS WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD," SHE SAID.
TURNING TO THE GOVERNMENT’S CHILD CARE SERVICES, MRS GOODSTADT SAID THE INTRODUCTION OF SUCH SERVICES AS CRECHES AND DAY NURSERIES WAS NECESSARY AS A RESULT OF THE RAPID ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG AND THE CORRESPONDING INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF WORKING MOTHERS AND SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES.
SHE SAID THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS TO DEVELOP "PRIORITY FOSTER CARE SERVICE" AND "SMALL GROUP HOMES".
"IT IS HOPED THAT THESE PROGRAMMES COULD ENABLE THE CHILDREN TO HAVE A BALANCED DEVELOPMENT, GIVEN THE CHANCE OF LIVING IN A FAMILY-LIKE ENVIRONMENT," SHE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
DISABLED SOCIAL WORKER AWARDED *****
TWENTY-N1NE-YEAR-OLD LEUNG SAI-CHEUNG IS NEVER DETERRED BY HIS DISABILITY.
ON THE CONTRARY, THE WHEELCHAIR-BOUND ASSISTANT SOCIAL WORK OFFICER IS DETERMINED TO TACKLE HIS WORK - WHATEVER THAT COMES ITS WAY.
AND HIS DETERMINATION PAID OFF TODAY (SATURDAY) WHEN HE WAS AWARDED THE OUTSTANDING DISABLED PERSON OF 1991, AN AWARD JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE JOINT COUNCIL FOR THE PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY DISABLED AND THE ROTARY CLUB OF ADMIRALTY IN RECOGNITION OF HIS CONTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITY.
THF DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. CARTLAND, SAID MR LEUNG HAD SUCCUMBED HIS DISABILITY AND TURNED IT INTO A STRENGTH THAT HELPED HIM DEVELOP A CAREER IN SOCIAL WORK.
/HAVING WORKED
7
SATURDAY, MAY 11, 1991
HAVING WORKED IN THE SHA TIN FAMILY SERVICES CENTRE FOR THREE YEARS, MR LEUNG HAD ESTABLISHED A TRUST WITH HIS CLIENTS WHO WERE BESET WITH ALL SORT OF PROBLEMS AND CAME FOR ADVICE OR COUNSELLING.
HE WAS AN LN-TAKE WORKER OF THE CENTRE RESPONSIBLE FOR INTERVIEWING ALL THOSE WHO CAME FOR ASSISTANCE.
MR LEUNG SAID: "I LOVE MY WORK BECAUSE IT DEALS WITH PEOPLE. IN THE PROCESS OF MY WORK, I COME TO REALISE THAT IT IS THE BASIC REQUIREMENT LN LIFE FOR EVERYONE OF US TO HELP OTHERS.”
MR LEUNG SAID AT THE OUTSET SOME PEOPLE WERE SURPRISED TO SEE AN OUTREACH1NG SOCIAL WORKER ON WHEELCHAIR.
’’BUT VERY SOON, THEY TALKED TO ME FRANKLY ABOUT THEIR PROBLEMS,” HE SAID.
FALLING INTO REMINISCENCE, HE RECALLED HIS EXPERIENCES IN TACKLING A MYRIAD OF PROBLEMS LIKE THOSE OF THE ABLE-BODIED.
’’NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE. IF THERE’S A WILL, THERE’S A WAY,” MR LEUNG SAID.
HE SAID THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, SUCH AS A BUILDING WITHOUT A LIFT, COULD NOT STOP HIM FROM VISITING HIS CLIENTS.
’’I CAN SEEK HELP FROM OTHERS. THE PEOPLE HERE IN HONG KONG ARE FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL,” HE ADDED.
MR LEUNG SAID HE NEVER HESTITATED TO ASK FOR HELP.
HE ALSO LOVED TRAVELLING. LAST YEAR, HE VISITED SEVERAL EUROPEAN COUNTRIES.
MR LEUNG SAID: "I FOUND THE ACCESS TO BUILDINGS, PUBLIC PLACES AND MUSEUMS IN THESE COUNTRIES FAR BETTER THAN THOSE IN HONG KONG.”
HE SAID HE FELT HONOURED TO RE AWARDED. HE SAID: ’’THIS AWARD I SHOULD SHARE WITH MY COLLEAGUES IN SHA TIN FAMILY SERVICES CENTRE BECAUSE WE WORK AS A TEAM.”
HE ALSO SAID HE WOULD SHARE HIS AWARD WITH HIS BELOVED MOTHER.
’’THIS IS A WONDERFUL GIFT FOR HER ON MOTHER’S DAY TOMORROW,” HE SAID.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A PHOTOGRAPH SHOWING THE OFFICER AT WORK WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION TN GIS NEWSROOM.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, MAY 12, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR IS PLEASED AIRPORT TALKS RESUME ....................................... 1
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR MARCH RELEASED ................................... 2
RESULTS OF UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS ANNOUNCED ........................................ 9
•
DISABLED JOB-SEEKERS NOW BETTER ASSESSED ...................................... 11
UK MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP FOR LOCAL STUDENTS ....................................... 12
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR FOR OC AND MAC MEMBERS ............................ 13
SUNDAY, MAY 12, 1931
GOVERNOR IS PLEASED AIRPORT TALKS RESUME
♦ »♦****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR AIRPORT TALKS WITH CHINA
DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY HE WAS WERE ABOUT TO RESUME.
PLEASED THE
SPEAKING ON HIS ARRIVAL IN CANBERRA FOR TALKS WITH SENIOR AUSTRALIAN POLITICAL LEADERS, SIR DAVID SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE ISSUE RESOLVED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
"I BELIEVE HONG KONG NEEDS THIS NEW AIRPORT. THAT’S NOT HONG KONG NOW, ITS HONG KONG BUILDING FOR ITS LONG-TERM FUTURE, SO I’M GLAD THE TALKS ARE RESUMING.
"WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR IS A RESOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM. WE’VE GOT TO BOTH LOOK AT CHINESE CONCERNS AND EQUALLY IMPORTANT FIND MEANS OF HAVING AN AGREEMENT WHICH ENABLES US TO CARRY OUT THE EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG," HE SAID.
IN TALKS WITH FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MINISTERS TOMORROW (MONDAY), THE GOVERNOR WILL DISCUSS A NUMBER OF ISSUES INCLUDING THE PROBLEM OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS, AND HONG KONG'S MEMBERSHIP OF REGIONAL ECONOMIC ORGANISATIONS.
SIR DAVID SAID THAT SINCE THERE WAS A REVIVAL OF THE PROBLEM OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS COMING TO HONG KONG, HE WANTED TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE WITH AUSTRALIAN MINISTERS.
"AUSTRALIA HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST GENEROUS COUNTRIES IN RESETTLING GENUINE VIETNAMESE REFUGEES, AND I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR WHAT THEY HAVE DONE IN THE PAST.
"AT THE SAME TIME, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT HOW THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY CAN FIND A REALISTIC WAY OF CARRYING OUT THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION (CPA) WHICH IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AT THE MOMENT.
"WE MUST FIND WAYS TO MAKE IT WORK PROPERLY INCLUDING WAYS OF . DEALING WITH THOSE WHO ARE SCREENED OUT AS NON-REFUGEES."
ON ECONOMIC MATTERS, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WOULD BE RAISING THE QUESTION OF HONG KONG’S PARTICIPATION IN REGIONAL ECONOMIC GROUPS IN WHICH AUSTRALIA HAS BEEN TAKING SUCH A LEAD.
HE SAID HONG KONG’S MEMBERSHIP OF THE PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION CONFERENCE (PECC) WAS EXPECTED TO BE RATIFIED AT A MEETING IN SINGAPORE WITHIN A FORTNIGHT.
"WE ALSO FEEL THAT AS ONE OF THE LEADING ECONOMIES IN THE REGION, IT’S RIGHT THAT HONG KONG SHOULD BE A MEMBER OF THE ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION FORUM (APEC)," SIR DAVID SAID.
HE SAID HONG KONG HAD BEEN TALKING TO THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT FOR SOME TIME ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THESE DISCUSSIONS WOULD BE CONTINUED IN HIS MEETINGS IN CANBERRA THIS WEEK.
SIR DAVID IS DUE TO MEET SENIOR GOVERNMENT MINISTERS INCLUDING, I’HE FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER, MR GARETH EVANS, THE MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION, MR GERRY HAND AND, ON TUESDAY, THE PRIME MINISTER, MR HAWKE.
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/2 .....
SUNDAY, MAY 12, 1991
2
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR MARCH RELEASED * * » * »
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN MARCH 1991, AT $105,851 MILLION, GREW BY 8% IN VALUE AS COMPARED WITH MARCH 1990, ACCORDING TO THE DETAILED FIGURES ON THE VALUE OF TRADE IN MARCH 1991 RELEASED TODA/ (SUNDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY 9% TO $14,980 MILLION, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 10% TO $33,865 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 3% TO $48,845 MILLION. THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 12% TO $57,006 MILLION.
ON A QUARTERLY BASIS, THE VALUE OF TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991, AT $315,535 MILLION, INCREASED BY 20% AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME QUARTER IN 1990.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 4% TO $48,500 MILLION, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 26% TO $104,360 MILLION.
THUS, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 18% TO $152,860 MILLION. THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 23% TO $162,675 MILLION.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMPARING MARCH 1991 WITH MARCH 1990, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CANADA AND THE USA BOTH RECORDED CONSIDERABLE DECREASES OF 27%. THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO TAIWAN, JAPAN, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND CHINA ALSO DECREASED BY 7%, 3%, 2% AND 1% RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE NETHERLANDS, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, SINGAPORE AND FRANCE INCREASED BY 18%, 11%, 9% AND 5% RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 WITH THE SAME QUARTER IN 1990, SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, SINGAPORE, THE NETHERLANDS, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND TAIWAN, BY 41%, 37%, 28%, 20% AND 14% RESPECTIVELY. THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA, FRANCE AND JAPAN ALSO INCREASED BY 10%, 10% AND 2% RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CANADA AND THE USA DECREASED BY 16% AND 14% RESPECTIVELY.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORtS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
/COMPARING THE .......
SUNDAY, MAY 12, 1991
3
COMPARING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 WITH THE SAME QUARTER IN 1990, INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR CLOTHING (BY $1,004 MILLION OR 7%); OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT (BY $911 MILLION OR 27%); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $561 MILLION OR 15%); AND PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $177 MILLION OR 4%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED IN MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $825 MILLION OR 14%), AND TEXTILES (BY $135 MILLION OR 4%).
THE CHANGES TN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE SUMMARISED IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING MARCH 1991 WITH MARCH 1990, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM MOST MAJOR SUPPLIERS,
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM SINGAPORE AND THE’FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY, BY 44% AND 38% RESPECTIVELY. THOSE FROM JAPAN, TAIWAN, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, THE UNITED KINGDOM, CHINA AND SWITZERLAND INCREASED BY 23%, 20%, 18%, 16%, 9% AND 8% RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM THE USA DECREASED BY 22%.
COMPARING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 WITH THE SAME QUARTER IN 1990, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM ALL MAJOR SUPPLIERS.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM SINGAPORE, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA, THE UNITED KINGDOM, JAPAN, TAIWAN, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, CHINA AND SWITZERLAND INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY, BY 54%, 34%, 30%, 28%, 27%, 25%, 24% AND 15% RESPECTIVELY.
THOSE FROM THE USA AND ITALY INCREASED SLIGHTLY BY 3% AND 1% RESPECTIVELY.
TABLE 4 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 WITH THE SAME QUARTER IN 1990, CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WERE RECORDED IN ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $4,085 MILLION OR 31%); CLOTHING (BY $3,026 MILLION OR 29%); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $2,797 MILLION OR 29%); AND TEXTILES (BY $2,420 MILLION OR 15%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR OTHER TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT (BY $651 MILLION OR 35%), AND NON-METALLIC MINERAL MANUFACTURES (BY $288 MILLION OR 5%).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 5.
/COMPARING MARCH .......
SUNDAY, MAY 12, 1991
4
COMPARING MARCH 1991 WITH MARCH 1990, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, FRANCE AND CHINA, BY 43%, 22% AND 21% RESPECTIVELY. THOSE TO TAIWAN, ITALY, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM INCREASED BY 8%, 6%, 5%, 3% AND 3% RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEV-ER, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO SINGAPORE AND THE USA DECREASED BY 16% AND 7% RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 OVER THE SAME QUARTER IN 1990, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO MOST MAJOR MARKETS INCREASED.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, ITALY, FRANCE AND THE UNITED KINGDOM, BY 91%, 47%, 44% AND 35% RESPECTIVELY. THE VALUE OF REEXPORTS TO CHINA, TAIWAN, JAPAN AND THE USA INCREASED BY 28%, 26%, 21% AND 13% RESPECTIVELY. THOSE TO THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA RECORDED A SLIGHT INCREASE OF 2%.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO SINGAPORE DECREASED BY 10%.
TABLE 6 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 WITH THE SAME QUARTER IN 1990, CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR CLOTHING (BY $4,073 MILLION OR 43%); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (BY $2,154 MILLION OR 23%); FOOTWEAR (BY $1,938 MILLION OR 74%); AND TEXTILES (BY $1,447 MILLION OR 15%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS WERE RECORDED IN FISH, CRUSTACEANS AND MOLLUSCS, AND PREPARATIONS THEREOF (BY $202 MILLION OR 18%), AND RAW HIDES, SKINS AND FURSKINS (BY $44 MILLION OR 24%) .
ALL THE TRADE STATISTICS DESCRIBED HERE ARE MEASURED AT CURRENT PRICES AND NO ACCOUNT HAS BEEN TAKEN OF THE CHANGES IN PRICES BETWEEN THE PERIODS OF COMPARISON. A SEPARATE ANALYSIS OF THE PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN MARCH 1991 WILL BE RELEASED IN EARLY JUNE.
DETAILED STATISTICS ON TRADE VALUE BY COMMODITY AND BY COUNTRY ARE PUBLISHED IN TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
THE MARCH 1991 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE" WITH DETAILED ANALYSES ON IMPORTS, EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS IN MARCH 1991 WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AROUND MAY 20, AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AT $33.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL. NO. 842 8802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE STATISTICS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. 823 4915).
/TABLE 1 .......
SUNDAY, MAY 12, 1991
5
TABLE 1: DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAR MAJOR MARKET 1991 (HKD MN.) MAR. 91 OVER MAR 90 ( % ) JAN-MAR 1991 (HKD MN.) JAN-MAR 9i OVER JAN-MAR 90
( % )
USA 3,394 - 27 1 1,678 - 14
CHINA 3,585 - 1 10,247 4 10
FR OF GERMANS 1,317 + 1 1 4,904 + 41
UK 863 - 2 3,082 4- 20
JAPAN 969 - 3 2,635 4- 2
SINGAPORE 606 4- 9 2,051 4- 37
TAIWAN 450 - 7 1,450 4- 14
NETHERLANDS 430 + 18 I ,397 4- 28
CANADA 266 - 27 1,033 - 16
FRANCE 266 4- 5 874 4- 10
TABLE 2: DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
MAR MAR 91 JAN-MAR JAN-MAR 91
COMMODITY 1991 OVER 1991 OVER
DIVISION MAR 90 JAN-MAR 90
(HKD MN.| ( % ) (HKD MN.) ( X ; )
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 3,694 - 15 14,954 4- 7
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY’JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS* WARES) 1,710 - 22 4,972 — 14
PHOTOGRAPH IC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1,549 + 6 4,363 4- 4
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT 1,337 + 6 4,271 4- 27
/ELECTRICAL MACHINERY .......
SUNDAY, MAY 12, 1991
6
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 1,404 - 1 4,239 + 15
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 1,281 - 1 1 3,627 - 4
TABLE 3: IMPORTS FROM 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS
MAJOR SUPPLIER MAR 1991 (HKD MN.) MAR 91 OVER MAR 90 ( % ) JAN-MAR 1991 (HKD MN.) JAN-MAR OVER JAN-MAR ( * 91 90 ; )
CHINA 19,128 + 9 57, 174 + 24
JAPAN 10,104 + 23 27,132 + 28
TAIWAN 5,438 + 20 14,694 + 27
USA 4,310 - 22 13,051 + 3
SINGAPORE 2,439 + 44 7,864 + 54
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 2,708 + 18 7,586 + 34
UK 1,320 16 4,024 + 30
FR OF GERMANY 1,373 + 38 3,601 + 25
SWITZERLAND 876 + 8 2,659 15
ITALY 992 ♦ 2,509 + 1
t DENOTES LESS THAN 0 i.5%
TABLE 4: IMPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION MAR 1991 (HKD MN.) MAR 91 OVER MAR 90 ( % ) JAN-MAR 1991 (HKD MN.) JAN-MAR OVER JAN-MAR ( % 91 90 )
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 7,405 + 15 18,453 + 15
/ELECTRICAL MACHINERY
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF - 7 - 5,847 + 10 SUNDAR NAY 12, 17,201 1991 31
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 4,236 + 11 13,348 + 29
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 4,474 + 16 12,584 4- 29
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES,TOYS,GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 3,394 + 2 10,253 4- 18
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 2,967 4- 32 8,259 4- 21
TABLE 5: RE- EXPORTS TO 10 MAJOR MARKETS
MAR MAJOR MARKET 1991 (HKD MN.) MAR 91 OVER MAR 90 ( % ) JAN-MAR 1991 (HKD MN.) JAN-MAR 91 OVER JAN-MAR 90 ( % )
CHINA 10,336 + 21 28,842 4- 28
USA 5,459 - 7 19,016 4- 13
FR OF GERMANY 2, 129 43 7,849 4- 91
JAPAN 2, 138 + 5 6,425 4- 21
TAIWAN 1,925 4- 8 5,733 4- 26
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 1 ,157 4- 3 3,147 4- 2
UK 786 + 3 2,743 4- 35
SINGAPORE 894 - 16 2,594 - 10
FRANCE 555 4- 22 1,803 4 44
ITALY 499 4- 6 1,720 4- 47
/TABLE 6 .......
SUNDAY, MAY 12, 1991
8
TABLE 6: RE-EXPORTS OF THE MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION (HK MAR 1991 D MN. ) MAR 91 OVER MAR 90 JAN-MAR 1991 (HKD MN.) JAN-MAk 91 OVER JAN-MAR 90
( % . ) ( % . )
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 3,701 + 23 13,468 1 43
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES,TOYS,GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 3,388 - 2 11,555 ♦ 23
TEXTILE YARN,FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 4,091 + 10 10,973 + 15
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 3,151 * 9,335 + 14
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 2,809 + 8 8,549 4- 28
FOOTWEAR 1,261 + 39 4,569 74
♦ DENOTES LESS THAN 0.5%
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/9.........
SUNDAY, MAY 12, 1991
9
RESULTS OF UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS ANNOUNCED ******
THE UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS COMMITTEE TODAY (SUNDAY) ANNOUNCED THE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS FOR 11 OUTSTANDING HONG KONG STUDENTS TO PURSUE POSTGRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES IN SOME OF THE FINEST ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM COMMENCING IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR 199 I-92.
THESE II BRILLIANT YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN HAVE BEEN SELECTED FROM AMONGST 320 APPLICATIONS AFTER CAREFUL SHORTLISTING AND TWO SELECTION INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED BY THE FULL COMMITTEE UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF QUEEN’S COUNSEL MR HENRY LITTON.
MR LITTON SAID THE COMMITTEE HAD BEEN GREATLY IMPRESSED BY THE VERY HIGH STANDARD OF THE APPLICANTS, THEIR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS, INTELLECTUAL AND LEADERSHIP QUALITIES. AND THEIR COMMITMENTS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE WELLBEING OF THE COMMUNITY.
"THE SELECTION TASK WAS NOT EASY, BUT, WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT MFR ITS HAVE PREVAILED," HE SAID.
"EACH SCHOLARSHIP WILL BE WORTH ABOUT 10,000 POUNDS TO 14,000 POUNDS A 'i EAR AND WILL COVER UNIVERSITY COMPOSITION FEE, COLLEGE FEE IN HIE CASE OF OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE STUDENTS, ANNUAL MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE OF 4,500 POUNDS TO 5,000 POUNDS AND A RETURN AIR PASSAGE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND LONDON.
"\LL SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ARE REQUIRED TO WORK IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS AFTER COMPLETION OF THEIR STUDIES."
THE SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ARE MR YUNG KIN-LAM OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG; MR EDGAR TUNG, MR CHAN WAI-KIN AND MR HUNG CHEUNG-TSUI OF QUEEN’S COLLEGE; MR LEE YEE, MR CHARLTON TSE AND MR RAYMOND CHONG OF ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE; MR TAM KWAN-KEI OF TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS MRS WU YORK-YU MEMORIAL COLLEGE; MISS WONG LOK OF MALVERN GIRLS’ COLLEGE IN ENGLAND; MISS LINDA LEUNG OF DIOCESAN GIRLS’ SCHOOL; AND MISS DEBBIE LEUNG OF ST MARY'S CANOSSIAN COLLEGE.
MR YUNG KIN-LAM, 26, WHO OBTAINED A BACHELOR DEGREE IN COMBINED SCIENCE FROM HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE WITH FIRST CLASS HONOURS IS CURRENTLY STUDYING FOR A MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY DEGREE IN NEUROBIOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG. HE INTENDS TO PURSUE A DOCTORATE IN NEUROBIOLOGY AT OXFORD.
MR HUNG CHEUNG-TSUI, 21, SCORED NINE DISTINCTIONS IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION (HKCEE), PLANS TO BECOME A MEDICAL DOCTOR AFTER HIS STUDY AT CAMBRIDGE.
MR CHAN WAI-KIN, 19, GOT NINE DISTINCTIONS AND ONE CREDIT IN HKCEE, PLANS TO STUDY COMPUTER SCIENCE AT CAMBRIDGE. HE HOPES TO BECOME EITHER A SYSTEM ANALYST OR AN ENGINEER.
/MR EDGAR
SUNDAY, MAY 12, 1991
- 10 -
MR EDGAR TUNG, 19, GOT FIVE DISTINCTIONS AND FOUR CREDITS IN HKCEE, PLANS TO STUDY COMPUTER SCIENCE AT THE IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE.
MR RAYMOND CHONG, 19, OBTAINED NINE DISTINCTIONS IN HKCEE, ALSO PLANS TO STUDY COMPUTER SCIENCE AT CAMBRIDGE.
MR LEE YEE, 19, WHO OBTAINED SEVEN DISTINCTIONS AND TWO CREDITS IN HKCEE, INTENDS TO STUDY ARCHITECTURE AT CAMBRIDGE.
MR CHARLTON TSE, 18, GOT EIGHT DISTINCTIONS IN HKCEE, ASPIRES TO BECOME AN ENGINEER IN THE INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY FIELD AFTER HE GRADUATES FROM CAMBRIDGE.
MR TAM KWAN-KEI, 18, OBTAINED FIVE DISTINCTIONS AND THREE CREDITS IN HKCEE, INTENDS TO STUDY ENGINEERING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS.
MISS DEBBIE LEUNG, 19, OBTAINED NINE DISTINCTIONS IN HKCEE, WILL PURSUE A BACHELOR DEGREE IN PHYSICS AT CAMBRIDGE.
MISS LINDA LEUNG, 19, SCORED SIX DISTINCTIONS AND THREE CREDITS IN HKCEE, INTENDS TO STUDY BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AT KING'S COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON.
MISS WONG LOK, 17, SCORED SIX DISTINCTIONS AND TWO CREDITS IN THE GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION EXAMINATION. SHE PLANS TO STUDY SOCIAL SCIENCES AT OXFORD.
IN ADDITION TO THE CHAIRMAN MR HENRY LITTON THE UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS COMMITTEE COMPRISES. THE FORMER VICE-CHANCELLOR OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HING KONG, PROFESSOR MA LIN; JOCKEY CLUB STEWARD, MR SIMON LI FOOK-SEAN; JUSTICE OF PEACE, DR JAMES WONG SAI-WING; BRITISH TRADE COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE MR CHRISTOPHER OSBORNE; FORMER CHAIRMAN OF BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN HONG KONG, MR NEIL MAIDMENT; AND BRITISH COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE, MR PETER CRAGGS.
FOUR GUEST PANEL MEMBERS ALSO PARTICIPATED IN THE SELECTION OF SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES. THEY INCLUDE DR GERALD CHOA, CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON STUDENT FINANCE; PROFESSOR SHORTRIDGE, HEAD OF MICROBIOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG; MRS GRACE CHOW, DIRECTOR OF STUDENT AFFAIRS OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG; AND MS CLARE KEATES OF THE BRITISH COUNCIL.
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/Il ........
SUNDAY, MAY 12, 1991
11
DISABLED JOB-SEEKERS NOW BETTER ASSESSED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL SOON EXTEND THE USE OF ITS NEWLY-ACQUIRED VOCATIONAL ASSESSMENT KITS TO ALL DISABLED POTENTIAL JOB-SEEKERS.
KNOWN AS VALPAR COMPONENT WORK SAMPLE SERIES (VCWSS), THE NEW SYSTEM IS ESPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR THE DISABLED AND IS CURRENTLY IN USE AT ALL THREE REGIONAL OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT’S SELECTIVE PLACEMENT DIVISION.
"WITH THIS WELL-DEVELOPED WORK SAMPLE KITS, PLACEMENT OFFICERS CAN MORE ACCURATELY AND REALISTICALLY ASSESS INDIVIDUAL DISABLED PERSONS’ WORKING ABILITIES AND PLACE THEM IN THE RIGHT JOB," THE SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (SELECTIVE PLACEMENT), MR TANG KONG-KIN, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
"TO PROMOTE WIDER USE OF THE SYSTEM, THE DIVISION WILL INVITE STUDENTS, TRAINEES AND TEACHERS FROM SPECIAL SCHOOLS AND SKILLS CENTRES, AS WELL AS VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PERSONNEL, TO VISIT ITS BRANCH OFFICES," MR TANG SAID.
DURING THE VISITS, THEY WILL BE GIVEN A DEMONSTRATION ON THE USE OF THE SYSTEM AND HANDS-ON PRACTICE ON THE SAMPLE KITS.
"THIS WILL PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR POTENTIAL JOB-SEEKERS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THEIR OWN WORKING ABILITIES AND LIMITATIONS, AND SHOULD HELP THEM CHOOSE A MORE SUITABLE JOB IN FUTURE," MR TANG SAID.
THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN USING THE SERVICE MAY CONTACT THE FOLLOWING OFFICERS AT THE THREE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT OFFICES:
♦ MR LAM YUK-KEUNG
HONG KONG OFFICE
HARBOUR BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
'PEL. NO. 852 4802
♦ MRS STELLA WONG
KOWLOON OFFICE
NGAU TAU KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES,
GROUND AND FIRST FLOORS,
21 ON WAH STREET, NGAU TAU KOK.
TEL. NO. 755 4850
♦ MRS TONIA LEUNG
NEW TERRITORIES OFFICE
EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE,
GROUND FLOOR,
50 TEXACO ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
TEL. NO. 498 8394
------0------------
/I2 .......
SUNDAY, MAY 12, 1991
12
UK MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP FOR LOCAL STUDENTS
MUSICALLY-GIFTED STUDENTS WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO STUDY MUSIC FOR TWO YEARS AT THE WELLS CATHEDRAL SCHOOL IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
THE RESIDENTIAL COURSE, WHICH AIMS AT ACHIEVING THE HIGHEST STANDARDS IN INSTRUMENTAL TRAINING AND IN NORMAL ACADEMIC WORK, WILL BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR AND WILL LEAD TO THE G.C.E. ADVANCED LEVEL EXAMINATION IN AT LEAST TWO SUBJECTS, ONE OF WHICH WILL BE IN MUSIC.
APPLICANTS SHOULD HE BETWEEN 16 AND 18 YEARS OF AGE AND HAVE RESIDED IN HONG KONG FOR A PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN THREE YEARS.
THEY SHOULD PREFERABLY HAVE ATTAINED AT LEAST GRADE VIII IN A ROYAL SCHOOLS OF MUSIC PRACTICAL EXAMINATION OR EQUIVALENT IN PIANO OR VIOLIN AND SHOULD PREFERABLY HAVE OBTAINED, BY SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, SIX PASSES AT GRADE C OR ABOVE IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION (HKCEE) OR EQUIVALENT.
STUDENTS PREPARING TO SIT FOR THE HKCEE THIS YEAR MAY ALSO APPLY. QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND AN AUDITION IN LATE JUNE.
THE TWO-YEAR SCHOLARSHIP WILL BE SPONSORED BY THE PC ORAM CHARITABLE TRUST ADMINISTERED BY THE HONGKONG BANK TRUSTEE LTD, AND WILL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT ALL COSTS OF TUITION, BOARD AND LODGE AND AIR FARES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE UNITED KINGDOM.
HOWEVER, PARENTS WILL BE EXPECTED TO CONTRIBUTE ACCORDING TO THEIR FINANCIAL STATUS TOWARDS SUBSISTENCE AND AIR FARES.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE MUSIC OFFICE HEADQUARTERS, WANCHAI TOWER I, 25TH FLOOR, 12 HARBOUR ROAD AND ALL MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE.
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE YAU MA TEI MUSIC CENTRE ON THIRD FLOOR, GOLDEN GATE COMMERCIAL BUILDING, 1.38 AUSTIN ROAD NOT LATER THAN MAY .31.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE OBTAINED ON TEL. 823 5314 OR 722 6240.
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/13........
SUNDAY, MAY 12, 1991
- 13 -
BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR FOR OC AND MAC MEMBERS * * * * *
THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) IS INVITIN: OWNERS CORPORATION (OC) AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE (MAC) MEMBERS 70 TAKE PART IN A SEMINAR ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT TO BE HELD AT THE HON KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE ON JUNE 8.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE INTERESTED IN GOOD BUILDING MANAGEMENT ARE ALSO WELCOME TO ATTEND.
THE HALF-DAY SEMINAR IS AIMED AT ENHANCING OC AND MAC MEMBERS’ KNOWLEDGE IN THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF GOOD PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMEM1 AND TO HELP THEM IMPROVE THE MANAGEMENT AND LIVING ENVIRONMENT 01 THEIR BUILDINGS, A CNTA SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
BUILDING MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS, A MEMBER OF THE LEGAL SECTOR, A PROPERTY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR, A GOVERNMENT SENIOR STRUCTURAL ENGINEER, A DIRECTOR OF AN INSURANCE COMPANY AND AN OC CHAIRMAN WILL GIVE TALKS ON THEIR RESPECTIVE SUBJECT AREAS. THESE WILL BE FOLLOWED BY OPEN DISCUSSIONS AMONG THE PARTICIPANTS.
THE TOPICS TO BE COVERED INCLUDE DEED OF MUTUAL COVENANT, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS OF BUILDINGS, COMMUNAL ELECTRICAL FITTINGS, ELECTRICITY SUPPLY, UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS AND INSURANCE OF BUILDINGS.
AN EXHIBITION ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT WILL ALSO BE STAGED AT THE VENUE.
ADMISSION TO THE SEMINAR IS FREE. APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES. COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE BUILDING MANAGEMENT DIVISION, HONG KONG AND KOWLOON REGION, CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, 29TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, BEFORE MAY 20.
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 835 1496 OR 835 1497.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, MAY 13, 1591
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
UNDERSTANDING RESPONSE FROM AUSTRALIAN MINISTERS ON VM PROBLEM .................. 1
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ...................... 2
OPTIONS FOR LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY DISCUSSED ........................................ 3
10 QUESTIONS, 13 BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA .......................................... 6
MONDAY, MAY 13, 1991
- 1 -
UNDERSTANDING RESPONSE FROM AUSTRALIAN MINISTERS ON VM PROBLEM
******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, INDICATED TODAY (MONDAY) THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT WAS WILLING TO ASSIST HONG KONG IN HELPING TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS AT AN INTERNATIONAL LEVEL.
HE WAS SPEAKING AFTER A SERIES OF MEETINGS IN CANBERRA TODAY WITH SENIOR GOVERNMENT MINISTERS, INCLUDING THE FOREIGN MINISTER, MR GARETH EVANS, AND THE IMMIGRATION MINISTER, MR GERRY HAND, WITH WHOM HE RAISED THE PROBLEM OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS.
SIR DAVID SAID HE RECEIVED AN UNDERSTANDING RESPONSE FROM BOTH MINISTERS.
"I THINK THEY ARE VERY ANXIOUS TO DO ANYTHING THEY CAN TO HELP US IN THE CONTEXT OF INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS TO TRY TO FIND SOLUTIONS TO THIS SORT OF PROBLEM," HE SAID.
EARLIER IN THE DAY, THE GOVERNOR SAID THERE WAS A GREAT FUTURE FOR AUSTRALIA HAVING AN ECONOMIC INVOLVEMENT IN HONG KONG.
INTERVIEWED ON NATIONAL RADIO, SIR DAVID SAID HE BELIEVED HONG KONG HAD A MAJOR CONTINUING ROLE TO PLAY FOR AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS, AND WITH OTHER COUNTRIES, IN TRADING THROUGH THE TERRITORY INTO CHINA.
"THE MORE THERE IS FOREIGN ECONOMIC INVOLVEMENT IN HONG KONG, THE BETTER IT IS FOR THE CHANCES OF THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR HONG KONG'S FUTURE WORKING OUT WELL IN PRACTICE," HE SAID.
ASKED ABOUT THE AIRPORT, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE COULD NOT PREDICT THE OUTCOME OF THE TALKS WHICH WERE DUE TO RESUME ON SATURDAY. HOWEVER, HE SAID: "IT’S SOMETHING WE WANT ON OUR SIDE TO PUSH AHEAD WITH AS SOON AS WE POSSIBLY CAN."
ALTHOUGH IT WAS A WORRY TO PEOPLE IN HONG KONG HE DID NOT THINK IT WAS SOMETHING WHICH UNDERMINED CONFIDENCE IN THE TERRITORY, SIR DAVID ADDED.
SIR DAVID ALSO HAD WIDE RANGING DISCUSSIONS LASTING FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR WITH THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DEFENCE AND TRADE.
THE SUBJECTS COVERED HONG KONG’S ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FUTURE, RELATIONS WITH CHINA, THE EXTENT OF AUSTRALIAN ECONOMIC INTEREST AND INVOLVEMENT IN HONG KONG, AND THE PRESENT SITUATION IN THE TERRITORY.
SIR DAVID DESCRT RED THE TALKS AS VERY USEFUL.
HE ALSO HAD MEETINGS WITH THE FEDERAL MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS, MR KIM BEAZLEY, THE MINISTER FOR TRADE AND OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT, DR NEAL BLEWETT, AND THE LEADER OF THE FEDERAL OPPOSITION, DR JOHN HEWSON.
/STR DAVID .......
MONDAY, MAY 13, 1991
- 2 -
SIR DAVID ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIT THROUGH QUESTION TIME IN FEDERAL PARLIAMENT.
TOMORROW (TUESDAY), THE GOVERNOR WILL MEET THE PRIME MR BOB HAWKE, BEFORE FLYING TO SYDNEY FOR A BUSINESS ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
PART OF
MINISTER, LUNCHEON
DURING THE AFTERNOON AND MEET HONG KONG STUDENTS SYDNEY INSTITUTE.
HE WILL VISIT THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY AND THEN GIVE A KEYNOTE ADDRESS TO THE
- - 0----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS HKEF
******
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 11.5.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 13.5.91 -80
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING +80
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.5 *+0.1*
13.5.91
ISSUE NUMBER HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEI
MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
Q115 10.7.91 350 + 130
Q116 17.7.91 350 + 130
QI 1 7 24.7.91 358.5 +121.5
Ql 18 31.7.91 440 + 40
QI 1 9 7.8.91 430 + 50
Q107 15.5.91 401 + 79
Q108 22.5.91 500 -20
Q109 29.5.91 610 -130
Ql 10 5.6.91 390 + 90
Ql 1 1 12.6.91 444 + 36
Ql 12 19.6.91 610 -130
Ql 13 26.6.91 480 + 0
Ql 1 4 3.7.91 480 + 0
/HONG KONG .......
MONDAY. MAY 13, 1991
ISSUE NUMBER HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 182-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
H002 15.5.91 227.5 + 32.5
11003 29.5.91 210 + 50
H004 12.6.91 250 + 10
H005 26.6.91 230 + 30
H101 10.7.91 143 + 117
H156 24.7.91 150 + 110
H157 7.8.91 209.5 + 50.5
H158 21.8.91 150 + 110
H159 4.9.91 170 + 90
H160 18.9.91 150 + 110
H161 2.10.91 110 + 150
Hl 62 17.10.91 74 + 186
H163 30.10.91 160 + 100
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
364-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
Y187 26.2.92 230 + 30
Y188 25.3.92 180 + 80
Y189 22.4.92 190 + 70
HKEJ
HKEK
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 10.5.91 WAS 3,882 MN
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OPTIONS FOR LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY DISCUSSED
*****
THE SEARCH FOR MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE, COST-EFFECTIVE AND AFFORDABLE METHODS OF REARING PIGS AND CHICKENS . IS A MUST, FOR WITHOUT SUCH METHODS, THE LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG IS LIKELY TO FACE A BLEAK FUTURE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES। MRS ANSON CHAN, TODAY (MONDAY), WHEN OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM AND TRAINING COURSE ON MODERN TECHNOLOGY IN THE TREATMENT AND RECYCLING OF LIVESTOCK WASTES AT THE KADOORIE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTRE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (HKU).
"IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE TRADITIONAL METHODS OF REARING PIGS AND CHICKENS WERE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS TO WHICH WE ASPIRED," SHE SAID.
/SHE ADDED .......
MONDAY, MAY 13, 1991
- 4 -
SHE ADDED THAT LIVESTOCK WASTES WERE HEAVILY POLLUTING VATEi. COURSES AND CONTRIBUTING TO THE POLLUTION OF COASTAL WATERS, ESPECIALLY IN AREAS WITH POOR WATER CIRCULATION.
MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG HAD MADE CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS IN THE SEARCH FOR BETTER LIVESTOCK REARING METHODS.
SHE SAID AS AN INITIAL STEP, DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS TO TEST THE TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF DIFFERENT LIVESTOCK REARING METHODS HAD BEEN SET UP.
"THIS WAS NECESSARY BECAUSE WE FELT THAT ANY CHANGES TO THE TRADITIONAL METHOD OF LIVESTOCK REARING HAD TO BE SHOWN TO BF FEASIBLE BEFORE FARMERS WOULD ADOPT THEM," THE SECRETARY SAID.
THE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS HAD NOW BEEN SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDED, AND THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOW CAREFULLY EVALUATING THE OPTIONS FOR THE BEST WAY FORWARD, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT OUR POLICY OBJECTIVES AND THE VIEWS OF THE FARMING AND SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITIES.
"I THEREFORE FIND IT PARTICULARLY USEFUL THAT A SYMPOSIUM OF THIS NATURE SHOULD BE HELD AT THE JUNCTURE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO LEARN YOUR VIEWS ON OUR DEMONSTRATION PROJECT IN DUE COURSE.”
SHE SAID PROGRESS TOWARDS A BETTER ENVIRONMENT WOULD REQUIRE A CO-OPERATIVE EFFORT AND THE BRINGING TOGETHER OF DIFFERENT SKILLS.
THIS SYMPOSIUM, SHE CONTINUED, WAS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THE WAY IN WHICH RESEARCHERS, ACADEMICS, FARMERS AND CIVIL SERVANTS COULD POOL THEIR EFFORTS TO APPLY MODERN TECHNOLOGY IN THE MOST PRACTICAL WAY TO ACHIEVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND BUSINESS EFFICIENCY.
MRS CHAN SAID SHE WAS PLEASED TO SEE THAT THE PROGRAMME FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS COVERED NOT ONLY THE TREATMENT, BUT ALSO THE RECYCLING OF LIVESTOCK WASTES.
"MUCH SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH HAD ALREADY BEEN DEVOTED TO RECYCLING AND SOME PROGRESS HAS BEEN ACHIEVED IN CONVERTING LIVESTOCK WASTES INTO SOIL CONDITIONER.
"I HOPE THAT MORE PROGRESS CAN BE ACHIEVED IN THIS AREA SHORTLY SO THAT THE FARMING COMMUNITY WILL HAVE AN ADDITIONAL INCENTIVE TO ADOPT MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY DISPOSAL TECHNIQUES," SHE CONFIDED.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WAS THE FOUNDER OF THE KADOORIE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTRE, STR HORACE KADOORIE.
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SYMPOSIUM’S ORGANISERS, INCLUDING THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE; THE DIRECTOR OF HKU’S KADOORIE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTRE, PROFESSOR DANIEL CHAN; AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT FEDERATION OF THE HONG KONG AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AND MARKETING SOCIETIES (JFHKAPMS), MR CHAN KWOK-WAI WERE ALSO PRESENT AT THE CEREMONY.
/AS HEAD .......
MONDAY, MAY 13, 1991
- 5 -
AS HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBLE EOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURE IN HONG KONG, DR LEE SAID HE WAS PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ON HOW TO FOSTER THE DEVELOPMENT OF FARMING IN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE MANNER.
HE POINTED OUT THAT TO HELP FARMERS COMPLY WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME, THE DEPARTMENT HAD INITIATED SINCE 1987 ADAPTIVE STUDIES ON AN EFFLUENT-FREE PIG RAISING METHOD -- THE PIG-ON-LJTTER (POL) SYSTEM.
UNDER. THIS SYSTEM, PIG WASTES WERE DECOMPOSED IN-SITU INTO SIMPLE COMPOUNDS BY MEANS OF SAWDUST MIXED WITH A SPECIAL BACTERIAL PRODUCT AND THE SPENT SAWDUST COULD BE RECYCLED AS A SOIL CONDITIONER WITH GOOD NUTRITIONAL VALUE FOR HORTICULTURAL AND LANDSCAPING PURPOSES.
"TRIALS ON THIS SYSTEM HAVE SO FAR BEEN SUCCESSFUL NOT ONLY IN THE GOVERNMENT EXPERIMENTAL CENTRES BUT ALSO IN SEVERAL PRIVATE FARMS," DR LEE SAID.
APART FROM THIS TECHNICAL INPUT, THE DEPARTMENT WAS ALSO PROVIDING LOANS TO FARMERS WHO REQUIRED CAPITAL FOR INSTALLING THE NECESSARY ON-FARM WASTE TREATMENT FACILITIES.
DR LEE ADDED: "BY BRINGING ACADEMICS AND FARMERS TOGETHER, THE SYMPOSIUM WILL CERTAINLY LEAD TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF MORE PRACTICAL WASTE TREATMENT AND RECYCLING METHODS."
THIS, IN TURN, WOULD HELP INTEGRATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF LIVESTOCK AND CROP FARMING AND AT THE SAME TIME PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS, HE SAID.
ANOTHER GUEST, MR. CHAN KWOK-WAI, ALSO SAID LIKE ANY OTHER SECTORS OF THE PUBLIC, LIVESTOCK FARMERS FULLY RECOGNISED THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT AND WERE WILLING TO DO WHAT THEY POSSIBLY COULD IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH THE LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL.
THE FIVE-DAY SYMPOSIUM WILL END ON FRIDAY. IT INCLUDED A SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM, AN EXHIBITION, TRAINING COURSES FOR FARMERS AND A FIELD EXCURSION FOR PARTICIPANTS TO SEE LOCAL AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES.
MONDAY, MAY 13, 1991
- 6 -
10 QUESTIONS, 13 BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 10 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER 13 BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (MAY 15).
OF THE 13 BILLS, SEVEN WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATES ON THEM WILL BE ADJOURNED.
THEY ARE THE LOANS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 'll BILL 1991, STAMP DUTY (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991, ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE (FELONIES AND MISDEMEANOURS) BILL 1991, WASTE DISPOSAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, EDUCATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 AND PENSIONS (SPECIAL PROVISIONS) (VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL) BILL 1991.
DEBATES ON THE OTHER SIX BILLS WILL BE RESUMED AND EACH IS DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
THE SIX BILLS ARE THE MOTOR VEHICLES (FIRST REGISTRATION TAX) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, FEES INCREASE (1991 BUDGET I BILL 1991, BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1991, STAMP DUTY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990.
IN ADDITION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL MOVE A TOTAL OF SIX MOTIONS - TWO UNDER THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE, AND THE OTHER FOUR UNDER THE PENSIONS (INCREASE) ORDINANCE, WIDOWS AND ORPHANS PENSION (INCREASE) ORDINANCE, AIR PASSENGER DEPARTURE TAX ORDINANCE AND RATING ORDINANCE.
THE HON NELLIE FONG WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE. THE MOTION READS:
"THAT IN RELATION TO THE BUILDINGS (ADMINISTRATION) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1991, PUBLISHED AS LEGAL NOTICE NO. 120 OF 1991 A.ND LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON 17 APRIL 1991, HIE PERIOD REFERRED TO IN SECTION 34(2) OF THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE FOR AMENDING SUBSIDIARA LEGISLATION BE EXTENDED UNDER SECTION 34(4) OF THAT ORDINANCE UNTIL 5 JUNE 1991”.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SITTING AND THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR SEATS IN THE PUBLIC GALLERIES BV TELEPHONING 844 0899.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, MAY 14, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
AUSTRALIAN PM SHOWS REAL INTEREST IN HK AFFAIRS: GOVERNOR ....................... 1
HONG KONG PROSPERITY RESTS WITH GROWTH IN PACIFIC REGION: GOVERNOR .............. 2
GOVT WELCOMES EC DECISION TO END ANTI-DUMPING PROCEEDING ON TAPES ............... 4
STATEMENT ON COURT OF APPEAL JUDGEMENT .......................................... 5
1991 FIRST QUARTER BUSINESS SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED ............................. 5
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS .................................................. 7
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR JAN - MAR RELEASED .............. 8
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND ............................................. 10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ..................... 10
EDUCATION DEPT TO PROVIDE KEY SUPPORT FOR SMI SCHOOLS .......................... 12
BUILDING DECLARED LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS ................................... 14
SALT WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION ................................................... 14
GOVERNOR COMMUTES DEATH SENTENCE ON LO............r............................. 15
TUESDAY, MAY 14, 1991
1
AUSTRALIAN PM SHOWS REAL INTEREST IN UK AFFAIRS: GOVERNOR
******
THE AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER, MR BOB HAWKE, HAS SHOWN A REAL INTEREST IN HONG KONG AFFAIRS, ACCORDING TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER MEETING THE PRIME MINISTER IN CANBERRA THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING, SIR DAVID SAID HE FELT MR HAWKE HAD SHOWN A GREAT WILLINGNESS TO BE AS SUPPORTIVE AS AUSTRALIA COULD POSSIBLY HE TOWARDS HONG KONG.
"THERE WERE NO RESERVATIONS ABOUT THAT AT ALL," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SPENT ABOUT 20 MINUTES WITH THE PRIME MINISTER DISCUSSING A RANGE OF ISSUES, INCLUDING THE . VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS, THE PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AND AUSTRALIA’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE TERRITORY.
SIR DAVID SAID AUSTRALIA HAD ALWAYS BEEN VER.Y SUPPORTIVE IN RELATION TO THE QUESTION OF THE VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS.
"1IIIS HAS BEEN BOTH IN LOOKING AFTER AND SETTLING REFUGEES, AND EQUALLY AS IMPORTANT, LOOKING FOR PRACTICAL AND SENSIBLE WAYS OF RETURNING NON REFUGEES TO THEIR HOMES," HE SAID.
ASKED ABOUT THE POSTPONEMENT OF HIS OFFICIAL VISIT TO NEW ZEALAND FOR THE RESUMPTION OF THE AIRPORT TALKS, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WANTED TO BE BACK IN HONG KONG FOR THE PREPARATION OF THE MEETING AS WELL AS TALKING TO THE TEAM THAT WOULD BE GOING TO PEKING.
"I WANT TO BE IN HONG KONG WHEN THOSE TALKS ARE GOING ON," HE ADDED.
"ON OUR SIDE WE ARE DETERMINED TO TRY TO MAKE A SUCCESS OF THOSE TALKS AND TO REACH AN AGREEMENT. WE BELIEVE HONG KONG NEEDS A NEW AIRPORT AND NEEDS TO GET ON BUILDING IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
"REALISTICALLY IN THE PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES, TO GET ON WITH THE PROJECT ON AN ECONOMIC BASIS WITH SIGNIFICANT PRIVATE SECTOR PARTI ( I PATION, WE NEED THE ACQUIESCENCE OF CHINA, OR A DEGREE OF SUPPORT FROM CHINA, RATHER THAN OPPOSITION.
"WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TRY TO REACH AGREEMENT ON MATTERS WHICH ARE OF CONCERN TO EACH SIDE," HE SAID.
THROUGHOUT HIS AUSTRALIAN VISIT, THE GOVERNOR HAS STRESSED THE DYNAMISM OF HONG KONG, THE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES, THE FUTURE BEYOND 1997, AND Till- IMPORTANT ROLF THE TERRITORY CAN PLAY IN THE CONTINUING GROWTH OF THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION.
THIS MESSAGE WAS DELIVERED TO MORE THAN 300 BUSINESS PEOPLE AT A PACKED LUNCHEON IN SYDNEY TODAY WHEN SIR DAVID SPOKE OFF THE CUFF FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES IN A SPEECH THAT WAS ENTHUSIASTICALLY RECEIVED BY THE BIG AUDIENCE.
/SIR DAVID .......
TUESDAY, MAY 14, 1991
2 -
SIR DAVID SAID THAT IN HIS DISCUSSION WITH BUSINESSMEN IN AUSTRALIA, THEY HAD SHOWN A GREAT INTEREST IN HONG KONG, NOT SIMPLY IN THE SHORT TERM, BUT WELL BEYOND 1997. THIS WAS PARTICULARLY THE CASE WITH HONG KONG AS A BASE FOR THROUGH TRADE WITH CHINA.
THIS AFTERNOON, THE GOVERNOR AND LADY WILSON VISITED SYDNEY UNIVERSITY, ONE OF THE OLDEST IN AUSTRALIA, WHERE HE MET A NUMBER OF YOUNG HONG KONG PEOPLE WHO ARE STUDYING AT THE CAMPUS.
THE MEETING LASTED FOR NEARLY AN HOUR DURING WHICH TIME HE ASKED QUESTIONS OF THE STUDENTS AND IN TURN ALLOWED THEM TO QUESTION HIM ABOUT A RANGE OF TOPICS DEALING WITH HONG KONG.
SIR DAVID MADE THE POINT THAT HE HOPED THE STUDENTS WOULD RETURN TO HONG KONG ONCE THEY HAD GRADUATED. IN VIRTUALLY ALL CASES THE STUDENTS ANSWERED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.
THE GOVERNOR WOUND UP HIS PUBLIC ENGAGEMENTS IN SYDNEY TONIGHT (TUESDAY) WITH AN ADDRESS TO THE SYDNEY INSTITUTE ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITIES AND PROSPECTS FOR HONG KONG AND ITS RELATIONS WITH AUSTRALIA.
SIR DAVID AND LADY WILSON WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
---------0-----------
HONG KONG PROSPERITY RESTS WITH GROWTH IN PACIFIC REGION: GOVERNOft
t t t * ♦
HONG KONG’S CONFIDENCE IN FUTURE PROSPERITY RESTS VERY MUCH ON STRONG GROWTH IN THE PACIFIC REGION IN WHICH HONG KONG AND AUSTRALIA SHARE A COMMON DESTINY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID IN SYDNEY TODAY (TUESDAY).
ADDRESSING THE SYDNEY INSTITUTE, THE GOVERNOR SAID DESPITE EXCITING DEVELOPMENTS ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD, THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION REMAINED THE MOST PROMISING FOR THE NINETIES AND BEYOND AND BOTH HONG KONG AND AUSTRALIA STOOD TO SHARE IN THIS GROWTH.
OUTLINING THE STRONG SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC LINKS BETWEEN THE TWO PLACES, THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT AUSTRALIA WAS NOW A SIGNIFICANT PLAYER IN HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL MARKETS AND HONG KONG WAS INCREASINGLY INVESTING IN SERVICES IN SYDNEY AND IN DARWIN’S EXPORT ZONE.
"AND TOURISM IS FLOURISHING. LAST YEAR A QUARTER OF A MILLION AUSTRALIANS VISITED HONG KONG AND CONTRIBUTED MORE TO OUR ECONOMY PER HEAD THAN ANYONE ELSE ON THIS SIDE OF THE PACIFIC.
"THIS COMMONALITY OF INTEREST IS DRAWING HONG KONG AND AUSTRALIA CLOSER TOGETHER. OUR POSITION IN ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS THE GATT REFLECTS THIS," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
/SIR DAVID .......
TUESDAY, MAY 14, 1991
3
SIR DAVID SAID THE LINKS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND AUSTRALIA WENT BEYOND TRADE AND ECONOMICS, CITING THAT MANY HONG KONG PARENTS SENT THEIR CHILDREN TO AUSTRALIA EOR EDUCATION.
"ALMOST INCREDIBLY, 13 PER CENT OF YOUR OVERSEAS STUDENTS COME FROM HONG KONG. THEY ARE AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST SOURCE OF FULL-FEE, FORMAL COURSE STUDENTS," HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR EXPLAINED IN DETAILS WHAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS DOING TO ACTIVELY PREPARE HONG KONG TO ENTER THE 21ST CENTURY AS A SEPARATE PART OF CHINA AND A KEY CENTRE OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN THE ASIA PACIFIC.
HE SAID THE SO-CALLED BRAIN DRAIN HAD HIDDEN A MOVEMENT OF ECONOMIC MUSCLE IN THE OTHER DIRECTION.
"DESPITE ALL THE TALK OF PROBLEMS AND FEARS FOR THE FUTURE, THE FOREIGN BUSINESS COMMUNITIES IN HONG KONG HAVE CONTINUED TO GROW. THIS SHOWS WHAT BUSINESS PEOPLE THINK OF THE OPPORTUNITIES," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT THE TRADITIONAL IMAGE OF A COLONY WOULD BE A COMPLETELY INACCURATE PICTURE OF MODERN HONG KONG, ADDING THAT THE TERRITORY WAS NOT JUST AN ECONOMIC MIRACLE, IT WAS SOMETHING OF A SOCIAL MIRACLE.
IN TERMS OF SOCIAL MOBILITY, EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY, EQUALITY BEFORE THE LAW AND OTHER KEY ESSENTIALS OF A MODERN, CIVILISED COMMUNITY, HONG KONG HAD FEW RIVALS, THE GOVERNOR SAID.
"MORE THAN HALF OUR UNIVERSITY ENTRANTS COME FROM PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES. HONG KONG PEOPLE HAVE POSSIBLY MORE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE WHAT TO DO WITH THEIR INCOME THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD.
"REAL WAGES HAVE GONE UP EIGHT PER CENT A YEAR OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS. MAXIMUM PERSONAL TAX IS ONLY 15 PER CENT AND OUT OF A POPULATION OF 5.78 MILLION ONLY ABOUT 20 PER CENT PAY ANY TAX.
"AND HONG KONG IS NOT JUST AN EXCITING PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK. IT IS - AN UNUSUAL COMBINATION PERHAPS - ALSO ONE OF THE SAFEST PLACES, LIKE AUSTRALIA," SIR DAVID SAID.
ACKNOWLEDGING THAT HONG KONG WAS FACING AN ENORMOUS CHALLENGE AND THERE WERE MANY QUESTIONS THAT COULD NOT BE ANSWERED AT THIS STAGE, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE FUTURE COULD NEVER BE CERTAIN BUT WHAT WAS FOR SURE WAS THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WAS DETERMINED TO DO EVERYTHING IT COULD TO PREPARE FOR FUTURE CHANGE AND TO BUILD A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG WELL BEYOND 1997.
"HONG KONG HAS A KEY ROLE TO PLAY AS A REGIONAL COMMERCIAL CENTRE STRATEGICALLY PLACED IN ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING AREAS OF THE WORLD.
"I HOPE THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF AUSTRALIANS HELPING IT TO PLAY THIS ROLE," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
--------0-----------
TUESDAY, MAY 14, 1991
- 4 -
GOVT WELCOMES EC DECISION TO END ANTI-DUMPING PROCEEDING ON TAPES
***♦♦*♦
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) IT HAD RECEIVED INFORMATION THAT THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES HAD ANNOUNCED TERMINATION OF THE ANTI-DUMPING PROCEEDING AGAINST IMPORTS INTO THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY (EEC) OF AUDIO CASSETTE TAPES ORIGINATING IN HONG KONG.
"WE WELCOME THE COMMISSION’S DECISION," THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR STUART HARB INSON, SAID.
"IT MEANS THAT HONG KONG’S EXPORTS OF AUDIO TAPES TO THE EEC WILL NOT RE SUBJECT TO ANY ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES.
"IN ADDITION, ANY SECURITY WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN PROVIDED BY OUR COMPANIES TO GUARANTEE PAYMENT OF PROVISIONAL ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES WILL BE RELEASED IMMEDIATELY," HE SAID.
MR HARBINSON SAID THE EEC INITIATED ANTI-DUMPING PROCEEDINGS ON IMPORTS OF AUDIO CASSETTE TAPES ORIGINATING IN JAPAN, SOUTH KOREA AND HONG KONG ON JANUARY 14, 1989.
FIVE HONG KONG COMPANIES PARTICIPATED IN THE INVESTIGATION AND FOUR WERE SUBSEQUENTLY EXONERATED.
THE FIFTH, AS WELL AS OTHER HONG KONG COMPANIES WHICH DID NOT PARTICIPATE, WERE SUBJECT TO A PROVISIONAL ANTI-DUMPING DUTY OF 2.4 PER CENT WHEN THE COMMISSION ANNOUNCED THE PROVISIONAL REGULATIONS ON NOVEMBER 14 LAST YEAR.
"THE TRADE DEPARTMENT WAS NEVER CONVINCED THAT THE PROVISIONAL ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES SHOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSED ON HONG KONG COMPANIES IN THE FIRST PLACE," MR HARBINSON SAID.
"IMPORTS OF AUDIO CASSETTE TAPES FROM HONG KONG ACCOUNTED FOR ONLY ABOUT 1.5 PER CENT OF THE EEC’S MARKET.
"FURTHERMORE, THE COMMISSION’S OWN INVESTIGATIONS SHOWED THAT FOUR OF THE FIVE COMPANIES INVESTIGATED WERE NOT DUMPING.
"AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND, IT WAS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT IMPORTS FROM HONG KONG COULD HAVE CAUSED ANY SIGNIFICANT INJURY TO THE EEC INDUSTRY," HE SAID.
MR HARBINSON SAID: "WE HAVE CONSISTENTLY PUT THESE POINTS ACROSS TO THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION AND ARE NATURALLY PLEASED THAT, APPARENTLY, OUR ARGUMENTS HAVE EVENTUALLY BEEN ACCEPTED.
"IN FAIRNESS, THE CASE ALSO GOES TO SHOW THAT THE COMMISSION IS NOT IMPERVIOUS TO RATIONAL ARGUMENTS."
UNDER THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT) ANTI-DUMPING RULES IT IS NECESSARY TO SHOW BOTH DUMPING AND INJURY CAUSED BY THE DUMPING BEFORE ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES CAN BE LEVIED.
- - 0---------
/5 ........
TUESDAY, MAY 14, 1991
5
STATEMENT ON COURT OF APPEAL JUDGEMENT t * * * * *
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE JUDGEMENT GIVEN TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE COURT OF APPEAL ON THE VALIDITY OF APPOINTMENT OF A MAGISTRATE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:
"THIS IS AN IMPORTANT JUDGEMENT ON A MATTER CONCERNING CONSTITUTIONAL LAW. THE JUDGEMENT SPEAKS FOR ITSELF. IT CONFIRMS OUR VIEW THAT THE GOVERNOR’S POWER OF APPOINTMENT CAN BE DELEGATED AND THAT MAGISTRATES HAVE BEEN VALIDLY APPOINTED."
------0--------
1991 FIRST QUARTER BUSINESS SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED ♦ * » * ♦
FIRMS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AS A WHOLE EXPERIENCED A LOWER LEVEL OF BUSINESS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 COMPARED WITH THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF THE QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
LOOKING AHEAD, FIRMS IN THIS SECTOR GENERALLY EXPECt AN IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991 COMPARED WITH THE FIRST QUARTER.
THESE COMPARISONS ARE, HOWEVER, LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS. AS FAR AS MANUFACTURING ACTIVITY IS CONCERNED, THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE YEAR IS USUALLY A SEASONALLY LOW PERIOD WHILE THE THIRD AND THE FOURTH QUARTERS ARE NORMALLY MORE ACTIVE PERIODS.
FIRMS IN MOST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, PARTICULARLY THOSE IN THE FOOD, BEVERAGE AND TOBACCO, TEXTILES, AND PLASTICS INDUSTRIES, EXPERIENCED A DETERIORATION IN BUSINESS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 COMPARED WITH THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990.
AS REGARDS THE BUSINESS PROSPECTS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER, FIRMS IN ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, PARTICULARLY THOSE IN THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY, GENERALLY EXPECT A NOTABLE IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS OVER THE FIRST QUARTER.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, THE FIRMS SURVEYED EXPERIENCED A RELATIVELY STABLE BUSINESS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 AND EXPECT THEIR BUSINESS TO REMAIN STABLE IN THE SECOND QUARTER AS WELL.
IN THE DISTRIBUTIVE AND CATERING TRADES SECTOR, HOTELS EXPERIENCED A DETERIORATION IN BUSINESS IN THE FIRST QUARTER, WHILE BUSINESS IN THE RESTAURANTS AND THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES REMAINED STABLE.
/REGARDING THE .......
TUESDAY, MAY 14, 1991
6
REGARDING THE BUSINESS OUTLOOK FOR THE SECOND QUARTER, RESTAURANTS EXPECT A DETERIORATION IN BUSINESS WHILE HOTELS ANTICIPATE AN IMPROVEMENT. ON THE OTHER HANI), FIRMS IN THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES EXPECT THEIR BUSINESS TO REMAIN STABLE IN THE SECOND QUARTER.
IN THE OTHER SERVICES SECTOR, FIRMS IN THE TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION SERVICES EXPERIENCED A DETERIORATION IN BUSINESS IN THE FIRST QUARTER, WHILE BANKS AND FIRMS IN THE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED SERVICES REPORTED A STABLE BUSINESS.
REGARDING THE SHORT-TERM BUSINESS PROSPECTS, FIRMS IN THIS SECTOR GENERALLY EXPECT AN IMPROVEMENT IN BUSINESS IN THE SECOND QUARTER.
ABOUT 1,000 FIRMS FROM VARIOUS INDUSTRIES AND TRADES, FORMING A CROSS-SECTION OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, PARTICIPATED IN THE SURVEY. THEY WERE ASKED ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS EXPERIENCES AND EXPECTATIONS AS WELL AS THE BUSINESS PROBLEMS THEY FACED.
IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991, FIRMS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR GENERALLY ENCOUNTERED THE PROBLEMS OF INSUFFICIENT BUSINESS ORDERS OR CONTRACTS, SHORTAGE OF SKILLED LABOUR, HIGH MATERIAL PRICES, AND HIGH WAGE RATES.
THE PROBLEM OF INSUFFICIENT BUSINESS ORDERS OR CONTRACTS IS EXPECTED TO EASE OFF SOMEWHAT IN THE SECOND QUARTER.
TN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, PRICE COMPETITION, SHORTAGE OF SKILLED LABOUR, INSUFFICIENT BUSINESS OR CONTRACTS, AND HIGH WAGE RATES WERE THE MAJOR PROBLEMS IN THE FIRST QUARTER. THESE PROBLEMS ARE EXPECTED TO SUSTAIN IN THE SECOND QUARTER.
IN THE DISTRIBUTIVE AND CATERING TRADES SECTOR AND THE OTHER SERVICES SECTOR, A SIGNIFICANT PROPORTION OF FIRMS CITED PRICE COMPETITION, SHORTAGE OF STAFF GENERALLY, HIGH STAFF COSTS, AND HIGH STAFF TURNOVER AS THEIR MAJOR BUSINESS PROBLEMS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991.
IN ADDITION, HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS ALSO ENCOUNTERED THE PROBLEM OF INSUFFICIENT BUSINESS. THESE PROBLEMS ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE IN THE SECOND QUARTER.
ACCORDING TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, RESULTS OF THE QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY, OBTAINED WITH A MINIMUM TIME LAG, ARE INTENDED TO PROVIDE A SOURCE OF REFERENCE FOR MAKING A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF THE CURRENT ECONOMIC SITUATION OF HONG KONG FROM A SHORT-TERM PERSPECTIVE.
TN THE SURVEY, PARTICIPATING FIRMS WERE ASKED TO INDICATE WHETHER, IN THEIR OPINION, THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION AND LEVEL OF CAPACITY UTILISATION HAD ’’IMPROVED”, ’’REMAINED THE SAME” OR ’’DETERIORATED” IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 199 1 AS COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER.
/THEY WERE .......
TUESDAY, MAY 14, 1991
7
THEY WERE ALSO ASKED TO INDICATE WHETHER THE SITUATION IS EXPECTED TO "IMPROVE", "REMAIN THE SAME" OR "DETERIORATE" I; THE SECOND QUARTER OP 1991.
THE OPINIONS OP RESPONDENTS WERE THEN ANALYSED AND THE SUMMARY FINDINGS PUBLISHED IN THE "REPORT ON QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY, FIRST QUARTER 1991".
MOREOVER, THE SURVEY REPORT CONTAINS A SECTION ON THE BUSINESS PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED AND EXPECTED BY FIRMS IN DIFFERENT ECONOMIC SECTORS, AND A BREAKDOWN OF THE VIEWS OF FIRMS BY EMPLOYMENT SIZE GROUP.
THE DEPARTMENT REMINDED THAT, IN A SURVEY OF THIS NATURE, THE RESULTS SHOULD BE INTERPRETED WITH CAUTION AS IT IS DIFFICULT TO ESTABLISH PRECISELY THE EXTENT TO WHICH RESPONDENTS’ RECOLLECTION OF THE PAST AND PERCEPTION OF THE FUTURE ACCORDS WITH THE UNDERLYING TRENDS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY PURCHASE COPIES OF THE SURVEY REPORT FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL OR FROM THE PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER OF THF CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT $8 PER COPY.
FURTHER DETAILS OF THE QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 839 3223.
------0 - -
AUCTION OF SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS ♦ t t t ♦ t
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS ON
WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION
SATURDAY- (MAY 18) AT 10
OF SPECIAL
AM AT THE
CITY HALL RECITAL HALL.
A TOTAL OF 40 SPECIAL
CAR NUMBERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR
BIDDING, THEY ARE:
CG557 AC213 BB3538 ER2328
ER315 BB4 4 XX63 BB421
EP3337 RR738 ER618 XX510
AA991 1 BY99O4 BJ3623 ECI
DS3039 1038 DD62 AC698
(’E568 AK731 ER6877 ER8384
ERG623 EPI 028 AJ786 AB863
AL3223 DM5 ER343 ER7O7
ES8168 ERB 2 7 BM350 ES628
BZ950 ELI 89 ES I 1 3 ER71 3
/SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS .......
TUESDAY, MAY 14, 1991
8
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 RIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS 01’ 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 164TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
------0--------
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR JAN - MAR RELEASED
BOTH THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE INCREASED DURING THE PERIOD JANUARY - MARCH 1991, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THUS THERE WAS APPARENTLY A SIGN OF SOME EASING OFF IN LABOUR MARKET CONDITIONS.
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR JANUARY - MARCH 1991 WAS 1.8%, COMPARED WITH 1.4% FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING DECEMBER 1990 AND 1.7% 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 NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS IN JANUARY - MARCH 1991 WAS ESTIMATED AT 49,900, COMPARED WITH 38,100 IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING DECEMBER 1990 AND 46,300 IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER.
THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR JANUARY - MARCH 1991 WAS 1.5%, COMPARED WITH 0.8% FOR OCTOBER - DECEMBER 1990 AND 0.7% FOR THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER.
THE INCREASES OF 0.7 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT OVER THE PRECEDING
I HREE-MONTII PERIOD AND 0.8 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT OVER THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER ARE BOTH STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
/THE ESTIMATED .......
TUESDAY, MAY 14, 1991
9
THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS IN JANUARY -MARCH 1991 WAS 43,600, COMPARED WITH 21,700 IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING DECEMBER 1990 AND 18,300 IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER-
CONSISTENT WITH THE CURRENT RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION (ILO), PERSONS WHO WORKED LESS THAN 35 HOURS A WEEK DUE TO ECONOMIC REASONS (SUCH AS SLACK WORK, MATERIAL SHORTAGE, MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN AND INABILITY TO FIND FULL-TIME WORK) WERE REGARDED AS UNDEREMPLOYED ONLY IF THEY- WERE EITHER SEEKING OR AVAILABLE FOR MORE WORK.
COMMENTING ON THESE FIGURES, THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS SAID THAT BECAUSE THE PROPORTION OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS (FOR EXAMPLE PEOPLE WHO HAVE JUST LEFT SCHOOL) VARIES FROM MONTH TO MONTH, UNEMPLOYMENT RATES THAT HAD BEEN SEASONALLY ADJUSTED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE VARIATIONS IN THE NUMBER OF FIRST-TIME JOB-SEEKERS SHOULD BE USED IN MAKING COMPARISONS OVER TIME.
THE COMMISSIONER ADDED THAT, BASED ON A SYSTEM OF PROVISIONAL COUNTS, THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATES COVERING THE LATEST THREE-MONTH PERIOD COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE WITHIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE SURVEY.
THESE PROVIDE AN EARLY INDICATION OF THE LATEST UNEMPLOYMENT
AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT SITUATION.
THE PROVISIONAL SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AND THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR FEBRUARY - APRIL 1991 WERE BOTH 2.1% .
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS WERE OBTAINED FROM A CONTINUOUS GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY FOR JANUARY - MARCH 1991 COVERED A QUARTERLY SAMPLE OF SOME 11,100 HOUSEHOLDS OR 39,000 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 INTERVIEWING EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER AGED 15 AND ABOVE IN THE HOUSEHOLDS SAMPLED. IN THE SURVEY, THE DEFINITIONS USED IN MEASURING UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FOLLOW CLOSELY THOSE RECOMMENDED BY THE ILO.
DETAILED ANALYSIS OF LABOUR FORCE CHARACTERISTICS IS GIVEN IN THE REPORT ON THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY WHICH IS PUBLISHED FOUR TIMES A YEAR.
THE NEXT REPORT COVERING THE QUARTER ENDING MARCH 1991 WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AROUND JUNE 20 AT $13.50 PER COPY.
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/10 .......
TUESDAY, MAY 14,
1991
- 10 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND ♦ * * * * HKEG
EXCHANGE FUND BILLS TENDER RESULTS TUESDAY 14 MAY ISSUE NUMBER QI 20 AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 1,330 MN AMOUNT ALLOTTED ' HKD 400 MN AVERAGE ACCEPTED YIELD 5.85 PCT HIGHEST ACCEPTED YIELD 5.88 PCT PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 49 PCT 1991 H164 HKD 848 MN HKD 200 MN 5.92 PCT 5.96 PCT ABOUT 65 PCT
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 10.5.91 WAS 3, HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 882 MN HKEH
NEXT TENDER OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS TUESDAY 21 MAY ISSUE NUMBER QI 21 ISSUE DATE 22 MAY 91 MATURITY DATE 21 AUG 91 TENOR 91 DAYS AMOUNT ON OFFER HKD 400+80 MN 0 HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ***** DATE CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 13.5.91 EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 14.5.91 EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.4 *-0.1* 14.5.91 1991 Y190 22 MAY 91 20 MAY 92 364 DAYS HKD 200 + 60 MN HKEF $ MILLION 480 + 129 -129- NEUTRAL
/HONG KONG .......
TUESDAY, MAY 14
1991
11
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
91-DAY EXCHANGE
HKEI
FUND BILLS
AVERAGE
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
QI 15 10.7.91 350 + 130
Q1 16 17.7.91 350 + 130
QI 17 24.7.91 378. .5 +101.5
QI 18 31.7.91 440 + 40
QI 19 7.8.91 420 + 60
Q107 15.5.91 411 + 69
Q108 22.5.91 480 + 0
Q109 29.5.91 600 -120
QI 10 5.6.91 350 + 130
QI 1 1 12.6.91 404 + 76
QI 12 19.6.91 620 -140
QI 13 26.6.91 480 + 0
QI 14 3.7.91 480 + 0
MONO KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
182-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
H002 15.5.91 227 . 5 +32.5
H003 29.5.91 210 + 50
H004 12.6.91 250 + 10
H005 26.6.91 230 + 30
H101 10.7.91 143 + 117
Hl 56 24.7.91 150 + 110
H157 7.8.91 189. 5 +70.5
H158 21.8.91 150 + 1 10
H159 4.9.91 150 + 110
H160 18.9.91 140 + 120
H161 2.10.91 90 + 170
H162 17.10.91 64 + 196
Hl 63 30.10.91 160 + 100
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
364-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
Y187 26.2.92 230 + 30
Y188 25.3.92 180 + 80
Y189 22.4.92 190 + 70
DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 10.5.9 1 WAS 3,882
0
MN
HKEJ
HKEK
/12
TUESDAY, MAY 14, 1991
EDUCATION DEPT TO PROVIDE KEY SUPPORT FOR SMI SCHOOLS
******
A SCHOOL MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE (SMI) ADVISORY COMMITTEE WILL BE FORMED TO DRAW ON A WIDE RANGE OF EDUCATION AND MANAGEMENT EXPERTISE AND TO PROVIDE A CHANNEL FOR DEVELOPING AND DISSEMINATING IDEAS.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM), MR S.M. TSUI, SAID THIS TODAY (TUESDAY) IN INVITING AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO TAKE PART IN THE FIRST PHASE OF THE SMI.
"THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS NOW IN THE PROCESS OF ENGAGING CONSULTANTS TO DEFINE THE INFORMATION NEEDS OF THE SCHOOLS EDUCATION PROGRAMME AND DEVELOP APPROPRIATE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS,” MR TSUI SAID.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE SMI WILL GIVE SCHOOLS MORE FLEXIBILITY TO USE RESOURCES TO MEET THEIR OWN DEFINED NEEDS AND CLARIFY THE FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THOSE INVOLVED IN THE DELIVERY OF EDUCATION.
THE FIRST PHASE WHICH WILL BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR CAN ACCOMMODATE UP TO 50 SCHOOLS.
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS WILL BE FUNDED UNDER NEW ARRANGEMENTS-BUT THE MAIN CHANGE WILL BE SINGLE BLOCK GRANT WHICH WILL REPLACE THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION GRANT, SCHOOL AND CLASS GRANT, AND FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT GRANT.
"SCHOOLS WILL HAVE MORE DISCRETION TO DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES HOW THEY WILL SPEND THIS GRANT," MR TSUI SAID.
BUT BEFORE THE NEW FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE INTRODUCED, HE ADDED THAT SCHOOLS WILL NEED TO MODIFY THEIR MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES TO ENSURE THAT RESPONSIBILITIES FOR PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING SCHOOL ACTIVITIES WERE PROPERLY DEFINED, AND ALSO TO ENSURE THAT THE SCHOOL WAS ABLE TO EVALUATE THOSE ACTIVITIES.
DURING THE 1991-92 SCHOOL YEAR, PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS WILL BE HELPED TO MODIFY THEIR PRESENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND PROCEDURES TO BRING THEM IN LINE WITH THE NEW FRAMEWORK AND TO PREPARE FOR THE NEW FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS IN THE FOLLOWING SCHOOL YEAR.
KEY SCHOOL ACTIVITIES WILL BE:
* THE PREPARATION AND ADOPTION OF A FORMAL CONSTITUTION FOR THE SCHOOL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE;
* THE INTRODUCTION OF FORMAL PROCEDURES FOR PLANNtNG THE SCHOOL’S ACTIVITIES AND BUDGET DURING THE FOLLOWING YEAR, LEADING TO A FIRST ATTEMPT AT PRODUCING AN "ANNUAL SCHOOL PLAN (IT WILL PROBABLY TAKE A FEW YEARS FOR A SCHOOL TO FULLY DEVELOP ITS SCHOOL PLAN. DURING YEAR 1, THE FOCUS WILL BE ON-THE INTRODUCTION OF FORMAL PLANNING PROCEDURES IN THE SCHOOL, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SCHOOL BUDGET FOR 1992-93 ) " ;
/* THE DEVELOPMENT ........
»1 II . ’A MA >
I
13
♦ THE DEVELOPMENT OF FORMAL PROCEDURES FOR STAFF REPORTING IN THE SCHOOL; AND
♦ THE INTRODUCTION OF FORMAL PROCEDURES FOR DEVELOPING SCHOOL POLICIES AND EXPLAINING THEM TO STAFF, STUDENTS AND PARENTS.
IN THE MEANTIME, THE DEPARTMENT WILL PROVIDE KEY SUPPORTING ACTIVITIES WHICH WILL INCLUDE:
♦ PROVIDING SUPPORT AND ADVICE TO SCHOOLS IN THE FIRST PHASE, WITH CLOSE LIAISON THROUGHOUT THE YEAR ON ALL ASPECTS OF THE SMI ;
♦ SETTING UP AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE SMI;
♦ PROVIDING SCHOOLS WITH ADMINISTRATIVE MICRO-COMPUTERS, AND DEVELOPING STANDARD SOFTWARE FOR ADMINISTRATION AND ACCOUNTS;
♦ DEVELOPING A PRINCIPAL’S MANUAL;
* CONDUCTING SEMINARS FOR PRINCIPALS, SENIOR TEACHERS AND SUPERVISORS TO HELP THEM ADJUST TO THE NEW FRAMEWORK; AND
* DEFINING, IN CONSULTATION WITH SCHOOLS, THE KINDS OF DATA TO BE INCLUDED IN A ’’SCHOOL PROFILE”.
FROM SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR, THE START OF THE SECOND YEAR, THOSE SCHOOLS WHICH HAVE ADOPTED A FORMAL CONSTITUTION FOR THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND WHICH IIAVE INTRODUCED FORMAL PROCEDURES FOR PLANNING, BUDGETING AND EVALUATING THEIR ACTIVITIES WILL BE FUNDED THROUGH A SINGLE BLOCK GRANT.
THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS WILL ALSO INCLUDE FREEING EXISTING SURPLUSES UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION GRANT FOR USE FOR ANY PURPOSE COVERED IO THE NEW BLOCK GRANT AND THAT GREATER DISCRETION WILL BE GIVEN TO SCHOOLS TO BUY EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES OR SERVICES ACCORDING TO THEIR DEFINED NEEDS.
MR TSUI SAID THE EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR TEACHER SALARIES, MAJOR REPAIRS AND OTHER GRANTS WILL CONTINUE.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ONE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SMI STATED THAT SERIOUS CONS I DERAT I ON SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE MERGING OF SALARY AND NON-SALARY GRANTS.
”IT IS EMPHASISED THAT THERE ARE NO PLANS VET FOR IMPLEMENTING THIS RECOMMENDATION \ND ANY CHANGES WOULD ONLY TAKE PLACE UNDER EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION,” HE SAID.
MR TSUI POINTED- OUT A RECOMMENDATION TO PERMIT SCHOOLS TO CHARGE A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TONG FAI TO GIVE FLEXIBILITY IN PROVIDING ABOVE-STANDARD ITEMS WOULD DEPEND ON APPROVAL BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.
DETAILED IMPLICATIONS WERE BEING EXAMINED RECOMMENDATION WHICH WOULD GIVE SCHOOLS DISCRETION ON SAVINGS IRON UP TO !• I V E PER CENT STAFF VACANCI ES FOR ANY
ON ANOTHER
THE USE OF PURPOSE, HE
/.14 ..........
TUESDAY, MAY 14, 1991
- 14 -
BUILDING DECLARED LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY HAS DECLARED A PRE-WAR BUILDING AT 391-393 SHANGHAI STREET IN YAU MA TEI LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.
IN A STATEMENT ISSUED TODAY (TUESDAY), THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR (PGBS) SAID THE STRUCTURE WAS A THREE-STOREY BUILDING CONSTRUCTED OF LOADBEARING BRICK AND MASONRY WALLS WITH CONCRETE FLOORS, REAMS AND ROOF AND WITH VERANDAHS ON THE UPPER FLOORS.
THE BUILDING HAD BEEN UNDER SURVEILLANCE BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE SINCE 1983.
IT WAS NOTED THAT IN 1986 SOME MOVEMENT OF THE STRUCTURE HAD TAKEN PLACE.
HE SAID AN INSPECTION IN MARCH THIS YEAR SHOWED THAT FURTHER MOVEMENT HAD OCCURRED AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS IN CONCRETE BEAMS AND FLOOR SLABS HAD FURTHER DETERIORATED AND THE VERANDAH PIERS ON THE FOOTPATH WERF ALSO VERY POOR.
THE BUILDING WAS THEREFORE CONSIDERED TO BE BEYOND VIABLE REPAIR.
IN ORDER TO PROTECT LIVES AND PUBLIC SAFETY, THE BUILDING SHOULD BE CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED AS IT WAS LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDER UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON JULY 16 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY.
_ _ 0----------
SALT WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION ♦ ♦♦*♦*
SUPPLY OF SALT WATER TO CERTAIN PREMISES IN SHEUNG KWAI CHUNG, NEW TERRITORIES, WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM ON THURSDAY (MAY 16) DUE 'TO SUSPENSION OF ELECTRICITY SUPPLY TO A PUMPING STATION IN THE DISTRICT.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT LEI MUK SHUE ESTATE, SHEK YAM ESTATE, SHEK LEI ESTATE AND WO YI HOP ROAD. .
------0--------
/15 ........
TUESDAY, MAY 14, 1991
15
GOVERNOR COMMUTES DEATH SENTENCE ON LO ******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, AFTER TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, HAS DECIDED THAT THE DEATH SENTENCE PASSED ON LO CH1-KEUNG ON APRIL 24, 1987 SHOULD BE COMMUTED TO A SENTENCE OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT.
LO WAS FOUND GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF A YOUNG GIRL, LAM SO-YEE.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
FS'S MOTIONS UNDER DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE PASSED ............... 1
OFFICIAL MEMBERS ABSTAIN FROM VOTING ON COMPELLABILITY BILL ............ 3
AIRPORT EXPENDITURE RELEASES ........................................... 4
MOTION TO CUT RATES CHARGES ............................................ 5
BILL SEEKS TO TIGHTEN UP CHEMICAL WASTE CONTROL ........................ 6
UK BACKS GOVT'S EFFORTS ON VM'S ........................................ 9
DRAFT BILL TO IMPOSE GUIDELINES ON EXISTING DMC ........................ 9
GOVERNMENT MEASURES TO RELIEVE MTR CONGESTION .......................... 10
GOVT APPLIES SAME RATING RULES TO PRIVATE AND PUBLIC TENEMENTS ......... 11
4,000 SQUATTERS TO BE CLEARED BY YEAR'S END ............................ 11
VM'S NOT AFFECTING PUBLIC IN HOSPITAL USES ............................. 13
RELIEF OF CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL CONGESTION .............................. 14
DRAFT REHABILITATION LAW IN THE PIPELINE ............................... 15
HOSPITAL AUTHORITY OFFERS DIFFERENT RENUMERATION PACKAGE ............... 16
BILL TO ABOLISH DISTINCTION BETWEEN FELONIES AND MISDEMEANOURS ......... 16
LOANS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 INTRODUCED ................................. 18
MOTIONS PASSED TO UPKEEP CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS' PURCHASING POWER ...... 19
MOTION TO RAISE AIRPORT TAX FOR ADULT PASSED ........................... 19
BILL TO EXEMPT BONDS FROM STAMP DUTY INTRODUCED ........................ 20
INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO.4) BILL INTRODUCED ...................... 20
EDUCATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 INTRODUCED ............................. 21
BILL TO TACKLE VTC'S MIXED STAFF PROBLEM INTRODUCED .................... 21
SEVEN MOTIONS, FIVE BILLS PASSED ....................................... 22
RIGHT TIME TO TRY TO RESOLVE PROBLEMS ON AIRPORT PROJECT ................. 23
PLANS FOR PORT DEVELOPMENT OUTLINED ...................................... 24
LATEST FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE REPORT RELEASED ............................. 25
SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR 1990 STARTED ......................... 27
CIGARETTE TAR LEVEL UP ................................................... 2®
NO PROPOSALS YET FOR CIVIL SERVICE PAY ................................... 29
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............... 29
REGIMENTAL BAND ENTHRALS STUDENTS ........................................ 31
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1991
1
FS’S MOTIONS UNDER DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE PASSED * * * * *
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED TWO RESOLUTIONS MOVED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS UNDER THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE.
THE FIRST RESOLUTION SOUGHT TO IMPLEMENT THE VARIOUS BUDGET PROPOSALS IN RELATION TO THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE INCLUDING THE INCREASE IN THE RATES OF DUTY ON TOBACCO PRODUCTS OF 200 PER CENT.
THE SECOND RESOLUTION SOUGHT TO REDUCE THE DUTY RATES FROM MAY 18 SO THAT THEY WOULD BE JUST 100 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THE RATES THAT WERE IN FORCE BEFORE THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY DELIVERED HIS BUDGET SPEECH ON MARCH 6.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT THE EFFECT OF THE TWO RESOLUTIONS TAKEN TOGETHER WAS THAT THE DUTY RATES ON TOBACCO PRODUCTS BETWEEN MARCH 6 AND MAY 18 WOULD BE 200 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THE RATES THAT WERE IN FORCE BEFORE MARCH 6. THEREAFTER, THE INCREASE IN DUTY RATES WOULD BE REDUCED TO 100 PER CENT HIGHER THAN THE RATES THAT WERE IN FORCE BEFORE MARCH 6.
"THE REASON FOR DEALING WITH THE MATTER IN THIS WAY AND FOR MY NOT WITHDRAWING THE ORIGINAL RESOLUTION ALTOGETHER IS SIMPLY BECAUSE TO WITHDRAW THAT RESOLUTION WOULD RESULT IN HAVING TO REFUND DUTY PAID BY TOBACCO WHOLESALERS WHO PASSED ON THE INCREASE TO THE CONSUMERS, BUT THE REFUND WOULD NOT REACH THE CONSUMERS.
"CLEARLY THAT WOULD BE UNFAIR AND IT WOULD NOT ADDRESS THE CONCERN OF MEMBERS REGARDING THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX,” SAID THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ADDING THAT THAT CONCERN WAS ADDRESSED BY HIS REDUCING THE DUTY RATES FOR THE FUTURE.
SPEAKING AT THE MOTION TO REDUCE THE TOBACCO DUTY RATE SO THAT THEY WOULD STAND AT 100 PER CENT MORE THAN THE OLD DUTY RATE IN FORCE BEFORE THE BUDGET, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID: "WE ARE FACED WITH A CONSIDERABLE DILEMMA."
SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT THE ORIGINAL INCREASED IN DUTY ON TOBACCO PRODUCTS OF 200 PER CENT INTRODUCED ON HEALTH GROUNDS WAS DESIGNED TO HAVE AN IMMEDIATE AND DRAMATIC IMPACT ON SMOKING AND THE CLEARLY STATED INTENTION WAS TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF SMOKING, PARTICULARLY AMONGST YOUNG PEOPLE.
"THE INDICATIONS ARE THAT THE STRATEGY IS STARTING TO SHOW RESULTS, WITH MUCH ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE OF SMOKERS HAVING CUT DOWN ON TOBACCO CONSUMPTION," HE SAID.
HE REMINDED MEMBERS THAT WHEN A 300 PER CENT INCREASED IN DUTY WAS INTRODUCED IN 1983, DEMAND FOR TOBACCO FELL BY 33 PER CENT, AND 40 PER CENT FOR PEOPLE IN THE 15-19 YEAR AGE GROUP.
/"THUS, WE ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1991
2
"THUS, WE KNOW THAT A SHARP INCREASE IN DUTY CAN WORK IN .’NG KONG, GIVEN THE CHANCE," HE SAID.
IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE REM. LNED OF THE VIEW THAT THE ORIGINAL MEASURE CONCEIVED ON HEALTH GROUNDS WAS CORRECT.
"INDEED, THE POLICIES OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION, AND OUR OWN EXPERIENCE IN 1983, HAVE ADDED WEIGHT TO THIS VIEW. I MIGHT ADD THAT NO OTHER MEASURES THAT I HAVE INTRODUCED IN ANY OF MY PREVIOUS BUDGETS HAVE RECEIVED AS MUCH WORLDWIDE SUPPORT AS THE 200 PER CENT INCREASE IN DUTY ON TOBACCO PRODUCTS.
"HONG KONG HAS BEEN CONGRATULATED FOR ITS COURAGE AND RESOLVE IN TAKING THIS MEASURE BY NUMEROUS INTERNATIONAL HEALTH ORGANISATIONS,” HE SAID.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, IT IS THE OTHER PART OF THE DILEMMA, HARDLY SURPRISINGLY, THE MEASURE HAS PROVOKED CONSIDERABLE OPPOSITION FROM CERTAIN SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY, AND THIS REACTION, HAS CAUSED .ANY MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL, AND INDEED THE PUBLIC GENERALLY, DEEP CONCERN. THE THRUST OF THIS CONCERN CENTRES AROUND THE EFFECT THE MEASURE IS PREDICTED TO HAVE ON THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX,'.' HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS NO DOUBT THAT AN IMMEDIATE DECREASE IN THE DUTY RATES ON TOBACCO PRODUCTS WOULD HAVE A BENEFICIAL EFFECT ON THE CPI(A) IN THE SHORT TERM, ALTHOUGH THERE MIGHT BE OTHER' FACTORS THAT COULD DISGUISE THIS EFFECT.
"IN THE LONGER TERM, THE IMPACT ON INFLATION IS NOT AS STRAIGHTFORWARD.
"THE BASKET OF ITEMS MAKING UP THE CPI(A) AND THEIR RELATIVE WEIGHTINGS ARE FIXED. THE INDEX, THEREFORE, NOT ONLY FAILS TO REFLECT THE PREDICTED REDUCTION IN DEMAND FOR TOBACCO PRODUCTS, BUT ALSO OVERSTATES THE INFLATIONARY IMPACT OF THE DUTY INCREASE," HE EXPLAINED.
MOREOVER, SIR PIERS SAID THE WHOLE POINT OF THE ORIGINAL INCREASE HAD BEEN OVERLOOKED; IT SOUGHT TO MAKE TOBACCO MORE EXPENSIVE, SO THAT PEOPLE - YOUNG PEOPLE IN PARTICULAR - WOULD GIVE UP SMOKING.
"THE RESULT IS THAT, AS TOBACCO BECOMES A LESS AND LESS SIGNIFICANT ELEMENT IN THE CPI SHOPPING BASKET, THE WEIGHTING IN THE INDEX WILL NATURALLY FALL, AND THE TRANSITORY INFLATIONARY EFFECT FOR IHE SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE SMOKING POPULATION WILL DISAPPEAR," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WAS OF THE VIEW WHAT MIGHT WELL HAPPEN WHEN THE INCREASE WAS HALVED TO 100 PER CENT WAS THAT THE EFFECT ON THE CPI, ALTHOUGH SMALLER IN PERCENTAGE TERMS, WOULD BE MORE ENTRENCHED BECAUSE A SMALLER NUMBER OF PEOPLE WOULD GIVE UP SMOKING.
"IN THE LONGER TERM, IF THE INCREASE IN DUTY IS HALVED TO 100 •R CENT, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT LESS PEOPLE WILL GIVE UP SMOKING THAN lGHT OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN THE CASE, AND THE WEIGHTINGS IN THE CPI(A) 'Y, THEREFORE, NOT BE REVISED AS SWIFTLY," HE SAID.
/NOTING THAT .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1991
NOTING THAT MEMBERS HAD INDICATED THE WHOLE SUBJECT ON INFLATION WAS TO BE DEBATED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MAY 29, SIR PIERS SAID THAT OCCASION WOULD GIVE MEMBERS AND THE ADMINISTRATION A FURTHER OPPORTUNITY TO CONSIDER WHAT REMEDIES EXISTED.
’’CLEARLY, THE PROBLEM IS SERIOUS. I DO NOT UNDER-ESTIMATE IT IN ANY WAY WHATSOEVER. IT IS NECESSARY TO SIGNAL NOW THAT WE INTEND TO TACKLE INFLATION.
"MEMBERS HAVE SINGLED OUT THIS ONE MEASURE AS A SUITABLE STARTING POINT. AS TO THE HEALTH ASPECTS, A 100 PER CENT INCREASE IN DUTY IS STILL SUBSTANTIAL, AND THIS MEASURE, AND WHAT MEMBERS HAVE AID IN THIS AFTERNOON, WILL DO MUCH TO FOCUS MINDS ON THE NEED TO PURSUE NEW ANTI-SMOKING MEASURES," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN HIS FIRST MOTION ALSO SOUGHT TO INCREASE THE DUTY RATES UNDER THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE ON HYDROCARBON OILS BY FIVE PER CENT; THE SPECIFIC DUTY RATES ON ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND ALCOHOL BY 15 PER CENT; AND THE AD VALOREM RATE ON COSMETICS BY FIVE PERCENTAGE POINTS.
--------0-----------
OFFICIAL MEMBERS ABSTAIN FROM VOTING ON COMPELLABILITY BILL ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ABSTAINED FROM VOTING ON THE SECOND READING OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990.
AFTER HEARING AN INDICATION FROM THE HON NELLIE FONG THAT A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL DID NOT SUPPORT THE BILL, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID IT WAS A BILL THAT WOULD AFFECT, AS MRS FONG HAD ACCURATELY SAID, FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS.
"ON A SOCIAL ISSUE SUCH AS THIS IT IS RIGHT THAT MY SUBMISSION THAT OFFICIAL MEMBERS SHOULD ABSTAIN," MR MATHEWS SAID.
THE MOTION FOR THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL WAS NOT CARRIED, WITH 17 MEMBERS AGAINST, 14 MEMBERS FOR AND NINE MEMBERS ABSTAINED.
BEFORE THE VOTE MR MATHEWS EXPLAINED THAT THE BILL SOUGHT TO IMPROVE AND MODERNISE THE LAW GOVERNING THE COMPETENCE AND COMPELLABILITY OF SPOUSES, WHILE ACHIEVING A BALANCE BETWEEN THE INTERESTS OF JUSTICE, AND THE AIM OF INTERFERING AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE WITH RELATIONS BETWEEN MARRIED COUPLES AND THE FAMILY.
HE SAID THE BILL WOULD ENHANCE THE AVAILABILITY OF TESTIMONY ' CASES OF SERIOUS VIOLENCE WITHIN THE FAMILY, AND IN SO DOING >LLOW OTHER JURISDICTIONS IN ADDRESSING SOME OF THE PROBLEMS GATING TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1991
4
HE SAID THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP'S STUDY HAD RESULTED IN PROPOSING AN IMPORTANT AMENDMENT TO ALLOW SPOUSES AND COHABITEES TO BE GRANTED, IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, AN EXEMPTION BY THE COURT JOM TESTIFYING.
EXPLAINING THE LEGAL EFFECT OF THE INCLUSION OF THE PROPOSED EXEMPTION FOR COHABITEES, HE SAID THE AMENDMENT WOULD NOT GIVE COHABITEES AN AUTOMATIC RIGHT TO EXEMPTION FROM TESTIFYING IN RESPECT OF ALL OFFENCES.
THEY, UNLIKE SPOUSES, WOULD STILL BE COMPETENT AND COMPELLABLE TO TESTIFY FOR THE PROSECUTION IN RESPECT OF ALL OFFENCES. ONLY FOR THOSE OFFENCES WHICH INVOLVED SERIOUS VIOLENCE WITHIN THE FAMILY OR RELATIONSHIP, WOULD THEY BE AFFORDED THE SAME RIGHT AS SPOUSES TO SEEK AN EXEMPTION.
BEFORE GRANTING A COHABITEE AN EXEMPTION, THE COURT WOULD HAVE TO BE SATISFIED THAT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COHABITEE AND THE DEFENDANT WAS AKIN TO HUSBAND AND WIFE.
MR MATHEWS SAID THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT DID NOT DETRACT FROM THE ORIGINAL AIMS OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION AND INTENTIONS OF THE BILL. IT SET OUT CLEARLY THE CRITERIA THAT MUST BE APPLIED BY THE COURT WHEN DECIDING TO GIVE AN EXEMPTION TO A SPOUSE OR COHABITEE.
HE SAID THE BILL RECOGNISED THE IMPORTANCE SOCIETY PLACED UPON THE FAMILY, WHILE SEEKING TO ASSIST IN DETERRING AND PUNISHING THOSE WHO ARE DESTRUCTIVE OF THE FAMILY.
--------0-----------
AIRPORT EXPENDITURE RELEASES ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF RELATED KEY PROJECTS UP TO
MONEY
SPENT ON THE NEW
MARCH 31 THIS YEAR SINCE THE AIRPORT IN OCTOBER
OF THF DECISION TO BUILD
MILLION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
AIRPORT AND ITS THE ANNOUNCEMENT 1989 IS $619.6 JACOBS, SAID IN
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON KINGSLEY SIT TABLED A DETAILED BREAKDOWN OF THE EXPENDITURE AS
, SIR PIERS
AT MARCH
ALSO
31 AS
FOLLOWS:
CUMULATIVE EXPENDITURE ($ MILLION)
* CHEK LAP KOK AIRPORT
* TUNG CHUNG DEVELOPMENT (PHASE 1)
* NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY
* LANTAU FIXED CROSSING
108.0 (1)
15.4
26.3
102.1
/* ROUTE 3 ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1991
- 5 -
» ROUTE 3 (TSING YI AND KWAI CHUNG SECTORS) 107.2
* WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION 60.2
* WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY 9-0
* WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING 16.8
» AIRPORT RAILWAY 20.0
* CENTRAL AND WANCHAI RECLAMATION 7.5
* OTHERS NEW AIRPORT WORKS PROJECT 48.0
MANAGEMENT PHASE 1
LAND ACQUISITION 99.1
TOTAL 619.6
NOTE (1) THIS FIGURE INCLUDES EXPENDITURE BY THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY ON THE AIRPORT MASTER PLAN AND ADVANCE WORKS CONTRACT.
SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT THE SHORT PAPER TABLED TN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON APRIL 24 WAS PREPARED IN RESPONSE TO A QUESTION RAISED BY THE HON PANG CHUN-HOI.
"IT WAS NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE A MORE DETAILED PROGRESS REPORT WHICH THE ADMINISTRATION PROMISED TO MAKE AVAILABLE TO THIS COUNCIL AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR.
"THAT REPORT WILL BE SUBMITTED TO MEMBERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE," HE SAID.
------0--------
MOTION TO CUT RATES CHARGES ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A MOTION TO REDUCE THE OVERALL RATES CHARGE FROM 7.5 PER CENT TO 5.5 PER CENT.
MOVING THE MOTION UNDER THE RATING ORDINANCE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID THIS FOLLOWED THE GENERAL REVALUATION EXERCISE.
"AS A RESULT, THE GENERAL RATES CHARGE IN THE URBAN COUNCIL AREA AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AREA WILL BE 2.5 PER CENT AND 1.75 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY, AND THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL RATES PERCENTAGE CHARGES WILL BE THREE PER CENT AND 3.75 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY," HE SAID.
/THE FINANCIAL .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1991
- 6 -
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE MOTION ALSO SOUGHT TO SET THE RATE RELIEF PERCENTAGE POINT TO 25 SO THAT THE ANNUAL RATES PAYABLE BY AN INDIVIDUAL RATEPAYER IN 1991-92 WOULD NOT EXCEED THOSE PAYABLE IN 1990-91 BY MORE THAN 25 PER CENT.
IN ADDITION, SIR PIERS SAID THE MOTION SOUGHT TO SET THE MINIMUM RATEABLE VALUE BELOW WHICH TENEMENTS WOULD BE EXEMPT FROM ASSESSMENT OF RATES AT $2,000.
"THE ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL YIELD TO GENERAL REVENUE IN 1991-92 RESULTING FROM THESE PROPOSALS IS APPROXIMATELY $435 MILLION.
"THERE ARE NO STAFFING IMPLICATIONS," HE ADDED.
----0------
BILL SEEKS TO TIGHTEN UP CHEMICAL WASTE CONTROL
******
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO INTRODUCE A COMPREHENSIVE SCHEME OF CONTROL ON CHEMICAL WASTE UNDER THE AMBIT OF THE WASTE DISPOSAL ORDINANCE WAS PROPOSED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON MARTIN LEWIS, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE WASTE DISPOSAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, MR LEWIS SAID THE WASTE DISPOSAL ORDINANCE WAS THE PRINCIPAL PIECE OF LEGISLATION CONCERNED WITH THE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL OF WASTE AND PROVIDED A BASIC STATUTORY FRAMEWORK FOR THE CONTROL OF VARIOUS TYPES OF WASTE.
HOWEVER, THE CONTROL OF CHEMICAL WASTE HAD NOT BEEN BROUGHT INTO OPERATION BECAUSE THERE HAD BEEN A LACK OF SUITABLE FACILITIES FOR THEIR TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL.
MR LEWIS NOTED THAT UP UNTIL NOW THE MAIN PUBLIC FACILITIES AVAILABLE HAD BEEN THE CO-DISPOSAL FACILITIES AT THE TSEUNG KWAN10 LANDFILL AND SOME SMALL-SCALE COMMERCIAL RECYCLING AND RECOVERY OPERATIONS UNDERTAKEN BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
HOWEVER, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOW IN A POSITION TO PROCEED WITH THE REGULATORY CONTROLS ON CHEMICAL WASTE WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF ADEQUATE, SUITABLE DISPOSAL FACILITIES UNDERWAY.
HE DISCLOSED THAT IN DECEMBER 1990, THE GOVERNMENT HAD SIGNED A CONTRACT WITH A PRIVATE SECTOR CONSORTIUM FOR THE PROVISION OF CENTRALISED CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT FACILITIES ON TSING YI.
"THE FACILITIES WILL BE COMMISSIONED IN STAGES WITH THE FIRST STAGE, THE COLLECTION AND STORAGE SERVICE DUE TO COMMENCE IN AUTUMN 1992.
/"ONCE THEY .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1991
7
"ONCE THEY ARE FULLY COMMISSIONED AT THE END OF 1992, THfi CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT FACILITIES SHOULD BE ABLE TO HANDLE VIRTUALLY ALL OF HONG KONG’S CHEMICAL WASTE," HE SAID.
MR LEWIS SAID THE EXISTING ORDINANCE, WHICH PROVIDED THE BASIC FRAMEWORK OF CONTROL, WOULD NEED TO BE REFINED AND EXTENDED IN ORDER THAT THERE WOULD BE PROVISIONS TO ENSURE THE PROPER HANDLING OF SUCH WASTE FROM ITS POINT OF PRODUCTION OR IMPORTATION TO ITS POINT OF FINAL DISPOSAL.
"THIS APPROACH WILL REQUIRE CHEMICAL WASTE PRODUCERS TO BE REGISTERED, AND FOR WASTE COLLECTORS AND DISPOSAL FACILITIES TO BE LICENSED.
"IT WILL INCLUDE A ’TRIP-TICKET’ SYSTEM TO MONITOR INDIVIDUAL CONSIGNMENTS OF CHEMICAL WASTE AND REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO THE STORAGE, PACKAGING AND LABELLING OF WASTE," HE SAID.
MR LEWIS ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION WAS TO IMPLEMENT THESE CONTROLS CHIEFLY THROUGH CHEMICAL WASTE REGULATIONS MADE UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
TURNING TO THE MAIN PROVISIONS OF THE BILL, MR LEWIS SAID CURRENTLY THE APPLICATION OF THE ORDINANCE TO CHEMICAL WASTE WAS NOT SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED FOR.
"THIS IS ADDRESSED IN CLAUSES 4, 5 AND 6 OF THE BILL WHICH CONFIRM THE APPLICATION TO CHEMICAL WASTE OF THE SECTIONS RELATING TO THE LICENSING OF WASTE COLLECTORS, THE PROHIBITION ON UNLICENSED COLLECTORS AND THE PROHIBITION ON THE UNAUTHORISED DISPOSAL OF WASTES (SECTIONS 10, 11 AND 16 OF THE ORDINANCE RESPECTIVELY)," HE NOTED.
HE SAID THE BILL ALSO PROVIDED FOR THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, WHO IS ALREADY THE WASTE DISPOSAL AUTHORITY FOR ALL TYPES OF WASTES, TO BE THE SOLE COLLECTION AUTHORITY FOR CHEMICAL WASTE UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
THERE WAS ALSO A CLAUSE PROVIDING FOR A DEFINITION OF "CHEMICAL WASTE" TO BE PRESCRIBED BY REGULATIONS.
MR LEWIS NOTED THAT THE DIFFICULTY OF FINDING A SIMPLE DEFINITION FOR "CHEMICAL WASTE" HAD BEEN RECOGNISED WIDELY BY LEGISLATORS WHO HAD SOUGHT TO REGULATE CHEMICAL WASTE. WHETHER OR NOT A PARTICULAR WASTE SHOULD BE REGARDED AS CHEMICAL WASTE MIGHT DEPEND UPON THE FORM AND CONCENTRATION OF THAT WASTE.
"BY PROVIDING THE DETAILED DEFINITION IN THE REGULATIONS WE WILL HAVE A DEGREE OF FLEXIBILITY TO ENABLE US TO REFINE AND DEVELOP THAT DEFINITION IN THE LIGHT OF PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE AND CHANGES IN KNOWLEDGE, EXPECTATIONS AND STANDARDS," HE ADDED.
THE BILL ALSO ENABLED CERTAIN MINIMUM STANDARDS TO BE SPECIFIED IN REGULATIONS WITH REGARD TO IN-HOUSE TREATMENT FACILITIES ALTHOUGH IT WAS NOT THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO PROHIBIT THEM.
MR LEWIS EXPLAINED THAT THE MAJOR AMENDMENT PROPOSED BY THE BILL WAS THE EXTENSION OF THE REGULATION-MAKING POWERS TO PROVIDE FOR THE DIFFERENT ELEMENTS IN THE SCHEME OF CONTROL.
/THE DIRECTOR........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1991
- 8
THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WOULD ALSO BE EMPOWERED THROUGH REGULATIONS TO EXCLUDE WASTE WHICH DID NOT CONSTITUTE A DANGER TO HEALTH OR AN ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FROM THE DEFINITION OF CHEMICAL WASTE; TO ISSUE DOCUMENTS AND REQUIRE INFORMATION IN RELATION TO THE PRODUCTION, MOVEMENT AND DISPOSAL OF WASTE, TO APPROVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR DISPOSAL, AND REQUIRE THE REMOVAL OF WASTE WHICH CONSTITUTED A DANGER TO HEALTH OR RISK OF POLLUTION.
ON OTHER ASPECTS OF THE BILL, MR LEWIS SAID THE EXISTING PENALTIES FOR CONTRAVENTION OF THE REGULATIONS AND FOR CERTAIN OF THE OFFENCES UNDER THE ORDINANCE WOULD NEED TO BE UPDATED AND TO REFLECT THE SERIOUSNESS OF THOSE OFFENCES. PROPOSALS FOR INCREASES IN THE CEILING FOR FINES WERE REQUIRED AS APPROPRIATE.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDED AN EXTENSION OF THE LIABILITY FOR PROSECUTION TO INDIVIDUAL DIRECTORS AND MANAGERS OF A COMPANY WHERE OFFENCES COMMITTED BY THAT COMPANY WERE COMMITTED WITH THEIR CONSENT OR CONNIVANCE OR THROUGH THEIR NEGLECT.
MR LEWIS SAID THIS WAS CONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE, AS AMENDED.
WITH REGARD TO TIMING, MR LEWIS ENVISAGED THAT THERE MIGHT BE A NEED TO BRING THE CONTROLS INTO EFFECT IN STAGES - AT DIFFERENT TIMES FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF WASTE.
WHERE FACILITIES FOR DISPOSAL ALREADY EXIST, IT MIGHT BE DESIRABLE THAT THE CONTROLS SHOULD APPLY EARLIER THAN FOR OTHER TYPES OF WASTE.
HE SAID CONSULTATION WITH INDUSTRY ON THE SCOPE AND DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED REGULATIONS WAS BEING UNDERTAKEN.
’’ONCE THIS HAS BEEN COMPLETED, WE WILL MAKE ANY NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS BEFORE SUBMITTING THE REGULATIONS TO THIS COUNCIL AT THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION, WITH A VIEW TO IMPLEMENTING THE FIRST STAGE OF THE CONTROLS AROUND THE END OF THE YEAR.”
HE SAID THE REGISTRATION OF CHEMICAL WASTE PRODUCERS, ESTIMATED TO BE OVER 10,000 PRODUCERS IN HONG KONG, WAS LIKELY TO TAKE A FEW MONTHS.
THE PROCESS OF REGISTRATION WOULD NEED TO BEGIN EARLY NEXT YEAR TO ENABLE THE SCHEME OF CONTROL TO BE FULLY IMPLEMENTED BY THE TIME THE CONTRACTOR FOR THE CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT FACILITIES WAS READY TO COMMENCE HIS COLLECTION SERVICE - AND IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT THE LEGISLATIVE CONTROLS WERE IN OPERATION BY THAT TIME, HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
------0----------
/9 ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1991
- .9 -
UK BACKS GOVT’S EFFORTS ON VM’S
*****
THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT FULLY SUPPORTS THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS TO RESOLVE THE VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS PROBLEM THROUGH THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON RITA FAN, MR ASPREY SAID THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO CONSULT URGENTLY WITH THE PRINCIPAL COUNTRIES CONCERNED ON ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO ACCELERATE THE RETURN OF NON-REFUGEES TO THEIR COUNTRY OF ORIGIN.
"WE BELIEVE THAT THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION REMAINS THE RIGHT APPROACH TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM," HE SAID.
THE SECRETARY SAID IT WAS THE FAILURE TO IMPLEMENT THE CPA IN ITS ENTIRETY WHICH HAD SO FAR PREVENTED A RESOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM.
"WE SHALL CONTINUE TO PURSUE URGENTLY A DURABLE SOLUTION IN THE FORM OF AGREEMENT ON ARRANGEMENTS FOR REPATRIATION OF THE SCREENED-OUT," THE SECRETARY ADDED. :
MR ASPREY NOTED THAT THE EXISTING DETENTION CENTRES SHOULD BE ABLE TO COPE WITH A VIETNAMESE POPULATION OF ABOUT 54,000.
THE PRESENT POPULATION IN THE DETENTION CENTRES WAS ABOUT 48,000.
"THE EXTENT TO WHICH OUR DETENTION CENTRE ACCOMMODATION CAN COPE WITH NEW ARRIVALS DEPENDS NOT ONLY ON THE NUMBER OF ARRIVALS BUT ALSO ON THE NUMBERS OF BIRTHS, OF THOSE SCREENED-IN AND THOSE LEAVING ON REPATRIATION," THE SECRETARY EXPLAINED.
-------0-------
DRAFT BILL TO IMPOSE GUIDELINES ON EXISTING DMC *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING A DRAFT BILL WHICH SEEKS TO IMPOSE LIMITATIONS ON THE CONDUCT OF PROPERTY MANAGERS IN EXISTING DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANTS (DMC) WHICH DO NOT SPECIFICALLY CONTAIN THE PROVISIONS OF THE CURRENT GUIDELINES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON MARTIN LEWIS, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON POON CHI-FAI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
/MR POON .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1991
10
MR POON WAS CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT HE CONSIDERED THE HIGH PRICING POLICY IN THE SALE AND LETTING -OF CAR PARKING SPACES IN BEACON HEIGHTS, AND THAT SIMILAR INCIDENTS MIGHT OCCUR IN OTHER PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS.
MR LEWIS SAID SINCE OCTOBER 1987 THE GOVERNMENT HAD IMPOSED GUIDELINES ON NEW DMC LIMITING THE INITIAL PERIOD OF MANAGEMENT BY THE FIRST MANAGER TO NOT EXCEEDING TWO YEARS.
HE NOTED THAT NO PROVISION IN THE DMC WAS NOW PERMITTED WHICH WOULD EXCLUDE THE OPERATION OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS (OWNERS INCORPORATION) ORDINANCE TO PREVENT OWNERS FORMING AN OWNERS CORPORATION, AS WAS CURRENTLY THE CASE WITH THE DMC OF BEACON HEIGHTS.
HE SAID THE SELLING AND LETTING OF CARPARKING SPACES IN PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS WAS A MATTER FOR THE DEVELOPER.
"AS LONG AS THE DEVELOPER DOES NOT DO ANYTHING WHICH IS UNLAWFUL, THE GOVERNMENT HAS LITTLE CAUSE TO INTERVENE," MR LEWIS SAID.
--------0-----------
GOVERNMENT MEASURES TO RELIEVE MTR CONGESTION
*****
ADDITIONAL MEASURES ARE BEING TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THE PROVISION OF ALTERNATIVE AND CHEAPER MODES OF TRANSPORT TO RELIEVE THE CONGESTION ALONG THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY NATHAN ROAD CORRIDOR DURING PEAK HOURS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MRS SELINA CHOW, MR LEUNG SAID TWO NEW AIR-CONDITIONED, EXPRESS BUS ROUTES BETWEEN KOWLOON AND CENTRAL WERE PLANNED.
THE FIRST ROUTE, TARGETTED AT COMMUTERS USING THE MTR AT PRINCE EDWARD AND MONG KOK STATIONS, WAS INTRODUCED ON MAY 13.
SOUTH-BOUND PASSENGERS USING THIS SERVICE ENJOYED A DISCOUNT DURING THE MORNING PEAK.
A SIMILAR DISCOUNT WAS ALSO OFFERED TO BUS PASSENGERS WHO USED TWO EXISTING CROSS-HARBOUR ROUTES OPERATING ALONG THE NATHAN ROAD, MR LEUNG SAID.
THE SECOND ROUTE, TO BE INTRODUCED IN MID JUNE, WOULD PROVIDE A DIRECT LINK FROM THE PODIUM LEVEL OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY (KCR) HUNG HOM STATION TO CENTRAL.
THIS WAS INTENDED TO ENCOURAGE CENTRAL-BOUND KCR PASSENGERS TO BY-PASS THE MTR INTERCHANGE AT KOWLOON TONG.
MR LEUNG SAID CONCURRENTLY, TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES TO SPEED UP THE MOVEMENT OF BUSES HEADING TOWARDS THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL ALONG NATHAN ROAD OR CHATHAM ROAD WERE IN HAND.
/THESE INCLUDED .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1991
11
THESE INCLUDED AN EXTRA BUS LANE ON CHATHAM ROAD NORTH AND ADJUSTMENTS TO TRAFFIC SIGNALS IN FAVOUR OF TRAFFIC APPROACHING THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL FROM NATHAN ROAD.
HE SAID THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ALL THESE MEASURES WOULD BE MONITORED CLOSELY AND FURTHER MEASURES INTRODUCED AS NECESSARY.
ON THE ALTERNATIVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES ALREADY AVAILABLE ALONG THE MTR KOWLOON ROUTE, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT SAID THEY INCLUDED SOME 90 BUS, GREEN MINIBUS AND RESIDENTIAL COACH ROUTES SERVING THE MONG KOK AND YAU-TSIM DISTRICTS.
IN ADDITION, THERE WERE KCR SERVICES TO HUNG HOM, NINE FERRY LINKS TO CENTRAL AND 18 CROSS-HARBOUR BUS ROUTES OPERATING THROUGH THE KOWLOON PENINSULA.
SPARE CAPACITY EXISTED ON MOST OF THOSE SERVICES DURING THE RUSH HOURS, MR LEUNG SAID.
------0-------
GOVT APPLIES SAME RATING RULES TO PRIVATE AND PUBLIC TENEMENTS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT APPLIES THE SAME PRINCIPLES AND STANDARDS OF CALCULATING THE RATEABLE VALUE OF BOTH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC HOUSING PREMISES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON SZETO WAH, SIR PIERS SAID UNDER THE RATING ORDINANCE THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION WAS REQUIRED TO ASCERTAIN THE RATEABLE VALUE OF A TENEMENT.
"IN DISCHARGING THIS RESPONSIBILITY, THE COMMISSIONER AND HIS STAFF APPLY THE SAME PRINCIPLES AND STANDARDS TO ALL RESIDENTIAL PREMISES THAT ARE TO BE ASSESSED TO RATES, INCLUDING PUBLIC HOUSING UNITS, HOME OWNERSHIP FLATS AND PRIVATE PREMISES,” HE STRESSED.
------0--------
4,000 SQUATTERS TO BE CLEARED BY YEAR’S END ♦ * * *
THE GOVERNMENT AIMS TO CLEAR AND REHOUSE, BY AROUND THE END OF THIS YEAR, ABOUT 4,000 SQUATTERS IN EAST AND WEST KOWLOON AND NORTH AND SOUTH OF HONG KONG ISLAND WHO LIVE ON STEEP SLOPES THAT ARE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO LANDSLIPS IN HEAVY RAINSTORMS.
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON MARTIN LEWIS, SAID THIS IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON POON CHI-FAI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
/TN ADDITION .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1991
- 12 -
IN ADDITION THERE WERE ABOUT 1,100 SQUATTERS . SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE NEW TERRITORIES LIVING ON STEEP AND VULNERABLE SLOPES. MOST LIVED ON PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL LAND, WHICH WAS ONLY CLEARED WHEN THE LAND IS NEEDED.
"THESE STEEP SLOPES THAT HOUSE SQUATTERS ARE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE IN HEAVY RAIN, BECAUSE INSTABILITY (AND THEREFORE THE RISK) IS OFTEN AGGRAVATED BY INDISCRIMINATE SLOPE-CUTTING AND BY THE LACK OF ADEQUATE DRAINAGE.
"IN ADDITION, THE FLIMSINESS OF THE DWELLINGS AND THEIR POOR FOUNDATION WORKS DO NOT AFFORD GOOD PROTECTION."
HE SAID A LANDSLIP WARNING SYSTEM PROVIDED SQUATTERS WITH ADEQUATE WARNING OF THE PROBABLE OCCURRENCE OF LANDSLIPS ON STEEP HILLSIDES.
"WHERE NECESSARY, PEOPLE ARE URGED THROUGH RADIO ANNOUNCEMENTS TO TAKE REFUGE IN TEMPORARY SHELTERS PROVIDED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICES.
"SQUATTERS ARE IMMEDIATELY EVACUATED WHEN THERE IS REASON TO BELIEVE THEY FACE IMMINENT DANGER," HE ADDED.
WITH REGARD TO THE FOUR SQUATTER AREAS IN LAM TIN, SAU MAU PING, SHUN LEE AND YAU TONG, MR LEWIS SAID NEARLY ALL SQUATTERS HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM THE WORST SLOPES.
"HARDLY ANY REMAIN IN LAM TIN AND YAU TONG, AND THE REMAINDER WILL BE CLEARED THIS SUMMER.
"THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN PARTIAL CLEARANCES IN THE SHUN LEE AND SAU MAU PING AREAS, AND MORE ARE EXPECTED NEXT YEAR.
"AS LONG AS THEY LIVE ON THESE SLOPES, ALL SQUATTERS SHOULD FOLLOW THE GUIDANCE NOTES PROVIDED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICES ON THE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES THEY SHOULD TAKE BEFORE AND DURING RAINSTORM, SUCH AS MAINTENANCE OF SLOPES; DIVERSION OF WATER; AND ACTION TO BE TAKEN DURING RAINSTORMS AND WHEN THE LANDSLIP WARNING IS ISSUED," HE SAID.
REGARDING BUIDLINGS CLASSIFIED AS CATEGORIES I, II AND III BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE, MR LEWIS SAID: "THERE ARE 210 IN CATEGORY I - THOSE BUILDINGS SEEN EXTERNALLY TO BE TN A DANGEROUS CONDITION, REQUIRING EARLY ACTION.
"ALL HAVE BEEN INSPECTED, AND REPAIR ORDERS HAVE BEEN SERVED ON THE OWNERS OF 193 BUILDINGS. THE REMAINING 17 BUILDINGS HAVE BEEN SERVED WITH ORDERS FOR DEMOLITION.
"THERE ARE SOME 16,700 BUILDINGS IN CATEGORY II - THOSE BUILDINGS ADJUDGED TO BE IN A SUSPECT CONDITION, REQUIRING A DETAILED SURVEY.
"SOME 2,590 HAVE BEEN INSPECTED, AND REPAIR ORDERS SERVED ON THE OWNERS OF 1,381 BUILDINGS, A FURTHER 46 BUILDINGS HAVE BEEN SERVED CLOSURE ORDERS FOR DEMOLITION.
/"CATEGORY III .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1991
13
"CATEGORY III BUILDINGS DO NOT POSE A PROBLEM AT PRESENT. THEY ARE CONSIDERED TO BE IN A REASONABLE CONDITION AND UNLIKELY TO REQUIRE ANY MAJOR ACTION WITHIN FIVE YEARS.
"ALMOST ALL THESE BUILDINGS ARE GENERALLY LOCATED IN THE OLDER PARTS OF THE URBAN AREA, SUCH AS TO KWA WAN, MONG KOK, SHAM SHU1 PO, KOWLOON CITY, SHEUNG WAN, SAI YUNG PUN AND WAN CHAI."
MR LEWIS SAID THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE HAD A 24 HOUR STAND-BY SYSTEM TO DEAL WITH EMERGENCIES IN PRIVATE BUILDINGS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
"THE SYSTEM IS AIMED AT REMOVING DANGER TO RESIDENTS OR THE GENERAL PUBLIC EITHER BY URGENT ON-SLTE CORRECTIVE TREATMENT OR BY EVACUATING THE RESIDENTS OF THE BUILDINGS ON A TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT BASIS," HE ADDED.
- - 0
VM’S NOT AFFECTING PUBLIC IN HOSPITAL USES ♦ » ♦ * *
THE PROVISION OF HOSPITAL SERVICES IN GENERAL TO THE LOCAL PUBLIC HAS NOT BEEN SERIOUSLY AFFECTED NOTWITHSTANDING THE USE OF SOME OF THE FACILITIES BY VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MRS WONG SAID THE DEMAND FOR SERVICES HAD BEEN MET BY FLEXIBLE RE-DEPLOYMENT OF RESOURCES AND RE-DISTRIBUTION OF CASELOADS WITHIN THE TERRITORY’S HOSPITAL SYSTEM.
THE SECRETARY NOTED THAT VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS OCCUPIED 30,925 BED-DAYS, OR 5.8 PER ('ENT OF THE AVAILABLE BED-DAYS TN THE PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL AND FANLING HOSPITAL IN THE NEW TERRITORIES EAST REGION LAST YEAR.
THEY ALSO ACCOUNTED FOR 3.8 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL ATTENDANCES AT THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS IN THESE HOSPITALS.
"PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL WAS THE ONLY HOSPITAL IN THE NEW TERRITORIES EAST REGION WHICH PROVIDED AN OBSTETRIC SERVICE.
"IN 1990, 1,720 VBP (VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE) BABIES WERE BORN
THERE.
"THIS REPRESENTS SOME 20.8 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DELIVERIES IN THE HOSPITAL, OR 14 PER CENT OF THE AVAILABLE BED-DAYS IN ITS OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY DEPARTMENT," MRS WONG SAID.
HOWEVER, MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT THE PROVISION OF MEDICAL SERVICES '1’0 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS HAD UNQUESTIONABLY GENERATED ADDITIONAL PRESSURE ON THE AVAILABLE MEDICAL AND NURSING MANPOWER.
/SHE COMMENDED
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1991
14
SHE COMMENDED HER COLLEAGUES IN THE HOSPITALS FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND PERSEVERANCE IN MAINTAINING A HIGH STANDARD OF SERVICE TO MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS.
"WHERE PRACTICABLE, ADDITIONAL MANPOWER HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO ALLEVIATE THEIR WORKLOAD AND WE ARE EXPLORING FURTHER MEASURES FOR RELIEF," SHE ADDED.
AS REGARDS THE COST OF PROVIDING MEDICAL SERVICES TO VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS, MRS WONG SAID THE GOVERNMENT SPENT ABOUT $123 MILLION IN 1990/91.
"THIS INCLUDES THE OPERATING COSTS OF HOSPITAL BEDS OCCUPIED BY THEM, THE TREATMENT OFFERED AND THE VARIOUS IMMUNISATION AND CLINIC SERVICES PROVIDED.
"$5 MILLION OF SUCH COSTS IS RECOVERABLE FROM UNHCR," SHE ADDED.
------0-------
RELIEF OF CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL CONGESTION
THE GOVERNMENT WAS EXAMINING A PROPOSAL TO INCREASE THE PASSAGE TAX IN ORDER TO RELIEVE TRAFFIC CONGESTION AT THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON JAMES TIEN, MR LEUNG SAID THE PROPOSAL WAS ONE OF THE MEASURES DISCUSSED AND ENDORSED BY THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC).
THE LEVEL OF TAX PROPOSED MORE THAN EXCEEDED THE PRESENT DAY VALUE OF THE PASSAGE TAX INTRODUCED IN 1984.
HE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WAS EXAMINING THE TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THIS RECOMMENDATION BEFORE A DECISION COULD BE TAKEN ON WHETHER AND WHEN IT SHOULD BE TAKEN FORWARD.
"AT THE SAME TIME, WE WILL BE MONITORING CLOSELY THE EFFECTS OF THE OPENING OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL ON JULY I, WHICH SHOULD ENCOURAGE GREATER USE OF THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, THUS REDUCING CONGESTION AT THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL," MR LEUNG ADDED.
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/IS .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1991
- 15 -
DRAFT REHABILITATION LAW IN THE PIPELINE ******
DRAFT LEGISLATION TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (FCC) ON THE REHABILITATION SCHEME UNDER THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ORDINANCE IS NOW BEING PREPARED.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON RITA FAN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR ASPREY SAID THE LEGISLATION WAS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR.
HE SAID SINCE THE OMELCO STANDING PANEL ON SECURITY WAS CONSULTED IN NOVEMBER 1989, THE FCC HAD MET A NUMBER OF TIMES TO REVIEW THE REHABILITATION SCHEME.
IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR, THE FCC COMPLETED THE REVIEW AND AGREED ON A PACKAGE OF RECOMMENDATIONS, MR ASPREY NOTED.
THE SECRETARY SAID THE MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDED EXTENDING THE SCHEME TO COVER PERSONS WHO ON FIRST CONVICTION WERE SENTENCED TO IMPRISONMENT FOR NOT MORE THAN THREE MONTHS, OR A FINE NOT EXCEEDING 910,000.
IT ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT PERSONS CONVICTED OF TRIAD-RELATED OFFENCES, BUT WHO HAD RENOUNCED THEIR MEMBERSHIP UNDER THE TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME, SHOULD QUALIFY FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE REHABILITATION SCHEME PROVIDED THEY MET THE OTHER CRITERIA FOR THE SCHEME, HE ADDED.
THE FCC ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT PAYMENTS UNDER THE FIXED PENALTY SCHEME, OTHER MINOR ROAD TRAFFIC OFFENCES, AND NON-RECORDABLE OFFENCES SHOULD NOT BE CLASSIFIED AS CONVICTIONS FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE SCHEME.
FURTHER, EXCLUSION FROM THE SCHEME SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO APPLICATIONS TO BECOME SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS OR CONTROLLERS OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND TO STAFF OF THE ICAC AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE STAFF OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION, MR ASPREY SAID.
- - 0 - -
/16........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1991
16
HOSPITAL AUTHORITY OFFERS DIFFERENT RENUMERATION PACKAGE * * * * *
CIVIL SERVANTS WHO OPT TO JOIN THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WILL NOT BE GIVEN A SIMILAR TREATMENT AS THOSE TO THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL -- A SIGN-UP BONUS EQUIVALENT TO THREE MONTHS’ SUBSTANTIVE SALARY.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG, WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON RONALD CHOW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MRS WONG SAID IT WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE TO COMPARE THE TWO PACKAGES BECAUSE THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE TWO EXERCISES WERE DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT.
THESE DIFFERENCES WERE IN THE BACKGROUNDS, THE POLICY OBJECTIVES, THE TRANSFER ARRANGEMENTS, AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS WHICH THE TWO ORGANISATIONS OFFERED TO STAFF, SHE ADDED.
■------0------
BILL TO ABOLISH DISTINCTION BETWEEN FELONIES AND MISDEMEANOURS
*****
THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE (FELONIES AND MISDEMEANOURS) BILL 1991 IS DESIGNED TO ABOLISH A PURELY FORMAL DISTINCTION BETWEEN TWO CLASSES OF OFFENCES, FELONIES AND MISDEMEANOURS.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID IN THE VERY EARLY DAYS OF ENGLISH LEGAL HISTORY, CERTAIN SERIOUS OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSON AND PROPERTY WERE CONSIDERED TO BE SO HEINOUS AS TO WARRANT PROSECUTION BY THE SOVEREIGN WITH SPECIAL FORMS OF PROCEDURE.
THESE OFFENCES WERE CALLED FELONIES AND INCLUDED MURDER, MANSLAUGHTER, HOUSEBREAKING, RAPE AND LARCENY. THEY WERE ALL PUNISHABLE WITH DEATH AND CONFISCATION OF ALL PROPERTY.
OTHER LESSER CRIMES NOT CARRYING THE DEATH PENALTY WERE PROSECUTED UNDER LESS RIGOROUS PROCEDURES AND WERE KNOWN AS MISDEMEANOURS.
LAW REFORMS IN THE 19TH CENTURY IN ENGLAND REMOVED THE DEATH PENALTY FOR ALL FELONIES EXCEPT MURDER, AND MOST OF THE FORFEITURE PROVISIONS ATTACHING TO CONVICTION OF FELONY WERE ALSO REMOVED.
AT THE SAME TIME, SOME OF THE PROCEDURAL FEATURES OF TRIALS OF FELONIES WERE AMELIORATED SO THAT TRIAL OF FELONIES BEGAN TO RESEMBLE TRIAL OF MISDEMEANOURS.
/THE DISTINCTION .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1991
17
THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE TWO CLASSES OF OFFENCES WAS ABOLISHED IN ENGLAND AND WALES BY THE ENACTMENT OF THE CRIMINAL ’\W ACT 1967 WHICH IMPLEMENTED THE SEVENTH REPORT OF THE CRIMINAL LAW REVISION COMMITTEE.
AS THE COMMITTEE REMARKED, MR MATHEWS SAID, THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN FELONIES AND MISDEMEANOURS HAD BECOME "ARCHAIC” AND "COMPLICATED THE LAW UNNECESSARILY" BECAUSE MANY SERIOUS OFFENCES WERE MISDEMEANOURS BUT THERE WERE SOME FELONIES WHICH WERE RELATIVELY MINOR OFFENCES.
MR MATHEWS SAID IN 1986, A WORKING PARTY WAS APPOINTED BY HIS ■REDECESSOR TO REVIEW THE MAGISTRATES ORDINANCE AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE GENERALLY.
THE WORKING PARTY OBSERVED THAT THE CLASSIFICATION OF OFFENCES AS BEING EITHER FELONIES OR MISDEMEANOURS IN HONG KONG APPEARED TO BE DEFUNCT AND SERVED NO USEFUL PURPOSE.
IN MAY 1987, THE WORKING PARTY PRODUCED A REPORT RECOMMENDING THAT THE DISTINCTION BE ABOLISHED.
A THOROUGH SEARCH THROUGH THE WHOLE OF THE LAWS OF HONG KONG WAS THEN INSTITUTED IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY PROVISIONS WHICH EITHER SPECIFICALLY REFERRED TO FELONIES AND MISDEMEANOURS OR DEPENDED UPON A DISTINCTION BEING MADE BETWEEN THEM.
THE SEARCH WAS COMPLETED LAST YEAR WHEN THE BILINGUAL LAWS INFORMATION SYSTEM ON THE ORDINANCES OF HONG KONG WAS SET UP, THUS ENABLING THE BILL TO BE DRAFTED.
MR MATHEWS SAID ABOLITION OF THE DISTINCTION WOULD PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIMPLIFY AND MODERNISE THE CRIMINAL LAW WHILE ELIMINATING A DISTINCTION WHICH NO LONGER SERVED ANY USEFUL PURPOSE.
CLAUSE 2 OF THE BILL WOULD EFFECT THE ABOLITION OF THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN FELONY AND MISDEMEANOUR AND PROVIDE THAT THE LAW AND PRACTICE APPLICABLE TO OFFENCES HITHERTO DESCRIBED AS MISDEMEANOURS SHOULD IN FUTURE APPLY IN THE CASE OF EVERY OFFENCE.
CLAUSE 3 WAS A GENERAL ADAPTATION PROVISION WHICH REPLACED THE CLASSIFICATION OF OFFENCES AS FELONY OR MISDEMEANOUR IN LEGISLATION WITH THE SINGLE TERM "OFFENCES".
THERE WERE THREE SCHEDULES TO THE BILL WHICH PROVIDED FOR AMENDMENTS TO OTHER ORDINANCES AS A RESULT OF THE ABOLITION OF THE CISTINCTION BETWEEN FELONY AND MISDEMEANOUR.
FURTHER AMENDMENTS TO THE PROVISIONS IN THE SCHEDULES, WHICH ERE TECHNICAL IN NATURE, WOULD BE INTRODUCED AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
/18 .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1991
18
LOANS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 INTRODUCED *****
A BILL TO EMPOWER THE GOVERNMENT TO ISSUE BONDS, PROMISSORY NOTES OR OTHER INSTRUMENTS IN A PAPERLESS FORM WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE LOANS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, POINTED OUT THAT IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH EARLIER THIS YEAR, HE HAD SAID A WELL STRUCTURED AND MANAGED BORROWING PROGRAMME THROUGH THE ISSUE OF SHORT-TERM GOVERNMENT BONDS WOULD NOW BE APPROPRIATE FOR HONG KONG.
HE HAD ALSO ANNOUNCED HIS INTENTION TO START THE PROGRAMME OF GOVERNMENT BONDS WITH ISSUES OF TWO OR THREE YEAR MATURITIES.
"THE SUCCESSFUL EXPERIENCE WITH THE EXCHANGE FUND BILLS MARKET POINTS CLEARLY TO THE ADVANTAGE OF A PAPERLESS MARKET," SIR PIERS SAID.
HE SAID THE COMPUTERISED REGISTER OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS MADE TRANSFER OF BILLS BETWEEN ACCOUNTS QUICKER.
AS A RESULT, AN ACTIVE AND HENCE LIQUID MARKET WAS CREATED. THAT, IN TURN, LOWERED BORROWING COSTS, HE CONTINUED.
"IT IS BOTH COST-EFFECTIVE AND LOGICAL FOR THE GOVERNMENT BONDS TO BE ISSUED IN PAPERLESS FORM," SIR PIERS SAID.
"MARKETS FOR GOVERNMENT DEBT IN LEADING FINANCIAL CENTRES ARE GRADUALLY MOVING TO PAPERLESS SYSTEMS.”
HOWEVER, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY STRESSED THAT THE PROCEEDS OF THE BORROWING PROGRAMME WOULD BE USED ONLY FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, BE BORROWING TO FUND RECURRENT EXPENDITURE.
SIR PIERS SAID THE BILL ALSO SOUGHT TO EMPOWER HIM TO EXCLUDE AGREEMENTS RELATED TO THE BONDS, PROMISSORY NOTES OR OTHER INSTRUMENTS FROM THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENT THAT A COPY OF A LOAN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND A LENDER BE TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"WITHOUT THIS AMENDMENT, A DOCUMENT SETTING OUT THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS ON WHICH THE BONDS ARE ISSUED AND THE NAMES OF THE SUBSCRIBERS AND DETAILS OF THEIR BIDS WOULD HAVE TO BE LAID BEFORE THIS COUNCIL," HE SAID.
"FOR COMMERCIAL REASONS, POTENTIAL SUBSCRIBERS WILL NOT WISH TO MAKE SUCH INFORMATION PUBLIC, AND THIS WOULD INHIBIT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BONDS PROGRAMME," SIR PIERS ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
- - 0 - -
/19 ........
• I
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1991
19
MOTIONS PASSED TO UPKEEP CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS’ PURCHASING POWER
» ♦ » » *
TWO MOTIONS WERE PASSED UNDER THE PENSIONS (INCREASE) ORDINANCE AND THE WIDOWS AND ORPHANS PENSION (INCREASE) ORDINANCE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO MAINTAIN THE ORIGINAL PURCHASING POWER OF CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS.
MOVING THE MOTION UNDER THE PENSIONS (INCREASE) ORDINANCE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID A PENSION INCREASE OF 10.43 PER CENT WAS TO BE AWARDED WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
THE TOTAL COST OF INCREASING ALL PENSIONS BY THIS PERCENTAGE IS ESTIMATED TO BE $135.3 MILLION FOR A FULL YEAR.
SIR PIERS SAID THIS WAS A STATUTORY CHARGE WHICH MIGHT BE AUTHORISED BY RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL UNDER THE APPROPRIATE ORDINANCES.
SIR PIERS SAID IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S DECLARED POLICY TO MAINTAIN THE ORIGINAL PURCHASING POWER OF CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS, INCLUDING PENSIONS PAYABLE UNDER THE WIDOWS AND ORPHANS PENSION SCHEME AND UNDER THE WIDOWS' AND CHILDREN’S PENSIONS SCHEME.
"THIS IS ACHIEVED BY PERIODIC PENSION ADJUSTMENTS IN LINE WITH MOVEMENTS IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A)," HE SAID.
DURING THE LATEST REVIEW PERIOD FROM APRIL 1 LAST YEAR TO MARCH 31 THIS YEAR, THE MOVING ANNUAL AVERAGE OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) ROSE BY 13.8 POINTS WHICH WAS EQUIVALENT TO 10.43 PER CENT, SIR PIERS EXPLAINED.
----------------------0-------- MOTION TO RAISE AIRPORT TAX FOR ADULT PASSED ♦ ♦ » * «
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A RESOLUTION TO INCREASE THE AIR PASSENGER DEPARTURE TAX FOR AN ADULT AND EXEMPT CHILDREN UNDER 12 YEARS OF AGE FROM PAYING THE TAX.
MOVING THE MOTION UNDER THE AIR PASSENGER DEPARTURE TAX ORDINANCE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS SAID THE TAX INCREASE FOR AN ADULT WAS FROM $100 TO $150.
"THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE IS ESTIMATED TO BE APPROXIMATELY $390 MILLION PER ANNUM," SIR PIERS SAID, ADDING THAT THERE WERE NO STAFFING IMPLICATIONS.
------0--------'
/20 .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1991
20
BILL TO EXEMPT BONDS FROM STAMP DUTY INTRODUCED *****
THE STAMP DUTY (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991 SEEKS TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "STOCK" IN THE STAMP DUTY ORDINANCE IN ORDER TO EXEMPT BONDS ISSUED UNDER THE LOANS ORDINANCE FROM STAMP DUTY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, SIR PIERS SAID THIS WAS IN LINE WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S PREVIOUS PRACTICE THAT SUCH EXEMPTION WAS ALLOWED FOR GOVERNMENT BONDS AND THE EXCHANGE FUND BILLS.
POTENTIAL LOSS TO REVENUE RESULTING FROM THE EXEMPTION COULD NOT BE ESTIMATED AT THIS STAGE, BUT IT WAS NOT EXPECTED TO BE SIGNIFICANT, SIR PIERS SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE BILL HAD NO STAFFING IMPLICATIONS.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
------0--------
INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL INTRODUCED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL 1991 SEEKS TO EXEMPT FROM TAX ANY INTEREST OR PROFITS ARISING FROM BONDS ISSUED UNDER THE LOANS ORDINANCE.
MOVING THE BILL FOR SECOND READING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID THIS WAS IN LINE WITH THE PREVIOUS PRACTICE THAT SUCH EXEMPTIONS WERE ALLOWED FOR GOVERNMENT BONDS AND THE EXCHANGE FUND BILLS.
’’POTENTIAL LOSS TO REVENUE RESULTING FROM PROFITS TAX EXEMPTIONS CANNOT BE ESTIMATED AT THIS STAGE, BUT IT IS NOT EXPECTED TO BE SIGNIFICANT.
’’THE BILL HAS NO STAFFING IMPLICATIONS," SIR PIERS ADDED.
DEBATE ON THIS BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
- 0-----------
. /21 ......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1991
- 21 -
EDUCATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 INTRODUCED
*****
THE EDUCATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 INTRODUCES A PROVISION WHICH ENABLES A PERSON TO TEACH WHILE HIS APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION IS BEING PROCESSED, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON CHRISTINE CHOW, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL.
UNDER SECTION 87 OF THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE, IT IS AN OFFENCE FOR ANY PERSON WHO IS NOT A REGISTERED OR PERMITTED TEACHER TO TEACH IN A SCHOOL.
"THE PERSON WHO EMPLOYS OR PERMITS HIM TO TEACH ALSO COMMITS AN OFFENCE,” MISS CHOW SAID.
MISS CHOW POINTED OUT THAT IT HAD BEEN THE ESTABLISHED PRACTICE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO ALLOW A PROSPECTIVE TEACHER TO TEACH WHILE HIS APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION WAS BEING PROCESSED.
"THIS IS BECAUSE TEACHING VACANCIES OFTEN OCCUR AT SHORT NOTICE AND IT IS DESIRABLE ON EDUCATIONAL GROUNDS FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF REPLACEMENT TEACHERS TO COMMENCE WITHOUT DELAY.
"HOWEVER, THE CURRENT PRACTICE IS TECHNICALLY IN BREACH OF THE PROVISION UNDER THE ORDINANCE," SHE SAID.
MISS CHOW SAID THE BILL REMOVED THE ANOMALY BY INTRODUCING A DEEMING PROVISION WHICH ENABLED A PERSON TO TEACH WHILE HIS APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION WAS BEING PROCESSED.
"IN ORDER TO AVOID ANY ATTEMPT TO CIRCUMVENT THE PROPOSED NEW ARRANGEMENT, THE PERIOD OF EXEMPTION WILL BE LIMITED TO NO MORE THAN SIX MONTHS AND WILL APPLY ONLY TO FIRST APPLICATIONS,” SHE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
- - 0 - -
BILL TO TACKLE VTC’S
»
MIXED STAFF PROBLEM INTRODUCED ******
PROVIDE THE NECESSARY
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO
FOR AN ARRANGEMENT WHICH WOULD ENABLE CIVIL SERVANTS VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL (VTC) ON SECONDMENT TO PENSION RIGHTS AFTER THE TRANSFER WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE
STATUTORY
WORKING IN
PRESERVE
BASIS I THE THEIR
LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE PENSIONS (SPECIAL PROVISIONS) (VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL) BILL 1991, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON CHRISTINE CHOW, SAID UNDER THIS "MIXED SERVICE PENSION" ARRANGEMENT, A CIVIL SERVANT’S TOTAL LENGTH OF SERVICE FOR THE PURPOSES OF PENSION ACCRUAL WOULD BE THE SUM OF HIS SERVICE WITH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VTC.
/EXPLAINING THE
22
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1991
neimAn. EXPLAINING THE ARRANGEMENT, MISS CHOW SAID WHEN TMF VTr Waq c^nISHED IN 1982’ IT WAS initially staffed by civil SERVANTS on ONDMENF AND, LATER ON, ALSO BY STAFF DIRECTLY RECRUITED BY THE VTC.
"THIS MIXED STAFF SITUATION HAS MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS.
GIVEN RISE TO
DIFFICULT
FOLLOWING A REVIEW, THE GOVERNMENT HAS DFrTnpn th NUMBER OF OPTIONS TO THE ilVIL SERVANTS INVOLVED A ENCOURAGING THEM TO TRANSFER TO THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE VTC," !
' OFFER A
VIEW TO SHE SAID.
DECIDED^IS^CHOW^Jw^ PENSI0N" ARRANGEMENT WAS ONE OF THE OPTIONS
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
--------0-----------
SEVEN MOTIONS, FIVE BILLS PASSED * * ♦ ♦ ♦
TWO MOTIONS MOVED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY UNDER THE DUTIABLE COMMODITIES ORDINANCE WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
FOUR OTHER MOTIONS MOVED UNDER THE PENSIONS (INCREASE) ORDINANCE, WIDOWS AND ORPHANS PENSION (INCREASE) ORDINANCE, AIR PASSENGER DEPARTURE TAX ORDINANCE AND RATING ORDINANCE WERE ALSO PASSED.
MEANWHILE, FIVE BILLS WERE PASSED IN THE COUNCIL.
THEY WERE THE MOTOR VEHICLES (FIRST REGISTRATION TAX) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, FEES INCREASE (1991 BUDGET) BILL 1991, BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO.3) BILL 1991, AND STAMP DUTY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991.
THE MOTION FOR THE SECOND READING OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1990 WAS NOT CARRIED, WITH 17 MEMBERS AGAINST, 14 MEMBERS FOR AND NINE MEMBERS ABSTAINED.
IN ADDITION, SEVEN BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
THEY WERE THE LOANS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO.4) BILL 1991, STAMP DUTY (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1991, ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE (FELONIES AND MISDEMEANOURS) BILL 1991, WASTE DISPOSAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, EDUCATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, AND PENSIONS (SPECIAL PROVISIONS) (VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL) BILL 1991 .
DEBATES ON THESE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
THE MOTION MOVED BY THE HON NELLIE FONG UNDER THE
INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE WAS ALSO PASSED.
THE MOTION READ: ’’THAT IN RELATION TO THE BUILDINGS
(ADMINISTRATION) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1991, PUBLISHED AS LEGAL NOTICE NO. 120 OF 1991 AND LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON 17 APRIL 1991, THE PERIOD REFERRED TO IN SECTION 34(2) OF THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE FOR AMENDING SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION BE EXTENDED UNDER SECTION 34(4) OF THAT ORDINANCE UNTIL 5 JUNE 1991”.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1991
- 23 -
RIGHT TIME TO TRY TO RESOLVE PROBLEMS ON AIRPORT PROJECT
*******
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT IT WAS THE RIGHT TIME TO TRY TO RESOLVE PROBLEMS AND TO REACH AN AGREEMENT ON THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE AIRPORT ON HIS RETURN FROM A FIVE-DAY OFFICIAL VISIT TO AUSTRALIA, SIR DAVID SAID HE THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT HE SHOULD BE BACK IN HONG KONG WHEN THE TALKS ON THE AIRPORT RESUMES ON SATURDAY.
"IT'S THE RIGHT TIME TO BE TRYING TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEMS ON BOTH SIDES AND TRYING TO REACH AN AGREEMENT WHICH COVERS CHINESE CONCERNS WHEN WE CAN, AND MAKE SURE THAT OUR CONCERNS ARE ALSO DEALT WITH ADEQUATELY, AND THAT WE CAN DO THINGS IN A PRACTICAL, SENSIBLE MANNER AND THE RIGHT OF AUTHORITY TO DO IT," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
"ON OUR SIDE WE WANT TO MEET CHINESE CONCERNS WHERE WE CAN BUT WE ALSO NEED TO HAVE ARRANGEMENTS WHICH ARE PRACTICAL, WHICH ENABLE US TO CARRY OUT A PROJECT, AND ENABLE US TO RETAIN OUR ABILITY AND OUR AUTHORITY TO CARRY OUT PROJECTS OF THIS SORT AND THE GENERAL ADMINISTRATION OF THE TERRITORY," SIR DAVID SAID.
"WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR IS TRYING TO IDENTIFY WHERE THE PROBLEM AREAS ARE AND WHERE WE CAN MEET THOSE CONCERNS. THE EXACT DETAILS OF HOW THAT CAN BE DONE MUST, I BELIEVE, BE LEFT TO THE NEGOTIATING TEAM RATHER THAN PLAYED OUT IN THE PUBLIC BEFORE THEY CAN EVEN SIT DOWN ROUND THE TABLE AND DISCUSS IT," HE SAID.
"WE WOULD LIKE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT AS SOON AS WE POSSIBLY CAN. THE PENALTY OF NOT DOING SO IS QUITE SIMPLY THAT THE WHOLE PROJECT GETS DELAYED," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
"THE REALITY OF THE SITUATION AT THE MOMENT IS THAT HAVING HAD A PERIOD WHERE WE’VE HAD A LOT OF CRITICAL COMMENT ON THE PROJECT, IF WE WANT THE SORT OF PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVEMENT WHICH WE NEED FOR THIS TO BE AN ECONOMIC, SENSIBLE PROJECT FOR HONG KONG, THEN WE WANT TO GET A BENEVOLENT ATTITUDE, SUPPORT FROM CHINA, WHATEVER WORDS YOU WANT TO USE, IN ORDER TO ENABLE THAT TO GO AHEAD," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID SAID HE BELIEVED THAT HIS VISIT TO AUSTRALIA WAS SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING ACROSS THE MESSAGE ABOUT HONG KONG AS A PLACE WHICH STILL HAD A VIBRANT ECONOMY, IN WHICH AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT COULD PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE.
"I WAS VERY STRUCK BY THE AMOUNT OF INTEREST THAT THEY TAKE IN HONG KONG IN AUSTRALIA, THAT COVERS BOTH THE POLITICAL LEVEL, THE BUSINESS LEVEL AND THE MEDIA LEVEL.
"THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF INTEREST IN HONG KONG AS A CENTRE FOR TRADE IN ITS OWN RIGHT, BUT INCREASINGLY AS A BASE FOR TRADING INTO CHINA FOR ENTREPOT TRADE. AND INTERESTINGLY A LOT OF BUSINESSMEN SEE THIS AS A LONG-TERM PROSPECT WHICH OF COURSE WAS THE SORT OF THING WHICH I WAS TRYING TO ENCOURAGE," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID HE WAS SORRY THAT HE WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTINUE HIS VISIT TO NEW ZEALAND AND THAT HE WOULD TRY TO RE-INSTATE IT AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.
------0--------
/24 .....
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1991
- 2d PLANS FOR PORT DEVELOPMENT OUTLINED ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
HONG KONG’S LONGER TERM PORT DEVELOPMENT PLAN ENVISAGES INCREMENTAL DEVELOPMENT OF NEW CONTAINER TERMINALS ALONG A MAN-MADE PENINSULA TO BE BUILT AT NORTH EAST LANTAU, EXTENDING SOUTHEAST INTO THE WESTERN HARBOUR, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCH MEETING OF THE FRENCH BUSINESS ASSOCIATION, MRS CHAN SAID LATER THIS YEAR THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE APPOINTING CONSULTANTS TO UNDERTAKE A STUDY TO PRODUCE A RECOMMENDED OUTLINE DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMME FOR THE PORT PENINSULA.
"THE POTENTIAL OF THIS AREA COULD WELL TREBLE EXISTING PORT CAPACITY, SO WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT WE RESERVE ENOUGH LAND FOR THERE TO BE A FREIGHT RAIL ACCESS," SHE SAID.
"IN PARALLEL, WE PLAN TO COMMISSION FURTHER STUDIES ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE WESTERN HARBOUR, TO PROVIDE FACILITIES FOR ANCHORAGES, A BREAKWATER BETWEEN LAMMA AND CHEUNG CHAU AND NAVIGATION CHANNELS FROM THE SOUTHERN APPROACHES.
"THESE STUDIES ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED AT THE END OF NEXT YEAR, PROVIDING US WITH THE DETAILED PLANS TO TAKE OUR PORT WELL INTO THE NEXT CENTURY."
REGARDING RECENT PORT DEVELOPMENTS, MRS CHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT'S PLAN PROVIDED THE DEVELOPMENT OF TWO NEW FOUR-BERTH CONTAINER TERMINALS -- CONTAINER TERMINAL 8 AT STONECUTTERS ISLAND AND TERMINAL 9 AT TSING YI.
"THE DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS FOR TERMINAL 8 HAVE JUST BEEN GRANTED TO A CONSORTIUM OF EXISTING PORT OPERATORS.
"THESE OPERATORS WILL INCLUDE, FOR THE FIRST TIME, SIGNIFICANT PARTICIPATION FROM CHINESE INTERESTS. THIS REFLECTS THE INCREASING VOLUME OF CHINESE CARGOES USING OUR PORT AND THE GREAT EXPANSION OF THE CHINESE MERCHANT FLEET OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.
"WE EXPECT THE FIRST BERTH OF TERMINAL 8 TO BE IN OPERATION BY THE END OF 1993," SHE SAID.
"BY THE END OF 1995, SHOULD CARGO CONTINUE TO GROW AT ITS FORECAST RATE, WE WILL NEED TO HAVE THE FIRST BERTH OF TERMINAL 9 READY FOR USE," SHE ADDED.
SHE SAID TOGETHER WITH TERMINAL 8, THESE NEW FACILITIES WHEN COMPLETED WOULD ALMOST DOUBLE HONG KONG’S EXISTING CONTAINER TERMINAL CAPACITY.
TURNING TO THE PORT DEVELOPMENT BOARD, MRS CHAN SAID IT HAD ALREADY CONDUCTED REVIEWS OF THE PORT REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SHIP REPAIR INDUSTRY AND THE FACILITIES REQUIRED TO SUPPORT RIVER TRADE CARGO ACTIVITIES.
/"IT WILL .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15. 1991
25
"IT WILL SHORTLY BE REPORTING ON THE FUTURE NEEDS OF MID-STREAM HANDLING, AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO CONTAINER TERMINAL DEVELOPIiEi.T, " SHE SAID.
TOUCHING ON A PORT-RELATED ISSUE -- THE NEW HONG KONG SHIPPING REGISTER, MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO EXEMPT OWNERS OF SHIPS REGISTERED IN HONG KONG FROM PROFITS TAX ON INCOME FROM CARGOES UPLIFTED IN HONG KONG.
SHE SAID THIS LIABILITY TO TAX WOULD BE REMOVED JUST AS SOON AS HONG KONG COULD ENACT THE NECESSARY AMENDING LEGISLATION AND THAT THE CHANGE WOULD BE RETROSPECTIVE TO DECEMBER 3.1990, THE DATE OF INAUGURATION OF THE NEW HONG KONG REGISTER.
"THE LEGISLATION HAS PROVED COMPLEX TO DRAFT BUT WE ARE NEARLY
THERE.
"WE INTEND THAT A 'WHITE BILL’, WHICH WILL BE A FURTHER FIRM STATEMENT OF OUR INTENT, WOULD BE PUBLISHED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE THE BILL IS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. '
"I EXPECT THE BILL TO BE PUBLISHED IN MID-JULY 1991,” SHE SAID.
- - 0 - -
LATEST FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE REPORT RELEASED
******
THE BASIC FRAMEWORK FOR A REGULATORY SYSTEM FOR THE LICENSING OF SECURITY COMPANIES AS WELL AS PERSONNEL EMPLOYED IN THE SECURITY INDUSTRY HAS BEEN WORKED OUT, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST REPORT OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (FCC) RELEASED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE PART ON PERSONNEL COVERED SECURITY OFFICERS (INCLUDING WATCHMEN) AND PERSONS INVOLVED IN DESIGNING, INSTALLING AND MAINTAINING SECURITY DEVICES.
THF REPORT ADDED THAT THE SECURITY AND GUARDING SERVICES BILL WAS NOW AT AN ADVANCED STAGE OF DRAFTING AND WAS BEING STUDIED IN DETAIL BY THE FCC’S ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE REGULATION OF THE SECURITY INDUSTRY.
THE FCC REPORT NO. 10 GIVES AN ACCOUNT OF THE WORK OF THE FCCt ITS SUB-COMMITTEES AND THE 19 DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES IN 1990.
IN THE YEAR UNDER REVIEW, THE FCC HAD RECOMMENDED THE EXPANSION OF THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS SCHEME, WITH PROPOSALS TO EXTEND IT TO PERSONS WITH SHORT TERM PRISON SENTENCES AND TO INCREASE THE PRESENT QUALIFYING FINE LEVEL.
WITH THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE FCC, JUDICIAL CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IN HONG KONG WAS ALSO ABOLISHED FOLLOWING THE PASSAGE OF THE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT (REPEAL) BILL AND PUBLIC ORDER (AMENDMENT) BILL BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN OCTOBER 1990.
/DURING THE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1991
26 -
DURING THE YEAR, THE FCC CONTINUED TO WORK THROUGH ITS FIVE SUB-COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS, NAMELY, THE WORKING GROUP ON GANGS, THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON YOUNG OFFENDERS, RESEARCH SUB-COMMITTEE, PUBLICITY SUB-COMMITTEE AND THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE REGULATION OF THE SECURITY INDUSTRY.
ON THE WORK OF THE WORKING GROUP ON GANGS, THE REPORT SAID IT CONTINUED TO IMPLEMENT PROPOSALS PUT FORWARD IN THE DISCUSSION DOCUMENT "OPTIONS FOR CHANGES IN THE LAW AND IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LAW TO COUNTER THE TRIAD PROBLEM".
AMONGST THEM WERE THE ENACTMENT OF THE GAMBLING (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1990 WHICH INTRODUCED HEAVIER PENALTIES FOR ILLEGAL GAMBLING, AND THE CRIMES (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1990 WHICH WAS AIMED AT MORE EFFECTIVE CONTROL OF NUISANCES ASSOCIATED WITH VICE ESTABLISHMENTS.
ANOTHER ISSUE BEING STUDIED BY THE WORKING GROUP WAS AN AFTERCARE AND SUPERVISION SCHEME FOR CERTAIN TYPES OF OFFENDERS FOLLOWING THEIR RELEASE.
IN CONNECTION WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE ORGANISED CRIME LEGISLATION, THE REPORT SAID A WHITE BILL WAS BEING DRAFTED AND A PUBLIC CONSULTATION EXERCISE WOULD BE CONDUCTED.
AS FOR THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON YOUNG OFFENDERS, IT WAS REPORTED THAT A STUDY ON THE SOCIAL CAUSES OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY WAS BEING PLANNED.
THE STANDING COMMITTEE ALSO MONITORED THE WORK OF THE YOUNG OFFENDER ASSESSMENT PANEL AND A REVIEW ON ITS WORK WAS CARRIED OUT AT THE END OF 1990.
IN 1990, THE RESEARCH SUB-COMMITTEE CONTINUED TO OVERSEE THE DEVELOPMENT AND SETTING UP OF THE INTEGRATED LAW AND ORDER STATISTICAL SYSTEM.
THE REPORT ALSO NOTED THAT A LONG TERM STUDY OF RECIDIVISM AMONG YOUNG OFFENDERS WAS BEING CONDUCTED BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES AND SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENTS. THE SURVEY RESULTS WERE EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE TOWARDS THE END OF 1991.
THE ROLE OF THE PUBLICITY SUB-COMMITTEE WAS TO ASSIST THE FCC IN PUBLICISING ITS POLICIES, OBJECTIVES AND EFFORTS IN ORDER TO ATTRACT MAXIMUM PUBLIC SUPPORT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME.
IN ADDITION TO THE REGULAR FIGHT CRIME CAMPAIGN, THE FCC DECIDED TO LAUNCH A SPECIAL PUBLICITY DRIVE WITH THEMES ON PREVENTING, REPORTING AND PROVING CRIME IN OCTOBER 1990.
FREE COPIES OF THE FCC REPORT NO. 10 ARE AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES.
/27 .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1991
27
SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR 1990 STARTED ♦ * * * *
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR 1990 HAS JUST COMMENCED.
THE SURVEY IS CONDUCTED ANNUALLY AND REPRESENTS PART OF A CONTINUOUS PROGRAMME IN THE DEPARTMENT TO COMPILE STATISTICS ON THE STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE OF VARIOUS ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG.
THE AIMS OF THE SURVEY ARE TO OBTAIN UP-TO-DATE DATA FOR EVALUATING THE CONTRIBUTION OF VARIOUS ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES TO HONG KONG'S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AND FOR ASCERTAINING THEIR COST STRUCTURE, OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS AND OUTPUT LEVELS.
RESULTS OF THE SURVEY ARE USEFUL TO BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN FORMULATING POLICIES AND MAKING DECISIONS.
ABOUT 8,100 ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE ENUMERATED IN THE PRESENT ROUND OF THE SURVEY, COVERING THE FOLLOWING ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES ! MANUFACTURING; MINING AND QUARRYING; AND ELECTRICITY, GAS AND WATER.
INFORMATION SOUGHT IN THE SURVEY INCLUDES : TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, ORIGIN OF INVESTMENT, FLOOR AREA, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES (THAT IS, WAGES, SALARIES AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFITS), PAYMENTS FOR INDUSTRIAL WORK AND INDUSTRIAL SERVICES, VALUE OF PURCHASES AND OTHER EXPENSES, SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS, AS WELL AS CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND STOCKS.
THE SURVEY IS BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS (ANNUAL SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION) ORDER 1984, WHICH WAS MADE UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 316) AND ISSUED AS LEGAL NOTICE NO. 15 IN THE GAZETTE ON JANUARY 13, 1984.
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES HAVE BEEN MAILED TO THE ESTABLISHMENTS SAMPLED FOR THE SURVEY. THESE ESTABLISHMENTS ARE LEGALLY REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THE QUESTIONNAIRES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT BY JULY 31, 1991.
IF REQUIRED, OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT WILL VISIT INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS AND ASSIST THEM IN COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRES. THESE OFFICERS WILL CARRY A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD AND A CERTIFICATE FOR CONDUCTING THE SURVEY WHILST ON DUTY, WHICH ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS APPEALED TO THE MANAGEMENTS OF ALL SAMPLED ESTABLISHMENTS TO RETURN THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES PROMPTLY AND TO CO-OPERATE WITH OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT IN THE COURSE OF THE SURVEY, SO AS TO FULFIL THEIR LEGAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.
HE STRESSED THAT INFORMATION RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WOULD BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE UNDER THE PROVISION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE. ONLY AGGREGATE INFORMATION, WHICH DOES NOT REVEAL DETAILS OF INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS, WILL BE RELEASED.
/THE COMMISSIONER ..
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1991
- 28 -
THE COMMISSIONER ALSO POINTED OUT THAT AUDITED ACCOUNTS ARE NOT ESSENTIAL FOR THE SUPPLY OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE DATA REQUIRED IN THE SURVEY.
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ACCEPTS FIGURES BASED ON PRELIMINARY ACCOUNTS OR ESTIMATES WHICH ARE CORRECT TO THE BEST OF THE RESPONDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE AT THE TIME OF SUBMISSION OF THE RETURNS, IF AUDITED ACCOUNTS ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE.
ANY ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 839 3230 OR 805 6441.
------0--------
CIGARETTE TAR LEVEL UP * * *
THE LATEST GOVERNMENT TEST ON CIGARETTES HAS FOUND THAT THE AVERAGE TAR YIELDS AND NICOTINE YIELDS OF 107 BRANDS OF BEST-SELLING CIGARETTES IN HONG KONG HAVE BOTH GONE UP.
THE HALF-YEARLY TEST ALSO IDENTIFIED ONE HIGH-TAR BRAND OF CIGARETTE.
"THIS TREND IS WORRYING AS THE INCREASE IN TAR AND NICOTINE LEVELS MAKES CIGARETTE SMOKING EVEN MORE HAZARDOUS," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
ANNOUNCING THE RESULTS OF THE REVIEW OF TAR AND NICOTINE YIELDS OF CIGARETTES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE AVERAGE TAR YIELDS AMONG THE 107 BRANDS OF BEST SELLING CIGARETTES HAS INCREASED BY 0.4 MG PER CIGARETTE WHILE THE AVERAGE NICOTINE LEVEL HAS GONE UP BY 0.01 MG PER CIGARETTE WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS TEST.
IN ORDER TO PRODUCE A MORE COMPREHENSIVE PICTURE, STARTING FROM THIS REVIEW, TESTS ARE ALSO CONDUCTED ON THE LESS POPULAR BRANDS OF CIGARETTES.
"IF LESS POPULAR BRANDS ARE INCLUDED, THE NUMBER OF BRANDS IN THE HIGH TAR CATEGORY WOULD BE SIX,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE DISTRIBUTION OF BRANDS OF VARIOUS TAR GROUPS BETWEEN THE CURRENT AND PREVIOUS SURVEY HAS REMAINED BASICALLY THE SAME.
A FULL REPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S FINDINGS ON TAR AND NICOTINE YIELDS HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST EDITION OF THE "CHOICE" MAGAZINE.
- 0---------
/29 ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1991
29
NO PROPOSALS YET FOR CIVIL SERVICE PAY * * * * *
COMMENTING ON PRESS REPORTS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ABOUT A PROPOSED PAY RISE FOR CIVIL SERVANTS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID NO DECISION HAD YET BEEN MADE ON THE LEVEL OF ADJUSTMENT.
HE SAID THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE HAD COMPLETED A PAY TREND SURVEY ON THE PRIVATE SECTOR BUT THIS WAS JUST THE BEGINNING OF A SERIES OF STEPS THAT HAD TO BE TAKEN BEFORE A DECISION WAS REACHED.
"THE FIGURES QUOTED ARE ONLY THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY OF PAY TRENDS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THEY HAVE YET TO BE FORMALLY ACCEPTED BY THE PAY TREND SURVEY COMMITTEE WHICH COMPRISES REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STANDING COMMISSION, THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON DISCIPLINED SERVICES, STAFF COUNCILS AND THE ADMINISTRATION.
"THE RELEVANT STAFF COUNCILS WILL THEN BE INVITED TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS ON THE PAY ADJUSTMENT. THEIR VIEWS WILL BE CONSIDERED BEFORE A SUBMISSION IS FINALLY PUT TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL."
THE SPOKESMAN FURTHER POINTED OUT THAT THE PAY TREND INDICATORS WERE ONLY ONE OF THE CONSIDERATIONS IN REACHING A DECISION ON THE LEVEL OF PAY ADJUSTMENT.
"OTHER FACTORS ALSO TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT ARE THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY, BUDGETARY CONSIDERATIONS AND THE COST OF LIVING," HE ADDED.
"THE DECISION ON PAY ADJUSTMENT WILL NEED TO BALANCE THE INTERESTS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND CIVIL SERVANTS, HAVING REGARD TO PREVAILING ECONOMIC AND BUDGETARY CONDITIONS," THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED.
------0----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS HKEF
******
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 14.5.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 15.5.91 ♦ 40
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -40
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.1 *-0.3* 15.5.91
/HONG KONG .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1991
30
ISSUE NUMBER HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEI
MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
Q115 10.7.91 350 + 130
Q116 17.7.91 350 + 130
Q117 24.7.91 338.5 +141.5
Q118 31.7.91 450 + 30
Q119 7.8.91 415 + 65
Q120 14.8.91 380 + 100
Q108 22.5.91 540 -60
Q109 29.5.91 610 -130
QUO 5.6.91 310 + 170
QI 11 12.6.91 404 + 76
Q112 19.6.91 620 -140
Q113 26.6.91 460 + 20
Q114 3.7.91 500 -20
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
182-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEJ
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
H164 13.11.91 140 + 120
H003 29.5.91 200 + 60
11004 12.6.91 250 + 10
H005 26.6.91 230 + 30
H101 10.7.91 143 + 117
H156 24.7.91 150 + 110
H157 7.8.91 189.5 + 70.5
H158 21.8.91 140 + 120
H159 4.9.91 150 + 110
H160 18.9.91 130 + 130
H161 2.10.91 90 + 170
H162 17.10.91 54 + 206
H163 30.10.91 217.5 + 42.5
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
364-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEK
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
Y187 26.2.92 230 + 30
Y188 25.3.92 180 + 80
Y189 22.4.92 190 + 70
/ERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 10.5.91 WAS 3,882 MN
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/31 ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1991
- 31 -
REGIMENTAL BAND ENTHRALS STUDENTS
A CONCERT BY THE BAND OF THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF WALES AT ST PAUL’S CONVENT SCHOOL (PRIMARY SECTION) TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WAS WELL RECEIVED BY AN AUDIENCE OF MORE THAN 500 STUDENTS.
UNDER ITS CONDUCTOR, WARRANT OFFICER PHILIP SHANNON, THE BAND PERFORMED A SERIES OF UNIQUE AND POPULAR PIECES INCLUDING "RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK", "THE HAPPY ELEPHANT", "ONE FINGER POLKA" AND "THE HUNTSMAN".
TO ADD COLOUR TO THE CONCERT, THE REGIMENTAL MASCOT TAFFY III STOOD GUARD AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE CONCERT VENUE TO GREET THE CHILDREN.
THE MASCOT IS A BEAUTIFUL KASHMIR GOAT GRANTED TO THE REGIMENT BY HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN.
THE CONCERT WAS ONE OF THE ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE UNDER THE "MUSIC FOR THE MILLIONS" (MFM) PROGRAMME TO INTRODUCE MUSIC TO NEW AUDIENCES.
THE MUSIC OFFICE HAS SO FAR ORGANISED MORE THAN 4,900 CONCERTS FOR OVER THREE MILLION LISTENERS OF DIFFERENT AGES AND BACKGROUNDS.
A MUSIC OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THE OFFICE HAD INVITED THE REGIMENTAL BAND TO JOIN THE MFM PROGRAMME.
"THE BAND WILL GIVE A SERIES OF SCHOOL CONCERTS IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE VIVID PERFORMANCE OF THE INSTRUMENTALISTS IN THEIR SPLENDID UNIFORMS WILL UNDOUBTEDLY BE WELCOMED BY THE CHILDREN," HE ADDED.
THE BAND, CURRENTLY STATIONED AT STANLEY FORT, WILL BE IN HONG >NG UNTIL 1993. IT HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL ■IOGRAMMES FOR MANY YEARS.
IN RECENT YEARS THE BAND HAS TOURED EXTENSIVELY IN EUROPE, AND HAS GIVEN CONCERTS IN GERMANY, LUXEMBOURG, SWITZERLAND, FRANCE AND HLGIUM.
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, MAY 16, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK HAS EXCELLENT ABILITY TO SERVICE AND REPAY DEBT ............................. 1
NO EASY OPTIONS IN REVENUE AND TAXES ........................................... 3
HK TO BE ADMITTED TO PECC AS FULL MEMBER ....................................... 4
HONG KONG - BEST ENTRY INTO PACIFIC REGION: YAXLEY ............................. 6
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ..................... 8
OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE SERVICE EXPANDED ........................................ 10
EXCO APPROVES EXPRESSWAY LEGISLATION .......................................... 10
DEADLINES SET FOR WALLED CITY CLEARANCE ....................................... 11
RURAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMMES IN FULL SWING .................................... 12
OC AND MAC MEMBERS URGED TO JOIN SEMINAR ...................................... 13
PREOUALIFICATION FOR MARINE REFUSE SCAVENGING AND COLLECTION .................. 14
TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS PRAISED ........................................... 15
UNAUTHORISED BUILDINGS TO BE CLOSED ........................................... 15
THURSDAY, MAY 16, 1991
- 1 -
HK HAS EXCELLENT ABILITY TO SERVICE AND REPAY DEBT
*****
THE GOVERNMENT’S PLAN TO ISSUE TWO OR THREE YEAR BONDS LATER THIS YEAR WILL BE AN IMPORTANT MEASURE TO PROVIDE CONTINUITY IN THE MATURITY SPECTRUM OF GOVERNMENT DEBT, PAVING THE WAY FOR THE POSSIBLE ISSUE OF LONGER TERM MATURITIES AT A LATER DATE.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID THIS AT THE OPENING OF THE CONFERENCE OF ASSOCIATION OF INTERNATIONAL BOND DEALERS THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING.
HE SAID THIS WOULD BE THE LOGICAL NEXT STEP TO TAKE IN ORDER TO DERIVE MAXIMUM BENEFIT FROM THE EFFICIENT MARKET INFRASTRUCTURE THE GOVERNMENT HAD CREATED THROUGH THE EXCHANGE FUND BILLS PROGRAMME.
"PROCEEDS OF THE BOND PROGRAMME WILL BE FOR GOVERNMENT CAPITAL EXPENDITURE PURPOSES, WHILE THOSE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND BILLS PROGRAMME WILL CONTINUE TO BE FOR THE ACCOUNT OF THE EXCHANGE FUND.
"THE BORROWER WILL, HOWEVER, BE THE SAME -- THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
DETAILS OF THE BOND PROGRAMME WERE BEING WORKED OUT BY THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND WHICH WOULD BE CONSULTING POTENTIAL MARKET PARTICIPANTS SOON, SIR PIERS SAID, ADDING THAT HE WAS CONFIDENT OF THE SAME SUPPORT FROM THE MARKET AS IT GAVE FOR THE EXCHANGE FUND BILLS.
HE SAID HE HOPED PROPOSED AMENDMENT LEGISLATION ENABLING GOVERNMENT BONDS TO BE ISSUED IN PAPERLESS FORM AND BE EXEMPTED FROM PROFITS TAX AND STAMP DUTY WOULD RECEIVE THE APPROVAL OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE CURRENT SESSION.
"THIS WILL ENABLE THE BOND PROGRAMME TO START IN THE SECOND HALF OF THIS YEAR, TAKING FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE MOMENTUM INITIATED BY THE EXCHANGE FUND BILLS PROGRAMME," HE SAID.
ON THE GOVERNMENT’S ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DEBT MARKET, SIR PIERS SAID IT SHOULD BE LIMITED TO FACILITATING, BUT NOT SUBSIDISING, MARKET DEVELOPMENT.
"IN BRIEF, WE TAKE THE VIEW THAT, AS FAR AS PRACTICABLE, WE SHOULD LET THE PRIVATE SECTOR GET ON WITH IT."
WHILE THIS ATTITUDE WOULD CONTINUE TO GUIDE THE GOVERNMENT POLICY THINKING, HE SAID THAT AT A TIME WHEN FISCAL OR MONETARY CONDITIONS DID JUSTIFY BRINGING GOVERNMENT DEBT TO THE MARKET, THERE SHOULD BE NO OBJECTION TO DOING SO PRUDENTLY, AND IN A MANNER WHICH WOULD ASSIST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DEBT MARKET.
"THIS IS, IN FACT, THE STAGE WE ARE GOING THROUGH AT THE MOMENT," HE SAID.
/"WE NOW........
THURSDAY, MAY 16, 1991
2
"WE NOW FACE A SITUATION IN WHICH THERE IS STRONG DEMAND FOR FIRST CLASS HONG KONG DOLLAR DEBT PAPER BY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THEIR MONEY MARKET ACTIVITIES AND BY FINAL INVESTORS OF AN UNKNOWN BUT REPORTEDLY LARGE QUANTITY.
"WE ALSO FACE A SITUATION IN WHICH WE ARE LIKELY TO BE BORROWING JUDICIOUSLY TO FUND PART OF OUR CAPITAL EXPENDITURE ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE COMING YEARS.
"THE SENSIBLE THING TO DO IS TO BRING THE TWO TOGETHER THROUGH FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE DEBT MARKET IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
TURNING TO RISK AREAS IN RELATION TO HONG KONG DOLLAR DEBT, SIR PIERS SAID FOR CURRENCY RISK, THERE WAS VIRTUALLY NO RISK FOR THOSE RUNNING A U.S. DOLLAR BOOK.
"WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT MAINTAINING THE LINK OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR WITH THE U.S. DOLLAR.
"WE CONSIDER THIS TO BE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS IN THE MAINTENANCE OF STABILITY AND PROSPERITY FOR HONG KONG.
"WE HAVE STRENGTHENED OUR SYSTEM CONSIDERABLY THROUGH MONETARY REFORM MEASURES INTRODUCED IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS. IT HAS WITHSTOOD THE SHOCKS OF JUNE 1989 AND THE GULF WAR WITHOUT DIFFICULTY," HE SAID.
HE ALSO URGED DELEGATES TO MAKE THEIR ASSESSMENT OF CURRENCY RISK AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF CLEAR ASSURANCES ON THE HONG KONG DOLLAR DELINEATED IN THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION.
ON CREDIT RISK, SIR PIERS SAID THE GOVERNMENT IMPOSED UPON ITSELF STRICT DISCIPLINE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC FINANCES.
"ONE OF THE GUIDELINES THAT WE FOLLOW IS THAT THERE SHOULD BE A SURPLUS ON OUR RECURRENT ACCOUNT WHICH IS LARGE ENOUGH TO FINANCE AT LEAST HALF OF OUR CAPITAL EXPENDITURE.
"THIS WILL ENSURE THAT WE WILL NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, BE BORROWING TO FUND RECURRENT EXPENDITURE, ALTHOUGH MANY COUNTRIES DO.
"WE HAVE ALSO BUILT UP HEALTHY FISCAL RESERVES WHICH NOW RUN TO ABOUT 70 PER CENT OF OUR ANNUAL FISCAL BUDGET. PART OF THIS MAY BE DRAWN UPON, IF REQUIRED, TO FUND THAT PART OF THE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE WHICH CANNOT BE COVERED BY THE SURPLUS ON THE RECURRENT ACCOUNT AND BY THE SUBSTANTIAL CAPITAL REVENUE DERIVED MAINLY FROM LAND SALES.
"HOWEVER, A PRUDENT LEVEL OF RESERVES WILL BE MAINTAINED. I AM WELL AWARE OF THE SAYING THAT YOU CAN BORROW ONLY WHEN YOU HAVE MONEY IN THE BANK."
HE TOLD DELEGATES AT THE CONFERENCE THAT HONG KONG WOULD CONTINUE TO BE A GOOD RISK BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER 1997.
/"IN THE .......
THURSDAY. MAY 16, 1991
3
"IN THE YEARS TO COME, WE SHALL, IN MANAGING OUR PL bIC FINANCES, CONTINUE TO OBSERVE THE FISCAL DISCIPLINE THAT HAS SERVED US WELL IN THE PAST.
"THIS MEANS THAT WE SHALL HAVE AN EXCELLENT ABILITY TO SERVICE AND REPAY DEBT," HE STRESSED.
------0-------
NO EASY OPTIONS IN REVENUE AND TAXES
*****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY (DESIGNATE), MR HAMISH MACLEOD, BROUGHT OUT THE DILEMMA INVOLVING GOVERNMENT REVENUE IN A SPEECH TO THE ANNUAL DINNER OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF ECONOMIC SCIENCE THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING.
"THE PROBLEM WITH DIRECT TAXES IS NOT JUST THE VOLATILITY," HE SAID.
"THEY ARE ALSO UNEASILY DEPENDENT UPON A RELATIVELY NARROW PART OF THE COMMUNITY, AND HENCE NOT AS ROBUST -- RELIABLE -- AS ONE WOULD LIKE.
"IT IS TRUE THAT WE HAVE ABOUT 1.2 MILLION SALARIES TAXPAYERS — THOUGH EVEN THIS IS ONLY ABOUT HALF OUR WORKFORCE.
"BUT 56 PER CENT OF OUR SALARIES TAX RECEIPTS IS CONTRIBUTED BY ONLY 100,000 STANDARD RATE TAXPAYERS - ONLY 8.3 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL," HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT A SIMILAR PROBLEM AROSE WITH PROFITS TAX. "JUST 140 BUSINESSES, OR 0.1 PER CENT OF ALL HONG KONG’S BUSINESSES, CONTRIBUTE ONE THIRD OF ALL PROFITS TAX PAID."
HE SAID CLEARLY IT WAS IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN AN ECONOMIC, FISCAL AND POLITICAL CLIMATE ATTRACTIVE TO THESE MAJOR EMPLOYERS AND REVENUE SOURCES.
"NOT ALL OF THIS IS WITHIN OUR CONTROL -- FOR EXAMPLE, LOWER ECONOMIC GROWTH WOULD HAVE A CONSIDERABLE ADVERSE IMPACT ON DIRECT TAX REVENUE. BUT OUR LOW TAX SYSTEM IS CLEARLY ONE OF HONG KONG’S ATTRACTIONS.
"IF THAT WAS THE END OF THE STORY, THE SOLUTION WOULD BE OBVIOUS -- MOVE MORE VIGOROUSLY INTO INDIRECT TAXES," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD NOTED THAT THERE WERE ALSO PROBLEMS WITH INDIRECT TAXES. WHILE SOME INDIRECT TAXES WERE INDEED VERY STABLE, SOME WERE NOT AND A GOOD EXAMPLE WAS STAMP DUTY WHICH WAS VERY VULNERABLE TO FLUCTUATIONS IN THE PROPERTY OR STOCK MARKETS, HE SAID.
"A MORE IMPORTANT PROBLEM WITH INDIRECT TAXES IS THAT THE STABILITY OF MANY SUCH TAXES ARISES BECAUSE THEY AFFECT A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE — AND THIS VERY FACT TENDS TO MAKE THEM UNPOPULAR.
/"ADD TO .......
THURSDAY, MAY 16, 1991
"ADD TO THIS THAT SUCH TAXES TEND TO PUSH UP THE CPI(A) — TfoB PERCEIVED MEASURE OF INFLATION -- AND THAT THEY TEND TO BE REGRESSIVE -- TO APPLY TO BOTH RICH AND POOR — AND THE POTENTIAL DRAWBACKS BECOME CLEAR," MR MACLEOD SAID.
HE CONCLUDED THAT THERE WERE NO EASY OPTIONS IN THE FIELD OF REVENUE AND TAXES AND THE BASIC DILEMMA WOULD REMAIN.
EARLIER, MR MACLEOD SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S FIRM AIM WAS NOT TO LET THE GOVERNMENT GET TOO BIG -- A RECOGNITION THAT THE LION’S SHARE OF SCARCE RESOURCES NEEDS TO BE KEPT FOR THE PRODUCERS OF WEALTH, TRE PRIVATE SECTOR.
"HENCE OUR GUIDELINE THAT WE SHOULD KEEP THE GROWTH IN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE IN LINE WITH THE TREND GROWTH IN THE ECONOMY (OR GDP).
"THUS FOR EXAMPLE IF YOU COMPARE THE APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE IN 1991-92 WITH THOSE FOR THE PREVIOUS YEAR YOU FIND A GROWTH RATE OF UNDER FIVE PER CENT, COMPARED WITH A TREND GROWTH RATE OF 5.5 PER CENT," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT SOMETIMES THIS CONTROL ALONE RESULTED IN EXPENDITURE BEING COVERED BY REVENUE, AND NO NET INCREASE IN REVENUE WAS THEREFORE NEEDED.
"AT OTHER TIMES -- AND UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE NOW IN ONE OF THOSE PERIODS -- WE CAN SEE FROM OUR FORWARD PROJECTIONS THAT IF WE ARE TO PRODUCE A REASONABLE CASH FLOW, EVEN AFTER DRAWING ON RESERVES, WE NEED SOME INCREASE IN REVENUE -- IF WE ARE TO MAKE THE INVESTMENTS IN OUR FUTURE WE THINK ARE BOTH NEEDED, AND WITHIN OUR MEANS," MR MACLEOD SAID.
- - 0 - -
HK TO BE ADMITTED TO PECC AS FULL MEMBER * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
HONG KONG WILL BE ADMITTED AS A FULL MEMBER OF THE PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION CONFERENCE (PECC) AT ITS EIGHTH GENERAL MEETING IN SINGAPORE ON MAY 20 - 22.
A 14-MEMBER DELEGATION FROM HONG KONG COMPRISING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, ACADEMICS AND BUSINESS LEADERS WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE PECC VIII MEETING.
HEADING IT WILL BE MR JOSEPH WONG WING-PING, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY AND CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG COMMITTEE FOR PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION (HKCPEC).
"HONG KONG’S PRESENCE AT THE SINGAPORE MEETING WILL MARK A IGNIFICANT MILESTONE IN THE TERRITORY’S PARTICIPATION IN ECONOMIC CO-•'DERATION IN ASIA PACIFIC AS HONG KONG WILL BE FORMALLY ADMITTED ON THAT OCCASION AS A FULL MEMBER OF THE PECC," MR WONG SAID.
/"AS AN
THURSDAY, MAY 16. 1991
5
"AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE REGIONAL ECONOMY, AS THE FOURTH LARGEST TRADING ENTITY IN THE REGION AND WITH TRADE WITH ASIA PACIFIC ACCOUNTING FOR 78 PER CENT (OR $998 BILLION) OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE LAST YEAR, HONG KONG IS POISED TO CONTRIBUTE TO, AND BENEFIT FROM, REGIONAL ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION," HE ADDED.
HKCPEC WAS SET UP ON MARCH 19 LAST YEAR TO ADVISE ON MATTERS RELATING TO HONG KONG’S PARTICIPATION IN THE PECC AND TO CO-ORDINATE HONG KONG’S INPUT TO THE CONFERENCE.
IT COMPRISES PROMINENT PERSONS FROM BUSINESS AND ACADEMIC SECTORS AND FROM THE GOVERNMENT, ALL PARTICIPATING IN THEIR PERSONAL CAPACITY.
THE COMMITTEE LODGED A FORMAL APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP OF PECC IN APRIL LAST YEAR.
THE HONG KONG DELEGATION TO PECC VIII WILL INCLUDE BOTH HKCPEC MEMBERS AS WELL AS OBSERVERS.
APART FROM MR WONG, PARTICIPANTS FROM THE GOVERNMENT SECTOR WILL INCLUDE AN ASSISTANT DI RECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR MATTHEW CHEUNG KIN-CHUNG, WHO IS ALSO SECRETARY-GENERAL OF HKCPEC; THE SECRETARY OF THE PORT DEVELOPMENT BOARD, MR ANTHONY CLARK; AND A PRINCIPAL TRADE OFFICER AT THE TRADE DEPARTMENT, MISS ANGELA LUK.
MEMBERS FROM THE BUSINESS SECTOR WILL BE DR VICTOR FUNG, CHAIRMAN OF PRUDENTIAL ASIA CAPITAL LTD; MR LEE JARK-PUI, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG CHINESE BANK AND VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE PACIFIC BASIN ECONOMIC COUNCIL, HONG KONG COMMITTEE; MRS ELEANOR LING, DIRECTOR OF JARDINE PACIFIC LTD; MR MARTIN TANG, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF NORMAN BROADBENT (HONG KONG) LTD; MR WILLY LIN, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF MILO’S MANUFACTURING CO. LTD; AND MR STEPHEN RIADY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG CHINESE BANK.
THE ACADEMIC SECTOR MEMBERS WILL BE PROFESSOR EDWARD CHEN, DIRECTOR OF THE CENTRE OF ASIAN STUDIES, THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG; PROFESSOR YEUNG YUE-MAN, DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF ASIA-PACIFIC STUDIES, CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG; DR FRANCES LAI, DIRECTOR OF THE CENTRE OF ASIAN PACIFIC STUDIES, LINGNAN COLLEGE; AND DR RICHARD WONG, SENIOR LECTURER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS, CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
THE HONG KONG COMMITTEE HAS NOMINATED DR VICTOR FUNG TO ADDRESS THE GENERAL MEETING ON "PACIFIC GROWTH AND THE GLOBAL CAPITAL MARKET".
PECC IS A NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATION SET UP IN 1980 TO DEVELOP CLOSE CO-OPERATION IN TRADE AND ECONOMIC POLICY ISSUES IN THE PACIFIC REGION.
OVER THE YEARS, HONG KONG HAS SHOWN KEEN INTEREST IN THE WORK OF THE PECC, HAVING BEEN CLOSELY INVOLVED IN THE PACIFIC ECONOMIC OUTLOOK PROJECT SINCE ITS INCEPTION AND THE TRADE POLICY FORUM.
/SINCE THE .......
THURSDAY, MAY 16, 1991
6
SINCE THE FORMATION OF HKCPEC, HONG KONG HAS STEPPED UP ITS INVOLVEMENT IN THE PECC MOVEMENT, AND PARTICIPATED IN A SERIES OF RECENT EVENTS, INCLUDING THE TRANSPORTATION, TELECOMMUNICATION AND TOURISM (TRIPLE T) TASK FORCE WORKSHOP AND THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SYMPOSIUM.
MEMBERSHIP OF THE PECC WILL INCREASE TO 19 FOLLOWING THE ADMISSION OF HONG KONG, CHILE, MEXICO AND PERU AT THE FORTHCOMING GENERAL MEETING.
OTHER MEMBER COMMITTEES ARE FROM AUSTRALIA, BRUNEI, CANADA, CHINA, INDONESIA, JAPAN, KOREA, MALAYSIA, NEW ZEALAND, THE PACIFIC ISLAND NATIONS, THE PHILIPPINES, SINGAPORE, TAIWAN (STYLED AS CHINESE TAIPEI), THAILAND AND THE USA.
THE SINGAPORE MEETING WILL BE OPENED BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF SINGAPORE, MR GOH CHOK TONG.
- - 0 - -
HONG KONG - REST ENTRY INTO PACIFIC REGION: YAXLEY * ♦ ♦ ♦ *
HONG KONG OFFERS THE BEST ENTRY INTO THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION, PARTICULARLY TO CHINA, THE HONG KONG COMMISSIONER IN LONDON, MR JOHN YAXLEY, SAID WHEN ADDRESSING LEADING NORWEGIAN BANKERS, BUSINESSMEN AND INDUSTRIALISTS IN BERGEN AND OSLO EARLIER THIS WEEK.
SPEAKING IN THE TWO CITIES ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY AT SEMINARS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND DEN NORSKE BANK, MR YAXLEY OUTLINED THE DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMY.
"OUR TRADE IS EXTERNALLY ORIENTED TO AN ALMOST UNIQUE DEGREE AND WE ARE ABSOLUTELY DEPENDENT ON TRADE WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD."
THERE WERE, HE SAID, THREE DIMENSIONS TO HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE: FIRSTLY, ECONOMIC INTERDEPENDENCE WITH CHINA; SECONDLY, THE TERRITORY’S ROLE AS A REGIONAL CENTRE FOR ASIA PACIFIC; AND THIRDLY, TRADE WITH THE MAJOR WESTERN ECONOMIES.
"INDEED, THE POLITICAL RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA IS CURRENTLY IN A HIGH PROFILE PHASE AND IS, FOR EXAMPLE, DIRECTLY AFFECTING THE PROSPECTS FOR HONG KONG’S PLANS TO BUILD A NEW AIRPORT."
WHILE NO ONE COULD BE CERTAIN WHAT POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS WOULD TAKE PLACE IN BEIJING THIS DECADE, THERE WAS A CONSIDERABLE WEIGHT OF OPINION THAT CHINA WOULD REMAIN STABLE, CERTAINLY MORE SO THAN IN SOME OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD, HE SAID.
"BUT WHATEVER SIGNIFICANCE YOU MAY ATTACH TO POLITICAL UNCERTAINTIES IN CHINA, THE IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER IS THAT HONG KONG HAS A FORTY YEAR TRACK RECORD OF SURVIVING ALONGSIDE A TURBULENT, TROUBLESOME AND SOMETIMES HOSTILE NEIGHBOUR," HE SAID.
/IN TERMS
THURSDAY, MAY 16, 1991
IN TERMS OF REAL POLITICS, 1997 IS NOT GOING TO MAKE A GREAT DEAL OF DIFFERENCE.
"HONG KONG WOULD REMAIN FREE TO PURSUE ITS OWN ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND FISCAL POLICIES," HE SAID.
ON ECONOMIC INTERDEPENDENCE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA, MR YAXLEY SAID THEY WERE EACH OTHER’S LARGEST TRADE PARTNERS.
HONG KONG WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT SOURCE OF EXTERNAL INVESTMENT IN CHINA.
IT WAS ALSO GENERALLY ESTIMATED THAT HONG KONG WAS THE SOURCE OF 30-40 PER CENT OF CHINA’S FOREIGN EXCHANGE EARNINGS.
THERE WAS ALSO INVESTMENT INTO HONG KONG FROM CHINA.
AT THE ENI) OF 1989, CHINA RANKED THIRD AMONG FOREIGN INVESTORS IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, AFTER USA AND JAPAN, WITH AN INVESTMENT OF SOME US$300 MILLION.
"ALL IN ALL, THE ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA IS FLOURISHING AND IS VERY GOOD NEWS FOR OUR FUTURE PROSPERITY. SOUTHERN CHINA IS INDEED OUR NATURAL HINTERLAND," MR YAXLEY SAID.
THE SECOND DIMENSION TO HONG KONG'S TRADE WAS HONG KONG’S ROLE AS THE REGIONAL CENTRE FOR ASIA PACIFIC. HONG KONG DEFINED THE REGION TO INCLUDE APART FROM CHINA AND HONG KONG, JAPAN, SOUTH KOREA, AND TAIWAN, THE SIX ASEAN COUNTRIES, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND.
"INDEED, HONG KONG HAS BECOME A PLACE FOR COMPANIES TO SET UP THEIR REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS," HE NOTED.
OF OVER 2,000 INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES OPERATING IN HONG KONG, NEARLY 600 OF THOSE ARE REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS.
"OF THESE 600, HALF ARE ENGAGED IN TRADING. DESPITE BEING PART OF THE REGION THEMSELVES, 20 JAPANESE COMPANIES USE HONG KONG AS A BASE FOR REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS," HE SAID.
THIRDLY, HONG KONG WAS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE. ALTOGETHER THERE WERE 138 FOREIGN BANKS LICENSED IN HONG KONG OF WHICH 77 ARE RANKED AMONG THE WORLD’S TOP 100.
"BUT FOR ALL THE GROWTH IN HONG KONG’S SERVICE SECTORS, BE IT IN THE FINANCIAL MARKETS OR IN TOURISM, MANUFACTURING AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS ARE STILL THE DRIVING FORCE OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMY.
"ANY CONSIDERATION OF HONG KONG'S ECONOMIC GROWTH PROSPECTS MUST START WITH WORLD TRADE IN GENERAL AND HONG KONG’S MARKETS IN PARTICULAR," MR YAXLEY SAID.
"FOR THE REST OF THE DECADE, HONG KONG WILL, AS ALWAYS, BE AFFECTED BY WHAT GOES ON ELSEWHERE TN THE WORLD, INCLUDING THE URUGUAY ROUND.
/"I WILL .......
THURSDAY, MAY 16, 1991
8
"I WILL MAKE ONLY ONE PREDICTION.
"EVEN IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT THAT THE REST OF THE WORLD FOLLOWS A PATH OF SMOOTH ECONOMIC PROGRESS, IN HONG KONG THERE WILL BE CHALLENGES AND THE CHALLENGES WILL PRESENT OPPORTUNITIES,” HE SAID.
THE OPPORTUNITIES WILL BE CONSIDERABLE, THE COMMISSIONER SAID, NOT LEAST BECAUSE HONG KONG IS AT THE HUB OF THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION WITH ITS SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER ECONOMIC GROWTH THAN THE REST OF THE WORLD.
MR YAXLEY CONCLUDED BY SAYING: "I PUT THIS QUESTION TO YOU AGAINST THE BACKGROUND THAT HERE IN NORWAY YOU HAVE MANY EXCITING DEVELOPMENTS ON YOUR DOORSTEP; THE CREATION OF THE EEC’S SINGLE MARKET BY 1993 AND THE ASSOCIATED EUROPEAN ECONOMIES AREA, THE LIBERALISATION OF EASTERN EUROPE, THE APPLICATION BY EFTA COUNTRIES FOR MEMBERSHIP OF THE EEC.
"DESPITE THESE OTHER PRIORITIES, CAN YOU AFFORD TO IGNORE THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION? I DON’T BELIEVE YOU CAN. SO PLEASE REMEMBER -HONG KONG OFFERS YOU THE BEST ENTRY INTO THE REGION, PARTICULARLY TO CHINA."
------0-------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEF
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 15.5.91
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 16.5.91 -59
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING + 59
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.1 *+0.0* 16.5.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
ISSUE MATURING NUMBER ON Ql15 10.7.91 Q116 17.7.91 QI 17 2'1.7.91 QI 18 3 1.7.91 QI 19 7.8.91 Q120 14.8.91 OUTSTANDING $ MILLION 350 +130 350 +130 338.5 +14 1 .5 450 +30 415 +65 380 +100 /0108
THURSDAY, MAY 16, 1991
9
Q108 22.5.91 510 -30
Q109 29.5.91 600 -120
QUO 5.6.91 310 + 170
QI 1 1 12.6.91 394 + 86
QI 12 19.6.91 640 -160
QI 13 26.6.91 460 + 20
QI 14 3.7.91 520 -40
ISSUE
NUMBER
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT 182-DAY EXCHANGE
EXCHANGE FUND FUND BILLS
HKEJ
MATURI NG ON
OUTSTANDINC $ MILLION
H164 13.11.91 140 + 120
H003 29.5.91 200 + 60
H004 12.6.91 250 + 10
H005 26.6.91 230 + 30
H101 10.7.91 143 + 117
H156 24.7.91 150 + 110
H157 7.8.91 189.5 + 70.5
H158 21.8.91 140 + 120
H159 4.9.91 150 + 1 10
H160 18.9.91 130 + 130
H161 2.10.91 90 + 170
H162 17.10.91 94 + 166
Hl 63 30.10.91 190 + 70
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT 364-DAY EXCHANGE EXCHANGE FUND HKEK FUND BILLS
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
Y187 26.2.92 230 + 30
Y188 25.3.92 180 + 80
Y189 22.4.92 190 + 70
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 10.5.91 WAS 3,882 MN
--------0----------- x
/IO .......
THURSDAY, MAY 16, 1991
10
OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE SERVICE EXPANDED » ♦ » * »
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS EXPANDED ITS OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE SERVICE FROM THIS MONTH, A CHIEF SOCIAL WORK OFFICER, MRS KATHERINE SHIN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE SERVICE IS AN EXPERIMENTAL PROJECT INTRODUCED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN NOVEMBER 1989 WITH A VIEW TO ELIMINATING THE RISK OF UNATTENDED YOUNG CHILDREN AT HOME.
"A REVIEW OF THE PROJECT HAS INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A NEED FOR THE SERVICE IN THE COMMUNITY. WE THEREFORE EXTEND THE PROJECT FOR A FURTHER 18 MONTHS," MRS SHIN SAID.
TO DATE, 50 GOVERNMENT-AIDED NURSERIES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE PROJECT, OFFERING 150 PLACES TO CHILDREN AGED TWO TO SIX.
EARLIER IN THE TRIAL SCHEME, ONLY 15 NURSERIES TOOK PART AND OFFERED 105 PLACES.
SHE ALSO APPEALED TO PARENTS WHO HAVE TO LEAVE HOME FOR A SHORT SPELL FOR URGENT ENGAGEMENT TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF THE SERVICE, INSTEAD OF LEAVING THEIR YOUNG CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME.
"RESIDENTS USING THE SERVICE WILL HAVE TO PAY $25 FOR A HALF-DAY SERVICE AND $50 FOR A WHOLE-DAY SERVICE, IN ADDITION TO A $5 MEAL CHARGE PER DAY. HOWEVER, FAMILIES IN FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES MAY APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE DEPARTMENT," SHE SAID.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC INTERESTED IN THE SERVICE MAY CALL THE SWD HOTLINE ON 343 2255 OR THE DEPARTMENT’S CHILD CARE CENTRES ADVISORY INSPECTORATE ON 578 1892.
- - 0 - -
EXCO APPROVES EXPRESSWAY LEGISLATION
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW LEGISLATION TO ENHANCE SAFETY ON HIGH CAPACITY ROADS WHICH WILL BE DESIGNATED AS EXPRESSWAYS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (THURSDAY) EXPLAINED THAT NEW LEGISLATION IS NECESSARY TO ESTABLISH A HIGHER SAFETY STANDARD FOR THE USE, CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT OF THESE EXPRESSWAYS WHICH ARE DIFFERENT FROM OTHER ROADS IN TERMS OF THEIR OPERATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND DESIGN STANDARDS.
SOME EXAMPLES ARE TUEN MUN ROAD, THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR AND TOLO HIGHWAY.
/"THESE EXPRESSWAYS
THURSDAY, MAY 16, 1991
"THESE EXPRESSWAYS HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTED TO ALLOW RAPID MOVEMENT OF LARGE VOLUMES OF TRAFFIC BETWEEN MAJOR POPULATION CENTRES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"ACCIDENTS ON THEM TEND TO BE MORE SERIOUS AND ANY DISRUPTION TO TRAFFIC COULD LEAD TO FURTHER INCIDENTS AND SERIOUS CONGESTION.”
NEW DRIVING RULES FOR EXPRESSWAYS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN ORDER TO OPTIMISE TRAFFIC FLOW WHILE ENHANCING SAFETY.
STRINGENT CONTROLS OVER EXPRESSWAY WORKS, PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENTS, VEHICLE INGRESS AND EGRESS, AND OTHER TRAFFIC MOVEMENTS WILL ALSO BE IMPOSED TO ENSURE THE SAFE OPERATION OF EXPRESSWAYS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE NEW LEGISLATION IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 5 AND IT IS INTENDED THAT THE NEW LEGISLATION WOULD COME INTO EFFECT ON OCTOBER 1 THIS YEAR.
- - 0 - -
DEADLINES SET FOR WALLED CITY CLEARANCE **»»»*
DEADLINES HAVE BEEN SET FOR THE CLEARANCE OF RESIDENTS FROM THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS (SPECIAL DUTIES), MR PHILIP CHOK, TOLD THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD TODAY (THURSDAY).
RESIDENTS FROM PHASE I WILL BE GIVEN UP TO NOVEMBER THIS YEAR TO LEAVE THE WALLED CITY WHILE THOSE FROM PHASES IIA, IIB AND III WILL HAVE TO LEAVE BY MARCH 1992, APRIL 1992 AND JUNE 1992 RESPECTIVELY.
BRIEFING THE DB MEMBERS ON THE PROGRESS OF THE CLEARANCE OF THE WALLED CITY, MR CHOK SAID THE DEADLINES SHOULD PROVIDE SUFFICIENT TIME FOR THOSE RESIDENTS FROM EACH OF THE FOUR PHASES WHO PURCHASED HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME (HOS) UNITS IN 1990 TO DECORATE AND MOVE INTO THEIR NEW HOMES.
THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WOULD ALSO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO ENSURE THAT RESIDENTS WHO HAD OPTED FOR PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING WOULD BE ALLOCATED UNITS BEFORE THE DEADLINES, HE SAID.
"SUBJECT TO THE CURRENTLY ANTICIPATED COMPLETION DATES FOR HOS BEING ACHIEVED, THESE DEADLINES WILL BE ADHERED TO," MR CHOK ADDED.
"IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THOSE ELIGIBLE CLEAREES WHO HAVE YET TO ACCEPT THE COMPENSATION AND REHOUSING OFFERS REALISE THAT TIME IS RUNNING OUT AND MAKE AN EARNEST ATTEMPT TO REACH SETTLEMENT WITH THE SPECIAL DUTIES OFFICE.
"THE OFFICE IS PREPARED TO EXAMINE THE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF INDIVIDUAL CASES, AND WHERE APPROPRIATE, TO ADOPT A FLEXIBLE APPROACH IN RESOLVING THE OUTSTANDING COMPENSATION CASES,” HE SAID.
/HE STRESSED
THURSDAY, MAY 16. 1991
12
HE STRESSED THAT RESIDENTS FROM EACH PHASE REMAINING IN THE WALLED CITY AFTER THE DEADLINE WOULD BE EVICTED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
AS AT EARLY THIS MONTH, ABOUT 98 PER CENT OF REHOUSING OFFERS AND 95 PER CENT OF COMPENSATION OFFERS MADE BY THE SPECIAL DUTIES OFFICE HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE WALLED CITY CLEAREES AND OVER $2 BILLION HAVE BEEN PAID OUT IN COMPENSATION.
SOME 6,200 FAMILIES, OR 66 PER CENT OF THE ELIGIBLE POPULATION IN THE AREA, HAVE MOVED OUT.
BETWEEN NOW AND THE EXPIRY OF THE DEADLINES, THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO TAKE A SERIES OF ACTIONS AGAINST WALLED CITY RESIDENTS FROM THE EARLY PHASES WHO HAVE RECEIVED COMPENSATION FOR THEIR PROPERTIES AND APPROPRIATE REHOUSING ARRANGEMENTS FROM THE GOVERNMENT BUT ARE STILL HOLDING ONTO THEIR WALLED CITY PREMISES.
LETTERS HAVE RECENTLY BEEN ISSUED TO SIX SUCH RESIDENTS GIVING THEM UP TO END OF THIS MONTH TO DELIVER POSSESSION OF THEIR WALLED CITY PREMISES.
"SHOULD THEY FAIL TO DO SO, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO TAKE POSSESSION OF THE PREMISES WITHOUT FURTHER RECOURSE TO THE RESIDENTS,” MR CHOK SAID.
---------0-----------
RURAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMMES IN FULL SWING
RURAL LEADERS AND DISTRICT BOARD REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NORTH EAST NEW TERRITORIES REGION WERE TODAY (THURSDAY) INVITED TO A SITE VISIT TO UPDATE THEMSELVES ON THE VARIOUS IMPROVEMENT WORKS IN THE REGION BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE RURAL PLANNING AND IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY (RPIS).
ORGANISED BY THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT (TDD), THE VISIT WAS AIMED AT SHOWING THE LOCAL LEADERS THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENTS TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT OF THE RURAL NEW TERRITORIES AMIDST THE MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS TAKING PLACE IN THE NEW TOWNS.
DURING THE VISIT, THE VISITORS TOURED FIVE SITES IN TAI PO, SHA TIN AND NORTH DISTRICT WHERE THEY EXCHANGED VIEWS WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE VARIOUS RPIS PROJECTS WHICH ARE EITHER NEAR COMPLETION OR UNDER DESIGN STAGE.
THESE PROJECTS INCLUDE THE EXTENSION OF A VAN TRACK BETWEEN TSZ TONG TSUEN AND TUNG KOK WAT IN FANLING, A BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION AT NAM WAH PO, TAI PO AND A FLOOD PROTECTION CHANNEL AT TAI HANG, TAI PO.
/IN SHA .......
THURSDAY, MAY 16, 1991
13 -
IN SHA TIN, THE VISITORS WERE BRIEFED ON THE SERVICING ND MINOR FORMATION WORKS IN CONNECTION WITH THE VILLAGE EXTEN ION PROJECTS FOR KAK TIN TSUEN AND TAI SHUI HANG.
THEY ALSO LEARNT THAT UNDER THE RPIS, MORE PROGRAMMES ARE IN THE PIPELINE WITH MANY MORE PROJECTS TO BE INITIATED FOR VILLAGE IMPROVEMENTS AND DEVELOPMENT; PROVISION OF SEWERS AND SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS; AND IMPROVEMENT, RECONSTRUCTION AND EXTENSION OF VILLAGE ACCESS ROADS.
THE RPIS WAS ENDORSED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN 1989 WITH THE AIM OF IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE RURAL NEW TERRITORIES iHROUGH INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURES, BETTER PLANNING AND BETTER LAND MANAGEMENT.
CO-ORDINATED BY TDD, ITS PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION INVOLVES OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS SUCH AS THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, AND THE HIGHWAYS, DRAINAGE SERVICES, BUILDINGS AND LANDS, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND PLANNING DEPARTMENTS.
THE EXPENDITURE FOR THE WORK PROGRAMMES OF THE STRATEGY OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS IS ESTIMATED AT ABOUT $2 BILLION.
TODAY’S VISIT WAS CONDUCTED BY THE DIRECTOR OF TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT, DR NIP KAM-FAN.
ALSO INVITED TO THE VISIT WERE REPRESENTATIVES OF RELEVANT RURAL COMMITTEES AND THE RURAL DEVELOPMENT STEERING COMMITTEE AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE HEUNG YEE KUK, MR TAI CHIN-WAH, MR PANG HANG-YIN AND MR HEUNG CHEUK-KEI.
THE STEERING COMMITTEE IS A BODY SET UP TO OVERSEE AND CO-ORDINATE RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES.
--------0-----------
OC AND MAC MEMBERS URGED TO JOIN SEMINAR
A CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) SPOKESMAN TODAY (THURSDAY) CALLED ON OWNERS CORPORATION (OC) AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE (MAC) MEMBERS TO TAKE PART IN A SEMINAR ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT TO BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION .ENTRE ON JUNE 8.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE INTERESTED IN BUILDING MANAGEMENT ARE ALSO URGED TO ATTEND.
THE HALF-DAY SEMINAR IS ORGANISED BY THE CNTA TO ENHANCE OC AND MAC MEMBERS’ KNOWLEDGE IN GOOD PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND TO HELP THEM IMPROVE THE MANAGEMENT AND LIVING ENVIRONMENT OF THEIR BUILDINGS.
/BUILDING MANAGEMENT .......
THURSDAY, MAY 16, 1991
14
BUILDING MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS, A LEGAL PRACTITIONER A PROPERTY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR, A SENIOR GOVERNMENT STRUCTURAL ENGINEER, AN INSURANCE COMPANY DIRECTOR AND AN OC CHAIRMAN WILL GIVE TALKS ON THEIR RESPECTIVE SUBJECT AREAS.
THE TOPICS TO BE COVERED INCLUDE DEED OF MUTUAL COVENANT, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS OF BUILDINGS, COMMUNAL ELECTRICAL FITTINGS. ELECTRICITY SUPPLY, UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS AND INSURANCE OF BUILDINGS.
’’PARTICIPANTS WILL BE ABLE TO GET PROFESSIONAL ADVICE ON \RIOUS ASPECTS OF GOOD BUILDING MANAGEMENT AND EXCHANGE WITH f ELEVANT PROFESSIONALS VIEWS AND EXPERIENCE TN OPEN DISCUSSIONS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ADMISSION TO THE SEMINAR IS FREE. APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE BUILDING MANAGEMENT DIVISION, HONG KONG AND KOWLOON REGION, CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, 29TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, BEFORE NEXT MONDAY (MAY 20).
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 835 1496 OR 835 1497.
-----0------
PREQUALIFICATION FOR MARINE REFUSE SCAVENGING AND COLLECTION
*****
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT REMINDED PROSPECTIVE APPLICANTS THAT ENTRIES FOR PREQUALIFICATION FOR A CONTRACT FOR PROVIDING REFUSE SCAVENGING AND COLLECTION SERVICES FOR HONG KONG WATERS WOULD CLOSE AT NOON ON NEXT FRIDAY (MAY 24).
THE PRINCIPAL MARINE OFFICER (TERMINALS AND PORT SERVICES) OF TE MARINE DEPARTMENT, MR JOHN LAMBOURN, TODAY (THURSDAY) SAID: APPLICANTS WHO ARE SHORTLISTED WILL BE INVITED TO TENDER FOR A .NGLE CONTRACT FOR THE REFUSE SCAVENGING AND COLLECTION SERVICES.
"THE CONTRACT SHALL BE FOR A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS WITH AN TION FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO EXTEND FOR A FURTHER PERIOD OF UP TO HREE YEARS.
"IT IS INTENDED THAT THE CONTRACT WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 1 THIS YEAR OR ON A DATE WITHIN SIX MONTHS AFTER OCTOBER 1 AS THE GOVERNMENT SHALL SPECIFY."
IN 1990, 17,250 CUBIC METRES OF FLOATING REFUSE WERE COLLECTED FROM HONG KONG WATERS WHILE 2,673 CUBIC METRES OF OTHER WASTE WERE COLLECTED FROM SHIPS MOORED IN THE HARBOUR.
/APPLICANTS FOR .......
THURSDAY, MAY 16, 1991
APPLICANTS FOR PREQUALIFICATION SHOULD HAVE AND PROVIDE PROOF OF EXPERIENCE IN MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF WASTE COLLECTION SERVICES, OR ALTERNATIVELY CAPABILITY TO PROVIDE THE EXPERTISE AND RESOURCES.
THEY SHOULD SUBMIT SUFFICIENT AND RELEVANT MANAGEMENT, OPERATIONAL AND OTHER INFORMATION AS STIPULATED IN THE PREQUALIFICATION DOCUMENT TO ENABLE ASSESSMENT TO BE MADE ON THEIR SUITABILITY OF BEING QUALIFIED TO TENDER.
MR LAMBOURN SAID COPIES OF THE PREQUALIFICATION DOCUMENT COULD .BE OBTAINED FROM THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, 21ST FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE DIRECTED TO MR YEUNG CHUNG-KWONG OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 852 4450.
- - 0 - -
TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS PRAISED ******
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. CARTLAND, THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING COMMENDED THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS FOR ITS CONTINUOUS EFFORTS IN SERVING THE COMMUNITY WHEN MEETING ITS NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, LED BY THE CHAIRMAN, MR TSUI TSIN-TONG, PAID A COURTESY CALL TO MR CARTLAND TO DISCUSS THE GROUP’S MAJOR SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICE DEVELOPMENT IN THE CURRENT YEAR.
IN THE MEETING, MR CARTLAND ASSURED BOARD MEMBERS THAT THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THEM TO IMPROVE AND EXPAND WELFARE SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITY.
- - 0 - -
UNAUTHORISED BUILDINGS TO BE CLOSED
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDINGS AT THE REAR OF MAN ON BUILDING, 79-85A TAI PO ROAD, SHAM SHU1 PO, SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON AUGUST 15 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (THURSDAY).
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WORKS WILL START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, MAY 17, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PHASE I OF THIRD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE READY BY 1994 ........................ 1
LABOUR DEPT REMINDER ON CHEMICAL HAZARDS ................................ 2
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .............. 2
SECOND GENERATION CORDLESS TELEPHONES EXEMPTED FROM LICENSING ........... 4
DREDGING FOR MARINE SAND AT KAP SHUI MUN ................................ 4
ROADWORKS PROPOSED IN MA ON SHAN ........................................ 5
MARINE DEPT LAUNCHES NEW PATROL BOAT..................................... 6
SYMPOSIUM PARTICIPANTS FAVOUR PIG-ON-LITTER METHOD ...................... 6
TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF WAN CHAI PARK ....................... 8
TENDERS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF MARKET ...................................... 8
TENDERS INVITED FOR INSTALLATION OF HOSPITAL. GAS APPARATUS ............. 9
FRIDAY, MAY 17, 1991
1
PHASE I OF THIRD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE READY BY 1994 ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
THE FIRST PHASE OF HONG KONG'S THIRL) INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AT TSEUNG KWAN O, DEVELOPED TO SUPPORT THE TECHNOLOGICAL UPGRADING OF MANUFACTURING IN HONG KONG, SHOULD BE READY BY EARLY 1994, THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF HONG KONG OXYGEN AND ACETYLENE COMPANY’S NEW AIR SEPARATION PLANT AT TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, MR BARMA SAID THE NEW ESTATE WOULD PROVIDE 70 HECTARES OF FORMED INDUSTRIAL SITES.
"THE FIRST PHASE OF THE ESTATE, SOME 25 HECTARES, SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY EARLY 1994, WITH THE REMAINDER COMPLETED BY 1995," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID THE SUCCESSFUL EXPANSION OF HONG KONG OXYGEN’S MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS MIRRORED THAT OF THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES THEMSELVES.
HE SAID THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION WAS ESTABLISHED IN THE MID-1970’S TO PROVIDE LAND FOR MANUFACTURING PROCESSES, LIKE THOSE OF HONG KONG OXYGEN, WHICH COULD NOT BE ACCOMMODATED IN HONG KONG’S MORE TRADITIONAL HIGH RISE FACTORY ENVIRONMENT, RUT YET PROVIDED VITALLY NEEDED SUPPORT FOR THE TERRITORY’S EXPORT GENERATING INDUSTRIES.
"WHEN HONG KONG OXYGEN TOOK UP ITS FIRST SITE AT TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE IN 1984, THE ESTATE CONSISTED OF ONLY 45 HECTARES OF FORMED LAND.
"TODAY, TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE OCCUPIES AN AREA OF 69.5 HECTARES, OF WHICH 66.5 HECTARES, OR 95 PER CENT, HAS BEEN LEASED.
"THE SMALL AREA OF THE ESTATE THAT IS STILL AVAILABLE HAS BEEN RESERVED FOR VERY HIGH-TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRIES OF THE TYPE WHICH ARE NEEDED TO UNDERPIN THE TRANSITION OF HONG KONG MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES FROM LABOUR INTENSIVE TO TECHNOLOGY INTENSIVE PROCESSES," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID A SECOND INDUSTRIAL ESTATE OF ABOUT 66 HECTARES WAS DEVELOPED IN YUEN LONG IN 1982.
"EVEN HERE, ONLY 27.9 HECTARES REMAIN READILY AVAILABLE FOR INDUSTRIES WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, REFLECTING THE INCREASING POPULARITY OF THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES.
"AT THE CURRENT RATE OF DEMAND, AVAILABLE LAND IN THE TWO EXISTING ESTATES WILL BE EXHAUSTED WITHIN THE NEXT THREE YEARS.
"IN ORDER TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE TECHNOLOGICAL UPGRADING OF MANUFACTURING IN HONG KONG, TENDERS HAVE BEEN INVITED TO DEVELOP A THIRD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE IN TSEUNG KWAN O," HE SAID.
HONG KONG OXYGEN’S NEW AIR SEPARATION PLANT, LOCATED ON A THIRD SITE ACQUIRED BY THE COMPANY AT TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, WILL PRODUCE OXYGEN, NITROGEN AND ARGON FOR USE IN THE INDUSTRY AND MEDICAL SECTORS. ----------------------------------0-------- /2...............................................................
FRIDAY, MAY 17, 1991
- 2 -
LABOUR DEPT REMINDER ON CHEMICAL HAZARDS ******
MANY INDUSTRIAL SOLVENTS ARE DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES WHICH MAY POSE SERIOUS HAZARDS TO THE HEALTH OF WORKERS USING THEM.
’’FACTORY PROPRIETORS SHOULD ENSURE THAT SUCH SOLVENTS ARE HANDLED WITH EXTREME CARE AND SHOULD TAKE ALL NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT THEIR WORKERS FROM THE HAZARD,” THE CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, MR YIP YUK-LUN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
NOTING THAT ORGANIC SOLVENTS WERE WIDELY USED IN MANY INDUSTRIES FOR CLEANING, DEGREASING AND OTHER PURPOSES, MR YIP CAUTIONED THAT SOME OF THEM WERE TOXIC AND COULD ENTER THE HUMAN BODY THROUGH INHALATION OR CONTACT WITH THE SKIN.
”TO MINIMISE THE HAZARD, FACTORY PROPRIETORS SHOULD USE OTHER, SAFER SUBSTITUTES WHEREVER POSSIBLE AND SHOULD MAINTAIN GOOD VENTILATION AND EFFECTIVE SUPERVISION IN THE WORKPLACE,” HE SAID.
’’THEY SHOULD ALSO ENSURE THAT WORKERS USE SUITABLE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT SUCH AS LONG-SLEEVED PVC GLOVES TO AVOID DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE SOLVENTS.
’’MOREOVER, EMPLOYERS ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO INSTRUCT WORKERS ON THE DANGER INVOLVED IN WORKING WITH CHEMICALS AND TO EXPLAIN TO THEM THE NECESSARY SAFETY PRECAUTIONS,” HE ADDED.
MEANWHILE, THE DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE WILL ORGANISE FIVE ONE-DAY CHEMICAL SAFETY COURSES AND SEMINARS BETWEEN NOW AND JUNE TO PROMOTE HEALTH EDUCATION IN INDUSTRY.
THESE SEMINARS AND COURSES, INCLUDING ONE ON THE SAFE HANDLING OF INDUSTRIAL SOLVENTS, ARE FOR FACTORY MANAGEMENTS AND SUPERVISORY STAFF.
ENQUIRIES ON THE COURSES AND SEMINARS, AS WELL AS THE SAFE USE OF INDUSTRIAL SOLVENTS, CAN BE MADE. TO THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION ON TEL. 852 3564.
---------0----------'
Hong kong government exchange fund hkef
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 16.5.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 17.5.91 +30
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING -30
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.1 *+0.0* 17.5.91
/HONG KONG........
FRIDAY, MAY 17, 1991
3
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
HKEI
ISSUE NUMBER MATURING ON OUTSTANDING
$ I MILLION
QI 15 10.7.91 350 + 130
Q116 17.7.91 350 + 130
Q117 24.7.91 338 .5 +141.5
Q118 31.7.91 450 + 30
Ql 19 7.8.91 415 + 65
Q120 14.8.91 380 + 100
Q108 22.5.91 530 -50
Q109 29.5.91 610 -130
Q110 5.6.91 310 + 170
Ql 11 12.6.91 404 + 76
Ql 1 2 19.6.91 640 -160
Ql 1 3 26.6.91 460 + 20
Q114 3.7.91 520 -40
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT 182-DAY EXCHANGE
EXCHANGE FUND FUND BILLS
HKEJ
ISSUE NUMBER
MATURING
OUTSTANDING
ON $ MILLION
H164 13.11.91 150 +110
H003 29.5.91 180 + 80
H004 12.6.91 230 + 30
H005 26.6.91 230 + 30
H101 10.7.91 143 + 117
H156 24.7.91 150 + 110
H157 7.8.91 189.5 + 70.5
H158 21.8.91 140 + 120
H159 4.9.91 150 + 110
H160 18.9.91 130 + 130
H161 2.10.91 90 + 170
H162 17. 10.91 94 + 166
H163 30.10.91 190 + 70
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 364-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
HKEK
ISSUE NUMBER MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
Y187 26.2.92 230 + 30
Y188 25.3.92 180 + 80
Y189 22.4.92 190 + 70
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 17.5.91 WAS 2,410 MN
--------0-----------
/4
FRIDAY, MAY 17, 199!
SECOND GENERATION CORDLESS TELEPHONES EXEMPTED FROM LICENSING ******
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY, MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT FOLLOWING AN EXEMPTION ORDER MADE DY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL RECENTLY, IT WILL NOT BE NECESSARY TO OBTAIN A TELECOMMUNICATION LICENCE FOR USE AT HOME AND IN THE OFFICE OF SECOND GENERATION CORDLESS TELEPHONE (CT-2) EQUIPMENT WHICH MEETS THE SPECIFICATIONS DEFINED BY THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY.
IT WILL ALSO NOT BE NECESSARY TO OBTAIN A LICENCE FOR THE SALE OF CT-2 EQUIPMENT PROVIDED THAT IT BEARS A LABEL SIGNIFYING TYPE APPROVAL BY THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY.
THE DESIGN OF THE LABEL WILL BE THE SAME AS THAT USED FOR FIRST GENERATION CORDLESS TELEPHONE EQUIPMENT.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD ONLY PURCHASE EQUIPMENT BEARING SUCH LABEL IN ORDER TO ENSURE ITS LEGAL USE IN HONG KONG.
THE CT-2 EQUIPMENT IS EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG LATER THIS YEAR.
IT USES DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY WHICH IS LESS PRONE TO RADIO INTERFERENCE AND PROVIDES ADDITIONAL PRIVACY DURING TELEPHONE CONVERSATION.
FOUR TELEPOINT SERVICES HAVE BEEN LICENSED BY THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY, AND ARE EXPECTED TO COMMENCE SERVICE LATER THIS YEAR.
THE USE OF CT-2 EQUIPMENT AS A CUSTOMER OF TELEPOINT SERVICES IS ALSO EXEMPTED FROM LICENSING.
EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS AND DEALERS SHOULD APPLY FOR TYPE APPROVAL OF THEIR CT-2 EQUIPMENT BEFORE MAKING THEM AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN HONG KONG.
FURTHER DETAILS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS BRANCH OF THE HONG KONG POST OFFICE.
------0--------
\ DREDGING FOR MARINE SAND AT KAP SHUI MUN
* * ♦ * i
AUTHORISATION HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO DREDGE WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 156 HECTARES OF SEA-BED AT KAP SHUI MUN.
THIS IS TO PROVIDE MATERIALS FOR USE IN CONSTRUCTION AND FUTURE RECLAMATIONS.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED WAS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE OF AUTHORISATION PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
/ANY PERSON .......
FRIDAY, MAY 17, 1991
5
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT Ofc EAsfeMfeMt IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEA-BED INVOLVED WILL BE INJURIOUSLY AFFEclfeD BY THIS UNDERTAKING MAY DELIVER TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILblNGS AND LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION ON OR BEFORE MAY 16, 1992.
HE SHOULD STATE IN HIS SUBMISSION THE SUM OF MONEY WHICH HE tS WILLING TO ACCEPT IN FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT OF HIS CLAIM AND SHOULD SUBMIT SUCH PARTICULARS WHICH HE POSSESSES TO SUBSTANTIATE HIS CLAIM.
THE NOTICE (IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE) TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG (WHERE COPIES CAN BE PURCHASED ON ORDER); AT THE TSUEN WAN District office, first floor, tusen wan station multi-storey carpark BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES; AT THE KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICES CENTRE, KWAI TSlNG DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG, NEW TERRITORIES AND AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KWAI TSING, 10TH FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES.
------0--------
ROADWORKS PROPOSED IN MA ON SHAN
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO CARRY OUT ROADWORKS IN TAI SHUI Hang, ma on shan, sha tin to provide emergency vehicular and PEDESTRIAN ACCESS FOR THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT IN THESE AREAS.
THE PROPOSED WORKS INCLUDE:
* CONSTRUCTION OF A PARKING AREA ADJACENT TO HANG TAK STREET;
* CONSTRUCTION OF TWO COMBINED EMERGENCY VEHICULAR ACCESS ROADS AND FOOTPATHS FROM THE PARKING AREA TO THE EXISTING TAI SHUI HANG VILLAGE;
* CONSTRUCTION OF A FOOTBRIDGE; AND
* CONSTRUCTION OF FOOTPATHS, CARRIAGEWAYS, STAIRS AND AMENttY AREAS.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN AND SCHEME MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG;
/* SHA TIN ........
FRIDAY, MAY 17, 1991
6
i SHA TIN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, 2 TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAb, SttA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES; AND
♦ SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, SIXTH FLOOR, KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY HOUSE, SHA TIN RAILWAY STATION.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO OBJECT TO THE PROPOSED WORKS SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN JULY 16 THIS YEAR.
------0--------
MARINE DEPT LAUNCHES NEW PATROL BOAT
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT HAS COMMISSIONED TWO PURPOSE-BUILT PATROL LAUNCHES AT A TOTAL COST OF $4.2 MILLION TO AUGMENT ITS HARBOUR PATROL SERVICES, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR ALLAN PYRKE, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE WAS OFFICIATING AT THE INAUGURAL CEREMONY OF ONE OF THE NEW PATROL LAUNCHES, MD 21, AT JOSS HOUSE BAY.
MR PYRKE SAID: "MD 21, TOGETHER WITH HER NEW SISTER PATROL LAUNCH MD 20 AND THE EXISTING PATROL LAUNCH MD 45, WILL ASSIST IN THE SAFE OPERATION OF SHIPS IN THE PORT OF HONG KONG AND ENSURE THAT LOCAL Marine legislation and international maritime conventions are COMPLIED WITH.
"ADDITIONALLY, THEY MAINTAIN A 24-HOUR PATROL AND ARE IN CONTINUOUS RADIO CONTACT WITH OUR COMPUTER-AND-RADAR-BASED VESSEL TRAFFIC CENTRE AND WILL PROMPTLY RESPOND TO EMERGENCY SITUATIONS."
DURING THE CEREMONY, MR PYRKE AND THE CREW OF MD 21 PAID TRIBUTE TO THE SEA GODDESS "TIN HAU".
MD 21 IS A GLASS REINFORCED PLASTIC VESSEL CAPABLE OF 16 KNOTS. SHE IS 13.5 METRES LONG AND IS EQUIPPED WITH RADAR.
THE SISTER PATROL LAUNCH MD 20 WAS COMMISSIONED LAST (APRIL) MONTH.
SYMPOSIUM participants favour pig-on-litter method
******
THE FINDINGS OF THE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON MODERN TECHNOLOGY IN THE TREATMENT AND RECYCLING OF LIVESTOCK WASTES HAVE SHOWN THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE PIG-ON-LITTER (POL) METHOD IN PLACES OF DIFFERENT CLIMATES SUCH AS JAPAN, TAIWAN AND EUROPE, IS ENCOURAGING AND POSITIVE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, TODAY (FRIDAY) WHEN HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY OF THE FIVE-DAY SYMPOSIUM HELD AT THE KADOORIE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTRE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (HKU).
/HE NOTED .......
FRIDAY, MAY 17, ]991
7
HE NOTED THAT SOME OF THE PARTICIPANTS’ RESEARCH INDICATED THAT THE POL METHOD WAS EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING THE OUTPUT OF FARM WASTES BY AS MUCH AS 80 PER CENT IN WEIGHT AND EMISSION OF AMMONIA FROM THE WASTES BY 70 PER CENT.
’’MOREOVER, THE METHOD DOES NOT INCUR OVERWHELMING COSTS," HE ADDED.
DR LEE CONTINUED: "TOGETHER WITH OUR OWN EXPERIENCE LOCALLY, THE POL METHOD APPEARS TO BE A VERY PROMISING MEANS FOR LOCAL PIG RAISERS TO MEET THE ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGE.
"AS THE SYMPOSIUM HAS REVEALED, FURTHER RESEARCH IS NECESSARY IN SUCH ASPECTS AS THE FEASIBILITY OF ALTERNATIVE BEDDING MATERIALS, EFFECTIVENESS AND ROLE OF ADDITIVE BACTERIAL PRODUCTS, DESIGN OF PIG HOUSES IN RELATION TO ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR IN ORDER TO FURTHER IMPROVE AND ENHANCE THE APPLICATION OF THE-POL METHOD."
THE SYMPOSIUM, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY HKU, THE JOINT FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AND MARKETING SOCIETIES AND THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD), WAS ATTENDED BY MORE THAN 80 EXPERTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.
"THE SYMPOSIUM BEARS SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE TO THE LOCAL LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY BECAUSE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S DETERMINATION TO CONTROL DISPOSAL OF LIVESTOCK WASTES," DR LEE SAID.
"BY ALL COUNTS, THE SYMPOSIUM HAS SUCCEEDED IN ACHIEVING ITS AIM OF PROVIDING AN INTERNATIONAL FORUM FOR DISSEMINATING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY AND EXPERIENCE ON TREATMENT AND RECYCLING OF LIVESTOCK WASTES, AND OFFERING A TIMELY AND VALUABLE TRAINING OPPORTUNITY IN THIS AREA FOR LOCAL FARMERS.
"THE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF ABOUT 100 FARMERS IN THE TRAINING SESSION EARLIER THIS WEEK INDICATES THAT THEY ARE ALSO DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS CAUSED BY. LIVESTOCK WASTES AND ARE KEEN TO LEARN HOW TO OPERATE THEIR FARMS IN A NON-POLLUTING MANNER."
NOTING THAT THE DISCUSSIONS DURING THE SCIENTIFIC SESSIONS- HAD BEEN EXTREMELY USEFUL AND CONSTRUCTIVE IN INTRODUCING DIFFERENT WASTE TREATMENT AND RECYCLING METHODS ADOPTED BY VARIOUS COUNTRIES, DR LEE SAID A SUMMARY OF ALL THE FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS, INCLUDING A PRACTICAL GUIDE, WOULD BE PREPARED AND PUBLISHED LATER.
"THE END OF THE SYMPOSIUM WILL MARK THE BEGINNING OF A SERIES OF WORK AND ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE WIDER AWARENESS AND FIELD APPLICATIONS OF FEASIBLE WASTE TREATMENT AND RECYCLING METHODS, AND FURTHER RESEARCH TO CONSOLIDATE EXISTING FINDINGS AND IDENTIFY AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT," HE SAID.
PARTICIPANTS IN THE SYMPOSIUM SHARED THE VIEW THAT IN COUNTRIES WITH LIMITED LAND RESOURCES, THE POL METHOD IS THE BEST PIGRAISING METHOD AS IT IS SIMPLE TO OPERATE. MOREOVER, THE SYSTEM PRODUCES NO EFFLUENT AND THE ODOUR IS MUCH REDUCED.
/DURING THE .......
FRIDAY, MAY 17, 1991
- 8 -
DURING THE ROUND-TABLE DISCUSSION, PARTICIPANTS WERE OF THE OPINION THAT HONG KONG SHOULD TAKE THE LEADING ROLE IN ORGANISING FURTHER TECHNICAL SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS ON THE POL METHOD SINCE HONG KONG HAS ALREADY HAVE SO MUCH RELEVANT INFORMATION AND MATERIALS IN HAND.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM HOLLAND ALSO INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD CONSIDER HOLDING A SIMILAR TECHNICAL SEMINAR TO FOLLOW UP THE FINDINGS OF THIS SYMPOSIUM.
------0-------
TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF WAN CHAI PARK * * * ♦ ♦
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF WAN CHAI PARK IN BULLOCK LANE.
FACILITIES OF THE PARK WILL INCLUDE A SOCCER PITCH, SPECTATOR STAND, SERVICE BUILDING, VIEWING PLATFORMS, MODEL BOAT POOL, CHILDREN’S PLAY AREAS AND SITTING-OUT AREA WITH SHADE STRUCTURES.
WORK IS SCHEDULED TO START IN MID-AUGUST AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 14 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
TENDERS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD BEFORE NOON ON JUNE 7.
• ------0-------
TENDERS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF MARKET
*****
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MARKET UNDERNEATH KWAI ('HUNG ROAD FLYOVER, MEI FOO SUN CHUEN.
WORK ON THE PROJECT ARE EXPECTED TO START IN JULY AND BE COMPLETED IN JUNE NEXT YEAR.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON JUNE 7.
------0-------
/9 ........
FRIDAY, MAY 17. 199 1
9
TENDERS INVITED FOR INSTALLATION OF HOSPITAL GAS APPARATUS t ♦ t t t
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR I HE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF MEDICAL GAS (LABORATORY VACUUM) APPARATUS FOR THE CLINICAL PATHOLOGY BUILDING AT QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL.
THE PROJECT IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN JULY AND WILL TAKE 22 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM I HE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, PROPERTY SERVICES BRANCH, FIFTH FLOOR, QUANTITY SURVEYING SECTION, APB CENTRE, 9 SUNG PING ■TREET, TO KWA WAN, KOWLOON.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDER IS NOON ON JUNE 7.
------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, MAY 18, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MARCH ORDERS-ON-HAND,EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS FIGURES RELEASED 1
HONG KONG/FRANCE AIR AGREEMENT IN FORCE ...................................... 5
RETIRING HK OFFICIAL TO JOIN GATT WELCOMES ................................... 6
OFFICIALS LEFT FOR ANTI-DUMPING TALKS IN WASHINGTON .......................... 6
NEW MEASURE ON DUTY FREE CONCESSION .......................................... 7
CUSTOMS SERVICE A SOPHISTICATED FORCE ........................................ 8
SPEED BOAT SMUGGLING ACTIVITIES DRAMATICALLY REDUCED ......................... 9
NEW-LOOK POLICE MOBILE EXHIBITION ON RECRUITMENT ............................ 10
STRICT ENFORCEMENT ACTION TO CURB ILLEGAL PARKING NEAR BEACHES .............. 11
TASKFORCE EXPANDED TO SAFEGUARD WORKERS' BENEFITS ........................... 11
LIBERAL STUDIES TO BROADEN SIXTH FORM CURRICULUM ............................ 12
PROPOSED STREET REALIGNMENT IN SHAM SHUT PO ................................. 13
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .................. 14
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD BY AUCTION ......................................... 14
SATURDAY, MAY 18, 1991
MARCH ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS FIGURES RELEASED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
IN MARCH 1991, THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND REPORTED BY THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES INCREASED BY 2% WHEN COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1991 AND BY 1% WHEN COMPARED WITH MARCH 1990, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF A SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1991, THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MARCH 1991 INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY. OVER THE SAME PERIOD, ORDERS INCREASED SLIGHTLY IN THE TEXTILES AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES, BUT SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE IN THE WEARING APPAREL AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
COMPARED WITH MARCH 1990, THE ORDERS POSITION IN MARCH 1991 INCREASED SLIGHTLY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES, BUT DECREASED SLIGHTLY IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND THE TEXTILES INDUSTRIES. ON THE OTHER HAND, ORDERS IN THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRY SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IS MEASURED IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF MONTHS AND REFERS TO ORDERS OUTSTANDING AS AT THE END OF THE REFERENCE MONTH.
ON EMPLOYMENT, THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED REPORTED THAT THEIR TOTAL WORKFORCE IN MARCH 1991 SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1991, BUT DECREASED BY 10% WHEN COMPARED WITH MARCH 1990.
COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1991, EMPLOYMENT IN MARCH 1991 INCREASED SLIGHTLY IN THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRY, BUT DECREASED SLIGHTLY IN MOST OTHER MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED.
COMPARED WITH MARCH 1990, EMPLOYMENT IN MARCH 1991 DECREASED IN MOST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, WITH SUBSTANTIAL DECREASES RECORDED IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND THE TEXTILES INDUSTRIES. OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY REPORTED LITTLE CHANGE IN EMPLOYMENT.
IN MARCH 1991, PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SURVEYED DECREASED BY 12% IN MONEY TERMS WHEN COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1991. MOST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED REPORTED DECREASES IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN MARCH 1991, FOLLOWING THE ISSUE OF DOUBLE PAY AND ANNUAL BONUSES IN FEBRUARY 1991 BY SOME MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SURVEYED.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, A SLIGHT INCREASE IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS WAS RECORDED IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS INDUSTRY.
COMPARED WITH MARCH 1990, PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN MARCH 1991 INCREASED BY 15% IN MONEY TERMS. INCREASES IN PER CAPITA EARNINGS WERE RECORDED IN ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES SURVEYED, WITH THE LARGEST INCREASES RECORDED IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS, FOOD AND DRINKS, AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
/IN THE ........
SATURDAY, MAY 18, 1991
- 2 -
IN THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES SURVEYED, EMPLOYMENT IN MARCH 1991 SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1991, BUT DECREASED MODERATELY WHEN COMPARED WITH MARCH 1990.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN MARCH 1991 DECREASED SUBSTANTIALLY WHEN COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1991, FOLLOWING THE ISSUE OF DOUBLE PAY AND ANNUAL BONUSES IN FEBRUARY 1991 BY SOME COMPANIES SURVEYED. COMPARED WITH MARCH 1990, PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN MARCH 1991 INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY.
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 LEVEL OF EMPLOYMENT IN MARCH 1991 AS REPORTED BY THE COMPANIES SURVEYED DECREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1991, BUT INCREASED SLIGHTLY OVER MARCH 1990.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN MARCH 1991 FOR THE SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS TAKEN TOGETHER DECREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1991, FOLLOWING THE ISSUE OF DOUBLE PAY AND ANNUAL BONUSES IN FEBRUARY 1991 BY SOME HOTELS SURVEYED.
ON THE OTHER HAND, PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN MARCH 1991 INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY OVER MARCH 1990 FOR THE SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS TAKEN TOGETHER.
THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS ARE SHOWN IN TABLES 1 TO 3.
THE SURVEY COVERED A PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURING COMPANIES AND THE 50 LARGEST COMPANIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND SELECTED SERVICE SECTORS, CHOSEN BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT SIZES IN SEPTEMBER 1986.
THE DEPARTMENT CAUTIONED THAT AS THE SURVEY IS NOT BASED ON A SCIENTIFICALLY SELECTED SAMPLE, THE MAGNITUDES OF CHANGE INDICATED BY THE SURVEY RESULTS ARE MERELY A REFLECTION OF THE EXPERIENCE OF THE COMPANIES SURVEYED. HOWEVER, GIVEN THE COMPOSITION OF THE PANEL, IT SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A USEFUL INDICATION OF THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE FOR MAKING A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ECONOMY IN THE SHORT TERM.
THE SURVEY REPORT FOR MARCH 1991 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, WANCHA1 TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT $4.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 805 6441.
/TABLE 1 .......
SATURDAY, MAY 18, 1991
- 3 -
TABLE 1 : ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
ORDERS-ON-HAND
INDUSTRY AS AT THE END OF MARCH 1991 CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
FEB 91 MAR 90
(MONTHS) (%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 4.41 + 2 + 1
WEARING APPAREL 4.70 ♦ *
TEXTILES 2.41 + 2 -2
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 3.46 + 21 + 2
FABRICATED METAL 4.21 * — o
PRODUCTS
ELECTRICAL AND 5.33 + 2 + 1
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
OTHERS 4.09 ♦ -2
* CHANGES WITHIN +/- 0.5%
TABLE 2 : EMPLOYMENT
'PERSONS ENGAGED AT THE END OF MARCH 1991
INDUSTRY/SERVICES
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
FOOD AND DRINKS WEARING APPAREL TEXTILES
PLASTIC PRODUCTS
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS
ELECTRICAL AND
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS OTHERS
CONSTRUCTION #
CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
FEB 91 MAR 90
(%) (%)
♦ -10
— — — —
-1 -2
+ 2 -6
-1 -19
-2 -35
-1 ♦
-3 - 1 1
+ 1 -2
♦ -8
/SERVICES BANKS
SATURDAY, MAY 18, 1991
SERVICES
BANKS
HOTELS
PUBLIC UTILITIES
OTHERS
-1
♦
-4
-3 + 1
+ 1
+ 4
-7
-3
+ 5
* CHANGES WITHIN +/- 0.5%
# PERSONS ENGAGED COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
EMPLOYED
TABLE 3 : PER CAPITA EARNINGS
PER CAPITA EARNINGS
AVERAGE CHANGE WHEN
AS IN COMPARED WITH
INDUSTRY/SERVICES MARCH 1991 FEB 91 MAR 90
(HK$) (%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 6,493 -12 + 15
FOOD AND DRINKS 7,387 , +3 -7 -13 -14 + 19 + 13 + 12 + 28 + 7
WEARING APPAREL TEXTILES PLASTIC PRODUCTS • 5,000 5,678 6,504
FABRICATED METAL 7,069 -1
PRODUCTS ELECTRICAL AND 6,506 -17 + 17
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS OTHERS 8,339 -17 + 10
CONSTRUCTION # 8,744 -21 + 10
SERVICES 11,338 -2 + 18
+ 11 + 13 + 24 + 17
BANKS HOTELS PUBLIC UTILITIES OTHERS 9,756 7,276 11,440 12,866 -1 -51 + 8 -2
» PER CAPITA EARNINGS COVER COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
/NOTE: DUE .........
SATURDAY, MAY 18, 1991
5 -
NOTE:
(E.G.
GIVEN
TIME
DUE TO THE POSSIBLE INCLUSIONS OF IRREGULAR PAYMENTS BACKPAY OR SPECIAL BONUS), "PER CAPITA EARNINGS" FOR A MONTH MAY BE SUBJECT TO RATHER VOLATILE FLUCTUATIONS FR2^nnvlMP to ttmr THEREFORE. IT IS PARTICULARLY ADVISABLE, IN STUDYING
TO
PER
TIME. THEREFORE, IT IS PARTICULARLY CAPITA EARNINGS STATISTICS, NOT TO
DATA IN PERIOD.
ISOLATION, BUT TO MAKE REFERENCE
TAKE A GIVEN MONTHS’S TO DATA OVER A LONGER
NOTE
TO TABLES
UNLIKE AVERAGE NUMBER
ORDERS-ON-HAND” AND "PER CAPITA
FIGURES AMONGST THE COMPANIES
EARNINGS", SURVEYED,
WHICH THE
OF
MEANINGFUL
SURVEY) AND
PERSONS ENGAGED BY THE COMPANIES SURVEYED INFORMATION ON ITS OWN (BECAUSE THIS IS
IS THEREFORE NOT SHOWN.
IS A
ARE TOTAL
NOT PANEL
1
3 :
--------0-----------
HONG KONG/FRANCE AIR AGREEMENT IN FORCE ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
THE HONG KONG/FRANCE AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT (ASA) HAS ENTERED INTO FORCE ON MAY 10 THIS YEAR.
THE ASA WAS SIGNED ON AUGUST 20 LAST YEAR BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, ON BEHALF OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT UNDER THE AUTHORISATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT, AND THE CHIEF OF AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES, MR ROBERT ESPEROU, ON BEHALF OF THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT.
THE AGREEMENT IS DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION IN MIND.
THE ASA PROVIDES FOR SCHEDULED PASSENGER AND ALL-CARGO SERVICES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND FRANCE, WHICH ARE PRESENTLY OPERATED BY CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS AND AIR FRANCE.
PRIOR TO THE ENTRY INTO FORCE OF THE ASA, THESE SERVICES WERE COVERED BY THE UK/FRANCE ASA.
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/6 ........
SATURDAY, MAY 18, 1991
- 6 -
RETIRING HK OFFICIAL TO JOIN GATT WELCOMES ******
TRADE AND INDUSTRY (DESIGNATE), MR T.H. CHAU, THE GOVERNMENT WELCOMES VERY MUCH THE BROADBRIDGE AS AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL
THE SECRETARY FOR SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) APPOINTMENT OF MR KEITH
OF THE GATT.
THIS APPOINTMENT WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE GATT, MF? ARTHUR DUNKEL, IN GENEVA YESTERDAY (FRIDAY).
MR BROADBRIDGE IS AT PRESENT HONG KONG’S PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO THE GATT AND THE HEAD OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN GENEVA.
HE WILL RETIRE FROM THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE AND JOIN THE GATT SECRETARIAT IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
POST GREAT KONG ’ S
HONG
"THE APPOINTMENT OF MR BROADBRIDGE TO AN IMPORTANT SENIOR IN THE TOP STRUCTURE OF THE GATT SECRETARIAT NOT ONLY REFLECTS
...“ STANDING AS HONG
CREDIT ON MR BROADBRIDGE’S PERFORMANCE AND PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO THE GATT BUT IS
ALSO AN HONOUR FOR
KONG.
"THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT A HONG KONG BEEN GIVEN A JOB AT SUCH A HIGH LEVEL IN ORGANISATION," MR CHAU SAID.
CIVIL SERVANT HAS
AN INTERNATIONAL
THE GOVERNMENT WILL MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT AT A LATER STAGE ON MR BROADBRIDGE’S SUCCESSOR AS HONG KONG’S PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO THE GATT.
---------0-----------
OFFICIALS LEFT FOR ANTI-DUMPING TALKS IN WASHINGTON ♦ ♦♦**♦
A TEAM OF TRADE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS LEFT FOR WASHINGTON TODAY (SATURDAY) FOR BILATERAL CONSULTATIONS WITH THE U.S. GOVERNMENT ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE ANTI-DUMPING ORDER AGAINST HONG KONG’S EXPORTS OF MAN-MADE FIBRE SWEATERS TO THE U.S.
"WE INTEND TO DISCUSS WITH THE U.S. GOVERNMENT VARIOUS FACETS OF THIS ANTI-DUMPING CASE. IN PARTICULAR, WE WISH TO SEEK CLARIFICATION ON AREAS OF CONCERN TO US," DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE AND LEADER OF THE HONG KONG TEAM, MR ROBERT FOOTMAN, SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE CONSULTATIONS WERE BEING HELD UNDER THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS OF THE ANTI-DUMPING CODE OF THE GATT.
. 'THE TRADE DEPARTMENT HAS ALWAYS TAKEN THIS CASE VERY
SERIOUSLY. IT IS EXTREMELY COMPLICATED, AND WE NEED TO CLARIFY A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT POINTS BEFORE DECIDING WHAT TO DO NEXT," MR FOOTMAN SAID.
THE CONSULTATIONS WILL TAKE PLACE IN WASHINGTON D.C. ON MAY 23 TO 24.
.------o--------
/7......
SATURDAY, MAY 18, 1991
NEW MEASURE ON DUTY FREE CONCESSION *****
FROM JUNE 1, THE DUTY FREE CONCESSION FOR TRAVELLERS WILL ONLY BE GRANTED TO VISITORS OR RETURNING LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO HAVE SPENT AT LEAST 24 HOURS OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE NEW MEASURE WAS AIMED AT PREVENTING TRAVELLERS WHO MAKE MULTIPLE TRIPS IN A SINGLE DAY FROM BRINGING IN CIGARETTES WITHIN THE DUTY FREE CONCESSION.
THE MAXIMUM DUTY FREE QUANTITIES FOR VISITORS AND LOCAL RESIDENTS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
VISITORS MAXIMUM QUANTITIES
LIQUOR - ONE LITRE OF WINE OR SPIRITS
TOBACCO - 200 CIGARETTES OR 50 CIGARS OR 250 •GRAMS OF SMOKERS’ TOBACCO
PERFUME - 60 MILLILITRES
TOILET WATER - 250 MILLILITRES
OTHER ITEMS - REASONABLE QUANTITIES
LOCAL RESIDENTS MAXIMUM QUANTITIES
LIQUOR
TOBACCO
PERFUME
TOILET WATER
OTHER ITEMS
- ONE LITRE OF STILL WINE
- 100 CIGARETTES OR 25 CIGARS OR 125
GRAMS OF SMOKERS’ TOBACCO
- 60 MILLILITRES
- 250 MILLILITRES
- REASONABLE QUANTITIES
"DUTIABLE GOODS AT THE ABOVE QUANTITIES IMPORTED BY TRAVELLERS FOR THEIR OWN USE AND IN THEIR BAGGAGE SHALL BE EXEMPT FROM DUTY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"TRAVELLERS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE DO NOT QUALIFY FOR DUTY FREE LIQUOR AND TOBACCO," HE ADDED.
BETWEEN MARCH 7 AND MAY 17, 344 PERSONS HAVE BEEN ARRESTED FOR POSSESSION OF DUTIABLE GOODS FOR WHICH DUTY HAS NOT BEEN PAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID 238 OF THESE OFFENCES WERE IDENTIFIED AT CUSTOMS CONTROL POINTS AND INVOLVED TRAVELLERS AND DRIVERS RETURNING FROM CHINA CONCEALING CIGARETTES IN THEIR CLOTHING AND BAGGAGE, OR INSIDE THEIR VEHICLES.
/THE OTHER .......
SATURDAY, MAY 18, 1991
8
THE OTHER CASES RESULT FROM CUSTOMS OPERATIONS AT VARIOUS SPOTS ON LAND, SUCH AS STORES, MOBILE HAWKERS AND RESTAURANTS, OR ON BOARD VESSELS.
”A TOTAL OF 1.26 MILLION CIGARETTES WITH A DUTY POTENTIAL OF SOME $0.9 MILLION WERE SEIZED DURING THE SAME PERIOD,” HE SAID.
TRAVELLERS WHO FAIL TO DECLARE CIGARETTES IN EXCESS OF DUTY FREE CONCESSION WILL BE PROSECUTED. THE MAXIMUM PENALTY IS A FINE OF $100,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS.
------------------0-------- CUSTOMS SERVICE A SOPHISTICATED FORCE
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE HAS EVOLVED INTO A SOPHISTICATED, FORWARD-LOOKING ADMINISTRATION SINCE ITS MODEST BEGINNING 82 YEARS AGO, THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR CLIVE OXLEY, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
MR OXLEY WAS SPEAKING AT THE PASSING-OUT PARADE OF 14 CUSTOMS INSPECTORS AND 103 CUSTOMS OFFICERS WHO HAD COMPLETED 26-WEEK OR 13-WEEK RESIDENTIAL COURSE OF TRAINING AND STUDY AT THE CUSTOMS AND . EXCISE TRAINING SCHOOL AT TAI LAM CHUNG.
HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT AT ITS BEGINNING HAD ONLY 26 OFFICERS ENFORCING ONE PIECE OF LEGISLATION AND, NOW, IT HAD AN ESTABLISHMENT OF 3,929 STAFF OF ALL RANKS HAVING ENFORCEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER 33 SEPARATE PIECES OF LEGISLATION.
"APART FROM ITS TRADITIONAL ROLE OF REVENUE PROTECTION IN RESPECT OF DUTIABLE COMMODITIES, THE SERVICE IS CHARGED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR NARCOTIC DRUGS INTERDICTION, FOR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS PROTECTION, FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF A WIDE RANGE OF TRADE AND HEALTH-RELATED MEASURES TO PROTECT THE SOCIAL WELL-BEING OF THE COMMUNITY AND, LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST, FOR ANTI-SMUGGLING OPERATIONS TO PROTECT THE SOCIAL SECURITY AND ECONOMY OF HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
MR OXLEY SAID THE INDUCTION TRAINING WHICH THE CUSTOMS INSPECTORS AND CUSTOMS OFFICERS HAD JUST COMPLETED HAD PROVIDED THEM WITH ONLY A BASIC KNOWLEDGE OF CUSTOMS TECHNIQUES.
"TO BECOME TRULY PROFESSIONAL CUSTOMS OFFICERS YOU MUST CONTINUE TO LEARN, TO EXPAND YOUR WORKING TECHNIQUES AND EXPERTISE, TO PERFORM YOUR DUTIES ALWAYS WITH DILIGENCE, HONESTY, INTEGRITY, PERSISTENCE AND IMAGINATION, AND TO UNDERTAKE THEM WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR," HE TOLD THE MEN AND WOMEN ON PARADE.
"THE CAREER WHICH YOU HAVE CHOSEN ALSO DEMANDS A HIGH DEGREE OF LOYALTY, SELF-DISCIPLINE AND SELF-RESPECT, FOR, WITHOUT THESE, THE SERVICE OF WHICH YOU ARE NOW MEMBERS WILL RAPIDLY LOSE ALL THAT IT HAS GAINED DURING THE PAST 82 YEARS," HE SAID.
- - 0---------
/9........
SATURDAY, MAY 18,' 1991
- 9 -
SPEED BOAT SMUGGLING ACTIVITIES DRAMATICALLY REDUCED ******
SPEED BOAT SMUGGLING ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN DRAMATICALLY REDUCED IN HONG KONG WATERS FOLLOWING THE ENACTMENT OF NEW LAWS WHICH ALLOW WIDE RANGING POWERS FOR POLICE AND OTHER AUTHORITIES TO HIT SMUGGLING SYNDICATES ON LAND AND SEA.
BOATYARDS MANUFACTURING SPEED BOATS INTENDED TO BE USED FOR SMUGGLING HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AND NEW LAWS ENFORCED TO SUCH EFFECT THAT ILLICIT SPEED BOAT TRAFFIC HALTED.
THE USE OF A NYLON ROPE BARRIER AT THE ENTRANCE TO TOLO CHANNEL WHICH STOPPED A SPEED BOAT AND LED TO ITS IMPOUNDING WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN BRINGING A COMPLETE STOP TO SPEED BOATS THERE.
FURTHER NEW LEGISLATION AIMED AT PREVENTING LARGER VESSELS AND JUNKS FROM CARRYING CERTAIN CARGO WITHOUT PERMITS HAD BEEN ENACTED.
THE POLICE DEPUTY MARINE REGIONAL COMMANDER AND COMMANDER OF THE SPECIALLY-FORMED ANTI-SMUGGLING TASK FORCE, MR BASIL LIM, SAID: "I AM NOT GOING TO BE COMPLACENT BUT I AM VERY PLEASED WITH RESULTS SO FAR.
"WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE LAWS WE NEEDED AND NOW WE ARE ENFORCING THEM TO ACHIEVE OUR OBJECTIVES."
MR LIM WAS DELIGHTED WITH THE SUCCESSFUL USE OF THE BARRIER AT TOLO HARBOUR, WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS "OUR SECRET WEAPON".
THE SPEED BOAT SNARED BY THE BARRIER WAS POWERED BY FIVE 300 HORSEPOWER ENGINES AND LOADED WITH 46 TELEVISION SETS. THE CREW OF THE BOAT TURNED ROUND WHEN THEY SAW THE ILLUMINATED BARRIER AHEAD OF THEIR ESCAPE AND WERE STOPPED AND ARRESTED.
THE MOBILE BARRIER CAN BE PUT UP QUICKLY AND AT SHORT NOTICE.
"AS SOON AS WE SAW THE BOAT LOADING, WE FOLLOWED AND STOPPED IT," MR LIM SAID. "DURING THE WEEKS FOLLOWING THERE HAS BEEN ALMOST NO ACTIVITY OF SPEED BOATS IN THAT AREA. THEY ARE BEING VERY CAUTIOUS NOW THAT THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED OUR ’SECRET WEAPON’, WHICH WE CAN USE AT WILL."
LEGISLATION ON PERMITTED CARGOS ENABLES OFFICERS TO STOP AND SEARCH LARGER SLOWER MOVING VESSELS AND SEIZE CARGOS WHICH NOW MUST BE LICENSED BY CARRIERS. THESE CARGOS INCLUDE TELEVISION SETS, RECEIVERS AND PLAYERS, REFRIGERATORS, AIR CONDITIONERS, MOTOR VEHICLES AND VEHICLE PARTS.
MR LIM PAID TRIBUTE TO THE CO-OPERATION OF POLICE LAND DISTRICTS IN THE SUCCESS OF OPERATIONS.
"WE ARE ALL WORKING TOGETHER TO MONITOR THE ACTIVITIES OF YARDS AND SHOPS KNOWN TO BE INVOLVED IN SMUGGLING," HE SAID. "THE TASK FORCE IS WORKING EFFECTIVELY IN CO-ORDINATING OUR COMBINED EFFORTS."
/SINCE OPERATIONS .......
SATURDAY, MAY 18, 1991
10
SINCE OPERATIONS BEGAN ON APRIL 23 A TOTAL OF 26 SPEED BOATS BEING MANUFACTURED IN FOUR SHIPYARDS HAD BEEN NEUTRALISED, MR LIM SAID.
"PEOPLE BUILDING BOATS FOR SMUGGLING PURPOSES IN TAI PO AND OTHER AREAS ARE NO LONGER IN BUSINESS."
SUCCESS IN THE OPERATION HAD ALSO BEEN DUE TO THE JOINT EFFORTS OF THE POLICE, CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AND THE MILITARY.
"MUCH OF OUR WORK DEPENDS ON OUR UNDERSTANDING OF EACH OTHERS’ PROBLEMS," MR LIM SAID.
"AS SPEED BOATS ARE NOT ONLY BEING USED FOR SMUGGLING, THEY ARE ALSO BEING USED FOR CARRYING FIREARMS AND PEOPLE COMING INTO THE TERRITORY TO COMMIT CRIMES, WE ARE KEEN TO STOP ALL SPEED BOAT ACTIVITIES BY CLOSING ACCESS OF ENTRY OR EXIT.
"IN DRUGS AND OTHER CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES CONNECTED WITH SPEED BOATS WE NEED TO BE ON TOP OF THE PROBLEM."
-----------------------0-------- NEW-LOOK POLICE MOBILE EXHIBITION ON RECRUITMENT ******
AS SUMMER APPROACHES, THE POLICE MOBILE RECRUITMENT EXHIBITION HAS TAKEN ON A NEW LOOK TO BOOST THE FORCE’S ONGOING EFFORT TO RECRUIT NEW MEMBERS.
A NEW SET OF DISPLAY MATERIALS WAS EXHIBITED AT CITYPLAZA, TAIKOO SHING TODAY (SATURDAY) AND WAS WELL-RECEIVED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
"THE MATERIALS DEPICT VARIOUS ASPECTS OF POLICE WORK," A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE EXHIBITION IS MADE UP OF TWO PARTS. THE FIRST PART CONTAINS GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS AND STARTING SALARIES OF A POLICE CONSTABLE, AND THE OTHER CARRIES A COLLECTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS SHOWING POLICE OFFICERS AT WORK," HE SAID.
DURING THE TWO-DAY EXHIBITION, A TEMPORARY RECRUITMENT COUNTER IS SET UP ON THE SPOT TO ANSWER ENQUIRIES AND TO ACCEPT INITIAL APPLICATIONS.
"ON AVERAGE FOUR EXHIBITIONS ARE HELD EACH MONTH AT POPULAR VENUES IN THE TERRITORY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THROUGH THESE EXHIBITIONS, WE HOPE YOUNG PEOPLE WILL HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORK OF THE POLICE AND WILL BE MOTIVATED TO JOIN THE FORCE."
THE EXHIBITION AT TAIKOO SHING WILL CONTINUE TOMORROW (SUNDAY) FROM 10.30 AM TO 6.30 PM.
------0--------
/Il......
SATURDAY, MAY 18, 1991
11
STRICT ENFORCEMENT ACTION TO CURB ILLEGAL PARKING NEAR BEACHES ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ t ♦
POLICE TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT STRICT ENFORCEMENT ACTION WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED TO CURB ILLEGAL PARKING AT BEACHES AND OTHER LEISURE SPOTS.
AS SUMMER IS APPROACHING, POLICE EXPECT MORE AND MORE PEOPLE WILL GO TO THE BEACHES.
"BEACH-GOERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO MAKE FULL USE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT. HOWEVER, DUE TO LIMITED PARKING FACILITIES, THE PROBLEM OF ILLEGAL PARKING IS SERIOUS," A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THIS YEAR, STRICT ENFORCEMENT ACTION WILL BE IMPLEMENTED WHICH INCLUDES EITHER SUMMONS ACTION OR TOWING.
"WHEN SERIOUS OBSTRUCTION OR DANGER IS CAUSED TO OTHER ROAD-USERS, THE VEHICLE CONCERNED WILL BE TOWED AWAY WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
------------------------0------- TASKFORCE EXPANDED TO SAFEGUARD WORKERS’ BENEFITS
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS SET UP TWO MORE SPECIAL ENFORCEMENT TEAMS (SET) TO STEP UP EFFORTS IN SAFEGUARDING THE STATUTORY BENEFITS OF WORKERS.
"TOGETHER WITH THE FIRST ONE SET UP IN 1988, THE TEAMS ARE MADE UP OF EXPERIENCED LABOUR INSPECTORS TO MONITOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE BY EMPLOYERS," THE SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (LABOUR INSPECTION), MR CHAN KWOK-KUEN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
"THEY VISIT BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY TO ENSURE THAT WORKERS RECEIVE THEIR ENTITLEMENTS TO MATERNITY PROTECTION, REST DAYS, SICKNESS ALLOWANCE, PAID HOLIDAYS AND ANNUAL LEAVE.
"THEY ALSO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS FROM EMPLOYEES AND CHECK WAGE AND EMPLOYMENT RECORDS, WHICH EMPLOYERS ARE REQUIRED TO KEEP," HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID THE SET HAD UP TO LAST MONTH CONDUCTED 5,517 VISITS TO OVER 5,000 ESTABLISHMENTS INCLUDING RESTAURANTS, BOUTIQUES, SHOPS, FACTORIES, CONSTRUCTION SITES AND INCORPORATED OWNERS OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS SINCE 1988.
"WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF EMPLOYERS AND EFFORTS OF THE INSPECTORS, MOST OF THE 405 BREACHES OF THE EMPLOYMENT LAW DETECTED HAVE BEEN RECTIFIED," HE SAID, ADDING THAT 40 EMPLOYERS HAD BEEN PROSECUTED FOR FAILING TO TAKE REMEDIAL ACTION DESPITE WARNINGS.
/IN ADDITION .......
SATURDAY, MAY 18, 1991
IN ADDITION, A FOURTH SET HAS BEEN SET UP TO MONITOR THE CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT OF IMPORTED WORKERS.
"APART FROM ENSURING THE GRANTING OF STATUTORY BENEFITS, THE TEAMS ALSO SEE TO IT THAT EMPLOYERS PROVIDE IMPORTED WORKERS WITH ACCOMMODATION TO THE STANDARD STIPULATED IN THEIR EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS AND CHECK IF THERE IS ANY UNLAWFUL DEDUCTION FROM WAGES," MR CHAN SAID.
- - 0 - -
LIBERAL STUDIES TO BROADEN SIXTH FORM CURRICULUM ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
LIBERAL STUDIES IS ONE OF THE NEW ADVANCED SUPPLEMENTARY (AS)-LEVEL SUBJECTS DEVELOPED IN LINE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WORKING GROUP ON SIXTH FORM EDUCATION TO BROADEN THE SIXTH FORM CURRICULUM.
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, SAID THIS TODAY (SATURDAY) IN OPENING A SEMINAR FOR AS-LEVEL INSTEP COURSES IN LIBERAL STUDIES HELD AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
MR LI SAID TO ASSIST TEACHERS TO TEACH THE NEW AS-LEVEL SUBJECTS MORE EFFECTIVELY, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAD UNDERTAKEN TO FINANCE TRAINING PROGRAMMES AND HAD REQUESTED TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS TO ORGANISE THESE FOR TEACHERS.
HE ADDED THAT THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION OF THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY HAD AGREED TO OFFER THE FIRST OF A SERIES OF TRAINING COURSES.
ON LIBERAL STUDIES, MR LI SAID: "THE SUBJECT IS A CURRICULUM INNOVATION IN TERMS OF CONTENT, STRUCTURE AND TEACHING APPROACH.
"PEDAGOGICALLY, THE AIM OF THE SUBJECT IS TO HELP SIXTH FORM STUDENTS IN HONG KONG TO STRENGTHEN THEIR AWARENESS OF SIGNIFICANT CURRENT ISSUES IN MODERN SOCIETY AND OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT THEY THEMSELVES CAN MAKE."
MR LI SAID LIBERAL STUDIES WOULD BE VALUABLE TO SIXTH FORMERS AS IT WAS DESIGNED TO HELP WIDEN THEIR HORIZONS AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THEY LIVED.
HE EXPLAINED THAT IN ADDITION TO THE PRESENT TRAINING COURSES, THE ADVISORY INSPECTORATE WOULD ALSO ORGANISE REGULAR SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS FOR TEACHERS AND PREPARE RESOURCES FOR THEIR REFERENCE.
GIVEN THE PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT WHICH TEACHERS HAD ALWAYS RENDERED TO CURRICULUM INNOVATIONS, MR LI SAID HE HAD NO DOUBT THAT LIBERAL STUDIES WOULD EVENTUALLY BE IMPLEMENTED SUCCESSFULLY IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
- - 0 - -
/13
SATURDAY, MAY 18, 1991
- 13 -
PROPOSED STREET REALIGNMENT IN SHAM SHUI PO
******
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO REALIGN A SECTION OF PAR WAN STREET BETWEEN BLOCK 9 AND BLOCK 17 OF PAK TIN ESTATE IN SHAM SHUI PO.
THE PROJECT IS TO IMPROVE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AT THE NORTHERN SIDE OF THE MULTI-STOREYED CARPARK AND COMMERCIAL CENTRE AT PAK WAN STREET FOR THE PAK TIN ESTATE REDEVELOPMENT.
THE EXISTING BUS TERMINUS WILL ALSO BE RECONSTRUCTED TO ACCOMMODATE THE END STATIONS OF TWO BUS ROUTES AND TWO GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES.
THE PROPOSED ROADWORKS IS SCHEDULED TO START IN MID-1992 AND WILL LAST ABOUT 12 MONTHS.
PART OF THE WORKS AREA WILL BE CLOSED DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD. HOWEVER, THROUGH TRAFFIC WILL BE MAINTAINED ALONG PAK WAN STREET.
TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE FOR ACCOMMODATING THE EXISTING TERMINATING BUS AND GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE GAZETTE.
THE PLAN AND SCHEME MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
» CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG;
* KOWLOON WEST DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 1OTH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON; AND
* SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, 37-39 TONKIN STREET, GROUND 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 JULY 16 THIS YEAR.
--------0 ----------
/14 ........
SATURDAY, MAY 18, 1991
14
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ♦ * ♦ ♦
DATE
$ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON
17.5.91
480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON
18.5.91
NEUTRAL
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING
NEUTRAL
--------0------------
SPECIAL CAR NUMBERS SOLD BY AUCTION ******
FORTY SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION NUMBERS WERE PUT UP FOR AUCTION THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $958,000 WHICH WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE RECITAL HALL OF THE CITY HALL, SAW THE REGISTRATION NUMBER ECI FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $290,000.
ANOTHER NUMBER DM5 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $80,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1,000 EACH FOR CG557, EP3337, DS3039, ER6623 AND ER6877.
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY’S AUCTION:
$ $ $ $
CG557 1,000 AC213 25,000 BB3538 5,000 ER2328 WITHDRAW
ER315 3,000 BB44 WITHDRAW XX63 65,000 BB421 11,000
EP3337 1,000 ER738 9,000 ER618 30,000 XX510 22,000
AA9911 42,000 BY9904 WITHDRAW BJ3623 7,000 ECI 290,000
DS3039 1,000 1038 75,000 DD62 40,000 AC698 19,000
CE568 6,000 AK731 11,000 ER6877 1,000 ER8384 WITHDRAW
ER6623 1,000 EP1028 10,000 AJ786 34,000 AB863 34,000
AL3223 16,000 DM5 80,000 ER343 4,000 ER707 5,500
ES8168 5,500 ER827 7,000 BM350 9,000 ES628 34,000
BZ950 7,000 EL189 12,000 ESI 13 25,000 ER713 6,000
THERE ARE NO BIDDERS FOR BB44, BY9904, ER2328 AND ER8384. BY9904, ER2328 AND ER8384 WILL BE ASSIGNED TO THE ORIGINAL APPLICANTS WHILE BB44 WILL BE PUT UP FOR SALE IN THE LATER AUCTION.
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 164TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR CHARITY REALISED SO FAR TO $117,856,605.
r
------0--------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, MAY 19, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
REVIEW OF HK'S ELECTORAL SYSTEM TIMELY .................................. 1
NEW UNITED NATIONS ANTI-DRUG CHIEF STOPS OVER IN HONG KONG............... 2
ANTI-DRUG PUBLICITY CAMP FOR JPC MEMBERS ................................ 3
CALL FOR SAFE USE OF STEAM RECEIVERS .................................... 4
FACTORIES REMINDED NOT TO EMPLOY CHILDREN ............................... 5
SHA TO OFFICIATE AT BUN FESTIVAL ........................................ 5
NEW DISTRICT OFFICER FOR KOWLOON CITY ................................... 6
VOLUNTEERS WANTED FOR REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS ....................... 7
NEW I.D. CARDS FOR WOMEN BORN BETWEEN 1916 - 22 ......................... 8
WSD ENQUIRY CENTRE FOR SAI KUNG CONSUMERS ............................... 9
FLUSHING WATER SUSPENSION ............................................... 10
SUNDAY, MAY 19, 1991
REVIEW OF HE’S ELECTORAL SYSTEM TIMELY ******
THE STUDY OF HONG KONG’S ELECTORAL SYSTEM UNDERTAKEN BY THE LONDON-BASED ELECTORAL REFORM SOCIETY (ERS) IS TIMELY BECAUSE THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT PLANS TO REVIEW THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM AND LEGISLATION IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE GAINED IN THE VARIOUS ELECTIONS HELD THIS YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE STUDY WOULD CERTAINLY BE AN IMPORTANT SOURCE OF INPUT IN THE REVIEW PROCESS, MR SUEN SAID AT A SEMINAR ON DEMOCRACY AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT.
HE SAID THE DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN SEPTEMBER WAS SUCH A SIGNIFICANT EVENT THAT IT WAS INCUMBENT ON THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE A RESPONSIBLE APPROACH, USING A SYSTEM WHICH WAS WELL TRIED OUT AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, ONE WHICH WAS FAMILIAR TO BOTH THE CANDIDATES AND THE ELECTORATE AT LARGE, RATHER THAN EXPERIMENTING WITH NEW ARRANGEMENTS.
ON ELECTION BY FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY, MR SUEN SAID CAREFUL CONSIDERATION WOULD HAVE TO BE GIVEN TO THE CREATION OF NINE MORE NEW FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES BEFORE THE 1995 ELECTIONS.
HE NOTED THAT ERS REPORT HAD RECOMMENDED THAT REGULATIONS BE DEVISED TO PRESCRIBE IN DETAIL THE QUALIFICATION OF ELECTORS, SUCH AS REQUIRING A TWO-YEAR QUALIFYING PERIOD BEFORE AN ORGANISATION COULD BECOME ELIGIBLE TO VOTE IN A FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY.
"THIS PROPOSAL REQUIRES VERY CAREFUL TREATMENT AS IT RAISES A MORE FUNDAMENTAL ISSUE AS TO WHETHER, AND IF SO HOW, WE SHOULD PRESCRIBE TO THE VARIOUS PROFESSIONAL, TRADE OR OTHER WELL-ESTABLISHED ASSOCIATIONS WHICH MAKE UP THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, AS TO WHO SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT BE A MEMBER AND TO QUALIFY TO VOTE AT GENERAL MEETINGS,” HE SAID.
ON VOTER REGISTRATION, MR SUEN SAID HE COULD SEE CERTAIN MERIT IN THE ENUMERATION APPROACH USED IN THE U.K. AND CANADA WHEREBY SPECIAL STAFF WERE EMPLOYED BEFORE A GENERAL ELECTION TO ENUMERATE ALL THE ELECTORS THROUGH DOOR-TO-DOOR VISITS.
"WE PLAN TO STUDY IT IN DETAIL BEFORE A FIRM VIEW IS TAKEN ON THE WAY AHEAD IN THIS CONNEXION," HE SAID.
MR SUEN NOTED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A SUGGESTION THAT FORMER HONG KONG RESIDENTS NOW LIVING OVERSEAS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO VOTE IN HONG KONG. AT PRESENT THE ELECTORAL LAWS ONLY ALLOW \ QUALIFIED PERSON TO REMAIN AN ELECTOR FOR SO LONG AS HE OR SHE IS ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG.
/HE NOTED .......
SUNDAY, MAY 19, 1991
HE NOTED THAT SOME COUNTRIES, SUCH AS THE U.S. AND AUSTRALIA, DID PROVIDE FOR VOTING BY THEIR NATIONALS WHILE RESIDENT OVERSEAS. MANY OTHER COUNTRIES DID NOT PROVIDE FOR SUCH AN ARRANGEMENT AND THESE INCLUDED JAPAN AND CANADA. THE U.K. HAD ONLY INTRODUCED A CATEGORY OF OVERSEAS ELECTORS SINCE 1985.
"IN OUR CASE, OUR ELECTORAL LAWS PROVIDED FOR AN ELECTORAL SYSTEM WHICH IS BASED ON A ’RESIDENCE* RATHER THAN 'NATIONALITY' CRITERIA. THEREFORE TO ADOPT A SYSTEM SIMILAR TO THAT USED IN THE U.S. AND THE U.K. WOULD INVOLVED A MAJOR AND FUNDAMENTAL DEVIATION FROM THE EXISTING SYSTEM WHICH, OUT OF NECESSITY, FOCUSES ON PRESENT RESIDENTS," HE SAID.
"THERE IS NO QUESTION OF INFRINGING BASIC POLITICAL RIGHTS BY ADOPTING THIS APPROACH. OVERSEAS RESIDENTS WHO HAVE SINCE BEEN REGISTERED HERE AND WHO STILL RETAIN ELIGIBILITY RETURNING TO HONG KONG ARE WELCOME TO VOTE."
ON A SUGGESTION THAT AN INDEPENDENT ELECTION OR BOUNDARIES COMMISSION SHOULD BE SET UP TO LOOK INTO THE ISSUES OF HOW CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES WERE DRAWN, MR SUEN SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD NO PHILOSOPHICAL PROBLEM WITH THE GENERAL CONCEPT RAISED IN THIS REGARD. BUT THE GOVERNMENT DID NEED TIME TO THINK THROUGH THE IDEA AND ITS PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS.
HE ADDED THAT THE REVIEW OF HONG KONG'S ELECTORAL SYSTEM MUST ALSO HAVE REGARD TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL ASPECTS OF THE ELECTORAL PROCESS.
"AMONG OTHER THINGS, WE MUST ENSURE THAT THE INSTITUTIONAL, LEGISLATIVE, AND PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE COMPATIBLE NOT ONLY WITH THE PRESENT CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK BUT ALSO WITH THE FRAMEWORK SET OUT IN THE BASIC LAW.
"ONLY BY DOING THIS CAN WE BE SURE THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTED IN 1995 WILL HAVE A SMOOTH PASSAGE ACROSS THE 1997 DIVIDE," HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
NEW UNITED NATIONS ANTI-DRUG CHIEF STOPS OVER IN HONG KONG
******
THE NEWLY APPOINTED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL DRUG CONTROL PROGRAMME (UNI)CP), MR GIORGIO GIACOMELLI, STOPPED IN HONG KONG BRIEFLY THIS (SUNDAY) EVENING.
MR GIACOMELLI, WITH A PARTY OF COLLEAGUES, HAD JUST CONCLUDED A ONE WEEK VISIT TO (’HINA, WHERE HE WAS ENGAGED IN TOP LEVEL TALKS WITH THE GOVERNMENTS OF CHINA AND MYANMAR. THE TALKS WERE AIMED AT CO! LIDATING AND TAKING FORWARD THE UN SUB-REGIONAL MASTERPLAN FOR THE ERADICATION OF OPIUM PRODUCTION AND TRAFFICKING IN THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE: AREA.
/MR GIACOMELLI
SUNDAY, MAY 19, 1991
3
MR GIACOMELLI ARRANGED TO STOP-OVER IN HONG KONG FOLLOWING AN INVITATION BY HONG KONG’S COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR DAVID WEEKS, WHO MET MR GIACOMELLI IN VIENNA TWO WEEKS AGO AT THE 34TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON NARCOTICS DRUGS.
DURING HIS VISIT, MR GIACOMELLI VISITED THE ROBERT BLACK METHADONE CLINIC AT SAN PO KONG, WHERE HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE METHADONE PROGRAMME BY DR BOSCO LEUNG, THE SENIOR MEDICAL OFFICER IN CHARGE.
HE WAS LATER BRIEFED BY DR GERALD CHOA, CHAIRMAN OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS, MR ALISTAR ASPREY, SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, AND MR WEEKS ON THE CURRENT SITUATION AS REGARDS DRUGS IN HONG KONG AND IN THE REGION.
AT THE MEETING, MR GIACOMELLI NOTED THE SUCCESSES WHICH HONG KONG IS ACHIEVING IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUG ABUSE AND TRAFFICKING, AND WAS PARTICULARLY APPRECIATIVE OF THE LEADING ROLE HONG KONG PLAYS IN PROVIDING ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING FOR PROFESSIONALS FROM THROUGHOUT ASIA WHO ARE INVOLVED IN VARIOUS ASPECTS OF ANTI-DRUG WORK.
HE ALSO DISCUSSED WITH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS THE POSSIBILITY OF HONG KONG PLAYING AN EVEN GREATER ROLE, IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE UNDCP, IN TRAINING AND ADVISING LAW-ENFORCEMENT, EDUCATION, SOCIAL WORK AND MEDICAL PERSONNEL FROM ELSEWHERE IN THE ASIA/PACIFIC REGION.
------0-------
ANTI-DRUG PUBLICITY CAMP FOR JPC MEMBERS ♦ *»**»»
SOME 250 JUNIOR POLICE CALL (JPC) MEMBERS CAME OUT FROM A TWO-DAY CAMP AT SAI KUNG TODAY (SUNDAY) WISER ABOUT THE DRUG PROBLEM.
WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LIONS CLUBS DISTRICT 303 HONG KONG AND MACAU, THE CAMP WAS SPECIALLY ORGANISED TO PUBLICISE ANTI-DRUG MESSAGES AMONG JPC MEMBERS.
TWO SEMINARS ON THE DANGER OF DRUG ABUSE WERE CONDUCTED BY THE STAFF OF SOCIETY FOR THE AID AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG ABUSERS.
"IT IS HOPED THAT PARTICIPANTS WILL PASS ON WHAT THEY HAVE LEARNT AT THE CAMP TO THEIR RELATIVES AND FRIENDS," A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THIS WILL HELP SPREAD THE ANTI-DRUG MESSAGES AMONG THE YOUNG GENERATION," HE SAID.
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/4 ........
SUNDAY, MAY 19, 1991
4
CALL FOR SAFE USE OF STEAM RECEIVERS
******
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED FACTORY PROPRIETORS NOT TO USE SUB-STANDARD STEAM RECEIVERS WHICH POSE SERIOUS HAZARDS TO THEIR OPERATORS AND OTHER WORKERS NEARBY.
"IT IS IMPORTANT FOR OWNERS OF STEAM RECEIVERS TO CONSULT AN APPOINTED EXAMINER OR BOILER INSPECTOR BEFORE THE PURCHASE, EXTENSIVE REPAIR OR ALTERATIONS TO SUCH EQUIPMENT," THE DEPARTMENT’S PRINCIPAL SURVEYOR, MR M.R. MIRZA, SAID.
MR MIRZA SAID SUB-STANDARD CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM RECEIVERS WAS OFTEN THE CAUSE OF SERIOUS ACCIDENTS, NOTING THAT A FACTORY PROPRIETOR WAS KILLED AND TWO WORKERS INJURED IN TWO ACCIDENTS LAST YEAR.
"THE ACCIDENTS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF THE PROPRIETORS HAD BEEN MORE CAREFUL IN THE CHOICE OF MANUFACTURERS AND REPAIRING CONTRACTORS," HE SAID.
"MANUFACTURERS OF RECEIVERS WHO FAIL TO OBSERVE THE USUAL ENGINEERING PRACTICE FOR WELDING WILL CAUSE SUB-STANDARD WORKMANSHIP IN CONSTRUCTION," HE ADDED.
FOR THE SAFETY OF THEMSELVES AND THEIR WORKERS, FACTORY PROPRIETORS SHOULD ONLY USE STEAM MANIFOLDS WHICH ARE CONSTRUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOGNISED ENGINEERING PRACTICES, SUCH AS THE BRITISH STANDARD SPECIFICATION OR AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING CODES.
"ALSO PROPER STANDARDS OF WELDING SHOULD BE MAINTAINED WHEN CARRYING OUT REPAIR OR FABRICATION WORK ON PRESSURE PARTS OF PRESSURE EQUIPMENT," MR MIRZA SAID.
HE SAID IT WAS AN OFFENCE TO USE SUB-STANDARD STEAM RECEIVERS WHICH COULD NOT BE REGISTERED IN HONG KONG, AND OWNERS OF SUCH EQUIPMENT WERE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION.
ADVICE ON THE SAFE USE OF STEAM RECEIVERS AND A LIST OF APPOINTED EXAMINERS OR BOILER INSPECTORS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE PRESSURE EQUIPMENT DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON THE 17TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, OR BY DIALLING 852 4182 OR 852 4184.
------0------------
/5 ........
SUNDAY, MAY 19, 1991
5 -
FACTORIES REMINDED NOT TO EMPLOY CHILDREN
******
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS NOT TO TAKE ON CHILDREN IN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS.
THE APPEAL FOLLOWED A RECENT CASE AT SHA TIN MAGISTRACY IN WHICH A GARMENT FACTORY WAS FINED $5,000 FOR EMPLOYING A CHILD.
’’DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION OF SISILI GARMENTS FACTORY LTD IN FO TAN, SHA TIN, LABOUR INSPECTORS FOUND A 13-YEAR-OLD CHILD PACKING SKI-JACKETS IN THE FACTORY,” THE SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (PROSECUTIONS), MR TSANG KIN-WOO, SAID.
"ACCORDING TO THE EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN REGULATIONS, CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 15 MUST NOT BE EMPLOYED IN ANY INDUSTRIAL
UNDERTAKING, AND THOSE AGED BETWEEN 13 AND 14 MAY BE EMPLOYED ONLY FOR PART-TIME JOBS IN A NON-INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENT SUBJECT TO
CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS," MR TSANG EXPLAINED.
"ANY EMPLOYER WHO BREACHES THE PROVISIONS ON THE EMPLOYMENT OF
CHILDREN IN INDUSTRY IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $20,000,” HE SAID-
--------0-----------
SHA TO OFFICIATE AT BUN FESTIVAL
* * * * *
THOUSANDS OF LOCAL AND OVERSEAS VISITORS ARE EXPECTED TO TO CHEUNG CHAU ON THURSDAY (MAY 23) TO SEE THE ISLANDERS’ PROCESSION TO CELEBRATE THE ANNUAL BUN FESTIVAL.
FLOCK
GRAND
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER TSAO, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE FUNCTION ORGANISED BY THE CHEUNG CHAU RURAL COMMITTEE AND THE CHEUNG CHAU "TA CHIU” 1991 COMMITTEE.
THE TWO-HOUR PROCESSION, INVOLVING SEVERAL HUNDRED SCHOOL CHILDREN, WILL START
ABOUT
AT 2
_________ ___ - PM
TEMPLE AND ZIG-ZAG THROUGH THE BUSTLING ALLEYS TO FUNG FRONT OF THE TIN HAU TEMPLE AT TAI SHEK HAU.
2,000 PEOPLE
FROM PAK
SHUI LANE
AND TEI
IN
AFTER PERFORMING AT FUNG SHUI LANE, THE PROCESSION WILL MAKE A CIRCUIT OF CHEUNG CHAU TOWN AND RETURN TO PAK TEI TEMPLE.
THERE WILL BE 13 FLOATS, LION AND UNICORN DANCES, FLAG PARADES, CHINESE FOLK DANCES AND FESTIVAL MUSIC FEATURING DRUMS AND GONGS.
SHRINES OF DEITIES AND THE FAMED SWORD OF THE GOD, PAK TEI. WILL ALSO BE FEATURED.
/THE BUN
SUNDAY, MAY 19, 1991
6
THE BUN FESTIVAL, HELD TO APPEASE THE HAUNTING SPIRITS OF PEOPLE KILLED BY PIRATES ON THE ISLAND IN THE EARLY DAYS, HAS BEEN ORGANISED ANNUALLY WITHOUT INTERRUPTION FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY.
CELEBRATIONS OF THE WEEK-LONG FESTIVAL,- FEATURING DAILY CANTONESE OPERA SHOWS, AN EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY FOR LIONS AND UNICORNS, A GHOST-WORSHIPPING CEREMONY, A SMALLER SCALE PROCESSION AND DISTRIBUTION OF BUNS, WILL START TOMORROW (MONDAY) WITH THE CLIMAX -THE GRAND PROCESSION - ON THURSDAY.
AS AN ACT OF SINCERITY AND HUMILITY, THE ISLANDERS WILL NOT TAKE MEAT FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE DAYS FROM TUESDAY AND NO ANIMAL WILL BE SLAUGHTERED DURING THIS PERIOD.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CHEUNG CHAU BUN FESTIVAL PROCESSION WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2 PM ON THURSDAY (MAY 23).
PRESS BADGES FOR THE EVENT ARE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE NEWS AND PUBLICITY DIVISION OF THE CNTA HEADQUARTERS, 30TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI. PLEASE NOTE THAT EACH ORGANISATION WILL ONLY BE GIVEN ONE BADGE.
--------0-----------
NEW DISTRICT OFFICER FOR KOWLOON CITY *****
MR WILLIAM YAP HAS BEEN APPOINTED DISTRICT OFFICER OF KOWLOON CITY WITH EFFECT FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY), THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY).
HE SUCCEEDS MR DUNCAN PESCOD WHO WILL TAKE UP THE POST OF PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (HEADQUARTERS) IN CNTA HEADQUARTERS.
MR YAP JOINED THE GOVERNMENT AS AN EXECUTIVE OFFICER IN 1970 AND BECAME AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN 1973.
HE HAS SUBSEQUENTLY SERVED IN A NUMBER OF POLICY BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING THE FINANCE BRANCH, LANDS BRANCH, CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH, HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH, AND SECURITY BRANCH.
HE WAS CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (SOUTHERN) IN THE THE DISTRICT OFFICER (ISLANDS) FROM 1983 TO 1985.
70’S AND WAS
MR YAP’S LAST POSTING WAS CIVIL SECRETARY IN THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
- 0---------
/7........
SUNDAY, MAY 19, 1991
VOLUNTEERS WANTED FOR REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS
******
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS TO HELP IN THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS.
PEOPLE, AGED 21 OR ABOVE, WITH SECONDARY SCHOOL EDUCATION, MATURE PERSONALITY AND WILLING TO SACRIFICE ONE’S OWN LEISURE TIME TO SERVE OTHERS WITHOUT ANY MONETARY REWARD ARE INVITED TO JOIN THE VOLUNTEER SCHEME FOR PROBATIONERS (VSP).
THE SCHEME WAS SET UP IN 1976 TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS AND PARTICIPATION IN HELPING OFFENDERS.
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (SUNDAY) SAID THE SCHEME AIMED TO PROMOTE PUBLIC INTEREST AND CONCERN TOWARDS HELPING AND REHABILITATING OFFENDERS AND BY SO DOING BRINGING GREATER COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND STRONGER COMMUNITY ACTION AGAINST CRIME.
"IT ALSO HELPS TO MEET THE SPECIFIC NEED OF SUITABLE PROBATIONERS THROUGH SERVICE OFFERED BY VOLUNTEERS AND COMPLEMENT THE EFFORT OF PROBATION OFFICERS IN THE SOCIAL REHABILITATION OF PROBATIONERS," HE ADDED.
SELECTED VOLUNTEERS WOULD BE GIVEN A BRIEFING BEFORE THEY START TO ASSIST THE PROBATION OFFICERS BY BEFRIENDING, HELPING AND ADVISING PROBATIONERS ON A PERSONAL BASIS.
"THE PERIOD OF SERVICE IS NORMALLY SIX MONTHS, BUT THE VOLUNTEER MAY SERVE FOR FURTHER TERMS FOR THE SAME OR ■ OTHER OFFENDERS," HE SAID.
FORMER VOLUNTEERS OF THE SCHEME ARE WELCOMED TO APPLY AGAIN.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE CENTRE FOR VSP ON THE 19TH FLOOR, WORLD TRADE CENTRE, 280 GLOUCESTER ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY AND PROBATION OFFICES ATTACHED TO THE MAGISTRACIES.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE VSP CENTRE ON OR BEFORE JUNE 10.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SCHEME CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 895 4190.
--------0-----------
/8 ........
SUNDAY, MAY 19, 1991
8
NEW I.D. CARDS FOR WOMEN BORN BETWEEN 1916 - 22 *****
WOMEN BORN IN 1916, 1917, 1918, 1919, 1920, 1921 AND 1922 ARE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY) TO JULY 6.
WOMEN OF THE ABOVE AGE GROUP SHOULD CALL AT ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT NEW I.D. CARD ISSUE OFFICES DURING THIS PERIOD.
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 MAKE USE OF THE PHONE-IN SERVICE TO ARRANGE FOR AN APPOINTMENT BY CALLING THE OFFICES OF THEIR CHOICE.
THE ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE ISSUE OFFICES ARE:
HONG KONG : BASEMENT, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI TEL. NO. 574 7070
EAST KOWLOON : AMOY PLAZA, SECOND FLOOR, 77 NGAU TAU KOK ROAD, NGAU TAU KOK TEL. NO. 755 3669
WEST KOWLOON : CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SECOND FLOOR, 393 CANTON ROAD, YAU MA TEI TEL. NO. 723 2424
TSUEN WAN : EAST ASIA COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 29-37 TSUEN FU STREET TEL. NO. 498 .0117
SHA TIN : SHOP 8A, SECOND FLOOR, CHANWAY SHOPPING CENTRE, 11-17 SHATIN CENTRE STREET TEL. NO. 605 9108
YUEN LONG : HOP YICK CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, 31 HOP YICK ROAD TEL. NO. 477 1543
TUEN MUN : CHI LOK COMMERCIAL CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, CHI LOK FA YUEN TEL. NO. 458 0646
SHEUNG SHUI : TSUEN WO TAI LAU, GROUND FLOOR, 82-84 SAN FUNG AVENUE, SHEK WU HUI TEL. NO. 672 7191
"APPLICANTS NORMALLY NEED TO BRING ALONG THEIR EXISTING I.D. i CARDS IF THEIR CARDS WERE FIRST REGISTERED NOT LESS THAN SEVEN YEARS AGO AND BEAR THE «** SYMBOL," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
/"HOWEVER, IF ........
SUNDAY, MAY 19, 1991
9 -
HOWEVER, IF THE APPLICANT’S l.D. CARD WAS FIRST REGISTERED LESS THAN SEVEN YEARS AGO OR DOES NOT HAVE THE *** SYMBOL, SHE IS REQUIRED TO FURNISH MORE PERSONAL PROOFS,” HE ADDED.
IN ADDITION TO PRODUCING HER EXISTING l.D. CARD, THE SPOKESMAN SAID 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.
IN SOME CASES, APPLICANTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THEIR CLAIM TO HAVE THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG. IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, THEY WILL BE ADVISED INDIVIDUALLY.
”AS THE APPLICANTS IN THE COMING PHASE ARE OVER 65 YEARS OLD, SOME MAY, DUE TO HEALTH REASONS, FIND IT INCONVENIENT TO GO TO THE ISSUE OFFICES AND WISH TO BE EXEMPTED FROM THE REGISTRATION OF NEW IDENTITY CARDS.
’’THEY MAY APPLY IN WRITING FOR A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION UNDER THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS REGULATIONS,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO APPLY FOR A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED TO TELEPHONE THE DEPARTMENT’S INFORMATION OFFICE ON 824 6111.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT THERE WILL BE NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
---------0-----------
WSD ENQUIRY CENTRE FOR SAI KUNG CONSUMERS ******
SAI KUNG RESIDENTS ARE REMINDED THAT THEY CAN VISIT THE CONSUMER ENQUIRY CENTRE OF WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT WHICH IS CONVENIENTLY LOCATED IN THE SAI KUNG TOWN CENTRE ON MONDAYS FOR WATER SUPPLY ENQUIRIES.
THE CENTRE, ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING AT MAN NIN STREET, OPENS FROM 8.30 AM TO 1 PM AND 2 PM TO 4.30 PM EVERY MONDAY FOLLOWING REVISED SCHEDULE FROM FEBRUARY.
AN AVERAGE OF SOME 12 ENQUIRIES ARE DEALT WITH BY THE CENTRE ON EACH WORKING DAY.
CENTRE STAFF ANSWER GENERAL WATER ACCOUNT ENQUIRIES AND HANDLE DISTRIBUTION AND COLLECTION OF APPLICATION FORMS AND LEAFLETS FOR SERVICES SUCH AS CONNECTION OF SUPPLY, METER TESTS AND CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP.
/A SPOKESMAN .......
SUNDAY, MAY 19, 1991
- 10 -
SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT SAID APART FROM PERSON CONSUMERS CAN ALSO MAKE THEIR
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER CALLING ON THE ENQUIRY CENTRE IN APPLICATIONS FOR WATER WORKS SERVICE BY POST.
HE ADDED THAT TO FACILITATE CONSUMERS, A SERVICE AT THE DEPARTMENT’S HEAD OFFICE IN WAN CHAI HANDLE 25 INCOMING CALLS AT ONE TIME. THE
TELEPHONE ENQUIRY IS AVAILABLE TO TELEPHONE NUMBER
IS 824 5000.
--------0-----------
FLUSHING WATER SUSPENSION
*****
BE
TO
SUPPLY
TURNED OFF FACILITATE
OF FLUSHING WATER TO SOME PREMISES IN
FROM 9.30 AM ON TUESDAY (MAY 21) TO 9.30 AM ON
MAINS CONNECTION WORKS.
TAI KOK TSUI WILL
THURSDAY
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT PREMISES IN TAI SYCAMORE STREET, MAPLE STREET, WILLOW STREET, WALNUT
KOK TSUI ROAD, STREET AND FUK
TSUN STREET.
---------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, MAY 20, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK'S TRADE WITH CHINA OF OUTWARD PROCESSING NATURE...................... 1
SPORTS EVENTS TO CELEBRATE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY ............................ 3
JUDICIARY SEEKS FUNDS TO IMPROVE MAGISTRACIES' SERVICE ................. 5
LAND EXPERT TO ATTEND INT'L SYMPOSIUM .................................. 6
HK/GUANGDONG CUSTOMS ANNUAL MEETING .................................... 6
FIVE QUESTIONS, EIGHT BILLS ON LEGCO AGENDA............................. 7
NEW RS TO START WORK TOMORROW .......................................... 8
WORSHIPPERS TO CELEBRATE TAM KUNG FESTIVAL ............................. 8
1991 HONG KONG BAND CLINIC TO BE HELD IN SUMMER ........................ 9
NOISE ABATEMENT WORKS IN THREE GOVT SCHOOLS ............................ 9
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............. 10
MONDAY, MAY 20, 1991
1
UK’S TRADE WITH CHINA OF OUTWARD
PROCESSING NATURE
IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990, SOME 62% OF HONG KONG’S IMPORTS FROM CHINA WAS RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING.
ON THE OTHER HAND, SOME 60% OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA WAS FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING; THE FIGURE WAS 80% FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS. AND 51% FOR RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA.
THE CORRESPONDING PROPORTIONS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1989 WERE 59% FOR IMPORTS, 56% FOR TOTAL EXPORTS, 78% FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND 47% FOR RE-EXPORTS.
IN 1990, SOME G2% OF HONG KONG’S IMPORTS FROM CHINA WAS RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING.
ON THE OTHER HAND, SOME 59% OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA WAS FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING; THE FIGURE WAS 79% FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS, AND 50% FOR RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA.
THE CORRESPONDING PROPORTIONS IN 1989 WERE 58% FOR IMPORTS, 53% FOR TOTAL EXPORTS, 76% FOR DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND 44% FOR RE-EXPORTS.
TO PROVIDE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE NATURE AND IMPORTANCE OF OUTWARD PROCESSING IN CHINA BY HONG KONG FIRMS, THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN CONDUCTING A SAMPLE SURVEY AS FROM THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1988 TO DISTINGUISH HONG KONG’S EXPORTS TO CHINA -BOTH DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS - INTO THOSE WHICH ARE FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING AND THOSE WHICH ARE NOT.
THE SCOPE OF THE SURVEY HAS ALSO BEEN EXTENDED AS FROM THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1989 SO AS TO SEGREGATE HONG KONG’S IMPORIS FROM CHINA INTO THOSE WHICH ARE RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING AND THOSE WHICH ARE NOT.
THE RESULTS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER AND THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1990 ARE NOW AVAILABLE.
IN VALUE TERMS, SOME $42,922 MILLION OF IMPORTS FROM CHINA IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990 WERE RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 36% OVER THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1989.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING INCREASED BY 34% TO $27,086 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING GREW BY 21% TO $10,353 MILLION AND 43% TO $16,733 MILLION RESPECTIVELY.
IN 1990, SOME $145,103 MILLION OF IMPORTS FROM CHINA WERE RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 28% OVER 1989.
/OVER THE........
MONDAY, MAY 20, 1991
- 2 -
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING INCREASED BY 20% TO $91,914 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING GREW BY 14% TO $36,418 MILLION AND 24% TO $55,496 MILLION RESPECTIVELY.
THE ESTIMATES FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER AND THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1990 AND THE CORRESPONDING CHANGES OVER THE SAME PERIOD TN 1989 ARE SUMMARISED IN THE TABLE BELOW.
TOTAL VALUE OF TRADE WITH CHINA \ND ESTIMATED VALUE AND PROPORTION OF TRADE OF OUTWARD PROCESSING NATURE, FOURTH QUARTER AND THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1990
TOTAL TRADE VALUE * : 4 TH QTR 1990 (HKD MN) PERCENTAGE PERCENTAGE CHANGE OVER 1989
CHANGE OVER 4TH QTR 1989 1990 (HKD MN)
(%) (%)
IMPORTS FROM CHINA 69,000 + 29.3 234,708 + 20.1
TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA 45,515 + 26.5 156,422 + 7.8
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA 12,945 + 17.9 46, 103 + 9.6
RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA 32,571 + 30.3 110,319 + 7.1
ESTIMATED \\LUE OF OUTWARD PROCESSING TRADE :
IMPORTS FROM CHINA 42,922 + 35.9 145,103 + 27.8
TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA 27,086 + 33.6 91,914 + 19.6
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA 10,353 + 21.2 36,418 + 13.9
RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA 16,733 + 42.7 55,496 + 23.6
ESTIMATED PROPORTION OF OUTWARD PROCESSING TRADE
4 TH 4 TH
QTR QTR
1990 1989 1990 1989
(%) (%) (%) (%)
IMPORTS FROM CHINA 62.2 59.2 61.8 58.1
TOTAL EXPORTS TO CHINA 59.5 56.3 58.8 53.0
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA 80.0 77.8 79.0 76.0
RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA 51.4 4 6.9 50.3 4 3.6
t THE VALUE EXCLUDES COMMODITIES AND TRANSACTIONS NO'I CLASSIFIED
ACCORDING TO KIND.
/FOR THE ........
MONDAY, MAY 20, 1991
- 3 -
FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY, EXPORTS TO CHINA FOR OUTWARD PROCESSING REFER TO THE EXPORTING OF RAW MATERIALS OR SEMIMANUFACTURES FROM OR THROUGH HONG KONG TO CHINA FOR PROCESSING, WITH THE RESULTING PROCESSED GOODS BEING SUBSEQUENTLY RE-IMPORTED INTO HONG KONG.
IMPORTS FROM CHINA RELATED TO OUTWARD PROCESSING REFER TO THE IMPORTING OF GOODS FROM CHINA OF WHICH ALL OR PART OF THEIR RAW MATERIALS OR SEMI-MANUFACTURES ARE UNDER CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENT EXPORTED FROM OR THROUGH HONG KONG TO CHINA FOR PROCESSING.
A SAMPLE OF TRADE DECLARATIONS IN RESPECT OF HONG KONG’S TRADE WITH CHINA (IMPORTS FROM CHINA, DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA) ARE SELECTED FOR ENUMERATION TO OBTAIN THE REQUIRED INFORMATION FROM ESTABLISHMENTS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED SYSTEM OF RECORDING TRADE FLOWS, ALL MOVEMENTS OF GOODS ACROSS THE BORDER, FOR WHATEVER PURPOSE, ARE RECORDED AS EXTERNAL TRADE. THUS THE MOVEMENTS OF GOODS ASSOCIATED WITH OUTWARD PROCESSING ARE CORRECTLY INCLUDED IN THE REGULAR TRADE STATISTICS.
"THE FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY, HOWEVER, FACILITATE A MORE INFORMED ANALYSIS OF THE NATURE OF HONG KONG-CHINA TRADE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IN THIS RESPECT, THE SURVEY RESULTS ARE A USEFUL SUPPLEMENT TO THE REGULAR TRADE STATISTICS."
THE ABOVE SURVEY’ RESULTS AND MORE DETAILED STATISTICS FOR 1990 WILL BE INCLUDED IN PART I OF THE MARCH 1991 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE", WHICH WILL BE GN SALE AROUND MAY' 22 AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AT $33.50 PER COPY.
---------0-----------
SPORTS EVENTS TO CELEBRATE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY ******
A WIDE RANGE OF SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES WILL BE ORGANISED BY THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS IN VARIOUS SPORTS VENUES, PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS AND SWIMMING POOLS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY TO CELEBRATE THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY ON JUNE 15.
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO SHARE A DAY OF FUN AND GAMES. PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTIVITIES WILL BE FREE OF CHARGE AND THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO TAKE PART.
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, AND LADY WILSON WILL ATTEND THE CELEBRATION ACTIVITIES TO BE HELD AT VICTORIA PARK ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
/THE EVENTS .......
MONDAY, MAY 20, 1991
4 -
THE EVENTS WILL INCLUDE A BAND DISPLAY BY THE FIRST BATTALION OF THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF WALES, BASKETBALL, HANDBALL AND SOCCER MATCHES, CYCLING, TAI-CHI DEMONSTRATION, FUN KART FOR YOUTH, FUN-FISHING, TRAMPOLINING AND PONY RIDING FOR CHILDREN.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG, AND LADY YANG WILL ATTEND THE ACTIVITIES AT THE MORSE PARK IN KOWLOON WHERE THE PROGRAMME WILL START WITH A BAND PERFORMANCE BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE.
SPORTS ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE PARK. THESE INCLUDE GATEBALL, BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL AND SOCCER MATCHES, AQUATIC FUN GAMES, CANOE POLO COMPETITION AND A LEARN-TO-SWIM SESSION.
OTHER RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN THE PARK WILL INCLUDE CHINESE DANCE, LION DANCE, DRAWING AND PAPER CLAY MOULDING COMPETITIONS AND CHINESE SHUTTLECOCK DEMONSTRATION.
IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, THE DEPUTY COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, BRIGADIER M.R.I. CONSTANTINE, WILL JOIN THE PUBLIC IN YUEN LONG STADIUM WHERE HE WILL SEE PARACHUTING DISPLAY, MARCHING BAND PERFORMANCES, HELICOPTER, MILITARY VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT DISPLAYS, AEROBIC DANCE, POTTED SPORTS FOR CHILDREN AND THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, AS WELL AS GAMES FOR THE ELDERLY.
ALSO, A DIVING DEMONSTRATION, A WATER SPORTS CARNIVAL AND A SWIMMING COMPETITION WILL BE HELD IN THE YUEN LONG PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL, IN ADDITION TO VARIOUS OTHER ACTIVITIES AT YUEN LONG TOWN PARK, LUK SAU HALL AND YUEN LONG DISTRICT SPORTS ASSOCIATION.
AS FOR THE OUTLYING ISLANDS, CELEBRATION ACTIVITIES WILL TAKE PLACE AT TUNG WAN ON CHEUNG CHAU STARTING AT 1 PM WHERE THE CHIEF SECRETARY WILL JOIN THE CROWD IN WATCHING SPORTS COMPETITIONS ON SAILING, CANOEING AND WINDSURFING.
THE ACTIVITIES ON CHEUNG CHAU WHICH INCLUDE GAMES, FITNESS EXERCISES, KARAOKE SESSION, CHILDREN’S DRAWING COMPETITION AND MILITARY EQUIPMENT DISPLAY WILL BE HELD AT THE CHEUNG CHAU RURAL COMMITTEE YOUTH CENTRE, TUNG WAN CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND AND SING YAU LEE BASKETBALL COURT.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO TAKE PART IN ANY OF THESE ACTIVITIES MAY CONTACT THE DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE URBAN SERVICES OR THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
------0------------
MONDAY, MAY 20, 1991
5
JUDICIARY SEEKS FUNDS TO IMPROVE MAGISTRACIES’ SERVICE
* * * t t
THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG, TODAY (MONDAY) SAID THE JUDICIARY IS SEEKING FUNDS TO INSTALL A SOPHISTICATED COMPUTER SYSTEM TO IMPROVE THE MANAGEMENT OF SUMMONSES AND CHARGE CASES HANDLED BY THE MAGISTRACIES.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EASTERN LAW COURTS, THE CHIEF JUSTICE SAID WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF CASEMAN, THE COMPUTER SYSTEM, THE QUALITY OF SERVICE OF THE MAGISTRATES COURTS WILL IMPROVE.
THE CENTRAL PROCESSING SUMMONS UNIT, WHICH IS AT THE CORE OF CASEMAN, WILL BE LOCATED IN THE EASTERN LAW COURTS.
THE SYSTEM WILL BE EXPENSIVE. ITS CAPITAL EXPENDITURE WILL BE $17 MILLION, WITH AN ANNUAL RECURRENT EXPENDITURE OF SOME $4 MILLION.
"HOWEVER, SUCH WILL BE THE SAVINGS IN STAFF AND TIME THAT THE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE WILL BE RECOVERED IN FIVE YEARS AND THEREAFTER THERE WILL BE MOUNTING CASH SAVINGS IN THE AREA OF THIS PARTICULAR ACTIVITY," SIR TI LIANG STRESSED.
MORE IMPORTANT OF THE SYSTEM TO THE JUDICIARY THAN THE CASH SAVINGS ARE THE INTANGIBLE BENEFITS, ACCORDING TO THE CHIEF JUSTICE.
"OUR QUALITY OF SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC WILL IMPROVE. THE-HEARING OF CASES WILL BE BETTER SCHEDULED WHICH WILL RESULT IN THE BETTER UTILISATION OF THE MAGISTRATES COURTS.
"WE CAN ALSO TRACK DOWN MORE QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY THOSE PEOPLE WHO DO NOT PAY THEIR FINES," SIR TI LIANG SAID.
HE ADDED THAT EACH OF THE LARGER PROSECUTION DEPARTMENTS WILL HAVE DIRECT ACCESS TO THE COMPUTER AND CONSEQUENTLY, THE MANAGEMENT OF THEIR APPLICATIONS FOR SUMMONS WILL BE OF A MUCH HIGHER STANDARD.
WITH THE CASEMAN, THE SUMMONSES ISSUED WILL BE IN BETTER QUALITY THAN THOSE CURRENTLY USED AND THERE WILL BE A COMPLETE CHINESE TRANSLATION OF THE FORM AND THE CONTENTS OF THE SUMMONS.
"CASEMAN, LIKE THESE LAW COURTS WHICH ARE OPENING TODAY, ARE HIGH QUALITY AND SOPHISTICATED PROJECTS.
"THEY INDICATE, IN MY VIEW, THE COMMITMENT OF THE HONG KONG JUDICIARY TO THE PROVISION OF TOP QUALITY SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC OF HONG KONG AND WE HOPE THAT THE PUBLIC, IN RETURN, WILL BE ABLE TO RECOGNISE THIS COMMITMENT TO LAW AND ORDER AND THE RULE OF LAW," SIR TI LIANG SAID.
PRIOR TO HIS ADDRESS, THE CHIEF JUSTICE, ACCOMPANIED BY A CHIEF ARCHITECT OF THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, MR F. MINU;. THE PROJECT ARCHITECT, MR MOK PAK-KEUNG; THE ACTING REGISTRAR OF SUPREME COURT, MR BRIAN SUTTILL; CHIEF MAGISTRATE, MR RICHARD HAWKES AND THE PRINCIPAL MAGISTRATE OF THE EASTERN MAGISTRACY, MR IAN CANDY; MADE A 30-MINUTE VISIT OF THE EASTERN LAW COURTS.
/THE OPENING........
MONDAY, MAY 20, 1991
- 6 -
THE OPENING CEREMONY WAS ATTENDED BY SOME 150 GUESTS. THEY INCLUDED REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE, THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD, THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE WING HONG CONTRACTORS LIMITED, AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
THE JUDICIARY OCCUPIES EIGHT FLOORS OF THE EASTERN LAW COURTS BUILDING. EIGHT MAGISTRATES COURTS, THE OBSCENE ARTICLES TRIBUNAL, FIVE LABOUR TRIBUNALS AND TWO SPARE COURTS AS FURTHER ROOM FOR EXPANSION ARE ACCOMMODATED.
WORK ON THE BUILDING COMMENCED IN FEBRUARY 1988 AND THE BUILDING WAS COMPLETED IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR.
---------0-----------
LAND EXPERT TO ATTEND INT'L SYMPOSIUM ♦ * ♦ ♦ »
A PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, MR MO CHAN-MING, HAS LEFT FOR PEKING FOR AN INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON VALUATION AND LAND ADMINISTRATION.
THE THREE-DAY SYMPOSIUM, ORGANISED BY THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF SURVEYORS, WILL BE HELD FROM MAY 22 TO 24.
MR MO HAS BEEN INVITED BY THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS, A MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF SURVEYORS. HE WILL ADDRESS THE SYMPOSIUM ON URBAN LAND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.
IN A PAPER ENTITLED "URBAN LAND MANAGEMENT - THE HONG KONG EXPERIENCE", MR MO WILL SPEAK ON TOPICS INCLUDING LAND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES, LAND ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT, URBAN RENEWAL, AND TRANSACTIONS IN HONG KONG.
-----0------
HK/GUANGDONG CUSTOMS ANNUAL MEETING
******
A SEVEN-MEMBER DELEGATION FROM THE GUANGDONG CUSTOMS, LED BY MR YANG JUNSHENG, DIRECTOR OF THE GUANGDONG BRANCH OF CHINA'S CUSTOMS GENERAL ADMINISTRATION, VISITED HONG KONG DURING MAY 12 TO 20 FOR A MEETING WITH SENIOR OFFICIALS OF THE HONG KONG CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT.
THIS WAS THE NINTH ANNUAL MEETING TO REVIEW LIAISON ARRANGEMENTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE TWO ADMINISTRATIONS IN THE AREAS OF INTELLIGENCE ON NARCOTICS AND SMUGGLING, AS WELL AS ANTI-SMUGGLING ACTIVITIES.
USEFUL DISCUSSIONS ON TOPICS OF MUTUAL INTEREST, INCLUDING DRUG TRAFFICKING, CONTROL AT THE LAND BORDER, AND PRACTICAL WAYS TO ENHANCE CO-OPERATION IN ANTI-SMUGGLI NG, WERE ALSO MADE.
/THE GUANGDONG .......
MONDAY, MAY 20, 1991
THE GUANGDONG CUSTOMS DELEGATION ALSO VISITED HONG KONG AIR CARGO TERMINALS LIMITED, TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, CHEK LAP KOK, AND THE VESSEL TRAFFIC CENTRE OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT TO GAIN A BETTER INSIGHT INTO RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG.
THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, MR CLIVE OXLEY, WHO CHAIRED THE MEETING, SAID THERE HAD BEEN REGULAR CONTACTS BETWEEN THE TWO ADMINISTRATIONS SINCE 1981 AND THIS CO-OPERATION HAD HAD A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE ANTI-SMUGGLING EFFORTS OF BOTH ADMINISTRATIONS.
--------0-----------
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 (MAY 22).
OF THE EIGHT BILLS, FIVE WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATES ON THEM WILL BE ADJOURNED.
THEY ARE THE ARBITRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, LEGAL PRACTITIONERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, SURVEYORS REGISTRATION BILL 1991,. PLANNERS REGISTRATION BILL 1991 AND QUEEN ELIZABETH FOUNDATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991.
DEBATES ON THE OTHER THREE BILLS WILL BE RESUMED AND EACH IS DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
THEY ARE THE TRADE MARKS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 AND BUSINESS REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991.
IN ADDITION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE FATAL ACCIDENTS ORDINANCE.
THE HON LEUNG WAI-TUNG WILL MOVE A MOTION ON PROPERTY SPECULATION. THE MOTION READS: "THAT THIS COUNCIL TAKES NOTE OF THE PUBLIC CONCERN EXPRESSED OVER THE SPECULATION OF PRE-COMPLETED DOMESTIC UNITS".
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL SPEAK ON THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION ANNUAL REPORT 1990.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SITTING AND THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR SEATS IN THE PUBLIC GALLERIES BY TELEPHONING 844 0899.
- - 0----------
/8 ........
MONDAY, MAY 20, 1991
8
NEW RS TO START WORK TOMORROW it***
MR ALBERT LAM WILL OFFICIALLY TAKE UP THE POST OF REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES IN THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
AGED 51, MR LAM SERVED IN THE YUEN LONG AND TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICES IN HIS EARLY YEARS OF ADMINISTRATIVE CAREER FROM 1967 TO 1969.
SINCE THEN, MR LAM HAS WORKED IN MANY DIFFERENT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING SERVING AS CITY DISTRICT OFFICER (MONG KOK), THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT FROM 1981 TO 1982, AND THE DEPUTY REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON OF THE CNTA FROM 1982 TO 1985.
IN RECENT YEARS, HE WAS THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN LONDON.
SINCE NOVEMBER 1989, MR LAM HAS BEEN THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT.
------0--------
WORSHIPPERS TO CELEBRATE TAM KUNG FESTIVAL ♦ t t t * ♦
THOUSANDS OF WORSHIPPERS ARE EXPECTED TO PRAY FOR GOOD FORTUNE AND HEALTH WHEN THEY CELEBRATE THE ANNUAL TAM KUNG FESTIVAL IN SHAU KEI WAN TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE TRADITIONAL FESTIVAL, WHICH FALLS ON THE EIGHTH DAY OF THE FOURTH MONTH ON THE LUNAR CALENDAR, IS POPULAR AMONG THE PUBLIC, PARTICULARLY THE FISHING POPULATION.
CELEBRATION ACTIVITIES, RUNNING FROM 8 AM TO 3 PM, WILL INCLUDE A PROCESSION OF LION, DRAGON AND UNICORN DANCES ALONG SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST AS WELL AS THE DISPLAY OF CHINESE HANDICRAFTS NEAR THE TAM KUNG TEMPLE.
THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEVE BARCLAY, WILL VISIT THE TEMPLE AT 11 AM.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE TAM KUNG FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES AND THE VISIT AT 11 AM BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEVE BARCLAY, TO THE TAM KUNG TEMPLE AT SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
------0-----------
/9 ........
MONDAY, MAY 20, 1991
- 9 -
1991 HONG KONG BAND CLINIC TO BE HELD IN SUMMER ******
THE 1991 HONG KONG BAND CLINIC WILL BE HELD FROM JULY 30 TO AUGUST 2 AT THE LEI YUE MUN PARK IN THE EASTERN DISTRICT.
THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE AND TOM LEE MUSIC FOUNDATION AND CO-ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. THE HONG KONG BAND DIRECTORS’ ASSOCIATION ALSO GIVES ITS FULL SUPPORT.
THE BAND CLINIC AIMS TO PROVIDE INTENSIVE TRAINING FOR MUSIC TEACHERS AND BAND MASTERS.
THE ITINERARY OF THE FOUR-DAY EVENT IS PLANNED TO ACHIEVE A BALANCED PROGRAMME IN WHICH STRONG EMPHASIS WILL BE PLACED ON BAND TRAINING METHOD. SESSIONS ON BAND INSTRUMENTS PEDAGOGY AND TWO FORUMS ON SPECIAL TOPICS WILL ALSO BE ARRANGED.
THREE OVERSEAS MUSICIANS WILL BE INVITED TO GIVE LECTURES AND DEMONSTRATIONS. THEY COMPRISE ONE INSTRUCTOR AND TWO BAND DIRECTORS FROM JAPAN AND THE UNITED STATES.
AN INFORMATION CENTRE WILL BE SET UP AT THE VENUE WHERE VARIOUS REFERENCE MATERIALS SUCH AS VIDEO AND AUDIO TAPES, BOOKS, JOURNALS, ELECTRONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS (PLUS COMPUTERS) WILL BE EXHIBITED.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE AND THE TOM LEE COMPANY IN CAMERON LANE, TSIM SHA TSUI .
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE TOM LEE MUSIC FOUNDATION, 15TH FLOOR, WORLD SHIPPING CENTRE, HARBOUR CITY, TSIM SHA TSUI BY MAY 31.
ACCEPTANCE OF APPLICATIONS WILL BE BASED ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 730 1098 EXT. 307.
------0--------
NOISE ABATEMENT WORKS IN THREE GOVT SCHOOLS *****
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR NOISE ABATEMENT WORKS IN THREE GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
THE PROJECT, DEEMED NECESSARY TO MINIMISE NOISE CREATED BY TRAFFIC, INCLUDES THE PROVISION OF DOUBLE GLAZED WINDOWS AND AIR-CONDITIONING TO CLASSROOMS AND SPECIAL ROOMS.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN JULY AND BE COMPLETED BEFORE SEPTEMBER.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JUNE 7.
------0--------
/10......
MONDAY, MAY 20, 1991
10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
HKEF
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 18.5 .91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 20.5 .91 -40
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING + 40
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.7 *+0.2* 20 .5.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE 1 FUND HKEI
91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
QI 15 10.7.91 350 + 130
QI 16 17.7.91 350 + 130
Q117 24.7.91 338.5 +141.5
Q118 31.7.91 450 + 30
QI 19 7.8.91 415 + 65
Q120 14.8.91 380 + 100
Q108 22.5.91 560 -80
Q109 29.5.91 620 -140
QI 10 5.6.91 290 + 190
QI 1 1 12.6.91 394 + 86
QI 1 2 19.6.91 630 -150
QI 13 26.6.91 460 + 20
QI 14 3.7.91 520 -40
/HONG KONG .......
V i A
MONDAY, MAY 20, 1991
- 11 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 182-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEJ
ISSUE NUMBER MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
H164 13.11.91 150 + 110
H003 29.5.91 190 + 70
H004 12.6.91 260 + 0
H005 26.6.91 230 + 30
H101 10.7.91 143 + 117
Hl 56 24.7.91 150 + 110
H157 7.8.91 189.5 + 70.5
H158 21.8.91 140 + 120
H159 4.9.91 150 + 1 10
H160 18.9.91 130 + 130
H161 2.10.91 90 + 170
11162 17.10.91 94 + 166
H163 30.10.91 190 + 70
HON( i KONG GOVERNMENT 364-DAY EXCHANGE EXCHANGE FUND FUND BILLS HKEK
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
Y187 26.2.92 230 + 30
Y188 25.3.92 180 + 80
Y189 22.4.92 190 + 70
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK END I NG 17.5.91 WAS 2,410 MN
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
AMENDMENTS TO LETTERS PATENT AND ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS .................... 1
GOVT'S OBJECT TO TRY REACH AGREEMENT ON NEW AIRPORT SOON ............... 2
BEST FOR AIRPORT TALKS TO CONTINUE: CS ................................. 3
CS VISITS BORDER AREA .................................................. 3
SCS MEETS LORD CAITHNESS IN LONDON ..................................... 4
HK'S TRADE WITH PACIFIC REGION ON THE INCREASE ......................... 5
DB'S TO ELECT MUNICIPAL COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES ........................ 7
ANTI-POLLUTION PROSECUTION CASES IN APRIL .............................. 8
CASH ASSISTANCE TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ............................ 19
SPECIAL STAMPS ON TRANSPORT SOON ON SALE ............................... 19
APPLICATIONS FOR UK PASSPORTS TO BE PROCESSED IN HK FROM JUNE 1 ........ 21
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND ..................................... 21
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............. 22
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1991
AMENDMENTS TO LETTERS PATENT AND ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS
******
TWO CONSTITUTIONAL INSTRUMENTS AMENDING THE HONG KONG LETTERS PATENT AND ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS WERE GAZETTED TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE HONG KONG LETTERS PATENT 1991 (NO. 1), WHICH WILL TAKE EFFECT TOMORROW, ADDS A NEW PROVISION TO ARTICLE XIV OF THE LETTERS PATENT TO CONFIRM THAT THE GOVERNOR CAN DELEGATE HIS POWER OF APPOINTING PUBLIC OFFICERS.
EXCEPTIONS ARE MADE ONLY FOR THE OFFICES OF JUDGES OF THE SUPREME COURT AND THE DISTRICT COURT, CHIEF SECRETARY, ATTORNEY GENERAL, AND FINANCIAL SECRETARY. THE POWER TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS TO THESE OFFICES CANNOT BE DELEGATED UNDER THE NEW PROVISION.
ALSO INCLUDED IN THE HONG KONG LETTERS PATENT 1991 (NO. 1) IS A PROVISION TO REMOVE ANY DOUBT AS TO THE VALIDITY OF APPOINTMENTS PREVIOUSLY MADE BY ANY PERSON TO WHOM THE POWER OF APPOINTMENT UNDER ARTICLE XIV HAD BEEN DELEGATED.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALWAYS HELD THE VIEW THAT THE GOVERNOR MAY DELEGATE HIS POWER OF APPOINTMENT UNDER. ARTICLE XIV.
"IT IS RECOGNISED HOWEVER THAT THERE ARE DIFFERENT LEGAL VIEWS ON THIS POINT AND THAT IT IS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO AVOID DISPUTES ON WHAT MAY BE SEEN AS A FUNDAMENTAL ISSUE BY MAKING EXPLICIT PROVISIONS IN THE LETTERS PATENT.
"THIS HAS NOW BEEN ACCOMPLISHED BY THE HONG KONG LETTERS PATENT 1991 (NO. 1)," HE SAID.
THE HONG KONG ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS 1991, WHICH COME INTO FORCE TODAY, MAKE SEVERAL AMENDMENTS TO THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS:
* FIRST, THE EXISTING CLAUSE XIX OF THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS, WHICH DEALS WITH THE VALIDITY OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND QUORUM OF THE COUNCIL, HAS BEEN REPLACED BY TWO MORE DETAILED PROVISIONS.
THE FIRST PROVISION VALIDATES THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNCIL NOTWITHSTANDING ANY VACANCY OR ANY DEFECT IN THE ELECTION, APPOINTMENT OR QUALIFICATION OF ANY MEMBER. SIMILAR PROVISIONS ALREADY EXIST TO VALIDATE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, AND THE DISTRICT BOARDS.
THE SECOND PROVISION PRESCRIBES THE PROCEDURE TO BE FOLLOWED WHEN THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS PRESENT IN A MEETING OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FALLS BELOW THE QUORUM.
/* SECONDLY, UNDER .........
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1991
- 2 -
♦ SECONDLY, UNDER EXISTING CLAUSE XXI(l), THE GOVERNOR IS REQUIRED TO PRESIDE OVER MEETINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AS FAR AS PRACTICABLE. THIS CLAUSE IS NOW AMENDED SO THAT THE GOVERNOR WILL BE REQUIRED TO PRESIDE OVER LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETINGS ONLY WHEN HE IS PRESENT AT SUCH MEETINGS.
THE INCREASED FLEXIBILITY WILL ENABLE THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL, WHO WILL TAKE OFFICE AT 'I HE BEGINNING OF THE NEW LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SESSION IN OCTOBER, TO PLAY A MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN PRESIDING OVER THE COUNCIL’S MEETINGS.
♦ FINALLY, THERE IS A MINOR AMENDMENT TO CLAUSE XXVIII A(1) TO CLARIFY THAT, WHERE THE CLAUSE REFERS TO THE ANNIVERSARY OF AN ELECTION AND THAT ELECTION HAPPENS TO BE HELD ON MORE THAN ONE DAY, IT IS THE FIRST DAY OF THAT ELECTION THAT IS BEING REFERRED TO.
THE NEED FOR THIS AMENDMENT ARISES FROM THE FACT THAT THIS SEPTEMBER’S ELECTION FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL TAKE PLACE ON TWO DIFFERENT DAYS, THAT IS SEPTEMBER 12 FOR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTIONS AND SEPTEMBER 15 FOR DIRECT ELECTIONS.
------0--------
GOVT’S OBJECT TO TRY REACH AGREEMENT ON NEW AIRPORT SOON
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (TUESDAY) SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S OBJECT IN THE CURRENT DISCUSSIONS IN PEKING ON THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT, IS TO TRY TO REACH AN AGREEMENT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE SO THAT IT WILL ENABLE US TO CARRY OUT THE PROJECT PROPERLY.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING, SIR DAVID SAID BOTH SIDES HAD BEEN MAKING AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF EFFORT AS A GREAT DEAL OF HARD WORK HAD GONE INTO THE DISCUSSIONS O\ER THE PAST FEW DAYS.
"OUR HOPE IS TO TRY TO REACH AN AGREEMENT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, BUT IT’S GOT TO BE AN AGREEMENT WHICH ACTUALLY WORKS IN PRACTICE AND ENABLES US TO CARRY OUT THE PROJECT IN A SENSIBLE MANNER,” HE SAID.
’’THE TWO SIDES HAVE GOT TO UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS OF THE OTHER SIDE; TRY TO MEET THEM IF THEY POSSIBLY CAN. ON OUR SIDE, WE ARE WILLING TO LOOK AT CHINESE CONCERNS, TO TRY TO SEE IF THERE ARE WAYS THAT WE CAN MEET REASONABLE CONCERNS.
”WE HAVE OUR OWN CONCERNS ON OUR SIDE, AND WE LOOK TO THE CHINESE TO REACH THE SORT OF AGREEMENT WHICH MATCHES OUR CONCERNS,” SIR DAVID SAID.
/HE SAID .......
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1991
- 3 -
HE SAI!) THE GOVERNMENT. KEEPS IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH THE NEGOTIATING TEAM IN PEKING: "WE HAVE SIGNIFICANT REPRESENTATION ON THAT TEAM, SO WE WISH TO KNOW WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON DURING THE COURSE OF THE DAY AND TO PROVIDE OUR OWN ADVICE FROM HERE TO THE NEGOTIATING TEAM FOR THE NEXT DAY’S DISCUSSIONS."
ASKED IF TENDERS FOR THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING WOULD BE PUT BACK EVEN IF NO AGREEMENT HAD BEEN REACHED, SIR DAVID SAID, WHILE EMPHASISING THAT THE NEGOTIATING TEAM WAS TRYING TO REACH AN AGREEMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE: "IF WE CAN’T REACH AN AGREEMENT THEN THERE IS SOME VARIOUS, OBVIOUS PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS TO THAT."
------0--------
BEST FOR AIRPORT TALKS TO ('ONT I NUE: CS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT IT WAS BEST THAT THE TALKS ON THE NEW AIRPORT CONTINUED, THAT EVERYONE CONTINUED TO MAKE THE BEST EFFORT POSSIBLE TO TRY TO REACH AN AGREEMENT.
HE WAS SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THF VOLUNTEERS) ON ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION DUTIES AT THE BORDER.
ASKED TO COMMENT ON THF SITUATION GF THE AIRPORT TALKS IN PEKING, SIR DAVID SAID: "WE ARE STILL TRYING VERY HARD TO REACH A SOLUTION. WE ARE WORKING HARD WITH THE CHINESE SIDE. IT’S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE DO CONTINUE TO TRY AND FIND PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS TO WHAT AFTERALL IS A PRACTICAL PROBLEM.
"FOR HONG KONG NEEDS AN AIRPORT, EVERYONE ACCEPTS THAT. WE WANT TO FIND A PRAUTK AL WAY FORWARD WHICH IS AGREEABLE TO BOTH SIDES. THAT’S WHA'I WE ARE TRYING HARD To DO."
------0--------
CS VISITS BORDER AREA ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, TODAY (TUESDAY) VISITED THE BORDER AREA WHERE HE SAW SOME OF THE ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION OPERATIONS CARRIED OUT BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS).
SOME 700 VOLUNTEERS ARE ON BORDER PATROL WHICH BEGAN ON MAY 18 AND WILL END THIS SUNDAY (MAY 26).
SIR DAVID, WHO IS THE REGIMENT’S HONONARY COLONEL, WAS ESCORTED BY COMMANDING OFFICER, LT. COL. NICK COOMBE, TO VARIOUS BORDER POSTS ALONG THE FRONTIER BORDER AREA.
/THEY VISITED .
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1991
THEY VISITED THE REGIMENT’S A SQUADRON AT PAE HOK CHAU, AS WELL AS UNITS XT LOK MA CHAU AND MAN KAM TO. SIR DAVID WAS LATER BRIEFED ON THE REGIMENT’S BORDER OPERATIONS AT SQUADRON D’S BASE AT DILLS CORNER CAMP.
SIR DAVID WAS IMPRESSED BY THE ENTHUSIASM AND DEDICATION DISPLAYED BY THE VOLUNTEERS WHO COME FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE. HE ALSO ENCOURAGED PEOPLE TO RESPOND TO THE REGIMENT’S ANNUAL RECRUITMENT EXERCISE WHICH WILL BE OPEN UNTIL THE END OF JUNE.
THE REGIMENT IS LOOKING TO ENLIST 200 MEN AND 25 WOMEN VOLUNTEERS THIS YEAR.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER THE VISIT, SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG WAS LUCKY TO HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE WHO WERE GIVING THEIR TIME VOLUNTARY THIS KAY.
COMMENTING ON THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT SITUATION, HE SAID THE NUMBER WAS SLIGHTLY DOWN ON LAST YEAR BUT THERE WERE STILL A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER COMING.
"OBVIOUSLY, THERE IS AN IMPORTANT JOB TO BE DONE," HE SAID.
ON THE FUTURE OF THE REGIMENT AFTER 1997, SIR DAVID SAID THE REGIMENT WOULD NOT EXIST IN ITS PRESENT FORM AFTER 1997. HE SAID:
"BUT WE DO NEED TO TAP THE VOLUNTEER SPIRIT.
"THERE WILL BE THE OPPORTUNITY TO OBVIOUSLY GOING TO JOIN THE AUXILIARY POLICE FORCE OR OTHER AUXILIARY ORGANISATIONS.
"WE WOULD LIKE To GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO JUST THAT AND THAT’S SOMETHING WE WILL BE LOOKING FOR."
--------0-----------
SCS MEETS LORD CAITHNESS IN LONDON
******
THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, MET THE FOREIGN OFFICE MINISTER WITH SPECIAL RESPONS1B1LITY FOR HONG KONG, LORD CAITHNESS, IN LONDON TODAY (TUESDAY).
THEY DISCUSSED MATTERS RELATING TO THE CIVIL SERVICE IN HONG KONG DURING THEIR MEETING AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE WHERE MR WIGGHAM ALSO HELD MEETINGS WITH STAFF IN THE HONG KONG DEPARTMENT.
MR WIGGHAM IS IN LONDON AS PART OF A TOUR OF OVERSEAS OFFICES TO MEET STAFF AND SEE HONG KONG OFFICERS UNDERTAKING STUDIES AT MAJOR UNIVERSITIES.
/HIS WHISTLE-STOP .......
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1991
5
HIS WHISTLE-STOP TOUR TOOK HIM TO SAN AND NEW YORK LAST WEEK, WITH SIDE VISITS TO COLLEGES.
FRANCISCO, BERKELEY
WASHINGTON
AND
HARVARD
LAST FRIDAY, MR WIGGHAM WAS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM GROUP Ob HONG KONG ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS CURRENTLY COURSE AT OXFORD UNIVERSITY.
TO
MEET
ATTENDING
A
A
PAUL
WHILE IN OXFORD, HE ALSO HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH DR COURSE DIRECTOR AND ACADEMIC ADVISOR TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE TRAINING PROGRAMME.
HAYES, OFFICERS
BEFORE SEEING LORD CAITHNESS, HE
CALLED AT THE
GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN LONDON AND MET KWONG, AND SENIOR STAFF.
THE ACTING
COMMISSIONER;
HONG KONG MR K.C.
LATER IN THE DAY HE SAW THE LONDON, MR ALISTAIR LANG.
HEAD OF
T.HE OMELCO OFFICE IN
AFTER VISITING THE HONG KONG
MR WIGGHAM WILL RETURN TO
BUSINESS SCHOOL AND EDUCATION, MS AMANDA
MEET
LONDON THE
OFFICES IN ON FRIDAY
GENEVA AND BRUSSELS,
AND
REGIONAL DIRECTOR
VISIT THE LONDON FOR EXECUTIVE
KNIGHT, BEFORE RETURNING TO HONG KONG.
- - 0 - -
HK’S TRADE
WITH PACIFIC REGION
ON THE
INCREASE
IN GOODS LAST
KONG’S GROWING
TRADE HONG
GLOBAL
YEAR WAS WITH THE PACIFIC REGION, SIGNIFYING ECONOMIC LINKAGE WITH THIS INCREASINGLY PROSPEROUS OF THE WORLD, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR TRADE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG COMMITTEE FOR PACIFIC ECONOMIC (IIKCPEC), MR JOSEPH WONG, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
NEARLY 80 PER
CENT OF HONG KONG’S
AND
AND
DYNAMIC PART
INDUSTRY AND
CO-OPERATION
SPEAKING AT THE EIGHTH GENERAL MEETING OF CO-OPERATION CONFERENCE (PECC) IN SINGAPORE, AMOUNTED TO US$128 BILLION AND REPRESENTED A FROM THE 67 PER CENT SHARE IN 1979.
THE PACIFIC ECONOMIC MR WONG SAID THIS SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE
MR WONG, WHO IS HEADING A 14-MEMBER HONG THE CONFERENCE, WAS SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF HONG KONG ADMITTED AS A FULL MEMBER OF THE PECC.
KONG DELEGATION TO
WHICH WAS BEING
HE SAID HONG KONG WAS, AND WOULD REMAIN AFTER CUSTOMS TERRITORY WITH FULL AUTONOMY IN THE CONDUCT COMMERCIAL RELATIONS.
1997, A
OF ITS
SEPARATE EXTERNAL
HE NOTED THAT HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC LINKAGES WITHIN THE PACIFIC REGION WERE STEADILY STRENGTHENING.
/•'AMONG HONG
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1991
- 6 -
"AMONG HONG KONG’S TOP 20 TRADING PARTNERS, 12 ARE ON THE PECO. IN FACT, THE MAIN SOURCES AND RECIPIENTS OF HONG KONG’S INWARD AND OUTWARD INVESTMENT FLOWS ARE REPRESENTED IN THIS MEETING," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID HONG KONG’S GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION AS A BRIDGE IN THE TIME GAP BETWEEN NORTH AMERICA AND EUROPE ENABLED FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN HONG KONG TO TRADE ROUND-THE-CLOCK.
"OUR GOLD MARKET IS AMONG THE LARGEST IN THE WORLD AND THE HONG KONG STOCK MARKET RANKS THIRD IN THE ASIAN REGION IN TERMS OF MARKET CAPITALISATION.
"ALL THIS IS TAKING PLACE IN THE HEART OF ASIA AND IN AN AREA OF ONLY 1,000 SQUARE KILOMETRES," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID HONG KONG WOULD BE HOSTING THE 25TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB) IN MAY NEXT YEAR.
"IT WILL BE THE FIRST EVER HELD IN HONG KONG AND A MILESTONE FOR THE ADB, MARKING MORE THAN 25 YEARS OF PROMOTING ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID THE PECC WAS THE PIONEER IN REGIONAL ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND HONG KONG’S NEW MEMBERSHIP STATUS WOULD ENCOURAGE THE TERRITORY TO PARTICIPATE EVEN MORE FULLY IN ITS ACTIVITIES.
"NATURALLY, WE SEE REGIONAL ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE OPEN MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM: THE AIM IS TO PROMOTE TRADE AND INVESTMENT, NOT TO INHIBIT OR FRUSTRATE EXTERNAL COMPETITION," HE SAID.
ALSO ADDRESSING THE GENERAL MEETING, THE CHAIRMAN OF PRUDENTIAL ASIA INVESTMENTS LTD AND A MEMBER FROM THE BUSINESS SECTOR IN THE HONG KONG DELEGATION, DR VICTOR FUNG, SAID HONG KONG WAS A CENTRE FOR VENTURE CAPITAL (DIRECT INVESTMENT FUNDS FOR PRIVATE EQUITY) IN SOUTHEAST ASIA.
"OF THE TOTAL VENTURE CAPITAL POOL IN SOUTHEAST ASIA IN 1990 OF US$2.5 BILLION (EXCLUDING JAPAN), HONG KONG IS THE BASE FOR APPROXIMATELY US$1.5 BILLION," HE SAID.
DR FUNG SAID THERE WERE SEVERAL REASONS FOR HONG KONG’S ROLE AS A CENTRE OF THE VENTURE CAPITAL NETWORK IN SOUTHEAST ASIA - THE WELL-DEVELOPED INFRASTRUCTURE, INCLUDING AN ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK; THE LAISSEZ-FAIRE INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT, WITH MINIMAL GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION; AND THE FACT THAT HONG KONG WAS ONE OF THE MAIN NERVE CENTRES FOR THE "OVERSEAS CHINESE NETWORK" WHICH PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN THE ECONOMIES OF THE REGION.
DR FUNG SAID HONG KONG WAS THE DOMINANT GATEWAY FOR VENTURE CAPITAL INVESTMENT INTO CHINA.
HE SAID HONG KONG WOULD ACT AS THE CONDUIT FOR THIS INVESTMENT DUE TO ITS GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION AND TO ITS SYMBIOTIC ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP WITH SOUTHERN CHINA.
/"OVER THE .......
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1991
"OVER THE PAST DECADE, BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT HAVE BECOME SO INTERTWINED BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA THAT THE TWO TERRITORIES ARE ECONOMICALLY INSEPARABLE," HE SAID.
DR FUNG SAID HONG KONG ACTED AS CHINA’S MAIN WINDOW FOR MODERNISATION, PROVIDING CHINA WITH TECHNOLOGY, MANAGEMENT SKILLS AND INFORMATION.
"TOGETHER, THE TWO ECONOMIES ARE WELL-POSITIONED, WITH HONG KONG ACTING AS THE NERVE CENTRE AND (’HINA ACTING AS THE PRODUCTION BASE.
"HONG KONG HANDLES THE FRONT-END OF THE BUSINESS - DESIGN, SALES, FINANCE AND DISTRIBUTION - WHILE CHINA HANDLES THE LABOUR-INTENSIVE MANUFACTURING SIDE.
"IT IS A VERY SUCCESSFUL COMBINATION, ONE WHICH.- BARRING ANY REVERSALS IN CHINA’S CONTINUING REFORM AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES COULD PROPEL THE TWO ECONOMIES INTO AN IMPORTANT FUTURE ECONOMIC ROLE IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN REGION," HE SAID.
THE THREE-DAY CONFERENCE, BEING HELD FROM MAY 20 TO 22, IS ATTENDED BY SOME 350 DELEGATES FROM 19 TERRITORIES AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM OTHER REGIONAL ORGANISATIONS. IT WAS OPENED BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF SINGAPORE, MR GOH CHOK TONG.
THE U.S. VICE PRESIDENT, MR DAN QUAYLE, WILL ADDRESS THE CONFERENCE TOMORROW ( WEDNESDAY ) MORN I NG .
------0-------
Df& TO ELECT MUNICIPAL COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
NINE DISTRICT BOARDS WILL ELECT THEIR REPRESENTATIVES TO THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL ON THURSDAY (MAY 23) AND FRIDAY (MAY 24 ) .
THERE WAS ONLY ONE CANDIDATE EACH FOR SHAM SHUI PO AND SOUTHERN Dlfe AND MORE THAN ONE CANDIDATE FOR THE OTHER SEVEN BOARDS.
THE ELECTION DETAILS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
DISTRICT DATE/TIMB CANDIDATES
WAN CHAI MAY 23/9 AM 1. MR ALBERT CHEUNG CHI-PIU . 2. MS ANNA TANG KING-YUNG
TSUEN WAN MAY 23/11 AM 1. MR CHUNG WAI-PING 2. MR SUMLY CHAN YUEN-SUM 3. MR DAVID YEUNG FUK-KWONG
SHAM SHUI PO MAY 23/2 PM MR AMBROSE CHEUNG WING-SUM
/KOWLOON CITY .......
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1991
8
KOWLOON CITY MAY 23/2.15 PM 1. MR WONG SIU-YEE
2. MR LEE CHEUK-FAN
3. MR LAM MING
YAU TSIM MAY 23/2.45 PM 1. MR IP KWOK-CHUNG
2. MR JOHN WU MAN-KEUNG
CENTRAL AND MAY 23/3 PM 1. MR YUEN BUN-KEUNG
WESTERN 2. MR CHAN TAK-CHOR
SOUTHERN MAY 24/2.30 PM MR ALBERT POON SHUN-KWOK
KWUN TONG MAY 24/2.30 PM 1. MR PANG KAM-FAI
2. MS YEUNG KAM-CHUN
MONG KOK MAY 24/4.30 PM 1. MR JUSTIN CHIU KWOK-HUNG
2. MR STEPHEN HO FEI-CHI
3. MR YIM KWOK-ON
------0--------
ANTI-POLLUTION PROSECUTION CASES IN APRIL * * * * *
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (TUESDAY) RELEASED A LIST OF COMPANIES THAT HAD BEEN FOUND GUILTY IN THE COURTS LAST MONTH OF BREACHING ANTI-POLLUTION LEGISLATION CURRENTLY ENFORCED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
SIMILAR ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL BE MADE MONTHLY.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS COULD BE VERY TIME CONSUMING AND AS A RESULT THERE WAS SOMETIMES A LENGTHY TIME GAP BETWEEN THE DATE OF THE OFFENCE AND THE CONVICTION DATE.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE LIST OF PROSECUTION CASES AND THE ASSOCIATED FINES IMPOSED BY THE COURTS DURING THE MONTH OF APRIL THIS YEAR:
NAME
(COMPANY/ DATE OF NATURE
PERSON) ADDRESS OFFENCE OF OFFENCE
l.V.E.M. PUI TO RI), 4.9.89 APCO:
DEVELOPMENT TUEN MUN EXCESSIVE
LTD DARK SMOKE
EMISSION
RECORD
OF
FINES($) OFFENCE COURT
3,000 1ST TUEN MUN
/2.ZYLL .......
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1991
- 9
2.ZYLL ENTERPRISE LTD TEXACO RD, TSUEN WAN 1.1.90- 30.6.90 APCO : UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 3,000 1ST TSUEN WAN
3.FUNG WONG LAUNDRY CO SAN ON ST, TUEN MUN 1.3.90- 31.3.90 n 2,000 1ST TUEN MUN
4.LOI FUNG FOUNDRY FTY HUNG SHUI KUI, YUEN LONG 12.3.90- 15.4.90 ». 600 1ST FANLING
5.YUCKING LTD CASTLE PEAK RD, SHAM TSENG 1.4.90- 28.4.90 ti 4,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
6.EVERLASTING SPARK LTD ON TING EST, TUEN MUN 13.4.90- 20.6.90 it 5,000 9 2ND TUEN MUN
7.FAT SIU LAM VEGETARIAN KITCHEN CHEONG LOK ST, YAU MA TEI 13.6.90 APCO: FAILURE TO ABATE AN AIR POLLUTANT NUISANCE (GENERAL) 4,000 3RD SOUTH KOWLOON
8.CLEVER-WARD LTD WYNDHAM ST, CENTRAL 20.6.90- 17.7.90 APCO: UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 1,000 1ST WESTERN
9.CELEBEST INVESTMENTS LTD FAIRVIEW PARK, YUEN LONG 9.7.90- 23.7.90 n 500 1ST FANLING
10.CHI SHING FOUNDRY FTY SHAN MEI ST, FO TAN 1.8.90 APCO: 350 USING PROHIBITED FUEL IN THE TERRITORY 1ST SHA TIN
11.SHUN HING FOUNDRY FTY SHAN MEI ST, FO TAN 1.8.90 •I 350 1ST SHA TIN
12.LUNG KEE BRONZE WARE MFG CO SHAN MEI ST, FO TAN 1.8.90 ti 350 1ST SHA TIN
/I3.TAI HING .......
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1991
- 10 -
13.TAI HING FA YUEN 2.8.90 APCO: FAILURE TO TAKE MEASURES TO ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY AIR POLLUTANT 5,000 2ND NORTH KOWLOON
TUNG YUEN RESTAURANT ST, MONG KOK
14.CHUNG KEE ROASTED MEAT TAI WAI MARKET, SHA TIN 9 . 8 .90 APCO: USING PROHIBITED IN THE TERRITORY FUEL 1,000 1ST SHA TIN
15.WAH YUEN FOOD CO FO TAN RD, SHA TIN 9 . 8 .90 •• 1 ,000 1ST SHA TIN
16.CANADA SPRINGFIELD (HE) LTD TA I WAI , SHA TIN 9 . 8 .90 • • 2,500 1ST SHA TIN
17.KAM LUNG METAL FOUNDRY FTY SHAN MEI ST, FO TAN 9. 8 .90 VI 1 ,000 1ST SHA TIN
18.FREEZIN- HOT BOTTLE CO LTD SO KWUN WAT, TUEN MUN 9 . 8 .90 • • 3,000 1ST TUEN MUN
19.LUNG WAH HOTEL HA WO CHE, SHA TIN 13 • 8.90 11 3,000 1ST SHA TIN
20.CHING HING DYEING FTY LTD WAI YIP ST, KWUN TONG 20 • 8.90 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,000 1ST KWUN TONG
21.VIEWNE SETTING FTY LTD CHAI WAN KOK ST, TSUEN WAN 30 • 8.90 • V 1 ,000 2ND TSUEN WAN
22.KIM FUNG SHING TEXTI LES MFY LTD CHAI WAN KOK ST, TSUEN WAN 30 • 8.90 fl 1 ,000 4 TH TSUEN WAN
23.A.S. WATSON & CO LTD KUNG YIP ST, KWAI ('HUNG 30 • 8.90 If 800 1ST TSUEN WAN
24.CASTLE PRINTING & DYEING LTD HOI BUN RD, KWUN TONG 6 . 9 .90 \PCO : USING AN UNSUITABLE FUEL IN A RELEVANT PLANT 4,000 1ST KWUN TONG
/25.CHIM .......
- 11 - TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1991
25.CHIM YIU-TUNG KAM WING ST, SAN PO KONG 6.9. 90 NCO : 3,500 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 1ST SAN PO KONG
26.KAMSHING CONSULTANTS LTD WAI YIP ST, KWUN TONG 7.9. 90 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 5,000 2ND KWUN TONG
27.SUN PING WEAVING & DYEING FTY LTD CHAI WAN KOK ST, TSUEN WAN 11.9 .90 APCO : FAILURE TO TAKE MEASURES TO ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY AIR POLLUTANT 15,000 2ND TSUEN WAN
28.SUN SUN DYEING FTY KING LAM ST, CHEUNG SHA WAN 11.9 .90 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION .1 , 300 2ND NORTH KOWLOON
29.SHEUNG SHUI LI NAM YUEN RESTAURANT LTD SAN HONG ST, SHEUNG SHUI 20.9 .90 »» 2,000 1ST FANLING
30.WING LEE SILK WASHING & DYEING FTY LTD KUNG YIP ST, KWAI CHUNG 21.9 .90 2,500 2ND TSUEN WAN
31.YUI LEE DYEING FTY WAI YIP ST, KWUN TONG 24.9 .90 •t 3,000 1ST KWUN TONG
32.OLD TIMER PROCESS LTD WAT YIP ST, KWUN TONG 24.9 .90 • 1,200 2ND TSUEN WAN
33.WONG HON-MO MUK MIN SHAN VILLAGE, SAI KUNG 24.9 .90 WPCO : DISCHARGE OF POLLUTING MATTER FROM A BEAN CURD FACTORY INTO PORT SHELTER WATER CONTROL ZONE 5,000 2ND KWUN TONG
/34.ASSOCIATED .......
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1991
- 12 -
34.ASSOCIATED DAIRIES INTERNATIONAL LTD WAI YIP ST, KWUN TONG 25.9.90 APCO : EXCESS 1\E DARK SMOKE EMISSION 2,500 1ST KWUN TONG
35.UNISON KNITTING FTY LTD HUNG TO RD, KWUN TONG 28.9.90 H 3,000 1ST KWUN TONG
36.KONG SHING RESTAURANT LTD PITT ST, YAU MA TEI 28.9.90 ft 2,500 1ST SOUTH KOWLOON
37.KIN HIP METAL & PLASTIC FTY LTD HUNG TO RD, KWUN TONG 2.10.90 It 2,000 1ST KWUN TONG
38.WILLEY CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING CO LTD RUSSELL ST, CAUSEWAY BAY 7.10.90 NCO : 7*, 500 CARRY OUT CONSTRUCTION WORK WITHOUT A VALID PERMIT 1ST EASTERN
39.K.H. FOUNDATIONS LTD MOSQUE ST, CENTRAL 7.10.90 • • 6,000 1ST WESTERN
40.FUNG CHI-MAN (PERSON-IN-CHARGE) •t 7.10.90 NCO : PERMIT CONSTRUCTION WORK WITHOUT VALID CONSTRUCTION NOISE PERMIT 6,000 A 1ST WESTERN
41.GOOD YEAR RESTAURANT LTD NGA TSIN WAI RD, KOWLOON CITY 8.10.90 NCO : 35,000 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 2ND SAN PO KONG
42.TEI MOU KOON CATERERS LTD FUK LO TSUEN RD, KOWLOON C 1TY 8.10.90 • • 15,000 1ST SAN PO KONG
43.LI CHUK-HUNG NAM CHEONG ST, SHAM SHUI PO 8.10.90 • • 5,000 1ST NORTH KOWLOON
/44.SHUN ON .......
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1991
13
44.SHUN ON STEEL FTY CHAI WAN KOK ST, TSUEN WAN 8.10.90 APCO : FAILURE TO TAKE MEASURES TO ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY AIR POLLUTANT 10,000 2ND TSUEN WAN
45.KIN HIP METAL & PLASTIC FTY LTD HUNG TO RD, KWUN TONG 8.10.-90 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 2,500 2ND KWUN TONG
46.YUI LEE DYEING FTY WAI YIP ST, KWUN TONG 8.10.90 •r 3,000 2ND KWUN TONG
47.YING WAN BLEACHING & DYEING FTY LTD KA HING RD, KWAI CHUNG 10.10.90 !• 2,000 4 TH TSUEN WAN
48.KIN HIP METAL & PLASTIC FTY LTD HUNG TO RD, KWUN TONG 11.10.90 •• 2,500 3RD KWUN TONG
49.KWAI FONG TERRACE ESTATE MANAGEMENT CO LTD KWAI FONG TERRACE, KWAI CHUNG 12. 10.90 NCO : 10,000 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 1ST TSUEN WAN
50.DRAGAGES ET TRAVAUX PUBLICS (HK) LTD CITY PLAZA 4, QUARRY BAY 16.10.90 NCO : 5,000 CARRY OUT CONSTRUCTION WORK NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS IN A PERMIT 2ND EASTERN
51.WINSUM ENTERPRISES CO LTD CHAI WAN KOK ST, TSUEN WAN 16.10.90 APCO : 5,000 FAILURE TO TAKE MEASURES TO ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY AIR POLLUTANT 2ND TSUEN WAN
52.WING KWONG METAL & SPRAY FTY CHAI WAN KOK ST, TSUEN WAN 16.10.90 fi 5,000 1ST TSUEN WAN
/53.TAI TUNG .......
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1991
- 14 -
53.TAI TUNG HUNG TO 17.10.90 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 2,000 1ST KWUN TONG
TEXTILES & DYERS LTD RD, KWUN TONG
54.U-TEAM CO LTD CHAI WAN KOK ST, TSUEN WAN 19.10.90 n 2,000 2ND TSUEN WAN
55.EXPRESS CHANNEL SILK BLEACHING & DYEING FTY LTD KUNG YIP ST, KWAI CHUNG 23.10.90 400 1ST TSUEN WAN
56.FUNG FU DYEING & WEAVING CO LTD SHA TSUI RD, TSUEN WAN 24. 10.90 APCO : FAILURE TO TAKE MEASURES TO ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY AIR POLLUTANT 5,000 9 1ST TSUEN WAN
57.CHI SHING FAT KNITTING FTY LTD WAH SING ST, KWAI CHUNG 25.10.90 •I 10,000 2ND TSUEN WAN
58.HUNG FAT DYEING WORKS LTD KWAI WING RD, KWAI CHUNG 25.10.90 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 1,600 3RD TSUEN WAN
59.KAR SHING RESTAURANT LTD KAU YUK RD, YUEN LONG 3.11.90 ff 4,000 1ST FANLING
60.SUN TSUI YUEN SEAFOOD RESTAURANT PO TUNG RD, SAI KUNG 8.11.90 99 2,000 1ST KWUN TONG
61 .WARRAN-SON CO LTD MAN NIN ST, SAI KUNG 8.11.90 2,000 1ST KWUN TONG
62.TYE DRY CLEANERS & LAUNDRY CO LTD KING YIP ST, KWUN TONG 20.11.90 • • 3,500 2ND KWUN TONG
63.NANYANG COTTON MILL LTD HUNG TO RD, KWUN TONG 4.12.90 •• • 3,500 1ST KWUN TONG
/64.YAU LEE
- 15 - TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1991
64.YAU LEE LEATHERWEAR MANUFACTORY LTD KAR NAM CHUEN, LAMMA ISLAND 5.12.90 WPCO : DISCHARGING POLLUTING MATTERS INTO WATERS OF HONG KONG 6,000 1ST WESTERN
65.WONG TAI SIN HSIN KUANG RESTAURANT LTD LUNG CHEUNG RD, WONG TAI SIN 6.12.90 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 5,000 2ND SAN PO KONG
66.ITALY STEAM LAUNDRY FTY ON LOK IND. BLDG, YUEN LONG 7.12.90 »• 4,000 1ST FANLING
67.TEXBLOOM LTD YUEN LONG IND. CENTRE, YUEN LONG 10.12.90 it 6,000 1ST FANLING
68.TAILY BLEACHING & DYEING FTY LTD CHONG YIP ST, KWUN TONG 12.12.90 apco : FAILURE TO TAKE MEASURES TO ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY AIR POLLUTANT 4,000 1ST KWUN TONG
69.TUNG CHUN CO SHANGHAI ST, YAU MA TEI 14.12.90 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 900 1ST TSUEN WAN
70.TYE DRY CLEANERS & LAUNDRY CO LTD KING YIP ST, KWUN TONG 17.12.90 it 3,500 3RD KWUN TONG
71.YEE TAI IND. CO LTD HUNG TO RD, KWUN TONG 17.12.90 it 2,500 1ST KWUN TONG
72.WAI KEE SIZING & DYEING FTY LTD HUNG TO RD, KWUN TONG 17.12.90 ii 3,000 2ND KWUN TONG
73.YUI LEE DYEING FTY WAI YIP ST, KWUN TONG 17.12.90 i: 4,000 3RD KWUN TONG
74.YEUNG YUK-LUN HING LUNG BACK ST, CHEUNG CHAU 28.12.90 NCO : 5,000 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 2ND WESTERN
/75.MILK &
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1991
- 16 -
75.MILK & HONEY LTD WAI YIP ST, KWUN TONG 4.1.91 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 5,000 3RD KWUN TONG
76.M.C. PACKAGING (HK) LTD TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, TAI PO 7.1.91 WPCO : DISCHARGING TRADE EFFLUENT IN BREACH OF LICENCE CONDITIONS 8,500 1ST SHA TIN
77.NOVE-LACT (TECHNOLOGIC) LTD CASTLE PEAK RD, SHAM SHUI PO 17.1.91 OLPO : IMPORTATION OF SCHEDULED SUBSTANCES WITHOUT A LICENCE 3,000 1ST SAN PO KONG
78.MILK & HONEY LTD WAI YIP ST, KWUN TONG 18.1.91 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3*, 500 4TH KWUN TONG
79.YUI LEE DYEING FTY WAI YIP ST, KWUN TONG 28.1.91 •I 2,000 4TH KWUN TONG
80.SUN CHEONG BLEACHING & DYEING FTY LTD HUNG TO RD, KWUN TONG 30.1.91 II 2,000 2ND KWUN TONG
81.LEE PRAT TAI(TUG AVENUE, BOAT MASTER)TSIM SHA TSUI 5.2.91 DASO : DUMPING OF 750 CUBIC METRES OF 5,000 3RD EASTERN
EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA OFF THE NORTH POINT FIRE STATION WITHOUT A LICENCE
AND
LI CHUNG- ” 5.2.91 " 5,000 2ND
LING (BARGE OPERATOR)
/82.DICKSON .......
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1991
- 17 -
82.DICKSON LOCKHART 7.2.91 DASO : 5,000 2ND If
CONSTRUCTION CO LTD (LICENSEE) AND RD, WAN CHAI PERMIT LOADING OF 1,500 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL ONTO TWO BARGES FOR DUMPING AT SEA SOUTH OF TUNG LUNG CHAU OTHERWISE THAN UNDER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION
FANTA MACHINERY CO LTD (SHIPPING SUB- CONTRACTOR ) AND WAI ST, YAU CHING MA TEI 7.2.91 DASO : 5,000 PERMIT DUMPING OF 1,500 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA SOUTH OF TUNG LUNG CHAU OTHERWISE THAN UNDER AND TN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 1ST EASTERN
WONG MUK-SHING (TUG BOAT MASTER) AND WAI ST, YAU CHING MA TEI 7.2.91 DASO : 5,000 DUMPING OF 1,500 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA SOUTH OF TUNG LUNG CHAU OTHERWISE THAN UNDER AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 1ST EASTERN
HO FU-SING (SAILOR OF BARGE, YUK YAT NO. 38) AND fl 7.2.91 5,000 1ST EASTERN
/NG SHING-YIN .......
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1991
18
NG SHING-YIN (SAILOR OF BARGE
NO. HB1002)
WONG CHUK
HANG ESTATE, ABERDEEN
7.2.91
5,000 1ST EASTERN
NOTE:
ARCO: AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE
NCO: NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE
DASO: DUMPING AT SEA ACT 1974 (OVERSEAS TERRITORIES) ORDER 1975
WPCO: WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE
OLPO: OZONE LAYER PROTECTION ORDINANCE
ON THE PROVISION OF THE NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE RELATING TO NEIGHBOURHOOD NOISE, TWO PERSONS WERE PROSECUTED BY THE POLICE FOR EMITTING EXCESSIVE NOISE FROM DOMESTIC AND PUBLIC PLACES, WITH FINES RANGING FROM $150 TO $500.
ONE PERSON WAS PROSECUTED BY THE POLICE AND FINED $400 FOR CARRYING OUT CONSTRUCTION WORK WITHOUT A PERMIT.
CASE 76 WAS THE FIRST CONVICTED CASE IN THE TOLO WATER. CONTROL ZONE IN WHICH A HIGHER FINE WAS IMPOSED AFTER THE AMENDMENT OF THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE EFFECTIVE FROM DECEMBER 1, 1990.
THE AMENDMENT HAS DOUBLED THE MAXIMUM FINE FOR FIRST CONVICTION FROM $50,000 TO $100,000. A FINE OF $8,500 WAS IMPOSED AS COMPARED TO THE USUAL FINE OF $5,000 IN PREVIOUS CASES PRIOR TO THE AMENDMENT OF THE ORDINANCE.
IN CASE 82, ALL THE MAJOR PARTIES (MAIN CONTRACTOR AS THE LICENSEE SHIPPING SUB-CONTRACTOR, TUG BOAT MASTER AND TWO BARGE OPERATORS) INVOLVED IN THE ILLEGAL ACT WERE CONVICTED AND SENTENCED WITH THE MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000, EVEN THOUGH ONLY THE MAIN CON I RAI TOR HAS ONE PREVIOUS CONVICTION RECORD.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
ENQUIRIES ON SPECIFIC CASES CAN BE ADDRESSED TO THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICERS:
APCO MR FRANKLIN CHUNG TEL. NO. 835 1046
NCO MR K.K. KAN TEL. NO. 835 1123
DASO MR PATRICK LET TEL. NO. 721 1044
WPCO CASE 33 DR DANIEL LAU TEL. NO. 721 0005
WPCO CASE 76 DR MICHAEL CHIU TEL. NO. 417 4 1 00
HOWEVER, ENQUIRIES ON GENERAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ISSUES SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE DIRECTED TO EPD’S PUBLIC RELATIONS SECTION.
- - 0----------
/19 .......
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1991
- 19 -
CASH ASSISTANCE TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS * ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) APPROVED A SUM OF $48,390 FROM THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE (TAVA) FUND FOR THE FAMILY OF AN USHER KILLED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT ON MAY 2.
WONG LAM-CHOR, 48, WAS A PASSENGER ON A PUBLIC LIGHT BUS WHICH COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER PUBLIC-LIGHT BUS AT CASTLE PEAK ROAD NEAR 13-1/2 MILESTONE. HE WAS SURVIVED BY A WIFE AND TWO DEPENDENT CHILDREN.
THE TAVA SCHEME PROVIDES QUICK FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS OR THEIR DEPENDENTS WITHOUT TAKING REGARD OF THE MEANS OF A FAMILY OR THE ELEMENT OF FAULT IN CAUSING THE ACCIDENT.
BENEFICIARIES UNDER THE SCHEME WILL RETAIN THE RIGHT TO MAKE CLAIMS FOR LEGAL DAMAGES OR COMPENSATION FROM OTHER SOURCES IN THE USUAL WAY.
HOWEVER, THOSE WHO RECEIVE OTHER DAMAGES OR COMPENSATION IN RESPECT OF THE SAME ACCIDENT ARE REQUIRED TO REPAY THE AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE ALREADY RECEIVED FROM THE SCHEME.
BUT IN ANY CASE, THE AMOUNT TO BE REPAID WOULD NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGES OR COMPENSATION AWARDED.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE UNDER THE SCHEME MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE DEPARTMENT’S TAVA SECTION AT 15 WATSON ROAD, VICTORIA CENTRE, FIRST FLOOR, CAUSEWAY BAY OR BY TELEPHONING 570 2410.
------0--------
SPECIAL STAMPS ON TRANSPORT SOON ON SALE ♦ * * * ♦
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR DOMINIC S. W.. WONG, ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT A SET OF SPECIAL STAMPS - 100 YEARS OF TRANSPORT IN HONG KONG - WILL BE ISSUED ON JUNE 6.
THIS SET OF STAMPS DEPICTS SEVERAL INTERESTING MODES OF TRANSPORT FROM THE EARLY DAYS TO MODERN TIMES, INCLUDING A RICKSHAW, A FRANCHISED BUS, A FERRY, A TRAM, A MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY TRAIN AND A JETFOIL.
THERE WILL BE SIX DENOMINATIONS: 80-CENT, 90-CENT, $1.70, $1.80, $2.30 AND $5.
THE STAMPS WERE DESIGNED BY MR COLIN T1LLYER AND PRINTED BY BDT INTERNATIONAL PRINTING LTD.
THE STAMPS WILL BE DISPLAYED FOR THE ADVANCE INFORMATION OF THE PUBLIC AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE AND SHA TIN CENTRAL POST OFFICE FROM TODAY.
/OFFICIAL FIRST .......
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1991
- 20 -
OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVERS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT ALL POST OFFICES FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT 70 CENTS EACH.
ADVANCE ORDER FOR SERVICED OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVERS MAY ALSO BE PLACED UP TO MAY 30.
THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF COVERS PER ORDER IS FIVE. CUSTOMERS WISHING TO AVOID CONGESTION ON THE FIRST DAY OF ISSUE ARE ADVISED TO MAKE USE OF THIS SERVICE.
FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF CUSTOMERS, FIRST DAY COVERS PRE-AFFIXED WITH A SET OF STAMPS AND CANCELLED WITH THE PHILATELIC BUREAU DATESTAMP WILL BE AVAILABLE AT $14.70 EACH AT THE DESIGNATED COUNTERS OF THE FOLLOWING 21 POST OFFICES ON JUNE 6:
HONG KONG ISLAND
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE POST OFFICE
CAUSEWAY BAY POST OFFICE
GENERAL POST OFFICE
KING’S ROAD POST OFFICE
PEAK POST OFFICE
SAI YING PUN POST OFFICE
TSAT TSZ MUI POST OFFICE
KOWLOON
AIRPORT POST OFFICE
CHEUNG SHA WAN POST OFFICE GRANVILLE ROAD POST OFFICE KOWLOON BAY POST OFFICE KOWLOON CENTRAL POST OFFICE KWUN TONG POST OFFICE MONG KOK POST OFFICE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE
NEW TERRITORIES ■
SHA TIN CENTRAL POST OFFICE
TAI PO POST OFFICE
SHEK WU HUI POST OFFICE
TSUEN WING STREET POST OFFICE
TUEN MUN SAN HUI POST OFFICE
YUEN LONG POST OFFICE
A HAND-BACK SERVICE WILL BE GIVEN TO ALL COVERS BEARING THE "FIRST DAY" INDICATION ON JUNE 6.
ITEMS RECEIVING HAND-BACK SERVICE SHOULD BE LOCALLY ADDRESSED.
--------0-----------
/21 .......
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1991
21
APPLICATIONS FOR UK PASSPORTS TO BE PROCESSED IN HK FROM JUNE 1 ♦ **»*»♦
APPLICATIONS FOR UK PASSPORTS NEED NOT BE SENT TO THE UK FOR PROCESS WITH EFFECT FROM JUNE 1, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE TIME REQUIRED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO ISSUE A UK PASSPORT WILL NORMALLY BE 20 WORKING DAYS, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
-----()------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEG
*****
EXCHANGE FUND BILLS TENDER RESULTS -- TUESDAY 21 MAY 1991
ISSUE NUMBER Q12 1 • Y190
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 1,395 MN HKD 888 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 400 MN HKD 200 MN
AVERAGE ACCEPTED YIELD 5.93 PCT 6.46 PCT
HIGHEST ACCEPTED YIELD 5.96 PCT 6.50 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 27 PCT ABOUT 19 PCT
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 17.5.91 WAS 2,410 MN
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEH
NEXT TENDER OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS TUESDAY 28 MAY 1991
ISSUE NUMBER Q122 H165
ISSUE DATE 29 MAY 91 29 MAY 91
MATURITY DATE 28 AUG 91 27 MAY 92
TENOR 91 DAYS 184 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKD 400 + 80 MN HKD 200 + 60 MN
--------0-----------
/22 ........
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1991
22
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ****** HKEF
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 20.5.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 21.5.91 NEUTRAL
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING NEUTRAL
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE ' WEIGHTED INDEX 112.4 *-0.3* 21 .5. 91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEI
ISSUE NUMBER MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
QI 1 5 QI 16 QI 17 QI 18 QI 19 Q120 10.7.91 17.7.91 24.7.91 31.7.91 7.8.91 14.8.91 350 +130 350 +130 338.5 +141.5 4.50 +30 415 +65 380 +100 •
Q108 Q109 QI 10 Q11 1 Q112 QI 13 QI 1 4 22.5.91 29.5.91 5.6.91 12.6.91 19.6.91 26.6.91 3.7.91 530 -50 570 -90 290 +190 394 +86 650 -170 460 +20 520 -40
/HONG KONG
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1991
- 23 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
182-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEJ
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
H164 13.11.91 150 + 110
H003 29.5.91 190 + 70
H004 12.6.91 260 + 0
H005 26.6.91 230 + 30
H101 10.7.91 143 + 117
H156 24.7.91 150 + 110
H157 7.8.91 169.5 + 90.5
H158 21.8.91 140 + 120
H159 4.9.91 150 + 110
H160 18.9.91 140 + 120
H161 2.10.91 70 + 190
H162 17.10.91 94 + 166
H163 30.10.91 90 + 170 •
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
364-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEK
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
Y187 26.2.92 230 + 30 •
Y188 25.3.92 180 + 80
Y189 22.4.92 190 + 70
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 17.5.91 WAS 2,410 MN
- - 0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
FULL TEXT OF SPEL'S SPEECH IN DEBATE ON PROPERTY SPECULATION ........... 1
DAMAGES FOR BEREAVEMENT INCREASED TO $70,000 ........................... 3
BILL PERMITS HIGH COURT ORDERS IN INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION ............ 4
LEGAL PRACTITIONERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 .............................. 5
BILLS TO REGISTER SURVEYORS AND PLANNERS ............................... 6
QUEEN ELIZABETH FOUNDATION FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED BILL INTRODUCED .... 8
AMENDMENT MADE ON TRADE MARKS BILL ..................................... 9
MANPOWER INCREASE FOR INSOLVENCY FUND JUSTIFIED .............................. 9
LAW ALLOWS POSTAL PACKETS TO BE OPENED FOR INSPECTION ....................... 10
GOVT CONTINUES TO REPRESENT HK'S INTEREST IN U.S. MFN DEBATE ........... 11
ADMINISTRATION COMMITTED TO IMPROVE LEGAL KNOWLEDGE .................... 12
MEASURES IN HAND TO CUT VIET CRIMES ...................................... 14
PHASING OUT OF RENT CONTROLS BEING WORKED OUT .......................... 15
FIRST TIME FOR KCR TO DISTRIBUTE DIVIDEND .............................. 16
PROPERTY SPECULATION DEBATED IN LEGCO .................................. I7
LADY WILSON OPENS NEW SCHOOL BUILDING .................................... 19
HK-GUANGDONG ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP'S TECHNICAL SUB-GROUP MEETS ............. 19
PILOT SCHEME ON MARK SIX OUTLETS ......................................... 20 *
TELA MEETS THEATRE REPRESENTATIVES ....................................... 21
23 NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES AWARDED ...................................... 22 23
GRAND OPENING OF THE HONG KONG PARK TOMORROW ............................. 23
WESTERN WHOLESALE FOOD MARKET COMPLEX NEAR COMPLETION .................... 24
FC MEETING ON FRIDAY ..................................................... 24 *
1990 SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS ............ 25
TWO GOVT LOTS TO LET BY TENDER ........................................... 26
LABOUR INSPECTION DIVISION OFFICE RELOCATED .............................. 27
YAN OI TONG DIRECTORS CALL ON SWD ........................................ 28
FRESH WATER SUSPENSION ................................................... 28
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............... 28
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1991
FULL TEXT OF SPEL’S SPEECH IN DEBATE ON PROPERTY SPECULATION *****
THE FOLLOWING IS THE WINDING-UP SPEECH OF THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON PROPERTY SPECULATION AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SIR,
AFTER THIS
WIDE-RANGING DEBATE, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO
THINK OF ANYTHING NEW TO SAY ON THIS SUBJECT. SO CAN I CONFINE MYSELF TO SIMPLY UNDERLINING A FEW UTTERLY UNORIGINAL POINTS.
FIRST
UNCOMPLETED FLATS ARE ONLY A RELATIVELY SMALL PART OF THE
HOUSING MARKET, AND THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF SUBSTANTIAL SPECULATION IN COMPLETED FLATS. THERE ARE ALSO A VERY LARGE NUMBER OF FLATS OUT FOR SALE IN THE MARKET AND AS MR CHUNG PUI-LAM SAID THERE ARE SOME 60,000 ON THE WAY THIS YEAR WHICH CERTAINLY SHOULD HELP STABILISE THE MARKET.
SECOND
WE ARE NO LONGER DEALING WITH A MARKET IN WHICH BUYERS ARE
DESPERATE TO FIND A HOME TO PURCHASE, OR NEED TO BE DESPERATE TO HAVE TO FIND A HOME TO PURCHASE. MOST FLATS ARE BEING BOUGHT BY PEOPLE WHO ARE SEEKING TO IMPROVE THEIR HOUSING OR FORMING NEW HOUSEHOLDS OR ARE LOOKING FOR INVESTMENTS.
THIRD
THERE IS A CONSIDERABLE DEGREE OF COMPETITION BETWEEN
DEVELOPERS WHICH SHOULD INCREASE DURING THE NEXT YEAR WITH AN EVEN GREATER SUPPLY OF FLATS.
FOURTH
GOVERNMENT DOES NOT GENERALLY INTERFERE WITH FREE MARKETS
UNLESS THERE ARE VERY STRONG REASONS FOR DOING SO AND IT HAS DONE SO WHEN THERE HAVE BEEN VERY STRONG REASONS FOR DOING SO. THIS IS NOT LAZINESS; IT IS BECAUSE IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO INTERVENE EFFECTIVELY IN THE MARKET AND WITHOUT CAUSING EFFECTS WHICH ARE NOT INTENDED.
/FIFTH
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1991
2
FIFTH
GOVERNMENT DID HOWEVER INTERVENE RECENTLY WHEN IT WAS SHOWN THAT SALE PRACTICES WERE GIVING RISE TO DISTURBANCES AND TYING UP LARGE NUMBERS OF POLICEMEN IN CROWD CONTROL. IT REACHED AGREEMENT WITH THE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS ASSOCIATION ON SALES PROCEDURES WHICH WOULD BE MORE CONDUCIVE TO ORDERLY BEHAVIOUR. SOME OF THE MEASURES AGREED WERE SPECIFICALLY AIMED AT REDUCING THE ACTIVITIES OF EXCESSIVE SPECULATORS, SUCH AS THE INCREASE IN THE INITIAL DEPOSIT PAYABLE FOR THE POTENTIAL PURCHASE TO 50% OF THE AVERAGE PRICE OF THE UNITS, AND OF THE AMOUNT FORFEITED IN THE CASE OF NON-COMPLETION BY THE BUYER TO 1.5%.
SIR, MANY OF US WILL REMEMBER VERY DIFFERENT TIMES IN WHICH IT SEEMED THAT THERE WAS A VERY MUCH STRONGER CASE TO BRING IN STRICTER CONTROL ON SPECULATION THAN THERE IS NOW.
BUT SUCH MAY HAPPEN AGAIN WHEN THE PRESENT FLUSH OF NEW PROPERTIES IS SOLD AND I AGREE WITH MEMBERS AND ESPECIALLY IN VIEW OF THE VERY WIDE PUBLIC CONCERN ABOUT THIS MATTER AT THE PRESENT THAT IT WOULD BE WORTHWHILE TO COOLLY AND CALMLY REVIEW THE SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS AND TAKE A FRESH VIEW ON THEIR SUITABILITY AND PRACTICABILITY AND OVERALL BENEFIT. AS I MENTIONED ABOVE WE HAVE ALREADY - PERHAPS FOR THE WRONG REASONS IN SOME MEMBERS’ VIEW -INTRODUCED MEASURES WHICH ARE ANTI-SPECULATIVE .IN NATURE. MEMBERS BOTH TODAY AND ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS WHEN THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN DISCUSSED, HAVE RAISED VERY REAL ISSUES AND HAVE ALSO SUGGESTED OTHER MEANS FOR CURBING EXCESSIVELY SPECULATIVE AND UNETHICAL PRACTICES, INCLUDING THE INTRODUCTION OF BALLOTING, LIMITATIONS OF THE NUMBER OF UNITS ALLOWED TO BE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF EACH PERSON, AND RESTRICTING RESALES BETWEEN THE FINAL SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENT. ALL THESE IDEAS HAVE THEIR ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES FOR HOME BUYERS, DEVELOPERS, BANKS AND ABOVE ALL THE ECONOMY AND THEY DO NEED LOOKING AT, AS I SAID, VERY COOLLY AND CAREFULLY FROM EVERY ANGLE BEFORE CONSIDERING ADOPTION. THEY ALSO REQUIRE EXTENSIVE DISCUSSIONS WITH INTERESTED PARTIES INCLUDING AGAIN THE CONSUMER COUNCIL, BANKS, DEVELOPERS AND OTHERS BEFORE ADOPTION. BUT I ACCEPT THAT THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD REVIEW ALL THESE ISSUES AND NO DOUBT MEMBERS WILL WISH TO KEEP TRACK OF OUR PROGRESS.
ONE FURTHER RELATED MATTER WHICH I KNOW ALSO CONCERNS THE PUBLIC AND WHICH HAS BEEN MENTIONED BY MR MARTIN LEE TODAY AND ONE OR TWO OTHER MEMBERS IS THE IRREGULAR PRACTICES OF SOME REAL ESTATE AGENTS. REAL ESTATE AGENTS IS, LIKE SPECULATION, A RATHER BROAD TERM. IT COVERS BOTH FLY-BY-NIGHT AND ALSO MAJOR INTERNATIONAL OPERATORS.
WITH THE BUOYANCY OF THE PROPERTY MARKET AND BETTER AWARENESS OF CONSUMER RIGHTS, THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASING NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST REAL ESTATE AGENTS RECEIVED BY THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION AND THE CONSUMER COUNCIL. IN 1990, A TOTAL OF 181 SUCH COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED, COMPARED WITH 140 ONLY IN 1989. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS IS STILL RELATIVELY SMALL, GIVEN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS EACH YEAR, WHICH AMOUNTS TO OVER 74,000 IN 1990/91. NONETHELESS, THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY INVOLVED IN THESE COMPLAINTS IS SUBSTANTIAL AND IT SEEMS PROBABLE THAT MANY MORE WOULD HAVE HAVE COMPLAINED, IF THEY HAVE NOT BEEN SO SUCCESSFULLY CHEATED. THE MALPRACTICES REPORTED INCLUDE MISREPRESENTATION, NON-DISCLOSURE OF KEY INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPERTY, ILLEGAL ALTERATIONS, EXAGGERATION OF SIZE, STAMP DUTY FRAUD, AND DECEPTION.
/BECAUSE I .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1991
3
BECAUSE I WAS AWARE THAT THE CONSUMER COUNCIL WAS LOOKING INTO THE SUBJECT AND HAD AVAILABLE TO IT AN EXCELLENT REPORT PREPARED BY THE ICAC, I TOLD THIS COUNCIL SOME TIME AGO THAT I INTENDED TO AWAIT THE CONSUMER COUNCIL'S STUDY BEFORE TAKING ANY FURTHER STEPS. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS STUDY HAS JUST BEEN COMPLETED OR IS VERY NEARLY COMPLETED AND LIKE THE ICAC’S REPORT, RECOMMENDS THE LICENSING OF REAL ESTATE AGENTS. 1 CANNOT NOW PRE-JUDGE THIS ISSUE AS IT IS OBVIOUSLY ALSO VERY COMPLEX, BUT WOULD WISH TO CONFIRM THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL WILL BE CONSIDERED VERY CAREFULLY AS SOON AS IT IS RECEIVED. IN THE LIGHT OF BOTH THE EVIDENCE AVAILABLE AND OF THE PUBLIC CONCERN ON THIS ISSUE, WE WILL TRY TO REACH A CONCLUSION ON WHETHER ANY FURTHER ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN AS SOON AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.
SIR, I PROPOSE TO SUPPORT MISS LEUNG’S MOTION.
MY PROBLEM WITH MR SIT’S AMENDMENT IS THAT SPECULATION IS AN ISSUE WHICH IS MORE FRAUGHT WITH MYTHS AND MORALISATION THAN ALMOST ANY OTHER.
AND ANY STEPS PROPOSED WOULD REQUIRE GREAT CARE AND A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF DISCUSSION BEFORE BEING TAKEN IN ORDER TO AVOID HARM. WHEREAS THE ADMINISTRATION FULLY RECOGNISES THE VERY WIDE PUBLIC CONCERN ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THAT THIS CONCERN CERTAINLY JUSTIFIES A CLOSE AND SYSTEMATIC EXAMINATION OF EXISTING PRACTICES AND THE VARIOUS PROPOSALS FOR SOLUTIONS, MR SIT’S AMENDMENT APPEARS TO PRE-SUPPOSE THAT THE CONCLUSION OF SUCH A REVIEW WOULD LEAD TO FURTHER RESTRICTIVE ACTION. AFTER LISTENING TO THE VIEWS EXPRESSED HERE THIS AFTERNOON IN THIS DEBATE I DOUBT WHETHER THIS WOULD BE WISE. SO I SUPPORT MISS LEUNG’S MOTION.
-----0-----
DAMAGES FOR BEREAVEMENT INCREASED TO $70,000
*»»**»
THE AWARD FOR DAMAGES FOR BEREAVEMENT UNDER THE FATAL ACCIDENTS ORDINANCE WAS RAISED FROM $40,000 TO $70,000 BY A RESOLUTION MADE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE RESOLUTION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, EXPLAINED THAT IN 1986 THE FATAL ACCIDENTS ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED TO MODERNISE THE LAW ENABLING CLOSE RELATIONS OF PERSONS KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT, SUCH AS A ROAD ACCIDENT, TO BRING AN ACTION IN THE COURTS TO RECOVER DAMAGES FOR THEIR LOSS AGAINST THE PERSON CAUSING THE DEATH.
"THESE DAMAGES USUALLY INCLUDE THE LOSS OF THE DECEASED’S FINANCIAL SUPPORT, MEDICAL COSTS AND ANY PROPERTY DAMAGE.
"UNDER SECTION 4 OF THE ORDINANCE DEPENDANTS ARE ALSO ABLE TO CLAIM DAMAGES FOR THEIR BEREAVEMENT," MR MATHEWS SAID.
SINCE 1986, THE SUM AWARDED AS DAMAGES FOR BEREAVEMENT HAD BEEN FIXED BY THE ORDINANCE AT $40,000.
/SUBSECTION (5) .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1991
4
SUBSECTION (5) OF SECTION 4 PROVIDED THAT THIS SUM MIGHT BE ALTERED BY A RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
’’SINCE 1986, INFLATION HAS REDUCED THE MONETARY VALUE OF THIS AWARD FOR BEREAVEMENT.
’’IT IS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO INCREASE IT SO THAT DEPENDANTS CAN BE ADEQUATELY COMPENSATED."
HE SAID THIS FIGURE OF $70,000 WAS ARRIVED AT AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE LEGAL PROFESSION, THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID, AND THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES.
------0--------
BILL PERMITS HIGH COURT ORDERS IN INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION t * * * t ♦
THE
ARBITRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 PROV] DED . ’THAT
THEIR INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATIONS IN HONG KONG WOULD BE ABLE
ARBITRATION
(AMENDMENT)
CONDUCTING -....- _
TO APPLY TO THE HIGH COURT FOR APPROPRIATE ORDERS.
COUNCIL
SAID IN
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL IN TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR 1989 THE ARBITRATION ORDINANCE WAS AMENDED SCHEME FOR INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATIONS UNDER I HE .......................................FRADE LAW) MODEL
THE LEGISLATIVE JEREMY MATHEWS, TO INTRODUCE A
SEPARATE -------
(UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL
UNCITRAL LAW.
"THIS HELPED TO ESTABLISH HONG KONG AS A LEADING REGIONAL CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATIONS.
"RECENTLY, DOUBTS HAVE ARISEN PERMITS THE HIGH COURT TO MAKE ORDERS, CARRIED OUT UNDER THE UNCITRAL MODEL ARBITRATIONS.
AS TO WHETHER THE ORDINANCE IN INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATIONS LAW, AS IT CAN FOR DOMESTIC
"THE BILL SEEK EXPLAINED.
TO REMOVE ANY DOUBT ON THIS POINT,
HE
DEBATE ON THE MOTION VAS ADJOURNED.
--------0-----------
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1991
- 5 -
LEGAL PRACTITIONERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991
♦ »***»
MANDATORY CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION WAS AN IMPORTANT STEP IN ENSURING THAT THE PUBLIC HAD ACCESS TO COMPETENT, PROFESSIONAL LAWYERS, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, MR MATHEWS SAID THE BILL HAD THREE MAIN PURPOSES.
"FIRST, IT SEEKS TO INTRODUCE A MANDATORY CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION SCHEME TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE LAW SOCIETY FOR SOLICITORS AND TRAINEE SOLICITORS.
"SECONDLY, IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE BAR ASSOCIATION BE EMPOWERED TO ISSUE ITS OWN PRACTISING CERTIFICATES.
"AND THIRDLY, THE BILL PROPOSES AN AMENDMENT TO FACILITATE THE ADMISSION AS BARRISTERS OF PRACTISING SOLICITORS," HE SAID.
ON CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION, MR MATHEWS SAID IT WAS A VERY IMPORTANT METHOD FOR PROMOTING AND MAINTAINING PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE.
"A CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION SCHEME RECOGNISES THAT A LAWYER’S EDUCATION DOES NOT CEASE UPON GRADUATION OR THE COMPLETION OF THE POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN LAWS COURSE.
"THE LAW AND THE PRACTICE OF LAW ARE CHANGING; HENCE THE NEED FOR LAWYERS TO KEEP ABREAST OF CHANGES THROUGHOUT THEIR PROFESSIONAL CAREER," HE SAID.
MR MATHEWS SAID MANDATORY CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION SCHEMES WERE OPERATING SUCCESSFULLY IN MANY OTHER JURISDICTIONS.
"FOR HONG KONG, AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION, THE LAW SOCIETY HAS DECIDED TO FOLLOW THE SCHEME IN PLACE IN ENGLAND AND WALES.
"INITIALLY, CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION COURSES WILL BE MANDATORY FOR RECENTLY QUALIFIED SOLICITORS AND TRAINEE SOLICITORS.
"MAKING THE SCHEME MANDATORY FOR SOLICITORS WITH ONE YEAR EXPERIENCE AFTER ADMISSION, AND TRAINEE SOLICITORS DURING THEIR TWO-YEAR TRAINING PERIOD, ENSURES THAT THESE LAWYERS START WITH GOOD PRACTICE SKILLS AND ARE COMPETENT IN THOSE AREAS OF THE LAW THAT THEY WILL .MOST LIKELY COME ACROSS IN THEIR EARLY YEARS OF PRACTICE," THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID.
CLAUSE 4 OF THE BILL AMENDED THE ORDINANCE TO EMPOWER THE LAW SOCIETY TO ENFORCE THE MANDATORY NATURE OF THE CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION SCHEME.
/IT MIGHT .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1991
- 6 -
IT MIGHT REFUSE TO ISSUE A PRACTISING CERTIFICATE, OR PLACE CONDITIONS UPON A CERTIFICATE, IF THE APPLICANT HAD NOT COMPLETED THE REQUIRED COURSES, MR MATHEWS EXPLAINED.
TURNING TO THE SECOND PURPOSE OF THE BILL, MR MATHEWS SAID CLAUSES PROPOSED THAT THE BAR ASSOCIATION WOULD BE EMPOWERED TO ISSUE PRACTISING CERTIFICATES.
"THE LAW SOCIETY ALREADY HAS THIS POWER IN RELATION TO SOLICITORS.
"HOWEVER, A BARRISTER'S PRACTISING CERTIFICATE IS ISSUED BY THE REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT.
"BY TAKING OVER THIS RESPONSIBILITY AND RETAINING THE REVENUE, THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE BAR WILL BE ENHANCED AND IT WILL HAVE AN ADDITIONAL REVENUE SOURCE FOR ITS ADMINISTRATIVE AFFAIRS," HE SAID.
ON THE THIRD MAIN PURPOSE OF THE BILL, MR MATHEWS SAID CLAUSE 5 WOULD ALLOW ANY SOLICITOR WHO HAD PRACTISED IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS TO BECOME A BARRISTER.
"THIS AMENDMENT WAS PROPOSED BY THE BAR ASSOCIATION AND HAS THE SUPPORT OF BOTH THE BAR AND THE LAW SOCIETY," THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID.
CLAUSE 7 OF THE BILL REMOVED THE BARRIER PREVENTING THOSE BARRISTERS WHO HAD BEEN ADMITTED TO PRACTISE IN COUNTRIES WITH A FUSED PROFESSION FROM BEING QUALIFIED AS A BARRISTER IN HONG KONG.
THE BILL ALSO MADE CHANGES TO NOMENCLATURE WITH ’ARTICLED CLERK’ BEING REPLACED BY ’TRAINEE SOLICITOR’, AND ’BAR COMMITTEE’ BEING REPLACED BY ’BAR COUNCIL’.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
------0--------
RILLS TO REGISTER SURVEYORS AND PLANNERS I ♦ t ♦ t I
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, MOVED THE SECOND READING OF THE SURVEYORS REGISTRATION BILL 1991 AND THE PLANNERS REGISTRATION BILL 1991 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BARNES SAID: "THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THE BILLS IS TO ASSURE THE PUBLIC THAT THOSE WHO PROFESS TO BE PROFESSIONALLY QUALIFIED SURVEYORS AND PLANNERS HAVE INDEED RECEIVED APPROPRIATE TRAINING AND ARE COMPETENT TO PRACTISE IN HONG KONG."
HE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE PROFESSIONS INVOLVED ALSO BELIEVED THAT THIS LEGISLATION WOULD SERVE TO ENHANCE AND MAINTAIN PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS.
/MR BARNES .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1991
7
MR BARNES ADDED THAT REGISTRATION OF THOSE QUALIFIED WOULD NOT DE COMPULSORY, HUT THERE WOULD HE OBVIOUS BENEFITS ACCRUING FROM THE USE OF THE TITLE "REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL SURVEYOR" OR "REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL PLANNER".
THE SURVEYORS REGISTRATION BILL REQUIRED THAT PROFESSIONAL SURVEYOR SHOULD SPECIFY ini' DISCIPLINE IN SHE WAS QUALIFIED, so THAT THERE KAS \o DOUBT AS TO THE OF EXPERTISE OF THE INDIVIDUAL CONCERNED.
A REGISTERED KHI CH HE OR ACTUAL FIELD
NEVERTHELESS, PROFESSIONALS Kilo WERE NOT REGISTERED WOULD STILL BE PERMITTED TO PRACTISE IN HONG KONG PROVIDING THAT THEY DID NOT IMPLY THAT THEY KERF REGISTERED.
MR BARNES SAID: "THE MAIN REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION ARE THAT THE PERSON IS ORDINARILY RESIDENT VND II VS VT LEAST ONE YEAR’S RELEVANT PROFESSIONS! EXPERIENCE IN HONG KONG, IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE REQUIRED ACADEMIC VND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING STANDARDS."
HE POINTED OlT THAT THE ADMINISTRATION SAW POTENTIAL BENEFITS IN REGISTRATION BEING LINKED TO I'HE RIGHT TO CARRY OUT STATUTORY FUNCTIONS UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE.
"THIS KILL HE (ONSIDERKD oN( E THE REGISTRATION SYSTEM FOR PROFESSIONAL SURVEYORS HAS BECOME AS WELL ESTABLISHED AS THOSE FOR ARCHITECTS AND PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS.
"THE INTRODUCTION OF REGISTRATION DOES NOT MEAN THERE WILL BE A "CLOSED SHOP", OR THAT THE PROFESSIONAL INSTITITES WILL BE ABLE TO OPERATE RESTRICTIVE PRACTICES," MR BYRNES SAID.
HE SAID THE BILLS PROV IDED FOR REGISTRATION TO BE ADMINISTERED BY REGISTRATION BOVRDS WHICH WERE APPOINTED BY Till' COUNCILS OF THE INSTITUTES BUT WERE INDEPENDENT OF THE PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTES IN THEIR OPERATION.
"PROVISION IS MADE FOR A GOVERNMENT APPOINTEE TO EACH BOARD. THE ADMINISTRATION IS CONFIDENT THAT THE (’(IMPOSITION OF THE BOARDS WILL PROVIDE THE RIGHT BALANCE VND THE NECESSARY DEGREE OF SELF REGULATION," MR BARNES SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IF’ V REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL LOST FOR WHATEVER REASON HIS QUALIFICATION FOR REGISTRATION, HIS NAME MIGHT BF REMOVED FROM THE REGISTER.
"IN THE EVENT THAT A REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL COMMITS A DISCIPLINARY OFFENCE Till BILL PROVIDES FOR INVESTIGATION BY AN INQUIRY (OMMITTEE WHICH MAY RESULT IN REMOVAL OF THE PROFESSIONAL’S NAME FROM THE REGISTER, EITHER PERMANENTLY OR FOR A SPECIFIED PERIOD.
" VLTERN VTI VEI.Y THE COMMI TTEE MVY ORDER SOME FORM OF REPRIMAND. AS A SAFEGUARD, PROVISION IS MADE FOR APPEAL TO Till COURT OF APPEAL AGAINST DISCIPLINARY ORDERS," HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILLS WAS ADJOURNED.
- - 0 - -
/8.........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1991
- 8 -
QUEEN ELIZABETH FOUNDATION FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED BILL INTRODUCED ********
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO INCREASE THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COUNCIL OF THE QUEEN ELIZABETH FOUNDATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED AND TO EMPOWER IT TO APPOINT PERSONS OR INSTITUTIONS TO MANAGE THE INVESTMENT OF THE FOUNDATION’S ASSETS IN ACCORDANCE WITH DIRECTIONS GIVEN BY THE COUNCIL WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE QUEEN ELIZABETH FOUNDATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 WAS MOVED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON ELIZABETH WONG.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MRS WONG SAID CLAUSE 2 OF THE BILL AMENDED SECTION 5 OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE OR THEIR REPRESENTATIVES AS OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE FOUNDATION'S COUNCIL, AND TO INCREASE THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS, IN ADDITION TO THE CHAIRMAN AND THE MEMBER NOMINATED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, FROM FIVE TO SEVEN.
SHE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT AT PRESENT, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR REHABILITATION' WERE THE ONLY TWO OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
HOWEVER, A RECENT REVIEW OF THE ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS SPONSORED BY THE COUNCIL SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1988 HAD REVEALED THAT MOST OF THEM RELATED CLOSELY TO SERVICES PROVIDED OR SUBVERTED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT OR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
IT WAS THEREFORE USEFUL FOR THESE TWO DEPARTMENTS TO BE REPRESENTED ON THE COUNCIL TO ENSURE, AMONGST OTHER THINGS, THAT THE ACTIVITIES OR PROJECTS SPONSORED BY THE COUNCIL WERE COMPATIBLE WITH EXISTING AND PLANNED SERVICES, MRS WONG EXPLAINED.
AS THE NUMBER OF OFFICIAL MEMBERS WOULD BE INCREASED TO FOUR, THE COUNCIL CONSIDERED IT DESIRABLE FOR THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS TO BE INCREASED PROPORTIONALLY SO AS TO MAINTAIN THE EXISTING LEVEL OF NON-OFFICIAL PARTICIPATION, SHE ADDED.
ON ASSET MANAGEMENT, MRS WONG SAID CLAUSE 3 OF THE BILL AMENDED SECTION 8(B) OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE TO EMPOWER THE FOUNDATION’S COUNCIL TO APPOINT PERSONS OR INSTITUTIONS TO MANAGE THE INVESTMENT OF THE FOUNDATION’S ASSETS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DIRECTIONS OF THE COUNCIL.
"SECTION 8(B), AS IT NOW STANDS, IMPOSES NO RESTRICTION ON THE FUND MANAGER’S POWER TO MANAGE AND ADMINISTER THE FOUNDATION’S ASSETS.
"AS A RESULT, THE EXERCISE OF SUCH POWER MAY CONFLICT WITH THE COUNCIL’S DUTIES UNDER SECTION 6(1) TO MAKE DECISIONS ON THE APPLICATION OF INCOME AND ASSETS," THE SECRETARY NOTED.
"TO RECTIFY THIS, IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE PERSONS OR INSTITUTIONS APPOINTED BY THE COUNCIL TO MANAGE THE INVESTMENT OF THE FOUNDATION ASSETS BE REQUIRED TO ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH GENERAL OR SPECIFIC DIRECTIONS WHICH THE COUNCIL MAY GIVE IN WRITING FROM TIME TO TIME," SHE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
------0--------
/9 .....
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1991
9
AMENDMENT MADE ON TRADE MARKS BILL
THE TRADEMARK IS A VALUABLE ITEM OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND THE PROPER USE OF IT IS UNDOUBTEDLY OF BENEFIT TO THE ECONOMY.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN WINDING UP THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE TRADE MARKS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991.
SIR PIERS SAID UPON FURTHER DELIBERATION, THE ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERED THAT THE OBJECTIVE OF THE BILL WOULD NOT BE COMPLETELY ACHIEVED WITHOUT THE AMENDMENT OF ANOTHER TWO SECTIONS IN THE ORDINANCE.
AMENDMENTS WERE THEREFORE MADE TO EXTEND THE SCOPE OF SECTIONS 23 AND 53 TO COVER TRADE MARKS FOR SERVICES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
SECTION 23 OF THE ORDINANCE GAVE A DISCRETION TO THE REGISTRAR OF TRADE MARKS To REFUSE TO REGISTER A TRADE MARK THAT WAS IDENTICAL WITH OR NEARLY RESEMBLED ONE WHICH WAS ALREADY REGISTERED IN RESPECT OF THE SAME GOODS IN A COUNTRY FROM WHICH THOSE GOODS ORIGINATED.
SECTION 53 ALLOWED A COURT TO REMOVE FROM THE REGISTER A TRADE MARK UNDER SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES.
SIR PIERS ADDED SIMILAR PROVISIONS WERE CONSIDERED NECESSARY FOR TRADE MARKS FOR SERVICE.
THE BILL WAS PASSED WITH THE ABOVE AMENDMENT.
--------0-------
MANPOWER INCREASE FOR INSOLVENCY FUND JUSTIFIED
POSTS
THE FOUR ADDITIONAL INCREASE IN PROCESSING APPLICATIONS TO ............................ JUSTIFIED,
CREATED TO COPE
THE PROTECTION wqoFvFNCY FUND AKE FULLY JUSTIFIED, THE ACTING EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON CHRISTINE CHOW, LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
WITH WORKLOAD
OF WAGES ON SECRETARY FOR SAID IN THE
WINDING UP THE RESUMED DEBATE Oi THE INSOLVENCY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, MISS CHOW THE UNIT WHICH ADMINISTERED THE FUND HAD 1985, WHEN THE FUND WAS FIRST ESTABLISHED.
PROTECTION <>F WAGES ON
SAID THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NOT BEEN INCREASED SINCE
UNDER THE PROTECTION OF WAGES LABOUR DEPARTMENT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR
ON INSOLVENCY ORDINANCE, PROCESSING APPLICATIONS TO
THE
THE
FUND.
/SHE POINTED
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1991
SHE POINTED OUT THAT IN 1989 WHEN THE FUND STARTED TO COVER SEVERANCE PAYMENTS, THERE WERE 4,460 APPLICATIONS; LAST YEAR, THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS INCREASED BY MORE THAN 56 PER CENT TO 6,977.
"IN THE CURRENT YEAR WE EXPECT THE NUMBER TO INCREASE BY ANOTHER 4.5 PER CENT TO WELL OVER 7,200 CASES," SHE SAID.
ON POSSIBLE FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS, MISS CHOW SAID SINCE A MAJOR STEP HAD BEEN TAKEN FORWARD, IT WOULD SEEM PRUDENT TO ALLOW SOME TIME FOR ITS IMPLICATIONS ON THE RESOURCES OF THE FUND TO BE ASCERTAINED, BEFORE CONSIDERING FURTHER CHANGES.
"IN SO DOING, WE WOULD NEED TO CONSULT THE BOARD CONTROLLING THE FUND AND THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD," SHE SAID.
- - 0 - -
LAW ALLOWS POSTAL PACKETS TO BE OPENED FOR INSPECTION
*******
UNDER THE POST OFFICE ORDINANCE, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL IS PERMITTED TO OPEN FOR INSPECTION POSTAL PACKETS WHICH ARE SUSPECTED OF CONTAINING PROHIBITED ARTICLES.
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG.
IN PRACTICE, ENFORCEMENT IS UNDERTAKEN BY CUSTOMS OFFICERS
WHO, UNDER THE IMPORT AND EXPORT ORDINANCE, ARE EMPOWERED TO OPEN AND EXAMINE ANY POSTAL PACKET IN THE PRESENCE OF A POSTAL OFFICER," MR ASPREY SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE SELECTION OF PACKETS TO OPEN FOR INSPECTION OR TO X-RAY WAS BASED ON INTELLIGENCE AND PROFILING.
IN 1990, 81,736 INWARD AND 13,720 OUTWARD PARCELS WERE CLOSELY EXAMINED AND, AS A RESULT, 97 SEIZURES WERE MADE.
"THE SEIZURES WERE MAINLY OF DUTIABLE COMMODITIES BUT ALSO INCLUDED DRUGS, PART I POISONS, AMMUNITION AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS SUCH AS IVORY," THE SECRETARY SAID.
- - 0 - -
/Il
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1991
GOVT CONTINUES TO REPRESENT HK’S INTEREST IN U.S. MFN DEBATE
THE ADMINISTRATION WILL CONTINUE TO REPRESENT HONG KONG’S INTEREST IN THE MOST FAVOURED NATION (MFN) DEBATE IN THE UNITED STATES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON DAVID LI, SIR PIERS SAID THE UNITED STATES PRESIDENT HAD YET TO FORMALLY ANNOUNCE HIS DECISION TO EXTEND THE MFN STATUS TO CHINA FOR ANOTHER YEAR.
SOME DRAFT BILLS HAD BEEN INTRODUCED IN THE U.S. CONGRESS EITHER TO TERMINATE CHINA’S MFN STATUS OR TO IMPOSE CONDITIONS ON ITS RENEWAL, HE NOTED.
WHILE THE ADMINISTRATION WAS MONITORING THE DEVEOLPMENT’S CLOSELY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, HAD BEEN IN TOUCH PERSONALLY WITH A NUMBER OF KEY MEMBERS OF TIIF U.S. CONGRESS.
CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF WORK HAD ALSO BEEN DONE IN WASHINGTON, AND ELSEWHERE IN THE UNITED STATES, THROUGH THE -COMBINED EFFORTS OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICES, THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND THE HONG KONG TEAM OF CONSULTANTS, SIR PIERS SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG/U.S. ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION COMMITTEE WOULD BE CALLING ON U.S. ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS, SENATORS AND CONGRESSMEN BEFORE AND AFTER A JOINT MEETING BETWEEN THE COMMITTEE AND ITS AMERICAN COUNTERPART TO BE HELD IN NEW YORK ON JUNE 6.
MEANWHILE, THE ADMINISTRATION WAS IN CLOSE TOUCH WITH OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES IN HONG KONG SUCH AS THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND OTHER TRADE OR INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS TO ENSURE PROPER CO-ORDINATION OF EFFORTS, INCLUDING POSSIBLE VISITS TO THE UNITED STATES.
NOTING THAT THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAD SENT A DELEGATION TO THE UNITED STATES IN EARLY MAY, SIR PIERS SAID THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WAS PRESENTLY IN WASHINGTON.
MEANWHILE, THE ADMINISTRATION HAD DRAWN ATTENTION TO THE ADVERSE IMPLICATIONS FOR HONG KONG OF ANY DECISION TO REVOKE OR IMPOSE CONDITIONS ON RENEWAL OF CHINA’S MFN STATUS.
ON THE IMPACT ()N HONG KONG, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT ESTIMATED THAT IF THE MFN STATUS WERE WITHDRAWN FROM CHINA, HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS, WHICH AMOUNTED TO HK$82 BILLION IN 1990, WOULD PROBABLY BE REDUCED BY ABOUT 33 PER CENT TO 44 PER CENT OR SOME HK$27-36 BILLION.
HONG KONG’S OVERALL TRADE MIGHT BE REDUCED BY ABOUT FIVE PER CENT TO SEVEN PER CENT OR SOME HK$69-91 BILLION AND HONG KONG COULD ALSO LOSE 1.3 PER CENT TO 1.8 PER CENT. IN THE GROWTH RATE OF THE OVERALL GDP.
THE LOSS IN EMPLOYMENT MIGHT BE IN THE RANGE OF 32,000 TO 43,000 JOBS, HE ADDED.
- - 0
/12
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1991
12
ADMINISTRATION COMMITTED TO IMPROVE LEGAL KNOWLEDGE ♦ ♦♦*♦♦
THE ADMINISTRATION WAS COMMITTED TO IMPROVING THE STANDARD OF LEGAL KNOWLEDGE OF HONG KONG PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY THE YOUNG, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MIRIAM LAU IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID A GREAT DEAL OF WORK WAS DONE BY THE ADMINISTRATION AND NON-GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO PROMOTE LEGAL AWARENESS AND ENHANCE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE LAW.
"SINCE AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAW AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM IS BENEFICIAL TO EVERYONE, IT IS NOT SURPRISING TO FIND THAT APART FROM MANY ACTIVITIES TARGETTED SPECIFICALLY AT THE YOUNG, THERE ARE ALSO MANY OTHERS WHICH ARE AIMED AT THE POPULATION AS A WHOLE," HE SAID.
AT THE SECONDARY LEVEL, MR MATHEWS SAID THE CURRENT SCHOOL CURRICULUM FULLY RECOGNISED THE IMPORTANCE OF PASSING ON TO PUPILS SOME BASIC KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE LAW AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM, THROUGH SUBJECTS SUCH AS ECONOMIC & PUBLIC AFFAIRS, GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND SOCIAL STUDIES.
"TOPICS COVERED INCLUDE LAW AND ORDER AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM IN HONG KONG. TOPICS RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY, THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE CURRICULUM OF THE GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT THE ADVANCED LEVEL AND ADVANCED SUPPLEMENTARY LEVEL AND OF LIBERAL STUDIES AT THE ADVANCED SUPPLEMENTARY LEVEL, IN 1992.
"TO HELP TEACHERS IN THE TEACHING OF LAW-RELATED TOPICS, REFERENCE MATERIALS AND RESOURCES ARE MADE AVAILABLE IN CIVIC EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTRES RUN BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
"EDUCATION TV PROGRAMMES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE TO ASSIST THE TEACHING OF SOME TOPICS," HE SAID.
FOR PUPILS, MR MATHEWS SAID THEY WERE PROVIDED WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT THE LAW AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM THROUGH SCHOOL CIVIC EDUCATION PROGRAMMES AS OUTLINED IN THE "GUIDELINES ON CIVIC EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS" PRODUCED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
"THE ADMINISTRATION ALSO FULLY RECOGNISES THE VALUE OF EXTRACURRICULA ACTIVITIES IN ENABLING PUPILS TO WIDEN THEIR EXPERIENCE OUTSIDE THE FORMAL CURRICULUM.
"THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN SUCH ACTIVITIES, PUPILS FIND IT MUCH EASIER TO COMPREHEND ABSTRACT CONCEPTS RELATING TO RULE OF LAW AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM.
’’SCHOOLS THEREFORE ORGANISE ACTIVITIES SUCH AS VISITS TO COURTS AND TALKS ON SUBJECTS RELATING TO LAW," HE SAID.
/TURNING TO .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1991
13
TURNING TO ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE THE CONFINES OF SCHOOLS, MR MATHEWS SAID THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION, UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF DR DANIEL TSE, HAD PLAYED A PIVOTAL ROLE.
"LAST YEAR THE COMMITTEE SPONSORED FIVE PROJECTS ORGANISED BY DIFFERENT COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS AND STUDENT GROUPS TO ENHANCE YOUNGSTERS’ LEGAL KNOWLEDGE.
"THIS YEAR, THE COMMITTEE WILL SPONSOR ANOTHER TWO PROJECTS ON THE THEME OF THE RULE OF LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS,” HE SAID.
MR MATHEWS ADDED THAT WITH THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE COMMITTEE, CIVIC EDUCATION BODIES ESTABLISHED UNDER THE DISTRICT BOARDS OR DISTRICT OFFICES ALSO ORGANISED A WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES LAST YEAR TO ENHANCE PUBLIC LEGAL KNOWLEDGE.
ACTIVITIES INCLUDED SEMINARS, VISITS TO THE SUPREME COURT, QUIZZES AND EXHIBITIONS.
"THESE DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION BODIES ARE NOW CONSIDERING THEIR WORKING PLANS FOR 1991/92," HE SAID.
ON EFFORTS MADE BY THE LEGAL PROFESSION TO IMPROVE LEGAL KNOWLEDGE, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL PAID TRIBUTE TO THE LEGAL AWARENESS COMMITTEE OF THE LAW SOCIETY OF HONG KONG.
"THE COMMITTEE COMPRISES MEMBERS FROM THE LAW SOCIETY, THE BAR ASSOCIATION, THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, THE CITY POLYTECHNIC, THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE AND RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG.
"LAST MONTH, IT ORGANISED THE FIRST LAW WEEK IN HONG KONG WHICH AIMED AT PROMOTING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC OF THE LAW AND ITS ROLE IN SOCIETY.
"IT WAS RECEIVED BY THE PUBLIC VERY ENTHUSIASTICALLY," MR MATHEWS SAID.
THE LAW WEEK COVERED A WIDE VARIETY OF PROGRAMMES, SOME OF WHICH WERE DESIGNED FOR YOUNG PEOPLE pNLY.
THERE WAS A POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION IN WHICH 30 SCHOOLS TOOK PART AND A TOTAL OF 419 ENTRIES WERE RECEIVED.
IN ADDITION, 31 COURT VISITS WERE ARRANGED FOR OVER 900 SECONDARY SCHOOL CHILDREN, WHO WERE BRIEFED ON THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE COURT IN ACTION.
JUDGES AND LAWYERS ALSO VISITED 56 SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG AND ADDRESSED NO LESS THAN 5,000 STUDENTS ON A VARIETY OF LEGAL TOPICS.
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/14 .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1991
- 14 -
MEASURES IN HAND TO CUT VIET CRIMES ******
THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN AND IS TAKING A NUMBER OF SECURITY AND SOCIAL MEASURES TO REDUCE CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES BY VIETNAMESE GANGS IN NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TAI CHIN-WAH, MR ASPREY SAID CRIMES BY VIETNAMESE IN THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES WERE A CAUSE OF CONCERN TO THE GOVERNMENT.
MR ASPREY NOTED THAT MOST CRIMES COMMITTED BY VIETNAMESE WERE AGAINST THEIR FELLOW VIETNAMESE INSIDE THE DETENTION CENTRES AND REFUGEE CAMPS, BUT THERE WAS ALSO A WORRYING TREND OF GENERAL CRIME BY VIETNAMESE.
TO REDUCE SUCH (RIMES, A NUMBER OF MEASURES HAD BEEN AND WERE BEING TAKEN, HE SAID.
’’THE SECURITY OF THE DETENTION CENTRES HAS BEEN GREATLY IMPROVED IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS.
’’ESCAPES STILL OCCUR, BUT THEIR FREQUENCY IS NOW LOW,” THE SECRETARY ADDED.
IN THE REFUGEE CENTRES, SECURITY WAS BEING IMPROVED BY THE RECRUITMENT OF ADDITIONAL GUARDS AND CARETAKERS.
MR ASPREY SAID THE GOVERNMENT HOPED THAT THIS WOULD GREATER DEGREE OF SECURITY COVERAGE AND LED TO A REDUCTION
GIVE A IN THE
CRIME FIGURES.
MR ASPREY SAID THE SOCIAL MEASURES INTRODUCED IN THE REFUGEE CENTRES WERE THE FORMATION OF CAMP COMMITTEES INVOLVING THE VIETNAMESE, THE (AMP MANAGEMENT AND A SOCIAL WORK GROUP, THE COMMUNITY & FAMILY SERVICES INTERNATIONAL (CFS1).
’’THE AIM OF SUCH COMMITTEES IS TO INVOLVE THE VIETNAMESE IN THEIR OWN CAMP MANAGEMENT AND BRING ABOUT A GREATER SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITY.
"ONE OF THE MAIN AIMS OF THIS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WILL BE TO PREVENT CRIME,” MR ASPREY NOTED.
ADDITIONALLY, MR ASPREY SAID, MOVES WERE AFOOT TO IMPROVE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN THE CENTRES, AND THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL SERVICES (ISS) WAS SEEKING FUNDS FOR EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.
TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF DRUG-RELATED CRIMES, THERE WAS AN ONGOING ANTI-DRUGS CAMPAIGN IN THE CENTRES WITH REGULAR PUBLICITY AND ACTIVITIES.
MR ASPREY NOTED THAT THE NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES WAS STEADILY REDUCING THROUGH RESETTLEMENT AND TRANSFERS TO THE REFUGEE TRANSIT CENTRE TN THE PHILIPPINES.
IT SHOULD BE POSSIBLE TO (’LOSE IN THE NEAR FUTURE BOTH THE TURN MUN AND KAI TAK REFUGEE CENTRES, HF ADDED.
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/15......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1991
15
PHASING OUT OF RENT CONTROLS BEING WORKED OUT
A DECISION ON THE LIKELY TIMING OF THE PHASING OUT OF RENT CONTROLS HAS YET TO BE MADE, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON PETER TSAO, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON DAVID CHEUNG, MR TSAO SAID HE EXPECTED TO BE IN POSITION TO GIVE A CLEAR INDICATION OF A POSSIBLE TIME-TABLE LATER THIS YEAR AND TO SUBMIT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DETAILS OF THE MEASURES WHICH WOULD ACHIEVE THE PHASING OUT OF CONTROLS OVER THE NEXT THREE OR FOUR YEARS.
HE RECALLED THAT IN 1981, THE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTED A RECOMMENDATION BY THE COMMITTEE OF REVIEW OF THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE THAT EVERY EFFORT SHOULD BE MADE TO ACCELERATE THE PHASING OUT OF RENT CONTROLS AS SOON AS CIRCUMSTANCES PERMIT AND HAVING REGARD TO THE NEED TO AVOID ADVERSE SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES.
’’ADJUSTMENTS ARE MADE ANNUALLY TO THE CONTROL MECHANISMS IN AN EFFORT TO BRING THE CONTROLLED RENTS CLOSER TO PREVAILING MARKET RATES,” HE SAID.
CURRENTLY, THERE ARE SOME 44,000 PREMISES SUBJECT TO RENT CONTROLS AND THEIR NUMBER IS DIMINISHING AT A RATE OF ABOUT 5,000 PER YEAR DUE TO REPOSSESSION BY OWNERS, FRESH LETTINGS AT MARKET RATES AND DEMOLITION.
THE AVERAGE CONTROLLED RENTS OF PRE-WAR AND POST-WAR BUILDINGS ARE $1,652 AND $2,565 RESPECTIVELY, REPRESENTING 64.7 PER CENT AND 61.9 PER CENT OF THEIR RESPECTIVE PREVAILING MARKET RENTALS.
MR TSAO SAID HE INTENDED TO ALLOW FOR OF THESE CONTROLLED RENTS ON A PROGRESSIVE SATISFIED THAT SUCH ADJUSTMENTS WOULD NOT ADVERSE SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES.
THE ADJUSTMENT UPWARDS BASIS PROVIDED HE WAS RESULT IN UNACCEPTABLY
”TO THAT EXTENT, AFFORDABILITY WILL BE A FACTOR,” HE SAID.
WITH REGARD TO MR CHEUNG’S QUERY REGARDING RATES AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO RENTALS, MR ISAO EXPLAINED THAT THE RATEABLE VALUE OF A PROPERTY WAS BASED ON AN ESTIMATE OF THE REASONABLE OPEN MARKET RENT AT WHICH THE PROPERTY MIGHT BE RENTED IE VACANT.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE SAME RATEABLE VALUE WHETHER OR NOT THE PROPERTY WAS SUBJECT TO RENT CONTROL.
WOULD APPLY
’’THIS ENSURES UNIFORMITY OF ASSESSMENT AND THUS THE FAIR DISTRIBUTION OF THE RATES BURDEN BETWEEN DIFFERENT RATEPAYERS,” MR TSAO SAID.
’’THUS, IF RENT CONTROLS \RI LIFTED, THIS WILL HAVE NO EFFECT ON THE LEVEL OF RATEABLE VALUES.
’’THE ACTUAL AMOUNT OF RATES COLLECTED WILL ANYWAY DEPEND ON THE RATES PERCENTAGE (’BARGE TO BE APPLIED TO THE RATEABLE VALUE.”
HE ADDED THAT THIS PERCENTAGE WAS DETERMINED FROM TIME TO TIME BY RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
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/16......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1991
16
FIRST TIME FOR
KCR TO DISTRIBUTE DIVIDEND * * * * *
FOR THE FIRST TIME AFTER EIGHT YEARS OF EXISTENCE AS A STATUTORY CORPORATION, THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION HAS BEEN ABLE TO DISTRIBUTE A DIVIDEND PAYMENT OF SOME $125 MILLION, OR 20 PER CENT OF ITS PROFITS, TO THE GOVERNMENT AND THUS TO THE COMMUNITY.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN TABLING THE ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1990.
FUTURE DIVIDEND PAYMENTS WOULD BE SUBJECT TO FURTHER REVIEWS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE CORPORATION.
"THE DISTRIBUTION OF DIVIDENDS REFLECTS NOT ONLY THE RETURN TO THE TAXPAYERS ON THE SUBSTANTIAL PUBLIC INVESTMENT IN THE CORPORATION BUT ALSO THE CAPABILITY OF THE CORPORATION TO OPERATE ON A PRUDENT COMMERCIAL BASIS," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS NOTED THAT THE CORPORATION CONTINUED TO MAINTAIN A STRONG FINANCIAL POSITION LAST YEAR.
OPERATING REVENUE STOOD AT $1,591 MILLION, REPRESENTING A 17 PER CENT INCREASE OVER 1989. NET PROFIT FOR THE YEAR, INCLUSIVE OF INCOME FROM PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT, ROSE BY MORE THAN 50 PER CENT TO $624 MILLION.
OPERATING COSTS, HOWEVER, INCREASED BY 30 PER CENT TO $1,392 MILLION, LARGELY AS A RESULT OF TRAIN SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS WHICH LED TO INCREASES IN STAFF, ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND MAINTENANCE COSTS.
TOTAL ASSETS STOOD AT $5 BILLION AT THE END OF THE YEAR. BORROWING WAS REDUCED BY 37 PER CENT TO LESS THAN $1 BILLION, WITH A DEBT-TO-EQUITY RATIO OF I TO 3.9.
THE REPORT ALSO STATED THAT THE CORPORATION HAD TRANSFERRED $320 MILLION TO A DEVELOPMENT RESERVE FOR THE PURPOSE OF UPGRADING EXISTING FACILITIES AND MEETING NEW INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENTS NECESSITATED BY GROWTH IN SERVICE DEMAND.
SIR PIERS POINTED OUT THAT THE HEAVY RAIL CARRIED OVER 179 MILLION PASSENGERS, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF FOUR PER CENT OVER 1989.
"AVERAGE DAILY PATRONAGE FOR THE YEAR EXCEEDED 491,000. INTERNATIONAL PASSENGERS PASSING THROUGH LO WU INCREASED BY EIGHT PER CENT TO 28 MILLION," HE SAID.
MAJOR EFFORTS HAD BEEN MADE DURING THE YEAR TO IMPROVE TRAIN SERVICES, SIR PIERS NOTED.
/"NEW TRAIN .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1991
17
"NEW TRAIN CARS ORDERED TN 1989 BEGAN TO ARRIVE IN 1990," HE SAID, "A NEW TRAIN TIMETABLE TO ENHANCE PUNCTUALITY AND A SUNRISE SAVINGS SCHEME TO ENCOURAGE TRAVEL BEFORE THE MORNING PEAK WERE INTRODUCED."
AS FOR THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM, SIR PIERS SAID THE DAILY PATRONAGE ROSE BY 13 PER CENT TO AN AVERAGE 235,000.
THE GROWTH IN PATRONAGE COUPLED WITH INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY RESULTED IN A REDUCTION OF THE LIGHT RAIL DIVISION’S OPERATING LOSS TO $31 MILLION, HE SAID.
IN MARCH LAST YEAR, THE KCRC BOARD APPROVED THE PURCHASE OF 30 NEW LIGHT RAIL VEHICLES AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN EXTENSION TO TIN SHUT WAI FOR COMPLETION BY THE END OF 1992.
TOGETHER WITH THE THREE EXTENSIONS IN TUEN MUN APPROVED IN 1989, THE CORPORATION WOULD SPEND MORE THAN $800 MILLION IN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SYSTEM OVER THE NEXT THREEf YEARS, DEMONSTRATING ITS FIRM COMMITMENT TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES, SIR PIERS SAID.
THE REPORT ALSO SHOWED THAT FREIGHT TRAFFIC WAS SLIGHTLY CURTAILED DURING THE YEAR.
WHILE IN-BOUND CARGO RECORDED A MODEST GAIN OF 1.4 PER CENT TO 3.3 MILLION TONNES, OUT-BOUND TRAFFIC DROPPED BY 18 PER CENT TO 1.1 MILLION TONNES.
IN OVERALL TERMS, SIR PIERS SAID THE CORPORATION PERFORMED WELL LAST VEAR.
"IT HAS SERVED THE COMMUNITY BV PROVIDING SAFE, RELIABLE, EFFICIENT AND ECONOMIC TRANSPORT SERVICES TO THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC AND BY CONSTANTLY IMPROVING ITS SERVICES," HE SAID.
-----0------
PROPERTY SPECULATION DEBATED IN LEGCO
«»*»*«
IN A THREE-AND-A-HALF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
NINETEEN LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS SPOKE HOUR MOTION DEBATE ON PROPERTY SPECULATION IN
TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
THE MOTION, MOVED BY THE HON LEUNG WAI-TUNG, WAS PASSED WHILE AN AMENDMENT MOTION BY THE HON KINGSLEY SIT WAS DEFEATED.
/MEANWHILE, THREE ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1991
- 18 -
MEANWHILE, THREE BILLS WERE MARKS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 WAS PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL. THE TRADE PASSED WITH AMENDMENT WHILE THE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 AND BUSINESS WERE PASSED WITH NO AMENDMENT.
FIVE OTHER BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS AND DEBATES ON THEM WERE ADJOURNED.
THEY WERE THE ARBITRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, LEGAL PRACTITIONERS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, SURVEYORS REGISTRATION BILL 1991, PLANNERS REGISTRATION BILL 1991 AND QUEEN ELIZABETH FOUNDATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991.
FURTHER, A MOTION ON THE FATAL ACCIDENTS ORDINANCE WAS ALSO PASSED.
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/19
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1991
- 19 -
LADY WILSON OPENS NEW SCHOOL BUILDING * * * » »
THE OPENING OF A NEW BUILDING AT THE LUTHERAN SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF STANDS AS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW MUCH CARING THERE IS IN HONG KONG, LADY WILSON SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE DEDICATION OF THE FIRST-EVER PURPOSE-BUILT BUILDING OF THE SCHOOL, LADY WILSON SAID THE PROJECT REPRESENTED A GREAT DEAL OF DEDICATION, GENEROSITY AND HARD WORK OF MANY PEOPLE INVOLVED.
CLEARLY THE REPROVISTONED BUILDING WOULD FACILITATE TEACHING, ENCOURAGE THE PUPILS, AND LEAD THE SCHOOL INTO THE 1990S, SHE SAID.
LOOKING BACK, LADY WILSON NOTED THAT WHEN THE LUTHERAN SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF BEGAN ITS WORK IN 1968, THERE WERE ONLY EIGHT CHILDREN AND ONE TEACHER, OPERATING OUT OF RENTED ACCOMMODATION.
"TWENTY-THREE YEARS LATER, THE SCHOOL PROVIDES EDUCATION FOR OVER 200 HEARING-IMPAIRED CHILDREN RANGING FROM PREPARATORY TO SENIOR SECONDARY LEVEL.
"THERE ARE NOW ROOMS FOR HOME MANAGEMENT, TYPING AND COMPUTER STUDIES, ARTS AND CRAFTS AND SCIENCE," SHE SAID.
PUPILS WHO HAD REACHED SECONDARY 5 LEVEL WERE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO SIT FOR THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION IN SUCH SUBJECTS AS CHINESE, ENGLISH, MATHEMATICS, ART, TYPING AND COMPUTERS STUDIES IN ORDER TO BETTER EQUIP THEMSELVES FOR EMPLOYMENT OR FURTHER EDUCATION, SHE ADDED.
THANKING ALL THOSE WHO HAD TAUGHT IN THE LUTHERAN SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF, LADY WILSON SAID GRADUATES FROM THE SCHOOL WOULD LOOK BACK IN GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION FOR THE EDUCATION THEY HAD RECEIVED THERE.
----------------------------0-------- HK-GUANGDONG ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP’S TECHNICAL SUB-GROUP MEETS *******
THE SECOND MEETING OF THE HONG KONG-GUANGDONG ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LIAISON GROUP’S TECHNICAL SUB-GROUP (TSG) WAS HELD TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN HONG KONG.
THE MEETING DISCUSSED THE TECHNICAL REPORT JOINTLY PRODUCED BY ENVIRONMENTAL AND PLANNING EXPERTS FROM BOTH THE GUANGDONG PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
THE PRODUCTION OF A TECHNICAL REPORT IS THE FIRST PART OF THE TSG’S WORK WHICH WAS AGREED AT THE SUB-GROUP’S FIRST MEETING HELD IN SHENZHEN ON SEPTEMBER 12 LAST YEAR.
/MEMBERS OF ......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1991
20
MEMBERS OF THE TSG INCLUDE OFFICIALS FROM THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH, AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, AND PLANNING DEPARTMENTS, AS WELL AS THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN GUANGDONG AND SHENZHEN.
THE HONG KONG SIDE WAS LED BY THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING, MR ROBERT UPTON, AND THE GUANGDONG SIDE BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE SHENZHEN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION BUREAU.
THE FORMATION OF THE TSG IS THE RESULT OF THE MEETING OF THE HONG KONG-GUANGDONG ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LIAISON GROUP HELD ON JULY 10 LAST YEAR TO DISCUSS ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN DEEP BAY AND THE STRATEGIC SEWAGE DISPOSAL SCHEME.
THE TSG IS INTENDED TO BE A WORKING GROUP OF EXPERTS TO LOOK INTO THE TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF THE DEEP BAY ISSUES.
PHASE ONE OF THE TSG’S WORK HAS NOW BEEN COMPLETED. IT INCLUDES EXAMINATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS OF DEEP BAY AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR THE DEEP BAY CATCHMENTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER.
APART FROM DISCUSSING DETAILS OF THE TECHNICAL REPORT, THE TSG’S SECOND MEETING ALSO DISCUSSED THE APPROACH TO UNDERTAKE REMAINING PHASES OF THE SUB-GROUP’S WORK.
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PILOT SCHEME ON MARK SIX OUTLETS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ t *
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS APPROVED A PROPOSAL BY THE LOTTERIES BOARD TO INTRODUCE A PILOT SCHEME TO TEST MARKET DEMAND FOR AN EXTENSION OF MARK SIX OUTLETS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE SCHEME IS EXPECTED TO START IN OCTOBER AND WILL NOT RUN FOR LONGER THAN SIX MONTHS.
IT WILL ONLY INVOLVE THE SALES OF MARK SIX TICKETS AT ABOUT 12 HONG KONG TELECOM CSL SHOPS WHICH HAVE YET TO BE SELECTED BY THE LOTTERIES BOARD AND THEN APPROVED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
“APPROVAL FOR PREMISES TO BE USED WILL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT POLICE VIEWS ON THE SAFETY AND SUITABILITY OF INDIVIDUAL OUTLETS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SALES WILL BE TELLER-CONTROLLED FROM BEHIND THE COUNTERS WHERE UTILITY BILLS ARE PAID TO PREVENT SALES TO, AND ANY BAD INFLUENCE ON, YOUNG PEOPLE.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL MAKE AN ASSESSMENT AT THE END OF THE TRIAL RUN AND THE RESULT WILL BE MADE PUBLIC.
/"MEMBERS OF ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1991
21
’’MEMBERS.OF THE PUBLIC WILL BE WELCOME TO SUBMIT THEIR VIEWS ON THE PILOT SCHEME DURING THE ASSESSMENT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT NO EXPANSION TO OTHER OUTLETS WOULD BE APPROVED BEFORE COMPLETION OF THE EVALUATION EXERCISE AND FORMAL PUBLIC CONSULTATION.
"UNLESS THE EVALUATION SUCCESSFULLY PROVES THE LOTTERIES BOARD’S ARGUMENT THAT THE SCHEME IS IN FACT HARMLESS, MODERATE IN IMPACT, AND WELCOME BOTH TO THE PUBLIC AS PARTICIPANTS AND THE LOTTERIES FUND WHICH WOULD BENEFIT THROUGH INCREASED RECEIPTS FROM MARK SIX, THERE WILL BE NO CONTINUATION OR EXPANSION OF THE SCHEME TO OTHER OUTLETS," HE SAID.
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TELA MEETS THEATRE REPRESENTATIVES ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
FIVE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HONG KONG THEATRES ASSOCIATION TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HELD A DISCUSSION WITH OFFICIALS OF THE TELEVISION . AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY ON HOW THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE FILM CENSORSHIP ORDINANCE AND THE CONTROL OF OBSCENE AND INDECENT ARTICLES ORDINANCE AFFECTS CINEMA OPERATORS.
AT THE MEETING, THE REPRESENTATIVES EXCHANGED VIEWS WITH TELA OFFICIALS ABOUT THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE LEGISLATION AGAINST THE ADMITTANCE OF PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 YEARS TO CATEGORY III FILMS AND THE DISPLAY OF FILM STILLS AND OTHER PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS IN CINEMAS.
THE REPRESENTATIVES WERE REMINDED THAT CINEMA OPERATORS SHOULD TAKE ALL REASONABLE PRECAUTIONS TO PREVENT PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 YEARS FROM ADMITTANCE FOR WATCHING CATEGORY III FILMS.
TELA OFFICIALS ALSO STRESSED THAT THE DISPLAY OF FILM STILLS AND OTHER PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS IN CINEMAS WAS SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE CONTROL OF OBSCENE AND INDECENT ARTICLES ORDINANCE.
’’IF OPERATORS HAVE ANY DOUBT, THEY CAN SUBMIT THEIR MATERIALS TO THE OBSCENE ARTICLES TRIBUNAL FOR A RULING OR THEY CAN DRAW REFERENCE FROM PREVIOUS RULINGS OF THE TRIBUNAL," THE REPRESENTATIVES WERE TOLD.
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/22 .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1991
- 22 -
23 NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES AWARDED ******
TWENTY-THREE NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES WILL COME INTO OPERATION BY THE END OF JULY THIS YEAR SERVING DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE 23 ROUTES, GROUPED INTO 11 PACKAGES, FORMED PART OF THE 14 PACKAGES ANNOUNCED LAST AUGUST, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE NEW ROUTES WILL SERVE SOUTHERN, WAN CHAI AND CENTRAL DISTRICTS ON HONG KONG ISLAND; KWUN TONG, LOK FU AND JORDAN ROAD IN KOWLOON; AND TSEUNG KWAN O, SHA TIN, KWAI TSING,. TSUEN WAN AND YUEN LONG IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
A NOTICE INVITING APPLICATIONS TO OPERATE THESE ROUTES WAS GAZETTED ON AUGUST 31 LAST YEAR AND 49 APPLICATIONS WERE RECEIVED WHEN THE INVITATION PERIOD CLOSED.
NO APPLICATION WAS RECEIVED ON THREE PACKAGES, TWO OF THESE SERVING SHA TIN AND TAI PO VIA THE SHING MUN TUNNELS AND ONE SERVING YUEN LONG, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WERE SELECTED BY THE GREEN MINIBUS OPERATORS SELECTION BOARD CHAIRED BY THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT AND COMPRISED MEMBERS OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE, REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION.
WHEN MAKING ITS SELECTION, THE BOARD HAD TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE APPLICANTS* EXPERIENCE IN PUBLIC 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 INCLUDING THE AVAILABILITY OF AIR-CONDITIONING, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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/23 ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 32, 1991
23
GRAND OPENING OE THE HONG KONG PARK TOMORROW
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, WILL OFFICIATE AT A SPECIAL CEREMONY TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE $390 MILLION HONG KONG PARK - THE LATEST URBAN COUNCIL PARK AT THE FORMER VICTORIA BARRACKS SITE IN CENTRAL.
THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 3.30 PM WILL BE HELD AT THE GARDEN PLAZA LOCATED NEAR THE PARK’S COTTON TREE DRIVE ENTRANCE AND WILL BE ATTENDED BY HUNDREDS OF DISTINGUISHED GUESTS AND WELL-WISHERS.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR GERRY FORSGATE, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, MR GORDON MACWHINNIE, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG PARK
PROJECT BOARD, SIR SIDNEY GORDON, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN
COUNCIL’S RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, MR PETER CHAN, THE CHIEF
EXECUTIVE OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, MAJOR GENERAL GUY
ALVINS, AND THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR JAMES SO.
SIR DAVID WILL OFFICIALLY UNVEIL A COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE TO MARK ■IF OPENING OF THE SECOND MAJOR PARK IN THREE YEARS JOINTLY DEVELOPED > THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE -ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB WHO MADE A GENEROUS DONATION OF $170 MILLION AS WELL AS PROVIDING THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT.
THE 10-HECTARE PARK FEATURES A HOST OF NEW AND UNIQUE FACILITIES INCLUDING A THREE-CHAMBER CONSERVATORY, A WALK-THROUGH AVIARY, A SIX-PLATFORM CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND, A GARDEN PLAZA, A CENTRAL GARDEN, A VISUAL ARTS CENTRE AND A LAKE-SIDE RESTAURANT.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO COVER THE OPENING EREMONY OF THE HONG KONG PARK WHICH STARTS AT 3.30 PM TOMORROW. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE EVENT ARE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE AT THE PARK’S GARDEN PLAZA BY 3 PM AT THE LATEST FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PRESS PASSES AND FOR A BRIEFING ABOUT THE PRESS POSITIONS ARRANGED ESPECIALLY FOR THEM TO COVER THE EVENT.
INFORMATION STAFF OF THE URBAN COUNCIL’S PUBLIC INFORMATION UNIT WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST.
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/24 .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1991
WESTERN WHOLESALE FOOD MARKET COMPLEX NEAR COMPLETION
MEMBERS OF THE MARKETING SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON TOOK A FIRST-HAND LOOK AT THE WESTERN WHOLESALE FOOD MARKET, THE FIRST PHASE OF WHICH WILL BE COMPLETED NEXT MONTH AND COME INTO FULL OPERATION BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
THE WHOLESALE MARKET, LOCATED AT THE WESTERN RECLAMATION ON HONG KONG ISLAND, IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE TERRITORY INTEGRATING FIVE DIFFERENT TRADES WITHIN \ SINGLE MULTI-LEVEL COMPLEX. THE PROJECT IS DEVELOPED IN TWO PHASES.
LED BY THE SENIOR MARKETING DEVELOPMENT OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, MR TSOI HOO-CHOI, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE, DR .‘EE SZE-YONG, MEMBERS TOURED PHASE I OF THE PROJECT, WHICH IS A TWO-STOREY MARKET COMPLEX PROVIDING WHOLESALE FACILITIES FOR FRESHWATER FISH, FRUIT \NI) EGGS.
MEMBERS LEARNT THAT PHASE I HAS A TOTAL AREA OF 4.2 HECTARES AND THE CONSTRUCTION COST IS $.350 MILLION.
THEY WERE ALSO INFORMED THAT PHASE J HAS THREE PIERS ALONG ITS 360-METRE SEAFRONT EACH BEING INSTALLED WITH PURPOSE-DESIGNED MECHANISED EQUIPMENT FOR LOADING AND INLOADING OF GOODS.
THE PHASE I MARKETS ARE EXPECTED TO HANDLE 194,900 TONNES OF FRESH FOODSTUFFS YEARLY BV 1996.
VS FOR PHASE II OF THE MARKET COMPLEX, WHICH STANDS ON THE EXISTING TEMPORARY FRUIT MARKET SITE, MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE COMPLETED IN 1994 AND WOULD PROVIDE WHOLESALE FACILITIES FOR POULTRY AND VEGETABLES.
UPON COMPLETION OF PHASE 1], THE MARKET WILL BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE ANTICIPATED THROUGHPUT BEYOND 2000.
- - 0 - -
FC MEETING ON FRIDAY * t ♦ ♦ *
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A MEETING ON FRIDAY (MAY 24) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCI I. CHAMBER. IT Will BEGIN \T 2.30 PM.
MEMBERS OF Till- PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE COMMITTEE’S PROCEEDINGS FROM THE CHAMBER'S PUBLIC GALLERIES AND THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS IO TELEPHONING KI 1 0899.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1991
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1990 SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS * » » * »
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE SURVEY OE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS E<R 1990 HAS JUST COMMENCED.
THE SURVEY IS CONDUCTED ANNUALLY AND REPRESENTS PART OE A CONTINUOUS PROGRAMME IN THE DEPARTMENT TO COMPILE STATISTICS ON THE STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE OF THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG.
THE AIMS OF THE SURVEY ARE TO OBTAIN UP-TO-DATE DATA FOR EVALUATING THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE ACTIVITIES To HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, AND FOR ASCERTAINING THEIR COST STRUCTURE, OPERATING. CHARACTERISTICS AND OUTPUT LEVELS.
RESULTS OF THE SURVEY ARE USEFUL TO BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN FORMULATING POLICIES AND MAKING DECISIONS.
ABOUT 4,200 ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED IN THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES WILL BE ENUMERATED IN THE PRESENT ROUND OF THE SURVEY, INCLUDING A FULL COVERAGE OF PROMINENT ESTABLISHMENTS AND A RANDOM SAMPLE OF SMALLER ESTABLISHMENTS :
» BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION;
’* REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT;
* ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING AND PROJECT ENGINEERING; AND
» REAL ESTATE LEASING, BROKERAGE AND MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT.
THE SURVEY IS HEINO CONDUCTED UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS (ANNUAL SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS) ORDER 1984, WHICH WAS MADE UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 316) AND ISSUED AS LEGAL NOTICE NO. 14 IN THE GAZETTE ON JANUARY 13, 1984.
A DIFFERENT VERSION OF SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE IS USED FOR EACH OF THE FOUR AFORE-MENTIONED CATEGORIES OF ESTABLISHMENTS.
IN GENERAL, INFORMATION SOUGHT IN THE SURVEY INCLUDES : TYPE OF OWNERSHIP; NUMBER OF DIRECT EMPLOYEES; COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES; CONSUMPTION OF MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES; PAYMENTS FOR SUB-CONTRACT WORK; OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES; VALUE OE CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED; VALUE OF PROPERTIES UNDER DEVELOPMENT AND Till' ASSOCIATED PROJECT OUTLAYS (INCLUDING LAND VALUES); OTHER FORMS OF BUSINESS RECEIPTS; AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE.
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES HAVE BEEN MAILED TO THE ESTABLISHMENTS SAMPLED FOR THF SURVEY.
/THESE ESTABLISHMENTS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1991
- 26 -
TIP'SB ESTABLISHMENTS RI TURN THE. QUESTIONNAJ RES TO JULY 31 'HIS YEAR.
ARE LEGALLY REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT B\
IP REQUIRED, OFFICERS • ESTABLISHMENTS AND ASSIST THEM
OF THE DEPARTMENT WILL VISIT INDIVIDUAL I IN COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRES.
i HE ;e OFFICERS WILL CERTJ I* । Ai E FOR CONDUCTING AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.
CARRY A GOVERNMENT THE SURVEY WHILST
IDENTITY CARD AND A
ON DUTY, WHICH ARE
THE COMMISSIONER FOR. CENSUS AND STATISTICS APPEALED MANAGEMENTS OF ALL SAMPLED ESTABL1SHMENTS TO RETURN THE QUESTIONNAIRES PROMPTLY AND TO CO-OPERATE WITH OFFICERS DEPARTMENT IN THE COURSE OF THE SURVEY, SO AND SOCIAL RESPONS1 B I L 1TY.
AS TO FULFIL
TO THE
COMPLETED
THEIR
OF THE
LEGAL
HE STRESSED THAT ESTABLISHMENTS WOULD BE PROVISION OF THE CENSUS
INFORMATION RELATING TO TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE.
INDIVIDUAL
UNDER THE
ONLY INDIVIDUAL
AGGREGATE INFORMATION, WHICH DOES NOT REVEAL ESTABLISHMENTS, WILL BE RELEASED.
DETAILS OF
THE ESSENTIAL THE SURVEY.
COMMISSIONER ALSO POINTED OUT THAT AUDITED ACCOUNTS ARE FOR THE SUPPLY OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE DATA REQUIRED
NOT
IN
CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT \d EPTS FIGURES BASED ACCOUNTS OR ESTIMATES WHICH ARE CORRECT TO THE BEST OF itnorv^vr.n KNOWLEDGE AT THE TIME OF SUBMISSION OF THE RETURNS, AUDITED ACCOUNTS ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE.
THE
preliminary
RESPONDENTS’
ANY BUILDING, CENSUS AND
ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE SURVEY MAY BE CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE STATISTICS STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 839 3201.
DIRECTED SECTION
TO OF
------0----------
TWO GOVT LOTS To LET BY TENDER
ON
THE
IF
THE THE
SHORT
KONG.
THE TERM
THE
BUILDINGS TENANCIES
AND ON
LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TWO PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND.
TENDERS
FOR
FIRST ONE IS LOCATED OFF «ll LAM PATH, ROK FL LAN
ABOUT 620 SQUARE METRES, IT IS
NURSERY AND/OR A PROCESSING YARD FOR LANDSCAPE GARDENING STORAGE ARFA, EXCLUDING CONTAINERS.
WITH AN AREA OF
FOR
OR
A
AN
THE
HONG
PLANT
OPEN
the tenancy IS for one year and quarterly afterwards.
/THE SECOND........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1991
- 27 -
THE SECOND SITE IS IN AREA 58, TUEN MUN NEW TOWN. WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 11,000 SQUARE METRES, IT IS INTENDED FOR OPEN STORAGE, EXCLUDING STORAGE OF CONTAINERS.
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR AND QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICES AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLANS OF THE TWO SITES INSPECTED AT, THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, I4TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE KOWLOON DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
THOSE FOR THE POK FU LAM SITE ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE HONG KONG SOUTH DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 20TH FLOOR, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI; AND THOSE FOR THE TUEN MUN SITE AVAILABLE AT THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, SIXTH FLOOR, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS FOR BOTH SITES IS NOON
ON JUNE 7.
--------0-----------
LABOUR INSPECTION DIVISION
******
OFFICE RELOCATED
THE LAI CHI KOK DISTRICT OFFICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S LABOUR INSPECTION DIVISION HAS MOVED TO THE FIRST FLOOR OF INNE MANSION AT 695 NATHAN ROAD FROM TONKIN STREET IN KOWLOON.
THE NEW TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE OFFICE
IS 396 5393.
THE DIVISION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REGULATING THE HOURS AND REST PERIODS FOR WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS IN INDUSTRY EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN AGED UNDER 15.
OF WORK
AND THE
ORDINANCE
KEEPING OF
INSURANCE
INJURED AT
IT ALSO ENFORCES PROVISIONS IN THE EMPLOYMENT RELATING TO EMPLOYEES’ STATUTORY BENEFITS AND EMPLOYERS’ EMPLOYMENT RECORDS, XS WELL AS ENSURING EMPLOYERS TAKE OUT POLICIES TO COVER THEIR LIABILITY TO COMPENSATE EMPLOYEES
WORK.
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/28........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1991
28
YAN 01 TONG DIRECTORS CALL ON SWD *****
THE NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF YAN 01 TONG THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORNING PAID A COURTESY VISIT TO THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. CARTLAND, TO DISCUSS THE ORGANISATION’S MAJOR WELFARE SERVICES IN THE CURRENT YEAR.
THE BOARD’S CHAIRMAN, MR NG WAI-KWONG, OUTLINED THE ORGANISATION’S SERVICES AND THANKED THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT FOR REGULARLY PROVIDING ADVICE AND GUIDANCE.
MR CARTLAND COMMENDED THE ORGANISATION FOR ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY AND ASSURED THE BOARD MEMBERS THAT THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO WORK CL0SEL1 WITH THEM.
-----0-------
FRESH WATER SUSPENSION
******
SUPPLY OF FRESH WATER TO SOME PREMISES IN MA TAU KOK, IN KOWLOON, WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9.30 AM TO 5 PM ON FRIDAY (MAY 24) TO FACILITATE MAINS CONNECTION WORKS.
THE PREMISES TO BE AFFECTED ARE BOUNDED BY KOWLOON CITY ROAD, MOK CHEONG STREET, TO KWA WAN ROAD AND MA TAU KOK ROAD AND INCLUDING 3-19 MOK CHEONG STREET, THE MA TAU KOK ANIMAL QUARANTINE DEPOT AND THE PUBLIC TOILET IN MA TAU KOK ROAD.
-----0-------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS HKEF
******
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON I TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.3 *-0.l* 22.5.91 21.5.91 480 22.5.91 -52 + 52 NEUTRAL /HONG KONG
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1991
29
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKE1
ISSUE NUMBER maturing ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
QI I 5 Q! 16 Ql 1 7 Qi 18 Ql 19 Q120 Q121 10.7.91 17.7.91 24.7.91 31.7.91 7.8.91 14.8.91 21.8.91 3 10 340 328.5 4 50 395 380 370 + 140 + 140 +151.5 + 30 + 85 + 100 + 1 10
Q109 Ql 10 Ql 1 1 Ql 12 Q11 3 Ql 1 4 29.5.91 5.6.91 12.6.91 19.6.91 26.6.91 • 3.7.91 6 30 330 374 630 440 510 -150 + 150 + 106 -150 + 40 -30
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT 182-DAY EXCHANGE EXCHANGE FUND fund BILLS HKEJ
ISSUE NUMBER maturing ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
Hl 64 13.11.91 90 + 170
H003 H004 H005 H101 Hl 56 H157 Hl 58 Hl 59 H160 H 1 6 1 H162 Hl 63 29.5.91 12.6.91 26.6.91 10.7.91 24.7.91 7.8.91 21.8.91 1.9.91 18.9.91 2.10.91 17.10.91 30.10.91 190 260 230 143 150 169.5 140 150 150 70 104 50 + 70 + 0 + 30 + 117 + 110 + 90.5 + 120 + 110 + 110 + 190 + 156 + 210
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT 364-DAY EXCHANGI EXCHANGE FUND FUND BILLS HKEK
ISSUE NUMBER MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
Y187 Y 188 Y189 Y190 26.2.92 25.3.92 22.4.92 20.5.92 230 180 190 200 + 30 + 80 + 70 + 60
average daily TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 17.5.91 WAS 2,410 MN
--------0------------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR COMMENTS ON AIRPORT TALKS .................................... 1
HONG KONG PARK AN EXAMPLE OF MODERNISING HONG KONG .................... 2
MEASURES TO LOCALISE DIRECTORATE IN ATTORNEY GENERAL'S CHAMBERS ....... 4
STI ON MFA ............................................................ 6
NEW HK/FINLAND TEXTILES AGREEMENT REACHED ............................. 7
GOVT IMPARTIALITY IN ELECTION VITAL ................................... 8
40 RECEIVE GOOD CITIZEN AWARD ......................................... 9
AMENDMENT BILL ON LEGCO OATHS TO BE GAZETTED .......................... 10
CONTRACT FOR IMPROVING ACCESS ROAD TO NGONG PING SIGNED ............... 11
SWD OUT-REACHING TEAMS SCORE TRIPLE SUCCESS ........................... 12
TWENTY-ONE PASSED LICENTIATE EXAMINATION .............................. 13
RATEPAYERS REMINDED ON MAY 31 DEADLINE FOR LODGING OBJECTIONS ......... 14
VILLAGE HOUSES IN SAI KUNG DECLARED DANGEROUS ......................... 15
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED .............................. 16
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY ........................................ 16
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 19
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1991
- 1 -
GOVERNOR COMMENTS ON AIRPORT TALKS *****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT HE WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT THE TALKS IN PEKING ON THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT HAD CONCLUDED WITHOUT AGREEMENT.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OPENING THE HONG KONG PARK, SIR DAVID SAID: "THEY’VE HAD FIVE DAYS OF VERY INTENSIVE TALKS AND A LOT OF HARD WORK DONE BY BOTH SIDES.
"FROM OUR POINT OF VIEW, WHAT WE’VE BEEN TRYING TO DO IS TO GET AN AGREEMENT IN A PRACTICAL, PRAGMATIC WAY WHICH WOULD ENABLE US TO GO AHEAD WITH THE AIRPORT PROJECT," HE SAID.
"WITH A PROJECT OF THIS SORT, IF YOU’RE GOING TO DO IT AND DO IT EFFICIENTLY AND COST-EFFECTIVELY; AND IF YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE THE PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVED, YOU’VE GOT TO BE CERTAIN THAT YOU HAVE THE ABILITY AND THE DECISION-TAKING ABILITY TO GO AHEAD WITH IT, TAKE THE DECISIONS QUICKLY IN A PRACTICAL WAY," SIR DAVID SAID.
"AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO MEET CHINESE CONCERNS WHERE THAT HAS BEEN POSSIBLE. SO THAT HAS BEEN OUR OBJECTIVE," HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WOULD BE BRIEFED ON THE TALKS BY THE LEADER OF THE BRITISH TEAM, MR ANDREW BURNS, AND TO CONSULT THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, ADDING: "AT THAT STAGE WE WILL START THINKING ABOUT WHERE WE GO FROM HERE.
"I DON’T WANT TO TAKE ANY SNAP DECISIONS. THESE ARE VERY IMPORTANT MATTERS. IT’S A TIME WHEN WE WANT TO THINK VERY CAREFULLY ABOUT WHAT THE TWO SIDES HAVE DISCUSSED; WHAT THE AREAS ARE WHERE WE FAILED TO REACH AGREEMENT SO FAR; WHAT THE IMPLICATIONS OF THAT ARE; AND WHERE WE GO NEXT," HE SAID.
"BUT IT REQUIRES DEEP THINKING AND COOL THINKING, RATHER THAN SUDDEN SNAP DECISIONS," SIR DAVID ADDED.
THE GOVERNOR SAID BOTH SIDES HAD PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS, BUT THEY HAD NOT MATCH UP: "WE HAVE PUT A PROPOSAL OURSELVES ON THE TABLE, WHICH WE THOUGHT WAS A VERY PRACTICAL WAY OF GETTING AHEAD WITH THIS IN A SENSIBLE MANNER."
ASKED WHY HE FELT DISAPPOINTED, SIR DAVID SAID: "BECAUSE WE’VE BEEN WORKING VERY HARD INDEED IN ORDER TO TRY TO GET AN AGREEMENT. WE’VE BEEN WORKING VERY HARD OVER A LONGISH PERIOD OF TIME. WE WANTED TO GET AGREEMENT; WE WERE MOVING IN A PRAGMATIC WAY IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THAT; AND SO FAR THAT AGREEMENT HAS ELUDED US; AND THAT I FIND DISAPPOINTING."
REPLYING TO A QUESTION ON WHETHER THERE WOULD BE ANY DELAY IN THE TENDER EXERCISE FOR THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING WITHOUT AN AGREEMENT, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "THE AIM WAS TO PUT OUT TENDERS DURING JUNE AND IF WE CAN’T REACH AGREEMENT, THEN THAT HAS CERTAIN VERY OBVIOUS CONSEQUENCES."
/COMMENTING ON .......
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1991
COMMENTING ON A QUESTION ABOUT HONG KONG’S CONFIDENCE BEING AFFECTED BY THE LATEST SITUATION, SIR DAVID SAID: "I DON’T BELIEVE THAT CONFIDENCE DEPENDS ON ONE SINGLE FACTOR. WE’RE A MUCH MORE MATURE SOCIETY THAN THAT.
"OF COURSE IF YOU’RE TRYING FOR AN AGREEMENT AND THAT AGREEMENT HAS ELUDED YOU; PEOPLE, LIKE ME, FEEL DISAPPOINTED, AND THAT AFFECTS THEM BUT HONG KONG IS MUCH BIGGER THAN A FIVE-DAY DISCUSSION," HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
HONG KONG PARK AN EXAMPLE OF MODERNISING HONG KONG
*****
THE HONG KONG PARK PROJECT IS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF THE MODERNISATION OF HONG KONG, WHICH SAW AN INCREASING NUMBER OF PUBLIC AMENITIES IN THE PAST FEW DECADES, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
OFFICIATING AT A SPECIAL CEREMONY TO MARK THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE $390 MILLION PARK, A JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, SIR DAVID SAID HE TOOK GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT FROM THE PROJECT.
"IT IS ANOTHER EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF THE WAY WE ARE SUCCEEDING AS A COMMUNITY IN TRANSFORMING THE CROWDED, UTILITARIAN HONG KONG OF THE 1960’S AND 70’S INTO AN IMPRESSIVE MODERN CITY, WITH A GOOD SUPPLY OF PUBLIC AMENITIES.
"THERE IS A GREAT DEAL STILL TO BE DONE. BUT WE ARE MAKINO GOOD PROGRESS," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID PAID TRIBUTE TO THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND THE URBAN COUNCIL FOR HAVING PLAYED KEY PARTS IN THIS PROGRESS.
"THEY HAVE COMPLETED MANY PROJECTS OF IMAGINATION AND QUALITY AND HAVE PLANS FOR MORE. I CONGRATULATE THEM," HE ADDED.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR GERRY FORSGATE; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, MR GORDON MACWHINNIE; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG PARK PROJECT BOARD, SIR SIDNEY GORDON; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL’S RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, MR PETER CHAN; THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, MAJOR-GENERAL GUY WATKINS; AND THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES, MR JAMES SO.
THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB DONATED $170 MILLION TOWARDS THE CONSTRUCTION COST OF THE HONG KONG PARK AS WELL AS PROVIDING PROJECT MANAGEMENT.
THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT THE PARK OFFERED A WIDE VARIETY OF FACILITIES INCLUDING A WALK-THROUGH AVIARY, A PATH THROUGH THE ROCK FACE BEHIND A 40-FOOT WATERFALL, AN IMAGINATIVE PLAYGROUND FOR CHILDREN AND SHADED WALKS.
/"THIS PARK
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1991
- 3 -
"THIS PARK WILL BE A PLACE OF RECREATION, RELAXATION AND EDUCATION. IT HAS SOMETHING FOR THE OLD, THE YOUNG, THE BUSY AND THE TOURISTS," SIR DAVID ADDED.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, MR GORDON MACWHINNIE, SAID THE STEWARDS OF THE JOCKEY CLUB WERE DELIGHTED TO HAVE ALLOCATED $170 MILLION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE HONG KONGPARK,WHICH TOOK A LITTLE MORE THAN TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.
"CONSTRUCTED ON THE SITE OF THE FORMER VICTORIA BARRACKS, THE NEW HONG KONG PARK HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO BE NOT ONLY A PLACE OF RECREATION, BOTH FOR ADULTS AND FOR CHILDREN, BUT ALSO A PLACE OF NATURAL BEAUTY WITH A WIDE RANGE OF RARE BIRDS IN THE AVIARY, AND EXOTIC PLANTS IN THE SPECIALISED GREEN HOUSES.
"I AM SURE THAT, WITH ITS EASY ACCESSIBILITY, ITS IDEAL LOCATION IN THE TOWN CENTRE AND WITH ITS PLEASANT ENVIRONMENT, HONG KONG PARK WILL SOON BECOME ONE OF OUR MOST POPULAR PARKS," MR MACWHINNIE SAID.
IN HIS SPEECH OF WELCOME, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, MR GERRY FORSGATE, DESCRIBED THE HONG KONG PARK AS A REFLECTION OF THE CHARACTER OF HONG KONG.
"THE MANY FEATURES WITHIN THE PARK WILL PROVIDE ENJOYMENT AND PLEASURE TO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES. I HOPE THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES BEING PLANNED WILL PROVIDE UNDERSTANDING AND A WIDER KNOWLEDGE OF THE PLANTS AND BIRDS OF THE REGION," MR FORSGATE SAID.
DURING THE CEREMONY, MR FORSGATE PRESENTED PRIZES TO THE WINNERS OF THE HONG KONG PARK PAINTING AND PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITIONS WHICH WERE ORGANISED EARLIER THIS MONTH BY THE URBAN COUNCIL IN CONJUNCTION WITH SING TAO JIH/WAN PAO AND SPONSORED BY KODAK (FAR EAST) LIMITED.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL ALSO EXPRESSED HIS GRATITUDE TOWARDS THE GENEROSITY OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, THE SUPPORT OF WHICH HE HOPED WOULD EXTEND TO FURTHER DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL.
AFTER THE UNVEILING OF A COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE BY THE GOVERNOR, HONG KONG PARK WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED TO OFFER THE PUBLIC A FUN PARK IN THE HEART OF THE BUSTLING CENTRAL DISTRICT.
---------0-----------
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1991
MEASURES TO LOCALISE DIRECTORATE IN ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS
******
MEASURES PROPOSED BY A WORKING GROUP ON LOCALISATION IN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS WERE AIMED AT DEVELOPING SELECTD LOCAL SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL FOR PROMOTION TO THE DIRECTORATE LEVEL, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR MATHEWS EXPLAINED THAT ONE OF THE KEY RECOMMENDATIONS WAS TO PLACE SELECTED LOCAL SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL IN SPECIALLY CREATED DIRECTORATE DEVELOPMENT POSTS TO UNDERGO A DEVELOPMENT PERIOD OF UP TO TWO YEARS IN ORDER TO GIVE THEM THE EXPERIENCE NEEDED FOR PROMOTION TO THE DIRECTORATE RANK OF DEPUTY PRINCIPAL CROWN COUNSEL.
BUT THE SCHEME WAS NOT A PRE-REQUISITE FOR PROMOTION. IT WAS AN ADDITIONAL AVENUE.
HEADED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS COMPRISE THE DIRECTORATE RANKS OF LAW OFFICER, PRINCIPAL CROWN COUNSEL AND DEPUTY PRINCIPAL CROWN COUNSEL. BELOW THE DIRECTORATE LEVEL ARE THE RANKS OF SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL AND CROWN COUNSEL.
GIVEN THE HISTORICAL FACT OF A PREPONDERANCE OF OVERSEAS OFFICERS IN THE CHAMBERS, MR MATHEWS SAID, LOCALISATION AT A QUICKER PACE WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT SPECIAL MEASURES.
"THE SCHEME IS DESIGNED TO HELP SOME LOCAL OFFICERS GAIN WIDER EXPERIENCE SO THAT THEY WILL BE IN A STRONGER POSITION TO COMPETE WITH SOME OF THE MORE EXPERIENCED OVERSEAS OFFICERS FOR PROMOTION," HE SAID.
IT WILL BE OPEN TO SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL ON THE SCHEME TO BE PROMOTED ANY TIME WITHIN THE DEVELOPMENT PERIOD WHEN VACANCIES BECOME AVAILABLE.
MR MATHEWS SAID IT WAS NOT TRUE TO SUGGEST THAT SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL SELECTED FOR THE SCHEME WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE END OF THE DEVELOPMENT PERIOD BEFORE THEY BECAME ELIGIBLE FOR PROMOTION.
"ALL SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL, LOCAL AND EXPATRIATE, REMAIN ELIGIBLE FOR PROMOTION. LOCAL OFFICERS, WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE ON THE SCHEME, WILL CONTINUE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR PROMOTION WHENEVER VACANCIES ARISE," HE SAID.
THE DEVELOPMENT PERIOD WILL INCLUDE A TRAINING DURING WHICH THE COUNSEL WILL BE ATTACHED TO GOVERNMENT BRANCHES.
THE PURPOSE OF ATTACHMENT IS TO BROADEN THE PERSPECTIVE OF COUNSEL AND TO DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL FOR HIGHER RESPONSIBILITIES. SUCH ATTACHMENTS ARE NOT NOVEL IN THE CIVIL SERVICE; PROFESSIONAL OFFICERS IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS HAVE BEEN ON ATTACHMENTS TO THE SECRETARIAT.
/FOR THE .......
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1991
5
FOR THE MOST PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT PERIOD, THE SELECTED COUNSEL WILL ACT IN TEMPORARY POSTS OF ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL CROWN COUNSEL, WHICH IS A DIRECTORATE RANK PITCHED BETWEEN THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL CROWN COUNSEL AND SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL, TO PERFORM FUNCTIONAL DUTIES OF APPROPRIATE COMPLEXITY.
MR MATHEWS SAID RESERVATIONS HAD BEEN EXPRESSED BY SOME ON THE NEED FOR SUCH A SCHEME AS OVERSEAS COUNSEL WERE ABLE TO GAIN PROMOTION WITHOUT HAVING TO UNDERGO SPECIALLY DESIGNED TRAINING, ATTACHMENT OR GROOMING.
’’THE SCHEME IS NOT A PRE-REQUISITE FOR PROMOTION. IT IS MEANT TO GIVE ADDED STRENGTH TO SELECTED LOCAL COUNSEL TO ENCHANCE THEIR CHANCE OF PROMOTION. THIS IS IN LINE WITH THE POLICY TO LOCALISE,” HE EXPLAINED.
’’THE DEVELOPMENT POSTS SCHEME IS A NOVEL IDEA. IT IS UNDERSTANDABLE THAT SOME LOCAL COUNSEL MAY NOT APPRECIATE THE BENEFITS THAT THE SCHEME WILL BRING.
”1 HOPE THAT LOCAL COUNSEL IN CHAMBERS WILL GIVE THE SCHEME A CHANCE TO WORK. ONCE THE SCHEME STARTS WORKING, LOCAL COUNSEL WILL SEE THE SINCERITY OF THE MANAGEMENT IN LOCALISATION, WHICH IS A COMMITTED POLICY OF THE CHAMBERS. INDEED THE WHOLE DRIVE FOR GREATER LOCALISATION THROUGH SPECIAL MEASURES HAS BEEN INITIATED BY THE MOST SENIOR OFFICERS OF THESE CHAMBERS.
"A DELAY OF THE SCHEME WILL DELAY THE PROCESS OF LOCALISATION. IT WILL ALSO BE UNFORTUNATE FOR THOSE COUNSEL WHO WOULD OTHERWISE BE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SCHEME," MR MATHEWS SAID.
THE WORKING GROUP, CHAIRED BY THE SOLICITOR GENERAL, MR FRANK STOCK, AND COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE AND FINANCE BRANCHES, HAS ALSO INCLUDED DIRECT RECRUITMENT FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR AS ONE OF ITS RECOMMENDATIONS.
’’THE WORKING GROUP CERTAINLY HAS NOT EXCLUDED DIRECT RECRUITMENT AS AN OPTION. WHAT IT SAYS IS THAT IT SHOULD BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER METHODS," MR MATHEWS SAID.
THE WORKING GROUP HAS SUGGESTED THAT DIRECT RECRUITMENT OF LOCAL LAWYERS TO THE DIRECTORATE SHOULD BE USED WITH CARE, TO THE EXTENT DEMONSTRATED BY NEED, AND NOT TO THE EXCLUSION OF OTHER SPECIAL MEASURES.
IT HAS ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT THE POOL OF LOCAL SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL BE EXPANDED TO FORM A SOLID BASE FOR DIRECTORATE LOCALISATION IN THE LONG RUN.
IN ITS PREVIOUS REPORT IN 1988, THE WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDED THE INTRODUCTION OF A "DOUBLE LADDER" SCHEME FOR PROMOTION OF LOCAL OFFICERS FROM CROWN COUNSEL TO SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL AS A SPECIAL MEASURE TO QUICKEN THE PACE OF LOCALISATION IN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS. THAT SCHEME WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 1988.
AT PRESENT, OUT OF THE. 134 SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL, 58 (43.3 PER CENT) ARE LOCAL. AT THE END OF 1988, THERE WERE 99 SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL WITH 23 OF THEM (22 PER CENT) BEING LOCAL.
------0-------
/6 .....
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1991
- 6 -
STI ON MFA * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T.H. CHAU, SAID THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING HE WAS CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC THAT A CONSENSUS COULD BE REACHED BETWEEN IMPORTING AND EXPORTING COUNTRIES ON EXTENDING THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA).
SPEAKING AT A DINNER HOSTED BY KWUN TONG INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION, MR CHAU SAID THE PROPOSAL BY THE INTERNATIONAL TEXTILES AND CLOTHING BUREAU (ITCB) TO CONDITIONALLY EXTEND THE MFA FOR 17 MONTHS HAD NOT BEEN ACCEPTED BY IMPORTING COUNTRIES.
"IN THE COMING WEEKS THERE WILL BE FURTHER IN-DEPTH CONSULTATIONS WITH A VIEW TO REACHING A CONSENSUS BEFORE THE EXPIRY OF THE MFA.
"ON THE BASIS OF PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES WITH MULTILATERAL NEGOTIATIONS, IF BOTH SIDES COULD APPROACH THE QUESTION WITH FLEXIBILITY, I AM CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC THAT A CONSENSUS CAN BE REACHED," HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID ONE CONDITION SET BY THE ITCB WAS THAT IMPORTING COUNTRIES SHOULD REFRAIN FROM INTRODUCING NEW RESTRICTIONS DURING THE EXTENSION.
"SECONDLY, THE ACCESS FOR EXPORTERS IN ANY RENEWED OR RENEGOTIATED BILATERAL AGREEMENTS MAY BE IMPROVED, BUT IN NO CASE SHOULD IT BE WORSE THAN THE EXISTING ACCESS.
"THIRDLY, THE IMPORTING COUNTRIES SHALL NOT APPLY AGGREGATE OR GROUP LIMITS AND REGIONAL QUOTAS DURING THE EXTENDED PERIOD," HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID THE EARLIER THE QUESTION OF MFA EXTENSION WAS RESOLVED, THE SOONER WE COULD CONCENTRATE OUR EFFORTS ON OUR ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE UNDER THE URUGUAY ROUND TO RETURN THE TEXTILES AND CLOTHING SECTOR TO THE DISCIPLINES OF THE GATT.
"HONG KONG SUPPORTS THE CONCLUSION OF THE URUGUAY ROUND BY THE END OF THIS YEAR AND EARLY IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS RESULTS," HE SAID.
HE SAID A URUGUAY ROUND AGREEMENT ON TEXTILES AND CLOTHING WOULD SUPERSEDE THE BRIDGING ARRANGEMENT, AND THE WORLD TEXTILE AND CLOTHING INDUSTRY AND TRADE COMMUNITY WOULD HAVE TO FACE THE NEW CHALLENGES THEY SET UPON THEMSELVES.
"WITH THEIR INGENUITY AND ADAPTABILITY, I AM VERY CONFIDENT THAT OUR TEXTILES AND CLOTHING SECTOR WILL TAKE A FULL GRASP OF THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FREE COMPETITION PRESENTED BY THE NEW AGREEMENT AND MAINTAIN AND DEVELOP HONG KONG’S LEADING POSITION IN WORLD TRADE IN TEXTILES," HE SAID.
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/7........
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1991
NEW HK/FINLAND TEXTILES AGREEMENT REACHED
HONG KONG AND FINLAND HAVE JUST CONCLUDED A TWO-YEAR TEXTILES AGREEMENT TO SUCCEED THE CURRENT ONE WHICH EXPIRES ON DECEMBER 31 THIS YEAR.
"THE NEW AGREEMENT, COVERING FOUR QUOTA CATEGORIES AND FOUR EXPORT AUTHORISATION (EA) ITEMS, REPRESENTS AN IMPROVEMENT OVER THE EXISTING ONE IN TERMS OF BOTH PRODUCT COVERAGE AND GROWTH RATES,” THE ACTING DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR STUART HARBINSON, SAID.
UNDER THE NEW BILATERAL AGREEMENT, EXISTING QUOTA CATEGORIES OF WOMEN’S AND GIRLS’ KNITTED BRIEFS OF COTTON AND MAN-MADE FIBRES AND BRASSIERES OF COTTON AND MAN-MADE FIBRES WILL BE DE-RESTRAINED AND PUT UNDER EA SURVEILLANCE.
ONE EXISTING EA ITEM (SKIRTS AND DIVIDED SKIRTS) WILL ALSO BE REMOVED FROM THE LIST UNDER EA.
THERE WILL BE A GENERAL IMPROVEMENT IN THE ANNUAL GROWTH RATES OF THE QUOTA CATEGORIES UNDER RESTRAINT.
THE NEW AGREEMENT WAS CONCLUDED AFTER A TWO-AND-A-HALF DAY CONSULTATION IN HONG KONG.
THE HONG KONG DELEGATION WAS LED BY MR HARBINSON AND THE FINNISH DELEGATION WAS LED BY AMBASSADOR ERIK HAGFORS, MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF EXTERNAL ECONOMIC RELATIONS.
MR HARBINSON SAID HE WAS PLEASED AN AGREEMENT HAD BEEN REACHED WITH FINLAND.
“THE CONCLUSION OF A BILATERAL AGREEMENT ON BETTER TERMS FOR HONG KONG WILL SET AN ENCOURAGING PRECEDENT FOR HONG KONG’S CONSULTATIONS WITH OTHER IMPORTING COUNTRIES WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE LATER THIS YEAR,” HE SAID.
DETAILS OF THE NEW HONG KONG/FINLAND TEXTILES AGREEMENT WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN A NOTICE TO EXPORTERS ISSUED BY THE TRADE DEPARTMENT.
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/8 ........
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1991
8
GOVT IMPARTIALITY IN ELECTION VITAL ♦ * » ♦ * *
THE GOVERNMENT MUST BE IMPARTIAL AND SEEN TO BE IMPARTIAL IN DEALING WITH ALL POLITICAL GROUPS AND CANDIDATES SEEKING ELECTION, THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR SUEN SAID IN THE HONG KONG CONTEXT, GOVERNMENT IMPARTIALITY WAS ALSO A MATTER OF NECESSITY. ANY COMPROMISE IN THIS REGARD WOULD POSE A SERIOUS THREAT ON THE GOVERNMENT’S CREDIBILITY AS A NON-PARTISAN ADMINISTRATION.
"THIS WOULD UNDERMINE THE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE ELECTORAL PROCESS AND, IN TURN, THE LEGITIMACY OF THE ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES TO THE DIFFERENT TIERS OF OUR REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEM,” MR SUEN SAID, WHEN ADDRESSING THE INSTALLATION CEREMONY OF THE 1991 OFFICE BEARERS OF THE ZONTA CLUB OF KOWLOON.
HE SAID ANY UNWARRANTED INVOLVEMENT ON THE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT IN THE ELECTORAL PROCESS WOULD ONLY PUT GOVERNMENT IMPARTIALITY AT RISK.
HE NOTED THAT THERE WERE CONTRARY VIEWS BEING EXPRESSED FROM TIME TO TIME, SUCH AS THE SUGGESTION THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD REGULATE CERTAIN ACTIVITIES OF POLITICAL GROUPS BY IMPOSING SOME KIND OF CONTROL ON CANDIDATES’ PLEDGES AND THE SUBSTANCE AND STYLE OF THEIR CAMPAIGN PLATFORM TO ENSURE THAT THE ELECTORATE WOULD NOT BE MISLED BY EMPTY OR IRRELEVANT PROMISES.
"IF WE FOLLOW THIS LINE OF ARGUMENT TO ITS LOGICAL CONCLUSION, WE WILL REALISE THAT IT IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SUGGESTION WHICH COULD SET A MOST UNDESIRABLE PRECEDENT FOR UNNECESSARY GOVERNMENTAL INTERVENTION," HE SAID.
"THE ISSUE IN QUESTION IS REALLY WHETHER WE BELIEVE THAT THE ULTIMATE JUDGE OF POLITICAL GROUPS AND ELECTION CANDIDATES IS THE ELECTORATE, WHO EXERCISES THEIR COLLECTIVE JUDGEMENT THROUGH THE BALLOT BOX.
"OR ARE WE TO SAY THAT WE HARBOUR DOUBTS ABOUT THE DISCERNING POWER AND COMMON SENSE OF THE ORDINARY VOTER TO THE EXTENT THAT IT IS DEEMED APPROPRIATE FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO PASS JUDGEMENT ON WHAT POLITICAL GROUPS AND CANDIDATES SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT DO OR SAY TO THE ELECTORATE."
MR SUEN SAID HE WAS CONFIDENT IN THE POLITICAL MATURITY OF THE ELECTORATE AND THE DISCIPLINE OF THE BALLOT BOX.
ON THE QUESTION OF WHAT ROLE THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PLAY IN THE ELECTORAL PROCESS, HE SAID THAT FIRST AND FOREMOST, THE GOVERNMENT HAD A RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT ELECTIONS TO THE VARIOUS LEVELS OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT WERE OPEN, FREE AND FAIR.
/"BY THIS .......
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1991
- 9
"BY THIS I MEAN ELECTIONS WHICH EVERYONE IS FREE TO TAKE PART WITHOUT ANY FEAR OF CONSEQUENCES, AND WHICH ARE SAFEGUARDED FROM FRAUD, MANIPULATION AND CORRUPTION."
HE SAID SUCH ELECTIONS WERE VITAL TO THE INTEGRITY OF ANY SYSTEM OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
"IN THIS REGARD, I AM VERY PROUD, AND I HOPE YOU SHARE MY PRIDE, THAT HONG KONG'S RECORD OF CLEAN AND HONEST ELECTIONS COMPARES FAVOURABLY WITH THOSE OF OTHER DEVELOPED DEMOCRACIES," HE SAID.
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40 RECEIVE GOOD CITIZEN AWARD
♦ » ♦ * *
THE CALL FOR PUBLIC CO-OPERATION IN PREVENTING, REPORTING AND PROVING CRIME IS GETTING POSITIVE RESPONSE AS EXEMPLIFIED BY AN IMPRESSIVE PARADE OF GOOD CITIZENS AT A PRESENTATION CEREMONY TODAY (THURSDAY).
FORTY PUBLIC-SPIRITED CITIZENS WERE AWARDED TODAY FOR BRAVERY . AND INITIATIVE DISPLAYED IN A WIDE RANGE OF CASES INCLUDING THEFT, ROBBERY, BURGLARY AND EXTORTION.
THEIR PARTICIPATION VARIED FROM TAKING PART IN THE PURSUIT OF A CULPRIT, INFORMING THE POLICE OF THE CRIME AND GIVING EVIDENCE IN COURT.
SPEAKING AT TODAY’S PRESENTATION, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, COMMENDED THE AWARDEES FOR READILY PERFORMING THEIR CIVIC DUTIES AT THE RIGHT TIME, THEREBY SETTING GOOD EXAMPLES FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOW.
WITH AN AIM TO PROMOTE PUBLIC CO-OPERATION IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME, THE GOOD CITIZEN AWARD SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED IN 1973. IT IS JOINTLY ADMINISTERED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE AND THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. SO FAR, OVER 2,100 INDIVIDUALS HAVE BEEN PRESENTED WITH THE COVETED AWARD.
AMONG THE 40 AWARDEES HONOURED TODAY, SEVEN ARE FEMALE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND TWO ARE EXPATRIATES. THE ELDEST IS A 59-YEAR-OLD SECURITY GUARD AND THE YOUNGEST A 12-YEAR-OLD STUDENT.
THE AWARDEES ARE FROM ALL PROFESSIONS - STUDENT, HOUSEWIFE, DRIVER, WORKER, SALESMAN, SECURITY GUARD, CLERK, BANK STAFF AND PIANO TEACHER.
COMMENTING ON THE DIVERSITY IN THE BACKGROUND OF THE AWARDEES, MRS WONG SAID PARTICIPATION IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME SHOULD NOT BE INFLUENCED BY ONE’S AGE, SEX OR NATIONALITY.
/AT THE .......
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1.991
AT THE CEREMONY, EACH AWARDEE WAS PRESENTED A CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION JOINTLY SIGNED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, A SOUVENIR AND A CASH AWARD RANGING FROM $3,000 TO $6,000.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT TODAY’S CEREMONY WERE THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, MR W.S. CHAN, AND THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF POLICE, SUPPORT, MR LAU TO-YEE.
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AMENDMENT BILL ON LEGCO OATHS TO BE GAZETTED
******
AN AMENDMENT BILL CONCERNING THE OATHS OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
AT PRESENT, SECTION 19 OF THE OATHS AND DECLARATIONS ORDINANCE PROVIDES THAT THE OATHS OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS SHALL BE TENDERED BY THE GOVERNOR.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID CLAUSE 2 OF THE OATHS AND DECLARATIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 SOUGHT TO AMEND THIS SECTION SO THAT THE OATHS WOULD BE TENDERED BY THE PRESIDENT OR DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"THIS AMENDMENT ARISES FROM THE NEED TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE ROLE OF THE GOVERNOR AND HIS ROLE AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND ALSO THE NEED TO ESTABLISH A SEPARATE IDENTITY FOR THE LATTER AS THE 1995 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL HAVE AN ELECTED PRESIDENT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
CLAUSE 3 OF THE BILL SEEKS TO AMEND SECTION 22 OF THE ORDINANCE WHICH PROVIDES THAT A MEMBER WHO HAS ALREADY TAKEN THE OATH CANNOT BE REQUIRED TO TAKE IT AGAIN.
THE AMENDMENT WOULD GIVE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THE FLEXIBILITY AND POWER TO REQUIRE, THROUGH ITS STANDING ORDERS, ITS MEMBERS TO TAKE THEIR OATHS AFRESH AFTER A GENERAL ELECTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 5.
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/Il
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1991
- 11 -
CONTRACT FOR IMPROVING ACCESS ROAD TO NGONG PING SIGNED
******
MAJOR ROAD IMPROVEMENT WORKS ON THE ACCESS ROAD TO NGONG PING ON LANTAU ISLAND WILL START LATER THIS MONTH FOLLOWING THE AWARD OF A $66 MILLION CONTRACT BY THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.
AT THE CONTRACT SIGNING CEREMONY TODAY (THURSDAY), THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR KWEI SEE-KAN, SAID THE CONTRACT COVERED THE WIDENING AND REALIGNMENT OF THE EXISTING 2.6-KILOMETRE LONG ACCESS ROAD FROM THE JUNCTION BETWEEN SHAM WAT ROAD AND KEUNG SHAN ROAD TO THE PO LIN MONASTERY AT NGONG PING.
"SOME SECTIONS OF THE ACCESS ROAD TO NGONG PING ARE CURRENTLY THREE-METRE WIDE WITH NO FOOTWAYS. THE REMAINING SECTIONS ARE SIX-METRE WIDE.
"THE WHOLE ACCESS ROAD WILL BE WIDENED TO A 7.3-METRE WIDE CARRIAGEWAY WITH ASSOCIATED FOOTWAYS,” MR KWEI SAID.
THE CONTRACT ALSO INCLUDES CONSTRUCTION OF A ROAD BRIDGE, BUS BAYS, A CARPARK AND LANDSCAPING WORKS.
MR KWEI SAID ALL THE WORKS COVERED BY THE CONTRACT SHOULD NORMALLY TAKE 23 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
HOWEVER, IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE ROAD CAPACITY AND SAFETY OF THE EXISTING ACCESS ROAD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, THE DEPARTMENT HAD MADE ARRANGEMENTS SO THAT IMPROVEMENT TO THREE SECTIONS OF THE EXISTING ACCESS ROAD WOULD BE COMPLETED IN ONLY 18 MONTHS, HE SAID.
"THESE SECTIONS WITH A TOTAL LENGTH OF 1.2 KILOMETRES ARE EITHER ONLY THREE-METRE WIDE OR HAVE UNSATISFACTORY ALIGNMENT, MR KWEI SAID.
AS FOR THE REMAINING 1.4-KILOMETRE LONG, SIX-METRE WIDE SECTIONS OF THE ACCESS ROAD, MR KWEI SAID IMPROVEMENT WORKS WOULD BE COMPLETED FIVE MONTHS LATER, IN APRIL 1993.
THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS SAID THE IMPROVEMENT WORKS WOULD START AT THE END OF THIS MONTH, ADDING THAT DURING CONSTRUCTION, TWO WAY TRAFFIC IN THE EXISTING ACCESS ROAD WOULD BE MAINTAINED.
THE CONTRACT WAS AWARDED TO CHUN WO CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING CO. LTD.
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/12........
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1991
- 12 -
SWD OUT-REACHING TEAMS SCORE TRIPLE SUCCESS ******
AFTER FOUR YEARS OF SUSTAINED EFFORTS, A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT (SWD) OUT-REACHING TEAM FINALLY SUCCEEDED IN CONVINCING AN 80-YEAR-OLD WOMAN AND HER 60-YEAR-OLD SON TO GIVE UP STREET-SLEEPING.
AH HO AND HER SON ARE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS. THEY USED TO LIVE IN A SIDE STREET IN CENTRAL AND DESPITE REPEATED OFFERS OF COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING AND OTHER SERVICES, THE PAIR HAD REMAINED UNMOVED.
IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS, SWD WORKERS VISITED THEM REGULARLY AND TIME AND AGAIN OFFERED THEM ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION. ONLY ON TWO OCCASIONS HAD THE PAIR AGREED TO GIVE UP STREET-SLEEPING, BUI THEY FAILED TO TURN UP FOR THE APPOINTMENTS TO COMPLETE THE FORMALITIES FOR MOVING INTO A CUBICLE IN CENTRAL OR A TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA OF THEIR CHOICE.
HOWEVER, SWD STAFF, CONVINCED THAT THE PAIR WOULD CHANGE THEIR MIND ONE DAY, NEVER WAVERED IN THEIR EFFORTS.
NOW, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE AND HOUSING DEPARTMENTS, AH HO AND HER SON HAVE STARTED A NEW LIFE IN A PUBLIC HOUSING UNIT ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
THEY WERE ALSO GIVEN A REMOVAL ALLOWANCE OF $3,000 TO ASSIST THEM IN SETTING UP THEIR NEW HOME. SWD STAFF WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THEIR WELFARE TO SEE IF ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE NEED BE RENDERED.
MEANWHILE, ANOTHER SWD OUT-REACHING TEAM ALSO SUCCESSFULLY CONVINCED A 60-YEAR-OLD STREET SLEEPER ON THE WALKWAY OF THE GENERAL POST OFFICE IN CENTRAL TO ACCEPT COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING.
THIS ELDERLY MAN HAS BEEN ADAMANT ON STREET-SLEEPING ON THE WALKWAY FOR YEARS. A MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH WAS POSSIBLE RECENTLY AS HIS HEALTH BEGAN TO DETERIORATE.
ON THE ADVICE OF SWD STAFF, HE AGREED TO BE ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL. DURING THE TREATMENT PERIOD, SWD STAFF VISITED HIM AND AGAIN SUGGESTED COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING FOR HIM. THE RESPONSE WAS POSITIVE THIS TIME.
ARRANGEMENTS WERE DULY MADE AND THE MAN IS NOW AWAITING ALLOCATION OF A PUBLIC HOUSING UNIT.
IN ANOTHER CASE, A CLIENT OF THE EAST KOWLOON REGIONAL OUT-REACHING TEAM WHO HAD BEEN A STREET SLEEPER FOR 24 YEARS, ALSO QUITTED STREET-SLEEPING.
AH KONG, 55, HAS BEEN KNOWN TO SWD SINCE THE LATE 60’S. OVER THE YEARS HE HAS BEEN GIVEN MONETARY AND EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCES AS WELL AS TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION.
/HOWEVER, DESPITE ........
THURSDAY, F' 23, 1991
13
HOWEVER, DESPITE THE TEAM’S REPEATED PERSUASION AH KONG STILL PREFERRED TO STAY ON THE STREETS. SWD STAFF CONTINUED TO CLOSELY MONITOR HIS CASE TO ENSURE HIS WELFARE WAS TAKEN CARE OF.
IN EARLY JANUARY THIS YEAR AH KONG INDICATED HIS WILLINGNESS TO ACCEPT COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING AND WAS LATER ALLOCATED A PUBLIC HOUSING UNIT. HE WAS ALSO GIVEN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND ESCORT SERVICES FOR SETTING UP HIS NEW HOME LAST MONTH.
ACCORDING TO SWD STATISTICS, THE MAJORITY OF THE 990-ODD RECORDED STREET SLEEPERS HAD REJECTED VARIOUS OFFERS OF ASSISTANCE FROM THE DEPARTMENT.
IN THE 12-MONTH PERIOD ENDING MARCH, ABOUT 1,400 OFFERS OF ACCOMMODATION IN TEMPORARY AND EMERGENCY SHELTERS, 800 OFFERS OF ACCOMMODATION IN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS, 100 COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING OFFERS AND A SIMILAR NUMBER OF PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION OFFERS HAD BEEN REJECTED BY STREET SLEEPERS.
DESPITE THE HIGH REJECTION RATE, AN SWD SPOKESMAN SAID THIS WOULD NOT SWAY THE DEPARTMENT’S DETERMINATION TO HELP THE STREET SLEEPERS.
"JUST A FEW SUCCESSFUL CASES WOULD MEAN THAT OUR EFFORTS HAVE BEEN WORTHWHILE," HE SAID.
TO OBTAIN FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE SITUATION OF STREET SLEEPERS, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. CARTLAND, RECENTLY VISITED A NUMBER OF HOSTELS OPERATED BY THE STREET SLEEPERS SOCIETY.
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TWENTY-ONE PASSED LICENTIATE EXAMINA I ION
******
HONG KONG
HAVE PASSED LICENTIATE
LICENTIATE COMMITTEE OF THE MEDICAL COUNCIL OF TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT TWENTY-ONE CANDIDATES (ENGLISH FOR PROFESSIONAL USE PAPER) OF I HE FOR UNREGISTRABLE DOCTORS THIS YEAR.
THE ANNOUNCED THE PART II EXAMINATION
YEAR, DATES
THF PART II EXAMINATION HAS BEEN HELD TWICE THIS MARCH AND MAY, GIVING CANDIDATES A CHOICE OF EXAM I NAT 1 ON AISO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE WHO FAILED IN THE FIRST EXAMINATION TAKE THIS PART OF THE EXAMINATION AGAIN IN THE SAME YEAR.
IN AND
TO
OF THE 21 SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES, 18 PASSED THE EXAMINATION IN MARCH AND THREE IN MAY.
i THrwP WHO HAVE PASSED THE PART II EXAMINATION THIS ARE ELIGIBLE TO TAKE THE PART III EXAMINATION SCHEDULED FOR JULY
YEAR
THIS
YEAR .
/THE PART ........
THURSDAY, MY.' 23, 1991
14
THE PART Ill LICENTIATE EXAMINATION IS AN ORAL EXAMINATION ON CANDIDATES* ABILITY TO APPLY PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE TO CLINICAL PROBLEMS.
EACH CANDIDATE WILL BE GIVEN AN ORAL EXAMINATION IN EACH OF THE THREE DISCIPLINES OF MEDICINE, SURGERY AND OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY.
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RATEPAYERS REMINDED ON MAY 31 DEADLINE FOR LODGING OBJECTIONS
THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT (RVD) TODAY (THURSDAY) ’EMINDED RATEPAYERS THAT THOSE WISHING TO OBJECT TO THE NEW RATEABLE ALUE FOR THE YEAR COMMENCING APRIL 1, 1991 MUST SERVE A PROPOSAL ON IE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION ON OR BEFORE FRIDAY, MAY 31.
A PROPOSAL SERVED AFTER MAY 31 WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE PROPOSAL SHOULD BE MADE ON THE SPECIFIED FORM (R. 20A) MUCH IS AVAILABLE FROM THE RVD OR ANY DISTRICT OFFICE.
IT MUST EITHER BE DELIVERED BY HAND TO THE DEPARTMENT’S OFFICE AT HENNESSY CENTRE, 17TH FLOOR, 500 HENNESSY ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY OR SENT BY POST TO ARRIVE ON OR BEFORE MAY 31.
SERVICE BY FACSIMILE MACHINE IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE MODE OF SERVICE UNDER THE RATING ORDINANCE.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT UP TO YESTERDAY, 16,500 PROPOSALS HAD BEEN RECEIVED. ALL PROPOSALS WILL BE CONSIDERED CAREFULLY B\ SENIOR PROFESSIONAL STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT AND RATEPAYERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE COMMISSIONER’S DECISION WITHIN ABOUT SIX MONTHS, HE SAID.
ENQUIRIES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MAY BE DIRECTED TO RVD ON TEL. 805 7666.
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/15
41
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1991
- 15 -
VILLAGE HOUSES IN SAI KUNG DECLARED DANGEROUS
******
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY HAS DECLARED THE BUILDING AT 65 SAI KUNG ROAD, NEW TERRITORIES TO BE DANGEROUS AND THE ADJOINING MAIN BUILDING AT NO. 66, LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.
IN A STATEMENT TODAY (THURSDAY), THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR SAID THE TWO-STOREY VILLAGE TYPE BUILDINGS ARE GENERALLY CONSTRUCTED OF LOADBEARING MASONRY WALLS WITH TIMBER FLOORS AND ROOFS.
HOWEVER, A PORTION OF THE FIRST FLOOR AT THE REAR OF THE BUILDING AT NO. 65 IS OF REINFORCED CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION.
SUBSEQUENT TO RECEIPT OF A COMPLAINT IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR, IT WAS FOUND DURING AN INSPECTION THAT THE BUILDING WAS GENERALLY IN A DILAPIDATED CONDITION WITH SEVERE SPALLING TO THE REINFORCED CONCRETE SLAB EXPOSING DETERIORATED REINFORCEMENT AND DEFLECTION OF THE REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAM OVER THE MAIN ENTRANCE.
FURTHERMORE, THERE WERE NUMEROUS VERTICAL CRACKS IN THE LOADBEARING WALLS AND DEFECTIVE FLOOR AND ROOF JOISTS AND AREAS OF BOTH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL PLASTER/RENDERING WERE EITHER LOOSE OR HAD ALREADY FALLEN AWAY TO EXPOSE THE MASONRY WALLS.
THE OWNER OF THE BUILDING WAS ADVISED IN WRITING IN JANUARY THIS YEAR TO UNDERTAKE SUFFICIENT REPAIRS TO THE IDENTIFIED DEFECTS TO RENDER THE BUILDING SAFE.
HOWEVER, FURTHER INSPECTIONS IN APRIL AND EARLY MAY INDICATED THAT NO REPAIRS HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT AND THE BUILDING HAD ^FURTHER DETERIORATED TO THE EXTENT THAT IT WAS CONSIDERED TO BE DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED.
IT WAS POINTED OUT THAT THE BUILDING AT 66 SAI KUNG ROAD WHICH SHARES A COMMON PARTY-WALL WITH NO. 65, ALTHOUGH NOT IN SUCH AN ADVANCED STATE OF DILAPIDATION AS THE ADJOINING BUILDING, HAS NUMEROUS CRACKS IN ITS LOADBEARING WALLS ESPECIALLY AROUND UPPER FLOOR WINDOW OPENINGS IN THE FRONT MAIN WALL AND THE PARTY-WALL WITH NO. 65.
IT WAS FELT THAT THE MAIN BUILDING AT NO. 66 COULD NOT SAFELY WITHSTAND THE DEMOLITION OF NO. 65 AND THUS IT TOO SHOULD BE CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED AS BEING LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON JUNE 6 WERE POSTED ON THE TWO BUILDINGS TODAY.
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/16 ........
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1991
16
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED
******
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS AT 8D MONG KOK ROAD/324 PORTLAND STREET IN MONG KOK, SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES ARE LOCATED AT THE FIFTH FLOOR, FLATS A TO F OF FRONT PORTION, 8D MONG KOK ROAD/324 PORTLAND STREET.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON JULY 23 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (THURSDAY).
DEMOLITION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
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GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY ******
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED GRADES ON THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF ALL BATHING BEACHES IJ4 HONG KONG.
THE PURPOSE OF THE GRADING SYSTEM IS TO INFORM SWIMMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE STATE OF BACTERIOLOGICAL 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 GRADING OF SOME BEACHES MAY VARY DURING THE SUMMER. THIS REPRESENTS A NATURAL FLUCTUATION IN THE BACTERIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF BATHING WATERS IN MOST CASES, AS RAIN AND TIDES BRING MORE OR LESS POLLUTION TO THE BEACHES.
/HOWEVER, THE ........
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1991
- 17 -
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.
"BEACHES WITH HIGHLY DEVELOPED HINTERLANDS ARE LIKELY TO BE MORE POLLUTED THAN THE GRADES SUGGEST DURING AND AFTER HEAVY RAIN," AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID.
BATHERS SHOULD AVOID SUCH BEACHES FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS AFTER A STORM, LONGER IF THE WEATHER REMAINS OVERCAST OR LESS IF THERE IS STRONG SUNSHINE.
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 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" GRADE 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, MAY 23, 1991
- 18 -
THE GRADES ON THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF BEACHES IN HONG KONG AS AT TODAY ARE LISTED BELOW:
VARIOUS
BEACH
PREVIOUS GRADING
PRESENT GRADING
(AS AT 9.5.91)
(AS AT 23.5.91)
HONG KONG SOUTH
BIG WAVE BAY 2
CHUNG HOM KOK 1
DEEP WATER BAY 1
HAIRPIN 1
MIDDLE BAY 1
REPULSE BAY 1
SHEK O 2
SOUTH BAY 1
ST STEPHEN’S 1
TURTLE COVE 1
STANLEY MAIN 2
ROCKY BAY X
TO TEI WAN* 1
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
2 1
1 2
1 1
2 1
1 1
2 X
1
OLD CAFETERIA X
NEW CAFETERIA 2
CASTLE PEAK X
KADOORIE 2
BUTTERFLY 2
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
X 2 X
2 2
CAMPERS 1
CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH 1
CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND BEACH 1
HAP MUN BAY 1
KIU TSUI 1
PAR SHA CHAU 1
SILVERSTRAND 3
TRIO (HEBE HAVEN) 1
ISLANDS DISTRICT
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
CHEUNG SHA UPPER 1
CHEUNG SHA LOWER 2
DISCOVERY BAY* 1
HUNG SHING YEH 1
KWUN YAM WAN 1
TONG FUK 1
LO SO SHING 1
PUI O 1
SILVERMINE BAY 2
TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU 2
TUNG O* 1
1 2
1 1
1
1 1
2
3 2
1
/TSUEN WAN DISTRICT .......
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1991
- 19 -
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
ANGLERS’ 3
APPROACH 3
CASAM 2
GEMINI 2
HOI MEI WAN 2
LIDO 2
TING KAU 3
TUNG WAN, MA WAN 2
3
3
2
2
2
2
3
1
NOTE: "X” THE BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES.
* NON-GAZETTED BEACHES.
THE FOLLOWING BEACHES HAVE CHANGED GRADING ON THIS OCCASION:
TUNG WAN ON MA WAN, FROM "2” TO ”1”; SILVERSTRAND, FROM "3”
HAIRPIN AND PUI O, FROM ”1” TO ”2”; SILVERMINE BAY, FROM "2”
TO TO
THE CHANGES ARE WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE OF FLUCTUATION OF THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF THESE BEACHES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT THE PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER (WATER POLICY) OF THE EPD, MR P.R. HOLMES, ON TEL. 835 1234.
------0--------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS HKEF
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 22.5.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 23.5.91 -138
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING +138
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NFUTRAI
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.7 *+0.4*
23.5.91
/HONG KONG .......
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1991
20 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEI
ISSUE NUMBER MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
Q115 10.7.91 380 + 100
Q116 17.7.91 350 + 130
Q117 24.7.91 388.5 + 91.5
Q118 31.7.91 450 + 30
Q119 7.8.91 405 + 75
Q120 14.8.91 360 + 120
Q121 21.8.91 350 + 130
Q109 29.5.91 810 -330
QUO 5.6.91 450 + 30
Qlll 12.6.91 444 + 36
Q112 19.6.91 560 -80
Q113 26.6.91 440 + 40
Q114 3.7.91 460 + 20
ISSUE NUMBER HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 182-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEJ
MATURING ON OUTSTANDING
$ MILLION
H164 13.11.91 90 + 170
H003 29.5.91 210 + 50
H004 12.6.91 250 + 10
H005 26.6.91 230 + 30
H101 10.7.91 153 + 107
H156 24.7.91 180 + 80
H157 7.8.91 169. 5 +90.5
H158 21.8.91 160 + 100
H159 4.9.91 150 + 110
H160 18.9.91 190 + 70
H161 2.10.91 140 + 120
H162 17.10.91 114 + 146
H163 30.10.91 106 + 154
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
364-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEK
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
Y187 26.2.92 230 + 30
Y188 25.3.92 180 + 80
Y189 22.4.92 190 + 70
Y19O 20.5.92 200 + 60
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 17.5.91 WAS 2,410 MN
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK AND CANADA HAVE A STAKE IN EACH OTHER'S FUTURE: GOVERNOR ........... 1
FESTIVAL PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE IDEAS AND ENTERTAINMENT ........ 2
GOVT INTENDS TO SET UP TRADE OFFICE IN CANADA ......................... 3
ECONOMIC SITUATION IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 AND UPDATED FORECASTS
OF GDP AND PRICES FOR 1991 ......................................... 3
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR APRIL PUBLISHED ............................ 9
FS WELCOMES DECISION TO INCREASE INTEREST RATES ....................... 12
HK-NEW ZEALAND MEMORANDUM SIGNED ON LAB ACCREDITATION SCHEMES ......... 12
CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT FOR ROAD TESTING PROGRAMME SIGNED ............... 14
AMENDMENT ORDINANCE PLUGS GAPS IN HK'S TRADE MARKS LAW................. 15
EXCO APPROVES CONTROLS OVER MUNITIONS TRANSIT.......................... 16
IMPROVEMENTS TO LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME PROPOSED .................. 17
EXPRESSWAY BILL GAZETTED............................................... 18
TENDERS INVITED FOR DRAINAGE WORKS .................................... 19
DREDGING FOR MARINE SAND WEST OF CHING CHAU ........................... 20
TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AT LAI CHI KOK INTERCHANGE TO BE IMPROVED........... 21
TENDERS INVITED FOR POLICE POST ON LAMMA ISLAND ....................... 22
PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST TO BE RECONSTRUCTED ........................... 22
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES ESSENTIAL TO INTERNAL SECURITY .................. 23
BID TO PROMOTE EMPLOYMENT LAW ......................................... 23
THREE DB REPS ELECTED TO UC ........................................... 24
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED .............................. 24
FIRING PRACTICE IN JUNE ............................................... 25
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 26
FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1991
1
HK AND CANADA HAVE A STAKE IN EACH OTHER'S FUTURE: GOVERNOR ♦ * * t *
HONG KONG AND CANADA EACH HAVE A STAKE IN THE OTHER'S FUTURE, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON SAID THIS EVENING (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT A DINNER IN HONOUR OF THE CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER, MR BRIAN MULRONEY, AT THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE, SIR DAVID SAID ALTHOUGH HONG KONG WAS SMALL IN COMPARISON TO CANADA, EACH HAD MUCH TO OFFER THE OTHER IN THE EXCHANGE OF CULTURE AND IDEAS AND IN STRONG, HEALTHY COMMERCIAL RELATIONS.
"THERE COULD BE NO STRONGER BASIS UPON WHICH TO BUILD A WARM, MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL AND ENDURING RELATIONSHIP," HE SAID.
WELCOMING THE PRIME MINISTER TO HONG KONG, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WAS HONOURED TO BE INVITED BY MR MULRONEY TO VISIT CANADA A YEAR AGO AS A GUEST OF THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT, AND HE HAD GREAT PLEASURE TO BE ABLE TO RETURN THAT COMPLIMENT.
"HONG KONG IS HONOURED - AND PROUD - THAT YOU HAVE COME. WE WELCOME YOU," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
SPEAKING ON THE LINKS WHICH BOUND THE PEOPLE IN HONG KONG AND CANADA IN THE PAST AND PRESENT, SIR DAVID SAID, FAMILY TIES HAD STRENGTHENED THESE BONDS.
MIGRATION FROM HONG KONG ACROSS THE PACIFIC WAS NOT NEW BUT THERE WERE NOW NEW EMIGRE HONG KONG COMMUNITIES IN CITIES SUCH AS TORONTO AND VANCOUVER WHICH HAD ENRICHED THE FABRIC OF CANADA'S ALREADY VARIED CULTURE, SIR DAVID SAID.
"THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THESE NEW COMMUNITIES HAS ALSO CREATED A WEALTH OF NEW COMMERCIAL LINKS. THESE BENEFIT US BOTH. THEY CREATE A SENSE OF PRACTICAL PARTNERSHIP," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN ACCOUNT OF HONG KONG'S NEEDS IN THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY - THROUGH PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS TO DEVELOP THE GROWTH OF TRADE, COMMERCE AND INVESTMENT.
AND, IN A VERY PRACTICAL WAY, CANADA WAS HELPING TO BUILD THE FOUNDATIONS FOR A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE FOR HONG KONG AND HE CITED THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLES:
- THE AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT SIGNED IN 1988;
- CO-OPERATION IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS;
- AND THE ARRANGEMENTS NOW ALMOST COMPLETED FOR THE OPENING OF A HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN TORONTO LATER THIS YEAR.
SIR DAVID SAID THE CANADIAN BUSINESS PRESENCE IN HONG KONG WAS STRONG AND WELL-1. IKED AND ITS MEMBERS PLAYED AN ACTIVE PART IN COMMUNITY LIFE.
/"WE WELCOME .......
FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1991
- 2 -
"WE WELCOME THEM WARMLY, AS WE WELCOME ALL WHO ENJOY THE CHALLENGE AND EXCITEMENT OE FINDING OPPORTUNITY WHERE FAINTER HEARTS MIGHT SEE ONLY RISK," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE SELFLESS GALLANTRY OF THE MEN OF THE ROYAL RIFLES AND THE WINNIPEG GRENADIERS WHO FELL IN THE DEFENCE OF HONG KONG IN 1941.
"THEY ARRIVED IN HONG KONG SCARCELY THREE WEEKS BEFORE THE BATTLE. THEY OWED US NOTHING; BUT GAVE THEIR LIVES. IT IS A DEBT WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN," HE SAID.
THE PRIME MINISTER AND THE GOVERNOR WILL HONOUR THOSE SOLDIERS AT A REMEMBRANCE SERVICE TO BE HELD TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AT THE SAI WAN BAY WAR CEMETERY.
---------0------------
FESTIVAL PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE IDEAS AND ENTERTAINMENT ♦ * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (FRIDAY) PAID TRIBUTE TO THE PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA, MR BRIAN MULRONEY, AND THE CANADIAN PEOPLE FOR STAGING THE FESTIVAL OF CANADA IN HONG KONG WHICH PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE IDEAS AND ENTERTAINMENT ACROSS THE PACIFIC.
ADDRESSING THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF THE FESTIVAL OF CANADA IN HONG KONG, SIR DAVID SAID HE WAS DELIGHTED TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WELCOME MR MULRONEY TO HONG KONG, NOT LEAST BECAUSE IT ALLOWED HIM TO REPAY SOME OF THE WARMTH AND HOSPITALITY THAT HE WAS SHOWN DURING HIS OWN VISIT TO CANADA ALMOST EXACTLY A YEAR AGO.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, HONG KONG WAS TO BE TREATED TO AN EXCITING DISPLAY OF THE COLOUR AND VARIETY OF CANADA’S CULTURAL LIFE.
"THERE WILL BE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE - FROM BUSINESS AND THE ARTS THROUGH SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT, TO CULINARY ENJOYMENT," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID IT WAS ONLY 12 MONTHS AGO THAT HE DISCUSSED WITH THE PRIME MINISTER IN OTTAWA THE IDEA OF MATCHING FESTIVALS -CANADA IN HONG KONG AND HONG KONG IN CANADA.
"NOW THE IDEA IS ALREADY A REALITY. THOSE WHO HAVE BROUGHT IT TO FRUITION DESERVE CONGRATULATIONS.
"SO DO THOSE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR WHOSE ENERGY AND GENEROSITY HAVE MADE POSSIBLE THE STAGING OF THIS EXCITING SERIES OF EVENTS," HE SAID.
/SIR DAVID ......
FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1991
- 3 "
SIR DAVID SAID NEXT YEAR, IT WOULD BE HONG KONG'S TURN .0 I AKE SOMETHING OF HONG KONG ACROSS THE PACIFIC TO CANADIAN CI I IES.
"WE LOOK FORWARD TO THIS EXCHANGE. IT WILL STRENGTHEN THE ALREADY CLOSE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OUR TWO COMMUNITIES.
"IT WILL PROVIDE INTEREST AND ENJOYMENT FOR OUR CITIZENS," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
---------0-----------
GOVT INTENDS TO SET UP TRADE OFFICE IN CANADA
******
SUBJECT TO THE COMPLETION OF FORMALITIES WITH THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO ESTABLISH IN TORONTO LATER THIS YEAR A HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE OFFICE WOULD REPRESENT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN'CONDUCTING COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WITH CANADA. IT WOULD ALSO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS.
- - 0---------
ECONOMIC SITUATION IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 AND UPDATED FORECASTS OF GDP AND PRICES FOR 1991 *****
FOLLOWING THE PICK-UP IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990, THE ECONOMY CONTINUED TO IMPROVE IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991, ACCORDING TO THE FIRST QUARTER ECONOMIC REPORT PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE GROWTH IN RE-EXPORTS REMAINED ROBUST, WHILE DOMESTIC EXPORTS SHOWED A MODEST INCREASE, THE REPORT NOTED.
LOCALLY, INVESTMENT DEMAND STRENGTHENED, ALTHOUGH CONSUMPTION DEMAND WAS STILL MODERATE. THE LABOUR. MARKET SHOWED SOME SIGNS OF EASING BUT THE RATE OF INFLATION REMAINED HIGH, THE REPORT SAID.
LOCAL INFLATIONARY PRESSURES INTENSIFIED DURING THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 1991, LARGELY DUE TO RECENT INCREASES IN PROPERTY PRICES, PUBLIC TRANSPORT FARES AND FISCAL LEVIES.
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR APRIL 1991, WHICH WERE RELEASED TODAY, SHOWED THAT THE CPI(A) ROSE BY 13.9% OVER THE SAME MONTH IN 1990.
COMMENTING ON THE RATE OF INFLATION IN APRIL, THE GOVERNMENT ECONOMIST, MR K Y TANG, SAID : "THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN KEEPING A (LOSE WATCH OVER THE INFLATION SITUATION AND IS DEEPLY CONCERNED AT THE ACCELERATING TREND.
/"WE ARE .......
FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1991
4
"WE ARE DETERMINED TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO ALLEVIATE THE CURRENT INFLATIONARY PRESSURES WITHOUT IMPAIRING MARKET EFFICIENCY AND OUR ECONOMIC VITALITY AND FLEXIBILITY.
"THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, WILL MAKE A STATEMENT DURING THE DERATE ON INFLATION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT WEDNESDAY (MAY 29), HE SAID."
MR TANG SAID THAT ON THE BASIS OF THE LATEST AVAILABLE INFORMATION, A REVIEW HAD BEEN MADE OF THE FORECASTS OF THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) AND OF PRICE TRENDS FOR 1991.
"AS A RESULT OF THIS REVIEW, ADJUSTMENTS WERE MADE TO SEVERAL COMPONENT FORECASTS OF THE GDP, BUT THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF THE GDP REMAINS UNCHANGED AT 3.5%," HE SAID.
"THE FORECAST RATE OF INCREASE IN THE CPI(A) IS, HOWEVER, REVISED UPWARDS TO 11%, FROM THE EARLIER FORECAST OF 9.5%, HAVING REGARD TO THE ACTUAL INFLATION FIGURES IN THE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF THIS YEAR," MR TANG SAID.
IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991, DOMESTIC EXPORTS GREW BY ABOUT 2% IN REAL TERMS OVER A YEAR EARLIER.
"THIS INCREASE WAS LARGELY DUE TO THE IMPROVED PRICE COMPETITIVENESS OF HONG KONG’S PRODUCTS AS THE HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPRECIATED ALONG WITH THE US DOLLAR IN THE LATTER PART OF LAST YEAR," MR TANG SAID.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE VARIOUS MAJOR MARKETS, HOWEVER, SHOWED A MIXED PERFORMANCE. DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA, GERMANY AND THE UNITED KINGDOM INCREASED, YND THE EARLIER DECLINE IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO JAPAN APPEARED To HAVF STABILIZED SOMEWHAT.
"BUT DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES CONTINUED TO DECLINE," MR TANG POINTED OUT. i
"AS A RESULT OF THIS DECLINE, THE SHARE OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE TOTAL VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS FELL FURTHER, TO 24% IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991, FROM 29% BOTH IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990 AND FOR THE YEAR AS A WHOLE," HE SAID.
THE GROWTH RATE OF RE-EXPORTS REMAINED ROBUST, AT ABOUT 22% IN REAL TERMS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 OVER A YEAR EARLIER.
AS RE-EXPORTS CONTINUED TO RISE AT A MUCH FASTER RATE THAN DOMESTIC EXPORTS, THEIR SHARE IN THE TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED FURTHER, TO 68% IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991, FROM 65% FOR 1990 AS A WHOLE.
"LARGELY SUPPORTED BY THE CONTINUED EXPANSION OF OUTWARD PROCESSING ACTIVITIES ACROSS THE BORDER AND AN IMPROVED DEMAND FOR IMPORTS IN CHINA, RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA CONTINUED TO SURGE, BY 28% IN VALUE TERMS IN THE FIRST QUARTER," MR TANG SAID.
"CHINA REMAINED THE LARGEST MARKET FOR AS WELL AS THE LARGEST SOURCE OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS, ACCOUNTING FOR 28% AND 58% RESPECTIVELY OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR," HE ADDED.
/IMPORTS ROSE .......
FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1991
- 5 -
IMPORTS ROSE BY ABOUT 18% IN REAL TERMS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OVER A YEAR EARLIER. THE GROWTH RATE OF RETAINED IMPORTS, AT ABOUT 13%, WAS ALSO MARKED.
IT IS NOTABLE THAT, AMONG THE VARIOUS END-USE CATEGORIES, RETAINED IMPORTS OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES CONTINUED TO SURGE, WITH A YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATE OF ABOUT 23% IN REAL TERMS.
A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $9,815 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 6% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991.
THIS COMPARED WITH A DEFICIT OF $3,072 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 2% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF LAST YEAR, MR TANG SAID.
"A LARGER AMOUNT OF RETAINED IMPORTS, PARTICULARLY RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES FOR PRODUCTION, CONTRIBUTED CONSIDERABLY TO THE INCREASED TRADE DEFICIT," HE EXPLAINED.
ON DOMESTIC DEMAND, INVESTMENT INTENTIONS CONTINUED TO REVIVE IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991, AS RETAINED IMPORTS OF CAPITAL GOODS, PARTICULARLY MACHINERY FOR INDUSTRIAL USE, PICKED UP CONSIDERABLY.
"RETAINED IMPORTS OF CAPITAL GOODS ROSE BY ABOUT 8% IN REAL TERMS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OVER A YEAR EARLIER," MR TANG SAID.
CONSUMPTION DEMAND WAS, HOWEVER, STILL MODERATE IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991.
"RETAINED IMPORTS OF CONSUMER GOODS DECLINED BY ABOUT 6% IN REAL TERMS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OVER A YEAR EARLIER, AS THE GULF WAR HAD EXERTED AN ADVERSE IMPACT ON TOURIST SPENDING IN HONG KONG AND PROBABLY ALSO ON LOCAL CONSUMER SENTIMENT.
"NEVERTHELESS, THE DECLINE HAD BECOME SMALLER TOWARDS THE END OF THE QUARTER. ALSO, THE VOLUME OF RETAIL SALES SHOWED A MODEST INCREASE IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY COMBINED," MR TANG SAID.
CONSUMER PRICE INFLATION TENDED TO ACCELERATE IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991. THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) REGISTERED A YEAR-ON-YEAR RATE OF INCREASE OF 11.9% IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991.
THE CORRESPONDING INCREASE IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER WAS 10.9%. ON A YEAR-ON-YEAR COMPARISON, THE CPI(A) ROSE BY 10.8% IN JANUARY, 11.9% IN FEBRUARY AND 12.9% IN MARCH.
"THE FASTER INCREASE IN FEBRUARY THAN IN JANUARY WAS MAINLY DUE TO SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN THE PRICES OF MANY ESSENTIAL FOODSTUFFS AND IN THE CHARGES FOR MEALS AT RESTAURANTS AROUND THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.
"THE FURTHER ACCELERATION IN MARCH WAS LARGELY THE RESULT OF THE INCREASE IN TOBACCO DUTY AND, TO A LESSER EXTENT, THE HIGHER DUTIES ON ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND PETROL," MR TANG SAID.
ALTHOUGH THE LABOUR MARKET WAS STILL TIGHT IN OVERALL TERMS, A DEGREE OF EASING HAD EMERGED IN RECENT MONTHS.
/THE SEASONALLY .......
FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1991
- 6 -
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, AT 1.8% IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991, WAS 0.4 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT HIGHER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND 0.1 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR.
THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE, AT 1.5% IN THE FIRST QUARTER, WAS 0.7 AND 0.8 OF A PERCENTAGE POINT RESPECTIVELY HIGHER THAN IN THE PRECEDING QUARTER AND IN THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR.
IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1990, THE PROPORTION OF THE EMPLOYED POPULATION WORKING OVERTIME WAS REDUCED. VACANCIES ALSO DECREASED IN MOST SECTORS.
ON THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY MARKET, MR TANG POINTED OUT THE MARKET PICKED UP FURTHER DURING THE FIRST QUARTER. SMALL TO MEDIUMSIZED RESIDENTIAL FLATS CONTINUED TO ATTRACT KEEN BUYERS’ INTEREST.
APART FROM SUPPORT FROM END-USERS, SPECULATIVE INTERESTS WERE ALSO APPARENT. THE DEMAND FOR LARGE RESIDENTIAL FLATS SHOWED SOME IMPROVEMENT.
"THE MARKET FOR SHOPPING SPACE IN THE MAIN SHOPPING AREAS HELD UP WELL. THE MARKET FOR OFFICE SPACE WAS STILL AFFECTED BY OVER-SUPPLY, WHILE THE MARKET FOR INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY REMAINED QUIET," MR TANG SAID.
IN THE FINANCIAL SECTOR, THE FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS WERE OBSERVED DURING THE FIRST QUARTER.
* FIRST, REFLECTING THE APPRECIATION OF THE US DOLLAR DURING THE QUARTER, THE EFFECTIVE EXCHANGE RATE INDEX OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR ROSE FROM 109.3 AT THE END OF 1990 TO 112.2 AT THE END OF MARCH 1991.
* SECONDLY, LOCAL MONEY MARKET INTEREST RATES EASED DURING THE FIRST QUARTER, IN LINE WITH THE MOVEMENT IN US DOLLAR INTEREST RATES.
* THIRDLY, CONSISTENT WITH AN IMPROVED ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE, DOMESTIC LOANS AND ADVANCES REGISTERED FURTHER GROWTH.
* FOURTHLY, LOCAL SHARE PRICES AND TURNOVER REGISTERED SIGNIFICANT INCREASES DURING THE FIRST QUARTER.
MR TANG SAID IN UPDATING THE GDP AND PRICE FORECASTS FOR 1991 IN THE LIGHT OF THESE DEVELOPMENTS, ADJUSTMENTS WERE MADE TO THE COMPONENT FORECASTS AS APPROPRIATE.
IN THE EXTERNAL SECTOR, DOMESTIC EXPORTS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE BY ABOUT 2.5% IN REAL TERMS IN 1991, SAME AS IN THE EARLIER FORECAST.
"ORDERS-ON-HAND CONTINUED TO IMPROVE IN RECENT MONTHS, FOLLOWING DECLINES FOR MANY MONTHS IN 1990," MR TANG SAID.
"CURRENT INFORMATION ON RETAINED IMPORTS OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES ALSO SUGGESTS THAT THE IMPROVED PERFORMANCE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS COULD BE SUSTAINED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
/THE GROWTH .......
FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1991
7
THE GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF RE-EXPORTS IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN UNCHANGED AT 15%. CONTINUED EXPANSION IN OUTWARD PROCESSING ACTIVITIES, AN IMPROVED DEMAND IN IMPORTS TO CHINA, AND CHINA’S OWN EXPORT DRIVE ARE THE MAIN FACTORS UNDERLYING THIS FORECAST.
HOWEVER, THERE IS UNCERTAINTY OVER CHINA’S MOST FAVOURED NATION (MFN) STATUS IN THE UNITED STATES.
"IF IT WERE RESCINDED OR RENEWED WITH STRINGENT CONDITIONS AFFECTING US-CHINA TRADE, THERE WOULD BE A SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE IMPACT ON BOTH RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN AND RE-EXPORTS TO CHINA, AND HENCE ON HONG KONG'S OVERALL RE-EXPORTS TRADE," MR TANG SAID.
"GIVEN THIS FORECAST FOR RE-EXPORTS AND FOR RETAINED IMPORTS, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF IMPORTS OF GOODS REMAINS UNCHANGED, AT 10.7%," MR TANG SAID.
THE DEMAND FOR TRADE-RELATED SERVICES SHOULD CONTINUE TO INCREASE IN LINE WITH THE GROWTH IN OVERALL TRADE.
HOWEVER, THE GROWTH IN TOURIST RECEIPTS IS LIKELY TO SLOW DOWN SOMEWHAT, MAINLY REFLECTING THE MARKED DECLINE IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.
AS A RESULT, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF EXPORTS OF SERVICES IS LOWERED FROM 6% TO 5%.
MEANWHILE, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF IMPORTS OF SERVICES IS RAISED FROM 7% TO 7.5%, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN EXPENDITURE OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS TRAVELLING ABROAD IN THE FIRST QUARTER.
"WITH THESE DIFFERENTIAL RATES OF INCREASE,, A DECLINE IN NET EXPORTS OF SERVICES IS FORECAST FOR THE YEAR AS A WHOLE," MRTANG SAID.
IN THE DOMESTIC SECTOR, HAVING REGARD TO THE POSSIBLE DAMPENING EFFECT OF THE CURRENT HIGH INFLATION RATE ON CONSUMER DEMAND, AND THE EXPECTED LESS RAPID INCREASE IN WAGES AND SALARIES IN THE NEAR FUTURE, CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE PROBABLY WILL NOT RISE SIGNIFICANTLY IN 1991.
"HOWEVER, THE HIGH TAKE-UP RATE OF RESIDENTIAL FLATS WILL LEAD TO ADDITIONAL SPENDING ON DURABLE GOODS AND HENCE OFFSET SOME OF THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON OTHER CONSUMPTION ITEMS.
"THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE IS THUS KEPT UNCHANGED AT 3.5%," MR TANG SAID.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, THE FORECAST GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF GROSS DOMESTIC FIXED CAPITAL FORMATION IS RAISED FROM 4.6% TO 5.7%, MAINLY REFLECTING THE LARGER INCREASE IN PRIVATE SECTOR EXPENDITURE ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION AS WELL AS ON PLANT AND MACHINERY," MR TANG SAID.
THE FORECAST GROWTH RATES OF GOVERNMENT CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE, AND OF PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION AND ON PLANT AND MACHINERY ARE UNCHANGED.
/ON INFLATION.........
FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1991
- 8
ON INFLATION, MR TANG POINTED OUT THAT WHILE THE REDUCTION IN THE EARLIER INCREASE IN TOBACCO DUTY SHOULD PROVIDE SOME RELIEF, LOCAL INFLATIONARY PRESSURES REMAIN STRONG.
"THE FORECAST OF THE RATE OF INCREASE IN THE CPI(A) FOR 1991 AS A WHOLE IS REVISED UPWARDS FROM 9.5% TO 11%. HOWEVER, SOME MODERATION IN THE INFLATION RATE IS EXPECTED FOR THE LATTER PART OF THE YEAR.
"RELEVANT FACTORS INCLUDE THE RECENT STRENGTHENING OF THE US DOLLAR, LOWER OIL PRODUCT PRICES AFTER THE END OF THE GULF WAR, STABLE WORLD COMMODITY PRICES, LOWER INFLATION IN THE SUPPLIER COUNTRIES OF HONG KONG’S IMPORTS, AND A GENERALLY LESS RAPID INCREASE ’IN LOCAL WAGES AND SALARIES.
THE FIRST QUARTER ECONOMIC REPORT 1991 WILL BE ON SALE ON MAY 25 AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AT $23 A COPY.
THE UPDATED FORECASTS ARE AS FOLLOWS :
FORECAST FOR 1991 AS RELEASED ON 7.3.1991 (%) CURRENT UPDATE RELEASED ON 24.5. 1991 (%)
GROWTH RATE IN REAL TERMS OF :
PRIVATE CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE 3.5 3.5
GOVERNMENT CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE 6 6
GROSS DOMESTIC FIXED CAPITAL FORMATION 4.6 5.7
TRANSFER COSTS OF LAND AND BUILDINGS 5 5
BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION 5.5 6.7
PRIVATE 4 6
PUBLIC 8 8
REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS’ MARGIN 4.5 6.5
• PLANT, MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT 4 4.5
PRIVATE 3.5 4
PUBLIC 20 20
TOTAL EXPORTS OF GOODS 10.3 10.3
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 2.5 2.5
RE-EXPORTS 15 15
IMPORTS OF GOODS 10.7 10.7
EXPORTS OF SERVICES 6 5
IMPORTS OF SERVICES 7 7.5
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) 3.5 3.5
PER CAPITA GDP 2.4 2.4
GROWTH RATE IN MONEY TERMS OF :
GDP 12.3 13.3
PER CAPITA GDP 11.1 12. 1
RATE OF INCREASE IN :
GDP DEFLATOR 8.5 9.5
DOMESTIC DEMAND DEFLATOR 9.6 10.5
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) 9.5 1 1
0
/9 ........
FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1991
- 9 -
CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES FOR APRIL PUBLISHED
*****
THE 1989/90-BASED CPI(A) AND CPI(B) FOR APRIL 1991 WERE 113.9 AND 113.0 RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARED WITH MARCH 1991, CPI(A) INCREASED BY 1.8% AND CPI(B) BY 1.7%, LARGELY BECAUSE OF HIGHER RENTS FOR SOME PRIVATE AND PUBLIC HOUSING UNITS, HIGHER FARES FOR BUS SERVICE, HIGHER PRICES OF CIGARETTES, HIGHER CHARGES FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING PLACES AND HIGHER PRICES OF OUTERCLOTHING AND FRESH VEGETABLES.
USING THE 1984/85-BASED CPI FOR YEAR-ON-YEAR COMPARISON, THE 1984/85-BASED CPI(A) AND CPI(B) FOR APRIL 1991, AT 158.7 AND 156.9 RESPECTIVELY WERE 13.9% AND 13.0% RESPECTIVELY HIGHER THAN IN APRIL 1990.
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING APRIL 1991, THE AVERAGE CPI(A) AND AVERAGE CPI(B) OF THE 1984/85-BASED SERIES INCREASED BY 12.9% AND 12.4% RESPECTIVELY COMPARED WITH THE THREE MONTHS ENDING APRIL 1990.
FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDING APRIL 1991, THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES WERE 10.8% AND 10.7% HIGHER COMPARED WITH THE 12 MONTHS ENDING APRIL 1990.
THE FASTER RATES OF INCREASE RECORDED IN APRIL WERE MAINLY DUE TO THE EFFECT OF THE RECENT INCREASE IN THE PRICES OF CIGARETTES AS WELL AS THE CUMULATIVE IMPACT OF HIGHER CHARGES FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING PLACES AND HIGHER RENTS FOR HOUSING.
EXCLUDING THE EFFECT OF THE PRICE INCREASE IN CIGARETTES, THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) FOR APRIL 1991 WERE BOTH 11.7% HIGHER THAN IN APRIL 1990.
THE REDUCTION OF THE RATE OF INCREASE FOR TOBACCO DUTY FROM 200% TO 100% HAS TAKEN EFFECT FROM MAY 18, 1991 AND IS EXPECTED TO HAVE A MODERATING INFLUENCE ON THE CPI IN JUNE 1991.
ON A YEAR-ON-YEAR COMPARISON, FASTER RATES OF INCREASE IN THE 1984/85-BASED CPI(A) IN APRIL 1991 WERE RECORDED IN THE INDEXES FOR ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO FOR HOME CONSUMPTION (81.4%), TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES (16.3%), HOUSING (14.3%) AND SERVICES (14.0%).
THE CORRESPONDING RATES OF INCREASE FOR THE SAME COMPONENTS IN THE 1984/85-BASED CPI(B) WERE 75.7%, 16.3%, 13.6% AND 12.8% RESPECTIVELY.
THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS, WHICH HAS THE LARGEST WEIGHTING IN THE INDEX, INCREASED BY 11.9% IN CPI(A) AND BY 12.3% IN CPI(B).
THESE FIVE COMPONENTS TOGETHER ACCOUNTED FOR 90% OF THE OVERALL INCREASE IN THE CPI(A) AND 89% OF THE INCREASE IN THE CPI(B).
/DURING THE .......
FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1991
- 10 -
DURING THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD ENDING APRIL 1991, THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED CPI(A) AND CPI(B) OF THE 1989/90-BASED SERIES INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 1.5% AND 1.3% PER MONTH RESPECTIVELY.
THE 1989/90-BASED CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES ARE BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERNS DERIVED FROM THE 1989/90 HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE SURVEY.
THE CPI(A) IS BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF ABOUT 50% OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG, WHICH HAD AN AVERAGE MONTHLY EXPENDITURE OF $2,500-$9,999 A MONTH IN 1989/90.
THE CPI(B) IS BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF THE NEXT 30% OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS, WHICH HAD AN AVERAGE MONTHLY EXPENDITURE OF $ 10,000-$17,499 IN THE SAME PERIOD.
PRICE MOVEMENTS DESCRIBED BELOW ARE BASED ON THE 1989/90-BASED CPI SERIES.
CHANGES IN THE INDEXES FOR APRIL 1991 IN RESPECT OF THE NINE COMMODITY/SERVICE SECTIONS IN THE TWO CONSUMER PRICE INDEXES, AS COMPARED WITH MARCH 1991 ARE GIVEN BELOW.
(OCTOBER 1989 TO SEPTEMBER 1990 = 100) CPI(A) CPI(B)
SECTION INDEX FOR APR 91 % CHANGE OVER MAR 91 INDEX FOR APR 91 % CHANGE OVER MAR 91
FOODSTUFFS 112.5 + 0.8 113.2 + 0.8
MEALS BOUGHT. AWAY 115.4 + 1.0 115.2 + 1.0
FROM HOME FOODSTUFFS, EXCLUDING 109.7 + 0.6 110.3 + 0.5
MEALS BOUGHT AWAY FROM HOME 114.2 + 1.9
HOUSING 114.9 + 2.3
FUEL AND LIGHT 109.1 -1.7 108.8 -1.5
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS 180.2 + 8.6 162.5 + 7.2
AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) 1 10.4 + 7.5
CLOTHING AND 109.2 + 6.7
FOOTWEAR DURABLE GOODS 104.4 + 0.2 104.1 + 0.2
MISCELLANEOUS GOODS 107.1 + 0.4 106.5 115.1 + 0.3
TRANSPORT AND 115.1 + 4.5 + 3.1
VEHICLES SERVICES 112.7 + 0.6 111.6 + 0.7
ALL ITEMS 113.9 + 1 .8 113.0 + 1.7
COMPARING APRIL 1991 WITH MARCH 1991, THE INDEX FOR FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 0 . R% IN BOTH CPI(A) AND CPI(B). THIS WAS MAINLY DUE TO INCREASES IN THE CHARGES FOR MEALS IN RESTAURANTS AND OTHER EATING PLACES AND IN THE RETAIL PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES.
/THE INDEX ........
FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1991
- 11 -
THE INDEX FOR HOUSING INCREASED BY 2.3% IN CPI(A) AND BY 1.9% IN CPI(B) DUE TO HIGHER RENTS FOR SOME PRIVATE DWELLINGS AND FOR SOME FLATS IN HOUSING AUTHORITY AND HOUSING SOCIETY ESTATES.
THE INDEX FOR FUEL AND LIGHT DECREASED BY 1.7% IN CPI(A) AND BY 1.5% IN CPI(B) AS A RESULT OF LOWER PRICES OF LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS AND KEROSENE AS WELL AS THE DOWNWARD FUEL COST ADJUSTMENT FOR TOWNGAS.
THE INDEX FOR ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (FOR HOME CONSUMPTION) INCREASED BY 8.6% IN CPI(A) AND BY 7.2% IN CPI(B) DUE TO HIGHER PRICES OF CIGARETTES AND ALCOHOLIC DRINKS ARISING FROM THE RECENT INCREASE IN DUTIES.
THE INDEX FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR INCREASED BY 6.7% IN CPI(A) AND BY 7.5% IN CPI(B) BECAUSE OF HIGHER PRICES OF OUTERCLOTHING AS THE CLEARANCE SALES OF SOME DEPARTMENT STORES AND FASHION SHOPS HAD ENDED IN APRIL.
THE INDEX FOR TRANSPORT AND VEHICLES INCREASED BY 4.5% IN CPI(A) AND BY 3.1% IN CPI(B) AS A RESULT OF AN INCREASE IN BUS FARES.
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.
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO RELEASE THE NEW SERIES OF 1989/90-BASED CPI(A) AND CPI(B) IN PARALLEL WITH THE 1984/85-BASED CPI(A) AND CPI(B) UNTIL MARCH 1992, AFTER WHICH THE LATTER SERIES WILL BE DISCONTINUED.
MORE DETAILS ARE GIVEN IN THE "CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT" FOR APRIL 1991, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $7 PER COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; OR FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI; OR FROM THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, CENTRAL FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MAILINGS.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE INDEXES CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 805 6403.
THE 1989/90-BASED HANG SENG CPI WAS 112.0 IN APRIL 1991, UP BY 1.1% OVER MARCH 1991. THE 1984/85-BASED HANG SENG CPI WAS 164.9 IN APRIL 1991, UP BY 11.9% OVER APRIL 1990.
THE CORRESPONDING INCREASE IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING APRIL 1991 WAS 12.3% AND IN THE 12 MONTHS ENDING APRIL 1991 WAS 11.7%.
THE 1989/90-BASED HANG SENG CPI IS BASED ON THE EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF ABOUT 10% OF URBAN HOUSEHOLDS IN HONG KONG WHICH SPENT $ 17,500-$37,499 A MONTH DURING 1989/90.
FURTHER DETAILS REGARDING THIS INDEX ARE INCLUDED IN THE HANG SENG CPI REPORT ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF HANG SENG BANK LTD.
--------0----------
/12 .......
FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1991
- 12 -
FS WELCOMES DECISION TO INCREASE INTEREST RATES
*****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR PIERS JACOBS, WELCOMED THE DECISION TAKEN THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON BY THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS TO INCREASE DEPOSIT INTEREST RATES BY ONE PERCENTAGE POINT ACROSS THE BOARD. HE ALSO WELCOMED THE DECISION BY MAJOR BANKS IN HONG KONG CORRESPONDINGLY TO INCREASE THEIR BEST LENDING RATE BY ONE PERCENTAGE POINT.
SIR PIERS SAID THAT THIS WAS A CORRECT AND TIMELY RESPONSE TO THE HIGH RATE OF INFLATION BEING EXPERIENCED IN HONG KONG.
EARLIER TODAY, THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND AT THE INSTRUCTION OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, HAD ALSO TAKEN MONEY OUT OF THE INTERBANK MARKET AND PUSHED INTERBANK INTEREST RATES HIGHER.
"THIS MOVE IS PART OF A PACKAGE OF MEASURES SEEKING TO ALLEVIATE THE CURRENT INFLATIONARY PRESSURES," SIR PIERS SAID, AHEAD OF A MOTION DEBATE ON INFLATION SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT WEDNESDAY.
"I EXPECT TO BE ABLE TO ANNOUNCE OTHER MEASURES DURING THE COURSE OF THAT DEBATE," HE ADDED.
RESPONDING TO ENQUIRIES, SIR PIERS SAID HE DID NOT EXPECT THE INCREASE IN INTEREST RATES TODAY TO HAVE A DESTABILISING EFFECT ON THE EXCHANGE RATE, WHICH REMAINED FIRMLY LINKED TO THE U.S. DOLLAR AT 7.80.
---------0------------
HK-NEW ZEALAND MEMORANDUM SIGNED ON LAB ACCREDITATION SCHEMES *******
THE HONG KONG LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME (HOKLAS) AND THE TESTING LABORATORY REGISTRATION COUNCIL OF NEW ZEALAND (TELARC) TODAY (FRIDAY) SIGNED A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) TO MUTUALLY RECOGNISE EACH OTHER’S LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEMES.
THE MEMORANDUM WAS SIGNED BY THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA; THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY (QUALITY), MR ERNEST EVANS; AND THE DIRECTOR OF TELARC, DR J.H. GARSIDE.
MR BARMA SAID THE SIGNING OF THE MOU WOULD FURTHER IMPROVE THE STATUS OF HOKLAS IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY OF LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEMES.
HE SAID THIS WAS THE FOURTH MUTUAL RECOGNITION AGREEMENT WITH AN OVERSEAS LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME.
SIMILAR AGREEMENTS HAD BEEN SIGNED WITH THE NATIONAL MEASUREMENT ACCREDITATION SERVICE (NAMAS) OF THE UK, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TESTING AUTHORITIES (NATA) OF AUSTRALIA AND THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR LABORATORY ACCREDITATION (A2LA).
/"UNDER THESE .......
FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1991'
- 13 -
"UNDER THESE AGREEMENTS, TEST CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY HOKLAS ACCREDITED LABORATORIES WILL HAVE THE SAME VALIDITY AS TEST CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY LABORATORIES ACCREDITED BY THE OVERSEAS SCHEMES," MR BARMA SAID.
HE SAID NAMAS, NATA, A2LA AND TELARC WERE LEADERS OF LABORATORY ACCREDITATION IN THE WORLD AND HONG KONG WAS PROUD THAT EACH OF THEM HAD ACCEPTED HOKLAS AS A SCHEME OF EQUIVALENT STANDING.
"INDEED, HOKLAS IS THE ONLY ACCREDITATION SCHEME IN ASIA WHICH HAS SUCCESSFULLY ACHIEVED AGREEMENTS WITH THESE MAJOR SCHEMES.
"THIS GIVES AN INDICATION OF THE IMPORTANCE THE GOVERNMENT IS ATTACHING TO THE PROMOTION OF QUALITY IN INDUSTRY AND THE ACCEPTANCE OF OUR TEST CERTIFICATES OVERSEAS," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID MUTUAL RECOGNITION AGREEMENTS HAD AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE.
THEY PROMOTED CONFIDENCE AND WIDER ACCEPTANCE OF TEST RESULTS AND REDUCED THE NEED FOR RE-TESTING.
TESTING AND ACCREDITATION WERE INCREASINGLY BEING MADE MANDATORY BY LEGISLATORS AND BEING DEMANDED BY BUYERS ALL OVER THE WORLD, HE SAID.
"FOR HONG KONG TO SUCCEED AS A MAJOR EXPORTER IN THE WORLD MARKET, IT IS VITAL THAT WE CONTINUE TO UPGRADE OUR LABORATORIES THROUGH ACCREDITATION, AND PROMOTE THE ACCEPTANCE OF OUR TEST CERTIFICATES AS WIDELY AS POSSIBLE," MR BARMA SAID.
HE SAID TELARC WAS THE FIRST LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME IN THE WORLD TO PROVIDE TRAINING COURSES ON LABORATORY MANAGEMENT AND LABORATORY SYSTEMS AUDITING, AND TO HAVE EXPANDED BEYOND LABORATORY ACCREDITATION INTO SYSTEMS ACCREDITATION, PRODUCT CERTIFICATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL-FRIENDLY LABELLING.
"THIS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR THE MUTUAL RECOGNITION OF TEST CERTIFICATES WILL ESTABLISH FOR HOKLAS A FORMAL LINK WITH TELARC.
"NO DOUBT WE WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO BENEFIT FROM THEIR EXPERIENCES AND EXPERTISE IN LABORATORY ACCREDITATION," HE SAID.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE SIGNING CEREMONY, DR GARSIDE SAID THE MOU REPRESENTED CONFIDENCE BY EACH PARTY IN WHAT THE OTHER PARTY WAS DOING.
"IT MEANS THAT TESTING AND CALIBRATION LABORATORIES ACCREDITED BY HOKLAS, IF THEY WERE TO BE ASSESSED BY TELARC, WOULD BE FOUND TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCREDITATION BY TELARC, AND SIMILARLY, TELARC ACCREDITED LABORATORIES IN NEW ZEALAND WOULD CONFORM, TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF HOKLAS.
"WHAT THIS MEANS IS THAT TEST DATA FROM HOKLAS ACCREDITED LABORATORIES CAN BE VIEWED WITH THE SAME CONFIDENCE AS THAT FROM A TELARC REGISTERED LABORATORY," HE SAID.
/DR GARSIDE .......
14
DR GARSIDE SAID THIS WAS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT IN THE TRADING
OF GOODS BETWEEN NEW ZEALAND AND HONG KONG.
’’GOODS WHICH ARE SUPPORTED BY TEST DOCUMENTS ISSUED BY A HOKLAS ACCREDITED LABORATORY SHOULD NOT REQUIRE ANY RETESTING TO CONFIRM THEIR CONFORMANCE TO PARTICULAR REQUIREMENTS, AND VICE VERSA.
’’THIS WILL MAKE THE TRADING OF GOODS MORE ECONOMIC AND IS CONSISTENT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE GATT STANDARDS CODE," HE SAID.
HOKLAS AND TELARC ARE TWO LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEMES WITH THE MAIN PURPOSE OF GRANTING FORMAL RECOGNITION TO TESTING AND CALIBRATION LABORATORIES WHICH ARE FOUND COMPETENT TO CARRY OUT SPECIFIC TESTS OR CALIBRATIONS, OR TYPES OF TESTS OR CALIBRATIONS.
HOKLAS WAS FORMALLY ESTABLISHED IN MAY 1985 AND AT PRESENT HOKLAS IS GIVING PRIORITY TO ACCREDITATION UNDER EIGHT COMMODITY GROUPS, NAMELY, "ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC", "TEXTILES AND GARMENTS", "TOYS", "FOOD", "CALIBRATION SERVICES", "CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS", "ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING" AND "CHEMICAL TESTING".
TELARC OF NEW ZEALAND IS A GOVERNMENT-SUPPORTED, STATUTORY BODY ESTABLISHED IN 1972 BY ACT OF PARLIAMENT TO ORGANISE AN ON-GOING ACCREDITATION PROGRAMME FOR TESTING LABORATORIES. IN 1983, TELARC'S RESPONSIBILITIES WERE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE THE ACCREDITATION OF QUALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEMS IN COMPANIES.
---------------------------0-------- CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT FOR ROAD TESTING PROGRAMME SIGNED
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT WILL SOON CARRY OUT A $10 MILLION ROAD TESTING PROGRAMME TO UPDATE THE DATA ON ROAD CONDITIONS, FORMULATE ROAD MAINTENANCE STRATEGIES AND DEVELOP A SPECIFIC DESIGN FOR LOCAL ROADS.
AT THE SIGNING CEREMONY OF THE CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT ON THE ROAD TESTING PROGRAMME TODAY (FRIDAY), THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR TANG KWOK-KEE SAID IN 1985 THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT HAD CARRIED OUT A SURVEY ON BITUMINOUS ROADS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE FORMULATION OF MAINTENANCE, REHABILITATION AND RECONSTRUCT(ON STRATEGIES FOR THE HONG KONG ROADS.
MR TANG SAID: "THIS INFORMATION IS NOW LARGELY OUTDATED. UNDER THIS CONSULTANCY THE DEPARTMENT INTENDS TO UPDATE THE PREVIOUS WORK BY CONDUCTING FURTHER TESTS ON BOTH THE BITUMINOUS AND CONCRETE ROADS WITH A VIEW TO REVISING THE STRUCTURAL DESIGN OF ROADS ACCORDING TO CHANGING NEEDS. THIS WILL HELP SAVE COSTS IN ROAD MAINTENANCE."
HE SAID THE CONSULTANCY SERIES OF ON-SITE ROAD TESTING
AGREEMENT SIGNED TODAY WOULD INVOLVE EVALUATIONS LASTING SIX MONTHS.
/THESE EVALUATIONS .......
FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1991
- 15 -
THESE EVALUATIONS INCLUDED VISUAL INSPECTION OF 765-KILOMETRES OF ROAD COVERING ALL MAJOR ROUTES -- MORE THAN HALF OF ALL ROADS IN HONG KONG.
IN ADDITION, A SERIES OF TESTS WOULD BE CARRIED OUT ON ROADS TOTALLING 600 KILOMETRES IN LENGTH, TO FIND OUT THEIR REMAINING LIFE SPAN.
DATA GATHERED WOULD BE PUT INTO A COMPUTERISED ROAD MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM WHICH COULD PRODUCE A COST-EFFECTIVE LONG-TERM MAINTENANCE PLAN.
THE CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT WAS AWARDED TO HALCROW ASIA PARTNERSHIP LTD.
--------0-----------
AMENDMENT ORDINANCE PLUGS GAPS IN HK’S TRADE MARKS LAW
AN AMENDMENT ORDINANCE HAS BEEN ENACTED TO PLUG GAPS IN HONG KONG’S EXISTING LAW ON TRADE MARKS.
COMMENTING ON THE TRADE MARKS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1991, WHICH WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY), THE DIRECTOR OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, MISS ALICE TAI, SAID HONG KONG HAD EXPANDED ITS LAW TO PROVIDE FOR THE PROTECTION OF TRADE MARKS USED IN CONNECTION WITH SERVICES.
SHE SAID THE NEW LAW WOULD COME INTO EFFECT ON A DAY TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, PROBABLY NEXT MARCH.
SHE SAID THE GRACE PERIOD WAS NECESSARY TO ALLOW THE TRADE MARKS REGISTRY TO PREPARE FOR THE CHANGES, AND FOR THE PROFESSION AND TRADERS TO FAMILIARISE THEMSELVES WITH THE NEW LAW.
’’THE NEW LAW ALSO PROVIDES THAT THE DEPARTMENT CAN ACCEPT APPLICATIONS NOT MORE THAN FOUR MONTHS BEFORE THE DATE WHEN IT COMES INTO EFFECT," MISS TAI SAID.
"THE LEAD-IN PERIOD IS NEEDED TO PREVENT A HUGE INFLUX OF APPLICATIONS ON ONE DAY," SHE SAID.
APPLICATIONS FILED DURING THE LEAD-IN PERIOD WOULD ALL BE DATED WITH THE COMMENCEMENT DATE.
PREVIOUSLY, THE LAW ONLY ALLOWED FOR THE REGISTRATION OF TRADE MARKS FOR USE ON GOODS. THE SERVICES SECTOR HAD BECOME MORE IMPORTANT IN THE ECONOMY, AND IT HAD BEEN NECESSARY TO UPDATE THE LAW, MISS TAI SAID.
"OTHER COUNTRIES WORLDWIDE HAVE ALSO INTRODUCED LAWS TO ALLOW FOR THE REGISTRATION OF TRADE MARKS FOR SERVICES," SHE SAID.
/"THERE IS .......
FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1991
- 16 -
"THERE IS A GREAT DEMAND FOR THE REGISTRATION OF SERVICE MARKS."
SHE SAID THE LAST STATISTICS AVAILABLE SHOWED THAT I THE SERVICES SECTOR CONTRIBUTED ALMOST 68 PER CENT OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) AND ABOUT 57 PER CENT OF EMPLOYMENT IN HONG KONG.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WHO MAY HAVE FURTHER ENQUIRIES ON THE TRADE MARKS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1991 CAN CONTACT THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, MISS AVERIL WATERS (TEL. NO. 737 2603), OR THE CHIEF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY EXAMINER OF THE DEPARTMENT, MISS MAMIE CHAN (TEL. NO. 737 2626).
--------0-----------
EXCO APPROVES CONTROLS OVER MUNITIONS TRANSIT
******
PROPOSALS TO AMEND THE IMPORT AND EXPORT ORDINANCE AND SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION, WHICH WILL INTRODUCE CONTROLS OVER WEAPONS AND RELATED ITEMS IN TRANSIT THROUGH HONG KONG, HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
THE PROPOSED CONTROLS WOULD REQUIRE LICENSING OF SPECIFIED MUNITIONS, TOGETHER WITH ITEMS FOR USE RELATING TO NUCLEAR, CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS, BEFORE THEY TRANSIT HONG KONG.
A LICENCE IS ALREADY REQUIRED FOR THE IMPORT, EXPORT AND TRANSHIPMENT OF THESE ITEMS.
OTHER GOODS IN TRANSIT WILL REMAIN FREE FROM CONTROL.
THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION ORDINANCE WILL ALSO BE AMENDED SO THAT SUBSTANCES CONTROLLED UNDER THAT ORDINANCE WILL NOT COME UNDER CONTROL WHILE TRANSITING HONG KONG.
THE PROPOSALS INCLUDE AMENDMENTS TO BRING POTENTIAL CHEMICAL WEAPONS PRECURSORS UNDER IMPORT AS WELL AS EXPORT CONTROL.
THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991 AND THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 ARE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROPOSED NEW CONTROLS WERE A PREVENTATIVE MEASURE IN LINE WITH INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO CHECK THE PROLIFERATION OF NUCLEAR, CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL AND OTHER WEAPONS .
"AT PRESENT, THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT WEAPONS OF THE TYPE TO BE CONTROLLED IN TRANSIT ARE BEING SHIPPED THROUGH HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1991
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE PROPOSALS WAS TO ENABLE THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT TO ACT ON INFORMATION ABOUT MUNITIONS TRANSITING HONG KONG IF THE NEED AROSE.
"THE CHANGES SHOULD BE ACCEPTABLE TO TRADE AND SHIPPING INTERESTS BECAUSE THE RANGE OF ITEMS TO BE BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL IS VERY NARROW," HE SAID.
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT HAS BRIEFED SHIPPING AND AIRLINE COMPANIES ABOUT THE PROPOSALS.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE WITH TRADE LICENSING (NON-TEXTILES) BRANCH, TRADE DEPARTMENT, FIFTH FLOOR, TRADE DEPARTMENT TOWER, 700, NATHAN ROAD, MONG KOK, KOWLOON (TELEPHONE NUMBER 398 5571 OR 398 5572).
- - 0 - -
IMPROVEMENTS TO LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SCHEME PROPOSED
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO IMPROVE THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT (LSP) SCHEME BY STANDARDISING THE PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE RATES OF PAYMENT AND THE LENGTH OF QUALIFYING SERVICE FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.
UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY), SOME EMPLOYEES WHO ARE NOT ENTITLED TO ANY LSP AT PRESENT WILL BECOME SO ENTITLED.
FOR INSTANCE, AN EMPLOYEE AGED 35 AND WITH FIVE YEARS’ SERVICE IS AT PRESENT NOT ENTITLED TO ANY PAYMENT BUT WILL RECEIVE 1.25 MONTHS' PAY IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THE NEW ARRANGEMENT.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS THAT AN EMPLOYEE AGED 40 AND WITH NINE YEARS’ SERVICE GETS NO LSP AT PRESENT BUT WILL RECEIVE PAYMENT EQUIVALENT TO 5.4 MONTHS’ PAY UNDER THE BILL.
THE EXISTING DIFFERENTIAL RATES OF LSP BASED ON AGE WILL BE REMOVED OVER A TWO-YEAR PERIOD, SO THAT ALL ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES WILL EVENTUALLY BE ENTITLED TO THE FULL RATE OF PAYMENT.
AT PRESENT, EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE THE QUALIFYING SERVICE FOR LSP ’ BUT WHO ARE AGED BETWEEN 36 AND 40 RECEIVE ONLY 75 PER CENT OF THE FULL RATE, WHILE THOSE AGED BELOW 36 RECEIVE ONLY 50 PER CENT.
UNDER THE AMENDMENT BILL, THE RATE WILL BE INCREASED FOR EMPLOYEES AGED BETWEEN 36 AND 40 TO 100 PER CENT AND FOR THOSE AGED BELOW 36 TO 75 PER CENT IN THE FIRST YEAR. BOTH WILL BE 100 PER CENT IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR. THE RATE FOR EMPLOYEES AGED 40 IS ALREADY AT 100 PER CENT.
ANOTHER PROPOSED IMPROVEMENT IS THAT AN EMPLOYEE WILL BECOME ENTITLED TO PART OF THE PAYMENT IF HE HAS COMPLETED FIVE YEARS’ SERVICE BUT LESS THAN THE CURRENT QUALIFYING LENGTH OF SERVICE. HIS ENTITLEMENT WILL INCREASE IN PROPORTION TO HIS LENGTH OF SERVICE.
/DETAILS OF
FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1991
- 18 -
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL ARE SET OUT BELOW:
YEARS OF SERVICE AND % OF ENTITLEMENT
AGE OF
EMPLOYEE 5 6 7 8 9 10 OR ABOVE
BELOW 41 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
41 50% 60% 70% 80% 100% 100%
42 50% 60% 70% 100% 100% 100%
43 50% 60% 100% 100% 100% 100%
44 50% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
45 OR OVER 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
THE PROPOSAL WILL ENABLE YOUNG WORKERS TO BECOME ENTITLED TO THE LSP EARLIER, WHILE ENSURING THAT THEIR ENTITLEMENTS WILL HOT BE REDUCED BECAUSE OF THEIR AGE.
THE AMOUNT OF LUMP SUM PAYMENT WILL CONTINUE TO BE CALCULATED AT TWO-THIRDS OF THE EMPLOYEE’S LAST FULL MONTH’S WAGES FOR EVEP.Y YEAR OF SERVICE, SUBJECT TO A MAXIMUM OF 12 MONTHS’ WAGES.
FOR EMPLOYEES EARNING MORE THAN $15,000 A MONTH, THEIR ENTITLEMENT WILL REMAIN TO BE CALCULATED AS IF THEY WERE EARNING $15,000, AND THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT PAYABLE WILL BE $180,000 FOR AN EMPLOYEE WITH 18 OR MORE YEARS’ SERVICE.
--------0-----------
EXPRESSWAY BILL GAZETTED
******
THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1991 AS EXPRESSWAYS
WHICH
PROVIDES
FOR THE DESIGNATION INTRODUCTION OF NEW
OF CERTAIN ROADS DRIVING RULES ON
AND ENABLES THE
SUCH EXPRESSWAYS, WAS GAZETTED
TODAY (FRIDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE BILL WAS EXPECTED IO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL EARLY NEXT MONTH.
IT IS INTENDED THAT THE NEW LEGISLATION, IF PASSED BY THE LEGISLATURE, WOULD COME INTO EFFECT FROM OCTOBER THIS YEAR TO ENHANCE ROAD SAFETY AND TO MAINTAIN SMOOTH TRAFFIC FLOW ALONG EXPRESSWAYS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE ROAD TRAFFIC (EXPRESSWAY) 1991 SPELL OUT NEW DRIVING RULES ON ROADS DESIGNATED AS THESE RULES INCLUDE:
REGULATIONS EXPRESSWAYS.
* MOTORISTS MUST KEEP THEIR VEHICLES TO THE EXTREME LEFT LANE OF AN EXPRESSWAY UNLESS OVERTAKING OTHER VEHICLES AND THEY SHOULD OVERTAKE ONLY ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE OTHER VEHICLES;
/* CERTAIN LARGE ........
FRIDAY, MA" 24, 1991
- 19 -
* CERTAIN LARGE VEHICLES SUCH AS MEDIUM AND HF .’Y GOOF'S VEHICLES AND BUSES TO BE PROHIBITED FROM USING THE EXTREME RIGHT HAND LANE OF AN EXPRESSWAY WHERE THERE ARE THREE OR MORE TRAFFIC LANES;
» NO STOPPING OR PARKING OF VEHICLE ON ANY PART OF AN EXPRESSWAY EXCEPT FOR EMERGENCIES, AND IN THESE SITUATIONS, THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS OR OTHER REASONABLE MEASURES TO WARN MOTORISTS SHOULD BE USED AND THE VEHICLES SHOULD BE MOVED OFF THE CARRIAGEWAY AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE;
» CERTAIN VEHICLES SUCH AS SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLES, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES, AND VEHICLES WITH ENGINE CAPACITY UNDER 125 C.C. TO BE PROHIBITED FROM USING THE EXPRESSWAY UNLESS PRIOR PERMISSION HAS BEEN OBTAINED FROM THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT;
* DRIVING ON THE VERGE OF THE CENTRAL RESERVATION OF AN EXPRESSWAY TO BE PROHIBITED EXCEPT AS DIRECTED DURING TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS OR EMERGENCIES. THE BOUNDARIES OF THE VERGE AND CENTRAL RESERVATION ARE INDICATED BY A CONTINUOUS WHITE LINE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID LEARNER DRIVERS, CYCLISTS, PEDESTRIANS AND ANIMALS (EXCEPT CARRIED IN VEHICLES) WOULD ALSO BE PROHIBITED EXCEPT FOR EMERGENCIES OR WITH SPECIAL PERMISSION.
HE SAID TRAFFIC SIGNS WOULD BE ERECTED TO INDICATE THE START AND END POINTS OF AN EXPRESSWAY WHERE THE NEW DRIVING RULES WOULD APPLY.
"FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THESE RULES, MOTORISTS WOULD BE LIABLE TO A FINE OF $5,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR THREE MONTHS ON FIRST CONVICTION OR A FIXED PENALTY WHERE APPLICABLE," HE SAID.
"AUTHORISATION BY THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS MUST BE OBTAINED BEFORE WORKS OF ANY NATURE MAY BE CARRIED OUT ON ANY PART OF AN EXPRESSWAY. NO FLAGS, BANNERS OR ADVERTISEMENT OF ANY KIND MAY BE PUT UP ON ANY PART OF AN EXPRESSWAY WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT," HE ADDED.
--------0-----------
TENDERS INVITED FOR DRAINAGE WORKS *****
THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC DRAINAGE SYSTEMS IN THREE OPERATION DISTRICTS DESIGNATED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
THE THREE DISTRICTS ARE: MAINLAND NORTH, MAINLAND SOUTH, HONG KONG ISLAND AND ISLANDS DISTRICTS.
THEY WILL BE COVERED BY THREE SEPARATE CONTRACTS WITH WORK PERIODS RANGING FROM 25 TO 32 MONTHS, BEGINNING THIS AUGUST.
/WORKS ON .......
FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1991
20
WORKS <>N THE CONTRACTS WILL INCLUDE THE MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENT OF ALL EXISTING PUBLIC SEWERS, STORMWATER DRAINS, AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF' MINOR SEWERS AND DRAINS IN EACH DIS1RII I.
FORM OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
» MAINLAND NORTH DIVISION, DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, ROOM .309, THIRD FLOOR, CH INACHEM GOLDEN PLAZA, 77 MODY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, KOWLOON;
* MAINLAND SOUTH DIVISION, DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPAR'l’MENT, THIRD FLOOR, EMPIRE CENTRE, 68 MODY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, KOWLOON, AND
* HONG KONG AND ISLANDS DIVISION, DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FIFTH FLOOR, HENNESSY CENTRE, 500 HENNESSY ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON JUNE 14.
- - 0---------
DREDGING FOR MARINE SAND WEST OF CHING CHAU
******
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO PROCEED WITH THE DREDGING WORK WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 1.30 HECTARES OF SEA-BED WEST OF CHING CHAU TO PROVIDE MATERIALS FOR USE IN CONSTRUCTION AND FUTURE RECLAMATIONS.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED WAS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEA-BED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS BEFORE JULY 2.3.
THE NOTICE (IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE) TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLANS CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.
THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT’S SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 1 4TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG (WHERE COPIES CAN BE PURCHASED ON ORDER); AND AT THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, .34 CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG, NEW TERR I TOR 1 ES; AND AT THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, 29 TAI ON STREET, SAI WAN HO, HONG KONG.
/21 ........
FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1991
- 21 -
TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AT LAI CHI KOK INTERCHANGE TO BE IMPROVED
* » ♦ » ♦
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO CARRY OUT ROAD WORKS TO IMPROVE THE TRAFFIC CAPACITY AND THE CONDITIONS OF THE ROADS AT THE LAI CHI KOK INTERCHANGE.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PROJECT COMPRISES MODIFICATION TO AND RECONSTRUCTION OF SECTIONS OF THE EXISTING CARRIAGEWAYS ALONG CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, KWAI CHUNG ROAD, LAI CHI KOK ROAD, BUTTERFLY VALLEY ROAD, AND ASSOCIATED SIDE ROADS.
A BOX CULVERT WILL BE BUILT AT THE EXISTING OPEN NULLAH NEXT TO BUTTERFLY VALLEY ROAD TO PROVIDE FOR A BUS TERMINUS.
THE FOOTWAY AT THE EASTBOUND DOWNRAMP FROM KWAI CHUNG ROAD WILL BE CLOSED AND CONVERTED INTO AN EXTRA TRAFFIC LANE.
THE EXISTING EMBANKMENT SLOPE OF A FLYOVER ABUTMENT WILL BE SET BACK TO WIDEN A SECTION OF LAI CHI KOK ROAD.
THE PROJECT IS SCHEDULED TO START AT THE END OF THIS YEAR AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 29 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE PLAN AND SCHEME MAY BE INSPECTED AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES:
♦ THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL;
♦ KOWLOON WEST DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, YAU MA TEI MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON;
» SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, 37-39 TONKIN STREET, 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 JULY 23 THIS YEAR.
---------0-----------
/22 .......
FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1991
- 22 -
TENDERS INVITED FOR POLICE POST ON LAMMA ISLAND ******
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PERMANENT POLICE POST AT SOK KWU WAN ON LAMMA ISLAND.
THE PROJECT INCLUDES A TWO-STOREY CONCRETE STRUCTURE CONTAINING BARRACKS, OFFICES, TOILET AND PANTRY.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN AUGUST AND TAKE ABOUT SEVEN MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
TENDER FORMS AND PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDER IS 12 NOON ON JUNE 14.
--------0----------
PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST TO BE RECONSTRUCTED ******
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST BETWEEN KING TAI STREET AND KOWLOON CITY INTERCHANGE AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE KAI TAK AIRPORT SOUTHERN APPROACH ROADS.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THE PROJECT WOULD COMPRISE THE RECONSTRUCTION TO CURRENT DESIGN STANDARDS OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST BETWEEN KING TAI STREET AND KOWLOON CITY INTERCHANGE, AND THE REALIGNMENT AND WIDENING OF OLYMPIC AVENUE, SUNG WONG TOI ROAD, TO KWA WAN ROAD AND SAN SHAN ROAD WITH ASSOCIATED WORKS IN KOWLOON CITY ROAD TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN JULY THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 1993.
A TENDER NOTICE ON THE PROJECT WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY.
------0-----------
/23 ........
FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1991
- 23 -
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES ESSENTIAL TO INTERNAL SECURITY
*****
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES IN HONG KONG IS AN INDISPENSABLE PART OF THE INTERNAL SECURITY SYSTEM, A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL1OR, MRS MIRIAM LAU, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT A PASSING-OUT PARADE OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (CSD) HELD AT THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE, MRS LAU SAID WITH THE APPROACH OF 1997, THE TASK OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES WOULD PROBABLY BECOME MORE ONEROUS.
"ALREADY WE HAVE SEEN AN UPSURGE IN THE CRIME RATE OVER THE PAST YEAR OR SO, AND IT LOOKS AS IF WE MAY HAVE ANOTHER LARGE INFLUX OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS THIS YEAR,” SHE SAID.
"ALL THESE WILL PUT ADDITIONAL STRAIN ON THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES STAFF."
MRS LAU NOTED THAT AT PRESENT CSD NOT ONLY HAD THE TASK OF MANAGING A LARGE PENAL POPULATION LIVING IN OVERCROWDED PRISONS BUT ALSO TO SUPERVISE AND CONTROL THE EVER-INCREASING NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS FLOWING INTO THE DETENTION CENTRES.
"UNDER SUCH ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES, CSD MUST BE COMMENDED FOR ITS CONTINUED ABILITY TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE TREATMENT AND TRAINING FOR THE REFORMATION AND REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS, AND MAINTAIN GOOD ORDER AND DISCIPLINE WITHIN THE DETENTION CENTRES," SHE SAID.
EIGHTY-SIX ASSISTANT OFFICERS WHO HAVE JUST COMPLETED SIX MONTHS’ BASIC TRAINING TOOK PART IN THE PARADE THIS AFTERNOON.
MRS LAU PRESENTED SILVER WHISTLES TO THE THREE BEST RECRUITS.
--------0-----------
BID TO PROMOTE EMPLOYMENT LAW ******
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD AN EXHIBITION TO EXPLAIN THE VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE FOR FACTORY PROPRIETORS AND LOCAL WORKERS IN TSUEN WAN FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO MONDAY (MAY 27).
ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR RELATIONS PROMOTION UNIT, THE EXHIBITION IS AIMED AT INCREASING PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE OF THE STATUTORY BENEFITS FOR WORKERS UNDER THE ORDINANCE, INCLUDING PAID HOLIDAYS, MATERNITY LEAVE, LONG SERVICE AND SEVERANCE PAYMENTS, AND TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.
THERE WILL ALSO BE ILLUSTRATIONS ON THE ADVANTAGES AND PROCEDURES FOR EMPLOYERS TO SET UP RETIREMENT SCHEMES FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES, WHILE LABOUR OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ANSWER ENQUIRIES.
/ALSO A .......
FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1991
- 24 -
ALSO A QUIZ WILL BE HELD ON THE SPOT TO AROUSE PUBLIC INTEREST
IN THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND LABOUR RELATIONS.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC DAILY FROM 10 AM TO 6 PM AT THE TSUEN WAN PLAZA, LEVEL ONE (NEAR THE MUSIC FOUNTAIN), 4-30, TAI PA STREET.
------o--------
THREE DB REPS ELECTED TO UC
THREE DISTRICT BOARDS HAVE TODAY (FRIDAY) ELECTED THEIR URBAN COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES. THEY ARE:
DISTRICT
REPRESENTATIVE ELECTED
SOUTHERN
KWUN TONG
MONG KOK
MR ALBERT POON SHUN-KWOK
MS YEUNG KAM-CHUN
MR YIM KWOK-ON
---------0-----------
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED
******
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF 239 KI LUNG STREET IN SHAM SHUI PO SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON AUGUST 22 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (FRIDAY).
DEMOLITION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
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/25 .......
FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1991
- 25 -
FIRING PRACTICE IN JUNE ♦ ♦ * * »
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN/CASTLE RANGE ON 18 DAYS NEXT MONTH.
THE PUBLIC IS WARNED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS HOISTED.
FOLLOWING ARE THE DATES AND TIMES THAT FIRING PRACTICE TAKE PLACE:
PEAK
ARE
WILL
DATE TIME
— — — — —
JUNE 3 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JUNE 4 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JUNE 5 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 1 1 .59 PM
JUNE 6 (THURSDAY) 12.01 AM 1 1.59 PM
JUNE 7 (FRIDAY) 12.01 AM 5 PM
JUNE 10 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JUNE 1 1 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JUNE 12 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JUNE 13 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JUNE 14 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JUNE 19 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JUNE 20 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JUNE 21 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JUNE 24 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
JUNE 25 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JUNE 26 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JUNE 27 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
JUNE 28 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
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/26
FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1991
- 26 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEF
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS » » * * *
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 23.5.91 480
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 24.5.91 -310
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING +210
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.6 *-0.1* 24.5.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEI
91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
Ql 15 10.7.91 400 + 80
QI 16 17.7.91 370 + 110
Ql 17 24.7.91 398.5 + 81 . 5
Ql 18 31.7.91 480 + 0
Ql 19 7.8.91 418.5 + 61.5
Q120 14.8.91 4 10 + 70
Q121 21.8.91 420 + 60
Q109 29.5.91 830 -350
Ql 10 5.6.91 410 + 70
Ql 1 1 12.6.91 444 + 36
Ql 12 19.6.91 560 -80
Ql 13 26.6.91 4 10 + 70
Ql 14 3.7.91 180 + 0
/HONG KONG .......
FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1991
- 27 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 182-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEJ
ISSUE NUMBER MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
H164 13.11.91 100 + 160
H003 29.5.91 230 + 30
H004 12.6.91 210 + 50
H005 26.6.91 230 + 30
Hl 01 10.7.91 153 + 107
Hl 56 24.7.91 170 + 90
H157 7.8.91 139.5 +120.5
H158 21.8.91 180 + 80
H159 4.9.91 150 + 110
H160 18.9.91 210 + 50
H161 2.10.91 160 + 100
H162 17.10.91 144 + 116
H163 30.10.91 50 + 210
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT 364-DAY EXCHANGE EXCHANGE FUND FUND BILLS HKEK
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ 1 MILLION
Y187 26.2.92 240 + 20
Y188 25.3.92 170 + 90
Y189 22.4.92 190 + 70
Y190 20.5.92 220 + 40
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 24.5.91 WAS 3,588 MN
------0------------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, MAY 25, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR APRIL RELEASED ............................ 1
ANTI-DUMPING TALKS IN U.S. ENDED WITHOUT AGREEMENT ...................... 3
DB'S TO ELECT REPRESENTATIVES TO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ..................... 4
SEMINAR ON INTRODUCTION OF A-LEVEL COMPUTER STUDIES ..................... 4
SAFETY URGED FOR CONFINED SPACE WORKERS ................................. 5
SEMINAR ON PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT IN CATERING INDUSTRY .................... 6
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .............. 6
SATURDAY, MAY 25, 1991
1
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES t t t *
FOR APRIL RELEASED » *
HONG KONG’S TRADE PERFORMANCE IN APRIL WAS MUCH BETTER THAN IN MARCH, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES. RELEASED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE GROWTH RATE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS PICKED UP CONSIDERABLY IN APRIL, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS REMAINED ROBUST. RETAINED IMPORTS ALSO GREW STRONGLY.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN APRIL GREW BY $1,786 MILLION OR 10.9% OVER A YEAR EARLIER, TO $18,193 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS GREW EVEN FASTER, BY $10,654 MILLION OR 34.5% TO $41,514 MILLION OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN APRIL, AT $59,707 MILLION, WAS $12,440 MILLION OR 26.3% HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS ROSE BY $15,177 MILLION OR 30% TO $65,817 MILLION.
AS THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS WAS SMALLER THAN THAT OF TOTAL IMPORTS, A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $6,110 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 9.3% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN APRIL 1991.
THIS COMPARES WITH A DEFICIT OF $3,373 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 6.7% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED A YEAR EARLIER.
PUTTING THESE FIGURES INTO PERSPECTIVE, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY $3,827 MILLION OR 6.1% OVER A YEAR EARLIER, TO $66,694 MILLION IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 1991 COMBINED.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY $31,864 MILLION OR 27.9% TO $145,873 MILLION OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS, AT $212,567 MILLION, WAS THUS $35,691 MILLION OR 20.2% HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
MEANWHILE, IMPORTS GREW BY $45,171 MILLION OR 24.6% TO $228,492 MILLION.
IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 1991 COMBINED, A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $15,925 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 7.0% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED.
THE DEFICIT RECORDED IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR WAS $6,445 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 3.5% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS.
COMMENTING ON THE LATEST TRADE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE PERFORMANCE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS SHOWED A MARKED IMPROVEMENT IN APRIL.
/THIS WAS........
SATURDAY, MAY 25, 1991
2 -
THIS WAS PRECEDED BY A CONTINUED MARKED INCREASE IN RETAINED IMPORTS OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES IN RECENT MONTHS.
MOREOVER, RE-EXPORTS CONTINUED TO GROW STRONGLY. AS A RESULT, THE SHARE OF RE-EXPORTS IN THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS ROSE FURTHER, TO 69% IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 1991.
IT WAS ALSO ENCOURAGING TO NOTE THAT, AS AN INDICATOR OF THE LEVEL OF DOMESTIC DEMAND AND OF THE UPCOMING DOMESTIC EXPORT PERFORMANCE, RETAINED IMPORTS RECORDED YEAR-ON-YEAR GROWTH RATES OF 24.8% LN APRIL AND OF 20.7% IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 1991 COMBINED.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE PRESENTS THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR APRIL 1991.
MERCHANDISE: DOMESTIC EXPORTS : $18,193 MILLION
RE-EXPORTS : $41,514 MILLION
TOTAL EXPORTS : $59,707 MILLION
IMPORTS : $65,817 MILLION
TRADE BALANCE : $6,110 MILLION
[IN DEFICIT]
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
LATEST 3 MONTHS FEB 91 TO APR 91 HK$ MN FEB 90 TO APR 90 HK$ MN INCREASE
HK$ MN %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 47,517 46,229 1,288 2.8
RE-EXPORTS 106,853 86,049 20,804 24.2
TOTAL EXPORTS 154,370 132,278 22,092 16.7
IMPORTS 167,831 142,229 25,602 18.0
TRADE BALANCE -13,461 -9,951 -3,510
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR APRIL 1991 HK$ MN APRIL 1990 HK$ MN INCREASE
HK$ MN %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 18,193 16,407 1,786 10.9
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (30.5%) (34.7%)
RE-EXPORTS 41,514 30,860 10,654 34.5
TOTAL EXPORTS 59,707 47,267 12,440 26.3
IMPORTS 65,817 50,640 15, 177 30.0
TRADE BALANCE -6,110 -3,373 -2,737
LAST MONTH APRIL 1991 HK$ MN MARCH 1991 HK$ MN INCREASE
HK$ MN %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 18,193 14,978 3,215 21.5
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (30.5%) (30.7%)
RE-EXPORTS 41,514 33,878 7,636 22.5
TOTAL EXPORTS 59,707 48,856 10,851 22.2
IMPORTS 65,817 57,006 8,811 15.5
TRADE BALANCE -6,110 -8, 150 2,040
/CALENDAR YEAR .......
SATURDAY, MAY 25, 1991
3 -
JAN-APR JAN-APR INCREASE
CALENDAR YEAR TO-DATE 1991 1990
HK$ MN HK$ MN HK$ MN %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 66,694 62,867 3,827 6.1
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (31.4%) (35.5%)
RE-EXPORTS 145,873 114,009 31,864 27.9
TOTAL EXPORTS 212,567 176,876 35,691 20.2
IMPORTS 228,492 183,321 45,171 24.6
TRADE BALANCE -15,925 -6,445 -9,480
LAST 12 MONTHS MAY 90 TO APR 91 HK$ MN MAY 89 TO APR 90 HK$ MN INCREASE
HK$ MN %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 229,702 221,564 8,138 3.7
RE-EXPORTS 445,863 357,218 88,645 24.8
TOTAL EXPORTS 675,565 578,782 96,783 16.7
IMPORTS 687,702 568,152 119,550 21.0
TRADE BALANCE -12, 137 10,630 -22,767
------0 - -
ANTI-DUMPING TALKS
IN U.S. ENDED WITHOUT AGREEMENT
TALKS IN THE UNITED STATES ON ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES AGAINST MAN-MADE FIBRE SWEATERS FROM HONG KONG HAVE ENDED AFTER TWO DAYS WITHOUT AGREEMENT.
THE TALKS, WHICH CONCLUDED YESTERDAY (FRIDAY), WERE BETWEEN REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HONG KONG AND U.S. GOVERNMENTS.
THE LEADER OF THE HONG KONG DELEGATION, DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE MR ROBERT FOOTMAN SAID THE CONSULTATIONS HAD COVERED THE FULL RANGE OF ISSUES CONCERNING THE CASE.
"WE HAD A USEFUL EXCHANGE OF VIEWS. BOTH SIDES NOW HAVE A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF EACH OTHER’S POSITION," HE SAID.
"WE SAID THE FINDINGS AGAINST HONG KONG WERE UNJUSTIFIED. WE ALSO MADE CLEAR THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THIS CASE, PARTICULARLY BECAUSE OF ITS ADVERSE IMPLICATIONS FOR OUR INDUSTRY.
"WE WILL NOW NEED TO CONSIDER WHETHER TO SEEK A FURTHER ROUND OF CONSULTATIONS WITH THE U.S. WE WILL ALSO NEED TO CONSIDER WHAT FURTHER ACTION WE MIGHT TAKE UNDER THE GATT ANTI-DUMPING CODE."
THE CONSULTATIONS WERE HELD IN WASHINGTON UNDER THE GATT ANTI-DUMPING CODE.
/4 ........
4
DB’S TO ELECT REPRESENTATIVES TO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS
SEVEN DISTRICT BOARDS WILL ELECT THEIR REPRESENTATIVES TO THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL FROM MONDAY TO WEDNESDAY NEXT WEEK (MAY 27 TO 29 >.
THERE IS ONLY ONE CANDIDATE EACH FOR THE SAI KUNG, TAI PO, YUEN LONG AND EASTERN DB’S, AND MORE THAN ONE CANDIDATE FOR THE OTHER DB’S.
THE ELECTION DETAILS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
DISTRICT DATE/TIME CANDIDATES
SHA TIN MAY 27/9.30 AM 1 . 2. MR CHING CHEUNG-YING
MR WONG LUEN-KIN
SAI KUNG MAY 27/2.30 PM MR WAN YUET-KAU
ISLANDS MAY 27/2 PM 1 . MR CHONG CHU-CHOI
2. MR CHOW YUK-TONG
TAI PO MAY 28/9.30 AM MR TANG PUI-TAT
WONG TAI SIN MAY 28/2.30 PM 1. MR FUNG KWONG-CHUNG
2. MR ALBERT LI SZE-BAY
EASTERN MAY 28/2.30 PM MS CHRISTINA TING YUK-CHEE
YUEN LONG MAY 29/10 AM MR LAI KWOK-IU
---------0-----------
SEMINAR ON INTRODUCTION OF A-LEVEL COMPUTER STUDIES
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD A SEMINAR ON MONDAY (MAY 27) TO PREPARE SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF ADVANCED LEVEL COMPUTER STUDIES IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
ATTENDING WILL BE COMPUTER STUDIES TEACHERS. HEADS OF SCHOOLS WISHING TO ATTEND WILL ALSO BE WELCOME.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED WOULD INCLUDE THE MODE OF OPERATION, TEACHER TRAINING, PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT AND ROOM CONVERSION.
THE SEMINAR WILL BE HELD AT THE COMPUTER EDUCATION CENTRE IN HOK YUEN STREET, HUNG HOM.
/MEANWHILE, A .......
SATURDAY, MAY 25, 1991
- 5 -
MEANWHILE, A SEMINAR ON THE PROMOTION OE CIVIC DUCATION THROUGH COMPUTER STUDIES HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 22 AT I HE SAME VENUE.
GUEST SPEAKERS AT THIS SEMINAR ON COMPUTER AND ITS RELATED AILMENTS WILL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF MEDICAL INFORMATICS, DR C.P. WONG, AND THE SENIOR LECTURER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTING, HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, MISS W.L. MOK.
THEY WILL TALK ON THE HEALTH HAZARDS OF AND THE OPTIMAL ENVIRONMENT FOR COMPUTER USERS.
---------0-----------
SAFETY URGED FOR CONFINED SPACE WORKERS
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) URGED ALL CONSTRUCTION SITE WORKERS TO TAKE EXTRA CARE AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WHEN ENTERING MANHOLES, CAISSON OPENINGS OR OTHER CONFINED SPACE WORKPLACES.
THE APPEAL FOLLOWED A RECENT CASE AT THE SAN PO KONG MAGISTRACY IN WHICH THE GAMMON CONSTRUCTION LTD WAS FINED $30,000 FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING (CONFINED SPACES) REGULATIONS.
THE COMPANY WAS FOUND TO HAVE FAILED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT SUPPLY OF APPROVED BREATHING APPARATUS, SUITABLE RECEIVING APPARATUS AND OXYGEN VESSELS TO WORKERS, AND ALLOWED TWO WORKERS TO ENTER A CONFINED WORKPLACE WITHOUT WEARING AN APPROVED BREATHING APPARATUS AND SAFETY BELT.
THE TWO WORKERS WERE OVERCOME BY AN UNKNOWN GAS INSIDE A MANHOLE.
THE DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR CHAN TAT-KING, CAUTIONED THAT IT WAS AN OBLIGATION OF THE PROPRIETOR UNDER THE LAW TO ENSURE THAT SUFFICIENT APPROVED BREATHING APPARATUS AND EMERGENCY ESCAPE EQUIPMENT WERE PROVIDED FOR WORKERS IN CONFINED SPACE WORKPLACES.
"AS A STANDARD PRACTICE, AN AIR TEST SHOULD BE CONDUCTED BEFORE ENTERING A CONFINED SPACE EACH TIME,” MR CHAN ADDED.
"OTHER PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES INCLUDE THE SUPPLY OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, DUST EXTRACTION, FRESH AIR SUPPLY AND EQUIPMENT NECESSARY FOR EMERGENCY ESCAPE," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
/6 ........
SATURDAY, MAY
199 1
SEMINAR ON
- 6 -
PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT IN CATERING INDUSTRY
PROBLEMS RELATING TO HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND LABOUR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS TN THE CATERING INDUSTRY WILL BE PUT UNDER THE MICROSCOPE AT A SEMINAR EARLY NEXT MONTH.
THE HALF-DAY SEMINAR IS ORGANISED BY THE CATERING TRADE TRIPARTITE COMMITTEE MADE UP OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATIONS, EMPLOYEES’ TRADE UNIONS AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
DESIGNED FOR ALL CATERING PERSONNEL AND MEMBERS OF MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATIONS AND TRADE UNIONS, THE SEMINAR AIMS TO HELP THEM SOLVE PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS AND TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY IN THE TRADE.
IT ALSO PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PARTICIPANTS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS AND EXPERIENCES IN LABOUR RELATIONS AND MANAGEMENT.
EXPERTS IN THE FIELD AND LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS WILL SPEAK ON LABOUR RELATIONS, HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND MANPOWER TRAINING, FOLLOWED BY GENERAL DISCUSSION.
THE SEMINAR WILL BE CONDUCTED IN CANTONESE. THE ADMISSION FEE IS $80.
IT WILL BE HELD FROM 2.45 PM TO 5.30 PM ON JUNE 6 (THURSDAY) AT THE HOLIDAY INN, GOLDEN MILE, TS1M SHA TSUI.
ENQUIRIES ON THE SEMINAR CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 834 9311, 776 5128 OR 394 8261.
------0--------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
♦ ♦ t * DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING 24.5.91 25.5.91 380 NEUTRAL NEUTRAL
0 - - _
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, MAY 26, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
51 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN FEBRUARY .............................
TENDERS INVITED FOR TWO PROJECTS........................................
2 BEWARE OF BOGUS BOO OFFICERS ...........................................
2,768 POLICE RAIDS IN APRIL ............................................
DEADLINE FOR FLAG DAY APPLICATIONS......................................
SIX TO TAKE PART IN COMMONWEALTH YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAMME .............. 4
BUILDING MANAGEMENT COURSE FOR EASTERN RESIDENTS .......................
SUNDAY, MAY 26, 1991
51 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN FEBRUARY ******
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT APPROVED A TOTAL OF 51 NEW BUILDING PLANS IN FEBRUARY.
OF THE PLANS, 18 WERE FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, 10 FOR KOWLOON AND 23 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE APPROVED PLANS INCLUDED 16 FOR APARTMENT, APARTMENT/COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS, 10 FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND SEVEN FOR WORKSHOP, GODOWN/FACTORY AND INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.
DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE GAVE CONSENT FOR WORK TO START ON 39 PROJECTS, INVOLVING 30,925.4 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 91,299.5 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE NON-DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA.
THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH WAS ABOUT $1,348 MILLION. USABLE FLOOR AREAS FOR DOMESTIC AND NON-DOMESTIC USES WERE ABOUT 94,038.4 SQUARE METRES AND ABOUT 54,250.8 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
ALSO DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE ISSUED 29 OCCUPATION PERMITS; 10 EACH FOR HONG KONG ISLAND AND FOR KOWLOON AND NINE FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN ADDITION, 27 DEMOLITION CONSENTS AFFECTING 51 BUILDINGS WERE ISSUED.
THE CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT DIVISION RECEIVED 384 COMPLAINTS ON ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS, CARRIED OUT 596 INSPECTIONS AND ISSUED 360 REMOVAL ORDERS.
THE DANGEROUS BUILDINGS SECTION INSPECTED 452 BUILDINGS AND OBTAINED TWO EMERGENCY CLOSURE ORDERS.
- - 0 - -
TENDERS INVITED FOR TWO PROJECTS
******
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TEMPORARY MARKET IN NAM CHEONG STREET, KOWLOON AND THE BUILDING OF AN ANTENNA TOWER AND RELATED WORKS IN CREST HILL NEW TERRITORIES.
THE TEMPORARY MARKET WILL BE BUILT OVER AN EXISTING NULLAH ALONG NAM CHEONG STREET.
OTHER ANCILLARY STRUCTURES WILL INCLUDE A TRANSFORMER ROOM, SWITCH ROOMS, PUMP ROOMS AND STORE ROOMS.
/AS FOR
SUNDAY, MAY 26, 1991
2
AS FOR THE CREST HILL PROJECT, A 20-METRE-HIGH ANTENNA TOWER AND A SINGLE-STOREY BUILDING COMPRISING TWO RADIO EQUIPMENT ROOMS, AN EMERGENCY GENERATOR AND A FUEL TANK ROOM WILL BE CONSTRUCTED.
WORK FOR BOTH PROJECTS WILL START IN SEPTEMBER AND TAKE ABOUT NINE MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
TENDERS FOR THE NAM CHEONG STREET PROJECT SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BY NOON ON JUNE 14 WHILE THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS FOR THE CREST HILL PROJECT WILL BE NOON ON JUNE 21.
--------0-----------
BEWARE OF BOGUS BOO OFFICERS * * * *
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT TODAY. (SUNDAY) CALLED ON MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO BEWARE OF BOGUS BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE (BOO) OFFICERS.
THIS FOLLOWED RECENT COMPLAINTS OF REQUESTS FOR ACCESS TO INSPECT UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS OF PREMISES BY IMPERSONATORS CLAIMING TO REPRESENT THE BOO.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "IN CARRYING OUT INSPECTION WORK, A BOO OFFICER IS OBLIGED TO CARRY WITH HIM A HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WARRANT CARD WHICH BEARS THE NAME, RANK AND A RECENT PHOTOGRAPH OF THE STAFF.
"THE PUBLIC SHOULD ASK THE INSPECTING OFFICER TO PRODUCE THIS CARD FOR VERIFICATION.
"IF ONE IS UNCERTAIN ABOUT THE IDENTITY OF THE OFFICER, HE MAY REQUEST THE OFFICER TO GIVE A PHONE NUMBER OF HIS OFFICE SO THAT FURTHER CHECKS CAN BE MADE."
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY ALSO CONTACT THE POLICE FOR ASSISTANCE IF THE IDENTITY AND BEHAVIOUR OF THE OFFICER ARE HIGHLY SUSPICIOUS, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
HE STRESSED THAT UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, ORDERS FOR THE REMOVAL OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS WILL BE MADE IN WRITING AND NOTICES WILL BE POSTED ON THE PREMISES.
- - 0 - -
/3 ........
SUNDAY, MAY 26, 1991
3
2,768 POLICE RAIDS IN APRIL *****
POLICE CARRIED OUT 2,768 RAIDS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY AND ARRESTED 1,464 PEOPLE IN AN ONGOING THREE-PRONGED ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST DRUGS, ILLEGAL GAMBLING AND VICE DENS LAST MONTH.
A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUG TRAFFICKING, THE NARCOTICS BUREAU AS WELL AS REGIONAL AND DISTRICT OFFICERS CONDUCTED 758 RAIDS AND ARRESTED 557 PEOPLE.
THE DRUGS SEIZED INCLUDED THREE KILOGRAMS OF HEROIN, ONE KILOGRAM OF MORPHINE, 830 GRAMS OF CANNABIS RESIN, 310 GRAMS OF CANNABIS, 440 GRAMS OF OPIUM AND A QUANTITY OF PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES.
ON ILLEGAL GAMBLING, THE MONTH SAW POLICE CARRYING OUT 129 RAIDS, RESULTING IN THE ARREST OF 755 PEOPLE. SOME $300,000 IN TABLE MONEY AND BETTING SLIPS WORTH ABOUT $416,000 WERE SEIZED.
SIMULTANEOUSLY, POLICE CONDUCTED 1,881 RAIDS ON VICE DENS AND ARRESTED 152 PEOPLE. A TOTAL OF 675 PORNOGRAPHIC VIDEO TAPES WERE SEIZED.
- - 0 - -
DEADLINE FOR FLAG DAY APPLICATIONS
*****
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED ORGANISATIONS WISHING TO HOLD FUND-RAISING FLAG DAYS IN 1992 TO SUBMIT APPLICATION TO THE DEPARTMENT ON OR BEFORE MAY 31.
"THE APPLICATION MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A COPY OF THE ORGANISATION’S LATEST ANNUAL REPORT AND STATEMENT OF AUDITED ACCOUNTS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
APPLICANTS MUST BE BONA FIDE NON-PROFIT-MAKING ORGANISATIONS REGISTERED UNDER SECTION 88 OF THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE.
ALL APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE SUBVENTIONS AND LOTTERIES FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE MERITS OF THE SERVICE OR SPECIAL PROJECTS FOR WHICH FUND-RAISING THROUGH A FLAG DAY WAS PROPOSED, AS WELL AS THE APPLICANT ORGANISATION’S FINANCIAL NEEDS AND ITS ABILITY TO EXECUTE SUCH FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES.
"EXPENSES IN CONNECTION WITH A FLAG DAY SHOULD NOT EXCEED 10 PER CENT OF THE GROSS RECEIPTS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS ALSO HAVE TO OBSERVE THE CONDITIONS FOR
HOLDING FLAG DAYS LAID DOWN BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE," HE ADDED.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 576 5922.
- - 0 - -
SUNDAY, MAY 26, 1991
SIX TO TAKE PART IN COMMONWEALTH YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAMME ♦ ♦#♦***
SIX YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SELECTED TO REPRESENT HONG KONG IN A THREE-WEEK PROJECT IN BRITAIN IN JULY UNDER THIS YEAR’S COMMONWEALTH YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAMME.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (SUNDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID THE YOUTH REPRESENTATIVES WERE SELECTED FROM MORE THAN 40 NOMINATIONS SUBMITTED BY 28 LOCAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS, TERTIARY INSTITUTES, YOUTH-RELATED ORGANISATIONS AND RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
THE ADJUDICATION PANEL HAD A HARD TIME IN MAKING THE SELECTIONS, WHICH WERE BASED ON NOMINEES’ COMMUNITY SERVICE BACKGROUND, ABILITY TO REFLECT HONG KONG’S SITUATION, FLUENCY IN ENGLISH AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HEADED BY A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION ON YOUTH, MRS JOYCE TAI, THE SELECTION PANEL COMPRISED REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE CNTA.
THE SIX YOUTH AMBASSADORS ARE: MISS DONNA CHU, MISS VIVIAN SUM, MR LEUNG PAK-WAI, MISS DIANA LEONG, MR LEUNG TAK-HING AND MISS WONG WAI-CHING.
ON THE COMMONWEALTH YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAMME, THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS INITIATED IN 1977 WITH THE AIM OF ESTABLISHING TWO-WAY EXCHANGE LINKS BETWEEN LOCAL EDUCATION AUTHORITIES IN BRITAIN AND OTHER COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
"HONG KONG FIRST PARTICIPATED IN THE SCHEME IN ITS INAUGURAL YEAR WHEN SIX LOCAL YOUTH WORKERS WERE SELECTED TO TAKE PART IN THE THREE-WEEK PROGRAMME HOSTED BY BRITAIN AND HELD IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE COUNTRY," HE SAID.
SO FAR, 42 YOUNG PEOPLE FROM THE TERRITORY HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE UK UNDER THE PROGRAMME, WHILE HONG KONG HAS IN TURN RECEIVED 36 YOUNG BRITONS.
--------0-----------
/5.........
9
SUNDAY, MAY 26, 1991
BUILDING MANAGEMENT COURSE FOR EASTERN RESIDENTS
*****
RESIDENTS OF EASTERN DISTRICT ARE INVITED TO ATTEND A BUILDING MANAGEMENT TRAINING COURSE TO BE ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE IN JUNE AND JULY.
THE COURSE AIMS TO ENHANCE THE KNOWLEDGE OF MULTI-STOREY BUILDING MANAGEMENT AMONG MEMBERS OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS AND OTHER RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATIONS IN THE DISTRICT.
IT WILL COVER MANAGEMENT AND FINANCE, EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, BUILDING MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR, ANTI-BRIBERY REGULATIONS, FIRE PREVENTION, ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE, ILLEGAL STRUCTURE AND THE ROLES OF MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS.
THE SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON PRIVATE BUILDING MANAGEMENT, A PRIVATE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY, THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION AND. RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
THE COURSE WILL BE HELD IN FOUR EVENINGS ON JUNE 24, 26, 28 AND JULY 2 AT THE CAUSEWAY BAY COMMUNITY HALL, FOOK YUM ROAD, NORTH POINT.
PARTICIPANTS ATTAINING AN ATTENDANCE RATE OF 75 PER CENT WILL BE AWARDED A CERTIFICATE.
THOSE INTERESTED ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO THE EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE TOGETHER WITH A CROSSED CHEQUE FOR $30 BEFORE JUNE 12.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO THE DISTRICT OFFICE’S BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATION TEAM ON TEL. 570 4125.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, MAY 27, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
JAPANESE MANUFACTURERS FIND EXPANDING OPERATIONS IN HK PROFITABLE ........ 1
TRANSPORT OFFICIALS VISIT CHINA .......................................... 2
TUEN MUN FAST DEVELOPING INTO MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION CENTRE ...
TEXTILES FACTORY'S ANTI-POLLUTION EFFORTS PRAISED ......................
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............... 4
LEGCO TO DEBATE ON INFLATION ON WEDNESDAY ................................ 6
THREE DB'S ELECT REPRESENTATIVES TO RC .................................
IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT OFFICES ON MOVE .................................
WINNERS OF COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS PROJECT COMPETITION TO RECEIVE PRIZES ..
8
MONDAY, MAY 27, 1991
1
JAPANESE MANUFACTURERS FIND EXPANDING OPERATIONS IN HK PROFITABLE
*****
MANY JAPANESE MANUFACTURERS HAVE FOUND IT PROFITABLE TO EXPAND THEIR OPERATIONS SOON AFTER LOCATING TO HONG KONG, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR WILFRED WONG, SAID THIS (MONDAY) EVENING.
MR WONG SAID THESE COMPANIES EITHER INCREASED THEIR PRODUCTION CAPACITY, ADOPTED NEW OR ADVANCED PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES AND MACHINERY, OR PROCEEDED ON TO THE PRODUCTION OF ENTIRELY NEW LINES OF PRODUCT.
SPEAKING AT THE 1OTH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF DAIDO CONCRETE (HONG KONG) LIMITED, HE SAID: "THE COMPANY IS A SHINING EXAMPLE OF JAPANESE FORESIGHT AND ENTERPRISE, AND OF A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY."
MR WONG SAID THE READINESS OF JAPANESE MANUFACTURERS TO EXPAND THEIR BUSINESS IN HONG KONG WAS DUE LARGELY TO THEIR FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE OF THE ABUNDANT OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE HERE.
HE SAID RE-INVESTMENT BY COMPANIES ALREADY ESTABLISHED IN HONG KONG HAD PARTICULAR SIGNIFICANCE.
"FIRST, THIS REFLECTS THEIR CONFIDENCE IN THE CAPABILITIES AND SKILLS OF OUR LABOUR FORCE IN MASTERING NEW TECHNOLOGY.
"SECOND, THE TRANSFER OF USEFUL TECHNOLOGIES HAS HELPED BROADEN OUR INDUSTRIAL BASE AND UPGRADE THE TECHNOLOGY OF THE LOCAL MANUFACTURING COMMUNITY.
"THIRD, FURTHER INVESTMENTS BY OVERSEAS COMPANIES SIGNIFY THAT DESPITE ALL THE PROBLEMS WE MIGHT BE FACING DURING THE TRANSITION, HONG KONG, WITH ITS MANY STRATEGIC ADVANTAGES, IS STILL THE BEST PLACE TO DO BUSINESS IN THE REGION," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID JAPAN HAD LONG BEEN A SIGNIFICANT SOURCE OF INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG.
THERE WERE 180 MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS WITH JAPANESE INVESTMENT AND BY THE END OF 1989 THEY ACCOUNTED FOR A CUMULATIVE INVESTMENT OF $8.6 BILLION, OR 29.1 PER CENT OF TOTAL OVERSEAS INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG, A CLOSE SECOND TO THE USA WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 31 PER CENT.
MR WONG SAID THE PHENOMENAL GROWTH IN JAPANESE INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT IN RECENT YEARS WAS ATTRIBUTABLE NOT ONLY TO NEW PROJECTS BUT ALSO TO THE EXPANSION OF EXISTING PLANTS.
"I AND MY COLLEAGUES ARE PRIVILEGED TO BE ABLE TO ASSIST DAIDO CONCRETE (HONG KONG) LIMITED, AND OTHER JAPANESE MANUFACTURERS, IN THEIR EXPANSION PLANS," HE SAID.
--------0---------
/2 ........
MONDAY, MAY 27, 1991
2
TRANSPORT OFFICIALS VISIT CHINA
******
THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR ANDREW LEUNG, LEFT HONG KONG THIS (MONDAY) MORNING WITH A DELEGATION OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ON A FACT-FINDING VISIT TO GUANGDONG, CHINA.
THIS VISIT, WHICH WILL LAST UNTIL FRIDAY (MAY 31), FOLLOWS A SIMILAR ONE IN 1989. IT IS TO KEEP UP TO DATE WITH KEY INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS IN GUANGDONG AND EXCHANGE VIEWS WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS ON MATTERS OF COMMON INTEREST.
THE DELEGATION WILL VISIT A NUMBER OF KEY TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURAL FACILITIES IN VARIOUS CITIES INCLUDING ZHUHAI, ZHONGSHAN, FOSHAN, CANTON, DONGGUAN AND SHENZHEN AND WILL MEET THE LOCAL TRANSPORT OFFICIALS IN THOSE CITIES.
---------0-----------
TUEN MUN FAST DEVELOPING INTO MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION CENTRE
♦ »*»»*
WITH AN ABUNDANT SUPPLY OF QUALITY LABOUR IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD AND EXCELLENT INFRASTRUCTURAL LINKS WITH OTHER PARTS OF HONG KONG AND CHINA, TUEN MUN IS FAST DEVELOPING INTO A MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION CENTRE OFFERING ADVANTAGES UNPARALLELED BY OTHER INDUSTRIAL AREAS IN .THE TERRITORY.
THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR WILFRED WONG, SAID THIS TODAY (MONDAY) WHEN HE OPENED PHASE III OF THE YKK INDUSTRIAL BUILDING IN TUEN MUN.
HE SAID THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL HIGH-GRADE INDUSTRIAL ACCOMMODATION TO CATER FOR YKK’S OWN EXPANSION, AND THAT OF TUEN MUN, HAD LED THE COMPANY TO EMBARK ON ITS AMBITIOUS BUILDING PROGRAMME.
’’TODAY, THE THREE YKK BUILDINGS STAND OUT AS LANDMARKS IN FULL DEMONSTRATION OF TUEN MUN’S PROMINENCE IN HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID WITH HONG KONG MOVING TOWARDS MORE CAPITAL AND TECHNOLOGY-INTENSIVE MANUFACTURING ACTIVITIES, DEMAND FOR HIGH-GRADE FLATTED FACTORY BUILDINGS HAD BEEN INCREASING STEADILY.
"AT THE SAME TIME, THERE ARE INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS WHICH FIND IT NO LONGER POSSIBLE TO OPERATE IN ORDINARY MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD THEREFORE TAKEN THE INITIATIVE TO PROVIDE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF INDUSTRY.
/'•IN ADDITION.......
MONDAY, MAY 27, 1991
3 -
"IN ADDITION TO THE TWO EXISTING ESTATES AT TAI PO AND YUEN LONG, \ THIRD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE WITH GOOD DEEP SEA WATER FRONTAGE IN TSEUNG KWAN O IS BEING DEVELOPED, AND THE FIRST PHASE IS EXPECTED TO BE READY BY EARLY 1994.
"WE ANTICIPATE THAT THERE WILL BE INCREASING DEMAND FOR PURPOSE-DESIGNED INDUSTRIAL ESTATES AS HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY CONTINUES TO UPGRADE AND AS WE BECOME MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS AT PRESENT LOOKING INTO THE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL OF TUEN MUN AREA 38 AND TIN SHUI WAI RESERVE ZONE.
"POSSIBLE CANDIDATES FOR THESE NEW DEVELOPMENT AREAS INCLUDE SELECTED CHEMICAL PROCESSING INDUSTRIES, WATER-INTENSIVE INDUSTRIES SUCH AS DYEING, BLEACHING, PRINTING AND FINISHING OPERATIONS, AND NEW INDUSTRIES WHICH GOVERNMENT WISHES TO SEE ESTABLISHED IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
------o--------
TEXTILES FACTORY’S ANTI-POLLUTION EFFORTS PRAISED
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER (DESIGNATE), MR JOHN CHAN, TODAY (MONDAY) PRAISED A LOCAL TEXTILES FACTORY FOR ITS EFFORTS IN MITIGATING POLLUTION PROBLEMS.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF TAI HING COTTON MILL LTD’S NEW FACTORY IN TUEN MUN, MR CHAN SAID IT HAD SET A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR LOCAL INDUSTRIALISTS BY INVESTING IN NEW EQUIPMENT WHICH ENABLED IT TO MEET THE NEW DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE HUGE AMOUNT OF WATER CONSUMED BY ITS DYEING FACILITIES.
HE SAID THE NEW FACTORY BUILDING WAS ITSELF A MAJOR INVESTMENT, DEMONSTRATING TAI HING’S CONFIDENCE IN AND COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG’S FUTURE.
HE SAID THE CURRENT PROJECT BY TAI HING TO HOUSE ALL MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS IN THE SAME BUILDING WAS MORE THAN AN EXERCISE IN CENTRALISATION - IT INVOLVED A SUBSTANTIAL REPLACEMENT OF OUTDATED SPINNING MACHINES BY MODERN ONES.
"THIS IS IN LINE WITH WHAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN ENCOURAGING INDUSTRIALISTS TO PURSUE IN UPGRADING TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCING HIGHER-VALUE ADDED PRODUCTS," HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT REMAINED COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING THE TEXTILES AND CLOTHING INDUSTRY, AND HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY IN GENERAL, IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE THEIR COMPETITIVE EDGE.
/HE SAID .......
MONDAY, MAY 27, 1991
4
HE SAID IN VIEW OF CHANGING REGIONAL AND GLOBAL TRENDS A TECHNO-ECONOMIC AND MARKET RESEARCH STUDY OF THE TEXTILES AND CLOTHING INDUSTRY WAS COMMISSIONED BY THE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD IN JANUARY THIS YEAR.
"IT WILL BE COMPLETED IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS FROM NOW. THE STUDY WILL HELP TO ASSESS THE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THE INDUSTRY AND RECOMMEND HOW INDUSTRIALISTS CAN TAP THE OPPORTUNITIES.
"I HOPE THAT THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY WILL ASSIST BOTH INDUSTRIALISTS AND GOVERNMENT IN MAPPING OUT THE BEST STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING PERFORMANCE," HE SAID.
IN THE FIELD OF MANPOWER TRAINING, MR CHAN SAID THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC WOULD INTRODUCE A NEW BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE COURSE ON TEXTILE CHEMISTRY IN THE COMING SEMESTER. THE AIM WAS TO UPGRADE THE KNOWLEDGE AND QUALIFICATIONS OF TECHNOLOGISTS IN THE TEXTILE FINISHING SECTOR.
MEANWHILE, THE NEWLY-FORMED TEXTILES AND APPAREL DIVISION OF THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL HAS LAUNCHED A PILOT TEXTILES/APPAREL LINKAGE SERVICE TO PROMOTE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE NEEDS AND PROBLEMS OF VARIOUS SUB-SECTORS WITHIN THE INDUSTRY.
I TRUST THAT ALL THESE INITIATIVES WILL HELP STRENGTHEN THE COMPETITIVENESS OF ONE OF HONG KONG’S MOST IMPORTANT MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES," HE SAID.
--------0----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEF
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 25.5.91 380
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 27.5.91 NEUTRAL
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING . NEUTRAL
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.8 *+0.1* 27.5.91
/HONG KONG .......
MONDAY, MAY 27, 1991
5 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
HKEI
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
Q115 10.7.91 400 + 80
QI 16 17.7.91 370 + 110
Ql 17 24.7.91 398.5 + 81.5
QI 18 31.7.91 480 + 0
Ql 1 9 7.8.91 438.5 + 41.5
Q120 14.8.91 370 + 110
Q121 21.8.91 420 +60
Q109 29.5.91 820.5 -340.5
QUO 5.6.91 350 + 130
Qlll 12.6.91 414 + 66
Q112 19.6.91 420 + 60
Q113 26.6.91 380 + 100
Ql 14 3.7.91 540 -60
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT 182-DAY EXCHANGE
EXCHANGE FUND FUND BILLS
HKEJ
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
H164 13.11.91 100 + 160
H003 29.5.91 . 230 + 30
H004 12.6.91 190 + 70
H005 26.6.91 230 + 30
H101 10.7.91 133 + 127
H156 24.7.91 170 + 90
H157 7.8.91 149.5 +110.5
H158 21.8.91 190 + 70
H159 4.9.91 150 + 110
H160 18.9.91 290 -30
H161 2.10.91 130 + 130
H162 17.10.91 124 + 136
H163 30.10.91 140 + 120
/HONG
KONG........
MONDAY, MAY 27, 1991
6
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT 364-DAY EXCHANGE
EXCHANGE FUND FUND BILLS
HKEK
ISSUE NUMBER MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
Y 1 87 26.2.92 210 + 50
Y188 25.3.92 150 + 110
Y189 22.4.92 180 + 80
Y190 • 20.5.92 220 + 40
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 24.5.91 WAS 3,
- - 0 - -
588 MN
LEGCO TO DEBATE ON INFLATION ON WEDNESDAY
******
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF FOUR QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER 14 BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (MAY 29).
OF THE 14 BILLS, FIVE WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATES ON THEM WILL BE ADJOURNED.
THEY ARE THE LAW AMENDMENT AND REFORM (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991, FIXED PENALTY (TRAFFIC CONTRAVENTIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, ROAD TUNNELS (GOVERNMENT) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 AND SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991.
DEBATES ON THE OTHER NINE BILLS WILL BE RESUMED AND EACH IS DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
THE BILLS ARE THE LOANS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL 1991, STAMP DUTY (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991, ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE (FELONIES AND MISDEMEANOURS) BILL 1991, HONG KONG WAR MEMORIAL PENSIONS BILL 1991, IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, EDUCATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE BILL 1991 AND PENSIONS (SPECIAL PROVISIONS) (VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL) BILL 1991.
IN ADDITION, THE HON LAU WAH-SUM WILL MOVE A MOTION ON INFLATION. THE MOTION READS:
"IN VIEW OF THE PERSISTENTLY HIGH RATE OF INFLATION AND IN PARTICULAR ITS RISING TREND IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS, AND THE GROWING IMPACT OF THE PROBLEM ON OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL STABILITY, THIS COUNCIL URGES THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS, AS A MATTER OF GREAT URGENCY, TO REDUCE THE CURRENT RATE OF INFLATION".
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. SITTING AND THEY MAY' MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR SEATS IN THE PUBLIC GALLERIES BY TELEPHONING 844 0899.
------0--------
/7 .....
MONDAY, MAY 27, 1991
- 7 -
THREE DB’S ELECT REPRESENTATIVES TO RC
******
THREE DISTRICT BOARDS ELECTED THEIR REPRESENTATIVES TO REGIONAL COUNCIL TODA\ (MONDAY).
THE
THEY <\RE:
DISTRICT BOARD
REPRESENTATIVE TO RC
SHA TIN
SAI KUNG
ISLANDS
MR WONG LUEN-KIN
MR WAN YUET-KAU
MR CHOW YUK-TONG
------0--------
IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT OFFICES ON MOVE »♦*»*»
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT’S CHINESE EXTENSION SECTION WPC fS'TRATION^OF PERSONS - QUEENSWAY OFFICE, CURRENTLY SITUATED AT RODNEY BLOCK, 99 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG WILL BE REPROVISIONEL 10 MA KOK ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 MA TAU KOK ROAD, KOWLOON FRO. 1 JUNE
AND NEW TAU 10.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE QUEENSWAY OFFICE WILL BE RENAMED MA TAU WAI OFFICE UPON REMOVAL.
THE CHINESE EXTENSION SECTION WILL CONTINUE TO ACCEPI
ENTRANTS FROM CHINA HOLDING ONE-WAY CHINESE EXIT PERMITS.
THE REGISTRATION OF NEW ARRIVALS CHINESE EXIT PERMITS ANO
stay X“he ?SiS"S?bhI oJ Sion i™S available at the registration of persons - MA TAU lai OFFICE.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY TELEPHONE 824 6111 FOR ENQUIRIES.
--------0-----------
/8 ........
MONDAY, MAY 27, 1991
- 8 -
WINNERS OF COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS PROJECT COMPETITION TO RECEIXE FRIZES
*****
SEC )NDARX SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO WON THE 1991 COMMERCIAL PROJECT COMPETITION WILL RECEIVE PRIZES AT A PRESENTATION TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
SUBJECTS CEREMONY
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS), MR WONG SIK-WAH, AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE CHINESE GOLD AND SILVER EXCHANGE SOCIETY, MR ZEE KWOH-KUNG, WILL OFFICIATE.
THE COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS PROJECT COMPETITION, WHICH DEBUT IN 1983, WAS ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT CHINESE GOLD AND SILVER EXCHANGE SOCIETY TO AROUSE STUDENTS IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES.
MADE ITS AND THE INTEREST
THE THEME OF THIS YEAR’S COMPETITION WAS "THE CHANGING PHASES OF COMMERCE IN HONG KONG".
THE PROJECTS WERE PRESENTED IN THE FORM OF AN PHOTOGRAPHS, DRAWINGS, SLIDES AND SOUND TAPES OR A
ESSAY, MODELS, COMBINATION OF
THESE METHODS.
THE COMPETITION WAS OPEN TO STUDENTS SUBJECTS AT SENIOR SECONDARY LEVEL.
TAKING COMMERCIAL
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS PROJECT COMPETITION TO BE HELD AT THE EXCELSIOR HOTEL, MARINA ROOM 1, SECOND FLOOR, GLOUCESTER ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, AT 3.30 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, MAY 28, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NO SNAP DECISIONS ON NEW AIRPORT: GOVERNOR ......................... 1
GOVERNOR'S CONDOLENCES TO AIR CRASH VICTIMS AND FAMILIES ........... 1
CIVIL SERVANTS OFFER 10.43% PAY RISE ............................... 1
BRIGHT BUSINESS PROSPECTS UNDERLINED ............................... 2
RESEARCH GRANTS FOR THE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION FOR 1991-92 .. 5
SWD OFFERS HELP TO AIR CRASH FAMILIES ...........................
CAREFUL WITH INDUSTRIAL SOLVENTS ................................... 7
TWO MORE AIDS CASES CONFIRMED ...................................... 8
HOTEL AND GUESTHOUSE LICENSING AUTHORITY BEGINS OPERATION ......... 10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND ................................ 11
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ........ 12
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES .............................. 13
APPOINTMENTS TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL .............................. 15
DB REPRESENTATIVES TO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ELECTED .................. 16
STUDENTS LEARN CRITICAL THINKING THROUGH GROUP PROJECTS ........... 16
AMBULANCEMEN PRAISED FOR OUTSTANDING WORK ......................... 17
TUESDAY, MAY 28, 1991
- 1 -
NO SNAP DECISIONS ON NEW AIRPORT: GOVERNOR
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, TODAY (TUESDAY) REITERATED THAT SNAP DECISIONS WOULD NOT BE MADE ON THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER A MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SIR DAVID SAID WHAT HE HAD STATED LAST WEEK ON THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT REMAINED THE SITUATION AT THE MOMENT.
’’THIS IS SOMETHING WE’RE NOT GOING TO MAKE SNAP DECISIONS ON. THERE ARE VERY IMPORTANT, SUBSTANTIAL ISSUES AT STAKE,” HE SAID.
"WE WANT TO GIVE THOSE ISSUES VERY CAREFUL, THOUGHTFUL, MATURE CONSIDERATION BEFORE WE COME TO ANY CONCLUSIONS," SIR DAVID ADDED.
------0-------
GOVERNOR’S CONDOLENCES TO AIR » * ♦
CRASH VICTIMS AND FAMILIES ♦ *
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING EXPRESSED HIS CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILIES AND RELATIVES OF THE HONG KONG RESIDENTS WHO DIED IN THE LAUDA AIR PLANE CRASH IN THAILAND.
WHILE THE AUTHORITIES CONCERNED ARE TRYING TO ESTABLISH THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH, SIR DAV (I) JOINED THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG IN THEIR GRIEF AT THIS UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT WHICH CLAIMED SO MANY LIVES.
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT IS DOING ITS BEST TO ASSIST THE FAMILY MEMBERS OF THE VICTIMS TO GET TO THE SCENE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
------0--------
CIVIL SERVANTS OFFER 10.43% PAY RISE
A PAY AWARD OF 10.43 PER CENT WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, 1991
HAS BEEN PROPOSED FOR CIVIL SERVANTS.
THE OFFER WAS MADE TODAY (TUESDAY) TO THE STAFF SIDES OF THE CENTRAL CIVIL SERVICE CONSULTATIVE COUNCILS BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM.
THE LEVEL OF THE PROPOSED PAY AWARD WAS DECIDED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL THIS MORNING.
"IT HAS NOT BEEN AN EASY DECISION," MR WIGGHAM EMPHASISED.
/"IN ADDITION .......
TUESDAY, MAY 28, 1991
2
"IN ADDITION TO CONSIDERING THE RESULTS OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR PAY TREND SURVEY FOR THE PERIOD FEBRUARY 1, 1990 TO APRIL 1, 1991 AND THE PAY CLAIMS SUBMITTED BY STAFF REPRESENTATIVES, THE COUNCIL ALSO TOOK INTO ACCOUNT THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY AND THE GOVERNMENT’S BUDGETARY SITUATION."
MR WIGGHAM SAID THE PROPOSED PAY ADJUSTMENT OF 10.43 PER CENT CORRESPONDED WITH THE AVERAGE INCREASE IN THE COST OF LIVING IN THE 12 MONTHS BETWEEN APRIL 1, 1990 AND MARCH 31, 1991, AS MEASURED BY MOVEMENTS IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A).
THE OFFER IS BETWEEN 1.45 AND 2.06 PERCENTAGE POINTS LESS THAN THE. NET PAY TREND INDICATORS WHICH ARE 11.88 PER CENT FOR THE UPPER BAND ($23,151 TO $46,815 A MONTH), 12.49 PER CENT FOR THE MIDDLE BAND ($7,550 TO $23,150) AND 12.09 PER CENT FOR THE LOWER BAND (BELOW $7,550).
"THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS HAD TO CAREFULLY BALANCE THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO CIVIL SERVANTS AS AN EMPLOYER AND ITS WIDER RESPONSIBILITY TO THE COMMUNITY AS THE MANAGER OF PUBLIC FUNDS, IN THE LIGHT OF THE PRESENT ECONOMIC SITUATION," MR WIGGHAM EXPLAINED.
"THE OFFER RECOGNISES THE NEED TO CONTAIN INFLATION WHILE BROADLY MAINTAINING THE REAL VALUE OF CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES SINCE THE LAST PAY ADJUSTMENT."
FOLLOWING CONSULTATIONS WITH STAFF, THE PROPOSED PAY AWARD WILL BE CONSIDERED AGAIN BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN DUE COURSE FOR A FINAL DECISION.
IF APPROVED, THE PROPOSED PAY AWARD WOULD COST AN ADDITIONAL $4.1 BILLION A YEAR.
- - 0 - -
BRIGHT BUSINESS PROSPECTS UNDERLINED ♦ * * ♦ ♦
OVERSEAS INVESTMENT PROJECTS IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING SECTOR NOT ONLY UNDERSCORE THE MANY ADVANTAGES HONG KONG OFFERS TO MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS BUT ARE ALSO CLEAR SIGNALS THAT THE TERRITORY IS WELL PLACED TO MOVE INTO HIGH TECHNOLOGY IN VARIOUS INDUSTRIES, THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY, MR T.H. BARMA. SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
MR BARMA WAS SPEAKING ON "HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES: OPPORTUNITIES IN THE 1990’S" AT AN INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT PROMOTION SYMPOSIUM IN TOKYO, JAPAN.
HE SAID SOME OF THE RECENT AND MORE NOTABLE PROJECTS INCLUDED:
/* MOTOROLA OF
TUESDAY, MAY 28, 1991
- 3 -
* MOTOROLA OF THE UNITED STATES HAS SET UP A MULTI-MlLLION DOLLAR FACILITY IN HONG KONG TO SERVE AS ITS ASIA-PACIFIC HEADQUARTERS AND ALSO AS A DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING CENTRE FOR DYNAMIC- RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY SEMICONDUCTORS (DRAMS), APPLICATIONS SPECIFIC INTEGRATED CIRCUITS (ASICS) AND BI-POLAR LNTEGRATED (’ 1RCU1TS;
* HOECHST OP GERMANY HAS SET UP A SOPHISTICATED CHEMICAL PROCESSING PLANT IN ONE OF THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO PRODUCE TEXTILE ANCILLARIES;
* VITELIC CORPORATION OF THE UNITED STATES HAS ACQUIRED A HONG KONG SEMICONDUCTOR FOUNDRY TO UPGRADE ITS FACILITIES TO PRODUCE SUB-MICRON FIVE-INCH WAFERS;
♦ CONCORDIA PAPER LTD, A JOINT-VENTURE BETWEEN A CHINESE STATE ORGANISATION AND A HONG KONG PRIVATE COMPANY, HAS SET UP A RECYCLING PLANT TO PRODUCE PAPER BOARD FROM WASTE PAPER;
♦ MONTEDISON OF ITALY IS BUILDING A POLYSTYRENE PLANT TO SERVE THE REGIONAL MARKET;
♦ DAIDO CONCRETE, A JAPANESE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, HAS EXPANDED ITS OPERATIONS FOR THE THIRD TIME TO MANUFACTURE A NEW PRODUCT, STEEL COMPOSITE PILES;
* ASANO DYEING CO. (HK) LTD HAS SET UP A NEW FACILITY TO PROVIDE A HIGH QUALITY DYEING AND FINISHING SERVICE FOR MANUFACTURERS OF SWEATERS. THE FACTORY SITS ON A 3,700 SQUARE METRES SITE IN YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE; AND
♦ NIKKO GOULD FOIL (HK) LTD, A PRODUCER OF COPPER FOILS FOR PCB LAMINATES, OPENED ITS PLANT ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO.
MR BARMA SAID BOTH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS INVESTORS WERE CONFIDENT OF THE BRIGHT PROSPECTS FOR DOING PROFITABLE BUSINESS IN HONG KONG.
’’APART FROM A SOUND ECONOMIC FOUNDATION AND EXCELLENT BUSINESS INFRASTRUCTURE, HONG KONG’S FREE TRADE AND FREE ENTERPRISE, A HARD-WORKING LABOUR FORCE, GOVERNMENT’S NON-INTERFERENCE POLICY, LOW TAX RATE, EXCELLENT COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK AND PROXIMITY TO THE NEW ASIAN MARKETS HAVE ALL BEEN RECOGNISED AS FAVOURABLE FACTORS,” HE SAID.
ON JAPANESE INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG, MR BARMA SAID ACCORDING TO THE JAPAN MINISTRY OF FINANCE TOTAL JAPANESE INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG AMOUNTED TO OVER US$9 Bl I.LION BY THE FIRST HALF OF FISCAL YEAR 1990, REPRESENTING MORE THAN 3.5 PER CENT OF TOTAL JAPANESE DIRECT OVERSEAS INVESTMENT.
HONG KONG CONTINUED TO BE JAPAN’S SECOND MOST IMPORTANT INVESTMENT DESTINATION IN ASIA, AFTER INDONESIA.
"COMPARED WITH THE FIRST HALF OF FISCAL YEAR 1989; JAPANESE INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG GREW BY 28.7 PER CENT, WHILE THAT FOR THE WHOLE OF ASIA WAS 21.8 PER CENT," HE SAID.
/ON MANUFACTURING .......
TUESDAY, MAY 28, 1991
4
ON MANUFACTURING INVESTMENT, MR BARMA SAID THE CUMULATIVE VALUE OF JAPANESE INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT AT THE END OF 1989 STOOD AT US$1,108 MILLION, REPRESENTING 29.1 PER CENT OF TOTAL OVERSEAS INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG, A CLOSE SECOND TO THE USA WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 31 PER CENT.
"JAPAN’S CUMULATIVE INVESTMENT IN 1989 WAS MORE THAN TWO TIMES THE AMOUNT RECORDED IN 1986 (US$513 MILLION).
"THE GROSS ADDITION TO FIXED ASSETS MADE BY JAPANESE MANUFACTURERS IN 1989 WAS US$80 MILLION, THE SECOND LARGEST IN A YEAR AFTER THE RECORD HIGH OF US$132 MILLION IN 1988.
"AT THIS CURRENT RATE OF INVESTMENT, THERE HAVE BEEN SUGGESTIONS THAT JAPAN MIGHT REPLACE THE UNITED STATES AS THE LARGEST OVERSEAS INVESTOR IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES BEFORE TOO LONG," HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID IN 1990, DESPITE THE SLOWING DOWN OF THE WORLD ECONOMY AND THE GULF WAR, HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT PROMOTION OFFICERS FOR JAPAN ASSISTED IN FOUR SUCCESSFUL NEW PROJECTS, AS WELL AS IN THE EXPANSION OF FIVE JAPANESE FACTORIES ALREADY IN HONG KONG.
"IN ADDITION, OVER THE LAST 24 MONTHS, THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ASSISTED SOME 20 MANUFACTURERS IN SETTING UP OFFICES IN HONG KONG FOR SALES OR PROCUREMENT ACTIVITIES," HE SAID.
ON THE HONG KONG-CHINA RELATIONSHIP, MR BARMA SAID WHEN CHINA OPENED UP TO FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN 1978 IN SUPPORT OF ITS MODERNISATION PROGRAMME THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG, AND ESPECIALLY THE SOUTHERN REGION OF CHINA, BECAME SYMBIOTIC.
HE SAID HONG KONG AND CHINA WERE EACH OTHER’S PRINCIPAL TRADING PARTNERS.
CHINA WAS NOW THE LARGEST MARKET FOR HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS AND THE SECOND LARGEST MARKET FOR OUR DOMESTIC EXPORTS. CHINA, IN TURN, SENT OVER ONE-THIRD OF ITS MERCHANDISE EXPORTS TO HONG KONG, OR THROUGH HONG KONG, TO OTHER DESTINATIONS.
MR BARMA SAID CHINA AND HONG KONG WERE ALSO CLOSE INVESTMENT PARTNERS.
ON THE ONE HAND, CHINA WAS THE THIRD LARGEST NON-LOCAL INVESTOR IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES AFTER THE UNITED STATES AND JAPAN.
ON THE OTHER HAND, HONG KONG WAS THE SINGLE LARGEST INVESTOR IN CHINA, ACCOUNTING FOR ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF ALL DIRECT FOREIGN INVESTMENT ESTIMATED AT NEARLY US$19 BILLION.
MR BARMA SAID THIS ECONOMIC INTER-DEPENDENCE HAD NOT BEEN CHANGED BY THE EVENTS WHICH TOOK PLACE IN CHINA IN JUNE, 1989.
"AS YOU ARE AWARE, CHINA HAS SINCE REPEATEDLY RE-AFFIRMED ITS ’OPEN DOOR' POLICY.
"CLEARLY, HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY A PIVOTAL ROLE BETWEEN CHINA AND THE WEST AFTER 1997, UNDER THE 'ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS’ CONCEPT AS ENSHRINED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW," HE SAID.
------0--------
’ /5......
TUESDAY, MAY 28, 1991
- 5 -
RESEARCH GRANTS FOR THE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION FOR 1991-92 ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE RESEARCH GRANTS COUNCIL (RGC) TODAY (TUESDAY) ANNOUNCED ITS ALLOCATION OF THE $100 MILLION FOR RESEARCH GRANTS TO THE SEVEN UPGC-FUNDED INSTITUTIONS IN 1991-92.
THE GRANT ALLOCATION EXERCISE WAS CONDUCTED BY THE RGC WHICH MET LAST SATURDAY (MAY 25).
THE SEVEN INSTITUTIONS ARE THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG, HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE, HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, LINGNAN COLLEGE, THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, AND THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
OF THE TOTAL SUM OF $100 MILLION PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT, THE COUNCIL DECIDED TO DISTRIBUTE $30 MILLION TO THE INSTITUTIONS DIRECTLY TO SUPPORT PROJECTS COSTING LESS THAN $200,000.
IN ADDITION, $7 MILLION WAS SET ASIDE FOR CENTRAL ALLOCATION TO STRENGTHEN THE RESEARCH BASE IN THE INSTITUTIONS.
THE BALANCE OF $63 MILLION WAS ALLOCATED FOR PROJECTS IN RESPONSE TO COMPETITIVE BIDS FROM THE INSTITUTIONS.
THE RGC RECEIVED 206 APPLICATIONS FOR A TOTAL OF $166 MILLION FOR ACADEMIC RESEARCH PROJECTS IN A WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECT DISCIPLINES.
EACH APPLICATION WAS INITIALLY SCREENED BY ONE OF THREE SUBJECT PANELS - PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING; BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE; AND HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES - WITH THE HELP OF REPORTS FROM SPECIALIST ASSESSORS/REFEREES.
THE PANELS’ RECOMMENDATIONS WERE THEN CONSIDERED BY THE FULL RGC LAST SATURDAY.
IN SELECTING THE PROJECTS FOR FUNDING SUPPORT, REGARD HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THEIR ACADEMIC MERIT/INTEGRITY, THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE INSTITUTIONS AND THEIR RELEVANCE TO THE NEEDS OF THE INSTITUTIONS AND HONG KONG’S OVERALL ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT.
DETAILS OF THE PROJECTS SUPPORTED, BY PANEL AND BROAD SUBJECT AREAS, ARE GIVEN BELOW:
SUBJECT PANEL SUBJECT AREA NO. OF PROJECTS FUNDING SUPPORTED
($M)
PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING CIVIL, ENGINEERING SURVEYING, BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION 8 3.0 .
/COMPUTING SCIENCE.........
TUESDAY, MAY 28, 1991
- 6 -
COMPUTING SC FENCE, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND MATHEMATICS . 20 7.6
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING 9 5.8
MECHANICAL, PRODUCTION AND INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING 10 4.0
PHYSICAL SCIENCES 21 10.1
SUB-TOTAL 68 30.5
BIOLOGY AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 21 11.2
MEDICINE MEDICINE, DENTISTRY AND HEALTH 25 11.8
SUB-TOTAL 46 23.0
HUMANITIES AND ARTS AND LANGUAGES 6 3.6
SOCIAL SCIENCES
ADMINISTRATIVE, BUSINESS AND SOCIAL STUDIES I 1 3.8
EDUCATION 3 1.6
LAW, ARCHITECTURE, TOWN PLANNING, ETC. 1 0.5
SUB-TOTAL 21 9.5
TOTAL 135 63.0
THIS WAS THE FIRST GRANT THE RGC WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE UN I VERS ITY (UPGC) IN JANUARY 1991.
ALLOCATION EXERCISE UNDERTAKEN BY TO REPLACE THE FORMER RESEARCH AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE
THE CHAIRMAN COUNCIL WAS PLEASED FUNDS EARMARKED FOR FROM $50 MILLION IN
OF THE THAT THE RESEARCH
RGC, PROFESSOR DAVID TODD, SAID THE
GOVERNMENT HAD AGREED TO DOUBLE THE PROJECTS AT THE UPGC-FUNDED INSTITUTIONS,
1990-91 TO $100 MILLION IN 1991-92.
/THIS HAD .......
TUESDAY, MAY 28, 1991
7
THIS HAI) ENABI,ED THE COUNCIL TO INCREASE THE FUNDS DIRECTLY ALLOCATED TO THE INSTITUTIONS FROM $15.5 MILLION TO $30 MILLION.
THE COUNCIL WAS ALSO ABLE TO SUPPORT, FULLY OR PARTIALLY, 135 PROJECTS AS COMPARED WITH 71 LAST YEAR.
"THE RGC IS ENCOURAGED BY THE GOVERNMENT’S RECENT DECISION TO FURTHER INCREASE THE LEVEL OF FUNDING IN THE PERIOD UP TO 1994-95, TO $122 MILLION IN 1992-93 AND $144 MILLION IN EACH OF THE FOLLOWING TWO ACADEMIC YEARS," PROFESSOR TODD SAID.
"THIS SUPPORT IS NEEDED TO STRENGTHEN THE RESEARCH BASE IN HONG KONG’S HIGHER EDUCATION SECTOR," HE ADDED.
APART FROM DISBURSING AND MONITORING GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR ACADEMIC RESEARCH, THE RGC IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR ADVISING THE GOVERNMENT, THROUGH THE UPGC, ON THE NEEDS OF THE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN HONG KONG IN THE FIELD OF ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN ORDER THAT A RESEARCH BASE ADEQUATE FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF ACADEMIC VIGOUR AND PERTINENT To THE NEEDS OF HONG KONG MAY RE DEVELOPED.
--------0-----------
SWD OFFERS HELP TO AIR CRASH FAMILIES » ♦ * ♦ ♦
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THIS MORNING (TUESDAY! THAT SWD STAFF HAVE ESTABLISHED CONTACT WITH LAUDA AIR TO SEE WHETHER FAMILY MEMBERS OF LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO WERE KILLED IN YESTERDAY’S AIR CRASH IN THAILAND NEED ANY ASSISTANCE.
THE SPOKESMAN URGED FAMILY MEMBERS OF THE AIR CRASH VICTIMS TO APPROACH THE NEAREST SWD OFFICE OR TO CALL THE DEPARTMENTAL HOTLINE 343 2255 FOR ASSISTANCE, ADVICES AND GUIDANCES SHOULD THEY ENCOUNTER ANY DIFFICULTIES ARISING FROM THIS TRAGEDY FOR EXAMPLE HAVING ELDERLY, DISABLED OR YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE FAMILY TO BE LOOKED AFTER.
THE DEPARTMENT’S INFORMATION SHEETS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE AT THE LAUDA AIR. OFFICE IN CENTRAL DISTRICT.
------0---------
CAREFUL WI TH INDUSTRI AL SOLVENTS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) REMINDED FACTORY PROPRIETORS AND WORKERS, PARTICULARLY THOSE IN THE PRINTING INDUSTRY, TO BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL WHEN HANDLING SOLVENTS.
THE APPEAL FOLLOWED EIGHT RECENT CASES OF SUSPECTED PERIPHERAL POLY-NEUROPATHY IN TWO PRINTING FACTORIES USING PETROLEUM SPIRIT AS A CLEANSING AGENT.
/OFFICERS FROM .......
TUESDAY. MAY 28, 199.1
8
OFFICERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT HAVE VISITED IHESE FACTORIES AND THEIR WORKERS HAVE BEEN MEDICALLY EXAMINED.
WHILE INVESTIGATION IS GOING ON, LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFICERS HAVE ADVISED THE FACTORIES TO STEP HP PREVENTIVE MEASURES, INCLUDING IMPROVEMENT TO THE VENTILATION OF THE WORKPLACE AND PROVISION OF ADEQUATE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT TO THE WORKERS.
"A RECENT INSPECTION HAS CONFIRMED THAT VENTILATION HAS BEEN IMPROVED IN THE TWO FACTORIES,” 'THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"TO MINIMISE POSSIBLE HAZARDS, FACTORY PROPRIETORS SHOULD USE OTHER SAFER SUBSTITUTES WHEREVER POSSIBLE," HE ADDED.
HE ALSO URGED WORKERS TO WEAR SUITABLE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, SUCH AS LONG-SLEEVED PVC GLOVES AND MASKS WHEN CLEANSING PRINTING ROLLERS WITH SOLVENTS.
"EMPLOYERS VRF ALSO REMINDED THAT AS REQUIRED BY LAW, THEY SHOULD INSTRUCT WORKERS ON SAFETY PRACTICES IN WORKING WITH CHEMICALS, ” Till-: SPOKESMAN STRESSED.
-----------------()-----------------------
TWO MORE AIDS C ASES CONFIRMED
* ♦ » ♦ ♦
TWO MORE CASES OF AIDS (ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME) HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF AIDS CASES IN HONG KONG TO 49.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (TUESDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OK HEALTH SAID BOTH PATIENTS AND ANOTHER ONE WHO WERE ALREADY KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN INFECTED EARLIER DIED THIS MONTH.
SO FAR, A TOTAL OF 36 AIDS PATIENTS DIED WHILE 13 OTHERS ARE EITHER UNDER COUNSELLING AND TREATMENT OR HAVE LEFT HONG KONG.
RELEASING THE MONTHLY STATISTICS ON AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME FOR APRIL, THE SPOKESMAN SAID ONE MORE MAN WAS FOUND TO BE POSITIVE FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY TEST, BRINGING To 173 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF HIV CARRIERS WHO HAVE NOT VET DEVELOPED VIDS.
OF THESF, 55 WERE HAEMOPHILIACS, 97 ACQUIRED SEXUALLY, FOUR WERE DRUG ABUSERS, THREE ACQUIRED THROUGH BLOOD TRANSFUSION AND THE INFORMATION ON Till-
THE INFECTION THE INFECTION OTHER II WAS
INADEQUATE FOR CLASS IFI CAT I ON.
UNDER THE AIDS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME WHICH STARTED IN 1985, \
TOTAL OF 192,442 BLOOD SPECIMENS HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR THE AIDS VIRUS.
THE HONG KONG RED CROSS TRANSFUSION SERVICE HAS ALSO SCREENED ALL BLOOD DONORS FOR AIDS.
UP TO LAST MONTH, 884,389 UNITS OF BLOOD HAD BEEN TESTED AND 16 WERE FOUND POSITIVE.
/9 ........
TUESDAY, MAY 28, 1991
- 9 -
AIDS Virus (HIV) Antibody Testing
w $ &
Virus Unit, Department of Health
«m&«iA’r 91 Total
tes»Si« ReferrAlc. from Govt No. No. +ve tested* No. 4-ve No. tested* No. 4-ve
hospitals and clinics .. 16044 referrals from* private practitioners and subvented hospitals . 2164 & Attendances at social hygiene clinics 164535 fa z-fai# Haemophiliacs , . 500 1/ drug abusers - >, xu, M 5234 ft '# •&&, <1 *) Referrals from Family Planning Association 219 health care personnel 874 81 220 45 22 31’ 2473 60 2 1 137 0 1 0 17 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 16264 2186 167008 502 5371 220 891 81 45 32 60 1 0 0
W. 2°fe <M 1 *<fe. a se°A * This indicates the number of specimens are repeated for certain individuals. 218 , 2372 1 192442 and not persons as tests 219
Aug 85-Mar 91 Apr 91 Total
No. No. No. tested +ve tested No. +ve No. No. tested +ve
Hong Kong Red Cross Diood transfusion Service 870554 15 13835 1
884389 16
Department of Health May 1991
--------0-----------
/10 .......
TUESDAY, MAY 28, 1991
10
HOTEL AND GUESTHOUSE LICENSING AUTHORITY BEGINS OPERATION
THE OFFICE OF THE LICENSING AUTHORITY WHICH ADMINISTERS THE LICENSING SCHEME OF HOTELS AND GUESTHOUSES WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON SATURDAY (JUNE 1).
ESTABLISHED UNDER THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA), THE AUTHORITY IS LOCATED AT THE EAST WING, SEVENTH FLOOR, HENNESSY CENTRE, 500 HENNESSY ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY.
IT WILL ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FOR A LICENCE OR A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION FOR OPERATING HOTELS AND GUESTHOUSES FROM THAT DAY.
UNDER THE HOTEL AND GUESTHOUSE ACCOMMODATION ORDINANCE 1991, ALL HOTELS AND GUESTHOUSES ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A VALID LICENCE OR A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION FOR THEIR OPERATIONS, A CNTA SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
"MOTELS, YOUTH HOSTELS AND HOLIDAY FLATS ARE ALSO WITHIN THE SCOPE OF CONTROL UNDER THIS ORDINANCE.
"OPERATORS OF THESE EXISTING ACCOMMODATIONS ARE REQUIRED TO REGISTER AND TO APPLY FOR A LICENCE OR A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION FOR THEIR BUSINESS WITH THE LICENSING AUTHORITY WITHIN THREE MONTHS FROM THE DAY THE OFFICE OF THE LICENSING AUTHORITY COMMENCES OPERATION," HE SAID.
ANY PROPRIETOR WHO IGNORES THE NEW REGULATION WILL BE LIABLE TO A FINE OF $200,000 AND TWO YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT.
THE FEES PAYABLE FOR THE ISSUE OF A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION IS $500 PER ANNUM FOR ALL TYPES OF HOTELS, GUESTHOUSES AND SIMILAR ESTABLISHMENTS.
BUT THE LICENCE FEE WILL BE ON A SLIDING SCALE BASED ON THE HOLDING CAPACITY IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF ROOMS.
"IT RANGES FROM A MINIMUM OF $3,000 FOR A HOTEL OR GUESTHOUSE WITH 10 ROOMS OR LESS TO A MAXIMUM OF $18,500 FOR THOSE ACCOMMODATIONS HAVING OVER 50 ROOMS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
BOTH THE LICENCE AND CERTIFICATE HAVE TO BE RENEWED ANNUALLY.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE ORDINANCE ALSO PROVIDED A CHANNEL OF APPEAL BY OPERATORS WHOSE APPLICATIONS WERE REJECTED BY THE LICENSING AUTHORITY.
"AN APPEAL BOARD, WHOSE MEMBERS WILL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, WILL BE SET UP TO REVIEW SUCH APPLICATIONS," HE SAID.
INFORMATION PAMPHLETS AND APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE OFFICE OF THE LICENSING AUTHORITY.
/TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES .......
TUESDAY, MAY 28, 1991
11
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 881 7034.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
A CEREMONY TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE OFFICE AUTHORITY WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY (MAY 30) AT 4.15 OF THE LICENSING AUTHORITY, EAST WING, SEVENTH FLOOR
OF THE LICENSING PM AT THE OFFICE , HENNESSY CENTRE,
500 HENNESSY ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY.
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR PETER ISAO, WHO IS ALSO 'I HE LICENSING AUTHORITY WILL OFFICIATE AT THE CEREMONY.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CEREMONY.
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND » » » ♦ »
HKEG
EXCHANGE FUND BILLS TENDER RESULTS ---- TUESDAY 28 MAI 1991
ISSUE NUMBER Q122 H165
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 843 MN HKD 466 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 400 MN HKD 200 MN
AVERAGE ACCEPTED YIELD 7.67 PCT 7.47 PCT
HIGHEST ACCEPTED YIELD 7.70 PCT 7.48 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 37 PCT ABOUT 87 PCT
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 24.5.91 WAS 3,588 MN
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
HKEH
NEXT TENDER OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS ---- TUESDAY 4 JUNE 1991
ISSUE NUMBER
ISSUE DATE
MATURITY DATE >
TENOR
AMOUNT ON OFFER
Q123
5 JUN 91
4 SEP 91
91 DAYS
HKD 400 + 80 MN
------0 - - - -
/12 ........
TUESDAY, MAY 28, 1991
12
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* ♦ ♦ * ♦
DATE
HKEF
$ MILLION
380
-408
+ 408
NEUTRAL
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING 27.5.91 28.5.91
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS TH 1S AFTERNOON
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.9 *+0.1* 28.5.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
QI 1 5 10.7.91 390 + 90
QI 16 QI 17 17.7.91 24.7.91 400 448.5 + 80 + 31 .5
QI 18 31.7.91 480 + 0
QI 19 7.8.91 458.5 + 21.5
Q120 14.8.91 450 + 30
Q121 21.8.91 450 + 30
Q109 29.5.91 390.5 + 89.5
Q11 0 5.6.91 210 + 270
QI 1 1 QI 12 12.6.91 424 + 56
19.6.91 380 + 100
QI 13 QI 14 26.6.91 390 + 90
3.7.91 540 -60
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
182-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
Hl 61 13.11.91 200 + 60
/H003 .......
TUESDAY. MAY 28, 1991
- 13 -
H003 H004 H005 H101 29.5.91 12.6.91 26.6.91 10.7.91 70 160 260 73 + 190 + 100 + 0 + 187
Hl 56 24.7.91 170 + 90
H157 7.8.91 159.5 +100.5
H158 21.8.91 200 + 60
Hl 59 4.9.91 150 + 110
11160 18.9.91 360 -100
H161 2.10.91 120 + 140
H162 17.10.91 134 + 126
H163 30.10.91 120 + 140
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT 364-DAY EXCHANGE EXCHANGE FUND HKEK FUND BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
Y187 Y188 Y 189 Y190 26.2.92 25.3.92 22.4.92 20.5.92 260 +0 170 +90 200 +60 220 +40
TRANSFER for WEEK ENDING 24.5.91
WAS 3,588 MN
AVERAGE DAILY
------0--------
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES » * » » »
A LEGAL NOTICE TO THE EFFECT THAT THE AUTHORISED AN INCREASE IN THE INTEREST RA IE CERTIFICATES WAS GAZETTED YESTERDAY (MONDAY)
FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS PAYABLE ON TAX RESERVE
AS FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY), THE NEW ANNUAL RATE OF WILL BE 7.56 PER CENT (TAX FREE) AS AGAINST THE CURRENT RATE PER CENT (TAX FREE).
IS CALCULATED IN MONTH PER $100.
COMPLETE MONTHS
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES STEPS AND THE NEW RATE WILL BE $0.63 PER WILL BE CREDITED AS BEFORE IN RESPECT OF PURCHASE AND SURRENDER IN PAYMENT OF TAX.
INTEREST
OF 6.60
MONTHLY INTEREST BETWEEN
CERTIFICATES ARE USED TO PAY
PRINCIPAL VALUE OF A CERTIFICATE
INTEREST IS ONLY CREDITED WHEN TAX AND NO INTEREST IS DUE WHERE THE IS REPAID BY A CHEQUE.
THE NEW RATE WILL APPLY TO ALL CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER TOMORROW.
CERTIFICATES WHICH WERE ISSUED BEFORE TOMORROW WILL CONTINUE I') EARN INTEREST AS FOLLOWS:
/6.36 PER CENT :
TUESDAY, MAY 28, 1991
- 14 -
6.36 PER CENT
6.84 PER CENT
7.32 PER CENT
7.80 PER CENT
8.28 PER CENT
7.80 PER CENT
7.32 PFR CENT
6.84 PER CENT
7.08 PER CENT
8.04 PER CENT
7.56 PFR CENT
7.08 PER CENT
6.60 PER CENT
; PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AUGUST 17, 1988 AND BEFORE DECEMBER 7, 1988;
AFTER
; PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER
DECEMBER 7, 1988 AND BEFORE FEBRUARY 15, 1989;
; PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER
FEBRUARY 15, 1989 AND BEFORE MARCH 8, 1989;
: PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER
MARCH 8, 1989 AND BEFORE MARCH 22, 1989;
: PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON- OR AFTER
MARCH 22, 1989 AND BEFORE JUNE 22, 1989;
: PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER
JUNE 22, 1989 AND BEFORE JULY 12, 1989;
: PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER
JULY 12, 1989 AND BEFORE AUGUST 9, 1989;
: PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER
AUGUST 9, 1989 AND BEFORE MARCH 7, 1990;
: PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER
MARCH 7, 1990 AND BEFORE APRIL 4, 1990;
; PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER
APRIL 4, 1990 AND BEFORE AUGUST 15, 1990;
: PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER
AUGUST 15, 1990 AND BEFORE OCTOBER 24, 1990;
: PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER
OCTOBER 24, 1990 AND BEFORE JANUARY 30, 1991; AND
; PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER
JANUARY 30, 1991 AND BEFORE MAY 29, 1991.
BUT ALWAYS SUBJECT TO THE GENERAL RULE THAT INTEREST CEASES TO ACCRUE AFTER 36 COMPLETE MONTHS WITHOUT SURRENDER FOR PAYMENT OF TAX.
EXAMPLE: $1,000 CERTIFICATES PURCHASED ON MAY 29, 1991, JUNE 29, 1991 AND JULY 29, 1991 RESPECTIVELY, SURRENDER IN PAYMENT OF TAX DUE ON AUGUST 28, 1991 WILL HAVE INTEREST CALCULATED AS FOLLOWS:
ON $1,000, MAY 29, 1991 TO AUGUST 28, 1991
THREE COMPLETE MONTHS AT $6. 30 PER MONTH = $18.90
ON $1,000, JUNE 29, 1991 TO AUGUST 28, 1991 = $12.60
TWO COMPLETE MONTHS AT $6.30 PER MONTH
ON $1,000, JULY 29, 1991 TO AUGUST 28, 1991 = $6.30 $37.80
ONE COMPLETE MONTH AT $G.3O PER MONTH
-------0----------
/15........
TUESDAY, MAY 28, 1991
- 15 -
APPOINTMENTS TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENTS TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL EOR THE COMING TERM EROM JUNE 1 THIS YEAR TO MARCH 31, 1995.
EXERCISING HIS POWER UNDER SECTION 9 OE THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ORDINANCE, THE GOVERNOR HAS RE-APPOINTED FIVE INCUMBENT APPOINTED MEMBERS TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL. THEY ARE :
THE HONOURABLE CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, CBE, JP
MR WILLIAM CHAU CHUN-WING
MR CARLOS CHEUNG HON-KAU, MBE
DR RICHARD HO MAN-WUI, JP
DR PANG HOK-TUEN, JP
IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED SEVEN NEW APPOINTED MEMBERS :
MR CHAU HOW-CHEN, MBE, JP
MR CHEUNG KAN-KWAI
DR FANNY CHEUNG MUI-CHING, JP
MR FONG LOI
MR HO SUN-KUEN, JP
MR ALMON POON CHIN-HUNG
MR WONG PO-MING, JP
THE ABOVE APPOINTMENTS WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ON MAY 31, 1991.
OF THE NEWLY APPOINTED MEMBERS, MR CHAU HOW-CHEN HAS A LONG AND ACTIVE SERVICE RECORD IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND IN THE FIELD OF SPORTS. HE IS A MEMBER OF THE SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD.
MR CHEUNG KAN-KWAI IS A BUSINESSMAN WITH LONG YEARS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE IN THE NORTH DISTRICT.
DR FANNY CHEUNG IS A SENIOR LECTURER IN PSYCHOLOGY AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY. ACTIVE IN THE SOCIAL SERVICE FIELD, SHE TAKES A SPECIAL INTEREST IN ACTIVITIES CONCERNING WOMEN.
MR FONG LOI IS AN EXPERIENCED LOCAL LEADER AND REPRESENTED THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD ON THE REGIONAL COUNCIL FROM 1986 TO 1988.
/SIMILARLY, MR .......
TUESDAY, MAY 28, 1991
- 16 -
SIMILARLY, MR HO SUN-KUHN, WHO IS A SOLICITOR BY PROFESSION, HAD SERVED ON THE COUNCIL BEFORE AS DISTRICT BOARD REPRESENTATIVE.
MR ALMON POON, ALSO A SOLICITOR, IS NO STRANGER TO THE COUNCIL AS HE HAS BEEN A MEMBER SINCE HIS ELECTION TO THE COUNCIL IN 1989; AND MR WONG PO-MING, A SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, IS A VETERAN IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND AN ACTIVE PROMOTER OF CULTURAL AND ENTERTAINMENT ACTIVITIES.
--------0-----------
DB REPRESENTATIVES TO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ELECTED ******
THREE DISTRICT
REPRESENTATIVES TO THE
DISTRICT
TAT PO
WONG TAI SIN
EASTERN
BOARDS HAVE TODAY (TUESDAY) ELECTED THEIR
URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL. THEY ARE:
REPRESENTATIVE ELECTED
MR TANG PUI-TAT
MR FUNG KWONG-CHUNG
MS CHRISTINA TING YUK-CHEE
_ _ 0-----------
STUDENTS LEARN CRITICAL THINKING THROUGH GROUP PROJECTS
******
STUDENTS CAN DEVELOP CRITICAL THINKING BY TAKING PART IN GROUP PROJECTS, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS), MR WONG SIK-WAH, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
MR WONG SAID THIS IN PRESENTING PRIZES TO WINNERS OF THE SECONDARY SCHOOL COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS PROJECT COMPETITION.
STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN THE COMPETITION, HE SAID, WERE REQUIRED TO COLLECT INFORMATION AND ANALYSE DATA.
’’THIS ENCOURAGES ACTIVE AND SELF-INITIATED LEARNING AND IS CONDUCIVE TO THE ALL-ROUND DEVELOPMENT OF STUDENTS,” MR WONG SAID.
THE COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS PROJECT COMPETITION MADE ITS DEBUT IN 1983 AND WAS ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE CHINESE GOLD AND SILVER EXCHANGE SOCIETY TO STIMULATE STUDENTS' INTEREST IN THE ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG.
MORE THAN 170 PROJECTS ON THE CHANGING PHASES OF COMMERCE IN HONG KONG WERE SUBMITTED BY SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS.
/PROJECTS SUBMITTED........
TUESDAY, MAY 28, 1991
- 17 -
PROJECTS SUBMITTED INCLUDED THE FINANCIAL MARKETS AND INSTITUTIONS IN HONG KONG; INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN BUSINESS, ADVERTISING; RETAIL BUSINESS AND HONG KONG'S EXTERNAL TRADE.
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST ROTARY PREVOCA TIONAI SCHOOL CAPTURED THE FIRST AND SECOND PRIZES FOR THE SECONDARY 4-5 SECTION, WITH THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS YAU TZF TIN MEMORIAL COLLEGE TAKING THE THIRD PRIZE.
IN THE SECONDARY 6-7 SECTION, HA KWAI (’HUNG GOVERNMENT SECONDARY TECHNICAL SCHOOL WAS FIRST, TANG SHIP KIN VICTORIA TECHNICAL SCHOOL, SECOND, AND MADAM LAU KAM LUNG SECONDARY SCHOOL OF THE MIU FAT BUDDHIST MONASTERY, THIRD.
--------0-----------
AMBULANCEMEN PRAISED FOR OUTSTANDING WORK ♦ ♦ ♦ t ♦
THE CHIEF AMBULANCE OFFICER (CAO), MR PANG TAK-SUM, TODAY (TUESDAY) PRESENTED COMMENDATIONS TO 13 OFFICERS OF THE AMBULANCE COMMAND FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE WHILE ON DUTY AND APPREHENDING TWO ROBBERY SUSPECTS WHILE OFF DUTY.
THEY WERE A SENIOR AMBULANCE OFFICER, 'IWO PRINCIPAL AMBULANCEMEN, TWO SENIOR AMBULANCEMEN AND EIGHT AMBULANCEMEN.
FIVE OF THEM WERE AWARDED CAO’S COMMENDATIONS WHILE THE OTHER EIGHT WERE GIVEN FAVOURABLE ENTRIES.
SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION, MR PANG PRAISED THE OFFICERS FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING ABILITY, PROFESSIONALISM AND DEVOTION TO DUTY IN PERFORMING THEIR DUTIES AND THEIR PUBLIC-SPIRITED ACTION IN ASSISTING THE POLICE TO MAINTAIN LAW AND ORDER IN THE TERRITORY.
PRINCIPAL AMBULANCEMAN TANG KING-PIU WAS AWARDED CAO’S COMMENDATION WHILE TWO SENIOR AMBULANCEMEN, LAU HING-NAM AND FUNG FU-WING; AND SIX AMBULANCEMEN, CHEUNG KIN-KAY, CHIU WING-MING, IP CHUN-WAH, LO LAP-YIP, TAM WAI-KIT AND LAM CHI-MING, EACH GOT A FAVOURABLE ENTRY IN THEIR PERSONAL RECORDS IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR GOOD WORK IN THE RESCUE OPERATION OF FIVE PERSONS IN A HILLFIRE AT TSING Y1 IN APRIL THIS YEAR.
THEY WERE COMMENDED FOR THEIR EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE, PROFESSIONALISM AND DEVOTION TO DUTY IN THE TREATMENT OF THE FIVE CASUALTIES RESCUED IN THE HILLFIRE.
THE FIRE BROKE OUT AT THE HILLSIDE OF LIU TO SHAN VILLAGE AT J2.50 PM ON APRIL 5, THE CHING MING FESTIVAL. A COUPLE AND THEIR THREE DAUGHTERS, AGED BETWEEN THREE AND II, WERE TRAPPED BY THE FIRE WHILE VISITING THEIR ANCESTRAL GRAVES.
/ON RECEIVING .......
TUESDAY, MAY 28, 1991
-IS-
ON RECEIVING THE CALL, PRINCIPAL AMBULANCEMAN TANG OTHER EIGHT OFFICERS TO THE SCENE AND ATTENDED THE INJURED BEFORE TAKING THEM TO THE HILLTOP WHERE THEY WERE RUSHED TO BY HELICOPTER.
LED THE PERSONS, HOSPITAL
AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, MR PANG ALSO PRESENTED HIS COMMENDATIONS TO PRINCIPAL AMBULANCEMAN NG KAM-FAN, AMBULANCEMEN YU CHI-KEUNG AND TANG FU-WAH OF THE POKFULAM AMBULANCE DEPOT FOR THEIR PUBLIC-SPIRITED ACTION IN ASSISTING THE POLICE IN THE APPREHENSION OF TWO SUSPECTS IN CONNECTION WITH A ROBBERY CASE IN CENTRAL WHILE OFF-DUTY ON MAY 7 THIS YEAR.
THEY WERE PRAISED FOR BRINGING CREDIT TO THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT BY THEIR BRAVE, PROMPT AND PUBLIC-SPIRITED ACTION IN ARRESTING THE SUSPECTS.
MEANWHILE, SENIOR AMBULANCE OFFICER, CHOI HUNG-FAI, WAS AWARDED THE CAO’S COMMENDATION FOR HIS INITIATIVE, RESOURCEFULNESS AND PROFESSIONALISM IN SUGGESTING A NEW METHOD OF USING PIPED OXYGEN FOR THE OPERATION OF RESUSCITATORS ON AMBULANCES.
SUCH METHOD COULD EXTEND THE DURATION OF OXYGEN SUPPLY TO PATIENTS BY USING A MODIFIED TUBE CONNECTED TO A LARGER OXYGEN CYLINDER AND HENCE THE WAITING TIME FOR ANOTHER AMBULANCE TO ARRIVE AND SUPPLY OXYGEN CAN BE SAVED.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
GOVT LOOKS TO PRIVATE SECTOR TO FOLLOW LEAD TO FIGHT INFLATION ....... 1
GOV'T'S BUDGETARY AND MONETARY SYSTEMS NOT INFLATIONARY .............. 4
FS OUTLINES MEASURES TO ATTACK INFLATION ............................. 8
LAW AMENDMENT AND REFORM BILL INTRODUCED ............................. 11
BILL TO INTRODUCE ELECTRONIC PARKING METERS AND PARKING TICKET VENDING MACHINES ...................................................... 12
BILL TO PROVIDE FOR PRIVATE MANAGEMENT OF GOVERNMENT TUNNELS ......... 13
BILL TO CLEAR ANOMALY IN PRACTISING CERT'S VALIDITY PERIODS INTRODUCED 13
AMENDMENTS TO FELONIES AND MISDEMEANOURS BILL ........................ 14
NO INDICATION OF INCREASING INVOLVEMENT OF UNDERAGED GIRLS IN PROSTITUTION .......................................................... 15
GOOD PROGRESS ON INTRODUCTION OF UNLEADED PETROL ..................... 16
GOVT EXAMINES NEED FOR PARAMEDICAL SERVICES ON AMBULANCES ............ 17
EFFORTS CONTINUING FOR REPATRIATION AGREEMENT ........................ 18
SEVEN-HOUR LEGCO DEBATE ON INFLATION ................................. 19
TAXI FUEL SUPPLEMENT TO BE WITHDRAWN ................................... 20
96 VM'S RETURN TO VIETNAM .............................................. 20
YLDB REPRESENTATIVE TO RC ELECTED ...................................... 20
THREE DB'S TO ELECT RC REPRESENTATIVES ................................. 21
GOVERNMENT LAND TO LET BY TENDER ....................................... 21
FRESH WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION .......................................... 22
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............. 22
WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 1991
1
GOVT LOOKS TO PRIVATE SECTOR TO FOLLOW LEAD TO FIGHT INFLATION *****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT LOOKS TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO FOLLOW ITS LEAD IN TACKLING INFLATION.
SPEAKING AT A MOTION DEBATE ON INFLATION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE CHIEF SECRETARY OUTLINED WHAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD DONE TO ATTACK THE PROBLEM THROUGH INTRODUCING THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR SCHEME, BY RESTRICTING GOVERNMENT PAY AWARD AND RESTRAINING THE GROWTH OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT MANY OBSERVERS HAD POINTED TO THE SHORTAGE OF LABOUR IN HONG KONG AS THE CHIEF CULPRIT FOR THE CONTINUING HIGH LEVEL OF INFLATION.
HE SAID THE LIMITED SCHEME FOR THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR INTRODUCED BY THE GOVERNMENT LAST YEAR WAS AIMED AT RELIEVING PROVEN SHORTAGES.
HE SAID THE CURRENT SCHEME, ALSO AIMED AT RELIEVING CLEARLY Identified sectoral shortages, was found by the employers to be USEFUL, PARTICULARLY IN HELPING TO INCREASE THE LEVEL OF PRODUCTION AND PRODUCTIVITY.
THE GOVERNMENT WAS CURRENTLY REVIEWING THE SCHEME AND HAD YET TO DECIDE WHETHER THERE WAS A CASE FOR PROVIDING A FURTHER QUOTA THIS YEAR, SIR DAVID SAID.
"IF WE DO EXTEND THE SCHEME, WE WILL ENSURE THAT IT REMAINS TARGETTED AT AREAS OF PROVEN SHORTAGE.
"SO THE TWO MAIN FACTORS WE WILL FACTOR INTO THE REVIEW ARE THE IDENTIFICATION OF SHORTAGES IN SPECIFIC AREAS AND THE EVIDENCE NOW EMERGING OF SOME SOFTENING IN THE LABOUR MARKET AS A WHOLE," HE SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT OVER 82 PER CENT OF THE QUOTA HAD BEEN TAKEN UP AND THE REMAINING QUOTA HAD BEEN REDISTRIBUTED.
"THE INCIDENCE OF ABUSE SO FAR HAS BEEN LOW. TRADE UNIONS HAVE POINTED OUT CERTAIN DIFFICULTIES IN POLICING THE SCHEME. WE WILL TAKE THESE FACTORS INTO ACCOUNT AND LOOK FOR WAYS TO IMPROVE THE WAY THE SCHEME OPERATES," HE SAID.
DESPITE RECENT SIGNS OF EASING IN THE LABOUR MARKET, SIR DAVID SAID SERIOUS SHORTAGES STILL PERSISTED IN SOME AREAS.
"WHILE THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HAS INCREASED FROM 1.4 PER CENT AT THE END OF LAST YEAR TO 1.8 PER CENT IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR, VACANCIES STILL ABOUND, PARTICULARLY IN THE SERVICE INDUSTRIES AND SPECIFIC CATEGORIES OF SKILLED AND SEMI-SKILLED MANUFACTURING WORKERS," HE SAID.
/TURNING TO .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 1991
2
TURNING TO THE CIVIL SERVICE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS OFTEN ACCUSED OF LEADING INFLATION THROUGH ITS ANNUAL PAY AWARDS.
’’YESTERDAY WE ANNOUNCED AN INCREASE OF 10.43 PER CENT. THIS IS BELOW THE FIGURE INDICATED IN THE MOST RECENT PAY TREND SURVEYS, BUT, AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF SLOWER ECONOMIC GROWTH AND HIGHER INFLATION, WE BELIEVE IT IS A FAIR AWARD WHICH WILL MAINTAIN REAL VALUE OF CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES,” HE SAID.
REFERRING TO THE CALLS BY SOME MEMBERS FOR A LOWER PAY INCREASE FOR THE BETTER PAID CIVIL SERVANTS, SIR DAVID SAID WHILE THE AWARD WAS ACROSS THE BOARD, HE THOUGH IT WORTH POINTING OUT THAT ITS REFERENCE POINT WHICH LED THE GOVERNMENT TO THE FIGURE OF 10.43 WAS THE MOVEMENT OF THE CPI A OVER THE PAST YEAR.
"MOVEMENT IN THE HANG SENG CONSUMER PRICE INDEX, WHICH MEASURE CHANGES IN THE COST OF LIVING FOR THOSE WITH LARGER HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE, HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY GREATER AT 11.6 PER CENT.
"SO THE PAY AWARD OFFERED THOSE ON HIGHER SALARIES DOES NOT FULLY REFLECT INCREASES IN THEIR COST OF LIVING. AND TO THIS EXTENT THE BETTER PAID ARE NOT BENEFITT1NG TO THE SAME EXTENT AS THE LOWER PAID CIVIL SERVANTS.
"THIS IS ONLY RIGHT BECAUSE THOSE WITH LARGER DISPOSABLE INCOMES HAVE MORE FLEXIBILITY IN ADJUSTING THEIR EXPENDITURE,” HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THE CIVIL SERVICE PAY AWARD ALSO SET DOWN A MARKER.
"IT IS A CHALLENGE TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO KEEP THE LEVEL OF ITS AWARDS WITHIN INFLATION AND THEREFORE TO HELP BRING TO AN END THE PERCEPTION OF AN ENDLESS SPIRAL,” HE ADDED.
IN THIS CONTEXT, SIR DAVID NOTED THE CLAIMS BY SOME IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR THAT THEY HAD ALLOWED ONLY EIGHT PER CENT FOR THE INCREASE IN THE COST OF LIVING.
’’THIS IS AN INTERESTING CLAIM, BUT A LITTLE DISINGENUOUS. IT IS THE TOTAL PACKAGE WHICH IMPACTS ON INFLATION, NOT THE INDIVIDUAL COMPONENTS.
"THE EIGHT PER CENT EXCLUDES MERIT PAY AND OTHER ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS WHICH BRING THE OVERALL INCREASES TO OVER 12 PER CENT, AS REFLECTED IN THE RESULTS OF THE PAY TREND SURVEY AND A SIMILAR SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT. AND EVEN THESE FIGURES OFTEN DO NOT INCLUDE ANNUAL BONUSES WHICH IN SOME CASES ARE VERY SUBSTANTIAL," HE SAID.
STRESSING THE NEED FOR A JOINT PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR STAND, SIR DAVID SAID HE KNEW THAT MANY MANAGERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR WERE DOING THEIR BEST TO LIMIT PAY INCREASES BUT THE PAY TREND SURVEYS SHOWED QUITE CLEARLY THAT THE PACKAGES AWARDED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR OVERALL STILL EXCEEDED THE RATE OF INFLATION.
/'•AND THERE...........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 1991
3 -
"AND THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO DO NOT SEEM TO HAVE GOT THE MESSAGE. FOR EXAMPLE IT SEEMS THE PRINCIPLE OF EQUAL MISERY IS NOT BEING EXTENDED TO CORPORATE DIRECTORS WHOSE FEES ACCORDING TO A CASUAL SURVEY WE HAVE CONDUCTED, INCREASED BY AN AVERAGE OF OVER 25 PER CENT LAST YEAR.
RESTRICTING GOVERNMENT PAY AWARDS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID WAS NOT THE ONLY WAY IN WHICH THE GOVERNMENT COULD CONTRIBUTE TO CURBING INFLATION.
"IN A TIGHT LABOUR MARKET, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT GOVERNMENT DO EVERYTHING IN ITS POWER TO RESTRAIN GROWTH OF THE CIVIL SERVICE AND INCREASE ITS PRODUCTIVITY.
’’THIS IS NO EASY TASK, AS MOST OF THE JOBS THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO DO TEND TO BE LABOUR INTENSIVE,’’ SIR DAVID SAID, POINTING OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS HONG KONG’S LARGEST SINGLE EMPLOYER EMPLOYING SEVEN PER CENT OF THE TOTAL WORKFORCE AND CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES ACCOUNTED FOR ABOUT FIVE PER CENT OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.
ACKNOWLEDGING THAT CONTROL OF THE SIZE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE WAS A KEY ELEMENT IN THE CONTROL OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, SIR DAVID SAID CIVIL SERVICE PAY ACCOUNTED FOR ABOUT 38 PER CENT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S RECURRENT EXPENDITURE AND 27 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL EXPENDITURE.
”SO WE ARE DETERMINED TO CONTINUE OUR EFFORTS TO RESTRAIN THE GROWTH OF THE SERVICE. WE ARE CONTINUING OUR POLICY OF ’ZERO GROWTH’, HE SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD PROGRESSIVELY REDUCED THE GROWTH IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE FROM 3.29 PER CENT IN 1988/89 TO 1.49 PER CENT IN 1990/91, TO ABOUT 0.8 PER CENT IN THE CURRENT YEAR.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS DETERMINED TO SET A GOOD EXAMPLE TO THE COMMUNITY IN TRYING TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF INFLATION.
’’BUT WE CANNOT WIN THIS BATTLE ON OUR OWN AND WE LOOK TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO FOLLOW OUR LEAD. IN FIXING PRICES AND CONTROLLING STAFF COSTS MANAGERS HAVE A KEY ROLE TO PLAY.
"FOR THE SAKE OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE WE LOOK TO THEM TO RESPOND TO CHALLENGES WITH THE SAME DETERMINATION WHICH WE IN THE GOVERNMENT ARE DEMONSTRATING TODAY," HE CONCLUDED.
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/4 ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 1991
4
GOVT’S BUDGETARY AND MONETARY SYSTEMS NOT INFLATIONARY » * » * *
THE GOVERNMENT’S BUDGETARY AND MONETARY SYSTEMS ARE NOT INHERENTLY INFLATIONARY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SAID THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
SIR PIERS WAS RESPONDING TO CRITICISMS THAT THE SYSTEMS WERE INHERENTLY INFLATIONARY WHEN WINDING UP THE MOTION DEBATE ON INFLATION.
IN FACT, HE SAID, IN NATIONAL ACCOUNT AND RESOURCE CONSUMPTION TERMS, THE PUBLIC SECTOR AS A WHOLE REPRESENTED ONLY ABOUT 12 PER CENT OF THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.
IN TERMS OF CONSOLIDATED PUBLIC SECTOR EXPENDITURE, THE CORRESPONDING RATIO WAS ABOUT 19.3 PER CENT IN 1991-92, UP FROM 16.6 PER CENT IN 1987-88, NOT FROM 11 PER CENT AS SOME LEGISLATORS MIGHT HAVE SUGGESTED.
MOREOVER, FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS THE GOVERNMENT HAD ACHIEVED FISCAL SURPLUSES, AND FOR THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, SIR PIERS SAID HE HAD AGAIN BUDGETTED FOR A SURPLUS, ALBEIT A RELATIVELY SMALL ONE.
"IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT A FISCAL SURPLUS REPRESENTS A NET WITHDRAWAL OF PURCHASING POWER FROM THE ECONOMY.
"OUR BUDGETARY STRATEGY AND GUIDELINES ARE GEARED TO EXERCISING TIGHT CONTROLS ON ALL ASPECTS OF THE PUBLIC FINANCES," HE SAID.
THE EFFECT OF ANY INCREASES IN INDIRECT TAXATION, HE ARGUED, WAS ESSENTIALLY ONE-OFF.
"OVERALL, THE IMPACT OF THE BUDGETS IN RECENT YEARS HAS NOT BEEN INFLATIONARY," SIR PIERS STRESSED.
ON THE MONETARY SIDE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID DURING THE LATTER PART OF LAST YEAR THE U.S. DOLLAR DEPRECIATED CONSIDERABLY, RESULTING IN FASTER INCREASES IN THE PRICES OF HONG KONO’S IMPORTS TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR.
IN RECENT MONTHS, THE U.S. DOLLAR HAD RECOVERED MOST OF THE LOST GROUND, AND THIS WOULD HELP TO STABILISE IMPORT PRICES, SIR PIERS SAID.
"AS A MATTER OF FACT, SINCE THE HONG KONG DOLLAR WAS FIRST LINKED TO THE U.S. DOLLAR IN OCTOBER 1983, THE EXCHANGE RATE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR HAS APPRECIATED BY NEARLY 13 PER CENT ON A TRADE-WEIGHTED BASIS," HE SAID.
HE SAID THIS APPRECIATION COULD HARDLY BE CONSTRUED AS HAVING ADDED TO THE INFLATIONARY PRESSURES.
"LET ME STRESS THAT THE CURRENT INFLATION GIVES NO REASON WHATSOEVER FOR MODIFYING OUR LINKED EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM OR THE PRESENT RATE," HE SAID.
/ON SUGGESTIONS .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 1991
5
ON SUGGESTIONS THAT THE HONG KONG DOLLAR SHOULD BE LINKED TO A BASKET OF CURRENCIES RATHER THAN TO THE U.S. DOLLAR AS A CURE FOR INFLATION, SIR PIERS SAID:
"NO ONE SHOULD BE UNDER ANY ILLUSION THAT IN OUR CIRCUMSTANCES A BASKET WOULD PROVIDE THE CURE FOR THE CURRENT INFLATION. IT WOULD NOT. "
HE POINTED OUT THAT HAD THE HONG KONG DOLLAR BEEN LINKED IN 1983 TO A BASKET REFLECTING THE COMPOSITION OF HONG KONG’S TRADE, THE EXCHANGE RATE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AGAINST THE U.S. DOLLAR AT THIS POINT IN TIME WOULD BE AROUND 8.80 INSTEAD OF 7.80.
AND THE RESULT: INFLATION WOULD HAVE BEEN EVEN HIGHER THAN IT WAS TODAY.
HE STRESSED THAT SWITCHING TO A BASKET WOULD MEAN GIVING UP STABILITY IN HONG KONG’S EXCHANGE RATE AGAINST THE U.S. DOLLAR, A CURRENCY THAT WAS EXTENSIVELY USED IN EXTERNAL TRADE, WELL ACCEPTED AND READILY UNDERSTOOD BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
’’THERE CAN BE NO BASKET OF CURRENCIES INTO WHICH HONG KONG DOLLAR BANKNOTES COULD BE CONVENIENTLY CONVERTED.
’’THE CONVERTIBILITY OF HONG KONG DOLLAR BANKNOTES INTO A WELL ACCEPTED CURRENCY LIKE THE U.S. DOLLAR IS AN IMPORTANT FEATURE OF OUR LINKED EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM,” SIR PIERS SAID.
HE SAID HONG KONG WOULD HAVE TO GIVE UP THIS IMPORTANT FEATURE IF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR WERE INSTEAD LINKED TO A BASKET.
TO COIN A PHRASE, SIR PIERS SAID THERE WAS NO CERTAINTY IN A BASKET. THE HONG KONG DOLLAR EXCHANGE RATE AGAINST THE U.S. DOLLAR AND INDEED AGAINST ALL CURRENCIES WOULD FLUCTUATE ALL THE TIME.
"I DOUBT VERY MUCH IF THIS WOULD BE WELCOMED BY OUR EXPORTERS, OR THE MAJORITY OF THOSE IN HONG KONG WHO DO BUSINESS WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD.
”1 AM ALSO FIRMLY OF THE VIEW THAT IT WOULD NOT BE CONDUCIVE TO THE MAINTENANCE OF STABILITY AND PROSPERITY IN HONG KONG," SIR PIERS SAID.
HE SAID DOUBTS HAD BEEN EXPRESSED AS TO WHETHER OR NOT KEEPING INTEREST RATES FOR THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AT LEVELS HIGHER THAN THOSE FOR THE U.S. DOLLAR REPRESENTED A DEPARTURE FROM THE GOVERNMENT’S MONETARY POLICY OF MAINTAINING EXCHANGE RATE STABILITY WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM.
"LET ME SAY IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS THAT THERE IS NO SUCH DEPARTURE.
"THE EXCHANGE RATE HAS STRENGTHENED SOMEWHAT AWAY FROM 7.80 UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF HIGHER HONG KONG DOLLAR INTEREST RATES, BUT FOR AS LONG AS THE DEVIATION FROM 7.80 CAN BE EXPLAINED BY THE TEMPORARY INTEREST RATE GAP, THIS IS ACCEPTABLE," HE SAID.
/SIR PIERS .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 1991
6
SIR PIERS SAID THERE WAS THE SAME DEVIATION IN JUNE 1989 AS A RESULT OF EVENTS IN CHINA AND IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990 AS A RESULT OF SIMILAR DELIBERATE EFFORT TO SLOW DOWN CREDIT EXPANSION IN HONG KONG.
WHILE SIR PIERS SAID THE ADMINISTRATION RECOGNISED THE EXTENT OF PUBLIC CONCERN AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD NO HESITATION IN SUPPORTING THE MOTION, HE WAS QUICK TO ADD THAT IN SO DOING, THE GOVERNMENT MUST EXAMINE WHAT HAD GIVEN RISE TO THE INFLATIONARY PRESSURES IN ORDER THAT IT COULD JUDGE WHETHER THE MEASURES IT INTENDED TO TAKE WERE LIKELY TO BE EFFECTIVE IN TACKLING THE PROBLEM.
"WE MUST RECOGNISE THAT SOME COURSES OF ACTION, WHILST SUPERFICIALLY ATTRACTIVE, CAN HAVE NEGATIVE EFFECTS IN THE LONGER TERM," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY CAUTIONED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE DOING A DISSERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY IF FOR THE SAKE OF SHORT-TERM GAINS IT WAS TO INFLICT LONG-TERM DAMAGE ON THE ECONOMY.
HE ALSO EXPLAINED THE PRINCIPAL CAUSES OF THE PRESENT HIGH INFLATION RATE.
QUITE SIMPLY, HE SAID, THE CURRENT HIGH INFLATION RATE WAS LARGELY THE RESULT OF OVERALL DEMAND OUTSTRIPPING SUPPLY.
"WHAT WE ARE NOW FACING IS THE PRICE TAG FOR THE PERIOD OF RAPID ECONOMIC GROWTH," HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID INFLATION DID EASE SLIGHTLY AFTER THE MIDDLE OF 1989, FOLLOWING THE SLOW-DOWN IN ECONOMIC GROWTH.
THIS ADJUSTMENT WAS, HOWEVER, OFFSET BY THE OIL PRICE HIKE BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE GULF CRISIS SO THAT, FOR LAST YEAR AS A WHOLE, THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) ROSE BY 9.8 PER CENT EVEN THOUGH THE GDP GREW BY ONLY 2.4 PER CENT, HE SAID.
IN FACT, SIR PIERS POINTED OUT, THE ECONOMY HAD BEEN ADJUSTING TO THE PRESSURE OF DEMAND ON ITS OWN CAPACITY, BUT ONLY VERY SLOWLY.
"THE REASON FOR THIS IS LARGELY BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT THE ECONOMY ITSELF HAS BEEN UNDERGOING A PROCESS OF CONTINUOUS STRUCTURAL CHANGE AS IT BECOMES MORE SERVICE ORIENTED," HE SAID.
THIS PROCESS, HE ADDED, NECESSITATED A REDISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES DURING A PERIOD WHEN THOSE RESOURCES, PARTICULARLY LABOUR, WERE ALREADY IN SHORT SUPPLY.
"AND THAT GIVES RISE TO ADDITIONAL INFLATIONARY PRESSURES," HE SAID.
IN THIS CONNECTION, SIR PIERS SAID THERE WERE A NUMBER OF ADDITIONAL FACTORS THAT WERE RELEVANT.
FIRST, THE GROWTH IN OUTWARD PROCESSING ACTIVITIES IN GUANGDONG HAD GREATLY EXPANDED HONG KONG’S PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY WHILST HELPING MANUFACTURERS KEEP COSTS DOWN.
/CONSEQUENTLY, HE .......
■i
I-
WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 1991
7 - S
CONSEQUENTLY, HE SAID, ADJUSTMENT IN THE LOCAL ECONOMY HAD TINDED TO WORK MORE SLOWLY THAN BEFORE IN DAMPENING DEMAND. EXPORT PRICES WERE KEPT LOW EVEN THOUGH THE LOCAL INFLATION RATE WAS HIGH.
SECONDLY, IN LINE WITH HONG KONG’S DEVELOPMENT AS A MAJOR REGIONAL CENTRE IN TRADING, FINANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES, THERE HAD BEEN A SIGNIFICANT SHIFT IN LABOUR RESOURCES FROM MANUFACTURING TO THE SERVICE SECTORS.
I HIS SHIFT HAS BEEN FACILITATED IN PART BY THE RELOCATION OF THE M'T I- LABOUR-INTENSIVE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES ACROSS THE BORDER," SIR PIER:’ NOTED.
THE RESULT OF THIS STRUCTURAL CHANGE IN ECONOMY, ACCORDING TO IE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, WAS THAT AS THE LABOUR MARKET REMAINED TIGHT, MPLOYERS HAD HAD TO PUT UP WAGES AND SALARIES IN ORDER TO INDUCE WORKERS TO CHANGE JOBS.
"COMPETITIVE WAGE BIDDING AMONGST EMPLOYERS HAS A DIRECT IMPACT ON INFLATION," HE ADDED.
THIRDLY, IN THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, SIR PIERS SID A CONSISTENTLY HIGH LEVEL OF ACTIVITY HAD LED TO CONSTRUCTION 1 GES INCREASING MUCH FASTER THAN WAGES IN MANY OTHER SECTORS OVER THE P\ST FEW YEARS.
"THE SITUATION HAS BEEN AGGRAVATED BY A SLOW AND DECLINING GROWTH RATE FOR THE LOCAL WORKFORCE," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
IN 1989 AND LAST YEAR, THERE WAS VIRTUALLY NO INCREASE IN THE LOCAL LABOUR SUPPLY.
"MOREOVER, SOME OF THE SKILLED MANPOWER WAS LOST THROUGH EMIGRATION," HE ADDED.
HE SAID THE LIMITED AVAILABILITY OF LABOUR HAD NOT ONLY KEPT WAGE INFLATION HIGH BUT ALSO ACTED AS A BRAKE ON ECONOMIC GROWTH.
"IF WE ANALYSE THE COMPONENTS OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDICES W1 AT WE SEE SUGGESTS THAT THE MOST RAPID PRICE INCREASES ARE OFTEN ■-SOCIATED WITH ITEMS HAVING A HEAVY LOCAL LABOUR CONTENT, SUCH AS M \LS AT RESTAURANTS, INTERNAL TRANSPORT AND SERVICES FOR HOUSEHOLDS AND INDIVIDUALS," SIR PIERS SAID.
TURNING TO THE RECENT SITUATION, THE SPATE OF INCREASES IN PROPERTY PRICES AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT FARES HAD ADDED TO THE INFLATIONARY PRESSURES AND REINFORCED PEOPLE’S PERCEPTION THAT FURTHER PRICE INCREASES WERE YET TO COME.
"WHAT I WANT TO DO IS TO CHANGE THAT PERCEPTION," SIR PIERS STRESSED.
ACCORDING TO SIR PIERS, THE INFLATION RATE WOULD NOT RISE INDEFINITELY.
FIRST, DEMAND WOULD SHRINK AS HIGHER PRICES PROMPT INDIVIDUALS AND HOUSEHOLDS TO REVIEW THEIR SPENDING HABITS.
/SECONDLY, THERE ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 1991
8
SECONDLY, THERE WERE A NUMBER OF FACTORS THAT WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO A MODERATION OF INFLATION IN DUE COURSE.
HE SAID THESE INCLUDED THE RECENT STRENGTHENING OF THE U.S. DOLLAR, LOWER OIL PRODUCT PRICES AFTER THE END OF THE GULF WAR, STABLE WORLD COMMODITY PRICES, LOWER INFLATION RATES IN THE ECONOMIES OF HONG KONG’S TRADING PARTNERS, AND A GENERALLY LESS RAPID INCREASE IN LOCAL WAGES AND SALARIES.
•'THE PROBLEM WE FACE IS THAT WE ARE NOW LOCKED INTO A STATE OF MIND THAT FEEDS UPON ITSELF,” SIR PIERS NOTED.
"AND SO WE MUST TAKE SOME STEPS TO DAMPEN THE INFLATIONARY EXPECTATIONS FROM WHICH WE ARE SUFFERING,” HE ADDED.
FOR THE LONGER TERM, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID, INCREASES IN LABOUR SUPPLY AND LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY WOULD REMAIN THE CRUCIAL DETERMINANTS OF NON-INFLATIONARY GROWTH FOR THE ECONOMY.
------0--------
FS OUTLINES MEASURES TO ATTACK INFLATION
* * * * ♦
THE GOVERNMENT THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING OUTLINED A PACKAGE OF MEASURES TO CURB HIGH INFLATION RATE.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, WHEN WINDING UP THE MOTION DEBATE ON INFLATION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SAID THE MEASURES INCLUDED:
* THE FREEZING FOR THE NEXT NINE MONTHS ALL PLANNED INCREASES IN DEPARTMENTAL FEES AND CHARGES WHICH HAD NOT BEEN ANNOUNCED BY JUNE 1 J
* INFORMING BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES TO REMAIN VIGILANT IN ENSURING THAT THEIR CUSTOMERS HAD THE ABILITY TO REPAY LOANS AND THAT COLLATERAL WAS REALISTICALLY VALUED TO HELP CURTAIL PROPERTY SPECULATION;
* THE REMOVAL OF THE ONE DOLLAR FUEL SURCHARGE IN TAXI FARES FROM JUNE 2 TO ALLEVIATE THE BURDEN ON TRANSPORT COSTS;
* HIGHER INTEREST RATES BY THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS TO DAMPEN INFLATIONARY EXPECTATION AND HELP CHANGE PUBLIC PERCEPTION ABOUT INFLATION;
* RESTORATION OF THE NET DEFLATIONARY IMPACT OF THE EARLIER BUDGETTED SURPLUS THROUGH THE PROGRAMME OF GOVERNMENT BORROWING, WHICH WAS NOW UNDER ACTIVE PREPARATION;
* CONS 1 DERAT ING THE POSSIBILITY OF ADMITTING MORE IMPORTED WORKERS TO ALLEVIATE THE CONSTRAINTS ON LABOUR RESOURCES WHICH CONSTITUTED BOTH A BOTTLENECK ON ECONOMIC GROWTH AND AN IMPORTANT SOURCE OF INFLATION; AND
/* THE HOUSING ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 1991
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» THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO CONSIDER CAREFULLY THE INFLATIONARY IMPACT OF ANY NEW RENT REVIEWS DURING THE COURSE OF THIS YEAR.
SIR PIERS SAID THE MEASURES, TAKEN TOGETHER, WOULD FEED THROUGH THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX AND HELP TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM OF INFLATION.
"I MUST STRESS, HOWEVER, THAT WE SHOULD NOT EXPECT RESULTS OVERNIGHT. WE HAVE UNDERTAKEN A COURSE OF ACTION THAT WILL TAKE SOME TIME TO BEAR FRUIT," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ALSO EMPHASISED THAT IT WAS NOT JUST THE GOVERNMENT THAT WAS INVOLVED.
HE SAID THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE HAD A VERY CONSIDERABLE ROLE TO PLAY, IF HONG KONG WAS TO ATTACK INFLATION SUCCESSFULLY OVER THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR.
"EVERYONE IS INVOLVED, WHETHER THEY BE RETAILERS, PROVIDERS OF SERVICES, EMPLOYERS AND INDEED EMPLOYEES. SELF RESTRAINT CAN DO MUCH TO HELP," SIR PIERS SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD FORECAST THAT THE INFLATION RATE WOULD REDUCE IN THE LATTER PART OF THE YEAR IN ANY EVENT.
"WE CAN ACCELERATE THAT PROCESS. THE ADMINISTRATION THROUGH ITS RESTRAINT IS POINTING THE WAY.
"WITH THE COMMUNITY RESPONSE THAT I AM CALLING FOR, I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT A HAPPIER SITUATION BY THE TIME OF THE NEXT BUDGET," SIR PIERS SAID.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS DETERMINED TO PLAY ITS PART.
"ALTHOUGH WE ARE LARGELY AFFECTED BY EXTERNAL CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL, IN TERMS OF RESTRAINT, THERE IS STILL MUCH THAT WE CAN DO TO HELP OURSELVES. LET US DO SO," SIR PIERS SAID.
ON THE FREEZE OF ALL PLANNED INCREASES IN DEPARTMENTAL FEES AND CHARGES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THESE INCLUDED CHARGES FOR OUTPATIENT SERVICES AT GOVERNMENT CLINICS AND HOSPITALS, CHARGES FOR INPATIENT SERVICES AND IMMIGRATION-RELATED FEES.
THEY DID NOT INCLUDE, HOWEVER, INCREASES WHICH HAD ALREADY BEEN ANNOUNCED AND WHICH WERE DUE TO TAKE EFFECT SOME TIME THIS YEAR, FOR EXAMPLE, TUITION FEES, WHICH WERE USUALLY ANNOUNCED OVER A YEAR IN ADVANCE.
SIR PIERS ESTIMATED THAT THE COST TO REVENUE FOR DEFERRING THESE PLANNED INCREASES IN DEPARTMENTAL FEES AND CHARGES WAS ABOUT $270 MILLION IN 1991-92.
HE ALSO SAID THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING HAD DRAWN THE BANKS’ ATTENTION OF THE AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS TO THE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN MORTGAGE LENDING IN RECENT MONTHS AND STRESSED THAT THE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES SHOULD REMAIN VIGILANT IN ENSURING THAT THEIR CUSTOMERS HAD THE ABILITY TO REPAY LOANS AND THAT COLLATERAL WAS REALISTICALLY VALUED.
/SIR PIERS .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 1991
- 10 -
SIR PIERS SAID HE WELCOMED THE MOVE BY THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS LAST WEEK WHICH COINCIDED WITH HIS INSTRUCTION GIVEN TO THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND TO WITHDRAW LIQUIDITY FROM THE INTERBANK MARKET.
’’HIGHER INTEREST RATES SHOULD HAVE THE PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECT OF DAMPENING INFLATIONARY EXPECTATION AND HELP TO CHANGE PUBLIC PERCEPTION ABOUT CURRENT INFLATION IN HONG KONG.
’’THEY SHOULD ALSO HAVE THE EFFECT OF SLOWING DOWN THE RATE OF CREDIT EXPANSION,” HE ADDED.
SIR PIERS SAID DOUBTS HAD BEEN EXPRESSED AS TO WHETHER OR NOT KEEPING INTEREST RATES FOR THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AT LEVELS HIGHER THAN THOSE FOR THE U.S. DOLLAR REPRESENTED A DEPARTURE FROM THE GOVERNMENT’S MONETARY POLICY OF MAINTAINING EXCHANGE RATE STABILITY WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM.
’’LET ME SAY IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS THAT THERE IS NO SUCH DEPARTURE.
’’THE EXCHANGE RATE HAS STRENGTHENED SOMEWHAT AWAY FROM 7.80 UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF HIGHER HONG KONG DOLLAR INTEREST RATES, BUT FOR AS LONG AS THE DEVIATION FROM 7.80 CAN BE EXPLAINED BY THE TEMPORARY INTEREST RATE GAP, THIS IS ACCEPTABLE,” HE SAID.
SIR PIERS SAID THERE WAS THE SAME DEVIATION IN JUNE 1989 AS A RESULT OF EVENTS IN CHINA AND IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990 AS A RESULT OF SIMILAR DELIBERATE EFFORT TO SLOW DOWN CREDIT EXPANSION IN HONG KONG.
”AS LONG AS THE EXCHANGE RATE IS BROADLY STABLE, I AM NOT AVERSE TO USING INTEREST RATES JUDICIOUSLY TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT CONDUCIVE TO FIGHTING INFLATION,” HE NOTED.
HE SAID IT WAS INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT ALTHOUGH THE SPOT EXCHANGE RATE HAD STRENGTHENED TO 7.73, THE FORWARD RATE, SAY, FOR SIX MONTHS HAD REMAINED IN THE PAST FEW DAYS AT AROUND 7.80.
’’SHOULD THE EXCHANGE RATE DEVIATE FROM 7.80 UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF SPECULATION, AS WAS THE CASE AT THE END OF 1987 WHEN THE EXCHANGE RATE STRENGTHENED DESPITE VERY LOW INTEREST RATES, THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND WILL ACT DECISIVELY TO DEAL WITH IT,” HE ADDED.
SIR PIERS SAID AS A RESULT OF THE CUTBACK IN THE EARLIER INCREASE IN TOBACCO DUTY, WHICH WOULD COST THE REVENUE SOME $700 MILLION, AND THE MORATORIUM ON DEPARTMENTAL FEES AND CHARGES, THE SURPLUS BUDGETTED FOR THIS FINANCIAL YEAR WOULD BE ALMOST ABSORBED.
"BUT I INTEND TO RESTORE THE NET DEFLATIONARY IMPACT OF THE EARLIER BUDGETTED SURPLUS THROUGH THE PROGRAMME OF GOVERNMENT BORROWING, WHICH IS NOW UNDER ACTIVE PREPARATION,” HE SAID.
------0-------
/Il ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 1991
11
LAW AMENDMENT AND REFORM BILL INTRODUCED
*****
THE LAW AMENDMENT AND REFORM (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 SEEKS TO PUT BEYOND DOUBT THE VALIDITY OF A COMMON PRACTICE BY BANKS AND OTHER LENDING INSTITUTIONS TO SECURE LOANS AND CREDIT FACILITIES BY TAKING CHARGES OVER CASH DEPOSITS HELD WITH THEM BY BORROWERS OR THIRD PARTIES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SIR PIERS SAID IN A CASE CONCERNING CHARGE CARD SERVICES LTD IN THE UNITED KINGDOM IN 1986, THE COURT HELD THAT, WHEREAS A PERSON MIGHT TAKE A VALID SECURITY OVER A DEBT DUE BY ANOTHER, HE COULD NOT TAKE SUCH A SECURITY OVER A DEBT DUE FROM HIMSELF.
AS A BANK DEPOSIT WAS A DEBT DUE BY A BANK, THE DECISION SUGGESTED THAT A BANK MIGHT TAKE A VALID SECURITY OVER A DEPOSIT HELD BY A THIRD PARTY, SAY ANOTHER BANK OR A SUBSIDIARY DEPOSIT TAKING COMPANY, BUT IT COULD NOT TAKE A MORTGAGE OR CHARGE OVER A DEPOSIT PLEDGED BY THE BORROWER OR A THIRD PARTY WITH ITSELF, HE ADDED.
SIR PIERS SAID THE CHARGE CARD DECISION HAD GENERATED CONSIDERABLE CONTROVERSY AND CONFUSION WITHIN THE LEGAL AND FINANCIAL COMMUNITIES BOTH IN ENGLAND AND HONG KONG.
DUE TO THE UNCERTAINTY, SOME LOCAL LENDING INSTITUTIONS HAD ESTABLISHED INCONVENIENT, CIRCUITOUS AND COSTLY ARRANGEMENTS TO SECURE THEIR LOANS, HE NOTED.
"THIS IS NOT ONLY DETRIMENTAL TO THE INSTITUTIONS AND THEIR CUSTOMERS, BUT ALSO PLACES HONG KONG LENDING INSTITUTIONS AT A CONSIDERABLE DISADVANTAGE IN RELATION TO THOSE IN JURISDICTIONS WHERE THERE IS NO DOUBT AS TO THE VALIDITY OF SECURITY DEPOSITS," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THIS STATE OF UNCERTAINTY WAS HIGHLY UNSATISFACTORY, ADDING THAT BOTH THE LEGAL AND BANKING COMMUNITIES HAD BEEN CONSULTED ON THE ISSUE.
SIR PIERS SAID THEY SUPPORTED ADDRESSING THIS PROBLEM WITH A LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENT.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 1991
12
BILL TO INTRODUCE ELECTRONIC PARKING METERS AND PARKING TICKET VENDING MACHINES *****
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG TODAY (WEDNESDAY) MOVED A BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO ENABLE THE INTRODUCTION OF MODERN ELECTRONIC PARKING METERS AND AUTOMATIC PARKING TICKET VENDING MACHINES.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991, MR LEUNG SAID THE BILL ALSO SOUGHT TO EMPOWER THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT TO DETERMINE ON-STREET PARKING CHARGES WITHIN A MAXIMUM CEILING SET BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.
HE SAID THE 14,000 ON-STREET PARKING METERS CURRENTLY IN USB WERE COIN-OPERATED AND HAD LIMITATIONS FROM THE USER’S AND MANAGEMENT POINT OF VIEW.
HE SAID THE PROPOSED BILL WOULD ADDRESS THESE LIMITATIONS BY PROVIDING FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF ELECTRONIC PARKING METERS AND AUTOMATIC PARKING TICKET VENDING MACHINES.
"BOTH WILL ACCEPT STORED VALUE CARDS AND, IN THE CASE OF PARKING TICKET VENDING MACHINES, OTHER MODES OF PAYMENT IN ADDITION TO COINS, THUS PROVIDING GREATER CONVENIENCE TO MOTORISTS," HE SAID.
THE SECRETARY SAID A SERIES OF TRIALS WOULD BE CONDUCTED TO DETERMINE THE EQUIPMENT BEST SUITED FOR LOCAL NEEDS.
ON PARKING CHARGES, MR LEUNG SAID CURRENTLY, THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT REGULATED THE USE OF PARKING SPACES THROUGH A MIX OF METERS WITH VARYING FEE LEVELS AND PARKING DURATIONS, AS SPECIFIED IN THE ROAD TRAFFIC (PARKING) REGULATIONS.
"THE BILL PROVIDES LEGAL BACKING FOR THESE ARRANGEMENTS, AND GIVES THE COMMISSIONER FLEXIBILITY IN SETTING PARKING FEES SO LONG AS THESE ARE WITHIN THE MAXIMUM PRESCRIBED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL," MR LEUNG SAID.
THE SECRETARY ALSO INTRODUCED THE FIXED PENALTY (TRAFFIC CONTRAVENTIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 WHICH MADE FAILURE TO PAY FOR THE USE OF A PARKING SPACE AN OFFENCE, WHERE THE NEW ELECTRONIC PARKING METERS OR PARKING TICKET VENDING MACHINES WERE PROVIDED.
THE PROPOSED PENALTY IS A FIXED PENALTY TICKET OF $200.
- - 0-----------
/13 ........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 1991
13 BILL TO PROVIDE FOR PRIVATE MANAGEMENT OF GOVERNMENT TUNNELS ♦ » ♦ ♦ ♦
A BILL WHICH SEEKS FOR THE PROVISION OF THE PRIVATE MANAGEMENT OF GOVERNMENT TUNNELS WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF ROAD TUNNELS (GOVERNMENT) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS PRIVATISING TUNNEL MANAGEMENT IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE BETTER VALUE FOR MONEY AND TO PROVIDE GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN MEETING CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES.
MR LEUNG SAID DURING 1989-90, SOME 470 STAFF AND RECURRENT EXPENDITURE OF ABOUT $100 MILLION WERE DEDICATED TO THE RUNNING OF THE TUNNELS.
HE SAID AS A FIRST STEP, THE MANAGEMENT OF THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL WOULD BE CONTRACTED OUT SHORTLY.
A REVIEW WOULD THEN BE CONDUCTED EARLY NEXT YEAR TO SEE HOW BEST THE MANAGEMENT OF THE OTHER GOVERNMENT TUNNELS COULD BE CONTRACTED OUT.
THE SECRETARY SAID THE AMENDMENTS PROPOSED ALLOWED FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF PRIVATE OPERATORS TO MANAGE GOVERNMENT TUNNELS AND PROVIDED THEM WITH THE NECESSARY POWERS, SUCH AS TO SEIZE AND REMOVE ANY VEHICLES WHICH CAUSED OBSTRUCTION.
HE ADDED THAT TO SAFEGUARD THE PUBLIC INTEREST, THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT WOULD BE ABLE TO GIVE GENERAL DIRECTIONS TO THE OPERATOR.
MR LEUNG ALSO GAVE AN ASSURANCE THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD RETAIN CONTROL OVER THE LEVEL OF TOLLS.
---------0-----------
BILL TO CLEAR ANOMALY IN PRACTISING CERT'S VALIDITY PERIODS INTRODUCED ♦ * * » *
AN ANOMALY IN THE
OF SUPPLEMENTARY
CERTIFICATES TO END
INTO THE LEGISLATIVE
A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO REMOVE PERIODS OF PRACTISING CERTIFICATES PROFESSIONALS BY PROVIDING FOR ALL THESE SAME DATE, I.E. JUNE 30, WAS INTRODUCED
TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS (AMENDMENT) WAS MOVED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON
VALIDITY MEDICAL ON THE COUNCIL
BILL 1991 ELIZABETH
WONG.
/MOVING THE........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 1991
14
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MRS WONG SAID FOLLOWING THE ENACTMENT OF THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS (REGISTRATION AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE) REGULATIONS 1990 AND THE MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS (REGISTRATION AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE) REGULATIONS 1990, REGISTRATION OF MEMBERS OF THE TWO PROFESSIONS COMMENCED ON OCTOBER 1, LAST YEAR.
"UNDER SECTION 16(1) OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE, A PERSON REGISTERED SHALL NOT PRACTISE A PROFESSION IN HONG KONG UNLESS HE HOLDS A PRACTISING CERTIFICATE WHICH IS THEN IN FORCE.
"IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 16(3) OF THE ORDINANCE, A PERSON WHO APPLIES FOR A PRACTISING CERTIFICATE, WILL BE ISSUED WITH ONE VALID UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR," THE SECRETARY NOTED.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT SECTION 16(4) OF THE ORDINANCE, HOWEVER, STATED THAT WHERE A PRACTISING CERTIFICATE WAS ISSUED PURSUANT TO AN APPLICATION MADE DURING THE COURSE OF A YEAR IN RESPECT OF THE FOLLOWING YEAR, THE CERTIFICATE SHOULD BE IN FORCE FOR A PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS COMMENCING ON JULY 1 IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR.,
"THUS, THERE COULD BE PERIODS WITHIN THE YEAR NOT COVERED BY VALID PRACTISING CERTIFICATES, THEREBY CREATING AN ANOMALOUS SITUATION," THE SECRETARY ADDED.
SHE SAID THE BILL SOUGHT TO AMEND SECTION 16 OF THE ORDINANCE TO REMOVE THIS ANOMALY.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
--------0-----------
AMENDMENTS TO FELONIES AND MISDEMEANOURS BILL
*****
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, MOVED AMENDMENTS TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE (FELONIES AND MISDEMEANOURS) BILL 1991 DURING COMMITTEE STAGE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID THE AMENDMENTS WERE NECESSARY IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 89 OF THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE, WHICH CONCERNED THE MODE OF TRIAL OF PARTICULAR CLASSES OF OFFENCE, WOULD STILL APPLY ONCE THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN FELONIES AND MISDEMEANOURS WAS REMOVED.
IN SCHEDULE 1, AMENDMENT ITEMS (A) (1) AND (II) SIMPLY CLARIFIED THE EXISTING SECTION 89(1)(B) AND (2)(B) OF THE INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL CLAUSES ORDINANCE.
ITEM (E) WAS CONSEQUENTIAL UPON THE AMENDMENT TO SECTION 86 OF THE TRADE MARKS ORDINANCE ENACTED ON MAY 22, 1991.
ITEM (I) DEALT WITH A REFERENCE TO "FELONY" WHICH WAS OMITTED WHEN THE BILL WAS PREPARED.
------0--------
/15......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 1991
15 -
NO INDICATION OF INCREASING INVOLVEMENT OF UNDERAGED GIRLS IN PROSTITUTION ♦ ♦ ♦ » »
THE INVOLVEMENT OF GIRLS UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE IN PROSTITUTION HAS NOT BEEN INCREASING IN RECENT YEARS, BASED ON THE NUMBER OF CASES WHICH COME TO THE NOTICE OF THE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED.
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ROSANNA TAM, THE SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT HAVE AVAILABLE STATISTICS OR OTHER INFORMATION WHICH INDICATED THE FULL EXTENT OF THIS PROBLEM.
HE NOTED THAT THE NUMBER OF GIRLS UNDER THE AGE OF 16 REPORTED MISSING WHO WERE SUBSEQUENTLY FOUND BY THE POLICE IN EMPLOYMENT IN VICE ESTABLISHMENTS WERE 62 IN 1988, 27 IN 1989, 24 LAST YEAR AND FIVE SO FAR THIS YEAR.
SECONDLY, THE NUMBERS OF GIRLS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 IN RESPECT OF WHOM APPLICATIONS WERE MADE TO THE JUVENILE COURT FOR CARE AND PROTECTION ORDERS WERE 479 IN 1988, 427 IN 1989, 288 LAST YEAR AND 81 SO FAR THIS YEAR.
’’MANY, THOUGH BY NO MEANS OF ALL, OF THESE APPLICATIONS ARE MADE IN RESPECT OF GIRLS FOUND IN EMPLOYMENT IN VICE ESTABLISHMENTS,” MR ASPREY SAID.
THIRDLY, THE NUMBER OF GIRLS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 ENGAGED IN PROSTITUTION WHO HAD COME TO THE NOTICE OF THE FAMILY WELFARE SERVICES BRANCH OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAD REMAINED CONSTANT AT ABOUT 200 IN THE PAST THREE YEARS.
AS TO THE MEASURES BEING TAKEN TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM, THE SECRETARY SAID WHERE YOUNG GIRLS WERE FOUND IN EMPLOYMENT IN VICE ESTABLISHMENTS, AND RECOMMENDED BY SOCIAL WORKERS AS IN NEED OF CARE AND PROTECTION, AN APPLICATION FOR A CARE AND PROTECTION ORDER WOULD BE MADE TO THE JUVENILE COURT.
"THE COURT MAY PLACE A JUVENILE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER FOR A PERIOD NOT EXCEEDING THREE YEARS," HE SAID.
BESIDES SUPERVISION, THE SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER WOULD COUNSEL THE GIRL AND HER PARENTS, ASSIST WITH SCHOOLING AND EMPLOYMENT, AND IF NECESSARY ARRANGE FOR RESIDENTIAL CARE.
"SIMILAR ASSISTANCE MAY BE GIVEN TO GIRLS WHO COME TO THE NOTICE OF THE FAMILY WELFARE SERVICES BRANCH OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT," MR ASPREY SAID.
/HE ALSO .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 1991
16 -
"SCH00L SOCIAL WORKERS AND OTHER NON-GOVERNMENTAL SOCIAL uavdNdSATI0NS ALS0 PR0VIDB GUIDANCE AND ASSISTANCE TO YOUNG GIRLS HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN PROSTITUTION AND TO
THEIR FAMILIES,” HE ADDED.
WORK WHO
------o--------
GOOD PROGRESS ON INTRODUCTION OF UNLEADED PETROL
» « « » *
HONG KONG HAS A BETTER PERFORMANCE THAN ANY OTHER DEVELOPED COUNTRY WHICH HAS EMBARKED ON A SIMILAR EXERCISE ON THE INTRODUCTION OF UNLEADED PETROL.
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THIS IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MARTIN LEE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BARNES SAID: "THE DIFFERENTIAL DUTY RATES OF $3.72 PER LITRE FOR UNLEADED PETROL AND $4.17 PER LITRE FOR LEADED PETROL CAME INTO EFFECT ON APRIL 1 THIS YEAR AS A REVENUE-NEUTRAL MEASURE TO ENCOURAGE THE USE OF UNLEADED PETROL.
"IN SETTING THESE RATES, IT WAS ASSUMED THAT 90 PER CENT OF PETROL CONSUMED IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR WOULD BE UNLEADED.
"IF IT TURNS OUT THAT FEWER DRIVERS GO UNLEADED, THERE WILL BE SOME ADDITIONAL REVENUE, BUT THE AMOUNT WILL NOT BE SUBSTANTIAL."
MR BARNES SAID THE TWO RATES CAME INTO EFFECT JUST TWO MONTHS AGO.
"SOME OF US, INCLUDING MYSELF, HOPED FOR AN EVEN QUICKER CHANGEOVER, BUT, WITH OVER 50 PER CENT OF CONSUMERS APPARENTLY HAVING ALREADY CHANGED TO UNLEADED, WE STILL SEEM TO BE DOING VERY WELL, CERTAINLY MUCH BETTER THAN ANY OTHER DEVELOPED COUNTRY WHICH HAS EMBARKED ON A SIMILAR EXERCISE," HE SAID.
"BUT BEFORE WE BECAME TOO JUBILANT OR DESPONDENT AS THE CASE MAY BE, WE SHOULD ALLOW OURSELVES A FEW MORE MONTHS TO SEE HOW THE CONSUMPTION PATTERN SETTLES DOWN.
"SHOULD IT BE SEEN THAT IT HAS STABILISED AT A RATIO WHICH IS WORSE THAN THE PRESENT RATIO OR SEEMS UNLIKELY TO IMPROVE FURTHER, WE WILL CERTAINLY HAVE TO LOOK AT THE WHOLE MATTER INCLUDING THE DIFFERENTIAL DUTY RATES AGAIN," HE ADDED.
MR BARNES SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN STEPS TO MONITOR THE LEVAL OF BENZENE.
/"THE ENVIRONMENTAL .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 1991
17
"THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) HAS BEEN CARRYING OUT WHAT ARE KNOWN AS 'MONTHLY BENZENE IN AMBIENT AIR MEASUREMENTS’ AS PART OF THEIR AIR POLLUTION MONITORING PROGRAMME.
"THE MEASURED LEVELS AVERAGE AROUND 10 MICROGRAMMES PER CUBIC METRE, AND IS NOT A CAUSE FOR CONCERN. THIS IS, FOR EXAMPLE, ONLY ABOUT ONE-TENTH OF THE NEW YORK STATE AMBIENT AIR STANDARD," HE SAID.
MR BARNES POINTED OUT THAT BOTH UNLEADED PETROL AND LEADED PETROL CONTAINED BENZENE.
"THE OIL COMPANIES HAVE AGREED TO MAINTAIN BENZENE LEVELS IN UNLEADED PETROL AT THE SAME LEVEL AS THAT WHICH LEADED PETROL CONTAINED BEFORE THE INTRODUCTION OF UNLEADED PETROL - WHICH RANGED FROM ONE PER CENT TO THREE PER CENT.
"THE RELEVANT BRITISH STANDARD LIMIT IS FIVE PER CENT," HE SAID.
MR BARNES SAID THE OIL COMPANIES WOULD SUPPLY THE EPD REGULARLY WITH DATA ON THEIR SHIPMENTS INCLUDING THE CONTENT OF BENZENE IN UNLEADED PETROL.
"THE EPD WILL ALSO CARRY OUT SPOT CHECKS ON BENZENE LEVELS AS PART OF THEIR UNLEADED PETROL ENFORCEMENT PROGRAMME," HE ADDED.
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GOVT EXAMINES NEED FOR PARAMEDICAL SERVICES ON AMBULANCES
******
A GOVERNMENT ADVISORY GROUP HAS JUST SUBMITTED ITS RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE NEED FOR OTHER PARAMEDICAL SERVICES ON AMBULANCES, INCLUDING INTRAVENOUS INJECTION, INTUBATION AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF DRUGS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HENRIETTA IP IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THESE ARE NOW BEING CONSIDERED BY THE ADMINISTRATION," MR ASPREY SAID.
THE ADVISORY GROUP HAD BEEN APPOINTED TO EXAMINE THE DESIRABILITY AND FEASIBILITY OF EXTENDING THE RANGE OF PARAMEDIC TRAINING GIVEN TO AMBULANCEMEN.
MR ASPREY SAID FOLLOWING THE EARLIER RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ADVISORY GROUP, THE USE OF DEFIBRILLATORS ON AMBULANCES WAS INTRODUCED ON A PILOT BASIS IN JANUARY THIS YEAR.
MR ASPREY ALSO POINTED OUT THAT AMBULANCEMEN WERE CURRENTLY NOT TRAINED TO GIVE INTRAVENOUS FLUID REPLACEMENT.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 1991
- 18 -
HE SAID IN ALL CASES OF SUSPECTED INTERNAL BLEEDING, THE AMBULANCE WOULD DELIVER THE PATIENT TO THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT OF THE NEAREST HOSPITAL AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
HE ADDED THAT AMBULANCEMEN WERE ABLE TO GIVE TREATMENT SUCH MAINTAINING A FREE AIRWAY, APPLICATION OF OXYGEN RESUSCITATION CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION IF REQUIRED WHILST ON THE WAY
AS AND
TO
HOSPITAL.
, THE AMBULANCE CREW WILL ALERT THE HOSPITAL IN SO THAT THE HOSPITAL CAN MAKE THE NECESSARY READY TO TREAT THE PATIENT IMMEDIATELY UPON
"IF NECESSARY ADVANCE OF ARRIVAL ARRANGEMENTS TO BE
ARRIVAL,” MR ASPREY ADDED.
- - 0--------
EFFORTS CONTINUING FOR REPATRIATION AGREEMENT
*****
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO RESUME REPATRIATION OF THOSE VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS SCREENED OUT AS NON-REFUGEES AS SOON AS AN AGREEMENT COULD BE REACHED WITH VIETNAM TO TAKE BACK ITS CITIZENS, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR ASPREY SAID THIS WAS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION (CPA) AND NORMAL INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON POON CHI-FAI, MR ASPREY SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONTINUING ITS EFFORTS TO OBTAIN AGREEMENT ON ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE REPATRIATION OF ALL THOSE SCREENED-OUT AS NON-REFUGEES.
’’THIS, WE BELIEVE, WILL BE THE MOST EFFECTIVE MEASURE TO DISCOURAGE THE INFLUX OF MIGRANTS SEEKING RESETTLEMENT.
"WE BELIEVE THAT THE CPA REMAINS THE RIGHT APPROACH TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS,” MR ASPREY SAID, ADDING THAT IT WAS THE FAILURE TO IMPLEMENT THE CPA IN FULL WHICH HAD SO FAR PREVENTED A RESOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM.
THE SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS ABLE TO RETURN CHINESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS BECAUSE CHINA ACCEPTED THEM BACK.
"THIS IS TRUE ALSO FOR OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE REGION, WHICH ACCEPT BACK THEIR NATIONALS UNDER NORMAL INTERNATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS.
"IT IS REGRETTABLY NOT YET THE CASE WITH VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS,” HE SAID.
IN THE MEANTIME, MR ASPREY SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS COOPERATING WITH THE UNHCR AND THE VIETNAMESE AUTHORITIES ON THEIR PUBLICITY IN VIETNAM WHICH SOUGHT TO DISCOURAGE PEOPLE FROM LEAVING VIETNAM CLANDESTINELY.
/’•WHILE WE .........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 1991
19
"WHILE WE ARE SEEKING TO ACHIEVE THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CPA, WE INTEND TO ABIDE BY OUR OBLIGATION UNDER THE CPA TO GIVE TEMPORARY ASYLUM TO ASYLUM SEEKERS FROM VIETNAM.
"AT PRESENT THERE ARE NO PLANS TO CHANGE THIS POLICY," HE ADDED.
------0--------
SEVEN-HOUR LEGCO DERATE ON INFLATION ♦ » ♦ ♦ ♦
A MOTION ON INFLATION WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE MOTION, MOVED BY THE HON W.S.LAU, URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO REDUCE THE CURRENT RATE OF INFLATION. A TOTAL OF 38 LEGISLATORS SPOKE IN THE MOTION DEBATE WHICH TOOK SEVEN HOURS TO COMPLETE.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, AND THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PIERS JACOBS, SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
AN AMENDMENT MOTION MOVED BY THE HON MARTIN LEE WAS NOT CARRIED.
MEANWHILE, NINE BILLS WERE PASSED BY THE COUNCIL.
THEY WERE LOANS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL 1991, STAMP DUTY (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991, ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE (FELONIES AND MISDEMEANOURS) BILL 1991, HONG KONG WAR MEMORIAL PENSIONS BILL 1991, IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, EDUCATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE BILL 1991 AND PENSIONS (SPECIAL PROVISIONS) (VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL) BILL 1991.
FIVE OTHER BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS, AND DEBATES ON THEM WERE ADJOURNED.
THEY WERE LAW AMENDMENT AND REFORM (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991, FIXED PENALTY (TRAFFIC CONTRAVENTIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991, ROAD TUNNELS (GOVERNMENT) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 AND SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991.
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/20.........
WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 1991
- 20 -
TAXI FUEL SUPPLEMENT TO BE WITHDRAWN * » » ♦ t
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO WITHDRAW THE TEMPORARY $1 FUEL SUPPLEMENT CHARGED BY THE TERRITORY’S TAXIS FROM JUNE 2.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE DECISION WAS TAKEN FOLLOWING THE RECENT DOWNWARD REVISION OF THE PRICE OF DIESEL FUEL FROM $5.44 IN MARCH TO $4.84 EARLY THIS MONTH.
HE STRESSED THAT THE EXTRA CHARGE OF $1 PER HIRING WAS A TEMPORARY MEASURE AIMED AT RELIEVING THE IMMEDIATE IMPACT OF HIGH FUEL PRICES FOLLOWING THE GULF CRISIS.
’’WITH THE END OF THE GULF WAR, THE FUTURE MOVEMENT OF OIL PRICES IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN RELATIVELY STABLE AND IT IS THEREFORE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST THAT THE TEMPORARY FUEL SUPPLEMENT SHOULD BE REMOVED,” HE SAID.
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96 VM’S RETURN TO VIETNAM » ♦ ♦ * ♦
A GROUP OF 96 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 33 MEN, 31 WOMEN, 18 BOYS AND 14 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 54TH BATCH TO GO RACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 7,066 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY.
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YLDB REPRESENTATIVE TO RC ELECTED * » ♦ ♦ *
THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORNING ELECTED MR LAI KWOK-IU AS ITS REPRESENTATIVE TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
HE WAS THE ONLY NOMINEE IN THE ELECTION.
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WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 1991
21
THREE DB’S TO ELECT RC REPRESENTATIVES * » » » »
THREE DISTRICT BOARDS WILL ELECT THEIR REPRESENTATIVES TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AND ON FRIDAY.
REGIONAL
COUNCIL
THERE IS ONLY ONE CANDIDATE FOR KWAI TWO CANDIDATES EACH FOR NORTH AND TUEN MUN.
THE ELECTION DETAILS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
DISTRICT BOARD DATE/TIME
NORTH MAY 30/9.30 AM
KWAI TSING MAY 30/2.30 PM
TUEN MUN MAY 31/9.30 AM
TSING DISTRICT BOARD
AND
CANDIDATES
MR CHEUNG KUEN MR TANG KWOK-YUNG
MR SIN CHUNG-KAI
MR SHUNG KING-FAI MR SO SHIU-SHING
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GOVERNMENT LAND TO LET BY TENDER
******
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCIES ON TWO PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND.
THE FIRST SITE IS LOCATED AT CHUNG HAU STREET, HO MAN TIN.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 5,400 SQUARE METRES, THE SITE IS FOR FEEPAYING PARKING AREA OF VEHICLES (EXCLUDING CONTAINER VEHICLES WITH OR WITHOUT TRAILERS) CURRENTLY LICENSED UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE.
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR AND QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT, THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON WEST, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON AND THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG. •
THE OTHER SITE IS AT AREA 11, ON MUK STREET, SHA TIN. IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,095 SQUARE METRES.
THE LAND IS FOR EITHER CONCRETE BATCHING OR OPEN STORAGE OF THE TENANT’S GOODS, VEHICLES, CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT, BUT EXCLUDING STACKING OR STORAGE OF CONTAINERS.
/ON REPAIRING .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 1991
- 22 -
NO REPAIRING OR MAINTENANCE OF THE TENANT’S GOODS OR EQUIPMENT; OR LUBRICATING, WASHING, REPAIRING OR MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLES WILL BE PERMITTED.
THE TENANCY IS FOR THREE YEARS AND QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE, CONDITIONS AND TENDER PLANS ARE AVAILABLE EITHER AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, SHA TIN; 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.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS 12 NOON ON JUNE 14.
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FRESH WATER SUPPLY SUSPENSION * * * * »
SUPPLY OF FRESH WATER TO CERTAIN AREAS ON LANTAU ISLAND WILL BE TURNED OFF FROM 10 AM TO 2 PM ON FRIDAY (MAY 31) TO FACILITATE LEAKAGE TESTS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT MUI WO FERRY PIER ROAD, NGAN WAN ROAD, NGAN KWONG WAN ROAD INCLUDING NGAN WAN ESTATE AND MUI WO TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA, SOUTH LANTAU ROAD (MUI WO SECTION), CHUNG HAU, LUK TEI TONG, TAI TEI TONG, TSOI YUEN TSUEN, MUI WO KAU TSUEN, TUNG WAN TAU, WANG TONG, TAI WAI YUEN, TSENG TAU SAN TSUEN, PAK NGAN HEUNG, LUNG MEI TSUEN, LUNG MEI HANG, WO TIN, SHAP LONG KAU TSUEN, SHAP LONG SAN TSUEN, SHAP LONG CHUNG HAU, CHI MA WAN ROAD INCLUDING CHI MA WAN PRISON; AND HEI LING CHAU.
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEF
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 28.5.91 380
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 29.5.91 -30
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING +3°
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 112.8 *-0.1* 29.5.91
/HONG KONG .......
WEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 1991
- 23
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
HKEI
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
QI 15 10.7.91 370 + 110
QI 16 17.7.91 370 + 110
Q117 24.7.91 478.5 + 1.5
QI 18 31.7.91 480 + 0
Q119 Q120 Q121 Q122 7.8.91 14.8.91 21.8.91 28.8.91 408.5 400 435 400 + 71.5 + 80 + 45 + 80
QUO QI 11 QI 12 5.6.91 12.6.91 19.6.91 140 384 365 + 340 + 96 + 115
QI 13 26.6.91 445 + 35
Q114 3.7.91 560 -80
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEJ
182-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
H164 13.11.91 170 + 90
H165 27.11.91 200 + 60
H004 12.6.91 120 + 140
H005 26.6.91 220 + 40
H101 10.7.91 53 + 207
H156 H157 24.7.91 7.8.91 190 159.5 + 70 +100.5
H158 21.8.91 200 +60
Hl 59 4.9.91 150 + 110
H160 18.9.91 380 -120
H161 2.10.91 150 + 110
H162 17.10.91 134 + 126
H163 30.10.91 120 + 140
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEK
364-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
Y187 26.2.92 260 + 0
Y188 25.3.92 180 + 80
Y1 89 22.4.92 200 + 60
Y190 20.5.92 220 + 40
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 24.5.91 WAS 3,588 MN
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, MAY 30, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR VISITS TRADE DEPT ............................................. 1
CHALLENGES FACING ASIAN NIE'S .......................................... 1
CONSULTATIONS WITH THE U.S. ON VM PROBLEM .............................. 4
1990 SURVEY OF WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 4
1989 SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS .......... 6
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............. 8
NATURE EDUCATION CENTRE SET TO OPEN ON JUNE 8 .......................... 9
DEADLINE FOR APPLYING FOR LICENCES UNDER WPCO .......................... 12
REMINDER ON DUTY FREE CONCESSIONS ...................................... 13
WORKING PARTY ON KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION FORMED ......................... 14
AIDS PREVENTION EXHIBITION IN SHA TIN .................................. 15
TOO DB'S ELECT REPRESENTATIVES TO RC ................................... 16
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN TAI PO TO BE CLOSED ..................... 16
FRESH WATER CUT IN KWAI CHUNG........................................... 16
THURSDAY, MAY 30, 1991
GOVERNOR VISITS TRADE DEPT
*****
THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON VISITED THE TRADE DEPARTMENT AT ITS NEW HEADQUARTERS IN MONG KOK.
HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR JOSEPH W.P. WONG, AND THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE (DESIGNATE), MR DONALD TSANG.
SIR DAVID WAS BRIEFED ON THE DEPARTMENT’S ORGANISATION AND ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING A NUMBER OF MAJOR ISSUES WHICH WILL BE KEEPING THE DEPARTMENT BUSY IN THE MONTHS AHEAD.
THESE ISSUES INCLUDE IN PARTICULAR, HONG KONG’S PARTICIPATION IN THE URUGUAY ROUND OF MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS, EXTENSION OF THE MULTIFIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA), AND CONSIDERATION IN THE UNITED STATES OF CONTINUED MOST FAVOURED NATION (MFN) STATUS FOR CHINA.
SIR DAVID VISITED THE DEPARTMENT’S LICENSING AND CONTROL OFFICES WHICH ISSUED OVER FIVE MILLION IMPORT AND EXPORT LICENCES AND CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN LAST FINANCIAL YEAR.
HE WAS TOLD THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAS INVESTED OVER $29 MILLION IN COMPUTERISING ITS OPERATIONS AND IS INVOLVED IN PLANS FOR AN ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE (EDI) FOR TRADE DOCUMENTS.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO MET A CROSS-SECTION OF OFFICERS WORKING IN THE DEPARTMENT.
"TRADE IS VITAL TO HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY," SIR DAVID SAID.
"IT IS ENCOURAGING TO SER THE TRADE DEPARTMENT SO ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT HONG KONG’S ROLE AS AN IMPORTANT TRADING ENTITY.
"ALSO TO KNOW ABOUT THE WAYS IN WHICH THEY ARE DETERMINED TO MAINTAIN A CONTROL SYSTEM WHICH IS RESPECTED BY OUR BUSINESSMEN HERE AND BY TRADING PARTNERS ABROAD."
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CHALLENGES FACING ASIAN NIE’S ♦ * * * *
THE ASIAN NEWLY INDUSTRIALISED ECONOMIES (NIE’S) HAVE TO FACE KEEN COMPETITION FROM OTHER FAST-GROWING ECONOMIES IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION, SUCH AS THAILAND AND MALAYSIA, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY (DESIGNATE), MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
DELIVERING A KEYNOTE SPEECH AT A SYMPOSIUM ON ASIAN NEWLY INDUSTRIALISED ECONOMIES, MR MACLEOD SAID THESE ECONOMIES WERE ENDOWED WITH A RELATIVELY ABUNDANT SUPPLY OF NATURAL RESOURCES.
/•'THUS THE
THURSDAY, MAY 30, 1991
- 2
’’THUS THE ASIAN NIE’S NEED TO CONTINUALLY STRIVE TO MAINTAIN THEIR EXPORT GROWTH AND TO ATTRACT INVESTMENTS - TO KEEP THEIR COMPETITIVE EDGE,” MR MACLEOD SAID.
’’DOMESTIC CHALLENGES ARE ALSO OF CONCERN TO THE ASIAN NIE’S. FOR EXAMPLE, RISING INFLATION AND LABOUR SHORTAGE ARE TWO COMMON PROBLEMS THAT, UNLESS KEPT WITHIN REASONABLE BOUNDS, WILL AFFECT THEIR ROLE IN THE WORLD ECONOMY AND THREATEN THEIR LONG-TERM COMPETITIVENESS,” HE NOTED.
ON HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, HE SAID HONG KONG WAS PARTICULARLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO EXTERNAL INFLUENCES.
HE CITED AS EXAMPLE THE POSSIBILITY OF LOSS OF CHINA’S MOST FAVOURED NATION STATUS IN THE USA, AND THE ADVERSE EFFECT ON HONG KONG IF THIS HAPPENED.
’’SOMETIMES EXTERNAL FACTORS ARE OPPORTUNITIES UPON WHICH WE CAN BUILD OUR ECONOMY; AT OTHER TIMES, THEY ARE CHALLENGES THAT THREATENED OUR COMPETITIVENESS.
"OUR ECONOMY’S DEPENDENCE ON EXTERNAL TRADE WILL CONTINUE FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE, HENCE EXTERNAL INFLUENCES, WHETHER PERCEIVED AS OPPORTUNITIES OR CHALLENGES, WILL CONTINUE TO BE MAJOR INFLUENCES ON HONG KONG,” MR MACLEOD SAID.
TO COMBAT PROTECTIONISM, TO MAINTAIN THE LONG-TERM COMPETITIVENESS OF HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND TO PROMOTE OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG ARE THE THREE MAJOR TASKS THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS TACKLING, HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG’S PRIMARY OBJECTIVE WAS TO SECURE AND MAINTAIN MAXIMUM MARKET ACCESS FOR ITS EXPORTS, ADDING THAT HONG KONG HAD BEEN ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN KEY GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (THE GATT) NEGOTIATING GROUPS DURING THE URUGUAY ROUND OF TRADE TALKS.
’’SINCE THE RESUMPTION OF THE TALKS EARLY THIS YEAR, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING HARD IN THE HOPE THAT THE TEXTILE TRADE CAN BE INCORPORATED INTO THE TERMS OF THE GATT, THUS ULTIMATELY REPLACING THE EXISTING MULTI-FIBRE AGREEMENT.
”WE ARE ALSO INCREASINGLY AWARE THAT ANTI-DUMPING CHARGES CAN BE TURNED INTO A PROTECTION I ST TOOL. TO AVOID THIS, WE ARE EAGER TO SEE THE PROVISIONS OF THE GATT ANTI-DUMPING CODE BEING TIGHTENED UP AND IMPROVED.
ON MAINTAINING THE LONG-TERM COMPETITIVENESS OF HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING SECTOR, MR MACLEOD SAID OUTWARD PROCESSING ACTIVITIES HAD RESULTED IN A STEADY TECHNOLOGICAL UPGRADING OF HONG KONG’S MANUFCTURING BASE LOCALLY, WHICH WAS ESSENTIAL TO THE COMPETITIVENESS OF HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IN THE LONG RUN.
’’TO FACILITATE THIS PROCESS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS SET UP A HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY CENTRE COMPANY TO ESTABLISH A TECHNOLOGY CENTRE IN 1993.
/"THIS TECHNOLOGY .......
THURSDAY, MAY 30, 1991
3
"THIS TECHNOLOGY CENTRE WILL AIM AT PROMOTING TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS WHICH IN TURN FACILITATE THE COMMERCIAL APPLICATION OF NEW IDEAS.
"VARIOUS INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS WILL ALSO HAVE THEIR TECHNOLOGICAL SUPPORT SERVICES STRENGTHENED," HE SAID.
APART FROM TECHNOLOGICAL UPGRADING, IT WAS ALSO NECESSARY TO ENCOURAGE THE PRODUCTION OF HIGHER-VALUE-ADDED GOODS.
"THE GOVERNMENT HELPS BY PROVIDING SUPPORT SERVICES. FOR EXAMPLE, THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL IS TASKED WITH PROMOTING THE INCREASE OF PRODUCTIVITY IN INDUSTRY.
"OUR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS ARE ACTIVE IN SETTING UP CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE WHICH WILL HELP TO STRENGTHEN SUPPORT TO INDUSTRY, SUCH AS THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF BIOTECHNOLOGY AND THE CENTRE OF COMPUTING SERVICES AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS," HE SAID.
IN THE AREA OF QUALITY IMPROVEMENT, THE HONG KONG LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME SERVED TO UPGRADE STANDARDS IN LABORATORY MANAGEMENT.
"THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT IS CURRENTLY RUNNING A QUALITY PROMOTION DRIVE TO INCREASE THE AWARENESS OF OUR MANUFACTURERS.
"THE HONG KONG QUALITY ASSURANCE AGENCY HAS ALSO BEEN SET UP TO IMPLEMENT A QUALITY MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATION SCHEME IN WHICH CERTIFICATES WILL BE AWARDED TO COMPANIES WITH THEIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS CONFORMING WITH THE INTERNATIONAL CRITERIA ISO 9000," HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE PROMOTION OF OVERSEAS INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG, MR MACLEOD POINTED OUT THAT THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPLEMENTING AN INVESTMENT PROMOTION PROGRAMME AIMED AT ATTRACTING USEFUL NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND MANAGEMENT SKILLS INTO HONG KONG.
"THE GOVERNMENT HAS ESTABLISHED A NETWORK OF FIVE OVERSEAS INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION UNITS IN BRUSSELS, LONDON, NEW YORK, SAN FRANCISCO AND TOKYO, SUPPORTED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT’S 'ONE STOP UNIT’ IN HONG KONG.
"STAFF OF THESE UNITS VIGOROUSLY PROMOTE HONG KONG’S ATTRACTIONS AS A MANUFACTURING BASE TO POTENTIAL OVERSEAS INVESTORS, AND HELP THEM TO LOCATE IN THE TERRITORY.
"WE ARE NOW STRENGTHENING CO-ORDINATION AMONG THE OVERSEAS UNITS BY CREATING REGIONAL DIRECTORS FOR EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA.
"WE ARE ALSO USING RESOURCES MORE EFFICIENTLY BY CONCENTRATING PROMOTION EFFORTS, INCLUDING A CLOSELY-TARGETTED CAMPAIGN, ON CERTAIN KEY INDUSTRIES AND COMPANIES WHICH WE THINK CAN MAKE A PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO OUR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT," HE SAID.
/4 ........
THURSDAY, MAY 30, 1991
4
CONSULTATIONS WITH THE U.S. ON VM PROBLEM
*****
CONSULTATIONS WILL TAKE PLACE ON JUNE 3 AND 4 BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM/HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS AND THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT ON THE PROBLEM OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE CONSULTATIONS WILL TAKE PLACE IN WASHINGTON. THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, AND THE REFUGEE CO-ORDINATOR, MR CLINTON LEEKS, WILL ATTEND ON BEHALF OF HONG KONG.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THESE TALKS FOLLOWED DIRECTLY FROM THE RECENT MEETING OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INDO-CHINESE REFUGEES.
AT ITS FOURTH MEETING IN GENEVA ON APRIL 30 - MAY 1, THE STEERING COMMITTEE DECIDED THAT FOLLOWING EARLY CONSULTATIONS A SUB-COMMITTEE SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED TO EXPLORE ALTERNATIVES AND ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO ENCOURAGE GREATLY ACCELERATED RATES OF RETURN OF NON-REFUGEES TO VIETNAM.
THE UPCOMING CONSULTATIONS IN WASHINGTON WERE AN IMPORTANT STAGE IN THAT PROCESS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
----0------
1990 SURVEY OF WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS
********
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE SURVEY OF WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS FOR 1990 HAS JUST COMMENCED.
THE SURVEY IS CONDUCTED ANNUALLY AND REPRESENTS PART OF THE DEPARTMENT’S CONTINUOUS PROGRAMME TO COMPILE STATISTICS ON THE STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE OF VARIOUS ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG.
THE AIMS OF THE SURVEY ARE TO OBTAIN UP-TO-DATE DATA FOR EVALUATING THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE VARIOUS ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES TO HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, AND FOR ASCERTAINING THEIR COST STRUCTURE, OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS AND SALES LEVELS.
RESULTS OF THE SURVEY ARE USEFUL TO BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN FORMULATING POLICIES AND MAKING DECISIONS.
ABOUT 8,500 ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE ENUMERATED IN THE PRESENT ROUND OF THE SURVEY, COVERING THE FOLLOWING ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES : WHOLESALE; RETAIL; IMPORTS AND EXPORTS; RESTAURANTS; HOTELS AND BOARDING HOUSES.
/INFORMATION SOUGHT .......
THURSDAY, MAY 30, 1991
5
INFORMATION SOUGHT IN THE SURVEY INCLUDES : TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, FLOOR AREA, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES (THAT IS WAGES, SALARIES AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFITS), OPERATING EXPENSES, TOTAL VALUE OF PURCHASES OF GOODS FOR SALE, SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS, AS WELL AS CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND STOCKS.
THE SURVEY IS BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS (ANNUAL SURVEY OF WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS) ORDER 1984, WHICH WAS MADE UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 316) AND ISSUED AS LEGAL NOTICE NO. 16 IN THE GAZETTE ON JANUARY 13, 1984.
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES HAVE BEEN MAILED TO THE ESTABLISHMENTS SAMPLED FOR THE SURVEY.
THESE ESTABLISHMENTS ARE LEGALLY REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THE QUESTIONNAIRES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT BY JULY 31 THIS YEAR.
IF REQUIRED, OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT WILL VISIT INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS AND ASSIST THEM IN COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRES.
THESE OFFICERS WILL CARRY A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD AND A CERTIFICATE FOR CONDUCTING THE SURVEY WHILST ON DUTY, WHICH ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS APPEALED TO THE MANAGEMENTS OF ALL SAMPLED ESTABLISHMENTS TO RETURN THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES PROMPTLY AND TO CO-OPERATE WITH OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT IN THE COURSE OF THE SURVEY, SO AS TO FULFIL THEIR LEGAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.
HE STRESSED THAT INFORMATION RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WOULD BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE UNDER THE PROVISION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE.
ONLY AGGREGATE INFORMATION, WHICH DOES NOT REVEAL DETAILS OF INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS, WILL BE RELEASED.
THE COMMISSIONER ALSO POINTED OUT THAT AUDITED ACCOUNTS ARE NOT ESSENTIAL FOR THE SUPPLY OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE DATA REQUIRED IN THE SURVEY.
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ACCEPTS FIGURES BASED ON PRELIMINARY ACCOUNTS OR ESTIMATES WHICH ARE CORRECT TO THE BEST OF THE RESPONDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE AT THE TIME OF SUBMISSION OF THE RETURNS, IF AUDITED ACCOUNTS ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE.
ANY ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 802 1248.
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/6 ........
THURSDAY, MAY 30, 1991
- 6 -
1989 SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS
*****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) RELEASED THE RESULTS OF THE 1989 SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS WHICH WAS CONDUCTED FROM APRIL 1990 TO EARLY 1991.
THE SURVEY RESULTS INDICATED THAT 12,023 CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENTS HAD OPERATED IN 1989.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY THESE ESTABLISHMENTS DURING 1989 AMOUNTED TO $86,007 MILLION, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 24% OVER 1988.
ALL VALUE FIGURES IN THIS PRESS RELEASE ARE EXPRESSED IN CURRENT PRICE TERMS. THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES DERIVED FROM THESE FIGURES HAVE NOT BEEN ADJUSTED FOR COST INCREASES. CAUTION SHOULD THEREFORE BE TAKEN IN INTERPRETING THE SURVEY RESULTS BECAUSE UNIT CONSTRUCTION COST HAS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN 1989 OVER 1988.
IN 1989, THE TOTAL EXPENDITURE INCURRED BY THE CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENTS WAS $83,131 MILLION. THIS INCLUDED $20,306 MILLION ON COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES AND PAYMENTS TO LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS; $22,379 MILLION ON CONSUMPTION OF MATERIALS, SUPPLIES, AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES; $35,100 MILLION ON PAYMENTS FOR SUB-CONTRACT WORK RENDERED BY FEE SUB-CONTRACTORS; AND $5,347 MILLION ON MISCELLANEOUS OPERATING EXPENSES.
THE TOTAL VALUE ADDED OF THESE ESTABLISHMENTS, WHICH IS A MEASURE OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY’S CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, AMOUNTED TO $24,945 MILLION IN 1989. THIS REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 25% OVER 1988.
SOME 39% OF THE CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENTS WERE ENGAGED IN RENOVATION AND MAINTENANCE OF ERECTED BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES. HOWEVER, THEY ACCOUNTED FOR ONLY 11% OF THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE GENERAL TRADE CONTRACTORS OPERATING AT CONSTRUCTION SITES REPRESENTED ABOUT 7% OF THE NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS, BUT ACCOUNTED FOR $55,787 MILLION OR 65% OF THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED.
THE REST OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY CONSISTED MOSTLY OF SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS, SUCH AS CONTRACTORS SPECIALISING IN ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL FITTINGS, WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 24% OF THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED.
THE SURVEY DID NOT COVER LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS WHO MAINLY SUPPLIED LABOUR TO WORK ON A JOB-TO-JOB BASIS. HOWEVER, THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY THESE SUB-CONTRACTORS WAS ALREADY INCLUDED IN THAT OF CONTRACTORS COMMISSIONING THEIR SERVICES.
/APART FROM .......
THURSDAY, MAY 30, 1991
7
APART FROM CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENTS, THE SURVEY ALSO ENUMERATED ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED IN THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES: REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT, LEASING, BROKERAGE AND MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT SERVICES; AND ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING AND PROJECT ENGINEERING SERVICES.
ACCORDING TO THE SURVEY RESULTS, 5,522 ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED IN REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT, LEASING, BROKERAGE AND MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT SERVICES HAD OPERATED DURING 1989.
THEIR GROSS OUTPUT IN 1989 WAS $45,486 MILLION WHICH INCLUDED $21,830 MILLION FROM SERVICE AND RENTAL INCOME, $23,028 MILLION FROM GROSS MARGIN OF REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS (EXCLUDING LAND PRICE APPRECIATION) AND $628 MILLION FROM OTHER INCOME.
THEIR TOTAL EXPENDITURE WAS $13,033 MILLION.
AT $39,869 MILLION, THE TOTAL VALUE ADDED OF THESE ESTABLISHMENTS WAS 24% MORE THAN THAT IN 1988.
THESE FIGURES DID NOT INCLUDE ESTABLISHMENTS THAT DEVELOPED REAL ESTATE PROJECTS FOR THEIR OWN OCCUPATION OR THOSE THAT OWNED LAND WITHOUT DEVELOPING IT DURING THE REFERENCE YEAR. ALSO EXCLUDED WERE REAL ESTATE LEASING AND OTHER ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN BY SELF-EMPLOYED PERSONS OR HOUSEHOLDS.
FOR ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED IN ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING AND PROJECT ENGINEERING SERVICES, THE SURVEY RESULTS INDICATED THAT 738 SUCH ESTABLISHMENTS HAD OPERATED IN 1989.
THEIR TOTAL BUSINESS RECEIPTS STOOD AT $4,195 MILLION, WHILE THEIR TOTAL EXPENDITURE WAS $3,457 MILLION OF WHICH $1,946 MILLION WAS ON COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES.
THE TOTAL VALUE ADDED OF THESE ESTABLISHMENTS WAS $2,689 MILLION, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 23% OVER 1988.
FOR REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, THE VALUE ACCRUED TO PRIVATE SECTOR PROJECTS DURING 1989 WAS $45,498 MILLION, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 16% OVER THE CORRESPONDING VALUE IN 1988.
THE TOTAL PROJECT OUTLAYS AMOUNTED TO $26,539 MILLION WHICH INCLUDED, FOR INSTANCE, PAYMENTS TO CONTRACTORS AND INTEREST PAYMENTS.
SUMMARY STATISTICS FOR THE 1989 SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE APRIL 1991 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
MORE DETAILED RESULTS WILL BE GIVEN IN A FULL SURVEY REPORT TO BE PUBLISHED AROUND JULY 1991.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING THESE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. 839 3204).
------0-------
/8.........
THURSDAY, MAY 30, 1991
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEF
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 29.5.91 380
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 30.5.91 -75
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING +75
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 113.0 *+0.2* 30.5.91
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEI
91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
QI 15 10.7.91 390 + 90
Q116 17.7.91 370 + 110
QI 17 24.7.91 498.5 -18.5
Q118 31.7.91 470 + 10
Q119 7.8.91 408.5 + 71.5
Q120 14.8.91 390 + 90
Q121 21.8.91 435 + 45
Q122 28.8.91 410 + 70
QUO 5.6.91 100 + 380
Q1 11 12.6.91 434 + 46
Q112 19.6.91 375 + 105
Q113 26.6.91 480 + 0
Q114 3.7.91 567 -87
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEJ
182-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
H164 13.11.91 170 + 90
H165 27.11.91 200 + 60
H004 12.6.91 120 + 140
H005 26.6.91 220 + 40
H101 10.7.91 53 + 207
H156 24.7.91 170 + 90
H157 7.8.91 159.5 +100.5
H158 21.8.91 200 + 60
H159 4.9.91 100 + 160
H16O 18.9.91 390 -130
H161 2.10.91 170 + 90
H162 17.10.91 134 + 126
H163 30.10.91 120 + 140
THURSDAY, MAY 30, 1991
9
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND HKEK
364-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS
ISSUE MATURING OUTSTANDING
NUMBER ON $ MILLION
Y187 26.2.92 260 + 0
Y188 25.3.92 180 + 80
Y189 22.4.92 200 + 60
Y190 20.5.92 240 + 20
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 24.5.91 WAS 3,588 MN
--------0-----------
NATURE EDUCATION CENTRE SET TO OPEN ON JUNE 8 ******
NATURE LOVERS, PLANT ENTHUSIASTS, STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WISHING TO SPEND A DAY IN THE COUNTRYSIDE WILL FIND A NEW HAVEN IN THE LIONS NATURE EDUCATION CENTRE SET TO OPEN ON JUNE 8.
THE CENTRE, SITUATED ON A 16.5-HECTARE SITE IN TSIU HANG, SAI KUNG, IS THE BRAINCHILD OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD) AND IS SPONSORED BY THE LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL, DISTRICT 303, HONG KONG AND MACAU.
A FOUNDATION WAS SET UP BY THE LIONS CLUBS LAST YEAR FOR THE CENTRE AND SO FAR $11 MILLION HAS BEEN RAISED.
PHASE I OF THE PROJECT, WHICH WILL BE OPEN TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HEXT SATURDAY, COSTS $8 MILLION.
PHASE I FEATURES EXHIBITION HALLS ON HONG KONG’S AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND COUNTRYSIDE RESOURCES AS WELL AS AN ARBORETUM, ORCHARDS, FIELD CROPS, A CHINESE HERBAL GARDEN, AND A ROCK AND MINERAL CORNER.
"WORK TO DECORATE THE EXHIBITION HALLS IS GOING AHEAD IN FULL STEAM AND WE ARE ADDING THE FINAL TOUCH TO THE OUTDOOR DISPLAYS SUCH AS PUTTING UP SIGNBOARDS AND FRUIT TREE LABELS,” THE CO-ORDINATOR OF THE PROJECT, AFD’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (CONSERVATION AND COUNTRY PARKS), MR FRANK LAU, SAID.
HE BELIEVED THAT STATIC DISPLAYS AND LIVE SPECIMENS IN THE CENTRE WOULD HELP VISITORS UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE THE LOCAL WILDLIFE, VEGETATION, NATURAL RESOURCES, RURAL HERITAGE AND THE EVOLUTION OF THE PRIMARY INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG.
"IT IS HOPED THAT VISITORS WILL THEN BE PROMPTED TO SHOW A MORE POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION," HE ADDED.
/MR LAU ........
THURSDAY, MAY 30, 1991
- 10 -
MR LAU PAVES A RUN-DOWN OF DISPLAYS IN THE CENTRE AS FOLLOWS:
EXHIBITION HALLS
AGRICULTURE HALL
DISPLAYS IN THIS HALL TRACE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CROP FARMING AND LIVESTOCK INDUSTRIES SINCE THE 1950’S AND EVEN POINT OUT THE WAY FORWARD -- INTEGRATED FARMING.
HERE, VISITORS WILL COME TO UNDERSTAND WHY FARMERS GAVE UP RICE CULTIVATION AND SWITCHED TO GROWING VEGETABLES INSTEAD.
THEY WILL ALSO LEARN WHY EVEN THOUGH ARABLE LAND IS GETTING SCARCE, THE PRODUCTIVITY OF VEGETABLE FARMERS HAS GROWN BY 55 PER CENT OVER THE PAST TWO DECADES.
AMONG THE ATTRACTIONS IN THIS HALL WILL BE THE REPLICAS OF A MODERN CHICKEN SHED AND A PIG STY TO DEMONSTRATE THE LATEST CHICKEN REARING AND PIG-ON-LITTER RAISING TECHNIQUE RESPECTIVELY.
VISITORS WILL ALSO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTION OF FARMERS TO LOCAL FOOD SUPPLY. IN ADDITION, COMMON CHICKEN AND PIG BREEDS USED IN THE TERRITORY AS WELL AS VEGETABLE VARIETIES GROWN HERE WILL BE FEATURED.
FISHERIES HALL
THE THEME OF THIS EXHIBITION CAN BE BROADLY CLASSIFIED INTO TWO SECTIONS : DEVELOPMENT OF THE LOCAL FISHING INDUSTRY AND HONG KONG’S AQUATIC HERITAGE.
VISITORS WILL BE ABLE TO SEE HOW THE FISHING FLEET EVOLVES FROM THE WIND-DRIVEN FISHING JUNK OF THE OLD DAYS TO STEEL HULL VESSELS.
APART FROM THE VARIOUS FISHING METHODS, VISITORS WILL GAIN INSIGHT INTO HONG KONG’S FISHERIES RESOURCES.
THEY WILL ALSO SEE HOW, DESPITE THE DECREASING FISHERMEN POPULATION, FISHERIES PRODUCTION INCREASED STEADILY, CONTRIBUTING TO 60 PER CENT OF THE MARINE FISH CONSUMED HERE.
ALSO ON DISPLAY ARE SECTIONS ON SUCH INTERESTING AQUATIC LIVES AS DOLPHINS, SEA TURTLES, CORALS AND DANGEROUS MARINE ORGANISMS SUCH AS SHARKS, MORAY EELS, SEA SNAKES AND JELLY FISH.
OTHER INTERESTING TOPICS SUCH AS THE ECO-SYSTEM, TROPHIC LEVELS, FOOD WEB, ZONATION AND ADAPTIVE RADIATION ARE ALSO FEATURED.
/COUNTRYSIDE HALL .......
THURSDAY, MAY 30, 1991
- 11 -
COUNTRYSIDE HALL
THE DISPLAY HERE ELABORATES ON INTERESTING NATURAL HABITATS SUCH AS MANGROVES AND THE "FUNG SHUI" WOODS.
IT ALSO OUTLINES HONG KONG’S AFFORESTATION EFFORTS OVER THE PAST FEW DECADES, THE IMPORTANCE OF TREES AND THE BEAUTIFUL SCENERY AND FACILITIES IN HONG KONG’S COUNTRY PARKS.
THESE DISPLAYS, COUPLED WITH THE SECTION ON ENDANGERED SPECIES, ALL HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF COUNTRYSIDE AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION.
OUTDOOR DISPLAYS
ORCHARDS
THE MOST ATTRACTIVE IS THE SPECIMEN ORCHARD WHERE MOST OF THE MAJOR SPECIES OF FRUIT TREES IN SOUTH CHINA ARE COLLECTED.
VISITORS WHO COME TO THE CENTRE IN THE RIGHT SEASON WILL BE ABLE TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES HOW THE TREES FLOWER AND BEAR FRUIT.
BESIDES, VISITORS WILL FIND INTERESTING FRUIT TREE SPECIES IN THE CITROUS ORCHARD, THE LYCHEE ORCHARD AND BANANA GROVES.
ARBORETUM
THE ARBORETUM HAS A COLLECTION OF OVER 70 SPECIES OF TREES AND SHRUBS, OF WHICH 38 SPECIES WERE PLANTS FIRST DISCOVERED IN HONG KONG.
ECONOMIC CROPS' FIELD
IN THIS FIELD, SEASONAL LEAFY VEGETABLES, BEAN CROPS AND FRUIT CROPS ARE GROWN. IN PARTICULAR, A CORNER IS SET ASIDE FOR DEMONSTRATING 37 SPECIES OF ECONOMIC CROPS WHICH FEW MAY KNOW WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE IN THE FIELD EVEN THOUGH THE PRODUCE IS EXTREMELY COMMON.
SOME EXAMPLES ARE RICE, WATER CHESTNUT, YAM, PEANUT AND WAX GOURD.
CHINESE HERBAL GARDEN
IN THIS GARDEN, OVER 100 SPECIES OF CHINESE MEDICAL HERBS ARE GROWN. THEY ARE CLASSIFIED INTO 17 TYPES ACCORDING TO THEIR THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES.
/ROCK AND .......
THURSDAY, MAY 30, 1991
12
ROCK AND MINERAL CORNER
ROCK SAMPLES DISPLAYED HERE ARE MAINLY OF IGNEOUS AND VOLCANIC ORIGIN. METAMORPHIC ROCKS SUCH AS MARBLES ARE ALSO FEATURED HERE.
SUMMING UP, MR LAU SAID HE HOPED THE CENTRE IS BUT THE FIRST STOP IN VISITORS’ EXPEDITION IN NATURE EDUCATION.
"THAT IS WHY WE POINT OUT TO VISITORS SOME 50 PLACES WHERE THEY SHOULD FURTHER EXPLORE IF THEY ARE INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT NATURE.
"FOR INSTANCES, BIRD LOVERS ARE REFERRED TO THE MAI PO MARSHES WHILE BOTANY ENTHUSIASTS TO THE SHING MUN ARBORETUM. THOSE WHO HAVE A SPECIAL TASTE FOR MARINE LIFE MUST NOT MISS OCEAN PARK.”
FINALLY, HE DISCLOSED THAT FACILITIES PLANNED UNDER PHASE II INCLUDE AN INSECTAR1UM AND A CAFETERIA.
------0--------
DEADLINE FOR APPLYING FOR LICENCES UNDER WPCO ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED THAT TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IS THE DEADLINE FOR APPLYING FOR LICENCES UNDER THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE FOR EFFLUENT DISCHARGES IN THE DEEP BAY AND MIRS BAY WATER CONTROL ZONES.
THE MAJOR AREAS WITHIN THE DEEP BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE INCLUDE PING CHE, FANLING AND SHEUNG SHUI NEW TOWN, KWU TUNG, SAN TIN, PAT HEUNG, KAM TIN, SHEK KONG, YUEN LONG, TIN SHUI WAI, LAU FAU SHAN, HUNG SHUI KIU AND TONG YAN SAN TSUEN.
THE MAJOR AREAS WITHIN THE MIRS BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE INCLUDE SHA TAU KOK, LUK KENG, PING CHAU, KAT O, TAP MUN, KO LAU WAN, TAI LONG WAN, LONG KE, THE SOUTHERN TTP OF CLEARWATER BAY PENINSULA AND PART OF TUNG LUNG CHAU.
AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) SPOKESMAN SAID THAT OWNERS OR OCCUPIERS OF THE INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL AND ALL OTHER TYPES OF PREMISES WITHIN THE DEEP BAY AND MIRS BAY WATER CONTROL ZONES WITH EXISTING EFFLUENT DISCHARGES SHOULD APPLY FOR A LICENCE BY TOMORROW.
DOMESTIC EFFLUENTS DISCHARGING DIRECT INTO PUBLIC FOUL SEWERS AND DISCHARGE OF UNPOLLUTED WATER ARE HOWEVER NOT UNDER CONTROL.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR LICENCES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE EPD OFFICES AND THE DISTRICT OFFICES IN SAI KUNG, TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG, NORTH AND TAI PO.
ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE MADE TO EPD ON TEL. NO. 650 730.3.
---------0 - -
/13 .......
THURSDAY, MAY 30, 1991
- 13 -
REMINDER ON DUTY FREE CONCESSIONS ******
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT HAS REMINDED ALL TRAVELLERS THAT WITH EFFECT FROM SATURDAY (JUNE 1) DUTY FREE CONCESSIONS FOR TRAVELLERS WILL ONLY BE GRANTED TO VISITORS, OR RETURNING LOCAL RESIDENTS, WHO HAVE SPENT AT LEAST 24 HOURS OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THE NEW MEASURE WAS AIMED AT PREVENTING TRAVELLERS, WHO MAKE MULTIPLE TRIPS THROUGH BORDER CONTROL POINTS IN A SINGLE DAY FROM BRINGING IN CONCESSIONARY CIGARETTES.
THE MAXIMUM DUTY FREE QUANTITIES FOR VISITORS AND LOCAL RESIDENTS WERE AS FOLLOWS:
VISITOR MAXIMUM QUANTITIES
LIQUOR
TOBACCO
PERFUME
Tol I,I r WATER
OTHER ITEMS
- ONE LITRE OF WINE OR SPIRITS
- 200 CIGARETTES OR 50 (’I GARS OR 250 GRAMS OP SMOKERS’ TOBACCO
- 60 Ml LI. I I I TRES
- 250 M I I I I I I TIM'S
- REASONABLE QUANTITIES
LOCAL RI'S I DEN I-
MAX I MUM QUANTITIES
LIQUOR
TOBACCO
PERFUMI'
TOILET WATER
- ONE LITRE OF STILL WINE
10(1 CIGARETTES OR 25 CIGARS OR
125 GRAMS OF SMOKERS’ TOBACCO
- 60 MILL I LITRES
- 250 MILLILITRES
OTHER ITEMS
- REASONABLE QUANTITIES
’DUTIABLE GOODS OF THE ABOVE QUANTITIES IMPORTED BY TRAVELLERS FOR THEIR OWN USE AND IN THEIR BAGGAGE WILL BE EXEMPT FROM DUTY,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’TRAVELLERS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE DO NOT QUALIFY FOR DUTY FREE LIQUOR AND TOBACCO,” HE ADDED.
/BETWEEN MARCH .......
THURSDAY, MAY 30, 1991
14
BETWEEN MARCH 7 AND MAY 29, 388 PERSONS HAD BEEN AR STEP FOR POSSESSION OF DUTIABLE GOODS ON WHICH THE DUTY HAD NOT BEEN PAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID 269 OF THESE OFFENCES WERE IDENTIFIED AT CUSTOMS CONTROL POINTS AND INVOLVED TRAVELLERS AND DRIVERS RETURNING FROM CHINA CONCEALING CIGARETTES TN THEIR CLOTHING AND BAGGAGE, OR INSIDE THEIR VEHICLES.
THE OTHER CASES RESULTED FROM CUSTOMS OPERATIONS AT VARIOUS POINTS ON LAND, SUCH AS STORES, MOBILE HAWKERS AND RESTAURANTS, OR ON BOARD VESSELS.
"A TOTAL OF 1.4 MILLION CIGARETTES WITH A DUTY POTENTIAL OF $1 MILLION WERE SEIZED DURING THE SAME PERIOD," HE SAID.
TRAVELLERS WHO FAIL TO DECLARE CIGARETTES IN EXCESS OF THE DUTY FREE CONCESSION WOULD BE PROSECUTED. THE MAXIMUM PENALTY WAS A FINE OF $100,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS.
--------0-----------
WORKING PARTY ON KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION FORMED »»«»»»
A WORKING PARTY HAS BEEN SET UP TO ADVISE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A PACKAGE OF MEASURES INTRODUCED LAST YEAR TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LI YUET-TING, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
MEMBERSHIP OF THE WORKING PARTY ON KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION, WHICH HAD BEEN MEETING REGULARLY, COMPRISED A WIDE NON-OFFICIAL REPRESENTATION, HE SAID.
MR LI WAS SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE 1991 ZONTA ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WHICH CENTRED ON PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION AND PAID TRIBUTE TO MRS ANGELA LUK CHIU KWAN-HUNG AND MS SANSAN CHING ON THEIR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS IN THEIR WORK.
ON THE IMPROVEMENT MEASURES, MR LI SAID THE TEACHER-PUPIL RATIO OF 1:20 FOR NURSERY AND FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN AND 1:30 FOR KINDERGARTEN CLASSES CAME INTO EFFECT LAST SEPTEMBER.
AT THE KINDERGARTEN SALARY SCALES
SAME TIME, HE SAID STEPS HAD BEEN TAKEN TO ENCOURAGE OPERATORS TO PAY TEACHERS ACCORDING TO RECOMMENDED SO THAT UNTRAINED TEACHERS COULD BE MOTIVATED TO SEEK
TRAINING AND REMAIN IN THE PROFESSION.
"AS A RESULT, THE ENROLMENT FOR THE TWO-YEAR QUALIFIED KINDERGARTEN TEACHER TRAINING COURSE HAS INCREASED BY 18 PER CENT AND THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FOR THE 12-WEEK QUALIFIED ASSISTANT KINDERGARTEN TEACHER COORSES THIS YEAR HAS INCREASED BY SOME 60 PER CENT COMPARED WITH LAST YEAR," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT IT WAS ALSO ENCOURAGING TO SEE THAT THE WASTAGE RATE OF KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS HAD BEEN CONSIDERABLY REDUCED.
/THE IMPROVEMENT........
THURSDAY, MAY 30, 1991
- 15 -
THE IMPROVEMENT MEASURES INCLUDED A NEW KINDERGARTEN FEE REMISSION SCHEME TO BENEFIT A GREATER NUMBER OF PARENTS IN NEED.
UP TO THIS MONTH, THE NUMBER OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS FOR FEE REMISSION IN THE CURRENT SCHOOL YEAR WAS ABOUT 6,000, DOUBLE THAT UNDER THE OLD FEE ASSISTANCE SCHEME.
"THIS FEE REMISSION SCHEME WILL BE MADE MORE GENEROUS IN THE 1991-92 SCHOOL YEAR AS ADDITIONAL FUNDS ARE BEING ALLOCATED TO IMPROVE THE SCHEME," MR LI SAID.
HE ADDED THAT TRAINING FACILITIES FOR KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS HAD BEEN ENHANCED SO THAT KINDERGARTEN OPERATORS WERE ABLE TO SEND MORE STAFF FOR TRAINING.
------0--------
AIDS PREVENTION EXHIBITION IN SHA TIN ****»»
A FIVE-DAY EXHIBITION TO AROUSE PUBLIC INTEREST AND KNOWLEDGE ON AIDS WILL BEGIN TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE EXHIBITION GALLERY OF SHA TIN TOWN HALL. 4 .
ORGANISED BY THE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON AIDS, THE EXHIBITION AIMS AT FOSTERING A POSITIVE, SYMPATHETIC AND SUPPORTIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS AIDS PATIENTS AND CARRIERS.
THE EXHIBITION FEATURES 40 DISPLAY BOARDS COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF AIDS. VIDEO QUIZ GAMES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE TO HELP FURTHER ENHANCE UNDERSTANDING OF THE KILLER DISEASE.
CONTAINING
SHOWS AND
VISITORS’
MEDICAL STAFF FROM THE AIDS COUNSELLING AND HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WILL BE PRESENT AT I’HE EXHIBITION TO ANSWER ENQUIRIES FROM THE PUBLIC.
GUIDED TOUR OF THE EXHIBITION CAN BE ARRANGED FOR GROUP VISITORS AND ADVANCE BOOKING CAN BE MADE ON TEL. 710 2429.
FREE EDUCATION AND INFORMATION LEAFLETS- AND SOUVENIRS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED.
/16 .......
THURSDAY, MAY 30, 1991
16
TWO OB’S ELECT REPRESENTATIVES TO RC * * * * *
TWO DISTRICT BOARDS ELECTED THEIR REPRESENTATIVES TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AT SEPARATE MEETINGS TODAY (THURSDAY).
THEY ARE MR CHEUNG KUEN OF THE NORTH DISTRICT BOARD AND MR SIN CHUNG KAI OF THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD.
------0--------•
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN TAI PO TO BE CLOSED »*»»»*
IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY
BUILDING WORKS AT BLOCK 39, SAVANNA GARDEN, LOT 4283 TAI PO ROAD, PO KAU, SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO
TAI THE
OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON JULY 9 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (THURSDAY).
DEMOLITION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
------0---------
FRESH WATER CUT IN KWAI CHUNG *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO KWAI ON SATURDAY (JUNE 1) TO 6 AM WATERMAINS CONNECTION WORKS.
CHUNG WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 8 PM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE
THE SUSPENSION IS BOUNDED BY CASTLE ROAD AND KWAI CHUNG ROAD INCLUDING INDUSTRIAL AREAS AT TAI LIN
THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED BY PEAK ROAD, TEXACO ROAD, TSUEN WAN KWAI CHUNG, KWAI FONG, KWAI HING AND THE PAI ROAD AND WO TONG TSUI STREET.
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1991
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
AMENDMENTS TO DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT PROPOSED ............................... 1
MARINE PARKS AND RESERVES PLAN ENDORSED ....................................... 2
1ST QUARTER 1991 DOMESTIC EXPORT STATISTICS CLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN ........................................................................ 4
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .................... 8
DEFINITION OF 'HOSPITAL' IN THREE ORDINANCES TO BE AMENDED .................... 9
FREIGHT TRANSPORT STUDY COMMISSIONED ......................................... 10
COMPANIES URGED TO MONITOR ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE ......................... 11
MEASURES TO RECOVER FIXED PENALTY DEBTS ...................................... 12
SPECIAL REVIEW ON SALARY STATISTICS OF MIDDLE-LEVEL MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES ....................................................... 12
REVISION OF FEES UNDER BUILDINGS ORDINANCE ................................... 13
PR TECHNIQUES HELP CHANGE PUBLIC THINKING ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION .. 14
RECLAMATION AND DREDGING WORKS AT YAU MA TEI AND TUEN MUN .................... 15
NT SITES OFFERED TO LETTERS A/B HOLDERS ...................................... 16
DTC REGISTRATION TO BE REVOKED ............................................... 16
FEE REVISION FOR CITES RE-EXPORT CERTIFICATES ................................ 17
FARMERS ON U.S. STUDY TOUR ................................................... 17
TMDB REPRESENTATIVE TO RC ELECTED ............................................ 18
RS URGES YOUNGSTERS TO TAKE UP CREATIVE WRITING .............................. 18
ENVIRONMENTAL PAINTING EXHIBITION AT KOWLOON PARK ............................ 19
A SECTION OF ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD TO BE REBUILT ........................... 20
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN MONG KOK TO BE CLOSED ......................... 20
IMPROVEMENT TO FORBES STREET PLAYGROUND ...................................... 21
REMOVAL OF SWD OFFICES ....................................................... 21
FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1991
AMENDMENTS TO DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT PROPOSED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
PROPOSALS TO REMOVE WHAT ARE CONSIDERED ’’UNFAIR" (’LAUSES IN DEEDS OF MUTUAL COVENANT (DMC) HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE IN THE FORM OF A WHITE BILL FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION.
’’MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE THREE MONTHS TO GIVE THEIR VIEWS AND COMMENTS ON THE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS (OWNERS INCORPORATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
’’THIS ROUND OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION IS NECESSARY BECAUSE SOME OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS ARE ’HIGHLY CONTROVERSIAL’, PARTICULARLY AS THEY WILL APPLY ACROSS-THE-BOARD TO ALL DMC ’ S,’’ THE SPOKESMAN NOTED.
THE BILL CONTAINS SOME IMPLIEDLY INCORPORATED INTO EVERY SHALL PREVAIL OYER ANN OTHER INCONSISTENT WIIH III EM.
MANADTORY TERMS WHICH SHALL DMC, BOTH EXISTING AND FUTURE, PROVISION IN THE DEED THAT
BE
AND
IS
OUTLINING THESE MANADTORY TERMS, THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THERE IS ONE ENABLING THE FLAT OWNERS, BY THE VOTE OF NOT LESS THAN TWO-THIRDS OF THE UNDIVIDED SHARES IN THE BUILDING, TO TERMINATE THE YNAGER’S APPOINTMENT IO GIVING HIM NOT LESS THAN THREE MONTHS’
OTK’E.
"NO MANAGER’S APPOINTMENT MAY, HOWEVER, BE SO TERMINATED BEFORE THE END OF ONE YEAR AFTER THE COMMENCEMENT Ob THIS LEGISLATION,” HE ADDED.
"THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THIS MANDATORY TERM IS TO REMOVE THE UNFAIRNESS IN CERTAIN PMC’S THAT THE MANAGERS ARE APPOINTED MORE OR LESS IN PERPETUITY.
"ip* r||E\ TURN OUT TO BE UN.S AT ISFACTORY, IT IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE FLAT OWNERS TO GET THEM REMOVED," THE SPOKESMAN AID.
THERE ARE ALSO PROVISIONS AIMING TO MAKE BUILDING MANAGERS MORE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAINTENANCE" OF FUNDS AND KEEPING OF ACCOUNTS.
THEY INCLUDE A PROVISION REQUIRING A MANAGER TO PREPARE A BUDGET AFTER CONSULTING THE OWNERS UPON A DRAFT BUDGET.
IF THE OWNERS DECIDE TO REJECT THE BUDGET, THEN, UNTIL SUCH TIME A REVISED BUDGET IS PREPARED AND ACCEPTED, THE BUDGET SHALL BE rill- SAME AS IN THE PREVIOUS IINAN! I AL YEAR, PLUS SUCH AMOUNT NOT EXCEEDING 10 PER CENT AS THE MANAGER MAY DETERMINE.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT PROVISION CONCERNS THE RIGHT OF OWNERS TO ESTABLISH OWNERS’ CORPORATION.
/THE BILL .......
FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1991
7
THE Ril l. S I A I ES THAT OWNERS CANNOT RE PREVENTED BY TRI’ DMC OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENT I- ROM BEING REGISTERED AS A CORPORA’!’I ON.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THERE WERE CASES WHERE THERE WAS A CLAUSE IN THE DMC OUSTING THE FLAT OWNERS’ RIGHT TO INCORPORATE THEMSELVES UNDER THE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS (OWNERS INCORPORATION) ORDINANCE.
"CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN, IN DUE COURSE, AS TO WHETHER SUCH AN OVERRIDING CLAUSE LN THE LAND GRANT SHOULD REMAIN.
"IT IS AFTERALL THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO ENCOURAGE THE FORMATION OF OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS.
"THE QUESTION TO BE ADDRESSED IS WHETHER SUCH A CLAUSE IN THE LAND GRANT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE OBJECT OF THIS GOVERNMENT POLICY,” HE SAID.
WHETHER THE PROPOSED Cl \USE WILL RESTORE THE CONSISTENCY OF GOVERNMENT POLICY IS A MATTEI? ON WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WOULD LIKE THE PUBLIC TO COMMENT, HE ADDED.
OTHER IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF THE BILL INCLUDE A FORMULA FOR : ’ TERMTN ING THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT THAT AN OWNER IS LIABLE TO PAY AS HIS . iARE OF THE MANAGEMENT EXPENSES.
IT ALSO RECOMMENDS THE PROHIBITION OF ANY PERSON FROM AVERTING ANY COMMON PARTS OF THE BUILDING TO HIS OWN USE, UNLESS I HIS HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE OWNERS OR THE OWNERS’ COMMITTEE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID FREE COPIES OF THE WHITE BILL IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE WILL BE AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES.
COMMENTS SIIOI LD BE SENT TO THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, 29TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, BEFORE THE END o|- AUGUST.
------0--------
MARINE PARKS AND RESERVES PLAN ENDORSED
* ♦ ♦ * *
THE SECRETARY APPROVED IN PRINCIPLE
FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MARINE
LANDS PARKS
(SPEL)
HAS
AND MARINE
RESERVES IN HONG KONG ON
RECREATION, THE D1I?E< T-H? o|
GROUNDS OF \GR |( I I.TURE
CONSFRY AT I OH, AND FISHERIES,
EDUCATION AND
DR LAWRENCE
SAID THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.
HP WAS ADDRESSING THE NINTH ANNUAL GENERAL MARINE BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, HONG KONG (MBAHK) IN PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION.
MEETING OF
HIS CAPACITY
THE
AS
DR
Fl AS I BlLITY HONG KONG", YEAR WHILE
I |.|. SAID RECOMMENDATIONS IN HIE STUDS ON THE ESTAB ISHMENT OF MARINE WERE ENDORSED BY THE COUNTRY PARKS
APPROVAL-I N-I’R I NC I PLE '1’0 THE REPOR 1
REPORT, ENTITLED "A
PARKS AND RESERVES IN
BOARD IN JANUARY THIS WAS GIVEN BY SPEL IN
MARCH.
/THE REPORT.......
FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1991
3
THE REPORT WAS COMPILED BY A WORKING GROUP COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES FROM TERTIARY INSTITUTES, THE WORLD WIDE FUND FOR NATURE, HONG KONG, MBAHK, AND RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND CHAIRED BY DR JOHN HODGKISS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
DR LEE SAID THE REPORT RECOMMENDED THAT HOI HA WAN IN SAI KUNG AND YAN CHAU TONG IN THE NORTHEAST SHOULD BE DESIGNATED AS MARINE PARKS WHILE CAPE D*AGUILAR AS A MARINE RESERVE.
IT ALSO SUGGESTED THAT SHELTER ISLAND AREA, SOUTH LAMMA, SOUTHWEST LANTAU AND PING CHAU TO THE NORTHWEST COULD BE SUITABLE FOR DESIGNATION BUT WOULD REQUIRE FURTHER INVESTIGATION.
WHILE THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES WAS CONSIDERED TO BE THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY TO IMPLEMENT THE REPORT'S RECOMMENDATIONS, DR LEE SAID A MARINE PARKS AND MARINE RESERVES COMMITTEE WITH EXPERTISE FROM WITHIN AND OUTSIDE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE SET UP FOR SUCH A PURPOSE UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD.
ELABORATING ON THE THREE SITES PROPOSED FOR DESIGNATION, HE SAID THEY WERE CHOSEN WITH GOOD REASONS.
HE SAID HOI HA WAN WAS ONE OF THE VERY FEW AREAS IN HONG KONG WHICH WAS STILL RELATIVELY UNPOLLUTED AND HAD RECEIVED EXTENSIVE RESEARCH INTEREST.
"OF THE 49 CORAL SPECIES HITHERTO RECORDED IN HONG KONG, 39 ARE FOUND IN HOI HA WAN. SIMILARLY, 50 PER CENT (31 OUT OF 63 SPECIES) OF THE LOCAL POLYCHAETE SPECIES ARE RECORDED THERE,” HE SAID.
AS FOR YAN CHAU TONG, DK LEE SAID ITS COASTLINE WAS HIGHLY CRENULATE WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF LANDFORMS, ROCK CLIFFS AND BEACH TYPES RANGING FROM MUD FLATS TO ROCKY SHORES.
ITS REMOTENESS ALLOWED THE SITE TO RETAIN DIVERSE ECOLOGICAL NICHES MATCHED BY AN EQUALLY DIVERSE FAUNA AND FLORA.
MEANWHILE, CAPE D’AGUI LAR IS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF EXPOSED GRANITE SHORES FOUND ON THE SOUTHEAST AND SOUTH OF HONG KONG. SPECIAL GEOMORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES, SUCH AS DYKES AND SEA CAVES, ARE FOUND THERE.
APART FROM THE ADVANTAGES ASSOCIATED WITH CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION, DR LEE ALSO SAW NEW HORIZONS BEING MADE POSSIBLE BY THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MARINE PARKS AND MARINE RESERVES.
"FIRST, Illis PRESENTS A RARE OPPORTUNITY FOR GOVERNMENT AND DEDICATED INTEREST GROUPS TO WORK CLOSELY TOGETHER TOWARDS A COMMON GOAL, AND IN THIS CASE, CONSERVATION OF OUR MARINE HERITAGE," HE SAID.
THIS WAS PARTICULARLY SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE UNDER THE PREVAILING GOVERNMENT BUDGET AND CONSTRAINTS, IT WAS LIKELY THAT THE NECESSARY MANPOWER AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES REQUIRED TO SUCCESSFULLY MAINTAIN AND MANAGE THE PARKS AND RESERVES WOULD NOT BE GRANTED IN FULL AND ACTIVE INPUT FROM INTEREST GROUPS MIGHT BE NEEDED TO HELP OUT.
/"SECOND, THIS .......
FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1991
4
’’SECOND, THIS PROVIDES MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GOVERNMENT AND TERTIARY INSTITUTES TO WORK TOGETHER AND RESOLVE PROBLEMS MORE COST-EFFECTIVELY BY POOLING RESOURCES AND EXPERTISE.
’’FURTHERMORE, IT WILL HELP IMPROVE HONG KONG’S INTERNATIONAL IMAGE AS REGARDS CONSERVATION,” HE ADDED.
HOWEVER, DR LEE STRESSED THAT I'HERE WERE STILL HURDLES TO BE OVERCOME BEFORE MARINE PARKS AND MARINE RESERVES COULD MATERIALISE IN HONG KONG.
"APART FROM THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL RESOURCES, WE WILL ALSO REQUIRE LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT TO ENABLE US TO EFFECTIVELY MANAGE AND MAINTAIN THE PARKS AND RESERVES.”
HE ESTIMATED THAT THE DRAFTING OF NEW LEGISLATION WOULD TAKE 12 TO 18 MONTHS.
DR LEE ADDED THAT I’HERE WAS ALSO THE NEED FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION WHICH WOULD AGAIN TAKI- TIME.
”1 CAN ASSURE YOU THAT GOVERNMENT IS SINCERE ABOUT MARINE PARKS AND RESERVES AND WE ARE DOING OUR BEST,” HE CONCLUDED.
- - 0---------
1ST QUARTER 1991 DOMESTIC EXPORT STATISTICS CLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE SIX MAJOR INDUSTRY GROUPS WITH THE LARGEST VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 WERE : WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR; CONSUMER ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS; TEXTILES, INCLUDING KNITTING; MACHINERY, EQUIPMENT, APPARATUS, PARTS AND COMPONENTS; PROFESSIONAL AND OPTICAL EQUIPMENT; AND BASIC METALS AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS.
THEY TOGETHER ACCOUNTED FOR 80.8% OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF MERCHANDISE DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991.
THESE STATISTICS WERE RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES WITH THE LARGEST INCREASES TN THE ABSOLUTE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 OVER THE SAME QUARTER OF 1990 WERE : CONSUMER ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS (+$1,001 MILLION); MACHINERY, EQUIPMENT, APPARATUS, PARTS AND COMPONENTS (+$659 MILLION); WEARING APPAREL, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR (+$492 MILLION); AND TEXTILES, INCLUDING KNITTING (+$374 MILLION).
IN PERCENTAGE TERMS, MANUFACTURI NG INDUSTRIES WITH THE LARGEST INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 OVER THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990 WERE : PRODUCTS OF PETROLEUM AND COAL (+19.2%); MACHINERY, EQUIPMENT, APPARATUS, PARTS AND COMPONENTS (+15.4%); CONSUMER ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS (+12.4%); FOOD (+12.1%); AND PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS, PRINTING AND PUBLISHING (+9.9%).
/ON THE .......
FRIDAY. MAY 31, 1991
5
ON THE OTHER HAND, SEVERAL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES RECORDED DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME QUARTER OF 1990.
AMONG THEM WERE : PLASTIC PRODUCTS (-$515 MILLION OR -25.5%); LEATHER AND LEATHER PRODUCTS, EXCEPT FOOTWEAR AND WEARING APPAREL (-$45 MILLION OR -11.5%); FOOTWEAR, EXCEPT RUBBER, PLASTIC AND WOODEN FOOTWEAR (-$42 MILLION OR -21.0%); TOBACCO MANUFACTURES (-$38 MILLION OR -5.4%); AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT (-$35 MILLION OR -55.5%).
OUTSIDE THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, DOMESTIC EXPORTS ORIGINATING FROM THE FISHING INDUSTRY DECREASED BY $5 MILLION OR 3.8% AS COMPARED WITH THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990, WHILE DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF ELECTRICITY INCREASED BY $56 MILLION OR 43.7%.
THE ABOVE STATISTICS ON DOMESTIC EXPORTS ANALYSED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN ARE DERIVED BY RE-GROUPING ALL SIX-DIGIT MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEMS UNDER THE EXTERNAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM ACCORDING TO THE INDUSTRIES IN WHICH THESE MERCHANDISE ITEMS ARE NORMALLY PRODUCED. TRANSACTIONS IN GOLD AND SPECIE ARE EXCLUDED.
AS FROM 1991, THE HONG KONG STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION (HSIC), WHICH IS BASICALLY THE UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION OF ALL ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES (ISIC) AFTER ADAPTATION TO CATER FOR THE LOCAL SITUATION, IS INTRODUCED FOR CLASSIFYING THE LOCAL INDUSTRIES.
THE HSIC IS TO BE DISTINGUISHED FROM THE UNITED NATIONS STANDARD INTERNATIONAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION (SITC) USED IN THE REGULAR TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS IN THAT THE FORMER IS MORE RELATED TO PRODUCTION PROCESSES WHEREAS THE LATTER IS MORE GEARED TO END USES OF PRODUCTS.
AS A MORE UP-TO-DATE AND STANDARDISED INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION ADOPTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, THE HSIC TAKES ACCOUNT OF THE CURRENT INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AND ALSO ENABLES BETTER COMPARABILITY AMONG THE STATISTICS COMPILED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
FOLLOWING THE INTRODUCTION OF THE HSIC IN 1991, THE ABOVE STATISTICS ON DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 ARE CLASSIFIED BY MAJOR INDUSTRY GROUPS BASED ON THE HSIC.
IN ORDER TO COMPARE THE 1991 FIGURES WITH THE 1990 ONES, THE VALUE CHANGES AND PERCENTAGE CHANGES BETWEEN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1991 AND THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990 FOR THE RESPECTIVE MAJOR INDUSTRY GROUPS ARE DERIVED AFTER RE-GROUPING THE VALUES OF EXPORT ITEMS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1990 ACCORDING TO THE HSIC.
THE HSIC-BASED STATISTICS MAY NOT BE STRICTLY COMPARABLE WITH THE DOMESTIC EXPORT STATISTICS CLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN FOR EARLIER QUARTERS DUE TO THE CHANGE IN INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION.
CAUTION SHOULD BE TAKEN WHEN REFERRING TO THESE DOMESTIC EXPORT STATISTICS CLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN.
/CERTAIN MERCHANDISE .......
FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1991
6
CERTAIN MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEMS MAY REQUIRE SEVERAL
INTERMEDIATE PROCESSING STAGES IN THEIR PRODUCTION.
IN SUCH CASES, THE INDUSTRY IN WHICH AN ITEM IS FINALLY PRODUCED IS NOT THE SOLE CONTRIBUTOR TO THE EXPORT VALUE OF THAT ITEM.
HOWEVER, THE TOTAL VALUE OF THE ITEM HAS WHOLLY BEEN ALLOCATED TO THAT INDUSTRY.
BESIDES, THE CLASSIFICATION OF A MERCHANDISE EXPORT ITEM TO A PARTICULAR INDUSTRY DOES NOT IMHLY THAT THE ENTIRE EXPORT VALUE OF THE ITEM IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE E^IABLISHMENTS OF THAT INDUSTRY, SINCE PART OF THE VALUE MAY BE ATTRIBUTABLE TO ESTABLISHMENTS CLASSIFIED UNDER OTHER INDUSTRIES AS SECONDARY PRODUCTS.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A TABLE ON FURTHER DETAILS OF MERCHANDISE DOMESTIC EXPORT STATISTICS CLASSIFIED BY INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN WILL BE SENT BY FACSIMILE AND BOXED. IT IS ALSO OBTAINABLE FROM THE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL. NO. 839 3223).
A TABLE SHOWING MORE DETAILED BREAKDOWNS OF SIMILAR STATISTICS FOR SELECTED MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES IS ALSO INCLUDED IN THE REPORT ’’HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE, MARCH 1991”.
/VALUE OF .......
FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1991
7
Value of merchandise domestic exports classified by industrial origin for the first quarter of 1991
(Value in HKS’OOO)
Industrial origin of the commodities exported Merchandise domestic exports
1991 1st qtr. 1990 1st qtr. Value change % change
Agriculture and Fishing
Agricultural, livestocks and poultry production 2,142 2,359 -216 -9.2
Fishing 128,980 134,031 -5,051 -3.8
Mining and Quarrying Manufacturing 463 2,887 -2,424 -84.0
Food 472,414 421,359 ♦51,054 ♦ 12.1
Beverages 68,642 70,720 -2,078 -2.9
Tobacco manufactures 670,497 708,428 -37,931 -5.4
Textiles (including knitting) 8,676,868 8,302,734 ♦374,134 +4.5
Wearing apparel, except footwear 9,874,258 9,382,624 +491,634 ♦5.2
Leather and leather products, except footwear and wearing apparel 344,079 388,678 -44,599 -11.5
Footwear, except rubber, plastic and wooden footwear 157,934 199,831 -41,897 -21.0
Wood and cork products, furniture and fixtures 128,869 141,713 -12,844 -9.1
Paper and paper products, printing and publishing 1,349,318 1,227,970 ♦ 121,348 +9.9
Chemicals and chemical products 1,264,838 1,198,635 +66,203 +5.5
Products of petroleum and coal 1,574 1,321 +253 + 19.2
Rubber products 28,379 42,523 -14,144 -33.3
Plastic products 1,501,804 2,016,418 -514,614 -25.5
Non-metallic mineral products, except products of petroleum and coal 100,312 108,003 -7,691 -7.1
Basic metals and fabricated metal products 2,030,525 2,061,401 -30,876 -1.5
Machinery, equipment, apparatus, parts and components 4,939.060 4,279,606 +659,453 +15.4
Consumer electrical and electronic products 9,093,501 8,092,288 + 1,001,213 +12.4
Transport equipment 28,117 63,133 -35,016 -55.5
Professional and optical equipment 4,596,477 4,435,643 ♦160,834 ♦3.6
Other manufacturing industries 2,828,848 3,019,838 -190,989 -6.3
Electricity 185,309 128.964 +56,345 +43.7
Miscellaneous items (e.g. developed photographic plates and film, antiques, and works of art) 27,246 29,015 -1,769 -6.1
Total 48,500,454 46,460,121 +2,040,333 +4.4
Notes: 1. Individual entries of a column may not add up exactly to the corresponding total due to rounding. All percentage changes are calculated from unrounded figures.
2. As from 1991, the above statistics are published by major industry groups based on the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC). In order to compare the 1991 figures with the 1990 ones, the value changes and percentage changes between the first quarter of 1991 and the first quarter of 1990 for the respective major industry groups are derived after re-grouping the values of export items in the first 3uarter of 1990 according to the HSIC. The HSIC-based statistics may not be strictly comparable with the omestic export statistics classified by industrial origin for earlier quarters due to the change in industrial classification.
Industrial Research Section, Census & Statistics Department, Hong Kong.
Tel. : 839 3223
May 1991
ERI DAY, MAY 31, 1991
8
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS HKEF
******
DATE $ MILLION
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT ON 30.5.91 380
EFFECT OF FORWARDS TO BE SETTLED ON 31.5.91 NEUTRAL
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS MORNING NEUTRAL
EFFECT OF OPERATIONS THIS AFTERNOON NEUTRAL
TRADE WEIGHTED INDEX 113.4 *+0.4*
31.5.91
ISSUE NUMBER HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 91-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEI
MATURING ON OUTSTANDING
$ MU, ■ LION
QI 15 10.7.91 390 + 90
QI 16 17.7.91 3 70 + 110
QI 1 7 24.7.91 558.5 -78.5
QI 18 31.7.91 480 + 0
QI 19 7.8.91 428.5 + 51.5
Q120 14.8.91 390 + 90
Q121 21.8.91 435 + 4 5
Q122 28.8.91 4 10 + 70
QI 10 5.6.91 20 + 460
QI 11 12.6.91 404 + 76
QI 12 19.6.91 375 + 105
QI 13 26.6.91 4 70 + 10
QI 1 4 3.7.91 567 -87
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 182-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEJ
ISSUE NUMBER MATUR1 NG ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
H164 13.11.91 190 + 70
H165 27.11.91 200 + 60
H004 12.6.91 120 + 140
H005 26.6.91 2 20 + 40
Hl 01 10.7.91 53 + 207
H156 24.7.91 170 + 90
Hl 57 7.8.91 159.5 +100.5
/H158 .......
FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1991
9
H158 21.8.91 200 + 60
H159 4.9.91 80 + 180
H160 18.9.91 390 -130
H161 2.10.91 170 + 90
H162 17.10.91 134 + 126
H163 30.10.91 133 + 127
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
ISSUE NUMBER 364-DAY EXCHANGE FUND BILLS HKEK
MATURING ON OUTSTANDING $ MILLION
Y187 26.2.92 250 + 10
Y188 25.3.92 180 + 80
Y189 22.4.92 200 + 60
Y190 20.5.92 240 + 20
AVERAGE DAILY TRANSFER FOR WEEK ENDING 31.5.91 WAS 5,474 MN
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DEFINITION OF ’HOSPITAL* IN THREE ORDINANCES TO BE AMENDED * * » » »
THE DEFINITION OF "HOSPITAL" IN THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE AND THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS (COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE WILL BE AMENDED TO INCLUDE? PUBLIC HOSPITALS MANAGED AND CONTROLLED BY THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (FRIDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE AMENDMENT IS TECHNICAL IN NATURE.
THE TERM "HOSPITAL" IS REFERRED TO IN THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE WHICH SPECIFIES THE CIRCUMSTANCES TN WHICH AN EMPLOYEE IS ELIGIBLE FOR SICKNESS ALLOWANCE AND PAID SICKNESS LEAVE DAYS.
THE TERM ALSO APPEARS IN THE EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION ORDINANCE AND THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS (COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE.
THESE TWO ORDINANCES RESPECTIVELY ESTABLISH A COMPENSATION SCHEME FOR PERSONS INJURED IN THE COURSE OF THEIR EMPLOYMENT AND A COMPENSATION SCHEME FOR PERSONS INCAPACITATED AS A RESULT OF PNEUMOCONIOSIS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PRESENT DEFINITIONS OF "HOSPITAL" IN THE THREE ORDINANCES COVER HOSPITALS MAINTAINED BY THE CROWN AND HOSPITALS REGISTERED UNDER THE HOSPITALS, NURSING HOMES AND MATERNITY HOMES REGISTRATION ORDINANCE.
ALL EXISTING GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND SUBVENTED HOSPITALS FALL WITHIN THE DEFINITIONS.
/"HOWEVER. AFTER ........
FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1991
10
’’HOWEVER, AFTER THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY TAKES OVER THE MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND SUBVENTED HOSPITALS LATER IN THE YEAR, SUCH HOSPITALS WILL CEASE TO FALL WITHIN THOSE DEFINITIONS BECAUSE THEY WILL THEN NO LONGER BE CONSIDERED TO BE MAINTAINED BY THE CROWN AND WILL BE EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE HOSPITALS, NURSING HOMES AND MATERNITY HOMES REGISTRATION ORDINANCE," HE SAID.
IT IS THEREFORE PROPOSED TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "HOSPITALS" IN THESE THREE ORDINANCES TO ENSURE THAT WHEN SUCH HOSPITALS COME UNDER THE MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY THEY WILL CONTINUE TO BE GIVEN THE SAME STATUS UNDER THOSE ORDINANCES AS THEY ARE PRESENTLY GIVEN, HE EXPLAINED.
THE THREE RILLS - THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) RILL 1991, THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1991 AND THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS (COMPENSATION) (AMENDMENT) RILL 1991 - ARE EXPECTED TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE ON JUNE 7, AND INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 12.
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FREIGHT TRANSPORT STUDY COMMISSIONED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HAS COMMISSIONED A $11 MILLION FREIGHT TRANSPORT STUDY TO INVESTIGATE THE SHORT AND LONG TERM FREIGHT MOVEMENTS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY AND ACROSS THE BORDER.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR PANG HAU-CHUNG, AND A PARTNER OF SCOTT WILSON KIRKPATRICK AND PARTNERS, MR R.H. RAKUSEN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY WAS TO FORMULATE A FREIGHT TRANSPORT STRATEGY TO BEST SUIT THE FUTURE ROAD, RAIL AND WATERBORNE TRANSPORT SYSTEMS AS WELL AS THE ECONOMY OF HONG KONG.
RECOMMENDED MEASURES WOULD BE PROPOSED TO ACHIEVE THE APPROPRIATE FLEET SIZE OF GOODS VEHICLES, TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF THE MOVEMENTS OF GOODS, TO MEET THE PROJECTED GOODS VEHICLE PARKING DEMAND, AND TO MINIMISE THE ADVERSE IMPACT OF THE FREIGHT TRANSPORT INDUSTRY WITH RESPECT TO VEHICLE MAINTENANCE, ROAD SAFETY, HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE AND ENVIRONMENT.
THE I 4-MONTH STUDY WILL COMMENCE IN JUNE, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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/H.......
ERTDAY, MAY 31, 1991
11
COMPANIES URGED TO MONITOR ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE ♦ * I ♦ t ♦
THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DR STUART REED, TODAY (FRIDAY) URGED MAJOR LOCAL COMPANIES TO APPOINT THEIR OWN ENVIRONMENTAL DIRECTOR WHO WOULD HAVE SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITY FOR I HE ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF THE COMPANY.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ’’WASTE NOT, WANT NOT” CARNIVAL ORGANISED BY JUSCO KORNH1LL STORE, THE CONSERVANCY ASSOCIATION AND THE HONG KONG ENVIRONMENT CENTRE.
DR REED SAID THE ROLE OF THIS ENVIRONMENTAL DIRECTOR WOULD BE TO ESTABLISH THE COMPANY’S ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND TO ENSURE THAT A THOROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT OF THE COMPANY WAS CARRIED OUT.
’’SUCH AN AUDIT NEEDS TO BE CARRIED OUT REGULARLY AND TO BECOME INTEGRATED INTO THE ROUTINE MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY.
”BY DOING THIS, MAJOR COMPANIES AND ORGANISATIONS LN HONG KONG COULD SET AN EXAMPLE AND PROVIDE LEADERSHIP IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECT ION FIELD THROUGH THE WAY THEY CONDUCT THEIR OWN BUSINESSES,” HE SAID.
DR RFID HOPED THAI’ NOT ONLY INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURING COMPANIES, BUT Al.l COMPANIES WHETHER THEY WI RI INVOLVED IN THE RETAIL TRADE, IN
REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT, FINANCIAL SERVICES OR WHATEVER COULD PROVIDE LEADERSHIP IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL FIELD.
’THERE ARE OF COURSE OTHER. WAYS IN WHICH MAJOR COMPANIES CAN M IE A CONTRIBUTION TO IMPROVING OUR ENVIRONMENT, SUCH AS SPONSORSHIP GF COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS OR HANDS-ON ORGANISATION OF I-NV I RONMFNT \L EV FNTS V.l) PROGR YMMFS .
’’THESE YRE \l I EXTRFMFLY IMPORTANT IN STIMULATING COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT,” HE SAID.
THE DIRECTOR SAID HE BELIEVED THAT THIS SORT OF LEADERSHIP WOULD DO MUCH 'I’O ENSURE THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG COULD LOOK FORWARD TO \ MORE HEALTHY AND AGREEABLE PLACE IN WHICH '1’0 LIVE AND TO RAISE THEIR FAMILIES.
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FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1991
- 12 -
MEASURES TO RECOVER FIXED PENALTY DEBTS * ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS TO ENABLE THE COLLECTION OF ARREARS OF UNPAID FIXED PENALTY FINES AND RELATED COURT COSTS ON PARKING OFFENCES.
TO THIS EFFECT, A BILL WILL BE INTRDOUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LATER NEXT MONTH TO EMPOWER THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT TO REFUSE THE LICENSING OR THE TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OF ANY MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE OWNER WHO HAS FAILED TO CLEAR HIS FIXED PENALTY FINES.
AT THE SAME TIME, MOTORISTS WHO DO NOT PAY THEIR FIXED PENALTY DEBTS WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO OBTAIN A RECORD OF ALL TRAFFIC CONVICTIONS OR NO CONVICTION.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT UNDER THE FIXED PENALTY (TRAFFIC CONTRAVENTIONS) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1991, THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT ON THE DIRECTION OF THE MAGISTRATE, WILL REFUSE TO LICENSE OR EFFECT THE TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OF ANY MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTERED UNDER THE NAME OF THE DEFENDANT FOR SO LONG AS THE FIXED PENALTY FINE AND THE ASSOCIATED COURT COSTS REMAIN UNPAID.
THF ROAD TRAFFIC (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL 1991 WILL EMPOWER THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE TO WITHHOLD THE ISSUE OF A RECORD OF ALL TRAFFIC CONVICTIONS OR NO CONVICTION UNTIL ALL FIXED PENALTY FINES AND COURT COSTS HAVE BEEN PAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE AMENDMENTS WOULD AFFECT ONLY A SMALL MINORITY OF VEHICLE OWNERS WHO HAD SHOWN A LACK OF RESPECT FOR THE LAW BY EVADING PAYMENTS OF FIXED PENALTY TICKETS.
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SPECIAL REVIEW ON SALARY STATISTICS OF MIDDLE-LEVEL MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES
* ♦ * ♦ ♦
THF MARCH 1991 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY STATISTICS CONTAINS A SPEC'I AL REVIEW ARTICLE ON THE SALARY I MIDDLE-LEVFL MANAGERIAL AND PROFESS TONAL EMPLOYEES.
DIGEST OF STATISTICS
THIS ARTICLE DESCRIBES THE METHODOLOGY USED AND SUMMARY FINDINGS OF THE ANNUAL SURVEY OF SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES (EXCLUDING TOP MANAGEMENT) WHICH ILAS BEEN CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SINCE 1984.
THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE SURVEY IS TO COMPILE INDEXES TO MEASURE CHANGES IN SALARY RATES OF MIDDLE-LEVEL MANAGERIAL AND EMPLOYEES OVER TIME.
/ACCORDING TO .......
13
ACCORDING TO THE FINDINGS OF THE 1990 ROUND OF SURVEY, THE OVERALL NOMINAL SALARY INDEX (B) IN JUNE 1990, WHICH MEASURES CHANGES IN SALARY LEVELS FOR THOSE MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES WHO REMAIN IN THE SAME OCCUPATION AND IN THE SAME COMPANY IN BOTH 1989 AND 1990, HAD AN INCREASE OF 16.7 PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH JUNE 1989.
THE ARTICLE CONTAINS STATISTICS ON MOVEMENTS OF THE SALARY INDEXES BY ECONOMIC SECTOR AS WELL AS BY OCCUPATIONAL GROUP FOR JUNE 1984 TO JUNE 1990.
IT IS NOTED THAT THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND INSURANCE SECTOR SHOWED A RELATIVELY HIGHER PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN SALARY INDEXES FOR THE PERIOD JUNE 1984 TO JUNE 1990.
THE ARTICLE ALSO CONTAINS INFORMATION ON THE PERCENTAGES OF EMPLOYEES CURRENTLY ENTITLED TO VARIOUS TYPES OF BENEFITS SUCH AS HOUSING BENEFITS AND MEDICAL BENEFITS.
THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS IS NOW ON SALE AT $48 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GPO BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AND FROM THE PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER OF CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER 1, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
---------------------0------- REVISION OF FEES UNDER BUILDINGS ORDINANCE
THE BUILDING (ADMINISTRATION) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) REGULATIONS 1991 AND THE BUILDING (OIL STORAGE INSTALLATIONS) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1991, WHICH PROVIDE FOR A REVISION OF CERTAIN FEES PAYABLE UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE, WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE FEES INCLUDE THE REGISTRATION FEES FOR AUTHORISED PERSONS, REGISTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS AND REGISTERED CONTRACTORS, AND THE FEES PAYABLE FOR EXAMINATION HELD BY THE AUTHORISED PERSONS' AND STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS’ REGISTRATION COMMITTEE AND FOR CERTAIN ADDITIONAL INSPECTIONS.
THE FEES PAYABLE FOR THE ISSUE AND RENEWAL OF LICENCES FOR STORING OIL AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS IN AN OIL STORAGE INSTALLATION WILL ALSO BE REVISED.
THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING SURVEYOR, MR CLIVE VINEY, SAID THESE FEES HAD NOT BEEN REVISED SINCE JANUARY 1986 AND THE COST OF PROVIDING THE SERVICES GREATLY EXCEEDED THE EXISTING FEES COLLECTED.
’’SINCE THE SERVICES PROVIDED BENEFIT DIRECTLY THE PRIVATE BUILDING INDUSTRY AND RELATED PROFESSIONALS, THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS THAT USERS SHOULD PAY FOR THE FULL COSTS INCURRED,” HE SAID.
MR VINEY ADDED THAT THE REVISION WAS TO BRING THE FEES MORE IN LINE WITH THE COST OF THE SERVICES.
/HOWEVER, TO ........
FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1991
14
HOWEVER, TO AVOID TOO DRASTIC AN ADJUSTMENT TO THE EXISTING LEVEL OF FEES, THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED THAT THE FEE INCREASE SHOULD BE INTRODUCED OVER A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS, THAT IS TO CHARGE 75 PER CENT OF THE FULL COST IN THE FIRST YEAR AND 100 PER CENT IN THE SECOND YEAR.
THE SCHEDULE OF FEES WOULD BE REVIEWED ANNUALLY TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE PHASED INTRODUCTION OF THE FULL RATES AND ANY SUBSEQUENT INCREASE OR DECREASE IN COSTS.
THE INCREASE IN FEES WILL CONSTITUTE ONLY A SMALL PROPORTION OF THE TOTAL OPERATING COST OR BUSINESS TURNOVER OF THE AFFECTED COMPANIES. ACCORDINGLY, THE RESULTANT COST IMPACT SHOULD BE INSIGNIFICANT.
THE NEW FEES WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON JUNE 21 THIS YEAR.
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PR TECHNIQUES
HELP CHANGE PUBLIC THINKING ON ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION
******
PUBLIC RELATIONS TECHNIQUES, APPLIED THROUGH THE MASS MEDIA, HAVE ENORMOUS POWER IN CHANGING THE THINKING AND BEHAVIOUR OF THE COMMUNITY ON THE NEED TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT, THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DR STUART REED, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT A SEMINAR ON PUBLIC RELATIONS AND PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT ORGANISED BY THE PACIFIC SOCIETY OF PUBLIC RELATIONS IN CELEBRATION OF THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY THIS YEAR.
DR REED SAID THAT, OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, THERE HAD BEEN CHANGES FOR THE BETTER ON THE ENVIRONMENT SIDE, BUT HONG KONG WAS STILL FALLING WELL SHORT OF WHAT WAS NEEDED TO ENSURE IT HAD A PUBLIC ENVIRONMENT OF A STANDARD THAT MATCHED ITS PRIVATE PROSPERITY.
’’THERE IS MUCH MORE TO BE DONE AND MANY DIFFERENT OPINIONS ON THE BEST WAY TO ACHIEVE THE OBJECTIVES,” HE SAID.
"HEAVY FINES AND IMPRISONMENT TERMS CERTAINLY HAVE A WORTHWHILE DETERRENT EFFECT, BUT OFFENDERS HAVE TO BE CAUGHT AND EVEN A SMALL ARMY OF POLLUTION CONTROL INSPECTORS CANNOT GUARANTEE TO CATCH ALL THE OFFENDERS."
DR REED SAID OUR GOAL SHOULD BE TO REDUCE THE GENERATION, IN THE FIRST PLACE, OF THOSE WASTES THAT CAUSED POLLUTION RATHER THAN SEEKING SIMPLY TO CONTROL THE DISCHARGE OF THESE WASTES TO THE ENVIRONMENT.
/•'IN ORDER ...........
FRIDAY. MAY 31, 1991
15
"IN ORDER TO HAVE SONE PROSPECT THAT PARTI CUI,ARI.V THOSE IN INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE WILL SEEK TO MINIMISE PRODUCTION OF WASTE, THESE PEOPLE NEED TO BE PERSUADED THAT IT IS IN THEIR. OWN SFLF INTEREST TO REDUCE THE GENERATION OF WASTE BECAUSE THEY CAN MAKE A LARGER PROFIT THAT WAY, OR THAT THEY HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO 'HIE COMMUNITY TO LOOK FOR WAYS TO REDUCE THE WASTES THEY GENERATE AND THE POLLUTION THEY CREATE.
"I BELIEVE THAT PUBLIC RELATIONS TECHNIQUES APPLIED THROUGH THE MASS MEDIA CAN PLAY A TREMENDOUS ROLE IN BRINGING ABOUT THE CHANGE OF APPROACH AND ATTITUDE NECESSARY IF VARIOUS SECTORS OF OUR COMMUNITY, LIKE INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE, ARE TO START LOOKING FOR WAYS TO REDUCE THE GENERATION OF WASTES AND THE POLLUTION THESE WASTES CAUSE WHEN RELEASED IO THE ENVIRONMENT.
"IN FACT, IT IS NOT JUST INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE, BUT THE INDIVIDUAL IN HIS OR HER DAILY LIFE WHO NEEDS TO DEVELOP A SENSE OF PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS THE ENVIRONMENT," DR REED CONCLUDED.
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RECLAMATION AND DREDGING WORKS AT YAU MA TEI AND TUEN MUN
******
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO RECLAIM LAND AT YAU MA TEI TO PROVIDE LAND FOR THE PHASE III GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD MODERNISATION.
ALSO, IT IS TO DREDGE WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 1,400 HECTARES op SI Alln AT URMSTON ROAD IN TURN MUN TO PROVIDE MATERIALS FOR USE IN COL ri’l l I ION AND FUTURE RECLAMATIONS.
THE PROJECT AT YAU MA TEI WILL INCLUDE THE RECLAMATION OF ABOUT 0.7 HECTARE OF LAND AS WELL AS THE CONSTRUCTION OF ABOUT 130 EH.ES OF SEAWALL AND TWO FINGER PIERS WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 1.3 I E FARES OF OFFSHORE AND SEABED AT YAU MA TEI.
WORK WILL START IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED BY ABOUT LARCH 1993.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS AFFECTED IN THE TWO PROJECTS WAS DESCRIBED IN TWO NOTICES OF AUTHORISATION PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE •'OLAY (FRIDAY).
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT
■i OR OVER THE FORESHORES AND SEABEDS INVOLVED WILL BE INJURIOUSLY AFFECTED BY THE TWO UNDERTAKINGS MAY DELIVER TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION ON OR BEFORE MAY 30, 1992.
HE SHOULD STATE IN HIS SUBMISSION THE SUM OF MONEY WHICH HE IS
I LUNG TO ACCEPT IN FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT OF HIS CLAIM AND ■ MOULD SUBMIT SUCH PARTICULARS WHICH HE POSSESSES TO SUBSTANTIATE HIS CLAIM.
/THE GAZETTE .......
FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1991
16
THE GAZETTE NOTICES, SEEN AT THE BUILDINGS AND
OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, PURCHASED ON ORDER.
TOGETHER WITH THEIR RELATED PLANS LANDS DEPARTMENT’S
MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD
SURVEY AND WHERE COPIES
CAN BE MAPPING CAN BE
1 HE NOTICE AND RELATED PLAN ON THE YAU MA TEI
RECLAMATION CAN
MIDDLE
NG W0RK AT ,JKMSTON ROAD can also be seen at the ^a^'tIen"^^’ “ ,-L00K' ™ oovernmen? omcEst
THOSE TUEN
1 TUEN
ON MUN
HI
------o--------
NT SITES OFFERED TO LETTERS A/B HOLDERS * * * * *
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING REGISTERED OWNERS OF LAND EXCHANGE ENTITLEMENTS (LETTERS A/B) TO TENDER FOR TWO SITES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE FIRST SITE, MEASURING ABOUT 8,800 SQUARE METRES, IS LOCATED AT AREA 18, TSEUNG KWAN O, SAI KUNG. IT IS FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING GODOWN) PURPOSES.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 41,800 SQUARE METRES HAS TO BE COMPLETED ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, 1995.
THE OTHER SITE IS A 5,409-SQUARE-METRE PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL LOT AT AREA 22, TAI PO.
A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 16,300 SQUARE METRES HAS TO BE COMPLETED WITHIN 48 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF POSSESSION.
APPLICANTS FOR THE SITES CAN SUBMIT EITHER A "VINTAGE" TENDER OR A "MONETISED LETTER B" TENDER CALCULATED BY REFERENCE TO A LIST OF CURRENCY VALUES PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE ON MARCH 15.
A "VINTAGE" TENDER WILL BE GIVEN PRIORITY.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS NOON ON JUNE 28.
-----0------
DTC REGISTRATION TO BE REVOKED
******
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE REGISTRATION OF DNB LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY WILL BE REVOKED WITH EFFECT FROM JUNE 3 AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31(2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
-----0--------
/17........
FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1991
FEE REVISION FOR CITES RE-EXPORT CERTIFICATES ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD) TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED A FEE REVISION FOR THE RE-EXPORT CERTIFICATES ISSUED IN RELATION TO THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA (CITES).
AN AFD SPOKESMAN SAID WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT, THE FEE FOR A CITES RE-EXPORT CERTIFICATE WOULD GO UP FROM $65 TO $110.
A NOTICE TO THIS EFECT WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE CERTIFICATES WERE ISSUED MAINLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF RE-EXPORTING HANDBAGS, SHOES, BELTS AND OTHER MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS MADE FROM SKINS OF SNAKES, LIZARDS AND CROCODILES; ARTIFICIALLY PROPAGATED PLANT MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS SUCH AS AMERICAN GINSENG ROOT; AS WELL AS HIPPO TEETH CARVINGS AND MINK COATS.
LAST YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT ISSUED A TOTAL OF 16,500 RE-EXPORT CERTIFICATES WHILE IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, 4,600 CERTIFICATES WERE ISSUED, COVERING MAINLY MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS OF CROCODILE SKIN, MONITOR LIZARD AND SNAKE SKIN, AS WELL AS LEATHER GOODS.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE PREVIOUS FEE REVISION WAS MADE IN FEBRUARY 1986.
------(j-------
FARMERS ON U.S. STUDY TOUR
TWENTY LOCAL FARMERS WILL FLY TO CALIFORNIA TOMORROW (SATURDAY) TO STUDY MODERN TECHNIQUES IN VEGETABLE GROWING, PLANT PROTECTION AND WHOLESALE MARKETING.
THE GROUP INCLUDES BOTH VEGETABLE FARMERS AND VEGETABLE MARKETING PERSONNEL.
SPEAKING AT A BANNER PRESENTATION CEREMONY AT THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD) HEADQUARTERS THIS (FRIDAY! AFTERNOON, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, SAID BY ADOPTING SUITABLE TECHNIQUES OF ADVANCED COUNTRIES, LOCAL AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION WOULD BE INCREASED, MEANING MORE FOOD SUPPLY IN HONG KONG.
HE SAID THE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE ACCUMULATED FROM PREVIOUS STUDY TOURS HAD SEI’ A GOOD BASE FOR LOCAL FARMERS TO GROW UP-MARKET EXOTIC VEGETABLES.
NOTING THAT CALIFORNIA AND HONG KONG HAVE SIMILAR CLIMATE AND VEGETABLE PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENT, DR LEE URGED THE FARMERS TO MAKE USE OF THIS TRIP TO FURTHER ENHANCE THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND TECHNIQUES IN GROWING EXOTIC VEGETABLES.
/HE HOPED .......
FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1991
- 18 -
HE HOPEI) THE GROUP WOULD SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH THEIR FELLOW FARMERS THERE AND THUS JOINTLY PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF VEGETABLE PRODUCTION IN HONG KONG.
ACCOMPANIED BY AFD’S AGRICULTURAL OFFICER, MR NG SOO-HA, AND THE SENIOR MANAGER OF THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION (VMO), MR EDWARD LAI, THE GROUP WILL VISIT VEGETABLE FARMS, GREENHOUSES, WHOLESALE MARKETS, SEED COMPANIES AND FARM EQUIPMENT DEALERS DURING THEIR 12-DAY TOUR.
THE OVERSEAS STUDY TOUR, THE 14TH SINCE 1977, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY AFD, VMO AND THE FEDERATION OF VEGETABLE MARKETING CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES.
PREVIOUS DESTINATIONS INCLUDED THE UK, JAPAN, THE U.S., AUSTRALIA AND EUROPE.
--------0-----------
TMDB REPRESENTATIVE TO RC ELECTED * ♦ ♦ * *
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING ELECTED MR SO SHIU-SHING AS ITS REPRESENTATIVE TO THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
MR SO WAS ONE OF TWO NOMINEES IN THE ELECTION.
-----0-----
RS URGES YOUNGSTERS TO TAKE UP CREATIVE WRITING
**♦♦♦♦
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR DAVID LAN TODAY (FRIDAY) ENCOURAGED YOUNG PEOPLE TO TAKE UP CREATIVE WRITING.
’’THIS WILL HELP YOUNG PEOPLE IN THEIR PSYCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT WHICH IS PIVOTAL TO THEIR BECOMING GOOD CITIZENS," HE SAID.
MR LAN MADE THE REMARKS WHEN HE TALKED WITH 'THE FINALISTS AND ADJUDICATORS OF THE CREATIVE STORY WRITING COMPETITION AT THE SCOUTS ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG.
THE COMPETITION WAS ORGANISED BY THE SCOUTS ASSOCIATION AS PART OF THE TERRITORY-WIDE HONG KONG YOUTH CULTURAL AND ARTS COMPETITIONS SPONSORED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
------0 - -
/I9 ........
FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1991
ENVIRONMENTAL PAINTING EXHIBITION AT KOWLOON PARK
******
THE ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE (ECC) INVITES PARENTS AND CHILDREN, STUDENTS AND ALL THOSE WHO CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT TO SHARE A FUN TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AFTERNOON AT THE KOWLOON PARK PIAZZA, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ECC SAID.
THERE WILL BE AN EXHIBITION OF 50 OUTSTANDING PAINTINGS SELECTED FROM MORE THAN 1,400 ENTRIES SUBMITTED FOR THE "1991 WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY - STUDENT PAINTING COMPETITION".
VISITORS TO THE EXHIBITION WILL ALSO BE TREATED A SPECIAL CHILDREN VARIETY SHOW PRODUCED BY THE ATV’S "TIGER UNIT".
A ECC SPOKESMAN SAID THE 1991 WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY - STUDENT PAINTING COMPETITION PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, EXHIBITION CUM ATV’S CHILDREN VARIETY SHOW WAS PART OF A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES THE ECC ORGANISED IN SUPPORT OF THE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY ON JUNE 5.
"ALSO ON DISPLAY IS A SET OF NINE WINNING MODELS SELECTED FROM A PREVIOUS 'DRESS UP OUR ENVIRONMENT’ STUDENT DESIGN COMPETITION ORGANISED BY MOBIL OIL HK LTD," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
A PAINTING COMPETITION PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM.
OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WILL BE THE ECC CHAIRMAN, MRS PEGGY LAM; THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DR STUART REED; ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS), MR S.W. WONG; DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF ATV, MR STANISLAUS TSAO; AND THE CONVENER OF WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY EVENTS, MR LAU KONG-WAH.
"THE COMPETITION IS SPONSORED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, MOBIL OIL HONG KONG LIMITED, ATLANTA SPORTSWEAR LTD, JUSCO STORES (HONG KONG) CO LTD, SHUN HING JVC LTD, AND WING FUNG P & P CO," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY CUM EXHIBITION AND CHILDREN VARIETY SHOW ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON AT KOWLOON PARK PIAZZA, TSIM SHA TSUI.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD BE THERE BEFORE 2.15 PM.
AN ADJUDICATOR OF THE COMPETITION, MR WATER POON, WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW ON THE PERFORMANCE OF THE STUDENT PARTICIPANTS.
A PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN AT THE PAINTING ADJUDICATION WILL BE BOXED.
- _ 0 - -
/20
FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1991
A SECTION OF ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD TO BE REBUILT
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT WILL CARRY OUT RESURFACING AND RECONSTRUCTION WORKS ON A SECTION OF ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH YUE KWONG ROAD NEAR HOY AU LAU TO ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD.
A TENDER NOTICE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE WORKS INCLUDE THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE LOWER SECTION OF ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH YUE KWONG ROAD NEAR TIN FAI HOUSE TO ABERDEEN MAIN ROAD.
THE UPPER SECTION OF ABERDEEN RESERVOIR ROAD BETWEEN ITS TWO JUNCTIONS WITH YUE KWONG ROAD WILL BE RESURFACED TO IMPROVE SURFACE FRICTION.
THE STORM WATER DRAINS AT THE LOWER SECTION WILL ALSO BE UPGRADED.
CONSTRUCTION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN AUGUST AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
- - 0 - -
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN MONG KOK TO BE CLOSED
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS AT THE ROOF OVER THE 12TH FLOOR OF FOOK TAT BUILDING AT 24-26 SOY STREET, MONG KOK SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON AUGUST 2 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (FRIDAY).
DEMOLITION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS
ISSUED.
- - 0 - -
/21
FRIDAY, MAY 31, 1991
21
IMPROVEMENT TO FORBES STREET PLAYGROUND
♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL CARRY OUT IMPROVEMENT WORKS TO FORBES STREET PLAYGROUND IN KENNEDY TOWN, HONG KONG ISLAND.
THE WORKS INCLUDE THE RESURFACING OF THE EXISTING GAMES AREA MEASURING ABOUT 2,000 SQUARE METRES, THE PROVISION OF NEW ARBOURS WITH CONCRETE BENCHES AND A STORE ROOM.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN JULY AND BE COMPLETED IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
THE DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, AND THE DEADLINE FOR THE SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JUNE 28.
- - 0 - -
REMOVAL OF SWD OFFICES ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE SAI KUNG FAMILY SERVICES CENTRE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) MOVED TO PO LAM ESTATE, TSEUNG KWAN O.
THE OFFICE, SITUATED ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF PO NING HOUSE, WILL CONTINUE SERVING SAI KUNG RESIDENTS ON SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES.
THE TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR ENQUIRIES ARE 701 9224 AND 701 9495.
MEANWHILE, Till- DEPARTMENT’S YUEN LONG (WEST) SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNIT HAS MOVED TO I2TH FLOOR, YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE.
THE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE OFFICE IS 443 2543.
- - 0 - -